City buildings will be closed Friday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day. Trash, recycling, and yard waste collection will be delayed by one day.

No street sweeping on Friday. All Somerville Public Library locations will also be closed on Friday, July 4. We wish everyone a safe, Happy 4th!

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

When I was a kid growing up in Somerville in the 60’s and ’70 s, we loved July 4th. We lit off firecrackers and sparklers, plus we got free Hoodsies. The aldermen would go to playgrounds throughout the city and hand out free Hoodsies ice cream cups to all the kids.

Arts stakeholders at the advocacy community meeting.

As a result of over two years of volunteer advocacy, this month the Somerville arts and music community celebrates two separate, yet connected wins for arts space. Simultaneously, stakeholders participated in two community processes: changes in zoning, led by the city and passed by the City Council, as well as a monumental Community Benefits Agreement and Project Labor Agreement agreed to by Rafi Properties and the Union Square Neighborhood Council and Greater Boston Building Trades Unions, respectively.

By Norah Doyle

If you weren’t at the city council meeting last Thursday, here’s a cohesive breakdown of what was discussed.

Members of the Union Square Neighborhood Council, Arts Stays Here, Rafi Properties, and Somerville City Council after the unanimous passage of transformative Arts & Innovation Zoning, advancing the Somernova expansion. — Photo Courtesy of Somernova

On Thursday, June 26, the Somerville City Council unanimously approved the Arts & Innovation Zoning, unlocking the expansion of the Somernova campus.

All city offices are closed on Independence Day, July 4. Trash and recycling pickup will be delayed by one day. All Somerville Public Library locations will also be closed on Friday, July 4. We wish everyone a safe, Happy 4th!

Somerville artist Iaritza Menjivar’s Untitled, 2024. Courtesy of the artist.

Manos, Johnson, Menjivar show at Leica Gallery Boston

The Leica Gallery Boston is honored to present SEEING ACROSS GENERATIONS, a landmark exhibition celebrating three generations of Boston-area photographers whose work spans decades of image-making, mentorship, and community engagement.

Eagle Feathers #332 – ‘Pop’ of Pops

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

He was born on December 20, 1871, in his parents’ home on Myrtle Street in East Somerville and pursued a career in music that would achieve meteoric success. His name was Henry Kimball Hadley, and during his lifetime he brought the sound of music to hundreds of people in his hometown and to thousands of listeners around the world.

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?

— Photos by Oliver, Daniel and Delilah Lancaster

The City of Somerville’s Fireworks Celebration was held on Wednesday, June 25, at Trum Field. Music, food, and a dazzling display in the sky awaited those who came out to enjoy the festivities.