The Somerville Museum presents Voices from Somerville’s Greek Community on Wednesday, January 27, at 6:30 pm. Hear about connections between Somerville and Greece, with stories about the city’s meat-packing plants in the early 1900’s, the first Greek-American World War I Medal of Honor recipient, and the creation of a local Greek Orthodox congregation, as well as observations from an artist from Greece who documents the city today. Panelists include the granddaughter of a Greek diner owner, a former Director of the City’s Council on Aging and an award-winning artist whose work explores both Somerville and Greece. Following the panel, listen to a historian from Somerville discuss connections between Greek and U.S. history. This event is part of a Somerville Museum Zoom series called Voices from Somerville: Culture, Community and History. Special thanks to Erline Tanice, Adda Maria Santos, Adriana Fernandes and Jhenny Saint-Surin for their help in producing this series. To register, please visit: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/voices-from-somervilles-greek-community-tickets-137281987119.

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As of January 20, phase I vaccine distribution continues for COVID-facing healthcare workers, long-term care facilities, first responders (police, fire, emergency medical services), and congregate care settings including homeless shelters and correctional facilities. It’s expected that starting February 1, vaccination will begin for the final two groups in phase I, which are home-based healthcare workers and non-COVID-facing healthcare workers. Persons eligible for phase I vaccination can find vaccination sites and more info on the State website. For information on where you fall in the state’s vaccine rollout plan, check the timeline on the state’s website: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-vaccination-program. This is rapidly evolving information that may be subject to change, and city staff will continue to keep you updated via emails, their website, and other outreach. Have more questions about the vaccine? The Department of Public Health has a list of FAQs online and watch for a continually updated list of more FAQs at somervillema.gov/covidvaccine.

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Happy birthday to the following this week: Happy birthday to our own Denise Cosby, local real estate agent/author of Murder at Harvard’s Kirkland House. We hope she has a great day. Happy birthday to Jeff Cappello, we wish him the best. Another local Winter Hill person who is celebrating this week is Maria Nella Nunes. We wish her the very best, and if you’re on Harvard St. and Mystic stop in at McCarthy’s and wish her a great birthday as well. Happy birthday to Sheila Howe. We wish her the very best on this her birthday. Happy Birthday to a great guy, Michael Kennelly. We hope he has a great day. We wish Naomi Landers a big time happy birthday this week. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such as Cathy Palumbo Demasi, Edward Hardy, Paula Eldeb, Geraldine Nevaras, Simon Shapiro and Karen Crane Brisbois 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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New Winter Learn-To-Skate classes for children, ages 4 to 18 at the local ice rink in Somerville. Classes at the Founders Memorial Rink, 581 Somerville Avenue in Somerville, start February 14, at 2:00pm for 5 weeks. Use figure, recreational or hockey skates. Beginner, intermediate and advanced classes taught. For information and to register, call Bay State Skating School at 781-890-8480 or visit online at www.BayStateSkatingSchool.org. Bay State Skating School is compliant with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Covid-19 guidelines. The number of students allowed on the ice will be limited.

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The City of Somerville’s Prevention Services Division, in partnership with Cambridge Health Alliance, will host a virtual photovoice exhibition facilitated by Somerville youth to raise awareness about underage problem gambling. Photovoice is a method of exploring social issues that empowers individuals to tell a story through photography. The event will be held on Thursday, January 28, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Zoom. Visit somervillema.gov/ProblemGambling at that time for a link to attend.

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As of January 19, a total of 3,957 Somerville residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since March, another 252 are considered probable positive cases (some current, some in the past), and sadly there have been 55 deaths. See more Somerville case data at somervillema.gov/covid19dashboard. New variants of COVID-19 have popped up around the globe. Scientists are still learning about them, but so far do not believe they cause more severe illness. There is evidence, however, that at least one new variant (B.1.1.7) is more contagious than the strain we’ve been dealing with and it is expected to take hold in the U.S. Because it spreads more easily, now is the time to double-down on COVID safety going forward – cover your nose and mouth when in public, don’t gather with anyone you don’t live with, don’t touch your face, maintain at least six feet of distance between yourself and others in public, and make sure to frequently wash or sanitize your hands. Most important: don’t share your air. Limit trips and the length of trips to indoor public places. It appears that it takes less time in a room or store with someone who has the new variant to catch it from them.

