Community News

OHNC Meeting Set for Oct. 21

The next meeting of the Orient Heights Neighborhood Council (OHNC) will be Monday, Oct. 21, at 6:30 p.m. at the YMCA gym on 58 Ashley St.  For your information and so that you can post/share it, I’ve included the agenda below.

Monday, Oct. 21, 2019 Meeting Agenda

Location: YMCA 58 Ashley Street

Meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. – Agenda is subject to change.

Introductions – Welcome and report from the board (President, (VP), Secretary)

Public Safety – Station 7 Community Update: Sgt. Jim Martin & Officer Dan Simon

OHNC By-Laws – Discussion and votes on two proposals:

VOTE: Typographical Edits (e.g. typos, formatting, clarifications)

VOTE: Substantive Edits (e.g. proposed policy changes, removal of the “treasurer” role, etc.)

Community Presentation – Boston Water & Sewer Commission

Development Presentations – new and voting matters

INFO: 1146 Saratoga St, Seeking  to erect a three-story hotel in open lot.

VOTE: 31-33 Boardman St, Seeking to combine two parcels and change occupancy to nine units with nine parking spaces; renovate two existing three-families and construct three more units.

VOTE: 170-172 Gladstone St, Seeking to erect a four-story residential dwelling with six residential units and four parking spaces.

VOTE: 116 Waldemar, Seeking to raze the existing structure and erect a nine condominium unit residential building with nine parking spaces.

Next meeting: Monday, November 18, 2019

Donate Blood with the Red Cross to help those Fighting Cancer

During Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, the American Red Cross urges eligible donors to give blood or platelets to provide hope and healing to patients fighting cancer.

Breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women, and more than 268,000 women are expected to be diagnosed with breast cancer this year.

In August 2016, Myel Bowers-Smith went to the doctor for what she thought was a breast infection for a mosquito bite after a vacation in Cancun. Instead, she received the devastating diagnosis – she had stage 4 inflammatory breast cancer, a very rare and aggressive breast carcinoma. Bowers-Smith, a U.S. Army veteran, committed to fighting for her life. “Once I began fighting, I knew I had to remain strong,” she said. Her aggressive care plan included five different chemotherapy treatments and steroids.

Like many patients with cancer, Bower-Smith needed multiple blood product transfusions. Cancer patients undergoing surgery and chemotherapy may require red blood cell or platelet transfusions. In fact, more than half of all platelets collected by the Red Cross are used by patients with cancer.

After months of grueling treatments, in August 2017, Bowers-Smith celebrated the news that her cancer was in remission. Today, she enjoys sharing her story and encouraging others to be a blessing by donating blood or platelets. “Eligible donors, you have something good – which is your blood. A pint of blood can help save lives.”

Donors of all blood types, especially platelet donors and those with type O blood, are needed to ensure a stable supply for cancer patients and others this fall. Appointments can be made by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.

As a thank-you, those who come to give blood or platelets during the month of October will automatically be entered for a chance to win one of five $500 gift cards redeemable at hundreds of merchants, courtesy of Tango Card. Terms apply; see rcblood.org/game.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities through Oct.31:

East Boston

October 18: 2 p.m. – 7 p.m., St. Joseph’s – St. Lazarus East Boston, 59 Ashley Street

How to donate blood

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enable the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, before arriving at the blood drive. To get started, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Blood Donor App.

Volunteers needed

Another way to support the lifesaving mission of the American Red Cross is to become a volunteer transportation specialist and deliver lifesaving blood products to local area hospitals. Volunteer transportation specialists play a very important role in ensuring an ample blood supply for patients in need by transporting blood and blood products. For more information and to apply for a volunteer transportation specialist position, contact <insert local contact information> or visit rdcrss.org/driver.

Learn Italian Free

The class will be held at Robert DeLeo Senior Center, 35 Harvard Street Winthrop  for residents age 60 and above.

Whether you have Italian ancestry, or just want to learn one of the world’s most beautiful languages, join us at  informal  and friendly Italian language and culture classes. Wednesday afternoons from 1:15 to  2:45 p.m.

For info call 617-846-8538.

East Boston Social Center’s Senior Program Offering Spanish Language Classes

The Senior Program at the East Boston Social Centers is now offering Spanish Language Classes for adults over 60 years old.  Classes are held every Wednesday at 10 a.m. in Room 209.  All are welcome to attend.  Class is taught by Mr. Montaro.  No need to register, just come by on Wednesday at 10 a.m. for this fun class.  The East Boston Social Centers is located at 68 Central Square.

Grace Church News and Events

 Grace Church Federated is an Episcopal/United Church of Christ church located at 760 Saratoga St. in East Boston.  All are welcome.  Please join us for Sunday morning worship at 9:30 a.m., followed by a coffee hour.  We also have a food pantry on Saturdays from 10 a.m. until noon in the church basement.  There are a number of ways you can help us to serve East Boston.  Volunteer at or contribute to the food pantry.  Sing with the Festival of Lessons and Carols choir.  Bring a dish to the monthly Sunday evening community suppers.  Participate in the Sunday worship service.  Help with SundaySchool.  Visit the Grace Church web site at www.gracechurcheastie.org or call the church at 617-569-5358 for more information.

Atlantic Works Presents Two Artists

PARIS STORIES – by Sandrine Colson

And

SICILY … IT’S COMPLICATED! – by Diane Modica

Oct. 5, 2019 through Oct. 26, 2019

3rd Thursday Reception – Oct. 17,  6-9 p.m.

 In Paris Stories and Sicily … It’s Complicated …, the artists are exploring their origins and how they influence who we are through stories and various places. From physical locations to the world of the invisible and beliefs, we are who we are through our experiences and stories we have heard, created or followed. In their two-person exhibition, Sandrine Colson and Diane Modica, each tell stories about places close to their heart and beliefs by taking you through a journey of imagination or reality depending on the tale being represented under their brush.

For Sandrine, her journey as a painter began from childhood influenced by her grandmother’s artistic guidance and continued through various studies, her world travels, native Provence in France and current Boston residence.  In her Paris Stories, a series of unique and original pieces of mixed media work tell each a different story about the “city of light.” Each piece – represents unique events, memories, words, and accounts of fictional or real people, past events or emotional journeys related to Paris. Each invites the viewer to let his or her imagination decides where the story goes, somewhat guided by the composition created.

For Modica, this exhibit reflects her continuing search for the connection to her family roots in Sicily.  A Boston native, both sets of her grandparents emigrated from Mineo, Sicily to the U.S. in the early 1900’s.  While one raised its family in Boston and the other in Portland, Maine, the two sides always remained  in contact with one another.

 As in previous shows, Modica mines the complex and rich history and heritage of her Sicilian roots. Sicily, a strategically located  island at the boot of Italy , survived centuries of invaders including Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, Swabians and Spanish all of whom left their mark  on the island and its people. Using colorful mixed media including painting, collage, stitching, textiles and written text, she finds a visceral and visual bond between the past and the present.   ATLANTIC WORKS GALLERY is East Boston’s Collaborative Space for Art and Ideas. Established in 2003, it is a member-operated gallery located on the top floor of 80 Border Street on the waterfront. It is T-accessible (Maverick stop on the Blue Line) and there is usually ample parking.  For detailed directions, information about members, future shows, etc, please visit atlanticworks.org.

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