Hello Worcester!

 

Here are the resources we discussed in our workshop today:

 

Download Google Earth

 

Google Earth User Guide

GE Pro: Free for Educators

Google Earth Outreach Showcase

Google Earth Blog

Google Earth Community

Google Earth Lessons

Google Earth Gallery

Google’s Lat-Long Blog

My Wonderful World

Google Earth: Rome 3D

Google Lit Trips

 

3D Warehouse 

 

 

An Experiential Program Exploring Cultural Difference

Kendall Dudley, 2010 Mass Cultural Council award winner, will present one of a series of public art events at the Cambridge Center focused on how we see the other. As the global signs and symbols of cultural difference become more visible and compelling, we are in danger of believing that what we “see” approximates some kind of accurate “reality.” In this program, the Iraqi abaya, the Iranian chador and the Afghan burqa provide the context for exploring the variety of ways we may accurately and inaccurately perceive “difference” in general and in specific, the Islamic veil. A potent, complex garment, the veil provides a window into the nature of perception, especially when our perceptual lens is colored by political, economic, social and religious differences.

These garments have been swept up into the politics of feminism, multiculturalism, and globalization. In such a context, the veiling of women can even serve as partial justification for aggressive acts directed at “liberating” women so that they can be “free” to express themselves. By contrast, looking at the veil as a complex garmentimbued with rich social, economic, religious, and psychological power, we can understand some of our own responses to it and look more thoughtfully at those of others. To help bridge the cultural distance, interested participants will be invited to try on a burqa or abaya, look at themselves in mirrors, and note the differences between their anticipated responses to wearing it and their actual responses. Audience members are invited to react too and suggest ways to better understand the “other,” especially when the other is separated by clothing, culture, language, and world view. While this experiential presentation/lecture will help to deepen understanding for anyone, it is especially useful for teachers, negotiators, artists, and concerned citizens.

Kendall Dudley has a MA in Middle East studies from Columbia, worked in Iran and studied Islamic art and architecture. This presentation is also funded by the Boston Area Returned Peace Corps Volunteers Association and the Rica Charitable Trust.

The Islamic Veil: Can We Know the Other? $10, Wednesday, March 10, 6:00 pm, 56 Brattle Street.   Purchase tickets on our website.

We hope to see you at the Central Square Business Association’s Meet ‘n Greet and Annual Meeting on April 14th at The Central Square Theater!

Wednesday, April 14th, 2010

5:30-7:30 PM

Central Square Theater

450 Massachusetts Avenue

$20 for CSBA members; $30 for non-members

Send checks to CSBA, PO Box 390426, Cambridge, MA 02139 or RSVP to 617-864-3211.

(if you RSVP and do not attend, you will be billed)

Session 2 art studios are scheduled to begin March 22nd – May 6th.    Raul Gonzalez will be continuing two of his popular classes, Comics and Basic Drawing.  Helen Duncan will also be joining us on Thursdays with a Digital Arts Studio.

Middle School Studios

Mondays – 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Comics Studio at the CAC Gallery, 344 Broadway

Tuesdays – 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm
Basic Drawing Studio at 20 Sacramento St

Thursdays – 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm
**NEW**Digital Arts Studio at 20 Sacramento St

Adult Studios

Tuesdays – 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Illustration Studio at 20 Sacramento St

To apply please fill out the appropriate application which can be found here.

Middle School Studios:  Summer Intensive

Registration is now open for this exciting new program.  More information and registration forms are available here.

Schedule
The Summer Intensive offers five one-week sessions and will run 1:00 pm-5:00 pm. Weekly sign-up is possible, but successive weeks will allow for deeper learning and exploration. Instructors will suggest one week, two week, and three week projects.

Program dates – $260 per week
Week one: June 28-July 1
Week two: July 6-9
Week three:  July 19-22
Week four: August 2-5
Week five: August 16-19

Questions
Contact Micah Eglinton-Woods at (617) 349-6287 x19
or mwoods@agassiz.org.

