A reminder to save the date for a benefit fundraiser for our good friend Rick Barletta to help support with his recovery from his horrific accident. He sustained permanent injuries in a near fatal motorcycle crash this past May. The benefit will help raise money to help with his care for him and his family. Rick is a very strong willed person and has what it takes to overcome this tragic situation. His Benefit will be held on Saturday, November 24, at the Winter Hill Yacht Club located at 78 Foley Street in Somerville (Assembly Square by the river) from 6 p.m. with a $20 cover charge, which will include admission, dancing, buffet, DJ, a cash bar and a raffle to help Rick and his family with the cost of his care as he heals and tries to get rolling again. Any donations for the raffle would be greatly appreciated. Please contact, Jeaneen Barletta, at jeanen.barletta@facebook.com or Billy Tauro at 617 293-2016 or wmtauro@bostonnewsgroup.com for more information.

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This Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, the Somerville High Football game at Dilboy starts at 10a.m. This year they are playing Cambridge Rindge and Latin. Let’s go and support the players and have a nice Somerville family Thanksgiving morning here in the ‘Ville.

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Saturday, November 24, is also National Shop Small Day. It’s the day that we are all asked to shop small local business that make up the backbone of our nation’s economy.  So remember to shop at all our small local stores right here in Somerville and help to support the community as a whole.

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Mayor Joseph Curtatone and Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development are hosting “Somerville by Design” Station area planning at Gilman Square, Lowell Street/Magoun Square and Ball Square stations. It’s a great opportunity for our community to have input into the new stations. Wednesday, November 28, Open Studios 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. public meeting 6:30 to 8:30. Meet city planners and designers to share your ideas. Also, Thursday, November 29, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. “The Art of Station Area Planning” 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. All this is happening at The Armory, 191 Highland Avenue. Call 617-625-6600 or go to www.somervillebydesign.com

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Nothing exciting is happening this year on who wants the job of President of the Board of Alderman. It looks like Bill White gets the job without any opposition. It doesn’t look too good for those department heads he yells at and makes comments to about next year’s budget hearings. We also hear that no one is actively looking to be VP of the Board except Jack Connolly, who will take it if no one else wants it. We even hear that one of the Alderman At Large members might consider stepping down next year.

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Everyone knows by now that we refer to the Journal as the “Farm Team” because no one over there really knows the city and even those that have been here a few years still get it wrong. Not only are they constantly misspelling words – heck we do that sometimes as well – but to misspell the city you’re working in?  Spelling Somerville “Summerville” is an insult. It’s bad enough that we used to be referred to as Slummerville in the 70’s, but with house prices as high as they are today we think we can cross that one off the list. Now, if we can get them to spell our city name correctly maybe – just maybe – they won’t embarrass themselves. While we’re talking about the Farm Team, here’s another thing we have been hearing from individuals. Their ace reporter has been misquoting people all over the city, we hear. Especially misquoting local politicians (as if they don’t have enough problems). But the best one we heard was that she quoted a politician here in the ‘Ville recently (actually more than one) on a story, even stating he was present when in fact he wasn’t even in Somerville at the time the story to place. It’s one thing to be misquoted, it’s another not even to be related to or even at the event she was writing about, and to be placed somewhere when in fact the person wasn’t even in the city.    Maybe a simple class of how to spell and who’s who in Somerville might be in order here?  Maybe that’s the reason not many of them call her back. At least that’s what we hear.

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What’s going on down at CAAS? We’re not just talking about the recent Boston Globe article regarding the Director, but now we hear through the grapevine that three former employees are suing the Acting Director?  As a nice small agency that serves a lot of people here in Somerville, maybe an outside investigation might be needed, especially if federal funds are involved?

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A nice retirement party for a great man, awesome mayor and just a real nice and charitable man Eugene Brune was held this past Sunday down at the Holiday Inn. We here at The News certainly wish Gene the best and thank him for his many years serving Somerville and its residents. What a truly nice guy. We are very lucky.

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Mayor Joe Curtatone and the Veterans Services Department here in the city conducted three well deserved dedications of “Squares” this past Saturday. Quartermaster 3rd Class Philip G. Gagliardi, who served in the Navy in Korean Conflict, is being honored at the corner of Pearson and Morrison Avenue. The second dedication was for Apprentice Seaman Carmine Paglinca, who was also navy in the Spanish-American War. His was at Boston Avenue and Highland Road in Ball Square. The third was Private John E. Burns, Marine Corp, WWII. His square dedication was at the corner of Joy and Washington Streets. All three very nice ceremonies were attended by family members and friends. We here in Somerville salute them all for their dedication and service.

