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ACLU: Lab scandals ‘inevitable’
Dookhan cases are symptom of flawed drug policy, some say By JULE PATTISON-GORDON
Members of the state and national ACLU are leveraging high-profile revelations of evidence tampering at drug labs to advance their argument against the country’s strict approach to drug offenses. This month, Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ordered vacated 21,587 drug cases mishandled by state chemist Annie Dookhan, the largest dismissal of wrongful conviction in national history. According to Carl Williams, staff attorney of the ACLU of Massachusetts, such mishandling of justice is, and will continue to be, a side effect of country’s criminalization of drug use and possession. “This is not a forensics drug lab scandal,” Williams told the Banner. “What this really is, is an inevitable consequence of the American war on drugs and how that plays out in Massachusetts — this rush to incarcerate predominately black and brown folks, poor folks, and dehumanize them.”
Dookhan cases
Dookhan, who served in the Hinton State Lab, admitted to routinely tampering with evidence and falsifying results, including forging signatures and testing only a small portion of batch samples before listing them all as positive for illegal substances. Prosecutors say the misconduct was performed in an effort to bolster her productivity and reputation. The affected cases comprise an estimated one-sixth of all Massachusetts drug prosecutions occurring between 2003 and 2012, as well as one quarter of all successful drug prosecutions occurring during that time in the counties of Suffolk, Essex, Bristol, Middlesex, Plymouth, Norfolk and Cape and Islands. In Suffolk County alone, there are approximately 7,500 defendants and 15,570 viable drug convictions to be dismissed, according to the district attorney’s office. The ACLU of Massachusetts, the national ACLU, Fick & Mark
See DOOKHAN, page 16
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Rene Bernal (at right) says he can’t afford the $800 rent hike his new landlord is demanding.
Forced out: Egleston Sq. tenants fight rent increase JP rent hikes stoke concerns about displacement By YAWU MILLER
By most measures, Dulce Bernal’s future looks bright. She’s a sophomore at Boston Latin School, one of the most competitive high schools in the country. While her grades are not a concern, her eligibility to remain at the school as a Boston resident could soon be. The rent on her family’s
two-bedroom apartment at 26 School St. in Egleston Square is jumping from the $900 they currently pay to $1,700, and the new landlord, City Realty, shows no signs of backing down. “I need three jobs just to pay the rent,” says Bernal’s father, Rene. “[And] it’s not just like this here in Roxbury. I’ve looked in Hyde Park. I’ve looked everywhere.” Two years ago, City Realty bought the six-unit building the
Bernal family has called home for the past nine years for $900,000, outbidding the Urban Edge community development corporation. Affordable housing activists working with the nonprofit City Life/Vida Urbana had sought the CDC’s help in maintaining the affordability of the building. After the sale, City Realty began raising rents on existing
See RENT PROTEST, page 21
City council seat challengers emerge District, at-large competition kicks off By JULE PATTISON-GORDON
PHOTO: COURTESY TITO JACKSON
Tito Jackson signs nomination papers to run for mayor.
With city council applications for nomination papers made available Wednesday, a spread of challengers are emerging, causing the list of competitors for the District 7 seat being vacated by Tito Jackson to grow increasingly long. The departures of Councilors Sal LaMattina of District 1 and Bill Linehan of District 2 also have opened the field for several candidates. The at-large councilors, District 8’s Josh Zakim and District 9’s Mark Ciommo, face fights for re-election.
To be on the Sept. 26 primary ballot, candidates must meet the one-year residency eligibility requirement and gather a requisite number of signatures between May 2 and 23. Would-be district councilors need a minimum of 200 signatures from district residents, while at-large councilors must collect at least 1,500 signatures. If enacted, a home rule petition that passed the city council in March would allow voters to sign as many candidates’ papers as desired. Without the new policy, voters will be limited to providing signatures only to up to four
at-large candidates and one district candidate. While candidates were only able to pull municipal election applications starting last week, many set their campaigns in gear weeks and months in advance. Below, the Banner provides an overview of candidates.
District 1
LaMattina has spent eleven years representing Charlestown, the North End, East Boston and Beacon Hill as District 1 councilor. As he retires, among the first to step forward for the seat are East Boston’s Lydia Edwards, the current
See COUNCIL RACES, page 7
2 • Thursday, April 27, 2017 • BAY STATE BANNER
Warren explores plight of middle class in ‘Fight’ Massachusetts Senator makes stop at Old South Church as part of ten-day National tour to promote her 11th book. By SUSAN SACCOCCIA
“This Fight is Our Fight” is U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s 11th book, but not her first to include “fight” in the title. A rallying cry to restore policies that build opportunity for all, the book was released last week, and Warren spoke about it at Old South Church in Boston on Thursday night. Hosted by Harvard Book Store, the talk was a stop in a 10-day book tour that began in New York City and moved on to Chicago, Washington, D.C. and Glendale, California. The church setting suited the event, a gathering of the faithful. An audience of more than 800 filled every pew for the talk, which was high on spirit but short on an action plan to achieve change. During her hour-long talk, Warren alternated between reading passages from her book and addressing the audience, and did both with zeal. The audience responded in kind, greeting and sending her off with standing ovations. Arguing that the middle class in this country is under siege, Warren, 67, recalled her parents’ struggles and how government policies enabled her to obtain higher education. Such
opportunities have diminished, Warren notes, since policies have shifted to favor big business and the wealthy few. Reflecting on President Franklin Roosevelt and his New Deal, which led to an era of widespread prosperity, Warren decried the advent of “supply-side economics,” introduced by President Ronald Reagan in the 1980s, with its fiction of trickle-down wealth. Now, with the election of Donald Trump, the middle class is confronting another onslaught of policies favoring the rich, this time veiled under the guise of populism.
Constituent’s concerns
Warren began by reading a gripping anecdote about a constituent, Mike, who visited her in Washington. He told her that he was afflicted with early onset Alzheimer’s and would soon forget their visit and his wife, who stood next to him. The senator went on to castigate policies that no longer serve “people who never plan to ask for help, but find they need it” and noted that President Trump proposes to cut 20 percent of an already underfunded National Institutes of Health budget for basic research. Warren said her book is about people like Mike and how government policies are no longer
on their side but instead favor the rich and powerful.
Eroding gains
She summarized her book’s coverage of the past 80 years, from the mid-1930s and the Great Depression to 2016. The gross domestic product (GDP) has risen steadily over this period. And from 1935 to 1980, said Warren, “We built the greatest middle class on the face of this earth — through investment and regulation.” She said that such policies as anti-trust laws and progressive taxation led to investments in education and infrastructure that raised opportunity for all. Income growth was widespread, although, Warren acknowledged, “African Americans were locked out. But as civil rights progressed in the ’60s and ’70s, that wealth gap closed. We were on a good path.” Then, in the 1980s, the Reagan years introduced trickle-down economics, deregulation, and tax cuts at the top — measures that diminished funding for education, infrastructure and research and ended income growth for the majority. “This book is about good and evil,” said Warren. “It is also an act of optimism, about how we can be effective in fighting back.” Noting that the current administration in Washington
PHOTO: COURTESY OF AMI LI
U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren shares a passage from her book during her appearance at the Old South Church. regards government as the enemy, Warren said, “President Trump and his team are poised to deliver the knock-out blow to American families.” What to do about it? “I’m fightin’,” Warren said to loud cheers. Warren asked who in the audience had taken part in the Women’s March in January. Most raised their hands. “We can make democracy
work again by insisting that government serve the people,” said Warren. “We’ve got to build an America of opportunity again. Our character is being tested here — not the character of this country’s president, but the character of its people.” Warren concluded by inviting all to join her for selfies, showing her knack for social media. A very long line formed within minutes.
Thursday, April 27, 2017 • BAY STATE BANNER • 3
Immigrant activists rally to protest detention, deportation Cosecha members staged correction center sit-in and march from Rox’s Dudley Square By JULE PATTISON-GORDON
Activists of the Cosecha movement are turning up the energy as they move toward a May 1 all-immigrant strike. Last Monday, dozens of marchers — including youth, religious community members and other activists — led the way from Orchard Gardens Park near Roxbury’s Dudley Square to the Suffolk County Correction Center. Waving flags and chanting and playing musical instruments, the demonstrators met up with another team of activists who sat outside the correction center doors, with arms linked. The rally swelled to approximately a hundred people, 20 of whom were arrested before the event’s end. Organizer Gloribell Mota called for detention centers like the one in the Suffolk County jail to be shuttered and no new ones to be constructed, and protestors raised voices in songs and chants of support. Diana Salas, who works as a researcher and volunteers with Cosecha, told the Banner that activists demand protection for all immigrants — not just some categories of immigrants. “We feel bad for DREAMers [undocumented immigrants who were brought into the U.S. as children], then we deport their mothers,” Salas said. She continued by nothing that such youth may work hard in school and follow the rules, yet find their families torn apart. On Facebook, rally organizers evoked the stories of several recent deportees. In Ohio, Maribel Trujilo, a 41-year-old Mexican immigrant with no criminal record and four U.S.-born children, made headlines when she was deported this month. In California, Juan Manule Montes, a 23-year-old brought over from Mexico as a child, is said to be
the first person protected under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals status to be deported, although Department of Homeland Security officials claim that he violated — and thus forfeited — that protection. Salas says deporting criminals is ineffective, as it does not solve the problem of criminal activity, it merely moves it to another country — with no guarantee that the effects will not impact those in the U.S. The Cosecha movement takes as its goal “permanent protection for all immigrants” but avoids specific policy advocacy. Salas said there already is a plethora of policy experts and rights groups focused on that. Instead, Cosecha concentrates on maintaining the public’s attention on the issues and keeping energy alive. “We are a movement that doesn’t know the details,” Salas said. “Our job is to keep the momentum.” Under Trump, the pressure for change has mounted. “What we have always believed never would happen is starting to happen,” Salas said. Protestors also said they were alarmed by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s detainment of Alex Carrillo and two other Vermont activists, which many have viewed as an attempt to target and silence activists. “We will continue to be bolder as well as inspiring,” Mota told the Banner. Marie Ghitman, a Jamaica Plain resident and member of Boston Area Brigade of Activist Musicians, participated in the demonstration as the trombonist part of the music ensemble. Since Trump took office, she said she there were so many causes to fight for that she had to choose one to focus on. Driven by her work with immigrant families as a visiting nurse, she decided to channel her
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Gloribell Mota and other members of Movimiento Cosecha marched from Dudley Square to the Suffolk County Correction Center, calling for a May 1 strike. energies into fighting for immigrant and refugees. “I’m horrified at the fact that immigrant families just want the best for their kids and are being targeted as if they’re evil,” Ghimtan told the Banner.
May 1
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striking workers. Activists also intend to accompany the May 1 strikers back to work on May 2 in an effort to ensure they do not face retaliation from employers. Currently Cosecha members are in discussion with other groups on how to effectively continue to follow up and intervene to prevent any potential retaliation occurring at a later date.
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4 • Thursday, April 27, 2017 • BAY STATE BANNER
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Established 1965
Talk is cheap Optimists seem to believe that America’s racial problem can be greatly alleviated by talking. One often hears the assertion that the nation needs “more conversations” on race. There is never a clear explanation as to how the remediation takes effect. The reaction of many whites to the simple claim “black lives matter” should indicate the depth of racial alienation. How can any civilized person object to the claim that black lives matter? The adverse position is unthinkable. How can anyone really believe that black lives do not matter, or that any human being’s life is of no consequence? The objection of some whites is that an assertion of the value of black lives somehow discriminates against whites. For years the police across the country have abused African Americans but there has been no right of recourse until video cameras and cellphones have been able to record incidents of police violence. Even then it is rare for the police to be convicted in a court for their violent actions against black victims. According to a research collaborative called “Mapping Police Violence,” the police killed more than 102 unarmed black victims in 2015. The total number of black people killed by the police in 2015 was 346, but 30 percent were unarmed. “Mapping Police Violence” claims that blacks are three times more likely than whites to be killed by police. The names of some of the recent victims of police violence have become well-known: Michael Brown, Sandra Bland, Tamir Rice, Lacquan McDonald, Freddie Gray, Eric Garner and Walter Scott. The police have never suffered punishments that fit their crimes of violence, so black youth have organized a national protest — Black Lives Matter.
What also is very disturbing is that whites even seem to accept the high rate of police shootings of whites. The Washington Post recorded 963 fatal police shootings in 2016, and 465 of the victims were white. Perhaps one reason for the white objection to Black Lives Matter is that whites accept the idea of the police shooting any noncompliant citizen regardless of race. Police shootings are rare in Europe. According to a 2015 report in the Guardian, a British newspaper, there were only 55 fatal police shootings in England and Wales in the last 24 years. In the U.S. there were 59 fatal police shootings in the first 24 days of 2015. While the population of England and Wales is only 56.9 million compared with 316.1 million in the U.S., 5.56 times greater, the disparity in police shootings is enormous. The likelihood of being fatally shot by the police in the U.S. is roughly 365 times greater than in England. The inexorable conclusion is that respect for human life is far less in the U.S. than in civilized European countries. Unfortunately, a distorted interpretation in the U.S. of the Second Amendment seems to extol firearms in the hands of most citizens. However, one suspects that an analysis of police shootings would find that few Americans in the top 1 percent income bracket ended up on a slab in the morgue as a result of police violence. There is a great deference in the U.S. for the wealthy. What manner of conversation will modify unpleasant attitudes that have become part of the American culture? The problems facing the nation cannot be overcome with mild pleasantries. If whites learn to understand that black lives matter, perhaps they can also then move on to love one another. Mere conversations will not get us there.
