This year’s festival and theme is Loops, design work by Dave Ortega.

By Amy Swain

Somerville is gearing up for the annual ArtBeat Festival in Davis Square. This event has been a Somerville staple since 1986. July 17 and 18 will see Davis Square transformed into a world of loopy expression and creativity – the theme of this year’s event is “Loops.”

Rachel Strutt, Somerville Art Council’s Cultural Director, has been part of organizing the festival for thirteen years. Her excitement about this year’s theme is that it is so open: “It’s playful and can be interpreted in many ways.”

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors of those commentaries and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

Union Square Neighbors encourages restoration of historic Eberle Building in Union Square as US2 moves in

Union Square Neighbors (USN), a grassroots, independent neighborhood association comprised of residents and stakeholders in Union Square congratulates the US2 master developer team on their recently announced plans to partner with WorkBar and establish a joint office and co-working space in Union Square on the ground floor of the historic Eberle Building at 31-34 Union Square.

Get ready to laugh this Thursday as SomerMovie Freeze continues with Dumb and Dumber. Stop by Seven Hills Park in Davis Square for the movie, which will start just after sunset.

The drawing of names of candidates for ballot position in the Ward Six Race for Alderman was recently held at City hall.

The names of the candidates will appear as follows:

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.