Civic Engagement

Dorchester People for Peace Monthly Meeting Feb. 13

Submitted by alyssakeil on Fri, 02/03/2012 - 4:20pm

On Monday, February 13, Dorchester People for Peace will be holding a  Monthly Meeting, 7from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at the Vietnamese American Community Center (VietAID), located at 42 Charles St., Fields Corner (just behind the Red Line station). DPP will be following up on the previous discussions and plans for upcoming campaigns. The group will discuss the fight against MBTA cutbacks and fare increases, war budgets and military spending, the possibility of a war with Iran, and state and local governments' input on military spending. DPP will also discuss and evaluate the long-standing school “Opt-Out” of military recruiting campaign and make decisions about the futures. The DPP Facilitation Team will be meeting to flesh out these and other agenda items. If you have additional suggetions and agenda items, please send to Rosemary (rosemarykean [at] yahoo.com), Denise (denisezwahlen [at] yahoo.com) or Jeff (jjk123 [at] comcast.net).

Neighborhood Meeting at St. Joseph's Feb. 6

Submitted by alyssakeil on Fri, 02/03/2012 - 1:45pm

St. Joseph Rehabilitation and Nursing Care Center in collaboration with The Boston Police Neighborhood Watch Unit cordially invite you to attend a neighborhood meeting that will feature: Neighbors getting to know Neighbors, a discussion of important trends, issues, and the most recent break-ins to homes. Share your ideas and concerns to make a better and safer neighborhood. Get connected and learn what's going on! Contact Lauren Scherer at 617.825.6320x1631 or lscherer [at] stjosephrehab.com. St. Joseph's is located at 321 Centre Street in Dorchester.

GFCAC Protest Against Foreclosure Jan. 31

Submitted by alyssakeil on Mon, 01/30/2012 - 2:02pm

On Tuesday, January 31, 2012 Greater Four Corners Action Coalition, in partnership with City Life, is looking for community members to come out for a protest against foreclosure in the Dorchester community. The "Stop this Auction" action will be held in front of 40 Fowler Street in Dorchester, a property recently foreclosed on twice, in support of a tenant about to be evicted. The property is set to be auctioned off at 10:00 a.m. - show your support and assemble at 9:30 a.m. in front of 40 Fowler Street to gain support and attention for this issue!

BRA Fairmount / Indigo Planning Initiative @ Strand Theatre Feb. 21

Submitted by alyssakeil on Mon, 01/30/2012 - 11:24am

The BRA Fairmount/Indigo Planning Initiative will be hosting a Kickoff Announcement at the Strand Theater on Tuesday, February 21 at 2:00 p.m. The planning process is designed to bring comprehensive corridor-wide community planning for the neighborhoods traversed by the Fairmount Indigo commuter rail line as well as crossroads improvement plans for 3 or 4 station areas starting at Upham's Corner.

The BRA planning process is meant to engage local businesses and residents and bring in new investments around a community-based vision for Upham's Corner and other areas traversed by the Fairmount / Indigo line. For more information about the project, check out the site here! The Strand Theatre is located at 543 Columbia Road, Dorchester, MA 02125.

Dorchester Coalition For Great Neighborhoods Meeting Jan. 24

Submitted by alyssakeil on Fri, 01/20/2012 - 1:18pm

Dorchester Coalition for Great Neighborhoods, the former Washington Corridor Weed and Seed Site, is resuming their daytime public safety - partnership meetings.

The Dorchester Coalition for Great Neighborhoods monthly public safety meeting is happening on:  

Tuesday, January 24, 2012, from 1:00-2:30 PM

Location:  Fieldstone Apartments, 907 Blue Hill Ave, Dorchester, 02124

Host: Peabody Properties

 

This is one of the few daytime public safety meetings held in Southwest Dorchester open to all residents, businesses, and community organizations.

Parking in rear of building off of Harvard street. Light lunch provided.   

Interim Coordinator - Bob Francis  ~  Communications - Paul Malkemes      

Read on for the meeting agenda.

