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Alderwoman
Maryann Heuston, Chair of the Board of Alderman (BOA) Finance
Committee, announced a series of Finance Committee meetings on the
recent midyear cuts in aid to cities and towns. The meetings will be
held tonight, February 18th at 7pm, March 4th at 6pm and March 11th at
7pm. All meetings will be held at City Hall in the 2nd floor Committee
Room. Committee meetings are open to the public. In addition, a public
hearing will also be scheduled by Alderman Heuston within the next
three weeks to obtain comments and feedback from Somerville residents.

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You
have heard a little about it here before – the New England Revolution
Soccer Stadium is also in the works to be constructed along with the
new train maintenance facility that many want built behind the
Brickbottom area. Somerville will be alive and kicking and our local
businesses and homeowners will reap the benefits.

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Lets
hope that the Zoning Board of Appeals stands firmly with the neighbors
and the Aldermen on the proposed 14 units on Summer Street, which is up
for a vote tonight, Wednesday the 18th. We hear through the grapevine
that this developer changes names and doesn't keep its word on promises
made, look at their record on previous developments in Somerville.

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We
understand that very popular Alderman at Large Dennis Sullivan popped
the question to his longtime girlfriend Melissa Hurley on Valentine's
Day. We wish them both the best in the future – they're both excellent
people.

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On February 20th from 7pm to 11pm
a benefit concert for breast cancer research will be held at the Dilboy
VFW hall in Davis Square. There will be 3 bands, a full bar, and a
raffle that will include such items as a Shawn Thorton autographed
hockey puck and a basketball autographed by Ray Allen. 100% of the
proceeds from ticket sales and the raffle will go to a Somerville based
team raising money for the Avon 2 Day Walk for Breast Cancer. More
information about the bands, raffle items, and how to purchase tickets,
you can email Matt at anomie666@gmail.com

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We
heard a small rumor at a function in Boston that our Mayor Joe was
looking at the seat of the State Auditor's office once DeNucci retires
– he obviously won't confirm it, but it would explain some recent
fundraising activity outside the city. In the meantime, Joe is having a
fundraiser at Sagra on the 24th from 6pm to 7:30pm

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We
want to say hi to Betty from "Betty's Hair Now Salon" who just
celebrated her birthday with some of us here at Newstalk this past
weekend – Happy Birthday and many more.

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Congratulations
to the Somerville School Department for being recognized for having one
of the best school lunch programs in the State – accordingly,
Somerville is now a role model for the rest of the state.

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The
Parishes of St. Ann, St. Catherine of Genoa and St. Joseph invite you
to "ARISETogether in Christ." ARISE is a three year parish-centered
process of spiritual renewal and evangelization. There are openings in
the Second Season "Change Our Hearts." The six session program will
begin the week of February 22nd.

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Quiz
Night is coming back to St. Ann's again this year – on Saturday, 2/28
at 7pm – bring a team of 6 or join a team that night – registration
forms can be downloaded from www.stannsomerville.org or at the Parish
Office at 50 Thurston St.

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Are you as
puzzled as we are about the three sites the Governor picked here in
Somerville to have as a poll question on being selected to be placed on
a new Massachusetts State quarter? We can understand the "Powder
House," but the Somerville Theatre – although a nice building and the
Rosebud Dinner is a complete puzzle to some of us here. Why not the
Prospect Hill Tower?

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