Mayor Ballantyne submitted the FY25 Budget to the City Council on Thursday, May 30. The upcoming meetings to discuss the budget can be viewed on the city’s website. The next meeting will be Thursday, June 6, at 6:00 p.m., the City Council Committee will be conducted via remote participation. This meeting will include the budgets for Health and Human Services, Inspectional Services, Emergency Management, Fire, Fire Alarm, Police, Animal Control, and E-911.You can view the meeting live and find meeting materials at the following link: https://somervillema.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx.

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Congratulations to the class of 2024! We wish them the best in the next exciting chapter of their lives.

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A Docent Tour of Old Powder House will be held on Thursday, June 8, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Liberty Ave. and Powderhouse Terrace. From May through October, three historic sites in Somerville, Milk Row Cemetery (Somerville Avenue), Prospect Hill Tower (above Union Square), and Old Powder House (Nathan Tufts Park), are open to the public on certain days and evenings. Inclement weather cancels any event. For full schedule and more information on the Docent Program: https://www.somervillemuseum.org/docent-program.

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Celebrating their birthdays this week: Happy birthday to Carolyn Pedersen, we wish Carolyn a great day. Happy birthday to Suzanne Bremer, of Prospect Hill. Happy birthday to Beth Chamberlain, we hope Beth has a great day. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such as Richard DiPinto, Dell E. Fisher, Paul Harvey, Roz Cummins, Nicole Alves Bairos, Chris Argeropoulos, Elizabeth Rodrigues Fula Charlie McCarthy, Gavin House, Len Tower, Rand Wilson, Etty Casazza and Kevin Tortorella a very happy birthday. We hope everyone has a great day. To all the others we may have missed, we sincerely wish them the very best of birthdays.

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Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, Somerville’s SomerViva Office of Immigrant Affairs, and the Somerville Worker Center, in partnership with the Brazilian Worker Center and the Brazilian Women’s Group, are announcing a free immigrant worker’s right fair. The fair will feature two workers’ rights presentations, one at 11:30 a.m. in Spanish and one at 1:30 p.m. in Portuguese. Saturday, June 8, 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. The Somerville Worker Center, 530 Mystic Avenue, Suite 111. For more information or if you have questions, please contact somerviva@somervillema.gov or call 311 (617-666-3311).

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Over 80 Somerville union members and community supporters gathered at Somerville City Hall on Thursday, May 30, just prior to Mayor Katjana Ballantyne’s fiscal-year-2025 budget presentation. Frustrated by low wages and resulting short staffing, Somerville municipal employees and firefighters called on Mayor Ballantyne to come to the table and negotiate with city employees for better wages, local hire, and an end to expensive subcontracting. To continue to build pressure, SMEA members and supporters will do the following: hold a standout on Tuesday, June 11, from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., in Union Square, and hold a rally on Tuesday, June 18, from 5:00 to 6:00 p.m., at Somerville City Hall (93 Highland Ave). The city councilors will cut items from the mayor’s proposed budget that same night at 6:00 p.m. You can RSVP and get involved at SupportSMEA.org.

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Somerville Prevention staff will host a Narcan Distribution Event to distribute free overdose prevention information and harm reduction materials, including Narcan, Fentanyl test strips, CPR face shields, and syringe disposal boxes. Staff will be located in front of 90 Union Square between the benches and bus stop. Saturday, June 8, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

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Join the city’s Mobility Division and the Somerville Bicycle Advisory Committee to learn the basics of urban biking, map out your commuter route, and join a group ride. Ownership of a bike is not required – free BlueBike codes will be available. This event will be held on Thursday, June 13, at the Somerville Public Library Central Branch (79 Highland Ave.) from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc4lqAOaxl_HH4vOEoSr3lMeCL81k2Ld-beDrIG_JN5lt4ozg/viewform?usp=sf_link Link can also be found on the city’s website.

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Community members are invited to join the Somerville Big Gay Dance Party in Union Square on Saturday, June 22, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. This year’s theme is DINOSAURS! Bring your most rawr-tastic outfits. Sounds by DJ Live, Drag performances by Amanda Play with and Lily Rose Valore, LGBTQ+ organizations will be tabling. This event is free and open to all LGBTQ+ individuals and allies.

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Tuesday, June 18, at the Ralph and Jenny Center. Somerville Cambridge Elder Services will host their annual cookout. Including cheeseburgers, hot dogs and a variety of salads. Bingo begins at 10:00 a.m. with the cookout to follow. This is a free event and space is limited. Please RSVP to Debby Higgins at 617-625-6600, ext. 2321 or email Debby at dhiggins@somervillema.gov Bingo cards are sold $1 for 3 cards.

