Ishivita Bali, recipient of the 2020 Statewide Youth Leadership Award.

This year, the annual Kick Butts Day event at the Massachusetts State House could not take place. However, youth from The 84 Movement still wanted an event to celebrate their efforts to reduce the influence of the tobacco and vaping industries in their communities. So the young leaders created and participated in a virtual training and awards ceremony via Zoom on April 29.

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This is not a review, but a reflection and impression of this new poetry collection by Lynne Viti.

The collection is titled Dancing at Lake Montebello. Viti, who lectured at Wellesley College for many years (and I had the pleasure to read with at a Sam Cornish tribute reading at the New England Book Fair), has penned a collection that has much to recommend it.

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Poet Kevin Carey writes The Times, “My friend and poet Sean Thomas Dougherty called the poems in my new collection Set in Stone “grief songs.” I feel like that’s an accurate description. Many of the poems deal with regret, the penance of the past, some of the joy of getting over. As in my two previous collections, the poems are pretty narrative, telling personal stories about me or people I’ve known over the years. Some about my love of basketball. I guess I can’t get out of my own way when it comes to writing poetry. I do think this is an honest collection and for that reason alone I’m proud of it. It’s let me get to know me better.” https://cavankerrypress.org/product/set-in-stone/

Arrests:
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Paul Phaneuf, of Woburn, May 15, 9:14 p.m., arrested at College Ave. on charges of disorderly conduct, malicious wanton defacement of property, and resisting arrest, and on warrant charges of larceny over $1200 and felony nighttime breaking and entering.

Dear SHS Seniors and Families,
Somerville High School

I am excited to share with you that, working closely with Mayor Curtatone, Superintendent Skipper, and Jill Lathan, Director of Parks and Recreation, we have developed a plan that will allow us to acknowledge and celebrate our Class of 2020 graduates in person in a modified outdoor event with social-distancing measures. This will done in a very controlled environment that ensures the safety of all involved.

Dear Community Members,

Here is a COVID-19 update for Tuesday, May 19.

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

Pauline M. (McKinnon) D’Aurora-of Walpole, formerly of North Reading, May 16th after a courageous battle with Covid-19.  Beloved wife of the late Carmen D’Aurora. Loving mother of Dina Zoob and her husband Sam of East Walpole. Adored Nana of Alexis and Jordan. Sister of Sharon Romano and her husband Ronald of FL. Daughter of the late Anne Steffe. Daughter- in- law of Rosa D’Aurora and her late husband Biagio. Sister- in- law of Anthony D’Aurora and his wife Mary of Woburn, Ben Iacono of Newburyport and the late Frank D’Aurora and Maria Iacono. Best friend of Sandra McGoldrick and her husband Donnie of Somerville. Pauline is also survived by many loving nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.

Since the Covid-19 shutdown, Food Link has collected 100,000 pounds of food—about twice its usual amount. Use of the Tufts’ facilities will give the group extra capacity to temporarily store food until it can be distributed. — Photo by Ivan Basch

An anti-hunger coalition will have room to store and sort food for those in need

By Julie Flaherty/Tufts Now

Tufts University is donating the use of one of its dining centers on the Medford/Somerville campus to a coalition of Massachusetts food rescue organizations that have been working overtime to collect and distribute food to a growing number of people in need during the pandemic. The campus space will give the three nonprofits – Food Link, Food for Free, and Boston Area Gleaners – crucial extra capacity over the next two months.

Construction, hospitals and medical services, and curbside retail to reopen on state timeline

Citing regional differences in COVID-19 impacts, warnings from experts, and a need for greater clarity on issues such as worker protections, the city will review the remaining state reopening plan before implementation.

As previously announced, Somerville will adhere to a different reopening timeline than the general guidance announced today by Governor Charlie Baker. Some elements of the state plan will be enacted immediately, some will be modified, and some will undergo further assessment to make sure workers and residents are being properly protected from a potential increase in the transmission of the coronavirus – and that the local economic recovery is better insulated from a potential second surge of the disease.

Healthy, local food is important. The Farmers Markets will open next week at Davis Square (www.massfarmersmarkets.org/davis) on Wednesday, May 20 and at Union Square (www.unionsquaremain.org/2020-season) on Saturday, May 23. But this year they will be different. Both markets will encourage only one person per household to do the shopping, incorporate social distancing guidelines and allow a limited amount of shoppers in the space. Please sign up for a shopping spot in advance at the market websites.