Fresh Pond Day - Saturday, June 22, 2024, 11am to 3pm
2024 CCJ Notes - May through August
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Fresh Pond Day - Saturday, June 22, 2024, 11am to 3pm
The parade procession will start at Cambridge City Hall and proceed through Pleasant Street and Western Avenue before concluding at Riverside Press Park. Please expect traffic impacts and brief road closures along the parade route.
June 18, 2024 – The Cambridge Public Library will host the Second Annual Spelling Bee finals on Thursday, June 20, from 6-8pm in the Lecture Hall of the Main Library. Community members are invited to attend the finals to provide support and cheer on contestants. The spelling bee aims to enhance the spelling and vocabulary skills of contestants while promoting reading, writing, and delight in the power of words.
The tournament, which began in early May, is inspired by the Scripps National Spelling Bee and adheres to some of its rules. Earlier rounds of the competition, which began June 6, were held in the Fletcher-Maynard Academy in The Port neighborhood. Participants, who are students in grades 1 through 5, come from the Cambridge Public Schools District.
“This year was a very tight competition, especially among students in 4th and 5th grades. It was inspiring to see how focused the students were, aiming to become a finalist,” says Aishah Abdul-Musawwir, one of the coordinators of Sisters With A Dream.
Contestants will take turns spelling words from the Merriam-Webster Dictionary and the grade-level Scripps National Spelling Bee listings online. The participant from each grade level who can spell the most words correctly will win a $100 gift card, second place will win a $50 gift card, and third place will win a $25 gift card.
“The Library is thrilled to host the Second Annual Spelling Bee finals,” said Dr. Maria McCauley, Director of Libraries. “The spelling bee coincides with our Summer Reading program, which shares in the spelling bee’s promotion of learning and literacy.” The spelling bee is cosponsored by My Brother’s Keeper Cambridge, Sisters With A Dream, the Fletcher-Maynard Academy, and the Cambridge Public Library.
Stand with Israel
in its time of crisis
The Russians will stand a chance to be free only when they defeat the Kremlin in their minds. – Pres. Zelenskyy
Slava Ukraini
Bring me the head of Putin and I will grant your request!
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May 21, 2024 – Last week, Cambridge City Manager Yi-An Huang announced the recipients of the 2024 Outstanding City Employee Award and the 2023 and 2024 Brian Murphy Awards for Leadership in the Workplace and Public Service.
The City Manager’s Outstanding Employee Awards (OEA) program recognizes employees nominated by peers, department leaders, and/or members of the community for superior performance, positive attitude, hard work, and dedication to public service. The Brian Murphy Award for Leadership in the Workplace and Public Service is a distinguished recognition given to leaders who display extraordinary qualities in the workplace and dedication to community service.
Please join City Manager Huang in congratulating the 2024 OEA winners:
Congratulations to the 2023 and 2024 winners of the Brian Murphy Award for Leadership in the Workplace and Public Service:
The Brian Murphy Award for Leadership in the Workplace and Public Service, first given in 2015, exemplifies – much like the late Assistant City Manager for Community Development, Brian Murphy – the essence of selflessness and a steadfast philosophy of paying it forward. The award recognizes how a leader creates a supportive and nurturing learning environment for their colleagues while setting a standard for their peers in providing effective public service. Through their unwavering commitment and mentorship, this award recognizes leaders who prepare the City’s workforce for success and generously share their expertise and knowledge. The recipients for this award are deeply committed to continuous professional development, embodying leadership, and service in every aspect of their career.
During the ceremony, City Manager Huang stated, “Cambridge is an incredible city and we do so much to celebrate what we do in our community from the amazing libraries that are part of the fabric of our neighborhoods, the youth centers that serve our kids and families, the public safety officers and staff who keep us safe, the day to day service that is happening across all our departments, and so much more. We celebrate the hard work and dedication of City staff and some of the outstanding people that I’m so proud to work with.”
This year’s recipients were honored on Friday, May 17 in the Sullivan Chamber of Cambridge City Hall, 795 Massachusetts Avenue.
To learn more about the awards and past recipients, please visit Outstanding City Employee Award and Brian Murphy Award for Leadership and Public Service (cambridgema.gov).
May 15, 2024 – Cambridge City Manager Yi-An Huang is seeking persons interested in serving on the Cambridge Arts Council Advisory Board.
