KNOW THIS.
HIRING: City Managers Wanted
Did you know Cambridge’s mayor doesn’t actually run City Hall? The city’s power structure is classified as a council-manager government, meaning it has City Council act as the main legislative body and an appointed City Manager who assumes many of the responsibilities a traditional mayor would have including appointments, preparation of the annual budget, and providing leadership and administration to all City departments and services. It’s time for the Council to appoint a new manager and they’re looking for community feedback to inform their priorities and final decision. Want to make your voice heard? Get more info on the timeline and let them know your thoughts with this microsite and survey here.
UR SWEET
Happy Beanpot Day to all who celebrate and Valentine’s Day to all who don’t! It’s a day for traditions - many of which actually originated right here in the hub. While Valentine's Day cards were getting their start up the road in Holyoke, Conversation Hearts, those sometimes sweet, other times chalky candy hearts, were brought into being by Boston pharmacist Oliver Chase. Oliver invented the first candy-making machine in 1847 after simplifying a process for lozenge production. The pharmacist pivoted to the much more popular candies and founded the New England Confectionery Company (Necco) while his brother, Daniel Chase, introduced printing to the iconic little candies in 1866 with felt rollers and vegetable-based dyes. The final evolution of the candy brought their heart-shape to the scene in 1902, cutting phrases down to fit on the little hearts’ profiles. Phrases across the past 120 years have kept up with tech (FAX ME), gone multi-lingual (TE AMO), celebrated when the Sox broke the curse (DREAM TEAM), and even teamed up with the ultimate love story, Twilight, (BITE ME). Though Necco moved from their Mass Ave factory - now the Novartis building next to the Sunoco station between Kendall and Central in Cambridge - in 2003, the company still produces billions of the little hearts annually from their location in Revere while Cambridge still has one sweet thing to remember the Chase brothers by.
DO THIS.
Today
Watch the men of BU and Northeastern hockey face off for a chance at the Beanpot title. 4:30 p.m.//$75 - $645
Attend Cambridge’s City Council roundtable with the School Committee as they discuss the implementation of Universal Pre-K. 5:30 p.m.//free
Marlon James, author of Black Leopard, Red Wolf, reads at Harvard Book Store as he promotes the second installment of the Dark Star trilogy, Moon Witch, Spider King. 7 p.m.//$35 (book included)
Pick up a bottle and book from Wild Child Books and Wine during their Valentine’s Day special. All day//$20
Tomorrow
Need some insight? WBUR hosts advice columnists Jenée Desmond-Harris, Margo Howard, and Meredith Goldstein for a discussion on love, dating, and sex across the decades. 6:30 p.m.//free
Keep things conceivable and get to the Somerville Library for a showing of The Princess Bride. 7 - 8:45 p.m.//free
Wednesday
Get more info on redistricting, its effect on local politics, and the influence of organizing with digital mapping experts, the Mass Voter Table, and La Colaborativa at the Boston Public Library’s Redistricting Roundtable. 3:30 p.m.//free
Get to the Somerville Theater (or stream from your couch) to marvel at the wonders of 47th Boston SciFi Film Festival. 5 - 9 p.m.//$15 - $90
Academy- Award nominated actress Taraji P. Henson discusses her work in the mental health sphere and her efforts to make the field more accessible for people of color at the Museum Of Science. 7 p.m.//free
Thursday
Join The Urban Labs at MIT founder, Malia Lazu, as she looks at the state of corporate pledges made after the George Floyd tragedy and discusses their intention and actual impact. 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.//free with registration
Give the BPDA your input at the Dorchester Bay City public meeting as they discuss urban design and open space. 6 - 8 p.m.//free
The Coolidge shows Malcolm X with an introduction by Rodnell P. Collins, President and Owner of the Malcolm X - Ella L. Littles Collins Foundation and House. 7 p.m.//$15.50
Friday
DeeDee’s Cry presents their first Mental Health While Black Summit. 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.//free
Hear WBUR’s Mass Tiny Desk fav, HEESU, live in concert. 7 p.m.//free
The ICA hosts a concert by Girl Code, the brainchild band of guitarist, composer, MacArthur genius, Brookline-native, and cool lady Mary Halvorson. 8 p.m.//$26
Saturday
Attend a night of fashion, music, and Black excellence at Aura: Black History Month Fashion Show 6 - 9 p.m.//$15 - $40
See the latest and greatest in the dance world with DanceNOW Boston at the two-weekend long event’s kickoff. 8 p.m.//$20
Get to Bow Market for their Apres Ski celebration with prizes for Best Retro Outfit, photobooths, and fire pits. All weekend//free
Sunday
Join Roxbury’s Haley House for the 14th Annual Souper Bowl. A ticket gets you a handmade ceramic bowl - courtesy of the students at MassArt, delicious homemade soup, and fresh Iggy’s bread. All proceeds from the event go to support Haley House’s amazing programs. Reserve your take home bundle in advance for pick-up. All day//$50
Skate with the Friends of the Public Garden on the Frog Pond with free rentals, cookies, and hot chocolate. 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.//free
This week’s edition of Inbound was brought to you by Maya Detwiller.