Cambridge public notices about an American Freedmen Commission and leaf blowers.

Residents and activists from across the country called Cambridge’s new reparations department the first of its kind since the Reconstruction era.

In a look ahead at a week of Cambridge and Somerville events, there’s “The Slutcracker,” Stephanie Vecellio’s “Scenes from Somerville,” the end of a literary journal, a Sweet Exchange, bake-off and cookie swap, “Real Women Have Curves: The Musical,” dark comedy and the author of “The Fabulist” about noted liar George Santos.

With her her debut novel “The Berry Pickers,” Amanda Peters perhaps perfectly signifies the writers’ adage “It’s never too late to make your big break.” 

In a look ahead at a week of Cambridge and Somerville events, there’s David Boobie Burlesque, holiday markets, a Pee-wee Herman tribute, heavy metal, cooking with the chef of France’s Le Mirazur, Urban Waggle bee stories, “Head Over Heels” at CRLS and “The Slutcracker.”

A move to rename the Vassal Lane Upper School to avoid honoring a 1700s family of enslavers is delayed and won’t be heard at Tuesday’s meeting of the School Committee.

In National Native American Heritage Month, remember that Indigenous stories are still being created as well as commemorated in the past. The story of Indigenous Cambridge is still being written.

All year-two educators in Somerville’s school district will get training around anti-bias and antiracist teaching, said Caeli Gallitano, director of equity and excellence.

Creation of a Cambridge Freedmen’s Commission was embraced by city councillors, city staff and members of the public at an Ordinance Committee meeting. 

We are indebted to the sacrifices made by our veterans to ensure the freedoms of all Americans. We honor them and thank them for their service.