Four Somerville High School seniors have set an impressive tone early in the 2022 college scholarship season, each earning multi-year awards to continue their education. Edrick Pacheco earned the prestigious full four-year QuestBridge Scholarship to attend Tufts University starting this fall. Nathalya Castillo is the recipient of a full-tuition Posse Leadership Scholarship and will attend Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania. JC Welch was awarded a $27,000 Presidential Scholarship at Pace University’s New York City Campus that is renewable for four years, for a potential total award of $108,000. And Aidan O’Donovan, a 3-time Greater Boston League MVP in golf and a five-time League All-Star received a full golf scholarship to the University of Rhode Island. Aidan won the 2021 GBL Golf Championship in November to wrap up an impressive senior season, and was also named to the Boston Herald HS All-Scholarship Golf Team.

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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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Happy birthday this week to the following: Happy birthday to Sean Fitzgerald, who is celebrating this week. We wish Sean a great day. Happy birthday to Nancy Trane, a great person. We hope she has a great day for herself as well. Happy birthday to City Councilor Kristen Strezo, we wish her a very happy birthday. Happy birthday to Christine Resmini. We hope she has a great day as well. Happy birthday to Steven Buckley of East Somerville. We hope Steve has a great day. Happy birthday to great guy, Eamon Fee, who celebrates this week. We hope he has a great birthday. Happy birthday to another good guy, Rod Kreimeyer. We hope Rod has a great day. Happy birthday to David Mangan. We hope David has a great day for himself as well. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such as Celia Taylor, David Tiger Williams, Lauren Daddio, Las Carolinas, Wayne A. Fournier, Ann Bourque, David Mangan, Sarah Marcone, and Lu Alves a very happy birthday. To all those that are also celebrating this week, we wish a happy birthday.

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We want to congratulate Tommy Barry on is retirement from the DPW. Tommy retired 2 weeks ago after being a loyal DPW employee for 40 years. He worked under five different mayors going back to Mayor August, Mayor Brune, Mayor Capuano, Mayor Roche and Mayor Curtatone. Tommy had a long, distinguished career for over 40 years in the DPW for the City of Somerville, in which he worked tirelessly and effortlessly to help as many residents and constituents as possible. We wish him the best on a well-deserved retirement.

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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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MassDOT will be holding a public hearing on Wednesday, March 2, at 6:00 p.m. regarding the Superstructure Replacement of Maffa Way and Mystic Avenue over the Orange Line and MBTA/BMRR project. More information can be found here: https://www.mass.gov/event/bostonsomerville-superstructure-replacement-of-maffa-way-and-mystic-avenue-over-orange-line-and-mbtabmrr-project-2022-03-02t180000-0500-2022-03-02t200000-0500

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Somerville Prevention (@somervilleprevention) will be hosting two focus group opportunities for Somerville adult/caregiver community members to give feedback about youth substance misuse prevention efforts via Zoom. The focus groups are scheduled for Thursday, February 24, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. and Thursday, March 3, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Participants will receive a $25 Target gift card for participation in the one-hour discussion. For more information and to sign up, visit https://bit.ly/3qBYfMW.

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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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Live music is back at Sally O’Brien’s, 335 Somerville Ave., Somerville. Visit www.sallyobriensbar.com for a full list of future shows.

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Two volunteers are being sought to help supervise indoor basketball for grades 7 and 8 students as part of the Becoming a Man Program. Basketball and/or coaching skills nice but not necessary. Wednesdays, 2:45 – 4:00 p.m. at Healey School, 5 Meacham St. Contact Alex Bermejo if interested: abermejo@youth-guidance.org. For all in-person volunteering, volunteer must have an approved CORI (background check) and provide proof of full vaccination for COVID-19. Please contact SPS Volunteer Coordinator Jcapuano@k12.Somerville.ma.us if interested.

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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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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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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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After a long three-year hiatus, the Somerville Homeless Coalition is very excited to announce that its Spring into Action event is returning the evening of Thursday, March 24. This year they are bringing the fun and energy to the Somerville Theatre’s newly refurbished Crystal Ballroom. Join them for an evening of cocktails, live jazz, passed apps, local bites and live music. All proceeds from this event will benefit Somerville Homeless Coalition clients facing homelessness, eviction and food insecurity. They look forward to sharing news about their work in the community and how you help them to continue advancing their mission of finding everyone a home. Single ticket price: $125. Discounts are available for bulk ticket orders. For more information, visit their event page https://igfn.us/e/TRWwTw.

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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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