Join the Mystic Learning Center tonight, August 3, along with Somerville’s First Responders for the 2nd Annual Community Unity Basketball Game. This year’s game is dedicated to Stephenson “Hollywood” Aman for all of the amazing work he did for our community and beyond. Players will receive a free t-shirt and there will be pizza for everyone after the game. If you are interested in playing or just want to come and show support, follow this link to register: https://forms.gle/6G39MNJqAUT3N8r37

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The City of Somerville will hold an Indian Flag Raising Ceremony this Saturday, August 12, 5:00 – 6:00 p.m., 93 Highland Ave, Somerville. Come join the festivities at City Hall as they raise the Flag of India and celebrate the completion of 75 years of India’s Independence. All are welcome.

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Last week the School Committee voted to appoint Dr. Jeff Curley as the Interim Superintendent for 2022-23 effective September 23 as Superintendent Mary Skipper finalizes her transition to Boston Public Schools. Interim Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Jeff Curley has five years of experience in SPS including the last four as Chief of Staff. He led the district’s response to COVID-19 mitigation over the last two years and also led the expansion of district-wide afterschool access through strategic partnerships. Dr. Curley serves on the Somerville Children’s Cabinet, is co-founder and Board Member of iCivics, and is the father of two SPS students.

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Happy birthday this week to several locals: Happy birthday to a local guy, Zach Zasloff. We wish him a great day. Happy birthday to Maria Mancini, formerly of Winter Hill. We hope she has a great birthday. Wishing a very happy birthday to our own Bobby Potaris’ daughter Natalia. We wish her a very special day. To Kaitlin Denk, we wish her a very happy birthday. We know she will enjoy it with her family. Happy birthday to Ron Newman, who you will always find covering events in the city. We wish him a great day. And finally, happy birthday to Alicia Lafuente. We wish her the very best. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such as Danzombie Guilmain, Tori Antonino, Michele Oliphant Spinale, Jane Sherrill, Montague Helen Kern, Zach Corey, Keith Anderson, John Alan Roderick, Kaitlin Denk, Heather Hanson, and Heather Marie Driscoll 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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The Somerville Flea will be having their opening day this Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., 52 Holland St., Somerville. Three dozen local vintage and artisan vendors, farm stand and live music all in the heart of Davis Square. Find that special thing you never knew you even existed. Every Sunday through October 23.

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Bring your favorite stuffed animal for their first-ever stuffie-only campout at the Growing Center. Register your animal for “camp,” listen to camping-themed stories and do some camping-related crafts. Then say good-night to your lovies for the evening and follow along on Instagram and Facebook for all the updates on their activities and fun. Additional drop-off times (no kids activities): Friday, August 12 (4:00 – 5:30 pm); Sunday, August 14 (10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.). Pick-up times to be announced. Contact: Betsy at blarkin@thegrowingcenter.org.

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At-home COVID-19 tests are a quick, convenient way to reduce transmission of the virus and protect friends and loved ones. Stock up now if you’re running low. Free test kits are available at the following Somerville locations (one kit per family member): City Hall, 93 Highland Ave.; City Hall Annex, 50 Evergreen Ave.; Central Library, 79 Highland Ave.; East Branch Library, 115 Broadway; and West Branch Library, 40 College Ave. Each household is also eligible for three free shipments of tests from the federal government, and if you have health insurance, your provider may also cover the costs of at-home tests. Learn more at somervillema.gov/covidtesting.

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With the new development coming to Davis Sq., Lbc Boutique’s Davis Square shop has moved to a new location at 1107 Commonwealth Ave., Allston, 02215. Parking and train nearby. Take some profits, Gold is at an all-time high right now. Stop by the new location or visit cashforfashionboston.com.

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Looking for a part-time job? The city is hiring Crossing Guards to help protect student safety at intersections along school routes. Uniforms and on-the-job training provided, ability to work both morning and afternoon shifts is required, must pass a pre-employment CORI and drug screen. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/ 3v8dLSH.

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Come to Aeronaut in person (or Zoom in) to August’s Streetwise Talk, featuring Yari DeJesus, founder of Women on Wheels. She’ll be talking about the empowering organization she has catalyzed. Visit bit.ly/3ORnXHn for Zoom link. Streetwise (fromerly Bike Talk), Aeronaut Brewing Company, 14 Tyler St, Somerville, August 17, 6:00 p.m.

