Open space advocacy in Dot is on the rise!
In 2009, advocates in the neighborhood were able to enjoy some hard-earned new and improved open spaces in the neighborhood, like the new Elmhurst Playground in the Talbot Norfolk Triangle neighborhood, the new “Paul’s Park” at Washburn and Howell Streets in the Polish Triangle, and the improvements to the Geneva Cliffs Urban Wild in Bowdoin-Geneva.
DEHC was involved in a number of these efforts as an integral part of the larger community, and we look forward collaborating for a strong 2010 Continue Reading »
Tide Turning in Bike Cage Push
December is bike cage month in DotBike land, as DEHC’s Pete Stidman and DotBike’s Vivian Girard have been gathering support for a bike cage at the JFK/UMass station near Columbia Point. The MBTA is building six to 10 bike cages within their transit and commuter rail system as part of a $4.8 million chunk of stimulus money specifically targeted to improving bike parking.
DEHC used the Freedom of Information Act to acquire a list of all the stations the T is considering for the new cages, as well as 50 bike shelters they intend to build. What we discovered is a strange bias toward suburban stations, and the likelihood that there would not be a bike cage in Dorchester, where bike theft is the number one deterrent to cycling!
As it turned out, the proximity of other stations worked against Dorchester and other urban neighborhoods in the T’s assessment of need for bike cages. They didn’t prioritize the positive effect on bike-ability neighborhood density has, nor the fact that cyclists might avoid other nearby stations due to theft risk. And most surprising-they didn’t compare or even look at rates of bike theft for any station! Continue Reading »
Mega-study targets SE Expressway pollution (CAFEH)
It’s difficult to imagine, but it is only in the last decade or so that the academic community has really begun to dial in on how air pollutants affect health of people living next door to major highways. But stacks of new research papers have been published in recent years, in part inspiring a new $2.5 million study that promises to be one of the most convincing to date. It’s based at Tufts University in Chinatown and may even send investigators out to Dorchester’s Columbia neighborhood.
Continue Reading »
The push for bike lanes on Blue Hill Avenue
For months, DEHC has been building a coalition of groups that support the installation of a bike lane along Blue Hill Avenue as part Continue Reading »
Healthy Homes 101 – Weds. Oct 7th
Healthy Homes Introductory Training: The Connection between Health and Housing ~
Wednesday Oct. 7, 2009, 9:30 – 12:30 @ the LAC offices, 622 Washington. St. Codman Square 02124
This free 3-hour introductory training is for community-based organizations in Boston interested in learning more about the connection between housing conditions and public health. You will learn about the numerous hazards in homes and indoor environments, such as asthma triggers, lead paint, Continue Reading »
Ashmont Farmers’ Market
Peak season is approaching on the farms, and there will be a fantastic selection at this week’s market!
A few highlights for this Friday – sweet corn, award-winning heirloom tomatoes, eggplant, green/wax/shell beans, lettuce, onions, potatoes, cubanelle & green bell peppers, apples, summer/koosa/zucchini squash, blueberries, “everbearing” strawberries, peaches, nectarines and plums from Farmer Dave’s. Heirloom tomatoes, corn, raspberries, basil, peaches, nectarines and apples from Srping Brook Farm. ORGANIC baby bok choy, Chinese broccoli, Caribbean laloo and calaloo, pea tendrils, mustard greens, corn, lettuce, cilantro and scallions from Flats Mentor Farm.
Also, freshly baked bread, pies and pastries by Dot-2-Dot Cafe, locally grown flowers and fun garden accessories by Cedar Grove Gardens, and artwork by Dorchester Arts Collaborative Continue Reading »
farm fresh produce in Dorchester!
Dorchester’s Farmers Markets are in full swing – two on Thursdays, at Codman Square and at Bowdoin Street, Friday at Ashmont, two on Saturdays, at Fields Corner and at Mattapan Square, and Tuesdays at Dorchester House.
DEHC helps out every Friday at the Ashmont Farmers’ Market – a few highlights for this Friday: Face painting for the kids! ~ Strawberry gazpacho and apple pies at Dot-2-Dot Cafe ~ Beautiful zucchini blossoms and pea tendrils at Flats Mentor Farm ~ Garlic and green beans coming in at Farmer Dave’s, plus blueberries at their peak throughout August ~ Concord-grown sunflowers, guaranteed to brighten up the rainiest day, at Cedar Grove Gardens ~ Peaches, raspberries & corn at Spring Brook Farm.
The market, sponsored by SMAMS, ODWIN Learning Center, Wainwright Bank and the Dorchester Environmental Health Coalition, runs every Friday Continue Reading »
let it rain, Dorchester grows greener
Not going to let a few drops stop us – starting tomorrow, Saturday June 20, there is lots to do locally to take our minds off the showers. In Mattapan, help green your house and improve indoor air quality at a House Plant Propagation workshop or walk with WalkBoston at the Boston Nature Center. In Grove Hall, visit an Urban Environmental Health Fair. Or check out Ashmont’s CommonBoston activities, as seen in a previous post.
Subscribe to the enviro events calendar to get updates as they happen.
green Dorchester some more
A project between the Dorchester Historical Society and Earthworks Boston will establish another edible landscape in Dorchester, click here to see some photos of recent volunteer activity. You can also help out on Saturday May 30, 10 a.m. at the William Clapp House, 195 Boston Street, near the big pear sculpture at Edward Everett Square.
