The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) came to Cambridge Wednesday night to explain to citizens gathered at the Central Square YMCA a plan, currently underway, to test sensors in Red Line stations that would, if they prove effective and are widely deployed, detect a biological terror attack which, they asserted, was a real threat for which our country should be prepared. read more...

When City Councilor Kenneth Reeves spoke at last week's Information Technology World Cafe to thank the City's staff and Community Representatives to the new E-Gov Steering committee, he spoke humorously of his lunches with Brian Burke, one of those Community Representatives. Burke, he said, keeps reminding him that, if Cambridge just adopted all the solutions offered by his employer, Microsoft, the Cambridge technology environment would be much improved. While City Councilors can't effect purchasing decisions, a Microsoft lobbyist's participation in technology strategy development raises the question of what a major City vendor is doing advising the city on issues that affect his employer. read more...

The Internet descended on MIT this weekend, gathering for ROFLCon III, a conference dedicated to studying and celebrating Internet memes. But it wasn't all Nyan Cats and Double Rainbows. Conference sessions examined politics, race, and gender, and some of the most transgressive behavior on the Internet. read more...

Boston Properties has yet to commit to housing in Kendall Square, its SEC filings [PDF] show. Boston Properties Form 10-K, a submission required yearly of all public traded companies, states that residential properties are "not part of [Boston Properties] core strategy" and that it "may in the future decide to acquire or develop additional residential properties" beyond the two it operates and one that is has under construction.

On Monday, the Cambridge City Council in a series of votes, modified open space covenants, permitting Boston Properties to reduce the size of a rooftop park in Kendall Square by 40% in order to accomodate the needs of one its tenants, Google. This vote came after the Council had previously tabled the request, and adopted an order requesting that Boston Properties engage in a "public process". read more...

The Cambridge City Council tabled on Monday a proposal from City Manager Robert Healy to allow Boston Properties, a major Kendall Square landowner, to reduce the size of a popular roof top park and put a building in its place. This move requires city council approval because the park is preserved by open space convenants into which Boston Properties entered in the 1980s. In return for the modification of those convenants, Boston Properties proposed extending the remaining convenants to 2050 and to build a park on a vacant lot owned by the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority. The new building would be part of Google's proposed expansion in Kendall Square. read more...

Google seeks to expand in Kendall Square and its landlord seeks City Council approval five days after submitting its request. read more...