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. Tavern Talk: the 190th Anniversary of the Ursuline Convent Burning, Sunday, August 11, 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., Aeronaut Brewing at 14 Tyler Street, Somerville.

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On Saturday, August 10, the Somerville Arts Council will hold their 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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Happy birthday this week to several locals: Happy birthday to Brandon Wilson. We wish her a great birthday and hope she enjoys her day. Happy birthday to Donna Cassaro-Sides. We hope she has a great day. We wish all of our celebrating Facebook friends, such as Maria Mancini, Heather Marie Driscoll, Pamela M. Ferguson, Dale Hodgkins, Trish Bean Oakland, James Bimbo and Savanna Payne 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 Saturday, August 10, at 1:30 p.m., Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave. get ready to dance your heart out at The Beyoncé Experience Masterclass Part 2 with the renowned Henry Cedeño, International Dance Instructor and Presenter. Presented by Ama and Adjoa. More info and tickets available here: https://markitai.com/e/Wr8jtfxb72.

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Somerville Flea is back at 52 Holland St. Join in as they celebrate their 12th year smack dab in the middle of Davis Square. Vintage vendors, artisan makers, farm stand and DJ. Find that treasure you never knew you even existed. 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Sundays, August through October.

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The Gilman Pop-Up Park is an outdoor public space and is accessible between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. every day. Through September 8, 350 Medford St., Somerville. Use it like you would any other public park. During select hours, they have events, entertainment, and games. For a list of events visit https://culturehouse.cc/projects/gilman-park/.

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Docent tours take place from May through October at three historic sites in Somerville: Milk Row Cemetery (Somerville Avenue), Prospect Hill Tower (above Union Square), and Old Powder House (Nathan Tufts Park). They are open to the public on certain days and evenings. Inclement weather cancels any event. For full schedule and more information on the Docent Program: https://www.somervillemuseum.org/docentprogram.

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Foodie Crawl 2024 is back and better than ever. On Tuesday, September 17, East Somerville Main Streets invites you to Broadway to embark on a culinary journey around the world. They will highlight tastes from El Salvador, Brazil, Italy, France, Mexico, Portugal and more. For tickets and more information visit https://www.eastsomervillemainstreets.org/event-details/foodie-crawl-2024.

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On high-heat days, it’s best to limit outdoor activity to the morning and evening hours if possible. Avoid strenuous activity during mid-day when temperatures are highest. If you are walking, running, cycling, wheeling, or doing other outdoor exercise during hot weather, have water with you, seek a shady area or route, and pace yourself. Be sure to take a break if you start to feel overheated, especially if you become lightheaded, confused, weak, or faint. For more heat safety tips and ways to keep cool in and around Somerville this summer, visit: somervillema.gov/keepcool.

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The City of Somerville is alerting all registered voters that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has begun mailing a pre-addressed, postage pre-paid Vote by Mail application to every registered voter before each statewide election. If you have already applied to vote by mail for the upcoming election, you will not receive an additional application. Voters who prefer to apply online may do so at VoteInMA.com.

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The Somerville Community Growing Center participates in the SAC’s Yart Sale. Saturday, August 10, 12:00 – 5:00 p.m., 22 Vinal Ave. The Growing Center offers space for a range of artists to sell. Artists across the city will sell paintings, prints, handmade objects, art supplies, and more! Interested in selling your art at the Growing Center that day? Contact: Betsy at betsy@thegrowingcenter.org. Also on Saturday, August 10, 2:00 – 3:30 p.m. join Claire and Earthwise Aware (EwA) citizen scientists and learn how to observe and record the plants, insects, and animals of the Growing Center through the EwA photo documentation using the iNaturalist platform. Contact: Claire O’Neill at claire.oneill@earthwiseaware.org.

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All Somerville fire stations are collecting donations of school supplies for students living in the Mystic Public Housing Development. Donations will be accepted until August 15.

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Join Femmechanics from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. on August 21 for “grrreasetime” Night at The Dojo at Somernova. Femmechanics is a group of FTW (femme/trans/women/non-binary) people who bike in the Boston area. Join Femmechanics for an open shop time, called Grrrease Time, where you can come learn more about working on your bike and help others do the same. This space is open to everyone who identifies as femme and/or trans and/or women and/or non-binary, not just feminine of center folks. Located at The Dojo, 15 Properzi Way, Somerville.

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Somerville Public Schools has lots of openings for educators, classroom paraprofessionals, administrative staff, and an opening for their next Chief Financial Officer. Find a list of open positions and apply here: https://somerville.tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx.

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Visit the Somerville Bike Kitchen, a volunteer-run bicycle repair cooperative, hosting open-shop nights at The Dojo (15 Properzi Way, Somerville). Come maintain your bike or learn more about cycling. Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., upcoming Bike Kitchens: August 8, 13 and August 15. Every Thursday from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. join Parkour Generations Boston for Teen Jams at The Dojo. This is a flexible time for teen community members to use the pop-up training space at The Dojo @ Somernova and connect with fellow community members in the process. Upcoming Teen Jams August 8 and August 15.

