Ward-based City Hall Community Meetings are back this fall. Hear from Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and city staff to find out what’s happening in your neighborhood, how to get involved, and ask questions about issues that are important to you. All ward meetings are in-person and will begin at 6:30 p.m. An all-ward, fully virtual meeting will take place on Tuesday, October 22. The first meeting will be in Ward 4 on Wednesday, September 18, in the Healey School cafeteria (5 Meacham St.). A meet-and-greet with refreshments will begin at 6:00 p.m. For additional accommodations, please call 311 (617-666-3311). To learn more, visit somervillema.gov/communitymeetings.

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City of Somerville, Office of Sustainability and Environment, Somerville Arts Council present Somerville PARK(ing) Day 2024 on September 20 in Ball Square from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. To participate: Pay for your spot, secure your spot, decorate your spot, enjoy your spot then clean your spot. PARK(ing) day is a global, public, participatory project where people across the world temporarily repurpose curbside parking spaces and convert them into public parks and social spaces to advocate for safer, greener, and more equitable streets for people. For more information visit www.myparkingday.org or email ose@somervillema.gov.

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Happy birthday this week to several locals: Happy birthday to Mary Jo Rossetti, who is a lifelong resident and a former Councilor At-Large. We wish her a very happy birthday. Also celebrating is Maureen Cuff Bastardi, we wish her a very special day. Happy birthday to Conor Brennan, the owner of PJ Ryan’s in Teele Square, we wish him the very best on his birthday. Happy birthday to the now retired Somerville Homeless Coalition Director, Mark Alston-Follansbee. We wish him a happy birthday. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such as Carol Clements, Kim Marie, Jackie Shepardhancock, Ed Grandmont, Debra Lawson Kennedy, Ellen Gagliardi, Stephen Green, Jonathan O’Connell, Adele Changer and Kimberly Barnett 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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The City of Somerville and Somerville VETS invite the community to join in at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 21, for the 3rd Annual Health and Wellness Day at Lincoln Park. This community-wide, free, wellness event for all ages is a great opportunity for our veteran and first responder families to get connected to health resources. Activities such as fitness classes, bounce houses, and chair massages will run between 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Contact veterans@somervillema.gov for more information.

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What the Fluff? A Tribute to Union Square Innovation is a madcap festival honoring the invention of Marshmallow Fluff. It celebrates Somerville’s proud tradition of innovation with live music, fluffalicious feasts, sticky games, zany happenings, and much more happening Saturday, September 21, from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. in Union Square (rain date Sunday, September 22). So, don your most hue-riffic ensemble (ruby slippers optional), round up your sidekicks (Toto, too!), and fol-low the marshmallow road to the most magical square in Somerville. There’s No Place Like Fluff.

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Purple lights will light up City Hall in recognition of Recovery Month. The flag and light displays will remain for the entire month of September. Somerville Prevention staff will host Narcan Distribution Events and trainings to distribute free overdose prevention information and harm reduction materials. These include the overdose-reversing nasal spray naloxone (often referred to as Narcan), Fentanyl test strips, CPR face shields, and syringe disposal boxes. For more in-formation and a list of events visit https://www.somervillema.gov/, For more information, please contact Han Hogan-Rigg at hhoganrigg@somervillema.gov and be sure to follow Somerville Prevention on Instagram: @somervilleprevention.

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As of Tuesday, September 3, the Central Library (79 Highland Ave.) temporarily implemented a modified afternoon schedule during weekdays. Weekend hours will remain unchanged: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays: Closed from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., Wednesdays: Closed from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. For questions about events and pick-up schedules impacted by the temporary schedule change, you can contact them at 617-623-5000 or by calling 311. Learn more at: somervillepubliclibrary.org.

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The Somerville Arts Council and the Georgian Studies at Harvard University’s Davis Center join forces to catalyze a vibrant cross-cultural collaboration among four talented artists, two from Somerville and two from the country of Georgia. Exchanging Notes Performance: An Evening of Dance and Drums. Saturday, September 21, first show: 6:30 p.m., second show: 8:00 p.m. SomArts Space at the Hive, 561 Windsor Street, 4th floor, Somerville. Event is free but you will need to register https://somervilleartscouncil.org/.

