ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
Caribbean Carnival photos ............ pg. 19
Malcolm J Warner pg. 15
FREE
Thursday • August 28, 2014 • www.baystatebanner.com
FREE
Councilors blast BPS over Madison Park Nate Homan
had the ability to hire teachers and staff members since last year and her Madison Park Technical Voca- power to do so had never been intional High School has been plagued fringed upon. with low MCAS scores, low graduaThe Friends of Madison Park, tion rates and, most recently, 62 job a group of past and current teachopenings for teachers and adminis- ers, parents and community memtrators as recently as last week. bers, tell a different story, claimDuring last week’s City Council ing that her hiring power had meeting, council members blasted been frozen since April and was the school department for what they reinstated in August. said was a pattern of neglect. “I know they’re working on it “The BPS should be ashamed and I hope we have folks there by that they had 62 open positions the time school starts,” Bob Marat one school two weeks out from shall of the Friends of Madison Park the start of school,” City Coun- said. “The problem is when you cilor Tito Jackstop a hiring son said. “They process in April should be absoand start again lutely ashamed. in August, you It is wrong. It “The BPS should don’t have much does not set room for error. be ashamed that the school up When you rethey had 62 open to succeed. It lease the budget doesn’t give the in August when positions at one school leader everyone else school two weeks out an opportunity got theirs in from the start of to build a team. April and June, And as they t h e r e ’s n o t school.” came to us for much room for — Tito Jackson error. It’s like $6 or $7 million to change they are setting their hiring to Madison up to offer folks jobs fail.” in March, April, With the May, we stand here in August with- boom in Boston’s construction and out the positions being filled.” development citywide, Marshall The number of vacancies has said that it is the role of vocational been cut in half as of August 25 ac- schools to train students for jobs in cording to BPS’s Chief Communica- the building trades. tions Officer Lee McGuire, who said “We won’t stand for anything less that the school department antici- than the best staff providing the best pates that number to diminish fur- opportunity for the kids for training ther by the end of this week as they for jobs in the 21st century,” Marfilter through some 700 candidates. shall said. “If you ride around the But that still means that these city, look at all the projects going teachers and administrators didn’t on. Our kids should be trained to be know what they would be doing a part of it. You can’t look at the skylast week when school starts on line and not see cranes and the skeleSeptember 4. McGuire said that tons of buildings going up. Our kids Madison, continued to page 6 Headmaster Diane Ross Gary has
Boston Caribbean Carnival participants start the day with the J’Ouvert celebration at sunrise. During the celebration, at the corner of Morton Street and Blue Hill Avenue, participants are covered in paint. (Leo March photo)
Tight competition for top spot in Caribbean Carnival Yawu Miller It came as little surprise that the T & T Social Club garnered first place in this year’s Boston Caribbean Carnival. With more than 260 members spread out in their five brightly colored sections, they were among the largest and the most colorful of the mas bands competing Saturday. But not by a long shot. The upstart Socaholics dazzled judges and spectators with their brightly-colored botanical-themed sections featuring multicolored lilies, yellow sunflowers, butterflies, brilliant green poison ivy, yellow and blue and gold costumes paying tribute to the Andromeda
Botanic Gardens in Barbados. “Between T & T and Socaholics there were just two points,” noted Caribbean Carnival Committee President Shirley Shillingford. “It wasn’t that much of a difference.” Mild, sunny weather and the blaring, infectious Trinidadian soca beats broadcasting sound trucks brought tens of thousands of spectators to the half-mile long parade route, which runs from Martin Luther King Boulevard to Franklin Park. The mas bands competing in this year’s Carnival included established mainstays like D’Horizon and D’Midas International and upstarts like Grimace, a pre-
dominantly Haitian band, participating in Carnival for the first time. A contingent of Sierra Leonese also debuted in the parade, dancing behind a pickup truck. “We’re stepping up the diversity of bands,” noted Carnival Committee member Marydith Tuitt. In its 41st year, the Boston Caribbean Carnival is modeled after Trinidad’s pre-lenten celebration, which is held in February. While most of the participants hail from the former British colonies in the Caribbean, African Americans, Latinos, Cape Verdeans and whites also play mas with the carnival bands. Carnival, continued to page 9
Real estate investors find success in Rox. Yawu Miller
Anthony Richardson, Darryl Settles and Kobie Evans teamed up to redevelop this long-vacant single family home on Gaston Street in Roxbury. The newly-renovated home has 2,500 square feet of living space and 2 and a half bathrooms and an expansive rear deck. (Banner photo)
For more than 10 years, the faded green Victorian at 36 Gaston Street sat vacant while the out-ofstate owner who inherited the house was unwilling to sell or rent. Now, after an extensive renovation, the 2,500-square-foot single family is for sale. At an open house last week, prospective buyers and curious neighbors gawked at the open floor plan kitchen with sliding glass door leading to an expansive rear deck, the newly built 2½ bathrooms, with slate walls and
flooring and the freshly refinished hardwood floors. Perhaps what’s most remarkable about the house wasn’t what was inside, but who. Standing around the over-sized marble-topped kitchen island were general contractor Tony Richardson, investor Darryl Settles and broker Kobe Evans. An all-black real estate development team in Boston is not unheard of, but in a city where much of the real estate development is dominated by whites, it’s not common either. investors, continued to page 13
Huntington Theatre Raffle
Social Media Weekly Rewind • facebook.com/baystatebanner • twitter.com/baystatebanner
Check Out Huntington Theatre Raffle this week on contest page: www.baystatebanner.com/contest
Most Viewed Online Dearborn School
Most Shared on Facebook Labor Activist
Most Viewed on Mobile Phone Charlotte Golar Richie Sworn In
2 • Thursday, August 28, 2014 • BAY STATE BANNER
Boston Police Commissioner William Evans listens as teens talk about the issues they face dealing with police during a meeting organized by the Center for Teen Empowerment. (Banner photo)
Police, teens find common ground through dialogue Yawu Miller The teens’ complaints are not new to the police. Many of the officers, especially the black males, have lived through the same experiences: Cops being rude, stopping and patting them down with seemingly little pretext, threatening violence. What’s different about this
conversation, organized by the Center for Teen Empowerment, is who’s in the room. Standing in the front of the room in the basement of Roxbury’s 12th Baptist Church are Commissioner William Evans and much of his command staff. One of the teens launches into an ice-breaker exercise aimed at getting dialogue going among the participants.
“Stand up if you’ve ever been handcuffed,” he says. More than a few people stand, including some of the officers. “Stand up if you’ve ever been in a jail cell for more than an hour,” he says. Now it’s mostly the teens standing. “Stand up if you’ve ever been suspended from school.” Now nearly everyone in the room is standing. Later, the teens and police officers broke out into groups to talk. The conversations were frank and direct. The teens talked about their problems with police. The police talked about the challenges they face. Their message, as Evans said in his remarks to the group: “We’re here for you. We’re not against you. Our mission is to make your neighborhoods as safe as possible.” The news of the police shootings and civil unrest in Ferguson, Mo. provided contrast to the Boston department’s relations with the community, as Evans pointed out. “They have a police force that is majority white and they’re policing a population that is majority black,” Evans noted, pointing out the heavily black and Latino contingent of command staff officers who accompanied him to the meeting.
“We are from the community,” said Superintendent in Chief William Gross. “We grew up in this community too.” The annual gathering hosted by the Center for Teen Empowerment is aimed at improving relations between police and teens in Boston. A crowd of about 80 teens sat attentively, listening to the officers’ presentations and to other teens talking about their relationships with police. State representatives Byron Rushing and Evandro Carvalho and City Councilor Tito Jackson were in attendance. While the youth participants expressed appreciation for the police officers’ attendance at the meeting, many said the city has a long way to go in improving the department’s relationship with the community. “They come up to you, they’re rude, they expect you to respect them, but they don’t respect you,” summed up youth organizer Tiarra Perez. “If you don’t do everything they ask, they can put you in the back of their cruiser. They can lie and put charges on you.” But Perez adds, “I know it’s not all officers. Some of them grew up in the same communities we did.” Gross said youth-police dialogues like the one hosted by the Center for Teen Empowerment are effective in breaking down barriers between the police and the communities they serve. “It’s one of the best ways to find out what we have in common,” he said. The department has begun to incorporate more interaction with community residents into the curriculum at the Police Academy, according to Gross.
“The way we’re teaching at the Police Academy is totally different now,” he said. “It’s all about community policing. We want to make sure that when police go into a community, they’re not desensitized to the kids.” Gross noted that police substations in Roxbury, Dorchester, Mattapan and the South End assign clinical social workers to the families of youths who are arrested. “They help the families get services,” he said. “They don’t report back us. They help the families.” Gross and other police officials say their efforts have had a positive effect on crime. “Last year we had 38 homicides,” he said. “Every other city the size of Boston in the country had over 200. One homicide is too many. We still have to work to drive the numbers down.” Rep. Rushing said the Center for Teen Empowerment’s event was an important step in maintaining positive police-community relations. “One of the things we’re learning from Missouri is that nobody was talking to anybody,” he said. “I think it’s important when political leaders and police meet and know each other. All of the community should have this, so people know who to talk to when things get heated. People have to know who to call.” Arrogance is the serpent of death; rout it from your heart. Conquer conceit, your enemy, and cast it from your being. If you are self-important, O fool, You will suffer injury. When you are no greater than anyone else, why claim superiority? — Swami Muktananda
Boston Police Superintendent in Chief William Gross addresses the gathering at the 12th Baptist Church. (Banner photo)
Thursday, August 28, 2014 • BAY STATE BANNER • 3
Black culture centers strive to diversify college life Kenneth J. Cooper Fred L. Hord felt isolated and frustrated in his first year as director of a black culture center at West Virginia University because of the lack of networking among his peers in the state and region. So at a meeting of the American Council of Education, a higher education lobby based in Washington, D.C., Hord proposed creating a national network of black culture centers. Fellow directors embraced the idea enthusiastically. Thus was born the Association for Black Culture Centers in 1987. About 50 individuals representing two dozen schools attended its first conference at Knox College in Illinois, where Hord had relocated to run that school’s black culture center. From that modest beginning, ABCC, as it is known, has grown to attract 200 to 550 participants to its annual conferences. Northeastern University, a member of the association hosted the third conference, in 1993. The criteria for membership were broad enough to include colleges in the Caribbean and West Africa, as well as American museums and community centers. Despite the “black” in its name, ABCC has long included multi-cultural campus centers. That expansion was made explicit this summer, when ABCC’s
website began to note that the organization “includes African American, Latino, Native American, & Asian Centers.” There are no plans to change the name, though, said Hord, ABCC’s executive director. “I think we should be able to integrate through the black experience, just like we’ve been integrating through other people’s experience,” said Hord, also director of Africana Studies at Knox. “I think we ought to increasingly
multicultural ones on college campuses around the country. Black cultural centers began after black student protests in the late 1960s. The first was created at Rutgers University in 1967, followed by others at Knox College and the University of Iowa in 1968. “Initially, they started off, in many cases, as safe houses,” where black students could gather and feel comfortable on traditionally white campuses, said Rodney
“I think we should be able to integrate through the black experience, just like we’ve been integrating through other people’s experience.” — Fred L. Hord
connect with Latinos, Native Americans, Asians, and we need to increase involvement with progressive whites.” The shift towards greater multiculturalism follows a trend towards redefining black culture centers as multicultural on some campuses. Already, Hord said, just a slim majority of about 100 members — 55 percent to 60 percent — are strictly black centers. Hord estimated there are about 140 black centers and 100
T. Cohen, current president of ABCC. “But also, parallel with that, students wanted this to spark a broader conversation around introducing the investigation of the Afro-American (experience) into the academics and intellectual conversation of the academy.” Cohen, director of the Afro-American Cultural Center and an assistant dean at Yale University, said ABCC is moving to beef up the educational mission of black culture centers so they
do not become just “quasi-student centers, places where you eat pizza and play spades and dominoes.” “In terms of the preservation and legitimization of these centers, one of the things I’m pushing is that they become repositories of the African American experience at the institution where they are housed,” Cohen explained. Yale’s center is working with the archivist of the campus library to preserve artifacts, pictures and memorabilia, and provide electronic access to those materials. He also advocates developing a curriculum or presentation on the history of African Americans on each campus. “It provides you a place in history at the institution. It also lets you know that you’re not a visitor at the institution,” Cohen said. “And you educate all people on the African American experience in majority institutions.” In 2008, ABCC issued accreditation standards for culture centers, Hord said. None have yet received accreditation, he said, but Ohio State University and Purdue University are the furthest along in the process. “We are trying to make the case we are the authority on culture centers,” Hord explained. Cohen and Hord said ABCC has begun networking with seven other national higher education organizations involved with academics or services. Those groups include the American Association of Blacks in Higher Education, Association for the Study of African American Life and History, and John D. O’Bryant National Think Tank, which is based at Northeastern. Richard O’Bryant, John’s son and
director of the John D. O’Bryant African-American Institute at Northeastern, is ABCC’s coordinator for Massachusetts. Cohen said ABCC is exploring such collaborations as dual membership, sharing resources and writing for each other’s journals, possibly leading to a consortium. ABCC is also reaching out to historically black colleges. Almost three decades after ABCC’s founding, the networking continues.
