July 2020 - Neighbors - lists.buenavistasocialclub.org

Graphics of 2.0 FAR citywide impacts and other proposed AHO amendments
by Comcast 08 Jul '20

08 Jul '20

________________________________ From: livablecambridge(a)googlegroups.com <livablecambridge(a)googlegroups.com> on behalf of Blier, Suzanne <blier(a)fas.harvard.edu> Sent: Wednesday, July 8, 2020 3:49 PM To: livable Cambridge open; HSNA Steering Committee; East Cambridge Planning Team Subject: [livablecambridgeopen] FW: Graphics of 2.0 FAR citywide impacts and other proposed AHO amendments Please see my below letter and attachment to City Councillors. Also I want to take this opportunity to thank Le Farris for her thoughtful discussion with me this morning about these and other issues. Honorable Cambridge City Councillors, While all of us do support Affordable Housing initiatives I like many others feel that the current AHO plan needs some critical fixes. Please also see the attached graphic analysis of the differential impacts of an FAR of 2.0 on the various residential neighborhoods of the city. I urge you to think about this and the other amendments I address below and support these changes: 1. Reduce the allowable FAR (floor area ratio) on properties that are NOT along major corridors from the current 2.0 FAR to instead an amount equal to twice the current FAR or a maximum of 1.5 FAR. The proposed 2.0 FAR is the characteristic amount used for high density high rises in cities around the world, key parts of Cambridge in current Residence A districts are not amenable for this. The impacts of a 2.0 FAR could be up to 7 x the current size/scale of residential buildings here. 2. Require CDD to provide models of 4 story 40 unit residential complexes on specific properties in Residential A zoning areas with adjacent 1.5 story buildings (currently they have provided examples for only Residential B and Higher. They have chosen only the higher density areas with far taller buildings within the city to show their plans. Here the impacts would be far less felt than in areas that have 1 story, 1.5 story, and 2 story buildings such as many areas of Residential A. 3. For any project that will more than double the current FAR of either adjacent houses, or the FAR for the zoning in this residential district, require CHC approval of plans as well as both shadow studies and viewshed analysis. 4. Require that in the Small Business District on Huron Avenue that any Affordable Housing project maintain the business property if they redevelop this property. 5. Return to 2019 language on design where it was agreed that all AHO units would break up the facades that surpass 150 feet in length with court yards. 11.207.7.2c Changes allowed maximum long façade from 150’ agreed in 2019. The current 250’ language sharply reduces size of “entry courtyards”. Return to 2019 language. Require that non-opaque facades be on street facing ground floors with between 50-70% open glass windows. There is nothing worse for a neighborhood than a long windowless building. 11.207.7.2d.iii Return to the 2019 language) from the current proposal for only 30% glass. This is simply not enough. 6. In BB zones - require businesses (stores, washer-drawer facilities, other) on the ground floors of AHO projects comprising 30 units or higher, if they are not located on a main corridor. It is important if parking will not be required that amenities are available on site or nearby. Currently in 11.207.7.2e they have removed the requirement in business space in BB zone (agreed in 2019). Change back to 2019. I support the Cambridge Residents Alliance on the following requested changes: 1. To reduce racial inequities caused by past redlining practices, require that at least 20% of the units completed using the AHO be homeownership units. (Supported by Planning Board in 2019.) 3. Affordable Housing built using the Overlay must follow the Tree Protection Ordinance preventing removal of larger trees until the Tree Protection Ordinance is revised (currently AH is exempt from tree protection). The 2019 Council agreed to protect larger trees, but that language was removed in the 2020 version. (Section 11.207.7.6c) 4. In addition to a required 7.5’ setback from the lot line, there should be a minimum 10’ setback from any existing adjacent residential buildings. (Idea that Councilor Carlone proposed in 2019.) (Section 11.207.5.2.3c) 5. Establish a guiding document with goals on income levels served, types of sites, proximity to public open space and transit, 20% ownership units, 20% family sized units, geographic distribution of housing, and increase in % of affordable housing in areas with low amounts. Require Council and Planning Board review the goals in the guiding document every five years. 6. In the required annual review, in addition to the items currently mentioned in the ordinance, add resident demographics and income levels. 7. In the required 5 year progress review, add analysis of problems/successes encountered, #s of existing buildings demolished, what happened to displaced tenants, trees removed and added, demographics of residents, income levels served, types of sites, proximity to public open space and transit, provisions of 20% ownership units. Cordially, Suzanne Blier 5 Fuller Place -------------------------------------------------------------------- Suzanne Preston Blier, Allen Whitehill Clowes Professor of Fine Arts and of African and African American Studies Harvard University 485 Broadway, Cambridge Ma. 02138. 617 497-1464

