OCTOBER 28, 2020 TWENTY-FIVE CENTS Inside: Music, Peace and Excitement – Early Voting Going Smoothly in Somerville

VOL. 8 NO. 44 SOMERVILLE, MASS. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2020 TWENTY-FIVE CENTS Inside: Music, peace and excitement – early voting going smoothly in Somerville

By Anqi Zhang Strolling along streets on the sunny Saturday af- ternoon of October 24 in Somerville, one could find it natural to slow down and watch the sur- roundings – paths covered with yellow and red leaves, creatively decorated houses and yards, festive storefront. And the long line stretching from the entrance of Somerville City Hall to the square’s back was in harmonious order. Full size The line was for early voting for the 2020 State Halloween (Presidential) Election, taking place from Octo- page 3 ber 17 to October 30 in Somerville. In addition to voting in person, this year all residents are eligible to vote by mail, with the deadline of returning their ballots being before 8:00 p.m. on November 3. Until October 24, approximately 5,000 Somerville residents have been participating in the city’s early voting program since October 17. Somerville residents have taken part in early — Photos by Anqi Zhang voting, according to Nicholas Continued on page 4 Somerville artist debuts pandemic- born paintings at art gallery

By Rachel Berets Avoiding the conflicts While riding the Somerville Bike Path from his page 11 home to his studio this spring, Somerville artist Wilhelm Neusser watched the natural world come back to life in all its color and intensity, just as stay-at-home orders went into effect. Neusser sensed a disconnect between the growth of the changing season and the stifling nature of life during the pandemic. This disconnect inspired Neusser’s latest solo exhibition, titled The Sixth Season, which is on display from now until mid-December at the Abigail Ogilvy Gallery in Boston. His exhibition uses elements of the traditional landscape painting as a filter for a spring season lost to the pandemic. The landscape paintings that Neusser started in March are brimming Somerville's with bright layers of yellow forsythia, obscuring Ally Sass a cloudy blue-green background. page 15 “It all started to bloom and spring was pop- Somerville artist Wilhelm Neusser's "Downhill" - oil on canvas, 48” x 66" - currently on display at Abigail ping, but we were kind of not Continued on page 6 Ogilvy Gallery in Boston. — Photos by Julia Featheringill Photography 2••OCTOBER 28, 2020

Somerville Weather Forecast for the week of October 28 – November 3 as provided by the National Weather Service DAY CONDITIONS HIGH/LOW PRECIPITATION HUMIDITY WIND

Wednesday Rain 50°/43° 49% 23% SW 7 mph October 28 The views and opinions expressed in Newstalk do not necessarily reflect those of The Somerville Times, its publisher or staff. The column has many contributors. Thursday Rain 50°/35° 89% 27% N 6 mph This Halloween, Saturday, October 31, the city invites all October 29 residents to join in celebrating Howl-o-ween. Put on a face Friday covering at 6:30 p.m. and give your best Halloween growls, Rain 40°/27° 90% 26% NNE 16 mph October 30 ghost boos, and woops (or to just politely holler out your COVID-19 woes and frustrations) from your door or win- Saturday Sunny 45°/32° 1% 14% NNE 8 mph dow. Closer to Halloween, the Somerville Arts Council will October 31 also be sharing a map of Halloween decorations if you’d like to plan your own spooky stroll, as well as a list of virtual Hal- Sunday Cloudy 56°/35° 19% 12% S 12 mph loween happenings. https://somervilleartscouncil.org/. November 1 ****************************** Join SCC on November 7 at 6:00 p.m. for a Light Up Somer- Monday Sunny 43°/32° 21% 9% WNW 15 mph ville Illuminated Walk. Join in for a socially distant and safe November 2 Illuminated Walk to spread awareness about the dire need Tuesday for affordable housing in Somerville. Walk participants will Sunny 47°/33° 0% 8% WNW 13 mph be given a handmade lantern representing one of SCC's 100 November 3 Homes. They will walk from Dunkin' Donuts, 220 Broad- NOTE: Conditions subject to change. Always check a daily forecast prior to activities that can be affected by the weather. way through the streets in safe pods of less than ten and end in Leathers Park. If you care about keeping Somerville equi- table, inclusive, and affordable, please be a part of our inau- gural walk. This is a family friendly event. Masks required. #SomervilleforAll #KeepSomervilleLit TheSomervilleTimes.com ****************************** Happy birthday this week to several locals: Happy birthday Comments of the Week to a very good friend a super guy Richard Hart of the famous Hart family. We wish him a very happy 80th. He deserves the Response to: Somerville seeking resident to serve on City’s best. Happy birthday to one of Somerville’s nicest real estate Conservation Commission agents, Clifton Verdieu, who also grew up in East Somerville. Yet another poster says: He works for Century 21 North East Norton Group RE. Happy birthday to a former alderman and great guy, Dennis We have a conservation commission in Somerville? We have wetlands? We have nature? How did Sullivan. A nice guy who served Somerville for many years. I not know this? We wish him a very happy birthday. Happy birthday to Eric Erb, from Somerville, who is celebrating this week. Happy Michael says: birthday to another good guy who served Somerville years YAP- wetlands aren’t the biggest issue the commission needs to deal with in Somerville, though ago, Charles Chisholm. We hope he has a great birthday. And finally, happy birthday to another great guy and writer, we do have the Mystic River to the north. Don’t be confused by the name of the MA law which the Timothy Gager. A very talented Continued on page 7 commission is there to enforce. Note, for example, that “stormwater engineering” appears before wetlands in the posting.

Response to: SMC Honors 2020 – Celebrate Community Media in Somerville 699 Broadway, Somerville, MA 02144 Joe Lynch says: [email protected] Once again, congratulations to all the award recipients and honorees. Terrific job all.

www.thesomervilletimes.com SaaS website says: 617-666-4010 • Fax: 617-628-0422 A great journey, congratulations to all the winners and participants. Good luck for your future.

www.facebook.com/ @somervilletimes thesomervilletimes Response to: Squash, Plain & Simple Lynne LeNoir says: Publisher – Somerset Valley Publishing Inc. Great article! Great recipes for fall Editor – Jim Clark – Bobbie Toner Assignment Editor Response to: Community meeting: Washington St. bus and Advertising Director – Bobbie Toner bike lane pilot Arts Editor – Doug Holder dave says: Writers: Jim Clark, Denise Keniston, Dedicated bike lanes are nice, but dedicated bus lanes are a bad idea (included ones on Broadway Isabel Sami, Rachel Berets, Elizabeth Long and Prospect already installed). Contributors: Jimmy Del Ponte, Dorothy Dimarzo, Blake Maddux, Bob Doherty, Ross Blouin Bus lanes seek to get bus riders to their destination a few minutes (at best) earlier at the expense Photographer: Claudia Ferro of making traffic worse for everybody else and taking away parking. It’s just not worth it. There is one bus per 15 minutes, perhaps, and a nonstop flow of people in cars that are being delayed The Somerville Times is published every Wednesday because of the lost lane. The cost-benefit analysis simply does not support a bus lane, and it’s time A proud member of the following newspaper organizations: for pro-MBTA/bike voices to admit that not every idea that benefit MBTA riders or cyclists is actually smart policy.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte Halloween, full size If there's ever a real my friends and I carried full size pillow- argument compar- cases. Everything back then (60's-80's) ing these days to the was bigger. Cars were bigger, toys seemed good old days, two bigger and, of course, Halloween candy words can help win bars were ... full size. the discussion, full On Halloween night the streets were size. Not just can- full of kids. Each house on my street near dy bars either. Back Davis Square, had a family with kids. then there was no such thing as fun size. There were parents and kids everywhere. And instead of a regular size goody bag, As always, I've asked some of my Somer- ville friends to share their memories of Halloweens gone by. Peter: "I remember sitting on the living room floor trading candy I didn't like with my sister, and they were full size candy bars!" Sophia: "We had six kids trick or treat- ing for candy, so it was a candy store at the end of our run. We kids brought so much candy home, my mom emptied shoe boxes and filled at least a dozen of them according to the type of candy. My with Tarzan like sound effects played in favorite boxes were the Milky Way bars the background, another year a witch. and Milk Duds." She was unrecognizable and the atten- Pamela: "We used to leave our house in tion to detail was insanely good. What Ball Sq. to trick or treat with pillow cas- good times." es for bags. We would go back when they Bob: “I remember hiding the wood for were full. One year we each filled six pil- the bonfire in the Northeastern JR High low cases. Wish I had that energy today!" schoolyard from the ‘authorities’ until we Maureen: "Lasting memory for me until were sure the coast was clear and then it the end of time, Mrs, O’Hare on High- was ‘burn baby burn.’" land Rd., dressed up in costume and scar- Jon: "There was an elderly couple ing all the kids. One year it was a gorilla somewhere in our Continued on page 12 4••OCTOBER 28, 2020

