The ‘Slice of the City’ spring meet-up series is an opportunity to connect and engage with city leaders and staff as well as neighbors, all while enjoying Somerville’s parks. The series begins this week in Ward 1. Ward 1 includes East Somerville, Assembly Square, and more. All events run from 5 to 7 p.m. Pizza and refreshments will be served, and Somerville Recreation will have activities for children available. WARD 1, Thursday, May 1, 5 p.m.: Join Mayor Ballantyne, Ward 1 Councilor Matthew McLaughlin, At-Large Councilors, and city staff at Chuckie Harris Park (17 Cross St. East)

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The Somerville Museum is proud to present History on the Line: The Exhibit and Map, exploring the untold stories of Somerville’s revolutionary past through physical and digital maps and archival materials. Funded by the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism’s MA250 grant program, this dynamic initiative brings history to life in new and meaningful ways with a map of over 60 historic sites in the Somerville area and an exhibit showcasing the museum’s sweeping archives. Join them on May 1, at 6 p.m. for an exhibit grand opening and map launch. Somerville Museum, One Westwood Road, Somerville, https://www.somervillemuseum.org/

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To those celebrating their birthdays this week: Happy birthday to Aida Sousa-Braga, who celebrates this week. Happy birthday this week to Linda Beebe, who is celebrating this week. We hope she has a great day. Happy birthday to Beverly Childers this week. We hope she has a great celebration. Happy birthday to Dennis Sullivan. We wish him a great birthday. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such as Rose Lister,George Sharpe,Charlotte Scanzillo Perkins,Ginny Atwater,  Linda Beeb, Barb Balkwill, G.p. Redmond, Claire D’Anna,Eric Pedro Sr.,Johnny Ferola, Karen Mancini and Jack Costello  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 Open Studios 2025 will take place on Saturday and Sunday, May 3–4, from 12 to 6 p.m. each day, at artists’ studios and homes throughout Somerville. Nearly 400 artists in 118 locations citywide will open their studios to the public. Map, artist, and (soon) trolley info at https://www.somervilleopenstudios.org/. The SOS First Look Show at the Somerville Museum will be open from April 24 through May 17.

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The Somerville Open Studios 2025 Fashion Show takes place on May 2 at the Crystal Ballroom in Davis Square. Doors open at 6 p.m. for cocktail hour, and the wearable art fashion show begins at 7 p.m. Free to all, open seating. RSVP here: https://www.somervilleopenstudios.org/artwear-the-sos-2025-fashion-show/

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The City is hiring Somerville high school students for opportunities across the city. Applicants must be Somerville residents and at least 14 years of age by May 4. Summer jobs require approx. 20 hours per week for six weeks starting in July. Learn more and apply now here https://www.somervillema.gov/departments/programs/mayors-jobs-program

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Interested in trying out city biking? On  May 5 from 6-8pm visit the Alley @somernova (24 Dane Street) for a beginner friendly workshop and bike ride through Somerville. @massbike will be leading a workshop on riding a bike in Somerville. Learn how to navigate the city streets, safety 101, and street etiquette. The workshop will be followed by a short bike ride. If you don’t have a bike that’s ok, free blue bike codes will be provided! All are welcome, language interpretation will be provided to all who want it for free. To request an interpreter, please contact us at somerviva@somervillema.gov or call 311 (617-666-3311) at least 7 days before the event. Pizza provided.

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Join Union Square Main Streets and 60+ of your favorite local food producers for the 21st Annual Union Square Farmers Market. Shop local Saturdays from May 10 – October 25, except September 20, from 9am to 1pm on the Union Square Plaza. Thanks to our partnership with the City of Somerville and the Somerville Farmers Market Coalition, they are proud to continue to offer our SNAP match. Check the market webpage for the latest info and to see which vendors accept SNAP. For more information about the Union Square Farmers Market, visit unionsquaremain.org/2025-season.

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The City of Somerville’s Office of Emergency Management and Health and Human Services Department invite residents to attend a community listening session to discuss and provide feedback on the city’s 2024 – 25 warming center at the Cummings School. The meeting will take place on Thursday, May 8, at Somerville High School (81 Highland Ave.) from 6 to 7:30 p.m. City staff will be present to facilitate discussion and gather feedback which will be used to improve future operations.

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The city’s Mobility Division has been collecting feedback for the Western Pearl Street Reconstruction project, part of Somerville’s Pavement and Sidewalk Management Program and an effort to increase safety for all. Now, preliminary design concepts are here. Community members are invited to an open house on Wednesday, May 7, at Ed Leathers Park (between Skilton Ave. and Walnut St.) from 5 to 7:30 p.m. to learn more about the project, review concept design options, and share input. The event will feature multiple stations describing different aspects of the project with staff ready to answer questions. Pizza will be provided. Learn more. Can’t attend the open house? Future opportunities to give feedback will be available after the open house at www.somervillema.gov/westernpearl.

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Joshua Sariñana’s upcoming exhibition, Mental Mapping, will be showcased 191 Highland Ave., Second Floor, Suite 2A, Somerville. The exhibition runs through June 22. This exhibition delves into the intersections of neuro-science, artificial intelligence, and visual storytelling. Mental Mapping explores how internal networks, such as memory, perception, and emotion, shape the way we experience and navigate the world. https://www.joshuasarinana.com/mental-mapping

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Join the Commission for Persons with Disabilities at the first of their #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth events next Wednesday, May 7. This event will bring together people of all ages to discuss supporting one another and how we can normalize the language of mental health. RSVP: bit.ly/HT_25

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The City of Somerville invites all residents to join the waitlist. Rental units become available at 50%, 80%, and 110% of the Area Median Income. For example, the income level is $130,250 for a four-person household at 80% of AMI. If you would like to apply for the Consolidated Inclusive Housing Waitlist, visit them  at one of our application events or go to www.somervillewaitlist.org  and apply before May 30.

