The city is reminding residents not to set off fireworks this summer. Along with being illegal in Massachusetts, fireworks pose public health and safety threats. Fireworks can start fires, which can spread quickly through our densely populated neighborhoods. The noise from fireworks can also be traumatizing to those with post-traumatic stress disorder and can be very upsetting to animals. Throughout the summer, everyone is being reminded to be a good neighbor and not set off fireworks.

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Somerville is moving at a more cautious schedule for the reopening of Phase III businesses. Outside of Phase III health and human service providers, no other currently closed establishments in Somerville will reopen prior to July 13, which is the reopening date set by the Governor just for Boston. The reopening date for the rest of the state was set for July 6. Updated guidelines for gatherings will also not go into effect until July 13 at the earliest. This will give city officials time to continue working with business owners to create safety protocols. In some cases, opening dates later than July 13 may be set as a result. More information will be coming over the next week.

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Happy birthday this week to several locals: We wish former mayor and great guy Gene Brune a very happy birthday this week. Gene has given so much more to this community before and since he left office. Happy birthday Gene, we hope you have a great 91st birthday with your many friends, family and admirers here. Happy birthday to Joe Vanessa of Modelo’s Market Café in Magoun Sq. on Medford Street. We wish a big happy birthday to Rebecca McLaughlin of Century 21 North East. We hope she has a great day and we are sure her kids will make it special. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such as Charles Zammuto, Laura Murphy McCarthy, Yvette Wilks, Michael Terrio, Barbara Passero, David Figueiredo, Tom Fitzgerald, Janeen Mobilia and Linda Sauer McSorley 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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A Virtual Bike Talk Social Hour hosted by the Somerville Bicycle Committee takes place on Wednesday, July 8, 6:30 – 7:45 p.m. The Bike Talk Social Hour continues as a virtual event featuring a July talk by the co-founders of the amazing bike advocacy group, Somerville Bike Safety (SBS). George Schneeloch and Arah Schuur will talk about the founding of SBS and all the advocacy this group does to keep us all safe and to push the city ever forward. This is a Zoom call: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81092527199?pwd=cU82cjgreFBlaWdlNlgyNEx2eXNZZz09

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Somerville City Council President Matthew McLaughlin has rescheduled the Regular Meeting of the City Council that was previously scheduled on Thursday, July 9. The next Regular Meeting of the City Council will now be at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14. The meeting will be held by remote participation using the Go To Webinar platform. The meeting will be open to the public. The agenda will be published on Friday, July 10. You will be able to view the meeting live or testify at any public hearing by registering using the following link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3992812013161860622.

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The Somerville Arts Council ‘s ArtBeat Festival 2020 is very much on, albeit in a different form this year – over the course of eight days, they will have some virtual performances as well as some safe real-life happenings, such as art installations popping up and poetry hitting the streets. They believe art plays a more crucial role than ever, in promoting community, supporting our collective mental health, and providing a means for expression and protest. This year the festival theme is “Chance,” which explores all things fluky, unexpected and unplanned. The theme and beautiful graphic, designed by Paula Champagne turned out to be more timely and poignant than anyone could have imagined. All aspects of the festival will strictly follow Covid-19 safety protocol. Much of the festival will be virtual; yet when visiting installations or if you “chance” upon a happening, wear a mask and respect social distancing. SAC staff will also be on site when necessary to ensure safety protocol is followed. The festival takes place July 10-18, citywide. A concise day-by-day schedule coming soon: www.somervilleartscouncill.org/artbeat/2020

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The City of Somerville’s newly formed Memorialization Committee, which will name public assets like buildings, streets, and parks, is accepting applications for two resident positions. The Committee will also develop policies and procedures to follow when choosing names. The committee will meet when needed to name a public asset. Appointees will serve a two-year term and must be confirmed by the City Council. If you are interested in applying, please send a statement of interest to memorial@somervillema.gov by Friday, August 7.

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Yard waste, e-waste, and household hazardous waste drop-offs at DPW have been suspended until further notice. Curbside yard waste and textile recycling (in the pink bags) collection is happening on a regular schedule.

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The Somerville Public Library is now offering contactless pickup at all three branches. Patrons can request Somerville library materials online using their Minuteman account. Library staff will then notify patrons by either email or phone when their items are ready to be picked up. Pickup appointments will be scheduled by using the Library’s online appointment system on somervillepubliclibrary.org, or by calling the Somerville Public Library at 617-623-5000.

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Free COVID-19 testing is being offered at Somerville Hospital. The Somerville Board of Health strongly urges all residents to be tested for COVID-19. The more people that get tested, the safer our reopening will be. You do not need to have symptoms or a doctor’s referral. To sign up for free COVID-19 testing for Somerville residents, call 617-665-2928, Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

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Healthy, local food is important. The Farmers Markets are open again in Davis Square (www.massfarmersmarkets.org/davis) and Union Square (www.unionsquaremain.org/2020-season). But this year they will be different. Both markets will encourage only one person per household to do the shopping, incorporate social distancing guidelines and allow a limited amount of shoppers in the space. Please sign up for a shopping spot in advance at the market websites. SNAP and HIP benefits are accessible for shoppers in both markets. No gathering or socializing is allowed in the markets. See you there and remember that we are in this together … from a responsible 6 ft. distance, of course.

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