The Somerville Public Library is asking for community feedback to help shape its next five-year strategic plan. Residents, workers, and visitors are invited to share their ideas for how the Library can best develop its collections, programs, services, and spaces. The survey is open through Wednesday, October 15, takes about five minutes to complete, and is voluntary and anonymous.  Participants can take the survey online at tinyurl.com/58vmk4vw or complete a paper copy at any Somerville Public Library location. For more information about Somerville Public Library programs and services, visit www.somervillepubliclibrary.org.

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Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, Ward 4 Councilor Jesse Clingan, Ward 1 Councilor Matt McLaughlin, and city staff invite you to an open house on Saturday, October 4, at Ed Leathers Park (between Skilton Ave. and Walnut St.) from noon to 2 p.m. The City of Somerville is working to make the western segment of Pearl Street between McGrath Highway and Medford Street safer and more accessible by redesigning and reconstructing the street. Community members can talk directly to staff while exploring different stations for various aspects of the design. Learn more or visit somervillema.gov/westernpearl for more information.

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Happy birthday this week to several locals: Happy Birthday to Lori Pino of Amal Niccoli Salon in Ball Square. We wish her the best and hope she enjoys her day. Happy birthday to Karen F. McWatters, who celebrates this week. We hope she has a great birthday. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such as Ann Sylvester, Julia Gilligan Corsetti, Scott Breen, Lisa Monaco, Joell Johns, Roy Carreiro, Joseph Leblanc, Debbie Price King, Linda Malone, and Edward Barry, a very happy birthday. We hope everyone has a great day. To all the others we may have missed, we sincerely wish them the very best of birthdays.

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Community members are invited to join Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, the City Council, and the School Committee at the 2025 City Hall Community Meetings. These meetings are held every fall in each of Somerville’s seven wards to share the latest city and neighborhood updates – and more – with community members. The in-person meetings kick off with a social half-hour with free pizza and healthy kid-friendly snacks, where you can chat one-on-one with elected officials, including the mayor, your Ward and At-Large City Councilors, and School Committee members, as well as staff, about issues important to you.  The next meetings will be on Monday, September 29, Ward 7, West Somerville Neighborhood School Café, and Tuesday, September 30, Ward 1, East Somerville Community School Café. All meetings start at 6 p.m.

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Halloween Kids Costume Swap will be held on Sunday, October 5, at the Central Library (79 Highland Ave.) from 1 to 4 p.m. Get in the spooky spirit and join in for a free kids Halloween costume swap. Families interested in donating can drop off gently used costumes now through October 2 in drop boxes at all three library locations.

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Do you live in Somerville? Have you graduated from high school yet? Scrapheap Showdown is coming. Time to get your teams together. Get two more friends and register your team. Choose a crazy name for the team and then all come on October 19 to Breed Memorial Hall at Tufts University, 51 Winthrop St, Medford.

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Free  Flu and COVID-19 vaccine clinics. Visit somervillema.gov/vaccinations to find Flu and COVID vaccine clinics this year and register for your appointment. More clinics will be added throughout the season.

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This fall, the Somerville Museum is offering programs for kids, young and old, on select Friday and Saturday mornings. On September 27, they start with special songs and puppetry with Jef Czekaj, with lyrics matching up with many of the exhibits in the History on the Line exhibition. Kids can stay afterwards for a scavenger hunt. The museum is also starting its next exhibition, Barcode Journeys with Barbara Jo, which opens on September 18. Join them for an opening reception to celebrate from 6 to 8 p.m. and exciting panels, lectures, dance performances, and more throughout the run. Visit  www.somervillemuseum.org.

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Hazardous Waste Drop-Off, Saturday, October 11: Next monthly Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Day at DPW (1 Franey Rd., 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.)

