Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, the Somerville Commission for Women, RESPOND, Inc., the Somerville Public Library, and the Department of Racial and Social Justice (RSJ) invite residents to attend the city’s annual Domestic Violence Vigil on Wednesday, October 30. This annual vigil is dedicated to commemorating the lives lost to domestic violence in the past year, recognizing the strength of survivors, and renewing our community’s dedication to eradicating domestic violence. The 2024 Somerville Domestic Violence Vigil will begin at 6:00 p.m. at the East Somerville Library (115 Broadway). If there is rain, the vigil will move indoors to Connexion, 149 Broadway. The event is free and open to the public. Light food and refreshments will be provided. There will be American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation at the event. If you would like to attend, please consider RSVPing in advance here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/city-of-somerville-2024-domestic-violence-vigil-tickets-1038275519027?aff=oddtdtcreator.

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Happy birthday this week to several locals: Happy birthday to Amanda Fee. We wish her the very best on her birthday. A special happy birthday to Diane Suffredini, who is celebrating this week. We wish her the best and hope she has a great year. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such as Gene Beraldi, Candy Feldt, John Blute,Diane Sylvester Ames and Katie Marsh, 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 Council on Aging Halloween Party takes place on Thursday, October 31, 10:30 a.m., at 167 Holland Street, Somerville. Enjoy music, a costume contest and trick or treating with the COA staff. Lunch to be served at noon following Trick or Treat. $5 per person RSVP to Debby by calling 617-625-6600 ext. 2321 or dhiggins@somervillema.gov

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Early Voting for the November 5 Presidential Election will take place at Somerville City Hall on Thursday, October 31, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Friday, November 1, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. For more election information visit https://www.somervillema.gov/departments/elections.

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The City of Somerville has created a new web page where voters can look up their current address to verify their ward and polling place ahead of the November 2024 Presidential Election. The portal is designed to provide Somerville voters with localized, precise ward and polling place information so you know where to go on Election Day. To use the portal, visit www.somervillema.gov/votesomerville and start typing your address into the search bar. Simply keep typing until you see a match, and then click on the correct matching address. The portal will then display your ward, precinct, and polling place with address, as well as the names and contact information of your city, state, and federal officials.

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The Somerville Internet Volunteers Committee is hosting a virtual public hearing before the City Council on Wednesday, October 30, at 6:00 p.m., discussing the necessity for the city to fund a feasibility study on municipal-operated broadband internet service. SMC recommends Somerville residents tune in to this conversation and learn about how such a move could potentially narrow the digital divide and bring benefits to everyone in the city. Here is the link to register for Wednesday at 6:00 p.m.

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Somerville lost a legend this week with the passing of Ron Perry Sr. He was a fantastic player and coach. He still holds scoring records at Somerville High School. Our condolences go out to his family and all who knew him.

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November 1-3 at the Armory, Buffalo Tom Presents: Please Come to Boston Festival! More info and tickets here: https://the-center-for-arts-at-the-armory.ticketleap.com/. Buffalo Tom will perform one full album each date with comedy by Eugene Mirman, Dave Hill, readings by Tom Perotta, Bill Janovitz and more, and a special Sunday morning session of Punk Rock Aerobics with Hilken Mancini. There will be surprise guests, films, wine/beer plus unique Buffalo Tom merch items for sale throughout the weekend. Tickets are $70 for a one-day pass, and a 3-day VIP pass is $237 and includes a limited edition bundle of commemorative poster, tote bag and hat. Check out Buffalo Tom’s website for more info.

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Community members are invited to celebrate the renovation of Henry Hansen Park honoring Sgt. Henry O. “Hank” Hansen, a Magoun Square resident killed in action just one week after participating in the first flag-raising on Iwo Jima’s Mount Suribachi. New park features include a memorial wall and plaques honoring Sgt. Hansen and main branches of the armed services, a seating wall, water bottle filler, native landscape plantings, and more.A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held on Thursday, November 7, from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. at Henry Hansen Park, located at 70 Partridge Ave. at the corner of Medford St. and Partridge Ave. Learn more about the park and the ribbon cutting.

