The Alewife

Grafitti on Monday's city council agenda

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New sightings at the Alewife Reservation

Seamus Palmer, a member of Friends of the Alewife Reservation, has posted photos of his May 7 hike through the reservation on a page on the organization's Web site.

Zing team to take over Falzone's

The team from Porter Square's Cafe Zing, the coffee bar inside Porter Square Books, will soon reopen Falzone's restaurant.

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Porter Square T flower shop closes

Kelley leaves CLF

Much Appreciation and Thanks to Karen Kelley

The CLF Steering Committee recently accepted the resignation of Karen Kelley as Executive Director. Karen made a major contribution to CLF and was single-handedly responsible for producing our first two Business Directories. She also played a big role to increase our membership from 90 to over 260.

Karen will still be around as an active member of CLF as part-owner of the Cambridge Artists Cooperative. We look forward to her continued great support and leadership. A big thank you to Karen, and we wish her all the best.

While we're in the process of looking for a new Executive Director, Laury Hammel will be the acting Executive Director.

City's Christian Science community hosts lecture

City begins work on Rindge Ave.

The City’s contractor, Aggregate Industries, will reconstruct all pedestrian ramps, repair selected sections of sidewalk, and pave the roadway on Rindge Ave (from Alewife Brook Parkway to Middlesex St).  This project will create safe, accessible ramps and crossings along this section of Rindge Ave , which is heavily used by pedestrians because of amenities such as the school, library, pool, parks, and MBTA bus stops/ station.  Street paving is particularly needed on this section of Rindge Ave due to recent utility improvements.

Key Pedestrian Improvements

1) Curb extensions at the entrance to Russell Field and at Jefferson Park

a)   Create better sightlines and reducing crossing distances

b)   Provide an opportunity for additional green space at Russell Field

c)   Do not affect on-street parking, as these are existing no parking zones

2)   Curb extension at Clifton St

a) Creates additional sidewalk width needed to preserve the large, mature tree at 293 Rindge Ave while creating an accessible pedestrian route

b) Removes approximately 2 on-street parking spaces

3) Widened sidewalk adjacent to Cemetery (between Clay and Sherman streets)

a) five additional feet of sidewalk provides access for pedestrians and maintains the 4 large trees

b) Removes parking on the north side of Rindge Ave between Montgomery and Clay streets

Through the Rindge Ave improvements, gray rubber sidewalk panels will be installed adjacent to the four mature trees next to the Cemetery in order to reduce the amount of lifting by tree roots.  These panels—which have been used on similar locations in other cities— will be monitored to ensure they provide an acceptable walking surface in all types of weather, are durable enough to withstand weather conditions, and conform to growing roots in a desirable manner. 

Attention Property Owners on Rindge Ave ( Middlesex St to Alewife Brook Parkway )
You May Be Eligible to Have a Tree Planted on Your Property at No Cost to You

The City of Cambridge Department of Public Works is pleased to announce a new program to improve our urban forest through public/ private tree planting partnerships, which is being rolled out in coordination with upcoming improvements on Rindge Ave.   Through this program, the City will plant trees along the back-of-sidewalk (up to 20 feet off the public way) on the private properties of interested, eligible owners at no cost.

Why does the City want to plant trees on private property?

The City of Cambridge has historically focused on the maintenance, planting and preservation of its trees residing in the public right-of-way (sidewalk trees), and its parks and public spaces across the City; the ‘Back-of-Sidewalk’ program provides another means of planting trees in difficult areas with narrow sidewalks and/or overhead utilities.

How will the “Back-of-Sidewalk” Program help trees?

This program will allow us to plant trees in desirable growing conditions, making it likely they will survive and thrive.  A typical sidewalk tree faces harsher conditions along the curb (such as oil or salt from roadway runoff).  Soil conditions at the back-of-sidewalk are generally more suitable for plant growth (i.e. less soil compaction, more available nutrients, and better moisture content).  The improved environment of having a larger rooting area and less direct competition with overhead utilities will help to ensure a healthier tree canopy in Cambridge .

