There’s a rumor floating around that at a recent bake sale at the high school some brownies were being sold with an added kick to them, namely the added ingredient of marijuana. We heard that immediately upon finding out the school administration made a series of robo-calls to let parents know. The individual that did this (we’re not sure if there were one or more involved) has been identified and appropriate action will be taken. Maybe the person involved thought it was OK, since Massachusetts voted to make it legal?

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We hear that at a recent committee meeting a question was asked by Ward 5 Alderman Mark Niedergang, who wanted to know why the city would have so many rabbits running around. No one could answer his question.

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Happy birthday to a lot of our friends and fellow Villens here this week: Happy birthday to Kevin O’Donovan, a dedicated firefighter here in the city and one of our first responders. We hope he has a great birthday this week. Former Ward 6 School Committee Member July Tarpey DiPasquale is celebrating this week. We hope she also has a great birthday. She is one of Somerville’s nicest politicians, always with a smile and full of dedication to the city and its school system. Happy birthday to our good friend James Ribeiro, a Somerville native who is a great guy and an awesome computer whiz. We hope he and his lovely lady Karen have a great time celebrating this week. Happy birthday to Theresa Rodriques of Winter Hill fame. We hope she also has a great birthday. Happy birthday to the sign man himself, Dominick Silvestri Jr., a lifelong dedicated member of our community. We hope Dom has a great day for himself with his family. Happy birthday to a good guy and friend of the paper, Ken Sprague of Malden, a real estate broker himself. We hope he has a great day for himself as well. Another realtor friend, Michele Busler up in Townsend MA, who if you’re looking to buy out there she’s the one to contact, also celebrates this week. We hope she and Niles, her husband, have a great birthday. A good guy who is self-employed and originally from Brazil, Paulo DeOliveira is celebrating this week. We hope he also has a great day. You might catch him at Modelo’s in Magoun Square, the best Brazilian Café around that has it all.

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Happy birthday to our great City of Somerville. This year we are celebrating 175 years since breaking away from Charlestown, when we were referred to as Charlestown Beyond the Neck! The city will be planning some events this year in celebration, watch for updates as we go along.

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On Thursday, January 19, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., you are invited to attend SCATV’s annual meeting and ASCATDEMY Awards event, beginning at 5:30 p.m. with the member meeting and followed by the Member Awards Ceremony at 6:30 p.m. The awards ceremony will be hosted by the ever-fabulous duo, Ken and Joe Lynch. The main order of business will be the election of four SCATV members to their board. These are three-year terms, with the opportunity for a subsequent term re-election. Submitted information from nominees will be shared on SCATV’s website beginning January 4 in preparation for membership voting on the 19th. The remainder of the evening of January 19, is for recognizing and celebrating the achievements and accomplishments of the radio and television productions, SCATV and BFR producers and talent, and Community Media Supporters who all help make the Commonwealth’s oldest cable access center the vibrant, beloved community asset that it continues to be today. This is a chance for media makers to reconnect with each other, acknowledge and support the work of one’s peers, and to eat and have some fun. They are wishing all a safe and happy new year. They look forward to seeing you there.

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Somerville Rotary is looking for some new members. Rotary is a service club for businesses and local non-profits. Somerville Rotary meets at 12:15 p.m. every Tuesday at the Holiday Inn. If you’d like to find out more about Rotary and what it does here both in the city and internationally, go to the their website at www.somervillerotary.org.

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Our sincere condolences to the family of Robert Johnston, who recently passed away. Bob was very involved here in the community where he called home most of his life, with the College Methodist Church and Somerville Lodge AF & AM where he served as the head. Bob was a World War II Marine veteran who was at Iwo Jima. Bob was also a 33 degree Mason for his outstanding work he did in his career as a Mason from Somerville. Bob was waked this week at Doherty’s, where a huge turnout of family and friends came this past Tuesday.

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There’s a new website in town. Check it out at www.somervillema.com. The Somerville Times is on the site. Also check out www.medfordma.com. Someone asked online why we keep these two websites in Newstalk. We guess it’s because we like them.

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Charlie Chisholm is still over at MGH. He had one operation and is scheduled for another one. We hope he mends quickly and is back home soon resting.

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For those that might be interested in obtaining certification for firearms should look up the Lawrence Rod & Gun Club. They provide an extensive program at the end of which you receive certification for Massachusetts/NRA Certified Firearm Safety Classes. They run a class once a month, which is limited to 10 people and we hear that this is the place to go to learn safety when handling guns. Email gunclub@earthlink.net for more information and or go to their website at www.lawrencerodandgunclub.org and read up about the course. We’ve been told that the course has seen a major increase in people applying for it, especially women. We can tell you first hand here that it’s a great course and quite thorough. The same goes for this in Newstalk. The club has informed us that many residents of Somerville have called or gone to the club to find out about certification.

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It’s 2017 and Demet’s Donuts over on Mystic Avenue donuts is the best. We’re noticing more and more Somerville residents over there getting their coffee and donuts to start the day. The ladies working there are fantastic and always smiling. If you’re in the mood for a huge, great tasting donut drop over early since they disappear as the day gets on.

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The  Somerville Council on Aging & Culinary Arts are hosting a luncheon at the Highlander Cafe High School Atrium on Tuesday, January 31. $10. The Highlander Café is located at the atrium of the high school, which is located closest to the library. Luncheon Choices: Chicken Parm or Baked Haddock, Doors will open at 10:45 a.m. For more info call or Connie at: 617-625-6600 Ext. 2300.