Fire on 180 Chelsea Street, East Boston

The Boston Fire Department's Twitter reports that the Red Cross has been called in to help victims of a fire at 180 Chelsea Street. Thus far, no injuries have been reported.

Salesian Breakfast to honor the late Wally Bowe on June 24

Here's the press release sent to eastboston.com from the Salesian Boys & Girls Club:

Hosted by Club Alumnus State Representative Carlo Basile presenting the Don Bosco Award Club Alumnus Posthumously to Walter “Wally” Bowe

Thursday, June 24, 2010
Registration 7:30 AM
Breakfast and Program 8:00 9:30 AM
Suffolk Downs
111 Waldemar Avenue
East Boston, MA
-------------------------------------------

For many of our community’s children and families, Salesian Boys & Girls Club of East Boston is a Beacon of Hope, a place where young people are free to explore, encouraged to learn, and kept safe from a world that too often places obstacles in their pathway to becoming good citizens and productive members of society.

You can help guarantee that this Beacon will continue to shine on them by supporting our largest fundraising event of the year, the Annual Community Breakfast hosted by Representative Carlo Basile, himself a proud alumnus of the Club. Like so many others, Basile credits the Club with playing a major role in his formative years while helping instill in him a strong sense of “giving back.” It is in this spirit of giving that we ask for your support.

As part of our network of generous benefactors, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that hundreds of children and teens will stand a little taller, feel more confident about themselves, and experience successes that will impact them for a lifetime. All because Salesian Boys & Girls Club is there for them, as it has been for over 60 years.

Please join us as we proudly present the Don Bosco Award to the late Walter "Wally" Bowe, a true hero of the Boys & Girls Club and the entire East Boston community.

For more information, contact Fr. John Nazzaro at 617‐567‐6626 Event Sponsor or e‐mail Ed Hoell, ehoell -- at -- bgcb.org

Community Meeting on Entertainment License on Maverick Street

Community Meeting Tuesday May 18th at 6PM to discuss Zoning Application for Tacomex Restaurant at 65-67 Maverick Street. Tacomex wants to have live music entertainment until their 11PM closing time.

The meeting will take place inside the restaurant. Any questions, please contact Ernani DeAraujo at 617 635 3485.

Captain Mancini offers crime wrap up at eastboston.com

Captain Frank Mancini offers a rundown on what District 7 is doing to fight crime in East Boston.

He remembers the stacks at the Orient Heights Library

Former East Boston resident Brian Winston McCarthy, who now resides in San Diego, remembers his days checking out books at the Orient Heights library. He recalls the small branch library as the the place that introduced him to the joys of literature and a life of the mind.  Recently, McCarthy dropped us a note at eastboston.com:

The closing of the Orient Heights Library saddens me.  It was in its stacks that I found that reading could be fun.  I came across a series of novels (by an author whose name I've long forgotten) which told sea story adventures for young boys.  Each book was taken home (739 Bennington) and read faster than the ink could dry on the librarian's stamp showing return date.  And this would lead to Yeats, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Joseph Conrad, to name a few.
 
The memories are rich.  And thanx to all those nameless library workers, whose work and positive attitudes, made a young boy's reading experiences joyous.
 
Brian Winston McCarthy
San Diego

It's a shame that the Mayor is closing a branch library in East Boston. Soon, after all the deliberations, no one will be able to borrow books from the stacks in Orient Heights. But the memories will remain -- all the way to San Diego. 

Senator Petruccelli Approves Overhaul of State Economic Development Agencies

From the Senator's Office:

BOSTON (April 12, 2010) – Senator Anthony Petruccelli and the Senate, with a 37-0 vote last Thursday, passed a major overhaul of the state’s network of agencies charged with developing business interests and economic activity in Massachusetts. The legislation creates a streamlined, cohesive model with built-in oversight and transparency measures to reduce redundancy and waste, and promote a more business-friendly environment that will ultimately help stimulate job growth in the Commonwealth.

“It is critical that we grow jobs in the Commonwealth,” said Senator Petruccelli (D-East Boston).  “Measures were taken, in this bill, to ensure that our state’s business support system is fine-tuned, effective and, most important, putting people to work.” 

“It’s time to tighten up this model and get a real sense of direction in terms of business development here in Massachusetts,” Senate President Therese Murray (D-Plymouth) said. “Most of our agencies do a great job, but the current model isn’t working. We need to get lean, improve communication, and start growing businesses, creating jobs and building a stronger Commonwealth. That’s what this legislation does. We’re proud of it.”

The legislation creates a ‘one-stop shop’ for businesses seeking to expand or locate in Massachusetts by requiring the existing Massachusetts Office of Business Development (MOBD) to contract with regionally-based economic development organizations.

