On Thursday, August 28, at 6 p.m., Mayor Ballantyne will host an Overdose Remembrance Event to remember the eight Somerville residents who passed away from a substance use-related overdose in 2024. This event will include the planting of eight purple flags on the Highland Ave. side of City Hall, and one larger flag representing all those lost in prior years. Attendees are welcome to bring a small item of memorabilia to honor their lost loved one. The event will conclude with a moment of silence and candle lighting. City Hall will be lit with purple lights in recognition of Recovery Month. The flag and light displays will remain for the entire month of September. August 28, 6 – 7 p.m. (Narcan distribution) City Hall Lawn, 93 Highland Avenue, Somerville.

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The Labor Day holiday is Monday, September 1. City offices will be closed. Trash pickup will be delayed by one day for the full week. We wish everyone a safe, happy Labor Day weekend.

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Happy birthday this week to several locals: Happy Birthday to our own Bob “Monty” Doherty, who is celebrating this week. You can enjoy his historical columns in our paper every other week. We wish him the best.  Happy birthday to our photographer, Claudia Ferro. We are very happy to have her as our photographer. We wish her a very happy birthday. Rep. Christine Barber is also celebrating this week. We wish her a great day. Happy birthday, Patty Oppedisano. We wish her a happy birthday. Happy birthday to Marilyn Publicover, the sister of our former publisher, who is celebrating this week. We wish her the very best. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such as Louise Cruz-Partee, Ellie Loder Chute, John McDermott, Bob Baxter, Cheryl Endicott-Ribeiro, Michael Madden, Leesette Bengar, Isabel Mercauto, Donna M Morabito, Thomas B Mercier, Andreza S. Moon, and Mary Casavanta, 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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The city will hold a virtual Overdose Prevention Training as part of a monthly virtual training series in partnership with Cambridge, on Tuesday, September 2, 3 – 4 p.m. Registration link: bit.ly/4mJcOsw.

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Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the Somerville Office of Immigrant Affairs (SOIA), in proud partnership with the Brazilian Women’s Group, invite community members to celebrate 203 years of Brazilian independence at the third annual Brazil flag raising on Thursday, September 4, on the City Hall concourse (79 Highland Ave.) at 3 p.m. Rain date: Thursday, September 9. For more information, contact soia@somervillema.gov.

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Ward 3 voters, save the date. Thursday, September 4, 7:00 p.m. at the Somerville High School. The Ward 3 Democratic Committee will host the Ward 3 School Committee Candidates Forum featuring three exciting candidates who want to represent Ward 3 on the Somerville School Committee. All members of the community are invited. The forum offers an opportunity to hear from the candidates about K-12 education, early childhood programs, special education, and the future of Somerville schools in our rapidly changing community. Neighbors are invited to submit questions or topic ideas to ward3dems.somerville@gmail.com. At the primary on Tuesday, September 16, the top two vote getters will advance to the final election in November, so this is your chance to hear directly from the candidates and to make an informed decision. The forum is cosponsored by the Somerville Democratic City Committee.

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The City of Somerville is planning to build a new PK-8 public school building, and the Construction Advisory Group (CAG), Mayor Ballantyne, and Somerville Public Schools want to hear from you. To learn more about the project and take the survey offered in seven languages, please visit somervillema.gov/newpkto8.

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A Somerville Town Hall on Libraries and Schools will be held on September 5, 6:30 –  8 p.m. at the East Somerville Community School, 50 Cross Street. Join in for a discussion with the mayoral candidates about education issues, co-hosted by the Somerville Public Library Foundation, Friends of the Somerville Public Library, and the Somerville Council of PTAs. 6:30 p.m. Doors Open for free pizza and free books in the cafeteria, 7 – 8 p.m. The three candidates for Somerville Mayor will discuss libraries and schools. Questions for the candidates will be sourced from you, the community, ahead of time. Do you have questions about libraries and schools for the mayoral candidates? Submit them here and RSVP at this link: bit.ly/46QkIvr. Deadline for questions is August 28. RSVP’s are helpful but not required for attendance. Live interpretation in Haitian Creole, Spanish, and Portuguese will be available.

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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 30, 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. 8/30 Clueless, 9/6 Jaws, 9/13 Zoolander. 14 Tyler St., Somerville.

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Join the Somerville Museum for a Tavern Talk with Dan Breen: The March from Prospect Hill to Quebec: America Invades Canada, 1775. Wednesday, September 3, 7 – 8 p.m., at Aeronaut Brewery, 14 Tyler Street. “250 years ago this September, Benedict Arnold led a thousand members of Washington’s army to the north, away from the lines around Boston, in an attempt to drive the British out of Quebec. On the way, they battled trackless bogs, debilitating hunger, bone-chilling cold, and the ravages of disease–and that was the easy part! Join us as we relate the story of this, the first, and in some ways the most remarkable, military expedition in United States history.”

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The Somerville Garden Club is holding its annual plant sale. Sunday, September 21, from 10 a.m. – 1 a.m. (rain or shine), 331 Summer Street, Somerville. Discover the perfect plant to enliven your garden or windowsill at this popular yearly sale. Perennials for sun and shade, herbs, shrubs, groundcovers, plus a wide variety of house plants, will be featured. Choose from hundreds of plants donated by Somerville Garden Club members and friends – there’s something for everyone! Horticultural books, decorative containers, and garden tools will also be for sale. Experienced gardeners will be available to answer questions and assist with plant selections. Proceeds benefit the all-volunteer, non-profit Somerville Garden Club.

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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 voters, save the date. Monday, September 8, 7:00 p.m. at the Somerville High School. Somerville City Councilors At-large Candidates Forum. The Ward 3 Democratic Committee will host a forum featuring eleven of the twelve brave candidates who want to represent you on the City Council. All members of the community are invited. 12 candidates are on the ballot. Only 8 will be nominated for the November General Election. Many new faces. Are these people the future of Somerville? The forum offers an opportunity to hear from the candidates about issues in our rapidly changing community. Neighbors are invited to submit questions or topic ideas to ward3dems.somerville@gmail.com. At the primary on Tuesday, September 16, the top eight vote getters will advance to the final election in November, so this is your chance to hear directly from the candidates and to make an informed decision

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Visit the Growing Center for some relatively quiet time during the weekly Red Fire Farm 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 – 6:30 p.m.

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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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Somerville author Lesley Bannatyne will read and discuss her new novel-in-stories, Lake Song, at Porter Square Books, Cambridge, at 7 p.m. on Thursday, September 11. Lesley will be joined in conversation with Dr. Talaya Delaney, and a book signing immediately follows the event. Everyone is welcome!

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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)

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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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SYS is proud to announce that TOPSoccer will be coming to our community beginning in September. This program for players with mental and physical disabilities will make an incredibly positive impact on our families. The registration link and other information will be available at www.somervillesoccer.org. For more information on TOPSoccer, please visit https://mayouthsoccer.org/events-and-programs/topsoccer/.

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As the next step in realizing Somerville’s Master Plan to transform the city’s Armory building into a public community arts center, the Ballantyne Administration is sharing phase one application guidance for interested prospective arts tenants. For more information on Phase One guidance and future Armory Master Plan updates, visit voice.somervillema.gov/armory-master-plan.

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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. Saturday, September 13, from 12 to 5 p.m. (severe weather date: Sunday, September 14), located on Pearl St. from Marshall to James Street. Raindate, Sunday, September 14.

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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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The 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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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.