"Poll numbers have never shown me favorably, ever,"
Capuano said during a recent visit to The Somerville News office. "I've
always run my campaigns the same way. I am who I am, and I tell people
who I am."

Capuano is running for the seat left vacant after the
death of Senator Ted Kennedy in August. He is in second place in a Nov.
24 Rasmussen poll, trailing Attorney General Martha Coakley by 15
points.

He has grown accustomed to the role of the underdog. He
was first elected mayor of Somerville after a highly-contested race in
1989 against the recently imprisoned former Alderman John Buonomo. He
went on to defeat former Boston Mayor Ray Flynn in 1998 for the U.S.
House of Representatives seat vacated by Joe Kennedy, where he has
served since.

Capuano said that since his first city-wide race,
he has faced the same questions about his ability to understand issues
that affect diverse constituencies.

"Western Mass. expresses
repeatedly that they feel forgotten by a lot of people in statewide
politics," Capuano said of his experience hosting "Open Mike:" sessions
across the state. "I explained to them: my whole life I've represented
people who feel forgotten.

"I tell them the story of the first
time I ran city-wide. The first questions I got were from people in
East Somerville, asking, 'How could you possibly represent us? You come
all the way from Winter Hill.'"

Ultimately, however, Capuano
stressed that the issues at play on Capitol Hill affect all residents
of Massachusetts in largely the same way.

"The only real reason
for me to go to the Senate is that in a smaller body, an individual
member has greater opportunity to impact the issues that they care
about," he said. "The issues are the same."

His local base –
which encompasses three-quarters of Boston along with Cambridge,
Somerville, and Chelsea – may be his biggest disadvantage in the Senate
race, said Maurice Cunningham, an assistant professor of political
science at the University of Massachusetts-Boston.

"Coakley has
a state-wide base," Cunningham said. "Capuano has a base of a tenth of
the state. In a short race like this, it's quite hard to overcome that."

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

Speaking of which, last week
all the papers got a press release from the Martha Coakley for Senate
campaign, which was somewhat misrepresenting and distorted over her
endorsements from "Somerville Leaders" they included former Senator Sal
Albano who was thrown out of office in 1990 by then Republican and long
time Senator Charlie Shannon (Albano hasn't lived here in Somerville
since early 1991). Then there was Dot Gay, former Mayor, another one
that was tossed out of office in a primary election because she
couldn't muster enough support to win – who conveniently forgot about
the pictures she took with Mike Capuano when she was running. Then
there is State Representative Carl Sciortino – who lives in Medford,
and only 30% of his district is in Somerville, if that. Finally, the
only really credible name of the four – former Mayor and current
Middlesex County Register of Deeds Gene Brune – who is arguably the
most popular of the four and certainly the ONLY currently elected
"local leader" from Somerville. So the heading on the press release
would lead anyone outside of the city to believe that these 4 represent
Somerville as our leaders. Notice that the Farm Team over there
probably, like other publications, didn't recognize some of the names
and just printed the press release as it was sent. That just goes to
prove our point that we are the only real source for local news – at
least we know who lives here and represents us. No surprise that at
election time all sorts of misquotes and distortions happen, don't
they?

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

Somerville Maple Syrup Fundraiser at the Independent this Saturday, December 5th from 11am to 4pm in Union Square.

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

Lyndells
in Ball Square is celebrating 122 years in business this Wednesday,
December 2nd, giving away free cupcakes – go and get one and wish them
many more years.

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

Lots of speculation
centered around Somerville Police Chief Anthony Holloway and the
burning question – will he go or will he stay? Be realistic, would you
spend your days in the cold northeast snowstorms all winter long
freezing to the bone, walking across the street to Union Square in
three feet of snow, dodging big snow plows and buses that always tend
to splash pedestrians with cold wet slush while just trying to cross
the intersection to get a coffee at DD's – or would you prefer to walk
to the corner outdoor café in short sleeves and sunglasses in the
sunshine state with 80 degree sunny weather dodging palm trees and
still get paid a chief's pay? It's a no brainer…

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

Have
you noticed the accumulating number of bicyclist accidents that have
occurred around the city lately? They are either crashing into moving
cars or just plain wiping out on their own. New bicycle and auto rules
must be enforced, before someone gets seriously hurt.

