Gov. Patrick Seeks Federal Relief for Businesses in Blast Zone
Gov. Deval Patrick appealed to a federal administration today to get relief for the business impacted by the Boston Marathon bombings. Patrick sent a letter to the U.S. Small Business Administration requesting that the administration issue an Economic Injury Declaration for Suffolk County so that long term/low interest SBA loans may be available to the affected businesses and private non-profit organizations, according to a press statement from the governor’s office Friday. Numerous businesses on Boylston and its cross streets were forced to stay closed from April 15 to April 24 or 25 because a 12-block area surrounding the bombing site was considered a crime scene by the FBI. In order to receive this federal assistance, the Commonwealth must show that businesses were negatively impacted and suffered substantial economic injury, according to Patrick’s statement. “Requesting this federal aid will help Boston and the Commonwealth recover faster from the tragic events that unfolded at the Marathon,” Patrick said in the statement. “I urge the Small Business Administration to approve our request quickly to help the small businesses that keep our Commonwealth strong rebuild.” A preliminary Massachusetts Energy Management Agency survey found that at least five small businesses in the area were severely impacted, which satisfied the requirement for Patrick to file for the assistance, the statement says. President Barack Obama has already issued an Emergency Declaration for Suffolk, Norfolk and Middlesex Counties (the counties that host the Marathon route). The Emergency Declaration authorizes the federal government to reimburse municipalities, state agencies and certain non-profits for 75 percent of the cost of Direct Federal Assistance and emergency protective measures necessary to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of catastrophe in the designated counties. South End Patch
Five Things, April 26
1. Weather: The National Weather Service predicts a sunny day with a high near 59. The evening will be cloudy with a low near 45. 2. Slow Flow + Core Yoga: All classes are taught as mid-level Vinyasa. Instructors give options and teach to the levels of students in the class. Beginners and experienced practitioners welcome. 3. Zumba® Class: The Z Spot is Boston’s 1st studio dedicated to Zumba® Fitness. We offer exhilarating, effective, easy-to-follow, Latin-inspired, calorie-burning dance classes that will help you get in shape while having a good time. 4. Reverberations: Anna Von Mertens: Enjoy the interplay of live improvisational piano, saxophone, electronic music and percussion amidst Anna Von Mertens’ ethereal, hand-stitched quilts. In collaboration with Community Music Center of Boston. Part of the John Kleshinski Concert Series 5. Pericles by William Shakespeare: How much can one man take? Shakespeare presents us with the swirling tribulations of Pericles, whose journey involves a series of surprises and challenges that would test even the most resilient of men as he is flung from cruelly personal adversity to the ravages of storms. South End Patch
Every Day is Earth Day: Plant the Seeds, Inspire Children
Earth Day was on April 22, and was celebrated across the entire world. What can we do to show our love of the earth on that day, and every day? Love begins in the home and so does the love for our earth. If you teach your children to respect the earth on every level, they will continue to realize the global impact of environmentalism when they become adults. This is important for the sustainability of life as we know it. Perhaps we can set off that spark in a child, making them want to learn more about the process and do more to help. If we’ve done our part, they might strive to become an environmentalist—professionally or at heart. Inspire children, plant the seeds early on, and they will flourish. We all strive to do “acts of kindness” for our neighbors, to cement better relations locally or worldwide—but perhaps we also need to do “acts of environmental kindness” too, to save our planet. On Earth Day, we celebrate what the earth gives us—the air we breathe, the food we eat, the water we drink, the trees we use for timber, paper, furniture, and to build our homes. We think about the plants and animals with whom we share the earth. Where do we begin in this teaching process (which we know is a learning process for adults, too) of how to preserve all that we love? Begin with little things. Easy things. Obvious things. Things we take for granted each day, and use and/or abuse because of our lack of knowledge. Let’s start there. Remember that children learn from what we do. There are some wonderful family activities you can do together while learning about the environment. Make a “to do” list and make it fun! Do as many hands-on projects as you can each day to help save the earth in little ways. Have the children keep a chart or journal about everything they do. Here are some suggestions: Indoors: Read books, magazines, websites and newspapers and learn more about the earth. Conserve energy and save water by letting children find (and a parent fix) dripping faucets; only running the dishwasher when full; taking short showers; turning the water off while brushing your teeth; turning off electrical items when not in use; doing full loads of laundry only. Recycle cans, bottles and newspapers. Outdoors: Plant a tree. Plant a garden. Clean up roadside litter. Create a habitat by putting up a birdhouse. Build a compost for food scraps, leaves and lawn clippings. Save rainwater and reuse for outdoor gardens. At School: Urge teachers and […]
