August 2019 - Neighbors - lists.buenavistasocialclub.org

FW: This is Bill McKibben
by Ruth Ryals 20 Aug '19

20 Aug '19

The Climate Crisis is so dire that I just have to share one way to build awareness and, hopefully, force some real action by our (and other) government(s). Ruth Ryals > From: "Bill McKibben - 350.org" <350(a)350.org> > Date: August 20, 2019 at 2:13:52 PM EDT > To: "Ruth Ryals" <rryals(a)comcast.net> > Subject: This is Bill McKibben > Reply-To: 350(a)350.org > > Dear Friends, > > Last week I ended up in jail for a little while, because I’d sat down in a Congress member's office to protest the deadly confluence of climate and immigration policy. You can read about my day in the New Yorker1 story shared on the bottom of this email, but my point in sharing it with you is not to say that I acted nobly or that it was a big deal. > > Instead, my point is simply that sometimes you have to act even if you’re not entirely sure what the effect will be. We’re coming up on the next great moment in the climate movement, the global all-ages climate strike on Sept. 20. Years of sustained resistance from Standing Rock to the school strikes and beyond, particularly from youth of color, have led us to this moment. So let’s make the most of it. > > We’re now just one month away from the Global Climate Strike. Join your community members, coworkers, and children in the streets at an event near you, or host one yourself. > > Whatever you do that day — whether you walk out of work or school, close down your business, or join a protest, it will help build the groundswell that is now clearly rising. > > When you strike, you’ll be striking for justice above all — it’s one thing you can do on behalf of those who are incarcerated at the border, or who are living so close to the margin that taking a day off is not possible. If you have some flexibility in your life, it’s time to put it to work. If you don’t, sign up anyway, we’ll find other ways for you to participate and show your support. > > The UN’s best guess is that unchecked climate change could produce a billion climate refugees this century. Think about that for a moment — a billion people whose lives would be utterly, permanently, devastatingly upended. Then think about whether you can take a day to do something real about it, even without knowing exactly what change it will produce. > > It’s time for all of us who can to take action for a more just and sustainable world. Join the Global Climate Strike starting on September 20th and fight with me for the future we all deserve. > > Together we build movements, and when those movements get big enough they change history. You change history. Thank you for being a big part of it > > Let’s make change, > > Bill McKibben > > 1 - Protesting Immigration Policy, and Why I Decided to Get Arrested, The New Yorker > > > > 350.org is building a global climate movement. You can connect with us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and text 350 to 83224 to get important mobile action alerts. Become a sustaining donor to keep this movement strong and growing. Looking for other ways to get involved? Check out our map to see if there's a local 350 group or event near you. > > You can update your contact information, location, or language here, or if you're 100% sure you never want to hear from 350.org again you can click here to unsubscribe. >

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FW: [Poll] How should Cambridge address its housing needs?
by Ruth Ryals 19 Aug '19

19 Aug '19

From: Councillor Craig Kelley <kelley73(a)poll.involved.mobi> Date: Monday, August 19, 2019 at 3:02 PM To: Ruth Ryals <rryals(a)comcast.net> Subject: [Poll] How should Cambridge address its housing needs? Like much of the region, Cambridge faces both a housing crisis and an affordable housing crisis. In the face of global real estate pressures and general migration to coastal cities, housing prices in Cambridge pose significant challenges to keeping a healthy mix of people in our City. My plans Maximize inclusionary zoning and linkage fees for new residential and commercial developments. Eliminate speculative short-term rental operators that take long-term housing off the market and inflate real estate prices. Ensure the City is ready to purchase our many expiring use buildings when they come on the market, to keep hundreds and hundreds of affordable units on the market and help maintain the diversity that makes Cambridge such a special place to live. Expand opportunities for homeowners to create additional residential units within their buildings. Change zoning rules to reflect new opportunities to live in a community that maximizes residential opportunities in existing buildings. How do you think Cambridge should address its housing needs? I look forward to this discussion and reading your comments. Thanks, Craig How should Cambridge address its housing needs? Click your answer to submit a response and reply to this email to leave a comment. Increase density of housing Increase taxes to provide more funds to directly subsidize affordable housing purchase, preservation and creation Provide zoning incentives to create affordable housing A combination of increasing taxes and density changes Changes in zoning regarding parking requirements, definition of "family" and square feet of lot per dwelling unit Other I'm unsure or would like more information Like much of the region, Cambridge faces both a housing crisis and an affordable housing crisis. In the face of global real estate pressures and general migration to coastal cities, housing prices in Cambridge pose significant challenges to keeping a healthy mix of people in our City. My plans Maximize inclusionary zoning and linkage fees for new residential and commercial developments. Eliminate speculative short-term rental operators that take long-term housing off the market and inflate real estate prices. Ensure the City is ready to purchase our many expiring use buildings when they come on the market, to keep hundreds and hundreds of affordable units on the market and help maintain the diversity that makes Cambridge such a special place to live. Expand opportunities for homeowners to create additional residential units within their buildings. Change zoning rules to reflect new opportunities to live in a community that maximizes residential opportunities in existing buildings. How do you think Cambridge should address its housing needs? I look forward to this discussion and reading your comments. Thanks, Craig Please reply to this email to leave a comment. Change Language Unsubscribe Contact Us © 2019 Involved, Inc. 57 Simpson Ave, Somerville, MA 02144

