RSJ is partnering with the City of Medford and Tufts University to provide additional Juneteenth programming during the month of June. Join Tufts University and the Cities of Medford and Somerville for a morning program that includes breakfast, a session on the history of Juneteenth, and workshops based around the theme of Expressions of Black Joy as a Form of Resistance at Tufts University, Wednesday, June 18, 8:15 to 11:30 a.m.. at the Joyce Cummings Center at Tufts University (177 College Ave., Medford) More event info at: www.diversity.tufts.edu/events/juneteenth2025/

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Finance Committee review of the FY 2026 Budget will take place tonight, Wednesday, June 18, at 6 p.m.They will post an audio recording, audio-video recording, transcript, or other comprehensive record of these proceedings as soon as possible after the meeting on the City of Somerville website and local cable access government channels. Copy nd paste the following link into your internet browser to view this meeting live: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_p9Pvu88qTEqbfXQHahvcGQ.

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Celebrating their birthdays this week: We wish a very happy birthday to a great person and longtime resident of Somerville, Paula LeBlanc. We wish her the very best. Happy birthday to a good guy, Jonathan Buck, who celebrates this week. Happy Birthday to Andrew Stanwicks, who is turning 26 on Thursday. We wish him a very special day. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such as Steven Mirabella, Pindi Singh, Donna M. Gilberti, Gail Chambers, Chris Marshall, Kathi Mullins, Marie Kearns, and Terra Yan a 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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City buildings will be closed on Thursday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth. Trash, recycling, and yard waste collection will be delayed by one day beginning Thursday. No street sweeping on Thursday.

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Community members are invited to visit the Royall House and Slave Quarters in Medford on Juneteenth for free admission and a chance to explore this national historic landmark and learn more about one of the only remaining freestanding quarters where enslaved people lived and worked in the North. Thursday, June 19, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Royall House and Slave Quarters Museum, 15 George St., Medford.

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Somerville’s Big Gay Dance Party takes place on June 21. Dance the night away in celebration of LGBTQ+ Pride. The theme: Halloween in July. Enjoy live music, drag performances, and more. All LGBTQ+ individuals and allies are welcome. Featuring: Amanda Playwith, Lilly Rose Valore, and Tommy Boss. Costumes are highly encouraged, so come dressed to slay. This event will be held on Saturday, June 21, from 5 to 8 p.m., at Union Square Plaza (90 Union Square). Details: https://somervilleartscouncil.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 you 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 try to help out our advertisers be able to advertise. Thank you all so much for your support!

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Juneteenth at Blessing of the Bay. Join the Somerville Museum at the Blessing of the Bay Boathouse to enjoy Indigenous performances, storytelling, and dance honoring the stories and voices of African American and Indigenous communities. Sunday, June 22, 1 to 3 p.m. Blessing of the Bay Boathouse (32 Shore Dr.).

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Join the Massachusetts Department of Transportation to learn about the proposed project consisting of a new bicycle and pedestrian bridge crossing the Mystic River and connecting the path networks on the Somerville and Everett sides of the river at the Mystic River Bicycle Pedestrian Bridge Public Meeting. This meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 24, at the Highlander Forum at Somerville High School (81 Highland Ave.) from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Learn more https://www.mass.gov/event/everett-somerville-mystic-river-bicycle-pedestrian-bridge-06-24-2025

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The Somerville Foundation (TSF) is hosting a summer music series. Their first event is Thursday, June 26, at Redbones Underbones, 7 – 9 p.m., 55 Chester St. Bring your friends. Enjoy good music, and you can order drinks/BBQ too. Minimum donation for entry is $10; students are free. Donations help TSF continue its activities to support youth, adults, and educators in the community. Read more at www.somerville-foundation.org.

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The Somerville Police Department and the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office will partner to host the Somerville gun buyback initiative Saturday, June 28, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. It will take place on Franey Rd. adjacent to the Somerville Department of Public Works yard, 1 Franey Rd. The regional initiative has included several communities in Middlesex County over the past couple of years. The focus is on providing residents with a safe and secure way of removing unwanted firearms from their homes.

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The Somerville Ward 7 Democratic Committee will host their municipal candidates for Ward 7 Councilor and School Committee over Zoom on Wednesday, June 18, at 6:30 p.m. This is a public event open to all. The Ward 7 school committee race is uncontested, and three candidates contend for the position of Ward 7 Councilor. During the forum, candidates will be given the opportunity to make opening and closing statements and answer questions submitted by the Ward Committee. A recording of the forum will be posted online as well. Go here to attend the live event: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82963814088?pwd=0ta2Nv1QixgvtNgSaboe5Pay4B9LuQ.1. Meeting ID: 829 6381 4088 Passcode: 068591. Following the forum, elected members of the Ward 7 Committee will vote on an endorsement in the Ward 7 Councilor race by online ballot.

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Union Comedy is now enrolling for its popular Summer Improv Comedy Camps, designed for teens (ages 13-17) looking to get creative, build confidence, and have a ton of fun. These week-long camps offer an exciting dive into long-form improvisation, guided by experienced instructors from Union Comedy’s year-round curriculum. : Ages 13-17, with or without prior experience. Week-long improv camp (Mon–Fri) with a final showcase. July 21–24, August 4–8, and August 18–22, Union Comedy, 593 Somerville Ave, Somerville. How to register: Visit www.tr.ee/unioncomedycamp.com. Spaces are limited and tend to fill quickly. Secure your spot today. Questions? Reach out to info@unioncomedy.com.

