Starting in mid-September Cambridge drinking water will be supplemented with Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) water. This is a direct result of the Cambridge Water Department coordinating and supporting two MWRA related projects: 1) MWRA pipe line upgrade in Waltham: www.mwra.com/01news/2013/051313-7022-waltham-watertown.html 2) Sewer Separation Project in Cambridge on Huron Avenue: www.cambridgema.gov/theworks/cityprojects.aspx. This water supply configuration will continue for about four months (i.e. September through January). As the work schedule becomes more definitive, we will better define the specific timeline for this water supply scenario. We do not anticipate any water quality or quantity issues during this period since the water... Continue reading

Just in time for Summer, the city's Parks and Playgrounds Map and our Waterplay Map have been updated to include the most current information about parks, playgrounds, and waterplay locations throughout Cambridge. The Public Parks, Playgrounds and Reservations Map shows all of the major public open spaces in the city and contains information about the amenities at each location. You will also find information about the hours each park is open and who to contact if you have questions. The Waterplay Map is your guide to the many Cambridge parks and playgrounds that feature water play sprinklers, which come in... Continue reading

Some Heat Wave Tips: •Eliminate jogging or do it at night when it is cooler; •Dress in lightweight, light colored loose fitting clothing; •Stay out of the sun; •Drink plenty of water and cool non-alcoholic beverages; •Avoid alcohol, coffee and beverages with caffeine; •Stay indoors and use fans and air conditioners if possible; •Eat light food and avoid high protein and high calorie foods that increase body heat; •If someone becomes ill, seek medical advise. If a person develops a high temperature, is flushed with dry skin, bathe with cool water and seek medical advice immediately. •Blackouts often occur during... Continue reading

The City of Cambridge recently launched a mobile version of its website, www.cambridgema.gov. Interested users can enter “City of Cambridge MA” or “cambridgema.gov” into their smart phone or tablet browser and the City of Cambridge mobile website will appear. The new mobile website features a scaled down version of the website with easy access to popular links such as City Calendar, Important Phone Numbers and Pay Online. The City and three departments, Library, Police and Public Works have customized designs on the mobile site. With the new mobile site, users no longer have to scrolling or swipe their screen to... Continue reading

11th Annual Taste of Cambridge Thursday, July 11 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. University Park, Landsdowne Quad and Sidney Street (between Franklin & Pacific) in Central Square. Featuring 100+ of “Boston’s Best” Restaurants in Cambridge! AND a special appearance by the Hot 8 Brass Band, The Dirty Water Brass Band and DJ’s from the Mmmmaven Project. Each year, foodies from near and far come together to sample the award-winning cuisine that illustrates why The Boston Globe and National Geographic Traveler stated that many of the Best Restaurants in Boston are in Cambridge! See and taste for yourself why Cambridge is one... Continue reading

The forecast for the Boston area calls for high heat and humidity levels now through Sunday. In anticipation, the City of Cambridge has mobilized its resources to help residents beat the heat. High heat and humidity present problems for many people, particularly the elderly, young children, and those with a wide range of pre-existing medical conditions, including diabetes. All are encouraged to avoid prolonged exposure to the sun, and to use sunscreen and light clothing if you must be outdoors for extended periods of time. Residents should also avoid activities that require a high level of exertion. Residents are also... Continue reading

The Eleventh Annual Taste of Cambridge which had been rescheduled for tonight, Tuesday, June 18, has been cancelled due to weather. A new date has not yet been announced. Featuring 100+ of “Boston’s Best” Restaurants in Cambridge! AND a special appearance by the Hot 8 Brass Band, The Dirty Water Brass Band and DJ’s from the Mmmmaven Project. Each year, foodies from near and far come together to sample the award-winning cuisine that illustrates why The Boston Globe and National Geographic Traveler stated that many of the Best Restaurants in Boston are in Cambridge! See and taste for yourself why... Continue reading

The American College of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (ACOEM), an international medical society, has honored Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA) physician Stefanos N. Kales, MD, MPH, with ACOEM’s 2013 Kehoe Award for Excellence in Education and Research in Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Dr. Kales was recognized for his leadership in and contributions to the field of OEM by ACOEM’s President, Karl Auerbach, MD, on behalf of the Board of Directors. Dr. Kales is Division Chief of Occupational and Environmental Medicine and Medical Director of Employee and Industrial Medicine at CHA. He has participated in a wide range of research, advisory, and... Continue reading

