Tomorrow, May 14 is the Second Wednesday in Union Square and for this month we're throwing what we call the Union Square Six Pack - a glorified pub crawl to our six neighborhood waterholes.

We launch from Cantina la Mexicana at 6 pm and then progress westward through the square stopping at The Independent, Precinct (formerly known as Toast), Sally O'Brien's and PA's Lounge. Looks like Bull McCabe's (formerly Tir na nOg) won't be open in time so we'll likely visit the two bars of Precinct instead, with one round in the front sports bar and another with live music in the back bar to make our complete six.

Each bar is doing a little something special -- creating a special drink, offering snack, or presenting live music like our Second Wednesdays "house band" Doctor's Fox or other special guests. You'll have to come along to find out what surprises are in store. Plan is to spend 30 minutes in each spot before moving collectively on to the next.

With the purchase of any beverage - doesn't need to be alcoholic and since this is a work night special mini-cocktails and half pints will be available in some establishments too - you'll get a special Six-Pack sticker. After you've collected a whole six pack, stop over to Grand or Hub Comics where you can collect a prize.

But you don't have to be a pub crawler to be part of Second Wednesdays!

Sherman Café hosts an art opening until 7 pm of a photography exhibit by Ken Richardson and CJ Heyliger. The duo captured portraits of local business owners nominated this past winter for Union Square Main Streets Awards. The ten color images were beautifully framed thanks to Stanhope Framers and will continue to be on display until the end of June.

Bloc 11 welcomes Taza Chocolate for their Second Wednesdays residency at the cafe from 5 to 8 pm with a free chocolate tasting and an informal viewing of the 20 minute documentary film "Chocolate Country."

For those who haven't heard, Taza Chocolate is 100% stone-ground, organic and locally produced across the tracks from Union Square in Boynton Yards. Taza trades directly with cacao growing cooperatives to make sure that the farmers that harvest Taza's cacao beans receive a fair trade price.

The documentary "Chocolate Country" tells the story of the Loma Guacanejo cooperative, an alliance formed in the backcountry of the Dominican Republic to secure better profits for farmers while protecting the local rainforest. The film moves from barnyard to schoolhouse, from kitchen to forest, registering the hopes and fears of local families. Along the way, it tells the story of chocolate itself - from pod, to bean, to powder, to delicacy. Taza Chocolate has been working with this cooperative for over a year.

On your stroll be sure to check out retail businesses open on Second Wednesdays like Wagner Jewelers, Beadventurous and Moroccan Caravan. Wagner Jewelry this night is offering 20% off all gold and watches.

The drawing for the Schwinn Scooter is fast approaching. We'll draw the lucky winner on June 14 during the Farmers Market.

The scooter, provided by Riverside Motorsports, is powerful enough to zip you up the steep grade of Prospect Hill but small enough to not require state motorcycle registration. Tickets are on sale now at Bloc 11, Hub Comics, Sherman Café and Riverside Motorsports.

With the warm weather we're taking to the streets again for a new series of ethnic food market and historical tours.

This Sunday, May 18 it's "So Fine a Prospect: A Walking Tour of Prospect Hill & Union Square" presented by Somerville Historic Preservation Commission. Meet at the Somerville Central Library at the corner of Walnut and Highland at 2 pm and for the next two hours cast your peepers on the exceptional Victorian ornamentation of this historic neighborhood. Spy spectacular stained glass windows, fine turned- wood details, gingerbread porches, and gardens in full spring bloom. You'll also get a chance to walk through the interior of one of these old homes.

The tour is led by Ed Gordon, President of the Victorian Society in America, New England Chapter. At the conclusion of tour there will be refreshments at the Neighborhood Restaurant in Union Square. Raindate is Sunday, June 22. No reservations required.

The super-popular Ethnic Food Market tours take place again this spring with five different tours scheduled. Three stores are featured on each tour. The group speaks with the individual shop owners about each market, hearing about history, culture, clientele and, of course, food! Attendees receive recipes featuring food found in the respective markets.

On Thursday, May 22 follow your guide to the culinary delights of New Bombay Market (Indian), La Internacionale (Haitian and Latin American foods), and Pao de Acucar (Brazilian).
Thursday, May 29 the tour takes in Pao de Acucar (Brazilian), La Internacionale (Haitian and Latin American foods), Little India (Indian)
Thursday, June 5 venture to Wellfoods/Halal Market (Middle Eastern and southeast Asian), Casa de Carnes (Brazilian), and Reliable Market (Korean and Japanese)
Wednesday, June 11 meet at Little India (Indian), and explore La Internacionale (Haitian and Latin American foods), and Casa de Carnes (Brazilian)
Thursday, June 19 meet at Wellfoods/Halal Market (Middle eastern and southeast Asian) then walk to New Bombay Market (Indian) and Reliable Market (Korean and Japanese)

All tours begin at 6 pm and are free but space is limited and much in demand so reserve your space early. To sign up for a tour, email artsunionsomerville@yahoo.com.

