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This week's selection: Ralph Waldo Emerson, Nature, "The American Scholar," "The Divinity School Address" Reading Interests: We concentrate on Great Books in the following areas: a long novel over the summer, two sections of poetry and short stories, a book of the Bible, a Shakespeare play, an ancient and modern drama, a work of science, a smaller work of fiction, an even smaller work of fiction, and a rotating mix of politics, philosophy, and religion. Authors read in the past five years include Dickens, Keats and Yeats, O'Connor and Munro, Ecclesiastes, Sophocles and August Wilson, Darwin, Austen, Duras, The Federalist Papers, and Arendt. How to get the print book: Copies of the reading are set aside at the Main Library. Visit the Main Library at 449 Broadway during current service hours and a staff member can help you get a copy. How to register: Registration is required. Click the registration link below to register. This is a hybrid event. A Zoom link will be sent to all registered participants 1 hour before the event. For more information, contact Drew Griffin (dgriffin@cambridgema.gov)

This week's selection: Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, selected poems Reading Interests: We concentrate on Great Books in the following areas: a long novel over the summer, two sections of poetry and short stories, a book of the Bible, a Shakespeare play, an ancient and modern drama, a work of science, a smaller work of fiction, an even smaller work of fiction, and a rotating mix of politics, philosophy, and religion. Authors read in the past five years include Dickens, Keats and Yeats, O'Connor and Munro, Ecclesiastes, Sophocles and August Wilson, Darwin, Austen, Duras, The Federalist Papers, and Arendt. How to get the print book: Copies of the reading are set aside at the Main Library. Visit the Main Library at 449 Broadway during current service hours and a staff member can help you get a copy. How to register: Registration is required. Click the registration link below to register. This is a hybrid event. A Zoom link will be sent to all registered participants 1 hour before the event. For more information, contact Drew Griffin (dgriffin@cambridgema.gov)

The climate is changing, and we're all here on the planet together. Join us for a monthly community gathering and discussion of a variety of books about climate change. We will share thoughts, resources, and occasionally host special guests in a welcoming small-group environment. For our May meeting, we will discuss The Hidden Life of Trees by Peter Wohlleben, which was originally our book for February but due to weather, we couldn't meet. Attendees are invited to choose between reading the original text, the illustrated edition, the graphic adaptation, or watching the film version of this book! This work is available in many different formats. Copies of the print book, the illustrated edition, the graphic adaptation, and the DVD are available at the Main Library Q&A Desk. E-book and e-audiobook copies are available to borrow on the Libby app and immediately on the Hoopla app. This is a hybrid event. A Zoom link will be sent to all registered participants 1 hour before the event. Registration is required. Please contact alengel@cambridgema.gov with questions.

Join the Cambridge Public Library in celebrating Pride Month by welcoming Kristen Arnett, author of Mostly Dead Things, With Teeth, and—published just this past March—STOP ME IF YOU'VE HEARD THIS ONE. After a reading from her work, Arnett will be joined in conversation by Jill McDonough, author of five books of poetry including American Treasure and Here All Night. Called "a perversely funny novel about family, ambition, and desire" (Shelf Awareness), STOP ME IF YOU'VE HEARD THIS ONE follows a professional clown, Cherry Hendricks, as she tries to stay true to her needs as a person as well as an artist. This is a hybrid event and registration is required. This event is cosponsored by the Cambridge Public Library Foundation.

Polyamory is having a "moment," but for the queer community, intentional relationship-building has always been a tool for liberation. As interest in non-monogamy grows, so does the need for clarification and conversation. Join us for Poly Talk, an intimate discussion dedicated to the complexities of polyamory and consensual non-monogamy (CNM) through the queer lens. This is a space to dismantle hetero-mononormative stigmas and celebrate the diverse ways our community shows up for and with one another. Pull up a chair. Join our affair. Let’s talk about how we grow a community that embodies our shared values and vision for the future. Note: All relationship dynamics are welcome, provided they are rooted in consent. Conversation facilitated by The Queer Neighborhood Council. Registration required.

CDC Director Rochelle P. Walensky, M.D., M.P.H., endorsed the CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices’ (ACIP) recommendation for a booster shot of COVID-19 vaccines in certain populations. The Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) authorization and CDC’s recommendation for use are important steps forward as we work to stay ahead of the virus and keep Americans safe.

Highlights include: Completion of the Drainage and Community Gardens project at Fresh Pond Reservation; drainage improvements along the Hobbs Brook Reservoir dam crest (Winter St) in Waltham; proposed, completed, and active development and redevelopment projects along Smith Street, Wyman Street, Second Avenue, Bear Hill Road, and Winter Street in Waltham; and active construction of a new Minuteman Vocational Technical High School in Lincoln.

As part of the City’s Participatory Budgeting process, $320,000 in the Fiscal Year 2016 Budget was allocated for a public toilet installation in Central Square.

Join us for a lively discussion of a great book in person at the Main Library! Snacks will be provided. For ages 7-9 and a parent or caregiver. This month's book is Trouble at the Tangerine by Gillian McDunn. When a valuable necklace is stolen from Simon's new apartment complex, it's up to him and a quirky neighbor to solve the mystery before he and his family have to move again. Copies of this month's book are available at the Children's Desk. Both caregiver and child should read the book before the discussion to participate. Registration is required — only one registration is needed per family. For questions about parent/child book group, please email Rachel: rbeaton@cambridgema.gov

Join instructor Darren Hairston for Zumba Gold – the fun and energizing dance fitness class tailored for active older adults and beginners! Set to vibrant, upbeat music, Zumba Gold features low-impact, easy-to-follow dance moves that make staying fit enjoyable and accessible for all fitness levels. Improve your balance, flexibility, and cardio health while having a great time in a supportive and friendly environment. No dance experience needed—just bring your smile and a willingness to move! Registration is required every week and will open at 11:30AM the Monday before each class. Please be aware that if you are on the waitlist, we likely cannot accommodate patrons once we've reached capacity to safely run the program.