Tonight, Wednesday, May 22, 5:30 to 8 p.m. at The Armory, 191 Highland, join Mayor Joe Curtatone for his campaign kick-off party. Food and live entertainment. It looks like no one is going to challenge the mayor again this year. He’s done a great job and is going to be the longest sitting mayor once he’s re-elected this fall. Join the hundreds of family, friends and supporters tonight.

*************************

Don’t forget tomorrow night, Thursday, May 23 for the Annual Somerville Lions Club “A Night of Comedy & Fun” at “Giggles Comedy Club on Rt. 1 South in Saugus. The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. with three top comedians, raffles and all the pizza and salad that you can eat. All proceeds support Lions Club charities and programs. Tickets are $25 per person and available at the door or by contacting Billy Tauro for tickets and RSVPs at (617)293-2016.

*************************

This Sunday, May 26 we celebrate Memorial Day here in the city. A huge parade takes place every year and this year is no different. It’s boasted to be the biggest so far (they say it every year and its true). It kicks off at City Hall around 1p.m. and will end up at Clarendon Hill to the Veterans cemetery ceremony. Line the streets of Highland Avenue through Davis up Holland onto Broadway.

*************************

Some Happy Birthdays this week, first to Somerville City Treasurer Pete Forcellese Jr. Well-known political guru Feargal O’Toole is celebrating this week, a rising star in the making with local personality Brian Roche of the Gilman Square Roche’s. Mike Legee is celebrating this week. Mike is the son of well-known Jim Legee, retired ISD inspector.     Scott Diamond from West Somerville, as well as Iona O’Brien, we wish both a Happy Birthday. And let’s not forget another fan of The News, Tatou Hilaire.

*************************

Congratulations to our good friend Amanda Marie Eddy who graduated this past weekend from Salem State University. Amanda, we here at The News wish you all the best! Also, happy graduation to our good friend Diane Gentile who graduated this past weekend from Bentley College. Diane is a sharp girl and we wish her the very best in her future endeavors!

*************************

It looks like Six for Alderman At Large so far. This past week Carol A. Dempkowski of Hawthorne Street in Davis Square pulled papers joining Mary Jo Rossetti and Sean Fitzgerald as challengers to incumbents Dennis Sullivan, Jack Connolly and William White. Three more and we would have a primary and wouldn’t that be awesome here in the city? Imagine the debating of ideas and issues, especially for the long time office holders. Catherine L. Thompson has taken out papers for Ward Two School Committee and she joins Michael Nionakis in that race. In Ward Three one more candidate has pulled for papers for Alderman, now making the ward a possible primary. His name is Stephen A. Delani, joining Bob McWatters and Matthew Desmond. A possible primary in Ward One, Three, and Five will be exciting. Hopefully more will join in and pull papers. If you’re considering it go to the Election Department in the basement at City Hall, School Street entrance. Tell them you read it in The News. The only incumbent not to pull as of yet – and we think he won’t – is Alderman Bob Trane in Ward Seven. We still believe that Joe Capuano, the son of Congressman Mike Capuano, is going to pull papers. Look for a last minute pulling of his papers.

*************************

We heard that the new owners of the Union Square Post Office were on a tour walking around the building on Friday sizing up the place, anxious and ready to move in and demo the place. We also heard that it made the postal employees who work there on a daily basis and some of the customers doing their business feel very uncomfortable by their presence, and thought the tour to be very inappropriate and should have been conducted after business hours.

*************************

Our hearts and prayers go out to our good friend, Somerville Police Department Vehicle Fleet Manager Freddy Hartsgrove. Since he was diagnosed with a brain tumor he has had some life changing challenges with a series of eight epileptic seizures. Even with all that going on in his life Freddy is there at the police garage everyday making sure that our city’s fleet of police vehicles are in tip top condition so that our men and women in blue can do their job of protecting us and our fine city with confidence that their police vehicles are working properly and always looking out for their safety.

*************************

Congratulations to the 11 Somerville property owners recognized by the Somerville Historic Preservation Commission for outstanding preservation efforts. And kudos to the SHS students who have created individual artwork pieces representing the properties.  The Preservation Awards ceremony will be held at the Armory on Thursday, May 23.

*************************

Oops! We just heard through our reliable sources that the Farm Team (aka the Journal) recently issued an internal memo recently to all Gatehouse papers here in Massachusetts – remember, the owners of the Farm Team are in upstate NY – looking for yet another reporter. Or is it looking again for another editor? Who knows? They do seem to run through them, don’t they? Maybe the present one will get the wish he asked for not too long ago granted. Or maybe not, unless he recently moved here?

*************************

By the way, for the second time in two weeks Feargal O’Toole was seen wearing a suit, attending Elio LoRusso’s campaign fundraiser last week. And we have to admit, our sources tell us, that it was standing room only in attendance to kick off Elio’s campaign against Maureen Barstardi. We think this is going to be a tight race down in Ward One. We wish both candidates the best.

*************************

Our condolences go out to the family of Louis F. Bortone who passed away not too long ago. He was born and raised right here in Somerville. Lou worked for many years for WBZ TV as an Executive Art Director. He won many awards and commendations throughout his career.

*************************

Pretty nice that finally after years of looking bad the overpass is in the process of being taken down. This is so good to be happening. Last week over a 100 Somerville residents turned out for the first of many hearings on what the proposed new road will look like. Watch for dates of the next hearings and show up to be a part of the process. Now, if we could only get that ugly incinerator removed that would be great.