The State of Massachusetts will hold its Primary Election on Tuesday, September 1. This election will narrow the candidate pool before the November Election on Tuesday, November 3. Offices on the ballot include: Governor, Senator in Congress, Representative in Congress, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, District Attorney, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Auditor, Councilor, Senator in General Court, Representative in General Court, and Register of Probate. Eligible voters may vote one of three ways: on election day, via early voting, or vote by mail. Deadline to Register to Vote for the Primary Election is Saturday, August 22. More information for the State Primary Election is available at somervillema.gov/elections. You can also call 311 (617-666-3311) with questions.

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Groundwork Somerville will be hosting EXTRA volunteer hours this week to finish one of their big summer projects, constructing a new community garden for the Mystic Apartments. Join them this Thursday,August 13, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the field behind 50 Memorial Road to finish filling the new beds with soil. Regular Wednesday volunteer hours on the farm are still scheduled as usual.

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Happy birthday this week to several locals: A big Happy birthday to Brandon Wilson. We wish you a very special day relaxing and enjoying your family. 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 Cliff Clark. We wish him the very best. We wish all our celebrating Facebook friends, such as Savanna Payne, Elizabeth Roche, Victor Martins, Joseph Amaral Sr., Patricia Toner, Anna Rosella, 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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SAC & the Inside-Out gallery (CVS Davis Sq) present the “Power of Print” Viva la Revolution! If you missed its debut during ArtBeat, you still have plenty of time to check out this prolific exhibit. This showcase features linoleum relief prints by 64 artists from our local community. To find out more, visit https://somervilleartscouncil.org/events/power-of-print/.

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Join Mayor Jake Wilson and Somerville’s Council on Aging for the annual Mayor’s Senior Picnic at 11 a.m. at Trum Field on September 10. Call Connie Lorenti at 617-625-6600 ext. 2319 for a free ticket by September 4. Enjoy good food, music, meeting new people, and catching up with old friends.

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The Somerville Bicycle Committee’s August Streetwise will be held on August 19 at 6 p.m. at Aeronaut Brewing Company, 14 Tyler St., featuring BCU Labs. From their website: “BCU Labs seeks to draw insight and tell stories from the wealth of biking data in Boston. Our mission is to leverage the power of data through creative experimentation, learn where Boston can improve its infrastructure … and continue to empower BCU’s advocacy one pedal at a time.”

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End of Summer Reading Celebration at East Branch Library, August 13. Join us to celebrate the end of SPL’s Summer Reading Program and meet and learn about various reptiles and mammals with Animal World Experience. This event will take place on Thursday, August 13, at East Branch Library (115 Broadway) from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

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ESMS’s biggest fundraising event of the year is almost here. East Somerville’s Foodie Crawl 2026, Tuesday, September 15 (rain date: September 16), 6 – 8:30 p.m. Join them for an evening of delicious food, local discoveries, live music, and community connection while supporting the work of East Somerville Main Streets. For more information, visit: https://www.eastsomervillemainstreets.org/foodie-crawl-2026.

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On Friday, August 21, the City of Somerville will celebrate Davis Square’s “summer glow up” with a ribbon-cutting from 4:30 to 5 p.m., directly before the Down in Davis: Alive at Five performance at Statue Park. The event will mark the completion of recent public space improvements in the square, including the activation of the Davis Square Slip Lane and new placemaking art at Statue Park.

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The city’s annual SomerMovie Fest is set to return, bringing you exciting evenings of family-friendly films to be shown in parks around Somerville this summer. Enjoy Zootopia 2, the final film in the 2026 series, on Thursday, August 13, at Seven Hills Park in Davis Square. Approximate start time is 8:15 p.m. For more information, please visit https://www.somervillema.gov/moviefest. Persons with disabilities who need ADA accommodations to access this program, please contact ada@somervillema.gov or call 311 (617-666-3311).

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Design the next SomerStreets: Monster Mash festival poster! Monster Mash is Somerville’s annual family-friendly Halloween celebration, featuring live music, family activities, local food vendors, and our beloved Community Halloween Parade led by the School of Honk. The Somerville Arts Council is looking for an artist who can create a fun, creative, and spooky design that welcomes Halloween lovers of all ages. Apply by Sunday, August 23 at 11:59 p.m. For more information, visit https://somervilleartscouncil.org/somerstreets/monster-mash-poster/

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Groundwork Somerville is partnering with Gerly’s Ice Cream for a fundraising event on August 19. Join them for a hands-on workshop where they will make their own homemade ice cream from scratch with Gerly and her team. Every ticket includes two pints of ice cream to take home and a tasting of some of Gerly’s signature flavors. August 19, 6 – 8 p.m. at The Foundry, 101 Rogers St., Cambridge, MA 02142. Adult Tickets: $55 / Youth Tickets: $35. Buy your ticket here: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/groundwork-somerville-gerlys-ice-cream-workshop-fundraiser. Tickets are limited, and every registration for this event will go towards sustaining Groundwork Somerville’s youth programs and bring them closer to achieving their mission of building a healthier, greener, more equitable community.

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Eat Your Way Around the World at Nibble Kitchen this summer. The City of Somerville’s Nibble Kitchen is serving up a rotating lineup of Peruvian, Guatemalan, and Ethiopian cuisine this summer at Bow Market in Union Square. The tiny space offers big rewards for diners – and chefs. For more information and the complete schedule, visit nibblesomerville.com.

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It’s the Year of the Neighbor in Somerville, a reminder that looking out for one another is what makes our community stronger. If you see someone who appears to be in distress, needs support, or may be at risk of harming themselves or others, knowing how to respond can make a difference. Learn more at somervillema.gov/howtohelp.

