Anyone
that is interested in becoming a new Cambridge Lions Club Member is
welcome to inquire via email at:Cambridgelionsclub33k@yahoo.com and
join a great organization that helps thousand of local charities and
throughout the world. Tauro also said " By forming a Cambridge Lions
Club it would definitely raise interest from local Cambridge business
owners as well as the residential population to chip in for a great
cause that they never got involved in the past because of no current
prior Cambridge Lions Club existence in that city". "We would be
achieving a milestone for Lionism with an accomplishment of this
magnitude by forming a new Lions Club in Cambridge".

I
was amazed at the number of responses I received when I asked my
friends to share their Somerville Christmas shopping memories from the
old days. It's great how one persons suggestions can trigger your own
memories – and that is what we have here. So as those two FM radio
stations continue to jam commercials and Christmas music down our
throats, let's look back at what Christmas gift buying was like way
back when.

Carol recalls: buying handkerchiefs with her dad's
initials on them at Mickey Finn's in Davis Square. We dads can never
have enough handkerchiefs.

Jane recalls: on Broadway, in the
East Somerville area, there were two stores that come to mind. Tucks
and the 5 & 10 store. My mom and her sisters would shop in Tuck's
(Grace Abruzzio used to be the sales girl). They would give me and my
cousins money and we would go down to the 5 & 10 store to buy our
gifts. This way we didn't get to see what they were buying for us in
Tucks.

Jo chimes in with this memory: I remember the Bargain
Center in Davis Square where I got my first Barbie Doll. It was part of
a fire stock sale. Her legs had a tiny stain on them but she was
beautiful anyway. That was the "Bubble Barbie" from the 50's and I
still have her today in her pattern leather case with all the clothes
(that would fetch a pretty penny on eBay!).

Eileen joins in with
the following story: I remember buying my mother "Evening in Paris"
perfume from the Woolworth's in Davis Square. It came in a dark blue
bottle and cost $1.00. I think she only pretended to put it on, because
she still smelled like Estee Lauder when she went out :).

Jo-Ann, Suzanne, Jane and Eileen also mentioned the perfumes Ambush, Jean Nate, Blue Grass, Tabu and Emeraude.

My
friend Jon sent us this little tid-bit: Davis Sq was the best. There
was The Bargain Center and Grants. Woolworth's had that big fish tank
with thousands of goldfish. The lunch counter had a hot dog/chips/coke
special. After that we went to Parke Snow to buy something for my
mother because that was the fancy store!

(I actually worked behind the luncheonette counter at Woolworths for a while)

I
am outing Jo-Ann with this one: my Mother was an Estee-Lauder woman –
she used all of their products. I never knew the price when I was going
to buy her present. I just went into her pocketbook and took some
money! Only something a mother would love! Sorry Ma.

This is
from Marcy: I remember going with my mom to Davis Square for some
shopping. We walked down Willow Ave then up Highland Ave. There was a
gas station on the right with a spinning sign. I loved to watch the
sign spin as a little kid. There was something about the snowflakes
falling on the sign. It brings back fond memories of Christmas. I think
Gilchrist's had a revolving door. My mom warned me to stay away from
the door, but I got my thumb jammed in it. Man I'm having some major
flashbacks to this time frame.

My friend Donna has these
memories to share: I remember going to Dick's Drug store (aka Highland
Drug) on Morrison Ave at Highland Road (later it became part of Russ's
donuts and now it's a high-end condo duplex) to buy the aforementioned
Evening in Paris or Jean Nate for Mom, handkerchieves for Dad and
little cars (Matchbox) for my brother. Later, I graduated to Davis,
Ball and Porter Squares.

Jef says: Grover's Pharmacy at the corner of Broadway and Cross St – Hai Karate for dad, and Jean Nate for my mother.

Rick
recalls: I remember walking from Oak St, where I lived, to Bradlees –
which was past Union Square – to get some last minute gifts on
Christmas Eve while it was SNOWING like crazy.

