Bay State Banner - April 1st issue

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Closures put pressure on salon owners pg 2

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#DANCEQUARANTINE CHALLENGE WITH OOMPA pg 9

Resources for small businesses pg 8

plus A poem a day keeps isolation away pg 9 Dig into your own black history pg 10 Vol. 55 No. 36 • Thursday, April 2, 2020 • FREE • GREATER BOSTON’S URBAN NEWS SOURCE SINCE 1965

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Jackson survives bout with COVID Former counselor urges community members to practice social distancing

By YAWU MILLER

PHOTO: JOHN WILCOX, MAYOR’S OFFICE

Mayor Martin Walsh addresses reporters during a daily press briefing as City Council President Kim Janey looks on.

Officials expect COVID cases to spike in April Mayor doesn’t expect emergency to be over by May

By KENNEAL PATTERSON As of Monday, there were 825 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Boston and 5,752 statewide, but Gov. Charlie Baker says the worst may be yet to come, predicting that the largest surge of admitted patients won’t come until midmonth — sometime between April 7 and 17.

Mayor Martin Walsh, too, cited a longer timeline for the spread

of the virus, telling reporters the crisis will extend beyond the May 4 date previously set for Boston Public Schools to re-open.

“I’m going to be completely honest with people,” he said. “If we think, May 4, the coronavirus is going to be gone, it’s not. I think we’re in this for the long haul.” He later added, “This is not going to be over quickly.”

During his briefing on Monday, Walsh revealed steps to help residents who are currently struggling

with housing. The administration will halt eviction proceedings until the end of the crisis, he said, and the administration will provide 1,000 rental vouchers to certain families with students in Boston Public Schools.

“We know that anxiety about housing goes beyond monthly payments,” he said. “Many families have been struggling to find or hold onto housing before this crisis

See COVID, page 7

Former City Councilor Tito Jackson’s symptoms started the night of March 14 with a sore throat and dry cough, but quickly progressed to body aches, a sore throat and a fever.

He had suffered through the flu before, but it was nothing like what he was now experiencing.

“It was the worst illness I ever had,” he said. “The body aches and pain — it was the worst, times 10.”

The inflammation in his lungs manifested as pain in his back. But there was pain everywhere in his body.

“It felt like someone was shooting a laser through my ankles and knees,” he said. “Plus, I had difficulty breathing and a headache.”

Jackson had little sleep that night. At that point, he knew there was a strong possibility he was suffering through COVID19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus. He made the decision to self-quarantine the following day.

On Friday, March 27, Jackson received test results confirming he had, indeed, been infected with the coronavirus.

Fortunately for Jackson, while members of his extended family live with him in his Schuyler Street three-family home, his bedroom is attached to a bathroom, so he didn’t have to leave the confines of his quarters.

“Nobody had to interact with

me,” he said. “They just left me food at the door.”

Initially, the pains and body aches were nearly unbearable.

As the worst of the symptoms subsided after the first week, though, Jackson began to experience the solitude of quarantine. It was initially difficult, he said, but through phone calls and conference calls, he was able to stay in touch with family and friends.

“One of the things that really helps is when your friends call,” he said. “One of my friends had a birthday toast on Zoom.

That kind of thing is really important.”

Staying socially connected, Jackson said, was an important step in maintaining health during his quarantine.

“One of the blessings out of this to really appreciate the blessings of life, your friends and your family,” he said.

Jackson, who says he’ ll remain quarantined for another two weeks, said he is spending much of his time reading and practicing meditation.

He also has had to reach out to people with whom he had been in close contact before he began experiencing symptoms, including six people at a birthday party.

One of the most threatening aspects of the coronavirus pandemic is that the pathogen can be spread relatively easily from person to person before the infected party shows symptoms or

See JACKSON, page 7

Four centuries of Rox. history in park Buena Vista urban wild is a hidden gem

By YAWU MILLER As far as city parks go, the Buena Vista Urban Wild seems nondescript. From Warren Street, the site is marked by a puddingstone cliff topped by a thicket of maple and oak trees.

From the Walnut Avenue side, however, two sets of granite steps lead up to the top of a hill that has been shaped by nearly 400 years of Roxbury history. On its grassy

summit, the traces of an old foundation and fallen granite columns add to the mystery of the hilltop.

The site wasn’t always covered in trees. In the 17th century, the hill was the highest prominence in the 30-acre cow pasture of John Elliott, who, beginning in the 1630s, served four decades as the minister of the First Church of Roxbury.

But the urban wild gets its name from another prominent Roxbury citizen. In 1876,

merchant Isaac Fenno, whose Summer Street clothing business was among the most profitable in the country, built an impressive manor house on the hill, which afforded him unimpeded views of Boston proper, two miles distant.

That view gave birth to the name Buena Vista—“good view”— he used for his estate.

Born in 1823, Fenno founded Isaac Fenno & Co. Men’s and Boy’s Clothing at 28 Summer Street in 1853. At a time when store-bought clothing was

See BUENA VISTA, page 6

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Former City Councilor Tito Jackson is in quarantine following a bout with COVID-19.

2 • Thursday, April 2, 2020 • BAY STATE BANNER

Closures put pressure on salon owners

By SARAYA WINTERSMITH At Pink and Pretty nail salon in Dorchester, an unusual hush has settled between the powdered pink walls. The nail-shaping drills are not whirring, the pedicure spas are not bubbling and no one is bantering between the empty seats. For owner Dana Bonner, the quiet, hollow shop represents clients she can’t see, income she can’t earn and a passion she can’t fulfill.

“It’s really depressing,” said Bonner, who fulfilled her dream of owning a salon several months ago. Along with her mother and business partner Florence “Flo” Taylor, she decided to close the shop a week before Governor Charlie Baker ordered all non-essential businesses shuttered until April 7. The mandate is the most forceful action yet in Massachusetts’ fight against the global COVID-19 pandemic. Turning away the shop’s typical line up of 80-100 weekly customers has been difficult, Bonner said in an interview.

“We’re like their nail therapists,” she said of the relationship between nail technicians and clients. “That’s what makes us want to do more ladies’ and gentlemens’ [nails] when they come here.”

Across the state, regular patrons of nail and hair salons found themselves without their services as of noon last Tuesday under Baker’s order. In Dorchester, Boston’s largest neighborhood,

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A row of storefronts remain shuttered on Washington Street in Grove Hall. beauty services like Bonner’s are a significant part of the small business landscape. A WGBH News review found that in Dorchester’s six square miles, 40 nail salons and more than 100 hair salons possess current business certificates with the City of Boston. Many women and men rely on the typically multicultural salons for self-care and socializing. Some customers are wondering what they’ll do without their normal beauty rituals while the services remain shuttered for

the next two weeks.

Florcy Romero, a Chelsea native now living in New York, commutes from Brooklyn to receive service at Bonner’s salon in Dorchester’s Savin Hill.

“I am loyal to my ‘hood,” she said, explaining her motivation for travelling so far.

Romero, agreed her typical two-hour nail appointments are about more than aesthetics.

“Yes, that’s a part of it, but at the end of the day, you’re ‘chopping it

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up’ with whoever your nail lady is,” Romero said, pointing to conversations about pop culture trends, parties, color palettes and even political movements with a nail technician who shares her astrological sign.

On a recent appointment, Romero requested the words “Land Back” be hand-painted in black and red letters on long, white, coffin-shaped nails. The salon session quickly became a cultural exchange as she explained the phrase’s significance to indigenous communities advocating for land reclamation and autonomy.

A photo of the design hangs in the salon.

“Now, in Dorchester, my hands are there to say, ‘land back.’ I know people are going to ask what that means, and my nail tech is going to be able to tell them,” she said.

Romero said she’ll likely wait until the shutdown order is lifted to get her nails done again at Pink and Pretty.

In Dorchester’s Codman Square, Charlotte Hatcher said she was worried about the closure of her braiding salon from a financial standpoint.

“I have a good relationship with most of my customers. I will miss them,” she said. “But I can call them and check on how they’re doing.”

Baker’s order, she added, “means I’m not going to make a living and I don’t know what to do.”

The City of Boston has begun a series of surveys to inform its response to the needs of small businesses. According to results from the first survey, about a third of Boston’s small businesses have lost three-quarters of their revenue since public concern over the outbreak has grown.

Hatcher said she’ll abide by state rules and hope the government will assist businesses like hers through the rough patch.

“If the authorities think that we should be safe and stay home, that’s what we’re going to do,” she said. “Can they help us? That’s another thing. It’s very important that they help us if they can.”

Meanwhile, residents like Terina Jackson rushed Monday to get their needed beauty products just before the closings.

“I really want something curly because it’s spring ... but unfortunately, I’m doing box braids,” said Jackson, who purchased products to apply her own long-lasting, low-maintenance hair style.

“Who knows how long I’ll be in the house? I don’t want my hair to fall out,” she added with a laugh.

Saraya Wintersmith covers Dorchester, Roxbury and. Mattapan for WGBH News 89.7.

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Fatema Ahmad heads Muslim Justice League

By LEX WEAVER Two-and-a-half years ago, Fatema Ahmad left her well-paying job as a biomedical engineer in Wisconsin, and in January she became the executive director of Boston’s Muslim Justice League, a nonprofit working to prevent human rights violations under the pretense of national security.

“I decided to leave [biomedical engineering] behind and try to find work that felt more fulfilling and more aligned with my values,” Ahmad said.

Since joining the Muslim Justice League, Ahmad, a Boston Neighborhood Fellow, has led the fight to end “countering violent extremism” (CVE) actions and policing programs that target marginalized groups in Boston.

The Muslim Justice League was established five years ago, after Boston became a pilot city for a federal initiative designed to counter violent extremism. The initiative was an attempt by the U.S. government to tackle radicalization and extremist violence by implementing programs like the Youth and Police Initiative Plus

Program, which aimed to foster community resilience among Somalian immigrants in Boston.

Q: What was the transition from biomedical engineer to community activist like?

A: It was an interesting transition, because when I quit my job, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do yet. I knew that I wanted something more values-aligned.

When I was in high school, I had so many other interests but had been funneled into engineering because I was always good at math and science. I thought, ‘What if I take some time to explore those other parts of myself that I had to ignore?’

Most people don’t expect someone to go straight from engineering to this kind of social justice work. I didn’t go back to school or anything like that because I thought, ‘You know, I can figure this out on my own.’ And I did.

I think being an engineer is actually really helpful for what I do now. Because I understand systems really well, that’s how I am able to conceptualize oppression and a lot of the issues that we work on.

Describe the Muslim Justice League to someone who knows nothing about your organization.

Muslim Justice League is an organization that does community organizing and advocacy work to fight for human rights that are threatened under national security pretexts. Muslims are a frontline community who are deemed a national security threat and are policed or surveilled, but they are also not the only community that that happens to. MJL is not just about justice for only Muslims; it’s actually about justice by Muslims, for everyone.

As executive director of the Muslim Justice League, what responsibilities come with your new role?

I think it’s interesting because when you’re at a small organization, being an executive director or an organizer … you are doing everything. We don’t have a person who just does fundraising for us.

All of us do our own fundraising.

We don’t have administrative staff, so I do the administrative work.

Becoming the executive director, so far, has been taking on more of the administrative stuff that I wasn’t doing before. But it’s not a huge transition. [When I was] deputy director, the executive director and I were doing so much of the political strategy and all of that together.

Your organizing work focuses on ending CVE. What does that mean and why should people pay attention to this?

It’s based on the fact that we are all swimming in Islamophobia, including Muslims. We internalize it. We’re told all the time that to be a good American, you have to report on other Muslims. We internalize that and think that we have to do that. That’s essentially what [CVE] is. It’s convincing community members that they need to look out for these signs and that somehow that’s going to prevent violence. [CVE is] not a real solution to actually preventing violence. All it is is a way to institutionalize Islamophobia further.

Do you or your organization ever get pushback for the work that you do?

We try to make sure it’s clear that we’re not antagonizing these folks. We get it. We understand that funding is really hard.

So, there’s some friction there, and then, of course, just being a Muslim organization and being one that is outspoken, we talk about topics that people don’t want to hear about. You know, surveillance is not a sexy topic.

Could you explain the difficulties of navigating through the Muslim ban as it progresses?

When it comes to the Muslim ban, it’s sort of this big expansion of the type of immigration barriers that we’ve seen happen to Muslims for quite some time now. After 9/11, there had already been a registry where essentially folks from Muslim-majority countries would have to go and register. So, it was really frustrating to see that people

didn’t understand this long history and so much of what’s already been happening. The Muslim ban, it didn’t come out of anywhere. It’s really built off of us every day accepting and normalizing the idea that’s it’s OK to surveil, profile and harass Muslims because of national security.

