July 2021 - Neighbors - lists.buenavistasocialclub.org

Fwd: Deadline for Participatory Voting idea submission approaching July 31!
by raryals 31 Jul '21

31 Jul '21

*https://pb.cambridgema.gov/ <https://pb.cambridgema.gov/>* Participatory Budgeting (PB8) and is seeking submissions from the community on how to spend $1 million on one-time capital projects to improve Cambridge. The Idea Collection phase will be open from June 1 – July 31, 2021. Ruth Ryals raryals(a)gmail.com -- Ruth Ryals raryals(a)gmail.com

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Fwd: [Porter square] Patricia Nolan <pnolan@cambridgema.gov>; Councillor Zondervan <quinton@votequinton.com>
by RUTH RYALS 31 Jul '21

31 Jul '21

Makes sense! > ---------- Original Message ---------- > From: Suzanne Blier <suzannepblier(a)gmail.com> > To: LivableCambridgeOpen <livablecambridge+noreply(a)googlegroups.com>, Cambridge Neighborhood Association Google Group <association-of-cambridge-neighborhoods(a)googlegroups.com>, "fresh-pond-residents-alliance(a)googlegroups.com" <fresh-pond-residents-alliance(a)googlegroups.com>, "portersquare(a)googlegroups.com" <portersquare(a)googlegroups.com>, HSNA Steering Committee <HSNASteering(a)harvardsquareneighborhood.org> > Date: 07/31/2021 4:41 PM > Subject: [Porter square] Patricia Nolan <pnolan(a)cambridgema.gov>; Councillor Zondervan <quinton(a)votequinton.com> > > > > Great news! Monday’s City Hall rally at 5:00 PM will now be a joint rally! > > > > Huge thanks for everyone who helped! All the more reason why we should make a point to be there in solidarity!! > > > > See attached pdf that can be printed on 8 x 10 paper for those who want to help fliering. > > > > I will have color print outs from Nicola for pick up tomorrow morning for those who need them. > > [Diagram Description automatically generated] > > > > -- > 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 mailto:portersquare+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com . > To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/portersquare/BLAPR20MB410037038C0281B5EC9… https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/portersquare/BLAPR20MB410037038C0281B5EC9… . >

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Fwd: [Porter square] Rally for Cambridge Trees this Monday at 5, City Hall Lawn (reminder)
by raryals 31 Jul '21