“You think the kids would feel a little better if we had a conversation about this?” USPS 045-780 Melvin B. Miller Sandra L. Casagrand John E. Miller Yawu Miller
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O’Reilly got the boot for being a sexual reprobate, but not for being anti-black By EARL OFARI HUTCHINSON The ousted and disgraced Bill O’Reilly’s blatant anti-black cracks, digs, slurs and putdowns didn’t start last year, two years ago or even a decade ago. They started almost from the day that he took the helm of the “Factor” the last century. O’Reilly kicked things off with this zinger in early 1999: “Will African Americans break away from the pack thinking and reject immorality — because that’s the reason the family’s breaking apart — alcohol, drugs, infidelity. You have to reject that, and it doesn’t seem, and I’m broadly speaking here, but a lot of African Americans won’t reject it.” With this broadside, he tapped all the vile, ancient stereotypes about crime, drugs, immorality and rotten families that supposedly explain why blacks are stuck in crumbling ghettoes and wallow in poverty. O’Reilly repeatedly came back to variations on this theme time and again in the years to come. On black athletes: “Look, you know as well as I do most of these kids come out and they can’t speak English.” On black high achievers: “Does anyone know where the Best Men are? I hope they’re not in the parking lot stealing our hubcaps.” On mocking black leaders: “Oh, I can’t get a job. Whitey won’t let me,’ or ‘I can’t get educated. The teachers are bad, so I’m going to go out and get high and sell drugs. That’s the only way we can make money here.’ You know what I mean? And it’s a vicious cycle.” On Trump’s pledge to create more jobs for blacks: “Many of them are ill-educated and have tattoos on their foreheads, and I hate to be generalized about it — but it’s true. If you look at all the educational statistics, how are you going to give jobs to people who aren’t qualified for jobs?” On black girls and pregnancy: “Young girls are getting pregnant in the African American community.” “Now it’s about 70 percent out of wedlock. She knows and doesn’t seem to care.” On black children: “Now, the race hustlers who apparently have not walked the streets of poor neighborhoods lately, immediately accused me of racism. And that is why the acute problem of cultural deprivation among under-classed children of all colors is never addressed.” On black crime: “There is a violent subculture in the African American community that should be exposed and confronted.” On Freddie Gray’s slaying: “Freddie Gray’s lifestyle for many years, led him to this terrible thing, which has not only impacted him and his family but all the police officers, and that lifestyle should be condemned.” On the black condition: “Don’t abandon your children.” “Don’t get pregnant at 14. Don’t allow your neighborhoods to deteriorate into freefire zones. That’s what the African American community should have on their T-shirts.” On Africa: “I’ve been to Africa three times. All right? You can’t bring Western reasoning into the culture. The same way you can’t bring it into fundamental Islam.” O’Reilly made more, many more observations and statements that passed as the fount of learning and wisdom about blacks. And with each racist putdown, O’Reilly’s ratings soared to the sky, major corporations flocked to the show in droves and plopped tens of millions into advertising, and policy makers of all stripes begged to be on his show. O’Reilly was Fox’s cash cow. The more O’Reilly insulted blacks, the more he was hailed as the one guy on the airwaves who was not afraid to defy the so-called “race hustlers” and apologists, i.e., civil rights leaders and liberal Democrats, and tell it like it supposedly is about blacks. As long as that was the case, O’Reilly was virtually sanctified, TV’s equivalent of the “made man” who was untouchable. All the while, Fox boss Rupert Murdoch, Fox management and legions of women in and about Fox knew that O’Reilly was a sexist scumbag and sexual predator who cost the network millions in hush money to cover for his groping, predatory lust. But, it was not just the money shelled out, corporations fleeing the scene, and the passage of time that would undo this sexual vulture. It was also the instant fury and force of women’s groups that rattled the Fox empire. This was not something that could be winked at, nodded at and laughed away. Blatant sexism and its manifestation in sexual philandering simply will not be tolerated. It always will bring an instant white hot reaction, as it should. But routine racist slurs before millions of viewers also should be instant cause for an O’Reilly to be jerked from the air. This wasn’t the case, and it reinforces the age-old line that a rich, white guy can say whatever he wants about blacks in public space and at worst will get a hand-slap reprimand, make a phony apology, and then skip away to racially slur another day. O’Reilly’s getting the boot for being a sexual reprobate isn’t likely to change that.
Earl Ofari Hutchinson is an author and political analyst.
In some ways yes and in some ways no. Boston has a lot of amazing attributes with technology and education but we need to do better with diversity, inclusion and the wage gap.
I think overall things are getting better. There are more opportunities in terms of jobs than there used to be, especially for minorities.
Monica Cannon
Glenn Williams Executive Director Mattapan
Community Organizer Roxbury
It depends on how you look at it. Boston has a lot of resources, but in the community, there’s a lack of resources. It’s a systemic issue. Resources aren’t shared equally.
That’s a loaded question. Based on studies and statistics, I’d say no. There’s greater disparities than in the past. People are advocating for their communities, but people aren’t finding jobs or housing here.
Robyn Gibson Consultant Mattapan
They’re trying to do a lot of new things, but people are being pushed out and there’s still a lot of crime.
No. There’s still not enough opportunity for the people who live here. People are coming from out of town and getting the jobs and the housing.
Audrea Johnson
Horace White
Clark Grant
Driver Dorchester
Airline Ground Operations Roxbury
Retired Dorchester
IN THE NEWS
EDWARD M. POWELL JRI, a nonprofit provider of trauma-informed care to children and families in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut, has appointed Edward M. Powell as executive director of JRI’s STRIVE Boston program. Powell will continue to serve as JRI’s vice president for community engagement. STRIVE Boston serves chronically unemployed adults of all ages who come from the most underserved communities to help them realize their potential to find and keep jobs that promise sustainable livelihoods and personal growth. STRIVE Boston also operates a job-readiness program, STRIVE FORWARD Juvenile Justice Initiative, to recruit and enroll at-risk young adults, ages 16 to 24, providing them with workforce development training and an array of necessary services that they may not otherwise know about. “Ed will bring passion, com-
mitment, and an abundance of experience and personal relationships to his new role at STRIVE Boston,” said Andy Pond, president and CEO of JRI. “He is a believer in the abilities of the individuals served by STRIVE Boston and he seeks to nurture success through job training, education, or learning a trade.” Powell, a resident of Dorchester, joined JRI in 2014, bringing over 20 years of experience in the private and nonprofit sectors in a career spent working to improve the lives of young people through education, employment and violence prevention. Powell holds a bachelor’s degree in marketing from Delaware State University and a master’s degree in public administration from the Sawyer Business School at Suffolk University. He is a 2007 alumnus of the Boston University’s Institute of Nonprofit Management and
Leadership program and a 2013 alumnus of The Partnership Inc.’s Next Generation Executive program.
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Thursday, April 27, 2017 • BAY STATE BANNER • 7
Council races continued from page 1
deputy director of the city’s Office of Housing Stability; Charlestown’s Jack Kelly III, a policy advisor to Councilor Linehan; East Boston’s Michael Sinatra, LaMattina’s chief of staff; and the North End’s Stephen Passacantilli, current director of operations for the Boston Transportation Department and former aide to both LaMattina and Mayor Martin Walsh. In her city role, Edwards, 36, is responsible for programs aimed at assisting residents who face displacement. Her duties include collecting eviction data, negotiating housing solutions between tenants and landlords and advocating for policies, with the Jim Brooks Stabilization Act as a recent example. Previously, Edwards served as a public interest lawyer with the Greater Boston Legal Services and was received honorable mention as 2015 Bostonian of the Year for her advocacy of immigrant and domestic workers rights. She opened a first-in-the-nation law and policy clinic for domestic workers and was later part of the team that wrote the Massachusetts’s Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights. Last year, Edwards made a bid for the state senate seat vacated by Anthony Petruccelli, but lost in the Democratic primary to Joe Boncore. She ranked fourth out of seven primary contenders, nabbing 14.6 percent of the vote, according to state records. As of her January 2017 filing, Edwards had $10,533 in the campaign coffers established for that race. She has filed a new statement of purpose with the Office of Campaign and Political Finance designating her campaign for the city council race. Her treasurer is Vann Snyder. Meanwhile, Passacantilli, 41, is a Boston Public Schools parent whose experience includes several years as president of the North End/Waterfront Neighborhood Council. His grandfather, great-grandfather and great-grandmother all held public positions: city councilor, state senator and immigration commissioner, respectively. Passacantilli formerly served as a special assistant to the mayor’s office. He has yet to file papers for his campaign with the Office of Campaign and Political Finance, as of Tuesday morning. Jack Kelly III, 36, is the founder of the iRecover mobile app and the mental health and addiction policy adviser to Linehan. He formerly served as the city’s Charleston neighborhood liaison. Kelly made an unsuccessful bid for at-large
city council in 2013. At the time, he said his key issues were ensuring access to quality public schools and combating violence and substance abuse. His latest filing with the OCPF, shows a zero-dollar end balance at the end of 2014; he dissolved the committee in 2015. By Banner press time, he had yet to create a new committee. Michael Sinatra served as chief of staff to LaMattina for the past four years, a role in which he says he demonstrated experience and effectiveness by ensuring that “day to day, the nuts and bolts of basic city services are addressed,” according to the North End Waterfront. Occupying the councilor’s seat would be a natural progression of his current work, he says. As of Tuesday morning, he had yet to file with the OCPF.
Berklee Urban Service Award
District 2
Bill Linehan steps down after a decade representing Chinatown, the South End and South Boston. Edward Flynn, probation officer and son of former mayor Raymond Flynn, has thrown his name into the ring, as has Michael Kelley, former campaign manager to Mayor Thomas Menino. Both bring sizeable war chests: As of mid-April Flynn had spent about $6,365, leaving his campaign with about $53,000, while Kelley’s expenditures of $26,845 left him with $64,617. The Kelley campaign released a promotional video on April 10 that features a diverse array of residents. Rounding out the field are three further candidates. Corey Dinopoulos, a 32-year-old designer and community organizer, says he would bring a new, younger viewpoint to the council, enhanced by his membership in the LGBTQ community. Dinopoulos, who has lived in South Boston for the past nine years, cofounded the failed Boston 2024 Olympics bid, but says he learned greatly from the process. As of April 17, his campaign had $9,981, having spent a total of $2,291. Frank Ullip, a downtown resident and analyst for Fort Point-based software company Clavis Insight, announced his candidacy and stated that he would strive to enhance innovation in Boston and create an environment that attracts top-level talent to the city. He highlighted the importance of STEM skills to the economy. He has served on the executive committee of Minds Matter, a nonprofit that mentors low-income high school students in preparation for universities and academic summer programs. As of the midApril filing, his campaign received $25 and has spent $4. Peter Lin-Marcus, Chinatown
PHOTO: DAVE GREEN
Berklee College of Music associate vice president Curtis Warner (right) presents the Berklee Urban Service Award to Professor Ron Savage for his work in establishing the Cambridge Jazz Festival and the Johnny Hodges Scholarship Fund.
resident and director of Brookline-Based corporate fitness training firm Lean Force, also is running. His LinkedIn lists prior participation on Ed Markey and Deval Patrick’s campaigns. As of April 19, his campaign had spent $5,598, leaving it with $247. Three South Boston residents are making a bid as well: Joseph Kebartas, James Lauper and Erica Tritta. None had filed with the OCPF by Tuesday morning.
District 7
Four newcomers have added their names to the District 7 field, which includes former state Rep. Carlos Henriquez; Kim Janey, senior project director at Massachusetts Advocates for Children; Deeqo Jibril, founder of executive director of the Somali Community and Cultural Association; Angelina Camacho, program manager at Action for Boston Community Development, Inc. (ABCD); Joao DePina, owner of At Your Time of Need Floral Designs and Ward 12 Democratic Committee treasurer; attorney Hassan Williams; Rufus Faulk, Boston Ten Point Coalition’s director of the Gang Mediation Initiative; and Charles Clemons Muhammad, who runs a low-power radio station. James Jackson, a 23-year-old Roxbury resident, announced in April that he also will seek the council seat representing Roxbury as well as parts of Dorchester, the South End and Fenway. As of April
18 his campaign had spent $639, leaving a balance of about $1,160. Brian Keith, president of Mount Pleasant Avenue, Vine and Forest Street Neighborhood Association, has joined in, raising $891 by April 15, and spending none of it. Jose Junior Lopez had spent about $10, leaving his campaign with $1,990. Domonique Williams of Roxbury also is said to be running.
Districts 8 and 9
Josh Zakim, who is running for re-election, faces competition from Kristen Mobilia, member of the Fenway Garden Society and director of finance and administration at VideoLink LLc, a video production firm that serves corporate clients. By April 17, Mobilia had raised $1,000 and spent none of it. By April 15, Zakim held about $310,566 in his campaign account. Incumbent Mark Ciommo has represented Allston and Brighton since 2008 and has not stated intentions to step down. As of April 15, his campaign held $82,680. He faces competition from would-be councilor, Allston’s Brandon Bowser. Bowser has registered his campaign with the OCPF but has yet to raise funds.
At-large
As of presstime, the four at-large councilors — Ayanna Pressley, Annissa Essaibi George, Michael Flaherty and council president Michelle Wu — face six challengers.
