The Mayor’s trip (Somerville goes to Italy) is filling up fast - as it’s scheduled for May 14 to visit Mayor Joe’s family’s ancestral home. So far we hear Mrs. Frump and The mouth of mouth’s from East Somerville are planning on attending - which leaves the Demo Man’s wife in charge up at the Council on Aging. We wonder if Mrs. Frump and the Mouth of East Somerville got their rooms “comped” like we heard they do when they go on Council trips to the Casinos in Connecticut.
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Speaking of Demo Man and his buddy Butchie - we hear they’re quietly still running around the city shilling that 77-90 unit building/complex they want to build in Ward 2 - we heard that in the last few weeks they had private meetings with some aldermen – we will keep you posted, because it would be very interesting to see if they get this approved. Speaking of Demo Man, we hear that he has been moonlighting as one of the Soprano’s at the Koowloon in Saugus – he plays Tony Sopranos brother-in-law, Bobby Bacala in the hit show based on the now ended HBO series. Perfect casting don’t you think?
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That Spelling Bee that we mentioned last week here in Newstalk is quickly becoming a success - we’ve been told that the teams are filling up fast - but if you want to get a team together, you still can at a cost of $300 - which goes to the Capuano PTA. Contact Sean at seanjfitz@comcast.net or Cristin at cdlind@yahoo.com for information. Remember the date – Friday, April 25 at the Holiday Inn on Washington Street – come on out, even if you don’t have a team and enjoy the evening that’s not political (if we see politics going on at this event, we will report it). It is for a good cause and should be fun.
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The 34th Annual PTA Scholarship Dinner Dance will be held on Friday, May 2 at Anthony’s in Malden. This year they’re honoring Mary Jo Rossetti, Steve Tuccelli, Joe Vilaine, Marie DiFava and the late Joe Mackey by presenting five scholarships to deserving seniors in the honoree’s names. All contributions to the program book and to the dinner/dance will be the source of the funds for the scholarships – any donations can be dropped off at any of the public schools – put “Attention PTA Dinner Dance” on the envelope.
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In celebration of National Volunteer Week, the New England Regional Unit, Boston Chapter of Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic (RFB&D)® will host its annual Record-A-Thon from April 28 to May 3, at its studio at 58 Charles Street in Cambridge. The production goal is to have volunteer readers staff all eight recording booths at the Chapter’s studio in Cambridge for 12 hours (8:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.) during the six-day event. The event’s financial goal is $30,000. To participate in the 2008 Record-A-Thon, please contact Ron Wudarsky at (617) 577-1111 ext. 22, or rwudarsky@rfbd.org for more information.
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We hear that the city is going to sue the contractors for the Trum Field renovations. Apparently this contractor is trying to bill the city much more money than the original estimate given to the city way back when.
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“Saving Sight” in Somerville - and you can help! This coming Sunday, April 27, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., the Somerville Lions Club will be hosting their annual Charity Breakfast! Proceeds from the breakfast will go towards eye research, one of the many charities that the Somerville Lions have dedicated themselves to sponsoring! Tickets are $8 or two for $15 and can be purchased at the door – their building is located at 9 New Washington Street – directly behind the Holiday Inn. Come and support this worthwhile event.
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Congratulations to popular attorney and local residents Charles and Laurie Sillari - they just became the proud parents of Charles Joseph Sillari, III - who weighed in at a whopping 9 pounds! They’re going to need to buy a lot of diapers now we think.
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Alderman Bob Trane recently scored an Eagle playing golf - he’s been practicing, we can tell. Congratulations to his daughter Jessica for being accepted at NYU this coming fall - boy does time fly by fast - we can remember her in grammar school.
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CASPAR is holding their Youth Services Benefit Luncheon on Thursday May 8 from Noon to 2:00 p.m. at the MIT Faculty Club - located at 50 Memorial Drive, sixth floor, Cambridge. Bob Oakes, who is the Assistant News Director and Anchor of WBUR’s Morning Edition, will be the Master of Ceremonies for the event - for tickets call 617-628-3850 in advance. CASPAR has been serving the communities of Somerville and Cambridge for many years and does a great job.
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It was a nice time this last Friday evening at the SHS Auditorium for the Memorial Day Parade Committee Fundraiser - a nice crowd was in attendance with well over a few hundred people who showed up and enjoyed an evening of comedy and songs. Frank Senesi did another great job this year in organizing this event, which helps to fund the large Memorial Day Parade here in Somerville - this year its on Sunday, May 25.