Is there anything that you want readers to take away from your work or what MJL does that you want them to know?

I think the thing that I would want to drive home is that I think it’s really easy for people to say that they love Muslims, that they want Muslims to live in the U.S. and that they are against the Muslim ban.

It’s harder and deeper work to take the time to really undo your understanding of why we are where we are today. The idea of national security is something that when [the phrase] gets thrown out, it’s just so easy for everyone to accept it, and that is part of why we are where we are today. But, it doesn’t just impact Muslims. Every time we use national security to justify an anti-Muslim policy, it then gets expanded to everyone else. That’s what happens.

This interview originally appeared in The Scope, a project of the Northeastern University School of Journalism.

ON THE WEB Muslim Justice League www.muslimjustice-

league.org/

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Fatema Ahmad

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EDITORIAL

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Established 1965

Government relief comes to American workers Economists agree that about 70% of the U.S. economic activity results from consumer spending. Nonetheless, the government usually focuses on the corporate world rather than the working class when trying to resolve a problem with the economy. The $700 billion TARP Plan of 2008 provided federal funds primarily to banks and other financial institutions to prevent the collapse of the banking system.

Now in 2020, four years after the TARP funds have been repaid to the government, the country faces another crisis, the collapse of the economy because of the invasive coronavirus.

Millions of American workers have been laid off because the ravages of the pandemic have caused businesses to close. The absence of sales revenue to the companies and the loss of paychecks to workers would destroy the country’s economic system.

In an unusual move, Democrats and

Republicans in Congress negotiated a $2 trillion package to resolve the problem. Rather than focusing only on corporate losses, the proposal provides funds to people. Those earning less than $75,000 per year will get $1,200, and $500 for every dependent child.

Married couples earning $150,000 or less will get $2,400.

Those who filed for unemployment will also have expedited processing of their claims. The Small Business Administration is also establishing a procedure to provide some financial benefits for small businesses that had to close because of COVID-19. While individuals receiving funds will not have to repay the government, it is likely that businesses will have to do so, as did the beneficiaries of the TARP plan.

While there is every reason to be hopeful, people must remain politically attentive to assure that the funds are deposited in their bank accounts.

Social distancing is best prevention for coronavirus No one alive today has any personal memory of the great 1918 flu pandemic. A deadly influenza virus infected an estimated 500 million people throughout the world from January 1918 to December 1920. That was about one-fourth of the world’s population at the time. It killed more people than the total death toll of World War I. The flu caused the deaths of about 675,000 in the United States.

A century ago there was no vaccine to protect against the virus that caused the disease. The major remedy of medical practitioners and political leaders was the same strategy applied today, to impose social distancing on people to keep ill persons away from others. This could be done only by establishing restrictions on restaurants, theaters, schools, non-essential businesses and all places where people gathered.

According to studies, this policy worked in the flu pandemic to blunt the growth of the upward curve in infections and deaths. But it was also learned that the social distancing had to be continued for a sufficient time to prevent a resurgence of flu infections.

Almost a century ago it was learned

that sustained social distancing was required to flatten the growth of the curve of casualties from the infection.

Relaxation of the policy too early would revive the growth of the flu infection.

Nowadays, it is much more difficult to maintain social distancing than it was 100 years ago. Airplanes, buses and trolleys enable people to move easily from one environment to another, so social distancing, short of isolation, is not so easily established. People are not always cooperative about being confined to their homes, even after they close their small businesses or are laid off from their jobs.

The stay-home order is disruptive and inconvenient, but short of a new vaccine, social distancing is the only method now available to stop the spread of the pandemic contagion. In some densely populated cities like New York, just going to the store makes you part of a group. But photos of a crowded beach in Miami suggests that everyone is not cooperating with the only presently available strategy to end the pandemic.

Disciplined compliance is needed to win this battle.

“This time they’re providing benefits for working-class Americans!”

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The COVID-19 pandemic proves the 2020 Census is more important than ever

By BETH HUANG The Coronavirus pandemic has disrupted people’s daily lives across our commonwealth and around the world. Its impact has exposed deep, systemic inequalities, hitting some constituencies harder than most - restaurant workers who cannot make the rent on this first day of the month, immigrants who cannot file for federal unemployment benefits, already isolated seniors without access to technology for social connection, and public school students missing out on free and reduced breakfasts and lunches.

A complete count in the 2020 Census is more important than ever to make our communities more resilient in face of challenges.

In this public health emergency, Census data helps first responders and disaster recovery personnel identify where and how much help is needed. Data from the census determines the distribution of resources for public health systems, our social safety net, and essential services that we all rely on every day.

Today, April 1, 2020, is Census Day. The 2020 Census seeks to take a snapshot of where every resident of the United States lives on this day to shape public policy for the next ten years.

Communities of color, immigrants, renters, and young children have been historically undercounted in previous decennial censuses.

As of March 30, 36.8% of Massachusetts households have filled out their Census. A near majority of households in some census tracts, especially in wealthier communities, such as around Chestnut Hill, have completed the census. Meanwhile, just miles away in a predominantly low-income community of color adjacent to Franklin Park, fewer than 1 in 5 households have completed their Census questionnaire. Another undercount means millions of dollars in untapped federal funds will not reach some of the most vulnerable communities in Massachusetts. Accurate data from the 2020 Census will provide a more complete picture of our communities’ needs, an important first step for addressing urgent community challenges, from public health emergencies to the eviction crisis.

The good news is that the 2020 Census is confidential and easy and can be done from the safety of our own homes. The confidentiality of individuals’ responses to the 2020 Census is protected for 72 years by a federal law called Title 13. This law has withstood numerous challenges in court. Data is only used at an anonymous, statistical level to inform how resources and representation can be fairly distributed to our communities. Over 275 organizations across the country, including many legal organizations, have signed onto a national pledge to protect the confidentiality of the 2020 Census. Many local organizations, including the Massachusetts Census Equity Fund, MassCounts, Lawyers for Civil Rights, the American Civil Liberties Union, the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition, as well as the Attorney General have committed to protecting the confidentiality of the 2020 Census for residents of our commonwealth.

In this time of physical distancing, households can easily complete the 2020 Census by logging onto my2020census.gov or calling the Census Bureau, which accepts calls in English and twelve additional languages. All households received two letters from the Census Bureau inviting them to respond with a 12-digit code, and households that have not responded yet likely have received a postcard in the past week. One person can fill out the Census questionnaire for their entire household, with the code from the letter or with their address. The questionnaire has just ten questions: four questions about the household (number of people, renting or owning, phone number) and six questions about each person living in the household (name, age, sex, age and date of birth, race, ethnicity).

Today, this Census Day, we hope that every household in Massachusetts makes our communities safer and healthier by participating in the 2020 Census and keeping physical distance. Our communities’ resilience to confront the challenges of the next decade depends on every household doing its part to ensure that we are seen, heard, and counted in the 2020 Census.

“

Communities of color, immigrants, renters, and young children have been historically undercounted in previous decennial censuses.”

Beth Huang is the Director of the Massachusetts Voter Table, a coalition of 23 base-building organizations that seeks to increase civic engagement among people of color and immigrants and in low-income communities.

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Don’t leave African Americans out in COVID testing

By EARL OFARI HUTCHINSON “I can’t get tested!” That was my incredulous response when my primary care doctor at a major medical facility in Los Angeles said I couldn’t get a COVID-19 test. I was quickly informed that there were no tests readily available at that time. And those that would be given were only given with a doctor’s recommendation and only to those at the highest medical risk. This wasn’t all. The test, she said, if approved, would then have to be ordered. How much time would that take? A shrug.

The instant the COVID-19 crisis hit, the great fear was that African Americans would be last in line, if at all, to get tested. The fear wasn’t unfounded, for very good reasons. There’s the ugly history of the stupendous chronic neglect of the health needs of blacks, especially the black poor.

Countless studies have shown the gaping racial disparities in availability and affordability of medical testing and screening.

There’s the equally well-documented history of the implicit bias of many medical practitioners and doctors toward African American patients. That is their willingness to ignore or downplay the symptoms and treatment of illnesses among African American patients. Blacks have been by far the greatest-atrisk for every major health threat.

The list of these conditions can fill a medical textbook. There is a direct cause-and-effect between the astronomical disparities in illness and death from these afflictions and the lack of proper screening and testing availability and affordability.

COVID-19 presented special challenges to poor black communities. The first challenge is one that the general public faced.

That is, when would the tests be available? The message from Trump, medical professionals, the CDC and just about anyone else with knowledge of tests and the procedures was confused, mixed and even contradictory. The bottom line was that there would be a big lag time before the tests

would be widely available.

The next challenge was, when the tests became available, where would they be available? The message on this was mixed, with much uncertainty about the priorities of who would be tested.

Press reports that high-profile celebs such as Tom Hanks, Idris Alba, NBA and NFL players and coaches, Congressman Rand Paul and even convicted rapist Harvey Weinstein got tested with no delay heightened suspicions that there was indeed a pecking order for testing. The rich, famous and influential seemingly would be at the front of the line in the testing.

There was the cost. Trump and

“

Countless studies have shown the gaping racial disparities in availability and affordability of medical testing and screening.”

Congress seemingly took that concern off the table when the emergency stimulus package to combat the crisis promised that the government would foot the bill to ensure that testing would be free. But even testing at no cost meant little, if testing wasn’t readily available and accessible.

The initial numbers where testing was available weren’t promising. Vice President Mike Pence, with much fanfare, noted that a half-million had been tested after three weeks. This was barely a blip on the chart. Many public and health officials almost resigned themselves to the fact that testing would be severely limited and that the only recourse for people, even if they had the symptoms, was to self-quarantine at home during the up-to-14-day incubation period.

This didn’t address the question of who would get the tests.

The great danger in shortchanging testing among blacks, the most vulnerable group in the population to illness, is that the

absence of testing could have disastrous health consequences for the general population.

Disease and afflictions can’t be walled off among one group.

There is too much interaction across population lines for that.

Lack of prompt testing of blacks and lower-income groups that have greater susceptibility because of poverty, poor nutrition and lack of access to health care facilities and treatment greatly increases the danger to the general population. It also does not allow doctors and medical researchers to collect the data to determine if, whether and what types of preventive and public health safeguards can and need to be put in place to prevent further spread of the infection.

Some medical institutions, such as John Hopkins, recognize the need for accurate information on who is at greatest risk from COVID-19. However, the studies have been done almost exclusively based on gender, age and, to an extent, location — but not race.

This is a blind spot that desperately begs to be corrected. In two cities with majority-minority populations, Los Angeles and New York City, residents will only be tested if a doctor recommends testing. What, though, if there is no doctor or nearby treatment facility to get that doctor’s recommendation for testing?

This is the Catch-22 for most blacks, including those who exhibit symptoms and are aged and have chronic medical preconditions that tag them among the most-at-risk of infection.

As the number of reported COVID-19 cases and the death toll climb, the pressure will mount for expanded testing to determine who has the infection and its potential health effect on all. The testing will be ramped up.

But more tests still won’t answer whether blacks will be at the front of the line for that testing. All have a vital stake in making sure is the case.

Earl Ofari Hutchinson is an author and political analyst.

6 • Thursday, April 2, 2020 • BAY STATE BANNER

Buena Vista continued from page1

gaining prominence as a consumer good, Fenno was known for his forward-thinking adoption and innovation of machinery to speed up the process of its manufacture. He was credited with the invention of the Fenno cloth cutting machine, which could cut as many as 3,000 garments per day.

“Their well-ordered and symmetrically conducted establishment is well worth the careful inspection of any one interested in this great industry,” assessed the author of the 1885 book, “Leading Manufactures and Merchants of the City of Boston.”

At the time Fenno built his home, prominent Boston residents who in decades earlier maintained summer homes in the bucolic town of Roxbury were now seeing the neighborhood (annexed to Boston in 1868) as a suitable place for year-round habitation. The expanding city of Boston improved the road from the Shawmut Peninsula to Roxbury, making daily travel by carriage more appealing.

“You wouldn’t get stuck in the mud driving into Boston,” says former state Rep. Byron Rushing.

The Fenno estate included a three-story Queen Anne Victorian and a large stable or barn.

The estate was bisected by a street called Buena Vista Place, now St. Richard Street.

After Fenno died in 1897, his estate remained in the family for

decades. It’s unclear when the manor house burned down or was demolished, but it appears on a 1930 map. In 1955, Almira Fenno-Gendrot willed the parcel to the city, stipulating that “the unique and elevated location shall be forever kept open, an object of beauty with its rocks and trees,” according to the City of Boston Parks Department website.

By the 1960s, Fenno-Gendrot’s vision for the land was in peril. The Boston Redevelopment Authority, under Director Ed Logue, sought to radically remake Roxbury.