Music, peace and excitement – early voting going smoothly in Somerville CONT. FROM PG 1 Salerno, the Chairman of the Blewett said that the voting Board of Election Commis- process has been “very positive.” sioners for Somerville. Com- “People have been very respect- pared with four years ago, he ful and have been observing said the figure was “a little bit social distance,” he said. “We've less” due to a series of safety had musical entertainment, protocols including setting up which is lovely.” fewer polling computers, con- He was speaking to Mike ducting social distancing. Block, who was playing cello at On the second floor of City the corner of the square for the Hall, voters waited before en- voters in queue. Block is the tering the ballot room. Inside, creator of Play For The Vote, a each booth could only be used grassroot organization offering by one person to register their musical performances at polling votes. The cleaning staffer sani- locations across the country. tized the booth right after each “Our goal is simply to make voter left. voting a more positive experi- The staff set up tents at the ence,” said Block, who already entrance, under which they or- got his mail-in ballot. “I've al- ganized the line and controlled ready run into two friends who the number of people entering were in line to vote, so it's nice the building. Richard Blewett to feel connected to everybody,” said with a delightful voice when their understanding towards the ately as they come in, I want to is an election worker was in he said. asked about her feelings after necessary waiting and satisfaction make sure that we got ours in as charge of distributing the yel- Jamie Baik, 28, chose early finishing voting. She came with with the orderly polling process. early as possible,” Chappell said. low envelopes to the people in voting to avoid busy crowds. Brian Chappell, 35, who shared Both working full time, doing ear- “I feel amazing! It's so cool! It's line. The envelope is for voters She prefers not to do mail-in her joy. “I feel giddy. It's cool to ly voting on a Saturday better fits so invigorating!” said 19-year- to fill in their information, and because she felt unsure about it. be able to do our civic duty, to do their schedule, and they wanted to old Isabel Montanez-Roderick is sealed up with the ballot in- “I know it was like kind of like what we can to help change some save the worry about ballots get- after finishing her first ever vot- side before voters put it into a extra paranoid, but I live here, things around here,” he said. ting lost on the way. ing experience on this special ballot box. It is the same enve- so why not?” she said. They waited in line for more “Considering Massachusetts Saturday. Her father witnessed lope for voting by mail. “So great!” Katie Kottas, 35, than 50 minutes, and expressed starts to count votes immedi- the moment with her. OCTOBER 28, 2020••5

Three Somerville polling places The Somerville Times relocated for November 3 election Three of Somerville’s polling places have Historical Fact of the Week been relocated for the November 3 election to accommodate COVID-19 safety Eagle Feathers #216 measures. All other polling locations will remain the same as they were for the Sep- tember primary election. If you plan to vote in person on November 3, don’t forget to Mr. Philadelphia double-check your polling location. By Bob (Monty) Doherty

The new polling locations are as follows: To say that Russell Conwell made some people feel good about themselves is a colossal underestimate. He was best Ward 2 Precinct 3 known as the founder and first president of Philadelphia’s New Location: Argenziano School, 290 Washington St. Temple University, founder of an affiliated church, two Former Location: Fire station at 651 Somerville Ave. hospitals, and author of the inspirational speech, Acres of Ward 5 Precinct 2 Diamonds, which he gave over six thousand times. During New Location: Kennedy School, use the entrance across the street from 21 Sartwell Ave. his life time, he lectured to over eight million listeners, ed- Former Location: Brown School ucated over ten thousand students and repeatedly turned down requests to name the school after himself. Ward 5 Precinct 3 New Location: Kennedy School, use the entrance across the street from 21 Sartwell Ave. Former Location: Fire station at 265 Highland Ave. You can look up your polling location by visiting www.somervillema.gov/mysomerville and entering your address. You can also call 311 for assistance. All polling locations are open from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Election Day, November 3.

Vote by Mail and Early Voting Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, all Massachusetts voters can vote by mail this year. Ap- plications for a November 3 election ballot must be received by the City of Somerville Elections Department by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 28. If you are returning your vote by mail ballot via one of the City drop boxes, it must be in by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3. If you are returning it by mail, it must be received by Friday, November 6, with a postmark no later than November 3. Voters also have the option of casting their ballot in person during early voting, which continues through Friday, October 30. All early voting takes place at Somerville City Hall, 93 Highland Ave., and the remaining schedule is as follows:

Tuesday, October 27, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 28, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday, October 29, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. He was born in South Worthington, Massachusetts and Friday, October 30, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. educated at Wilbraham Wesleyan Academy and Yale Uni- versity. Before the Civil War, his parents used their home By taking advantage of early voting, anyone wishing to vote in-person can help spread out crowds, as a station on the underground railroad. He married and which will help with social distancing. If you have questions about early voting, please email elec- moved with his wife Sarah to Somerville, Massachusetts, [email protected] or call the Elections Department via 311. where they worked in real estate and started a city newspa- Visit www.somervillema.gov/elections for more voting information or call 311 to connect with per, The Somerville Journal. the Elections Department.

While living on College Hill, he wrote History of the Great Fire in Boston, one of his ten books. This confla- gration of November 9-10, 1772 destroyed 776 buildings. He and his wife had two children, a daughter and a son, Leon, who would later become a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives and the 19th Mayor of Somerville. When war clouds came, Russell helped Continued on page 12 6••OCTOBER 28, 2020

COMMENTARY

The views and opinions expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor ofThe Somerville Times do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions ofThe Somerville Times, its publishers or staff. To honor Justice Ginsburg’s legacy, we must pass the ROE act

of Supreme Court Justice stigma, or medically unneces- Barriers like forcing young productive care. We have the op- Ruth Bader Ginsburg and the sary barriers. That is their legal people to go before a judge portunity to lead the nation by rushed confirmation of radical right. Period. to access the care they need. tearing down barriers to care by conservative Amy Coney Bar- Yet for far too many people in Or for people who learn the passing the ROE Act. rett, our reproductive rights our Commonwealth – particu- heart-wrenching news that It is time to take a stand for are at risk. Right now, 17 larly people of color, people with their pregnancy is not viable our right to reproductive justice abortion-related cases are just modest incomes, and LGBTQ+ beyond 24 weeks and who are and honor Justice Ginsburg’s one step from the Supreme people – barriers push abortion currently forced to travel across Legacy. Massachusetts can act Court – and any one of them dangerously out of reach. the country to get care that they now to make abortion safe, legal could dismantle Roe v. Wade. That’s why I am proud to be can’t get in Massachusetts – if and accessible for all. Almost 30 The reality is that our repro- a co-sponsor of the ROE Act. they can afford to do so. years ago, Justice Ginsburg said By State Representative ductive rights are holding on As a long-time health advo- Every Massachusetts resident access to reproductive care is Christine P. Barber by a thread in this country - cate, I know the ROE Act is deserves the freedom to make “central to a woman’s life, to her In Massachusetts, we often even in Massachusetts. a common-sense public health decisions that are right for them dignity.” In the legislature, we believe that our health care When someone makes the policy to preserve reproduc- and their families. Every Massa- must ensure that our laws con- rights are protected, no mat- personal decision to have an tive rights and dismantle med- chusetts patient should be able tinue to uplift dignity. ter the chaos at the federal lev- abortion, they should be able to ically unnecessary barriers to to receive care when and where That’s why I’m fighting for the el. But with the recent death access that care without shame, abortion. they need it. That includes re- ROE Act. Financial Literacy Workshop Somerville Family Learning Collaborative and the National Campaign for Financial Literacy invite you to a free virtual Financial Literacy workshop on Wednesday, October 28, from 7:30-9:00 p.m. Learn and understand strategies to improve your finances and build a strong financial foundation. Register at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdXDZulix76vUxUq4G-in2sTBTIUT0UWEEmZKHS- MOst1fRqDQ/viewform. For more information, contact Francia Reyes at [email protected], or call or text (617) 845-6014.