How will the “Back-of-Sidewalk” Program help pedestrians?

In order to maintain sidewalks that are accessible to all users, sidewalks must be a certain minimum width; the narrow nature of sidewalks in Cambridge makes it difficult to find appropriate places to plant new sidewalk trees. A growing tree not only crowds the sidewalk, but its root system can displace and damage sidewalks.  By planting more trees on private property, all pedestrians will be able to enjoy safer, more level sidewalks as well as the beauty and environmental benefits of more trees.

What are potential benefits to property owners who participate in this program?
Participants in this program will have to opportunity to receive a tree at no charge.  Trees species can be selected from an approved list in consultation with a professional landscape architect.  The trees planted within these areas allow us to promote different species more suited to smaller spaces— such as magnolia, koelreuteria, and dogwood— which will increase the diversity of species in Cambridge and help beautify properties.

What are the responsibilities of property owners who participate in this program?
Property owners who would like to participate in the “Back-of-Sidewalk” Tree Planting Program must sign the attached agreement.  DPW staff will provide training to help you care for the tree while it is getting established during the first five years; at the end of five years, you will officially assume ownership of the tree.

How can I learn more?
To learn more about this program, please contact David Lefcourt, City Arborist, at (617) 349-6433 or dlefcourt@cambridgema.gov. 

Vineyard to host Gospel, Jazz night Thursday

The neighborhood's Vineyard church will present Thursday a night of music and dance from the community's youth ministry, PZF, Ryze and performances from the recently released album "First Songs: Great Boston Vineyard, 1998-2007," original music by church members.

The door charge is a donation of non-perishable food items.

Kelley, Seidel & Maher file orders regarding neighborhood flooding

City Councillors Craig A. Kelley, Sam Seidel and David Maher have filed orders to mitigate the regulatory burdens proposed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency concerning the Alewife Brook foodplains.

The orders, 6, 9 and 10 from tonight's agenda are below:

Order 6.
COUNCILLOR SEIDEL/COUNCILLOR MAHER

WHEREAS: The Federal Emergency Management Agency is currently revising their Flood Insurance Rate Maps in the City of Cambridge; and
   
WHEREAS: Approximately 160 additional buildings are proposed to be included in the revised flood plan limits in the Alewife area; now therefore be it

ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to ensure that the City is actively working with the neighborhood to provide all necessary information, including any financial resources available to property owners to offset increased insurance costs and/or decreased property values resulting from the revised maps; and be it further
      
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to direct the appropriate departments to review and approve the maps and report to the City Council before the maps are considered by that body. 

Order 9.
COUNCILLOR KELLEY

ORDERED:
That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to coordinate with relevant officials from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Resources (DCR) to organize and present a seminar in North Cambridge aimed specifically at Real Estate agents and Real Estate Insurance agents to make them conversant with the implications of the soon-to-be expanded high risk flood zone in various parts of Cambridge.

Order 10.
COUNCILLOR KELLEY

WHEREAS: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is in the process of redrawing the flood maps that impact Cambridge; and
    
WHEREAS: Much of the data used by FEMA was gathered by airplanes and, while accurate overall, may be very inaccurate for any particular property and improperly put that property in the high risk flood zone, with attendant expense insurance results for the property owner; and
   
WHEREAS: Homeowners may apply for a special exemption from their placement if they can prove FEMA's data was wrong and they should not be in the high risk flood zone; and
   
WHEREAS: It costs hundreds of dollars to get the property survey information to challenge the FEMA map; and
   
WHEREAS: If property owners had a better idea of how accurate the FEMA map elevation data was overall, they would better be able to judge whether it is worth the investment to survey their particular properties to determine whether they can challenge FEMA's placement of them in the high risk flood zone; now be it therefore
   
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to confer with relevant Department staff to have the City carry out a statistically valid validation program of FEMA's flood map data; and be it further
      
ORDERED: That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on this matter.

