Cambridge Morning Brief, Nov. 2: Councillor's newsletter rounds up Halloween, voting guides

From Cambridge News

• Councillor's newsletter rounds up Halloween, voting guides City Councillor Marc McGovern's weekly newsletter points residents to guides on the nine state ballot questions, Halloween open houses at fire stations, library and bookstore author talks, and a household hazardous waste day Nov. 7.Cambridge News
• October home sales roundup topped by $5 million deal Cambridge recorded three disclosed home sales in October, led by a $5 million transaction, according to newly compiled city property data.Cambridge News

Happening Mon, Nov 2

• 10:30 a.m.: O'Neill Branch hosts songs and stories for kids The O'Neill Branch library hosts Songs, Stories and Play at 10:30 a.m. Monday for children of all ages and their caregivers.Cambridge Public Library
• 10:30 a.m.: Central Square library offers high beginner ESOL class The Central Square Branch's Literacy Center offers a high beginner ESOL class at 10:30 a.m. Monday; no testing is required.Cambridge Public Library
• 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Tech for All: Meet Your Device Workshop: Monday at 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m Tech for All: Meet Your Device Workshop is listed on the town calendar for Monday, Nov. 2 at 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Lewis Room, Main Library.Cambridge Public Library
• 11:45 a.m.: Virtual Zumba Gold class offered for older adults A certified instructor leads a 45-minute virtual Zumba Gold class for older adults at 11:45 a.m. Monday through the Cambridge Public Library; registration is required.Cambridge Public Library
• 3:30 p.m.: Community Benefits Advisory Committee meets Monday The Community Benefits Advisory Committee holds a meeting starting at 3:30 p.m. Monday.City of Cambridge
• 5:30 p.m.: City Council meets, weighs demolition permit rule The Cambridge City Council meets at 5:30 p.m. Monday in Sullivan Chamber at City Hall; councillors are expected to consider a local-option rule requiring a building permit before any demolition, the Cambridge Somerville Independent reports.City of Cambridge
• 5:30 p.m.: City Council Regular meets Monday at 5:30 p.m The City Council Regular Meeting meets Monday, Nov. 2 at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, 2nd Floor Sullivan Chamber, 795 Massachusetts Ave.City of Cambridge
• Ahern Field closes in sections for soil sampling The city collects soil samples at Ahern Field and playground Monday, temporarily closing sections of the field as work progresses.City of Cambridge
• 1 p.m.: Central Square library offers SNAP, MassHealth help Central Square Branch library hosts an in-person session at 1 p.m. Monday to help residents understand changes to SNAP and MassHealth eligibility and next steps.City of Cambridge
• 6 p.m.: Mid Cambridge historic district panel meets online The Mid Cambridge Neighborhood Conservation District Commission holds its monthly meeting online at 6 p.m. Monday.City of Cambridge
• 9 a.m.: Library offers virtual mindfulness class for older adults The Cambridge Public Library hosts 'Aging with Mindfulness,' a virtual class led by Zeenat Potia, at 9 a.m. Monday; registration is required.Cambridge Public Library
• 11 a.m.: Boudreau Branch hosts Baby Lapsit for infants The Boudreau Branch library hosts Baby Lapsit, bounces and rhymes for caregivers and babies ages 0 to 18 months, at 11 a.m. Monday.Cambridge Public Library
• 11 a.m.: Main Library holds Morning Sing-Along for families The Main Library's Curious George Room hosts a Morning Sing-Along at 11 a.m. Monday, accommodating up to 130 people on a first-come basis.Cambridge Public Library
• 11 a.m.: Library helps residents set up free devices The Main Library's Tech for All workshop at 11 a.m. Monday helps residents who received free laptops or hotspots learn to use their new devices.Cambridge Public Library
• 1 p.m.: Central Square library offers beginner ESOL class The Central Square Branch library offers a beginner-level ESOL class at 1 p.m. Monday; no registration or testing is needed.Cambridge Public Library
• 1 p.m.: O'Neill Branch offers intermediate English conversation practice The O'Neill Branch library offers an intermediate-level English conversation practice class at 1 p.m. Monday for English language learners.Cambridge Public Library
• 1 p.m.: Main Library's Hive opens for maker drop-ins The Main Library's Hive maker space holds Open Shop at 1 p.m. Monday for badged users to reserve equipment or work on projects independently.Cambridge Public Library
• 5 p.m.: Boudreau Branch hosts drop-in Chess Hour The Boudreau Branch library hosts Chess Hour at 5 p.m. Monday, open to players of all skill levels; chess sets are provided.Cambridge Public Library
• 8 p.m.: Blacksmith House hosts poets Ó Tuama, Stewart The Cambridge Center for Adult Education's Blacksmith House Poetry Series features poets Pádraig Ó Tuama and Susan Stewart at 8 p.m. Monday.Cambridge Center for Adult Education

