Political Agenda News Magazine MA

Boston Public Library’s Summer Reading Program Begins

Children’s programming emphasizes discovery through reading

BOSTON – May 29, 2013 – Summer reading at Boston Public Library offers programs and activities designed to inspire children’s creativity and imagination. The theme for 2013 is Dig into Reading for children up to age 12. Programs begin in June.

Boston Public Library is dedicated to providing educational programming for youth during summer months, helping keep children engaged in reading and in their communities while out of school. Summer reading programs are designed for children to have positive learning experiences and to encourage reading as a lifelong habit.

"This summer’s programming is sure to excite children with the varied offerings, which include everything from science and math programs to themed story times and garden crafts," said Jessi Snow, Youth Services Coordinator for the Boston Public Library.

Summer reading is packed with free, fun activities for children and families. Boston Public Library locations will be offering visits from Dr. Can-Do Science, the New England Aquarium, and the Museum of Science. The summer schedule includes Countdown to Kindergarten celebrations as well as visits from the ReadBoston Storymobile and the annual Read Your Way to Fenway essay contest.

Boston Public Library’s 2013 summer reading brochure is available online at www.bpl.org/summer where children can find activities just for them. Copies of the brochure are available at all library locations and at Boston Centers for Youth and Families.

The summer reading program is made possible by the Boston Public Library Foundation, John Hancock, the Red Sox Foundation, and Bill and Cheryl Swanson. "Dig into Reading" is sponsored by the Massachusetts Library System, the Boston Bruins, and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.

About BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY

Boston Public Library has a Central Library, twenty-five branches, a literacy center, map center, business library, and a website filled with digital content and services. Established in 1848, Boston Public Library has pioneered public library service in America. It was the first publicly supported municipal library in America, the first public library to lend books, the first to have a branch library, and the first to have a children’s room. Each year, the Boston Public Library hosts thousands of programs and serves millions of people. All of its programs and exhibitions are free and open to the public. At Boston Public Library, books are just the beginning. To learn more, visit www.bpl.org.

Elect Peter J. Koutoujian US Congress US Congress

Metro 

Koutoujian will run for US House if Markey wins
Senate bid

By Jim
O’Sullivan

 |  Globe Staff  

  May 24, 2013 Middlesex County Sheriff
­Peter J. Koutoujian said Thursday that he will run to succeed US Representative
Edward J. Markey if the Malden Democrat defeats Republican Gabriel E. Gomez in
the US Senate race.

Koutoujian, a Waltham Democrat appointed sheriff in 2011 after 14 years as a
state representative, would enter a thickening field that is banking on a Markey
victory opening the US House seat.

“This is the right decision for me,” Koutoujian said. “This is something that
I’ve looked at in the past. It is something about which I feel very strongly,
and I think I can bring over 20 years’ experience as a prosecutor, state
lawmaker, and sheriff.”

A former prosecutor, Koutoujian won the sheriff’s job outright in November.
On Thursday, a public relations firm said Koutoujian had opened a federal
campaign committee account, allowing him to raise money and hire campaign staff
“when appropriate.”

“I believe my stances on the issues are in line with what
the people of the Fifth Congressional District are looking for,” Koutoujian
said.

If Markey beats Gomez, a special election to fill his US House seat would
take place in the fall, state officials said. The potential field also includes
state Senators William Brownsberger of Belmont, Katherine Clark of Melrose, and
Karen Spilka of Ashland and state Representative Carl Sciortino of Medford, all
Democrats.

 

 

 

Elect Peter J. Koutoujian

for

US Congress

U.S.Representative for the 5th
Congressional
District

CHILDREN’S SCIENCE FESTIVAL COMING TO JAMAICA POND

The Boston Parks and Recreation Department’s ParkSCIENCE program is hosting a children’s science festival on Sunday, June 9, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Jamaica Pond Boathouse in Jamaica Plain.  The festival provides an entertaining way for people to come together and celebrate summer on the shores of the "jewel of the Emerald Necklace."  

Families can partake in science-related activities presented by Science from Scientists, The Nature Conservancy, and the Massachusetts Horticultural Society.  Activities will include nature scavenger hunts, pressure and physics demonstrations, a CSI corner, and other experiments and exhibits. 

