Venues such as The Jungle struggling to cope with the Covid-19 temporary shutdowns are looking to the Save Our Stages Act to help them get through until reopening is possible. — Photo courtesy of The Jungle

By Max Eidelman

Congress has recently passed the Save Our Stages Act as part of the Covid-19 Relief Bill. This has been designed to provide funds that can support independent venues through the persistent havoc that the pandemic has wrought on the realm of public performance.

Peter DeMarco and Laura Beth Levis. — Photo courtesy of Peter DeMarco

By Hongyu Liu

As the first speaker, Peter DeMarco stepped up to the rostrum to speak at the State House for a bill signing ceremony on January 15. “It took us nearly two years to get here. I wasn’t sure if we could even reach this stage. But in the end, Laura’s law passed unanimously,” DeMarco said in his speech.

After 15 years of dedicated service, former State Representative Denise Provost is moving on.

By Jessica Sisavath

Denise Provost, State Representative for 27th Middlesex district for 15 years, has sworn in her new successor, Erika Uyterhoven as of Wednesday, January 6, 2021.

Provost explains it has been a unique transition mid-pandemic for the new legislators. “It limits their opportunities for bonding and for some of the kinds of learning that go on in the State House that aren’t easily replicated.” Provost believes new legislators will find new ways learn and sees this as a short-term impact.

The City of Somerville’s Prevention Services Division, in partnership with Cambridge Health Alliance, will host a virtual photovoice exhibition facilitated by Somerville youth to raise awareness about underage problem gambling. Photovoice is a method of exploring social issues that empowers individuals to tell a story through photography. The event will be held on Thursday, January 28, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Zoom. Visit somervillema.gov/ProblemGambling at that time for a link to attend.

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Now is a great time to plan for your spring/summer garden. Last year we switched it up a bit and went heavy on the tomatoes and zucchini.

We figured out over the past couple of years the best place to set up an area in our yard allowing for the tomatoes to thrive.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought a lot of grief and distress to the world. From the inconvenience of wearing face coverings and practicing social distancing, to closures of businesses, schools, and places of public gatherings. And of course, there’s the sickness and death that the virus has wrought.

And it’s no different here in Somerville. Most of us have learned to properly follow the mandated guidelines, we grudgingly do without our favorite eateries and nightspots, and – yes – we do the best we can to give our children the best educational opportunities that the situation can allow.

An outdoor Wi-Fi pop-up has landed in front of Somerville’s Central Library to provide free, 24/7 internet access to the public during the pandemic.

While library buildings remain closed, the Somerville Public Library partnered with several local organizations to bring free Wi-Fi to patrons in a COVID-safe environment. CultureHouse, a nonprofit that activates unused public spaces, designed and installed the structure, and volunteers from Mass Mesh expanded the Library’s existing Wi-Fi network. The Somerville Public Library Foundation (SPLF) funded the project.

Arrests:
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Connor Evans, January 12, 9:05 p.m., arrested at Douglas Ave. on warrant charges of shoplifting by asportation, threat to commit a crime, disorderly conduct, assault and battery on a police officer, resisting arrest, vandalize with noxious/filthy substance, destruction of property over $1200, inhale glue/toxic substance, assault and battery, and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

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This city offers a plethora of choices of talented artists to interview. Janeann Dill, caught my eye and interest, so I managed to catch up with her for an (online) interview.

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Bill Falcetano is an occasional contributor to The Somerville Times. A former professor of philosophy, he divides his time between Somerville and Gloucester.