The Alewife

A casa named Maria Bonita

by Roxana Boboc

It’s freezing cold down the Massachusetts Avenue, as I walk towards Maria Bonita restaurant to meet with the owners, Caesar and Maria Mendoza for an interview.

I’m thinking I could use something to warm me up but before I finish my thought I’m already there. I am welcome by a warm, cozy atmosphere and an even warmer smile from the Mendozas, Mr. and Ms. 

Maria Bonita opened in June 2005, said Caesar. Since then they have serving the North Cambridge-area Mexican cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The restaurant also offers catering services and hostesses special events.

Maria said they are very happy with the location, which is very close to Davis Square Bike Path and an easy drive from Arlington.

For those people troubled by the cold, the have a delivery service, she said.

The problem with delivery, she said, is it means you will miss the atmosphere.

City police present North Cambridge crime stats

by Roxana Boboc

A community relations police sergeant reported on North Cambridge criminal activity from June 1 to July 17 at the July 19 meeting of the North Cambridge Crime Task Force.

The report was delivered by Sgt. Kathleen M. Murphy at the Community Room of the Cornerstone Village at  175 Harvey St., said John Serwecinski, the executive director of the NCCTF.

These meetings are a monthly event meant to keep the community informed about the emerging criminal issues and the most problematic areas in their neighborhoods, he said.

Murphy said to the attendees, there were three cases of aggravated assaults, from which one was domestic related, two incidents with drugs (one possession of marijuana), four commercial robberies, two residential burglaries (one on Porter Road, the other one on Russell Street), nine street robberies committed on motor vehicles, 14 cases of destruction of properties, operated mostly on cars, and multiple domestic disputes. The hottest targets in residential burglaries and larcenies from motor vehicles are cameras, laptops and other electronic devices, she said.

Murphy said that this type of incident occurs when people leave their doors unlocked, creating an opportunity for thieves to operate.

During the celebration of Independence Day did not raise major problems to the city police, with the exception of some firework incidents that ended without any substantial consequences, she said.

Murphy, who in addition to her work with the bike patrol team monitors the police’s graffiti hotline, she said.