Project Hope’s Boston Marathon runner Kyle Vernest.

On September 14, 2020, nearly 30,000 runners will run the 124th Boston Marathon®.  The 26.2-mile route extends through Hopkinton, Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Wellesley, Newton, Brookline and Boston.

Somerville’s Kyle Vernest has been running since high school and continues to do it as a way to spend time with his dog, Ollie. Kyle also ran for Project Hope in 2012. Kyle will be running for Project Hope through an entry provided by John Hancock. Each year John Hancock donates guaranteed entries to selected nonprofits, which use these entries to recruit individual runners to raise money for their cause.

The COVID-19 crisis has certainly put a damper on our ability to enjoy the usual holiday celebrations in normal ways. So it may be over the next week as both religious-minded and secular folks deal with yet another occasion in semi- or total isolation.

Somerville Firefighters Local 76 recently expressed its gratitude to Louis Antonellis and Local 103 IBEW for their generous donation of KN95 masks, so important for firefighter safety in the midst of the current coronavirus crisis.

— Photo by Sean Burns

The Somerville Theatre held an event (abiding by all social distancing laws) called “Popcorn Pop-Up” on Friday, April 3, to raise funds during this difficult time. Loyal patrons were encouraged to phone in their orders for popcorn and other snack bar treats earlier in the day for pick up that evening, which they could then take home to enjoy while watching their own favorite films. The next event is planned for Saturday, April 11, from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. at the Somerville Theatre. The theater can be reached by phone at 617-625-4088.

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Alexander Levering Kern is a Somerville-based poet, educator, organizer, and Quaker chaplain who directs the Center for Spirituality, Dialogue, and Service at Northeastern University in Boston. He is completing a book manuscript of poems based on twenty years living in Somerville, celebrating the city’s extraordinary diversity, strength, history, and character. Alex’s poems and nonfiction have been published widely and he is editor of the anthology Becoming Fire. He co-edits the new interfaith/intercultural publication Pensive: A Global Journal of Spirituality and the Arts, which is currently seeking submissions.

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Julia Carlson is a longtime member of the Somerville Bagel Bards, that now resides in the land of Zoom.

Property taxes, excise taxes and water bills will have until June 29, 2020 to pay. Cancelled events include porchfest and 4th of July fireworks.

Dear Community Members,

Somerville Public Events and Large Gatherings Canceled Through June

Today Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone announced that residents and property owners will have extra time to pay their property tax, excise tax, and water bills. He also announced that all City-sponsored or permitted public events and large gatherings will be canceled in Somerville through June, including the City’s annual Fourth of July fireworks. 

The city encourages everyone to follow CDC’s recommendation (bit.ly/3aRUOr6) to wear masks or face coverings in public. It is important to remember that these are meant to complement, not replace, social distancing. Even if your face is covered, you should still stay 6 feet away from others.