The city’s annual Christmas Tree lighting is postponed  tonight to tomorrow night: Thursday December 2  at City Hall at 5:30 p.m., all are welcome to come and enjoy and we hear Santa might show up for a visit to help celebrate the season of Christmas.

***************

The Concord Avenue Traffic meeting is tonight, Wednesday Dec. 1, (not Thursday) at City Hall at 6:30 p.m. in the Aldermen’s Chambers. Ward Two Alderman Maryann Heuston is inviting all those concerned to be there.

***************

At the board caucus on Monday night, Alderwoman Rebekah Gewirtz was elected President, nine votes yes and two not present, Aldermen Connolly and Pero were said to be out of town. She is president of the board next year, so it should be interesting who gets the committee chairs and the reasoning behind particular assignments.

***************

With the recent passing of Sheriff James DiPaola this past weekend, already some names are surfacing for potential appointments from the governor. The appointment will only be for two years until the next general election.  We hear that on the local front Aldermen at Large Dennis Sullivan has interest in it, and from Cambridge, Middlesex County Clerk of Courts Mike Sullivan, we hear, is trying to make his plea.   Two state representatives from Natick and another from Watertown have also been mentioned in the rumor mill.  Surely by next week a lot of other well known and lesser known people will be seeking the job, or maybe the governor will appoint a non-politician?

***************

Congratulations to all those Somerville Police Officers at the Awards ceremony on Tuesday night at the Holiday Inn. As an added surprise, Detective Mario Oliveria was present to receive an award as well, and his doctor was also present and presented an award as well. All officers in the line of duty were recognized and received awards, it was a nice night in blue.

**************

Toys for Local Children is in its fifth year this year and they need your help to ensure that local kids in need are taken care of.  Cindy Hickey, Council On Aging director, is heading this up and is having a fund-raiser this coming Saturday night December 4 at the Holiday Inn. Starting time is 7 p.m. and $20 for admission.

***************

We are all saddened to hear that one of Somerville’s most popular ladies and a friend to a lot of people Joanie (Berry) Batzek passed away recently. Joanie was a former Somerville meter maid who could once be seen on the Wall of Respect for Women in Davis Square before it was painted over.  She might have been best known though as Joanie the Waitress, who had a huge following and worked recently for many years at Kelley’s diner in Ball Square. We truly liked Joanie and thought very highly of her: she was definitely from the old school and that’s why she was so popular. Funeral arrangements will be on the Somerville News facebook page as soon as we know.

***************

Happy Birthday goes out to James Veneziano who turned 57 this week and to Jimmy Del Ponte  Jr. the son of our own columnist Jimmy. Also celebrating, and we think she’s in her late twenties or early thirties, Ms. Charlene Harris of Winter Hill former school committee member from Ward 4. Happy Birthday and a good year to each one.

***************

ACT’s The Laramine Project opens this week as ten actors perform the documentary drama based on the real-life murder of gay college student Matthew Sheppard.   Somerville’s Mattie Barber-Bockleman plays multiple characters.   Performances are at the Arlington Center for the Arts at 41 Foster Street in Arlington on Thursday December 2 and Friday, December 3 at 7 p.m.  And on Saturday December 4 at 2 p.m.  Tickets will be available at the door.

***************

Somerville Chamber of Commerce Business After Hours event is from 5-7 p.m. Thursday December 2 at the Sagra Restaurant Bar & Café, 400 Highland Avenue, Davis Square. No cover,  free appetizers, and excellent networking. Cash bar.

***************

Catholic Charities is celebrating 20 years of helping homeless women one day at a time with a celebration event. The event will be held at the George Dilboy VFW 529 in Davis Square on Saturday December 4 from 7 to 11 p.m. with dinner and dancing to benefit Catholic Charities St. Patrick Shelter for Homeless Women.  Admission is $25.00 plus a Christmas gift for homeless women.

***************

Somerville Council on Aging is hosting their annual trip to Indian Head Resort, December 5,6,7, 2010. Shop at the outlets in North Conway and enjoy the hotel amenities. For more information Contact AnnMarie or Joanie at 617-625-6600 ext. 2300.

**************

Wednesday, December 1st , 2010, Lyndell’s Bakery will celebrate its 123rd Anniversary with the Great Cupcake Giveaway. Every customer that visits any Lyndell’s Bakery will receive a free cupcake. Lyndell’s started the tradition 3 years ago when they reached the 120th year in business. On December 1st of this year the bakery will be in business for 39,551 days and is one of the oldest scratch bakeries in the country. Lyndell’s currently has three locations, with the original located at 720 Broadway, Somerville, MA, 227 Hanover Street in the North End and 74 Prospect Street in Cambridge. Lyndell’s website is Lyndells.com.

***************

Full Circle and Next Wave schools starts their annual holiday tree and wreath sale at Foss Park.  Proceeds support the student activities fund at these therapeutic schools.

***************

The West Somerville Neighborhood School is planning a night of holiday shopping on Friday, December 3 from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. There will be over 20 vendors to shop from. There will be artisans selling their unique and handmade crafts and home party vendors, such as pampered chef and more. The Kennedy School will also be holding Family Craft Night December 3, form 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

***************

This Thursday, December 2, come to Davis Square and experience Midnight Madness! This event is put on by DARBI (Davis Area Resident/Business Initiative) every year to help support local retailers. Special shopping hours are from 6pm to midnight, with many stores offering increasing discounts through the evening. While discounts are-a-plenty, the stores often offer appetizers, cocktails and more to celebrate their customers. For example, this year, The Boston Shaker (69 Holland St.) will be offering a special hot chocolate cocktail for their late night customers – not a bad way to lure people in!  In addition, Zipcar will have a tent set up in front of JP Licks and will be handing out shopping bags, with hot coffee & apple cider being donated by Johnny D’s and Redbones to keep our shoppers warm. Simply look for the balloons at participating retailers & help support retail in Davis Square!

***************

Join the Central Library (79 Highland Avenue) as their year-long celebration of Forgotten Gems of the Silver Screen concludes with Black Narcissus, starring Deborah Kerr.  It will be shown on Thursday, December 2 at 6:30 p.m. This free film series has been sponsored by the Friends of the Library.  Admission is free, and all are welcome to attend.  For more information, call (617) 623-5000.

***************

Pre-register now for a fiction writing workshop to be held at the Central Library on Saturday, December 4 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  In this workshop, participants will engage in a number of fun oral and written storytelling exercises and will leave with the tools to begin writing a short story or novel at home. The workshop will provide a supportive and engaging environment for the development of confidence, expressive language, and creativity.  Inexperienced adult writers from all linguistic and educational backgrounds are encouraged to attend. Workshop leader Eleanor Stafford is a recipient of a Somerville Arts Council, 2010 Literature Artist Grant.  While working fulltime as an adult educator, she wrote a novel for children and several short stories for adults.  This workshop is intended to inspire equally busy people to find their creative voice.  The program is supported in part by the Somerville Arts Council, a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
Limited to 20 participants.  Pre-register at the desk in the Audio-Visual Room, or by calling (617) 623-5000 x2936.

***************

On Monday, December 6 at 7:00 p.m., players of all ages and abilities are invited to Chess Night at the Central Library (79 Highland Avenue).  Players should be familiar with the game, though some limited instruction may be available. Chess Night meets one Monday evening each month, and new players are always welcome.