“The Molasses is Coming!” Jan. 29
On January 15, 1919, a 50-foot-tall steel tank filled with 2.3 million gallons of molasses collapsed on Boston’s waterfront, disgorging its contents in a 15-foot-high wave of molasses that traveled at 35 miles per hour, killing 21 people and causing widespread damage.On Sunday, January 29, at 2 p.m., GreenDorchester’s partner the Dorchester Historical Society will host Stephen Puleo, author of Dark Tide, the story of the disaster, who will talk about the Molasses Flood as well as the times in which it occurred. Copies of Dark Tide will be available for $16. The event, free and open to the public, takes place at DHS Headquarters, 195 Boston Street. For more information, contact the Dorchester Historical Society at (617) 293-3052 or email Earl Taylor (ermmwwt@aol.com).
Boston Urban Agriculture Kickoff, Jan. 30!
Brainstorm the future of agriculture in Boston! Learn about Urban Agriculture, taste food samples, and find out how zoning can support farming! Featuring Keynote Speaker Will Allen, Founder and CEO of Growing Power Inc., former pro athlete, and 2008 McArthur Foundation “Genius Grant” recipient for his work on urban farming and sustainable food production. Check out the Urban Agriculture Kickoff & Visioning Flyer! Additional flyers in Spanish, Haitian Creole and Chinese.
Mayor Thomas M. Menino, the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA), and the Mayor’s Office of Food Initiatives are launching a new project to update the Boston Zoning Code to support Urban Agriculture (UA) city wide. UA is small scale farming that makes healthy, fresh food more accessible and empowers Bostonians by creating economic opportunity. Examples of urban farming include rooftop greenhouse agriculture, aquaponics (fish farming), community farms, farm stands, composting, and other fresh food-producing endeavors. Continue Reading »
Meetings on T Fare Hikes
The MBTA is holding a series of public hearings on proposed fare hikes and service cuts which will affect local transit users, especially those in Dorchester. Significant cuts to service in Mattapan – including weekend service on the trolley – are also in the works. See English language fare increase booklet here and translations in Vietnamese, Haitian Creole, Cape Verdean, Spanish, and additional languages/formats are available here. A complete schedule of hearings can be found here, please note upcoming Dorchester and Mattapan MBTA Hearings on Fare and Service Cuts:
- January 31, Tuesday, 6:00-8:00 PM, Mildred Avenue Community Center, 5 Mildred Avenue
- February 2, Thursday, 1:00-3:00 PM and 6:00-8:00 PM, Dorchester House Multi-Service Center, Multi-Purpose Room, 1353 Dorchester Avenue
To Join the Discussion see the MBTA website. Emailed comments are welcomed: fareproposal@mbta.com.
Option 2, with lower fare hikes, proposes the following service changes, Continue Reading »
Boston Regional Metro Planning Organization Open House Jan 25
MPO OPEN HOUSE / Diverse Region – Working Together: people, information, strategies
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The Public is invited to either of the two Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization’s (MPO’s) Open House sessions on Wednesday, January 25, at 12:30 PM and 6:00 PM. at the State Transportation Building, Suite 2150, 10 Park Plaza, Boston, MA
The two sessions include the same agenda items:
• Introduction to the Boston Region MPO (30 minutes)
• TIP-Building Workshop (45 minutes)
• Development of the Unified Planning Work Program (15 minutes)
This is an Open House for anyone that would like to learn more about
the Boston Region MPO, the Transportation Improvement Program, and the Unified Planning Work Program. The Introduction will provide an overview of metropolitan transportation planning and how the MPO conducts this work in the Boston region, and the MPO activities schedule for the year ahead. The TIP-Building Workshop will explain the development of the federal fiscal years 2013-16 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). Federal highway and transit funds for the 101 cities and towns of the Boston region are programmed in the TIP. See MPO Open House flyer here.
Circle The City – Your Input Needed!
