Extra! Extra! Robert DeNiro close to signing on to Hub film - BostonHerald.com
Boston Casting is holding an open call for age 18-plus Screen Actors Guild members from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday. Non-union talent will be seen from 2 to 4 p.m. Bring a photo and resume to 129 Braintree St., Allston.
Former Mexican Health Minister To Lead Harvard School of Public Health
The Harvard Crimson :: News :: Former Mexican Health Minister To Lead Harvard School of Public Health
"..."In these and other leadership roles, he has emerged over the course of his distinguished career as one of the most thoughtful, insightful, and eloquent exponents of the power of public health to change lives for the better," University President Drew G. Faust said in a letter to the school community.
While the School of Public Health is often considered one of the best in the country—its masters of public health degree is the most selective program run by any school at Harvard—Frenk will face a few significant challenges as dean.
For example, the school has outgrown its rented office space in the Longwood Medical Area, and so one of Frenk's biggest tasks will be to plan and preside over a move to new facilities in Allston."
Revilatizing Allston-Brighton
Last year, Brighton Centered blogger Mike Pahre noted that City Council candidate Alex Selvig was advertising on the Google search engine to direct people to AlexSelvig.com.
Now someone associated with the Charlesview Apartments is using the same approach and paying money to Google every time someone clicks on their sponsored link, which informs us that Charlesview is "Revilatizing Allston-Brighton".
Now someone associated with the Charlesview Apartments is using the same approach and paying money to Google every time someone clicks on their sponsored link, which informs us that Charlesview is "Revilatizing Allston-Brighton".
Not only are the people responsible for this bad spellers, they are also surprisingly secretive. The charlesview.org domain is registered to domainsbyproxy.com - a company whose purpose is to conceal the normally public information about website registration and whose slogan is "Your identity is nobody's business but ours". What is there to hide?
Brighton Based Biofuels
The North Brighton building on Western Ave (formerly known as the Citizen's Bank building) is home to Mascoma Corp, a company researching cellulosic biofuels. Today they hosted Governor Patrick for the signing of the Clean Energy Biofuels Act.
Patrick signs biofuels law - The Green Blog - A Boston Globe blog on living Green in Boston
Patrick signs biofuels law - The Green Blog - A Boston Globe blog on living Green in Boston
Everett St site prep today, planting this weekend - Please join us
On Saturday and Sunday, from 9am to noon, the Allston Brighton North Neighbors Forum project to rehabilitate this Everett St slope will become reality. We will be planting trees and other plants between Lincoln and Adamson Streets to begin the conversion of this neglected urban land into a safe and attractive part of our neighborhood. Everyone is welcome to be part of this project, and tools and refreshments will be provided.Today on the site, some much needed preparatory work is being done, courtesy of Harvard University. The old juniper bushes had some serious root systems that needed to be removed before anything new could be planted. We are fortunate that Harvard has provided this heavy machinery and work crew to remove the roots and help create a fertile home for the new plants.
Looking for adventure at the Harvard Ed Portal
The attention being given to Harvard's new "Education Portal" in Allston hasn't been as breathless as the coverage of Obama's trip to Europe, but I was surprised to see that the opening of the portal was the lead story in the current edition of the Allston/Brighton TAB.Harvard has made the portal the centerpiece of an attention-grabbing marketing campaign via email, direct mail, meeting announcements, on the http://www.harvard.edu/ homepage, and a Harvard News Office press release. Even Harvard President Drew Faust made a visit to the portal last week.
After all this effort by Harvard to draw attention to the portal, and knowing about the wonderful resources of Harvard's many world-class museums, I was expecting something more than what I found on Saturday at the "Harvard Allston Education Portal Science Adventure". What I did find was a half-dozen folding tables set up in an otherwise empty room where kids could spend a few minutes at each of four different stations.
The Alka-Seltzer film canister rocket (put water and Alka-Seltzer and water in a film canister and watch it hit the ceiling) seemed like one of the more popular activities. Click here to learn more about this experiment from Science Bob. There were crushed cookies representing different types of soil, some balloons, and a table where different liquids (water, vinegar, iodine) and powders (cornstarch, baking powder, and more Alka-Seltzer) were mixed together.
I agree with the TAB editorial that hopes that the portal will grow "into something that will have a significant impact on the lives of A-B families". There is a tremendous need for better science education, to inspire children and excite them about the scientific world, to educate people of all ages as we live in a world touched by scientific issues in almost every facet of our lives, to help our students excel in school, and more. Last year at Brighton High, only 2% of students passed the MCAS Biology test and only 5% passed the Into Physics MCAS.
It is great if there are kids learning something from the Harvard students who are working as tutors at the portal this summer. The Harvard students and many others at Harvard definitely have a lot to offer and the Portal could one day become a valued institution.
If people reading this have been to the portal, it would be great to hear about your experiences there.
Is A/B getting better for biking?
