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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.

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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.”

Free outdoor meals in parks

Meals are prepared by Somerville’s award-winning Food and Nutrition Services Department. Find other food resources for families and children: Summer Food in Somerville 2022 Flyer, Somerville Food Security, SomervilleHub, and Summer P-EBT.

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The First and Last Word Poetry Series was founded in 2010 by Harris Gardner. Harris then asked Gloria Mindock to join him as co-host. The poetry readings have taken place in the Armory Café ever since and are now part of the ROOTED Armory Café Event Series. They are held the third Tuesday of every month at 7:00 p.m. and admission is $4. This month’s event will take place on July 19.