Did you know that Somerville is 172 years old this week? Monday, March 3 of 1842, we became a town. Yup, Somerville broke away from Charlestown 172 years ago. Guess you could say we were “townies” back before then and on March 3 we became Villens. The residents tried unsuccessfully to break away twice before becoming successful, losing the votes twice before becoming a town. Did you also know that in both votes that lost different names were proposed? The first one was going to be “Walford” if they had won. Then 20 years later (in 1822), they lost again and were going to call it “Warren” after Gen. Joseph Warren of Bunker Hill fame. Then, being persistent and wanting to govern the small town themselves, they became successful in 1842 and named the town “Somerville.” Thirty years later, we became a city. Our own local historian, Bob Doherty, is loaded with these facts, and we thought you’d want to know! So go out and wish yourself a happy birthday as a Villen. Although it’s 172 years ago, we look pretty good for our age, don’t we?

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

The first public hearing on hiring a new police chief is tonight (Wednesday, March 5) at 6 p.m. at the new East Somerville Community School. The screening committee set up by the city will entertain questions and suggestions from the community. Remember now that the last two chiefs were hired from outside Somerville and left office before their contracts were up. So this will be the third time in not so many years that the city is spending money on a committee to do a “nationwide search.” Let’s hope this new chief they send for final vote by the mayor and Board of Alderman stays awhile, as it must be getting costly hiring “private consultants.” Rumor has it that former Chief Holloway, who still owns a house here in Somerville, might be interested on top of the well-known Deputy Chief Cabral.

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

You heard it here first back a few weeks ago, and guess we were right about these new jobs that former aldermen who retire will get. Congratulations to former Alderman At Large Bruce Desmond on his new job here at the city. According to sources, he will receive $80K a year. Maureen Bastardi is heading to Council on Aging at a salary of about $30K a year. Maybe that’s until Cindy retires as director. We bet Maureen will be in line to be the new director.

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

We heard that Courtney O’Keefe was going to be assistant clerk of committees at the Board of Aldermen. But that got squashed, so they’re trying quietly to take care of her, which is good, we guess.

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

So far the only alderman who left office not having a job with the city is Bob Trane, but maybe he’s too hot to handle? We still think he’s going someplace other then the city, but who knows?

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

Happy birthday to the following Villens, both here in the city and wherever they are spread across the Internet. Big-time happy birthday to Mike Browne down at the DPW. We wish him a great day. Our own Jim Clark, who is the best editor/cartoonist and just all around nice guy is celebrating this week as well. And to someone who is a great guy and smart when it comes to computers and software, John Pratti, who is a real estate agent with The Norton Group and is from the famed Somerville Pratti family, happy birthday! And HB to Steven Buckley of East Somerville of the very large Buckley family. Another well-known East Somerville guy, Eddie Nuzzo, is celebrating this week, and we wish him a good day. State Rep. Denise Provost is celebrating this week. What a nice lady! We know she works very hard for Somerville, and we wish her the very best. Last week our good friend Diane Blouin celebrated her birthday and was trying to be quiet about it, but we heard and we know she has a devoted husband, Ross, who made sure she had a great birthday. And let’s not forget her lovely mother, who will be 102 this year in September and still goes to bingo. Looks like Diane will be celebrating many more birthdays, doesn’t it?

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

Our good neighbors next door in Medford are having a St. Patrick’s Day party, and it’s this coming Saturday, March 8, from 7 to 11 p.m. at the American Legion Post 321 on Winthrop Street in Medford just after the rotary. TICKETS MUST BE PURCHED BEFORE THE EVENT! This will sell out and there will be no tickets at the door. The cost is $20 per ticket and tables of 10 for $200.  The party will feature live music from Irish band Erinog, Irish step dancing from Deirdre Goulding’s Dance Studio and food from La Hacienda. Cash bar only, 50 /50 raffle, parking in the street is allowed. To get your tickets, call 781-395-1546.

