July 31: Meeting on Constitution Beach improvements. What would you like to see?

Save the Harbor is coordinating the Metropolitan Beaches Commission’s Community Meeting on Constitution Beach on July 31st at the Orient Heights Yacht Club at 6 PM. 

This meeting is an opportunity to say what you like about the improvements to the beach in the past few years, and if you have any suggestions for the future. 

All ideas are welcome – what’s working well now and what could be improved. Here are some ideas that could be raised:

• Should there be more recreational programs on the beach?  
• A farmer’s market?  
• A connection to the Greenway?  
• How can local businesses benefit more from beach-goers?  
• Should the bath house hours be extended?  
• Is trash pickup a problem?  
• Dogs on the beach?  
• Is water quality an issue?  

Save the Harbor will incorporate all your ideas into a final report. Come and let your voice be heard.  There will be a similar Winthrop Beach Community meeting in September.  The Meeting will take place at the Orient Heights Yacht Club, 61 Bayswater Street, East Boston.

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Eastie Pride Day Turns 25: Join in on the fun on August 17!

Yes! You read that right! Eastie Pride Day has finally reached the quarter century mark. And what better way to commemorate the occasion than in true East Boston fashion! So mark your calendars because on Saturday August 17, 2013 we ask you to please join us at beautiful Piers Park on Marginal St. for the party of the summer. 

Eastie Pride Day is the brainchild of District 1 Boston City Councilor Salvatore LaMattina, a lifelong East Boston resident who felt that East Boston should be celebrated and honored for its rich history, diverse cultural backgrounds and its significance to the city of Boston as a whole. 

In the past, this time honored tradition has allowed people to reunite with old friends, meet new friends and welcome newcomers to the neighborhood. We’ll have activities for the kids, delicious food from many of our eclectic and trendy restaurants and live music and dancing -including our headline main event, Tavares. 

Twenty five years is no small feat. This event has grown tremendously over the years and we’d love for you to be a part of this special landmark celebration. Whether you’re a newcomer to the neighborhood, a current resident or someone who moved away long ago there’s no denying that East Boston is a special place that has a positive impact on all who have spent time here. 

So please come and join us for some breathtaking views of Boston Harbor and the Downtown skyline and let’s all say thank you to East Boston and acknowledge how much the community means to us. We hope to see you there!

Source: Eastie Pride Day Committee

Candidates Ross, Conley, Barros and Consalvo discuss issues at 7/18 forum

East Boston Farmers Market opens 2013 season on Lewis Mall; Pix at Eastboston.com!

More pictures at Eastboston.com 

Photo credit: Frank Conte, July 11, 2013

Festival Celebrating Columbian Independence scheduled for Suffolk Downs on Sunday, July 21

Mayoral Forum at Suffolk Law School on Energy and the Environment, July 9, 2013

Nine candidates for mayor of Boston take the opportunity to answer the question: What is the number 1 thing you would do to improve air quality in Boston?

No Eastie Casino issues a "Declaration of Independence"

This in from No Eastie Casino!

A Declaration of Independence
WE THE PEOPLE of East Boston -- representing neighbors who have lived here their whole lives and those who have only been here a few years; "old-timers," newborn babies, and everything in between; bankers and builders; lawyers and full-time moms; every shade of skin color and country of origin; diverse religious beliefs and none at all; wealthy, middle-class and struggling to get by; drinkers of Dunkin', Honey Dew, and Market Café; gamblers and non-gamblers; married and single; from the Heights to the Flats to Jeffries Point; Eagle Hill to Maverick -- declare, with one voice:

• independence from financially compromised, predatory corporations who want to take what we have;
• independence from additional burdens to the ones against which we already fight -- an airport, two tunnels, gas tanks, a highway, pollution;
• independence from political structures that seek corporate profits above community engagement;
• independence from flashy bribes and promises of affluence that would have us give up a lot in exchange for a little;
• independence to make our own way and choose our own destiny as a neighborhood -- a destiny fueled by hard work, small businesses, our immigrant spirit, and our shared commitment to each other;
• independence to raise our children in a safe neighborhood free from unnecessary obstacles, temptations, and false hopes;
• independence to continue building an environmentally and economically sustainable future for our children and grandchildren;

WE THE PEOPLE of East Boston declare independence from a casino because it threatens that which our neighborhood's founders sought to build, what our neighborhood's servicemen and women sacrificed to preserve, what ordinary neighbors-turned-activists stood up to maintain, and what the present generation of East Bostonians both enjoys and seeks to build upon. We will not stand idly by as deals are made behind our backs that affect not only our lives but future residents' lives. It is in that spirit -- the same spirit in which a rag-tag group of dreamers envisioned and fought for their freedom 237 years ago just a stone's throw away -- that we declare today our independence from the false hope of a casino.

