In an August 31st ruling, the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts voted 4-2 in favor of developing a wind farm in the Nantucket Sound. Despite the positive ruling, many obstacles remain in the establishment of 130 wind turbines off the coast of Cape Cod; the Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound strongly opposes Cape Wind and vows to continue its court battle against the wind energy project.…

Greetings from my outpost on the outskirts of Harvard Square. After a day in the big city, I made the journey back to my new dormitory in Currier House. I am now sitting in my barren room trying to avoid heat stroke.  So far, the adjustment to life in the quad has gone rather smoothly. There [...]

A big thank you to the Boston Bike Film Festival for donating 2 tickets to Boston's only homegrown and nonprofit Bike Film Festival, www.bostonbikefilmfest.org! Participate and sign in on Walk/Ride Day on September 24th, and you will be entered to... Green Streets Initiative

Agassiz Baldwin Afterschool is currently enrolling for the 2010/11 school year. Our popular out-of-school time program for children entering kindergarten through fifth grade will begin on Wednesday, September 8th for 1-5th grades and Monday, September 13th for Kindergarten.

We invite you to attend an open house to learn more about our program and meet the teachers and enrolled families.

1-5th Grade Open House
Date & Time:     Tuesday, September 7th, 3:30-5:30 PM

Kindergarten Open House
Date & Time:     Friday, September 10th,    3:30-5:30 PM

Daily Choices
Daily choices offered by our afterschool teaching staff include arts and crafts, science, cooking, outside and gym activities, and games.  Children may also sign up for classes with our specialist teachers.  Specialist offerings for this fall include:
Mondays:     Taekwondo (K-2 grade)
Tuesdays:     Dance with Sunny Hitt
Wednesdays:     Sports Club and Cooking with Kids
Thursdays:     The Agassiz Players (Drama Club) with Danny Bolton
Fridays:     Taekwondo (both K-2 and 3-5 grade)
Monday to Thursday:     Individual piano or cello lessons with Sarvi Moshfegh

NEW: Maud Morgan Arts Classes
New this year, each child will get to choose one specialized art class per year from our new Maud Morgan Arts offerings. This class will be included in the afterschool tuition. Details will follow soon.

Register Now
To register for Agassiz Baldwin Afterschool, or learn how you can apply for a scholarship, visit our Kindergarten and 1st-5th Grade pages. Enrollment is on a first-come first-served basis and spaces are limited.

Sunday 19 September OPEN HOUSE 1:00-5:00pm Free

Most people wait for this event to plan their fall schedules. 20 minute mini-classes taught by members of The Dance Complex faculty.

Sunday 26 Sept Flix at the ‘Plex presents    Dirty Dancing 7:15p  $5 donation

with Patrick Swazye and Jennifer Grey, raising money to update our Julie Ince Thompson Theatre.

Fri/Sat 15-16 October Shared Choreographers’ Concert 8pm $10

The much loved and imitated SCC series showcasing new works mentored by some of the area’s most astute dancers.
Faculty Concert Sa/Su 13-14 November 8p/7p  $19

Dance, and Back Again new and revised pieces by members of The Dance Complex faculty including Margot Parsons, Prometheus artists Diane Arvanites & Tommy Neblett and Rozann Kraus.  Celebrating our 19th Birthday.

All events held in the historic Odd Fellows Hall in Central Square.

Julie Ince Thompson Theatre

The Dance Complex

536 Mass Ave

Cambridge MA 02139

On the RED Line

Parking is free on Sundays and everyday if you ride a bike.