Aziza Robinson-Goodnight, a Dorchester artists and chair of the Frederick Douglass Sculpture Project, makes her first bid for political office. She told the Dorchester Reporter that issues important to her include gentrification, youth employment resources, education resources and preserving cultural assets. By April 15, she had raised $420 and made no expenditures. William King, a 27-year-old, formerly worked in the tech department at TechBoston Academy in Codman Square and currently performs IT for a real estate development firm. He had raised $10 as of April 15, and told the Dorchester reporter that being young, biracial and Dorchester-raised gives him a unique perspective. Hyde Park resident and former city youth worker Domingos DaRosa also is running. Currently he runs his own property maintenance firm and has filed officially with the OCPF but has yet to raise funds. Pat Payaso, the Fenway’s Robert Couture Jr. and Dorchester’s Althea Garrison are also running. Garrison is a former Fifth Suffolk District state representative, who made unsuccessful bids to regain that office in 2012, 2014 and 2016, and for the District 7 city council seat in 2015. Garrison’s previous campaign ended with a zero balance, and she has yet to file a new statement of purpose. Couture has not yet filed with the OCPF, and Payaso has filed with the OCPF but has yet to raise funds.
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Do your homework before buying a condo Expert urges buyers to assess health of condo association By YAWU MILLER
Looking to buy a single-family home in Roxbury? Prices range from $365,000 for a short-sale to $2.9 million for a Highland Park estate. The real estate website Zillow lists the median sale price for single-family homes in the Roxbury ZIP code 02119 at $435,000. The median sale price for a Roxbury condominium, however, is substantially lower, at $380,000. In the Grove Hall ZIP code 02121, which includes parts of Roxbury and Dorchester, a Zillow search shows the median sales price for condominiums at $321,000. While price is a major incentive — perhaps mores than any other factor — the supply of single-family homes is driving interest in condos, says real estate broker Kobe Evans. “We don’t have a great supply of single-family homes,” he said. “There are a lot more options with condos.” Hemmed in by the ocean and by surrounding cities and towns like Cambridge, Brookline, Quincy and Chelsea, Boston doesn’t have much in the way of vacant, developable land. And as city officials struggle to encourage the
BANNER PHOTO
Home buyer counselor Jorge Casas conducts classes at the Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance. production of new housing units to meet growing demand from the city’s expanding population, apartments and condominiums make better sense for developers and yield higher profits. But prospective buyers must do their homework before snapping up a deal in Boston’s condominium market, warns Jorge Casas, the HomeSafe program manager at the Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance. “It’s like buying a business,”
Casas says. “You have to scrutinize the condo association and find out how they’re running.” Some buyers prefer a condominium to home ownership because of the ease of maintenance. With a condominium, owners are responsible for repairs to their own dwellings — everything on the inside of the unit they own, as well as the unit’s individual heating and electrical systems. Through a condominium association, all the owners in the building share
the expenses of maintaining the common areas — the front entryway, stairs and hallways — as well as the exterior of the building, the front and back yards and driveway. In many larger condominium associations, each member owner shares in the expenses and decision-making while a management company secures contractors for maintenance and repairs. In smaller condominium associations, individual owners often have to negotiate cleaning, maintenance and repairs with each other. “You don’t have to be friends with the other association members, but you have to be in a relationship with them,” Casas says. “In smaller associations, those with fewer than 10 units, they often don’t have the money to pay for a property manager and end up doing everything themselves. That’s where issues can arise.” In these smaller condominium associations, the financial well-being of each member is vital to the well-being of the association as a whole. Monthly condo fees pay for the day-to-day maintenance and insurance on a condo building, but when major repairs such as roof replacements are needed, members must agree to pay a special assessment for the work. Condominium associations typically vote on what repairs will be made and when. If an association member cannot pay his or her monthly condo fee, the
burden of monthly maintenance falls on the other members. If an association member cannot afford an assessment, needed repairs may not get done. Casas advises prospective buyers to ask their real estate brokers to investigate the condo association before deciding to go forward with a purchase. Among the questions to weigh when considering buying a condominium, according to Casas: n Are the condominium association’s finances in the black? n Are all members keeping up with their monthly condo fees? n Are there any major repairs needed to the building? n What type of insurance does the association carry? n What are the monthly condominium association fees? n Are members in compliance with the association’s rules? In associations with more than 10 members that have well-functioning management companies, condo ownership can be easier than owning a house. And with housing prices continuing to rise in Boston, condos are becoming increasingly popular. “It seems to be the only option for many people who want to buy in the city,” Casas says. And approaching the process with a little caution can make the difference between a satisfying purchase and a regrettable one.
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10 • Thursday, April 27, 2017 • BAY STATE BANNER
SPRINGREAL ESTATE FIND YOUR NEW HOME ONLINE: HTTP://BAYSTATEBANNER.COM/CLASSIFIEDS/CATEGORY/REAL-ESTATE
Buying a home may be easier than you think Advance preparation can smooth the process By MELVIN A VIEIRA JR
Many people, even as they attend first-time homebuyer classes, do not believe they could ever own their own home, but it is possible to turn a home ownership dream into reality. Here are some recommendations for overcoming fears and misconceptions and approaching the homebuying process with knowledge and confidence. Make a list. Having a list will help you identify and keep track of the various parts involved in the process, and will allow you to navigate the seas of purchasing your first home with confidence. Select three areas that appeal to you and do your homework. There are many details that will be important to you in choosing best location for you and your family. Go online to collect information about cities and towns that interest you, and read about their schools, hospitals, highway access, transportation options and retail offerings. Google Maps is a useful tool that even provides daily traffic patterns for neighborhoods. Get pre-qualified or pre-approved for a loan. For pre-qualification or pre-approval, you will
“
Perhaps you’re thinking that you don’t need an agent. Think again! Buying your first home is one of the most important purchases of your life.”
be asked a series of questions by a lender or mortgage broker in order to determine what you can afford. The pre-approval process delves further into your personal finances to determine the amount of mortgage you will actually be qualified to borrow. This analysis involves the “Four Cs”— capacity, capital, collateral and credit. You can seek pre-approval from a lender, mortgage company, credit union or a private lender. There are some differences between the way these entities operate so it’s important to investigate and ask questions to determine which one will be the best one for your personal needs. Assess your “needs” vs. “wants” for a new home. Consider aspects like the total number of rooms, bedrooms and bathrooms, type of kitchen, basement, backyard and the like. Do you want an updated kitchen and bathrooms, new hardwood floors and windows? Do you need those
features? Consider looking for the “worst” house in your desired area and planning to fix it up to be one of the best. Taking this approach can build equity quickly in your new home. Just remember to be patient: Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither will your dream home be. Having your list ready before starting your home search will save you time and frustration and will give your real estate agent some clear ideas about what is most important to you, helping to narrow down which homes have the potential to fit your needs. Perhaps you’re thinking that you don’t need an agent. Think again! Buying your first home is one of the most important purchases of your life. This is not the time to let your ego get in the way just to save yourself a few dollars. Be practical and use good business sense. Find a trusted agent. How do you find the right agent? First speak with family,
friends and co-workers who have recently bought a home to find out who their agent was and whether they were happy with the service they received. If they recommend someone, consider contacting that agent for an interview. After all, you need to be comfortable that this person will be a good fit for you during the home search and buying process. Ask questions that will assure you of the agent’s experience level, work ethic, creativity and record of success in the areas you are targeting. Keep in mind that you don’t have to limit yourself to an agent who works or has an office in a particular area. As the buyer, you also need to know if the agent is going to represent your sole interests, the seller’s, or both. You should consider selecting an agent who will represent your interests solely. Every agent must provide a Massachusetts Agency Disclosure Form when they first meet with you. If they don’t, they have broken a state law. Ask for at least three references. Former clients can often provide a wealth of information to help you decide if the agent you’re considering is the right one for you. Do some research online, too, to see if the agent has received any positive or negative reviews. Once selected, your agent should go over the process of buying a home from beginning of the process to the end, which includes
the closing and beyond. The agent should also give you a list of their team members — lender, real estate attorney, home inspector and office administrative personnel. Be aware that in the Boston market and in other markets across the country, the number of buyers looking for homes often far exceeds the number of homes for sale. This makes for competitive conditions. Competition means a buyer has to stand out when looking for a home, so a good team is important. If you search online for homes for sale, be sure you are viewing sites that are updated frequently. Some sites, such as Realtor.com, RE/MAX.com, PropertiesForSaleInBoston.com, provide up-tothe-minute information. Armed with a list of homebuying steps, a clear idea of your desired locations and home characteristics, and a trustworthy agent working for your interests, you may have the keys to your dream home sooner than you think.
Melvin A. Vieira Jr.’s 28-year real estate career has included working as a real estate agent/realtor and serving on the boards of directors of the Greater Boston Association of Realtors and the Massachusetts Association of Realtors. Vieira is a frequent speaker at first-time homebuyer classes sponsored by the City of Boston, MAHA, Urban Edge, Nuestra Comunidad CDC, WATCH CDC and many other organizations. He currently is a real estate agent with RE/MAX Destiny.
Thursday, April 27, 2017 • BAY STATE BANNER • 11
SPRINGREAL ESTATE FIND YOUR NEW HOME ONLINE: HTTP://BAYSTATEBANNER.COM/CLASSIFIEDS/CATEGORY/REAL-ESTATE
City targets special services for home buyers and owners Boston Home Center offers a wealth of services for homebuyers and homeowners
Boston Home Center’s homebuyer services ensure that people seeking to live in Boston — regardless of race, age, economic status or physical ability — can find a place in the city to call home.
Homebuyer education
Homebuyer education is the cornerstone of the BHC homebuyer program, including the following classes: n Homebuying 100: Introduction to Homeownership: This oneand-a-half-hour course is ideal for anyone exploring the homebuying process. You’ll learn about the pros and cons of homeownership, about preparing your finances and about determining what type of home is right for you. n Homebuyer 101: This is a comprehensive, 10-hour introduction to buying a home in Boston, graduating 1,600 empowered prospective homebuyers each year.
Financial assistance
For qualified homebuyers, the BHC may be able to help with down payment and closing costs. Homebuyers may be qualified for loans of up to 3 percent of the purchase price toward your down payment and closing costs on one- to two-unit properties and condominiums. In addition, the Home Center may be able to offer up to 5 percent loans for threeunit properties. These loans carry no interest and are forgivable
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FREE! Call to find out how much your property is WORTH! Thinking of buying a home? Call for your FREE BUYERS consultation.
Melvin A Vieira Jr Real Estate Agent RE/MAX Destiny Phone: 617-283-6003
www.PropertiesForSaleInBoston.com MelvinSellsRealEstate@gmail.com
Board of Director of Greater Boston Association of Realtors (GBAR) 2016 - 2018 Board of Director of Massachusetts Association of Realtors (MAR) 2017 - 2019 Established since 1989
PHOTO: COURTESY DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT
Prospective homebuyers talk to specialists during a recent event hosted by the Boston Home Center. after 10 years. In addition, BHC hosts Meet the Lenders and Realtors, credit seminars and spring and fall housing EXPOs in neighborhoods across the city.
Boston Homebuyer Club
The Homebuyer Club helps potential homebuyers get ready to buy in Boston. Club members receive
assistance in following the path to homeownership. Graduates of the city’s homebuyer education classes are eligible for membership. Homebuyer Club members receive a monthly email about courses, classes and workshops, and are notified automatically about affordable properties for sale, such as homes available through the Neighborhood Homes Initiative.
BOSTON HOME CENTER
SPRING www.bostonhomecenter.com 617.635.HOME (4663)
SERVICES FOR HOMEBUYERS
Graduates of Homebuyer 101 are able to navigate the home buying process and gain access to sound, affordable and sustainable mortgage products. n Homebuying 102: How to Buy a Condo: The free two-hour seminar is available to graduates of Homebuying 101 and offers condo purchase information and tips for financing. n How to Assemble Your Homebuying Team: Join our panel discussion to find out who should be on your homebuying team. The session introduces you to the types of professionals you’ll be working with, like mortgage loan officers, realtors, insurance agents and real estate attorneys. You must be a member of the Homebuyer Club to join this discussion. n Loan to Own: This course covers the different types of mortgages and how lenders make loan decisions. We also discuss federal laws and how to avoid predatory lending. n Drop-in Counseling Sessions for Homebuyers: Free group counseling sessions for graduates of Homebuying 101 can help you see where you are in the homebuying process and what steps to take next. n Structuring Your Finances for Homeownership: This oneand-a-half-hour workshop will teach you how to review your credit report, optimize your debtto-credit ratio and organize your financial documents. The goal is to help you prepare for applications to financial assistance programs and lenders. n Your Strategic Money Management Plan: This twohour workshop helps you analyze your spending and credit situations, and answer the question: Am I making the right choices to manage my finances effectively?
