Prescription Drug Discount Card, available at all City buildings, offers average savings of 25%; Launched in October 2009, Somerville was first City in MA to office the program.

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and Somerville Health Department Director Paulette Renault-Caragianes announced that after two years of partnering with the National League of Cities on its Prescription Drug Discount program, Somerville residents and employees have realized more than $12,000 in savings, 25% savings since the program’s launch in October 2009.  The program is designed to help residents seeking relief from the high cost of prescription drugs.  The City of Somerville was the first Massachusetts municipality to offer the program through the NLC, and after seeing more than $5,000 savings in year one, costs have continued to decrease for program participants.

Somerville High School deemed safe for students and staff, but external review cites necessary repairs to façade, windows, roofs; City and School officials to confer on funding, timetable for rebuilding and repair.

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, Superintendent of Schools Tony Pierantozzi, and School Committee Chairperson Paul Bockelman, in a joint release with the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), today issued a report by Maguire Group Inc. (MGI) that cites approximately $10 million in necessary structural repairs and replacements at Somerville High School.  In its report, MGI noted “high priority” repairs to aging windows, roofing, and brick façade, among other areas.  MGI, City and School officials stressed that the building remains structurally sound and safe for students and staff.  The report also noted that no repairs or changes have been made to the building since the addition of a Technical Trade School and gymnasium in 1986.

Supporters of the Somerville Maple Syrup will be tapping sugar maple trees on the Tufts Campus this Thursday, January 26, at 3 p.m.  Families, neighbors, students, and anyone interested in participating in this fun outdoor event should gather at the bottom of memorial steps across from Anderson Hall, 200 College Avenue. At noon, you will  climb the steps and begin to tap the trees growing on the sloped lawn to the right of the steps behind Paige Hall and the Lincoln Filene Center.  Attendees are encouraged to dress appropriately to be outside for an hour.

Michael Everett Capuano is serving his seventh term as a Representative in Congress for Massachusetts’ Eighth District, which includes Cambridge, Chelsea, Somerville and approximately 70% of Boston. He is a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the House Committee on Financial Services. In November 2006, Mike was appointed to head the Transition by then Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi as Democrats prepared for a majority role in the 110th Congress. In January 2007, Speaker Pelosi appointed Mike to chair the Special Task Force on Ethics Enforcement. In March 2008, a resolution establishing an Office of Congressional Ethics was passed, involving non-Members of the House in ethics matters for the first time in history.

On The Silly Side by Jimmy Del Ponte

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville News belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville News, its staff or publishers.)

It may be in your bureau, nightstand, or coffee table. Maybe it’s in the kitchen or dining room. It’s the junk drawer. It’s the he place where bits and pieces of our past accumulate. It’s the stuff that we just can’t part with. All clumped together. It may be in a plastic bin in the back of your closet, but we all have that place that holds the things we have kept.

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville News belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville News, its staff or publishers.)

Friends,

As we begin the second half of the legislative session this January, I want to update you on some of the major initiatives that my colleagues and I in the State Senate have been working on during the past year.

The St. Clement Lady Anchors continued their winning ways with a victory over Mount St. Joseph Academy last week.

The St. Clement Lady Anchors basketball team won their second game on Monday, January 9, versus Mount St Joseph Academy 44-31. The Lady Anchors came out strong leading 25 to 13 after the first half. Elva Martinez (Somerville) continued to lead the Anchors defensively with nine rebounds and nine steals. Allison Caloggero (Medford) was a huge contributor scoring nine points, grabbing six rebounds to go along with three assists. Jessica Popken (Medford) led the team offensively scoring 23 points, including four from long range. Adding two more from long range was Diana Tran (Somerville) who also played great on defense recording 4 steals. The junior varsity team also secured a convincing 42-33 win. Captain Erika Lydon (Medford) nearly had a double double scoring 20 points with seven steals and nine assists. Senior Nicole Cella (Charlestown) had nine rebounds and Maria Martinez (Medford) assisted with 10 steals and six rebounds.

By Jim Clark

Somerville narcotics officers, conducting a narcotics investigation set up in the Assembly Square Mall parking lot last Thursday, made an arrest involving quantities of heroin, according to reports.

All-East Certificate holders (from left to right) Pristine Mei, Miranda DeSaulniers, Nicole Genard, Michel-le Meranda, Gelynne Berger, and Melina Garro-Duplisea.

At the Dartmouth College Invitational on Saturday, January 7, Nicole Genard placed fifth in the 55m hurdles with a time of 8.59. She also finished 8th in the long jump with a jump of 16’ 9”.  She was the only girl to score.

By William C. Shelton

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville News belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville News, its staff or publishers.)

Last week, Newt Gingrich and Rick Perry attacked Mitt Romney’s claim to having created 100,000 jobs as owner of Bain Capital. Instead, they said, Romney had practiced “vulture capitalism,” neither venture capitalism nor free enterprise.