Dec 29, 2012 - A Facebook posting just now reminded me of the fact that on Valentines Day, 2013 I'll be marking 35 years since I relocated to Cambridge from New York (via Flagstaff, AZ). I actually moved into a Cambridge apartment a week later and my address has not changed since then. I marked the occasion of completing my 20th year in Cambridge in a Foreword in the early Cambridge Civic Journal on March 8, 1998 like this:

CCJ Issue #6 (March 8, 1998)

I suppose it's this way in most places, certainly in much of New England. I'm talking about the situation of moving to a city or town other than where you were born and raised and never quite feeling like one of the crowd. My birthplace was Astoria, a part of New York City, and I grew up in Whitestone, north of Flushing, in Queens County in NYC. On Valentine's Day, I quietly celebrated the 20th anniversary of my residency in Cambridge. To some, I just arrived.

The way I see it, I've lived here longer than every student at Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School. I've participated in civic affairs at all levels. I own a house in Cambridge. I've run for political office here. Yet in some circles, I just arrived.

I wonder if there is anything that one can do, an initiation rite of some sort, that will allow a neo-Cantabrigian to become a true Cantabrigian? Describe the tests of physical and mental stamina that are required and I'll begin training. Perhaps a physical competition with someone named Sullivan, Greenidge, or Koocher. I am willing to attend all Sullivan "times" for the next decade, a small inconvenience in exchange for the right to be called a true Cantabrigian.

A former reporter for the Cambridge Chronicle once wrote an article describing the difference between a native of Cambridge or Somerville and a non-native. He said that if you ask a non-native what school he went to, he tells you the name of his college or colleges. When you ask a native, he tells you his high school, even if he has a college degree.

Robert Winters, Flushing High School, Class of '73

Those remarks brought a few very memorable responses which I published in a follow-up article three weeks later:

CCJ Issue #7 (March 29, 1998)

On becoming a True Cantabrigian

In response to my remarks about living in Cambridge for 20 years and still being thought of as a visitor in some circles, I received some wonderful and greatly appreciated responses. Here are a few:

Peter D.: I'm reminded of a story of my father's about small-town Vermont. It seems that someone moved to a little town from the big city somewhere else, and thought it quaint that he was always referred to as "the furriner". After a couple of decades, though, it began to bother him, especially now that he had lived in the town longer than many of the younger locals who called him that.

Finally, he flat out asked someone why they kept calling him the foreigner, and was told "well, if you put a mouse in the oven, it wouldn't make it a biscuit, would it?"

Joanne L. offered the complete text of a City Council Order that would declare me to be a True Cantabrigian with all the rights, privileges and obligations associated with this new status (except for attending alumni parties at local schools).

Phil S.: As it is said in Charlestown: "How long does one have to live in Charlestown until you are a townie?"

"Until it says it on your birth certificate."

George M.: This point was driven home for me a number of years ago when I read about a long-time Jamaica Plain resident who was running for the City Council there. At one of her public meetings, a kid barely out of his teens asked her how long she had lived in the neighborhood. She responded by saying she'd been there for 20 or 30 years. He dismissed her experience by saying, "Well, I was BORN here."

Jamie S.: I do think I have determined another indicator of the native born and outsider, at least for those who have moved here from other parts of Massachusetts. When I turn to the obituary page in the Globe, I still first look to the town where I grew up. Perhaps when my eye is drawn to the Cambridge listings first, I will have arrived.

And the best response of all:

Glenn Koocher: Here's how you, too, can become a lifetime Cambridge resident (a.k.a. 'Cantabrigian') just like some of the rest of us.

But first a caveat: not everybody can undergo the conversion from outsider to one of us. And, remember, that if you're one of them, it's even harder.

And the discrimination of who is what goes both ways. I've known lifetime Cambridge people who wanted to become one of them. They spend their lives denying their East Cambridge, North Cambridge, or Cambridgeport roots, going to prestigious colleges, and altering their dialects hoping to win acceptance (e.g., more than four #1 votes from Coolidge Hill) and CCA endorsements. It doesn't work. When push comes to shove, they'll always vote for one of their own as opposed to someone with an ethnic last name, a hard Boston accent, or blue collar parentage.

Moreover, if you're associated with the Cambridge Civic Association or a left wing self-styled progressive group, your place of birth is irrelevant - unless it is Cambridge, in which case it is counterproductive to have been born here unless you fit into any five of the following:

• your people came over on a sailing ship more than 150 years ago.
• your name isn't too ethnic.
• your dialect isn't too Boston.
• you went to a prep school and a private college.
• your parent(s) happened to live here because they're on the Harvard or MIT faculty.
• you were born here only because the Mt. Auburn maternity ward or Cahill House (the Cambridge Hospital's maternity ward until the 1960s) was where your family's obstetrician worked (e.g., in the case of actor Sam Waterston).
• you're willing to practice Catholic-bashing as the anti-Semitism of the left.
• you are willing to practice political correctness as your substitute for organized religion.
• you are a member of a politically correct racial, ethnic, or sexual preference constituency.

Note, just because you were "born here," or have deep roots doesn't make you a Cantabrigian in everyone's eyes. For example, former Assistant Superintendent Oliver S. Brown had Cambridge roots going back to the 1670s and had a grandmother on Craigie Street, but it wasn't good enough. First, with a name like Oliver, you're in trouble from the start. Second, his people came from the wrong part of town.

Still, you, too, can be part of the long time, good old boy/girl network, but you have to work at it. For example, Alice Wolf still hasn't been able to break in. Back in 1975, she shot back at then-School Committee candidate, but current ESPN broadcaster/ sports talk show host, and Herald and Boston Magazine scribe, Steve Buckley (Fayette Park & Prospect Street) with, "I may not be a lifetime Cambridge resident like Steve, but I've lived here since before he was born." Consider the following:

1. Trace your lineage to a former (or better yet, prominent) Cantabrigian or family of the right political stripe. A lot of lifetime Cambridge people were actually born and raised in Arlington to which their parents or grandparents moved after selling the house in Cambridge for a killing. These Arlingtonians are instantly and permanently grandfathered in because their families were one of us. This works for Irish, Italians, Polish, Lithuanians, Portuguese, Armenians, and, if they have blue collar Cambridge roots, a few Jews.

2. Marry a local girl or boy. This automatically grandfathers you in. My mother's family (and this was something of a secret) was actually from Winthrop and (even more of a secret) Chelsea. But after she married into the Koocher family in 1946, that was never an issue for any of us. Outsiders who married locals were welcomed in right away. Jimmy Tingle's father had a southern accent, but he married a thoroughbred, blue collar Cambridge girl with strong roots in East Cambridge. He was always totally accepted and considered a native.

3. Get a blue collar city job and work it for a while. No matter what your roots are, if you've ridden shotgun on a public works truck, dug trenches for the Water Department, or washed the floor at the Cambridge Hospital, you can get special consideration. (Working at the library does not count). This takes a few months so you can be seen. Make sure that everyone knows you play the football card every week in season. This works fast.

4. Change your politics and practice it. Start going to times, and make contributions to our candidates. Perform your grassroots dues by standing out at visibilities, handing out poll cards, sending dear friend post cards, and....Spend some serious time at Charlie's Kitchen, Guido's Florida Cafe, Puglese's, Joey Macs, the Druid, or the Windsor Cafe. If you get hungry, try the S&S, Frank's Steak House, Cambridge Common, or any Dunkin Donuts. If you must go out of town to dine, Greg's, an inch over the border into Watertown, is also acceptable. These tactics work, but they take a long time. Be prepared to wait as long as a generation.

5. Change your drinking habits. Switch to Lite Beer and never be seen with wine of any kind unless it comes out of a bottle costing no more than $1.99 and is consumed out of a brown paper bag.

6. Never buy anything but a newspaper in Harvard Square and, then, only from Nini's.

7. Work hard at changing your dialect and knowing the local nuance. The Boston accent and the vaguely distinguishable Cambridge variation is a basis for discrimination by outsiders, but a sign of acceptability to us. Try to understand the very unique things that help us identify outsiders from the rest of us. For example, a real Cambridge person knows that Elm Street (e.g., intersects Broadway) is pronounced El-um, and that Elm Street near Porter Square is pronounced as a one syllable word. We also know the difference between the Kennedy School (emphasis on the first Ken) at Harvard and the Kennedy School (emphasis on the School) in East Cambridge. Refer to the Harvard Square theater as the University Theater and brag about how you don't go there any more, but how much you miss the Central Square Theater or the Inman Show.

8. Read the obituary page daily. Know where all the bodies are buried, and who's related to whom. Start going to wakes of people you really knew but whose family might not have been expecting you. This might not get you totally accepted, but will make you amply tolerated - even genuinely liked (e.g., Geneva Malenfant).

9. Have a basic level of political knowledge of our local leaders. Never use last names when referring to Walter or Michael and remember that it is always Edward, not Eddie, when speaking as an insider of the revered Sullivan family. Never refer to Al without mentioning the Vellucci. And, when you refer to the Maynard School, make sure you call it the old Roberts School first and then make a point to mention what a great guy Joe Maynard was (may his soul rest in peace).

10. When attending the count, hang out with us, not with them.

11. NEVER boast about how you loved the Yankees or Knicks as a kid, or how much you hate hockey.

12. And, most important, next time you're in Charlie's Kitchen, or Guido's, or Puglese's, the Druid, or the Windsor, and you see some local pundits, always buy a few rounds.

So, anyone want to meet me at Charlie's Kitchen the 3rd week of February? You're buying. - Robert Winters

Comments?

Hello Recycling & Composting Neighbors!

Yard Waste Ends Dec 10-14 and Christmas Trees Dec 31-Jan 11
Green Gift Ideas
What to Do With Packaging…
Love Food Hate Waste
Share Spray: A New Way to Do Everything
Recycling FAQ: How Clean Should Containers Be?

Yard Waste Ends Dec 10-14 and Christmas Trees Dec 31-Jan 11
Separate yard waste collection continues through December 10-14 and begins again the week of April 1st. Place yard waste in paper refuse bags or loose in barrels. No plastic bags. Click here for materials accepted. For stickers, use our online form or call 617-349-4800. Pumpkins can go in with yard waste. Remember, if you hire a contractor, they are responsible for removing yard waste. Curbside collection of Christmas trees (remove ALL decorations) will be December 31-January 11, weather permitting.

Green Gift Ideas
Reducing waste is especially important during the holiday season. Consider these tips:

• Not all gifts need to come in a box; give your loved ones an experience. Avoid extra packaging and give something memorable. Some favorite gift ideas include: tickets to a concert, play, museum or sports game, art or dance classes, a massage, a car sharing membership, or even a gift to charity. You can even give a gift your own time by making dinner, babysitting, washing a car, or cleaning out a garage or attic.
• Find a perfect, unique gift in an unexpected place like at an antique store, flea market, or even a nursery.
  Avoid the hustle and bustle of the mall and peruse antique stores, consignment shops, and thrift stores for one of a kind gifts. Seeds and potted plants are gifts that last all year, and help clean our air.
• Consider making your gift. Some good ideas: frame a special photo, give a basket full of home-made baked goods, book of recipes, family calendar, or re-pot clippings from your favorite houseplants.
• When it’s time to wrap your gifts, look for paper that is made from post-consumer recycled content, or better yet look around the house for even more unique options.
  Why buy new wrapping paper when you can make your own? Kids’ drawings, old maps, newspaper comics, and even reusable bags can make your gift stand out.

What to Do With Packaging…

• Bubble Wrap and Air Pockets: Recycle with plastic bags at the Recycling Center during open hours. Bags must be empty, clean, and dry. Review accepted items here.
• Cardboard Boxes: Be sure boxes going to the curb for recycling are empty of any Styrofoam, bubble wrap, plastic air pockets, etc.
• Styrofoam Peanuts: Bring Styrofoam peanuts to a UPS Store for reuse or to the Recycling Center during open hours.
• Blister Packaging: Hard clear plastic form packaging can be recycled in the curbside program.

Love Food Hate Waste
From farm to fork, Americans waste 40% of their food. In addition to the economic and ethical ramifications, this waste has far-reaching environmental impacts. Each person creates at least a half-pound of food waste a day. Whatever food you love, you can reduce waste and save money. Here are some great tips:

• Plan Ahead. Make a shopping list and check your fridge and cupboards first for what you have and what you actually need to buy. Don’t be tempted by offers and don’t shop when you are hungry, you’ll end up buying more. Don’t buy produce that often goes unused. Put newer groceries behind the old ones.
• Make it Last. Store fruits and most vegetables in a loosely tied plastic bag in the fridge to maintain quality and delay ripening. Store potatoes in a paper bag. Make smoothies from fruit going soft and soup from vegetables starting to wilt. Soak droopy greens in cold water for 30 minutes to freshen them up. Use your freezer for sliced bread and batch cook foods to meals are ready for busy evenings when you are too tired to cook. Freeze milk before you go away to preserve it.
• Right Size Portions. Serve small amounts, it’s easy to take seconds, but we should clear our plate first. Love your leftovers – they make a great lunch or a base for a new meal. Try halving recipes or ordering from the appetizer menu at restaurants if you don’t like leftovers.
• Expiration exasperation. Trust your senses before you rely on the package date. Sell-by dates are aimed at retailers and leave about a week for consumers to enjoy an item at home. And best-by is less stringent than use-by.
• For more info and ideas, visit www.wastedfood.com, www.lovefoodhatewaste.com, and www.nrdc.org/food/wasted-food.asp.

Share Spray: A New Way to Do Everything
Check out this short video from the Center for the American Dream. In it, a woman gets a surprise visit from her Sharey Godmother (yes, they exist!), who hands her a can of... Share Spray. With creativity, charm, and a bit of fun, what follows next in the video is an exploration of how sharing could transform our lives and neighborhoods. Consider sharing cars with RelayRides, swap clothing at an upcoming Swapaholics event, or give stuff and get stuff on FreeCycle.

