Bay State Banner 12-5-2013

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Building trades slow to diversify ranks Martin Desmarais

Gil Alize, Leila Fajardo and Andrea Ornelas enjoy a moment during the Mass. Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition’s annual Thanksgiving luncheon at the State House. Many immigration activists are concerned about the high number of deportations occurring through the Secure Communities Act. (Banner photo)

Activists keep immigration reform in national spotlight Yawu Miller In many ways, 2013 should have been a good year for immigration reform advocates. The Senate voted in June on immigration reform legislation that would grant the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants currently in the U.S. temporary legal status and a pathway to citizenship within 13 years.

But despite numerous immigration reform overtures, like his offer last week to move on immigration reforms piecemeal, President Obama has run up against the same wall of GOP opposition that has blocked so many of his administration’s initiatives and nearly brought the federal government to

a standstill.

One activist’s frustration with the immigration stalemate boiled over last week when University of California Berkeley student Ju Hong heckled Obama, who was speaking on immigration issues in San Francisco’s Chinatown neighborhood, urging him to stop deportations. As Secret Service agents moved in to remove Hong, the president stopped the agents, then spoke to the issue.

“If I could solve all the problems without passing laws in Congress, then I would do so,” Obama told Hong. “But we are a nation of laws. That’s part of our tradition.

The easy way out is to yell and pretend like I can do something by violating our laws.

“What I’m proposing is the harder path, by using our democratic process to achieve the same goal that you want to achieve. But it won’t be as easy as yelling. It involves us lobbying and getting it done.”

In many ways, the lobbying campaign Obama called for in his speech has been underway for years. Activists have written letters, lobbied state and federal officials, held protests and used their personal stories to inform the national debate over immigration reform.

Renata Borges Teodoro, lead coordinator for the Boston-based Student Immigrant Movement, made national headlines with her story in June when she and other Immigration, continued to page 20

grams. The last class of 16 participants graduated last month, all of Increasing the numbers of whom were low-income minority blacks, Latinos Asians and women Boston area residents, including 10 in the construction industry and women. the building trades is an uphill While Walsh has received plaubattle, with thousands of workers dits for his diversity efforts, the entering each year and the estab- numbers are just a tiny fraction of lished diversity programs helping the workers who enter the building a small number so far, but Massa- trades on a yearly basis. According to chusetts trades organizations say the Massachusetts Building Trades they are committed to the fight.

Council, almost 6,500 workers were Mayor-elect Marty Walsh touted enrolled in both union and nonhis own effort — Building Pathways, union apprenticeship programs last a building trades pre-apprenticeship year — with unions spending close program serving low-income resi- to $30 million to recruit and train dents of the Greater Boston area. new workers. Comparably, Building The proPathways has gram, which graduated 70 h e l a u n c h e d “We need to make over three years. while he served sure we’re being Walsh says as head of the he recognizes Building and thoughtful and that the BuildC o n s t r u c - deliberate about ing Pathways t i o n Tr a d e s program is not Council of the how we diversify the going to sinMetropolitan building trades. We gle-handedly District, was diversify the have to be able to designed to building trades h e l p B o s t o n measure our gains industry overresidents, with against a baseline.” night, but he a focus on says it is an exwomen and — Tito Jackson tremely importpeople of color, ant program for learn the skills what it is atand receive the credentials to enter tempting to do and that it can serve building trades apprenticeship as a model for a way to increase diprograms. versity.

With over 20 different trades and He also points out that the only several dozen apprenticeship pro- reason the program has had any grams throughout the state, Build- success at all is because the differing Pathways aims to help its stu- ent building trades are behind the dents find the right career direction. efforts and have guaranteed placeLaunched in 2011, the six- ment of its graduates — they want week skills training, assessment to increase diversity. and placement program has had “All of them are very much into five training cycles with 70 grad- it,” Walsh said. “That was the key uates, 95 percent of whom are to this program. women and minorities. Accord“It is the only program of its ing to Building Pathways statistics, kind that is successful,” he added.

85 percent of the graduates have “It has been very, very effective.”

Trades, continued to page 10 been placed in apprenticeship pro-

Protesters take aim at Walmart worker wages Yawu Miller As shoppers parted with their paychecks in the Black Friday shopping frenzy, protesters across the United States staked out space in front of Walmart stores, calling for the chain to provide better pay and benefits to its employees.

Several dozen protesters gathered at the entrance to the store’s Quincy location, having been met by police at the doors of the store.

“We only came out with flyers,” said Melanie Griffiths, an organizer

with the labor solidarity group Jobs With Justice. “We’re not saying ‘go away Walmart.’ We’re saying we stand with your workers.”

The protest was one of 32 actions planned at Walmart locations in Massachusetts and one of hundreds across the United States on Friday. The Quincy protest was not just labor activists, as Griffiths pointed out.

“We’ve got community groups out here,” Griffiths shouted through her megaphone. “We’ve Walmart, continued to page 17

Melanie Griffiths reaches out to Walmart shoppers in Quincy during a Black Friday protest aimed at calling attention to workers at the retail giant, who labor activists say pays low wages and insufficient benefits. (Banner photo)

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East Boston High students start new NAACP chapter

not accurate,” she said. “I think every student, no matter if you’re straight F’s or straight A’s, has the capabilities of becoming more.

My goal in starting this is to let them know that someone cares.”

The students involved in the chapter all agreed that something had to be done after the tragedy — and to show that they do not accept a culture that promotes violence, guns and loss of life.

The majority of the students in the chapter said they have had experience with loss related to gun violence.

“When I think of the NAACP

the NAACP, Ridley and Saravia said they are helping chapter members understand they stand on the shoulders of giants in joining the large organization. The EBHS chapter is meeting twice a week and becoming involved in the school community and local neighborhoods.

Students have already worked to commemorate November as National Violence Awareness Month and plan to do events with the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute and Boston chapter of the NAACP, of which Ridley is a member. They have also started

“When I think of the NAACP being here at our school, I think it brings forth such an amazing opportunity.”

— Jennifer Baptiste

East Boston High School Headmaster Phil Brangiforte stopped by to share and show support for his students at a recent meeting of the school’s new NAACP chapter. A majority of the students reported that they have lost a friend or family member to gun violence — only three said they have not. (Bobby Shakes photo) Shanice Maxwell Reacting to the recent loss of a well-known athlete and graduate to gun violence, a group of East Boston High School students started the first NAACP high school chapter in Massachusetts.

The chapter is made up of over 30 students from all grades.

Shortly after the news broke of the loss, which took place within

the first days of school, the focus on the tragedy began to fade almost as quickly as it had begun.

New chapter founder and advisor Janelle Ridley, 29, recalled many of the students’ sentiments.

“They felt there was grief for a couple of days after it happened but then, where does it go?” she said. “Some of them even had the statement of, ‘So, when I die the school’s only going to think

about me for a few days and then that’s it?’”

Ridley says she wanted to show the kids their lives do have value.

With the help of co-advisor Jessica Saravia and the support of Principal Phil Brangiforte, she helped form the chapter.

“A lot of students don’t have someone to believe in them and believe that they’re capable of becoming more and to me that’s

being here at our school, I think it brings forth such an amazing opportunity, not only of us coming from different backgrounds and different areas in Boston but us being together as a youth-empowered council to help strengthen the core of East Boston, our city, our community and also the nation,” said senior Jennifer Baptiste.

“I’ve witnessed one of my family members die in front of me when I was young,” said senior Michael Regalado. “It scarred me for life. It hurts inside but you don’t really know why gun violence happens. The reason I joined the NAACP is because there are little groups out there in the United States that make little change and that little change actually turns into something. I think if this little group actually does something in society, we can end up doing something in the world.”

The students said they hope to raise awareness and challenge their peers to care more about issues that impact them.

“We prepare ourselves to bring forth awareness into our community,” Baptiste said. “One thing we’re actually planning right now is a workshop at the local Boys and Girls Club where we’ll discuss gun law and the impact it has on Boston and the state, as well as key facts. Anyone can look at the news and debate or get angry over the things they see and the crimes that erupt but they need to understand where is all that coming from and why is this happening.”

Well-versed in the history of

a scholarship named after the former student who passed away to ensure his legacy lives on.

They are spearheading and championing causes while managing at least a 2.0 grade point average required of them by Ridley to take part in the chapter, which is higher than the school’s 1.6 grade point average requirement for after-school involvement.

The students say there is no limit to how far they will go to wake up their classmates to issues such as gun violence.

“I’m hoping to actually make a difference. [The deceased student] was not the only friend I lost to gun violence so I feel like there needs to be a change. And if we have the opportunity to make a change I think we should totally go for it,” said senior Daniela Martinez.

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Thursday, December 5, 2013 • BAY STATE BANNER • 3

Slave trader abduction part of Boston family’s history Bridgit Brown Nanci Conklin Lawton of Dorchester hasn’t seen the movie “12 Years a Slave” yet. But the story of enslavement and liberation Solomon Northrup told in his 1853 memoir rings familiar in Conklin Lawton’s family history.

In fact, Lawton owes her existence to her great-great grandfather’s own struggle for freedom.

Like Northrup, Conklin Lawton’s ancestor, Nahum Hazard, was lured into slavery with the promise of work.

“As a 12-year-old child,” said Conklin Lawton about her greatgreat grandfather, “He had asked his mother if he could assist some gentlemen load cattle onto a train in Shirley, Mass. He lived in Leominster. His mother said ‘of course,’ but the men loaded him on with the cattle and drove him down to Lynchburg, Va.” Men posing as cattle herders had kidnapped Hazard, and he ended up in a slave pen with other boys. Being abducted and sold into slavery was a common occurrence for free black men and women at the time as both Northrop and Hazard’s story clearly indicate.

