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Susan Tepper is the author of six published books of fiction and poetry. She lives in the NY area with her husband and her dog Otis. She has been a writer for twenty years. www.susantepper.com.

The Somerville Police Employee’s Association, in conjunction with the Massachusetts Municipal Police Coalition, announced today that a rally will take place at Somerville City Hall on Thursday, July 28, to protest the continued display of the “Black Lives Banner” at the City Hall entrance area. The statement reads as follows:

The Massachusetts Municipal Police Coalition, in conjunction with the Somerville Police Employees Association, will hold a rally at the Somerville City Hall on Thursday, July 28, 2016 from 5:30 p.m.  to 7:30 p.m.  to protest the display of the Black Lives Matter banner by Mayor Joseph Curtatone above the entrance to the Hall. The rally will be peaceful and respectful, but will demonstrate the solidarity of police organizations in Massachusetts to the exclusionary message that the banner sends.   In the face of the continuing assassination of innocent police officers across the country as an apparent offshoot of the BLM movement, it is irresponsible of the City to publically declare support for the lives of one sector of our population to the exclusion of others, including police officers.  While we support the core goal of the BLM movement – equal treatment under law – we find the banner’s message disrespectful of police officers and potentially encouraging to individuals who pervert that message through the indiscriminate murder of our counterparts around the country.

Arrests:
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Daniel Grammer, of 91 Ames St., Dorchester, July 19, 4:08 p.m., arrested at Middlesex Ave. on warrant charges of possession of a class B drug, possession of a class C drug, possession of a class E drug, and violation of municipal bylaw or ordinance.

Christopher Bullen, of 7 Henderson St., July 19, 8:20 p.m., arrested at Highland Ave. on a warrant charge of assault and battery on a public employee.

With summer here and many Somerville residents heading to nearby pools, Chief David Fallon and the Somerville Police Department are urging everyone to use caution in order to stay safe while they find ways to cool down.

The CIT/ LIT Job Readiness Program held its graduation on July 19, 2016 from 12:30-2:00 at The Arthur D. Healey School on 5 Meacham Street.  The graduating class consisted of students between the ages of 13-15, who dedicated four-weeks out of their summer to participate in a program that taught them about job readiness and leadership skills. Throughout the four weeks these students learned how to lead children, the significance of leadership and communication, the meaning of diversity, how to solve conflicts, and employment training. This program not only taught the student’s skills that they need to work with children but also gave them the opportunity to work with kids at camp settings at The Somerville YMCA’s Summer Day Camp and the Somerville Recreation’s Somertime Day Program.

Craving a nice frozen hoagie? Have no fear, they’re here in Somerville.

By Amy Swain

Frozen Hoagies – it’s exactly what it sounds like. Is it an ice cream sandwich? Well, owner Mary McPartland says, “A hoagie is more than an ice cream sandwich. It is two scoops of small batch ice cream between two homemade from scratch cookies.”

Volunteers & City Launch State-Supported Program to Offer Discounted Solar

As part of the State’s Solarize Mass program, local volunteers and the City of Somerville recently launched the Solarize Somerville campaign to make it easier and cheaper for residents and small businesses to install solar panels.

Temperatures are expected to be high through the weekend and we urge all residents to review these hot weather information and safety tips:

Residents are invited to visit the following buildings to stay cool any time this summer:

• Central Branch Library, 79 Highland Ave., 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday; and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday. All library branches are closed on Sundays during the summer.

On Sunday, July 24, 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.,Union Sq Plaza, celebrate two cultures in one event, a festival full of song, dance, and art. Haiti and Brazil hit the ‘Ville is a celebration of Somerville’s diverse population, specifically the Haitian & Brazilian communities. This event is put on in collaboration The City of Somerville’s SomerViva program. This year’s festival includes: Face painting, hair braiding, and bouncy houses. Featuring many community partners and local organizations. Performances by Bobo’s band, Banda Raizes de Forro and Aline Venturin Os Forrozeiros group. Food by Haitian restaurant Pikliz and Brazilian market Mineirão, and much more.

State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg, Chair of the Massachusetts School Building Authority (“MSBA”), and MSBA Chief Executive Officer Maureen Valente, announced today that the MSBA Board of Directors voted to move Somerville High School into the Schematic Design phase of the MSBA Capital Pipeline. In the Schematic Design phase, the City and the MSBA will look at options for a potential addition and renovation project at the existing High School. The next step is for the MSBA to work in collaboration with the District to produce detailed designs for a potential project.