More names of possible alderman’s candidates are circulating around the city. We hear former candidate for mayor and successful East Somerville businessman Tony LaFuente is considering a run for  the Ward 4 seat presently held by Walter Pero. That made us think, is Walter running for reelection and why would Tony run against one of his supporters? We also hear that up in Ward 7, progressive candidate Rachel Heller (an aide to a senator from Andover) who ran against Bob Trane and lost in 2007 is being encouraged to run again in Ward 7. Ward 7 could be interesting with Joan Puglia thinking about running also, that would make two women candidates against incumbent Trane.

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Some others are considering running in the wards but no names. Just people saying they might consider running. The problem with the ward fights for challengers is that each of the ward alderman have been in office for awhile and are well known.

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We made an error on Sean O’Donovan’s “St. Patrick’s Day Party.” It is not February 28 as we mentioned but Friday March 11 at the Armory with the band “Old Brigade Irish Band” (see ad in paper for details). Years ago, former State Representative Marie Howe use to fill the armory every year for her traditional St Patrick Day Party, Marie was a very popular state representative here in the 1960s 70s and 80s until they changed the house seats. Marie’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Party was famous and it was not unusual to pack in about 400 plus wall to wall at the old armory.     Sean’s going to revive this old tradition and as when Marie had it, its open to everyone, come and enjoy yourself.

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Happy Birthday to our friend Tommy Yung, who is a Boston Police Officer and avid Somerville News reader. Tommy and his wife Linda along with their set of twins will be celebrating in style.

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Looks like the initial monies from the state on the proposed Green extension as well as the new Orange line Assembly Square station is on track.  It’s been long overdue: these stations and stops here in the city.

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Somerville Traffic & Parking has a very convenient credit card for sale, called “park card” you can purchase in advance the amount of money on the card and when you come to a meter you just put it in, the nice thing is you can now recapture lost minutes on it. If you put in $2 worth of time and only spend one hour you can retrieve your other hour for later use. Great idea and very convenient for those working and traveling in the city on a daily basis.

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Condolences go out to the family of Timothy Hardy, Tim was a lifelong resident and a nice guy, he will be missed by all those that knew him.

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Another celebrity sighting in Davis Square, a well known local celebrity was recently seen going in a Davis Square restaurant, she’s used to being seen at her gym down at Twin Cities Plaza  tanning salon and World Gym. You never know lately who you might see in the city.

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Reminder that the two public hearings for fiscal 2011/2012 HUD Action Plan will take place this week, Thursday February 17.  At this meeting, city staff will present some of the accomplishments that occurred in the past year and solicit input into goals and projects for the next fiscal year (July 1-June 30) relative to the City’s use of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Home, and Emergency Shelter Grand (ESG) funds. The meeting will be; Thursday, February 17 at 6:30 p.m. at the Ralph & Jenny Center at 9 New Washington Street, Somerville (close to the corner of Inner Belt Road and New Washington Street directly behind Holiday Inn). Later this spring, a second public hearing will be scheduled at which we will present the proposed action plan prior to submitting it to the Board of Alderman .

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Our condolences go out to  the family of retired Somerville High school physical education teacher Francis “Frank” “Poxie” McDonald. Frank was a lifelong resident, 1949 SHS graduate, where he was a member of the state championship basketball team. Frank taught in Somerville schools for 35 years, 23 of those years, he was a science and physical education teacher at Southern Junior High. He later taught physical education at Somerville Hill for 10 years, until his retirement in 1995. After retirement Frank founded along with many others here in the city “Friends of Somerville High School” which raised money for college scholarships to graduating seniors.    Frank was a former member of the SHS reunion committee, and was a Somerville High and St. Joseph’s CYO basketball player, he was 79 years old.

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Shout out to Cambridge Police Officer Paul Kierowski who is a good friend of some of us here at Newstalk, Paul is a great guy and has many ties here in the city and not to mention one of our valued readers. He just underwent recent bypass surgery and is home on the mend. We wish him a speedy and healthy recovery.

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Tickets are still available for “Somerville Lions club Night at the Boston Pops”   call Billy Tauro president for your tickets which are $45.00 for table on the floor,   617 293-2016, the evening is being planned for Friday June 3^rd at the Boston Symphony Hall.

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You notice that a lot of these Dunkin Donuts here in the city have different prices? Why is Middlesex Avenue higher then Broadway and McGrath, especially since they are both owned by the same people? Have you also noticed that some of them keep the change and smile and say thank you? It’s a penny but one of our newstalkers insisted on his change even though it was a penny, if you’re going to leave it, you’d want the choice of leaving it yourself not them taking it, wouldn’t you?

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