March 2019 - Neighbors - lists.buenavistasocialclub.org

Fwd: Traffic and pedestrian lights sequencing/timing at Mass Ave and Upland Rd.
by Ruth Ryals 21 Mar '19

21 Mar '19

> From: "Crowe, Kimberly" <KCrowe(a)Cambridgema.gov> > Date: March 21, 2019 at 11:27:52 AM EDT > To: Ruth Ryals <rryals(a)comcast.net> > Cc: "Benjamin, Dana" <dbenjamin(a)cambridgema.gov> > Subject: RE: Traffic and pedestrian lights sequencing/timing at Mass Ave and Upland Rd. > > Hi, > > Thanks for your email. As you are aware, we’ve experienced coordination issues with the timing of the lights in Porter Square following the implementation of the new traffic pattern. We’re working as fast as possible on installing wireless communication between intersections to ensure that they do not fall out of sync but in the interim we are adjusting the timing manually as necessary to fix the congestion issues. > > Please let me know if you have any questions. > > Thanks, > Dana > > Dana Benjamin, E.I.T. > Traffic Engineer > Cambridge Traffic, Parking, and Transportation Dept. > 344 Broadway > Cambridge, MA 02139 > Desk: (617) 349-4729 > dbenjamin(a)cambridgema.gov > > > > From: Ruth Ryals <rryals(a)comcast.net> > Sent: Saturday, March 16, 2019 6:44 PM > To: Traffic Feedback <TrafficFeedback(a)CambridgeMA.GOV> > Subject: Traffic and pedestrian lights sequencing/timing at Mass Ave and Upland Rd. > > Could you check and give us a report of what is going on at this intersection? > We are receiving lots of complaints on the PSNA list serve, and there are numerous alerts on SeeClickFix. > > “The signals in the Porter SQ area are in dire need of adjustment. The traffic backups heading north bound on Mass Ave are stretching almost back to Harvard Sq at evening rush. It's only better during other parts of the day because of the less volume, but even later in the night the traffic is severe. This is a prime area for "smart" traffic lights that sense the traffic and adjust the lights accordingly to get the traffic moving rather than just on a set timer. Please Cambridge for our quality of life make these changes.” > > “This is, of course, the result of the brand new traffic pattern and signal timings that we heard so much about last year and that was expected to solve all (or at least most) of the traffic problems through Porter Square. My recollection is that the neighborhood was promised that the new timings would be carefully monitored and that, if there were unexpected effects, adjustments would be made quickly or the old timings returned. I've seen the backups to Wendell Street and beyond too and assume that isn't "working as expected". In addition to getting this fixed, while I don't know what else is on the agenda, I think many of us would appreciate a progress/ status report at the next PSNA meeting.” > > Ruth Ryals > PSNA President > > >

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Fwd: Job Listing: Director of Art Conservation
by Ruth Ryals 21 Mar '19

21 Mar '19

> > > > > Cambridge Arts Job Listing: Director of Art Conservation > > The City of Cambridge has more than 280 works of contemporary public art, located in every neighborhood of the city. Cambridge Arts is looking for a Director of Art Conservation to care for and coordinate conservation and maintenance of our City-owned collection of public artwork. Come work with us! > > Full job posting: https://www2.cambridgema.gov/viewjoblisting.cfm?Job_ID=2171 > > 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 > > Update Profile | Our Privacy Policy > About our service provider > Sent by cambridgearts(a)cambridgema.gov

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Fwd: [Richdale Ave] Fwd: Cambridge Historical Society Event 4/10
by Ruth Ryals 21 Mar '19

21 Mar '19

>> >> From: Perri Meldon <pmeldon(a)cambridgehistory.org> >> Subject: Cambridge Historical Society Event 4/10 >> Date: March 21, 2019 at 12:25:08 PM EDT >> To: undisclosed-recipients:; >> >> Hello, >> >> The Cambridge Historical Society (in partnership with CCTV) will be hosting its first History Café of the year on April 10. Could you please share the event information with your networks? Thank you very much! >> >> Event Title: History Café 1: Digital Engagement >> Location: Cambridge Community Television, 438 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139 >> Date and Time: April 10, 6:30-8:00 >> Event Description: This year we at Cambridge Historical Society ask, “How does Cambridge engage?” On April 10, City Councilors Alanna Mallon and Sumbul Siddiqui discuss “How does Cambridge engage in the digital realm?” Chatting about local politics and their weekly podcast, “Women Are Here,” the two city councilors will reflect on the ways local government has engaged with residents historically, and how using the Internet and social media can serve as tools to stay connected. >> >> Smarika Suwal, a Cambridge Rindge and Latin School alumnus and now a History and Classics double-major at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, will moderate the conversation. >> >> Light refreshments will be served. >> >> This event is co-sponsored with CCTV. >> >> Tickets can be purchased at Eventbrite. >> >> Best wishes, >> Perri >> >> -- >> Perri Meldon >> Program Manager >> Cambridge Historical Society > >

