Second Annual “SustainaVille Week” Celebrates Sustainability and the Environment with Nine Days of Events, April 21-29

SOMERVILLE – Following the success of last year’s events and in honor of Earth Day 2018, Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and the City’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.

“While the SustainaVille initiative is a serious effort to propel us to our goal of carbon neutrality by 2050 and develop our city’s ability to weather climate impacts, SustainaVille Week is about having fun while learning more about ways to do our part to help the environment,” said Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone. “Reaching our carbon neutral goal will require a collective effort, so Sustainaville Week events are designed to make it easy for residents of all ages to get involved.”

As a reminder, the SustainaVille website (www.somervillema.gov/sustainaville) is available year-round and includes resources, reports and information on Somerville Climate Forward, the City’s ongoing planning efforts around climate change mitigation and resiliency. Continue to monitor the website in the coming months for ways to get involved and tips on taking personal action. More information can also be found on the SustainaVille Facebook page.

Saturday, April 21

Mayor’s Annual Spring Clean Up & Community BBQ

Breakfast at 9 a.m. at Blessing of the Bay Boathouse on Shore Dr.

Clean up from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at various locations throughout the city

BBQ from 12 to 2 p.m. at Blessing of the Bay Boathouse

Come celebrate Earth Day a day early with the City of Somerville, Groundwork Somerville and Comcast Cares for the annual Spring Cleanup. Afterward, join your neighbors at the community barbeque for food, fun, and activities, including the Somerville Public Library’s mobile library and a tide pool touch tank from the New England Aquarium where you can learn about sustainable seafood.  Mass Energy Consumers Alliance, the Mystic River Watershed Association, Blue Bikes (formerly Hubway), Simple Recycling and City of Somerville departments will also be hosting activities and sharing information.  Sign up to volunteer at a cleanup location here.  

Sunday, April 22

Starting Over Festival

12 to 2 p.m. at the Quincy St. Open Space, 16 Quincy St.

This festival is a celebration of Arbor Day, the return of spring, and new possibilities in Somerville’s smallest urban wild. Join scientists on tiny hikes in the park to explore wildlife here in Somerville. Learn how global warming is changing the environment, even in our backyards. Help plant a tree, take home a free seedling and participate in activities, games and art. Bring clean, unwanted clothing for a free clothing swap – or donate your clothes to be recycled through Somerville’s new textile recycling program

Monday, April 23

Green Energy at Home

6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Somerville Public Library Central Branch Auditorium, 79 Highland Ave.

Join the City of Somerville and Mass Energy for a presentation and Q&A about where your clean energy comes from, how you can support renewable energy generation, and what programs are available to help you reduce energy use at home. Mass Energy and city staff will present and answer questions about Somerville Community Choice Electricity, Mass Save home energy assessments, heat pumps, solar, and more.

Tuesday, April 24

Container Gardening Workshop and Farm Tour

5 to 5:30 p.m. Tour of South Street Farm, 198 South St.
5:30 to 6:30 p.m. Small-space gardening workshop (also at the South Street Farm)

Groundwork Somerville's Green Team youth will be leading this free workshop on how to grow food in small spaces--like containers and yards of all shapes and sizes.

Thursday, April 26

Teen Empowerment Film Screening – An Inconvenient Sequel

3 to 5:45 p.m. at Somerville Public Library Central Branch Auditorium, 79 Highland Ave.

Teen Empowerment Library Leaders will host a film screening and activity for youth.

Mystic River Climate Resilience Panel

6:30 to 8 p.m. at Somerville High School Library, 81 Highland Ave.

Join regional experts from the City of Somerville, City of Medford, the Metropolitan Area Planning Council and the Mystic River Watershed Association in a panel discussion about climate change vulnerabilities and resilience opportunities along the Mystic River.

Saturday, April 28

Mass Energy Wind Turbine Tour

9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Bus leaves from Somerville High School Atrium (by gymnasium), 81 Highland Ave.

Join Mass Energy for a tour of the wind turbine at Mount Saint Mary’s Abbey in Wrentham. You’ll get to go inside the turbine, learn where your clean energy comes from and even get to sample candy that is made at the Abbey. Registration is required. Sign up here: 

www.sustainavilletour.eventbrite.com.

Clothing Upcycling Workshop

2 to 4 p.m. at Somerville Public Library Central Branch Auditorium, 79 Highland Ave.

Learn how to transform your unwanted clothes into new treasures and make a costume for the Somerville Public Library’s first Comic-Con.

Sunday, April 29

Bay State Bike Month Kickoff Event

1 to 5p.m. at Aeronaut Brewery, 14 Tyler St.

Join the Somerville Bicycle Committee for a celebration to kickoff Bay State Bike Month. The event will feature music, mingling and a keynote and discussion with Jeff Speck, urban planner and author of Walkable Cities.

All Week

Somerville Public Libraries

Throughout the week the Somerville Public Libraries will host Earth Day story times and craft projects for kids and adults. All branches will have information and books about sustainability and the environment on display. For recommendations on what to read or watch during SustianaVille Week, check out this blog post. Events are as follows: 

Central Branch, 79 Highland Ave.

• Preschool Earth Day story time, Thursday, April 26, 10:30 a.m.
• Recycled egg carton craft, Thursday, April 26, 3:30 p.m.
• Toddler Earth Day story time, Friday, April 27, 10:30 a.m.

East Branch, 115 Broadway

• Preschool Earth Day story time, Wednesday, April 25, 11 a.m.

West Branch, 40 College Ave.

• Preschool Earth Day story time and recycled craft activity, Tuesday, April 24, 11 a.m.

Follow us on Facebook for reminders and updates about events. Share your activities throughout the week and let us know how you contribute to sustainability in Somerville with #WeAreSustainaville.

Questions? Email Hannah Payne at hpayne@somervillema.gov.