  >>Read More

Can We Talk? The Black Community and the Boston Busing Desegregation Crisis Jan. 24 & 31

Submitted by alyssakeil on Tue, 01/17/2012 - 10:44am

What you think we should all know about the school desegregation crisis of the 1970s and its connection to today? The Boston Busing/Desegregation Project (a project of Union of Minority Neighborhoods) has partnered with Freedom House is going to hold a two part discussion entitled 'Can We Talk?: The Black Community and the Boston Busing Desegregation Crisis.' On Tuesday, January 24th, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. see a clip from the Boston Busing/ Desegregation Project's film "Can We Talk" (Directed by Scott Mercer) and discuss the film and the project.

On Tuesday, January 31st, a panel of community members will discuss and respond to issues raised at the first event. The event will be held at Freedom House, 14 Crawford Street in Dorchester. Come continue the conversation about the crisis of school desegregation in the 1970s and its impact today. This event will also be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. For more information, please email umnunity [at] gmail.com or call 617.522.3349.

Public Meetings on MBTA Fare Hikes - Feb. 2

Submitted by alyssakeil on Wed, 01/11/2012 - 2:48pm

Ashmont T stationThe MBTA is holding public meetings concerning fare hikes and service cuts - please attend the local hearings and make the community's voice heard! 

The MBTA is holding a series of public hearings on proposed fare hikes and service cuts which will affect local transit users, especially those in Dorchester. Significant cuts to service in Mattapan – including weekend service on the trolley – are also in the works. A complete schedule of hearings can be found here, please note upcoming Dorchester and Mattapan MBTA Hearings on Fare and Service Cuts:
 
  • January 31, Tuesday, 6:00-8:00 PM, at Mildred Avenue Community Center, 5 Mildred Avenue
  • February 2, Thursday, two meetings - at 1:00-3:00 PM, and at 6:00-8:00 PM, at Dorchester House Multi-Service Center, Multi-Purpose Room, 1353 Dorchester Avenue
Read below the break for a summary of local fare and service changes. To find out more about overall fare and service changes see the MBTA website. Emailed comments are welcomed: fareproposal@mbta.com.
 

Final BRA Zoning Update Meeting at Viet-AID Jan. 25

Submitted by alyssakeil on Tue, 01/10/2012 - 5:23pm

On Wednesday, January 25th at 6:30 p.m. there will be the third and final community meeting of the BRA's Dorchester Avenue zoning update process. Following this meeting, community feedback is invited during a 30 day comment period. The meeting will be held at Viet-AID, 42 Charles Street in Dorchester. Objectives of the zoning update initiative include:

- Providing zoning recommendations for the incorporation of Dorchester Avenue zoning regulations into general Dorchester neighborhood zoning regulations.

- Correct inconsistencies between the current Dorchester Avenue and Dorchester zoning districts.

- Where appropriate, update the zoning along Dorchester Avenue to reflect current and potential future land uses.

The final goal is consolidated Dorchester zoning regulations. For more information, please visit: www.dotavzoning.org or call 617.918.4431.

Community Meeting on Habitual Offender Bill Dec. 21

Submitted by alyssakeil on Wed, 12/14/2011 - 12:55pm

On Wednesday, December 21, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. there will be a Community meeting on the proposed three strikes bill for Massachusetts. The meeting will be held at Saint James African Orthodox Church, 50 Cedar Street, in Roxbury, MA 02119. Speakers will include Prof. Charles J. Ogletree Jr., founder and director of the Charles H. Houston Institute on Race and Justice, Harvard University School of Law; Robert Lewis, Jr. Vice President Program, The Boston Foundation; Rev. Eugene Rivers, President and Founder, the Ella J. Baker House; Benjamin F. Thompson, Executive Director, Criminal Justice Policy Coalition. Come to the meeting to hear how recent legislation passed in the Massachusetts Senate will have a dramatic impact on our communities. Please RSVP by email by December 16, 2011.

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Melnea Cass Re-Design Meeting Dec. 14

Submitted by alyssakeil on Tue, 12/13/2011 - 12:35pm