Above and Beyond: The Remarkable Life of Somerville Olympian Phil Reavis, an exhibit at the Somerville Museum, will hold its closing reception, Saturday, July 8, 12:00 – 3:00 p.m. Above and Beyond showcases the life of Phil Reavis, a Somerville native, Olympic athlete, long-time educator, and one of the first people of color in Somerville with a public space named in his honor. Reavis broke records as high jumper, appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine, coached Vietnam’s 1964 Olympic track and field team, and enjoyed a long career as a teacher, coach, and musician. A world traveler, Reavis now divides his time between Somerville and Macau, China. The Somerville High School’s athletic field will be named The Philip Reavis, Sr. Field. Somerville Museum, One Westwood Road, $5 admission fee; free to Museum members. Tickets can be purchased at the door. Visit www.somervillemuseum.org.

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While you’re grilling chicken, fish or steak for your next meal, you may want to consider this side dish. It only takes a minute to prepare and is grilled for 5-6 minutes resulting in a nice smoky, charred flavor that is sure to go perfect with any grilled protein of your choice.

It was sure fun while it lasted. Not that it’s gone forever, but a temporary suspension of service will put a temporary end to the Green Line Extension service between Lechmere and Union Square Stations that we have come to love and, in some cases, depend on.

Arrests:
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Mark Paul Bourglas, June 19, arrested on charges of larceny over $1200, larceny from a building and defacing property.

Brian P. Alley, June 22, arrested on warrant charges of unregistered motor vehicle, uninsured motor vehicle and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

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Recently, I caught up with writer Shir Lovett-Graff, a new Somerville resident who is attending Harvard Divinity School.

Lovett-Graff is a writer, community organizer, and divinity school student based in Somerville, MA. Originally from New Haven, CT, their work has been published in numerous literary magazines and journals, most recently in EcoTheo Review, West Trestle Review, and The Bangalore Review. They are currently working on a chapbook about trans erotic poetics and climate change.

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Michael Todd Steffen is the author of two books of poetry, most recently On Earth As It Is (Cervena Barva Press, 2022). He is the recipient of a Massachusetts Cultural Council Fellowship and an Ibbetson Street Press Poetry Award. His poems have appeared in journals including The Boston Globe, Constellations, Synchronized Chaos, The Lyric, The Dark Horse, and The Poetry Porch.