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Re: [Neighbors] Take Action: The MA Senate Votes on a Police Reform Bill Tomorrow
by raryals 08 Jul '20

08 Jul '20

On Wed, Jul 8, 2020 at 5:07 PM Joel T. Patterson <joelpatt(a)yahoo.com> wrote: > A vote! > > Sent from my iPhone > > Begin forwarded message: > > *From:* "Joel T. Patterson" <joelpatt(a)yahoo.com> > *Date:* July 8, 2020 at 4:08:24 PM EDT > *To:* Cathy Cabrera <cathycab(a)gmail.com> > *Subject:* *Fwd: Take Action: The MA Senate Votes on a Police Reform > Bill Tomorrow* > > You might be interested > > Sent from my iPhone > > Begin forwarded message: > > *From:* "Caroline Bays (Issues Committee, Progressive Mass)" < > issues(a)progressivemass.com> > *Date:* July 8, 2020 at 4:05:21 PM EDT > *To:* Joel Patterson <joelpatt(a)yahoo.com> > *Subject:* *Take Action: The MA Senate Votes on a Police Reform Bill > Tomorrow* > > > [image: Progressive Massachusetts] > <http://progressivemass.nationbuilder.com/?e=3ba9c98798998fa072c83317ee8ff33…> > > Joel -- > > Tomorrow, the MA Senate will be voting on a bill > <https://www.progressivemass.com/r?u=dRNybjsShLSIEIwrKRJumTMOfRpdN9TkQ3XWp5g…> > to reform how policing is done in Massachusetts. > > Although it contains many important provisions, it also leaves far too > much on the table, and it contains language that undercuts the ability of > the reforms to provide meaningful change. > > > Here's how you can help. > > Tell your senator to support Amendments #10, 21, 27, 32, 37, 64, 65, 67, > 75, 81, 108, 113, and 119. These amendments will reinvest in communities, > limit the scope and presence of police, ban dangerous police tactics, and > protect the rights of the incarcerated. > > Find their number here and give them a call. > <https://www.progressivemass.com/r?u=dRNybjsShLSIEIwrKRJumfOgWyh9cXh3p0jKLas…> > > Tweet at them to support the amendments. > <https://www.progressivemass.com/ma_legislators_contact?e=3ba9c98798998fa072…> > > Send them an email in support of these amendments. > <https://www.progressivemass.com/r?u=VUCqmzmLKQVsGOBGQopQGV4fo9ZaFsXHlUkTdZz…> > > > What These Amendments Do > > > Reinvesting in Communities > > *#81: Removing The Cap On Justice Reinvestment (Jehlen)*: The bill > reinvests money from the Department of Corrections into a fund for job > training and workforce development for communities disproportionately > targeted by the criminal-legal system. The fund, based on the savings > produced by reduced incarceration rates, could reach as high as $38 million > a year, but the bill caps the fund at $10 million. This amendment would > remove the cap. > > > Limiting the Scope & Presence of Police > > *Amendment #10*: *Promoting racial justice by decriminalizing > homelessness (Rausch)*, which guarantees the right of those experiencing > homelessness to use public spaces in the same manner as any other person > without discrimination based on their housing status > > *Amendment #32: Banning pretextual stops (Chandler)*, which prohibits a > practice too often employed by police to harass Black and Brown drivers > > *Amendment #108: Protecting Students from Profiling (Jehlen)*, which > disrupts the school-to-prison pipeline by preventing the transmission of > student information to a Fusion Center, the Boston Regional Intelligence > Center, or any other agency that keeps a gang database > > > Banning dangerous police tactics > > *Amendment #64: Relative to Facial recognition (Creem)*: The Senate bill > bans the use of facial surveillance for law enforcement for only one year. > This amendment extends that ban