The city’s Public Safety for All Task Force invites Somerville community members to attend an Emergency Response Community Workshop tonight, Wednesday, April 3, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. The workshop will take place at the Somerville High School Cafeteria, 81 Highland Avenue. Attendees will hear a brief update about the Task Force’s work, be introduced to key terms for the workshop, and be asked to respond to questions to help inform emergency response recommendations to the mayor. Food and drink will be provided during the event as well as children’s activities. Learn more at: https://www.somervillema.gov.

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On April 3 and 17, visit the Rooted Cafe at the Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave. for Songwriters in the Round at 7:00 p.m. On the first and third Wednesdays of the month, four songwriters take the stage, seated in a comfortable semi-circle. More info available on their website: https://artsatthearmory.org. Hosted by Somerville singer/songwriter David Thorne Scott. Held on the first and third Wednesdays of each month from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Donations welcome.

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Happy birthday this week to several locals: Happy birthday to our good friend Ida Fasano. We’re wishing her a very happy birthday. Happy birthday to Sissy McWatters-Ankenbauer, who is celebrating this week. We hope she had a great day. Happy birthday to Bruce Rollins II, who also celebrates this week. We hope he enjoys his day as well. Happy birthday to Steve Mac. We hope Steve enjoys his day. Happy birthday to Chris Pedersen. We hope he has a great day. Happy birthday to Linda Rock Coutoumas, who is celebrating this week. Happy birthday to Cheryl Constantine Leatham, who is also celebrating. We hope she is having a great day. We wish a happy birthday to all of our Facebook friends such as Michael R. Foster, Leo Connerty, Lyss Nicole,Rachel Fuller-DeAmato,Sarah O’Brien,Liam Seward,Patricia O’Leary Shanahan, Carolyn Ryan and Jeanine Jenks Farley, who are all celebrating this week. To all the others we may have missed and, yes, we must admit there are a few more out there. We sincerely wish them the very best of birthdays

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Families and Somerville Public School students in grades 9-12 are invited to a multi-lingual College and Career Day on April 6 from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Somerville High School. Workshops cover a range of topics that support families whose children are transitioning to college or career after high school.Interpreters will be available, and some sessions will be run entirely in Spanish or Portuguese. https://somerville.k12.ma.us/CollegeCareerDay

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The 2024 street sweeping season has resumed and will continue through December 31. Check signs in your neighborhood for sweeping days. Visit somervillema.gov/sweeping for a full schedule and to sign up for complimentary street sweeping reminders by text, email, or phone. For more information on street sweeping procedures, visit park-somerville.com.

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Somerville’s Memorial Day parade will return this year on Sunday, May 26, it will begin at 11:00 a.m. from the Davis Square Rotary (9/11 Memorial Granite Circle Site), and end at Broadway and North Street. The city’s annual remembrance ceremony will occur on Monday, May 27. Sign up to volunteer or participate and march along with local Veterans and first responders by contacting Somerville VETS at 617-625-6600 ext. 4700. Parade participants should register by April 26. To learn more, visit somervillema.gov/memorialday.

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Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, Ward 7 Councilor Judy Pineda Neufeld, and the City of Somerville Office of Mobility are inviting the community to an open house to discuss proposed new designs for Broadway between Clarendon Avenue and Alewife Brook Parkway. The event will be held on Saturday, April 13, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the West Somerville Neighborhood School (177 Powder House Blvd). Questions and comments can also be submitted by emailing transportation@somervillema.gov and by calling 311 (617-666-3311). Visit somervillema.gov/westbroadway to learn more about the project and stay up to date.

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Blackout poetry kits are available at all three Somerville Public Library locations, starting today, to celebrate April being National Poetry Month. Pick up one of these take-and-make crafts and impress us with your poetry. Visit https://www.somervillepubliclibrary.org/

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Visit CultureHouse Union Square, 64 Union Square, Somerville, Wednesday–Sunday: 1:00 pm – 8:00 pm. This week they will be hosting, Death Cafe, April 3, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., Saturday Stitch In, April 6, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m., LGBTQ+ Improv Comedy Community Meetup, April 7, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m., Office Hours with Councilor Willie Burnley, Jr., April 7, 3:00 – 4:00 p.m., Poetisas Brasileiras, April 7, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. For more information visit https://culturehouse.cc/.

