Congratulations to those who were elected to public office in Somerville this week, and thanks to all who tossed their hats into the ring, whether successful or not. Every candidate should be proud of their efforts in contributing to the diversity of choice in every office. Our new mayor, Katjana Ballantyne, faces many challenges as well as opportunities in their upcoming term. Let’s wish her and our new and returning Councilors the best as they head into the new year.

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Don’t forget daylight savings time. It’s almost time to turn our clocks back one hour. Daylight saving time ends at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 7.

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Members of the public are invited to join the annual meeting of the Job Creation and Retention Trust (JCRT) on Tuesday, November 9, at 6:00 p.m. This virtual public forum will be an opportunity to learn about the JCRT’s members, hear about this past year’s investments, and give input on future investment ideas. The Job Creation and Retention Trust Fund was created in 2018 to use the linkage fees collected from commercial development to provide and enhance employment opportunities for Somerville residents. The Fund has allocated $254,000 over the past year toward contextualized ESOL and experiential learning opportunities, in addition to continuing to support industry-specific training programs and workers’ rights trainings funded in the previous year. To learn more about the JCRT and register for the meeting, visit somervillema.gov/jcrt.

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Happy birthday this week to several locals: Happy birthday to Amanda Fee. We wish her the very best on her birthday. A special happy birthday to Diane Suffredini who is celebrating this week. Diane recently was a guest writer for us in Jimmy Del Ponte’s column a few weeks ago, she covered this year’s SHS 1960 reunion. We wish her the best and hope she has a great year. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such as Diane Sylvester Ames, Katie Marsh, Edward Robaczewski, Herc Kalos, Mike Campbell, Betsy Almeida Pesce, Ivy Powers, Peggy Foley Arbeene and Mary Bean Fitzgerald, 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 Joseph A. Curtatone, Ward 3 Councilor Ben Ewen-Campen, Ward 5 Councilor Mark Niedergang, and Ward 6 Councilor Lance Davis invite you to a virtual public meeting to discuss the redesign of Highland Avenue. The city is completely reconstructing nearly the entire length of Highland Avenue. Underground improvements to upgrade aging sewers and stormwater infrastructure will begin this winter on portions of Highland Avenue as part of the Spring Hill Sewer Separation Project, and streetscape changes are expected to follow in 2023. The new streetscape design will include protected bicycle lanes, pedestrian safety measures, and MBTA bus improvements. Achieving this vision will require fewer on-street parking spaces and changes to parking regulations, with particular focus paid to loading zones, pickup and drop-off locations, and accessibility. At this meeting, city staff will detail the project scope and timeline, present parking data, summarize responses from customer and business surveys, and gather feedback from meeting attendees. The meeting will take place virtually on Wednesday, November 17, at 6:30 p.m. To learn more and register to attend, visit somervillema.gov/highlandave.

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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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Women in Music Gathering #WIMG return to The Burren (Backroom Series) in Somerville on Sunday, November 7 for a music showcase to benefit Wigs for Kids. Performing are #WIMG musicians/songwriters CiCi Eberle, Jan Luby, Janna Marie Fröhlich, Diane Battistello, Linda Marks, Mara Bettencourt, Marcia J. Macres, and Robert Lamb. Women In Music Gathering is an artist-alliance group of women musicians/songwriters who gather to network, encourage and listen to their sisters in song. Sometimes members champion causes or share their talents, in variety concert, as WIMG. 12:00 p.m. at the Burren Backroom, 247 Elm Street (Davis Square), Somerville. Tickets $15 in advance / $20 at the door (all ages show). Doors open at 11:30 a.m. On sale now at https://24hourconcerts.showare.com/eventperformances.asp?evt=765. Use Coupon Code 24HOUR for the best ticket price.

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The Somerville Council on Aging is holding Walking Groups, Fridays at 9:30 a.m. The walking group will meet in front of the Holland Street Center and will enjoy walks through area neighborhoods. All classes and groups will be limited to 8 participants and will follow City of Somerville social distancing and mask policy. Pre-registration is required. For additional info or to register for one of the above programs, contact Chris by email at ckowaleski@somervillema.gov or by phone at 617-625-6600 ext. 2315

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The Highlander Theatre Company (HTC) at Somerville High School will offer six outdoor performances of Almost, Maine the weekend of November 12-14 at The Growing Center, 22 Vinal Ave., Somerville. Written by John Cariani, the HTC production is presented by special arrangement with Dramatists Play Service, Inc. of New York. Learn more about this delightful upcoming production and how to get tickets at: https://www.highlandertheatre.org/almostmaine.

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Somerville Parks and Recreation will be holding free tryouts for interested students in grades 4-8 for Girls’ Pride Basketball and Boys’ Tradition Basketball Travel Teams. Players should arrive 15 minutes prior to their tryout time wearing shorts and sneakers. Tryouts are free and only players are allowed in the gym due to COVID-19 restrictions. Participants are encouraged to attend all tryouts for their age group. Program fee for those who make the teams is $125; scholarship opportunities are available for qualified applicants. No player will be turned away due to lack of funds. Questions? Contact timminscuse@gmail.com or mantonelli@k12.somerville.ma.us.

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New Learn-To-Skate classes for children, ages 4 to 18 are at the Founders Memorial Rink, 581 Somerville Avenue, start Sunday, at 2:00 p.m. for 6 weeks. Classes are also available at 10 area rinks. Use either figure, recreational or hockey skates. Beginner, intermediate and advanced classes taught by professional instructors. For information and to register, call Bay State Skating School at 781-890-8480 or visit online at www.BayStateSkatingSchool.org. Bay State Skating School is compliant with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Covid-19 guidelines. The number of students allowed on the ice will be limited.

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The Somerville Chamber of Commerce is celebrating their 75th Anniversary with an Annual Dinner and John W. Fitzgerald Lifetime Achievement Award Presentation. Reception followed by dinner. Wednesday, November 17, 5:30 p.m., Holiday Inn, 30 Washington St. Table of 8 guests $800; non-members $1,200; Individuals $100 per person; non-members $150. Major Presenting Co-Sponsors: Bunker Hill Community College and Verizon. Reception sponsor: East Cambridge Savings Bank. RSVP to smackey@somervillechamber.org.

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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. Immediately contact the Office of Housing Stability at 617-625-6600 x2581 or the Community Action Agency of Somerville at 617-623-7370.

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Get an early start on your holiday shopping on November 20 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the East Somerville Main Streets Holiday Market. Support small businesses as you shop local for food, art, jewelry and books. Wild Fox Pierogi will be on site serving their delicious food, and DJ Panda will be spinning all your favorite market jams. Located at Connexion, 149 Broadway in Somerville.

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Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and city staff invite you to attend a virtual community meeting about the Public Safety Building Project, which will provide new facilities for the Somerville Police and Somerville Fire Department Headquarters and the Somerville Fire Department’s Engine 3 at 90 Washington St., near the East Somerville Green Line station. The project will also include a community meeting space, a new park, and a realignment of New Washington Street to meet Franklin Street. Construction is expected to begin in earnest in the summer of 2022. At this meeting, staff will share design progress of the new building, present plans for the realigned New Washington St., and outline site preparation work planned for this winter, which includes tree removal. Attendees will be able to provide input on the public space related to the project. The meeting will take place Wednesday, November 10, at 6:00 p.m. To learn more and register to attend, go to somervillema.gov/publicsafetybuilding.

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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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