May 2022 - Neighbors - lists.buenavistasocialclub.org

The next chapter for Porter Square?
by raryals 21 May '22

21 May '22

https://www.cambridgeday.com/2022/05/20/porter-square-shopping-center-has-b… -- Ruth Ryals raryals(a)gmail.com

1 0

Fwd: Missing dog
by RUTH RYALS 21 May '22

21 May '22

Please help find this beautiful dog. > ---------- Original Message ---------- > From: Christine Tullius <c.tullius(a)comcast.net> > To: RUTH RYALS <rryals(a)comcast.net> > Date: 05/21/2022 8:16 AM > Subject: Missing dog > > > Hi Ruth, > > We have a missing dog in the neighborhood. Could you please post this information. Thank you! Christine > > > Sent from my iPhone

1 0

City Manager Finalists!
by raryals 19 May '22

19 May '22

https://www.cambridgema.gov/news/2022/05/initialscreeningcommitteeannounces… -- Ruth Ryals raryals(a)gmail.com

1 0

Fwd: Updates on Infant Formula Shortage
by raryals 18 May '22

18 May '22

Dear Friends, Some of you have been emailing me about the current infant formula shortage. As a mother of two, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Public Health, and someone who has been focused on maternal health, I share your concerns. I have been in regular communication with state and federal leaders about this and wanted to share the below updates with you. Background on the shortage: On February 17, Abbott, which is one of four major producers of formula for the US, issued a voluntary recall of powdered formulas manufactured in a major plant (Michigan). The Michigan plant is currently closed. All four Abbott contracted formulas were impacted: Similac Total Comfort, Similac for Spit up, Similac Advance and Similac Sensitive. This has had a major impact on formula access because Abbott has 75% of all US market share. The Abbott manufacturing plant should reopen in 2 weeks and products will be hitting the shelves in 6 to 8 weeks. At the state level: I have learned that every state's WIC program is required by the federal government to contract out with one of three formula manufacturers and that these suppliers control 90% of all manufacturing of infant formulas in the US. Massachusetts and other New England states together have one contract out with Abbott, so WIC recipients primarily receive Similac products. I am engaging in regular communications with Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders on what is within our state’s control and what we can do to ensure that WIC recipients can more readily access the limited formula available. While the state and Secretary Sudders are working to ensure that any obstacles that currently exist under federal regulations are no longer barriers, the state is not in a position to increase or expand manufacturing. Massachusetts has been able to renegotiate its contract, allowing WIC recipients to access 8 formula brands and a total of 68 new formula products/can sizes so long as they can find them through the end of August. This means that if you are a WIC recipient, you are no longer limited to Abbott formulas. Not all states which have WIC contracts with one of the other manufacturers have been successful in renegotiating their contracts. Additionally, under Secretary Sudders the state has removed prior authorization for Medicaid prescriptions that many low-income parents rely on. The removal of prior approval will ensure that there is one less barrier for many WIC recipients. In addition to waiving prior authorization, the state has been able to secure a waiver that will also remove volume-based restrictions on formula, so now whatever size is available, the recipient is eligible for. I know that Secretary Sudders and the DPH WIC team is in regular communication with the federal Nutrition Service Program, which regulates WIC and SNAP and is overseen by the USDA. The administration has reached out to physicians and prescribers in Massachusetts and asked them to include in their prescriptions a list of all substitutions along with the prescribed formula, so that families can access whatever comparable formula is available. Secretary Sudders is also continuing to work on further waivers for consumers. At the federal level: I am also in communication with Congresswoman Clark's office, which has provided us with updates at the federal level. The Committee on Energy and Commerce is investigating the Abbott recall timeline and delay, monitoring the shortages, and receiving updates from the Biden Administration. The Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations will hold a hearing on May 25th. On May 10th, the FDA announced actions to improve the U.S. supply of infant formula. On May 12th, President Biden spoke with manufacturers and retailers and announced additional action the Administration is taking to increase supply without compromising safety. The FDA is continuing to work with Abbott to allow for the immediate release of specialty and metabolic formulas on a case-by-case basis as the company continues to address issues identified by FDA. The infant formula industry is working to increase production to meet demand such as prioritizing product lines that are of greatest need, particularly specialty formulas. This week, House Democrats will pass legislation to grant emergency authority to the WIC program to address supply chain disruptions and recalls. Doing so will empower the federal government to relax certain non-safety-related regulations during times of shortage so that we can get nutrition into the mouths of America’s babies. The House is also working to advance an Emergency Supplemental Appropriation to immediately address the infant formula shortage. The Biden Administration is taking action: urging states to increase WIC flexibility, putting more formula on shelves by importing from abroad, and providing resources to families at HHS.gov/formula. As House Chair of the Joint Committee on Public Health, I have organized a briefing on this for my Colleagues on Friday. If I learn more then, I will be sure to share that information with you. This is an extraordinarily stressful time for families with young children across Cambridge and across the entire country. If you have questions and would like me to help you get answers, please feel free to email me at Marjorie.Decker(a)mahouse.gov or call my office at 617-722-2130. Sincerely, Marjorie [image: Facebook] ‌ <https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001DCwf8ezE4FWhf3cqFI8p9z5NEu9CJm40ArEV5sPjl9g…> [image: Twitter] ‌ <https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001DCwf8ezE4FWhf3cqFI8p9z5NEu9CJm40ArEV5sPjl9g…> [image: LinkedIn] ‌ <https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001DCwf8ezE4FWhf3cqFI8p9z5NEu9CJm40ArEV5sPjl9g…> Friends of Marjorie Decker | PO Box 390431, Cambridge, MA 02139 [image: Trusted Email from Constant Contact - Try it FREE today.] <http://www.constantcontact.com/index.jsp?cc=nge&rmc=VF21_3GE&pn=ROVING&nav=…> Try email marketing for free today! <http://www.constantcontact.com/index.jsp?cc=nge&rmc=VF21_3GE&pn=ROVING&nav=…> -- Ruth Ryals raryals(a)gmail.com

