January 2021 - Neighbors - lists.buenavistasocialclub.org

How would you spend $500, 000? Vote for Participatory Budgeting project through 1/9/21
by Ruth Ryals 07 Jan '21

07 Jan '21

Don’t waste your shot! https://pb.cambridgema.gov/pbcycle7

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FW: COVID-19 Housing Stabilization Program to Begin Accepting New Applications on January 11, 2021
by Ruth Ryals 07 Jan '21

07 Jan '21

From: <lgianetti(a)cambridgema.gov> on behalf of Lee Gianetti <lgianetti(a)cambridgema.gov> Date: Thursday, January 7, 2021 at 6:27 PM To: <info(a)portersquare.net> Subject: COVID-19 Housing Stabilization Program to Begin Accepting New Applications on January 11, 2021 City of Cambridge Contact: Lee Gianetti, Director of Communications & Community Relations lgianetti(a)cambridgema.gov For Immediate Release COVID-19 Housing Stabilization Program to Begin Accepting New Applications on January 11, 2021 Cambridge, MA, January 7, 2021 -- The City of Cambridge announced that it will begin accepting new applications on January 11, 2021, as part of the next round of funding for the COVID-19 Housing Stabilization Program. Launched in July 2020, the City of Cambridge COVID-19 Housing Stabilization Program serves to provide short term financial assistance to individuals and families in Cambridge who are experiencing housing instability due to the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This program represents the City of Cambridge’s continuation of COVID-19 related resource disbursement for housing assistance. To date, $1.2 million has been committed, supporting 225 Cambridge households with six months of assistance. This program is being continued with the support of additional CARES Act funds. “The City’s Housing Stabilization Fund has been a financial lifeline for many Cambridge residents," said Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui and City Manager Louis A. DePasquale in a joint statement. "This next round of funding opening on January 11 will provide access to the additional $628,000 from Community Development Block Grant and CARES Act money we have dedicated to this program. To date, the City has committed more than $13.3 million to support individuals and families, small businesses, and non-profits in our community, who are experiencing financial hardship due to the pandemic.” Residents who meet the following eligibility requirements, and who have not yet received funding from this program, may qualify for up to six months of a rent or mortgage stipend. Eligibility Requirements: Applicants must be Cambridge residents; Applicants must be Cambridge tenants, owners of a limited equity co-op, or owners of a home purchased subject to long term affordability restrictions administered by the City or other public agency; Applicants' total household income must be at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) at the time of application; Applicants must demonstrate that their housing costs (condo fee, cooperative carrying charge, mortgage, or rent) are more than 35% of their gross household income, at the time of application; Applicants must not have more than $75,000 in liquid assets; Applicants must not have received funding from this program already; The program will continue to be administered jointly by the Cambridge City Manager’s Office through the Office of the Housing Liaison, the Department of Human Service Programs (DHSP) through the Multi-Service Center (MSC), and the Community Development Department (CDD). Residents can apply beginning January 11, 2021 online or they may request assistance in applying over the phone by calling 617-349-9797. For more information, visit www.cambridgema.gov/housingfund. -###- This email was sent to info(a)portersquare.net City of Cambridge, 795 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States Unsubscribe

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FW: Ambassador Nicholas Burns to Speak about US Foreign Policy on January 19
by Ruth Ryals 07 Jan '21