Recycling FAQ: How Clean Should Containers Be?
Empty glass, metal and plastic containers are accepted for curbside recycling. Please make sure containers are basically free from food residue because these materials are sold to make new products. The cleaner your containers, the more they’re worth in the recyclables market. This is especially important now that containers and paper products are placed in the same bin. For example, paper covered in tomato sauce is contaminated and compromises quality. But, you do not need to put containers in your dishwasher. For peanut butter tubs, try to scrape it out and eat it… otherwise just squirt a little dish soap, fill with warm water, let it sit, then the next day shake and pour it out. For shampoo bottles, laundry detergent, lotions, etc. just try to use as much as possible and recycle the container. Did you know that recycling actually saves water because we are reducing the need for virgin raw materials and therefore reduces water used during these avoided stages of extraction and manufacturing.

• Missed recycling or trash?  Please use iReport or call DPW at 617-349-4800 no later than 12 noon the day after collection to make a request.

• Request for toters, brochures, stickers or posters? Use our online form.

• "Like" the Cambridge DPW on Facebook.

• Please note that during holidays weeks, trash, recycling and yard waste collection is delayed one day. Check the 2012 collection schedule online for full details.

Take the 50% recycling pledge today at www.cambridgema.gov/recycle and get a free sticker!
Recycle More. Trash Less.

If you support recycling and finding solutions to pollution, you may also find this interesting:
From garbage to fuel: Santa Cruz nonprofit pushes program to turn plastic pollution into power

Kendall Square Urban Renewal Area - Cambridge Redevelopment Authority

documents provided by Joseph Tulimieri, (former) Exec. Director, Cambridge Redevelopment Authority (CRA)

Kendall Square Urban Renewal Project/Chronology (dated February 2012)

Kendall Square Urban Renewal Plan History (dated February 2012)

Report on Authority Land Holdings and Disposition Plans (dated September 1, 2011)

Kendall Square Urban Renewal Project, Initial Years, 1963 to 1982 (dated July 2012, by Thad Tercyak)

Background material on the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority provided at the March 22, 2011 joint meeting of the Cambridge City Council's Neighborhood & Long-Term Planning Committee and the Economic Development, Training, & Employment Committee.

Note (Apr 5): The links are provided to give a little perspective to those who were not around when the Kendall Square MXD district was little more than vacant lots. The district is now almost completely built and is a major part of the commercial tax base for Cambridge. The staff of the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority (CRA) was reduced a number of years ago and its function is now primarily administrative. Though one may argue that the granting of a sign to Microsoft and the modification of a covenant for the garage rooftop garden are significant policy decisions, in the long view these are relatively minor administrative decisions.

The more important question, and the one not asked by the local bloggers, is what role the CRA should play in the future. Earlier in its history, the CRA was greatly involved in housing development outside the Kendall Square MXD district. Much of this function has been assumed in the ensuing years by the Community Development Department and the Affordable Housing Trust in partnership with both for-profit and non-profit developers. An interesting question is whether the CRA might play a role in future housing development - especially in light of some of the proposals currently being floated for the areas now being discussed in the Kendall Square/Central Square study. - Robert Winters

Update: Four new City appointments have been made to the Board of the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority. They join gubernatorial appointee Barry Zevin to complete the five-person Board. The four City appointees must be confirmed by the City Council.

City Manager Letter - April 9, 2012
To the Honorable, the City Council:

In accordance with Chapter 121B of the Massachusetts General Laws, I am submitting the following names for City Council confirmation as members of the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority Board.

D. Margaret Drury, 1-year term to expire April 12, 2013:
Margaret is the recently retired City Clerk, former Executive Director of the Cambridge Rent Control Board and an Attorney.

Chris Bator, 3-year term to expire April 12, 2015:
Chris is an Assistant United States Attorney serving in that role since 1990. Prior to that, he served as the Assistant to the Commissioner of Health and Hospitals in Boston and as Executive Assistant to Mayor Kevin White.

Conrad Crawford, 4-year term to expire April 12, 2016:
Conrad is presently the Director of Partnerships for the Department of Conservation and Recreation and has experience in energy efficient transportation products. He is a resident of East Cambridge.

Kathleen Born, 5-year term to expire April 12, 2017:
Kathy is an Architect and former Cambridge City Councillor. She co-chaired the Ordinance Committee, and is thus very familiar with the zoning process. The State appointment term expiration would occur in 2014.

Since this recommendation results in a reconstruction of the Board, my recommendation results in staggered terms with one member's term expiring in each of the five years. Subsequent appointments would be for 5-year terms.

Very truly yours,
Robert W. Healy
City Manager

Looking Back and Looking Ahead at the Process of Choosing a City Manager

The City Council's Government Operations & Rules Committee met on Friday, June 22 for the purpose of initiating the process of seeking and hiring the next city manager. The process began with the following Order from March 19 that extended Bob Healy's contract through June 30, 2013 and called for the development of short-term and long-term succession plans.

Order #7     Mar 19, 2012
WHEREAS: City Manager Robert Healy's current employment contract with the City of Cambridge expires on Sept 30, 2012; and
WHEREAS: The contract contains a notification provision which needs action by the City Council or Mr. Healy on or before Mar 31, 2012; and
WHEREAS: As a result of Mr. Healy's long tenure as City Manager, the City of Cambridge has not undertaken a search for a new City Manager for over thirty years; and
WHEREAS: It is imperative to the overall stability of the City of Cambridge that the City Council develop both a comprehensive short-term and long-term succession plan that will assist the City Council in their ongoing goal of providing fiscal stability and thoughtful strategic planning and any short-term plan should be in place before the FY 2014 budget process begins; now therefore be it
ORDERED: That the City Council amends the expiration date of the City Manager's current employment contract to June 30, 2013 which coincides with the fiscal FY 2013 year-end; and be it further
ORDERED: That all other provisions of the employment contract remain unchanged; and be it further
ORDERED: That the City Council's Government Operations and Rules Committee, with the assistance of the City Manager, begin the process of developing comprehensive short-term and long-term succession plans. Such plans shall include timelines and outline opportunities for input from the community including residents, businesses, institutions and City staff. Once developed, such plans shall be presented to the full City Council for final consideration.

The meeting began with the setting of a precedent regarding remote attendance at public meetings. The recently revised Open Meeting Law contains a provision about participation via speakerphone. In attendance were Councillor Maher (Chair), Councillor vanBeuzekom, Councillor Decker, Councillor Toomey, and later Councillors Reeves and Simmons. Councillor Cheung was in Washington, D.C. but was connected via speakerphone. The law requires the City Manager to authorize remote attendance (which he did), but this then sets the precedent that such remote attendance is now permissible for all future public meetings (if I understood this correctly). I don't know whether or not this extends to the ability to cast a vote at meetings.

Bob Healy provided a rich account of the history of the hiring of city managers since the 1940 adoption of the Plan E Charter. Following the City's first Plan E municipal election in 1941, Cambridge's first city manager, Col. John B. Atkinson, was hired in January 1942. Then, as now, all it takes is a simple majority of five votes to hire a city manager - no formal process required (as Councillor Toomey reminded everyone later in the meeting). The city managers of Cambridge are:

One of the more fascinating revelations was that when Bob Healy was hired, it was by an 8-1 vote with four CCA votes (David Sullivan, Frank Duehay, Saundra Graham, David Wylie) and four Independent votes (Walter Sullivan, Tom Danehy, Lenny Russell, Al Vellucci) in support. The lone dissenting vote was Kevin Crane (an Independent) who objected to the fact that Bob Healy was not a resident of Cambridge.

Mr. Healy made clear that the continued stability of the City is assured with the transition team of Deputy City Manager Rich Rossi, Assistant City Manager Ellen Semonoff (Human Services), Assistant City Manager Brian Murphy (Community Development), Assistant City Manager Louis Depasquale (Fiscal Affairs), [and Public Works Commissioner Lisa Peterson, Police Commissioner Robert Haas and Fire Chief Gerald Reardon]. In making the point that Rich Rossi could step in right now without missing a beat, Mr. Healy joked that he is "the best available athlete in the draft."

There were clear indications that at least one city councillor, Mr. Reeves, is doing everything in his power to take control of this process. He accused the City Manager of wrongdoing in the hirings of former City Councillor Brian Murphy as head of the Community Development Department, former School Committee member Nancy Tauber as head of the Kids' Council, and former City Councillor Larry Ward as a member of the Election Commission. His insulting tirade (which provoked an angry response from Mr. Healy) seemed clearly intended to put others on the defensive. It has been reported that Mr. Reeves had his own favorite for at least one of these positions. The Plan E Charter prohibits councillors from circumventing the City Manager to try to direct the actions of City employees, including department heads. The proper approach is to introduce a City Council Order and to obtain a majority vote to support a request of the City Manager to undertake any desired action, but there is a history of city councillors working behind the scenes to get their loyalists into influential positions. The ultimate prize would be to hire a loyalist as city manager.

Councillor Decker suggested that there be a thorough process of "community engagement" as part of the larger process of choosing the next city manager. She concurred with Councillor Toomey's observation that ultimately the choice will come down to getting five votes (and hopefully more) to coalesce around a candidate regardless what process is undertaken to produce good candidates. Arguably, the largest part of any "community process" in the hiring of a city manager is the election of the City Council. We can only hope that the current nine are up to the task and that the tail is not permitted to wag the dog. - Robert Winters

Hello Recycling & Composting Neighbors!

Moving? Tips for Cardboard & Other Stuff
Opt Out of Unwanted Mail
Compost Quick Tips for Fall
Large Items & Appliances: New Online Permits

Moving? Tips for Cardboard & Other Stuff

• BOXES: Recycle clean boxes in the curbside program. Flatten or nest boxes when possible. No need to cut it down. Place in recycling bin or neatly next to one. No packing peanuts or plastic wrap. Review the full list of what to recycle in the curbside program here.
• PACKING PEANUTS: accepted at UPS Stores during open hours. Place all other Styrofoam in the trash.
• PLASTIC WRAP, BUBBLE WRAP, & BAGS: Bring to the Recycling Center, Harvest Coop, Market Basket, Shaws, Star Market, or Whole Foods. Bags must be empty, clean, and dry.
• LARGE RIGID PLASTIC ITEMS: Recycle plastic plant pots, laundry baskets, crates, 5-gallon pails, broken toys, in curbside program.
• CLOTHING, FURNITURE, & HOUSEHOLD ITEMS: Donate! See our flyer and map which shows many clothing drop boxes, thrift stores & consignment shops and second hand stores! Note that Goodwill, Red Cross, Salvation Army, and Planet Aid will even accept clothing & textiles that are torn, stained, broken or missing something. If it’s not wearable, damaged clothing is recycled into wiping rags and everything else is processed back into fibers used to make paper, yarn, insulation, carpet padding, and sound proofing.
• BOOKS: Place in a cardboard box or plastic bag and donate! Recycle any books with water damage or mold.
  • Recycling Center accepts all books, CDs, DVDs, and Video Games.
  • The Cambridge Public Library accepts hardcover books in excellent condition that are currently on the Boston Globe or New York Times bestseller lists, and that currently have holds for patrons. There is a cost to process additions to the collection, so there are limits to what is accepted. They cannot provide receipts, nor return any donated item.
  • Boomerangs, 563 Mass Ave,  No textbooks or encyclopedias.
  • Boston Family Shelter, 656 Mass Ave, Boston, French, Spanish and Creole books needed, especially children’s books. No large donations, over 30 books.
  • CASPAR Shelter, 240 Albany St. Only books in good condition. No children's books.
  • Goodwill, 520 Mass Ave or 230 Elm (Somerville). Books, records, tapes, CDs, DVDs
  • Homeless Services/Friends of Boston’s Homeless, (617) 534-2526, ext. 46130 or dial 0, Especially interested in receiving books for adults and older teenagers.
  • Massachusetts General Hospital, (617) 726-8540 Hours: M – F, 8:30 – 7pm. Books for adults (general interest, nothing obscure) and magazines within 3 months of release.
  • Mount Auburn Hospital, (617) 499-5016, Volunteer Office, South Building. Call before making donations. Book shelves are often full.

Opt Out of Unwanted Mail
Do you get unwanted mail from retailers, credit card companies, or cable/phone companies? You can opt out of mailings from over 4000 companies with Catalog Choice and help reduce waste. For example, you can stop getting weekly circulars from Global Direct, they will honor opt-out requests, so add them to “your choices”. Just register for FREE at https://cambridge.catalogchoice.org to create an account to start cleaning out your mailbox.  To date, over 3700 Cambridge residents have signed up and opted out of nearly 25,000 different unwanted mailings!

Compost Quick Tips for Fall
Composting is easy, cheap, and protects the climate. Cambridge residents have several options:
1) Outdoors in a backyard bin,
2) Indoors with worms,
3) City food scraps drop-off program, or
4) Pay for bicycle pickup.
Composting at home is the best choice for the environment. If you have a backyard, here are some quick fall compost tips: pick up fallen fruit or veggies from your garden, save leaves to cover up or bury food scraps in your compost bin, maintain the right ratio: 3 parts “browns” to 1 part “greens”.  See more tips online!

Large Items & Appliances: New Online Permits
You can now schedule and pay for the pickup of large items / appliances online. This includes: air conditioners, bicycles, copiers, dehumidifiers, dryers, exercise equipment, freezers, large computer monitors, large TVs, lawnmowers, metal desks, metal filing cabinets, printers, refrigerators, snowblowers, stoves, trash compactors, washers, water coolers, and water heaters. DPWs credit card policies will also be brought in line with City policies regarding credit cards and convenience fees that took effect this year.

• Missed recycling? Please call DPW at 617-349-4800 no later than 12 noon the day after collection, or use iReport, the City's new online and mobile app to request missed recycling/trash and more!

• Request for toters, brochures, stickers or posters? Use our online form.

• "Like" the Cambridge DPW on Facebook.

• Please note that during holidays weeks, trash, recycling and yard waste collection is delayed one day. Check the 2012 collection schedule online for full details.

Take the 50% recycling pledge today at www.cambridgema.gov/recycle and get a free sticker!
Recycle More. Trash Less.

If you support recycling and finding solutions to pollution, you may also find this interesting:
From garbage to fuel: Santa Cruz nonprofit pushes program to turn plastic pollution into power

September 28, 2012
Statement from Kathleen Born, Chair, Cambridge Redevelopment Authority:

"Yesterday, the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority met in Executive Session after properly noticing the meeting. At the meeting, the Authority accepted the resignation of its longtime Executive Director, Joseph Tulimieri, effective immediately. Earlier this week, the Authority accepted the resignation of the Authority's Administrative Assistant.