Somerville artist debuts pandemic-born paintings at art gallery CONT. FROM PG 1 allowed to go out,” said Neuss- mostly avoids the figure in his were considered by the Dutch to er. “There’s nature, there’s spring, paintings, making the view- be six seasons - fall, winter, early there’s this awakening, and then er contemplate and negotiate spring, spring, early summer, and there’s at the same time this kind their own relationship to the late summer. Bruegel painted six of uncertainty or skepticism of landscape. “The viewer be- large-scale landscape paintings the outdoors.” comes the figure that’s about depicting each one of the six For Neusser, these pandem- to step into the landscape,” seasons, but the spring-inspired ic-inspired works are a continu- said Neusser. painting was lost. ation of his interest in landscape Many of Neusser’s paintings The title for Neusser’s show, paintings. Born and raised in are hyper-local, such as his Sixth The Sixth Season, is a reference western Germany, Neusser has Season painting Picnic, a recog- to Bruegel’s lost spring paint- lived and worked in the United nizable scene of Fresh Pond ing and a season lost to the States for almost ten years. Reservation in Cambridge. But pandemic. His previous work includes a he also hopes a cranberry bog or Neusser also mentions the series on cranberry bogs, an es- New England scene could be ac- pressure for artists to turn a sential New England scene that cessible to a larger audience. “season lost” into a period of in- fascinated the German-born “The initial inspiration is the creased creativity. “I think what painter. “On the one hand it walk around Fresh Pond, but happened is that it drew me in is a very low-key traditional I hope this is a painting that in a good and in a bad way,” said thing, but then I thought it’s a could also appeal to someone Neusser, referring to the allure very strong picture of a certain in Munich. He doesn’t know of pandemic productivity. mood,” said Neusser. anything about Fresh Pond, “I think I got absorbed in a “There’s the expression of be- maybe it doesn’t matter, but way that was sometimes too ing ‘bogged down’ by something sees the kind of looming dark close for comfort because I and it’s called a cranberry bog. clouds and thinks this is actu- didn’t have the balance of social For me as a non-native speaker ally conveying a mood that’s encounters. At the same time that totally fit together, ‘bogged somewhat foreboding.” there were paintings where I down’ and being in the bog - it’s The “looming dark clouds” in just struggled and fought with "Bog/White Cloud" - oil on linen, 66” x 48" - currently on display at Abigail Ogilvy this kind of not knowing where the background of Neusser’s for longer and that brought out Gallery in Boston. to go or hard to get out of.” paintings are similar to those qualities that I wouldn’t have Neusser sees his Sixth Season found in Dutch 16th century received under so-called ‘nor- doesn’t know when he will go normal,” said Neusser. “It’s paintings and his work on the painter Pieter Bruegel’s series mal circumstances.’” back to creating art under “nor- not up to me to decide, but cranberry bogs as small win- Six Seasons for a Dining Room. Neusser is done fighting mal circumstances.” describing the way there, that dows to something bigger. He During Bruegel’s time, there with the painting for now, but “There will always be a new would be my goal.” OCTOBER 28, 2020••7

COMMENTARY

Our View Of The Times

As we contend with the awful effects of culling the wheat from the chaff amidst the thing that makes life in this land such So, don’t let a little rain or chilly weath- the COVID-19 pandemic, then do our all of the conflicting messages put for- a precious gift: help to decide the course er or anything else stop you. From the best to give the little ones some sem- ward on each side of almost every issue. that we are to follow in the immediate fu- troops at Valley Forge straight through blance of normalcy as they look to cel- Politics as usual, really. ture, and play their parts in writing the to our humble present-day letter carri- ebrate Halloween, we are triply tasked From the national race for the leader- historical record for what is to follow. ers, service to one’s country should not with searching our souls for the right an- ship of our country right on down to the Every single vote does count, be assured be hindered or halted due to a bit of in- swers to questions posed at the ballot box regional issues that touch our everyday of that. Vote by mail ballots can be re- convenient inclement weather. Or almost next week. lives right here at home, it is an important turned by mail to Somerville Elections anything else, actually. For some of us the choices are blessed- election day. Every eligible voter should Department, or through one of ten drop Let it be so for us as well. We are no less ly clear, while others may have difficulty consider it his or her duty to vote and do boxes located around the city. important.

Newstalk CONT. FROM PG 2

guy. We hope he has a great day. A be- and Nepali interpretation, email sber- City of Somerville will be jointly host- pany. For example, shutoffs are prohib- lated birthday to our own Mike Rais, [email protected]. ing a second online Schools Reopen- ited without DPU permission between who you see delivering the papers each ****************************** ing Town Hall on local efforts related November 15 and March 15, and if the week for us. We wish him a great year Don't forget the Union Square Farm- to the 2020/2021 school year amid utility service is necessary to heat your to come. We wish all of our Facebook ers Market is still open but is in its fi- the pandemic, including updates on home. If you are having trouble paying friends, such as Jeffery Varney, Di- nal stretch of the season. Union Square building ventilation and COVID-19 your utility bills, you may be eligible for ana Riel, Dorothy O'Malley, Russell Main Streets runs a COVID-19 pre- testing plans. Spanish, Portuguese, fuel assistance. You can also contact your Chiary, Erin DiBenedetto, Gene Be- pared market with a $15 SNAP match and Haitian Creole interpretation utility company to try and set up a pay- raldi, Candy Feldt, John Blute, Katie every Saturday until November 21, 9:00 will be available. More information on ment plan. Marsh, Cathryn Chandler Dubay, a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Union Square Pla- the meeting, including how to join, is ****************************** and Diane Sylvester Ames a very hap- za, 9:00 – 9:30 a.m. reserved for seniors here https://www.somervillema.gov/ CHA Somerville Hospital offers free py birthday. We hope everyone has a and immuno-compromised shoppers. events/2020/10/29/schools-reopen- COVID-19 testing at Assembly Row. great day. To all the others we may have For more information visit https://www. ing-town-hall. To make an appointment, call 617- missed, we sincerely wish them the very unionsquaremain.org/2020-season. ****************************** 665-2928 (Monday – Friday, 8:30 a.m. best of birthdays. ****************************** Early voting for the November 3 elec- – 4:00 p.m.). The mobile COVID-19 ****************************** Covid case counts as of October 25: a tion ends this Friday, October 30. All testing unit also offers testing in our Mental Health and Wellness total of 1,417 Somerville residents have early voting takes place at City Hall, 93 neighborhoods to make access easier Covid-19 Town Hall, Wednesday, tested positive for COVID-19 since Highland Ave., and you can find a list for residents. Mobile testing schedules October 28, 6:00 p.m. As part of a March, another 109 are considered prob- of early voting hours at https://www. and more information on both can be series of virtual ResiStat meetings be- able positive cases (some current, some somervillema.gov/departments/elec- found under the “Symptoms, Testing, ing held this fall, join the mayor, City in the past), 1,332 have since recovered, tions/early-voting. By taking advantage & Medical Info” tab on somervillema. Councilors, and staff for a meeting and sadly there have been 44 deaths. See of early voting, anyone wishing to vote gov/covid19. geared toward mental health and well- more Somerville case data on the city’s in-person can help spread out crowds, ****************************** ness during the ongoing COVID-19 COVID-19 Dashboard.https://public. which will help with social distancing. Teen Empowerment is looking for pandemic. They will also take your tableau.com/profile/cityofsomerville#!/ ****************************** Somerville youth ages 13 – 21 to join questions. You can either call in, join vizhome/SomervilleCOVID-19Dash- Information on utility shutoffs: There their team of youth organizers. Learn on Zoom, or watch on City TV. De- board2/Dashboard3. are several circumstances under which more about Teen Empowerment at tails at somervillema.gov/virtualtown- ****************************** your utilities cannot be shut off with- https://teenempowerment.org/somer- hall. Spanish interpretation and En- Schools Reopening Town Hall, out permission of the Massachusetts ville/. Sign up for an interview this glish captioning will be available. To Thursday, October 29, 6:00 p.m. The Department of Public Utilities, even month at https://tinyurl.com/Ap- request Portuguese, Haitian Kreyol, Somerville Public Schools and the if you owe money to your utility com- plyTESomerville. Continued on page 12 8••OCTOBER 28, 2020

FUN & GAMES

The Somerville Times Useless Facts of the Week Ms. Cam’s 1. Russians generally answer the phone by saying, "I'm listening." 2. Greenland is the largest island in the world.

