Nominate a South End Leader for Boston’s ‘Greenovate’ Awards
If you know of a local leader in sustainability, you have until March 29th to submit them for recognition through Boston’s annual “Greenovate” awards. The Greenovate Boston Awards recognize local sustainability leaders in three different categories: Business, residential, and sustainable food leadership. “Through Greenovate Boston, the City of Boston continues to work closely with our residents, business and institutions to make Boston the greenest city in the country,” Mayor Menino said. “I look forward every year to celebrating the impressive work of our local environmental leaders and telling their story.” Previously called the Mayor’s Green Awards, this year’s awards will reflect the adoption of Greenovate Boston, a collective movement and innovative approach to connect and motivate residents and businesses to help reach Mayor Menino’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent by 2020. Award winners will be recognized later this spring at the Greenovate Boston Forum on April 25th. “The Mayor’s Greenovate Boston Awards are just one way of recognizing and supporting our sustainability leaders,” said Brian Swett, Chief of Environment and Energy. “Greenovate Boston will further connect and engage the Boston community by creating a one-stop-shop for sustainability resources as well as a platform for empowering individuals, businesses and organizations to Greenovate throughout the community.” Last year’s award winners included The Boston Cab Association’s all hybrid fleet, 81 Brent Street in Dorchester for constructing a LEED Platinum home, Boston University’s focus on locally sourced food, and Jamaica Plain business Fresh Hair for its eco-friendly services and energy reduction steps. The CategoriesThe business awards recognize leaders from the commercial and non-profit sectors, as well as academic, cultural and healthcare institutions. Awards will be given to entities that demonstrate extraordinary performance regarding sustainability such as employee engagement, operations, renewable energy, stormwater management and innovation. The resident awards will go to Bostonians who are committed to “going green,” in their home and throughout their community. This year, awards will be given in the categories of leadership, energy, alternative transportation, green gardens and trailblazer. Nominees may be an individual, a condominium association, a residential building owner or property manager, or other organization that is responsible for residential buildings or spaces. The sustainable food awards will celebrate two leaders in the field of sustainable and healthy foods: Those who provide our community with good food and those who provide a service in the sustainable and healthy food industry. Additionally, a separate award also up for nominations is the annual Bike Friendly Business awards. Mayor Menino’s annual Bike Friendly Business Awards are also now open for nominations. These awards recognize companies that incorporate bike-friendly practices that encourage their employees or customers to ride their bikes. Gold, Silver and Bronze awards will be distributed at a special […]
Two of ‘Boston’s Finest’ Give Inside Scoop on the Show
Two of the Boston Police Department officers featured on TNT’s “Boston’s Finest” reality show executive produced by Donnie Wahlberg spoke about having cameras following them, being on television, charity work and the New Kids on the Block. Ryan Mason, 34, from West Roxbury, and Skye Robinson, 32, from Roxbury, met up with Patch at Boston Police Headquarters at the same time. Patch: What unit are you in? Mason: Fugitive Unit – citywide. I started in BPD in 2005, and started in the Fugitive Unit in 2010, before that I was in District 4 and B-3. Robinson: I’m in the Youth Violence Strike Force. On the show it’s referred to as the gang unit. I started on BPD in 2006 in C-11 (Dorchester), and started in 2010 with the Youth Violence unit. Patch: Were you given a choice to be on the show? (Laughs….) Mason: That’s a good question. We were. We weren’t completely forced into doing it. I saw it as a good opportunity to promote the two non-profits I’m involved with – Parkway in Motion, and Cops for Kids with Cancer. And TNT and Donnie (Wahlberg) have said they will include the charity work in upcoming episodes. Robinson: Yes, I was. I chose to be in it with limitations. I didn’t mind if they’re filming at work. I didn’t feel comfortable with them coming into my personal life. Patch: Why did you want to be on the show? Mason: I think our department and officers we work with across the city is one of the most philanthropical group of people i’ve seen. As much bad as we’ve seen, we see a lot of good. I don’t think there is a profession that takes care of the community more than we do on the job and outside the job. Patch: Has the show affected the way you do your job? Mason: No. People do recognize us now. But it hasn’t affected us. We’re still doing things the way we did. You do get recognized by some people in the city due to large amount of advertising done. Robinson: No, not at all. I think what the show has done has made people a little more comfortbale in speaking with you. They see you and say “Hey, Boston’s finest!” No, I just deny, “No, that’s not me.” People we are stopping for police business, the first thing is “Oh, am I going to be on ‘Boston’s Finest?’” or “I can’t believe you’re on ‘Boston’s Finest.’” Mason: The day after the premiere a woman answered the door while I was serving a warrant (for her son) and asked where the cameras […]
Remembering Boston’s Casualties of the Iraq War
