Newstalk – March 18

On March 18, 2026, in Latest News, by The Somerville Times

Street Sweeping to resume on April 1. Regular street sweeping schedules resume on Wednesday, April 1, and will continue through December 31. This essential public works program not only keeps our city cleaner but also reduces the risk of flooding and icing due to clogged storm drains. Community members should check street signs to know when parking is prohibited due to sweeping. A recurring pattern was chosen to allow residents to plan ahead. On designated street sweeping days, vehicles must be moved from the side of the street being swept, as noted on signs posted on each street. Vehicles that do not move may be ticketed and towed. For more information on street sweeping, visit somervillema.gov/sweeping or call 311 (617-666-3311).

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Somerville’s 2026 high school graduates are invited to apply for City of Somerville Municipal Scholarships designed to help students launch their next steps, be that professional training, college, or a job in the trades. Selected applicants will receive $2,000 to help with post-secondary education expenses, including tuition, professional programs and certifications, and union fees. To qualify for consideration, students must be in high school, a resident of the City of Somerville at the time the financial aid is awarded, and be accepted to an accredited post-secondary institution. Awards are granted both on the basis of merit and need. To apply, students must complete the online application at bit.ly/municipalschol26 by Friday, March 27, at midnight. For more information, visit somervillema.gov/scholarship or contact 311 (617-666-3311).

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Happy birthday this week to the following: Happy birthday to Rachael Hart-Adams. We wish her the very best of birthdays, celebrating with her great family. Happy birthday to MaryLynn McWatters O’Malley. We hope she has a great day. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such as Dottie Poudrier, Sally Colman, Maria Par-ziale Pacheco, Alexander Levering Kern, Shirley Benoit McMenimen, Michael Cirrone, Paul Carafotes, Roy Bertocchi, Rosalee Zammuto, Linda Sirignano, and Byron Mitchell Wilks, a very happy birthday. To all those who are also celebrating this week, we wish them a happy birthday.

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Do you have fond memories of your time spent at Somerville High School? If so, subscribe to the newly launched Somerville High School Alumni Newsletter sponsored by the Somerville High School Scholarship Foundation and SHS. The SHS Alumni Newsletter provides a connection for SHS past and present. Share important updates, inspiring stories, and strengthen the bonds of community. Go to the SHS Alumni Newsletter online: https://docs.google.com/document/d/15WyJcyHP1ugZk9nmUP6ezO7VCWUChFVzmpkEAGZFWo4/edit?tab=t.mnd3kvhaaj1j. As an SHS Alumni, submit a Highlight with two to three sentences on your recent achievement, accomplishment, or life highlight. Share the newsletter with other Alumni and be sure to check out the SHS Scholarship Foundation section for info on the $10,000 raffle.

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Join the Somerville Museum for a hands-on creative workshop where historic letters, newspapers, maps, and documents become the raw material for art. Using reproduced archival texts, participants will craft found and blackout poetry, revealing hidden voices, emotions, and stories already embedded in the words of earlier generations. Echoes in Ink: Found Poetry from the Collection, Friday, March 20, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Somerville Museum, One Westwood Road.

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Time to apply for the Somerville Math Fund Scholarship. Are you a senior in high school? Do you live in Somerville, MA? Are you a good student in math and/or science? If your answer to those questions was yes, yes, and yes, then you are eligible to apply for a Somerville Math Fund scholarship. https://somervillemathematicsfund.org/somerville-math/. The scholarship is for $1500 a year for 4 years for someone taking math or math-using or math-applying classes in college. If you have a child or friend who might qualify, share the link. The deadline is coming soon, so do this today. The deadline is on March 20.

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Book signing by Somerville author Bansari Mitra, author of GHOSTS FROM THE PAST: Gothic and Postcolonial Themes in 19th & 20th Century Novels, Wilderness House Press. Lovestruck Books, 44 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA 02138. March 22, 1 – 3 p.m.

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The Somerville Recreation Adaptive Sports Clinic is a welcoming, inclusive program designed for participants of all abilities to explore hockey, basketball, baseball, soccer, and football in a supportive and fun environment. With an emphasis on skill-building, teamwork, and confidence, this free clinic creates opportunities for athletes to move, play, and shine at their own pace. Saturdays, March 14 – April 11. Register online at www.somervillerec.com.

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Somerville Media Center is hosting a special 3-part workshop series, Women in Film, on March 22. Sign up here: https://app.amilia.com/store/en/smc/shop/activities/6682997. Celebrate Women’s History Month and learn about women’s and nonbinary filmmaking history, get hands-on production and camera training, and create your own film project. All three classes are free for members and $30 for non-members. Sign up at the link or email frontdesk@somervillemedia.org.

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The Somerville Arts Council invites musicians, dancers, street performers, installation artists, craft vendors, buskers, and creatives of all kinds to be part of ArtBeat 2026, Somerville’s beloved summer arts festival in Davis Square. This year’s theme is REVolution, a celebration of transformation, creative energy, and the ideas that move us forward. July 18, Davis Square. Apply now and help bring this year’s ArtBeat to life. Learn more and apply: https://somervilleartscouncil.org/artbeat/calls.

