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Also: What's open and closed on Presidents Day; a cranberry bog restoration project [Donate ❤️]( [View in Browser](  February 19, 2024 ☀️ Sunny with a high near 37. Good Morning Boston, It's Presidents Day. That means banks and the post office are [closed]( the T is on [a weekend schedule]( and no knows what to do with [that apostrophe](. It also means school's out for kids across Massachusetts: - Free family fun this February break: It's school vacation week in Massachusetts — a time when many families decamp the frigid state for warmer conditions. Others hit New Hampshire slopes, causing locals there to gripe about crowded ski mountains. But if you and the fam are laying low this week, there are some special opportunities to get out of the house (and they cost a lot loss than a trip to Aruba). - The state's Department of Conservation and Recreation is sponsoring dozens of free, family-friendly events all week. [Read the full list here](. Some highlights we like include: - Tuesday: Seal watching — Plymouth - Thursday: Cape Cod glacier event — Waquoit - Friday: Winter wildlife cross-country skiing — Hingham - Saturday/Sunday: Maple sugaring — Uxbridge - Attention arts and STEM lovers: Kendall Square’s Foundry makerspace is [hosting drop-in classes all week long]( for all ages. We're talking about subjects like coding, chess, the science behind cooking, stand-up comedy, weaving and even parkour. The lessons began this weekend and run through Saturday, Feb. 24. - Boston's [Children’s Winter Festival]( is coming back to the Common on Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you attend, you'll have a day filled with inflatable mazes, music, crafts and sweet treats. - If you want something to do at your leisure, take a trip to check out some history IRL. [Roxbury Heritage State Park]( is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for self-guided tours. You'll see the Dillaway-Thomas House, one of the oldest structures in Roxbury (and the headquarters of the Continental Army in 1775 during the siege of Boston). We also have this [nifty guide]( to other cool, history-rich spots around Greater Boston — just be sure to check hours for visitors before you go. - Speaking of history: The John F. Kennedy Library and Museum in Columbia Point is hosting a slew of events for families today during its [Presidents' Day Festival]( from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be [musical performances, historical reenactments and hands-on crafts]( too. Important note: The fest isn't free, but you can get a discount off admission all week by providing a "buzzword" shared each day on Facebook. - Last chance: Today's the last day to help Mass Audubon and other large nature conservations with its "Great Backyard Bird Count." (Yes, it's a real thing and exactly what it sounds like.) - What to do: Go outside, and look up and around for about 15 minutes. Count how many birds you see and — if you can — identify which kinds. Then, pass your intel along to [birdcount.org](. More than 300,000 people took part in the last count. - Why? John Herbert, director of Bird Conservation for Mass Audobon, told WBUR's Dan Guzman the bird counts help scientists learn more about how climate change affects birds, their habitats and flight patterns. Over the years, they've noticed declines in species — including even common birds, like your local chickadees. - Heads up: Jill Biden will be in Cambridge tomorrow, so be prepared for potential motorcade traffic. The first lady is attending an event and fundraiser for women's health research. P.S.— Admission isn't free, but the New England Aquarium will keep[longer hours this week and offer some oceanic February vacation programming](. If you're willing to splurge, visitors can also meet a harbor seal up close or partake in a seal art-making session (meaning the seal will be your artist) for an additional cost. Meagan McGinnes Assistant Managing Editor, Newsletters  The Rundown [What's open and closed on Presidents Day in Mass.]( Whether you're making a cake fit for a president or are out and about on the three-day weekend, there are some key closures to know about. Here's what's open and closed on Presidents Day. [Read more.]( [What's open and closed on Presidents Day in Mass.]( Whether you're making a cake fit for a president or are out and about on the three-day weekend, there are some key closures to know about. Here's what's open and closed on Presidents Day. [Read more.]