The Dance Complex is the volunteer-based, artist run center for the movement arts in Cambridge. Supported in part by the Cambridge Arts Council, the MCC and the dedication of the thousands of dancers who call it home. It is a 501(c) 3 organization; a recent recipient of a GoGreen Award from the City.

www.dancecomplex.org

Sept 14, 2010 State Primary Candidates (for Cambridge voters)

Governor/Lt. Governor Democrat: DEVAL L. PATRICK / TIMOTHY P. MURRAY Republican: CHARLES D. BAKER / RICHARD R. TISEI Green Party: JILL STEIN
(will appear only on the November ballot) Independent: TIM CAHILL
(will appear only on the November ballot) Treasurer Democrat: STEVEN GROSSMAN
Democrat: STEPHEN J. MURPHY Republican: KARYN E. POLITO Auditor Democrat: SUZANNE M. BUMP
Democrat: GUY WILLIAM GLODIS
Democrat: MIKE LAKE Republican: MARY Z. CONNAUGHTON
Republican: KAMAL JAIN Attorney General Democrat: MARTHA COAKLEY Secretary of State Democrat: WILLIAM FRANCIS GALVIN Republican: WILLIAM C. CAMPBELL Representative in Congress (8th District) Democrat: MICHAEL E. CAPUANO Governor’s Council (3rd District) [Pcts. 9-2, 9-3, 10-1, 10-3; Ward 11 (all)] Democrat: MARILYN M. PETITTO DEVANEY
Democrat: COREY A. BELANGER Governor’s Council (6th District) [Wards 1 through 8 (all precincts); Pcts. 9-1, 10-2] Democrat: SUZANNE R. ENGLISH-MERULLO
Democrat: TERRENCE W. KENNEDY Republican: PAUL A. CARUCCIO State Senate First Suffolk and Middlesex District [Ward 1 (all); Ward 2 (all); Pcts. 3-1, 3-3;
Ward 4 (all); Ward 5 (all); Pct. 8-3] Democrat: ANTHONY W. PETRUCCELLI (incumbent) Republican: FRANK JOHN ADDIVINOLA, JR. Second Suffolk and Middlesex District [Pcts. 9-2, 9-3, 10-1, 10-3; Ward 11 (all)] Democrat: STEVEN A. TOLMAN (incumbent)
Democrat: WILLIAM B. FEEGBEH Middlesex, Suffolk and Essex District [Pct. 3-2; Ward 6 (all); Ward 7 (all): Pcts. 8-1, 8-2, 9-1, 10-2] Democrat: SAL N. DiDOMENICO (incumbent)
Democrat: TIMOTHY R. FLAHERTY Republican: BARBARA T. BUSH State Representative Eighth Suffolk District [Pcts. 2-3, 3-3; Ward 5 (all)] Democrat: MARTHA MARTY WALZ (incumbent) Republican: BRAD MARSTON Ninth Suffolk District [Pct. 2-2] Democrat: BYRON RUSHING (incumbent) 24th Middlesex District [Pct. 10-3; Ward 11 (all)] Democrat: WILLIAM N. BROWNSBERGER (incumbent) 25th Middlesex District [Ward 4 (all); Pcts. 6-2, 6-3; Ward 7 (all); Ward 8 (all); Pcts. 10-1, 10-2] Democrat: ALICE K. WOLF (incumbent) 26th Middlesex District [Ward 1 (all); Pcts. 2-1, 3-1, 3-2, 6-1] Democrat: TIMOTHY J. TOOMEY, JR. (incumbent) 29th Middlesex District [Ward 9 (all)] Democrat: JONATHAN HECHT (incumbent) District Attorney (Northern District) Democrat: GERARD T. LEONE, JR. Sheriff (Middlesex County) Democrat: JAMES V. DiPAOLA Coming up in the November 2, 2010 State Election: BALLOT QUESTIONS (Laws Proposed by Initiative Petition)

Question 1: Sales Tax on Alcoholic Beverages

Do you approve of a law summarized below, on which no vote was taken by the Senate or the House of Representatives before May 4, 2010?

SUMMARY: This proposed law would remove the Massachusetts sales tax on alcoholic beverages and alcohol, where the sale of such beverages and alcohol or their importation into the state is already subject to a separate excise tax under state law. The proposed law would take effect on January 1, 2011.

A YES VOTE would remove the state sales tax on alcoholic beverages and alcohol where their sale or importation into the state is subject to an excise tax under state law.

A NO VOTE would make no change in the state sales tax on alcoholic beverages and alcohol.

Question 2: Comprehensive Permits for Low- or Moderate- Income Housing

Do you approve of a law summarized below, on which no vote was taken by the Senate or the House of Representatives before May 4, 2010?