“It was like the worst thing that could happen back then,” said Conklin Lawton. “But when [he] asked for a bible to read, it became abundantly clear to the people that had him that he was a free

person.”

The Hazards, according to family records, were free blacks who migrated from England to the state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantation in 1778. Some of them had even fought in the American Revolutionary War, according to records uncovered by Norman Conklin, Nanci’s father.

“I had the blessing of having a dad who knew the family history

freedom and free you, if you were a free citizen of the Commonwealth and had become enslaved.

So a selectmen submitted a bill to the Legislature, documenting his trip down to Lynchburg and his freedom.”

Years later, Hazard enlisted in the Union Army during the Civil War, serving in the 55th Regiment of Massachusetts, which followed the historic 54th that his

“He was among many of the Hazard men, and many of the families of the Commonwealth who shared this common history.”

— Nanci Conklin Lawton and pattern, not so much to celebrate us, but to let us know that there is greater strength in knowing that you can rely upon your neighbors to do the right thing.”

That’s exactly what happened in the case of Hazard. When the people of Leominster discovered that he had been kidnapped, they acted swiftly.

“A selectman and a member of the clergy went to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,” said Conklin Lawton. “And as part of the Legislature, there was an act then that would pay for your

older brother, Oliver E. Hazard, had enlisted in.

“He was among many of the Hazard men, and many of the families of the Commonwealth who shared this common history,” said Conklin Lawton.

With more black residents in the state of Massachusetts today than ever before, it might seem nearly impossible to not know someone who has a slavery-related family story to tell.

Conklin Lawton has added seeing “12 Years a Slave” to her to-do list.

Then Leominster resident Nahum Hazard was kidnapped by men posing as cattle herders when he was 12 years old and sold into slavery in the South. Hazard was freed when other residents of his hometown went to the Massachusetts Legislature to help free him. (Photo courtesy of the Hazard family) “I especially want to see it with my children, and make it a family affair,” she said. “[The story] is a continuum of the American story and I applaud the movie industry for putting it forth and for thinking outside of the box.”

If you desire liberation, purge darkness from your heart.

Banish the agitation of pride.

Through the practice of meditation, become increasingly pure.

Make your life taintless.

— Swami Muktananda

4 • Thursday, December 5, 2013 • BAY STATE BANNER

Established 1965

Blacks must no longer accept inferior behavior as their ethnic standard Prominent politicians have asserted for some time that the policies they support will benefit the middle class. While everyone agrees that the prosperity of the middle class is important for the nation’s economic growth, there is a difference of opinion about the qualifications for middle class status.

President Obama complicated the issue when he campaigned a few years ago to eliminate tax cuts that benefit the rich. Only those earning more than $250,000 per year would lose the tax cuts. In 2012, the top 10 percent of U.S. taxpayers earned more than about $114,000. Fewer than 5 percent of taxpayers would earn $250,000. That hardly can be conceived of as a middle class level.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average household earned $51,017 in 2012. The income range to be middle class is calculated to be $25,500 to $76,500. But that does not tell the whole story. The rising cost of living no longer enables supposedly middle class families to enjoy the standard of living that was once available.

In 1989, the median household income was $51,681, a bit higher than today’s $51,017. But prices have risen. The cost of housing is 56 percent higher. Health care costs and college tuition are also up. In expensive cities like New York, San Francisco and Boston, the high end of the middle income range is insufficient to afford an appropriate standard of living.

Now another element of middle class status has emerged. It is more than a comfortable standard of living. Even those with a high level of income could fail to qualify. It might be called “middle class lifestyle” for want of a more descriptive title.

Awareness of this qualification arose in the media reports about the conflict between two Miami

Dolphin football players, Richie Incognito and Jonathan Martin.

Press reports indicate that their dispute involves both race and class. Incognito is white and Martin is black. Both earn substantially more than the $250,000 range established as the top end of the middle class by Obama. Therefore, the class issue is not about income but it concerns behavior.

Martin’s behavior is considered to be more decorous. Both of his parents are alumni of Harvard University and he is an alumnus of Stanford, the Ivy League of the West. Incognito, a graduate of the University of Nebraska, is reported to have directed graphic racial slurs and threats toward Martin. That behavior sounds lower class.

Surprisingly, a number of other black members of the Miami Dolphins football team have supported Incognito and have said that he is “more black” than Martin.

Many younger blacks seem to have no awareness of generations past when highly educated African Americans lived dignified but modest lives. Racial discrimination prevented them from finding employment with substantial income at appropriate skill levels. They cared for their families and encouraged their children to study and progress academically. They lived quiet lives of sacrifice for the benefit of others.

Why is that not the black model rather than the rowdy? Why is the gratuitous use of the “n-word” so tolerated? Where is the dignity and self-respect?

The standard of behavior many African Americans find acceptable is so self defeating that even middle class status becomes elusive and bigoted enemies need to do very little to win the conflict.

“I always said it takes more than money to rise from being low class.”

Editor’s note: Jonathan Martin (black) left the Miami Dolphins football team after a racially infused dispute with fellow lineman Richie Incognito (white).

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LETTERSto the Editor

No excuse for n-word

When I hear the n-word; it does not make me feel good, it does not make me feel proud — it angers and saddens me all at the same time. For people who use the lazy excuse of turning the n-word into a term of endearment rather than actually doing, promoting, helping others and acting in a way promotes our history proudly. It is a poor, poor excuse.

I guess it takes to much effort and energy to promote our greatness and much less energy and effort to spew out the n-word. That would be like women saying that they are now going to embrace the word “rape” to empower ourselves, to take the ugliness and pain out of such a word. We are now going to use the R word as a term of endearment?

Really — let’s get real.

I think of the many people of influence that make excuses as to why they use this word and I can only imagine if they had used their influence to build better schools, create affordable housing and get behind initiatives that lift people up rather than

WHAT’S INSIDE

get behind a word that only keeps people in a mental state of a victim.

Arnesse Brown

Participatory budgeting project a step in the right direction Kudos to Mayor Thomas Menino for turning over decision-making power on 1 million dollars of the city’s budget to young people. Even though it’s only a fraction of a percentage point of the city’s $3 billion budget, the process will bring some small measure of transparency to city government. Any step towards

bringing people into the decision-making process on how their tax dollars are spent is a step in the right direction.

Let’s hope that the kids who learn about the budgeting process in their teenage years remain engaged into adulthood. The more people understand how public dollars are spent and how the decision-making process on public spending should work, the more engaged the public will be. Public officials always make better choices when they know the people who vote them into office are paying attention.

M. Washington Dorchester

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Thursday, December 5, 2013 • BAY STATE BANNER • 5

ROVINGCamera

OPINION The GOP bumbles again on race: This time it’s Rosa Parks

What do you think of black people using the n-word?

Earl Ofari Hutchinson

The Republican National Committee can’t help itself. No matter how many times and in how many ways it’s amply shown that it can’t get it right on race, it still keeps bumbling along. Its latest bumble is to try and capitalize on the exalted name of civil rights icon Rosa Parks.

The RNC apparently thought it was doing good when it tweeted on the anniversary of Parks’ legendary refusal to get up from her front seat on a segregated bus that her act ended racism. The inevitable follows when the RNC bumbles on race. The tweet provoked a justifiable storm of outrage. The outrage was aimed squarely at the gigantic absurdity that Parks’ As idiotic as the brave act by itself was enough to original RNC tweet end racism. The RNC quickly retweeted and inserted the word was, the outrage over “fighting” in place of “ending” that should have before the word racism. been minor over As idiotic as the original RNC the far bigger RNC tweet was, the outrage over that should have been minor over the problem, namely its far bigger RNC problem, namely self-serving delusion its self-serving delusion that the that the GOP has GOP has shed its chronic racial shed its chronic racial pandering. RNC Chairman Reince Priebus fed that delu- pandering. sion earlier in the year when he loudly proclaimed that the GOP was doing a deep soul search on race and that he wanted the GOP to do everything to woo more blacks, Latinos, Asians to the party. As Priebus said, so the GOP could show that it “cares” about them too.

The problem is that Priebus or someone else forgot to tell that to his party. The borderline racial taunts, digs, and jabs at President Obama all under the guise of opposing every Obama initiative has continued unabated. The always predictable racial outbursts from Tea Party followers, some GOP officials, and rightwing bloggers and talk radio jocks have been unending. The GOP top officials will issue a wrist slap, pro forma denunciation or more likely say nothing. Again, this reaffirms what the overwhelming majority of blacks and Latinos already know, and that’s that the GOP is the inherent enemy of their interests, including its relentless assault on health care reform, Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, its loud clamor to slash and burn if not outright eliminate dozens of programs that directly Again, this benefit the poor and working reaffirms what class, which have clearly marked it as their enemy. the overwhelming The clincher was the initial majority of blacks and Parks tweet. The very fact that Latinos already know, the RNC could credit Park’s and that’s that the heroic act in Montgomery, Ala., in 1955 as ending racism spoke GOP is the inherent volumes about the GOP’s mindenemy of their set. That is that racism not only interests. ended a decade before passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, the 1965 Voting Rights Acts, and countless other civil rights laws and statutes in the years since that did not eradicate racism but rather officially ended legal segregation and political inequality. Then again that’s no surprise, since the GOP still thinks that racism has ended, and is more than willing to act like it has.

Earl Ofari Hutchinson is an author and political analyst. He is a weekly co-host of the Al Sharpton Show on American Urban Radio Network. He is the author of How Obama Governed: The Year of Crisis and Challenge.

He is an associate editor of New America Media. He is the host of the weekly Hutchinson Report on KTYM 1460 AM Radio Los Angeles and KPFK-Radio and the Pacifica Network.

The Banner welcomes your opinion.

