The job for Veterans Services Director here in Somerville has had a couple of prospects say not interested. Former Ward 1 Alderman Richard Johnson and Somerville Chamber President Ron Bonney, we heard, were asked and refused. Now we hear that some person from Kentucky has been talked to, but no answer yet. Before leaving we heard that Frank Senesi recommended a local female Iraq veteran for the job. We also hear that the Mayor might be recommending a pay hike for the position to attract people. Maybe that guy in Kentucky?

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So, all the Aldermen will fall in line behind Alderman Maryann Heuston except one.  We hear Alderman Bill Roche from Ward 1 is not supporting anyone,  he is staying out of the race.

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So who is the Moroccan Mole up at City Hall? We hear he likes to party a lot. Some wish he would return phone calls as much as he likes to party, but then again in that position in the past was a famous no phone call return person named Cathy.     

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The campaign committee reports for last year’s candidates for public office here in Somerville have been filed but we hear one or two might be late. We’re going to do what everyone in the city should do, which is go to the City Hall web site and read the reports for yourself. We will and we will report who gave what to who and how much and how little!

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Our condolences go out to the Joseph A. DiMartino family here in Somerville for their recent loss. Joseph was a WWII hero who was received the Purple Heart for his bravery and injuries at the Battle of the Bulge, and past commander of several posts here in the city.   He was a nice man and will be missed by the many family members and friends that he leaves behind.

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Happy Birthday to the many ‘Villens here and elsewhere from the city. A big Happy Birthday to Eleanor Pye of the famous many generations of Pye family here. Also, celebrating this week is Deborah Hight, now of Medford. There is Alexander Bartlett, a SHS student. Also at SHS is Brenna Forristall. We wish them both Happy Birthday. Another person celebrating this week amongst others is Anthony Chirco.

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“An Evening of Italian Opera and Song” in Somerville! The program “Riflessi di sole”, which translates to “Reflection of the Sun,” will include early 20th century Italian art songs as well as arias from the Italian opera, such Boheme, Rigoletto, and more. Friday, February 17, at 7:30p.m. at the Museum of Modern Renaissance, 115 College Avenue, Somerville, by subway, red line, Davis Square. Free Street parking. To learn more about the performers please visit www.riflessidisole.com. Donations of $20 are asked of the general public, while seniors and students are asked to donate $10. Free for Children 12 and under.

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Don’t forget to join the Somerville Arts Council, CASPAR Inc. and the Somerville Chamber of Commerce for a special event book signing and Q&A session featuring nationally acclaimed local photographer, Bill Brett, in honor of his latest book, Boston Inspirational Women tonight. Brett’s latest achievement is a father-daughter collaboration with Kerry Brett, who compiled more than 125 black-and-white portraits of women with Boston ties for the book.  With words by Carol Beggy and a foreword by Karen Kaplan, the book documents women who are influential and inspirational in their city and beyond. The book signing will be held tonight,  Wednesday, Feb. 8, 5-7p.m. at Foundry on Elm in Davis Square. All proceeds from book sales will go to CASPAR Inc.’s “New Day Program,” which offers residential treatment programs for pregnant and parenting mothers with substance abuse issues, and their newborns. For more information, contact CASPAR at 617-628-3850 or aaldin@casparinc.org.

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The Somerville Theatre is hosting the Boston Science Fiction Film Festival starting Friday, Feb 10 and it runs through February 20. Check out the theatre’s web site for more information, http://feitheatres.com/somerville-theatre/

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Tonight, February 8, the Green Line Extension Project Team will hold a public meeting to review the latest design plans for Washington Street/Union Street Stations. The meeting will be held at the Holiday Inn from 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m.

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Congratulations to five Kennedy School students, Miranda Smelcer, Wen Chen, Megan Leininger, Michelle Magalhaes and Kaleigh Conte who won recognition in the Scholastic Art Award competition. There were over 14,000 entries in this statewide competition.

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Kara Dardeno, a local lawyer and a member of the Somerville Rotary Club, will plunge into the ocean February 11 to help Rotary raise money to eradicate polio in the world. The Plunge, from Gloucester’s Long Beach, is a regional Rotary fundraiser. Since 1988, the incidence of polio has plummeted by more than 99 percent, from about 350,000 cases annually to fewer than 650 cases reported so far for 2011. Local clubs like the one in Somerville raise money every year to help with this effort – and Kara is willing to jump into the ocean to demonstrate her commitment. Pledges can be made out to Rotary District 7930 Polar Plunge! and mailed to Ann Kirby, 4 Melanie Lane, Arlington, MA 02474 or pledges can be made on-line at http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/karadardeno/rotarydistrict7930polarplunge.