Lesley University has named Sandra St Fleur as its inaugural vice president of equity, inclusion and justice, part of a Lesley agenda of “inclusive excellence” that aims to transform systems and policies to create an inclusive and antiracist campus culture.

Russell Apartments residents know the value of affordable housing; it is a lifesaver for our community members who could not otherwise afford to live in Cambridge. But the residential building proposed for next door would sacrifice our affordable housing community for its own.

It’s time for compromise on the proposed affordable housing at 2072 Massachusetts Ave. – approve the height (nine stories) along Massachusetts Avenue and reduce the height by one story (to five) at the step-down along Walden.

The city manager continues to allow business interests to dictate policy while withholding needed social services for residents. Science should drive city policy. We should reopen our libraries for contactless pickup.

Residents 12 or older can vote on Participatory Budgeting projects from Jan 4-9 to help decide how to spend $500,000 on projects to improve the city.

Riverbend Park – created by closing parts of Memorial Drive to cars for use by people on foot and bicycle – will be open from 10 a.m. Thursday through 7 a.m. Monday, weather permitting.

People interested in serving on the Cambridge Commission on the Status of Women should show interest by Jan. 15.

Discussions regarding the proposed building at 2072 Massachusetts Ave. have been strikingly heated. I want there to be respect. It is a value we espouse, all of us.

Draper, a Kendall Square engineering innovation company, teamed up with the Cambridge Fire Department for an annual Toys for Tots drive, continuing a 15-year tradition.

Municipal offices will close Thursday and Friday for the Christmas holiday, as well as on Jan. 1 for New Year’s, city officials said. Payments are not required at parking meters and pay stations on Friday and Jan. 1. There are other changes as well.