This week will mark one year since the passing of Donald and Patricia Norton. Donald was, of course, the publisher of The Somerville Times, a successful real estate agent, and a colorful presence in the city. We miss them both and are thinking of them at this time.

*****************************

Sign-up deadline for the Somerville Arts Council’s Community Lantern Project: Let the Light Shine Through is October 5. Through the past several months, they have sought to re-imagine how to artfully engage. While we cannot always “be together” we can come together through art. In the coming weeks, they will be inviting people to participate in a community art activity, all from the comfort of your own home. Participants will receive a paper bag to decorate and later return it to the Somerville Arts Council by October 13. Bags will be provided for you. Finished lanterns will be on display at the Ignite Festival on October 17. Since there is a limited amount of materials, advance notification is required. To sign-up and participate, contact Heather Balchunas at hbalchunas@somervillema.gov by October 5. When responding to the call, please include “Community Lantern Project” in the subject header. Participants will receive an email where further instructions will be provided.

*****************************

Happy birthday this week to several locals: Happy birthday to AnnMarie Carey-Browne. We hope she has a great birthday for herself with her great family. Happy birthday to Karen F. McWatters, who celebrates this week. We hope she has a great birthday. Happy birthday to Sal DiDomenico, who is also celebrating this week. Happy birthday as well to Mike Capuano. We wish him a great birthday as well. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such as Edward Barry, Rick Gaetano, Rudy Caruso, Terri Monsalve, Kevin Driscoll, Tobi Sney Makanaki,Diane Kerins Conneely, Millie Vecchia Curley and Danielle Bailey 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.

*****************************

Members of the public are invited to attend and speak at two virtual public hearings on Wednesday, September 30, at 6:00 p.m. both regarding the processes for enforcing zoning requirements. On the Order of Councilor Jesse Clingan, Chair of the Committee, the City Council’s Committee on Public Utilities and Public Works Committee of the Whole will accept public testimony on the following: First hearing by City Council Order #210595: the process for ensuring that all conditions of a Special Permit are met prior to the final signoff by the Inspectional Services Department and the issuance of a certificate of occupancy; Second hearing by City Council Order#210596: the process for ensuring developers’ compliance with the conditions of Special Permits and the Inspectional Services Department’s enforcement of those conditions. More info and instructions for attending at https://www.somervillema.gov/events/2020/09/30/public-hearings-enforcement-zoning-requirements.

*****************************

The City of Somerville Health and Human Services will be offering free outdoor walk up or drive-thru options for your vaccine this flu season. All clinics are by appointment only and you can find the dates and instructions on how to register at www.somervillema.gov/flu. Clinics are for anyone ages three and up, with or without health insurance. If you have insurance, we do ask that you bring your card to the clinic when you come for your appointment. They also offer high dose vaccine for those who are 65+.

*****************************

Somerville Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, Ward 2 City Councilor J.T. Scott, and city staff invite you to a virtual community meeting to discuss a pilot project that would install quick-build bus and bike lanes this fall on Washington Street between Beacon Street and Union Square. In partnership with the MBTA, the city seeks to deploy low-cost mobility solutions to quickly improve bus service for essential workers and other transit riders during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dedicated bus lanes can help meet current public health needs by shortening ride times and reducing crowding. The meeting will be held on Wednesday, October 7, at 6:30 p.m. on the GoToMeeting webinar platform. To register for the meeting and to learn more about this project and other quick-build bus and bike lanes, visit somervoice.somervillema.gov/quick-build-bus-lanes.

*****************************

The 6th Annual Evolution of Hiphop Video Festival takes place on October 3, 3:30 p.m. – 11 p.m. Check out the following videos prior to Saturday: MA Rock Against Racism Rockumentary and Raperteers video (1984). The following videos will be centered around the following videos so please watch when you have a few minutes to prepare yourself. Video one: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1faXwcHehkG77sJdPFMe0UMpJxxmiBYqW/view?usp=sharing. Video two: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1sBPk918ijkiZJGj0ZJv7dqZVjVRs5QR6?usp=sharing. For Saturday’s schedule go to https://www.facebook.com/events/2502289186754374/.

*****************************

LEGOLAND® Discovery Center Boston at Assembly Row is reopening on Thursday, October 1. Due to local health restrictions, Factory Tour, 4D Movie Theater, Café, DUPLO Farm House and LEGO City Play Zone areas are temporarily closed. Please visit their Bricktastic Safety Page for details https://boston.legolanddiscoverycenter.com/bricktastic-safety/.

*****************************

This is a time of year when we get a lot of new residents. You can find a comprehensive guide for new residents at somervillema.gov/moving. You can also stay on top of our local COVID-19 information at somervillema.gov/covid19. Don’t forget to sign up for city alerts at somervillema.gov/alerts.

*****************************

Like everything else, this year will look a little different. The 25th Annual Somerville 5K Road Race will be held over the long weekend of Friday, October 9 – Monday, October 12 with a virtual twist; you choose your exercise. Run, walk, bike or hike, you’ve got it covered. Choose your preferred method and go alone or gather your family or even your dog. Feel good and do good together. For the course, the world is your oyster and the choice is yours. Need to be inspired? Routes will be communicated soon! To register for the race, go to: https://runsignup.com/Race/MA/Somerville/Somerville5KDetourRace.

*****************************

If you are not registered to vote, or need to update your address or party affiliation, you have until Saturday, October 24, to do so. Visit the city website at www.somervillema.gov/elections or the state website at www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleifv/howreg.htm to learn more about your options for registering. October 28 is the last day for your vote by mail application to be received by the Elections Office.

*****************************

#WearAMask to protect your friends and family. Wear one for the people in your community you don’t know you’re connected to: the friend of a friend, the elderly neighbor, the person with an underlying condition who shops at your grocery store.

*****************************

Reminder: city buildings are still closed to the public. Although city buildings remain closed to the public, a number of city services are still available online or by calling 311. Check the “City Service Status” tab on the city’s COVID-19 page for more information.

*****************************

Don’t forget, if you would like to subscribe to receive a digital edition of our paper, go directly online to our website over to the right side and fill out your email address to receive a free, full PDF copy of the paper.