Rabbi Hirschy Zarchi of Chabad of Harvard University said the following in a press release from Chabad:

“We have truly lost our finest. Since 2003, Gavriel and Rivkah directed a thriving hub of spirituality and kindness, with a Chabad center that serviced thousands of tourists and business people, as well as the local Jewish community.”

Twenty-three Chabad rabbis from the Greater Boston area will gather Tuesday  at 10 a.m. at the State House to respond to this tragedy and share their memories of their colleagues, Rabbi Gavriel and Rivkah Holtzber, who were killed in the attacks in Mumbai.

At least that’s what Cambridge’s National Bureau of Economic Research has announced this morning.

“Many economists believe the current downturn will last well into 2009, and will be the most severe slump since the 1981-82 recession.”

The Atlantic’s Barbara Wallraff points out the misplaced apostrophe at the “Visitor’s Center” in Harvard Square.

Can someone say clearances? Crate and Barrel has officially announced the closing of its location in Harvard Square on Jan. 24. Store representative Vicky Lang said the decision is not based on the lousy economy, but about the direction their brand is going and the need for more room. Here is an official statement. Thoughts?

Since first opening our doors for business at our Brattle Street location, Crate and Barrel has enjoyed the warm and ever-growing support of our Cambridge neighbors. This distinctive jewel-box of a building has been our home for almost 30 years, and has provided a beautiful setting to showcase our housewares merchandise. At Brattle Street, it has been our privilege to continue the legacy of design excellence established by Ben Thompson and Design Research. Over the years, the neighborhood, and the city beyond it, has seen many changes. The Crate and Barrel brand has also continued to evolve. Today, our primary goal is to bring our integrated housewares and furniture collection to customers through our Homestore concept. For the past few years, we have worked closely with our Brattle Street landlord, Bill Poorvu, to explore this expansion possibility. Ultimately, however, we concluded that the unique design of the building cannot support the addition of our furniture collection. Therefore, it is with regret that we announce the closing of our Brattle Street store January 25, 2009. We thank our many loyal customers and friends who have generously supported our business over the years and invite all to visit our nearby Boylston Homestore location, just minutes away on the T, and our newest location at the Burlington Mall. We look forward to welcoming you.

Did you brave the lines just to buy that iPod or pair of jeans? Let us know right here.

Dynamo Chronicle staffer Jillian Fennimore took this photo of the view towards Cambridge from our Davis Square office just now:

Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at the Chronicle/Wickedlocal Cambridge.

Thanksgiving means… no, not turkey and stuffing! It means that the annual Cambridge-Everett football game is upon us! Duh! The Falcons stand at 4-5 and for the seniors, it will be the last time they suit up for Cambridge. Everett stands in its usual position of GBL dominance at 8-1 and a flawless 3-0 within conference. For the Falcons to have any chance, they’re going to need to rely on speed as opposed to strength. Everett is huge on both the offensive and defensive lines, so Cambridge will need lots of quick passes on offense and gang-tackling on defense. Quarterback Ray Doucette will obviously need to be on his game, but the Falcons offensive line will need to give him time to get the ball to Justin Bernard, Duke Hobbs, George Skelton and the running backs, Jerome Rodriguez and Darren Thornton. Will the Falcons pull off the upset? Come to Russell Field tomorrow morning at 10 AM to find out!

Tonight’s the last night of music at the Abbey Lounge. Share your memories here.

XConomy’s Battle of the Tech Bands returns to the Middle East in January. The deadline for entries is Dec. 12. At least one member of your band must work for a New England-area technology or life sciences company or a venture-capital or private-equity firm that invests in technology. All levels of bands are welcome—from club veterans to garage hackers. All musical styles are welcome. Bands that entered Xconomy’s first Battle of the Bands in January 2008 are eligible for Battle of the Bands 2.

For all the details, click here.

<a href =”http://answers.polldaddy.com/poll/1140745/” >Will you be traveling this Thanksgiving?</a> <br/> <span style=”font-size:9px;” mce_style=”font-size:9px;”> (<a href =”http://www.polldaddy.com”> polls</a>)</span>

In a letter sent to administrators, Harvard University Faculty of Arts and Sciences Dean Michael D. Smith announced an immediate hiring freeze, The Crimson reports.

The school joins a growing list of universities that have taken drastic measures to shield themselves against the global economic downturn.

Some more reaction from those affected by the five-alarm fire on Prince Street in Cambridge early Tuesday morning (and a link to a statement from the mayor):

Fadeintofocus (Robert): “…it sure did a number on our home. My gf woke me up around 3 to say she thought someone was in the house– I paused a second, and then we both heard glass breaking. I jumped up, ready to kick ass and take names, and instead saw my kitchen spitting fire inward. I yelled for her, and she told me to call 911. I grabbed pants and my phone, and she grabbed pants, and within about 90 seconds, the smoke went from barely noticeable to unbearable.”

Maladjusted: “Last night, at 3am, a five-alarm fire spread through 27 Prince St. in Cambridge, home of my best friend Robert ([info]fadeintofocus) and his girlfriend. Many of you have met Rob, and know that he’s my lifeline. He’s also a hardworking, smart, and driven individual, who unfortunately, did not have renters’ insurance. He recently started a new job as a cook at a restaurant downtown, and Chelsea, his girlfriend, waits tables. As you can imagine, they don’t have a ton saved up. Most of what they do have will be used to try to get a new place to live.”

Mayor Denise Simmons: “Every person who has been displaced by the fire has found shelter, and the Red Cross continues to work with all of the displaced families.”

[photo by zara tzanev]

Prince Street resident Mark Soper shot some impressive video at the scene of that big five-alarm fire Tuesday morning. Now we know why it was a five-alarm fire.

We’ve got very preliminary details here about the big fire on Prince Street — which happened two days before Thanksgiving.

Photos by Zara Tzanev

XConomy has begun its own “Boston Tech Layoff Tracker.” A few Cambridge companies are on the list. [via Universal Hub]

Cambridge homegal Mindy Kaling, who plays Kelly Kapoor on the hit show “The Office,” stopped by Children’s Hospital Boston today. She attended the Kidz B Kidz Art Party to celebrate the Kidz B Kidz product line launch.

Since Star Market changed its parking lot at its Mt. Auburn Street store, some residents have compained it’s an accident waiting to happen. And it did happen on Saturday when a 71-year-old man was hit and killed.

The condo project that sparked neighbors to call for stricter zoning along the Charles River has been put on hold because of financial difficulties.

Here’s the picture. Better view here.