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

It’s not often that someone would recommend a dentist, but here we go. One of our Somerville Times readers was looking to make an appointment with a dentist to get some minor work done when he realized we have an ad in the paper from DentPlant at 281 Broadway (Grant and Broadway), so he called and got and appointment for three days later (not three months) – and the total experience was awesome. Dr. Brendan McLaughlin, with his large state-of-the-art practice, made the experience for our reader just great. If you’re looking for a dentist, this guy is well worth the experience. He made the whole thing totally relaxing and a most enjoyable experience – and the cost was so reasonable. We recommend him because of his ad and he’s with us, but this fan of The Times is going around highly recommending him. If you need work done DentPlant is the place to call. His ad is on the front page and you can reach them at 617-591-9888 or visit www.dentplant.com. Make sure you let them know you saw it here. He is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, as well as a local guy.

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

Heard from former School Committee member from Ward 4 here in the Ville the other day, Charlie Ciano, who served the schools well back in the ‘70s but comes through Somerville every day. He agrees the city has changed, and change is always good. We think so! Charlie was a young progressive in his days here in Somerville.

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

Ward 3 had its special little Democratic caucus this past Saturday and elected, amongst others, were Ward 3 Alderman Bob McWatters and Suzanne Bremer. Congratulations to them! They will join the rest of the wards in Worcester for the state convention in June.

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

Our own Cam Toner is out of the hospital and is home. Wow, is she one dedicated lady! In between the many doctors’ appointments, she is managing to still do her Ms. Olio for this week. From all her many – and we mean many – fans, we wish her good health and long life. She’s the best! If you’d like to send her an email of best wishes, you can at camtoner@yahoo.com.  Send her your best wishes for a speedy recovery and let her know how much you like her column. She spends hours on it every week, and we know she has a huge following.

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

Join Groundwork Somerville at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 8, for the Maple Syrup Project Boil Down at The Growing Center, 22 Vinal Ave, Somerville. Community members of all ages are invited to watch and learn as sap from local sugar maple trees is boiled down into pure maple syrup over a warm fire. Attendees can expect to enjoy syrup-tasting, music, activities, and more! Waffles, syrup and T-shirts will be on sale.

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

Wild Tales, a Somerville youth theater project, begins its fifth season Tuesday, March 18, at the Mystic Learning Center at 530 Mystic Ave. This free program will run Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons from 3:45 to 4:45 p.m. from March 18 to June 14. The program will culminate with a free performance at the Somerville Main Public Library at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 14.  All children ages 6 – 12 are invited to participate in the year’s Wild Tales. To learn more about Wild Tales, either come to the info party from 3:45 to 4:45 p.m.  Tuesday, March 11, at the Mystic Learning Center (or contact Liza Kitchell at 617 628-6685 or lpkitchell@aol.com). Wild Tales is made possible through a grant from the Somerville Arts Council.

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

Get ready for baseball! Somerville Little League registration is now open. Stop by Tufts’ Cousens Gym March 8 to register in person, or register online at www.somerville.littleleague.org. Anyone with questions can email registration@somervillelittleleague.org or call (617) 849-8478. Visit the SLL website for more information: www.somervillelittleleague.org.

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

At 6 p.m. Thursday, March 20, the 12th annual Brian Higgins Foundation Trivia Night will be held at Tufts University’s Cousens Gym. For more information, visit www.thebrianhigginsfoundation.org or email debby@thebrianhigginsfoundation.org. $25 donation per person; up to 10 people per table/team. Light dinner provided by Kelly’s Roast Beef and dessert by Somerville High School Culinary Arts. Stay connected by “liking” BHF at www.facebook.com/TheBrianHigginsFoundation.

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

The Green Line Extension (GLX) Design Working Group/Construction Working Group will meet from 4 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 11, at the Center for the Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave. The focus of the meeting is intended to be an interactive session, discussing design, construction and upcoming community meetings.  All meetings of the Design Working Group are open to the public. The agenda and meeting minutes will be posted on the GLX website, greenlineextension.eot.state.ma.us.