until legislation is passed to implement > such a ban permanently. > > *Amendment #65: Banning tear gas and other chemical weapons (Rausch)*: > The Senate bill bill allows tear gas to be used in certain circumstances, > offering no real deterrent to its use. Police should never use tear gas or > chemical weapons against civilians. This amendment would prohibit the use > of tear gas and chemical weapons altogether. > > *Amendment #67: Banning choke holds (Eldridge)*: Under the extremely > narrow definition in the bill, the restraint used against George Floyd > could be found lawful until the moment he was rendered unconscious and > killed. This amendment clarifies that all neck restraints are prohibited. > > *Amendment #75: Clarifying the Reasonableness of an Officer’s Actions > (Eldridge)*, which creates a higher standard for the use of force > > *Amendment #119: Banning no-knock warrants (Hinds)*: The Senate bill > allows no-knock warrants in certain circumstances. Breonna Taylor was > murdered after police broke down her front door without warning in the > middle of the night under the auspices of a no-knock warrant, and no-knock > warrants are disproportionately used to terrorize Black and Brown > communities. This amendment would ban them altogether. > Protecting the Rights of the Incarcerated > > *Amendment #21: Strengthening visitation of incarcerated persons* > *(Rausch)*, which removes harmful limitations on visitation imposed by > the Department of Corrections > > *Amendment #27: Correctional Officers (Eldridge)*, which prevents > decertified officers from working in prisons and jails > > *Amendment #37: Transitional Assistance for Wrongfully Convicted Persons > (Jehlen)*, which guarantees $5,000 in transitional financial assistance > as well as access to physical and mental health services upon release for > those who have been wrongfully convicted > > *Amendment #113: Prison Use of Force Records (Eldridge)*, which ensures > that an inmate and the inmate’s legally designated representative shall > have the right to obtain a copy of all records relating to any use of force > incident involving the inmate > > > Thank you for all you do. > > > > In solidarity, > > Caroline Bays > > Issues Committee, Progressive Mass > http://www.progressivemass.com/ > <http://www.progressivemass.com/?e=3ba9c98798998fa072c83317ee8ff33c&utm_sour…> > > *Connect with us* > > [image: Facebook] Friend us on Facebook > <https://www.progressivemass.com/r?u=CsdQct-WXyKCv3G9KHv3cT_nQ-_Cku3FSnCbBR9…> > > [image: Twitter] Follow us on Twitter > <https://www.progressivemass.com/r?u=7Sn_jlQ3J2wHxMyMtp8UNKZpFL5TpcwzA4Ty-NB…> > > [image: Blog] Read our blog > <http://www.progressivemass.com/what_s_new?e=3ba9c98798998fa072c83317ee8ff33…> > > > > > > > > > > > > > *Learn more about our priorities: * *Our Progressive Platform* > <http://www.progressivemass.com/progressiveplatform?e=3ba9c98798998fa072c833…> > > follow on Twitter > <https://www.progressivemass.com/r?u=7Sn_jlQ3J2wHxMyMtp8UNEUKHEm5ihcPr_Kaezv…> > | friend on Facebook > <https://www.progressivemass.com/r?u=CsdQct-WXyKCv3G9KHv3cT_nQ-_Cku3FSnCbBR9…> > | read our blog > <http://www.progressivemass.com/news/?e=3ba9c98798998fa072c83317ee8ff33c&utm…> > > This email was sent to joelpatt(a)yahoo.com. We use email to get more > comprehensive information to the progressive community. To stop receiving > emails, click here > <https://www.progressivemass.com/unsubscribe?e=3ba9c98798998fa072c83317ee8ff…>. > > Copyright © 2017 Progressive Massachusetts, All rights reserved. > > -- Ruth Ryals raryals(a)gmail.com

