Candidate Maria Curtatone for Registrar of Deeds is having a “kickoff rally” at Brunello Bristro at 349 Broadway (Winter Hill Plaza), tonight, Wednesday, February 29, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. If you’d like to help her campaign out, this would be a great place to come to meet and greet Maria as well as the people in her campaign.

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The monthly Chamber of Commerce after hours get together will be held this Thursday, March 1, at the Olde Magoun’s Saloon in Magoun Square from 5-7 p.m. Again, it’s a great business networking event. There will be free appetizers and a free business card drawing and cash bar. Hosted by Somerville Chamber of Commerce Business after Hours Co-chair Dana Iacopucci of Cubby Oil. Send your rsvp to smackey@somervillechamber.org.

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The Somerville Chamber of Commerce “Government Affairs Breakfast” this month is Tuesday, March 6, 7:55 a.m., at the Holiday Inn, 30 Washington St. Sponsored by the Winter Hill Bank. This month’s speaker is Massachusetts Department of Transportation Secretary Richard Davey. Again, email smackey@somervillechamber.org for reservations.

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Our condolences go out to the family of Mary O’Dea who recently passed away. Mary was a member of the old New England Telephone Pioneers as well as a long time Somerville native. She had a lot of friends here in the ‘Ville and she will sadly be missed.

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Happy Birthday to some of Somerville’s well known ‘Villens and not so well known: Sean Fitzgerald is celebrating this week. Sean was a candidate for Alderman last year and we hear he might be next year as well. Also Nancy Trane, the popular better half of Alderman Bob Trane, and of course Nancy is the better looking of them. Toby McGuire, a lifelong ‘Villen here, and also Peter Miller who is also from here, we wish these and many others a Happy Birthday this week. If you’d like to have your name in the paper let us know. We try and put in as many as possible each week.

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This Saturday from 10 to 2 p.m. The Maple Syrup Boil Down Festival will be held at 22 Vinal Avenue here in the ‘Ville. Come watch and learn as sap from local trees is boiled down into pure maple syrup over a warm fire. Join us for syrup tasting, music, kids’ activities, and more! Waffles, syrup, and T-shirts will be on sale.

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Big time congratulations for a job well done to Jay Colbert, President of the Somerville Firefighters Union, who presided over his last union meeting this past week. He resigned that night. Jay is also Secretary Treasurer of the State Firefighters Union.

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Again, keep the date of March 16 from 7 to 11 p.m. at the Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Avenue, for the renewed St. Patrick’s Day Party here in Somerville. After many years of not having it, Alderman Sean O’Donovan has brought it back to the city. Featuring the famous Old Brigade Irish Band, light refreshments and dancing and sing-along songs all for only $20 and a great night out here in Somerville. Years ago when popular former state representative from Somerville Marie Howe used to have this party every year, it packed the Armory wall to wall standing room only. She’s still around the city and is thrilled that Sean has brought this back every year now.

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The Somerville News is now going to have a special place with a picture here in the paper,  “Person of the Week” – you never know it might be you. Look for it every week. Someone special who highlights what we are all about here in the ‘Ville.

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Look for a company change here in Somerville. A local long time Somerville real estate firm is changing hands and has some exciting news as well with it. Lots of great changes and some new and old faces as well.

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Mark your calendar for March 23 to 31 at the Somerville Theatre in Davis Square for the play “Pride & Prejudice” – cost is $15, but students and seniors discounts are $12. It’s an all new adaptation based on Jane Austen’s beloved novel.

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Update on our good friend Bob Publicover: He recently underwent some minor surgery, but for a guy that’s been through as much as he has, he looks fantastic. If you haven’t seen him lately and didn’t know about all the surgery he’s had in the past six months you’d think he is a miracle guy.

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Well, that big box bank that’s located on lower Broadway, you know, the one that carries the bright red logo, just might need not value business here.  We were told that a frequent banking customer at that branch was waiting patiently in line to see the Assistant Manager on Monday to open two savings accounts for his children when another person rudely cut in front of him and was seated with the Manager in her office. When the Manager was asked about the person cutting in front, we heard she replied, “Oh, I don’t control that.”  So the banking customer replied back to her, “Well, I control where I open an account and it won’t be here.”  So the customer we’re told went to another bank. We hope he went to see Jeannie at Century Bank. She’s always helpful.

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Our good friend Rod Kreimeyer, who owns Best Pest here in Somerville, is still down in Florida. He says he likes it when Newstalk mentions his name. We thought we would do it two weeks in a row.

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Congratulations to Marty Martinez, who we we’re told bought a condo in Ward 4 last year. Marty has run for Alderman several times and has managed various campaigns as well, none too successful we’re sad to say. To us that live here in the Winter Hill area (and there a lot of us) we want to welcome him here. But at the recent Democratic Caucus he came over at first to Ward 4 caucus, saw there were no or not enough PDS members so he went over to the Ward 7 caucus. Marty is still active in the PDS but is no longer its President, we’re sad to say. Some of us thought he was doing a great job.

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We have a suggestion for the MBTA on how to cut its deficit. Instead of raising the fares, why not get rid of the 900 excessive hirings over the last three years. The pension system at the MBTA is one of the best. You only have to work a certain amount of years, shorter than in the private sector, and you get one helluva pension. If the private sector ran their businesses like the MBTA does they would be bankrupt. Just a suggestion, which is much better than raising fares on the people who depend on the MBTA for work.

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Friday, March 8, the Annual Fundraiser for the Memorial Day Parade will be held at the high school auditorium. This year’s performance is by comedian Joe Rocco, who does a great job impersonating Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. For tickets call the Mayor’s office 617-625-6600 x 2100. Donation is $20pp and it promises to be a great time. Sponsored by Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and the Office of Veterans Services.

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So, we hear that an Alderman has been acting like Mr. Nasty to several department heads at his committee hearings held at City Hall. We’re going to have special Newstalkers start attending these hearings to confirm for ourselves, but we hear this guy has been over the top regarding his requests. Not such a nice guy anymore. We know who it isn’t but we’ll keep you posted.

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Speaking of Aldermen, we see that one Alderman in particular has not submitted his filings to City Hall. He’s late again. Let’s hope this acts as a reminder. He’s been slipping lately with remembering things.

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We don’t know how many got the recent mailing in Winter Hill (Ward 4), but new Alderman Tony LaFuente has already impressed many with the recent mailing he’s sent out. It’s a request card asking if individuals have any problems that the city can address or any other issue. Great work. We are sure other Aldermen are or have been doing this. If not maybe it’s a good idea to? Good work, Alderman LaFuente.

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We see that our friend Steven MacEachern is running for one of the seats on the Board of Directors of the Somerville Municipal  Credit union. We wish him luck.

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And finally, a heartfelt Happy Leap Year to one and all! Just be sure to look before you leap!