Eagle Feathers #208 – Independence Day

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

The importance of the 4th of July in Massachusetts and Somerville’s history predates:

• the signing of the Constitution
• the raising of American’s first flag, the Grand Union, on historic Prospect Hill
• the beginning of the Revolutionary War

Arrests:
*

Danielle Lopes, of Harwich, June 27, 3:33 p.m., arrested at Bond St. on warrant charges of larceny of credit card, improper use of credit card, larceny under $1200 by single scheme, felony daytime breaking and entering, felony nighttime breaking and entering, and larceny over $1200.

*

Recently I spoke with Rachel Strutt of the Somerville Arts Council about the Art Beat Festival coming up July 8-10. Because of the pandemic, most of the events will be virtual, but there will be some live happenings as well.

*

A Resident Scholar at Brandeis University’s Women’s Studies Research Center, Rosie Rosenzweig has recently published book of poems called Bring Me into Flesh. Her travel memoir, A Jewish Mother in Shangri-la (Shambhala), describes receiving transmissions from leading Buddhist monks and teachers. Her play, Myths & Ms, illustrates the themes of abortion and reincarnation. Her current book, newly published is called EMERGENCE: The Role of Mindfulness in Creativity. http://www.brandeis.edu/centers/wsrc/scholars/profiles/Rosenzweig.html

Thirty-fourth Middlesex District State Rep. Christine Barber.

Representative Christine P. Barber of Somerville and Medford has filed new legislation to protect the family members of people who have received long-term care services through MassHealth during the COVID-19 pandemic, partnering with Senator Jo Comerford of Northampton. 

Dear Community Members,

Here is a COVID-19 update for Monday, July 6. Please also check somervillema.gov/covid19 for information and resources that are updated frequently.

President Matthew McLaughlin has rescheduled the Regular Meeting of the City Council that was previously scheduled on Thursday, July 9.

The next Regular Meeting of the City Council will now be at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 14.

The Somerville Public Library will be offering contactless pickup for library patrons starting Monday, July 6. Patrons can request Somerville library materials online using their Minuteman account. Library staff will then notify patrons by either email or phone when their items are ready to be picked up. Pickup appointments will be scheduled by using the Library’s online appointment system on www.somervillepubliclibrary.org, or by calling the Somerville Public Library at 617-623-5000.

The official ArtBeat 2020 graphic, designed by Paula Champagne, seems appropriate for this year’s ArtBeat theme, “Chance.”

The Somerville Arts Council presents: ArtBeat Festival 2020

The festival is very much on, albeit in a different form this year – over the course of eight days, we’ll have some virtual performances as well as some safe real-life happenings, such as art installations popping up and poetry hitting the streets. We believe art plays a more crucial role than ever, in promoting community, supporting our collective mental health, and providing a means for expression and protest. This year the festival theme is “Chance,” which explores all things fluky, unexpected and unplanned. The theme—and our beautiful graphic, designed by Paula Champagne – turned out to be more timely and poignant than we could have imagined.