The Somerville Times editor David Smith sits down with the mayor for the latest edition of The Mayor’s Report.

Stephen Bradley and Deirdre O’Kane will be honored for their film, Noble, at this year’s Irish Film Festival, Boston, running from March 20 to 23 at the Somerville Theatre.

Following a one-year hiatus, Irish Film Festival, Boston, sponsored by B.A. Event Promotions/Rás na hÉireann, will run from March 20 to 23 at the historic Somerville Theatre and will screen approximately 30 films. This year’s lineup will offer a host of contemporary Irish films, receptions with visiting Irish filmmakers, cocktail parties and a few surprises.

Somerville firefighter, Jay McKenzie.

The Painted Burro celebrated its two-year anniversary with a churro burro tower eating contest. Five contestants lined up to take down a tower of the fried Mexican doughnuts washed down with The Painted Burro’s horchata iced coffee. The winner, Jay McKenzie, a Somerville firefighter, walked away with a $300 Alpine Restaurant Group gift card, which can be used at The Painted Burro’s Downtown Crossing location, anticipated to open later this year. He also received a trophy, first place medal and bragging rights.

Proposed legislation would increase exemption on principal residences to 35 percent, City to explore additional exemption increases

Somerville homeowners would receive the highest property tax exemption in the state under a proposal submitted by Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone to the Board of Aldermen this week, and the city continues to explore increasing exemptions for seniors, veterans, widows and those with disabilities that are already double the state limits.

Tufts unable to meet timetable on redevelopment of former school; Process to Proceed to Consideration of First Alternate Bidder

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone announced that the City of Somerville will re-open the process of finding a developer for redevelopment of the Powder House Community School, due to Tufts University being unable to meet the timetable terms on a land disposition agreement.

Members of Fossil Free Somerville write letters to elected officials asking them to support S.1225, a bill that would require the Massachusetts Pension Reserves Investment Trust to freeze new investments in fossil-fuel companies and urge a transition of new investments to renewable energy-related organizations.. — Photo courtesy Fossil Free Somerville/Facebook

By Jeremy F. van der Heiden

The Somerville Board of Aldermen held a special public hearing Thursday, March 13, after a petition was signed by 129 registered voters that called for the city to take several actions toward divesting from fossil-fuel companies. The specific target of this particular petition was the Somerville Retirement Board.

Although the hearing would have ended with a vote on the item, which included such calls to action as urging the Retirement Board to identify holdings that include fossil fuels and cease any new investments into these firms, among several others, an unexpected statement prevented this right from the outset.

— Photos by Bobbie Toner

The 12th Ras na hEireann U.S.A. 5K road race sponsored by Marathon Sports & Mizuno was held Sunday, March 16, in Somerville.

The 25th anniversary for the Somerville Commission for Women is tonight (Wednesday, March 19) from 6-8 at the East Somerville Community School (50 Cross St.). Join the commissioners of past and present to look at the past, present, and future of women’s priorities, initiatives and programming for Somerville. The event is hosted by Nancy Gaudet-Bacci.

Patsy’s Pastry Shop and the house next to it are slated for removal, making way for a new mixed-use residential and retail presence on the site. — Photo courtesy of Somerville Assessing Department

By David R. Smith

The Planning Board approved two projects, one in East Somerville and one in Union Square, at its most recent meeting, each of which had raised concerns – and in one case a lawsuit – from neighbors and abutters.

Somerville Pride played at Mass Premier Courts in Foxboro against King Philip and won with the final score of 21-19. Pictured: Back row — Coach Dale Estey, Kenzi Ramadam, Vedrana Stantic, Elizabeth McEwen, Jada West, Kimberly Toner, Corinne McKellar, Madisson Powell, Josphine Rizzo, Coach Jay Rizzo. Front row — Ava Cannisharo, Bridget Frazier, Jill Hutchinson, Chloe Wilson, Katie Ziko,  Missing from picture is Audrey Bocage and Coach Nicole Estey.

— Photo by Courtney Rizzo