Somerville’s 15th Annual Illuminations Tour (we still refer to them as Christmas Lights) takes place this Saturday, December 17 (Snow date: Sun., December 18) The tours leave Somerville City Hall from 4:30 p.m. through 9:15 p.m. The tour guides lead trolleys past the city’s most spectacular displays of nicely decorated homes in Somerville. For more details go to www.somervilleartscouncil.org. The Somerville Bicycle Committee will also lead the second annual Illuminations bike tour on Saturday, December 17, 2011. The Bike Tour will leave Somerville High School concourse at 6:20 p.m. and take a slow ride by some of the most well lit houses in the city. The bike tour is about an hour long with many stops to chat and see the lights.

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

Happy Birthday to Vanessa Leigh Oppedisano this week. Vanessa is the daughter (we know, hard to believe) of Patty Oppedisano whom we thought was in her twenties herself!   Also Happy Birthday to Ed Forristall and Diana Cappiello, as well as young Frank Santangelo Jr.  He’s another one that has a popular dad. Happy Birthday greetings also to our good friend Adam Roselando.

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

There was a big turnout at the Council on Aging Christmas Party this past Tuesday down at the Winter Hill Yacht Club. There were lots of the elderly present to celebrate the Christmas Holiday. It was a big surprise to see Rep. Carl Sciortino and Sen. Pat Jehlen there.

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

Congratulations to Century Bank, a local bank that was recently named number one in Massachusetts. Lenders to veterans by the U.S. Small Business Administration, Century bank was recognized by Congress, as Senator John Kerry presented a certificate. Century Bank is the largest local family owned bank, and was started right here in Somerville in the 1960’s by the Sloane Family.

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

Congratulations to Norman “Stoney” Stone and all the hard work to recently finally open the new home of the Somerville Boxing Club at the old Edgerly School on Cross Street. It took lots of hard work over the years and finally a permanent home once and for all, hopefully. Many people put a lot of time and energy into getting this open, including Alderman-at-Large Bruce Desmond who has long been an advocate of a youth center here in Somerville. Thanks also to Nancy Bacci and her dedicated staff for cleaning out a room in the basement that was being used to store stuff. Nancy is the city’s youth and volunteer services coordinator.

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

Congratulations to our good friends Jenn Dever and her husband Geoff Wood on the announcement of their good news that they are expecting a child. We wish them all the best!

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

Please pray for our friend Karen O’Neil Carbone from Somerville, now living in California. She is dealing with a very, very serious medical emergency and she really needs our prayers and thoughts. She is Edward and Patrick O’Neil’s sister. The next few hours are extremely crucial. Thank you.

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

The second event in a new Somerville Public Library series, “Meet, Mingle, Read,” will be held tonight, December 14 and will serve as the official launch of the book “The Boston Mob Guide” by Beverly Ford and Stephanie Schorow.  The series creates community discussion surrounding locally-inspired books, and all discussions are held at the Somerville Public Library at 79 Highland Ave.  The Boston Mob Guide discussion will begin at 7:00 p.m., and will include light refreshments.  This program is co-sponsored by Harvard Coop Bookstore.

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

Get the holiday spirit goin’ with the 8th or 9th Christmas Cavalcade at Johnny D’s this Thursday, December 15 at 8 p.m. Enjoy live music by Chandler Travis Philharmonic and 15+ other acts. Suggested donation is $20. and all the proceeds go to  benefit the Somerville Homeless Coalition.