Beginning on Monday, September 12, MassDOT contractor, Newport Construction, will excavate the portion of Beacon St. between Park St. and Washington St., and vehicle traffic will be detoured onto Washington St. and Dane St. Because this portion of the street will not be accessible to vehicles for approximately six weeks, the MBTA bus route, #83, will be detoured as outlined below, and bus stops in this section of Beacon St. will be temporarily relocated.

Youth Arts Arise is a free afterschool program for students ages 11-16. Participants will have the opportunity to explore creativity in a wide range of artistic mediums and disciplines. Workshop themes encourage positive self-expression while exploring a multitude of cultures and traditions, embracing diversity while simultaneously working towards a better understanding of individual identity.

By Tom Bannister

Come on out on Sunday, September 25 and have a fun day at the Annual Half Way to St. Patrick’s Day 4.2 mile Road Race, followed by post race party with DJ, food, drinks, prizes and more to benefit the Brian Higgins Foundation, helping children with special needs have a fun quality of life. Hosted by the Pub, Ball Square, Somerville.

Luciana Camargos is an Elder Care Advisor for the SCES Aging Information Center, a free service that provides information and guidance on a wide variety of aging, disability, and caregiving programs.

By Colleen Morrissey

Helping people maintain health and wellbeing in the comfort of their own home is central to their mission at Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SCES), and their Aging Information Center plays a key role in making that happen.

You’re invited to join Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, Ward 2 Alderman Maryann Heuston, and Somerville Public Schools Superintendent Mary Skipper for a ribbon cutting ceremony for the newly renovated Argenziano School playground, 290 Washington St., on Monday, September 12, at 2:45 p.m.

In this special edition of Somerville Neighborhood News we hear more about Jill Stein, the Green Party Nominee for President in the 2016 election. She is also a respected physician, social and environmental activist and resident of nearby Lexington, MA.

Wondering about the residents of this historic Cemetery dating back to 1804? Due to its fragile condition, the site is often closed to the public, except by appointment, or during regular openings during the seasonal months. At those times, volunteer docents, often dressed in historic period clothing, will help you learn a little about the buried residents, from as far back as Revolutionary times, and their history within the community, once known as “Beyond the Neck.” The grounds may also be appreciated as a peaceful retreat for reading and contemplation. If interested in being a Docent, joining the Friends of the Milk Row Cemetery, or for more information, please contact bwilson@somervillema.gov or 617-625-6600 x2532 or Barbara Mangum at info@historicsomerville.org or 617-331-7726. *Also check www.somervillema.gov/historicpreservation for other Fall 2016 openings.

Vinyl rules at the Annual Somerville Rock and Roll Yard Sale, hitting Union Square this Sunday.gd

On Sunday, September 11, 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Union Square Plaza, What Cheer produces ArtsUnion’s annual Rock And Roll Yard Sale showcasing New Englands’s top vinyl dealers.

Vintage clothing peddlers and DIY craftsters will join record vendors, making for a unique shopping experience! There will be all sorts of music-related formats—including vinyl, CDs, cassettes and 8-tracks—and audio gear, music magazines, silk-screened posters, promotional items and vegan snacks. Of course, vinyl will be spinning for your aural enjoyment. This is a perfect way to support DIY & independent small businesses!

The City’s annual vigil walk, in honor of the victims of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, will be held on Sunday, September 11, 2016, at 6 p.m. The vigil will begin with a procession from the Cedar Street end of the Community Path, and conclude with a short ceremony in Davis Square. The entire Somerville community is invited to participate. For more information, please call Nancy Aylward in the Mayor’s Office at 617-625-6600, ext. 2100.

By William C. Shelton

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

Perhaps because I write a column, I am regularly asked—or told—what my political orientation is. It happens more frequently during election season.

I’m always at a loss for an answer. Taking on a term like “conservative,” “liberal,” or “progressive” feels like putting on a rigid and grossly ill-fitting suit that is painful to wear, disfigures appearance, and distorts movement.