These private organizations would act as the primary contact for businesses seeking assistance from the state and perform business prospect management services on behalf of the Commonwealth. MOBD would oversee the efforts of these organizations, provide leads, and share information about state programs and services.

The goal is to increase competition among regions for new business to ensure businesses find the best fit in Massachusetts. With MOBD and the regional organizations providing clear direction for accessing economic development services, there will be less confusion about how to access technical assistance, grant and loan programs, and expansion support.

The legislation also increases accountability, communication and oversight of state agencies, quasi-publics and state contracts with private organizations engaged in economic development activities. It requires every governor to publish a written economic development policy by December 31 of the year he or she is elected to help the Commonwealth strategically assess economic development goals over the long-term.

The bill further requires the Secretary of Housing and Economic Development to act as chair of the boards of all state authorities engaged in economic development and business assistance activities. Those authorities will also be subject to performance management reviews that take into account both output measures, such as the average length of time to return a call, and outcome measures, such as the number of jobs retained.

All organizations involved in economic development activities, including quasi-public authorities, will be required to submit annual reports to the Secretary of Housing and Economic Development and publish audited financial statements.

The legislation merges organizations tasked with marketing the state nationally and internationally, including the Massachusetts Office of Travel & Tourism, into the newly-created Massachusetts Marketing Partnership.

The Partnership will serve as a central marketing organization for the entire state and will be charged with increasing the Commonwealth’s efforts in the areas of tourism and international trade. The Massachusetts Film Office and the Massachusetts Sports Partnership will also be included in the Partnership.

Through the creation of the Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation, a larger number of small businesses will gain access to working capital so that they can continue to grow even in times of tight credit. For those small companies that receive financial assistance from the state, finance and management consulting will be mandatory to help keep companies afloat and prevent job losses.

The legislation also consolidates the Economic Stabilization Trust, which provides financial assistance and consulting to struggling businesses, with the existing Community Development Finance Corporation, further streamlining state assistance to small businesses.

The legislation also requires an economic impact statement to be filed by administrative agencies planning to adopt new regulations that details the cost of the proposed regulations to small businesses before public hearings on those regulations. Additionally, it requires a rolling review of regulations to identify and modify those which prove too costly.

The bill expands the state pension fund’s investment authority by creating a $25-50 million credit program to support lending to fast-growing small businesses in Massachusetts. It also promotes beneficial competition for the issuance of tax-exempt bonds by non-profit institutions by providing parallel authorization to both MassDevelopment and the Massachusetts Health Educational Facilities Authority.

Further streamlining the state’s approach to economic development, the Department of Business Development is eliminated within the Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, allowing MOBD a direct reporting line to the Secretary.

Several other agencies, including the independent Massachusetts Sports and Entertainment Commission and the Massachusetts Industrial Development Authority, are eliminated, with an estimated savings to taxpayers of $1 million a year.

Finally, to ensure that all state agencies and authorities in the Commonwealth stay true to their stated mission and goals, and to avoid waste and ineffectiveness in the future, the bill establishes a Sunset Commission to conduct regular reviews and analysis – a measure supported by the Associated Industries of Massachusetts.

The commission would consider the continuing need for agencies and authorities in state government, based on their performance, and assign “sunset” dates, or elimination, for any that are found to be unnecessary.

Other provisions of the bill include:

•    Prohibiting the use of state funds to pay for registered lobbyists;
•    Stopping agency executive salaries from exceeding the amount of the Governor’s salary;
•    Improving low-cost access to small claims courts by raising the limit on filings from $2,000, where it has been for many years, to $7,000;
•    Providing a three-year permit extension for development projects struggling with tight credit conditions; and,
•    Calling for a study of business energy costs, as well as a study to determine the feasibility of a state-owned bank.

The bill now goes to the House of Representatives.
###

It's official: BPL to close Orient Heights Branch Library in East Boston

A shameful day in the cultural life of East Boston; Orient Heights Library to Close. People of Boston urge Mayor to reject BPL Trustees move.

From the BPL press office:

Boston – April 9, 2010 – The Boston Public Library Board of Trustees today approved a proposed $38.9 million budget for the upcoming 2011 fiscal year. The plan keeps twenty-two branches of the Boston Public Library open with their current hours. It also closes four branch buildings: Faneuil (Brighton), Lower Mills (Dorchester), Orient Heights (East Boston), and Washington Village (South Boston).

“After much study, the board has come to what I deeply believe to be a judicious and prudent decision for the Boston Public Library in a difficult time,” said Jeffrey B. Rudman, Chairman of the Trustees. “We are very grateful to President Ryan and her team for the rigor, fairness, and wisdom they have brought to this budgetary process.”