“Logue’s idea was to clear Roxbury from Dudley Square up to Monroe Street,” Rushing says. “If Logue had his way, there’d be no Roxbury left.”

Urban renewal did make its way up Warren Street, taking many historic buildings along with it. The northern corner of what had originally been the Fenno estate was shaved off to give Walnut Avenue a perpendicular intersection with Warren Street. Despite Fenno-Gendrot’s stipulation that the land be kept open for the enjoyment of all, the BRA gave nearly two-thirds of the property to the Warren Gardens public housing development.

For the following five decades, the site of the Fenno estate remained open to the public, but overgrown and inaccessible.

In 1976, the Boston Natural Areas Fund was launched as a nonprofit to protect undeveloped land in the city. The city’s Parks Department took on the maintenance of the urban wilds in 1989

and began making improvements to some areas. Within the past 10 years, the Buena Vista site has gained the two sets of granite steps, signage along Walnut Avenue and a bench above the puddingstone ledge overlooking Warren Street.

Within the site lie a map etched in granite, showing Boston as it appeared in 1775, and a granite stone into which has been inscribed a poem by Fenno: “So let our prayers be ever made bloom / that this fair flower may ever / growing in sweetness and in grace / our faith, our hopes the world illume.”

Gone is the era of large mansions that dotted Warren Street in the late 1800s. With its tree cover, the Buena Vista Urban Wild has returned to a natural state that now more closely resembles how it may have appeared in the 17th century, before Elliott cleared the land for his cattle.

ON THE WEB Buena Vista Urban Wild: IMAGE: COURTESY MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS

Isaac Fenno

www.boston.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/urban-wilds-roxbury

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is accepting applications for fall 2020

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(above) Fenno’s mansion, as seen from Buena Vista Street. PHOTO: BOSTON LANDMARKS COMMISSION IMAGE COLLECTION, CITY OF BOSTON ARCHIVES (below) Granite steps lead to the site of the mansion built by 19th century merchant Isaac Fenno. BANNER PHOTO

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COVID

continued from page 1 even began. Homelessness creates barriers for our students to grow, learn and succeed. Schools being closed presents even more challenges for our families experiencing housing insecurity.”

The vouchers will be split evenly: 500 to families in shelters and 500 to families at risk of displacement.

The first housing placements are expected to begin in May. This allows families to seek housing in the private market with significant rent subsidies, said Walsh.

More than 4,500 students in BPS are essentially homeless, living without a permanent residence.

Walsh noted that students and families in Boston Public Schools are still receiving free meals and other essential items at 70 sites around the city. People in Boston experiencing homelessness can also go to a number of daytime drop-in sites to pick up food. Shelters have also received hundreds of new beds, offering a haven for safety and recovery.

With the $2 trillion federal relief package on its way, city and state officials are waiting on guidelines for how best to distribute resources. Walsh said the package will include aid for struggling renters.

“We’ve anticipated that the federal stimulus package will provide Boston with new resources to help renters,” he said, “as well as moratoriums on evictions and foreclosures at properties with federally backed mortgages.”

Walsh said that the administration is working on a plan to allow homeowners to suspend or defer payments without penalties. He encouraged residents to reach out to their banks to discuss issues with mortgage payments. Massachusetts’ current statewide ban on non-essential evictions lasts until April 21.

The administration also aims to relieve pressure on taxpayers through other means, said Walsh.

“We intend on delaying property tax payments until June,” he said.

“We will suspend interest charges on late motor vehicle excise bills until June 30. Late penalties on meals tax collection will also be waived by the state.”

Walsh stressed the importance of social distancing for the foreseeable future. The stay-at-home advisory was issued last week, yet

Jackson

continued from page 1 realizes she or he is infected.

The easy transmission and delay in onset of symptoms has prompted countries and local governments around the globe to issue stay-at-home orders now affecting nearly three billion people — a quarter of the world population.

Although Massachusetts has been under a stay-at-home advisory for more than a week, some Bostonians are still taking to playgrounds and basketball courts around the city in defiance of Mayor Martin Walsh’s order banning use of many such spaces.

Jackson said he hopes people in the community will take the threat of the virus more seriously

PHOTO: JOSHUA QUALLS/GOVERNOR’S PRESS OFFICE

Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito address news media during a press conference Monday. some residents are still not abiding by the guidelines.

“Please, if you’re not going to think about yourself, think about someone else in your family,” Walsh said. “Think about your neighbors, think about the elderly.

Think about the people that we can protect here to make sure that we can get through to the other side of this.”

“

Please, if you’re not going to think about yourself, think about someone else in your family. Think about your neighbors, think about the elderly. Think about the people that we can protect here to make sure that we can get through to the other side of this.”

— Mayor Martin Walsh

The administration is taking measures to discourage people from playing group sports in city parks. Playgrounds and golf courses have been shut down, and now sports gatherings are prohibited in order to slow COVID-19’s spread.

“To start, we will temporarily put zip ties on our basketball hoops, and new signage will also go up in parks,” said Walsh.

Hockey nets and tennis nets will also be taken away, he added. moving forward.

“I want black people to know and understand that viruses do not profile,” he said. “This virus wants to hurt and harm all of us.

Sadly, if we do not take this seriously, it will take us out. This is not a joke. This is not a conspiracy. It’s something that can potentially harm our community.”

He noted that blacks suffer disproportionately from many of the ailments that can lead to COVID19 fatalities, including high blood pressure, asthma and diabetes.

“Please stay home,” Jackson said. “This is not a vacation. Even if you don’t have symptoms, you could pass it on to someone you love and to multiple people in your circle.”

With COVID-19 cases rising exponentially in Massachusetts, Jackson worries that the hospitals

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“We’re doing this to protect our residents and encourage social distancing in our parks.”

Walsh acknowledged the looming sense of anxiety as many prepare for the surge.

“These are extremely difficult times,” he said. “These adjustments are all hard and the decisions that we’re making aren’t easy. We want to make sure that life goes back to normal as soon as possible, so we’re missing out on some of our favorite springtime traditions.” Boston has already canceled or postponed traditional events from the St. Patricks’ Day parade to the Boston Marathon.

“But we should also remember, Boston has always been a city of champions and comebacks,” Walsh noted. “We’ve overcome tough situations before and shown what it means to be Boston Strong.”

At a press conference Monday, Baker noted that medical facilities are ramping up to prepare for these “unprecedented times.”

He said that the federal government has already approved a request for 1,000 ventilators, which the state should be receiving soon.

Massachusetts currently has only about 1,400 ventilators, and many more will be needed in the coming weeks.

Medical institutions are also preparing for the surge in other ways: by increasing staff, expanding testing capacity and clearing space for oncoming patients.

Nursing facilities relieve hospital congestion by providing residents with a place to recover, freeing up resources for those in critical condition.

“The goal is to have about 1,000 beds available for older residents as we prepare for the COVID-19

“

I want black people to know and understand that viruses do not profile. This virus wants to hurt and harm all of us.”

— Tito Jackson

in Boston will become overwhelmed, forcing medical professionals to make tough choices about who receives care.

He also worries that people in Boston are not taking it seriously.

“This will sit you down,” he said. “It will lay you out. Sadly, for some people, it will take you out.”

surge,” said Baker.

Deliveries of PPE, or personal protective equipment, are en route to Massachusetts. In the meantime, Baker commended the resourcefulness of workers throughout the state. Boston-based New Balance, for instance, has started to manufacture face masks.

“By harnessing the capabilities of Massachusetts’ skilled manufacturers, we’ll be able to get gear into the hands of our frontline workers faster,” said Baker. He also expressed gratitude for those who have volunteered to help medical professionals or donate PPE. As of Monday, there were 56 deaths related to COVID-19 in Massachusetts, two of them in Boston. It’s not just affecting the elderly: Marty Martinez, chief of

health and human services, noted that close to 50% of Boston’s cases are among people under the age of 39.

“Our hearts go out to the families who have lost loved ones,” said Walsh. “Each loss certainly is a strong reminder of how dangerous the situation is that we’re all living in right now. And that’s why we’re going to continue to work around the clock to slow the spread, keep people healthy and prevent the loss of life.”

ON THE WEB State updates and resources:

Mass.gov/covid19 Boston updates and resources:

Boston.gov/covid19 Information and online COVID-19 screening: Buoyhealth.com

8 • Thursday, April 2, 2020 • BAY STATE BANNER

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there’s going to be a lot of money in motion.”

He urged business owners to be active, noting that “some of the best opportunities and some of the greatest companies in America have been created out of a crisis period.”

By KENNEAL PATTERSON The passage of a $2 trillion economic recovery package on Wednesday gave some hope to Massachusetts business owners who fear for their financial future.

Others, however, are still preparing for months of debt or closing down their businesses altogether. President Trump signed the spending bill Friday, but time may be running out for many businesses across the commonwealth.

“This is an unprecedented response to an unprecedented crisis,” Senator Elizabeth Warren said Thursday during a press briefing.

“Everyone is working in good faith to try to both respond to the health needs of people across this country and to cushion the economic blow from the coronavirus. So we’re going to stay after it.”

Both the government and community-based organizations have encouraged businesses to apply for loan programs and emergency relief funds. Money is flowing in from various sources. But in this unexpected time, many business owners don’t even know where to start.

Amplify Latinx held an online conference last week to brace the community for the coming months.

First step: Honest assessment

Juan Carlos Morales, a managing partner at Surfside Capital Advisors, said during the conference that business owners need to “hope for the best and prepare for the worst.” He said that owners should start these preparations with an honest assessment of their

Government loans and grants

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Storefronts on Washington Street remained shuttered last Friday. finances.

“You have to truly understand your financial picture,” he said. “If you don’t, you should seek help because this is going to be a little bit of a bumpy ride in the second quarter.”

This assessment includes taking inventory of available cash. Owners should predict their spending weeks in advance, taking stock of every single dollar earned or spent. Calculating a “monthly burn rate” will help business owners curb any excessive spending.

People should primarily focus on the “keep-the-lights-on” expenses, Morales said. “What I

mean by that is those are your expenses that are mission-critical,” he added. “If it’s not mission-critical, they should be put on a deferment plan.”

In terms of short-term business strategies, Lawyers for Civil Rights “BizGrow” Director Priya Lane laid out a blueprint for dealing with employees. She noted the difference between laying off workers and furloughing them, or mandating that they take a leave of absence until business resumes as normal. She also acknowledged the Massachusetts WorkShare Program. The program, a self-proclaimed “smart alternative to layoffs,” allows workers to work fewer

hours and still collect employment benefits. Government assistance is provided to make up for the reduction in income.

Morales emphasized the importance of reaching out for help. This help may come from an attorney, CPA, professional advisor or government-sponsored tech assistance program, he said.

“Seeking good advice in normal times is important,” he said.

“Seeking good advice in crisis is essential.”

These advisors can help direct business owners to loan programs and available funding.

“Be on the lookout for opportunities,” Morales said, “because

Many loan programs are available, but some have already run out of funds. The Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations (MACDC), which represents 88 community-based nonprofits across the state, issued a statement Tuesday calling for a $150 million investment in loans, grants and technical assistance for small businesses.

“With the economy shut down, small businesses across the commonwealth are hurting and they’re hurting significantly,” MACDC President Joseph Kriesberg told the Banner. He added that efforts must focus on those most in need: “businesses in low and moderate income communities, communities of color, immigrant communities [and] folks who don’t have wealth to fall back on at this time.”

The MACDC statement also urges Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation to expand its Small Business Recovery Loan fund, which offered $10 million in funding but is already oversubscribed. MGCC officials stopped taking applications last week.

On the national level, Sen. Warren noted Thursday that the $2 trillion emergency package covers part of the Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program. She said

See BUSINESSES, page 13

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A poem a day keeps isolation away

By SUSAN SACCOCCIA April is National Poetry Month, and a good time to put poetry to work in your daily life.

Poetry helps us find our way to ourselves and to others, and poems can be a source of consolation, courage and connection in a challenging time.

An ideal way to begin is to sign up for free daily delivery of a poem via e-mail at poets.org/ poem-a-day.

A service of the Academy of American Poets, which also runs National Poetry Month, Poem-a-Day presents you with a new work by a contemporary American poet. You see the poem on a page, as the poet arranges its words and lines; and you can also hear the poet read the poem.

Dancing with

OURSELVES Oompa brings artists together with

Accompanying the poem is the poet’s brief essay, “About This Poem,” a short biography and photograph, and a link to more poems by the poet.

Each month, a different poet curates Poem-a-Day. The site includes a Q&A on the poet’s approach to selecting works, which are usually being published for the first time. February’s curator, Roger Reeves, associate professor of poetry at University of Texas at Austin, says that he chose poems “that spanned the

See POETRY, page 10

In this particular moment I think it’s important for us to maintain a semblance of hope and aliveness and joy and togetherness.”