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ArtBeat 2025 is coming to Davis Square on Saturday, July 19, (rain date: Sunday, July 20). This year’s theme is FREEZE – think snowflakes, frozen moments, and glacial vibes on the hottest day of the year. Stay tuned for artist lineups, performances, and surprises. Find more details in our bio link or right here: https://somervilleartscouncil.org/events/artbeat-freeze/

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Ye Olde Comix Con at Somerville Public Library, 79 Highland Ave, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Join the Somerville Public Library for their fifth annual all-day fan-themed event, with programming from your favorite fandoms, stalls with local artists and vendors, cosplaying, and more. Click here to find out more and register for reminders: https://www.somervillepubliclibrary.org/comix-con.

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The City of Somerville’s Fireworks Celebration will be held on Wednesday, June 25, at Trum Field (inclement weather date is scheduled for Friday, June 27). Music, food, and a dazzling display in the sky, don’t miss this festive night for all ages. Please visit www.somervilleartscouncil.org/fireworks for details on the event, road closures, and parking restrictions.

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For the 8th year, Union Square Main Streets and local businesses (https://www.unionsquaremain.org/good-food-for-all ) proudly present Good Food for All, June 21 – June 28, a week-long community campaign to raise awareness and funds for the Union Square Farmers Market’s local SNAP match. SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, previously Food Stamps) recipients often find fresh, local food at farmers markets inaccessible, yet these foods are vital for strong and healthy immune systems. To make your donation, visit : https://www.unionsquaremain.org/good-food-for-all.

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In partnership with Arts at the Armory, the Somerville Homeless Coalition is thrilled to announce SHC’s Echos Exhibition, a powerful showcase that features artwork created by clients from their Engagement Center. The exhibition will be on display from May 13 to June 30 at the Rooted Armory Café, 191 Highland Ave.

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The Somerville Museum presents Kaleidoscope: Reflecting the Moment through August 23. Kaleidoscope: Reflecting the Moment is an immersive, multi-sensory exhibition by multidisciplinary artist Flor Delgadillo that invites us to reflect on shifting ideas of home, family, neighbors, and community in a rapidly changing world. Blending opportunities for pause and reflection with moments of interaction and creation, Kaleidoscope explores how light transforms space, how sound carries memory, and how collective experience deepens our sense of belonging, connection, and resilience. For more information, visit: https://www.somervillemuseum.org/.

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With spring in full swing, the City of Somerville is reminding residents that the season of growth is also the season of pollinators. As you shop for plants to fill garden pots or garden beds, you can play a role in feeding and sheltering the insects that keep our global ecosystem functioning. Somerville’s Pollinator Action Plan is your go-to guide for planting a beautiful garden and protecting the creatures that keep our environment blooming. Whether you’re a homeowner, renter, seasoned gardener, or total beginner, the Plan is full of practical steps and inspiring ideas to help create a vital habitat right here in the city. Check out the full Pollinator Action Plan at: www.voice.somervillema.gov/somerville-pollinator-action-plan.

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Celebrate the start of summer and join the City of Somerville Parks and Recreation Department for the annual Family Fun Day event on Saturday, June 28, from 1 to 4 p.m. at Conway Park (550 Somerville Ave.). In the event of inclement weather, activities will move indoors to Founders Memorial Rink (8 Garden Court). There will be fun for kids of all ages, including bounce houses, face painting, games, music, arts and crafts, and more. To learn more, please visit www.somervillerec.com or call 617-625-6600 ext 2980.

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National Night Out is back again. Celebrate bringing police and community together with fun activities for the whole family. Join in on Tuesday, August 5, at Dilboy Stadium, 110 Alewife Brook Parkway, from 5 to 8 p.m., for a fun night.

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The Powder House, Milk Row Cemetery and Prospect Hill Tower will be open to the public on select dates and times from May through October as part of History On The Line, a series of exhibitions and programs organized by the Somerville Museum and funded by the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism’s MA250 initiative and the City of Somerville. Next dates will be: The Powder House on Saturday, June 28, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Milk Row Cemetery, Saturday, July 26, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Prospect Hill Tower, Thursday, July 10, 6 – 8 p.m. For more dates and events, visit https://www.somervillemuseum.org/historic-events-1.

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The Ginny Smithers Pool, 5 Cherry St., is officially back open. For more information on spring pool hours for Swim Lessons, Water Exercise, Lap Swim, Family Swim, and Open Swim. Please visit their website, https://somervillema.myrec.com/info/default.aspx, or email aquatics@somervillema.gov.

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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 to October 25, except September 20, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the Union Square Plaza. Thanks to their partnership with the City of Somerville and the Somerville Farmers Market Coalition, they are proud to continue to offer our SNAP match. For more info, visit unionsquaremain.org/2025-season.

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The Davis Square Market is open for the 2025 Season. The market will run every Wednesday from 12 noon to 6 pm, from May 21 through November 26, at 44 Day St., Somerville. This long-running market features over two dozen Massachusetts farmers and food producers offering a vibrant selection of delicious produce, protein, baked goods, ready-to-eat meals, alongside a host of other locally made products. The market accepts cash, credit/debit cards, WIC/Senior coupons, and EBT cards and offers a weekly $15 SNAP Match. Visit https://www.massfarmersmarkets.org/davis.

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The Council On Aging’s Walking Club meets every Thursday at 9:00 a.m. Meet at the entrance of Holland Street Center, 167 Holland St. Weather permitting,

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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 has 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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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. 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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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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City Alerts are a great way for those who live, work, or own a business in Somerville to receive important city information that affects their 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 under 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.