September is 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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Groundwork’s 22nd Annual Harvest Gala has been POSTPONED. They will reschedule the gala later this year (date TBD). If you have already purchased tickets to the gala, you can hold onto them for the rescheduled gala, or you can request a refund by emailing jessie@groundworksomerville.org. They apologize for any inconvenience and look forward to seeing you at the rescheduled gala.

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Congratulations to the winners of the preliminary election. Once again, the people have spoken. Best of luck to all in the general election in November.

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Happy birthday this week to several locals: Happy birthday to Mary Jo Rossetti, who is a lifelong resident and a former Councilor At-Large. We wish her a very happy birthday. Also this week, we wish another local person, Conor Brennan, the owner of PJ Ryan’s in Teele Square, the very best on his birthday. Happy birthday to Donna Piro-Andon. We wish Donna the very best. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such as Cheryl Tucker, Mary Ann Beaton, Carol Cook O’Leary, Gary DiZoglio, Jane Becker, Jessica Obrien,Gay H. Sheldon, Kimberly LaCascia-Winslow, Jackie Shepardhancock, Ed Grandmont, Debra Lawson Kennedy and Jeff Peras 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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Welcoming Week at the SPL: Sidewalk Chalk Community Art Project, Friday, September 16, 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. Join in them out in front of the Central Library (79 Highland Ave) for an afternoon of chalk art to celebrate what makes you feel welcome. Local artists and community members of all ages are encouraged to pick a block of space on our sidewalks and the pathways around the playground and up to the library’s front doors and draw pictures or write messages that share what makes you feel welcome in your community, or send a message of welcome to someone else. Chalk will be provided but feel free to bring your own if you would like.

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Fall in Love with Fluff at the 17th Annual What the Fluff? A Tribute to Union Square Innovation Festival. What the Fluff? A Tribute to Union Square Innovation returns for a 17th year next Saturday, September 17 from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. (rain date September 18). This zany, madcap festival honors the invention of Marshmallow Fluff by Archibald Query in Somerville in 1917 and salutes the spirit of innovation that thrives in Union Square today. www.flufffestival.com

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Join the Somerville Museum for their new exhibition, Sanctuary City, showcasing emerging and accomplished mid-career artists and a variety of media, from installations to award-winning comic books, the works on view address themes of immigration and community building. Trauma experiences are commonplace in immigrants’ lives, but that does not invalidate or diminish the experiences and narratives of love, found family, resilience, resistance, and friendship. The exhibit opens Friday, September 16, and runs through November 19. For more info, visit https://www.somervillemuseum.org/sanctuary-city.

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The East Somerville Foodie Crawl is back for the 11th year on Tuesday September 20. East Somerville is home to some of the region’s best and most diverse food and drink. Broadway, the community’s main street, is bustling with Mexican, Italian, Brazilian, Ethiopian, Salvadoran, and Portuguese cuisine. After two years of the COVID19 pandemic, which has devastated many migrant-owned restaurants, it is vitally important to celebrate these small businesses – the heart and soul of East Somerville. With the purchase of one ticket, you will be off on a culinary journey full of authentic foods, colors and smells. On the night of the event confirm your ticket purchase and check in at one of our tables, you will receive a wristband and brochure with restaurant and event information, enjoy and sample food from restaurants along Broadway. Come experience the best that East Somerville has to offer and find a new favorite restaurant (or five!). All Tickets are advance sale only https://www.eastsomervillemainstreets.org/foodiecrawl.

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Our deepest condolences to the family of Dick Hart who passed away this week. Dick was a great man who raised a large family with his wife Mary here in Somerville. They have many many friends here in the city and beyond and are well loved. Dick will be very much missed by all of us! His full obituary can be viewed on www.thesomervilletimes.com  and  https://lynch-cantillon.com/

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Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and Ward 2 Councilor J.T. Scott invite you to a virtual community meeting to discuss roadway upgrades and transportation safety improvements on the western portion of Washington Street, from Line Street to Webster Avenue. The city is planning to reconstruct sidewalks, repave Washington Street, and install changes that will improve street safety and usability, including wider sidewalks at bus stops, raised crosswalks for traffic calming, and protected dedicated bike lanes. Construction is expected to begin in 2023.At this meeting, city staff will present a proposed design for Washington Street and gather input from attendees. After the meeting, the proposed design will be posted to the project website along with a survey for additional feedback. The meeting will take place Wednesday, September 28, at 6:00 p.m. Portuguese interpretation will be provided. Visit somervillema.gov/westernwashington to register to attend.

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Ward-based Community Meetings, formerly called the ResiStat program, are back this October. Hear from Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and city staff to find out what’s happening in your neighborhood, learn how to get involved, and ask questions about issues that are important to you. All meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. and can be attended in person or online. First up is Ward 5 on Monday, October 3, at the Kennedy School. A meet-and-greet with refreshments will begin at 6:00 p.m. Interpretation and accessibility assistance is available. For the full schedule and to learn more, visit somervillema.gov/communitymeetings.

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Fundraising Support Needed: The Connexion Mural is underway. This mural is supported in part by the Somerville Arts Council and now they need to raise $3,000 more. Please consider giving to the Connexion Mural Fund to help make East Somerville an even more beautiful place. To make a donation visit their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/connexionumc/

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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 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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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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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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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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Mark your calendars: students in grades 9-12 and their families won’t want to miss the in-person College Fair on October 18 from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. in the SHS Cafeteria.

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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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