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Winthrop Square tower would fund projects, darken park pg 7
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plus Q&A: ‘La La Land’ director Damian Chazelle pg 15 Art inspires marchers at weekend protests pg 16 Film: ‘Paterson’ pg 17 Thursday, January 26, 2017 • FREE • GREATER BOSTON’S URBAN NEWS SOURCE SINCE 1965 • CELEBRATING 50 YEARS
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Walsh plans ways to hike school funding State of the City address highlights PreK, reimbursement reform, bldgs By JULE PATTISON-GORDON
In his State of the City speech Mayor Martin Walsh promised to file significant education funding legislation and direct $1 billion to school facilities. “Boston is entering a new era of school investment,” Walsh said. “We will create high quality 21st century classrooms for every student, connected to every neighborhood, college and workplace in our city.” Walsh said his term thus far has been marked by highlights such as affordable housing creation, promotion of a startup sector, redress for homeless veterans, recruitment of high-profile companies and reduction in homicides. “My plan is clear. It’s good jobs in every neighborhood; massive investments in affordable housing and open space; infrastructure upgrades to fix traffic; free high quality pre-kindergarten for all; $1 billion for new schools; and doubling down on community-driven public safety,” Walsh said.
Education package
Walsh’s education proposals aim to direct more funding to the city’s students. One message that seemed woven throughout:
Boston generates a lot of money and Boston students need a lot of money — far more than they have been receiving. Several proposals appeared designed to keep more state revenue generated within Boston from being directed to other parts of the state and instead invested into advancing local education efforts. For example, one proposal would redirect some tourism tax revenue generated within city limits that normally goes into the state Convention Center Fund. In the past, according to the Walsh administration, the state has dipped into this pool to help balance the budget. Instead, funds would be redirected into financing pre-K seats for all Boston four-year-olds. Another theme: a well-earned doubt that the state will come through on charter reimbursement obligations. A bill from Sen. Sal DiDomencio would redesign the reimbursement schedule, truncating it from five to three years. Under the current arrangement, the state reimburses school districts over a several year period for a portion of their per-pupil spending that is diverted to charters. DiDomenico’s proposal would require that
See ADDRESS, page 10
BANNER PHOTO
Boston University students Brittany Marsh and Amanda St. Clair were among the crowd estimated at 175,000 that turned out to demonstrate against President Donald Trump.
Anti-Trump protesters march in city, world Promises of mutual support, protection in new era By JULE PATTISON-GORDON
One hundred and seventy-five thousand women and allies packed the Boston Common and surrounding area on Saturday to protest a presidential administration whose leader and nominees have taken actions such as bragging about sexual assault; threatening the rights of people of color, immigrants and Muslims; challenging the safety of many American’s
ON THE WEB Stay involved with upcoming Women’s March actions at: www.womensmarch.com/100
INSIDE See more photos from the Jan. 21 Women’s March on page 8.
health care and expressing reluctance to acknowledge the full impact of human action on climate change. Demonstrators and speakers reiterated the message
that this is not okay and the people will not stand for it. Organizers of the Boston Women’s March said they initially hoped to draw 20,000 people. Instead, about 175,000 to 200,000 turned out, according to estimates from Mayor Martin Walsh’s office and the organizers, respectively. “With solidarity, we have hope,” one speaker declared before the gathered crowds. “Not everything
See MARCHES, page 11
Unified enrollment on the horizon City official says plan will soon be unveiled By YAWU MILLER
PHOTO: MAYOR’S OFFICE PHOTO BY DON HARNEY
Mayor Martin Walsh delivers remarks at the State of the City event at Boston Symphony Hall.
Last year, a coalition of charter schools and Boston school department officials held a series of public meetings in which they floated a proposal to unify the enrollment systems of BPS and charter schools. After encountering fierce pushback from parents who attended
several of its public meetings, the group shelved the idea. Then the multi-million dollar battle over Ballot Question 2 — which would have raised the statewide cap on charter school expansion — encountered even more fierce opposition and ultimately was defeated soundly. With those battles of 2016 still smoldering, members of a group called The Boston Compact say
they will release another proposal this year, after they work through some of the issues raised last year by parents. “We’re probably 90-ish percent there in terms of forming a proposal,” said Turahn Dorsey, the city’s education chief under Mayor Martin Walsh’s administration. “The intent is that when we get an updated proposal, we’ll vet it publicly.” Under unified enrollment,
See ENROLLMENT, page 6
2 • Thursday, January 26, 2017 • BAY STATE BANNER
Lawmakers, advocates continue pushing for CJ reform provisions reducing mandatory minimums in his legislation, rather than having Caucus members file amendments.
Advised to delay policy asks for a reform study many say study is over, and wait too must end By JULE PATTISON-GORDON
At Boston’s annual Martin Luther King Day memorial breakfast, state Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz broke with tradition, giving a speech that turned evocations of King’s legacy into a demand for action on criminal justice reform. Quoting King’s warning that the word “wait” often turns into the word “never,” Chang-Diaz said the time has come for state leadership to stop delaying action on policies that could reduce racial disparities in incarceration. “For the past four-and-a-half years of my eight years as a lawmaker, we have been told by the big three leaders of the state legislature and executive branch on Beacon Hill to wait,” Chang-Diaz said. Members of the state Black and Latino Legislative Caucus, activists and many other community members long have sought measures such as repeal of mandatory minimum sentencing for nonviolent drug offenses. The measure has racially disparate impact, results in higher than necessary prison populations and can make parole less effective because fewer people are eligible, many advocates say. Attempts by lawmakers to enact legislative reforms often have been met with the advice to wait until the initiatives could be folded into
Advocates’ letter
ON THE WEB Coalition for Public Safety letter: https://aclum.org/wp-content/ uploads/2017/01/20170117-CSG-Letter.pdf Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz’s speech: https://www.facebook.com/BayStateBanner/ videos/10154968560229452/ a more comprehensive reform package, Chang-Diaz said, specifically, until the national nonprofit Council of State Governments (CSG) could analyze Massachusetts’ criminal justice system and provide policy recommendations. In late December, when the CSG held its final scheduled working group session, it became clear that racial disparities were never assigned as a study focus. Activists organized by Jobs Not Jail marched out in the middle of the meeting to protest the study’s limited scope and the lack of representation of people of color in the CSG group. “While we were expecting our leaders to finally make good on their promises, word got out that the [CSG’s] final analysis was not going to touch on the issues of sentencing reform or racial bias that we had been told was coming,” Chang-Diaz said. “Scores of black and brown protestors demonstrated at the final public meeting of the council. But they were told blankly by the all-white panel of appointed experts that were there that sentencing reforms were
BANNER PHOTO
Sen. Sonia-Chang Diaz. The senator used her Martin Luther King Day speech to raise a call for action on reforms that could reduce racial disparities in the criminal justice system. never part of their charge.” Her speech drew cheers and applause.
Momentum builds
The Council on State Governments has yet to present bills for filing, giving many hope that there is still time to influence the anticipated criminal justice policy package. State Rep. Russell Holmes said Chang-Diaz’s comments may have helped move criminal justice issues forward with state leadership. In his quarterly meeting with the Black and Latino Legislative Caucus last Thursday, Governor Charlie Baker said he would consider reforms to bail and probation fees, which many see as placing an undue burden on low-income defendants.
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Bail reform advocates say that such fees can mean low-income individuals are held pretrial solely due to their financial limitations, not their flight risk. Being detained may cause individuals to fall behind on rent and utility payments, miss work and be unable to pick up children from school or support their families — all while there is yet to be a ruling on their guilt. When legislators pressed Baker about mandatory minimum sentences for minor drug trafficking offenses, he said that only between 350 and 400 people are currently serving mandatory sentences for those offenses. Holmes said Caucus members pushed back. “We asked him to go back and see how many cases were initially charged with mandatory minimums before being pleaded down to a lesser charge,” he said. Baker agreed to look into this. That figure is significant, as there is concern that some defendants may be persuaded to plead guilty to smaller charges when presented with the threat of being charged with an offense that carries a mandatory sentence. “I appreciated that he had some research done before the meeting,” Holmes said. “He was very articulate, very knowledgeable about it.” Holmes said the Caucus members asked Baker to include
Another push comes from a coalition of about 70 advocacy groups that on Jan. 17 sent a letter to four of the five local CSG steering committee members. In the letter, sent to Baker, Supreme Judicial Court Chief Ralph Gants, House Speaker Robert DeLeo and Senate President Stanley Rosenberg, the Coalition for Effective Public Safety requested an end to mandatory minimums, bail fee reform, more diversion initiatives to prevent people from becoming incarcerated in the first place, compassionate release of prisoners so ill they are no longer a threat, and enough rehabilitative and educational programming to meet demand and to prepare prisoners to be successful post-incarceration. The coalition also sought steps to ensure prisoners are not held under higher levels of security than is necessary and to increase parolee counts — for instance by granting parole based on the individual’s behavior and progress, not on the nature of their original defense, and by instituting presumptive parole policy in which parole is not granted by board, but rather automatically assigned once the minimum sentence is served, unless the individual has lost this privilege. Some of these recommended actions can be enacted executively, without waiting for legislation, the coalition stated. In its letter, the coalition made appeals to public safety and to financial practicality, noting that recidivism and high prison populations are a drain on taxpayer money. In an additional move, ChangDiaz also is refiling a reform bill that includes eliminating mandatory minimum drug sentences, raising the threshold at which larceny becomes a felony from $250 to $1,500 and creating provisions for medical-need based parole. Yawu Miller contributed to this article.
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Massachusetts top court orders prosecutors to remedy thousands of tainted drug convictions Thousands of potential victims. Years of delay. Now, action in cases involving a corrupt crime lab chemist. By PATRICK G. LEE, PROPUBLICA
More than four years after a Massachusetts lab chemist confessed to manipulating drug test results, the state’s highest court has called on prosecutors to reverse potentially thousands of tainted convictions. The chemist, Annie Dookhan, may have played a role in more than 20,000 drug cases during her eight and a half years at a state lab, but to date prosecutors have resisted mounting a wholesale revisiting of the convictions that resulted at least in part from Dookhan’s work. At one point, prosecutors argued that they had no obligation to inform those convicted of their possible innocence. Another prosecutor suggested that many of the defendants might be too poor or busy dealing with more pressing issues, such as mental illness or addiction, to have any desire to contest old drug convictions. And when prosecutors tried
to alert all of the affected defendants of their potential innocence — four years after Dookhan’s confession — the mailed notice they sent was “wholly inadequate,” according to the court. As of last November, fewer than 2,000 defendants had sought or received relief from their drug convictions. The justices of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court last week effectively declared an end to the delays. “The extraordinary magnitude of Dookhan’s misconduct has left us with only poor alternatives,” the court’s decision said. In a concurring opinion, two justices expressed frustration with “the unacceptably glacial systemic response to date” and called on prosecutors to dismiss “a truly significant number of the roughly 20,000” Dookhan cases. The court’s decision requires district attorneys to act quickly: By mid-April, they must review all Dookhan cases individually and determine which ones they are willing to dismiss and which
ones they will stand behind. Prosecutors will then have 30 days to notify the defendants whose convictions remain that they can request a new trial, should they decide to mount a challenge. The court specified that district attorneys will only be allowed to re-prosecute defendants if they first certify that they have sufficient untainted evidence with which to make their case. Among the 20,000 or so defendants affected, those who pleaded guilty before their Dookhansigned test results came back from the lab are not eligible for relief, since Dookhan’s bad evidence didn’t influence their decisions, the court said. Prosecutors must also draw up a list of these individuals by mid-April. “It’s a huge victory,” said Matthew Segal, legal director of the ACLU of Massachusetts and a lawyer for some of the defendants. “If the district attorneys do what they’ve been asked to do, large numbers of these thousands upon thousands of cases are going to be dismissed outright.” The decision comes as another Massachusetts drug lab scandal is working its way through the courts. In this latest episode,
which surfaced in 2013, Sonja Farak was found by the state attorney general to have worked on drug samples while high herself, over a period of about eight years. There is still no definitive list of drug defendants potentially affected by Farak’s misconduct. Crime labs have been hit by scandals in several other U.S. cities as well — including San Francisco, Houston, Oklahoma City and St. Paul. However, one facet of the Dookhan saga that stood out was prosecutors’ seeming unwillingness to promptly and comprehensively notify the Dookhan defendants of their situation, Segal said. In its decision, the court directly criticized some of the prosecutors’ actions in handling the scandal and reaching out to defendants. For instance, the 21,880 notices that district attorneys mailed to Dookhan defendants in September lacked essential information, such as the fact that many of them are entitled to a legal presumption that the drug analysis used in their case was “tainted by egregious government misconduct.” Other shortcomings included having the letter sent in
an envelope that might easily be mistaken for junk mail, providing a sub-par Spanish translation and making no effort to post a public notice, such as in newspapers or on social media, to reach those whose addresses could not be found. The court also expressed skepticism about prosecutors’ argument that few Dookhan defendants would be interested in “reopening a closed chapter in their lives,” instead pointing out that some defendants would have strong incentives to challenge their drug convictions “given the serious and pervasive collateral consequences” associated with them. These consequences could include deportation for lawfully residing noncitizens, as well as loss of access to public housing, federal financial aid, driver’s licenses and various jobs, professional licenses and government benefits. The burden now rests squarely with prosecutors to “reduce substantially” the number of defendants with Dookhan-tainted drug convictions on their records, according to the court’s decision. “The decision-making process will be informed by the state of the evidence and the seriousness of the case,” said Jake Wark, a spokesman for the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office. “We expect to be able to fulfill our responsibility under those protocols, and in fact we are ready to.”
