Naomi Paul (left) and Patricia Thiboutot, co-chairs of NEWRA’s Clean Streets Committee.The North End’s “Waste Management Maven,” Naomi Paul, recorded an interesting radio interview with WGBH’s Callie Crossley on the trash situation in the neighborhood. Naomi is also co-chair of the NEWRA Clean Streets Committee. The show is titled “Vigilantes” and Naomi’s interview is the Read More…
Dr. Howard Koh, assistant secretary of health for Health and Human Services, visited the North End Community Health Center on Hanover St. this week. The visit is part of a campaign to increase awareness and spending on such centers as part of the rollout toward universal health care. The Boston Herald reports, “The red-brick tenements Read More…
NEWRA’s Clean Streets Committee Meets To Discuss Neighborhood Trash & Cleanliness Issues. North End residents believe that enforcement of existing trash and cleanliness ordinances is key to cleaning up the neighborhood. That was the message at this week’s Clean Streets meeting, a volunteer neighborhood committee of the North End/Waterfront Residents’ Association (NEWRA). The Green Ticket Read More…
The North End Children’s Center at the North End Community Health Center is looking for replacement toys and equipment. See the note below from Director Tim Clifford. (Via the NEWMA bulletin board.) I want to thank all of you who kindly offered to help us with replacing our lost supplies and toys. On June 6th, Read More…
A highlight of this week’s meeting of the North End / Waterfront Residents’ Association (NEWRA.org) was the discussion with Joanne Massaro, the recently appointed Commissioner of the Boston Public Works Department (PWD). Also in attendance was PWD neighborhood representative, Frank O’Brien, who regularly attends NEWRA’s Clean Streets Committee meetings. Commissioner Massaro talked about her commitment Read More…
Mayor Menino Releases 2010 Health of Boston Report
Mortality rates continue to decline, fewer drug and alcohol deaths
Fewer Boston residents are dying of cancer, heart disease, injuries, and stroke, four of the five leading causes of death in the city, and Asian residents in Boston have the highest average life expectancy of any racial or ethnic group, according to the new Health of Boston report released today by Mayor Menino.
The 399-page report prepared by the Boston Public Health Commission contained plenty of good news about the health of Boston residents: Fewer substance abuse deaths, high rates of cancer screening, fewer teen pregnancies, fewer adults smokers and salmonella cases, and the near- disappearance of children in Boston with elevated lead levels.
But serious challenges remain. The report found that Boston’s black and Latino residents continue to experience higher levels of chronic disease, mortality, and poorer health outcomes compared to white residents. In 2008, the asthma hospitalization rate for black and Latino children was more than three times the rate for Asian children and four times the rate for white children. That same year, the diabetes hospitalization rate for black and Latino residents was about four times the rate for Asians and whites. For Boston’s black residents the health inequities begin early in life and persist throughout the individual’s lifespan: In 2008, the black infant mortality rate was more than four times the white infant mortality rate, and black residents had the shortest average life expectancy.
The efforts of NEWRA’s Clean Streets co-chair, Naomi Paul, are highlighted on the front page of today’s Boston Globe. In a story by Meghan Irons, it is noted that 1,600 green tickets have been issued since April in the North End after the passing of the Green Ticket ordinance that adds fines to property owner’s Read More…
Benjamin Hennessy Martin, 2, of the North End got a chance to explore the inside of a Boston fire engine during Friday’s Fill-the-Boot drive to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) at the Copley Square Farmers Market. Boston Fire’s Engine 3 of the South End raised $1,500 toward their $100,000 total goal and will continue Read More…
The NEWRA Clean Streets Committee has been looking for a way to help dog owners clean up after their dogs. Chris Young, the committee’s liaison to the North End Chamber of Commerce and business community, took charge of the effort and recently purchased five “Dogi-Pot” facilities that will be mounted on poles at neighborhood parks. Read More…
It is the peak of summer, but the City’s Public Works Department and NEWRA’s Clean Streets Committee are planning for possible year-round street cleaning starting this winter. Currently, mechanical street cleaning ends in November for the winter months until the following April. Responding to resident and business complaints of dirty streets during the winter months, Read More…
North Ender Adam Balsam went out for a walk last weekend and found trash everywhere. “I couldn’t stop myself from snapping some quick pics.” View his trash blog post. Readers may remember Adam from his epic trash violation map earlier this year. Here is a trash photo of my own that I sent to the Read More…
NEWRA’s Clean Streets Committee members Michael Bloomer and Janet Gilardi presented Claudia Spagnuolo of Spagnuolo’s Restaurant with the July 2010 Good Neighbor Recognition Award. Spagnuolo’s Restaurant is located at 240 Hanover Street (617-523-9709). The Clean Streets Committee of the North End/Waterfront Residents’ Association (NEWRA) is recognizing businesses and property owners in our neighborhood who are Read More…