Join in this Thursday, March 22, 7:30 p.m., for the Opening of the 18th Annual Irish Film Festival, Boston, as the Somerville Theatre presents two award-winning films, then enjoy the after-party at Orleans Restaurant.

By Jim Clark

Police officers responded to a call last Friday morning reporting a robbery at knifepoint at a pharmacy on Broadway.

A description of the suspects, two males and two females, and the suspect vehicle was provided to the responding officers. The suspect vehicle, a rental car, bore a Florida license plate.

All cars must be moved from City metered lots by 11:30 a.m. Thursday to avoid ticketing and towing. Cars in School lots may remain there until 7 a.m. Friday.

Schools remain canceled on Thursday.

Due to lower than forecasted snow totals, the City of Somerville’s snow emergency will be lifted effective 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, March 22. The information below offers tips to avoid ticketing and towing as well as strategies for being a good neighbor and staying safe.

By Joseph A. Curtatone

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

Taking a closer look at notable city data—and interesting numbers.

16 percent reduction in motor vehicle crashes: Last year we saw a 16 percent reduction in total motor vehicle crashes – with none of them resulting in fatalities – in Somerville. The year also represented a five-year low in motor vehicle crashes involving bicycles and a seven-year low in motor vehicle crashes involving pedestrians.

~ Photos by Mary Marshall and Caroline Rosas

All schools in the district will be closed tomorrow, March 22, due to the continuing threat of heavy snowfall tonight and into tomorrow morning. This has been a particularly challenging storm to track with the start of the more severe weather shifting throughout the day to a later arrival to our area. The most recent weather predictions are still calling for up to 8-10 inches of wet and heavy snow starting tonight and lasting through tomorrow mid-morning, which would make for dangerous roads, sidewalks, and travel conditions tomorrow.

Soil testing conducted in preparation for the proposed renovation of Conway field has revealed contamination in the soil requiring its closure. Samples taken at various locations and depths identified contamination including lead and PCBs, some of which exceeded regulatory limits. In accordance with State and federal guidelines and at the recommendation of our consultant, additional testing will be conducted. Once further testing results are available, we will work with our consultants as well as the MA Department of Environmental Protection and EPA to determine what remediation is required, and the field will remain closed until that remediation is complete.

City officials continue the search for effective rodent control measures.

By Jim Clark

The Somerville Board of Aldermen Rodent Issues Special Committee held a meeting last Wednesday, March 14, to address both the progress and challenges in the city’s efforts to reduce rodent infestation.

Jill Maio dangles from a silk. ~Photos by Emily Blackwood

By Emily Blackwood

At AirCraft Aerial Arts, the circus is always in town.

Colorful silks, lyras, cloud swings – and other apparatuses you didn’t think a human being could hang from – dangle off the 20-foot ceiling of the studio’s two spacious rooms in Union Square. After teaching in the back of a gym and inside a towing garage, AirCraft found its home in 2010 at 14 Tyler Street, Somerville.