Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the Somerville Arts Council, in partnership with producer Yvette Wilks of Wilks Productions Consultancy, invite community members to the eleventh annual Evolution of Hip Hop Festival on Saturday, August 23 (rain date: August 24), from 4:00 to 7:30 p.m. in Union Square Plaza. Evolution of Hip Hop is an annual ArtsUnion festival and is free for all to attend. This year's event is building an intergenerational community of those who love music, beats, and storytelling, which are part of the many components of Hip Hop.
Somerville's new Davis Square Neighborhood Council is holding its first election for its Board of Directors. Ballots can be cast at the Somerville Library West Branch on Saturday, August 23, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., and Monday, August 25, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.Votes will be tallied on the evening of August 25. Eligible voters include those who work, receive services, operate a business, regularly volunteer at an organization/agency, or own real estate within the Davis Square business district, and those who reside within a half mile of the boundary of the Davis Square business district. A map of the district is available here: https://map.davissquarenc.org/. Important information, such as polling site hours, candidate backgrounds, etc., will be available at the following link: https://sites.google.com/view/DavisSquareNC.
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Happy birthday this week to several locals: 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 State Representative Christine Barber, who is also celebrating. We hope she has a great day. Happy Birthday to former City Councilor Judy Pineda Neufeld, who is also celebrating. We hope she enjoys her day. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such as Valerie Mitchell, Laureen DeBrase, Amy Sarro, Pat Lane, Pam Keith, Debbi Hession, Alicia Marie, Arthur Copeland, Bob Osborne, and Kathleen Goss, 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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You're invited to join an in-person Somerville Mayoral Forum on Arts and Culture at Warehouse XI in Somerville on Monday, August 25, at 6:30 p.m. (doors at 6:00 p.m.). Learn more and register at https://www.mass-creative.org/events/2025-somerville-mayoral-forum. This election is a chance to show that arts and culture are not optional; they are essential. Hear directly from Katjana Ballantyne, Willie Burnley Jr, and Jake Wilson about how they'll support Somerville's artists, cultural spaces, and creative economy. The forum will be moderated by Amelia Mason, Senior Arts & Culture Reporter at WBUR. Online registration closes on Friday, August 22, at 12 p.m. They are not taking live questions from the audience - only questions that are submitted in advance through the online registration form will be considered for the forum.
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The second annual Get Ready for School Fair, open to all SPS students and families. August 20, from 4 to 6:00 p.m., followed by a Welcome to High School event from 6 to 8 p.m. Both events take place at the Somerville High School, 81 Highland Ave. This event is for all SPS students and families, from PK to Grade 12. Join them for a district-wide fair and talk to school staff, participate in fun activities, eat a free frozen treat, climb aboard a Somerville fire truck, engage with some of our great community partners, and learn more about Somerville Public Schools.
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.
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., 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 in 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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High heat and humidity are expected during the summer; these weather conditions can cause heat illness if precautions are not taken. Visit www.somervillema.gov/keepcool for heat safety tips, which are also available in multiple languages, and more ways to keep cool in and around Somerville this summer.
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The City of Somerville is bringing back "Citizenship Day" in collaboration with Project Citizenship to provide Free Legal Help for Green Card Holders who are ready to apply for U.S. Citizenship. To schedule your eligibility screening or visit the following link: https://outlook.office365.com/book/[email protected]/?ismsaljsauthenabled=true. Saturday, August 23, 10 a.m. 3 p.m. The location will be provided once eligibility is determined.
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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 [email protected]. We offer great discounts to help our advertisers be able to advertise. Thank you all so much for your support!
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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 p.m.- 6:30 p.m.
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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The city is seeking one member for the Community Preservation Committee. Application deadline August 29, 2025. Are you a Somerville resident who cares about affordable housing, history, open space, and accessibility? Would you like to help guide community investment? Fill out the online form here: https://cityofsomerville.jotform.com/251825134332046.
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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). Interested in becoming a vendor at this year's What the Fluff? A Tribute to Union Square Innovation? The Fluff vendor application is live: www.unionsquaremain.org/fluffvendors. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until spots are filled. 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/251685124532152.
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/.
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, Sept. 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 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, [email protected].
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The Somerville Museum presents Kaleidoscope: Reflecting the Moment through August 23. Kaleidoscope: Reflecting the Moment is an immersive, multi-sensory exhibition by multidisciplinary artist Flor Delgadillo that invites us to reflect on shifting ideas of home, family, neighbors, and community in a rapidly changing world. Blending opportunities for pause and reflection with moments of interaction and creation, Kaleidoscope explores how light transforms space, how sound carries memory, and how collective experience deepens our sense of belonging, connection, and resilience. For more information, visit: https://www.somervillemuseum.org/.
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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