Cheryl
contributes this piece of Christmas history: 70's Saturday morning,
bundling up, hopping on the bus to Davis Square with my grandmother.
Woolworth's, then to Mickey D's for a Happy Meal and topping it off
with apple pie! Then in the 80's, shopping at Suit Yourself at the
Assembly Square Mall, 5-7-9, Roland's and being embarrassed to go into
KMART with my mother. What if any of my friends saw me? Now I
understand my children's pain. LOL

Kim sends this in: In 1978,
me and Kathy E worked at a restaurant called Pepperroos in Davis
Square. I saved all my money to buy a full length white rabbit fur
jacket at Cummings in Davis Square.

(I think I actually remember that coat!)

CJ
writes: I don't know if all of these stores were in the 70's – remember
Sparks? I never bought anything in that store! How can you forget Thom
McAnn's? I thought I was so cool with my first pair of "Jox" sneakers!
Oh, and don't forget Apple a Day. I will never forget the LONG lines at
McDonalds, which was twice the size it is now, on Saturday afternoons.
You could hardly find a place to sit! Ahhhh, those were the days!

Alice
said: when I wanted to get my brother some candy, I went to Mae's. It
was on the corner of Adrian Street. I used to go to the Pioneer Food
Store on Washington Street – the owners there were Hilda and Arthur. I
always got my dad a package of handkerchiefs and my mom something for
the kitchen. My brother got something crazy like a can opener or
something like that.

This one is from Cyndi: when I was 4 (in
1964), my cousin put itching powder in my snowsuit. When my mother
brought me Christmas shopping at Bradlees, she had to buy me all new
clothes and wash me down in the fitting room! Not exactly a warm and
fuzzy story! ROFL (Rolling On Floor Laughing)

Other places that
people recalled were: JM Fields, Speedy Pizza, Marks, Louds Candy Shop
in Powderhouse Square, Anderson Little, Fanny Farmer, Frascatis, Kay
and Chips and Zayres. Someone also mentioned S and H Green Stamps.

Well
that was fun going back in time and talking about Christmas shopping.
Thanks to all my friends who shared their memories with us. Now let's
go out there with plastic in hand and make some more memories! Good
luck trying to find a parking spot! That's why I have become…"Mister
Online Shopper!" P.S. – keep those handkerchiefs coming! You can email
Jimmy direct at jimmydel@rcn.com.

Ward 7 School Committee Member
Mary Jo Rossetti began the pre-vote discussion by saying that she
requested the issue brought to a public hearing last week, but has
since changed her mind.

"I had felt that, as one member, based
on tough economic times that we need to take a closer look at line
items," she said. "Up until that evening I was in favor (of fees)."

During
that hearing, several school committee members, the mayor and parents
registered their strong opposition to the proposal.

"The one
comment that struck me the most was that times are tough, but we can't
make cuts on the backs of our children," Rossetti said. "That made me
think."

The proposal was to charge parents an estimated $16
per day for SMILE or the Early Childhood Intervention Program (ECIP),
or $2,880 per year. The city would receive $259,200 in revenue from 90
full-pay students ($2,800 each) or about $129,600 with a sliding scale
option.

Ward 6 Committee member Paul Bockelman said it was
important for the school committee to raise fiscal issues and to have
thoughtful discussions. Ward 3 member Adam Sweeting said he received
e-mails supporting free preschool, as well as people approaching him on
the street.

"What was clear to me last week was when parents
said how hard it would be to have to pick programs when faced with a
financial burden," Ward 2 Committee Member Teresa Cardoso said.

Ward
4 Alderman Walter Pero, an ex officio school committee member, said he
would not like to see the issue come up each year, but to make a final
decision to make preschool free.

"We took it on the chin in
terms of parking fees and resident parking changes," Pero said. "It's
up to adults to choose to get a parking sticker … But I would like to
continue to be a part of a school committee that pays deeply for the
right to send our children to preschool, so I am proud to not vote to
incur fees."

