Reminder: Green Line Union Branch service is suspended through Thursday, October 12, to allow for MassDOT work on the Route 28 Squires Bridge. Riders can use Routes 86, 91, and CT2 between Union Square and East Somerville Station on the Medford Branch. These routes also service Sullivan Square Station on the Orange Line. Route 87 can also be used between Union Square and Lechmere Station.

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What the Fluff? A Tribute to Union Square Innovation is a madcap festival honoring the invention of Marshmallow Fluff, returning for its 18th year. It celebrates Somerville’s proud tradition of innovation with live music, fluffalicious feasts, sticky games, zany happenings, and much more on Saturday, September 23, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. in Union Square (rain date Sunday, September 24).

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Celebrate the first official day of fall this year with free games and entertainment for the whole family. Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the City of Somerville Parks and Recreation Department invites you to a Fall Festival event on Saturday, September 23 (no rain date), from noon to 4:00 p.m. at Trum Field (541 Broadway). Get in the spirit of the season with fun for all ages including bounce houses, face painting, magicians, cotton candy, games, music, arts and crafts, and more. For more information, call 617-625-6600 ext. 2980.

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Happy birthday this week to several locals: Happy birthday to a great Somerville person, Lori Pino, owner of Amal Niccoli in Ball Square. We wish her a very happy birthday. Happy birthday to the now retired Somerville Homeless Coalition Director, Mark Alston-Follansbee. We wish him the very best. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such as Debra Lawson Kennedy, Ellen Gagliardi, Stephen Green, Jonathan O’Connell, Conor M. Brennan, Adele Changer, Kimberly Barnett, John Morabito Jr., Ann Sylvester, Julia Gilligan Corsetti, Scott Breen and Lisa Monaco 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 City of Somerville is hiring polling place workers for the upcoming 2023 election cycle. Many poll workers will be needed this year to conduct a successful election. The Elections Office is hosting three information sessions about becoming a poll worker on Wednesday, September 27 at City Hall (93 Highland Ave.) in the Committee Room on the second floor. The afternoon sessions are from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m., and 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. The evening session will be held from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Register to attend at: somervillema.gov/PollWorkerInfoSessions. If you are interested in learning more but not able to attend an information session, please contact the Elections Office at 617-625-6600 ext. 4200.

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This year Červená Barva Press celebrated 18 years of publishing in April. Founded in 2005 by Gloria Mindock, editor and publisher, the press has continued to grow every year. The press has offered numerous events every year. This year, the press is offering an exciting new event. Červená Barva Press Poetry and Fiction Online Summit, Saturday, September 30, from 9:50 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., and Sunday, October 1, from 9:50 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Online access information will be sent out prior to the summit. Presenters include award-winning authors with years of publishing experience. Registration is $42 for both days. For registration, descriptions of the events and bios, please visit: http://www.cervenabarvapress.com/index.html #POETRYFICTIONSUMMIT.

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School season is in full swing, but the Somerville Homeless Coalition still have a handful of children in need of backpacks. They have babies in need of diapers too – sizes 1-5. For a full list of items please see their Amazon Wishlist https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2PKG3LS84XJMF?ref_=wl_share&fbclid=IwAR2hGRE_D8M8Jr2TUUV6fN0PlqOrGCRHFXsDBqfK6alM2jR3dsxNUv3AFus or, drop off your donations at their food pantry, Project SOUP, at 165 Broadway, Somerville. Visit https://somervillehomelesscoalition.org/.

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Somerville Math Fund’s high school engineering challenge is coming. Time to sign up (deadline is October 6), for the October 22 event. Get details and links here https://somervillemathematics.blogspot.com/.

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Congratulations to Somerville High School math teacher Michael Morgan, who received an internal SPS scholarship to attend Massachusetts School Administrator Association Leadership Licensure Program. And congratulations to Healey School Spanish teacher Alzimara Oliveira, who received an internal SPS scholarship to participate in the PSi certificate program.

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The Somerville Museum is hosting a Community Curator exhibition curated by Martha Friend. Opening Reception: Thursday, September 21, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. September 21 – December 2. Please check out their website for confirmation of Museum’s open hours: www.somervillemuseum.org.

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Is your family looking for adventure? Cub Scouts is a program for kids and their families. Every family pitches in to help out. No experience needed, just enthusiasm and a Do Your Best attitude. Pack 3 is an all-volunteer group of families who welcome and embrace people of diverse race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, economic status, family structure, and physical or mental ability. Contact the pack, for more info visit facebook.com/somervillepack3 or email: info@somervillepack3.org. Visit somervillepack3.org.

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The Welcome Project is holding another semester of English classes. It’s also not too late to register for Somerville and Medford EFP classes. For more information visit:https://www.welcomeproject.org/english-for-parents-efp.html

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September is Library Card Sign-Up Month. There’s so much you can do with a library card from the Somerville Public Library. Having a card allows you to: Check out books, movies, CDs, and more from our library collection, log in to computers at the library and use your daily printing credit and much more. To sign up for a card visit, the Circulation desks at any of the three branches. All you need is a photo ID, and proof of Somerville address. Children ages 5 and up can also get a library card with their parents’ information. Visit: somervillepubliclibrary.org.

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Join Arts at the Armory on the fourth Tuesday of each month for the Boston’s The Moth StorySLAM! This month’s: Luck on September 26, doors at 6:30 pm. This community-focused, open-mic storytelling competition is open to anyone to share a story on the night’s theme. Tickets available here: https://themoth.org/events/luck-boston.

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The Somerville 5K Road Race returns for a 28th year on Saturday, September 30, in Davis Square. Staff, clients, supporters, and local partners will come together once again to raise awareness and support for our most underrepresented neighbors. Help in the fight to end homelessness, hunger, and eviction? Whether you want to run, jog, or walk alone or with a team, your support will help is needed to go the distance for our clients. Learn more and register here: https://bit.ly/Somerville5KRoadRace.

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Safety tips and resources to help during the current hurricane season: Secure outdoor property and ensure you are in a safe location before the onset of strong winds. Charge cell phones and other electronic devices. Do not attempt to relocate or move any downed wires, as they are dangerous to handle. Reports of downed wires can be reported by calling 911. Downed tree limbs can be reported via 311 (dial 311 or 617-666-3311). Power outages can be reported and monitored via Eversource’s website: eversource.com/cg/customer/reportoutage.

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