News

Move to add Somerville council budget powers sparks a fight, accusation of charter ‘sabotage’

Tempers flared and accusations flew in the final half-hour of a four-hour hearing on changes to Somerville’s city charter, the subject of 16 months of Charter Review Committee deliberations and a baker’s dozen of meetings by a City Council special committee.

Attend Cambridge meetings from May 29-June 4 on Main Street bike lanes and Grand Junction rail

Attend meetings on a Main Street bike lane project, police body camera policy, Forum on teen and tween health and an update on Grand Junction transit plans.

Attend Somerville meetings May 29 to June 4 about bike lanes and construction noise rules

Public meetings this week look at a Bike Network Plan, construction-site noise, a proposed community center, an apartment building in Winter Hill, and more.

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Features

Cambridge archive repositories open their doors again this June, from Harvard astronomy to DPW

A free annual event gives Cantabrigians an opportunity to speak with archivists citywide and explore historic records housed in their own neighborhoods. 

Opinion

Why don’t students know MCAS testing is a graduation requirement?

For as long as the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System stands, we expect the administration to take steps to ensure that students understand the high-stakes nature of the test.

Your questions and concerns can shape agenda for a May 31 presentation on kids health study

We invite you to join us to learn more about what students report about their physical and mental health, hear how the survey was administered and what actions the Cambridge Public Schools and the Cambridge Department of Public Health are taking on the findings.

It’s no surprise Cambridge roads are getting safer

Since the implementation of separated bicycle lanes, Cambridge has seen a stark reduction in crashes resulting in emergency medical transports compared with the rest of Massachusetts, where traffic fatalities and fatalities involving pedestrians or cyclists have increased.

Books + Writing

Colorful ‘Streets of Newtowne’ provides history for the young with voices other texts leave out

With Suzanne Blier’s critical outlook on history, lovely illustrations and key questions sprinkled in, “The Streets of Newtowne” is worth reading to young children who are ready to learn more about Cambridge history – all of it.

Arts + Culture

A week of events in Cambridge and Somerville: Pride, ‘The Gaaga’ and the truth about hot dogs

In a look ahead at a week of Cambridge and Somerville events, there’s a chat with Astronauts, the end of the Campfire. Festival, plenty of drag for Pride Month, “The Gaaga” theater experience comes to Harvard Square and Jamie Loftus brings us The Naked Truth About Hot Dogs.”

Film Ahead

‘Red Shoes’ and ‘Nuremberg’ play in repertory; Donna Summer and Mary Tyler Moore get docs

These looks at what’s on screens in the coming week include “reunion” films from 1948, 1973 and 1998 at The Brattle, from “The Red Shoes” to “After Life,” as well as classics such as “Judgment at Nuremberg” and new works about Donna Summer and Mary Tyler Moore and the chilling “Influencer.”

Wild Things

Stegosaurus tails and extendable necks: Snapping turtles come out of their shell

Snapping turtles can be dangerous, but not enough to keep George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton from convening once a year as members of the Hoboken Turtle Club, a social organization to feast on them.

Music

Jazz Fest delivers Grammy-winning musicians and endless ice for hot July in its eighth edition

The Cambridge Jazz Festival returns for its eighth edition July 29-30 at Danehy Park with more Grammy-winning and ways for attendees to enjoy the event.

What We're Having

Quesadillas and pupusas at Chivo Taqueria

What was, is again … or something like that. Chivo Taqueria has moved into a storefront between Harvard and Porter squares that used to be a Boca Grande taqueria before becoming a longtime home for Baraka Cafe’s Mediterranean fare.