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EDITORIAL
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INSIDE: BUSINESS, 12 • ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT, 15 • COMMUNITY CALENDAR, 21 • CLASSIFIEDS, 22
Established 1965
America’s political schizophrenia Last week the nation’s temperament was philosophically confusing. Monday was a national holiday to celebrate Martin Luther King’s birthday. On Thursday there was a state holiday in Texas to celebrate the heroes of the Confederacy. Jan. 19, the birthday of Robert E. Lee, commander of the Confederate Army, has been chosen as the date for that celebration. And on Friday morning, Barack Obama’s term as president of the United States came to an end. At noon on Friday, Obama’s successor, Donald Trump, was sworn in. These notable events demonstrate the conflicts that continue to exist among Americans. Even now, 151 years after ratification of the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution which made slavery illegal, many Americans have not accepted the concept expressed in the Declaration of Independence (1776) “that all men are created equal.” Even if the concept of enslaving another human being is not considered by some citizens to be offensive, certainly the treasonous assault on the established Union government primarily because of the policy of ending the practice of slavery should hardly be a source of pride. Texans are considered to be assertive and independent. It was the last state to accept President Abraham Lincoln’s executive order that ended slavery during the Civil War. However, it still has not dawned on Texans that involvement in the Civil War to establish the Confederacy was an act of treason. Along came Martin Luther King with another vision for America. In his effort for racial equality and justice in America, King brought sound wisdom to the nation’s leaders as he led the Civil Rights Movement. Fundamental to this campaign was his statement, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” King was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his nonviolent campaign for civil rights. The effect on the American psyche
of MLK’s ministry undoubtedly prepared the way for the election of Barack Obama as president. With racial discrimination so predominant in America, few expected to see a black president in the White House. Those eager for an end to racism were delighted. Those who believed in the superiority of the so-called white race were not pleased with the American electorate. According to reports, leading Republican members of Congress had a dinner the night of Obama’s inauguration, and they agreed to oppose every legislative initiative so that Obama would be a do-nothing president. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), who is now the Senate majority leader, is reported to have said, “the single most important thing we want to achieve is for President Obama to be a one-term president.” Republicans even abnegated their constitutionally prescribed duty by refusing to consider Merrick Garland, Obama’s Supreme Court nominee. Donald Trump, who is now president, at that time went so far as to assume leadership of the “birther” movement, which challenged Obama’s right to serve as president because he was alleged not to have been born in the United States, as required by the Constitution. In light of these assaults on Obama, how does one reasonably attack John Lewis (D-Ga.) for stating that Trump is not a “legitimate” president. There is evidence that the Russian hacking of election data in favor of Trump might have affected the election outcome. Relatively minor changes in only three states would have changed the result. For many citizens, the issue of Russian hacking has not been satisfactorily resolved. Congress has agreed to investigate the matter further. Lewis has established a reputation for courage and integrity. Just as he stood tall on the Edmund Pettis Bridge on Bloody Sunday (March 7, 1965), Congressman Lewis stood alone to preserve the integrity of American democracy.
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Thursday, January 26, 2017 • BAY STATE BANNER • 5
OPINION THE BANNER WELCOMES YOUR OPINION: EMAIL OP-ED SUBMISSIONS TO YAWU@BANNERPUB.COM • Letters must be signed. Names may be withheld upon request.
OPINION
Here’s what happens when Sessions is in the saddle at Justice
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Did you watch the inauguration?
By EARL OFARI HUTCHINSON In 2008, the Alabama Policy Institute published a position paper on what it considered a dangerous trend by the courts and attorneys general. The trend was the court’s approval of consent decrees. For decades, consent decrees have been major weapons wielded by the Justice Department to go after cities, states and corporations that engage in blatant abusive practices on everything from consumer fraud to police abuse. The Institute compiled a lengthy position paper that railed against the use of consent decrees to right wrongs. It demanded that attorneys general and state legislatures act to limit, if not outright do away with, the use of consent decrees. The Institute asked the one attorney general whom it was certain would back its conclusions to the hilt to write the introduction. U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions got right to the point in the very first two sentences, “One of the most dangerous, and rarely discussed exercises of raw power is the issuance of expansive court decrees. They have a profound effect on our legal system as they constitute an end around the democratic process.” He boasted that as Alabama attorney general he rushed to the courts to scrap a consent decree approved by his predecessor. He succeeded. GOP senators, conservative bloggers and legal shills have launched a charm campaign to paint Sessions as a guy who has been misunderstood. His racially demeaning quotes supposedly were taken out of context and, as Alabama attorney general and later, U.S. attorney, he urged vigorous prosecution of a Klan murderer, backed school desegregation efforts, filed lawsuits against voting rights discrimination and backed the extension of the Voting Rights Act in 2006. But that’s simply PR puffery and window dressing to mask the extreme peril Sessions poses once in the saddle at the Justice Department. There were glaring signs that he would not play by the legal and public interest book as Attorney General. During the 2016 presidential campaign, he claimed that he didn’t see any criminal act in Trump’s boast that he grabbed women in their private parts. This struck to the heart of whether Sessions’ Justice Department would deal impartially with vital gender enforcement issues such as support for marriage equality, pay equity for women and domestic violence and sexual assault. He also didn’t object when Trump said he’d prosecute Hillary Clinton and investigate Black Lives Matter. Then there’s the question of just what types of crimes Sessions would prosecute. There are an estimated 4,000 federal criminal statutes on the books that could be subject to prosecution. It’s up to the Attorney General to decide which crimes to make a priority for prosecution. Holder and Lynch put the department spotlight on immigration rights, voting rights, police abuse, drug and criminal justice system reform and doing away with the use of private prisons for profit. Sessions chomps to get rid of voting rights enforcement, calling the Voting Rights Act “intrusive.” As for private prisons, under former Attorney General Eric Holder, the Bureau of Prisons issued a memo that it would phase out the use of private, for-profit prisons, citing grave problems in safety, security and oversight. During the campaign, Trump disagreed, calling for even more privatizations and private prisons. Geo Group is one of the largest private prison corporations. Four months after Trump pitched private prisons, in October 2016, the GEO Group saw the pro-privatization handwriting on the wall and hired two former Sessions aides to lobby in favor of outsourcing federal corrections to private contractors. There’s still another sign of the shape of things to come at the Justice Department under Sessions. In 1997, when he was Alabama’s attorney general, a state judge went after him, calling him and his office an example of perpetrating the “worst case” of prosecutorial misconduct he had seen. The case that got the judge up in arms against Sessions was a prosecution of a trucking company for allegedly submitting fraudulent billings and taking kickbacks. Specifically, the charge was that his office failed to turn over evidence, gave false testimony and abused the defendant’s rights. Subsequent rulings and an ethics commission investigation found no wrongdoing on Sessions’ part. However, there was a taint with the public charge that Sessions, as the judge noted, was willing to “disregard the lawful duties of the Attorney General.” There’s absolutely no hint, based on his Senate voting record, public statements and actions, and ties to hard right-wing groups, that once in the Justice Department saddle he will suddenly be a fair and impartial enforcer of civil rights laws, criminal justice reforms, and go after corporate abuses. The evidence is just the opposite.
Earl Ofari Hutchinson is an author and political analyst.
I watched some of it. We should wait for him to be in office and implement policies before we judge him.
No. I don’t like negative stuff in my life. I’d rather not. I caught some of it on CNN, though.
Rodney
Sade Dupree
General Help South End
Yes. It wasn’t like Obama’s. Not even half as good.
Mari Ayala Teacher Dorchester
EMT Trainee Dorchester
Yes, I did. I think we need to give Trump a chance. We’ll get an idea of where he’s going in the next few months.
Ron Goodridge
Volunteer Street Worker Dorchester
No, I didn’t. I work six days a week so I didn’t get a chance.
Maurice Williams Detailer Boston
Some of it. I couldn’t believe Hillary went. That was classy. I don’t hate Trump, but he makes you scared. You don’t know what he’s doing.
Sheril B.
Quality Control Representative Dorchester
IN THE NEWS
HAYDEN FREDERICK-CLARKE Hayden Frederick-Clarke is the Director of Cultural Proficiency of Boston Public Schools and an adjunct professor at the University of Massachusetts Boston. He is the first to hold the director position and works with four colleagues. In this role, Frederick-Clarke focuses on removing barriers to student success and closing opportunity and achievement gaps. Frederick-Clarke’s work includes coaching principals and training them on equity principles, visiting and assessing schools, and creating curricula and instructional experiences that better engage students. Currently, Frederick-Clarke said he is creating a suggested reading list for BPS employees, with items ranging from children’s book recommendations for elementary school use to scholarly articles on internalized racism and implicit bias. He also advocated to replace colonial-inspired
world maps with more accurate ones and more student-centered, interactive instruction. To further advance these recommendations, Frederick-Clarke seeks to update state standards. “Teachers are under immense pressure to abide by the standards but it so happens that standards themselves are often biased,” Frederick-Clarke told the Banner. Before joining district administration, Frederick-Clarke was a math instructor at Charlestown High School in the DiplomaPlus program, of which he was a founding member and the principal designer. In 2014, Frederick-Clarke won the Facing History and Ourselves International Teacher Recognition Award. The colleague who nominated Frederick-Clarke praised his skill at grounding his teaching in history and students’ lives and in engaging pupils in activism and realworld learning.
“He challenges all of his students to own their learning and to demand understanding. He has a beautiful way of teaching math — through history, through the human experience, through what is happening in the students’ communities,” the colleague wrote.
6 • Thursday, January 26, 2017 • BAY STATE BANNER
enrollment
Vietnamese Lunar New Year celebration
continued from page 1
parents would be able to fill out one school enrollment form for each child and receive assignments to both district-run and charter schools. Under the current enrollment system, parents must apply to BPS district schools and charters separately. Last year, when the unified enrollment idea was proposed, parents reacted negatively to it during several meetings. Parents with the group Quality Education for Every Student (QUEST) see a link between the unified enrollment push and a statement they say Walsh made to them in a November 2015 meeting that BPS would likely close as many as 36 of the 126 BPS schools. Walsh has denied making that statement, but city officials and education reform advocates, including former acting BPS Superintendent John McDonough, have repeatedly made calls for BPS to “right-size” the district by shedding schools. Some parent activists view the calls to close schools as a backdoor attempt to transfer public school buildings to charter school operators. Dorsey said BPS, which is currently undergoing its Build BPS planning process, has no plans to shutter schools. And Boston Compact Chief Collaboration Officer Rachel Weinstein says the three Boston school buildings currently leased to charter operators provide a benefit both to the charters and the district. “It brings in revenue for BPS and it’s a benefit to the charters,”
Mayor Martin Walsh and City Councilor Andrea Campbell join Vietnamese community members at Viet Aid’s Fields Corner office in celebration of Tet, Vietnamese Lunar New Year.
PHOTO: MAYOR’S OFFICE PHOTO BY ISABEL LEON
Weinstein said. Dorsey said the Compact members have built on the earlier plan that was widely panned in public meetings last year. “That was really a beginning point for us to get to a new proposal,” he said. “A lot of folks who participated in the meetings invited us to meet with them. We did do more neighborhood-based conversations.” Dorsey says Compact members held more than 10 additional meetings, which were not publicized. Coming on the heels of the
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crushing defeat of the charter expansion ballot question, some are questioning why the Compact is pushing unified enrollment, which many see as laying the groundwork for charters to grow at the expense of district schools. City councilors contacted by the Banner said they have not been informed that unified enrollment is back on the table. “It is unacceptable that the administration continues to push forward a policy that so many parents have taken issue with,” said City Councilor Tito Jackson. At-large Councilor Anissa
Essaibi-George says she has concerns about how children with special needs would fare in a unified enrollment system. “How would they work with new immigrants to the city,” she said. “If the Boston Compact is working toward anything, they should be creating a level playing field.”
Charter unified enrollment
While there is no timetable for the implementation of unified enrollment in Boston, charter schools have already launched their own common enrollment application, which allows parents
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to fill out one application for more than a dozen participating charter schools in the city. In that process, which began in November, applicants are given options for every school that accepts students in the grade to which their child is applying. “We have thousands of applications,” said Boston Compact member Shanna Varon, executive director of the Boston Collegiate Charter School. “It’s extremely easy to apply to as many charter schools as a person would want.” Charter schools by state law must enroll students regardless of where they live — inside or outside of city limits. BPS students, on the other hand, are assigned to elementary and middle schools using an algorithm that factors in their proximity to schools and gives the students living closest to a school priority over students living further away. Charters would not be able to give students living in close proximity preference over other applicants without a change in state law. Under the current BPS assignment policy, which came after years of advocacy by many white parents and city councilors for neighborhood-based assignment, each student is guaranteed a chance at a seat in a higher-performing school, one with a level 1 or level 2 designation in the state’s rating system. While many charters are considered high-performing under the state metrics, which are based largely on student performance on standardized tests, those schools have come under criticism for enrolling lower numbers of students with special needs than their BPS counterparts. As Jackson pointed out, charter schools also have been criticized for their high rates of suspensions, leading critics to charge that they use coercive means to force out students who don’t perform well, often before the state’s MCAS test is administered. “Unified enrollment would not change the fact that students are suspended at many charters at an exponentially higher rate than in district schools,” Jackson said. Dorsey said the Compact members have been discussing ways charter and district schools can better serve students with special needs, but he said there has been no discussion of the disparate use of student discipline measures in charter schools.
Thursday, January 26, 2017 • BAY STATE BANNER • 7
Tower would fund projects, darken park By JULE PATTISON-GORDON
A soaring tower in downtown Boston would drape a shadow across the Boston Common in exchange for pouring millions of dollars of desperately needed investments into affordable housing and public parks, Boston Planning and Development Agency officials say. A potential $153 million windfall for the city hinges on whether Millennium Partners can pull off its proposed tower project at the former site of the Winthrop Square garage, a city-owned parcel. The city would direct the money into renovations at Franklin Park and the Boston Common, completion of the Emerald Necklace and advancement of redevelopment projects at Orient Heights and Old Colony public housing. One problem: Building the tower as planned is not actually legal, unless exemptions are made — requiring action by the state legislature and Boston City Council — or the developers agree to reduce the tower’s height. Some residents who oppose the idea of a darker Boston Common dispute the implication that it is an all-or-nothing choice. City Councilor Josh Zakim and Vicki Smith of the Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay are among voices calling for exploration of smaller-scale options for the Millennium Partners project. “We definitely think [the site] should be developed,” Smith told the Banner. “The question is do they have to develop it at this height?” A smaller tower means a reduced payment to the city, as some of the compensation hinges on the amount of condo space the developers sell. But that solution may go down better with some residents, who object to altering laws to help one private firm, and say the sunlight deprivation would damage the parks. Smith said her organization wants to see the site developed, just not to that height in that location. She suggested the city could allow Millennium Partners to build to greater height on a site that doesn’t overlook the Common. The proposed tower would largely consist of condos, with some retail, restaurant, office and incubator space included, along with a great hall.
