Join the Somerville Arts Council for 24 Hours of Culture, a free community party celebrating art, music, food, and joy as a strategy for liberation. Saturday, August 16, 4 – 10 p.m. (rain date August 17, same times) in Union Square Plaza. Expect live performances, hands-on art workshops, games, and delicious food from local BIPOC vendors. Designed to uplift Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) voices and showcase local artists, performers, and community leaders. This event is free to attend and open to all ages.

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Discuss an intriguing book in a relaxed atmosphere at the next meeting of the Hub Comics Book ClHub on Wednesday, August 13, at 7 p.m. They will talk both form and content regarding their pick-of-the-month, Dave Ortega’s Dias de Consuelo, which is 10% off now until BOOK CLHUB! Readers of all experience levels are welcome, although this book is for teens and up. You don’t even have to buy a copy from Hub Comics. Admission is free, but bringing a copy is required. Book ClHub is the second Wednesday of every month, Hub Comics,19 Bow St, Somerville.

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Happy birthday this week to several locals: Happy birthday to Courtney O’Keefe of Ward 5. We wish her a great birthday. Happy birthday, Jenny Bonham Carter. We wish Jenny a great day. Happy birthday to Brandon Wilson. We wish her the best and hope she has a very happy birthday. Happy birthday to Cliff Clark. We wish him the very best. We wish all our celebrating Facebook friends, such as Elizabeth Roche, Victor Martins, Joseph Amaral Sr., Patricia Toner, Maureen Marenna, Anna Rosella, Carmine D Ambrosio, and Roy Bertocchi, 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’s Preliminary Election takes place on Tuesday, September 16. This election will narrow the candidate pool before the Municipal Election on Tuesday, November 4. Offices on the ballot include: Mayor, Councilor At Large, Ward 7 Councilor, and Ward 3 School Committee. Register to Vote. The last day to register to vote is Friday, September 5. Election Day: September 16. Vote at your designated polling location. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. To look up your polling place, get instructions for voting by mail, review a sample ballot, or for other election info, please visit somervillema.gov/elections or call 311 by dialing 3-1-1 or 617-666-3311.

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We have a new tab on our website, “Campaign Releases.” Go there to see the latest endorsements, campaign info for this year’s election candidates.

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Outdoor Movie Nights at Aeronaut, Saturday, August 16, 9 – 11 p.m. at Aeronaut Brewing Company. Head to Aeronaut on Saturday nights over the summer for outdoor movie nights on the patio featuring some favorites. Admission is free. Weather permitting. 8/16 Anchorman, 8/23 Mean Girls, 8/30 Clueless, 9/6 Jaws, 9/13 Zoolander. 14 Tyler St, Somerville.

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August 10-16 is Urban Agriculture Week, a time to celebrate the people, programs, and partnerships that make fresh, local food accessible in our community. Somerville’s Office of Food Access and Healthy Communities is sharing events you can attend to participate: Medicinal Plant Walk at Central Library (August 13), 5:30 – 7:00 p.m., 79 Highland Ave., Somerville Mobile Farmers Market (July 10-November 1). Visit Mass.gov for more events in the area.

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High heat and humidity are expected during the summer; these weather conditions can cause heat illness if precautions are not taken. Visit www.somervillema.gov/keepcool for heat safety tips, which are also available in multiple languages, and more ways to keep cool in and around Somerville this summer.

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SomerMovie Fest wraps up this week. The movie begins at dusk, and the showtime is approximate. Arrive early to grab a good spot, get comfortable, and enjoy the summer evening with neighbors and friends. This final week’s movie is Barbie, on Thursday, August 14, at approximately 7:45 p.m. at Seven Hill Park in Davis Square. For more information, please visit www.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 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 help our advertisers be able to advertise. Thank you all so much for your support!

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Somerville’s Office of Immigrant Affairs is hosting a Citizenship Day Clinic offering free legal help for Green Card Holders applying for U.S. citizenship. Residents, students, and workers of the Somerville community who are at least 18 years old and legal permanent residents for at least 5 years (3 years if married to a U.S. citizen) will receive pro-bono legal assistance from Project Citizenship.Saturday, August 23, Connexion,149 Broadway, Somerville.Head to https://www.facebook.com/projcitizenship/posts/project-citizenship-the-city-of-somervillethe-somerville-office-of-immigrant-aff/1170823298406885/.

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Visit the Growing Center for some relatively quiet time during the weekly R  CSA distribution window, Wednesdays, through October 15, 3:30 – 6:30 p.m. Relax, read, write, sketch, draw, or paint while enjoying a green setting in the city. Limited garden/nature books and art supplies will be available for use on-site. 22 Vinal Ave, 3:30 p.m.- 6:30 p.m.

