Team Swerve Standing United - Bird Street Entrepreneurs
The
social media lab of nine Bird Street Youth Center teens met twice a
week for two months in a Journalism Workshop led by Nancy Conrad.
"Team Swerve," a statement about who they are and what they stand for,
was the result of a series of brain-storming sessions on how to get in
touch with their creativity.
S - smart, W - wild, E - enthusiastic, R - real, V - valuable and E - entrepreneurs.
Posted: March 30, 2013
Area 324 - Neighborhood Watch Meeting Notes
March 17, 2013
The Area 324 Neighborhood Watch meeting held March 17, 2013 covered the
topics of quality of life, the most recent police report, community
beautification and community revitalization.
Troubling issues discussed include rodents outside 25 Brookford St and
an increase in illegal activity after hours at the Winthrop School
areas.
The group looks forward to the installation of Posted Street Cleaning
signs and the Boston Shines event.
Posted: March 30, 2013
Events in Detail
 Greater Boston House Concerts
Concert of Latin American Music
Fri, Apr 5, 2013 8pm
The AronBerkner Duo (flute/guitar) will feature seldom or never-before
heard works from Latin America and Italy, including the world-premiere
recordings of pieces by Ricardo Iznaola and Vincenzo Sorrentino.
Their newer works, by younger composers from here and abroad, look to
the idiom of jazz for inspiration. They will mix the familiar with the
new, the traditional with the folkloric, the sultry with the virtuosic,
in a chamber music concert program to please.
Q&A and reception after the concert BYOB or wine.
Seat Reservations are REQUIRED: http://gbhc4.bpt.me/
www.GBHConcerts.com
Posted: April 2, 2013
 Corridor Wide Fairmount Indigo Planning Initiative
Tue Apr 9, 2013
From Jeremy Rosenberger:
The next Fairmount Corridor-Wide Advisory Group (CAG) meeting will be:
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
6:30pm to 8:30pm
Dorchester Arts Collaborative
175a Washington Street, Dorchester
ALL MEETINGS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
For more information, please visit our website www.fairmountindigoplanning.org or contact:
Ines Palmarin, Co-Director
617.918.4434 Ines.Palmarin.BRA@cityofboston.gov |
Jeremy Rosenberger, Co-Director
617.918.4431 Jeremy.Rosenberger.BRA@cityofboston.gov |
Boston Redevelopment Authority
One City Hall Square | Boston, MA 02201-1007
Blue Hill Avenue Neighborhood Response Team
Apr 10, 2013 6PM
Weather Permitting |
Inclement Weather |
Blue Hill Ave / Clifford St
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Meet at Project RIGHT, Inc.
320 A Blue Hill Ave
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Running late
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Call 617.839.2847 |
Please let us know if you have any issues of problem properties that we
need to address during our regular walk of the Blue Hill Avenue
Neighborhood Response Team (from Dudley Street to Franklin Park Zoo)
Thank you for the strong community turnout and your feedback has been
key for us to address many different issues. Tell us what are the
Neighborhood Response Team issues that we must address!
Thank you for your leadership and support, our accomplishments are only
made possible through your input and involvement, now for us to
continue to make progress, your comments and insights are even more
needed!
We also want to monitor the status of the issues, we have been
addressing previously along Blue Hill Avenue from Dudley
Street. We need to hear from you on what else needs to be
targeted. Speak up, you can make a difference!
Contact
Michael Kozu
m_kozu@hotmail.com
617.541.5451.x102
Posted: April 2, 2013
Operation Prom Dress and Tuxedo
Mar 23, Apr 6, Apr 27
The United Sisters of Color are sponsoring Operation Prom Dress &
Tuxedo, an annual event to send juniors and seniors in the Dorchester,
Roxbury, Mattapan, Hyde Park, JP, and Roslindale areas to the prom.
The goal: ensure students are not denied the opportunity to attend the
prom because of financial hardships. Please donate new or gently
used, dry cleaned prom dresses, tuxedos/suits, shoes and accessories.
All sizes are needed.
Posted: March 18, 2013
Community Meeting - Univerisity of Massachusetts Master Plan
The University of Massachusetts Boston invites you to a community
meeting to discuss progress in planning and implementing the
university's master plan.
Monday, April 8, 6-7:30pm
Campus Center, Ballroom
University of Massachusetts Boston
100 Morrissey Boulevard
RSVP by April 2 to community.relations@umb.edu or call 617.287.5304.
Light refreshments will be served. When responding, please
indicate if you require disability-related or dietary accommodations.
For directions and parking information about the university, visit http://www.umb.edu/the_university/getting_here.
Posted: March 24, 2013
Boston Natural Areas Network Spring Workshops
Seed, Sow & Grow
Urban Garden Design
Saturday, April 6
10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
BNAN Office,
62 Summer Street, Downtown Boston
Learn the building blocks for ecological, urban garden design.