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The risk of West Nile Virus has been raised to Moderate in Somerville. Community members are encouraged to take precautions to protect themselves from mosquito bites and mosquito-borne diseases. For more tips and information, visit www.somervillema.gov/mosquito-advisory.

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Visit the Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave., on Tuesday, August 25, for The Moth StorySLAM with doors at 6:30 p.m. Listen to true stories or share your own at this open-mic storytelling competition. More info and tickets here: https://www.themoth.org/tickets/serendipity-7. This month’s topic is SERENDIPITY: Prepare a five-minute story about the time an accident felt like fate. A wrong turn lands you at your new best friend’s doorstep. The botched job interview that led you to your true calling. Losing your wallet – only for it to be found by a long-lost cousin. Coffee spilled on the shirt of your future soulmate. Happy accidents. Meet-cutes. Windfalls. Fortuitous flukes. Is it magic? Is it kismet? No … it’s pure serendipity.

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Somerville Flea is back. Stop by Sundays through October, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., 52 Holland St. Discover the area’s best collection of artisan makers and vintage vendors. With 13 Sundays running from August through October, there’ll always be something new to explore. Support local businesses, shop one-of-a-kind finds, and uncover that treasure you never knew you needed or even existed.

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Looking for a creative summer activity for your child? Join the Somerville Museum for the Somerville Museum Vacation Arts Program, a week of hands-on artmaking designed for ages 7–11. From August 17 to 21, young artists will explore a new mix of creative workshops each day, including beads and books, terrariums, mosaics, rhythm, printmaking, corn husk doll making, crochet, shell etching, clothing upcycling, and stuffed animal making. All materials and daily snacks are provided. 9 a.m.–12 p.m., Somerville Museum, 1 Westwood Road, $60 per day or $250 for the full week. Discounts available for siblings, Somerville Museum members, and EBT cardholders. Space is limited; register through Eventbrite. https://www.somervillemuseum.org/vacationarts.

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Somerville’s annual Water System Flushing Program continues through late October. This program consists of flushing pipes at high velocities to clean water mains and maintain the highest possible water quality. Temporary drops in water pressure and/or discolored water can occur. In these cases, though the water may be discolored, it is safe to drink. Until the water runs clear, it is advisable to avoid washing laundry, especially white fabrics. To find out when your neighborhood will be affected and to learn more: somervillema.gov/hydrantflushing.

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With the hot weather here to stay for a while, community members are encouraged to review ways to stay cool, healthy, and safe. Tips are available in multiple languages at www.somervillema.gov/keepcool.

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Save the date for the 21st Annual What the Fluff? Festival, Saturday, September 19, 1 – 5 p.m. in Union Square. Are you interested in being a vendor at this year’s Festival? Go here to find out more: unionsquare-main.org/fluffvendors. Applications for community groups at What the Fluff? A Tribute to Union Square Innovation are live and filling up fast. 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/261824906044154. What the Fluff? A Tribute to Union Square Innovation will reserve up to fifteen (15) complimentary 10’x10′ spaces within the festival footprint for Community Groups. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.

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Dilboy Pool and Stadium are now open to the public. Dilboy Pool has a swimming and wading pool for all ages, open daily from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., with Lap Swim hours from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Admission is free. Dilboy Stadium is open Monday – Friday from 7 a.m.to 8:30 a.m. and 12 to 2 p.m. Only walking and running are permitted on the track. Admission is free. More information can be found at www.somervillerec.com. For more information on all Somerville pools, visit somervillema.gov/pools.

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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 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. History unlocked: Drop-in chat on select Thursdays, 6 – 8 p.m., and select Saturdays, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. For dates and more information, visit https://www.somervillemuseum.org/.

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Join Union Square Main Streets and 60+ of your favorite local food producers for the 22nd Annual Union Square Farmers Market. Shop local Saturdays through October 31, except July 4 and September 19, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the Union Square Plaza. They continue to offer our SNAP matches. Check the market webpage for the latest info and to see which vendors accept SNAP. To get the latest updates about the Union Square Farmers Market, visit www.unionsquaremain.org/2026-season.

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Friendly Caller Program. The Somerville Council on Aging has many wonderful volunteers who are waiting to give you a call. Whether you are looking to make a new friend or would just like a friendly chat to look forward to every week, this program has you covered. Call Natasha Naim at 617-625-6600, ext. 2317, to learn more about the program and to sign up.

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Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services Meal Program. All are welcome. Registration is required. You will need to register on a weekly basis. Each week, on Monday or Tuesday, call the COA Reservation line at 617-625-6600 ext. 2323 to reserve your spot for the following week.

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The Somerville Mobile Farmers Market has returned for the 2026 season. The market brings fresh, affordable, local produce to four city locations Thursdays through Saturdays and runs through October 31. 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. All are welcome. For the full schedule, weekly produce updates, and more information about programs and events, visit the market’s website at somervillemobilefarmers-market.org.

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Assembly Row Farmers Market is being held at 375 Assembly Row, Somerville, on Fridays, 3 – 7 p.m. The market will run from June 12 to October 9. Each week, you’ll be able to find goods from nearly 30 New England-based farmers and producers. Expect a great mix of seasonal produce, baked goods, dairy and eggs, meats and seafood, honey, jams, specialty foods, and more. It’s the perfect place to stock up for the weekend, discover local favorites, or simply enjoy a fresh Friday visit to Assembly Row. https://marketspread.com/market/37299/assembly-row-farmers-market/.

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The Davis Square Market has opened for the 2026 Season. The market will run every Wednesday from 12 noon to 6 p.m., through November 25, 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, and 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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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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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.