Happy Valentine’s Day to all our readers and fans. We hope everyone has a great day with their significant other or with close family and friends. Enjoy the day!

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The Somerville Arts Council and Nave Somerville present From the Inside Out Exhibition at Nave Gallery, 155 Powder House Blvd. through February 27. Our world shrunk during COVID. Like others whose work or schooling moved to their living spaces, many artists turned their focus inward. Some, fearing possible contamination of shared studio spaces or public transportation, moved their creative practice into their homes as well. It was a time of reflection. Relationships between interior and exterior shifted. New perspectives affected artist’s work and lifestyle. For more information visit https://somervilleartscouncil.org.

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A walk-in COVID-19 vaccine clinic for initial doses and boosters will be held February 11 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Argenziano School, 290 Washington St. The Pfizer vaccine will be available for all people five years and up, and boosters will be available for all people 12 years and up. Walk-ins are accepted, or you can pre-register at somervillema.gov/vaccine or call 311 (617-666-3311). The clinic is free, regardless of immigration status or health insurance. Identification is not required. All people 5 years and older are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine.

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Happy birthday this week to the following: Happy birthday to Patricia Latham. We wish Patty the best on her birthday. Happy birthday to Cheryle Snow. We wish Cheryle the very best on her birthday. Happy birthday to Bernard Gibbons. We wish him the very best on his birthday. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such Jill Koerber, Joan Marshall, Laurie Herra-Bullerwell, JoAnn Bocca- Rivieccio, Anne Belcher, Michael Stone and Valerie Fitzpatrick 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 CHA Somerville Vaccine Center is now accepting walk-ins, as supply allows. The center is open to all, five days a week and some Saturdays. You can get booster shots for ages 12+ and initial vaccines for ages 5+. The vaccines are free, regardless of immigration or health insurance status, and you don’t need to show ID. Full hours and details are here: challiance.org/vaccine. You can still make an appointment at tinyurl.com/metronorthvaccine. If you’re a CHA patient you can also make an appointment through MyChart: challiance.org/mychart. If you need assistance finding a COVID-19 vaccine or booster, you can call 3-1-1 (617-666-3311).

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Massachusetts has established a temporary program requiring employers make paid leave time available for employees impacted by COVID or who have side effects from vaccination. Learn more: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-temporary-emergency-paid-sick-leave-program

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A big congratulations to retired Somerville Fire Lieutenant Josu’e Velney on his recent award in the Top 100 magazine for Real Estate. Visit The Top 100 Magazine to read the full article Josu’e Velney https://www.thetop100magazine.com/josue-velney?fbclid=IwAR1dt3LULsAGwK8mV6dvaXPwfvj85m59YJs2w2PaaZ5dQdUS3fEKTsJZpmw

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If your child or teen is struggling with stress or anxiety, you can help by reaching out, listening, understanding, offering support, and connecting the student with key staff at school. Learn more about the #SomervilleTogether campaign for youth mental health at http://bit.ly/3s5uMfu.

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Looking for a way to practice social distancing but still remain connected to other people? Look no further than the Somerville Council on Aging’s Friendly Phone Caller program. They have many wonderful volunteers who are waiting to give you a call. Whether you are looking to make a new friend or would just like a friendly chat to look forward to every week, this program has you covered. Call Natasha at 617-625-6600, ext. 2317 to learn more about the program and to sign up.

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The City of Somerville’s Memorialization Committee, which names public assets like buildings, streets, and parks, is accepting applications to fill one resident position. The committee meets on an as-needed basis. Appointees will serve a two-year term and must be confirmed by the City Council. If you are interested in applying, please send a statement of interest to memorial@somervillema.gov by Friday, February 19. For more information on the Memorialization Committee please visit bit.ly/MemorializationCommittee.

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Rent a space at the Arts at the Armory’s unique spaces. Are you looking for a unique and memorable venue for an event? Their historic and spacious Performance Hall, intimate and charming Café, and comfortable and functional B5 meeting/classroom/rehearsal space are all available to rent. Learn more about our spaces here. For more information, please contact events@artsatthearmory.org.

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On Tuesday, February 15, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., an outdoor, in person sing will be held at the Somerville Community Growing Center, 22 Vinal Ave. (https://www.facebook.com/somervillecommunitygrowingcenter). It’s a beautiful space. They’ll have a propane fire pit and marshmallows to toast. Other snacks are welcome. Because singing is a relatively high-risk activity, they ask that only fully vaccinated and boosted people attend. It’s getting colder, so long underwear and even a blanket would be handy. They have chairs and a porta-john, but not much else in the way of amenities. Drinking songs and sea chanteys always go over well, but anything with a good chorus (i.e. one that people can join in on) will be appreciated.

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If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 or were exposed to someone with COVID-19, you should get tested. Find a testing site near you or where to get an at-home test kit at somervillema.gov/covidtesting. If you test positive: The CDC advises to isolate for at least five days.

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Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and City of Somerville staff invite you to attend the second community meeting to discuss 90 Washington Street, a 4-acre site near the East Somerville Green Line station envisioned as the future home of a new Public Safety Building and a range of civic, commercial, and residential spaces. The meeting will take place virtually on Wednesday, February 16, at 6:00 p.m. To learn more and register to attend, go to somervillema.gov/90washington.

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Prepare for the 2021/2022 snow season by reviewing parking rules and signing up for alerts. Because this winter begins in an odd-numbered year, snow emergency parking will be on the odd side of the street all winter, unless posted signage says differently. Check streets signs in your neighborhood so you know where you can park ahead of winter weather. You can also learn more about the city’s snow policies at somervillema.gov/snow.

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Somerville’s Winter Farmers Market takes place Saturdays, 9:30 – 1:30 p.m., through April 16, at Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave. Offering the best locally grown and produced agricultural items and more. They offer a diverse range of local and New England produce, as well as cheese, eggs, meats, fish, breads, pastries, chocolate, and wine. They feature rotating guest vendors each week, as well as live entertainment and activities. Check out the schedule and map at www.somwintermarket.org. They accept SNAP/EBT & HIP, CREDIT and DEBIT cards. $15 SNAP match for EBT customers.

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The Somerville Council on Aging presents Powers Music School, Thursday, February 10, 1:00 p.m., at the Holland Street Center. Enjoy an afternoon of live music. Grab and Go Lunch available after the performance. Please RSVP to Debby Higgins at 617-625-6600, ext. 2321 or DHiggins@Somervillema.gov.

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Somerville’s requirement to wear a face covering in public indoor spaces remains in effect. Make sure your mask covers your nose and mouth at all times when in public spaces and that it fits snugly around the sides of your face.

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If you are unable to access a COVID-19 vaccine due to transportation challenges, but otherwise are able to leave your home, please call 3-1-1 to get connected to transportation assistance.

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Individuals who are homebound are encouraged to schedule an in-home COVID-19 vaccine appointment through the state’s COVID-19 In-Home Vaccination Program. The program is open to all individuals who are homebound, including 5- to 11-year-olds, and individuals seeking both initial or booster doses. To schedule an appointment, call the In-Home Vaccination Central In-take Line at (833) 983-0485. The Intake Line is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Representatives are available in both English and Spanish, and also have access to translators for over 100 languages. Due to high demand, the current estimated wait time for an in-home vaccination appointment is 4-6 weeks.

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The Somerville Council on Aging hosts Bingo, Tuesdays at Ralph & Jenny Center and Thursdays at Holland Street starting at 10:00 a.m. Grab and Go lunch available following Bingo. RSVP to Debby Higgins by calling 617-625-6600, ext. 2321 or email Debby at DHiggins@Somervillema.gov

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