Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

St. Patrick’s Day is one of my favorite times of the year. It’s not just the boiled dinners and everyone wearing something green, it’s more. It’s the classic historic songs, the parades, and the general happy atmosphere that the day brings.

~ Tufts University Photo

With the risk of potential exposure to COVID-19 increasing, beginning March 25, Tufts  University instruction will be conducted virtually for the remainder of the semester.

Read more updates from President Monaco, including on athletics, events and travel:

Cervena Barva Book Table ~Photos by Doug Holder

The Bow Street Market Book Fair took place on Sunday, March 8. Pictured here: Cervena Barva Book Table, Tam Lin Neville reading at the Canopy Room, and Josh Lewin, publisher, co-owner of Juliet’s restaurant in Union Square.

A 2-alarm fire broke out at 69 Merriam Street,  Somerville late Monday afternoon. Fire fighters arrived with heavy fire showing from a third story front porch. The fire extended to the third floor apartment and along the gutter areas.

Somerville’s Engine 7  gave  assistance to the Medford Fire Dept. this afternoon at 168 Willis Ave. in Medford.

Medford company found heavy fire and smoke coming from the first floor racing upwards. With hard work the fire was  quickly put out.

U.S. Army Veteran, Ted Louis-Jacques, named new Director.

The City of Somerville is proud to welcome its newest Director of Veterans Services, Ted D. Louis-Jacques. Ted is a United States Army Veteran and a Corporal of the Massachusetts Army National Guard. Following his service as a Recruiting and Retention Specialist for the U.S. Army/National Guard in the Greater Boston area, Corporal Louis-Jacques was deployed with the 1060^th Transportation Company in support for Operation Enduring Freedom. He returned to the U.S. in September 2016.

There are lots of food pantries and hot meals available to Somerville families.

Check out the list below.

March 13, 6:30 p.m.
Hearty Meals for All
Somerville Community Baptist Church, 31 College Ave, Somerville
Community Dinner 2nd Friday of each month, https://heartymealsforall.org/

The Somerville Community Preservation Committee (CPC) is holding their annual Community Preservation Plan public hearing on Wednesday, March 25 at 7:00 p.m. in the 3^rd floor Community Room at the Visiting Nurse Association, 259 Lowell St. The Community Preservation Plan establishes the annual funding priorities and allocations for the three categories that Community Preservation Act (CPA) funds can support. The draft plan is available at www.somervillema.gov/cpa.

It is bittersweet news that SMC announces the departure of Erica Jones. After more than 7½ years working at Somerville Media Center, Jones and her partner Vanessa are moving to the NYC Metropolitan area. As the staffer with the most tenure at SMC, Erica has witnessed some significant milestones of this place – a full staff and board turnover, rebranding to become Somerville Media Center, incorporation of BostonFreeRadio.com into its activities, VOX POP and more.

Join the City of Somerville’s Mobility Division, State Senator Pat Jehlen, State Representative Mike Connolly, and City Council President and Ward 1 Councilor Matt McLaughlin for a community meeting to discuss the needs at the Kensington Connector. The Kensington Connector is the pedestrian crossing under I-93 at Mystic Avenue between the East Somerville Neighborhood and the Assembly Square neighborhood. The meeting will be held on Monday, March 30, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the East Somerville Community School cafeteria, 50 Cross St.