Join Somerville’s Department of Equity and Belonging for a Domestic Violence Vigil tonight, October 28. The vigil offers an opportunity to come together to remember those lost to domestic violence, support survivors, and stand with everyone whose lives have been affected. All community members are welcome. The vigil will be held at Somernova, 15 Properzi Way, Somerville, 6 – 8 p.m.

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State Election Day is Tuesday, November 3. Somerville voters can vote early in person at City Hall, or on Election Day. October 26–28, Monday to Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., October 29, Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and October 30, Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Learn more and get all election information at somervillema.gov/elections.

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Happy birthday this week to several locals: Happy birthday to a great guy and local realtor, Clifton Verdieu. We wish him a great birthday. Happy birthday to Amanda Fee. We wish her the very best on her birthday. A special happy birthday to Diane Suffredini, who is celebrating this week. We wish her the best and hope she has a great year. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such as Diana Riel, Dorothy O’Malley, Jeffery Varney, Erin DiBenedetto, Diane Jacome Fabrizio, Gene Beraldi, Candy Feldt, Diane Sylvester Ames, and Katie Marsh, 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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Somerville’s annual “Truck O’ Treat” takes place on Thursday, October 29, from 5 to 7 p.m. outside City Hall (93 Highland Avenue). Rain date: Thursday, November 5. Costumes are encouraged at this family-friendly event, which will include safe Trick-or-Treating on the City Hall concourse, a spooktacular visit from a decorated City of Somerville truck, lawn games, light refreshments, and more.

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Turn pumpkins into compost at the 2nd Annual “Pumpkin Smash” on November 7. As spooky season comes to a close, don’t trash your pumpkins, smash ’em. Community members are invited to Somerville’s second annual “Pumpkin Smash” from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Chuckie Harris Park (17 Cross St. East). Rain date is Sunday, November 8. Bring and smash your Halloween pumpkins (our smash one provided). Enjoy additional family-friendly activities, a bake sale, learn about Somerville’s Food Waste Collection Pilot, and more.

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On Thursday, October 29, at 7:00 pm, the Arts at the Armory presents their 5th annual screening of The Rocky Horror Picture Show with the Teseracte Players. More info and tickets available here: www.artsatthearmory.org. Jump into the 1975 musical comedy horror cult classic in-person and live this Halloween. Costumes and callbacks are highly encouraged; the Teseracte Players will lead the charge and make sure you don’t miss a moment of the raucous ride. Doors open at 7 p.m., and the viewing starts at 8 p.m. Go early and enjoy wine, beer, and snacks from the Performance Hall bar.

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Our sincere condolences go out to the family and friends of Marie A. Danieli. Marie was fondly known to many in Somerville and beyond for her many years of dedication working at the Winter Hill Bank and her work with the Somerville Kiwanis and Chamber of Commerce. Her full obituary can be seen here: https://www.dohertyfuneralservice.com/.

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Halloween Bulb Blitz. The Somerville Horticulture Heroes are again partnering with the City of Somerville to improve our city. They invite you to join a bulb blitz, adding hundreds of bulbs to the garden planters along Somerville Ave.  No gardening experience or tools necessary. Just bring your enthusiasm for making Somerville Ave look better. Please bring weather-appropriate clothing, sun protection, personal water, and snacks. Optionally, bring gardening equipment (trowels, gloves) if you have any. Safety vests, gardening gloves, and plenty of flower bulbs will be provided. Meet in front of The Independent, 75 Union Square, Saturday, October 31, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. If you have questions, email membership@somervillegardenclub.org.

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Want to share feedback with the City Council? Public comments are accepted on a rolling basis via email at publiccomments@somervillema.gov. Find information about the Council or see the full schedule of Council meetings at somervillema.gov/council. Stream meetings at youtube.com/somervillecityTV.

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Lydia Warren, PhD, an award-winning arts administrator and musician whose work has connected cultural organizations with the communities they serve, joined the City of Somerville as its new Arts and Culture (SAC) Director on October 19. Her appointment follows an extensive national search led by a hiring team that included Mayor Jake Wilson and his team, the SAC interim director, and the SAC Board Chair. We wish her well in her new position.

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Bow Market is launching a campaign to bring free rent to Experiential Artists for the full year. The pitch to artists is simple: use space to bring experiential art to Somerville; pay $0 in rent. To make it sustainable, Bow Market is working to attract roughly 300 people to pay $100 to become a 2027 Patron. As patrons, they’ll receive access to artist-led events, exclusive merch, name recognition outside the YEA space, and inclusion in this burgeoning arts community. To learn more and become a Patron, visit www.bowmarketsomerville.com/experientialart. For more information on becoming an artist in residence, visit https://www.bowmarketsomerville.com/yea-artist-faq.