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CSO plays at Vineyard Church tonight

The Cambridge Symphony Orchestra, led by Conductor Cynthia Woods will play a concert tonight at 7 p.m at the neighborhood's Vineyard Church. The orchestra will play along side with the Worcester Youth Orchestra with proceeds going to support Cambridge Cares about Aids.

'The Cambridge Campanion' plays the Brattle Theatre Friday

Film stars neighborhood's Smith

by Neil W. McCabe

The movie filmed by Ethan H. Goldhammer in the city and starring North Cambridge resident Lloyd Smith, "The Cambridge Campanion," will be shown Friday at Harvard Square's Brattle Theatre as part of the Boston Cinema Census.

Goldhammer said he made a shorter short called "The Governor of Cambridge" starring Alewife columnist Jacques Fleury, "The Haitian Firefly" that wil not be part of this showing because of time constraints.

The movie follows Smith as he campaigns as a 2007 write-in candidate for city council and interacts with other candidates and activists.

Ashley Alexandra Dupre

'On Broadway' regional theater run starts Friday

Film shot in North Cambridge features neighborhood's Lance Greene

WHAT: The made-in-Boston independent movie “On Broadway” has just finished a highly successful year on the film festival circuit, taking home high honors from American and European festivals. Now it is being released on five screens in Greater Boston. “On Broadway” is a true look at Boston’s Irish community with a cast and crew all with local ties to the city.

Many of the film’s stars are native Bostonians - Joey McIntyre, Eliza Dushku, Mike O’Malley, Amy Poehler, and Robert Wahlberg. Also, Writer/Director Dave McLaughlin is a West Roxbury native, cinematographer Terrence Fitzgerald Hayes is a son of Southie, and every member of the movie’s producing team hails from Massachusetts. The icing on “On Broadway’s” Boston cred is the movie’s score, composed by Buffalo Tom front man and Lexington resident Bill Janovitz, and recorded at Somerville’s Q Division studio.

This is a truly independent approach to filmmaking. Not only was the film financed and produced outside of the traditional studio system, it is now being distributed exclusively through independently owned theaters.

• Best First Feature Film, Galway Film Fleadh 2007
• Best Narrative Feature, Woods Hole FF 2007
• Grand Jury Prize, New Hampshire FF 2007
• Directors Choice Award, Magners Irish FF 2007

WHERE: At the following theaters:

• Cameo Theater 1 & 2
14 Columbian Square – South Weymouth, MA 02190 (781) 335.2777

• Dedham Community Theatre
580 High St – Dedham, MA 02026 (781) 326.0409

• Sharon Cinema 8
700 South Main St – Sharon, MA 02067 (781)784.9300

• Somerville Theatre
55 Davis Square – Somerville, MA 02144 (617) 625.5700

• West Newton Cinema
1296 Washington St - West Newton, MA 02465 (617)964.6060

WHEN: In theaters March 14, 2008

WHO: “On Broadway” stars Joey McIntyre, Eliza Dushku, Mike O’Malley, Robert Wahlberg, Will Arnett, and Amy Poehler.

MORE INFO: Visit www.onbroadwaythemovie.com for showtimes and more information.

MEDIA CONTACT: Sam Mazzarelli (617) 375.9700 smazzarelli@marlomc.com

When did Tom Brady leave us?

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Sasso prescience?

by Neil W. McCabe

In a Dec. 22 op-ed piece titlied, "Why Clinton will Survive" for The Boston Globe, John Sasso, a former political aide to Gerry Studds, Edward M. Kennedy, Geraldine Ferraro, Michael Dukakis, Mario Cuomo and John F. Kerry, wrote that Sen. Hillary Clinton is the best candidate for the Democrats to support because she is a known quantity and she has stood up to the attacks of Republicans.  Sasso was skeptical Obama's mettle:

Can Obama withstand that kind of barrage? Does he have the personal makeup to be as relentless as his opponents? Do past political positions leave him vulnerable? Because the risks are sky-high, these questions need to be reasonably raised and answered beforehand.