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The Somerville Democratic City Committee will meet virtually on Wednesday, April 10, at 7:30 p.m. to hold its reorganization, where they will elect Somerville Democratic City Committee officers for two year terms. Please visit this link to sign up and for more information: https://www.somdems.org/april_sdcc_reorganization_meeting.

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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 Gift Card. Lyndell’s, 720 Broadway.

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Interested in history, art, and culture? The Somerville Museum is seeking volunteers to help in a variety of areas, including historic events (pictured), museum programming/exhibitions/events, front desk coverage, collection care, grant writing, accessibility, and more. Fill out their volunteer form to indicate which opportunities you’re interested in: https://wkf.ms/49im3cE.

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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/somartspacethehive/.

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The Dormition of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Church and the Somerville Garden Club are hosting a plant swap in honor of Earth Day, April 20, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., 29 Central St. Stop by and share the plant love. You don’t have to bring a plant/cutting/seeds to take something. While there, take a tour of the newly renovated church. Free coffee and pastries from Lyndell’s Bakery will be served.

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The Dojo (15 Properzi Way, Somerville) on Wednesday April 3, will host Karaoke Night from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m. Four Somernova teams will seek to impress three judges in karaoke as they face off for a grand prize. They welcome all members of the community and campus tenants to participate. Please come to sign in between 7:00 and 8:00 p.m. to participate in karaoke. Food, refreshments, and song lyrics will be provided. On Saturday, April 6, at The Dojo, Boston Women’s Parkour Community Meet-up will be hosted from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at The Dojo  The Boston Women’s Workshop is a celebration of the female parkour experience and is open to all women, trans-women and non-binary participants (ages 14 – 70+). The event is open to all abilities and fitness levels, whether you are an absolute beginner or seasoned pro, there is a space for you! More information can be found at pkgenboston.com. Then on April 9, The Dojo at Somernova is hosting The Art of Hip-Hop Workshop from 3:30 to 6:00 p.m. Learn how to get trained on turn tables, how to write hip-hop lyrics, advice on how to start a career or hobby in hip-hop and get connected to upcoming hip-hop shows in the area.

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East Somerville Spring Community cleanup will take place on April 27, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Join in and make a difference in the East Somerville community. Meet at the East Branch Library.

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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/porchfest2024/.

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Vist the Arts at the Armory for the last winter farmer’s markets of the season, this Saturday, April 6. 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. 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., 191 Highland Ave. For a list of weekly events visit www.somwintermarket.org.

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The city is seeking adult and student volunteers to help with publicity, outreach, and day-of activities at the Colonial Fair on Monday, April 15 (Patriots’ Day). Volunteers are encouraged to dress in Colonial era garb – some clothing can be lent and ‘make your own’ instructions and resources are available. If you are interested in volunteering, visit: https://wkf.ms/49V2W8m. Please be sure to select “Historic Events (across the city).”

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The Welcome Project welcomes back YUM 2024: A Taste of Immigrant City to an in-person event, May 2. 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 U.S. 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. 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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Don’t miss the in-person Somerville Public Schools recruitment fair on April 11, 3:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. at the Kennedy School (5 Cherry Street, Somerville, MA 02144). Bring your resumé, meet district staff, learn more about our district. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/42LJ3hT

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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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Somerville Open Studios 2024, 25th Anniversary will take place on Saturday and Sunday, May 4–5, from 12:00 to 6:00 pm each day, at artists’ studios and homes throughout Somerville. Over 350 artists in 90 locations citywide will open their studios to the public.  The SOS First Look Show at the Somerville Museum will be open from April 11 through May 11. For more information, map, artist, trolley and other events visit https://www.somervilleopenstudios.org/.

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Carnaval will be here soon. If you are a vendor, make sure you submit an application soon, visit. https://www.eastsomervillemainstreets.org/carnaval.

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The Somerville Redevelopment Authority Board is seeking one new member (a five year term), and all residents are invited to apply. The Somerville Redevelopment Authority Board is dedicated to enhancing the livability and prosperity of areas within the city through the implementation of urban renewal. Learn more and apply by April 15 at somervillema.gov/BeSomerville.

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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. The submission deadline is 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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