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Fwd: Street Cleaning, Yard Waste Pickup Resume April 1; Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event April 6
by Ruth Ryals 21 Mar '19

21 Mar '19

Thanks, Ruth Ryals Begin forwarded message: > From: Ini Tomeu <itomeu(a)cambridgema.gov> > Date: March 21, 2019 at 12:00:14 PM EDT > To: rryals(a)comcast.net > Subject: Street Cleaning, Yard Waste Pickup Resume April 1; Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event April 6 > > City of Cambridge Public Information Office > For Immediate Release > > Contact: Ini Tomeu, Public Information Officer > 617-349-4339, itomeu(a)cambridgema.gov > > > Street Cleaning and Yard Waste Pickup Resume Monday, Apr. 1 > Household Hazardous Waste Collection Event Saturday, Apr. 6 > > Cambridge, MA, March 21, 2019 – Street cleaning and yard waste pickup in Cambridge will be resuming for the season on Monday, Apr. 1, 2019. The next Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day in Cambridge will be held on Saturday, Apr. 6, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m., at the Volpe Transportation Center; entrance near 125 Munroe St. Below are more details regarding these services and information on registering for notifications. > > Street Cleaning > Public Works mechanically sweeps each street in Cambridge once per month, April through December (weather permitting). Signs are posted on each residential street indicating the schedule. In order to ensure that streets are properly cleaned, cars must move off the side of the street being swept to avoid being ticketed and towed. Cars must remain off the side of the street until the time indicated on the sign, even if the sweeper has already made a pass down the street, since it will often return to do it again. Citywide street sweeping includes twice yearly vacuum sweeping to improve storm water quality. > > Yard Waste Collection > Separate yard waste collection begins Apr. 1, 2019 and continues through Dec. 13, 2019. Please be sure to set yard waste out by 7 a.m. on your regular collection day, or after 6 p.m. the night before. Yard waste is not accepted in plastic bags by recycling or trash crews. Place yard waste in barrels marked with City-issued stickers and facing the street, or in lawn refuse bags sold in most hardware stores. Barrels and bags must be set on the curb apart from the trash. Do not staple or tape bags. Bundle small twigs and branches with string. Contact Public Works at 617-349-4800 to request Yard Waste stickers. > > Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day > The City of Cambridge holds four Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Collection Days in 2019. Proper disposal of materials helps protect public health and the environment. A list of accepted items can be found at www.CambridgeMA.gov/HazardousWaste. > > Service Schedules and Notifications > Residents can find their curbside collections and street cleaning schedules by entering their address in the “My Cambridge Schedule” tool at www.CambridgeMA.gov/theworks. Notifications are now available by text message, email, or app notifications by downloading the “Zero Waste Cambridge” app for iPhone/Android. Those previously signed up for reminders through ELine should re-subscribe using the scheduling tool or by downloading the app. Residents are also encouraged to visit www.CambridgeMA.gov/theworks and use the “Get Rid of It Right” tool to search how to properly dispose of items. > > -###- > > > > This email was sent to rryals(a)comcast.net > City of Cambridge, 795 Massachusetts Avenue, Executive Office, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States > Unsubscribe >

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We've published "Touching Home in China" in Print
by Ruth Ryals 21 Mar '19

21 Mar '19

Our neighbors! We're launching our print edition of Touching Home in China. It has a new cover, designed by Jennifer Mou, and new photos inside. Available for purchase through MIT Press Bookstore and its magical Espresso Book Machine via Amazon.com. Educators partner our book with the OPEN SOURCE digital lesson plans and resource library on our website to offer students engaged exploration and discovery about modern-day China through the lens of girls and women's lives. Our book's stories are supplemented daily with related news shares on our social media platforms, Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. Buy Now Mom and Daughter Book Talk Porter Square Books, Cambridge May 2, 2019 Maya and Melissa Ludtke will be reading from Touching Home in China; in search of missing girlhoods at Porter Square Books in Cambridge, Mass. on Thursday night, May 2, 2019 at 7:00. In the summer of 2013, when Maya was 16 years old, she went back to the rural town in China where her life began. When she was three days old, she was taken to an orphanage in the nearby city of Changzhou, in Jiangsu province, thus becoming one of roughly 130,000 (mostly) girl babies to be put up for international adoption during the height of China's one-child policy. She was adopted when she was nine months old by Melissa. Though many adoptees her age are going back to China in search of their birth families, Maya returned instead to spend time with Chinese girls her age who grew up in the town where police found her after her birth family decided they could not raise her. She discovered what life as a girl growing up in 21st century rural China is like, just as the Chinese girls learned from Maya about her life in America. These girls' encounters form the spine of our book's stories and provide personal perspectives on the lives that girls and women experience in modern-day China. Maya and Melissa present Touching Home in China at the Museum of Chinese in America. Purchase Your Copy Now Maya talks with students at the Agera School about her journey back to China. Copyright © Touching Home Publishing, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Touchinghomechina(a)gmail.com Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list. This email was sent to rryals(a)comcast.net why did I get this? unsubscribe from this list update subscription preferences Touching Home Publishing · 30 Buena Vista Park · Cambridge, MA 02140 · USA

