Looking to vote early in the 2022 State Primary Election? In-person early voting will be held in the Council Chambers at City Hall (93 Highland Ave.) from Saturday, August 27, to Friday, September 2. Residents can also apply to vote by mail. Applications must be received by the Elections Office by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, August 29, to vote by mail in the State Primary. For more information or to register to vote, visit somervillema.gov/earlyvoting.

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Classes begin next week for Somerville Public Schools. School starts on August 31 for students in grades 1-12. Students in prekindergarten and kindergarten start school on September 6.

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Happy birthday this week to several locals: Happy Birthday to our own Bob “Monty” Doherty is celebrating this week. You can enjoy his historical columns in our paper every other week. Ask him anything about the history of Somerville and he will have the answer. We wish him the best. Happy birthday to State Representative Christine Barber, who is also celebrating. We hope she has a great day. Happy Birthday to Ward Seven City Councilor Judy Pineda Neufeld who is also celebrating, we hope she enjoys her day. Happy birthday to Jonathan Bowers. We wish him a great year ahead. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such as Arthur Copeland, Bob Osborne, Kathleen Goss, Louise Cruz-Partee, Ellie Loder Chute, John McDermott, Bob Baxter, Cheryl Endicott-Ribeiro, Leesette Bengar and Michael Madden 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 30-day full closure of the Orange Line from Oak Grove to Forest Hills stations and the 28-day closure of the Green Line from Union Square to Government Center stations began. The MBTA released the Rider’s Guideweb to help commuters. Read the full release on our website, www.thesomervilletimes.com.

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Don’t miss the Somerville Recreation middle school softball program at Trum Field on Wednesday and Thursday, August 24 and 25. Please visit their website to register and find more information. https://somervillema.myrec.com.

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The Gallery @ SPL presents: Sketching as Meditation with Megumi Kibi, Saturday September 3, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. The Somerville Public Library is pleased to display the artwork of local artist Megumi Kibi in the gallery with her exhibition. Please join us for a reception celebrating the exhibit. Register here: https://somervillepubliclibrary.assabetinteractive.com/. According to Kibi, “Etegami is a style of painting with a message that comes from Japan. It captures everyday images with your thoughts in short sentences. After I moved from Japan to Massachusetts, there were so many feelings about me, my family, and neighborhood that I struggled to express in English. So I turned to the Etegami style, using Sumi ink, to draw and record how I felt and what I saw. This exhibit was made using disposable wood chopsticks and Sumi ink. Etegami can be made with any tools, and this exhibit may inspire others to try and have fun with this classic style of art.”

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The Gilman Square Neighborhood Association would like to invite you all to join us on Saturday September 10, from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m. for their annual G’22 – Gilman Square Arts and Music Festival (formerly known as the Gilman Square Block Party) at Mad Oyster Studios and on Pearl St. between Marshall and Bradley. Based on vendor data from last year, they had between 600-800 attendees. This year, with the addition of 4x the local vendors and artists, they are expecting to see an even larger turnout. They have several local artists, many from the Gilman Square neighborhood, selling their work as well as arts and crafts activities for kids. There will be four fantastic musician groups, including Alastair Moock playing at noon, who will be playing music geared towards the kids. They will also have several local organizations (the Y, OSPCD, PTA groups, and others) sharing information and soliciting neighborhood input, as well as several local food, beverage, and produce vendors keeping everyone fed and hydrated. It will be a fun filled day of celebrating Gilman Square and Somerville. Visit G’22 Facebook Event for more information.

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Somerville students in grades 8-12 interested in getting on the water for some rowing this fall should check out the free Gentle Giant Moving Company Youth Rowing Program. The program starts August 29. No rowing experience needed. Meets at Blessing of the Bay Boathouse. Details and Registration: https://www.gentlegiantrowing.org/youth-rowing.

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The SHS Class of 1982 40th Reunion will be held at the Sons of Italy, 117 Swanton St, Winchester, MA on November 15, 6:30-11:30pm. Cost: $40 per person, dinner included, Cash bar. ($50 after November 4). Payment methods: include Paypal: mbmbrennan44@gmail.com, Venmo: SHS Class of 1982 @shsclassof1982, Check: made out to SHS Class of 1982 mailed to Marybeth Caturello, 85 MacArthur Road Stoneham, MA 02180. For any other questions, please email Marybeth Brennan at mbmbrennan@comcast.net or call Marybeth Caturello at 617-851-2519.

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The city is seeking feedback on the newly drafted bicycle network vision. This map is the foundation for the Somerville Bicycle Network Plan, which aims to develop a citywide network of streets where people of all ages and abilities will feel comfortable and safe biking. Take a look at the map and share your ideas at somervillema.gov/bikenetwork. For any questions, email transportation@somervillema.gov.

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Join the Somerville Chamber of Commerce on September 20 at the Donald Ross designed Sandy Burr Country Club Golf Course with lunch and dinner on site. There are many ways to participate – golf, sponsor, contribute swag (80 count), contribute raffle items, volunteer for registration desk or for hole in one witness: https://business.somervillechamber.org/events/details/chamber-golf-classic-1652.

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Save the date, Saturday, September 10, 10:00 a.m. for the Ryan Harrington Foundation Cornhole Tournament, taking place at Trum Field. Registration will be available online shortly. Registration fee is $50 per team, two players per team. There are men’s and women’s divisions. A cash prize goes to the winners of each division. They will be selling t-shirts, hats, food and drinks at the field as well as having raffle items and a 50/50. There will also be kids activities. All monies raised will go to youth organizations in local communities.

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The Somerville Flea is now open Sundays 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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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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Somerville Museum’s little gift shop carries Somerville-themed postcards and a replica of the first map of Somerville drawn in 1852 and more. Visit the online shop at:https://www.somervillemuseum.org/shop.

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Visit South Street Farm on Sunday, September 18 from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. to celebrate Groundwork’s 22nd annual Harvest Gala. There will be food, drinks, live music, raffles, auctions, and many old and new friends. Buy tickets today via this link: https://tinyurl.com/harvestgala.

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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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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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The Union Improv Festival is back. Nonstop improv (and bits) from 12:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 28 at Crystal Ballroom, 55 Davis Square, Somerville. Your All Weekend Pass also gets you into the Friday Kickoff Show on August 26 from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. at Union Comedy, 593 Somerville Ave., Somerville. Tickets at: www.unioncomedy.com/festival.

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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. at the 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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