07 Jan '21

From: <mKangsen(a)cambridgema.gov> on behalf of Muna Kangsen <mKangsen(a)cambridgema.gov> Date: Thursday, January 7, 2021 at 3:01 PM To: <info(a)portersquare.net> Subject: Ambassador Nicholas Burns to Speak about US Foreign Policy on January 19 Media Contact:Muna Kangsen, Manager of Communications, Programs and Events 617-461-3708 mkangsen(a)cambridgema.gov For Immediate ReleaseAmbassador Nicholas Burns to Speak about US Foreign Policy Cambridge, MA, January 7, 2021--Ambassador Nicholas Burns, the Roy and Barbara Goodman Family Professor of the Practice of Diplomacy and International Relations at Harvard University and distinguished US diplomat, will speak at a Cambridge Public Library virtual event on January 19 at 6:30 p.m. Join us as Burns discusses the foreign policy challenges awaiting the Biden-Harris Administration as part of the Libary's Our Path Forward series that examines issues important to the health of our democracy.Tensions with Iran, growing military and economic rivalry with China and Russia, and escalating regional conflicts in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East are some of the crises the Biden-Harris Administration will inherit. Managing these challenges will be complicated by a foreign policy landscape characterized by weakened international alliances, a diminished US role in global affairs, and the proliferation of autocracies emboldened to disregard norms accepted by the international community.Ambassador Burns served in the United States government for 27 years and rose to the pinnacle of the US Department of State. Burns served as Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs from 2005 to 2008. He was U.S. Ambassador to NATO (2001-2005), Ambassador to Greece (1997-2001) and State Department Spokesman (1995-1997). Burns served for five years (1990–1995) on the National Security Council at the White House where he was Senior Director for Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia Affairs and Special Assistant to President Clinton and Director for Soviet Affairs in the Administration of President George H.W. Bush. He was a member of Secretary of State John Kerry’s Foreign Affairs Policy Board from 2014-2017.“Ambassador Burns is a great friend of the Cambridge Public Library and I am delighted that he is going to be speaking about the foreign policy challenges that the new Administration will face,” said Director of Libraries, Dr. Maria McCauley. “The impacts of foreign policy are felt at the local and national level and I encourage our patrons to sign up to hear from one of the most seasoned foreign policy minds of our time.” Registration is required to participate in this event. -###-About the Cambridge Public Library:At the Cambridge Public Library, we welcome all, inspire minds and empower community. We support a Cambridge where everyone has equitable opportunities to learn, people live their best lives, and democracy thrives. During the Covid-19 health crisis we are offering a variety of programs and services. Please visit our website to learn more. This email was sent to info(a)portersquare.net Cambridge Public Library, 449 Broadway, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA Unsubscribe

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FW: IQHQ Site (former WR Grace Site)
by Ruth Ryals 07 Jan '21

07 Jan '21

https://www.wbur.org/earthwhile/2020/12/18/jerrys-pond-cambridge-cleanup-fu… From: Diane Martin <moumar(a)comcast.net> Date: Thursday, January 7, 2021 at 2:48 PM To: Ruth Ryals <rryals(a)comcast.net> Subject: IQHQ Site (former WR Grace Site) Dear Ruth, Please share with your groups, friends, and neighbors. Thanks! ASG Community Meeting re IQHQ Site (former WR Grace Site) The Alewife Study Group will hold a community meeting on Thursday, January 14, 2021, from 6:30 to 8:00 PM, on Zoom. You can register for the meeting at http://alewife.org/event/asg-meeting/ At the meeting, we will share important information regarding the upcoming development of the 26-acre hazardous waste site in North Cambridge that was formerly owned by the W.R. Grace chemical company. The meeting will also include an opportunity for questions and answers, and for every participant to share their thoughts, concerns and hopes regarding the upcoming development. We want all members of our community to be well informed, so that we can protect our health and safety, and so we can have a strong voice in all decisions that affect us. The life-sciences developer IQHQ purchased the former W.R. Grace property in July 2020, and then the one-acre One Alewife Center property in November. IQHQ plans to build a large amount of lab and office space on these 27 acres. The zoning for this site allows as much construction as 65% of the Prudential Tower in Boston. These properties are next to the Alewife T station and to Russell Field, which is used by thousands of youth and adults every year for sports and recreation. The former W.R. Grace property includes Jerry’s Pond, is mostly in a flood zone, and is heavily contaminated with asbestos, metals, and hydrocarbons. Based on asbestos testing at 365 locations across the former Grace site, it is conservatively estimated that there are hundreds of tons of asbestos mixed in with the soil. It is not a hazard if it remains in the soil and is not disturbed. However, if the soil is disturbed without very strong safety measures, it becomes very dangerous. The Alewife Study Group (ASG) was formed by residents of North Cambridge in 1995. We have researched many issues related to the former W.R. Grace site and to Russell Field. These issues have included hazardous waste, public health, environmental justice, flooding, development, zoning, traffic, climate resilience and more. We have shared our findings with the community again and again. And, along with the community, have advocated for policies that protect and benefit our entire community. For example, ASG worked with the Cambridge City Council to enact the Cambridge Protection Ordinance (APO) in 1999. And, ASG negotiated an Activity and Use Limitation (AUL) agreement with W.R. Grace in 2006. Also, ASG is the official Public Involvement Plan (PIP) community representative. We monitor the site to make sure that the AUL and APO are followed. At the meeting, we will share how these policies will apply to any development by IQHQ. We hope that you can join us on January 14 so that we can unite as a community for the benefit of all. We welcome your questions and comments. Interested in volunteering or coming to a meeting? Please email us here. We’ll be in touch. And, for more information, go to http://alewife.org/