The Trustees further voted that the Boston Public Library would establish as the first priority in its capital projects expenditures the construction of a brand new branch library in East Boston. Earlier this week, the Trustees announced that the City of Boston would fund the library at the same level as the current fiscal year, adding nearly $300,000 to help close what had been a $3.6 million gap. The Boston Public Library Board of Trustees also approved the submittal of the library’s budget recommendation to Mayor Thomas M. Menino to be included in the total City of Boston budget to the Boston City Council. Funding from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts will be finalized in the coming months.

Boston Public Library President Amy E. Ryan expressed her confidence that FY11 budget would begin to move the library forward. “While we understand the natural attachment that people have to the branch with which they are familiar, all of the efficiencies in this plan will lead to a more robust, sustainable, and modern library system,” said Ryan.

At the morning meeting, Ryan reiterated that the BPL’s FY11 budget also includes significant reductions at the Central Library in Copley Square and in administrative services and support. Two-thirds of the library’s budget gap is being closed by cutting back in these areas, including the reduction of up to 69 positions. Non-personnel reductions and efficiencies identified in the FY11 budget range from reducing the library’s leased vehicle fleet by one-third to cutting back on maintenance contracts. In the branches, up to 25 positions are expected to be eliminated.

Even as the library sees a decrease in overall revenues, the demand for books and programs is on the rise. In the last three years, the number of books, CDs, DVDs borrowed from the library is up 31%. “Today, half of Boston residents use their Boston Public Library card,” Ryan noted. “With our resources aligned properly, we can reach even more. The plan approved today is a significant step forward in making the library the reliable and responsive institution that the people of Boston deserve.”

In the months since her preliminary budget presentation in January, President Ryan and the Boston Public Library staff hosted multiple community and Trustee meetings, and solicited feedback about the proposed budget. More than 1,000 email messages and letters were sent to the Boston Public Library, and more than 100 community members spoke at Trustee meetings at the Central Library and community meetings in the neighborhoods.

Meanwhile People of Boston is urging the mayor to reject BPL trustee's budget move.

For Immediate Release
Press Release

Contact Information:
Brandon Abbs
617-942-1692
peopleofboston@gmail.com
http://peopleofboston.org

April 9, 2010

People of Boston Branches Calls on Boston Mayor to REJECT the Boston Public Library Budget Recommendation

Boston - Today the Trustees of the Boston Public Library authorized President Amy Ryan to submit a budget to the city that includes in its plans to layoff 90 workers and the closure of 4 branch libraries: Lower Mills in the Dorchester neighborhood, Washington Village in the Old Colony Housing Project in South Boston, Faneuil in the Brighton/Oak Square neighborhood, and Orient Heights in East Boston.  An amendment to delay a vote on the Orient Heights closure until September 2011 failed on a 3-3 tie.  Both votes come as no surprise to people who have been following this process closely, but are a failure of the democratic process.  The vote was 5-0-1 in favor of closure, with one abstention from Trustee Paul LaCamera due to the failure of his amendment.  Trustee Jeff Rudman was visibly upset at LaCamera for the proposal.

Not one voice from one person who has spoken up about these plans has called for the closure of these libraries.  No public official who is honestly representing their constituents concerns has said to close these branches or lay off workers.  The decision by the Trustees is unilateral and should be rejected by Mayor Thomas Menino for not representing the voice of the people.

The people elected Mayor Menino so that he could appoint Trustees that would represent them in their decisions.  Today they failed in representing the public and now Mayor Menino must reject their budget and give the library the democratic choice.  It is clear that the democratic choice is for Option 1: reduced hours in the branch libraries.

A candlelight vigil will be held at Faneuil Branch library tonight at 5:30 P.M.  The Faneuil Branch is located at 419 Faneuil Street in Brighton, MA 02135.  The phone number for this branch is 617-782-6705 and the branch librarian is Dorothy Keller.  Maria Rodrigues is organizing the event mrodrigu@holycross.edu.  Councillor Mark Ciommo represents this district and is chairman of the Ways & Means committee, which will hold a hearing on the city budget's funding of the library sometime after April 14, 2010. ---
"Today is not THE END"
http://peopleofboston.org
www.twitter.com/peopleofboston
Phone: 617-942-1692

Jeffries Point Neighborhood Association to hold monthly meeting on April 12.

Residents of the Jeffries Point /East Boston Community are cordially invited to attend the monthly meeting of the Jeffries Point Neighborhood Association on Monday, April 12 the meeting will start at promptly 7:00 PM.