Connect with the
Banner Follow us on
@baystatebanner
Like us on FACEBOOK
BAY STATE BANNER www.baystatebanner.com
4 • Thursday, August 28, 2014 • BAY STATE BANNER
Established 1965
Obama’s tough response is appropriate Media pundits are often concerned about the optics of political situations. They believe that the president must always respond to emergencies in a way that will endear him to the electorate. For example, Barack Obama personally visiting the New Jersey shores after Hurricane Sandy seemed to assure residents of the national concern for their loss. But sometimes negative optics can also be effective. Political commentators will even debate about whether a personal visit by the president is necessary or whether it is enough for him to send a surrogate. There is still some argument as to whether or not it was enough, for the sake of optics, to send Attorney General Eric Holder to Ferguson, Mo., to resolve the protests over the police shooting.
Now another dispute is brewing over Obama’s decision to play golf after extending his regrets to the family of James Foley, the American war correspondent who was brutally beheaded by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). Some in the press insist that it was insensitive for Obama to go to the golf course as Foley’s family grieved. This is a case where the press really have it wrong. This is no time for the president to appear to such a depraved and violent enemy that his determination to retaliate is at all weakened by their merciless conduct. In this case the president’s optics should intimidate the enemy and encourage the electorate that military reprisal is assured. Obama’s message is that the ISIS brutality did not even cause the leader of the free world to alter his golf schedule. Certainly ISIS gets the point.
“Why don’t they stop worrying about optics and start paying attention to what the president does?”
Broadening children’s perspectives Conversations about race and ethnicity in America rarely include concern about the status and well-being of Native Americans. When the subject comes up, people suddenly realize how little they know about the so-called American Indians. In fact, little is known about any culture other than one’s own. The nation’s greater concern for environmental issues should generate a renewed interest in the close relationship of the Indian cultures to the Earth. A generation ago, sociologists believed that urban youth had become too removed from rural realities. They found that youth thought that milk and corn were products of the grocery store rather than cows and farms. As society has become even more high tech, today’s youth are likely to be more comfortable in cyberspace rather than immersed in the woods. However, adults can expand the vision of the
young by providing good books about the Indian way of life. It is important to be certain that the books are sound fiction that tells a story that is historically accurate. For example, “Two Hawk Dreams,” by Lawrence L. Loendorf and Nancy Medaris Stone, tells about the life of a Shoshone family living in Yellowstone National Park well before the U.S. Department of the Interior discovered its tourist potential. The book was written for children by archeologists who base their story on their research on the Shoshone Tribe. This story should induce elementary school readers to retreat from cyberspace at least temporarily, to learn how other people relate more intimately with the earth and her varied fauna. This should help readers to develop the capacity to understand and respect another ethnic group. This is a beneficial trait in today’s multicultural world.
LETTERSto the Editor
Dominicans’ growing power
It was interesting reading in last week’s Bay State Banner how the state’s Dominican community, which is just one percent of the Massachusetts population, is able to exercise its political power. They’ve only been a political presence in Massachusetts for a few years, but they have already gained the attention of candidates for statewide office. Back in the early 1990s, even though Dominicans were a large presence in Lawrence, they weren’t able to secure a state Rep. seat
until Willie Lantigua was elected to the State House in 2002. By then, there were Dominican city councilors and school committee members as well. Marcos Devers, then president of the council, became the acting mayor in 2001, in a prelude to Lantigua’s eventual electoral victory to the mayor’s seat. Now Lawrence is the seat of Dominican political power in Massachusetts (and has one of the highest concentrations of Dominicans in the United
States. Massachusetts ranks fourth in the number of Dominicans behind New York, New Jersey and Florida. So far, the Dominicans in Massachusetts vote reliably Democratic. With their growing power and participation, the Democratic party has to make sure they take this community’s needs into consideration or else they risk losing a reliable bloc. D Wilson Dorchester
Melvin B. Miller John E. Miller Yawu Miller
ADVERTISING Marketing-Sales Director Advertising Coordinator
Sandra L. Casagrand Rachel Reardon
NEWS REPORTING Health Editor Staff Writer
Karen Miller Martin Desmarais
Contributing Writers
Gloria J. Browne-Marshall Kenneth J. Cooper Colette Greenstein Caitlin Yoshiko Kandil Sandra Larson Kristen Long Shanice Maxwell Anthony W. Neal Brian Wright O’Connor Tiffany Probasco
Staff Photographers
Ernesto Arroyo John Brewer Tony Irving Don West Robin Hamilton Susan Saccoccia Lloyd Kam Williams
PRODUCTION Production
Heather Austin Devin Connor Peter Wetherbee ADMINISTRATION
Business Manager
Karen Miller
The Boston Banner is published every Thursday. Offices are located at 23 Drydock Ave., Boston, MA 02210. Telephone: 617-261-4600, Fax 617-261-2346 Subscriptions: $48 for one year ($55 out-of-state) Web site: www.baystatebanner.com Periodicals postage paid at Boston, MA. All rights reserved. Copyright 2010.
Quotes from Swami Muktananda reprinted with permission from SYDA Foundation. © SYDA Foundation
617-261-2346
From Web site: www.baystatebanner.com click “contact us,” then click “letters” By Mail:
Publisher/Editor Assoc. Publisher/Treasurer Senior Editor
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Contributing Writers
Send letters to the editor: By Fax:
USPS 045-780
The Banner is certified by the NMSDC, 2009. Circulation of The Bay State and Boston Banner 33,740. Audited by CAC, March 2009.
The Boston Banner 23 Drydock Avenue Boston, MA 02210. Letters must be signed. Names may be withheld upon request.
WHAT’S INSIDE
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ......15-18
CLASSIFIEDS ........................21-23
The Banner is printed by: Gannett Offset Boston, 565 University Ave., Norwood, MA 02062
Thursday, August 28, 2014 • BAY STATE BANNER • 5
ROVINGCamera
OPINION Common-sense ideas to stop income inequality Imara Jones
In two separate reports issued over the past month, a strange thing happened in the fight over America’s economic future: The nation’s big-city mayors and Wall Street got on the same page about the need for broad-based economic fairness. This policy record-scratch came in the form of different documents issued by the U.S. Conference of Mayors and Standard & Poor’s, the ratings agency after whom one of the world’s major stock market indices is named. Far and apart on other issues, these distinct bodies somehow managed to agree within days of each other that income inequality is holding the economy back and that the time has come for something to be done about it. Given the dramatic and disproportionate impact that income inequality continues to have on communities of color, the alarms raised by the U.S. Conference of Mayors and Standard &Poor’s are a potential turning point in the debate over the drastic steps required to reverse income inequality. Since the growing gap is a direct result of policy choices that the United States has made since the 1980s, it can be turned around. But there’s not a second to waste because, as the Standard & Poor’s reports states plainly, the forces behind income inequality go a long way to explain why the current recovery hasn’t taken off. The core problem, as the U.S. Conference of Mayors lays out, is not only the long period of economic stagnation for nine out of 10 Americans but the fact that, even in years of economic growth, only a handful benefit. As Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz has stated repeatedly since 2000, nine out of 10 dollars from the nation’s economic growth have gone to the top 1 percent. What this means is that even though the economy has recently been growing at 2 percent annually — already a low number — less than 10 percent of that is left for the remaining 99 percent of the people. The bottom line is that the wealthy are capturing the lion’s share of income. What this actually translates into for all but a few is lower income and less money to take home. As the Mayors’ Conference’s report highlights, jobs created this year pay on average $20,000 less than those lost before the downturn — $47,000 now versus $60,000 before. But there’s a reason for this: Most of the The trend of lower new post-recession jobs that have been wages and a widening created are low-wage or part-time. income gap is a bad for Lower incomes are only part of the the economy as a whole, problem. As high-income earners continue to surge ahead, the explosion in but it has unleashed a low-wage jobs actually widens the gap full-scale crisis for people between those at the very top and ev- of color. eryone else. In fact, the current gap in wages is now twice as large as in a similar period after the last recession in 2002. The trend of lower wages and a widening income gap is bad for the economy as a whole, but it has unleashed a full-scale crisis for people of color. Why’s that? Well, first-of-all a huge chunk of middle-income jobs lost during the recession were in construction and in the public sector. A disproportionate number of construction jobs were held by black and Latino men. Jobs such as teaching, firefighting and other key government functions formed the backbone of the black middle class. Those jobs have been whittled away. Moreover, people of color — specifically women of color — are more likely to hold most of the jobs at the bottom of the income scale such as home health care workers and restaurant workers. That means that the growth of the lowest wage part of the workforce is actually a surge in the number of lower-wage people of color in those jobs. Add to this difficult mix of wrong things colliding together the disastrous collapse of post-recession black and Latino wealth to the lowest levels ever recorded and it’s clear that the situation in communities of color is dire. What’s refreshing is that this dysfunction at the heart of our current economic system is increasingly recognized not as a problem that we can ignore but as a threat to the very promise of America itself. As New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, chair of the Mayors’ Conference’s task force on economic opportunity, said in response to their report, “The inequality crisis facing our cities is a threat to our fundamental American values.” What’s odd is that now a titan of Wall Street agrees with him. Echoing the argument of those concerned about economic justice, Standard & Poor’s argues that the nation has approached a “threshold” where “income inequality can harm sustained economic growth.” While Standard & Poor’s touches briefly upon well-worn conservative arguments about the reasons for inequality — educational differences, global trade and the impact of technology — surprisingly the heart of their argument is devoted to showing what progressives have argued all along. Namely that the government’s policy to lower taxes on income from investments and effectively raise them on income from work starting in the 1980s set us on the path of where we are today. The good news is that the increasing consensus on the causes of income inequality may now lead the possibility of movement on solutions. Given the political power of Wall Street, their increasing acknowledgement of where things went awry might create the opportunity to begin to change them. The proposals to do so are wide and varied. On the list of the mayors’ priorities are things that make solid economic sense. They include a higher minimum wage, pre-K educational opportunities, protections for part-time workers, a push for affordable housing and access to capital for local entrepreneurs. Whatever we chose to do about income inequality the need is for speed. That’s because as, Standard &Poor’s concludes in their report, a “rising tide lifts all boats…but a lifeboat carrying a few, surrounded by many treading water, risks capsizing.” Imara Jones is the Economic Justice contributor for Colorlines.com. This piece originally appeared in Colorlines and has been reprinted with permission.
