Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, Ward 6 Councilor Lance Davis, Ward 5 Councilor Naima Sait, Ward 3 Councilor Ben Ewen-Campen, Ward 2 Councilor J.T. Scott, and city staff invite you to a community meeting to discuss the Elm Beacon Connector. September 25, 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Learn more about the project at somervillema.gov/elmbeacon. Register in Advance: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_6FYX8cSgQBqOgnv3aQ8yAg.

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The Department of Veterans Services invites veterans and their spouses to join them for a complimentary breakfast. Thursday, September 26, 10:30 a.m., at the Somerville High School Highlander Café. RSVP link: https://forms.office.com/g/Va4D5n6FiG

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Happy birthday this week to several locals: Happy Birthday to Lori Pino of of Amal Niccoli Salon in Ball Square. We wish her the best and  hope she enjoys her day. Happy birthday to Karen F. McWatters, who celebrates this week. We hope she has a great birthday. Happy birthday to Sal DiDomenico, who is also celebrating this week. Happy birthday to Ena Johnson, who will be celebrating on October 2. We wish her the very best of birthdays. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such as Ann Sylvester, Julia Gilligan Corsetti, Scott Breen, Lisa Monaco, Joell Johns, Roy Carreiro, Joseph Leblanc, Debbie Price King, Linda Malone, Edward Barry, and Rick Gaetano 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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Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and Somerville Recreation invite you to celebrate the start of autumn at Fall Festival. This event was originally scheduled for September 21 but was rescheduled due to inclement weather. The rescheduled date is Thursday, September 26, 4:00 – 7:00 p.m., 570 Somerville Ave. Get in the spirit of the season with fun for all ages: bounce houses, pumpkin decorating, magicians, face painting, and much more.

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Join Chefs Maddie and Khushboo as they present a tale of four stories, weaving the history of flavors and techniques from India and Pakistan. Part of the Nibble Kitchen Back to School Cooking Class Series collection, the class will be held September 29, 5:00 – 7:30 p.m. Nibble Kitchen, 1 Bow Market Way, Somerville To register for this event at  https://nibblesomerville.com/.

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The HONK! Festival of Activist Street Bands returns for another year of reclaiming the streets for horns, bikes and feet. This free 3-day festival will take place from October 4 to October 6 in Davis Square. Keep up to date at https://honkfest.org.

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This month, the Central Library, 79 Highland Ave., is pleased to display the artwork of five local artists commissioned to create interactive community art for the city’s climate action plan, Climate Forward. Join them for a reception celebrating the exhibit on September 25, from 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided. The Climate Forward Photo Gallery showcases interactive community art created at the Imagining Climate Forward 2050 event in April 2024. The event was the launch for the city’s updated climate action plan, Climate Forward.

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Friends of the Somerville Public Library will be holding a Book Sale at the East Branch Library, 115 Broadway, on October 5. All items are $1.,proceeds from the sale will help fund library programming and cultural passes. The sale will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., any questions can be emailed to friendssomervillepubliclibrary@gmail.com.

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Ward-based City Hall Community Meetings are back this fall. Hear from Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and city staff to find out what’s happening in your neighborhood, how to get involved, and ask questions about issues that are important to you. All ward meetings are in-person and will begin at 6:30 p.m. An all ward meeting in Portuguese will be held Monday, September 30 at the  East Somerville Community School Cafeteria, 50 Cross St. This meeting will also be livestreamed on the City of Somerville YouTube page and shared on the Portuguese language Facebook page fb.com/SomervilleCidade. Ward 5 (Magoun Sq., NE Ball Sq., Cedar & Lowell St. areas, NW Porter Sq., and more) takes place Tuesday, October 1, Kennedy School Cafeteria, 5 Cherry St. A meet-and-greet with refreshments will begin at 6:00 p.m. For additional accommodations,please call 311 (617-666-3311). To learn more, visit somervillema.gov/communitymeetings.

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Poet/writer/publisher Gloria Mindock of Cervena Barva Press shares her writing process, provides advice for new writers, and reads some of her fabulous work.Briar Haus Writes conversation with Gloria Mindock 2024: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8AaziWKXxw.

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RESPOND will celebrate  50 years of impact, resilience, and community at their Golden Gala. Mark your calendars for Thursday, October 24, at 6:00 p.m. at the Royal Sonesta in Cambridge for an unforgettable evening as they commemorate this incredible milestone and the progress they have made in the fight to end domestic violence. Ticket sales close on October 4, to purchase tickets visit https://www.respondinc.org/gala/.

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As of Tuesday, September 3, the Central Library (79 Highland Ave.) temporarily implemented a modified afternoon schedule during weekdays. Weekend hours will remain unchanged: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays: Closed from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., Wednesdays: Closed from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. For questions about events and pick up schedules impacted by the temporary schedule change, you can contact them at 617-623-5000 or by calling 311. Learn more at: somervillepubliclibrary.org.

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The Elections Department is looking to hire multiple inspectors for the upcoming November 5 Presidential Election and will be holding a brief information session where you can learn some basic knowledge of the polls. The hours the polls are open to voters are from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 5. Register to attend an information session on Tuesday, October 8, at City Hall (93 Highland Ave.) at 10:00 a.m. or 2:00 p.m. If you can’t make an information session but would like to learn more, please call the Elections Office at 617-625-6600 ext. 4200. https://www.somervillema.gov/departments/elections.

