February 2014 - Neighbors - lists.buenavistasocialclub.org

FW: Snow & Ice Removal - Sidewalk Accessibility this Winter
by Ruth Ryals 17 Feb '14

17 Feb '14

From: JoAnn & David Haas <jdh_improv.offthebeat(a)comcast.net> Date: Monday, February 17, 2014 9:33 PM To: JoAnn & David Haas <jdh_improv.offthebeat(a)comcast.net> Subject: Snow & Ice Removal - Sidewalk Accessibility this Winter Dear Cambridge Community Member, Thank you for what you are doing to keep our sidewalks free of snow and ice given this particularly difficult winter. DPW is also doing its best with all the snow and we are grateful to them as well. Due to the amount of snow and ice we are dealing with some of their enhanced operations are taking longer to implement. Please note that they are working as hard as they can to meet all of their snow removal goals. As you all know, the snow this winter has been non-stop and more is on the way. The temperature has created ice on the sidewalks and even ice melt is not working. Some sidewalks are clear while others are packed solid with ice. What a difference it can make when one owner does not shovel a sidewalk before it all freezes over. Walking down the street suddenly becomes treacherous. Black ice is especially dangerous. What can we do now that another snow storm is on the way? One thing we can do is to remember to report any unshoveled sidewalk. Please see: http://www.cambridgema.gov/snow <http://www.cambridgema.gov/snow> . The direct link to the online reporting form is: http://www2.cambridgema.gov/theworks/services/snow/complaint.aspx <http://www2.cambridgema.gov/theworks/services/snow/complaint.aspx> . DPW does read your comments so if you find that there is no street number available to reporting a particular sidewalk, you can leave detailed information in the comments. Their phone is: 617-349-4903 and will be included in the DPW Snow Brochure this year. You can also report sidewalk obstructions (snow/ice/potholes) directly from your cell phones via Cambridge iReport: http://cambridgema.gov/iReport.aspx <http://cambridgema.gov/iReport.aspx> . We are also encouraging the business community to clear not only their sidewalks but the designated disability parking spaces on both the passenger side as well as the driver's side. This will not only provide full access for people with disabilities exiting and entering their vehicles but will increase the possibility of residents visiting these business locations. We are promoting "Adopt a Sidewalk" and "Adopt a Corner" again this year. The idea is that if one neighborhood community member adopts a particular sidewalk or corner, he or she will do his or her best to see that it is shoveled and cleared of snow and ice. This would, of course, involve neighbors joining in to make all the sidewalks accessible for everyone, in particular the elderly and people with disabilities. This is a great opportunity to find out who your neighbors are and to develop strong community bonds over time. At the same time, you would be keeping the sidewalk safe and accessible. Snow and ice removal from our city sidewalks is especially challenging this year given the weather conditions. However, later this week, it is predicted that it will warm up so this gives us all a great opportunity to clear out all the snow and ice from the sidewalks before the next storm arrives. The City and the US Post Office are sponsoring the Best Shoveled Contest again this year. Nominations are due to the Post Office on March 15, 2014 so there is still time to make your sidewalk a finalist in this competition. Please note that there is assistance through the City Snow Exemption Program for low-income elderly or disabled homeowners. To see if you are eligible to have the City to shovel your sidewalk under this program, please call the Cambridge Council on Aging at 617-349-6220 (voice) or 617-349-6050 (TTY). If you are not eligible, the Council on Aging will provide you with different available options that you can explore. As a CCPD representative, I cannot promote any particular company that removes snow. However, neighborhood associations might like to reach out to their own community members to see if they would like to set up a deal with a contractor that might assist with snow/ice removal in order to keep the neighborhood safe. Shoveling can be difficult for the elderly or people with disabilities. If you have not yet viewed CCPD's snow video, I encourage you all to watch it (and send it to all your friends) at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3EBUKS_RxI <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3EBUKS_RxI> . You may recognize some familiar faces in this very informative video. Also, please forward the link to this video to all members of your community to view, and ask them to pass it on to their friends and family members, as well. The snow ordinance must be enforced (see link to the ordinance: http://www.cambridgema.gov/theworks/ourservices/snow/snowordinance.aspx <http://www.cambridgema.gov/theworks/ourservices/snow/snowordinance.aspx> ) and our goal is to find positive ways to reinforce resident behavior to not only encourage snow and ice removal on city sidewalks but to reach out and educate residents so that they know the effect an unshoveled/icy sidewalk has on pedestrians. Thank you so much for all of your continued support in keeping our city sidewalks free of snow and ice. Please stay safe and take good care. JoAnn Haas, CCPD PS Our next CCPD meeting is on Thursday, February 20 at 5:30PM, 2nd Floor, 51 Inman Street For more details see: www.cambridgema.gov/ccpd.

