Performing Arts at the Kroc Center
December 16, 2011 7pm
FREE!
More than 30 children will sing, dance and act at the Kroc's Performing Arts Center on Friday, December 16 at 7pm.
- 7-11 year olds will sing, having just learned from a Berklee intern how to read music and perform on stage
- 4-6 year olds will light up the stage as they showoff their hip-hop skills and light up the stage with their dance choreography
- 12-17 year olds (teens) who participated in a Huntington Theater acting
workshop will perform a series of monologues based on the work of the legendary playwright August Wilson
The performance is FREE and open to parents and the public!
Your chance to relax and enjoy the expressions of cherubs who are the future of our community!
Jose Mateo Nutcracker at the Strand
December 22-24, 2011
 (Re)discover the Magic as the Nutcracker debuts at Dorchester's vibrant Strand Theatre!
Mateo's Nutcracker
debuts at Dorchester's vibrant Strand Theatre through a partnership with the City of Boston.
Mateo's Nutcracker is part of JMBT's Dance
for World Community, a project that builds local and global networks
to expand the role of dance in our culture.
Read More
Safe Neighborhood Initiative
December 22, 2011
Neighborhood Walk Through
Meet at: The City School 1pm
At the last SNI meeting, the group talked about having another walk
through like the one in June. December was identified as a good
opportunity since an SNI meeting right before Christmas was
questionable. But a walk through? The group liked that idea
better.
From Matt Feeney:
I just wanted to let everyone know that in lieu of having a December
SNI meeting, we will be having a community walk through the
neighborhood on Thursday, December 22, 2011 at 1pm. We will be walking
through the business district and some residential areas. I expect that
the
walk should last approximately one hour. Please spread the word and I
hope to see you all there!
Thanks.
Mount Pleasant Nbhd Association
The Mount Pleasant Neighborhood Association will hold its December
meeting and Holiday Get-together (Dec 28) all rolled into one.
Read More
UC News Recommends:
"Everyone Leads: Building Leadership from the Community Up"
 In
a recent interview Tavis Smiley (The Tavis Smiley Show on NPR) lauded Paul Schmitz for his 20 years of
guiding young people into leadership positions. "He knows
firsthand there is incredible untapped leadership throughout our
community."
According to Paul, "Leadership is about an action people take, not a
position people fill. It is based on values that cause others to
want to
follow you. The cynicism about leadership today comes from seeing
leaders not practicing values or
being contradictory or practicing hypocrisy.
All people have the ability and power to step up and lead but it is not
about being in charge. Leadership is something you earn by your
values and practice and the responsibilities you take on."
Read More
Sheriff Cabral on Women in Politics and as Leaders
December 12, 2011
Sheriff Andrea J. Cabral recently lent her support to two events
created with the intent to encourage increased participation by women
in politics and roles of leadership.
- Along with MA State Auditor Suzanne Bump and
State Rep Shaunna O'Connell, Sheriff Cabral took part in a panel assembled by the Massachusetts Women's Political Caucus and
titled, "Building the Pipeline: Women at All Levels of Government."
- In early December she was the keynote speaker for the Greater
Boston Chamber of Commerce's "Women's Network" breakfast series
roundtable and shared leadership strategies used in successfully reforming the
Suffolk County Sheriff's Department
Read More
DotRox Gardening Center - Planning Meeting
January 7, 2012 1-2:30 pm
Grove Hall Library
It's time to make the DotRox Cooperative Gardening Center a reality!
The DotRox Cooperative Garden Center will be a community-based
gardening center in Dorchester or Roxbury, located near public
transportation. The store will be full-service offering plants, seeds,
pots, soil, pest-control products, tools, light hardware and other
items for gardeners.
Planning session to be held January 7, 2012 at the Grove Hall Library. Mark your calendars now!
Read More
Winter Farmers' Market Coming to Dorchester
The Dorchester Winter Farmers' Market is the first project of the
Dorchester Community Food Co-op and it is the first
winter market in any Boston neighborhood. Quickly approaching,
the project still needs work but Dot Co-op is kicking into high
gear.
The market will be Sundays from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., January
through March
Great Hall of Codman Square Health Center
Corner Washington and Norfolk Streets.
Read More
Be Proactive - Report Problems Immediately
Ever wonder who to call to report a problem or get help at Boston's
City Hall? Well, you can memorize the number to the Mayor's
Hotline (617) 635-4500. They will direct you to the department
that can help.
