Somerville’s annual Memorial Day remembrance ceremony will be held at Veterans Cemetery on Monday, May 25, at 11 a.m. Community members, veterans, and city officials will gather to pay tribute to those who gave their lives in service to our country. The ceremony will include remarks from Mayor Wilson and the Director of Veterans Services, Jerome Thomas. Somerville Veterans Cemetery is located between Alewife Brook Parkway and North Street. Temporary accessible parking spaces are available on the cemetery side of Broadway. This year’s event timeline is a special observance of Memorial Day, Armed Forces Day, and the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The Remembrance Ceremony will take place rain or shine.

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On Saturday, May 30, join the third annual New England Hong Kong Festival from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Seven Hills Park in Somerville to celebrate the culture, food, and creativity of the Hong Kong community across the region. The event is free and open to all. Rain date is Sunday, May 31. Hosted during Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Month, this year’s festival brings together 40 local vendors, artists, and community groups offering food, gifts, and interactive activities. Attendees can also enjoy live performances from bands, martial artists, and cultural performers, as well as free games, family-friendly activities, and photo ops, including a minibus cutout board, Hong Kong bus stop stands, and stamp stations inspired by Hong Kong public transit. For more information, including full event listings and vendor updates, visit newenglandhkfest.com and follow @newenglandhkfest on Instagram and Facebook.

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Happy birthday this week to several locals: We want to wish a very happy birthday to Magoun Square resident Pina Mingace. We wish her a special, fun day. We send another special birthday wish to Shannon Henry, who is also celebrating her birthday this week. We hope she has a wonderful birthday. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such as Karen Keenan, Rick Driscoll, Shirley Valentine, Deirdre Grace, Dennis Kacoyanis, Iona O’Brien, Danielle Scrima, Breanna Lungo-Koehn, and Danny McLaughlin, we wish them the very best of birthdays.

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Attend the FY27 Water and Sewer Rates Public Hearing. Attend in-person to hear proposed Fiscal Year 2027 water and sewer rates on Wednesday, May 28, at 6 p.m. at the Water and Sewer Building, 1st Floor Conference Room at 15 Franey Road, or virtually through the Zoom platform. Enter this link into your internet browser any time before the meeting: Webinar ID: 870 9214 3821,https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87092143821. Written comments will be accepted until noon on Wednesday, May 28, and can be emailed to water@somervillema.gov or mailed to: Water and Sewer Department, 17 Franey Road, Somerville, MA 02145.

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Somerville’s Elections Department recently sent its second round of census forms to residents. Annual 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 questions.

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The family of Vietnam veteran, Leo Mingace, would like to thank Mayor Wilson and Somerville’s Veteran Services Department for the honor of being Grand Marshall in this year’s Memorial Day parade held last weekend. They would like to thank all the veterans in Somerville and beyond, Somerville Fire and Police and all first responders for their service and sacrifice.

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Somerville’s RSJ Fund is making up to $100,000 total in community programming grants available for residents, advocates, and local service providers working to advance racial and social justice work. Individual applicants may request between $250 and $9,999. Applications are open now until 11:59 p.m. on Friday, May 29. https://www.somervillema.gov/departments/department-racial-and-social-justice/rsj-fund.

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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 longstanding advocacy for community media and Somerville Media Center. Proceeds from the event will directly support SMC programs. Tickets are available online: https://tinyurl.com/joecurtatone. Get your tickets in advance for this great event because they will cost more at the door! Advance ticket sales end on June 3.

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Somerville’s annual Water System Flushing Program began Monday, May 18, and continues through late October. This program consists of flushing pipes at high velocities to clean water mains and maintain the highest possible water quality. Flushing will take place Mondays and Thursdays between 6 p.m. and midnight to minimize potential disruptions to water service. Temporary drops in water pressure and/or discolored water can occur. In these cases, though the water may be discolored, it is safe to drink. Until the water runs clear, it is advisable to avoid washing laundry, especially white fabrics. Learn more at: somervillema.gov/hydrantflushing.

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Jane’s Walk: Assembly Row – A Historical Perspective, Sunday, May 31, 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., 330 Canal Street, Assembly Row. Join the Somerville Museum for a Jane’s Walk through Assembly Square, exploring how this waterfront neighborhood has changed over time. Beginning at 330 Canal Street, the tour traces the area’s evolution from early transportation routes and industrial sites to today’s vibrant mixed-use district, with stops highlighting the Ford Assembly Plant, the Mystic River, and the public spaces of Assembly Row. For tickets and more information, visit https://www.somervillemuseum.org/

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Make a splash this summer with Somerville Parks and Recreation. Their swim lessons have a class suitable for everyone of all ages and abilities to build skills and confidence in the water. Classes will run from June 1 to July 9, and class times will vary depending on the specific level. Non-Resident Registration will be at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 25. Check out the website for more information: www.somervillerec.com.

