Eastie Pride Day 2010 is Saturday, August 21

Mark the date: Saturday, August 21 is Eastie Pride Day.

GOP Senate Candidate Frank Addivinola Blasts "National Popular Vote" Move

GOP State Senate candidate Frank Addivinola criticizes the legislature's approval of the so-called "National Popular Vote" Measure Intended to run around the Electoral College.

Beacon Hill lawmakers that supported this new bill suggest that this system is fairer than the current Electoral College system and would ensure that each individual vote across the country will be of equal importance. In fact, this law tells Massachusetts voters that regardless of which candidate the majority of the state supports, all electoral votes of this state will go to the candidate that had the most support in other states. This means that if Massachusetts citizens vote differently than the rest of the country, this law literally nullifies our votes.

The myth of the "Battle of Chelsea Creek"

That battle everyone keeps referring to as "The Battle of Chelsea Creek" actually should be known as an the "The Battle of Noddle's Island, Winnisimmit and Rumney Marsh"

In an exclusive for eastboston.com, local historian local historian Michael Laurano writes:

To misplace by misnaming an important American Revolutionary War historical event simply to feed local vanities constitutes historical revisionism and is plainly wrong.

Mark the date: July 29, East Boston Main Streets' Fitness Walk

It's time, as always to get in shape.

East Boston Farmer's Market to Open Thursday, July 15!

Bigger and Better: East Boston Farmers Market Begins 2010 Season
East Boston, July 12, 2010—The East Boston Farmers Market returns to Central Square in East Boston on Thursday, July 15. Sponsored by the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center (EBNHC), the market will provide fresh, locally grown produce every Thursday from 3:00 to 6:30 p.m. through October 7.

Alison Smizer, Community Initiatives Coordinator at EBNHC, has led the effort to establish the market in East Boston over the past three years. “We began with just two vendors in 2008,” she says. “In 2010, thanks to the efforts of Eleanor Chandler, market manager, the market will triple in size to six vendors. Families in East Boston will find even more of their favorite fruit, vegetables, and herbs at the market this year.”

The East Boston Farmers Market began when organizers at the health center’s Let’s Get Movin’ program asked, “How can we help families in our community increase the amount of fresh fruit and vegetables in their diets?” The market brings produce picked that day at Massachusetts farms to East Boston. The selection changes throughout the season, from lettuce and greens in early summer to apples and squashes in the fall.

At the East Boston Farmers Market, vendors feature produce important to the many cultures represented by the community. Dave Dumanesq, also known as Farmer Dave and one of the original vendors at the market, tailors his offerings to the requests of his customers. “We bring chiplin to East Boston because it is an important flavoring in many Salvadorean and other South American dishes. We also sell a lot of yierba mora, cranberry beans, and papalo. Whenever I have jilo, a kind of eggplant, my Brazilian customers often say they haven’t seen it since they left Brazil.” With the arrival of new farmers to the market, including Pamuzinda Farm of Littleton, vegetables and herbs of Southeast Asia and Africa will be offered, including amaranth and collard greens. As the harvest continues, customers will also find tomatoes, corn, peppers, peaches, apples, cilantro, and basil, among other familiar crops.

Shopping at the Farmers Market is affordable. Families that qualify can use a range of vouchers and coupons to make fresh fruits and vegetables even easier to purchase. SNAP/EBT participants can use their cards at the market and receive 50% off purchases up to $20, thanks to the Boston Bounty Bucks program sponsored by the Food Project and the City of Boston. WIC participants can save in two ways with the WIC Farmers Market Nutrition Program and with WIC Fruit & Vegetable vouchers. The East Boston Farmers Market is the only market in the city of Boston participating in this new nutrition voucher program.

The East Boston Farmers Market is more than a source for healthy food. It is also a gathering place for the East Boston community. Many residents come to shop but also to see neighbors and friends. Musical and educational events planned for the market this summer will attract more people from a wider area, and will be listed on the East Boston Farmers Market web page (www.ebnhc.org/FarmersMarket.php), on Facebook (www.facebook.com/EBNHC) and on Twitter (www.twitter.com/EBNHC). 
 
