Cambridge News Weekly

Cambridge Health Alliance expands sports-related medical services

Lee Durocher The CHA expansion into professional level sports is a reflection of the growth of its sports medicine program. Local up-and-coming sports franchises benefit from the services of the Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA). The Boston Blazers (National Lacrosse League), Boston Breakers (Women's Professional Soccer) and the Boston Militia (Women's Professional Football) are amongst the CHA's clients. The organization has long been involved with local high school athletics especially Somerville High School and Cambridge Rindge & Latin High School. Much of the work that the CHA does with students and athletes is done at its sports medicine facility in Assembly Square, Somerville.

Special Olympics Massachusetts Cold-weather Fundraiser Marks 12 Years

Passion Plunge Once Again Has Hundreds Ready to Jump into the Atlantic to Support Special Olympics Athletes in Massachusetts 

Once again, hundreds of people who value the Special Olympics mission of a healthy and vibrant life for individuals with intellectual disabilities will jump into the icy-cold Atlantic Ocean to raise much-need funds for the organization. And while many people will jump in the ocean to support Special Olympics Mass, possibly over 1,000, many more are still needed to help provide necessary funds for the year-round sports and health-related programs.

 

City of Cambridge Special Event Planning Workshop Feb. 22

 
 
Cambridge businesses, event planners and community organizations are cordially invited to a free program on organizing special events in Cambridge parks, plazas, streets and sidewalks.

As part of this Nightlife and Outdoor Activities Campaign, there will be a Special Event Planning Workshop Monday, February 22, from 1-3:30 p.m., Cambridge City Hall Annex, 344 Broadway, 2^nd Floor Community Meeting Room.  

CPCU Credit Union collects and donates much needed toiletry items and canned goods to the Somerville Homeless Coalition

CPCU Credit Union set up collection boxes at both of their Somerville and Cambridge branches to collect much needed toiletry items and canned goods for the Somerville Homeless Coalition (SHC) after an email communication was sent out outlining their disparity for donations. For three weeks before the holidays, CPCU collected in conjunction with their membership, shampoo, conditioner, and soaps as well as non-perishables to donate to SHC. In addition to the collection, CPCU donated many necessities such as baby wipes, toothpaste, soups, etc. in bulk packages to help those in need during the holiday season.

CPCU Credit Union set up collection boxes at both of their Somerville and Cambridge branches to collect much needed toiletry items and canned goods for the Somerville Homeless Coalition (SHC) after an email communication was sent out outlining their disparity for donations. For three weeks before the holidays, CPCU collected in conjunction with their membership, shampoo, conditioner, and soaps as well as non-perishables to donate to SHC. In addition to the collection, CPCU donated many necessities such as baby wipes, toothpaste, soups, etc. in bulk packages to help those in need during the holiday season.

2010 City of Cambridge Scholarship Fund Applications Now Available

 

The City of Cambridge Scholarship Fund was established in 1993 to provide financial assistance to Cambridge residents who wish to pursue post secondary education. Through the scholarship fund program, the City has awarded thousands of dollars to college-bound high school seniors and others who want to pursue higher education. These scholarships are possible thanks to the generosity of Cambridge residents, business owners and taxpayers who support the annual fund. In fiscal year 2009, the City awarded 39 scholarships of $2,500 each. With the increasing cost of higher education as well as continued economic uncertainty, these scholarships help ease the financial burden for many Cambridge individuals and families.

Annual Town Gown Presentation Feb. 2

The City of Cambridge Annual Town Gown Presentation to the Cambridge Planning Board will be held at the Cambridge Citywide Senior Center, 806 Massachusetts Ave. on Tuesday, Feb. 2, at 7:30 p.m.  Presentations will be made by: Cambridge College, Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Lesley University. The meeting will also include an opportunity for public comment.

Elderly Somerville woman struck with Cambridge fire hose

~Photo by William Tauro By William Tauro An 82 year old elderly Somerville woman was injured when a Cambridge fire truck hose struck her in the legs as the fire apparatus was making a turn in Central Square. The fire truck was responding to a dispatched call at about 11:40am. The woman's legs were both seriously injured, and she was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital for surgery from the scene.

Cambridge police officers promoted to deputy superintendents

 

By William Tauro

Cambridge police Lieutenants John J. Albert, Christine A. Elow and Paul J. Ames have been promoted to Deputy Superintendents early Tuesday morning.

“The deputies will join the command staff and contribute in a meaningful way to the department to strategize on how to most effectively deliver policing services in collaboration with the community,” Commissioner Robert Haas said. “Their shared vision will greatly enhance our efforts.”

