A week of events in Cambridge and Somerville, from a pie-based fundraiser to open art studios
In a look ahead at a week of Cambridge and Somerville events, Petsi Pies founder Renee McLeod shares her secrets for a good cause, a Holiday Plant Enthusiast Market is coming, there are open studios by Brickbottom/Joy Street artists, Robert Pinsky reads, “Something Strange” returns and much more.
A century ago, the Fourth of July was a chance to meld old and new traditions
In Cambridge and other cities, the Fourth of July was sometimes a “Pageant of Nations” that featured immigrants celebrating their country of origin while emphasizing their patriotism as assimilated Americans.
The Port neighborhood’s sense of community began in the Caribbean, before The Port existed
You can see important institutions from the past, present and future in The Port neighborhood today – they’ve inspired a self-guided walking tour that takes you to places of worship, education, outreach and community engagement, and places of work.
The best of Cambridge in 2020
If the obvious worst thing about this year was the coronavirus, the best thing is just as apparent: Our response to the pandemic as a city and as individuals.
Zallman, doctor and advocate for social justice, killed in crash before opening research center
A Somerville doctor with ties to Harvard and the Cambridge Health Alliance, and on the brink of announcing a local Center for Immigrant Health Research, died Nov. 3 after being hit by a car.
To invest in economy, empower immigrants, alleviate inequality in wealth? Shop local first
Cambridge is enormously vibrant, with a median household income higher than the state’s but also one of the highest levels of wealth disparity in the United States. One sign of what’s going wrong: the increasing difficulty fostering a local economy.
Welcoming Community Ordinance passes, suggesting safety for immigrants and the city
Intended to clarify Cambridge’s “sanctuary city” status, a Welcoming Community Ordinance was adopted by the City Council with a mixed message and much confusion, though it did make some simple changes that can be helpful to undocumented immigrants.
Attend meetings on planting more greenery, schools budget, Kendall hotel, coyotes, more
Attend meetings this week on a $1.2 million plan to plant more trees, the limits of municipal independence in the face of federal immigration enforcement policy, the school district budget, a Kendall Square hotel proposal, a $250 million, four-year school and park project and much more.
Leadership on Welcoming City Ordinance would include asking about its long delay
A “Welcoming City Ordinance,” first presented in May, was once again being heard and deliberated by the council to, in essence, make our sanctuary city status more powerful and legitimate. No councillor asked about its tabling in October for an “unprepared” city solicitor.
To walk the walk on sanctuary city status, come support Welcoming City Ordinance
In truth, “sanctuary city” status is often a toothless tiger, a soft designation that, while well-intentioned, does not guarantee undocumented immigrants adequate protection. This doesn’t have to be true for Cambridge. A proposal to give the status teeth will be heard Jan. 27.
