Join the Friends of the Somerville Public Library for their massive 5-day marathon of a book sale May 8 through May 12. Whether you’re after chemistry or children’s books, fiction or foreign languages, romance or recipes (plus DVDs, CDs, and audiobooks), they’ve got you covered. All items cost just $1, and FSPL tote bags will be on sale for $10 to help you bring your haul home. For more information, visit www.somervillepubliclibrary.org.

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

The next Garden Club Meeting takes place on Wednesday, May 8, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. with its presentation Pots, Plots, and Windowboxes: Gardening in Small Spaces. Small-space gardening is fun, easy and very satisfying. Flowers, herbs and vegetables will all thrive in window boxes, large buckets, plastic pots, garden bags, and raised beds. Learn which containers work best for patio and dooryard gardening, which plants thrive in your exposure, and tricks for growing in raised beds. The talk covers the best soil to use in plots and containers, seeds and plants that work well in containers, watering techniques, feeding, and vertical gardening. All Somerville Garden Club meetings are free and open to the public. Meetings are held the at the Tufts Administration Building, (TAB), 167 Holland Street, second floor, wheelchair accessible. Parking is available, and the building is a ten-minute walk from the Davis Square MBTA stop.

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

Porchfest is set for this Saturday, May 11. This year’s performances will start in West Somerville and move eastward. Acts in West Somerville perform from noon to 2:00 p.m.; central Somerville bands (between Central and Willow streets) perform from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.; and East Somerville musicians perform from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. This staggered schedule allows music to sweep like a wave from west to east and festival goers can plan out their routes to hear as much music as possible. To see the current lineup and map go to www.somervilleartscouncil.org/porchfest. Listen to music samples and plan out your day. Want to play PorchFest? Registration is still open until Thursday, May 9. Go to the website for more information and to register your act.

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

Join the Somerville Arts Council and the Somerville Flea for a roaming series of three night markets that will take place throughout the city between May and July. The after-hours pop-up markets will feature live music as well as artisan and vintage vendors, and more, in Union Square, Ball Square, and Winter Hill. The series kicks off with a night market hosted as part of ArtsUnion on Union Square Plaza on Saturday, May 11, from 5:00 to 10:00 p.m. More than 35 vendors featuring fantastic vintage and artisan wares will fill the plaza as three musical acts perform, and 21+ visitors can enjoy the beer garden sponsored by Brass Union. This pop-up market is part of a series of Night Markets that will take place from 5:00 to10:00 p.m. throughout the city between May and July. For more information, visit somervilleartscouncil.org/artsunion/2019/nightmarket.

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

The 13th Annual Somerville Youth Peace Conference takes place on Saturday, May 11, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Somerville High School. Teen Empowerment Somerville youth are working to create a powerful stage show that addresses issues that youth face and brings our community together. The all-original show features theater, spoken word, music, and speeches on mental health, discrimination, gentrification, relationships, violence, and more. Tickets are $5 in advance and $6 at the door. For more information on ticket and event details call (617) 625-6600 x2254 or email danielle@teenempowerment.org.

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

Project Outlook is a group of constituents with low or no vision who enjoy getting together for camaraderie and socialization. Project Outlook meets monthly on the second Tuesday of the month from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Holland Street Senior Center, 167 Holland Street. Project Outlook has been around for 30 plus years. Come join in the conversation, we look forward to meeting you. For more information, please call Claudia at 857-237-1801.

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

The Somerville Council on Aging is seeking various professionals, speakers and entertainers who can contribute to the programming offered by the Council. They are currently looking for attorneys that will do pro bono work at their center for elders in need and at risk. The center is located at 167 Holland Street and specific office hours for legal guidance would be scheduled at a mutually convenient time. They are also seeking entertainers, speakers, an arts specialist and any other professional service provider who could offer services and/or programming at no cost or a small fee. Please contact Cindy Hickey at the Council on Aging for more information: chickey@somervillema.gov 617-625-6600 ext.2300.

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

A third East Somerville Reunion is set for this year. Dan Rogovich has let us know he is once again planning it. Lots of people who grew up in East Somerville have missed the last two but wanted to have a third. Thanks to Dan, who is an East Somerville lover, managed to get the Somerville City Club booked on Saturday, June 15. Dan and his assistants worked hard on the past two and they will do the same this year to make it a success. Many here at The Times are from East Somerville and we will be there, and we have already reached out to others. A small group of “down backers” behind the Bucket who grew up there in the 60’s will all be there. They meet every four or so months to talk about old times and great times. Help make this a success. Go online to Facebook to check it out. Ask Dan what you can do to help. He is looking for the food, entertainment and just plain East Somerville fun.

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

The Somerville High Scholarship annual fundraiser is set for May 17, 7:00 p.m., at the Somerville Lions Club, 9 Washington St., Somerville (behind the Holiday Inn). The drawing, with a top prize of $10K, is based on selling 250 tickets at $100 each. Several door prizes will be awarding and refreshments will be served. To buy a ticket, contact SHS Raffle c/o Joseph Favaloro, PO Box 440275, Somerville, 02144, or call Eugene C. Brune at 617-628-5835.

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

The Somerville City Club manager Donny Johnson is looking all the time for new members to join the club, if you think you’d be interested give him a call at 617-623-9340. It’s a great local club for the residents of Somerville, and has been around now for over 40 years, their location on Innerbelt Road. Plenty of parking and some say the best deal in Somerville. Call the hall and ask for details at 617-623-9340.