By one count, the war is directly responsible for 189,000 deaths, not including those who died from hardship caused by the fighting. CNN has a stunning map of all casualties in the Afghanistan and Iraq wars. In all, 4,802 Americans and allies have died in the war, according to the Iraq Coalition Casualty Count, including 77 Massachusetts soldiers and service members. Among those lost were four people from Boston. From the CNN war casualties web site: Joan Jose Duran, 24. Duran died Aug. 10, 2007 from non-combat-related injuries. Kyran Edward Kennedy, 43. Kennedy died Nov. 7, 2003 after his helicopter was shot down in Tikrit. There were six soldiers killed in the attack. Daniel Jesus Londono, 22. Londono and two other soldiers died March 13, 2004 after their vehicle hit a roadside explosive. Gregory Anthony Wright, 28. Wright died in Muqtadya Jan. 13, 2007 after a bomb went off near his vehicle. SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch
Categories: Arrests Tags: Boston's, Casualties, Iraq, Remembering
South End’s Genuine Interactive Named One of Boston’s Fastest Growing Businesses
The South End’s Genuine Interactive has been recognized as one of the fastest growing private companies in Massachusetts by the by the Boston Business Journal. More than 20 Boston businesses are being recognized as 2013 Pacesetters this spring for being among the 70 fastest growing private companies in Massachusetts—businesses that saw the most revenue growth over the past three years, with a revenue baseline of $ 1 million. Genuine’s executive creative director and co-founder Chris Pape, said he and CEO John Grayson founded the company seven years ago with a firm grasp on innovation through collaboration for the digital market. “I wanted to ceate an agency that produced impactful digital ideas and to do that, we needed to have all of the relevant digital thinkers in the room,” he said. “It’s paid off because the work we’ve produced has been really well received, gone viral or been hugely impactful, and it’s because we’re thinking in the digital space.” Pape also said he’s honored to be surrounded by his 90 or so employees that really care about the work they do. “They care so much about the results and what we do for clients, and their work is really different and stands out,” he said. Pape said the location of the office in the South End was not by chance—he considers the South End a great place to work because of its art, culture, restaurants and overall vibe. “We try to attract a creative but also techncially savvy person, and there’s so many people like that in this neighborhood and this city, the South End just makes sense to us.” he said. “The other cool part is there so many technologically focused companies, and we like to be surrounded by innovative people.” The 2013 Pacesetters will be recognized at an April 25 event in downtown Boston. Also at the event, the BBJ will announce the name of Massachusetts’ No. 1 fastest growing company of 2013. Tickets to the event can be purchased online. The full list of Boston-based Pacesetters includes: Allston Latitude Beverage Co., 1354 Commonwealth Ave. Back Bay 360 Public Relations, 150 Clarendon St. Consumer United, 31 St. James Ave. High Street Partners, 31 St. James Ave. Wayfair.com LLC, 177 Huntingtom Ave. Beacon Hill Beacon Hill Staffing Group, 152 Bowdoin St Downtown Best Doctors Inc., 100 Federal St. Big Night Entertainment Group, 3 Boylston Place Boston Technologies Inc., 280 Summer St. Bullhorn Inc., 33-41 Farnsworth St. Daley And Associates LLC, 1 Financial Center EdgeRock Technology Partners, 260 Franklin St. Integrated Design Group, 133 Federal St. Merchant Warehouse, 1 Federal St. […]
Categories: Arrests Tags: 'Growing, Boston's, Businesses, Ends, Fastest, Genuine, Interactive, Named, South
Boston’s New Rules to Curb Aggressive Solicitors
Looking to curb aggressive public solicitors, Boston banned solicitation in places such as bus shelters, parking lots, and within 10 feet of an ATM or financial institution. Boston Mayor Thomas Menino pushed for the city’s soliticitation rules to be updated and created a task force with police, neighborhoods leaders, and emergency personnel to stop solicitors from doing things like walking up and down traffic lanes. “This measure does not (just) go after homeless people, but also aggressive solicitors,” said District 6 City Councilor Matt O’Malley, who led a recent hearing on the issue as chair of the Government Operations committee. O’Malley, as well as other city councilors, including District 8’s Mike Ross, wanted to make it clear the changes were not criminalizing panhandling or homelessness. Specifically, solicitation was banned at the following: bus shelters, bus stops, parking lots or garages, sidewalk cafes, a line waiting to be admitted to a commercial establishment, or in a crosswalk. Language was changed to also ban solitication within 10 feet of an ATM, facility entrance or exit of a bank, or check cashing business. “This isn’t a homeless matter, this is people taking advantage of a gray area of the law and asking money from every day citizens,” said Ross. “(This is) not the poor soul on the side of the street asking for funds. This is people really pushing the limit, and not asking for money, but demanding money from every day commuters… and when you say no you get asked by a second or third person…” District 4 Councilor Charles Yancey asked whether the updated ordinance bans people from handing out flyers in public, such as candidates. O’Malley said he asked the same question during a Feb. 19 hearing, and added, “This seeks to prohibit who could be someone to themselves or others, darting in and out of traffic. (This could be) people selling flowers or newspapers in between lanes, (which) would be prhobited. Handing out flyers would be allowed and protected by the freedom of speech.” Regarding the homeless, O’Malley said that Pine Street Inn personnel testified they were 100% in support of the legislation. Included in the new language is a mechanism to collect data and analysis to increase outreach to homeless and link them to non-profit partners to help them. What do you think of the crackdown on aggressive solicitors? What areas do you have problems with aggressive solicitors in the South End? Tell us in the comments. SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch
Categories: Arrests Tags: Aggressive, Boston's, Curb, Rules, Solicitors
What Did You Think of ‘Boston’s Finest?’
