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I wrote this 11 years ago before walking became a life threatening activity…

Recently I made my yearly winter pilgrimage to the Chelsea Hotel in New York City. I was invited to read at the Cornelia Street Café in Greenwich Village, on the weekend of a major snowstorm. But like any toughened Somervillian it takes a lot of snow to dissuade me from my God-given path.

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Phillip Temples resides in Watertown, Massachusetts and works as a systems administrator at a local university. He’s had over 140 short stories and a novella published in various print and online publications, along with two mystery-thriller novels and a short story anthology. Phil’s third novel is slated for publication in April, 2019. In addition to his writing, Phil is an amateur radio operator and sings in a garage band.

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Mayor Joe Curtatone talks about the City’s order to cease all physical evictions and ban apartment showings in order to protect public health.

It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of John J. McKenna. He has been a beloved father, grandfather, brother, sister, uncle, aunt, cousin, and friend.

~Photo by Doug Holder

This sign thanking the many workers who continue to risk exposure to the coronavirus on the front lines was posted at a Dane St. location. We all join in the expression of gratitude for their sacrifices and dedication.

By Bob Katzen

The House approved and sent to the Senate a bill designed to help cities, towns, businesses and individuals solve some of the problems created by the Coronavirus. Provisions permit a moderator of a town meeting to declare a 30-day postponement due to a public health emergency after consulting with the Select Board; permit a Select Board to vote to extend the date of an annual town meeting beyond the existing statutory cut-off of June 30; allow towns that are unable to finalize a budget before the start of the new fiscal year to continue month-to-month spending on essential operations at the same levels as the current fiscal year; and modify local permitting processes, extending municipal tax deadlines and allowing municipalities to extend property tax exemptions and deferrals.

The Somerville Bridge Hopper, the city’s free shuttle service to help residents navigate Green Line Extension construction detours, will suspend operations effective April 1, until further notice.

Somerville Mayor Curtatone, Board of Health Issue Residential and Commercial Eviction Moratorium 

On Saturday, March 28, Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone and the Somerville Board of Health announced an Emergency Order Establishing a Moratorium on Eviction Enforcement in the City of Somerville for the duration of the COVID-19 emergency. The order, which applies to both residential and commercial evictions and goes into effect immediately, prohibits the physical act of eviction within the city limits so as to provide for the health, safety, and stability of those who live in and serve our community. It also includes orders that the in-person showing of rental units to prospective new tenants or others, as well as any other non-emergency entry, shall cease during the emergency. In a show of unity, the City Council unanimously passed measures in support of both actions.

In an effort to reduce isolation and loneliness during the coronavirus pandemic, Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SCES) has launched a new Friendly Phone Call system.

Friendly Phone Call matches older adults who are feeling isolated with an SCES team member or volunteer. Once connected, the pair can decide how often they’d like to connect, and what they want to talk about, explained SCES Assistant Director Annie Fowler.

Carefully planning the lighting scheme in your workspace can create a healthy and pleasant environment to operate in.

Many people have found themselves working from home. Whether setting up shop at the kitchen table or creating a complete home office, here are simple hacks to make your new work environment comfortable and productive.