Cambridge Community Television (CCTV) and Somerville Community Access Television (SCATV) this Thursday night will hold a candidates’ debate will be held, beginning at 6:00 p.m. The first one is for the 2nd Middlesex Senate District and the second one is for the 27th Middlesex Representative District. The debate will be held over at the Cambridge studio, 438 Massachusetts Avenue, and will be between incumbent State Senator Pat Jehlen and challenger, Cambridge City Councilor Leland Cheung. Following the Senate race debate, there will be another one between incumbent State Representative Tim Toomey and Mike Connolly, beginning at approximately 7:30 p.m. The debate will be produced and moderated by Joe Lynch of SCATV. The panelists will be from Somerville, Medford and Cambridge.

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Join The Somerville Homeless Coalition for their 15th Annual Pig Pickin’ Benefit for the Somerville Homeless Coalition. Monday, July 25 (rain date: Monday, August 1), 5:00–9:00 p.m. at Redbones, 55 Chester Street in Davis Square. Pig roast with all the fixings plus beer garden and live music. Pig Pickin’ Dinner: $15, pork with 2 sides, biscuit and watermelon.

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It’s nice to know that the Board of Alderman, who will now be receiving their pay raise of about $40K a year – which they voted in themselves, are now on a six week vacation break from their part-time hard work. We do have to say something here regarding the decorum on the Board of Alderman lately. In all the years that some of us go back to (late 60’s), we have never seen an alderman show up for a meeting in shorts. We know that it’s the changing times, but being on the Board of Alderman is a privilege granted by the thousands of residents here in the city that they represent. It just seems like we are entering into a new era, with the way our representatives on the board present themselves. Ward One Alderman Matt McLaughlin’s outfit was a source of quite a few remarks by some here in the city at last week’s board meeting. As you know, if you’re an avid watcher of the Board of Alderman, he rarely if ever has worn a tie or jacket, but at least he never wore shorts – until now. It looks like he may have started a trend on the board with one other joining him with no tie and jacket lately. Hopefully, it’s not catching on with the vast majority. It seems like Ward Five Alderman Mark Niedergang has given up his tie and jacket for the casual look as well. Maybe we’re fuddy-duddies, or just old fashioned. Not with the current times. But when you’re an Alderman  you have this as your full time JOB, as these two aldermen do, you should at least present yourself as the job requires, with the respect to your fellow residents.

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Happy birthday to a lot of our friends and fellow Villens here this week: Happy birthday to Mr. Congeniality and all around nice guy to everyone, Richard “Ricky” Spinosa. We hope he has a great day for himself and treats Dad to a nice dinner! Happy birthday to our good friend Michael Stenger, who has moved out of the city but comes back and forth every now and then. Happy birthday to Cheryl Challie Horan, a great lady who is running a nice company. She has made Green Cab another local business that is concerned about the community. We hope she has a great birthday. Happy birthday to Anthony Fedele, who is also celebrating this week. Also, happy birthday to Steve Soares, who is celebrating. We wish all those that are also celebrating this week both here in Somerville and others who have an attachment to our city.

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Condolences and sympathy to family and friends of long time resident and well known Dr. Francis X. Moran. A resident of Somerville, he died on June 22, at age 89. A Dentist who practiced over 50 years here in the city, well known and respected, he will certainly be missed by his family, friends and many patients. Condolences and sympathy to the family of Mr. Emmanuel “Manny” J. Roche. A resident of Somerville, he passed away surrounded by his family at the Jeanne Jugan Residence, age 91. A nice man whom was known here in Somerville by many, with a large family. Many speak of him as a unique and great Somerville gentleman who will be missed by his many, relatives and friends. Another good friend of ours and East Somerville guy, Russell “Rusty” Smithe Sr., suffered a heart attack recently and just had surgery. He is doing well and home from MGH this past Saturday. We wish him the very best.

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Also home and recuperating is Vanessa’s Oppedisano, who just went through some tough surgery – over 11 hours – at Cambridge City Hospital. We wish her the best and hope she’s up and about soon.

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There’s a new website in town. Check it out at www.somervillema.com. The Somerville Times is on the site. Also check out www.medfordma.com. Someone asked online why we keep these two websites in Newstalk. We guess it’s because we like them.

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For those that might be interested in obtaining certification for firearms should look up the Lawrence Rod & Gun Club. They provide an extensive program at the end of which you receive certification for Massachusetts/NRA Certified Firearm Safety Classes. They run a class once a month, which is limited to 10 people and we hear that this is the place to go to learn safety when handling guns. Email gunclub@earthlink.net for more information and or go to their website at www.lawrencerodandgunclub.org and read up about the course. We’ve been told that the course has seen a major increase in people applying for it, especially women. We can tell you first hand here that it’s a great course and quite thorough. The same goes for this in Newstalk. The club has informed us that many residents of Somerville have called or gone to the club to find out about certification.

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We’ve mentioned for several weeks now about Demet’s Donuts on Mystic Avenue having the best coffee, donuts and made real fresh egg sandwiches. We still stand by it. There have been one or two posts on our website regarding the Union Square donut shop. Although their donuts are different – and we mean different – we think the best coffee and donuts are still at Demet’s. Drop in and find out for yourself on Mystic Avenue in Medford. We need a real donut shop here in Somerville. We mean a real donut shop with donuts that you don’t need an engineer’s degree to make and taste great. Don’t forget their egg breakfast sandwiches are made fresh and much better than those sold at franchise places. Also, you can pick up a copy of The Somerville Times there as well. Mention you saw it here.

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Someone gave us the membership list over at the Winter Hill Yacht Club for Gangsters. We will have a surprise to tell you next week. It seems as though not many residents of our fine city are members. Wonder what the percentage is? Read up next week!

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Drop over to Sally O’Brien’s any night and see live entertainment and, of course, get some great burgers. Lots of friendly people there, and you can enjoy some good conversation and be entertained at the same time. The other night we tried their famous hamburger and fries that we have been hearing about, hands down the best anywhere in the city. Try them out you’ll love them. By the way, if you like to play poker they have a tournament every Wednesday night as well. On Thursdays it’s open mic for any bands that want to get up there and let people hear them. Liam is the best, he has something going every single night of the week!

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The 16th Annual Golf Tournament for the John T. Forcellese Memorial Fund will be held this year once again at the Falmouth Country Club in Falmouth, MA. Saturday, September 10. Tee time is 8:30 a.m. If you’d like to play or sponsor go online to www.johns-team.org for all the information regarding this excellent fundraiser for a worthy cause.

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Recently some of us went over to Kelly’s in Wellington and got a roast beef sandwich. Wow, what a disappointment. Not the same as years gone by when they were over in Revere. We stand by what we previously stated, that the Mt. Vernon Restaurant is still the best for many things, but their roast beef sandwich for lunch or after a show is number one.