As provided by state law, the Authority has asked the City of Cambridge for assistance conducting its affairs on a day to day basis until a permanent Executive Director can be recruited. Discussions with City officials regarding how that assistance may be provided are ongoing.

In response to a report prepared by the Authority's outside counsel, the Authority has become concerned that salary increases and benefit enhancements received by its Executive Director were not properly authorized. The Authority is beginning the process of hiring independent counsel and a forensic audit firm to examine these concerns. The Authority is committed to determining the full extent of these matters in a transparent fashion.

Sept 20 - Recently, one or both challengers in the 26th Middlesex State Representative race proposed the idea of a series of five debates between now and the November election. To this, State Representative Tim Toomey offers the following very interesting proposal:

Dear Mr. Vasconcelos and Mr. Connolly,

Thank you for reaching out and proposing a series of debates. With the election just 48 days away, I think it is important that as many of our neighbors as possible can watch our debate.

To maximize the number of residents who can see the debate, and rather than trying to squeeze five debates into fewer than seven weeks, I propose a single, open-ended, unmoderated, televised debate with no time limits. In the past, I have partaken in many debates and, invariably, when the debates have ended there are always important issues left by the wayside. What I'm suggesting is, as far as I know, unprecedented in politics. Let's go in front of the cameras and discuss all the issues until there is nothing left to talk about.

I am confident that Somerville Community Access Television and or Cambridge Community Television would be willing to air and rerun our debate, and I'm also willing to stream the debate live on my campaign website. With no moderator, we will have the opportunity to speak directly with one another and to ask tough questions about issues facing our district. With a televised audience and replays online, we'll help as many of our neighbors as possible to get informed and decide for themselves.

I welcome any suggestions you might have about the format of our debate, and I look forward to your response.

Best wishes,
Timothy J. Toomey, Jr.
State Representative, 26th Middlesex District

Comments?

Hello Recycling & Composting Neighbors!

In this (mid-August) issue:

Moving? Tips for Cardboard & Other Stuff
Check Out Harvard's Stuff Sales – Next 3 Weekends
Save That Banana Peel: 9/17 Compost Workshop
Large Items & Appliances: New Online Permits
Upcoming Recycling & Trash Tours
Help Out - Be a Recycling Volunteer
Moving? Tips for Cardboard & Other Stuff

• BOXES: Recycle clean boxes in the curbside program. Flatten or nest boxes when possible. No need to cut it down. Place in recycling bin or neatly next to one. No packing peanuts or plastic wrap. Review the full list of what to recycle in the curbside program here.
• PACKING PEANUTS: accepted at UPS Stores during open hours. Place all other Styrofoam in the trash.
• PLASTIC WRAP, BUBBLE WRAP, & BAGS: Bring to the Recycling Center, Harvest Coop, Market Basket, Shaws, Star Market, or Whole Foods. Bags must be empty, clean, and dry.
• LARGE RIGID PLASTIC ITEMS: Recycle plastic plant pots, laundry baskets, crates, 5-gallon pails, broken toys, in curbside program.
• CLOTHING, FURNITURE, & HOUSEHOLD ITEMS: Donate! See our flyer and map which shows many clothing drop boxes, thrift stores & consignment shops and second hand stores! Note that Goodwill, Red Cross, Salvation Army, and Planet Aid will even accept clothing & textiles that are torn, stained, broken or missing something. If it’s not wearable, damaged clothing is recycled into wiping rags and everything else is processed back into fibers used to make paper, yarn, insulation, carpet padding, and sound proofing.
• BOOKS: Place in a cardboard box or plastic bag and donate! Recycle any books with water damage or mold.
  • Recycling Center accepts all books, CDs, DVDs, and Video Games.
  • The Cambridge Public Library accepts hardcover books in excellent condition that are currently on the Boston Globe or New York Times bestseller lists, and that currently have holds for patrons. There is a cost to process additions to the collection, so there are limits to what is accepted. They cannot provide receipts, nor return any donated item.
  • Boomerangs, 563 Mass Ave,  No textbooks or encyclopedias.
  • Boston Family Shelter, 656 Mass Ave, Boston, French, Spanish and Creole books needed, especially children’s books. No large donations, over 30 books.
  • CASPAR Shelter, 240 Albany St. Only books in good condition. No children's books.
  • Goodwill, 520 Mass Ave or 230 Elm (Somerville). Books, records, tapes, CDs, DVDs
  • Homeless Services/Friends of Boston’s Homeless, (617) 534-2526, ext. 46130 or dial 0, Especially interested in receiving books for adults and older teenagers.
  • Massachusetts General Hospital, (617) 726-8540 Hours: M – F, 8:30 – 7pm. Books for adults (general interest, nothing obscure) and magazines within 3 months of release.
  • Mount Auburn Hospital, (617) 499-5016, Volunteer Office, South Building. Call before making donations. Book shelves are often full.

Check Out Harvard's Stuff Sales – Next 3 Weekends
Check out the annual fundraising yard sales, which offer used goods including futons, rugs, mini-refrigerators, fans, mirrors, lamps, coffee tables and other donations from 9am-5pm on: August 18-19, August 25-Sept 3, and September 8-9. All sales will be held at Littauer Circle west of the Science Center and behind Gannett House of Harvard Law School at 1511 Mass Ave, Cambridge. Funds support Harvard Habitat for Humanity’s mission to fund trips to build housing for the needy.

Save That Banana Peel: 9/17 Compost Workshop
6:15pm, Cambridge DPW, 147 Hampshire Street. Composting is easy, cheap, and protects the climate. Learn how and from the City’s Recycling Director, Ms. Randi Mail. Cambridge residents have several options: 1) Outdoors in a backyard bin, 2) Indoors with worms, 3) City food scraps drop-off program, or 4) Pay for bicycle pickup. Composting at home is the best choice for the environment. If you have a backyard, save a few bags of your fall leaves to easily get your fall pile started.

Large Items & Appliances: New Online Permits
You can now schedule and pay for the pickup of large items / appliances online. This includes: air conditioners, bicycles, copiers, dehumidifiers, dryers, exercise equipment, freezers, large computer monitors, large TVs, lawnmowers, metal desks, metal filing cabinets, printers, refrigerators, snowblowers, stoves, trash compactors, washers, water coolers, and water heaters. DPWs credit card policies will also be brought in line with City policies regarding credit cards and convenience fees that took effect this year.

Upcoming Recycling & Trash Tours
Cambridge residents and City employees are invited to tour Casella Recycling in Charlestown and Waste Management’s incinerator in Saugus. No children under 16. The tour lasts about 2 hours and involves lots of walking on narrow catwalks and stairs, close to heavy equipment. If you can’t keep up with a group walking at a steady pace, unfortunately this is not for you. We meet at DPW and carpool. Let us know if you can drive and how many people you can take. Email recycle@cambridgema.gov to sign up and we’ll send more info.

Recycling Tours:   9/26 (early afternoon), 11/15 (morning).  Or, watch a short video at www.zero-sort.com.

Trash Tours:   TENTATIVE: 9/18, 10/16, 11/8 (all early afternoon)

Help Out - Be a Recycling Volunteer
We need your help to sign residents up to receive this newsletter. Please consider volunteering at a community event! It's fun because you can enjoy the atmosphere, talk to people and get a free t-shirt. Email recycle@cambridgema.gov if you can help at:

Aug 16 - Summer in the City (performance & movie night), 7pm, East Cambridge Savings Bank parking lot, 1310 Cambridge St

Aug 23 - Summer in the City (performance & movie night), 7pm, Volpe Center Lawn, 55 Broadway St

Aug 30 - Summer in the City (performance & movie night), 7pm, University Park @ Sidney & Franklin St

Sept 1 - Area Four Back to School Fair, Noon-5pm, Sennott Park

Sept 15 (9/29 raindate) - Area Four Community Pride Day, 10am-6pm, Clement Morgan Park

Sept 22 (9/23 raindate) - Danehy Park Day, 11am-4pm

Sept 23 - Annual Urban Agricultural Fair, Noon-6pm, Harvard Square/Winthrop Park

Oct 7 (10/8 raindate) - Oktoberfest & HONK Festival, Noon-6pm, Cambridge Common/Winthrop Park

Oct 14 - CitySprouts Festival, Noon-3pm, Ahern Field

Oct 21 - Annual Rib Festival, Noon-6pm, Cambridge St (5th to Fulkerson)

• Missed recycling? Please call DPW at 617-349-4800 no later than 12 noon the day after collection, or use iReport, the City's new online and mobile app to request missed recycling/trash and more!

• Request for toters, brochures, stickers or posters? Use our online form.

• "Like" the Cambridge DPW on Facebook.

• Please note that during holidays weeks, trash, recycling and yard waste collection is delayed one day. Check the 2012 collection schedule online for full details.

Take the 50% recycling pledge today at www.cambridgema.gov/recycle and get a free sticker!
Recycle More. Trash Less.

If you support recycling and finding solutions to pollution, you may also find this interesting:
From garbage to fuel: Santa Cruz nonprofit pushes program to turn plastic pollution into power

Aug 21 - Our friend Ron Newman assembled the following list of bicycle-related events taking place this fall in Somerville and neighboring communities.

Saturday, September 8, starting at 9am: Mystic River Watershed Association's Meet Me At The Mystic festival, primarily a kayak and canoe event, will also include a bicycle tour. All events start at the Mystic Lakes Dam (which separates Upper and Lower Mystic Lakes) in Medford.

Saturday, September 8, 5-9pm: Spokes 2012 bike festival in Union Square, Somerville, preceded by a Tasting Tour at 3pm, and followed by a SCUL mission at 9pm (civilians invited). A Somerville Arts Council ArtsUnion production.

Saturday, September 15: Fay, Spofford and Thorndike "Bike Fest" in Malden. There will be a ribbon-cutting for the Malden section of the Northern Strand Trail, around 9am, and a cook-out at 11am. I don't yet know the location of this event. Watch BikeToTheSea.com for updates.

Saturday, September 15: Harbor-to-Bay Bike Ride for AIDS - Boston to Provincetown.

Saturday, September 22, 10am: Medford History Bike Tour: Oldest Trees in Medford. Meet at Whole Foods, 2151 Mystic Valley Parkway (Route 16). Free for Medford Historical Society members, $5 for everyone else.

Saturday, September 22, noon to 5:30pm: TD Bank Mayor's Cup bike race on streets surrounding Boston City Hall Plaza

Sunday, September 23, 8am: Hub On Wheels - huge 50-mile bike ride (with shorter options), starting at Boston City Hall.

Saturday, September 29, 9am: Middlesex Canal historic bike tour, an annual event usually led by Dick Bauer, Bill Kuttner, and Robert Winters. Starts at Sullivan Square station in Charlestown, passing through Somerville and Medford on the way to North Billerica and Lowell. Cyclists return to Medford or Boston by MBTA commuter train. Information should eventually be available at MiddlesexCanal.org.

Sunday, September 30, 1pm: Cambridge Bow Tie Bike Tour, starting at the Cambridge Main Library park on Broadway. More info will be posted to CambridgeBikes.org as the ride date gets closer.

Sunday, October 7, noon: HONK! Festival Parade to "Reclaim the Streets for Horns, Bikes and Feet", from Davis Square to Harvard Square Oktoberfest. Watch http://honkfest.org/schedule/ for updates.

Saturday, October 13, 10am: Somerville Edge of the City Tour (the Somerville Bicycle Committee's 20th annual Tour de Somerville), starting at Seven Hills Park in Davis Square

Sunday, October 14: Bike To the Sea's Fall Colors ride. No details available yet; watch BikeToTheSea.com for updates.

Saturday, October 27: Tour de Graves - bike tour of historic cemeteries. Led by Dick Bauer. No details available yet.

Ron has also put this list on the web at http://bostoncycling.livejournal.com/105321.html and requests any additions or corrections be left as comments on the LiveJournal page.

Updated West Nile Virus Information (Cambridge Public Health Department) - Aug 29, 2012

West Nile coverage on Cambridge Public Health Department website: www.cambridgepublichealth.org/wnv

The recently added section on Local Response with an update of the City's efforts can be found at:
www.cambridgepublichealth.org/services/environmental-health/mosquito-borne-diseases/local_response.php

Aug 28, 2012

The Cambridge Public Health Department leads the city's response to the risks posed by West Nile virus and other mosquito-borne diseases.

West Nile virus was first detected in birds and mosquitoes in Massachusetts in 2000. Starting that year, Cambridge established a phased response to the threat of West Nile virus that emphasizes reduction of mosquito breeding habitats (e.g., wading pools, old tires, clogged rain gutters), personal protection, and education.

The Public Health Department works closely with the city's Department of Public Works and Inspectional Services Department to reduce mosquito-borne risk during the mosquito season (May through early November).

Mosquito control actions taken as of Aug. 28, 2012:

The use of mosquito larvicides is generally considered more effective than spraying for adult mosquitoes, since it stops mosquitoes from breeding. Cambridge larviciding activities include:

• The East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project (through an agreement with the City of Cambridge), has treated the city’s 5,140 municipal storm drains with a larvicide that prevents mosquito larvae from reaching maturity.
• The East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project has applied hand-held non-chemical larvicide to treat areas that are considered prime habitats for mosquito breeding. The treated areas include the Fresh Pond Reservation, Danehy Park, the Fresh Pond Golf Course, Magazine Beach, and the wetland areas along the Little River near the Alewife Brook.
• Both universities are currently treating storm drains on their own property or working with the city and the East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project to arrange for treatment by the end of August.

The Cambridge Public Health Department is not recommending spraying for adult mosquitoes at this time, but an active review of most effective practices used in other urban communities is underway.

• This decision is based on multiple factors, including research demonstrating that “truck spraying” in densely built urban communities, such as Cambridge, may be of limited effectiveness because buildings and higher trees prevent spray from reaching the most likely mosquito habitat in the canopies of trees. Further evidence of risk to humans is being carefully monitored and will be an important factor in the decision to use truck-based spray during the current season.
• The health department has been informed by the mosquito control agency serving Cambridge that spraying Russell Field or Danehy Park will not be carried out because these are open fields not bordered by thick vegetation, and thus spraying would likely not be effective in reducing the adult mosquito population.
• Wetlands near both Russell Field and Danehy Park have already been treated during the summer with non-chemical larvicides (as mandated by law) to reduce the adult population of wetlands mosquitoes. It is important to note that typical wetlands mosquitoes, while annoying, are not the carriers of West Nile virus in urban areas like Cambridge.

