« October 2013 | Main | December 2013 »
Posted at 12:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
City jumps from 10th to 7th most walkable city in nation; Alsolands rank of 9th for most transit-friendly city
SOMERVILLE – According to 2014 national Walk Score ratings, Somerville is now the 7th most walkable city and the 9th most transit-friendly city in the nation, regardless of population size. The new scores released in November reflect Somerville’s continued climb up thewalkability charts, with the city rising three spots from number 10 last year to number 7 in the latest rankings—and with new Orange and Green Line MBTA stops on the horizon, the outlook is good for an ever higher transit-friendly score in the future as well.
Walkscore’s city page features scores for cities with populations above250,000, but when all of the 2,978 cities ranked are considered,Somerville comes in as the 7th most walkable city in the nation just behind New York City (5th) and Cambridge, MA, (6th) (instructions for viewing scores below). Meanwhile, an analysis of the most recent Census datareveals that 12.5 percent of Somerville residents walk to work, the 11thhighest percentage in the U.S. For transit, Somerville is ranked 9th in the nation according to Walk Score, and the latest Census data shows that 30.4 percent of residents take transit to work, the 7th highest percentage in the U.S.
Walk Score’s 2014 ranking marks the first time that the company used its new Street Smart Walk Score algorithm, calculating the Walk Score of every city block by analyzing walking routes, nearby amenities and pedestrian friendliness.
“It’s no surprise that Walk Score rates Somerville so highly under its improved methodology. As we’ve stated from day one—based on what the community has told us they value—we’re committed to making Somerville more walkable, bikeable and transit-oriented,” said Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone. “It’s all about supporting an active lifestyle, building community and creating a sense of place. When we build crosswalks, inviting streetscapes, and bike routes, we’re creating urban rooms—active streetscapes supported by an active daytime population that support a resilient, self-sufficient economic base for our city. A walkable city means that residents can get their daily needs in their neighborhood without ever getting in a car, that local businesses get the foot traffic that’s essential for them to thrive, and that outside businesses want to invest here when they see a vibrant, active city with bustling streets.”
During Mayor Curtatone’s administration, the City of Somerville hascommitted to creating the most walkable, bikeable and transit-oriented city in the country. In the last three years, the City has updated or added pedestrian safety infrastructure such as street trees, curb bump-outs and ADA-accessible ramps, and begun work on the extension of the Somerville Community Path from its current end at Cedar Street to Lowell Street, with the City strongly advocating for the Path’s future extension to Boston. Under the new Neighborhood Street Reconstruction Program the City will use a data-driven methodology to improve street accessibility and safety for all users, balance transportation choices and foster a sense of community through smart design.
Somerville is also on the verge of a tremendous expansion of public transportation with the Assembly Square Orange Line stop scheduled to open in 2014 and the second phase of the Green Line Extension now funded, with the first two stops in Union Square and Brickbottomscheduled to open in 2017. The City continues to work collaboratively with residents, businesses and all stakeholders in achieving the goals outlined in the 20-year comprehensive SomerVision plan in building communities around these investments, through programs and initiatives such as the Somerville by Design series that create a consensus around the community’s vision.
The new Walk Score rankings come on the heels of The National Association of City Transportation Officials (NATCO) adding the City of Somerville to its prestigious affiliate member list, which includes just 18 member cities and 12 affiliate members nationwide. NACTO officials lauded Somerville for its commitment “to sustainable transportation initiatives, aiming to strengthen cities and improve quality of life through better street design and transportation policy.” Somerville was alsorecently recognized by the League of American Cyclists with a Silver level Bicycle Friendly Community Award, recognizing a significant step up from Bronze in only two years.
Posted at 03:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Posted at 03:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Mayor Carlo DeMaria and the City of Everett would like to invite all residents to the Annual Human Services Holiday Fundraiser on Tuesday, December 3rd from 5:00 to 8:00PM at the 8/10 Bar & Grille. Donations of checks or gift cards to local area stores and supermarkets will be collected for the Office of Human Services’ Emergency Services and Holiday Assistance programs.
