Shuttle Slated to End in September Advocates Discuss how to Keep it Going by Monica Collins
The impossible dream for an affordable supermarket is a downtown epic, “The Man of La Muncha.” In the neighborhoods of Beacon Hill, the North End and the West End, the quest for decently priced food leaves activists feeling like they’re tilting at windmills. “We started talking about this five and a half years ago,” says Lia Tota who coordinates the search. Tota is the director of ABCD’s North End/West End Neighborhood Services Center. “Who would have thought five and a half years later, we’d still be talking about it?”
The discussion continued last Tuesday when Tota convened a meeting of supermarket representatives and other interested parties to discuss the future of the popular shuttle bus that ferries the elderly and other car-less shoppers to markets in the area. The shuttle has been running since July 2003 when the Stop & Shop in Charles River Plaza closed down. The convenient conveyance has provided nearly 13,000 rides for people and their grocery sacks. Now, the free ride could be reaching either an end or a new beginning.
Matthew Bergin, the senior property manager for Charles River Plaza, brought bad news to the supermarket meeting: As of September 7 or 8, when an upscale Whole Foods Market is scheduled to open in the old Stop & Shop space, the Davis Companies, developers of the plaza, would no longer manage the shuttle bus. Bergin calls it a “conflict of interest” to maintain a service that leads potential customers away from a prominent lease holder.
This means the supermarkets — Johnnie’s Foodmaster in Charlestown, Shaw’s in the Prudential Center and Stop & Shop in Medford and Somerville — must pitch to continue the shuttle. The supermarket envoys, representing all the stores involved, didn’t give a flat “no,” nor did they give an emphatic “yes.” The future lies somewhere in the undecided aisle.
The seniors who ride the bus have come to depend on and look forward to the service. It’s about their getting food but it’s also about food for the soul. The shuttle provides an outing and sustains their need for independence and for keeping costs low. They are fond of driver George Foskey. “He’s very good and he’s an excellent driver and I think he’s a real gentleman,” said one West End woman riding the bus on a snowy day. She asked to be identified “as a nice old lady.”
Said John Crabtree, another shuttle user who lives in Beacon House and remembers the exact day the Stop & Shop closed in Charles River Plaza. “I’ve been using (the shuttle) since July 19, 2003.The problem we have is that we’re afraid the shuttle will stop. We need some funding from legislators, or the city, or even the supermarkets themselves.”
“Short of an astronomical financial consideration that would make no sense, we probably will,” said Charles Napier, director of loss prevention and facilities at Johnnie’s Foodmaster. “It would only make sense to continue.” The other supermarket reps were inclined to agree. But there are many issues to resolve before the shuttle flies under new stewardship.
The most crucial concern is management. The duties involve ensuring the buses run on time, issuing schedules, fielding complaints and coordinating with all the supermarkets. Now Bergin is the go-to guy who hired and pays the bus company (Crystal Transport) and collects monetary contributions from the supermarkets. In September when he steps aside, there are no easy answers as to who would take on the duties.
All eyes turned to Tota. She reminded the group she manages a tightly-budgeted government agency. “We can’t take away from our other services,” she said. “I would have to hire a person to do this.” Sita Smith, City Councilor Mike Ross’ neighborhood liaison, wondered if the shuttle coordination could be done from Ross’ office. The suggestion was also made that the Boston Redevelopment Authority could tap another deep-pocket developer to enable the supermarket shuttle as a “public-private” partnership item. “The BRA is on top of this,” said Tota.
The BRA recently sent out requests for proposals to developers interested in building in the Bulfinch Triangle, the downtown parcel between Causeway and New Chardon streets. The RFPs noted special consideration would be given to a development with an affordable supermarket component. In an interview prior to last Tuesday’s meeting, Tota said the requirement is complicated, however, because a supermarket commands much more than square footage. “There’s parking, space for a loading dock, room for trucks to make deliveries,” she said. “But we’re not looking for a great big supermarket. We’re looking for staples, food, an urban market that doesn’t have to include chairs for the beach.” Even if the BRA approves a Bulfinch parcel with a supermarket, it will be years before the store opens its doors to customers.
