Cambridge Mothers Out Front, along with 350 MA-Cambridge/Somerville and the First Parish of Cambridge UU Environmental Justice Team, is hosting a public forum on March 20 about transitioning off gas to heat our buildings, including a presentation about networked geothermal energy, an innovative solution that is gaining momentum, and an update from Mass. Representative Steven Owens about state legislation currently in process. Wednesday, March 20, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m., First Parish in Cambridge, Unitarian Universalist, 1446 Mass. Ave., Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA.

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On Saturday, March 23, from 2:30 to 5:00 p.m., visit the Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave, for the Oddball Foundation Music and Poetry Open Mic. Come on out with your music, words, and Yah-Yahs to this open mic hosted by North Shore Favorite singer/songwriter Lisa Haley, and author/musician Timothy Gager. For more info visit https://artsatthearmory.org. This is a free event sponsored by the Oddball Foundation, dedicated to social change on the individual, interpersonal, and international levels using art and the written word to promote mental health education, fight for social justice, and cultivate an inclusive artistic community.

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Happy birthday this week to the following: Happy birthday to Rachael Hart-Adams. We wish her the very best of birthdays, celebrating with her great family. Happy birthday to MaryLynn McWatters O’Malley. We hope she has a great day. Happy birthday to great guy and lifelong resident, Ed Bean. We wish him the best. We wish all of our Facebook friends such as Dottie Poudrier a very special day, and another special person, Karen Michelle, we hope she has a great birthday, along with Neil Gillis Sr.,Alexander Levering Kern, Carla Hunter Gates, Shirley Benoit McMenimen, Michael Cirrone, Muhammad Mitchell Wilks, Paul Carafotes, Roy Bertocchi, Rosalee Zammuto, Linda Sirignano, Larry J Travaglione and Rhonda Annette a very happy birthday. To all those that are also celebrating this week, we wish them a happy birthday.

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Join Groundwork Somerville and city staff at South St. Farm (138 South St.) on Sunday, March 24, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. to learn about 3(+) bin composting. Understand the basics of rodent-proof compost systems, and then work with other volunteers to update the compost system on South St. Farm. No registration is required for this event.

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The annual Ras na hEireann 5K road race is back. It is the most genuine Irish race this side of the Atlantic. A celebration of spring in Somerville. This race was born in Ireland and named in honor of its famous sister race, the Ras na hEireann International Cross Country held in Termonfechin, County Louth, Republic of Ireland. The Ras na hEireann U.S.A. 5Km is open to all, from beginners to international stars (registration is now closed). The race kicks off at 11:00 a.m., Sunday, March 24, go by and cheer on the runners and see some of their very creative outfits. For more information and to register visit https://www.theraceofireland.com/

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4GoodVibes, 483 Somervlle Ave, will be closing their Somerville location on March 25 after 7 years in Somerville. Until then they will hold a storewide “moving” sale at the Somerville shop, after that, you can visit them online and at their Medford and Kingston locations.

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Lyndell’s Sean Collier Memorial Scholarship Fundraiser will be held April 12 – 15. Raffle tickets are available at $5.00 each. First Prize – 2 Red Sox Tickets Game TBA, Second Prize – $200.00 Lyndell’s Gift Card, Third Prize – $100.00 Lyndell’s Gift Card, Fourth Prize – $50.00 Lyndell’s Gif Card. Lyndell’s, 720 Broadway.

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Save the date for the Hive Open House. It will be on held on Monday, April 11, 7:00 p.m. The Somerville Arts Council’s SomArt program, which supports the creation of new work in performance, visual arts, and trans/interdisciplinary disciplines, continues to grow. Over at the Hive location, there are classes in Butoh, modern contemporary, African Contemporary, among others. It’s also a rehearsal space; Nozama Dance, InEdit, and Advance Theater Lab in Italian with All’italiana have been in deep exploration and practice. The Hive, 651 Windsor Street Suite 401a, Somerville.  https://somartspace.org/somart-space-the-hive/.

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Join SPL and Somerville Asian Family Network (SAFN) to celebrate Holi, the festival of colors. Listen to a story and paint a colorful card. Anybody can show up for the storytime, registered or not, but registration is required for the craft activity. Learn more and register at https://somervillepubliclibrary.assabetinteractive.com/.

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Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, Ward 6 Councilor Lance Davis, and Ward 5 Councilor Naima Sait invite you to learn about flood relief and water quality improvement efforts planned for Morrison Ave. (Cedar St. to Grove St.) and the surrounding neighborhood. At this meeting, city staff will introduce the project and share initial concept designs. Following the presentation, residents will have the opportunity to ask questions about the project and provide feedback. This virtual meeting will be held on Monday, March 25, online via Zoom at 6:00 p.m. Learn more and register to attend at https://voice.somervillema.gov/morrisonavenue.