Are you planning on voting in the September 9 primary?
No. I’m not informed about it. I didn’t even know it was coming.
Tresean Braxton
Yes. I’m going to vote, and it’s my right. It’s the only way we have to exercise my voice. I’m concerned about who we elect.
Yes. We as blacks need to be more vigilant about who is in government.
Customer Service Dorchester
Computer Analyst Roxbury
Will Smith
Michelle Winbush
Yes. We need to have a say about who’s taking care of our community. I’m concerned about violence.
Yes. It’s imperative that we put people in office who will benefit our community.
Yes. I don’t miss a vote. That is my civic duty.
Catherine Pleas
Delmariato Grice
Barbara Rosa
Retired Roxbury
Construction Roxbury
Student Roxbury
Office Specialist Dorchester
INthe news
Ebony Reed
The Associated Press promoted its Assistant Chief of Bureau New England to Director of Business Development for Local Markets. Ebony Reed, who lives in Greater Boston, will develop local media digital sales and partnerships, for strategic analysis and opportunities for AP. In her new role, Reed will lead a culture of identifying opportunities in a rapidly changing marketplace to build relationships that foster AP’s brand, market and revenue. She’ll also work with sales representatives and chief of bureaus across the domestic U.S. In June 2010, Reed joined the Associated Press in Boston as the Assistant Chief of Bureau. In that previous positon, she worked with AP media members across New England, helping them match AP’s services and products to their specific news needs. Before joining AP, Reed spent 12 years as an editor and reporter at The Detroit News and The
Plain Dealer in Cleveland. She supervised staffs that produced a variety of award-winning journalism projects. She oversaw and edited a Detroit News special project in 2007 examining the social and economic conditions experienced by Detroit residents 40 years after the 1967 riots. The project included a poll, community forums, videos, graphics and news stories. Reed has a master’s degree in
media management and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She is a native of Lathrup Village, Mich.
To submit In the News items to the Banner yawu@baystatebannerpub.com
6 • Thursday, August 28, 2014 • BAY STATE BANNER
POLITICAL Roundup
House and Senate races
With less than two weeks to go before the Sept. 9 Democratic primary, local elected officials are stepping up their political activity. Campaign offices are open for business and volunteers are knocking on doors, dropping literature and identifying voters in the final drive to the finish line.
State Senate
State Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz is facing perennial candidate
Roy Owens in the Democratic primary. State Sen. Linda Dorcena Forry is running unopposed in the primary. She will face independent Robert Powers in the general election on Nov. 4.
House of Representatives:
Incumbent Rep. Evandro Cavalho is facing off against perennial candidate Althea Garrison for the Democratic primary. The winner will face Republican candidate Claudette Joseph in the general election for the 5th Suf-
folk District seat. Rep. Russell Holmes is running unopposed for the 6th Suffolk District seat. Incumbent Rep. Gloria Fox faces challenges from Eric Esteves and Rufus Faulk for the 7th Suffolk District seat in the Democratic primary As usual, Rep. Byron Rushing is running unopposed for the 9th Suffolk District Seat. Rep. Dan Cullinane will go up against Corey Allen, Ruthella Logan-Cruz, and Carlotta Williams for the 12th Suffolk District seat.
Rep. Jeffery Sanchez is unopposed for the 15th Suffolk District seat.
Suffolk County Sheriff Tompkins Secures Elizabeth Warren endorsement
Having secured endorsements from a lion’s share of elected officials in Suffolk County, Sheriff Steve Tompkins kicked it up a notch last week, getting a
Madison
continued from page 1
U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren endorses Suffolk County Sheriff Steve Tompkins during a visit to his Dudley Square office.
need to be a part of that.” Marshall said that the struggles at Madison Park are part of a bigger picture. “The human resources department of the school department is very dysfunctional, and it’s harming our students, particularly in Roxbury, Dorchester, and Mattapan, where black and Latino students dominate the population,” he commented. McGuire said that the headmaster at Madison is now at the helm of the hiring process. “They obviously have a lot of work ahead of them, but the school should not feel pressured to fill a position just because the start of the school year is approaching,” McGuire said. “If they can do without an immediate fill, they should hire the best person for the job. That’s the number one priority.” In 2013, Madison Park had 35 percent of the student body in special education programs for learning or behavioral disabilities, com-
nod from U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who announced her support at the Tompkins’ Dudley Square headquarters in Roxbury where she was joined by state Sen. Linda Dorcena Forry, City Councilor Michelle Wu and state Rep. Dan Cullinane. “He is a man of good heart and good values, who has leadership and ideas,” Warren said of Tompkins. “He has dedicated his life to making the communities of Suffolk County better and that’s why I endorse his candidacy” pared to the average of 19 percent for vocational schools in Massachusetts. There were 205 suspensions in 2013, or more than one a day during the school year. During that time, Ross Gary worked with no assistant headmaster and no disciplinary administrator. During last week’s meeting councilors placed the blame on the school department. “We’ve all given verbal support to the need for us to have a premiere voc-ed school,” Councilor Ayanna Pressley said. “But the school is failing because we have failed these kids. I am tired of the school being referred to as a dumping ground. The school is failing. The kids are failing. And we have failed them. If the school has been set up to fail, then the students have as well.” McGuire said that shrinking the incoming freshman class from 375 from the last two years to 100 to 150 this year will help take the pressure off of the teachers and administrators. “We are dedicated to making sure the students enrolled at Madison want to be there,” McGuire said. “That wasn’t happening in the past.”
Tom’s Handyman Services Small to Mid-Size Jobs Carpentry, General Cleanup, Painting, Etc. 978.578.0474 Mass. Reg. # 135991
Thursday, August 28, 2014 • BAY STATE BANNER • 7
8 • Thursday, August 28, 2014 • BAY STATE BANNER
Echoes of Ferguson for Latino Communities In California Ngoc Nguyen As the shooting death of an unarmed black teenager in Ferguson, Mo., has catapulted police brutality against African Americans into the national spotlight, civil rights groups say similar cases of police abuse against Latinos in California are on the rise. The American Civil Liberties Union of Northern California is tracking possible cases of police abuse in parts of the state where there isn’t the same concentration of civil rights advocates as in urban areas, says ACLU attorney Micaela Davis, noting cases the group is tracking in Fresno, Sonoma and Monterey counties. In Salinas in Monterey County, four Latino men have been killed this year by police officers in a span of four months. “[That’s] quite striking,” she said. “The fact that members of the community [there are] facing an onslaught of officer-related killings in that short of a time raises alarms.” Last year, the shooting death by a Sheriff’s deputy of 13-yearold Andy Lopez in Santa Rosa, a predominantly Latino community in Sonoma County, sparked days of protests. Andy was carrying a pellet gun that resembled an assault rifle. The officer, who fired the eight rounds that killed the boy, was not charged. Davis says Lopez’s shoot-
ing-death showed deep divisions between the police and growing Latino community, reflected in the state’s changing demographics. “[The Lopez case] further eroded already strained relations between the Latino community and law enforcement,” Davis said. “There was a striking activism that grew out of that incident.” Last week, a coalition of 37 leading Latino organizations across the country voiced solidarity with the family of Michael Brown, the unarmed 18-year-old who was shot by a white police officer on Aug. 9. Jose Calderon, president of the Hispanic Federation, a member of the coalition, says Latinos are also impacted by police violence. “We continue to be disproportionately impacted by police brutality and action,” he said. “The same people there to protect us are in some cases unfortunately doing the opposite. That’s an ongoing issue of concern for us.” African Americans disproportionately experience arrest-related deaths compared to their white counterparts, according to data from the U.S. Justice Department. Between 2003-2009, the U.S. Justice Department reported that 4,813 people died while in the process of arrest in police custody. The data show that African Americans disproportionately experience arrest-related deaths compared to their white counterparts, but it’s
harder to track if Latinos are disproportionately affected, because the data on all arrests comes from the FBI, which doesn’t track “ethnicity.” African Americans accounted for about 28 percent of all arrests between 2003-2009 (the last date
enforcement to be perceived as “protecting a status quo inherently working against [the community’s] interests.” The actions of Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson, who shot Brown, and the whole department –criticized for excessively punitive and militaristic response to community protests after the teenager’s shooting-death – are under intense scrutiny. U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder arrived in Ferguson last week, as the Justice Department launches its own inquiry into possible civil rights violations. A grand jury is also ex-
“We continue to be disproportionately impacted by police brutality and action,” he said. “The same people there to protect us are in some cases unfortunately doing the opposite. That’s an ongoing issue of concern for us.” — Jose Calderon for which the data is available), but 32 percent of all arrest-related deaths, while whites made up nearly 70 percent of arrests and 42 percent of arrest-related deaths. Hispanics accounted for nearly 20 percent of arrest deaths. Calderon says tensions between police and black and Latino communities are exacerbated by poverty, growing income inequality and lack of access to good jobs, including those in law enforcement. “How is it possible [to have a] predominantly African American community [as is the case in Ferguson] policed by a police force that is 95 percent white?” Calderon asked, noting that in Ferguson the imbalance led law
pected to meet Wednesday to hear evidence in the case. For residents of Bakersfield, Calif., a Central Valley city known for oil rigs and farms, the events in Ferguson are a replay of a brutal beating-death of a 33-year-old man at the hands of police. Last May, David Sal Silva, a father of four, died while in police custody. Silva was beaten to death by seven Kern County Sheriff’s deputies and two California
Highway Patrol officers. Intoxicated, Silva was reportedly unable to stand when police unleashed a canine on him and then took turns hitting him with clubs and kicking him. The beating was filmed by bystanders using their cell phones. A coroner’s report found Silva’s death was caused by hypertensive heart disease. The officers involved in the beating were not charged. Lorena Lara, an organizer with Faith in Action Kern County in Bakersfield, says her group addresses “bigger issues related to racial injustice,” and increasingly that’s involving police conduct. “I personally work with undocumented community,” she said. “We realize they are another segment of people affected by police overstepping boundaries. They are detaining people driving without a license. They are racially profiling.” Lara says Silva’s death sparked community protests, and a year later there are local efforts to try to establish a civilian oversight committee for the police. “With Ferguson, it has reactivated a lot of feelings,” Lara said. “What can we do in Kern County, so we don’t have another David Silva [death]…when someone died when they weren’t supposed to?” New American Media Reyna Olaguez, Alfredo Camacho and Elena Shore contributed reporting.
Advertise in the Banner call 617-261-4600 x7799 for more information
Thursday, August 28, 2014 • BAY STATE BANNER • 9
Top: Grace McNeil portrays Island Pride, the Soca & Associates presentation for this year’s carnival. Bottom: The D’Midas International mas band’s presentation Shaka Zulu featured African themed costumes, along with the red, black and white colors of the Trinidadian flag. (Leo March photo)
Top: Gary Charles dances with a massive bird costume as part of Socaholics’ colorful carnival presentation. (Banner photo) Bottom: Lawanda Monique and Ashley Miranda danced with the D’Horizon mas band.