Those families feeling adventurous can explore the water on discounted sailboat rides courtesy of Courageous Sailing.  If you prefer staying on land, professional actor-puppeteer Charlotte Anne Dore of Rosalita’s Puppets will put on a whimsical puppet show and children can enjoy visiting a facepainter.  In addition, Disney

•Pixar’s "Monsters University" will provide activities and giveaways.  "Monsters University" opens in theatres June 21.

ParkSCIENCE, a series of educational workshops presented in City of Boston parks, is designed to teach children that science is fun and can be experienced everywhere around them.  Interactive experiments and demonstrations challenge children's cognitive skills and invite them to ask questions, hypothesize, gather and weigh evidence, and then draw conclusions.  Due to their convenience and proximity to Boston’s children and families, our neighborhood parks are the perfect setting for this outdoor discovery series.

This program is made possible in part with funding from a Green Parks – Green Kids Grant resulting from a partnership between the National Recreation and Park Association and the National Recreation Foundation. 

For more information, call (617) 635-4505 or visit

www.cityofboston.gov/parks or www.facebook.com/bostonparksdepartment.

Malden High School Students Got Talent!

 

Malden High School student artists and their Art Teacher, Mary Ann Seager, returned to the Mayor’s Office to showcase some of their latest artwork. These works of art adorn the walls of the front office and conference room and are a continuation of the recently concluded Annual Blue and Gold Gallery. This time, the display features caricatures of political figures, including a likeness of the Mayor himself.

Mayor Gary Christenson told students how much he enjoyed displaying their work. "I continue to be impressed by the incredible talent of the young artists at our high school and I encourage anyone visiting City Hall to come by the Mayor’s Office and enjoy these works of art, too."

 

Mayor Menino Tours District Hall, City’s First Innovation Center

 

Gets update on District Hall’s progress, center will be gathering place for Boston’s innovation economy

Mayor Thomas M. Menino today gave a full progress update on Boston’s innovation center, and revealed the name of the building under construction at 75 Northern Avenue on the South Boston Waterfront. District Hall will play a central role in the social infrastructure of the growing Innovation District and will serve as a home base for entrepreneurs to make connections, build relationships, and convene programs and events.

"Cities have long built infrastructure for travel and utilities," Mayor Menino said. "But in a relationship-driven economy we’re building a new kind of infrastructure – a place to make connections and to build relationships."

The $5.5 million District Hall is the world’s first free-standing public innovation center. Tim Rowe, the CEO and founder of the Cambridge Innovation Center (CIC), and his team at non-profit sister organization, the Venture Café, will oversee daily operations, events, and programming at the building.

"Vibrant communities of innovation, such as the one we are helping to build at District Hall, are fundamental to helping unleash and maximize the potential of individual creativity. We are honored that Mayor Menino invited us to be part of this public-private partnership that embodies the intrinsic belief that innovation is core to the health and continued renewal of our economy," said Tim Rowe, Founder and CEO, Cambridge Innovation Center. "This novel approach to promoting and fostering collaboration to create new solutions, new businesses and new industries will only further the City of Boston’s role as a global leader in solving the world’s greatest challenges through innovation."

The Mayor and Tim also announced some early activities and partnerships that will take place in District Hall this summer, including Mobile Monday Boston, the largest gathering of startups and entrepreneur in the mobile technology space; LearnLaunchX, a series of meetups for startups working on the educational technology space; and Boston Startup Institute, an entrepreneurship training program for high school students. In total, more than 50 groups and organizations have inquired about using the space.

The one-story, 12,000 square foot building includes 9,000 square feet of space that will be outfitted with vital assets to innovation companies, like modular meeting and event spaces, and short term space for start-up labs. District Hall will also include a 3,000 square foot restaurant and test kitchen to be operated by The Briar Group. The restaurant will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner, and is slated to open in fall 2013.

District Hall will open in mid-June with limited programming through the summer, ramping up for a large launch and full opening event this fall. The building’s development team includes Boston Global Investors and Morgan Stanley, contractor John Moriarty & Associates, and architect Hacin & Associates.

