January 2019 - Neighbors - lists.buenavistasocialclub.org

FW: Upcoming event of interest to people of Cambridge
by Ruth Ryals 22 Jan '19

22 Jan '19

From: Lynn Waskelis <lwaskelis(a)cambridgehistory.org> Date: Saturday, January 13, 2018 at 8:32 PM To: Lynn Waskelis <lwaskelis(a)cambridgehistory.org> Subject: Upcoming event of interest to people of Cambridge Hello, This upcoming free and open to the public event, hosted by Cambridge Historical Society, may be on interest to your networks. Thank you for sharing! Opening Conversation, "Where is Cambridge From?" Cambridge Historical Society February 6, 2018, 6-8pm Cambridge Public Library Main Branch 449 Broadway Cambridge, MA 02138 Free and open to the public. All are welcome. Register here. Share on facebook here. Join us at this Opening Conversation, launching our 2018 theme, "Where is Cambridge From?" Opening Conversation speakers Alexandra Sedlovskaya and Dr. Kerri Greenidge, guided by Diana Lempel; will be setting the table for this year's programs which will explore the ways Cantabrigians define where they're "from" and why it matters. What makes someone feel they're from Cambridge or not, and how has this changed over time? Event is open to the public and free. Please register! Light Refreshments The Opening Conversation will be followed by the Annual Meeting of the Members. All are welcome. Inclement Weather Date: 2/8/18 Speakers: Alexandra Sedlovskaya, Assistant Director, C. Roland Christensen Center for Teaching and Learning, Harvard Business School Dr. Kerri Greenidge, Department of History, Tufts University; Co-Director Tufts / African American Freedom Trail Project, Center for the Study of Race and Democracy Moderator: Diana Lempel, Doing History Curator at Cambridge Historical Society and Co-Founder, Practice Space -- Lynn Waskelis Programs Specialist Cambridge Historical Society

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snow shoveler needed
by Christina Tree 22 Jan '19

22 Jan '19

Hello Neighbors, We are looking for someone to reliably come for the remainder of the winter to shovel our front steps, the sidewalk and a path around the side of the house to a real entrance. We thought that we had someone lined up for the winter but yesterday proved otherwise. Any and all leads appreciated! Chris Christina Tree 15 Whittier St. Cambridge, MA. 02140 617-492-7791

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Re: [Neighbors] Hey you are being called out- defend yourself
by Ruth Ryals 17 Jan '19

