Friday, March 31, 2017

The latest GDP figures for 4th Quarter 2016

Real gross domestic product (GDP) increased at an annual rate of 2.1 percent in the fourth and final quarter of 2016. This latest report is the third estimate of U.S. GDP from the Bureau of Economic Analysis. Real GDP for 2016 grew at a 1.6 percent. 

Here is my commentary on yesterday's report.



Saturday, March 25, 2017

Real estate firm donates 10 laptop computers to Boston school’s autism program.

(EAST BOSTON) As she and other teachers worked with students in the autism program at East Boston’s Samuel Adams School, Michelle Lamacchia faced a major obstacle early this year.

The teaching curriculum that her staff follows — developed by the New England Center for Children and approved by the Boston public school system — had changed to an online system which required periodic use of computers by faculty and administrators. 

Yet the school had no budget for new computer equipment. 

Lamacchia and Irvin reached out to Boston real estate firm City Realty Group, which operates a non-profit community service organization named CityKids. 

Staffers from the company visited the school last month, and this week the children and teachers from the autism strand at the Adams school gathered in the school’s auditorium to get a first look at 10 new laptop computers presented by Stephen Whalen, managing partner of City Realty.

The donation “will enable all of our teachers to have the technology to use this curriculum to its potential,” Lamacchia said.  “Ultimately, this will lead to greater gains for our students.”

Whalen said the donation is one part of his firm’s youth program: intended to provide the children of Boston with unique experiences and educational resources. Over the past year the company has donated 250 Chromebook computers to area schools and youth organizations. The program also sponsors healthy events and outings for teen-agers, playground cleaning and restorations, and a summer jobs program.

"The kids of this city will shape Boston’s future," Whalen said. "As a local business, we feel an obligation to help the schools and equip them with the tools necessary for a successful education."
At the Adams school, which teaches children from pre-kindergarten through 5th grade, "our early childhood team not only teaches our students the skills they need in order to learn, but also makes school a fun, inviting, and safe place to learn," Lamacchia said. I am so proud of this program and the team of professionals that we have here at the Adams.”

Source:   ANDREW SCHERDING l 
(508) 246-6664; 
ascherding@qmarketinginc.com






February Report: Massachusetts adds 10,100 jobs; U-Rate at 3.4 percent

My latest research note, on Thursday's Massachusetts jobs release, can be found here (PDF).

Sunday, March 12, 2017

April 29: Bay State Chapter of Freedoms Foundation to Present 'Hero Awards' to Officer who saved colleague during shooting in East Boston

Winthrop Residents Mia Martucci, Sheryl Howard, and USMC Sgt. Andrew Bigio to be Honored with George Washington Honor Medals at Ceremonies set for April 29 in East Boston

(EAST BOSTON, March 12, 2017)  The Bay State Chapter of Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge will present Hero Awards to two Boston Police officers who helped to save the life of a colleague wounded during a shooting incident in East Boston back in October 2016. During a ceremony in East Boston next month, the Chapter will also present prestigious national George Washington Honor Medals to Winthrop residents Mia Martucci, Sheryl Howard, and U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. (Retired) Andrew Biggio. 

      The awards will be presented at the Bay State Chapter’s 38st Annual Awards Luncheon on Saturday, April 29, 2017, at 1 p.m., in Spinelli’s Banquet Facility, Day Square in East Boston. Tickets are $50, and can be purchased from Vice President for Awards Dottie D’Onofrio at (617) 539-3092 or donofrio35@aol.com or from Chapter Secretary Marisa Di Pietro at (617) 650-3442 or mdipietro@ebsoc.org. 

      The two Boston Police officers, Sgt. Norberto Perez and SWAT Team Officer Clifton Singletary, were among the officers responding to a domestic issue in an East Boston apartment when gunfire erupted and two officers were severely wounded. Despite a hail of bullets all around them, Sgt. Perez and Officer Singletary were able to pull one of their colleagues out of harm’s way and their efforts to pinch-off a bleeding artery and apply a tourniquet to his leg helped to save his life. The two officers are being honored with the Chapter’s first-ever Hero Awards for their extraordinary and exemplary life-saving act.
      
      Mia Martucci is 12 years old and a resident of Winthrop. She is being honored with the George Washington Honor Medal for her five years of dedicated fundraising for the Boston Children’s Hospital Cancer Research Center, along with her toy drive to help lift the spirit of the children waging their battle against cancer at the Boston hospital.

