Cambridge

Move it!

Happened around 11:10 a.m. at 5 Cambridge Center, AlertNewEngland reports.

Robert Love, who took the photo, reports:

Leak so big, it sounded like a fire hose.

UPDATES: NStar got the gas turned off around 11:40 a.m. Robert Love reported at 12:40 that the streets were re-opened and that people were being let back into their offices - except 3-5 Cambridge Center.

The excavator that caused the commotion. Photo by Robert Love.

Greg Hum reports that last night, he took part in the Umbrella Project, a collaboration between MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab and the Pilobolus dance troupe, in which participants were given umbrellas outfitted with LEDs and then directed by Pilobolus members in a large outdoor "display of live art."

Last month, the MBTA announced a contest in which anyone could design what could be the next MBTA map.

Transit Maps has not one, but two contest submissions posted for our viewing pleasure. While no submissions have been officially heralded by the MBTA at this time, it is clear that some very talented cartographers are partaking in the festivities.

The MBTA had previously announced a deadline of April 30, 2013, however no mention of the contest has been made since the original announcement of the contest.

At a public meeting, MassDOT released some opinions on the McGrath Highway.

MassDOT has recommended that the McCarthy Overpass portion of McGrath Highway be grounded and the roadway developed into a Boulevard that reconnects East Somerville, Union Square and Brickbottom.

The recommended plan preserves continuity at Washington Street, while enhancing pedestrian and bicycle connections. The removal of the overpass will allow for wider sidewalks, bicycle paths, added green space that will help spur redevelopment and enhance existing uses along the corridor.

Now, if only we can figure out why there is an extensive McGrath rehab in progress when MassDOT intends to remove it.

GigaOm introduces us to the Makr Shakr, a joint venture between MIT, Coca Cola and Bacardi to put bartenders out of work let you customize drinks via your smartphone (with as few vowels as possible).

MIT boasts that Makr Shakr can not only mix drinks, but can also monitor alcohol consumption and blood alcohol levels. So while it may not wipe down glasses while listening to your troubles, the Makr Shakr has a lot going for it should anyone decide to turn it into a production robot.

Via Boston Eater.

Truck Stop Tea Party came across this domestic scene in Cambridge yesterday.

Copyright Truck Stop Tea Party. Posted in the Universal Hub pool on Flickr.

Just another morning on Memorial Drive, Adam Shutes reports.

A hearing is scheduled for the "Anti-Shadow Bill," Bill H.826, as submitted by Marty Walz and Byron Rushing. Set for Thursday, May 9, the public hearing for comments and input will be at 10:00am in State House Room A-1.

The bill has been criticized for its potential harm to development in the city through the addition of restrictions on new developments. Bill H.286 proposes that new buildings which are seeking a variance from local zoning codes will not be allowed to be constructed in a manner which casts a shadow on several public spaces. These spaces include Copley Square, Commonwealth Ave Mall, and Magazine Beach, among others.

ItalianInBoston watched the sun go down tonight.

Get the handle fixed now, they implore.

It was only a couple of years ago that MIT fixed up the musical installation.

Via Boston Reddit.

Researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute have created what they're calling RoboBees - robots smaller than a penny that can fly.

Inspired by the biology of a fly, with submillimeter-scale anatomy and two wafer-thin wings that flap almost invisibly, 120 times per second, the tiny device not only represents the absolute cutting edge of micromanufacturing and control systems, but is an aspiration that has impelled innovation in these fields by dozens of researchers across Harvard for years.

R.S.Y. Buchanan took in the fights at Harvard last night. Yes, Harvard.

The Crimson reports the 11 fights on the card made up the fifth Kenneth Moskow Memorial Fight Night, this time held in a tent on the Science Center plaza:

Blood splattered across the shoulders of boxer Robert Z. Cai ’14 on Wednesday night as he continued throwing punches despite a bleeding nose.

Photo copyright R.S.Y. Buchanan. Posted in the Universal Hub pool on Flickr.

Richard and Kim Donohue in the hospital. Photo via Transit Police.

Transit Police have posted an update from Officer Richard Donohue, injured in the Watertown firefight, that updates us on his condition, expresses his sadness over the loss of his friend and MIT officer Sean Collier and thanks all the cops, firefighters, doctors and nurses who helped save his life.

