The Somerville City Council Traffic and Parking Committee will hold a virtual (online) public hearing on Wednesday, May 31, on the City of Somerville Bike Network Plan. The hearing will start at 6:00 p.m. Community members may submit testimony either at the hearing or in writing. The hearing will offer an opportunity for community members to share thoughts, ideas, and concerns about the Bike Network Plan. The plan was developed via a one-and-a-half-year public engagement, research, and analysis process. Visit the city’s website to learn more about the plan and how to attend or submit testimony at www.somervillema.gov.

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For the 13th year, SomerStreets: Carnaval is back. For this free event, bring the family for many activities and entertainment including: Let’s Get Truckin’, Esh Circus, Dunk Tank and get to know your local non-profits and community organizations. Shop 30+ artisan vendors and dance along with Grooversity and many more live acts. Thanks to partners East Somerville Main Streets for organizing this event. And a warm shoutout to Dave Ortega for the vibrant poster design. Sunday, June 4, 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. (rain date June 11) between McGrath and Franklin St.

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Celebrating their birthdays this week: Happy birthday to a great guy, former City Councilor At-Large Bill White is celebrating this week. We wish him a very happy birthday. Happy birthday to State Rep. Mike Connolly, who is also celebrating this week, we wish him a great day. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such as Helen Mooney, Denise Pereira Barker, Mary Champagne Adamson, Richard DiPinto and Dell E. Fisher 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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Our sincere condolences go out to the family and friends of James J. Campano. He was the founder and writer for the West Ender Newsletter, had a few TV shows on the Somerville Access Television Channel, worked for the democratic party for 12 years and was also the cofounder of the West End Museum. He will be missed by many.

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SHSSF’s Annual $10,000 Raffle was held last week but the Somerville High School Foundation is still accepting donations for this great scholarship program. To learn more visit www.shsscholarship.org.

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Congratulations to proud grandparents Attorney Ed Smith and his wife Martha Friend in welcoming their first grandchild, John Henry Konicki IV. We know where they will want to spend all the free time they have. Congratulations!

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Donate to the MAMAS Free Store. They are seeking gently used clothes of all sizes and ages, especially coats and boots. Free store is on Sunday, June 4, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at East Somerville Community School. Email askyourmamas@gmail.com for drop off times at Connexion, 149 Broadway, and a location in West Somerville. They are also looking for volunteers to help out at the free store, and for drivers to help transport clothes. If you would like to make a monetary donation visit http://opencollective.com/mamas.

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Congratulations to first-grader Selah, who was one of ten winners chosen in the 14th Annual My Ideal School contest for her essay and poster. She will attend a ceremony at the State House. The My Ideal School contest, run by the Massachusetts School Building Authority, promotes discussion among students and teachers as to how thoughtful design and construction of schools supports student engagement and 21st century learning.

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Medford St. behind the High School is one-way in order to accommodate a temporary Community Path detour. https://www.somervillema.gov/departments/green-line-extension.

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The 2023 Taste of Somerville takes place on Wednesday, June 14, outside at Assembly Row, 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. Produced by the Somerville Chamber of Commerce Dining and Nightlife Group, the Taste of Somerville is a unique way to experience our dining and nightlife scene. For tickets and more information visit http://tasteofsomerville.org.

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The City of Somerville’s annual Water System Flushing Program has begun and will continue through late October. This annual program flushes pipes at high velocities to clean water mains and maintain the highest possible water quality. Flushing will take place Mondays and Thursdays between 6:00 p.m. and midnight to minimize potential disruptions to water service. In most cases, residents will not notice any changes to their water service. However, some homes may experience a temporary, slight drop in water pressure and/or discolored water. In these cases, though the water may be discolored, it is safe to drink. Until the water runs clear, it is advisable to avoid washing laundry, especially white fabrics. If any rust stains appear on wet laundry, it should not be dried in a dryer machine, and residents can call 311 (or 617-666-3311 from cell phones or outside the city) for a free bottle of rust remover. Residents will be notified via signage when their neighborhood will be affected by the flushing program. For more information, please contact the Water Department at water@somervillema.gov or 617-625-6600 ext. 5850.

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The Somerville YMCA has announced their upcoming annual golf fundraiser event. Join in on Monday, June 12, at the Wayland Country Club for a day filled with friendly competition, networking, and supporting a great cause. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to combine your passion for golf with philanthropy. Register now to secure your spot and be part of this exciting event! Visit https://lnkd.in/eJ8Af7fb for more details and to reserve your place on the green.

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Enjoy two docent tours this week. On Thursday, June 1, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., take a docent tour of Old Powder House and Sunday, June 4, – 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. at Milk Row Cemetery, 439 Somerville Ave. Inclement weather cancels any event. Call 311 (617-666-3311) for updates and check the city’s calendar: https://www.somervillema.gov/events. The events are sponsored by the Somerville Historic Preservation Commission and the Somerville Museum: www.somervillema.gov/historicpreservation and http://somervillemuseum.org.

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Stay in the loop with the latest news on Somerville’s art spaces. Sign-up for the Art Space Updates from the Somerville Arts Council at tinyurl.com/SACArtSpace. To read past updates go to our website: somervilleartscouncil.org/artspace/updates.

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Please join Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and Ward 1 City Councilor Matthew McLaughlin for a ribbon cutting to officially open ESCA Park in East Somerville. Somerville’s newest renovated park is a .37-acre green space with an adjoining shared-use path at the intersection of Cross Street and Pennsylvania Avenue. The ribbon cutting ceremony will take place Monday, June 5, at 2:30 p.m. (rain date: Wednesday, June 7, at 2:00 p.m.).

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The Free Lockboxes for Seniors Program is intended to provide police, fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) access to your residence in the event of an emergency where you are unable to open the door. A key to your residence will be stored in a secure metal storage device, like a realtor’s lockbox, at your residence. The access code to the lockbox will only be available to police, fire or EMS personnel and used only during an emergency. The program is targeted towards Somerville residents who live alone and are aged 65+, or those who are disabled and/or suffer from major medical issues at any age. Individuals living in apartment complexes or other facilities with maintenance staff are not eligible for this program. For more information, please contact Debby Higgins at 617-625-6600, ext. 2321 or email Debby at dhiggins@somervillema.gov.

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Musicians, where do you rehearse and perform? As part of their ongoing art space initiatives, the Somerville Arts Council (SAC) is interested in understanding where musicians rehearse and perform. If you are a Somerville musician, please fill out this short questionnaire: https://forms.office.com/g/0iMCFX5fUR.

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The Welcome Project is excited to announce the 14th Annual YUM: A Taste of Immigrant City on Wednesday, June 7 at 6:30 pm. The event will be virtual. Please join in to celebrate the work of immigrants across the Boston area and highlight local restaurants that reflect the diverse and beautiful community Somerville has become. If you would like to be a sponsor of this event or purchase tickets, please use this link: https://bit.ly/YUM2023.

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