Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Reminder EB Shines is May 9

From EBMS:


East Boston Shines: Community Clean Up, Saturday, May 9th at 10:00am
 

East Boston, MA (April 27, 2015) – Come Volunteer to Beautify and Clean East Boston!  On Saturday, May 9th, East Boston Volunteers will join East Boston Main Streets at 10:00am at Maverick Square to kick of the 13th annual East Boston Shines Community Clean-up Campaign.

East Boston Main Streets is inviting volunteers to help clean up the neighborhood. Volunteers will meet at Maverick Square at 10:00 am on Saturday, May 9th to clean the streets, paint the tree-pit surrounds, spread mulch, and plant flowers. We will then walk to Central Square and do the same.  Come join us – this is a family friendly event.  Brooms, gloves, and T-shirts will be provided.  

For more details or questions please call Max Gruner, Executive Director of East Boston Main Streets at 617-561-1044.
 


EBMS is a non-profit corporation. Our mission is to create a more vibrant business district by initiating private and public improvements, promoting commerce, and supporting efforts to improve the quality of life for all who live, work and do business in East Boston.

Sunday, April 26, 2015

EB Kiwanis Club to Honor Three Long-time Members: Judge Ferrino, Dennis Lombardo, John Nucci to be feted May 19 at Spinelli’s in East Boston

(EAST BOSTON, April 26, 2015)  – The Kiwanis Club of East Boston will honor three long-time club members – Judge Joseph V. Ferrino Sr. (ret.) of Winthrop, Dennis Lombardo of Randolph and John Nucci of East Boston – for their years of dedication and service to the community of East Boston and to the children of the world.

The Kiwanis Club will present Legion of Honor awards to Judge Ferrino for his 50 years of service to Kiwanis and community, Mr. Lombardo for his 40 years of service and Mr. Nucci for his 30 years of service.


The Legion of Honor ceremony will be held on Tuesday, May 19, 2015 starting at 6 p.m. in Spinelli’s Function Hall, 282 Bennington St., Day Square, East Boston.  Dinner tickets are $25 per person, which includes one 50/50 raffle entry.  Dinner tickets are open to the public, but are limited in number.
 

For more information on tickets or to RSVP, please contact Kiwanis Club President Clark Moulaison at 617-699-7121 or at carmellasmarket@verizon.net
 

The Kiwanis Club of East Boston was founded in 1947, and like Kiwanis International, it is an organization of volunteers dedicated to improving the world, one child and one community at a time. 

Find the club on Facebook at “Kiwanis Club of East Boston.” 

Mailing address:
Kiwanis Club of East Boston, P.O. Box 83, East Boston, MA 02128

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

May 15 Deadline for E.B.L.U.C. Grant Applications; Leonard Florence Mem. Trust and Bulgroup Scholarship Trust

This is from Joe Mason:

(EAST BOSTON, April 22, 2015) The East Boston Land Use Council is accepting applications for the Leonard Florence Memorial Trust and the East Boston Bulgroup Scholarship Trust Fund. Due to the extreme winter, our program was delayed. There are also numerous changes in this year’s program, we strongly advise you to print this notice and save it.

The rules are: 

  1. You must be an East Boston Resident with proof;
  2. We make Vendor payments only; (It is your responsibility to provide exact vendor information with your application);
  3. You must include all information in your application, as there will be no “do-overs.” If incomplete, your request will be DENIED!
The biggest change is in the categories:
 

There will be:
  •     ten (10) $500.00 dollar Scholarship Grants,
  •     ten (10) $500.00 Senior Citizens Groups Grants, and
  •     ten (10) $500.00 Children’s/Sports Grants.
It is important for us to remember the legacy of Mr. Leonard Florence, and his successor Bulgroup Properties. These trust funds were left to East Boston’s poorest of the poor, and to the neediest. If you do not see your cause, such as a grant to rent a bus listed, it’s because we will no longer be providing those types of grants.

The deadline to file is MAY 15, 2015.
 

Please mail your requests to:
The East Boston Land Use Council
2 Neptune Road Suite # 352
East Boston, MA 02128

Thank You
Joseph J.Mason President, E.B.L.U.C

Please no email, hand-delivered, or phone applications.
Again, to reiterate, you must provide all information in your request
.

