Are you on the hunt for your next apartment in Somerville? Get guidance from the Somerville Office of Housing Stability (OHS) at a rental housing information session on Thursday, July 25, at the City Hall Annex (50 Evergreen Ave.) from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Whether you’re a first-time renter or looking to relocate within Somerville, this session will provide practical guidance and empower you to navigate the rental process with confidence. Topics cover preparing for the housing process, renting basics, navigating the market, and available resources for moving costs. To learn more and register to attend, visit: tinyurl.com/OHSsearch.

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Meet baby goats from Chip-In Farm! Goats & Giggles is your chance for a hands-on playtime with the goats with plenty of time for goat cuddles and photo ops. A maximum of 20 people may visit with the goats at one time. This program is funded by the Friends of the Somerville Public Library. Goats & Giggles at the East will take place Thursday, July 25, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. East Branch Library, 115 Broadway.

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Happy birthday this week to several locals: Happy birthday to our good friend Jimmy Del Ponte. Many in Somerville and beyond look forward to his column here each week. We wish him a great day. Happy birthday to former Ward 5 Councilor Mark Niedergang, who is also celebrating this week. We hope he has a great birthday. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such as Christine Lyons, Tommy Mcdaid, Frank Tello Jr., Erica Jones, Carol Powers, Joan Campo McKenna, Stephanie Ann, Erika Uyterhoeven, Justin Klekota, Peter Mcisaac, Joanne Tibbetts, Gail Stoico, Mark Niedergang, Paul Wood Memories, Robert Carnes, and Michael Delicato 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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The city will host Tufts Reconstruction Virtual Office Hours, Thursday, July 25. Join city staff for their virtual office hours anytime from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. to ask your questions and share your feedback on the Tufts Street Reconstruction Updated Design. Community members can log into the zoom webinar at any time and either ask questions or share your comments to the whole team or join a breakout room to talk one-on-one with a team member. Register in advance https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_87yZ0OzaTKCwJQVZuIcSsg. For more information about the project, visit somervillema.gov/tuftsstreet.

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On August 11, 1834, an Ursuline Convent on Mt. Benedict, in what is now Somerville, was vandalized and then burned to the ground by an anti-Catholic mob. Author and Salem State Professor Emeritus Nancy Schultz will explore the tensions over class, gender, religion, ethnicity, and education that fueled the convent’s destruction. Tickets are $12 and include one drink from Aeronaut Brewing. For details, see http://www.somervillemuseum.org/calendar-events/ursuline.

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Visit East Somerville Main Street’s Summer Party on July 27 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Chuckie Harris Park, Cross St E. Enjoy food, live music, storytelling, art, games and activities. They want to hear from you, share your dreams about East Somerville. No te pierdas este momento lleno de arte y activitades! Não perca este dia cheio de diversão e arte com a família!

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Enjoy music in the garden, with local professional musicians sharing American Jazz Standards, with new twists integrating rhythms from French Caribbean traditions. Led by Growing Center volunteer Mark Torgerson on guitar, who will be joined by keyboard, horns, bass and percussion. Kadanz Jazz: Standards with French Caribbean Rhythms, Friday, July 26, 7:00-8:30 p.m., Somerville Community Growing Center, 22 Vinal Ave. On Saturday, July 28, 6:30-8:30 p.m. the Community Garden will also host Spoken Word/Poetry Open Mic. All invited to share spoken word poetry, first come-first served to sign up.

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Cyclopolitan and East Somerville Main Streets host the 4th annual East Somerville Mural Ride on Saturday July 27, 3:30 – 5:00 p.m. Celebrate our colorful city with a leisurely ride around town. Join the fourth annual tour of the street art of East Somerville by bike. All event details, including the exact starting location, will only be released to those who register. Register here: bit.ly/muralrideeast24.

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Register for the Somerville Soccer fall 2024 season and save $5 between now and July 31 during SYS Mid-Summer Savings Days! Sign up today before late fees begin on August 1. Visit www.somervillesoccer.org to learn more.

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Heat safety tips and ways to keep cool in and around Somerville are available in multiple languages on the city’s Keeping Cool in Hot Weather webpage at somervillema.gov/keepcool.

