Members of the public are invited to attend and speak at a Monday, July 9, Public Hearing on the application of the Union Square Neighborhood Council (USNC) requesting to be designated by the City as the neighborhood council for the Union Square area.

By Nathan Lamb

The Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services (SCES) Nutrition program is distributing free farmers’ market coupons for eligible older adults the week of July 16. Available through the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the $25 coupons can be used to purchase fresh fruits and vegetables at area farmers’ markets.

Sunday, July 1,  artists from the Boston area are hosting a show in Somerville to benefit the Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (RAICES) Family ReUnification and Bond Fund. If you’re interested, stop by Warehouse XI (at 11 Sanborn Court) between 4 and 9 p.m.

Douglas Bosley of Somerville will swim in Boston Harbor alongside Olympic swimmers Janel Jorgensen McArdle, Doug Gjertsen, Alex Meyer, and Eric Wunderlich for the 22nd annual Swim Across America Boston Harbor Swim on July 13 to support pediatric cancer programs at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and MassGeneral Hospital for Children (MGHfC).

First-of-its-kind report focuses on actionable, measurable goals around strategies for coordinating education and training services, positioning Somerville as a national leader in employee engagement practices, preparing the city for future employment and economic scenarios, and more

The City of Somerville recently released a first-of-its-kind local workforce development strategic plan, the Talent Equity Playbook. The report highlights Somerville’s current and future jobs environment and labor market, workforce development resources, community priorities, actionable workforce development strategies, and ways to measure progress.

Prospect Hill Academy’s Class of 2018

On Saturday, June 2, Prospect Hill Academy Charter School (PHA) celebrated the graduation of the Class of 2018 during commencement ceremonies held at MIT’s Kresge Auditorium in Cambridge. 100% of the students who graduated in June 2018 are enrolled in a four-year college.

~Photos by Claudia Ferro

The East Somerville Community School Talent Show took place on June 20.

The Somerville Fire Department is reminding residents that the use of charcoal, wood or propane grills is not allowed on porches, balconies, fire escapes or roofs. Propane tanks are not allowed to be stored in or on any residential building at any time. Grills should be kept clean to prevent grease fires. Grilling should be done on ground level, ten feet away from any combustible walls or structures. Grills should not be used under any overhangs. Never leave a grill burning unattended. Outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, and chimineas are prohibited in the City of Somerville.

By Jim Clark

Police officers were dispatched to the Home Depot on Mystic Ave. last week on reports of a known shoplifter in the store, known to them as Jillian Bourque, Saugus.