Somerville Prevention and the city will recognize International Overdose Awareness Day, Wednesday, August 31, by planting 15 purple flags in memory of Somerville residents who have died from an opioid-related overdose in 2021. Free Narcan and other resources will be available at City Hall from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. September is also Recovery Month. Additional Narcan distributions will take place Thursday, September 15, in Union Square from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and Friday, September 30, at Foss Park from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information, resources, or to get involved, email mmitchell@somervillema.gov or visit https://www.somervillema.gov.

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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.) until 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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Happy birthday this week to several locals: Happy birthday to our own photographer, Claudia Ferro. We can’t say enough nice things about her. We are very happy to have her as our photographer. We wish her a very happy birthday now that she is recovering and getting around better after her fall and surgery. We hope to see her out and about more. Happy birthday Patty Oppedisano. We wish her a great day. Happy birthday to the sister of our former publisher, Marilyn Publicover, who is celebrating this week. We wish her the very best. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such as Isabel Mercauto, Thomas B. Mercier, Donna M Morabito, Mary Casavant, Len Glionna, Dennis Kacoyanis, Nick Stavre, Guillermo Samuel Hamlin and Billy Harrison 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 Fire Department’s annual fire hydrant inspections have begun and will continue through Saturday, September 3. Disturbed water main sediment can potentially cause rusty or discolored water, but does not pose a health hazard. It could stain fabric, however, so residents are advised not to do laundry while water is discolored. This rusty condition will be temporary. Anyone with questions about this procedure may contact the Somerville Fire Department at 617-623-1700. Learn more at https://www.somervillema.gov

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Classes are beginning for Somerville Public Schools. School starts today, August 31 for students in grades 1-12. Students in pre-kindergarten and kindergarten start school on September 6.

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Free, blank CharlieCards are now available at all Somerville library locations (Central, East, and West branches) during regular hours, while supplies last. Register your CharlieCard at https://www.mbta.com/fares/charliecard or visit https://www.somervillema.gov

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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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The Gilman Square Neighborhood Association would like to invite you all to join them 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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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 federal government is pausing delivery of free COVID-19 at-home tests on Friday, September 2. Right now, all households can order three rounds of eight rapid antigen tests. Orders placed before the deadline will be completed. Get yours now at www.covid.gov/tests.

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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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Tufts Outdoor Movie Night is presenting a free outdoor screening of Disney’s Encanto on Friday, September 9, at 7:30 p.m. on Fletcher Field (111 Professors Row, Somerville). Attendees may arrive between 7:00 and 7:30 p.m. Parking will be available at Dowling Hall (419 Boston Avenue, Medford). Popcorn and water will be provided. Free www.eventbrite.com/e/community-movie-night-encanto-tickets-406932194147

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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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Riverfest 2022 is taking place Saturday, September 10, 12:00 p.m., at Assembly Row at Assembly. To cap off the summer season, Riverfest will return with a day filled with free events, fun, and fireworks all brought to you by Assembly Row and Capital One Café. Browse handmade goods at our mini craft fair brought to you by Boston Women’s Market from 12:00 – 6:00 p.m. Starting at 4:00 p.m., enjoy live music at Night Shift’s Owl’s Nest and check out activities and games like music, a Chalk Walk, airbrush tattoos and retailer giveaways, all culminating in a fireworks show over the Mystic River!

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Save the date for SomerStreets: Strike Up the Bands on Sunday, September 11, from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Highland Ave. between Central St to Lowell St. A free and family friendly event. This street festival includes local craft vendors, community tabling groups and many interactive activities for kids and adults. Don’t miss Esh Circus Arts, Parkour Generations, Somerville Recreation activities, and Event Them bringing all the yard games.

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One Man’s Trash at the Arts at the Armory, Friday, September 9, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Residing behind bins and beneath trash can lids, inventive acrobats, high-flying aerialists, and quirky clowns welcome you into their world for a junkyard adventure. Inhabiting a space of discovery and fun, this repurposed circus turns trash into treasure. Dive into our dumpsters to see how we recycle, reuse, and reinvent rubbish into a circus extravaganza. Tickets cirque-us.ticketleap.com/one-mans-trash-a-repurposed-circus. www.TheCirqueUs.com.

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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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