ArtFarm promises to become a haven for the arts and a focal point for Somerville’s creative community.

By Sarah Levine

The area of Somerville near the Brickbottom district and Poplar Street used to be something that Somerville would not be proud to call its own. Home to a waste transfer station, residents often complained of rodents and unpleasant odors.

By Tom Bannister

Rumors are flying as to why the latest Director of Veterans Services has been placed on leave pending an investigation.

Art Beat 2015 is happening this weekend starting on Friday the 17th, 6:00-10:00 p.m. and again on Saturday the 18th, 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in Davis Square. This year’s festival theme is Loops. Line up and content is looping in, check it out. Art Beat is one of the area’s largest and most innovative arts festivals, with over a dozen bands, dance troupes, 75 craft vendors, food and loop-themed activities. Let’s celebrate all things that loop, encircle, repeat and play back in endless cycles. Various artists and community members explore how looping – the repetition of a pattern, sound or idea – informs a work of art or a concept. “Loops” evoke many things: music that repeats a riff throughout an entire song or performance, dance in which movement suggests circles, looping film shorts, and cylindrical visual works of art. They will be celebrating circles and all things loops in the Davis Square block repeatedly throughout the festival as well as theatrical performances in which scenes are repeated in Groundhog Day-esque fashion. It’s time to abandon linear thinking! It’s time to loop back.

Area residents took advantage of the opportunity to voice their opinions on the proposed placement of a new fire station at the 515 Somerville Ave. location recommended by Mayor Curtatone and Fire Department officials.

By Josie Grove

The Finance Committee, Committee of the Whole, of the Board of Aldermen held a public hearing on Monday, July 6, addressing the proposal requesting an Order of Taking of real estate property at 515 Somerville Ave. to provide for the relocation of the Fire Department from its current facility in Union Square.

 By Rebecca Danvers

In partnership with Union Square Main Streets, Union Square Station Associates (US2), Somerville’s master developer partner for Union Square’s revitalization, today announced its “Union Lunch” summer series showcasing delicious lunch fare from a different neighborhood restaurant each Friday through September 18th on Union Square Plaza.

Even though it has been over a month since the City of Somerville was chosen as All-America City by the National Civic League, many here are still basking in the afterglow of victory.

Pictured left to right: Rick Clark, Artie Mason, Russell “Rusty” Smith, Bob McGowan and Donald Norton.

By Donald Norton

Last week, a long awaited reunion of a small group of Villens that hung out at the “Three Bells” pizza & sub shop across from the Bucket of Blood Bar took place.

The long time friends met and enjoyed each other’s memories of growing up in Somerville together in the 1960’s.

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Somerville Bagel Bard Alice Weiss is our guest columnist this week. She reviewed the latest poetry collection by noted local poet and teacher Tom Daley.

By Jim Clark

Police officers were dispatched to the Target store on Somerville Ave. after reports of a shoplifter being detained were called in.