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Congratulations to our good friends Gerry and Mary Fleming of Highland Road with the new arrival of their grandson. Now Mary and Gerry can have fun in the Grandparents Club where they get spoiled even more so.

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Congratulations to more good friends of ours, Kathy & Willy Cellata, on the birth of their new born grandson as well. Two distinguished members of the Grandparents Club.

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Some birthday greetings here this week in the ‘Ville: Somerville Police Officer Ricky Gilberti celebrates this week, as well as former School Committee Woman Charlene Harris. Our good friend Al Baldasaro, State Rep. up in NH, who is an avid fan of The News. Political activist Joe Beckman is also having a birthday this week along with our good old friends Joe Crecci Sr. and Malitta Knault. Let’s not forget Bobby Potaris, who owns his own construction company. If you need work done he’s the man to do it. And finally, this week we say Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Birthday to all our friends out there in the ‘Ville and outside the ‘Ville.

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For those that won the Best of Somerville this year, remember it’s The Somerville News that has been using the term “Best of Somerville” now for around 40 years. We are happy for the winners and congratulate them, but when you’re announcing that you won, it would be nice to give credit to the “readers of The Somerville News.”  Also, to the winners, if you’d like a special certificate from The News, email donaldfnorton@yahoo.com and mention on the subject line “I am a winner of the Somerville News Best of Somerville” – You will personally get two nice certificates for yourself to show off. Again, congratulations to all our winners.

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The Somerville News Person of the Week will be back after the holidays starting up in January. If you’d like to nominate someone who is deserving here in Somerville for Person of the Week send and email to donaldfnorton@yahoo.com. Make sure you put “Person of the week nominee” in the subject line. If selected we will then ask for a picture and short bio on the individual.

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Have you been to the dentist lately? Especially one of those new ones here in the ‘Ville that recently opened up for business?  One of us had an interesting appointment at one in Winter Hill on Temple Street. An appointment was made to get a filling done, they went in at the appropriate time and was handed a four-page application to fill out. That’s right, four pages, starting with asking for your Social Security number and date of birth. Then paging through you come across a bunch of “privacy disclosure” and from the interpretation of what it said, you sign this and your information may not be so private anymore. Then, moving on to signing ahead of time, with the dentist examination and what he or she might find, but they want you to sign it in advance. Now, why does a dentist office have to have ones SS number and date of birth?  When the person at the front desk was asked they said, “Oh, don’t worry about it, just don’t fill it in.” Does that mean that others who might not ask or make a comment just go ahead and fill it in?      All this for a filling. Nothing more, just a filling. And they need an SS number on top of pre-signing information that you give them the authority to give out or sell your information? Newstalk asks the residents here in the ‘Ville, is that normal? Are there or is there a dentist that requires no SS number?

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The recent “ethics” legislation being passed this week by the Board of Alderman was sought, some would say, by Alderman Bob Trane earlier this year. It’s taken several months, with the help of Mayor Joe Curtatone, who is pushing for the Alderman to vote it in. This is a good thing for the city. We congratulate Mayor Joe, Alderman Bob and the rest of the Board of Alderman for making this reality here in Somerville.

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Somerville Lions is having its annual Lottery Scratch Tickets Raffle drawing on December 11 at the Annual joint Christmas Party by all three civic clubs here in Somerville. President Eugene Brune and past President Billy Tauro have lots of tickets to sell for this yearly fundraiser. Only $10 per chance to win 1st prize 200 – $5.00 scratch tickets and 2nd prize 100  $5.00 scratch tickets …only 400 chances sold… Call Billy Tauro at 617 293-2016 for your ticket and chance to become an instant millionaire and a member of the 1% club. That’s a lot of scratch!

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Somerville Police Department 911 and Police Dispatcher Ken Ward was present at this year’s Third Annual Veteran’s Fun Run last week in Bedford giving Somerville a strong showing of support for the vets. The Bedford VA Hospital has been hosting the annual event in Massachusetts for the past several years raising much needed monies for our veterans.

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Bring your friends and family down to the American Legion Post 388 on Glen Street in Somerville for a holiday craft fair and shopping bazaar. There will be vendors, crafts and refreshments. This is a great opportunity to get a jump start on all of your holiday shopping or finish your shopping. Friday, December 7 at 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Crafters and Vendors Table Registration Fee: $40. If you are a local crafter/vendor and are interested in purchasing a table please contact Maria at 617-778-8910 or email:mnm777cut@msn.com.