Join the Somerville Chamber of Commerce Thursday evening, October 3, for its monthly “Business After Hours.” This month it’s at Orleans, 65 Holland Street 5:30 to 7 p.m. Free Appetizers, excellent networking. Again, like always, bring your business cards to pass out and for the door prize. Members and their guests are welcome. Treat your colleagues and clients! RSVP to smackey@somervillechamber.org.

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Happy Birthdays this week to some of our friends here and elsewhere. First of all, our good friend Bob Publicover would have celebrated his 65th Birthday this week. We do miss him. HB to Bill Devishian over at Sentry, a local guy from Winter Hill. Shawn Brundage, originally from Spring Hill, and Jim Roderick are celebrating this week. Happy Birthday to Melinda Gaudet of Somerville.

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Masonic Open House is coming up statewide and here locally in the Ville on Saturday, October 19 at 125 Highland Avenue (rear). The officers and some members will be on hand to answer any questions and show the various historic artifacts belonging to the lodge, which this year marks its 230 years ago was chartered.

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Speaking of the Masonic Open House, there also will be a “Flea Market” in the lower hall. Many tables are already reserved and people are cleaning out their attics and basements of previous items to place up for sale. If you’d like a table it’s only $20. Call 857-417-3422 and ask for Donald. Hurry, a limited amount of table space will be available. The Flea Market will be held along with the Masonic Open House at 125 Highland Avenue (rear), lower hall, beginning at 9 a.m. and going until 3p.m.

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Somerville Chamber of Commerce 67th Annual Dinner and Powderhouse Awards will be held this year on Wednesday evening, November 6 at the Holiday Inn, 30 Washington Street, for more information contact Steve Mackey at smackey@somervillechamber.org.

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The primary election was very interesting. There was a huge upset in Ward One with Matt McLaughlin walking away with the primary unseating present Alderman Maureen Bastardi, who we hear immediately has embraced Matt after his victory. McLaughlin will now be on the ballot on November 5 facing off with Elio LoRusso, who clearly, if signs voted, would have topped the ticket. But we know from times past that signs and bumper stickers don’t vote, only registered voters do and it’s get out your vote on Election Day. As it looks now, unless Elio can do something we see a clear victory for McLaughlin.

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Another race that saw interesting results was in Ward Five with the School Committee race. Guess not everyone had it nailed down. It was supposed to be Caroline Shea-Rosas and maybe Laura Pitone, but Caroline Rosas didn’t make it and now it’s up to Ross Richmond to try and catch Laura after her stunning victory.

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In Ward Three our favorite, Bob McWatters, clearly topped the ticket, but shock waves hit the streets in the ward after the polls closed. Matt Desmond came in third to Suzanne Bremer. We already heard that the Desmonds (Bruce, the current Alderman at Large, and candidate Matt) are both going to work for and support Bob McWatters in the final election. We also heard that Alderman Tom Taylor might endorse Bob in the coming weeks.

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So it goes to show you, work hard, do the work and not just say you do the work, and the results will prove in the end. There are going to be some tough races over the next few weeks.  Tough in Ward One for both races, but we’ve seen in the past that the second place showing in the primary can, with hard work, unseat the top vote getter. Ward Two has a school committee race, and it should be interesting. Either way, a new member will win. The Ward Three alderman race between McWatters and Bremer will be a race to watch, and we will be watching it. Ward Five is going to be hard with Mark working extremely hard over these past several months, going back to January, and Courtney needs to not allow herself to take a break. Mark is relentless. He’s proven that in the past.    In Wards Four and Six it’s not even a show. There are no opponents in either ward, just incumbents. In Ward 7 we know that Joe Capuano is working extremely hard to win while up against Ballantyne, who only lost to Trane by 40 or so votes two years ago. In the Alderman At Large race, Sean Fitzgerald is working hard. Again, signs don’t vote, but he’s working. Mary Jo Rossetti is also working hard and gearing up now for the final push, along with William Medeiros, who seems to be everywhere. The three incumbents have been entrenched for years in office and hopefully we’ll start to hear some noise from them, and not taking it for granted.

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Another road race, with more streets being blocked off this weekend. The 18th Annual Somerville 5k Road Race, 9 a.m. this Saturday morning in Davis Square. Local restaurants will be serving some treats, with prizes for the top 3 or so. Registration begins behind the Rite Aid store on Highland, off the bike path, and also on Day Street. They suggest you use the T since parking will be so tight. The fee to run is $25, and you get a free t-shirt.

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The daughter of our own Cam Toner here at the Times is a proud parent of, if not all 9 of her children, but in particular her daughter, Mary Ann Grassia, who will be enducted into the Northeast Regional Educators Hall of Fame. Mary is from Somerville, graduating back in ‘66, and has taught school at the Witchcraft Heights Elementary School in Salem, MA. The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held on November 7 at the Recital Hall, Central Campus of Salem State University. We congratulate Mary and her entire family on how proud they all must be to have this honor, which recognizes exemplary leaders, past and present in the field of education for their dedication, contributions and service to their profession. To learn more regarding this distinguish award go to alumni@salemstate.edu.ed.

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Historic Somerville presents For Better or Worse: 19th C. Tales Along the Middlesex and Washington, D.C. Canals by Nancy Lusignan Schultz this Sunday, October 6, 2-3 p.m. at the Somerville Museum. Reception to follow. The Museum is located at One Westwood Road off of Central Street. Admission is $8 for the general public, free to members of Historic Somerville. More information is available at http://www.historicsomerville.org.  To RSVP email info@historicsomerville.org.