Cambridge Highlands Neighborhood Association

Wednesday, June 10, 2009- 5:00 PM
The Public Facilities, Art and Celebrations Committee will conduct a public meeting to discuss defining what is public art, how public art projects, artists and art work is chosen and how to get more community input involved in the process. (Cambridge City Hall, 795 Mass Ave, Second Floor, Anastos Room)

Attached is the above mentioned agenda.

June 11, 2009 BZA Agenda

Cambridge health officials confirmed two new cases of swine flu in the city: one student at King Open School and an adult with children enrolled in a Cambridge daycare center. In addition, three students and a staff member at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School have been out sick with influenza-like illness.

The children of the adult, who were also ill with flu-like symptoms, may have attended the care center while infectious. On May 14, families and staff were notified that anyone associated with the center, the name of which was not released, with flu-like symptoms should home for at least seven days to help avoid transmission.

The second new case in Cambridge is a student at the King Open elementary school who was in school briefly while infectious. The student is currently recovering at home, health officials said in a press release.
The child’s condition, age, grade and name were not released, but parents were told to maintain proper hygiene among their children in a letter sent to parents.

No word if the school will open on Monday. School spokesman Justin Martin did not immediately return a call and e-mail for comment.

“This novel flu virus is in our community, and we are preparing to see more cases in Cambridge,” said Claude-Alix Jacob, the city’s chief public health officer and director of the public health department, in a statement.

Jacob added that the health department’s main focus right now is protecting Cambridge residents and workers who may be at risk for serious complications from the flu, given that a vaccine is not available. High risk groups include young children, seniors, people with chronic illnesses, and pregnant women.
“It is vitally important for people with flu-like symptoms—such as a fever, cough, or sore throat—to stay home from school or work for at least seven days, not just until they feel better,” said Jacob.

In addition to the new confirmed cases, three students and a staff member at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School have been out sick with influenza-like illness. These individuals, who were told to stay home for at least seven days, will not be tested for the H1N1 virus because they are not considered at high risk for serious complications from the flu.

On May 15, the Cambridge Public Schools sent a letter to all families with children in the city’s public school system notifying them about the King Open student and the unconfirmed cluster at the high school.
The original confirmed case in a Cambridge resident was a 26-year-old individual who was linked to the Harvard Dental School H1N1 cluster. This person has since fully recovered and is no longer infectious.
As of May 15, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health has confirmed 142 cases of swine flu — identified as H1N1 — statewide. All infected people are expected to fully recover; two of the newly confirmed cases were hospitalized but have since been discharged. More than 50 percent of the Massachusetts confirmed cases have been under age 18.

Because there is no vaccine for swine flu, public health officials remind all Massachusetts residents to continue taking simple steps to keep themselves and others healthy.

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Cover your cough with a tissue or cough into your inner elbow and not into your hands.
• If your child is sick, keep them him or her out of school for at least seven days, even if symptoms go away sooner. If you are sick, stay home from work.

For more information on H1N1 flu, check www.mass.gov/dph/swineflu.

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Celebrate Earth Day and Department of Conservation and Recreation Park Serve Day at the Alewife Reservation, under the auspices of the Cambridge Science Festival, based at MIT.  On Saturday April 25, 10-2, participate in Massachusetts’ 3rd annual Park Serve Day with a spring clean-up of the reservation.  Come spruce up and discover your local urban wild by cleaning the south trail, Blair Pond, and Yates Pond, as well as trails throughout the broader reservation.  On Sunday, April 26, 10-12, experience “Walk on the Wild Side” with Tracker and Birder David Brown!!  He will lead the group up the north trail to Little Pond on a one-mile trek to see the multiple eco-systems, birds, and perhaps evidence of gray fox and river otter.  For both events, meet across the street from Alewife T passenger pick-up.  Families are welcome; children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult.  Long pants and shirts, sturdy walking shoes, and a water bottle are essential.  Events hosted by Friends of Alewife Reservation.  Contact FAR with questions at 617-415-1884.

The city will hold its second Fresh Pond Day Saturday, May 9, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at 250 Fresh Pond Parkway.

Activities will include nature walks, Water Treatment Plant tours, bike rides and safety tips, an interactive literacy display, scavenger hunt, container gardening demonstration, Fire Department Dive Team demonstration, and a visit to the CPS Maynard Ecology Center. There will also be dog licensing, although proof of rabies vaccination is required, a pedi cab for senior citizens, a signup table for free home energy audits, recycling information, and more.

Parking will be available at the Tobin School at 197 Vassal Lane. Free shuttle buses will run from the Alewife T station. MBTA public transportation is also optional from Harvard Square. The Citywide and North Cambridge Senior Centers will offer transportation for seniors and/or wheelchair-bound persons.

All are welcome; picnic baskets are encouraged. For more information, visit www.cambridgema.gov or call 617-349-4339.

Will Brownsberger will be holding two open discussion forums on the state budget next week.

• Belmont: Tuesday, April 21 at 7:30PM in the Chenery Middle School Community Room
• Cambridge: Monday, April 20, at 8:00PM in the community room of the Fresh Pond Apartments at 364 Rindge Avenue

The House Ways and Means Committee released its budget on Wednesday, April 15. These discussion wills be an opportunity to explore the Committee’s decisions on local aid and state programs. Will is also hoping for input that will help guide in the budget debates that will begin in the House the following week. Anthony Schinella, editor of the Belmont Citizen Herald will assist in moderating the discussion in Belmont.

The city will sponsor a household hazardous waste collection day Saturday, April 25, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the National Guard Armory at 450 Concord Ave., next to the Sozio Rotary.