More About Larviciding

• Every summer, the East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project (EMMCP) treats the city's municipal storm drains with a larvicidal agent that prevents mosquitoes from breeding. The treatment rotates between a chemical agent and a bacteriological agent to reduce the risk of natural resistance in mosquito larvae.
• The EMMCP, through an agreement with the City of Cambridge, applies hand-held non-chemical larvicide to treat areas that are considered prime habitats for mosquito breeding. The treated areas typically include the Fresh Pond Reservation, a small portion of Danehy Park, and the wetland areas along the Little River near the Alewife Brook. EEMCP also maintains several surveillance mosquito trapping stations in Cambridge.

Public Information about West Nile Virus in Cambridge

• The Cambridge Public Health Department website offers information about mosquito-borne illnesses, including news updates, disease fact sheets, prevention tips, and links to relevant state and national public health agencies.
• The Cambridge Public Health Department maintains an e-mail list to deliver periodic updates about West Nile virus and eastern equine encephalitis to subscribers. The WNV Listserv is a service available to all community members. Please type “subscribe” in subject header when requesting to be put on this list.
• The Cambridge Public Health Department assists the Cambridge Public Schools in communicating with parents and establishing an appropriate policy for outdoor athletic events that are held from late August until early October, or the first frost (periods of heightened risk).

Eliminating Stagnant Water

• The Cambridge Public Health Department, the Department of Public Works, and the Inspectional Services Department respond to calls reporting stagnant water and other potential mosquito habitats on private and public property. The division of responsibilities for responding to these calls is as follows: DPW is charged with addressing standing water on public property, Inspectional Services is responsible for standing water on construction sites and commercial property, and the public health department follows up on calls about standing water on private property.

Revised on August 28, 2012

Second Cambridge Resident Diagnosed with West Nile Virus - August 23, 2012

State health officials reported today that a second Cambridge resident has been diagnosed with West Nile virus. The patient, a man in his 70s, is currently hospitalized.

The state’s first human case of West Nile virus this year was confirmed in another Cambridge resident on August 15. This resident, a man in his 60s, is recovering.

West Nile virus is a disease that can only be transmitted to people by the bite of an infected mosquito.

As of August 23, West Nile virus has been detected in mosquitoes in Cambridge and neighboring municipalities, including Arlington, Belmont, Boston, Brookline, Newton, and Watertown.

In addition to the elevated threat level in Cambridge, the nearby communities of Arlington, Belmont, Boston, Brookline, Somerville and Watertown have been raised to a “high” threat level for West Nile virus.

“We urge residents to be vigilant about avoiding mosquito bites and removing stagnant water near their homes,” said Claude Jacob, the city’s Chief Public Health Officer and director of the Cambridge Public Health Department.

“Our department has been working with city and community partners to inform residents about the increased risk of West Nile virus this summer. We’re also working with the East Middlesex Mosquito Control Project and city departments to reduce mosquito breeding grounds,” Jacob said.

Jacob added that the Cambridge Public Health Department has developed flyers and fact sheets in multiple languages on preventing mosquito-borne illnesses. These materials have been widely distributed to city departments and community organizations, and are available at www.cambridgepublichealth.org.

In addition, signs on avoiding mosquito bites will be posted in athetic fields, as well as the city's golf course and larger parks that are frequented in the evening.

The easiest and best way to avoid West Nile virus is to prevent mosquito bites. Here are some tips from the Cambridge Public Health Department:

• When you are outdoors, use insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, or IR3535. Follow the directions on the package.
• The mosquitoes that spread West Nile virus are most active in the evening and at night. Be sure to use insect repellent, and wear long sleeves and pants at these times or consider staying indoors during these hours.
• Make sure you have good screens on your windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out.
• Get rid of mosquito breeding sites by emptying standing water from flower pots, buckets and barrels. Change the water in pet dishes and replace the water in bird baths weekly. Drill holes in tire swings so water drains out.
• Keep children's wading pools empty and on their sides when they aren't being used.

Most people who get infected with West Nile virus have no symptoms and do not become sick. About 20% of infected people, however, experience mild sickness that may include fever, headache, and body aches. A small number of people—less than 1% of those infected—do develop severe illness, such as encephalitis or meningitis. People over age 50 have a higher risk of developing severe illness. Severe symptoms can include high fever, headache, stiff neck, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis. These symptoms may last several weeks, and neurological effects may be permanent.

If you think you have symptoms of West Nile virus, contact your doctor or nurse.

For news and information on West Nile virus and other diseases spread by mosquitoes, visit www.cambridgepublichealth.org or www.cdc.gov/westnile. More information on choosing and using repellents safely is included in the MDPH Mosquito Repellents fact sheet, which can be viewed online at www.mass.gov/dph/wnv.

If you have questions or concerns about West Nile virus or standing water, please contact the Cambridge Public Health Department’s Environmental Health Division at 617-665-3826 or contact Environmental Health staff at mginieres@challiance.org.

Voting for Register of Deeds for Southern District of Middlesex County - Heather Hoffman, Sept 3, 2012
(Primary Election Day is Thurs, Sept 6)

My day job is being a title examiner, so I am extremely interested in one race that has not gotten much ink (although billboards, lawn signs and mass mailings are an entirely different matter).  After 24 years, the current Register of Deeds for the Southern District of Middlesex County is retiring.  Six Democrats are running, and the winner of Thursday's primary will have no opposition on the ballot in November.  Few people outside my line of work have any idea what the registry of deeds is and what the register does, but the records in that building are nonetheless very important; they form the basis for the title to every piece of real estate in 44 cities and towns, including Cambridge.  I have a few links to candidates nights and to interviews I conducted with two of the candidates (the others have not returned my multiple phone calls and/or emails) that may help you make up your mind:

http://www.newtv.org/video/decision2012/registerofdeeds/ (a candidates night sponsored by the Newton League of Women Voters at which Frank Ciano, Tom Concannon, Maria Curtatone, Tiz Doto and Maryann Heuston appeared; Robert Antonelli did not)

http://belmontmedia.org/watch/belmont-candidates-night-82712 (a candidates night sponsored by the Belmont League of Women Voters at which Frank Ciano, Tom Concannon and Maryann Heuston appeared; Robert Antonelli, Maria Curtatone and Tiz Doto did not; the register of deeds segment is first)

http://archive.org/details/InterviewWithFrankJ.Ciano

http://archive.org/details/InterviewWithTomConcannon

I have not made up my mind.  In my opinion, the office needs a good administrator who can deal with problems of keeping up the integrity of the records*, making the records as accessible as possible to the public, dealing with a huge backlog in registered land records** and long lines for recording, and improving employees' work habits and morale.  I also expect a register of deeds to have at least some understanding of what the records in his/her custody are and who uses them and how.  None of these problems are insoluble, but they have been around for decades to a greater or lesser degree, and making a good choice now is our best hope for making them a thing of the past.

Please share these links with other voters in this area, and make sure you vote this Thursday.

Heather Hoffman

*Many of the books are falling apart.  Pages are missing from some books.  No books exist for a substantial percentage of the records, just electrons.  When the computers go down, we have no access at all to those records.  Also, some documents were never scanned or were scanned only partially, leaving nothing but the index entry for us to rely on.  Paper indices and electronic indices work differently, and that affects someone's ability to find relevant records in a search.

**This is one of the two recording systems in use in Massachusetts. Each piece of land governed by this system gets what's called a certificate of title, which sets forth the owners of the land and a description of it that has been determined by a proceeding in the Land Court and lists most types of encumbrances that affect it, such as mortgages and easements.

A word or two on the September 6 Primary Election:
First, if you are registered to vote, then you should vote - even if there is nothing meaningful on the ballot.

Second, there is almost nothing meaningful on the ballot.

[Where do I vote? Who's on MY ballot? - Enter your address and Zip Code.
When you get the result, choose your Primary ballot (the colored bands near the top.]

I received a phone call earlier today telling me how important this coming week's election was. I almost burst out laughing before hanging up. Meaningless elections have unfortunately become the norm in Massachusetts. It's probably the fact that this is effectively a one-party state that makes most of our elections so meaningless. Contested primaries are virtually forbidden within the Democratic party with candidates sometimes being convinced to withdraw from contested primaries "for the good of the party." Ten years ago Marjorie Decker challenged incumbent Paul Demakis in the Democratic Primary and was roundly criticized by the party establishment. Marjorie won 66.5% of the Cambridge vote, but Demakis easily won the primary based on the majority of votes cast in Boston. Demakis was elected in November and later vacated his seat without finishing the term.

This year's primary has a few interesting local contests - depending on which precinct you live in. Three credible Democrats (Robert Reardon, Jr., David Rogers, and Margaret Hegarty) are spending real money in the 24th Middlesex State Representative race. That district only includes two Cambridge precincts (11-1 and 11-3).

The 25th Middlesex State Representative Democratic Primary [includes Wards 4, 7, and 8; and Precincts 6-2, 6-3, 10-1, and 10-2] features Marjorie Decker, Gayle Johnson, and Lesley Rebecca Phillips. This is barely a contest with Marjorie Decker almost certain to win, but at least it's contested. The general election is effectively uncontested. Who would have dreamed ten years ago that Alice Wolf's coveted all-Cambridge House seat would be simply passed on in a no-contest election? Apparently, being an elected State Representative is about as attractive a job these days as flipping burgers at McDonalds.

The 26th Middlesex State Representative seat has no contested primary, but the novel "No Money" campaign of Mike Connolly (independent) against incumbent Timothy J. Toomey (Democrat) has drawn attention to the November election. Republican Thomas Vasconcelos will also be on the November ballot for that seat.

The Governor's Council Sixth District Democratic primary has two candidates - incumbent Terrence W. Kennedy and Francis X. Flaherty. Frankly, I don't know why the Governor's Council still exists.

There are only two other contested primaries. The first is for Register of Deeds, Southern Middlesex District. I have no idea about the chances of any of the six Democrats seeking this seat (Thomas Concannon, Frank J. Ciano, Robert Antonelli, Maryann Heuston, Maria Curtatone, and Tiziano Doto). This will be an absurd winner-take-all contest without a runoff between six candidates in what will likely be a low turnout primary - followed by an uncontested general election in November. If the Massachusetts political establishment was one-tenth as progressive as they seem to think they are, they would abolish party primaries and replace them with an open primary followed by a November general election between the top two finishers in the primary (regardless of party). This, of course, will never happen. [Note: Campaign finance figures indicate that this is really more like a four-way race between Ciano, Heuston, Curtatone, and Doto. See figures at http://rwinters.com/politics.]

The other contested primary is among Republicans for the U.S. Congress 5th District (Ed Markey's seat). Though Markey will likely trounce the Republican opposition in November, there is actually a contested Republican primary between candidates Frank Addinivola, Jeffrey Semon, and Tom Tierney.

There's a complete roster of all candidates in the primary and general election at http://rwinters.com/politics that includes some of the campaign finance totals for those candidates for which this information could be readily found. - Robert Winters

Comments?

Polling Places for Thurs, Sept 6 Primary Election (updated for 2012)

Aug 29 - Today is the deadline for candidates on the Sept 6 Primary ballot to file their Pre-Primary Campaign Finance Reports. A frequently updated chart of the Mass. State House and Senate candidates is at http://rwinters.com/politics. There are also summaries for Governor's Council, Register of Deeds, Clerk of Courts, Sheriff, U.S. Congress (5th and 7th Districts), and United States Senate (as the information becomes available).

More Fun with Ballots (June 23, 2012, updated Aug 16, 2012 with additional Central Sq. results)

I recently installed Cambridge's municipal (PR) election tabulation software (ChoicePlusPro) on a new Windows 7 computer and thought I might run a few tests tonight during the Red Sox game just to see if everything was OK. Everything checked out, but you have to understand that when I get to playing around with ballot data, there's no way I'm going to just run a standard test and shut down for the night. So.....

I decided to chop Cambridge up into neighborhood districts (imperfectly, along precinct lines) just to see who would be elected "mayor" in each of these districts using only the ballots from precincts within these artificial districts. I didn't try to balance out the population, so the populations vary significantly. Here are the results:

East Cambridge (1-1, 1-2, 1-3): Toomey wins an absolute majority in the First Round, 880 out of 1638 ballots - no contest.

Area 4 Plus (2-1, 2-3, 3-1, 3-2, 3-3): Simmons (714) over Toomey (630) out of 1763 ballots.

Cambridgeport (2-2, 5-1, 5-2, 5-3): Davis (835) over Simmons (585) out of 1811 ballots.

Riverside (4-1, 4-3, 8-3): Reeves (333) over Cheung (271) out of 808 ballots (a very small district).

Mid-Cambridge (4-2, 6-1, 6-2, 6-3, 7-3): Cheung (897) over Seidel (695) out of 2165 ballots.

Avon Hill & Agassiz (7-1, 7-2, 8-1, 10-2): Cheung (813) over Davis (609) out of 1697 ballots.

West Cambridge (8-2, 9-1, 9-2, 9-3): Maher (1258) over Cheung (1132) out of 2839 ballots.

North Cambridge (10-1, 10-3, 11-1, 11-2, 11-3): Cheung (1411) over Maher (990) out of 3124 ballots.

That takes care of all 33 precincts in the city. You can also look at various other "districts" to determine who might prevail as "mayor" using the 2011 ballots from those precincts. For example:

Greater Central Square (2-1, 3-2, 3-3, 4-1, 4-2, 5-1, 5-2, 6-1): Simmons (1618) over Cheung (1498) out of 4083 ballots.

Narrower Central Square (3-3, 4-2, 5-1): Cheung (562) over Simmons (523) out of 1420 ballots.
Note: The top five in the 1st Round were (in order): Cheung, vanBeuzekom, Simmons, Davis, and Reeves.