Editor’s note: We’ll avoid any major plot details in this post, but we can’t swear the comments will remain spoiler free. If you want to comment about specifics, please be kind and add a spoiler alert to the top line. After weeks of hype, “Bostons Finest” finally premiered Wednesday night. The TNT reality series follows Boston Police officers as they patrol the city. The show opened to strong reviews and a litany of excited tweets from the department itself. The first episode focused on a fugitive hunt in Southie and Dorchester, a melee in Hyde Park, and an officer’s bittersweet field trip to Lynn. And while other cop-based reality shows you’ve heard of focus on foot chases and shirtless arrests, “Boston’s Finest” took the time to introduce officers and tell their stories before getting into the nitty gritty of arrests and manhunts. What did you think? Were you impressed by the first episode or did you find it wanting? Does the show reflect well on Boston and its police department? Tell us what you think in the comments below. And please, flag any spoilers before you begin! South End Patch
‘Boston’s Finest’ Premieres Wednesday
TNT’s new reality show, “Boston’s Finest,” premieres Wednesday, Feb. 27 at 9 p.m. The unscripted show, which is executive produced by Donnie Wahlberg, follows the men and women of the Boston Police Department, promising “an up-close and very personal look at what it takes to protect and serve one of America’s greatest and most distinctive cities,” according to the show’s website. “Unlike many unscripted series about law enforcement, ‘Boston’s Finest’ will follow the fearless actions of the entire Boston Police Department, including beat officers, detectives, SWAT, fugitive and special task forces, as well as members of the highly decorated Gang Unit,” the TNT show description states. Some of the promotional shots from the show were filmed in Charlestown, and a few of the views shown in the video above may look familiar to local residents. So far, “Boston’s Finest” has gotten mostly positive to middling reviews. The Hollywood Reporter called the show a “well-made inside look at the Boston PD [that] will draw in fans of police procedurals.” Variety.com gave the show a B- “for effort,” saying that “‘Boston’s Finest’ fits the mold; if only the mold weren’t quite so well worn.” Media Life Magazine reports that the new show doesn’t necessarily do anything wrong but doesn’t offer anything new or creative to the genre, either. So what do you think: Does “Boston’s Finest” look like a show you’ll be tuning in to? What do you think of the above promotional video? And if this subject doesn’t do it for you, what kind of Boston-based reality show would you watch? SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch
Boston’s Parking Ban Will Be Lifted at 6 p.m. Tuesday Night
The city announced on Tuesday afternoon that due to recent strides made in snow removal from city streets, Boston’s snow emergency parking ban would be lifted at 6 p.m. Tuesday night. “Our snow removal teams did great work throughout the night last night,” Mayor Menino said. “Our crews will be out there all day and again tonight as we continue to widen roads, make our schools safe for students, and respond to residents’ concerns about residential areas.” Those who parked their cars in garages during the snow emergency have until 8 p.m. to move them before reduced rates expire. The city also announced certain streets will continue to be specified as “No Parking” while crews continue to remove snow. The mayor also announced on Tuesday that Boston Public Schools would reopen on Wednesday. Snow Removal ProgressThrough the city’s concentrated snow removal efforts on Monday night, the mayor’s office reported that 1,350 truck loads of snow were removed from roadways, and 70 streets were reached for snow removal during the overnight shift. Inspectional Services issued 350 citations between midnight and 7 a.m. for snow-related violations. The city is currently utilizing several snow farms, including at Marine Industrial Park, Reservation Road in Hyde Park and Columbus Avenue, next to 1542 Columbus. If you have snow conditions or violations to report, you can reach the mayor’s office at 617-635-4500. South End Patch