Let’s face it, a little dose of nature goes a long way towards rejuvenating the spirit and reconnecting us to our intrinsic qualities of being products of the natural world itself.

How easy it is to meld into the fabricated configuration of stone, steel, and glass that dominates our everyday lives. And yet, there is something that is soothing and uplifting about taking a quiet walk through a forest or along the seashore, drinking in the grandest designs of all, those not made by human hands.

By Zhihong Li

Somerville residents walk by public art every day, from murals and painted switchboxes to sculptures and memorials. But, unless they were looking, a passerby might not even notice one particular creator’s art, or “not art,” as he calls it. That Somerville resident, who asked to remain anonymous, has been an artist since he was born, he says. But for the past eight years, he’s been spreading his message on the streets of Somerville, Cambridge, and Boston through a stencil that reads “NOT ART,” which he spray-paints onto surfaces and found objects.

Tree damaged on Powderhouse Blvd. from Thursday night’s storm. — Photo by Bobbie Toner

Fallen trees and other random evidence of the violent storm that hit the area overnight on July 4 was to be found all over the city the next day.

Like any fine poet Daniel Tobin casts a wide net in his new collection of poetry The Net. Tobin, like Whitman, takes it all in and uses what he finds for fodder for his accomplished work. He is always on the lookout for what transcends the material world, the steak behind the sizzle, and what makes us run like a mutt after a meat truck.

— Photos by Claudia Ferro

Somerville celebrated Independence Day Thursday night at Trum Field. Hundreds filled the streets to enjoy a night of live entertainment which included performances by the Somerville Sunsetters, Moonlighters, Disco-Funk band Booty Vortex, USO Metropolitan New York Performers, and the U.S. Navy Band Northeast Pops Ensemble. The entertainment culminated in a 30-minute fireworks display.

US Army Veteran and Somerville resident Nick Starling celebrates a great swing at the Green Monster with Boston Red Sox Assistant Hitting Coach Victor Rodriguez during a special CVS Caremark Baseball Camp held July 2 at the park. — Photos by Constance Brown Photography

To honor our nation’s heroes and recognize them for their service to our country, CVS Caremark and the Boston Red Sox today teamed up to provide veterans of all abilities from across New England with a once-in-a-lifetime experience – a batting practice and baseball skills camp at America’s most beloved ballpark, Fenway Park.

East Somerville Community School music teacher Adam N. Epstein is especially dedicated to bringing out the talents of his students.
— Photo by Claudia Ferro

By Cathleen Twardzik

Adam N. Epstein, M.M.Ed., K to 8 Music Teacher at the East Somerville Community School (ESCS), does so much good for the students at that school.

Epstein has been a music teacher at ESCS for three years for grades K to 8. However, his experience spans from teaching infants to college undergraduates.

— Photos by Claudia Ferro

Rosemary Ryan, Dining Room Manager at Somerville High’s Culinary Department celebrated her retirement with family friends and students past and present at the Dante Club in Somerville on June 19.