Coming to East Boston: ReadBoston’s Storymobile Program!!!

(BOSTON June 27, 2013) ReadBoston’s Storymobile Program will bring books and literacy activities to over 40,000 Boston children this summer.  Each week, the ReadBoston Storymobile will visit over 80 sites around the city with a professional storyteller.  The children who attend this exciting free program will witness storytelling at its best and will be able to choose a free book to take home with them.
WHAT: ReadBoston’s Storymobile Program
WHEN: July 8, 2013-August 16, 20013

WHERE: East Boston Stadium – Thursdays at 1:15 on 7/11, 7/18, 7/25, 8/1, 8/8, 8/15;

East Boston YMCA at Ashley Street – Mondays at 1:15 on 7/8, 7/15, 7/22, 7/29, 8/5, 8/12;
Jeffries Point Child Care Center – Thursdays at 10:00 on on 7/11, 7/18, 7/25, 8/1, 8/8, 8/15;
Little Folks Community Day Care- Thursdays at 11:15 on 7/11, 7/18, 7/25, 8/1, 8/8, 8/15

WHO: Free and Open to the Public

ReadBoston is the city of Boston’s nonprofit children’s literacy organization created by Mayor Menino in 1995. ReadBoston strives to have all children reading at grade level by the time they complete third grade.

Toward victory, budget amendment would stop ethanol transport

This just in from Roseann Bongiovanni by way of Anjie:

Good Morning and Happy July,

I am so pleased to share with you wonderful news:  The Senate Ethanol Amendment passed the Conference Committee and is on its way to the Governor’s Office for his ratification into law.  Congratulations and thank you to each of you who contacted members of the Conference Committee to register to your support for the senate amendment.

A big thank you goes out to our legislative champions Senator Sal DiDomenico and Senator Anthony Petrucelli!  Without their leadership and support, and that of their great staff (Ingrid and Anthony G.), this would not be possible.  Representatives Reinstein and O’Flaherty should also be recognized for their advocacy in favor of this amendment.  A special thank you also goes out to Attorney Rubin who drafted the amendment language.

Though we have won a huge battle, the war is not over.  The Governor could still choose to strike this amendment from the budget. 

As such, please contact the Governor and register your support IMMEDIATELY for this amendment -- ASK THE GOVERNOR TO SIGN THE ETHANOL AMENDMENT INTO LAW! (617) 725-4005.  Please call today!

H.3538
SECTION 81. Section 14 of chapter 91 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2010 Official Edition, is hereby amended by adding the following paragraph:

An ethanol storage or blending facility that stores or blends or is intended to store or blend more than an average of 5,000 gallons of ethanol per day and is located within 1 mile of a census block that has a population density of greater than 4,000 people per square mile shall not be granted a license under this chapter. For the purposes of this section, ethanol shall be defined as any mixture composed of not less than 30 per cent ethanol.

Roseann

More taxi problems on Meridian Street

Paul Howes and neighbors are still waging a fight against taxi cabs on Meridian Street. This just in:

[At] 6am 6/26/13 on Meridian Street and again an empty cab from Logan Airport woke us up causing a three car accident by not using the Coughlin Bypass Road that these Logan taxis are supposed to be using. Blocking traffic both ways, two BFD trucks and BPD cruiser. New Massport, MassDOT  liaison, new East Boston liaison being contacted and has again fallen on deaf ears. Contacted Massport and has fallen on deaf ears. Elected officials from East Boston have swept this under the rug. Safety, pollution and paying for the police, fire department to handle these accidents caused by the empty Logan taxis using the public streets of East Boston for their shift changes is never going to stop. All officials from Massport, East Boston elected officials and appointed public liaisons should be ashamed of themselves for turning a blind eye to this!

Kiwanis Blood Drive, June 22

This just in from the East Boston Kiwanis:

(EAST BOSTON, June 17, 2013)– The Kiwanis Club of East Boston will host a community blood drive with the American Red Cross on Saturday, June 22, 2013, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the East Boston Social Centers gym, 68 Central Square in East Boston.

