The Somerville Chamber of Commerce Business after Hours this month is at the The Burren, 247 Elm Street, Davis Square, 5-7 p.m., Thursday, May 2. Free appetizers, excellent networking, free business card drawing and a cash bar. Sponsored by Eastern Bank. Hosted by Dana Iacopucci of Cubby Oil. RSVP with name(s) and affiliation(s) of guests to smackey@somervillechamber.org.

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Nomination papers for this year’s local city elections are out this coming Monday, May 6. Candidates have until June 12 to turn them in and they need to be certified by July 3.

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Just as we predicted last week, Mary Jo Rossetti announced she wasn’t running for re-election as School Committee member from Ward 7. Although she refused to answer what, if anything, she’s running for, we predicted last week and again this week, she’s running for Alderman At Large since Bruce Desmond might not run for re-election. We still stand by our prediction that Alderman Bob Trane won’t run for re-election and that Joe Capuano, the son of Congressman Mike, is running in Ward Seven. Now, if Mary Jo runs for Alderman At Large what does that do to Sean’s Fitzgerald’s plans to run for the At Large seat, unless one or both can remove a present incumbent?

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Now, we heard that long time School Committee member from Ward 2, Teresa Cardoso, isn’t running for re-election this year as well. We think, though, she’s just retiring at the end of the term. The race in Ward One for the school committee seat, so far we hear two are running, the  race in Ward Two, no one yet but we’ll know shortly. In Ward 5 we should have three candidates for that open seat, and in Ward 7 it’s still early. We did hear, however, that Paul Bockleman in Ward 6 was considering not running, but that’s just a rumor. We think he will run again. In Ward 3 Adam Sweeting has never had an opponent and with an open seat on the alderman’s race he would have. So we heard he’s going to play it like he always has, staying exactly where he is on the School Board. Maybe this would be a good time to do away with the elected School Board and do what Boston does, appoint by the mayor and pay less and we would save some money. At least that is a thought.

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We got confirmation from long time Ward 3 Alderman Tom Taylor last week that he wasn’t going to seek re-election, that he was going to retire and enjoy his family. He has served the good people of Ward 3 for at least three decades of public service. A job well done. We salute him and his lovely wife Celia, who we hear also might just retire from her job down at the Healy School, which she loves.

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We hear that the most talked about potential candidate for office this year, Bob McWaters, has been making calls, visiting with some close friends, and seriously considering the run and has told friends he will make his mind up just after this weekend. We think he would make a formidable candidate in Ward 3. We predict he’s going to put on those special running shoes he has and has worn through many campaigns over the years and will run for Alderman in Ward 3. We also hear that some in Ward 3 are waiting to see what Bob is going to do.

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In Ward 5, Mark the Shark has been out there and with Sean out of the race we hear he’s changing gears since his opponent Courtney O’Keefe has been seated on the Board of Alderman this past week. We hear Courtney has been busy as well, getting together her organization of people in Ward 5 to campaign to keep the seat. We hear she might be having a fundraiser sometime soon.

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On behalf of Somerville Lions Club President Gene Brune and our Club members, we would like to give thanks from the bottom of our hearts to everyone who attended the Somerville Lions Club Charity Brunch at the Mount Vernon Restaurant in Somerville this past Sunday. Close to 300 supporters attended the event and were in and out all day on Sunday as they helped to raise some well needed donations for Somerville Lions Club Charities, especially the charities for “Help Finding a Cure for Blindness and Diabetes.” A big thank you also goes out to the Mount Vernon Restaurant and the Henry Family for their generosity and continuous support of the Somerville Lions Club throughout the years. Thank you again for your continuous overwhelming show of support.

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Happy Birthday greetings go out to former Somerville Mayor Dorothy Kelly Gay who is celebrating her birthday with her husband Bert and their children. More happy birthday greetings going out to Ellen Glovasky, one of our favorite waitresses over at the Mount Vernon Restaurant. Happy birthday to Susan Gail Leyva, who is our good friend, and to Somerville’s favorite mailman, Eddy Abate. Also, Mike Moccia of the Ball Square Café fame is celebrating this week. Former Villen Chris Cianci, who is seen here in the city all the time, also Florence Lewis and another Villen Anthony Frasier. Happy Birthday to Linda Norton-Beebe, the niece of Donald and Pat, and finally to our good friend Leo Saltman, who works for the city. We wish these and all the other Villens a Happy Birthday this week.

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Our condolences go out to the family of long time Somerville resident, 97-year-old Assunta (Dussi) Pasciuto, who passed away this past weekend. She was also mother to our good friend Somerville Lion Frank Pasciuto. Assunta was a wonderful person and will be sadly missed.

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A get well soon goes out to our good friend Freddy Caruso who we heard is back in the hospital again. We wish him all the best for a speedy recovery.

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Our thoughts and best wishes go to our friend George Manzeli who has been released from the hospital and now home on the mend. George is a great guy with many friends throughout the Ville.

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Our condolences go out to the family of Phyllis (Nannis) Kusmin. Phyllis was a very nice lady and, along with her husband Murray, was heavily involved with Lions Clubs around the world. Phyllis was also mother to our good friend Steve Kusmin here in the Ville. She will be sadly missed.

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The family of Larry Post will be holding a one year anniversary Mass for Larry on Saturday, May 25 at 4:00 p.m. at St. Joseph’s Church on Washington St., Somerville. All are invited. However, even though it’s Memorial Day weekend and many will be out of town, a private prayer from everyone will be more than enough.

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The annual Somerville High Scholarship Foundation raffle is coming up fast on May 17 and the usual first price of $10,000 will be awarded along with many other prizes. Only 250 tickets are to be sold. The event will be held at the Highlander Café at the High School, May 17, 7 p.m. with the drawing starting at 8p.m. Several door prizes will be offered, along with refreshments and lots of fun for a great cause. To purchase a ticket for the raffle beforehand make checks payable to the SHS Scholarship Foundation and mail your $100 check to SHS Raffle, c/o Eugene Brune. P.O. Box 440275, Somerville, 02144.

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A fundraiser Gala to benefit Prospect Hill Academy Charter School, hosted by Young Professionals Advisory Board, is Friday, May 10, 9 p.m. to 12 a.m., at Harvard Club, 1 Federal Street, Boston. Open bar, live auction, and a live DJ. Price is $75 online and $100 at the door.

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FREE acupuncture and refreshments in celebration of May Day and a 2nd anniversary in business. Contributions to benefit PocaTech (an affordable acupuncture school), and the One Fund. Because this is an open house they will be doing simpler relaxation-oriented treatments free of charge. Appointments recommended, walk-ins welcome. Open Space Community Acupuncture, 66 Union Square, Somerville, Sunday, May 5,  12-5:00 p.m. For more information and online scheduling: openpsaceacupuncture.com. 617-62 7-9700.