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Re: [Neighbors] Floor Sander
by Angela 15 Feb '14

15 Feb '14

Hi All, I had promise to put together a list of contractors that I have been happy with. Well, so far the only person I feel comfortable recommending is the floor sander. He did a great job, on schedule and would definitely use him again. Thanks Christine for passing along his name!! His English is not that great, but I had no problems understanding him. TNN Hardwood Floor Tien Tran 617 861 5113 Best, Angela

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FW: Cambridge PD: CITYWIDE Alert - Snow Emergency Parking Ban
by Ruth Ryals 15 Feb '14

15 Feb '14

From: CitizenObserver <alerts(a)citizenobserver.com> Reply-To: <alerts(a)citizenobserver.com> Date: Saturday, February 15, 2014 10:12 AM To: Ruth Ryals <rryals(a)comcast.net> Subject: Cambridge PD: CITYWIDE Alert - Snow Emergency Parking Ban Citizen Observer Cambridge PD: CITYWIDE Citizen Alert Snow Emergency Parking Ban A Cambridge Snow Emergency Parking Ban will go into effect Saturday, February 15th at 5:00PM. Parking is prohibited on streets signed "No Parking during Snow Emergency". Tow operations will begin at 5:00PM. For more details, including a list of garages for parking during snow emergencies, can be found on the City's website at www.cambridgema.gov <http://www.elabs5.com/c.html?ufl=5&rtr=on&s=jaysy,sdq2,1d8,er4j,5lm8,8bry,m 3cn> . <http://www.elabs5.com/c.html?ufl=5&rtr=on&s=jaysy,sdq2,1d8,4koq,ksdg,8bry,m 3cn> Contact Information Contact Name: Public Information Officer Contact Name: Contact Email: PIO(a)cambridgepolice.org Contact Email: Contact Phone: (617) 349-3237 Contact Phone: See More Details/Translate <http://www.elabs5.com/c.html?ufl=5&rtr=on&s=jaysy,sdq2,1d8,ioyk,hxxg,8bry,m 3cn> <http://www.citizenobserver.com/cov6/app/ncnews_aff.jsp?sender=rryals@comcas t.net&uid=5ed9efba77&p=2654&mid=1324154> Please do not reply to this email. Direct any questions or feedback to the contact at your local law enforcement agency. Unsubscribe from CitizenObserver Email Alerts <http://www.elabs5.com/c.html?ufl=5&rtr=on&s=jaysy,sdq2,1d8,2ubx,g8zs,8bry,m 3cn>

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FW: Prospect Street Fire update
by Ruth Ryals 14 Feb '14

14 Feb '14

I appreciate this thoughtful post. Take a few minutes to check out your fire hazards! Ruth From: "Kelley, Craig" <ckelley(a)cambridgema.gov> Date: Friday, February 14, 2014 11:31 AM Subject: Prospect Street Fire update Folks: I'm forwarding an email, with attachment, from the Manager's office that describes how this week's fatal Prospect Street fire started with something associated with an electric baseboard heater. The memo notes that the various smoke alarms in the building were not working which may well have played a crucial role in the fire's tragic results. We all have so many electric items in our homes, often with cords stretch out of sight beneath carpets or behind couches, that we perhaps discount how seriously and quickly things can go horribly wrong. In this case the heater in question was a hard-wired, 220-volt four-foot electric baseboard heater, not a portable electric one but CFD¹s webpage on winter fire safety <http://www2.cambridgema.gov/CFD/newsDetail.cfm?instance_id=6140> specifically calls out space heaters as dangerous items and you should be alert to their dangers if you are using any. A few years ago, my parents had a fire that started in an unused nook of the basement where an old outlet, put in when the basement was rehabbed 40-plus years earlier, sparked up against a blanket on a bed that hadn't been used in a decade and was old and dry. The result wasn't as tragic as the Prospect Street fire, but it was certainly a mess. I also had friends a few years ago whose baby sitter didn't realize that the microwave wasn't working and started a fire by trying to cook something in it. No one was hurt but, like my parents, what a mess! CFD has a list of fire safety tips here <http://www2.cambridgema.gov/cfd/HomeSafetyTips.cfm> and I will add one of my own- always make sure your fire extinguisher (which should be picked up and shaken regularly to keep the solids inside from caking) is on the way out of the building. You don¹t want to have to choose between getting away from a fire and using the fire extinguisher and, if you do, you want to chose the former. I often feel we get so consumed by the big, dangerous, scary things we see on TV, the internet and the papers that we don¹t realize how much control we really have over keeping ourselves and our loved ones (and in this sad case, guests) safe. We actually have a lot of control over our safety, including over mundane little things like having fire alarms that work. Best to all on this icy day. Craig All emails to and from this email address are subject to the Public Records Law and may be made available to members of the public. Anything you do not want subject to that law should be sent to me at Craig(a)CraigKelley.org. -----Original Message----- From: Gianetti, Lee Sent: Friday, February 14, 2014 10:10 AM To: City Council Cc: Peterson, Lisa; Albano, Sandra Subject: Prospect street update Councillors, Attached is a press release that the State Fire Marshall and the Cambridge Fire Department is releasing today related to the Prospect Street fire. Sincerely, Lee Gianetti

