By Jim Clark

Undercover detectives from the Somerville Police Department setup up surveillance at the Home Depot parking lot on Mystic Ave. last Sunday.

The police have reportedly regarded this location as a “hot spot” for narcotics trafficking.

By Wendy Owens

(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.)

What if there was a government program that helps millions of Americans maintain their health and quality of life? What if this same program comes in under its annual budget year after year? What if the vast majority of beneficiaries in this program say the program works well for them? Shouldn’t this program be the exemplar for best practices and not one threatened by devastating budget cuts?

And the brass will crash, and the trumpets bray, and they’ll cut a dash at HONK! Festival 2012. – Photo by Joseph Gresser

By Cathleen Twardzik

From October 4 to October 8, HONK! Festival 2012, which is the seventh annual festival of “socio-political activist street bands/variety of styles,” will take place in Somerville.

At least 34 activist street bands, all of whom hail from Somerville to Italy, will participate.

The Somerville High School Girls Freshman Volleyball team is off to a great start on the season. The girls are 5-1 with wins against Lawrence, Everett, Malden, Medford, and Methuen.

“They are a good, solid team of 16,” said coach Krista Invernizzi, who is in her third year as the freshman coach. “With 16 girls, there is plenty of opportunity to teach girls to specialize in bumping, setting, and hitting, but they all are learning to serve which is important for making the JV team next year.”

Panelists discuss Social Security and Medicare at Tufts Forum. Left to right: Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, Massachusetts Secretary of Elder Affairs, Ann Hartstein, Congressman Michael Capuano, Christie Hager, Director of Health and Human Services for the New England Region, Associate Professor Raymond R. Hyatt PhD., Director of Government Relations and Policy for the National Committee for the Preservation of Social Security and Medicare, Dan Adcock.~Photo by Terence Clarey

By Terence Clarey

Education was the goal of a forum presented by Somerville Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare last Friday at the Cohen Auditorium in the Aidekman Center for the Arts on the campus of Tufts University. The discussion, which was moderated by Mayor Curtatone, consisted of a panel of speakers answering questions about Social Security and Medicare, discussing possible changes in the programs, and highlighting the urgency of maintaining these programs.

The Somerville Chamber of Commerce monthly “Business After Hours” meeting is Thursday, October 4, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. This month it’s at the Foundry at 255 Elm Street, Davis Square. It’s a great event for all Chamber members, as well as any businesses here in the city, to network and meet and greet each other. Sponsored this month by Cubby Oil. No cover, free appetizers, and free business card drawing. For reservations email Steve Mackey at the Chamber: smackey@somervillechamber.org.

By Blake Maddux

Approximately 20 people, including Somerville Police Chief Thomas Pasquarello, gathered at the Cross Street Senior Center on Wednesday to hear a talk about the Massachusetts Medical Marijuana Initiative, which will appear as Question 3 on the state ballot on November 6, 2012.

100 Year Old Somerville Resident Wilbur Smith

By William Tauro

Longtime Somerville resident Wilbur Smith turned 100 years old this past Sunday, September 30. Helping to celebrate Wilbur’s 100th birthday was Wilbur’s landlord Bert Faulkner, Building Manager Elizabeth Campbell and her staff who threw a birthday party for him in the top floor penthouse function facility of the Faulkner Towers on Highland Avenue in Somerville.

Ida Azzolino is now 100 years young.

By Donald Norton

About 150 relatives and friends celebrated this past Saturday the 100th Birthday of Ida Azzolino.

A huge crowd crunched into the Masonic Hall on Highland Avenue to have lunch and celebrate with Ida.

Nevada Senator Harry Reid  took part in the promotion ceremony of his former military fellow, Army Major Michael K. Lynch. Senator Reid was joined by Major Lynch’s parents, Joseph and Joan Lynch of Dracut, Massachusetts, and other former military fellows. “I am honored to have a military fellow work in my office each year, and Mike Lynch, a former fellow, served with great distinction,” said Reid. “Major Lynch has exhibited qualities of bravery and honor and I have no doubt that he will be an effective leader in the United States Army for years to come.”