Christmas is over and now the rush to ring in the New Year Рwe here at Newstalk wish all our family and friends in Somerville a Happy New Year in 2008 – may health, happiness and prosperity be with us all this New Year.

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Comedian Jimmy Tingle is saying his final farewell to Somerville. Last week he threw a farewell party at the Burren to celebrate his past five years here in Somerville – we wish him the best of luck and thank him for all he has done locally in the past.

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Happy Birthday last week to one of our friends and newcomer to the city of Somerville  – Ms. Diane Amato – a local real estate agent who works hard every single day. And by the way, she tells some of us she is fast becoming a huge fan of Somerville.    

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At the Mayor’s Christmas Party at Good Times last week, he gave everyone a new green hat or cap to match the jackets he gave last year with the city logo. The owners of Good Times opened up and let everyone play on the bumper cars this time Рmaybe it’s their last year in business here in Somerville.

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Did you get that nicely laid out brochure from the Mayor of Chicopee, Mayor Mike Bissonnette, who is pushing for the legislature to vote to allow casinos here in Massachusetts? We think it‚Äôs a great idea and hope our own local legislators vote for it.   

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We’ve lost another good citizen this past Christmas Weekend. Charlie Vozzella, former MDC policeman and father of Officer Bobby Vozzella and Sergeant John Vozzella of the Somerville Police Department, passed away. Many of us who have grown up here in Somerville and have gotten to know Charlie, especially a few of our Newstalkers, will always hold fond memories of him Рhe will be missed.

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The city DPW crews were out and about last week on “Snowbird removal” with bobcats, half-track plows and front-end loaders as they were clearing away piled snow from cars that were buried during the last couple of storms. Notice how nice and clean the squares are Рgreat for the local businesses and great for our economy.

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Bob Publicover wants everyone to know “Somerville Night at the Red Sox” has two evenings for Boston Red Sox tickets РJune 7 and July 10 Рboth in the right field Grandstand Рtickets are $85 with another date to be announced in September. For information and to reserve your tickets, please call Bob at 617 290-6842.