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

Dear Community Members,

Here is a COVID-19 update for Thursday, May 28.

Please also be sure to check somervillema.gov/covid19 for information and resources that are updated frequently.

By Jim Clark

While on patrol at the intersection of Broadway and Cross Street, a Somerville Police officer queried the license plate of a vehicle bearing a California registration. The results of the query showed that the registration expired on August 28, 2019, and the plates belonged to a different vehicle.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

Disclaimer: in no way does the following story endorse, recommend or approve of going near any railroad tracks. It is extremely dangerous.

We had a lot of fun growing up in Somerville during the 50’s, 60’s, 70’s etc. Sometimes we refer to that time as “the good old days.”

Sometimes we say, “back in the day.” We may even say, “way back when.” Lately, I find myself saying, “seems like yesterday.” All these phrases run through my mind when I write these stories of the Somerville I grew up in. “Remember when…” is a good one too.

Moroccan Hospitality, owned by Amina McTursh and Nouzha Ghalley, hopes to return to serving its customers at the conclusion of the lockdown. — Photo courtesy of Moroccan Hospitality

By Alberto Gilman

In the midst of COVID-19, Moroccan Hospitality, located at 585 Somerville Ave., owned and managed by sisters Amina Ghallay Mctursh and Nouzha Ghallay, struggles to stay afloat during the statewide lockdown.

Across the state and country, local restaurants adapt to new regulations, lack revenue and customers, and prepare for what lies ahead for their businesses.

By Jim Clark

An Officer’s Communication was submitted by the Director of the Council on Aging at the latest regular meeting of the Somerville City Council providing the Council with updates and ways to help seniors living in our community during the current COVID-19 pandemic. The report was ordered by the Council at its previous meeting.

(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.)

— Photo by Matt McLaughlin

By Matthew McLaughlin
Somerville City Council President

Every Memorial Day television networks show war movies filled with heroic acts and graphic violence.  Prior to World War II, however, military personnel were more likely to die from disease than bullets, bombs or bayonets. No camera could ever capture their struggle against an invisible enemy, one that does not recognize borders or sides.

Street sweeping has begun and parking enforcement will begin the week of June 1. Until then, the city is asking for voluntary compliance. On Monday, June 1, parking control officers will start issuing tickets for not observing street sweeping rules. Street sweeping allows more debris to be cleaned off the streets, which means it doesn’t end up in the storm drains, which can cause flooding. Make sure you know where you can park by checking out the signs on your street and visiting somervillema.gov/sweeper. Policies are being developed to account for per-sons ordered to isolate due to COVID-19 who are thus unable to move their car.

— Tufts University Photo

Thirty-four local organizations in Tufts’ four host communities have been awarded $28,000 in grants from the Tufts Community Grants (TCG) program. The grants, which are fully funded by donations from Tufts University faculty and staff, are awarded each year to community-based charitable organizations in Boston, Grafton, Medford and Somerville.

Eagle Feathers #205 – Memorial Day

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

The tradition began in 1868 with the men of the Grand Army of the Republic. They designated May 30 as a day for decorating the graves of those who had fallen in the Civil War with flowers. It later became a day when parades and orations celebrated the victories of both Armies, the Blue and the Gray. The graves of these veterans numbered over 600,000, and they are found in thousands of their hometowns throughout the country.