Allston-Bri ton Volume 6, Number 8 February 20, 1992 © 1992 Brighton Messenger Publishing Corp. 50¢ -·-··a· : ·._:... _t::::::: o:.··::::::.::;:,:_·_··n··::. .. : d···· ·a· ··· ... m··>::· :\i·\:::·::r·_. State of the Union •· ( .. ·• : .. /• : . < • Union Sq. Nursing Center to strike if demands not met 'Tm from this neighborhood," said nursing assistant nation By Linda Rosencrance Billie Owen, who works the 11 p.m. to 7 a.m. shifL "And in the last year-and-a-half I ~ve seen conditions at this nursing Employees of the Union Square Nursing Center (USNC) home go downhill. They've promised us raises, but we Public-<· health commissioner have voted unanimously to walk out of their jobs on Feb. 29· never see them. Management just keeps asking us to do wants condoms for high if management does not agree to union demands by that .. ··- ~~ date. Continued on page 21 schoolers By.Linda Rosencrance The city's public health commissioner bas urged that condoms be made available to Boston high school students beginning in September. Health ·and Hospitals Commissioner Judith Kurland made her recommendations based on the recent alarming trends in teenage AIDS. Citing surveys indicating half of the city's public high school students are already sexually active, Kurland said a national epidemic of sexually transmitted diseases-which is targeting minority teenagers in particular·- bas the potential to create a AIDS crisis among Boston teenagers. According to a Bo'Ston Globe report, observers feel that Kurland's draft report, released on Sun­ day, will probably lead to intense debate among parents and educators as well as pressure Mayor Raymond Flynn, who has opposed distribution in the city's public schools. Bleeding heart! Workers at the Union Square Nursing Center sent a clear message to its administrator Linda On Monday AIDS activists and members of the Benson -- We want our raises, not more stabs in our hearts. Citywide Paretns Council called on Flynn to accept D0ruk .Szabo photo Continued on page 21 Following the tracks Removal of trolley tracks delayed until environmental impact report move forward with plans to remove the By Linda Rosencrance tracks they must complete a review process outlined by the Massachusetts Environmen­ An MBT A plan to remove the trolley tal Policy Act (MEPA), which states "the tracks from Watertown Square to Packard abandonment of an existing rapid transit Square will have to wait until the state has line requires the preparation of an Environ­ evaluated the potential environmental im­ mental Notification Form (ENF) and Envi­ pact of the project. ronmental Impact Report (EIR). In a letter dated Dec. 23, 1991, Janet According to McCabe the MBTA is, at McCabe, assistant secretary of the execu­ minimum, required to file the ENF, a short tiveoffice ofenvironmental affairs (EOEA), Untracked: plans to remove the trolley tracks which run from Watertown Square to Packard Square in Allston have hit another snag. informed MBT A officials that before they Continued on page 12 Derek Szabo photo I come in peace A-B resident El-Salvador bound I N I D on mission of peace find out what we can do to help this village By Linda Rosencrance L--~~_T_. h_e_J_o_u_r_na_l~~~~r grow and prosper," she said. "And we also want to show support from their Sister City, On March 14 local resident Janice ~ Cambridge." Turikain will be traveling to San Jose Las Veronica Smith Senior Center • Page 2 Turikain, 42, will be traveling as part of Flores, El Salvador to help the people of that village cope with their new-found peace. alO-member delegation representing the Cambridge-El Salvador Sister City Project, Board Talk • Page 3 "On Feb. 1, El Salvador's 10-year .civil war was officially over," said Turikain, an a branch of a national organization commit­ ted to helping people in need in other coun­ Legal's Neighborhood Face • Page 4 orthopedic nurse at a Boston area hospital. tries. "We're going down there to see how the Community Calendar • Page 15 village is doing in view of this peace and to Continued on page 12 Page 2 The Journal February 20, 1992 254-4454 Barbara & George Sawin • Serving the Boston Area • Specializing in Custom More than just a senior center Dried & Decorative .Arrangements .r ·Weddings By Linda Rosencrance ~ y .• Sy~pathy Tributes s awin ~J[onst all major The Veronica B. Smith l'v1ulti-Service Senior Center is credit cards not just for seniors anymore. 