Election Day is Tuesday, November 7, so don’t forget to get out and vote. Eligible voters may vote one of three ways: on election day, via early voting, or vote by mail. November 7, Election Day: Vote at your designated polling location, Polls are open 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Early Voting: November 1–3 all early voting is at Somerville City Hall, 93 Highland Ave. Wed., November 1: 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Thursday, November 2: 8:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. (note: evening hours) Friday, November 3: 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. (note half-day only). To look up your polling place, get instructions for voting by mail, review a sample ballot, or for other Election info, visit somervillema.gov/elections or call 311 by dialing 3-1-1 or 617-666-3311.

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The Democratic Ward Committee of Ward 7, Somerville, has voted to endorse Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, City Councilor At-Large Kristen Strezo, and Ward 7 Councilor Judy Pineda Neufeld for their re-election bids this November. Former City Councilor Will Mbah fell just one vote shy of an endorsement by the Ward 7 Committee in his bid to return to the City Council.

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Happy birthday this week to several locals: Happy birthday to Amanda Fee. We wish her the very best on her birthday. A special happy birthday to Diane Suffredini, who is celebrating this week. We wish her the best and hope she has a great year. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such as Gene Beraldi, Candy Feldt, John Blute, Diane Sylvester Ames, Katie Marsh, Edward Robaczewski and Herc Kalos, 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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Premiere on Broadway at 571 Broadway, Somerville, and the Friends of Somerville are hosting a fundraiser for Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll on November 14 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. All are welcome to attend and meet the Lieutenant Governor. Suggested Donations $100, $250, $500 and $1000. Seniors are encouraged to attend free of charge.

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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. Visit somervillema.gov/communitymeetings

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The Somerville Community Growing Center and Earthwise Aware team introduce how to observe and record the plants, insects, and animals of the Somerville Growing Center. With these observation events and through the EwA photo documentation using the iNaturalist platform, they contribute to biodiversity science while enjoying the outdoors together in this beautiful little garden. They will also tell you about EwA’s arthropod (insect and spider) and phenology studies at this location. November 11, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m., 22 Vinal Ave.

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Congratulations to the #SHSHighlanders Girls Varsity Soccer Team, they beat Revere on Friday 2-0 to win the Greater Boston League Championship.

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The Somerville Homeless Coalition’s food pantry is hosting a Halloween Tooth Care Drive to collect dental essentials for their clients. If you have any toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, or other dental hygiene products that you would like to donate please drop them off at Project SOUP during their open hours, visit https://somervillehomelesscoalition.org/food-security/.

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Somerville hazardous and yard waste pickup seasonal deadlines are approaching. The last day to drop off hazardous waste this fall at the DPW yard (1 Franey Road) is Saturday, November 4. Drop-offs will be accepted from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The last day for yard waste collection will be Friday, December 8. Yard waste can be left out for pickup by DPW on residents’ scheduled trash collection days. Please note: yard waste cannot be collected if it is put in plastic bags. To learn more, please visit somervillema.gov/trash or call 311 (617-666-3311).

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MAMAS Free Clothing store takes place on November 11 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the East Somerville Community School. They are looking for volunteers to help organize and fold clothes the day of. Email askyourmamas@gmail.com. They are also accepting monetary donations to purchase clothing: opencollective.com/mamas (Select Free Clothing Store). La tienda de ropa gratuita MAMAS está el 11 de noviembre de 9:00 a.m. a 1:00 p.m. en la Escuela Comunitaria de East Somerville en Somerville. A loja de roupas gratuitas será dia 11 de Novembro, das 9h às 13h, na East Somerville Community School. Magazen rad gratis la se 11 novanm soti 9 am jiska 1 pm nan East Somerville Community School.

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Help keep our waterways clean in your neighborhood by joining Somerville’s Adopt-a-Drain program. A storm drain clear of leaves, trash or other debris allows water to flow into the catch basin sump and can prevent flooding. When you adopt a drain (or drains), you commit to caring for a local storm drain of your choice by checking on it before and after heavy rain, wind, or snow. Bonus perk: you can also give it a name. Claim your drain at somerville.mysticdrains.org.

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The Somerville Homeless Coalition has announced that their 4th Annual Sleep Out event will take place on Friday, November 17, at Tufts University. This year, the SHC is partnering with Tuft’s student led group Jumbos For Nonprofits to spread awareness for our neighbors experiencing homelessness and food insecurity. While SHC staff and Tuft’s students sleep outdoors, they are asking you, the community, to spend a night in your car, backyard, couch, or anywhere that isn’t the comfort of your bed. Visit their website for updates about the event https://somervillehomelesscoalition.org.

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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.

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Join the Somerville Public Library and a representative from the ACLU for a workshop on understanding your legal rights in the US. Visit the Central Library November 9, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. to learn more about your right to be free from discrimination based on race, ethnicity, or national origin, and how the law protects you. This workshop will look at: What does discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, or national origin look like? What your rights are and how to exercise them. What to do if you believe your rights have been violated. Register: https://somervillepubliclibrary.com

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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.

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Open enrollment began 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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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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