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East Somerville Main Streets is looking for artisans, craftspeople, and small business owners to join them for Carnaval on June 7, 2 – 6 p.m. Rain date: June 14. Interested in being part of one of East Somerville’s most vibrant community events? Find more details and apply now: https://forms.gle/oWgWoh6BNFmy32g57.

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SCC’s Annual Member Block Party is coming up on April 2 at Arts at the Armory. This celebration brings together neighbors, supporters, local leaders, and community members to celebrate the work that is being done together to build affordable housing, expand economic opportunity, and strengthen community in Somerville. Expect great food, music, and conversation. SCC has been helping families build stability and opportunity in Somerville for more than 55 years. Register today https://www.somervillecdc.org/

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Please join Somerville Media Center in honoring former Mayor Joe Curtatone with their Public Service Award on Thursday, June 4, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Arts at the Armory, 119 Highland Ave, in Somerville. The celebratory evening will feature cheeses and specialty bites provided by Formaggio Kitchen and more, tasty drinks from Arts at the Armory, live music by Revolutionary Snake Ensemble, raffles, and a special presentation honoring Joe Curtatone’s long-standing advocacy for community media and Somerville Media Center. Proceeds from the event will directly support our programs and services. Tickets are available online: https://tinyurl.com/joecurtatone

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Uprooted / Transplanted – Stories of Displacement Call for Entry. Deadline: March 30. The Nave Gallery, in partnership with the Clarendon Hill Presbyterian Church (CHPC), invites artists to contribute to the curated exhibition. This exhibition will present images and stories of displacement, the forced movement of people from their homes due to conflict, violence, or natural disaster. Learn more at https://navegallery.org/wp/uprooted-transplanted-call-for-art/.

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Please return your completed City of Somerville Census. Participation in the census is essential for keeping an accurate population count, and it updates or maintains your status as an active voter for upcoming elections. Completed census forms can be returned via the postage-paid return envelope included in the mailing, by scanning the form and emailing it to census@somervillema.gov, or in person at City Hall (93 Highland Ave.).Please call 311 (617-666-3311) with any questions.

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On Friday, April 10, GLOWBALL will transform the Armory Performance Hall into an immersive Rave created by DJ WhySham and visual projectionist Jay Medina, all in support of The Center for Arts at the Armory. GLOWBALL is an “anti-gala”—there will be no speeches, presentations, or auction. There will be pop-up performances by Sean Bjerke and RHOUSE Dancers; The House of Nahdra, AfroFuture Fashion Portal, and Circus 617. This year’s honorees: Ellen Waylonis, Lifetime Achievement Award; Willie Burnley, Community Arts Advocate; and Wendy Jehlen, Outstanding Artist. GLOWBALL tickets include complimentary international bites and glow-in-the-dark styling and face painting. This will surely be Somerville’s most illuminating party of 2026. For tickets and more information, visit: https://artsatthearmory.org/

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Join this year’s Guns & Hoses with Somerville Fire and Somerville Police, Saturday, March 21, 5  – 7 p.m., Loconte Memorial Rink, 97 Locust St, Medford. After Party at Public Tavern, 565 Broadway, Somerville, 8 p.m. Knock-Out 50/50,$100 each, cash only. All Proceeds to Benefit the Somerville Youth Hockey and SHS Hockey Programs.

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The Irish Film Festival Boston tickets are now on sale for their March Screening Series with the Consulate General of Ireland, Boston, on March 20 and 21 at the Somerville Theatre. Visit their website for tickets and film details: https://www.irishfilmfestival.com.

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For anyone in need of food resources, go to the Somerville Food Coalition’s website: www.https://bit.ly/4ocJ6NB. Free local pantries, community meals, community fridges, and more. Find more information at https://www.somervillema.gov/snap. Here are some locations where you can find free food: Somerville’s Community Fridges can be found at 35 Prospect St., Elizabeth Peabody House, 275-277 Broadway, St. Clements, across from 29 St. Clements Road. Donations are welcome at these locations.

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Join the Somerville Homeless Coalition for a night of local love at The Crystal Ballroom featuring some of Somerville’s best. Their 2026 Spring into Action celebration on March 26 brings together local flavors and fantastic live music from West of Willow and The Loomers. Be part of it and celebrate their community with them. Save the date; tickets drop in February. For support or additional information, please contact mconlan@shcinc.org.

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Take steps to protect yourself and loved ones against COVID-19, the flu, and other illnesses this winter. Somerville’s Health and Human Services Department is hosting free vaccine clinics at locations across the city. For more information, visit: https://www.somervillema.gov/vaccinations.

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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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The Council on Aging is able to 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. They currently have avail-able: Commodes, Bath Benches, Rollator Walkers, Incontinence Supplies, and Transport Wheelchairs (wheelchairs are intended for transport and are not self-propelling or self-breaking). 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.

 

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