— Photos courtesy of Somerville United FC

By Christa Lee

Somerville now has its own homegrown soccer team. Soccer, being an international sport, is its own unifying language–a theme that Robert Onjiko, the coach, co-founder, and CEO of Somerville United FC, wants more of.

All city offices are closed for the Independence Day holiday on Friday, July 3. Trash and recycling pickup will be delayed by one day. All Somerville Public Library locations will be closed on Saturday, July 4, for Independence Day. Regular hours will resume on Sunday, July 5. We wish everyone a safe, Happy 4th!

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On a recent visit to Cuba, I was lucky enough to travel with a group of 15 to a restaurant named Finca Agroecological El Paraíso, located in Pinar del Rio overlooking the Viñales Valley, about a 3 1/2 hour drive west of Havana.

The Fourth of July holds a special significance in the hearts of truly patriotic Americans. Not only is it a time to celebrate the birth of our nation, but it also happens to fall at the best time of year to make good times happen, summer.

Who among us doesn’t enjoy the occasion? Who can resist the warm glow of good fellowship between friends, neighbors, and families as the “birthday” of our nation comes around?

Congratulations to Somerville City Councilor Will Mbah and his wife, Christelle, who celebrated their 11th wedding anniversary on June 27. We wish them many more years of happiness

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Review by Off the Shelf Correspondent Marcus Breen

Creative lives offer insights into the human condition that are not replicated elsewhere. No one reads a biography of a business executive to discover insights about the meaning of life and relationships: at least I don’t. Then again, if I was obsessed with learning the nefarious ways of making money by robbing the poor and enriching myself, then business biographies would take me to the ethically challenged world of all-money-all-the-time, or more technically “economism.” Somewhat ironically, artists and creative people offer insights to the human condition because their work reaches the public through the commercial processes of business.

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Our poet writes: “My name is Lizzie Rutberg. I’m a local artist and sometimes-poet living in Somerville.”

Approved budget moves Somerville forward in a difficult fiscal year, with investments in students, housing, traffic and public safety, neighborhood services, climate resilience, and long-term financial stability 

On Thursday, June 25, the Somerville City Council approved the city’s Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) budget, a $394 million spending plan designed to deliver results, strengthen core services, and uphold the city’s values through action. The companion school budget fully funds the district’s budget and marks the largest investment in Somerville Public Schools history, while adding new special ed teachers, interventionists, academic coaches, and an infusion of funds for substitute teaching staff. 

Enjoy live music, food vendors, public art, community programming, and fireworks

Fireworks return to Somerville’s skies on Tuesday, June 30, at the city’s annual summer celebration featuring live music, food, family-friendly activities, and of course, a fireworks finale.