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Somerville PorchFest 2024 will take place on Saturday, May 11, (rain date May 12) from 12:00 to 6:00 p.m. Perhaps you’ve sat on your porch and overheard a neighbor strumming guitar on another porch? Porchfest takes this idea and multiplies it. This is not a festival per se but rather a community event where Somervillians share their love of playing and listening to music … from their porch, driveways, yards, etc. Registration is now open: https://beta.somervilleartscouncil.org/porchfest/porchfest-2024/.

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For families interested in the SPS Community Schools afterschool program, the registration period began on March 19, at 9:30 a.m. and runs until March 28. This registration period is for all grades. Registration link: https://www.ezchildtrack.com/csafterschool/parent/. As in previous years, Community Schools uses a weighted lottery system that prioritizes applicants who register any time during March 19 – March 28 registration period and returning families. Please visit the Somerville Community Schools Afterschool webpage to learn about the program, fees ,and registration support.

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Somerville Little League 2024 Spring registration is open.Go to www.somervillelittleleague.org to register.

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The Welcome Project welcomes back YUM 2024: A Taste of Immigrant City to an in-person event. After a five-year hiatus, they will be returning to the Arts at the Armory for a night of great food, music, and conversations about how the immigrant community continues to be an asset to Somerville and the US. For more information visit. https://www.welcomeproject.org/yum2024.html.

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Are you a member of Somerville High School’s class of 1974? The class of 2024 is looking for participants for this year’s Class Day festivities which will take place on Friday, May 31, beginning at 8:00 a.m. at Somerville High School. They are looking for 50 graduates in total from 1974 to participate. If you would like to take part in the festivities, visit SPS Facebook page and fill out the Google Form by March 15. The Class of 2024 looks forward to seeing you. Email any questions to Irma Calderon at icalderon@k12.somerville.ma.us.

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The Somerville High School club crew team is looking for athletes to join their team. No experience necessary. The Somerville High School Rowing Team meets Mondays through Fridays from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Blessing of the Bay Boat House on 32 Shore Drive in Somerville. Sign up today. https://somerville.k12.ma.us/sportsregistration.

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The Somerville Homeless Coalition’s Amazon Wish Lists are updated monthly with the most requested items from their food pantry to meet the needs of their clients experiencing food insecurity. If you would like to learn more and donate through our wish lists, please see the link here: https://bit.ly/SHCLinks.

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Food For Free announced their newest event, Hoops for Hunger. A 3 on 3 basketball tournament. People of all genders, ages 14 and older, are welcome to create a team of 4 and square up against other supporters of Food For Free. This will be a single elimination, 16 team tournament. Teams of 4 will compete to win the ultimate prize, and the first team to 21 points will move onto the next round. Teams will be allowed 3 timeouts per game and will adhere to traditional basketball rules monitored by a referee. Team registration deadline is April 12. Register your team here. https://foodforfree.org/hoopsforhunger/.

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Carnaval will be here soon. If you are a vendor, make sure you submit an application soon. This will be in our stories as well: https://www.eastsomervillemainstreets.org/carnaval

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Somernova has some new and exciting events coming up. Wednesday, March 27: Somerville’s Third Annual Women’s History Month Celebration. The event will take place at 6:30 p.m. at Somernova, 29 Properzi Way and is open to all. RSVP is encouraged but not required. And also on Wednesday, March 27, each month, The Dojo hosts Gaming is Not a Crime by YouthStream. Join in and build community through playing your favorite games. The event features cash prizes and pizza and starts at 6:00 p.m. Hosted at The Dojo at 15 Properzi Way, Somerville. For more information visit Somernova at https://somernova.com/.

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The Somerville Council on Aging’s Cultural Musical Event takes place on Wednesday, March 27, starting at 1:00 p.m. at the Holland Street Center. Explore the world through music, as vocalist and educator Tamara Jokic discusses the music of the Mediterranean, and performs songs in multiple languages while bringing their historical and cultural contexts to life via stories, images, and video. Lunch will be provided by SCES at 12:00 p.m. RSVP to Debby Higgins by calling 617-625-6600, ext. 2321 or email Debby at dhiggins@somervillema.gov

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Mudflat and East Somerville Main Streets are looking for a muralist to uniquely design and execute a painted mural for the left side, western-facing façade of the Mudflat building at 81 Broadway. The mural dimensions will be approximately 20 feet wide x 13 feet high. East Somerville Main Streets is accepting applications for the next East Somerville Mural. Applications will be accepted until March 22, you can find the application and mural details here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScvEQMdVTZ1CtprlsHRkmCRF3yUdA2irmhoDD4oBwK9F48C6A/viewform.

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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 Arts Council also has a call to all musicians for ArtBeat 2024. Calls are now available. Submission Deadline April 15. To learn more visit https://beta.somervilleartscouncil.org/artbeat/. Now in its 38th year ArtBeat is one of their largest festivals of the season. They invite applicants to explore all themes related to “wild.” They seek music that lends itself to a festival environment, typically not classical or purely instrumental jazz for this setting.

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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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