Mayor Menino Announces Increase In Homeland Security Funding

 

$17.5 million represents 60% increase over 2012

Mayor Thomas M. Menino today announced the City of Boston will receive $17.5 million in grant funding from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency to support ongoing and future homeland security initiatives. The funding represents a 60% increase over the City’s $10.8 million award in 2012.

"Following the tragic events of Marathon Monday, we have shown the world that we are a resilient city," Mayor Menino said. "With this grant, the Department of Homeland Security has reaffirmed its commitment to assist us in protecting our residents and businesses. We will use this funding to ensure Boston continues to be prepared to respond to any threat, from terrorist attack to natural disaster, which would attempt to test our resilience and resolve."

Past funding has supported a range of initiatives, including Urban Shield Boston - the largest first-responder exercise conducted in New England and the cornerstone of the Metro Boston Homeland Security Region (MBHSR) training and exercise program. Urban Shield is a continuous 24-hour exercise, during which first responders are deployed to and rotated through various training scenarios. The goal of Urban Shield is to test and evaluate specific public safety capabilities that have been developed, or enhanced, with the investment of funds received through the UASI grant program. Urban Shield Boston was last held in November 2012 and involved more than 1,800 emergency response personnel from more than 50 local, state and federal agencies.

In 2003, the City of Boston was designated as an Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) site. Mayor Thomas Menino partnered with eight surrounding jurisdictions – Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Quincy, Revere, Somerville, and Winthrop – to form the Metro Boston Homeland Security Region (MBHSR). The Mayor’s Office of Emergency Management (OEM) coordinates and administers the UASI grant program on behalf of the MBHSR.

The UASI program provides financial assistance to address the unique multi-discipline planning, organization, equipment, training and exercise needs of high-threat, high-density Urban Areas, and assists them in building capabilities to prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from threats or acts of terrorism. As one of these most densely populated regions in the country, this money is vital to continue sustaining and developing Boston’s first responder’s capabilities.

In November, Boston’s Emergency Management Program received full accreditation from the Emergency Management Accreditation Program (EMAP), making Boston only one of four accredited cities, and 42 accredited programs nationwide, most of which are states or counties.

For more information on the Federal Emergency Management Agency's grant programs, please visit www.fema.gov/grants.

Dogs on Ducks With Boston Duck Tours

 

DOGS ON DUCKS!
Feel good story: Service dogs in
training
to ride Boston Duck Tour

 

Boston, MA, 5-22-2013 – NEADS/Dogs for Deaf and Disabled Americans, a
Princeton, Massachusetts-based nonprofit organization, will be visiting their
Boston partner, The Boston Duck Tours for a duck boat tour and bringing service
dogs in training.

The Boston Duck Tours is a lead donor to the NEADS Pawsitively Strong fund, a
fund that will provide service dogs to victims of the Boston marathon bombings
at no cost. In addition, Boston Duck Tours is partnering with NEADS’ Canines for
Combat Veterans Program in the sale of their camouflage rubber ducks.

NEADS CEO Gerry DeRoche explains, "Our new partnership with the Boston Duck
Tours is valuable in so many ways, not least of which is that it helps us
acclimate the dogs to an unusual environment, which is vital for the
socialization of our extraordinarily well-trained dogs."

The service dogs in training will ride from the Museum of Science departure
location at noon on May 22. We invite the press to meet the dogs prior to the
duckboat’s departure at 11am.

NEADS/Dogs for Deaf and Disabled Americans is a
Massachusetts-based non-profit organization celebrating more than 35 years of
helping adults and children who are deaf or physically disabled. Our highly
trained canines enable people to live more independently and with a greater
degree of mobility.

 

CONTACT: Cathy Zemaitis NEADS/Dogs for Deaf and Disabled
Americans 978-422-9064 ext 36 czemaitis@neads.org www.neads.org

 

 

Mayor Menino and Secretary of Homeland Security Napolitano Celebrate Five-Year Anniversary of Medical Intelligence Center

 

Staff honored today for
their support of Marathon survivors and families

 

This morning, the Stephen M. Lawlor Medical Intelligence
Center recognized its five-year anniversary, a cause for celebration after what
had been one of the busiest and most meaningful months of work in its brief
history. Immediately following the tragic events of the Boston Marathon, the
Medical Intelligence Center, operated by the Boston Public Health Commission’s
Office of Public Health Preparedness, mobilized to assist hundreds of survivors
and their families by connecting them to supportive services and resources, such
as mental health counseling and free physical therapy being offered by a
community partner. The center’s staff was honored for their tireless efforts
today by Dr. Barbara Ferrer, executive director of BPHC, and Secretary of
Homeland Security Janet Napolitano.

