The always popular Mayor’s Senior Picnic is back this year on Wednesday August 11. This year marks 30 years since Mayor Gene Brune started this great event that brings the city’s seniors to Powder House park for lively food and entertainment. Gene will be there as a special guest this year to welcome everyone along with Mayor Joe Curtatone. Call the Council on Aging for tickets or a ride, 617 625-6600.

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Welcome home to former Ward 1 alderman, Richard Johnson who left that position a few years ago to become a State Police Officer. Well he’s back from a long tour of deployment in Iraq. We welcome him home and if you see him let him know how grateful we are to have people like him that give unselfishly for us, he’s a great guy and we are happy he is home hopefully for good.

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Happy Birthday this week to our own Jimmy DelPonte (actually tonight)  who will be celebrating his birthday this week on July 28. To help celebrate, we hear that the Sunsetters will be performing in front of Jimmy’s house on Hall Avenue at 7 p.m. , we also hear it will be followed by a pizza party.

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Also Happy Birthday to Patricia Norton, Corey Norton & Marisa Tauro all on July 29, very happy birthday to them all on a great day, we here at the News wish them all many happy returns.

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Last call on the Mayor’s annual Harbor Cruise that’s being held on Wednesday August 4^th from 7p.m. to 10, boarding begins promptly at 6:30 p.m. sharp, at Long Wharf. Tickets are available at the gate. The cruise is, as usual, filling up nicely. If you want to beat the rush call our own Billy at 617 293-2016.

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Don’t forget about the Union Square Farmers Market every Saturday starting at 9 a.m. to about 1 p.m. rain or shine, in the Plaza in Union Square.

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August 5 at City Hall, 6 p.m. before the Somerville Planning Board will be the hearing on the Star Market site owners to get permits for Ocean State Job Lot to move into the vacant building.

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We hear Rep. Carl Sciortino has an independent challenger this year. With the public sick of partisan politics and business as usual on Beacon Hill, an independent candidate might have a better chance than usual this year.

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Army Spec. Rockey Maskey has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C. During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values. He is the brother of Punam Bawa of Mount Pleasant Street here in Somerville. The specialist earned a master’s degree in 2009 from Johnson and Wales University, Providence, R.I. Congratulations to Specialist Maskey.

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Somerville residents participated in the New Balance Heart Break Hill 5K Run & Walk to benefit Franciscan Hospital for Children, presented by Century Bank, Commonwealth Sports Club and the Hamilton Company on Sunday, June 13 at Boston College. Somerville residents Leon Ha and Christine Godbout helped raise over $90,000 for the hospital.

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Cataldo Ambulance Service proudly presented the American Cancer Society with a $28,000 donation as a result of the 18th Annual Cataldo Ambulance Service Golf Tournament, which took place May 17 at Atkinson Country Club in Atkinson, NH. Funds raised at the tournament will be donated to the American Cancer Society’s AstraZeneca Hope Lodge and to cancer research.

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Join the Central Library (79 Highland Avenue) on Thursday, July 29, 2:00 p.m. for a session of Philosophy for Kids entitled, “Water: a Philosophical Dip.”  Using picture books such as The Water Hole, songs, activities, and philosophical inquiry, participants will consider such questions as “Does water have rights?” and “Who owns the water?” This program is intended for children entering 2nd through 4th grades who enjoy deep listening and thoughtful discussion.  It is limited to ten kids without adults. For further information, please contact Tammy McKanan at 617-591-0216.

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If you love mysteries, why not come to a meeting of the mystery book discussion group at the Central Library (79 Highland Avenue)?  The group reads and discusses all sorts of mysteries and chooses books by consensus.  The next meeting will be on Wednesday, August 4th at 7:00 p.m. to discuss The Torso by Helene Tursten.  This book discussion group is free, and new members are welcome. The library hopes to see you there.

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This weekend was a historic one in East Somerville as SomerStreets and FossFest combined for the biggest street party the neighborhood has ever seen. It’s hot in the summer here in Somerville but luckily these great summer events help keep us cool and bring us together.

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On Monday, August 2 at 7:00 p.m., players of all ages and abilities are invited to Chess Night at the Central Library (79 Highland Avenue.) Players should be familiar with the game, though some limited instruction may be available. Chess Night meets one Monday evening each month, and new players are always welcome.