We’ve all been through a lot these past few months. The social distancing, the masks, our favorite places of business and sources of entertainment temporarily shut down, etc.

It wears on the nerves and dampens our spirits, but at the end of the day we understand that these measures are necessary to mitigate the dangers that the COVID-19 epidemic has imposed on us both globally and locally. We are behaving responsibly, and so far it looks like these sacrifices are paying off. Infection rates in the city are low, even while neighboring communities are still experiencing intermittent spikes and higher than acceptable levels of new cases recorded on a daily basis.

Eagle Feathers #209 – The Dilboy Post

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

It was exactly one century ago in 1920 when 155 veterans from World War I returned home from France. Early on, they founded and named The George Dilboy Post 529 V.F.W. honoring one of their heroic brothers in arms, Army Private George Dilboy. He was posthumously awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions above and beyond the call of duty and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. Somerville honors him with a memorial in front of City Hall and the George Dilboy Memorial Stadium.

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Reviewed by Off the Shelf correspondent Gregory J. Wolos.

As I reread William Evans’ powerful new book of poems, We Inherit What the Fires Left, in preparation for writing this review, I couldn’t help but think of Covid-19 and its oversized impact on the Black community.

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Marc Zegans is the author of six collections of poems, most recently, The Snow Dead from Somerville’s Cervena Barva Press. His poems are often translated to stage as immersive theater, most recently to the San Francisco LitQuake production Sinaesthetic, and Erotic Eclectic’s, Sirens, Dreams and a Cat, which was based on his poems and those of D.L. Wilder. His verse has also given rise to several short films. Marc’s poetry and creative advisory services can be found at www.marczegans.com. 

Arrests:
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Christopher Cornell, of Malden, July 15, 10:01 p.m., arrested at McGrath Hwy. on warrant charges of disorderly conduct and possession of a class B drug.

As of Monday, July 20, the COVID-19 testing site previously located at the Somerville Hospital has moved to 133 Middlesex Avenue (near the former Kmart site) in Assembly Square. The testing site is part of a larger COVID-19 mitigation strategy by the City of Somerville in partnership with Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA). Patients can arrive at the site via vehicle, walking, or bicycle, and testing procedures will be the same as at the previous location:

Mayor Curtatone discusses Somerville’s more cautious approach to Phase 3 reopening, which has been put on pause until at least Monday, August 3.

As the weather continues to heat up the next few days, remember to follow these 10 #HeatSafety tips. You can find more info at somervillema.gov/keepcool.

1. Know the signs of heat-related illness. If you are experiencing headaches, dizziness, nausea, confusion, cramps, high body temperature, or a fast pulse, seek medical help immediately and move to a cooler place.

A photography exhibit by Somerville resident, Stan Eichner, illustrates the dynamic relationship between landscape photography and climate activism. Beginning on July 27, the exhibit, entitled Fighting For Our Planet, promotes an appreciation for the profound beauty of the world and underscores the critical importance of protecting our planet from thoughtless destruction, especially the current climate crisis.