Fall 2023 City Hall Community meetings are underway. These meetings are held twice a year in each of Somerville’s seven wards to share the latest city and neighborhood updates with community members. They are an opportunity to get an overview of the latest city news, learn more about city programs and initiatives, meet your neighbors, find ways to get involved, and talk with elected officials and city staff. Join them in person from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. to ask questions and get updates from the mayor and city staff. Swing by early at 6:00 p.m. for pizza and refreshments. To learn more and find the meeting in your ward visit somervillema.gov/communitymeetings.

*********************************

Join the Arts at the Armory on October 4 for Cirque Us Stories, a new, thoughtfully curated show that flips through the pages of Cirque Us’s favorite stories to bring you a touching, thrilling narrative about community and identity. Interweaving a collection of folktales, classic literature, children’s stories, modern fiction, and more, this show jumps off the page with twists, flips, rewrites, and retellings of stories you’ll love. The show features aerialists, jugglers, acrobats, contortionists, clowns, and more, all ready to fly off the shelf and straight to you. For tickets and more information https://artsatthearmory.org/events/cirque-us-stories/

*********************************

Happy birthday this week to several locals: Happy birthday to local activist Ben Echevarria. We wish him well. We wish Sal Mingace a very happy 35th birthday. We wish him well and hope he enjoys his day. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such as AnnMarie Carey-Browne, Millie Vecchia Curley, Diane Kerins Conneely, Mike Capuano, Kerri Shannon Schaefer and Michael Buckley a 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.

*********************************

Free Historic Bike Tour this Sunday, October 8. They will collect ingredients to make fluffernutter sandwiches along the way. Meet at Somerville City Hall, 93 Highland Ave. 2:00 – 4:30 p.m. and end at Somernova, 21 Properzi Way. Ideally RSVP to Brandon at bwilson@somervillema.gov or 617-776-3938.

*********************************

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.

*********************************

Are you looking for a job and want the opportunity to speak with employers in person? Somerville Community Corporation (SCC) wants to connect you with employers and resource providers in Somerville and surrounding areas on Thursday, October 12, Center at The Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave. starting at 10:00 a.m. Go to bit.ly/SCCcareerfair to register and learn more. Questions? Please email us at FirstSourceExt@somervillecdc.org or call 617-410-9905 and press 2. Are you an employer looking to fill positions? Somerville Community Corporation (SCC) wants to connect employers with job seekers and residents in the city of Somerville and surrounding. Please email at rtaylor@somervillecdc.org or call 617-410-9907.

*********************************

Stop by the East Branch Library, 115 Broadway and try your hand at capoeira from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 7, October 14, and October 28. These classes will combine the Brazilian art of capoeira with fitness science to deliver a full body workout that showcases the elegance of dance, the power of martial arts, and the rhythms of Brazilian music. No registration is required for this event and it’s open to all ages.

*********************************

Lyndell’s Bakery announced that they will extend the Moon Madness promotion to every day of the week until Sunday December 31, 2023. Buy 1 Half Moon, Get 1 Half Moon free. (limit 1 per customer) To date Lyndell’s has sold over 50,000 Half Moons and expects to sell over 75,000 by the end of the year. Half Moons are the signature sweet at the bakery for over 100 years. Visit Lyndell’s today at 720 Broadway.

*********************************

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/.

*********************************

The city is hiring polling place workers in preparation for the 2023 election cycle. Polling place staffers work on November 7 and earn at least $200. Learn more at an information session on tomorrow September 27, at City Hall (93 Highland Ave.) from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m., 4:00 to 5:00 p.m., or 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. Register to attend at: somervillema.gov/pollworkerinfosessions. Can’t make a session? Contact the Elections Office at 617-625-6600 ext. 4200 to learn more.

*********************************

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/.

