Interesting rumor around the city these past few days…if true it could mean that Alderman Bob Trane is going to be the only one certified to be on the ballot in the race for state rep. Rumor has it that Prince Carl (Sciortino) submitted to the Secretary of State a little over 100 signatures, shy of the required 150 valid signatures. All sorts of rumors flying around that he might have lost the remaining signatures he needs to be on the ballot for re-election Рwe find it hard to believe, but we been told he’s not the first State Representative to have lost his signatures and not be on the ballot.

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Funny how our Progressive State Delegation (PDSers) are pushing through a Home Rule Petition for a Municipal Hearing Officer…when Jack Connolly was being mentioned as a possibility for the job, Princess Rebekah of Ward 6 raised hell and she got Prince Carl Sciortino and Queen Pat Jehlen to oppose it as well – but now that Jack is back and beat t PDSer Chairman Marty Martinez for the Alderman-at-Large seat last year — now they want to pass it through. Funny how Prince Carl the Progressive is now the one pushing to get it through, we think it‚Äôs funny how competition makes people do things.

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Lots of people are starting to pick sides in the State Rep race for Prince Carl’s seat – most notably so far from the Board of Aldermen is President Dennis Sullivan Рwe hear he is strongly supporting Bob Trane. We also bet that more than a few other elected officials will jump on the band wagon for Bob Рas well as the usual PDSers crowd will be supporting Carl, their Prince. Watch, they will have a candidates night and the usual PDSers will meet the candidates and low and behold we bet they pick Prince Carl Рanyone want to make a side bet against that?

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Best wishes and congratulations to Alderman Sean O‚ÄôDonovan on his recent marriage last week – the wedding took place in Ireland. We wish them both the best and long and happy years ahead. 

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Don’t forget the city’s Memorial Day Parade will be this Sunday with the kickoff at 1 p.m. up on Highland Avenue, through Davis Square, up Holland Street and ending at Clarendon Hill. This years Parade Marshall is Alderman Sean O’Donovan’s father. Lots of hard work again this year by our own popular Frank Senesi of Veterans Services Рas usual Frank does an outstanding job.

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We hear Rob Gregory, owner of the local favorite Redbones, is in negotiations to expand his BBQ operation to the area around Fenway Park and is in negotiations with the Red Sox to complete the deal. Baseball and barbeque – we think it will be a good combo.

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Our sympathy goes out to the Roberto family here in Somerville and surrounding area – recently Teresa Roberto passed away and will be waked at Doherty‚Äôs this Thursday from  4 to 8 p.m. with services at St.Benedicts at 10 a.m. on Friday.

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Bob Publicover still has some Red Sox tickets available for Tuesday evening, June 10 with the Baltimore Orioles in town. Contact Bob quickly at bobpublicover@aol.com

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Also, the benefit for Richard Papa III will be held on June 13 at the Somerville City Club – tickets at the door. Richard is battling Leukemia and it would be nice to see a large crowd of friends, neighbors and well wishers on hand to lend support.

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ArtsUnion kicks off it’s 2008 marketplace season with Sew What?! a gathering of artists selling and creating hand-sewn arts and featuring a SWAP-O-RAMA-RAMA, a community clothing swap Curated by Suzanne Piubeni , the marketplace will include handmade jewelry, accessories, clothing and home goods. Designers and vendors include: Abertine Press, Fusion Ethos Fashions and Esoterica . The Swap-o-rama-rama is a community clothing swap and do-it-yourself workshop in which attendees explore creative reuse through the recycling of used clothing. After diving in to the collective pile of unwanted clothing, sewing machines are on-site for the modification and alteration process to begin – designers will also be available to share their sewing and modification secrets and assist with the sewing machines! In do-it-yourself spirit, through workshops and the sharing of ideas, the Swap-o-rama-rama helps each individual break down the barrier between consumer and creator while inviting all to reclaim the creativity that has been lost to industry (wow and we thought it was just a clothes swap, how great!). It is free for the public to participate, just bring any amount of unwanted clothing and accessories.

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The Somerville YMCA is partnering with the nationally recognized Healthways SilverSneakers Fitness Program to offer older adults a way to increase their levels of physical activity while motivating them to remain active. SilverSneakers is the nation‚Äôs leading exercise program designed exclusively for older adults and is available at no additional cost beyond the monthly premium to Medicare eligible members of Secure Horizons, Humana and Fallon. Eligible members can receive a basic membership at the Somerville YMCA where they can enjoy specialized non-impact SilverSneakers fitness classes focusing on improving strength, flexibility, balance and coordination.  Certified SilverSneakers fitness instructors teach the classes, and in addition to the classes, SilverSneakers participants can also enjoy use of exercise equipment, weight training, circuit training and more.