SMC’s Gallery reception on July 11, 2023. — Photos by Iaritza Menjivar

Michael Talbot, Megan Senturk and Rebecca Kopycinski were the featured artists celebrated at the SCAT Gallery’s July artists reception.

Growing up in Jamaica, Michael Talbot had always had a strong desire to inspire and speak to others through art. In 2012 he left his home country to live in the United States and began pursuing his artistic dreams doing Illustration, Graphic Design, and Animation, and has since been working as a Boston-based Freelance Artist on a wide range of projects, murals, exhibitions, and showcases.

Alissa Ebel and Carley Ruemmele, creators of the “Kitchen to Kitchen: Somerville In Food” cookbook.

By Ana Celerier Salcedo

What began as a brainstorm of ways to raise funds for meals and community voices within the local food system soon became an idea to create a community cookbook. All proceeds from the release of Kitchen to Kitchen: Somerville In Food will benefit Come To the Table’s important work, according to creators Alissa Ebel and Carley Ruemmele.

Saturday, July 15 (rain date July 16), there will be several road closures and detours in place in Davis Square and the immediate neighborhood to facilitate the ArtBeat festival. Please observe posted signage.

City also adding paint and signage to clear parked cars at intersections and improve safety for all users. — Photo courtesy of City of Somerville

The City of Somerville and the MBTA are installing a series of quick-build traffic changes on Broadway east of McGrath Highway to improve bus service and roadway safety for all users. 

Did you know that Union Square Main Streets and Union Square Farmers Market offer a dollar-for-dollar local SNAP match for all 25 Saturdays of the market season? This match allows people to double their buying power at the market – through the match, $15 becomes $30. As a relatively new Union Square business owner and graduate student in nutrition policy and programming at the Tufts Friedman School, I am excited to take part in fundraising for a program that has made such a large impact on our broader community. This SNAP match is made possible thanks to the City of Somerville, local businesses, and neighbors who donate through Good Food For All.

The current solo show at The Art House highlights emerging artist Kelly Bishop, who investigates space, structure, and high-key color as she challenges the idea of existentialism. Her vibrant oil paintings provide a pathway into another realm for viewers to find peace and solace within.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

Why did they let City Hall basically rot so badly? I don’t know if there are any plans to fix it up but I posted the question to my social media friends and this is what they feel about City Hall being in such bad disrepair. Here are the comments in quotes.

Somerville’s Municipal Voucher Program (MVP) is one program that aims to address the housing crisis by providing a subsidy to make housing more affordable for low-income residents. ~Photos by Maile Blume

By Maile Blume

This budget season, in response to community organizing, Somerville allocated $3 million to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund for flexible rental assistance starting this July. However, community organizers say more needs to be done to address the ongoing housing crisis.