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22 affordable units on New St. (site of Evolve gym)
by Ruth Ryals 19 Aug '19

19 Aug '19

Neighbors, I first heard of this project as a self-storage building at 52 New St. and duly went and listened to the proposal on site. I told the developer at the time that they needed to add affordable housing. The project is now proposed as a mixed-use development including storage in the rear, a neighborhood gym and 22 affordable rental units along the front and Danehy Park. The developers have worked hard and listened to a lot of folks before settling on the design by Mark Boyes-Watson (attached). The residential units will be owned and managed by Just a Start, who has stated this would be their lowest cost acquisition ever. The 22 units would represent nearly one-third of the 75 new affordable units targeted for 2020. The full list of public benefits includes: *$2M in linkage fees for the affordable housing trust. *Storage for low-income families in transition. *Inclusion of a neighborhood gym (a smaller version of Evolve). *Storage for Danehy Park youth league athletic equipment. *Bike/ped path along perimeter connecting neighborhoods. *Largest private solar array in the city. *Zero-net energy storage building. *Art wall along the park. The project meets a range of community interests in terms of substantial affordable housing units, clean energy/energy efficiency, and other public benefits. It has the support of Mayor McGovern and a majority of councilors, but a two-thirds vote will be required at the zoning hearing on Sept 9th. Opposition has stemmed mostly from members of the Evolve gym who do not want such an inexpensive and friendly spot to go away. Though much loved, the gym was not a financial success and resurrection was not realistic. Further, I think storage is a growing need in a dense city like ours, as families downsize, come apart, need time between moving out and finding a new home. While Cambridge debates the need for more affordable housing citywide, New St. represents a small but creative step in the right direction. 22 new units coming on line next year can make a difference to many families. I urge everyone review the attached proposal and, hopefully, write in support to Council(a)Cambridgema.gov. Ruth Ruth Ryals 115 Upland Rd. Cambridge, MA 02140

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"In Search of the Night Sky, " Kelsey Johnson, Sun. NYT, 8/18/19
by Ruth Ryals 19 Aug '19