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

Our sympathies to
the family of Ralph Russo who late last week passed away from a bout
with cancer. Ralph was an outspoken neighborhood activist in Ward 5 –
constantly in the mix of the long disputed MaxPak site. Ralph did a lot
of good work and he will be missed by many – but his legacy will live
on.

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

The 13th annual Illuminations Tour
will be on Saturday, Dec. 19th. Tours leave at 4:30pm, 5pm, 5:45pm,
6:15pm, 7pm, 7:30pm, 8:15pm, 8:45pm and 9:15pm. If there is bad
weather, the rain date will be Sunday, Dec. 20th. Tour guides lead
trolleys past the city's most spectacular residential displays of
holiday pomp, sharing stories about the families that decorate and
local historic trivia en route. Tours begin and end at City Hall at 93
Highland Ave. Tickets are $10, $5 for children 12 and under and seniors
60 and up, and are available at Blue Cloud Gallery at 713 Broadway in
Ball Square.

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

Ball Square Fine Wines and
Liquors at 716 Broadway will hold its second "Boisterous About Bubbles"
sparkling wine tasting this Saturday, Dec. 12th from 3pm to 5pm. Taste
and learn about some of the finest grower champagnes available,
discover other staff favorites from around the globe, and enjoy gourmet
nibbles. Admission is free and open to ages 21 and up.

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

The
Music Department of the Somerville Public Schools will present its
annual All City Elementary Winter Concert this Thursday, Dec. 10th at
7pm at Somerville High School (81 Highland Ave.) Performances include
the All City Chorus, All City Band, and All City Orchestra. Also – next
week – Somerville High School students will perform their annual winter
concert on Thursday, Dec. 17th at 7pm at the school. It will feature
the SHS World Percussion Ensemble, SHS Guitar Ensemble, SHS Band and
SHS Orchestra, with special appearances by the SHS Dance Team. Free
tickets are available at the main office of Somerville High School and
many other community organizations.

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

Send
us your favorite photo of your choice of "The Best of Somerville – Best
Decorated House for Christmas" Send your photos to
photos@thesomervillenews.com and share it with the rest of the 'Ville!

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

On
Thursday, December 17th, Teen Empowerment will hold a youth holiday
gathering from 7pm to 9:30pm at the Somerville Youth Program (165
Broadway). The event will feature original poems, songs, skits and
speeches, written and performed by Somerville teens that reflect on
2009 and focus on hopes for 2010.

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

Congratulations
to Rafael from Sagra Bar and Restaurant in Davis Square – the upscale
and popular restaurant will be one of this months Phantom Gourmet pick
and the show has considered Sagra "a hidden jewel" and will be
featuring them on their December Holiday program.

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

Celebrate
the spirit of winter and its various holidays through the winter
concerts in the Somerville Public Schools. Elementary students will
perform on Thursday, December 10th and high school musicians and
singers will take the stage on Thursday, December 17th. Both are free
concerts featuring student singers, musicians and other performers –
starting both nights at 7pm in the auditorium of Somerville High School
(81 Highland Avenue).

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

Happy 90th Birthday to Rita Capuano who recently celebrated with her family last week. Rita is the mom of our own Mike Capuano.

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

Community meetings this coming week to keep in mind:

SomerVision:
Join friends and neighbors at a "World Caf√©" style sessions –
structured, facilitated conversations aimed at creating greater
community connection and drawing out the best ideas from a broad range
of community members who care about the future of our city. The next
meeting is tonight, Wednesday, at the Holiday Inn (30 Washington
Street) at 6:30pm.

There will be a community meeting to discuss
the renovation of Dickerman and Morse-Kelley Playgrounds. The meeting
will include presentation of schematic designs for both parks by CBA
Landscape Architects. The meeting will take place tonight, Wednesday,
at 7pm at the Kennedy School library (5 Cherry Street). The meeting is
free and open to the public.

The Ward 7 ResiStat Meeting will be
this Thursday at 5:30pm at the Tufts Admin. Building (167 Holland St.)
– the meeting, sponsored by Mayor Curtatone and Ward 7 Alderman Trane,
deals with statistical data and issues relating to Ward 7. Citizen
input from these meetings are compiled into yearly reports on the
status of Somerville available from the ResiStat office at City Hall.

