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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Somerville ‘s Ward 5 City Councilor Beatriz Gómez-Mouakad is holding Office Hours Friday, April 8, at Cafe Zaruma, 37 Woodbine St., 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. with special guest City Councilor At-Large Kristen Strezo.

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On Monday, April 18, for the first time since 2017, the City of Somerville will be celebrating Patriots’ Day outdoors and in person at Foss Park on Broadway from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. The event will feature a reenactment of Paul Revere’s famous ride from Boston to Lexington, which happened to pass right through Somerville. Attendees will enjoy period-appropriate refreshments and games. They can complete their “Colonial Passports” to win a prize and shop for educational items at the Somerville Museum’s table, all while enjoying music from the Somerville High School band. Colonial clothing is encouraged. Interested in helping out with serving refreshments, overseeing games, and generally immersing yourself in the Revolutionary revelry? Email the city’s Executive Director of the Historical Preservation Commission Brandon Wilson at bwilson@somervillema.gov to throw your (tri-cornered) hat into the ring.

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Happy birthday this week to several locals: Big happy birthday to Steve Mac. We hope Steve enjoys his day. Happy birthday to Sissy McWatters-Ankenbauer, also celebrating this week. We hope she had a great day too. Happy birthday to Bruce Rollins II, who also celebrated this week. We hope he enjoyed his day as well. Happy birthday to our good friend Ida Fasano. We’re wishing her a great day as well. Happy birthday to Chris Pedersen, we hope he has a great day. Happy birthday to Linda Rock Coutoumas, who is celebrating this week. Happy birthday to Cheryl Constantine Leatham, who is also celebrating. We hope she is having a great day. We wish a happy birthday to all of our Facebook friends such as Linda Camiel Butler, Patricia Garrity, Kathryn Giuliano, Warren Goldstein-Gelb and Carmen Dolores Ferreira, who are all celebrating this week. To all the others we may have missed and, yes, we must admit there are a few more out there. We sincerely wish them the very best of birthdays.

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Reminder: Street sweeping began for the season on Friday, April 1. Make sure you know when your neighborhood is swept and where you can park by checking signs in your neighborhood and visiting www.somervillema.gov/sweeping.The schedules are currently being updated. Street sweeping helps keep leaves and other debris out of storm drains, which helps prevent flooding. Help keep the streets clean – and avoid getting a ticket – by moving your car on street sweeping day.

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The Somerville Homeless Coalition (SHC) is looking for drawstring bags that their clients can use to carry their snacks and other personal items. College and other organized sports leagues are a great resource for drawstring bags, so if you or someone you know is affiliated, they would greatly appreciate you reaching out. SHC, 1 Davis Sq, (617) 623-6111, shcinc.org.

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Calling all Somerville High School students! Apply for the Mayor’s Summer Jobs Program. Applicants must be Somerville residents, at least 14 years of age, and enrolled in high school. Summer jobs require approximately 20 hours per week for six weeks starting in June, though actual schedules will vary by employer. Some jobs require an orientation before the program begins. Some positions can be done remotely or in a hybrid of remote and in-person work.  Apply online at somervillema.gov/summerjobs, or pick up a printed application in the Human Resources Department at City Hall, 93 Highland Avenue. Applications are due by Friday, April 29, at 12:30 p.m. All applicants will be interviewed the week of May 9. For more information, contact Community Services Manager Javier Torres Trinidad at 617-625-6600 ext. 2406 or jtorrestrinidad@somervillema.gov.

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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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Mayor Katjana Ballantyne has announced that the City of Somerville launched mattress and box spring recycling starting the week of April 4. This free service is available to all residential households that have city-managed trash collection. Residents will simply need to schedule a pickup and place their items on the curb on the pickup day. For more information on recycling in Somerville, please visit www.somervillema.gov/MattressRecycling.

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On Tuesday, April 12, 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., Newton Free Library will celebrate National Poetry Month with virtual readings by Harris Gardner, David Miller and Denise Provost. An open mic will follow with a limit of one poem per person, limited slots are available. Sign-ups for the open mic will happen during the actual session. The series is facilitated by Doug Holder of Ibbetson Street Press. Registration for this program will end two hours before the start time. The Zoom login information will be sent just after registration closes. Please be sure to check your spam folder in case it lands there. https://newtonfreelibrary.net.

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For a family fun time, on Saturday, April 16, 11:00 a.m.- to 2:00 p.m., Connexion will hold their Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Chuckie Harris Park, rain or shine.

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The City of Somerville seeks three artists to serve on the newly created Somerville Armory Master Plan Committee. After acquiring the Armory building at 191 Highland Avenue last year, the city has initiated a master planning process to support the space as a city-owned arts resource. The Committee will guide municipal consultants and staff in developing the Somerville Armory Master Plan in preparation for transitioning the property into a public community arts center. To learn more and apply, go to somervilleartscouncil.org/armoryplanning. The application deadline is Friday, April 15, at noon. Please contact Ted Fields at tfields@somervillema.gov with questions.

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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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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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