19 Aug '19

From: Carol O'Hare Sent: Monday, August 19, 2019 3:31 PM To: 'Iram Farooq'; 'Sullivan, Charles M.'; 'Singanayagam, Ranjit'; 'O'Riordan, Owen'; 'slenkauskas(a)cambridgema.gov' Subject: "In Search of the Night Sky," Kelsey Johnson, Sun. NYT, 8/18/19 Yesterday’s Sun. New York Times op ed (copy below) inspired this. I get that some people think more light will liven things up and attract people. And, I get that LED’s and other lighting devices and techniques require less power. But more and more lighting requires more and more power. And, we’re not the only living things! So, how could I resist asking you to consider this astrophysics prof’s op ed in yesterday’s NYT? When considering adding more unnecessary light in our urban 7.13 mi², please at least also consider what it will do to the earth and its all of its creatures. And, just as Cambridge is aiming for net zero emissions, how about aiming to eliminate excess light. It unnecessarily uses power and creates light pollution. And who even knew about “invisible light pollution”? Or should we just continue disappearing the night sky because we’re well on our way now and everyone else is doing it? Carol O’Hare https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/17/opinion/sunday/light-pollution.html Sunday New York Times Account Opinion Is the Evening Sky Doomed? Light pollution is threatening our ability to see the cosmos. By Kelsey Johnson Dr. Johnson is an astrophysicist. Aug. 17, 2019 [Print edition, “In Search of the Night Sky,” 8/18/19 - If you’re a NYT subscriber, click on link to see image.] If you go outside on a cloudless night and look up in the sky, what do you see? If you are among the 80 percent of Americans living near urban areas, the answer is probably “not much.” The lights we use to illuminate our cities and suburbs don’t just shine on our sidewalks and streets; they also shine up into the sky, where they bounce around in the atmosphere, creating a smog of light. That featureless glow of our nocturnal skies is called “light pollution.” As an astrophysicist, I’ve had the opportunity to bask in some of the darkest night skies on the planet, which is a rare gift in our modern world. The farther a location is from populated areas, generally the less light pollution there is. But in recent years, with populations swelling and demands for lighting increasing, the global amount of artificial light at night has been growing by at least 2 percent per year. At this rate the amount of light pollution originating from Earth-based sources alone will double in less than 50 years. Even rural areas are now subject to this nighttime glare. In the United States, east of the Mississippi there remain only two very small pockets of truly dark nighttime sky — one in northern Minnesota, the other in northern Maine — that allow us to see the night sky as our distant ancestors did. This is a global problem. The night sky in Saint-Rémy, France, which once inspired the iconic van Gogh painting “Starry Night,” now suffers from so much light pollution that the Milky Way is virtually imperceptible. All of that light at night comes with costs. For one thing, it drains economic resources. Satellite images of Earth are stunning, but the light we see in those images is shining up from the planet into outer space, where it isn’t illuminating roads or sidewalks but being wasted — to the tune of $3 billion per year in the United States alone. Artificial light at night is also associated with negative effects on health, including a significant correlation with all forms of cancer.It affects our circadian clock, which in turn affects the production of melatonin, a hormone that plays a role in sleep. A recent study in the Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention recommends that “immediate measures should be taken to limit artificial light at night in the main cities around the world and also inside houses.” There are also environmental concerns. Nighttime light blasts flora and fauna, affecting their feeding, mating and migration. Artificial lights in coastal areas disrupt nesting sea turtles and disorient the hatchlings when they emerge. Even creatures at the bottom of the coastal food chain, such as dogwhelks (a type of sea snail), change their behavior in response to artificial lighting, exposing them to more risk from predators. I think there is even an existential cost. A dark night sky, unpolluted by artificial light and thousands of artificial satellites, serves as a visceral reminder that we are part of something unfathomably large, that our petty differences on this tiny speck of a planet are ultimately insignificant. In the face of the universe, human arrogance is absurd. One of the challenges of light pollution is that the problem is worse than we can detect with our own eyes. The visible spectrum of light that our eyes have evolved to see is only a small portion of the full range of light. Some of the invisible light from outer space that we try to detect — using technology like radio telescopes — is increasingly getting masked by overwhelmingly strong signals from Earth emitted by things like cellphones and car radars. After traveling across the vastness of space for billions of years, this light finally reaches our planet, only to be obscured by modern technology. Not only do we rely on this invisible light to figure out what’s happening in the universe but we also use it to communicate with space missions throughout the solar system. For example, the Hubble Space Telescope and the coming James Webb Space Telescope rely on radio light to communicate with NASA. Wavelengths of light that can be used for commercial, government or research purposes are regulated by government and international entities, and a handful of wavelengths of light deemed critical for observing the universe were “protected” for astronomical use before the early 1970s. But astronomers have little influence here, having extremely shallow pockets relative to commercial and government interests, and the wavelengths set aside for astronomy have been slowly losing their protected status. Moreover, given the advances in astronomy over the past 40 years, the originally protected wavelengths do not include those that have become important today as astrophysical diagnostics. As a result, we astronomers are slowly becoming blind to the universe around us. In addition, a new source of light pollution is now coming from space itself, courtesy of the multibillion-dollar communications industry. In May, the private aerospace company SpaceX sent 60 internet communications satellites into space as part of a system called Starlink. If and when the full proposed suite of 12,000 Starlink satellites are in their low-level orbits, they will outnumber the visible stars in the night, and the natural evening sky may truly become a thing of the past. Still, there are some slivers of hope. According to the International Dark Sky Association, thousands of cities have adopted “lighting ordinances” that help to limit light pollution. Good outdoor lighting can be installed in ways that save money and protect the night sky. For example, Tucson has long led the way in reducing light pollution and recently reduced “sky glow” by 7 percent after converting streetlights. Invisible light pollution, such as radio emission, is harder to control, in part because we don’t see it with our own eyes. But we do have a National Radio Quiet Zone, straddling the Blue Ridge Mountains on the Virginia-West Virginia border, which serves both scientific research and military purposes. In this area, broadcast emissions are strictly limited, which rules out common modern conveniences like cellphones, Wi-Fi and microwave ovens. (However, even in this “quiet” zone, emissions from orbiting satellites still bombard the radio telescopes and contaminate data.) If you’ve never seen a truly dark night sky, don’t wait too long — it’s getting harder and harder. As we grow accustomed to light pollution, we become less aware of what we are missing. I worry that as each new generation perceives blank, tepid, gray night skies as normal, fewer and fewer people will work to protect our precious view of the universe around us. Kelsey Johnson is a professor of astronomy at the University of Virginia.