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There will be a "Stand Out Against Racism" at Porter Square again this Sunday, July 12, at 10am!
by Ruth Ryals 08 Jul '20

08 Jul '20

Neighbors, Bring your family, friends, your home-made signs, your masks and join your neighbors at Porter Square to "Stand Out Against Racism" to show how upset we are with institutional racism and the status quo in this country. We welcome ALL of our neighbors and friends to join us. There is plenty of room around the Square and up/down Mass Ave to stay distanced and make an impact on passersby and drivers. Ruth

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Corrected link for comment on AHO tonight!
by raryals 08 Jul '20

08 Jul '20

[ACN] Link correction! Re: Affordable Housing Overlay hearing today, 5pm Inbox x Lee Farris 1:21 PM (46 minutes ago) to Cambridge, Association, East, FPRA Hi neighbors, I gave the wrong link in this email to sign up for speaking at the Ordinance hearing today. *The correct link is:* *https://www.cambridgema.gov/citycalendar/view.aspx?guid=0f9a5da69d624f3da3efe84507259186 <https://www.cambridgema.gov/citycalendar/view.aspx?guid=0f9a5da69d624f3da3e…>* *To be able to see the meeting today without cable TV, you will have to sign up for public** comment, even if you do not plan to comment, but just watch*. This is due to a technical problem at city hall. If you want to watch the hearing, please sign up now. Please feel free to forward this email. Thanks, Lee-- Ruth Ryals raryals(a)gmail.com

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Affordable Housing Overlay to Zoning
by raryals 08 Jul '20

08 Jul '20

It is back again, while no one is paying attention. ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Cambridge Residents Alliance < keepcambridgelivable(a)cambridgeresidentsalliance.emailnb.com> Date: Wed, Jul 8, 2020 at 9:56 AM Subject: Affordable Housing Overlay to Zoning Cambridge Residents Alliance <http://www.cambridgeresidentsalliance.org/?e=d403c5d06e95f3011d0912fbd8ae02…> Dear Friend : * The Cambridge Residents Alliance generally supports the idea of an Affordable Housing Overlay as part of Cambridge zoning rules.* Some of the changes that we requested in 2019 were made, including design standards, reduced exceptions to requiring 30% open space, lower height zones, and better step-downs to residential neighborhoods. The City Council’s Ordinance Committee will be considering a revised *Affordable Housing Overlay on Wed. July 8 at 5pm*. Please consider letting the Council know your thoughts— in your own words— by signing up to speak and sending your comments to council(a)cambridgema.gov, and copy clerk(a)cambridgema.gov. Watch the hearing or sign up for public comment HERE <http://www.cambridgeresidentsalliance.org/r?u=9ZwJyFxU1oxK8UV3vmOcjDBV0wX3m…>. For the city’s CDD memo on the AHO and other resources, click here <http://www.cambridgeresidentsalliance.org/r?u=o_S5pYB529f2SYotLGDjEViZ_a7ai…>. There will be a second hearing on 7/22 at 5pm. We would like to see these additional changes: 1. To reduce racial inequities caused by past redlining practices, require that at least 20% of the units completed using the AHO be homeownership units. (Supported by Planning Board in 2019.) 2. Add a requirement for larger family sized units; at least 20% of the units should be 3BR or larger. (Supported by Planning Board in 2019.) 3. Affordable Housing built using the Overlay must follow the Tree Protection Ordinance preventing removal of larger trees until the Tree Protection Ordinance is revised (currently AH is exempt from tree protection). The 2019 Council agreed to protect larger trees, but that language was removed in the 2020 version. (Section 11.207.7.6c) 4. In addition to a required 7.5’ setback from the lot line, there should be a minimum 10’ setback from any existing adjacent residential buildings. (Idea that Councilor Carlone proposed in 2019.) (Section 11.207.5.2.3c) 5. Establish a guiding document with goals on income levels served, types of sites, proximity to public open space and transit, 20% ownership units, 20% family sized units, geographic distribution of housing, and increase in % of affordable housing in areas with low amounts. Require Council and Planning Board review the goals in the guiding document every five years. 6. In the required annual review, in addition to the items currently mentioned in the ordinance, add resident demographics and income levels. 7. In the required 5 year progress review, add analysis of problems/successes encountered, #s of existing buildings demolished, what happened to displaced tenants, trees removed and added, demographics of residents, income levels served, types of sites, proximity to public open space and transit, provisions of 20% ownership units, geographic distribution of housing, and increase in % of affordable housing in areas with low amounts. Thanks for taking action! Lee Farris, President, Cambridge Residents Alliance Cambridge Residents Alliance http://www.cambridgeresidentsalliance.org/ <http://www.cambridgeresidentsalliance.org/?e=d403c5d06e95f3011d0912fbd8ae02…> Cambridge Residents Alliance · PO Box 390487, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States This email was sent to raryals(a)gmail.com. To stop receiving emails, click here <http://www.cambridgeresidentsalliance.org/unsubscribe?e=d403c5d06e95f3011d0…>. You can also keep up with Cambridge Residents Alliance on Twitter <http://www.cambridgeresidentsalliance.org/r?u=7Sn_jlQ3J2wHxMyMtp8UNLiPvqV0x…> or Facebook <http://www.cambridgeresidentsalliance.org/r?u=27Ax0UmWOX2J8J_QwK9Z6td_fCL0o…>. Created with NationBuilder <http://www.cambridgeresidentsalliance.org/r?u=SWqLExi-4iBlEOa5qgO58jA2d62de…>, software for leaders. -- Ruth Ryals raryals(a)gmail.com -- Ruth Ryals raryals(a)gmail.com