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The Patriots Day Paul Revere ride annual ceremony at Foss Park was held Monday - attending were a nice crowd of about 200 to 250 adults and children to witness the annual event. Leading the ceremonies this year was President of the Board of Alderman Dennis Sullivan, who did a wonderful job as usual - also present was Ward 2 Alderman Maryann Heuston, School Committee member from Ward 3 Adam Sweeting, School Committee member from Ward 4 Jamie Norton - along with State Rep. Tim Toomey and state Senator Anthony Galluccio. Missing from the event were a majority of the Board of Aldermen and School Committee elected officials along with the Queen of the Progressives Senator Pat and of course when she’s not there Representative Carl (otherwise known as Prince Carl of the progressives) along with all the elected officials from west end of the city. Maybe there was a private meeting of the PDSers that morning, we’re not sure, but it would have been nice to see a better turnout of our elected official on Patriots Day here in our city.
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Pescatore’s Italian Restaurant and Seafood Grille in Ball Square has a lot of people raving about the cooking there - it seems to have become a popular dining place here in Somerville, seems they got their long awaited liquor license approved this past week. It’s a wonderful restaurant for fine Italian dinning with a cool refreshing cocktail on the side, several Newstalkers have eaten there lately and it’s great.
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Here’s an interesting one for the books, if true. It seems that an MBTA employee has allegedly revealed a long lost and forgotten secret that nobody was supposed to know about. Apparently a long time ago a tunnel was dug under Somerville around the Union Square area that leads directly to Medford. The tunnel was allegedly dug for an underground railway transit system but was never used. Somehow it was forgotten for many years and now rumors of its existence are surfacing around town.
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Molly Taber could be a qualifier for the Beijing Olympics quickly coming up in August. In the qualifying trials held recently in Boston, Molly ran third in a field of 150 marathoners - we hope she does great in the trials at the end of this month.
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Congrats are in order for Rick Noble of Matignon, who has been chosen as this year’s baseball team captain. Rick is a two-time all-Catholic League All-Star. The star shortstop from Somerville has a .353 lifetime batting average. Keep up the good work, Rick!
Speaking of "A Hole in One" it seems the Executive Director of the SHA started his engine up, 250 Ford Pick-up a week about last Thursday totting a bag of Golf Clubs. Seems no one is beyond the radar scope while he uses his SHA brand new 250 Pick-up with regular plates attached to do a little recreation while getting paid. Unlike the Chief of Fire a long time ago switching out his license plates, Joe doesn’t need to do this since they are regular plates.
We here Joe M. yelling, FOURRRRRRRRRRRRR from the first hole that day. Must be out of practice huh Joe?
The Mole
Posted by: The Mole | April 23, 2008 at 06:31 AM
Bobby Bucala! He's more like Moopi Dick!
Posted by: Whale Hunter | April 23, 2008 at 08:20 AM
sue the Trum "big dig" contractor ? First, who were they related to getting that bid ? Longest rehab to put new seats overlooking a field the contractor has been driving trucks over for 2+ years. Instead of putting in seats (that will go mostly unused) maybe we can get a load of asphalt put down on Broadway. The streets of Iraq are smoother.
Posted by: Mole Fan | April 23, 2008 at 08:44 AM
Are either of those two dames from East Somerville you mentioned involved in some way with the ZBA?
Posted by: just wondering | April 23, 2008 at 10:22 AM
Where in Ward 2 is this 77-90 unit building proposal?
Posted by: Ron Newman | April 23, 2008 at 10:33 AM
We could film our own Soprano's Hit Series sequel right here?and call it "Winter Hill in the Ville"! The Demo Guy as Bobby Bucala, Frank Santan as Pauly, Mayor Joe as Chris,?Donald N as Uncle Jr., Billy T as Tony Soprano, Dennis Sully as Syl, Water Commish Carol Anton? as Carmella, Stan K?as Pussy and Assistant City Solicitor Buckly as crazy Ralph
Posted by: "Winter Hill in the Ville"! | April 23, 2008 at 10:44 AM
Watch and Listen, the property on Cragie Street which has been acquired by SOD will shortly be transformed into a multiplex facility. Guess who will be the Demo guy for this project, when it gets approved, and it will get approved.
Hot off the colds is another property on Porter Street which is in eyeball sight of SOD and that TOO will be converted to a multiplex facility.
Time is on his side, yes it is.
