A case of sticker shock, but still...

Brookline housing officials are finding that trying to convert affordable-rate condos into affordable housing is more expensive than they had hoped. As condo units come up for sale, housing officials are starting to assess whether to help low- and moderate-income families by subsidizing the ir purchase of them , and putting deed restrictions requiring the properties to remain affordable. Officials are discussing whether to subsidize the purchase of four units at 1600 Beacon St. for which the town would essentially act as a conduit in the deals , a first for the town. However, "We're finding that if we really were to do it this way, we'd run out of money pretty quickly," said Jeff Levine, the town's planning director. "It's surprising how expensive it is."

Selectmen last week reviewed designs for their new digs, as Town Hall renovation plans continue to be drawn up. Four possible floor plans for the room they meet in were presented at their Tuesday session, with many selectmen saying they preferred a model that allows for the podium , which currently faces them, to be shifted so that speakers do not have their back s to the audience. The most popular model -- at least among selectmen -- calls for 85 seats for the audience, four new handicap -accessible seats, and room for roughly 43 people to stand. Currently, there are 99 audience seats, none of them handicap -accessible, and a standing room capacity of roughly 38.

The Council on Aging will be holding a series of hearings starting this Thursday on extending the hours of the Brookline Senior Center. The Senior Center is hoping to stay open until 9 p.m. on weekdays, closing at 10 p.m. on Saturday and 7 p.m. on Sunday. Thursday's hearing will be at 7 p.m. at the center.

Have a news item for Brookline? E-mail Emma Stickgold at estickgold@globe.com.

CAMBRIDGE

Creator of "MASSterpiece," the Boston-area rap anthem set to the "Cheers" theme music, Daniel Laurent , aka DL , joins forces with spoken-word artists and hip-hop freestylers tomorrow to honor Martin Luther King Jr. The event takes place at the Cambridge YWCA on Temple Street , following a peace vigil in front of City Hall at 1 p.m. The program will celebrate King's work and the community's efforts toward peace . The artists joining the celebration are known for their justice-conscious lyrics.

At Bartley's Burger Cottage, Larry Summers is done. Not well done, not rare, not medium. Just done. The popular burger joint that names its sandwiches after public figures last week scrapped the one named for former Harvard University president Lawrence H. Summers -- a beef patty topped with swiss cheese and honey mustard. "You gotta be making news to be on our menu," said owner Bill Bartley , "and he ain't making news anymore." New on the menu are burgers named for the just-inaugurated Massachusetts governor, Deval L. Patrick , and US Senator Barack H. Obama of Illinois . The punch line for the Patrick burger, made with jack cheese, salsa, and jalapeños, is "Together we can eat this." The Mitt Romney burger remains. Its punch line is: "Looking for a woman VP."

Christmas in April is nothing new, but April in January? Last week cherry trees around Cambridge sprouted pink blossoms. They were spotted in Joan Lorentz Park beside Cambridge Rindge and Latin high school and along the Charles River. The trees normally bloom in spring, but recent unseasonably warm temperatures have tricked the trees into some welcome winter color. It is not known if this early bloom will affect budding in the spring.

Have a news item from Cambridge? E-mail Janice O'Leary at joleary@globe.com.

SOMERVILLE

Somerville's Human Rights Commission and Early Childhood Advisory Council are hosting a fifth annual celebration in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. The event will be held tomorrow from 10 a.m. to noon at East Somerville Community School, 115 Pearl St. The Somerville Community Corporation and Regina Bertholdo, director of the Parent Information Center for the Somerville Public Schools, will be recognized for their dedication to promoting King's values. The celebration, which features performances by youth choirs, is free and open to the public. Interpretation will be available in Creole, Spanish, and Portuguese. This event is cosponsored by the City of Somerville and the Somerville Public Schools.

The city is offering a free 10-week Somerville Fitness Buddies program to all who live or work here. Sponsored by Shape Up Somerville, the program is designed for people of all ages and abilities. The goal is to get people active and teach about exercise, nutrition, and healthy lifestyle choices. Participants are encouraged to form a team of buddies with family, friends, or co-workers. Orientation sessions will be held Tuesday from noon to 1 p.m. at the Visiting Nurses Association, 259 Lowell St., and from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Aldermanic Chambers, Somerville City Hall, 93 Highland Ave. For more information or to sign up, contact Nicole Rioles, Shape Up Somerville Coordinator, at NRioles@ci.somerville.ma.us or 617-625-6600, ext. 2414.

Cambridge and Somerville residents no longer have to stomach parking at Boston's hospitals to have doctors diagnose their digestive disorders. Cambridge Health Alliance has opened a new, state-of-the-art gastroenterology center at Somerville Hospital , staffed with experts to help patients with everything from heartburn to cancer. Peek inside before the physicians take a peek at your insides by touring the GI Center at its free open house this Thursday , Jan. 18 , from 4 to 6 p.m. -- Janice O'Leary

Have a news item for Somerville? E-mail Kristen Green at kristen.green@comcast.net.