STATEPOINT CROSSWORD Olio - (noun) A miscellaneous PROVERBIALLY SPEAKING mixture, hodgepodge #753 ACROSS 1. Where does the 7. What is the name 1. Bornean ape term “jack o’lantern” of the Vampire Mup- 6. Casino's pull come from? pet on Sesame Street? 9. Elbow-wrist connection 13. Paralyzing disease 14. Pigeon sound 2. Where is the 8. What are the only 15. Teething drops world’s longest haunt- mammals that can fly 16. Mary's subjects (1542-1567) ed house? and the only ones that 17. Ostrich-like bird 18. September stone survive on blood? 19. One responsible for someone else's 3. Who invented welfare Trick-or-Treat for 9. What was The 21. Both rodents and humans like to UNICEF? Munsters’ address? come up with these 23. Name fit for a king 24. Wedding cover 4. Who was the first 10. Mary Shelley? 25. Like a dim star First Lady to decorate 28. Head vermin the White House for 11. Who was the first 30. Like the schemes of a fool, biblically speaking Halloween? presidential wife to be 35. Thor's father referred to as FLO- 37. Cleopatra's necklace 5. What is the sig- TUS, for First Lady of 39. Blood carrier nificance of seeing a the United States? 40. Ice on a window 41. Famous Teatro alla ____ spider on Halloween? 43. Took to court 12. Who was the first 44. Prevent 6. Who wrote the US president Barbara 46. Burden of proof story Walters interviewed? 47. Leprechaun's land The Legend of 48. Fit Sleepy Hollow? Answers on page 12 50. Cabinet div. 4. Fertilizer ingredient 33. First cradles 52. Steadfast Soldier's material 5. Luke's teaching, e.g. 34. Filled with cargo 53. Letter before kappa 6. Laptop manufacturer 36. Like whiskey right out of bottle 55. European Economic Community 7. Data storage acronym 38. Classic board game 57. It increases love and friendship 8. Cowards are sometimes compared to 42. Colorado ski resort 61. It will cause additional harm this 45. Curb, two words 64. Raccoon relative 9. Encourage 49. Disney dwarf 65. Short for the Metropolitan Muse- 10. Good earth 51. ACT taker, e.g. um of Art in NYC 11. Sound on a scale 54. Dangle a carrot 67. Huey, Duey and Louie, e.g. 12. Saloon selections 56. Miss Muffet's meal 69. #41 Across location 15. Perennial garden flower 57. "The Road Runner" corporation 70. Prior to, pref. 20. Signs for escape 58. Skin infection 71. Organ swelling 22. Post-Soviet Union alliance, acr. 59. #13 Across conqueror 72. Benevolent fellows 24. Covered porch 60. J.F.K. postings 73. African tam-____ 25. Can't use these to break a skeleton 61. Bookkeeping entry 74. English county 26. Farewell, to ami 62. Don't make inquiries if you don't 27. Nimbus, pl. want to hear this DOWN 29. Gabrielle Chanel's nickname 63. Hefty volume 1. Roman goddess of plenty 31. Keep it clean to stay out of trouble 66. Chapter in history 2. It's just as unpleasant as a hard place 32. It's tastier if one is not allowed to 68. Coltrane's woodwind 3. Sunburn soother have it Answers in the next edition of The Somerville Times.

Soulution to last week's sudoku puzzle: Soulution to last week's crossword puzzle:

Answers in the next edition of The Somerville Times. OCTOBER 28, 2020••9

Alternate Halloween activities: Howl-o-Ween, Spook-tacular Stroll, and more

To help support the holiday spirit, the City of Somerville and the Somerville Arts Council are offering some fun ways to celebrate Halloween safely this year. The city is hosting a citywide Howl-o-Ween, inviting community members to don a face covering and then give their best Halloween growls, ghost boos, or to just politely holler out their COVID-19 woes and frustrations (keep it family friendly, please) from their doors and windows at 6:30 p.m. on Halloween, Saturday, October 31. The Arts Council put together an online map of outdoor Halloween decorations for a self-guided Somerville Spook-tacular Stroll. On Friday, October 30, and Saturday, October 31, pull up the map at somervilleartscouncil.org/halloween and take a walk around your neighborhood to see how many ghosts, goblins, and ghouls you can find. Help everyone join in the fun by posting photos with the hashtag #SomervilleSpooktacular. The Arts Council is also compiling a list of virtual Halloween happenings. If you’re planning to host a spooky virtual concert, show off your pumpkin carving skills online, or have a Halloween craft you’d like to teach others via the web, fill out the form on somervilleartscouncil.org/halloween to have your event included in the resource guide, which will be posted later this week.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

The views and opinions expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times do not reflect the views and opinions of The Somerville Times, its publishers or staff. Readers are invited to send letters to the editor toThe Somerville Times. Please email your letters to [email protected] or mail them to 699 Broadway, Somerville, MA 02144. The Somerville Times Reserves the right to edit letters for style, grammar and length. All letters must include an name and contact information. Contact information will not be shared with the public. We look forward to hearing from you.