Or you might want to print this handy list that provides more direct
access to a list of some of the most frequently reported problems and
the number to call to report it, get help with it or talk about it.
Boston Problem Reporting Information
Get Smart about Your Personal Safety
Carolyn MacNeil of the Neigborhood Watch Unit, Boston Police, has
prepared a one-page list of "crime prevention tips." They
significantly reduce the likelihood you will be the victim of
crime.
For example, if you are walking alone, DON'T DAYDREAM. Be alert
to your surroundings. Take an interest in who, what and
where. See anything suspicious? Cross the street, walk the
other way or call the police immediately.
Crime Prevention Tips: Personal Safety
Vandalism Mars the Holidays
December 2, 2011
Vandalism early on Friday morning 12/2 at Paraiso not only hurt the
newest restaurant in Upham's Corner but reeinforced the image that
Upham's Corner is a dangerous and crime-ridden community.
There is speculation about where the vandals were coming from and why
they were in Upham's Corner.
This incident provides an
opportunity for Upham's Corner residents to reflect on the quality of
life here and how to improve it.
Read More
City of Boston Holiday Trash & Recycling Schedule
For weeks of December 26, 2011 and January 2, 2012.
Click to enlarge
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Upham's Corner InSight into the News
Give of Yourself - Give to Yourself - in this Holiday Season
December 16, 2011
|
To Everything There is a Season, Turn, Turn, Turn. |
 The holidays are a time to "go nuts" with fears and stress - pleasing
others and expecting to be loved, working your heart out and wanting
approval, spending your money and for what?
Reason for the Season
The real "reason" for the season lies within us. Our lives are
meant to be more than a dependency on others for spiritual
nourishment. We are here for a reason.
Take time
during these extended "holly days" to say "Thanks!" "Thanks for being alive and thanks for the chance to give back."
Drop the cloaks of conditionality. Walk into the cold, brisk
morning with the sun warming your spirit. Decide to
unconditionally give your love, your time, your devotion to others. And
take time to love yourself.
Meditation and Prayer
Meditate on the symbols of the season: Candles of Chanukah,
snowflakes, blustery winds, crackling fires, chestnuts roasting, Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, eight tiny
reindeer, Rudolph, voices
raised in song, that boychild of Mary, shepherds, the shepherd's crook,
cattle lowing, the Black Nativity, Kwanzaa, the
first fruits of the harvest and wisemen from afar.
Every day is another chance to continue your spiritual journey in
strength and in peace. Take a deep breath and know that you are loved.
Happy Holidays!
Nancy Conrad
Upham's Corner News
Vinfen Group Home - Problems Continue
December 13, 2011
The Vinfen Group Home on Virigina Street is a regular topic at the
neighborhood meetings. Attendees discuss and
debate today's problems only to have them return ever so slightly morphed into tomorrow's problems the following month.
Issues
"change" but don't go away. Vinfen management "responds" to
neighbor complaints (eventually) but their approach is "reactive" rather than
"proactive." Watchdog responsibility lies with the neighbors who inform them when there are
issues.
If
we don't work on repairing the adversarial relationship, the "sniping"
will continue into the third year. Vinfen management would do
well to consider opening its doors and increasing its
transparency.
Creating a partnership with the community might just help to improve the quaity of life
here in Upham's Corner.
Read More
Circulate the Post Office Petition
December 14, 2011
Deadline: January 8, 2012 is the cutoff
Real Deadline: January 4, 2012 or better still New Year's Eve, 12/31/11
Plan to have all your signatures, letters,surveys and other
documentation into the Boston Postal Service early. Let's work together to keep the Upham's Corner Post Office open.
UCMS has prepared a great petition form in three languages -
English, Spanish and CV Creole.
Open PDF.
For more ways to help out, see below:
How Can I Help Save the Post Office?
Register your support for the Upham's Corner Post Office.
- Call Stephen Lynch, House of Representatives @ 617428-2000
- Call Michael Capuano, House of Representatives @ 617-621-6208
- Call Senator Scott Brown @ (202) 224-4543 or use the webform
- Call Sentaor John Kerry @ (202) 224-2742 or use the webform
- Call the Discontinuance Coordinator, Mr. Michael Foley @ 617-654-5686
- Volunteer in front of the post office to help get signatures (see below)
- Sign the Online Petition created by Main Street
- Download the UCMS petition and circulate, then return to the Post Office
Note: It is VERY EASY to get your comments, letters and petitions (all paperwork) into the Discontinuance office.