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Somernova will hold the first Super Smash Bros. Tournament at the Dojo. Join in for an epic night of gaming and competition on Wednesday, June 5, at 6:00 p.m. Get ready to show off your skills, battle it out with other players, and see who will come out on top as the ultimate Smash Bros. champion. Other upcoming events: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., the Somerville Bike Kitchen, a volunteer-run bicycle repair cooperative, hosts open-shop nights at The Dojo. Go to maintain your bike or learn more about cycling. Upcoming Bike Kitchens: June 6 and June 11. Parkour Teen Jams at The Dojo: Every Thursday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. This is a flexible time for teen community members to use the pop-up training space at The Dojo @ Somernova and connect with fellow community members in the process. Upcoming Teen Jams: June 6 and June 13. All events will be held at The Dojo, 15 Properzi Way.

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This year’s 4th of July Fireworks Celebration will take place Thursday, June 2. Join Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the Arts Council for the Anniversary of 4th of July Fireworks Celebration with live entertainment at Trum Field. Festivities begin at 6:00 p.m., with DJ Philip Tan spinning some tunes. There will be live music performance by funk band Search Party. There will be food vendors like Nibble Kitchen, Italian Wizard and can’t forget the fried dough!

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Applications are available for an income-restricted homeownership opportunity through the city’s Inclusionary Housing Program at 72 Berkeley Street #3 in Spring Hill. The unit is a two-bedroom condominium available for purchase to households making at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Applications should be submitted by Thursday, June 13, at noon. Learn more and apply at somervillema.gov/inclusionary.

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The city’s Inclusionary Housing Program has two income-restricted rental opportunities at 205 Beacon Street. One apartment will be offered to households with an annual gross income at or below 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI), and the other apartment to households with an annual gross income within 51 and 80% AMI. Applications must be submitted by Wednesday, June 26, at 2:00 p.m. Learn more and apply at somervillema.gov/inclusionary.

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The Somerville High School Track Team needs help to go to Nike Nationals this year in Oregon. There is a GoFundMe account organized by Marcus Odilon. The team has qualified for the nationals once again and would love to see their hard work pay off by performing nationally and representing the school. Go to: https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-somerville-tracks-trip-to-nationals.

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As temperatures rise and we experience a hotter climate, the SCOA is hosting a three-part series in how we, as individuals, can adapt to climate change. In June they have invited Captain Tim Bakey from the Somerville Fire Department. To RSVP, please call Natasha Naim at 617-625-6600, ext. 2317. Wednesday, June 12, from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Holland Street Center. Pizza lunch will be provided, Grab-n-Go meals will also be available.

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As the weather changes and we start to peel off jackets, hats, and gloves, essential items such as sunscreen, bug spray, and rain ponchos will become vital to keep the Somerville Homeless Coalition’s most vulnerable clients safe and healthy while they’re out in the unpredictable New England weather. Donations can be made through their Amazon wish list or by submitting a donation inquiry. For more information visit, Client Needs: https://bit.ly/SHClientNeeds.

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Somerville’s annual Water System Flushing Program began on Thursday, May 16, and continues through late October. This program consists of flushing pipes at high velocities to clean water mains and maintain the highest possible water quality. Flushing will take place Mondays and Thursdays between 6:00 p.m. and midnight to minimize potential disruptions to water service. Temporary drops in water pressure and/or discolored water can occur. In these cases, though the water may be discolored, it is safe to drink. Until the water runs clear, it is advisable to avoid washing laundry, especially white fabrics. Learn more at: somervillema.gov/hydrantflushing.

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Culture House is looking for artists, creatives, non-profit organizations, and businesses in and around Gilman Square to bring the Gilman Park to life through events from June through September 2024. They have funding available to compensate programming partners. Find more information about programming and how to apply visit culturehouse.cc/projects/gilman-park. They are working with the City of Somerville to transform a vacant lot in Gilman Square, Homan’s lot, into a three-month outdoor community space to open in June. Gilman Park will be a gathering space for local organizations, a hangout space for residents, and an opportunity for development for local businesses, artists, and creatives. The goal of this activation is to connect Gilman Square with the rest of Somerville, bring back vibrancy, and test out future uses for vacant sites in Somerville.