The risks: shadows, precedents and planes
The final vision for the 60-story tower is so tall it violates laws governing how much shadow can be
cast across the Boston Common and Public Garden. Zakim said studies show the anticipated shadow could extend as far as the Commonwealth Avenue Mall. The longest period of shadow would last for one hour and 30 minutes, states a November 2016 report from Millennium Partners. Local opposition has come from sources such Zakim, residents groups and the Massachusetts Port Authority. In a Jan. 19 letter to BPDA Senior Project Manager Casey Hines, Zakim said the building would block enough sunlight to leave lasting damage on the Common and Garden. “These new shadows would negatively impact our precious parks and greenspace for generations,” Zakim wrote. “There is no viable substitute for the natural sunlight that this building would block.” In a Jan. 15 letter, North End/ Waterfront Residents Association members objected that adding darkness to the parks devalues them as attractions. Granting a one-time exemption from the shadow law is a bad precedent that could lead to accusations that one company is being unfairly favored above others, NEWRA added. In their view, the law change would represent government bending to private profit. “Millennium Partners expects the City to have state laws amended for one specific building it has proposed for the Winthrop Square Garage site so that it can achieve an attractive return on a perceived investment opportunity,” NEWRA members wrote. Brian Golden, BPDA director, told reporters at a Jan. 19 meeting that the agency envisions being able to offer stakeholders a tradeoff: Permit the tower to shade the Common and Gardens, and the BPDA will prohibit some new developments that would be eligible to cast shadows from doing so. The Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay’s Smith said residents in her group also are concerned that even if Mayor Martin Walsh’s administration says changing laws is a onetime situation, there is no guarantee the next mayoral administration will not act on their example. Another objector is Massport, which says the skyscraper’s height could interfere with operations at Logan airport. When asked by the Banner to respond to Massport concerns, BPDA officials said that the comment period is open and that the agency welcomes stakeholder discussion.
Boston Public Health Commission Boston Biosafety Committee members The Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) is seeking new community members for its Boston Biosafety Committee (BBC) from the South End, Fenway, and/or Chinatown neighborhoods. The BBC provides technical assistance and advice on issues related to regulation and permitting of biological research laboratories in the City of Boston. Community members should be able to commit to two years on the committee. BPHC permits and regulates research laboratories in Boston and the BBC has a role in advising the Executive Director of BPHC. Community members of the BBC have a role in communicating information on biological safety to the public and providing input on community concerns. The BBC meets when required for review of research projects, laboratory permit applications, or other times requested by the BPHC Executive Director. The time commitment will average five hours a month, with some months having no meetings and some months having meetings with materials to review in advance. Community members interested in being on the BBC should contact Julien Farland, Boston Public Health Commission Director of Biological Safety, at jfarland@bphc.org or 617-534-2814.
Public price tag
Golden is urging support for the tower as a rare chance to win a high level of public project funding, via the sales price tag. “It will allow us to make investments desperately needed in affordable housing in South Boston and East Boston,” Golden told reporters. “It provides us the means to make important once-in-a-century or more type improvements in the Boston Common. …[and] the opportunity to provide badly needed investment in Franklin Park and complete the Emerald Necklace.” While the city owns other downtown parcels, all but four are locked up in ground lease deals, Sara Myers, BPDA director of planning, said. According to Millennium Partners, the $153 million purchase price represents about 5.3 percent of the city’s total budget for fiscal year 2016. With federal resources scarce, city officials are eager to grab what financing they can. The city would receive $10 million upfront, with $92 million due upon building permit approval and $50 million due at a later date. BPDA officials said receipt of the full payment depends on the final size of the tower. If Millennium Partners reels their project in, it would mean cutting down on floor space and thus payment to the city. The first $102 million would be divided as such: $10 million to East Boston’s Orient Heights, $25 million to South Boston’s Old Colony, $28 million to Franklin Park, $28 million to the Boston Common and $11 million to the Emerald Necklace.
BANNER PHOTO
Brian Golden, BPDA director, met with reporters to discuss the proposed Winthrop Square site tower.
What money could buy: parks and homes
Chris Cook, commissioner of the parks department, said Franklin Park suffers from decades of deferred maintenance. While current city investments have allowed upkeep of the walking path around the golf course, the funds won’ t stretch far enough to make improvements to the paths around the zoo and the surrounding wilderness. The exact shape of new, tower-funded investments in Franklin Park would depend on stakeholder requests, but likely would include improvements to pathways, lighting and security and fixes to benches, Cook said. It could also mean bandstand improvements and repair to the ball fields near the stadium. Between the Common and Franklin Park, it would take more than $60 million to replace everything that needs it, Cook said. Cook also proposed investing some of the money into a permanent maintenance fund to be
used exclusively for the Franklin Park (with another fund designated for the Common), so that there is a continued source of repair and restoration support. This level of potential cash influx is not available from normal sources such as philanthropic investments, he said. “For about 50 years … we have not been making the commitment as a city to take care of what is arguably our most important natural resources,” Cook said. Meanwhile, public housing projects will languish without more money, said Kate Bennett, deputy administrator at the Boston Housing Authority. With federal and state funding declining, the BHA struggles to beat back the maintenance backlog on its buildings, let alone fund larger revitalization projects. The Orient Heights public housing is in phase one of a redevelopment, with no financing in place for phases two and three. Old Colony is halfway through its redevelopment, and without public funding from Millennium Partners or another source, the project will halt indefinitely, Bennett said. There are 450 units left to redevelop at Old Colony. The anticipated $25 million would fund approximately 200 units. Both housing sites have a dire need, she said. “These sites continue to deteriorate. We’ve already started taking units offline,” Bennett said. “The conditions people are living in we are not supportive of or proud of. ... They are not good places to raise families. This is a one-shot opportunity to completely reset both sites for another generation.”
8 • Thursday, January 26, 2017 • BAY STATE BANNER
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Thursday, January 26, 2017 • BAY STATE BANNER • 9
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10 • Thursday, January 26, 2017 • BAY STATE BANNER
address
For its current assessment of its buildings, which has not yet been released to the public, BPS employed the Cambridge-based firm Symmes Maini & McKee Associates. Rather than discussing possible school closures, school officials told reporters they would replace existing buildings, temporarily relocating students during the construction process. Dorsey stressed that parents, students and other interested parties would play a role in the decision-making process. “We will have to dig in on a neighborhood-by-neighborhood basis,” he said. “We do want to make sure we engage stakeholders.”
continued from page 1 the state cover 100 percent of the funding in a student’s first year, 50 percent in the second and 25 percent in the third, with the school district paying the difference. Similarly, a bill from Rep. Adrian Madaro would change how charter schools receive financial support for new buildings. Instead of receiving facility funding from the city (which then is reimbursed by the state), charter schools would turn to the state’s School Building Authority for money. A bill sponsored by Sen. William Brownsberger and Rep. Daniel Ryan requires charter schools to take some responsibility for their transportation costs. Districts currently pay for transit but have no control over charter school stop and start times, preventing more efficient bus routing. If the proposal is implemented, charter schools would pick up 50 percent of the transportation bill when they and district schools cannot agree over scheduling, and charter schools would have to pay for any third-party transportation providers they choose to use. Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz sponsored a bill that revises the formula for calculating state education aid to communities such as Boston that spend beyond the state assessment of a minimally acceptable school budget. “If we truly care about closing opportunity gaps and ensuring that every child in our state has access to a great education, then it’s time we put our money where our mouth is,” Chang-Diaz said in a statement. “Our schools are
Fairmount jobs, Chinatown library
PHOTO: MAYOR’S OFFICE PHOTO BY ISABEL LEON
Mayor Martin Walsh delivers his State of the City address. Walsh says he plans to invest $1 billion in renovating and building school buildings. buckling under the weight of years of chronic underfunding, and this bill will reverse that, bringing our funding formula into the 21st century.”
$1 billion to BuildBPS
The city will spend up to $1 billion on new school buildings over the next ten years, Walsh
announced. The building project, the culmination of the city’s BuildBPS process, will reflect the city’s new educational priorities, according to the city’s education chief, Rahn Dorsey. “We want to make sure buildings are responsive to the ways we want to teach and learn,” he said during a press briefing
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before the speech. Dorsey said the school department will engage stakeholders in the decision-making process about where new schools are built and when. BPS currently has 126 buildings, more than half of which were built before World War II. “There are a great many elementary schools that don’t have space for art or science,” Dorsey said. At the same time, schools are unevenly distributed in the city, according to Dorsey. “Capacity is very unevenly distributed across the district,” he said. The BuildBPS process, which began last year, examined the district’s plans for teaching and learning, a projection of future demographic trends in Boston, an analysis of long-term costs for building maintenance and modernization and an assessment of the conditions and uses of BPS buildings. The buildings assessment, initially carried out in a weeks-long process by the firm McKinsey and Associates, was widely panned by parents who questioned the firm’s assertion that BPS had excess capacity of 39,000 seats and its advice to close 30 to 50 buildings.
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Walsh integrated policy goals on public transit, economic stimulation and housing, telling reporters that transit will facilitate job access and better jobs will allow people to push back against rent pressures. Walsh pointed to the decision of businesses such as Reebok and G.E. to headquarter in Boston as a sign of success that increases employment opportunities. He declared commitment to expand job development citywide, highlighting the Fairmount corridor as one target area. He told the Banner it is a prime area for bringing manufacturing work. Walsh also alluded to better train service on the Fairmount Line, although he did not give specifics. Upcoming projects included long term objectives, such as making the city carbon neutral by 2050, and shorter term ones, such as restoring Chinatown’s long absent public library service. Residents have been advocating for a Chinatown library branch since the city demolished it in 1956, and reopening a branch was among Walsh’s 2013 campaign promises.
Diversity and unity
During his campaign launch last week, mayoral rival Tito Jackson accused Walsh of being a mayor for downtown only and of failing to make meaningful strides in bringing diversity to City Hall or ending racial and gender economic gaps. However, during his speech Walsh celebrated the employer collaboration behind a recent gender wage report and said he had boosted diversity. “We are a city that believes every single person deserves an equal chance to thrive,” Walsh said, “We made city government’s leadership and workforce more reflective of our diversity than it’s ever been.” He praised the Boston Police Department’s cadet program for creating a fully-local cadet class comprising 70 percent people of color. Given the small size of the cadet class, some have called it a drop-in-the-bucket effort. Walsh ended the night promising to protect Boston residents, including immigrants and people with disabilities, regardless of the national political scene. “With trust in government at an all-time low, we [in Boston] prove that government can work for people,” Walsh said. “Whatever happens nationally, I will fight for our values. I will fight for our families. … I will fight for good jobs, public schools and affordable housing, for racial justice and equal rights.”
Yawu Miller contributed to this article.
Thursday, January 26, 2017 • BAY STATE BANNER • 11
marches
The people stand
continued from page 1
faced can be changed, but nothing that is not faced can be changed.” Boston’s demonstration was one of about 600 taking place in cities across the nation and world, in what many report may be the largest single-day protest in U.S. history. The half-million strong Washington D.C. demonstration dwarfed inaugural crowd counts, with about three times as many people, according to The New York Times. Solidarity women’s marches took place on every continent, including Antarctica. It was not the first Boston protest of the weekend. Just hours after Donald Trump took the oath of office on Friday, hundreds of Bostonians gathered for the Boston People’s Inauguration, at which they swore to protect each others’ rights, no matter what happens in D.C. The event drew a broad coalition of activists from groups dedicated to protecting causes such as the rights of women, the homeless, Muslims, people of color and the environment. Participants started in Dewey Square and filled downtown streets as they proceeded to the Boston Common, where they pledged mutual support. “It’s particularly important for the communities most affected and targeted — people of color, immigrants, Muslims, queer/trans people and women — to be heard,” said Lydia Lowe of the Chinese Progressive Association, as activists gathered at Dewey Square. People’s Inauguration demonstrators raised their voices in Spanish, English and Chinese with chants that denounced Donald Trump on a myriad of fronts, ranging from his attacks on immigrants and Muslims to his nomination of inexperienced, wealthy individuals to lead key federal departments. “The slogan is, ‘Rise, Resist and Protect’ against racism, colonialism, fascism, hatred against women — all things we’ve seen from this president,” Black Lives Matter’s Martin Henson told the Banner.
Boston Women’s March
Women’s march demonstrators bore signs with slogans slamming Trump for statements challenging the rights of citizens he, as president, now is charged to protect. Many protestors also demanded policies that safeguard the environment. Slogans declared everything from “Girls just wanna have fun-damental human rights” to “There is no Planet B.” One sign underscored a message of the day — that Americans will not accept Trump as the status quo: “This is not normal,” the sign read. Sen. Elizabeth Warren called upon the crowd to fight for gender pay equity and ensure women have control of their bodies and reproduction. The Republican-led repeal of the Affordable Care Act could cause women to lose access to affordable contraceptives and protections against being financially penalized or denied coverage due to pre-existing conditions such as pregnancy. Trump’s Supreme Court Justice picks could overturn Roe v. Wade and dissolve marriage equality, Warren said. She urged attendees to raise their voices and keep them heard, not just to fight for women’s rights, but for the rights of all who call this country home. “I cannot believe I have to say
BANNER PHOTO
People’s Inauguration protesters gathered at Dewey Square to rally before marching through downtown. this in 2017: We believe in equal pay for equal work and a women’s right to decide,” Warren said. “[Today] we fight for the basic dignity and respect for every human being. … We fight for all Americans.” Warren spoke of a broad menu of needs including criminal justice system reforms, advancement of workers’ protections, alleviation of student loan debt and steps to eliminate systemic racism.
People’s Inauguration
At Friday’s People’s Inauguration, speakers criticized Trump’s nomination of Steve Mnuchin, formerly of Goldman Sachs, as secretary of the treasury and of Rex Tillerson, CEO of Exxon Mobile, as secretary of state. “Instead of draining the swamp, he has made those people his closest allies,” said a member of Alternatives for Community and Environment. Many also decried the pick of Jeff Sessions — a man who has been charged with racism over much of his career, including by many civil rights groups — and Stephen Bannon, who has been widely accused of racism, misogyny, anti-Semitism and Islamophobia. A Right to the City member denounced HUD secretary pick Ben Carson for his lack of experience and his lack of belief in the mission of his agency. “He has zero experience and zero expertise,” the Right to the City member said, noting that Carson, who is slated to head an organization with many programs designed to help low-income people improve their situation, has said he believes poverty is a choice.
Officials promise protection
For several officials, Trump’s inauguration was a cue to reach out to residents. In lieu of attending the inauguration, U.S. Rep. Mike Capuano held an open house in his Cambridge office on Friday, during which several hundred constituents dropped by. “People are concerned about the new administration,” Capuano said. “About 350 people came through. We talked to them one at a time. It was worth it. There are more of my constituents here at
this march than in Washington.” During Saturday’s march, Mayor Walsh praised Massachusetts’ history of action, including its leadership in extending health care coverage and marriage equality, and pledged vigilance. “No matter what happens nationally, we are going to fight for our rights,” Walsh said. Attorney General Maura Healey told Saturday’s crowd her office has the tools to protect them. If needed, the A.G.’s office is ready
to bring lawsuits to defend citizens’ rights and the environment — and there is successful precedent, she said. As an example, Healey pointed to a case Massachusetts brought against the Environmental Protection Agency during George W. Bush’s presidency that forced the government to regulate greenhouse gases. “I have a message for Donald Trump from the people of Massachusetts: We’ll see you in court,” Healey said.
