Another so called big mystery or rumor has been floating around the city now for some time but lately it’s getting some heavy steam – apparently someone can’t keep his mouth shut (or maybe it’s supposed to be out there – we don’t know), but here it goes – it seems there are two projects in question – one is on Cross Street, a multi-unit apartment building that had the great big X the city’s ISD placed on it for such a long time until it was demolished recently. The other project is the Hudson Street apartment condos – both of these projects we heard are being run by three city and state employees! The first is the former MBTA safety employee who still currently works for the Somerville Housing Authority AND who also sits on the zoning board! The second is another former zoning board member, who recently was supposedly forced to resign from the board because of a conflicting situation (because he owns and operates a demolition company that was doing business with the city and who’s wife is currently working as Assistant Director at Council on Aging). The third partner we heard was also an employee of the SHA who also at the same time owns and operates and a very successful electrical company on the side.  And by the way, the moneyman we hear is the electrician’s uncle.

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These same well-known residents/employees of the city have also been rumored to be pushing a much larger project here in Somerville – they’re trying to get funding to build a 70 to 98 unit complex somewhere in Ward 2. Some of the names associated with the project totally surprised us – but like we said, its rumor and they couldn’t be that loose with their lips – or can they? Hard to believe, knowing these people. We heard a couple of  very wealthy local individuals refused to be involved and there is some faint rumor that they approached the Barracuda of Winter Hill, who they do business with, but we can’t confirm if she’s on board or not – time will tell on that one. 

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Well we can’t believe this one – and for now it’s just a rumor – but it involves a well-known Zoning Board member who recently resigned because he owns a demolition company and things were getting a little sticky up at City Hall. Well anyways, the house owned by the Thibault’s that tragically burned down this past winter at Harvard Place has now fallen victim to a misquoted figure to demolish it –  it seems that at the beginning there was an alleged quote of $25,000 to demolish the house, but actually when the job was done, a much larger bill was presented for the work done – and now the price is $67,000. Now we know that sometimes there might be a cost overrun, but 275 percent of the original quote is outrageous! Nothing like taking advantage of someone in their time of need – or did this person rush to get a signature and didn’t bother to ask who actually owned the house? We heard that the son might have signed the contract – and he isn’t the owner of the property. 

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The Sunny’s Deli Store front on Bow Street in Union Square is once again changing – first it was Florida Fruit Market, then later Sunny’s Deli (where it was also the official Union Square rumor mill and great sources for Newstalk over the past 5 years). Now the famous location has changed hands again and it will be called Jimbo’s Famous Roast Beef. A familiar face in Somerville’s past will run Jimbo’s – you might even call him a blast from the past (former owner of Gus’s Exxon) – Gus Filosi!  We wish him and his new business the best of luck and welcome back to Somerville, plus we will be sampling the food there very soon, watch out for our food critic BT.

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Another well-known and very popular landmark in Somerville that has also changed hands this month is Pizza Palace on Somerville Avenue – from what we have gathered, the pizza shop/restaurant will continue to operate, but under new management. Nick, the former owner, was forced to make the move for personal health reasons – we wish Nick the best in his retirement and the new management best of luck and again welcome to Somerville, oh yeah our food critic BT just might stop in.

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We hope that famous Somerville photographer Joe Errico, Sr. is feeling better – Joe has been having a tough time, but he is reported to be up and around and feeling a lot better and looking forward to getting back to work in Davis Square – by the way, Joe is 102 years old – he is a great guy and is the patriarch of a very dedicated Somerville business family – all of the Erricos have been involved in the city for many years.

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Have Steve and Joe Mirabella got a slight tan after a quick trip to make a family visit to sunny Florida?

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Davis Square was filled with the “wearing of the green” this past Sunday, with the annual Race of Ireland & United States 5-Km race Рover 2,500 registered runners and walkers. The race has been held now in Somerville for the past 4 years. It was a great day for the race as well Рeveryone enjoyed themselves.

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Was Princess Rebekah trying to work with Jack this past weekend? Seems at the Ward 6 Democratic Caucus, Jack Connolly retained Chairmanship, Princess Rebekah of the PDSers was elected VP and Julie DePasquale elected Treasurer – and we heard that Ron Newman was elected Affirmation Action Officer – we’re trying to figure that one out as well. We heard Rebekah didn’t have the votes to challenge Jack anyways, and you know she would have if given half the opportunity – because the PDSers don’t want to work with anyone – they just want to take control.

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The 34th Annual PTA Scholarship Dinner Dance will be held on Friday, May 2 at Anthony’s in Malden. This year they’re honoring Mary Jo Rossetti, Steve Tuccelli, Joe Vilaine, Marie DiFava and the late Joe Mackey by presenting five scholarships to deserving seniors in the honoree’s names. All contributions to the program book and to the dinner and dance will be the source of the funds for the scholarships – any donations can be dropped off at any of the public schools – put ‚ÄúAttention PTA Dinner Dance‚Äù on the envelope.

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In world driven to be more “Green” Рthe organization known as EarthHour.org is urging people all over the globe to turn off their lights for one hour to send a message about the need for action on global warming. To join in, either visit the website at www.earthhour.org or simply turn off excess lights and electrical equipment that will not compromise your safety from 8pm to 9pm on Saturday, March 29th.

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In celebration of National Volunteer Week, the New England Regional Unit, Boston Chapter of Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic (RFB&D)¬Æ will host its annual Record-A-Thon from April 28 to May 3, at its studio at 58 Charles Street in Cambridge. The production goal is to have volunteer readers staff all eight recording booths at the Chapter’s studio in Cambridge for 12 hours (8:30 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.) during the six-day event. The event’s financial goal is $30,000. To participate in the 2008 Record-A-Thon, please contact Ron Wudarsky at (617) 577-1111 ext. 22, or rwudarsky@rfbd.org for more information.

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The Duhamel Educational Initiative is having their 12th Annual Spring Breakfast on Saturday, March 29th from 8:30am to 10:30am at the First Congregational Church, 89 College Avenue. This organization honors the legacy of the late Paul Duhamel, who devoted a great deal of his energy to helping the welfare and well-being of students in the public schools here in Somerville over the years – the monies raised from this event and direct appeals help fund special programs which directly benefit Somerville’s Public School Children across this city.

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The “Somerville Money Fair” will be held at the Elizabeth Peabody House at 277 Broadway on April 5th from 10am to 2pm. There will be workshops and information on hand for all people Рyoung and old Рlooking to learn how to budget their money, discover strategies to increase income, find help and resources for money troubles and focus on young adults workshops so that kids will walk away with some real money skills! There will be a free lunch and free childcare provided that day. Sponsored by the Somerville Commission for Women with generous support from the Tisch College Citizenship and Public Service Scholars Program of Tufts University. For more information, contact (617) 625-6600, x2406 or email sdarai@somervillema.gov.
The Somerville Commission for Women is a part of the Somerville Public Health Department.