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Re: [Neighbors] [Porter square] Re: [Richdale Ave] Would any thing like this work here?
by Ruth Ryals 19 Aug '19

19 Aug '19

I like it! From: "Kutcher, Peggy" <pkutcher(a)cambridgema.gov> Date: Monday, August 19, 2019 at 3:22 PM To: Ruth Ryals <rryals(a)comcast.net> Subject: RE: [Porter square] Re: [Richdale Ave] Would any thing like this work here? https://www.archdaily.com/535720/jaja-designs-park-n-play-parking-garage-in… From: portersquare(a)googlegroups.com <portersquare(a)googlegroups.com> On Behalf Of Ruth Ryals Sent: Monday, August 19, 2019 3:11 PM To: Bill Barnert <thebilby(a)gmail.com> Cc: portersquare(a)googlegroups.com Subject: Re: [Porter square] Re: [Richdale Ave] Would any thing like this work here? Evergreens? From: <portersquare(a)googlegroups.com> on behalf of Bill Barnert <thebilby(a)gmail.com> Date: Monday, August 19, 2019 at 2:27 PM To: Ruth Ryals <rryals(a)comcast.net> Cc: <portersquare(a)googlegroups.com> Subject: [Porter square] Re: [Richdale Ave] Would any thing like this work here? I'm sure we could make it work somehow, but doing this in a climate where winters go below freezing as often as New England does presents problems that Egypt, Milan, and Liuzhou do not face. Bill On Mon, Aug 19, 2019, 2:14 PM Ruth Ryals <rryals(a)comcast.net> wrote: https://www.cnn.com/style/article/vertical-forest-egypt-intl-scli/index.html Architecture Italian architect Stefano Boeri unveils plans for Africa's first "vertical forest" Updated 6th August 2019 Credit: Stefano Boeri Architetti Italian architect Stefano Boeri unveils plans for Africa's first "vertical forest" SHARE Written byLianne Kolirin, CNN, Oscar Holland, CNN Home to the ancient pyramids, Egypt is no stranger to architectural innovation. So it is no surprise that it is set to become the first African nation to host a "vertical forest." Italian architect Stefano Boeri has unveiled plans for three cube-shaped vertical forest apartment blocks for Egypt's new administrative capital, currently being built in the desert 30 miles east of Cairo. Boeri is an architect on a mission. A manifesto published on his firm's website commits to "a global campaign on urban forestry" that spans city farms, roof gardens, green facades and other forms of public greenery. His signature tower blocks, first erected in his home city of Milan, are adorned with lush foliage which not only looks beautiful but also provides environmental and health benefits. Working in conjunction with Egyptian designer Shimaa Shalash and Italian landscape architect Laura Gatti, Boeri's practice -- Stefano Boeri Architetti -- has unveiled designs for three buildings covered in planted terraces in Egypt. The original 'vertical forest' established in Boeri's home city of Milan. Credit: Stefano Boeri Each of the three will measure 30 meters (98ft) by 30 meters (98ft), and rise seven storys high. Boeri estimates that the trio, designed for property developer Misr Italia Properties, will hold 350 trees and 14,000 shrubs of over 100 species overall. The Bosco Verticale in Milan, Boeri's first vertical forest (credit: Getty Images) According to Boeri's website, the vertical forest scheme is a "project for the environmental survival of contemporary cities" designed to promote the "coexistence of architecture and nature in urban areas". They seek to regenerate urban environments without expanding the city's sprawling footprint. Each tower of trees aims to provide its human residents with an average of two trees, eight shrubs and 40 bushes each. In a 2018 interview, Boeri told CNN Style: "The ability to enlarge green surfaces inside and around our city is one of the most efficient ways to try to reverse climate change," he said. "So, a vertical forest is one of the possible ways to ... enlarge biological surfaces, in the horizontal and the vertical. (The solution is) not only gardens. Why not also the side of the building?" The inaugural project in Boeri's home city Milan opened in 2014. In September 2018, Vertical Forest was named among four finalists for the RIBA International Prize, a biennial award honoring the world's best new buildings. RIBA International Prize 2018: World's best new buildings revealed The purported benefits of this garden architecture transcend aesthetics. Greenery, supposedly, provides shade to apartments, psychological benefits to residents and a home to wildlife. However limited, the project is good news for Egypt, which