What he didn't say was that maybe Sen. Barak H. Obama had another possible problem, such at the plagarism charge that the Hillary Clinton campaign launched yesterday, through ABC News reporter Jake Tapper, Obama lifted words from Massachusetts Gov. Deval L. Patrick.

According to The Drudge Report, the Clinton campaign held a conference call , which featured the aide to the late congressman Joseph Moakley and current Massachusetts congressman Rep. James McGovern, to make the case that not only is the Obama candidacy built on words not actions, but that the words themselves are stolen.

Drudge reports that the Obama campaign claims the similiarities were deliberate.

While Patrick has been one of Obama's strongest supporters, Sasso's op-ed and McGovern's pariticipation in the conference call betray the governor's lack of control over the state's Democratic leadership class.  Such an attack is out of bounds seeing that for all intents and purposes, Obama is the party's nominee.  The charges are not based on policy, but rather strike to the man's character and are not the type of thing that can be wiped away by a happy unity breakfast.  Clinton is so afraid of losing to Obama she will blow up the ship taking everyone down with her. 

Did Sasso know this was coming?  If he didn't, at least he knows now that somebody is working his side of the street.

Ashley Alexandra Dupre

'The Race Card' by Richard Thompson Ford

This is from a Feb. 7 reading at Berkeley's Cody's Books

Richard Thompson Ford considers The Race Card: How Bluffing About Bias Makes Race Relations Worse. The George E. Osborne Professor of Law at Stanford Law School, Richard Thompson Ford has published regularly on civil rights, constitutional law, race relations, and antidiscrimination law. In his new book, he asks what Katrina victims waiting for federal disaster relief, millionaire rappers buying vintage champagne, Ivy League professors waiting for taxis, and ghetto hustlers trying to find steady work have in common, and answers that all have claimed to be victims of racism. Few people these days express openly racist beliefs or defend bigoted motives. So lots of people are victims of bigotry, but no one's a bigot? Ford considers whether a lot of people are lying about their true beliefs and motivations, or if a lot of people are jumping to unwarranted conclusions or just playing the race card. Ford brings sophisticated legal analysis, lively and eye-popping anecdotes, and plain old common sense to this heated topic, offering ways to separate valid claims from bellyaching, and calling for us to treat racism as a social problem that must be objectively understood and honestly evaluated - Cody's Books

Parker: 'Nigh' headline misleading, sensational

To the Editors:

You recently published an e-mail regarding the possible fate of the Pemberton Market site.  You added a headline to this e-mail stating, "Pemberton Market's end nigh"; and a sub-head stating, "Neighborhood landmark site to be gutted, rebuilt for multi-tenant format". I believe these statements are misleading and sensationalistic.  First, there is no mention of gutting; rather, the e-mail clearly states that the building is structurally sound and the renovations are primarily cosmetic. Second, declaring the end of the Pemberton Market is premature; the e-mail does not state, nor have the proprietors of Pemberton Market publicly indicated, that the market will close after the renovation. Further, the e-mail clearly states the owners of the building have given the market's proprietors "right of first refusal." Finally, although the owners are considering dividing the site into two spaces, the description of the proposed renovated space as a "multi-tenant format" is hyperbole.

Your statements have the potential to inflame a situation that appears to be resolving in a manner consistent with the neighborhood's preferences.  The neighborhood did not want a large condo complex built on the site and hoped that the site would remain a retail location.  This appears to be what will occur and for that we thank the owners.  The owners of the property, however, could never guarantee that the proprietors of the current market would continue to rent the space indefinitely. What we do know is that a building in need of renovation will be spruced up and that the site will remain commercial. To imply anything beyond that is speculation and serves no purpose other than to create unneeded anxiety. I hope that editors see fit to retract their misleading statements.