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Living Well Network Computer Lounge, Today 1PM
by Colin Barr 12 Feb '14

12 Feb '14

Living Well Network Computer Lounge<http://agassiz.org/living-well/senior-computer-lounge/> *Date:* Today, Wednesday, February 12th 1:00-3:00 PM *Location:* North Hall, 1651 Mass Ave Do you have a computer or technology problem that you can't solve alone? The Computer Lounge might be your solution! This week we will have an Open Lab, so bring in your questions! Here are some questions participants have recently asked at the Lounge: - How do I download an app for my smartphone? - When should I shut off my computer? - How do I send a small picture as an email attachment? ------------------- Lounge labs, workshops, and classes are free for LWN Members and $20 per session / class for drop-ins (first visit is FREE). For more information please contact Colin. ------------- Colin Barr Living Well Network Coordinator Agassiz Baldwin Community www.agassiz.org/ cbarr(a)agassiz.org 617-349-6287 x21

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FW: [PSNA] Parking
by Ruth Ryals 05 Feb '14

05 Feb '14

From: Marc McGovern <marcmcgovern(a)gmail.com> Date: Wednesday, February 5, 2014 3:12 PM To: cpsparents <cpsparents(a)yahoogroups.com>, <cportneighbors(a)yahoogroups.com>, <franklin-st-neighborhood(a)googlegroups.com>, <psna(a)lists.portersquare.net>, <cambridgefamilies(a)yahoogroups.com> Subject: [PSNA] Parking The parking ban will be lifted at 5 pm this evening. Marc McGovern City Councilor _______________________________________________ PSNA mailing list PSNA(a)lists.portersquare.net http://lists.portersquare.net/listinfo.cgi/psna-portersquare.net

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FW: "Inequality for All": Where we go from here
by Ruth Ryals 05 Feb '14

