October 2010 - Neighbors - lists.buenavistasocialclub.org

FW: [PSNA] Sign Ordinance Changes
by Ruth Ryals 10 Oct '10

10 Oct '10

fyi From: psna-bounces(a)lists.portersquare.net [mailto:psna-bounces@lists.portersquare.net] On Behalf Of Karen Klinger Sent: Saturday, October 09, 2010 7:35 PM To: N'HOOD ASS'N PORTER SQ Subject: Re: [PSNA] Sign Ordinance Changes The Globe has a story today which is a fairly good overview of the sign changes controversy (link below). It says the driving force behind the opposition is Phillip Terry Ragon, the multimillionaire owner of Intesystems Corp., which leases one half of the One Memorial Drive office building, while Microsoft leases the other half. Bottom line: Microsoft wants to put a sign on the building advertising itself, Ragon is opposed. (Obviously, there's more to the story. Supposedly there is bad blood re: Ragon, Microsoft AND the landlord of the building.) So Ragon established the campaign website, hired a public relations company and is paying for a squadron of professional signature gatherers, as well, presumably, as the robocalls. The shorthand version of the new regulations is that signs up to 90 square feet would be permitted on buildings in excess of 100 feet tall, but only in areas on either end of Cambridge: the Kendall Square/East Cambridge area where office buildings are clustered and the area around Alewife. So Porter Square, for instance, is not affected. Only exterior illumination would be permitted, so no neon. The council was split on this, with a 6-3 approval vote. If I remember right, Seidel and Kelley were opposed and I can't remember who the third "no" vote was. Cheung was strong supportive. My impression from the feedback I've heard so far is that this could be morphing into something much larger than just an issue about the signs. It could be that people who don't particularly care about the sign ordinance changes one way or the other but are unhappy with the way the city is run and the performance of the city council may support the repeal effort as a way of sending a message to the powers that be. It will be interesting to see how this develops. Karen http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2010/10/09/some_in_c ambridge_say_they_want_to_repeal_new_sign_rules/

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FW: Light Bulb Initiative and Potluck Reminder
by Ruth Ryals 07 Oct '10

07 Oct '10

Even if you cannot go, check out the links! EXCHANGE FREE EFFICIENT LIGHT BULBS IN NORTH CAMBRIDGE SUNDAY 10/10/10, 1-5:00 p.m., followed by potluck dinner, open to all MEET AT CAMBRIDGE COHOUSING, 175 RICHDALE AVE. * WE WILL GO DOOR TO DOOR AND EXCHANGE compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs for inefficient incandescent bulbs. * Each CFL bulb exchanged SAVES $60 in electricity costs over its lifetime. * Exchanging 20 bulbs saves OVER 8 TONS OF CARBON DIOXIDE. * Free CFL's provided by Cambridge Energy Alliance. * JOIN THOUSANDS OF GROUPS WORLDWIDE and participate in the Global Work Party on climate change-see <https://exchange.uml.edu/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.350.org/> www.350.org VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! You must sign up at either <https://exchange.uml.edu/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=https://exchange.uml.edu /exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey= dC1RS25Jb2VXMl9KVjhBMk1PNk1hV0E6MQ> https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dC1RS25Jb2VXMl9KVjhBMk1PNk1 hV0E6MQ or at www.heetma.com <http://www.heetma.com/> or by e-mailing <mailto:heet.cambridge@gmail.com> heet.cambridge(a)gmail.com COSPONSORS: Cambridge Cohousing, Cambridge Energy Alliance, Cambridge Climate Emergency Action Group, Home Energy Efficiency Teams (HEET), Richdale Neighborhood Association FOR MORE INFORMATION, Contact Robin Finnegan <mailto:rfinnegan@comcast.net> rfinnegan(a)comcast.net orJohn_MacDougall(a)uml.edu

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FW: Reminder: Prospect Hill Academy Opening Ceremony
by Ruth Ryals 07 Oct '10

07 Oct '10

For any of you who are interested. From: Julia Esko [mailto:Jesko@prospecthillacademy.org] Sent: Thursday, October 07, 2010 12:56 PM To: Anja Bresler Cc: Julia Esko Subject: Reminder: Prospect Hill Academy Opening Ceremony PHA_PMS_FINAL.jpg Dear Opening Ceremony Guests, We look forward to seeing you tonight. The details of the event are as follows: Date: Thursday October 7th, 2010 Time: 5:30 - 7:30PM Location: 54 Essex Street near Central Square, Cambridge Limited parking is available behind the school off of Norfolk Street. The Program 5:30 PM Speakers Jed Lippard, Head of School Maishka Antoine, PHA Student Paul Reville, Massachusetts Secretary of Education Salim Kabawat, Trustee, Facilities Committee Chair 6:00 PM Ribbon Cutting Mary Nice-Hodorawis, Honorary Trustee 6:05-7:30 PM Tour the Building 1st Floor PHA Video 4th Floor Hors d'oeuvres and drinks Every Floor Meet our students and teachers Learn about the dynamic features such as the science and media labs, the Learning Commons, and the college counseling suite. Discover how the building is "green." Please contact Anja Bresler, Director of Development and External Relations at abresler(a)prospecthillacademy.org or 617-284-7822 with any questions.