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Groundwork Somerville (GWS) is hiring an Executive Director. Are you passionate about youth jobs, urban agriculture, and environmental justice? This may be the job for you. If you are an experienced manager interested in working with an amazing group of staff and board, GWS might be the place for you. This is a 25-hour a week position for 2021, with the intention of moving to full time in 2022. Check it out today: http://www.groundworksomerville.org/groundwork-somerville-seeks-a-new-executive-director/.

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Attention dog owners: You are required to license your dog each year, so it’s time to start thinking about it if you haven’t already. Registering for a dog license has never been easier, with online licensing through our website and mobile app. You also get access to an online pet community, with lost-pet alerts and significant savings for your pet supplies and services. Learn more and license your dog at bit.ly/SomervilleDogs.

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The Somerville Public Library (SPL) is launching a new Pathways to Citizenship program for English-language learners seeking U.S. citizenship. With funding provided by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, the two-year program will create a 14-week combined language and civics class, provide naturalization workshops, and expand related library materials offered at each of Somerville’s three branches. The naturalization workshop series will begin in February, and the first cohort of up to 15 participants will begin English and civics classes in March. All workshops and classes will be held virtually on Zoom, led by instructors and volunteers from St. Mark Community Education Program. Registration is now open at tinyurl.com/beginneresolclass.

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Somerville’s Winter Farmer’s Market takes place Saturdays, 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., through April 10, at 191 Highland Ave. Offering the best locally grown and produced agricultural items and more. Online pre-order market with a small outdoor “live” shopping market. They offer a diverse range of local and New England produce, as well as cheese, eggs, meats, fish, breads, pastries, chocolate, and wine. They feature rotating guest vendors each week, as well as live entertainment and activities. Check out the schedule and map here: http://maps.managemymarket.com/1610. They accept SNAP/EBT, CREDIT and DEBIT cards. $10 SNAP match for EBT customers. For market information visit: http://www.somwintermarket.org/

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Apply for small business relief funds. The City of Somerville has made $5 million available to small businesses in its third round of the Small Business COVID-19 Relief Fund. Eligible businesses can apply for grants of up to $25,000. Applications are now available and will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Learn more about the funding, including eligibility requirements, or apply for funds online.

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The Pandemic – Electronic Transfer (P-EBT) Program created spring 2020 to provide eligible families funds to purchase food while schools were closed during the COVID-19 pandemic has been extended through the end of the 2020-21 school year. Visit https://www.map-ebt.org/home/#ihdtab for additional information.

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The city is still accepting homemade face masks as part of their 10,000 Mask Drive. They have passed the 5,000 mask milestone. Can you help get it to 10,000? If you’re a crafty Somerville resident who has been sewing reusable face masks, please consider donating some to our 10,000 Mask Drive. After being laundered, masks are distributed to seniors and other vulnerable populations. If you would like to donate masks, put them in a sealed bag and bring them to the drop box at either the Central Library, 79 Highland Ave., or the East Branch Library, 115 Broadway.

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If you need assistance accessing food, there are several resources available to you locally. Visit the COVID-19 Help page at https://www.somervillema.gov/departments/covid-19-help-food-housing-and-financial-assistance to learn more. There you will find a chart that includes local food pantry schedules, contact information, languages spoken at the food pantry, and whether or not you need to bring ID.

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Hate incidents impact victims as well as the community. In an effort to make reporting hate incidents easier for the residents of Somerville, you may now report them using an online form. Visit the Somerville Police website under the Home tab and submit your Hate Incident report: www.somervillepd.com/home/.

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Reminder: city buildings are still closed to the public. Although city buildings remain closed to the public, a number of city services are still available online or by calling 311. Check the “City Service Status” tab on the city’s COVID-19 page for more information.

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