Next week is Mayor Joe Curtatone 7th annual Boston Harbor Cruise, Wednesday, August 3, 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Departs from Long Wharf. Cost is only $50pp. Email brooke@thescannellgroup.com

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Happy Birthday to a lot of people in the ‘Ville this week. Two special ladies of The News, Marisa Tauro and Patti Norton are celebrating this Friday. Of course, we wish them the best and a great day. Some other notables here are Rick Hart of the Hart family fame. Hard to believe he’s now a father of 3 himself. We wish him a Happy Birthday. Locally, John Serpico, who is a new resident of Winter Hill and recently got married. Our own Jimmy Del Ponte, who writes about himself and all of us here in the ‘Ville – those special memories – and is extremely active here in the city. We wish him a great day. To Janice Delorey of City Hall, a nice person who is always pleasant and smiling if not helpful to those that call. We wish her a great day as well. We want to wish our good friend Joe DaSilva, who comes back every now and then from his home in Florida to visit all the relatives and friends here in the ‘Ville, a good day. Diane Mahoney, who moved as well but her heart is always here in the ‘Ville – she’s also back and forth – a special day for her as well. To all the Happy Birthday people here in the ‘Ville this week, enjoy and have a great day – and stay cool.

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Candidate Michael Nionakis, who is running for Alderman at Large, will be having a kickoff party this coming Thursday , July 28, from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.,  it  should be well attended by a lot of people. The function will be held at Casey’s on Lower Broadway. They will be having hors d’oeuvres, music and a cash bar and an opportunity to meet and get to know a bit about Michael and his platform.  The donation price per person is $20 and they will be selling tickets at the door. Mike has a lot of family and friends here in the ‘Ville. He should do well.

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Ward 2 Alderman Maryann Heuston wants to remind you of the NOTICE OF RODENT PRESENTATION and Q&A that will occur this Thursday, July 28, 7 p.m., at City Hall. The presentation will be by noted urban rodent expert Bobby Corrigan. There will be an opportunity for public questions and comments specific to our neighborhoods. This meeting is a public service intended to provide information and analysis of rodent behavior in order for Somerville residents, business and municipal leaders to work together as a community on more effective rodent control strategies.

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Wow! Our own Bobbie Toner, out of the hospital, big time surgery, and now home, was in the office the other day. Nothing holds this lady back, she’s relentless. Definitely a Toner from a good and hardy stock or, as they say, she has a strong constitution. She looks great, walks slower, but looks great. Send her greetings at bobbietoner@aol.com. Say “Hi.”

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Up in Ward 7 the race is on and since it’s the only primary in the city this year it should be an interesting race.  We’re told that Joan Puglia has been out knocking on doors and getting a good reception from her first flyer on the fees and fines being raised. We’re also told that Alderman Bob Trane is out as well every single night.

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Meanwhile, down in Ward 4, we had sightings of Tony LaFaunte, who is a candidate for Ward 4 Alderman, walking around. He’s out every night, we hear, and getting a good response. The other candidate, Christine Barber, has been in her immediate neighborhood introducing herself since she’s a relative newcomer to the city. We did hear she had a good turnout at the Paddock not too long ago, but nothing since. Maybe our “Newstalkers” in Winter Hill will keep us posted on these two. One thing for sure, let’s hope they both agree that Temple Street is so tied from all the diggings going on over the past 10 years, that it’s got to be the worst street in the city. It’s at least the worst through street with constant traffic. Another sore point in Winter Hill has to be the still vacant old Star Market. Wow, everyone can agree that there is definitely a need to get that place up and running.

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Well, everyone has heard by now that Cindy Hickey has been cleared of all wrongdoing and is heading back to head up the Council on Aging as Director again, as of August 1. The city says it did a thorough investigation, spent about $17,000, and nothing was found. If that’s true what is going to happen to those responsible for making accusations? Do any of them still work for the city?

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Speaking of the Council on Aging, don’t forget the Annual Elderly Picnic will be held this year again, on August 10. Call the council office to get your reservations in at 617-625-6600. Ask for the council office.

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Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and Alderman Robert C. Trane invite everyone to the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to celebrate the renovation of the Hodgkins-Curtin Ballfield, (corner of Holland and Simpson Streets.) Saturday morning July 30, from 10:00 to 12:00 p.m. Watch a Somerville Little League exhibition game and join the fun with relay races, inflatable basketball, big ball volleyball, football throwing contest and more! For more information, please visit www.somervillema.gov or contact Arn Franzen at 617-625-6600.

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Every Thursday night through August 25 enjoy SomerMovie Fest ’11. This week’s movie(July 27) is Annie (pg) and will take place at Seven Hills Park, Davis Square.  All movies start at dusk. Call 311 for more information, or visit www.somervillema.gov.

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Mayor Joseph Curtatone and Somerville Office of Prevention (SOP) Director Cory Mashburn for the eighth consecutive year, Somerville Cares About Prvention (SCAP) will partner with the City of Somerville and the Somerville Police Department to host Somerville’s National Night Out Against Crime and Drugs. National Night Out is scheduled for Tuesday, August 2nd at Foss Park from 5pm to 8pm and will include a variety of youth activities, including: Police and Fire Department demonstrations; free food provided by local restaurants; a state K-9 unit demonstration; performances by the Somerville Sunsetters, Teen Empowerment, Villari Self-Defense Center and Grooversity; and over 25 tables with information about local agencies.