05 Feb '14

I hope to see some of you there! From: walter kasell <wbkasell(a)yahoo.com> Reply-To: walter kasell <wbkasell(a)yahoo.com> Date: Wednesday, February 5, 2014 2:02 PM To: cch talk <cch-talk(a)googlegroups.com> Cc: Margaret Levin <mlevin(a)galenea.com>, Ruth Ryals <rryals(a)comcast.net>, "mdecker(a)mahouse.org" <mdecker(a)mahouse.org> Subject: Fw: "Inequality for All": Where we go from here All, We will be hosting a showing of Robert Reich's film "Inequality for All" at Cambridge Cohousing on Thursday, Feb. 27, starting at 7:30 pm, followed by an on-line discussion w/ Prof. Reich. This is an open event, so everyone is invited to join us--and bring friends. But please RSVP. I hope you can all attend--and help us start to change the world... Walter On Saturday, February 1, 2014 10:30 AM, Robert Reich via Democracy for America <info(a)democracyforamerica.com> wrote: Dr Walter -- <http://act.democracyforamerica.com/go/3789?t=1&akid=4399.1469463.NAFhoC> I was thrilled to hear President Obama speak so passionately in his State of the Union address about the devastating rise of income inequality across our country. But we know that the words of the president alone won't be enough to change Washington. It's up to us to push for action to build an economy that works for all Americans -- not just the 1%. As President Obama proclaimed recently, income inequality is the "defining challenge of our time." I don't know if the president has seen my film -- "Inequality for All" -- but I know the ideas in it are influencing policymakers from Congress to City Councils. In the months since this Sundance award-winning documentary was released, income inequality has surged to the top of the national discussion. Now that income inequality is the talk of the nation, I want to change the conversation from concern to action -- by convening progressives in homes across America to watch "Inequality for All" together on the same night at the same time. Will you join me and DFA on Thursday, February 27, by hosting an "Inequality for All" Watch Party with your friends? Click here to sign up and join a strategy call I'll be holding with party hosts on this special night. <http://act.democracyforamerica.com/go/3789?t=2&akid=4399.1469463.NAFhoC> "Inequality for All" is now available on DVD or streaming through iTunes and Amazon. If you haven't seen it before, or even if you have, February 27 will be an ideal opportunity to watch it with your friends and family -- and join a conversation with progressives across the country about it. Together, that night, we'll discuss what can be done at the local, state, and national level to go on offense against income inequality. We won't just talk about the problem -- we'll prescribe solutions to fix it and work to elect progressive candidates who get it. And have some serious fun at the same time. Don't just sit there. Get involved, now. Click here to join me and DFA members across America in hosting your own "Inequality for All" Watch Party on February 27. <http://act.democracyforamerica.com/go/3789?t=3&akid=4399.1469463.NAFhoC> Thanks for standing up and signing up. Together, we're unstoppable. Robert Reich Former Secretary of Labor <https://secure.actblue.com/contribute/page/democracyforamericacontribute?r efcode=cfe&refcode2=4399&akid=4399.1469463.NAFhoC> Paid for by Democracy for America, http://www.democracyforamerica.com/?t=4&akid=4399.1469463.NAFhoC <http://www.democracyforamerica.com/?akid=4399.1469463.NAFhoC> and not authorized by any candidate. Contributions to Democracy for America are not deductible for federal income tax purposes. This message was sent to wbkasell(a)yahoo.com Click here to unsubscribe <http://act.democracyforamerica.com/cms/unsubscribe/unsubscribe/?akid=4399.1 469463.NAFhoC> from further communications.

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In the immortal words of Paul Revere The Girl Scout Cookies are Coming
by hla＠comcast.net 05 Feb '14

05 Feb '14

They have arrived without any shots fired ! So Grace and I will be around to deliver today or some time in the next few days depending on when you are around Thanks, Hayley

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Fwd: Cambridge Snow Emergency
by Ruth Ryals 04 Feb '14

04 Feb '14

Begin forwarded message: > From: coderedcityhall(a)cambridgema.gov > Subject: Cambridge Snow Emergency > Date: February 4, 2014 at 6:54:37 PM EST > > > 2/4/2014 6:53:06 PM EST - This is the City of Cambridge. A snow emergency > parking ban will go into effect on Wednesday, February 5th at 7 am. For more > information, please visit the City¹s website, http://www.cambridgema.gov > <http://www.cambridgema.gov/> or call 617-349-4700 or 4800. Beginning at 7 > am, streets that are signed ³No Parking during a Snow Emergency² will be > ticketed and towed until the ban is lifted. Please check to ensure that your > vehicle is not parked on a restricted street. Any power outages should be > reported directly to NSTAR at 800-592-2000. Thank you.

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Ward 10 Democratic Caucus-YOU ARE INVITED!
by Ruth Ryals 03 Feb '14

03 Feb '14

Dear Neighbors and Ward 10 Voters , If you are a registered Democrat and a concerned voter you may be interested in the Ward 10 Democratic Caucus -- Sunday February 9th 2PM, at the Graham and Parks School (44 Linnaean Street). We will be co-hosting at that location with Ward 8. At the Caucus we will be electing delegates to the Democratic State Convention (June 14th in Worcester). This year is a big election year, Governor, Lt. Governor, Treasurer, Attorney General, etc; and the delegates elected to go to the convention will be voting to select the candidates to be on the ballot for the Democratic Primary election in the Fall (Sept. 9th). Anyone who is a registered Democratic voter (as of Jan 31st) can run as a delegate. If you are interested in running as a delegate, and/or are bringing folks to vote for/with you, please let me know as soon as possible, as we are trying to estimate attendance, and the need for additional janitors, volunteers, etc. Because this is an election year, we anticipate that there will be a lot of attendees and we will need extra volunteers to help run the Caucus. We will need volunteers to register people, and counters to keep track of the voting during the caucus, a parliamentarian, etc. If you would just like to watch democracy in action, please come (and possibly give us a hand)! We will also provide simple refreshments. Thanks- Margaret & Ruth, Co-Chairs, Ward 10 Margaret Levin 609-213-2525 Ruth Ryals 617-547-6453 617-834-4007 ©

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