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

'Hitting the ground running,' Rep. Madaro Files $300,000 in Budget Amendments for East Boston


(East Boston, April 21, 2015)  - State Representative Adrian Madaro filed three crucial budget amendments during his first full week in office. The amendments dedicate nearly $300,000 to East Boston to improve public safety at Constitution Beach, increase resources to address substance abuse in East Boston, and supports Project Bread’s local farming initiative.

The House Budget process is one of the most important opportunities for a State Representative to prioritize funding for his community. Despite being in office for only a week, Representative Madaro capitalized on his years of experience as Chief of Staff to former Representative Carlo Basile to hit the ground running.

“The East Boston Neighborhood Health Center has a 24/7 ER, but has no substance abuse counselors during the nights and weekends” said Representative Madaro.  “The $150k that I included in my budget amendment would enable the Health Center to hire substance abuse counseling during these times when they experience the highest volume of people seeking substance abuse treatment/services.”       

Representative Madaro also proposed $120,000 to support Project Bread and the Massachusetts Farm to School Project, which takes locally grown fruits and vegetables and distributes them to low income families in East Boston and beyond.

Another amendment dedicates $25,000 for State Police to patrol Constitution Beach.

East Boston Shines: Community Clean Up, Saturday, May 9th at 10:00am

East Boston, MA (April 20, 2015) – Come Volunteer to Beautify and Clean East Boston!  On Saturday, May 9th, East Boston Volunteers will join East Boston Main Streets at 10:00am at Maverick Square to kick of the 13th annual East Boston Shines Community Clean-up Campaign.
 

East Boston Main Streets is inviting volunteers to help clean up the neighborhood. Volunteers will meet at Maverick Square at 10:00 am on Saturday, May 9th to clean the streets, paint the tree-pit surrounds, spread mulch, and plant flowers. We will then walk to Central Square and do the same.  Come join us – this is a family friendly event.  Brooms, gloves, and T-shirts will be provided.  
 

For more details or questions please call Max Gruner, Executive Director of East Boston Main Streets at 617-561-1044.

EBMS is a non-profit corporation. Our mission is to create a more vibrant business district by initiating private and public improvements, promoting commerce, and supporting efforts to improve the quality of life for all who live, work and do business in East Boston.

Sunday, April 19, 2015

Today! PARENTS AND OTHER FAMILY MEMEBRS OF 43 STUDENTS KIDNAPPED AND DISAPEARTED BY MEXICAN AUTHORITIES TO SPEAK IN BOSTON

From a press release sent by  Pedro Morales (617) 417-2524    

PARENTS AND OTHER FAMILY MEMEBRS OF 43 STUDENTS KIDNAPPED AND DISAPEARTED BY MEXICAN AUTHORITIES TO SPEAK IN BOSTON.

(Boston, MA April 16, 2015) - A group representing the parents of the 43 students kidnapped in late September in Guerrero, Mexico, will hold a series of events in the Boston area aimed at increasing both public awareness to this issue as well as to make the case the case as to what American audiences should care about their plight. The US has supported the Mexican government with money and military to support the war on drugs but according to these parents the reality on the ground is that the government uses this aid to suppress dissenting voices, like those of the missing students, while mounting reports of corruption and collusion of government forces with drug gangs are more the norm than the exception. “Vivos se los llevaron, Vivos los Queremos” Alive you took them, alive you must return them, This mantra has come to symbolize the outrage and desperation of the family members and of the Mexican society at large who have witness an estimated tens of thousands of forced disappearances and over 100,000 killings in Mexico since 2006.

It is not only students that have been missing or assassinated by police and drug cartel forces which in many parts of the country are virtually indistinguishable form each other, the Catholic Church has already lost three Priests who were known for speaking out against the “Narco-Govierno” phenomenon. “We want the Mexican authorities to honor the demands of affected families and to take measures to ensure transparency and accountability” said Fr. Francisco Anzoategui head of Hispanic Ministry for the Boston Archdiocese and a speaker at this Sunday rally.  Our Savior’s Lutheran Church is proud to stand in solidarity with these parents and we remain fully committed to supporting these parents on their ongoing struggle for justice in their home country” Rev. Don Nastad, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, East Boston.

