Ashley Troutman

Do you know the size of your carbon footprint? The City of Somerville is trying to decrease theirs with the help of a $650,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy. The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) will fund a Comprehensive City-Wide Energy Roadmap and residential energy efficiency programs.

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, the Board of Aldermen (BOA), and Director of the Office of Sustainability and the Environment, David Lutes, made the announcement last week after the BOA accepted the funds in their weekly meeting. This isn't Somerville's first attempt to conserve, they implemented an Environmental Strategic Plan in 2007, which focused mostly on updating municipal buildings.

Anderson Jupiter, Donald Fuentes, and Cindy Mendoza interview Somerville's Environmental Coordinator, Vithal Deshpande, digitally recording with a Flip video camera.

Part 4 in a series on Somerville Schools

William C. Shelton

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

Andy, Bruno, and Franklin are designing a TV game show about math. Jaemie, Jennifer, Nicole, and Graziella are developing media products on specific ways Somerville can respond to climate change. Patrik, Henry, and Kelvin are making a comic about fractals.

(L to R)Somerville Lions Club President Bill Tauro, Melvin Jones award recipient Timothy O'Malley,and Vice District Governor Joyce Hogan. (L to R) Newest Somerville Lions member Maria Curtatone, Somerville Lions President Bill Tauro and Massachusetts Lions District 33K Vice District Governor Joyce Hogan.

By William Tauro

The highest honor that a Lion's Club member can receive is the "Melvin Jones" award, which was recently presented to Somerville Lion's Club member Timothy O'Malley for his hard work and dedicated service to the club throughout the years. The award was presented during the Somerville Lion's Club Saint Patrick's Day Dinner Show/Charity Event this past week. Massachusetts 33K Vice District Governor Joyce Hogan had the honors of presenting the award to Tim in the function room before a big crowd of members and supporters at the Mount Vernon Restaurant.

Hung Goon and Lisa Kwan celebrated the Irish holiday at the Mount Vernon Restaurant in Somerville dining on corned beef and cabbage while dressed for the occasion. ~Photos by William Tauro

By William Tauro

Thirsty Scholar Pub owner Patrick Cross, along with his four year old son Tadhgie and wife Karen, toast to a busy "Happy St. Patrick's Day." Customers filled the Beacon Street pub wearing traditional green attire to celebrate the holiday.

Hangoon and Lisa Kwan celebrated the Irish holiday at the Mount Vernon Restaurant in Somerville dining on corned beef and cabbage while dressed for the occasion. ~Photos by William Tauro

By William Tauro

Thirsty Scholar Pub owner Patrick Cross, along with his four year old son Tadhgie and wife Karen, toast to a busy "Happy St. Patrick's Day." Customers filled the Beacon Street pub wearing traditional green attire to celebrate the holiday.