BOSTON HOME CENTER
Stable neighborhoods are healthy neighborhoods, and the most stable ones have a solid base of homeowners. Dedicated to helping Boston residents obtain, maintain and retain their homes, Mayor Martin J. Walsh and the Department of Neighborhood Development support the Boston Home Center. Through BHC and its events, city residents gain access to approved mortgage lenders, realtors, non-profits, federal and state housing partners, city agencies, local elected officials, city officials and trained BHC staff to help them learn about homeownership and about valuable programs such as Renew Boston, the Neighborhood Homes Initiative and Seniors Save. In addition, organizations such as the Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance, MassHousing and other approved nonprofit partners, realtors and mortgage lenders often attend BHC’s events. “In Boston, our priority is making sure residents can live, work and thrive in our city, and that includes becoming a homeowner,” said Mayor Walsh. “Our Boston Home Center provides residents with the support they need to assist them with the homebuying process and throughout their years as a homeowner.” Here is a summary of the services BHC offers:
SERVICES FOR HOMEOWNERS
In addition to helping prospective buyers, BHC seeks to help maintain neighborhood stability by offering funding, assistance and education programs to current Boston homeowners. Here are some of the services homeowners can access:
See HOME CENTER, page 15
PO
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Free Classes! Homebuying 100: 9:15 AM – 10:45 AM For anyone thinking about buying a home - learn about the pros and cons of homeownership. Strategic Money Management Plan: 11:15 AM – 12:45 PM Get answers to help you make the right decisions to manage your finances. Financial Assistance Workshop: 9:00 AM, 10:30 AM and 11:30 AM Learn about the City’s Down payment assistance program, MHP ONE Mortgage and MassHousing products. DIY or Hire a Home Repair Contractor? 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM Learn tips on when to do it yourself and when to hire a contractor for home repairs. Boston Home Repair Funding Programs: 10:45 AM - 11:45 AM Learn about the City’s Home Repair assistance programs. Healthy Homes: What to Look for (Lead, Asbestos, Mold)
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14 • Thursday, April 27, 2017 • BAY STATE BANNER
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BIZ BITS TIP OF THE WEEK Tips to adjust your tax withholdings Every year, nearly eight out of 10 taxpayers receive a federal tax refund. Many of them are more than happy to see that “extra” money drop into their bank accounts. In fact, according to a recent TaxAct survey, 61 percent of tax filers said they’d rather receive a big refund than a larger paycheck throughout the year. Unfortunately, many of those taxpayers don’t realize they could have that “extra” money throughout the year. That’s right - receiving a refund means overpaying the government in the form of a 12-month, interest-free loan. Fortunately, there is something you can do about it. By making the necessary withholding adjustments to your Form W-4, you can have that money a lot sooner than tax season. 1. Review your current withholdings. To control your tax withholding and paycheck, you need to adjust the number of allowances (withholding exemptions) you claim on Form W-4. If you’re unfamiliar with Form W-4, it’s the tax document you complete each time you start a job to let your employer know how much money to withhold from your paycheck for federal taxes. To better understand how allowances work, think about it this way: n To increase your paycheck, claim more allowances to withhold fewer taxes. n To increase your refund, claim fewer allowances to withhold more taxes. With one simple form you can make the necessary adjustments to give yourself a raise and put more money in your paycheck instead of waiting to receive it in the form of a tax refund. 2. Use tools to help calculate the appropriate withholding. If you are unsure of what number of allowances is appropriate for your tax situation, a variety of tax tools can make calculating your withholdings easier. By answering a few quick questions, you can easily adjust your withholdings to see how they impact your paycheck and your tax liability. 3. Assess recent life events. As life changes, so do your taxes. Generally, you should consider adjusting your W-4 any time a major life event occurs, to ensure the right amount of tax is withheld from your paycheck. For example, did you start a new job this year or get a pay raise in your current position? A change in household income can impact your tax situation and require you to modify your allowances. Did you recently tie the knot? Saying “I do” can affect your tax rate, especially if you and your spouse are both employed. The same is true if the opposite occurs — divorce. Untying the knot will place you back in single status and take away many of the tax benefits available to those who are married. A new baby is also a major life event that greatly influences your tax situation. This is true even if you adopt. Not only can you claim an additional allowance for your new dependent, you may also qualify for various credits, like the Child Care Tax Credit and the Child Tax Credit. Both of those decrease your tax liability. If your withholdings remain the same, you may receive a larger refund, but See BIZ BITS, page 15
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Abeeku Barrow founded Boston Cleaning services in 2012, hiring local Dorchester young adults for his commercial cleaning company.
Expanding opportunity Dorchester entrepreneur provides employment for locals By YAWU MILLER
Midway into his first year at Quincy College, Abeeku Barrow felt the entrepreneurial itch. A self-directed learner, Barrow left school, cashed out $3,000 from his federal student loan and immersed himself in the Kirstein Business Library and Innovation Center at the Copley branch of the Boston Public Library. After several weeks, Barrow had developed the outlines of a marketing plan for a commercial cleaning company. Armed with his college loan money, the 19-yearold invested heavily in marketing, paying professionals to design a logo, a website and literature for Boston Cleaning Services. Then, in 2012, he hit the streets. “Within my first 60 days, I had contracts with financial institutions, real estate companies, insurance agencies and an ice cream chain franchise,” Barrow says. Investing early in marketing — and putting little into equipment — may seem like a risky move. But for Barrow, it was calculated. He passed the costs for cleaning
“
The important thing for me is to provide jobs for the people around me and help them obtain the skills to move forward.” — Abeeku Barrow
materials along to his customers. “I wrote the contracts so my customers had to supply all the materials,” he says. At first, he did all the cleaning work himself. As he grew, the Dorchester native began hiring local high school graduates. “I hired teens who struggle with economic readiness,” he says. “People who lack credit-building skills and financial literacy.” Barrow requires his employees to take financial literacy workshops he developed with staff at the Dorchester Youth Collaborative. The impetus for the requirement was born out of Barrow’s own experience entering the business world. Seeking financing for a new car, which he would need to start the cleaning business, he found he couldn’t secure a loan
because he lacked credit history. He headed back to the library to read up on financial matters. Over time, he built up his credit. With a FICO credit score of 747, he was able to obtain a $100,000 line of credit through Eastern Bank, an institution that specializes in small business lending.
Entrepreneurial mindset
For Barrow, the cleaning business is an extension of an entrepreneurial streak that began in high school, when he would cut lawns for pay. During the school year at Boston Latin Academy, he would sell candy bars, often employing classmates in his venture. “I would move 400 bars a week,” he recalls. “It taught me to have the tenacity and the grit to form a company that not only
benefits myself, but others in my community.” Barrow currently has contracts with 10 companies. He has eight employees and works with two subcontractors: one who provides snow removal and landscaping and another who does power washing and painting. He has floor buffers, backpack vacuum cleaners and several vehicles. He pays his employees $16.50 an hour, a wage he says provides an incentive for them to work hard. The workers usually put in 15 to 20 hours a week, mostly at night. Barrow says he plans to grow his business by expanding into city and state contracts, although he does not yet have minority business certification. He’s also eyeing increasing his services to include cleaning the common areas in the city’s expanding residential condominium complexes and to provide more opportunities for young adults in his Dorchester neighborhood. “The important thing for me is to provide jobs for the people around me and help them obtain the skills to move forward,” he says.
Thursday, April 27, 2017 • BAY STATE BANNER • 15
Home Center
Biz Bits
HomeWorks
you will miss out on extra dollars in your paycheck to cover the costs of added expenses, like diapers and formula. — Brandpoint
continued from page 11
continued from page 14
The Boston Home Center offers financial assistance for home repairs through the HomeWorks Home Equity Loan Program. HomeWorks assists participants through the entire process for these interest-free loans, including collecting and reviewing bids from contractors; checking on work quality; and getting a final inspection once everything is complete.
THE LIST According to Fortune, the top 10 companies to work for in 2017 are: 1. Google 2. Wegmans Food Markets 3. The Boston Consulting Group 4. Baird 5. Edward Jones 6. Genentech 7. Ultimate Software 8. Salesforce 9. Acuity 10. Quicken Loans
LeadSafe Boston
LeadSafe Boston is the Boston Home Center’s lead abatement program, offering financial help to get rid of leadbased paint, technical advice from city lead specialists and help complying with state lead laws so owners can receive lead removal tax credits. Recently, the BHC was awarded a $2.9 million Lead Hazard Control grant and a $325,000 Healthy Homes grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). As a result of this funding, the City of Boston will be able to address lead hazards in even more housing units, providing safer homes for low and very low-income families with children.
NUMBER TO KNOW
PHOTOS: COURTESY DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT
Mayor Martin Walsh addresses attendees at an expo sponsored by the Boston Home Center. The events help home buyers and owners learn about services offered by the city and local nonprofits.
Seniors Save
The BHC also support the Seniors Save program, which provides income-eligible seniors with brand-new, energy-efficient heating systems. — Boston Department of Neighborhood Development
DIVERSITY STEM �
IF YOU GO On May 20, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the Boston Home Center will hold its Spring EXPO at Madison Park Technical and Vocational High School.
This event kicks off the 2017 spring homebuying season, with free classes led by BHC staff to help potential homebuyers understand how they can achieve the dream of homeownership. Attendees will also learn about all of the services the city offers to help existing homeowners keep their homes in good repair. For more information about BHC, call 617-635-HOME (4663) or visit: www.boston.gov/housing/ boston-home-center
180
Since 2016, various state lawmakers across the country have introduced 180 bills for the purpose of shrinking the pay gap between women and men. Seven of those bills have been enacted, while nearly 50 have either failed or were vetoed.
TECH TALK In celebration of Earth Day on April 22, a revamped version of Google Earth was released by Google for Chrome and Android users to help them learned about the world. The newest feature is called “Voyager,” which the company calls “a showcase of interactive guided tours.” Teaming up with NASA, the Jane Goodall Institute, the BBC and Sesame Workshop, “Voyager” currently has more than 50 stories with more being added weekly. Users can visit the inside of an Inuit igloo or watch chimpanzees in Tanzania’s Gombe Natural Park. — More Content Now
Boston Recycling
HAZARDOUS WASTE DROP OFF BOSTON’S
HOUSEHOLD HAZARDOUS WASTE DROP OFF DAYS: May 6, 2017 (9:00 – 2:00)
Massport's Office of Diversity & Inclusion/Compliance offers a scholarship program to foster diversity in the transportation industry and connect the best and brightest graduating minority high school seniors to college scholarships to support the Commonwealth's STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Initiative. All graduating minority high school seniors from the Neighboring Communities interested in pursuing a degree in areas of study including aviation, business administration, accounting, architecture, engineering, finance, and human resources are eligible to apply. Submission information and essays MUST be received by Massport no later than 5:00 PM on Friday, May 5, 2017. For more information please call 617-568-3125 or visit www.massport.com/in-the-community/neighboring-communities/scholarships
at Central DPW Facility 400 Frontage Road Boston, Ma 02118
FREE HOUSEHOLD ELECTRONICS RECYCLING EVENT Check the city website for acceptable items
PAPER SHREDDING WILL BE AT LOCATION
No Latex or Acrylic Paint FOR BOSTON RESIDENTS ONLY NO COMMERCIAL WASTE ACCEPTED PROOF OF RESIDENCY REQUIRED
Check the city website for acceptable items Connecting with our communities. massport.com
City Of Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh
16 • Thursday, April 27, 2017 • BAY STATE BANNER
Dookhan continued from page 1
Codman Square Health Center opens new Pedi Dental suite
LLP law firm and the state public defender’s office spent years in litigation, fighting for the affected cases’ dismissals.
Lives changed
Suffolk District Attorney Dan Conley’s office states that no defendant who underwent incarceration did so solely on the basis of a drug conviction related to Dookhan’s work. According to the D.A.’s office, within days of being alerted to the questionable integrity of the evidence, officials released defendants who were held on bail due Dookhan’s results and stayed the sentence of incarcerated defendants until officials could ascertain the reliability of the drug evidence. “Importantly, none of the defendants whose cases were dismissed today is serving a committed sentence solely on a Dookhan-related drug conviction,” the D.A.’s office said. “Few, if any, who were charged only with low-level, non-violent drug offenses served even a single day behind bars.” However, lawyers representing the defendants say that as a result of Dookhan’s actions, some individuals did wrongly serve time and probation. In other cases, damages suffered included loss of driver’s licenses and access to public housing, lessened ability to acquire student loans, financial burden from probation fees and fines and black marks on their records that could negatively impact ability to attain jobs, they said. “Although the so-called ‘Dookhan defendants’ completed their lengthy prison sentences,
PHOTO: COURTESY CODMAN SQUARE HEALTH CENTER
City Councilor Ayanna Pressley (3rd from left) cuts the ribbon on the Codman Square Health Center’s new Pedi Dental suite located in its Pediatric and Adolescent Department with staff and Codman Square Executive Director Sandra Cotterell (3rd from right). they continued to suffer the harsh collateral consequences of their tainted convictions, which limited employment prospects, diminished housing opportunities and threatened lawful immigration status,” Fick & Marx LLP’s Daniel Marx said in a statement. Marx represented the petitioners as pro bono counsel. “Doing right by the victims of the drug lab scandal is critical to restoring the integrity of the criminal justice system.” Some of the affected are
immigrants who have since been deported or entered into deportation procedures, Williams said. Righting that harm may not be possible. “Even contacting those people [who have been deported] is complicated,” Williams said. “If the person is in Cape Verde or the Dominican Republic or another place, that’s a complicated situation.” Dookhan’s is not the only drug lab facing scandal. Legal action continues regarding the work
Bring your friends and family!
of state crime lab chemist Sonja Farak, who allegedly stole and used cocaine she was responsible for testing. Approximately 18,000 convictions may be overturned as a result.