New help to quit menthol tobacco moved from regular stores in Massachu- Helping people who use menthol prod- 8 weeks of FREE nicotine patches, gum products setts. With menthol tobacco products ucts quit is especially important because or lozenges are also available to residents Gift cards totaling $50 can motivate smok- unavailable and COVID-19 risks con- the tobacco industry has strategically and who speak with a coach (with medical el- ers and vapers to quit tinuing, the Massachusetts Department successfully targeted Black, Latinx and igibility). of Public Health has found a new way LGBTQ+ people with menthol prod- While supplies last, the offer of gift Dear Editor, to help people quit. The Massachusetts ucts. As a result of aggressive marketing cards can motivate smokers and vapers to Smokers’ Helpline is now offering up practices and pressures related to dis- call the Helpline. For more information Smoking and vaping may put people to three gift cards totaling $50 to peo- crimination and daily stressors, menthol contact Edgar Duran Elmudesi at the at higher risk of complications from ple who use menthol tobacco products tobacco use is high in these communities. Metro Boston Tobacco-Free Communi- COVID-19, especially because they can and the Helpline’s free coaching services. Massachusetts residents who use men- ty Partnership at 617-451-0049 x549or weaken the immune system and damage Residents can call the Helpline at 1-800- thol tobacco products who speak with [email protected]. the lungs. So, this is an especially good QUIT NOW (1-800-784-8669) about the Helpline’s supportive coaches can time for those who smoke or vape to try the program and for free coaching and receive a $10 gift card after completing Sincerely, to quit. support 24 hours each day, seven days the first coaching call, a $15 gift card af- Edgar Duran Elmudesi, MSW In addition, as a result of a new law, a week. They can also enroll online at ter the second and a $25 gift card after Metro Boston Tobacco-Free Community menthol tobacco products have been re- makesmokinghistory.org. the third coaching call. In addition, up to Partnership SENIOR CENTER HAPPENINGS: UPCOMING EVENTS of the following year. You don’t have to make the Thursdays 6:30 p.m. = LBT Fit-4-Life Zoom Exer- Healthy Eating Workshop – Wednesday, October decision alone, the Somerville Council on Aging cise 28 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on ZOOM. If has SHINE Counseling available over the phone Somerville City Cable you missed last month’s workshop, then it will be or on Zoom to assist you with finding out what RCN = 13/Comcast = 22 health insurance options are available for you. Call great for you to join us this month in our healthy The Fit-4-Life Exercise Show = Daily at 11:00 a.m. Natasha at 617-625-6600, ext. 2317, to book an eating workshop. Planning meals can be tiresome and 4:00 p.m. and gets to be redundant. Let’s share ideas on appointment. Fit-4-Life YouTube how to balance out your day with tasty, nutritious Taxi Rides - Do you need a ride? The COA has a Fit-4-Life Exercise Video # 1: https://www.youtube. meals and snacks. We will focus on getting in all new program just for you. Taxi Rides for Somer- com/watch?v=4hd26HjpwBI&t=68s of the daily food groups while enjoying some fall ville Residents 60 and Over Rides can be used for: treats. RSVP to Mary Marshall at 617 625-6600 Grocery Shopping in Somerville Fit-4-Life Exercise Video #2: https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=QwHfyoEZaws&t=247s ext. 2316 Please leave your name, number and Pharmacy Prescription pick up in Somerville – email or you may email me at headtofitness10@ Routine Medical Appointments in the following Fit-4-Life Exercise Video #3: https://www.youtube. yahoo.com. areas: Somerville, Cambridge, Medford, Boston com/watch?v=FcI2eBSS024&t=158s Box Lunch Pick Up – Thursday October 29, Begin- or the V.A. in Jamaica Plain or West Roxbury. Two Yoga YouTube ning at 10:30am - Ralph & Jenny Senior Center 9 Days Advanced Notice Required. For more infor- Yoga with Janine video #1 = https://www.youtube. New Washington Street. While we aren’t able to mation please call Connie Lorenti at 617-625- com/watch?v=vDGF_EEbqF0&t=130s share lunch together we hope you can stop by for 6600, ext. 2319. Yoga with Janine video #2 = https://www.youtube. this fun treat! RSVP is a must; spaces are limited. Friendly Caller Program - Looking for a way to com/watch?v=6Zezcj9XXBU To enjoy a box lunch please call Connie at 617- practice social distancing but still remain con- For questions or to register for a Fit-4-Life Zoom 625-6600 ext. 2319. nected to other people? Look no further than exercise class, please contact Chris at CKowaleski@ Mask Pick Up – Tuesday, November 3 – 10:30 the Somerville Council on Aging's Friendly Phone somervillema.gov or call 617-625-6600, ext. 2315. a.m. to Noon – At the Ralph & Jenny Center Caller program. We have many wonderful volun- located at 9 New Washington Street. The COA has teers who are waiting to give you a call. Whether SOCIAL MEDIA masks available for Somerville residents who are you are looking to make a new friend or would 60 and over. If you are in need of a mask or may just like a friendly chat to look forward to every Stay connected via our Facebook page - often know of a friend or neighbor who may need a new week, this program has you covered. Call Natasha updated by Debby or Maureen. Informative, enter- mask, you can pick it up at our Drive -Thru loca- at 617-625-6600, ext. 2317 to learn more about taining, lots of photos and updates. Visit our page tion. If you have any questions, please call 617- the program and to sign up. at https://www.facebook.com/SomervilleCOA/ 625-6600 ext. 2300. EXERCISE JOIN OUR MAILING LIST ONGOING EVENTS Exercise Schedule If you would like to receive a virtual copy of our monthly newsletter and daily tips please contact Open Enrollment for Medicare is here. October 15 Mondays 1:00 p.m. = Fit-4-Life Zoom Exercise Maureen Bastardi at 617-625-6600, ext. 2335 or to December 7. - Medicare recipients are able to Wednesdays 9:00 a.m. = Fit-4-Life Zoom Exercise change their health insurance plans for January 1 email Maureen at [email protected] Thursdays 1:00 p.m. = Fit-4-Life Zoom Exercise 10••OCTOBER 28, 2020

LEGAL NOTICES

Legal Notices can also be viewed on our website at www.thesomervilletimes.com

Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Middlesex Probate and Family Court 208 Cambridge Street Cambridge, MA. 02141 (617) 768- 5800 CITATION ON PETITION FOR FORMAL ADJUDICATION City of Somerville MIDDLESEX Division Docket No. MI20P4632EA City of Somerville ZONING BOARD OF APPEALS PLANNING BOARD Estate of: City Hall 3rd Floor, 93 Highland Avenue, Somerville MA 02143 City Hall 3rd Floor, 93 Highland Avenue, Somerville MA 02143 Linda J. O’Leary PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE Date of Death: 01/09/2019 The Somerville Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) will hold a public The Somerville Planning Board (PB) will hold a public hearing on To all interested persons: hearing on Wednesday, November 4, 2020 at 6:00pm. Pursuant to Gov- Thursday, November 5, 2020 at 6:00pm. Pursuant to Governor Bak- ernor Baker’s March 12, 2020 Order suspending certain provisions of A Petition for Formal Adjudication of Intestacy and Appointment of er’s March 12, 2020 Order suspending certain provisions of the Open the Open Meeting Law, M.G.L. Chapter 30A, §18, and the Governor’s Personal Representative has been filed by: Meeting Law, M.G.L. Chapter 30A, §18, and the Governor’s March 15, March 15, 2020 Order imposing strict limitations on the number of 2020 Order imposing strict limitations on the number of people that people that may gather in one place, as well as Mayor Curtatone’s Timothy D. O’Leary of Somerville, MA may gather in one place, as well as Mayor Curtatone’s Declaration Declaration of Emergency, dated March 15, 2020, this public hearing requesting that the Court enter a formal Decree and Order and for of Emergency, dated March 15, 2020, this public hearing will be con- will be conducted via remote participation. such other relief as requested in the Petition. ducted via remote participation. The meeting will be held using GoToWebinar. The Petitioner requests that: The meeting will be held using GoToWebinar. TO USE A COMPUTER TO USE A COMPUTER Link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/regis- Timothy D. O’Leary of Somerville, MA Link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/524231061764304139 be appointed as Personal Representative(s) of said estate to serve ter/669920750131564557 Webinar ID: 357-358-091 Without Surety on the bond in an unsupervised administration. Webinar ID: 237-994-835 TO CALL IN TO CALL IN Phone number: 1 (562) 247-8422 You have the right to obtain a copy of the Petition from the Peti- Phone number: +1 (415) 930-5321 Access code: 282-956-925 tioner or at the Court. You have a right to object to this proceed- Access code: 214-362-495 ing. To do so, you or your attorney must file a written appearance The Zoning Board will consider the following pursuant to M.G.L. 40A and objection at this Court before: The Planning Board will consider the following pursuant to M.G.L. and the Somerville Zoning Ordinance: 10:00 a.m. on the return day of 11/13/2020. 