The annual Mayor’s picnic is set for this Friday, August 12, at Powderhouse Park, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. As usual, a good time will be had by all of the elderly attending. Call the council on aging at 617-625-6600 for information. This is a long time tradition here in Somerville, started by former Mayor Gene Brune.

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Speaking of the Council on Aging, Ms. Cindy Hickey is back and we hear she’s pretty happy about it. We were told that the people who were in charge while she was out on leave did a great job and everyone is grateful including, we were told, Ms. Cindy herself. We also heard that prior to Cindy’s return some staff people were passing around a petition to the elderly at the centers asking for her to come back. We also heard that in the past petitions at the centers were not welcomed. Well, maybe with Cindy back in charge things will be straightened out.

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We hear that some of the aldermen, while at the meetings around the horseshoe, were seen looking at various web sites while sitting there looking busy. We also heard that one Alderman at Large, Bill White, was seen several times watching the various stock market reports. Maybe he’s watching and keeping a careful eye out for the various investments the city has. Or maybe his own investments.

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The annual Mayor Joe Curtatone cruise was held last Wednesday and everyone on board had a great time. It was nice to see and talk with some old friends as well as new ones. It was especially interesting with the military helicopters flying low overhead for about the last hour or so of the cruise. It was very interesting watching them do maneuvers.

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We found that that Ms. Carlene Campbell, a sort of local celebrity in her own way here in the ‘Ville, especially for her organizational skills in politics (of course after work), is engaged. Carlene is engaged to a Joe Hegarty and plans on a November 12 wedding.    Some of us here have known Carlene for a long time and we wish her nothing but the best. She works hard and has a smile all the time for everyone.

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What’s going on at that big box bank on lower Broadway? We heard that one of the long time tellers was forced to take down a little Red Sox pin that was on her counter name plate. A lot of customers would at least smile while they stood in the long lines waiting to do their bank business. That pin has been there a for few years, and now it’s down. We heard that maybe the manager is a Yankee fan?  We’re not sure, but why would this offend anyone here in Red Sox Nation?     Next time you’re in the bank tell the manager you’re a Sox fan and are not offended by having it there.

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Lots of Happy Birthdays this week, almost too many but we have to mention a few here: famous well known Attorney and good guy Rich DiGirolamo is celebrating his birthday this week. Again, he’s a special guy to many here in the ‘Ville and we wish him nothing but the best. To our out of town (actually Hamburg, NY – way up near Buffalo) correspondent Brendan Cunningham, we wish him a Happy Birthday. Also celebrating her birthday is Brandon Wilson of the Historical side of the city. We wish her the very best and hope her day is a good one.      Robert DeVasto is a personal friend of some here in Somerville. He’s been very busy with refinancing those loans at Wells Fargo for about 4.37% fixed. What a happy birthday for some here in the city. A huge Happy Birthday to Lisamarie Tauro who turned 22 this week. Time flies and she’s grown to be a very nice adult. To our friend over at ISD, John Driscoll – he celebrated his birthday recently and we bet he thinks we forgot but we didn’t. Have a great day John and smile while giving out those citations and stop work orders (it’s easier to accept when you’re smiling). Other notables are Hailey O’Connor who turns one this week. We’re starting them out young, getting a whole new audience here at the News. Also Happy Birthday to Regan McGovern who is celebrating his 21st birthday. Enjoy and get a designated driver if needed.

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The Motorcycle Club “The Arresting Souls” and the Somerville Police Department’s own Lieutenant Billy Rymill are having a big bash on August 20 at 4p.m at the Dilbory Post in Davis Square. Live music, good food, and someone said tattoos. Go and enjoy, even if you don’t have a tattoo.

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We want to remind you again about the John T. Forcellese Memorial Fund and the upcoming Golf tournament at the Falmouth Country Club on Saturday, September 10. The deadline to register is this week, so please call 617 543-8152 or email pkf@hons-team.org. It’s a great time every year and the funds raised go to help a lot of deserving graduates of Somerville High as well as a other schools in the area and on the cape.

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Big time congratulations to Jessica Trane who recently made the Dean’s list at NYU. Jessica is the daughter of Alderman Bob Trane and his lovely wife Nancy. Hard to believe Jessica is in college. It was like yesterday we gave her a ride in the Thunderbird, wasn’t it?

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Danielle Lynch and Chris Piacentini of Somerville, are the proud parents of Sebastian Christopher Piacentini born on July 29th at 10:44 pm weighing in at 5 lbs 9 oz  and 19 inches long. The proud Grandparents are Nancy Lynch and Robert Lynch, Jr. of Somerville  and Al and MaryAnn Piacentini of Belmont.

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We see that our very good friend Marco Soares has started his own business. We noticed him driving around Somerville in his own Tow Truck.  His number  617-417-2846. Marco is well known here in the ‘Ville and is a very popular guy. We wish him well and the best, always with that big smile on him.

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Every Thursday night through August 25 enjoy SomerMovie Fest ’11. This week’s movie (August 11) is Brian’s  Song (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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The MBTA passageway at Davis Square, as part of the Community Path, will be repaved on Saturday, August 13, continuing with a revitalization project of this section of the path. The Busway will be closed from 7:00 a.m. through 5:00 p.m. Buses normally using the Busway stop at the MBTA Headhouse at College Avenue will be relocated to Highland Avenue. The last six parking meters on Highland Avenue prior to College Avenue will be “bagged,” and used as the temporary bus stop. Affected buses are #s 88, 87, 90, 96, 94 and 89. Signs will be posted, and Somerville Police and MBTA staff will be on hand to direct passengers to the temporarily-relocated bus stop.

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Cambridge Savings Bank recently announced that Cambridge Savings Charitable Foundation has awarded scholarships to two local high school seniors from Somerville High School through the 2011 Kevin J. Fitzgerald Scholarship Program, which awarded a total of $65,000 to graduating seniors in Eastern Massachusetts.  This year’s scholarship winners from Somerville High are Joshua Scarry and Robert Rudolph.  In its 20th year, the Kevin J. Fitzgerald Scholarship Program has awarded more than $750,000 to graduating seniors in the communities Cambridge Savings Bank serves. The program typically awards two $2,500 scholarships to local graduating seniors in each community, one for a traditional four-year program, and a second for a two-year technical/vocational or community college program. In addition to receiving scholarships, Joshua and Robert were offered summer jobs at Cambridge Savings Bank, which allows them to earn extra funds to help with college expenses.