Several topics came to mind last week as we discussed the editorial for this issue. But then we began to listen to friends and neighbors as they discussed what was on their minds.
It was the Congress of the United States. What were they doing mucking about in a family’s personal life? A feeling of dread permeated the conversations we overheard. Neighbors discussed the annoying helicopter that hovered over the Common for what seemed like hours. They talked of the trash, which despite the community service workers’ efforts, still littered the sidewalk.
But then the conversations returned to Congress. Last week Congress and the president decided to play God, which in the Sunday School at least one of us attended, was a sign of the Devil at work. Arrogantly, they decided they knew best about Terri Schiavo’s fate. When will these men decide to determine what is right for you when you face a tragedy?
The attempt by a tyrannical power to control private matters is reminiscent of a line in the movie Casablanca. A Bulgarian woman explains why she and her new husband are trying to escape to America. “The Devil has the people by the throat,” she says. Her devil is the Bulgarian government. The fact that the screenwriter for that movie was the grandfather of our own Red Sox general manager somehow makes the concept seem closer to home.
Congress and the president aren’t the only devils here. Their morals appear to be controlled by the rabid right, which has managed to grab Congress by the throat. The principles by which this triumvirate has shown it wants to govern are the same as those of the Taliban in Afghanistan: They alone decide the morals for this country, and the consequences are dire for Americans who interpret morality in a different way.
Most people in this neighborhood, if the conversations we are hearing are any indication, are afraid of this devil. We do not think anyone should tyrannically dictate answers in such tragic, personal circumstances: Every choice is a bad one. Does the husband want to let Terri die because he is an unloving man? Or are Terri’s parents so selfish in their grief that they don’t want her husband to have a life after Terri? We cannot see into their hearts. Neither can you. Neither can our Congress. Our moral obligation is to stay out of their way and not condemn the family for whatever decision they make.
Don’t think you are immune to such devilish control just because we live in Massachusetts and the enlightened city we call Boston. A local family has recently tangled with MGH over such a problem when the family wanted to keep alive a woman whom doctors believed should be allowed to die. To their credit, Travaglini, DiMasi and Romney have not stuck their noses into that family disaster.
Don’t think this Congress won’t go after you. What if you are a 20-week pregnant, 34-year-old Brimmer Street resident and discover that the fetus you carry has no brain? Congress has passed a law that would make you carry that fetus to term, even at the risk of your own life.
What if you face the unthinkable — deciding whether to pull the plug on a spouse or, heaven forbid, a child. It makes it no easier if a spouse has signed a paper saying that you should do it. In the most extreme sorrow you can imagine, do you want Tom Delay marching into the hospital room telling you what to do?
This Congress believes it has a right to be in your bedroom, in your hospital room and in your face. It is the big brother of George Orwell’s “1984.” The devil has us by the throat, and you and I are not safe with these monsters.
Business Association Volunteers to Handle Cambridge St. Maintenance
by Karen Cord Taylor
The Beacon Hill Business Association has come up with a plan to help the city maintain the plantings that are due to be installed on Cambridge Street.
Babak Bina, the business association’s president, said that his organization can administer the process by which money is collected from the community to pay for maintenance. He has solicited bids from several landscape companies to get the lowest price for maintenance. Finally, Bina said that the business association will contribute to the landscape fund at the same level as the Beacon Hill Civic Association. That figure is not firm, but $5,000 a year for three years has been discussed.
“Cambridge Street can be a wonderful gateway to our community and we have a lot at stake,” said Bina.
Bina proposed the plan to the Cambridge Street Community Development Corporation, a group that includes the big institutions along the street as well as the civic association. The CSCDC has been grappling with the issue since last summer, when city officials notified Cambridge Street building owners that it could not afford to maintain the plantings that are slated for the street in its re-design.