Sincerely,

Louise E. Parker
Co-Coordinator, Pemberton Neighbors

May mailing for Bush tax rebates

IRS Will Send Stimulus Payments Automatically Starting in May; Eligible Taxpayers Must File a 2007 Tax Return to Receive Rebate 

WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today advised taxpayers that in most cases they will not have to do anything extra this year to get the economic stimulus payments beginning in May.

“If you are eligible for a payment, all you have to do is file a 2007 tax return and the IRS will do the rest,” said Acting IRS Commissioner Linda Stiff.

The IRS will use information on the 2007 tax return filed by the taxpayer to determine eligibility and calculate the amount of the stimulus payments.

The IRS will begin sending taxpayers their payments in early May after the current tax season concludes. Payments to more than 130 million taxpayers will continue over several weeks during the spring and summer. A payment schedule for taxpayers will be announced in the near future.

CAC Gallery features Lyman Feb. 25 to May 1

From Feb. 25 to May 30 the CAC Gallery will be transformed into the painting studio of artist Mela Lyman. Commissioned through the Cambridge Arts Council’s Public Art Program, Mela Lyman created a mural for Paine Park in 2001. Working with young children of the neighborhood, the artist incorporated their drawings into a “euphoric landscape,” physically attaching the drawings to the mural. Subsequent deterioration of the drawings and fading of colors has led the artist to re-imagine her mural for its renewal.

DoD to shoot down tumbling satellite

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Pentagon to brief on falling satellite

We just received this notice:

No. 018-08  February 14, 2008 

Press Briefing On Reentry Of U.S. Satellite Announced

Ambassador James Jeffries, assistant to the President and deputy national security advisor; Gen. James Cartwright, Joint Chiefs of Staff vice chairman; and Michael Griffin, NASA administrator, will conduct a press briefing in the DoD Briefing Room at 2:30 p.m. EST, Feb. 14, Pentagon Room 2E579 to discuss reentry of a U.S. satellite.
 
Journalists without a Pentagon building pass will be picked up at the North Parking Entrance only. Plan to arrive no later than 45 minutes prior to the event; have proof of affiliation and two forms of photo identification. Please call (703) 697-5131 for escort into the building. 

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Happy St. Valentine's Day!

The editors and contributors of The Alewife wish you a happy and full St. Valentine's Day!

Heavy rain leads to sewage overflow into Alewife Brook

We received this notice:

City of Cambridge Department of Public Works – Owen O’Riordan, Catherine Daly Woodbury, Jeya Niranjan, Rebecca Fuentes, George Stylianopoulos, Wendy Robinson

RE: Notice Alert: CSO Activation in Alewife Brook

DATE: February 13, 2008

In accordance with the conditions of the Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) Alewife Brook/Upper Mystic River Variance we are hereby notifying you that a Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) occurred at CAM401B on February 13, 2008 and discharged into the Alewife Brook. The Variance approved workplan requires the Cambridge Department of Public Works (DPW) to notify local health agents, DEP, EPA and MRWA within 24 hours of when a CSO event occurs.  It was determined that 401B was the most active outfall and would be the most suitable indicator of CSO activity along the Alewife Brook.  This notification does not reflect the absence of any activation at other sites.  Rather, the notice is intended to be confirmation to users of the resource that untreated sewage discharges to the Brook/River have occurred.

The water quality in Alewife Brook is often impaired due to bacterial and other pollutants from a number of sources, including stormwater runoff, CSOs and cross connections between sanitary sewers and stormwater drains. Water quality in the brook during both wet and dry weather generally fails to meet state bacteria standards for fishing and swimming. Contaminant sources originate in the watershed communities of Belmont, Arlington, Cambridge and Somerville, all of which are undertaking programs to identify and control the sources of pollution to the brook.

