— Photo © Ridofranz / iStock via Getty Images Plus

With the roll-out of the vaccine taking place slowly, it may be awhile longer before life returns completely to normal. However, if you have been working remotely, it may be a good idea to reincorporate some of the elements of your regular routine into your schedule now.

Not only will maintaining a sense of normalcy help you to feel more productive and more like yourself again, it could also help make the transition to the workplace smoother when it does occur. Here are a few ways to go about it:

We hope this letter finds you well. We are writing to provide you with information about the COVID-19 vaccines and encourage you to get vaccinated when they become available. The past year has been so difficult for all of us, but the vaccines offer hope for a better 2021. We are all looking forward to reconnecting in person with our friends, our families and our communities. The more people who get vaccinated, the quicker that can become a reality.

The City of Somerville has launched phone lines that residents can call to listen to recorded updates on COVID-19 vaccine information. Five lines, each with a different language, are available. Because vaccination information is changing rapidly, these lines will be updated frequently and will only provide the latest information. For additional vaccine information, sign up for City alerts and visit the websites listed below.  

By Jim Clark

Somerville Police officers were dispatched to a Washington St. location last Wednesday on reports of an unarmed robbery.

Upon arrival, the officers were flagged down by the victim and his cousin, who told them that they had been in the victim’s vehicle with a friend, identified as Alex Payne.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

Friendly disclaimer: hitch hiking is extremely dangerous and no one should ever do it!

On my walk last week I heard the song Hitchin’ a Ride by Vanity Fare. It came out in 1969, when I was 16. It got me reminiscing.

By the time I reached Somerville High School in 1969 something was happening to the youth of America. Our hair got longer, our music got groovy and our clothes were … different. We wore bell bottom pants and the peace sign was getting popular. Some of our friends were sent to fight in Viet Nam and there were peace rallies everywhere.

Here is the COVID-19 update for Wednesday, January 27. Please also check somervillema.gov/covid19 for information and resources that are updated frequently.

The City Council has taken steps calling on law enforcement authorities to put enforcement of prohibitions against possession and use of entheogenic plants on low priority, pending official decriminalization.

By Jim Clark

A resolution was put forward at the latest meeting of the Somerville City Council supporting the decriminalization of entheogenic plants.

Defined as plants and natural sources such as psilocybin mushrooms, cacti, iboga and combinations of plants similar to ayahuasca, their use as a psychedelic drug of choice for many since the 60’s brought about criminalization as part of the larger “war on drugs” on a national scale.

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

By Jack Connolly
Business/Property Owner on College Ave.
Lifetime and Longtime Davis Sq. Resident
Former Somerville Ward Six Alderman & Alderman at Large

It’s no secret businesses in Davis Square, and throughout the area, are suffering and CLOSING brought on by the chaos caused by the Covid 19 virus.

Look at who are closed now in Davis sq.; Somerville Theatre, the Rosebud Diner, the Painted Burro, Dunkin’ Donuts, Sligo Pub, Spoke, Au Bon Pain, and the Rite-Aid pharmacy is closed, complete with graffiti tags. Who’s next?

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

By Matthew McLaughlin
President and Ward 1 Councilor

The second President of the United States and author of the Massachusetts Constitution, which in turn influenced the United States Constitution, was very skeptical of the public. While his support for a strong executive branch, and even a constitutional monarchy, was tempered on the national level, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts embraced Adam’s strong-man form of government.