Leaving Boys and Girls Club

It’s an old stocky building sitting next to the Lynn Public Library. Inside, it could use some work, but it serves its purpose: to be a safe place where kids can hang out after school and do what kids do–play.

It was the last place I wanted to go tonight, but I had reluctantly agreed to volunteer a week ago, helping to prepare a meal and spend some time with the young adults and children. “Liberal guilt” (whatever that means) no doubt was my motivator, but let me tell you, I was the richer for having volunteered. The highlight of my evening was playing a friendly game of foosball with one of the kids. They were all good kids, and I got to know a few of them by name. They thanked us for the meal.

As I drove away into City Hall Square, I saw a group of 5 of them walking. Where? I don’t know, but the sight of them walking in the night caused me to reflect. If I hadn’t just met them, I would have immediately thought to myself, “What are those kids doing outside by themselves on the street? Up to no good probably.”

Technology Facilitates Civic Responsibility

I was pleasantly surprised to see the following article above the fold in the Boston Globe today. Send Photo, Get Action describes how residents use an iPhone application to photograph potholes, graffiti, violations of city ordinances and other street-level neighborhood problems. Citizen Connect has a GPS feature that maps the problem and alerts the appropriate city department. According to the article, complaints received via the application are given no more priority than complaints received by phone.

Citizen Sourcing is a term used to define enlisting visitors and residents to report on the physical condition of the city. An interesting paper about citizen sourcing can be read here.

Not everyone has an iPhone, but there is another new technology worth investigating. 311 is a customer service phone technology that enables citizens to contact city hall departments by simply dialing 311. New York City has it, and so does Somerville, MA. While implementing 311 can cost millions of dollars, Somerville was able to do it for $50,000.

Somerville used to have a similar reputation as Lynn. I remember going to Davis Square in the late 70s for the Somerville theatre and Johnny D’s and not seeing many signs of life elsewhere. The square seemed abandonded. In 2009 Somerville was recognized as an “All American City.” Of course, having two strong mayors in a row didn’t hurt.

Eat, Drink and Send Someone off to College

The College Application Education Project (CAEP) of Lynn is having a fundraiser on Monday, February 1 from 6 to 9 PM at Tides Restaurant and Pub. Tides Restaurant, at the end of the Lynn/Nahant causeway, frequently hosts fundraisers for nonprofit organizations in the area. Ten percent of all sales from the dining room, pub and take-out are donated to the charity, and the charity publicizes the fundraiser, encouraging supporters to eat there that night.  There will also be a 50/50 gift drawing and raffles.

The CAEP is a great organization, and I’ve heard nothing but reverence for its founder, Arthur Akers. It exists to give high school and middle school students from all backgrounds a place they can go after school to get college application and financial aid assistance, tutoring, mentoring and career counseling. It is located at 4 Adams St. Ext. in the Zion Baptist Church. To see what they’re up to, read the latest edition of their newsletter.

The fundraiser sounds like a great way for both the restaurant and the nonprofit group to raise money. Why don’t more restaurants do this? This would be great public relations for a Lynn restaurant.

Lynn Time Bank Fundraiser

Please come out and support the Lynn Time Bank as it raises money to continue its work to strengthen the greater Lynn community!

There will be a raffle at the door, too! Bring your family, friends and anyone else you know who likes good food and making the world a better place.

This is a great opportunity for current members to network with each other and for anyone who wants more information about the Lynn Time Bank and how it serves the communities of the greater-Lynn area.

For more information about our organization, please check out our website at: www.lynntimebank.org

For for information about Tides restaurant go to: http://www.tidesnahant.com/

Thumbs Up on Antique Table

Review submitted by Trish Greene.

It was a stormy election night when members of the East Lynn Community Association “Eating Club” gathered at the Antique Table, 2 Essex St, Lynn, MA. This cozy Italian restaurant sitting at the Lynn/Swampscott line has a fabulous reputation, and the group’s experience there did not disappoint.

Having seated the group at a large table, our waiter brought a basket of bread served with a spicy olive oil and took an order for a round of drinks.  The group decided on splitting two appetizers, the Antipasto and the Calamari.  Both were excellent choices.

