Tonight, June 8, at 6:00 p.m. the city will hold a FY23 Budget meeting to discuss Exec. Admin, SomerStat, Arts, Elections, Sustainability, Comms, 311, SomerViva, PEG, IT. Pursuant to Chapter 22 of the Acts of 2022, this meeting of a City Council Committee will be conducted via remote participation. Copy and paste the following link into your internet browser to view this meeting live: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/4684695113424439565. View agenda, video stream, and minutes at http://SomervilleCityMA.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_Meeting.aspx?ID=3572

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Join in for a free, outdoor dance party for all LGBTQ individuals and allies on Saturday, June 11 (rain date June 18), 5:30 – 8:30 p.m., in Union Sq. Plaza. Celebrate Pride Month in Somerville with a dance party in Union Square. Team DJ Live, drag performances by Amanda Playwith and Karisma Geneva Jackson-Tae, photobooth with Cindy Weisbart, LGBTQ+ organizations will be tabling including Respond Inc. and CHA, LGBTQ+ craft vendors including ART By Omayda, Colectiva Wellbeing and more. This event is free and open to all LGBTQ+ individuals and allies.

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Mayor Katjana Ballantyne has announced that Karin Carroll, MPH, has been hired as the City of Somerville’s Director of Health and Human Services. In addition to overseeing the ongoing work of the department, Carroll will be charged with expanding and reorganizing services to best serve the community and advance the Ballantyne administration’s focus on equity. Visit the city’s website to read more about Karin.

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Celebrating their birthdays this week: Happy birthday to Carolyn Pedersen, we wish Carolyn a great day. Happy birthday to Suzanne Bremer, of Prospect Hill. We hope she has a great birthday as well. Happy birthday to Betty Casazza, we wish her the best year ever. Happy birthday to Beth Chamberlain, we hope Beth has a great day. Finally, to former Councilor At-Large Stephanie Hirsch, we hope she has a great day as well. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such as Lori DePippo, Nicole Alves Bairos, Chris Argeropoulos, Elizabeth Rodrigues Fula, Charlie McCarthy,  Gavin House, Len Tower, Kevin Tortorella, Rand Wilson, Al Sharpe, Amanda Esteves and Donna Amenta 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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Celia Taylor will be hosting a “FUN” RAISER for Kristen Strezo will be held on Sunday, June 12, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., at 32 Vinal Ave., Somerville. This is a family event with activities and food for all. Suggested donation is $25 per person and $50 for a family. Please send a check or donate at https://secure.actblue.com/donate/rainbowstrezo.

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10 AiR Artists perform around Somerville as part of new residency program in groundbreaking move for regional dance scene. AiR Performances take place at Arts at the Armory, ArtAssembled, Crystal Ballroom, and Blessing of the Bay. Next performances will be held on June 8, June 15, and June 19. On June 8 at 7:00 p.m. at the Armory join Claire Lane and Caroline Bradburry (Detrius Dance), Rebecca McGowen and Jackie O’Reilly, and Brand-i in an evening where a contemporary exploration of Irish dance and music is adjacent to a new technique “Skin Out,” and then triangulated by coming into womanhood via a Catholic upbringing lens. Tickets are available (pay what you can): https://bit.ly/AiRArtAssembled. For more info visit somervilleartscouncil.org.

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The city’s Adopt-A-Tree program has officially launched. Newly planted trees can be found around Somerville, and now they need your help. Look for the colorful “Adopt Me!” tags and scan the QR code or visit tinyurl.com/somervilletree to find a tree in your neighborhood and go through the steps to adopt it. Name it, water it and even receive an adoption certificate. For more information, visit somervillema.gov/adoptatree.

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Don’t forget to visit Somerville’s farmers markets. Every Wednesday through November 23, 12:00 – 6:00 p.m. visit the Davis Square Farmers Market, across from American Flatbread at 44 Day St. Visit: https://www.massfarmersmarkets.org/davis. Every Saturday through Oct 29, 9:00 a.m.  – 1:00 p.m., the Union Square Farmers Market takes place at 66-70 Union Sq. visit: https://www.unionsquaremain.org/2022-fmseason. Every Sunday through November 20, the East Somerville Farmers Market takes place at 115 Broadway, 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Visit https://www.eastsomervillemainstreets.org/market. There is a $15 SNAP match at all Farmers Markets across Somerville.

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Annual Middle Grades Musical Production, June 9, 10, 11. All City Theatre of Somerville presents the musical HONK! Jr. based on the Hans Christian Andersen story The Ugly Duckling. The cast and crew are 6 – 8th grade students. This show is for everyone. Presented with the support of Somerville Arts for Youth. June 9 and 10 at 7:00 p.m. and June 11 at 2:00 p.m. at the Centennial Auditorium at Somerville High School, 81 Highland Ave.

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