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

Who
put those concrete barriers in the foundation hole and also who paid
for the freshly paved side street on the property located at 73 Cross
Street? That project is up for sale now that everyone in the
neighborhood is upset over the loss of parking spaces and the horrible
condition it looks like. We know who the owner is – an appointed
official of the ZBA board and the bank who fronted the money is clearly
on the sign – Winter Hill Bank funded the failed project. We hear there
are 8 permits to go with the project. Hopefully the neighbors will see
improvements soon.

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

The Annual City Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony is this Thursday, December 3rd at City Hall concourse.

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

Toys
for Local Children are a volunteer non-profit organization – providing
toys and funding to over 8,000 children who have been victims of
violence, displacement or poverty. While you're in the Square, please
don't forget to visit the Salvation Army's Red Kettle Campaign from 4pm
to 8pm in the heart of the Square and DARBI's annual Midnight Madness –
that includes exclusive sales 6pm to midnight on December 3rd.

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

The
annual toy drive and fundraiser down at the Somerville Housing
Authority is happening once again this year, severing all the needy
families in the project. Call 617 625-1152 to donate and help out.

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

Have
you noticed our new Somerville News and Cambridge News "Mobile/On the
Scene" unit vehicles? They are out there in full force bringing you
more daily local coverage of news and events as they happen in our
community. You can reach the new Cambridge News Weekly site here in
Somerville through our own web site. Watch for huge new developments
and things to come real shortly – this is only the beginning.

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

Sure, you could claim that we are biased for the hometown
guy, and quite frankly you would be right – but not for the obvious
reasons you might think. The reason we and most people outside
Somerville should like Mike hearken back to his days as an Alderman and
later Mayor of Somerville, where he "cut his teeth" so to speak.

Back
then, Capuano became an expert at constituent services and overcame his
ability to rub people the wrong way with his brash, in your face style
of passion he brought to bear as an elected official. That passion made
you either love him or hate him – but either way – you came to respect
him.

When the fabled 8th Congressional seat opened up – after
Joe Kennedy decided to leave the political arena – Capuano ran and won
with a promise to stand true to his political style. He arguably
delivered on that promise and caught the eye of the Democratic
leadership, specifically Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. Standing
out in a body of 441 members is no simple task, but in the 8th
District, voters have come to expect greatness from those they have
elected – including former President John F. Kennedy, former Speaker of
the House Tip O'Neil and Joe Kennedy.

Proof positive that Mike
has never lost his fiery temper and willingness to call a spade and
spade – his February 11th explosion on several bankers testifying
before the House Financial Services Committee. He went ballistic on
them – and asked what everyone else has been wanting to ask – why they
weren't up against criminal charges. That's Mike for you – and now he
can add "YouTube legend" to his list of accomplishments.

His
only problem is Martha Coakley has been preparing to run for this seat
a whole year in advance. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure
out something is up when the Attorney General's office, which normally
issues a press release once every other week, opens the flood gates and
unleashes several per day for no apparent reason – wink, wink.

At
the end of the day, standing shoulder to shoulder with the other
candidates in this race, it is clear that they all have good
intentions, but none of them can match up with Mike Capuano when it
comes to proven experience in dealing with national and international
issues – experience you can only get by serving in Congress. That is an
inarguable fact and possibly the most advantageous attribute of anyone
seeking to be elected to the Senate, period.

Don't let low voter
turnout keep the right candidate from winning on Tuesday, December 8th
– make sure you, your family and every person you know – votes for Mike
Capuano for Senate.

My
son wanted to see firsthand what the day after Thanksgiving shopping
madness was all about, so we headed off early Friday morning. First we
went to Best Buy in Everett and then to the Galleria Mall in Cambridge.
We sort of killed two birds with one stone, because he gave me some
gift ideas. I bought them while he browsed in a far off section of the
store. I picked up a few other Christmas gifts also, but the real kick
was checking out the music CDs and DVDs.

