Cambridge News Weekly

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. 

City Holiday Hours and Trash/Recycling Schedule for New Year's

On Monday, Dec. 31, City offices will close at 5 p.m. and will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013.  There will be no trash/recycling collection on Tuesday, Jan. 1.  City offices will stay open until 8 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 3 to make up for the early closing on Monday, Dec. 31.

Winter Storm Preparedness

Plan in Advance for Snow Emergency Parking Bans
During substantial winter storms, the City may declare a Snow Emergency and a Parking Ban will go into effect at a specific time.  During a Snow Emergency, parking is prohibited on streets signed No Parking during Snow Emergency and vehicles will be towed.  Visit www.cambridgema.gov/traffic for a list and map of these streets, as well as information on parking garages that provide free parking during a declared snow emergency.

City of Cambridge Holiday Hours and Trash/Recycling Schedule for Christmas and New Year’s

City offices will be closed for the Christmas Holiday on Monday, Dec. 24 and Tuesday, Dec. 25. On Monday, Dec. 31, City offices will close at 5 p.m. and will be closed on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013.  City offices will stay open until 8 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 3 to make up for the early closing on Monday, Dec. 31.

Richard C. Rossi Appointed Cambridge City Manager beginning July 1, 2013

During its Dec. 3 meeting, the Cambridge City Council voted to appoint Deputy City Manager  Richard C. Rossi as City Manager beginning July 1, 2013, following the retirement of current City Manager Robert W. Healy on June 30, 2013. The  appointment calls for a contract period of three years for Rossi, ending on June 30, 2016. Rossi will be the first new City Manager appointed by the City Council in over 30 years. 

Cambridge Police Seek Donations for Secret Santa for Seniors Gift Drive

Gift bags delivered to senior citizens in Cambridge each holiday season

The Cambridge Police Department is seeking donations for its annual Secret Santa for Seniors Gift Drive. Donations will be accepted now through Monday, December 19th and gifts can be dropped off in the first floor Main Lobby of the Robert W. Healy Public Safety Facility located at 125 Sixth Street.
The holiday season is a joyous time of year for many people, but it can be lonely for senior citizens in our community who may not have family or friends to celebrate with.

War Memorial Recreation Center Winter Season Online Registration for Cambridge Residents Begins Nov. 26

Residents can begin registering for winter classes at War Memorial Recreation Center, 1640 Cambridge St., Cambridge, on Monday, Nov. 26. 

Cambridge Kids’ Council Vacancy

City Manager Robert W. Healy is seeking a Cambridge resident interested in volunteering to serve on the Cambridge Kids’ Council.  Chaired by the Mayor, the Kids' Council members include elected officials, city department heads, community and non-profit leaders, business representatives and residents.  The council is charged with developing policy and program recommendations aimed at making sure Cambridge is a place where children and youth are healthy, safe, educated and civically engaged.

 

Best-Selling Author Patricia Cornwell Funds Forensic Training in Cambridge

Through a generous donation from Patricia Cornwell, author of the best-selling Scarpetta crime novels, detectives from the Cambridge, Harvard, MIT, and Everett police departments received Crime Scene Management Training from the National Forensic Academy.

State/Presidential Election Tuesday, Nov 6

The State/Presidential Election will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2012.  The polls will be open on Election Day from 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.  Any voter who is unable to go to the polls on Election Day due to physical disability, religious belief or absence from the City may request an Absentee Ballot from the Commission.  The deadline to apply for an Absentee Ballot is Monday, Nov. 5, 2012 at Noon. 

Cambridge Halloween Happenings 2012

Cambridge Community Schools and Youth Centers in collaboration with other City departments are sponsoring their Annual Halloween parties and Haunted House at locations throughout the city. These parties provide a safe and fun place for children to enjoy the traditional Halloween Celebrations.

Cambridge Public Libraries closed Nov. 2

All Cambridge Public Library branches will be closed on Friday, Nov. 2 for a staff training.

Paying for Parking in Central Square Lots Gets Easier

Paying for Parking in Central Square Lots Gets Easier with New Credit Card Pay Stations/Fee Changes

Over the October 13-14 weekend, the last three metered lots in the City of Cambridge -- Lots 4, 5 and 6 on Bishop Allen Drive -- will be upgraded to replace the old meters with pay stations that allow patrons to pay for parking with either a credit card or quarters.

 

Cambridge GLBT Commission Vacancies

City Manager Robert W. Healy is seeking individuals to fill several vacancies on the Cambridge GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender) Commission.  Prospective commissioners must either reside or work in Cambridge.

2012 President and Officers of Cambridge Lions Club Gets Sworn In

 

The Cambridge Lions Club held it's installation of officers on Wednesday evening at the Portugala Restaurant in East Cambridge.

East Cambridge Business Association “Smoke This” Rib Fest 2012

The East Cambridge Business Association (ECBA) is proud to present The East Cambridge Business
Association “Smoke This” Rib Fest 2012, on Sunday  October 21, 2012 from noon – 4:00pm. The Rib Fest and Street Fair will take place on Cambridge Street in East Cambridge, between Fulkerson Street and Fifth Street.