(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)

By State Senator Pat Jehlen

The next two and a half weeks in the legislature are going to be packed!

Monday I wrote about important pieces of the Senate’s version of the Housing Bond Bill.  This is about why the bond bill is not enough.  Following will be newsletters about the immediate emergency, and possible solutions to keep people in their homes.

The Somerville Growing Center will be hosting a celebration of poet Amy Lowell, featuring readings by notable local poets, This coming Saturday, July 20.

Come to the Somerville Growing Center on Saturday, July 20, from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m., to gather, listen, and celebrate the garden poetry of Amy Lowell. This special event will focus on poetry by and in connection to Amy Lowell, with readings from Jennifer Clarvoe, Lloyd Schwartz, and Denise Provost.

ArtBeat, Somerville’s annual multicultural arts showcase, returned on Saturday, July 13. For this year’s theme, artists and attendees explored all that is “wild”. The festival featured 100 vendors and community groups, music, dance, theater, food, and much more. — Photos by Bobbie Toner

Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

I can honestly say that through the years I have been influenced by current trends. In the 60’s I wore bell bottoms pants, love beads, and I grew my hair long. I bought into most of the fads of the 70’s and 80’s. My female counterparts had huge hair and dressed like Pat Benatar. I wore Members Only and Nehru jackets. I kept up with the hit songs and hot bands and wore platform shoes.

A proposed property tax increase could bring in more revenue for the Community Preservation Act, which in turn invests in Somerville’s public spaces, among other things.

By Parker Garlough

Somerville voters may see a new referendum on the ballot this November. The proposed ballot measure would increase the surcharge that is collected from property owners for the Community Preservation Act from 1.5% to 3% of their property taxes. If enacted, the average single-family home would pay $93 each year.

On Friday, July 12, the Somerville Museum honored Mayor Emeritus Eugene Brune, for over 30 years of service as a Trustee and for his ongoing commitment and contributions to the Museum. It was a wonderful event with a large and joyous crowd of family and friends who joined together to celebrate Gene, on his birthday, 95 years young!

(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)

As members of Shalom Somerville, a grassroots coalition of Somerville residents, workers, and students dedicated to fostering an inclusive, respectful, and civil community in our city, we were deeply concerned and disappointed by the recent inclusion of the film Israelism in the Performance Opportunity Program (POP) series at Arts at the Armory.

A Poetry Reading: Celebrating Amy Lowell takes place on Saturday, July 20, 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. (Rain Date: July 21, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.). Visit the Somerville Community Growing Center in celebration of the garden poetry of Amy Lowell, with readings from Jennifer Clarvoe, Lloyd Schwartz, and Denise Provost in a garden setting. Conversation and an open mic will follow. Presented by the NE Poetry Club. More info at nepoetryclub.org.

Last Thursday, the Somerville City Council passed a resolution to support the “Natural Psychedelic Substances Act,” a question on the November ballot that would bring psychedelic-assisted therapy to Massachusetts. Councilor Willie Burnley Jr. introduced the resolution.