A film crew making a documentary about bike messengers and bike safety interviewed me today. They asked how Boston has become a safer place to ride a bike and if I see more people bicycling when I commute to work by bike.
About this all I can come up with is that a few of the major roads have been paved in the past few years (Western Ave, Everett St). Some of the bike path along the Charles as also been repaved. The media is writing a lot of stories about more people biking, but I don't notice any significant difference on the roads.
What are your observations? Have there been other improvements for biking near where you live or ride? Are you seeing more bikes on the road? Are you riding a bike more now than you were a year or two ago?
About this all I can come up with is that a few of the major roads have been paved in the past few years (Western Ave, Everett St). Some of the bike path along the Charles as also been repaved. The media is writing a lot of stories about more people biking, but I don't notice any significant difference on the roads.
What are your observations? Have there been other improvements for biking near where you live or ride? Are you seeing more bikes on the road? Are you riding a bike more now than you were a year or two ago?
Church subsidized gas?
I'm not sure why a tax-exempt organization like this Brighton church is using $500 to subsidize gas prices. NY Times columnist Tom Friedman has written about why auto companies should not subsidize gas prices and that high gas prices will eventually benefit our country because they can "trigger massive investments in renewable energy." Recognizing that higher gas prices have a greater effect on people with lower incomes, he suggests a reduction in the payroll tax to balance the burden of the increased prices at the pump.
Educating people about how to reduce their energy bills or subsidizing the cost of more efficient appliances and accessories are forms of community service that could help people's bank accounts and our environment while reducing our dependence on oil.
Educating people about how to reduce their energy bills or subsidizing the cost of more efficient appliances and accessories are forms of community service that could help people's bank accounts and our environment while reducing our dependence on oil.
Crossing Storrow Drive and Soldiers Field Road
With the discussion at last night's Harvard Task Force meeting and the recent Globe Watch column about getting from North Brighton and North Allston to Herter Park along the Charles River, I thought it would be interesting to compare the level of access here with the opportunities to cross to the Charles from the Back Bay.
These two areas are comparable in their length (a bit less than 1 mile) and that they are two of the only areas of Boston where a residential area is in close proximity to the river. Elsewhere there are large institutional landowners (Harvard, BU) or industrial owners like CSX (Beacon Yards railroad).
In the Back Bay, crossings to the river (going from east to west) start at Mass Ave with the ramp that leads down from the Mass Ave bridge to the river. Traditional overpasses cross near Fairfield and Dartmouth Streets. The fourth bridge over this one mile stretch of road is the iconic Arthur Fiedler Footbridge near Arlington Street. A 5th overpass is just a 1/3 of a mile away at the end of Charles Street. As a result, one need walk no more than 1/6th of a mile to get to a bridge that provides access to the Charles.
There is only one safe option to get from North Allston and North Brighton to the river, the overpass at Telford St. Perhaps because of its awkward location and uninspired design, people seem to rarely use it. Most people, even if their trip is quite short, seem to drive their cars and park in the 200+ car parking lot (by far the largest parking lot along the river).
Western Ave and Everett St make a lot of sense for safer pedestrian connections to the river. The back of Smith Field is also a possibility and Cambridge St is an important connection to the river, either for people biking to downtown or crossing into Cambridge heading towards Central Sq, MIT, or Kendall Sq.
New overpasses could cost at least a couple million dollars and as walkinginfo.org explains, pedestrian overpasses should be a "measure of last resort". Improving the at-grade crossings would be a great place to start.
These two areas are comparable in their length (a bit less than 1 mile) and that they are two of the only areas of Boston where a residential area is in close proximity to the river. Elsewhere there are large institutional landowners (Harvard, BU) or industrial owners like CSX (Beacon Yards railroad).
In the Back Bay, crossings to the river (going from east to west) start at Mass Ave with the ramp that leads down from the Mass Ave bridge to the river. Traditional overpasses cross near Fairfield and Dartmouth Streets. The fourth bridge over this one mile stretch of road is the iconic Arthur Fiedler Footbridge near Arlington Street. A 5th overpass is just a 1/3 of a mile away at the end of Charles Street. As a result, one need walk no more than 1/6th of a mile to get to a bridge that provides access to the Charles.
There is only one safe option to get from North Allston and North Brighton to the river, the overpass at Telford St. Perhaps because of its awkward location and uninspired design, people seem to rarely use it. Most people, even if their trip is quite short, seem to drive their cars and park in the 200+ car parking lot (by far the largest parking lot along the river).
Western Ave and Everett St make a lot of sense for safer pedestrian connections to the river. The back of Smith Field is also a possibility and Cambridge St is an important connection to the river, either for people biking to downtown or crossing into Cambridge heading towards Central Sq, MIT, or Kendall Sq.
New overpasses could cost at least a couple million dollars and as walkinginfo.org explains, pedestrian overpasses should be a "measure of last resort". Improving the at-grade crossings would be a great place to start.