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The Somerville Homeless Coalition is gearing up for its annual Somerville 5K Road Race on October 5, to support the most underprivileged neighbors experiencing homelessness and this year. For 29 years, supporters from across the Greater Boston area have run throughout the streets of Somerville in solidarity to ensure that our clients receive the critical resources and services they need on their journey to securing a forever home. Visit https://somervillehomelesscoalition.org/.

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Somerville Public Schools are now in session for the 2024/2025 school year. Visit SPS district website calendar for more information: https://somerville.k12.ma.us/events/calendar. Visit the 2024–2025 School Year Calendar page for an English, Spanish, Portuguese, or Haitian Creole calendar to print: https://somerville.k12.ma.us/schoolyearcalendar. Visit the Food and Nutrition Services Department page for school meal menus. Breakfast and lunch are free for all students: https://somerville.k12.ma.us/fnsd.

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Register to vote for the November 5 election, one of three ways: online at somerville-ma.gov/registertovote, in person at City Hall (93 Highland Ave.), or by calling the Elections Department (617-625-6600 ext. 4200) and requesting a voter registration form. The in-person registration deadline is Saturday, October 26, by 5:00 p.m. or online by midnight. Your registration can also be mailed and will be accepted with a postmark of October 26 or earlier.

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SPS is hiring substitute teachers for all of our PK-12 schools. For more information or to apply visit https://somerville.tedk12.com/hire.

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On Friday, September 27, at 7:30 p.m., at the Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave, Bill Blumenreich Presents: Beth Stelling, Stand-up Comedian, Writer and Actress. More info and tickets available on Ticketmaster: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/01006093DE328A14. Beth Stelling is a comedian, writer and actress based in Los Angeles. Her new Netflix special If You Didn’t Want Me Then topped every “Best of 2023” list.

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Visit the Growing Center, 22 Vinal Ave for their Harvest Festival: Gathering in Gratitude, Saturday, September 28, 1:30-4:00 pm (Rain Date September 29). Harvest activities and games, pumpkin decorating, a celebration of the bounty nature shares with us during the year and honoring the great volunteers that steward this space. Check out the new Pollinator Mosaic installation and take home some native seeds. For more information Contact: info@thegrowingcenter.org

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The Somerville Council on Aging present a Cultural Series Event at the Dilboy Post, featuring musical memories with John and Linda. Friday, September 27, starting at 11:00 a.m. at the Dilboy Post located at 351 Summer Street. $5 per person. Lunch will be served at noon. On September 30, funding for their ARPA funded Multicultural Meals Program will conclude. In response, Mayor Ballantyne has directed additional funding to the Council on Aging in this year’s budget to allow for the continuation of a monthly cultural performance and to subsidize the cost of catered meals from area restaurants. Monthly programming will be held at the Dilboy Post where we can accommodate up to 100 participants. To kick off the new version of our cultural series, they welcome John and Linda, who will feature vocal harmonies performing cover songs from the 50s through the 90s.

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The Intercambio Language and Culture Exchange Program is starting up again in Somerville. Visit somervilleartscouncil.org/intercambio to learn more about this exciting opportunity to practice a language and connect with others in your community.

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The 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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East Somerville Main Streets is looking for vendors for their Halloween Block Party on Saturday, October 26, from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Chuckie Harris Park. Please sign up through the form (https://forms.gle/BvSwZX8YYUeg3rGB7) for more information. Don’t miss this opportunity to have fun and meet the community.

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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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Save the date for the Somerville Chamber of Commerce Golf Outing on October 1. The Somerville Chamber of Commerce presents the 2024 GOLF CLASSIC, sponsored by the Winter Hill Bank. The event will take place at the Sandy Burr Country Club, 103 Cochituate Rd., Wayland MA 01778, 7:30 a.m. Registration, 8:30 a.m. Shotgun Start (note early time). Lunch and awards to follow: 12:30 – 2:00 p.m. For golf (individuals, twosomes, threesomes, foursome welcome); and/or to sponsor – opportunities from $175 to $1,500. For more information or to help, email Joanne Haley: Joanne@somervillechamber.org.

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All Wednesdays during the school year are now early release days. You may talk to your child’s teacher or school administrators if you have any questions about drop-off and pickup. Prekindergarten: 12:00 p.m., Grades K–8 (except Next Wave): 1:00 p.m., Next Wave/Full Circle: 12:10 p.m., Somerville High School: 1:33 p.m.

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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. 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.

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Council on Aging Flu and COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic Dates at the Holland St. Senior Center, 167 Holland St. Senior Only Clinics, please register by calling the COA directly at 617-625-6600, ext. 2300. September 26, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m., October 10, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. Clinics open to the general public, please register via the City of Somerville website. October 21 (ages 19+) noon- 2:00 p.m., November 18 (ages 19+) noon- 2:00 p.m., December 12 (ages 19+) 4:00 – 6:00 p.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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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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The 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 pro-duce, protein, baked goods, ready-to-eat meals, alongside a host of other locally made prod-ucts. The market accepts cash, credit/debit cards, WIC/Senior coupons, and EBT cards and of-fers a weekly $15 SNAP Match.

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