SUMMARY: This proposed law would repeal an existing state law that allows a qualified organization wishing to build government-subsidized housing that includes low- or moderate-income units to apply for a single comprehensive permit from a city or town’s zoning board of appeals (ZBA), instead of separate permits from each local agency or official having jurisdiction over any aspect of the proposed housing. The repeal would take effect on January 1, 2011, but would not stop or otherwise affect any proposed housing that had already received both a comprehensive permit and a building permit for at least one unit.

Under the existing law, the ZBA holds a public hearing on the application and considers the recommendations of local agencies and officials. The ZBA may grant a comprehensive permit that may include conditions or requirements concerning the height, site plan, size, shape, or building materials of the housing. Persons aggrieved by the ZBA’s decision to grant a permit may appeal it to a court. If the ZBA denies the permit or grants it with conditions or requirements that make the housing uneconomic to build or to operate, the applicant may appeal to the state Housing Appeals Committee (HAC).

After a hearing, if the HAC rules that the ZBA’s denial of a comprehensive permit was unreasonable and not consistent with local needs, the HAC orders the ZBA to issue the permit. If the HAC rules that the ZBA’s decision issuing a comprehensive permit with conditions or requirements made the housing uneconomic to build or operate and was not consistent with local needs, the HAC orders the ZBA to modify or remove any such condition or requirement so as to make the proposal no longer uneconomic. The HAC cannot order the ZBA to issue any permit that would allow the housing to fall below minimum safety standards or site plan requirements. If the HAC rules that the ZBA’s action was consistent with local needs, the HAC must uphold it even if it made the housing uneconomic. The HAC’s decision is subject to review in the courts.

A condition or requirement makes housing “uneconomic” if it would prevent a public agency or non-profit organization from building or operating the housing except at a financial loss, or it would prevent a limited dividend organization from building or operating the housing without a reasonable return on its investment.

A ZBA’s decision is “consistent with local needs” if it applies requirements that are reasonable in view of the regional need for low- and moderate-income housing and the number of low-income persons in the city or town, as well as the need to protect health and safety, promote better site and building design, and preserve open space, if those requirements are applied as equally as possible to both subsidized and unsubsidized housing. Requirements are considered “consistent with local needs” if more than 10% of the city or town’s housing units are low- or moderate-income units or if such units are on sites making up at least 1.5% of the total private land zoned for residential, commercial, or industrial use in the city or town. Requirements are also considered “consistent with local needs” if the application would result, in any one calendar year, in beginning construction of low- or moderate-income housing on sites making up more than 0.3% of the total private land zoned for residential, commercial, or industrial use in the city or town, or on ten acres, whichever is larger.

The proposed law states that if any of its parts were declared invalid, the other parts would stay in effect.

A YES VOTE would repeal the state law allowing the issuance of a single comprehensive permit to build housing that includes low- or moderate-income units.

A NO VOTE would make no change in the state law allowing issuance of such a comprehensive permit.

Question 3: Sales and Use Tax Rates

Do you approve of a law summarized below, on which no vote was taken by the Senate or the House of Representatives before May 4, 2010?

SUMMARY: This proposed law would reduce the state sales and use tax rates (which were 6.25% as of September 2009) to 3% as of January 1, 2011. It would make the same reduction in the rate used to determine the amount to be deposited with the state Commissioner of Revenue by non-resident building contractors as security for the payment of sales and use tax on tangible personal property used in carrying out their contracts.

The proposed law provides that if the 3% rates would not produce enough revenues to satisfy any lawful pledge of sales and use tax revenues in connection with any bond, note, or other contractual obligation, then the rates would instead be reduced to the lowest level allowed by law. The proposed law would not affect the collection of moneys due the Commonwealth for sales, storage, use or other consumption of tangible personal property or services occurring before January 1, 2011.

The proposed law states that if any of its parts were declared invalid, the other parts would stay in effect.

A YES VOTE would reduce the state sales and use tax rates to 3%.

A NO VOTE would make no change in the state sales and use tax rates.

Where do I vote?

