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Alexander Levering Kern is a poet, chaplain, editor, and Quaker educator originally from Washington, DC and based in Somerville and (whenever possible) Chebeague Island, Maine. He is the author of a book of poems, What an Island Knows (Shanti Arts, 2024), and a forthcoming poetry collection from Cervena Barva Press. Alex is the editor of the anthology Becoming Fire and founding editor of Pensive: A Global Journal of Spirituality & the Arts (www.pensive.com).

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Deborah Leipziger is an author, poet, and advisor on sustainability. Born in Brazil, Deborah’s poems have been published in nine countries in such magazines as Salamander, Revista Cardenal, and Inkwell. Her poetry collection Story & Bone was published by Lily Poetry Review Books. She is the author of several books on human rights and sustainability. She is currently working on a Lexicon of Change, which shares the vocabulary we need for social and environmental transformation.

Massachusetts’ largest health plan creates opportunities for physical exercise via Metro Boston’s public bike share system to boost mental wellbeing every Monday in August

 In recognition of National Wellness Month, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (“Blue Cross”) is launching its fourth annual “Mindful Mondays” initiative by offering free Bluebikes Day Passes every Monday in August, starting August 5. This initiative aims to highlight the positive impact mindfulness activities like biking can have on one’s overall health and wellbeing.

Update: Due to wet ground, Somerville’s National Night Out will be moved to Dilboy Field, 110 Alewife Brook Parkway. 

Community members looking for a night out this summer can look no further than the City of Somerville’s annual National Night Out Event hosted by the Somerville Police Department and the Somerville Office of Parks and Recreation.

Somerville was named a Purple Heart City in 2023 . — Photo by Bobbie Toner

Wednesday, August 7 is National Purple Heart Day, which recognizes the nation’s oldest military medal, awarded to U.S. Armed Forces Service Members who were wounded or killed in combat. Here’s how local Purple Heart recipients are being honored in Somerville:

Grants will protect people, communities manage heat and flooding

Governor Healey’s announcement of $52.4 million in FY2025 Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness grants included just over $12 million in funding for community-designed projects to prevent harm to residents, workers, and resources in Resilient Mystic Collaborative (RMC) cities and towns.

Contactless payments are now available on buses, Green Line and Mattapan Line trolleys, and at all gated subway stations. Riders may use their contactless credit/debit card, phone, or watch to pay their fare.