The city assessed the building owners for a voluntary contribution to cover the estimated cost of the maintenance based upon the number of feet of frontage each building had on the street. Yearly assessments for the small buildings reached into the thousands.
Owners were frustrated. They said they already paid property taxes, which have rose 30 percent last year. Moreover, they felt that such a “contribution” would unfairly fall to the institutions and a few owners who were good citizens. Most of the owners would refuse to contribute, although they would benefit from the improvements maintained by their neighbors.
Many pieces of the business association’s plan are still to be worked out. But other players on the street are supportive.
“I think it is great,” said John Messervy, director of capital planning and facilities for Partners, the entity of which Massachusetts General Hospital is a part. MGH is a member of the CSCDC.
“We’re all trying to understand what this will mean,” he said. There needs to be give and take, but we’re all optimistic we can get there.”
Council Members Bring Teen Issues to the Table by Alexandra Bowers
City Hall is a place most of us visit only when we get a marriage license or fight a parking ticket. For two local teens, though, it’s part of their routine. Twice a month Natalie Cucchiara of West Cedar Street and Meredith Pierce of Garden Street, members of the Mayor’s Youth Council, attend council meetings at City Hall.
Mayor Thomas Menino began the Mayor’s Youth Council 11 years ago as a way for Boston teens to have a voice in local government.
“I always believe that young people should get involved to help them understand government a little better, so they won’t have the cynical approach that so many people have,” said Menino.
For Beacon Hill’s two council members, participation has been a family tradition, and they bring a high level of community involvement to their roles as council members.
“I have two sisters who enjoyed it,” said Meredith, a senior at Boston Latin School. “I did stuff for Hill House when I was younger, and I wanted to be more active in the neighborhood.”
Natalie is a junior who also attends Boston Latin School and also became involved through her sister, who founded and coordinated a teen volunteer group that helps Beacon Hill Village members with tasks such as learning how to use a computer shopping for groceries.
One of Meredith’s interests is the safety of teens on the T and elsewhere in the city. In addition, she was involved in getting out the vote in the November elections. “I did the Youthline during the fall, registering people to vote,”she said.
For Natalie, one of her interests is the Boston Public Schools. She serves as vice president of the Boston Student Advisory Council, which gives her a seat on the Boston School Committee. She provides input on such issues as the schools’ cell phone policy. “We talk with [Superintendent of Boston Public Schools] Thomas Payzant, who is very open to student issues,” she said. “He takes ideas and thinks about them. It shows that what you have to say is important.”
The impact on local leaders has been significant. “The Youth Council can look at programs and say what works and what doesn’t work. It’s something like a focus group,” said Patty McMahon, director of the youth council. “[Local leaders] saw that [the students] asked intelligent questions and were able to give amazing ideas on how to meet the needs of young people.”
One project began when the council realized that a lot of kids have bank accounts and credit cards, but they don’t always understand how to manage their money. The council worked with the Mayor’s Office of Consumer Affairs to publish a “Consumer Tips for Teens” pamphlet informing kids about their financial rights and responsibilities.
Council members also help staff Youthline, a service that matches resources with young people. Programs can be looked up by neighborhood or by issue, and can range from local CPR classes to finding a sailing program. It is available weekdays from noon – 8 p.m.
Another initiative grew out of the number of calls to the Youthline about jobs. Council members developed Job Tips, a one-stop information center for teens interested in finding jobs. Job Tips advisors tell young teens to think about what careers they’re interested in and then volunteer in that field to gain experience can lead to a summer job. They give older teens help with their resumes. This effort led to the creation of Resume Tips, a manual that goes through all the steps in crafting a resume.
One of the problems council members face is getting information about youth opportunities out to the public on a large scale. All council members talk with their peers at school and at home, and post news and information in places kids hang out.
“We post flyers on bulletin boards at schools, send email and outreach to organizations in the community.” said Meredith. “And there’s a lot of word-of-mouth.”
