The City of Somerville’s SomerViva Office of Immigrant Affairs (SOIA) is pleased to host an open house to connect with residents, city staff, and local service providers. SOIA provides multilingual, culturally competent programs and services and advances policies to support Somerville’s immigrant community. The open house is Thursday, January 26, from 12:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the SOIA office (42 Cross St.). The event will feature community resource tables and a series of presentations from SOIA staff, followed by a mix-and-mingle social hour: Haitian Creole: 1:00 – 2:00 p.m., Portuguese: 2:00 – 3:00 p.m., Nepali: 3:00 – 4:00 p.m., Mandarin/Cantonese: 4:00 – 5:00 p.m., Spanish: 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., Mix and Mingle: 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Drop in at any time during the open house to speak with SOIA staff, learn more about available services, and meet your neighbors. For more information, email Courtney Henderson at chenderson@somervillema.gov.

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Happy birthday this week to the following: Happy birthday to our own Denise Cosby, a local real estate agent. Denise published her book, Murder at Harvard’s Kirkland House-A Mother’s Worst Nightmare, which tells the real story of the murder of her son Justin. She also has a podcast https://www.facebook.com/justintime.initiative. Just-in Time Initiative for Families who lost loved ones to murder. A big happy birthday to our own Dorothy DiMarzo, who gives us all those delicious recipes every other week in our paper. We wish her the very best of birthdays this week. Also celebrating this week is Pat Moran Quinlin. We wish her the very best of birthdays. Another local who is celebrating this week is Maria Nella Nunes. We wish her the very best. Happy birthday to Sheila Howe. We wish her the very best on this her birthday. And finally, we wish Naomi Landers a big-time happy birthday this week. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such James Casazza, Cathy Palumbo Demasi, Edward Hardy, Michael Kennelly, Edward W. Hardy and Geraldine Nevaras 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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On February 6, the Somerville Arts Council will be hosting a Volunteer Craft Night, a themed activity where people can design handmade cards which will be sent to the seniors at the Visiting Nurses Association in Somerville. A wonderful way to meet other volunteers, have a few refreshments, and create art. Craft supplies will be available. While you are not required to make a card, they encourage people use their artistic prowess to make something wonderful for those in need, or just simply stop in to say hello. They will also be collecting food donations for the Somerville Homeless Coalition. If interested, please bring a non-perishable item with you when you go. Since space is limited, please RSVP via the Eventbrite link https://tinyurl.com/533mzzvm.  Monday, February 6 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., MudFlat Pottery School, 81 Broadway, Somerville.

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The search is on for crossing guards to help keep students safe on their walks to and from school. Apply: somervillema.gov/apply. More info: careers@somervillema.gov / 617-625-6600 extension 3300.

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The City of Somerville Department of Public Works has distributed sand citywide for residential use. Sand increases traction on icy surfaces and, since it is less corrosive than salt-based ice melt, helps maintain the conditions of our sidewalks and other infrastructure. For our full Winter guide, visit somervillema.gov/snow.

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East Somerville Main Streets is hosting a meet and greet session for the community to get to know our small business owners and shop their specialties. Saturday, March 4, at 11:00 a.m. at Connexion, 149 Broadway.

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Somerville Homesless Coalition’s Spring Into Action Event will be returning to The Somerville Theatre’s Crystal Ballroom on Thursday, March 23. #FeelGoodFriday. For more information and to purchase tickets go to: https://fundraise.givesmart.com/e/01Y6qw?vid=wre5o

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Kids 10-18 years old are invited to the Half-Day Wednesday Video Game Hangout at Somerville Public Library (MA) Central Branch Teen Room every half day Wednesday. Starts at 12:15 p.m. Hang out with peers, play multiplayer Nintendo Switch games on the big screen, try Super Smash Bros., Mario Kart, Rocket League or bring your own games.

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Mayor Katjana Ballantyne announces that the City of Somerville is now seeking proposals that aim to address the gender wage gap, particularly for women of color who face the greatest pay disparity. Programs that create and maintain employment opportunities for low- and moderate-income women residing in the city are sought. The grants are made possible by the city’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, the Job Creation and Retention Trust, city funds, and funds generated from development impact fees. Proposals will be accepted until January 31. Interested organizations can download the Request for Proposal package here: www.somervillema.gov/wfd. Print copies are available by emailing WFD@somervillema.gov. For further information, please contact WFD@somervillema.gov.

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Join Groundwork Somerville for Foraging for Local Wild Food Part I. Guest presenter, Shane Jordan, will discuss the basics of foraging and plant ID along with the history of foraging as it intersects with class and race. Shane is based in Somerville and has been foraging for over a decade. He is most interested in the intersection of economics, ecology, philosophy, history, science, and politics. January 31, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. via zoom $0 – $15 sliding scale. All funds will go toward the construction of a community compost bin at South St. Farm. Register online through our website.

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The Arts at the Armory’s Performance Hall is available to rent for weddings, parties, and private work functions. With a new stage, aesthetic improvements to the space, and a capacity of 395, the Performance Hall is a versatile, conveniently located venue in the heart of Somerville’s Spring Hill neighborhood. Did we mention there is ample off-street parking? Learn more at artsatthearmory.org, and fill out the Event Contact Form to book the Performance Hall.

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CAAS would like to hear from you in their Community Needs Assessment survey. They will use the results to improve their understanding of the challenges facing this community and to develop a plan to meet them. They will also share the assessment with you and the broader community. This survey is available in several languages. Your responses to this survey will be kept confidential and anonymous. The deadline is January 31. Survey in English: (https://forms.gle/JEVTUxo5c652Pdzd7). Survey in Spanish: (https://forms.gle/DcMsXVFnyQeYmLck9),Survey in Portuguese (https://forms.gle/Vv626PAMaRVmJNDD9)

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Because this winter begins in an even-numbered year, snow emergency parking will be on the even side of the street all winter, unless posted signage says differently. Check street signs in your neighborhood so you know where you can park ahead of winter weather. You can also learn more about the city’s snow policies at somervillema.gov/snow.

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Don’t forget, if you would like to subscribe to receive a digital edition of our paper, go directly online to our website over to the right side and fill out your email address to receive a free, full PDF copy of the paper.