Daily brief · Central Square, Cambridge, MA
Childhood Vaccines Still Available Locally
August 20, 2026
Top story
Cambridge Public Health Department Reassures Parents on Vaccine Access
In its Aug. 19 biweekly update, the Cambridge Public Health Department told parents that childhood vaccines remain safely and locally available after President Trump's Aug. 10 executive order changing the national childhood vaccine schedule. Medical Director Linda Shipton said the order was not based on any new scientific information and creates confusion for parents, and urged families to follow guidance from the state Department of Public Health and the American Academy of Pediatrics. The department also pointed residents to the state's 2026 Community Health Equity Survey, available anonymously in 11 languages.
Cambridge Public Health Department
CX Summer Nights Closes Season With Tenth-Anniversary Concert
Cambridge Crossing hosts its final free outdoor concert of the season Thursday, Aug. 20, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., with live music, food trucks and lawn games.
Cambridge Crossing
American Idol Alumnus Jake Thistle to Perform at Club Passim
Folk-rock singer-songwriter and American Idol contestant Jake Thistle performs at Club Passim in Harvard Square Thursday, Aug. 20, at 8 p.m., with a livestream option.
Club Passim
Dave Bryant's Harmolodic Jazz Series Continues at Harvard-Epworth
Keyboardist Dave Bryant hosts his monthly 'Third Thursdays' jazz concert Thursday, Aug. 20, at 8 p.m. at Harvard-Epworth United Methodist Church.
Dave Bryant
CHA Security-Access Bids Due This Morning
Bids for the Cambridge Housing Authority's security and access-control contract at various Cambridge locations are due electronically by 11 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 20.
Cambridge Housing Authority
Outdoor Dance Party Comes to Central Square
Cambridge Plays and The Dance Complex bring free mini dance lessons and a dance party to Jill Brown-Rhone Park in Central Square Thursday, Aug. 20, from 5:30 to 7:15 p.m.
City of Cambridge
Anyone Awake Heads Middle East Rock Bill
Anyone Awake, The Ghouls, Stella Starfox and The Stone Popes play an all-ages show at Middle East Upstairs in Central Square Thursday, Aug. 20, at 6:30 p.m.
The Middle East Restaurant & Nightclub
The People's Karaoke Returns to the Middle East
The People's Karaoke returns to the Middle East Corner/Bakery in Central Square Thursday, Aug. 20, at 9 p.m.; the 21-plus event has no cover.
The Middle East Restaurant and Nightclub
Studio Recording 101 at the Main Library
Cambridge Public Library's Hive runs Studio Recording 101 at the Main Library Thursday, Aug. 20, from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. for those interested in podcasting, audio or video production.
City of Cambridge
Main Library Offers One-on-One Tech Help
The Main Library offers one-on-one tech help Thursday, Aug. 20, from 11 to 11:30 a.m. for basic computer, mobile-device, email and e-resource questions.
City of Cambridge
Toddler Story Time at the Main Library
Toddler Story Time runs Thursday, Aug. 20, from 11 to 11:30 a.m. in the Main Library's Rey Room for children 18 months to 3 years old and their caregivers.
City of Cambridge
Cambridge Schools Set Back-to-School In-Service Days Aug. 25-26
Cambridge Public Schools staff hold Back-to-School In-Service Days Tuesday, Aug. 25, and Wednesday, Aug. 26, ahead of the new academic year.
Cambridge Public Schools
Moëca Seafood Launches 'Sam's Clam Shack' Summer Bar Menu
Moëca, a Michelin-tagged seafood restaurant on Shepard Street, has debuted a casual clam shack pop-up menu featuring chowder and fried clam bellies, served Tuesday through Thursday nights at the bar.
Cambridge Day
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