This summer, Somerville Prevention Services is hosting a series of free virtual presentations about a range of substance use prevention topics as one way to continue to educate and support community members during the coronavirus pandemic. Session themes include tobacco/nicotine, marijuana, problem gambling, anger management in recovery, and alcohol. Upcoming presentations will be held on August 20 and August 27 at 6:00 p.m. on Zoom. Visit somervillema.gov/preventionservices shortly before the meeting to join live. Each session will also be recorded and posted online following the presentation. For more information, please visit somervillema.gov/preventionservices.

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Somerville Public Schools students will be starting the 2020-2021 school year virtually in an effort to protect the health of students, teachers, school staff, and the broader community. This is part of a phased hybrid approach that will, dependent on positive health data, transition to some in-person learning. To learn more about SPS’s back-to-school planning, visit their website at https://somerville.k12.ma.us.

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Happy birthday this week to several locals: Happy birthday to local good guy and popular barber at Albraindi’s, Paul McGlashing, who does a great job there. Happy birthday to Cliff Clark, who is also a great guy. We wish him the very best. Happy birthday Jenny Bonham Carter. Along with her husband John. They’re a great couple. We wish Jenny a great day and week. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such as Laureen DeBrase, Pat Lane, Pam Keith, Debbi Hession, Alicia Marie, Arthur Copeland and Bob Osborne 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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Thanks to our crafty residents, more than 3,700 reusable cloth masks have been donated as part of the 10,000 Masks Drive. If you’d like to sew and donate some masks, please seal them in a bag and use the book drop at either the Central or East Branch Library. Masks are being distributed to seniors and other vulnerable populations who may not have easy access to reusable masks.

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#WearAMask to protect your friends and family. Wear one for the people in your community you don’t know you’re connected to: the friend of a friend, the elderly neighbor, the person with an underlying condition who shops at your grocery store.

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The Somerville Public Library is seeking to fill two vacancies on its Board of Trustees, and all Somerville residents are invited to apply. The Board of Library Trustees is the governing body of the Somerville Public Library, working with the Library Director to oversee the operating and administrative policies for the Library. The Trustees also support the libraries through long-range strategic planning, advocacy, public relations, outreach, and fundraising efforts. The Board of Trustees consists of nine members appointed by the mayor. They meet monthly as a full board and serve on subcommittees. The mission of the Somerville Public Library is to enhance the Somerville experience by acting as a trusted community connector, providing cultural and learning opportunities to all. Interested residents should submit a letter of interest and resume by Friday, August 28, CPiantigini@somervillema.gov.

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There is still time to fill out the 2020 U.S. Census – and the time is now! Census takers have begun visiting Somerville homes that have not yet completed the Census. Census takers will be wearing PPE and taking safety precautions, but the safest way to complete the Census (and avoid a visit!) is to respond on your own at my2020census.gov or call 844-330-2020. You can always verify the identity of a Census worker by calling the local Census office at 212-882-7100.

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Somerville Prevention Services, in partnership with Cambridge Health Alliance, seeks up to 12 Somerville teens and their caregivers to participate in a photovoice project to raise awareness about the risks of problem gambling. Over the course of 8 to 12 weeks, teen participants will attend online workshops to learn about youth gambling and build skills in advocacy, leadership, and photography. Participants will take photos to convey educational messages and present their images at a final virtual showcase for state and local leaders in the fall. Funded by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health Division on Problem Gambling, this program is open to Somerville teens ages 13 to 17. Most youth meetings will occur on Tuesdays and Thursdays over Zoom. Adult caregivers will be required to attend two to three online sessions. Stipends will be provided upon completion of the project for both youth (up to $240) and adult caregivers (up to $50). A final schedule and further information will be provided once participants have been confirmed. Selected youth must have written parent/guardian permission to participate. Cameras will be provided. Ready to join? Please complete a brief Google form available online at somervillema.gov/preventionservices or contact Lovelee Heller at lheller@somervillema.gov.

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Looking for a way to practice social distancing but still remain connected to other people? Look no further than the Somerville Council on Aging’s Friendly Phone Caller program. They have many wonderful volunteers who are waiting to give you a call. Whether you are looking to make a new friend or would just like a friendly chat to look forward to every week, this program has you covered. Call Natasha at 617-625-6600, ext. 2317 to learn more about the program and to sign up.

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The city has set up a separate website dedicated to local business needs during this health crisis. Please bookmark somervillema.gov/COVIDBizHelp and visit for regular updates, event announcements, and support during this difficult time. You can also contact the Economic Development team at EconomicDevelopment@somervillema.gov.

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Although there have not been any human cases of West Nile virus reported this summer, mosquitoes that tested positive for the virus have been found in neighboring towns, so it’s important to protect yourself when you’re outside. Mosquitoes are most active at dawn and dusk; if you will be outside during those times consider using bug spray and/or covering up with long sleeves and pants.

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The COVID-19 testing site previously located at the Somerville Hospital has moved to 133 Middlesex Avenue (near the former Kmart site) in Assembly Square. The testing site is part of a larger COVID-19 mitigation strategy by the City of Somerville in partnership with Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA). Patients can arrive at the site via vehicle, walking, or bicycle, and testing procedures will be the same as at the previous location: Patients must have an appointment to be tested. To make an appointment, call 617-665-2928 (Mon-Fri, 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.). CHA patients can also use their MyCHArt account to set up an appointment. Testing is free and insurance coverage is not a requirement, although CHA may ask for insurance information for administrative purposes. You will not be turned away if you do not have insurance. You do not need to have symptoms to be tested. Immigration status will not be checked. Please bring a photo ID. Patients will receive a phone call with their results, which could take up to five days to come in. There is also a mobile testing unit that accepts patients at roaming locations throughout Somerville. To see the mobile site’s upcoming schedule, visit the “Symptoms, Testing, & Medical Info” tab on www.somervillema.gov/covid19 or call 311. To make an appointment at the mobile testing site please call 617-682-0583 (English); 617-398-7770 (Spanish); 617-684-5625 (Portuguese); 617-735-5553 (Nepali); or 617-625-6600 ext. 2622 (Haitian Creole).

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Mark your calendars. This year’s What the Fluff? festival will be a little zanier than usual as they celebrate through the sphere of cyberspace. In a world reinventing itself, Fluff Fest 2020 unites us – albeit virtually – through the one thing we can all believe in: the sweet, sticky, tasty, magical power of Fluff. For the love of Fluff, wherever our e-news reaches you, get ready to boast your worldwide Fluff pride, support independently-owned by scoring your Fluff stuff online, take part in innovation jubilation with arts, eats and oodles of family fun, and flock with fellow friends-in-Fluff through the first-ever, virtual Fluff Festival on September 12.

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City buildings will remain closed to the public until further notice, but there are many city services you can access online including getting a parking permit, paying bills, and finding the latest city news and information. For more information on accessing city services online, click the “City Service Status” tab on somervillema.gov/covid19.

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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.

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