Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

I actually almost went nuts trying to find a photo of the Kemp’s factory that used to be in Somerville. I can’t imagine how many times I drove past the building and smelled that heavenly aroma of roasting peanuts, cashews and more. If you went down Walnut St. from Highland Ave., or from Medford St., past the building on your left after the bridge, the smell was soothing and yummy.

Here is the COVID-19 update for Wednesday, May 12, followed by other City news and events. Please also check somervillema.gov/covid19 for information and resources that are updated frequently.

Legal equity for domestic partners was a topic addressed at the latest meeting of the Somerville City Council’s Legislative Matters Committee.

By Joe Creason

Long standing debates around several proposed ordinances were revisited by the City Council during their Legislative Matters Committee meeting on May 6.

City Councilors submitted a proposal for the forward-thinking Domestic Partnership Ordinance, which redefines some legal definitions around spousal relationships in Somerville. Among other reasons, interest in the proposal was driven by people who experienced difficulty visiting those they considered family while at hospitals, amid the Covid pandemic.

The Public Safety Committee recently met and discussed possibilities for inclusion of a Public Private Partnership (PPP) into the new Public Safety Building.

By Alex Reidy

The latest meeting of the Public Safety Building Project Building Committee on May 5 continued where it left off last time, by discussing the possibility of a PPP, (Public Private Partnership), that could be added onto the new PSB (Public Safety Building).

We hear the Somerville High School Class of 2021 Graduation will take place on June 7 at Dilboy Stadium, with each student being able to have two guests. We will update as more becomes available.

Representative Christine P. Barber of Somerville and Medford voted with other House members to enact the fiscal year 2022 House Budget, which makes key investments in schools, early education, affordable housing, economic development, public health, food security, services for people with disabilities and other priorities for economic recovery. 

Join in the dance as the Union Square Farmers Market opens its 17th season at its new location on Somerville, this Saturday, May 15.

Union Square Main Streets kicks off the 17th season of the Union Square Farmers Market in Somerville this Saturday, May 15 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., with a big change. The market will move from Union Square Plaza, its home for 16 years, to Somerville Avenue, in order to provide businesses and their outdoor patios the vital opportunity to welcome Union Square lovers.

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This salad is great all year round. It’s refreshing and light and goes perfectly with chicken or fish. It has great texture, a hint of sweetness with a hint of heat and a touch of tartness. These flavors are a true treat that will surely have you going in for seconds.

The excruciatingly slow process of gradually bringing our lives and lifestyles back to normal post-pandemic continues to inch along at its own deliberate and extra-cautious pace.

The recent movement by the city into a modified Phase 4, Step 1 of the state’s reopening plan has breathed new life into the hearts and minds of all who have been affected by the lockdowns and restrictions set forth as an intended means of protecting everyone from the further spread of COVID-19 throughout the community.

—Photo by Doug Holder

Ricky’s Flowers Market, 238 Washington St., Somerville, is open from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. They have a new variety of plants this week. Stop by and visit them.