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.

The news regarding the COVID-19 has been developing rapidly. I wanted to take this moment to personally update you on Somerville’s actions to curtail the spread of the virus.

Dear SMC Friends,

Paralleling decisions by the City of Somerville and the Somerville Public Schools with regard to buildings and programs, SMC will extend its public closure through Tuesday, March 31st.

Councilor-At-Large Mary Jo Rossetti shared this message:
Last evening your City Council held discussion with the Mayor and Director of Health & Human Services as it relates to COVID-19. I have attached that portion of the meeting here for your viewing. As you are well aware, more important decisions are forthcoming. 311 is ready to assist in answering any questions you may have.

Local activist and past City Council candidate Kristen Strezo will fill the seat to be vacated by current Councilor At-Large Stephanie Hirsch. Strezo announced the news in a post on her Facebook page:

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.

 The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and other health agencies are still learning more about COVID-19 and the severity of the virus. Current information points to most COVID-19 illnesses being mild, but certain populations – including older people and people with certain health conditions and compromised immune systems – are vulnerable to developing serious COVID-19 symptoms.

By Jessica Sisavath

The Somerville Community Growing Center had great turn out for this year’s Maple Syrup Boil Down last Saturday, March 7.

The boiling began at 7:40 a.m. before the community event started at 10:00 a.m. Five trees were tapped for the month of February from Tufts University and they received 89 gallons from the tapping.

Essential functions and services will continue, but municipal buildings will be closed to the public

Today, the City of Somerville and the Somerville Public Schools announced that effective Monday, March 16, all City buildings will be closed to the public and all Somerville Public Schools will be closed for a minimum of two weeks to help minimize the spread of COVID-19. During this time we will reassess if the closure needs to continue beyond two weeks.

Upfront work is projected to shorten duration of full-time bridge closure by up to two months; additional mitigation efforts planned for residents and businesses

In an effort to continue advancing progress on the project to extend the Green Line into Somerville and Medford, and in consideration of the unique geographic circumstances surrounding Somerville High School, Medford Street Bridge, and School Street Bridge, the School Street Bridge, in Gilman Square near Somerville City Hall, will close on weekends, effective this weekend, starting Friday night, March 13. While the bridge is scheduled to close on a full-time basis in May, these additional weekend closures are expected to reduce the overall schedule for reconstruction of School Street by approximately two months.

Given the quickly evolving COVID-19 situation and the need to take every precaution possible to protect community health, the following buildings and programs will be closed Thursday through Sunday: