The original date of the event has changed – The new date is October 7 · Noon to 6 p.m.

Outdoor beer garden on Chester St with Oompa band, a wide selection of Oktoberfest drafts, traditional bratwursts, potato pancakes and more. Free Admission.

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, Congressman Michael Capuano, HHS Regional Director Christie Hager, Secretary of Elder Affairs Ann Hartstein, Tufts University Professor Raymond Hyatt to Speak on Panel Regarding the State of Medicare & Social Security; Hundreds of Senior Citizens, Student Attendees Expected for Event on Friday.

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, Congressman Michael Capuano, and the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare will host a public forum on Friday, September 28 to discuss current proposals to address long-term funding and benefits issues affecting these long-standing and popular federal programs.  The forum will be held at Tufts University’s Cohen Auditorium (in the Aidekman Arts Center, Talbot Ave., Somerville), and will offer a panel discussion followed by a Q&A session with the public.  Opened and moderated by Mayor Curtatone, the panel includes Congressman Capuano, Health & Human Services New England Regional Director Christie L. Hager, Massachusetts’ Secretary of Elder Affairs Ann L. Hartstein, Dan Adcock from the National Committee,  and Associate Professor Raymond R. Hyatt, Ph.D., from the Department of Public Health & Community Medicine at the Tufts University School of Medicine.  Hundreds of attendees from Councils on Aging across the region are expected to be in attendance, as are students from Tufts University.  The event is free of charge, but RSVPs are encouraged.  Attendees can confirm their interest by contacting Jackie Rossetti in Mayor Curtatone’s Office at 617-625-6600 ext 2614, or JRossetti@somervillema.gov

City to Designate Design Consultant to Work with Park Users and Neighbors on New Set of Proposals to Upgrade Park Facilities

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone announced today that he has directed the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development (OSPCD) to appoint a design consultant to manage a new and more comprehensive planning process for proposed upgrades to recreational facilities at Lincoln Park.

Historical tour of Union Square

By Maria A. Cortes

One of the several events planned and sponsored by The Historic Preservation Commission this fall, The Union Square walking tour, took place last Sunday, September 23, in Somerville. Led by Edward W. Gordon, New England Chapter President of the Victorian Society of America, the tour explored the history behind Union Square buildings and its architectural features.

This Saturday, the 29th, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. in Union Square, Blast off! Marshmallow Fluff is out of this world and lighter than air. So for the seventh annual “What the Fluff?” festival we explore Fluff in Space! Fluffernutters were served at the International Space Station (it’s true!) and we’re bringing that glorious space dust down to earth. What the Fluff? – A Tribute to Union Square Invention – honors the illustrious Fluff creator, Archibald Query, who concocted the gooey sticky spread right here in Union Square in 1917.   Local artists, musicians, theatrical performers, inventors, and humorists pay madcap tribute to the creation of this great American foodstuff on two stages. Fluff games and shenanigans will spread the sticky goodness throughout the Union Square. Rick Linnaean, the Massachusetts-born, Fluff-loving astronaut, is sending us some special prizes to give away at our spacey fluff games, and yes, there will be a moon bounce!

Historic Milk Row Cemetery.

By Maria A. Cortes

Historic Somerville, Inc., in collaboration with Somerville Historic Preservation Commission, opens the gates of the oldest burial ground in the city, Milk Row Cemetery, for public tours on three Sundays this fall. Although locked most of the time, the cemetery, with its rich historical background, has aroused curiosity among many Somerville residents. That curiosity now gets a chance to be satisfied.

By Cathleen Twardzik

The discussion about the Union Square Revitalization Plan continued at a recent Housing and Community Development Committee, Committee of the Whole meeting.

The meeting “was a public hearing. Various topics from the public [were] discussed related to the redevelopment plan,” said Maryann Heuston, Alderman of Ward 2 of Somerville.

Eagle Feathers #10 – Somerville is a Perfect Ten

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

Just as David Letterman has a Top Ten List that he shares with his audience on a nightly basis, Somerville has a top-ten list of fun and interesting facts that I’d like to share with you. Somerville is unique in that it is shaped like the American eagle. Since this the 10th edition of Eagle Feathers, I thought it might be fitting to honor the eagle this week by showcasing a top-ten list of Somerville firsts:

By Donald Norton

What looked like a possible resolution and vote this past week before the ZBA on the fate of the Armory’s request for easement of restrictions on hours of operation and other issues was not to be.

The ZBA board heard a request by Alderman Jack Connolly on behalf of Sean O’Donovan and Tom Taylor to delay the vote and have the neighbors and the Arts at the Armory go back and hopefully come up with some agreement.

The Somerville News Person of the Week, Ida Azzolino.

Ida Azzolino, who turns 100 years of age this month, was born the same time as the opening of Fenway Park and the sinking of the Titanic. She went to school here, and grew up on the streets back in the day when horses were around and gas lamps needed to be lit. She has lived to see the first person on the moon. She is very nice lady who worked very hard as a young girl here, attended Somerville schools and was also in attendance at Saint Anthony’s parish and later at St. Clements. Ida still goes to church every week at St. Clements and helped them to celebrate their 100 years serving the parish.