Arlington one near Alewife T

Multiple pizza places including Pinocchio s. Multiple book stores including the independent Harvard Bookstore. Multiple ice cream places including the local Lizzy’s. Multiple,coffee shops. Harvard Yard. JFK park.Winthrop park…

Years ago I got to know the manager and staff well. One of dozens of private clubs in Cambridge with a liquor license. Sparse membership. Renting of space cheap for whatever.

Cambridge High and Latin is great.

The two motels in Bedford tend to be the cheapest.plaza a bit nicer

Contact Dan at Northern Spy. A gorgeous restaurant in Canton. Won’t be cheap but will be delicious and picturesque. Dan has hosted many weddings.

Dick’s in Medford is large and nice.

Years ago I’d use the BC libraries.

If you must get outside of Boston I’d recommend Cape Ann on our North Shore. Easy drive that’s less than one hour. Plum Island, Essex, Ipswich and Rockport for seafood, birding, the ocean etc.

Cambridge is embarking on an alternative response to many calls.Dubbed “HEART”. Here is a Dec update.

The HEART team 2 co-directors, an office manager, hired and trained 7 Cambridge community members from underserved communities to be HEART responders (see training list). HEART has received over $450,000 in grant funding (Borealis Philanthropy, The Boston Foundation, The Boston Women’s Fund, RESIST, Groundswell, Policylink, Common Counsel Foundation, Wayfarer) over 2.5 years. The team has raised another $450,000 from more than 500 individual donors in the community (see informational sheet and including the recent $150,000 match).

The structure originally envisioned by the community is also taking shape. We have a small but dedicated board of directors that represent people from all walks of life. HEART has created working groups that involve community members (mental health, domestic violence/sexual assault, communications, grant writing and donor management, research). We have revised the mission of HEART to include research. HEART has received a grant of $25,000 from Boston University’s Center for Anti-Racist Research (CAR) to conduct research on the community safety landscape in Cambridge.

We began taking preliminary calls in January 2022. We have added to the types of calls we take and now the Cambridge HEART Responders are taking non-emergency calls. We are working toward acquiring all of the software and equipment needed to begin taking on crisis calls in 2023. Active advocacy with the City Council and administration has led to City Council support for HEART and meetings with the new city manager which are envisioning the necessary city funding and contracts for HEART In addition to recognizing and appreciating the visible HEART staff, working groups and community providers we have also built an on-going, dedicated network of local progressive activist involvement. Organizations including SURJ, Our Revolution, the Residents Alliance , National Lawyers Guild, the Material Aid and Advocacy Program, Cambridge DSA support the HEART initiative with many tasks

An amazing church called Central Square Church opened this past year. Located at 5 Magazine in a beautiful church. Led by Larry Kim this church is growing and is an asset to CS.

Warrior Arena at New Balance

The New Central Square Church on 3 Magazine is and will be a asset to Cambridge. Open for less than a year and with a diverse,younger and faithful demographic CSC hopes to make a positive contribution.