1 MAY 17, 2018 PUBLISHED EVERY OTHER THURSDAY BOOK YOUR POST IT Call Your Advertising Rep TT HEHE NN OROR TT HH EE NN DD (781)485-0588 EMAIL: [email protected] WWW.NORTHENDREGIONALREVIEW.COM [email protected] RREGIOEGIONNALAL RREVIEWEVIEW REP. MICHLEWITZ ENDORSES GREG HENNING FOR SUFFOLK COUNTY DA City launches youth/young adult homelessness plan By Phil Orlandella bility. “Our city is taking the crit- Rising to the Challenge: ical first steps in ending home- Ending Youth and Young Adults lessness,” Mayor Martin Walsh Homelessness in the city, a com- said. “Board members and their munity planning process cen- peers have important stories to tered around preventing and tell us and will contribute so hopefully ending homelessness much to the creation of this among unaccompanied people, plan.” has been launched by members Rising to the Challenge of the City of Boston’s Youth gathered community partners Action Board. to develop and launch the first The Board is the City’s con- draft of this comprehensive plan sumer advisory group of youth that is geared to put youth on and young adults who have cur- pathways toward stable hous- rent or former experience with ing. homelessness or housing insta- Joanne Hayes-Rines honored A campaign fundraiser was held for Suffolk County District Attorney candidate Greg Henning at Artu in by Residents’ Association the North End. Highlighting the well-attended event was Rep. Aaron Michlewitz’s announcement that he of Christopher Columbus Park has endorsed Greg Henning in the race for the DA’s position. Pictured outside Artu are, from left, Suffolk By Matt Conti (FOCCP), often referred to as University Vice President John Nucci, Rep. Aaron Michlewitz, Greg Henning, and former Boston City the most successful “friends” Councilor Paul Scapicchio. Please see more photos on page 3. Joanne Hayes-Rines was honored for her leadership in group in Boston. FOCCP is an the community by the North all-volunteer group made up End / Waterfront Residents’ of North End and Waterfront Affordable, elderly housing planned for K of C building Association (NEWRA). neighbors and businesses work- Presenting the award, a framed ing together for the gem of the Special to the Regional Review a 99-year building/land lease borhood. In addition to Villa Harbor Fireworks print, was North End and Waterfront: to the East Boston Community Michelangelo, long waiting lists State Rep. Aaron Michlewitz, Columbus Park. FOCCP Ausonia Home Association Development Corporation (East exist at every affordable housing NEWRA President Mary McGee works closely with the City of plans to convert the coun- Boston CDC) and its partner development; and to compound and Treasurer Sue Benveniste at Boston Parks and Recreation cil quarters of the Knights of Affirmative Investments, Inc. for that problem, residents at the their April 12th meeting. Department to keep the park Columbus, Ausonia Council the building and land on which Mercantile Building have been Joanne is well-known as the clean and well maintained while #1513 at 41 North Margin it occupies for the elderly hous- notified by the new owners that longtime President of the Friends Street to 23 affordable, elder- ing project, which will be 100% they will be losing their subsi- (HONORED Pg. 5) ly apartments and new coun- affordable. Currently, East dized, affordable rents. Ausonia cil quarters. The complex will Boston CDC manages the 71 hopes to continue the project’s also have a large community affordable, elderly apartments momentum and begin construc- room, which will be available at Villa Michelangelo, where tion by late fall this year. to the North End community, there is a 2-year waiting list. The Knights of Columbus, apartment residents and council There is a serious shortage of Ausonia Council #1513, is a members. Ausonia will grant affordable housing in the neigh- Catholic, fraternal, charitable non-profit organization based in the North End since 1910. The council’s mission is to perform charitable deeds to improve the quality of life for members of the community and people in need. The council supports edu- cation, cultural, religious, civic, health and sports endeavors. Grand Knight John Pagliuca said that this development is a win-win project for the com- munity and the council. The Photo by Matt Conti neighborhood gets much need- Joanne Hayes-Rines holds the Harbor Fireworks print that she received Knights of Columbus building on North Margin Street. (K OF C Pg. 5) from the NEWRA for her leadership in the community. 