March 8, 2010 City Council Agenda Highlights

It is expected that Mayor David Maher will announce the City Council committee appointments either tonight or tomorrow. Let’s hope the persons most suitable to the tasks at hand find their way into leadership positions on these various committees (see March 1 notes below for elaboration). The City Manager’s Agenda is relatively routine this week, but there are a few notable Resolutions and Orders:

Resolution #5. Retirement of Marsha Weinerman from the Election Commission.   Mayor Maher

Though I have not always enjoyed the friendliest relations with Marsha during her time at the Election Commission, in the end it’s fair to say that she always tried to make the operation as professional as possible and was open to constructive suggestions even from the likes of me. In addition, when controversies arose over errors in the voter lists or what activities were permitted at the polls, she was always quick to defend her staff and take the heat – even when the national press chose to make a federal case out of relatively small and understandable missteps. I’m glad that as she leaves the job, she and I have managed to attain some level of mutual respect.

Order #5. Availability of public meeting space at the Cambridge Main Library and other library related issues.   Councillor Kelley

Though Councillor Kelley is well known for his frequent requests for information, often of questionable value and requiring substantial staff time, this particular request is of some interest. The new Main Library has become a very popular place and with this success has come some perhaps unintended consequences. Kelley’s Order notes that some staff from the various branch libraries have been needed at the Main Library with resulting decreased service at the branches (at least according to the Order). Councillor Kelley also asks about the availability of public meeting rooms and the new café space. Access to Library space is of some interest to me as a teacher who occasionally needs to arrange for makeup exams for a few students, and the Library is a great location for miscellaneous tasks such as this. Though not in Kelley’s Order, I would like to know if the room that houses the Cambridge history collection is open yet or when it will become open to the public.

I’m especially intrigued by this line in Kelley’s Order: “WHEREAS: Coping with the influx of high school students at various parts of the day has proven to be somewhat problematic.” High school students using the Library is a good thing to be sure, but perhaps there can be too much of a good thing.

Order #9. That the City Manager is requested to convene a meeting of various stakeholders in the Central Square community for the purpose of discussing and reviewing current action plans for Central Square.   Councillor Reeves

This Order is both necessary and timely. Anyone passing through Central Square today is struck by the number of commercial vacancies. This includes a number of properties that have remained vacant for several years now – perhaps most notably the MIT-owned space next to the new theater and the recently vacated space previously occupied by Pearl Art. A recent Council Order (with a response this week) inquired about making some of these vacant spaces temporarily available to various nonprofit groups. Though a nice sentiment, this is a distraction from the more serious challenge of attracting good, economically sustainable businesses to Central Square with a spectrum of spaces and rents that will ensure an economically diverse mix of businesses that match the needs and interests of residents in the greater Central Square area. This should not be about temporary solutions.

Councillor Reeves’ Order also makes note of the never-ending presence of people in the Square engaged in substance abuse and other problematic behavior. However, as long as the City directly or indirectly concentrates most of its shelters and social service agencies in the Central Square area, this problem will remain insoluble.

Once upon a time during its relatively brief existence, the Central Square Neighborhood Coalition was very successful in convening various stakeholders (residents, business owners, landlords, and City officials) to collaborate for their mutual interests in Central Square. Now is the time for more of that collaboration and it’s appropriate that Councillor Reeves should file the Order as he was, once upon a time, a major advocate for the betterment of Central Square before it was fashionable.