It should also be mentioned that if the 2011 City Council ballots from all 33 precincts (citywide) were used to elect a "mayor", the result would be:

Citywide (all 33 precincts): Cheung (6827) over Simmons (4586) out of 15,845 valid ballots (15,971 total).

If anyone would like me to investigate any other "districts", just let me know. I can also provide the full transfer reports for each of these artificial contests. - Robert Winters

Comments?

There was a request to run the ballots for the 25th Middlesex House District (Alice Wolf's seat), so here are the last few rounds of those results (5,342 valid ballots, 5,374 total):

Of these, only Marjorie Decker lives in the district. - RW

HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE OF CENTRAL SQUARE

The Central Square Advisory Committee: 2011/2012 and the City of Cambridge invite you to help plan for the future of Central Square. Learn about the planning process to date and the vision emerging from Advisory Committee discussions informed by the two public meetings held in June 2011 and April 2012.
Please join the discussion – your voice is essential to the success of Central Square!

OPEN HOUSE CHARRETTES:  Hear about the Committee's work and share your thoughts and priorities for the area.
Light refreshments will be served.  Please join us at any of the venues.

MONDAYS IN THE SQUARE:  Staff will be available to hear from you and to discuss the project.
Light refreshments will be served.  Please stop by at your convenience.

Please spread the word to others who might be interested.
All ages are welcome and we encourage you to bring a neighbor or a friend.

For more information or to become involved, please contact Elaine Thorne at ethorne@cambridgema.gov (617-349-4648) or Iram Farooq at ifarooq@cambridgema.gov (617-349-4606).
Visit the K2C2 website at www.cambridgema.gov/k2c2.

Lafayette Square (2002)

Lafayette Square (2009)

Hello Recycling & Composting Neighbors!

In this (mid-July) issue:

Volunteer at a Summer Movie Night!
Have a Zero Waste Party
Household Hazardous Waste Collection 7/21
StoryTrade Podcast & Artwork
2012 Go Green Award Winners

Volunteer at a Summer Movie Night!
Want to help Cambridge Recycling? Volunteer at a summer in the city movie night to get the word out and sign people up to receive this newsletter. It's fun because you are outside, get to talk to people, enjoy music & movie, and get a free t-shirt. Email recycle@cambridgema.gov if you can help at:

August 9, 7pm -- Eric Royer's One Man Band & Outdoor Movie Screening (East Cambridge Savings Bank parking lot, 292 Cambridge St)

August 16, 7pm -- Vegetable Circus & Outdoor Movie Screening (East Cambridge Savings Bank parking lot, 1310 Mass Ave)

August 23, 7pm -- Levins Family Band: Uncle Eye & Aunt Julia & Outdoor Movie Screening (Volpe Center Lawn, 55 Broadway St)

August 30, 7pm -- Improv Boston's Family Show & Outdoor Movie Screening (University park @ Sidney & Franklin St)

Have a Zero Waste Party
Planning an event at your house and want to make it zero waste? The key is careful planning and education. Try to serve finger foods to avoid the need for tableware. Everything used must be reusable, recyclable or compostable. Tell guests what to recycle and compost, and place signs throughout your space. Use reusables whenever possible. Otherwise, use compostable tableware certified by the US Composting Council. Please note that local compost facilities currently do not want “compostable” cutlery, they find it does not actually compost. Make sure there is no plastic, metal or glass in your compost. Collect material in compostable bags, paper bags, or cardboard boxes. Residents can drop off food scraps at the Recycling Center at 147 Hampshire St during open hours only (Tues/Thurs 4pm-7:30pm and Sat 9am-4pm). If you have a large quantity, please give us 1-2 days advance notice at recycle@cambridgema.gov.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection 7/21
Two more collections in 2012: 7/21 & 10/20 from 9am-1pm at the parking lot on Field St at Fern St by Danehy Park. Cambridge residents only. Click here for info on materials accepted, and alternative options. Remember that on Tuesdays/Thursdays 4pm-7:30pm and Saturdays from 9am-4pm, the Recycling Center accepts non-alkaline batteries, fluorescent bulbs, mercury items and motor oil.

StoryTrade Podcast & Artwork
If you missed the “Back in the Day” StoryTrade held during Cambridge Open Studios, you can listen to it online and view the artist’s work! StoryStream and Cambridge Recycling partnered on a unique storytelling event to share folktales and personal stories about consuming less, reducing waste and choosing to reuse. Stay tuned for our next event this fall.

2012 Go Green Award Winners
2012 Go Green award winners recognized by the City include Mystic River Watershed Association (community organization); Karma Yoga Studio (waste reduction); Harvard Law School (waste reduction); TD Bank/Central Square Branch (energy); CRB Consulting Engineers (transportation); Amgen (transportation & energy); Tsoi/Kobus & Associates (transportation & climate protection); and Christina Giacobbe, Police Department (GoGreen City Employee Award).

• Missed recycling? Please call DPW at 617-349-4800 no later than 12 noon the day after collection, or use iReport, the City's new online and mobile app to request missed recycling/trash and more!

• Request for toters, brochures, stickers or posters? Use our online form.

• NEW! "Like" the Cambridge DPW on Facebook.

• Please note that during holidays weeks, trash, recycling and yard waste collection is delayed one day. Check the 2012 collection schedule online for full details.

Take the 50% recycling pledge today at www.cambridgema.gov/recycle and get a free sticker!
Recycle More. Trash Less.

If you support recycling and finding solutions to pollution, you may also find this interesting:
From garbage to fuel: Santa Cruz nonprofit pushes program to turn plastic pollution into power

Current City Board and Commission Vacancies

The following Cambridge Boards and Commissions have vacancies:

Cambridge Water Board

7/10/2012 - City Manager Robert W. Healy seeks a Cambridge resident to fill a vacancy on the Cambridge Water Board.

The Cambridge Water Board is a five-member board appointed by the City Manager that acts in an advisory role to the Managing Director of the Water Department. Members typically assist in developing, modifying and approving policy related to Water-department owned land and land use.

The board generally meets on the first Monday of the month, from 5-6:30pm, at Walter J. Sullivan Water Purification Facility, 250 Fresh Pond Parkway, Cambridge.

Interested persons should send a letter and/or resume via e-mail, mail or fax by August 3, 2012 to:

Cambridge Redevelopment Authority Update

The CRA met on Wednesday, June 20 and voted on the following matters:

1. Concerning the new Roof Garden Easements: Passed with the condition that Boston Properties address the Housing issue before any more building is approved. (That is, any more building after the current proposal).
2. Concerning the sale of the Plaza Parcel for $580,000 +/-: Passed.
3. Concerning the transfer of the Binney Park Parcel to the City: Passed.
4. Concerning approval of Schematic Design submittal for the various connectors: Passed with a lot of conditions (said conditions are, in fact, not considered complete until all Board members have appended their concerns to the approval by a deadline a week or so from now). It was stated repeatedly by the Board's Counsel, that if they decided that Boston Properties had not addressed the concerns, the Board could withhold subsequent desired/required approvals.

Information provided by Tom Stohlman (who has been attending all of the recent CRA meetings). If there's any additional information or clarification, please send it along. - RW

Press Release - June 19, 2012
Campaign Announcement - Mike "No Money" Connolly
26th Middlesex State House District

It's 7:23am on a Tuesday.

Like most weekdays at this time, I am getting ready to walk down to Lechmere to catch the Green Line into work. My fiancée Kacy is feeding our two cats, and in just a few minutes, she'll hop on her bike and pedal over to her office in Porter Square.

It's another perfectly average day for us, with one exception...

This morning, I am announcing my clean, "No Money" campaign to serve the people of Cambridge and Somerville as Representative in General Court for the 26th Middlesex State House District.

I am not a politician, but I am running to be your new State Representative because I understand that the people of Cambridge and Somerville are working harder than ever – just to make ends meet – and yet, when we look to our state legislature, we see a system that is clearly broken.

Beacon Hill is a place where corporate lobbyists and party leaders team up to put the interests of the rich and powerful ahead of our common needs. Meanwhile, rank-and-file legislators are granted a few favors in exchange for quietly going along with the status quo. In the end, the progressive issues that really matter to us—such as public transportation, single-payer healthcare, clean elections, and global warming—are neglected, rejected, nullified, and ignored.

Of course, talking about change is easy — politicians do that all the time. To transcend the status quo, we have to actually be the change we wish to see...

A few months ago, I started knocking on doors and meeting with local progressives. I told everyone the same thing: I want to be your new State Representative, but I do not want to raise any money to run for this public office. Instead, I want you to donate your attention, your energy, your knowledge, your ideas, and your artwork — and together, we will set a powerful, new example for our democracy.

Together, we quickly organized a successful signature drive to earn an independent spot on the November ballot, and then we were featured in the Huffington Post, on the Occupy Boston website, and in local blogs.

Meanwhile, over 40 volunteers have signed up to get involved, and we're now assembling a structured operation, complete with a campaign manager, an issues committee, and a homemade-sign-making team. In addition, we've also received more than 200 individual contributions, each in the amount of $0.00.

In the coming weeks and months, we intend to ask some tough questions: Why did our legislature shackle the MBTA with billions of dollars of debt from the Big Dig?  When will the legislature finally settle on a plan to pay for the Green Line Extension? Why can't the state help us turn the McGrath Highway into a liveable city street? And is there a conflict of interest when one individual holds two public offices at the same time?

I hope you will join us as we work to answer these questions, but right now, I need to get going, or else I will be late for work! But don't worry — come this weekend, I will be going door-to-door, working as hard as I possibly can to earn your support as the "Progressive Independent" candidate in the November election. I hope to see you around soon!

Sincerely yours,
Mike Connolly

Note: This House district is currently represented by Rep. Timothy J. Toomey.

Comments?

Comments on current Forest City zoning petition

written by Bob Simha, June 11, 2012

The Cambridge Planning Board
City Hall Annex
344 Broadway
Cambridge, MA 02139

Dear Members of the Planning Board,

I would like to submit objections to the rezoning proposal submitted by Forest City Enterprises et al for a portion of the block between Landsdowne Street, Green Street, Massachusetts Avenue and Blanche Street. I would also like to add an objection to the elimination of and use of the existing green space adjacent to the Fire House as a site for a 14 story apartment house.

The objections I share with you are based on my long association with the University Park project including a central role the in the development of the original design guidelines for the University Park project prior to Forest City's selection, a continuing role its development after their selection and a continuing interest in ensuring that the project will in all its elements - physical, social and economic - enhance the quality of life in Cambridge and in particular the vital connection between the neighborhoods that make up Central Square, University Park and the MIT community.

From the outset, the design guidelines that MIT published for the University Park project and that were subsequently enshrined in the special district zoning were clear about holding an 80 to 85 foot height limit along Massachusetts Avenue. The current proposals violate this very important principal proposing a building almost twice that height. The impact of such a building would undermine not only the relationship with adjacent buildings but will certainly have a negative effect on the more respectful scale of the new Novartis Buildings across the street. The Planning Board should not permit this principal to be compromised.

From the outset, all of the planning for University Park anticipated a generous and green opening from Massachusetts Ave into the center of the University Park project welcoming the public as well as tenant populations into the interior of the project. The original plan called for a market building just beyond this entry portal which would have helped to anchor and revive retail offerings in Central Square. One has to wonder how much more congenial the area would have been if Forest City had pressed forward to develop the market building instead of filling the space with a visually unsettling apartment house that offers little in the way of the ground floor space for new retail activity.

To now exacerbate that mistake by filling in this portal area next to the Fire house with a 14 story tower apartment house made up of very small market rate rental units is to add insult to injury. The elimination of one of the painfully few usable open spaces in University Park should not be tolerated. The shadow studies produced by Forest City's architects only demonstrates how during much of the year the plaza-apron area between the proposed tower and Mass. Ave. would be in shadow for most of the year.

And, more seriously, it would negatively impact the major investment in one of the few new parks in this part of the city. Casting its shadow over Jill Brown-Rhone Park it would be a constant reminder of the callous response Forest City has presented to the objections of its first proposal, namely to consider adding to the housing resources of the area. To both take away an existing dedicated open space and to diminish another would bring new meaning to corporate hubris.

As MIT's Director of Planning during the period of the evolution of the planning and through much of the development period for University Park we had always planned that the block between Landsdowne and Blanche Street would ultimately be developed as a useful and attractive adjunct to the University Park. As one of the major land owners in this block we knew that it would be in MIT, Forest City and the abutting Cambridge neighborhoods' interests to develop this part of Mass Ave. with activities that would add new retail services, additional housing and activities that would animate the area and make more safe this dead zone between MIT and Central Square. The expectation was that, notwithstanding the impediments of multiple ownerships it would be possible to come to terms with other owners, and redevelop the entire block as a multipurpose building. The argument that was put forward, at one of the recent presentations made by Forest City that it had not been able to accomplish this goal, only suggests that they did not work hard enough. MIT has planned for many years to relocate the Random House dormitory that occupies a major part of the block in question. The other 4 owners should, with sufficient creativity, be accommodated elsewhere. When the University Park project hung in the balance because MIT needed to resolve the traffic plan the City required, but was held up by the California Paint Company, creative efforts were made to relocate California Paint so that the overall project could go forward. One can only assume that what was done before, can be done again. The advantage to the city of a single redevelopment instead of two or three must be apparent. A more unified multipurpose development that responds to both economic and social goals would be possible. In addition, the increase in value that the current proposal would create would only tend to exacerbate the expectations of current landowners for even a greater return and, thereby, make the next developer ask for even more density and more height.

The development of this site for residential and retail purposes would be a major benefit to the community and based on the success of Forest City's market rate housing it would generate a reliable and steady revenue stream for both the developer and the City. A quick look at the 203 units Forest City built at 100 Landsdowne Street demonstrates this point vividly. It carries an assessed value of $53,800,000 and is taxed at commercial rates. A comparable development on Mass. Ave. for 300 units plus retail services could add $75 million in value. Something to think about. Finally, this proposal appears to have ignored both the Red Commission's recommendations for Central Square and appears to ignore the forthcoming results of the Central Square study. For these reasons, as well as those mentioned above, I would respectfully submit that the Planning Board reject this zoning petition.

