To mark the 24th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the City of Somerville Department of Veterans’ Services invite all community members to a 9/11 Remembrance Ceremony on Thursday, September 11, at 6 p.m. in Davis Square. The observance will honor all victims of 9/11 as well as first responders, workers, and volunteers who rushed to the scene to save lives or to later help carry out the dangerous cleanup. It will include a moment of silence and feature an invocation and benediction by Father Paul Coughlin as well as remarks by Mayor Ballantyne and Veterans Director Jerome Thomas. For more information, please email veterans@somervillema.gov or contact 311 at 617-666-3311.

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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. Vote at your designated polling location. Polls are open from 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 www.somervillema.gov/elections  or call 311 by dialing 3-1-1 or 617-666-3311. Early Voting for the Primary will take place at Somerville City Hall on the following dates and times: Wednesday, September 10, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., and Thursday, September 11, 8:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.

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Happy birthday this week to several locals: Happy birthday to Bob Trane, who is a lifelong resident and a former Somerville Alderman. We wish him a very happy birthday. Also celebrating is Maureen Cuff Bastardi. We wish her a very special day. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such as David C. Roberts, Stephen J. Bremis, Maureen McCole, Richard Keller, Felicia Dalelio, Dan Johnson, Alexa Trefonides-Mase, Jeff Meese, Judy Calvey,  Cheryl Tucker, Mary Ann Beaton, Jessica O’Brien, Jane Becker, and Gary DiZoglio, 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 Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) announced last week that the first positive human case of West Nile Virus (WNV) confirmed in the state this year was a woman in her 70s who was exposed in Middlesex County. Today, Somerville has their risk level elevated to high risk for West Nile Virus. Residents should continue to take precautions to protect themselves against mosquito bites and mosquito-borne diseases, including WNV and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). For more information, visit mass.gov/dph/mosquito or call the Massachusetts DPH Epidemiology Program at 617-983-6800.

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This year’s Riverfest will take place on Saturday, September 13, 11 a.m. – 9 p.m., 355 Artisan Way. Enjoy fireworks over the Mystic River, shop 30+ artisan vendors, play beach volleyball or pickleball at Club Volo, and experience live performances on two different stages throughout the day. This year, the Baxter Park Oval will feature a bounce house obstacle course, giveaways, roving entertainment, and more family-friendly fun. End the evening with a breathtaking fireworks display over the Mystic River – the perfect finale to a day of community, celebration, and fun.

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Are you an Artist or Craftsmaker who creates objects for sale? You can rent a table to display and sell your wares on Saturday, October 25, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Holiday Crafts Fair at the Somerville Community Baptist Church in Davis Square. The price for renting a table is $35.  The Fair will also feature food and fun activities for all ages. To rent a table, please make out your check for $35 to Somerville Community Baptist Church, and mail it along with your name and contact information (address, phone, email) to SCBC, 31 College Avenue, Somerville, MA 02144. For more information about the Fair, contact Marion Annacone, mari-on.annacone@gmail.com.

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The City of Somerville is hiring polling place Inspectors and standby poll workers for the upcoming Preliminary Municipal Election. Poll workers must be available on Election Day: Tuesday, September 16. The workday starts at 6:30 a.m. and ends after polls close at 8 p.m., with a two-hour break. Duties include setting up and breaking down the precinct, greeting and checking in voters, and assisting at the voting machines. Inspectors can earn $240 for the day. To apply, please email Human Resources at hrad-min@somervillema.gov. Applicants will be contacted and hired as needed up until Election Day.

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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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Registrations are now open for Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services’ fall Savvy Caregiver course. Savvy Caregiver is an evidence-based training program designed to help family caregivers best support a loved one with dementia and care for themselves. The course has been proven to decrease caregiver distress, burden, and depression, while increasing a caregiver’s sense of competence and confidence in their care role. Participation is free. Savvy Caregiver will be held virtually via Zoom each Wednesday from 12 to 2 p.m., starting October 1 and concluding on November 12. To register, call 617-628-2601 ext. 3153 or email katherine.bonilla@eldercare.org.

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Ignite: A Global Street Food & Fire Festival is returning to Union Square on Saturday, September 27. Get ready for a magical afternoon filled with flavors from around the world, incredible culture nd fire performances, and entertainment that will light up the evening. Expect more opportunities for hands-on experiences. 3:30 – 7:30 p.m., Union Square. https://somervilleartscouncil.org/events/ignite-festival-2/.

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The Somerville Garden Club is holding its annual plant sale. Sunday, September 21, from 10 a.m. to 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, 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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The Somerville Naloxone Distribution event takes place on Thursday, September 18, 1 – 4 p.m., Davis Square Plaza, Somerville, intersection of College and Highland Avenues. Somerville Public Overdose Prevention Training takes place Tuesday, September 23, 6 – 7 p.m., Auditorium, Somerville Public Library Central Branch, 79 Highland Avenue, Somerville. Registration link: bit.ly/4mJcOsw. For more information, please contact Director of Prevention Services Tina Los at tlos@somervillema.gov.

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Fall Festival, September 13. Welcome the fall season with fun for the whole family. Enjoy bounce houses, music, and an array of fall-themed activities, including pumpkin decorating, face painting, music, and more. This event will be held indoors at Founders Rink (8 Garden Court) from 1 to 4 p.m.

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Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and The Somerville Arts Council are pleased to announce the return of the Rock + Roll Yard Sale to Union Square Plaza. Now in its 18th year in Somerville, this long-running event celebrates creativity, community, and the city’s do-it-yourself spirit. For updates, follow @rockandrollyardsale and @somervilleartscouncil on Instagram, or visit somervilleartscouncil.org/events/rock-and-roll-yard-sale. Sunday, September 14, 12 – 5 p.m.

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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 Somerville Farmer’s Market Community Booth Interest form is now open. The market has two community booths available each week (free of charge) for the nonprofits, schools, and other organizations working to benefit the greater Somerville community. Petition the greater Somerville community by tabling for your organization. Community Booth form: https://forms.gle/L62Zr2RtUK4NjqmW9. The priority deadline is September 27. Email swfm_community@artsatthearmory.org with any questions.

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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, 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.

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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., Jake n Joe’s, 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. No tickets will be sold at the door.

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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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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. For additional information or for an application, please contact Debby Higgins at 617-625-6600, ext. 2321.

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