The meeting will take place at the Jeffries Yacht Club.

AGENDA:
Senator Anthony Petruccelli and State Representative Carlo Basile will attend to discuss what is happening on Beacon Hill and what is on the minds of their friends and neighbors.

Updates: 

Election update for Jeffries Point Neighbor Association
Incorporation of Jeffries Point Neighborhood Association
Historical Museum and Information Center for East Boston
City of Boston Library Cut backs-closings
Satellite dishes in our community
City of Boston Neighborhood clean up April

Community Meeting set for April 21 on $90 million New Street project

A community meeting to discuss the $90 Million New Street Development Project will be held on Wednesday, April 21 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. at the Maverick Landing Community Center, 31 Liverpool Street, East Boston.

All members of the public are welcome to hear about the next stages of the development of New Street near Central Square.

Please contact Ernani DeAraujo at 617-635-3485 with any questions.

New business registrations for East Boston

Local Economic News: Twenty-one (21) new businesses in East Boston were registered with the Office of the City Clerk.

Petruccelli and Basile to hold series of Community Forums in East Boston

SENATOR PETRUCCELLI & REPRESENTIVE BASILE ANNOUNCE SERIES OF COMMUNITY FORUMS BEFORE CIVIC GROUPS IN EAST BOSTON.
State Senator Anthony Petruccelli and State Representative Carlo Basile announced that they will attend a series of community forums and visit neighborhood groups in East Boston to discuss state issues, legislation and to listen to the concerns of residents.

“This is something I do throughout my entire district,” said Senator Petruccelli. “I want to keep my constituents apprised of what is going on in the state legislature and to hear their concerns. There are several big issues affecting East Boston and I think it is important to get out to the neighborhood meetings and have a frank discussion about them.”

Senator Petruccelli and Representative Basile will visit:

• The Eagle Hill Civic Association on Wednesday, March 31, at East Boston High School; 
• The Jeffries Point Neighborhood Association on Monday, April 12, at the Jeffries Point Yacht Club; 
• and the Orient Heights Neighborhood Association on Monday, April 26, at the Don Orione. 

All meetings will begin at 7:00 PM.

“Last year, Senator Petruccelli and I hosted a town hall forum at East Boston High School, and this year we thought it would be beneficial to visit each of the neighborhood groups individually. We hope to have a more intimate and open conversation about what is happening on Beacon Hill and what is on the minds of our friends and neighbors” said Representative Basile.

Source: Ed Deveau 617-722-1634

MS Support Group forming in East Boston

Additional information on MS-Support group enclosed from a press release to eastboston.com

NEW LOCAL SUPPORT GROUP FOR PEOPLE WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS

EAST BOSTON- Individuals who have multiple sclerosis have a new local support group. The East Boston MS Self-Help Group meets the second Wednesday of every month, from 6:30 – 8:30 P.M. at the East Boston Social Center, located at 68 Central Square in East Boston. The group’s first meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 14th. Formally affiliated with the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Central New England Chapter, the group is free and welcomes individuals who have MS, and their family members and caregivers. Group Leader Annette Puccino is available by telephone, 617-561-5850, to talk with anyone who is interested in attending.

"It’s a great way for me to deal with the frustrations of having this disease. Everyone in the group understands what it’s like. We just talk and it’s okay," is a common sentiment by group members.

MS self-help group leaders are volunteers, who have MS and are trained by the National MS Society to provide opportunities for people living with multiple sclerosis, their family members, and their friends to meet with others who are affected by the disease. The group meeting is a safe setting to share common experiences and concerns, to give and receive emotional support, and to obtain MS-related information from peers and from guest professional speakers.

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, sometimes disabling neurologic disease that affects the central nervous system, causing unpredictable and possibly severe symptoms, including fatigue, blurred vision, and loss of mobility. Commonly diagnosed between ages 20 and 50, about two-thirds of the 400,000 people in the US who have MS are women.

Studies show that early and ongoing treatment with an FDA-approved therapy can reduce future disease activity and improve quality of life for many people with multiple sclerosis. The National MS Society’s medical advisors recommend that people with MS talk with their health care professionals about using these medications and about effective strategies and treatments to manage symptoms. If you or someone you know has MS, please contact the National MS Society at www.nationalmssociety.org or 1-800-FIGHT-MS (344-4867) to learn more.

The Central New England Chapter provides help for today, and hope for tomorrow to 17,000 individuals who have MS in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont, using 85 percent of Chapter contributions to fund MS education, support, advocacy, and research. If you have questions about MS, please call 1 800 344-4867, or visit www.MSnewengland.org.