Comment: My general practice is to leave blank any uncontested race. If you are given no choice, why pretend that you have one? – RW

Registration is now open for fall classes at Maud Morgan Arts.  Registration instructions can be found in the fall course catalog.

Agassiz Baldwin Afterschool
New this year, each child enrolled in the Agassiz Baldwin Afterschool will be able to chose one class from the Maud Morgan Arts Center!  Afterschool spaces in the studio classes are limited.

Memberships
Become a member for great benefits including a 10% discount on class tuition.  Memberships are available for both individuals and families.

It's an unusual and fun show, great in combination, not to be missed if you're in the Hudson Valley.

Click here to read the whole newsletter! AUGUST 2010 UPDATE Dear Green Streets friends, We hope you're being active and enjoying the green transport opportunities that abound in our communities, whether at the beach, in the city, or in the... Green Streets Initiative

“The Object as Subject” features whimsical characters from found objects, created by artist and long-time Maud Morgan Arts supporter Fay Chandler.

Please join us for the opening reception on October 6 from 5:30 to 7:30 pm in the Fay Chandler gallery, 20 Sacramento Street.

The show runs from September 28 through October 8, 2010.  Gallery hours are 10 am to 5 pm on weekdays.

The Art Institute of Boston (AIB) Gallery at University Hall presents “Maud Morgan: The Prints 1969-1976,” a rare viewing of Maud’s original prints.

The show runs from September 7 to October 16, 2010.  Please join us for an opening reception on Thursday, September 16 from 6 to 8 pm at the AIB Gallery at University Hall, 1815 Mass. Ave.

Didn’t meet Maud?  Learn about her at a special reception where friends who knew Maud Morgan will share their memories.

Date: Thursday, September 30, 2:30-4:30 pm
Location: AIB Gallery at University Hall, 1815 Massachusetts Avenue

Can’t wait until the 7th to see Maud’s work? Visit MaudMorgan.com for a selection of Muad’s prints, paintings and collages.

Brad Winnett from MassRIDES discusses green alternatives while other panelists look on.

On Wednesday August 25th, the Cambridge Energy Alliance and the Sustainable Business Leader Program hosted a Green Transportation Workshop. Panelists discussed ways to make a key facet of business operations, employee transportation, “green.”…

Congratulations and thanks for participating in Walk/Ride Days to Amy Lewis, Senior Manager, Web Marketing at Forrester Research in Cambridge! "My fiancé and I choose not to own a car — we live in Arlington and both work in Kendall... Green Streets Initiative

Bicycling Magazine's BikeTown is coming to Boston! In 2003, the editor of Bicycling Magazine wondered if a bicycle could change someone's life. After giving away thousands of bicycles to people all over the U.S., the answer is clearly YES! People... Green Streets Initiative

Bob La Trémouille reports.

I have posted on YouTube my slightly over five minute analysis of how and why the Cambridge City Manager should be fired for his treatment of Malvina Monteiro. This firing could go a long way toward reversing the environmental destruction and heartless animal abuse on the Charles River.

Please see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeGQtlFSg7k.Charles River White Geese Blog

1. Get support from the top It's amazing to see the impact of a senior person's personal participation on an organization or community. From mayors and company heads to school principals, we have seen that their support of Walk/Ride Days... Green Streets Initiative

Toys R Us will have a temporary holiday store at 579 Massachusetts Avenue in the former Pearl Arts and Crafts store.
iParty will have a Halloween store in the former Gap space at 613 Massachusetts Ave

Bicycling Magazine's BikeTown is coming to Boston! In 2003, the editor of Bicycling Magazine wondered if a bicycle could change someone's life. After giving away thousands of bicycles to people all over the U.S., the answer is clearly YES! People... Green Streets Initiative

It may still be swimming weather but lots of us start thinking about two things as fall approaches--getting our lives, homes and workplaces organized and getting new clothes. You can get both of these tasks accomplished locally on Walk/Ride Day.... Green Streets Initiative

Enjoy FREE ADMISSION at the Museum of Science Boston on August 27th, thanks to a grant from the Highland Street Foundation. More info here. Green Streets Initiative