Don’t forget to vote Tuesday, November 2. Three of Somerville’s polling places have been relocated as of the current 2021 election cycle. All other polling locations will remain in the same location as they were in 2020. Before voting in the November 2 general election, don’t forget to double-check your polling location. Voters can check their polling location or Ward and Precinct by entering their address at somervillema.gov/mysomerville or calling 311. This election includes races for Mayor of Somerville; four City Councilor At-Large seats; Ward City Councilor in Wards 2, 5, and 7; and School Committee Members in Wards 3 and 7. Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.

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Early voting is being held prior to this year’s Election Day on November 2. All early voting takes place in the City Council Chambers at City Hall, 93 Highland Ave. Early voting days and times are as follows: Wednesday, October 27, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Thursday, October 28, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; Friday, October 29, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Please note that face coverings are required in all indoor public spaces.

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Happy birthday this week to several locals: Happy birthday to a very good friend a great family guy, Richard Hart, of the famous Hart family. We wish him a very happy birthday. He deserves the best. Happy birthday to another great family guy, Clifton Verdieu, who also grew up in East Somerville. He works for Century 21 North. Happy birthday to a former alderman and great guy, Dennis Sullivan. A nice guy who served Somerville for many years. We wish him a very happy birthday. Happy birthday to another guy who served Somerville years ago, Charles Chisholm. We hope he has a great birthday. Happy birthday to poet and writer, Timothy Gager, a very talented guy. We hope he has a great day. And finally, happy birthday to our own Mike Rais, who celebrated last week. You see him out delivering the papers each week for us. We wish him a great year to come. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such as Diana Riel, Dorothy O’Malley, Jeffery Varney, Russell Chiary, Erin DiBenedetto, Gene Beraldi, Joe Bear, Candy Feldt and John Blute 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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Last year, the Healey School received a grant from the Somerville Arts Council for a collaborative art project. Working with Healey Art teacher Mikkel DellaCamera and parent artists Ben DiSarcina and Ben Kauffman, students painted canvasses inspired by Chris Uphues and Takashi Murakami. The canvasses were put together on wood panels and readied for permanent display on the school’s newly renovated Healey Community Play Area.

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The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Somerville has risen from 32 in June to 147 in July to 328 in August to 400 in September. Currently 75% of all Somerville residents are fully vaccinated. See the latest Somerville case data at somervillema.gov/covid19dashboard. Need a COVID test? Go to somervillema.gov/covid19testing to find a testing location.

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The CHA vaccination site at 176 Somerville Ave. (next to Target in Union Square) and many local pharmacies offer walk-in vaccinations. To find out more about these three clinics and where else you can get vaccinated, visit somervillema.gov/vaccine. Remember, vaccines are free, regardless of immigration status or health insurance. If you’re not vaccinated, make a plan today to get your shot. At-home vaccinations available: Massachusetts offers in-home vaccinations for anyone who can’t travel to a vaccination location. To learn more and sign up for an in-home vaccination, call (833) 983-0485.

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The Somerville Council on Aging is holding Nutrition Classes, in-person, Mondays at 12:30 p.m. at our Ralph and Jenny Center located at 9 New Washington Street, and Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. at our Holland Street Center located at 167 Holland Street. Virtual classes are offered Mondays at 11:00 a.m. via Zoom. New and returning members are welcome. To RSVP please call Mary Marshall at 617-625-6600, ext. 2316 or email her at headtofitness10@yahoo.com. Masks are required.

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The Somerville Museum is looking for an independent contractor to support the museum’s facilities on a part-time basis. Part-time (average 4 hours/week). This position should be available for on-call building requirements (evenings and/or weekends as required). It may be necessary to respond to off-hours emergencies one or two times per year. This position should also be familiar with building heating, mechanical, or electrical systems. The Somerville Museum building, built in 1924, at One Westwood Road, Somerville has been recently renovated with a new elevator and redesigned basement layout. To apply please email cover letter, resume, and reference list to info@somervillemuseum.org. Please use “Facilities Assistant” in the subject line.