O. R. Simha
Six Blanchard Road
Cambridge, MA 02138

Note: The zoning petition was amended by the City Council at its June 11 meeting to exclude all parts relating to the residential tower that had been proposed to be built adjacent to the firehouse. The petition, as amended, will be before the Planning Board on June 19.

Comments?

Some observations for consideration regarding the Forest City proposal
to extend the Cambridgeport Revitalization Development District

written by Bob Simha, May 14, 2012

The rezoning proposed by Forest City for property owned by MIT and Zevart M. Hollisian, trustee of the Garabed Hollisiian Trust raises a number of issues:

The Forest City proposal would build on a little over one half of the "All Asia" block (50,000 sq. ft.). A 221,000 square foot laboratory building of which 13,000 square feet on the ground floor would be for 3-5 retail stores. The building would be 165 feet in height, almost twice the height of the adjacent Novartis (former Necco Building). It would leave undeveloped the remaining half of the block which is occupied by an MIT dormitory, a gas station, a small luncheonette, a one story fabrication shop and a small apartment house. Forest City has stated that it could not secure agreements from the remaining landowners in order to propose the redevelopment of the entire block.

The development of only a portion of the all Asia Block at a new density and height would result in establishing new and higher values for the remaining diverse properties, lowering the possibility that the remainder of the block would be developed in the near future and would run the risk of requests for even higher densities in the future when some developer, most likely MITIMCO, succeeds in assembling the remaining parcels that it does not own in the block.

The proposal also suggests that the construction of a 145 foot high, 14 story, 130 unit rental housing tower would respond to community demands for more housing in Central Square and is in some way a quid pro quo for the ability to build additional commercial space on Mass. Avenue. This proposal eliminates one of three open spaces in the University Park project and claims that the introduction of a smaller landscaped entry way at Mass. Ave. would suffice to balance the loss of existing open space.

There were no community benefits presented by Forest City/MIT in their proposal. All of the developments proposed are revenue generators for Forest City and their development partners. The community is entitled to demand compensation for this additional private development.

Some thoughts for consideration:

The project exceeds the height of all the adjacent buildings most prominently the Novartis/Necco building and even with set backs will create and overwhelming presence on Mass. Avenue when combined with the new Novartis Building being built on land leased from MIT on the east side of Mass. Ave. The character of Mass. Ave. will become quite overbearing. The height of the building should not exceed the Necco Building and should adhere to the current restriction of 80 feet. The current design shows a lobby/corridor through the building connecting Mass. Ave. and Green Street. The developer should be encouraged to develop a ground floor plan that allows for a gallery/arcade of shops that line a passage between these streets thereby offering more smaller retail opportunities to smaller merchants and at the same time encourage more people to use this path to get to the food market and the existing garage. This may generate more revenue for the developer and reduce the amount of dead common area in the evening.

The treatment of Blanche Street as the site for loading docks for this new development will mean that both sides of Blanche will be dominated by large loading docks and be relatively inhospitable to pedestrians...as it is now.

The construction of both the Novartis and the proposed Forest City project would add almost 3/4 of a million square feet to an area whose transportation infrastructure capacity is already overtaxed.

The height of the proposed residential building was not placed in the context of Central Square. We were not told how the height of this building (14 stories) compares to the Cambridge housing authority building between Green and Franklin Street. No shadow studies were presented. The proposal did not point out the important visual impact that this tower building would have on creating an identifying image for Central Square. Visible from both the Mass. Avenue and the Main Street entrances to the city, the quality of the architecture for this building, if it goes forward, should require a much higher standard of design and the developer should be encouraged to retain design services of the same level of quality that Novartis used in the design of its nearby building.

The housing is presented as a response to the community expression of housing needs and as a pseudo gift. One of the goals for more housing in both the Red Ribbon and Goody/Clancy Central Square report was to provide housing that would be accessible to people who work in the Central Square area and any new housing should offer more affordable ownership opportunities. This proposal appears to be aimed at the high rent market that Forest City serves at their developments at Sidney and Landsdowne Street.

The community may prefer to have more ownership rather than rental housing to help introduce more people with a longer term interest in the square. Coop or condo housing on leased land is a very common practice in many American cities and we have such a project on Pleasant Street in Cambridge developed by Harvard University and occupied by both University and non university people. This type of development does not carry land cost in the unit sales and results in lower prices for housing units.

In addition, there are some outstanding needs in the adjacent neighborhoods that could be satisfied in exchange for any additional development potential that is awarded. For example ,the additional FAR they have requested might be dependent on Forest City and MIT completing the assembly of land on Pacific Street Park between Brookline and Sidney in order to complete the Pacific Street park . If the petitioners assemble and donate that land to complete the park the city could permit them to transfer the development rights to a new building ..This is how the existing park was developed...MIT contributed the land to the park in exchange for the transfer of development rights which were used in the development of the Grad Housing on Pacific and Sidney Streets...The same principal could be applied to the Forest City proposal.

Another point that should be raised concerns the displacement of people now using the park space that is proposed for the new housing project. Where will they go? What will be the impact on other parts of Lafayette and Central Square? More people, more need for active and passive open space. - Bob Simha

Comments?

Hello Recycling & Composting Neighbors!

In this issue:

StoryTrade at Open Studios, 5/19
2012 Go Green Awards, 5/22
Rain Barrel Sale Through 5/31
Hazardous Materials
Donate That Stuff
Plastic Bags
Tours, Tours, Tours!

StoryTrade at Open Studios, 5/19
Back in the Day... Timeless Stories About Reducing, Reusing and Recycling. As part of Cambridge Open Studios, StoryStream and Cambridge Recycling will have a StoryTrade, a unique storytelling event to share stories about reducing waste, consuming less and choosing to reuse. Our ancestors were natural recyclers. For centuries everybody knew how to make-do, keep the wolf from the door, scrape by, and improvise. Folklore is full of imaginative responses, basic needs, waste and greed. And there are countless stories that show how to live in elegant simplicity. Come hear folktales and share your personal stories of creative, sustainable living. Saturday 5/19, 2-4pm, Porter Square Books, 25 White St.

2012 Go Green Awards, 5/22
The City invites you to a breakfast to celebrate business and institutional leaders who have taken action to create a sustainable future.
  Tuesday, May 22
  265 Massachusetts Ave, MIT Museum
  Reception begins at 8:00am, ceremony at 8:30am.

The awards recognize exceptional environmental practices in five areas: energy use, transportation, waste reduction, storm water management, and climate protection. After the program, the special exhibit Rivers of Ice will be open to guests. Join business and community leaders on climate issues as we recognize this year’s award winners. Thank you to MIT for generously hosting. RSVP to randers@cambridgema.gov.

Rain Barrel Sale Through 5/31
Capture rainwater from your roof, store it in a rain barrel, and use later in your garden.  Buy a 60-gallon collection system for $69, a 40% discount. Offer valid through May 31. Barrels will be delivered Thursday, June 7, from 4-7 pm, at Cambridge DPW, 147 Hampshire St. If rainwater is not captured and allowed to soak back into the ground, rivers and streams do not have the chance to sustain or "recharge" themselves. By capturing rainwater, you can reduce stormwater runoff, conserve water and recharge groundwater.  To order online, see the new design and color options visit The Great American Rain Barrel Company website, click on “Community Programs” and select “Cambridge”. Or, call (800) 251-2352 and mention the Cambridge promotion.

Hazardous Materials
Don’t put hazardous items in the trash, get rid of them right. Here are some quick links on what to do with household hazardous products. Wondering about computer monitors/TVs, non-alkaline batteries, motor oil, fluorescent bulbs? What about small appliances, cell phones, printer cartridges, and prescription medicine? Syringes and needles can be brought to the Health Dept year-round at 119 Windsor St. The next special hazardous collection day is July 21 from 9am-1pm at the parking lot on Field St at Fern St by Danehy Park. We accept chemicals, fuels, paints, propane tanks. Please know dried out latex paint is accepted for trash pickup, lids off. Let evaporate outside or add kitty litter to speed drying.

Donate That Stuff – Don't Throw it Out!
Spring cleaning? Moving on? Want to save money - buy gently used items. Use Freecycle and Craigslist to get rid of and/or find furniture, household items and even clothing. Need a map and list of places to donate your stuff or get great deals? Click here (the City provides this info without endorsements).  Specifically, check out:

• MIT Student Furniture Exchange
  617.253.4293, 350 Brookline Street, open Tues/Thurs 10 am-4 pm and the first Saturday of the month 10 am-1 pm. Anyone can make a tax deductible donations of used furniture and household goods. Need valid university ID (MIT, Harvard, Suffolk, and BU) to make a purchase. Proceeds benefit the MIT Women's League Scholarship Fund. For more info email fx@mit.edu.
• Boomerangs
  Free pickup of furniture! 617-309-7220, 563 Mass Ave, open Mon-Sat 11am-8pm. Proceeds support AIDS Action to prevent new infections, support those affected, and tackle the root causes of HIV/AIDS. Donate clothing, furniture, media, housewares, kitchenware, linens, accessories, electronics. Check their website for specific info on donations.
• MA Coalition for the Homeless
  Call 781-595-7570 x13 for pickup. Donate kitchen tables/chairs, couches, sofa Chairs, ottomans, hutches, coffee/end tables, dressers, mirrors, rugs, bed frames, lamps, dishes, pots/pans, TV/Stereos, blankets/linens, and bookshelves/cabinets. For more info email Albenny@mahomeless.org.
• All clothing, shoes and household textiles are accepted by Goodwill, Salvation Army, Red Cross and Planet Aid. You can even donate items that are torn, stained, broken or missing something. Wearable clothing is resold and used by people, damaged clothing is recycled into wiping rags, and everything else is processed back into fibers remanufactured into paper, yarn, insulation, carpet padding, sound proofing, etc.

Plastic Bags
Residents can bring plastic bags to the Recycling Center during open hours, as well as at Harvest Coop, Market Basket, Shaws, Star Market, and Whole Foods. Bags must be empty, clean, and dry. Accepted bags include: grocery bags, bread bags, produce bags, retail bags (hard plastic & string handles removed), newspaper bags, dry cleaning bags, toilet paper, napkin, and paper towel wraps, furniture wrap, electronic wrap, zip lock bags (remove hard components), cereal box liners, tyvek (no glue, labels, other material), diaper wrap (packaging), plastic shipping envelopes (remove labels), case wrap (e.g. snacks, water bottles), and All CLEAN bags labeled #2 and #4. No frozen food bags, No prewashed salad mix bags, No bio-based bags, No compostable bags, No bubble wrap, No cling wrap. For more info visit www.plasticbagrecycling.org.

Tours, Tours, Tours!
Cambridge residents and City employees are invited to tour Casella Recycling in Charlestown and Waste Management’s incinerator in Saugus. No children under 16. The tour lasts about 2 hours and involves walking on narrow catwalks and stairs, close to heavy equipment. You must be able to keep up with a group walking at a steady pace. We meet at DPW and carpool. Let us know if you can drive and how many people you can take. Email recycle@cambridgema.gov to sign up and we’ll send more info.

Recycling Tours: 5/17 (early afternoon), 6/6 (morning). Or, watch a short video at www.zero-sort.com.

Trash Tours: 5/22, 6/13 (all early afternoon)

• Missed recycling? Please call DPW at 617-349-4800 no later than 12 noon the day after collection, or use iReport, the City's new online and mobile app to request missed recycling/trash and more!

• Request for toters, brochures, stickers or posters? Use our online form.

• NEW! "Like" the Cambridge DPW on Facebook.

• Please note that during holidays weeks, trash, recycling and yard waste collection is delayed one day. Check the 2012 collection schedule online for full details.

Take the 50% recycling pledge today at www.cambridgema.gov/recycle and get a free sticker!
Recycle More. Trash Less.

If you support recycling and finding solutions to pollution, you may also find this interesting:
From garbage to fuel: Santa Cruz nonprofit pushes program to turn plastic pollution into power

Dear Friends,

We mourn with the CRLS community for Charlene Holmes, the CRLS student killed in the drive-by shooting this past Sunday.

Adding to the heavy burden of the Holmes' grief, the family does not have sufficient funds to pay for the expenses of Charlene's funeral and burial. We ask you to join us in helping them. A fund has been set up by members of the CRLS community to help the Holmes family. If you would like to help, please send a donation as soon as you can. The CRLS community is hoping to give Charlene's family the donations collected at the end of the day Monday June 11.

Checks should be made out to:
CRLS Holmes Family Fund
and sent to:
CRLS Holmes Family Fund
Cambridge Teachers Federal Credit Union
20 Felton Street
Cambridge, MA 02138

Donations may also be made online via the FOCRLS website http://www.focrls.org -- click on "Donate" and make sure to indicate "Holmes Fund" in the "Designation" box. Donations in any amount are very welcome. Thank you in advance for your generosity as our community reaches out to the Holmes family in this time of terrible grief.

Sincerely,
Elaine Schear
President, Friends of CRLS

Cambridge Conservation Commission Vacancy

5/21/2012 - City Manager Robert W. Healy is seeking a Cambridge resident to fill a vacancy on the Cambridge Conservation Commission.

The Conservation Commission is responsible for administration of the Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act (WPA), a state law governing activities in and immediately adjacent to local wetlands, waterways and floodplains. The Commission holds two meetings per month on Mondays to review permit applications under the WPA, issue permits and conduct other business related to the management of Cambridge's natural resource areas.

The Conservation Commission consists of seven members appointed by the City Manager to serve three-year terms. Cambridge residents with expertise in landscape architecture, civil/environmental engineering, hydrology, ecology, or law are encouraged to apply.

Interested persons should send a letter of interest and/or resume via e-mail, mail or fax by Monday, June 11, 2012 to:
Robert W. Healy, City Manager
City of Cambridge
795 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02139
Ph. 617-349-4300
Fax 617-349-4307
E-mail: citymanager@cambridgema.gov

Cambridge celebrates Speaker Thomas P. O’Neill, Jr. with panel discussion moderated by MSNBC’s Chris Matthews
Will Join Tip O’Neill’s Family to Discuss the Former Speaker’s Life and Legacy

Chris Mathews, host of MSNBC’s “Hardball,” and long time aide to Speaker Thomas P. O’Neill Jr., will visit Speaker O’Neill’s hometown of Cambridge to moderate a panel discussion with members of the Speaker’s family.  This discussion will explore Speaker O’Neill’s Cambridge roots and his lasting commitment to the community.  The panel, organized by the Speaker Thomas P. O’Neill, Jr. Centennial Committee, in conjunction with the O'Neill Family and the City of Cambridge, will kick off a year of events taking place throughout Cambridge to commemorate the Centennial of Speaker O’Neill’s birth in 1912. This event is free, open to the public and handicap accessible.