Parents are hoping residents and particularly registered voters, will answer their call to have regular people call their representatives in Washington demanding that congress and the Obama administration put more pressure on the Mexican government to solve these cases and impose credible rule of law.  Caravan 43 is visiting several dozens cities nationwide and will culminate in NYC in April 28th with a massive rally at the UN building where the nations of the world will heard the desperate plea for help and justice of these wary parents in a quest for hope. 

Locally, these the following Caravan 43 events are supported and produced by Stand For Democracy (a faith-base organization) and Boston For Ayotzinapa (a joint effort by students from Harvard University, MIT, Tufts University, BU, Northeastern University and Berklee College of Music).
Media and public alike are invited to a series of free-of-charge events as part of the Caravana 43.
EVENTS:
Religious Service, Sunday, April 19th from 12PM to 1PM

LOCATION: Most Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 65 London St, East Boston. The service will be followed by a march from Central Square, East Boston to Maverick Square from 1PM to 2PM.

       Panel Discussion, Monday, April 20th
       LOCATION: Harvard University, LOCATION: TBD, Cambridge

List of Speakers for Rally on Sunday April 19th:
Program starts at 2pm (approx.)

Rev. Britta Carlsen, Our Savior’s Lutheran Church. Pastor Carlsen focuses on Latino ministries and issues of social justice.

Felipe De la Cruz Sandoval   (Parent/Teacher, of missing student)

Clemente Rodríguez Moreno (Parent of missing student)

Anayeli Guerrero de la Cruz    (Sister of missing student)

Rev. Burns Stanfield, President of the Greater Boston Interfaith Organization, has been the pastor of Fourth Presbyterian Church in South Boston for the past twenty years.

Father Francisco Anzoategui, Director of the Hispanic Apostolate, Archdiocese of Boston.

Friday, April 17, 2015

Logan Runway Intersections to Receive Repairs: Runway closures expected to allow for new pavement

From Massport:

(BOSTON, April 17, 2015) – The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) will complete the Runway 4R-22L rehabilitation project at Boston Logan International Airport by repaving the intersections at 4R-22L and 9-27. This construction project will replace deteriorated asphalt pavement that was last rehabilitated in 2005. This will maintain the functionality and safety of the runways.

The 4R/22L rehabilitation project began last summer with the repaving of Taxiway E to the approach of Runway 22L, but the final two phases, which include the rehabilitation of the intersections at runways 4R-22L and 9-27, could not be completed due to weather.

The final two construction phases will be occur during two simultaneous 40-hour runway closures that will take place over the course of two separate weekends in order to minimize operational impacts. Weather permitting, the work is expected to begin Friday, April 17, 2015 at 10 p.m. and will be suspended on Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. and normal operation of the runways will resume. In order for these closures to occur, the winds must be out of the northwest so that Runways 33L, 33R, and 32 can be utilized as an alternative. If the winds are not out of the northwest during the planned construction weekends, the runways will not close and repaving will not occur.

There are some additional nightly closures expected to perform some work on Runway 4R-22L, but those will be scheduled during overnight hours and will not impact the runways’ normal operating hours.

For information on specific changes in runway usage, please call Massport’s Noise Complaint Line at 617-561-3333 during Noise Abatement Office hours of Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Noise Complain Line will continue to be available to receive noise complaints 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

For general information on this project, please call Massport’s Office of Government and Community Affairs at 617-568-3711 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Boston Logan, a short distance from the intersection of Route 128 and I-90 and five minutes from downtown Boston, serves as the gateway to the New England region and offers nonstop service to 76 domestic and 44 international destinations and in 2014 handled 31.6 million passengers. Boston Logan is served by two public transit lines and is the Air Line Pilot Association’s Airport of the Year for 2008 because of its commitment to safety.  The airport generates $13 billion in total economic impact each year.

###

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 $15 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 massport.com.