40A and the Somerville Zoning Ordinance: This is NOT a hearing date, but a deadline by which you must file 200 North St Applicant and Owner, LaCourt Foundation, LLC, 76-82 Central Street East Coast Remedies, Corp. seeks a Use a written appearance and objection if you object to this proceed- c/o Mouhab Rizkallah, seeks a revision to Special Permit to establish a Cannabis Retail ing. If you fail to file a timely written appearance and objection Condition #1 of the previously granted special Establishment in the MR4 district. followed by an Affidavit of Objections within thirty (30) days of permit ZBA 2017-125. the return date, action may be taken without further notice to you. Development review application submittal materials and other doc- 9 Clifton St Applicant and Owner, Sherri Gildersma, proposes umentation may be viewed online at https://www.somervillema.gov/ to split the existing lot into two and to construct a UNSUPERVISED ADMINISTRATION UNDER THE MASSACHU- departments/ospcd/planning-and-zoning/reports-and-decisions. permitted building type on the resulting noncon SETTS UNIFORM PROBATE CODE (MUPC) Interested persons may provide comments to the Planning Board at forming vacant lot. The development proposal A Personal Representative appointed under the MUPC in an un- the hearing or by submitting written comments by mail to Planning & requires multiple variances. supervised administration is not required to file an inventory or Zoning Division, 3rd Floor City Hall, 93 Highland Avenue, Somerville, annual accounts with the Court. Persons interested in the estate 120-132 Middlesex Ave Brickyard at Assembly, LLC proposes a MA 02143; or by email to [email protected]. are entitled to notice regarding the administration directly from master plan for a 1.03 acre development the Personal Representative and may petition the Court in any site in the Assembly Square Mixed-Use 10/21/20, 10/28/20 The Somerville Times matter relating to the estate, including the distribution of assets District of a 18-story laboratory building and expenses of administration. providing approximately 644,000 gsf and a payment in lieu of the required civic Witness, Hon. Maureen H. Monks, First Justice of this Court. space, which requires a Hardship Variance. Tara E. De Cristofaro Development review application submittal materials and other doc- Date: October 15, 2020 Register of Probate umentation may be viewed online at https://www.somervillema.gov/ departments/ospcd/planning-and-zoning/reports-and-decisions. 10/28/20 The Somerville Times Interested persons may provide comments to the Planning Board at the hearing or by submitting written comments by mail to Planning & Zoning Division, 3rd Floor City Hall, 93 Highland Avenue, Somerville, CITY OF SOMERVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS MA 02143; or by email to [email protected]. OFFICE OF STRATEGIC PLANNING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT JOSEPH A. CURTATONE 10/21/20, 10/28/20 The Somerville Times MAYOR GEORGE J. PROAKIS, AICP EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR LEGAL NOTICE - HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION (HPC) CITY OF SOMERVILLE PURCHASING DEPARTMENT The Somerville Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) will hold a RFP # 21-24 virtual public meeting / public hearing on Wednesday, November 4, 2020 at 6:45pm Lease or Purchase of Space for Assembly Square Fire Station The purpose of this public meeting / public hearing is to approve ma- The City of Somerville, acting through the Purchasing Department in- terials and minor architectural details for two new residential struc- CITY OF SOMERVILLE vites sealed proposals for a lease or purchase of commercial space tures at 9-11 Aldersey Street and to approve the restoration of the PURCHASING DEPARTMENT for use as a fire station to service the neighborhoods of Assembly existing historic structure located at same, as ordered by Judge Wil- IFB # 21-01 Square and Ten Hills. liam Ritter of the Massachusetts Superior Court, Middlesex District, in accordance with his remand order. A Certificate of Appropriateness The City of Somerville, through the Purchasing Department invites A request for proposals (RFP) and specifications may be obtained will be issued. Somerville Historic Preservation Commission case sealed bids for: online at https://www.somervillema.gov/departments/finance/pur- number: HPC 2013.085 . Applicant Name: Gerard Meehan, Trustee for On-call Painter for the City chasing and from the Purchasing Department, City Hall, 93 Highland G&T Realty Trust. An invitation for bids (IFB) and specifications may be obtained at the Ave., Somerville, MA 02143 on or after Wednesday, October 14, 2020. Purchasing Department, City Hall, 93 Highland Ave., Somerville, MA. Sealed proposals will be received at the above office untilNovember Pursuant to Governor Baker’s March 12, 2020 Order suspending cer- 02143 on or after: Wednesday, October 28, 2020. Sealed bids will be 13, 2020 at 12:00 p.m. at which time sealed proposals will be opened. tain provisions of the Open Meeting Law, M.G.L. Chapter 30A, §18, and received at the above office until: 11/12/2020 at 12:00PM EST at which The Purchasing Director reserves the right to reject any or all propos- the Governor’s March 15, 2020 Order imposing strict limitations on the time sealed bids will be open. The Purchasing Director reserves the als if, in her sole judgment, the best interest of the City of Somerville number of people that may gather in one place, as well as Mayor Cur- right to reject any or all proposals if, in her sole judgment, the best would be served by so doing. tatone’s Declaration of Emergency, dated March 15, 2020, this public interest of the City of Somerville would be served by so doing. The preferred space will be located within the Assembly Square / Ten meeting and hearings will be conducted via remote participation. The contract term shall be for a period of 1 year. Hills neighborhood and encompass a minimum of 15,000 sq. ft. The To use a computer: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/regis- City anticipates building out and finishing the space to function as a ter/2060389543363693840 Access code: 793-069-563 To use a phone: A 5% bid deposit is required. Prevailing wage applies to this procurement. branch fire station. call 1 (415) 655-0060 & use access code 338-800-294 For more information, please contact Prajkta Waditwar: pwaditwar@ If the property owner is offering a lease, the lease term must be for Note: Written comments due to [email protected] NO somervillema.gov thirty (30) years. All property leases held by the City of Somerville are LATER THAN NOON one week prior to meeting date. Cases may Prajkta Waditwar subject to approval by the City Council. Refer to the RFP for details be continued to a later date; please check the agenda (posted 48 Construction Procurement Manager and contact the Purchasing Department in writing with any questions hours in advance of the meeting) on the City website. Email histor- 617-625-6600 x. 3407 by October 28, 2020. [email protected] with inquiries. 10/28/20 The Somerville Times 10/21/20, 10/28/20 The Somerville Times 10/21/20, 10/28/20 The Somerville Times

