All city offices are closed on Independence Day, July 4. Trash and recycling pickup will be delayed by one day. All Somerville Public Library locations will also be closed on Friday, July 4. We wish everyone a safe, Happy 4th!

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Creative Musings, Wednesday, July 2 and July 9, 3:30 – 6:30 p.m. at the Somerville Community Growing Center, 22 Vinal Ave. Visit the Growing Center for some relatively quiet time during the weekly Red Fire Farm CSA distribution window. Bring a book and read. Grab your journal and write a bit, create a poem or make an entry in the Growing Center Journal that will be available. Every Wednesday, through October 15.

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Happy birthday this week to several locals: Happy birthday to our own Doug Holder. A great friend, poet, and a great guy. We hope he enjoys his day and spends it with great friends. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such as Richard Johnstin, Suzan Baltozer, Carlton Soohoo, Rose Nash, Christine Dischino Leavitt, Tamara McAllister, Holly Dow, John Hughes, Maureen Pirone, and Charles Zammuto a very happy birthday. We hope everyone has a great day. 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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SomerMovie Fest returns July 10. The movies begin at dusk, and showtimes are approximate. Arrive early to grab a good spot, get comfortable, and enjoy the summer evening with neighbors and friends. The series kicks off with The Wild Robot on Thursday, July 10, at approximately 8:30 p.m. at the Lincoln Park Softball Field. For more information, please visit somervillema.gov/moviefest.

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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 re-sources 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 help our advertisers be able to advertise. Thank you all so much for your support!

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Ice Cream FAQ with Gracie’s Ice Cream at West Library on Monday, July 21, 6 – 8 p.m., 40 College Ave, Somerville. Join in at the West Branch and talk ice cream with Gracie’s Ice Cream. Bring your questions for this informal Q&A all about ice cream and Gracie’s. They would love it if you could bring an item to donate to Project Soup.

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The Somerville Mobile Farmers Market returns on Thursday, July 10, for the 2025 season. The market will be open Thursdays through Saturdays, and will run through November 1. All produce is sourced from local farms and priced affordably to make healthy, fresh food accessible to all. The mobile market accepts cash, debit and credit cards, SNAP, Fresh Connect, WIC Farmers Market Coupons, and Senior Farmers Market Coupons. For locations and the full schedule, weekly produce updates, and more information about programs and events, visit the market’s website at somervillemobilefarmersmarket.org.

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

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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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On Wednesday, July 9, 6 – 8 p.m., SMC will host an opening reception along with a member mixer at 29 Properzi Way. They invite you to join them for an evening of lively conversation, where new and longtime members alike will gather in the spirit of art and community. Meet their newest Gallery artists, Valerie Pros-per Imparato and Flor Delgadillo. Light refreshments will be served.

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Disability Pride Month Flag Raising will take place on Thursday, July 10, 5 p.m., City Hall Concourse (93 High-land Ave.). Join Mayor Ballantyne, City Council members, the SPCD, and RSJ to raise the Disability Pride flag above Somerville’s City Hall. Families are encouraged to join us to hoist the flag together.

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Senior Social Gathering in Spanish, Tuesday, July 8, 2 – 3 p.m., at the Ralph and Jenny Center, 9 New Washington St., Somerville. You are cordially invited. Join the Somerville Office of Immigrant Affairs staff for a friendly gathering especially for Spanish-speaking seniors. Come to connect and chat with new friends and neighbors, and build community while enjoying a coffee and treats.

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Ye Olde Comix Con at Somerville Public Library, 79 Highland Ave., July 26, 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. Go here to find out more and register for reminders: https://www.somervillepubliclibrary.org/comix-con.

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Summer is here, and so is the heat. Visit the city’s website at somervillema.gov/keepcool for heat safety tips and ways to keep cool in and around Somerville are below. Safety tips are also available in multiple languages.

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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 Thursday, August 7, 6 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 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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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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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 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 p.m., 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, pro-tein, 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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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. They 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