East Boston APAC Community Hero Mary Cahalane to be honored at ABCD Community Awards on Sept. 16

Celebrating 50th Anniversary of Historic Economic Opportunity Act; Renowned community activists Sarah Ann Shaw, Hubie Jones join ABCD Hall of Fame;  The Supreme’s Mary Wilson to perform!

Action for Boston Community Development rolls out the festivities on September 16 in a gala celebration of 17 outstanding community volunteers who embody the spirit of the landmark Economic Opportunity Act, celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year. 

That historic 1964 EOA legislation launched the War on Poverty in America and gave birth to the nation’s community action programs, including ABCD. It spawned an era of opportunity and empowerment that moved millions out of poverty and created ongoing social institutions such as Legal Services, Head Start, Community Health Centers and more.

ABCD East Boston ABCD honors volunteer of the year

“One of the greatest ways you can spread kindness and help is to spend time with the elderly” says Mary Cahalane. 

A life-long East Boston resident and Boston Public School teacher for 32 years, Mary Cahalane has devoted her life to helping the community. As a 30-year member of St. Vincent DePaul Society, Mary served  as the first female president for 16 years and continues to offer person-to-person service to individuals in need. 

Mary Cahalane of East Boston APAC

Mary offers critical support to some of East Boston’s most vulnerable residents as a volunteer. Through her hands-on charitable work she is a vital part of the neighborhood, working to provide food, heating assistance, and emergency support and disaster relief services to help enhance the lives of those around her. 

ABCD Community Awards Dinner

“ABCD is proud to honor our community volunteers and others who go above and beyond to help those in need,” said ABCD President/CEO John J. Drew. “Their spirit and commitment speak to the essence of the EOA 50th anniversary that we celebrate this year. At ABCD, we are proud to persist in our work to achieve that landmark legislation’s mission ‘to eliminate the paradox that is poverty in the midst of plenty in this Nation…’  We look forward to a grand celebration of community and voluntarism!” 

Giving voice to the evening’s enthusiastic retro spirit is Mary Wilson of The Supremes! The flagship Motown girl group helped define the sound of young America in the 1960s with a slew of R&B/soul classics: Stop! In the Name of Love, You Can’t Hurry Love, Where Did our Love Go? and so many more. Today Mary Wilson performs with the same passion as she did then, and the world-renowned celebrity uses her fame and flair to promote humanitarian efforts to end hunger, raise AIDS awareness and encourage world peace.

Sarah Ann Shaw and Hubie Jones, two community icons who have made a difference for hundreds of thousands in Boston and beyond, will be inducted into the ABCD Hall of Fame.

Sarah Ann Shaw was Boston’s first female African-American television reporter and is a renowned community activist who ran ABCD’s neighborhood programs in the organization’s early days. A longtime Dorchester resident, she helped define minority affairs programming and news content and is the recipient of hundreds of journalistic and community awards.

Hubie Jones will be recognized for his vital role in Boston and America’s social justice movement. He has held numerous positions in academia, served in policy and management roles at several community institutions and played a leadership role in the social development of Boston and its people. Reverend Liz Walker, award-winning television journalist, former anchor, WBZ-TV/Channel 4 and ordained minister, will deliver the invocation. Karen Holmes Ward, Director of Public Affairs and Community Services as well as host/executive producer, CityLine, WCVB-TV/Channel 5, is mistress of ceremonies. 

The 17 community volunteers to be recognized for their tireless efforts to address the plight of Boston’s underprivileged residents and communities are: Griselda Polanco, Allston/Brighton NOC, Elyas Harris, Asian American Civic Association, Stephanie Simmons, Dorchester NSC, Mary Cahalane, East Boston APAC, Fran Johnson, Elder Services, Liz Miranda, Elm Hill FSC, Crystal Jones, Head Start & Children Services, Eugenia Smith, Health Services, Pansy Langley, HP/Project Care & Concern, Jane Reitz, John F. Kennedy FSC, Michael Baker, Jamaica Plain APC/Boston Hispanic Center, Audrey Downey, Mattapan FSC, Marian O’Neill, North End/West End NSC, Carmen Pola, Parker Hill/Fenway NSC, Anne Brennan, South Boston APAC, Dareline Jackson, South End NSC and Cynthia Penton-Bell, Women’s Service Club of Boston.

For more information, please contact Amelia at 617-348-6238 or email amelia.auborg@bostonabcd.org.

