For the third time in the life of the project, Cambridge Street construction has been suspended. This time the cause is the closing of the Mass Pike connector to the Ted Williams Tunnel in response to the fatal accident there last week. The cars that normally would have used the tunnel and the adjacent thru-ways have moved onto city streets. So the city of Boston’s transportation department has halted construction—which normally ties up traffic—all over the city so that the extra load of cars will have a better chance of getting around, according to Tracey Ganiatsos, the spokesperson for the Boston Transportation Department.
John Lepore, who runs the Cambridge Street project for Mass Highway, was told last Thursday by Boston transportation officials that he had to clear the street. “There were four contractors in there,” he said. “I had to send them all home.”
The first time the street’s construction was shut down was in April, 2003, shortly after it began, when the state ran out of money for construction. It restarted fitfully that fall, but never really got going again before it was shut down in May, 2004, in preparation for the Democratic Convention.
Construction didn’t begin again in any meaningful way until last summer, when delays were caused by sub-contractors not showing up and a lack of approval for a soil mix, which took months to resolve.
Little work has been done this year except on the block between Bowdoin and Somerset.
Last week, Lepore said he had hopes that maybe he could begin again this week.
But this is unlikely, according to Ganiatsos. “In terms of a time line, we can’t make a decision yet,” she said. “We’re waiting to see what the state says about the tunnel.”
Work on the Charles/MGH station will proceed as long as workmen stay within the work zone protected by the Jersey barriers, according to Ganiatsos. They won’t be allowed to do any work in the street itself, she said.
Last summer Linda Berger spoke out about the disruptions she and other Beacon Street residents put up with when the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company moved its performance venue from the Parkman Bandstand in the center of the Common to the Beacon Street side of the Parade Grounds, close enough for them to hear in their homes the words spoken by Hamlet.
Her complaints about the fourteen days of excessive noise, trash and traffic earned her a spot on a committee formed by the Beacon Hill Civic Association to solve the problems before this year’s production of the Taming of the Shrew opens Saturday evening.
That committee, led by BHCA Vice President Molly Sherden, talked with representatives of The Wang Center for the Performing Arts, which presents the Shakespeare productions, as well as the Parks and Recreation Department, about residents’ concerns.
“We took some huge steps forward,” Berger said. “The Wang made many promises.”
To start with, the stage and port-a-potties are no longer in front of Beacon Street homes. Now they are located nearer to Charles Street, which, being non-residential can more easily bear the brunt of the disruptions, said Berger. The potties will be in an enclosed area behind the parking kiosk.
“The previous location of the stage created extra noise and traffic: Trucks emptying the port-a-potties early in the morning, making deliveries, generators—all had access from Beacon Street,” said Sherden. At the new location, trucks can enter and park on the access road next to Charles Street.
To reduce the sound level of the performances, which this year will last about two and a half hours, the Wang Center agreed to angle the stage away from Beacon Street and to use a new sound system that would keep the sound from being heard more than 40 feet away, said Sherden.
The piles of trash found on the Common each morning after the performances also irritated those passing by. Wang employees told Sherden that last year they picked up and bagged the trash each night, but during the night the bags were ripped open by individuals looking for recyclables or by dogs before being picked up, according to Sherden.
This year the trash will be bundled at night and left in a fenced in area with no access by humans and animals, explained Mary Hines, spokesman for Boston Parks and Recreation Department. It will then be picked up by the Parks crew in the morning.
Berger is hopeful these changes will make a difference. “I’m keeping my eyes on it, and will wait and see,” she said.
A resident was robbed at knife-point by an unknown Caucasian male suspect at approximately 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 11, near the corner of Hancock and Cambridge streets.
The suspect demanded the victim’s wallet, according to police reports. The victim said the suspect offered to pay her back if she told him where she worked. After she handed over her money he asked if she would be able to make ends meet, she said. He then said he was sorry to have to rob her, but that he was having a hard time right now.
credit: Courtesy photo
Jen Tracy, Back Bay, and Heather Gebbia, Revere Street.
On June 17, the Museum Council—one of Boston's oldest young professionals groups affiliated with a museum—celebrated its 25th anniversary by hosting “THE SUMMER PARTY” at the Museum of Fine Arts offering cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and desserts; live music and dancing; and a juried silent auction featuring works by local artists.
The MFA's Museum Council is a group of young philanthropic professionals, aged 21-45, with the mission of bringing together art enthusiasts from diverse professions and backgrounds to support the Museum of Fine Arts. Museum Council members are offered unique avenues to further their understanding and enjoyment of the museum, including preferential viewing privileges for major exhibitions.
U.S. Trust sent The Beacon Hill Times a survey that shows the attitudes wealthy Americans in the top one percent of the nation’s income have toward their financial health. The bank’s report emphasized some clichés about the rich—that they don’t want to pay inheritance taxes, for example.