Legal system and drugs
For Williams, the Dookhan scandal is evidence that the nation’s crackdown on drug offenses is unwarrantedly overzealous. He said that many of the Dookhan cases involved people who were substance users, not dealers, and that many were juveniles — details that belie any argument that fastpaced prosecution was needed to ensure public safety. Ezekiel Edwards, Director of the National ACLU’s Criminal Law Reform Project, had similar words. “This day [of dismissals] would never have been needed if the powers that be had taken a
smarter, more thoughtful, more public health-oriented approach to drugs. Widespread injustice like this should prompt not just Massachusetts, but every state, to declare an end to our country’s failed, costly, unfair war on drugs, and to reduce the thousands of unnecessary arrests and prosecutions taking place every day across this country,” Edwards said in a statement. Williams suggested it will take a national policy change to prevent further drug lab scandals. “The position of the ACLU is that all drugs should be decriminalized,” Williams said. “In this kind of American-style war on drugs, injustices like this are inevitable. The other thing that’s inevitable is that the ACLU and our allies will fight this. We’ll fight for due process… and for black and brown and poor communities against the tragically flawed war on drugs.”
Public Meeting
41 REGENT STREET, ROXBURY MONDAY, MAY 8 6:15 PM - 8:15 PM
2400 WASHINGTON ST
Area B-2 Police Station Horatio Homer Community Room Roxbury, MA 02119
PROJECT PROPONENT: CVJC, LLC
Get an inside look at vibrant retirement living on the South Shore. Come and tour our beautiful campus and maintenance-free homes. Experience top-notch amenities and discover dozens of exciting clubs, classes, and activities.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: BPDA invites the community to attend a developer’s presentation by CVJC, LLC to discuss their proposed development of a BPDA-owned parcel at 41 Regent Street, Roxbury. The Proponent proposes to combine the BPDA parcel with its adjacent land at 64 Alpine Street, to construct a 15 unit condominium, targeting middleincome buyers, including some income restricted units.
Sunday, April 30, 2017 Tours scheduled from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
300 Linden Ponds Way, Hingham
Call 1-800-989-0448
for more information and directions. mail to:
South Shore
phone : email :
Linden Ponds values diversity. We welcome all faiths, races, and ethnicities, and housing opportunities are available for low and moderate income households.
12061799
LindenPonds.com
REAY PANNESI
Boston Planning & Development Agency One City Hall Square, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02201 617.918.6239 Reay.L.Pannesi@boston.gov
CLOSE OF COMMENT PERIOD: 5/22/2017
BostonPlans.org
@BostonPlans
Teresa Polhemus, Executive Director/Secretary
Thursday, April 27, 2017 • BAY STATE BANNER • 17
ARTS& ENTERTAINMENT CHECK OUT MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS ONLINE: BAYSTATEBANNER.COM/NEWS/ENTERTAINMENT
www.baystatebanner.com
’50s folly Nicole Heaston debuts at BLO with a mid-century spin on Mozart By CELINA COLBY
Above, “Interior with an Etruscan Vase.” Right, “Maquette for red chasuble (front and back) designed for the Chapel of the Rosary of the Dominican Nuns of Vence.”
On Friday April 28, soprano Nicole Heaston makes her Boston Lyric Opera debut as the Countess Almaviva in “The Marriage of Figaro.” Heaston brings an imposing resumé to the performance, with credits at the Metropolitan Opera, Carnegie Hall, the Houston Grand Opera and Deutsche Opera am Rhein in Dusseldorf, among many others. Growing up in Chicago, Heaston endured piano lessons at the request of her concert pianist mother. She says she never had much of a talent for the ivory keys, but when she sang along with the music, her teacher noticed another skill. She began studying voice and her teenage win of a NAACP music competition launched her into classical music. Even then, opera was never on her radar. “I didn’t believe that African American people sang opera,” she says. It took a voice teacher will a wall of photos depicting successful black opera singers to convince her otherwise. After earning her graduate degree from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, she was invited to join the Houston Opera Studio, an apprenticeship that laid the groundwork for the rest of her successful career. Though she’s seeing more people of color take the stage, it’s a slow process. She says, “Working as an African American woman in opera can be a little lonely. There
“INTERIOR WITH AN ETRUSCAN VASE,” HENRI MATISSE (FRENCH, 1869–1954) 1940 OIL ON CANVAS THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART, CLEVELAND. GIFT OF THE HANNA FUND COURTESY OF THE CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART © 2017 SUCCESSION H. MATISSE / ARTISTS RIGHTS SOCIETY (ARS), NEW YORK COURTESY, MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS, BOSTON
‘Matisse in the Studio’
MFA exhibit focuses on artist’s ‘working library’ of artifacts By SUSAN SACCOCCIA
Like alchemists working in labs to turn everyday matter into magical elixirs, artists frequent their studios to go about their business of transformation. Take French modernist Henri Matisse (18691954), who wanted nothing less than to invest his works with a life of their own. One of the great painter-sculptors of the twentieth century, Matisse was not content to reproduce what the eye can see. Instead he worked to render the
essence of his subjects. “Matisse in the Studio,” the fascinating exhibition on view through July 9 at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, explores the artist through his life-long relationship with a collection of objects — mainly African, Islamic and Asian artifacts. He bought them in flea markets and curio shops and from antique dealers who trafficked in booty from Europe’s colonies in the Middle East, Asia and North, Central and West Africa. He also purchased such objects on his travels to Algeria and Morocco, and in Spain, where he explored
See HEASTON, page 18 “MAQUETTE FOR RED CHASUBLE DESIGNED FOR THE CHAPEL OF THE ROSARY OF THE DOMINICAN NUNS OF VENCE,” HENRI MATISSE (FRENCH, 1869–1954) LATE 1950 52 GOUACHE ON PAPER, CUT AND PASTED MUSEUM OF MODERN ART, NEW YORK ACQUIRED THROUGH THE LILLIE P. BLISS BEQUEST © 2017 SUCCESSION H. MATISSE / ARTISTS RIGHTS SOCIETY (ARS), NEW YORK. COURTESY, MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS, BOSTON
ON THE WEB “The Marriage of Figaro” plays through May 7. For more information and to purchase
tickets, visit: blo.org/the-marriage-of-figaro
the country’s Islamic architecture. These objects formed what Matisse described as “a working library,” a portable studio that fed his imagination and growth as an artist. His collection moved with him to his successive homes, first in Paris; then in Nice, on the French Riviera; and from 1943 to 1948, in the mountain town of Vence, where he waited out the war before returning to Nice. The exhibition presents 40 of these objects alongside 70 works by Matisse from
See MATISSE, page 19 PHOTO: COURTESY NICOLE HEASTON
Nicole Heaston
18 • Thursday, April 27, 2017 • BAY STATE BANNER
YOUR WORLD ON STAGE
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Imaginary lines, real consequences
17 BORDER CROSSINGS THADDEUS PHILLIPS
APR 19 - 29 FROM USA/COLOMBIA
The first mistake of great art is to assume it’s serious
PHOTO: COURTESY MFA
“The Slave Ship (Slavers Throwing Overboard the Dead and Dying, Typhoon Coming On)” by J.M.W. Turner
HOW TO BE A ROCK CRITIC
‘Objects of Witness and Resistance’
ERIK JENSEN AND JESSICA BLANK
Small MFA exhibit speaks to cultural crises worldwide
BASED ON THE WRITING OF LESTER BANGS
MAY 11 - 21
By CELINA COLBY FROM NYC
2017/18
SEASON
SEASON PREVIEW EVENT MON, MAY 1 @ 6:30PM FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
ARTSEMERSON.ORG / 617.824.8400 INTENTIONALLY DIFFERENT. ENTIRELY ARTSEMERSON.
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In conjunction with their display of photographs of the Lodz Ghetto, the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston is showing a small collection of objects and art that bear witness to efforts to erase, displace and silence peoples. “‘I must tell you what I saw:’ Objects of Witness and Resistance” runs through July 30. The eight artworks in the exhibition span cultures and time periods from Assyrian Ninevah to contemporary France. “Every One (#2)” by French photographer Sophie Ristelhueber shows a black and white close-up of a stitched-up wound on a man’s back. Ristelhueber is known for showing the effects of war both in decimated landscapes and bodies. The artist created “Every One (#2)” in 1994 in response to the violence in the former Yugoslavia. The striking piece harshly reminds the viewer of the lasting scars war leaves on its participants and its country. J.M.W. Turner’s “The Slave Ship” takes the crown of most famous piece in the exhibit. The abstract canvas of bursting color and tense brush strokes depicts the horror of the transatlantic slave trade. Limbs bob in the murky ocean still attached to chains and shackles. A violent storm tosses a ship in the background and rivulets of blood in the water show
Heaston
continued from page 17 are many very talented black singers that I’d love to see on stage.” “The Marriage of Figaro,” with music by Mozart and a libretto by Lorenzo Da Ponte, is a classic Shakespearean-style tale of comedic folly. In the original story, servants Figaro and Susanna are about to be married when Count Almaviva sees the romantic potential in the bride-to-be.
PHOTO: COURTESY MFA
“Good Hope Road” by Arshile Gorky where people were thrown over to lighten the ship’s load. “The Slave Ship” sits next to a relief of Assyrian soldiers deporting Babylonian women and children. The unexpected comparison shows human atrocities thousands of years apart. “Objects” serves as a taste of the other struggle-born artworks available in the MFA’s collection. Next to the extensive exhibit of photographs from the Lodz Ghetto, it’s a necessary nod to the other kinds of destruction and discrimination also at work. “Good Hope Road,” by Arshile Gorky is the only piece that falls a little flat in the context of
the exhibition. Gorky had a notoriously difficult life including issues with citizenship and violent expulsion from his homeland of Armenia, but this painting is from one of his few happy periods. Despite this anomaly, the exhibit packs a punch in its small but well-curated display. Curator Pheobe Segal told Boston Magazine, “‘Objects of Witness and Resistance’ certainly relates to two pressing issues — displacement, immigration, and deportation resulting from conflicts worldwide, and the increased destruction of cultural property we’ve seen in the past few years.”
Countess Almaviva and the servants put a plan in motion to trick the Count into making a fool of himself and, returning to his wife, chaos ensues. The Boston Lyric Opera has kept the story intact but places it in 1950s Europe, à la “Sabrina” with Audrey Hepburn. The period choice is well in keeping with the comedy of errors style show. Heaston also points out the unexpected feminist bent of the opera. “It’s a story of a man in power who takes advantage of
the women around him and what they do about it,” she says. One of the strongest relationships in the production is that of Susanna and the Countess, who work together to deflect the Count’s attentions from the young bride. Susanna has been recast in this version as the Countess’s close friend rather than servant. It’s refreshing to find a story, especially one from 1786, that pairs the two victimized women together rather than wedging jealousy in between them.
Thursday, April 27, 2017 • BAY STATE BANNER • 19
ARTS&ENTERTAINMENT CHECK OUT MORE ENTERTAINMENT NEWS ONLINE: BAYSTATEBANNER.COM/NEWS/ENTERTAINMENT
Matisse
Far left, “Interior with Egyptian Curtain.”
continued from page 17
“INTERIOR WITH EGYPTIAN CURTAIN,” HENRI MATISSE (FRENCH, 1869–1954) 1948 OIL ON CANVAS THE PHILLIPS COLLECTION, WASHINGTON D.C. © 2017 SUCCESSION H. MATISSE / ARTISTS RIGHTS SOCIETY (ARS), NEW YORK. COURTESY, MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS, BOSTON
all stages of his career, including paintings, sculptures, cutouts and drawings. Many are on public view for the first time outside of France. The MFA is the only U.S. venue for the show, which will travel to the Royal Academy of Arts in London from August 5 to November 12. Organized by the MFA and the Royal Academy in partnership with the Musée Matisse in Nice, the exhibition is accompanied by a lustrous catalog with essays by renowned Matisse scholars, including the show’s curators: Helen Burnham, of the MFA; Ellen McBreen of Wheaton College; and Ann Dumas of the Royal Academy.
Left, “Marguerite.” “MARGUERITE,” HENRI MATISSE (FRENCH, 1869–1954) 1906– 1907 OIL ON CANVAS ON LOAN FROM THE NATIONAL MUSÉE PICASSO ‐ PARIS RF 1973‐33, DONATION PICASSO © SUCCESSION H. MATISSE / ARTISTS RIGHTS SOCIETY (ARS), NEW YORK. PHOTO © RMN-GRAND PALAIS / ART RESOURCE, NY COURTESY, MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS, BOSTON
The object
Beguiling from the start, the show begins in the first gallery with a prelude. On view is an Andalusian glass vase Matisse bought in Spain in 1910. Surrounding it are two paintings in which the vase plays a starring role. In one, “Vase of Flowers” (1924), the light shimmers through the vase. In the other, painted a year later, its surface is rendered in opaque patches of paint. Nearby is a wall-size reproduction of a photograph showing about 20 of Matisse’s objects, including the vase, arranged in rows like a family portrait. Sending the photograph to a friend in 1946, Matisse wrote on the back, “Objects which have been of use to me all my life.” The first of the exhibition’s five sections, entitled “The Object is an Actor,” shows how Matisse regarded his objects as a cast, with roles that change within each composition. “A good actor can have a part in ten different plays,” he said in 1951, “and an object can play a role in then different pictures.” A pewter jug stands out in the alluring “Vase of Anemones” (1918), its shimmering, spoon-like shape echoed in a small vase by its side. In another painting, it appears in silhouette, on a wall. The sections entitled “The Nude” and “The Face” follow Matisse as he adopts the language of curves and counter-curves he discovers in African sculptures and masks, and their power to convey character rather than simply rendering a likeness. Matisse’s painting of his 13-year-old daughter renders her face as a composition of simple contoured lines, echoing the curves of an African mask. Pablo Picasso purchased the portrait and displayed it his studio next to a mask from Gabon. From 1910 to 1913, Matisse portrayed a woman named Jeannette in a series of five bronze busts, each more abstract than the one before. The first of three on view is a naturalistic rendering. By the third, her facial features and hair have dissolved into a spare, elongated mass of curves and planes.