struggles with environmental issues -- last year Cairo ranked as the most polluted city in the world, according to a study by Eco Experts. Shalash has been working on the vision with Boeri for the last five years. She told CNN the project is due to begin in 2020 and complete two years later. This will be Africa's first 'vertical forest', which promises environmental and health benefits. Credit: Stefano Boeri Architetti Of the three blocks, two will be apartments while the third will be a hotel -- all of which will be energy self-sufficient. The development, planned for a central part of the new capital, will also feature shops and restaurants. Each apartment will have its own balcony with a range of plant species suited to the local climate, planted at various heights and to bloom at different times to provide a lush appearance year round. Plants at every level will provide natural shading and improve the surrounding air quality, by absorbing an estimated seven tons of carbon dioxide and producing eight tons of oxygen per year. "Egypt is witnessing a flourishing moment in terms of new planning and real estate development. This is the moment to be present," said Shalash. Proud to be part of a process that will give Egypt "an innovative face in architecture and design," she added: "We couldn't think of a better start than introducing environmentally sustainable architecture solutions." The scheme, according to Shalash and her colleagues on the project, is part of the "ecological conversion of Cairo" which also features plans for thousands of green flat roofs and a system of "green corridors" in the city. Planners will be using flora and trees suitable for the hot north African climate. Credit: Stefano Boeri Architetti "It's time to have inventive solutions, a healthier and beautiful approach that enhances the lifestyle not only for the inhabitants and but also the quality of the city for the streets' passengers." She added that as a resident of the city she'd like to see green solutions for facades and rooftops, as well as more promenades and artisan boutiques along the Nile -- to "give the city back its former elegance" for which it was famed around the world. In a statement issued by his firm, Boeri said: "Cairo can become the first Northern-African metropolis to face the big challenge of the climate change and of the ecological reconversion." Boeri's firm is ambitious, with plans to erect vertical forests in a host of cities spanning between Mexico and Indonesia. In the Chinese city of Liuzhou, Guangxi province, he has masterminded an entire "Forest City," scheduled for completion in 2020, which comprises tree-covered houses, hospitals, schools and office blocks over a sprawling 15-million-square-foot site. China unveils plans for world's first pollution-eating 'Forest City' But Boeri is not precious about his vision, he told CNN Style in 2018. "I'm proud to say we didn't put any kind of copyright ... because we know well the social value of this kind of building," he said. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Richdale Ave Community" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to richdale-ave-community+unsubscribe(a)googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/richdale-ave-community/A016A54A-CDE1-44AD…. -- View this message at https://groups.google.com/d/msg/portersquare/topic-id/message-id -- To post to this group, send email to portersquare(a)googlegroups.com Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/d/forum/portersquare To unsubscribe from this group, send email to portersquare+unsubscribe(a)googlegroups.com For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Porter Square Neighbors Association" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to portersquare+unsubscribe(a)googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/portersquare/CAF3UHOqEOJWpWut6A7xUu0bsxNh…. -- View this message at https://groups.google.com/d/msg/portersquare/topic-id/message-id -- To post to this group, send email to portersquare(a)googlegroups.com Visit this group at https://groups.google.com/d/forum/portersquare To unsubscribe from this group, send email to portersquare+unsubscribe(a)googlegroups.com For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Porter Square Neighbors Association" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to portersquare+unsubscribe(a)googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/portersquare/D1DC86CB-3F36-4A3A-B1EB-925C….