31 Jul '21

---------- Forwarded message --------- From: raryals <raryals(a)gmail.com> Date: Sat, Jul 31, 2021 at 2:42 PM Subject: Re: [Porter square] Rally for Cambridge Trees this Monday at 5, City Hall Lawn (reminder) To: Carolyn <enduring.gardens(a)gmail.com> Cc: Porter Square Neighbors Association <portersquare(a)googlegroups.com>, Ruth Ryals <rryals(a)comcast.net>, Gretchen Friesinger <gfriesinger(a)gmail.com>, Patricia Nolan <pattynolanz(a)gmail.com> A couple of observations. I disagree with you re: tree wells. I do not want just trees, I want to live in a city full of plants as well. Nothing makes me sadder than a tree well filled with weeds three feet high. Plants are good for the planet too, and for the human psyche. Done well, plantings do not hurt the tree and guarantee the plants and the trees get watered by plantlovers like me. I agree wholeheartedly about tree maintenance, but I would extend that to some plant maintenance as well. Quite a number of years ago, I was part of a committee to bring art and beauty to our section of Mass Ave, so we had two large granite planting/seating arrangements placed at the corner of Shepard St (in front of Starbucks) and in front of INVIVIA. The city worked with us to plant them the first year, but every year thereafter my husband and I have bought the plants, planted them and watered them, (all summer long) as well as cleaning the area around the seating arrangement. I have several times asked for the City's help at least in watering the plants. No way. Before you say the merchants should do that, as is the City's claim, let me point out that it doesn't happen, and even those who are willing and can send staff to do it, unless they are a restaurant with a deep sink, they cannot even fill a watering can. And theyre are no sillcocks on the street to allow for watering or washing the sidewalk. Finally, over the years on our lot we have planted 23+ trees, many of which are now huge. Yet this last few years when my neighbor's Bradford Pear tree (old and much loved by both of us) split repeatedly and sent 30 ft+ sections of the tree our way, finally leaving us looking at the rest of it, at possibly 40 ft, coming at the back of our house and large kitchen windows, and wanting to cut the tree down and plant a new one, the City's fee and process became an impediment and point of contention between us, and made tree surgeons pause about touching it. It seems to me that we, the private property owners, are the ones creating and maintaining the canopy, while the City is not adequately tending to the ones in their care, nor protecting the trees on large scale developments, nor putting enough value on trees/open space on affordable housing developments. Ruth On Sat, Jul 31, 2021 at 1:13 PM 'Carolyn' via Porter Square Neighbors Association <portersquare(a)googlegroups.com> wrote: > Thank you. > The section you mentioned is incomplete in my opinion and obviously > written by people who don't know much about the science of trees or who > don't look around the streets at the city trees the city is neglecting and > causing to die. > > Here's an excerpt from the abbreviated version of the UFMP report: > "Because it takes so long for trees to grow and provide shade, every city tree > the city neglects, every newly planted city tree that receives no water > because the city refuses to hire people to care for trees, every tree on > which the DPW puts signs with wire or duct tape that ruins the bark and > allows disease to enter, every city tree that someone places a raised bed > around that compromises the root system, and every removal of a healthy > tree creates a hole in the canopy that takes decades to repair. And the > longer a *city* tree lives, the larger its canopy grows. With this in > mind, *our first priority must be to hire staff and have a regular system > of monitoring and caring for city trees in order to insure the health and > longevity of city trees, as well as remove fewer trees unnecessarily* and > to extend the lives of our trees *through improved management practices*. > (YES! HIRE THE STAFF. ALLOCATE THE FUNDS. Set up some management > practices. STOP BLAMING PROPERTY OWNERS. ) The fewer trees we remove, > the faster we can increase our citywide canopy." (pg 19) add: The more > city trees the city provides care for, the faster we can increase our > city's tree canopy. > > > > Carolyn > > > > On Friday, July 30, 2021, 10:27:50 AM EDT, Gretchen Friesinger < > gfriesinger(a)gmail.com> wrote: > > > Hi all > > This is a reminder about the *Rally For Cambridge Trees on Monday, August > 2, at 5 pm sharp on the lawn at City Hall.* Monday night is the last > City Council meeting of the summer. Please come. > > We all know that Porter Square is a heat island and Mass Ave is a hot > corridor. We need trees--and more trees--in our neighborhood and on our > main avenues. Trees cool the streets where we live and shop, where we walk, > ride bikes, and wait for buses. We know our trees are being lost to > development, heat and harsh growing conditions, old age, drought, disease, > etc, etc.--but we can help stem this loss. > > The recently released Urban Forest Master Plan (UFMP) calls on Cambridge > to PRESERVE and GROW our dwindling urban canopy by "curbing tree loss" and > "planting more trees." Curbing loss is extremely important. > > Here's an excerpt from the abbreviated version of the UFMP report: > "Because it takes so long for trees to grow and provide shade, every > removal of a healthy tree creates a hole in the canopy that takes decades > to repair. And the longer a tree lives, the larger its canopy grows.With > this in mind, *our first priority must be to remove fewer trees > unnecessarily* and to extend the lives of our trees through improved > management practices. The fewer trees we remove, the faster we can increase > our citywide canopy." (pg 19) > > https://www.cambridgema.gov/-/media/Files/publicworksdepartment/Forestry/he… > > > Tell the City Council it's past time to follow the UFMP's > recommendations--especially the recommendation that we stop cutting down > the big healthy trees whose large leafy crowns do most of the work to > mitigate heat, sequester carbon, clean the air, provide habitat for insects > and birds, etc etc. > > Please come to the rally. Bring a sign and bring a friend. > > Thanks. > > Gretchen > > -- > 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/CAE9k2BvmXnfcyvQQWR_y7r8mgw%… > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/portersquare/CAE9k2BvmXnfcyvQQWR_y7r8mgw%…> > . > > -- > 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/190951350.1436639.1627751616… > <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/portersquare/190951350.1436639.1627751616…> > . > -- Ruth Ryals raryals(a)gmail.com -- Ruth Ryals raryals(a)gmail.com

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Fwd: [Porter square] Rally for Cambridge Trees this Monday at 5, City Hall Lawn (reminder)
by raryals 31 Jul '21

