Mayor Joe Curtatone announced that certain Phase 3 Step 1 businesses, including fitness clubs and gyms, may once again open in Somerville as of Monday, February 1, the same day that related rollbacks will end in Boston, and one week after early closing requirements were lifted statewide by Governor Baker. Businesses impacted by recent activity rollbacks and restrictions on operating hours may also revert to Somerville pre-rollback operating hours, which allow outdoor seating until 11:30 p.m.

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It’s always good to keep in mind how important it is for us to keep supporting the city’s economy by shopping local, even during these difficult times. Although reopening is gradually unfolding at a measured pace, Somerville still has a lot to offer. So let’s give back to those merchants who have stuck it out through all this by giving them our business whenever we can.

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Vaccination information is changing quickly. The city is going to keep sending out weekly emails, which will include vaccine information, but if you want the latest news, here are two sites to check frequently: The state’s COVID vaccine website is updated often with statewide information: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/massachusetts-covid-19-vaccination-data-and-updates. Visit somervillema.gov/covidvaccine for general vaccine updates, info sessions, FAQs, and more localized updates as they become available. To find out when and where you can get vaccinated, visit mass.gov/covidvaccine. Your primary care physician or health provider may also have guidance for you.

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Happy birthday this week to the following: Happy birthday to John Arvantis, who is celebrating this week. Also, happy birthday to a good guy, Jason Ribeiro. We hope he has a great day this week. Happy birthday to our good friend and a great guy, Bob McWatters. We wish him the best and hope he has a great day. Also celebrating this week, Steve DeCarlo, who serves the city so well as its Director of City Cable Operations. Happy birthday to a young lady who grew up here and works at Endicott College, Eleanor Pye. We hope she has a great day as well. We wish all of our Facebook friends, such as Sarah Martino, Alan Carvalho, Carolyn Dacey Corbett, Amy Ferreira, Jill Koerber and Joan Marshall, 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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Our deepest condolences go out to the Moccia family. The matriarch of the family, Rosa Moccia, passed away on Monday, February 1. She was a wonderful person, always had a smile on her face and people would line up to enjoy her home cooked meals at Victor’s Deli. She will be greatly missed by many.

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There is a job opening for a Culinary Coordinator for the Nibble Program. The deadline to apply is February 8. This is an exciting career opportunity for somebody passionate about food, culture, and community. Nibble is a unique program highlighting Somerville’s vibrant immigrant communities through food. The Nibble Program and Nibble Kitchen have been locally and nationally recognized. To apply go to the city’s website: https://www.somervillema.gov/departments/personnel.

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Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone’s midterm address, originally scheduled for February 3, has been postponed. A new date for when residents can tune in to see the speech will be announced soon.

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With support from Somerville Health Foundation, Mystic Learning Center, Somerville Education Fund and Somerville Media Center, YouthStream will host a youth-led, peer-organized Among Us Tournament from February 16 to 19. This tournament is free to enter for young people ages 13-19 in the Greater Somerville area, and will offer cash prizes in several categories, including several that do not require skill or prior game experience in order to win. Participant Registration Form – Among Us Tournament Winter 2021: https://forms.gle/YNavmTFpCLwKm9sZ7. YouthStream is also recruiting youth Moderators who want to earn paid stipends for completing projects such as organizing virtual events and producing live streams. YouthStream Moderator Application Form – Peer Leader Program 2021: https://forms.gle/BcXjuE9QEjj2aTve8. Finally, if you have not already joined YouthStream’s Discord Server, click this link to check out what’s going on at the Villeside Digital Cultural Center and get connected for all future events: https://discord.gg/AxUnJdU3Nt.

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There are still several opportunities to attend virtual open house events before enrolling your student in Somerville Public Schools. #ICYMI there are new materials from events held earlier and you can read through for more information about schools. Visit the Open Houses webpage to learn more: https://somerville.k12.ma.us/openhouses.

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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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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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