Red Line service will be suspended between Alewife and Harvard stations all day from start to end of service for 10 days from February 5-14. Beginning at approximately 8:45 p.m. through the end of service every day during the same period from February 5-14, this Red Line service suspension will be extended to Park Street (meaning evening service will be suspended between Alewife and Park Street). For more information, please visit mbta.com.

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The Somerville community joined a community meeting on Monday, January 29, to learn more about the updated commercial area plan for Davis Square. The presentation reviewed changes to the previous draft of the plan released in 2020 and offered the opportunity for feedback from attendees. To learn more and watch the meeting go to https://www.youtube.com/user/SomervilleCityTV.

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The Central Library children’s room hosts board games for kids. Wednesdays, February 7 and 28, at 12:30 p.m. Stop by, have fun with checkers, chess, Mancala, Scrabble, and other board games on half-day Wednesdays. (This is not an instructional session.) This program is for children. No registration required. 

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Happy birthday this week to the following: Happy birthday to Cheryle Snow. We wish Cheryle the very best on her birthday. Happy birthday to Bernard Gibbons. We wish him the very best on his birthday. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such Alan Carvalho, Carolyn Dacey Corbett, Amy Ferreira, Jill Koerber, Joan Marshall, Laurie Herra-Bullerwell, JoAnn Bocca-Rivieccio, Rhiannon Riley and Anne Belcher 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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On February 7, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., the Somerville Arts Council will be hosting a Volunteer Craft Night, a themed activity where people can design handmade cards which will be sent to the seniors at the Visiting Nurses Assoc. in Somerville, have a few refreshments, and create art. Craft supplies will be available. While you are not required to make a card, they encourage people use their artistic prowess to make something wonderful for those in need, or just simply stop in to say hello. Since space is limited, please RSVP via the Eventbrite link: http://tinyurl.com/3wf4xnsk. MudFlat Pottery School, 81 Broadway.

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During the month of February, the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) will be conducting water valve maintenance exercises in Somerville. This work may cause discolored water but is not expected to create any pressure losses. Residents and businesses that experience discolored water are asked to run their faucets until the water runs clear, which can take up to ten minutes.

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The Green New Deal for Somerville Public Schools campaign is hosting a Community Meeting on Monday, February 12, at 6:00 p.m. at the Central Library. During the meeting, community members can learn about how the city can decarbonize its school buildings and share what they’d like to see in a Green New Deal for Somerville Public Schools. All are welcome, especially teachers, parents, and students.

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Applications are now available for an income-restricted homeownership opportunity through the city’s Inclusionary Housing Program at 7-11 Aldersey St. near Union Square. The unit is a three-bedroom condominium available for purchase to households making at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Applications must be submitted by Friday, March 1, at noon. Learn more and apply at somervillema.gov/inclusionary.

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On Sunday, February 11, from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m., The Dojo at Somernova is hosting a Valentine’s Day pop-up shop featuring local vendors and artists. Then on Wednesday, February 14, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m/, The Dojo is hosting a Black Excellence Brunch in celebration of Black History Month. This event requires RSVP (via Somernova.com) and formal attire is required. Attendees are encouraged to dress up as their role model. The Dojo at Somernova (15 Properzi Way, Somerville) On the second Wednesday of each month, The Dojo hosts an Open-Mic Teen Night. The next open-mic is coming up on Wednesday, February 14 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. and will feature fun games, food, and great music all night long.

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Kitty Connection, an all-volunteer non-profit dedicated to rescuing and finding loving homes for local pets, will hold an Online Auction from Friday, February 9 through Sunday, February 11. Auction proceeds will go toward the cost of pre-adoption veterinary procedures. Visit https://www.myminiauction.com/kittyconnection for more information.

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Join local author Laura Beretsky in conversation with Somerville Disability Commission members Harriotte Ranvig and Holly Simione. In addition to Laura sharing an excerpt from her book Seizing Control, the discussion will focus on employment protections offered by the ADA for people with invisible and perceptible disabilities. Monday, February 12, 6:30 p.m., West Branch Community Room. Registration required. Questions? Contact Brigid at bblack@somervillema.gov.

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The City of Somerville is hiring polling place workers for the upcoming 2024 Presidential Primary Election. Poll workers must be available on Election Day: Tuesday, March 5. The workday starts at 6:30 a.m. and ends after the polls close at 8:00 p.m., with a two-hour break. Poll workers earn $200 for the day. Interested? To learn more, please call the Elections Office at 617-625-6600 ext. 4200.

