This Saturday, November 20, will be the last weekend to enjoy the Union Square Farmers Market. The market is open from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at 366 Somerville Ave. Open-air access to fresh, local, healthy food, vital to strong immune systems, in the heart of Union Square. Shop the Square Saturdays by picking up the freshest foods from your local farmers. Then show your #LoveUnionSquare by staying #Loyal2Local and stop into your choice of dozens of locally-owned businesses whose goodies galore await you.

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City staff at the Public Space and Urban Forestry (PSUF) and Parks and Recreation Departments, and a team of consultants, are finishing the last details of the renovation of the Dilboy Stadium track and field. They have scheduled a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with Mayor Curtatone for Friday, November 19, 10:30 a.m., at Dilboy Stadium, 110 Alewife Brook Pkwy, Somerville.

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Happy birthday this week to several locals: Happy birthday to a great guy, Bobby Potaris, who celebrates this week. A great guy and a great father. Happy birthday to Joan Puglia, a lifelong resident and activist who is celebrating this week as well. She’s the wife of former alderman Andy. Happy birthday to a great friend of ours, Malitta Knaut. A great lady who is in Somerville just about every day. She is also a very proud horse owner and trainer as well. We wish her the very best. Happy birthday to Diane Johansen, another lifelong and well-known resident from Winter Hill. A gracious and great lady, we wish her the very best on this her birthday. Happy birthday to Joshua Lewin, of Juliet in Union Square. A nice guy, a great place with great food. We wish him the very best. Happy birthday to one of Somerville’s well-known activists, Joe Beckman. A nice guy, we wish him the very best of birthdays. Happy Birthday to Meghann Viens, we wish her a very special birthday. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such Jim Powers, Sandrine Jeffreson, Dennis Biondo, Philip D’Arcangelo, Peggy Henderson, Nancy Jones, Joellen Guidi, Mary Silvestro, Suzanne Ferola, Bill Mccoy, Todd Easton and Marie Coady 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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Next Wave/Full Circle is holding its annual Winter Holiday Wreath Sale. Each balsam wreath is decorated with a red bow and costs $25. Payment can be made with check or by Venmo, and there will be three convenient pick-up locations the week after Thanksgiving. Learn more and find the link to preorder at www.somerville.k12.ma.us/wreathsale. Next Wave/Full Circle staff and students are grateful for ongoing community support of this annual event. All proceeds go toward enrichment programming for students. There will be no tree lot this year due to logistical complications from the pandemic. Learn more about this tight-knit Next Wave/Full Circle school community at their website, www.somerville.k12.ma.us/nwfc.

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Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, Ward 1 Councilor Matt McLaughlin, Ward 3 Councilor Ben Ewen-Campen, and Ward 4 Councilor Jesse Clingan invite you to a virtual community meeting to discuss proposed streetscape changes in Gilman Square. This meeting will primarily focus on the feasibility study for constructing an accessible path from Marshall Street to the Medford Street bridge and Community Path, as well as options for protected bicycle lanes on Medford Street and Pearl Street from School Street to Skilton Avenue. The meeting will take place Monday, November 22, at 6:00 p.m. To learn more and register to attend, go to somervillema.gov/gilmansquare.

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Somerville’s COVID case numbers in October did drop for the first time in five months, though sadly there were six COVID deaths, bringing the city’s COVID death total since March 2020 to 96. Cases during the Delta outbreak of the virus have been more evenly distributed throughout the city. General caution is warranted. Currently, 75% of all Somerville residents are fully vaccinated. See the latest Somerville case data at somervillema.gov/covid19dashboard.