The Men’s Health League, in partnership with the Men of Color Task Force, is hosting the 20th annual Hoops ‘N’ Health sports tournament and health fair on Saturday, June 15 at Hoyt Field. In addition to basketball and flag football tournaments, this citywide event will feature health information and screenings, live entertainment, free food, cooking demonstrations, and prizes. To sign up a team, call 617-665-3769 or email rharding@challiance.org. Link to Event Flier 20th Annual Hoops 'N' Health Sports Tournament and Health Fair Saturday, June 15, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Hoyt Field (Gilmore St. & Western Ave.), Cambridge, MA Continue reading

Featuring 100+ of “Boston’s Best” Restaurants in Cambridge! AND a special appearance by the Hot 8 Brass Band, The Dirty Water Brass Band and DJ’s from the Mmmmaven Project. Each year, foodies from near and far come together to sample the award-winning cuisine that illustrates why The Boston Globe and National Geographic Traveler stated that many of the Best Restaurants in Boston are in Cambridge! See and taste for yourself why Cambridge is one of the most highly acclaimed restaurant destinations throughout New England and the World! The Cambridge Licensee Advisory Board, www.clab.org, presents the Eleventh Annual Taste of Cambridge,... Continue reading

Fresh Pond Day scheduled for Saturday June 8 has been cancelled due to Tropical Storm Andrea predicted to hit Boston Friday and Saturday morning. There is no rain date. Join us Saturday June 8, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., at Kingsley Park, 250 Fresh Pond Parkway to celebrate the land, water, wildlife and people that make Fresh Pond Reservation in Cambridge a unique and vital place. Parking will be very limited at Fresh Pond, but more is available at the Tobin School, 197 Vassal Lane. Events are for all ages, rain or shine. Feel free to bring a picnic. Events... Continue reading

Memorial Drive (between Western Ave. and JFK. St.) will be closed Saturday, June 1, from 6 a.m. - 10 p.m., for the Cambridge River Festival. Memorial Drive is also closed to vehicles on Sundays (between Western Ave. and Mount Auburn St.) from 11 a.m. - 7 p.m., until 2nd Sunday of November. 34th ANNUAL CAMBRIDGE RIVER FESTIVAL Saturday, June 1, 2013, 12:00 Noon - 6:00 p.m. Severe weather date of Sunday, June 2, 2013 Stage schedules & activities are now available! Click HERE to learn more. Download the River Festival Brochure Continue reading

The Community Preservation Act Committee will hold a public meeting Thursday, June 20, at 6 p.m., at the Cambridge City Hall Annex, 344 Broadway, 2nd floor Conference Room. The meeting agenda will include providing the public an opportunity to suggest and recommend projects for CPA funding for Housing, Open Space and Historic Preservation. For more information, contact Karen Preval at 617-349-4221 or kpreval@cambridgema.gov. Continue reading

The Cambridge GLBT Commission and the Mayor's Office invite you to the 23rd Annual Pride Brunch on Saturday, June 8, from 9:30-11 a.m., at Cambridge City Hall, Sullivan Chamber, 795 Massachusetts Ave. We will have delicious food provided by local establishments and a few short speeches celebrating the progress for Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender people in Cambridge, the nation and the world. On May 17, 2004, the first same-sex marriages in the U.S. were performed in Cambridge City Hall; now there are 12 states that allow it. We will probably still be anticipating the Supreme Court ruling on DOMA... Continue reading

The City of Cambridge recently hosted a special ceremony to honor the recipients of the 2013 City of Cambridge Scholarship. This year, the City awarded 60 scholarships of $2,500 each to Cambridge high school seniors and others pursuing higher education. The City of Cambridge gratefully acknowledges the generous contribution of the many generous citizens of Cambridge who make this opportunity possible. The 2013 City Scholarship recipients included: Aser Abrha; ShameenAkhtar; Yvonne Appiah; Chloe Barran; Shakhi Begum; Liam Bodwell; Karen Chen;Dora Cronin; Richard Damas; Christopher Desnoyers; Shubham Dhital; Nadia Friedler; Meklit Gizaw; Sara Goldstein; Dylan Green; Jacob Greenberg; Mia Gussen; Deborah... Continue reading

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development requires communities across the country to conduct an annual census of individuals and families experiencing homelessness during the last ten days of January. The census includes a count of unsheltered individuals, and a count of sheltered and transitionally housed families and individuals. Municipal and program staff completed the count of individuals and families staying in emergency shelters and transitional housing during the night between Jan. 30-31, 2013. During the same night, the cities of Cambridge and Somerville jointly carried out the unsheltered portion of the census. Cambridge counted 537 persons experiencing homelessness:... Continue reading