Everett St greening meeting tonight
There is a meeting tonight at 6:30 to finalize plans for the planting that will soon be done on Everett St between Lincoln St and Adamson St. The meeting is at the A/B Resource Center at 367 Western Ave.
Brighton items at tomorrow's Landmarks Commission meeting
Tuesday, July 22 @ room 900, City Hall
1) 332 Chestnut Hill Ave - proposal to demolish gas station and build 5 story retail/residential building (story from the TAB) - Design Review at 3:30, discussion and vote at 5:30
2) Proposed demolition of 3 houses at 188, 192, 196 Foster St - Demolition Delay hearing at 6:25
1) 332 Chestnut Hill Ave - proposal to demolish gas station and build 5 story retail/residential building (story from the TAB) - Design Review at 3:30, discussion and vote at 5:30
2) Proposed demolition of 3 houses at 188, 192, 196 Foster St - Demolition Delay hearing at 6:25
Getting to the Charles from North Brighton
Globe Watch takes a look at the pedestrian un-friendly western end of Western Ave where our North Brighton neighbors try to get to the Charles River.
In North Brighton, uneasy passage to river - The Boston Globe
In North Brighton, uneasy passage to river - The Boston Globe
Brighton voted the most sustainable city in the country
The story is about the "other" Brighton, but the lessons about how to make older homes more energy-efficient and how people can change habits to reduce energy use are equally applicable on this side of the Atlantic.
Trying to Build a Greener Britain, Home by Home - NYTimes.com
If you are interested in the visible electric meter described in the story, one version is the PowerCost Monitor. And the Department of Energy has some interesting data about where in our homes electricity is used.
Trying to Build a Greener Britain, Home by Home - NYTimes.com
If you are interested in the visible electric meter described in the story, one version is the PowerCost Monitor. And the Department of Energy has some interesting data about where in our homes electricity is used.
Science Complex construction update
kz1000ps stops by Western Ave, takes some pictures, talks with someone from Harvard or Turner Construction about the project, and shares lots of information.
Harvard - Allston Campus - Page 43 - archBOSTON.org
Harvard - Allston Campus - Page 43 - archBOSTON.org
Everett St tree planting meeting on Tuesday
All are welcome to join us on Tuesday at 6:30 to finalize our design for planting in August along Everett St between Lincoln and Athol Streets. We will also discuss future additions beyond what we will do this year. The meeting will be at the Allston/Brighton Resource Center, 367 Western Avenue (across the street from the McDonalds at the Brighton Mills shopping center).
Our planting days are scheduled for 8/2 and 8/3 (Saturday and Sunday).
Meeting w/Rep. Moran & Environment Massachusetts
Environment Massachusetts has organized an open meeting with State Rep. Mike Moran to request support for the Massachusetts Global Warming Solutions Act
Tues. July 22 12:00 pm
Massachusetts State House, Rm 544.
For more information contact Athena Laines (alaines@environmentmassachusetts.org).
Tues. July 22 12:00 pm
Massachusetts State House, Rm 544.
For more information contact Athena Laines (alaines@environmentmassachusetts.org).
Publick Theatre performances this weekend
The Publick Theatre's summer season is underway at Herter Park (at the outdoor amphitheater near the intersection of Everett St and Soldiers Field Rd). This weekend they will be performing Chekhov's The Seagull and next weekend Hay Fever by Noel Coward.
Performances run through mid-September and are a great chance to enjoy some fresh air and drama on the banks of the Charles.
Performances run through mid-September and are a great chance to enjoy some fresh air and drama on the banks of the Charles.
Help design Library Park virtually
To help design the park to be built behind the Honan Library, the group Hub2 is organizing a set of meetings where neighbors will be able to experience a computer simulation of the park and experiment with different designs. No computer experience is needed - staff will be present to guide participants through the process.
Upcoming group design sessions at 175 North Harvard Street will be
Saturday, July 19 from 1:30- 3:30 PM
Thursday, August 6 from 6:30-8:00 PM
Saturday, August 9 from 1:30-3:30 PM
For more information contact Peter Bowne at 617-869-6720, pbowne@hub2.org
You can learn about last night's session at Gene Koo's blog
http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/vvvv/2008/07/18/hub2-engages-allston-residents-in-designing-honan-library-park/
Upcoming group design sessions at 175 North Harvard Street will be
Saturday, July 19 from 1:30- 3:30 PM
Thursday, August 6 from 6:30-8:00 PM
Saturday, August 9 from 1:30-3:30 PM
For more information contact Peter Bowne at 617-869-6720, pbowne@hub2.org
You can learn about last night's session at Gene Koo's blog
http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/vvvv/2008/07/18/hub2-engages-allston-residents-in-designing-honan-library-park/
Harvard Provost Hopes Allston Can Be “Switzerland”
Hyman Hopes Allston Can Be “Switzerland” to “Balkanized” Harvard : Harvard Magazine
Switzerland is a big improvement over Western Siberia! Swiss cheese for everyone!
Switzerland is a big improvement over Western Siberia! Swiss cheese for everyone!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)