      Sheryl Howard of Winthrop is being honored with the George Washington Honor Medal for her “Veterans Honor Project.” She involved many participants from numerous town organizations to ensure that Veterans Road in Winthrop would be adorned with the American flag on every utility pole as a respectful remembrance for those who served the country in military service. 
      
      USMC Sgt. (Retired) Andrew Biggio of Winthrop is being honored with the George Washington Honor Medal for his leadership and dedication in helping wounded veterans. He is the founder of the “They Fought We Ride” fundraising project where more than 6,000 motorcyclists from near and far join in a ride through many communities in the Boston area, raising thousands of dollars that are used to assist wounded warriors.
      
      Bay State Chapter Founder and Executive Director, Judge Joseph V. Ferrino (Retired), will also welcome head table guests: Boston Police Commissioner William Evans; and guest speaker Carolyn Santagelo, Director of Educational Programs and Awards at the national office of Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge, PA.

Tickets to the Bay State Chapter awards luncheon will include a sit-down, full-menu offering at Spinelli’s.

      Freedoms Foundation honors Americans who go above and beyond in their efforts to educate their communities about the values of good citizenship. The foundation has recognized several thousand dedicated individuals and organizations in its 65-year existence. Freedoms Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to teaching all citizens the principles upon which our nation was founded. The organization seeks to convey the close link between the rights and the responsibilities of citizens in a free society. Further information about the Freedoms Foundation at Valley Forge can found here.

Source: Ed Coletta, Freedoms Foundation

Friday, March 10, 2017

Research commentary on today's U.S. Employment Situation

My latest research note on the U.S. Employment situation can be found here.

Tuesday, March 7, 2017

Ward 1 Democrats elect delegates to state convention


Registered Democrats in East Boston held a caucus at the Mario Umana Academy on March 3, 2017 to elect twenty (20) delegates and four (4) alternates to the 2017 Massachusetts Democratic Convention, where Democrats from across Massachusetts will gather to adopt a new Party Platform.

The Convention will be held on Saturday, June 3rd at the Tsongas Arena in Lowell.

The ten (10) female delegates elected were:
Lydia Edwards,
Fi Nguyen,
Vicki Dzinzidashvili,
Jane O'Reilly,
Celeste Ribeiro Myers,
Susanna Starrett,
Magdalena Ayed,
Margaret Farmer,
Sandra Aleman-Nijjar and
Claudia Y. Correa.

The nine (9) male delegates elected were:
Joe Ruggiero,
David Halbert,
Adrian Velazquez,
Anthony Gesualdi,
Zachary Hollopeter,
John Ribeiro,
Phil Brangiforte,
Stephen Mazzarella and
Richard Carvalho.

There were also three (3) alternates elected and they were
Claudia Sierra,
Richard Carvalho and
Liana LaMattina.

The following Massachusetts Democrats shall serve as ex-officio Delegates to the Convention with full voting privileges:
Adrian Madaro, State Representative,
Carol Aloisi, Treasurer Democratic State Party,
Gabriela Coletta, State Committeewoman, and
Michael Sulprizio, Chairman Ward 1 Democratic Committee.

In the spirit of inclusion, youth, minorities, and people with disabilities who are not elected as delegates or alternates may apply to be add-on delegates, either at their caucus or online at www.massdems.org

For more information on the caucus or the committee please contact Michael Sulprizio at Msulprizio@comcast.net / 617-438-0952 or check out their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ward1dems/ or  follow them on Twitter @ward1demsEB.

Source: Press Release  Michael Sulprizio, 617-438-0952 or msulprizio@comcast.net

Monday, March 6, 2017

March 13: Jeffries Point Neighborhood Association

Jeffries Point Neighborhood Association
Meeting Agenda for Monday March 13,2017
7pm at the Jeffries Point Yacht Club
565 Sumner street.

Agenda -

Police updates - Sgt, James Martin & Officer Danny Simons.

296-298 Marginal - Atty Diane Modica, demolition of an existing structure and construction of residential units with parking .    Vote

3 Lamson - Demolish structures and add multi unit with parking - Vote

Sail Boston - Discussing Tall Ships that are coming to Boston in June .

Harbor Keepers -  Magdalena

254-256 Everett street -  Mutli unit with parking .  Atty Richard Lynds - Vote