Happy Halloween to everyone! We hope everyone out there is careful driving tomorrow night when children will be out trick or treating. Be safe!

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On Tuesday, November 5, registered Somerville voters can cast their votes for Mayor, At-Large and Ward City Councilors, and School Committee Members. Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. More information on voting, including sample ballots, is available at www.somervillema.gov/elections. You can find out where you vote by entering your address at www.somervillema.gov/mysomerville. If you have any questions, please contact 311 (617-666-3311 from outside of the city), or email 311updates@somervillema.gov.

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Happy birthday this week to several locals: Happy birthday to a former alderman and great guy, Dennis Sullivan. A nice guy who served Somerville for many years. We wish him a very happy birthday. Happy birthday to Eric Erb, from Somerville, who is celebrating this week. Happy birthday to another good guy who served Somerville years ago, Charles Chisholm. We hope he has a great birthday. Big happy birthday to our own a great real estate agent here in Somerville, Clifton Verdieu, who grew up in East Somerville. He works out of the Century 21 North East, Norton Group RE office. And finally, happy birthday to another great guy and writer, Timothy Gager. A talented and great guy. We hope he has a great day. Happy birthday to everyone here and from the city celebrates this week. We wish every one of them a very happy birthday.

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Join Mayor Joe Curtatone, State Senator Pat Jehlen, State Representative Mike Connolly, and Ward 1 City Councilor Matt McLaughlin for a community meeting about community needs at Foss Park. Two meetings have been planned, but each will cover the same information. Meetings are scheduled as follows: Wednesday, October 30, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m., Healey School cafeteria, 5 Meacham St., and Wednesday, November 13, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m., East Somerville Community School cafeteria, 50 Cross St.

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In August, local artist and businesswoman Katherine Martin Widmer died, just weeks before the 40th anniversary of her School of Painting in Somerville. Over those years she taught painting to upwards of three thousand students of all ages, some from childhood through adulthood. She participated in every year of Somerville Open Studios. On November 2 her family is hosting a memorial gala in celebration of her life and work. It will be at the school location, 40 Quincy St. in Somerville, from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. in the evening, with an exhibit, food, and music.

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Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and members of the Tufts Partnership Negotiating Committee invite residents to a community meeting tonight, Wednesday, October 30, for an update on the current status of negotiations with Tufts University about a new Partnership Agreement between the city and the university. The meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. at the TAB Building, 167 Holland St. The previous Partnership Agreement expired on June 30, 2018. In addition to Tufts’ Payments in Lieu of Taxes (aka “PILOT payments”), the Partnership Agreement covers issues related to student housing, partnership with Somerville schools, the university’s planning process, and other topics. More information about that process is available at www.somervillema.gov/TuftsPILOT.

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The Little Sisters of the Poor are holding their very last Bazaar on on Saturday, November 9 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. They hope to have a large showing in order to continue to support the residents through this transition process and in order to bring a lot of Christmas cheer into the home. Please go out and support this home. They always have great raffles, food and much more. The Little Sisters of the Poor is located at 186 Highland Ave.

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Please join the Somerville Department of Public Space and Urban Forestry, Ward 4 City Councilor Jesse Clingan, and the Somerville Public Schools on Thursday evening, November 7, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. for a community update on the layout and features for the new Healey Schoolyard. The meeting will be held in the Healey School cafeteria, 5 Meacham St. To see the plans and sign up for future project updates at www.somervillema.gov/healeyschoolyard. For more information, contact Arn Franzen at AFranzen@somervillema.gov.http://www.somervillema.gov/healeyschoolyard.

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The annual flu vaccine clinics offered by the City of Somerville Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) are back. All clinics offer free flu vaccines for Somerville residents ages three and older (children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian). Clinics will be held at various times and locations in the community until the city’s supply of vaccine is exhausted. Due to limited availability, vaccines will be offered during official flu clinic hours only. While there is no charge for vaccinations, attendees are asked to bring an insurance card if available, including Medicaid cards. Residents requiring additional assistance or other accommodations should contact the Health and Human Services Department at 617-625-6600 ext. 4320. The city will add or adjust clinic schedules as necessary, and the most up to date information can always be found at www.somervillema.gov or by calling 311 (617-666-3311).

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New fall Learn-To-Skate classes for children, ages 4 to 18 will be happening at the local ice rink in Somerville. Classes are at the Founders Memorial Rink, 581 Somerville Avenue in Somerville, starting November 3, at 2:00 p.m. Use hockey, recreational or figure skates. Beginner, intermediate and advanced classes are available. For information and to register, call Bay State Skating School at 781-890-8480 or visit online at www.BayStateSkatingSchool.org. Celebrating over 50 years.

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If you would like to subscribe to receive a digital edition of our paper, go directly online to our website – www.thesomervilletimes.com – over to the right side and fill out your email address to receive a free, full PDF copy of the paper. If you scroll further down, a link to earlier editions of the paper are online as well.

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Rep. Mike Connolly will be hosting office hours on Friday, November 8 at 269 Washington Street, Somerville, 8:00 – 11:00 a.m., with Somerville City Councilor JT Scott. Residents should come with questions, concerns, and policy ideas. For more details and to RSVP for Office Hours, please visit www.RepMikeConnolly.org/events.