The Arts Council Advisory Board provides guidance and advice on enhancing the lives of the residents of Cambridge through the arts; stimulates public awareness of the arts; and develops ways to improve the aesthetic experience of the people living, working, playing and passing through the city. Ideal candidates would be experienced in some phase of artistic expression, creation, performance, production, finance or organization.
The City of Cambridge is committed to advancing a culture of antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion. All board and commission members in Cambridge must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies. Women, minorities, veterans, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
The Advisory Board consists of 9-15 members appointed by the City Manager and confirmed by the City Council to a 3-year term. The Board currently meets virtually on the second Tuesday of the month from 6-7:30pm, but is expected to resume in-person meetings in the near future.
Individuals interested in being considered should apply by using the city’s online application system at cambridgema.gov/apply and find the Arts Council Advisory Board in the list of Current Vacancies. A cover letter and résumé or summary of applicable experience can be submitted during the online application process. The deadline for submitting applications is Monday, June 17, 2024.
Zero Waste Plan 2.0 Kick-Off Event Wednesday, June 12 (May 30, 2024)
Community Safety Department Requesting Funding Proposals From Organizations to Provide Violence Prevention Programs or Services (May 30, 2024)
All Cambridge Public Library locations will be closed on Friday, June 7 for staff development. (May 30, 2024)
Highlights from the Open Data Science Conference (May 29, 2024)
Scheduled June 2024 Red Line Closures Impacting Cambridge – What to Know (May 29, 2024)
CPD Announces Arrest in Ongoing Investigation of Double Shooting in the area of Donnelly Field (May 28, 2024)
Public Works Announces 2024 Commissioner Award Winners (May 28, 2024)
Find Poems throughout City via our Sidewalk Poetry Map (May 28, 2024)
Appleton Street Traffic Concerns Community Meeting (May 24, 2024)
Cambridge Police Investigating Double Shooting in the Area of Donnelly Field (May 24, 2024)
Cambridge Teens Complete Mural at Moses Youth Center (May 23, 2024)
How to Stay Safe During Extreme Heat (May 22, 2024)
Cool Off With Waterplay Features at Cambridge Parks (May 22, 2024)
Get Training, Paid Experience to Become an Early Childhood Educator (May 20, 2024)
Cambridge Police Department’s Approach to Preparing and Providing Resources for Ongoing Protests (May 20, 2024)
Central Square Rezoning Community Meeting 1 (May 20, 2024)
virtually on May 30th from 6:00-7:30pm for the first of three community meetings
Cambridge Police Department Investigates Reported Sexual Assault (May 19, 2024)
Members Sought for Cambridge Arts Council Advisory Board (May 15, 2024)
Application Deadline: 6-17-24.
Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day Saturday June 8th (May 14, 2024)
May 2024 Community Safety Department Update (May 13, 2024)
Cambridge Fire Academy - Recruit Class 2024-01 - graduation (May 13, 2024)
Cambridge Public Library Announces Park Sounds 2024 (May 13, 2024)
New Development Log Available - 2024 Q1 (May 13, 2024)
Celebrate 20 Years of Marriage Equality in Cambridge May 15-18 (May 9, 2024)
Volunteer At Cambridge Arts River Festival 6/15 (May 9, 2024)
Mass Ave Planning Study - South of Porter Community Meeting 2 (May 9, 2024)
in-person community open house for the Mass Ave Planning Study (MAPS) on May 29, 5:30pm-7:30pm at the Lesley University Lunder Arts Center
Be Part Of Mermaid Promenade At Cambridge Arts River Festival (May 9, 2024)
Full-Time Career and Job Opportunity for Cambridge Residents Between 18-23 Years Old (May 9, 2024)
Notice of Board Vote - Alteration of Premises to Include or Expand Outdoor Areas (May 9, 2024)
Based on the changes made by this law, applications for alteration of premises to include an outdoor area that serves alcohol no longer need ABCC approval.
Firefighters Memorial Sunday is scheduled for Sunday, June 9, 2024 (May 9, 2024)
New Lease Rent Relief Grant for Cambridge Small Business Provides Up to $25,000 in COVID Recovery Assistance (May 8, 2024)
Handsome Harry Hanson Tour (May 8, 2024)
Follow the Handsome Harry Hanson Tour and learn about the exciting exploits of Harry Havelock Hanson, as recorded in his calendar entries between 1891 and 1919. The original tour was created by Sarah Burks and Megan Schwenke of the Cambridge Historical Commission (CHC) and it was inspired by the Harry Havelock Hanson Collection, located at the Commission’s archives.
