Two Important Updates Announced for Cambridge Recycling and Compost Program
Once your recycling is collected curbside in Cambridge, the City’s collection contractor drives the recycling to their recycling processor, Casella, located in Charlestown. In June 2023, Casella upgraded their processing facility with completely new equipment. The upgrades will accommodate trends in the recycling industry, and increase efficiency through the use of robotics, artificial intelligence. The Charlestown facility is among the largest in the US, processing up to 240,000 tons of recycling per year.
Fresh Pond Golf Course: 2025 Season in Review
This golf season, Fresh Pond Golf Course was proud to host more than 54,053 rounds of golf! Whether you are a season pass holder or visited the course for the first time this year, thank you for tee-ing off with us, and we hope to see you again in 2026! As we reflect on the past year, we are sharing highlights from Fresh Pond Golf Course’s community engagement programs for youth and military veterans.
Improve My Reading, Writing, and Math Skills
The Community Learning Center helps adult learners improve their reading, writing, and math skills; prepare to earn their high school equivalency (HiSET or GED); or qualify for a training program.
Yard Waste Pick Up
The City offers free weekly collection of yard waste, April 1-December 31 for residents with recycling collection from the City. Yard waste is banned from landfills and incinerators in Massachusetts. Leaves and other yard waste that fall on your property should be gathered as needed. Leaves and twigs on sidewalks and curbs adjacent to your property are the responsibility of the property owner to collect and set out as yard waste.
Acrylics Workshop (Boudreau)
Learn how to create beautiful and colorful acrylic paintings! In this class you will be introduced to painting with acrylic, including techniques in color mixing, observational painting, and composition. At your own pace you will learn how to paint still lifes using acrylic paint in a relaxed and welcoming environment. This class will cover wet on wet and wet and dry brush techniques, sgraffito/combing, overlays/glazing, gel mediums, pattern making, and masking. You will come away from this class with beautiful paintings of your own and a greater understanding and appreciation for the medium of acrylic painting. This class is suitable for beginners and can be adjusted for all levels of experience. Registration is Required.
Brewery Book Club (Lamplighter)
You’re invited to our January Brewery Book Club, where Lamplighter and the Cambridge Public Library team up to highlight contemporary works from marginalized voices while having a beer. We meet at Lamplighter Brewing Co., 284 Broadway, in the back taproom.
This month we’ll read The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden.
Copies of the book are available at the Main Library Q&A Desk. The e-book and digital audiobook can be borrowed through the Libby app.
We’ll gather in the Lamplighter back taproom to discuss the book, what we learned from it, what we found ourselves touched by, and all other thoughts.
Registration encouraged but not required. Visit Lamplighter Eventbrite page here.
Cookbook Club (Collins)
January Selections: Love Japan : recipes from our Japanese American kitchen by Sawako Okochi & Aaron Israel with Gabriella Gershenson and The gaijin cookbook : Japanese recipes from a chef, father, eater, and lifelong outsider by Ivan Orkin and Chris Ying.
Join friends and neighbors for a potluck! Try a recipe and bring your results or thoughts to share and discuss with other cooks. All experience levels welcome. No need to bring a dish to join.
Books will be available for pick up at the Boudreau and Collins Branches during library hours.
This event will take place indoors at the Collins Branch (64 Aberdeen Ave.)
For more information contact Liz at edanner@cambridgema.gov or call the Collins Branch at 617-349-4021.
Summer Reading: Crafternoon (Collins)
Join us for activities celebrating the theme of "Plant a Seed, Read" all summer long.
Today's activity is bird and bug suncatchers. Explore color, light and creativity as you design a suncatcher to look like a stained-glass window. We will use colored tissue paper to fill frames shaped like birds, butterflies and dragonflies. Hang the finished masterpiece in a window to watch the sun transform it into a glowing display of color.
Recommended for children ages 6-12 and their caregivers.
July 7 - Tissue Paper Flowers
July 14 - Bird and Bug Suncatchers
July 21 - no activity on this date
July 28 - Perler Bead Plants
August 4 - Paint by Sticker
August 11 - Origami Peace Cranes
Summer Reading: Crafternoon with Pop Up Art School (Main)
Learn about the centuries-old art of reverse glass painting and create your own reverse painting! Choose from three images and paint it using acrylic paint on clear acetate.
This program can accommodate 30 youth ages 11 to 18 years old. Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis on the day of the program. The entire party must be present to receive a ticket. This program starts promptly. Unclaimed seats will be offered to someone waiting. We appreciate your patience and understanding. Please call 617-349-4038 for more information.
Funding for Summer Reading has been generously provided by the City of Cambridge, Cambridge Public Library Foundation and Friends of the Cambridge Public Library.
Meditation for Wisdom and Renewal: A Retreat for Elders
Join us for a 3-hour 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.