Melvyn Blanchard, in wheelchair. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. — Photos courtesy of Commonwealth of Massachusetts

By Harry Kane

The City of Somerville won another victory in an ongoing battle for veterans’ welfare, as a $6.7 million award of federal funds trickles down to veteran service organizations statewide in a campaign to eradicate homelessness and enhance outreach for the mission at hand.

(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

Last week, Governor Maura Healey announced sweeping changes to the Emergency Housing Assistance shelter system, with families facing homelessness due to no-fault eviction now among other groups receiving prioritization.

On July 24, 2024 the Massachusetts House of Representatives passed legislation entitled An Act promoting access and affordability of prescription drugs, which protects patients and makes prescription drugs more affordable.

A provision that reduces copays for people with chronic conditions, filed as a bill this session by Representative Christine Barber (D-34th Middlesex) of Somerville and Medford, was included in the bill that passed the House.

Mayor Katjana Ballantyne, Somerville Police Department, and Somerville Recreation invite community members to National Night Out on Tuesday, August 6, at Trum Field (541 Broadway) from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. Enjoy music and family-friendly activities, meet local officers, and more. National Night Out occurs annually and nationwide to promote police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. Learn more and register to attend at somervillema.myrec.com. Registration is not required.

Jessica Brayden

RESPOND, Inc., the oldest domestic violence agency in New England, is thrilled to announce the temporary return of Jessica Brayden to support the Philanthropy and Engagement Department as the organization celebrates its 50th year of service. Jessica Brayden, former CEO of RESPOND, brings her extensive experience and dedication back to the organization to further its mission of supporting survivors of domestic violence.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) has announced that Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus has been detected in mosquitoes in Massachusetts for the first time this year.

While no human or animal cases of West Nile Virus (WNV) or Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) have been reported, they are strongly encouraging community members to take steps to protect themselves from mosquitoes and mosquito-borne illnesses. Among their recommendations:

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Review by Off the Shelf Correspondent Ruth Hoberman

Amid summer heat and ghastly newspaper headlines, Cammy Thomas’s Odysseus’ Daughter blows in like a brisk, briny sea breeze. Nineteen poems beautifully printed, with a gatefold blue-gray cover bearing an elegant line drawing of Athena by the poet’s brother: the book is a pleasure to hold in your hands. And the poems make those familiar Odyssean characters come alive yet again: Penelope, Nausicaa, Cyclops, the sea nymph Leucothea, Argos, and others are transformed by Thomas’s precise, musical language into new guises. Anyone who has taught the Odyssey repeatedly – as Thomas has – knows how beautifully it opens up conversations about love, family, heroism, mortality, gender politics, and community.

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Andrew K. Peterson spent many nights on friends’ couches in Somerville during his twenties. He’s the author of six full-length poetry books, most recently Secret Equinox / Scorpio Journal (published by Spuyten Duyvil in 2023). In 2017 he co-wrangled for the Boston Poetry Marathon. He currently lives in Brookline, and continues to be a long-suffering Red Sox fan. Say hey at andrewkpeterson.com.