( [FDA approves first cell therapy to treat aggressive forms of melanoma]( Amtagvi is intended to help patients with melanoma that cannot be removed with surgery or has spread to other parts of the body. [Read more.]( [FDA approves first cell therapy to treat aggressive forms of melanoma]( Amtagvi is intended to help patients with melanoma that cannot be removed with surgery or has spread to other parts of the body. [Read more.]( [At a Nantucket cranberry bog, conservation group launches its biggest restoration project]( A foundation on Nantucket has been focused on land acquisition for 60 years. Now that it owns some 9,000 acres of land — about a third of the island — it wants to add more restoration to its agenda. [Read more.]( [At a Nantucket cranberry bog, conservation group launches its biggest restoration project]( A foundation on Nantucket has been focused on land acquisition for 60 years. Now that it owns some 9,000 acres of land — about a third of the island — it wants to add more restoration to its agenda. [Read more.]( [Maui fire survivors struggle to find long-term housing, half a year after the blazes]( Thousands of people are still displaced and living in limbo 6 months after the wildfires on Maui. The disaster has deepened a housing crisis, and is taking a toll on fire survivors. [Read more.]( [Maui fire survivors struggle to find long-term housing, half a year after the blazes]( Thousands of people are still displaced and living in limbo 6 months after the wildfires on Maui. The disaster has deepened a housing crisis, and is taking a toll on fire survivors. [Read more.]( [Massachusetts man found guilty of killing a police officer and elderly widow]( A Massachusetts man charged with killing a police officer and a bystander in July 2018 has been found guilty of multiple charges, including murder. [Read more.]( [Massachusetts man found guilty of killing a police officer and elderly widow]( A Massachusetts man charged with killing a police officer and a bystander in July 2018 has been found guilty of multiple charges, including murder. [Read more.]( Anything Else? - Have you ever come across a stone wall in the woods? As it turns out, these relics of New England's history were born out of a surprisingly simple need. Learn more (and find out where you can see stone walls IRL)[in this story from our Weekender newsletter.]( - Is David Lemieux the ultimate "dead head"? [Here & Now's Celeste Headlee]( spoke with the archivist whose job it is to listen to thousands of hours of live "Grateful Dead" shows. Here's how he searches for and finds hidden gems. - Sarcopenia, also known as muscle loss, affects more than 45% of Americans, causing weakness that can lead to accidents and falls. [Here are some culinary tips to improve your diet and build stronger muscles.](  What We're Reading 📚 - How a Springfield mom of seven went from homelessness to the sweet smell of startup success ([The Boston Globe]( - Deputy scared by an acorn hitting his cruiser opens fire in street ([Washington Post]( - To Cure Burnout, Embrace Seasonality ([The New York Times](  Food For Thought [Soup for you: Boston-area chefs share their go-to soup spots]( We asked seven local chefs around Greater Boston what their go-to soup is and where to get it. They ladled out their soup season recommendations, from ramen to clam chowder. [Read more.]( [Soup for you: Boston-area chefs share their go-to soup spots]( We asked seven local chefs around Greater Boston what their go-to soup is and where to get it. They ladled out their soup season recommendations, from ramen to clam chowder. [Read more.]( Listen: The Common shares a story from the newsroom today about [a local jukebox that plays tales instead of tunes.]( Play: [WBUR's daily mini crossword.]( Can you keep your streak going? Before you go: [“How much does Boston love sports?”]( Nik DeCosta-Klipa and Hanna Ali helped produce today's newsletter. 😎 Forward to a friend. They can sign up [here](. 🔎 Explore [WBUR's Field Guide]( stories, events and more. 📣 Give us your feedback: newsletters@wbur.org 📧 Get more WBUR stories sent to your inbox. [Check out all of our newsletter offerings.]( Support the news    Want to change how you receive these emails? Stop getting this newsletter by [updating your preferences.](  I don't want to hear from WBUR anymore. Unsubscribe from all WBUR editorial newsletters [here](.  Interested in learning more about corporate sponsorship? [Click here.]( Copyright © 2023 WBUR-FM, All rights reserved.