Email Op-Ed submissions to:

yawu@bannerpub.com ­Letters must be signed. Names may be withheld upon request.

I don’t think we should use it.

We’ve come such a long way as a people. We have an African American president. We should reflect the time we’re living in and communicate with each other in a way that builds each other up.

We have young people using it as a term of endearment to describe street love. People are trying to make it into a positive thing. I don’t endorse it, but I understand it has a double meaning.

We’re in 2014. Black people aren’t the only people using the word.

White people, Spanish people, people of all nationalities use it on each other. It’s appalling. I don’t like to hear that word. It’s crazy.

India McConnico

Robert Fester

Katrina Pines

It’s all in the context — how you use it. If someone says ‘what’s up my n-----,’ it’s okay. If you say ‘you n-----,’ it’s disrespectful. It’s like the word ‘negro’ in Spanish.

I’m from Alabama. I don’t like hearing the word at all under any circumstances. It’s degrading. A lot of my family fought and died behind that name.

It’s in the public domain. The more we use it, the more it gets used in the public domain. If we don’t want it out there, we have to stop using it.

Randy Boston

Ellis Core

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INthe news

Kevin D. Cherry

Kevin D. Cherry, of Roxbury, Mass., has been appointed to the Board of Trustees of Clark University in Worcester. Cherry was elected by the membership of the Clark University Alumni Association. He will serve through June 2019.

Cherry is the chief financial officer of the South End Community Health Center in Boston.

Prior to working at the South End Community Health Center, Cherry was a manager with the Public Consulting Group, a consulting firm that serves public sector, education, health, human services and state, county and municipal government clients.

He is a member of the Athletics Hall of Fame at Clark, as well as the New England Basketball Hall of Fame. Cherry earned a bachelor’s degree from Clark in 1981.

Founded in 1887 in Worcester, Clark University is a small, liberal arts-based research university addressing social and

human imperatives on a global scale. Nationally renowned as a college that changes lives, Clark is emerging as a transformative force in higher education today.

Liberal Education and Effective Practice is Clark’s pioneering model of education that combines a liberal arts curriculum with world and workplace experiences.

Clark’s faculty and students

work across boundaries to develop solutions to complex challenges in the natural sciences, psychology, geography, management, urban education, Holocaust and genocide studies, environmental studies, and international development and social change. The Clark educational experience embodies the university’s motto: “Challenge convention. Change our world.”

6 • Thursday, December 5, 2013 • BAY STATE BANNER

Activists continuing push for minimum wage ballot question Martin Desmarais Despite the Mass. Senate’s vote to raise the state’s minimum wage to $11 an hour, labor activists say they will continue to move forward on a ballot referendum to raise the minimum wage and ensure that all workers earn sick time if they or family members are ill.

Over the last several months, more than 50 Massachusetts organizations conducted a campaign to collect signatures on petitions to have questions about minimum wage and sick time on the November 2014 election ballot. Each petition needed about 100,000 signatures by Nov. 20 to get a question or proposed measure on the ballot.

Led by Dorchester-based Raise Up Massachusetts, a group of community, faith and labor organizations, about 275,000 signatures were collected — enough to place the questions on the ballot for a state-wide vote next year.

“We have gone far above and beyond what is needed because there is a lot to be said for strength in numbers,” said Susan Tousignant, president of SEIU Local 509 and a leader of the Raise Up Massachusetts coalition. “These numbers show just how many Massachusetts voters stand with families who need a higher minimum wage and earned sick time.”

The organization credits the success of the signature drive to the support of thousands of volunteers across the state, who hosted signature-gath-

ering events statewide and went door-to-door collecting hundreds of signatures each.

Raise Up Massachusetts leaders also feel the support from the Massachusetts public is building on the growing support across the country for minimum wage and earned sick time issues. This year, New Jersey, California, New York and Connecti-

“We are very encouraged by what we saw with the Senate bill, we would like to see the same in House.”

— Deb Fastino cut have raised their state’s minimum wage. Earned sick time policies have recently been enacted in New Jersey, New York and Connecticut.

In Massachusetts, the efforts of the signature drive for the minimum wage question provides fuel to the fire of legislators pushing for a bill to raise minimum wage. With enough signatures to go to ballot next fall, legislators have until May to pass a bill on the issue or see the public decide at the voting booths.

Senate President Therese

Murray proposed the $11 minimum wage increase, which would boost the yearly earnings of minimum wage workers from the current $16,000 a year to $22,000. The bill would also index minimum wage to inflation, guaranteeing automatic raises. Speaker Robert DeLeo has indicated the House will likely support an increase in the minimum wage, as long as the legislation is paired with reforms to the state’s unemployment insurance system.

As explained by Lew Finfer, director of the Massachusetts Communities Action Network and a steering committee member of Raise Up Massachusetts, the passage of a bill to raise minimum wage by Massachusetts legislators is a best case scenario for those pushing the petition for the ballot question next fall. He points out that this is exactly what happened when Massachusetts passed its health-care law in 2008. Legislators took note of the signatures collected for a petition and the public demand for a state health-care law and passed a law before it even got to a vote.

Deb Fastino, co-chair of Raise Up Massachusetts, acknowledges that with the passage of the Senate bill so far it is very possible the minimum wage question could be resolved by legislation. But that doesn’t mean the organization will stop its efforts to get a question on a ballot yet.

“We are very encouraged by what we saw with the Senate bill, we would like to see the same in the House,” Fastino said. “But if we deem it is not

Raise Up Massachusetts is a coalition of 50 state organizations that has increased its push in recent months for an increased minimum wage and earned sick time for workers. (Photo courtesy of Raise Up Massachusetts) acceptable we will go to the ballot.”

Raise Up Massachusetts’ campaign is pushing to raise the minimum wage to $10.50 an hour — which is less than $11 an hour in the bill just passed by the Senate — and raise the tipped-employee wage to $6.60 an hour by 2016.

One thing that seems certain, however, is that the campaign will continue efforts to have a ballot question on earned sick time included in the 2014 election. While this issue may have become second fiddle to the Senate’s efforts to raise minimum wage, it is equally as important to labor activists and they will continue to drive forward on that issue, regardless of how legislators deal with the minimum wage increase.

According to Fastino, there has been no movement from legislators on any bill that would address earned sick time. She emphasized, though, that the signatures collected support that the voters are willing to see this issue on a ballot and that legislators should acknowledge this.

“They know the number of people across the state that support this. They cannot deny this,” she said.

Raise Up Massachusetts is looking to enact an earned sick time ben-

efit that would give those who work for companies of 11 or more employees the ability to get five paid sick days a year and five unpaid sick days for those working for smaller companies.

Earned sick time gives workers the time to get preventative care such as doctor’s appointments, eye exams and yearly physicals. States and municipalities that have implemented earned sick time have seen job growth, and most employers report no negative impact on their profitability.

Finfer points out that there are 1 million workers in the state who don’t have earned sick time — about one-third of the state’s workers — and those without earned sick time are at risk of losing their jobs if they stay home to care for themselves or for a sick child.

Raise Up Massachusetts has some high-profile support from U.S. Sens.

Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Ed Markey (D-Mass.) Both have lent their signatures to the effort.

“We are committed to working on both worker issues and we are going to continue to pursue it with our two-prong legislative strategy,” Fastino said. “We will continue on both.”

Thursday, December 5, 2013 • BAY STATE BANNER • 7

HOLIDAY SHOPPING Kassmin Williams

Crowded parking lots and garages and never-ending lines can suck the fun out of holiday shopping and giving. Some Boston-based organizations are trying to put the fun back into holiday shopping by hosting holiday arts markets with free admission.

Some of the holiday shopping events happening this holiday season include:

I AM KREYOL BAZAAR This recurring arts market is celebrating its one-year anniversary in time for Christmas shopping. The I Am Kreyol Bazaar is a seasonal marketplace and art show featuring fashion designers, performers and visual artists from the area.

The bazaar and anniversary celebration is being held with a vintage theme from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 157A Washington St. in Dorchester.

Featured artist Ana Sol will create live art and DJ KC will play music during the event.

Vendors include Bobby’s From Boston, Kreyol, Vanavain Vintage, V-Anne Designs, Airam Crochet and Soulful Lounge.

HARVARD SQUARE 2013 HOLIDAY FAIRS This year marks this Holiday Fair’s 28th year in Harvard Square.

The fair, described as “a party where you can buy stuff” by organizers, runs for about 12 days and features a variety of crafts from local crafters and importers.

The fair is held in the basement of the First Parish Church on the corner of Church Street and Massachusetts Avenue and kicks off from Friday, Dec. 6 to Sunday, Dec. 8. It continues from Friday, Dec. 13 to Sunday, Dec. 15 and Wednesday, Dec. 18 to Monday, Dec. 23.

The Kreyol Bazaar features jewelry and clothing created and styled by local artists, such as this floral dress provided

by VanaVain Vintage and Jewelry created

by Sylvie-Anne Salomon for her line V-Anne Designs.

(Photos courtesy of Kreyol)

The fair is open from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays, and Sundays noon to 6 p.m.

Items being sold at the fair include cards books, winter essentials, art, food, clothing and accessories.

To see a list of vendors, visit harvardsquareholidayfair.com.

THE HOLIDAY BAZAAR/FESTIVAL IN THE CITY WWMI Events is calling all to its family-friendly shopping event at 10: 30 a.m.

Saturday, Dec. 7.

The Holiday Bazaar/Festival in the City is being held at the Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center in Roxbury and will include over 35 businesses for shopping.

ARTSROX! HOLIDAY POP-UP SHOP

Haute House Design Studio is displaying its holiday designs during Liberty Hotel’s Fashionably Late event starting at 9 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 12.

Discovery Roxbury will kick off its ArtRox! Holiday Pop-Up Shop at noon on Friday, Dec. 6 at 2201 Washington Street in Dudley Square.