Order #10. City Council support for Massachusetts House Bill 4526 “A Bill Relative to Municipal Relief.”   Councillor Seidel

This Order is specifically about making loans available to private property owners for energy efficiency projects. It’s appropriate that with the conclusion of the “Cambridge Climate Congress” this past weekend the City Council should be advocating for initiatives such as this. Though the activity and outcome of this Cambridge Climate Congress is perhaps a topic for a much more involved discussion, at the very least we should expect to see some specific and sensible energy efficiency goals and City initiatives in the coming days and years. — Robert Winters

ABC Introducing Art and Club Passim Culture for Kids present Tanglewood Marionettes performing “An Arabian Adventure.”  Featuring over a dozen beautifully hand-crafted marionettes and exquisite “story-book” style scenery, “An Arabian Adventure” tells the tale of a Persian prince who is thrown into a dungeon because of his love for a beautiful princess.  Facing danger at every turn, the courageous prince must battle his way out of the underground prison to save his princess from a tragic fate.

Replete with clever stage illusions and lighting effects, “An Arabian Adventure” is an action-packed drama that is sure to delight audiences of all ages while introducing them to the magical world of puppet theater.

When:  Tuesday, March 9, 2:00 PM
Where:   Maria L. Baldwin School Stage, 28 Sacramento Street
Tickets:  $2 per person, $5 per family, afterschool groups free with RSVP, call (617) 349-6287

The critically endangered tiger could soon join the dragon as a zodiac creature that exists only in legend. The Chinese lunar calendar year known as the Year of the Tiger began on February 14th with only 3200 tigers left in the wild.…

A few weeks ago Paul Rogers of the Mercury News wrote that despite the general perception that the current administration having accomplished relatively little Obama has in fact made major strides in national environmental policy. Some examples not included in the article are: the significant tightening of the previously weak regulations surrounding non-conventionally raised livestock, and the FTC’s stepping up efforts to address greenwashing amidst increasing complaints
and problems such as the bogus “bamboo” textiles.

From what I’ve gathered over my seven months as a college student, a semester of college is filled by weeks of calm with the occasional week from hell sprinkled in. This coming week is one of the weeks from hell. With just one week left before spring break, most courses are starting to heat up. Some classes have papers [...]

Buy and Sell Cheaply, Conveniently, Locally…Online!

Want to learn how to buy and sell things locally and conveniently? How about discovering something you desperately wanted that someone was about to discard?

In this week’s computer class, we’ll show you around two fantastic and well-organized websites, craigslist.org and freecycle.org. You’ll see how easy it is for you to acquire things you need, and pass on things you don’t. It’s convenient, cheap, and friendly to the environment!

DETAILS:

When: Wednesday, March 10th, 1 – 3 PM
Where: LWN Computer Lounge at 1651 Mass. Ave. (corner of Mass Ave. and Wendell St.)
What: Computer class on craigslist.org and freecycle.org

If you’re looking for some means of enjoying the fine weather that is expected this weekend, you might consider taking the commuter rail to Salem and checking out the Trash Menagerie, followed by a stroll along the water front.…

A New Scientist report highlights the dramatic differences between consumers’ perception of a company’s “greenness” and reality.

New Scientist investigated consumer perception via a 2008 Earthsense survey of consumer ratings, and compared those numbers to each company’s Trucost score, the estimated cost of its environmental impact as a percentage of its annual revenue.…

A quick synopsis of recent/upcoming environmental events at local universities.

MIT’s energy conference begins tomorrow, featuring a free Energy Showcase from 5–8 PM:

If you’ve been following us on Facebook or Twitter, you’ve seen that we’ve been very excited about a brand new series of events at CCAE, called HOME RUN IN HARVARD SQUARE.  It’s a one time series of seminars drawing on the art, science, history, and business of baseball – and we’ve got an incredible lineup!  Where else can you get the opportunity to see the likes of Larry Tye, Sam Kennedy, Mike Hazen, Tom Brady, Sr., and more big hitters discussing America’s favorite pastime?  Visit our website to find out more about our speakers and buy tickets!

Harvard Square is gearing up for baseball season, too:  Join the “Chair Club” on Sunday April 4 outside of Cardullo’s for an Open Mic Celebration and share your stories and memories about baseball.

