Centers And Squares
Riding Through Cambridge
Nowadays it seems that we think of this holiday as Marathon Day. But the reason we have the day off is that today is the day we celebrate Patriot’s Day.
Since I grew up in Concord Patriot’s Day will always be one of my favorite holidays – and will always be April 19th rather than some random Monday.
Paul Revere? Or William Dawes? Patriot's Day in Cambridge 2013
But it seems even Paul Revere and William Dawes have adapted to the new calendar.
I came across this man on horseback today on Mass Ave in Porter Square and thought he must be Revere. But Paul Revere’s midnight ride didn’t take him through Cambridge. His route passed nearby through Medford and Arlington. It was another messenger, William Dawes, who passed through Cambridge.
Is that a British soldier trailing William Dawes?
Is that a Redcoat on his tail? I’m not sure.
What’s Happening This Weekend
Check out Cambridgeport History Day this Saturday in Cambridge
Looking for something to do this weekend? There are some super events scheduled for Saturday – which leaves Sunday free for real estate open houses if you’re so inclined. Here are a few of my favorites:
Need some ideas for renovating your kitchen? You can visit eight beautiful kitchens in Concord on the Concord Kitchen Tour 2012 held on Saturday, September 29th from 10:30 am to 3 pm. If you want more you can check out the CentersAndSquare’s schedule of upcoming house tours in Massachusetts.
Did you know that the lunchbox favorite, Marshmallow Fluff, had Somerville roots? Somerville resident Archibald Query invented the spread and sold it door to door before selling his formula to two Lynn businessmen who brought Fluff nationwide. Somerville’s tribute to Query’s invention, the annual Fluff Festival, in all its wacky wonderfulness is scheduled for this Saturday, September 29th in Union Square from 3 pm to 7 pm.
Local history buffs will want to check out Cambridgeport History Day on Saturday, September 29th from noon to 5 pm. There’s a tour, musket firings, activities in Dana Park and my favorite – neighbor-created If This House Could Talksigns posted outside houses along Cambridgeport streets. Pick up a list of signs at the booth in Dana Park and stroll the streets for a fun way to find out more about the old houses that line this Cambridge neighborhood’s blocks.
Cambridge Discovery Days 2012
Cambridge Discovery Days
Beats me why Cambridge Discovery Days are held in August.
Hardier souls than I enjoyed a full day of intriguing tours and lectures today but it was just too hot for my delicate sensibilities. Let’s hope next Saturday’s weather will be easier to take since another jam packed day is planned.
Here’s some of what’s on tap for next Saturday, August 11, 2012:
- 10:30 am – noon – Modern Architecture in Old Cambridge
- 1 – 2:30 pm – The Social and Political Activists of Mount Auburn Cemetery
- 1 – 3 pm – Off the Beaten Path at Fresh Pond (reservations required)
- 2:30 – 4:30 pm – James Russell Lowell’s Brattle Street
Cambridge Discovery Days are a wonderful way to learn more about the city’s rich history and natural landscape. Events are free and open to all. Here’s more information and a printable schedule for Cambridge Discovery Days 2012.
Remembering Tip O’Neill
Reembering Tip O'Neill - Family Panel at the Cambridge Public Library
When I first saw this beautiful banner on Mass Ave in Cambridge I thought it must be commemorating the centennial of Tip O’Neill’s first days in Congress – we just seem so far removed from those days with today’s Congress. But no – Tip would be just 100 this year and Cambridge is commemorating the centennial of his birth.
On Tuesday, May 22nd Chris Matthews of MSNBC (which makes it even more exciting – in my family we’re all addicted to MSNBC) and former aide to the Speaker of the House will be moderating a panel of O’Neill family members reminiscing and remembering Tip O’Neill.
Two more panels are planned by the Tip O’Neill Centennial Committee: a panel featuring former O’Neill staff members in September and a November panel in which community members will be invited to share their memories of Tip O’Neill.