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Ye olde WR Grace contaminated land in North Cambridge: SOLD!
by raryals 08 Jul '20

08 Jul '20

---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Charles Teague <charles.d.teague(a)gmail.com> Date: Wed, Jul 8, 2020 at 8:56 AM Subject: [ACN] Ye olde WR Grace contaminated land in North Cambridge: SOLD! To: CHARLES TEAGUE <charles.d.teague(a)gmail.com> Hi folks, from my readings of the work done by the 23+ year old "Alewife Study Group" estimated that it contains 8 - 10 pounds of Asbestos for every man, woman, and child in Cambridge. But I have high expectations of any non-Grace, high-technology developer! -- Charlie *Life sciences developer IQHQ is buying the headquarters of GCP Applied Technologies in North Cambridge, for $125 million. The two companies said Wednesday that they reached an agreement last week, and expect the deal to close by early August. ... Today, the complex, tucked alongside a small residential neighborhood between Alewife Brook Parkway and Massachusetts Avenue, holds a series of low-slung buildings, 290,000 square feet in all, and several surface parking lots. It also includes “Jerry’s Pond [Pit],” a contaminated and fenced-off former swimming hole <http://www.cambridgeday.com/2018/08/03/owner-of-jerrys-pond-resists-polluti…> which neighborhood groups and the city have long urged Grace and GCP to clean up. An IQHQ spokesman said the company is considering options and aims to talk with the city and neighborhood about redevelopment plans for the site.* https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/07/08/business/lab-developer-buys-huge-sit… -- Ruth Ryals raryals(a)gmail.com -- Ruth Ryals raryals(a)gmail.com

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Global Arts Live Inside vol. 14
by Ruth Ryals 07 Jul '20

