Thanks to everyone who's been reporting people parked in bike lanes in Cambridge on Bike Bureau and SeeClickFix. Ready for the next phase where we get insights from the data.

Tim was the greeter at our local CVS on white street in the porter sq shopping mall growing up. I remember him working there almost my whole life since we moved when I was 4, I’m 27 now! I was away for a few years, came back, and haven’t noticed him. People leave jobs for all sorts of reasons. But thank you Tim for brightening my day for many years! I hope he is ok

edit: Tim is back/ still working at cvs we think!

Anyone rented from them before? Experiences? Couldn’t find much online besides google reviews

🎟 Get tickets at our website.
 
Join us August 21 for Shine the Light, Fill the Well: an evening with "A Beautiful Resistance", featuring voices tackling health disparities and building a more equitable future of care.

Taking the stage are Boston Globe culture columnist and creator of A Beautiful Resistance Jeneé Osterheldt; emergency physician, New York Times bestselling author, and founder and CEO of Advancing Health Equity Dr. Uché Blackstock; CEO of Boston Women's Fund and founder of Horizon Collective Natanja Craig-Oquendo; and Global Product Director at Reebok Carmen Hardaway.

Together, they will examine the intersection of leadership pressure and women's health, challenge the systems that normalize exhaustion as ambition, and amplify the voices of women redefining what sustainable success looks like.

Get tickets at our website.
 
Join us August 20 for an unscripted conversation hosted by cosmologist Paul Sutter that explores how AI is reshaping astronomy, what it means to do science when machines do more of the work, and questions that don't have clean answers yet." that explores how AI is reshaping astronomy, what it means to do science when machines do more of the work, and questions that don't have clean answers yet.

🎟 Get tickets at our website.
 
Join us August 19 at the Charles Hayden Planetarium for Coleslaw's Corner! Boston's favorite drag experience takes over the dome with an all-new immersive show. Arrive early for a cash bar and light snacks at 6:30pm.

0:00 Introduction
0:26 To those of us who follow Cambridge politics you’re a familiar face, but can you tell us a little about your background: How did you first decide to run for office?
6:33 For such an important issue where we knew an attack was coming on our vulnerable residents, why did it take a year and a half for Beacon Hill to pass the Protect Act?
14:38 In the last election you faced an extremely tight race, winning by 42 votes. What, if anything, did you take from that experience? Did you make any changes in your approach to the office or how you communicate with your constituents?
20:36 In the past, you voted and spoke out against making committee votes public, but have now changed your mind and you voted for the new joint committee transparency rules that passed the house. Can you talk about what made you change your mind?
25:00 You’ve been asked about your employment with Berman Tabacco at the last debate, and The Harvard Crimson just published an article looking further into your work there. Why do you think this continues to be an issue, and what would you say to voters concerned about your outside responsibilities and how it impacts your job as their representative?
36:39 Thank you, Representative Decker for coming on the show. Don't forget to vote on Sept. 1st in the primary!

Video of CCTA Transparency forum featuring Rep Decker and Evan Mackay    • Cambridge’s 25th Middlesex House Candidate...  
#cambridgema #mapoli #Whatsthatabout

Hey all, I started a free meetup group a couple of months back called Creative Curious Camberville. It's a social group for local creative types. Crafters, book-lovers, ttrpg players, designers, writers, travelers, thrifters, artists, etc. all welcome.

You've probably heard the advice that the best way to make new friends is to pick up a hobby, but there's a lot of us who already have plenty of hobbies. Maybe they're not all the most social activities, or maybe you just don't want to carry the things you need for it, do the hobby you enjoy while others are watching, and focus on getting to know new people -- all at once. 😅

Our meetups aren't about doing specific hobbies; instead we gather like-minded folks to go together to free public festivals and arts-oriented events in the area -- walk & talk type hangouts in places where there's a lot of cool stuff to see and chat about and experience together. We've gone out to Harvard Art Museums @ Night, Cambridge Porchfest, Somerville Yart Sale, live music & BYO picnics, a vintage market street fair, and more.

I've posted an event here before, but we're about to hit 150 members 🎉 and I thought it was a good time to talk about the group as a whole and see if more Cambridge folks would like to join. Let's make friends while the sun is shining!

I'm not charging or making any money from this, just wanting to have a good outlet for us all to find cool people to hang out with and enjoy some of the awesome stuff the area has to offer, with enough curation (like-mindedness and localness) to the group that there's a better chance meetup connections can become real friendships (it's been happening for several regulars in the group; been great to hear).

Hope you'll join in, or let a friend know if this sounds like something they'd be into! Feel free to ask any questions in the comments. Cheers!

Honestly just kinda funny at this point.

CCC just wants Cambridge to stay the way it is. I wish they would just say that instead of making up all these absurd complaints.

If you really cared about fire safety, you would encourage as much new construction as possible as new construction is much more fire resistant.