Panelists:

• Chris Mathews, host of MSNBC’s “Hardball,” long time aide to Speaker O’Neill
• Thomas P. O’Neill III; son of Speaker O’Neill; CEO of Boston-based O’Neill and Associates
• Rosemary O’Neill; daughter of Speaker O’Neill; Former Officer, United States Foreign Service
• Susan O’Neill; daughter of Speaker O’Neill; President of Susan O’Neill Associates
• Thomas O’Neill, Jr.; grandson of Speaker O’Neill; Benefits Specialists, Massachusetts Department of Transitional Assistance

When: Tuesday, May 22; 7:00pm–8:30pm. Press may arrive to set up at 6:30pm.

Where: Cambridge Public Library Lecture Hall (enter through main entrance on Broadway), 449 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02138

Provost L. Rafael Reif Elected as the 17th President of MIT

May 16, 2012

To the Faculty, Students, Staff, Alumni and Friends of MIT,

It is with great pleasure that I share with you the news that this morning, the MIT Corporation voted to elect MIT's Provost, L. Rafael Reif, as the 17th President of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dr. Reif will assume his new responsibilities on July 2, 2012.

You can learn much more about our president-elect in a news article that can be found on MIT News.

We hope that many of you will be able to attend a special MIT Community Meeting and Reception this afternoon at 2:00pm in Room 10-250, where Dr. Reif will be welcomed by our community for the first time as president-elect. Immediately following that meeting, there will be an informal reception in Lobby 10, where you will have a chance to greet Dr. Reif and his family.

For those of you not able to attend the meeting, it will be webcast live; you will be able to access the webcast from the MIT homepage (http://web.mit.edu). The webcast will be archived, so you can view it after the event as well.

I look forward to celebrating this wonderful occasion with you all.

Most sincerely,
Kirk D. Kolenbrander,
Vice president and Secretary of the Corporation

2012 Annual City Census

The Cambridge Election Commission has mailed the 2012 Annual City Census Form to all Cambridge households. Residents are urged to comply by completing the Census Form and returning it in the postage prepaid envelope that was provided.

The City is required to conduct the Annual Census under Massachusetts state law and provides residents with their only official proof of city residency. All residents, regardless of citizenship and voter registration status, are required to answer the Census. State law requires that voters who do not answer the Census shall be removed from the active voting list and may be removed from the Voter Registration rolls.

The census mailing includes the Census Form, Census Instructions in five languages, a Voter Registration Request Form and a form for those interested in working at the polls on Election Day.

If you have any questions, you may call the Election Commission at 617-349-4361 during City office hours: Monday, 8:30am–8:00pm; Tuesday through Thursday, 8:30am–5:00pm; and Friday, 8:30–Noon.

Roster of candidates seeking State and U.S. seats in Cambridge - 2012
It's striking how few candidates are interested in seeking State Representative and State Senate seats. Part of this, of course, is that the deck is so totally stacked in favor of incumbents (and especially Democratic incumbents) that no one is willing to invest their time and money into what they see as an unwinnable battle. The other part is that it's just not that attractive a job (especially the part about spending so much time with other politicians). Democracy is so much better in theory than in practice.

May 1, 5:00pm is the last day and hour for submitting nomination papers to local election officials for certification of signatures for Party and Non-Party Candidates for District and County offices.

May 8, 5:00pm is the last day and hour for submitting nomination papers to local election officials for certification of signatures for Party Candidates for Statewide offices.

July 31, 5:00pm is the last day and hour for submitting nomination papers to local election officials for certification of signatures for Non-Party Candidates for Federal and Statewide offices.

The complete guide for candidates from the Secretary of State is here: http://www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/elepdf/candidates_guide_2012.pdf

Age, Residence and Signature Requirements to Run for Office:
You must be at least 18 years old.
You must be a registered voter in Massachusetts.
You must fulfill the residence and signature requirements below.

State Representative:
You must have lived in the district for one year prior to the date of the election (Nov 6, 2012).
You need to gather and submit 150 valid signatures of registered voters.

State Senate:
You must have lived in Massachusetts for 5 years prior to the date of the election (Nov 6, 2012) and be an inhabitant of the district when elected.
You need to gather 300 valid signatures of registered voters.

The state primaries will be held on Sept 6, 2012. The state election will be held on Nov 6, 2012.

Note: Non-party candidates cannot be enrolled in any political party in order to qualify to have their name printed directly on the general election ballot. Furthermore, non-party candidates seeking to have their name printed on the ballot for the state election cannot have been enrolled in a political party between Feb 28, 2012 (if they are a candidate for district or county office) or Mar 6, 2012 (if they are a candidate for federal office) and the deadline for filing nomination papers with the Secretary of the Commonwealth.

HISTORICAL COMMISSION ANNOUNCES THIS YEAR'S PRESERVATION AWARDS

The Cambridge Historical Commission is pleased to announce the recipients of its annual Cambridge Preservation Awards. Inaugurated by the Commission in 1997, the program celebrates both outstanding historic preservation projects and notable individuals for their contributions to the conservation and protection of the city's architecture and history.

This year's Preservation Awards include exterior renovations at 101 and 195 Brattle Street, 44 Follen Street, 77 Hurley Street, the Garment District at 200 Broadway, and St. Mary Orthodox Church at 8 Inman Street. Other restoration projects receiving awards are the historic wall at the corner of Hawthorn and Brattle streets; the former Ford Assembly plant at 640 Memorial Drive; the Boston University Bridge; and the Shell Spectacular Sign at the corner of Magazine Street and Memorial Drive.

Individuals to be honored for their unique contributions to preservation are James Shea, for his distinguished career as Site Manager at the Longfellow House-Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site, and City Manager Robert Healy and his team for the restoration of historic paint colors in the public spaces of City Hall.

Participants in the Cambridge Community Development Department's Façade, Signage, and Lighting Improvement Program will receive Certificates of Merit for projects at 364 Broadway (Dwelltime), 877 Cambridge Street (Atwood's Tavern), 438 Massachusetts Avenue (CCTV), and 450 Massachusetts Avenue (Veggie Galaxy).

The Historical Commission celebrates the commitment of the individuals who worked on these projects to make Cambridge a more attractive and desirable place in which to live and work. The awards ceremony will take place on Thursday, May 17th, from 6:00-8:00pm in the Sullivan Chamber at Cambridge City Hall. The public is invited. For more information, please contact the Historical Commission at 617-349-4683.

CENTRAL SQUARE & BEYOND:
Layers of History and Cultures

A City Walk in Honor of Jane Jacobs
Saturday, May 5, 2012 • (Rain or shine)
10:30am till noon

Meet at Carl Barron Plaza (a.k.a. Holmes Plaza), the park-like area on the southeast corner of Mass. Ave. & Prospect St., near the Central Square T station and #1 Bus.

End at the Tavern in the Square, where those who wish may continue conversation and purchase lunch.

Please join us for a free walking tour to explore, observe, and share stories about Central Square, Cambridge's traditional commercial center, and the historic neighborhood just to the north, once commonly called "The Port" and now part of Area 4. Come see where the first Civil War unit drilled and learn about Lafayette Square, Margaret Fuller's house, Greek revival architecture, and old and new churches. Freelance writer Michael Kenney and Cambridge Historical Commission's Charles Sullivan will offer historic background. Participants and chance encounters with residents will provide observations and information.

Led by a group of neighbors, the stroll aspires to honor the legacy and ideas of urban activist and writer Jane Jacobs, who championed vibrant city neighborhoods and fought against the tyranny of the automobile. Celebrating her birthday simultaneously with walks in other American and Canadian cities, we will heed Jane's advice that in order to understand and savor the city, "You've got to get out and walk."

Jane Jacobs (May 4, 1916 - April 25, 2006)

More info & sign-up at the Jane Jacobs Walk USA website: www.janejacobswalk.org

Hello Recycling & Composting Neighbors!

In this issue:

Yard Waste Collection Starts 4/2
Spring Dates for Trash & Recycling Tours!
Household Hazardous Waste Collection 4/21
City Seeks Go Green Award Nominations – Due 4/16
Volunteer & Help Spread the Word

Yard Waste Collection Starts 4/2
Separate yard waste collection begins April 2-6 and continues through December 10-14. Place yard waste in paper refuse bags or loose in barrels. No plastic bags. Click here for materials accepted. For stickers, use our online form or call 617-349-4800.  From April-October, free compost is available to residents in small quantities at the Recycling Center during open hours: Tues/Thurs 4-7:30pm and Sat 9-4pm.

Spring Dates for Trash & Recycling Tours!
Cambridge residents and City employees are invited to tour the Casella recycling facility in Charlestown and the Waste Management incinerator in Saugus. No children under 14. Tour last about 2 hours. They involved a lot of walking on narrow catwalks and stairs, close to heavy equipment.  If you can’t keep up with a group walking at a steady pace, unfortunately this tour is not for you.  We meet at DPW and carpool.  Let us know if can drive and how many people you can take. Email recycle@cambridgema.gov to sign up and we’ll send you more info.

Recycling Tours: April 10 (early afternoon), May 17 (early afternoon), June 6 (morning).  Or, watch a short video at www.zero-sort.com.

Trash Tours: April 18, May 22, June 13 (all early afternoon)

Household Hazardous Waste Collection 4/21
2012 dates: April 21, July 21 and October 20 from 9am-1pm at the parking lot on Field Street at Fern Street by Danehy Park. Cambridge residents only. Click here for info on materials accepted, alternative options and items you can bring to the Recycling Center during open hours.

City Seeks Go Green Award Nominations – Due 4/16
The Go Green Awards recognize exceptional environmental practices in energy use, transportation, waste reduction, storm water management, and climate protection. Nominations accepted for Cambridge businesses, institutions, large residential buildings, commercial properties, non-profits and community organizations. Self nominations are welcome. The deadline is 4/16/12.

Volunteer & Help Spread the Word
We need your help to talk to people about recycling and composting, and sign residents up to receive this newsletter. Volunteer at a community event! It’s fun because you can enjoy the atmosphere, educate people and get a free t-shirt.  Email recycle@cambridgema.gov if you can help at:

• Missed recycling? Please call DPW at 617-349-4800 no later than 12 noon the day after collection, or use iReport, the City's new online and mobile app to request missed recycling/trash and more!

• Need recycling toters, posters or stickers? Use our online form.

• NEW! "Like" the Cambridge DPW on Facebook.

Take the 50% recycling pledge today at www.cambridgema.gov/recycle and get a free sticker!
Recycle More. Trash Less.

If you support recycling and finding solutions to pollution, you may also find this interesting:
From garbage to fuel: Santa Cruz nonprofit pushes program to turn plastic pollution into power

Cambridge Seeking Nominations for Go Green Awards

The City of Cambridge Go Green Awards recognize exceptional environmental practices in at least one of five areas – energy use, transportation, waste reduction, stormwater management, and climate protection. Nominations are accepted for Cambridge businesses, institutions, large residential buildings, non-profits, and commercial properties. Self nominations are welcome. City staff will review the nominations and award winners will be honored at a special reception in May.

The deadline for nominations is April 16, 2012 by 9am. Click here for a nomination form. Submit to: John Bolduc, jbolduc@cambridgema.gov, fax 617-349-4633. Good luck!

Unarmed Robberies- Kirkland and Trowbridge Streets and Ellery and Harvard Streets

CITIZEN ALERT: Cambridge Police Share Safety Tips & Information on Recent Unarmed Street Robberies

March 27, 2012 – The Cambridge Police Department is asking residents to be vigilant after two recent unarmed street robberies occurred in Cambridge.

The first incident occurred on March 25 between 1:30 and 2:00am when a female in her 20's was thrown to the ground by a male on Kirkland Street near Trowbridge Street as she walked alone wearing headphones. The victim was knocked unconscious and robbed of her iPhone and purse containing various items.

The second incident occurred on March 26 at approximately 11:15pm when a female in her 20's was physically assaulted by a male at the corner of Ellery Street and Harvard Street. As with the first victim, this female was also walking alone and wearing headphones when she was robbed of her iPhone.

Both victims described the suspect as either a light skinned black or white male in his 30's.

To avoid being victimized, Cambridge Police encourage all persons to take the following precautions when walking at night:

• Do not wear earbuds, headphones, or listen to music while walking alone.
• Always walk with a friend or in a group when possible.
• Be aware of your surroundings at all times and trust your instincts.
• Walk with confidence on the street and at a good, steady pace. Keep your head up and observe your surroundings. Don't look down at the ground.
• If you feel you are being followed, show you are suspicious – Turn to look at the person. This sends a clear message that you will not be taken by surprise.
• Change directions. If someone is following you on foot, cross the street and vary your pace. If the person following you is in a car, turn and walk in the opposite direction.
• If approached, DO NOT RESIST. The best course of action is to hand over money and whatever other belongings are demanded and try to disengage from this confrontational and potentially dangerous situation as soon as possible. Remember, things can always be replaced.
• Try to remember descriptive information about the robber (height, age, race, etc.) to relay to police when reporting the incident.

More safety tips are available on the Cambridge Police Department's website at www.CambridgePolice.org/SafetyTips.

Anyone with information about these incidents is asked to call Cambridge Police at 617-349-3300. Anonymous tips may also be sent via text message to TIP411 (847411). Begin your text with TIP650 and then type your message.

Marjorie Decker to Seek Wolf Seat (Mar 22, 2012):

Dear Friends,

After speaking with State Representative Alice Wolf about her decision to not seek re-election this fall, I have decided to run for State Representative in the 25th Middlesex District. This district includes parts of neighborhoods encompassing West, North, Riverside and mid-Cambridge including the Aggasiz neighborhood. It is my honor and privilege to pursue the opportunity to represent the people of Cambridge in the Legislature.

No one can fill Alice's shoes, but I assuredly share her values and those of the people of Cambridge. If elected, I will continue to work hard every day to live up to the standard of excellence in public service that she has set.