31 Jul '21

*From: *<portersquare(a)googlegroups.com> on behalf of Patricia Nolan < pattynolanz(a)gmail.com> *Date: *Friday, July 30, 2021 at 3:08 PM *To: *Mary Baine Campbell <campbell(a)brandeis.edu> *Cc: *Astrid Dodds <astrid.dodds(a)earthlink.net>, Gretchen Friesinger < gfriesinger(a)gmail.com>, "portersquare(a)googlegroups.com" < portersquare(a)googlegroups.com>, Ruth Ryals <rryals(a)comcast.net> *Subject: *Re: [Porter square] Rally for Cambridge Trees this Monday at 5, City Hall Lawn (reminder) All: The tree canopy decrease is a huge concern. A few notes on the rally for more protection for trees.. It is scheduled for Monday August 2 at 5 pm, just before the City Council's 5:30 meeting. HOWEVER I have been informed by the city council staff that the meeting will be REMOTE ONLY. That is because the elevator in city hall is not available and thus the meeting is not accessible. I wish we had made arrangements for an in person meeting that is accessible - and the meetings are now always accessible since we have a remote option for participation. To be clear: if you go to the rally, and want to speak - you should sign up to speak and then be in a place where you can access the meeting by zoom. AND I just heard that there is a rally sponsored by My Brothers Keeper at the exact same time and place on the recent events of gun violence in Cambridge the last couple of weeks. IT is called a rally to Save our Youth. I have reached out to the organizers of both suggesting they work together on a common message of support. The recent spike in violent incidents is devastating to all of us. The urgent need for us to focus on our youths' safety and addressing directly gun violence cannot be understated. As for the trees across the city that are being cut down. It is at the heart of policies that don't value the lives of residents that benefit from trees. The city's Urban Forestry Master Plan is explicit in calling for MORE trees AND protection of existing trees. Not only because they are beautiful and calming. They provide a critical public health benefit in cleaner air and mitigation of heat. The number of days that will see extreme heat is projected to up significantly in Cambridge over the next couple of decades - not centuries. Meanwhile, at Jefferson Park and Tobin and other places we are taking down trees we ARE replacing them, but the shade and coverage that provide the public health benefits will NOT happen for decades.... And our climate goals also play into the need for us to keep as many trees as possible. Patty Nolan Blier, Suzanne Fri, Jul 30, 11:09 AM (15 hours ago) to livable, Cambridge, HSNA, clerk(a)cambridgema.gov Hi Everyone, PLAN to come to the Tree Rally this Monday at City Hall lawn. It starts at 5:00 PM sharp. PLAN also to write to City Council about the importance of trees (specifically P.O. #6 (see below). email - council(a)cambridgema.gov And CC the clerk: clerk(a)cambridgema.gov Monday’s City Council agenda is now up – here it is <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__cambridgema.iqm2.com_Ci…> . There is tree PO by Nolan, Zondervan and Siddiqui – It is #6 on the agenda (PO #164) – link is here: http://cambridgema.iqm2.com/Citizens/Detail_LegiFile.aspx?Frame=&MeetingID=… <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__cambridgema.iqm2.com_Ci…> This Policy Order # 6 is requesting that the City to identify trees as Essential Infrastructure and the City Manager to report back to Council on trees in any City projects and others where the City has influence. It is Important to emphasize the environmental justice impacts and that trees need to be considered essential infrastructure if we have any chance of fighting the climate crisis. If at all possible, please plan to speak at City Hall Here is the link to sign up for public comment – it opened at 9am today: https://www.cambridgema.gov/Departments/CityCouncil/PublicCommentSignUpForm <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__www.cambridgema.gov_De…> Note the HEART Petition is also up on Monday. Also on the Council agenda are dedications to the lives of Bob Moses and Priscilla McMillan. Best, Suzanne-- Ruth Ryals raryals(a)gmail.com

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Fwd: potential renter
by RUTH RYALS 29 Jul '21