07 Jul '20

You may want to catch this concert online July 7th at 8 pm. You may also want to read this organization message below. Good for them! Ruth From: Global Arts Live <info(a)globalartslive.org> Reply-To: <info(a)globalartslive.org> Date: Monday, July 6, 2020 at 10:26 AM To: Ruth Ryals <rryals(a)comcast.net> Subject: Global Arts Live Inside vol. 14 Content to keep us connected while we're all staying apart. In this week's Global Arts Live Inside we're reminding you about Tuesday's concert by Zimbabwean band Mokoomba, asking you to take action to support the arts, and sharing a fun live video from a musician in South Africa that our Executive Director highly recommends. Enjoy! If you follow us on social media, you may notice you'll see us less during the month of July. We have stopped all paid advertising on Facebook and Instagram--joining a growing number of organizations participating in the #StopHateForProfit campaign, a campaign calling on Facebook to do everything in its power to stop promoting hate, bigotry, racism, antisemitism, and violence. While we will continue to post organically, Facebook's algorithm will likely only show you half of what we share (if we're lucky)--a worthy sacrifice to support an important campaign. Don't want to receive a weekly email? Click here to opt out of the Global Arts Live Inside email without unsubscribing from all future emails. MOKOOMBA FREE VIRTUAL CONCERT >From Zimbabwe, Mokoomba mixes funk, ska, soukous, salsa, and Afro-Cuban music to create infectious, enjoyable and extremely danceable music. This prerecorded Mokoomba concert was facilitated by Cultural Connections Africa (CCA) through their Sounds From Africa series. Stream the concert on Facebook or YouTube at 8pm EST on July 7. SUPPORT THE ARTS Please take two minutes to urge your U.S. Representative and Senators to pass further COVID-19 economic relief legislation before Congress recesses on July 31st. The Coronavirus has had a devastating $8.4 billion economic impact on America’s arts sector. Since the first U.S. case was reported in January, 96% of arts and culture organizations have cancelled events—resulting in a loss of 325 million ticketed admissions and impacting 533,000 jobs. We are urging Congress to allow the arts and culture sector to apply for a second forgivable loan with the $130 billion surplus remaining from the Paycheck Protection Program. Additionally, we are requesting an extension of the pandemic unemployment benefits. Send an email now. It is easy to do and could have a lasting impact on some of your favorite arts organizations and artists you love. QULA KWEDINI by NTOMBETHONGO Ntombethongo is a musician and traditional healer, born and raised in Mthambalala village near the Ntafufu river mouth, about 25km from Port St Johns in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. Ntombethongo's debut album, Thokozile, won the South African Traditional Music (SATMA) Award as best isiXhosa album of 2012. The artist comes highly recommended from our Executive Director, Maure Aronson! Watch Ntombethongo perform "Qula kwedini" now. SUPPORT GLOBAL ARTS LIVE We want to be there for you as soon as we can, and your support—at whatever level—will ensure that. If you believe in our mission, the artists we present, and our importance to the local community, please donate today. HELP GLOBAL ARTS LIVE DURING COVID-19 ‌ ‌ GLOBAL ARTS LIVE | 617-876-4275 | globalartslive.org GLOBAL ARTS LIVE | 720 Mass Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139 Unsubscribe rryals(a)comcast.net Update Profile | Our Privacy Policy | About Constant Contact Sent by info(a)globalartslive.org in collaboration with Try email marketing for free today!

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Fwd: Cambridge Historical Society’s Anti-Racism Pledge
by Comcast 06 Jul '20