Notice of Self Storage Sale Please take notice Prime Storage - Somerville located at 39R Medford St., Somerville, MA 02143 intends to hold an auction to sell the goods TO PLACE LEGAL ADVERTISMENTS IN stored by the following tenants at the storage facility. The sale will oc- cur as an online auction via www.storagetreasures.com on 11/9/2020 at 12:00 PM. Unless stated otherwise the description of the contents THE SOMERVILLE TIMES, are household goods and furnishings. Russel Eliacin unit #0171; Emi- ly Paron unit #0261; Roberta Mendoza unit #0431; Patricia Knight unit #1302; Judith Nunes/Vinfen Corp. unit #307B. All property is being stored at the above self-storage facility. This sale may be withdrawn CONTACT US BY 12 PM MONDAY at any time without notice. Certain terms and conditions apply. See manager for details. PH: 617.666.4010 FAX: 617.628.0422 10/21/20, 10/28/20 The Somerville Times

Legal Notices can be downloaded from our website: www.TheSomervilleTimes.com OCTOBER 28, 2020••11

LEGAL NOTICES As COVID anxiety grows, tips Legal Notices can also be viewed on our website at www.thesomervilletimes.com to avoid crisis and conflict Among mask mandates, social distancing, outspo- ken political views and personal challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic, there is a heightened risk for public spaces turning into places of conflict. According to experts at the Crisis Prevention Insti- CITY OF SOMERVILLE, MASSACHUSETTS OFFICE OF STRATEGIC PLANNING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT tute (CPI), the global leader in de-escalation training JOSEPH A. CURTATONE for over 40 years, mentally preparing and practicing MAYOR GEORGE J. PROAKIS, AICP responses can best ensure non-confrontational expe- EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR riences. Potential challenging situations could include LEGAL NOTICE - HISTORIC PRESERVATION COMMISSION (HPC) disagreements over mask requirements or social dis- The Somerville Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) will hold a tancing, family gatherings, shopping lines, acclimating to more densely populated work environments or nav- public meeting and public hearings on Tuesday, November 17, 2020 at 6:45pm on the following applications, in accordance with the His- igating political discussions. toric Districts Act, Chapter 40C of the Massachusetts General Laws, as amended, and/or the City of Somerville Code of Ordinances, Pt. II, “Having trained teachers, nurses and others who interact with the public, and being a social worker myself, Chap. 7, Sections 7-16 – 7-28. I know the immense need for de-escalation training in the workplace and in everyday life,” says Amber Belle, Pursuant to Governor Baker’s March 12, 2020 Order suspending certain provisions of the Open Meeting Law, M.G.L. Chapter 30A, §18, and a global CPI trainer. “Learning conflict-prevention techniques can help ensure you have positive experiences the Governor’s March 15, 2020 Order imposing strict limitations on the in your community.” number of people that may gather in one place, as well as Mayor Cur- tatone’s Declaration of Emergency, dated March 15, 2020, this public CPI has identified probable areas of conflict and how to best mitigate tension. They recommend embracing meeting and hearings will be conducted via remote participation. four simple techniques to prevent and reduce conflict: TO USE A COMPUTER Registration URL: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/regis- 1. Avoid judgment. Understand that everyone has different life experiences and may be overwhelmed ter/1017778741966988043 with struggles and anxiety from things you know nothing about. Listen and focus on the feelings behind Webinar ID: 347-015-875 the message. TO CALL IN Phone # : +1 (631) 992-3221 2. Don’t take it personally. Another person’s behavior is not about you. You are likely not the true target of Access code: 987-850-408 someone’s behavior. Tell yourself, “This may not be about the two of us; it may be about other issues in their DETERMINATIONS OF “PREFERABLY PRESERVED” (STEP 2 IN THE life.” Or repeat to yourself, “I’m going to be respectful. I’m going to be respectful.” DEMOLITION REVIEW PROCESS) (Public Hearings) HPC.DMO 2020.21 – 211 Holland Street 3. Control your reactions. You can’t control another person’s behavior, but you can control how you react. Applicant: Silva Realty 8, LLC Avoid using facial expressions, gestures and language that could make another person feel anxious or defen- Owner: same as applicant Demolish principal structure sive. While City Hall continues to be closed in response to the COVID19 pandemic, case documents reviewed by the HPC are only available 4. Be prepared if you have to engage. Have a plan to acknowledge and redirect. Here are some things you on the City website at https://www.somervillema.gov/departments/ could potentially say: historic-preservation/hpc-cases. Cases may be continued to a later date; please check the agenda (posted 48 hours in advance of the meeting) on the City website or email [email protected] to • “Yeah. This year has been difficult on everyone.” inquire if specific cases will be heard.Continued cases will not be re-advertised. Note: Written comments due to historic@somerville- • “I can understand where you’re coming from.” ma.gov NO LATER THAN NOON one week prior to the meeting date. Email [email protected] with inquiries. • “We’ll all be glad to have this pandemic behind us.” 10/28/20 The Somerville Times Over four decades, CPI has trained more than 15 million individuals in its techniques, spanning many industries and professions, especially health care and education. CPI tracks violent incidents in the industries it trains, and data shows that de-escalation skills, when used correctly, can quickly decrease violence regardless Massachusetts temporarily pauses of the industry. all indoor ice rink and ice skating facilities operations For more de-escalation tips and information on de-escalation, visit www.crisisprevention.com. Due to rising cases of COVID-19 connected to During a particularly tense time in our nation’s history, having a few techniques at the ready can help you indoor ice hockey, the Massachusetts Department avoid conflict wherever you are.(StatePoint) — Photo © YurolaitsAlbert / iStock via Getty Images Plus of Public Health issued a new public health order prohibiting indoor ice rinks and ice skating facilities from operating from October 23, 2020 to November 7, 2020. Safe holiday season volunteering ideas This order is in response to multiple COVID-19 The economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandem- clusters occurring at rinks throughout the state ic have created instability for many. Looking for following games, practices and tournaments. ways to give back? Consider these socially distant Neighboring states including New Hampshire volunteer ideas: have enacted similar temporary restrictions regarding indoor ice hockey. • By hosting a virtual fundraiser, you can support a non-profit organization and amplify its work while There have been at least 30 clusters of COVID-19 connecting with friends and family during an unusual associated with organized ice hockey activities in- holiday season. To get people excited about the cause, volving residents from more than 60 municipali- go beyond simply asking for donations. For example, ties in Massachusetts. Each of these includes two host a dance-a-thon to be conducted over video con- or more confirmed or probable COVID-19 cases, ference and have each participant rally to get sponsors. totaling 108 confirmed cases. Or, perform a concert and live stream it, asking friends Current protocols include limitations on the to make a donation in order to watch. number of people allowed in an arena, social • Spread holiday cheer by donating toys, books, games and other gifts to kids who may not otherwise receive distancing and other precautions. This order gifts this season. Just be sure to review the policies of the organization you select. For example, some charities includes all indoor ice rinks and ice skating fa- ask that gifts remain unwrapped. At the same time, look for drop-off sites thwat allow you to donate in a safe, cilities in Massachusetts. These rinks and facili- socially distant way. ties may not operate during this temporary two- week pause. It went into effective 5:00 p.m. on • Older adults often lead isolated lives, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated these circum- October 23, 2020, to 12:01 a.m. on November stances. Unfortunately, isolation and loneliness can lead to depression and a number of other health risks. Be- 7, 2020. College and professional programs are come a pen pal to an older adult in your community. Whether you write to each other with handwritten cards exempt from this order. and letters or you use video conferencing, your friendship will provide much needed connection. (SPM Wire) 12••OCTOBER 28, 2020

Historical Fact CONT. FROM PG 5 Halloween, full size organize and captain Company F of the 27th For decades there was a Hires warehouse be- CONT. FROM PG 3 Regiment Massachusetts Infantry, better hind Trum Field. neighborhood who used to Thank God we could run fast in known as the Mou ntain Boys. He rose to Lieu- Somerville’s Conwell Street, Conwell Avenue, make 4-5 dozen homemade taf- those days!” tenant Colonel, a patriot who was twice wound- and the former Conwell School carry on the fam- fy apples. They made the taffy This year, because of the virus, ed in battle during the Civil War. This life-al- ily name, as well as Gordon-Conwell Theological themselves. When they ran out we will have a scaled down, fun- tering experience and the death of his young Seminary in South Hamilton, Massachusetts. In they would apologize and of- size Halloween. Exercising safe- wife changed his course of atheism to religion. 1923, two years before his death, Conwell was fer you either some homemade ty precautions, including masks, Before leaving Massachusetts, he established a honored with The Philadelphia Award created by cookies or a quarter." under your masks and social West Somerville Mission. Edward Bok which is the City of Brotherly Love’s Mike: “Some of the things we distancing hopefully will ensure He became a practicing minister, first in Lexing- equivalent to the Nobel Prize. To them, he was did on Halloween (as kids) that we go back to a full-size ton, and then on to Philadelphia. There he began their “Mr. Philadelphia.” could still get us jail time today! Halloween next year. lecturing in the basement of a warehouse. In time, he had so many followers that people scalped tickets to listen to his inspirational advice. His self-confidence teaching method was a prelude to Dale Carnegie’s style. In 1876 Conwell asked one of his students, Charles Hires, a part-time druggist, to concoct a soft drink substitute for alcohol. He wanted It to appease the Temperance Movement and appeal to the rough and tumble Pennsylvania miners. Hires did as his friend asked and re- turned with a beverage he referred to as “herb- al tea.” Conwell suggested that the name be changed to “root beer,” a product to be marketed to tough laborers. Today, hundreds of root beer recipes stock our shelves, one of which is our From page 8 local Tower Root Beer. Hires became America’s second soft drink, preceded only by ginger ale. Ms. Cam’s

Newstalk CONT. FROM PG 7

Kitty Connection, an all-volunteer non-prof- To learn more about Kitty Connection and pets it dedicated to rescuing and finding safe, lov- available for adoption, visit: www.kittyconnec- Answers ing homes for local cats and dogs, will hold its tion.net. 1. From an Irish folktale 6. Washington Irving fourth annual Silent Auction online this year ****************************** about a man named Stin- due to health and safety concerns during the Reminder: city buildings are still closed to the gy Jack 7. Count von Count COVID-19 pandemic. The online event will public. Although city buildings remain closed to 2. The Haunted Cave in 8. Vampire bats run from 6:00 p.m. Thursday, November 12 the public, a number of city services are still avail- Lewisburg, Ohio through 6:00 p.m. Sunday, November 15 at able online or by calling 311. Check the “City 9. 1313 Mockingbird www.myminiauction.com/kittyconnection. Kit- Service Status” tab on the city's COVID-19 3. Mary Emma Allison, Lane ty Connection will share auction guidelines and page for more information. 1950 policies on the auction website the week before ****************************** 4. Mamie Eisenhower in 10. Mary Shelley the November 12 – 15 online event. Items up Don’t forget, if you would like to subscribe to 1958 for bid will be listed at the auction start time. receive a digital edition of our paper, go directly 11. Mary Todd Lincoln, Kitty Connection is still accepting donations for online to our website over to the right side and 5. It is thought to be it was an acronym used by the silent auction. To donate, or for any ques- fill out your email address to receive a free, full the spirit of a loved one White House staff tions, please email [email protected]. PDF copy of the paper. watching over the person who finds the spider 12. Richard Nixon

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Bobby''s Dad Jokes Corner By Bobbygeorge Potaris On This Day in History Why couldn't the skeleton go to the prom? October 28 He had no body to go with. 1636 – Harvard College, the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States, is founded in Cambridge, MA. 1793 – Eli Whitney applies for a patent on the cotton gin, a machine which cleans the tight-clinging seeds from short-staple cotton easily and effectively. To advertise in 1886 – The Statue of Liberty, originally named Liberty Enlightening the The World, is dedicated at Liberty Island, NY. 1904 – The St. Louis police try a new investigation method: fingerprints. Somerville 1914 – George Eastman announces the invention of the color photographic Times process. 1919 – Over President Wilson's veto, Congress passes the National Prohibi- call tion Act Bobbie Toner 1962 – Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev orders Soviet missiles removed from Cuba, ending the Cuban Missile Crisis. 617-666-4010 1965 – Construction completed on the St. Louis Arch. OCTOBER 28, 2020••13

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OFF THE SHELF by Doug Holder Somerville's Ally Sass: A playwright who thrives in our "earthy, queer and very artful" city

