The deadline to register to vote in the September 10 preliminary election is tomorrow, Wednesday, August 21. Be sure to visit somervillema.gov/elections for more info about registering to vote and where to vote. For any questions, please contact the Elections Department (617-625-6600 ext. 4200 or elections@somervillema.gov).

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The Somerville Fire Department began the annual inspection of all fire hydrants on Monday, August 19, and will conclude on Saturday, August 31. This procedure requires the flushing of water from the hydrants as well as a check of the mechanical operation of the hydrant. The inspection/testing program will take approximately two weeks to complete. Though water will remain safe to drink, it is suggested that residents refrain from washing clothes, especially white fabrics, until the water runs clear. If rust stains do appear on wet laundry, the clothes should not be dried, and residents may call 617-666-3311 to obtain a free bottle of rust remover. Inspections/testing will be conducted Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. and if necessary, in the evening, from 6:15 until 8:15 p.m.

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Happy birthday this week to several locals: Happy birthday to local good guy and popular barber at Albraindi’s, Paul McGlashing, who does a great job. Stop in and give him your best wishes. Happy birthday to another well-known guy, Gary Gartland. We wish him the very best. Popular East Somerville guy Kenny Salvato is also celebrating this week. Happy birthday to Cliff Clark, who is also a great guy, a family man and a good friend over the years. We wish him the very best. Happy birthday to another friend and 1000% percent union guy, Kevin Molineaux, of the Electrical Brotherhood Union. Happy birthday to one of Somerville’s newest, most generous residents, Jenny Bonham Carter. Along with her husband John, they’re a great couple. We wish Jenny a great day and week. To all others here in the cities who are celebrating their birthdays this week and we missed you here, we wish you a very happy birthday.

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The City of Somerville Elections Department is seeking polling place workers for the Tuesday, September 10, preliminary election. To be eligible to work in a polling place you must be a registered Massachusetts voter. Polling place workers are paid $165 for the day and work from 6:30 a.m. until shortly after the polls close at 8 p.m. with a two-hour break. For more information, please contact Maria Pierotti at 617-625-6600 ext. 4200 or mpierotti@somervillema.gov.

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Join Mayor Joseph Curtatone and Ward 1 City Councilor Matthew McLaughlin on Tuesday, August 27, at 11:00 a.m. for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the East Somerville School Field, 50 Cross St. The ceremony will celebrate the refurbishment of the existing synthetic turf field. Earlier this month there was a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the renovated Capuano Field. Both the Capuano Field and East Somerville School Field will provide much needed, renovated open space to the school, young athletes, and the surrounding community. The fields have been rebuilt with plant-based infill and will open in time for the beginning of the school year. For more information about both projects, visit: somervillema.gov/turfrenovation.

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Bay State Skating School is one of Greater Boston’s most established and popular skating programs. They are celebrating over 50 years of teaching children in the Greater Boston area. The 2019-2020 skating season is about to begin. Professional Instructors teach Recreational, Figure and Hockey Skating Skills to the beginner, intermediate and advanced skaters. Students can wear either figure, recreational or hockey skates. New fall lessons begin in September. Lessons are held at 11 Greater Boston Rink locations including Brookline-Cleveland Circle, Larz Anderson/Brookline, Cambridge, Medford, Newton-Brighton, Quincy, Somerville, Waltham, West Roxbury, and Weymouth. The emphasis is on having fun while learning to skate. Enjoy a fun filled series of lessons, where children learn the basic skills of ice skating. They have taught over 90,000 students to ice skate. Come skate and feel great. For more information and to register, visit www.BayStateSkatingSchool.org or call Bay State Skating School (781) 890-8480.

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Join Teen Empowerment youth leaders for their photo gallery event partnered with the City of Somerville and Big City Mountaineers. Hosted by The Center for Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave., August 21, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., this gallery will showcase youth’s photography of Somerville and the outdoors to explore their personal stories.

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The East Somerville Foodie Crawl is back for its 9th edition with diverse restaurants, a beer garden featuring Aeronaut Brewing Company (https://www.loc8nearme.com/massachusetts/somerville/aeronaut-brewing-company/4995151/) and Small Change Breweries, and live entertainment. Come and take a cultural crawl through the East Somerville restaurant corridor. With the purchase of one ticket, you will be off on a culinary journey full of authentic foods, colors and smells from Ethiopia, El Salvador, Italy, Brazil and Mexico. Your ticket will give you unlimited access to sample East Somerville’s best restaurants. Tuesday, September 17 (rain date September 18). Food will be served from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. Beer Garden open until 10:00 p.m. Purchase your ticket(a) at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/foodie-crawl-tickets-63893064877.

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Attention shoppers and those that have frequented the several food establishments in Ball Square: Letting you know that the square is not that difficult to get to, especially since the bridge has been out. All the businesses would appreciate you still dropping by to shop, eat, or just say “Hi” – it would be very welcome. The Ball Square Café, Sound bites, Kelly’s Diner – or almost everyone’s favorite, Victor’s Deli – don’t forget Lyndell’s Bakery and, of course, True Grounds are open for business as well. Traffic around the square is good, with plenty of parking. So there’s no excuse for not shopping there.

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