The Chamber of Commerce After Hours business meeting this month is at the Mt. Vernon Restaurant, 14 Broadway, East Somerville, from 5-7 p.m., Thursday, October 6. It’s a great time to business network and maybe a good idea for those who are seeking employment to consider attending as well. It attracts a great many business leaders here in Somerville.

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Speaking of the Mt. Vernon Restaurant, even though they don’t advertise with us we strongly support all local merchants, and especially local people like the Henrys who have been around for generations and donated time and money to various charities and fundraisers here in the City of Somerville. We need to remember this when choosing to go out to lunch and/or dinner and stay here in Somerville to help keep our businesses local. The Henrys deserve our respect and loyalty for all they do here over the years. They are a good family.

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We were sadden to hear that lifelong resident and great lady Ms. Constance Lauro of Alpine Street passed away this last Saturday at the age of 103 years old. Some of us here knew Constance first hand and she was an awesome lady who knew her stuff. She was accomplished and a respected resident here in Somerville. She worked up to the age of 75. Constance left her mark here in Somerville for over 100 years and not many can say that.  She leaves behind her devoted niece Paula Clark, here of Somerville, Lawrence Gordon of CT, and Honorable Richard W. Gordon of TN, as well as Debra DiFranco of Woburn and her nephew Clifford Clark. Connie was a nice lady, well educated and very helpful to many. We will miss her wit and charm, and to her family we send our sympathy.

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Now what are those two funny ladies Joan the mouth and Lady Jenn up to, you ask? Well, we saw a letter addressed recently  to “Dear Friends”  which was sent out sometime last week to what we assume were a lot of  elderly here in the city.    Now, as we all know Joan and Jenn were once former employees of the Council on Aging. In the letter they were asking if people would be interested in having cheaper trips to Foxboro and other places. A meeting of those interested was scheduled for Friday, September 30, at the LaHacienda Restaurant in the “Back Room” to discuss if anyone would be interested in having trips made cheaper than the COA. We took it as an open letter, since it wasn’t addressed to anyone but “Dear Friends,” and we of course consider ourselves very good friends of the elderly, especially since a few of us here at Newstalk hold AARP membership cards. Now, the interesting part is that the letter was actually signed by Joan and Jenn, whom we know as former employees of the COA and the city. The letter was pretty interesting in itself since it practically admits that they might have been responsible for the recent problems there. Well, that’s our opinion, some would say. We found it interesting enough to send a Newstalker special deputized reporter there who immediately upon arriving was not just asked to leave but shouted out and then escorted out by management saying they were being harassed. He was being asked not too nicely to leave (maybe we should have lent him our AARP card?).  All this and the only question asked was could he come in to the meeting. When told what happened we were surprised. After all, the letter wasn’t privately addressed. It was open to everyone. We were shocked. We only wanted to ask some questions. Of course, we are in favor of cheaper trips and that was what it was supposed to be about, and everyone knows our paper is popular with the elderly throughout the city. But, alas, we won’t know how much cheaper because, again, we were thrown out of the place. But never fear, Newstalk is here and we will find out how much cheaper sooner or later. The letter was very interesting since it says in the first paragraph the following: “We want to thank you for your support and good thoughts through this chaotic time that the council was having. Our main concern was always the health and wellbeing of the seniors. During this difficult time we often talked about how we can come back and do what we both love doing. So we decided to run our own trips with you in mind.” It sounds interesting and, of course, we’re always looking for a bargain in these times. We’re hoping they might hold some more meetings soon and we can assure our readers that we will be there to report on them because that is what we do. But this time we will show our AARP membership cards. Maybe that’s the reason we didn’t get in, because our guy didn’t have one?

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Ward 7 Alderman Bob Trane was seen one particular Friday night by two Newstalkers walking several streets and knocking on doors during the pouring rain. He’s working hard and not taking it for granted and we are pleased. Our PDS sources tell us they are split down the middle on who to help, Ms. Ballantyne in Ward 7 or Ms. Barber in Ward 4. Our sources tell us that wherever they smell the best opportunity they will be there. We even heard that Mark the Shark (school committeeman Ward 5) was walking up in Ward 7.