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Hazardous Waste Drop-Off takes place Saturday, November 2. The next monthly Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Day is at the DPW, 1 Franey Rd., 9:00 a.m. – noon.

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Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the Mayor’s Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development (OSPCD) invite residents to participate in a series of public meetings on the Central Somerville Avenue project. The series of hybrid meetings, hosted by the Planning, Preservation and Zoning (PPZ) division, is part of efforts to preserve and grow the artist, maker and climatetech industries. OSPCD is proposing a Five Point Plan, including clarifying zoning language, creating a research nd development district, updating the SomerVision map, creating an Urban Design Framework, and writing a zoning overlay district. For future meetings and project information, please visit voice.somervillema.gov/cen-som-ave.

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The second Tavern Talk hosted by the Somerville Museum at Aeronaut Brewing takes place on Sunday, November 3, 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. Tavern Talk: Vitamin B for Victory: How Beer Helped Win World War II. In this special presentation by Dan Breen, PhD, follow the course of American beers from the Solomons to Bastogne, as the Greatest Generation marched towards victory with Lagers in hand. For tickets and more information visit https://www.somervillemuseum.org/.

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Gallery @ SPL Presents: Timid Taxidermy with Samantha Lipsky, November 1.Join a reception to celebrate SPL’s newest exhibit featuring the work of local artist Samantha Lipsky. Original paintings by Lipsky are inspired by curious creatures on the Internet and the dark comedy series Bad Sisters. This event will be held on Saturday, November 1, at the Central Library (79 Highland Ave.) from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m.

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Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the Somerville Office of Sustainability are announcing the renewal of the Somerville Community Choice Electricity (Somerville CCE) program, with new, stable prices from December 2024 through January 2028. Interested residents can learn more about the program and sign up by visiting cce.somervillema.gov.

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Somerville Community Growing Center, 22 Vinal St., will be holding the Wreath Project. Bow Making on Saturday, November 2, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m., Sunday, November 3, 12:00 – 1:30 p.m. All welcome to a workshop to learn how to make bows for the annual wreath making project. Contact: Kristen at kristen_antunes@yahoo.com.

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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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Are you an emerging artist looking to share your artistic skills with your community? The City of Somerville, through the Somerville Arts Council (SAC), invites emerging artists (or a group of artists working as a team) to submit project concepts to be considered for a commission to create a temporary public artwork. This opportunity is funded in partnership with the New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA), making it public program. $750 for Finalists. $15,000 Selected Project budget. Applications are due on October 31, by 11:59 p.m. Apply here: www.somervilleartscouncil.org/TemporaryPublicArt.

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East Somerville Main Streets is gearing up for their Fall Clean-Up on Saturday, November 2, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Join them at 115 Broadway, East Branch Library, as they clean and beautify the neighborhood. Pastries and coffee will be provided.

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The Elections Department is looking to hire multiple inspectors for the upcoming November 5 Presidential Election. The hours the polls are open to voters are 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 5. If you 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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CAAS’s Somerville Movement Meeting: We keep us safe: no matter who the president is. Join your neighbors to build community and power. Register here: bit.ly/Somerville-Renters, Saturday, November 9, at 10:00 a.m., East Somerville (Register for location). Masks will be mandatory when not eating or drinking. Registration will close at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 7. Space is limited. Childcare and breakfast will be provided.

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The Somerville Winter Farmers Market is back at the Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave. on Saturdays, 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. from November 2 to April 12. More info available on their website: https://www.somwintermarket.org/.

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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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Somerville Public Schools 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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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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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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The 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. For clinics open to the general public, please register via the City of Somerville website. November 18 (ages 19+) noon – 2:00 p.m., December 12 (ages 19+) 4:00 – 6:00 p.m. Both flu and COVID-19 vaccines are conveniently offered at multiple locations across Somerville, improving access for all residents. Both vaccines are available with no out-of-pocket costs, and we accept those without health insurance. If you do have health insurance, please bring proof of coverage. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged. Walk-in appointments are limited.

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