Carnival
continued from page 1
Carnival is the largest single cultural event in Boston’s black community and draws spectators and participants from New England, New York and the Caribbean. Carnival organizers and vendors setting up in Franklin Park were startled to hear gun shots at 8 a.m. Saturday morning. A 26-year-old woman was killed, apparently by a stray bullet shooting at the corner of Charlotte Street and Blue Hill Avenue, and another woman was grazed. Despite reports that the shooting happened during Carnival in the news media, Shillingford notes that the shooting was more than a mile away from the J’Ouvert celebration, which happened at the corner of Blue Hill Avenue and Morton Street at 6 a.m. The Caribbean Carnival parade began at 1 p.m. The parade route did not pass Charlotte Street. “Anytime there is violence the day of Carnival or the day before or after, they try to con-
nect it to Carnival,” Shillingford said. “They never want to write about any of the positive things that happen in our community.” Leading the parade was Mayor Martin Walsh, who carried the flag of Montserrat, a Caribbean island settled by Irish descendants. Walsh, the first mayor to walk the entire length of the parade, was accompanied by District 7 Councilor Tito Jackson and former at-large Councilor Felix D. Arroyo. “Boston has a large Caribbean community, and I’m glad I was able to join the festivities this year,” Walsh said. Also marching in the parade were District 4 City Councilor Charles Yancey, Suffolk County Sheriff Steve Tompkins and state Rep. Gloria Fox.
You have shackled your feet with countless desires, and so you weep in the face of hardship. Blinded by your craving for wealth, joy, and sense pleasures, you fall in the well of karma. You suffer affliction. — Swami Muktananda
SLEEP DENTISTRY 1-800-676-2750
I.V. - SEDATION
MASS HEALTH PROVIDER
OPEN Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays 10-5, CLOSED Tuesdays, Wednesdays
The Practice of Anesthesia & General Dentistry
386 A/B Warren Street, Roxbury, MA 02119 L. Dee Jackson, Jr, DMD, MD, General Dentist, Anesthesiologist
10 • Thursday, August 28, 2014 • BAY STATE BANNER
Thursday, August 28, 2014 • BAY STATE BANNER • 11
BPS interns gain STEM experience with MBTA Nate Homan The graduation march, Pomp and Circumstance, played over the overhead speakers as Madison Park Technical Vocational High School students graduated from the MBTA’s TranSTEM Summer Youth Employment Program on Friday, August 22. The TranSTEM program is a seven-week internship for Madison Park students to work hands-on at the MBTA. Madison Park was selected because of its focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The program is based on the first TranSTEM public transportation education curriculum founded at Cardoza High School in Washington, D.C. “We are very serious about working to establish and pilot a pathway from the schools directly into the transportation field,” MBTA General Manager Beverly Scott said. “The idea, when you begin to talk about the workforce, you see that young people and the general public don’t have a clue about everything that’s involved in public transportation, mainly because it’s not their field of focus,” Scott said. “Most of the times, transportation doesn’t have much of a profile and so all the things we can do with this partnership will open a new door for a new generation of sharp minds. We’re testing hybrid, we have compressed natural gas, solar panels. There’s so much room for great minds.” The program is a collaborative effort between the MBTA, MassDepartment of Transportation, Madison Park, Roxbury Community College, the City of Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The program started as a school tour through the MBTA facilities and evolved into a gateway for students to gain experience with the equipment that keeps the MBTA system running, from the switchboards to energy efficiency initiatives. The students worked together to create a campaign of courtesy posters in order to encourage children in their age groups to keep the cars clean, not to talk on cell phones too loudly, allow people to sit down and other quick bits of ethical advice. “These kids had a chance to work on something that they grew up with,” Scott said. “They all know and use the T as a vital part of their daily lives. They know the role it plays in their friends, families and communities livelihood.”
Secretary of Education Mathew Malone praised the students for stepping out of their comfort zone and into such a demanding environment. “These students learned some real world work, solving real world problems, working in teams with adults with a mission in mind,” Malone said. “When we put young people in these environments, they learn and they grow. They go on to do better in all of the other skills we measure from coming to school on time to test taking.” The program began in Boston a year and a half ago and is aiming to be implemented Commonwealth-wide. The idea is to send the students on a career path in their city in a field that will always need attentive minds to come up with solutions and new ideas. “Over the next few years, we will build the most amazing TranSTEM pathway in the country with our friends and partners at Madison Park, the state, the city, Roxbury Community College and the MBTA,” Malone said. “There’s a whole lot of jobs in our own city for these students, blended learning, with a real focus and practical application, making a pathway to the future. “Good communities are filled with good people who come together in support of good ideas. This is a long march to close achievement gaps and community gaps.” City Councilor Tito Jackson told the students that the most valued asset in Massachusetts is human capital. “You’re learning a life lesson early,” Jackson said. “There’s a whole lot of folks who want to characterize you as anything but what you are. What I have seen today is your beauty, which is in your talents, your intelligence, your dedication, and your ability to deal with the adversity head on. We know you’re the future of this city. We have your backs because you’re the future of the State of Massachusetts.” Jackson and City Councilor Ayanna Pressley said that the council will honor the graduating class at City Hall in the near future. “Our students have shown what they can do when the opportunity presents itself,” Madison Park Principal Diane Ross Gary said. “By the time you get to school this year, people are going to know who you all are. They’ll be talking about you and what you’ve done.”
Be sure to check out our website and mobile site www.baystatebanner.com
The graduating class of the TranSTEM program, city councilors, MBTA officials and school department representatives celebrated the student’s achievements on August 22.
The Black Ministerial Alliance of Greater Boston receives $15,000 from the National Grid Foundation. Robert G. Keller , President of the National Grid Foundation, on July 25, 2014 presented Rev. Dr. Arthur T. Gerald, Jr (President of the BMA) and Janine Spinola Taylor (Program Director) a grant for Victory Generation Program in the amount of $15,000. Victory Generation (VG) is a learning network that develops the social and emotional intelligence and cognitive skills of youth 2.9 – 22 years of age. VG is comprised of eight program affiliate sites located in Houses of Worship or district schools, serving the neighborhoods of Chinatown, Dorchester, Roxbury, and Mattapan.
Pictured from left to right are: Back row: Jannai Johnson, Makyah Morgan-Clemons, Matthew Brown, Robert G. Keller (President of the National Grid Foundation), Rev. Dr. Arthur T. Gerald, Jr. (BMA President), Janine Spinola Taylor (Program Director), Rachel Idowu, Jamil Boykin. Front row: Jackson Tucker, Brooklyn Tucker, Florence Bangalie. Photo credit: FayFoto; Students & Staff of Twelfth Baptist Church Summer Enrichment Program.
12 • Thursday, August 28, 2014 • BAY STATE BANNER
Thursday, August 28, 2014 • BAY STATE BANNER • 13
investors
continued from page 1
“We’re like a co-op,” Richardson explained. “Darryl and I teamed up to buy the house. I fixed it up. Kobe was the broker. Now he’s selling it.” The three were among a smattering of black real estate developers and investors Settles convened last year for a gathering at his South End restaurant, Darryl’s Corner Bar. “A year ago we didn’t know each other,” Settles said. “When we all came together, we just clicked,” Richardson added. “Once I got to know them and saw how much they were doing, it was incredible,” Settles continued. “They’re very successful.” Settles and his associates are part of a growing cadre of younger black and Latino real estate investors who are quietly making headway in the local real estate market. Their focus on renovating and selling individual properties is somewhat of a departure from the older generation of black real estate professionals. With historically low real estate values in Boston’s black community in Roxbury, Dorchester and Mattapan, development efforts in past years have revolved around the production of subsidized and mixed-income developments built on public land. Black real estate development firms, like Long Bay Management and Cruz Construction focused on large commercial and residential development projects, creating opportunities for black, Latino and Asian subcontractors to share in the wealth of construction work in Roxbury during the 1980s and ’90s. Black for-profit developers have left their mark on Boston’s real estate landscape, with large renova-
tions like the Rubina Guscott Building in Grove Hall, the expansive Harvard Commons development in Mattapan and the Crosstown development at Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard. In 2003, Columbia Plaza Associates, a black, Latino and Asian development team completed One Lincoln Street, a million-square foot, 36-story office tower in Downtown Boston — a high water mark for minority developers in the city’s history. But during that same era, many of the for-profit housing units being developed in Roxbury were developed by white builders. Now, as real estate values in Roxbury are rapidly rising, the newer cadre of black developers is focused on one- to three-family homes that can be acquired for as low as $300,000 and, after renovation, can be sold for considerably more. Several single family homes in Roxbury have sold this year for more than $500,000 and two-family homes have sold for more than $700,000. Listed at $499,999, 36 Gaston Street is the first home Settles and his associates have worked on together from start to finish. Richardson, who employs a team of six local carpenters, says all of the subcontractors on the project — roofers, electricians, plumbers, HVAC specialists — were also people of color. “They’re all young and they’re all professional,” Richardson commented. “They get in and they get out quickly.” “The money stays in the community,” Evans adds. “It improves the neighborhood.” Richardson, who grew up in Fields Corner, started in the business buying and fixing up old buildings. He has rehabilitated more than
Hardwood floors at 36 Gaston Street were re-finished as part of an extensive renovation on the home, which had been vacant for 10 years. (Banner photo) 30 buildings since he went into business six years ago. With home values rising, Settles said he and Evans will provide
VOTE
Richardson with a needed boost in acquiring new homes to rehabilitate, and getting top dollar for them. “Tony’s a new breed of con-
tractor-developer,” Settles commented. “We don’t have many like him in our community. We’re looking to change that.”
Birthdays
Repast
Meetings
Rental Space Available for Meetings/Gatherings Professional Meetings, Dance Classes, Baby/Wedding Shower, Repast & more.
September 9th
Rooms for 15-60 people or rooms for up to 150 Reasonable Rates – 2 to 4 hours, Monday through Sunday Call Dr. Betts @ 617-822-0829 today for more information
Find more information at www.wheredoivotema.com
AUTOMOTIVE
CONSULTING
INSURANCE
ANYTIME AUTO GLASS
CAROLE COPELAND THOMAS, MBA, CDMP
EMPIRE INSURANCE AGENCY AND REAL ESTATE SERVICES
Expert auto glass repair & replacement, side & back windows, sunroofs. Insurance work or the best cash pricing. Free on site service. 1560 River Street Hyde Park (617) 898-8463 www. anytimeautoglassboston.com
HICKS AUTO BODY, INC
10 Talbot Ave, Dorchester, MA 02124 Repair, refinish damaged vehicles. Complete interior and exterior recondition/detail 24 Hour Towing • (617) 825-1545, fax: (617) 825-8495 www.hicksautobodyinc.com
CATERING DARRYL’S CORNER BAR & KITCHEN
Let us “Serve You Right” for your next celebration or event! We offer pick-up & drop off, or full service catering with great Southern and American cuisine’s that will satisfy all your guests. To discuss and place your catering order call (617) 536-1100. www.darrylscornerbarboston.com
High Energy Programs • Conventions • Training Workshops Retreats • Speaker • Trainer • Author • Global Diversity Leadership • Multiculturalism • Empowerment (508) 947-5755 • carole@mssconnect.com www.tellcarole.com • www.mssconnect.com
DENTISTS
LAWYERS
RICHARD D. CARR AND ASSOCIATES
ATTORNEY JAMES “FRITZ” DURODOLA ATTORNEYS AT LAW
Richard D. Carr - D.D.S. Bahram Ghassemi - D.M.D., Badrieh Edalatpour - D.M.D. Gail Fernando - D.M.D., Diba Dastjerdi - D.M.D 68 New Edgerly Rd, Boston, MA 02115 • (617) 262-5880 • Fax: (617) 859-8804
EYE DOCTORS & GLASSES URBAN EYE MD ASSOCIATES. P.C.