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City of Cambridge Announces New Task Force to Examine the Future of Public Safety
by Ruth Ryals 07 Jan '21

07 Jan '21

I suspect some of you were listening yesterday to the Public Safety Committee hearing, though I know I had the TV on in the other room to watch the events unfolding at the Capitol. Ruth From: <lgianetti(a)cambridgema.gov> on behalf of Lee Gianetti <lgianetti(a)cambridgema.gov> Date: Thursday, January 7, 2021 at 11:54 AM To: <info(a)portersquare.net> Subject: City of Cambridge Announces New Task Force to Examine the Future of Public Safety Contact: Lee Gianetti, Director of Communications lgianetti(a)cambridgema.gov For Immediate Release City of Cambridge Announces New Task Force to Examine the Future of Public Safety Cambridge, Mass., January 7, 2021 – City Manager Louis A. DePasquale today announced he has appointed a new Task Force to examine the future of public safety in Cambridge. “The City Manager’s Task Force to Examine the Future of Public Safety in Cambridge” will be co-chaired by Councilors E. Denise Simmons and Marc C. McGovern and consists of 14 members who live and/or work in the City. The group will seek to examine ways to reform community safety in Cambridge by mitigating police response to select calls for service, while enhancing community cohesion to include restorative processes. The following were named to the Public Safety Task Force: Khalil Abdur-Rashid, Imam Dr. Muslim Chaplain at Harvard University Chandra Banks, Ed.M. Cambridge resident and Conflict Mediator Cambridge Public Schools District Loren Crowe Cambridge resident and Management Consultant Leo Gayne Public Relations Officer, East Cambridge Savings Bank Samuel M. Gebru Director of Public Affairs and Strategic Partnerships Black Economic Council of Massachusetts Christina Giacobbe Director of Emergency Communications and 911 Rev. Jaron S. Green Senior Pastor, Union Baptist Church Tina-Marie Johnson Cambridge resident and Cambridge Youth Council Facilitator Rev. Irene Monroe Cambridge resident Catherine Pemberton Cambridge resident and Heath Care and Wellness Consultant and System Navigation Specialist Christopher Schmidt Cambridge resident Rae Simpson, PhD Cambridge resident and Mental Health Advocate Queen-Cheyenne Wade Black Response and Community For Us, By Us Pastor Ellis Washington St. Paul AME Church “I want to thank each member of the task force for their willingness to play a pivotal role in helping shape the future of public safety in Cambridge,” said City Manager Louis DePasquale. “This work will impact generations to come and improve the overall quality of service our public safety agencies provide our community. I am grateful to Councilors Simmons and McGovern for agreeing to serve as co-chairs of the Task Force. I cannot think of two more passionate leaders to facilitate the Task Force’s proceedings.” "I am very excited by the work of this task force, because as a City, Cambridge must continually be willing to explore how we keep our residents safe, and how we can build up greater trust and a sense of partnership between our public safety agencies and the public they serve," says Councilor E. Denise Simmons. "I know the members of this new task force are going to help us take some important steps in those endeavors." "As a social worker for the past 25 years, I know the importance of clinical responses to people in crisis,” said Cambridge City Councilor Marc McGovern. “I'm honored to be co-chairing this task force that will work toward implementing such a program in Cambridge." “My staff and I look forward to working closely with the City Manager and new Task Force on this important work,” said Police Commissioner Branville Bard, Jr. ““I have long been supportive of creating an alternate or non-police response for appropriate non-emergency situations, particularly those involving individuals experiencing mental illness, and this group is an important step in moving ahead in that direction.”  Members of the new Public Safety Task Force will meet virtually at least twice a month. The first meeting is scheduled to take place in January 2021. -###- This email was sent to info(a)portersquare.net City of Cambridge, 795 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States Unsubscribe

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FW: 2072 Mass Ave - Important Update
by Ruth Ryals 07 Jan '21