Lunch Carts and Dining Cars (May 8, 2024)
Explore the map tour of diner locations in Cambridge, MA. Once plentiful, none of the portable dining cars remain. From the earliest horse-drawn lunch carts to the streamlined stainless steel cars, diners were once plentiful in Cambridge. But where did they all go? Some diners moved into brick and mortar locations and others relocated to other towns. The recent Food Truck trend appears to be a revival of the portable dining car, but they don’t offer the seating and table service of yesterday. Enjoy this tour of diner photos and share your diner memories with us at histcomm@cambridgema.gov.
9th Annual Cambridge Safer Homes, Safer Community: Cambridge Gift Cards for Guns June 8th (May 8, 2024)
Cambridge Redevelopment Authority Vacancy. Application Deadline 6-10-24. (May 7, 2024)
More Money To Host Your Block Party: $300 (May 7, 2024)
GIS Data Download Updates (May 7, 2024)
Cambridge Fire Academy - Burn Training Days 4 and 5 (May 7, 2024)
Cambridge Increases Grants for Neighborhood Block Parties (May 6, 2024)
‘Find It’ Easier! (May 6, 2024)
Free Document Shredding Event Saturday, May 18, 2024 (May 3, 2024)
Cambridge Highlands Resident Parking Survey Results (May 2, 2024)
Register for 2024 Recreation Summer Basketball Leagues! (May 1, 2024)
Submit your photos and artwork for the 2025 Resident Parking Permit! (May 1, 2024)
Cambridge Businesses Honored at 2024 Legacy Luncheon Awards (May 1, 2024)
Kendall Square Construction Projects (May 1, 2024)
City Hall Front Entrance Closed for Construction June 6 - August 1 (June 2, 2022)
Request: Please relocate the flags over the entrance so that the message from Frederick Hastings Rindge is no longer obscured.
May 22, 2024 – I attended the annual DPW Cookout and Awards Ceremony today. Though I have never been employed by the City of Cambridge, my life has been intertwined with many aspects of the City of Cambridge - and with the Department of Public Works more than any other, primarily due to decades of involvement with recycling and composting initiatives. I have so many friends there and this annual event always feels like a family reunion. It also brings together people from many other City departments - and many more friends. - Robert Winters
The Algebra Problem: How Middle School Math Became a National Flashpoint (May 22, 2024, New York Times)
I Helped Make Standing Rock Go Viral. Now I Regret It. (May 27, 2024 by Lucy Biggars, The Free Press)
It take an enormous amount of courage (and honesty) to question the crowd. But it has to be done. - RW
May 17 – How Hamas became radical chic (UnHerd, by Jacob Howland)
May 15 - A big Thank You to all of my friends who wished me a Happy Birthday today. I really appreciate it. This is especially true because I have been chained to my desk most of today grading Final Exams from my Linear Algebra course at the Harvard Extension School. - RW
Police Arrest M.I.T. Protesters After Suspensions Ramp Up Tension (updated Fri, May 10, 2024; New York Times)
Officers entered an encampment at the university early Friday after a 15-minute warning. Ten people were arrested, protest organizers said.
“Around 4am, campus police officers gave demonstrators a 15-minute warning to leave, and then began making arrests and loading people into police vehicles. The arrests, which occurred while about a dozen other protesters chanted from a nearby sidewalk, appeared largely peaceful.”
Police in riot gear clear out pro-Palestinian encampment at MIT (Fri, May 10, 2024; Boston Globe)
“After days of escalating tensions at MIT and an earlier attempt to clear out a pro-Palestinian encampment on campus, approximately 100 police officers arrived around 4 a.m. Friday morning and began clearing the scene. By about 5:15 a.m., officers had dismantled the camp while protesters chanted nearby.”
MASSACHUSETTS AVE-COURTESY BOOKINGS FOR MIT POLICE
Cambridge Police responded to the 0 block of Massachusetts Avenue to assist with crowd control at an MIT property. MIT Police placed the following individuals under arrest:
Emily Wong, 20, of Cambridge was charged with trespassing.
