As a follow-up to an Arts Community Town Hall held in September, two additional virtual meetings have been scheduled to discuss issues related to Somerville’s arts and culture community. 

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Hi All. Almost every store I hunt runs into a problem with the hundreds of pounds of jewelry that they receive. It’s tedious sorting and tagging jewelry, most of which is costume. Most. Not all. Some of the donations are valuable gold, silver and platinum items. And that’s where I can make a buck.

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

Dear Mr. Connolly,

Like you, I am a life-long resident of Somerville who remembers the transformation of Davis Square in the 80s and 90s. And, like you, I am concerned about the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic is having on the small businesses and restaurants of Somerville. However, it seems like that is where the similarities end.

The expansion of outdoor dining options for restaurants in response to the pandemic will continue through next year  

As the weather gets colder, tents and outdoor heaters may be cropping up on Somerville streets as local restaurants dig in to continue outdoor dining during the cooler weather. The recent expansion of outdoor dining in Somerville in response to the pandemic had been scheduled to end November 1. But it will now be allowed to continue year-round through December 31, 2021, weather and safety permitting, now that the City administration and the Somerville City Council have taken steps to extend it. 

By Jim Clark

Somerville Police officers were dispatched to Earl’s Kitchen at Assembly Row last week on reports of an assault involving a knife.

Upon arrival, an officer was flagged down by a witness, and the victim. They told the officer that a white male pulled a knife on the victim, who was then struck with a closed fist by a second male. The victim declined medical attention.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

Growing up in Somerville in the 50’s and 70’s gave us endless memories. It was quite an ordeal for my mom to bring her three kids to downtown Boston on the subway. We had to get the bus to Lechmere and then take a train to Park Street, and later on, Downtown Crossing.

First clinic for seniors and veterans Thursday, Oct. 1
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Pre-clinic registration required

The City of Somerville has set up four free flu vaccination clinics for residents in October and November that will be open by appointment. The city is also partnering with schools to offer additional clinics to students. Residents are strongly encouraged to get the vaccine to protect their health as well as to support the community’s efforts to lessen the impacts of both influenza and the coronavirus.

By Anqi Zhang

As people living under the same roof spending more time together during the pandemic, they also become more physically imitate with their rodent neighbors. There has been “an enormous increase in reported rodent sightings over the past few months,” said Somerville Ward 3 City Councilor Ben Ewen-Campen, the new Chair of Rodent Issues Special Committee, at the public committee meeting on September 23.

— Photos by Bobbie Toner

By Toby Sklute

A local organization has created a Black Lives Matter mural in the middle of Magoun Square. Work will began on Saturday and was completed by Sunday afternoon.