Hear that? Yup, lots of cars leaving the city, heading north to NH and Maine to open up summer places or just to take a few days off. The usual mass exodus to the Cape is happening as well. So hopefully it will be quiet around here this summer. We hope everyone has a safe and happy summer. Happy July 4th, Independence Day.

Orange Blossom Special will be rocking out at PA’s Lounge this Thursday, July 6.

By Jim Clark

Southern California rockers, Orange Blossom Special, are heading into Somerville on Thursday, July 6, for a spirited evening of high-energy music at PA’s lounge.

The band is currently sweeping across the country in support of their latest release, Here Goes Everything, in a tour they have entitled “Loud, Live, & in a Dive.”

The city’s Food and Nutrition Services Department is once again engaged in its annual summer meals for Somerville youth program. Kids under the age of 19 can get free meals at various locations throughout the city from now through August 18.

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Somerville writer Randy Ross didn’t need an agent because he sold his book on his own to a willing publisher. The novel, God Bless Cambodia, reached fruition through a long and arduous process. Ross, a man lingering on the cusp of 60, met me at the Bloc 11 cafe on a rainy, late spring morning. Ross is resplendently bald (like yours truly) and has a lot of nervous energy and a quirky sense of humor.

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The Ibbetson Street Press has released a new book of poetry, A New Path, by a 100-year-old bard by the name of Joseph A. Cohen, who writes about WWII, love, art, his experience immigrating to the U.S., his family, music and much more.

Did instant potatoes kill potatoes?

New Technologies change many things. But not everything. You may tweet, blog, surf, shop, or search online, but you continue to read your free community paper. You just proved it.

~Photos by Claudia Ferro
The city hosted its annual Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration at Trum Field on Thursday, June 29, beginning with live entertainment at 6:30 p.m. Performances by the United States Air Force Heritage of American Band, local Disco-Funk band Booty Vortex, and the Somerville Sunsetters led up to a 30-minute fireworks display.

Committee to identify funding priorities for ~$2 million per year in affordable housing, historic preservation, and open space projects.  

Do you have a passion for affordable housing, historic preservation, and parks and open space? The City of Somerville wants your help and is now accepting applications for one public position on the Community Preservation Committee, which oversees the selection of projects to be recommended for funding by an estimated $2 million in annual Community Preservation Act (CPA) revenues. Residents are encouraged to apply and applications must be submitted by August 3, 2017.

Arrests:
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Phylecia Rucker, of 15 Ferndoro, Dorchester, June 26, 5:17 p.m., arrested at Artisan Way on a charge of larceny over $250 and on a warrant charge of larceny over $250.

Joseph Donovan, of 11 Woodbridge St., Cambridge, June 27, 9:04 a.m., arrested at Buena Vista Rd. on a charge of assault with a dangerous weapon.

On Tuesday, July 4, City offices will be closed for the holiday. Starting Tuesday trash, recycling, and yard waste pickup will be on a one-day delay. On the Fourth of July there will be no street sweeping and meter and residential parking permit enforcement will not be in effect.