Announcements from the District
Drug Enforcement Administration to Hold Drug Collection Event
The Drug Enforcement Administration will be hosting a nationwide prescription drug “Take-Back” initiative that seeks to prevent increased pill abuse and theft. DEA will be collecting potentially dangerous expired, unused, and unwanted prescription drugs for destruction at sites nationwide on Saturday, September 25th from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. local time. The service is free and anonymous. To find a drop-off location near you click here.
Sales Tax Holiday This Weekend
This weekend, August 14th and 15th, Massachusetts will hold a sales tax holiday. This means that customers will not have to pay state sales tax on many purchases made on the 14th and 15th; the hope is that the sales tax holiday will spur consumers to make purchases and stimulate the economy.
Here are the details of the sales tax holiday:
- Purchases of tangible property for personal use only, will be exempt from the 6.25% sales tax on August 14th and 15th.
- The purchase of any single item over $2,500 does not qualify for the tax exemption. A customer may purchase multiple items totaling over $2,500, as long as each individual item is less than the threshold.
- Excluded sales: motor vehicles, motor boats, meals, telecommunications services, gas, steam, electricity, and tobacco products
- Purchases of alcohol qualify for the 6.25% sales tax savings. The excise applied to the sale of alcohol under chapter 138, section 21, however, does not qualify for the tax holiday.
- Internet purchases are included for those items shipping to a MA address.
- Actual payment must be remitted during the weekend to get the sales tax exemption – rain checks granted and layaway payments do not qualify, but paid backorders will get the break.
For answers to technical questions please visit the Department of Revenue’s website.
Young Parent’s Workshop Announced
On Monday, August 2, the Allston-Brighton Early Childhood System of Care organization will hold a program entitled “Outdoor Art and Bubble Fun,” from 6 to 6:45 pm at Honan Allston Library. 300 N Harvard St. Allston.
The program will be held in the library’s courtyard, but in the event of rain it will be held indoors.
Pizza will be served at 5:30.
Please call Ruth to register: 617-254-1520
Storrow Drive/Soldiers Field Road Closures and Detours Week of July 25
Westbound and Eastbound Will Not Close Simultaneously
Storrow Drive and Soldiers Field Road eastbound from Western Ave. to University Road or westbound from Massachusetts Ave. to Western Ave. will close Sunday, July 25 through Thursday, July 29 from 9 PM to 5 AM. The westbound closure will start at 11PM on nights of Red Sox games or as traffic permits. At no time will the westbound and eastbound routes close simultaneously. Both closures will detour vehicles to Memorial Drive. The closures will allow for drainage installation across Storrow Drive at the BU Bridge.
Boston Opens Cooling Centers for Residents
The following BCYF sites are available as Cooling Centers and/or Pool Sites when Mayor Menino declares a Heat Emergency or after the City of Boston’s temperatures have reached 90 degrees or higher for three (3) or more consecutive days.
Because the BCYF Cooling Center / Pool Site List is subject to change, all City departments using this list must call the Mayor’s 24 Hour Services for updates on which BCYF sites are open during any/all Heat Emergencies. BCYF sites with an asterisk (*) are Pool Only sites.
BCYF Cooling Centers
Agassiz Community Center 20 Child Street, Jamaica Plain 635-5191
Archdale Community Center 125 Brookway Rd, Roslindale 635-5256
Blackstone Community Center 50 West Brookline Street, Boston 635-5162
Charlestown Community Center 255 Medford Street, Charlestown 635-5169
Cleveland Community Center 11 Charles Street, Dorchester 635-5141
Condon Community Center 200 D Street, South Boston 635-5100
Curley Community Center (L St.) 1663 Columbia Road, South Boston 635-5104
Curtis Hall Community Center 20 South Street, Jamaica Plain 635-5193
Gallivan Community Center 61 Woodruff Way, Mattapan 635-5252
Golden Age Center 382 Main Street, Charlestown 635-5175
Grove Hall CC (Burke) 51 Geneva Ave, Dorchester 635-1484
Harborside Community Cntr. (Umana) 312 Border Street, East Boston 635-5114
Hennigan Community Center 200 Heath Street, Jamaica Plain 635-5198
Holland Community Center 85 Olney Street, Dorchester 635-5144
Hyde Park Community Center 1179 River Street, Hyde Park 635-5178
Jackson-Mann Community Center 500 Cambridge St, Allston 635-5153
Johnson Community Center 68 Annunciation Road, Mission Hill 635-5212
Kent Community Center 50 Bunker Hill St, Charlestown 635-5175
Leahy-Holloran Comm Ctr (Murphy) 1 Worrell Street, Dorchester 635-5150