Main dished ordered were:  Eggplant Parmesan served with Angel Hair Pasta, which the diner described as tender and mellow and served in a great sauce;  Chicken Marsala served with ziti, described by the diner as great flavor and a sweet sauce; the Antique Table Fettucine w/Shrimp and Spinach, described by the diner as outstanding flavor and huge portion; Chicken Parmensan served with Fettucine, described by the diner as excellent.

For a Tuesday night, this restaurant was doing a great business with most tables occupied.  This group gave this experience all thumbs up!

24th Annual Martin Luther King Holiday Observance

Interpretive dance from a member of Building Bridges Through Music accompanies their rendition of "A Change is Gonna Come" at today's MLK Day Breakfast

The arts took center stage at the 24th annual Martin Luther King Holiday Observance this morning as poets, essay writers, singers and visual artists performed and presented their work at North Shore Community College. The event was sponsored by downtown Lynn’s Community Minority Cultural Center (CMCC).

One special touch was the inclusion of students from La Vida Scholars, an after-school college preparation program. Prior to the commencement of the official program, about 50 scholars were introduced as a group and then welcomed to sit in the audience. I was impressed by the 2 polite gentlemen that chose our table. Both were on their way to college, and so were able to get to know them and they us.

The three themes or “movements” as they were called in the program book were “Me: Look Within”, “Us: Build Unity” and “One:Work Together.” After an introduction from CMCC executive director Steven Godfrey, Doreen Murray of Building Bridges Through Music (BBTM, formerly Follow Hymn Ministries) sang the Negro National Anthem and the first movement began. Several Kipp Academy students recited original poems and BBTM vocalists performed Sam Cooke’s “A Change is Gonna Come.”

For the second movement, La Vida scholar Guilver Gomez delivered his essay on Martin Luther King’s legacy for all immigrants. “The diverse community of Lynn is successful”, Gomez said, “because of the long battle that the African-American community fought to obtain their civil rights. Dr. King used non-violent means to establish rights for minority groups…”

Doreen Murray (center) of Building Bridges Through Music encourages a singer during "I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to be Free."

Members of BBTM then sang “I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to be Free.” Herby Bernard of the North Shore Haitian-American Association and Iris Rivas of the Lynn YMCA delivered essays for the third movement, followed by Bobby Bishop and Juliana Davis performing their musical tribute “Portrait of a Dream,” composed specifically for this event.

After remarks from Congressman William Tierney, Mayor Judy Flanagan Kennedy, and a benediction from Eugene Schneeberg of Straight Ahead Ministries, the audience participated in a sing-a-long of We Shall Overcome.

A member of St. Stephen's Oasis youth group holds up one of three large posters they created for the event featuring pictures of themselves.

Gateway City

Down on the US – Mexico boarder, VC2 Producer Ami Cuneo spends some quality time with the Minutemen and Border Angels and attempts to shed light on the immigration quagmire.

Clancy called Lynn a gateway city in one of the debates when he brought up the new SPIN Financial Stability center; the nonprofit organization My Turn, listed under Lynn resources in the blogroll, also uses this term. Like it or not, Lynn is a destination of legal and illegal immigrants from all over the world. Lynn wouldn’t be Lynn without them. Nor would a good share of the Item Live reader comments.

Watch this video from beginning to end and let me know what you think. I can’t watch this video without feeling sympathy for the Minuteman, CC, at the end. Perhaps he is just a confused young person. Or maybe he is onto something. It is tragic how two sides of an issue can be so polarized yet common ground acknowledged if only they let go of pre-conceived ideas about the “other side ” and stop labeling them with one-dimensional epithets. At least that’s the lesson I take away from watching this.

By the way, I fear it is impossible to write about this and not piss someone off.

more about “The Minuteman Project // Current“, posted with vodpod

Stone Tower

Set atop Burrill Hill in Lynn Woods, the highest elevation in the city of Lynn, Stone tower is 48 feet tall and commands sweeping views of Lynn’s waterfront and the city of Boston. It was built for fire observation in 1936 as a project of the Works Progress Administration, a New Deal program designed to stimulate the economy by creating jobs.

Stone Tower is nearing the end of a $340,000 restoration effort. I snowshoed up to it over the weekend and found two contractors cleaning up after a day’s work to go home. They seemed truly honored to work on the restoration of this landmark. One of them invited me and another hiker onto the first floor; we couldn’t go up to the top because of safety concerns. They are waiting for the 48 foot tall spiral staircase to arrive. Apparently it is all in one piece, but I don’t see how they are going to get it through the front door! The tower is expected to reopen in August.

