Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, Ward 4 Councilor Jesse Clingan, and city staff invite you to an open house to learn more about flood relief and water quality improvement efforts planned for Winter Hill, Ten Hills, and the surrounding neighborhood. Wednesday, November 13, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Mystic Activity Center (530 Mystic Avenue). The open house will feature multiple stations describing different aspects of the project. Drop-in anytime during the event to review the preliminary design, talk with project team members, ask questions, and share your feedback. Following the event, information about the preliminary design will also be available on the project website at somervillema.gov/mysticoutfall.

****************************

Community members are invited to celebrate the development of Boynton Yards Park, the first of three civic spaces that will ultimately deliver over two acres of publicly accessible and sustainably designed civic and open space for the Somerville community. The new 22,360 sq. ft. park features a splash pad, open lawn, native plantings, and is a part of the larger Boynton Yards development. A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held on Thursday, November 14, from 2 to 3 p.m., at Boynton Yards, located between 101 South St. and 808 Windsor St. The event will be held rain or shine.

****************************

Happy birthdays this week: Happy birthday to Joe Lynch, who is celebrating this week. He is a great guy, well-known resident who cares about the city. We wish him a great birthday and many more. Happy birthday to a former Alderman At-Large, amongst her many other accomplishments, Helen Corrigan. We wish her the very best of birthdays.A big happy birthday to Joseph McKeon, we wish him the very best. We hope he has a great day. Happy birthday to a great friend of ours, Malitta Knaut. A great person. We wish her the very best. Happy birthday to Diane Johansen, we wish her the very best on this her birthday. Happy birthday to Joshua Lewin, of Juliet in Union Square. We wish him the very best. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such as Elena Clamen, Jerry DiGiovanni, Cheryl Bertocchi, John Kane, Antonette Almeida, Dottie Bowman, Antonette Biondo, Tanya Kalousdian, Richard Berner, Jim Powers, Sandrine Jeffreson, Meghann Viens, Philip D’Arcangelo and Dennis Biondo 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.

****************************

Food For Free will be holding an open house on Thursday, November 14, 8:30-10:00 a.m. at Food For Free’s Packing and Distribution Center, 59 Inner Belt Road, Somerville. Meet their team, tour their space, and learn about volunteer opportunities at Food For Free. Feel free to bring a friend or two who might be interested in learning more about the work we do across Eastern Massachusetts.

****************************

With the days growing shorter and temperatures dipping colder, the Somerville Homeless Coalition is in critical need of new or lightly used jackets for their clients currently living outside. If you have any adult sized coats hanging in your closet that you don’t wear, please consider dropping them off at the Somerville Homeless Coalition admin office located at 255 Elm Street, Suite 204 during the hours listed below. Drop Off Hours: Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. Each coat donated provides warmth, dignity, and safety for our neighbors having to face the harsh New England winter conditions.

****************************

Order a festive wreath from Next Wave / Full Circle during their annual wreath fundraiser. Wreath pick up is at NWFC on December 4 from 3 to 7 p.m. and they cost $25. https://trst.in/W0Ur6B

****************************

It is once again time for MAMAS FREE STORE at the East Somerville Community School, 50 Cross Street on Saturday November 16, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Free clothing for all ages. ages. They need all hands-on deck for this event. Even if you are unable to help out on the day of the event, they need a lot of help organizing and sorting clothes ahead of time. If you have time and space available in your schedule, please email askyourmamas@gmail.com to get connected with ways to help. They need gently used/like new Mens/Masc boots for MAMAS free store. Please drop all donations at Connexion Church, 149 Broadway this Wednesday, November 13, between 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. If you have boots but are unable to donate them during this time, please email askyourmamas@gmail.com for alternative arrangements.

****************************

The City of Somerville is now accepting applications from residents ages 16 and older to join the city’s Participatory Budgeting process as Budget Delegate Volunteers. Applications are due Wednesday, November 20. To apply, please complete the application by going to the web address below, or call 617-625-6600 ext. 2107 with any questions or to receive a paper application. Application link: https://bit.ly/4fc0k9g.

****************************

Join Groundwork Somerville to learn about mound-style gardens and convert a row-style garden bed into this more sustainable alternative. November 17, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. 198 South St., Somerville. Stay and celebrate the closing of the Fall season with cider and donuts, make some crafts with us, and share what you want to see in your community spaces.

