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This Thursday the 18th at 6pm – the Somerville Chamber of Commerce is assisting in the production of the Haiti Earthquake Benefit Fundraiser at the Somerville Theatre in Davis Square. To that end, they are asking all the members of the Chamber to attend. RSVP Steve Mackey to let him know how many are going to be there. Suggested contribution at the door is $30.00 per person. There will be an auction and a raffle. Many Chamber members are also providing gift certificates of $20.00 value or more for a raffle during the benefit. If you are in a position to also donate a prize to be raffled, you may contact Cindy Hickey (cell 617-230-1109).

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This Sunday, February 21st at Sally O'Brien's on Somerville Avenue, from Noon to 1am that night – there will be a live all day/night live concert to benefit the Haitian Earthquake Relief. There will be 22 bands performing music all day long – featuring all top local bands. Authentic Haitian food will be served and raffles for great prizes – all this for $20.00 – and all proceeds go directly to St. Joseph's Home, "Wings of Hope" and Trinity House. Great opportunity to do some good and contribute to a worthwhile cause plus has a great day of entertainment and food. www.heartswithhatiti.org

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On Wednesday, February 24th at the Somerville City Club (20 Inner belt Road) from 6pm to 10pm, Union Square Main Streets will mark its 5th anniversary with a "WICKED SMAHT" Somerville Trivia Night. Teams of 4 will compete against each other to test their knowledge of all things Somerville. Tickets are $30.00 each and you can go online to make your reservations: www.unioinsquaremain.org – this should be a fun evening, lots of prizes and learn some interesting trivia about our city.

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Family and Friends of Anthony Galluccio are asking for help with Anthony's defense fund. On Wednesday Feb. 24th – a fundraiser will be held at the Sheraton Commander Hotel, 16 Garden St. Cambridge from 5:30pm to 7:30pm. His friends and family are hoping to raise money to help defray the cost of the legal bills to date. Professor Charles Ogletree has very generously offered to work without a fee, but there are other legal and administrative costs that will be incurred, as well as substantial bills to date. If you can attend and make a contribution, the family would be very grateful.

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Seems like that local charity that we mentioned last week is going ahead with a fundraiser over at the MIT Museum with an open bar and there has been some rumors about giving away a BMW as a raffle prize. Some reports we heard were that they were going to spend about $10K on a video. Should non-profits be allowed to spend money like this? With the economy the way it is and people are now facing the worst economic crisis in decades, should a non-profit organization that is supposed to serve a segment of the population spend resources on high salaries and frivolous behavior? Non-profit organizations that serve the community should be doing just that – serving the community and not their own self-interests.

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The 6th annual Guns & Hoses Hockey Game will be Saturday, February 27th at 5pm at the Somerville Hockey Rink. This is the Somerville Police vs. Somerville Fire Dept. – proceeds to benefit Somerville Youth Hockey, tickets at the door.

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Hard times and now more then ever, local businesses need the strength and support of everyone here in Somerville to shop and buy in Somerville. With a population over 70K people and in 3.5 square miles, we should try and support local businesses before we see mass closings in 2010. Ask any business here in Somerville how difficult times are – not even the local banks are helping out – used to be a time when local businesses could get a line of credit to help pay bills and survive – but not now. Seems like Congress just keeps forgetting about small business owners by giving money to banks to prop them up – well how about the small local independent businessperson?

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Looks like Governor Patrick was out and about this past Monday trying to secure support from voters here in the 'Ville. He spent some time in Red Bones Restaurant Monday afternoon talking the talk while the restaurant customers were eating the pork, but the question is, will that be enough to convince voters when its comes time to ask "Where's the beef?" For the first time in memory so many people are getting into the race for Governor this year – now lets see if any local races will be having competition.

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Congratulations to our own Bob Publicover – a 33-year AIDS survivor and now cancer survivor as well. He looks great and hasn't lost his strange sense of humor either, some of us know how much he has endured over the years and we always wish him the best.

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Our condolences to the family of Joseph "Joe Mag" Magliaro, who was LaContessa Bakery owner for 40 years here in Davis Square. One of Davis Square's finer gentlemen – always with a piece of good, worldly advice. Joe will be missed by his many friends.

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