I am able to walk briefly through the use of a walker. My pain varies day to day and I still have a long road of rehab and recovery ahead, but I am optimistic I'll recover back to 100%. The bullet will remain in my leg as it is not obstructing anything or causing any pain. However my wife has informed me that the bullet will ultimately cause her the most pain, as I will be using it to get out of things such as mowing the lawn, doing laundry, and painting the deck.

A two-alarm fire erupted shortly before 7 a.m. in the block housing India Pavilion and Bedworks, Brian D'Amico reports. Sam Hammer reports:

There wasn't apparent fire damage but the glass was shattered in front of Bedworks.

Of course. The Crimson reports on some paperwork filed with the city.

Via Boston Restaurant Talk.

The Globe has a long interview with the owner of the Mercedes SUV the bombing suspects allegedly carjacked. And Kevin Cullen recounts the Watertown firefight and the race to save Richard Donohue's life.

MBTA cops with automatic weapons rushed into the Kendall Square Red Line station to pull some alleged fool off a Red Line train at lunchtime. A spokesman reports:

A customer reported that a man aboard a northbound Red Line train had made comments of a threatening nature. The train was held at Kendall while police investigated. The man was removed from the train and questioned by police.

NECN covers the Sean Collier memorial service at MIT today.

Comments by MIT Police Chief John DiFava.

Complete listing; roads, including Memorial Drive between the BU Bridge and Mass. Ave., and the Mass. Ave. bridge into Cambridge, will be closed during the morning rush hour.

Greg Hum, who took this photo, reports:

Car turning corner plows row of parked cars at Erie and Pearl St. in Cambridge.

Dana noticed the Alchemist at the MIT student center is sporting a new shoulder patch today.

Ben Heyman took this photo of a Charles River sunset a couple weeks ago, but it somehow seems fitting today.

Shortly before 7 p.m., a hearse left the state medical examiner's office on Albany Street, headed toward a Wilmington funeral home with the body of Sean Collier, the MIT police officer ambushed Thursday night. Albany Street was lined with Boston police officers showing their last respects. As the hearse pulled out, a commander went on the radio: "Present! Arms!"

Alyssa Lindley Kilzer writes about how she used to be a regular visit to the Cambridge house now known as the home of the Boston Marathon bombing suspects:

The first few years the third-floor apartment was often crowded with her two sons, now identified as the Boston Bombers, and her two daughters, one of which was around my age. It was definitely not a glamorous place to get a facial, as the “spa” was set up in her living room, and during these years the family expanded. The staircase was crowded with their shoes, the house filled with noises of arguing, cooking, etc. She would often apologize for this. Her daughters and Dzhokar, the younger son, always struck me as perfectly nice and normal kids about my age. As far as I knew the daughters also attended Rindge (the local public high school) along with their brother. She gave a damn good facial, often working on my skin for two or three hours, and this is why my sister, mom and I continued to go back to her home for years.

The heart of Downtown Crossing at 9:50 a.m. Photo by Gary Waldeck. Note plucky banana vendor in lower right.

Deserted Haymarket. Photo by David Schachner.

Dzhokhar Tsarnaev. Via BPD.The MBTA is closed. Boston residents get emergency robo-calls from police warning them to stay inside. People in Watertown, Waltham, Newton, Belmont, Cambridge also told to "shelter in place." Courts in Cambridge, Brighton, Newton and Waltham are closed. Businesses are urged to not open. Amtrak stopped service to and from Boston.

Also shut this morning: The University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth: "UMass Dartmouth has learned that a person being sought in connection with the Boston Marathon bombing has been identified as a student registered at UMass Dartmouth."

Logan Airport, however, remains open. Also on the job: Cambridge garbage men. Also, their counterparts in Boston. Around 10 a.m., Boston Police let taxis resume service. Dunkin' Donuts, of course, remained open, even in Watertown, because we do have our limits.

MIT campus alert just sent notification of a suspicious package at 500 Memorial Drive (aka Next house)

My phone has been going off with alerts all night.

If any of the bombing or shooting was related to Aaron Swartz, I will feel VERY annoyed.