Activists and other demonstrators said change can — and will — happen. Barbara Madeloni of Massachusetts Teachers Association said at the Women’s March that the fight to defeat ballot Question 2 demonstrates that grassroots people power can win out over Wall Street money. That kind of grassroots power already may be building. The People’s Inauguration brought together a broad collection of organizations and introduced a new collaboration, the CPA’s Lowe said. Nicole Sullivan of Boston Feminists for Liberation said her organization would work to incorporate other justice groups’ focus issues into their agenda — for instance, advocating around access to housing and health care. While the group is focused on women’s rights, as long as women have their other basic needs met, they are better able to take advantage of those rights, she said. “The right can target people without resources,” Sullivan told the Banner. “We need people to have housing, health care [and other necessities.]” Sullivan’s group is launching a campaign against Crisis Pregnancy Centers, which she says provide misleading and often inaccurate information to women about abortion and particularly target low-income women of color. Susan Chang, a member of ACE, said that the strong turnout at Friday’s People’s Inauguration gave her hope. “I feel better knowing there are so many people who also are not happy about what’s happened and will do what they can to make change,” she told the Banner.
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Boston’s business office
Office of Econ Dev aims to grow Boston’s small businesses By SANDRA LARSON
Boston has 40,000 small businesses that provide some 170,000 jobs, nearly half of all employment in the city, according to the city’s Small Business Plan released last May. And the vast majority of the city’s small businesses — both downtown and in Boston’s many neighborhoods — are “micro-businesses” with fewer than 10 employees and less than $500,000 in revenue. Recognizing the importance of small business opportunities for livelihoods and wealth building, the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development (OED), formed in 2014 by the incoming Walsh administration, has been ramping up its efforts to support existing and new small businesses, providing a range of services to help them get a foothold, survive and thrive. Karilyn Crockett, the OED’s Director of Economic Policy and Research and Director of its Office of Small Business, told the Banner that much of the city’s work with small businesses is guided by findings in the Small Business Plan report. The report identifed a clear need by small business owners for both direct technical assistance, including connections with mentors and coaches, and greater awareness of the resources available to them. “There are about 250 different business service organizations around Boston, but business owners could only name two or three,” Crockett said. “We’ve taken that as a mandate.” Through the OED, small businesses can get answers about licensing and permits and can access services such as on-site technical assistance, design assistance for storefront improvements and energy efficiency evaluations, all at no charge. The OED runs a variety of workshops. An upcoming session will cover using Instagram to promote a business. In East Boston, a set of local small businesses gathered recently, with the help of the East Boston Chamber of Commerce and the East Boston Business Association, for a workshop with the OED’s technical assistance providers. “What we’ve found in East Boston and other neighborhoods is that leveraging existing business organizations can help us be more effective,” said Crockett. “We were able to bring people together.” Even as Boston has experienced economic growth in the past decade, communities of color continue to have higher unemployment and lower average incomes. “Small businesses contribute to social equity and inclusion by serving as an entry point for workers with diverse education and experience levels,” the Small Business Plan report notes. “A vibrant small business ecosystem is a cornerstone of efforts to extend economic
PHOTOS: COURTESY CITY OF BOSTON
Karilyn Crockett (above at left) spoke during a Certification and Contracting with the City workshop that was hosted at the Bolling Building recently.
“
ON THE WEB
There are definitely parts of the city where the need for affordable space is really getting the squeeze. … We’re being pulled into other conversations, where businesses have seen their rents double or even more.” — Karilyn Crockett,
Director of Economic Policy and Research and Director of the Office of Small Business in the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development opportunity to all residents.” Roughly one-third of Boston’s existing small businesses are minority-owned. The plan outlines policies and programs aimed at leveling the playing field, ensuring that under-represented groups have access to opportunities, networks and resources crucial to small business success. Lauren Jones, the OED’s Director of Business Strategy, said her office is working to prepare a
pipeline of the city’s local youth for opportunities in the area’s booming high tech sector by connecting with schools and summer jobs programs and partnering with Hack.Diversity, an initiative that connects black and Latino students with internships and mentorships with professionals of color in the tech industry. And for entrepreneurs navigating the Boston startup scene, Jones mentioned StartHub.com as a
Mayor’s Office of Economic Development:
www.boston.gov/departments/economicdevelopment City of Boston Small Business Plan:
http://bit.ly/2jLJq6v Guide to starting a business in Boston:
www.boston.gov/starting-business “one-stop shop” for workshops, networking, and other activities that can assist and connect start-ups. StartHub is a partnership between the City of Boston and Venture Café, Gust, IBM and other partners. In some cases, the OED’s small business assistance has led not only to a wider awareness of business obstacles, but to new policies. An example is the “Acoustic on Main” program implemented this month that removes administrative and fee burdens from businesses seeking to host small musical performances.
See SMALL BIZ, page 13
www.baystatebanner.com
BIZ BITS TIP OF THE WEEK Job opportunities await in tomorrow’s expanded urban areas Predicting the future can be a Herculean task in its own right, but when it comes to forecasting the growth of urban areas across the globe, research points strongly toward some new truths. One, urban areas will continue to grow. Two, with continued development of “smart” technologies for homes, businesses and entire cities, there is expected to be a significant impact on the employment landscape. n The boom of urban areas: Today, more than half of the world’s population lives in urban areas, according to the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations’ estimates and projections data reported in the 2014 Revision of World Urbanization Prospects. And, that figure is only predicted to grow. In fact, experts estimate urban centers will be home to two-thirds or 66 percent of the world’s population by 2050. These same predictions also see more people flocking to larger cities. By today’s estimates, there are 28 megacities — locales with populations of more than 10 million people — across the globe. However, that number is expected to jump to 41 megacities as early as 2030. And as these cities continue to grow, managing that growth effectively becomes even more important. n The growth of technology and the “Internet of Things”: As cities continue to grow, experts forecast they will face challenges. There will be the need for infrastructure improvements to meet the challenges in housing, transportation, energy and employment to continue functioning successfully. As well as the ability to anticipate and prepare for future job skills requirements. A key factor in addressing both of these dilemmas lies in the continued development of technology, including the Internet of Things to help cities utilize resources more efficiently. IoT can be integral in helping to maintain efficiency in these ever-growing cities by transforming the existing infrastructure into a giant interactive network to include everything from air quality, transportation and energy to communication systems. n Finding professionals to meet the challenges of change: To prepare for the new economy, students can learn through coding bootcamps. Over a multi-week course period, these bootcamps offer attendees coding skills education that can be applied in the growing IoT economy. They also prepare students for the marketplace by helping them create a portfolio, develop an interviewing strategy and fine tune their social media presence. Students can feel more empowered to face the challenges that are ahead. — Brandpoint/DeVry University
NUMBER TO KNOW
66.7
billion: According to a new report by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, consumers age 60 and older owe 66.7 billion in student loan debt. Most have taken out loans to assist their children and grandchildren with obtaining a college degree. See BIZ BITS, page 13
Thursday, January Thursday, January 12, 26, 2017 2017 •• BAY BAY STATE STATE BANNER BANNER •• 17 13
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small biz
Dimock Center groundbreaking
continued from page 12
PHOTO: MARILYN HUMPHRIES
From left to right: Flash Wiley, Dimock Community Foundation board chair; Governor Charlie Baker; Secretary of Health and Human Services Marylou Sudders; Myechia Minter-Jordan, M.D., president and CEO of The Dimock Center; Mayor Martin J. Walsh; and Jim Healey, president and trustee of the Yawkey Foundations break ground on Tuesday, Jan. 17 on the Dr. Lucy Sewall Center for Acute Treatment Services, a state-of-the-art renovation project to restore The Dimock Center’s aging detoxification facility and strengthen its comprehensive substance use disorder treatment services. The milestone event is the result of a successful $16 million capital campaign Building the Road to Recovery. The Dimock Center houses one of only three inpatient detox facilities in Boston and one of 30 in the state, offering addiction recovery services for men and women throughout the commonwealth. The renovation will increase its inpatient acute treatment beds from 30 to 40, reaching an additional 1,000 people annually for a total of 4,000 patients served each year.
The launch of the new performance ordinance was celebrated at Dudley Square’s Suya Joint. Crockett said her department had been assisting the African restaurant with sign improvements already, and the easing of performance permitting offered the eatery another boost. “Suya Joint is a business we’ve had a relationship with for some time. It’s not just a one-shot deal,” Crockett said. “And it’s a two-way street — that partnership not only benefited this business owner, but grew into new city policy.” Not every small business obstacle has an easy policy solution; the high cost of renting space is a case in point. “There are definitely parts of the city where the need for affordable space is really getting the squeeze,” Crockett said, citing Roxbury’s Dudley Square and Jamaica Plain’s Egleston Square as examples. “We’re being pulled into other conversations, where businesses have seen their rents double or even more,” she said. While rising rents can be a sign of healthy growth, Crockett noted, “The vulnerability of small businesses has to be taken into consideration.” A recent workshop in Egleston Square, delivered in English and Spanish, covered legal and practical
aspects of business leases. “One of the obstacles for existing businesses is that many don’t have leases, or don’t understand their lease terms,” Crockett explained. “It’s not just about affordability [of initial rents], but also being able to stay and grow the business.”
Biz Bits
continued from page 12
THE LIST According to CareerCast’s annual report, the most stressful jobs in 2017 are: 1. Enlisted military personnel 2. Firefighter 3. Airline pilot 4. Police officer 5. Event coordinator 6. Newspaper reporter 7. Senior corporate executive 8. Public relations executive 9. Taxi driver 10. Broadcaster
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14 • Thursday, January 26, 2017 • BAY STATE BANNER
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mix IN THE
SELF-LOVE JOURNEY WITH THE QUEEN’S TALK SERIES —JAN. 11
By Stephanie Millions
Self-love journey with the Queen’s Talk series For many young women navigating through life, sometimes it can be difficult to gain self-acceptance due to past experiences or insecurities. Whenever you catch yourself feeling down, it’s always a good idea to surround yourself with other women who remind you of the power within. On Jan. 11, author and poet Samantha Casseus appeared at the Queen’s Talk series at CityPOP Egelston in Jamaica Plain, which provides a safe space for women to meet one another and figure out how best to nurture positive relationships. The three hour event was hosted by CityPOP Egleston, who provided the space. The Queen’s Talk program relies on participant donations to cover food and other expenses. Casseus says, “Through this work, I hope to build stronger communities in which our women are much more connected. I believe that all the change we want to see starts from within. When we’re able to take an introspective look at ourselves and work on what is necessary to foster strong relationships with one another, we have the power to do lots of amazing things together.” The evening was led by co-facilitators Black Venus, Johaida Jean Francois and Khadijah Lynch, who guided attendees through meditation periods, affirmation sessions and discussions about everyday situations and experiences. Although attendees were strangers, they allowed themselves to be vulnerable to one another and share dreams and traumatic experiences. Casseus says, “Women are natural healers and nurturers, so it is very important that we water the relationships that we have with other women. My life experiences have enabled me to better appreciate my power as a woman and to see the power in other women, so it is my belief that we can be much stronger together. One woman who attended the session was a licensed clinical social worker and therapist. Requina Barnes is collaborating with Casseus to offer a series of group therapy sessions called “Starting With #1 (You)”. These sessions will be held over a five-week period starting in February. It will provide an opportunity for women to put themselves first by establishing priorities and gaining more self-understanding. Casseus also is the author of “Intrepid,” a book about her journey as a black woman. The word “intrepid” means fearless. The book is collection of poems, reflections, journal entries and haikus that provide a glimpse of her experiences with family, relationships, love, friendships, community and society. For more information on the Queen’s Talks series, Starting With #1 (You), or “Intrepid,” email samcasseus@gmail.com.
Meet Stephanie Millions — our In the Mix reporter. Millions is passionate about media and works on many platforms. She anchors a morning motivational talk show called “Elevation with Stephanie Millions” on the Gag Order Network every other Satuday from 10 a.m. to noon, and also hosts “The Secret Spot” every Wednesday night from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m. on WERS 88.9 FM. For more information, please visit www.stephaniemillions.com or email stephanie.millions@gmail.com to have her cover your event. Follow Stephanie on Twitter @StephMillions.
PHOTOS: YAHRA SYMONE ANGUS
Women attend the Queen’s Talk event on Jan. 11. Top left, group facilitators Black Venus, Samantha Casseus, Khadijah Lynch and Johaida Jean Francois.
#where to be
Support great resident-led projects that improve the quality of life in Grove Hall through community building and placemaking. Tickets are $30. Space is limited. Food is included. Beverages are available for purchase. Purchase your ticket today. When: 6 p.m. Where: Dudley Dough | 2302 Washington St, Roxbury MA For tickets, visit: http:// sanaawithfriends.com/product/ grove-hall-trust-fundraiser
Black Love Collaborative Hosted by: The Black Love Collaborative The Black Love Collaborative is hosting its second community therapy event to work to heal relations between black men and black women and to foster platonic love between the two groups. The impetus for this event was a Facebook post that asked if black men felt loved by black women and vice versa. The answers revealed that there is much to be desired as it relates to how black men and women relate to each other. When: 6 p.m. Where: Peace Drum Project, 76 Atherton St., Jamaica Plain For your FREE RSVP, visit: www.eventbrite. com/e/community-therapy-by-the-black-love-collaborative-tickets-30355206239
SUNDAY 1.29.17 Social Networking for Africans Hosted by: Progressive African Network Harambee (Pull Together) is a gathering of entrepreneurs, students, working professionals and intellects through music and food. It is a platform to meet and exchange ideas. Please join Progressive African Network (PAN) and PAN Family to eat, have conversation, exchange ideas and meet likeminded individuals. Bring your business cards for networking. When: 5 p.m. Where: Lucy Ethiopian Café, 334 Massachusetts Ave., Boston For more information, visit: www.facebook.com/ events/1770073576647007/
TUESDAY 1.31.17 Poetry Workshop at Dudley Café! Hosted by: The Society of Urban Poetry — SOUP Come share your work and get honest feedback from others who also enjoy the art form of writing. Please bring ten copies of one poem. Also we have prop poems, discussions, learning and ideas for performance, as well as opportunities to get plugged into the local poetry venues. When: 6:30 p.m. Where: Dudley Café, 15 Warren St., Roxbury For information, visit: www.facebook.com/ events/ 775548289264234/
MONDAY 1.30.17 Community Therapy by The
WEDNESDAY 2.1.17 BlackPoetsSpeakOut:
1.27.17-2.2.17
Each Friday, Epicenter features a special “where to be” post on their blog to make sure every day of the week has some sort of cultural event to check out. We hope that you all can come out into the community, learn, and commemorate some influential people and events around Boston! Have something coming up that you’d like to see here? Tweet us @epicentercom #WhereToBe FRIDAY 1.27.17 TEAM: (S1)(E1) Breathing Beats | Curated by PEACE Hosted by: Erin Anderson Join the movement of PEACE as we kick off the boutique miniseries TEAM. It’s a monthly wellness series aimed at bringing together conscious artists, athletes, activists and entrepreneurs — one to create honest relationships between humans invested in creation, wellness, and social impact. All events are rooted in wellness and created to showcase impactful concepts of wellness, entrepreneurship, aesthetics and sound. All events are created as celebratory space based on common connections and the greater good. When: 6 p.m. Where: 715 Boylston St., Boston For more information, visit: www.facebook.com/ events/735094000000112/ SATURDAY 1.28.17 Grove Hall Trust Paint Party Hosted by: Grove Hall Trust Help Grove Hall Trust raise funds and have fun in the process. Join us for a multicultural paint experience recreating “Rah,” led by a talented paint guide from Sanaa with friends. All proceeds support resident-led community projects in the Grove Hall neighborhood.
