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Come explore the nature in our urban backyard! We will take a leisurely walk as we observe and learn together about the animals and plants at Alewife Reservation. You are welcome to bring binoculars, magnifying glasses or any other observational tool. The paths and boardwalks are well maintained but can be muddy in places. The walk will meet at the stone benches by the wetland boardwalk. To view the location in Google Maps and get directions, click here. Limited free parking is available in the Alewife Reservation lot on Acorn Drive. In case of inclement weather, this event will be canceled. Registration is helpful but not required. For more information call the O’Neill Branch at 617-349-4023.

Come explore the nature in our urban backyard! We will take a leisurely walk as we observe and learn together about the animals and plants at Alewife Reservation. You are welcome to bring binoculars, magnifying glasses or any other observational tool. The paths and boardwalks are well maintained but can be muddy in places. The walk will meet at the stone benches by the wetland boardwalk. To view the location in Google Maps and get directions, click here. Limited free parking is available in the Alewife Reservation lot on Acorn Drive. In case of inclement weather, this event will be canceled. Registration is helpful but not required. For more information call the O’Neill Branch at 617-349-4023.

Come explore the nature in our urban backyard! We will take a leisurely walk as we observe and learn together about the animals and plants at Alewife Reservation. You are welcome to bring binoculars, magnifying glasses or any other observational tool. The paths and boardwalks are well maintained but can be muddy in places. The walk will meet at the stone benches by the wetland boardwalk. To view the location in Google Maps and get directions, click here. Limited free parking is available in the Alewife Reservation lot on Acorn Drive. In case of inclement weather, this event will be canceled. Registration is helpful but not required. For more information call the O’Neill Branch at 617-349-4023.

Come explore the nature in our urban backyard! We will take a leisurely walk as we observe and learn together about the animals and plants at Alewife Reservation. You are welcome to bring binoculars, magnifying glasses or any other observational tool. The paths and boardwalks are well maintained but can be muddy in places. The walk will meet at the stone benches by the wetland boardwalk. To view the location in Google Maps and get directions, click here. Limited free parking is available in the Alewife Reservation lot on Acorn Drive. In case of inclement weather, this event will be canceled. Registration is helpful but not required. For more information call the O’Neill Branch at 617-349-4023.

Join us for an afternoon Community Retreat. Mindfulness offers a gentle yet powerful way to meet the challenges of aging with calm, resilience, and compassion. In this retreat, we will explore simple practices that can be adapted for all bodies and abilities. Together, we will create space for quiet contemplation and personal reflection, while also fostering a sense of community among elders walking this stage of life side by side. Whether you are new to meditation or have practiced before, you will leave with practical tools to support your well-being and cultivate greater wisdom in daily life. Come as you are—all levels of experience are welcome. Presented in partnership with the Cambridge Insight Meditation Center.

Step into the Darkness… if you dare. Come to the writing in the darkness workshop and meet the creative mind behind the madness: teen horror author of Forever Darkness; Twisted Horror Short Stories and Poems for Young Adults, Ma'ayan Harel-Sibelman. Try your hand at terror, pick up the pen, twist the tale and write the story. This workshop is presented as part of the Cambridge Young Authors' Squad (CYAS). Young people ages 10 to 14 who love to write are welcome to share their ideas and writing. There will be time for share-outs/workshopping, as well as group or solo writing. Snacks are provided! Registration is helpful, but not required.

Seven projects in total were selected after a record number of ideas were submitted and more than 10,000 Cambridge residents age 12 and older voted how to spend $1 million on capital and operating projects to improve the community. In order of ranked votes, the following seven projects won $1,060,000 in fiscal year 2026 funding: 1. Improve Parks with Shade Structures and Seating ($250,000) 2. Build a Pollinator Garden in a City Park ($75,000) 3. Funding for High School Clubs ($150,000) 4. Slower Speeds for Safer Streets ($250,000) 5. Mobile Center for Hard-to-Recycle Items ($75,000) 6. Welcome Baby Boxes for New Parents ($60,000) 7. Electric Vehicle Chargers ($200,000)

Love Fresh Pond Reservation? Give back to our urban oasis: volunteer! The beauty and ecological health of our Reservation requires constant care! Invasive weeds, which threaten wildlife habitat and Fresh Pond’s forests, meadows and wetlands, are a top concern. Volunteer weeding events are ongoing throughout the fall. Beginners are welcome. Learn about local botany and ecology while helping the Reservation! Long sleeves and pants are recommended to prevent contact with poison ivy. Tecnu will be available. Temporary parking permits will be available for free for volunteers coming from out of town. Wednesday evening weeding sessions occur through September, meeting at the trailer in the Cambridge Water Department parking lot at 250 Fresh Pond Parkway.

Celebrate one year of the Cambridge KiOSK with an afternoon of live music, participatory activities, and community gathering in Harvard Square. The event will mark the KiOSK’s first year as a site for visitor information, cultural programming, and community connection. Visitors are welcome to stop by throughout the afternoon. Program schedule: 12:00–3:00 PM: Participatory activities, including screenprinting and a seedling exchange 3:00–4:00 PM: Cambridge Symphony Orchestra ensemble performance 4:00–5:00 PM: Reception recognizing the artists, organizations, community members, and visitors who have helped shape the KiOSK’s first year Throughout the event, visitors will also be invited to share ideas for the KiOSK’s next year. This event is free and open to the public.

June selection: Horse by Geraldine Brooks Reading Interests: We read mostly contemporary Fiction and Non-Fiction, with forays into older works and classics. Past selections include: Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward, Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin, Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt and The Midnight Library by Matt Haig. How to get the print book: Copies of the book are set aside at the O'Connell Branch. Click here for O'Connell Branch Hours How to get the e-book or digital audiobook: This month’s book is available as a digital audio and e-book through Hoopla. This book group meets in person at the O'Connell Branch. No registration is needed. Drop-ins welcome. For more information contact the branch at 617-349-4019.