2 PAGE 2 THE BEACON HILL TIMES MAY 17, 2018 editorial YOUR HELP IS ALWAYS NEEDED Boston residents living in our neighborhood are fortunate to have some great open spaces within a couple of miles of each other stretching from the North End to the Back Bay. The newly established Greenway that was created after the Central Artery Project was completed is looking better each year with more activities being planned. The Boston Common and the Boston Public Garden are green places to escape the continuous traffic jams and fast pace of today’s life. Then there is the crown jewel of open spaces, The Esplanade along the Charles River. However, the maintenance of these spaces needs to be ongoing. The overuse by residents especially in the warmer months keep taking a toll on the grass and trees. In some of these parks the ground under the grass is like concrete having been compacted by thousands of people just walking or playing and water is sometimes unable to get to the root system. Many times, both city and state funding for the maintenance of the monuments or trees or flowers or events falls short. This is where special groups have been formed to protect and advo- cate to keep these spaces alive and usable for all the residents in our community. Black A couple of weeks ago, the Friends of the Public Garden held their Green and White Ball that raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to restore and refurbish the Robert Gould Shaw Memorial that is one of Applications available for 2018-19 SPARK Council the top ten public art pieces in the country. On June 7, the Greenway gala to raise funds for the Greenway will be Mayor Martin J. Walsh announced that appli- the public and private sectors. Approximately a held. And, in September, The Esplanade Association will be holding its cations for the 2018-2019 SPARK Boston Council third of the Council are native Bostonians, while fundraiser again to raise money to continue their work on keeping the are now available. The SPARK Boston Council is a others grew up as far away as France, Cape Verde, group of volunteers charged with leading the City's India and Spain. Esplanade vibrant for residents of all ages to use. efforts to engage Boston's young adult population. Last year, the SPARK Boston program received This is just a quick glance at some of the many organizations "We're proud to have the highest percent of 180 applications for the Council, showing a robust throughout our neighborhood that keep our green spaces in shape for young adults out of any major city in the country," interest for involvement and engagement. Projects future generations. said Mayor Walsh. "The SPARK Boston Council for this Council cohort have included the launch of We urge residents to volunteer for some of the work that needs to be gives us an opportunity to challenge young adults the neighborhood tour series, the continuation of done. The easiest task should be to just pickup and dispose of properly to think big and become neighborhood leaders. This the Chief Chat policy talk series, and the Millennial any trash that you bring. And if you really want to help, we urge you to population is diverse, well-educated and full of ideas Homeownership Open House, a collaboration with that will help us grow the city in a sustainable and attend one of the many galas or events that these neighborhood groups the Boston Home Center to bring educational mate- positive way." rials, lenders, and realtors to millennials. hold. These galas are a lot of fun and the money raised account for most Under the direction of the SPARK Boston of the organization’s funding that will be used to maintain the parks. "SPARK Boston is an opportunity to give back to Director, the 2018-2019 Council will spend the year my community, develop professionally and expand After all, we are all beneficiaries of healthy and well-maintained green using its talent and innovation to identify ways in my network," said Emily Murphy of the 2017- space. which Boston can grow as an inviting, connected, 2018 SPARK Boston Council. "I'd had the chance culturally rich and sustainable place for young to interact with peers and professionals from all adults. Projects may include programming and walks of life, and have truly learned about the city projects on housing policy, economic development, Myles’ Musings of Boston, community involvement, and myself." equal pay, public art and neighborhood engage- By Myles Striar "SPARK has given me the opportunity to collab- ment. Throughout the SPARK Boston Council orate with other millennials who share my values Term, members also hear from key members of the in Boston," said Gabrielle Sims of the 2017-2018 Suddenly It's Spring Mayor's staff as well as leaders within City Hall. "The SPARK Boston Council has always been SPARK Boston Council. "Not only have I planned May’s finally here. The wait was long. To rejoice in her blossoms and birdsong defined by civically engaged, energetic Boston resi- great events with others on the SPARK Council, but We were in need of no instruction And to ignore those who seek our destruction .