Breakfast Specials, Signature Muffins and Scones, A la Carte Breakfast, Lunch Package Deals, Wrap and Sandwich Platters, Steamin’ Hot Entrees, Soup and Salads, Pizza, Side Dishes, Appetizers, Desserts, Beverages and more. To place an order call catering line Monday through Friday 8am-4pm at (617) 939-6837
183 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02115 720 Harrison Avenue, Boston, MA 02118 (617) 262-6300 • (617) 638-8119 Web: www.urbaneyemd.com Benjamin Andrè Quamina, M.D. • Lawrence I. Rand, M.D. Clifford Michaelson, M.D. • Sergey Urman, M.D. Lessa Denis Mahamed, O.D. Treating: Glaucoma, Cataracts, Diabetes, Ocular Plastic/ Cosmetic Surgery and other vision threatening conditions and diseases. Offering: Routine Eye and Contact Lens Exams
CONSTRUCTION
FINANCIAL PLANNING & INVESTMENTS
KERRY CONSTRUCTION, INC
LURIE DAVIS WEALTH MANAGEMENT
HALEY HOUSE BAKERY CAFÉ
22 Sylvester Rd, Dorchester Interior & Exterior Painting Replacement Windows & Doors • Carpentry • Roofing • Gutters • Masonry • Kitchens • Bathrooms • Vinyl Siding Free Estimates • Licensed & Insured Call James O’Sullivan (617) 825-0592
Home • Car • Life • Business Insurance also Real Estate Services helping Buyers and Sellers 1065 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02120 Call Now (617) 445-5555
Lurie Davis, Registered Investment Adviser Investments, Financial Planning, Mutual Funds, Debt Management, Roth IRA, 529 College Savings Plans and Life Insurance (781)595-0396, ldwm@comcast.net 40 Baltimore Street, Lynn MA 01902
Attorney James “Fritz” Durodola represents all people who have suffered injustice or had a violation of their rights. AREAS OF PRACTICE: Employment Law (Includes unemployment hearings) • Personal Injury Law • Divorce Law/Family Law • Criminal Defense • Police Brutality Immigration Law • All lawsuits against corporations and businesses CALL TODAY (508) 513-5709 Serving all areas of Massachusetts where injustice happens.
LAW OFFICE JAY U. ODUNUKWE & ASSOCIATES
Criminal: Drug Offenses, Drunk Driving/OUI, Assault/Firearm Offenses, Sealing Records/Sex Crimes Civil: Personal Injury/Automobile Accidents, Landlord/Tenant Immigration: Deportation/Removal Proceedings, Green Card/ Citizenship Sports/Entertainment: Soccer/FIFA Player Agent Creative Solutions Always Delivers The Best!!! 170 Milk Street, 4th floor, Downtown - Boston, MA 02109, Phone: (617) 367-4500; Fax: (617) 275-8000, www.Bostontoplegal.com, Email: Harvcom@prodigy.net
REMOVAL SERVICES FREE TREE WOOD REMOVAL good hardwood only Call Akee Roofing (781) 483-8291
To have your business listed on this page contact us at 617-261-4600 x7799
JET-A-WAY DISPOSAL & RECYCLING Commercial Waste & Recycling Removal for Businesses of all sizes Servicing the Greater Metropolitan Boston Area And the South Shore. Since 1969 www.jawdirect.com Contact us (617) 541-4009 or sales@jawdirect.com
ROOFING AKEE ROOF REPAIRS
Roof Leaks repaired, Gutters repaired, cleaned, and replaced, Flatroofs replaced. Free estimates. Call (781) 483-8291
SKILLED NURSING FACILITY SKILLED NURSING & REHAB CENTER Proudly serving the Community since 1927
BENJAMIN HEALTHCARE CENTER
120 Fisher Ave, Boston, MA 02120 www.benjaminhealthcare.com Tel: (617) 738-1500 Fax: (617) 738-6560 Short-term, Long-term, Respite, Hospice & Rehabilitation Myrna E. Wynn, President & CEO, Notary Public
TELEPHONE & INTERNET BUSINESS INTERNET AND PHONE
NO CREDIT REVIEW. High-Speed Internet Service Guaranteed. 24/7 Tech Support. $42.95/month or $34.95/mo with a 12 month committment. $89.95 Dial Tone Activation Fee. Residential rates available. Call for details. 1-888-248-6582 MassLocal, Inc. Serving MA since 1997.
VIDEO & PHOTOGRAPHY EVEN KEEL PRODUCTIONS
Video, photography and audio services for weddings, graduations, private parties, performances, recitals and other celebrations. Contact Stephen: (818) 519-1399 www.evenkeelproductions.com Authorized vendor for CPCS
14 • Thursday, August 28, 2014 • BAY STATE BANNER
City council passes Trust Act, ends Secure Communities Act Nate Homan The Boston City Council voted unanimously in favor of a measure that would block Boston police from holding detainees at the request of the U.S. Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement without judicial review. The measure, the Boston Trust Act, was introduced by District 8 Councilor Josh Zakim, and requires police to decline all ICE detention requests unless the agency has a criminal warrant for a specific individual, they have been convicted of a felony, are on the Massachusetts Sex Offender Registry or are on the Federal Terrorist Watch List. The Trust Act ends the city’s participation in the Secure Communities Act, which uses local law enforcement data to identify individuals thought to be in the U.S. illegally. Activists, immigrant’s rights groups, and members of the various immigrant communities have spoken out against Secure Communities, saying that the law prevents immigrants from reporting crimes for fear that they themselves will be investigated. “The goal of the Trust Act, by its title, is to restore trust in our community and encourage cooperation with the Boston Police Department and other law enforcement agencies,” Zakim said. “We want to send a clear message to the immigrant communities in Boston: It is safe to call the Boston
Police, it is safe to come forward as a witness, it is safe to come forward as a victim of crime. Otherwise, there’s a reluctance to step up and report crimes due to fear that their immigration status could lead to deportation.” Zakim said that federal courts across the country are finding the Secure Communities Act to be unconstitutional. While those rulings have not been made in Massachusetts, lawyers from the ACLU and private practices are voicing concerns over the law’s constitutionality along with financial concerns given the manpower required from local law enforcement to enforce the law without reimbursement from the Federal Government. Citing past Ponzi schemes geared directly at immigrants who could not report the scams, Councilor Tito Jackson said that Secure Communities gave predators a green light to target undocumented individuals. “This will show people who have been living in the shadows that they should have and can have trust in the people who are here to protect and serve,” Jackson said. “The notion of Secure Communities is one of those great government programs where they name it something that sounds really good, that no one can disagree with. But it’s the opposite. It’s something that destabilizes our communities.” Councilor Sal LaMattina said that his district is home to the largest
immigrant population in Boston and that the Boston Trust Act removes a climate of fear. “Folks are getting deported in my district for two reasons most often,” LaMattina said. “Driving without a license and possession of marijuana. In the mean time, people are getting robbed, assaulted, abused at home, sexually abused and they don’t report it because they are afraid
of being deported.” Councilor Ayanna Pressley thanked the individuals who came to share their experiences with the Council and praised the activist groups who have worked with the immigrant communities. “Secure Communities is an oxymoron,” Pressley said. “It creates a fear of being detained because of racial profiling. We are a city who celebrates the fact that we are 53 percent people of color. We champion our diversity. We honor the undocumented community for their contribution to our city, our community and our workforce. We are not just trying to restore trust. There are those who have never known that trust.”
Boston Mayor Martin Walsh and Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone have publicly stood against Secure Communities. While Governor Deval Patrick has reluctantly agreed to enforce the law, he has said that he has instructed the State Police not to detain suspects on suspicion of the legal status. Dominican Development Center community organizer Maria Lora wiped tears from her eyes and said, “I’m overjoyed thinking about how this law will affect my community. We are hoping to achieve justice and erase the fear of the police from our community. We all belong to one city. Now we won’t be afraid of being prosecuted for reporting crimes or targeted for our documents.”
Immigration advocates celebrate outside of the City Council’s Iannella Chamber after the passage of the Trust Act. (Banner photo)
Thursday, August 28, 2014 • BAY STATE BANNER • 15
MALCOLM JAMAL J WARNER Reprises Sidney Poitier Role in the Huntington Theatre’s, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner
Colette Greenstein
In the public eye since he was a teen, Malcolm-Jamal Warner is best known for his role as Theo Huxtable, the only son of Cliff and Clair Huxtable on NBC’s top-rated and popular 1980s sitcom, The Cosby Show. In 1986, he was nominated for an Emmy for his work on the show as Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. He shot the pilot for The Cosby Show when he was 13 but actually started out in community theater at the age of 9. His mother was always looking for things for him to do to keep him out of trouble. One year after basketball season had ended a friend of his mother’s suggested an acting workshop for young Malcolm. He auditioned for it, landed an agent, and as they say, the rest is history.
In the 20-plus years since The Cosby Show ended, the 44-year-old carved out a career for himself as an accomplished actor, director, and producer. In 1994, he made his film debut in the action film Drop Zone starring Wesley Snipes. From 1996 – 2000, Warner starred in the television show Malcolm & Eddie opposite comedian Eddie Griffin, and also composed the theme music for the sitcom. In 2011, Warner starred in, produced, and directed BET’s original series, Reed Between the Lines with Tracee Ellis Ross. He’s also appeared on NBC’s Community and The Michael J. Fox Show, as well as TNT’s HawthoRNe, Showtime’s Dexter, and Sci-Fi’s Jeremiah. This modern-day Renaissance man is also a poet and a bass player, and fronts his own band, Miles Long.The jazzfunk band has performed in several major jazz festivals, including the Playboy Jazz Festival, and has opened for Earl Klugh and the late Luther Vandross. This September, Warner makes his Huntington Theatre debut in Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner directed by David Esbjornson (All My Sons). Based on the 1967 Acad-
emy Award-winning film which starred Katharine Hepburn, Spencer Tracy, and Sidney Poitier, Warner stars as John Prentice, an African-American doctor who is brought home by his fiancée, Joanna, to meet her liberal, white parents. When John’s parents also arrive for dinner, both sets of parents must confront their own unexpected reactions and concerns for their children as their beliefs are put to the test. Warner spoke to the Banner recently about working with his co-manager mom [Pamela Warner], his role in Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner, and growing up Cosby.
Your mom is your manager. Usually by this point, a lot of artists have transitioned from having their parent as their manager. How is it like working with her and is it still good for you?
Malcolm-Jamal Warner: Definitely. One of the reasons why people ultimately transition from having their parent as a manager to moving on because it gets to the point where it’s no longer good. Or, it gets to the point there’s only but so much the parent can do as a manager. My mother and I have
worked so closely for so long. She’s such an integral part of my career. We definitely got to a point where we realized we needed more than what she could do just herself. We ended up getting another manager and they do a co-management situation. We jokingly refer to my mom as the ‘Chief of Staff.’ There are things that she does as a personal manager, that other managers wouldn’t necessarily do. She gets to focus on the day-to-day stuff. And, they get to focus on the career stuff. A lot of the business is still networking and who you know, and going to places. Neither my mom nor I have the mentality or disposition to be at functions and do all the stuff you need to do. We have a manager who is a player in the game and they can focus on that.
How is it following in the footsteps of Sidney Poitier?
