Great news: Urban Axes has officially reopened. You can book one of the following axe-periences online starting today at https://urbanaxes.com/boston/book-now

They we have a max cap of 24 customers at a time, they can have 4 groups of 6 (max) or people can book groups of 2 if they want. Unfortunately they are not allowed to resume their food and beverage options at this time.

Unfounded rumors going around suggesting that ritualistic mutilation of pets was taking place in Somerville were disputed by police in a statement released on Thursday. The release reads as follows:

(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)

Clinical trials for COVID-19 using placebos raise an ethical issue. In a pandemic with thousands dying, the conventional trial method of a double-blind study in which the identity of those receiving treatment versus a placebo is concealed from both patient and administrator does not make sense. Ethically, in a pandemic where the virus claims lives at a staggering rate, can we give a person a placebo knowing that they are not protected and could die or suffer permanent severe organ damage.

By Jim Clark

Somerville Police officers were dispatched to the area of Prospect St. and Somerville Ave. last Friday evening on reports of a man exposing himself.

This call came after receiving a similar report of a man matching the same description exposing himself inside the Target store on Somerville Ave about an hour and a half earlier.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

September is back to school season and although this year will be very different, we are still reminded of our wild and crazy high school days.

Recently I posted a question: mention something you were good at in high school. Comments came from Somerville High School students from the 60’s, 70’s and so on.

The City of Somerville will install protected bike lanes on Route 28 across the Wellington Bridge thanks to a MassDOT Shared Streets and Spaces Program grant award. This new statewide funding program supports public health by facilitating quick-build projects that provide new or repurposed space for socially-distanced walking, bicycling, dining, retail, and bus travel during the coronavirus pandemic.

The natural grass fields have been hard-packed over years of use and when it rains water “sheet flows” into Alewife Brook and causes pooling on the fields. Residents, like Erin Turco, as well as athletes, should see a difference with the new drainage system. — Photo by Denise Keniston

By Denise Keniston
tw:@denisekeniston

West Somerville resident Erin Turco walks her dog Wally most days and when it isn’t raining, she heads to the Dilboy Stadium and Fields complex. Because of limited recreation space in Somerville, natural grass athletic fields often double as recreation spaces for residents like Turco. “These fields are disgusting!” says Turco. “They are especially gross in the spring and fall. When it rains there’s mud, muck, and the rain forms pools of standing water which attracts bugs.”

Two indoor recreation facilities in particular – Brooklyn Boulders and Urban Axes – are struggling to stay afloat until current COVID-19 restrictions are eased.

By Jessica Sisavath

It was announced that Somerville has moved into Phase 3, Step 1, allowing a few businesses to open, such as yoga, dance studios, and other fitness facilities. On September 8, Tuesday, the businesses that were allowed to open with restrictions would be able to do so. However, two known indoor recreation businesses in Somerville are forced to keep their doors closed – Brooklyn Boulders and Urban Axes.

Please remember, it is important to support local businesses during this trying time. Sadly, True Bistro in Teele Sq. had to permanently close their doors on September 6. They are sharing this message with the community: “The best way that you can take action to protect independent restaurants, is to contact your local representative about the Restaurants Act and ask that they pass this business-saving legislation. If you’re interested, more information on the Restaurants Act is available at saverestaurants.com.”

By Emmanuel Vincent

This past Thursday, the public meeting of Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development’s (OSPCD) HUD Year One Action Plan took place. Hosted by the Mayor’s Office, this was a virtual assembly, which abides by Governor Baker’s emergency orders as it relates to the Open Meeting Law. Highlighted were the action plan goals for 2020-2021, which includes sectors such as Economic Development, Housing Rehabilitation and Homeless Prevention Programs.