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Don’t miss a chance to learn more about Theatre in Somerville Public Schools on Monday, September 29, at 5:30 p.m. in the Somerville High School auditorium. Please RSVP to this information session at the following link:https://trst.in/N6vQpz

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Are you an artist or craftsmaker who creates objects for sale? You can rent a table to display and sell your wares on Saturday, October 25, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Holiday Crafts Fair at the Somerville Community Baptist Church in Davis Square. The price for renting a table is $35.  The Fair will also feature food and fun activities for all ages. To rent a table, please make out your check for $35 to Somerville Community Baptist Church, and mail it along with your name and contact information (address, phone, email) to SCBC, 31 College Avenue, Somerville, MA 02144. For more information about the Fair, contact Marion Annacone,
marion.annacone@gmail.com

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Dilboy Post will be holding its third Annual Comedy Fundraiser, Elaine Pelino & Friends, hosted by John Harrington. The event will be held on November 9, 2 – 5 p.m., 351 Summer St. For tickets ($25) and more information: www.dilboyvfw529.com, dilboy.post@comcast.net, 617-666-8794.

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LEGO® Discovery Center Boston is showing thanks by offering free admission to local community heroes. Healthcare professionals, first responders, and the military can all enjoy free admission during their specific appreciation months. September is healthcare appreciation month, October is first responders’ month, and military appreciation month is in November. They also receive 30% off for up to six friends and family members so they can enjoy a memorable day building memories. Visit  https://www.legodiscoverycenter.com/boston/

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The Somerville Fire Department has begun the annual inspection and flushing of all fire hydrants citywide, concluding on or around Saturday, September 27. This annual maintenance program helps keep our community safe by helping to ensure that hydrants will work properly when needed to put out a fire.  The Water Department also conducts additional water main flushing and maintenance year-round. Visit somervillema.gov/hydrantflushing to see hydrant flushing schedules by street. The schedules are typically updated weekly. 

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Registrations are now open for Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services’ fall Savvy Caregiver course. Savvy Caregiver is an evidence-based training program designed to help family caregivers best support a loved one with dementia and care for themselves. The course has been proven to decrease caregiver distress, burden, and depression, while increasing a caregiver’s sense of competence and confidence in their care role. Participation is free. Savvy Caregiver will be held virtually via Zoom each Wednesday from 12 to 2 p.m., starting October 1 and concluding on November 12. To register, call 617-628-2601 ext. 3153 or email katherine.bonilla@eldercare.org.

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We would like to take this opportunity to thank our Arts Editor, Doug Holder, for setting up a GoFundMe campaign for The Somerville Times. With the cost of printing going up and a lack of businesses having the resources to advertise, free papers feel the effect. We sincerely thank all who have already contributed and thank any future contributors. If you are interested in helping, please visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-the-somerville-times. Or if anyone is interested in advertising, please contact Bobbietoner@aol.com. We offer great discounts to help our advertisers be able to advertise. Thank you all so much for your support!

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Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, Somerville Police Chief Shumeane Benford, and the Somerville Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) invite community members to a neighborhood meeting on Monday, October 6, to discuss public safety and homelessness in the Davis Square/Seven Hills area. All members of the community, including individuals and businesses, are invited to attend. 6-7:30 p.m., Somerville Community Baptist Church, 31 College Ave., in the Sanctuary. This meeting will also be livestreamed on City YouTube at youtube.com/SomervilleCityTV. Submit questions in advance: For people watching the livestream, questions may be submitted in advance to davissafetymeeting@somervillema.gov. Please submit by Friday, October 3.

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The Somerville High School Class of 1980 Reunion Social is taking place Saturday, October 4, from 7 to 10 p.m., Jake n Joe’s, 230 Mishawum Rd., Woburn, MA. Checks should be made out to SHS Class of 1980, c/o Mary Ellen Melaragni, 9 Churchill Circle, Winchester, MA 01890, wasmith1492@gmail.com. No tickets will be sold at the door.

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Through the generosity of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and under the direction of Mayor Ballantyne, the Council on Aging can provide Durable Medical Equipment at no cost to Somerville residents. Residents with a documented need for medical equipment must be over the age of 60 or have a permanent disability and must be otherwise unable to afford or access needed medical equipment. For additional information or for an application, please contact Debby Higgins at 617-625-6600, ext. 2321.

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Don’t forget, if you would like to subscribe to receive a digital edition of our paper, go directly online to our website, over to the right side, and fill out your email address to receive a free, full PDF copy of the paper.