About ABCD:

ABCD serves more than 100,000 low-income Boston-area residents through its central offices and a decentralized network of Neighborhood Service Centers (NSCs), Head Start centers, Family Planning sites and Foster Grandparent sites. Programs and affiliations include Fuel Assistance; Head Start; Child Care Services; Child Care Choices of Boston; Education; Career Development; Housing and Homelessness Prevention Services; Health Services; Family Planning; Urban College of Boston; University High – an Alternative High School; Ostiguy High School for high school students in recovery; Weatherization; Foster Grandparents; Elder Services; Intergenerational Programs; Food Pantries in several Boston neighborhoods; management of the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC), Commonwealth of Massachusetts Employees Charitable Campaign (COBECC) and City of Boston Employees Charitable Campaign (COBECC); advocacy and consumer services.

Source: ABCD 8/27                                                                                        ###

East Boston Main Streets announces 14th annual Countdown to Kindergarten Parade

On Friday, September 5, 2014 East Boston Main Streets will hold the 14th Annual Countdown to Kindergarten Parade at 10:30 am at Central Square in East Boston.

(East Boston, MA 24-August-2014) East Boston Main Streets and Countdown to Kindergarten along with the East Boston Social Center, EBYMCA, Little Folks, Head Start, the Boston Police, and the MBTA will host the 14th Annual Countdown to Kindergarten parade. With the help of many groups and individuals and the generosity of local merchants every child in East Boston who is entering kindergarten will receive school supplies, a brand new backpack, and enjoy a festive day designed to provide a positive experience as they begin their formal education. 

file photo; EBMS

This year’s Parade is scheduled for Friday, September 5th at 10:30 am. Anywhere from 300 to 500 kindergarten-age children will gather at Central Square in East Boston with their parents, guardians, and volunteers from the various local early-education centers.

Before the children step off the curb, East Boston Main Streets will announce a $5,000 college scholarship in the form of a 529 college savings bond generously provided by Airmall Boston.  This scholarship will be tied to impeccable class attendance during the school year and will be awarded to one East Boston kindergartener at the end of the 2014/15 academic year.

During the Parade the children will wear yellow shirts saying “I’m Going to Kindergarten” provided by the City of Boston. Along the walk the children will stop at over 20 participating businesses in the neighborhood to receive small gifts.  At the end of the parade the children will return to the park for pizza donated by a local restaurant.

For more information contact Sonia Gomez-Banrey at 617.635.6816 or the East Boston Main Street office at 617.561.1044.  Also, please visit the Countdown to Kindergarten website at http://www.countdowntokindergarten.org  or visit them on Facebook.

Bicycle Safety Day at the Aug. 28 Farmers Market in Maverick Sq.

Biking is a great way to get some fresh air and exercise, you can even 
bike to the Farmers Market! 

Bring your bike to the market on Thursday, August 28 to learn bicycle epair skills with volunteers at the Boston Cyclists Union 

Location: East Boston Farmers Market in Lewis Mall Square 

Time : 3:00 PM – 6:30 PM 

Stop by the EBNHC Table for a free child’s helmet 

** Child MUST be present so that staff can measure and choose appropriate helmet ** 

You can also enter to win one of FOUR children’s bicycles 

It’s going to be a great afternoon, we can’t wait to see 
you there! 

Source: EBNHC

Massport Celebrates Opening of Greenway Connector in East Boston

Bicyclists and pedestrians invited to experience airport in new way

(BOSTON- AUGUST 21) – Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) officials and area residents celebrated the completion of a project to transform a congested wooded area adjacent to Logan International Airport and the MBTA’s Blue Line into a glistening mixed-use bicycle/pedestrian pathway.  

Known as the Boston Greenway Connector (Greenway) for its abundance of plants, trees, shrubbery, and green space, bicyclists and pedestrians in East Boston now have access to a safe and inviting pathway from Piers Park along the Wood Island Bay Marsh to a lookout area near Constitution Beach. The City of Boston, which owns the next parcel of the property, has plans to continue the thruway to Constitution Beach. 

“The new Greenway extension is another addition of open space that is helping make East Boston one of the most desirable urban communities in our state to live in and raise a family,” said State Senator Anthony Petruccelli.  “Our community activists, led by Chris Marchi, have done a remarkable job with this project and I am excited to continue to work with them on future project.”

 “The Greenway Connector is another great example of the staunch activism of the East Boston community as well as the strong partnership between the neighborhood and Massport,” said State Representative Carlo Basile.  “While not yet fully complete, this extension is one more step in connecting one end of East Boston to the other via a beautiful park system. I’m happy to know that East Bostonians will be able to enjoy this wonderful asset for many years to come.”

“We worked very closely with Massport to get this Greenway connector built,” said City Councilor Sal LaMattina, “I would like to thank Massport for all of their hard work but also for their cooperation with the City and the residents of East Boston. They listened carefully to the concerns of the community and took the steps necessary to make sure that they were addressed. The Greenway is truly a jewel in the neighborhood and I couldn’t be more proud of how it turned out.”