The Mole
Posted by: The Mole | April 23, 2008 at 10:51 AM
Wasn't SO'D behind that hideous structure on the north side of Somerville Ave near Conway Park (at Laurel Street?), or am I getting him confused with another political creature with close ties to the Zoning Board?
Between that abomination and the dust-up sometime ago in West Somerville (Harrison Road? Elmwood Terrace? The one where it looks like the guy airlifted a double-wide onto a two-family?) I'd argue for the creation of a Design Board for preliminary review.
Posted by: Tricky | April 23, 2008 at 11:05 AM
April Fool's Day is long past - what's up with the Union Square to Medford tunnel item? If it's supposed to be funny I don't get it.
Posted by: Fat City Citizen | April 23, 2008 at 11:32 AM
for the spelling bee people check out this website to learn the alphabet
www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8pk1uykb31
enjoy and good luck
Posted by: Friend of Ward 6 | April 23, 2008 at 04:31 PM
Why, oh why, would the city have to sue the contractor? All that would do is cost the city $$$. Here's what I do when someone doesn't follow the contract......I pay what the contract calls for and not a penny more. If they can't finish the project on time, withold more of the payment. If they don't like it, they can sue me, and any judge who looks at the contract will find in my favor and most likely award me court costs and attorney fees. We'll probably find out that the only copy of the contract was stolen.........It was either being stored either at Traffic and Parking, or in the desk!!!!
Posted by: Sue who? | April 23, 2008 at 05:23 PM
Why, oh why, would the city have to sue the contractor? All that would do is cost the city $$$. Here's what I do when someone doesn't follow the contract......I pay what the contract calls for and not a penny more. If they can't finish the project on time, withold more of the payment. If they don't like it, they can sue me, and any judge who looks at the contract will find in my favor and most likely award me court costs and attorney fees. We'll probably find out that the only copy of the contract was stolen.........It was either being stored either at Traffic and Parking, or in the desk!!!!
Posted by: Sue who? | April 23, 2008 at 05:23 PM
You no longer need to spend your precious time running errands; If you work for the Somerville Housing Authority you can get them done quickly and convienently! Joe M. can rest comfortably knowing we are on the job. Joe M. schedules medical appointments, frequents the gym, orders flowers, waits for his plumber, drops off his dry cleaners and practices golf all on your dime! This clever young lad "is nobody's child", a young politician whose story is interesting. From Ward 5 to Cross Street, he knows the pockets to grease and the developers to strong arm. A true triple threat to say the least. Looks+Charm+Money= POWER!
Posted by: Joe M. (head of Somerville Housing Authoritiy) | April 23, 2008 at 09:51 PM
Rumor's have it that the head of the housing authority is setting himself up for a nice pay check on Park Street! Is the head of the Housing Authority involved with the developers? At what point is it a conflict of intrest? Maybe he's setting himself up for the future? I hope he's carefull with fedral money! We all know what happened to him in the Vineyard!
Posted by: Rogers Ave | April 23, 2008 at 10:22 PM
Does anyone know if Signore Curtatone sold his list (or gave) to the Obama campaign? I'm getting phone calls from them and the only way that can happen is when some local pol gives up their list. Anyone else?
Posted by: local to national | April 23, 2008 at 11:41 PM
There will soon be a new "Way" added to the street map of Somerville. It appears The Mole may have been correct in their presumption of SO'D adding to his coffers of properties. It appears the dwelling SO'D is currently seeking funding on Porter Street happens to be directly behind the property he already owns on Cragie Street.
The property on Cragie Street is the second white house up from the Dante Club, which by the way was once sought after by SOD but the Dante Club refused to sell. So you have the second white house up from the Dante Club and you have the property behind that white house that SO'D is activity trying to buy which means, the neighbors get a two-fa-one deal.
Two houses demoed and one apartment/condo complex erected, with underground parking and a new O'Donovan private Way, paved as a cut through, just like the one that goes from Cragie Street to Lowell Street.
Being a neighbor on this street I will muster all I can to fight this development. We now have a property mongrel amongst us don't we SO'D?
Posted by: O'Donovan Way | April 24, 2008 at 05:55 AM
Are you trying to tell us that the alderman, the director of the housing authority, a housing authority employ or two and this Demo Guy are using city, the Somerville Housing Authority and federal influence to relocate tenants in order to vacate their existing residence that they currently preside at? Are they relocating them via the housing authority by pushing along their section 8 certificates or through another federal system? Are they getting any existing tenants of their own section 8 certificates to benefit their own personal gain in any way? How and what exactly are they doing it? And what about the alderman and his gaining approval with what departments? Is he influencing the city of federal level in any way. shape or form? What about the Demo Guy? Is he using any elected official's weight and influence to get projects moving along with any conspiring partners of conflict? What are their names or better yet if it makes you feel more comfortable, their initials, capacities and titles from what departments or agencies? This looks like one big ring if you ask me! Please let us know more?