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Join Parkour Generations Boston for the monthly, free Community Jam at The Dojo from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 27. All movement backgrounds are welcome, such as CrossFit, climbing, obstacle course racing, yoga, Pilates, circus arts, boxing, weightlifting, dance, gymnastics, couch-sitting, and anything in between – meet-ups have something for you. No registration is required (15 Properzi Way, Somerville). On Friday, August 2, from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., the Mystic Learning Center is hosting a Tropical Summer Party at The Dojo at Somernova. The Party is free and will feature food, fun, music, summer activities, prizes, and so much more. If you’re a young adult (14+), come down to The Dojo. Visit the Dojo on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., Somerville Bike Kitchen, a volunteer-run bicycle repair cooperative, hosts open-shop nights.

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Summer Jam on the lawn takes place on July 30, 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. on the Central Library lawn, 79 Highland Ave. They’ll have a DJ, sno-cones and other snacks, giant Connect-4 and other lawn games, temporary tattoos, raffle prizes, and more! All ages are welcome to attend. Brought to you by the Somerville Public Library Teen Room in partnership with Center for Teen Empowerment.

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Container Gardening Workshop with Green City Growers takes place at the Central Library, Monday, July 29, 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. 79 Highland Ave. In this workshop, learn everything you need to know to get started with container gardening. Topics will include how to determine how much light your location gets and how that impacts what you can grow; types of containers; soil and fertilizers; when and how much to water; plant spacing; as well as determining whether to direct seed or buy transplants. Stop by with questions and leave with a small container and plant.

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Save the date for the 19th annual “What the Fluff Fest” A Tribute to Union Square Innovation is a madcap festival honoring the invention of Marshmallow Fluff. It celebrates Somerville’s proud tradition of innovation with live music, fluffalicious feasts, sticky games, zany happenings, and much more! The Festival is located in Union Square on Saturday, September 21, from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m. For more info on the events and offerings at the festival, visit www.flufffestival.com.

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Mark your calendars for August 10 for the Somerville Arts Council’s annual citywide Yart Sale. Explore an entire city’s worth of front yards, driveways, and porches transformed into mini art galleries and bustling markets. Here’s what you can expect: paintings, photography, handmade objects, band merch, art supplies, art tools, collectible items, plants, art supplies, frames, vintage clothes, etc. Your purchases help support the vibrant local art community. This citywide event is fun for all ages, we highly encourage you to bring your friends and family. Interested in registering as an art vendor? Check out https://somervilleartscouncil.org/yartsale.

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Somerville Recreation is gearing up for a summer packed with weekly programming for local teens. There’s something for everyone, programs include pickup soccer, volleyball and basketball clinics, pickup flag football, open gym, and Friday crafting at the Powderhouse. Programming began on July 1, is free, and open to Somerville teen ages 12-18. Get the full Teen Summer Guide to sign up for a specific program or learn more about all programs and events https://somervillema.myrec.com/info/default.aspx.

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Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, Somerville Police Department, and Somerville Recreation invite community members to National Night Out on Tuesday, August 6, at Trum Field (541 Broadway) from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Enjoy music and family-friendly activities, meet local officers, and more. National Night Out occurs annually and nationwide to promote police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. Learn more and register to attend at somervillema.myrec.com. Registration is not required.

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Check out the free summer meals for Somerville youth through August 16. Argenziano/Lincoln Park, 290 Washington St. Breakfast around 9:30 a.m. Dilboy Pool Parking Lot, 324 Alewife Brook Pkwy, Lunch Starting 10:00 – 10:15 a.m. Blessing of the Bay Boathouse, 32 Shore Drive, Lunch10:30 – 11:00 a.m. Founders Skating Rink at Conway Park (near the basketball courts), 570 Somerville Ave. Breakfast and lunch 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. Foss Park, 49 Fellsway W. Lunch at 11:15 – 11:45 a.m.

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The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) recently detected West Nile virus (WNV) in mosquito samples from Cambridge. While no human or animal cases of WNV or Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) have been reported, it is important to take steps to protect yourself from mosquitoes and mosquito-borne illnesses. For tips and information, visit: mass.gov/dph/mosquito

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The Somerville Public Library in partnership with St. Mark Community Education Program is offering a free, 10-week U.S. Citizenship Preparation class. The class will prepare students for the citizenship interview including the 100 civics questions, the reading and writing sections, and interview questions based on the filed N-400 application. Requirements: Basic level of English and 5 years as a U.S. permanent resident (green card holder) or 3 years, if married to a US citizen.Registration required: tinyurl.com/splcitizenshipclassfall2024

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