MJW: You know it’s funny, I don’t think I’m following in his footsteps. Because, one, it would be too intimidating. Also, there’s a certain advantage we have in telling the story in 2014 than in 1967. I think Todd Kreidler, the writer, and Warner, continued to page 18
16 • Thursday, August 28, 2014 • BAY STATE BANNER
When the Game Stands Tall conveys important life lessons Colette Greenstein How do you get back up after you’ve fallen? This is the crux of the film, When The Game Stands Tall, from director Thomas Carter (Save the Last Dance and Coach Carter). Based on Neil Hayes’ book, the film tells the inspirational true story of Robert “Bob” Ladouceur (portrayed by Jim Caviezel), who coached the high school foot-
The underlying principles of Coach Ladouceur’s teachings to the team, is not just about football, it’s about commitment to each other and being of service to your community.
ball team, the De La Salle Spartans in Concord, California, to 12-consecutive undefeated seasons from 1992 to 2004, all the while setting a national winning streak of 151
consecutive wins in the country. The film stars Lowell, Mass. native Michael Chiklis as defensive coordinator, Terry Eidson; Laura Dern as Bev Ladouceur; Alexander Ludwig (The Hunger Games) as Chris Ryan and Clancy Brown (FOX-TV’s Sleepy Hollow) as Mickey Ryan. Yet, when the streak is broken and tragedy strikes the team, Coach Bob and the players struggle to learn how to get back up on their feet after they’ve fallen. A bit heavy-handed and religious at times, the film explores the themes of faith, friendship and brotherhood. The underlying principles of Coach Ladouceur’s teachings to the team, is not just about football, it’s about commitment to each other and being of service to your community. Along the way, the principles were forgotten or pushed aside during the winning streak, but the players are snapped back to reality once the streak is broken and they each begin questioning their reason for being. Cam (played by Ser’Darius Blain) begins questioning everything in his life as his mother is dying of cancer. Quarterback Chris Ryan (Alexander Ludwig) is trying to keep the team together after the loss of a teammate, as his con-
trolling father is vicariously living out his high school dreams through Chris, and is proving to be a more formidable foe than the ones he finds on opposing teams. Bob’s son Danny (Matthew Daddario)
is eager to prove that he’s rightly earned his place on the team that it wasn’t just given to him because of who his dad is; and then there’s Tayshon Lanear (Jesse Usher) who has a chip on his shoulder and alienates his fellow teammates by believing that he doesn’t need any of the other players or anyone else to succeed. Meanwhile, Bob, who also teaches at the Christian School is struggling to balance his role as a dad and husband without losing himself completely in his role as coach and teacher at De La Salle High School.
Matthew Daddario and Jessie Usher in TriStar Pictures’ When the Game Stands Tall.
When The Game Stands Tall is a sports movie in the vein of We Are Marshall, Friday Night Lights and Remember the Titans, in which the players, the coach, and the towns are dealt heavy blows, and have to learn how to get back on their feet, work together and believe in one another to succeed and win. When The Game Stands Tall is inspirational, although a bit predictable, but still offers hope and life lessons such as not letting the game define who are you and becoming someone that you can be proud of. These are the simple rules that can be followed by anyone, not just athletes.
Thursday, August 28, 2014 • BAY STATE BANNER • 17
Damon Wayans Jr. talks comedy, Let’s Be Cops film Kam Williams Damon Wayans, Jr. is a member of the famed Wayans family, creators of the groundbreaking television series In Living Color, the Scary Movie franchise, and much more. Damon made his film debut in Blankman, a superhero comedy that starred his father. He also appeared in his dad’s television series My Wife and Kids before striking out on his own as a stand-up comic on Def Comedy Jam. Damon subsequently made such movies as Dance Flick, Marmaduke, Someone Marry Barry, and The Other Guys. More recently, he has starred on the TV sitcoms Happy Endings and New Girl. Here, he talks about his new film, Let’s Be Cops, where he co-stars opposite Jake Johnson, a fellow cast member on New Girl.
Kam Williams: What interested you in Let’s Be Cops?
Damon Wayans, Jr.: I guess it was the concept which was similar to a buddy cop comedy, except they’re not cops. So, it’s sort of a fresh take on the idea. I was actually a little curious about why it hadn’t been done before, but I was definitely interested, especially once I heard that Jake Johnson was in the mix. We get along really well and make each other laugh a lot. So, I was like, “If you do it, I’ll do it.” And that’s how we got involved in the project.
KW: Did you do your own stunts and dancing? Did you shadow a real cop to prepare for the role?
DW: I did not shadow a real cop to prepare for the role because in the movie we‘re pretending to be cops. Basically, any mistakes that I would make as an ordinary citizen were encouraged. So, I never needed to shadow a cop to try to look like a cop. And yes, I did most of my own stunts, and when it came time for the dance moves I even did my own back flip. But when it came to really dangerous stunts, like breaking the glass table with my back when the lady throws me, that wasn’t me, but a stuntman named Reggie.
KW: It’s great seeing you on New Girl. Is there much improv happening on the set?
DW: They allow it, yeah. After they get their takes in, they kinda allow us to do anything we want. It’s fun working in that environment with people I like. I went to high school with Zooey [Deschanel]. We know each other really well.
KW: You have experience on both the big and small screen. Which might be a better fit for your performance style?
DW: I don’t really know. That depends on how Let’s Be Cops does at the box office. If it tanks, I guess TV is better for me. [LOL] I feel like I can do both. I think of the small screen as my 9-to-5 job and of the big screen as projects that you fit in between.
KW: How hard is it hailing from such a talented and famous family?
DW: It’s not really hard. They’ve
encouraged me the whole way, since we see a win for any one of us as a win for all. So, if I’m doing good work, and they approve of it, I’m happy.
KW: Your dad has a reputation for being a bit of a disciplinarian. Is that rumor true or false?
DW: It’s true. He was definitely a disciplinarian, when we were growing up. It was almost as if he went off to play Major Payne in the movie, and stayed in character after he got back. He would make us do sit-ups, push-ups and jumping jacks every morning when we woke up. If we got anything below a B grade, he would shave our heads and make us wear a suit to school. He’s a pretty intense guy. [Chuckles]
KW: You wouldn’t believe how many people I’ve interviewed over the years have told me they broke into show business with the help of one of the Wayans.
DW: That’s awesome. I guess the Wayans gave me my first break, too.
KW: Which scene in Let’s Be Cops was the most fun to shoot?
DW: It’s hard to pick just one. The ones with Jake, Rob Riggle and Nina Dobrev were all fun.
And Keegan-Michael Key from Key and Peele was hilarious. I’d say any scene that made me laugh or break character in the middle of it. I just had a blast the whole way through.
KW: What teacher or mentor played an important role in your professional path?
DW: My two greatest influences were my dad, and my martial arts teacher, Mark Mikita.
KW: You’ve written scripts for TV. Are you interested in writing for the big screen?
DW: Absolutely! One of my dreams is to be able to do what the big boys, the Seth Rogens and the Jonah Hills are able to do; get my own projects greenlit, shot and do well at the box office. That’s kind of my ultimate goal.
KW: What was the last book you read?
DW: I read a lot of books. The last one was “Gone Girl,” a novel by Gillian Flynn. That’s a really good book which has just been made into a movie by David Fincher. It’s coming out in October and stars Ben Affleck. And I’m reading the “The Bourne Retribution” right now.
Damon Wayans Jr.
18 • Thursday, August 28, 2014 • BAY STATE BANNER
Warner
you get that the story transcends racial prejudices.
David Esbjornson together did a really awesome job in allowing the story to take certain emotional turns that they just couldn’t do in 1967.
Even at the age of 13, you had the mindfulness of knowing that your experience was really important and different, and the knowledge to represent your mom and others in a certain way. It came naturally to you?
continued from page 15
There’s a quote from Todd where he said, “he wanted to talk about and engage in the attitudes of 1967 with a 21st century approach.” How do you translate that as an actor?
MJW: I think it’s two things to answer your question. One, with the 21st century perspective, we have room to really deal with real emotional responses and emotional journeys that they just couldn’t do in ’67. When you see the movie, they tread so light that it’s almost lily-white compared to when you see the play, you see the tension. I think all the characters get to an emotional place. Take the Monsignor and Matt Drayton. Even their relationship is at stake that you don’t see in the movie. We can do that because we have a 21st century sensibility. So, there’s that. Also, what Todd and David did is they were able to take this story, the topic of an interracial relationship, and it’s kind of universal. You can take the same story, and instead of an interracial relationship, you can take a gay couple. You can take the same story and it could be a Muslim bringing home a Christian. I don’t think you can necessarily get that in the movie. The work that they’ve done together,
HALEY HOUSE BAKERY CAFE WILL BE CLOSED FROM SUN., AUG. 24 – SUN., SEP. 1, REOPENING ON TUE., SEP. 2. COMMUNITY TABLES WILL NOT OCCUR ON SAT., AUG. 30. Art is Life itself! Returns!
THU. SEP. 4 FULANI HAYNES AND THE JAZZ COLLABORATIVE Program starts at 7 pm…Come early for dinner! Coming in September!
ADULT COOKING CLASSES September 14 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. Chef Reva’s Plentiful Persian Dinner www.brownpapertickets.com/event/802315 September 21 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. Chef Didi’s The Far Side of Kim Chi www.brownpapertickets.com/event/802516
12 Dade Street, Roxbury, MA 02119 617-445-0900 www.haleyhouse.org/cafe
MJW: Even before Cosby, I always knew I was a reflection of my mother and father because they told me that. My mom said, ‘look until your 18, you are my responsibility.’ They kind of instilled that upon me at an early age. By the time I was on Cosby, it was just an extension of them. Early on, it was forced upon us to understand the social statement that the show was making without trying to make a social statement. So you had people saying that the show wasn’t realistic, black people don’t live like that, while at the same time getting tens of thousands of letters saying, ‘thank you because we are the Huxtables.’ My dad is a doctor and my mom is a lawyer. Thank you for representing us. At 14, when you’re getting that criticism and these letters, you’re kind of forced to understand, wow, that this is bigger than just being funny on TV.
I read an article years ago where Oprah Winfrey said one of the best pieces of advice she got from Mr. Cosby was to sign your own checks. Did he ever give you any advice that you still follow, or is part of who you are today?
MJW: Most of the things that I
learned from him were things I learned from example. Traditionally, it took five days to shoot a sitcom. We finally got it down to four days. So, on Thursday night after we finished taping both of our shows, he would get on his plane and fly to either Vegas, Tahoe,
Atlantic City, or somewhere, and he would do his stand-up Friday, Saturday and Sunday night and be back to work on Monday before any of us. So that kind of work ethic really hit me. He was doing this while he had the number one television show in the world. So, it kind of struck me that when you’re hot that’s when you bust your ass. So, when you’re not hot, you’re not making desperate career choices. And my mom had always impressed upon me if longevity is what you’re going for then you’re going to have dry spells. Look at anyone who has longevity. They go through dry spells. So, you want to make sure that you’re set up to have some kind of plan b. So, kind of my mother’s advice in conjunction with seeing Mr. Cosby’s work ethic has had a profound effect on what I do. In terms of something he’s actually voiced to me, I think probably one of the most important things is what he taught us about comedy in that to always go for the truth. Don’t go for the laugh. When you go for the laugh, you interrupt the truth.
How do you define success for yourself?
MJW: At the height of Cosby people would ask me, “what does success feel like, how does it feel to be successful?” I had never looked at The Cosby Show success as my success. It was the show’s success. It was Mr. Cosby’s success. I used to always say even back then as a teenager I can’t consider myself successful not until I’m 40-, 50-, 60-years-old and am still working consistently as an actor and a director. Only then can I look back and say I’ve had a successful career. For me, it was never about what’s happening now. It was about where am I going to be 15, 20 years from now? I can say at 44, that I have been successful in having a life after Cosby. The Huntington Theatre presents Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner opening on Friday, September 5 and running through Sunday, October 5. Single tickets starting at $25 and FlexPasses are on sale. Tickets can be purchased online at www.huntingtontheatre.org; by phone at 617.266.0800; or in person at the BU Theatre Box Office located at 264 Huntington Avenue, and the Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA Box Office at 527 Tremont Street in Boston’s South End.
