— Photos by Bobbie Toner

On Monday afternoon, the Somerville Fire Department responded to a multi family home at 84 Lowell St. in Somerville. The Red Cross is at the scene to assist the families displaced.

No injuries were reported,. The cause of fire is under investigation.

Somerville Ward 7 and Community Questions & Concerns
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SCES staffers Andrea Svartstrom and Lindsey Smilack handle bags of fresh vegetables, as part of a produce delivery effort that delivered more than $2,700 worth of fresh produce to homebound older adults in Cambridge and Somerville

Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SCES) volunteers delivered more than $2,700 worth of fresh produce to local older adults on July 15. 

The delivery was part of the annual Farmers’ Market Coupon Program. Funded through the USDA and the Mass Department of Agricultural Resources, the program provides $25 of Farmers’ Market coupons for eligible older adults.

For over 30 years, Somerville’s OPENAIR Circus has taught circus skills to children, teens and adults. This summer many classes will still be taught, but differently this year due to COVID-19.

Classes will be in 2 formats: pre-recorded lessons and synchronous online classes.

Normally there is an editorial from Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone in this space, but this week the City is instead sharing important information and updates about COVID-19.

 Somerville’s Phase 3 Reopening to Start August 3, at the Earliest

Somerville’s Phase 3 Step 1 business reopening is on hold until at least Monday, August 3, as local officials grow increasingly concerned about potential impacts amid rising new case averages in the metro area and growing concerns about the efficacy of the State’s contact tracing program. Prior State guidelines limiting indoor and outdoor gatherings to no more than 10 persons will also remain in effect until at least August 3 as well. In collaboration with area businesses, the City has developed provisional enhanced safety requirements and guidelines for Phase 3 businesses, but their reopening will be put on hold. 

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

Part 4: What we know that the founders didn’t
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By William C. Shelton

Approaching the end of the War of Independence, Congress chose to put on the Great Seal of the United States the phrase, “Novus Ordo Seclorum,” which they understood to mean, “A new order of the ages,” or, “A new age now begins.” They hoped that what they were accomplishing would inspire people everywhere to create governments in which humanity could live with freedom and dignity.

— Photo by Doug Holder

The grand reopening of ROOTED: Armory Cafe & Farmstand took place on July 21.

They are following recommended COVID-19 mitigation guidelines and allowing a maximum of eight customers into ROOTED at a time.

Customers are welcome to walk in and place an order and shop the produce/grocery items. Takeout orders can also be placed by calling 617-718-2192.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

When my son was small we were in the cellar poking through some boxes when he pulled a record out of a dusty old album jacket. He said excitedly, “Daddy look! A big CD!” It was my old Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band album from 1967.

— Photo by Shvets Anna

The Somerville Licensing Commission voted unanimously Monday to extend the closing time for restaurants to provide outdoor dining service to their patrons to 11:30 p.m. Previously, the closing time had been set at 10:00 p.m.

The Governor also signed S.2812, an Act to expand take-out/delivery options in response to COVID-19, so Somerville restaurants can now sell mixed drinks for off-premises consumption with the purchase of food.