The Red Cross’s regular blood drive returns to the Armory. The blood drive will take place today, July 13 from 2:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Arts at the Armory, 191 Highland Ave. Please consider donating. For more information visit www.redcross.org

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

By Klaus Schultz

A few days ago, I read this “pro/con” piece about housing in The Nation and it immediately reminded me of the fierce housing debates that some of us get into on Somerville social media. Like so many of these things, I doubt that anyone will read it and immediately change their mind on the issue, but I think it’s useful to see the cases for building more market rate housing versus not doing so laid out side by side.

Local residents purchase vegetables at the Mobile Farmers Market. — Photos by Luda Tang

By Luda Tang

The City of Somerville’s Mobile Farmers Market began this year’s season on July 8. The first market was held at 167 Holland St. from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. From now through October 15, Somerville residents can check the market every Friday and Saturday. The website lists more specific information about the market’s various locations.

*

There is a smoky, sweet, with a hint of spice that permeates throughout the dish. A perfect meal for a busy weeknight. This dish can be on the table in under 30 minutes when all ingredients are prepared ahead.

It’s been getting pretty darn hot lately. And it’s looking like we’ll be facing a good little stretch of even more hot weather in the days and – yes, even maybe – the weeks to come.

There’s little to be done about it other than exercising a little common sense to minimize dangers of heat stroke. Watch your activity levels, get plenty of water, etc. Just be careful and do the right things. You’ll make it.

*

I met Richard Baker at the Miller Street Art Galleries in Somerville, MA. He is a tall, thin man, with large glasses; that fits his inquiring sensibility. He wants viewers to look closer at his paintings of seemingly ordinary objects, and to realize the high holy of the banal or every day.

*
Thomas DeFreitas was born in Boston. Educated at the Boston Latin School, he attended the University of Massachusetts (Boston and Amherst) for two years. His poems have appeared in Autumn Sky Poetry Daily, Ibbetson Street, Pensive, Plainsongs, and elsewhere. Thomas’s first chapbook, Winter in Halifax, was published in 2021 by Kelsay Books. His full-length collection, Longfellow, Tell Me, is forthcoming from the same publisher. A resident of Arlington, MA, Thomas is an active member of the New England Poetry Club, of Boston’s Black Seed Writers, and of Arlington’s Bee Hive Poets.

A short memorial video for the SPD’s beloved Officer Randy Isaacs.
Video credit to SPD Detective, badge #273.

Aimee Deaton at a training hike on Jennings Peak as she prepares for the 27th annual Wilderness Heals pledge hike in the White Mountains of New Hampshire to benefit the Stone House.

Somerville resident, Aimee Deaton, is participating in the 27^th annual Wilderness Heals, a 3-day, all women pledge hike taking place from July 15-17 in the White Mountains of New Hampshire.  This unique event builds and engages a community of supporters to raise money for Stone House, an inclusive and essential home and community space for domestic violence survivors located in Roxbury, Massachusetts.  Deaton is participating for the first time this year.  ” I decided to participate primarily because my neighbor and friend, Jessica Gallo, one of the group leaders, encouraged me to do so,” said Aimee Deaton.  “Wilderness Heals is a great opportunity to spend time outdoors, challenge myself and support an important cause.”