— Oompa

# Quarantine

PHOTO: KHABIR SULTAN

DANCE

Challenge ON THE WEB

Watch Oompa’s original video www.instagram.com/p/B9reOXIHiuw BAMS Fest on Instagram www.instagram.com/bamsfest

PHOTO: UNSPLASH

oston native artist Oompa has been making waves in the local music scene for years. The poet, rapper and educator won the 2018 Unsigned Artist of the Year award from Boston Music Awards and was nominated for an unprecedented six awards total. Now, in the age of social distancing, Oompa is bringing the community together in a whole new way: through dance.

In the first few weeks of the coronavirus spreading through the United States, the artist was feeling high levels of anxiety. “I had to decide if I was going to live in fear, which is paralyzing, or try to find some bit of hope or joy or some perspective in this that could be more useful to me,” she says. And so, she danced it out. In an Instagram video posted on March 13, Oompa worked it out to Chaka Khan’s “I’m Every Woman” while wielding cleaning products like Lysol wipes and disinfecting spray.

“

“

Poem-a-Day invites readers to select poems from its Poets.org collection for its special series, “Shelter-in poems” selected for consolation and uplift during this time of physical distancing.”

B

By CELINA COLBY

What started as a way to blow off steam quickly exploded into a dance contest. When a commenter on Oompa’s post dubbed the video “Corona Soul Train,” Oompa tagged a group of friends and collaborators to post their own videos. Before long, musicians all across the city were participating what became dubbed the #QuarantineDanceChallenge. Boston Art & Music Soul (BAMS) Fest has been reposting the videos on its Instagram feed to keep the positivity going.

“I think it’s okay to feel things that aren’t positive. I’m not here to say that we shouldn’t be realistic, and we shouldn’t be aware and educated and concerned. I think we should be all of those things,” says Oompa. “But in this particular moment I think it’s important for us to maintain a semblance of hope and aliveness and joy and togetherness.”

Many musicians have lost substantial income due to gigs canceled because of social distancing efforts. Oompa says she lost about $20,000 this spring due to canceled gigs, including speaking engagements at local colleges.

Some resources have been established to aid artists, such as the city of Boston’s Boston Artist Relief Fund and The Record Co.’s Boston Music Maker COVID-19 Fund. These funds, fueled by community donations, provide small supplements to help artists pay bills and cover rent. But many music makers are still left in a precarious situation. Oompa says now is the time to support musicians by buying their music and merchandise and participating in and sharing their online efforts such as live streams.

“Whether or not there’s this pandemic in front of us, we know what it’s like to have to pull resources together,” says Oompa. “It takes all of us together for this to happen.”

The important thing to remember is, as bad as things get, the arts community can always work it out on the dance floor — or in this case, the kitchen floor.

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poetry

Stuck at home? Dig into your own black history

line may be the poet’s own voice, saying, “I will not drown.”

On Saturday, Mojave poet and MacArthur Fellow Natalie Diaz read her poem, “Lakeloop,” a sensuous evocation of a sacred land in geophysical language. In “About This Poem,” Diaz writes that it reflects “the idea that this country tried to give us no space to exist, yet we made that space, and make it still …. We are tectonic, and ready.”

Poem-a-Day invites readers to select poems from its Poets.org collection for a special series, “Shelter in Poems,” poems selected for consolation and uplift during this time of physical distancing and pandemic. Among this growing collection are works by Maya Angelou, Emily Dickinson, and Mahogany L. Browne, whose performance of her poem “Black Girl Magic” was featured on the PBS NewsHour. In “Gate A-4,” Arab-American poet Naomi Shihab Nye recreates a moment of bonding among strangers and concludes, “This can still happen anywhere. Not everything is lost.”

continued from page 9 largeness of America … poems that grappled with our ignominious history.” Asked what he is reading, Reeves says that he is re-reading “Beloved,” because its author, Toni Morrison, will “keep a brother’s head on straight.”

April’s curator is Joy Harjo, U.S. Poet Laureate.

Last Tuesday’s selection was Aaron Coleman’s “Another Strange Land: Downpour off Cape Hatteras (March 1864),” which he dedicates to “my ancestor in the Pennsylvania 25th Colored Infantry aboard the Suwanee.”

Coleman tells a gripping story, partly based on an historic event — a Civil War ship with a crew of former slaves being crushed by a storm — using the rhythmic, sensory language of poetry to immerse the reader in the moment-by-moment struggle for survival.

As the storm rises, the narrator says, “I grab a bucket.

You grab a bucket. We the 25th Pennsylvania Colored Infantry, newly formed and too alive and close to free to sink below this midnight water.” The concluding

Sandra Lovell Taitt-Eaddy has more than 25 years of experience in genealogical research with a particular focus on ancestral research in black cultures.

Her work grew from conversations with her own family and combing through accessible online databases, all efforts that can be performed right now from home while social distancing.

Taitt-Eaddy’s genealogical passion began while researching her own family roots in Barbados. While pregnant with her son, she realized that in order for him to have a firm sense of his past, she would need to as well. “I think it helps us to feel grounded knowing that it’s not just us. When you do family history and you realize that there’s such a huge body of history and a huge number of people that came before you, you can draw strength from that,” she says.

The past can also inform the present. Taitt-Eaddy says a number of her relatives battled cholera in Barbados, a disease that swept the country in the 1850s in a way similar to our current COVID-19 pandemic.

Knowing that her ancestors dealt with comparable issues brings perspective to the crisis.

Many turn to trendy DNA testing kits while researching ancestry. Taitt-Eaddy says these can be a helpful tool, especially for those who are adopted and have limited knowledge of their family history, but also says to use the kits with caution. The DNA information discovered is then stored forever, she notes, and users have little control over how it’s used after the test is completed.

Current social distancing practices align perfectly with Taitt-Eaddy’s advice for starting genealogical research: Call your relatives. Especially for black families, who may be left off written records due to the history of enslavement, oral history is essential. Taitt-Eaddy recommends

ON THE WEB Visit: poets.org/poem-a-day

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FILM REVIEW

‘Cuba’

MUSIC REVIEW

Wil B. (left) and Kev Marcus

Feminist Fusion

COURTESY PHOTO

Film explores the island’s unique heritage

BANNER PHOTO

Thousands

Women’s turned out for the Boston

Latina band LADAMA rocks the Berklee stage

March Saturday.

Forward organized by March affiliated is not Massachusetts, Inc., the with Women’s March e for the

By CELINA COLBY on responsibl organizati n, D.C. march. original Washingto Massachusetts, Inc. has recently municipal office in Women’s March The Museum proud to see the of Science of allegations on Feb. of spoke about being been the subject its guiding 15 debuted in public office. its among latest diversity IMAX ism film ofgrowing anti-Semit she was elected this was not fering, “Cuba,” a Although 50-minute She said that when peek unbeliev- members. at the Boston seemed had it addressed into the 2017, vibrant in

By CELINA COLBY explicitly culture of the Ca- diwere no other Rowe, executive able, because there ribbean island. march, Cindy The film was pro- for Alliance office. women like her in rector of the Jewish spoke onduced specifically imaginable for the giant “It has now become Law and Social Action, On Thursday, March 21, the screen format ing, refugee

by Golden against a long to have a hijab-wear stage with SullivanGate 3D anin Confeminist Latina band LADAMA Muslimin association with BBC , including Somali-American victo- list of prejudices Earth, xenophobia “All those performed at Berklee as part of the Giant , racism, Screen Films gress,” Butt said. and ti-Semitism the Giant ble in 2016, ia.

Celebrity Series of Boston Stave Theater ries seemed unimagina Dome and homophob Consortium. they are not only here by the thousands Sessions “We are and now in 2019, festival. The group comThe Museum all of Science’s reject 180are reality.”

Common to imaginable, they on Boston prises four talented female mudegree moredome screen speak out say that to the is one and of of hate, Butt went on to sicians from four countries: Lara running few in the forms thethat seek to tear that forces will show women should continue momen- country 13 against Klaus (Brazil); Daniela Serna the “We are here pg for office, to continue the film. us apart,” Rowe said.

(Colombia); Mafer Bandola (Venpg 12 tum and create more change. not be divided.”

“We are thrilled will say weto bring “Cuba” brought the to the optimism from ezuela); and Sara Lucas (United The march also to the Mugar Omni Despite Theater, pg 11 transspotlight, changes the the to to due States). Pat Swoboda accompanied theme of diversity many speakers porting our visitors speBANNER PHOTO to meet a first pan-Women’s up speakers to talk observed since the them on the bass. Fusing music Common bringing orama of people of faces clear from and personalities rights in 2017, it wason proceeded from the Boston cifically about the Jewish March and education, cultural heritage Women’s March, which the ,Caribbean’s and overall chants largest island,” of empowerment to the said of color, Native Americans , the speeches, Common. signs with messages disabilities and contemporary flair, the group that none of pg 13 Public Garden to the Doty, manager of anger Demonstrators brought women, people with Robin Omni then looped around the of vio- expressionof the victims aims to transcend boundaries and were ready to stop to Commonwealth Avenue, and 4D Theater attendees LGBTQ+ people, theat the museum, in s. bring people together. yet. lence and immigrant a release. seek out films that that you con-“Wefighting Washington “I’m going to ask highlightand “I have been in Throughout their two-hour rights the diversity people have of the gender world and for weeks fight to two for 13 tinue pg now Stave Sessions set, each LADAMA I’m around to women us, including matter cultures, I’m disillusione

By COLETTE GREENSTEIN many possibilities to as wide an the d, if tell other issues that not asked me if musician seamlessly played multhat you butarts, technological Pressley said. “I and” scientific audience as possible. and our families, dismayed, CHECK OUT MORE BUSINESS NEWS a luxury and the weight tiple instruments and sang everythat cynicism is not and more.”

ONLINE: WWW.BAYSTATPart forget the intersectionadvancements of what fuels EBANNER.COM/ them, they constant and them afford. I wake up every dayThe classical hip-hop duo CATEGORY/NEW thing from protest songs to unifyof this country’s most The we can information Tani- threads and say, is the way that the kids’ eyes S/BUSINESS said film with purposed feet Black Violin, composed of clasing ballads. Gonzalez strummed persistent foe: racism,” Black Violin’s genre-bend- light clear eyed, about you Boston history andofculture of Cuba’s up when they see Black conviction that sically-trained violist sha Sullivan, president strength Wilner a magic from the chords of the baning for sound, through n which has been de- Violin perform. three different story lines. and justice to Washingto Baptiste (Wil B.) and violinist NAACP. “Equality One have delivered me dola llanera, a traditional Veneble.”Patricia scribed as “classical boom,” has justice.” follows non-negotia to fight Torres Diaz, “I know for sure that somea for Kevin Sylvester (Kev Marcus), mandate women of color is a March, with a zuelan instrument with few wellexposed them to an ever-growyoung ballet dancer hoping to The Boston Women’s

march

1 continued from page

“

When you do family history and you realize that there’s such a huge body of history and a huge number of people that came before you, you can draw strength from that.”

By CELINA COLBY

— Sandra Lovell Taitt-Eaddy COURTESY PHOTO

Sandra Lovell Taitt-Eaddy asking older family members questions and recording the conversations or taking notes to refer to later.

From there, Taitt-Eaddy recommends turning to online research. “Once you’ve got that information, now you want to start looking at the records. The online genealogy world right now is full of rich documentation.” When searching prior to the Civil War, she recommends looking through business records, where enslaved persons might be listed in the records of a plantation owner.

Her most-consulted website for

INSIDE ARTS BLACK VIOLIN BENDS GENRES, INSPIRES YOUTH

business news

successes WeWork event highlights eneurs of black, Latina entrepr

inside this week

City fighting hair test lawsuits on two fronts

VioSSlinNEWS BUSINE salon for Muslim women llins roAlls Black

plus Latina band LADAMA rocks the Berklee stage Film review: ‘Cuba’ at Museum of Science

, March 28, 2019 Vol. 54 No. 35 • Thursday

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speaks during a rally outside

the Bruce

land thing about what we do comhas been smashing musical steing fan base and opened the a highly sought-after spot in the pletely transforms them,” says reotypes for more than a decade. door to numerous opportuniCuban National Ballet Company.

Baptiste, a father of three young The two musicians met in ties.