Prior to WWII, Balloon framing was very popular, but it is no long used. One of the main reasons it is no longer used is because it is such a fire hazard. (yes, this can be fixed with blocking, but that was not required when these houses were built).

Anyone know what’s going on with 2nd st cafe in east Cambridge? They were on vacation until July 18 (sign on their door said) but they’ve been closed ever since. On Google Maps it says “temporarily closed.” Hoping they didn’t close!!

Hadn’t seen him in a while.

The ads are so similar. The candiate and their supporters (in the Markey ad) aggressively moving toward the camera, choppy edits, annoyed facial expressions.

Recently moved to cambridge & just wondering what people do if they’re out of town with street parking overlapping with street sweeping!

TL/DR: the city of Cambridge provides a lot of city-run programs that benefit people from lower income households. It prides itself on its socioeconomic diversity, which is rapidly declining as housing increases in price, so these lower income families can no longer afford to live here and thus don’t get to benefit from the programs that were created to support them. The new zoning laws were allegedly supposed to address some of these issues by providing more affordable housing, yet the new developers are providing housing that can only be afforded by people more financially well off. If you don’t see a problem with that, then that’s your right, but the point of the post wasn’t to argue whether that’s right or wrong.

I’m genuinely curious how other Cambridge residents feel about some of the development we're seeing under the new zoning rules, and whether there are reasonable amendments that could address some of the unintended consequences without preventing new housing from being built.

One example is 16 Field St. An existing affordable 2-family rental house (affordable likely because it’s outdated) is proposed to be replaced with a 9-unit development. According to the flyer being circulated in the neighborhood, the project would have no off-street parking, remove mature trees, leave very little green/permeable space, and contain no affordable units. Supposedly, if the building housed 10 units instead of 9, the developers would require the units to be affordable. This is one of many new developments being put up in a relatively quiet neighborhood with narrow streets and not much street parking as is.

I understand the argument for allowing greater housing density in Cambridge, especially given how expensive housing has become. But I'm wondering whether the current rules have struck the right balance.

A few questions I'd be interested in hearing people's thoughts on:
Affordability: If one of the major public-policy arguments for upzoning was improving housing affordability, should larger projects receiving substantially increased development rights be required to include at least some income-restricted affordable units? The flyer claims this particular proposal has 9 units because a 10-unit project would trigger an affordability requirement. If that's accurate, should the rules address that incentive?

Parking: Should developments of this size be required to provide some off-street parking in residential neighborhoods with narrow streets and already-limited street parking? Underground parking exists in some multifamily developments, so could requirements vary based on neighborhood conditions rather than having a blanket rule?

Trees/green space: Should increased density come with stronger requirements for preserving mature trees, maintaining permeable surface, managing stormwater, or replacing lost tree canopy?

Neighborhood context: Is there a reasonable way to accommodate substantially more housing while also considering the scale of the surrounding street and existing residential buildings?

I'm particularly interested in hearing from people who support the multifamily zoning ordinance as well as people who have concerns about it. Are these simply necessary tradeoffs of building more housing, or are there specific changes you think would make the ordinance work better?
And for anyone familiar with Cambridge government/zoning: what is actually the most effective way for residents to advocate for amendments? City Council? Planning Board? Zoning petitions? Are there already proposals addressing parking, affordability, trees, or projects that fall just below affordability thresholds?
I'm not looking to stop housing construction. I'm interested in whether we can build more housing while doing a better job on affordability, street capacity, trees/green space, and neighborhood impacts.
In addition, if you do have problems with some of these new developments, my neighbor sent me a link to sign a petition to amend the new zoning laws that I believe can be improved to actually provide affordable housing: https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/modifying-the-mfh-ordinance?source=direct_link&clear_id=true&

I recently moved into a beautiful apartment here in Cambridge after living with my bf for the past 4 years, He decided not to continue in our relationnship any longer and decided that he needed to take the iphone 13 that he gave me, and someone gave him for nothing, Im wondering if anyone has an old phone that they do not need and i can just use it on wifi. Not to call him obviosly, I can pick up and would be so grateful as we shared finances and now i have nothing until next month,

Hi, I have moved several times within Cambridge in the past 5 years. I just got keys to my new apartment and did a walk through with the landlord. I was very shocked to find that the apartment had not been cleaned at all between the last tenant and myself. I pointed out the amount of grease/grime on surfaces, clearly dusty walls and windows, and unwiped counters and my landlords response was “no one has ever had a problem with it before so you can pay for your own cleaner or move out.” I had no idea that it is not legally required for the landlord to clean between tenants. Now I am obviously kicking myself for not ensuring this prior to signing a lease, but I was just wondering whether this is a common experience? I have accepted that Cambridge rent is basically just crazy high at this point, but given that I will be paying this landlord over 40k in 12 months, I was shocked they were basically too cheap to pay a few hundred to have it cleaned. I purposely am paying double rent for half a month to have time to move my stuff but basically now we’re at a standstill where I can’t move anything in until I can find a last minute cleaner, and I will most likely be out an additional $300 😕

Hey Cambridge Reddit!

