Moving Somerville Forward Climate Forward is a free event 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 6:30 p.m. 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.

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Join Somerville Community Growing Center, 22 Vinal Ave on October 14 from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. as they celebrate the 30th anniversary of their very first “Work Days” held back in October 1993. This kickstarts the start of their 30th Anniversary Season, with lots in store and more events and opportunities to get engaged. Enjoy a tour (some child-led) and explore children’s narratives and mapping of the Center; share a 30th Anniversary memory and/or hope for the space at a video station; explore archival photos and videos; and chill out to music by Mystic Jazz Trio. Free for all. Rain Date October 15. More info: www.thegrowingcenter.org/30th.

Happy birthday greetings this week to several locals: Happy birthday to former Alderman Maryann Heuston, who is celebrating this week. Not sure if she will have a beach day but hope she has a great day. Happy birthday to former City Councilor Will Mbah. We wish him a very happy birthday as well. Happy birthday to Valerie Spinale. We hope she has a great day. Happy birthday to Steve Hardy, we wish him a great day. Happy birthday to Naomi Harrison, daughter of Kaitlin Denk. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such as Sue Casazza Smith, Alan Ball Blydenburgh, Phyllis D’Anna, George Bevans, Pamelibra Bono Bromberg, Mary Marshall, Ron Sensale, Courtney Nelson, Bill McCarthy and Laurie Tierno Johnson 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.

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The Union Square Walking Tour takes place this Sunday, October 15, 2:00 – 4:30 p.m. The tour will be led by architectural historian Edward Gordon. It will start at 282 Somerville Ave. (Dunkin’ Donuts) and finish at a local eatery in Union Square (TBD). RSVPs are encouraged: bwilson@somervillema.gov. Phone: 617-776-3938.

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The Somerville Council on Aging Flu Clinic takes place Thursday, October 12, at the Holland Street Center from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Thursday, October 26 at the Holland Street Center from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The City of Somerville’s Public Health nurse will be hosting the two flu clinics. For more information or to book an appointment please call the COA at 617-625-6600 ext. 2300.

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Visit the Armory Cafe on Saturday, October 14, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., 191 Highland Ave., for the exhibit reception for Glitch Art by Jael Whitney (@w3rmwood). Jael Whitney is a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma actively engaged with the arts community in the Greater Boston area. With her glitch art as @w3rmwood, she creates art by painting with pixels using digital errors and data disruption. Her art has been displayed by the New Alliance Gallery, The Umbrella Arts Center, CAA at Canal, Brickbottom Artists’ Association’s Gallery, and more. The full exhibit runs through   October 22. More info on the Armory website artsatthearmory.org.

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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.

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The Somerville Museum is pleased to announce the annual call for Community Curators. This program is open to everyone: artists, historians, collectors, curators, students, etc., and all are encouraged to apply. Proposal ideas can be on any topic but the most successful applications include some combination of history, art, and culture and a relationship to the City of Somerville. Chosen applications will receive a seed grant of $2,500 towards exhibition costs. This information session on October 11, 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., One Westwood Rd., will review the application process and expectations along with a view of the current Community Curator exhibition, BLUE: The Celebration of a Color. Learn more about past, present, and future exhibitions: https://www.somervillemuseum.org/exhibitions Learn more about the Community Curator program: https://www.somervillemuseum.org/community-curators.

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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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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.

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Open enrollment begins on October 15 and runs to December 7. Medicare recipients can change their health insurance plans for January 1, 2024. While having the freedom to change your health insurance plan can save you money, there are many health insurance plans and companies to choose from. You don’t have to make the decision alone, the Somerville Council on Aging has SHINE Counseling available in person, over the phone, or on Zoom, to assist you with comparing what health insurance options are available for you. You can call Natasha Naim at 617-625-6600, ext. 2317 or Molly Pagliuca at ext. 2318 to book an appointment.

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East Somerville Main Streets will be holding their East Somerville fall clean up on November 4, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Help them beautify the neighborhood. Pastries and coffee provided by Ola Cafe. Meet at 115 Broadway at 10:00 a.m.

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Lyndell’s Bakery has announced that they will extend the Moon Madness promotion to every day of the week until Sunday December 31. 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.

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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. Contact the Elections Office at 617-625-6600 ext. 4200 to learn more.

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Save the date for SomerStreets: Monster Mash on Sunday, October 22, from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. (rain date 10/29) on Somerville Ave. between School St. to Warren Ave. A free and family friendly event. Make sure to dress up in your best Halloween costume and show it off at the Halloween Parade led by School of Honk.

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Visit the Blue: The Celebration of a Color exhibit at the Somerville Museum, One Westwood Rd. The exhibit showcases paintings, photography, installation, fashion, and video works of local artists who incorporate blue in their studio practice.  For hours visit www.somervillemuseum.org.

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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.

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Congratulations to Maura Mendoza for being named an Aspiring Latino Leader Fellow by Latinos for Education. She is one of 25 leaders from across Massachusetts to be chosen. This 9-month program advances Latino leaders through culturally responsive professional development, while nurturing a strong local network of educators. Superintendent Carmona is an alumnus of the fellowship as well as MLE Assistant Director Gladys Valle. Mendoza is their Multilingual Services Coordinator, supporting SPS staff with translation and interpretation needs.

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The 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.

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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

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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.

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Talk with representatives from over 50 colleges and universities at the Somerville High School College Fair on Thursday, October 19, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. in the Somerville High School Cafeteria. Find the complete list of institutions sending representatives here: https://somerville.k12.ma.us/ccr. All grades are welcome to participate.

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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.

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Somerville teens are invited to get a free membership to the Somerville Recreation Teen Center. Please visit their website to find hours and more information. somervillema.myrec.com.

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