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The city’s annual SomerMovie Fest is returning with a lineup of six family-friendly films to be shown in parks around Somerville. Watch Barbie: The Movie this Thursday, August 8, 7:45 p.m. at Seven Hills Park – Davis Sq. All screenings are free to attend and will begin at dusk. Closed captioning is available. For exact times and to learn more, visit www.somerville ma.gov/moviefest.

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Save the date for the 19th annual “What the Fluff Fest” A Tribute to Union Square Innovation, 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, 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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Train to become a Somerville Public Schools paraprofessional. SCALE (adult learning department) is offering a free Para Educator training course. SCALE is hosting information sessions on August 20. Register here: https://form.jotform.com/232615165718054

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Join the SPL and the Tewksbury Public Library for a virtual conversation with author Sharon Kitchens, who will discuss her new book, Stephen King’s Maine: A History & Guide. Explore Maine locations that serve as the basis for Stephen King’s fictional towns of Castle Rock, Jerusalem’s Lot, Derry, and Haven, drawing on historical materials and conversations with locals and people who know King. August 20, 7:00 p.m. on Zoom. Register here for this event: https://tinyurl.com/3jf99cf4.

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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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To celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Powder Alarm on September 1, the Somerville Museum is partnering with the City of Somerville to produce a re-enactment of the historic event, followed by a living history fair. The fair will include docent tours of the Powder House, activity tables, and even a scavenger hunt of the park. What was the Powder Alarm? Learn more about the events leading up to September 1, 1774: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3vfBQiV93c. The re-enactment will begin at approximately 9:30 a.m., followed by a living history fair and docent tours from approximately 10:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. For details, see http://www.somervillemuseum.org/calendar-events/powder-alarm.

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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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Don’t miss the Somerville Public Schools Get Ready for School Fair for families with children in going into grades PK-12. Tuesday, August 20, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Somerville High School, 81 Highland Ave.

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Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the Council on Aging invite you to the annual Senior Picnic on Thursday, September 12, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Trum Field, 541 Broadway in Somerville. Please call Connie Lorenti at the Council on Aging, 617-625-6600 ext. 2319 for your free ticket. There is limited transportation available – please request transportation prior to September 5.

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Join Union Square Main Streets and 50+ of your favorite local food producers for the 20th Annual Union Square Farmers Market, 6670 Union Square. Shop local on Saturdays through October 26, except September 21, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on the Union Square Plaza. The market provides visitors and residents with top-quality, fresh, and local produce at fair prices; encourages active lifestyle values; educates consumers about farming and locally sourced foods; and gives customers opportunities to interact directly with farmers. For more information about the Union Square Farmers Market, visit unionsquaremain.org/2024fmseason. SNAP customers get $1 for $1 match up to $15. See the Market Manager tent for more info.

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Davis Square Farmers Market is now open. Every Wednesday through November 22, 12:00 – 6:00 p.m. visit the Davis Square Farmers Market, across from American Flatbread at 44 Day St. Visit: www.massfarmersmarkets.org/davis. This long-running market features over two dozen Massachusetts farmers and food producers offering a vibrant selection of delicious produce, protein, baked goods, ready-to-eat meals, alongside a host of other locally made products. The market accepts cash, credit/debit cards, WIC/Senior coupons, and EBT cards and offers a weekly $15 SNAP Match.

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The Somerville Mobile Farmers Market opened for the season on Thursday, July 11, selling fresh, local produce through October 26. The mobile market accepts cash, debit cards, SNAP, Fresh Connect, WIC Farmers Market Coupons, and Senior Farmers Market Coupons. All are welcome. Find the Mobile Farmers Market at the following locations: Thursdays: 4:00 to 6:00 p.m., Clarendon Hill Towers (1372 Broadway), Fridays: 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Council on Aging (167 Holland St.), 2:30 to 4:30 p.m., East Branch Library (115 Broadway), Saturdays: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Mystic Housing Development (25 Memorial Rd.).

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The COA is offering free taxi rides to Somerville residents over the age of 60. Rides are available to go to the grocery store, farmer’s market, and pharmacy in Somerville and routine medical appointments in the surrounding communities. To best accommodate the needs of everyone in the city and to maximize the use of our funding, they will be capping the number of rides per week. To ensure the health and welfare of every resident of Somerville, exemptions will be made for chemotherapy and radiation appointments. To find out more information or to schedule your ride, please call Connie Lorenti at 617625-6600 ext. 2319. All rides must be booked two business days in advance. This program is funded through ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) Funding.

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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 6176256600, ext. 2321.

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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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