When you donate blood this Saturday, you could be giving someone time to make their own success stories – watching fireworks, having a picnic, or rooting on the home team. So please donate and give someone a summer of stories to tell.

Donors are welcomed to come in off-the-street, but an appointment is preferred. To make an appointment, please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit: redcrossblood.org.

All presenting donors will receive a free Red Sox T-shirt. And all presenting donors in June will be entered to win a $200 gift card from Suburban Propane to help fuel your community.

The Kiwanis Club of East Boston is an organization of volunteers dedicated to changing the world one child and one community at a time through community service.

MassHousing Announces $2.2 Million in Loan Closings for the Greenway Apartments in East Boston | Massachusetts RealEstateRama

New, 27-unit affordable housing development is completed and fully occupied
BOSTON – June 7, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — MassHousing has closed on $2.2 million in loans for the 27-unit Greenway Apartments, a newly constructed affordable housing community in East Boston.

The Greenway Apartments were developed by the East Boston Community Development Corporation (EBCDC) and Affirmative Investments at 170-172 Maverick St. in East Boston.

MassHousing provided $2.2 million in permanent financing for the project, which is completed and fully occupied. All 21 apartments will be affordable in perpetuity.

Read the full article at RealEstateRama

Mayor Menino Alerts Residents to Impacts of Fri (June 7) Tropical Storm Andrea

High Winds and Flooding Expected: Residents Should Plan Travel Accordingly

Public Transit Use Encouraged for Friday Commute

Bad weather associated with Tropical Storm Andrea will be headed toward Boston over the next two days. Starting early Friday morning and lasting until Saturday evening, up to 3 inches of rain is expected, with some areas possibly receiving 4 or more inches. High winds are also expected in the City.

As the first named tropical storm of the season heads toward the Northeast, Mayor Thomas M. Menino today warned residents of local flooding and high wind concerns expected this weekend and urged commuters to plan accordingly or use public transportation whenever possible.

“In the City of Boston, we are no strangers to changing our plans because of the weather,” Mayor Menino said. “The best thing everyone can do Friday is plan ahead. Take the T if you can - it's expected to be a tough evening commute"

The rain will be particularly heavy Friday afternoon into Saturday. The Friday afternoon commute is expected by poor visibility, downpours, and localized street flooding.

The City is preparing for the weather. Boston Water and Sewer Commission crews will spend Thursday clearing storm drains and catch basins to minimize street flooding.

 Whenever there are high winds, the possibility also exists for power outages and downed power lines. If you see a downed power line, you should call 911. DO NOT touch downed power lines. If a power line falls near your vehicle, stay in it and dial 911.

The Mayor and his storm team including the Office of Emergency Management will continue to monitor this weather event and notify to public with any new information.   

Kiwanis June 18, 2013 hosts Guest Speaker Suffolk County Sheriff Steven W. Tompkins

Steven W. Tompkins, a member of the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department since 2002, was appointed to serve as the Sheriff of Suffolk County on January 22nd, 2013 by Governor of Massachusetts, Deval Patrick.

As the Sheriff of Suffolk County, Tompkins manages all operations at the Suffolk County House of Correction, the Nashua Street Jail and the Civil Process Division. In addition to providing care, custody and rehabilitative support for inmates and pre–trial detainees, Tompkins also oversees a management, security and administrative staff of over 1,000.

As the former Chief of External Affairs for the Department, Sheriff Tompkins supervised his own division and was a member of his predecessor’s nine–person Executive Team, which was responsible for the day–to–day management of all Sheriff’s Department operations.  His work also focused on youth violence and crime prevention.

He created the “Choice Program” which sends trained officers into the schools of Boston, Chelsea, Winthrop and Revere to deliver on the program’s mission of helping young people to make positive choices for future success while reinforcing the theme of respect for oneself and for others around them. Officers speak with students about a variety of topics specific to today’s youths including the dangers of drug use and gang involvement, as well as the consequences of criminal activity. Students are also educated about the role of government and good citizenship.

Sheriff Tompkins holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications from Boston College and a Master’s Degree in Public Affairs from the University of Massachusetts.

Kiwanis Club of East Boston Divisional Interclub
Tuesday June 18, 2013: 
6 pm – Spinelli’s East Boston Please RSVP by Friday June 14, 2013
mdipietro@ebsoc.org or by calling 617-650-3442.

Mayor's Neighborhood Coffee in East Boston

Climate Change Focus Group Forming in East Boston, for East Boston

...details developing...for more information call To participate call 617-447-6668.