Boston Hosted by: Roxbury Cultural Network, The House Slam at Haley House “I am a black poet who will not remain silent while this nation murders black people. I have a right to be angry.” Continue building upon the momentum of the movement. Readings will consist of a short open mic and featured poets. The open mic is (respectfully) reserved for poets of color to speak up/ out. The venue is free of cost and welcome to all. This is an all-ages event. When: 6:30 p.m. Where: 12 Dade St., Boston For more information, visit: www.facebook.com/ events/1769289126727450/ THURSDAY 2.2.17 Resistance Culture: An Art Show For Revolutionaries Hosted by: Gustavo Barceloni Reception: Thursday, Feb. 2, 6:30 p.m. – 10 p.m. On view: Monday, Jan. 30 to Friday, Feb. 10, 10 a.m. – 11 p.m. Location: Student Life Gallery (Kennedy Building, 2nd floor) at MassArt. “Resistance Culture” is an art show for the masses, the proletariat, who are living under a racist, heteronormative, patriarchal, imperialist corporatocracy. We seek to express our feelings about our personal context and our vision for a better world. Accepting submissions until Jan. 22. Please email images to gtbarceloni@ massart.edu When: 6:30 p.m. Where: 625 Huntington Ave., Boston
Thursday, January 26, 2017 • BAY STATE BANNER • 15
ARTS& ENTERTAINMENT CHECK OUT MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS ONLINE: BAYSTATEBANNER.COM/NEWS/ENTERTAINMENT
DARK INSIDE
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Q&A
Groundswell for Chazelle
Director talks about his latest film ‘La La Land’ By KAM WILLIAMS
THE LIGHT MILITARISTIC HAITIAN PAST PLAYS OUT IN PAINT By CELINA COLBY
T
PHOTOL CELINA COLBY
hrough Feb. 26, Northeastern University’s Gallery 360 is exhibiting five powerful paintings by artist Marilène Phipps-Kettlewell. Known for her poems, Phipps-Kettlewell’s artwork reveals a stirring portrait of Haiti, her birthplace and home until she was ten years old. She grew up during the violent rule of President François Duvalier (Papa Doc), and her work reflects the scarred nation and people she left behind. Phipps-Kettlewell’s paintings are marked by bold colors and chunky, textural brushstrokes. Her simple forms are alive with energy, much like the Haitian countryside she longed for in later years held a natural vibrancy that a metropolis lacks. “At the Immaculate’s Shrine” features a group of figures raising their arms to praise a statue of the Virgin Mary. Though the stonework and flowers of the structure holding the statue are quite detailed, the figures are assembled
Above, artist Marilène Phipps-Kettlewell’s work is on display at Northeastern University’s 360 Gallery.
with simple geometric blocks of color. This could be a reference to religion’s ability to unify large groups and simplify individual differences in the face of something larger. “Teramen” is more visually complex. Four presumably family members stand in a line against a wall in their home. None of the figures engage with each other. Even those looking at the viewer have a slightly glazed-over look in their eyes. Teramen was an Athenian general
during the Peloponnesian war, part of a radical faction that toppled the democratic government. This is undoubtedly a reference to Duvalier, whose iron rule destroyed many families, including this one. Perhaps they, too, have lost family members — and faith — under a militaristic government. The show is small, comprising only five paintings. But the collective narrative tells a far greater story. “Saint Ursula’s Passion” centers on a black woman in a frilly pink dress. She’s in a domestic scene, with laundry hanging around what appears to be a bedroom. Her delicate garment and the flowers she has in hand evoke a stereotypical feminine, household setting.
Damien Chazelle wrote and directed the Academy Award-winning “Whiplash,” which landed five Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay for Chazelle. The movie won a trio of Oscars in the Film Editing, Sound Mixing and Supporting Actor (J.K. Simmons) categories. In 2013, his short film of the same name won the Short Film Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival. Previously, Chazelle wrote “Grand Piano,” starring Elijah Wood and John Cusack, and co-wrote the hit, horror sequel “10 Cloverfield Lane,” starring John Goodman. His screenplays for “Whiplash” and “The Claim” both appeared on the Blacklist, the annual survey of the most liked motion picture screenplays not yet produced. Chazelle shot his first feature film, “Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench,” while still an undergrad at Harvard University. The critically acclaimed debut was named the Best First Feature of 2010 by L.A. Weekly and was described as “easily the best first film in eons” by Time Out New York. Here, Chazelle discusses his latest movie, “La La Land,” which just swept the Golden Globes, winning a record 7 awards.
It’s a movie you absolutely have to see on the big screen. Damien Chazelle: Yeah, part of my hope was to make a movie meant for the movie theaters, in the old-fashioned sense of a film designed for a group of people to watch on the big screen. I think that old school idea was so beautiful,
See CHAZELLE, page 18
ON THE WEB To see a trailer for “La La Land,” visit:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pdqf4P9MB8
See KETTLEWELL, page 16 PHOTO: COURTESY LIONSGATE
Damian Chazelle
16 • Thursday, January 26, 2017 • BAY STATE BANNER
ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT CHECK OUT MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS ONLINE: BAYSTATEBANNER.COM/NEWS/ENTERTAINMENT
‘The future is female’
Art inspired and drove the Women’s March crowd By CELINA COLBY
The arts came out in full force to support the Boston Women’s March last Saturday. Among the estimated crowd of 175,000, many artists and performers marched in solidarity for gender, racial and religious equality. The pre-march rally relied heavily on the arts to inspire and amp up the crowd. Gund Kwok is the only all-women’s Asian lion and dragon dance troupe in the United States. They took the stage Saturday morning as a way of reappropriating a piece of their culture that had long been withheld from them. The troupe leader said, “They used to say women couldn’t do this dance. We’re here to prove them wrong.” The dance requires martial arts training, endurance, flexibility and creativity, and historically has been reserved for men. “Gund Kwok” means “heroine” in Chinese, a name taken from an old saying, “A heroine will not admit defeat to the hero.” This phrase resonated with women holding signs stating, “The future is female” and “This pussy grabs back.” Many artistic nods to feminism were subtle, but packed a punch. When the Boston Children’s Choir
“
We are the original survivors of this land. Standing is in our blood.” — Claudia Fox Tree, a First Nations person of Arawak descent
sang “American the Beautiful,” they replaced “brotherhood” with “sisterhood,” eliciting raucous cheers from the crowd. Halfway through her introduction, emcee Rev. Mariama White-Hammond whipped out a handmade pink pussy hat, the sartorial symbol of the worldwide marches. These seemingly minor details obtained just as much of a reaction as the rallying speeches given by Mayor Marty Walsh and Senator Elizabeth Warren, an indication of how powerful art can be. The artistic set of the rally also expressed the diversity and inclusion the Women’s March stood for. Everything was interpreted in sign language and the performers represented a broad racial and cultural spectrum. Samantha Fox Tree-McGrath, a First Nations person of Arawak
BANNER PHOTOS
(above) Tufts University Junior Sophia Grogan displays artwork created by Students for Justice in Palestine in conjunction with Bread and Puppet during the anti-inauguration protest. (below) Artist Mea Johnson created a 15’ tall dragon-like creature for the anti-Trump demonstrations. descent, sang “Amazing Grace,” first in Cherokee, then in English. Her mother, Claudia Fox Tree, gave an impassioned speech on behalf of women and Native Americans, saying, “We are the original survivors of this land. Standing is in our blood.” Art is in itself an exercise in the First Amendment. Music, performance and visual media were integral components in the women’s marches across the world. For Boston, nothing better rallied the crowd than the songs, dances, and words of the oppressed, who continued creating despite their marginalization. In a spoken word poem, the 2016 Poet Laureate Nkosi Nkululeko expressed the spirit of the march best by stating, “You want to fight? I got blood to spare.”
Kettlewell
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Saint Ursula, in the Catholic canon, was one of eleven martyred virgins, killed by the Huns. The woman in this painting, however she’s dressed up, is no defenseless child. She confronts the viewer with a fierce glare, as though she may smash you over the head with the vase she’s arranging. This reframes the home as its own kind of battlefield, in which this dolled-up woman is a warrior. It’s certainly a timely display, coinciding with the Boston Women’s March last Saturday. At first glance, Phipps-Kettlewell’s paintings appear to be bright, scenic paintings of life in Haiti’s countryside. But on further inspection they reveal the effect that Duvalier’s rule had, not only on the 60,000 Haitians who were killed during his time in office, but on those who were left behind.
ON THE WEB For more information about Gallery 360, visit: www.northeastern.edu/art/category/
gallery-360 Haley House Bakery Cafe - 12 Dade Street - Roxbury 617 445 0900 - www.haleyhouse.org/bakery-cafe
For more on Marlène Phipps-Kettlewell, visit:
http://marilenephipps.com/about/index.php
Thursday, January 26, 2017 • BAY STATE BANNER • 17
ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT CHECK OUT MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS ONLINE: BAYSTATEBANNER.COM/NEWS/ENTERTAINMENT
FILM REVIEW
Driver personifies poetry in motion in introspective film ‘Paterson’ By KAM WILLIAMS
“PATERSON” The verdict: Very Good (3 stars) Rated: R for profanity Running time: 118 minutes Studio: Amazon Distributor: Bleecker Street Media
ON THE WEB To see a trailer for “Paterson,” visit:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8pGJBgiiDU By comparison, she’s relatively ambitious. Despite her foreign accent and a lack of musical knowledge, she dreams of becoming a Country Western singer. So, she’s planning to purchase a guitar and to take lessons they can’t really afford. She’s lucky that her jaded husband’s just too blase’ to complain. Ostensibly resigned to his fate, unassuming blue-collar hero takes everything in stride,
whether dealing with passengers, unwinding with his wife, or interacting with the colorful regulars at the local saloon. Thus unfolds Paterson, the latest offering from the legendary Jim Jarmusch (“Stranger Than Paradise”). The introspective character portrait relies upon the sort of dialogue-driven script for which has become a Jarmusch trademark, an adventure more concerned with character development than with events of cinematic consequence. Irrepressible Adam Driver tones down his ordinarily over-the-top act considerably, here, to play the title role of an undistinguished Average Joe. But the picture’s charm rests in its gifted director’s ability to elevate a humble Everyman into a curiosity worthy of an audience’s contemplation. A minimalist saga serving up an unsentimental slice of working-class life.
PHOTO: BLEECKER STREET MEDIA
Adam Driver (right) and Golshifteh Farahani star in “Paterson.”
YOUR WORLD ON STAGE Mother-Daughter dysfunction was never so thrilling. Or chilling.
THE BEAUTY QUEEN OF LEENANE
Neighborhood Arts Concert in collaboration with Mildred Avenue Community Center
DRUID THEATRE COMPANY
(Haitian Dance)
A musical event of rare power and beauty that fuses science fiction with 200 years of Black music.
FEB 8 - 26
JEAN APPOLON EXPRESSIONS MASARY STUDIOS
(percussion-video projection)
Chittick Elementary School & Sumner Boys & Girls Club students in original dance pieces
OCTAVIA E. BUTLER’S
PARABLE OF THE SOWER A CONCERT PERFORMANCE
TOSHI REAGON & BERNICE JOHNSON REAGON
MAR 23 - 26 Featuring live music by J Allen, Dye Hard, Lyric Rachae
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2017 • 2:00PM ADMISSION IS FREE! | COME MEET THE MUSICIANS!
BCYF Mildred Avenue Community Center, 5 Mildred Ave, Mattapan
RSVP:
Please RSVP in advance to ensure seating www.celebrityseries.org/jae
www.celebrityseries.org www.celebrityseries.org/communitycalendar
BOSTON UNPLUGGED
COMMUNITY CURATORS
IN PERFORMANCE WITH SPECIAL GUESTS
LOCATION :
THEATRE
Paterson (Adam Driver) is stuck in a rut. By day, the municipal bus driver repeatedly negotiates his way around a boring route around the New Jersey city which shares his name. After hours, he hangs out at a dingy, neighborhood bar where he dutifully limits himself to just one beer per visit. Then, he heads home to be with his loving wife, Laura (Golshifteh Farahani), and loyal bulldog, Marvin. Writing provides Paterson his only escape from the mind-numbing monotony. Whenever he finds a little free time, he enjoys scribbling poetry into a secret notebook he always carries around. Laura wants him to make a copy of the precious journal before it gets lost or accidentally destroyed.
AT A GLANCE
LIVE MUSIC BENEFIT
HOSTED BY TIM HALL OF HIP STORY
FEB 25
NEIGHBORHOOD ARTS SPONSORS FRI, FEB 3 @ 7PM
THE TAMING OF THE SHREW
WICKED QUEER FILM FESTIVAL
FROM STAGE TO SCREEN
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18 • Thursday, January 26, 2017 • BAY STATE BANNER
I’m glad you stuck to your guns. DC: Once we were set up at Lionsgate, then it was a great process, because they were really supportive. I was as lucky as you can imagine, because I was given the
DC: It’s not exactly the old CinemaScope technology. We kinda did our own version of it. We shot the entire movie in anamorphic 35 mm. And Lina Sandgren, our Director of Photography, had some lenses custom built to allow us to go a little wider than 2.40 [aspect ratio]. We went to 2.55 which is closer to the classic CinemaScope aspect ratio of the Fifties that doesn’t exist anymore. We liked the idea of giving the picture that extra bit of width because L.A. is really a wide-screen city, a panoramic kind of city. So, we settled on a combination of using old technologies like celluloid and that aspect ratio in combination with new technologies like new lenses that were specially built for this and a steady cam. Obviously, almost all of the movie was shot on steady cam. There was some crane work and some dolly work, as well. But the steady cam gives you a freedom of motion that you couldn’t have in those classic MGM musicals. So, it was fun to try to combine old and new in terms of how we shot it.
