This summer, Somerville Prevention Services is hosting a series of free virtual presentations about a range of substance use prevention topics as one way to continue to educate and support community members during the coronavirus pandemic. Session themes include tobacco/nicotine, marijuana, problem gambling, anger management in recovery, and alcohol. Upcoming presentations will be held August 13, August 20, and August 27 at 6:00 p.m. on Zoom. Visit somervillema.gov/preventionservices shortly before the meeting to join live. Each session will also be recorded and posted online following the presentation. For more information, please visit somervillema.gov/preventionservices.

Today, Mayors Joseph A. Curtatone of Somerville and Breanna Lungo-Koehn of Medford sent the following letter to Tufts University President Anthony Monaco regarding the university’s reopening plan:

Reminds residents about additional upcoming election dates and vote by mail

The City of Somerville will hold seven days of early voting ahead of the Tuesday, September 1, primary elections. All early voting will take place at Somerville City Hall, 93 Highland Ave., and the schedule is as follows:

There is still time to fill out the 2020 U.S. Census – and the time is now. Census takers have begun visiting Somerville homes that have not yet completed the Census. Census takers will be wearing PPE and taking safety precautions, but the safest way to complete the Census (and avoid a visit) is to respond on your own at my2020census.gov or call 844-330-2020. You can always verify the identity of a Census worker by calling the local Census office at 212-882-7100.

Volunteer Sasi Muthurajan packs boxes of shelf stable meals for delivery to at-risk older adults at Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services on July 29. Each box contained seven meals.

By Nathan Lamb

Volunteers braved a heatwave on July 27 to help Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SCES) deliver 840 shelf-stable meals to older adults at risk for food insecurity.

Plan proposes community-driven redevelopment of vacant Star Market lot and nearby properties

The City released a draft Winter Hill Urban Renewal Plan today, following a year of public meetings, online engagement, and community conversations about the future of the vacant Star Market site. The Plan proposes that the Somerville Redevelopment Authority (SRA) take a 2.8-acre area that includes the Star Market, Walgreens, and two buildings at the corner of Temple St and Broadway for the purpose of creating more green open space, affordable housing, and a mixed-use development. Community members are welcome to submit feedback on the draft to the SRA, who will vote on the approval of the plan no earlier than September. 

As part of their continuing coverage of the local and Massachusetts Election 2020, Joe Lynch caught up with United State Senate candiate Congressman Joe Kennedy, III for a conversation about the campaign and the election issues

Doug Holder, the host for Somerville Media Center’s “Poet to Poet Writer to Writer” program interviews Thomas Lyons about his quixotic quest to open a bookstore in Davis Square. Lyons is the owner of the new England Book Fair.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is warning residents in the area to take precautions against getting mosquito bites and to learn preventative techniques for avoiding them.

Wareham now at high risk for EEE
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The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) today announced ten new EEE positive mosquito samples. These results include samples from Carver and Wareham in Plymouth County and from Canton in Norfolk County. As a result, the risk level in Wareham has been raised to high.

Planning Board, Zoning Board of Appeals, Somerville Historic Preservation Commission, and Urban Design Commission are accepting applications through August 21

The City of Somerville is seeking to fill vacancies on essential boards and commissions appointed by the mayor and coordinated by the Mayor’s Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development. 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. Applications for open positions will be accepted through 7:00 p.m. on Friday, August 21.