- Drop off at the UC Post Office - no stamp needed. They will forward.
- Drop off at UCMS (next to the Strand)
- After hours, use postage and mail to:
USPS
PO Box 16
25 Dorchester Ave
Boston, MA 02205
attn: Michael Foley
Deadline: All paperwork MUST be into the Discontinuance Office by
January 8, 2012. Don't wait. Plan to get your paperwork into our
local post office by Dec 31.
Erica Lindamood Leaving Boston Preservation
December 15, 2011
Erica has been a friend to Upham's Corner, working with us to identify
historic buildings and helping us understand more about our
neighborhoods.
Just the meetings she organized brought together
such disparate members of the community who all had a common goal of
preserving our heritage.
Read More
Job Opening: Grove Hall Community Organizer
Project R.I.G.H.T. Inc., a non-profit organization serving the
residents of North Dorchester and Roxbury, is looking for an organized
professional with great communication and outreach skills to be a vital
part of a team that coordinates the overall community organizing
efforts of Project R.I.G.H.T. Inc.
Read More
Occupy! the Upham's Corner Post Office
Through January 8, 2012
As of December 10 the age of the Occupy Boston movement came to a close
but the ideas will live on. In Upham's Corner there was no
encampment, no tents and no people's mic but there was one community
coming-together that rivaled Dewey Sq.
On Nobember 17 over 60 residents came out in support of the Upham's
Corner Post Office, sounding a lot like â¬SOccupy Wall Street.â¬�
Attendeed were clearly part of the 99%. Postal Service reps
looked and acted like they belonged to the 1%.
The community has continued to rally in support of the Uphamâ¬"s Corner
Post office with thousands of signatures obtained in its support.
It's still not enough. Moneyed interests in the federal
government, not the foundation of service upon which the post office
was originallyformed, may ultimately determine the fate of our beloved
Upham's Corner Post Office.
Will it live? Will it die? You can make a difference.
Read More
Holiday Party & Tree Lighting - Joyful in Upham's Corner
November 26, 2011
 This
year Upham's Corner "wrapped" a holiday party around the traditional
tree lighting, and the Mayor's Office of Arts and Tourism helped out by
sponsoring the event at the Strand.
Partiers received small holiday gift bags
and a chance to warm their hearts with hot food, seasonal cheers
and songs from the Upham's Corner Carolers. Pizza, fresh apples,
hot cranberry-lime punch, hot chocolate, cookies - you couldn't ask for
better.
Singing a mixture of sacred traditional carols and favorite holiday
songs, the Upham's Corner Carolers had a delightful time sounding like the recorded
voices of old.
Just before 5pm, when the Trolley pulled up in front, it was as if the
Santa Train
had just come down the chimney, and we waited for the tree to
rise out of the darkness with garlands of glowing diamonds strung
in swirls around her.
Read more - LOTS of PHOTOS
Occupy Boston - Upham's Corner Resident Reflects
December 10, 2011
Larry Fabian, longtime Upham's Corner resident, now working in Turkey
until Christmas, took time to visit the Occupy Boston encampment in
Dewey Square back in October when it was getting estabished.
He
offers us his perspective on Tent Cities (#1 & 2) - the past, the
present and the future of movements grounded in re-establishing
economic equity in our society.
Read More
Paraiso Restaurant Pledges Support
December 1, 2011
 Recently Paraiso Restaurant sought community support in its quest for takeout and entertainment licences.
In order to garner support from the Upham's Corner Improvement
Associatioin (UCIA), Paraiso pledged to place a high priority on
maintaining the exterior grounds and to work with the property owner,
Amado Enterprises, on building maintenance.
"The Upham's Corner Improvement Association (UCIA) is committed to
improving the whole of Upham's Corner. This includes the overall
appearance of the business district."
Paraiso's pledge is good for the business, good for the business district and good for Upham's Corner residents and visitors.
Read More
Public Outhouse Closing Down
December 7, 2011
 Part of the land owned by the Igreja Universal church at 763 Dudley
Street in Upham's Corner is an alley that used to
wind from Columbia Rd out to Dudley St.
The alley now stops half-way, cut off
by a fence but that has created an "alcove" of privacy where illicit, illegal
and disreputable things take place.
Igreja Universal is planning to add a security fence to prevent
the local people from using the back of their alley as a "pubic
outhouse."
Read More
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