Haute House is a Boston-based high fashion online retail store that features designs from underground designers across the globe.

The event will feature fine arts, crafts and designs created by vendors in the Greater Roxbury area.

Founder Taneshia Camillo-Sheffey launched the site in March 2012 after realizing the difficulty underground designers have finding work with mainstream high-end designers.

The pop-up shop opens for business from noon to 5 p.m. Friday thru Tuesday, with the last day of the event Dec. 24.

There will also be games and activities for children, raffles and a photo booth.

Items sold during the event will fit a wide-range of budgets and tastes.

Admission is free for the event.

For more information on the event, visit discoverroxbury.org and click on “Holiday Pop-Up Shop” under the “Annual Events” tab.

For updates, visit facebook.com/ wwmievents.

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Boston organizations aim to fulfill holiday wishes Kassmin Williams The holiday season is a cheerful time of year for most, but for some it can be a reminder of their struggles.

A number of Boston-based organizations are hoping to ease the burden for families in need this year by holding gift drives and fulfilling wishes for children who may otherwise go without.

These include:

Smart from the Start

Smart from the Start is hosting a “Holiday Party for a Purpose” where families can participate in crafts and activities that celebrate holidays from around the world.

The event is being held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Dec. 5 at Smart’s Child and Family Development Center at 68 Annunciation Rd. in Roxbury.

Attendees are asked to bring in a new unwrapped gift for the organization’s annual toy drive that benefits children in Smart’s program, which has a mission to eliminate the achievement gap for low-income families and children.

The organization provides education services to children from infants to 5 years old and has served more 1,000 children, according to smartfromthestartboston.org.

For more information or to RSVP to the “Holiday Party for a Purpose” and toy drive, contact Kat Chapman at Kat.Chapman@ smartfromthestartboston.org or 617-635-5030.

Boys & Girls Clubs

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Boston is doing its part to ensure

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Boston families in need have a fulfilling holiday.

The clubs collect toys and gift cards for children and teens in need during the holiday season and hold a gift-wrapping event each year.

Wish lists are collected from each child and then provided to donors who purchase the gifts, in the $20 to $50 price range, for the children.

Gifts can be dropped off on or before Dec. 13.

The Yawkey Club of Roxbury is inviting the community to the annual gift wrapping event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Dec. 7 at 115 Warren St. in Roxbury.

Toys and gifts will be collected at the event as well. To participate in the toy drive, visit bgcb.org.

Gift ideas for the collection and gift wrapping event on Saturday can be found on eventbrite.com after searching for the event.

gift card donations.

The main drop-off site is at The Big Wishes Toy Room at 55 Boylston in Chestnut Hill. The drop-off site is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

Gently used items are also being collected and can be dropped off at The Thrift Shop of Boston at 17

Corinth Street in Roslindale.

Proceeds from The Thrift Shop benefit the Home For Little Wanderers. For more information on wish lists and making holiday donations, visit thehome.org.

The Action for Boston and Community Development

The Action for Boston and Community Development has held its toys drive for more than 30 years and has helped more than 6,000 families in need during the holiday season.

This year, the organization hopes to add to that number and is collecting monetary and toy donations at each of its locations throughout the city.

For drop-off location information or to make a monetary donation, visit bostonabcd.org.

Annual toy drive for Children’s Services of Roxbury Children’s services of Roxbury will be collecting toys for families in need during its fourth annual toy drive from 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Dec. 17.

The drive is being held at Blu Restaurant, Bar and Café at 4 Avery St. in Boston.

To RSVP to the event, visit eventbrite.com and search for “4th Annual Toy Drive for Children’s Services of Roxbury.”

The Home for Little Wanderers

The Home for Little Wanderers is collecting new and unwrapped toys and gift cards until Dec. 19 for its annual Big Wish Drive.

The organization collects wish lists from children in their care and provides the information on its website for donors who can then purchase the items. The items are then dropped of at one of the many businesses and organizations that are supporting The Home for Little Wanderers gift drive.

Donors can also purchase individual gifts that aren’t on a wish list or donate a gift card for the organization’s gift card challenge.

Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage and Bernie & Phyl’s Furniture will match up to $5,000 in

The Neponset Health Center distributes Thanksgiving meals each year with help from a hunger assistance grant from Partners HealthCare. (l-r): Julia Lily, social worker Neponset Health Center; Camille Benson, patient, Neponset Health Center; Ray Perrin, social worker intern, Neponset Health Center; Taffidy Davis, social worker intern, Neponset Health Center; and Cierra Morson, youth peer leader, Neponset Health Center. (Photo courtesy Neponset Health Center)

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Building Pathways’ most recent class, above, graduated last month from the building trades pre-apprenticeship program, which helps Boston residents, with a focus on women and people of color, learn skills necessary for entering into the industry. to disclose numbers if they want to rights organizations have this cormake progress on diversifying. dial relationship with construction “We know the building trades unions. Construction unions have don’t reflect the population of the consistently discriminated against continued from page 1 city of Boston,” he said. “We need black workers and contractors,” to make sure we’re being thought- the letter stated. “Ninety-eight Despite their professed com- ful and deliberate about how we percent of all black construction mitment to diversifying their diversify the building trades. We firms are nonunion. There is a ranks, none of the union or non- have to be able to measure our reason — if they join a union the union building trades organiza- gains against a baseline.” union will manage their employees tions would disclose the demoWhile the Massachusetts build- and thus never hire them for work. graphics of their workers. ing trades continue their efforts The end result is the business Frank Callahan, president of without numbers to illustrate the being void of any black workers the Massachusetts Building Trades cause, other states that have made and the former black employees Council, says the problem is not pushes for diversity in the trades will soon be unemployed.” about a requirement to track di- have estimated numbers — and The letter also concluded: versity, the challenge is so many the results do not reflect much im- “These construction unions are a different unions and organizations provement. prime contributor to black unemthat are run separately and have A report out of Philadelphia, ployment.” their own bylaws and charters. which cites numbers from the Municipal officials in the Mary“It is difficult on a whole Office of Housing and Commu- land, Virginia and the Washington number of fronts,” Callahan said. nity Development collected from D.C. metro area have also made a “I get frustrated about it myself.”

2008 to 2012, found that the push for diversity in the building Callahan says he believes the makeup of the union members in trades, but like in Massachusetts, building trades are sincere in their the building trades by the end of there is little data to back up what diversity efforts. this period were 99 percent male, is actually happening.

“I go out to the union halls, 76 percent white and 67 percent While the numbers of minorities I see the diversity in members,” suburban residents. This number in the Massachusetts building trades he said. “It is something that the is only union members — non- workforce is small, the increased building trades have been commit- union numbers have not been re- number of construction projects in ted to for quite some time.” corded — so it may not reflect the Boston has created an opportune District 7 City Councilor Tito true diversity of the building trades time for all parties involved to really Jackson says the unions will have workforce. target the diversity issue in the MasBut the report findings demon- sachusetts building trades. strated that even after Philadelphia “Boston is No. 2 in the nation for officials pushed for diversity there construction right now, so we are was little impact on the unions that really booming,” said Mary Vogel, lead the way in the industry. executive director of the ConstrucThe National Black Chamber tion Institute and program manager of Commerce was quick to jump for Building Pathways. “This is the on the implications of the report, opportunity to make sure all of our releasing to the media an open construction workforce reflects our letter in July to U.S. Represen- neighborhoods. Women, in partictative Marcia Fudge, chair of the ular, are underrepresented in our Congressional Black Caucus. industry and we want to make sure “We are very disturbed that they have an opportunity to get elected officials as well as civil these kind of careers.”

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Pre-apprenticeship programs can teach students about the many different building trades, giving them exposure to different sectors and helping them decide what might be potential future employment options for them. (Photos courtesy of Building Pathways)

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Grace

Amazing

Berklee student makes film debut in ‘Black Nativity’

(Sarah Kjelleren photo) Colette Greenstein Berklee College of Music student, Grace Gibson, makes her big screen debut in the Fox Searchlight Pictures film “Black Nativity.” She plays two roles in the contemporary musical drama, which is based on Langston Hughes’ classic gospel play.

Filmed in Harlem, the recently released film follows Langston, a street-wise teen from Baltimore raised by single mom Naima, as he travels to New York City to spend the Christmas holiday

with his estranged grandparents the Reverend Cornell and Aretha Cobbs.

Unwilling to live by the imposing Reverend Cobbs’ rules, a frustrated Langston is determined to return home to Naima, all the while embarking on a surprising and inspirational journey, where he discovers the true meaning of faith, healing and family.

The film stars Forest Whitaker and Angela Bassett in the respective roles of Reverend Cornell and Aretha Cobbs; the

multi-talented singer/actress Jennifer Hudson as Naima, and Jacob Latimore as Langston.

Rounding out the all-star cast are Vondie Curtis Hall, Mary J. Blige, Tyrese Gibson, Nasir Jones and Grace Gibson.

Gibson plays Maria — a pregnant, homeless teen from Spanish Harlem — and the Virgin Mary. Handpicked by director Kasi Lemmons (“Eve’s Bayou,” “Talk To Me”), Gibson also showcases her vocal abilities, including a duet of “Silent Night” with Hudson, which she co-pro-

duced along with friend and Berklee alumna Taylor Gordon.

Born in Los Angeles and raised between New York City and London, Gibson was introduced to the arts at an early age by her parents, British director Brian Gibson (“What’s Love Got To Do With It,” “The Juror”) and her mother, veteran actress Lynn Whitfield (“Eve’s Bayou,” “The Josephine Baker Story”).

Growing up, her parents exposed her to various genres of music and film, which ultimately led her toward the arts. At the age

of 12, she began studying dance at some of the finest dance schools around the world including the Harlem School of the Arts, The Alvin Ailey School and the National Conservatory of France.