Cambridge city councilors fail to elect a Mayor after three votes

By William Tauro

In a failed third effort to elect a new Mayor for the City of Cambridge on Monday evening, city counselors from that city who cast the ballots to elect a mayor, reached the same stalemate as their second vote. Cambridge City Councilor David Maher had four votes, followed by Ken Reeves with three and Henrietta Davis with two. City councilors in Cambridge require a minimum of five votes from the entire city council to be elected mayor, as does the head of the School Committee. They will meet again on next Monday to cast ballots again for the forth time.

Progressive Democrat Michael Albano Enters Senate Race

 

 

Progressive Democrat Michael Albano, a small business owner from Chelsea,  announced today that he is officially a candidate for State Senate in the special election to fill the open seat vacated by Anthony Galluccio.  Albano, 48, says that people in Massachusetts are looking for new leadership to help restore confidence in local government.

"People are hurting and they're frustrated," Albano explained, "and we need new leaders to take the reins of government and move us in a new direction.  I'm running for State Senate to offer that new leadership."

Skatefest 2010 to Benefit Homeless Children

 

Cambridge, MA (February 9, 2009) – It’s that time again! For the 18^th year in a row, The Skating Club of Boston will be producing  “Skatefest”, a figure skating show to benefit The Salvation Army’s Our Place Day Care Center for Homeless Children in Cambridge. Our Place Day Care Center is the learning place for 38 homeless children from the Cambridge/Somerville area.  The performance will be held at the Bright Hockey Center of Harvard University on Sunday, February 14th at 2pm. 

A Special Message from former Cambridge Mayor E. Denise Simmons regarding the purpose of the Climate Congress:

 


The City of Cambridge will hold a second Cambridge Climate Emergency Congress on Saturday, January 23. Location and details to be announced shortly. The kickoff session was held in December at Cambridge City Hall and was very well attended. 

Congressman Capuano Urges Administration to Stop TARP Recipients from Paying Out Big Bonuses

 

Today, Rep. Mike Capuano and fifteen of his House colleagues wrote to TARP Pay Czar Kenneth Feinberg and Secretary of Treasury Timothy Geithner, urging them to prohibit TARP recipients who still owe money to taxpayers from paying out big bonuses.

Frozen river, mild weather

 

By William Tauro

A jogger takes advantage of some mild weather as he runs along a frozen Charles River.

ESOL Certified Nursing Asst./Home Health Aide Training Program

 
 

The Cambridge Community Learning Center and the American Red Cross of Massachusetts Bay are delighted to announce the graduation of 13 students from their joint ESOL Certified Nursing Assistant/Home Health Aide training program.

One election ends and a new one is beginning

~Photo by William Tauro By William Tauro Assistant Middlesex Register of Probate James M. Gondolfe getting a early head start standing out campaigning for Worcester County Sheriff Guy Glodis who is in the run for state auditor. If the sheriff runs for auditor, State Rep Lewis G Evangelidis, R-Holden, State Rep Vincent A. Pedone, D-Worcester, and Governor's Councilor Thomas J. Foley have all said they will consider running for sheriff.

Cambridge robbery suspect being sought in Somerville

By William Tauro Cambridge, Transit & Somerville Police officers are looking for a suspect that attempted to rob the Thistle & Shamrock Convenience Store located at 62 Walden Street in Cambridge Tuesday evening at 8:20pm. The store was held up by a masked man who allegedly claimed to have a gun but never showed it and also allegedly threatened to shoot the store clerk if he didn't cooperate. But when the clerk attempted to hand over the money, the culprit ran from the scene without the cash. The suspect fled on foot towards Massachusetts Avenue at Porter Square. Somerville and Transit Police were waiting at Davis Square T-Station in Somerville stopping all trains and suspects that fit the alleged robber's description on the subway's platform. The alleged suspect is described as a black male, 18-20 years old, wearing all black clothing including a black hooded sweatshirt. The case is under investigation.

Republican Scott Brown to become the state's next United States senator

Republican Scott Brown has defeated Martha Coakley. Cambridge unofficial votes.  Scott P. Brown    4,921 (15.16%) Martha Coakley 27,268 (84.02%) Joseph L. Kennedy     232 (0.71%)   Write-Ins    32 (0.10%)

Sex crime suspect being sought by police

By William Tauro Cambridge and MBTA Police are searching for this suspect who may be responsible for four sex crimes recently near a subway station in Cambridge. Two women were allegedly grabbed from behind by this man in Central Square Wednesday evening after leaving a subway station. The man is also suspected of exposing himself on an MBTA bus in Boston. Cambridge Police and MBTA Transit Police have released this photo of the suspect. Police describe the man as a clean-shaved black male, between 18 and 24 years old, 5' 5" - 5' 7" tall believed to be wearing a white puffy jacket and black knit cap. Any information on the suspect call Cambridge Police at 617-349-3370 or MBTA Transit Police at 617-222-1050.

