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Reviewed by Off the Shelf Correspondent Karen Klein

My first reaction on reading this book was what an incredible group of women.

My second reaction: I wish I were one of them. I predict you will, too, when you read this amazing anthology of their poetry, prose, and plays.

The Streetfeet Women were multicultural before that became popular in the USA. In Somerville, MA’s, Winter Hill in 1980 a Black American, Mary Milner McCullough, and a White American, Elena Harap, began their literary partnership with Portraits of Sisters, a production of poems, music and dance performed by a multicultural groupof women. In 1982, they became formally known as “The Women’s Touring Company a part of Streetfeet Workshops of Mission Hill.”

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Lyrical Somerville – June 12

On June 12, 2024, in Latest News, by The Somerville Times

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Faith Blake is an emerging poet whose work enquires into the ways language can play, move, and liberate. She has studied Biology at Tufts University, and Education at Stanford University. Faith leads youth programs in the Boston area and lives in Arlington, MA.

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Track and tie replacements were accomplished along the Orange Line. Complimentary photo by the MBTA Customer and Employee Experience Department.

The MBTA  announced the completion of critical track work on the Orange Line while service was suspended between Wellington and Back Bay stations from May 28 through June 6. As a result of unencumbered access to track areas, crews accomplished important work to lift nine safety-related speed restrictions within the diversion area with a tenth removed just outside the diversion area between Ruggles and Massachusetts Avenue. The work accomplished will result in a safer, more reliable trip for riders with fewer unplanned service disruptions.

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How to Lose an Empire: the Road to the Powder Alarm

On June 10, 2024, in Latest News, by The Somerville Times


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Dan Breen, Ph.D., speaks about the months and weeks leading up to the events of September 1, 1774, as we commemorate the 250th anniversary of Gage’s fateful arrival in Boston at the Somerville Museum on May 23, 2024.

 

Somerville Police Crime Log May 28 – June 3

On June 10, 2024, in Latest News, by The Somerville Times
Assault
On 5/30/24 at approximately 7:23 p.m., Somerville Police responded to Sydney St. for report of a fight involving a gun. During the fight, one of the males brandished a silver handgun then they both fled the area. One male fled down Sydney St. on foot while the other male fled down Taylor St. on a bike. Officers canvassed the scene and located two live rounds of 9mm ammunition and a cardboard box with blood droplets on it.
 

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The Somerville High School (SHS) Athletics Department invites community members to attend a dedication ceremony for Kevin Raymond on Thursday, June 13, at Somerville High School (81 Highland Ave.) at 3:00 p.m.

Kevin was an SHS Alumni Class of 2015. He was an SHS student, a four-year member of the Highlander football program from 2011-2015, and was a co-captain of the program his senior year. Kevin was an inspiration to his teammates and encouraged a strong work ethic on the field. In 2014 he was the recipient of the Bubba Castor Coaches Award for his coachability, selflessness, and leadership on the field. Kevin was also an integral member of the Kennedy Pool staff as part of the lifeguarding and WSI team.

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Festa Junina: Brazilian Harvest Festival, June 15

On June 9, 2024, in Latest News, by The Somerville Times
 
Festa Junina is a traditional harvest celebration in Brazil. This Growing Center event will include craft stations (root printing, lantern making, making dance accessories), participatory Quadilha dancing, traditional foods and music by Trio Let’s Vamos. It will also feature numerous Kamishibai created and presented by Yumi Izuyama, interweaving her Japanese and Brazilian roots. Supported in part by funding from the Somerville Arts Council, a local commission supported by the City of Somerville and the Massachusetts Cultural Council.  Somerville Community Growing Center, Saturday, June 15, 1:00 – 4:30 p.m., 22 Vinal Ave. 
Rain Date: Sunday, June 16.
 
 

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Somerville City Hall Pride Flag Raising

On June 8, 2024, in Latest News, by The Somerville Times

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the Somerville LGBTQ+ Services invited all community members to honor LGBTQ+ Pride Month by joining the annual Pride flag raising ceremony on Tuesday, June 4, 2024. The ceremony, on the City Hall Concourse, included remarks from Mayor Ballantyne, City of Somerville LGBTQ+ Liaison Izzy Starr, and representatives from Somerville LGBTQ+ community.

 

Poll of partygoers reveals 2024’s most underrated nightlife locations

Bourbon Street in New Orleans is renowned for its lively bars, jazz clubs, and iconic Mardi Gras celebrations. The Las Vegas Strip is internationally famous for its casinos, nightclubs, and extravagant shows, while millions flock each year to South Beach, Miami, to enjoy its trendy nightclubs, beachfront bars, and vibrant party scene.

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Community also invited to learn how to plant a pollinator-friendly garden on June 27 in front of Somerville City Hall
 
Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and Somerville’s Public Space and Urban Forestry division (PSUF) invite the community to attend a virtual Pollinator Action Plan Advisory Committee meeting on Monday, June 10, from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m. The consultant team, Offshoots, Inc., will present the draft Pollinator Action Plan and invite feedback from the committee and members of the public. This presentation kicks off a summer event series aimed at promoting habitat and biodiversity in the city. Events include the release of the plan, a volunteer event to create a pollinator demonstration garden, arbor day festivities, and a “pollinator alle” at Somerville Art Council’s ArtBeat event. 

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