The Somerville Public Library will close for contactless services at both Central Library (79 Highland Avenue) and the West at TAB (167 Holland Street) from August 31 through September 7 to accommodate voting in the primary election. Both locations will serve as polling places on September 1 and will remain closed through Labor Day for cleaning and sanitizing. The East Branch (115 Broadway) will continue to offer contactless pickup and printing throughout the week. 

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Kessler wrote the introduction and edited What I am Always Waiting For a collection of verse written by Miller.

City Hall to be lit with purple lights; flag display for those lost to overdose; community-wide call for all to hang purple ribbons and more

In recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) on Monday, August 31, and National Recovery Month in September, advocates and officials in Somerville have united in their call for Somervillians to observe both events in a few simple but powerful ways to send a message of support and hope for recovery.

At a Monday, August 24, meeting with Phase 3 business owners, Mayor Joe Curtatone announced that, if the data continues to trend in the right direction, the city will consider a limited reopening for fitness centers, gyms, and indoor recreation facilities on approximately September 8. These businesses would be required to have an approved health and safety plan and meet stringent COVID-19 safety requirements. The requirements, which are designed to decrease the risk of virus transmission, include measures that exceed State standards such as mandatory face coverings for all staff and patrons at all times. Activities that pose a high risk for virus transmission and superspreader events would not be allowed to open in this phase.

By Jim Clark

Somerville Police officers were dispatched to the McDonald’s restaurant on McGrath Hwy. last Wednesday on reports of a man threatening a customer with hot water and a knife.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

This week’s story is by my good friend Anthony Accardi, a lifelong resident of Somerville.

The summer of 2020, as different as it has been, slowly heading toward its end. Just another month or so and we will be putting the summer of 2020 into the books.

A small group of protestors gathered outside Tufts President Monaco’s home last week. The protestors are concerned that an influx of students will adversely affect the community at large.

By Denise Keniston

Tufts University is reporting three positive COVID-19 cases on its Boston Health Sciences Campus in Boston’s Chinatown. Patrick Collins, Tufts Media Relations Executive Director, confirmed the three cases on Monday, August 24.

CycleBar at Assembly Row is keeping its wheels turning during this difficult time for fitness studios by bring the bikes outside for safer workouts. — Photo courtesy of CycleBar at Assembly Row

Cycling fitness studio CycleBar at Assembly Row has moved its operation outside in order to keep doing business and keep its loyal customers fit during the current phase of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.

The terrace at FITRow has proven to an ideal alternative open air site for classes, without incurring a huge moving expense.

With plenty of safe distancing between each cycling station, the studio is ensuring customers that they can enjoy their workouts safely, while maintaining the same levels of instruction quality on the best equipment available.

Early voting will take place between August 22 and August 28 during specific times at City Hall. To see the full early voting schedule, visit somervillema.gov/earlyvoting2020. If you plan to vote by mail, the deadline for the Elections Department to receive your vote by mail application is August 26 at 5:00 p.m. However, we encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible if you plan to vote by mail and haven’t yet submitted it. Applications can be mailed, emailed, faxed, or put in the dropbox at the School St. entrance to City Hall. If you don’t choose to vote by mail or vote early, you can still vote at your polling place as you normally would on September 1. Several polling places have recently been relocated, so make sure to double check your polling place at somervillema.gov/MySomerville before you go to vote on Election Day. All of this information and more is available at somervillema.gov/elections.

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, State Senator Pat Jehlen, State Representative Mike Connolly, City Council President and Ward 1 Councilor Matt McLaughlin, and City of Somerville staff invite you to a virtual meeting to discuss the community needs at the Kensington Connector. The Kensington Connector is the pedestrian crossing under I-93 at Mystic Avenue between the East Somerville neighborhood and the Assembly Square neighborhood.