I saw “La La Land” as an homage to classic Hollywood musicals, until a colleague mentioned that you were also influenced by a number of French films. DC: Yes, mainly the French New Wave, especially Jacques Demy’s “The Umbrellas of Cherbourg.” Also “Lola,” and “The Young Girls of Rochefort.” Movies like that. Justin, my composer, was listening to a lot of those French New Wave scores, a lot of Michel Legrand, and a lot of French music from the ’50s and ’60s. There’s a French quality about them that’s very romantic and playful while also being very grounded, a little understated, very real, and very melancholy, as well. They sort of combine emotions. They live somewhere between happy and sad. I feel that’s where a lot of French New Wave lives. And I just love that
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One thing I loved about the singing was how I found myself pulling for Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling, as if I were watching community theater or a high school production. I knew they weren’t seasoned pros used to belting out show tunes. Yet, they appeared to be naturals, performing effortlessly within their capabilities.
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DC: One of the reasons we actually ended up making “La La Land” with Lionsgate was that it was one of the few places that was willing to let us make the movie the way we wanted to make it. Two of the key things that other studios had had issues with were the ending and the music. They
I know you used a wide-angled, CinemaScope lens, a technology that hasn’t been used by anybody in decades.
NO A W T DO HR LL U F ’S EB. HO 5 U
I understand that this movie took six years to make, partly because other studios were willing to greenlight the project on the condition that you agreed to substantial revisions, like changing the ending and the music from jazz to rock.
DC: You’re speaking to one of the things I loved about a lot of the older musicals. You didn’t see the sweat. You didn’t feel the work. Some of those movies were the hardest to make, yet the entire aim with a musical, in my mind, is to make it look easy. Ryan and Emma have this amazing ability to make everything seem effortless and natural. We always talked about how the singing, acting, dancing and piano playing could never be just about technique. They had to be about character and emotion. So, Ryan and Emma approached everything like actors, where everything was rooted in a sense of character, a sense of vulnerability, and a sense of humanity, in order to ground it all. Even though they were able to make it look effortless, I agree that there’s this tremendous hat trick that they were able to pull off.
ICO
kinds like those roadshow musicals from the ’50s and ’60s.
freedom as a filmmaker to make exactly the movie I wanted to make, with zero compromise.
A BU VEN TH U EAT E O RE F THE ART SM
continued from page 15
wanted us to farm out the songs to a bunch of top pop songwriters or music stars, since the score was almost all going to be composed by Justin [Gurwitz], my former college roommate who no one ever knew of before this. And we wanted the soundscape to have a sort of timeless style by being played on acoustic instruments with lush, sweeping strings and a jazz rhythm section. Those were two things we really had to fight for a lot, as well as for the resources we needed to make the movie the way we wanted to make it.
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How many of those French films are musicals? DC: Well, full-fledged musicals, just those Jacques Demy movies. And I guess [Jean-Luc] Godard did a quasi musical with “A Woman Is a Woman.” What’s fun about them is that they are sort of the French filmmakers’ answer to the American Hollywood musicals that they loved. So, I liked the idea of doing an American answer to the French answer to the American musicals, if that makes sense.
Who are a few of your favorite directors? DC: Certainly, some of the French New Wave filmmakers like Godard and Demy. [Charlie] Chaplin is someone who is constantly inspiring me. He’s actually someone Emma and I bonded over, initially. We both adore “City Lights,” and we were talking about that movie when we first met. And with this movie, Vincente Minnelli, one of my favorites of all time, was a big influence as well in terms of his use of color and his sense of emotion.
When I interviewed John Legend, I was surprised to learn that he had come aboard as a producer before you decided to add him to the cast of “La La Land.” DC: Yeah, what happened was I first met John’s producing partner, Mike Jackson, on the “Whiplash” circuit. I met John through Mike. As soon as Ryan and Emma were cast, I want to fill the Keith role, and I loved the idea of casting John Legend in it. I knew I wanted a musician for it. I thought, “Okay, I know John’s producer now, so maybe there’s a play to be made here.” So, they were the first people I sent a script to for that role. He ended up coming aboard in several capacities. First, as an actor, doing his first, big piece of onscreen acting, which was real exciting. Second, as a songwriter. He cowrote the song that his character plays. And third, coming aboard with Mike as an executive producer of the movie.
How did you manage to make a movie that’s so much more than the sum of its parts? DC: My hope was that it would be visually ravishing, but still very human, as you’ve suggested. That was kind of the through line [connecting theme] with everything in prep. Lina Sandgren, our DP, was just incredible. He, Mandy Moore our choreographer, David Wasco our production designer, and costume designer Mary Zophres all came on board way, way early on to sort of pre-prep the movie. Then, we had a very intensive three to four month, on-site prep with everyone almost housed together in these production offices in the valley. We were all trying to speak the same language. You have to sort of pre-design stuff really precisely and really minutely. But you hope that, once you get on set, you can still be spontaneous and have fun with it.
Are you thinking about your next project yet? DC: Yes, for a couple years, I’ve been developing this film about Neil Armstrong and the moon landing with Josh Singer, who wrote Spotlight. I hope to be shooting it next year with Ryan playing Neil. Knock on wood, that’ll come together. But it’s on the horizon right now.
Thursday, January 26, 2017 • BAY STATE BANNER • 19
FOOD
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FLASH IN THE PAN
Growing a future In becoming more agrarian, Cuba is taking hold of its destiny
Sopa de Ajo
BY ARI LEVAUX
MORE CONTENT NOW
T
hirteen years ago on New Year’s Day, I arrived in Cuba with a group of students from the University of Montana in tow. We were there on a hardto-get educational permit. Our goal was to get a handle on the state of Cuba’s agriculture system, which, thanks to geopolitical circumstances, had been thrust in an aggressively organic direction. We also wanted to get our mouths around some Cuban food, and our minds around the enigma that is Cuba.
Agroecology sprouts
Oatmeal Latte n ²⁄³ cup water n ¹⁄³ cup vanilla soy milk n ½ cup oatmeal n Pinch of salt n 2 tablespoons brown sugar n 1-2 shots espresso, for topping n ½ cup warm vanilla soy milk, for topping n Granola, for topping n Pinch of cinnamon, for topping In small saucepan, bring water and soy milk to simmer over medium-high heat. Add oats and salt. Turn heat to medium and cook until oatmeal reaches desired consistency. Stir in brown sugar and transfer to bowl or mug. Using steamer, milk frother or whisk, froth warm milk until foamy. Top oatmeal with espresso and frothed milk. Stir gently. Top with granola and cinnamon. — Family Features/Nature’s Path
NUMBER TO KNOW
$7,852
Amount the average American spends on food every year.
THE DISH ON ... “The Case Against Sugar” by Gary Taubes: With his signature command of both science and straight talk, Gary Taubes delves into Americans’ history with sugar: Its uses as a preservative, as an additive in cigarettes, the contemporary overuse of high-fructose corn syrup. He explains what research has shown about our addiction to sweets. He clarifies the arguments against sugar, corrects misconceptions about the relationship between sugar and weight loss; and provides the perspective necessary to make informed decisions about sugar as individuals and as a society. — Knopf
Before the collapse of the Soviet Union, Cuba’s agriculture system was characterized by monocultures of sugar and tobacco. These crops were sent to the USSR in exchange for gas, food, agrichemicals and equipment. When the Soviet Union tanked, Cuba suddenly had to grow a lot more than sugar and tobacco, but without the inputs and supplies on which it had grown dependent. Politicians in the U.S. saw this as an opportunity to tighten the noose on Castro’s regime, and made the embargo more severe by passing the 1993 Torricelli Bill (aka the Cuban Democracy Act), which made it illegal for U.S. companies to do business with foreign subsidiaries that did business with Cuba. This isolated the nation even more. The average Cuban’s caloric intake dropped to as low as 1,000 calories per day. Fertility rates dropped and abortion rates climbed. The Cuban government began breaking up the large state-owned plantations and putting them in the hands of the workers, who turned many of them into vegetable farms, orchards and animal pasture. In cities, vacant lots, yards and rooftops were converted to gardens. Agroecology, a powerful agricultural paradigm in which farms are treated as ecosystems, took firm root in Cuba. Farmers markets appeared, becoming one of the first signs of the emergence of a free market in Cuba.
PHOTO COURTESY ARI LEVAUX
It seems as if the years of repression have suffocated the culinary soul of Cuba, and most of the cooks didn’t really know what to do with the newly emerging diversity of produce. Hopefully, along with increased freedom and opportunity, normalizations with Cuba will allow some flavor back into the lives of ordinary Cubans. Despite long odds, the people were fed. Average caloric intake rose above 2,500 per day. Infant mortality dropped to lower levels than in the U.S. But these impressive metrics came with a hefty price tag in terms of civil liberties. It was a common occurrence for members of our group to be pulled aside and told, in hushed tones, about the government spies, the threat of prison, and lack of freedom and opportunity.
Finding its flavor
We made a lot of friends in Cuba, smoked some fine cigars, heard some amazing music and ate some surprisingly bland food. Given the agricultural strides Cuba has made, the underwhelming food surprised me. One of the world’s hottest peppers,
Look online for
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n 3 tablespoons olive oil n 6 slices white bread, cubed n 12 garlic cloves, minced n 1 28-ounce can peeled whole tomatoes, drained and chopped n 1 teaspoon paprika n 1 bay leaf n 4 cups chicken stock n ¼ cup sherry n 6 eggs, yolks and whites separated n Parsley Sauté cubes of bread in hot oil in a pot until they begin to brown. Stir in minced garlic and sauté for another minute — just long enough to cook the garlic slightly. Mash the garlic and the bread together with a spoon. Add tomatoes, paprika, bay leaf, stock and sherry. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer for one hour. Salt and pepper to taste. Add three tablespoons of the hot broth to the egg yolks, beating constantly, to temper them. Add egg yolks to the broth and whisk in rapidly until smooth. Quickly whisk in the unbeaten egg whites until mixed completely. Bring the soup to a boil, remove from heat. Garnish with parsley and serve. the habanero, is named after residents of Havana, but the cuisine was devoid of spice. This isn’t to say that Cuban food is inherently bland, but that the Cuban flavor has gone into hiding — holing up in some private homes, and offshore, but rarely found in restaurants. I’ll leave you with a recipe for Sopa de Ajo, or garlic soup. There aren’t any hot peppers, but the paprika hints at the Spanish roots of Cuban cuisine. The recipe comes from the wonderful cookbook “Three Guys from Miami Cook Cuban” (Gibbs Smith).
Ari LeVaux writes Flash in the Pan, a syndicated weekly food column that’s appeared in more than 50 newspapers in 25 states. Ari lives in Montana and New Mexico and can be reached at flash@flashinthepan.net.
20 • Thursday, January 26, 2017 • BAY STATE BANNER
COMMENTARY
Pudzer is bad for workers By ABABUTI OGALLA, LOGAN AIRPORT WORKER
While TV pundits debate the political implications of Trump’s pick for secretary of labor and financial analysts make predications of how the stock market will react, I worry how it will impact my family and millions of other low-wage workers who Andrew Puzder has deemed not worthy of a $15 minimum wage, overtime or sick pay. As the CEO of CKE Restaurants, Puzder makes 294 times what an average person earning the minimum wage makes in a year. So how could he possibly understand my struggle? I left my native country of Ethiopia looking for opportunity and security. I found security, which I’m thankful for. I work two jobs at Logan Airport, in passenger services and as a breakfast cook. But I still must rely on taxpayers to get health care for my family. We’ve been fighting for respect and $15 but what I hear from Puzder is that people like me don’t work hard enough to make $15 an hour. I would like to invite him to join us at Logan to see
how hard people work. Nobody is asking for a free lunch. We just want to be able to pay the bills and help our families. But that seem like too much for Puzder. Consider his views and track record in the fast-food industry and you’ ll understand my concerns. Under Puzder’s leadership at CKE Restaurants, the company that runs Hardees and Carl Jr.’s fast food chains, wage and hour officials at the Department of Labor found multiple violations in those two chains since 2009. That’s alarming, especially when you consider how little fast-food workers are paid. Asking Puzder, whose company has a troubling history of wage theft violations, to crack down on this kind of abuse is a conflict of interest. It’s like asking the fox to guard the henhouse. There are other red flags. Puzder told the Los Angeles Times in 2016, “There’s no way in the world that scooping ice cream is worth $15 an hour, and no one ever intended it would ever be something a person could raise a family on.” Does he sound like a champion of working people?
PHOTO: COURTESY SEIU 32BJ
Logan Airport worker Ababuti Ogallla, a member of SEIU Local 32BJ, speaks during a conference of airport workers held in Washington D.C. recently. Puzder’s history and anti-worker beliefs should give us all pause and raise questions about his ability to objectively fulfill the Department of Labor’s mission which is to “foster, promote and develop the welfare of the wage
earners, job seekers and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.” As federal lawmakers consider
whether to approve Puzder’s nomination, I ask them to remember my family and the tens of millions of other Americans whose lives hang in the balance if they choose Puzder as the next secretary of the Labor Department.
FUN&GAMES SUDOKU: SEE ANSWERS ON PAGE 21
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Thursday, January 26, 2017 • BAY STATE BANNER • 21
COMMUNITY CALENDAR CHECK OUT MORE EVENTS AND SUBMIT TO OUR ONLINE CALENDAR: BAYSTATEBANNER.COM/EVENTS
SATURDAY FREDERICK LAW OLMSTED NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE Brookline’s Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site (“OlmstedNHS”) offers the first of several winter offerings on Saturday afternoon, January 28. It opens its doors to the public from 12-4pm, with tours on the hour at 12, 1, 2 and 3pm. Visitors will also have the opportunity to view the selfguided exhibits. The site suspends its regular visitor hours and programming from late December until early April. The 12pm offering is entitled “The Olmsteds and the Organic Act” and is an interactive, discussion-based experience focused on Frederick Law Olmsted, Sr.’s and Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr.’s vision for a national park system that culminated in the 1916 Organic Act establishing the National Park Service. The 2pm tour, “Landscapes for the Seasons,” offers a rare guided exploration the 1.76acre landscape at Fairsted (Olmsted’s former home and office) in the wintertime. The 1 and 3pm tours are the traditional tours available during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. No advance registration is required for any of these tours, and the admission is FREE to any member of the public. Because space is limited, the tours will be filled on a first come, first served basis. For further information on the January 28 tours, please call Olmsted NHS at 617-566-1689 Monday through Friday or email Brianne_Cassetta@nps. gov. Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site, located at 99 Warren St., Brookline, was the home and office of America’s premier “parkmaker” and the designer of the Emerald Necklace park system. Other special winter programs at Olmsted NHS include an illustrated lecture on Saturday, February 11 entitled “Frederick Law Olmsted: A Many-Sided, Fluent, Thoroughly American Man” and our annual winter “Opening the Olmsted Vault” open house on Saturday afternoon, March 11 featuring rarely-displayed materials from the Olmsted Archives. For further information on these programs, please visit https://www.nps.gov/frla/ special-events.htm, or call 617-5661689 Monday through Friday.