David Berkinsky, 27, of Boston was charged with trespassing.
Prahlad Lyengar, 23, of Cambridge was charged with trespassing.
Safiyyah Ogundipe, 21, of Cambridge was charged with trespassing.
Angelica Knudsen, 19, of Cambridge was charged with trespassing.
Alina Sarmiento, 20, of Cambridge was charged with trespassing.
Eesha Bamerjee, 20, of Cambridge was charged with trespassing.
Alejandro Tanon-Diaz, 22, of Boston was charged with trespassing.
Mila Halgren, 29, of Cambridge was charged with trespassing.
Darshdeep Grewal, 22, of Boston was charged with trespassing.
May 9, 2024 – Meanwhile, down at MIT, things started to really get out of hand this afternoon. While attempting to block the entry/exit to the Vassar Street garage (at the Stata Center), protesters physically pushed MIT and Cambridge police officers who were doing their best to keep the exit clear. Arrests were made. There were many MIT Police officers, Cambridge Police officers, and Mass. State Police officers on the scene. The bystanders outnumbered the miscreants whose total was perhaps 50 to 70 in various forms of costume.
It does get a bit sickening listening to chants of “From the river to the sea...” and “Globilize the intifada.” I saw at least three handcuffed arrestees (no Zip Ties, real handcuffs!) loaded into the wagon and carted away. Whether chanting about the annihilation of Israel is “largely peaceful” (in the words of the Cambridge City Council) is a matter of opinion.
What makes the MIT sideshow so interesting is that so many of the protesters think they have a monopoly on virtue and some special insight into morality. Nothing could be further from the truth. These are the same kids who several weeks ago were taking Adderall and pulling all-nighters on their problem sets for their classes. They have the social skills of fisher cats, and the wisdom of day flies.
VASSAR ST-COURTESY BOOKINGS FOR MIT POLICE
Cambridge Police responded the 30 block of Vassar Street to assist with crowd control at an MIT property. MIT Police placed the following individuals under arrest:
Turner Adornetto, 28, of Somerville, was charged with trespassing and disorderly conduct.
Max Peters, 21, of Boston, was charged with trespassing, disorderly conduct, assault & battery on a +60/disabled with injury, and assault and battery on a police officer.
Katherine Pearce, 19, of Cambridge, was charged with trespassing and disorderly conduct.
Nishad Gothoskar, 27, of Cambridge, was charged with trespassing.
Ruth Hanna, 29, of Belmont, was charged with trespassing and disorderly conduct.
Christian Cmehil-Warn, 26, of Cambridge, was charged with trespassing.
Amira Ravshanova, 20, of Cambridge, was charged with trespassing.
Morgan Guempel, 22, of Cambridge, was charged with trespassing and disorderly conduct.
Rahaf Zaza, 21, of Wellesley, was charged with trespassing, disorderly conduct, and assault with a dangerous weapon (shod foot).
The People Setting America on Fire (May 6, 2024 by Park MacDougald, Tablet)
Follow the Money
There Are Two Sets of Rules for Speech (May 2, 2024 by Abigail Shrier, Free Press)
Frat parties with offensive themes are swiftly punished. But publicly contemplate murdering Zionists? That’s a different story.
A Tale of Two Columbias (May 1, 2024 by Suzy Weiss, Free Press)
‘Half these kids don’t even know what they’re protesting for.’
May 7, 2024 – Cambridge City Manager Yi-An Huang seeks to fill a vacancy on the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority Board (CRA). The application deadline is Monday, June 10, 2024. The CRA is an independent public body focused on publicly-beneficial real estate projects and infrastructure investment within the City of Cambridge.
The CRA is an independent public body focused on publicly beneficial real estate projects and infrastructure investment within the City of Cambridge. Per the state regulations creating redevelopment authorities (M.G.L. 121B), the CRA Board is composed of five members, four of whom are appointed by the Cambridge City Manager and confirmed by the City Council to a five-year term. The fifth member is appointed by the Governor’s office.
The CRA works in the public trust to bring a human dimension to development, improving the quality of life for residents, businesses, employees, and visitors. Its goal is to balance economic vibrancy, housing, and open space, to create sustainable communities through new and revitalized development. Committed to implementing imaginative, creative initiatives to achieve social equity and a balanced economic ecosystem, the CRA works on projects throughout Cambridge, often in partnership with the City of Cambridge or with other organizations.
