Don’t forget Somerville voters can cast their ballots ahead of the March 3 primary election during early voting hours through Friday, February 28. All early voting sessions will take place at City Hall, 93 Highland Ave. Early voting hours remaining are Wednesday, February 26, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Thursday, February 27, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Friday, February 28, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

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The annual Somerville Maple Syrup Project has returned for its 17th season. It began with a local maple tree tapping on Tufts University’s Somerville/Medford campus. The project will culminate in the Maple Syrup Boil Down at the Somerville Community Growing Center, 22 Vinal Ave., just outside Union Square, on Saturday, March 7, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (Rain date March 14, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.) If you are interested in learning more or volunteering for the project, email volunteer@thegrowingcenter.org

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Happy birthday this week to the following: Happy birthday to Sean Fitzgerald, who is celebrating this week. We wish Sean a good day. Happy birthday to Nancy Trane, a great lady. We hope she has a great day for herself as well. Happy birthday to Christine Resmini. We hope she has a great day as well. Happy birthday to Steven Buckley of East Somerville, a great guy from a large family that goes way back. We hope Steve has a great day. Happy birthday to great guy and friend Eamon Fee, who celebrates this week. We hope he had a great birthday. Happy birthday to another good guy, Rod Kreimeyer, we hope Rod has a great day. Happy birthday to David Mangan. We hope David has a great day for himself as well. To all those that are also celebrating this week, we wish a happy birthday.

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Join Ward 5 Councilor Mark Niedergang and the Somerville Engineering Department tonight, Wednesday, February 26, for a community meeting to discuss water, sewer, and roadway upgrades planned on Hall St. The meeting will be held from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. in the Kennedy School cafeteria, 5 Cherry St. The water and sewer mains on Hall St. date back to 1900. As part of the Hall St. Infrastructure Upgrades project, both the water and sewer mains will be replaced to provide better system functionality. After those underground improvements have been made, some aboveground roadway upgrades are planned, including constructing new cement concrete sidewalks, curb ramps, and raised crosswalks for ADA compliance and improved safety. Construction is tentatively expected to start this summer and finish by the end of the year, with final paving planned for the spring of 2021.For more information, contact Haleemah Qureshi at hqureshi@somervillema.gov or 617-625-6600 ext. 5411.

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Feed your mind, body, and soul. Join the Mental Wellness Ambassadors for an evening of boxing, dancing, and yoga with Teen Empowerment-Somerville. Free food and refreshments will be provided. Fun for all ages. Mental Fitness, hosted by The Center for Teen Empowerment, Inc. takes place February 27, 4:00 – 6:00 p.m., 165 Broadway, Somerville.

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Join Mayor Joe Curtatone, Superintendent Mary Skipper, FRC Team 6201 – The Highlanders – Somerville High School Robotics, movers and shakers from the local robotics community, Somervilians, Somernovians and more for the launch of SOMERBOT. Somerbot Launch Party, Saturday, February 29, 12:30 – 2:30 p.m., 29 Properzi Way, Somerville.

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Absentee ballots are now available for the Tuesday, March 3, presidential primary election. Massachusetts voters may use an absentee ballot if they will be out of the city on election day, have a disability that prevents them from voting at a polling place, religious reasons, or if they are confined in a correctional facility. Voters can request an absentee ballot by downloading and returning the absentee ballot form available at www.somervillema.gov/AbsenteeBallots. Voters can also request an absentee ballot by sending a signed letter to Election Commissioner, Somerville City Hall, 93 Highland Ave, Somerville, MA 02143 or elections@somervillema.gov. Absentee ballots can be requested up until noon on Monday, March 2, and must be returned to the Elections Department by 8:00 p.m. on March 3. More information about absentee voting can be found at www.somervillema.gov/AbsenteeBallots, or by calling the Elections Department at 617-625-6600 ext. 4200.

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The Annual Meeting of the Somerville High School Scholarship Foundation will be held at the East Somerville Community School in Room 165, at the Glen Street side of the building at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, March 9. Discussions will be held regarding the new four year renewable Eugene C. Brune Scholarship, the upcoming $10,000 elimination raffle celebration on May 15 at the Somerville Lions Club, and the Scholarship Awards Night at Somerville High School in May. The meeting is for current officers, directors, and members. New members are welcome. For information, contact Susan Tkaczuk, Correspondence/Recording Secretary (781) 568-9609; Suetkaczuk@gmail.com. Find them on Facebook by searching Somerville High School Scholarship Foundation. Your interest and participation is most appreciated.

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Auditions for the 2020 SPS All-City Musical, The Lion King Jr., will be held from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 26 and Friday, February 28, at the Somerville High School Auditorium, 81 Highland Ave. All students in grades 6-8 are invited to audition. Students interested in being part of the non-performance technical crew can learn more at a meeting during rehearsals. Rehearsals will begin on March 4 and run on Wednesdays and Fridays from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Rehearsals will run every day on “tech week” which will begin on June 1. Performances will be on Friday, June 5, at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday, June 6, at 2:00 p.m. in the SHS Auditorium. Please email Miss Bee (Lauren Barkhouse) with any questions at lbarkhouse@k12.somerville.ma.us. Disney’s The Lion King Jr. is presented by special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIshows.com.

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AARP is taking appointments to help with income tax preparations at the Holland Street Senior Center at 167 Holland Street. Please call Josephine to schedule an appointment at 617-625-6600 ext. 2300

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The Somerville Arts Council is looking for musicians to perform at their annual jazz and blues festival. Get involved so you don’t miss out. The application deadline March 9. Joe’s Jazz and Blues Festival is back this year with an all-day free concert at Powderhouse Park on June 20 (rain date June 21) and is looking for talent to perform. This is an exciting opportunity to showcase your unique jazz and blues sounds. Past performances have included everything from swampy Cajun to Ethiopian Jazz. Preference will be given to bands with a Somerville connection. Please note, they are only considering applicants who haven’t played at this event in the last two years. Bring a friend, blanket, and a picnic for a great afternoon under the trees in one of the nicest parks in Somerville. If you are interested in performing, please fill out the call to musicians here: https://forms.gle/oXwjsvfKp7YU4P7m7.

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The Somerville Public Library is seeking to fill two vacancies on its Board of Trustees, and all Somerville residents are invited to apply. The Board of Library Trustees is the governing body of the Somerville Public Library, working with the Library Director to oversee the operating and administrative policies for the library. The Trustees also support the libraries through long-range strategic planning, advocacy, public relations, outreach, and fundraising efforts. The Board of Trustees consists of nine members appointed by the mayor. They meet monthly as a full board, and serve on subcommittees. The mission of the Somerville Public Library is to enhance the Somerville experience by acting as a trusted community connector, providing cultural and learning opportunities to all. Interested residents should submit a letter of interest and resume by Friday, March 13, to CPiantigini@somervillema.gov.

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The Somerville Community Growing Center is polling its supporters and friends regarding what the Center’s theme for 2020 should be. Every year, the Growing Center selects a theme around which to develop and orient programming, and is seeking input from Somerville families about this year’s theme. Visit https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdkSb8mkKT8_ueTJNeLLEp5cd14Z6ELtwCO8eZdWg_dhfhJ3g/viewform to vote.

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