But we were more interested in the lack of cliché. Surprisingly, if we compare the rich’s attitudes to what Congress and the Bush administration would have us believe, the super-rich showed little concern about social security running out of funds or estate taxes. Their biggest concern was about their children—83 percent worried that their children would have a harder time financially than they have had, even though they are leaving them a bundle. The survey didn’t say why, but it could be because their children will have to pay for our nation’s current profligacy and that their quality of life will suffer because of it.
To hear all the talk about “death taxes,” one would think the number of the super-rich—the only folks to be affected by estate taxes—who were concerned about such taxes would be more than three-quarters at least. But this survey showed that 38 percent had little concern about taxes.
The rich are often accused of excessive selfishness and not wanting to do their part. But maybe they are more like Warren Buffet than we formerly believed. This survey showed that more than half (53 percent) of the affluent believed the federal estate tax should continue, and that the rate should be approximately 18 percent. The survey also showed that two-thirds of those surveyed would take a chance on love and not encourage their children to enter into a pre-nuptial agreement. At least some of the rich don’t appear to be that selfish after all, believing that it is appropriate to share one’s wealth with one’s community and with a spouse.
Some survey results were expected. The wealthy had more confidence in the stock market and less confidence in the real estate market at the beginning of 2006 than they did in 2005. They were also concerned that global terrorism would hurt economies and markets. In these cases, it sounds as if the rich are not different from you and me.
Hospital’s sign
If you’ve walked or driven down Cambridge Street toward Charles/MGH station, you may have noticed Massachusetts General Hospital’s sign, or maybe you haven’t. That’s because the MGH sign is on white letters on a white background, while the Yawkey Ambulatory Care sign is black letters on the white background. Various residents have reported being asked where Mass General is by confused motorists who can see only the Yawkey sign.
The gossip
No confirmation on this, but several people in the know report that the Storrow Drive tunnel project will go before the Longfellow Bridge project. The tunnel project is further along in the permitting process for one thing.
The Mayor
At a recent gathering, Mayor Menino expressed a high degree of frustration, even anger, over the pace of construction on Cambridge Street. If the Mayor cannot influence Mass Highway and its desultory ways, how can we?
FOR SALE
CONDO FOR SALE
WALNUT STREET. Two bedrooms, one bath, basement storage. Period detail, high ceilings, bookshelves, terrific views. Well managed building, low condo fee. $559,000. Daniel@afcdevelopment.com.
HEALTH
IF YOU USED THE PAINKILLER DRUG BEXTRA between March 2002 and February 2005 AND SUFFERED A SKIN REACTION, HEART ATTACK OR STROKE, you may be entitled to compensation. Call Attorney Charles Johnson 1800-535-5727.
TRADE
CRAFTSMAN SEEKING PRE-OWNED MERCEDES. An S430 or E series in exchange for a new kitchen, new bathroom or other household renovations. Call Lou at 617-605-1726.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
BOSTON MONEY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM. Needs adults willing to offer 2-4 hours per month to assist local elders who have difficulty managing day-to-day finances. For more information, call Deborah at 617-522-6700 or email dgrose@ethocare.org.
CAREER COLLABORATIVE. Practice interviewers needed Fridays 9 a.m.-12 noon to run practice interview sessions for low income people seeking permanent jobs. Individuals with extensive interviewing experience please call 617-424-6202 or email Valerie@careercollaborative.org.
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUBS. The Arlington Boys and Girls Club is coordinating a campaign to support local programs. They are asking people with unwanted cars to donate them for auction with the proceeds going to local clubs. Call 1-800-246-0493.
MADD. Are you or is someone you know the victim of a drunk driving accident? We offer many free services including court-accompaniment, referrals for counseling and literature to help. Call 1-800-633-MADD.
HORIZONS FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN. Volunteers needed to play with children living in homeless shelters in your neighborhood and in Greater Boston. A two-hour weekly commitment for 6 months is required. Call 617-287-1900 ext 314 or visit www.horizonsforhomelesschilden.org.
BECOME A BIG BROTHER OR BIG SISTER. Being a “Big” means simply sharing a little time with one great kid just like someone once did for you. Become a “Big” today. Call 800-412-BIGS or log on to www.bigbrothersbigsisters.org.
PARENTS HELPING PARENTS. Needs volunteers with good interpersonal skills and a commitment to strengthening families to facilitate support groups aimed at assisting individuals who are anxious, overwhelmed, frustrated or feeling isolated in their role as a parent or guardian. A commitment of several hours a week for one year is required. Call 1-800-882-1250 or e-mail www.parentshelpingparents.org.
COMMUNITY SERVINGS. Volunteers needed one Saturday per month to deliver meals to homebound individuals with life threatening illnesses. Shifts are from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Call Jennifer at 617-445-7777 or e-mail JPOCKOSKI@servings.org.
BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY. Seeks literacy volunteers to tutor adults with limited English writing and reading skills. Two hours a week, compatible with your schedule. One year commitment required, must be 21 years old with a minimum of a GED or high school diploma. Contact Nora 617-859-2446 or VolunteerBPL@yahoo.com.
BOSTON MINSTREL COMPANY. Needs singers, musicians, and song leaders to facilitate sing-along songfests at Boston-Cambridge homeless shelters. Amateurs welcome. Call 617-787-2122 or e-mail Bostonminstrel@aol.com.
MATCH-UP. Interfaith Volunteers needs people to commit to making a weekly visit to an elder in need of companionship. Call 617-482-1510 or visit www.matchelder.org.
THE GREATER BOSTON FOOD BANK. Needs volunteers to inspect and sort donated food at the Food Bank's headquarters at 99 Atkinson Street in Boston. Call 617-427-5200, ext. 5030 or visit www.gbfb.org.
AFC MENTORING. Needs volunteers over 18 experienced with adoption/foster care to mentor adopted children. One year commitment desired. Karlee, 617-695-2441 or karlee@afcmentoring.org.
BLIND AND DYSLEXIC in East Cambridge. Needs volunteers with liberal arts, scientific and/or technical backgrounds to record textbooks. Call Peggy at 617-577-1111, ext 17 for more info. www.rfbd.org/bostonhome.htm.
GENERATIONS INCORPORATED. Needs older adults to volunteer as reading coaches and mentors to children in Dorchester, S. Boston and Roxbury. Training provided. Call 617-423-0408 or see www.generationsinc.org.
WGBH. Needs volunteers to assist with computer projects and office support during weekday business hours, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Call Liz Hagyard at 617-300-5715.
LITERACY VOLUNTEERS OF MASSACHUSETTS. Help an adult learn English. Call 617-367-1313 for information.
VOLUNTEER COORDINATORS. The American Cancer Society’s Road to Recovery program. Work from home or in our Weston office. For further information call 1800-ACS-2345.
SPAULDING REHABILITATION HOSPITAL. Boston. Opportunities for volunteers. We match volunteers' skills and talents with the needs of the hospital's patients and staff. Training provided. For more information contact volunteer services at 617-573-2740 or jburke11@partners.org.
BOSTON PARTNERS IN EDUCATION. Volunteers needed to tutor 4th grade students in math. Training and placement will be provided. Join this proven program and be a vital part of a student’s success story. Contact Barbara Harris at 617-451-6145 x 620, or apply online at www.bostonpartners.org.
WALKBOSTON. Volunteers needed for walks, legislation and newsletter/e-news committees. Also occasional office work including membership mailings. Call 617-367-9255, www.walkboston.org.
MASS SUBSTANCE ABUSE HELPLINE. Volunteers needed for phone service to help people affected by alcoholism and substance abuse. Must have computer experience. Call 617-536-0501 ext. 201 or see www.helpline-online.com.
BEACON HOSPICE. Volunteers needed to provide support and companionship to patients and their families. Call Laraine Kohler at 617-242-4872.
COMPUTER TUTORS. Volunteers needed for coaching senior and disabled citizens at the Blackstone Apartments. Daytime and evening hours needed. Call Al at 617-557-9121 or email xAlbert3259@aol.com.
BEACON HOUSE. Housing for elderly needs volunteers for front reception desk, a few flexible hours per week. Training provided. Please apply in person at 19 Myrtle St. to fill out an application.
ANIMAL SHELTER. Donations needed: dog and cat toys and treats, blankets and towels for the cages, paper towels, clay cat litter, postage stamps, animal nail clippers, dog and cat collars and leashes. 617-522-5055.
DR. SOLOMON CARTER FULLER. Mental Health Center in the South End needs volunteers for several committees. Call C. Curtiss Carter at 617-626-8726.
MAB COMMUNITY SERVICES. Volunteers needed to read or shop with a blind neighbor. 2-3 hours per week, flexible hours. Training provided. Call Donna Bailey 800-852-3029 or see www.mabcommunity.org.
SAMARITANS OF BOSTON. Volunteers needed to provide telephone counseling on our 24-hour listening line. Help prevent suicide and alleviate the pain of isolation. Training provided. 617-536-2460.
ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION. Cambridge chapter needs volunteers for its telephone Helpline service to answer caregiver calls. Training provided. Call 617-868-6718.
ADBAR ETHIOPIAN WOMEN'S ALLIANCE.Volunteers needed to help with its newsletter, website, grant writing, special events and fund raising. Near Harvard Square. 617-234-8981.
THE BOSTON HOME. Dorchester seeks volunteers of all kinds in this long term care facility for adults with physical disabilities. Pet visits welcome. Call Sally Gorman 617-825-3905 ext. 299 or gormansally@aol.com.
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