By Jim Clark

Somerville Police officers were dispatched to a Highland Ave. location in the early morning of last Sunday on a report of a suspicious person.

Upon arrival, the officers were met by the reporting party who told them that a man was asleep in her vehicle which was parked in the driveway of her residence.

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne and the City of Somerville will host a Fourth of July fireworks celebration at Trum Field on Thursday, June 30 (rain date: Friday, July 1).

Festivities start at 6:30 p.m. with DJ Philip Tan playing pop, soul, funk, and other classic tunes, followed by Pressure Cooker at 7:45 p.m. Recent Somerville High School graduate Britney Flores will sing “The Star-Spangled Banner,” and fireworks will begin at approximately 9:15 p.m.

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

A simple cruise in your car might put you in the poor house. It’s déjà vu, sort of.

The current rise in gas prices reminds me of the gas shortage of the 70s. Long lines at gas stations looking for fuel for my ‘72 Plymouth Duster. Gas stations were selling out. It was mayhem. I pay over $100 to fill up.

The 465,000 square-foot, purpose-built lab and office building, targeting LEED Platinum, WELL Platinum, WiredScore Platinum, and SmartScore certification, will contribute to the Assembly Square district’s emerging life sciences cluster. — Rendering by Binyan

Greystar Real Estate Partners, LLC (“Greystar”), a global leader in the investment, development, and management of commercial properties and rental housing, throughout the world and locally in Greater Boston, formalized its entry into the life sciences sector with the start of vertical construction of 74 Middlesex Avenue (“74M”).

74M and future projects in planning will strengthen the emerging life sciences cluster forming in the bustling Assembly Square district, which already includes more than a million square feet of permitted projects, and are part of Greystar’s long-term growth strategy.

Public feedback on the future development of Gilman Square was the focus of the recent Advisory Committee’s public meeting. — Photo by Bobbie Toner

By Luda Tang

On June 23, the Gilman Square Civic Advisory Committee (CAC) conducted a public meeting concerning the redevelopment of Gilman Square, hosted by Rachel Nadkarni from the Office of Strategic Planning and Community Development (OSPCD). During the meeting, advisory members reviewed the comments received so far about the Gilman Square reconstruction plan, laying the groundwork for its ultimate execution.

By Ryan DiLello

The City of Somerville and adjacent committees held a virtual community meeting on Thursday to discuss the latest draft of Somerville Bicycle Network Vision, a comprehensive plan to expand bike-lane accessibility and safety throughout the city.

By Kyle Dante

The final revisions of the Somerville FY 2023 were decided on June 22 and followed up the next day. Upon reviewing all of the departments, the City Council cut $676,219 from the proposed $292,720,095 budget.

Get ready for summer fun at the City and Somerville Arts Council’s Fourth of July celebration. Enjoy live music, food, and of course, a big, bold fireworks display. Head to Trum Field on Thursday, June 30, at 6:30 p.m. (rain date July 1). Due to large crowds and noise associated with the fireworks, the city recommends that attendees leave pets at home and avoid bringing unnecessary bags or backpacks, all of which are subject to inspection. For more information, call 311 (617-666-3311) or https://somervilleartscouncil.org/fireworks.

Author Neema Avashia reading the essay “City Mouse/ Country Mouse,” from her book “Another Appalachia: Coming Up Queer and Indian in a Mountain Place.” — Photos by Mina Rose Morales

By Mina Rose Morales

WCVB’S Chronicle taped author Neema Avashia’s essay reading from her book Another Appalachia: Coming Up Queer and Indian in a Mountain Place on Tuesday, June 21, at All She Wrote Books in Somerville.

Avashia is an educator and writer from West Virginia. She has lived in Boston since 2003. She is the daughter to Indian parents. She is queer. She is the author of Another Appalachia: Coming Up Queer and Indian in a Mountain Place, which explores the childhood lessons she learned about race, class, gender, and sexuality. Avashia examines her identity as a queer, desi, Appalachian woman. It took her five years to write the book, but thinking about the stories began long before.

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?