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

Last
week one of our Somerville News correspondents witnessed firsthand
heroics at its very best. The Somerville News recently wrote a story
about a heroic Somerville Police Officer and a Somerville 911 control
dispatcher and how they both handled a call and did what it took to get
their jobs done regarding the situation at hand. We were there to
witness the situation evolve and captured on film how Officer Eddie
Soares responded to the call that was routed to him via Dispatcher
Terry Medeiros – when he arrived at the scene he jumped into action to
revive a man that was on the pavement unconscious. This officer did
what he had to do with caring passion and professionalism rubbing the
victim's chest and talking to him.

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

The
annual Somerville High School musical is looking for advertisers and
donations to perform their annual musical which this year will cost
around $12,000. More than 40 actors, musicians and technicians from
Somerville High School will stage Disney's Beauty and the Beast from
February 4th to 6th in the auditorium of Somerville High (81 Highland
Avenue). Show times are: Thursday and Friday at 7pm and Saturday at
2pm. Ticket prices are $7.00 – $6.00 for senior citizens and youth ages
12 and under.

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

Don't forget the Somerville Schools annual Christmas Tree sale at Foss Park, help support the various programs.

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

The
state law, known as Section 18, would shift much of the health care
funding for the city's retired employees to the federal government, a
measure that would help the city's tight budget.

According to a report issued by the city, an estimated $1,373,557 would be shaved annually.

The
city says that of the 443 plans that would be affected, 334 members
would pay less per month for their premiums than they are currently,
should they adopt plans like Harvard First Seniority or Tufts Medicare
Preferred, as opposed to the more comprehensive, and expensive, Medex
3.

Currently, there are 145 people who are already paying for
Medicare Parts A and B alongside the city plan, which officials say is
more costly to both them and the city.

The potential change
comes on the heels of an increase earlier this year in the percentage
retirees are forced to pay for their premiums-from 10 percent to 25
percent. The city is hoping Section 18 will be to their financial
benefit. If approved, the changes would go into effect in July 2010,
though enrollment in Medicare Part B could start as soon as January.

On Dec. 1, city officials shared several sets of surveys on drug use, risk behaviors, and exercise rates.

Corey
Mashburn, Director of Somerville Cares About Prevention (SCAP),
presented data on Somerville youth. The latest findings were from a
health survey of 818 Somerville middle school students conducted last
April. The survey, which is conducted every two years, was voluntary
and viewed by parents before administration. It measured topics such as
substance abuse, violence, mental and physical health amongst
Somerville teens.

Overall, substance abuse amongst Somerville
teens is down. One number that officials highlighted was alcohol use
among teens, which according to the survey dropped from 18 percent in
2007 to 9 percent in 2009.

Another finding from the data was
that youth warning other youth had a much stronger impact as opposed to
adults lecturing youth. Adult lectures were thought to be boring by
teens yet when presented with the same information by their peers,
teens seemed to respond more positively.

The next SCAP survey is scheduled for Somerville High School on February 4, 2010.

Paulette
Renault-Caragianes, director of the Somerville Health Department,
presented the results of the 2008 Behavioral Risk Factor Survey for
Somerville. The survey gathered data on health risks and problems of
city residents. The survey was conducted between January and May 2008
amongst 644 participants.

The results show a drop in the number
of unhealthy behaviors by Somerville residents. According to the
survey, the number of smokers has gone down as well as the number of
binge drinkers.

The survey also found that the majority of
Somerville residents (69.1 percent) feel it's important to build and
maintain places where people can exercise.

This
year's tree-lighting at City Hall was a big success – and Santa's
arrival on a Somerville fire engine "drawn" by police motorcycle
"reindeer" was truly spectacular. Even with the unseasonably warm
weather, the whole scene – the happy kids (including mine), the
colorful light displays, the music and merriment – helped all of us get
into the holiday spirit.

