— Photos by Bobbie Toner

On Thursday, July 16, the Somerville community was invited to a groundbreaking ceremony marking the long-vacant former Star Market site’s transformation into 319 new homes, including 136 affordable units. City officials joined residents in the ceremony, and free refreshments were enjoyed by all.

Somerville’s Veterans Breakfast for Purple Heart Recipients takes place on Thursday, July 23. The city’s Veterans Services Division is hosting a breakfast for local veterans and their families. Ahead of National Purple Heart Day on August 7, this breakfast will honor Purple Heart medal recipients. This event will take place at the Highlander Cafe at Somerville High School (81 Highland Ave.) at 9 a.m. Register to attend by emailing veterans@somervillema.gov.

It seems as though we cannot get enough of the farmers market scene in Somerville. They have become time-honored traditions and perennial mainstays of alternative commerce in the city.

There is something special about shopping for fresh produce, discovering unique arts and crafts vendors, and enjoying live entertainment in the open air. We feel a sense of camaraderie, too, as we gather to take in the sights, sounds, flavors, and aromas that permeate each market site.

Eagle Feathers #358 – Meadows to Metropolis      

Before the European settlement of what is now Somerville’s Mystic River waterfront, nature ruled the shore. Rich green meadows of grass that were as tall as the observer first caught the explorers’ eye.

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By Michael Todd Steffen

Shakespeare’s wonderful fantasy comedy of otherwise and elsewhere, all about the confusion of young lovers and the curative transformations brought about by the woodland fairies – A Midsummer Night’s Dream is back, for its third performance in the 30-year life of Shakespeare on the (Boston) Common, directed by Steven Maler.

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Zvi A. Sesling, Poet Laureate of Brookline, MA, 2017-2020, has published poetry and flash fiction nationally and internationally. He won First Prize in the Reuben Rose International Poetry Competition held in Israel and was featured at the 2010 and 2019 Jewish Poetry Festivals. He edited Muddy River Poetry Review and edits 10×10 Flash Fiction. He reviews for The Boston Small Press and Poetry Scene. He is a five-time poetry Pushcart Prize nominee. His flash fiction story was also nominated for a Pushcart Prize.

Last week, I joined neighbors, advocates, and friends @librarianical, @votejivan, @stevengoesbigtime , @goldman.laurie , Makayla, Austin, and many others for a bike ride from Inman Square to Boston City Hall and back in honor of Louisa Gag and in support of safer streets for everyone.

Somerville Health and Human Services is sharing that testing by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) has detected West Nile Virus (WNV) in mosquitoes collected from Somerville. Somerville remains at a “Low” risk level for WNV. The first WNV-positive mosquitoes in the state this year were collected on June 16, and 21 mosquito samples have now tested positive for WNV. There have been no animal or human cases of WNV reported in the state so far this season.