 

“The spirit of community and togetherness has defined
Boston’s response this past month under extremely trying circumstances, and one
the Medical Intelligence Center has always represented,” Mayor Menino said. 
“I’m thankful for what the staff there does day in and day out to make sure that
our city is prepared to respond to all kinds of emergencies.  I’m also proud of
the strong partnerships we have at the federal level to make sure emergency
preparedness efforts are well funded in Boston.”

 

“In the face of tragedy, the Boston community came together
in a very special way, showing not just America – but the world – how a great
city responds quickly, effectively, and comprehensively to an act of terrorism,”
said Secretary Napolitano. “I want to recognize the outstanding work of the
Boston Medical Intelligence Center, a state-of-the-art communications and
information sharing facility supported by DHS grant programs that brings
together partners from across the public health community to support the
response to large-scale incidents. As always, DHS remains firmly committed to
working with our partners here in Boston and across the Commonwealth to further
enhance emergency response capabilities.”

 

The Medical Intelligence Center, or MIC, which often operates
under the radar to those outside of the medical and public health community, is
a state-of-the art communications and information sharing facility.  When
activated, it allows first responder agencies, hospitals, public health
departments, community health centers, long-term care facilities, other
government agencies, and private partners to work collaboratively in response to
large-scale incidents and emergencies.  The MIC is a key component of Boston’s
overall preparedness efforts, as it collects and disseminates information during
everything from weather emergencies to planned public events like the Marathon,
First Night and July 4th festivities.  The center can be staffed either
physically or virtually depending upon the severity of the incident at
hand.

 

The Office of Public Health Preparedness built the policies
and procedures for the MIC based on input from the Boston Healthcare
Preparedness Coalition, which brings together public health, EMS. hospitals,
community health centers, long-term care, home health, dialysis centers, and
mental health partners in the greater Boston area.  These partners come together
to continually enhance public health and medical preparedness for response and
recovery through emergency planning, trainings, drills and exercises,
evaluations, and improvement planning. 

 

The family of Stephen M. Lawlor, the late Boston EMS deputy
superintendent after whom the MIC is named, joined city officials and partners
to celebrate the occasion.  A 27-year veteran of Boston EMS, Lawlor died of
cancer in 2005, but during his career, he was instrumental in planning for
several of Boston’s high-profile events.  Dr. Ferrer and Boston EMS Chief James
Hooley presented a plaque to the family in Stephen’s honor.

 

“When the MIC first opened, some might have wondered how much
of an impact it could have on the health of our city, but five years later its
success is clear,” said Dr. Ferrer.  “Whether staff there are responding to a
snow emergency, a flu outbreak, or helping assist survivors after an unthinkable
terrorist attack, they always step up to serve the people of Boston and
beyond.”

 

This morning’s event also marked the ten-year anniversary of
the DelValle Institute for Emergency Preparedness, another program of the Boston
Public Health Commission.  The Institute was founded in 2003 and named in honor
of Manuel DelValle, Jr.  A firefighter with the FDNY, Manuel was killed while
responding to the September 11th terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. 
He was the stepson of Dr. Peter Moyer, former Medical Director for Boston’s
public safety agencies.  Dr. Moyer and the DelValle family also received a
plaque from Dr. Ferrer and Chief Hooley commemorating the
occasion.

 

Informed by the risks posed from threats, vulnerabilities,
and public health and safety concerns associated with disasters, DelValle
provides high-quality all-hazards training and exercises to enhance skill-based
preparedness.  The Office of Public Health Preparedness works closely with
Boston EMS to ensure that DelValle’s offerings are relevant to healthcare
institutions, public safety agencies, and community and private sector
partners.  In total, over 28,000 people throughout the greater Boston region
have received training or education through DelValle.

