The Massachusetts general election is being held on Tuesday, November 8. This election will determine Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, State Treasurer, State Auditor, Representative in Congress, Governor’s Council, Senator in General Court, Representative in General Court, District Attorney, and Sheriff. There are also four ballot questions. Sample ballots are available at somervillema.gov/sampleballots. Somerville voters can vote early, by mail, or on Election Day. For all information about voting in Somerville, go to somervillema.gov/elections.

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The Ward 6 Community Meeting takes place on Thursday, November 3, and will be held at Somerville Community Baptist Church, 31 College Ave. Join in person or online via Zoom from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. Ask questions and get updates from city staff on subjects like rodent control, affordable housing, public safety, and much more. Interpretation and additional accommodations are available upon request. Learn more and join in online at somervillema.gov/communitymeetings.

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Happy birthday this week to several locals: 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 Candy Feldt, John Blute, Diane Sylvester Ames, Katie Marsh, Edward Robaczewski, Herc Kalos, Mike Campbell and Betsy Almeida Pesce, 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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The City of Somerville is forming a 12-member Civic Advisory Committee to represent the public in the redevelopment of 90 Washington St., and all residents are encouraged to apply. The Committee will meet regularly starting in January 2023 to advise city staff and consultants in selecting one or more development partners for 90 Washington St. Committee members will include eight residents, two local business or non-profit representatives, and two City Councilors. Applications are due Monday, November 14. To learn more and apply, go to somervillema.gov/90washington.

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November is Hunger and Homeless Awareness month and to support our most vulnerable clients, the Somerville Homeless Coalition will be holding its first month-long Hunger and Homeless Awareness event. Throughout the month, local groups and supporters will take part in a variety of fundraising activities to raise awareness for their clients currently experiencing homelessness and food insecurity. In alignment with this event, we are bringing back our Sleep Out event on November 18 where SHC staff will stand in solidarity with our clients by spending the night outdoors. To learn more about our Hunger and Homelessness event, and to get involved, see the link below.Get Involved: https://fundraise.givesmart.com/e/n1P6DA?vid=uzvws

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Athletics registration starts today for high school and middle grades students interested in playing a winter sport. The high school medical clearance event is November 15 and 16. The middle grades medical clearance event is November 30 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Visit the Athletics Department website to learn more and register. Somerville has waivers for three SHS winter sports teams (Boys Ice Hockey, Girls Basketball, Coed Swim), meaning middle grades students may try out for these teams. Learn more by visiting the Middle Grades Athletics webpage. Athletics: https://somerville.k12.ma.us/athletics. Middle Grades Athletics: https://somerville.k12.ma.us/MGathletics.

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A public forum will be held at the Somerville Media Center main studio, and opponents and proponents encouraged to participate. The forum will begin with short talks by City Councilor Beatriz Gómez Mouakad and former Congressman and Mayor Mike Capuano covering the various positions for and against the bus lanes already being discussed around town, followed by some back and forth between the speakers. They will then open up the floor for public debate from designated microphones to which the speakers will periodically respond, calling on any experts in attendance as the dialogue proceeds. Somerville Media Center Executive Director Kat Powers will moderate and will expect all attendees to keep their comments civil. Speak Your Mind will take place Wednesday, November 9, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Somerville Media Center main studio, 90 Union Square, and is sponsored by Somerville Media Center, Somerville Media Fund, and Boston Institute for Nonprofit Journalism. The event will be recorded by SMC’s SCATV. Admission is free. Masks are encouraged.

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The Center for Arts at the Armory (CAA) announces that it will host and manage the 13th Annual Somerville Winter Farmers Market (SWFM) every Saturday beginning November 5 through April 8, 2023. The Center for Arts at the Armory is located at 191 Highland Avenue, Somerville, MA 02143. To learn more and for a complete listing of vendors, weekly specials, and live entertainment, please visit www.somwintermarket.org. You can find the market on Facebook at www.facebook.com/SomervilleWinterFarmersMarket, and on Instagram @SomWinterMarket.

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Donate to the MAMAS free store. MAMAS – Mutual Aid Medford and Somerville is seeking gently used winter clothes of all sizes and ages, especially coats and boots. The free store is on November 12 (rain date November 13). Call or text 339-545-1315 for drop off locations and times. They are also accepting monetary donations: opencollective.com/mamas (Select Winter Free Clothing Store).

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Somerville Songwriter Sessions at the Armory Cafe presents a live, in-person concert with singer/songwriters Tim Foley, Doug Kwartler and Sam Bayer on Saturday, November 5. The concert will feature a solo set by each artist, followed by a round robin song swap. The show begins at 7:30 p.m., and there is a suggested donation of $15. The Armory Cafe is at 191 Highland Avenue, Somerville. For more information call 617-718-2191 or visit artsatthearmory.org or www.facebook.com/SomervilleSongwriterSessions.

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Registration for Somerville Youth Hockey Learn to Skate/Learn to Play Hockey is open. All sessions take place at either Veterans or Founders rinks in Somerville. Beginner classes are geared towards kids 3-9 who have never skated nor played hockey before. There’s also a new Advanced option for kids aged 9 and older who are ready for a more fast-paced introduction to the fundamentals of hockey and skating. To learn more and register, visit https://www.somervilleyouthhockey.org/lts-ltp. Financial aid (and some equipment) is available.

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The SHS Class of 1982 40th Reunion will be held at 117 Swanton St., Winchester, MA on November 15, 6:30 – 11:30 p.m. Cost: $40 per person, dinner included, cash bar. ($50 after November 4). Payment methods: include Paypal: mbmbrennan44@gmail.com, Venmo: SHS Class of 1982 @shsclassof1982, Check: made out to SHS Class of 1982 mailed to Marybeth Caturello, 85 MacArthur Road Stoneham, MA 02180. For any other questions, please email Marybeth Brennan at mbmbrennan@comcast.net or call Marybeth Caturello at 617-851-2519.

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Make your perceptions of local policing and public safety known by taking the Somerville Department of Racial and Social Justice’s survey. Feedback will set the course of future work for the RSJ department. All residents are encouraged to participate. To learn more about the RSJ department, visit somervillema.gov/rsj.

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Every Wednesday through November 23, 12:00 – 6:00 p.m. visit the Davis Square Farmers Market, across from American Flatbread at 44 Day St. Visit: https://www.massfarmersmarkets.org/davis.

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