Massport began discussions about the project with community members and the city in 2009 before Massport’s Board voted to approve the Greenway project in 2011.  Construction for the project, which cost approximately $7 million, began in July 2013 and was completed in July 2014.  

“At Massport we often say that our parks are our pride, and the Greenway project is a prime example of how community engagement can have beneficial and long-lasting results for our neighbors,” said Massport’s CEO Thomas P. Glynn. “I am proud that we were able to successfully accomplish this project with our community partners and provide this beautiful pathway for East Boston residents to use and enjoy.”

The Greenway is a well landscaped, multi-use pedestrian and bicycle path that is approximately 2,750 feet (approximately ½ mile) in length, with a paved path that is 12 feet wide.  The project included the removal of a dilapidated pedestrian structure over the MBTA Blue Line and the demolition of an abandoned brick MWRA combined sewer outflow building at Wood Island Marsh.  Due to the proximity to the MBTA tracks and the MBTA Wood Island station, close coordination between Massport and the MBTA was necessary to ensure that the construction did not disrupt normal operations.  The overall area of the project is approximately 5.22 acres.

You can find us on Facebook at facebook.com/bostonlogan and follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/bostonlogan and twitter.com/Massport.

###

About Massport:
The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) owns and operates Boston Logan International Airport, public terminals in the Port of Boston, Hanscom Field and Worcester Regional Airport. Massport is a financially self-sustaining public authority whose premier transportation facilities generate more than $8 billion annually, and enhance and enable economic growth and vitality in New England. No state tax dollars are used to fund operations or capital improvements at Massport facilities. For more information please visit www.massport.com.   

Source: Massport: Jennifer Mehigan

Landlord seminar at 1010 Mass Avenue: August 21

Do you ESL?

ESL Conversation Groups
Mondays and Thursdays, 6:30–7:45 p.m.
Come practice speaking English with our conversation group. These groups are free and open to the public. No registration needed
East Boston Branch of the Boston Public Library, 365 Bremen Street  617.569.0271

Save the date! Greenway Celebration, August 21

Save the Date!
East Boston Greenway Connector
Community Celebration
Thursday, August 21, 2014
5:30 p.m.

Science at the EB-BPL on Bremen Street

Science at the Library

Bringing biotechnology to you!

CityLab is bringing our lab on wheels to the library! Join us to solve medical mysteries and do real science!

• Program runs from August 19-21
• East Boston branch- 365 Bremen St
• Free!
• 12-3pm
• Open to ages 10-14
• Sign up at the library or email citylabboston@gmail.com

www.bumc.bu.edu/citylab

East Boston and Revere Casino Opponents to Boycott Final Commission Hearing, Calling it an 'Illegitimate Sham,' and will Throw Full Energy Into Repeal

PRESS RELEASE

(East Boston, MA August 11, 2014) --A coalition of groups opposing Greater Boston casinos -- including No Eastie Casino, Don't Gamble on Revere, Friends of East Boston and Friends of Revere -- announced today they have called an official boycott of the Monday, August 11, Massachusetts Gaming Commission Host Community Meeting in Revere, MA. 

"After months of trying to fight through an illegitimate, illegal process that has denied the people of East Boston the rule of law by denying our vote, our core groups are throwing our full weight behind the work to Repeal the Casino Deal across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts," said No Eastie Casino spokesman Matt Cameron. "We are boycotting the corrupt, illegitimate sham of a hearing at the Mass Gaming Commission on August 11."

According to the Massachusetts gaming statute passed by our legislature and signed by Governor Deval Patrick, if a proposed casino is located in two communities, both communities must vote to allow the development of that casino to enable that proposal to move forward.  On November 5, 2013, 56 percent of East Boston residents voted no to a proposed casino at Suffolk Downs. That proposed casino was to be built completely in East Boston on Suffolk Downs' property -- two-thirds of which is in East Boston.  The people of Revere also voted on this proposal because the land was in both towns, and people recognized that Revere offered amenities which are statutorily considered part of a casino for the purposes of designating host community status. 