New Commuter Rail Cars Finally In Service
Passengers aboard three brand new commuter rail cars, which left from North Station Wednesday morning, took a ride that was five years in the making. The MBTA announced Wednesday that three of the 75 new double-decker commuter rail coaches built by Korean company Hyundai-Rotem were in service. The cars left from North Station toward Haverhill at 10:30 a.m. on April 24. “We are constantly working to bring our customers a better experience,” MBTA General Manager Beverly Scott said in a statement. “These new coaches will do just that, with a cleaner, more informed and more comfortable trip for all on board.” The coaches will service the north side of the commuter rail system before operating throughout the system in the coming weeks, according to the statement. The MBTA bought the coaches for $ 190 million in 2008, but a series of production delays held the cars up until now. Aspects of the new coaches, according to the MBTA: 55 percent more seating than single-level coaches Onboard LED displays for station announcements Larger bathrooms Improved air conditioning and air flow systems South End Patch
Yancey Running for Boston Mayor, City Council
District 4 Boston City Councilor Charles Yancey has pulled nomination papers for both the mayoral and district races. Yancey was first elected to the Boston City Council in 1983 and is the longest sitting councilor. His decision to run for both positions is not unheard of, as past candidates have done the same. Along with Yancey, some of the more noted mayoral candidates who have pulled nomination papers, according to Boston’s Election Department, include Boston District 8 City Councilor Mike Ross, Charles Clemons Jr., Will Dorcena, former state representative Althea Garrison, Barstool Sports website owner DavidPortnoy and former city councilor Gareth Saunders. If Yancey chooses to run for his current council seat, the field could be tougher than what the incumbent has experienced in past years. Already several residents have pulled nomination papers for District 4 including Roslindale’sSteven Godfrey, Mattapan’s Jerina Harris and J.R. Rucker and Terrance J. Williams, both of Dorchester. Mayoral candidates have until May 21 to submit nomination papers and need at least 3,000 certified signatures by June 25 to get on the ballot for the Sept. 24 preliminary election. A November election will feature the two candidates with the highest vote totals from the preliminary. Boston city elections are nonpartisan, meaning two Democrats, two Republicans or two Green party candidates could be finalists. South End Patch
Noire Fridays
South End Patch
Adoption of Norbert (and a companion case) (Lawyers Weekly No. 11-055-13)
NOTICE: All slip opinions and orders are subject to formal revision and are superseded by the advance sheets and bound volumes of the Official Reports. If you find a typographical error or other formal error, please notify the Reporter of Decisions, Supreme Judicial Court, John Adams Courthouse, 1 Pemberton Square, Suite 2500, Boston, MA 02108-1750; (617) 557-1030; SJCReporter@sjc.state.ma.us 12‑P‑651 Appeals Court ADOPTION OF NORBERT (and a companion case).[1] No. 12‑P‑651. Worcester. October 11, 2012. ‑ April 25, 2013. Present: Graham, Vuono, & Hanlon, JJ. Adoption, Dispensing with parent’s consent. Minor, Adoption. Parent and Child, Adoption, Dispensing with parent’s consent to adoption. Due Process of Law, Adoption. Judge. Practice, Civil, Adoption, Disqualification of judge, Questioning of witness by judge. Petitions filed in the Worcester County Division of the Juvenile Court Department on November 14, 2008, and June 30, 2010. After consolidation, the cases were heard by George F. Leary, J. Mark A. Papirio for the mother. Brian R. Pariser for Department of Children and Families. S. Michael Fournier for the children. VUONO, J. The mother appeals from decrees entered in the Juvenile Court terminating her parental rights as to her son, Norbert, and her daughter, Monica, and dispensing with her consent to their adoption.