Information for this post was taken from The Friends of Lynn Woods website.

Foreclosure Prevention Jan. 13 6:30 PM

From Lynn United for Change:

Foreclosed? Underwater? Rent in a foreclosed building?

DON’T

MOVE!

There are 66 bank-owned buildings in the Highlands, up from 53 last year. We need to help people keep their homes and avoid eviction. Several investors are willing to buy buildings from banks and sell them back to the former owners at market prices!

You still might be able to stay in your home, even after foreclosure. Do not move, and do not accept “cash for keys” until you have learned about your rights and considered all of your options. You probably have the right to stay in your apartment for months or longer. You may be able to get your house back from the bank. Join us to meet others in your situation and to learn more:

No more evictions in Lynn!

Upcoming meeting:

Wednesday, January 13, 6:30 pm

at Neighbor to Neighbor, 112 Exchange St, Lynn (corner of Broad St and Exchange St)

Support, advice, solidarity for Lynn residents facing foreclosure or eviction. We are a volunteer organization made up of Lynn residents dedicated to fighting back against evictions and foreclosures. We are not a business, and we do not charge for the information, support, and solidarity we provide. More information / questions: www.LynnUnitedForChange.com

(781) 346-9199    •    housing@LynnUnitedForChange.com

Es posible que Ud. pueda quedarse en su casa.  No se mude, y no

entregue las “llaves por dinero” hasta que tenga más información.

Juntense con nosotros para conocer otras personas en la misma

situación y aprender más:

¡No más desalojos en Lynn!

Reuniones:

Miércoles, 30 de Diciembre, 6:30 pm

Miércoles, 13 de Enero, 6:30 pm

en Vecino a Vecino, 112 Exchange St, Lynn

(esquina de la calle Broad y Exchange)

Apoyo, consejo y solidaridad para residentes

de Lynn enfrentando foreclosure o desalojo

Somos una organización de voluntarios/as, residentes de Lynn,

dedicada a la lucha contra foreclosure y desalojo. No somos

una empresa, y no cobramos nada por la información, apoyo, y

solidaridad que brindamos.

Más información / preguntas: www.LynnUnitedForChange.com

(781) 346-9199    •    housing@LynnUnitedForChange.com

Se habla español y inglés.

¿Está riesgo de perder su casa

por embargo hipotecario?

¿El banco ya ha tomado su casa?

¿Es usted un inquilino de una

vivienda en proceso de embargo?

NO SE

MUDE

Resource Fair to Offer Free Vaccines for H1N1 and Seasonal Flu

East Lynn Community Association (ELCA) is hosting a community resource fair on January 6th at 7:00 p.m. at The Temple Ahabat Sholom, 151 Ocean Street. The fair is open to the public at no cost. Light refreshment will be available. Participating organizations include the Daily Item, Girls, Inc., StraightAhead Ministries, Communities that Care, Complete Count Census Committee, Serving People in Need-Financial Stability Center, The Food Project, Children’s Legal Services, Lynn Family and Children Services, Friends of Lynn and Nahant Beach,  Latino Scholarship Fund, Lynn-Side Edition, LynnCam, LynnHappens.com, Project COPE, Lynn Shelter Association, Lynn Time Bank, Neighbor-to-Neighbor, Lynn Police Department, Greater Lynn Senior Services (GLSS), Boston Learning Center, Bridgewell, Lynn Public Health Department, North Shore Rape Crisis Center, and the Special Education Surrogate Parent Program.

The Lynn Public Health Department will be offering free vaccines for both H1N1 and seasonal flu.

In addition, attendees can expect to learn how to access help and information when they need it; how to find agencies needing volunteers who also match their interests; and where donations can do the most good for their area of passion. Attendees will also have an opportunity to register to vote. Free door prize drawings will be held each 15 minutes beginning at 7:00 p.m. with tickets distributed at the door. The association will also be sponsoring a raffle for two grand prizes at 8:45 p.m.

The ELCA is a grass roots organization open to anyone interested in improving the quality of life in Lynn. The organization does not charge dues and meets the first Wednesday of odd months at the Temple Ahabat Sholom, 151 Ocean Streeet, 7:00 p.m. Persons interested in being added to the email distribution list should contact the organization at east.lynn.assn@comcast.net.