Cambridge News Weekly

2013 Cambridge Homeless Census Results

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development requires communities across the country to conduct an annual census of individuals and families experiencing homelessness during the last ten days of January. The census includes a count of unsheltered individuals, and a count of sheltered and transitionally housed families and individuals. Municipal and program staff completed the count of individuals and families staying in emergency shelters and transitional housing during the night between Jan. 30-31, 2013. During the same night, the cities of Cambridge and Somerville jointly carried out the unsheltered portion of the census. Cambridge counted 537 persons experiencing homelessness:

Cambridge residents advised to stay indoors

Due to the ongoing police investigation in Watertown and surrounding area and in accordance with state officials, Cambridge residents are advised to stay indoors and businesses to stay closed until further notice. City offices will be closed today. MBTA service has been suspended.

Cambridge Commission for Persons with Disabilities Receives CCTV’s Organization of the Year

The board and staff of the Cambridge Commission for Persons with Disabilities (CCPD) are thrilled to report that CCPD, along with Tutoring Plus, will be honored with an Organization of the Year Award by Cambridge Community Television (CCTV).  CCTV is a nationally recognized nonprofit community media center that serves as a voice and a vision of all residents, businesses and organizations in the City of Cambridge.

Patriots Day Observance Monday, Apr. 15, City Offices Closed for Holiday

The Cambridge Veterans’ Organization (CVO) and the City of Cambridge’s Department of Veterans’ Services will hold their annual Patriots’ Day Observance Monday, Apr. 15, at 10:45 a.m., at the Washington Monument on Cambridge Common.

Cambridge Police Promote Two New Sergeants

Officers William Bates and Jonathan Cameron promoted to the rank of Patrol Sergeant

The Cambridge Police Department held a promotion ceremony at the Robert W. Healy Public Safety Facility on the morning of April 8, 2013 to promote two officers to the supervisory rank of Patrol Sergeant.

Cambridge Commission for Persons with Disabilities Vacancies

Cambridge City Manager Robert W. Healy is seeking persons interested in serving on the Cambridge Commission for Persons with Disabilities (CCPD) advisory board.  Made up of 11 Members who serve three-year terms in a volunteer capacity, the CCPD board meets on the second Thursday of every month at 5:30 p.m.  CCPD seeks to build a membership that reflects the cultural and racial diversity of the city, is cross-disability in nature and representative of the different geographical areas of the community.  Members must be current residents of Cambridge.

Cambridge Police Release 2012 Annual Crime Report

Report shows crime at lowest levels since 1960s

For the second year in a row, Cambridge Police report that crime has dropped to historic levels in the City of Cambridge.

Upcoming Programs at Cambridge Senior Center

Ladies’ Breakfast and Women’s Health Talk

Friday, April 12, 9-10:30 a.m., Cambridge Senior Center, 806 Mass. Ave.
Special guest speaker, Dr. Jacobson, Mass. College of Pharmacy, will speak about Women’s Health. This event is free for persons 60+. Meals served until 9:30 a.m. Registration is required by 4-11-13. For more information or to register, call 617-349-6060.

Police ask Cambridge teens to volunteer with officers during April school vacation week

 

Cambridge high school students are invited to spend April School Vacation Week performing community service projects alongside Cambridge Police Officers throughout Cambridge.

Earth Hour Urges People to Turn Out the Lights for One Hour Saturday, Mar. 23 p.m.

On Earth Hour, hundreds of millions of people around the world will come together to call for action on climate change by doing something quite simple—turning off their lights for one hour. The movement symbolizes that by working together, each of us can make a positive impact in this fight, protecting our future and that of future generations.

Memorial Drive Closure March 22 Weekend

Due to construction related to the Western Avenue Reconstruction Project, Memorial Drive will be closed (from Hingham St. to Western Ave.) from Friday, Mar. 22 at 9 p.m. to Saturday, Mar. 23 at 6 a.m. Traffic will be limited to single lanes of travel in both directions on Memorial Drive (between Hingham St. and Western Ave.) from Saturday, March 23 at 6 a.m. to Sunday, March 24 at 9 p.m. Western Ave. will be consolidated into one lane of travel between Putnam Ave. and Memorial Drive.
Link to details.

Update on Manhole Cover Fire In Harvard Square

Any threat of underground fire has been controlled and extinguished.

Power outage has been isolated to one block of buildings in Harvard Square at JFK St.  Crews are on scene.

Update on False Report of Man with Gun on MIT Campus

Police continue to investigate, seek information from public

On Saturday, February 23, 2012, the Cambridge Police Department received a report via an electronic communication of a person with a gun inside a building on MIT’s campus. This report was received via an internet relay. An internet relay is typically used to allow persons who may have hearing or speech impairments to communicate with any phone user in the US, usually by instant messaging. The relay service used in this instance was a Sprint relay service, and a Sprint employee notified the police department of the conversation with the reporting party. During this conversation, a possible suspect was mentioned and police immediately identified and interviewed him. After questioning, police determined that this individual had no knowledge of the incident and do not believe he was involved in making this false report at this time.

Have What it Takes to be a Cambridge Police Officer?

Register for the 2013 Police Officer Written Exam

Do you or someone you know possess integrity, courage, and a willingness to help those in need? Perhaps you are ready to pursue a career as a police officer!

The City of Cambridge is currently recruiting applicants to take the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Open Competitive Examination for Police Officers. More job information is available online at www.CambridgeMA.gov/Jobs or by contacting Personnel@cambridgepolice.org.