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The Somerville Mobile Farmers Market 2026 Season ends on October 31. The market is selling fresh, local produce at affordable prices. It accepts cash, debit cards, SNAP, Fresh Connect, WIC Farmers Market coupons, and Senior Farmers Market coupons. All are welcome. For more information and locations, visit https://www.somervillemobilefarmersmarket.org/.

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The city is hosting its second citywide cleanup as part of the Year of the Neighbor initiative. Somerville community members are invited to spend a couple of hours outside, meet people nearby, and leave your street a little better than you found it. Join in on Saturday, November 7, between 10 a.m. and 12 p.m. Cleanup events have been scheduled in all seven wards. Learn more and find your ward’s meeting point here. https://www.somervillema.gov/news/somerville-invites-neighbors-join-fall-neighborhood-cleanups-november-7

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The Commute is playing at The Rockwell this Sunday, November 1, 255 Elm Street. Four strangers are trapped in a tunnel during a sudden stop on the Red Line. As tension builds, they are forced to confront each other-and themselves. The Commute is a dark, thought-provoking comedy by Karin Anell, exploring human behavior under pressure. Where do we go when there is no exit? And who are we really, behind our masks? There are two shows on November 1: 2:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. The evening show will be followed by an interactive panel hosted by Joint Family, an organization committed to building connections across generations through science, art, and technology.

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Registration is now open for the 2026 Gobble GOBBLE GOBBLE race. The 30th annual race takes place on November 26 at 9 a.m. Presented by the Somerville Road Runners, the Gobble Gobble Gobble road race starts and ends in Davis Square (at the heart of Somerville), features a unique 4-mile course, and offers a fun opportunity to start Thanksgiving on a high and healthy note. Proceeds benefit the Somerville Homeless Coalition, Somerville Track PAC, Stride for Stride, and the Dilboy VFW Veterans Relief Fund. For more information, visit https://www.srr.org/.

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The City of Somerville is seeking one new member to join the Somerville Municipal Scholarship Committee as a volunteer member. This vacancy is for a person with a passion and energy to assist high school students (public and private) with pursuing higher education. To apply, please send a letter of interest to ldubu-que@somervillema.gov with “Scholarship Committee” and your name in the subject line by Friday, October 30. Please include your full name, address, and telephone number with your inquiry. For questions, accommodations, or more info, contact the Treasury at (617) 625-6600 ext. 3510 or Linda Dubuque at ldubuque@somervillema.gov.

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Celebrate Halloween in East Somerville with an afternoon of spooky fun for the whole community! The Halloween Block Party & Pet Spooktacular brings neighbors, families, and furry friends together for a festive day filled with activities, local vendors, live music, a pet costume contest, raffles, and much more. Come dressed in your favorite costume, bring your pets, and enjoy a fun-filled Halloween celebration in the heart of East Somerville. Volunteers wanted. They are looking for volunteers to help with activities, event setup, welcoming families, and keeping the celebration running smoothly. October 31, 1 – 4 p.m., Chuckie Harris Park. Sign up to volunteer (https://forms.gle/oAWkUYySYrmNvKBz9).

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Somerville neighbors need your help. On Tuesday, September 8, a fire on Dartmouth Street left four households, including multiple vulnerable residents and their pets, without homes. On September 30, there was a five-alarm fire in Teele Square. The fire impacted 32 homes at 1137-1147 Broadway, displacing 43 residents. Please consider donating whatever you can to the Somerville Homeless Coalition’s Emergency Displacement Fund, developed in partnership with the city. https://secure.qgiv.com/for/emerfun.

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The Somerville Museum presents Common Ground: Photography, Place, and Community, September 17 – December 5, One Westwood Rd. This exhibition features 15 photographers who have chosen Somerville as their home. The works on view range from documentary to conceptual and are united by the perspective of artists living and working within this evolving urban environment. “Common Ground” explores how artists navigate and contribute to Somerville’s shifting identity, examining the relationship between place, community, and creative practice. Visit https://www.somervillemuseum.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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Don’t forget, if you would like to subscribe to receive a digital edition of our paper, go directly to our website, on the right side, and enter your email address to receive a free, full PDF copy of the paper.