ArtBeat festival was a success. Lots of residents showed up and thoroughly enjoyed the shows, concerts, food, and the various kinds of art as imagined by the many creative people present. Great job by the Arts Council and the mayor’s office.

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Don’t forget to book your reservations quickly as the boat is filling up fast for the 7th Annual Mayor Joe Curtatone’s Summer Boat Cruise, departing Long Wharf on the Cruise Line Pier, Wednesday, August 3, departing at 7p.m. Email brooke@thescannellgroup.com for your tickets. The deadline is July 29.

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Big week for another group of well known ‘Villens: Happy Birthday to Winter Hill celebrity Ricky Spinosa, who we hear is going to have a huge cookout soon; Kenny Manzi, a great guy down in East Somerville who’s been around his entire life; another great guy who used to be involved locally in politics, George Barnoski; and, of course, to Cheryl Chaille Horan, who is a great lady another life long resident; also to Cindy Hickey of the Council on Aging fame (we hear she’s either back or going back soon); Mark Healey, a big time fan of the News; and last but also a huge fan of the News is Jeanette Ciampi. To all we wish a very Happy Birthday and to many others here in the ‘Ville that we didn’t mention.

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Save the dates July 19-27 for the Super Hero Sighting Nightly being held at the Christian Assembly, located at 9 Cummings Street in Somerville, from 6:30 to 8:30p.m. Open to everyone. Those 6 years old and under must be accompanied by an adult.  For more information call 617 627-9400.

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Wow, looks like the Somerville Police had an arrest warrant out on one of its own, or should we say one of its ex-own?  A rogue ex-Somerville Police Sergeant barricaded himself at his home while police were pounding at his front door this weekend but wouldn’t let them in after reports that he allegedly beat up his girlfriend this past weekend. This is the same cop that took the department for a ride allegedly with fictitious court detail hours a couple of years ago.  And let’s not forget his brother, another ex-Somerville cop better known as the “Candy man,” who was pressured to leave the department after his alleged theft of a bag of candy from a children’s charity Halloween haunted house.

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Our own Bobbie Toner’s recent surgery is over and she’s home resting. Well, at least she’s enjoying her computer better, she’s relentless even working from the sick bed. We here at the front get reports from mother Cam who visits daily along with all the other family members. Bobbie says hi to everyone that sent her hellos and best wishes, if you’d like to say hello email her at bobbietoner@aol.com. She has lots of time to read, but do us a favor and send her something that will make her laugh. Laughter is good.

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Speaking of getting well, we still get reports on our good friend Steve from Steves and Sons. We saw Nick, his son, out there working hard the other day. He’s doing a good job. Bill Chambers back in Spring Hill is getting along and hopefully will be around in a few more months.

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Join local youth for an evening of song, spoken word or music, coordinated by Teen Empowerment and Groundwork Somerville. Open Mike Night at The Somerville Community Growing Center, 22 Vinal St, Thursday, July 21 from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m. In the event of rain, this event will be postponed to August 11.

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Every Thursday night through August 25 enjoy SomerMovie Fest ’11. This week’s movie(July 21) is Iron Man (pg-13) and will take place at Lincoln Park, Washington St.  All movies start at dusk. Call 311 for more information, or visit www.somervillema.gov.

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On Wednesday, October 26, 2011 the Somerville Council on Aging will hold its annual Health & Wellness Fair. If you are a organization or business that is interested in having a table at the fair, please contact the Council on Aging at 617-625-6600, ext. 2300. They  will accept appropriate vendors on a first-come first-served basis as space allows.

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Starting July 18, Citizens Bank will collect new school supplies for its Gear for Grades initiative, an effort to help local children go back to school with the gear they need to learn. New pencils, folders, glue, notebooks and other supplies can be donated at any Citizens Bank branch in Massachusetts through August 6. This year’s Gear for Grades program is supported by Cradles to Crayons.  Through Gear for Grades, more than 3,000 children in Massachusetts will receive new backpacks and school supplies. This year, more than 27,000 backpacks filled with new school supplies will be distributed to children across the Citizens Financial Group footprint.  Cradles to Crayons, an innovative nonprofit organization providing essential everyday supplies to low-income and homeless children, will distribute the backpacks to children in need throughout Massachusetts. As part of the initiative, the Citizens Bank Foundation donated $25,000 to the organization. The bank’s total commitment to Cradles to Crayons this year is $100,000.  According to a National Retail Federation survey in 2010, the average American family was expected to spend $606 on back-to-school expenses. But for families who are low-income, at-risk or homeless, the cost of even basic school supplies can be a burden.

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Redbones 10th Annual Pig Pickin’ & Benefit will take place Monday, August 1 from 6 p.m. – 9 p.m. $25.00 for adults and $5.00 for kids under 10. Proceeds go to the The Somerville Homeless Coalition. Price includes pulled pork, loins, butts, bellies and cracklin plus sides of slaw, corn on the cob, greens, corn bread and watermelon and a choice of drinks including beer. Live music. Served outside under tents in front of Redbones. Rain date: August 8.