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Fwd: Google's Internet Security Class: Tomorrow at 1 pm
by Ruth Ryals 19 Mar '19

19 Mar '19

Good idea! > From: Susan Fleischmann <susan(a)cctvcambridge.org> > Date: March 19, 2019 at 3:04:11 PM EDT > To: rryals(a)comcast.net > Subject: Google's Internet Security Class: Tomorrow at 1 pm > Reply-To: susan(a)cctvcambridge.org > > > > > March 19, 2019 > > > > Internet Security with Google > Wednesday, March 20th > 1-3pm > FREE > > With cyber crime becoming more and more regular, it's as important as ever to know how to protect yourself online. In this class, instructors from Google will teach the basics of how to safeguard your privacy online and explain some useful terminology. You'll learn how to keep the bad guys out, how to keep "malware" at bay, and how to not fall for tricks and scams. We'll discuss password best practices and how to navigate privacy settings on popular sites as well as explore the ways companies may track you online and how to limit the information you make available to these businesses. > > Registration is required. Please email clodagh(a)cctvcambridge.org or call 617 661 6900. > > For more information about technology help available to people over 50, click here. > > > > > Cambridge Community Television | 617-661-6900 | info(a)cctvcambridge.org | cctvcambridge.org > STAY CONNECTED: > > > > > > > CCTV, 438 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139 > Forward this email | About our service provider > Sent by susan(a)cctvcambridge.org in collaboration with > > Try it free today

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Update: PSNA March 21st meeting- another speaker added
by Ruth Ryals 19 Mar '19

19 Mar '19

Porter Square Neighbors Association March 21st, 7-9 PM Lesley University Hall, 1815 Mass Ave Room 2-078 Jason Korb and Sean Hope will update us on the Frost Terrace (1791 Mass Ave) 100% affordable housing project. They will review the design/layout, projected construction schedule, etc. for this project. They will explain, in some depth, why it takes so long to bring a project like this one to fruition, with multiple sources of funding, approvals, sign offs, each with their own requirements. The project plans are here: https://www.cambridgema.gov/CDD/Projects/Housing/frostterrace1791massave Info on Jason and Sean (and other principals) can be found at http://1791massave.com/about/ Finally, they will tell us a little about 2072 Mass Ave, the current home of Dural Kebab, and their next proposed affordable housing project. Though action on this proposal/project is a way off yet, it is an excellent time to get neighborhood input. They can explain (at least abstractly) the various steps that will be involved in the hoped-for approval of this project, it’s design and any waivers they may request. As a neighborhood association, we know PSNA is an important part of the process that can eventually lead to a successful project in the Porter Square area. ******************************* We will also hear from two other speakers: Steve Bardige, who lives on Sterns St., will tell us about a problem faced in their small neighborhood (just a couple of blocks). There are three tear-downs proposed for that small street, and on the corner of Chetwynd (across Newell from Sterns). He will explain what they are doing, and ask us if we can suggest anything to help them. Indeed, it could be any of our small neighborhoods. and Diane Beck, of Cambridge Brickwalk Conservancy. Their viewpoint is that the brick sidewalks are a Cambridge legacy. If designed, installed and maintained properly, they should last a long time and provide safe passage for the disabled and elderly. They present less vibration than concrete for wheelchairs (they say studies have been done to back this up). Most of us would agree that Cambridge sidewalks are not well maintained. Asphalt patches are left for years, in both concrete and brick sidewalks. All are welcome!