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FW: [PSNA] North Cambridge CFL Distribution
by Ruth Ryals 06 Oct '10

06 Oct '10

And, of course, TAGS! -----Original Message----- From: psna-bounces(a)lists.portersquare.net [mailto:psna-bounces@lists.portersquare.net] On Behalf Of Simon Shapiro Sent: Wednesday, October 06, 2010 10:04 AM To: Ron Newman Cc: PSNA(a)lists.portersquare.net Subject: Re: [PSNA] North Cambridge CFL Distribution Yes, TAGS Hardware does accept fluorescent lamps for recycling. We have a program with the City of Cambridge. The City recycling department pick-up the lamps on a monthly basis. We also accept rechargeable batteries and cell phones. We just received approval to continue our free CFL lamp give away program for 2011. Thank you for thinking of us. Simon Shapiro Mardi Moran On Oct 5, 2010, at 10:08 PM, Ron Newman wrote: > Tags will take (and presumably properly dispose of) broken or burnt-out CFL bulbs. > > _______________________________________________ > PSNA mailing list > PSNA(a)lists.portersquare.net > http://lists.portersquare.net/listinfo.cgi/psna-portersquare.net _______________________________________________ PSNA mailing list PSNA(a)lists.portersquare.net http://lists.portersquare.net/listinfo.cgi/psna-portersquare.net

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FW: [PSNA] North Cambridge CFL Distribution
by Ruth Ryals 06 Oct '10

06 Oct '10

More FYI From: psna-bounces(a)lists.portersquare.net [mailto:psna-bounces@lists.portersquare.net] On Behalf Of Brenda Pike Sent: Wednesday, October 06, 2010 10:22 AM To: psna(a)portersquare.net Subject: Re: [PSNA] North Cambridge CFL Distribution The City of Cambridge accepts fluorescent bulbs (along with rechargeable batteries, thermometers, and motor oil) during drop-off center hours every week, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 4:00-7:30, and Saturdays, 9:00-4:00: http://www.cambridgema.gov/TheWorks/departments/recycle/Dropoff.html Also, pretty much any hardware store will accept CFLs, including Home Depot and Inman Square Hardware. And here are guidelines from Mass DEP for cleaning up CFLs: http://www.mass.gov/dep/toxics/stypes/cflclnup.htm ----------------- Brenda Pike <http://www.PragmaticEnvironmentalism.com/> PragmaticEnvironmentalism.com

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FW: [PSNA] North Cambridge CFL Distribution
by Ruth Ryals 06 Oct '10

06 Oct '10

FYI -----Original Message----- From: psna-bounces(a)lists.portersquare.net [mailto:psna-bounces@lists.portersquare.net] On Behalf Of John Howard Sent: Tuesday, October 05, 2010 5:12 PM To: Porter Square Neighbors Association Subject: [PSNA] North Cambridge CFL Distribution The Home Energy Efficiency Team, Climate Emergency Action Group, Cambridge Cohousing, and the Cambridge Energy Alliance are co-sponsoring a distribution of free Compact Fluorescent Light (CFL) bulbs on Sunday afternoon, October 10, in North Cambridge. Volunteers will meet at Cambridge Cohousing, 175 Richdale Ave, at 1PM for training, distribute bulbs door-to-door from 2 to 4:30, and debrief from 4:30 to 5, followed by a potluck dinner.‎ All help will be welcome, but a head count will help planing the quantity of supplies to bring that day. Please visit http://www.heetma.com to sign up. The Cambridge Energy Alliance will be providing the free CFL bulbs. Write to rfinnegan(a)comcast.net, or jgorden(a)cambridgeenergyalliance.org for further information. There are many other events in Cambridge on this same day -- including CCEAG's participation in the Honk Festival by marching in long underwear to send the message that we should be turning down the heat and putting on more layers -- and Greenpeace Boston's anti-coal rally at the State House from 4-6pm. Find more local 10-10-10 events here: http://www.350.org/map#/map/42.3726399/-71.1096528/10 _______________________________________________ PSNA mailing list PSNA(a)lists.portersquare.net http://lists.portersquare.net/listinfo.cgi/psna-portersquare.net

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FW: wanting to connect about cold frames
by Ruth Ryals 01 Oct '10

01 Oct '10

Any one interested? From: Adrianne Schaefer [mailto:greencityadrianne@gmail.com] Sent: Thursday, September 30, 2010 12:51 PM To: rryals(a)comcast.net Subject: wanting to connect about cold frames Subject: Grow all Year Round! Hello! I wanted to spread the word about some winter gardening resources in the area since it is that time of year again. I work for a veggie gardening business in Somerville called Green City Growers. My coworkers designed a really neat cold frame that they can fit right on top of a raised bed (or an in ground garden) to allow for winter growing. They can extend the season well into December and make it possible to start growing veggies as early as March. They also keep many plants alive during January and February. It is great for experienced gardeners wanting to extend the season a bit longer! The cold frames are really well built--work better than the ones in the gardening catalogue and they last longer. They cost 350 for one for a 4x4 and 650 for 2 of them (for a 4x8 garden). If you are interested email me and I'll give you email you some pictures of them and more specs off list of course. So please be in touch! Check out our website at <http://www.growmycitygreen.com/> www.growmycitygreen.com We've recently been in the New York Times, Chronicle and the Boston Globe. Also, let me know if you know of anyone wanting education around veggie gardening. We love working with schools, houses of worship, workplaces, assisted living centers or businesses to help them start growing veggies in yards, rooftops and many times very small spaces. We install vegetable gardens and do maintenance and education around them (like a weekly hands on session with whoever wants to come out to the garden). Thanks! Attached is our flyer with a picture of the cold frames. -- Adrianne Schaefer Sales and Community Program Manager Green City Growers 508-801-7630 www.growmycitygreen.com www.greencitygrowers.blogspot.com

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