1 0

Fwd: Reminder: PSNA May 19th Meeting!
by raryals 18 May '22

18 May '22

PSNA May 19th Virtual Meeting Thursday, May 19, 7:00 – 9:00 pm We will discuss the drug use and refuse problem at the little MBTA park in Porter Square with a number of city representatives - CPD (social work unit), DPW, CDD and other city resources. We, individually, do not have the answers, but collectively we might. Increasingly, it is clear this will be a process. We have asked Alexis Grandberg, a representative of CASPAR First Step Street Outreach to join us. https://www.baycovehumanservices.org/caspar-first-step The Rev. Matt Stewart of St. James Church will join us - they work with the homeless in the area, https://www.stjamescambridge.org/ministries-1. While we have been unable to get someone from the shopping center to join us, we have asked one of our own members to talk about a few of the problems there. We have started a conversation with the MBTA (Thanks to Rep. Marjorie Decker), and we look forward to giving the MBTA feedback from this meeting, leading to smaller working group discussions as a follow up. Finally, we will take a few minutes to affirm our by-laws, sent out last month, and online at https://portersquare.net/. So far the only suggestion I have received is to review them every 2 years, not every year. ******************************************************** Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84775288167?pwd=cXFvMlFtQ2JkSkUydkE5djRoMEdWQT09 Meeting ID: 847 7528 8167 Passcode: 212215 If phoning in: Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdUN1HRoP3 We look forward to seeing you virtually! Ruth Ryals, President Porter Square Neighbors Association

1 0

Fwd: Twinkle poster
by RUTH RYALS 16 May '22

16 May '22

Please help Diana and her family find their missing kitty! > Thanks for posting! > Diana Brown, black, gray stripes. Needs medicine. ”TWINKLE” Please, if seen, take a photo and Call/Text us ASAP Very shy 617-721-4904

1 1

Deadline is tomorrow for choosing your city-delivered trash can size!
by raryals 16 May '22

