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Ajda Snyder is a talented singer/songwriter, who met with me at my usual spot at the Bloc 11 Cafe in Somerville, MA. She told me that she has lived in these environs since 2012. Snyder said of our city, “I love it here. I would like to buy a place, but it is just too expensive.”

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Alan Patterson writes: “In this poem, I attempted to convey in my own words, my feelings when I listen to Coltrane’s music. I believe Coltrane strove to express in his music his worship of a loving and powerful God, who sustains us daily. His masterpiece, A Love Supreme, remains one of the greatest musical testaments in that vein.”

Effort designed to support expanded testing, maximize healthcare resources and reduce risk of incidental infection

Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) today announced that COVID-19 testing would be available to existing system patients via a stand-alone testing center at its Somerville Hospital location. Due to continued limited availability of tests, patients must meet federal criteria and be existing CHA primary care patients to be eligible for testing at this location.

Additional gathering spaces closed as of March 17 to help contain the spread of COVID-19

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone declared a local state of emergency in Somerville on Sunday, March 15. This formal declaration gives the city the ability to take decisive action to control the spread of the coronavirus and allows the city to request reimbursement from the federal government for emergency response to this crisis.

Starting March 17 only takeout and delivery service at restaurants and all schools closed for three week statewide

In order to help control the spread of COVID-19, Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone has declared a local state of emergency in Somerville. This is in addition to Governor Charlie Baker’s order to close all bars and restaurants in the state to on-site table service through April 17; and all public and private schools through April 7. All of these measures are intended to slow the spread of the disease by limiting interpersonal contact.

Dear Somerville Public Schools Families and Staff,

As we continues to prepare for the next two weeks, we want to make sure that our families are aware of important resources and updates. In the weeks to come, we will be sending information out regularly via email. We are working as fast as we can to put measures in place to support students and families but we recognize there is more we can and will do.

March 14, 2020 – COVID-19 (2019 Novel Coronavirus) Update

State Launches 211 Hotline for COVID-19 Information, Referrals

You can now call 211 from a cellphone or landline for real-time COVID-19 updates and referrals including:

• COVID-19 prevention, treatment, and symptom information
• Information about testing
• Guidance for people returning from travel

The 211 hotline is available 24 hours a day and can provide information in 150 languages. When you call 211 you will hear an automated message and should press 2-6 for COVID-19 information. You can also access 211 resources through the Massachusetts 211 website.

Dear Friends of Arts at the Armory,

As part of an evolving response to the COVID19 pandemic, we have made the decision to cancel all public events scheduled in all Arts at the Armory spaces (the main hall, mezzanine, Café and the B5 classroom) and close the Armory Café starting Saturday, March 13 through Sunday, March 29. We will make decisions about potential cancellations and closures post-March 29 in the coming days and share that information with you.

Jason James will be playing in the Once Upon a Time in Graceland show on Wednesday, March 18, at ONCE Lounge.

By Blake Maddux

With his own versions of classic and highly familiar songs like Folsom Prison Blues, Rocket 88, and Highway 61 Revisited, singer, pianist, and guitarist Jason James demonstrates that interpretation is a talent akin to songwriting itself.