****************************

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, The Somerville Department of Health and Human Services, and the Somerville Public Library invite the Somerville community to join us for the annual Transgender Day of Remembrance/Resilience in honor of those members of the community who have lost their lives to violence. Wednesday, November 20, 5 – 6 p.m., Central Library, 79 Highland Ave. For more information about LGBTQ+ programming, events, and information, please contact LGBTQ+ Services Coordinator Izzy Starr at istarr@somervillema.gov

****************************

The next public Community Meeting re:garding 231-249 Elm Street and 6-8 & 12 Grove Street (the Development project from the Burren to Dragon Pizza) will be on November 20, 6 p.m. at Somerville Community Baptist Church, 31 College Ave.The property owner and developer will be engaging in a discussion regarding the project. This is the third conversation they’ve hosted, and meeting notes from the previous two can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1A9Ta_NOJpXJu8CYrukOx59GG4dB9XB43QQXcmpIk3PM/edit?fbclid=IwY2xjawGgXClleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHW5qOnypo6QBeMHXcJmkJVBIjqHIKYT4oCoKBNe78M5nDyXJvk8tQqVrnw_aem_v_OSNDXePKtMZP0d-sni8Q&tab=t.xdfnq4icm70m.

****************************

Somerville is taking a step toward greater sustainability and energy equity with a proposed rental registry and energy disclosure ordinance. The proposed ordinance will strengthen two-way communication between landlords and the city, while improving landlord access to energy efficiency and weatherization resources. Attend a virtual meeting on Wednesday, November 20, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. to get updates on the proposed ordinance, the community feedback process and the feedback received, discuss the preliminary implementation plan, and have opportunities to ask questions and give additional feedback. Once finalized, the proposed ordinance will be submitted to City Council for approval. Online via Zoom, to register visit somervillema.gov/rred

****************************

The 10th Annual Holiday Stroll will take place on Saturday, December 7. A celebration of Union Square sparkle, discovery, and holiday delight that is sure to jumpstart your holiday shopping and get you exploring all that the “38th coolest neighborhood in the world” has to offer! Dozens of locally-owned businesses await you with everything needed to stuff your stockings, deck your halls with local art, tantalize your taste buds, and more. Come on down to unwrap Union Square in all its wintry wonderment.

****************************

Are you a Somerville business or property owner interested in brightening up your building’s exterior? The Somerville Arts Council is looking for partners who would like to host a vibrant mural on their property. This is a unique opportunity to collaborate with local artists and enhance the character of our community through stunning public art. If you’re interested in learning more about how they can work together to make your building a canvas for creativity, please reach out directly to discuss potential partnerships and project possibilities. https://somervilleartscouncil.org/resources/calls.

****************************

The holidays are just around the corner which means the Somerville Homeless Coalation’s Holiday Gift Drive is now in full swing. This time of year can be especially difficult for their clients and their families which is why they host this drive each year to help spread the joy of the holidays to our less fortunate neighbors. At the moment, they still have 114 clients without a matched sponsor which is why they are asking for your help to make sure that everyone gets to be a part of this year’s festivities. If you are interested in providing a gift for a client(s) contact 617-623-6111.

****************************

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.

****************************

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.

****************************

East Somerville Main Streets is calling for vendors to participate in their Cozy Holiday Market on December 6 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the parking lot of Deano’s Pasta, 15 Garfield Ave. If you’re interested, please fill out the form https://forms.gle/mJppkmhXAYj44peRA. Dec 06, 2024, 5:30 – 8 p.m.The Cozy Holiday Market invites you to savor a warm drink while exploring a variety of artisans, materials, and charming supplies to prepare for the winter ahead. Gather with friends, family, and even bring your pets to relish in the cozy atmosphere. Unearth that festive, ugly sweater from the back of your closet and capture memorable moments with Santa. Embrace the joy of the season and have fun at our cozy market.

****************************

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/.

****************************

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.

****************************

Is your teen looking to make some extra money? The city’s Snow Shoveling Program is hiring youth to assist shoveling seniors and homeowners with disabilities out after snowstorms this winter. Teens and homeowners are paired for the season. After each storm, the homeowner will contact their assigned youth to request shoveling services. Somerville teens ages 14 to 19 are welcome to apply.Looking for snow shoveling services? Apply online or contact Debby Higgins at dhiggins@somervillema.gov.

****************************

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

****************************

Medical Equipment Program: Through the generosity of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), and from the direction of Mayor Ballantyne, the Council on Aging can 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. We currently have available: Commodes, 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.

****************************

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. If you do have health insurance, please bring proof of coverage. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged. Walk-in appointments are limited.

****************************

Don’t forget, if you would like to subscribe to receive a digital edition of our paper, go directly online to our website over to the right side and fill out your email address to receive a free, full PDF copy of the paper.