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Mark your calendars and save the date!   The Somerville Lions club is hosting a charity comedy night at Giggles on Route 1, Saugus, on Thursday, October 20. The cost pp is $25. The proceeds will benefit the Somerville Lions Charities. Call President Paul Carol or past president Billy Tauro at 617 293-2016 for details.

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The word on the streets is that a new auto dealership giant just might be coming to open up shop somewhere here in Somerville. That’s great news. We know it means jobs and that will always be welcomed here in Somerville.

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We want to report personally that our friend and good guy here in Somerville former Publisher of the News Bob Publicover is home from his second … hmm… maybe third surgery and that he’s doing great. We visited him the other night and he sounds and looks pretty good, but he’s in severe pain and he’s not out of it yet. But we really know that Bob will come through this and once again be up and about soon.

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Masonic Open House is coming up on Saturday, October 15, from 9 to 3 p.m. at 125 Highland Avenue (rear) building, (follow the signs). If you’re a history buff and want to see some very interesting and rare artifacts dating back to the 1600’s you’re welcome to attend. The officers will be present to give you a tour and answer any question you might have. Light refreshments will be served as well. The public is cordially invited to come and view. Some items of interest are actual officers jewels made by Paul Revere that are still worn today, a chair dating back to before the 1600’s, and various books and letters going back to the mid 1700’s, as well as relics of the original bunker hill monument.

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On Sunday, October 9, the Post VFW 388 on Glen Street (corner of Glen & Tufts) is having a “Homecoming Dance” to raise funds for the Somerville Pop Warner, 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. There will be dancing, a buffet, and fun. It’s a good cause and we need to support the kids.    Come out and have a good time. Tickets at the door. Now, our friend Patty Hamel Oppedisano says you need to bring yourself and all your friends.

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The new and current Sheriff of Middlesex County, Peter J. Koytoujian, will be having a fundraiser at the Bellevue Country Club, 320 Porter Street in Melrose. Tickets are $100 each and you can buy them at the door. We hear he’s a pretty nice guy.

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Former Police Captain Dan Mathews is not doing to well. We wish him all the best and send him and his family our good wishes. Captain Mathews was a nice man and a good policeman here in Somerville for many years.

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Mayor Joe Curtatone is having a reception and wine tasting at the Armory, 191 Highland Avenue, next Wednesday, October 12, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Tickets are suggested contributions of $125 to $500.

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Also, another good friend, Tara DeCristofaro, the Register of Probate, is having an event on Wednesday, October 19, from 6 to 8 p.m. “Buffet dinner will be served.” RSVP to Jerry at 781-866-1451. She’s a nice lady and probably the best looking Register of Probate in Massachusetts, never mind Middlesex County.

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This week Ms. Margaret “Peg” Mamigonian, a lifelong resident and dedicated to several community organizations, especially with the VNA as a board of directors member, passed on. She was a wonderful lady who contributed herself to our city and its residents in many ways. To her family and friends we send our sympathy for her loss.

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Congratulations to Delio Jr and his lovely wife Rebecca and big sister Amelia Susi on the birth of their new baby boy/ little brother John Patrick who was born last month.

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Finally, this week here in Newstalk!  Have you noticed how rude people are getting lately, or is it us? The total lack of just plain manners is gone to history, we’re afraid. Whatever happened to “excuse me” or “thank you”? People cutting you off on the road, watching cars go through not yellow lights but actual red lights with the phone attached to their ears and they give you the not so friendly finger of a wave. Have we become a society of having no manners at all? We notice a not so smiling city, despite the polls. We pass each other and don’t smile or say “good morning” or “good afternoon.” It’s almost like every man and women for themselves and forget about the rest. It’s sad, this city use to be friendly with smiles and nice greetings to our neighbors. It appears that might have all changed. Do you agree?