Urban Axes and Brooklyn Boulders are now open in a limited capacity. We wish them luck and encourage all who have enjoyed them in the past, as well as newcomers, to take part in their reopening and let them know you are standing behind them. They can use the businesses and you could use the fun diversions they are offering after this long period of relative inactivity most of us have undergone.

By Emmanuel Vincent 

On Monday of this week a virtual town hall meeting was held concerning the reopening of public schools in the city. Several presenters and advisors participated. There was also a panel for a Q&A segment, where parents were able to voice their concerns and receive clarification.

During this process of easing into the reopening up schools, the City of Somerville has put an emphasis on keeping students’ and teachers’ best interests in mind from a health and safety standpoint. This has been the approach since the early stages of the pandemic.

Most change leads to a new beginning. That’s what they say anyway. It’s been a tough, arduous grind through 2020, and here we are with autumn on our doorstep, bringing with it who knows what?

We’ve slogged our way through the pandemic with its isolation and deprivation, an incomparably divisive political climate, and who knows whether or not the worst is yet to come?

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One of my favorite make ahead meals is chicken pot pie. Although this isn’t technically a “pot pie,” it does comprise of the same ingredients except for the flaky pie crust. I really consider this dish a deconstructed pot pie. Once the filling made, I top it with a pre baked square of puff pastry. By serving it this way it allows for the filling to be gently reheated on the stovetop if you plan on serving it later on that day or even the next. Another benefit is putting the filling in a decorative dish of your choice for individual servings or into a casserole dish with the pre baked puff pastry placed on top.

2020 Bonney Family Scholarship recipient Eric Lemus.

The Bonney Family is proud to announce that Eric Lemus is the 2020 recipient of the Bonney Family Scholarship in memory of Brandy Bonney. Eric graduated from Somerville High School with a 3.33 cumulative GPA. Here is what his College and Career Counselor, Melanie Banks, had to say about him:

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I met Kristen Strezo at The Somerville Times Annual Dinner some years back. At our table were columnists Jimmy Del Ponte, and Bill Shelton. Among these folks with the gift of gab, Strezo impressed me as an articulate and dynamic presence. So a couple of years later we finally got a chance to talk, not in person but virtually.

Debbie Wiess is a Boston-based writer, who writes in French and English. She has created a wide variety of projects for stage and screen, poetry and short stories, in both languages. Her work has been presented throughout the US and abroad, in traditional theaters and alternative venues (including in a moving trolley during the Somerville Open Studios several years ago), as well as on cable, radio and the internet. Many of her poems have been published. She is a proud member of the Bagel Bards and has had work included in its Anthology since joining the group in 2012.

Arrests:
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David Blake, of Roxbury, September 15, 11:35 a.m., arrested at Mystic Ave. on a warrant charge of receiving stolen property under $1200.

Michael Mara, September 15, 12:20 p.m., arrested at Washington St. on a warrant charge of larceny over $1200.

Conservation Commission, Urban Forestry Commission, Jobs Creation and Retention Fund Board of Trustees, Condominium Review Board, and Human Rights Commission are accepting applications

The City of Somerville is seeking to fill vacancies on essential boards and commissions appointed by the mayor. All new board and commission members must be approved by the City Council. Boards and commissions offer an opportunity for community members with a range of experience, skills, expertise, and perspectives to share their talents and insights with their community. There are currently 15 open opportunities, as follows:

Update: The Somerville Police Department has located a missing elderly woman from Somerville with a history of dementia. Edna Iglesias, 84, was found by officers acting on information from Ms. Iglesias’s social worker regarding locations to where she may have headed. She appeared to be in good condition, but due to the cold temperatures, she will be evaluated by medical professionals for any potential effects of the cold exposure.