But there's still plenty of work to be
done before the end of the year, and the lights on the trees outside
aren't the only ones burning into the night at City Hall. (We are
succeeding, by the way, in reducing the City's energy consumption and
carbon footprint, but we're not doing it with shorter hours and less
activity. In fact, we're busier than ever.)

One of the most
crucial elements in our end-of-the-year fiscal planning is the setting
of residential and commercial tax rates for the next calendar year.
Somerville is proud to offer the highest residential property tax
exemption allowed under state law (30 %), but the dramatic cuts we
suffered in last year's budget once again require us to seek the full
amount of property tax revenue growth allowed under Proposition 2¬Ω.
With the value of Somerville real estate continuing to decline as a
consequence of the national economic downturn, we have presented the
Board of Aldermen with an increase in the residential tax rate (subject
to state approval) from $11.71 to $12.30 per $1,000 of assessed value.
That's an increase of $0.59 or 5.1 percent – significantly lower than
last year's $0.76, or 7 percent, increase. And, since the actual dollar
amount residents pay in property taxes is based on assessed property
values, which have gone down slightly, the net additional tax paid in
2010 by the owner of an average two-family home will be only 3.5
percent, or about $36 per quarter. For owners of single-family homes,
the average increase is only 4.4 percent, or about $34 per quarter.

Believe
me when I say that nobody wants to see property taxes go up even a
penny in hard times, but the state has left us little alternative.
Still, the overall news in Somerville remains relatively good – the
median sales price for single family homes may have declined by 7.9
percent between Calendar 2008 and Calendar 2009 to date, but that's
well below the decline in prices for similar properties in such
neighboring communities as Cambridge, Chelsea and Everett (with an
average decline in these cities of over 11 percent) – and much lower
than the statewide average as well. We're holding our own on real
estate value, and Somerville remains an excellent place to buy a home.
(In fact, average condominium prices actually went up last year by 3.6
percent.)

This has been the first year since 1988 in which our
tax rate determination process hasn't been guided by the wise and
capable Dick Brescia, but the superb quality of the work done by Acting
Chief Assessor Marc Levye and his entire team serves as a reminder of
how thoroughly Dick trained and prepared his department. Dick passed
away in July – and we still miss him terribly – but his spirit lives on
in the skill and integrity of the former colleagues he led so well.

In
fact, Dick's commitment to careful management of taxpayer dollars (and
all other public resources) continues to set the standard for fiscal
policy across the face of Somerville's city government.

Another
example of productive year-end number crunching is our proposal to the
Board of Aldermen to have all Medicare-eligible Somerville retirees
take full advantage of their federal benefits by enrolling in the
Medicare program and then purchasing supplemental health care offered
through the City. The result of this change (available under Section 18
of Mass General Laws Chapter 32B) will be to lower the cost of health
insurance not only for the city but also for many retirees – all
without reducing access to, or quality of, health care services. Of
course, not all city retirees are eligible for Medicare, since they
haven't accrued 40 quarters of Social Security payments. (Municipal
employees on Massachusetts pay into a separate public retirement system
that, depending on their career history, may limit their access to
federal programs like Social Security and Medicare.) But many
Somerville retirees who are eligible for Medicare are still receiving
all of their health insurance benefits through the City.

Making
this shift would save the Somerville taxpayers at least $1.4 million
per year – a significant sum at a time when we just had to shave $5
million out of our annual budget due to state aid cuts (with the real
potential for more cuts to come).

To be absolutely honest, I
wish we didn't have to spend so much time crunching the numbers during
the holidays – we'd all rather focus on decorations and shopping and,
above all, on spending time with family and friends. But in the time
I've been in office, Somerville has been able to spend fewer tax
dollars per capita than any city in Massachusetts with a population of
50,000 or more – and we plan to do everything we can to keep it that
way.

This is a season for generosity of spirit – but in city
government it's also a time to stay firmly focused on the bottom line.
It may be dry and boring to crunch numbers for the holidays, but the
net effect is to bring a little more joy to the season for our
hard-pressed property taxpayers.