Each year the Office of Human Services, along with the Council on Aging, provide assistance to well over 500 local families. Some examples of the services provided throughout the year include fuel and heating assistance, the prevention of utility shut-offs and evictions, holiday meals, and Christmas gifts for children. Due to the current economic climate, requests for assistance have grown again this year, while the number of agencies offering assistance has been reduced. The generous support from local businesses and residents is what allows Everett to continue to provide support to the hundreds of local families, children, and seniors in need.
“Everett is such a strong community,” states Mayor DeMaria, “filled with compassionate and caring people - and it really shows during the holiday season. Every year City officials, businesses, and residents alike join together and support our Office of Human Services. These donations are a true example of the spirit of the season and of what the holidays should be about – giving, sharing, and helping those in need. So please, join us at this year’s Fundraiser, make a donation, and celebrate all that is Everett.”
For more information contact the Office of Human Services at 617.394.2260.
Posted at 03:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Posted at 03:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Posted at 03:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Posted at 05:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
The City of Cambridge will be holding a series of free Walk-In Informational Sessions on affordable rental and homeownership programs at different locations in the coming months. The next session will be held Monday, Nov. 18, from 6-8 p.m., at the North Cambridge Senior Center, 2050 Massachusetts Ave.
Housing personnel from the Community Development Department will be available to discuss the city’s affordable rental and homeownership programs.
For more information, please contact us at 617-349-4622.
Posted at 05:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Shaw’s, Stop & Shop, and Dudley Square’s Tropical Foods to display “Rethink Your Drink” signage in stores and circulars
Mayor Thomas M. Menino today announced a partnership with Shaw’s & Star Market, Stop & Shop, and Dudley Square’s Tropical Foods to help educate shoppers about healthy beverage options in supermarkets across Boston. The effort is perhaps the first time that a major city and local supermarkets have come together to promote healthy beverages, such as water, seltzer, and low-fat milk. Today’s announcement builds on Mayor Menino’s leadership in raising awareness about the negative health impacts of consuming too many sugar-sweetened beverages. The participating grocers will display signage from the city’s “Rethink Your Drink” campaign in their stores and weekly circulars for at least the next six months.
“In Boston, we’re always striving to make the healthy choice the easy choice,” Mayor Menino said. “We were an example for other major cities when it came to eliminating food deserts and increasing access to fresh, healthy options. I want to thank Shaw’s, Stop & Shop, and Tropical Foods for stepping up and being great examples for how we can continue to work together to create healthier communities.”
The Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) and Harvard School of Public Health’s Prevention Research Center will evaluate whether the effort changes consumer behavior and results in healthier shopping habits. The 15 participating supermarkets account for a large majority of Boston’s full-sized grocery stores, meaning that tens of thousands of shoppers will see the messaging.
“We’re always happy to work with Mayor Menino when it comes to promoting the city’s health,” said Ronn Garry Jr, President of Tropical Foods. “This campaign gives our customers easy access to information to help them live healthier lives, and it reflects the growing trend for choosing beverages with less sugar.”
The stores will implement a variety of strategies to promote healthy beverages. Starting today, the participating supermarkets will begin running Rethink Your Drink advertisements in their weekly circulars in Boston in addition to making in-store changes, such as displaying the signage in beverage aisles and reconfiguring front-end and point of purchase displays to highlight healthy options. Upcoming billboards and advertisements in community newspapers will help to reinforce the campaign’s message.
“At Shaw’s and Star Market, we want consumers to have as much information as possible so they can make the shopping decisions that are best for them,” said Shane Sampson, president, Shaw’s & Star Market. “Parents are making a lot of decisions when they’re doing their weekly shopping, and having a quick way to discern which drink choices are the best for their children can help to create a more healthy population in the long run. We are happy to work with Mayor Menino in support of this educational awareness program.”
Rethink Your Drink is based on a color-coding system that makes it easy for consumers to understand how healthy or unhealthy different beverages are. Posters featuring a traffic light symbol categorize drinks as red, yellow, or green. “Green” beverages, such as water, seltzer, and low-fat milks are the healthiest options, while “yellow” beverages like diet sodas, iced teas, 100 percent juices, and low-calorie sports drinks should be consumed only occasionally. Health officials suggest that “red” beverages, such as non-diet sodas, energy drinks, and juices with added sugar, be consumed rarely, if at all.