With the support of her dance teachers, Gibson gained enough confidence to pursue her love for music, which led her to musical theater, and ignited her passion for dance, theater and music.

While studying at Columbia University’s Barnard College, Gibson, continued to page 15

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Thursday, December 5, 2013 • BAY STATE BANNER • 13

14 • Thursday, December 5, 2013 • BAY STATE BANNER

intheMix with Colette Greenstein

with Colette

Kardashian to wishing she had a gay grandson, who would ask her questions about Judy Garland and Liza Minelli. The “Joan Rangers” lapped up the all-in-jest, ribald set and at the end of the show, a fan presented her with flowers for the night of laughter.

Nothin’ but Love ...

Comedian and E! Entertainment’s “Fashion Police” host Joan Rivers performed at The Wilbur Theatre recently. She joked about singers Rihanna, Adele and Taylor Swift, as well as celebrities Tom Cruise and Kim Kardashian. (Natasha Boos photos)

Can We Talk?

Known for her catchphrase “Can We Talk?” comedian and host of E! Entertainment’s “Fashion Police” Joan Rivers was in town recently performing stand-up comedy at The Wilbur Theatre. The octogenarian hit the stage dressed in all black topped by a very sparkly purple sequined

floor-length coat with a high cut boa framing her face. The petite powerhouse packed a playful punch as she paced back and forth on the stage shooting one-liners out at the crowd. Rivers commanded the stage throughout her set with non-stop energy as she talked about “hating” singers Rihanna, Adele and Taylor Swift to discussing Tom Cruise, Kim

It was an evening of music and emotion and fun and dare I say “songversation?” as so aptly stated

by India.Arie. Her recent concert was absolutely amazing and inspirational. Arie hit The Wilbur stage with her seven-piece band ready to create a space of love and positivity. It was the final night of her 29-city U.S. tour and you could feel the audience brimming with anticipation for the show to begin. Her message of love and knowing oneself was reinforced by quotes from musicians, authors and leaders on screens throughout the evening and filled the twohour plus show. In between songs she talked about her “breakdown, her break through, breaking the shell, elevating and eventually flying.” Backed by a very talented band, she performed most of the songs from her new album SongVersation. Arie opened with “I Am Light” and threw in some of her nuggets like “Video” and “I Am Not My Hair.” She brought

the house down when at the end of “I Am Not My Hair” she unwrapped her braids and threw her wig (who knew?) up into the air to the delight and surprise of her fans. The crowd roared back with appreciation and laughter. But it was music that took center stage all night long as Arie smoothly segued from new songs “Moved

By You” and “Flowers” to “Brothers’ Keeper” and the reggae groove “Thy Will Be Done,” where she was joined on stage by Gramps Morgan for the duet. She closed the show and the theatre down with a heartfelt rendition of “Ready for Love” to by this point, a standing room only crowd.

Coming Up …

The Urban Nutcracker kicks off the 2013 season this Friday, Dec. 6 at the John Hancock Hall and runs through Dec. 22. For tickets and show times, visit www. urbannutcracker.com.

Lauryn Hill performs at Royale on Wednesday, Dec. 18 at 7 p.m.

Tickets: General Admission, $75.

It’s an 18+ show. To order, go online at www.ticketmaster.com.

The Mrs. Carter Show World Tour starring Beyoncé lands at the TD Garden on Friday, Dec. 20. For tickets, go to www.ticket master.com.

The House of Blues in asso-

India.Arie’s recent concert at The Wilbur thrilled the audience with the singer and musician performing old hits and new songs. The event was the last night of her 29-city U.S. tour. ciation with Ingenious Concepts presents rapper/actor Common on Thursday, Dec. 26 at 8 p.m.

Tickets: $36 General Admission Standing; and $49.50 for VIP seating. For tickets: www.livenation.com.

If you would like me to cover or write about your event, email me at inthemixwithcolette@gmail.com.

Thursday, December 5, 2013 • BAY STATE BANNER • 15

Gibson

continued from page 11

Gibson earned a scholarship to Berklee after attending the college’s five-week summer program. Currently enrolled at the school, Gibson is majoring in professional music with a philosophy minor and plans to add a composition or film scoring focus.

In between school and promoting the film Gibson spoke to the Banner from New York about her experience working on “Black Nativity.”

When did you know that you wanted to be an actor and how did your parents feel about it?

It wasn’t so much being an actor. I looked at other artistic outlets and I learned so much from the discipline of dance. I love film and filmmaking. That’s how my parents met, through a film. I analyzed film in high school and studied filmmaking at Columbia.

Did they give you any advice about getting into the “family business”?

Definitely! They’re always giving me advice. My mom always says don’t equate your self-worth with your career and that “disappointment is part of the business.”

How were you handpicked

by Kasi Lemmons for the role of Maria?

It was a very long process that took auditioning for over a year and a half. I would send in tapes and they wanted to keep up with what I was doing. I’ve known Kasi since I was four years old but we didn’t establish our own relationship until I was much older. We developed a relationship while I was attending Columbia and Kasi lived in Harlem. Kasi heard me playing the guitar and told me I was going to be in her film. She supported me and rallied for me.

I was in complete shock when I heard I was cast in the film.

How was it working opposite Forest Whitaker and Angela Bassett?

They’re so inspirational and such trailblazers in their careers.

I have nothing but respect for them. My first scene I shot was with Forest Whitaker. I was so nervous. I told him I’ve never done television or anything and he said [during their scene] “you got this.”

What have you learned from them about the craft?

There’s so much. I learned how to hone my character and I learned a lot about chemistry from my counterpart.

Were you nervous singing opposite Jennifer Hudson?

I was excited. I was a very eager learner and wanted to show my stuff. But, it’s all about teamwork. Our voices complement each other. Her voice is so powerful. Of course you’re nervous,

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Berklee College of Music student Grace Gibson is making her movie debut in the now playing “Black Nativity.” The movie is based on Langston Hughes’ classical gospel play and Gibson plays two roles and sings in the film. (Sarah Kjelleren photo) but it’s a job and you’ve got to remember that.

What’s next for you? Back to school or will you be auditioning for other film roles?

I’m still a full-time student. I’m still in classes and doing mid-terms.

I’m very grateful for it. I definitely

want to get my degree but I am auditioning. I’m releasing my first music video in a few weeks. I shot the video in 2012 and it is part of the reason I got the film role. I sent the song in as part of my package.

How was it working with Mary J. Blige and Tyrese?

Tyrese is so fun. He has a big personality and he was really

cool. It was really inspirational.

What do you hope that people will take away from the film?

I think that in the spirit of the holidays, it’s a story of forgiveness and its challenging people to forgo judgment and be openminded.

16 • Thursday, December 5, 2013 • BAY STATE BANNER

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Walmart

continued from page 1

got teachers. We’ve got faith leaders. This is a new kind of solidarity.”

Stewart Lanier, a United Methodist minister, said he came out to the event to protest the inequality of wealth distribution.

“It’s so obvious that this is so wrong,” he said. “When the in-

health care. Walmart employees, whom the management refer to as “associates,” are often fired for attempts to organize.

When an employee posted a sign soliciting donations for a fellow Walmart worker who had fallen on hard times, a photograph of the sign went viral. The sign’s message, “Please donate food items here so associates in need can enjoy Thanksgiving

but rather at informing workers there of their rights, according to Griffith.

“We’re working to change how the workers think about themselves,” she said. “They’re a critical force in the corporation’s well-being. They call the workers associates. They should treat them that way.”

As Griffith led protesters in

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dinner,” seemed to underscore the plight of low-paid retail workers at a time when many state legislatures are pushing for increases to the state’s minimum wage.

While some communities see super stores like Walmart as a boon for their economies, many larger cities, including Boston, have fought to keep the retail giant out. Critics of Walmart say the stores undercut local retailers with low prices, driving them out of business. While a new Walmart means new jobs, those jobs are often at lower pay with fewer benefits, creating more demand for government subsidies.

Friday’s action was not aimed at driving Walmart out of Quincy,

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boat captain who joined the protest. “Walmart is the biggest part of that. They like to talk about having the lowest prices. They don’t like to talk about having the lowest wages.”

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While numerous big box stores employ similar labor practices, Walmart has long been a major target of labor protests.

The international retail chain is the second largest public corporation in the world and is the largest retailer in the United States.

Walmart critics say the chain’s low wages mean as many as 825,000 workers there earn less than $25,000 a year, qualifying many for government subsidies like food stamps and subsidized

chants, motorists honked their horns in solidarity. Griffith and others at the protest said increased consciousness of the rising income gap in the United States is fueling a backlash against Walmart’s labor practices.

“This is the time of greatest income inequality since the beginning of the last century,” said David Weinstein, a Boston

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18 • Thursday, December 5, 2013 • BAY STATE BANNER

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Abolitionist Dr. John S. Rock embodied black pride, perseverance Anthony W. Neal Dr. John S. Rock, a preeminent mid-19th century black abolitionist, dentist, doctor and lawyer, was one of Boston’s most eloquent and uncompromising champions of the rights of African Americans. He was born in Salem, N.J., on Oct. 13, 1825 to free parents Maria and John Rock. Educated in the public schools, Rock became a licensed schoolteacher in 1844. He taught in a one-room grammar school in his hometown for four years.

During that period, he studied medical textbooks and applied to several medical schools, but he was denied admittance because of his color. Thus, Rock turned to the field of dentistry, and after undertaking an apprenticeship with Samuel C. Harbert, a white dentist in Salem, he opened a dental practice in Philadelphia, Pa., in January 1850.

But Rock did not give up the hope of becoming a physician.

