Purple flags will be placed in remembrance of those in Somerville who have lost their  lives from an opioid-related overdose in 2020. — Photo by Bobbie Toner

In recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31, and Recovery Month in September, the City of Somerville will plant 14 purple flags on the lawn of City Hall in memory of the 14 Somerville residents who died of an opioid-related overdose in 2020. A larger flag will also be on display in recognition of all Somerville residents who have died of an overdose. City Hall will be lit with purple lights through September to bring awareness to Recovery Month.

 All city staff must be fully vaccinated by November 1, 2021; Somerville School Committee to review vaccination requirements for the Somerville Public Schools at Monday, August 30, meeting

 To better protect the health and safety of staff and the public, Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone announced today that all City of Somerville employees must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as of November 1, 2021. The city joins municipalities, states, and employers across the nation, including the U.S. military, who are taking this preventive step to help contain the spread of the virus. Employees will be allowed to apply for certain exemptions.

In recognition of National Wellness Month, riders can take advantage of complimentary trips each week courtesy of Blue Cross, title sponsor of Metro Boston’s public bike share system

To shine a light on the benefits of mindfulness, health and wellness during National Wellness Month, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (“Blue Cross”) offered complimentary Bluebikes rides on “Mindful Mondays” throughout August.  Riders can take advantage of free trips from nearly 400 Bluebikes stations across the system’s 11 municipalities. Blue Cross is the title sponsor of Bluebikes, a publicly-owned bike share managed by municipal staff.

Sarah Carroll, Katherine Carton, and Kaitlynn Cooney will “Walk Your Way” for the iconic fundraising walk for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute to support all forms of cancer

 21 residents from Somerville will choose their own route on October 3 for the Boston Marathon^® Jimmy Fund Walk: Your Way presented by Hyundai. Participants are encouraged to “Walk Your Way” from wherever they are most comfortable—whether that be from their neighborhood, favorite trail, or from a treadmill in their own home.

By Jessica Sisavath

In her podcast, Cherie Louise Turner, Somerville resident and long-time athlete in cycling, inline skating, and running, will be running in the Boston Marathon on October 11 alongside eight other runners in their journey to the Boston Marathon, Strides Forward.

The City of Somerville is seeking resident volunteers to join the Somerville Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee (PTAC). Founded two years ago, PTAC provides input on policies, plans, and projects that impact public transit riders and pedestrians. The committee consists of
transit and pedestrian commuters; persons with disabilities; seniors, youth and students; business and institutional representatives; lower-income residents; and transit or pedestrian advocates.

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By Dr. Ian Halim

What happens to our bodies when we bleed? Looking at how we’ve answered this question across time gives us a way to chart the progress of medicine as a science. And in hospitals throughout the world, this question is not history, but a daily matter of life and death.