The council also takes advantage of technology through the Boston Youth Zone Web site ( www.bostonyouthzone.com ). This site provides “one-stop shopping” for teens interested in any of the 3,500 educational, health and sports-related, and after-school youth programs available in Boston, both during the school year and in the summer. This site has the biggest database of its type, said Sara Walsh, a supervisor at Mayor’s Youthline.
Council members attend regular meetings with local leaders, especially the mayor. “I meet with the council every six weeks,” said Menino. “It’s great input for me to listen to them. It also gives kids experience with federal and state agencies.”
Each year council members make a trip to Washington in the spring where they bring issues that affect teens to the attention of national policy makers. This year council members discussed substance abuse and voting. In past years members have met with Attorney General Reno, Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer and President Clinton.
Council members help organize and publicize the City of Boston “Youth Summit,” a one-day event in late summer or early fall that serves as part pep rally, part performance venue and part program fair.
“It’s our Big Bash with lots of volunteer opportunities.” said Meredith.
The Mayor’s Youth Council has been rewarding to both girls as a window into the daily business of government and the way that multiple points of view can improve the quality of life for everyone. “In the grand scheme of things, the council definitely does important things for the youth of Boston throughout the year,” said Meredith.
Mayor Youth Council Applications Available
For teenagers interested in their community, the Mayor’s Youth Council provides a forum to exchange information and opinions, and gives teens a way to express their views to local leaders. If you’re a teenager, you might want to apply.
According to Patty McMahon, director of the Mayor’s Youth Council, the 36 council members come from all over the city, representing all neighborhoods and 18 schools. The council meets twice a month at City Hall. Members spend an average of eight hours a month involved in projects that range from neighborhood outreach to serving on committees to answering hotlines.
Applications for the Mayor’s Youth Council are now available at www.bostonyouthzone.com/myc and are due on April 15. Applicants must be residents of Boston, a high school junior or senior or at a comparable age in an alternative program in September, and have knowledge of teen programs and issues. Two letters of recommendation are also required. Two representatives will be chosen from each Boston neighborhood. Call McMahon at 617-635-4490 for information.
On long winter days that chilled our bones, Boston’s most lovable attractions always warmed our hearts as we made our way though the Public Garden. Recently, though, Mother Duck and Jack, Kack, Lack, Mack, Nack, Quack, Pack and Ouack looked just a tiny bit warmer themselves, dressed in brand new handmade hats knitted by…whom? Aha, therein lies the question.
First there appeared matching little blue knitted caps that warmed the ears of the nearly snow-buried bronze sculptures modeled after the stars of Robert McCloskey’s “Make Way for Ducklings.” Upon spotting them, we all added a big smile to our already-warmed hearts and silently wondered who had put the headgear on those tiny cold heads.
Then, as St. Patrick’s Day drew near, the blue hats suddenly disappeared, magically replaced by elegantly crocheted hats in the brightest of greens. But, still no knitter stepped forth to claim responsibility for the caps.
So, we asked local guru Henry Lee, a Beacon Street resident who, as president of the Friends of the Public Garden, is thought to have the last word on all things related to the Garden. Much to our surprise, Lee had nothing to say. He just didn’t have the foggiest notion of who knit the hats.
But he did mention that the park superintendent had told him the blue hats were replaced by the green hats not in the middle of the night, as we had suspected, but in broad daylight when he had left the park on a break. We tried unsuccessfully to contact this superintendent, whose assistant said, upon hearing the reason for our call, “Ducks? Hats? You mean people are putting hats on ducks these days?”
So we decided to change course and questioned other Beacon Hillers in the know, although most were not in the know about this mystery. Friends of the Public Garden board member Karin Dumbaugh of Acorn Street said, “My feeling is that [the knitted hats] are an endeavor of a new knitting group, and they are having a really good time doing it.”
Her thought prompted us to contact several local knitting shops. We suspect one shop owner did have an idea of who the knitter or group of knitters is, but she wasn’t ready to divulge the secret yet. We are considering having a stakeout there.
Another gentleman never at a lost of words is Grove Street resident Ross Levanto. Unlike Lee, he had words this time. “My guess is Mayor Tom Menino, since I know he loves them…the ducks, I mean.”