I have always loved the theatre, and over the years I have culture/elitism surrounding food that I observed while interviewed a number of aspiring and accomplished living in Brooklyn. The meatball sub of course was a met- playwrights, actors, directors, etc. So, it was a pleasure aphor for the things that aren’t on-brand about us that to connect to Ally Sass, who despite the pandemic keeps we keep hidden away. I would say that every-day-objects on keeping on. can spark a lot of inspiration for me. They typically tap Doug Holder: You are originally from Cambridge, but into something that I didn’t realize was on my mind, but you have lived in New York and now "The Paris of New once I start writing about them, I can’t stop. England," Somerville, MA. As a writer, how has your DH: My brother Donald Holder is a Tony Award– SOMERVILLE Somerville experience stacked up? winning lighting designer, so I have to ask, how import- Ally Sass: I think Somerville is a really special part of ant is lighting in your plays? edited by Doug Holder Boston. It actually feels like the Cambridge I grew up in AS: Lighting is crucial in any play! One of the best yrical in the late 90s/early 2000s; earthy, queer, very artful. I classes I took as an undergrad at the University of Ver- LListen is Steven Cramer’s sixth collection live near Union Square and love everything the area has mont was “Fundamentals of Lighting” taught by John of poetry. The book’s inaugurating sub- to offer. During my first year of grad school, I wrote late Forbes. We had to make a 10-minute performance just ject, a prolonged struggle with depression, at night and as a form of procrastination, I would go to by lighting a certain object to music, and it was one of the the Somerville Market basket and buy a few different ex- coolest projects I had ever partaken in. So many compo- brings closer to home the purely imagined otic fruits. I don’t know why, but that became a highlight nents of technical theater must fuse together in the right speaker of Cramer’s previous book, Clang- of my first year. I was excited to really explore the area way to make a play compelling. Lighting can set the tone ings (2012), whose language manifested the now that I’m in my third year of school and not taking in these inexpressible ways – it’s definitely the facet of “clang associations” of manic and schizo- classes, but because of the Pandemic, a lot of the fun stuff technical theatre that I’m most interested in. phrenic speech. Listen’s poems face what has shut down. Finding community is harder right now, DH: You are working on your MFA at Boston Univer- Dickinson called “that White Sustenance/Despair,” offering but I can still appreciate the liveliness of Somerville. sity. Have you worked with Kate Snodgrass? How has DH: Do you feel it is still true that Boston is a tryout the program fueled your growth as an artist? deeply intimate lyric testimony about a widespread human con- town, and a playwright has to go to Broadway to make a AS: Yes, I often refer to Kate Snodgrass at the Fairy dition. But, as Kevin Prufer writes, “these poems begin in depres- name for oneself? Godmother of Boston theatre. Kate is amazing. She sion, but their territories are wide, diverse, and very vivid.” The AS: Returning to Boston for my MFA in Playwriting, I works endlessly to make this program run smoothly, to later sections of Listen intensely grapple with the magical think- was actually delighted to experience a really thriving the- give us the opportunities that will help us grow as artists, ing that shapes, or misshapes, our deepest attachments; drama- ater scene. Through my awesome professors, I go to see a and has some of the coolest shoes I’ve ever seen. Kate tize the anxieties of this especially perilous moment in history; lot of shows in the area that really blew me away. I know is extremely knowledgeable about the American theatre, and ultimately pay homage to the fragile consolations of art. plenty of Boston theater makers who are constantly and there are many artists in Boston who would say that working here, and feel no need to relocate. And because they are very much indebted to Kate. I certainly feel that of the size, you can form community really quickly. That way. I have gained an immense amount of knowledge COSTCO said, one can also take advantage of how close Boston is from this program, both artistically and professional- to New York. The theater scene in New York is of course ly. The opportunities that Boston Playwright’s Theatre Jars of Heinz the size of Grecian urns; much bigger, and one can certainly make a name for provides to graduate students, including our extensive enough Reynolds Wrap to foil an asteroid, themselves in both cities. While having a play produced in-class writing workshops, collaborations with profes- on Broadway is a fun goal to have, Broadway itself it real- sional actors, and most importantly, our third-year thesis Eros in particular. Who’s not aroused ly only one facet of the American theatre and can actually productions, are unparalleled. What I consider to be the have some limitations in terms of what kind of work can most impressive aspect of our playwriting program is by sales? My cart’s heavy as the Fiat be produced, how “marketable” it is, etc. Some of the best that, while having only transitioned from an MA to a ful- plays I’ve seen have been outside of that community. ly-funded MFA program in the past six years, it’s gained I watched four Romans lift into a spot DH: You will be on a Zoom conference for the Boston a level of national recognition and alumni success com- downwind from the Coliseum’s air Playwright's Theatre that is based at Boston University. parable to top MFA programs that have been around for What is this about, and what will you talk about? decades. This program has helped me understand who I of cat piss. Sun through skylights AS: Yes, on November 24th I will be chatting on am, what I write and how I write. makes lap-tops, flat-screens, and vats Zoom with BPT Artistic Director, Kate Snodgrass, as DH: How has the pandemic affected you, and your well as with my thesis director, Erica Terpening-Romeo, work? about my new play, Very Good Boys, and Other Myths. AS: It’s been a bummer. But also, weirdly a gift? First, of Tide shine. Putti-like, kind of, This is part of a series called “BPT Talks,” where each BU the part of it that has been that hardest is that since this sparrows loft down from the vaults. MFA Playwright is given an opportunity to discuss their is the third year of our program, our thesis year, we were thesis play, and also present a short excerpt from the play. each set to have a full production run for two weeks; ac- But when a day’s gone oyster-gray, Very Good Boys and Other Myths is a story about a tors, set, costumes, director, everything. These shows of its weight a ten-pound tub of putty, mother named Elaine, and her son, Avery. After Avery course had to be cancelled and rescheduled for next year leaves his high school due to bullying, he takes refuge (let’s pray). This was a major shock to all of our systems. through online through World of Warcraft, Youtube, Much of our schooling was preparing us for these pro- all the wholesale sponges in the world and the “incel” community. In attempt to get through to ductions in some way or another. We each have spent can’t suck up this sense that I’m a poor Avery, Elaine makes her own account on World of War- months sitting with these scripts, priming them for the craft, only to become fixated by the game herself and get stage. It’s also unnerving not know what the future looks generic thing, reduced to Creature lost in the realm that Avery finds himself in. The play like for theatre on the whole, but my guess and my hope Double Feature’s Incredible Shrinking then explodes into a modern, mythical journey deep into is that it will be absolutely come back, and stronger than the underworld of a mother and her son. What starts before. I know I personally have been deeply craving the as an exploration of various internet communities, be- opportunity to sit and absorb a live performance again. I Everyman. His six-pack pre-steroid, comes a surreal exploration of masculinity, gender, and will say though, the extra time to sit with my script has a three-cent stamp for his loincloth, the internet. This play is a continuation of an ongoing been really illuminating. I’ve had new, unexpected time fixation I have with masculinity and all that it imposes to dive deep into the story in a way that only this precar- he dueled housecats with a safety pin, on a society. ious period could have evoked. giving heart to boys small for their age, DH: In one of your plays, a pedestrian meatball sub is DH: Tell us a bit about new projects coming up. the smoking gun for conflict among a group of vegetari- AS: Very Good Boys, and Other Myths, which was pre- until he kept on shrinking to a voice-over ans. Do you find that the most banal of objects can seed viously scheduled for January 2021, will happen some- a play for you? time next year, 2021-2022. I will have a workshop of of cosmic dust, hack actor risen to the stars. AS: Yes, that play was a lot of fun. That wasThe Clea- this production in this spring though, and I believe there nout, a one-act play about four vegan artists living to- will be a Zoom reading of the play, with actors. I’m also — Steven Cramer gether, who essentially implode as a community when working on another play titled, Zygote, which dissects a someone finds a meatball sub in their fridge. That play modern Jewish-American family’s relationship to the Is- To have your work considered for the Lyrical send it to: stemmed from a prompt I was given to write a play where rael-Palestine conflict. I’ve also begun writing a TV pilot. Doug Holder, 25 School St.; Somerville, MA 02143. [email protected] the central object is a refrigerator. Immediately, this sto- We will see where it all leads! ry came out, which I guess was a response to a certain Check out allysass.com 16••OCTOBER 28, 2020