JOIN WGBH ON SET! Saturday, January 28 from 8:30am to 10:30am. Join the live studio audience for the tapings of the quarterfinal round of WGBH’s hit program High School Quiz Show. Test your smarts while watching the brightest students in Massachusetts compete for the trophy. IMPORTANT NOTES: - Each taping starts when doors close and last for approximately 1 hour -Tapings take place at WGBH, One Guest Street, Boston, MA -We encourage you to RSVP as soon as possible as seating is limited - Registration does not guarantee seating in the studio audience (overflow will be seated in an adjacent theater featuring a live feed of the taping)
-All audience members must be at least 7 years of age and able to remain seated in the studio for at least 1 hour -Tickets and parking are free
FIESTA DE SAN SEBASTIAN EN BOSTON/SAINT SEBASTIAN FESTIVAL The Theater Offensive’s Out in Your Neighborhood Series and Inquilinos Boricuas en Accion (IBA) present Fiesta de San Sebastian en Boston / Saint Sebastian Festival in Boston at Villa Victoria Center for the Arts! Saturday, January 28 from 4pm to 10pm. 85 W Newton St, Boston, MA 02118 ¡Ven a celebrar con nosotros! Come celebrate with us as we host a celebration of Puerto Rico’s most famous festival. Join us for six hours of folklore music & dancing, community parade, “cabezudos”, theater, poetry, performance, artisan crafts, salsa music, and a live Saint Sebastian installation. Learn about Puerto Rican cultural heritage traditions and honor Saint Sebastian, one of the great icons of modern queer culture. And, of course, we’ll have some fabulous performances you won’t want to miss! Puerto Rican food, soft drinks, beer and wine available for purchase. ¡Delicioso! Admission is free!
SUNDAY WOMPATUCK STATE PARK
FRIDAY, JANUARY 27
THROUGH BARBED WIRE PRESENTS 4TH FRIDAY SERIES Friday January 27, 7-8:30pm: Monthly participatory event focused on the voices of prisoners, through their writings to family, friends, youth, community allies about prison reality and their lives in it. Special film showing of “The 13th”. Families, friends, former prisoners, public are welcome; bring names/addresses of loved ones. Pot Luck. Created/ directed by Arnie King. South End Technology Center, 359 Columbus Ave. near Back Bay Station, Boston. For more info: throughbarbedwire@yahoo.com or visit www.arnoldking. org; tel. 857-492-4858. Cost: Donation workshop contact Ann Glora at 617-4776616 or aglora@ethocare.org.
UPCOMING THE COOPER GALLERY 2017 SPRING EXHIBITION Diago: The Pasts of This Afro-Cuban Present on view: February 2-May 5. Opening Reception: February 1, 6pm. Visit coopergalleryhc.org/upcoming-exhibition for more information. Ethelbert Cooper Gallery of African & African American Art, Hutchins Center, 102 Mount Auburn St., Cambridge. Open Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10am - 5pm. Closed: Sunday, Monday, and on official Harvard University holidays. NOTE: The Cooper Gallery is closed for installation until the opening reception, February 1, 6pm.
WINTER GREENS WALK
Moderate walk along paved trails, 3.5 miles. Walk Doane St. via the Annex. Sunday, January 29 at 1pm. Meet at the Wompatuck State Park Visitor Center at 204 Union St. in Hingham. The Southeastern Massachusetts Adult Walking Club meets each weekend on either a Saturday or Sunday at 1:00 for recreational walks. This club is open to people of 16 years of age and older, and there is no fee to join. Walks average 2 to 5 miles. New walkers are encouraged to participate. The terrain can vary: EASY (mostly level terrain), MODERATE (hilly terrain), DIFFICULT (strenuous & steep). Walks will be led by a park ranger or a Walking Club volunteer leader. Occasionally, the Walking Club meets at other DCR sites. Some DCR sites charge a parking fee. The rangers recommend wearing hiking boots and bringing drinking water on all hikes.
Meet at the Houghton’s Pond main parking lot at 840 Hillside Street in Milton. Venture with us on a leisurely walk through stands of pine and hemlock, as we look at the hardy trees, shrubs and groundcovers that stay green throughout the winter. Saturday, February 4 at 1pm, 1.5 hours. Things to know before you go: Wear sturdy footgear, Carry drinking water on all hikes, Dress in layers for maximum comfort, We will hike unless the weather or trail conditions are severe, If weather conditions are questionable, please call the reservation headquarters on the day of the program at 617- 698-1802, Extension 3. Reasonable accommodations available. For questions regarding accessibility, please call Maggi at 617-698-1802.
MONDAY
Many older adults experience a fear of falling. People who develop this fear often limit their activities, which can result in physical weakness, making the risk of falling even greater. A Matter of Balance: Managing Concerns About Falls is a FREE 8-week program designed to reduce the fear of falling and increase activity levels among older adults. Classes include fun videos, group discussion, a safe surroundings survey, and mild exercise to increase strength and flexibility. BCYF Grove Hall Community Center, 51 Geneva Ave. in Dorchester. Wednesdays from 10am - 12pm, through March 1. For more information or to register for this workshop contact Ann Glora at 617-4776616 or aglora@ethocare.org.
TAI CHI CLASSES FOR SENIORS This FREE evidence-based workshop focuses on preventing falls and improving balance through the regular practice of Tai Chi. Participants will learn 8 single forms, derived from the traditional, well known, 24-form Yang Style Tai Chi. The forms are tailored to older adults who wish to improve balance and mobility, and consequently, reduce the risk of falling. Class meets twice a week for 12 weeks and is designed for beginners. Twelfth Baptist Church, 160 Warren Ave. in Roxbury. Mondays and Wednesdays from 1-2pm, January 30 - May 3. For more information or to register for this
ONGOING FALLS PREVENTION CLASSES FOR SENIORS
CHRONIC PAIN SELFMANAGEMENT PROGRAM Chronic pain and discomfort limit activities adults may enjoy. This FREE 6-week workshop teaches adults suffering from chronic pain simple techniques to better manage their pain, improve sleep, increase energy, eat healthier, and more. Classes are highly participative, where mutual support and successes build a participants’ confidence in their ability to manage their health, and maintain active and fulfilling lives. Includes a mild, strength and flexibility exercise routine and a lifestyle manual with exercise DVD. BCYF Curtis Hall Community Center, 20 South St. in Jamaica Plain. Thursdays from 9:30am - 12pm, through February 16. For more information or to register for this workshop contact Ann Glora at 617-477-6616 or aglora@ethocare.org.
PUBLIC OPEN NIGHT AT THE OBSERVATORY The Public Open Night at the Observatory is a chance for people to come observe the night sky through telescopes and binoculars and see things they otherwise might not get to see, and learn some astronomy as well. The Open Nights are held most Wednesday evenings throughout the year, weather permitting. The program starts promptly at 7:30pm during the fall and winter months, and 8:30pm during the spring and summer months. Please arrive early as there is no admittance once the program begins. We start admitting ticketed guests 10 minutes before the program begins. Right before the program starts and after all the ticketed guests that are present are admitted, we will admit any non-ticketed guests until we reach
capacity. Public Open Nights are open to everyone, however space is limited. To reserve a free ticket for admission visit: http://bit.ly/28QbEHr. The Public Open Night is held at the Coit Observatory at Boston University. We are located at 725 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, above the Astronomy Department. The stairwell up to the Observatory is on the fifth floor just to the left of room 520. Unfortunately, there is no disabled access to the Observatory. For information about Open Night, please call 617-353-2630, or check our Twitter feed (twitter.com/ buobservatory).
MAKE 2017 YOUR BEST YEAR EVER! Free. Take the important steps towards your high school diploma at Dimock Adult Education. Classes meet 3 days a week, 9:30-1:30. At Dimock, students go beyond preparing for their HiSet exam. Dimock students are learning soft skills for a career in hospitality or culinary arts, developing cover letters and resumes and using social media to connect to workforce training opportunities. All this is happening in a welcoming, supportive learning environment. Interested? Call 617-442-8800 ext. 1219 to learn more!
SHELBURNE COMMUNITY CENTER TEEN PROGRAM: “FREE” for teens ages 13 to 17 years old. Homework Assistant, Computer Classes, Rock Wall Climbing, Field Trips, Sports and Recreation and much more. Hours: Monday - Thursday 2:30-7pm, Fridays 2:30-9pm. For more information contact: Ricky Lambright or Tomeka Hall at 617-635-5213. The John Shelburne Community Center is located at: 2730 Washington St., Roxbury.
SUDOKU ANSWERS FROM PG 20
The Community Calendar has been established to list community events at no cost. The admission cost of events must not exceed $10. Church services and recruitment requests will not be published. THERE IS NO GUARANTEE OF PUBLICATION. To guarantee publication with a paid advertisement please call advertising at (617) 261-4600 ext. 7799 or email ads@bannerpub.com. NO LISTINGS ARE ACCEPTED BY TELEPHONE, FAX OR MAIL. NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE. Deadline for all listings is Friday at noon for publication the following week. E-MAIL your information to: calendar@bannerpub.com. To list your event online please go to www.baystatebanner.com/events and list your event directly. Events listed in print are not added to the online events page by Banner staff members. There are no ticket cost restrictions for the online postings.
22 • Thursday, January 26, 2017 • BAY STATE BANNER
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LEGAL CITY OF BOSTON _______________ MAYOR’S OFFICE OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT (A division of the Boston Planning Development Agency) _______________
PUBLIC NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) For Services funded by COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT PUBLIC SERVICES (CDBG-PS) On Wednesday, February 8, 2017 on behalf of Mayor Walsh and the City of Boston, the Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development (OWD) will issue an open and competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) for services under the Community Development Block Grant – Public Services (CDBG-PS). CDBG funds are intended to provide services for low-income individuals and families with a goal of moving them out of poverty towards economic security. Through funded services and collaboration, programs will be designed to offer multiple pathways to economic security through education and industry-approved training; placement in jobs along career pathways; and/or access to public or private cash equivalent benefits. You can download the RFP online at owd.boston.gov beginning February 8, 2017. A bidder’s conference will be held on Monday, February 13, 2017 at 10:00am in the 9th floor Board Room located at the Boston Planning & Development Agency, One City Hall Square, Boston, MA 02201. Potential applicants are strongly encouraged to attend; accommodations for persons with disabilities available upon request. Please make all such requests at least 10 business days in advance. A Letter of Intent to Bid (provided in the RFP) is strongly recommended but not required. If submitting, the LOI is due by Wednesday March 1, 2017. Proposals will be due Friday, March 10, 2017 for upload onto the OWD website by 5:00 P.M. The RFP seeks to identify programs for funding for fiscal year 2018, from July 1st, 2017 – June 30th, 2018. For further information, questions about the RFP, or requests for accommodations for persons with disabilities for the bidder’s conference, please contact Todd Lee, Senior Workforce and Policy Analyst, by email at: todd.lee@boston.gov. CITY OF BOSTON _______________ MAYOR’S OFFICE OF WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT (A division of the Boston & Planning Development Agency) _______________ PUBLIC NOTICE OF REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP) For Youth Services funded by WORKFORCE INNOVATION AND OPPORTUNITY ACT (WIOA) On Wednesday, February 1st, 2017, the Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development (OWD) will issue an open and competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) for services under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act for Youth (WIOA Youth). The RFP solicits programs that provide job training, education and career pathways services for youth ages 16-24. You can download the WIOA Youth RFP beginning February 1st, 2017 online at owd.boston.gov. OWD will hold a WIOA Youth Bidders Conference on Tuesday, February 7th 2017, at 10:00am in the 9th floor Board Room located at the Boston Planning & Development Agency, One City Hall Square, Boston, MA 02201. Proposals will be due Wednesday March 15th, 2017 for upload onto the OWD website by 5:00 P.M. A Letter of Intent to Bid (provided in the RFP) is strongly recommended but not required. If submitting, the LOI is due by Tuesday February 28th, 2017. Proposals will be due Wednesday March 15th, 2017 for upload onto the OWD website by 5:00 P.M. The WIOA RFP seeks to identify programs for funding for fiscal year 2018, from July 1st, 2017 – June 30th, 2018. For further information, questions about the RFP, or requests for accommodations for persons with disabilities for the bidder’s conference, please contact Stefanie O’Shea, Workforce and Policy Manager, at stefanie.oshea@boston.gov.
LEGAL
LEGAL
Bidders will affirmatively ensure that in regard to any contract entered into pursuant to this solicitation, minority and female construction contractors will be afforded full opportunity to submit Bids and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, age, or national origin in consideration for an award. Additional information and instructions on how to submit a bid are available at http://www.mbta.com/business_center/bidding_solicitations/ current_solicitations/ On behalf of the MBTA, thank you for your time and interest in responding to this Notice to Bidders.
NOTICE TO BIDDERS Electronic proposals for the following project will be received through the internet using Bid Express until the date and time stated below, and will be posted on www.bidx.com forthwith after the bid submission deadline. No paper copies of bids will be accepted. Bidders must have a valid digital ID issued by the Authority in order to bid on projects. Bidders need to apply for a digital ID with Bid Express at least 14 days prior to a scheduled bid opening date. Electronic bids for MBTA CONTRACT No. A90CN09, ALEWIFE VERTICAL TRANSPORTATION IMPROVEMENTS CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, CLASS 1 – GENERAL TRANSIT CONSTRUCTION AND CLASS 7 – BUILDNGs, PROJECT VALUE $5,348,000, can be submitted at www.bidx.com until two o’clock (2:00 p.m.) on February 22, 2017. Immediately thereafter, in a designated room, the Bids will be opened and read publicly. Work consists of providing a comprehensive elevator modernization for three (3) obsolete elevators at Alewife station, to include removal and replacement of the elevators, systems modifications to the elevator machine rooms, and various other improvements to the mechanical, electrical, security and plumbing systems in proximity to these areas. Bidder’s attention is directed to Appendix 1, Notice of Requirement for Affirmative Action to Insure Equal Employment Opportunity; and to Appendix 2, Supplemental Equal Employment Opportunity, Anti-Discrimination, and Affirmative Action Program in the specifications. In addition, pursuant to the requirements of Appendix 3, Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Participation Provision, Bidders must submit an assurance with their Bids that they will make sufficient and reasonable efforts to meet the stated DBE goal of 1 percent.