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The Somerville Homeless Coalition is gearing up for its annual Somerville 5K Road Race on October 5, to support the most underprivileged neighbors experiencing homelessness and this year. For 29 years, supporters from across the Greater Boston area have run throughout the streets of Somerville in solidarity to ensure that our clients receive the critical resources and services they need on their journey to securing a forever home. Visit https://somervillehomelesscoalition.org/.

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Somerville Public Schools are now in session for the 2024/2025 school year. Visit SPS district website calendar for more information: https://somerville.k12.ma.us/events/calendar. Visit the 2024–2025 School Year Calendar page for an English, Spanish, Portuguese, or Haitian Creole calendar to print: https://somerville.k12.ma.us/schoolyearcalendar. Visit the Food and Nutrition Services Department page for school meal menus. Breakfast and lunch are free for all students: https://somerville.k12.ma.us/fnsd.

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On Saturday, September 21, at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, September 22, at 3:00 p.m., visit the Center for Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland for the premier of MOM*, a one-woman absurdist circus show about motherhood. Tickets and more info available here: https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/shir-wonder/mom. Join Shir Livne in this absurdist take on motherhood, as only she can tell it – spilling her truth as stepmom, potential bio-mom, and daughter. All with a comedic twist, of course. Please note that this performance includes strong language.

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Visit somervillema.gov/registertovote today to prepare for the upcoming election this November.

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This month, the Central Library is pleased to display the artwork of five local artists commissioned to create interactive community art for the city’s climate action plan, Climate Forward. Join them for a reception celebrating the exhibit on September 25, from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided. The Climate Forward Photo Gallery showcases interactive community art created at the Imagining Climate Forward 2050 event in April 2024. The event was the launch for the city’s updated climate action plan, Climate Forward.

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School is back in session and this year the Somerville Homeless Coalition is asking for crucial donations of school supplies for their young student clients and their families. Right now they are in urgent need of essential supplies such as backpacks, binders, notebooks, highlighters and more. Please check out their current needs list here: https://bit.ly/School4SHC For any donation inquiries please reach out at info@shcinc.org.

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Visit the Growing Center, 22 Vinal Ave for their Harvest Festival: Gathering in Gratitude, Saturday, September 28, 1:30-4:00 pm (Rain Date September 29). Harvest activities and games, pumpkin decorating, a celebration of the bounty nature shares with us during the year and honoring the great volunteers that steward this space. Check out the new Pollinator Mosaic installation and take home some native seeds! For more information Contact: info@thegrowingcenter.org

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The Somerville Council on Aging present a Cultural Series Event at the Dilboy Post, featuring musical memories with John and Linda. Friday, September 27, starting at 11:00 a.m. at the Dilboy Post located at 351 Summer Street. $5 per person. Lunch will be served at noon. On September 30, funding for their ARPA funded Multicultural Meals Program will conclude. In response, Mayor Ballantyne has directed additional funding to the Council on Aging in this year’s budget to allow for the continuation of a monthly cultural performance and to subsidize the cost of catered meals from area restaurants. Monthly programming will be held at the Dilboy Post where we can accommodate up to 100 participants. To kick off the new version of our cultural series, they welcome John and Linda who will feature vocal harmonies performing cover songs from the 50s through the 90s.

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The Intercambio Language and Culture Exchange Program is starting up again in Somerville. Visit somervilleartscouncil.org/intercambio to learn more about this exciting opportunity to practice a language and connect with others in your community.

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Join artist Colette Brésilla and curator Tina Cabral for the closing reception of Se Réfleter Dans on Friday, September 20, from 6:00 to 8:00 p,m, at the SomArt Space Gallery, 2nd floor, Suite 2A of the Somerville Armory. Se Réfleter Dans celebrates the dynamic vision of Haitian-born painter, textile designer, and sculptor Colette Brésilla who explores the cultural and creative contexts as a tool for social change. Free and open to the public. For visiting hours outside of the reception, please contact. https://somervilleartscouncil.org/bipoc/2024/colette.

