Somerville Police announced the sad news of the passing of the department’s K-9, Lobo. Lobo entered the police service with his handler Officer Timothy Sullivan on December 24, 2015. He proudly served the residents of Somerville for nearly 8 years until his sudden passing on October 15, 2023. Lobo will be missed by many, especially Officer Sullivan and his family, who have taken such great care of Lobo. Our thoughts are with them during this difficult time.

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

Somerville is piloting the planting of a micro-forest using the Myawaki method, a technique that encourages quick forest growth by densely planting 30-50 species in a small area. Now, it needs your help to bring this vision to life. Join in on Saturday, October 21 to help plant the city’s first Miyawaki forest at Somerville High School (81 Highland Ave.). Planting shifts will run from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Children are encouraged to join. To learn more and volunteer, visit https://voice.somervillema.gov/miyawaki-micro-forest.

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

Happy birthday this week to several locals: We want to wish Somerville resident and Vietnam Veteran and Marine, Leo Mingace a very special birthday. Leo is celebrating his 75th. We hope he has a great celebration. Happy birthday to former writer for The Somerville Times, Harry Kane. We hope he is doing well and wish him a great day. Happy birthday to Barry Rollins, who is celebrating this week. Happy birthday to Erin DiBenedetto from Medford, who grew up here in Winter Hill. We wish her a happy birthday. Happy birthday to Valarie Spinale-Bolduc. Happy birthday to Vicki Potaris. We wish her a great day. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such as Darell Lee Shanafelt, George Lally, Charlene Murphy, Jim Douthart, Stephen Bertoncini and David LaCroix 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.

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

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. Do you have excess stuff? Go through it and pull out a few items for the Growing Center’s Seasonal Salvage sale. There will be on-site collecting on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday evenings (10/18, 10/19, 10/20). More info here: https://www.thegrowingcenter.org/yard-sale

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

SomerStreets: Monster Mash takes place 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. Check out activities and participating partners: somervilleartscouncil.org/somerstreets/monster.

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

Welcome to Somerville Public Schools: A Workshop for Immigrant Families, Wednesday, October 18, 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. in Spanish, Portuguese, and Haitian Creole at Somerville High School, 81 Highland Ave. ¡Bienvenidos a las Escuelas Públicas de Somerville! Taller para las familias inmigrantes. DIA 18 DE OCTUBRE, EN SOMERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL DE 5:30 A 7:00 pm. 81 HIGHLAND AVE. Bem-vindos às Escolas Públicas de Somerville! Uma oficina para famílias imigrantes. DIA 18 DE OUTUBRO, NA SOMERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL 17H30 – 19H. 81 HIGHLAND AVE. Byenveni nan Lekòl Piblik Somerville yo! Yon atelye pou fanmi imigran. 18 OKTÒB NAN SOMERVILLE HIGH SCHOOL 5:30 – 7pm. 81 HIGHLAND AVE.

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

The Center for Arts at the Armory (CAA) has announced that it will host and manage the 14th Annual Somerville Winter Farmers Market (SWFM) every Saturday beginning November 4 through April 6. This weekly market offers the best locally grown and regionally produced agricultural items, including vegetable produce, cheese, eggs, meats, fish, breads, pastries, and sweets. Each market will feature more than 35 weekly vendors and several rotating guest vendors while welcoming an anticipated 1,000 visitors every Saturday. The market accepts SNAP/EBT and HIP benefits. And they also offer a $15 SNAP match to customers each week. For more information and weekly updates visit: www.artsatthearmory.org.

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

The Somerville Council on Aging Flu Clinic takes place 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.

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

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.

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

East Somerville Main Streets Halloween Block Party and Pet Spectacular 2023 is coming. It will have a wide range of family activities, a pet costume contest, raffles, vendors, food, music, and so much more. Come and see the spookiest and cutest costumes on Saturday, October 28, from 3:00 to 6:00 pm at Chuckie Harris Park.

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

Sts. Louis and Zelie Martin Parish Annual Christmas Bazaar, Friday, November 3, from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, November 4, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Located in St. Catheine’s Hall, 179 Summer St., Somerville. There will be a silent auction, raffles, games, punch board, refreshments, and much more. Free Admission. Plenty of Parking. For more info please call (617) 666-2087.

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

In collaboration with Somerville Bike Kitchen, Somernova, and Somerville Education Foundation, Groundwork Somerville is starting a new subset of the Green Team: The Biking Division. Over the 2023-2024 school year, five high school students will be paid to learn all about bike repair and safety, fix and earn their own bikes, and fix bikes to give back to community members. Apply by Sunday, October 22. Visit: https://groundworksomerville.org/.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

On the night before Halloween, Arts at the Armory co-presents The Rocky Horror Picture Show, the 1975 musical comedy horror cult classic in-person. Costumes and call backs are highly encouraged. The Teseracte Players of Boston, who have roamed New England, bringing Dr. Frank-N-Furter and friends to life for 20+ years, will lead the raucous ride. October 30, Doors open at 7:00 p.m. Screening at 8:00 p.m. 191 Highland Ave Tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/arts-at-the-armory-and-once-present-the-rocky-horror-picture-show-tickets-706242659807.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.