Please join Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, the City of Somerville Office of Housing Stability (OHS), and the Community Action Agency of Somerville (CAAS) for a webinar about tenants’ rights in Somerville, housing advocacy and rental assistance services, and community organizing to prevent eviction and displacement. Somerville’s local eviction moratorium, established in March 2020, currently remains in effect until Saturday, April 30. The webinar is Wednesday, March 23, at 6:30 p.m. Learn more and register to attend at somervillema.gov/ohs. Spanish and Portuguese interpretation will be provided, and other languages can be requested on the registration form. If you are facing eviction, need help paying your rent or mortgage, or need help accessing affordable housing, contact OHS at somervillema.gov/ohs or 617-625-6600 ext. 2581.

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The Somerville Museum presents Voices from Somerville’s Italian Community on Thursday, March 24, 6:30 p.m. Join virtually on Zoom, register at Eventbrite. Hear members of the local Italian community tell their stories and talk about their work in Somerville’s neighborhoods and beyond. The panelists, all Somerville High School graduates, include: a politician whose father was the first Italian-American elected to the Somerville Board of Aldermen; a musician who played in Somerville clubs on the streets for Somerfest during the 60’s and 70’s; a Somerville resident whose uncle was part of the local Cosmas and Damian Society, celebrating the patron saints of Gaeta, Italy; and an attorney who was the first woman to lead an AmLaw 100 firm in the United States and one of the youngest when appointed managing partner at age 42. Before the panel, listen to a historian from Somerville discuss connections between Italian and U.S. history. This is an online zoom event. All attendees must register visit www.somervillemuseum.org.

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Happy birthday this week to the following: Happy birthday to one of the famous Sullivans of Spring Hill, Michael Sullivan. He is celebrating this week. A nice guy, we wish him the very best. Happy birthday to Rachael Hart-Adams. We wish her the very best of birthdays, celebrating with her great family. Happy birthday to MaryLynn McWatters O’Malley. We hope she has a great day. Happy birthday to great guy and lifelong resident, Ed Bean. We wish him the best. We wish all of our Facebook friends such as Dottie Poudrier a very special day, and another special person, Karen Michelle, along with Roy Bertocchi, Joe Bossi, Linda Sirignano, Rhonda Annette, Beth Redmond, D.J. Dabenigno, Judy McCollem, and Maureen D. Kelley a very happy birthday. To all those that are also celebrating this week, we wish them a happy birthday.

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Somerville’s indoor mask mandate ended Saturday, March 5. The City of Somerville lifted its mask requirement for city buildings and events on Monday, March 21. This means all city-issued mask mandates are now lifted. Some federal and state mask requirements remain in effect. The Somerville School Committee voted to make masks optional in Somerville Public Schools as of Monday, March 14. The decisions to lift the local mask mandates follow current guidance from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). But businesses can still set their own mask policies, so make sure to check before heading in. More information, including where to find the latest health guidance can be found at somervillema.gov/maskmandateupdate.

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The ArtBeat 2022 planning has begun. This year’s Artbeat theme is “rise.” Things are looking up, lifting, rising. At this year’s ArtBeat Festival, artists of all kinds and community members are invited to interpret the “rise” theme in myriad ways. Literally, think about what’s above us – the sky, stars, trees, cranes, birds, and buildings. And figuratively, how might “rise” resonate? What’s beyond us, what’s within reach? The online applications for both the community and craft vendors are now available. To apply, go to: https://somervilleartscouncil.org/resources/calls.

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Congratulations to SHS 10th grader Ruthanna Kern for her first-place finish in last weekend’s Greater Boston History Day Competition in the “Senior Individual Performance” category. Ruthanna researched, wrote, and performed a one-woman play illuminating the process the Quaker community went through to arrive at its powerful abolitionist stance. Ruthanna will perform her piece, entitled Much Debate Being Thereupon: Quakers, Consensus Decision-Making, and the American Antislavery Movement at the state competition on April 9.

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Somerville Youth Soccer needs volunteer coaches and assistant coaches for the spring season for teams of all ages, genders, and skill levels. Call 617-684-5737 or email executivedirector@somervillesoccer.org.

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The Haymakers are happy to play the fool on Friday, April 1, at Union Tavern, 345 Somerville Ave. at 8:00 p.m. Opening up the night is Somerville’s own UnCivil Servants.

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Congratulations to the East Somerville Community School debate team and their teachers, Ms. Gouvea and Mr. Weaver. On Saturday, March 12, the ESCS Debate Team was declared the Boston Debate League Middle School Champions. Way to go, Phoenix debaters! Learn more about the Boston Debate League at www.bostondebate.org.

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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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Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and Ward 3 City Councilor Ben Ewen-Campen invite you to a virtual public meeting about upcoming construction in Spring Hill. The Spring Hill Sewer Separation Project is one in a series of projects across the city that will mitigate flooding, reduce waterway pollution, and upgrade century-old infrastructure. The first phase of work will begin in earnest this spring and is expected to continue through 2023 on Summer Street (Belmont Street to Bow Street), Central Street (Highland Avenue to Summer Street), Westwood Road, Avon Street, and Carter Terrace. This meeting will outline the project goals, scope of work, and anticipated construction impacts. Join in Wednesday, April 6, at 6:00 p.m. For more information and to register to attend, go to somervillema.gov/springhill.

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The Somerville Historic Preservation Division invites you to take home a piece of Somerville history. Designed by local artists, this historic collection of Somerville stickers and magnets tell a unique story of Somerville’s history. Purchases help support local organizations and small business, and display the Somerville pride. Visit the Somerville Historic Preservation Division website to find out more about their historic events, education, and preservation efforts: https://www.somervillema.gov/departments/ospcd/historicpreservation.

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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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Are you a Somerville High student with a passion for food, community, and justice? Join Groundwork Somerville’s spring Green Team internship program. You’ll earn school credit while making friends, working for social justice, and learning about sustainable farming. Apply here: https://forms.gle/4e5bAyLZ1pVAToMi6

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Boston Spinjam takes place on Sundays, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m., 50 Tufts St, Somerville. It is a weekly get-together of Flow arts, circus, acro yoga, and more. Sometimes it varies from week to week due to weather. It is a super friendly and welcoming environment, and a great place for every skill level. From people just starting out and looking to learn, to those just looking to train. There will be a $5 – $10 suggested donation. Feel free to donate more or if you can’t donate, that is OK! Masks and vaccinations are required. They will have some extra masks for those who forget. There is also a waiver that you will need to fill out. Visit their Facebook page for updates.

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