The City of Somerville Council on Aging is now accepting donations of new games, puzzles, books, arts and craft supplies, and other fun items to deliver some cheer to local seniors. Sudoku books, word searches, adult coloring books, sketch pads, playing cards, and stationery are especially popular. 

Here is a COVID-19 update as of  Friday, July 31. Please also check somervillema.gov/covid19 for information and resources that are updated frequently.

Businesses in the state’s Phase 3 Step 1 reopening considered to be at high risk for viral spread will remain on hold.

Officials cite concerns over COVID-19 case trends, overall testing capacity, and state contact tracing weaknesses

As members of the medical community note rising case counts and urge a rollback of the state’s phased reopening, Somerville’s Phase 3 Step 1 reopening will remain on hold. Local officials continue to review the situation in two-week intervals, with the next update coming on or before Monday, August 17.  In Somerville, indoor and outdoor gatherings also remain in Phase 2, with no more than 10 persons allowed until further notice, unless specifically permitted in city activity-specific guidelines. To provide safer options for gyms and fitness centers to offer some services, the city is encouraging and supporting outdoor alternatives.

Other states have seen a surge in COVID-19 cases and deaths, and Mayor Joe Curtatone urges everyone to remain diligent about social distancing, wearing face coverings, and washing their hands in order to stave off a second wave of the disease in our region.

On Friday afternoon, police responded to a person hit by a commuter rail train near the Porter Sq. T stop.  Due to police activity near the right of way, Fitchburg Line Train 416 (12:05 p.m. from Wachusett) will terminate at Porter Square today. Passengers seeking service to Boston can connect with the Red Line.

The incident is under investigation.

On Thursday night, around 11:30 p.m,  shots were fired in the area of 20 River Rd in Somerville. There are no reports of injuries but bullet holes were found in a car park nearby.
Last month four people were also shot at in that area.

Somerville Police are investigating.

ROOTED: Armory Cafe & Farmstand at the Center for Arts at the Armory is now open and offering fresh produce and other food items on a daily basis.

By Isabel Sami

The Center for Arts at the Armory (CAA) has been closed since March 13, but opened last week on July 21 with a fresh look for its cafe, ROOTED: Armory Cafe & Farmstand. Now the Armory introduces a new menu of sandwiches, coffee, pastries, and more, using products from local farms and small businesses including Boston Smoked Fish Co., Doris’ Peruvian Pastries, Beverly Bees honey, and Red Fire Farm. Only eight people are allowed to occupy the space at a time, but staff set up outdoor seating for up to 20 people and distanced tables to follow guidelines.

Inside the “Museum of Modern Renaissance.”

By Rachel Berets

“We think that the main purpose of art is to make the human soul soar,” said Nicholas Shaplyko, one of the founders of the “Museum of Modern Renaissance” in Somerville.

The museum, which Shaplyko owns with his wife Ekaterina Sorokina, is not a museum in the traditional sense – it’s Shaplyko and Sorokina’s private residence, filled with art that the two have created together.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

Bicycles are everywhere. Parents can transport up to three kids at a time. Two in the back in an attached carrier (they scare the hell out of me when I see them in traffic), and maybe even one child sitting in front of the adult in a gizmo attached to the handlebars. They can also hook a kid’s bike onto the back of the parents’ bike and go tandem.

Summer programs offered by Somerville Parks and Recreation are continuing under established safety guidelines. — Photo courtesy of Somerville Parks and Recreation

By Elizabeth Long

The Somerville Parks and Recreation Department bounced back after Covid-19 caused many to question whether their programs would reopen and do so safely. Although the programs were shortened in length, they were still able to open their summer programs, which was a big plus for many parents and their kids.