Susan “Cindy Brady” Olsen’s Fluff-y creations can be seen at Bloc 11.

By Cathleen Twardzik

The 6th annual What the Fluff? A Tribute to Union Square Invention is coming to Somerville. Specifically, Union Square Plaza in Somerville, where Prospect Street, Washington Street, and Somerville Avenue meet, will be utilized for the event.

On September 24, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., local artists, musicians, theatrical performers, inventors, and humorists will pay tribute to the creation of this great American foodstuff. A rain date of September 25 has been set.

– Photos by Harry Kane

The Squeezebox Slam tore Union Square a new eardrum last Saturday as delighted crowds were amused and amazed by a virtual plethora of accordion and concertina virtuosos who took to the air with their the unique musical stylings.

By Jim Clark

Loss prevention personnel at the Rite-Aid drug store at McGrath Highway reportedly spotted and detained a female shoplifter last week.

According to the their report to police, the woman placed several items from the store into her handbag and then attempted to leave without paying. It was then that store employees stopped the woman and asked her to come with them to the loss prevention office.

The Blueback Herring River Route development project progresses as scheduled.

By Harry Kane

Conceptual stages of planning remain ongoing for The Blueback Herring River Route.

The pathway connects Foss Park to the Blessing of the Bay Boathouse. The grant was written by Steve Winslow and is now overseen by Green Infrastructure Planner and Conservation Agent, Rachael F. Kelly.

Somerville Symphony Orkestar will bring their unique musical stylings to the Kurt Vonnegut tribute show at Precinct Bar on Thursday, September 22.

‘Everything Was Beautiful And Nothing Hurt’

By Jim Clark

The late, great writer Kurt Vonnegut Jr. was famously quoted as once saying, “A purpose of human life, no matter who is controlling it, is to love whoever is around to be loved.” This sentiment comes full circle as a well-rounded gathering of artists, poets, and musicians come together this week to pay tribute to and share their love of the iconic author.

– Photos by Jackie Rossetti

GLX lawsuit redux as delay announcement looms

By Andrew Firestone

Mayor Joseph Curtatone threw down the gauntlet last Tuesday, September 13, when he called upon the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to hold the Green Line Extension plan to deadline, and not accept a delay of the opening in 2020.

Somerville High Adult Evening School Registration for the fall semester starts this week at the High School main entrance on Highland Avenue. Sophia Garafotes, the principal of the evening school, has worked hard to put together some very interesting classes this semester. New courses like a “do it yourself” mini law course and all their Virtual Classrooms are on-line for the academics. Most courses run from 6 to 9 p.m. They start September 27 and end in December. Call the school evenings at 617 625-5500 x 6100.  Some other courses being offered include CPR, RE licensing, money management, introduction to computers, graphic arts, Spanish for beginners, furniture making, Zumba classes, Celtic music, plus much more.

State lawmakers are gambling that casino revenues will help to jump-start a sluggish economy, but certain cautionary voices are publicly expressing their concerns that the numbers just don’t add up.

Somerville Pol:
‘It won’t work’

By Andrew Firestone

Sometimes if you double-down hard enough, you can beat the house, or so says the blackjack code. So goes the casino bill on Beacon Hill, which, after passing the house last Wednesday 123-32, will authorize three casinos, one slot parlor and one casino for the Wampanoag tribe in Massachusetts. While members of the Somerville delegation Rep. Carl Sciortino and Rep. Denise Provost voted against the measure, the bill now goes to the Senate, which approved the bill last year.

A parking meter is nothing like a gumball machine. When you put a quarter into a gumball machine you get back – well, a gumball. A clear cut, uncomplicated transaction. These days, though, a stop at a metered parking spot can become quite an adventure in uncertainty. Is our registration current? Is the inspection sticker in order? Did that check for the insurance premium clear OK and on time? And what is to come next on the to-do list for the harried motorist?