Due to the ongoing police investigation in Watertown and surrounding area and in accordance with state officials, Cambridge residents are advised to stay indoors and businesses to stay closed until further notice. City offices will be closed today. MBTA service has been suspended. Residents should not answer the door unless it is a police officer and stay away from windows. Please monitor local media for latest updates. Trash/Recycling pick-up is suspended today. City programs are cancelled. Continue reading

The board and staff of the Cambridge Commission for Persons with Disabilities (CCPD) are thrilled to report that CCPD, along with Tutoring Plus, will be honored with an Organization of the Year Award by Cambridge Community Television (CCTV). CCTV is a nationally recognized nonprofit community media center that serves as a voice and a vision of all residents, businesses and organizations in the City of Cambridge. This annual award is given to the organization that has made the best use of CCTV services. CCPD is being recognized for the PSAs they have created to bring awareness to certain disability-related issues,... Continue reading

The Cambridge Veterans’ Organization (CVO) and the City of Cambridge’s Department of Veterans’ Services will hold their annual Patriots’ Day Observance Monday, Apr. 15, at 10:45 a.m., at the Washington Monument on Cambridge Common. City offices will be closed for the holiday and there will be no trash/recycling pickup or street cleaning in Cambridge. Trash/recycling daily pickup routes will be one day behind schedule for the remainder of that week. Streets in odd-side F-district will be posted and cleaned on Monday, April 29. The gates of Cambridge Cemetery, 76 Coolidge Ave. will be open, from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.... Continue reading

Officers William Bates and Jonathan Cameron promoted to the rank of Patrol Sergeant The Cambridge Police Department held a promotion ceremony at the Robert W. Healy Public Safety Facility on the morning of April 8, 2013 to promote two officers to the supervisory rank of Patrol Sergeant. City Manager Robert W. Healy, Deputy City Manager Richard Rossi, City Councillor Craig Kelley, Cambridge Fire Chief Gerald Reardon, and Cambridge Police Commissioner Robert C. Haas joined his Command Staff, city dignitaries, family members, and friends at the ceremony to honor the officers and congratulate them on their promotions. “When you put on... Continue reading

Cambridge City Manager Robert W. Healy is seeking persons interested in serving on the Cambridge Commission for Persons with Disabilities (CCPD) advisory board. Made up of 11 Members who serve three-year terms in a volunteer capacity, the CCPD board meets on the second Thursday of every month at 5:30 p.m. CCPD seeks to build a membership that reflects the cultural and racial diversity of the city, is cross-disability in nature and representative of the different geographical areas of the community. Members must be current residents of Cambridge. CCPD works to maximize access to all aspects of Cambridge community life for... Continue reading

Report shows crime at lowest levels since 1960s For the second year in a row, Cambridge Police report that crime has dropped to historic levels in the City of Cambridge. “We are proud to report that crime continues to trend downward in our city,” said Cambridge Police Commissioner Robert C. Haas. “I attribute this decline to the hard work, dedication, and professionalism of the men and women of the Cambridge Police Department, as well as our vigilant residents who help to drive our resources.” In 2012, serious crime in Cambridge decreased by 3%, to 3,478 crimes, down 89 from the... Continue reading

Ladies’ Breakfast and Women’s Health Talk Friday, April 12, 9-10:30 a.m., Cambridge Senior Center, 806 Mass. Ave. Special guest speaker, Dr. Jacobson, Mass. College of Pharmacy, will speak about Women’s Health. This event is free for persons 60+. Meals served until 9:30 a.m. Registration is required by 4-11-13. For more information or to register, call 617-349-6060. Men’s Breakfast & Urban Wildlife Presentation Saturday, Apr. 16, 9-10:30 a.m. Special guest speaker, Mark McCabe, Director of Cambridge Animal Commission will speak about wild turkeys, birds of prey and other unexpected urban wildlife in Cambridge. This event is free for persons 60+. Registration... Continue reading

Cambridge high school students are invited to spend April School Vacation Week performing community service projects alongside Cambridge Police Officers throughout Cambridge. Community Service Week, offered for the second year in a row by the Cambridge Police Department, aims to give students the opportunity to make a difference in their community by donating their April Vacation to better their city. This program also gives teens a chance to learn valuable skills, meet new people, experience the importance and value of helping others, enhance their resume or college application, and fulfill graduation and/or court-ordered service requirements. The program begins on Tuesday,... Continue reading

On Earth Hour, hundreds of millions of people around the world will come together to call for action on climate change by doing something quite simple—turning off their lights for one hour. The movement symbolizes that by working together, each of us can make a positive impact in this fight, protecting our future and that of future generations. The City of Cambridge is again this year joining the growing list of supporting communities that are committing to take a stand by turning the lights out on pollution and creating a cleaner, safer and more secure future as part of Earth... Continue reading