29 Jul '21

Anyone need a very interesting renter/roommate? How can you go wrong, learn French, cook French food? And the best part, she is a fellow U of F graduate! Ruth > ---------- Original Message ---------- > From: Norma Wassel <normawassel(a)yahoo.com> > To: > Date: 07/28/2021 7:42 PM > Subject: potential renter > > > > > > I am writing to ask if anyone might be interested in renting a room to someone who is coming to the US to study cohousing. Info about her is below. She can spend up to $1000 per month. > > One family here @ Cambridge Cohousing had planned for her live with them, especially to learn French, but now a friend will be moving to Boston and staying there. Thanks also for passing this info to others. - Norma > > > > * > > > "I am Marion, a 29 French Ph.D. candidate in sociology at University of Florida. For my dissertation, I study and compare cohousing in France and the U.S. Although I normally live in Gainesville, Florida, I am currently in my hometown of Nantes, France, where I conduct fieldwork in a cohousing community. > > > > > > From August 23 to Mid-December 2021, I will conduct my fieldwork in Cambridge, MA, and I am searching for a room to rent for the time of my fieldwork. I am willing to help with chores a few hours per week to reduce the cost of the rent, and I would also be happy to teach French and cook my favorite French meals > > > . > > > A little about me: After getting my master’s degree at SciencePo Strasbourg in June 2016, I spent two years abroad as a French Language assistant. I spent a year in London teaching French in a high school (2016-2017) and a year at Amherst College Massachusetts as a Fulbright Language Assistant (2017/2018). When I returned to France in June 2018, I started the application process for U.S. Ph.D. programs while working as a teacher in a middle school. I got accepted at University of Florida and started my Ph.D. in August 2019. > > > > > > I am a quiet and neat person who likes to share nice talks around a meal. Besides my interest in sociology and social issues, I like reading, cooking, visiting museums, hunting street art to take nice pictures of murals, exploring new places. I also like to renovate old furniture and do handcraft. Although I will be busy with my dissertation and my remote work as a research assistant, I would be happy to share activities with my housemates from time to time. > > > I received my second dose of vaccine in March 2021 at University of Florida. I am taking the pandemic very seriously. I will limit my travel to the New England area only during my stay, and I am willing to restrict social contacts and cancel any travels if pandemic policy changes. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > >

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Fwd: Fw: Elsa event flyer
by RUTH RYALS 29 Jul '21

29 Jul '21

> She was a lovely woman, and deserving of a loving memorial! > > > --------------------------------------------- > > > https://www.harvardsquare.com/event/celebrating-the-life-and-artistry-of-el… > > > >

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Fwd: Members Sought for Cambridge Biosafety Committee
by RUTH RYALS 28 Jul '21

28 Jul '21

A sign of the times? > ---------- Original Message ---------- > From: Ini Tomeu <itomeu(a)cambridgema.gov> > To: info(a)portersquare.net > Date: 07/28/2021 3:05 PM > Subject: Members Sought for Cambridge Biosafety Committee > > > > City of Cambridge > > > Contact: Ini Tomeu, Public Information Officer > itomeu(a)cambridgema.gov mailto:itomeu@cambridgema.gov > > For Immediate Release > > > Members Sought for Cambridge Biosafety Committee > > Cambridge, MA, July 28, 2021 -- Cambridge City Manager Louis A. DePasquale is seeking Cambridge residents to fill two vacancies on the Cambridge Biosafety Committee (CBC). > > Biosafety Committee members are volunteers appointed by the City Manager for a 5-year term to work with the Cambridge Public Health Department staff as designated by the Cambridge Public Health Commissioner in oversight, enforcement and permit issuance under the Recombinant DNA Technology Ordinance (Chapter 8.20, 1981, 1993) and the Cambridge Laboratory Biosafety Regulation (2009). > > The Cambridge Biosafety Committee is composed of at least five members who serve five-year terms and who may renew membership. Members do not need to have a scientific background, but will be considered more favorably if they do have applicable training or professional experience in molecular biology, genetics, infectious diseases, or laboratory biosafety. The CBC meets on the third Thursday of every month (except for a single combined summer meeting for July and August), from 3-5:30 p.m., in the large 2nd floor conference room at the Windsor Community Health Centre, 119 Windsor Street. Currently, the CBC is still meeting virtually pending the resumption of in-person meetings. > > The role of the Biosafety Committee is to ensure public accountability for safe biological laboratory practices in safe laboratories or manufacturing facilities that utilize or process recombinant or synthetic materials as defined in the NIH Guidelines for Research Involving Recombinant or Synthetic Nucleic Acid Molecules (NIH Guidelines). The Committee utilizes the NIH Guidelines and the CDC Biosafety in Microbiological and Biomedical Laboratories (BMBL) in order to determine compliance with accepted best practices for infectious, non-recombinant research governed by the Laboratory Biosafety Regulation. Final determination of applicable standards from the NIH Guidelines and the BMBL is held by the Committee and the Public Health Commissioner or their designee. Review of all new applications and amendment requests will occur through presentation to the Committee in a regularly scheduled (monthly) Committee meeting or by an appropriate administrative procedure for minor amendments. Final CBC approval is required before an annual, non-provisional permit can be granted to any applicant. > > The responsibilities of the Cambridge Biosafety Committee include: > > * Reviewing the appropriate design and operation of all laboratory areas within the proposed facility for research or manufacturing involving regulated biological agents at the biosafety containment level (Biosafety Level) request for that location; > * Determining whether appropriate and reasonable practices to contain and mitigate biological hazards match the potential biological hazards associated with the specific agents in the form present, particularly as they impact lab workers and the community; > * Listening to each presentation for a new or amended permit and providing feedback or submitting questions to the applicant as applicable; > * Reviewing laboratory walkthrough inspection summaries provided by Committee staff before determining that all applicable standards and practices for safe operation of a biological laboratory are met; > * Reviewing practices, expectations, and standards imposed on the regulated laboratories by the Committee in order to establish clear enforcement protocols and to offer transparency to the regulated community. Key policies and direction will be summarized in a companion document to the ordinance and the regulation; > * Providing a community perspective in assessing the impact of any application and anticipating issues of greater public concern or interest; > * Participating in scheduled walkthrough inspections for higher-containment or higher-risk facilities (primarily BSL-3 laboratories); > * Attending 11 scheduled meetings per year on a reliable basis. Meetings are occasionally cancelled when the is no current business to conduct. > > Members are encouraged to review biosafety training materials developed by CBC staff to gain greater familiarity with the principles of biosafety, specific risks associated with the biological agents in use, and the enabling technologies used within the biotech and biological research sectors. Further outside training opportunities will also be identified by the CBC Chair. > > For more information about the long and influential history of biosafety oversight in Cambridge since 1977, visit https://www.cambridgepublichealth.org/services/regulatory-activities/biosaf… http://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=iNz98fGjAij26T-2FVbfVb… . For more information on the Cambridge Biosafety Committee, contact Sam Lipson, Director of Environmental Health for Cambridge Public Health Department and Biosafety Committee Chair, slipson(a)challiance.org mailto:slipson@challiance.org . > > Applications to serve on this commission can be submitted to City Manager Louis A. DePasquale using the City’s online application system at CambridgeMA.gov/apply http://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=iNz98fGjAij26T-2FVbfVb… . A cover letter and resume or applicable experience should be submitted during the online application process. The application deadline is Friday, September, 3, 2021. > > -###- > > > > This email was sent to info(a)portersquare.net > City of Cambridge, 795 Massachusetts Avenue, Executive Office, Cambridge, MA 02139, United States > Unsubscribe http://link.mediaoutreach.meltwater.com/ls/click?upn=7zFBvZry39J5K5cdwsweCN… >