07 Jan '21

Thank you Jason. From: Jason Korb <jkorb(a)capstonecommunities.com> Date: Thursday, January 7, 2021 at 12:48 PM To: Michael Brandon <mjbrandon(a)gmail.com> Cc: Ruth Ryals <rryals(a)comcast.net>, "(sean(a)hopelegal.com)" <sean(a)hopelegal.com>, Jennifer Tamarkin <jtamarkin(a)capstonecommunities.com> Subject: RE: 2072 Mass Ave - Important Update See attached continuance request, I’m also posting it on the website shortly. As you can imagine this is all moving very quickly, so we are still figuring out details on how long we will be requesting for the continuance and the other questions you raise in your email. Correct, not applying for January funding round, unknown about next funding round, I do not believe DHCD has announced when the future funding rounds will be so I wouldn’t want to identify a date now. Re: smoking, not permitted anywhere in the building or on the site. Pets not permitted unless required by a reasonable accommodation on a case by case basis. From: Michael Brandon <mjbrandon(a)gmail.com> Sent: Thursday, January 7, 2021 6:47 AM To: Jason Korb <jkorb(a)capstonecommunities.com> Cc: Ruth Ryals <rryals(a)comcast.net>; (sean(a)hopelegal.com) <sean(a)hopelegal.com>; Jennifer Tamarkin <jtamarkin(a)capstonecommunities.com> Subject: Re: 2072 Mass Ave - Important Update Thanks for quickly updating the project website, Jason. Will you be asking the BZA to continue the hearing to a date certain tonight? Please send me a copy of your written request for a continuance. Also, roughly how long do you think the continued-hearing delay will be, and is it possible that additional changes to the alternate design might be made before the board considers it? I gather that the proposal will no longer qualify for the January funding round mentioned during the Zoom meeting. When is the next opportunity to secure financing though the state, and will you have to submit a new PEL application? Finally, you may have answered this at some point, but I've been asked and don't recall: What will the project's pet and smoking policies be once the building is completed and tenanted? Regards, /Michael On Wed, Jan 6, 2021 at 11:28 PM Jason Korb <jkorb(a)capstonecommunities.com> wrote: Thanks. The website has been updated and we emailed everyone who has previously registered for any of the three community meetings too. Yes, we will need to request a continuance at the hearing tomorrow night.

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FW: 2072 Mass Ave - Important Update
by Ruth Ryals 06 Jan '21

06 Jan '21

From: Jason Korb <jkorb(a)capstonecommunities.com> Date: Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at 5:25 PM To: Michael Brandon <mjbrandon(a)gmail.com>, Ruth Ryals <rryals(a)comcast.net>, "Suzanne.Blier(a)harvardsquareneighborhood.org" <Suzanne.Blier(a)harvardsquareneighborhood.org>, Lee Farris <Lee(a)LeeFarris.net> Cc: "(sean(a)hopelegal.com)" <sean(a)hopelegal.com>, Jennifer Tamarkin <jtamarkin(a)capstonecommunities.com> Subject: 2072 Mass Ave - Important Update Can you please distribute the below email to your listservs ASAP? Thank you. As you may know, yesterday we held a Zoom community meeting to present the 8:6 alternative proposal that we were scheduled to present to the Zoning Board (BZA) tomorrow night. At the community meeting, at least one participant challenged the depiction of the abutting Russell Apartments as being out of scale in our architect’s renderings. After the meeting, our architect reexamined his renderings and discovered that the Russell Apartments’ height was in fact incorrect in several of the drawings. We have worked hard to ensure that the 2072 Mass Ave permitting process has been robust and transparent with the community. We believe that this error requires us to distribute the corrected plans and renderings to the community and City staff and for us to schedule another community meeting to solicit additional feedback prior to us presenting any further plans to the BZA. It is of utmost importance to us that the plans we present to the community, City staff, and BZA are accurate to the best of our ability. Therefore, tomorrow morning we will be requesting that the BZA continue tomorrow’s hearing to a future date to ensure the permitting process’s integrity is not diminished. Despite this setback, we remain strongly committed to permitting and constructing the highest quality, family oriented affordable housing community possible at 2072 Mass Ave. We will be in touch shortly regarding next steps. Please reach out to either Sean or Jason with any questions or comments. Best, Jason

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Fwd: [NorthCommons] Anyone want some modeling clay?
by raryals 06 Jan '21