Man claims to be the son of Camelot

According to a report in The Globe and Mail, Canada's national paper of record, a British Columbia man is requesting DNA samples from the family of late president John F. Kennedy to prove he is J.F.K.'s son.

“It's simply a profound duty I feel to do the right thing. Many Americans won't agree and will want to sweep the dirt under the rug. Unfortunately for them ... I'm constitutionally incapable of it. I'm a born whistle-blower," said Jack Worthington, born Nov. 22, 1961, to the Toronto-based paper.

The article quoted other media reports that Worthington's mother's family was active in Texas politics and that Lyndon B. Johnson, who succeeded Kennedy upon his murder in Dallas on Worthington's second birthday, introduced his mother to his father.

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Pemberton Market's end nigh

Neighborhood landmark site to be gutted, rebuilt for multi-tenant format

City Councillor Craig A. Kelley forwarded this e-mail that had been sent to some of the neighbors of Pemberton Market. Kelley said he is open to questions or comments from the neighorhood about what might come of the space. He can be reached at: craig@craigkelley.org.

Dear Pemberton Neighbors,

I am writing to give the neighborhood an update on the Pemberton Market Site and hope to dispel any disturbing rumors. Earlier this week, I spoke at length with Ellen Eisele . As many of you know, Ellen's parents and aunt own the Pemberton Market building and she is representing the family publically. Below is a summary of what Ellen told me. Much of this has been the plan since the family abandoned the idea of building condos and thus does not represent a change from when I last spoke with Ellen some months ago:

Renovation only: The plan is to renovate the current one story structure. These renovations will be primarily cosmetic as the building is structurally sound.

One story only: The family has no intention of "building up". So, the building will remain a one story structure.

Commercial space only--no residential, no condos: The space will remain commercial. The family has no intention of putting any condos or other residential space on the site.

Unclear if the Pemberton Market will remain or whether another business will fill the space: It is unclear whether the Saidnaweys (Leo, Tom, and Mark), who are the proprietors of the Pemberton Market and who rent the space, will remain. Ellen stated that the Saidnaweys had right of first refusal. At this time, I do not know anything definitive about the Saidnaweys plans but I believe they have not made any final decisions.

Why it is taking so long to begin the work: Ellen's family had originally planned to begin renovations this January. They learned, however, that building during the winter months is substantially more expensive than during the spring and summer. For example, if you do any brick work during the winter, you have to heat the brick so the mortar will set properly. They therefore currently plan to begin work this spring but frankly I would not be surprised if construction is delayed until the summer.

There will be no business in the space during renovations: Originally, Ellen had hoped that the market could remain open during the renovations (e.g., renovate one half of the space at a time). Unfortunately, that is not feasible. Thus, there will be no business operating out of the site during the renovations.

Unclear if there will be one space or two: Ellen's family has not yet decided whether there will be one commercial space or two. This will depend upon who wants to rent the space.

Commercial versus retail: Please note that commercial does not necessarily mean retail. What ultimately goes into the space will depend upon who wants to rent it. So it might be stores or other businesses such as professional offices.

Phillips wins state comte. seat

We are very happy to learn that our friend Lesley R. Phillips, the leader of Progressive Democrats of Cambridge, Tuesday won the contest to be the Democratic State Committeewoman for the Middlesex, Suffolk and Essex district, which includes parts of North Cambridge.

Seidel demands Healy control drug-dealing city workers

City Councillor Sam Seidel has the following order on Monday's City Council agenda:

WHEREAS:
Recent arrests for drug dealing by City employees during work hours using city-owned vehicles has heightened concerns over criminal activity in the City of Cambridge; now therefore be it

ORDERED:
That the City Manager be and hereby is requested to report back to the City Council on policies and procedures in place to prevent employees from engaging in illegal activities while in the employment of the City of Cambridge.

