Page 6 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2023 ~ GUEST COMMENTARY ~ With Thanksgiving In The Rear View Mirror, It Is On To Christmas And Beyond By Sal Giarratani H ope one and all had a great Thanksgiving. I love this holiday so much, I usually do it twice: first at my daughter’s place and then at one of my niece’s places. They live about fi ve miles apart so the commute from dinner table to dinner table is pretty quick. Now, it’s off to Christmas, News Year’s and beyond. Seems like every year and time itself passes faster; holidays zoom by and most of all our birthdays pass faster and with more and more candles on the top. The older I get the more I realize the puzzle of life; I realize the meaning of life, the more I realize how important time is. We only take this voyage of ours once around. Then, the curtain drops and the room is black. I usually use the last few weeks of a year to fi gure out things like my future or my past. As long as we are awake, time is ours to be used. Our priorities change all the time. When I was a kid, all I wanted was a bunch of toys but now all I get from folks is brand-new underwear and socks. Not as fun but still, I guess, important? When I was a child, I thought like a child. Time seemed endless and time dragged on. Not anymore; before you know it, we’ll be planning another Thanksgiving dinner with family. Happens, it seems, just that fast. Prepare for Christmas with an upbeat manner and just keep positive. The alternative isn’t that good. As that old rock song goes, “The wheel in the sky keeps on turning” and may it keep on turning. I can wait for the last train station, hopefully, way up ahead, so I’ll keep riding the rails and having fun for as much time as I can get out of this world of ours, we all share together. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, too! Special permit request draws concerns from abutters By Barbara Taormina 425r Broadway, Saugus Located adjacent to Kohls Plaza Route 1 South in Saugus at the intersection of Walnut Street We are on MBTA Bus Route 429 781-231-1111 We are a Skating Rink with Bowling Alleys, Arcade and two TV’s where the ball games are always on! PUBLIC SKATING SCHEDULE 12-7 p.m. Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday $9.00 Price includes Roller Skates Rollerblades/inline skates $3.00 additional cost Private Parties 7:30-11 p.m. $10.00 Price includes Roller Skates Adult Night 18+ Only Private Parties Private Parties 4-7 p.m. $9.00 12-9 p.m. 7:30-11 p.m. $10. 18+ Adults Only After 7 PM $9.00 Everyone must pay admission after 6 p.m. Call For Sorry No Checks - ATM on site Roller skate rentals included in all prices Inline Skate Rentals $3.00 additional BIRTHDAY & PRIVATE PARTIES AVAILABLE www.roller-world.com PRICE MELROSE, MA 02176 NEW CUSTOMER’S WELCOME ACCEPTING VISA, MASTERCARD & DISCOVER (781) 397-1930 OR (781) 662-8884 100 GALLON MINIMUM RON’S OIL T he City Council held a public hearing on Nicholas Giacobbe's application for a special permit to renovate a non-conforming dwelling at the back of his property at 164 Harris St. into a one- or two-bedroom rental unit. Attorney Lawrence Simeone, who represented Giacobbe at the council meeting, said the dwelling was a cottage built back in 1924. Simeone said Giacobbe wants to fi x the building, and add to the value of his property. "We feel it would be in the best interest of the neighborhood and the owner," Simeone told councillors. But Giacobbe's neighbors and several councillors didn't agree. John Colleran, whose property abuts Giacobbe's property, spoke against the proposal. "I'm against this, this property is falling down, there's no foundation, it's ready to fall over, it's an eye sore," said Colleran. "It's two to four feet from my property and it would impede on my privacy." Mark Mattera, who also has property that abuts Giacobbe's, wanted to know about the height of the renovated dwelling and the use of the garage. Councillor-At-Large Gerry Visconti said what was being described as a cottage might also be called a shack. Visconti said he worried about setting a precedent for other property owners with similar backyard structures. Councillor-At-Large Dan Rizzo also expressed concerns and noted the opposition of a direct abutter was a signifi cant drawback. Council President Pro Tempore Joanne McKenna said she went down to look at the property and found it uninhabitable. She said it should be torn down and that she was troubled by how close it was to Colleran's property. The council referred Giacobbe's application to the zoning subcommittee meeting on Dec. 4. Ward 3 Councillor Anthony Cogliandro said in the meantime he would work with Giacobbe to contact neighbors to see what concerns they might have about the proposal. Melrose 200 Club planning Holiday Fair and Gift Basket Gala O n Saturday, December 2, the 200 Club of Melrose will hold this year’s Holiday Fair and Gift Basket Gala. It will take place at the Fuller House (101 Cottage St.) from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Come pay a visit and get into the Holiday Spirit on this exciting weekend. This year the location will be included on the Melrose “Home for the Holidays” Trolley Route. This event is scheduled as part of the Melrose “Home for the Holidays” weekend, which starts with Santa Claus arriving at the downtown fi re station on Friday evening and includes many varied and exciting events around the city. The Gala will include Gift Basket Raffl es, Bake Sale items, costume jewelry and the very popular “50/50” raffl e. It will also feature several outside vendors with interesting craft items to off er. Any vendors interested in participating may purchase a table for $25.00 – which will be provided – and should call or email Beth Vellante at 617-3042273; bvellante@peabodyproperties.com.
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