If there’s one thing that most Americans cherish and revere it’s our freedom to express ourselves in our political and social opinions, and to even openly protest when we disagree so strongly about various issues that confront us – peaceful protest, of course.

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I really look forward to the fall season every year. However, I always think it comes on too fast, especially since I was just getting used to the summer weather. But I always think that about every other season too.

Harold Cohen
1/16/1931 – 9/29/2020

Harold Cohen – of Salem, MA and Boca Raton, FL, formerly of Swampscott and Nantucket, MA, entered into rest on Tuesday, September 29, 2020 surrounded by his family, at the age of 89. Beloved husband of the late Janice (Samuelson) Cohen. Devoted father of Jill & Tom Bloom of Hollywood, FL, Beth & Peter Shribman of Swampscott, MA, Linda & Steven Weinstein of Marblehead, MA, and Brian & Michele Cohen of Marblehead MA.  Cherished grandfather of Jeremy & Sharlene Weber, Ross & Ari Weber, Cory Weber, Randy Weber, Danny & Laura Shribman, Nikki & Doug Lutin, Katie & Mark O’Shea, Samantha & Zach Weiss, Tim Weinstein, Karly Cohen, Jake Cohen, Jessica Cohen, and the late Charlie Madyson Weber.  Treasured great-grandfather to Ava Weber, Tyler Weber, Harry Shribman, Benny Shribman, Lizzie Shribman, Kelsey Lutin, Jake Lutin, Nathan Weber and William O’Shea. The loving brother of Gertrude Gilman, the late James Cohen and the late Melvin Cohen. Dear son of the late Samuel and Minnie (Goldstein) Cohen.

Arrests:
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Steven Andrade, September 30, 10:23 p.m., arrested at Mystic Ave. on warrant charges of carrying a firearm with ammunition, improper storage of a firearm, possession of a firearm without FID card, distribution of a class D drug, carrying a firearm without a license, and possession of ammunition without FID card.

Marvin Vivas-Miguel, October 1, 1:45 a.m., arrested at Glen St. on multiple warrant charges of possession of a class B drug and distribution of a class B drug.

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The Essential Doug Holder: New and Selected Poems
By Doug Holder
$15 Big Table Publishing
http://bigtablepublishing.com

Review by Ravi Teja Yelamanchili

Doug Holder’s poetry is an examination of people and things, but more importantly their patinas. In many of the poems there is a gentle awareness conveyed to the reader – an acknowledgement that everything will eventually deteriorate. Holder’s poetry is subtle, deeply empathetic, and captures moments of vulnerability with unmatched elegance and fragility. In the poem On the Ward: Stuffed Animals, Holder writes:

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Janelle Solviletti is a twenty-five-year-old writer from Boston. The poem is an excerpt from her debut poetry book, The Cameo, which explores the tensions and competing entities between time and love. She hopes that those who delve into her poetry will recollect moments that were once taken for granted by time’s natural order. You can find out more about Janelle or order her new book on janellesolviletti.com.

Ward Councilors, City staff, and the Gilman Square Neighborhood Association will be holding a virtual meeting on Wednesday, October 7, to present conceptual streetscape designs and roadway improvements for the Gilman Square area. The meeting will run from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and interested parties can register to attend it at http://bit.ly/GilmanSqMeeting.

~Photo courtesy of Tufts University

Up to 300 asymptomatic tests per week will be available to immediate neighbors in Medford and Somerville, starting October 13

Tufts University is launching a free COVID-19 community testing program for neighbors in Medford and Somerville who live on select streets close to the university’s Medford/Somerville campus. A limited number of asymptomatic tests will be available each week during the program, which launches Tuesday, Oct. 13 and concludes at the end of Tufts’ Fall semester in December.

With broad scientific consensus pointing to a  high risk of virus transmission at large gatherings, especially those indoors in poorly ventilated spaces, Somerville will take a more cautious approach to Phase 3 Step 2. Businesses and activities in this step will not be reopening on the state’s schedule. Local officials will continue to review the situation and provide updates. In Somerville, indoor and outdoor gatherings remain limited to no more than 10 persons until further notice, unless specifically permitted in city activity-specific guidelines.

Visit the Food and Nutrition Services website (www.somerville.k12.ma.us/fns) for this month’s Grab and Go Breakfast and Lunch menus and an expanded list of pickup times. Meals can be picked up Mondays through Fridays at the following sites (SHS and NWFC students may pick up meals at their neighborhood school):