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The Somerville Theatre will hold a special screening of Tod Browning’s Universal Classic Dracula on Halloween night. They will be showing a 35mm print featuring live musical accompaniment by Jeff Rapsis for a movie with virtually no score beyond the opening credits. Dracula is not rated. Tickets at: https://20163.formovietickets.com:2235/T.ASP?WCI=BT. Masks are required. Proof of COVID vaccination or a 72-hour negative COVID test required for entry. Sunday, October 31, 7:30 p.m., 55 Davis Sq.

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The Somerville Board of Health has extended the citywide residential eviction moratorium until April 30 of next year. The moratorium applies to both renters and homeowners, and it means residents cannot be physically removed from their homes, though eviction cases may proceed through court. Back rent ultimately must be paid. If you find yourself or anyone you know unable to make rent or mortgage payments (or if you are a landlord owed back rent), assistance may be available. Contact our Office of Housing Stability at 617-625-6600 x2581 or the Community Action Agency of Somerville at 617-623-7370 for more information.

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The final SomerStreets event of 2021, Monster Mashed Up!, presented by Parkour Generations Boston and the Somerville Arts Council, will take place on Sunday, October 31 (rain date November 7) from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. outside of Union Square on Somerville Ave. between Hawkins St. to Park Ave. Get ready for two stages of music. One stage will be a partnership with School of Rock and another stage curated by “PorchFest Staff Picks!” There will also be spooktacular activities and a Halloween costume parade. RSVP to our event to receive updates. https://fb.me/e/1tWFHrniK.

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The Green Line to Union Square will be delayed at least until March 2022. No news on how delayed the Medford branch will be affected.

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Join the Somerville Museum on Halloween, October 31, for two events at Somerville Arts Council’s “Monster Mashed-Up” Somerstreets! 2021 Ghosts of Somerville, from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Milk Row Cemetery. “Make your own postcard” event for kids and adults from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m., outside of Union Square between Hawkins Street to Park Ave. The event is free, donations to the museum’s Access for All & More campaign are always welcome. There will also be a Halloween costume parade. https://somervilleartscouncil.org/somerstreets/monster/2021

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Check out the new digital A/R (augmented reality) exhibit in front of the Somerville Museum, 1 Westwood Rd., Somerville. This A/R feature works showcase local artists, musicians, and students from Somerville Schools. The images above highlight artwork created by students of Jessica Howard’s and Emily Alcott’s art classes in response to a recent exhibition at the museum.

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East Somerville Main Streets and the Somerville Arts Council will host a Halloween Block Party and Pet Parade, Saturday, October 30, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Chuckie Harris Park, 15 Cross At., Somerville. There will be family friendly/all ages events that you will love again this year. Come in costume ready to party.

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Somerville High School Senior Ava Hardy, a 3-sport student-athlete at SHS was recently awarded the Mickey Sullivan Student Achievement Award by the MSSADA (Massachusetts Secondary Schools Athletic Directors Association) Board. The Mickey Sullivan award recognizes students who have made a meaningful and lasting contribution to high school athletics. Ava is a captain of the Highlander girls Volleyball, Swim, and Softball teams, and a true leader at SHS. She also serves on the MIAA Student Advisory Committee where she represents all of District 5, helping to facilitate players’ and captains’ leadership workshops for student-athletes across New England. Ava is an Honor Roll student and regularly volunteers for community service in Somerville. Congratulations to Ava on an outstanding achievement.

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The Somerville Board of Health (BOH) approved a face-covering mandate for all indoor public places. The mandate applies to anyone two or older, and face coverings can be removed when people are actively eating or drinking. Masks should have a snug fit and cover the nose and mouth. The order can be read at https://www.somervillema.gov/sites/default/files/COVID-19-Mask-Order-Proposed-8.21.pdf.

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