The Fuel Assistance Program, also known as the Home Energy Assistance Program, helps low-income households pay their winter heating bills between November 1 and April 30. Renters and homeowners in Somerville are eligible to apply if they meet federal income guidelines. Learn more at an information and registration event on Thursday, November 16, at 167 Holland St. from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Learn more at somervillema.gov/heatingassistance.

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Come out to Aeronaut Somerville on November 15, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. for the Somerville Bicycle Committee’s November Streetwise Talk, featuring Ari Belathar, the new Executive Director of the Boston Cyclists Union. Come hear their perspective on the bike path forward. Aeronaut, 14 Tyler St, Somerville.

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Happy birthday this week to several locals: Happy birthday to Bobby Potaris, who celebrates this week. A great guy and a great father. Happy birthday to Joan Puglia, a lifelong resident and activist who is celebrating this week as well. She’s the wife of former alderman Andy. Happy birthday to a great friend of ours, Malitta Knaut. A great person. We wish her the very best. Happy birthday to Diane Johansen, another lifelong and well-known resident from Winter Hill. A gracious and great person, we wish her the very best on this her birthday. Happy birthday to Joshua Lewin, of Juliet in Union Square. We wish him the very best. Happy birthday to one of Somerville’s well-known activists, Joe Beckman. We wish him the very best of birthdays. A big happy birthday to Joseph McKeon, we wish him the very best. We hope he has a great day. Happy birthday to Meghann Viens, we wish her a very special birthday. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such Jim Powers, Sandrine Jeffreson, Dennis Biondo, Dennis Biondo, Philip D’Arcangelo, Nancy Jones, Peggy Henderson, Bill Mccoy, Mary Silvestro, Todd Easton, JoEllen Guidi and Suzanne Ferola 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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Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the Somerville Department of Health and Human Services are inviting the Somerville community to join a Transgender Day of Remembrance ceremony on Monday, November 20, at 5:00 p.m. in honor of those members of the community who have lost their lives to violence. The ceremony will take place at the main entrance to Somerville High School (81 Highland Ave.). A short speaking program, with live ASL interpretation, will include remarks from Mayor Ballantyne and Somerville LGBTQ+ Services Coordinator Izzy Starr. The event is open to the public, and all are welcome. In order to protect vulnerable members of our community, masking is encouraged at this event; free masks will be provided. For more information about LGBTQ+ programming, events, and information, please contact LGBTQ+ Services Coordinator Izzy Starr at istarr@somervillema.gov.

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Tickets on sale now for Urban Waggle on Thursday, November 30, 6:00 p.m., at Arts at the Armory. Urban Waggle is a live storytelling event in support of the mission and programs at the Urban Bee Lab, a registered non-profit organization. They choose to amplify voices from the Greater Boston area that may not otherwise be heard. Audience members will leave feeling inspired, entertained, and more connected to one another through the uniquely human art of storytelling. More info here: https://urbanbeelab.org/urbanwaggle.

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Join in for the groundbreaking of the new Glen Park Community Garden Expansion at 5 Palmer Ave., Somerville. November 20, 2:00 p.m. Rain date: November 21 at 12:00 p.m. Free and open to all. More information: https://voice.somervillema.gov/glen-park-community-garden.

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Last month the Somerville Council on Aging launched a community survey in partnership with UMASS Boston to better understand the needs of Somerville residents age 60+ to improve programs and services provided. The survey is now open until Friday, December 1. Take the survey online, over the phone, or print and submit a paper copy. Learn more at somervillema.gov/coa.

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The Somerville Community Growing Center will be one of the 400+ organizations vying for a healthy piece of the SeedMoney grant “pie” starting at noon today, Wednesday, November 15. Know a food garden project that could use a grant? They have 432 of them up for grabs, but we need to grab fast. Get started here: https://donate.seedmoney.org.

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Union Square Main Streets and El Potro Mexican Bar & Grill present the 9th annual Holiday Stroll. Join in The Holiday Stroll, a celebration of Union Square sparkle, discovery, and holiday delight on Saturday, December 2, from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m. Revel in this Union Square neighborhood tradition and enter to win cash prizes by conquering the Elfie Selfie and Stroll the Square Challenges when enjoying unique eats and rad retail. See the Square sparkle as participating businesses light up the night with the splendid Storefront Decoration Contest and with the incredible inflatables on the Festivus Trail. Dozens of locally-owned businesses await with all you need to stuff your stockings, deck your halls with local art, make your tastebuds celebrate, and more. Bundle up and come on down to unwrap Union Square in all its wintry wonderment! For more information on how to enter to win cash prizes, visit: https://www.unionsquaremain.org/9th-annual-holiday-stroll.

