Somerville Homeless Coalition was awarded $105,000 in 2023. Michael Libby (left) and Felicity Beal (right), of Somerville Homeless Coalition, pose with Cummings Foundation cofounder Joyce Cummings at the 2023 Grant Winner Celebration.

Cummings Foundation is now accepting letters of inquiry for its annual $30 Million Grant Program. This place-based initiative will deliver substantial multi-year funding to 150 eastern Massachusetts nonprofits.

A pair of grants will help Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SCES) expand cultural events and strengthen hybrid workplace training.

The projects are funded by American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grants through the City of Somerville. The funding will help SCES meet key DEI and employee-retention goals, said agency Director of Operations & Community Support Colleen Morrissey.

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.