Islamic influence
The fourth section, “Studio as Theatre,” evokes the Islamic interiors that captivated Matisse during his travels in Spain, Algeria and Morocco. Pale grey walls provide a serene backdrop for the artist’s richly patterned Islamic tent curtains, screens, furnishings
ON THE WEB For more information, visit: www.mfa.org/
exhibitions/matisse-in-the-studio and rugs as well as paintings by Matisse that seem to grow out of the setting. Floor-to-ceiling arched windows covered by transparent screens enable visitors to peer into adjacent galleries and reconnect with works they have already seen while encountering others for the first time. This imaginative staging invites viewers to be like Matisse and bring disparate visual elements together into an even livelier whole. Echoing the interlocking patterns of Islamic tiles and weavings, in which no single element is the focal point, paintings such as “Interior with Egyptian Curtain” (1946) mingle views of nature and manmade objects into a harmonic whole. Rendering models within multilayered Islamic-style interiors, Matisse gives equal weight to human figures and the objects surrounding them. The aptly titled concluding section, “Essential Forms,” displays works that culminate Matisse’s career-long quest to render “the character of the thing.” Objects on view include Matisse’s prized artifacts from the Congo, a mask laden with shells and pearls and prestige cloths of woven raffia in beige and black geometric patterns. Commenting on these weavings, Matisse wrote to his daughter, “I never tire of looking at them…waiting for something to come to me from the mystery of their instinctive geometry.” As he aged, Matisse worked from his bed near a mural of Chinese calligraphy that his wife Amélie gave him on his 60th birthday. Here, it is mounted close to the artist’s spare 1952 drawing of an acrobat. Seen together, the lines of both dance with kinetic energy. Matisse spoke of the acrobat’s “ease and apparent facility” as well as “the long preparatory work that has allowed him to reach this result.” The same can be said of the expressiveness and economy he achieved as a sculptor and painter. Brimming with life and energy, the works in this section demonstrate the rewards of his long quest to invest line, form, texture and color with the distilled essence of his subjects.
Not a strict minimalist, Matisse relished an ornate baroque chair he found in Venice, and in a series of works on paper celebrates its exuberant arabesque curves.
Chapel design
Perhaps this show’s ultimate expression of his power, culminating a life exploring the harmonies of color, materials and form, is one of his final masterpieces, completed three years before his death: the Chapel of the Rosary of the Dominican Nuns of Vence. Envisioning its design, Matisse
said, “We will have a chapel where there will be hope for everyone. Whatever his faults are, he will be able to leave them behind at the doorway, as the Muslims leave their shoes, dusty from the streets, at the thresholds of mosques.” A total work of art, Matisse’s design encompassed the chapel from its architecture to its stained glass windows, interior décor and priestly vestments. On view here is a pair of paintings that replicate in full size the front and back of a chasuble, the outer cape-like garment worn by the
priest during Mass. A work of supreme simplicity and elegance, it is executed in two colors, red and yellow. On the front, a streamlined cross is surrounded by smaller crosses and dashes standing for palms. On its back, an abstract image of a tree evokes the cross as the tree of life. At the center of the garment, where it overlaps the priest’s spine, lies this symbol that is the spine of Christian faith. Surrounding dashes represent still more trees, and an ever-expanding community of faith.
Join the early education community and business community for RISE!
Honoring Nonie K. Lesaux 2017 Nurturer of the Year
THURSDAY, MAY 11, 2017 Nurtury Learning Lab 33 Bickford Street ~ Jamaica Plain, MA 6:00 pm—9:00 pm
For more information and to purchase tickets visit nurturyboston.org/events or call 617-603-4629 HONORARY COMMITTEE
First Lady Lauren Baker, Commonwealth of Massachusetts Maria Krokidas & Bruce Bullen Congressman Michael Capuano · Representative Jeffrey Sánchez · City Councilor Matthew O’Malley · Mike Durkin, CEO, United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley · Mossik Hacobian, Executive Director, Higher Ground · Hubie Jones, Senior Advisor, City Year · Steve Ridini, CEO, Health Resources in Action
Event Chair—Peter C. Pedro, Jr. SPONSORS
United Way of Massachusetts Bay & Merrimack Valley, Blue Cross Blue Shield of MA, UBER, Brown Rudnick, Citizens Bank, LMCG Investments, Marsh & McLennan, Boston Children’s Hospital, Casner and Edwards, Cigna, Eaton Vance, Robert J. Devereaux Corporation, UnitedHealthcare, Stephen Rosenfeld, David Feinberg & Marina Kalb, Mike Hill & Sue Bear, Mr. & Mrs. Peter Pedro, Jr., Gayle Slattery & Bob Wexler, Tucker & Vicky Levy 95 Berkeley Street, Suite 306 Boston, MA 02116 T 617.695.0700 n F 617.695.9590 www.nurturyboston.org
20 • Thursday, April 27, 2017 • BAY STATE BANNER
FOOD
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FLASH IN THE PAN
TIP OF THE WEEK Thirsty? Reach for hydrating foods
BURGER
Whether you’re fighting the heat or battling a cold, dehydration is the enemy. But water isn’t the only answer — plenty of foods are hydrating, too. The next time you’re feeling thirsty, reach for a snack, says the Cleveland Clinic. You’ll not only get the benefit of heavy water content, but will absorb extra nutrients, too. Good hydrating foods include cucumbers, celery, iceberg lettuce, watermelon, cauliflower, zucchini and strawberries.
BEEF ‘FRESH’ SOUNDS BEST, BUT THERE’S NOTHING WRONG WITH FROZEN
FOOD FUN Record-holding sandwiches that will leave you drooling
By ARI LEVAUX, MORE CONTENT NOW
STO
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did, it wouldn’t matter. Meanwhile, fresh meat is not intrinsically healthier or safer than frozen. In fact, the opposite is more likely to be true.
Fresh goes bad first
The essential problem with raw meat is that it is always going bad. In other words, meat that is not attached to a living organism, or preserved in some way, is rotting. This creates conditions for a conflict of interest over what to do with meat that’s close to the edge of its shelf-life. In a fresh-isbest world, some manager, somewhere, is going to push their luck on some meat that isn’t quite so fresh. Best-case scenario is they throw away the old meat, which goes to waste. And then there are preservatives, to keep the fresh meat fresher. Wendy’s doesn’t use them, but others might. When I walk by the fresh meat section in the store, I’m like, “hmmm, that’s ... interesting. I wonder how long that has been sitting around.” I’ve got a freezer full of deer and elk meat, so luckily I don’t have to roll those dice very often. But when I do buy meat at the store, I look for frozen options, which are often cheaper. (You want to be able to see the contents, and evaluate how well it’s been sealed.)
COMING TO HALEY HOUSE BAKERY CAFÉ: Thu Apr 27 - Boston Day & Evening Academy presents Lyricists’ Lounge, 7pm Fri Apr 28 - The House Slam - Team Finals featuring Sasha Banks, 6:30pm Thu May 4 - Fulani Haynes’ Jazz Collaborative presents Jazz by Any Means Necessary, 7pm Thu May 11 - Outside the Box Productions presents Lifted, featuring Red Sage Stories, Phoenix and More, 7pm Fri May 12 - The House Slam, 6:30pm Sun May 14 - Mother’s Day Brunch Thu May 18 - Art is Life itself! featuring award-wining Hip Hop artist & Poet, Oompa Will, 7pm Haley House Bakery Cafe - 12 Dade Street - Roxbury 617-445-0900 - www.haleyhouse.org/bakery-cafe
BIG
M
cDonald’s and Wendy’s are beefing on Twitter over whose hamburger patties are fresher. On March 30, McDonalds tweeted: “Today we’ve announced that by mid-2018, all Quarter Pounder burgers at the majority of our restaurants will be cooked with fresh beef.” Wendy’s, which has been playing the “Always fresh, never frozen” card for the last 10 years, responded to the incursion: “@ McDonalds So you’ll still use frozen beef in MOST of your burgers in ALL of your restaurants? Asking for a friend.” Follow-up tweets from Wendy’s were equally giddy, and understandably so. McDonald’s is failing on day one at invading Wendy’s fresh-burger space, and best of all, McDonald’s designs on the fresh-burger-meat market will help legitimize the absurd idea that fresh hamburger meat is in any way better than frozen. The fresh-is-best message is an attempt to exploit the kind of people who want to eat healthy at a fast-food restaurant. With a focus on fresh, they can insert the perceived health and quality benefits into that disc of mangled flesh, and fry it up. In reality, frozen hamburger meat, properly thawed, tastes as good as fresh hamburger meat. It isn’t like Wendy’s is serving your burger medium-rare, but even if it
When to freeze
Ironically, frozen burger is often nutritionally superior than fresh. Scott Barger, who raises grass-fed beef for Mannix Brothers Ranch in Montana, told me the best-quality meat comes from cattle that were slaughtered in mid-summer, because that’s when feed quality is at its highest. Then it’s frozen. “This would offer our customers the most healthy product, from a nutritional standpoint, because of the high omega-3s, the conjugated linoleic acids and other benefits of grass beef that come from our animals eating a living product,” he said. “When you remove those animals from eating live feed and put them on a stored-feed ration, those nutritional levels in the meat go down.” Ask any hunter, assuming he or she knows how to properly wrap their meat, how bad the burger is when it’s four months old. They will laugh. Ask if any are disappointed in finding a piece of yearold elk backstrap (aka rib eye) in the freezer. They won’t be. It isn’t some closely guarded secret that there is nothing wrong with frozen meat. But momentum of beliefs is a powerful thing.
Cooking tips
If you want to cook with frozen hamburger meat, you need about
an hour lead time. That is the entirety of the inconvenience that using frozen burger will cause you. You don’t want to thaw it in the microwave, or in water that is so hot it cooks the meat. Submerge it in a bowl of cold water. If the frozen meat makes the water too cold, change it. When the meat is soft, make your burger. Don’t overthink it. Unlike Wendy’s, you can make yours a little red inside, knowing that it hasn’t been sitting around raw for days or weeks. If burger patties are not in the cards, often you can just throw the frozen chunk of burger on a pan with oil, or under the broiler without oil. For dishes like soup or stew or meat sauce, a pan thaw or broiler thaw works fine. Depending on the cut, you have to stir it a lot, maybe hack at it with a cleaver. Don’t burn yourself. And next time, try to remember to take it out of the freezer ahead of time. Top-quality meat can be frozen as well, with all of the advantages, and none of the supposed downsides, that frozen burger meat has with respect to fresh. The only difference is that with a nice expensive cut like steak, you’ll want to thaw it overnight in the fridge.
Ari LeVaux an be reached at flash@flashinthepan.net.
From Auto Repairs to Restaurant options we’ve got you covered. Check out the
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Here are sandwiches that hold Guinness World Records. n The largest sandwich weighed 5,440 pounds and was made in 2005 by Wild Woody’s Chill and Grill in Roseville, Michigan. n The longest sandwich measured 2,411 feet, 5 inches and was created in 2011 by members of three teams in Lebanon. n As of 2014, the most expensive sandwich commercially available is the “Quintessential Grilled Cheese,” which sells for $214 at Serendipity 3 in New York City.
HEALTHY EATING Natural sweeteners to try If you love all things sweet but want to cut out the sugar, try these natural sweeteners instead. Raw honey: Loaded with enzymes, antioxidants and important minerals, honey is civilization’s oldest and maybe most nutritious sweetener, says Smithsonian.com. Stevia: This sugar substitute is not only natural and has zero calories, but studies show that Stevia can even lower blood pressure, according to NCBI. Coconut sugar: As coconut water grows in popularity, more people are discovering the nutrient-rich benefits of coconut sugar.
ALLERGY FIGHTERS Ingredients that fight seasonal allergies The next time you’re sneezing and sniffling, try these natural ingredients that WebMD says could ease your allergy symptoms: Quercetin, a natural chemical that may reduce histamine reactions, is found in onions, peppers, parsley and berries. Bromelain, an enzyme found in pineapple, is thought to minimize asthma irritation. The omega-3 fats found in fish have been found to reduce instances of hay fever. — Brandpoint
Thursday, April 27, 2017 • BAY STATE BANNER • 21 Thursday, April 27, 2017 • BAY STATE BANNER • 21
rent protest LEGAL continued from page 1
tenants by as much as 100 percent. Rita Paul, a personal care attendant who currently pays $900 for her two-bedroom apartment, initially saw her rent raised to $1,350. She and the other tenants turned to City Life for assistance, setting up a tenants union and seeking to negotiate with City Realty as a bloc. The tenants proposed an initial increase of $250, with annual increases of 3 percent a year. City Realty refused that offer and proposed a $500 increase across the board. When the tenants refused, City Reality sent notices to all tenants with a flat offer of $1,700 in rent. Paul said this increase would put her rent beyond her reach. “It’s too much for me,” she said. “I’m working 70 hours a week. I would have to work 100 hours a week to pay that.”
