Somerville residents three years and older eligible for vaccine; Vaccine clinics begin in October

With students back in school and the cooler temperatures approaching, it’s a reminder that cold and flu season is quickly approaching and it’s time for the annual flu vaccine clinics offered by the City of Somerville Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). All clinics offer free flu vaccines for Somerville residents ages three and older (children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian). Clinics start on Thursday, October 17, and will be held at various times and locations in the community until the city’s supply of vaccine is exhausted.

Join the Somerville Conservation Commission and the Mystic River Watershed Association to pick up trash at DCR’s Draw 7 Park as part of the annual state-wide CoastSweep cleanup. The event will take place on Saturday, October 5, from 10:00 a.m. to noon (rain date October 6). Meet near the picnic area at the end of the parking lot and join us to clean up Draw 7, along the banks of the Mystic River. Please dress appropriately for the weather and wear close-toed shoes. Gloves and trash bags will be provided, as well as post-cleanup refreshments. Please contact Cristina Kennedy at cnc.somerville@gmail.com to sign up or for more information.

The Central Hill playgrounds on Highland Ave. are expected to close Friday, October 11, to advance construction of the new Somerville High School. A renovated version of the playgrounds, tentatively projected to open in the fall of 2021, will be established in front of Central Library as part of the Central Hill Campus Plan. Patrons are encouraged to use other nearby parks and playgrounds during the closure. Edward Leathers Community Park, the Cummings School Community Playground, Cremin Playground, and Walnut Street Park are all less than a half-mile walk from Central Hill.

Registered nurse and director of Adult Family Care Jeanne Leyden

By Jeanne Leyden

Falls are perennially the leading cause of injury for older adults, but they are not an inevitable outcome of aging. Fortunately, there are several easy ways to reduce the risk of falls.

A good first step is to acknowledge the risk. One in four Americans over the age of 65 is affected by a fall each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That averages out to an emergency room visit every 11 seconds. While it’s easy to think it will never happen to you, it’s better to be aware of potential risk and be proactive about reducing it.

Please join the Somerville Department of Public Space and Urban Forestry and Ward 4 City Councilor Jesse Clingan on Thursday evening, October 10, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. for a community meeting to discuss the layout and features for the new Healey Schoolyard. The meeting will be held at the Mystic Activity Center, 503 Mystic Ave.

Join the City of Somerville and members of the SomerVision Committee on Thursday, October 10, from 6 to 8 p.m., for an Open House for the SomerVision 2040 plan. Since early 2019, the Committee has been working on the topic chapters for SomerVision 2040, which includes identifying our city’s strengths, challenges, and goals for the next 20 years. The Committee’s work has incorporated feedback from events and meetings including SomerSuppers, Forums, and the SomerVision Conference. Come to the October 10 Open House to give feedback on the chapters and implementation priorities.

This year’s Candlelight Vigil to commemorate Domestic Violence Awareness Month will take place on Wednesday, October 2, at Statue Park in Davis Square, Somerville.
— Photo by Bobbie Toner

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, the Somerville Commission for Women and RESPOND Inc. announce the annual Candlelight Vigil in support of Domestic Violence Awareness Month on Wednesday, October 2, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Statue Park in Davis Square. The vigil is an annual event bringing the community together in remembrance of those who have lost their lives over the last year to domestic violence.

Please note that due to the Yom Kippur holiday, the information session originally scheduled for October 9 has been rescheduled for Monday, October 7. Updated information is below. One position is currently available on the nine-member committee. Applications due October 25, 2019.

Are you a resident of Somerville with a passion for affordable housing, historic preservation, and parks and open space? The City of Somerville wants your help and is now accepting applications for one public position on the Community Preservation Committee (CPC), which oversees the selection of projects to be recommended for funding by an estimated $2 million in annual Community Preservation Act (CPA) revenues. Applications must be submitted by noon on October 25, 2019. An information session will be held Monday, October 7, at 6:00 p.m. in the Visiting Nurse Association third floor conference room, 259 Lowell St.

Somerville Overcoming Addiction will be holding its 7th annual vigil to celebrate the lives of all those who lost their lives to addiction in recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day and National Recovery Month.

Vigil takes place on Sunday, September 29, 2 p.m. – 5 p.m., Warehouse XI,11 Sanborn Ct, Somerville, Massachusetts 02143

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers.)

By Joseph A. Curtatone

A monthly look at ways to get involved with your city: Don’t just live in Somerville, be Somerville!

Fall ResiStat Meetings

This fall join elected officials, City staff, and neighbors at your ward’s ResiStat meeting. During the meeting you can get updates on what’s going on both around the city, like efforts to support small businesses, and in your neighborhood, like construction and road improvements. There’s also plenty of time before, during, and after the meeting to ask questions and share ideas. All ResiStat meetings run from 6:30 to 8 p.m., but if you come at 6 you can enjoy pizza and other refreshments. The first fall ResiStat meeting is on Wednesday, October 2, in Ward 6. You can find the full schedule and more information at www.somervillema.gov/resistat.