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Wreath sales have begun. Buy a wreath from the Next Wave / Full Circle Annual Wreath Fundraiser (donations welcome). Wreath pickup for the community at NW/FC on November 28 and 29 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. (There will be no tree lot this year.) Wreaths sold to staff members will be delivered to schools. The cost is $25. To order, visit https://somerville.k12.ma.us/next-wave-full-circle-wreath-sale-2021.

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The Somerville Community Growing Center is holding their annual wreath sale also. It’s that time of year again. Time to order your wreath. Consider purchasing a beautiful, handcrafted holiday wreath, which helps to support programming and care for the Growing Center. Volunteers work behind the scenes starting as far back as the summer – growing, picking and drying flowers, and gathering nature materials from farms and woodlands. The results: Hand- decorated evergreen wreaths, each featuring a homemade bow (in your choice of three colors: red, burgundy, or purple), adorned with locally sourced pinecones, delicate dried flowers, and ornamental peppers and berries. To purchase visit their online store: bit.ly/fcgcstore.

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Please join Brickbottom Artists Building and Joy Street Studios in celebrating their annual Open Studios event where 80+ artists and artisans open their studios to the public, exhibiting and selling work in a wide variety of media and formats. November 18-19, 12:00 – 5:00 p.m.,1 Fitchburg Street and 86 Joy Street, Somerville. For more information and a list of artists visit https://brickbottom.org.

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Share your thoughts about school food. Fill out the Somerville Food and Nutrition Services Department Survey. Help them develop menus, education curriculum, and communication plans for the next three to five years. Find the survey in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Haitian Creole on the FNSD website: somerville.k12.ma.us/fnsd.

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Join the Somerville Council on Aging’s Project Outlook, Thursday, November 16, 2:00 p.m., at the Holland Street Center, 67 Holland Street. Project Outlook is a group of residents with low or no vision who enjoy getting together for camaraderie and socialization. Project Outlook has been active for over 30 years and is always welcoming new members. Come join the conversation, all are welcome. Pizza will be served. RSVP to Molly at 617-625-6600 ext. 2318 or mpagliuca@somervillema.gov.

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The Somerville Community Growing Center is turning 30. Record a memory from the comfort of your own home or from anywhere on your mobile device. bit.ly/gc-30.

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East Somerville Main Streets’ Cozy Holiday Market invites you to savor a warm drink while exploring a variety of artisans, materials, and charming supplies to prepare for the winter ahead. Gather with friends, family, and even bring your pets to relish in the cozy atmosphere. Unearth that festive, ugly sweater from the back of your closet and capture memorable moments with Santa. Embrace the joy of the season and have fun at our cozy market. Friday, December 8, 5:30 – 8:00 p.m., 15 Garfield Ave., Somerville.

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In preparation for the cold months ahead, the Somerville Homeless Coalition is in urgent need of winter clothing and apparel to keep their clients warm and safe. Donations of socks, hats, jackets, hand warmers, sweatpants, and more will go a long way towards keeping the most vulnerable clients protected against the unpredictable New England weather. All donations can be dropped off at their Engagement Center located at 1 Davis Square, Somerville between Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., closed each day from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. for lunch. Help keep our neighbors safe this winter.

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Somerville Public Schools will be holding a free Flu Vaccine Clinic on November 16, 3:00 – 5:30 p.m. at the East Somerville Community School, 50 Cross St. Sign up for an appointment here: https://www.somervillema.gov/vaccinations or walk in. Clínica de Vacunación Contra la Gripe GRATUITAS16 de noviembre: 3PM-5:30PM, Escuela Comunitaria de East Somerville, 50Cross St https://www.somervillema.gov/vaccinationsClínica de vacinação contra a gripe GRATUITAS16/nov/23: 15h-17h30, East Somerville Community School, 50 Cross St https://www.somervillema.gov/vaccinations Klinik Vaksen pou, Grip GRATIS 16/11/23: 3PM-5:30PM, Nan East Somerville Community School ki sitye nan 50 Cross St https://www.somervillema.gov/vaccinations

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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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Somerville Public Schools Winter Sports registration is now open for both middle grades and high school athletes. Learn more and register for middle grades sports: https://somerville.k12.ma.us/mgathletics. Learn more and register for high school sports: https://somerville.k12.ma.us/teams.

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Visit the Blue: The Celebration of a Color exhibit at the Somerville Museum, through December 2, 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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