Somerville Fire engine E-1 arrived at the
front door of Ethan's Rogers Avenue home at 7:30am to chauffeur the
young seven year old students in style.They were both even given the
special opportunity to ring the bell and push the siren button all the
way to the school's front door on Meacham Street in time for the 8:00am
school bell.

The "Ride to school on a fire engine" was one of
the donated prizes that Mayor Joseph Curtatone donated to the Toys for
Local Children's Charity Event Auction that was held last week at the
Somerville Holiday Inn organized by Somerville Council on Aging
Director Cindy Hickey. The Tauro Family of Pat's Auto Body bid on and
won the auction item (fire engine ride to school) then re-donated it to
the Healey School as a raffle prize for the children of that school as
a Christmas gift. Vice Principle Kim Murphy of that school helped
organize the school raffle, prize giveaway and arranged Ethen's ride to
school.

Kotzuba
was one of the central figures in the debate over the city's move
toward all-permit parking, which was announced in May but delayed as
the city fine-tuned regulations in response to criticism from residents.

In
an e-mail to city employees, Mayor Joe Curtatone credited Kotzuba's
leadership "at a time of rapid change and extraordinary challenges."

"Jim's
dedication and expertise will be missed, but I hope you will join me in
congratulating him on this wonderful new opportunity," Curtatone said.
"[T]he fact that our managers are sought out by other employers is a
reminder that Somerville enjoys a strong and growing reputation as a
leader in municipal governance and best practices."

In an e-mail, Kotzuba said, "It was not an easy decision but I think it is a great opportunity for me and my family."

Kotzuba
has served as acting director of Traffic and Parking since 2005. Prior
to taking the position, he worked in client relations for Mellon
Financial Corporation in Everett.

John Ragno is one of many who
will devote hours to decorating their homes for the 13th annual
Illuminations Tour Dec. 19. The trolley tours take onlookers past homes
adorned with glowing lights and ornate holiday displays. The tour
guides share stories about the families who decorate their homes in
addition to local Somerville trivia.

"It's harder when you're
older to get excited for Christmas, but decorating my house and
daughters' homes really puts me in the Christmas spirit and it also
gets my grandchildren excited for the holiday as well," Ragno said.

Children also inspire the Armata household as they began decorating their home for their own children decades ago.

"Now
that my children are grown, we have my grandchildren to share this
with," Maria Armata said. "Sunday night they all came over as we lit
the house for the first time. It's a big deal for the family, it's
almost a holiday in itself."

Decoration styles vary. Lenny
"Iggy" Rigione on Central Street is known for his handmade work while
Ragno decorates his daughters' homes with Peanuts and Disney characters.

The Armatas, previous winners of the best decorated home, put a full week of work into their elaborate displays.

"Every
year we buy new decorations and make a whole new scene so people won't
get bored with our house," Maria Armata said. "My husband will sit in
bed and talk about what decorations he wants to put up tomorrow. He
truly loves the spirit of the holiday."

This year's tour will
include the first ever English and Portuguese trolley. The bilingual
trolley, with tour guides who are part of the Inter-cambio Language
Exchange program, departs at 6:15 p.m. on Dec. 19 – with organizer
strongly suggesting tickets be bought in advance.

Departing from
the Somerville City Hall, the 45-minute tour will also conclude there
with live entertainment, including music by the Somerville Community
Chorus. There will also be craft activities for children.

Proceeds
go towards funding the public programs of the Somerville Arts Council.
If tickets do sell out, a $3 tour map will be provided on the night of
the event. Tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for children and seniors,
and can be purchased at the Blue Cloud Gallery at 713 Broadway in Ball
Square.

For more information about the Somerville Arts Council visit www.SomervilleArtsCouncil.org

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.

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