The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority is seeking bids for the following: BID NO.
DESCRIPTION
DATE
TIME
WRA-4339
Quality Assurance Diving 02/07/17 Services for Stillwater Basin Invasive Aquatic Plant Control at the Wachusett Reservoir
12:00 p.m.
To access and bid on Event(s) please go to the MWRA Supplier Portal at www.mwra.com.
Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Department
Brian Shortsleeve Chief Administrator and Acting General Manager of the MBTA January 20, 2017
SUFFOLK Division NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS CLASSIFIED LEGAL ADVERTISEMENT
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS EXECUTIVE OFFICE FOR ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE DIVISION OF CAPITAL ASSET MANAGEMENT & MAINTENANCE Sealed proposals submitted on a form furnished by the Division of Capital Asset Management & Maintenance (DCAMM) and clearly identified as a proposal, endorsed with the name and address of the bidder, the project and contract number, will be received at the Division of Capital Asset Management & Maintenance, One Ashburton Place, 1st Floor, Room 107, Boston, MA 02108, no later than the date and time specified and will forthwith be publicly opened and read aloud. Request for Proposals due at 2:00 PM:
FEBRUARY 22, 2017
Every firm submitting a proposal must be certified by the Division of Capital Asset Management & Maintenance for the category of work and for no less than the proposal price plus all add alternates of this project, if applicable. The Category of Work is: General Building Construction AND Historical Building Renovation Mass. State Project No.
Docket No. SU16D1038DR
Divorce Summons by Publication and Mailing Abdullah Muhammad
vs.
Twila Lappe Muhammad
To the Defendant: The Plaintiff has filed a Complaint for Divorce requesting that the Court grant a divorce for Irretrievable Breakdown. The Complaint is on file at the Court. An Automatic Restraining Order has been entered in this matter preventing you from taking any action which would negatively impact the current financial status of either party. SEE Supplemental Probate Court Rule 411. You are hereby summoned and required to serve upon: Abdullah Muhammad, 1990 Columbus Ave., Apt. 25, Roxbury, MA 02119-1176 your answer, if any, on or before 02/23/2017. If you fail to do so, the court will proceed to the hearing and adjudication of this action. You are also required to file a copy of your answer, if any, in the office of the Register of this Court. Witness, Hon. Joan P. Armstrong, First Justice of this Court. Date: December 9, 2016
Felix D. Arroyo Register of Probate
BSB1503 Contract No. HC1 Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Department
Request for Proposals for State House – Senate Chamber Renovations Boston, MA E.C.C: $12,547,743
SUFFOLK Division
This project is scheduled for 545 days to substantial completion. Scope: Project for major renovations to the Senate Chamber at the State House. Historic interior renovations and infrastructure refurbishment. Pre-proposal informational meetings will be held on Friday, February 10, 2017 @ 10:00 AM and Friday, February 17, 2017 @ 10:00 AM. Meet at the State House, Ashburton Park on Bowdoin St.
Docket No. SU16C0539CA In the matter of Tia Twan McAfee of Roxbury, MA
NOTICE OF PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME To all persons interested in a petition described:
Minimum rates of wages to be paid on the project have been determined by the Commissioner of the Division of Occupational Safety under the provisions of Sections 26 and 27, Chapter 149 of the General Laws. Wage rates are listed in the contract form portion of specification book.
A petition has been presented by Tia T. McAfee requesting that Tia Twan McAfee be allowed to change his/her/their name as follows:
Each general bid and sub-bid proposal must be secured by an accompanying deposit of 5% of the total bid amount, including all alternates, in the form of a bid bond, in cash, a certified, treasurer’s, or cashier’s check issued by a responsible bank or trust company made payable to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
IF YOU DESIRE TO OBJECT THERETO, YOU OR YOUR ATTORNEY MUST FILE A WRITTEN APPEARANCE IN SAID COURT AT BOSTON ON OR BEFORE TEN O’CLOCK IN THE MORNING (10:00 AM) ON 02/09/2017.
The bidding documents can may be examined at the DCAMM Bid Room, One Ashburton Place, 1st Floor, Room 107, Boston, MA 02108 Tel (617) 7274003, bidroom.dcamm@state.ma.us. Paper copies and CDs are available. Paper copies may be obtained by depositing a company check, treasurer’s check, cashier’s check, bank check or money order in the sum of $150.00 payable to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. No personal checks or cash will be accepted as deposits. Refunds for paper copies will be made to those returning the documents in satisfactory condition on or before March 8, 2017 (ten business days after the opening of General Bids) otherwise the deposit shall be the property of the Commonwealth. WE DO NOT MAIL PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS.
MASSACHUSETTS BAY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY 100 SUMMER ST., SUITE 1200 BOSTON, MA 02110
INVITATION TO BID
Messenger and other types of pick-up and delivery services are the agents of the bidder and the Division of Capital Asset Management & Maintenance assumes no responsibility for delivery or receipt of the documents. Bidders are encouraged to take advantage of a rotating credit plans and specifications deposit program initiated by the Division of Capital Asset Management & Maintenance to encourage the easy accessibility of documents to contractors. Carol W. Gladstone COMMISSIONER PUBLIC NOTICE BOSTON REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY D/B/A BOSTON PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT AGENCY PROPOSED MODIFICATION TO SOUTH END URBAN RENEWAL PLAN, PROJECT NO. MASS. R-56 FOR PARCELS 47, 54G, 54H, 56, AND 56A Public Notice is hereby given that the Boston Redevelopment Authority d/b/a the Boston Planning & Development Agency (“BRA”) will consider at its scheduled meeting on Thursday, February 9, 2017, starting at 5:40 P.M. in the Board Room – Room 900, 9th Floor, Boston City Hall, One City Hall Square a proposed modification to the South End Urban Renewal Plan regarding Parcels 47, 54G, 54H, 56, and 56. Said modifications will change the Permitted Land Uses of Parcels 47, 54G, 54H, 56, and 56 to include a combination of residential, commercial, office and parking. Parcels 47, 54G, 54H, and 56 are located on portions of land that are currently occupied by the Gambro Building (660 Harrison Avenue), 100 East Canton Street, and an open-air parking lot in the South End and commonly known as “Harrison Albany Block.” This Public Notice is being provided in accordance with a certain “Conciliation Agreement” by and among the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the BRA and others, dated as of January 16, 2001. Teresa Polhemus, Secretary, Boston Redevelopment Authority
Taj Tawon Lewis
WITNESS, HON. Joan P. Armstrong, First Justice of this Court. Date: January 9, 2017 Felix D. Arroyo Register of Probate Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Department SUFFOLK Division
Docket No. SU16P2825EA
Citation on Petition for Formal Adjudication Estate of Martha Elizabeth White Date of Death: 05/25/2016 To all interested persons: A Petition for Formal Appointment of Personal Representative has been filed by John E. Sutherland of Boston, MA requesting that the Court enter a formal Decree and Order and for such other relief as requested in the Petition. The Petitioner requests that Barry S. Scheer of Charlestown, MA be appointed as Personal Representative(s) of said estate to serve With Corporate Surety on the bond in an unsupervised administration. IMPORTANT NOTICE You have the right to obtain a copy of the Petition from the Petitioner or at the Court. You have a right to object to this proceeding. To do so, you or your attorney must file a written appearance and objection at this Court before 10:00 a.m. on the return day of 02/16/2017. This is NOT a hearing date, but a deadline by which you must file a written appearance and objection if you object to this proceeding. If you fail to file a timely written appearance and objection followed by an Affidavit of Objections within thirty (30) days of the return day, action may be taken without further notice to you. UNSUPERVISED ADMINISTRATION UNDER THE MASSACHUSETTS UNIFORM PROBATE CODE (MUPC) A Personal Representative appointed under the MUPC in an unsupervised administration is not required to file an inventory or annual accounts with the Court. Persons interested in the estate are entitled to notice regarding the administration directly from the Personal Representative and may petition the Court in any matter relating to the estate, including distribution of assets and expenses of administration. WITNESS, HON. Joan P. Armstrong, First Justice of this Court. Date: January 17, 2017 Felix D. Arroyo Register of Probate
Thursday, January 26, 2017 • BAY STATE BANNER • 23
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16 Dyer Street: 3 Beds, 1.5 baths $294,000 for buyers at or below 80% AMI 18 Dyer Street: 3 Beds, 1.5 baths $353,000 for buyers at or below 100% AMI 15 Dyer Street:* Unit 1: 2 Beds; 1 ba; Unit 2: 3 Beds; 1.5 ba $425,000 for buyers at or below 100% AMI 17 Dyer Street:* Unit 1: 2 Beds, 1 ba; Unit 2: 3 Beds, 1.5 ba $385,000 for buyers at or below 80% 26 Dyer Street: Unit 1: 2 Beds, 1 ba: Unit 2: 2 Beds; 1 ba $425,000 for buyers at or below 100% AMI 85-91 Thetford Street: Unit 1: 2 Beds, 1 ba: Unit 2: 2 Beds; 1 ba $385,000 for buyers at or below 80% AMI
0 BR units = $1,027/mo 1 BR units = $1,101/mo All utilities included.
Connect with the
REAL ESTATE
Interested? To qualify for inclusion in the lottery, you must: 1. Be a 1st time homebuyer & complete an approved homebuyer education course; 2. Have a minimum household size of number of bedrooms, minus one; 3. Meet income and asset requirements. Deed-restricted, owner-occupancy, Boston residency, & household size preferences. Other restrictions apply. Requirements subject to change.
MAXIMUM HOUSEHOLD INCOME 100% AMI 80% AMI 1 person: $68,650 2 persons: $78,500 1 person: $54,950 2 persons: $62,800 3 persons: $88,300 4 persons: $98,050 3 persons: $70,650 4 persons: $78,500
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APPLICATIONS DUE FEBRUARY 8TH BY 5:00 PM www.bostonhomecenter.com 617.635.4663 City of Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh
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DIRECTOR OF REAL ESTATE SOUGHT Allston Brighton Community Development Corporation (Allston Brighton CDC) seeks a Director of Real Estate to join our young and creative team. The CDC has been a catalyst for community stability and cohesion for 35 years. We have a robust real estate project pipeline that includes the expansion of our SRO Supportive Housing program, two joint ventures, and a 9% Low Income Housing Tax Credit project. The Director of Real Estate will work closely with the Executive Director and other Allston Brighton CDC staff to stabilize our existing portfolio and foster new ventures, together with key stakeholders, institutional partners, and private/nonprofit developers. We seek an experienced affordable housing developer, who is creative, mission driven, and can positively engage in a diverse community. Our ideal candidate will be well versed in the real estate development process, able to conduct feasibility analysis, and knowledgeable of complex affordable housing financing tools and requirements. Please submit a cover letter, detailing your qualifications for this position and your salary requirements, along with a resume to: ABCDCRealEstate Director@gmail.com. No phone calls or letters please. Allston Brighton CDC is an equal opportunity employer.
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HELP WANTED
FULL-TIME CLERICAL POSITION The Medford Housing Authority seeks a qualified individual to perform clerical support within multiple departments. This is a full-time position with benefits. Candidates should have basic computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite. Telephone and interpersonal skills are a must. The MHA is an equal opportunity employer and qualified Section 3 residents, minorities, women, handicapped, veterans and all others are encouraged to apply. Bilingual Preferred. Please forward cover letter and resume to: Medford Housing Authority, 121 Riverside Avenue, Medford, MA, 02155, or e-mail to: bvivian@medfordhousing.org, by 02/10/17, or until filled.
For more information and to register for the next Open House please visit our website at www.prohope.org/openhouse.htm or call 617-442-1880 ext. 234.
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Human Resources Division
The Middlesex Sheriff’s Office Sheriff Peter J. Koutoujian
CORRECTION OFFICER The Middlesex Sheriff’s Office (MSO) is seeking candidates interested in becoming correction officers at the Middlesex Jail & House of Correction located in Billerica, Massachusetts. The MSO is offering a correction officer entrance exam to those candidates who meet the qualifications set forth below. EXAMINATION DATE: Saturday, February 18, 2017 QUALIFICATIONS FOR EXAMINATION: Must be at least 19 years of age and a US citizen at the date of examination. Must be a resident of Massachusetts at the time of the exam and for attendance to the basic training academy. Must have graduated from a high school or possess a high school equivalency test certificate issued by the Massachusetts Department of Education. Must have a current/valid motor vehicle operator’s license. ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS FOR HIRE: Will be required to pass a physical fitness standards test (visit the MSO website for the physical fitness test requirements and physician clearance form), participate in an interview process, criminal background check, and a psychological and medical examination. Will be required to attend and complete a twelve week MSO basic training academy which includes written exams, physical fitness tests and firearm qualifications. Bachelor’s degree preferred. Prior law enforcement/security experience preferred. HOW TO APPLY: All applicants must complete the online correction officer entrance exam registration form found at www.middlesexsheriff.org. You must complete and submit the online exam registration form by Monday, February 13, 2017 at 1:00 PM in order to sit for the exam and be considered for this position. Those interested candidates that do not register online by the February 13, 2017 deadline will not be allowed to take this exam. Please check the MSO website listed above on Tuesday, February 14, 2017 for more information regarding exam location, testing times and further details regarding the testing process. LAST DATE TO APPLY: Monday, February 13, 2017 at 1:00 PM.
ADVERTISE YOUR CLASSIFIEDS
Department of Neighborhood Development
SALARY: Starting annual salary from $51,957 to $54,037 depending on shift assignment after graduation from the 12-week basic training academy, plus additional monetary benefits covered under the collective bargaining agreement. For a more detailed job description including Correction Officer duties, working conditions, testing accommodations and the physical fitness test requirements please visit: www.middlesexsheriff.org The Middlesex Sheriff’s Office is an equal opportunity employer
Police Officer Examination www.MASS.GOV/CivilSer vice
Written Examination: Saturday, March 25, 2017 Application Deadline: *February 21, 2017
Please note: There will be an additional $50 processing fee for applications received after this date. Applications will not be accepted after March 1,2017.
Apply online at www.MASS.GOV/CivilService For additional information, visit WWW.MASS.GOV/CivilService, email civilservice@state.ma.us OR call: 617-878-9895 or 1-800-392-6178.
Police Officer, Cities and Towns
Trooper,
Massachusetts Department of State Police
Transit Police Officer, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
Municipal/Transit Police OR State Trooper- $100 Municipal/Transit Police AND State Trooper- $150 The application fee is payable by Visa or MasterCard. Women, minorities, veterans and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.
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