We’re gearing up for another season of hope – and we hope you’ll join us!

Keep up to date on all these events on our HOME RUN IN HARVARD SQUARE Facebook Page, and share video, photos, and your stories about baseball on the HOME RUN IN HARVARD SQUARE Blog!

Stay tuned for more!

It is time again for the city of Cambridge’s Go Green Awards, which recognizes businesses and organizations that take exceptional environmental actions in at least one of five areas—energy use, transportation, waste reduction, stormwater, and climate protection.…

Hello CPSD Middle School Math Teachers!  Here are links to the resources presented at the Interactive Whiteboard session of the Middle School Math Meeting on March 4, 2010:

National Library of Virtual Manipulatives

http://nlvm.usu.edu/

Searchable index of free, downloadable, MA standards-aligned SMART Notebook activities:

http://exchange.smarttech.com/curriculum.html

Check out this half-hour web video which walks you through some of the more dynamic, interactive features of the Notebook software.

http://smarttech.com/trainingcenter/videos/wnnb10/wnnb10.htm

Google Earth Resources

http://www.newtechteaching.com/MASSCUE__GOOGLE_EARTH.html

Tux Math

http://tux4kids.alioth.debian.org/tuxmath/download.php

Janet's Cool Coordinates Game

http://www.classbraingames.com/2009/12/billy-bug-2-math-coordinates-game/

Christine's Great Suggestion: Smart Board Revolution
(note: This site is blocked on the CPSD network, but you can access it from home or with your web filter password)

http://smartboardrevolution.ning.com/

Information about the RM Math Player

http://www.rmeducation.com/mathplayer

RM Tutorial Videos

http://www.rmeducation.com/resources

 

Saturday, March 6th
10:00 am-12:00 pm

Sacramento Street Preschool welcomes current and prospective families from all neighborhoods to come visit the program for our spring open house. Current spaces are available and we are now enrolling for the 2010-11 school year. Come see what makes us unique as a small, play-based center!

•  Meet the teachers
•  Tour the classroom and backyard
•  Enjoy a special story time at 11:00 am

Click here for more information about our program.

Not only is the infamous Pacific Garbage Patch (or gyre as it is properly known) is possibly much larger than previously estimated, an Atlantic counterpart has been discovered.

In more local news, your orders of fried clams this summer might get a little expensive. Researchers have warned that New England may experience major red tide events this year.

Lastly, a potentially positive piece: California is considering “un-grand-fathering” power plants permits to dump waste heat into coastal waters.

CAMBRIDGE, MA – March 2, 2010 – Jump-start your weekend at the MIT Museum’s Second Friday Event with a discussion by sailor and educator Rich Wilson, skipper of the Great American III, founder of the educational foundation, Sites Alive and MIT alumnus. Wilson’s sailing accomplishments are legendary – most recently he was the oldest sailor to complete the grueling round-the-world solo race, the Vendee Challenge in 2008/9. Wilson will talk about his extreme sailing adventures, and discuss the educational mission that has been a driving force in his racing career.

Other activities during the evening will include a robotics presentation by the MIT Sea Grant program and Blue Fin Robotics, a demonstration about innovative adaptive technologies for physically disabled sailors by the Piers Park Sailing Center, and chantey singing by “The Lazy Jacks.” Admission is free and light refreshments will be served.

MIT Museum’s Second Friday

Friday, March 12, 2010

5:00 – 8:00 p.m.

MIT Museum

265 Massachusetts Avenue

Cambridge, MA

617/253-5927

For more information go to http://web.mit.edu/museum

According to the NYTimes, the EPA announced that it will designate the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn, one of the most contaminated waterways in the nation, a Superfund site. This designation paves the way for a federally-funded clean up process of decades of pollution; the 1.8 mile canal was shown to have pesticide pollution as well as PCB cancer-causing pollution.  The EPA estimated that the cleanup would last 10 to 12 years and cost $300 million to $500 million.…