We wish everyone a happy and meaningful Veterans Day this week. Let’s let our local veterans know how much we appreciate their service and the sacrifices they made in defending our homeland.

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The Public Safety Building Project community meeting has been moved from November 10 to December 13 at 6:00 p.m. At this meeting, staff will share the design progress of the new building, present plans for the realigned New Washington Street, 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. To learn more and register to attend, go to somervillema.gov/publicsafetybuilding.

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Next Wave/Full Circle is holding its annual Winter Holiday Wreath Sale. Each balsam wreath is decorated with a red bow and costs $25. Payment can be made with check or by Venmo, and there will be three convenient pick-up locations the week after Thanksgiving. Learn more and find the link to preorder at www.somerville.k12.ma.us/wreathsale. Next Wave/Full Circle staff and students are grateful for ongoing community support of this annual event. All proceeds go toward enrichment programming for students. There will be no tree lot this year due to logistical complications from the pandemic. Learn more about this tight-knit Next Wave/Full Circle school community at their website, www.somerville.k12.ma.us/nwfc.

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Happy birthday’s this week: Happy birthday to our friend and local TV celebrity Joe Lynch, who is celebrating this week. We wish him a great birthday. Happy birthday to Joe Nardella. We wish him a very happy birthday. Happy birthday to a former Alderman At-Large, amongst her many other accomplishments, Helen Corrigan. We wish her the very best of birthdays. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such Victoria Macrokanis, Donald Gallarelli, Elena Clamen, Jerry DiGiovanni, Cheryl Bertocchi, John Kane, Antonette Almeida, Dottie Bowman, Antonette Biondo, Tanya Kalousdian and Jim Powers 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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Somerville’s COVID case numbers in October did drop for the first time in five months, though sadly there were six COVID deaths, bringing the city’s COVID death total since March 2020 to 96. Cases during the Delta outbreak of the virus have been more evenly distributed throughout the city. General caution is warranted. Currently, 75% of all Somerville residents are fully vaccinated. See the latest Somerville case data at somervillema.gov/covid19dashboard.

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Kitty Connection, an all-volunteer non-profit dedicated to rescuing and finding safe, loving homes for local cats and dogs, will hold a Silent Auction on Saturday, November 20, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m., at the Medford Professional Firefighters Association, 340 Salem Street, Medford. In addition to the chance to browse and bid on dozens of auction items in time for the holidays, the event includes a delicious lasagna dinner, raffles, and beer, wine and mixed drinks available for purchase. Auction items available for bidding include a brand-new Michael Kors purse, local artwork, a $100 Mobile gas gift card, tickets to the Improv Asylum and much more! Tickets, which include one door prize entry, are $25 and can be purchased online at https://kittyconnection2021auction.eventbrite.com. To learn more about Kitty Connection and pets available for adoption, visit: www.kittyconnection.net.

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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 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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New Learn-To-Skate classes for children, ages 4 to 18 are being held at the Founders Memorial Rink, 581 Somerville Avenue, starting last 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 their 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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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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