Mayor Menino Announces New Tradition and Full Slate of Events for Memorial Day Weekend

Introducing "Remembrance 2013: A Musical Tribute to Our Fallen Heroes"

Mayor Thomas M. Menino and Veterans Services Commissioner Francisco Ureña today announced a new Memorial Day tradition for the city of Boston in the form of an outdoor concert titled Remembrance: A Musical Tribute to Our Fallen Heroes.

"Memorial Day is about honoring those who served and gave their lives for our freedom, and I am proud to introduce this moving musical tribute," Mayor Menino said. "I encourage everyone to come out on Monday evening and take part in this wonderful event."

This one-hour tribute will be held at Christopher Columbus Park along Atlantic Avenue from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., on Monday, May 27.

Remembrance 2013

will replace the venerable 66-year tradition of holding a City service at McGillivray Park in the Fens. This year in collaboration with the Marriott Long Wharf, Boston Parks and Recreation and the non-profit organization Military Friends, the concert and memorial service will take place at sunset on the waterfront, with musical performances by the Metropolitan Wind Symphony and the Boston City Singers.

The event will begin with a procession by WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, and Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom veterans. It will also feature appearances by: several Boston-area color guards; Massachusetts Militia Revolutionary War Reenactors; Company A of the 54th Massachusetts Regiment Civil War Reenactors; Special guest, USS West Virginia, Pear Harbor survivor Bill Keefe; and Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Colman Nee.

"This ceremony and musical tribute is an opportunity for the citizens of Boston to honor its military heritage and its veterans, young and old," said Commissioner Ureña, who is a Marine veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom and recipient of the Purple Heart. "The City and its partner agencies came together late last year, agreeing that something new was needed to honor our veterans on Memorial Day, and this is the result of much hard work and teamwork."

Remembrance 2013

is free and open to the public. Attendees are allowed and urged to bring their lawn chairs. Public transportation is highly recommended via MBTA Blue Line, Aquarium stop. Parking is available at the Boston Harbor Garage.

Remembrance 2013

is the last event in a slate of Memorial Day Observances going on around the City this weekend, including:

· Thursday, May 23 – Massachusetts Military Heroes Fund service for the fallen, 10:30 a.m., Soldiers and Sailors Monument on Boston Common

· Sunday, May 26 – Memorial Day Ceremony, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Mount Hope Cemetery, 355 Walk Will St., Mattapan (Hosted by City of Boston's Veteran’s Services, in conjunction with the American Legion, AMVETS, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and other veterans’ organizations)

· Monday, May 27 -- Hyde Park Events -- 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. beginning with a service at Fogg-Roberts American Legion Post 78, 56 Harvard avenue, followed by a march to a Mass at Most Precious Blood Parish at 43 Maple Street, followed by a tour of Hyde Park Hero Squares, ending with a procession to the Civil War Memorial at Fairview Cemetery for closing ceremonies.

· Monday, May 27 -- Gardens at Gethsemane 45^{th Annual Memorial day Service, 9:30 a.m., 670 Baker St., West Roxbury}

· Monday, May 27 – Memorial Day Service , 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Evergreen Cemetery, 2060 Commonwealth Ave., Brighton.

For more information on all events please visit

^{http://www.facebook.com/BostonVets or http://www.cityofboston.gov/veterans/ or call 617-635-3026.}

Mayor Menino Announces New Public Safety Strategies for Summer

 

 

WHEN:         
TODAY – Thursday, May
23

                    12:30
p.m.

 

WHERE:      
Eagle Room, 5^th floor, City Hall

 

WHO: 

• Mayor Thomas
  M. Menino
• Boston Police
  Commissioner Edward F. Davis
• Boston Public
  Health Commissioner Dr. Barbara Ferrer
• Chief of Human
  Services and Executive Director of Boston Centers for Youth & Family Daphne
  Griffin

 

 

WHAT:          Mayor Menino will join
his summer safety team to announce a comprehensive, proactive violence
prevention strategy as summer approaches. A cross-City collaboration, the

strategy will emphasize “more”: more outreach, more engagement, more
officers, more collaboration and more
technology.