The Family Reminiscence Panel will take place at the Cambridge Public Library, 449 Broadway, on Tuesday, May 22, 2012 at 7 pm. The event is free and open to the public.
Check out the City of Cambridge website for information on other tributes to Tip O’Neill that are planned and for excerpts of audio interviews with O’Neill, including his memories of growing up in North Cambridge.
Open Studios This Weekend
Open Studios in MA 2012
I finally had a chance to update the Open Studios in Massachusetts page for 2012. A long overdue task!
Good thing – five communities, including Cambridge, are holding open studio events this weekend.
Check out the list – there are open studios scheduled for many weekends in 2012. I’ll add more as I stumble across them.
Civil War Encampment in Cambridge on Saturday
Civil War Re-enactment in Cambridge
Tomorrow, on Saturday, November 5, 2011, the Cambridge Public Library will host a Civil War encampmenton the library lawn. Civil War re-enactors will turn the lawn into Camp Cameron – a recreation of the Civil War barracks at the Cambridge – Somerville line.
The living history event begins at 10 am on Saturday. Events include:
- 10:30: A presentation on Cambridge in the Civil War
- Noon: A Civil War-era ladies’ fashion show
- 12:30: Guided tour of the camp – learn about the life of a soldier
- 1:30: A vintage baseball game played by pre-1861 rules
There is much to do and see all day. There will be Civil War poetry readings, music played on period instruments, a chance to watch the soldiers muster and drill and even a chance to march with the soldiers. There will be programming for children of all ages.
A Living History of the Civil War will be held at the Main Library Lawn, 449 Broadway, Cambridge from 10 am to 5 pm on Saturday, November, 5, 2011. Free and open to the public.
Harvard Bookstore Lectures
Jim Lehrer in Cambridge
Last night we went to hear Jim Lehrer speak in Cambridge about his new book, Tension City: Inside the Presidential Debates from Kennedy-Nixon to Obama-McCain. The lecture was sponsored by the Harvard Book Store and held at the Brattle Theatre in Harvard Square. Lehrer had all sorts of insights and anecdotes to share about presidents and presidential candidates. The book is a treat for anyone with an interest in politics or presidents and those who came close.
The Harvard Book Store lectures are one of the best things about living in or near Cambridge. The series bring some of the most interesting scholars, authors and political figures to Cambridge. Many events are free and ticketed events are just $5.
Other speakers this month include:
- Tom Brokaw on Nov 4, 2011
- Joan Didion on Nov 7, 2011
- Umberto Eco on Nov 12, 2011
That’s just a small sample of what’s on the calendar. Check out the schedule and ticket info by clicking on the events tab on the Harvard Book Store website.
You’ll get a chance to buy the speaker’s book at the event and to get it signed. Plus you get a $5 off coupon for the next time you shop at the bookstore. It’s a great way to support your local independent bookstore.
Here’s my brother Ted at the book signing table when Ariana Huffington visited Cambridge last year.
Ariana Huffington - and my brother - in Cambridge
Home Movie Day In Cambridge
Saturday, October 15, 2011 is Home Movie Day. In Cambridge home movies will be screened at the Harvard Film Archive from noon to 3 pm.
I come from a family that only infrequently took photos, never mind movies, and have always been envious of people who have film footage from decades ago when everyone was young[er]. What a treat to have moving images of people no longer with us, or of siblings – and ourselves – when we were small. Or just to get a chance to see us all in action wearing clothes and hair styles decades out of date. I’ve subscribed to a Youtube channel where somebody’s loaded a bunch of clips of their family in the 1960s – I can watch and watch.
Home Movie Day is a celebration of amateur filmmaking and events are held at many theaters around the world.
Celebrate Home Movie Day at the Harvard Film Archive at the Carpenter Center for the Visual Arts, 24 Quincy Street, Cambridge, MA 02138 in Harvard Square from noon to 3 pm on Saturday, October 15, 2011.
Copyright © 2008 - 2011 Centers And Squares Agent Login Design by Real Estate Tomato Powered by Tomato Real Estate Blogs