238 Faneull Street, Brighton . by phone "We like Lo think of ourselves as a focal point for the entire community," said Executive Director Christopher Rockett. "We offer so much and we'reagreatresource [for people who have questions about dealing with older family members]." BROOKLINE REo CAB The Senior Center, which celebrated its 10th anniver­ sary last year, was founded in 1981 by Ronnie Smith, a Grea ter Bos ton~ largest Suburban Fleet And Lowest Suburban Rates local activist who recognized the need Lo coordinate senior Veronica B. Smith Multi-Service Senior Center in Serving services in the Allston-Brighton community. Allston •Allston •Brighton •Brookline The center, originally named the Allston-Brighton Se­ Derek Szabo photo nior Center, was renamed in honor of Smith in 1985, • Back Bay • Beacon Hill • South End we're beginning a Book Club, which will be run by a and the Hospitals shortly before she lost her battle with a terminal illness. Boston University student," she said. "During this time Located at 20 Chestnut Hill Ave., the recently reno­ members can share their opinions about various books that · Don't Pay vated and completely handicapped-accessible Senior Cen­ they'veread. We'realso trying tostartalocalchapterofthe More! SAVE ter offers a variety of programs to meet the needs of senior AARP (American Association of Retired People) and as citizens in the A-B area. Call RED CAB's well as a garden club." During the month of .March, for example, members of 24-Hour Service Hollum-l'v1cLaughlin said she is hoping to start a sports the center can participate in such programs such as swim­ 734-5000 ming (at the local Yl'v1CA), painting, crocheting, bowling program - like something during baseball season - for older males. (at the Kenmore Bowling Lanes), crafts, sewing, line "l'v1ore women take advantage of our programs than dancing and the ever popular bingo. males," she said. "Women just seem to have an easier time Health maintenance programs, like free weekly blood joining groups. And, in addition, statistics show that women A SEED NEEDS WATER TO GROW 'I pressure screenings, eye, ear and podiatry screenings and outlive men. In the Allston-Brighton area, there are 5,700 Kumon cares as muc h as you do a bout your· flu shots, usually offered in conjunction with St. Elizabeth's children's e ducation. Secure your children's edu­ women over 65 and only 3,000 men." Hospital, are also part of the center's varied activities. cationa l future with a firm gras p of mathematics. The center, a private, non-profit agency, is funded The Senior Center also offers a wide range of social With our forty years of'SUccess, the Kumon method has gainC<I primarily by federal and city grants and staffed mainly by intcI1U1tional prominence. Currently 1,700,000 students services including special seminars and workshops on worldwide are enrollC<I in Kumon, which makes it the volunteers. legal issues and government health benefits programs and largest after school program in the world. One of the center's volunteers, information and referral K umon offers a self-paced, extensive daily information and referral services. specialist Jessie Salvucci, is this year's Allston and Brighton individual study method to help develop It also offers comprehensive and coordinated programs your children's potential while building a Boards of Trade's (ABBT) Community Service Award designed to reach those elders in the greatest economic and strong fowidation. The rewards of winner. The award will be presented at the ABBT' annual Kumon reach far beyond math social need. Thecenterofferson-site beginner and interme­ s excellcnce-Kumon improves study breakfast, Feb. 25, at the Guest Quarters Suite Hotel. diate English as a Second Language classes that serve habits, enhances concentration and promotes self-confidence. Salvucci responsibilities run the gamut from answering Let your children grow with our proud Kumon family. Enroll in Kumon Asian, Hispanic and Russian seniors. the phones to baking for the center's monthly birthday now and help your children make a new year resolution and a great A hot lunch is also served weekdays from noon to 1 p.m. beginning. A Newton/Rte. 128 1117-244-9540 parties. She also oversees many of the center's activities Donation is $ 1, but no one is ever turned away for lack of ~ Westborough SOS-898-2514 and helps locate information and additional assistance for 1117-864-5871 money. the seniors. 508-371-2362 'Tm always looking for new classes to offer," said _rL~ 617-277-8877 gg:. 508-653-5262 Program Director l'v1illie Hollum-l'v1cLaughlin. ''This month Continued on page 3 ~.:.. ...,._ .,..,., ~ NaUck 508-653-5262 Love Kids? Good in math! Boston 1117-423-2622 We Wan t You ! Newton/Chestnut llill 617-965-8847 For olher locations call: ~ KUMQN 1-800-628-4284 Ask for Peter ..... ......,,__, ....run New Franchise opportunity available I· ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~- ~NTERNATIONAL PIZZA-~ SUBSl LOTTERY 136 Harvard Ave., Allston I PHILADElP-HIA:"<:.. Sponsored by Dorr's Liquor Mart 1 ~~783-5830 I STEAK & HOGIE "Home Of The Original Philadelphia Cheese Steak" Daily Numbers: FREE FREE PIZZA DELIVERY Buy Any Large Pizza Get Saturday, Feb. 15: 7021 OPEN 7 DAYS • 11 :00 om - 10:00 pm Friday, Feb.