Go home with the basic tools for plant selection and planning your
front, back yard or deck garden.
Registration required.
Phone 617-542-7696 or email info@bostonnatural.org.
Posted: March 23, 2013

Planning Your Vegetable Garden
Saturday, April 6
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
BNAN Office,
62 Summer Street, Downtown Boston
A bit of planning makes it easier to grow more food while building your
soil. We'll share tips for planting schedules, companions and spacing.
Create a vegetable garden plan that fits your space and taste!
Registration required.
Phone 617-542-7696 or email info@bostonnatural.org.
Posted: March 23, 2013
The Metro Boston Sustainable Communities Consortium
Spring 2013 Meeting
Tuesday April 23, 2013
1:00 PM to 4:30 PM EDT
Colonnade Hotel
120 Huntington Avenue
2nd Floor Ballroom
Boston, MA 02116
We will present and discuss the emerging recommendations from the State
of Equity policy agenda, the Fair Housing and Equity Assessment, and
the Regional Housing Plan.
Consortium members will then have the opportunity to exchange best
practices and ideas in Learning Clusters.
Light refreshments will be provided.
Registration opens at 12:30 p.m.
Networking session from 4:00 - 4:30 p.m.
To register: Contact
Allentza Michel
Metropolitan Area Planning Council
amichel@mapc.org
617-933-0739
Posted: March 24, 2013
Dorchester Bay - Fundraiser Celebrating 34 Years
April 25, 2013
At their 34th Anniversary fundraiser, Dorchester Bay will be honoring
former Governor of Wisconsin, Jim Doyle. Governor Deval Patrick has
beeninvited as keynote speaker.
Their goal is to raise $100,000 to support work in :
- economic development,
- community organizing,
- home ownership and
- rental housing.
Dorchester
Bay EDC is a non-profit community development corporation helping to
build a strong, diverse, and thriving community in the neighborhoods of
Dorchester and Roxbury.
Posted: February 26, 2013
Boston Shines 2013, 11th Annual Citywide Neighborhood Clean-up.
April 26, April 27
Please join Mayor Thomas M. Menino for Boston Shines 2013 the eleventh annual citywide neighborhood clean up
Friday, April 26th
Saturday April 27th
8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Contact the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Services at 617.635.3485 to
volunteer or for more information.
This event is part of the Mayor's year-round clean up and community
service program, Boston Shines 365.
Posted: February 19, 2013

Grove Hall Library Upcoming Events
Employment Resource Center Round table Summit
Tuesday April 30, 12:00 pm
In the coming months the Grove Hall Branch Library will be creating an
Employment Resource Center and offering workshops such as:
- Interview Primer and Preparation
- Cover Letter/Resume
- On-line Job Application
- GED Prep
We
have the facilities to offer workshops and the space to set aside for
meetings and drop-in counseling sessions. But we cannot do this alone.
We need your creativity and ideas to build a transformative program for
our community.
Uphams Corner Street Festival 2013 Planning Continues
The
UC Street Festival Planning Committee is expected to make more rapid
progress after Max's meeting with Chris Cook. It's already
looking like a bigger event than in 2012 - more participants and
activities with planning over a longer period.
Goals under consideration include: fun, youth, urban agriculture,
history, business sales and art.
Getting the community's involvement is critical to the event's success
so anyone who wants to participate or sign up, please contact Max
MacCarthy at max@uphamscorner.org.
Posted: March 19, 2013
First Annual Massachusetts Urban Farming Conference
Mar 9, 2013
The
first annual Massachusetts Urban Farming Conference (UFC) served as a
forum to share information on the growth of farming in urban
communities. The goal is to advance the opportunities and address the
barriers in cultivating a thriving urban farming sector.
Boston has a long history of urban farming. The Dept of Agriculture
created the designation of "urban farmer" for Suffolk County food
producers in 1978. The interest in urban farming continues strongly
today.
First of several articles about the Urban Farming Conference.
Posted: March 18, 2013
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Uphams Corner InSight into the News
Public Works Listens to Uphams Corner
Public Works is unveiling their newest design for the Uphams Corner
Streetscape Improvement Project at an April 10 Community Meeting, to be
held at the Cape Verdean Daycare Center on Hancock Street.
April 10, 2013, 6:00 PM
Cape Verdean Adult Center
34 Hancock Street
Dorchester, MA
The goal is to gain approval of the basic shape of streets and
sidewalks with details to be worked out later. The project spans
the one-block section of Columbia Road from the Strand Theatre (Hancock
Street) to Dudley Street.
The project's goal is to create a welcoming and safe streetscape for
both residents and visitors to Uphams Corner, especially those
attending Strand Theatre events.
