Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

September is back to school season and although this year will be very different, we are still reminded of our wild and crazy high school days.

Recently I posted a question: mention something you were good at in high school. Comments came from Somerville High School students from the 60’s, 70’s and so on.

The City of Somerville will install protected bike lanes on Route 28 across the Wellington Bridge thanks to a MassDOT Shared Streets and Spaces Program grant award. This new statewide funding program supports public health by facilitating quick-build projects that provide new or repurposed space for socially-distanced walking, bicycling, dining, retail, and bus travel during the coronavirus pandemic.

The natural grass fields have been hard-packed over years of use and when it rains water “sheet flows” into Alewife Brook and causes pooling on the fields. Residents, like Erin Turco, as well as athletes, should see a difference with the new drainage system. — Photo by Denise Keniston

By Denise Keniston
tw:@denisekeniston

West Somerville resident Erin Turco walks her dog Wally most days and when it isn’t raining, she heads to the Dilboy Stadium and Fields complex. Because of limited recreation space in Somerville, natural grass athletic fields often double as recreation spaces for residents like Turco. “These fields are disgusting!” says Turco. “They are especially gross in the spring and fall. When it rains there’s mud, muck, and the rain forms pools of standing water which attracts bugs.”

Two indoor recreation facilities in particular – Brooklyn Boulders and Urban Axes – are struggling to stay afloat until current COVID-19 restrictions are eased.

By Jessica Sisavath

It was announced that Somerville has moved into Phase 3, Step 1, allowing a few businesses to open, such as yoga, dance studios, and other fitness facilities. On September 8, Tuesday, the businesses that were allowed to open with restrictions would be able to do so. However, two known indoor recreation businesses in Somerville are forced to keep their doors closed – Brooklyn Boulders and Urban Axes.

Please remember, it is important to support local businesses during this trying time. Sadly, True Bistro in Teele Sq. had to permanently close their doors on September 6. They are sharing this message with the community: “The best way that you can take action to protect independent restaurants, is to contact your local representative about the Restaurants Act and ask that they pass this business-saving legislation. If you’re interested, more information on the Restaurants Act is available at saverestaurants.com.”

By Emmanuel Vincent

This past Thursday, the public meeting of Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development’s (OSPCD) HUD Year One Action Plan took place. Hosted by the Mayor’s Office, this was a virtual assembly, which abides by Governor Baker’s emergency orders as it relates to the Open Meeting Law. Highlighted were the action plan goals for 2020-2021, which includes sectors such as Economic Development, Housing Rehabilitation and Homeless Prevention Programs.

Chief Lending Officer Kevin Gatlin

Winter Hill Bank, a community bank, has announced that Kevin J. Gatlin has been promoted to Chief Lending Officer. Mr. Gatlin will now be responsible for the strategic direction of the commercial lending function of the Bank, and overseeing the management and development of the Bank’s commercial, residential real estate lending and other lines of business. In addition, as a member of the Bank’s Executive Management Team, he will work closely with senior leaders to focus on the strategic growth of lending relationships.

If there’s something we Somervillians love and hold dear, it’s our public playing grounds – especially the grassy ones! And we have come to learn that it takes a considerable amount of both care and cash to keep them in tip top form and safe for all of us to make use of.

Eagle Feathers #212 – The Yankee Sculptor

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

Horatio Greenough was born in Boston in 1805, attended Philips Academy in Andover, graduated from Harvard College in 1825, spent the greater part of his life in Italy and died in Somerville. He was a member of the National Academy of Arts and Sciences which is now headquartered on Beacon Street in Somerville.

Steve Milice, September 11, 6:49 a.m., arrested at Prospect St. on charges of open and gross lewdness and violation of city ordinance possession of a dangerous weapon.