Somerville non-profit receives Cummings Foundation grant

The Beautiful Stuff Project, a creative reuse center located on Medford Street, is one of 130 non-profits to receive grants of $100,000 or more through Cummings Foundation’s $20 Million Grant Program.  The Somerville-based organization was chosen from a total of 738 applicants during a competitive review process.

City buildings will remain closed to the public beyond Monday, June 1. In the coming weeks, some city offices may begin to reopen for in-person business. More details will be shared as they become available.

As a reminder, all city-sponsored and permitted events are canceled through the end of the year.

Compliant Safety Plans, and adherence to State safety guidelines required;  Blow-drying initially prohibited as safety remains under review

After a collaborative effort by Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, local salon and barbershop owners, the Somerville Board of Health, and city staff, a reopening timeline and safety requirements are now in place for Somerville hair service providers. Establishments will be allowed to reopen on June 1 on the condition that they submit compliant safety plans to the city, follow all safety requirements in the State’s reopening plan, and, until further notice, do not offer blow-drying.

Washington Street Bridge/Underpass near McGrath Highway to reopen May 31; Broadway Bridge in Ball Square scheduled to reopen first week of June

The Green Line Extension (GLX) project announced that the Washington Street Bridge/Underpass near McGrath Highway in East Somerville is expected to permanently reopen on May 31. The Broadway Bridge in Ball Square is expected to reopen shortly thereafter during the first week of June. Both bridges were closed in the spring of 2019 and completely reconstructed to advance the GLX project.

An icon is leaving Winter Hill. After sixty years in business, Mystic Cleaners and Tailors is closing. In 1955 their father opened up at 273 Broadway where the Dragon Star is  now. In 1980 they moved in at 282 Broadway where the business flourished. David, his  brother  Anthony and their employees were kind and gentle and met their customer’s needs. They had plans to retire in two years or so but the COVID19 virus pushed the business to close. Their last day is expected to be May 30. Any clothes that are not picked up can be retrieved at Utopia Cleaners, 1370 Broadway Arlington, or email mhlow21@gmail.com.

They will be missed in our community.

Salvatore “Johnny” Sillari died peacefully at home in Plymouth on Tuesday, May 26, 2020, with his family. Johnny was born on January 19, 1939, in Somerville into a large family from Gaeta, Italy. He was the first born child of his generation, Johnny worked hard his entire life, starting part-time at the age of twelve for his father’s successful plumbing and heating business. He graduated from Somerville High School in 1957, studied at Wentworth Institute of Technology, and then received his Master’s Plumbers License. He took over the family business, eventually passing it on to his son, Charlie. The way he lived his life gifted his children with a strong work ethic, the ability to speak their truth, and a deep generosity to others. 

With more than $2 million in CARES Act funds on the way for COVID-19 relief, city earmarks most for tenants in need

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone announced an additional $1.5 million in rental assistance for Somerville residents experiencing financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding, which is provided by the federal CARES Act, will be distributed to local nonprofits to support rental assistance for low- and moderate-income households.

Somerville has set its flags at half-mast to observe the passing of 100,000 dead nationally and 25 dead locally due to coronavirus.