Martha Coakley in Somerville

~Photo by William Tauro By William Tauro Martha Coakley made a few last minute campaign stops in Somerville Sunday evening to rally up some additional support. One stop where she said a few words to supporters was at a crowded office of Alderman Jack Connolly, Wedgwood-Crane & Connolly, located at 19 College Avenue, before making other campaign stops in Davis Square.

Scott Brown is endorsed by Cambridge officers who Obama said “acted stupidly”

 

By William Tauro

Even though Martha Coakley's husband is a retired Cambridge police officer, it wasn't enough to persuade this police department in their endorsement. 

The members of the Cambridge Police Patrol Officers Association voted to endorse State Senator Scott Brown as our next United States Senator in Tuesday’s election against Attorney General Martha Coakley.
CPSOA’s President released the following letter today:

Suspicious blood stains found at Roosevelt Towers Housing Complex

 

By William Tauro

Cambridge Police responded to a call at 7:45pm Friday evening to the Roosevelt Towers Housing Development on Cambridge Street after an alleged report of a group of teenagers suspiciously running out of the building. According to sources when police arrived at the scene they found traces of blood on the ground and began to investigate. Police tried contacting the building's superintendent to gain access to some locked doors to look for the source of the blood but was connected to voice mail.

Cambridge Fire Department was  called in to access the building's locked rooms with an emergency key  but discovered no additional clues of the blood droppings were  found.
The matter is under investigation.

Help for Haiti Information & Resources

 

In the aftermath of the tragic earthquake disaster in Haiti, the City of Cambridge has put together this information page for residents and others who have been directly or indirectly affected by this incident. As more information is obtained, we will be adding it to this page.

Cambridge Health Alliance

Counseling is also available to residents of Cambridge, Somerville, Malden, Chelsea, Revere, Everett, and Winthrop or to those who have a primary care provider at Cambridge Health Alliance by calling 617-665-3980.

Building work

 

By Joseph DiOrio

Friday  a new building on Rogers St. got a power spray , it was a busy day of construction on the street , numerous workers were scattered throughout the area. It is undetermined what this building will become.

Replacing old electrical poles

 

By Joseph DiOrio

Friday 11:30 a.m. several electrical trucks were scattered on Fifth Street replacing worn down electrical poles. There were also other poles being replaced on the streets nearby.

Special election to fill Galluccio's vacant seat

By William Tauro Senate President Therese Murray has announced the date of a special election to fill the recently vacated seat of former State Senator Anthony Galluccio. The election will be held on April 13 with a general election to follow on May 11

Cambridge Police on their toes

 

By William Tauro

With the economy in shambles  and robberies on the rise just about everywhere in the state, Cambridge Police are taking no chances by being constantly on alert keeping the city safe and secure.  This cruiser is showing a presence in front of the Galleria Mall to keep the peace while a group of rowdy teenagers make their way to the Lechmere  Station after exiting the mall.

Cold and clear

 

By William Tauro

A cold blue sunny sky takes the stage as a couple of pedestrians cross at the intersection of Cambridge and Quincy Streets, passing motorist dodge the glare as they drive by the massive mirrored glass structure that sits at the corner.

Martin Luther King Day Commemoration Events in Cambridge

Martin Luther King Celebration Thursday, January 14, 1–2:30 p.m.
Cambridge Citywide Senior Center, 806 Mass. Ave.

Guest speaker Brian Corr, Executive Director of the Cambridge Peace Commission, has a long and impressive record working as an activist on issues of peace and social justice.  You are invited to share this program honoring Dr. Martin Luther King. This program is free and open to the public.  For more information call Emma Watkins at 617-349-6060.

A Celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Concert and Program
Friday, January 15, 7:00 pm
Area IV Youth Center, 243 Harvard St., Cambridge

This program is being presented in partnership with Cambridge Youth Programs and Area IV Youth Center, Cambridge Symphony Orchestra, Cynthia Woods, Music Director.  For more information, call 617-349-6262.

Gymcraftics…a community event

The West Cambridge Youth & Community Center  will be holding a Gymcratics night on Friday, January 15,  explore the wonderful world of gymcraftics.

Gymcraftics helps connect the mind and body through physical movement forms. Participants will work together in a creative way to discover individual, as well as group potential. Some participants have described it as "making sculptures with your body."

For more information, contact Sean at 617-349-6314 or smclaughlin@cambridgema.gov.

When:   Friday, January 15, 2010

Time:      6:30-8:30 p.m.

Where: West Cambridge Youth & Community Center – 680 Huron Ave. 02138