Tour the park with Jef C. Taylor of Boston’s Urban Nature Walks group.

Celebrate Arbor Day and Earth Day at the Quincy Street open space with a tree planting, art activities, a clothing swap, nature walks, art projects, and interactive activities for people of all ages

The Somerville Arts Council and the City of Somerville, in partnership with Greg Cook, present the Starting Over Festival, a free Arbor Day and Earth Day celebration at the city’s tiniest “urban wild.” The festival will take place at Quincy Street Open Space, 16 Quincy St., from noon to 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 22 (Rain date: April 29). Join a scientist on a tiny hike in the park exploring wildlife here in Somerville. Help plant a tree and take home a free seedling. Hear poetry. Participate in activities, games and art. Bring clean, unwanted clothing for a free clothing swap – or donate your clothes to be recycled!

There will be a Public Hearing before the Board of Aldermen’s Committee on Housing and Community Development on Monday, April 30, 2018, at 6:30 p.m., in the Aldermanic Chambers, 2^nd Floor, City Hall, 93 Highland Avenue, on the Order of Alderman Ben Ewen-Campen, Chair of the Committee, for public input on the condition of affordable housing units in the City, and whether there is an affordable housing crisis that constitutes a public emergency (Docket #205334). The public is invited to attend and be heard.

Rachel Richardson has been  training hard to run the Boston Marathon on April 16. Rachel’s goal is even bigger than completing 26.2 miles, though — Rachel is raising funds in support FamilyAid Boston, a local nonprofit that provides families facing homelessness with shelter, housing, and hope.

Nutritionist Andrea Svartstrom (right) recently hosted a healthy cooking event for her colleagues at Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SCES). Svartstrom and SCES Health and Wellness Coordinator Eliza Weisner demonstrated how preparing nutritious food ahead of time for the week can help families eat healthy and save money.

Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SCES) recently celebrated National Nutrition Month by sharing tips for healthy diet and eating habits.

The theme for Nutrition Month this year was “Go Further with Food.” SCES Staff Nutritionist Andrea Svartstrom said the focus was on promoting food choices that are both nutritious and money-saving, noting that roughly 31 percent of all edible food is wasted in United States.

Plan establishes the annual funding allocations for Community Preservation Act funds; Workshop offers tips on how to apply for funding

Are you passionate about affordable housing, historic preservation, or open space? Do you have ideas about how Fiscal Year 2018 Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds should be prioritized? Or are you interested in applying for CPA project funds? Join the Community Preservation Committee (CPC) for a two-part event on Wednesday, April 25, in the 3^rd floor conference room at the Visiting Nurse Association, 259 Lowell St.

In recognition of Fair Housing Month, the City of Somerville’s Fair Housing Commission invites the public to a community information session on Tuesday, April 24, 6 to 7:30 p.m. on why it is important for renters and buyers, as well as landlords and owners, to understand Fair Housing, and how it can protect you. Led by an attorney from the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD), the discussion will cover Fair Housing law, protected classes, and how to file a complaint with MCAD if you feel you have been discriminated against in your housing search. If you have tried to rent or buy a home and feel you have been treated differently because of your race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, gender identity, or because you have children or a Section 8 voucher, it is important to know your rights.

— Photo courtesy of Yarmouth Police Dept.

By Jim Clark

A Somerville man, Thomas Latanowich, was placed under arrest for allegedly shooting and killing a Yarmouth police officer on Thursday while police conducted a search warrant raid at a Marstons Mills location.

Monday, April 16, is Patriots’ Day and City offices will be closed (but 311 and somervillema.gov are always available).

Trash, recycling, and yard waste collection will be on a one-day delay all week.

There’s no street sweeping on April 16 and parking meters and residential parking permits will not be enforced.

Due to a forecast of extended rain and muddy conditions both before and during planned events, Patriots’ Day celebration activities planned for Monday, April 16, 2018, have been canceled with one exception. Light refreshments (coffee, apple juice, and cornbread) generously donated by the Foss Park Dunkin Donuts, Stop & Shop, and Redbones will be offered between 11 and 11:30 a.m. at Foss Park for those willing to brave the weather and await the possible arrival of “Paul Revere” on horseback. At this time, the hope is that the reenactment of Paul Revere’s ride will take place, but weather conditions could lead to a last-minute cancellation of the ride as well.

Activities to include Spring Cleanup & BBQ, Green Energy at Home Info Session, Wind Turbine Tour, Mystic River Climate Resilience Panel Discussion, Clothing Upcycling Workshop and More

Following the success of last year’s events and in honor of Earth Day 2018, Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and the cty’s SustainaVille initiative invite all to the second annual SustainaVille Week celebrating sustainability and the environment in Somerville. Programming ranges from outdoor family fun to informative workshops and discussions. Highlights include the annual Spring Cleanup and BBQ, Earth Day story times, a film screening for youth, a discussion panel about local climate change vulnerabilities and resilience opportunities and a wind turbine tour. Events kick off on Saturday, April 21, and run through Sunday, April 29. See the full schedule below.