The East Boston Neighborhood Health Center has been a vital part of the East Boston, Chelsea, Everett, Winthrop, and Revere communities for 40 years. EBNHC provides easily accessible, high-quality health care to all who live and work in East Boston and the surrounding communities, without regard to age, income, insurance status, language, culture, or social circumstances. For more information contact: Eleanor Chandler, Market Manager, chandlee@ebnhc.org
(617) 568-4028

New EB Neighborhood Health Center medical building to break ground on June 14

EBNHC Maverick Square Groundbreaking Ceremony: Public Invited

EAST BOSTON, MA, June 8, 2010—The East Boston Neighborhood Health Center is thrilled to announce that we will break ground on a new medical building at 20 Maverick Square, East Boston, on Monday, June 14, 2010 at 11:00 a.m.

Governor Patrick and local officials will attend the groundbreaking and dedication ceremony. The public is warmly invited to join us.

Our new 49,000 square-foot ambulatory care facility will include clinical space for primary care, vision services, and dental care, as well as increased administrative offices. The beautiful new facility will anchor a revitalized Maverick Square and is expected to generate new investment in the area. The “green” building will be LEED certified, fully energy efficient, and has been designed to complement existing architecture.

The Maverick Square medical building project is funded in part by a $12M grant under the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Facility Investment Program. The East Boston Neighborhood Health Center is deeply committed to realizing the intent of this grant: increasing health care access to those who need it desperately, creating jobs in the short and long term, and revitalizing a depressed area of East Boston.

The East Boston Neighborhood Health Center (EBNHC) has been a vital part of the community for 40 years, providing easily accessible, high-quality health care to all who live and work in East Boston, Chelsea, Revere, Everett, and Winthrop, without regard to age, income, insurance status, language, culture, or social circumstances. EBNHC is among the largest community health centers in the country, providing 300,000 patient visits per year—more than any other ambulatory care center in the Northeast. From day one, the health center has operated 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Today we are the only health center in New England, and one of the few in the country, to provide continuous care. We deliver 1,000 babies annually at Boston Medical Center and our Pediatrics Department cares for almost every child living in East Boston.

Chelsea Street Bridge work continues through evenings, early mornings and all weekend

The Chelsea Street Bridge is shutting down, shutting down! But only temporarily, as anyone who's been using the bridge recently knows.  According to the Eagle Hill Civic Association, "for the remainder of this week the bridge nighttime closures will continue for the usual times, 8 PM through 5 AM.

For the upcoming weekend, June 12th and 13th, the bridge will be closed for both days on a 24 hour basis to complete some important structural installations."

Jeffries Point Meeting to hear from Museum about the Nantucket Lightship

Bob Mannino, President of the United States Lightship Museum will talk about the Nantucket Lightship  her history and future in a presentation before the JPNA at its next meeting on Monday, June 14.

(Photo courtesy Robert Strelitz.)

Summer Recycle Fair at Harborside Community Center: June 10

Fundraiser for Harborside Programs

Come to the Summer Recycle Fair on June 10, Thursday 5-8PM

East Boston Harborside Community Center 312 Border St.
 

Old fashion fun. Demonstrations, Pasta making, diaper cake, craft, terrarium, compost, recycle. 

Food, jewelry crafts and more. 

Participate in the Cupcake contest. 

Submit 12 summer cupcakes by 5 PM or be a vendor. Call 617 635 5114 and ask for Elaine for more details. 

Boston Typewriter Orchestra to perform on June 12

Boston Typewriter Orchestra

On June 12, 2010, the Boston Typewriter Orchestra is pleased to present “Type-In, the Boston Typewriter Orchestra’s 5th Anniversary show. The show will be held at 80 Border Street Cultural Exchange Center in East Boston.

The festivities will begin at 7:30 PM with an open practice for anyone who would like to play a tune with BTO. Audience participants are welcome to bring their own typewriter or share a BTO typewriter.
At 8PM, Jess and Keith from Mellow Bravo will be performing acoustic blues rock; to be followed by the Boston Typewriter Orchestra kicking out the Qwerty jams. DJ Jim Barnes, who will hoof it up from the New York office, will entertain throughout the evening on the decks with his unique vinyl sensibility. Cake and refreshments will be served after the show. For advance ticket purchase, go to http://typein.eventbrite.com/.

BTO began playing small parties in Cambridge and Somerville, but was able to achieve significant recognition as a result of a featured appearance at Somerville Art Beat in July, 2006. BTO has been featured on television several times including NBC Weekend Today and Chronicle. BTO has also been featured on NPR Radio and has performed live on WMBR. The group recently completed a successful run, opening for Le Cabaret Grimm at the Boston Center for the Arts.

Contact Boston Typewriter Orchestra at bto (-at-)bostontypewriterorchestra.com

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.