The Shared Streets and Shared Curbs programs are being implemented in select locations throughout the city as a safety measure to help protect the public from COVID-19 exposure.
— Photos by Bobbie Toner

By Isabel Sami

The City of Somerville has started implementing a pilot for its mobility strategy in Union Square and East Somerville. Beginning June 1, East Somerville began testing Shared Streets, while on May 29 Union Square started piloting Shared Curbs, both with the goal to provide safe and open streets for residents as summer eases stay at home orders due to the pandemic. The expansion is projected to remain in place until November.

COVID-19 cases by state; CDC data as of June 7, 2020. (click to enlarge)

By Alberto Gilman

The Somerville Public Health and Public Safety Committee gathered together Monday night for their weekly virtual meeting.

Ward 6 Councilor Lance Davis called the meeting to order beginning with roll call. All eleven councilors were present.

Amal Niccoli Salon is poised to make a sweeping comeback as reopenings gradually unfold across the city.
— Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Jessica Sisavath

Lori Pino is preparing to open her salon with the new Covid-19 guidelines on June 10. Although salons and barbershops were allowed to open on June 1, Pino is taking her time to make some adjustments prior to opening to prepare her hairdressers and customers for a safe experience at Amal Niccoli.

Congratulations to all the students graduating this week! It’s been a tough and challenging time, but you all pulled through magnificently. As the world gets back to normal, your stars will shine. The Class of 2020 is the classiest of all!

Attention Somerville youth! The Mayor’s Summer Jobs Program will be accepting applications for summer 2020 starting Tuesday, June 9. Through the annual program, up to 100 Somerville teens will be placed in opportunities with City Departments, many of them virtual this year. Eligible students must be Somerville residents, enrolled in high school, and at least 16 years of age. Limited opportunities are available for youth that are at least 14 years of age with the Department of Recreation.

Eagle Feathers #205– Father’s Day

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

William Jackson Smart was the original inspiration for Father’s Day. He was born in Arkansas in 1842, the year of Somerville’s birth, and fought for both sides during the Civil War. After his supply wagon was captured, the North offered him the choice to be imprisoned or to join them … so he chose to become a Yankee.     

While passions heat up over the recent incidents of death of black men and women at the hands of police officers in cities throughout the nation, one movement has emerged as a rallying cry for those who are protesting in the streets: the “defunding” of police departments.

While the term itself is rightfully alarming to many at first, the exact meaning of what this action would actually entail ought to be made clear.

Arrests:
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Jodie Perkins, of Dorchester, May 29, 2:33 p.m., arrested at Union Sq. on a charge of unarmed robbery.

Joseph Mendez, of Medford, May 29, 5:59 p.m., arrested at Temple St. on a charge of distribution of a class A drug.

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Preeti Mehta is a social entrepreneur and the sole proprietor of Premaasi Textiles, a social enterprise based in Davis Square, Somerville.

Inspired by beautiful, hand-crafted textiles worldwide during her travels, Preeti chose to indulge her passion after pursuing careers in telecommunications, management consulting and non-profit management. Premaasi’s mission is to promote unique, hand-crafted, globally-sourced textile products in the U.S. market and to educate consumers about the value of hand-made products, the techniques used to make them and the skill of the artisans.

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Andy Hoffman writes fiction, non-fiction and poetry. Best-known for his Pulitzer-nominated biography, Inventing Mark Twain, he has recently completed a new novel, How to Live Forever. He holds a PhD from Brown University and has been an entrepreneur, primarily in educational technology, since 1997. He lives in Providence, RI.