Public Works Announces 2025 Commissioner's Award Winners
As part of a national celebration of Public Works Week, the Department of Public Works (DPW) Commissioner Kathy Watkins and other City officials recently honored the recipients of the 2025 Commissioner’s Award for Outstanding Performance during a ceremony at the DPW yard. Congratulations to T.J. Shea, Irina Sidorenko, Steven Arruda, Charles Harkins, and Emanuel Mercury.
Cambridge Urban Forestry Division Celebrates 2024 Milestones
In 2024, the Urban Forestry Division of Cambridge Public Works planted 1,250 new trees and removed 5,000 square feet of pavement to create better planting conditions, enhancing the city's green infrastructure. The Division maintained a strong tree survival rate, with only 3.5% mortality for spring plantings, and expanded community engagement through the revamped Cambridge Urban Forest Friends newsletter, which saw over 105% subscriber growth. Residents can support the city's urban forest by becoming an Urban Forest Friend or subscribing to the newsletter.
The Past is Now: An Intertribal Panel on King Philip's War, Past and Present (Main/Virtual)
Is King Philip’s War really part of the past? Four Indigenous speakers tell us that it’s still deeply present.
People who are not Indigenous often think of Metacom’s Resistance – more commonly known as King Philip’s War – if they know of it - as part of a distant past. If we have read children’s stories of an idealized colonial life, or educated with traditional textbooks, we might think of the war as a single violent chapter in an otherwise quaint, albeit colorful, history, with colonial heroes bravely conquering their enemies.
Historical markers dotting the New England countryside, especially in Massachusetts, reinforce this idea: it was brutal, but the colonists emerged victorious, and in any event it was long ago – nothing to do with life today. For Indigenous communities, the past is not so easily left behind – and nor should it be for non-Indigenous people. We all live today with its aftermath. King Philip’s War continues to shape daily life, experience, and memory.
Panelists include:
Hartman Deetz, Mashpee Wampanoag
Brad Lopes, Aquinnah Wampanoag
Brittney Walley, Hassanamisco Nipmuc
Elizabeth Solomon, Massachusett at Ponkapoag, moderator
On the eve of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, this panel invites audiences to grapple with a foundational war of Indigenous resistance on its 350th anniversary - and to see that it is not past, but deeply present, for us all.
Cambridge Offers New Apprenticeship Program
The Department of Public Works (DPW) and the Office of Workforce Development (OWD) will collaborate to identify residents interested in committing to one to two-year paid apprenticeships.
CSBBN Black Business Month Celebration
The Community Development Department joins the Cambridge-Somerville Black Business Network (CSBBN)to celebrate of their 5 year anniversary and Black businesses in Cambridge.
Bicycle WikiMap
The Cambridge Bicycle WikiMap allows location-based suggestions and input about facilities for bicycling in Cambridge. Comments submitted through the WikiMap will be regularly evaluated and taken into account for future planning efforts.
Contemporary Book Group (Main)
This month's book: Behind You Is the Sea by Susan Muaddi Darraj
Reading Interests: The group concentrates on fiction and narrative nonfiction. Some past selections include: Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell, Detransition, Baby by Torrey Peters, and Beautiful Country: A Memoir by Qian Julie Wang.
How to get the print book: Copies of the print book are set aside at the Main Library. Visit the Main Library Q&A Desk at 449 Broadway during service hours and a staff member can help you check out a copy.
How to get the e-book or digital audiobook: This month’s book is available as an e-book through OverDrive or the Libby app. The digital audiobook is available through Hoopla.
How to register: Click the registration link below to register. Registration is encouraged but not required.
For more information, contact Susannah (sbtkacz@cambridgema.gov).