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Commissioner Bard will be leaving the Cambridge Police Dept
by raryals 28 Jul '21

28 Jul '21

https://www.cambridgeday.com/2021/07/27/police-commissioner-bard-is-leaving… Good for him, but we will miss him! -- Ruth Ryals raryals(a)gmail.com

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Fwd: [ACN] Jan Devereux again on Tobin trees - as eloquent as always .. new Cambridge Day Op Ed
by raryals 28 Jul '21

28 Jul '21

---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Blier, Suzanne <blier(a)fas.harvard.edu> Date: Tue, Jul 27, 2021 at 11:32 PM Subject: [ACN] Jan Devereux again on Tobin trees - as eloquent as always .. new Cambridge Day Op Ed To: livable Cambridge open <livablecambridge(a)googlegroups.com>, Cambridge Neighborhood Association Google Group < association-of-cambridge-neighborhoods(a)googlegroups.com>, HSNA Steering Committee <HSNASteering(a)harvardsquareneighborhood.org> https://www.cambridgeday.com/2021/07/27/students-at-the-tobin-vlus-schools-…

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Fwd: [Porter square] Rally for Cambridge Trees Aug 2 at City Hall at 5:00 PM Sharp!
by raryals 28 Jul '21

28 Jul '21

---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Blier, Suzanne <blier(a)fas.harvard.edu> Date: Tue, Jul 27, 2021 at 11:55 PM Subject: [Porter square] Rally for Cambridge Trees Aug 2 at City Hall at 5:00 PM Sharp! To: portersquare(a)googlegroups.com <portersquare(a)googlegroups.com> Join us for a Rally for Cambridge Trees, Monday, August 2, 5pm Sharp, Cambridge City Hall. #savecambridgetrees <https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/savecambridgetrees?__eep__=6&__cft__%5b0%5…> #rallyforcambridgetrees <https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/rallyforcambridgetrees?__eep__=6&__cft__%5…> #CambMA <https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/cambma?__eep__=6&__cft__%5b0%5d=AZWYHfH1kb…> RSVP here-->m https://bit.ly/cambridgetreerally <https://bit.ly/cambridgetreerally?fbclid=IwAR3K6BZl2ZYxwCqROm37ROZ6wd0A5R7M…> [image: Text Description automatically generated] -- View this message at https://groups.google.com/d/msg/portersquare/topic-id/message-id

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