On Sunday, June 14, the City of Somerville recognized Flag Day as a day of remembrance and reflection to honor those lost to the COVID-19 virus and those who have been victims of systematic racism. The mayor and City Council asked that everyone take time to personally acknowledge and reflect on the gravity of these events and to mourn the loss of life associated with them. Residents were encouraged to reclaim our nation’s flag as a symbol of hope, welcome, comfort, and progress during these trying times. A joint letter from Mayor Joseph Curtatone and City Councilor At-Large Will Mbah regarding the unanimously passed City Council resolution to declare this day of remembrance can be read at https://www.thesomervilletimes.com/archives/100739.

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The City of Somerville, Cataldo Ambulance, and Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) formally launch their mobile COVID-19 testing unit in Somerville this week. The mobile unit, designed to lower barriers to testing and offer equitable access, is the next phase of the city’s COVID Action Plan to control the spread of the virus via testing, contact tracing, and safe isolation. The mobile testing unit will accept patients by appointment at roaming locations, as well as hold designated testing days for residents of senior housing buildings. This testing is in addition to the Crown St. testing location at Somerville Hospital, where the city and Cambridge Health Alliance have offered free testing to Somerville residents since April. For dates and times visit: https://www.somervillema.gov/mobiletesting

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Celebrating their birthdays this week: Happy birthday to Steve Mirabella, who is originally from Magoun Sq. We wish him many more. Happy birthday to one of the famous Winter Hill family members, Ms. Linda Spinosa, who celebrates this week. Happy birthday to former Spring Hill – closer to City Hall – resident Gail Chambers, who is celebrating this week as well. We hope she and Bill got to go out and celebrate. Happy birthday to one of our former writers, Jack Nicas, who is now working for the for The New York Times as a reporter. As always, we wish him the best. Happy birthday, Jack, and many more. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such as Martin Janet, Pindi Singh, Donna M. Gilberti, Chris Marshall, Kathi Mullins, Terra Yan, Kenneth Lonergan, and Marie Kearns 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 Somerville School Committee will conduct a public hearing on the School Department’s FY2021 budget, Wednesday, June 17, at 6:00 p.m. GoToWebinar Online Meeting Platform. Please use the following web address to join the budget hearing: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5352296567632079115 The Public is invited to attend.

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Mini Movers Studio founder, Jackie Bowden, will lead the whole family in a fun jazz hop dance class along with a fun activity or two, that will get everyone moving and smiling together. End the day with a fun experience for the entire family-beginners are welcome. June 18, at 6:30 p.m. More info: https://www.minimoversstudio.com/events.

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GLX officials will host a virtual public meeting, Wednesday, June 24, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. Register and attend this meeting using GoToWebinar: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/4131561583760589835.  GLX presentation topics will include: Project Overview and Benefits, Construction Update and Look-Ahead, Work Forecast, Locations, and Hours of Operation

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East Somerville Blood Drive, a partnership between Holiday Inn and East Somerville Main Streets. Register to donate at the Holiday Inn Boston Bunker Hill area location to help fill urgent needs. Monday, June 22, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. Register online: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/east-somerville-blood-drive-tickets-103535214614.

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Learn Online: Helping Business Owners to Thrive during COVID-19. Artisan’s Asylum helps business leaders learn how to channel strong emotions to make the necessary creative shifts to survive and thrive in the new marketplace. Saturday, June 20, 2:00 – 4:30 p.m., https://artisansasylum.com/classes/learn-online-helping-business-owners-to-thrive-during-covid-19.

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ELA teacher Chris Mitchell and Alan Ball are very pleased and proud to present four magazine issues full of writing from this year’s 8th grade students at the Healey School. As our community’s young teenagers graduate 8th grade and head to the high school, you may wish to celebrate with them by reading their literary representatives. The writing at https://happeningnoweverywhere.com is a local sample from the generation that may be the last hope for our world’s survival. A comment about any one or more of the published works would be a wonderful boost to the author who receives it. You may send your comment(s) to the author(s) in care of Chris Mitchell (cmitchell@k12.somerville.ma.us). Before you share any of the writing with younger students, please be aware that it may include adult language and themes. You and younger readers may also enjoy Kid! magazine at https://12zine.com.

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The Mayor’s Summer Jobs Program is accepting applications for summer 2020 starting. Through the annual program, up to 100 Somerville teens will be placed in opportunities with city departments, many of them virtual this year. Eligible students must be Somerville residents, enrolled in high school, and at least 16 years of age. Limited opportunities are available for youth that are at least 14 years of age with the Department of Recreation. Applications are due Friday, June 19, at 12:30 p.m., via Google form at https://bit.ly/SomervilleSummerJobs2020. Late applications will not be accepted. Interviews for all applicants will occur through June 22, and selected youth must complete an orientation prior to the beginning of the program. Summer jobs require approximately 20 hours per week, though actual schedules will vary by employer. If you have any questions or would like additional information, contact Community Services Manager Jennifer Mancia at 617-625-6600 ext. 2406 or jmancia@somervillema.gov.

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The Somerville Arts Council presents ArtBeat Festival 2020, July 10-18, citywide. The festival is very much on, albeit in a different form this year – over the course of eight days, they’ll have some virtual performances as well as some safe real-life happenings, such as art installations popping up and poetry hitting the streets. This year the festival theme is “Chance,” which explores all things fluky, unexpected and unplanned. Look for a detailed lineup within a week or so, until then, mark your calendars.

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Healthy, local food is important. The Farmers Markets are open again in Davis Square (www.massfarmersmarkets.org/davis) and Union Square (www.unionsquaremain.org/2020-season). But this year they will be different. Both markets will encourage only one person per household to do the shopping, incorporate social distancing guidelines and allow a limited amount of shoppers in the space. Please sign up for a shopping spot in advance at the market websites. SNAP and HIP benefits are accessible for shoppers in both markets. No gathering or socializing is allowed in the markets. See you there and remember that we are in this together … from a responsible 6 ft. distance, of course.

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East Somerville Safe Pick-up Market takes place Sunday, June 21. Pre-order from the list of participating businesses and pick-up your order safely on Sunday between 10:00 a.m. and noon. For more information, visit https://www.eastsomervillemainstreets.org/market.

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Once Somerville is pleased to announce the launch of their fundraising shirts. They’re printed by Somerville’s Hemlock Ink Custom Screenprinting. When you buy this T-shirt you are simultaneously supporting Once Somerville and another small local business. Order your T-Shirt here: https://stores.inksoft.com/hemlockink_support/shop/product-detail/1002755.