People, Places and Things: 12-23-14

Four Winds event tonight to benefit Item Santa FundThere’s time to donate money to the Item Santa Fund right up until Christmas Eve.That’s because Patrick deBoever of Four Winds Pub & Grill is hosting an evening at the café tonight with some of the proceeds going to the fund.Beginning at 8 p.m., there will be celebrity bartenders at the café, including Mayor Judith Flanagan Kennedy, center; City Council President Dan Cahill, left; John Pace, right; and David Solimine Sr.C.C. Yanakakis, an entertainer/guitarist/singer, will provide the music.Proceeds to the Item Santa Fund will include tips. Also, a part of each “Four Winds Lager” sold will go to the fund as well.Sacred Heart School stages Christmas concertSacred Heart School students shared their Christmas spirit at their annual Christmas concert.All the classes and the Sacred Heart children’s choir performed before hundreds of parents, families and friends. The highlight of the night was the pre-kindergarten’s telling the story of the Nativity.Temporary and acting Saugus town managers receive praiseBefore concluding business this month, the Saugus Board of Selectmen recognized former acting Town Manager Michael Murphy and temporary Town Manager Robert Palleschi for their service. Murphy took over for dismissed Town Manager Scott Crabtree and held the post until Nov. 3 when the board chose Palleschi to serve as temporary manager. A three-member search committee is reviewing applications for the town manager job and will submit them to the board for review next year. The board’s next meeting is scheduled for Jan. 6.With Jones’ help, Belmonte softball field underwaySaugus Softball Little League president Chris Jones helped oversee the start of work Monday on the new Belmonte Middle School softball field, winning praise from Town Clerk Ellen Schena. Slightly damp morning weather helped prepare the field for applying clay after the initial layout work took place. Schena, who is active in coaching locally, praised Jones’ contribution to town softball and girls’ basketball.