BOSTnOeNs sce
Thursday, August 28, 2014 • BAY STATE BANNER • 19
Carnival!
2014 Boston Caribbean Carnival
Tens of thousands turned out for the 2014 Boston Caribbean Carnival, starting with the J’Overt celebration at sunrise and culminating with the half-mile-long parade from Martin Luther King Boulevard to Franklin Park. At the park, a panel of judges flown in from Trinidad evaluated the competing mas bands, selecting T&T Social Club as the top band. (Photos by Banner Staff and Leo March)
20 • Thursday, August 28, 2014 • BAY STATE BANNER
What to Look For In Dueling Autopsies of Michael Brown Post mortem by Michael Baden is only the beginning as teams of specialists study the body of 18-year-old African American killed by police. A.C. Thompson In the next few weeks, separate teams of doctors will issue autopsy reports about Michael Brown, the unarmed African American shot
to death by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri. If history is any guide, they will differ, perhaps significantly, on how to interpret the gunshot wounds on his body. Michael Baden, the veteran medical examiner chosen to autopsy the body by Brown’s family, has released the preliminary results of his autopsy and both the St. Louis County Medical Examiner and U.S. Justice Department have announced plans to conduct or commission separate post mortems. As a journalist, I’ve read roughly
1,000 autopsy reports and spent much of my career reporting on fatal encounters between police officers and civilians. Here’s some of what Baden found and what experts will be looking for as they examine Brown’s corpse: 1. Evidence that Brown was fleeing from the officer who shot him, Darren Wilson. Shots to the back are a red flag, indicating the victim may have been running from the officer rather than attacking. The basic law on use of force turns on whether a police officer acted from a “reasonable belief” that he or she was facing a lethal threat. Baden — who was hired by Brown’s family — believes Brown was shot at least six times with all the bullets striking him from the front. 2. Signs of a physical altercation. Forensic pathologists study the exterior of the body for bruises, scrapes and lacerations which can be signs that a scuffle preceded the fatal shots. Witnesses have said Brown and Wilson wrestled in the moments before the killing. On Baden’s diagram of Brown’s body, the doctor does not appear to have noted any
Advertise in the Banner
significant injuries other than the gun shot wounds. Baden did not find gunpowder residue on Brown’s hands, one piece of evidence that would likely be present if the two men were struggling for control of a gun discharged at close range. 3. Bullet trajectory. Shots fired at a downward angle may indicate the officer fired while the victim was on his knees or laying on the ground. A person in those positions generally poses less of a physical threat. Baden said a shot to Brown’s head appeared to have come from above; he believes this was the fatal shot. 4. Number of shots. Baden voiced concern over the fact that Brown was hit by at least six shots. The doctor, who served earlier in his career as chief medical examiner for New York City and as an expert for the New York State Police, was quoted by the New York Times as saying, “In my capacity as the forensic examiner for the New York State Police, I would say, ‘You’re not supposed to shoot so many times.’” The number of shots may or may not be significant. Training on lethal force varies from department to department. Many forces train officers to continue firing until the suspect has been completely subdued. Some experts say that incidents in which a civilian has been hit with a single shot are more suspicious than those with multiple shots: The lone bullet could have been fired accidentally or in a moment of rage.
5. Gunshot residue. The presence of gunshot residue (GSR) on the skin or clothes of the victim may mean that the person was shot at very close range. Baden found no GSR on Brown’s body, but said he did not scrutinize his clothing. Additionally, bullets fired from a few inches away leave distinct wound patterns on the flesh. Baden’s report suggests the shots were fired from further away. 6. The presence of alcohol or drugs. Baden has not reviewed the toxicology tests, but results of those tests should be available soon (though it could take the authorities months to release them). Forensic pathologists typically fill vials with bodily fluids — urine, blood, or vitreous humor, the fluid within the eyeballs — and send them off to outside laboratories to be screened for alcohol, prescription drugs, and street drugs. If drugs or alcohol are discovered in Brown’s system, that information might provide some additional context to the fatal events. In some police-civilian clashes, the evidence discovered during an autopsy turns out to be crucial. In the case of Michael Brown, it’s not clear how useful this trio of autopsies will be. As the nation tries to understand what happened on August 9, the autopsy results may well not prove conclusive on the key questions. ProPublica
call 617-261-4600 x7799 or email ads@bannerpub.com for more information
Thursday, August 28, 2014 • BAY STATE BANNER • 21
On Saturday, August 16, hardworking students from throughout the community celebrated an important milestone along their journeys to college: commencing from The Steppingstone Academy. Families gathered to honor these 123 Scholars and their successful completion of Steppingstone’s rigorous academic component. Scholars will be continuing their education at more than 20 different independent, Catholic, and public exam schools this fall.
Looking for an affordable college? frugaldad.com can help. Go to frugaldad.com/cheap-colleges
and use the cheap college finder to find the school to fit your budget.
LEGAL NOTICE REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS The MASSACHUSETTS PORT AUTHORITY (Authority) is soliciting consulting services for MPA CONTRACT NO. A352-S1, FY15-17 PROGRAM CONTROLS AND SUPPORT SERVICES at MPA Facilities. The Authority is seeking a qualified Consultant to provide program controls support services consisting but not limited to the following: Estimating including life cycle and benefit cost analysis, scheduling, change management, along with overall general support including capital planning, risk assessment and other miscellaneous requests. Please refer to the Supplemental Package available on August 27th on Massport website and on COMMBUYS for additional information. Such services shall be provided on an on-call, as-needed basis. These services are expected to be provided throughout ALL Massport facilities. The Consultant must be able to work closely with the Authority and other interested parties in order to provide such services in a timely and effective manner. The Authority expects to select two (2) consultants. However, the Authority reserves the right to select a different number if it is deemed in its best interest to do so. Each consultant shall be issued a contract in an amount not to exceed $250,000. The services shall be authorized on a work order basis. Each submission shall include a Statement of Qualifications that provides detailed information in response to the evaluation criteria set forth below and include Architect/Engineer & Related Services questionnaires SF 330 (www. gsa.gov/portal/forms/download/116486) with the appropriate number of Part IIs. M/WBE Certification of the prime and subconsultants shall be current at the time of submittal and the Consultant shall provide a copy of M/ WBE certification letter from the Supplier Diversity Office, formerly known as State Office of Minority and Women Business Assistance (SOMWBA) within its submittal. The Consultant shall also provide an original and nine copies of litigation and legal proceedings information, signed under the pains and penalties of perjury, in a separate sealed envelope entitled “Litigation and Legal Proceedings”. See http://www.massport.com/business-with-massport/capital-improvements/resource-center for more details on litigation and legal proceedings history submittal requirements. The Authority may reject any application if any of the required information is not provided: Cover Letter, Insurance Requirements, Litigation and Legal proceedings, SF330 Part IIs for the Prime and every sub-consultant. The Insurance requirements information shall be highlighted in the Cover Letter. The submission shall be evaluated on basis of: (1) current level of experience and knowledge of the team for projects of various sizes, complexities and delivery methods.
(2) geographic location and availability of key personnel to be assigned to the project, (3) experience and expertise of subconsultants, (4) familiarity with Massachusetts public bid laws, (5) amiliarity with Project Management System including Primavera P6 and Contract Manager (6) M/WBE and affirmative action efforts, please indicate the proposed % of M/WBE participation (7) current level of work with the Authority, (8) past performance for the Authority, if any, and (9) experience with sustainable design concepts and resiliency.
5) no more than 2 sheets (4 pages) of other relevant material not including a 2 page (max.) cover letter, SDO certification letters, covers, dividers, and other required information. This submission, including the litigation and legal proceedings history in a separate sealed envelope as required shall be addressed to Houssam H. Sleiman, PE, CCM, Director of Capital Programs and Environmental Affairs and received no later than 12:00 Noon on Thursday, September 25th, 2014 at the Massachusetts Port Authority, Logan Office Center, One Harborside Drive, Suite 209S, Logan International Airport, East Boston, MA 021282909. Any submission which is not received in a timely manner shall be rejected by the Authority as non-responsive. Any information provided to the Authority in any Proposal or other written or oral communication between the Proposer and the Authority will not be, or deemed to have been, proprietary or confidential, although the Authority will use reasonable efforts not to disclose such information to persons who are not employees or consultants retained by the Authority except as may be required by M.G.L. c.66.
The selection shall involve a two-step process including the shortlisting of a minimum of three firms based on an evaluation of the Statements of Qualifications received in response to this solicitation, followed immediately by a final selection of the consultant(s) by the Authority.
The procurement process for these services will proceed according to the following anticipated schedule: EVENT
DATE/ TIME
By responding to this solicitation, consultants agree to accept the terms and conditions of Massport’s standard work order agreement, a copy of the Authority’s standard agreement can be found on the Authority’s web page at www.massport.com. The exception to this standard agreement is the insurance requirements as follows; (1) $1,000,000 of automobile liability and (2) $1,000,000 of commercial general liability. The Consultant shall specify in its cover letter that it has the ability to obtain requisite insurance coverage. Some members of the project team will need to get security clearance to work at certain secure facilities including Logan Airport and Conley Container Terminal.
Solicitation: Release Date
August 27, 2014
Deadline for submission of written questions
September 05, 2014; 12 PM (noon)
Official answers published (Estimated)
September 12, 2014
Solicitation: Close Date / Submission Deadline
September 25, 2014; 12 PM (noon)
Submissions shall be printed on both sides of the sheet (8 1/2” x 11”), no acetate covers. Ten (10) copies of a bound document and one PDF version on a disc each limited to: 1) an SF 330 including the appropriate number of Part IIs, 2) resumes of key individuals only each limited to one (1) page under SF 330, Section E, 3) no more than ten (10) projects each limited to one (1) page under SF 330, Section F, 4) no more than 3 sheets (6 pages) of information contained under SF 330 Section H addressing the evaluation items (except for the litigation and legal proceedings history), and
Times are Eastern Standard Time (US). Questions may be sent via email to CPBidQuestions@massport.com subject to the deadline for receipt stated in the timetable above. In the subject lines of your email, please reference the MPA Project Name and Number. Questions and their responses will be posted on Capital Bid Opportunities webpage of Massport http://www.massport.com/doing-business/_layouts/ CapitalPrograms/default.aspx as an attachment to the original Legal Notice and on COMMBUYS (http://www.commbuys.com) in the listings for this project. MASSACHUSETTS PORT AUTHORITY THOMAS P. GLYNN CEO AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
22 • Thursday, August 28, 2014 • BAY STATE BANNER
RAD Conversion Consulting Brookline Housing Authority The Brookline Housing Authority (BHA) has issued an RFP for highly experienced organizations to provide consulting and temporary staffing to support the expansion of the Authority’s Sec. 8 voucher program by 250 units due to a HUD RAD conversion at a privately owned property in Brookline. The deadline line for submitting responses is Wednesday, September 10, at 4:00 p.m. The RFP is available at www.brooklinehousing.org/BusinessOpportunities. For further information, please call Carole Brown, Director of Leased Housing 617-277-2022 x 302, or email cbrown@brooklinehousing.org.
SUFFOLK Division
Docket No. SU14C0300CA
Docket No. SU14P1915EA
Citation on Petition for Formal Adjudication
To all interested persons:
A petition has been presented by Evan J Hunsley requesting that Evan J Hunsley be allowed to change his/her/their name as follows:
A petition has been filed by Everette Sheppard of Boston, MA and Yvonne A Wynn of Mattapan, MA requesting that the Court enter an Order that Jerome Sheppard of Boston, MA be ordered to render an Inventory, render an Account and for such other relief as requested in the Petition.