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The Somerville Flea is back at 52 Holland St. Join in as they celebrate their 12th year smack dab in the middle of Davis Square. Vintage vendors, artisan makers, farm stand and DJ. Find that treasure you never knew you even existed. 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Sundays, August through October.

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East Somerville Main Streets is looking for vendors for their Halloween Block Party on Saturday, October 26, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Chuckie Harris Park. Please sign up through the form (https://forms.gle/BvSwZX8YYUeg3rGB7) for more information. Don’t miss this opportunity to have fun and meet the community.

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Docent tours take place from May through October at three historic sites in Somerville: Milk Row Cemetery (Somerville Avenue), Prospect Hill Tower (above Union Square), and Old Powder House (Nathan Tufts Park). They 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/docentprogram.

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Save the date for the Somerville Chamber of Commerce Golf Outing on October 1. The Somerville Chamber of Commerce presents the 2024 GOLF CLASSIC, sponsored by the Winter Hill Bank. The event will take place at the Sandy Burr Country Club, 103 Cochituate Rd., Wayland MA 01778, 7:30 a.m. Registration, 8:30 a.m. Shotgun Start (note early time). Lunch and awards to follow: 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. For golf (individuals, twosomes, threesomes, foursome welcome); and/or to sponsor – opportunities from $175 to $1,500. For more information or to help, email Joanne Haley: Joanne@somervillechamber.org.

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All Wednesdays during the school year are now early release days. You may talk to your child’s teacher or school administrators if you have any questions about drop-off and pickup. Prekindergarten: 12:00 p.m., Grades K–8 (except Next Wave): 1:00 p.m., Next Wave/Full Circle: 12:10 p.m., Somerville High School: 1:33 p.m.

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Somerville Public Schools has lots of openings for educators, classroom paraprofessionals, administrative staff, and an opening for their next Chief Financial Officer. Find a list of open positions and apply here: https://somerville.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx.

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Visit the Somerville Bike Kitchen, a volunteer-run bicycle repair cooperative, hosting open shop nights at The Dojo (15 Properzi Way, Somerville). Come maintain your bike or learn more about cycling. Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. Every Thursday from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. join Parkour Generations Boston for Teen Jams at The Dojo. 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.

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Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month and the vibrant public art scene in East Somerville. Join in for a Public Art Walking Tour in East Somerville, presented by the Somerville Arts Council in collaboration with East Somerville Main Streets. This free, 90-minute tour, conducted in Spanish, celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month and invites you to explore the vibrant public art scene of East Somerville. Discover eight captivating stops featuring a mix of sculptures, murals, and painted switch boxes. Tuesday, September 24, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Meeting Point: Symphony Park, 46 Pearl St, East Somerville.

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Council on Aging Flu and COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Dates at the Holland St. Senior Center, 167 Holland St. Senior Only Clinics, please register by calling the COA directly at 617-625-6600, ext. 2300. September 26, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m., October 10, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. Clinics open to the general public, please register via the City of Somerville website. October 21 (ages 19+) noon- 2:00 p.m., November 18 (ages 19+) noon- 2:00 p.m., December 12 (ages 19+) 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.

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Join the Somerville Central Library on September 24 at 6:30 p.m. for Death Café. Death Cafés are a group-directed discussion of death with no agenda, objectives or themes, with the objective of increasing awareness of death and helping people make the most of their (finite) lives. Join in this café led by End-of-Life Guide & Death Doula, Sarah Gladstone. You can learn more and register at https://tinyurl.com/29r6cnew.

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The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) recently detected West Nile virus (WNV) in mosquito samples from Cambridge. While no human or animal cases of WNV or Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) have been reported, it is important to take steps to protect yourself from mosquitoes and mosquito-borne illnesses. For tips and information, visit: mass.gov/dph/mosquito.

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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, 6670 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/2024fmseason. SNAP customers get $1 for $1 match up to $15. See the Market Manager tent for more info.

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The 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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