City Approves Alcohol-to-Go as Red Line Shutdown Looms
CAMBRIDGE — Cambridge commuters are bracing for a 10-day Red Line shutdown later this month as the city simultaneously moves into its most severe drought classification of the year, according to City of Cambridge announcements posted Monday.
TOWN HALL The MBTA will suspend Red Line service between Alewife and Park Street for 10 consecutive days, July 21 through 30, replacing trains with free, accessible shuttle buses making all stops at Cambridge stations, the city announced. The shutdown affects every Red Line stop in Cambridge for the duration.
Separately, the Commonwealth has elevated Cambridge and the broader Northeast region to Level 3 – Critical Drought status, up from Level 2 – Significant Drought just a week earlier, city officials said.
The License Commission, acting on a recommendation from the City Manager's Office, has authorized the seasonal sale of alcohol-to-go within designated open-container and public-consumption districts, along with a one-hour extension of alcohol sales hours for approved bars and restaurants, a move the city said is meant to support local businesses.
The Community Benefits Advisory Committee is preparing an advance announcement of a new competitive grant round aimed at nonprofit organizations that serve critical needs of Cambridge residents. Also beginning the week of July 20, contractor Newport Construction will start roadway milling and paving on several city streets, weather permitting.
COMMUNITY & ARTS The Cambridge Public Library has a packed slate at its branches Friday, July 17, including two sessions of "American Sign Language: The Basics" at Central Square (1 and 3 p.m.), a bilingual "Summer Reading: ¡Música!" family concert with Mariana Iranzi at both the O'Connell and Main branches, and "Wingmasters, World of Owls," a live-raptor program, at the Valente Branch. The Valente Branch has also added Sunday hours, 1 to 5 p.m., through July and August, while the Main Library remains closed Sundays until September.
The city's Teen Night Live program returns to Cambridge youth centers July 13 through August 14, offering residents ages 14 to 19 skill-based workshops and field trips on weekday evenings from 6 to 9 p.m.
ELSEWHERE IN THE NEWS "Boston-based Burger Restaurant Opening New Location In Cambridge" — A Boston restaurant known for its smoked burgers is bringing an expanded menu and dining concept to Kendall Square later this month, Patch reports (read it at https://patch.com/massachusetts/cambridge/boston-based-burger-restaurant-opening-new-location-cambridge).
"Walden Robotics hits $1.1B with $300M round led by Toyota" — The Cambridge-based robotics startup emerged from stealth this week after closing a $300 million funding round led by Toyota that values the company at $1.1 billion, according to AI Weekly (read it at https://aiweekly.co/alerts/walden-robotics-hits-11b-with-300m-round-led-by-toyota).
COMING UP Sunday, July 19: The city, the Office of Tourism and CambridgeSide host a free World Cup final watch party around CambridgeSide, with festivities starting at 2 p.m. and kickoff at 3 p.m.
Monday, July 20: The Community Benefits Advisory Committee meets at 3 p.m.
Tuesday, July 21: The city's free Tuesday-evening concert series continues at Danehy Park, part of a summer run that began July 1.