I look forward to the opportunity to continue my work on early childhood education, strengthening the economy to help create new jobs, expanding health care to make it more affordable, and working to expand a green legislative agenda that is rooted in the preservation of future generations to come. I look forward to talking with voters about the issues they deeply care about at the local and state level.

I want to thank Representative Wolf for her work on behalf of families across the Commonwealth and, most importantly, right here in Cambridge. It has been an honor to know and work with Alice since her days as the Mayor of Cambridge, when I was a student at CRLS, and later as her campaign manager and Legislative aide. Her tireless efforts and enduring optimism that we can and must do better for ourselves and each other have inspired and mentored me over the years.

I look forward to meeting with and listening to the concerns of Cambridge voters from across the 25th Middlesex District in the coming weeks and months. This is sure to be a spirited election year with so many important issues at stake. I hope to earn the opportunity to represent the values and ideals of the people of Cambridge on Beacon Hill.

Sincerely,

Marjorie Decker

This just in from Rep. Alice Wolf (Wed, Mar 21, 2012):

Dear Friend,

I want to let you know, personally, before you hear it through the grapevine that I will announce tomorrow that I am not running for reelection in November. I thank you for your support, friendship, interest in the community and political action over the years.

While I don't, yet, have specific plans for my next venture, I know it will involve continuing to advance the progressive causes and values that have been the hallmark of my career and our work together.

While I'm making those plans, I won't drop the ball in the House. My term continues until the end of the year and I plan to continue to work on my current legislative agenda and to represent my constituents as vigorously as I have for the past 16 years.

In those years in the House, I have been the leader on many issues, such as:

Creating the Department of Early Education and Care - to work toward universal access to high quality programs for all young children - especially those at risk.

Creating the special education circuit breaker to assist school systems by providing funds for programs for kids with substantial special needs.

Making gay marriage a reality in Massachusetts, continuing many years of advocacy for civil rights and for the GLBT community.

Passing legislation to keep homes in expiring use housing affordable - a 14-years effort. The first homes saved under this law are in a building at the corner of University Road and Mt. Auburn Street in Cambridge - a project just recently completed.

Thank you for your part in enabling me to serve. I hope you feel I have represented you well. I look forward to continuing our work together to strive to make Cambridge and all of Massachusetts a fair, humane, sustainable place to live.

Sincerely yours,

Alice

CALLING ALL ADULTS!

ENTER THE FIRST ANNUAL CAMBRIDGE RINDGE AND LATIN COMMUNITY
ACADEMIC COMPETITION. TEST YOUR SMARTS AGAINST CRLS STUDENTS

TAKE A TOUR OF THE NEWLY RENOVATED HIGH SCHOOL

Do you remember all the elements on the periodic table? How about the formula for determining the length of an arc on a circle? Who was that president who served after Grover Cleveland? Questions similar to these will be asked at the first annual Cambridge Rindge and Latin Community Academic Challenge entitled "Are You As Smart As A CRLS Student?".

This test of knowledge is scheduled for Thursday, March 29 from 7 to 9pm in the school's main cafeteria. Members of community organizations, schools, businesses and neighborhood groups are invited to enter teams of four colleagues to challenge teams of CRLS students in this exceptional battle of the brains. Individuals are also welcome to register by themselves and will join others that night in creating a team. Trophies and prizes will be awarded. Please note; no life-lines, phone a friend or smart phones are allowed. Please note; no life-lines, phone a friend or smart phones are allowed.

The evening is part of Celebrate CRLS, a year long program designed to better inform everyone in the city about the newly renovated high school and all its fantastic offerings and accomplishments. Music will be provided by the CRLS Jazz Ensemble and refreshments will be served.

From 6:00 to 7:00 that night tours of the building will be given to show people the many changes to the school since the completion of the renovation this past September.

For more information about the evening and to register your team, contact Henry Lukas, retired CRLS Assistant Principal at henryjlukas@hotmail.com or check www.celebratecrls.org.

CITY OF CAMBRIDGE CONSUMERS' COUNCIL GEARS UP FOR
14TH ANNUAL NATIONAL CONSUMER PROTECTION WEEK

Cambridge, MA – The Cambridge Consumers' Council, a City of Cambridge agency, will be joining with federal, state, and local government agencies and national organizations to celebrate the 14th annual National Consumer Protection Week (NCPW) coming March 4-10, 2012. During NCPW, groups nationwide share tips and information that help consumers protect their privacy, manage money and debt, avoid identity theft, and learn about the most recent frauds and scams.

This year, the Consumers' Council will focus on information sharing and distributing educational material concerning various consumer topics to the greater community. The Council, along with the Cambridge branch of the United States Postal Service, will be hosting three information sharing events during the week: Monday, March 5th from 11:00am-2:00pm at the Central Square Post Office; Wednesday, March 7th from 11:00am-2:00pm at the Porter Square Post Office and Thursday, March 8th from 11:00am-1:00pm at the Harvard Square Post Office. The Consumers' Council is urging residents to attend to meet the Council's staff and learn about different initiatives the Council is working on for the upcoming year. Residents can also stop by for consumer self-help information, learn about our free complaint mediation program or take home educational material concerning various consumer topics including home improvement contracting, landlord/tenant rights, telecommunications and cable television!

The Consumers' Council, working in cooperation with the Patrick-Murray Administration's Executive Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, U.S. Postal Service and the Postal Customer Council of Greater Boston will cap off NCPW by providing free public shredding. The event will be held at Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue, on Saturday, March 10th beginning with a reception at 10:00am with public shredding commencing at 11:00am. Residents and local businesses are invited to safely dispose of unwanted records and documents containing personal information. The event will include equipment and staff from DataShredder of Cambridge and refreshments provided by the three Cambridge Whole Foods Market locations. Shredding is on a first come, first serve basis and will conclude at 2:00pm.

"The Cambridge Consumers' Council wants to remind citizens of the need to protect their personal information from identity theft" said Laura M. Nichols, Executive Director of the Cambridge Consumers' Council. "It's important to take as many steps as possible to prevent thieves from making you a victim and regularly shredding documents that contain personal information is one way to do this. Identity theft affects millions of people each year and this office remains vigilant in assisting residents with self-help information, tips and educational material to reduce their risk of identity theft."

For more information about the Consumers' Council or NCPW 2012, please contact the Council at 617-349-6150 or at consumer@cambridgema.gov.

Current City Board and Commission Vacancies

The following Cambridge Boards and Commissions have vacancies:

Human Services Commission (Application Deadline Mar 2, 2012)
The Commission advises the City Manager and the Assistant City Manager for Human Services on human services policy issues and funding allocations. With the Department of Human Service Programs, the Commission also promotes activities that enhance the quality of life for Cambridge residents. One important way the Commission has gathered information on local human services trends in the past is by receiving testimony at periodic needs assessment public hearings. Over the years, the Commission has responded to local needs by recommending Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding for a wide, but diminishing range of programs offered by the city and by community agencies. [information]

NOTICE OF VOTING INFORMATION – CHANGES TO WARD 3 PRECINCT 2

Please take notice that changes will occur for the Presidential Primary, March 6th in Ward 3 Precinct 2 because the Legislature created new Congressional Districts in Cambridge.

The middle of Cambridge is now in the 5th Congressional District. The eastern and northern part of Cambridge are now in the 7th Congressional District. Also, the Election Commission was mandated to change precinct boundary lines to reflect Federal Census population changes, therefore some voters will see their poll location change. [MAP]

Voters going to the polls in Ward 3 Precinct 2, located at the Department of Public Works, 147 Hampshire Street, will vote in two sections of the polling place. This is because the Legislature divided the Precinct into two different Congressional Districts. This means, part of the precinct will be in the 7th Congressional District and designated as Ward 3 Precinct 2, and the other part will be in the 5th Congressional District and designated as Ward 3 Precinct 2A. There will be two separate voter lists and two ballot boxes. The ballot however, will be the same for the March 6th Presidential Primary.

The Election Commission is taking steps to familiarize voters with these changes. All voters should have received a postcard with maps and information regarding in which Ward and Precinct a voter resides and votes.

For more information please view the website at www.cambridgema.gov/election or contact the Commission at 617-349-4361.

Voter Registration and Absentee Ballots for Presidential Primary

The Presidential Primary will be held on Tuesday, March 6, 2012. For Cambridge residents not already registered, the last day to register to vote is Wednesday, February 15, 2012 until 8:00pm. The polls will be open on Election Day from 7:00am until 8:00pm.

Absentee Ballots are now available at the Cambridge Election Commission office. 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, March 5, 2012 at Noon. Absentee Ballots may be mailed to voters, or such voters may choose to vote at the Commission office during regular city office hours: Monday, 8:30am-8:00pm; Tuesday-Thursday, 8:30am-5:00pm; Friday, 8:30am-Noon. The office will also be open for Absentee Voting on Friday, March 2nd from 8:30am until 5:00pm and on Saturday, March 3rd from 9:00am until 5:00pm.

For any additional information, please visit the Cambridge Election Commission office at 51 Inman Street, call 617-349-4361 or visit our website at www.cambridgema.gov/election.

The Cambridge Women's Heritage Project Celebrates
International Women's Day March 8:
"Cambridge: A Welcoming Community for Immigrants,
Honoring the Work Women Do"

On Thursday, March 8, 2012, the Cambridge Women's Heritage Project will celebrate International Women's Day in the Lewis Room of the Central Square Branch Library, 45 Pearl Street, Cambridge from 5:30-7:30pm.

Light refreshments will be served at 5:30, and the program will begin at 6pm. Highlights of the program will include the presentation of the Julia Wallace Memorial Quilt made by several organizations that provide services for immigrants in Cambridge. Julia Wallace's daughter Ginny will discuss her mother's legacy of working for social justice in the city and beyond, and her own work with Cameroon refugees. Other speakers will include Seble Argaw, director of Adbar Ethiopian Women's Alliance, which provides empowerment programs and services available to newly arrived immigrants, refugees, and at-risk individuals and families. Emily Shield, program coordinator at the Cambridge Women's Commission, will lead the discussions with a summary of the Commission's new Immigrant Women's Roundtable report. The audience is invited to share their experiences of immigration, working with immigrants, and their memories of Julia Wallace. Noted folksinger Marcia Diehl will sing songs of social justice and songs in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of Bread and Roses.

The Cambridge Women's Heritage Project (CWHP) is dedicated to developing programs to recognize past and present contributions of Cambridge women from a variety of backgrounds and experiences. The CWHP's website, http://www2.cambridgema.gov/Historic/CWHP/, was designed to honor Cambridge women and women's organizations and to assist women's history researchers. Nomination forms can be downloaded from the website for women or organizations that have impacted individual lives and the Cambridge community as well as those who have made lasting contributions in such fields as science, arts, business, labor, health care, culture, education and/or government.

This is the 101st anniversary of the first celebration of International Women's Day. Founded in Copenhagen, Denmark, the date of March 8th was chosen in honor of the thousands of women who marched in the garment workers demonstration in New York City on March 8, 1908 to protest child labor and the deplorable and unsafe working conditions at sweatshops such as the Triangle Shirtwaist company, where just three years later a tragic fire and locked factory exits caused the death of over 140 women and girls. In 1987, Women's History Month was inaugurated in the United States.

The Women's Heritage Project is jointly sponsored by the Cambridge Women's Commission and the Cambridge Historical Commission.

Feb 28 - The Cambridge Democratic City Committee (CDCC) tonight selected three nominees to send to City Manager Robert Healy for him to appoint one as a Democrat on the Board of Election Commissioners. Both the Democratic and Republican City Committees choose to rank order their three nominees, but the City Manager is under no obligation to take those rankings into account. The candidates were Tom Stohlman, Larry Ward, Martha Older, and Mushtaque Mirza. On the 1st ballot, Tom Stohlman achieved a majority (Stohlman 68, Ward 41, Mirza 2 - Mirza and Older had withdrawn from the 1st ballot). On the 2nd ballot, Larry Ward achieved a majority (Ward 79, Mirza 12, Older 11). On the 3rd ballot, Mushtaque Mirza achieved a majority (Mirza 55, Older 25). Now it's up to the City Manager to make an appointment no later than April 1.

Both Tom Stohlman and Larry Ward are excellent nominees. Either of them would be a welcome addition to either the Election Commission or the City Council (should either of them again choose to seek that office). - RW

Nominations Welcomed for Cambridge Preservation Awards!

Since 1997, the Cambridge Historical Commission has annually celebrated outstanding contributions to historic preservation throughout the city. The 2011-2012 Preservation Awards Program will honor projects completed between January and December 2011. Residents and property owners, neighbors and visitors, architects and contractors are invited to nominate projects that contribute to the preservation of Cambridge's historic character and built environment. Projects can involve restoration, rehabilitation, adaptive use, neighborhood conservation, landscape preservation, archaeology, and preservation education, and may embrace private homes, school and university buildings, or business/industrial locations. The winning projects will be recognized during a reception on Thursday, May 17, 2012, at Cambridge City Hall.

Nomination forms and more information on the Preservation Recognition program are available at the Cambridge Historical Commission at 831 Massachusetts Avenue; on our website at www2.cambridgema.gov/Historic/awards.html or by calling 617 349 4683. Nominations were due by Noon on Friday, February 17th, 2012.

Become involved in the life of the city by nominating a project for the Preservation Recognition Program! This is a terrific opportunity to give credit to property owners and community members who exemplify good stewardship and promote the broader benefits of historic preservation.

The East Cambridge Planning Team invites you to a community meeting

Wednesday, January 11, 2012
The East End House
105 Spring Street

7:00-7:15pm -- Announcements (Board)

7:15-8:30pm -- The Edward J. Sullivan Courthouse
What to do with it .... Who is looking at it ..... What do you think they should do
(Joe Rull, Director of Legislative Affairs, Capital Asset Management)

8:30-9:00pm -- Q & A

The State is trying to sell the Edward Sullivan Courthouse. Please come to hear the Director of Legislative Affairs talk about how the process is going and to hear the thoughts of the community. While some of you are regular members of the East Cambridge Planning Team, we need your help in reaching out to neighbors who do not regularly attend our meetings. This is an important issue for our neighborhood and what happens affects us all.

Comments?