Posted: April 5, 2013
Most Adorable Australian Shepherd and Spaniel Mix Whose Dog is this?
Meet
the most adorable Australian shepherd and spaniel mix you ever did
see. Hickory, a babe in arms just over the age of one, was recently
adopted by someone in Uphams Corner who loves dogs.
Do you know who?
She had been abandoned in Hickory Ridge, Arkansas before her first
birthday, hence her name. Hickory's Mom and Dad adopted her from an
agency in New Hampshire. They now love her very much, even though she
took some getting used to. To their daily routine, they have added
Hickory on walks and trips and even to work.
Whose dog is this?
Posted: April 2, 2013
Boston Shines Volunteers Needed 2013
Mayor
Menino is asking for Boston Shines Volunteers for the weekend of April
26-27. Volunteers are needed in all areas of the City.
Mayor Menino says: "Boston Shines is a great way for residents and
local businesses to give back to their community - repaint crosswalks,
repair signs, plant flowers, clean parks, business areas and your
street to get Boston ready for the spring and summer.
Organized by the Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Services.
Posted: April 4, 2013
BCYF All Girls Sports Festival Registering Now!
Free Vacation Week Activity for Boston Girls Ages 11-15
Tuesday-Friday,
April 16-19, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. BCYF Recreation Center at Madison
Park and the Reggie Lewis Track & Athletic Center at Roxbury
Community College.
Activities include basketball, bicycling, double dutch, soccer, step
dance, swimming, tennis, and track.
Also health and wellness workshops : Healthy Relationships, Power of
Mind & Spirit, Personal Care, Nutrition – Weight Management, Dating
Violence & Substance Abuse Prevention, Self-Expression, Cyber
Safety, and Music Nutrition.
Registering NOW!
Posted: April 2, 2013
Kroc Center Vacation Bible Study Sports & Wellness Camp
April 15-19, 2013
The
Salvation Army's Vacation Bible School Sports and Wellness Camp to be
held at the Kroc Center AT 650 Dudley Street in Dorchester will take
place April 15 - 19, 9am-5pm for ages 6-12.
The children will learn to break free from self doubt, lying, bad
choices, selfishness and fear. Fun activities to enrich the gospel
experience to include: Zumbatomic,Soccer,Basketball, Flag Football,
Dance, Music, Aquatics, Art and More! Motivational Devotions,
Inspirational Stories, Healthy Meals Q Nutrition Education.
Posted: April 2, 2013
Boston Election Department Recruiting Poll Workers for Upcoming Elections
Special elections are scheduled for April 30, May 28 and June 25. The
Boston Election Department is recruiting poll workers and is especially
interested in bilingual speakers of Spanish, Cape Verdean, Vietnamese,
Chinese, Haitian Creole, Russian, Portuguese, and Somali.
Responsibilities include all work to prepare, check in and shut down
the polling site including:
- Counting ballots and checking in voters
- Maintain a record of the Election Day's activities
- Provide assistance to voters with disabilities
- Packing up election materials and helping check counts at the end of the day
Stipends available - full day and half day.
Posted: March 30, 2013
External Advisory Committee (EAC) on Home-Based Model for School Choice
Letter from Helen Dajer, EAC Co-Chair, on the Home-Based Model for school choice and assignment.
This plan was approved March 13, 2013 and sets Boston on a path toward
further improving our schools and strengthening our
neighborhoods.
It also brings Boston's students 40% closer to home and provides
students and their families more equitable access to quality schools.
Posted: March 30, 2013
Sheriff Tompkins Welcomes 24 New Officers to Department
Mar 11, 2013
During
a graduation ceremony held on March 11, 2013, Suffolk County Sheriff
Steven W. Tompkins swore in a group of 24 officer candidates to service
and addressed family members in attendance.
They were all graduates of the Correction Officer Training Academy Class 12-02 (COTA 12-02).
Candidates must successfully complete a twelve-week training academy
that requires intensive instruction in many subjects including ethics
and professionalism, suicide prevention, use of force continuum,
firearm safety and handling and more.
Posted: March 29, 2013
Boston Neighborhood Street Cleaning 2013
Mar 29, 2013
Boston's
2013 Neighborhood Street Cleaning Program begins April 1, this year
newly aligned with trash and recycling days. Keeping
neighborhoods clean is a Menino top priority.
City streets will be swept clean on a rotating schedule through
November 30th. Since vehicles not moved prohibit sweeping to the
curb, parking regulations are strictly enforced.
Vehicles parked in violation of the posted regulations are subject to a
$40 ticket as well as towing. Tips for residents provided.
Posted: March 29, 2013
Do It Anyway - Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta
People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered;
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
Be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build it anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.
Give the world your best and it may never be enough;
Give the world your best anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God;
It was never between you and them anyway.