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City Councillor Sam Seidel

Romney: I must step aside

Speaking to the annual Conservative Political Action Convention today in Washington, W. Mitt Romney turned back calls for him to take his campaign all the way to the Republican National Conference, and instead suspended his run for the White House.

"This is not an easy decision for me. I hate to lose. My family, my friends and our supporters… many of you right here in this room… have given a great deal to get me where I have a shot at becoming President. If this were only about me, I would go on. But I entered this race because I love America, and because I love America, I feel I must now stand aside, for our party and for our country."

Romney's withdrawal leaves Sen. John S. McCain, who addresses CPAC today at 3:30 p.m., as the presumptive Republican nominee.

Link to Video of Romney's Complete Speech

Romney drops out of race

Former Massachusetts governor W. Mitt Romney will suspend his presidential campaign in address today at the annual CPAC.

Romney, to be introduced by radio talk show host Laura Ingram was expected to speak at 12:15 p.m.

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Ritholz: New warning language for bond raters

On his Weblog "The Big Picture" our friend Barry Ritholz has weighed in on the shifting sands of the bond market.  As Moody's announced its new rating system, Ritholz suggests the following disclaimer:

WARNING: THESE BONDS HAVE BEEN RATED AAA BY A MAJOR RATING FIRM. THEY HAVE PROVEN THEMSELVES TO BE CLUELESS, MONEY-LOSING INCOMPETENTS IN EXCESS  OF A TRILLION DOLLARS. THESE FIRMS WERE PAID HANDSOMELY BY THE UNDERWRITER, AND ARE HOPELESSLY COMPROMISED. PURCHASERS OF THESE BONDS ARE ADVISED TO  IMMEDIATELY  KILL THEMSELVES, THUS SPARING THEIR LOVED ONES EMBARRASSMENT IN THE FUTURE. ALSO, THESE BONDS MAY LOSE VALUE. I JUST WET MYSELF MERELY THINKING ABOUT THIS PAPER. WHILE PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT INDICATIVE OF FUTURE RETURNS, YOU SHOULD BE AWARE THAT PAST PERFORMANCE ALSO SUCKED. DONT BLAME US IF YOU LOSE ANY MONEY, AS WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE F*CK WE ARE DOING ANYWAY. REALLY, YOU ARE ON YOUR OWN.

Ash Wednesday message from Cardinal Archbishop Sean P. O'Malley

“The Lenten season presents us the opportunity to deepen our relationship with the God through prayer, fasting and recognition of our need to be reconciled with the Lord and one another.   In living our lives as disciples of Christ we are called to make a gift of ourselves to God and to others.   

"During the 40 days of Lent we make a special effort to include prayer and works of mercy in our daily lives and to receive the Eucharist and the sacrament of Reconciliation more frequently.   May the peace of Christ be with the people of the Archdiocese of Boston during this blessed time as together we journey to the joy and renewal of Easter.”

Obama, McCain outpoll rivals in city

Sen. Barak H. Obama beat Sen. Hillary R. Clinton Tuesday 17,213 to 9,416 in the Democratic Presidential contest and Sen. John S. McCain bested former governor W. Mitt Romney 1.177 to 904 in the Republican ballot.

Our friend, Lesley Phillips, the leader of Progressive Democrats of Cambridge garnered 5,234 votes in her campaign to win the Democratic State Committeewoman's seat for the Middlesex, Suffolk and Essex district seat.

These numbers are not final.

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City earns Triple A ratings for 9th straight year

Our friend Ini Tomeu sent over this press release:

City Manager Robert W. Healy this week announced that Cambridge has continued its rare distinction of being one of approximately 20 cities in the nation to earn three Triple A rating from the nation’s three major credit rating agencies. This is the highest rating that can be awarded to a city and Cambridge has the added enviable status of attaining three Triple A ratings for its ninth consecutive year.

“We are very proud of this accomplishment,” said Healy, adding that a great deal of work and effort goes into preparing and presenting the City’s financial documents to the rating agencies. 