He continued to apply to medi-

regarded the American Colonization Society as the slaveholder’s puppet and the black man’s enemy — an organization concerned solely with banishing free blacks.

It supported neither the abolition of slavery nor the freeing and expatriation of the enslaved, and in Rock’s view, its scheme to remove free African Americans from their native country was no less wicked in principle than the African Slave Trade.

Rock was a gifted speaker. His lectures received favorable reviews. The Middlesex Journal, for example, wrote that they evinced “a fine education, superior scholarship, and much careful research.” The Philadelphia Christian Recorder found in Rock’s oratory “no bluster, no empty rant and beating of the air, no mere clamoring after effect,” and “no hollow words of empty sound.”

The paper added, “His voice, smooth, pleasant, mellifluous, is exactly adapted to his calm and graceful action, and to his elegant diction.”

“No man shall cause me to turn my back on my race. With it I will sink or swim.”

— Dr. John S. Rock cal schools and, at last, gained admission to the American Medical College in Philadelphia. While attending that school, he practiced dentistry and taught classes at a night school for African Americans. In 1851, he received a silver medal for the creation of an improved variety of dentures.

Rock graduated from the American Medical College and married Philadelphia native Catherine Bowers in 1852. The couple moved to Boston the following year. They initially boarded at 66 Southac Street, the residence of abolitionist Lewis Hayden, where escaped slaves, targeted by the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, found refuge. After Rock set up a practice in medicine and dentistry at 86 Cambridge Street, the Boston Vigilance Committee — an integrated abolitionist organization of which Hayden was a member — commissioned him to provide health care to ill fugitive slaves.

Rock was the second African American physician inducted into the Massachusetts Medical Society, the first being Dr. John V. DeGrasse, who was admitted in 1854. By that year, Rock and his wife had found a home at 60 Southac Street. She gave birth to three sons, Toussaint Lewis Hayden Rock, on April 13, 1854, John S. Rock Jr., in 1856, and Julian McCrea Rock, on Oct. 10, 1857.

Before moving to Boston, Rock had already been a prominent civil rights activist, fighting for black suffrage, and delivering lectures decrying the institution of American slavery, the American Colonization Society and the Fugitive Slave Act. Like the abolitionist and orator Frederick Douglass, John Rock

So it came as no surprise that he instantly became a sought-after public speaker in Boston. On more than one occasion, Rock was invited to speak on the anniversary of the death of Crispus Attucks, a black man, considered by many as the first martyr of the American Revolution.

He gave a speech at Faneuil Hall on March 5, 1858 at the Crispus Attucks Commemorative Festival, organized by abolitionist William Cooper Nell to protest the United States Supreme Court’s ruling in Dred Scott vs.

Sandford (1857). Rock defended black men against malicious attacks on their reputation. Arguing that they were courageous, he cited the history of the bloody battles for freedom in Haiti, in which blacks “whipped the French” and gained their independence.

Rock embodied black pride and he loved his people. He told the gathering at Faneuil Hall, “I would have you understand, that not only do I love my race, but am pleased with my color, and while many colored persons may feel degraded by being called Negroes, and wish to be classed among other races more favored, I shall feel it my duty, my pleasure and my pride, to concentrate my feeble efforts in elevating to a fair position a race to which I am especially identified by feelings and by blood.” Displaying a black nationalistic sentiment, the doctor declared that “no man shall cause me to turn my back on my race.

With it I will sink or swim.”

The prejudice that some whites had against Rock’s color gave him “no pain,” for he said, “If any man does not fancy my color, that is his Rock, continued to page 19

Thursday, December 5, 2013 • BAY STATE BANNER • 19

Dr. John S. Rock

Rock

continued from page 18

business, and I shall not meddle with it. I shall give myself no trouble because he lacks good taste.”

Rock was a crusader for equal rights. At the annual meeting of the Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society on Jan. 27, 1860, he told the attendees, “I belong to that class of fanatics who believes that every man has the same inalienable rights; that any distinction found upon color is unjust; and that every man should be judged by his merits.” He was concerned about prejudice in the North, which robbed the black man of his inalienable rights, closed to him every avenue of wealth and position, and refused him even the common facilities for gaining an honest livelihood, thereby forcing him to remain poor and degraded, simply because of his color.

Less than six weeks after that speech, on March 5, 1860, at the 19th anniversary commemoration of death of Crispus Attucks, Rock again condemned Northern prejudice, believing that it deprived capable black men of employment opportunities. He said, “The free schools are open to our children, and from them have come forth young men who have finished their studies elsewhere, who speak two or three languages, and are capable of filling any post of profit and honor.” But there was “no field for these men,” he said, owing to “the embittered prejudices” of whites.

Rock may have delivered that lecture on the anniversary of the death of Attucks; however, having failed to see how black people actually benefited from his demise, he was not yet ready to idolize the martyr. The physician confessed to having a strong attachment to his native country and desiring to see it prosperous and happy, but as he saw it, America had not lived

up to the promise of its revolution. Whites, he said, may have gained a little liberty, but to blacks American liberty was just “a name without meaning — a shadow without substance,” which retained “not even so much as the ghost of the original.”

Rock believed that the real American revolutionaries were Nat Turner, William Lloyd Garrison — the leading white abolitionist of the day — and John Brown. In his view, the only events in American history that even deserved commemoration at that time were Turner’s slave uprising of August 1831, the creation of the American Anti-Slavery Society and Brown’s raid on Harpers Ferry.

Garrison co-founded the American Anti-Slavery Society at a convention in Philadelphia on Dec. 4, 1833. Rock described him as the “perfect embodiment of the moral insurrection of thought.” He said that he admired the abolitionist because, time and again, Garrison taught the Amer-

“Slavery has taken up the sword, and it is but just that it should perish by it.”

— Dr. John S. Rock ican people that “unjust laws and compacts made by fathers are not binding upon their sons,” and that “the ‘higher law’ of God, which we are bound to execute, teaches us to do unto others as we would have them do unto us.”

No more than five months before that speech, John Brown had led an armed slave revolt in the town of Harpers Ferry, Va. If Garrison represented the pen, Rock considered Brown “the representative of that potent power, the sword,” which proposed “to settle at once the relation between master and slave” — peaceably if possible, “forcibly if it must.”

If blacks were going to be freed from the shackles of American slavery, violence, Rock forewarned, would be the only way. “It is a severe method; but to severe ills it is necessary to apply severe remedies,” he said. “Slavery has taken up the sword, and it is but

just that it should perish by it.”

On the advice of his doctors, Rock gave up his medical practice in 1859 because of declining health. Undaunted, he decided to pursue a legal career. Through perseverance and diligent study, he became a member of the Suffolk Bar on Sept. 14, 1861, making him the fifth African American attorney to practice in the courts of Boston. That same year, Governor John A. Andrew appointed him Justice of the Peace for Boston and Suffolk County. Rock set up his law practice at 6 Tremont Street in Boston and advertised it in Garrison’s abolitionist paper, The Liberator.

In 1863, during the Civil War, the counselor helped assemble the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, a black unit in the Union Army. He would later lobby the

government for equal pay for the members of the 54th and other black soldiers.

Rock’s wife, Catherine, died on Feb. 6, 1864 at the age of 32.

About a year later, on February 1, 1865 — the day after Congress passed the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution — with the help of United States Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts, Rock was admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court. At that time, it was led by Chief Justice Salmon Portland Chase, a recent appointment of President Abraham Lincoln.

A newspaper reported on February 4 that “the court came in as usual . . . and due proclamation was made that the country’s highest judicial tribunal was ready for the transaction of business. Sena-

tor Sumner immediately stepped forward, and presented a tall good looking colored gentleman to the court, saying, ‘I beg leave to present your Honors John S. Rock, Esq., a member of the bar of the Supreme Court of Massachusetts, and I ask that he be admitted to practice in this Court.’”

Chief Justice Chase bowed and replied, “He is admitted. Let him step forward and take the oath.” Upon taking that oath, Rock became the first black man to be admitted to the bar of that lofty tribunal. On that same day, through an arrangement with Congressman John Dennison Baldwin of Massachusetts, he became the first black to be received on the floor of the United States House of Representatives.

John S. Rock died of tuberculosis the following year, on Dec. 3.

20 • Thursday, December 5, 2013 • BAY STATE BANNER

Immigration continued from page 1

immigrant activists met family members at the U.S. Mexican border in Arizona. Photos of Teodoro and her mother, who traveled from Brazil for the meeting, tearfully holding hands and blocked from embracing by the bars of the fence, graphically illustrated the pain of separation.

“People talk about family separation, but don’t really know what it means,” she told the Banner. “I think it moved people, seeing us not able to embrace.”

Teodoro has received temporary resident status under the Obama administration’s Deferred Action program and can legally remain in the United States for the next two years. Her mother and brother, who were swept up when their home was raided by Immigration Customs and Enforcement in 2007, would risk a felony conviction if they returned.

In some ways, the efforts of activists like Teodoro have had an impact. According to a poll released last week by the Public Religion Research Institute, 63 percent of the U.S. public supports a path

to citizenship for undocumented immigrants currently living here.

But the shift in public sentiment apparently hasn’t stemmed the tide of deportations. Immigration activists point to the Secure Communities Act, a Bush administration program that started in Texas and requires local and state police to detain immigrants arrested or detained in traffic stops

safety resources on deportation of dangerous criminals, incarceration and deportations of non-violent immigrants has continued apace.

In the first six months of 2011, the federal government pursued 18,552 new prosecutions for illegal re-entry, the crime of re-entering the U.S. after deportation, according to the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse at Syra-

“[President Obama] has the power to stop the deportation of millions of people.”

— Renata Borges Teodoro and turn them over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The program was expanded during the Obama administration to every state in the U.S. Critics of the law say that ICE routinely deports immigrants who are not guilty of committing any crimes.

