If “Stranger Danger” is a Myth, Then What? (Main)
Most sexual violence is done by people we know. What can parents, teens, and community members do about it?
Meg Stone, author of The Cost of Fear, will offer practical, gender-inclusive strategies for learning safety skills important for resisting coercion, intimidation, and violence. Avoiding violence is about developing skills, not following rules. Women receive advice like "don't wear a ponytail" or "don't shop alone." These tips lack evidence and come from male authorities who avoid questions.
We will cover:
Demonstration: Learn practical safety gender-inclusive skills.
Resist Coercion: Skills to resist friends, those we know, or authority.
Empowerment: Feel powerful in stressful situations.
Community impact: Personal safety leads to social change.
Registration is required.
Climate Action Book Club (Collins/Virtual)
Join the Collins Branch Library in collaboration with the Cambridge Climate Leaders Initiative for a monthly discussion of a climate-related topic. Each month the group will discuss a book on the topic at hand then hear about a related local program or initiative and how you can take action.
Topic: Decarbonizing the Future
Book: Electrify: an optimist's playbook for our clean energy future by Saul Griffith
This group will meet virtually and in person at the Collins Branch. Please register below if you would like to attend via Zoom. A Zoom link will be sent to all registered participants one hour before the event. For more information contact Jo at jpercell@cambridgema.gov.
Karen Russell Presents: The Antidote (Main)
Harvard Book Store and the Cambridge Public Library welcome Karen Russell—award-winning author of six books of fiction, including the New York Times bestsellers Swamplandia! and Vampires in the Lemon Grove—for a discussion of her new novel The Antidote.
Registration is required.
Assistance
The City of Cambridge Relief and Recovery Programs, the Mayor’s Disaster Relief Fund and Cambridge Redevelopment Authority (CRA) Zero-Interest Loan program for small businesses, CDBG-CARES Act and ARPA programs are distributing over $6.6 million to Cambridge small businesses negatively impacted by the COVID-19 public health crisis.
“Still Marching 1970-2017” Exhibit Opening Reception
“Still Marching 1970-2017,” an exhibition of original photographs by Liane Brandon, opens with a reception sponsored by the Cambridge Public Library, the Cambridge Women's Commission, and the Cambridge Historical Commission. Light refreshments will be provided. Registration is not required. Liane Brandon received funding for "Still Marching" through a Local Cultural Council Grant from the Cambridge Arts Council.
Heat Awareness for Older Adults (Main)
Join Nancy Porter, Director of Resilience and Emergency Preparedness with the Cambridge Public Health Department, for a discussion on how to keep yourselves and others safe in hotter temperatures. Older adults are more vulnerable in periods of high temperatures because the body cools itself down less effectively - especially if you have medical conditions or take certain medications.
Registration requested but not required.
DPW Climate Resilience Zoning
On February 27, 2023, the Cambridge City Council adopted new zoning requirments to address the long term impacts of increased flooding and heat from climate change. They are based on the City's climate projections over the next 50 years and will be updated from time to time.
Common Victualler Licenses
A Common Victualler License is issued by the Cambridge License Commission and governed by Massachusetts General Laws, Ch. 140, Sec. 2-9. Every food service establishment in the City of Cambridge with capabilities for cooking, preparing, and serving food is required to have a Common Victualler License.
Cambridge to Launch Hampshire Street Safety Improvement Project
Through the Hampshire Street Safety Improvement Project, the City will add separated bike lanes to Hampshire Street between Inman Square and Broadway, creating a more comfortable biking connection between Inman Square and the Port/Kendall Square. We will also make improvements to existing crosswalks and changes to parking and loading.
Meadow Developing in Flagstaff Park to Restore Habitat
An area in Flagstaff Park is being converted to a meadow in the coming months in an attempt to allow more open areas of the City to be more natural. Adding natural areas to our parks and streetscapes will encourage a greater diversity of plant and insect species.