An East Boston eulogy for Abraham Lincoln

Now online at eastboston.com a eulogy on file at the Lincoln Room of University of Illinois. The eulogy, delivered on Elbow Street in 1865, was brought to my attention by East Boston historian, Michael Laurano.

Why is Fitch's downgrading Massport's bonds for BosFuel Project?

Don't know much about the bond market. But shouldn't Massport's ratings be better given the revenues it generates?

The rating downgrade reflects the absence of a highly rated reserve surety policy or liquid cash reserves within the project's debt service reserve fund (DSRF). The only asset held in the debt service reserve, with a required funding level of maximum annual debt service, consists of the original reserve surety policy with Financial Guaranty Insurance Company (FGIC, unrated). Fitch believes a fully funded DSRF is essential to the rating level of airport fuel facilities revenue bonds given the narrow revenue stream securing the bondholders, the availability of only sum-sufficient coverage with no additional dedicated bond reserves, and the potential risk for cashflow disruptions caused by delinquencies or bankruptcy from either Bosfuel or member carriers. Bosfuel has recently indicated that it does not believe it is legally obligated to replace the existing reserve surety with a highly rated provider or to cash fund the $6.9 million required level from member carrier payments. At this time, no actions towards a reserve replenishment has taken place. Other available liquidity to the project is derived from member carrier security deposits equal to two months of Bosfuel's total facilities cost. The balance is expected to be slightly under $4 million for fiscal 2010. The security deposits are also used for working capital but do provide just a moderate level of protection for carrier payment deficiencies.

As history demonstrates to many East Boston residents, it's always wise to know how Massport's doing.

Eagle Hill Civic Association to meet Feb. 24

The EHCA will present a packed agenda for the next Eagle Hill meeting on Wednesday (2/24). Due to the many items on the agenda, the chair will try to make things move along quickly and would appreciate your support in moving things along. MORE.

The March Meeting of the Jeffries Point Neighborhood Association has been cancelled

The March 8, 2010 meeting of the Jeffries Point Neighborhood Association has been cancelled due to circumstances beyond the control of the civic group. The monthly meetings will resume in April, 2010.

Public Meetings Scheduled to Discuss, Review Health Center Plans for Maverick Sq.

The East Boston Neighobrhood Health Center is planning to build a new facility in Maverick Square. The public process is already underway. The entire set of EBNHC-Application and Notification Documents outlining the project are available on Eastboston.com. (PDF Format).

Meeting dates are as follows  Thursday, March 4, 2010 at 6:30 pm at Maverick Landing to discuss the proposed project of East Boston Neighborhood Health Center. 

The matter is scheduled to go before the BRA Board on Tuesday, March 16, 2010. 

The matter is scheduled to go before the Zoning Board on Tuesday, March 23, 2010. 

Time and Location information for the last two meetings are forthcoming.

Raise Cancer Awareness! Join Eastie's Relay for Life Event; Plans Now Underway

Please join a Kick-Off Party to rejoice in last year’s success and get excited for another incredible year of Relay for Life in East Boston! Because of volunteers like you, we are celebrating a world with less cancer, and more birthdays, so get ready for an inspirational and entertaining birthday party themed night – Relay style! 

Dinner will be provided! Register yourself or your team today!

Thursday, February 25 at 7:00 pm

Orient Heights Yacht Club

61 Bayswater Street, East Boston

RSVP to Tiffany at 617.224.8141 or eastbostonrelayforlife ( at ) gmail.com

More information at www.RelayForLife.org/EastBostonMA

PDF Version of Notice here

Fundraiser for Haiti

A pre-Valentine's Day event in Belmont that "stands with Haiti."

Latest from the Salesians in Haiti

The latest news from Haiti via Fr. Mike Mendl's office in New Rochelle arrived in my e-mail box this afternoon. The Salesians are doing great relief work. Support them if you can.

Aid Continues to Arrive from D.R.; Assessment of Properties Begins

Fr. Rogelio of the Antilles left for Port-au-Prince with two trucks of food on Tuesday, Feb. 2. A new shipment of food is being organized for Pétion-Ville, Carrefour-Thorland, and Cap-Haitien. The Antilles Province has already bought 4,000 family food rations, of which 2,000 will be sent to Cap-Haitien.

Salesian Missions is developing an emergency relief and reconstruction database (database) to help provide accountability of participating Salesian partners. Also, Salesian Missions will be contacting the Don Bosco Network and our GHQ in Rome to elicit comments and feedback in regard to compatibility and usefulness of this effort.

Fr. Mark is asking for feedback on the Salesian Haiti Emergency Relief Accountability Guidelines distributed on Jan. 17.

A shipment of medicines arranged by Jugend Eine Welt-Austria has arrived in Santo Domingo and will clear customs on the 3rd.

OXFAM is installing outdoor water spigots in Thorland to serve a displaced population of 12,000; three are already in operation.

Fr. Mark and the assessment and reconstruction team (VIS-NR) toured damaged facilities on Feb. 2; they are focusing on buildings and educational infrastructure reconstruction.

ANS has published the photo (above) and caption from the installation of Haiti’s new provincial. Your humble editor has added a bit to the caption.

Pétion-Ville, Haiti -¬ January 30, 2010 – At a solemn ceremony in Pétion-Ville on the eve of the feast of St. John Bosco, Fr. Ducange Sylvain (to left of bishop, presumably) took over as superior of the vice province of Haiti. Among those present were Archbishop Louis Kebreau, SDB, of Cap-Haitien, Fr. Esteban Ortiz, general councilor for the InterAmerica Region (bishop’s right), Fr. Victor Pichardo, provincial of the Antilles Province, Fr. Mark Hyde, director of Salesian Missions in New Rochelle (behind Fr. Ortiz), many of the Hatian Salesians, and representatives of the other branches of the Salesian Family.

Wally Bowe, friend to many, has died

Wally Bowe, our dear friend from childhood, a remarkable man who taught scores to bounce a basketball and more, has died. We have lost a mentor with a giant heart. We are heartbroken.