Rally
Last Saturday, City Life/Vida Urbana led a rally and march with several dozen Jamaica Plain activists demonstrating against City Realty’s rent increases at 26 School St. and other properties in the firm’s growing stock of Boston
housing. The Brookline-based firm has gained a reputation for snapping up distressed buildings, often outbidding nonprofits by a small amount, and then demanding dramatic rent increases. During a 2015 Boston City Council hearing on City Realty’s practices, councilors found that the firm owned more than 600 units in Boston under 72 different aliases. City Realty did not respond to an interview request for this story. The demonstrators on Saturday marched from the School Street property to El Embajador, a restaurant at 3371 Washington Street that City Realty is planning to raze to build a $14.6 million, 58unit residential building with 10 affordable units. Abutters have objected to the height and density of the development, as well as what many say is a lack of affordability. The demonstrators chanted “City Realty you can’t hide, we can see your greedy side,” as they marched down Washington Street. Rene Bernal led the charge, holding up one side of a 12-foot wide banner. “If this building goes, it can happen anywhere,” he said of 26 School St. “It’s happening up the street. It’s happening down this street. It’s happening everywhere.”
BANNER CLASSIFIEDS LEGAL
LEGAL
BANNER PHOTO
Rene Bernal speaks the challenges he faces with a potential $800 rent increase at his 26 School Street apartment in Egleston Square.
BANNER CLASSIFIEDS LEGAL
LEGAL The work includes ABANDONEMENT OF APPROXIMATELY 240 LF OF EXISTING 12” WATER MAIN; WET TAPPING AN EXISTING 30” DUCTILE IRON WATER MAIN; RECONNECTION, TESTING, AND RE-ACTIVATION OF EXISTING 8” WATER MAIN TO REMAIN, INCLUDING APPROXIMATELY 35 LF OF NEW 8” AND 12” WATER MAIN; INSTALLATION AND RECONNECTION OF VARIOUS HYDRANTS, DOMESTIC WATER, AND FIRE PROTECTION BUILDING SERVICES.
MASSACHUSETTS BAY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY 100 SUMMER ST., SUITE 1200 BOSTON, MA 02110 NOTICE TO BIDDERS Electronic proposals for the following project will be received through the internet using Bid Express until the date and time stated below, and will be posted on www.bidx.com forthwith after the bid submission deadline. No paper copies of bids will be accepted. Bidders must have a valid digital ID issued by the Authority in order to bid on projects. Bidders need to apply for a digital ID with Bid Express at least 14 days prior to a scheduled bid opening date. Electronic bids for MBTA Contract No. A47CN01, WOLLASTON STATION IMPROVEMENTS AND QUINCY CENTER GARAGE DEMOLOTION, QUINCY, MASSACHUSETTS, - Project Value - $71,633,122.00 (CLASS I, GENERAL TRANSIT CONSTRUCTION – Value $30,000,000) can be submitted at www. bidx.com until ten o’clock (10:00 a.m.) on May 24, 2017. Immediately thereafter, in a designated room, the Bids will be opened and read publicly. The Work includes but is not limited to station upgrades, site improvements, and accessibility improvements at Wollaston Station and partial demolition of the reinforced concrete garage at Quincy Center Station. Bidders’ attention is directed to Appendix 1, Notice of Requirement for Affirmative Action to Insure Equal Employment Opportunity; and to Appendix 2, Supplemental Equal Employment Opportunity, Anti-Discrimination, and Affirmative Action Program in the specifications. In addition, pursuant to the requirements of Appendix 3, Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) Participation Provision, Bidders must submit an assurance with their Bids that they will make sufficient and reasonable efforts to meet the stated DBE goal of 6.3 percent. Bidders will affirmatively ensure that in regard to any contract entered into pursuant to this solicitation, minority and female construction contractors will be afforded full opportunity to submit Bids and will not be discriminated against on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, age, or national origin in consideration for an award. Additional information and instructions on how to submit a bid are available at http://www.mbta.com/business_center/bidding_solicitations/ current_solicitations/ On behalf of the MBTA, thank you for your time and interest in responding to this Notice to Bidders Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority Brian Shortsleeve Chief Administrator and Acting General Manager of the MBTA April 25, 2017 MASSACHUSETTS PORT AUTHORITY NOTICE TO CONTRACTORS Sealed General Bids for MPA Contract No. L1393-C1, 12 INCH WATER MAIN REPLACEMENT, LOGAN INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, EAST BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, will be received by the Massachusetts Port Authority at the Capital Programs Department Office, Suite 209S, Logan Office Center, One Harborside Drive, East Boston, Massachusetts 02128-2909, until 11:00 A.M. local time on WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, 2017, immediately after which, in a designated room, the bids will be opened and read publicly. NOTE:
PRE BID CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD AT THE CAPITAL PROGRAMS DEPARTMENT (ABOVE ADDRESS) AT 9:00 AM LOCAL TIME ON WEDNESDAY, MAY 3, 2017.
Bid documents will be made available beginning WEDNESDAY, APRIL 26, 2017.
LEGAL INVITATION TO BID The Massachusetts Water Resources Authority is seeking bids for the following: BID NO.
DESCRIPTION
DATE
TIME
603TA
RFQ/P Appraisal Services
05/19/17
11:00 a.m.
To obtain the bid documents MWRADocumentDistribution@mwra.com.
Bid Documents in electronic format may be obtained free of charge at the Authority’s Capital Programs Department Office, together with any addenda or amendments, which the Authority may issue and a printed copy of the Proposal form. The estimated contract cost is TWO HUNDRED NINETY-FOUR THOUSAND DOLLARS ($294,000.00). 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, or cash, or a certified check, or a treasurer’s or a cashier’s check issued by a responsible bank or trust company, payable to the Massachusetts Port Authority 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 $10,000,000. 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 TWO TENTHS PERCENT (5.2%) 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 THOMAS P. GLYNN CEO & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
please
request
to:
Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Department SUFFOLK Division
Docket No. SU15D1969DR
Divorce Summons by Publication and Mailing Joseph J. Neloms, Sr.
vs.
Michelle Pitari Neloms
To the Defendant: The Plaintiff has filed a Complaint for Divorce requesting that the Court grant a divorce for Irretrievable Breakdown under G.L.c. 208 1B. The Complaint is on file at the Court. An Automatic Restraining Order has been entered in this matter preventing you from taking any action which would negatively impact the current financial status of either party. SEE Supplemental Probate Court Rule 411. You are hereby summoned and required to serve upon: Joseph J. Neloms, Sr., 325 Columbia Road, #2, Dorchester, MA 02125-1146 your answer, if any, on or before 06/23/2017. If you fail to do so, the court will proceed to the hearing and adjudication of this action. You are also required to file a copy of your answer, if any, in the office of the Register of this Court. Witness, Hon. Joan P. Armstrong, First Justice of this Court. Date: April 21, 2017 Terri Klug Cafazzo Register of Probate Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Department SUFFOLK Division
Docket No. 17P0761 Estate of Annie B. Wall-Gardner Also Known As Anne Wall-Gardner Date of Death December 16, 2015
INFORMAL PROBATE PUBLICATION NOTICE To all persons interested in the above captioned estate, by Petition of Petitioner Lisa M. Gardner of Mattapan, MA and Petitioner Shonda E. Gardner of Dorchester, MA a Will has been admitted to informal probate. Lisa M. Gardner of Mattapan, MA and Shonda E. Gardner of Dorchester, MA has been informally appointed as the Personal Representative of the estate to serve without surety on the bond. The estate is being administered under informal procedure by the Personal Representative under the Massachusetts Uniform Probate Code without supervision by the Court. Inventory and accounts are not required to be filed with the Court, but interested parties are entitled to notice regarding the administration from the Personal Representative and can petition the Court in any matter relating to the estate, including distribution of assets and expenses of administration. Interested parties are entitled to petition the Court to institute formal proceedings and to obtain orders terminating or restricting the powers of Personal Representatives appointed under informal procedure. A copy of the Petition and Will, if any, can be obtained from the Petitioner.
22 • Thursday, April 27, 2017 • BAY STATE BANNER
BANNER CLASSIFIEDS
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LEGAL
Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Department SUFFOLK Division
Docket No. SU17C0147CA In the matter of Daiana Then of Boston, MA
NOTICE OF PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME To all persons interested in a petition described: A petition has been presented by Daiana Then requesting that Daiana Then be allowed to change his/her/their name as follows: Daiana Castillo Then 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 05/11/2017. WITNESS, HON. Joan P. Armstrong, First Justice of this Court. Date: April 10, 2017 Terri Klug Cafazzo Register of Probate Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Department SUFFOLK Division
Docket No. SU17C0173CA
IMPORTANT NOTICE You have the right to obtain a copy of the Petition from the Petitioner or at the Court. You have a right to object to this proceeding. To do so, you or your attorney must file a written appearance and objection at this Court before 10:00 a.m. on the return day of 05/26/2017. This is NOT a hearing date, but a deadline by which you must file a written appearance and objection if you object to this proceeding. If you fail to file a timely written appearance and objection followed by an Affidavit of Objections within thirty (30) days of the return day, action may be taken without further notice to you. UNSUPERVISED ADMINISTRATION UNDER THE MASSACHUSETTS UNIFORM PROBATE CODE (MUPC) A Personal Representative appointed under the MUPC in an unsupervised administration is not required to file an inventory or annual accounts with the Court. Persons interested in the estate are entitled to notice regarding the administration directly from the Personal Representative and may petition the Court in any matter relating to the estate, including distribution of assets and expenses of administration. WITNESS, HON. Joan P. Armstrong, First Justice of this Court. Date: April 14, 2017 Terri Klug Cafazzo Register of Probate Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Department
In the matter of Charles Jones Of Boston, MA RESPONDENT Alleged Incapacitated Person
Rene Nunez 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 05/18/2017. WITNESS, HON. Joan P. Armstrong, First Justice of this Court. Date: April 18, 2017 Terri Klug Cafazzo Register of Probate Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Department SUFFOLK Division
Docket No. SU17D0383DR
To the named Respondent and all other interested persons, a petition has been filed by DMH c/o Office of General Counsel of Westborough, MA in the above captioned matter alleging that Charles Jones is in need of a Guardian and requesting that DMH c/o Office of General Counsel of Westborough, MA (or some other suitable person) be appointed as Guardian to serve on the bond.
Alice Joy Lewis
vs.
Frank Sandy Castillo
To the Defendant: The Plaintiff has filed a Complaint for Divorce requesting that the Court grant a divorce for Utter Desertion filed on 2-15-17. The Complaint is on file at the Court. An Automatic Restraining Order has been entered in this matter preventing you from taking any action which would negatively impact the current financial status of either party. SEE Supplemental Probate Court Rule 411. You are hereby summoned and required to serve upon: Michael E. Balletto, Esq., Dane Shulman Associates, LLC., 1629 Blue Hill Avenue, Mattapan, MA 02126 your answer, if any, on or before 06/30/2017. If you fail to do so, the court will proceed to the hearing and adjudication of this action. You are also required to file a copy of your answer, if any, in the office of the Register of this Court. Witness, Hon. Joan P. Armstrong, First Justice of this Court. Date: April 19, 2017 Terri Klug Cafazzo Register of Probate Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Department SUFFOLK Division
Docket No. SU17C0171CA
In the matter of Leslie Sharee Nicole Johnson of Roxbury, MA NOTICE OF PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME To all persons interested in a petition described: A petition has been presented by Leslie S. Johnson requesting that Leslie Sharee Nicole Johnson be allowed to change his/her/their name as follows:
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 05/11/2017. WITNESS, HON. Joan P. Armstrong, First Justice of this Court. Date: April 10, 2017 Terri Klug Cafazzo Register of Probate Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Department Docket No. SU17P0727EA
SUFFOLK Division
Citation on Petition for Formal Adjudication Estate of Liesolette Haynes Date of Death: 09/10/2016 To all interested persons: A Petition for Formal Appointment of Personal Representative has been filed by Eugene Bussey of Roxbury, MA requesting that the Court enter a formal Decree and Order and for such other relief as requested in the Petition. The Petitioner requests that Eugene Bussey of Roxbury, MA be appointed as Personal Representative(s) of said estate to serve on the bond in an unsupervised administration.
Three 1BR condominium for $176,100 (condo fees are $66/mo) Five 2BR condominium for $196,300 (condo fees are $86/mo) This is a lottery for the 8 affordable homes available at The Residences & Shops at Wakefield Station. These 8 homes will be sold at affordable prices to households with incomes at or below 80% of the area median income. It is anticipated that all the affordable homes will be ready between August and December 2017. Wakefield Station is an extraordinary mixed-use destination offering gorgeous condominiums atop desirable shops and restaurants in a charming Boston suburb less than a half mile from the popular Lake Quannapowitt and Wakefield’s vibrant downtown, and right across from the commuter rail station! These luxurious homes feature: hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances and energy-saving construction; Private fitness room equipped with cardio and weight lifting equipment; Dual four stop elevators; and Landscaped common outdoor patio area on second floor with natural gas grilles and seating. The Maximum Income Limits for Households are as follows: $51,150 (1 person), $58,450 (2 people), $65,750 (3 people), $73,050 (4 people) Households cannot have more than $75,000 in assets. For more information on the Development, the Units or the Lottery and Application Process or for reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities, please visit: www.s-e-b.com/lottery or call 617.782.6900 x2. Applications and Required Income Documentation must be received, not postmarked, by 2 pm on June 12th, 2017. Applications and Info Packets also available in the Lucius Beebe Memorial Library (Wakefield Public Library on 345 Main St.) Hours: M-Th 9-9, F 9-6, Sa 9-5, Su 1-5 An Info Session will be held on May 10th, 2017 at 6 pm at the Lucius Beebe Memorial Library on 345 Main Street. The Lottery for eligible households will be held on July 11th, 2017 at 6 pm in the same location.
