Congratulations to those who were elected to public office in Somerville this week, and thanks to all who tossed their hats into the ring, whether successful or not. Every candidate should be proud of their efforts in contributing to the diversity of choice in every office. Our returning mayor, Katjana Ballantyne, faces many challenges as well as opportunities in her upcoming term. Let’s wish her and our new and returning Councilors the best as they head into the new year.

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The city will host a Veterans’ Breakfast on Friday, November 10, from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. at the Somerville Council on Aging (167 Holland St.). The breakfast is open to local veterans and their families on a first come, first serve basis. Then, on Saturday, November 11, all community members are invited to attend a wreath-laying ceremony at the Veterans Cemetery (1330 Broadway) in West Somerville. The service will begin at 9:00 a.m. with a short speaking program. A wreath laying ceremony will follow. The event will take place rain or shine.

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Happy birthdays this week: Happy birthday to Joe Lynch, who is celebrating this week. He is a great friend to many of us in the city and beyond, we wish him a great birthday. Happy birthday to a former Alderman At-Large, amongst her many other accomplishments, Helen Corrigan. We wish her the very best of birthdays. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such as Betsy Almeida Pesce, Ivy Powers, Peggy Foley Arbeene, Mary Bean Fitzgerald, Donald Gallarelli, Victoria Macrokanis, Donald Gallarelli, Elena Clamen, Jerry DiGiovanni, Cheryl Bertocchi, John Kane, Dottie Bowman, Tanya Kalousdian, Antonette Biondo and Antonette Almeida 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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Get the latest on the Spring Hill Sewer Separation project at a virtual community meeting on Monday, November 13, at 6:00 p.m. City staff will review progress made and present an overview of the work planned for this upcoming winter and spring. Featured updates include a review of planned streetscape improvements throughout the neighborhood and sewer/drainage utility upgrades along Summer Street between School Street and Bow Street. Learn more and register to attend at somervillema.gov/springhill.

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Premiere on Broadway at 571 Broadway, Somerville, and the Friends of Somerville are hosting a fundraiser for Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll on November 14 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. All are welcome to attend and meet the Lieutenant Governor. Suggested Donations $100, $250, $500 and $1000. Seniors may attend free of charge.

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Join the Somerville Arts Council on November 13 to discuss how to increase art space to expand Somerville’s creative capacity. Join the discussion at Warehouse XI, 11 Sanborn Court at 6:00 p.m. RSVP at: https://somervilleartscouncil.org/culturalcapacity/conversations.

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Wreath sales have begun. Buy a wreath from the Next Wave / Full Circle Annual Wreath Fundraiser (donations welcome). Wreath pickup for the community at NW/FC on November 28 and 29 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. (There will be no tree lot this year.) Wreaths sold to staff members will be delivered to schools. The cost is $25. To order, visit https://somerville.k12.ma.us/next-wave-full-circle-wreath-sale-2021.

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The Somerville Community Growing Center is holding their annual wreath sale also. It’s that time of year again. Time to order your wreath. Consider purchasing a beautiful, handcrafted holiday wreath, which helps to support programming and care for the Growing Center. Volunteers work behind the scenes starting as far back as the summer – growing, picking and drying flowers, and gathering nature materials from farms and woodlands. The results: Hand- decorated evergreen wreaths, each featuring a homemade bow (in your choice of three colors: red, burgundy, or purple), adorned with locally sourced pinecones, delicate dried flowers, and ornamental peppers and berries. To purchase visit their online store: bit.ly/fcgcstore

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Join Jimmy Tingle and friends for a comedy benefit on November 12, 2:00 – 5:00 p.m. at Dilboy VFW Post, 351 Summer St, Somerville. All proceeds to benefit the George Dilboy VFW Post 529. Tickets $25. Contact: 781-325-6591.

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The Somerville Community Growing Center is turning 30. Record a memory from the comfort of your own home or from anywhere on your mobile device. bit.ly/gc-30.

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The Somerville Council on Aging will be hosting Mayor Ballantyne’s Thanksgiving Luncheon on Tuesday, November 14, at the Dilboy Post, located at 351 Summer Street from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Enjoy a Thanksgiving Celebration of turkey, stuffing and all the fixings. Please reserve your spot by calling Debby Higgins at 617-625-6600, ext. 2321.

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In preparation for the cold months ahead, the Somerville Homeless Coalition is in urgent need of winter clothing and apparel to keep their clients warm and safe. Donations of socks, hats, jackets, hand warmers, sweatpants, and more will go a long way towards keeping the most vulnerable clients protected against the unpredictable New England weather.  All donations can be dropped off at their Engagement Center located at 1 Davis Square, Somerville between Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., closed each day from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. for lunch. Help keep our neighbors safe this winter.

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Somerville Public Schools will be holding a free Flu Vaccine Clinic on November 16, 3:00 – 5:30 p.m. at the East Somerville Community School, 50 Cross St. Sign up for an appointment here: https://www.somervillema.gov/vaccinations or walk in. Clínica de Vacunación Contra la Gripe GRATUITAS16 de noviembre: 3PM-5:30PM, Escuela Comunitaria de East Somerville, 50Cross Sthttps://www.somervillema.gov/vaccinationsClínica de vacinação contra a gripe GRATUITAS16/nov/23: 15h-17h30, East Somerville Community School, 50 Cross St ttps://www.somervillema.gov/vaccinations Klinik Vaksen pou, Grip GRATIS 16/11/23: 3PM-5:30PM, Nan East Somerville Community School ki sitye nan 50 Cross St https://www.somervillema.gov/vaccinations

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Help keep our waterways clean in your neighborhood by joining Somerville’s Adopt-a-Drain program. A storm drain clear of leaves, trash or other debris allows water to flow into the catch basin sump and can prevent flooding. When you adopt a drain (or drains), you commit to caring for a local storm drain of your choice by checking on it before and after heavy rain, wind, or snow. Bonus perk: you can also give it a name. Claim your drain at somerville.mysticdrains.org.

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Join the Somerville Public Library and a representative from the ACLU for a workshop on understanding your legal rights in the U.S. Visit the Central Library on November 9, 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. to learn more about your right to be free from discrimination based on race, ethnicity, or national origin, and how the law protects you. This workshop will look at: What does discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, or national origin look like? What your rights are and how to exercise them. What to do if you believe your rights have been violated. Register: https://somervillepubliclibrary.org. 

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Congratulations to the Somerville High School Golf Team for winning the Greater Boston League Open Tournament.

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Somerville Public Schools Winter Sports registration is now open for both middle grades and high school athletes. Learn more and register for middle grades sports: https://somerville.k12.ma.us/mgathletics. Learn more and register for high school sports: https://somerville.k12.ma.us/teams.

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Visit the Blue: The Celebration of a Color exhibit at the Somerville Museum, through December 2, One Westwood Rd. The exhibit showcases paintings, photography, installation, fashion, and video works of local artists who incorporate blue in their studio practice. For hours visit www.somervillemuseum.org.

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Registration is open for Learn to Skate and Learn to Play Somerville Youth Hockey. 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. Financial aid (and some equipment) is available. To learn more and register, visit https://www.somervilleyouthhockey.org/ltsltp.

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