Wanted: New MBTA fuel efficient, enviro-friendly buses for Meridian Street Routes

This just in from Paul Howes of the Friends of Meridian Street

We the residents of Meridian Street of East Boston would sure love to see these new MBTA buses replace the older MBTA buses that run along the Meridian Street route. There are 115 bus trips traveling on Meridian Street through East Boston weekdays Monday through Friday. The fumes from these older buses are a major pollution and health risk to all the residents. 

The Umana and East Boston School children are all effected by this daily. Living on Meridian Street myself the MBTA always seems to have the older MBTA buses running this route. It sure would be a blessing to have the older fleet replaced by these new higher technical, less polluting buses running the 115 routes through Eastie. 

Let's upgrade Eastie and make it a better place to live. MBTA route numbers 114, 116, 117.

Thank you for your help.
Friends of Meridian Street

Mayor Walsh announces 9 organizations selected to receive funding through "My Brother's Keeper Mini Grant Program"

Second round of MBK mini grant funding to support local organizations working to provide opportunities and mentorship to young men of color

Representatives from MBK Boston and the nine selected organizations at the Bolling Building

BOSTON - Thursday, July 20, 2017 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh and My Brother's Keeper Boston, in partnership with The Boston Foundation, yesterday announced the nine organizations in Boston have been selected to receive a combined total of $50,000 in funding through the My Brother's Keeper mini-grant program. 

The program, which launched last August, is designed to support local organizations and entities who work to help maximize MBK's impact in improving outcomes for young men of color. "We know that our young people need opportunities to thrive, and MBK paves for way for young men of color to succeed. This grant program supports mentorship, creative discussions and activities by nonprofits and organizations," said Mayor Walsh. "I congratulate all of this round's grant recipients, and look forward to our continued partnership to ensure our young men have every opportunity to thrive." 

"MBK Boston is proud to promote a collective action agenda to uplift black and brown boys," said Conan Harris, Executive Director of My Brother's Keeper Boston. "The MBK mini grants will enhance programming, connect grassroot efforts, and disseminate the promising practices of our local on-the-ground partners who know our neighborhoods and young people." 

The following organizations were selected to receive awards: 

1. No Books No Balls Summer Basketball Camp Project (Roxbury): Funding will be used to support the hiring of young adults during the summer to assist with the annual summer basketball camp.

2. Level Ground MMA (Downtown): Funding will be used to support the Student Trainer Certification program, which provides a career pathway for youth into Boston's Fitness Industry. 

3. Latino STEM Alliance (Citywide): Funding will be used to support training for Robotics instruction through a Novel Engineer program, which integrates quality literature with the engineer process.  

4. Freedom House (Dorchester): Partnership with Ambitious Men Engaged in Necessary Dialogue (AMEND) to provide bi-weekly social and emotional sessions to address challenges facing young men and to build self-efficacy and professional development skills. 

5. East Boston High School & Pioneer Charter School of Science Sailing Team (East Boston): Funding will support the East Boston High School Sailing team, one of the only BPS high schools with a sailing team and which is comprised of primarily Latino BPS students; and exposing them to opportunities for sports programming that require a diverse set of skills 

6. Inquilinos Boricuas En Accion (South End): IBA's Youth Development Program prepares teens, ages 14-18, for college and professional careers through an employment-based program that places them in rigorous courses centered on Creative Youth Development.  

7. Caribbean Youth Club (Hyde Park, Dorchester, Mattapan, Roxbury): Caribbean Boys' Initiative helps Caribbean immigrant boys understand positive masculinity, build tangible life skills and achieve academic success. This group provides structure, discipline, challenges, positive peer bonding and male mentoring. 

8. Project Right (Roxbury, Dorchester): Boys R.I.G.H.T will provide group discussions, individual follow up and mentoring for 40 middle and high school young men of color who are involved with the Grove Hall area of Roxbury and Dorchester. 

9. Brunch and Ball Youth Mentoring Program (Dorchester): Professionals from the Boston area speak to teens from 13-19 years old about various topics of personal growth and self-development, with a focus on graduating high school and going on to college or post-secondary education. Athletic interaction with the teens is utilized to teach them to practice sportsmanship in the face of adversity, while lectures and workshops on professionalism and academic achievement are designed to equip them with life skills. 

"We are pleased to continue our partnership with Mayor Walsh in the My Brother's Keeper Initiative," said Orlando Watkins, Vice President of Programs for the Boston Foundation. "This roster of grantees again demonstrates the creative and diverse ways that community organizations are working to expand opportunities for young men of color in the city - and we commit our continued support."

 "Madison Park Development Corporation (MPDC) received a mini grant from the City of Boston's MBK initiative," said Abrigal Forrester, Director of Communication Action, MPDC, which received a grant through the previous cycle. "This funding has provided additional support for MPDC's efforts to serve black and brown boys participating in our youth workforce programs. 

Through this funding we conducted focus groups and feedback sessions with young males, which is guiding the program deliverables for MPDC's Youth Empowerment & Advancement Mentoring (YEAM) program going forward." 

