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.

Chief Lending Officer Kevin Gatlin

Winter Hill Bank, a community bank, has announced that Kevin J. Gatlin has been promoted to Chief Lending Officer. Mr. Gatlin will now be responsible for the strategic direction of the commercial lending function of the Bank, and overseeing the management and development of the Bank’s commercial, residential real estate lending and other lines of business. In addition, as a member of the Bank’s Executive Management Team, he will work closely with senior leaders to focus on the strategic growth of lending relationships.

If there’s something we Somervillians love and hold dear, it’s our public playing grounds – especially the grassy ones! And we have come to learn that it takes a considerable amount of both care and cash to keep them in tip top form and safe for all of us to make use of.

Eagle Feathers #212 – The Yankee Sculptor

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

Horatio Greenough was born in Boston in 1805, attended Philips Academy in Andover, graduated from Harvard College in 1825, spent the greater part of his life in Italy and died in Somerville. He was a member of the National Academy of Arts and Sciences which is now headquartered on Beacon Street in Somerville.

Steve Milice, September 11, 6:49 a.m., arrested at Prospect St. on charges of open and gross lewdness and violation of city ordinance possession of a dangerous weapon.

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I talked with Amanda Hill, the artist who created the wonderful mural at the Cambridge Health Alliance site in Somerville. A lot has been written about the mural, but I wanted to get a little more about the artist, in her own words. From her website:

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Reza Tokaloo is a poet, writer – and recent transplant from Somerville to Brattleboro, Vermont – and digital-electronic music composer and performer. Tokaloo has published poetry and fiction in print and online in the Somerville area since 2009, and in southern Massachusetts since the early–late 1990’s. He has also returned to creating and composing his own brand of electronic music blending his love of poetry, fiction and philosophy under the name Mesh Ensemble Muzik (located on Soundcloud).

Starting on Tuesday, September 15, and continuing through Friday, October 9, 2020 (excluding weekends), the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) will implement a closure of the Mystic River Greenway in the City of Somerville at Blessing of the Bay Park from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. to accommodate pathway reconstruction work. Proper signage will be posted and alternative routes for pathway users will remain available along Shore Drive.