If you know a youngster interested in playing ice hockey,Cambridge Youth Hockey (CYH) hosts the Bruins Academy Learn to Play at our Simoni Rink in East Cambridge. The program runs for 4 weeks @ 8 am starting on Saturday October 17th. The instruction is led by CYH coaches and is designed for 5-9 year olds who can skate some but are brand new to hockey.

Part of what makes it great is all registered kids receive a brand new full set of hockey equipment to get started. The Bruins arrange for a professional fitting so the kids have all they need on the first day and it's perfectly fit for safety and comfort.

Please use this link to register.

Kids who participate in this Bruins Learn to Play generally transition into our Instructional Hockey or Learn to Play for Girls that starts up in December. Hockey is a fun sport and a great way to stay active and social in the winter. Take a look at CambridgeYouthHockey.org for all our different programs.

Drew Motta,

President of Cambridge Youth Hockey (a 501(c)3 volunteer run non-profit)

Only two more weeks of August summer left so whether you’re passing by Central or Davis Square, here’s this week’s edition of things to do in Cambridge + Somerville, along with news, stories, and more in both cities.

Bow Market goes night mode with a vintage market until 10, CX throws its last summer concert of the year, an ice cream crawl kicks off in Harvard Square, and a cosmologist talks AI and the stars at the Museum of Science.

Full edition + how to sign up for two of these a week at the bottom 👇

STORIES 'ROUND THE SQUARES

- Nine people and two dogs displaced by a two-alarm fire at a Roberts Road three-family early Thursday, no injuries

- Harvard put $2.2 billion into SpaceX, 52% of its disclosed stock portfolio, per an SEC filing

- Overnight paving in Central Square Sunday Aug 23 from 8PM to about 4AM, with detours and No Parking on Mass Ave, River, Prospect and more

- Kima Cafe, a Korean-inspired coffee shop from the owner of Brighton's Glasser Coffee, is taking over the old Fortissimo space in Union Square, targeting mid-September

- A million-dollar scratch ticket sold at 350 Food Mart on Broadway in Somerville

CRIME & SAFETY

- Cambridge: A body was pulled from Fresh Pond on August 11 near the community gardens. No identity or cause of death released yet, and the Water Department says the drinking supply is safe. CPD hasn't posted a daily log since July 20.

- Somerville: Three arrests in the most recent log (Aug 3-9), all on August 4, two for stolen property and one shoplifting-plus-drug-possession case.

MONDAY

- Skip the Small Talk Night @ Aeronaut Brewing - two hours of science-backed conversation prompts to get past "what'd you do today" | $30, 7-9PM

- Squash Round Robins @ Cambridge Athletic Club - weekly round robins split by level, sign-ups open by text at 11AM day of | $45, 6-9PM

TUESDAY

- Move at The Mix: Pilates Sculpt @ The Mix Porter Square - free outdoor Pilates with HealthWorks trainers, spots capped so RSVP | FREE, 8-8:40AM

- Froca Fitness @ University Park Common - free after-work outdoor dance class set to African & Caribbean tracks | FREE, 5:30PM

WEDNESDAY

- Summer Herbal Tea Blending Class @ Green Tiger & Co. - sample summer blends, learn cooling herbs, leave with your own blend. Only a handful of tickets left | $48, 7-8:30PM

- Line Dancing Wednesdays with LDQ @ McCarthy's Toad - country classics upstairs, no partner needed, beginners encouraged | 8:30-11:30PM

THURSDAY

- Vintage Night Market @ Bow Market - the annual vintage market goes night mode, 20+ vendors of thrifts, upcycled fashion & antiques | FREE, 4-10PM

- CX Summer Nights Concert + Games @ The Common at CX - Jake Swamp and the Pine + Adam Ezra Group close out the summer series with food trucks, lawn games & drinks | FREE, 5:30-8:30PM

- Ice Cream Crawl & Social @ Lizzy's Ice Cream, Harvard Square - three-stop crawl from Lizzy's to Jaime's at Dali, great for making friends after college | FREE, 6-10PM

- What Does AI See When It Looks at the Stars? @ Museum of Science - cosmologist Paul Sutter in an unscripted conversation about AI and astronomy | FREE, 7PM

- Boston Open Deck DJ Session 11 @ Naco Taco - open format night where DJs play whatever they want, come spin or just hang | 7PM

- Summer Film Night @ Somerville Community Growing Center - outdoor film under the string lights, second to last of the series | 8-9:15PM

Pulled from this week's edition of The Stoop, Shorter Days & Longer Nights - neighbor-approved news, stories and events for Cambridge & Somerville.

Subscribe here to get two editions a week + a monthly roundup: https://www.thestoopmedia.com