17 Jan '19

I did just now, and I would ask anyone who can to jump in and speak up for us. This is insane! Ruth Ruth (Registered User) I am, I think, the woman she thinks she is talking about, at least she gave my address. And she is MAD! Neither I or my husband have ever touched her island, maintained by Cambridge Landscape, at her cost. I have, to my knowledge, never even met her, and certainly NEVER STOLEN ANY PLANTS FROM HER, or anyone. My husband and I maintain the islands at Upland Rd/ Washington/Buena Vista Pk (along with our neighbors). Yes, we do the work, and we buy any new plants Just check with Sal at Bonny's). I did, at Ellen's request, try her door once a few years ago, to tell her someone had complained about not being able to see past one of the plants in her island. She would not come down to the door. My intent was to offer help her move it back. My husband and I did (that same year) pull up weeds (and trash) from the neglected island she mentions, opposite hers; we put in plants/seeds (all from our garden/purchased) just to stave off the weeds. While cleaning up there my husband relates she (I assume) ordered him out, and we have not been back, though it breaks my heart to see the continuing mess there. Since she has so trashed our reputation, I ask that the city arrange a face to face meeting to clear our names. less than a minute ago · Flag my adopted island on Walnut and Upland road ▶ Open 93-117 Upland Rd Cambridge, MA, 02140, USA • Show on Map REPORTER Ann Civic Points: 795 Issue ID: 5301424 Submitted To: Cambridge, MA Category: Park Maintenance Request (General) Viewed: 17 times Neighborhood: Neighborhood 9 Reported: 14 minutes ago Tagged: pothole, signs, trash, robbery From: Margaret Levin <levinmargaret7(a)gmail.com> Date: Thursday, January 17, 2019 at 12:13 PM To: Ruth Ryals <rryals(a)comcast.net>, James Cornie <jacornie(a)comcast.net> Subject: Hey you are being called out- defend yourself This was on my neighbor next door avon hill https://seeclickfix.com/issues/5301424?share=votetofix REPORTER Ann Civic Points: 795 ann ferraro Avon Hill · Member since 2019 Issue ID: 5301424 Submitted To: Cambridge, MA Category: Park Maintenance Request (General) Viewed: 18 times Neighborhood: Neighborhood 9 Reported: 23 minutes ago Tagged: pothole, signs, trash, robbery DESCRIPTION I have adopted this island(bump out) through the program created by the city - It has a dedication sign in honor of my parents and I take special care to make it nice. - the city started everyone one of these bump outs with a beginner schematic. Since then, I have added my own bulbs and various plants at my own expense - over the course of the last seven or eight years , things have been taken out. - I have caught the owner of 115 Upland road doing just that, and have addressed her and so has my sister, and the city's landscape architect who has run the program - she has stolen echinacea, my narcissus jonquils , muscari bulbs, allium bulbs a rose shrub - has cut into my miscanthus and even tried to take a giant rock - I caught her there with a wagon /dolly of sorts. I have asked her to put back the bulbs she has taken and she left them there in a pile . some have ended up on her island on upland and Washington and some I see on her property - I know I cant prove it, but I did see her digging them out of my garden ! two years ago I replenished all the echinacea , that were all dug up - I put 17 new plants - this spring I had maybe eight left. the ones I had left were being cut for personal selfish reasons. I am really at the end of my patience and the city landscape architect gave me signs to request to "keep out of the garden " that are around the city landscaped areas > well this fall when I did my pruning and cleanup, I came back to discover the signs have been stolen. this woman has been told by me, other members of my family, the city landscape architect ( who she claims to be working for ) ((bold faced lie ))- to stay away from this garden and only tend to her own Ive even spoken to her husband , who I have caught digging in there. they have no good reason to disturb my area , and claim they are taking care of neglected gardens . THEY ARE STEALING plain and simple. I posed the question to the husband- why not care for the opposite corner at walnut and upland that has no one, it is overrun and needs a lot of work - instead they invade my well maintained well manicured island like its their job . Please help me keep them in their assigned spot. I am very upset they feel entitled to just take things that don't belong to them, whether put there by the city or at my own expense . I know for a fact at the beginning of this project she was very upset her island did not have any rose bushes , and let people know, then , mysteriously one rose bush was missing from my island and one was in the island that originally had none -Im very angry about this whole matter - please help!

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FW: Question Re Government Shut Down
by Ruth Ryals 16 Jan '19