There is a growing base of evidence to show that color-coded systems such as Rethink Your Drink can be more effective than standard nutritional labeling or calorie counts in helping customers understand their purchases. Massachusetts General Hospital, for example, began color-coding food items in their cafeteria to reflect their nutritional value in 2010. A recent study by researchers there indicated that the system led to increased sales of “green” items and decreased sales of “red” items.
The Mayor originally launched the Rethink Your Drink campaign in 2011. Since then, schools, community centers, libraries, and many hospitals around the city have used the posters and informational brochures to educate the public. Earlier this year, BPHC and Health Care Without Harm were honored with a Model Practice Award from the National Association of County and City Health Officials for a collaboration with ten Boston hospitals to reduce sugar sweetened beverage consumption.
The collaboration with supermarkets is one part of a larger work plan for the $4.6 million REACH (Racial and Ethnic Approaches to Community Health) grant that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention awarded the City of Boston last year. The goal of the project is to develop strategies that reduce rates of obesity and hypertension among Black and Latino residents in Boston.
Posted at 05:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Mayor Menino Rolls out Plans for 2013 Celebration
Mayor Thomas M. Menino today unveiled program highlights for this year’s First Night Boston celebration, presented by the City of Boston and presenting partner The Highland Street Foundation. The day-long festival of art, music, dance, sculpture and fireworks will take place once again on December 31. Several corporate partners have come forward to ensure First Night festivities continue.
“First Night has its roots in Boston and keeping this tradition alive is so important to our City. It’s a day that welcomes children, families and visitors from all over the region to celebrate our cultural community,” Mayor Menino said. “We’ve got a great line-up to announce today, and will have many more exciting announcements as we draw closer to the 31st.”
All First Night outdoor events will be free, and admission to indoor events will require the purchase of a First Night button. Buttons will cost $10 (children under 4 admitted free) and will be available starting in late November at participating Boston-area CVS Stores. For a complete list of advance sale locations or to buy buttons online, visitwww.firstnightboston.org. Starting on November 29, a new button benefit will be announced daily on Twitter, via @FirstNight.
Featured First Night Boston performances and activities will include:
· Boston Family Fireworks at 7 PM on Boston Common presented by The Mugar Foundation and Boston 4 Productions;
· Midnight Harbor Fireworkspresented by State Street Bank;
· Ice sculpturesalong the Grand Procession route and at Copley Square and other locations throughout the city;
· The Bank of America Grand Procession, bringing new participation from The Gay Pride Parade, marching bands, art cars, and ringing in the new year in a bigger and brighter display than ever before;
· Family Festival at the Hynes Convention Center,featuring headliners Dan Zanes & Elizabeth Mitchell with You Are My Flower, an all-day Puppet Festival presented by the Puppet Showplace Theatre, bicycle and trampoline stunts and much more;
· Astunning projected animation and video installation by Peter Berdovsky - ZebblerStudios that will transform the façade of the Boston Public Library beginning at dusk and culminate in a 10 minute countdown-to-midnight;
· Live Musical Performancesby Patti Smith and Her Band, Blind Boys of Alabama, Dean Wareham, Anais Mitchell, Sierra Hull, Family, Dan Zanes & Elizabeth Mitchell with You Are My Flower, Gentlemen Hall, Harrison Quintet;
· A live WGBH “Toast of the Nation” broadcast;
· And much more!
“Highland Street is proud to partner with Mayor Menino to continue the time honored tradition of First Night in the City of Boston,” said Blake Jordan, executive director of The Highland Street Foundation. “We’re looking forward to a special celebration with children, families and all First Night participants.”
In addition to generous support from presenting partner The Highland Street Foundation, major event sponsors include Bank of America, Liberty Mutual, State Street Bank, the Riley Foundation, the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority, The Mugar Foundation and Boston 4 Productions.
First Night Boston is the country’s oldest and largest New Year’s arts celebration. Founded in 1976, First Night was started by artists who sought an alternative to traditional New Year’s Eve revelry. The celebration has grown from a small arts event centered on the Boston Common to an arts organization that showcases work by local, national and international artists.
First Night attracts crowds greater than 1,000,000, and generates an estimated $47 million in revenue in the City of Boston. The concept that originated in Boston 38 years ago has served as a model for more than 200 similar celebrations worldwide.
Posted at 05:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)