Have you experienced the wonderful Somerville Traffic and Parking office lately? We’re not saying everyone there is alike but is there a test or particular requirement for employment for the people behind the windows, or are these people part of a public employee union? The other day one Newstalker was visiting to pay a ticket and took a number while watching how different the window handlers were. One in particular, we won’t point her out by name, but we’ll bet everyone will know who she is. Watching this person handle a customer with the unique slow one finger pecking system on the keyboard was, to say the least, very interesting. Not to mention this person took about a five-minute breather between customers every time our person was there. Maybe if they paid these people per transaction you’d see how fast you’d be there and gone to your job.   Then there was the scowling face on the “hearing officer.” He came walking out of his office with such a scowl on his face, you couldn’t help but feel sorry for the people who requested a hearing. Somehow you’d think it wasn’t going to be a good outcome. One would think that the people who work here would be smiling at least faking it, since the people going there were paying for the outrageous prices of the tickets. Some would think you were at the Registry of Motor Vehicles, and who hasn’t had a good experience at the Registry? People with paying jobs should be pleased they have a job. There are still plenty of people out there that don’t and would jump at a chance to take their place. Let us know on the blog your experience at Traffic and Parking. We’d like to hear about it, both good and bad.

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Happy Birthday to Donna Albriandi (wife of notorious awesome local Barber, Tony), one of Somerville’s nicest ladies, who constantly is smiling and has only good things to say about anyone. We were told not to mention her age. We wouldn’t do that but we can tell you the candles wouldn’t fill a cupcake, that’s if you put candles on a cupcake. We wish her the best. Speaking of Albrandi’s Barber shop, when you’re there say “hi” to the sweeper and thank him for doing a great job.

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Open House this Saturday 9 a.m. to 3p.m. at the local Masonic Hall, 125 Highland Avenue (rear) building. The local lodge known as King Solomon’s Lodge here in Somerville outlasted several other lodges and is flourishing today.  Chartered on September 5, 1783, here when Somerville was part of Charlestown, it has some very historic artifacts that will be on display this Saturday. They encourage everyone to come and see how well things are preserved over these past 200 years. The lodge officers will be on hand to answer any questions. King Solomon’s Lodge has over 300 members and continues to grow year after year, with younger men who have taken the leadership role here. Visit the lodge’s web site www.kingsolomonslodge.com online or on Facebook for more information.

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Also this weekend, Celebrate Somerville! Event THIS WEEKEND!  Please join the City of Somerville and Somerville Public Schools as we celebrate Somerville youth!  Saturday, February 25, 1-3 p.m. at the Somerville Atrium and Gym. Prizes, raffles, performances and more! Contact Jackie Rossetti at 617625-6600 ext. 2614 or jrossettie@somervillema.gov.

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Also on our Happy Birthday list of local celebrities is the famous Denise Racicot Kallis, wife of Danny and former “Best of Somerville Waitress” and some of us remember her back in school in Boston. She’s a nice lady and a good friend to many over the years from a huge and nice family as well. Happy Birthday to our friend down in East Somerville at the iron works Elio LoRusso.  Also, even though he’s in Florida sunning himself, Rod Kreimeyer of Best Pest on Holland Street. We’re also a big fan of Eamon Fee from Ireland who is a local developer and all around nice guy. Big Happy Birthday to Derek Dyer, local locksmith and another good guy. Many others as well, we wish everyone a great day for themselves.

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Our good friends Peggy and Irving were sick with the flu last week, it’s been going around including in our office here, it’s a tuff one to handle, and we hope they both are feeling better.

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Today is Ash Wednesday, which means that this is the beginning of Lent, a time to think about a personal sacrifice that each of us need to do. A time to reflect on our personal side and how we treat our families and friends and how we can make it better. The Little Sisters of the Poor on Highland Avenue have a great idea for a fundraiser. They’re asking for people to help them serve the aged poor of our community there at Little Sisters and contribute $1 a day for 40 days for the annual spiritual pilgrimage of renewal and hope.   Contact them at 186 Highland Avenue Somerville. Call or visit to donate and help the Sisters who are doing great job.

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Latest store drop on the “Farm Teams” saga (you know who we mean) 20 again dropped at the store and farm team delivery guy only took back 17 papers this week, which means one more sold then the previous week.

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The Somerville Rotary is having a raffle to benefit the Scholarship fund which it operates and donates from every year to two deserving students here in Somerville. You can contact Rotarian President Jeannie Scarpa at the Century Bank. Speaking of Century Bank, we miss the smiling face of Lisa Ramos who has been out of work for six weeks now with a broken leg. We’re sure a lot of customers miss her at the bank and we hear that Jeannie wants her back real soon so she can relax on her upcoming vacation in Hawaii.

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The play “Pride & Prejudice” at the Somerville Theater in Davis Square is coming up March 23 to the 31. For more information go to www.theatrearatfirst.org. Tickets are $15pp, with $12 for students and seniors.

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We hear that Senator Scott Brown may be visiting Somerville one of these days soon, meeting and greeting with various residents and businesses. Did you know that Senator Brown once lived in Somerville while he attended Tufts?

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The Rotarian lawyer here in Somerville, Ms. Kara Dardeno, took the Arctic Plunge last week up in Gloucester. Together with the club they raised some serious money for helping to eradicate polio. She had a great run and we’re told she also had a great time.

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Somerville resident Steve Dalrymple, who is president of the Medford Lions Club, will be hosting their 2012 riding season planning meeting and social at the Arlington Masonic building at 19 Academy Road, Arlington, on Wednesday, Feb. 29, from 7-9 p.m.

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Our hearts and prayers go out to our good friend Richey Clark who is in the Lawrence Memorial Hospital recuperation from surgery. Richey is a great guy and we wish him all the best for a speedy recovery.