16 Jan '19

fyi From: "Kelley, Craig" <ckelley(a)cambridgema.gov> Date: Wednesday, January 16, 2019 at 6:53 PM Subject: FW: Question Re Government Shut Down Hey Everyone: I thought you might be interested in this update from CHA’s Mike Johnston on the Housing Authority’s ability to, at least for a few months, cover gaps in HUD funding. The Council has asked the Manager for an explanation of how the City might be able to fill in gaps in a variety of federal funding programs, from SNAP benefits to housing and beyond, but I can’t say anything with confidence except that we’ll do what we legally can to help people in need. What that will look like in reality, if the shutdown continues, I really don’t know. Good luck to all of us. This is an abysmal place for any government to be Craig All emails to and from this City address should be considered to be subject to Massachusetts’s Public Records laws. To be removed from this list, click here. Please feel free to forward this email to anyone you think may be interested in it. Also, I have scheduled office hours in Central Square on Monday’s from 1-3 PM and Thursdays from 9:30-11:30 AM, but please email CKelley(a)Cambridgema.gov before coming to confirm before showing up. From: Mike Johnston <mjjohnston(a)cambridge-housing.org> Sent: Monday, January 7, 2019 1:44 PM To: Alpert, Neal <nalpert(a)cambridgema.gov>; Brenda Downing <bdowning(a)cambridge-housing.org>; Kelley, Craig <ckelley(a)cambridgema.gov>; Carlone, Dennis <dcarlone(a)cambridgema.gov>; Toomey, Tim <ttoomey(a)CambridgeMA.GOV>; Mallon, Alanna <amallon(a)Cambridgema.gov>; McGovern, Marc <mmcGovern(a)cambridgema.gov>; Zondervan, Quinton <qzondervan(a)Cambridgema.gov>; Devereux, Jan <jdevereux(a)cambridgema.gov>; Siddiqui, Sumbul <ssiddiqui(a)Cambridgema.gov>; Simmons, Denise <dsimmons(a)cambridgema.gov>; City Manager <CityManager(a)Cambridgema.gov> Subject: Re: Question Re Government Shut Down Hi Neal, I hope you don't mind that I have added others to this response to assure that everyone has the same information as I am sure others are getting a lot of the same questions. First, the CHA did receive January's Housing Assistance Payment for the voucher program from HUD's secure systems that we still have access to. This means that everything for January was business as usual for the CHA. Landlords were paid on time and there was no interruption. Second, for February, HUD already has sufficient funds appropriated to once again keep things rolling. The Secretary has told the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities in DC that HUD staff will be required to come in to assure that the appropriated funds are made available to all housing authorities for February so again, no interruption. Third, if this shutdown continues past February, HUD has not informed us if there is sufficient funds appropriated to continue the transfer of funds. However, as I reported to my Board, the CHA will be able to keep paying landlords for another 60 days if needed. I hope this helps. mjj Michael J. Johnston, Esq. | Executive Director 362 Green Street, 3rd Floor 1-617-520-6228 | www.cambridge-housing.org From: Alpert, Neal <nalpert(a)cambridgema.gov> Sent: Monday, January 7, 2019 12:46:28 PM To: Mike Johnston; Brenda Downing Cc: Simmons, Denise Subject: Question Re Government Shut Down Hi Mike and Brenda, Happy Monday to you. We have started to receive some questions from constituents who are anxious over the government shut down, and who are particularly concerned as to how this may impact things like subsidized housing and other benefits. We are going to be meeting later this week with our regular “Senior Advisory Group” and I thought it might be a good idea for us to start getting some facts in front of them, to curb fear and rumors from getting out of control. That said – do you have any information you could share as to how a prolonged government shut down might impact those who are living in CHA buildings? Are federal funds withheld from housing authorities during shutdowns like this? And for those residents who are relying upon government assistance to pay for their housing, are there any actions tenants must take in order to prevent the shutdown from snowballing into something that threatens their tenancy? Thanks, as always, for your assistance. Best, Neal Neal Alpert, Council Aide Office of City Councilor E. Denise Simmons Cambridge City Hall 795 Massachusetts Avenue Cambridge, MA, 02139 Tel: 617.349.4280 Fax: 617.349.4287 nalpert(a)cambridgema.gov Follow Councilor Simmons on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/E_DeniseSimmons This message is confidential. It may also be privileged or otherwise protected by work product immunity or other legal rules. If you have received it by mistake, please let us know by e-mail reply and delete it from your system; you may not copy this message or disclose its contents to anyone. The integrity and security of this message cannot be guaranteed on the Internet. This message is confidential. It may also be privileged or otherwise protected by work product immunity or other legal rules. If you have received it by mistake, please let us know by e-mail reply and delete it from your system; you may not copy this message or disclose its contents to anyone. The integrity and security of this message cannot be guaranteed on the Internet.

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FW: Inquiry about housing
by Ruth Ryals 16 Jan '19