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Would any thing like this work here?
by Ruth Ryals 19 Aug '19

19 Aug '19

https://www.cnn.com/style/article/vertical-forest-egypt-intl-scli/index.html Architecture Italian architect Stefano Boeri unveils plans for Africa's first "vertical forest" Updated 6th August 2019 Credit: Stefano Boeri Architetti Italian architect Stefano Boeri unveils plans for Africa's first "vertical forest" SHARE Written byLianne Kolirin, CNN, Oscar Holland, CNN Home to the ancient pyramids, Egypt is no stranger to architectural innovation. So it is no surprise that it is set to become the first African nation to host a "vertical forest." Italian architect Stefano Boeri has unveiled plans for three cube-shaped vertical forest apartment blocks for Egypt's new administrative capital, currently being built in the desert 30 miles east of Cairo. Boeri is an architect on a mission. A manifesto published on his firm's website commits to "a global campaign on urban forestry" that spans city farms, roof gardens, green facades and other forms of public greenery. His signature tower blocks, first erected in his home city of Milan, are adorned with lush foliage which not only looks beautiful but also provides environmental and health benefits. Working in conjunction with Egyptian designer Shimaa Shalash and Italian landscape architect Laura Gatti, Boeri's practice -- Stefano Boeri Architetti -- has unveiled designs for three buildings covered in planted terraces in Egypt. The original 'vertical forest' established in Boeri's home city of Milan. Credit: Stefano Boeri Each of the three will measure 30 meters (98ft) by 30 meters (98ft), and rise seven storys high. Boeri estimates that the trio, designed for property developer Misr Italia Properties, will hold 350 trees and 14,000 shrubs of over 100 species overall. The Bosco Verticale in Milan, Boeri's first vertical forest (credit: Getty Images) According to Boeri's website, the vertical forest scheme is a "project for the environmental survival of contemporary cities" designed to promote the "coexistence of architecture and nature in urban areas". They seek to regenerate urban environments without expanding the city's sprawling footprint. Each tower of trees aims to provide its human residents with an average of two trees, eight shrubs and 40 bushes each. In a 2018 interview, Boeri told CNN Style: "The ability to enlarge green surfaces inside and around our city is one of the most efficient ways to try to reverse climate change," he said. "So, a vertical forest is one of the possible ways to ... enlarge biological surfaces, in the horizontal and the vertical. (The solution is) not only gardens. Why not also the side of the building?" The inaugural project in Boeri's home city Milan opened in 2014. In September 2018, Vertical Forest was named among four finalists for the RIBA International Prize, a biennial award honoring the world's best new buildings. RIBA International Prize 2018: World's best new buildings revealed The purported benefits of this garden architecture transcend aesthetics. Greenery, supposedly, provides shade to apartments, psychological benefits to residents and a home to wildlife. However limited, the project is good news for Egypt, which struggles with environmental issues -- last year Cairo ranked as the most polluted city in the world, according to a study by Eco Experts. Shalash has been working on the vision with Boeri for the last five years. She told CNN the project is due to begin in 2020 and complete two years later. This will be Africa's first 'vertical forest', which promises environmental and health benefits. Credit: Stefano Boeri Architetti Of the three blocks, two will be apartments while the third will be a hotel -- all of which will be energy self-sufficient. The development, planned for a central part of the new capital, will also feature shops and restaurants. Each apartment will have its own balcony with a range of plant species suited to the local climate, planted at various heights and to bloom at different times to provide a lush appearance year round. Plants at every level will provide natural shading and improve the surrounding air quality, by absorbing an estimated seven tons of carbon dioxide and producing eight tons of oxygen per year. "Egypt is witnessing a flourishing moment in terms of new planning and real estate development. This is the moment to be present," said Shalash. Proud to be part of a process that will give Egypt "an innovative face in architecture and design," she added: "We couldn't think of a better start than introducing environmentally sustainable architecture solutions." The scheme, according to Shalash and her colleagues on the project, is part of the "ecological conversion of Cairo" which also features plans for thousands of green flat roofs and a system of "green corridors" in the city. Planners will be using flora and trees suitable for the hot north African climate. Credit: Stefano Boeri Architetti "It's time to have inventive solutions, a healthier and beautiful approach that enhances the lifestyle not only for the inhabitants and but also the quality of the city for the streets' passengers." She added that as a resident of the city she'd like to see green solutions for facades and rooftops, as well as more promenades and artisan boutiques along the Nile -- to "give the city back its former elegance" for which it was famed around the world. In a statement issued by his firm, Boeri said: "Cairo can become the first Northern-African metropolis to face the big challenge of the climate change and of the ecological reconversion." Boeri's firm is ambitious, with plans to erect vertical forests in a host of cities spanning between Mexico and Indonesia. In the Chinese city of Liuzhou, Guangxi province, he has masterminded an entire "Forest City," scheduled for completion in 2020, which comprises tree-covered houses, hospitals, schools and office blocks over a sprawling 15-million-square-foot site. China unveils plans for world's first pollution-eating 'Forest City' But Boeri is not precious about his vision, he told CNN Style in 2018. "I'm proud to say we didn't put any kind of copyright ... because we know well the social value of this kind of building," he said.