Another follows Eusebio Leal, city They performed at Presi- children. orchestra class at Dillard High dent Obama’s inauguration ball historian of Havana, in his life’s Sylvester and Baptiste are School for the Performing Arts in 2013, headlined their own work to preserve the unique archistrong proponents for educain Fort Lauderdale, Florida. show on Broadway, and opened tecture and history of the capital tional outreach. In 2017 they Years later, they reconnected for Kanye West in Dubai and city. Lastly, viewers learn about the were announced as Turnaround after attending separate colleges Jay-Z in Switzerland. They have work of Fernando Bretos, a marine Artists for Mary M. Bethune Elin South Florida and combined collaborated with Alicia Keys, biologist, and Dr. Daria Siciliano, a ementary School in their hometheir love for hip-hop music Wu-Tang Clan, Aerosmith, Lil marine scientist. The duo is studytown of Broward County, Florwith their classical training to Wayne and Wyclef Jean. In ing Cuba’s coral reefs, which have ida. Turnaround Arts, founded form Black Violin. The duo per2016, the duo composed the thrived and grown while other reefs

by President Obama’s Comforms with DJ SPS and drumscore for the Fox television worldwide die out. mittee on the Arts and the Humer Nat Stokes. series “Pitch.”

These storylines ground the film manities in 2011, is a national Black Violin’s breakthrough Currently on their “Impossi- education in the human experience while program of the John moment came with a win at ble Tour,” which began in Janualso explaining why the island is F. Kennedy Center for the Per“Showtime at the Apollo” in ary, Black Violin is slated to persuch a unique ecosystem and culforming Arts that infuses arts 2005. The duo’s appearance on form through the summer, with tural melting pot. “Cuba” doesn’t into struggling schools to supthe talent competition set the a stop at The Wilbur in Boston delve into the political challenges port overall reform efforts. stage for what was to come next. on Friday, April 5 at 8 p.m. The the country has encountered, but it The musicians say they love “It solidified us mentally. It Impossible also doesn’t sugarcoat the country’s Tour began shortly being involved made us really realize that we in the program after the group wrapped last past. Instead, Director Peter Chang and with an organization they had something special,” says year’s successful Classical Boom illustrates how economic chalbelieve in.

Wil B., speaking to the Banner Tour, which included more than lenges have created a distinctive re“This is what we’re about. recently by phone. “That gave 90 concerts and back-to-back sourcefulness and resilience in the This is what we’re meant for,” us the confidence to really go island’s residents. Cuba’s economic whole.” sold-out performances at the says Baptiste. “This is what full force.” the community as a I’m and Kennedy Center in Washingchallenges have even contriba week after here to do. If I have something, comes Since then, they have recorded The policy ton, uted to theByunique D.C. LAVERY ecosystem TREA that I want to be able to give it back three Civil with the third,Liberties American “Stethe albums, Bretos and Siciliano are studying. released a In addition to the group’s to the universe.” reotypes,” settsmajor their Massachu own tours, Black Violin has perUnion of marking “It’s the architecture, Attorney label the large the tenure debut on Universal County District data fromMusic.

Suffolk formed for more than 100,000 unspoiled report using swaths of land and a “Stereotypes” the officially released debutedAttorney at No. 1 Dan Rachael students and in more than 125 cities. former District CubaRollins is so unique and includes onofthe in 2013 Billboard Monday that fasClassicalthat Crossmemo public shows across the U.S. policy A cinating. that revealed world unto itself,” says Conley promise over chart flagged and No.15 campaign 4 on the Billcharges on herthe and Europe, and they often On the web Chang. action “Seeing 2014, the and R&B landscapes 15 minor board chart. band re-nearly to prosecute dismissed have young people join them on andtothe wereThe decline cityscapes on this large

by Rollins Black Violin: http://blackviolin.net/ leased the song “Dreamer” addition, stage. For Baptiste and Sylvestime. Inand canvas will make people realize crimes. percent of the Info/tickets for April 5 Boston show: accompanying to the res- its 60 thatwho were exposed video last cases ter, offall, a promise what’s there, just 90 “I made 10 percent to music https://thewilbur.com/artist/black-violin/ miles from our for andonly theyabout plan to release aafourth that n in middle border.” school, it’s about shar- Turnaround d to dispositio idents of Suffolk County were Arts program: thisprosecute summer. t offenses, I album ing ytheir love of music and its exclusivel low-level, nonviolen http://turnaroundarts.kennedy-center.org during that time were to Prose declination or

BANNER PHOTO

as City Bolling Municipal Building

ling Teachers, parents cal rts po sup nt de stu re for mo sts say

“This is what I’m here to do. If I have something , I want to be able to give it back to the universe. ”

would emphasiz ON THE possible,” RolWEB diversion whenever which was Learn more said lins at: in the memo, www.mos.org/imax/cuba staff Monday distributed to her Monday and released to the public was part of a night. “That decision two important strategy to achieve the footprint reduce to first, goals: ously shortsystem where do both simultane of the criminal justice education interest, special safety changes the it served no public more of our students, Pina says. and second, to allocate the speto the serious “They’re not getting prosecution resources the minutes families, cialized support and offenses that harm people, required to of instruction they’re said. he get by law,” teacher For kinderga rten such as Peejay Clarke, supplies and paint for markers, paper, glue the Martin his K2 classroom at would be Luther King K-8 School a good place to start.

students, activi Declining budgets short-change Mathieu, school,” said Anthony Boston Latin a history teacher at Academy. wants to Teacher Francis Pina Union in While Boston Teachers more inclusion specialists s midst of ne- see classroom Schools leadership is in the Public raises and Boston with disabilities gotiations over pay Public so that students the regular eduother matters with Boston keep up with outside the can they learn, Schools officials, cation classes in which Buildl his Charlestown High Bruce Bolling Municipa staff ral- including class. ing teachers and school math for more re- School are certilied last Wednesday While many teachers in which education sources for the schools fied to teach in special s as well as in regular they teach. we need classroom to “I came out because rooms, attempting every single education a full-time nurse in

By YAWU MILLER

See BPS, page 10

transfer tax Council hears case for risks cite Advocates in favor, developers S

By KAREN MORALE

allow the and Kim Janey, would fee of city to impose a transfer between up to 6 percent, split on sales of buyers and sellers, wned commercial and investor-o $2 million. properties exceeding includes The proposal also 25 percent, a higher fee, up to of propon repeat transfers order in months, erty within 24 practices in to deter “flipping” neighborhoods. the new All funds raised by the city’s fees would go to

known female players. Serna spat Spanish rhymes with a casual ease.

Stave Sessions is a series that features up-and-coming musical trailblazers in an intimate setting.

The series ran for five nights, from March 19 to 23, and featured musicians from a variety of genres and backgrounds.

Everything about LADAMA’s work transcends boundaries. The musicians fly across country and continent lines to rehearse and record together. Their rhythms fuse chords from traditional

See LADAMA, page 14

Assistant DAs will not prosecute val appro misdemeanor crimes without

visual time programs in the Extended learning al fitness science, and physic arts, music, dance, strong ties to Family-centered with nity partners neighborhood commu

President Jessica Tang Boston Teachers Union on.

Councilor Kim Janey looks

Bending Genres, Inspiring Youth

Ro out policy changes

support and enrich

Visit dudleystreetsch 07 or call 617.635.85

www.baystatebanner.com

trust for neighborhood housing preservation the production and of affordable housing. ownThe fee would exempt between er-occupants, transfers under sales family members and $2 million. at last City councilors present Janey, week’s hearing included Flaherty, MiEdwards, Michael Campbel l, chelle Wu, Andrea and Matt Josh Zakim, Ed Flynn O’Malley. another “ This would be to prevent tool in the toolbox

See TRANSFER, page 15

Rachael Rollins

BIZ BITS TAX PREP How the property tax deduction works The property tax deduction is one of many benefits of being a homeowner, but you don’t need to own a house to get this tax break — there are other ways to qualify.

WHAT’S DEDUCTIBLE

You might be able to deduct property and real estate taxes you pay on your: n Primary home n Co-op apartment (see IRS publication 530 for special rules) n Vacation homes n Land n Property outside the United States n Cars, RVs and other vehicles n Boats In 2018, there’s a new limit: You may deduct up to $10,000 ($5,000 if married filing separately) for a combination of property taxes and either state and local income taxes or sales taxes.

WHAT’S NOT DEDUCTIBLE

The IRS doesn’t allow property tax deductions for:

LADAMA— Their rhythms fuse chords from traditional instruments with a contemporary message empowering women to own their own talents and experience.

PHOTOS:

charges from the “Decline ecute” list. question: “Our analysis begs the charged for Why are people being Wilner Baptiste being proseShamsothat arehasnot Ahmed created crimes a salon in the South End where observant executive Muslim women can have their hair styled in privacy. cuted?” said Carol Rose, of Massachudirector of the ACLU is “Diversion . setts, in a statement the disposal of an important tool at but many law enforcement officials,

KAREN MORALES

South End Shamso Hair Studio caters to wome n of all faiths

By KAREN MORALES ROLLINS, page 6 See

For some people, getting a haircut is a normal, regular task, checked off the to-do list without a second thought. However, for Muslim women who choose to wear the hijab, having their hair styled at a public salon poses a challenge to their faith.

The newly opened Shamso Hair Studio and Spa in the South End, founded by local entrepreneur Shamso Ahmed, provides a space for Muslim women — or any woman of any faith — to get styled and pampered in a private, ladies-only setting.

According to their faith, Muslim women must remain modest and cover their hair with the hijab in the presence of any non-relative males, but salons in Massachusetts are open to both men and women.

“It limits where you go,” said Ahmed in an interview with the Banner. “The only option for Muslim women around here was to befriend a stylist and have them come to your home.”

February and is located at 1807 her over a month to “There should be a place for Washington St., has its get approval wide store- from the state any woman, no matter her to black out the belief, front windows covered by neutral windows. to feel comfortable and safe PHOTO and BANNER shades to ensure modesty for its get the privacy she’s looking “Nothing in this process for,” clientele. has she said. been easy,” she added.

Because the space is in a The salon, which opened in hisThe salon’s interior is like steplate toric building, Ahmed says it took ping into your glamorous aunt’s

n Property taxes on property you don’t own n Property taxes you haven’t paid yet n Assessments for building streets, sidewalks or water and sewer systems in your neighborhood.

(Assessments or taxes for maintenance or repair of those things are deductible, though.) n The portion of your tax bill that’s actually for services — water or trash, for example n Transfer taxes on the sale of house n Homeowners association assessments n Payments on loans that finance energy-saving home improvements.

(The interest portion of your payment might be deductible as home mortgage interest, though.) n More than $10,000 ($5,000 if married filing separately) for a combination of property taxes and either state and local income taxes or sales taxes

HOW TO TAKE THE DEDUCTION

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Council At a Boston City affordable hearing last Tuesday, voiced their housing advocates that would support for a city law and comestablish an investor transfer fee, s propertie mercial the Greater while members of Board exBoston Real Estate pressed opposition. , filed The proposed legislation Edwards

by Councilo rs Lydia

www.baystatebanner.com

boudoir, with lush and sparkling wallpaper, twinkling chandelier light fixtures, velvet waiting chairs and a soothing mini waterfall by the entrance.

See SHAMSO SALON, page 11

n Find your tax records. Your local taxing authority can give you a copy of the tax bill for your home. But you should also scrutinize the registration paperwork on your car, RV, boat or other movable assets, says Robert Kirby, a CPA at Munc CPA in Rohnert Park, California. You might be paying property taxes on those, too, and the portion based on the value of the vehicle is likely deductible. n Exclude the stuff that doesn’t count. You can deduct a property tax only if it’s assessed uniformly at a similar rate for similar property in the community. The proceeds have to help the community, not pay for a special privilege or service for you.

“Sometimes there are assessments that are made by the county for improvements. Those actually are not deductible because they are not a tax,” Kirby notes. You might be able to add them to the cost basis of your property instead, though, which could help when you sell, he says. n Use Schedule A when you file your return. That’s where you figure your deduction. Note: This means you’ll need to itemize your taxes instead of taking the standard See BIZ BITS, page 11

Stay up to date with local

ARTS, CULTURE & ENTERTAINMENT news and reviews at

baystatebanner.com Submit local arts, culture and entertainment news to yawu@bannerpub.com

research is familysearch.com, which she says is a top search tool for Caribbean ancestry.

“There are myths out there that because of slavery we’re not able to reconstruct our families, and those myths are not true,” says Taitt-Eaddy. “It’s not about how far back the research can go — rather, go as far as you can.

It’s entirely possible to research black families and it’s entirely possible to do a lot of it right from your desktop.”

ON THE WEB The Boston Public Library has a rich database of genealogy resources:

www.bpl.org/resources/genealogy

PHOTO: ADOBE STOCK

Thursday, April 2, 2020 • BAY STATE BANNER • 11

ARTS&CULTURE CHECK OUT MORE ARTS NEWS ONLINE: WWW.BAYSTATEBANNER.COM/CATEGORY/ARTS-AND-CULTURE

Art-making, art appreciation & virtual curation

“

Experience the arts through online classes

Artists have taken to the Internet during the COVID-19 pandemic, not only to share their art, but to teach it as well.

