Former Mayor Dorothy Kelley Gay, Secretary of State Bill Galvin and former Alderman Bob McWatters at Sally O’Brien’s celebrating St. Patrick’s Day.

Sally O’Brien’s on Somerville Ave. celebrated its Irish heritage last Wednesday on  St Patrick’s Day. Owner Liam Mannion and former Alderman Bob McWatters invited friends and the public to a night of  Guinness, corned beef and cabbage and Irish music.

Joining in on the festivities were several past and present public servants such as Mayor Dorothy Kelley Gay, Secretary of State Bill Galvin, Middlesex County District Attorney Marion Ryan, State Representative Dan Ryan, Election Commissioner Nick Salerno and DPW worker Kevin McDevitt.

Somerville Public Schools Superintendent Mary Skipper is pleased to announce that the Somerville High School Principal Search Screening Committee has forwarded the names of four finalists out of an initial slate of 33 applicants, for consideration as the school’s next principal. Earlier this year, current SHS Principal Sebastian “Sibby” LaGambina, also a graduate of SHS, announced his plans to retire at the end of this school year after an outstanding 35-year career with the district, including the last four as Principal of SHS.

Mayor Joe Curtatone expresses solidarity with those afflicted by bigotry and violence.

Children are never too young to learn the importance of sustainability or begin adopting eco-friendly habits. Earth Day, celebrated April 22, is a great time to get started, and experts say it all starts with playtime.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

“The grass is always greener in the other fella’s yard.”

When I was a kid that song was the theme song of Big Brother Bob Emery’s live TV show on channel 4. His previous show in the late 1940’s was called Small Fry Club and he referred to his young guests as “small fries.”

— Photo courtesy of Students for a Free Tibet

The following press release was issued by the Students for a Free Tibet organization on Wednesday:

Following years of campaigning by local activists, including 13 weeks of continuous weekly protests, and pressure from city and state elected leaders, Tufts University announced its plan to close its controversial Confucius Institute (CI) today.

MRA open letter posted on Instagram on March 15, 2021, via MRA @ma_restaurants calling for Mayor Curtatone to change his lone policy on reduced restaurant capacities.

By Denise Keniston

On Monday March 15, Somerville Mayor Curtatone officially extended the 25% capacity restriction on Somerville businesses to March 30, while the rest of the state moves towards reopening.

The mayor’s policy decision flies in the face of Governor Charlie Baker’s March 1 announcement that he was dropping capacity limits on restaurants, but still requiring masks and social distancing of six feet for patrons. The Massachusetts Restaurant Association, with a membership of 1800 restaurants, has fired back at Curtatone with an open letter posted on Instagram.

City officials and outside consultants recently met to discuss the latest plans for renovation of the Gilman Square area.

By Joe Creason

On Thursday, March 10, City Councilors and members of the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development, held a meeting to discuss the implementation of renovations for the Gilman Square area. Consultants from the Boston architecture firm NBBJ, were present to give a concurrent review of their plan and existing conditions at the Gilman Square site.