The Tufts CAFEH study offers new insights in to ways of minimizing health risks caused by pollution generated on our roadways.

By Jason Andrew Park

In a new report titled Improving Health in Communities Near Highways, researchers and key stakeholders from various institutions highlighted potential solutions to reduce traffic-related air pollution exposure in Boston and Somerville.

Teachers and volunteers spent the weekend preparing temporary classrooms at Capuano Early Childhood Center, Edgerly School, and East Somerville Community School.

By Jim Clark

Last week’s partial collapse of the roof over a girls bathroom at the Brown School sent chills through the hearts and minds of parents whose children narrowly missed being seriously injured, due to the lateness of the hour when the event occurred. The collapse took place after hours and nobody was in the building at that time.

We are saddened by the news that a good guy from Somerville passed away down in Florida. Tom Taylor, who served our city well and in particular the residents of Ward 3 over many years, is now resting in peace. The whole city knew he was going through a lot over these past couple of years, but he was very strong willed and, of course, his lovely Celia was by his side all the time, encouraging him and making him smile, creating more great memories together. The suffering is over and now is a time to celebrate the life he shared with us and all the good things he did. With that said, his wife Celia and his family would like to invite everyone to a “Celebration of Life” on Sunday, April 26 from 4-8 p.m. at the Somerville City Club, across from the Holiday Inn. All are welcomed to share with the Taylor family and friends the many good times and good things Tom did here in his beloved Somerville. Donations of food and beverages are greatly appreciated. There is a Facebook page set up for the “Celebration” (https://www.facebook.com/celia.taylor.505) to let the family know if you’re going.

Awardees (pictured left to right): Ryan Habbyshaw (Loyal Supply Company), Kimberly LaFoy (Loyal Supply Company), Max MacCarthy (City of Somerville), Chris Moynihan (Retail Visioning), Sadie Ng (Retail Visioning).

By Rebecca Danvers

On Monday, Union Square Station Associates (US2), Somerville’s master developer partner for Union Square’s revitalization, announced four local businesses that have been selected to participate in a Technical Assistance Program to help storefront small businesses refine their business approach and take advantage of the new opportunities that will be presented by the community-driven redevelopment and enhancement of Union Square.

Best Feature winner “Gold,” directed by Niall Heery, will be kicking off The Irish Film Festival of Boston running this weekend at the Somerville Theatre in Davis Square.

By Haley Houseman

The Irish Film Festival of Boston will be taking over the Somerville Theatre in Davis Square this weekend, Thursday, March 19 through Sunday, March 22, just in time for the St Patrick’s Day holiday. Over thirty films will be shown, from family-friendly animation to documentaries, short films, comedies and thrillers.

By Tom Bannister

Former Massachusetts Senator Scott P. Brown paid a visit to Tufts University last week. ~Photo courtesy of Tufts University

Scott P. Brown, former senator from Massachusetts, appeared at Tufts University on March 11 as part of the Tisch College Distinguished Speaker Series, which brings leaders from a range of fields and perspectives to campus to discuss pressing public issues.

The horrific collapse of part of the roof at the Brown School last week sent shock waves through the community and served as a wake up call that the structural integrity of some of our public buildings is far from sure and safe.

Eagle Feathers #74 – Bringing Light to Somerville

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

In 1853, when Somerville’s Charles Tufts was asked what he intended to do with his large parcel of land in the western part of the city, he replied, “I will put a light upon that hill.” Today, this light brightly burns on in the form of Tufts University and is on its college seal that proclaims in Latin, “peace and light.”

By Rebecca Danvers

Your 2015 Prospect Hill Academy Lady Wizards.

The MCSAO Championship Tournament took place this past weekend on the University of Massachusetts, Boston Harbor Campus with the quarter-finals match-ups on Friday night, the semi-finals on Saturday and the championship match on Sunday morning. Three-time defending MCSAO Champion, KIPP Academy, advanced to this year’s championship game with convincing early round wins over Foxborough Regional (59-41) and Boston Collegiate (60-25).

Well, when you work  three jobs like I do, you meet a lot of interesting people. And because I am a local journalist, I get to interview a fair number of interesting people. Have if you will … one Mr. George MacDonald, a comedian, playwright, and for now–a night counselor at McLean Hospital, where I work. George and I were like two ships passing in the night. I was leaving the 3 to 11 shift and George was starting his usual graveyard. George looked like an interesting dude, and so we eventually got talking. George is originally from Southie, and was part of the comedy explosion here in Boston in the 80s and 90s. Since we are both a year or so on either side of 60 – we knew a lot of the people, places, and folks on the scene for the past decades. George is good friends with the comedian Jimmy Tingle, who I worked with with when I ran The Somerville News Writers Festival. He had great anecdotes about many of the other great comedians, poseurs, players, what have you… in Boston and L.A.–his stomping grounds during his career.   Here is a brief bio for George: