Cambridge Morning Brief, Oct. 29: Council returns to 3 stalled policy orders

From Cambridge News

• Council returns to 3 stalled policy orders The Cambridge City Council met in special session to continue deliberating three policy orders paused after councillors invoked charter rights, following a marathon public comment hearing that drew over 350 residents and thousands of written comments.Cambridge News
• Ahern Field playground to close for soil testing Cambridge says Ahern Field and its playground will close in sections Nov. 2 while consultant CDM Smith collects soil samples for an ongoing construction project, with access maintained around the park.Cambridge News
• Harvard Square's Lot 2 closes for repairs Lot 2, the parking garage beneath the Harvard Square Hotel, will close entirely starting Nov. 2 while Harvard University finishes structural repairs, with work expected to wrap by Jan. 30, 2027.Cambridge News
• Road closures set for Cambridge 5K, Half Marathon The City of Cambridge announced Oct. 28 that road closures will affect East Cambridge and Memorial Drive on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 for the Cambridge 5K and Half Marathon.Cambridge News

Happening Thu, Oct 29

• 10:00 a.m.: SNAP, MassHealth help offered in North Cambridge CEOC staff offer SNAP and MassHealth eligibility assistance at the Community Learning Center in North Cambridge, 286 Rindge Ave., Thursday at 10 a.m.Town of Cambridge
• 11:00 a.m.: Women's Center runs full Thursday workshop schedule The Cambridge Women's Center holds a sewing group, knitting circle, health talk, gentle yoga and an open art maker space between 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Thursday.Cambridge Women's Center
• 2:00 p.m.: HiSET/GED prep info session set at learning center The Community Learning Center at 5 Western Ave. holds a HiSET/GED prep information session and placement test Thursday at 2 p.m.Town of Cambridge
• 3:00 p.m.: Trick or Treat with City Hall set Thursday Mayor Sumbul Siddiqui and city staff host a family Halloween celebration on the City Hall lawn Thursday at 3 p.m.Town of Cambridge
• 5:00 p.m.: Central Square rezoning open house set Thursday The city holds a Central Square Rezoning Open House Thursday at 5 p.m.Town of Cambridge
• 5:00 p.m.: Transit Advisory Committee holds public meeting The Transit Advisory Committee holds a public meeting Thursday at 5 p.m. in front of the USPS at 770 Massachusetts Ave.Town of Cambridge
• 5:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.: Transit Advisory Committee - Site Walk - October-November 2026 meets Thursday at 5:00 p.m The Transit Advisory Committee - Site Walk - October-November 2026 meets Thursday, Oct. 29 at 5:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.Town of Cambridge
• 5:00 p.m.: First Church hosts Newtowne Open House First Church in Cambridge hosts a Newtowne Open House Thursday at 5 p.m.First Church in Cambridge
• 5:15 p.m.: Family Policy Council meets Thursday evening The Family Policy Council holds its regular meeting Thursday starting at 5:15 p.m.Town of Cambridge
• 6:00 p.m.: Library presents talk on 250 years of governance Cambridge Public Library presents 'America Unfinished: 250 Years of Law and Governance' Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Main Library.Cambridge Public Library
• 6:00 p.m.: Halloween scavenger hunt set at Russell Center The Russell Youth and Community Center, 680 Huron Ave., hosts a Halloween Scavenger Hunt Thursday at 6 p.m.Town of Cambridge
• 6:00 p.m.: Family STEAM Night set at Cambridge Street Upper Cambridge Street Upper School hosts a K-8 Family STEAM Night Thursday at 6 p.m. at 850 Cambridge St.Cambridge Public Schools
• 6:00 p.m.: BB&N hosts Mahjong Night fundraiser event BB&N hosts an ASPA Game Mahjong Night, part one, Thursday at 6 p.m. at its Nicholas Athletic Center.Buckingham Browne & Nichols School
• 8:00 p.m.: Lizard Lounge hosts Halloween-themed music lineup Flep, Lizzard of Ozz and Dark Side of the Ghoul play Lizard Lounge Thursday at 8 p.m.Lizard Lounge
• Lamplighter Sessions returns to Club Passim for 15 years Patch reports Peter Mulvey's Lamplighter Sessions returns to Club Passim for six shows over five nights, Oct. 29 to Nov. 2, including a Christmas-themed Halloween night and a Tom Waits 'Rain Dogs' performance.Cambridge Patch

Yesterday in Cambridge (Wed, Oct 28)

• Report finds Black Harvard enrollment nearly halved TheGrio reports Black freshman enrollment at Harvard has dropped nearly 50 percent since the Supreme Court ended affirmative action, following the university's elimination of its early admissions policy.TheGrio
• Biogen boosts outlook after strong Q3 beat TradingView reports Cambridge-based biotech Biogen raised its outlook after adding $2.8 billion in quarterly revenue with about 11 percent year-over-year growth, beating consensus estimates by $170 million.TradingView
• MWRA open to alternate sites for Magazine Beach tank At a contentious Cambridgeport meeting, MWRA officials said they would consider alternative locations for the proposed 10-million-gallon sewage tank or restoring public access above it after construction, Cambridge Day reports; the Cambridge Somerville Independent also covered the meeting.Cambridge Day
• Councilors push MWRA for tougher sewage plan Cambridge Day reports city councilors in Cambridge, Somerville and Boston are joining to push the MWRA for a more ambitious plan to curb combined sewer overflow pollution.Cambridge Day
• Council passes divestment order, rejects contract review Cambridge Day reports the council passed an amended order requiring the city to build its own divestment list including firms like Palantir and GE Aerospace, while a related move to review city contracts was rejected.Cambridge Day
• Harvard grad student workers launch second strike Cambridge Day reports Harvard graduate student workers began a second strike this year amid stalled contract talks, with other Harvard and MIT unions threatening to follow.Cambridge Day
• Ballot Question 7 would allow smaller house lots Cambridge Day reports Massachusetts voters will decide whether to override local zoning and allow single-family homes on lots as small as 5,000 square feet, a change supporters say would spur starter-home construction.Cambridge Day
• Two new noodle bars open near Red Line Cambridge Day reviews two new noodle spots near the Red Line: Xi'an Cool Noodle for cold, spicy dishes and the Noodle Lab for broth-based bowls.Cambridge Day
• Somerville favorite Michette opens Cambridge location The Cambridge Somerville Independent reviews a new Michette cafe location off Cambridge Street, between Inman and Union squares, describing a triangular patio space with bright natural light.Cambridge Somerville Independent
• Porter Square housing project to use mass timber The Cambridge Somerville Independent reports a two-building affordable housing project near Porter Square is part of a state program promoting mass timber, a wood material that can replace steel or concrete.Cambridge Somerville Independent

Coming up

• Fri, Oct 30: Early voting ends Friday for Nov. 3 election Cambridge residents can vote early in person for the Nov. 3 state election through Friday, Oct. 30, the city says.Town of Cambridge
• Fri, Oct 30, 10:30 a.m.: Strong and Stretched class offered at Russell Center The Russell Youth and Community Center offers a Strong and Stretched fitness class Friday at 10:30 a.m.Town of Cambridge
• Fri, Oct 30, 1:00 p.m.: SNAP, MassHealth help offered at flu clinic CEOC staff provide SNAP and MassHealth assistance at a CPHD flu clinic at the Cambridge Community Center, 5 Callender St., Friday at 1 p.m.Town of Cambridge
• Fri, Oct 30, 7:00 p.m.: BB&N varsity football hosts St. Sebastian's BB&N's varsity football team hosts St. Sebastian's Friday at 7 p.m. at its Nicholas Athletic Center.Buckingham Browne & Nichols School
• Mon, Nov 2, 5:30 p.m.: City Council regular meeting set for Nov. 2 The Cambridge City Council holds its regular meeting Monday, Nov. 2, at 5:30 p.m. in the Sullivan Chamber at City Hall.Town of Cambridge
• Tue, Nov 3: Massachusetts holds state election Nov. 3 Massachusetts holds its state election Tuesday, Nov. 3; Cambridge voting information is available through the city's Election Commission.Town of Cambridge
• Wed, Nov 4, 6:00 p.m.: Author Jacob Weisberg speaks at Main Library Author Jacob Weisberg discusses his book 'Profiles in Cowardice' at the Main Library on Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 6 p.m.Cambridge Public Library
• Wed, Nov 4, 6:00 p.m.: Homeownership program info session set Nov. 4 The city holds a Homeownership Program Information Session Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 6 p.m.Town of Cambridge
• Wed, Nov 4, 3:00 p.m.: CNA training program info session set Nov. 4 The Community Learning Center at 5 Western Ave. holds an info session for its Certified Nursing Assistant training program for English language learners Wednesday, Nov. 4, at 3 p.m.Town of Cambridge
• Wed, Nov 4, 9:00 a.m.: November energy bill office hours set Nov. 4 The city offers November Energy Bill Office Hours at the Multi-Service Center, 362 Green St., Wednesday, Nov. 4, starting at 9 a.m.Town of Cambridge

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