Legally, the casino proposal at Suffolk Downs should then have died.  However, in furtherance of a corrupt process, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission allowed Mohegan Sun to collude with Suffolk Downs to create the illusion that a proposed casino along the Revere-East Boston line does not require an East Boston vote.  The Massachusetts Gaming Commission joined and promoted that collusion-even extending their deadline; even now, their decision will be based on incomplete information due to the failure of the Mohegan Sun-Suffolk Downs entity to file all the necessary, updated, accurate paperwork in a timely fashion. Together, this colluding group willfully withheld information for months that the Gaming Commission later agreed would likely have proven East Boston to be a host community; they called this information--a critical clause in a lease -- "a trade secret."  When the City of Boston's attorneys pursued this information, the Gaming Commission -- both supposed watch dog and enabler -- communicated with Mohegan Sun, and somehow, the questionable "trade secret" lease clause was removed from the lease. This happened five months after the Gaming Commission had said Revere could have another vote, but East Boston would not have one. 

As a result of this and other demonstrated irregularities in this Region A decision process, a complaint and request for investigation of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission has been filed with the Commonwealth Inspector General's office.   

Multiple East Boston residents have repeatedly attempted to speak in front of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission. Meanwhile, the Gaming Commission has given first preference in testimony to elected officials.  Unfortunately, although 56 percent of East Boston residents voted NO, the great majority of elected officials who have spoken at hearings have been pro-casino officials from other communities.  The Gaming Commission has repeatedly willfully ignored the valid legal concerns of Mayor Marty Walsh.  Mohegan Sun and Suffolk Downs have literally fed and bused in supporters to create the false semblance of much greater support for this proposal than exists on the ground.  As grassroots organizations, No Eastie Casino and Don't Gamble on Revere do not have the resources to feed or bus in our supporters; furthermore, many of our supporters have jobs and families and are not able to leave work to attend meetings. Many casino supporters, on the other hand, are paid by Suffolk Downs or the City of Revere to show up at hearings as part of their work.  

Multiple East Boston residents have repeatedly attempted to speak in front of the Mass Gaming Commission.  Meanwhile, the Mass Gaming Commission has given first preference in testimony to elected officials.  Unfortunately, although 56% of East Boston residents voted NO, the great majority of elected officials who have spoken at hearings have been pro-casino officials from other communities.  The Gaming Commission has repeatedly willfully ignored the valid legal concerns of Mayor Marty Walsh.  Mohegan Sun and Suffolk Downs have literally fed and bused in supporters to create the false semblance of much greater support for this proposal than exists on the ground.  As a grassroots organization, No Eastie Casino does not have the resources to feed or bus in our supporters; furthermore, many of our supporters have jobs and families and are not able to leave work to attend meetings (many casino supporters are paid by Suffolk Downs or the City of Revere to show up at hearings as part of their work).  

"The people of East Boston stand firm in the belief that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has allowed this illegal violation of the rule of law because the corrupt casino industry has spent millions of dollars to encourage just this outcome," Cameron said. "We also strongly believe this flagrant violation of our vote would not be happening in a wealthier community. We also strongly believe that this Commonwealth was founded on principals of justice, fairness and sharing of the common wealth. We strongly believe this is not yet an aristocracy, but retains at least some semblance of democracy -- and will continue to do so if we continue to fight for it. We believe our fellow citizens, once duly educated about this corrupt and unfair process, will stand with us in voting to repeal this flawed legislation and restore a greater measure of democracy and fairness to this Commonwealth. This state has been a leader in recognizing the rights of many -- and we know, likewise, this state's good people will recognize the right of the people of East Boston to have a vote, to vote NO, and to have that vote carry the same weight as the vote of any other commonwealth community." 

On August 11, 2014, the core group members from Don't Gamble on Revere, Friends of East Boston, Friends of Revere and No Eastie Casino will be working diligently to advance the campaign to repeal this law. Should you have any questions, please contact us at the Repeal the Casino Deal headquarters in East Boston. Our work there will serve as our protest of the Mass Gaming Commission's sham hearing.

Source for this Press Release: Repeal the Casino Deal, 617-981-4177

Basile campaign issues response to Ribeiro Myers debate invite

This just in from the Basile campaign's Kevin Franck

Below is the Basile campaign's response to Celeste Ribeiro Myers' invitation to debate the issues and challenges facing the people of East Boston. Please let me know if you need anything else.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Carlo Basile
Date: Mon, Aug 4, 2014 at 7:27 PM
Subject: East Boston Public Debates
To: campaign@celesteforeastboston.com


August 4, 2014

Dear Steve Holt:

Thank you for your invitation to debate the issues and challenges facing the people of East Boston. The Basile Campaign would be more than willing to join you and anyone else who would like to participate in this discussion. 

In the coming days, let's get together to work out the details and the logistics. We look forward to a healthy and civil discussion of the issues facing the 1st Suffolk district Rep. Basile represents. 

All the Best,

Catt Chaput
Campaign Manager

-- 
Carlo Basile for State Representative
Representing East Boston since 2007
Vote November 4, 2014
Find your Polling Location at www.wheredoivotema.com