No other food conjures such intense feelings of loyalty as the 100-year-old Marshmallow Fluff.

Indeed, tens of thousands of people descend upon Somerville’s Union Square every September to celebrate the whimsy and wonder of this beloved product.

Join in on Thursday, March 2, at Somerville Brewing Company, 15 Ward Street, Somerville, as we celebrate the launch of Fluff: The Sticky Sweet Story of an American Icon by the fabulous Mimi Graney.

Some city residents have questioned how strictly the parking and shoveling regulations have been enforced during recent snow emergencies. — Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Jim Clark

At the latest regular meeting of the City of Somerville Board of Aldermen on Thursday, February 23, an order was brought forward asking that the Director of Traffic and Parking report the number of warnings and citations issued for snow covered vehicles following the 9:00 a.m. lifting of the snow emergency on February 13.

The fire that struck an Appleton St. home said to be listed as an AirBnb offering has raised questions about the safety and propriety of certain buildings being used in such a capacity. — Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Joe Ruvido

A fire ripped through a 3-family house on Appleton St. in late January, prompting people to jump from 2nd floor windows to safety. The fire department has kept a detail at the house around the clock since then.

Come celebrate Robyn Hitchcock’s 64th birthday this Friday at ONCE Ballroom, where he will perform a sold-out show with his personal and professional partner Emma Swift.

By Blake Maddux

Immersing oneself in the discography of English singer-songwriter Robyn Hitchcock is the aural equivalent looking through kaleidoscope eyes into a series of fun house mirrors.

It is a musical world is one populated by – among others – Antwoman, Balloon Man, Toadboy, Wafflehead, and Madonna of the Wasps.

By Jim Clark

Reports in the media have surfaced alleging that Somerville police officer Alex Capobianco is currently being investigated by authorities in Cambridge for paying a hotel bill with counterfeit money.

~Photos by Bobbie Toner

The new bfresh grocery store opened its doors at Davis Square, 244 Elm St., Somerville, Mass., on Friday, February 24 at 9:00 a.m. Mayor Joseph Curtatone toured the store on Monday morning.

At a Chamber-of-Commerce-sponsored forum on Tuesday evening, ninety attendees heard regional real estate and biotech leaders speak on Somerville’s potential as “the next innovation center.” As many of us have been saying, prospects are excellent. Our proximity to research centers and innovation clusters, local talent pool, outstanding culinary and cultural offerings, and imminent GLX arrival make Somerville a dream location for emerging tech-sector companies.

*

Located in the heart of Davis Square, a unique oat café offering bowls of oatmeal with numerous toppings is now open. Oat Shop offers bowls with almond butter, berries, bananas, apples, maple syrup, and a list of other sweet treats. If you’re looking for more of a savory choice, they do not disappoint. A fried egg with bacon and a cheddar sauce or a fried egg with a Sriracha sauce kick, pesto with avocado, sweet potato coconut curry, even a sushi bowl with seaweed. Please go to the above website to see many other options available as add-ons.

A lot of public events come and go over the course of each year: road races, music festivals, family events…you name it. What is it though about the celebration of the sticky, sweet and gooey confection called Marshmallow Fluff that kindles a spot of warmth in so many of our hearts? Is it the generally whacky nature of the event itself? The overall tongue-in-cheek nature of each event within the event?

Arrests:

Roberto Ennis, of 9 Nightingale St., Boston, February 21, 9:53 a.m., arrested at Cedar St. on a charge of unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

Frank Chan, of 109 Glen St., February 22, 1:36 a.m., arrested at Washington St. on warrant charges of possession of a class D drug, attempt to commit a crime, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.