A group of park and fitness advocates are proposing a Circle The City event, which would close selected roads and lanes on a spring or summer Sunday, connecting parks and bike paths. The group needs suggestions for possible temporary road or lane closures between Dorchester and Franklin Park, and possibly to the Neponset Greenway and the Boston Harborwalk. Want to weigh in? Email dotbike@bostonbiker.org.Transportation Justice Rally, Jan. 23
Fired up by fare hikes? Enraged by proposed service cuts? A kick-off Transportation Justice Rally will take place on Monday, January 23, 2012, beginning at 12pm at the State House, with a planned march around the Boston Commons, with the march route concluding at the Transportation Building to accommodate testimony opportunities for the 1 p.m. Public Workshop (and some additional outside action and demonstration). For more information, contact Kevin Raymond Odell,
Coalition Coordinator, On The Move (OTM): The Greater Boston Transportation Justice Coalition, by emailing kevin.odell@bostononthemove.org or calling 978-429-5515. Visit OTM online at www.bostononthemove.org. View participant groups and march/rally details after the break. Continue Reading »
Family Fun Friday! Jan 20
Mattapan Food and Fitness Coalition / Healthy on the Block – Mattapan, Mattahunt Community Center, Wheelock College, and the Strategic Alliance for Health present your last chance to participate in a Family Fun Friday! On Jan 20, 4:30 to 6 PM, there will be healthy tasting demonstrations by Chef Rhonda from “Seasoned with Soul,” along with fitness by Irina Martinez of “Xclusive Double Dutch.” At the Mattahunt Community Center, 100 Hebron Street – don’t forget to bring sneakers!
Dot Winter Farmers’ Market Opening, Jan. 8!
Our friends at the Dot Comm Coop have issued a press release for the Winter Farmers’ Market opening January 8! Download the Winter Market Release or view it after the break. Continue Reading »
Support TNT Greenspace! Jan. 18
The Talbot Norfolk Triangle (TNT) Neighbors United, a long-time partner of GreenDorchester, have announced the revised Greenspace Master Plan! Developed by TNT Neighbors in cooperation with numerous other community groups, the City of Boston, Codman Square Health Center, and others (for complete list, see linked pdf) the plan is a multi-site map of community development. Neighborhood groups have already implemented several aspects of the original plan, including the development of 93 Norfolk St. as a “pocket park,” initial construction of a children’s community garden at 106 Norfolk St. (to be completed summer 2012), and the redevelopment of Codman Burying Ground.
On Wednesday, January 18, the Department of Neighborhood Development will seek feedback from the neighborhood on future uses for numerous City-owned, vacant parcels of land. The Talbot Norfolk Triangle (TNT) Norfolk lots in particular are 2, 4-6 Woodrow Ave, 93 Norfolk Street, 106 Norfolk Street and 131-133 Southern Ave. Show your support for the TNT greenspace development by coming out to the January hearing, which will take place at The Great Hall in Codman Sq., 6 Norfolk Street, Dorchester, MA from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on January 18.
Please note date change from Jan. 17 to Jan. 18! For additional information, please contact Bernard Mayo, DND Project Manager 617-635-0297 or Walter Apperwhite, Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services 617-635-2677. Or, contact TNT Neighbors by emailing Paul@tbpm.org. An official flyer for the hearing can be found here.
Food in the Hood Mtg, Jan. 18
Help increase equitable access to fresh, healthy food! The next “Food in the Hood” meeting will take place on Wednesday, January 18th from 6 – 7:30 p.m. at the Bowdoin Street Health Center (230 Bowdoin Street, Dorchester). A flyer for the meeting is attached. Healthy snacks provided!
Social Media
There are two new social media hubs for healthy food access in Bowdoin Geneva. Please join your neighbors in liking the Bowdoin Geneva Food in the ‘Hood pageon Facebook and following the @BGFoodintheHood Twitter feed. Stay in the loop about all the initiatives underway and help us spread the word! Your support takes just a few clicks! Continue Reading »