16 Jan '19

Anyone interested? From: Margot Welch Date: Wednesday, January 16, 2019 at 11:42 AM Subject: Fwd: Inquiry about housing Thank you for responding back to me. My friend Saranya found a similar arrangement a few years back through your listserv and things are going well. THIS IS A NICE STUDENT, A FRIEND OF A NEIGHBOR’S, LOOKING FOR HOUSING TO BEGIN THE FIRST OR SECOND WEEK OF FEB (A LITTLE FLEXIBLE ON EXACT START DATE). She lives with Ms. Patricia Pratt at Brown Street and she gave me your email address. I am hoping to find this housing starting early February. I know this is a very small window of time but I should be able to manage for the 1st week or 2 of February if we cannot find something that early. There’s a year long contract for research at Harvard in the Human-centered application of Artificial Intelligence — with a keen hope to stay longer. Please respond to Sarthak directly — using this email or, alternatively, sarthakppgiri(a)gmail.com. Margot Begin forwarded message: From: Sarthak Giri <sgiri1(a)andrew.cmu.edu> Subject: Inquiry about housing Date: January 14, 2019 at 8:52:15 PM EST To: Margot Welch Hi Ms. Welch, Would it possible for you to post the message below on the Neighborhood listserv. My name is Sarthak Giri. I am originally from Nepal. I came to the U.S. in 2009 to pursue my undergraduate degree. I just graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a Masters degree. I am planning to start a Research Fellowship with a professor at Harvard and I am looking for housing in the area. In exchange for housing, I am willing to commit to 10 - 12 hours of housework including daily chores, shoveling snow, occasional cooking and caring for pets. I can also drive, although I don't own a car. Thank you -- Sarthak Giri Master's Candidate | Class of 2018 | LinkedIn Integrated Innovation Institute Carnegie Mellon University

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FW: [ACN] New Fact Sheet on Real Estate Transfer Fee state enabling act
by Ruth Ryals 15 Jan '19

15 Jan '19

Everyone needs to take this very seriously, no matter what side you are on! Ruth On 1/15/19, 1:41 PM, "Lee Farris" <association-of-cambridge-neighborhoods(a)googlegroups.com on behalf of Lee(a)LeeFarris.net> wrote: I have attached a new fact sheet on Rep. Connolly’s Real Estate Transfer Fee enabling act. If you belong to a neighborhood group or an organization that would like to endorse the statewide effort for a transfer fee, please let me know. We are looking for organizations across MA. Any size organization can endorse. For people who do not have a Globe subscription, I’ve also attached a PDF of the Globe transfer fee article, which describes Boston’s proposal for a 6% R.E. transfer fee and 25% flipping fee; it also mentions Rep. Connolly’s transfer fee enabling act, Somerville’s home rule petition, and Councilor Carlone’s order. Feel free to forward this email widely. Thanks, Lee -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Association of Cambridge Neighborhoods" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to association-of-cambridge-neighborhoods+unsubscribe(a)googlegroups.com. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.

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FW: Foundry Property Management RFP -- Seeking Responses!
by Ruth Ryals 15 Jan '19

15 Jan '19

Just in case anyone out there is interested. Foundry Property Management RFP The CRA, in partnership the Lemelson-MIT Program (a leader in the Foundry Consortium), is seeking Proposals for Property Management Services for the Foundry Later this year, the Foundry site will start construction...and before too long, we will have a vibrant community center for creativity and collaboration, buzzing with programs! Therefore, the CRA is now seeking a property management firm. The successful respondent will be offered a two-part contract to provide consulting services to the CRA during the design and construction phases of the Foundry, and to provide property management services to the Foundry Consortium once the building is operational. The full RFP can be downloaded from the CRA website, where we will also post addenda as needed: www.cambridgeredevelopment.org/jobs-contracting There will be a site visit for interested parties on January 23rd at 10:00 am. RFP responses are due on Thursday, February 14, 2019 by 4:00 pm. Interested parties are encouraged to register their interest before they apply by emailing Erica Schwarz at eschwarz(a)cambridgeredevelopment.org. The CRA is coordinating with the Foundry Consortium to keep you informed. Please let us know if you do not want to receive future emails from the CRA or the Foundry Consortium about this project by clicking unsubscribe below, or responding to this email. Additional information regarding the redevelopment of the Foundry - its history, context, community process, building information, and more - is available on the CRA Foundry website. 255 Main Street, 8th Floor Cambridge, MA 02142 www.cambridgeredevelopment.org P: 617-492-6800 F: 617-492-6804 Cambridge Redevelopment Authority, 255 Main Street, 8th Floor, Cambridge, MA 02142 Forward this email | Update Profile | About our service provider Sent by eschwarz(a)cambridgeredevelopment.org

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Harvard Square Kiosk and Plaza Design Open House: January 31
by Ruth Ryals 15 Jan '19