ABOUT MBK BOSTON Mayor Martin J. Walsh launched MBK Boston in September 2014, accepting President Barack Obama's MBK Community Challenge as part of the White House My Brother's Keeper (MBK) initiative to create positive pathways for youth, especially boys and young men of color. Over the past two years, Mayor Walsh established the MBK Boston Advisory Committee which led engagement within the community and developed a set of guiding recommendations to support milestones across education, employment, public safety and second chances. To learn more about MBK Boston or to get involved, visit boston.gov/mbk.

July 29: The Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston Hosts FREE Family Play Date in Seaport & East Boston

WHEN and WHERE:

Saturday, July 29
12–3 PM in Piers Park (95 Marginal St) and 10 AM–4 PM at the ICA (25 Harbor Shore Dr). 
All activities are free for all, with free water transportation across the harbor.

WHAT:

In anticipation of the ICA’s expansion to East Boston in 2018, ICA Play Dates—the museum’s monthly program for families—will take place on both sides of Boston Harbor for one Saturday in July.

Activities kick off at the ICA at 10 AM. From NOON to 3 PM families can board a boat and head over to East Boston’s Piers Park, where the fun includes a special concert and art activities.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

SAIL THE HARBOR WITH PIERS PARK SAILING CENTER | 12–2:30 PM

Check in at the Sailing Center for timed tickets. Space is limited. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Life jackets provided.

ART-MAKING | 12–3 PM

Decorate binoculars or make message stones in activities led by our staff and educators.

LIVE MUSIC | 1–3 PM

Enjoy performances by DiverCity and Odaiko New England.


WATER TRANSPORTATION:

Water taxis will travel from Fan Pier (right in front of the ICA) to Piers Park every 15 minutes from noon to 3:30. Questions about accessibility? Call 617-478-3103.


NOTES:

Admission is FREE for up to 2 adults per family when accompanied by children ages 12 and under. Youth 17 and under are always admitted free to the ICA. All ages welcome; programs best-suited for ages 6 and older.

Learn more about the ICA’s family programs at icaboston.org

Play Dates are sponsored by Vivien and Alan Hassenfeld and the Hassenfeld Family Foundation, and Holly and David Bruce.

July 24: Gove Street Citizens Association to meet

The Gove Street Citizens Association monthly meeting agenda:

• Update on current status of GSCA area projects.
• Legislative Update – Senator Joseph Boncore and Representative Adrian Madaro.
• 90-94 Cottage Street – A preliminary presentation to erect a 4-floor, 7 unit condo ownership building with one handicapped unit and 6 on-site parking spaces. Owner Marc Savatsky (No vote to be taken) 
• 67 Lubec Street – A proposal to erect a 4-floor, 7 residential condo unit building with 6 parking spaces in the rear of the building. - Attorney Jeffrey Drago, Developer Thomas Falcucci. (1st presentation / No vote to be taken.) 
• 287 -293 Maverick St. (Pickle Factory)- A proposal to demolish an existing vacant industrial building and erect a 5 story (with setback) mixed-use development of 37 multifamily residential units and café/restaurant at ground level with 31 on-site parking spaces. This project is subject to a BPDA Article 80E-2 small project review. - Attorney Richard Lynds (2nd presentation / No vote to be taken.)

MEETING DATE: Monday, July 24, 2017  

TIME: 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

LOCATION - The Noddle Island Community Room located on the first floor of the Logan Airport Rental Car Center situated at the end of Porter Street. Free event parking in front of the building and in the Porter Street parking lot adjacent to the building. 

Political News: Local Resident to Run Passacantilli Campaign

NORTH END – Stephen Passacantilli, a North End civic leader, Boston Public Schools parent, and former staffer to City Councilor Sal LaMattina has hired lifelong North End resident Haley Renda to run his campaign for Boston City Council.  Passacantilli is running for District 1 City Councilor, which includes East Boston, Charlestown, and the North End.


Haley Renda grew up in the North End and is a graduate of Boston Latin School and Tulane University.  Prior to being hired to run the Passacantilli campaign, Renda worked with non-profits in Boston and New Orleans.  She spent time working on issues of substance abuse and recovery at the Gavin Foundation in South Boston and fighting human trafficking at the Eden House.  Renda was also an active volunteer with the Women's Action Group.


Passacantilli said, "I'm excited to have Haley Renda running my campaign for Boston City Council.  Haley has done incredible things in her life, and I'm looking forward to working with her to talk about our shared vision for District 1.  From increasing access to parks, open space, and the waterfront, to expanding the ability to attend great schools close to home, and standing up for our seniors, I know that we are going tobe able to get things done for District 1 by working together."

"I've known Stephen Passacantilli since I was a kid, and I've seen how much he's done for our community and Boston as a whole," said Renda.  "When Stephen reached out to me, I was excited to work with someone so committed to helping people and a proven record of success."


Many know Passacantilli from his years of public service across Boston. He is a lifelong resident of the North End where he has been deeply involved as past president of his local civic association and through local charities and community organizations like North End Against Drugs (NEAD) and the North End Beautification Committee. Passacantilli is also an active Boston Public Schools parent and serves on the Board of the Gavin Foundation.


Passacantilli and his wife, Renee, are raising their two children, Grace and Evan, just around the corner where he grew up in the North End.

Source: Passacantilli campaign 7/10/2017