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Tips on move-out and clean-out
by Ruth Ryals 15 Aug '19

15 Aug '19

> From: Cambridge Recycling <recycle(a)cambridgema.gov> > Date: August 15, 2019 at 2:49:14 PM EDT > To: rryals(a)comcast.net > Subject: Tips on move-out and clean-out > Reply-To: recycle(a)cambridgema.gov > > > It's Move-Out Season! > > Every August & September we see a spike in trash and an increase in contamination in our recycling. Here are some tips for reducing how much we trash: > Clothes/shoes/textiles: There are 2 dozen textile donation bins in Cambridge that will accept all textiles. > Plan ahead and schedule TVs, A/Cs, mattresses and other items that require a permit. > All electronics may be recycled if disposed of properly. > Cardboard: Please break down boxes and nest them next to your recycling cart on collection day. > If unsure how to dispose of something, use the Get Rid of It Right tool. > Give stuff away on Craigslist, Buy Nothing Cambridge, or NextDoor.com. > > Most importantly, please share this email with your neighbors, tenants, friends and others. We rely heavily on word-of-mouth during move-out. Residents may sign up for this newsletter at CambridgeMA.Gov/Subscribe. Thank you! > > Missed Collection? Report it by 9am the day after collection at CambridgeMA.Gov/311. > > Household Hazardous Waste Day--Sept. 7 > The next event is located at Danehy Park (access event by entering from Concord Ave & Fern Street). At our HHW events, please remember the following: > · Items labeled POISON, DANGER, WARNING, or CAUTION are hazardous and should be brought to HHW events. > · Some items are also accepted at DPW's Recycling Center. > · Latex paint can be taken on trash day. Dry out the paint (with kitty litter) and leave it at the curb with the lids off on your next collection day. > > Help School Kids Recycle & Compost > > It’s back-to-school time and WE NEED YOU! All Cambridge Public Schools have recycling and composting in the cafeteria. Students will need help remembering, or in the case of the new ones, learning, what goes where. Does it go in Recycle? Compost? Can it go on the Share Table? Having adults present to guide students (and thank them) makes a big difference. > Email us if you can help at a couple lunches or breakfasts during the first two weeks of school. Going weekly is also welcome--volunteers such as Rozann (pictured) go weekly. Thank you in advance for sharing some of your time to empower students to help the earth every time they clean up after a meal. > > Cambridge's Largest Yard Sale > The Harvard Stuff Sale runs Aug. 27-Sept. 1 at the Harvard Science Center Plaza (near 1 Oxford Street) from 9am-5pm. Visit the Stuff Sale to find used but clean fans, lamps, mirrors, microwaves, rugs, mini-fridges, storage boxes, posters, tables and more items. During move-out, Harvard Recycling recovered 200 truckloads of donated student furnishings. Proceeds from the sale benefit Harvard's Habitat for Humanity efforts to build housing for those in need. > > Click here to get flyers, carts, and more for Recycling, Composting & Yard Waste > > Upcoming Waste Events > > Sun. 8/18: Style Revival [Repair ● Alter ● Swap], Somerville. > Tues. 8/27-Sun. 9/1: Harvard University Stuff Sale, 1 Oxford Street. > Tues. 9/3: Volunteer to help students recycle & compost, Cambridge Public School Cafeterias. First two weeks of school. > Sat. 9/7: Hazardous Waste Event for residents, Danehy Park (Field St Lot). > Sat. 9/28: Shred Event at City Hall, 795 Mass Ave. > > If you know of any other waste-related events, email us so we may broadcast. > > What Are We Reading? > > Living a low-waste life offers a business opportunity > Boston Globe > > Invasive species for dessert? > WBUR > > Can apps solve the world's food waste problem? > Ensia.com > > Thanks Marie Kondo! The resale market is becoming bigger than fast fashion > Fast Company > > > > ‌ ‌ > > > > Department of Public Works > 147 Hampshire Street > Cambridge, MA 02139 > > | Our Privacy Policy > About Constant Contact > Sent by recycle(a)cambridgema.gov

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Fwd: Legal Opinion in response to questions on Cannabis Permitting Ordinance
by Ruth Ryals 14 Aug '19

14 Aug '19

For those following this. > From: "Kelley, Craig<ckelley(a)cambridgema.gov> > Date: August 14, 2019 at 4:13:11 PM EDT > Subject: FW: Legal Opinion in response to questions on Cannabis Permitting Ordinance > > FYI, Everyone: > > How much of this 21 page memo the Council will be able to get through tonight, in addition to both the minor and very substantive amendments to the proposed Cannabis Business Permitting Ordinance, but what we can’t sort out tonight we’ll try to work through next time. Regardless of how long it takes us to get through, I thought you’d like to have the Solicitor’s memo now. > > Best, > > 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: Carvello, Maryellen <mcarvello(a)cambridgema.gov> > Sent: Wednesday, August 14, 2019 3:16 PM > To: City Council <CityCouncil(a)CambridgeMA.GOV> > Cc: Lopez, Donna <dlopez(a)cambridgema.gov>; Crane, Paula <pcrane(a)cambridgema.gov>; Glowa, Nancy <nglowa(a)cambridgema.gov>; Farooq, Iram <ifarooq(a)cambridgema.gov>; DePasquale, Louie <ldepasquale(a)cambridgema.gov>; Peterson, Lisa <lisap(a)cambridgema.gov>; Gianetti, Lee <lgianetti(a)cambridgema.gov>; Cooper, Stacey <stcooper(a)cambridgema.gov> > Subject: Legal Opinion in response to questions on Cannabis Permitting Ordinance > Importance: High > > Dear Councillors, > > In advance of the Ordinance Committee hearing scheduled for today at 5:30 pm, please find attached a legal opinion received from City Solicitor Nancy E. Glowa in response to questions relating to the Cannabis Permitting Ordinance. > > Best, > > Maryellen > > Maryellen Carvello > Manager of Planning & Operations > Executive Office > Cambridge City Hall > 795 Massachusetts Avenue > Cambridge, MA 02139 > P: 617-349-4301 > www.cambridgema.gov > >

