The Capuano PTA spelling bee was a lot of fun Friday night Рthere were about 17 teams that competed and they raised just over $3,000 for the PTA. Everyone there had a great time and we hope they will do it again next year. The winning team was Alderman at Large Dennis Sullivan’s team (in name only we have to point out in all fairness) Рnarrowly beating out the mayor’s team. The Sullivan team donated the first prize of $500 (which was donated by ERA The Norton Group), back to the PTA at the end of the night – that was a nice touch.

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Alderman Bob Trane from Ward 7 pulled papers Friday at the Secretary of State‚Äôs Office in Boston for the 34th Middlesex District against incumbent Carl Sciortino – funny how the first remark out of Sciortino was that he wanted to confirm Bob was running before making a comment. We believe that he really wanted to check in with his leader – the Queen of the Progressives – Senator Jehlen. Some of us here at Newstalk are thrilled Bob decided to run – we‚Äôve known Bob for years and know how much energy he has when it comes to tireless campaigning – he‚Äôs going to need several pairs of shoes.   

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Seems like a local real estate company out of Ball Square had a few visitors from the Sheriff’s Office this past Monday Рseizing the office equipment under a court order and effectively shutting them down. We’re not sure, but we hear it was over non-payment of rent. Originally the owners of the company in question were out of Malden and moved here in January of 2007 and signed a mega-lease, we hear, at that time and only recently moved to new quarters across the street Рleaving the old landlord short on the rent.

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Seems like the Progressive Democrats of Somerville did for Marty Marintez and Rachel Heller what they couldn’t do by running for public office РMarty was elected Chairman and Ms. Heller was elected Vice-Chairman. By all accounts, those present said it was quietly done and only about a handful of the membership showed up…so we don’t think either one (who are known for dirty campaigning) would do it in their own group, but you never know Рthey have gone after their own in the past, haven’t they? We think their saying should be: “We’re not interested in working with anyone, we’re only interested in taking over and pushing our point of view” Рseems appropriate, don’t you think? We do.

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Now they have their own web site Рwhich they brag is monitored and they make sure that no one blogs their point of view other then the PDSers point of view. They apparently don’t like The Somerville News web site because we allow freedom of speech, we just wonder if they are just as upset with the Journal for Speak Out? We doubt it.

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Our deepest sympathies go out to Tom Champion and his family on the recent passing of Tom’s father РC. Hale Champion. Mr. Champion was well known in Boston politics and was a former head of the BRA.

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On the development side in the city we hear that the Ward 2 project being shopped by Demo Man and HF is still quietly (or not, depends on who you talk to) around to various Aldermen again this past week Рit seems that they’re also looking for money as well.

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On another front, we hear that a certain Ward Alderman is turning developer in a big way and making all sorts of noises in the Craigie Street/Porter Street area with a large tract of land formerly owned by the Havican Family. For years no one could get a permit there Рbut maybe we hear that is about to change, in spite of all the neighbors being upset about it Рbut then again, time will tell, won’t it?

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Our regards to The Somerville News Co-Publisher Billy Tauro – he is in the Lawrence Memorial Hospital recuperating from surgery and should be out and a new man later this week Рwe already miss him.

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Register of Probate John Buonomo who is up for re-election this year, is holding his annual fundraiser tonight (April 30) at the Montvale Plaza in Stoneham Рas usual we hear he will break the $100,000 mark again – for the fifth year in a row. Speaking of fundraisers, Maryann Heuston’s was this past week and she got quite a turnout of people at the Mt. Vernon. Also holding a fundraiser this past Monday was Rep. Provost in Teele Square.

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Davis Square and good music in general will miss Tina Delellis – longtime owner of Johnny D‚Äôs Uptown  – who passed recently. The tributes to this fine woman continued to pour in at press time – gonna miss ya, Tina!

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Davis Square is getting some new places soon Р“When Pigs Fly” is the new local bread bakery Рlocated on Highland Avenue Рright next to another relatively new place – “Kickass Cupcakes.”