Can't make these dates? Check out the brochure of Union Square's ethnic markets.

ArtsUnion is a collaborative project shepherded by the Somerville Arts Council with a number of partners including Union Square Main Streets. Financial support provided by the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the City of Somerville.

The new kids on the business block are keeping themselves busy.

Toast underwent renovations completely transforming the front areas so that instead of two rooms there's just one with a long bar that runs nearly the length of the building. Mahogany paneling and flat screen TVs play the ball game of the season while a full menu offers classic American fare like burgers, pizzas and salads. Brand smacking new outdoor seating lets you enjoy dinner and a pint al fresco.

The revolution of the place calls for a new name so in honor of the building's past as a police station Toast is now known as Precinct. This Friday night, May 16 is the grand re- opening celebration with performances by Dave Johnson, Chris Cody and special guests.

And talking about grand, the store called Grand down at 374 Somerville Ave is welcoming spring with a sale on Friday, May 16 and then on Saturday, May 17 they're hosting an open house sponsored by Harpoon Brewery. Store owners Jon O'Toole, Wendy Friedman and Adam Larson were recently named as some of Boston's players. Buy their cool clothing, shoes and housewares and you could be a player too.

Not to be outdone, Dogma and Catma Too is gathering a crowd with their secret weapon -- puppies. Can you think of anything cuter than a puppy play group? Learning to get along with others is key for a dog's development and adult dogs out at the park just don't know what to make of these rowdy youngsters. So every Friday evening at Dogma and Catma Too young dogs gather to socialize with their peers under the supervision of Zen Dog Training. Bring your puppy to the Friday drop-in group from 5 to 7 pm for a playful romp.

Classes for adult dogs are more formal with the next round of classes beginning on May 27th. You can also come by for a wash and dry at the do-it- yourself dog wash there. Owner Dilys Burke can orient and assist you with the specialized tubs and products to make your furry friend clean and fresh smelling.

Somerville Business Development workshops launched this month with two streams of classes - one for aspiring entrepreneurs and the other for existing businesses. Presented by the City of Somerville and the Main Street programs of East Somerville and Union Square the meetings are held right here in Union Square

At the first workshop representatives of Century and Winterhill Banks as well as from the Small Business Administration addressed the issue of commercial lending. Attendees heard about the documentation business owners will need to provide to receive their loan and how the process of securing an SBA guarantee backs up these loans.

Next month the topic is Legal Issues for Businesses with Michael Radin of Tarlow Breed, Hart & Rogers on Wednesday, June 4 from 8:00 am to 9:30 am. He'll address specific issues most relevant to attendees, likely covering concerns like leases, copyright and contracts.

For Aspiring Entrepeneurs "Understanding Markets and Somerville's Business Districts:" takes place Tuesday, June 10 from 6:30 to 8:00 pm. Joe Grafton of So merville Local First and Mimi Graney of Union Square Main Streets present on the importance of defining your customer and the nature of local markets.

All are welcome to any of the workshops. They are free for Main Street members and $10 for others. All take place in the SCAT conference room at 90 Union Square. Refreshments will be served. Reserve your space by contacting David Guzman at dguzman@somervillama.gov.

In case you missed it, you can still catch "Talking About Somerville" on SCAT, cable channel 3. The May episode was hosted by Union Square Main Streets Executive Director Mimi Graney. Suzanne Bremer chatted with Mimi about her work with USMS researching local commercial lending and the connecting with the Community and Banking Council. David Gzuzman, Small Business Specialist for the City of Somerville made his television debut to share information about resources available from his office for small businesses. You can watch the show on-line.

The Boston Guitar Project had already scheduled performances at Third Life Studio with Belgian guitarist Jérôme Mouffe and the Boston-based flute-guitar duo on May 30 and Erik Puslys and Ona Jonaitytė on June 6. But in recognition of the cyclone in Myanmar the two concerts will be fundraisers for relief efforts.

Director of the Project Steve Lin said, "As I watched the news unfold, I had the same gut feeling as when I watched the Hurricane Katrina coverage three years ago. BGP needed to do something, so I called Mouffe and Puslys, who immediately agreed to lend their talents to the effort."

"I understand that some may feel indifferent to Myanmar because of the political situation, but I believe this crisis speaks to humans on a much more fundamental level-the need for water, food, shelter, basic medical supplies, etc," says Scott Borg, assistant director of the Project.

Mouffe recently won second prize in the 2007 Boston GuitarFest Competition and will be performing a program of virtuoso Italian compositions. Puslys and Jonaitytė are an established flute-guitar duo and will offer a diverse program of works from the Baroque to 20th century Eastern European.

Both concerts take place at 8 pm at Third Life Studio at 33 Union Square. Tickets are available online for $12.00 or at the door on the evening of the concert for $15.00.