Yesterday in Cambridge (Sun, Nov 1)

• Mortgage debt lingers after condo demolition A Cambridge condo building that was evacuated and later demolished has left owners facing unresolved mortgage debt, the Boston Globe reports, with the total amount owed not made public.Boston Globe
• Cambridge Common, Café Barada confirm closure plans Cambridge Common and Café Barada, longtime Massachusetts Avenue restaurants, will close along with the Lizard Lounge, and the closures could pave the way for new development, Cambridge Day reports.Cambridge Day

Coming up

• Tue, Nov 3: Election Day arrives for Massachusetts voters Tuesday is the state election, with nine ballot questions before Massachusetts voters; the city's voting options and polling information are posted on the Election Commission's page.City of Cambridge
• Tue, Nov 3: No school Tuesday for Election Day, staff training Cambridge Public Schools are closed Tuesday for Election Day and a staff professional development day.Cambridge Public Schools
• Tue, Nov 3, 9 a.m.: Public planting policy subcommittee meets online The Committee on Public Planting's Policy and Planning Subcommittee meets online at 9 a.m. Tuesday.City of Cambridge
• Tue, Nov 3, 6:30 p.m.: Freedmen Commission subcommittee holds public meeting The American Freedmen Commission's Community Outreach Subcommittee holds a public meeting at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.City of Cambridge
• Tue, Nov 3: BB&N middle schoolers play flag football at Belmont Day Buckingham Browne & Nichols middle school flag football travels to Belmont Day School on Tuesday.Buckingham Browne & Nichols
• Tue, Nov 3, 2 p.m.: Baldwin Community Center afterschool closed for election The Maria L. Baldwin Community Center's afterschool program is closed Tuesday for Election Day.Maria L. Baldwin Community Center
• Tue, Nov 3, 3 p.m.: BB&N middle school field hockey hosts Belmont Day Buckingham Browne & Nichols middle school field hockey hosts Belmont Day School at 3 p.m. Tuesday.Buckingham Browne & Nichols
• Tue, Nov 3, 5 p.m.: First Church hosts Irish dance session First Church in Cambridge hosts an Irish dance session at 5 p.m. Tuesday.First Church in Cambridge
• Wed, Nov 4, 3 p.m.: Info session offered on CNA training program The Community Learning Center at 5 Western Ave. holds an information session at 3 p.m. Wednesday on its Certified Nursing Assistant training program for English language learners.City of Cambridge
• Wed, Nov 4, 6 p.m.: Author Jacob Weisberg discusses new book at library Harvard Book Store and the Cambridge Public Library host author Jacob Weisberg at the Main Library Lecture Hall at 6 p.m. Wednesday to discuss his book 'Profiles in Cowardice.' Registration is required.Cambridge Public Library
• Wed, Nov 4, 6 p.m.: City holds homeownership program information session The city holds a Homeownership Program information session at 6 p.m. Wednesday for residents interested in buying a home.City of Cambridge
• Thu, Nov 5, 4 p.m.: Childcare access task force meets Thursday The Cambridge Childcare Access Joint Task Force meets at 4 p.m. Thursday at the City Hall Annex.City of Cambridge
• Thu, Nov 5, 6 p.m.: Historical Commission holds regular meeting online The Cambridge Historical Commission holds its regular meeting online at 6 p.m. Thursday.City of Cambridge
• Thu, Nov 5, 6 p.m.: City offers virtual small business tax workshop The city holds a virtual Small Business Tax Workshop over Zoom at 6 p.m. Thursday.City of Cambridge
• Sat, Nov 7, 9 a.m.: Last hazardous waste collection day of year set The city's last Household Hazardous Waste Collection Day of the year runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at 50 Mooney Street, entering via Fawcett Street; the event is for Cambridge residents only.City of Cambridge
• Sat, Nov 7, 9 a.m.: MIT hosts College Preparedness Conference Saturday MIT hosts a College Preparedness Conference at 9 a.m. Saturday at 77 Massachusetts Ave.City of Cambridge
• Sat, Nov 7, 10:30 a.m.: Family Literacy Fun Day returns to City Hall lawn The city's 27th annual Family Literacy Fun Day runs from 10:30 a.m. Saturday on the Cambridge City Hall lawn, free for families with children from birth through third grade.City of Cambridge
• Sat, Nov 7, 11 a.m.: Special Olympics basketball tryouts begin Saturday The Cambridge Program for Individuals with Special Needs holds its first Special Olympics basketball tryout from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Russell Youth and Community Center.City of Cambridge

More events and things to do →

Browse this week: Government & development · Events & things to do · Schools · Openings, closings & business
Every past edition

Compiled from official town feeds, community organizations, and local press. Outside reporting is attributed inline.