Over the past 5 years, the CRA has purchased and renovated the nonprofit center at 99 Bishop Allen Drive, opened the Foundry Community Arts and Education Center at 101 Rogers Street, revitalized multiple public open spaces in Kendall Square, provided capital grants funds to over 25 nonprofit organizations and invested in middle income homeownership opportunities along Massachusetts Avenue. The CRA continues to steward development in Kendall Square, including new residential development and a state-of-the-art underground electrical substation. The CRA plans to continue to make an investment in affordable homeownership projects, nonprofit services, and economic opportunity projects throughout Cambridge.
Board members are responsible for overseeing the fiscal management and strategic direction of the CRA. They oversee project selection, program policy, internal controls, contracting and procurement decisions, and general management of operations. The Board hires the Executive Director and sets annual budgets for the organization. They serve as a critical connection between community interests and the Management of programs. They bring forward redevelopment concepts for consideration and review initiatives from the City of Cambridge and CRA staff. They guide existing redevelopment programs, providing land use and design review of buildings in the KSURP area. They monitor the delivery of ongoing community benefit agreements in Kendall Square and other plan areas.
The CRA Board is a public body that meets at least monthly under the guidance of the open meeting law of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. CRA Board meetings are currently held in hybrid format on the second or third Wednesday of each month, from 5:30-8:30pm. Members are expected to attend all meetings in-person, and should plan to spend a few hours each month outside of meetings reviewing documents, visiting potential sites, etc.
All board members appointed by the City Manager must live in Cambridge. The City of Cambridge is committed to advancing a culture of antiracism, diversity, equity, and inclusion. All committee members in Cambridge must have the ability to work and interact effectively with individuals and groups with a variety of identities, cultures, backgrounds, and ideologies. Women, minorities, veterans, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
Individuals interested in being considered should apply using the City’s online application system at cambridgema.gov/apply and selecting “Cambridge Redevelopment Authority” in the list of Current Vacancies. A resume and cover letter describing why you want to join the committee, or an overview of relevant experience, can be submitted during the online application process. The deadline for submitting applications is Monday, June 10, 2024. For more information, contact Tom Evans, CRA Executive Director, at tevans@cambridgeredevelopment.org.
The City of Cambridge Department of Veterans’ Services (DVS) invites the public to attend three Memorial Day Weekend Observance Events, including two events on May 25, Grave Decoration Day and an observance for maritime military members lost due to maritime battles, and the Memorial Day Observance event on May 27.
Grave Decoration Day Saturday, May 25, at 10am.
The Cambridge community is invited to join Cambridge Little League and Scout members in the decoration of veterans’ graves with flags on Saturday, May 25 at 10am at Cambridge Cemetery, 76 Coolidge Avenue.
Observance for Maritime Military Members Saturday, May 25, at 11am.
Join us on Saturday, May 25 at 11am at the American Legion Marsh Post 442, 5 Greenough Blvd, Cambridge, to commemorate military members lost due to maritime battles/disasters. We will release flowers, have a moment of silence, and reflect while listening to a recording of the Navy Academy Choir.
Memorial Day Observance Ceremony Monday, May 27, at 10:30am.
Acting City of Cambridge DVS Director Cynthia Harris will emcee the Memorial Day Observance on Monday, May 27 at 10:30am on the Cambridge Common, 1500 Massachusetts Avenue, to commemorate the lives of our military members with the assistance of Cambridge Mayor E. Denise Simmons, Vice Mayor Marc McGovern, and City Councillor Ayesha M. Wilson, Co-Chair of the Human Services and Veterans Committee. The keynote address will be given by Joseph Reynolds, Chief Operating Officer for the Massachusetts Executive Office of Veteran Services. Musical selections will be provided by the CRLS (Cambridge Rindge and Latin School) Marching Band.
Family friendly events and entertainment following the ceremony will include New England Party Animals with Petting Zoo and Pony Rides, Boston Caricature with face painter and caricature artist, and Jonah’s Twisters balloon artist. Entertainment will be provided by Monkeys with Crayons and The Dave Macklin Band. Food and refreshments will be provided by Kowloon, Manoa Poke Shop, Buquet Appetit, and Perfect Parties. View Memorial Day Flyer
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