Alderman Maryann Heuston is reminding everyone to come check out Food Day, presented by the Beacon Street Neighborhood Association. From 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on October 24 in the Whole Foods parking lot, 45 Beacon St. Help celebrate and enjoy healthy food. There will be games, activities for all ages, and food from seven Beacon Street restaurants. If you’re looking to see what’s going on in Ward 2 and want to get involved, follow Alderman Maryann on Twitter or go to her website for all the up-to-date news going on in Ward 2: www.maryannheuston.com.

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Happy Birthdays this week to some of our Villens and friends as well as friends of The Times: To our good friend Marie Civello, who is also one of many faithful readers of The Somerville Times. A lady who grew up in East Somerville, Valerie Spinale, who is still around the Ville and keeps tabs on everyone from East. Happy birthday this week to Namoi Harrison, who is one year old this week. She’s the great granddaughter of Pat and Don Norton. And speaking of Mr. Norton, he too is celebrating his birthday this week. We wish him a very happy birthday! Also celebrating this week is Clifton Verdieu, an agent of the Norton Group. We wish him a very birthday.

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There’s a new web site in town. Check it out at www.somervillema.com. The Somerville Times is on the site. Also check out www.medfordma.com.

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There’s still time to register for evening classes at the Somerville Adult Evening School. Register in person at Somerville High School located at 83 Highland Ave, SHS Main Office from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. or check them out online at www.somerville.k12.ma.us/eveningschool. Classes begin: Tuesday, September 29 and/or Thursday, October 1, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. Classes include: Academic Recovery, Drivers Ed. Sewing, Computers, Spanish, ESL, Real Estate License, Medical Interpretation and for the following special Zumba or YOGA 5 classes for $25 or walk in $7. Why not enroll and begin your fall learning something new. Real Estate 40 hour license course offered by the school for more than half of what the cost is elsewhere. Hurry and register in person or call the school for further information at 617 625-6600 ask for “evening school.” Ask for Sophia or Scott.

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Word of the Week: Self-absorbed. A person who cannot stop thinking about thinking about him or herself, and constantly reminds all others around them of their good and bad qualities. Sound Familiar?

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Our 40th annual “Best of Somerville Awards” the ballot is out so look it over and vote for your favorite and if you don’t see the category let us know or send in your recommendation. You can email, call and leave a message or drop off at the mailbox at the office located at 699 Broadway in Ball Square. Vote your favorite and the winners will be announced in the November 4 edition of The Somerville Times. Best of Somerville is done every year. You can go online to our website and check out the previous winners, and maybe they will be again?

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Alderman Bob McWatters in Ward 3 is working door to door like he has an opponent, but he doesn’t. He’s spreading the word about himself and what he has done for the ward as well as to ask questions of the residents. Filling the shoes of Tom Taylor is very big responsibility and this is what Tom would do. Bob is making sure that if there are any problems in Ward 3 he will know about it.

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The city has a new parking ordnance that will go into effect after this winter. No more every year odd side parking during snow storms, but will alternate beginning in the winter of 2016, when parking will be allowed on the even side. What do you think? Before you post online, we think that only a vocal handful of residents showed up. Let us know on our blog what you think.

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The election is coming up in Medford this coming November, and we are hoping that Councilor Adam Knight is re-elected and hopefully tops the ticket over there in Medford. We’re also hoping that Candidate Stephanie Muccini Burke wins the mayor’s seat over in Medford. After 28 years of service, Mayor Mike McGlynn is retiring.

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Somerville Past & Present at the Somerville Museum this coming Sunday at 2 p.m. The Museum is on Central Street and Westwood Road. The public is invited. A presentation and discussion will be conducted by Jeff Myers.

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The mayor’s away in England this week, and that means either Omar, the mayor’s aide or the President of the Board of Alderman is in charge. Lots of people are eyeing Alderman at Large Bill White for the job eventually, so maybe Bill will measure for drapes and new carpeting. Just maybe.

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With the mayor away, are those department heads leaving work even earlier than when the mayor is in the building? Where is the Hall Monitor when you need him/her?

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We know you’re waiting to hear the latest on the Inspectional Service Department. The only thing we have this week: still no applications and the two desks are vacant and yes, the “Department Head” is busy working on those rat complaints. We will have some pretty interesting revelations regarding the length of time some individuals are still waiting for their permits under this new system. They call it streamling. Stay tuned next week, you won’t be disappointed!

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We hear a good news rumor (at least it’s good news here) that the Council on Aging Director, Cindy Hickey, will retire sometime soon and we that Maureen Bastardi might be selected for the job. Of course, after a nationwide search by our Personnel Director. We wouldn’t have it any other way.

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Can someone answer the question we have at the office here? What is the difference between “likes” on Facebook and “actual post read” and do you buy “likes?”

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That so-called auction at the old MBTA building on School and Avon didn’t go off so well, did it? Apparently everyone is afraid of the hazardous waste in the ground and how much it would cost to clean up. Of course, the MBTA put it there and they were letting it be known they won’t remove it. They are selling as is. Good luck with that one. FYI, we had to hear this second hand, but apparently the company representing the MBTA has neglected to return phone calls. We know former Mayor Dot Gay lives in the area and she’ll be keeping a sharp eye on what is going on with the property. You can bet on it!

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On Sunday, Oct. 25, Assembly Row and the Assembly Farmers Market will host FallFEST. Running from 10:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m., the event will include: Kids crafts, face painting and trick-or-treating — kids are encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes (begins at 11 a.m.) Assembly Row’s Best Dressed Dog Costume Contest (noon – 12:30 p.m.). Contestants must register at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/best-dressed-dog-costume-contest-tickets-18993878201. Samples from Earls Kitchen + Bar, DAVIDsTEA and J.P. Licks. Live music at The Point behind J.P. Licks. Non-candy treats for children who have food allergies, in support of the Teal Pumpkin Project.

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People visiting Somerville’s busiest neighborhoods can now quickly charge their phones for free and, thanks to WrightGrid’s secure cell phone lockers, never have to worry about leaving their devices unattended. This pilot, which is a part of the City of Somerville’s GreenTech Program, strengthens Somerville’s commitment to sustainability and clean technology. The GreenTech Program offers companies the opportunity to pilot their green products and services, while holding events to bring green technology innovators together with municipal officials and other industries—all in an effort to make Somerville a resilient and carbon neutral city. The stations are free to use and also feature phone lockers, so that users can leave their devices behind while they eat and shop. The charging stations are located in Davis Square, Ball Square, and Union Square.

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Mark your calendars for a free lecture: Estate Planning & Asset Protection for 55 & older. Tuesday, October 27, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. with Attorney Thomas Colonna and Attorney Filippo Mastrocola at Somerville High School, 81 Highland Avenue, Somerville. Bring a friend and your questions.

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The Tufts University Department of Music presents Tufts’ graduate composers Ryan O’Connell and Jeffery Shivers in Tufts Composers – Two Portraits: O’Connell and Shivers, a concert showcasing their newest works on Monday, November 9, at 8 p.m. in the Distler Performance Hall at the Perry and Marty Granoff Music Center. The concert will feature Tufts faculty performers and guest performances by Semiosis Quartet and Philipp Stäudlin. The Granoff Music Center is located at 20 Talbot Avenue on Tufts’ Medford/Somerville campus. Admission is free and open to the public. For more information, please visit as.tufts.edu/music/musiccenter or call the Granoff Music Center Box Office at 617.627.3679.