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The City of Somerville is hiring polling place workers for the upcoming 2022 election cycle. Hundreds of poll workers will be needed this year to conduct a successful election. The Elections Office is hosting two information sessions about becoming a poll worker on Thursday, July 28, at City Hall, 93 Highland Avenue, in the City Council Chambers on the second floor. The afternoon session is 2:00 to 3:00 p.m., and the evening session is 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Register to attend at somervillema.gov/PollWorkerInfoSessions. If you are interested in learning more but not able to attend an information session, please contact the Elections Office at 617-625-6600 ext. 4200.

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As of July 13, a new Housing Stability Notification Act amendment requires landlords to provide tenants with information about their rights and resources at the start of all new housing rentals, rather than only when pursuing eviction. Anyone facing displacement or needing housing assistance is urged to contact the Office of Housing Stability at 617-625-6600 ext. 2581. For more information, visit somervillema.gov/ohs.

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The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is now available 24/7, 365 days a year in Massachusetts and across the country. 988 is a direct three-digit phone line to trained National Suicide Prevention Lifeline call takers. If you need suicide, substance use, or mental health crisis support, or if you are worried about someone else, you can call or text 988 or use the chatline at 988lifeline.org to access compassionate care and support.

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Are you a history buff or just looking for a fun summer activity? Take a free docent tour of Prospect Hill Tower, the Old Powder House, or Milk Row Cemetery. Tours are held weekly through October, hosted by the Somerville Historic Preservation Commission. For tour dates and times, visit somervillema.gov/events.

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The Somerville High School Class of 1964, 75th Birthday Celebration takes place Saturday, September 17, 1:00 p.m. at the George Dilboy VFW Post, Davis Square. Donation: $50 payable to Kevin Estee, 4 Charles Circle, Andover, MA 01810. Rooms available at the Holiday Inn, Washington St., Somerville. RSVP by August 17 to Sandra Regan: sanjonr21@gmail.com.

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Free summer meals for kids under 19 years have begun. Visit the website for breakfast and lunch times and locations. https://somerville.k12.ma.us/summermeals.

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The City of Somerville’s annual SomerMovie Fest returns this year with a series of seven family-friendly films being shown in parks around Somerville. Screenings begin at dusk and the schedule is as follows: Jumanji: The Next Level, August 4, Seven Hills Park; West Side Story, August 11, Seven Hills Park; Star Wars: The Force Awakens, August 18, Seven Hills Park.

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The Somerville Homeless Coalition needs snacks for their clients, and as the weather warms up, bottled water, sunscreen, and bug spray become essentials. All donations can be dropped off weekdays at the 1 Davis Square office from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. for lunch. Visit their Facebook page to see a list of their client necessities: www.facebook.com/SomervilleHomelessCoalition.

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Attention Somerville artists! Showcase and sell artwork from the comfort of your yard at the Somerville Arts Council’s Yart Sale on Saturday, August 13. Learn more at somervilleartscouncil.org/yartsale.

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Groundwork Somerville will be hosting a concert in partnership with SomerFest and EventThem. The concert will take place on Thursday, August 4 at South Street Farm, just minutes away from the new Union Square T station and across the street from Boynton Yards. The fun starts at 5:00 p.m. Come check out RnB grooves from singer Leah Parrett, tantalizing flow from rapper Sur5ILL, games, food and more. Free general admission. All ages are welcome. Donations are highly encouraged to support further programming. Visit the website for more info: https://groundworksomerville.org/event/aug4/

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This summer, the city is offering three spaces just for teens while efforts to identify a permanent Teen Center location continue. Temporary spaces include: Somerville Public Library, Central Branch, 79 Highland Ave.; Edgerly Education Center, 33 Cross St.; Powderhouse Park, 838 Broadway. Each space will provide activities, snacks, connections to services, and access to city social workers. For opening dates and more information, visit somervillema.gov/teencenter.

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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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Help protect local trees against the extreme heat by filling green water bags in your neighborhood. Young trees need 15-20 gallons of water (3-4 large buckets) per week. To see a map of newly planted trees and for more information, visit: https://bit.ly/3OruA1S

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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 October 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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The Somerville Mobile Farmers Market is open for the season, selling fresh, local produce through October 15. The market schedule is as follows: Fridays: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Council on Aging/SCALE (167 Holland St.); 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.: East Somerville Community School (50 Cross St.) Saturdays: 10:00 to 11:30 a.m.: North Street Housing (24 North St.); 1:30 to 3:00 p.m.: Mystic Housing (Playground between 15B and 25B Memorial Rd.). The market accepts cash, debit, credit, SNAP, WIC Farmers Market Coupons, and Senior Farmers Market Coupons, and it offers an unlimited 50% discount for anyone who needs it. All are welcome. To learn more, visit: somervillema.gov/farmersmarket.

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