Cambridge Receives Roadmaps to Health Prize

 

Cambridge is one of six winners nationwide of the inaugural Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF)
Roadmaps to Health Prize. The prize honors outstanding community partnerships across the United States that are helping residents lead healthier lives.

Cambridge Human Rights Commission Seeks Nominations for Innovations in Fair Housing Awards

The Cambridge Human Rights Commission is celebrating the 20^th Anniversary of its Fair Housing Poster and Essay Contest as part of Fair Housing Month in April.  Parents are urged to encourage their kids who are in Cambridge Public Schools grades 6-8 to submit a drawing or essay on Fair Housing. This year’s theme is “Fair Housing in Cambridge: Let’s Make it Happen.”

Cambridge Police Announce New, Automated, Real-Time Tweets

Information on serious incidents to be shared with the public 24/7

Cambridge Police are excited to announce the department will now be sharing more information with the public via social media, sending automated tweets of high-profile incidents in real-time.

Cambridge Snow Emergency Parking Ban in Effect Friday, Feb. 8 at 10 a.m.

A Cambridge Snow Emergency Parking Ban will go in effect Friday, Feb. 8 at 10 a.m.  Parking is prohibited on streets signed No Parking during Snow Emergency and  vehicles will be towed. A list and map of these particular streets is available on the Traffic Department Website under Snow Storm Procedures.

Cambridge Domestic Violence Campaign “365 Days of Action” Phase Kicks Off

City Councillor Marjorie C. Decker hosted a reception Monday, Jan. 28 in the Office of Cambridge Mayor Henrietta Davis to thank the various city departments, community agencies and community outreach workers that participated in the domestic violence awareness campaign, 21 Days of Questions 365 Days of Action, launched in the fall of 2012.  The campaign encouraged community discussion around the topic of domestic violence, asking questions like: What would happen if every one of us in Cambridge started to talk about Domestic Violence, Dating Violence and different forms of Abuse in Relationships?  What if YOU, your friends, your family, your neighbors, your co-workers could be part of a whole new way of creating community change: by asking questions to mobilize action?

Members Sought for Council on Aging Board

The Cambridge Council on Aging is seeking interested individuals to serve on its board.  This is an opportunity for you to advocate for important senior issues. Applicants must be age 60 or older and a
Cambridge resident.

2012 Development Overview Shows that Cambridge Continues to be at the Heart of Innovation

2012 brought another great year for Cambridge business and development communities. At a time when construction starts continue to stagnate nationally, in 2012, Cambridge had 2.7 million square feet of major housing and commercial development projects break ground.

10 Graduate from Cambridge Senior Citizen Police Academy

Participants learned about police units and toured public safety facility

(Officer Yam (far left) and Officer Burroso (far right) pose with academy participants )

Seniors from the Leonard J. Russell Apartments in North Cambridge recently participated in an 8-week training with Senior Citizen Outreach Officer Dan Burroso.

Middlesex County Register of Probate Tara DeCristofaro Announces New Website

Register of Probate Tara DeCristofaro

Register of Probate's new website http://www.middlesexprobate.com/ has gone  live on January 1, 2013.

City Offices Closed Monday, Jan. 21 for Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday

 
City of Cambridge offices will be closed Monday, Jan. 21 in observance of the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday. There will be no trash or recycling pickup in Cambridge that day.  Trash and recycling pickup routes will be one day behind schedule for the remainder of that week.

Cambridge Commemorates Martin Luther King Jr. Day Jan. 21

 
Presidential Inauguration Viewing Cambridge City Hall, Sullivan Chamber, 795 Mass. Ave, 11 a.m. All are Welcome!

Cambridge’s Annual Martin Luther King Day Commemoration and Remembrance Monday, Jan. 21, 12-2 p.m., St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, 838 Massachusetts Ave., Central Sq.

Cambridge Public Health Department Offering Free Flu Shots. Hours Extended

 
The U.S. is experiencing an early flu season, with widespread flu activity in Massachusetts and many other states. Nearly 90% of the confirmed flu cases in Massachusetts this season have been influenza A, which typically causes more severe illness than other types of flu.

Cambridge Commemorates 150thAnniversary of Emancipation Proclamation

The City of Cambridge will host a program to commemorate the 150^th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation Tuesday, Feb. 12, from 6-8 p.m., at Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Ave.  The
program will feature music from the New England Spiritual Ensemble, a community reading of the Emancipation Proclamation and a keynote address from Beverly Morgan-Welch, Executive Director of the Museum of African American History. The program, entitled “The Journey Toward Freedom,” will also include refreshments, displays that are evocative of the Civil War era and the unveiling of the U.S. Postal Service’s Emancipation Proclamation commemorative stamp.

Free Computer Classes Offered by the Cambridge Public Library Literacy Project

Classes are 12 weeks and are free and open to anyone. 
No registration is required though classes fill up on a first come first served basis.  Please see list below of upcoming classes.

Is There Value in Your Old & Rare Books?

Learn the basics of book collecting from an expert Thursday, Jan. 31, at 6:30 p.m., at Cambridge Public Library, Lecture Hall, 449 Broadway.  Kenneth Gloss is the second generation owner of the Brattle Book Shop and has appeared on PBS’s Antiques Roadshow.

Secret Santa Gift Drive Brightens Holidays for Nearly 500 Cambridge Seniors

Each year, Cambridge Police rely on generous donations from Cambridge businesses, community members, and police officers to assist in brightening the holidays for senior citizens.