By CELINA COLBY Artists have taken to the Internet during the COVID-19 pandemic, not only to share their art, but to teach it as well. It turns out art appreciation and art-making classes can be taken from your living room. Classes and workshops range from drawing lessons and writing prompts to information about black composers and the opportunity to curate a virtual art collection.

Newton-based artist Deb Putnoi has launched a virtual art school on her Facebook page, @ TheDrawingMind. Anyone and everyone is welcome to tune in daily at 2 p.m. for her instructive but freeform videos. The only supplies you need to participate are a piece of paper and a pencil, but you’re more than welcome to experiment with your preferred media. The classes are appropriate for all ages.

Music of all kinds is being streamed online during this time, from the Boston Symphony Orchestra and others, but Castle of

PHOTO: CELINA COLBY

Deb Putnoi’s daily art workshops on Facebook are geared towards the whole family.

Our Skins is continuing its mission to educate the public about black composers as well. The Boston-based organization’s website includes a resources page where interested parties can read up on prominent black composers, listen to their music, and even find sheet music to learn those melodies on their own instrument.

For writers searching for

inspiration in an anxiety-ridden time, Boston poet laureate Porsha Olayiwola is streaming poetry readings and talks on Instagram Live. She’s also writing personalized letters to individuals who purchase her book of poems, complete with writing prompts to get the creative juices flowing.

Interested readers can direct-message her at her Instagram handle

@porshaolayiwola for more information.

If you identify more as an art appreciator than a working artist, A R E A Gallery offers you a virtual chance to act as a curator.

The continuously developing platform “Construction A R E A,” accessible on their website, allows viewers to sift through artworks online and build a simulated

collection. This can be an opportunity to look seriously for art to acquire or simply to learn what goes into art curation and aesthetic development.

The Museum of Fine Arts is continuously updating its YouTube page with videos of conservationists at work and curators discussing their exhibition curation. Videos from “The City Talks” series are also available to stream, featuring episodes like “Colonialism, Enslavement and the Arts” and “Sharing Black Histories.”

Whether you’re learning a new artistic skill or gathering information about a period of art history, the Boston arts community is working hard to make sure you can do all of it from the safety of your own home.

ON THE WEB Castle of Our Skins offers an extensive online resource list for at-home learning about black composers:

www.castleskins.org/resources.html

!

N IA N O T S O B Y R E V E R O F D A A MUST-RE nians over the cou Chronicling the achievements of black Bosto

rse of 50 years.

Did you know...

That Roxbury’s Clifton Wharton Jr. became the first black president of a major U.S. college?

One of Boston’s skyscrapers — State Street Bank — was developed by black people?

Or that Boston is the headquarters of OneUnited Bank, the largest black-owned and managed bank in the country?

Learn about these black achievments and more in “Boston’s Banner Years: 1965-2015”

It’s your black history!

Pick up your copy today at

FRUGAL BOOKSTORE 57 Warren St. (Dudley Sq.) Roxbury, MA or order your copy at Melvin B. Miller

BAYSTATEBANNER.COM/BOSTONS-BANNER-YEARS

12 • Thursday, April 2, 2020 • BAY STATE BANNER

FOOD

www.baystatebanner.com

CHECK OUT NUTRITION AND HEALTH NEWS ONLINE: WWW.BAYSTATEBANNER.COM/CATEGORY/HEALTH

TIP OF THE WEEK

WAYS TO REDUCE FOOD WASTE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD The average American household spends about $7,000 on groceries per year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, but more than a third of those groceries will end up in the waste basket, according to a new study. Although the results were similar to previous studies, researchers at Penn State recently found that the average U.S. household wastes 31.9% of its food, costing an estimated $240 billion.

Researchers also found that higher-income households with healthier diets wasted more food than lower-income families. Although an estimated 72 billion pounds of food is thrown out before it ends up in a household refrigerator, reducing food waste at home can save you money, reduces methane emissions, conserves energy and resources, and can help support the hungry in your community.

Here are a few ways the Environmental Protection Agency recommends reducing food waste. n Keep a running list of meals and

their ingredients n Base shopping list on how many

meals you’ll eat at home n Plan meals for the week before

shopping n Check the refrigerator before

shopping to avoid duplicating ingredients n Buy only what you need n Freeze, preserve or can surplus

fruits and vegetables n Wait to wash berries until you

want to eat them n Cook or eat what you already

have before buying more n Produce past its prime can be

used in soups, casseroles, stir fires, sauces, baked goods, pancakes or smoothies n Plan an “eat the leftovers” night

each week

DRINK

TEEN COFFEE CONSUMPTION ON THE RISE According to a study conducted by the National Coffee Association, the percentage of Americans ages 13 to 18 who drink coffee every day rose to 37% from 2014 to 2017.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that kids ages 12 to 18 consume no more than 100 mg of caffeine per day, which is about the amount in a single 8-ounce cup of brewed coffee.

Espresso

good!

How to make the best brew at home THE TECHNIQUE:

PHOTOS: UNSPLASH

By Ari LeVaux / More Content Now

W

hen I go to the coffee shop, it isn’t for the coffee. It’s to see and be seen. Maybe do some “networking,” or hold someone’s baby, or type intently on my laptop. I’m too much of a snob to let someone else brew my coffee.

I respect the gentle complexity of a pour over, and the dark intensity of the French press. But espresso is my drink, and I’ll take its tight, focused flavor all day long. Sharp yet smooth, espresso is the purified essence of what I like about coffee.

The first espresso was made in late-1800s Turin, Italy, by forcing steam through coffee grounds. Today’s machines, which can cost north of $20,000, usually use water that’s just below boiling. But the classic stovetop moka pot, invented by Alfonso Bialett in 1933 — and its many imitations — can come remarkably close. With a price point in the mid two-figures, this investment can pay for itself in about a week.

If the home barista plays their grounds right, the espresso will finish with a flurry of crema, a golden foam of small bubbles with a sharp, velvety flavor that marks a truly great cup of espresso. It

The ideal moka pot espresso has just the right amount of grounds to force up the pressure, and the right amount of water to end on a flurry of crema. appears when you have just the right amount of pressure and heat in the coffee filter, which depends on the balance of water and coffee grounds.

I started my home espresso journey with the original, octagonal-shaped aluminum Bialetti moka pot from a yard sale. Then I picked up a $35 stainless steel AMFOCUS online. I will always love that machine for being the one by my side when I made my quantum leaps, but now I’m totally into my $50 stainless Bonvivo, which is slightly larger and has a metal handle.

The other thing you need is a burr grinder, which crushes the beans to a uniform size between spinning metal spools.

My Baratza Virtuoso lists for $250, and is worth every penny. It replaced my $35 Cuisinart, which got the job done, if loudly and slowly.

A moka pot contains three pieces: a lower chamber to which you add water; a “filter basket” in the middle, where the grounds go; and a spouted collection chamber

on top. I haven’t tested enough models to make any recommendations.

The ideal moka pot espresso has just the right amount of grounds to force up the pressure, and the right amount of water to end on a flurry of crema. Too much water and the crema will be doused with weak, off-tasting coffee, as steam continues to rush by the spent grounds. If there are too many grounds in the filter basket, steam won’t be able to push through, and so much pressure will build in the lower chamber that a little valve will start releasing steam, as the overpacked grounds burn in the filter basket. The few drops of coffee to make it through the grounds will taste of burnt plastic.

I make the best coffee with about a cup of water and 3 tablespoons of fine grounds, loosely added. For more intense, concentrated shot, use even less water — as little as a half-cup. A pound of beans will make about 20 cups per week.

n Heat the water, pre-measured, while you grind the beans. Pour the boiled water into the lower chamber, slip in the filter basket and carefully add the grounds, loosely, without tamping or even tapping. Shake slightly to make the grounds somewhat level.

Screw on the top, using a hot pad for the base part that’s got a cup of hot water in it. n Place the moka pot on the stove. If using a gas burner, don’t let the flames creep around the bottom and up the sides. n As it heats, watch the little espresso machine like a hawk. The first fluid to emerge will be dilute, almost clear, but will soon darken.

The crema can be fleeting, melting into the coffee almost as quickly as it emerged. But if you catch even a glimpse of crema, then you know it will be a good cup of coffee. n When the water is mostly through, turn off the heat and pour the coffee. It may keep sputtering a little, and there will always be liquid left in the lower chamber. Let it go; we don’t want those dregs in our coffee.

FIND MORE FOOD PAGES AT BAYSTATEBANNER.COM

businesses continued from page 8

that the package includes a $10 billion emergency grant fund that will commit an advance of $10,000 to small businesses and nonprofit applicants. These applicants receive the advance within three days of processing, and the grants do not need to be repaid.

The money can cover ongoing expenses, including “to provide paid sick leave to employees, to maintain payroll, to meet increased production costs due to supply chain disruptions, or to pay business obligations, like meeting your debt obligations, rent and mortgage payments,” she said.

SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans are loans of up to $2 million dollars. SBA’s official website notes that the loans “meet financial obligations and operating expenses that could have been met had the disaster not occurred.” The loans carry an interest rate of up to 3.75% for companies and 2.75% for nonprofits, said Warren, as well as principal and interest deferment for up to four years.

Warren also noted that the Treasury is authorizing many banks and lending institutions to become SBA lenders. Small business owners can go to local banks and apply for funding there.

The emergency package also commits $17 billion in funding for small businesses that have microloans. The SBA intends to cover all loan payments for existing SBA borrowers, available for six months after the bill is signed.

Along with the SBA, Warren added that there is a “special new stimulus program” with $350 billion in funding, which intends to provide small businesses and other entities with “no-fee loans of up to $10 million.” The loans are administered directly by banks. It also acts as a loan forgiveness program, said Warren, and some loans are waived depending on whether certain businesses can rehire employees and get payroll back to where it was before the crisis.

Other loan programs

Not all loan programs are government-based. Eastern Bank has committed $10 million in support

Thursday, BAY STATE STATE BANNER BANNER •• 13 Thursday, April April 2, 2, 2020 2020 •• BAY 13

“

When you’ve lost all or nearly all of your revenue, taking on more debt will only make the situation worse. We think a well-tailored, targeted grant program can help some of our smaller businesses get over this period and be able to come back and serve their communities.”

— Joseph Kriesberg

of small businesses.

“Here at Eastern, we obviously realize the impact that the coronavirus has had on both our customers and our small businesses,” Eastern Bank President Quincy Miller told the Banner.

“In many ways, this has been unprecedented, in the way that it has had such a fast and wide-reaching impact across our base of clients and customers.”

The funding is split into three key parts, with $3 million going to nonprofit partners through Eastern Bank’s Charitable Foundation, and two loan funds.

Families and individuals have access to $2 million through the Consumer Impact Loan Fund.

“It was designed with low interest and flexible payment terms in mind,” said Miller. “We knew in the short term, this is what our customers need.”

The third key component is $5 million fund for small businesses.

There’s a 3.99% interest rate on the loans, said Miller, and the first six months are interest-only payments.

“Both funds are up and running,” said Miller. “We’ve been taking numerous applications already as we speak.”

Cautions for borrowers

Despite the available options, MACDC’s Kriesberg said that

BANNER PHOTO

Nubian Square was largely empty last week as non-essential businesses remained closed. loans alone are not enough.

“When you’ve lost all or nearly all of your revenue, taking on more debt will only make the situation worse,” he told the Banner. “We think a well-tailored, targeted grant program can help some of our smaller businesses get over this period and be able to come back and serve their communities.”

Morales noted that even businesses who want loans may face some hurdles.

“These loans are not going to be as easy to get as it sounds,” he said. Small businesses must meet the criteria to qualify for a loan: they must prove they’ve been impacted by the crisis, as well as have a viable business model and good credit score.

Lane warned business owners against giving a personal guarantee along with loans.

“If you give a personal guarantee as part of a loan, [then] if you close the business you will still be personally responsible for that,” she said.

Nevertheless, the Eastern Bank president still urged small businesses to consider loans despite potential fears. “Pick up the phone and call and speak with your financial institution,” Miller said.

“Because every bank is different, but I’ve talked to countless bankers in greater Boston and they’re all putting together programs to help support their clients.” He commended bankers for being as flexible as possible.

future.

“Certain folks react different ways under this type of duress,” he said. “We want to make sure you have people that have been through some of these experiences and can help you think through.”

Community support systems

An uncertain future

Community-based organizations across the commonwealth are scrambling to provide additional support for small businesses. The Foundation for Business Equity, a Boston-based nonprofit, focuses on “fostering greater economic mobility through the growth of black and Latinx-owned businesses.” The nonprofit has established a crisis management team to deal with the pandemic’s devastation.