Mallory A Wood
WITNESS, HON. Joan P. Armstrong, First Justice of this Court. Date: August 11, 2014 Ann Marie Passanisi Register of Probate
To all interested persons:
The estate is being administered under formal 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 recipients 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. WITNESS, HON. Joan P. Armstrong, First Justice of this Court. Date: August 12, 2014 Ann Marie Passanisi Register of Probate
SUFFOLK Division
Estate of Doris Rita Olson Also Known As Doris R. Olson / Doris Olson Date of Death December 21, 2013
To all persons interested in the above captioned estate, by Petition of Petitioner Alan Biren of Sudbury MA a will has been admitted to informal probate.
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.
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.
A senior/disabled/ handicapped community 0 BR units = $1,027/mo 1 BR units = $1,101/mo All utilities included.
Call Sandy Miller,
Stainless Steel Appliances New Kitchen Cabinets Hardwood Floors Updated Bathroom Custom Accent Wall Painting Free Parking Free Wi-Fi in lobby Modern Laundry Facilities
Program Restrictions Apply.
888-842-7945
#888-691-4301
311 Lowell Street Andover, Massachusetts 01810
4
5
OFFICE SPACE DORCHESTER/ MILTON
Waitlist open on 5/24/2014 has now been extended through 10/31/2014. Waitlist applicants will be chosen by lottery. Rental Amounts and Minimum and Maximum Income Limits as of 1/1/2014 3
Brand New Renovated Apartment Homes
Two Bedrooms Starting at $2200
HAMILTON GREEN APARTMENTS
2
Parker Hill Apartments
Property Manager
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER
1
Docket No. SU14P1868
INFORMAL PROBATE PUBLICATION NOTICE
617-283-2081
Household Size
SUFFOLK Division
To all persons who have or may have some interest in the above-captioned estate and, if interested, to the Office of the Attorney General and the Department of Veterans Affairs, notice is hereby given on June 18, 2014 that the Petitioner Donald F. Olson of West Roxbury, MA intends to file with the above-named Probate and Family Court, not sooner than seven (7) days after this notice, a Petition for Informal Probate of a Will, and a Petition for Informal Appointment of Personal Representative, to serve without surety on the bond Donald F. Olson of West Roxbury, MA.
Sec 8 OK
Rent
Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Department
Estate of Miriam Waldman Date of Death March 8, 2013
Senior Living At It’s Best
@baystatebanner
WITNESS, HON. Joan P. Armstrong, First Justice of this Court. Date: July 24, 2014 Ann Marie Passanisi Register of Probate
INFORMAL PROBATE NOTICE G.L. c. 190B, § 3-306
91 Clay Street Quincy, MA 02170
4+ bdrms Newly renovated, 2000+ sq ft apt in 3 fam, no smkng/pets, hrdwd flrs, eat-in kit, pantry, lg master bedroom, din and lv rm, laundry rm, enclosed frnt/bck prchs, off street prkng, T access, min to Bost.
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 09/26/2014. 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 date, action may be taken without further notice to you.
Docket No. SU14P1302EA
WOLLASTON MANOR
CHELSEA APARTMENT
Estate of Elizabeth H. Sheppard Date of Death: 12/14/2009
To all persons interested in a petition described:
Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Department
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 09/18/2014. 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 date, action may be taken without further notice to you.
Docket No. SU10P0465EA Citation on Petition for Order to Render
NOTICE OF PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME
Estate of Bernard Burke Date of Death: 04/20/2014
A petition has been filed by Carol B Yearwood of Cambridge, MA requesting that the Court enter a formal Decree and Order of testacy and for such other relief as requested in the Petition. And also requesting that Carol B Yearwood of Cambridge, MA be appointed as Personal Representative(s) of said estate to serve on the bond.
SUFFOLK Division
In the matter of Evan J Hunsley of Roxbury Crossing, MA
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 09/11/2014.
Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Department SUFFOLK Division
Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Department
Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Department
1st Class Office Space Corner of Gallivan Blvd and Washington St ample parking.
6
$375/mo. $695/mo. $1000/mo. $1395/mo.
50% $790
1BD Min Max
$25,170 $31,350
$25,170 $35,800
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
$942
2BD Min Max
N/A
$30,210 $35,800
$30,210 $40,300
$30,210 $44,750
N/A
N/A
$1,083
3BD Min Max
N/A
N/A
$34,890 $40,300
$34,890 $44,750
$34,890 $48,350
$34,890 $51,950
OWNER
80% $1,169
1BD Min Max
$36,540 $45,500
$36,540 $52,000
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
617-835-6373
$1,397
2BD Min Max
N/A
$43,860 $52,000
$43,860 $58,500
$43,860 $65,000
N/A
N/A
$1,610
3BD Min Max
N/A
N/A
$50,700 $58,500
$50,700 $65,000
$50,700 $70,200
$50,700 $75,400
Tenants pay for Electricity only – Utility Allowances are as follows: 1BR - $49; 2BR - $65; 3BR - $80 *Minimum income requirements do not apply to Section 8 Voucher holders. All utilities, except electricity are included in rent. Voucher holders are eligible. Applications are available at the property daily between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m., Monday – Friday or call Janira Delcompare @ 617-783-0039 ext 1361, TTY:711 or 800-439-0183. New Application Deadline: October 31, 2014
heated
Brokers Welcome
ADVERTISE
YOUR CLASSIFIEDS (617) 261- 4600 x 7799
Alan Biren of Sudbury MA has been informally appointed as the Personal Representative of the estate to serve without surety on the bond.
NOTIFICATION: Flats at 22’s Affordable Lottery will be held on SEPTEMBER 8th, 2014. Application taking process is now closed. Applicants will be contacted shortly. We are accepting applications for our waitlist.
For more information please contact Flats at 22.
CALL: (888) 884-0943 | TDD: CALL 7-1-1 E-MAIL: BOXDISTRICT@HALLKEEN.com
Like us on Facebook Bay State Banner baystatebanner.com
OPERATIONS ASSOCIATE 2 Education/Experience: Entry level position for responsible, articulate, compassionate individual with good phone skills, internet/tech savvy, proficiency in MS Windows (network experience a plus) and MS Office: Word, Excel. This organized, reliable individual must be able to independently manage details and multiple projects/deadlines. Knowledge, experience of homelessness and trauma services a plus. Normal work hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday - Friday; occasional evening and weekend workdays are required with advance notice. This position works in parallel with Operations Associate 1 and reports to the Executive Director. This position will transition to reporting to a newly-hired Operations Manager in the near future.
Responsibilities Include: Office, Program support – shared duties with Ops Assoc 1, Human resources related tasks Like all employees, Operations Associate 2 will be flexible and open to “pitching in” as needed with other duties that arise in the course of the organization’s day-to-day operations.
How to apply: www.ontherise.org contains a more complete job
description. Please refer to our website and submit a cover letter and résumé as attachments to: info@ontherise.org with “Operations Associate 2” in the subject line.
Thursday, August 28, 2014 • BAY STATE BANNER • 23
Reward...
CHILD CARE POSITIONS The Salvation Army Children’s Learning Center is seeking full time and on-call experienced child care teachers for a year-round program serving Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers aged 3 months to 7 years old. Candidates must be EEC certified and have Associates Degree.
CONTACT The Salvation Army, 26 Wales Street, Dorchester, MA 02124 Phone: 617- 436-2480 Fax: 617-822-9015 Email: nicole.plummer@use.salvationarmy.org
Boston Public Health Commission Senior Trainer for Health Equity Design and lead professional development workshops to effectively reduce inequities in health outcomes. Masters preferred; BA/BS required. Minimum 3 years’ experience designing and implementing training on racial or social justice or related topics. Visit www.bphc.org for full listing and qualifications. Please attach a resume and job-specific cover letter to online application. EEO G/L/B/T
We Help People Get and Succeed at Good Jobs Free job-search and career development help: • Most people who complete our 60hour job-search workshop qualify for free, individual job-search help. • We refer people to jobs that pay 2 , , and offer benefits. • We mentor people who accept jobs through our referrals for two years. If you are a low-income adult who is: • Looking for a full-time permanent job; • Willing to participate in our two-year mentoring program; • Age 22 to 55; • Legal to work in the U.S.; • Able to succeed in an English-speaking workplace, then… Orientation Every Thursday, 1:00 PM. Call us to see if you qualify at (617) 424-6616. • You will need to bring your résumé • If you do not have a résumé, bring a list of: 4 Jobs and military service since high school; 4 Education and training. 4 Be sure to include month and year; be sure that all dates are correct.
YOURSELF WITH TWO CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AS AN ADMINISTRATIVE AND BOOKKEEPING PROFESSIONAL
Do you need to upgrade your skills? Ready for a new career?
ADMINSTRATIVE AND BOOKKEEPING PROFESSIONALS PROGRAM ONE PROGRAM…TWO CAREER CHOICES… MORE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES The Administrative and Bookkeeping Professionals Program uses a combination of hands on classroom instruction and online learning experiences designed to give you employer ready skills, and the self confidence from achieving new, professional level skills for today’s economy.
The Administrative and Bookkeeping Professionals Program offers:
Training Grants available to qualifying applicants.
• Introductory and advance levels of computer skills training using Microsoft Office 2010 (MS Word, Excel, Outlook) • Bookkeeping essentials and procedures for office professionals • Opportunities to create professional business documents using digital, social media and internet technologies • Computerized bookkeeping using QuickBooks • Procedures for recording, managing and securing client/ customer financial and non-financial data
We look forward to working with you!
Contact: Mr. Royal Bolling, Computer Learning Resources Phone: 857-266-3407 Email: clr2paths@gmail.com
Licensed by the Massachusetts Division Professional Licensure Office of Private Occupational School Education
GET READY FOR
A Great Office Job! 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! YMCA Training, Inc. is recruiting training candidates now! 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 Hoyle, Tanner & Associates, Inc. is a mid-size national consulting engineering firm with offices in the Northeast, Florida and Virgin Islands. We are currently seeking the following professional for our Winthrop, Maine office:
SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER PROJECT MANAGER Professional engineer with a minimum of 10 years of project management and design experience on municipal drinking water, wastewater and stormwater engineering projects. The ideal candidate will have BS or MS in Civil or Environmental Engineering, a record of increasing responsibility with consulting engineering firms including project and client management with emphasis on business and client development. This highly responsible position requires strong technical, written and verbal communications skills and ME or NH P.E. or ability to reciprocate. (CAREER CODE DFE10814) If interested please send résumé, citing career code, to: Hoyle, Tanner & Associates, Inc., 150 Dow Street, Manchester, NH 03101, or email: jhann@hoyletanner.com. AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Job Opportunity The Children’s Trust, Boston, MA
Deputy Director of Operations Dynamic, public-private agency seeks a Deputy Director of Operations for a key leadership role in fulfilling our mission of strengthening families and preventing child abuse and neglect. This is a high demand, high reward position requiring a broad set of skills — and the ability and willingness to learn new skills — in the areas of daily operations and administration; budgeting and financial management; supervision of well qualified and motivated senior staff; working with the Board of Directors; representation of the organization with agency partners, legislators and staff, providers, and other audiences; and implementation of the organization’s strategic plan. To view the complete job description which includes minimum entrance requirements, an outline of job duties, salary range and application instructions please insert the following link into your web browser: http://goo.gl/kivTW1 Interviewing is scheduled to start by October 1, 2014.
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER
@baystatebanner
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK
BayStateBanner