*********************************

Registration is open for Learn to Skate and Learn to Play Somerville Youth Hockey. All sessions take place at either Veterans or Founders rinks in Somerville. Beginner classes are geared towards kids 3-9 who have never skated nor played hockey before. There’s also a new Advanced option for kids aged 9 and older who are ready for a more fast-paced introduction to the fundamentals of hockey and skating. Financial aid (and some equipment) is available. To learn more and register, visit https://www.somervilleyouthhockey.org/ltsltp.

*********************************

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, Ward 1 Councilor Matthew McLaughlin, and City of Somerville staff invite you to a virtual community meeting about proposed transportation safety improvements on Tufts Street. The city is repaving Tufts Street and reconstructing its sidewalks as part of the citywide Pavement and Sidewalk Management Program. This presents an opportunity to redesign the street to make it safer for all users. Tufts Street is designated as a Neighborway in the Somerville Bicycle Network Plan, so the new design will prioritize traffic calming elements to reduce speeds and discourage cut-through traffic. The meeting will take place Wednesday, October 11, at 6:00 p.m. on Zoom. Learn more about the project and find the virtual meeting link at somervillema.gov/tuftsstreet.

*********************************

Somerville Education Foundation presents Try-A-Sport Day. 1st-6th graders are invited to the Healey School on Sunday, October 15, 2:00 – 5:00 pm. Children can try out different sports and families can pick up program registration information. Children are encouraged to bring water and a snack. For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/SomervilleEducationFoundation.

*********************************

The Somerville Community Growing Center is holding their 2nd annual Seasonal Salvage Sale & Makers’ Market on October 21, 12:00 – 5:00 p.m., 22 Vinal Ave. Rather than a traditional yard sale, it became a two-part shopping experience: a curated, seasonally-themed secondhand sale where 100% of the proceeds go to the Growing Center, and a new “Makers’ Market” filled with local craft vendors who participate for a nominal fee but get to keep all the proceeds of their sales. To volunteer, be a vendor or donate visit: www.thegrowingcenter.org/yard-sale

*********************************

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.

*********************************

Free Beginner English/U.S. Citizenship class. This is a 12-week beginner ESOL/civics class for adults who are interested in improving their English skills in order to apply for U.S. citizenship. ESOL workbooks will be provided. Classes are in-person at East Branch Library (115 Broadway) on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Requirements: Must have a green card or in the process of getting one in order to attend. Register here: tinyurl.com/pathwaystocitizenshipfall2023. For questions or help with registration, please contact Brigid Pigott: Email: bpigott@somervillema.gov or 617-623-5000 x.2935. The Pathways to Citizenship class is being offered in partnership with St. Mark Community Education Program and MIRA.

*********************************

Free classes available to parents and guardians. Register on the first Monday of each month from 6:00–9:00 p.m. Somerville Center for Adult Learning Experiences (SCALE) offers free, in-person high school equivalency classes at 167 Holland Street and can be reached at 617-625-6600 x6920.

*********************************

Elm Street Taproom, 256 Elm Street, Somerville, will be holding a Nightmare on Elm Street Halloween Bash on Friday., October 28 at 6:00 p.m. There will be lots of spooky fun and cool prizes.

*********************************

Moving Somerville Forward Climate Forward is a free event is open to the entire Somerville community. At this event, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about Somerville’s climate action plan update, speak with city staff and volunteers about plan topic areas, provide your ideas and suggestions, and celebrate the progress we’ve made as a community already. Whether you’re an environmental enthusiast or just curious about ways to reduce your carbon footprint, this event is for you. Wednesday, October 11, Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave. Doors open at 6:30pm. Program will include an overview of the update process at 7:00 p.m. A gallery walk with refreshments starts at 7:30 p.m. Featured speakers include Mayor Katjana Ballantyne.

*********************************

Did you know students at Somerville High School can access free dental care during the school year? All services are provided at the CHA Teen Connection. Students are encouraged to make an appointment and learn more through the school nurse or by visiting the CHA Teen Connection (phone 617-575-5690).

*********************************

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.

*********************************

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.