[2] She argues that the decrees should be vacated because the judge was biased and her right to due process was violated by the judge’s extensive questioning of her and other witnesses throughout the trial. We affirm. Background. Because the mother does not challenge the judge’s findings, including the ultimate finding of her parental unfitness, we provide only the necessary background. On November 14, 2008, and June 30, 2010, the Department of Children and Families (department) filed petitions alleging that Norbert and Monica were in need of care and protection. After six nonconsecutive days of trial and consideration of numerous exhibits and reports, the judge issued decrees that permanently committed the children to the custody of the department and terminated the mother’s parental rights. The judge, in his findings of fact and conclusions of law, all of which were amply supported by the evidence, found that the mother suffered from chronic untreated mental health issues and lacked insight into her parenting deficiencies. During the time the children were in the mother’s custody, they were frequently exposed to domestic violence. In addition, the mother often acted inappropriately. For example, on at least on occasion, the mother invited a stranger whom she met on a telephone date line into her home for a sexual encounter while the children were present. Furthermore, the mother missed numerous visits with her children when they were in the custody […]
Five Things, April 25: New Moms Tea and Coffee Hour
1. Weather: The National Weather Service predicts a chance of showers in the morning, which should clear up. The temperature should reach about 63. The evening will cool off to 42. 2. New Moms Tea and Coffee Hour: Join in with other neighborhood new moms for a tea and coffee hour! Hot drinks, fruit and bagels are waiting for you — never served on paper or plastic because New Moms deserve special care for all the hard work they are doing! 3. Jumpstart Your Job Search with FREE Workforce Development Training: Boston Neighborhood Network’s Free Workforce Development Training Helps Unemployed and Underemployed Residents Gain New Skills to Impress Future Employers 4. Writing in the World: A Creative Workshop for Adults: Writing in the World: A Creative Writing Workshop for Adults is aimed at beginning writers who want to experiment with poetry and short fiction. Writer and teacher Debka Colson will lead the group in discussing works by noted writers, peer review, writing exrecises, and a public reading. 5. South End Athletic Company Run Club: Fun runs from 652 Tremont St. Group drills and light workouts. South End Patch
New South End Homes For Sale This Week
More South End Real Estate Listings >> South End Patch
When Kids Don’t React to Tragedy
Never was Boston so grateful for a Monday: Back to work, back to school, back to routines, after a five-day ordeal shook the city and the world watched. Gone are most of the satellite trucks, the clusters of reporters and cameramen, the strands of law enforcement officers for every street on our normal path. By Wednesday, barricades and memorials for the victims of the April 15 bombings, bookending Boylston St., were moved and the street reopened. One week ago, my innocent concern was for the magnolias on Commonwealth Avenue, and whether they’d be at their showy peak when 23,000 marathoners rose up out of the underpass to greet the last six-tenths of their 26.2-mile race. Last year, the trees bloomed pink and white in March, and Patriots Day was really too hot for running. This past marathon morning, my children and I took a break from planting dozens of unpromising looking, dormant rhizomes in our yard, and before noon we walked over in the cool sunshine to see the first hour’s worth of finishers turn the corner onto Hereford Street. We stole some space between a police van and the fence. My little one got tired of watching, and I told the big sisters to not stay too long. They were practically standing on top of the exhaust from the van. I let out the leash a little that day and let the girls walk home on their own, for the first time for that particular route and distance. There were so many policemen around, what could happen? Racing against our own gardening fatigue, we dug dirt and forgot to track some friends’ progress, as we normally do, never returning to the course. When my daughter asked about the loud bangs, I attributed them to a lumbering truck. I gasped when I read the words “Boston bombing” for the first time that day, realizing how our city would be tied to a tragedy, as are other communities who must wear their own sad histories with words like “massacre” attached to their names. I cried when I heard the fatalities included an eight-year-old boy, as my own eight-year-old and her sisters watched their dad take my tears on his shoulder. Our family is part of school communities that actually had classes in fits and starts last week, while most children were on spring break. So on Patriots’ Day, we left the house after police started to command the streets to find an open store and buy some required supplies for school the next day. With the weight of tragedy on everyone’s minds, I felt a little guilty asking a policewoman some practical questions about […]