The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) raised the COVID-19 Community Level for all of Middlesex County including Somerville to HIGH on Thursday evening, May 5. The city is strongly encouraging that high-quality masks be worn indoors in public while the CDC COVID-19 Community Level remains high and that all persons ensure they are up to date on vaccination. Free KN95 masks provided to Somerville by the Commonwealth are being offered to residents at all city libraries and at City Hall. For more information visit https://www.somervillema.gov/departments/programs/coronavirus-covid-19-information-and-resources

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Love to play music? Registration is underway for bands and musical performers interested in participating in the Somerville Arts Council’s PorchFest 2022 on Saturday, May 14. The deadline to register is Thursday, May 12. To register and learn more, visit: https://somervilleartscouncil.org/porchfest.

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Farmer’s markets are back in Somerville. Union Square Main Streets kicks off the 18th season of the Union Square Farmers Market in Somerville this Saturday, May 14, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. This season the market returns to its longtime location on the Union Square Plaza, and will be open rain or shine each Saturday through October 29. For more information visit https://www.unionsquaremain.org/2022-fmseason. The East Somerville Farmers Market opens on Sunday, May 15, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. at 115 Broadway. Join them for fresh produce, bread, baked goods, mead and much more. More information is available at www.eastsomervillemainstreets.org/market. The Davis Square Farmers Market is back with an expanded vendor roster that includes locally grown fruits and vegetables, farm-raised protein and cheese, mushrooms, baked goods, ready-to-eat meals, along with a host of other locally made products. Find the full vendor list here: https://www.massfarmersmarkets.org/davis. The market takes place on Wednesdays and runs from May 18 to November 23, 12:00 – 6:00 p.m., rain or shine, in the municipal parking lot at the intersection of Herbert St. and Day St. in Somerville, across from American Flatbread at 44 Day St.

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To those celebrating their birthdays this week: Happy birthday to Melissa Hurley, who is celebrating this week. A nice person, we hope she has a great birthday. Happy birthday to Donald Chamberlain, we wish him the best. Happy birthday to Caroline Shea Rosas, who is also celebrating this week. Happy birthday to local attorney Neil Berman. We hope Neil has a great birthday. To another great local attorney, Edwin Smith, we wish him nothing but the best as well. A great guy, and one of the best real estate attorneys here in Somerville. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such as Lisa Dervishian, Janet McLaughlin-Hanscom, Paul Curley,Ann Kane-Peters,Mary Ellen MyhrDiane Murphy Sullivan, Donny Caprigno and Beth Foley Delacruz 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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Somerville residents who otherwise do not have a means of transportation can once again sign up for free taxi rides to access food and local medical care through the city’s Taxi to Health program. Ride vouchers are also available to use in the future. To learn more, visit: https://tinyurl.com/somervillecab. Open to all over age 18. Residents aged 60 and over can book rides directly by calling Connie Lorenti at the Council on Aging: 617-625-6600 ext. 2319.

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Join the Flip the Switch event that celebrates the East Somerville Community School’s newly installed solar array that covers 51.7% of the building’s energy use! Instead of a traditional ribbon cutting, the Somerville High School Carpentry students built a large switch for the event. Thursday, May 12 at 6:00 p.m. ESCS 50 Cross Street.

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Somerville’s Board of Health unanimously approved the city’s proposed extension of the eviction moratorium. The moratorium now has a 60-day sunset period and will end on June 30. The city urges tenants and homeowners to use this period to seek assistance if they are facing housing instability. The Office of Housing Stability (OHS) is ready to help and can be reached at 617-625-6600 ext. 2581. Landlords are encouraged to contact OHS on a tenant’s behalf rather than pursuing eviction. For more information, visit somervillema.gov/ohs.

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Don’t miss the next Somerville High School student theatre production, this time written, directed, and performed by students. On May 12 and 13, it’s Highlander Fringe 2022. Pay what you can and get tickets at www.highlandertheatre.org. These performances contain strong language but are otherwise appropriate for most audiences. Somerville High School, 81 Highland Ave.

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The city is hiring Crossing Guards to help protect student safety at intersections along school routes. Uniforms and on-the-job training provided. The ability to work both morning and afternoon shifts is required. Applicants must pass a pre-employment CORI and drug screen. For more information, contact School Safety Officer Joseph Teves, at (617) 625-6600 ext. 7248 or visit somervillema.gov/CrossingGuards.

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The City of Somerville and Center for Teen Empowerment will hold a Somerville Youth Peace March, May 13, at 6:00 p.m. March with them from Foss Park to City Hall as they raise awareness of violence in our community and work together to create peace. The march starts at 6:00 p.m. The vigil and rally at City Hall starts at 7:15 p.m.

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Want to learn how to grow food in your backyard or on your front porch? Join in at the Groundwork Somerville farm on May 27 for the Vegetable Gardening 101 workshop. Each participant will leave with a miniature, portable herb garden. Register here: https://groundworksomerville.org.

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The Somerville Homeless Coalition (SHC) Big Sleep Out weekend is this weekend. Sleep In Sleep Out, May 13 – 15, while you sleep in your yard, basement, porch, couch or anywhere that isn’t your bed. SHC members will be sleeping outside (rain or shine). No planning necessary, just register with the link below and share the event with your friends and family. To register: https://app.mobilecause.com/vf/22SLEEPOUT

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Get a good start on high school success. Sign up before May 15: https://bit.ly/3vXatRX

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Are you a member of Somerville High School’s Classes of 1970, 1971, or 1972? The SHS Class of 2022 is looking for participants for this year’s Class Day festivities, which will take place on Friday, June 3, beginning at 8:00 a.m. at Somerville High School. This year will be the first Class Day that will take place in the new school building. Because there was no Class Day in 2020 or 2021 due to COVID-19, they are inviting alumni who did not have an opportunity to participate in this great tradition on the 50th anniversary of their high school graduation. They are looking for 50 graduates in total from the classes of 1970, 1971, and 1972 to participate. If you were an SHS 1970, 1971 or 1972 graduate and would like to participate in the 2022 Class Day festivities, please call Barbara Favaloro at (617) 625-6600, ext. 611018, or email her at bfavaloro@k12.somerville.ma.us. The SHS Class of 2022 looks forward to seeing you!

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Bring your bicycle to the West Branch Library on Monday, May 16, to get ready for fun and safe spring rides around Somerville. Join in the backyard from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. for activities like free bike safety checks and mini-tuneups, visiting with Sustainaville to learn more about green commuting, decorating your bike, hanging out with fellow cyclists, and more. Registration is not required. For more information, contact Jane at jphilbrick@somervillema.gov.

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The City of Somerville launched mattress and box spring recycling. 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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Stay protected against COVID-19. Somerville YMCA at 101 Highland Ave is holding a vaccine clinic Saturday, May 14. The Pfizer vaccine will be available for all people 5 years and up, and boosters will be available for all people 12 years and up. The clinic is free, regardless of immigration status or health insurance. Identification is not required. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged. Pre-register via this link: https://bit.ly/3vzGn7O. For more vaccination options visit www.somervillema.gov/vaccine. If you need assistance to pre-register or help with transportation, please contact 3-1-1 at 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 tells 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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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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