Daily brief · Harvard Square, Cambridge, MA
Water Dept.: tap water safe after Fresh Pond
August 13, 2026
Top story
Water Department confirms drinking water safe after Fresh Pond discovery
Cambridge Water Department Managing Director Mark Gallagher said the city's drinking water remains safe following the August 11 discovery of a body in Fresh Pond, which police are investigating. Water travels from the Stony Brook watershed to Fresh Pond before entering the city's Water Treatment Plant, where it undergoes a multi-barrier treatment process designed to address potential contaminants. The department also cited its Watershed Protection Plan and ongoing management of the distribution system.
City of Cambridge Water Department
Teen film screening showcases CCTV Summer Media Institute projects
CCTV's Summer Media Institute held a public screening of final short films by 27 middle and high school students at the MIT Welcome Center on August 13.
Cambridge Day
MIT Museum's After Dark: Gardens explores urban agriculture
MIT Museum hosts its adults-only After Dark: Gardens event on August 13 from 6-9 p.m., featuring hands-on activities, tastings, and a talk by MIT Professor Kate Brown.
MIT Museum
Mix and Mingle live acoustic music launches at Porter Square
The newly rebranded Mix Porter Square hosts its monthly outdoor live music event on August 13 from 5-7 p.m., featuring guitarist Olivia.
The Mix Porter Square
Historic Met Warehouse opens as new home for MIT architecture school
The renovated, century-old Metropolitan Storage Warehouse opened August 12 as the new teaching and research facility for MIT's School of Architecture and Planning.
MIT News
Dolly Ave performs live alternative rock concert at The Lilypad tonight
Alternative rock artist Dolly Ave takes the stage for a standing-room-only performance at Inman Square's The Lilypad on August 13 from 7:30-9:30 p.m.
The Lilypad
Rooftop charity beer garden supports Rosie's Place at Kendall Square
Lamplighter Brewing Co. hosts a charity beer garden at Kendall Square's Urban Park Roof Garden on August 13 from 4:30-9 p.m., with $5 token sales benefiting Rosie's Place.
Kendall Center
License Commission meets on restaurant and noise items
The Cambridge Board of License Commissioners meets remotely on August 13 at 10 a.m. to consider rule changes, license requests, disciplinary matters, and noise variances.
City of Cambridge
Daily Provisions seeks later weekend closing hours
The License Commission votes August 13 on Daily Provisions' request to extend Saturday and Sunday closing hours to 9 p.m. at 1 Brattle Square, a matter continued from July 3 for abutter notification.
Cambridge License Commission
Pebbles Studio seeks Concord Avenue food license
The License Commission hears Pebbles Studio LLC's application for a new common victualler license at 292 Concord Avenue, proposing 12 seats and hours from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
Cambridge License Commission
Spanish terroir workshop runs in Harvard Square
Commonwealth Wine School holds the final Grandes Pagos de España terroir workshop, focused on Southern Spain, on August 13 from 6-8 p.m. at 35 Dunster Street.
Harvard Square Business Association
Sunset Sound Bath set for Mount Auburn Cemetery
Mount Auburn Cemetery hosts an outdoor guided meditation and sound-bath session led by Marlene Boyette on August 13 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Mount Auburn Cemetery
Get the Harvard Square, Cambridge brief in your inbox every morning, free.
Get the morning brief