Happy birthday this week to several locals: Happy birthday to a well-known sort of historian and good guy, Matt Hoey. We wish him the very best on this his birthday week. Happy birthday to former East Somerville, now Magoun Sq., sign guy, Dominick Silvestri Jr. We wish him the very best. Happy birthday to Theresa Rodriques, who is celebrating this week. Happy birthday to one of nicest ladies, Bonnie Raboin Carriger, who is also celebrating this week. Happy birthday as well to a good guy, Ken Sprague. Finally, to one of Somerville’s finest first responders and all around nice guy, Kevin O’Donovan, who is one of our best firemen. We wish him a great birthday. Happy birthday to everyone here and from the city who is celebrating this week. We wish every one of them a very happy birthday.

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A third East Somerville Reunion is set for this year. Dan Rogovich has let us know he is once again planning for it. Lots of people who grew up in East Somerville have missed the last two but wanted to be there for the third. Dan, who is an East Somerville lover, managed to get the Somerville City Club booked on Saturday, June 15. He and his assistants worked hard on the previous two reunions and they will do the same this year to make this one a success. We here at The Times are from East Somerville and we will be there, and we have already reached out to others. A small group of “down backers” behind the Bucket who grew up there in the 60’s will all be there. They meet every four or so months nowadays to talk about old times and the great times. Help make this a success. Go online to Facebook and check it out. Ask Dan what you can do to help. He is looking for the food, entertainment and just plain East Somerville fun. Charlestown line to McGrath Hwy. is considered East Somerville, which includes Glen Park, Florence St. park, Prescott School, Seven Son’s Restaurant, Trina’s on Washington, Steve’s, Tip Top, S&S Subs on Cross St., Avenue’s, Broadway show, lower Broadway, Tufts St.

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What’s this? According to the Boston Herald an Essex County Judge ruled that the mayor of Methuen may move ahead with his defamation law suit against a local newspaper. Apparently, according to the mayor a local paper was spreading lies about him in the paper, making “false and outrageous statements about him being a drug addict, a corrupt cop and a crooked politician.” This could be interesting to stay ahead of. Who knows who might or might not do the same. Very sad that a paper can’t just be there to tell a story instead of being the story. Yes, our paper has a rumor column and it is clearly stated that it is a rumor column. If we make up outlandish lies about someone then we should be taken to task. We will watch to see what happens down the road with Mayor James Jajuga and his lawsuit. For those that would like to check it out, Google and read about the suit and what the judge has to say. All we can say is good luck to many others who find themselves in a situation like this. DO IT!

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Already in the first week of the new year there are election rumors. It’s that time again this year here in the city, and we are hearing of several opponents will be considering challenging incumbents on the School Committee. Two candidates, we hear, are seriously considering running for Alderman (Councilor) At-Large. We hear the mayor made a deal for one more term with the Councilor from Ward 7, who appears to be moving towards being a candidate for mayor in the future. We also hear that since Councilor Bill White didn’t get the job in Stoneham (how unfortunate for Stoneham, they lost out big time) that he might think about running for mayor again, not this time but next. IF Mayor Joe leaves office there will be a handful trying to grab the ring. Let’s see who throws their names in around the city this year for other offices. Oh yeah, we heard that the mayor and his people are working on someone in Assembly Square to run for councilor. So far, some say they will run and then when it comes to the actual doing, it might not be the same. Some of the races were called in to us or told to us in confidence.

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Thank you to all those that sent best wishes to Donald Norton, who recently was diagnosed with lung and head cancer. Treatment is going well at MGH and he is doing well so far, but he can tell you the steroids are way out there. Also in the hospital again was Charlie Chisholm, still having problem with his hip. We wish him a speedy recovery. Stan Koty, the DPW Commissioner, has been in and out of the hospital and we wish him well and hope things go better for him. He’s been having heart problems

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The merger of two real estate companies that are joining together, Century 21 North East and The Norton Group RE, to be called Century 21 North East – Norton Group RE is now official. Jimmy D’Amico of Century 21 North East, currently owns over 40 offices and has over 750 agents associated with him, with offices in MA, NH and ME, as well as down in the cape. The Nortons have been around since 1977 with Patricia and Donald Norton as brokers, as well as 15 agents. Same location at 699 Broadway in Ball Square. The Nortons are excited to join with James D’Amico, together to continue giving great service to our clients and customers, now for 41 years here. A major facelift and publicity campaign will begin shortly.

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The Annual Meeting of the Somerville High School Scholarship Foundation will be held at the East Somerville Community School in Room 165, at the Glen Street side of the building at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, January 14. We will elect Directors to three year terms. The meeting is for current officers, directors, and members. New members are welcome. For information, contact  Noreen Santucci at 617-448-0145.

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Don’t forget to park on the EVEN side of the street once they call a snow emergency. And no, you can’t park in the school yards anymore, they put gates on them. Let’s hope the city doesn’t call for snow emergencies unless it’s a real emergency like a blizzard.

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The Somerville City Club’s manager, Donny Johnson, is looking all the time for new members to join the club. If you think you’d be interested give him a call 617-623-9340. It’s a great local club for the residents of Somerville. It’s been around now for over 40 years at their location on Innerbelt Road, across from the Holiday Inn. It has plenty of parking and has a very nice hall for rent. Some say the best deal in Somerville. Call the hall and ask for details: 617-623-9340. The Somerville City Club supports a lot of local charitable groups and organizations here in Somerville.