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Attention all artists, makers, and more in the greater Somerville area! Somerville Public Library’s Comix Con returns this July and they are looking for local artists to sell their pins, prints, unique art objects and more. They are celebrating fandoms of all types and want you to be a part of our Con. Please fill out this form to be considered for a spot in their Artists Alley: tinyurl.com/splccvapp.

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There are still lots of open spaces for students interested in the Summer Music program, the Middle Grades Robotics program, and the Career and Technical Education middle grades program. Rising 9th graders should check out the Summer Success program to get ready for high school. All programs are run by Somerville Public Schools and are free. Learn more and register: https://somerville.k12.ma.us/summer.

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The Somerville Junior Police Academy is back. Hosted by SPD and Somerville Recreation, the program will include classroom training, hands on police tactics, physical training, and more. Registration is open at: https://somervillema.myrec.com/.

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A reminder that yard waste pickup has begun. Yard waste should be put out with your trash and recycling on your normal pickup day and be in either a paper bag or a trash barrel with a “Yard Waste Only” sticker. Get stickers free of charge at the DPW Building (1 Franey Rd.), at the entrance desk at City Hall (93 Highland Ave.), or by emailing 311updates@somervillema.gov.

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The 2024 street sweeping season has resumed and will continue through December 31. Check signs in your neighborhood for sweeping days. Visit somervillema.gov/sweeping for a full schedule and to sign up for complimentary street sweeping reminders by text, email, or phone. For more information on street sweeping procedures, visit park-somerville.com.

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Call to Artists for Somerville Art Council’s Inside-OUT Gallery. The ArtBeat 2024 Wild Exhibit deadline is June 20. Exhibit Theme: Wild. To view submission guidelines and apply, go to the Google Form Application here: https://forms.gle/CrsDHsagUFmrQ58a7 To accompany this year’s ArtBeat 2024 festival, Somerville Art Council’s Inside-Out Gallery in Davis Square invites Somerville based artists of all ages, Somerville residents, and/or artists maintaining work spaces in Somerville to submit work for a group exhibit that fits their interpretation of the word, ‘WILD’.

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Join Union Square Main Streets and 50+ of your favorite local food producers for the 20th Annual Union Square Farmers Market, 66-70 Union Square. Shop local on Saturdays through October 26, except September 21, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on the Union Square Plaza. The market provides visitors and residents with top-quality, fresh, and local produce at fair prices; encourages active lifestyle values; educates consumers about farming and locally sourced foods; and gives customers opportunities to interact directly with farmers. For more information about the Union Square Farmers Market, visit unionsquaremain.org/2024-fmseason. SNAP customers get $1 for $1 match up to $15. See the Market Manager tent for more info.

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Davis Square Farmers Market is now open. Every Wednesday through November 22, 12:00 – 6:00 p.m. visit the Davis Square Farmers Market, across from American Flatbread at 44 Day St. Visit: www.massfarmersmarkets.org/davis. This long-running market features over two dozen Massachusetts farmers and food producers offering a vibrant selection of delicious produce, protein, baked goods, ready-to-eat meals, alongside a host of other locally made products. The market accepts cash, credit/debit cards, WIC/Senior coupons, and EBT cards and offers a weekly $15 SNAP Match.

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This month, join the Somerville Public Library and the City of Somerville Health and Human Services Department to “Paint Your Pride!” in a joy-filled series of community art events. For a list of upcoming “Paint Your Pride!” events visit https://somervillepubliclibrary.org.

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The COA is offering free taxi rides to Somerville residents over the age of 60. Rides are available to go to the grocery store, farmer’s market, and pharmacy in Somerville and routine medical appointments in the surrounding communities. To best accommodate the needs of everyone in the city and to maximize the use of our funding, they will be capping the number of rides per week. To ensure the health and welfare of every resident of Somerville, exemptions will be made for chemotherapy and radiation appointments. To find out more information or to schedule your ride, please call Connie Lorenti at 617-625-6600 ext. 2319. All rides must be booked two business days in advance. This program is funded through ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) Funding.

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Through the generosity of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), and from the direction of Mayor Ballantyne, the Council on Aging is now able to provide Durable Medical Equipment at no cost to Somerville residents. Residents with a documented need for medical equipment must be over the age of 60, or have a permanent disability, and must be otherwise unable to afford or access needed medical equipment. They currently have available: Commodes, Bath Chairs, Bath Benches, Rollator Walkers, Incontinence Supplies and Transport Wheelchairs (wheelchairs are intended for transport and are not self-propelling or self-breaking.) For additional information, or for an application, please contact Debby Higgins at 617-625-6600, ext. 2321.

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