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The Somerville Community Growing Center’s annual Seed Sale Fundraiser is in full swing. Once again, High Mowing Organic Seeds of Vermont is supporting this sale by donating a portion of the profits to the Growing Center. Just go to bit.ly/fcgcstore to place your order. Seeds will arrive for pick-up in early March. With this program, you get great seed-to-grow veggies, herbs and flowers. Orders close February 15.

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The City of Somerville’s Health and Human Services Office, and Housing Families Inc., opened an overnight warming center for the remainder of the winter 2024 season. The warming center will operate seven nights a week from 6:45 p.m. to 7:00 a.m., on the second floor of the Armory (191 Highland Ave). Guests will have access to free hot and cold meals, water, bathrooms, yoga mats, and space to sleep. Learn more at somervillema.gov/warmingcenter.

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Somerville Public Schools is looking for substitute teachers. Join an amazing team of educators, earn $150/day, and play an important role in our schools. Learn more about job requirements and apply here: https://somerville.tedk12.com/hire/ViewJob.aspx?JobID=1146.

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Earthwise Aware (EwA) and the Somerville Community Growing Center (SCGC) are hosting a winter tree identification session on Sunday, February 11, from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the SCGC located at 22 Vinal Ave in Somerville. Join in experiencing the trees of the Growing Center during their quiescence. Learn how to identify native trees in the winter by observing physical characteristics, such as tree size and form, bark, bud shape, and leaf scars. Contact Jennifer at jennifer.clifford@earthwiseaware.org to register. This event is free, open to all and capped at 10 registrants.

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Call to artists: East Somerville Main Streets is gearing up for Carnaval 2024 and they are looking for your talent to create the perfect poster that captures the essence of the festivities. Fill out the Google form to participate: https://forms.gle/unApjMVwYagLHbRn6

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The Somerville Community Baptist Church will be holding a free Gospel Concert, Saturday, February 17, 6:30 p.m. at Somerville Community Baptist Church, 31 College Avenue, Somerville (2 blocks from Davis Square). The concert will feature the Community Gospel Choir and SCBC Gospel-Jazz Band. With special guests Ballet Africa Teranga. For more information, see www.ILoveSCBC.org.

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Parents of children ages 3 to 8 are invited to enroll in the virtual Power of Parenting [TM] free workshops. This popular program starts on March 5 for Spanish-speakers and March 6 for English-speakers. The program runs for 12 weeks. Register at the link: http://tinyurl.com/SomervillePOP2024 Space is limited, so sign up now!

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Through the generosity of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), and from the direction of Mayor Ballantyne, the Council on Aging is now able to provide Durable Medical Equipment at no cost to Somerville residents. Residents with a documented need for medical equipment must be over the age of 60, or have a permanent disability, and must be otherwise unable to afford or access needed medical equipment. They currently have available: Commodes, Bath Chairs, Bath Benches, Rollator Walkers, Incontinence Supplies and Transport Wheelchairs (wheelchairs are intended for transport and are not self-propelling or self-breaking). For additional information, or for an application, please contact Debby Higgins at 617-625-6600, ext. 2321.

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The Somerville Homeless Coalition announced the return of their annual Spring Into Action event to be held on Thursday, March 28, at the Crystal Ballroom in Davis Square. Join them for an evening packed with live music, local Somerville grub, and get the opportunity to meet the SHC team as they share impactful updates about our work and discuss our new transformative vision for the future. To learn more and buy tickets please see the link below. Tickets and Information: bit.ly/SIA24.

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CultureHouse at 64 Union Square is now open, visit their newest pop-up and enjoy coffee and tea, games and comfy seating, and a line-up of exciting events happening. Working alongside the Union Square Neighborhood Council, CultureHouse has transformed a vacant storefront into a community-driven pop-up to test ideas for a future community center. This free-to-enter intergenerational pop-up will be a public space pilot, a living room for the community, a resource center, and an arts, culture, and business incubator. They will be there until June 9, Monday–Tuesday: Closed, Wednesday–Sunday: 1:00 – 8:00 p.m. For more information, visit: https://culturehouse.cc/projects/union-square/.

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To keep community members informed on planned work on and around Highland Ave., the city has shared important information regarding the current timeline for utility work, upcoming interim paving, and the streetscape redesign process. Learn more at: www.somervillema.gov.

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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 and 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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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 Center for the Arts at the Armory offers a weekly winter market with 71+ local food vendors with the best locally grown and regionally produced foods, including fresh produce, cheese, eggs, meats, fish, breads, tamales, pastries, chocolate, skincare products, and more. The market accepts SNAP/EBT and HIP benefits. They also offer a $15 SNAP match to customers each week. Visit the Somerville Winter Farmers Market on Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., 191 Highland Ave. Through April 6. For a list of weekly events visit www.somwintermarket.org.

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