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Kick off SustainaVille Week and join Somerville area climate, environmental, and biodiversity justice advocates and concerned residents to explore shared concerns and goals, network, and build resilience. This event will be held on Saturday, May 3, at the Somerville Community Growing Center (22 Vinal Ave.) from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Learn more. https://www.somervillema.gov/events/2025/05/03/climate-convening-2025-building-somerville-areas-capacity-climate-action.

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Help celebrate e-mobility during SustainaVille Week, returning May 3 – 9, with a full lineup of events celebrating sustainability and climate action in Somerville. Community members are invited to participate in an E-Mobility Expo to showcase their own electric rides – whether it’s an e-bike, electric vehicle (EV), scooter, or some other electric transport. The expo will take place on May 9 at the Day Street Lot in Davis Square (44 Day St.) from noon to 6 p.m.

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PorchFest 2025 will take place on Saturday, May 10, from 12 to 6 p.m. (inclement weather date: Sunday, May 11). Visit https://somervilleartscouncil.org/porchfest/ for more information. The PorchFest Map is live. Check out who’s playing, where, and when– whether it’s your own street or your favorite band across town.Stay in the loop: Text SOMPORCHFEST to 888777 to get emergency alerts on the day of the event. https://somervilleartscouncil.org/porchfest/porchfest-listing/

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This May, the Union Square Neighborhood Council is holding its bi-annual election for the USNC board. All members are invited to vote in the election, as well as run for a board seat. (If you have any questions about the USNC or what it means to be a member, please consult their website at: sites.google.com/view/usnc. The election will be held in person as follows: Day 1: Saturday, May 17, 8 am – 12 p.m., Argenziano School, 290 Washington Street. Day 2: Tuesday, May 20, 7:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m., [TBA] Somerville.

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Thinking about running for local office? Starting May 5, nomination papers for Mayor, Councilor at Large, Ward Councilor, and School Committee will be available to take out. To begin the process, make an appointment with the Elections Department to pick up your nomination papers. A separate appointment is required to return them. Appointments are available from May 5 through June 9. Important deadlines: June 9 at 5 p.m., last day to take out nomination papers. June 11 at 5 p.m., deadline to submit completed papers to the Board of Election Commissioners. For more information, visit somervillema.gov/elections.

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Attend a School Committee Meeting. Dates and times for school committee meetings are listed on the SPS district website calendar. Visit the School Committee website for information and find meeting details on the City of Somerville Events page: https://somerville.k12.ma.us/events/calendar.

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Hazardous Waste Drop-Off, Saturday, May 10: Next monthly Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Day at DPW (1 Franey Rd., 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.)

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Street sweeping in Somerville resumed on Tuesday, April 1. Somerville’s street cleaning program is an essential public works program that not only keeps our city cleaner but also reduces the risk of flooding and icing due to clogged storm drains. Signs indicate the time and date of no parking due to sweeping. The street sweeping season runs from April 1 until December 31 each year. 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. The penalty for not complying with street sweeping parking regulations is a $50 fine. Check the signs on the streets where you park and visit www.somervillema.gov/sweeper for more information.

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Somerville Animal Control is in need of towels/blankets/linens. They can arrange a porch pickup if you message them on Facebook or they can be dropped off at the police station at any time.

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You can download a helpful packet of Know Your Rights resources and information in the language of your choice below. Somerville Public Schools have also created a list of resources on the One Somerville Resource page, which can be found here https://somerville.k12.ma.us/district-departments/somerville-family-learning-collaborative-sflc/one-somerville-resources.

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SCES is teaming up with City Fresh Foods to offer a five-pack of frozen home-delivered meals. This new meal delivery option is ideal for consumers who want the convenience of home-delivered meals but are not able to be at home each weekday to receive deliveries. Meal recipients can choose which weekday they would like to receive the frozen meals, with up to five meals in each bulk delivery. Each meal comes with bread, milk, and a dessert. Current SCES clients who are interested in receiving meals should call their office at 617-628-2601 or contact their case manager for more information.

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The Somerville Growing Center will host Earth Day: Rooted in Resilience, Saturday, April 26, 2 – 4 p.m., Rain date: Sunday, April 27. Continue to celebrate, following the morning events at South Street Farm with Groundwork Somerville. Demonstrations of vermicomposting and making ink from natural materials. Explore volunteer opportunities with the Growing Center and activism with local climate and justice focused groups. Visit the Pollinator Gardens and make native seed balls. Pot up a Red Fire Farm herb seedling to take home (limited supply). Exchange garden supplies with other gardeners. Check their social media for updates and details! https://www.thegrowingcenter.org/

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City Alerts are a great way for those who live, work, or own a business in Somerville to receive important city information that affects your neighborhood. City Alerts provide information about emergencies (including snow emergencies), construction and road closures, water service interruptions, community news, and more. To sign up, visit somervillema.gov/alerts and click on the button for your preferred language. Step-by-step sign-up instructions are available at: somervillema.gov/alerts. Having trouble signing up? You can call 3-1-1 (617-666-3311) for assistance.

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Through the generosity of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), and from the direction of Mayor Ballantyne, the Council on Aging can provide Durable Medical Equipment at no cost to Somerville residents. Residents with a documented need for medical equipment must be over the age of 60, or have a permanent disability and must be otherwise unable to afford or access needed medical equipment. We currently have available: Commodes, Bath Benches, Rollator Walkers, Incontinence Supplies, and Transport Wheelchairs. For additional information or for an application, please contact Debby Higgins at 617-625-6600, ext. 2321.

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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.