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Make Your Voice Heard! What does REVolution mean to you? The Somerville Arts Council is inviting the community to share short, original quotes or phrases that explore transformation, challenge the status quo, and spark new ways of thinking. Your words could become part of ArtBeat 2026 – featured along the Community Bike Path and in an interactive experience at the festival. Whether it’s a mini manifesto or just three powerful words, they want to hear it! Submit through the link here: https://somervilleartscouncil.org/

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The Gilman Square Neighborhood Council has announced that Somerville Mayor Jake Wilson will be coming to Gilman Square next month to share his vision for the Homans Site. This is the empty city-owned lot at the T stop, at 352 Medford Street. Come hear about plans for development, bring your questions for the mayor about his vision for the site, and enjoy some early evening refreshments with your neighbors. The GSNC continues to advocate with the city for development of the site, so please feel free to reach out to the board with any feedback you would like included at board@gilmansquarenc.org. Monday, June 8, 5:30 p.m. at the Homans Site, 352 Medford St. Pizza Provided.

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Help Save Buddy’s Diner! Buddy’s has received Historic Preservation Committee approval for a $75,000 grant from Somerville’s Community Preservation Act funds. This is mood-shifting news for us at Buddy’s, but it’s not enough to open our doors. They help close the gap of $100,000. This is all they need to dish out everyone’s favorite diner fare once again. https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-save-buddys-diner.

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Kindness Rocks! Indigenous Stories & Painting Stones. Join the Somerville Museum for a creative and meaningful gathering where participants will paint small stones with messages of kindness while listening to stories shared by a local Indigenous storyteller. Enjoy stories, creativity, and conversation while exploring how small acts of kindness can brighten someone’s day. Painted stones can be taken home or left in public spaces for others to discover, a simple way to share art, encouragement, and community spirit. Saturday, May 30, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Somerville Museum, One Westwood Road, Somerville. A hands-on, heart-centered program for all ages. For more information and tickets, visit https://www.somervillemuseum.org/.

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Somerville community members are invited to the “Slice of the City” spring meet-up series. This new series of family-friendly pizza parties in the park offers attendees a new way to connect and engage with city leaders and staff, local elected officials, as well as neighbors, all while enjoying Somerville’s parks. Events in each of the city’s seven wards will occur throughout the month of May from 5 to 7 p.m. Next meeting will take place for Ward 4, Wednesday, May 20, 5 p.m. Join Mayor Wilson, Ward 4 Councilor Jesse Clingan, At-Large Councilors, and city staff at Healey Schoolyard (5 Meacham St.). For more information, visit www.somervillema.gov/slice.

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Join Union Square Main Streets and 60+ of your favorite local food producers for the 22nd Annual Union Square Farmers Market. Shop local Saturdays from May 9 to October 31, except July 4 and September 19, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the Union Square Plaza. They continue to offer our SNAP matches. Check the market webpage for the latest info and to see which vendors accept SNAP. To get the latest updates about the Union Square Farmers Market, visit www.unionsquaremain.org/2026-season.

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The Davis Square Market will reopen for the 2026 Season on Wednesday, May 20. The market will run every Wednesday from 12 noon to 6 p.m., from May 20 through November 25, at 44 Day St., Somerville. This long-running market features over two dozen Massachusetts farmers and food producers offering a vibrant selection of delicious produce, protein, baked goods, ready-to-eat meals, alongside a host of other locally made products. The market accepts cash, credit/debit cards, WIC/Senior coupons, and EBT cards and offers a weekly $15 SNAP Match. Visit https://www.massfarmersmarkets.org/davis.

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A reminder that yard waste pickup began the week of April 13. Yard waste should be put out with your trash and recycling on your normal pickup day and be in either a paper bag or a trash barrel with a “Yard Waste Only” sticker. Get stickers free of charge at the DPW building (1 Franey Rd.), at the entrance desk at City Hall (93 Highland Ave.), or by emailing 311requests@somervillema.gov.

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Regular street sweeping schedules resumed on Wednesday, April 1, and will continue through December 31. Community members should check street signs to know when parking is prohibited due to sweeping. 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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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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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.