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Sad news last week
with the passing of Penny Piro, she suffered a heart attack and passed
away. Penny was, to say the least, an extremely friendly and energetic
person, who no matter who she met was kind and friendly. Penny was
married to Peter Piro, former Alderman and member of the School
Committee who became famous for his rendition of God Bless America at a
packed City Hall meeting one night back in the 70's. Some of us here
and many out there in Somerville have a lot of fond and happy memories
when it comes to Penny & Peter Piro.

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Congratulations
to Somerville Police Officer Kevin Shackelford, who was recommended for
the George L. Hanna Medal of Valor for his keen observation, textbook
police work and dogged pursuit of an armed murder suspect which ended
up in an arrest of the suspect in a shooting the occurred on Cross
Street last June.

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New nickname for the
PDSers mouthpiece: "Freddie the Freeloader" (aka fiction writer for the
farm team). Freddie the Freeloader probably will be seen over at
Lyndell's on the 10th where they are giving out FREE cupcakes
celebrating their 100th anniversary. Now remember Freddie, there is one
free cupcakes per person – but we're sure you'll just barge in and eat
all you want and not pay anyways.

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Congratulations
to Ward 4 Alderman Walter Pero being elected as President and Alderman
at Large Jack Connolly being elected Vice President of the Board of
Aldermen. Meanwhile on the School Committee, congrats also to Maureen
Bastardi from Ward 1 for being elected as the new Chairperson with Ward
5 member Mark Niedergang elected as Vice Chairman.

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According
to sources close to one of the victims, two Somerville school children
got rushed to the hospital this past Wednesday after suffering from BB
gun shots as they were dismissed for the holiday from the Winter Hill
Community School. Later that same day, BB gun shots also hit two adults
as they were walking by the same location. It was said by sources that
the shooting may be MS-13 related, but still under investigation.

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A
very lucky local soldier's family got a big surprise this Thanksgiving
Day when his dad received a phone call from President Bush. President
Bush called Afghanistan to thank Fairfax Street guy and Marine
sergeant, Paul Savage for his service.

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The
Somerville Housing Authority is having its annual Toy Drive and is
looking for donations from the public, if you would like to contribute
to the toy drive call the Housing Authority.

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You're
invited to the Annual Christmas and Holiday Party held by The
Somerville News and ERA Norton this Friday evening at On The Hill
Tavern from 6:30 p.m. to closing. All are welcome – so come and enjoy
with us and get into the holiday spirit.

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The
Healey School Winter Festival is Friday at 6 p.m. at the school. The
night will feature crafts, face painting, an obstacle course, snowman
building contests in the gym and musical performances from some 7th
grade students. The fun-filled night is free and open to the public.
For more information, you can call Charlene Harris at 617 625-6600
extension 6538.

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Santa makes an appearence
in Union Square next week, Dec. 10. He will drop into SCAT's studios a
6 p.m. to wish everyone a merry Christmas, find out what they want and
even take some calls.

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Come out to City Hall
Thursday at 6:30 p.m. if you want to voice your opinion on the proposed
rezoning of Union Square. It's been two years in the making and may be
our last opportunity to shape what Union Square will become after the
Green Line is extended through the city.

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Local
guy Jonathan Mahoney is promoting a worthy event Dec. 6. It's Right
Turn Live, a night of music and comedy to promote a substance free
lifestyle. Right Turn is an Arlington facility that provides substance
abuse and mental health treatment to artists, entertainers, their
families, and anyone who would benefit from hope, health, and
creativity on the road to recovery. The show is at 299 Broadway in
Arlington. A $10 donation is suggested and doors open at 7 p.m.

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It
seems old friend Ron C. is up to his old tricks. A distressed woman
called us with a familiar story last week. She says she met former NBA
role player, current personal trainer and future man of mystery Ron C.
on a dating web site and went out on a few dates with Mr. "asset to the
community" himself. But a quick google search turned up a Somerville
News article that revealed the real Ron (quick summary: He's gross. He
made up alternate personalities to meet women and then just started
telling everybody, including the local newspaper, about his completely
fabricated life as an NBA exec), and she cut all ties with the self
proclaimed hunk. The woman thanked us for saving her. Don't thank us
ma'am, thank the World Wide Web (where there is an eternal record of
your weirdness, Ron. You're going to keep getting caught, man. Your
picture's right there next to the story. Smarten up.) When will someone
take Ron's computer away?