We decided not to follow up on that comment. Instead we asked Revere Street Sally Hinkle for her opinion. She said she thinks the Boston Globe or a local newspaper is decorating the ducklings to create a photo opportunity. Well, if that’s the case, The Beacon Hill Times is sure enjoying using some other newspaper’s photo op.
One gentleman who prefers not to be identified when discussing controversial subjects said he thinks the Red Wagon, a children’s clothing store on Charles Street, is putting hats they sell in the shop for newborns on the ducklings for promotional reasons. (We suspect he owns another kids shop and is jealous he didn’t think of the idea first.)
But the Red Wagon said they didn’t think of the idea either. “And, if it was a secret, we wouldn’t tell you anyway,” said Carrie Vuroi. We checked out the store merchandise and don’t think even hats for preemies are bigger than those for Quack and his siblings.
So we went to the source of it all. Sculptor Nancy Schon of Newton is the talented artist who created the Mallard family that has brought joy to so many people since 1987 and most recently to Beacon Hillers trying to solve the hat mystery. She said the ducks have been decorated off and on for years with red ribbons for Christmas and yellow or purple ones for Easter. But, this is the first time that she has heard about hats knitted specifically for her ducklings.
“Whoever is making these beautiful hats is probably a different person than those that tied the ribbons. It has to be someone with a real affection for Boston, and the ducks personify that affection in a lovely way to all those who visit them,” she said. Schon wants very much to thank the anonymous knitter or knitters.
We do, too. It would be just ducky if the person or persons would come forward.
COMPLETE CLEANING SERVICES. Please call Rosane Spindola 617-387-9519 or 617-899-9328.
HOUSE CLEANING by Patricia. Good job-Good references. Please call me at 781-244-9998.
FOR RENT
RIVER HOUSE luxury penthouse studio. Fantastic roof deck. Three month minimum. Concierge 24-7. Possible parking. Price reduced to $1750 per month, includes maid services. No smoking and no pets. 617-247-2600, cell 781-244-2910.
HANDYMAN
PAINTING/TILING/WALLPAPERING-works evenings and weekends. Ernie 617-515-3785.
HOME IMPROVEMENT
HOUSE PAINTING-Spindola Painting-interior-call Ronan-781-485-8780.
WE WAX AND BUFF WOOD FLOORS. We buy and arrange fresh flowers for your home. Beacon Hill Housecleaners, 18 years on Beacon Hill. Call Dan or Marguerite, 617-739-1306.
PAINT
FREE PAINT. Charles Street Supply has 100 gallons of Benjamin Moore paint in all colors to give away. These specially mixed “oops” cans are available in both enamel and latex. 617-367-9046
PERSONAL ORGANIZERS
TOO MUCH CLUTTER? Home, offices, mail/filing, closets, basements, kitchens, toys, moves, charity deliveries and winter cleanouts. Call Katrina 617-378-8619 617-723-8877.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
BOSTON MINSTREL COMPANY needs singers, musicians, and song leaders to facilitate sing-along songfests at Boston-Cambridge homeless shelters. Amateurs welcome. Call 617-787-2122 or e-mail Bostonminstrel@aol.com.
MATCH-UP Interfaith Volunteers needs people to commit to making a weekly visit to an elder in need of companionship. Call 617-482-1510 see www.matchelder.org
THE GREATER BOSTON FOOD BANK needs volunteers to inspect and sort donated food at the Food Bank's headquarters at 99 Atkinson Street in Boston. Call Laraine Kohler at 617-427-5200, ext. 5030 or visit www.gbfb.org.
AFC MENTORING needs volunteers over 18 experienced with adoption/foster care to mentor adopted children. One-year commitment desired. Karlee, 617-695-2441 or karlee@afcmentoring.org.
BLIND AND DYSLEXIC in East Cambridge needs volunteers with liberal arts, scientific and/or technical backgrounds to record textbooks. Call Peggy at 617-577-1111, ext 17 for more info. www.rfbd.org/bostonhome.htm.