By: Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta
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Posted: March 24, 2013
Uphams Corner Safe Neighborhoods Initiative (SNI) March 2013 Update
The Uphams Corner Safe Neighborhoods Initiative (SNI) is planning a
community meeting in late Spring (May), date to be announced
later. The goals will be to get feedback from residents on public
safety or quality of life issues, recommendations on actions the SNI
should take and to provide suggestions for residents and neighborhoods
as the weather warms up and more youth are out and about.
Public Safety efforts have led to a drop in crime but, says SNI
coordinator, Matt Feeney, "We want to keep it that way. May is a
good time to get feedback, ideas and a renewed commitment from everyone
to making Uphams Corner a safe place to live, work and visit."
Posted: March 26, 2013
Latorial Faison, African-American Poet
Mar 24, 2013
For
Women's History Month, Latorial Faison, African-American poet and
author, who loves to teach, to reveal, to open minds to profound and
provocative thoughts that trigger inspiration...
Uphams Corner News is featuring her as part of Women's History Month.
While she is not from Uphams Corner, she touched our lives because of
Robby Thomas' poem "Remember" and blessed us with six of her own poems.
Latorial's story is as inspiring as are her writings.
"I have so much inside of me, so many testimonies, so many experiences
. . . my entire life is a testament of hope. Sometimes people just need
to know that someone else has beat the same odds that they face, and if
I can share what I've been through, what I've overcome, I believe that
it will encourage people, show people that they can too."
"You can count on me to speak out and to speak up for those who have
been denied, deprived, or underprivileged."
"Writing . . . well, it is who I am."
Posted: March 24, 2013
Citizens Connect to South Bay Comm Mtg #2
Sat, Apr 6 9:30 a.m.- 12 noon
An opportunity to hear and participate in a presentation of the
concerns and visions collected at the March 9 charrette regarding the
possible expansion of the South Bay Shopping Center. To be held
at the Local 12 Plumbers and Gasfitters Hall.
Topics to be discussed include concerns about preserving the character
of the neighborhood, pedestrian and bicycle safety, entertainment
opportunities, traffic and parking and any other issues you may want to
bring up.
RSVP is highly advised.
Posted: March 24, 2013
Posted Street Cleaning in Uphams Corner
Mar 24, 2013
According to Superintendent Maurice Smith, the implementation of Posted
Street Cleaning in Uphams Corner (selected streets) which was scheduled
to be implemented by April 1, 2013 has been delayed because the entire
street cleaning program is being revamped.
The new target implementation date is June 1. If the new signs
haven't been installed on our streets by late May, then we should
contact Public Works to get an update.
Posted: March 24, 2013
Sixth Annual Earth Hour and Lights Out Boston Campaigns
Sat, Mar 23, 2013
Earth
Hour and Lights Out Boston are two campaigns that work to raise
awareness on the importance of climate action/energy conservation and
wildlife migration.
Boston is participating in the World Wildlife Fund's Earth Hour Earth
Hour 2013 which asks participants to extinguish all non-essential
lighting for one hour on Saturday, March 23 from 8:30-9:30 p.m.
In Earth Hour 2012, Boston joined over 5,000 cities and towns worldwide.
Posted: March 21, 2013
Improve Your Eco-Awareness - Rechargeable Battery Recycling
Mar 21, 2013
Special for Earth Day 2013
What is your eco-awareness level when it comes to battery disposal?
The EPA says: recycle, don't trash - for safety reasons and the
presence of toxic heavy metals.
Has Massachusetts complied with EPA guidelines? A look at Household
Hazardous Waste Day in Boston.
Posted: March 21, 2013
Who is the Winner: Highways, Public Trans or Education?
Mar 20, 2013
Arkansas
and Wisconsin are making decisions to fund highways instead of
education due in part to the highway lobby but also in response to a
lack of understanding of the importance of the education infrastructure
needed to grow our nation for the future.
Gov Patrick's recent proposal puts both transportation and education on
the same footing, a bright light and a model for other states.
Image from a "Young Arkansas Artists" feature on
Arkansas Educational Television Network."
Posted: March 20, 2013
Photos: Evacuation Day at the Shirley-Eustis House
Mar 16, 2013
Following
the Evacuation Day events on Saturday morning, the many participants
and public were treated to a sumptuous lunch served at the
Shirley-Eustis House in Roxbury.
The atmosphere was festive, people dressed in the finery of the
1700's. Groups included the South Boston Historical Society,
Lexington Minutemen and Bostonia Allarum Companie.
Politicos: Reps Carlos Henriquez, Gloria Fox and Nick Collins
and Councillors Felix Arroyo and Charles Yancey. Lunch included
lasagna, mac & cheese, chicken, rice and Cape Verdean fish
salad.
Posted: March 17, 2013
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