16 May '22

- - Tomorrow - Tuesday May 17th is the deadline to make your trash cart requests! This PSA has additional info and links, so I wanted to share it so everyone can have the updates, choose the right trash carts for their needs, and share with others that may not know they have a choice in the matter. Tues. May 17th is the Deadline to Avoid Oversized New Trash Carts! Cambridge is Distributing New Trash Carts. The default size is much more than typical usage. If you don't want to store multiple large bins; or haul them over stairs/hills/snow drifts - the deadline to request the appropriate trash carts for your needs is this Tuesday! There is more information here: https://www.cambridgema.gov/Departments/publicworks/Services/trashcollection Trash cart needs and preferences vary widely. For households taking advantage of our city's excellent composting and recycling services, the default bins may be much larger than you need or want. Here is a quick comparison of typical usage and the default size you will receive if you do nothing. House Type Typical Usage City Default 1 Family 1 35 gal cart 1 45 gal cart 2 Family 1 45 gal cart 2 45 gal cart 3 Family 1-2 45 gal cart 2 65 gal cart Bins are available in 35 gal, 45 gal or 65 gal sizes to meet your needs. Discuss with your neighbors and Request the Right Size Trash Carts for Your House via this form https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/87b0a556680c4f0db30973c7f01e27cb by Tuesday 5/17. One request per building. Trash Cart Tips: - The New Trash Carts are on display at the Main Library, 449 Broadway. You may pick up compost bags and yard waste stickers if you stop by. - Always close the trash cart lid completely to deter rodents! - Trash will only be collected from the new carts. Plastic bags are accepted for rare use with no food please. You may reuse your former trash bins for yard waste; find a new owner via craigslist, facebook marketplace, buy nothing; or recycle it on the specified dates (see FAQ's on the first city trash site link above). - Consider your actual usage and trash fluctuations when selecting carts. Volumes are often printed on trash cart lids for comparison - typically 32 gal; or 42-50 gal. Recycle bins are the 65 gal size - these can be quite heavy with trash. Trash volume surveys report the majority of residential units produce less than 20 gal of trash/week.* The trash volume produced usually decreases significantly as the number of units per building increases. Cambridge's Many Waste Reduction Services Include: Collection of Compost, Yard Waste, Recycling, Textiles, Mattresses; Also Drop Off at Recycle Center, & Hazardous Waste. https://www.cambridgema.gov/Departments/publicworks/Services/curbsidecollec… We are making progress towards "Zero Waste" goals thanks to everyone's efforts! The majority of residents produce less than 20 gal of trash/week with nearly everyone now under 35 gal/week.* The widespread adoption of composting, and other conservation measures, has made impactful change! It is great news that Boston also plans to join in citywide curbside composting soon! * Data is based on Zero Waste Master Plan (ZWMP) & Cambridge City-wide Trash Volume Survey 4/2022 (CCTS22) as well as DPW website. https://www.cambridgema.gov/-/media/Files/publicworksdepartment/recyclingan… http://www.imaginecambridge.com/cambridge-city-wide-trash-volume-survey-202… Smartsheet Forms app.smartsheet.com <https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/87b0a556680c4f0db30973c7f01e27cb> -- Ruth Ryals raryals(a)gmail.com

1 0

Plant Sale Sunday May 22nd!
by raryals 16 May '22

16 May '22

The Somerville Garden Club is having a Spring Plant Sale On Sunday May 22 at 60 Willow Ave (between Highland and Summer) from 11-2 pm. All sorts of plants will be available from house plants, to native plants. -- Ruth Ryals raryals(a)gmail.com

1 0

Fwd: PSNA May 19th Meeting - the little MBTA Park at Porter Square
by raryals 12 May '22

12 May '22

PSNA May 19th Meeting Thursday, May 19, 7:00 – 9:00 pm We will discuss the drug use and refuse problem at the little MBTA park in Porter Square with a number of city representatives - CPD (social work unit), DPW, CDD and other city resources. We, individually, do not have the answers, but collectively we might. We have asked Alexis Grandberg, a representative of CASPAR First Step Street Outreach to join us. https://www.baycovehumanservices.org/caspar-first-step We have also invited a representative of the MBTA to join us. Finally, we will take a few minutes to affirm our by-laws (sent out last month, and online at portersquare.net) So far the only suggestion I have received is to review them every 2 years, not every year. ********************************************************  Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84775288167?pwd=cXFvMlFtQ2JkSkUydkE5djRoMEdWQT09 <https://www.google.com/url?q=https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84775288167?pwd%3DcX…> Meeting ID: 847 7528 8167 Passcode: 212215 If phoning in: Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdUN1HRoP3 <https://www.google.com/url?q=https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kdUN1HRoP3&sa=D&sour…> We look forward to seeing you virtually! Ruth Ryals, President Porter Square Neighbors Association -- Ruth Ryals raryals(a)gmail.com

1 0

Fwd: Thank you MBTA!
by raryals 10 May '22

10 May '22

But mostly, thanks to DPW's Kathy Watkins! She has been steadily pushing this rock up the hill for months. https://www.cambridgeday.com/2022/05/09/mbta-says-itll-take-down-trolley-wi… -- Ruth Ryals raryals(a)gmail.com

1 0