15 Jan '19

From: Cambridge Community Development Department <cddat344(a)cambridgema.gov> Sent: Sunday, January 13, 2019 7:40 PM Subject: Harvard Square Kiosk and Plaza Design Open House: January 31 Working Group Final Report Also Available Harvard Square Kiosk and Plaza Design Open House on January 31st In conjunction with the Harvard Square Kiosk and Plaza Working Group process, the City of Cambridge has been developing design concepts for renovating the historic Harvard Square Kiosk. The project involves carefully restoring architectural details, adapting for future use, and redesigning the Plaza to improve accessibility and enhance the flexibility of the space. The City is hosting a Design Open House to solicit feedback from the community. Attend to view design work to date, review material samples, and share your input, reactions, and ideas. Harvard Square Kiosk and Plaza Design Open House Thursday, January 31st Smith Campus Center, 1350 Mass Ave 2nd Floor Isaacson Room 4:00 - 7:00 P.M. View more information about the project ‌ ‌ ‌ CambridgeMA.gov/CDD Cambridge Community Development Department | 344 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02139 Update Profile | Our Privacy Policy | About our service provider Sent by cddat344(a)cambridgema.gov

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Could you please help publicize the PSNA meeting this Thursday?
by Ruth Ryals 15 Jan '19

15 Jan '19

Porter Square Neighbors Association Thursday, January 17th, 7-9 pm Lesley University Hall, Room 2-048 1815 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA Legal Pot - the status and possible effects on all of us! We will be joined by: David Lakeman, Director of Government Affairs, Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission State Senator Pat Jehlen, Chair, Joint Committee on Marijuana Policy, Massachusetts State Legislature Jeff Roberts, Director of Zoning and Development, Cambridge, MA Jeff Byrnes, one of our Somerville members, moderator Please bring your questions and observations to this meeting!

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Fwd: ‘Come Play!’ Cardboard Arcade Games By Lesley Students At Gallery 344
by Ruth Ryals 14 Jan '19

14 Jan '19

> > > > ‘Come Play!’ Cardboard Arcade Games > By Lesley Students At Gallery 344 > > “Come Play!”—on view at Cambridge Arts’ Gallery 344, 344 Broadway, Cambridge, from Feb. 11 to April 30, 2019—offers a free arcade of cardboard games for visitors to play. A public reception will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. on Feb. 11 (snow date: Feb. 25). > > The games were developed by undergraduate students at Lesley Art + Design in Cambridge during the fall of 2018 and spring 2019. They are part of a user experience challenge from the interactive design course. The games range from navigating a maze to a battleship battle to an intestellar raid. > > The projects were inspired by “Caine’s Arcade," Nirvan Mullick’s 2012 short video about 9-year-old Caine Monroy, who built a homemade arcade out of cardboard in his father’s auto parts shop in East Los Angeles. Monroy’s playful ingenuity exemplifies accessible design, rapid prototyping, and user testing. His arcade was a delightful example of an interactive installation inviting the public to play. > > This exhibition was organized by Lesley Art + Design students and faculty Ryan McQuade, Design/Interactive Design BFA program, and the Office of Community Engagement, in partnership with Cambridge Arts. > > Learn more: Cambridgeartscouncil.org/gallery344 > > About Cambridge Arts > Cambridge Arts is the River Festival, Open Studios, Gallery 344, Sidewalk Poetry, Summer In The City, Community Supported Art, grants to artists, street performers, more than 280 works of contemporary public art in every neighborhood of the city, and a conservation program to preserve them for the future. > > We are the Cambridge Arts Council, a City agency that funds, promotes, and presents high-quality, community based arts programs for the benefit of artists, residents, and visitors in Cambridge. Active since 1974, Cambridge Arts is one of the most dynamic local arts agencies in the country. Cambridge Arts exists to ensure that the arts remain vital for people living, working and visiting Cambridge. > > The City of Cambridge does not discriminate on the basis of disability. We will provide auxiliary aids and services, written materials in alternate formats, and reasonable modifications in policies and procedures to persons with disabilities upon request. > > For information contact Cambridge Arts: cambridgearts(a)cambridgema.gov, 617-349-4380 or TTY: 617-3494621 > > > > > > > ‌ ‌ > www.CambridgeMA.gov/Arts > > Cambridge Arts > 344 Broadway > 2nd Floor > Cambridge, MA 02139 > > > Sent by cambridgearts(a)cambridgema.gov

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