Yesterday was Presidential Primary Election Day. There was a big turnout and was anyone surprised? Now we don’t have to see all those commercials for a few more months, and that’s always a good thing. According to an article in the Herald as well as from the Secretary of State’s office, more than 16,300 Democrats have shed their party’s affiliation and of that 3,500 moved to Republican affiliation. The city of Somerville has also seen a shift in Democratic affiliation as well.

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Coming on March 11, “Flashback Friday” at the Somerville City Club. Do you still have that poodle skirt? Maybe your bellbottoms and platform shoes? What about those ripped jeans or hammer pants? Break them out! Take a journey back in time and dance the night away to songs from the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. Costume dress optional. Join in on Friday, March 11, 7:00-11:00 p.m. at Somerville City Club, 20 Innerbelt Rd., Somerville. Tickets are $15. There will be a cash bar, raffle tickets and 50/50’s. Adults only. All proceeds benefit The Somerville PTA Scholarship Dinner Dance. For tickets, email Kristine Vallery at afaspta@yahoo.com.

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It appears that Mayor Joe Curtatone is not making friends over in Everett – or with the unions – regarding the proposed Wynn Casino. Mayor Joe has filed a major lawsuit on behalf of the city that will put a crimp in the construction phase with a postponement of a year or so. We’re wondering if Mayor Joe and the Board of Aldermen need to vote on paying for a legal representative from the city and how much that will cost us. Union picketers showed up at City Hall on Tuesday in protest of Curtatone’s suit against the casino, with an estimated year’s delay in construction.

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The mayor’s special committee on the high school has made a recommendation to tear down the existing High School – including the $2M renovated auditorium– and build a new school. Of course, the state would pay about 80%. At least that’s what we were told. Our question is where is the city getting all this money from taxes? We guess the better question is when was the last time the city recommended a tax reduction?

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The Board of Aldermen unanimously recommended a proposal by Alderman Bill White that the city’s stand on 40% commercial and 60% residential be reversed to 67% commercial and 33% residential, which all the alderman present voted to be part of that proposal. A public hearing will soon be held and it looks pretty good that the aldermen who will have the final say will in the end have the final say on the proposed parts of Union Square, Boynton Yards and Innerbelt area.

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Happy birthday to a lot of our friends and fellow Villens here this week: Happy Birthday to Christine Resmini here in the city. We hope she had a great day for herself. Happy birthday to Peter Miller, a well-known activist and one of Somerville’s dedicated residents over the years. Happy birthday also to another local popular guy, Steve Buckley, of the famous Buckley’s of East Somerville. We wish Steve the very best of birthdays, especially in his new home still in East Somerville. Happy birthday to Chris Haskell of Winter Hill who is a nice guy and very smart. We hope he has a great day for himself as well.

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There’s a new website in town. Check it out at www.somervillema.com. The Somerville Times is on the site. Also check out www.medfordma.com.

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Those who might be interested in obtaining certification for firearms should look up the Lawrence Rod & Gun Club. They offer an extensive program at the end of which you receive certification for Massachusetts/NRA Certified Firearm Safety Classes. They run a class once a month, which is limited to 10 people and we hear that this is the place to go to learn safety when handling guns. Email gunclub@earthlink.net for more information and or go to their website at www.lawrencerodandgunclub.org and read up about the course.

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The East Somerville Reunion is being planned for this coming June 25 at the Somerville City Club, across from Holiday Inn. They have a Facebook page set up to take reservations: East Somerville Reunion 2016. The first reunion was very successful, with well over a 100 people attending, and lots of old friendships were restarted. If you grew up in East Somerville in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s you should set aside the date and make your plans to attend. You won’t be disappointed.

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The Mayor of Medford had her first fundraiser since taking office early in January, and when asked how her two months in office felt, she was very pleased and excited for her term.

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The Norton Group’s buyer’s seminar went off well. Several residents showed up and the seminar went over big time with everyone being happy with the presentation. Another one will be held in April in time for the market, as well as a seller’s seminar.

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“World Cup Bull Riders” is coming to New England at the Shriner’s Auditorium, 99 Fordhum Rd, Wilmington, MA. “World cup Bull Riders” is a great event with 30 World Cup Bull Riders competing for the Gold Buckle. Come see three time world champion Kenny Churchill ride. This event has something for every member of the family, like kids pony rides, rodeo Clowns, Live Bands and etc.. The event will take place May 6 at 7 p.m. and May 7 at noon and 7 p.m. In Somerville you can purchase tickets at  Vinny’s At Night,  76 Broadway. For more information call 857-249-781.

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The Somerville High School Science Department invites parents/guardians, younger students and their families, teachers, and community members, to the 2016 SHS Science & Engineering Fair Exhibition Night on March 3, from 4:30-6:00 p.m. Come view student science fair research projects and listen to presentations. View the projects at your leisure from 4:30-5:30 p.m. and an informal awards ceremony will follow at 5:30pm at the SHS Auditorium. A host will greet you at the school’s main entrance and escort you up to the science project area.

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Tufts Hillel hosts its annual Read by the River event on March 6 for students in grades K-5. The event takes place from 12:00-3:00 p.m. at the Gantcher Center at Tufts University, 161 College Avenue, Medford. Parents must accompany child. Students are encouraged to bring a “Read by the River” Book report that includes the students’ name, book title, and short responses to the following questions: (1) What was the plot summary? (2) Who was your favorite character, and why? (3) What was one lesson you learned from the book? Download a simple one-page book report form from the SPS website Calendar of Events event listing (www.somerville.k12.ma.us/events).