People, Places, and Things: 1-8-15

Vitalis view Patrick’s portrait with the governorLynn attorney Richard Vitali and wife, Kathy, took time out from enjoying nephew Michael Vitali’s swearing-in as a judge Monday to view Gov. Deval Patrick’s official portrait. The Vitalis were on hand for the swearing-in administered by Patrick and then talked with the governor in front of the portrait on display in the State House. Richard Vitali shares a strong interest in Democratic politics with Patrick – the attorney has helped out Vice President Joe Biden on several of Biden’s campaigns.Raise a toast to George McCabeCongratulations to one of our favorite mixologists, George McCabe, who is preparing to celebrate the seventh anniversary of North Shore Bartending Services, which has become the go-to company for private parties, functions and big events, including Lynn Memorial Auditorium shows. Prior to starting the company, McCabe was a 14-year aide to former U.S. Rep. John Tierney, while working as a bartender at weddings, concerts and corporate functions. McCabe, a bartending and mixology instructor at Northern Essex Community College, is ably assisted in the business by his daughter, Erin.Eastern CEO takes over state banking groupEastern Bank chairman and CEO Richard Holbrook is the new chairman of the Massachusetts Bankers Association. In an introductory column in Massachusetts Banker, Holbrook said he planned to “expand the breadth and reach” of the association and said the MBA will push legislation to “increase the liability for retailers that cause data breaches; produce a patent reform bill; and work on a new bank robbery/fraud bill.”Swampscott students will be witnesses to history todayTwo busloads of students and teachers from Swampscott Middle School will head to the State House today for the inauguration of Swampscott’s Charlie Baker as the Commonwealth’s 72nd governor. Baker’s campaign is picking up the tab for the buses. The students will line the walls of Nurses Hall and cheer Baker as he arrives to take the oath of office. Principal Bob Murphy – who is on the mend from ankle surgery – will lead the 60-strong Swampscott delegation.Saugus family plans to pay forward pre-Christmas decoration findMary Valliere of Saugus said she will donate the Christmas decorations she retrieved from a Boston Street sidewalk last month to the Chelsea Soldier’s Home where her husband, Leon, now lives and has spent the last 18 months. Valliere and daughter, Yvette, a Lynn resident, spotted the Joseph and Mary holding baby Jesus decorations on the curb shortly before Christmas and asked Boston Street resident Elaine Donovan if they could take the items. The request thrilled Donovan, who placed the decorations curbside after concluding she no longer had the energy to set them up in front of her home. The trio spent the holiday in front of Valliere’s Saugus home, and Valliere contacted the Soldier’s Home to arrange for her donation next week to the Chelsea facility’s chapel.”I will touch them up a little before I bring them over,” she said.