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Cleanup Porter Square and Mass Ave Day -- Thursday, August 29, 12-4 pm
by Ruth Ryals 14 Aug '19

14 Aug '19

Neighbors, Can you help us out again this year with The Porter Square Clean Up? We need volunteers and managers to work in different spots along the Avenue. You will be richly rewarded by a much better-looking neighborhood! Ruth Porter Square Clean Up is Back by popular demand and in response to a great need! The area of Mass Ave near Porter Square and on down Mass Ave is looking pretty bad right now. We need volunteers to help pull up the grass, pick up trash and generally spiff the place up! So, Porter Square Neighbors Association and Agassiz Neighborhood Council will host a “Cleanup Porter Square and Mass Ave Day” again. This year the date is Thursday, August 29th, from 12-4. We need as many PSNA folks as possible, particularly since we are planning on covering a lot of territory! The timing for the event is driven by the offer of so many young volunteers from Harvard’s “Day of Service”. We will be joined by Lesley University and St. James Church to help with picking up trash, pulling up the weeds/grass, and sweeping around their buildings/parking area again this year. Porter Square Shopping Center will be doing the same in the shopping center and in the plaza in front, and hopefully having the plaza power-washed (in coordination with the City). We have asked the City for help with bag pickup, cleaning the little park at the T stop again, and via Rep Marjorie Decker’s office, the MBTA, asking them to wash the T windows, etc. We should have 20+ volunteers (but fewer could show)... We need YOU to spread the word and come out with your family, friends and neighbors to spend a few hours and help clean up! We are asking the Mass Ave merchants to clean up around their areas as well (note: they normally do a good job!). With PSNA and ANC (and lots of Harvard student volunteers) working together, the Avenue should look a lot better when we are done! Please let me know if you can be there to work, help advise the student volunteers on “where and how”, hand out and round up brooms and dust pans, even pass out water, coffee and donut holes to the volunteers! You can just show up, but an email response will help us know how many tools to put out and where. As usual, if you have gloves and tools to bring, please do! Thanks, Ruth rryals(a)comcast.net

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Fwd: We Are Hiring! Open Interviews 8/22
by Ruth Ryals 14 Aug '19

14 Aug '19

From: Agassiz Baldwin Community <ayee(a)agassiz.org> > Date: August 14, 2019 at 6:05:13 AM ED > Subject: We Are Hiring! Open Interviews 8/22 > Reply-To: ayee(a)agassiz.org > > > > We're Hiring Art Educators > and Youth Workers! > > > Open Interviews > Join us to learn about our art and afterschool educator opportunities! > > Thursday, August 22 > 10:00am-12:00pm > > 20 Sacramento Street > Cambridge, MA 02138 > > > > > > Looking for part-time, community-based work? > Maud Morgan Arts, our community-based art center for people of all ages, is currently seeking new art educators to run classes and workshops. > Our Kindergarten and 1st-5th Grade Afterschool offers choice-based programming with a focus on social-emotional learning; teachers work from 2-6pm, Mondays-Fridays, with additional work opportunities during school vacation and special community events throughout the year. > Know someone who might be interested? > Check out and share this Facebook Event, which is open to the public. > Guest list hidden for privacy reasons. > > Can't make it? Send a cover letter and resume to... > Andrea Breen > Director of Children's Programs > Contact > Cory Shea > Director of Maud Morgan Arts > Contact > > ‌ ‌ > www.agassiz.org > > Agassiz Baldwin Community > 20 Sacramento Street > Cambridge , MA 02138 > Unsubscribe rryals(a)comcast.net > Update Profile | About Constant Contact > Sent by ayee(a)agassiz.org > in collaboration with > > Try email marketing for free today!

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