06 Jul '20

Good for them! ________________________________ From: Cambridge Historical Society <info(a)cambridgehistory.org> Sent: Monday, July 6, 2020 11:16:37 AM To: rryals(a)comcast.net <rryals(a)comcast.net> Subject: Cambridge Historical Society’s Anti-Racism Pledge Today, we are promising to do better. [http://r20.rs6.net/on.jsp?ca=fb3ce983-47ee-4182-a323-fa77769e99c2&a=1102617…] [https://mlsvc01-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/3c71c19b001/433e4705-7838-47fb-874d-e…] <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016EfgJlv-6rWudxFH0dmotw6qgm5Lv-2a14RQ6U7fs58Q…> Cambridge Historical Society Our Anti-Racism Pledge A few weeks ago, we released an initial statement regarding the recent uprisings that have followed the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and so many others whose lives were cut short by police brutality. We acknowledged that systemic racism exists, and voiced our belief that Black Lives Matter. That statement should have come earlier. We recognize that by staying silent for so long, we were failing to uphold our mission to shape a better future for Cambridge. Today, we are promising to do better. And we want you to hold us to that. Over the next year, we will strengthen our commitment to our Task Force on CHS History, which was established in 2019 with the goal of examining the ties between our organization and slavery. We will expand the task force’s mission to highlight the ways that white privilege has shaped our organization. When the research phase of this task force’s work has concluded, we will conduct a thorough analysis to determine how we can productively reconcile with these ties. Our ties to slavery are still unclear, but our relationship to systemic racism is evident. The Cambridge Historical Society was founded in West Cambridge in 1905 by affluent white people, with white people in mind. For many years now, we have pledged to serve all of Cambridge. But to accomplish that, we must hold ourselves accountable for change. Without acknowledging our past and recognizing the ways it affects our present, we remain complicit with earlier systems and have little hope of moving forward. In recent years, we have made an effort to elevate voices of Black Cantabrigians and other people of color. Today, that effort turns into a promise. We will continue offering a platform for Black Cantabrigians and other people of color to share their experiences at our programs. It is undeniable that these individuals and their voices are critical to any and all conversations about Cambridge. The Cambridge Historical Society has benefited greatly from the contributions of people of color, but our board and staff have remained almost exclusively white over the years. We recognize the importance of changing the makeup of our board to better reflect the city that we serve. But while inviting people in is important, that action will be fruitless if we do not first commit ourselves to making our organization more welcoming and inclusive. With that in mind, we must commit ourselves to education and critical reflection. In August 2020, we will begin a yearlong conversation on systemic racism within the Cambridge Historical Society. We will conduct an assessment that identifies our strengths and weaknesses and highlights opportunities to shift the culture within our organization. Our board and staff members will commit to reading and listening assignments, which will be followed up with virtual and/or in-person conversations. Our board and staff will also participate in implicit bias testing. We are also committed to supporting broader anti-racist efforts in Cambridge. We will amplify initiatives that explore Cambridge history through an anti-racist lens, lending our platform to support these external efforts. If you would like to contribute ideas to fuel this work, <mailto:mvandamme@cambridghistory.org> please reach out<mailto:mvandamme@cambridghistory.org>. We look forward to being called in, learning more, and assisting as we are able. In August 2021, we will evaluate our progress as we plan for the following year. At that same time, we will restructure our nomination committee’s policies and procedures to ensure that our process is inclusive with the aim of fostering the development of a board that better represents the city of Cambridge. We recognize that in order to be effective, anti-racism work requires a sustained commitment. By planning one year at a time, we will allow for critical evaluation and careful consideration on how best to approach the work. Evaluations, task force reports, and other documentation related to our anti-racism work will be available on our website. We seek to maintain transparency throughout this process and offer our community the tools and information necessary to hold us accountable. There is no doubt that anti-racism work can be difficult and uncomfortable. But we recognize that committing to this work is key to supporting Cambridge and carrying out our mission. While the work ahead will challenge us, we are embracing this opportunity for education and critical reflection. [https://cf.ctctcdn.com/galileo-uploads/1102617253827/8401847923.png] The Cambridge Historical Society | Hooper-Lee-Nichols House 159 Brattle Street | Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138 www.cambridgehistory.org<http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016EfgJlv-6rWudxFH0dmotw6qgm5Lv-2a14RQ6U7fs58Q…> [Facebook] ‌ <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016EfgJlv-6rWudxFH0dmotw6qgm5Lv-2a14RQ6U7fs58Q…> [Twitter] ‌ <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=0016EfgJlv-6rWudxFH0dmotw6qgm5Lv-2a14RQ6U7fs58Q…> [Instagram] ‌ Cambridge Historical Society | 159 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 Unsubscribe rryals(a)comcast.net<https://visitor.constantcontact.com/do?p=un&m=001OeIAhJalL_oP2sCdp7Km1A%3D&…> Update Profile<https://visitor.constantcontact.com/do?p=oo&m=001OeIAhJalL_oP2sCdp7Km1A%3D&…> | About Constant Contact<http://www.constantcontact.com/legal/about-constant-contact> Sent by info(a)cambridgehistory.org<mailto:info@cambridgehistory.org> in collaboration with [Trusted Email from Constant Contact - Try it FREE today.]<http://www.constantcontact.com/index.jsp?cc=nge&rmc=VF19_3GE> Try email marketing for free today!<http://www.constantcontact.com/index.jsp?cc=nge&rmc=VF19_3GE>