I actually bought two
CDs for myself – one was Jethro Tull – and the other was The Lovin'
Spoonful. They were only $5.99 at Borders, and both CDs had each band's
top hits on it. I listened to the Spoonful CD, and man did it bring me
back – you know how music does that to you – you hear a song and
suddenly you're in a faraway place from long ago.

When I heard
Nashville Cats, Rain on the Roof, Did You Ever Have to Make up Your
Mind and Younger Girl, I was back in 1967 – I actually remembered most
of the words. I was driving by myself in my truck and I was smiling and
singing. It was a great feeling. The real clincher for me was Do You
Believe in Magic? That song came out in 1965! I was 12 years old.

Coincidentally,
I am writing this article on Saturday, November 28th, which happens to
be my son Jimmy's 12th birthday. What a co-inky-dink! He is into Green
Day, The Killers and Eminem. I wonder if when he is 56, he will be with
his son in a store and see an Eminem CD (or mind-disc or whatever they
will be called then) and reminisce as he plays it in his spaceship. I
have been listening to my Spoonful CD since Friday.

The 42 year
old memories (yikes!) that the Spoonful songs invoke bring me back to
the corner of Bay State and Kidder Ave with my friends. In 1967 I was
in Sister Helene's 8th grade prison cell wearing baggy wool pants and a
clip-on tie. Speaking of Sister Helene, the Flying Nun debuted in 1967!
My favorite shows back then were Bewitched, I Dream of Jeannie (of
course), the Beverly Hillbillies and Gomer Pyle. The Stones were on Ed
Sullivan, and the Beatles performed Penny Lane and Strawberry Fields on
American Bandstand.

So when I pop in The Lovin' Spoonful's CD, a
mish-mash of memories and emotions start stirring around in my mind and
heart. I can tell you that is a special feeling. You can't quite put
your finger on the specifics, but the trip back in time is cosmic, man!
Those songs transport you to a simpler existence – no mortgages, no
kids to worry about and no swine flu. It's sort of like mental time
travel and I love it.

When I was looking through the DVD
section, I couldn't believe all the old shows that were now available –
Hogan's Heroes and Get Smart – just to name a couple.

I still
haven't opened the Jethro Tull CD yet – I want to save it. I'll listen
to the Spoonful and some Lou Christie I downloaded (Lightning Striking
Again and Rhapsody in the Rain). When I hear Rhapsody in the Rain, for
some reason it reminds me of sitting in a parked car at the top of
Powderhouse Terrace, in the rain, with a young lady. The gal's identity
is unknown, but I'm pretty sure we were enjoying the moment. That's
funny because Rhapsody in the Rain came out in 1966 and I didn't get my
driver's license until 1971. Older woman perhaps? Exact details will
always remain vague, but still bring a smile.

The memories that
Jethro Tull will bring back should be interesting, because that was my
"hippie" stage. That song came out in 1971 when my friends and I were
full-fledged hippies. You didn't dare call us hippies, but we were. We
wore bell bottoms, Army surplus jackets and very long hair. I can't
wait to crank up some Tull and experience the memories Ian Anderson and
his crew stir up.

So, my son got to see what Black Friday was
all about and I got an unexpected ticket back to the old days. A simple
shopping trip with a stop in the music aisle opened up yet another
vault of memories from yesteryear, one of my favorite places. Maybe I
will go down to the cellar and see if I can dig up my old green Army
surplus jacket. Perhaps I'll throw on a headband, sit back and let
Jethro Tull bring me back to 1971 and see what happens.

Elections
Chairman Nick Salerno told the Board the Dec. 8 primary and Jan. 19
general election will cost the city $60,450 each, while noting the
state is paying for the ballots and machines.

At the Board's
Nov. 24 meeting, Gewirtz asked the city to look into the feasibility of
placing an off-leash park in the Davis Square area. The city has opened
two in the past three years, at Ed Leathers Community Park and Nunziato
Field.

"Many, many people have dogs," Gewirtz said of her ward.
"There's really no place to have them off leash, and we should rectify
that. I think it's long overdue."

Ward 7 Alderman Bob Trane
suggested the city should continue investigating whether state-owned
property near Alewife Brook Parkway could be dedicated to an off-leash
area.