What a party in Union Square! More than a thousand people descended upon the 'hood on Saturday, September 30 to celebrate Archibald Query and his most excellent invention, Fluff.

Volunteers couldn't keep up with the ravenous demand for fluffernutters, rice krispie treats and Fluff stuff of every sort.

Performances by the Flufferettes (aka Thru the Keyhole Burlesque), Los Diablos, The Patrons and Paddy Saul entertained the crowds as they checked out the science fair and cooking contest entries. And over in the SCAT gallery Fluff was the inspiration for works by artists from five different states.

Winner of the Science Fair was Laurinda Bedingfield of Somerville for her exhibit "Adhesive Qualities of Fluff." Top cooking prize went to Jill Downer for her perfect Whoopie Pie. Both won a gift certificate to the Independent Restaurant and a chauffeured Zip Car ride (BMW or convertible Mini-Cooper) to Lynn where they'll receive private tours of the Durkee-Mower Fluff factory. Each is allowed one guest on the tour and Laurinda has decided to bring along Fluff Boy, one of the stars of "What the Fluff?" (He's also known as 8 year old Michael Legere.)

What the Fluff? was sponsored by Union Square Main Streets as part of ArtsUnion, an economic development initiative shepherded by the Somerville Arts Council and funded by the Massachusetts Cultural Council. What the Fluff was just one of a series of events presented by ArtsUnion. The Central American festival and Windows Art Project this weekend are also part of ArtsUnion.

The Union Square Main Streets website is being regularly updated with the latest post-Fluff images and news. Check back since we're waiting to see the pictures from the wedding that took place inside The Independent and joined our party. Now available and definitely worth a peek is the collection of photos by Geoff Hardagon with a stop action sequence of the tug of war, the jumping music video by Los Diablos shot during the festival, and the audio report on NPR's show "Here and Now" that tells what was really going on during the cooking contest judging.

Photo above by Jeni Foster. Fluff pics on the right hand column by Geoff Hardagon.

Ready for another party? This weekend, Saturday October 7 from 3-7PM we celebrate Mexican and Central American culture. The line-up includes El Mariachi Internacional de Boston, El Mariachi Estampa de America (Marimba, Norteno and Texmex music), Ballet Folklorico Aztlan, Danza Folklorica Nahuatl, visual art and cuisine.

Raindate is Sunday, October 8. The event is free.

Join us this Friday night, October 6 for the opening of the Windows Art Project -- affectionately know as WAP. WAP brings together local artists to create site specific work for installation in area businesses. Meet at 6:15 pm in front of the Independent on Union Square Plaza where accordion-playing minstrel Evan Harlan will lead the walking tour. WAP artists will talk about their work as we wind our way through the square. Tour will take approximately 45 minutes and returns to The Independent.

This year’s WAP artists were selected by a jury comprised of Somerville Arts Council staff and board members and guest juror Rosie Gill. Selected artists include painters, sculptors, mixed media and installation artists. WAP 2006 artists are: Olive Barber, Susan Berstler, Asa Brebner, Melissa Glick, Dina Gjertsen, Melissa Hanes, Charlotte Kaplan, Pam Larson, Aimee LaPorte, Pauline Lim, Isabel Riley, Margaret Ryan, David Sargent, Tova Speter, Leslie Wallace, and ST Woolf.

Now in its 11th year, WAP is one of the Boston area's largest public art events. The project ran for many years in Davis Square; beginning in 2003, the Somerville Arts Council moved WAP to Union Square. Since 2005, WAP has been a part of our ArtsUnion initative.

Can't make it to the opening tour but still want to check out the windows? WAP guides/maps will be available throughout Union Square. Just look for the funky WAP stands designed by Somerville artist Hilary Scott.

Third Life Studio is a center for artistic and spiritual practices of the world; From Japanese Taiko drumming to Middle Eastern Belly Dance, Argentine Tango to the ancient Chinese form of T’ai Chi, Balkan singing to the contemporary improvisational frontier, it's all happening at 33 Union Square.

Since Third Life opened itself to independent event producers its fast becoming the area's top space for innovative concerts and events.

Third Life just launched their website and an e-mail newsletter so you can find a complete guide on all their classes and special offerings.

The future of a Green Line station in Union Square and an extension of the rail through Somerville to Medford depends on a number of factors. Key is the effective creation of the gateway, namely moving of the Lechmere station to North Point in East Cambridge.

The East Cambridge Planning Team, a group of concerned residents of that neighborhood, is hosting a community meeting on Wednesday, October 11 at the Royal Sonesta Hotel on Land Boulevard in Cambridge from 7:00 to 9:00 pm to provide an update on the new T Station at Lechmere. They invite Somerville residents to join them.

Help forge an alliance with our partners in Cambridge for public transportation that better serves us all. Please attend this important meeting.