Saturday, April 11, 2015

North Shore Animal League America & Boston Medical Center unite to bring comfort and puppy love

MSPCA Boston Will Have Plenty Of Adoptable, Adorable Pets Aboard the League’s Mobile Unit

WHAT: North Shore Animal League America will join forces with Boston Medical Center (BMC) on Tuesday, April 14, to bring smiles and puppy love to the hospital and its surrounding community. Animal League America, the world’s largest no-kill rescue and adoption organization, knows first-hand the power of the human-animal bond, and will drive its “shelter on wheels” from Port Washington, NY, to Boston as part of the Tour for Life. This is the third year that North Shore Animal League America has come to BMC, and the annual visit continues to bring comfort to those affected by the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, including hospital staff.

The Mobile Unit will be filled with adorable, adoptable pets from MSPCA Boston, all looking for loving homes.

Tour For Life travels throughout the United States from North to South and East to West in four Mobile Adoption Units helping shelter and rescue groups in 37 cities and 26 states bring awareness to their organizations and find homes for the adorable adoptable animals in their care.

WHEN:                 Tuesday, April 14,   10 am – 3 pm ET                   

WHO:                   Adoptable dogs, cats, puppies, and kittens
 

WHERE:               Boston Medical Center; 715 Albany Street (driveway behind BMC’s Executive Offices)  Boston, MA 02118

About Boston Medical Center

Boston Medical Center is a private, not-for-profit, 482-bed, academic medical center that is the primary teaching affiliate of Boston University School of Medicine. It is the largest and busiest provider of trauma and emergency services in New England. Committed to providing high-quality health care to all, the hospital offers a full spectrum of pediatric and adult care services including primary and family medicine and advanced specialty care with an emphasis on community-based care. Boston Medical Center offers specialized care for complex health problems and is a leading research institution, receiving more than $118 million in sponsored research funding in fiscal year 2014. It is the 11th largest recipient of funding in the U.S. from the National Institutes of Health among independent hospitals. In 1997, BMC founded Boston Medical Center Health Plan, Inc., now one of the top ranked Medicaid MCOs in the country, as a non-profit managed care organization. It does business in Massachusetts as BMC HealthNet Plan and as Well Sense Health Plan in New Hampshire, serving more than 315,000 people, collectively. Boston Medical Center and Boston University School of Medicine are partners in the Boston HealthNet – 14 community health centers focused on providing exceptional health care to residents of Boston. For more information, please visit http://www.bmc.org.


About North Shore Animal League America

Animal League America has saved more than 1,000,000 lives.  As the world’s largest no-kill rescue and adoption organization, we understand that a rescue isn’t complete until each animal is placed into a loving home.  Our innovative programs provide education to reduce animal cruelty and advance standards in animal welfare.  We reach across the country to rescue animals from overcrowded shelters, unwanted litters, puppy mills, natural disasters and other emergencies and find them permanent, loving homes

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Boston Public Market Announces Initial Round of Vendors for Permanent, Year-Round Local Food Market, Including East Boston Business

This just in from Corner Stalk Farm;
 
30+ Small Businesses to Sell Locally Produced Items Starting in July

BOSTON — The Boston Public Market today announced the first round of small businesses, including one from East Boston, who will sell locally produced goods in the new permanent, year-round market on the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway directly above the Haymarket MBTA station. Starting in July, the 28,000-square-foot Market will house over 30 permanent, year-round vendors selling locally produced items such as farm fresh produce; meat and poultry; milk and cheese; fish and shellfish; bread and baked goods; flowers; and an assortment of specialty and prepared foods.


"We've been farming in East Boston for two years now and can't wait to start sharing our fresh local greens and herbs with the people of Boston," said Shawn Cooney, co-owner of Corner Stalk Farm, which grows standard and specialty leafy greens and herbs in recycled shipping containers. The Boston Public market is the perfect place for us to reach as many consumers as possible with the freshest produce in Boston."


The initial vendors announced today include farmers, fisherman, and food producers from Massachusetts and throughout New England, including Corner Stalk Farm in East Boston. The Boston Public Market will be the only locally-sourced market of its kind in the United States. Everything sold at the Market will be produced or originate in New England.


"The Boston Public Market will showcase the best of what Boston's local economy has to offer," said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. "These vendors represent the small businesses that fuel our economy, and will serve as a tremendous resource for our residents and visitors in downtown Boston."