East Boston MS Self-Help Group Forming; First Meeting April 14

First Meeting
Wed. April 14
East Boston Social Center
6:30pm - 8:00pm

MS Self-Help Groups are for people with MS, run by people with MS. Group members share common experiences and concerns, provide and receive emotional support, and obtain information on living and coping with MS. If you are interested in meeting and talking with other people who are living with MS, this is the place for you.
For more information on this group, please contact Annette at 617-561-5850.

A Hub of Cyber-crime

Boston is ranked number 2 in the ability of black hats to commit cyber-crimes. Imagine that! Tech-savvy Boston is ranked second U.S. city for cyber crime according to a dispatch from Mass High Tech. Why?

According to Symantec’s report, Boston’s problems come from an especially high concentration of “spam zombies” — computers taken over by outside hackers to send out spam.

Another factor is the Hub’s many unsecured WiFi hotspots — 53.6 per 100,000 residents – where cyber criminals may lurk, trolling for unwitting users. While high-profile or widespread computer attacks are relatively rare, small-scale attacks like these threaten even savvy computer users, the report noted.

McKay School sets up Census Questionnaire Assistance Center in East Boston

The McKay School in East Boston is undertaking a community education and awareness project regarding the 2010 US Census.

In order to help the community fill out the Census form, The McKay School has partnered with the 2010 Census Staff of Boston to host a Questionnaire Assistance Center at the school, where families and residents can come with questions and receive help from trained census professionals or receive extra forms in other languages.

All information related to the Census will remain entirely confidential, regardless of citizenship, residency, or other documentation. The Questionnaire Assistance Center that the McKay is hosting is one piece of an education project directed at all students, K-8, about what the Census is and the benefits that increased representation has for their community.

Additional Information:

What: Census Assistance Center

When: March 19 – April 19, 2010, 4:30pm - 7:30pm

Who: 2010 Census Staff of Boston, McKay School, Boston Teacher Residency

Where: Mc Kay K-8 School, Parking Lot/Cafeteria Entrance, 122 Cottage Street

East Boston, MA 02128

Contact: Veronique Lapaix 781-346-3487

Help the City Clean East Boston Streets This Spring

Help Make East Boston Shine - Saturday Clean Ups

In the lead up to our annual Boston Shines events the weekend of April 23 & 24, we will be doing clean ups in East Boston each Saturday.

We are committing one hour at each clean up. Just bring comfortable clothes and enthusiasm and we'll provide brooms, gloves, and bags. We are targeting the streets that need the most help, but we encourage everyone to participate wherever they choose--just let me know in advance and we'll provide the tools.

When possible, our efforts will be supplemented by the City's new Green Machine street sweeper that can get around cars.

March 20th at 10AM (Sumner St. - meet at the corner of Sumner and Maverick)

March 27th at 10AM (Cottage St. - meet at the corner of Cottage and Marginal)

April 3 at 10AM (Brooks St. - meet at the corner of Brooks and White)

April 10 at 10AM (Princeton St. - meet at the corner of Princeton and Shelby)

April 17 at 10AM (Saratoga St. - meet at the corner of Saratoga and Shelby)

Please contact Ernani DeAraujo at 617 635 3485 or ernani.dearaujo (at) cityofboston.gov

Hey East Boston! Make yourself count!

Join Mayor Thomas M. Menino at the "Now's the Time, Make Yourself Count!" Census 2010 press conference on Wed. March 17 at 10 a.m. at the East Boston Harborside Community Center auditorium.

Representatives from a variety of community, labor, and immigration organizations will be in attendance to promote the Census.

Please call 617-635-3485 for more information.

Behind enemy lines, a "traitor" tells the truth

Amazing story. Why Mosab Hassan Yousef turned against Hamas, founded by his father.

A real low-life maggot pleads not guilty

The face of evil. A maggot. A turd. Lock him up and throw away the key.

NH man pleads not guilty to Mount Vernon murder

NASHUA, N.H. — Eighteen-year-old William Marks of Amherst has pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder and other charges in connection with the Mont Vernon home invasion that left a mother dead and her 11-year-old daughter severely wounded.

Marks was in the Nashua courthouse Wednesday, but he did not appear before a judge. His lawyer entered the not guilty pleas in documents filed with the court.

Marks was initially charged with burglary and robbery in the attack at the randomly-selected home.

Apparently a couple of worms are turning.

 

From Death of a Ferry by photographer Jules Aaron from an exhibit at the Boston Public Library, Copley Square. The exhibit, Man in the Street: Jules Aarons Photographs Boston, 1947-1976 is on display in the Wiggin Gallery at the Central Library in Copley Square through June 4.

Details are available at EastBoston.com.