We here at The Times hope that everyone out there is staying safe and following the social distancing guidelines to keep this coronavirus threat at the lowest level possible. Please check in on your neighbors and help anyone that might not be able to get out and go to the store.

**********************

Everyone should also remember to to support our local businesses in any way they can. Even though restaurants closed and most are only available for takeout, you are encouraged to buy gift cards at the restaurants and small businesses for future use.

**********************

In response to concerns about COVID-19, the City of Somerville has cancelled all permitted public events which are projected to have 50 or more attendees in one location. In accordance to these guidelines, this Saturday’s Somerville Winter Farmers Market is cancelled. They will be in touch as soon as possible to let you know about the status of the markets that have been scheduled for the remainder of the season. Some vendors can offer home delivery. Other vendors can point you in the direction of alternate pick up locations. Some vendors will be selling at other farmers markets that plan to remain open this weekend. Find updated info on their vendor page and social media.

**********************

Happy birthday this week to several locals: A big happy birthday to Ward 7 Councilor Katjana Ballantyne. We hope she had a great birthday for herself with her family. Happy birthday to former alderman and great guy, Jack Connolly of Wedgwood-Crane & Connolly Insurance in Davis Sq. We hope he has a great birthday. We wish a Happy birthday to Hernan Mosquera Sr., Maria Parziale Pacheco, Sally Colman, Michael Sullivan, Neil Gillis Sr., Shirley Benoit McMenimen, Carla Hunter Gates, Michael Cirrone, Joe Bossi,Linda Sirignano and Alexander Levering Kern, who are all celebrating this week. To all the others we may have missed and, yes, we must admit there are a few more out there, we sincerely wish them the very best of birthdays.

**********************

The Welcome Project has announced that they will not be holding their big annual fundraising event, YUM: A Taste of Immigrant City on April 2. At present, they are hoping to reschedule it for June 4 or 10, but of course, no one knows for certain if they could actually hold it at that time. What is certain is that not holding YUM before the end of our June 30 fiscal year will result in an approximate loss of $35,000 needed to support their activities. If you would like to donate, purchase a ticket, or offer sponsorship, please go to http://www.welcomeproject.org/yum and use the donate button at the bottom of the page or send a check to 530 Mystic Ave., #111, Somerville MA 02145.

**********************

In order to do their part and continue to be a responsible leader in their communities, effective Wednesday, March 18 at 2:00 p.m., all Century 21 North East offices are closed until at least April 7. This will include the Century 21 North East Norton Group office in Somerville. Agents will be working from home, and you can also visit https://www.c21ne.com. Their agents and clients’ safety, as well as ensuring they are not contributing to the potential spread of COVID-19, has led them to this decision.

**********************

To contact us at The Somerville Times during these closures, please go to news@thesomervilletimes.com. We are still up and running but will be working remotely.

**********************

Now that people are home more often than usual, don’t forget, if you would like to subscribe to receive a digital edition of our paper, go directly online to our website over to the right side and fill out your email address to receive a free, full PDF copy of the paper without the need for going out for a copy of the print edition.