The Boston Public Market will provide individuals with year-round access to locally produced, fresh food," said Secretary of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) Matthew Beaton. It is the goal of the Baker-Polito administration and EEA to make fresh produce available to all Commonwealth residents. I am pleased the market will join the ranks of Massachusetts' more than 290 farmers markets, 40 of which are winter farmers markets, and its Community Supported Agriculture farms, farm stands, and pick-your-own operations."


"A year round public market, like BPM, that features farm fresh Massachusetts products will not only strengthen our growing agricultural economy, it will also garner additional consumer demand for nutritious, locally grown and produced food," said Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) Commissioner John Lebeaux. "Massachusetts is already a leader in direct market sales, ranked 5th in the U.S. Our farmers and food producers not only provide us with the best possible products all year round, they also preserve over 523,000 acres of open space, employee 28,000 workers and generate $492 million dollars for the Massachusetts economy."


Since 2007 Massachusetts' participation in community supported agriculture (CSA) has nearly doubled and agri-tourism sales have grown 127%. While nationally the U.S. witnessed a decline in agriculture from 2007 to 2012, Massachusetts was one of the few states that experienced growth in both number of farms and acres of farmland.


Our goal is to connect all residents of Boston with the best New England has to offer, and our vendors are at the heart of what we do," said Elizabeth Morningstar, CEO of the Boston Public Market. "These small businesses and food entrepreneurs have incredible experience growing and producing locally, and the multitude of flavors, colors, and stories they bring to the market is simply astounding."


The Market will span the ground floor of 136 Blackstone Street, which also contains the Boston RMV branch, entrances to the Haymarket MBTA station, vent stacks for the Interstate-93 tunnel, and a parking garage. The Market is located in downtown Boston's emerging Market District, next to the Haymarket pushcart vendors and the historic Blackstone Block.
 

"We're incredibly excited about this first group of vendors," said Tiffani Emig, the Boston Public Market's Market Manager. Some will be familiar to customers who have shopped at our seasonal markets on the Greenway, and some will be brand new. We can't wait for the people of Boston to meet them all."

The Boston Public Market has partnered with several organizations in Boston's growing entrepreneurial food community to help prepare vendors to sell their goods at the market. Several vendors, along with other local small food businesses, participated over the past six months in Interise's award-winning StreetWise 'MBA'" program aimed at growing jobs and creating more revenue. Vendors also received access to hands-on food production training and shared kitchen facilities at Crop Circle Kitchen's Pearl Food Production Small Business Center.

"I've known for a while that I have to change my business model from wholesale grower to farmer-florist," said Barbara Rietscha, owner of Stow Greenhouses in Stow, MA. "The StreetWise 'MBA'" program gave me the knowledge - and the courage - to make the change. Hearing about the real life experiences of both the mentors and my classmates has been invaluable."
 

The Boston Public Market will feature a diverse offering of programs designed to highlight regional culinary traditions and local food production, as well as inspire healthy eating and creative cooking among families and individuals. The Trustees of Reservations is the lead programming partner and will manage and staff a teaching kitchen in the heart of the market, working with other non-profit organizations and for-profit partners to offer exciting classes, demonstrations, and other programs.
 

The initial round of vendors can be found at www.bostonpublicmarket.org/vendors. Additional vendors will be announced over the coming months.

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The Boston Public Market will be a 28,000 square foot permanent, year-round, self-sustaining market that provides fresh local food to consumers from all income levels and nourishes our community. It will be a civic resource, educating the public about food sources, nutrition, and preparation.


At the market, farmers, fishermen, and food producers from Massachusetts and throughout New England will offer the public a year-round source of fresh local food and an opportunity to taste, buy, and understand what our region has to offer. The market will house over 40 vendors selling locally produced items such as farm-fresh produce, meat and poultry, eggs, milk and cheese, fish and shellfish, bread and baked goods, flowers, and an assortment of specialty and prepared foods. The Boston Public Market will be the only locally-sourced market of its kind in the United States.
 

For more information and to follow the progress of the market, visit us at www.bostonpublicmarket.org.