You have the right to object to this proceeding. If you wish to do so, you or your attorney must file a written appearance at this court on or before 10:00 A.M. on the return date of 05/18/2017. This day is NOT a hearing date, but a deadline date by which you have to file the written appearance if you object to the petition. If you fail to file the written appearance by the return date, action may be taken in this matter without further notice to you. In addition to filing the written appearance, you or your attorney must file a written affidavit stating the specific facts and grounds of your objection within 30 days after the return date.
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IMPORTANT NOTICE The outcome of this proceeding may limit or completely take away the above-named person’s right to make decisions about personal affairs or financial affairs or both. The above-named person has the right to ask for a lawyer. Anyone may make this request on behalf of the above-named person. If the above-named person cannot afford a lawyer, one may be appointed at State expense.
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WITNESS, Hon. Joan P. Armstrong, First Justice of this Court. Date: April 11, 2017 Terri Klug Cafazzo Register of Probate
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REAL ESTATE
MATTAPAN: Hiawatha Rd, Mattapan St. & Fottler Rd 4 Single-Family Homes: $294,000 for households ≤ 80% AMI 1 Two-Family Home: $425,000 for households ≤ 100% AMI* MORE DETAILS ABOUT HOMES AT: BOSTONHOMECENTER.COM
BAY STATE BANNER
Neighborhood Homes
DORCHESTER: Waumbeck, Howland, & Harold Sts. 4 Detached Single-Family Homes: $294,000 for households ≤ 80% AMI $353,000 for households ≤ 100% AMI 4 Attached Single-Family Homes: $284,000 for households ≤ 80% AMI $343,000 for households ≤ 100% AMI 2 Two-Family Homes: $385,000 for households ≤ 80% AMI $425,000 for households ≤ 100% AMI
Want to Enter the Lottery? You MUST: 1. Be a 1st time homebuyer & complete an approved homebuyer education course prior to closing; 2. Have a minimum household size of number of bedrooms minus one; for 53 Fottler, a household of three or more persons is preferred. 3. Meet income and asset requirements. Deed restrictions, owner-occupancy, Boston residency, household size preferences, & other restrictions apply. Requirements are subject to change.
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15 BRAND NEW HOMES: LOTTERY DEADLINE IS MAY 5 GET QUALIFIED NOW!!
*Preference for households of 3 persons+
Leslie Sharee Nicole Johnson Gabourel
Wakefield Affordable Housing Lottery 175 North Ave, Wakefield MA www.s-e-b.com
The petition asks the court to determine that the Respondent is incapacitated, that the appointment of a Guardian is necessary, that the proposed Guardian is appropriate. The petition is on file with this court and may contain a request for certain specific authority.
Divorce Summons by Publication and Mailing
REAL ESTATE
The Residences & Shops at Wakefield Station
Citation Giving Notice of Petition for Appointment of Guardian for Incapacitated Person Pursuant to G.L. c. 190B, §5-304
NOTICE OF PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME
A petition has been presented by Rene Muniz Roman requesting that Rene Muniz Roman be allowed to change his/her/their name as follows:
Docket No. SU17P0133GD
SUFFOLK Division
In the matter of Rene Muniz Roman of Boston, MA
To all persons interested in a petition described:
MAXIMUM HOUSEHOLD INCOME 80% AMI
2 persons: $62,800 4 persons: $78,500
3 persons: $70,650 5 persons: $84,750
MAXIMUM HOUSEHOLD INCOME 100% AMI
2 persons: $78,500 4 persons: $98,100
3 persons: $88,300 5 persons: $105,950
BUYER SELECTED BY LOTTERY: APPLICATIONS DUE May 5, 2017 BY 5:00 PM www.bostonhomecenter.com or call 617-635-4663
Thursday, April 27, 2017 • BAY STATE BANNER • 23
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Income-Restricted Rental Opportunity
HELP WANTED
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G ATEWAY B O STO N 900 BEACO N STR EET | B O STO N , M A 0 2 2 1 5 [ AT PARK DRIVE IN AUDUBON CIRCLE ]
ADVERTISE YOUR CLASSIFIEDS WITH
THE BAY STATE BANNER
Income-Restricted Units # OF UNITS
BEDROOMS
PRICE
4
1
$1,246
INCOME LIMIT
Up to 70% of Area Median Income (AMI)
(617) 261-4600 x 7799
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70% AMI
1
$48,100
2
$54,950
3
$61,850
MONDAY, MAY 15, FROM 12–4PM WEDNESDAY, MAY 17, FROM 12–4PM THURSDAY, MAY 18, FROM 4–8PM SATURDAY, MAY 20, FROM 12–4PM MONDAY, MAY 22, FROM 10–2PM WEDNESDAY, MAY 24, FROM 2–6PM
• Your application must be postmarked no later than May 29. Mail your application to 900 Beacon Street, #207, Boston, MA 02215. • Selection by lottery. • Preference for Boston residents. • Preference for households with at least one person per bedroom. • For more information or reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities, please call 857-264-0541. E Q UA L H OU S I N G OP P O RT U N I T Y
HELP WANTED
Free training
for those that qualify! Train for Administrative, Financial
Services, Health Insurance Customer Service & Medical Office jobs.
Work in hospitals, colleges, insurance agencies, banks, businesses, government offices, health insurance call centers, and more! GET READY FOR A GREAT OFFICE JOB! We will help you apply for free training. Job placement assistance provided. No prior experience necessary, but must have HS diploma or GED. Free YMCA membership for you and your family while enrolled in YMCA Training, Inc.
Call today to schedule an Information Session: 617-542-1800 HIRING NOTICE: This is a “Boston Residents Jobs Policy” Project. All residents are encouraged to apply-must be able to provide acceptable verification of Boston Residency. Applicants must bring a copy of one of the following items as proof of Boston Residency: A current driver’s license OR Massachusetts Identification Card OR Utility Bill less than 6 months old. Keith Construction’s subcontractors are seeking tradesmen for QUINCY TOWER, 5 Oak Street West, in Boston, MA. Must be dependable. Seeking all trades. Local area and low income applicants are encouraged to apply. Please call Bill Plante at 781-630-3803 or email: bplante@keithconstruction.net to set up a time to fill out an application. KEITH CONSTRUCTION IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
ADVERTISE YOUR CLASSIFIEDS (617) 261-4600 x 7799 • ads@bannerpub.com Find rate information at www.baystatebanner.com/advertise
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Maximum income per household (HH) size provided by BPDA. 2016 limits.
Applications are available from May 15 through May 25. To receive an application by e-mail, call 857-264-0541 or e-mail irhousing@gatewayboston.com. You may also pick up an application in person at 900 Beacon Street, Boston, 02215, on these dates and at these times:
FIND RATE INFORMATION AT www.baystatebanner.com /advertise
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HELP WANTED Do you have a passion for helping others? North Suffolk Mental Health Association is currently looking for a volunteer coordinator who can bring new ideas, be energetic and self motivating to join our team in Roxbury, MA!
This person would have a minimum of a high school diploma. Experience/ knowledge with substance abuse as a disease and recovery is highly preferred as well as working in a diverse, challenging recovery environment. Experience/knowledge with substance abuse as a disease and recovery is highly preferred. Valid MA driver’s license required. This individual’s main focus is to be the main contact for all volunteers including recruiting and managing them. Interested candidates should apply online or send in resumes to North Suffolk Mental Health Association Attn: HR Recruiter 301 Broadway, Chelsea, MA 02150 Fax: 617-912-7971 n Email: gethired@northsuffolk.org NSMHA is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Are you interested in a
Healthcare CAREER? Project Hope, in partnership with Partners HealthCare and Boston Medical Center, is currently accepting applications for a FREE entry level healthcare employment training program. Program eligibility includes: • • • • •
Have a high school diploma or equivalent Have a verifiable reference of 1 year from a former employer Pass assessments in reading, language, and computer skills Have CORI clearance Be legally authorized to work in the United States
For more information and to register for the next Open House please visit our website at www.prohope.org/openhouse.htm or call 617-442-1880 ext. 234.
On The Rise is a well-respected human services nonprofit that
values diversity among staff, and values lived experience aligned with our program participants, homeless and formerly-homeless women. We seek candidates with a strong commitment to On The Rise’s mission and approach. Please see our website to learn about On The Rise and to see detailed job descriptions: http://ontherise.org/.
PART TIME OPERATIONS MANAGER The Operations Manager role is an opportunity for an experienced administrative professional to work at a managerial level in a part-time (32 hours) schedule, with access to employee benefits comparable to our full-time employees. The position reports to the Executive Director and supervises two full-time Operations Associates responsible for the organization’s essential systems, and manages: an external bookkeeping service, an outsourced IT company, a payroll service, a cleaning service, and other contracted services. Areas of responsibility: Financial and accounting - Facility and office management - Human resources - Contracts, insurance and risk management - Information technology Qualifications: Significant coursework in accounting (BS-Accounting preferred) - Minimum 4 years of related work experience - Supervisory experience – Writing ability to draft professional documents - Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel) and QuickBooks - High degree of comfort with technology and online applications (PC environment) To apply: Please email resume and cover letter to martha.sandler@ontherise.org with “Operations Manager” in the subject header.
COMMUNITY RELATIONS COORDINATOR
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR SOUGHT Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services (INHS) seeks an Executive Director to lead our organization into an exciting
period of growth and change. INHS is an established nonprofit social enterprise that is dedicated to revitalizing neighborhoods and helping people of modest incomes find—and stay in— high-quality housing in a seven-county area in upstate New York. INHS builds new affordable housing, renovates older homes, manages property, and supports affordable homeownership.
Our ideal candidate for Executive Director is a strong and experienced leader who is motivated to direct INHS in its next phase of growth. They will enthusiastically embrace this opportunity to make an impact in our region, and demonstrate at least ten years of experience in community development or a related field. See http://ithacanhs.org for a full position profile. Submit your qualifications to: Ann L. Silverman Consulting, IthacaNHSExecutive@gmail.com. Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services is an equal opportunity employer.
The Community Relations Coordinator (CRC) is an opportunity for a professional with experience in the areas of community relations, customer service, marketing, volunteer management, event planning, public relations, or fundraising. The position reports to the Director of Development & Communications, supervises a Special Events Intern (May-September, 15 hrs /week), and stewards 350+ volunteers and in-kind donors. The CRC will work a full-time weekday schedule, plus one Saturday per month and occasional evening and weekend hours. Areas of responsibility: Community Outreach and education – Volunteer and In-Kind management – Fundraising and event planning- Social media communications and marketing – Oversee operations related to in-kind donation program Qualifications: A Bachelor’s degree – 3-5 years related work experience - Excellent communications skills with the ability to build personal rapport with diverse constituencies - High level of organization and project follow-through – Be a go-getter -Microsoft Office literacy, internet and social media savvy. To apply: Please email resume and cover letter to delphene.mooney@ontherise.org with “Community Relations Coordinator” in the subject header.
Chris Lee
Donna May
Tom May
Tom May
Greg Butler Susan Heffernan Jim Judge
L to R: Tom May, Donna May, Carolyn Diaz, Alvararo Sanders, Frederica Williams, Mary Judge, and Jim Judge
2017 Toast to Tom May Chairman of Eversource Energy Power, Purpose, Partnership, Progress Whittier Street Health Center’s 2017 annual fundraiser was a rousing success, as Tom May was honored by the Toast Committee to raise funds to support Whittier’s programs and services. Event attendees enjoyed a celebratory evening full of reflection and steel drum music.
L to R (standing): Bob Mahoney, Bill and Jane Van Faasen, Mary & Jim Judge, Frank Doyle and Joe Nolan; (seated) Frederica Williams, Tom and Donna May
A special thank you to our honoree, our donors, Toast Committee members, special guests, volunteers and staff for a wonderful event. Thank you for all of your support! Presenting Sponsor: Eversource Energy, Bank of America Lead Sponsors: Blue Cross Blue Shield, Tom and Donna May, Jim and Mary Judge, The Yawkey Foundation Benefactors Regina Pisa/Goodwin Procter LLP, Liberty Mutual Insurance
L to R: Senator Linda Forry, Karen Holmes Ward, Frederica Williams, Colette Phillips, and Reverend Walker
Patrons Altec Industries Inc., AT&T, Citizens Bank, Clean Harbors, Connors Family Office, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Eastern Bank, Gordon Kluzak/Goldman Sachs, Keegan Werlin LLP, Kelly Family Foundation, MFS Investment Management, Mintz Levin, National Grid, New England Development, Okonite, Partners HealthCare, Suffolk Construction Company, Tufts Health Plan, Frederica M. Williams
Contributors ATL Construction Inc., John Connors, III/ Boathouse, Boston Medical Center/BMC HealthNet Plan, Boston Private Bank and Trust Co., CAM Office Services, Inc., Connell Limited Partnership, Ernst & Young, John Hancock Financial, Bob and Kathy Mahoney, NASCO, Neighborhood Health Plan, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Riggs Distler & Company, Marc Spooner, Sunbelt Rentals Inc. & S.R.E., USi, John Jenkins/West Insurance Agency, Wunderlich-Malec, Zelis Healthcare
L to R: Jeff Bellows, Frederica Williams, Joe Nolan, and Kathy Tatum
Table Sponsors AAFCP, Bond Brothers Foundation, Inc., Boston's Children's Hospital, Brookline Bank, CeltiCare Health Plan of Massachusetts, Inc., Colliers International New England, LLC, Cotiviti Cares, Donoghue, Barrett and Singal, GZA, GeoEnvironmental, Optum, Inc., Eddie Owens, Tri-State Drilling, WCVB-TV