This year, Standard and Poor’s revised its Financial Management Assessment of the city from good to strong. An FMA of “strong” indicates that practices are strong, well embedded and likely sustainable.

“This achievement continues to affirm the sound financial policies and practices of the City of Cambridge’s administration and of the Cambridge City Council and also recognizes the tremendous effort by the Budget and Finance Departments.”

These ratings are in conjunction with the City’s sale of $69.9 million in bonds, which will take place on February 5, 2008. This issue will finance such capital projects as the Main Library, West Cambridge Youth and Community Center, Public Safety Facility, Sewer and Street Reconstruction Projects, the War Memorial and CRLS Renovation Projects.

Standard & Poor’s Highlights on Cambridge:
Dynamic local economy, which is centered on Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Above-average wealth and income factors, including a high market value per capita; Strong financial position, due to an experienced management team, and strong management policies; Below-average debt burden and manageable capital plan. 

USA Today: Santana to Mets

Minnesota Twins ace Johan Santana will join the New York Metropolitans, not the Boston Red Sox, according to a report by Bob Nightengale on USA Today online.

The Twins have agreed to trade Santana to the Mets in exchange for prospects and have granted the team permission to negotiate a new contract with him.

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First Parish Cambridge to 'Host Bring a Friend Sunday' Feb 3

by Neil W. McCabe

Harvard Square's Unitarian Universalist First Parish Feb. 3 will host its annual “Bring a Friend Sunday” themed 10:30 a.m. service led by 10:30 am. to encourage parishioners to invite their friends to service, encourage members of the community to visit for the first time and to increase the church’s visibility.

“It can be a joy to share with another something that has made our lives more pleasant, more endurable, and more meaningful. We often find it easy to tell a friend about a new product we have discovered, but refrain from sharing discoveries that have deepened and sustained us. Bring a Friend Sunday is a chance to encourage those who already attend First Parish in Cambridge to share what they love,” said Rev. Dr. Anita Farber-Robertson.

Farber-Robertson said, "It is also a chance for those who have walked by the meeting house day after day and wondered what it holds to come in for a visit and experience the rich tradition and dynamic energy for themselves.”

The organizers have held this service for a number of years and had a record for new attendees at last year’s service. On this day, the church will celebrate friendship and community with a special worship service and a festive fellowship hour following the service. In addition, the regularly scheduled children’s religious education program will welcome visitors to their classes, she said.

Known by many names, The First Parish in Cambridge, The First Church (Unitarian Universalist) and An Old Church for a New World, the church is located at the corner of Church Street and Massachusetts Avenue in the heart of Harvard Square, she said.
The parish seeks to meet the religious needs of people throughout Cambridge, and in neighboring communities. The church has 400-plus adult members and friends with 120 children and youth. It is wheelchair accessible and validates parking at the Church Street lot until 1:00 p.m., she said.

The church holds no creeds or dogmas; it encourages the pursuit of personal religious vision. The congregation has long strived to become a welcoming, more inclusive congregation, especially in areas of age, gender, race, sexual orientation, economic status, and ability issues, she said. "The ideal that inspires First Parish is 'Walking Together in our differences as a Beloved Community of Memory and Hope.'"

More information is available at their Web site: www.firstparishcambridge.org

NASA: Astroid to near miss Earth Tuesday

NASA's Near Earth Object Program reports:

Don Yeomans
NASA/JPL Near-Earth Object Program Office
January 22, 2008

Asteroid 2007 TU24, discovered by the Catalina Sky Survey on October 11, 2007 will closely approach the Earth to within 1.4 lunar distances (334,000 miles) on 2008 Jan. 29 08:33 UT. This object, between 150 and 600 meters in diameter, will reach an approximate apparent magnitude 10.3 on Jan. 29-30 before quickly becoming fainter as it moves further from Earth. For a brief time the asteroid will be observable in dark and clear skies with amateur telescopes of 3 inch apertures or larger.