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Fwd: [NorthCommons] nightly vigil in support of Black Lives Matter
by Comcast 06 Jul '20

06 Jul '20

Get Outlook for iOS<https://aka.ms/o0ukef> ________________________________ From: NorthCommons(a)groups.io <NorthCommons(a)groups.io> on behalf of Pattie Heyman via groups.io <pattiemsw=mac.com(a)groups.io> Sent: Monday, July 6, 2020 11:42:31 AM To: Rachel Rosenbloom <rachelrosenbloom(a)gmail.com> Cc: North Commons <NorthCommons(a)groups.io> Subject: Re: [NorthCommons] nightly vigil in support of Black Lives Matter Hi neighbors, Please read below the email sent out by Rachel Rosenbloom when we first started standing on the median on Mass Ave. We are now on night #32 and plan to be there indefinitely. Please JOIN US any night you can stand with us. Some people are there from 6:30-7:30 and others for a portion of that time. We get a lot of response from cars driving by; honks and various hand gestures of support. Think about joining us 1 night weekly or 2 nights weekly or close to every night. Also, please copy and paste the message below and send to your listserves and friends. Best, Pattie Heyman Nightly vigil in support of Black Lives Matter! Neighbors living on both sides of Mass Ave between Harvard and Porter Square are gathering along Mass Ave every evening from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. to hold signs supporting Black Lives Matter. Please join us! We gather at 6:30 every night, seven days per week, roughly between Wendell St. and Garfield St. (or if it’s easier to think in terms of landmarks – between the Starbucks and the gas station). We’ve generally been gathering in the median (better visibility!) but as more people come we may extend to both sides of the street, and people with small children in tow may find it safer to be on the sidewalk. We welcome everyone who wants to join us! We also encourage people who live elsewhere in Cambridge to extend this effort to other neighborhoods. Residents of Arlington and Lexington are lining up every evening along Mass Ave and it would be great if we could get people along the entire length of Mass Ave in Cambridge! Please forward this to other listservs. Thanks! _._,_._,_ ________________________________ _._,_._,_ ________________________________ Groups.io Links: You receive all messages sent to this group. View/Reply Online (#710)<https://groups.io/g/NorthCommons/message/710> | Reply To Sender<mailto:pattiemsw@mac.com?subject=Private:%20Re:%20Re%3A%20%5BNorthCommons%5D%20nightly%20vigil%20in%20support%20of%20Black%20Lives%20Matter> | Reply To Group<mailto:NorthCommons@groups.io?subject=Re:%20Re%3A%20%5BNorthCommons%5D%20nightly%20vigil%20in%20support%20of%20Black%20Lives%20Matter> | Mute This Topic<https://groups.io/mt/74716324/2425673> | New Topic<https://groups.io/g/NorthCommons/post> ________________________________ NorthCommons Neighborhood Group, Cambridge MA Reply to the group: NorthCommons(a)groups.io ________________________________ Your Subscription<https://groups.io/g/NorthCommons/editsub/2425673> | Contact Group Owner<mailto:NorthCommons+owner@groups.io> | Unsubscribe<https://groups.io/g/NorthCommons/unsub> [rryals(a)comcast.net] _._,_._,_

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Suggestions, please, for Heating/Plumbing service
by Melissa Ludtke 06 Jul '20

06 Jul '20

Looking for a person with a reasonable rate for service visit to figure out why I am not getting hot water out of my hot water heater. Please forward any suggestions, Melissa Ludtke 30 Buena Vista Park

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