Join Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the Somerville Department of Health and Human Services in the auditorium at the Central Branch Library (79 Highland Ave) on Wednesday, November 20, at 5 p.m. for a Transgender Day of Remembrance ceremony in honor of those who have lost their lives to violence. This event is open to the public and all community members are welcome.

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There will be a public Community Meeting regarding 231-249 Elm Street and 6-8 & 12 Grove Street (the Development project from the Burren to Dragon Pizza) 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.

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Happy birthday this week to several locals: Happy birthday to Tracey Leah Pratt, who is celebrating this week. We wish Tracey a very happy birthday. Happy birthday to Bobby Potaris, who celebrates this week. A great guy and a great father. Happy birthday to Craig Resmini. We wish him a great birthday. Happy birthday to Joan Puglia, a lifelong resident who is celebrating this week as well. She’s the wife of former alderman Andy. Happy birthday to a great friend of ours, Malitta Knaut. A great person. We wish her the very best. Happy birthday to Diane Johansen, another friend of ours, lifelong resident from Winter Hill. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such as Peggy Henderson, Nancy Jones, Joe Beckmann, Joellen Guidi, Mary Silvestro, JoEllen Guidi, Suzanne Ferola, Bill Mccoy, Marie Coady, Todd Easton, Peggy Ryan Lookliss, Julie Adelsberger and Mary McGuirevery 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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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.

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We here at The Times wish everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving holiday. As we approach holiday gift shopping don’t forget to shop local to support local businesses. City offices will be closed on Thursday, November 28, and Friday, November 29, for Thanksgiving. Trash, recycling, and yard waste collection will be delayed by one day.

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The Somerville varsity football team has a home non-conference game vs. Cambridge Rindge & Latin (Cambridge, MA) on Wednesday, November 27, 6 p.m., Dilboy Stadium. Tickets can be purchased on-site before the game.

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The 28th Annual Gobble Gobble Gobble is a family-friendly 4-mile turkey trot that takes place every year on Thanksgiving. Presented by the Somerville Road Runners, the Gobble Gobble Gobble road race starts and ends in Davis Square (at the heart of Somerville), features a unique 4 mile course, and offers a fun opportunity to start Thanksgiving on a high and healthy note. Proceeds benefit Somerville Homeless Coalition, Somerville Track PAC, Stride for Stride and Dilboy VFW Veterans Relief Fund. For race details, visit https://srr.org/gobble. Advance registration is recommended as this event typically sells out.

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Elizabeth Peabody House’s food pantry is working to get turkeys for everyone on their waitlist. If you want to get on their turkey waitlist, you need to sign up for the Elizabeth Peabody House food pantry now. Somerville Food Coalition lists all the ways to get free food in Somerville on their website. https://somervillehomelesscoalition.org/

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Saturday, November 30, is Small Business Saturday. When you sit down with your shopping list this year, check out your local community first and see how you can support local businesses.

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Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of Kenneth Lonergan. Kenny touched so many lives in Somerville and beyond. He will be greatly missed. We will post an obituary online as soon as it is available.

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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.

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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.

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Brickbottom Open Studios takes place November 23 and 24, 12 – 5 p.m., at 1 Fitchburg St, Somerville. Right off of the green line and several MBTA bus stops and they have lots of free and easy parking. There are over 60 artists showing this weekend at Brickbottom (and another 30 just down the street at Joy Street Studios). They will have live performances all weekend, delicious pastries for sale in the lobby, and we’re conveniently across the street from Triangle Cafe for all of your caffeination needs. Open Studios Registration + Information — Brickbottom Artists Association

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Mutual Aid Medford and Somerville (MAMAS) is holding their next Supermarket Sweep on Saturday, December 7, at 11 a.m. Help support food security in Medford and Somerville by donating or volunteering. Volunteering with Sweep means meeting at the Stop n’ Shop near Foss Park in Somerville and delivering grocery cards to neighbors no car required. If you’re interested, email askyourmamas@gmail.com.

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November is Native American Heritage Month. Celebrate Indigenous voices with this book list curated by Somerville Public Library librarians: https://tinyurl.com/2ayjkwa3. You can visit library locations to find some of these titles and others on display, or place one on hold right from the book list.

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The Somerville Flea Holiday Market is back. Find that unique gift for that unique person. They will have two jam-packed floors of gift buying goodness featuring curated vintage wares and artisan creations. 12th annual Holiday Market at the Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave, Somerville. Sip ‘n shop starts at noon on December 1 and December 15.

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Creative Mending: Hand Embroidery, Thursday December 12, 6 p.m. at the East Branch Library, 115 Broadway. The class will cover several basic embroidery stitches that can be used to embellish your clothing and hide (or highlight) holes and stains. Suitable for beginners with little or no embroidery experience, or those who want a refresher on the basics. This program is intended for adults. Registration required: visit https://tinyurl.com/yc8btuw4. Questions? Contact Liam: lokeefe@somervillema.gov.

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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. Have some free time on Saturday, December 7? Sign up for a volunteer shift here: Sign up for a volunteer shift here: https://signup.com/go/SzokFwT.

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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.

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Looking for gifts? Check out a variety stained glass work at 10 Virginia St. for Holiday Season Sales Event from 1 to 5 p.m.

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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.

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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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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.

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Red Line service will continue to be suspended between Harvard and Broadway all day and every day November 18 – 23. On November 24, the service suspension will be extended between Harvard and JFK/UMass. Visit https://www.mbta.com/ for more updates and travel options.

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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, (except Nov. 30 and Dec. 28). The Center for the Arts at the Armory is proud to offer a weekly winter market with 71+ local food vendors with the best locally grown and regionally produced foods, including fresh produce, cheese, eggs, meats, fish, breads, tamales, pastries, chocolate, skincare products, and more. The market accepts SNAP/EBT and HIP benefits. They also offer a $15 SNAP match to customers each week. 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 27, 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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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.

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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.

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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.

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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. 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.

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