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Looking for Apartment Leads
by Bill Barnert 18 Mar '19

18 Mar '19

Two or three professional 20-somethings are looking for a 2-3 bedroom apartment in the Porter Square/Davis area. They are three kind, quiet, considerate, stable women—with references (and my friend David is an uncle to one of them). They are looking for kind and considerate landlords who have a vacancy beginning any time between June 1, 2019 and September 1, 2019. Any leads will be much appreciated. Thank you, Bill Barnert 7 Herbert Street

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Housing Committee Meeting on Affordable Housing Overlay -- March 20, 5pm!
by Ruth Ryals 18 Mar '19

18 Mar '19

On Wednesday, March 20, from 5-7pm, the Housing Committee will meet for its second of three meetings this month to discuss a 100% Affordable Housing Overlay proposal. This meeting will be devoted to hearing public comment. It will be held in the Sullivan Chamber at City Hall (795 Mass Ave, 2nd floor) and will be televised and live-streamed. You may view more information on this proposal and the most recent presentation from the Committee's March 5 meeting here. A video recording from that meeting is also available. You can see the city's latest proposal here. The March 5 presentation by Cambridge Community Development is here. These are very important meetings on a proposal that will make significant changes to our current zoning code. If you wish to speak that evening, please register early! Address your letters to Cambridge City Council: council(a)cambridgema.gov Please also cc: Deputy City Clerk Paula Crane, at pcrane(a)cambridgema.gov to make sure your statement goes into the public record.

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Karen Aqua films with live soundtracks by Ken Field alto sax & drums at ICA/Boston this Friday evening 3/22
by Ruth Ryals 18 Mar '19

18 Mar '19

Some info about a neighbor’s music and tribute to his deceased wife’s films. WORLD MUSIC/CRASHarts & Institute of Contemporary Art present Ken Field Alto Sax Quartet + Drums Performing live to the Animated Films of Karen Aqua Friday, March 22, 8pm Institute of Contemporary Arts/Boston Boston, MA - World Music/CRASHarts and the Institute of Contemporary Art/Bostonpresent Ken Field's Alto Sax Quartet + Drums performing a special tribute performance to animator Karen Aqua on Friday, March 22, 8pm, at the Institute of Contemporary Art, 25 Harbor Shore Drive, Boston. Tickets are $25, general admission. For tickets and information, call World Music/CRASHarts at (617) 876-4275 or ICA/Boston at 617-478-3103 or buy online at worldmusic.org or icaboston.org. Saxophonist-composer Ken Field (Birdsongs of the Mesozoic, Revolutionary Snake Ensemble) teamed with his wife, award-winning independent animator Karen Aqua, to create soundtracks for her animated films for several decades until her untimely passing in 2011. In 2017 Field was invited by the Animator Festival (Poland) to perform live for a program of Aqua's films and assembled an unusual instrumentation of four alto saxophones and a drummer. The resultant performance was celebrated as the highlight of the festival. Field brings this unique program of live music and animated film to the ICA/Boston for a single special tribute performance. The lineup features Ken Field, Stan Strickland, Lihi Haruvi, and Neil Leonard on alto saxophones; and Savannah Marshall on drums. The "Animated Films of Karen Aqua" will serve both as a tribute to Aqua and as another opportunity for Field to share with the public his ongoing engagement with her creative spirit. Since 1988 Field has been a member of the internationally acclaimed electronic modern music ensemble Birdsongs of the Mesozoic, with whom he has recorded eight CDs. He leads the Revolutionary Snake Ensemble, an experimental and improvisational brass band, and performs with the community-based Second Line Social Aid & Please Society Brass Band. Since 2015, Field has annually led a pick-up band of unaffiliated musicians at the HONK!Oz Festival in Wollongong, NSW, Australia. His solo releases document his work for layered saxophones and his soundtracks for dance and film. Field was named a 2017 Finalist in Music Composition by the Massachusetts Cultural Council. His music is also heard regularly on the children's television program Sesame Street. Karen Aqua (1954-2011) completed 12 independently-produced animated films and one collaborative animation/live action video since graduating from Rhode Island School of Design in 1976, and before her untimely death at age 57 in 2011. Her award-winning films have screened worldwide. In 2005, a special program of Aqua's animated films was presented at the Tehran International Animation Festival, Iran. During the 1990's she directed/animated 22 segments for the acclaimed children's television program Sesame Street. Aqua's film Twist of Fate was screened at Telluride Film Festival, Starz Denver Film Festival, Kos Ippokratis International Health Film Festival (Greece), and international animation festivals in Ottawa, Hiroshima, and Annecy (France). It received awards at Ann Arbor Film Festival, James River Film Festival, and Black Maria Film & Video Festival. Her final film, Taxonomy, debuted at the ICA/Boston in May 2011. Aqua's work is included in the permanent collections of the Harvard Film Archive (Cambridge, MA), the Anderson Museum of Contemporary Art (Roswell, NM), and the International Quilt Study Center & Museum (Lincoln, NE). For additional information please visit: kenfield.org karenaqua.com

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