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The Somerville Arts Council’s Illumination Community Lantern Project returns. As the days get shorter and the nights get longer, they are looking for ways to brighten the darkness. Building off of the success from last year’s Illuminations Community Lantern project, they are encouraging residents to create their own lantern displays in their neighborhoods and Squares as a part of this year’s month-long festivities. If you are interested in leading the charge in your neighborhood, contact SAC and they will put you on the official Illuminations Map. The deadline to be included on the Illumination map is December 1. To light up your neighborhood and get involved, visit https://somervilleartscouncil.org/illuminationstour

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Kitty Connection, an all-volunteer non-profit dedicated to rescuing and finding safe, loving homes for local cats and dogs, will hold a Silent Auction on Saturday, November 20, 6:00 – 9:00 p.m., at the Medford Professional Firefighters Association, 340 Salem Street, Medford. In addition to the chance to browse and bid on dozens of auction items in time for the holidays, the event includes a delicious lasagna dinner, raffles, and beer, wine and mixed drinks available for purchase. Auction items available for bidding include a brand-new Michael Kors purse, local artwork, a $100 Mobile gas gift card, tickets to the Improv Asylum and much more. Tickets, which include one door prize entry, are $25 and can be purchased online at https://kittyconnection2021auction.eventbrite.com. To learn more about Kitty Connection and pets available for adoption, visit: www.kittyconnection.net.

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Giving Tuesday 2021 takes place November 30. There are so many different ways to express generosity on Giving Tuesday and every day. It’s a simple idea: whether it’s making someone smile, helping a neighbor or stranger out, showing up for an issue or people we care about, or giving some of what we have to those who need our help, every act of generosity counts and everyone has something to give. Visit www.givingtuesday.org/united-states

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The CHA vaccination site at 176 Somerville Ave. (next to Target in Union Square) and many local pharmacies offer walk-in vaccinations. To find out more about these three clinics and where else you can get vaccinated, visit somervillema.gov/vaccine. Remember, vaccines are free, regardless of immigration status or health insurance. If you’re not vaccinated, make a plan today to get your shot. At-home vaccinations available: Massachusetts offers in-home vaccinations for anyone who can’t travel to a vaccination location. To learn more and sign up for an in-home vaccination, call (833) 983-0485.

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Students ages 5 years and older are now eligible for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Sign up for one of two vaccine clinics coming up this week and next at SPS facilities. This Friday, November 12, 4:00-7:00pm at ESCS, and next Friday, November 19, 3:00-6:00pm at the Winter Hill. Visit www.somerville.k12.ma.us/vaccineclinic for more information and registration link. Please reach out to your school family liaison if you need assistance setting up an appointment.

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The Somerville Council on Aging is holding Walking Groups, Fridays at 9:30 a.m. The walking group will meet in front of the Holland Street Center and will enjoy walks through area neighborhoods. All classes and groups will be limited to 8 participants and will follow City of Somerville social distancing and mask policy. Pre-registration is required. For additional info or to register for one of the above programs, contact Chris by email at ckowaleski@somervillema.gov or by phone at 617-625-6600 ext. 2315

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The Somerville Board of Health has extended the citywide residential eviction moratorium until April 30 of next year. The moratorium applies to both renters and homeowners, and it means residents cannot be physically removed from their homes, though eviction cases may proceed through court. Back rent ultimately must be paid. If you find yourself or anyone you know unable to make rent or mortgage payments (or if you are a landlord owed back rent), assistance may be available. Immediately contact the Office of Housing Stability at 617-625-6600 x2581 or the Community Action Agency of Somerville at 617-623-7370.

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Get an early start on your holiday shopping on November 20 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the East Somerville Main Streets Holiday Market. Support small businesses as you shop local for food, art, jewelry and books. Wild Fox Pierogi will be on site serving their delicious food, and DJ Panda will be spinning all your favorite market jams. Located at Connexion, 149 Broadway in Somerville.

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The Somerville Board of Health (BOH) approved a face-covering mandate for all indoor public places. The mandate applies to anyone two or older, and face coverings can be removed when people are actively eating or drinking. Masks should have a snug fit and cover the nose and mouth. The order can be read at https://www.somervillema.gov/sites/default/files/COVID-19-Mask-Order-Proposed-8.21.pdf.

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New Learn-To-Skate classes for children, ages 4 to 18 being held at the Founders Memorial Rink, 581 Somerville Avenue, 2:00 p.m. started on November 7 for 6 weeks. Classes are also available at 10 area rinks. Use either figure, recreational or hockey skates. Beginner, intermediate and advanced classes taught by professional instructors. For information and to register, call Bay State Skating School at 781-890-8480 or visit online at www.BayStateSkatingSchool.org. Bay State Skating School is compliant with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Covid-19 guidelines. The number of students allowed on the ice will be limited.

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