Despite a 2011 Department of Homeland Security policy memo calling for focusing limited public

cuse University. Illegal re-entry is now the number one lead charge federal prosecutors are lodging against all defendants.

In all, the Obama administration has been deporting 400,000 undocumented immigrants a year.

While the number of people caught crossing the U.S. border has declined in recent years, Secure Communities deportations

Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition Executive Director Eva Milona says President Obama could defer deportations until Congress approves immigration reform. The Obama administration has deported nearly 2 million undocumented immigrants, more than any previous administration. (Banner photo) and the number of ICE raids on workplaces and private residences have increased. Nearly 2 million undocumented immigrants have been deported during Obama’s presidency, more than during any previous administration.

Teodoro says the president could stem the tide of deportations by directing ICE to follow its own 2011 memo and devote its resources on dangerous criminals.

“He has the power to stop the deportation of millions of people,” she said.

Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition Executive Director Eva Milona notes that Obama could use his executive power as a bargaining chip with Congress.

“He has the power to issue an executive order to defer deportations until Congress acts,” she said.

Boston mayor-elect Marty Walsh said he will seek to have Boston opt out of the Secure Communities program, speaking during a MIRA Coalition event at the State House last week.

U.S. Rep. Michael Capuano says it’s unlikely Congress will pass the Senate’s bill this year, given the hardline stands many Republicans have taken.

“My concern is that they’ll gut it,” he said. “It’s an untenable position to suggest they should all go home. That’s not going to happen.”

Capuano said there’s a good chance immigration reform will pass next year. But it will require a more mature conversation about the nation’s priorities, he said.

“There has to be a thoughtful conversation about what this country needs,” he said. “How many people do we need and what skills they bring.”

Be sure to check out our website and mobile site www.baystatebanner.com

Thursday, December December 5, 5, 2013 2013 •• BAY BAY STATE STATE BANNER BANNER •• 21 21 Thursday,

Shutdown pushed retailers to Black Friday frenzy Imara Jones Workers who earn minimum wage at retailers open on Thanksgiving Day can thank fallout from the government shutdown for being on the job that day. A record number of retailers allowed consumers to spend during an unprecedented number of hours on America’s most storied holiday this year. Though this trend of “Black Friday Creep” is not new, it is reaching new heights and being driven by errant decisions in Washington.

To be fair, since the 2008 recession, Thanksgiving has been slowly transforming into a shopping day that marks the start of the holiday retail season. But the collapse in consumer confidence after the shuttering of the government in October and the rollback in government food assistance just weeks ago, has unnerved retailers and pushed them to extend hours to unseen limits.

That’s because without a successful

holiday season the retail business simply doesn’t make economic sense.

According to the Retail Federation of America, sales between Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Eve account for up to 40 percent of a store’s annual sales. Those four weeks are when consumer businesses swing into profit. They essentially underwrite operations for the previous 11 months.

The lack of a gangbusters holiday season translates into serious trouble for retailers.

In fact, Black Friday — the historic beginning to the most important shopping season of the year — is called such because it was once the beginning of the time when retailers moved from yearly losses, or “red,” into making money, or “black.”

Spurred by an economy that cratered six years ago, “Black Friday” has given way to Thanksgiving Day as the start of it all.

This year retailers are so worried about holiday sales that, according

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

Docket No. SU13C0427CA In the matter of Michael Lopez of Mattapan, MA

NOTICE OF PETITION FOR CHANGE OF NAME To all persons interested in a petition described: A petition has been presented by Michael Lopez requesting that Michael Lopez be allowed to change his name as follows: Michael Arias 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 12/19/2013.

WITNESS, HON. Joan P. Armstrong, First Justice of this Court.

Date: November 5, 2013 Patricia M. Campatelli Register of Probate Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Department Suffolk Probate and Family Court 24 New Chardon Street Boston, MA 02114 SUFFOLK Division

good cause; or that the Guardianship and/or Conservatorship is no longer necessary and therefore should be terminated. The original petition is on file with the Court.

You have the right to object to this proceeding. If you wish to do so, you or your attorney must file a written appearance at this court on or before 10:00 AM on the return date of 12/19/2013. This day is not a hearing date, but a deadline date by which you have to file the written appearance if you object to the petition. If you fail to file the written appearance by the return date, action may be taken in this matter without further notice to you. In addition to filing the written appearance, you or your attorney must file a written affidavit stating the specific facts and grounds of your objection within 30 days after the return date.

IMPORTANT NOTICE The outcome of this proceeding may limit or completely take away the above-named person’s right to make decisions about personal affairs or financial affairs or both. The above-named person has the right to ask for a lawyer. Anyone may make this request on behalf of the above-named person. If the above-named person cannot afford a lawyer, one may be appointed at State expense.

WITNESS, Hon. Joan P Armstrong, First Justice of this Court November 14, 2013 Patricia M Campatelli Register of Probate

NORFOLK Division

In the interests of Aiden Jospeh Kineavy of Boston, MA Minor

Citation Giving Notice of Petition for Termination of a Guardian of an Incapacitated Person

To the named Respondent and all other interested persons, a petition has been filed by Dept. of Children & Families of Boston, MA in the above captioned matter requesting that the Court: Terminate the Guardianship.

The petition asks the court to make a determination that the Guardian and/or Conservator should be allowed to resign; or should be removed for

Docket No. NO13P3005GD

NOTICE AND ORDER: Petition for Appointment of Guardian of a Minor 1.

2.

NOTICE TO ALL INTERESTED PARTIES Hearing Date/Time: A hearing on a Petition for Appointment of Guardian of a Minor filed on 11/14/2013 by Patrick Kineavy of Boston, MA will be held 12/18/2013 08:30 AM Guardianship of Minor Hearing Located Canton.

Response to Petition: You may respond by filing a written response to the Petition or by appearing in person at the hearing. If you choose to file a written response, you need to:

Responding to the reversal of consumer sentiment and budgets, retailers decided to open their stores earlier than ever with the hope of enticing more shoppers to spend.

They announced the change during the same week in November when disappointing consumer confidence data were released and when SNAP benefits were cut.

The problem is that extended hours may not be enough for retailers to hit their profit numbers. With real wages at a 40-year low and the actual value of the current minimum wage lower than in 1968, the reality of workers’ earning power might just be catching up to holiday sales.

Colorlines

File the original with the Court; and Mail a copy to all interested parties at least five (5) business days before the hearing.

3.

Counsel for the Minor: The minor (or an adult on behalf of the minor) has the right to request that counsel be appointed for the minor.

4.

Presence of the Minor at Hearing: A minor over age 14 has the right to be present at any hearing, unless the Court finds that it is not in the minor’s best interests.

THIS IS A LEGAL NOTICE: An important court proceeding that may affect your rights has been scheduled. If you do not understand this notice or other court papers, please contact an attorney for legal advice.

Date: November 14, 2013

Patrick W. McDermott Register of Probate

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

Docket No. NO13D1165DR

Divorce Summons by Publication and Mailing Tatiana Herrera

Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Department

Docket No. SU09P1636GD

In the Interests of CHAYANNE VELASQUEZ Of Boston, MA RESPONDENT Incapacitated Person/Protected Person

to The Wall Street Journal, they cranked up holiday marketing campaigns earlier than last year, starting before Halloween. By the end of October, they’d reached 35 percent more consumers with store ads and gifts than the same period of time last October.

Why the panic?

Before the government shutdown retailers were poised to have a strong 2013 holiday season. Forecasts put sales 4 percent higher than last year — twice the growth rate of the economy .

During the D.C. showdown 2 million federal workers — disproportionately people of color — and the families that depend on them were denied vital pay at a critical point in the pre-holiday season. The government shutdown ultimately sucked $25 billion out of the economy.

The consequence of this economic earthquake is that it pushed consumer confidence in the month of October to lows

not seen in two years.

Adding to the worry of consumers and retailers is the fact that on Nov. 1, SNAP food assistance — which helps one out of five working poor recipients with food costs — was slashed. This move took an additional $5 billion from the pockets of potential holiday shoppers and removed $8.5 billon in overall economic benefit right before the start of the crucial shopping season.

It’s no surprise then that between the shutdown and the rollback in SNAP, Americans slashed their holiday budgets by 10 percent, telling Gallup this month that they plan to spend $704 on gifts instead of the $786 that stores and chains had been counting on.

vs.

Duver Herrera

To the Defendant: The Plaintiff has filed a Complaint for Divorce requesting that the Court grant a divorce for irretrievable breakdown.

The Complaint is on file at the Court.

An Automatic Restraining Order has been entered in this matter preventing you from taking any action which would negatively impact the current financial status of either party. SEE Supplemental Probate Court Rule 411.

You are hereby summoned and required to serve upon: Tatiana Herrera, 31 Sunnyside Rd, Quincy, MA 02169 your answer, if any, on or before 02/06/2014. If you fail to do so, the court will proceed to the hearing and adjudication of this action. You are also required to file a copy of your answer, if any, in the office of the Register of this Court.

Witness, Hon. John D. Casey, First Justice of this Court.

Date: November 13, 2013 Patrick W. McDermott Register of Probate

22 • Thursday, December 5, 2013 • BAY STATE BANNER

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

Docket No. SU11P1410EA

Citation on Petition for Order of Complete Settlement of Estate Estate of John Gallman Date of Death: 11/30/1996

a Guardian and requesting that Marie J Alcante of Mattapan, MA (or some other suitable person) be appointed as Guardian to serve on the bond.

The petition asks the court to determine that the Respondant is incapacitated, that the appointment of a Guardian is necessary, and that the proposed Guardian is appropriate. The petition is on file with this court and may contain a request for certain specific authority.