06 Jan '21

---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Cecilia Tan <ctan.writer(a)gmail.com> Date: Wed, Jan 6, 2021 at 3:19 PM Subject: [NorthCommons] Anyone want some modeling clay? To: <northcommons(a)groups.io> A well-meaning relative, thinking we needed a lockdown art project to keep us busy (??? we all work from home already and with the pandemic have less leisure time, not more...) shipped us a 25 pound box of white, air dry modeling clay. Would anyone like it? Text or email me and I can leave it on my porch for pickup! Cecilia 617-290-9043 -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Groups.io Links: You receive all messages sent to this group. View/Reply Online (#1055): https://groups.io/g/NorthCommons/message/1055 Mute This Topic: https://groups.io/mt/79483778/4649746 -=-=- NorthCommons Neighborhood Group, Cambridge MA Reply to the group: NorthCommons(a)groups.io -=-=- Group Owner: NorthCommons+owner(a)groups.io Unsubscribe: https://groups.io/g/NorthCommons/unsub [raryals(a)gmail.com] -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- -- Ruth Ryals raryals(a)gmail.com

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Democrats will control the Senate, NPR just announced!
by raryals 06 Jan '21

06 Jan '21

It is still a rotten day, with the terrorists in DC (just imagine how this would be treated if they were black, or BLM) and the SOB in charge is still instigating and lying! But we will have a normal president shortly, and NPR just announced the Democrats will control the Senate, so official I assume. Anyone for clapping tonight at 7 pm? -- Ruth Ryals raryals(a)gmail.com

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FW: donating clothing
by Ruth Ryals 06 Jan '21

06 Jan '21

From: Astrid Dodds <astrid.dodds(a)earthlink.net> Date: Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at 11:02 AM To: Ruth Ryals <rryals(a)comcast.net> Cc: Polly Attwood <polly.attwood(a)gmail.com>, Anne Tonachel <annert(a)gmail.com>, Katiti Kironde <kkironde(a)comcast.net>, PSNA <portersquare(a)googlegroups.com> Subject: Re: donating clothing Solutions at Work is closed this week due to quarantine. It will open Monday, Jan. 11, 2021. Donations can be made only by prior arrangement. Some of the contact info on its website does not work. The SAW contact I made today advises as follows: Yes, we are functioning, but our offices are closed until Jan 11, because of a need to quarantine. If you call Justina Riopelle, at 617 401-5335 she can make arrangements for taking the donations. Or Tara Riopelle can be reached at 857 353-1553. Meanwhile, see the SAW Children’s Clothing Exchange donation wish list at: http://solutionsatwork.org/our-programs/childrens-clothing-exchange/ Solutions at Work also collects clothing for adults preparing to enter the workforce. A detailed list of preferred items is on the SAW website. Meanwhile, clothing donations are always welcome at Goodwill. The Davis Sq. Goodwill store appears to be unable to take donations at this time. The closest Goodwill site accepting donations is: An attended Goodwill donation center at the Stop & Shop Plaza 905 Mass. Ave., Arlington, MA Open 7 days a week, 8 am-4pm Astrid Dodds On Jan 5, 2021, at 8:47 PM, Ruth Ryals <rryals(a)comcast.net> wrote: Thanks Polly! From: Polly Attwood <polly.attwood(a)gmail.com> Date: Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at 8:42 PM To: Ruth Ryals <rryals(a)comcast.net>, Anne Tonachel <annert(a)gmail.com> Cc: Katiti Kironde <kkironde(a)comcast.net> Subject: Re: FW: [Porter square] FW: 1/8 Chelsea food collection at Cohousing hi Katiti and Ruth -- I am cc'ing Anne as she is in closer touch with the folks in Chelsea. For a mix of reasons, we have consciously chosen not to get into collecting clothes, just more than we can manage overall. I think we mentioned this site a couple weeks ago, SOLUTIONS AT WORK, but maybe not in the Porter Square message. They are located at Old Cambridge Baptist Church and collect clothes for children. If Anne has more to add, she will share. …………. From: Katiti Kironde <kkironde(a)comcast.net> Date: Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at 7:19 PM To: Ruth Ryals <rryals(a)comcast.net>, PSNA <portersquare(a)googlegroups.com> Subject: Re: [Porter square] FW: 1/8 Chelsea food collection at Cohousing I have bags and bags of baby girl clothes that my grandbaby, who is now 1 year old, has outgrown. They range in size from 6 months to 1 year old and have been washed in hot water, and dried in a hot dryer and packed into plastic bags. Anyone know of a need for them? Please let me know. …………… .

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