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Neighborhood Meeting: 1154 Broadway, August 18, 6 p.m.- 8 p.m. Please join the development team from SomerBridge Hotel, the City of Somerville, and Ward Councilor J.T. Scott for a virtual neighborhood meeting. Meeting Link: https://tinyurl.com/McGrathHotel. In this meeting, the development team will present a revised formula for business and hotel use at 1 McGrath Highway, Somerville, MA. There will be an opportunity to discuss issues and potential impacts from that use.

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Applications are now available for one (1) resale studio income-restricted homeownership unit through the City of Somerville Inclusionary Housing Program at 411 Norfolk St., Somerville, near the Cobble Hill neighborhood. More information at somervillema.gov/inclusionaryhousing.

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Join Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and Somerville’s Council on Aging for the annual Mayor’s Senior Picnic at 11:00 a.m. at Trum Field on September 9. Call Connie Lorenti at 617-625-6600 ext. 2319 for a free ticket by September 5.

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The Somerville Flea Market is now open for its 13th year. Vintage vendors, Artisan makers, Farm stand, Live DJ, plus treasures you didn’t even know existed. Sundays, August – October. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., 18 Holland St.

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The city is seeking one member for the Community Preservation Committee. Application deadline August 29, 2025. Are you a Somerville resident who cares about affordable housing, history, open space, and accessibility? Would you like to help guide community investment? Fill out the online form here: https://cityofsomerville.jotform.com/251825134332046.

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Save the Date: What the Fluff? A Tribute to Union Square Innovation is a madcap festival honoring the invention of Marshmallow Fluff. It celebrates Somerville’s long-standing tradition of innovation with live music, fluffalicious feasts, sticky games, and so much more happening Saturday, September 20, from 2 to 6 p.m. in Union Square (severe weather date Sunday, September 21). Interested in becoming a vendor at this year’s What the Fluff? A Tribute to Union Square Innovation? The Fluff vendor application is live: www.unionsquaremain.org/fluffvendors. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until spots are filled. Are you a non-profit or community group looking to get the word out about your work? Fill out the Fluff Fest Community Group Application: https://form.jotform.com/251685124532152.

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The Rock + Roll Yard Sale is coming to Union Square this fall, curated by What Cheer?. Taking place on Sunday, September 7, with a rain date of Sunday, September 14. This event will feature 40 to 50 carefully selected local vendors offering an eclectic mix of vinyl records, vintage clothing, handmade goods, artwork, and more. 12 – 5 p.m., Union Square Plaza.

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Save the date for the second annual Get Ready for School Fair, open to all SPS students and families. August 20, from 4 to 6:00 p.m., followed by a Welcome to High School event from 6 – 8:00 p.m. Both events take place at the Somerville High School, 81 Highland Ave. This event is for all SPS students and families, from PK to Grade 12. Join them for a district-wide fair and talk to school staff, participate in fun activities, eat a free frozen treat, climb aboard a Somerville fire truck, engage with some of our great community partners, and learn more about Somerville Public Schools.

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The Somerville Health Foundation’s 2025-2026 grant funding cycle is now open. The Foundation plans to distribute approximately $30,000 and is accepting requests between $10,000 and $15,000 through August 18 at 11:59 p.m. More information can be found under the “Community Engagement” title here: www.challiance.org/community-health.

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P’alante: Stories Moving Somerville Forward is an art exhibition by local photographer Mario Quiroz, in collaboration with Somerville Media Center and CAAS, and with support from the Somerville Department of Racial and Social Justice and Somerville Office of Immigrant Affairs. Photographs will be on display from August 1 to September 30 at the East and West Branches of the library, and from August 1 to August 30 in the Central Library Auditorium. https://www.somervillepubliclibrary.org/.

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On September 13, the Gilman Square Arts & Music Festival will be back to highlight local artists, makers, performers, and food vendors. This event is supported by the Somerville Arts Council and is made possible by an LCC grant, the generous support of local businesses, and volunteers from the Gilman Square Neighborhood Council. Raindate, Sunday 9/14. Pearl Street between Marshall and James Streets will be closed to vehicular traffic from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 227-249 Pearl Street, Somerville.

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Let’s Get Truckin’, on August 14. Get up close to a Department of Public Works (DPW) truck and learn about its purpose and more with DPW staff. This event will be held on Thursday, August 14, at the Central Library (79 Highland Ave.) from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Learn more. Keep the fun going and attend Let’s Get Truckin’ at East Branch Library on Wednesday, August 20.

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The Somerville Mobile Farmers Market has returned 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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Somerville High School Class of 1980 Reunion Social is taking place Saturday, October 4, from 7 to 10 p.m., 230 Mishawum Rd., Woburn, MA. Checks should be made out to SHS Class of 1980, c/o Mary Ellen Melaragni, 9 Churchill Circle, Winchester, MA 01890, wasmith1492@gmail.com.

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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 Ginny Smithers Pool, 5 Cherry St., is officially back open. For more information on 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 through 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., 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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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 PDF copy of the paper.