Posted by: We need some info! | April 24, 2008 at 09:24 AM
MS, JB, SQ, SO, HF, JR, JM, RD,LF, SHA, ISD, BOA, COS and MBTA to name a few!
Posted by: Info requst! | April 24, 2008 at 09:34 AM
HV strikes again!
Posted by: Heard | April 24, 2008 at 02:33 PM
To some in the Ville , The Somerville News is what the New York Yankees are to the Red Sox Nation,"The Evil Empire "!
Posted by: Somerville Nation | April 24, 2008 at 06:46 PM
You got to be kidding us all. This has gone on for about a year now and by the time they finish the drainage, grind the current surface, adjust all the manholes and sewer drains, re-adjust the curbing, install new lighting and dig up all the sidewalks then replace them, you're looking at 2010 my friend.
Posted by: It Is What It Is | April 25, 2008 at 05:06 AM
How safe are we when yesterday there were supposedly two shooting in the City along with overnight two possible overnight arsons and a break in down by DD's on Broadway in Magoun Square according the Channel 7 news this morning.
Crime is on the rise like no other year in the past 10. What's up with this crap?
Posted by: How Safe Are We | April 25, 2008 at 05:51 AM
How vulnerable is our City? We have a debt of over $60 million stretched over a 30 years and it continues to grow. Engine 4 is still out of service, crime is at an all time high and manpower is being added like grapes on a vine.
The City needs a new Police Station; the contemplation of adding two sub-stations has been in the wind. We have the High School with oil problems that still exist today, more than a year after the first incident, we have an unfortunate fire at one of our key schools with a cost of about $25 million to rebuild if not more, The Mayor had a day on the Hill, Central Hill, to announce the rebuilding of Central Park to a toon of City costs of $1 million even with a block grant, we have SOD buying property all over the City hoping to cash in on condo developments with a sagging buying stage, the Edgerly School continues to lack internal oil tanks due to its mishap last year. The Winter Hill Schools’ air quality is being exposed. Trum field renovations are out of control with the City hoping to recoup from the contractor which will lead us into litigations at a considerable cost to the taxpayers. This Administration has no foresight as to what the future holds for us.
The grass is cut on the islands and around the City and everyone thinks we are OK. The City is about to burst an artery and we have hardly any money in the bank. THE BOA has their heads up their arses looking for sunshine when they are always going to see pitch black darkness. Yet, it is time to go to Mayor Joe’s family’s ancestral home to visit which I am sure you and I are paying for it since the Mayor’s personal funding is missing in action.
The Assessing Department is going to each and every home doing re-evaluations to kike our taxes. Proposition 2 ½ override will never make a passing and Joeycakes needs $$$$ fast to stop the bleeding. He will drain every ounce from us the taxpayers so beware of the Trojan horse parked up at the Hill.
The Mole
Posted by: The Mole | April 25, 2008 at 06:14 AM
One way for the city to make money would be to allow the creation of what I call "Somerville Guantanamo". It would be a building where terrorists are detained and interrogated. We could get good $ from the Feds for this. We could even sell tickets for families to go and watch parts of the interrogations (with audio garbled, of course). People could even bet on whether the terrorists would give up information on any given session, which may bring in some of the lost casino revenues. Think about it, it's a brilliant idea!
Posted by: Brilliant idea. | April 25, 2008 at 08:09 AM
I think the Mayor should jack up taxes for owners of properties who do not leave in them.
Posted by: re-evaluations | April 25, 2008 at 08:14 AM
"leave in them"......ahhh maybe "live"?
Another SHS graduate?
Posted by: Mole Fan | April 25, 2008 at 08:48 AM
Mole Fan, I have dyslexia. Not my fault. Nothing to do with SHS, ya faggit. Are you one of those heartless yuppies who make fun of disadvantaged people? Shame on ya.
Posted by: SHS grad | April 25, 2008 at 09:24 AM
faggit?? Does your shift at BK start soon? I'll have the "woppa wit chez"
Posted by: Mole Fan | April 25, 2008 at 10:55 AM
The taxes for non owner occupied are higher already. Those who live in their homes have a residential exclusion.
Posted by: ccollins | April 25, 2008 at 11:18 AM