The new year is off to a good start. The State of the City Mid-Term Address by the Mayor was a positive note, at least. A lot of things will be happening in the city, especially down in the eastern part.

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

One candidate has emerged down in Ward 1, sort of officially/not officially, if you get what we mean. Lifelong resident and businessman Elio LoRusso has been making all the moves down there, calling people, lining them up and getting commitments. We hear he’s in it to win it, with an official announcement to be made soon. Maureen Bastardi, newly appointed Alderman in Ward 1, will be doing the same, we hear. And there just might be one more person who is considering running, but for now that person has asked not to be named.

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

The Ward 1 School Committee vacancy is looking more and more like a farce. Resumes will be gathered and then reviewed by the Superintendent of Schools and submitted to the full board for a vote. The school committee’s gang of 6 all from other wards are going to select who will represent Ward 1 on the Board from a list of resumes submitted by the person’s potential boss? We hear that Mark Niedergang, Ward 5 School Board member, is leading the charge on this one. What’s so transparent about submitting a resume, and to whom? What criteria are they looking for? Kids in the school?  Taxpayer? Involved resident? Or maybe one of the friends of other members that agree and will potentially vote with others on the School Board? Or just maybe the Superintendent might be protecting his job by going through the resumes and making sure he has a vote there to continue his contract? Why not just do what has been done for decades and vote on Ms. Barstardi’s recommended candidate, who knows more about Ward 1 than the person leaving?

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

While we’re talking about the School Department, rumor has it that some sneaky behind the scenes things are going on about the choice of Errico Studios continuing its 75 years of distinguish service of being the school’s studio. We hear that the guy that used to work for Errico and who took the school’s pictures has left. Now we hear that a friend in high places in the School Department has convinced everyone to change from Errico Studios. It’s also been overheard that they wanted to drop Errico Studio and work with the guy’s new company. What a shame, 75 years of distinguish service the Errico Family has given here in Somerville. We also hear that this move isn’t sitting well with some members of the School Board, but maybe the Superintendent is feeling his oats because they recently voted to extend his $200K contract. Errico Studio has given a lot back to the city, and the Erricos have been a positive and productive family as well. Finally, we heard that when some people complained the front office referred to it as none of their business.

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

Well known activist Marty Martinez purchased a condo in Ward 4 back in September of 2010. Will he run in Ward 4, or will he and others talk another Board member of the Somerville Community Corp. into running? It seems like either one or two from that Board of Directors chose to run for ward elections. In Ward 5, Mark the Shark (DJ name we hear from his Tufts days) Niedergang is out there to run against popular Alderman Sean O’Donovan. He’s said to be calling even long time supporters of Sean to get them onboard with his campaign. Don’t be surprised to see Ward 7 Alderman Bob Trane being offered a job somewhere, and if that happens Ward 7 will open up. The At-Large race has Sean Fitzgerald running, so with the four in office he will make five. We will keep you posted on what we hear out there.

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

Happy Birthdays this week to some of our fans here and around the ‘Ville: Danny Kallis of the Arts at the Armory Café, Janene Donnelly, John Caruso, Marie DiMille Miele, as well as Ginny and Chuck Roche. Big Happy Birthday to Somerville Police sergeant Joe McCain and Officer Carlos Melo. Also, to old time Somerville guy Dominick Silvestri Jr. of the sign company in Magoun Square. And to popular guy around the city, Kevin O’Donovan, and our good friend and former Winter Hill lady, Teresa Rodriquez who was married last year. To all a very Happy Birthday!

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

Condolences to the Baldasaro family on the recent passing of Joeann Baldasaro this past week. She was a friend to many here in Somerville, and she will be missed. Ms. Baldasaro was an inspiration and a dear friend.

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

Rumor has it that another building is about to become vacant. We heard through sources that CitiBank in Winter Hill was closing its doors, possibly by the end of January. How sad for those that work there, but also for Winter Hill. Yet another vacant place that brings down the community. Hopefully, the new Alderman Tony Lafuente is on top of what’s going on on the Hill.

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

Somerville’s own brothers, Adon Goodpaster, 11, and Alek Goodpaster, 10 put their Pokémon trading card skills to the test on several dates in December during the Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) City Championships in Somerville, MA, Nashua, MA, Medford, MA, and Hadley, MA. After a full day of head-to-head battles, Adon and Alek were crowned City Champions in the Junior and Senior Divisions, earning them each City Championship trophies and Championship Points which count toward them potentially earning an invitation to the 2013 Pokémon World Championships in Vancouver, BC.

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

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, Ward 6 Alderman Rebekah Gewirtz, and the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development (OSPCD) invite all interested community members to an informational community meeting to discuss upcoming renovations to Kenney Park (located at the corner of Highland Ave. and Grove St.).  The meeting will be held at Ciampa Manor, 27 College Ave., tonight, Wednesday, January 9 from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.  All are welcome to attend.  For more information, please contact Luisa Oliveira at 617-625-6600 ext. 2529, or LOliveira@somervillema.gov.

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

Word has it that the city’s Executive Director of Communications Tom Champion is resigning his post once again. We wish him well in his future endeavors.