pandemic Archives

Outdoor dining construction at Redbones, May 2022. Photo by Jason Pramas. Copyright 2022 Jason Pramas.

ANOTHER SEASON OF OUTDOOR DINING BEGINS

City still working to help restaurants survive (Somerville Wire) – Somerville’s dynamic restaurant industry is one of the pillars of the local economy. To keep it from collapsing during the unique challenges of the past two years, city leaders altered some licensing rules to make it a little easier for

LINDA PINKOW May 3, 2022

THE PANDEMIC PAYDAY CONTINUES—FOR CONSULTANTS

Image via City Life/Vida Urbana Mass uses questionable tools to investigate eviction relief applicants State officials are spending more than $750,000 of COVID-19 aid on corporate consultants who will investigate applicants for eviction relief by running analytics on applications that housing advocates say can prevent residents from getting the relief

DAN ATKINSON April 12, 2022

SOMERVILLE WIRE: MARCH 15, 2022 WEEKLY ROUNDUP

No more mask mandate for City buildings, a police staffing and operations analysis, and a Makers Movement Huddle Articles SMART BOXES COME TO SOMERVILLE Will the City’s pilot program be a step towards addressing the rat problem? BUSINESS PROFILE: MAHALAB BAKERY “Artisanal Mediterranean products with a twist” OPINION: TYING UP

SHIRA LAUCHAROEN March 15, 2022

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR SOMERVILLE TO LIFT ITS MASK MANDATE?

The City enters into a new phase of the pandemic (Somerville Wire) – On Feb. 18, the day that Boston Mayor Michelle Wu decided to lift the B Together Initiative that required visitors to show their vaccine cards at certain indoor, public spaces, Irene* went to Aeronaut Brewing Company, a

SHIRA LAUCHAROEN March 8, 2022

PANDEMIC HOUSING RELIEF: END OF AN ERA

Governor Charlie Baker tours the new Heights at Haverhill apartment community on Nov. 5, 2020. Joshua Qualls/Governor’s Press Office Mass diverts eviction relief funds to investigate fraudulent applications As thousands of Massachusetts residents face eviction, the administration of Gov. Charlie Baker is cutting back aid payments designed to keep people

DAN ATKINSON January 31, 2022

DOES SOMERVILLE NEED A SMALL BUSINESS LIAISON?

Business leaders call for a point person who could facilitate processes

SHIRA LAUCHAROEN October 26, 2021

TEEN EMPOWERMENT PROVIDES PANDEMIC SUPPORT, ADDRESSES VIOLENCE

According to Program Director Danny McLaughlin, the organization serves as an intervention

SHIRA LAUCHAROEN August 24, 2021

SOMERVILLE ESTABLISHES PUBLIC INDOOR MASK MANDATE

With the Delta variant on the rise and kids going back to school, the City takes cautious steps

SHIRA LAUCHAROEN August 24, 2021

HOW HAIR SALONS HAVE EMERGED OUT OF THE PANDEMIC

The past year has been challenging, but for some, they have seen radical change (Somerville Wire) – With approximately 68% of Somerville fully vaccinated, according to the city government’s dashboard, many hair salons are beginning to return to something close to a sense of normalcy. The City is even seeing

SHIRA LAUCHAROEN July 6, 2021

ARTS PROFILE: KATHERINE SMALL GALLERY

An inner look at the graphic design enthusiast’s haven (Somerville Wire) – Tucked away on the Cambridge Line, you may happen upon the Katherine Small Gallery. It’s true to the suggestion of its name—the intimate space once held “standing-room only lectures,” packing as many people as possible into a room,

SHIRA LAUCHAROEN June 29, 2021