By Ethan Backer

Ninety years after Archibald Query mixed up his tasty marshmallow concotion for the first time (and in Union Square no less), the fluff faithful came out in droves to pay tribute to his sugary creation. Aside from all the great fluffernutter sandwiches to be had, artists, musical and theatrical performers, humorists and the general public indulged in a madcap festival last Saturday celebrating the culinary invention and nostalgic genius of fluff.

On The Silly Side by Jimmy Del Ponte

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville News belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville News, its staff or publishers.)

I always thought that it was kind of weird that inanimate objects outlast and outlive the people that owned them. The other day I grabbed the shoeshine box that has been in my family forever to give my shoes a quick once-over before work. As I dug into the box, with its well-worn brush, pieces of torn facecloth applicators and an assortment of polish colors, I stopped to ponder about it. My dad bought this box back in the early 60’s Рthe box is still here and he’s gone.

The shine box is just one of the “things” that has lasted longer than the people who bought and used them. We all have stuff around the house that belonged to loved ones that are long gone. As a matter of fact, the tin of brown shoe polish still had the old faded price sticker on it Рit was from Bradlees! So in this case, not only is the person who bought it gone, but the store is gone as well!

  This world we live in is getting crazier and crazier every day. The days of the lone extremist are long gone ‚Äì everyone seems to be either oblivious to anything important outside their own little cocoon or they want to lead the march of the seven tribes to wrong the right (you get the idea).

The events that happen in our daily lives and more specifically the forward movement of time, change the way we all process the non-stop barrage of information thrown at us in this age of the Internet. Its no wonder our kids are smarter than we are – the scope of information available to them is almost limitless and instantaneous.

Growing up in Somerville in the 60s, 70s and 80s, some of us were lucky to have a Webster’s Dictionary or a series of Encyclopedia Britannica – the fact that one of us had a subscription to Auto Week was almost unfathomable in our neighborhood.

Reality Bites By James Norton

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville News belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville News, its staff or publishers.)

Ok, I took a break from writing my personal opinion here to focus on other newspaper business. So what – at least my family got a temporary break from cringing over my latest public declaration. Fact is, I never realized how many people gave a crap about whether I might write week to week Рuntil this past week – when more than a few people asked when I would return.

Well here I am – and instead of writing about something that will make you all warm and fuzzy inside, I am going to bitch about St. Ann’s. Yes, you read that right.

This past weekend was the end of the yearlong celebration of St. Ann’s 125th Anniversary – and I knew nothing about it until two days beforehand. Now before you get into the “why does he think he is special” routine, read on and understand.

By George P. Hassett

City officials should revamp the snow emergency parking policy and implement a system in which  alternate sides of the street are used for parking during snow storms, said Ward 6 Alderman Rebekah Gewirtz at last Thursday‚Äôs Board of Aldermen meeting.

Currently, parking during snow emergencies is allowed only on the odd side of the street, while the even side usually gets the snow plowed their way. Gewirtz said it seemed unfair only one side of the street takes the brunt of the plowing.

By George P. Hassett

The gala celebrating St. Ann’s 125th birthday included food cooked by Somerville High School culinary arts students, a DJ playing music from all eras of the church’s lifetime and comedian Jimmy Tingle supplying the laughs.

Former priests and teachers of St. Ann’s attended the event, alongside parishioners and old students of the closed St. Ann School.

Somerville Police are investigating the death of a twenty-four year old Somerville resident after he fell from a moving vehicle early Wednesday morning.  Shortly before 3:00 a.m., Somerville Police responded to the intersection of Summer Street and School Street for a report of an injured person.  Upon their arrival, officers found Brian Libertore, 24, suffering from a severe head injury.  He was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital where he later died from his injuries.

New recruits come from fire families and military

By George P. Hassett

Of the six Somerville firefighters sworn onto the force last Thursday, three are continuing family traditions, while the other three come to the job after serving their country in the military. Some have wanted to be on the job since childhood while others learned to appreciate firefighting in times of war and crisis. But they all begin together on Oct 15.

Ward 1 alderman Bill Roche said he believes the six newcomers are “Six of the finest candidates to come into the city in a long time.” He said all six are Somerville residents.

Rumor has it that finally the Wakeley Family has sold The Paddock Restaurant on Pearl Street to their former cook РM. DaCova Рwho left there a few years back to open his own restaurant in West Medford called Giuseppe’s. A lot of us in Somerville think this is good news Рthe business has steadily gone downhill over the last year.

The ‚ÄúBreakfast War‚Äù in Ball Square has calmed down and by the looks of it, there‚Äôs enough business for everyone – Sunday morning there were lines in front of them all – Kelly‚Äôs, Sound Bites and The Ball Square Caf√©. Each has their own unique menus and frankly has made Ball Square the place to be on weekend mornings.                                                                              

Police: Most from Cambridge, few from Somerville

By George P. Hassett

A man arrested in Cambridge for allegedly stealing over 100 parking meters during the last year may also have been stealing meters in Somerville, according to authorities.