“This is a whole different level of crisis with external forces. It’s unpredictable day to day in some ways,” Executive Director Glynn Lloyd told the Banner. “So we really try to get a sense of what it looks like the next three to six months, with your particular business, and then you can make decisions from that.”

Lloyd said that crisis management experts use “financial forecasting” to determine a business’s

At the end of the day, some businesses may still decide to shut their doors.

“At some points your debts might just get so high that you feel like you can never surmount it, and that’s okay,” said Lane. “It’s okay to admit you’re onto the next thing.” The business may then prepare for succession, discharge any debts and liquidate their remaining assets.

Regardless of the decisions, Morales stressed the importance of acting quickly.

“A lot of people defer the inevitable and take longer than they should in making very difficult decisions,” he said. “This is not the time to wibble-wobble. This is the time to be decisive and make difficult decisions, because it could be the difference between your business being alive in three months and your business not being alive in three months.”

CHECK OUT OUR ONLINE CLASSIFIEDS! Post your own

real estate properties and job openings. BAYSTATEBANNER.COM

BANNER CLASSIFIEDS LEGAL NOTICE TO TRADE CONTRACTORS REQUEST FOR TRADE CONTRACTOR QUALIFICATIONS The MASSACHUSETTS PORT AUTHORITY is soliciting Statements of Qualifications from TRADE CONTRACTORS interested in performing work for L1549: LOGAN AIRPORT PARKING PROGRAM. The Authority is seeking Qualification Statements from Trade Contractors who have a demonstrated experience in the construction and implementation of similar work in terms of scale and complexity as required for the Terminal E 2,000 Space Parking Garage. In accordance with Massachusetts construction manager at-risk requirements, MGL Chapter 149A Section 8, Qualification Statements are being requested from trade contractors capable of performing the following classes of work: HVAC, Electrical, Plumbing, Fire Protection, Miscellaneous Metals, Waterproofing / Caulking, Masonry and Elevators.

The contract includes the following scope of work: all identified trade work associated with the construction of approximately 2,000 parking spaces within a multi-level parking garage consisting of two sections east and west of the existing pedestrian bridge; the east section will consist of 4 total parking levels and the west section will be 6 total levels. The building will have a footprint of approximately 154,000 SF. The work will include installation of solar PV panels.

The estimated cost of the trade contractors’ portion of this phase of the Project is approximately $18,333,500 and the construction duration for this phase is approximately 24 months. The estimated value of work to be performed by trade contractors is as follows:

LEGAL HVAC: $ 1,192,500 Electrical/PV Panels: $ 8,533,000 Plumbing: $ 2,720,500 Fire Protection: $ 832,500

Miscellaneous Metals $ 1,987,000 Waterproofing / Caulking $ 1,165,000 Masonry: $ 481,000 Elevators: $ 1,422,000

The Authority is implementing this project in accordance with MGL Chapter 149A, Sections 1 thru 13. This selection of trade contractors conforms to MGL Chapter 149A, Section 8, subsections (b) to (k) inclusive. This Request for Qualifications (RFQ) will be utilized to prequalify trade contractors capable and experienced in the construction of parking garages and terminal buildings. The Authority shall utilize a two-step process including the prequalification of trade contractors based on an evaluation of the Statement of Qualifications received in response to this solicitation, followed by an Invitation to Bidders that will only be issued to the prequalified trade contractors. A Prequalification Committee consisting of four representatives, one each from the Designer and the CM at Risk and two Massport staff.

This Prequalification Committee will be conducting a qualifications-based evaluation of submittals received from interested trade contractors in order to identify prequalified trade contractors who will be invited to respond to a written Invitation to Bidders. Please note that the Authority is not utilizing this process to prequalify subcontractors who are not trade contractors which shall be done separately in accordance with MGL C149A, Section 8, subsection (j).

Qualification Statements shall be evaluated in accordance with the following criteria; (1) Management Experience; (2) Project References including a Public Project Record and (3) Capacity to Complete including a demonstration that the contractor has the financial stability and long-term viability to successfully implement the Project.

LEGAL A Supplemental Information Package will be available, on 04/01/2020 on the Capital Bid Opportunities webpage of Massport http://www.massport. com/massport/business/bids-opportunities/capital-bids as an attachment to the original Legal Notice, and on COMMBUYS (www.commbuys.com) in the listings for this project. If you have problems finding it, please contact Susan Brace at Capital Programs SBrace@massport.com A Project Briefing will not be held for this RFQ. Six (6) copies of a bound document each limited to 20 sheets (40 pages), exclusive of covers and dividers and resumes which shall be limited to one page, shall be printed on both sides of the sheet (8 ½” x 11”) and shall be addressed to Mr. Houssam H. Sleiman, PE, CCM, FCMAA, NAC, Hon. D.Eng., Director of Capital Programs and Environmental Affairs, and received no later than 12:00 Noon on Thursday 04/23/2020, at the Massachusetts Port Authority, Logan Office Center, One Harborside Drive, Suite 209S, Logan International Airport, East Boston, MA 02128-2909. Any submittal that exceeds the page limit set here or that is not received in the Capital Programs Department by the above deadline shall be rejected as non-responsive.

Questions regarding this RFQ shall be submitted in writing and directed to cpbidquestions@massport.com with the Project name and number included in the subject line of the email.

MASSACHUSETTS PORT AUTHORITY LISA S. WIELAND CEO & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

14 • Thursday, April 2, 2020 • BAY STATE BANNER

BANNER CLASSIFIEDS LEGAL MASSACHUSETTS PORT AUTHORITY NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS Electronic General Bids for MPA Contract No. W278-C1R., REHABILITATE RUNWAY 11-29 AND OTHER AIRFIELD IMPROVEMENTS, WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, will be received through the internet using Bid Express until the date and time stated below, and will be posted on www.bidexpress. com immediately after the bid submission deadline.

Electronic bids will be received by the Massachusetts Port Authority until 11:00 A.M. local time on WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2020 immediately after which the electronic bids will be opened and read publicly in a designated room at the Capital Programs Department Office, Suite209S, Logan Office Center, One Harborside Drive, East Boston, Massachusetts 02128-2909.

No paper copies of bids will be accepted.

NOTE:

PRE BID CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD AT 2ND FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM, WORCESTER TERMINAL BUILDING, WORCESTER REGIONAL AIRPORT, 375 AIRPORT DRIVE, WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, AT 11:00 AM (LOCAL TIME) ON TUESDAY, APRIL 7, 2020.

The work includes PAVEMENT MILLING, HOT MIX ASPHALT PAVING, CRACK SEALING AND CRACK REPAIR, SEMI-FLUSH AND ELEVATED LIGHT BASE ADJUSTMENTS, PAVEMENT MARKINGS, PAVEMENT GROOVING, UTILITY STRUCTURE ADJUSTMENTS; LOAMING AND SEEDING; AND GUIDANCE SIGN INSTALLATION. Bid documents will be made available beginning WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 2020.

Bid documents for this project may be accessed or downloaded at no cost to potential bidders exclusively through https://www.bidexpress.com/businesses/27137/home in the listing for this Project.

The estimated contract cost is TEN MILLION SEVEN HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS ($10,700,000).

A proposal guaranty shall be submitted with each General Bid consisting of a bid deposit for five (5) percent of the value of the bid; when sub bids are required, each must be accompanied by a deposit equal to five (5) percent of the sub bid amount in the form of a bid bond in the name of which the Contract for the work is to be executed. The bid deposit shall be (a) in a form satisfactory to the Authority, (b) with a surety company qualified to do business in the Commonwealth and satisfactory to the Authority, and (c) conditioned upon the faithful performance by the principal of the agreements contained in the bid.

The successful Bidder will be required to furnish a performance bond and a labor and materials payment bond, each in an amount equal to 100% of the Contract price. The surety shall be a surety company or securities satisfactory to the Authority. Attention is called to the minimum rate of wages to be paid on the work as determined under the provisions of Chapter 149, Massachusetts General Laws, Section 26 to 27G, inclusive, as amended. The Contractor will be required to pay minimum wages in accordance with the schedules listed in Division II, Special Provisions of the Specifications, which wage rates have been predetermined by the U. S. Secretary of Labor and / or the Commissioner of Labor and Industries of Massachusetts, whichever is greater.

The successful Bidder will be required to purchase and maintain Bodily Injury Liability Insurance and Property Damage Liability Insurance for a combined single limit of $3,000,000. Said policy shall be on an occurrence basis and the Authority shall be included as an Additional Insured. See the insurance sections of Division I, General Requirements and Division II, Special Provisions for complete details.

This contract is subject to a Minority/Women Owned Business Enterprise participation provision requiring that not less than FIVE AND FOUR TENTHS PERCENT (5.4%) of the Contract be performed by minority and women owned business enterprise contractors. With respect to this provision, bidders are urged to familiarize themselves thoroughly with the Bidding Documents. Strict compliance with the pertinent procedures will be required for a bidder to be deemed responsive and eligible.

This Contract is also subject to Affirmative Action requirements of the Massachusetts Port Authority contained in Article 84 of the General Requirements and Covenants, and to the Secretary of Labor’s Requirement for Affirmative Action to Ensure Equal Opportunity and the Standard Federal Equal Opportunity Construction Contract Specifications (Executive Order 11246).

The General Contractor is required to submit a Certification of Non Segregated Facilities prior to award of the Contract, and to notify prospective subcontractors of the requirement for such certification where the subcontract exceeds $10,000.

Complete information and authorization to view the site may be obtained from the Capital Programs Department Office at the Massachusetts Port Authority. The right is reserved to waive any informality in or reject any or all proposals.

MASSACHUSETTS PORT AUTHORITY LISA S. WIELAND CEO & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MASSACHUSETTS PORT AUTHORITY NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS Electronic General Bids for MPA Contract No. H207-C2, EAST RAMP REHABILITATION PHASE 2 AND REPLACE TAXIWAY J EDGE LIGHTS, L.G. HANSCOM FIELD, BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS, will be received through the internet using Bid Express until the date and time stated below, and will be posted on www.bidexpress.com immediately after the bid submission deadline.

Electronic bids will be received by the Massachusetts Port Authority until 11:00 A.M. local time on WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22, 2020, immediately after which the electronic bids will be opened and read publicly in a designated room at the Capital Programs Department Office, Suite209S, Logan Office Center, One Harborside Drive, East Boston, Massachusetts 02128-2909.

No paper copies of bids will be accepted.

NOTE:

PRE BID CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD AT 2ND FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM, CIVIL AIR TERMINAL, L. G. HANSCOM FIELD, BEDFORD, MASSACHUSETTS AT 11:00 AM (LOCAL TIME) ON THURSDAY, APRIL 9, 2020.

The work includes ASPHALT MILLING; P-401 ASPHALT OVERLAY; P-501 PORTLAND CEMENT CONCRETE SLAB REPLACEMENT AND REPAIRS; PORTLAND CEMENT PAVEMENT JOINT REPLACEMENT; DRAINAGE STRUCTURE REPLACEMENT; PAVEMENT MARKINGS; LOAMING AND SEEDING, TAXIWAY EDGE LIGHT REPLACEMENT AND OTHER INCIDENTAL ITEMS OF WORK. Bid documents will be made available beginning WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1, 2020.

Bid documents for this project may be accessed or downloaded at no cost to potential bidders exclusively through https://www.bidexpress.com/businesses/27137/home in the listing for this Project.

LEGAL

LEGAL tive subcontractors of the requirement for such certification where the subcontract exceeds $10,000.

The estimated contract cost is $1,100,000.

A proposal guaranty shall be submitted with each General Bid consisting of a bid deposit for five (5) percent of the value of the bid; when sub bids are required, each must be accompanied by a deposit equal to five (5) percent of the sub bid amount in the form of a bid bond in the name of which the Contract for the work is to be executed. The bid deposit shall be (a) in a form satisfactory to the Authority, (b) with a surety company qualified to do business in the Commonwealth and satisfactory to the Authority, and (c) conditioned upon the faithful performance by the principal of the agreements contained in the bid.

Complete information and authorization to view the site may be obtained from the Capital Programs Department Office at the Massachusetts Port Authority. The right is reserved to waive any informality in or reject any or all proposals.

MASSACHUSETTS PORT AUTHORITY LISA S. WIELAND CEO & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The successful Bidder will be required to furnish a performance bond and a labor and materials payment bond, each in an amount equal to 100% of the Contract price. The surety shall be a surety company or securities satisfactory to the Authority. Attention is called to the minimum rate of wages to be paid on the work as determined under the provisions of Chapter 149, Massachusetts General Laws, Section 26 to 27G, inclusive, as amended. The Contractor will be required to pay minimum wages in accordance with the schedules listed in Division II, Special Provisions of the Specifications, which wage rates have been predetermined by the U. S. Secretary of Labor and / or the Commissioner of Labor and Industries of Massachusetts, whichever is greater.

Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Department SUFFOLK Division

Docket No. SU19A0198AD CITATION G.L. c. 210, § 6 In the matter of Adrianna P McDonald

To any unnamed or unknown parent and persons interested in a petition for the adoption of said child and to the Department of Children and Families of said Commonwealth.

The successful Bidder will be required to purchase and maintain Bodily Injury Liability Insurance and Property Damage Liability Insurance for a combined single limit of $5,000,000. Said policy shall be on an occurrence basis and the Authority shall be included as an Additional Insured. See the insurance sections of Division I, General Requirements and Division II, Special Provisions for complete details.

A petition has been presented to said court by Jelix Carrasquillo of Roxbury, MA and Tiffany Foster of Roxbury, MA requesting for leave to adopt said child and that the name of the child be changed to Tiffany Da’nae Foster.

If you object to this adoption you are entitled to the appointment of an attorney if you are an indigent person.

This contract is subject to a Minority/Women Owned Business Enterprise participation provision requiring that not less than THIRTEEN AND ONE TENTH PERCENT (13.1%) of the Contract be performed by minority and women owned business enterprise contractors. With respect to this provision, bidders are urged to familiarize themselves thoroughly with the Bidding Documents. Strict compliance with the pertinent procedures will be required for a bidder to be deemed responsive and eligible.

An indigent person is defined by SJC Rule 3:10. The definition includes but is not limited to persons receiving TAFDC, EACDC, poverty related veteran’s benefits, Medicaid, and SSI. The Court will determine if you are indigent.

Contact an Assistant Judicial Case Manager or Adoption Clerk of the Court on or before the date listed below to obtain the necessary forms.

This Contract is also subject to Affirmative Action requirements of the Massachusetts Port Authority contained in Article 84 of the General Requirements and Covenants, and to the Secretary of Labor’s Requirement for Affirmative Action to Ensure Equal Opportunity and the Standard Federal Equal Opportunity Construction Contract Specifications (Executive Order 11246).

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 04/16/2020.

WITNESS, Hon. Brian J. Dunn, First Justice of this Court.

Date: February 21, 2020

The General Contractor is required to submit a Certification of Non Segregated Facilities prior to award of the Contract, and to notify prospec-

REAL ESTATE

Felix D. Arroyo Register of Probate

REAL ESTATE

Make a CORCORAN Community Your New Home

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MASSACHUSETTS BOSTON Allston

Dorchester

South Boston

McNamara House Uphams Crossing (617)783-5490 (617)506-1792 210 Everett Street 516 Columbia Road

50 West Broadway (617)269-9300 50 W Broadway

NORTH SHORE

26 West Broadway (617)269-9300 26 W Broadway

Visit us online! www.corcoranapts.com

North Andover Chelsea

Andover

Andover Commons Saugus Commons Stevens Corner (978)794-1800 (781)233-8477 (978)470-2611 63 Newhall Avenue 75 Park Street 30 Railroad Street

Saugus

Parkside Commons (617)884-2400 100 Stockton Street

Lynnfield

Woburn

Amesbury

Lowell

Lynnfield Commons Kimball Court Massachusetts Mills The Heights Amesbury (781)592-6800 (781)933-9900 (978)970-2200 (978)388-0671 375 Broadway 7 Kimball Court 150 Mass Mills Drive 36 Haverhill Road

SOUTH SHORE Weymouth

The Ledges (781)335-2626 1 Avalon Drive The Commons at SouthField (781)340-0200 200 Trotter Road

Taunton

Mill Pond Apartments (508)824-1407 30 Washington Street School Street Apts (508)823-1299 31 School Street

METRO WEST Framingham

Holliston

Hanover

Hingham

Brockton

Fall River

Scituate

Attleboro

Hanover Legion Lincoln School Apts Brockton Commons (781)871-3049 (781)749-8677 (508)584-2373 86 Central Street Legion Drive 55 City Hall Plaza

The Academy Kent Village (508)674-1111 (781)545-2233 102 South Main St 65 North River Road

Ashland

Renaissance Station (508)455-1875 75 South Main Street

CENTRAL MASS.

Worcester Webster Pelham Apartments Cutler Heights Ashland Woods Canterbury Towers Sitkowski School (508)872-6393 (508)429-0099 (508)861-3052 (508)943-3406 75 Second Street 79 Hollis Street 30A Ashland Woods Ln. (508)757-1133 6 Wachusett Street 29 Negust Street

NEW HAMPSHIRE RHODE ISLAND

Nashua Amherst Park (603)882-0331 525 Amherst Street

W. Warwick Westcott Terrace (401)828-1490 319 Providence Street

For more information or reasonable accommodation, please call the property that interests you. We provide free language assistance by phone, just state your language and hold for an interpreter

To Place a Call Using MassRelay, dial 711

Thursday, April 2, 2020 • BAY STATE BANNER • 15

BANNER CLASSIFIEDS REAL ESTATE

REAL ESTATE

AFFORDABLE HOMEOWNERSHIP

Trio

Inclusionary Housing Lottery 845 Washington Street, Newton, MA

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120% AMI Units: Three 1BR $2,492*, Four 2BR $2,804* 100% AMI Units: Two Studio $1,784*, Two 1BR $2,039*, Two 2BR $2,294*, One 3BR $2,549* 80% AMI Units: One Studio $1,447*, Five 1BR $1,621*, Four 2BR $1,753*, 50% AMI Units: One Studio $923*, Five 1BR $1,021*, Four 2BR $1,079*, One 3BR $1,139* *See Income Limits Below! Utilities not included. Tenants will pay own Gas Heat and Hot Water and Cooking, Electricity, Water and Sewer. For 50% and 80% units, one parking spot is included. Parking is NOT included for the 100% and 120% AMI units, and parking is estimated to be $200/mo Trio is a 140 unit rental apartment community on the corner of Washington St and Walnut St in Newtonville, a prime location which is within walking distance to many shops, restaurants, and coffee houses, and which provides convenient access to the Newton Public Library, Newton North High School, and Newton’s many parks and open spaces including Cold Springs Park and Cabot Field. Also easily accessible are Newton Center and Downtown Boston via the Mass Pike or via the commuter rail located just across the street. 35 units will be available through this lottery process. All units have high end apartment grade finishes including steel front appliances and in-unit washers and dryers. Trio offers an indoor fitness center area, multiple food and beverage options, two roof decks with grilling stations and fireplaces, an outdoor plaza with café seating, a game room a club room with a lounge, a coffee station, and both indoor and outdoor community space.

50% AMI

1 person 2 persons 3 persons 4 persons 5 persons 6 persons

$41,500 $47,400 $53,350 $59,250 $64,000 $68,750

80% AMI

100% AMI

$62,450 $71,400 $80,300 $89,200 N/A (no unit) N/A (no unit)

IN THE

BANNER IN PRINT AND ONLINE Call 617-261-4600 ext. 7799 or email ads@bannerpub.com for more information

8 Sanborn Street, Reading, MA 01867 NEW CONSTRUCTION 10 Condominiums offered via lottery Three 1 BR units $215,100 Seven 2 BR units $241,900 Applications accepted through April 30, 2020, 1:00 PM INFORMATION SESSION: March 24, 2020, 7:00 PM Select Boardroom, Town Hall, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA LOTTERY: May 18, 2020 at 7:00 PM Select Boardroom, Town Hall, 16 Lowell Street, Reading, MA APPLICATION AND LOTTERY INFORMATION: housing@sudbury.ma.us https://sudbury.ma.us/housingtrust/ Sudbury Housing Trust, Lottery Agent 278 Old Sudbury Road, Sudbury, MA 01776 978-287-1092 or 978-639-3387 Income Limit 80% Boston AMI and Asset Limits. Use and Resale Restrictions Apply.

120% AMI

$79,310 $90,640 $101,970 $113,300 $122,364 $131,428

$95,172 $108,768 $122,364 $135,960 N/A (no unit) N/A (no unit)

Completed Applications must be received, or postmarked, by 2 pm on May 22nd, 2020.

Applications postmarked by the deadline must be received within 5 business days.

The lottery will be held on June 8th, 2020 at 6pm. Applications and Information available at www.sebhousing.com For Lottery Information and Applications, or for reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities, go to www.sebhousing.com or call (617) 782-6900x1 and leave a message or postal mail SEB Housing, 257 Hillside Ave, Needham MA 02494. For TTY Services dial 711.

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HELP WANTED

PROPERTY MANAGER — Maloney Properties —

Voted “Best Place to Work” by its employees for 5 years!

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

The Property Manager will oversee a community of market rate and affordable housing located in Boston. The successful candidate will have experience with the full spectrum of on-site property management and operations functions including board/committee management, budgeting, marketing, leasing, rent collections, compliance, facilities management, and staff leadership.

YOUR QUALIFICATIONS

DND Affordable Rental Opportunity Talbot Commons - Phase 1 Multiple Addresses in Dorchester, 02124: 14 & 18 New England Ave

ADVERTISE

Postmark Square

MAXIMUM Household Income Limits:

An Online Public Info Session will be held on April 20th, 2020 at 6:00pm. The link is: https://youtu.be/fWcfofWQwBo (or just search “SEB Housing” in YouTube). Interested households may also attend by conference call: (425) 436-6200. Access Code: 862627

BAY STATE BANNER .COM

REAL ESTATE

•

15 & 17 Mallard Ave

•

207 Norfolk Street

•

4-6 Norfolk Terrace

40 Income-restricted Units 19 New Construction and 7 Moderate Rehab to be rented through lottery 14 units are currently occupied with no waiting list. Filled on turnover by this lottery NUMBER OF UNITS NUMBER OF BEDROOMS

3 6 3 25 3

2-Bedrooms* 3 Bedroom* 1-Bedroom 2-Bedroom** 3 Bedroom

RENT

MAXIMUM INCOME IN AMI

up to 30% household income up to 30% household income $1,359 $1,530 $1,359

30% AMI 30% AMI 60% AMI 60% AMI 60% AMI

* The three 2 bedrooms and one 3-bedroom units are Homeless Set-asides filled through direct referral from HomeStart. For more information, please visit https://www.homestart.org/bostonhsa or call 857-415-2139 **Two of these units are built out for people with mobility impairments + one is built out for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing

Maximum Yearly Income based on Number of People in Household (2019 limits, provided by DND) NUMBER OF PEOPLE IN HOUSEHOLD

30% AMI

60% AMI

1 2 3 4 5 6

$24,900 $28,450 $32,000 $35,550 $38,400 $41,250

$49,800 $56,880 $64,000 $71,100 $78,800 $82,500

Minimum Yearly Income Based on the Number of Bedrooms NUMBER OF BEDROOMS

30% AMI

60% AMI

1 2 3

No Minimum No Minimum No Minimum

$41,133 $49,371 $57,024

Minimum Incomes do not apply to households with housing assistance like Section 8, MRVP, Vash

Applications are available March 30, 2020 through April 24, 2020 After careful consideration and an abundance of caution, the City of Boston has decided to cancel the in-person application distribution period.

To request an application online please go to: http://bit.ly/talbotcommons1 If you cannot complete the application online (recommended), please call us at (617) 287-9580 to request that we mail you one and to ask for any guidance you might need to complete the application.

When you call, you will be asked for your full name, complete mailing address, and phone number.

This is a City and HUD requirement.

Application must be submitted online OR postmarked by April 24, 2020.

Reasonable accommodations made.

Selection by Lottery.Income, Asset, & Use Restrictions apply. Preferences apply. For more information, language assistance, or reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities please call or email.

For more information, language assistance, or reasonable accommodations email WinnResidential at TalbotCommons@winnco.com or call (617) 287.9580 / TTY/TDD: (800) 439-2370

At least 3-5 years of property management experience. Previous experience working with and reporting to resident boards is required. Knowledge of LIHTC and Section 8 rules and regulatory restrictions is preferred.

COS and/or C3P certification is preferred. Experience must include exceptional customer service and interpersonal skills with strong verbal and written communication skills. Computer proficiency in Microsoft Office is required. Knowledge of Yardi is a plus.

ABOUT US

Established in 1981, Maloney Properties, Inc. (MPI) is a successful women-owned business. Our services include property management, real estate development, hospitality management, sales/marketing, and construction management services. We manage more than 100 housing communities with more than 11,000 units throughout the New England area. Maloney Properties is an Equal Opportunity Employer Apply Now Via Our Careers Page: www.maloneyproperties.com

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