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.

Elm Street Sweets is part of Joe Cassinelli’s Alpine Restaurant Group with its core holdings located in Davis Square. Posto and Rosebud are helping this newest venture get off the ground. Posto provides baking space and Rosebud provides a pick-up depot.

By Denise Keniston
tw:@denisekeniston

Davis Square’s new bakery, Elm Street Sweets, is elevating the art of pastry-making and attracting pie and cake lovers from Somerville and beyond. Elm Street Sweets is the latest addition to the Alpine Restaurant Group. Sister restaurants Rosebud and Posto (both in Davis Square and within steps of each other) are helping the online bakery get off the ground.

This week will mark one year since the passing of Donald and Patricia Norton. Donald was, of course, the publisher of The Somerville Times, a successful real estate agent, and a colorful presence in the city. We miss them both and are thinking of them at this time.

Meal of Fortune Week replaces the Foodie Crawl of past years, but the experience and delicious world cuisines are still available. Support your local restaurants!

By Denise Keniston
tw:@denisekeniston

The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 has pretty much touched everything and anything that has to do with restaurants, and that includes East Somerville Main Streets’ much-loved Foodie Crawl, taking place every September.

Out of necessity, organizers are changing things up this year and rolling out a foodie week compliant with state COVID-19 rules. “Meal of Fortune Week” will offer food lovers a fun and flavorful event.

Local favorites Mallcops are up for several awards at the upcoming 2020 Boston Music Awards.

Mallcops, Somerville’s own “emotional rockstars,” have been nominated in four categories for the 2020 Boston Music Awards. The nods include Album of the Year, Breakthrough Artist of the Year, Punk/Hardcore Artist of the Year, and Music Artwork of the Year. The awards ceremony has been celebrating rising stars in the Boston music scene since 1987. Past-winners include Donna Summer, Aerosmith, Boston, Shea Rose, Amanda Palmer, Phish, and James Taylor.