GENERATIONS INCORPORATED needs older adults to volunteer as reading coaches and mentors to children in Dorchester, S. Boston and Roxbury. Training provided. Call 617-423-0408 or see www.generationsinc.org.
WGBH needs volunteers to assist with computer projects and office support during weekday business hours, Monday-Friday, 9 am-5 pm. Call Liz Hagyard at 617-300-5715.
LITERACY VOLUNTEERS OF MASSACHUSETTS. Help an adult learn English. Call 617-367-1313 for information.
VOLUNTEER COORDINATORS needed for The American Cancer Society’s Road to Recovery program. Work from home or in our Weston office. For further information call 1800-ACS-2345.
SPAULDING REHABILITATION HOSPITAL in Boston has opportunities for volunteers and matches volunteers' skills and talents with the needs of the hospital's patients and staff. Training provided. For more information contact volunteer services at 617-573-2740 or jburke11@partners.org.
BOSTON PARTNERS IN EDUCATION needs volunteers to tutor students grades K-12 in both math and literacy. Training and placement will be provided. Join this proven program and be a vital part of a student’s success story. Contact Martha Redding at 617-451-6145 x 621, or apply online at www.bostonpartners.org.
WALKBOSTON needs volunteers for its advisory board, special events and occasional help in preparing membership mailings and help with general office support. 617-367-9255,www.walkboston.org
MASS SUBSTANCE ABUSE HELPLINE seeks volunteers for phone service to help people affected by alcoholism and substance abuse. Must have computer experience. Call 617-536-0501 ext. 201 or see www.helpline-online.com.
BEACON HOSPICE needs volunteers to provide support and companionship to patients and their families. Call Robin Hansen at 617-242-4872.
THE HORIZONS INITIATIVE needs volunteers to play with children living in family homeless and domestic violence shelters. Day and evening hours available. Must commit 2 hours per week for 6 months. Training sessions held monthly. 617-287-1900 or www.horizonsinitiative.org.
COMPUTER TUTORS NEEDED for coaching senior and disabled citizens at the Blackstone Apartments. Daytime and evening hours needed. Call Al at 617-557-9121 or email xAlbert3259@aol.com.
BEACON HOUSE, housing for elderly, needs volunteers for front reception desk, a few flexible hours per week. Training provided. Please apply in person at 19 Myrtle St. to fill out an application.
THE HOME FOR LITTLE WANDERERS needs volunteers for its parental stress hotline that offers parents and caregivers in Massachusetts help in coping with the challenges of parenting. Training, supervision and weekly shifts available. New training begins April 8. Call 617-267-3700 or visit www.thehome.org.
ANIMAL SHELTER needs donations: dog and cat toys and treats, blankets and towels for the cages, paper towels, clay cat litter, postage stamps, animal nail clippers, dog and cat collars and leashes. 617-522-5055.
DR. SOLOMON CARTER FULLER Mental Health Center in the South End needs volunteers for several committees. Call C. Curtiss Carter at 617-626-8726.
MAB COMMUNITY SERVICES needs volunteers to read or shop with a blind neighbor. 2-3 hours per week, flexible hours. Training provided. Call Donna Bailey 800-852-3029 or see www.mabcommunity.org.
SAMARITANS OF BOSTON needs volunteers to provide telephone counseling on our 24 hour listening line.Training provided. 617-536-2460.
ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION in Cambridge needs volunteers for its telephone Helpline service to answer caregiver calls. Training provided. Call 617-868-6718.
ADBAR ETHIOPIAN WOMEN'S ALLIANCE needs volunteers to help with its newsletter, website, grant writing, special events and fund raising. Near Harvard Square. 617-234-8981.
THE BOSTON HOME in Dorchester seeks volunteers of all kinds in this long term care facility for adults with physical disabilities. Pet visits welcome. Call Sally Gorman 617-825-3905 ext. 299 or gormansally@aol.com.