A petition has been filed by Robert J. Jordan of Boston, MA requesting that an Order of Complete Settlement of the estate issue including to approve an accounting and other such relief as may be requested in the Petition. For the First and Final Account.

You have the right to object to this proceeding. If you wish to do so, you or your attorney must file a written appearance at this court on or before 10:00 A.M. on the return date of 12/26/2013. This day is NOT a hearing date, but a deadline date by which you have to file the written appearance if you object to the petition. If you fail to file the written appearance by the return date, action may be taken in this matter without further notice to you. In addition to filing the written appearance, you or your attorney must file a written affidavit stating the specific facts and grounds of your objection within 30 days after the return date.

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 01/16/2014. 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.

The outcome of this proceeding may limit or completely take away the above-named person’s right to make decisions about personal affairs or financial affairs or both. The above-named person has the right to ask for a lawyer. Anyone may make this request on behalf of the above-named person.

If the above-named person cannot afford a lawyer, one may be appointed at State expense.

WITNESS, HON. Joan P. Armstrong, First Justice of this Court.

Date: November 12, 2013 Patricia M. Campatelli Register of Probate

WITNESS, Hon. Joan P. Armstrong, First Justice of this Court.

Date: November 22, 2013 Patricia M. Campatelli Register of Probate

Commonwealth of Massachusetts The Trial Court Probate and Family Court Department

LEGAL NOTICE REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

To all interested persons:

SUFFOLK Division

Docket No. SU13P2837GD

Citation Giving Notice of Petition for Appointment of Guardian for Incapacitated Person Pursuant to G.L. c. 190B, §5-304 In the matter of Ralph T Alcante Of Mattapan, MA RESPONDENT Alleged Incapacitated Person To the named Respondent and all other interested persons, a petition has been filed by Marie J Alcante of Mattapan, MA, Edrus Alcante of Mattapan, MA in the above captioned matter alleging that Ralph T Alcante is in need of

IMPORTANT NOTICE

The MASSACHUSETTS PORT AUTHORITY (Authority) is soliciting system and integration services for MPA CONTRACT NO. L1227-S1 - SYSTEM INTEGRATION SERVICES MASTER BUILDING CONTROL SYSTEM FOR HVAC. The Authority is seeking a qualified vendor to implement a Master Building Control System at Logan International Airport. The Vendor shall have proven experience in the provision and installation of an enterprise building control management system, and integration of the system with legacy building controls. The Vendor must be able to work closely with the Authority and existing Building Management Systems in order to provide such services in a timely and effective manner.

The Authority maintains a large campus of buildings at Logan International Airport, East Boston, MA. The Airport is currently equipped with a myriad

of legacy building control systems and devices that have been installed over time. The Authority is undertaking a program to integrate existing building HVAC controls into a campus-wide Master Building Control System (MBCS) in order to improve energy efficiency, increase effectiveness in monitoring and controlling HVAC components, and standardize Massport’s hardware and controls management system software onto a modern technology platform.

The move to a comprehensive MBCS will be a multi-phased effort.

The submission shall be evaluated on basis of the MBCS Integrator’s qualifications, proposed software product, and cost. Refer to the full RFP for complete evaluation criteria.

The full RFP will be available to interested parties beginning Thursday December 5, 2013, by contacting Colleen LaGrasso at CLaGrasso@massport.com Submissions shall be printed on both sides of the sheet (8 1/2” x 11”), no acetate covers. Provide ten (10) copies of a bound document and one PDF version on a disc. The document shall be limited to 20 sheets double-sided (40 pages) exclusive of cover letter, price proposal, resumes, SDO certification letters, covers, and dividers.

The Vendor shall also provide an original and ten (10) 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/doing-business/_Pages/ CapitalProgramsResourceCenter.aspx for more details on litigation and legal proceedings history submittal requirements.

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 Tuesday, January 28, 2014 at the Massachusetts Port Authority, Logan Office Center, One Harborside Drive, Suite 209S, Logan International Airport, East Boston, MA 02128-2909. Any submission which is not received in a timely manner shall be marked by the Authority as late and may not be considered. Massport will seek to hold all RFP’s and subsequent submissions in confidence, to the extent consistent with applicable law, until a final decision has been made or the selection process is terminated. Proposers are advised, however, that pursuant to M.G.L.c.66, all materials received by Massport which fall within the definition of “public record” as set forth in M.G.L.c.4.7, cl. (26), shall be disclosed by Massport upon request.

The procurement process for these services will proceed according to the following anticipated schedule: EVENT DATE/TIME Solicitation: Release Date

December 5, 2013

Deadline for submission of written questions

December 30, 2013 - 12:00 Noon

Pre-proposal Conference

January 7, 2014 – 11:00 A.M.

Official answers published (Estimated) January 14, 2014

Parker Hill Apartments The Style, Comfort and Convenience you Deserve!

Heat and Hot Water Always Included Modern Laundry Facilities Private Balconies / Some with City Views Plush wall to wall carpet Adjacent to New England Baptist Hospital Secured Entry, Elevator Convenience Private Parking Near Public Transportation and much more ...

2 bed - $1264-$1900; 1 bed $1058-$1500 Call Today for more details and to schedule a visit...

888-842-7945

Wollaston Manor 91 Clay Street Quincy, MA 02170

OFFICE

SPACE

Senior Living At It’s Best

DORCHESTER/ MILTON

A senior/disabled/ handicapped community

1st Class Office Space ample parking.

0 BR units = $1,027/mo 1 BR units = $1,101/mo All utilities included.

Call Sandy Miller, Property Manager

#888-691-4301

Program Restrictions Apply.

Medical Office Building For Sale

435 Warren Street, Roxbury, Massachusetts

$375/mo. $695/mo. $1000/mo. $1395/mo. heated

OWNER

617-835-6373

ADVERTISE

YOUR CLASSIFIEDS

(617) 261-4600 x 7799

ads@bannerpub.com

FIND RATE INFORMATION AT

Parcel #1 435 Warren Street The property is a modern medical facility built in 1974, and consist of a two story brick structure containing medical dental suites and a four story structure housing executive and administrative offices including records storage in the basement area. The two structures are attached by a three-story glass enclosed atrium containing approx.

39,100 sq. ft of space.

10 Hazelwood Street This property consist of 4,756 sq. ft. lot of land currently use for parking.

Parcel #2 244 Townsend Street This property contains 18,808 sq. ft. of land with a 12,191 sq. ft. house which is structurally deficient currently used for storage.

Parcel #3 Townsend Street This property contains 36,562 sq. ft. of unimproved land formally used for ancillary parking.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CALL Ronald Mackey (617) 947-6090

TAYLOR SMITH

Commercial Real Estate

January 28, 2014 – 12:00 Noon

Oral Presentations and tour of MBCS reference site (Estimated)

Week of February 24, 2014

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 Comm-PASS (www.comm-pass.com) in the listings for this project.

MASSACHUSETTS PORT AUTHORITY THOMAS P. GLYNN CEO AND EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

www.baystatebanner.com /advertise

Brokers Welcome

Wingate Senior Living at Needham 235 Gould St, Needham, MA 1BRs @ $1,178 (for 1 person households) 1BRs @ $1,347 (for 2 person households) Rent shown includes all utilities and all on-site parking.

Rent does NOT include care services, medication services, and incontinency services. A meal plan is available at an additional cost of $25/day. Applicants for these affordable units must meet the terms and standards required to qualify to live in an independent living unit.

Please contact Wingate for more details at the number listed below.

This offering consist of three parcels as described below:

Solicitation: Close Date / Submission Deadline

Wingate Senior Living at Needham is a 91 unit senior living facility. Two of the independent living units will be made available through this application process and rented to households with incomes at or below 80% of the Area Median Income.

The maximum allowable income limits are: $47,150 (1 person household) $53,900 (2 person household) Pets welcome, subject to applicable rules and regulations, breed restrictions apply.

Completed Applications and Required Income Documentation must be delivered, not postmarked, by 2 pm on January 2, 2014.

The Needham Public Library Community Room, 1139 Highland Avenue, Needham, MA, will be the location for a public Info Session on December 9, 2013 at 6 pm and Needham Town Hall will be the location for the Lottery on January 17, 2014.

For Details on Applications, the Lottery and the Apartments or for reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities, call Jamielynn Salisbury at 781-455-9080 or email her at affordablehousing@wingatehealthcare.com.

Applications and Information are also available at the Needham Public Library, 1139 Highland Ave, Needham, MA (Hours: M-Th 9-9, F 9-5:30, Sa 9-5, Su 1-5).

CHELSEA APARTMENT

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.

Sec 8 OK

617-283-2081

Want to Live in Belmont, Lexington, Watertown and other Metro West towns?

Several Metro West communities are jointly establishing a list of “Ready Renters” who would be interested and income-eligible to rent affordable apartments in these towns.

Income Limits:

Maximum Rents*:

1 person

$39,660 or $47,150

1 bedroom

$1,175

2 person

$45,360 or $53,900

2 bedroom

$1,288

3 person

$51,000 or $60,650

3 bedroom

$1,600

4 person

$56,640 or $67,350

*including utilities or utility allowance. Actual rents will vary.

Applicants will be notified of available units as they come up for lease. Studio, 1, 2 and 3-bedroom units are expected. Units available now in Watertown.

For a pre-application and additional information contact Robyn at Metro West CD 617-923-3505 x 5 or visit this website: www.metrowestcd.org

Thursday, December 5, 2013 • BAY STATE BANNER • 23

Arlington Public Schools Administrative Openings Beginning July 1, 2014

Elementary Principal, Dallin School Director of Special Education & Support Services See website for application process: www.arlington.k12.ma.us/hr Arlington values diversity. We strongly encourage candidates of varied backgrounds, including people of color, persons with disabilities and others to apply. www.arlington.k12.ma.us

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