Mildred Avenue Community Center 5 Mildred Ave., Mattapan 635-1328
Nazarro Community Center 30 North Bennet Street, North End 635-5166
Ohrenberger Comm. Center 175 West Boundary Rd., West Roxbury 635-5183
Orchard Gardens Community Cntr. 2 Dearborn Street, Roxbury 635-5220
Orient Heights Comm. Center 86 Boardman Street, East Boston 635-5120
Perkins Community Center (Lee) 155 Talbot Avenue, Dorchester 635-5146
BCNC (Quincy) 885 Washington St, Boston 635-5129
Roche Family Comm. Center 1716 Centre Street, West Roxbury 635-5066
Roslindale Community Center 6 Cummins Highway, Roslindale 635-5185
Shelburne Community Center 2730 Washington Street, Roxbury 635-5213
Thomas Johnson Community Cntr. 68 Annunciation Road, Roxbury 635-5213
Tobin Community Center 1481 Tremont St, Mission Hill 635-5216
Tynan Community Center 650 East 4th Street, So Boston 635-5110
Vine Street Community Center 339 Dudley Street, Roxbury 635-1285
BCYF Centers with Pools
Blackstone Community Center 50 West Brookline Street, Boston 635-5162
Clougherty Pool 151 Bunker Hill St, Charlestown 635-5173
Condon Community Center 200 D Street, South Boston 635-5100
Curtis Hall Community Center 20 South Street, Jamaica Plain 635-5193
* Draper Pool 5279 Washington St., West Roxbury 635-5021
* Flaherty Pool 160 Florence Street, Roslindale, 635-5181
Hennigan Community Center 200 Heath Street, Jamaica Plain 635-5198
Holland Community Center 85 Olney Street, Dorchester 635-5144
Leahy-Holloran Comm Ctr (Murphy) 1 Worrell Street, Dorchester 635-5150
*Madison Park Comm. Center 55 New Dudley Street, Roxbury 635-5209
* Mason Pool 176 Norfolk Ave, Roxbury 635-5241
Mildred Avenue Community Center 5 Mildred Ave., Mattapan 635-1328
Mirabella Pool 475R Commercial St, North End 635-1275
* Paris Street Pool 113 Paris Street, East Boston 635-5125
Perkins Community Center 155 Talbot Avenue, Dorchester 635-5146
Quincy Community Center 885 Washington Street, Boston 635-5129
* Are either Pool Only Sites or Pool Sites without Air Conditioning
River Road Closures for the 4th of July Weekend
The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and the Department of Transportation (DOT) will close portions of Storrow Drive in Boston, Memorial Drive in Cambridge, and the Longfellow Bridge and Massachusetts Avenue Bridge to accommodate the thousands of spectators expected for the July 3 and 4 celebrations and fireworks. Clean-up will begin 30 minutes after the last firework on July 4, and all roadways will remain closed until the clean-up is complete, which is expected to be Monday morning, July 5.
Those attending Saturday night’s Red Sox game are urged to avoid Storrow Drive from the East (from Boston), as it will close at 4 p.m.
Here is the road and bridge closing schedule:
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Road closures
12:01 a.m.
- No parking on Mugar Way in Boston between Arlington Street and Charles Street until 8 a.m. on July 5, 2010
8 a.m.
- Charles River walkway adjacent to the Charles River closed to pedestrians from the Community Boating area to DCR’s Hatch Shell. The Storrow Drive walkway remains open.
- Oval area in front of the Hatch Shell closed to public for Boston Pops rehearsal.
4 p.m.
- Storrow Drive closed to westbound traffic from the Lee Pool to Berkeley Street, including the entrance from Charles Street Circle. Westbound traffic can re-enter Storrow Drive at Berkeley Street.
- The Arlington Street exit from the Storrow Tunnel (eastbound/inbound) will close.
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Roadway and Bridge closures
12:01 a.m.
- No parking on Memorial Drive (either side) between Fowler Street and the Longfellow Bridge;
- No parking on Cambridge Parkway, Museum Road, and North Point Boulevard.
7:30 a.m.
- Storrow Drive closed in both directions between Leverett Circle and Kenmore Square.
- The Storrow Drive exit ramp in the Liberty Tunnel will be closed to all traffic except emergency vehicles.
- The ramps from Beacon Street to Storrow Drive eastbound and westbound will close.
- Closures will include the on-ramps to Storrow Drive from Berkeley Street, Charlesgate Area (heading eastbound), Bowker Overpass from Park Drive, and Charles Street Circle (heading westbound).
- No parking or boat launching at Magazine Beach Area or Riverside Boat Club.
- Pedestrian footbridge to the Esplanade at Charles Street Circle closed.
- Pedestrian footbridge from Beacon Street to the Esplanade closed.
- Mugar Way at Beacon Street closed to all pedestrian traffic.
10:30a.m.
- The right lane of Charles River Dam Road (O’Brien Highway) southbound will be closed to stage maintenance and response vehicles.
4:30 p.m.
- Longfellow Bridge closed to vehicular traffic in both directions. Pedestrian access will be allowed.
- Memorial Drive closed in both directions between Longfellow Bridge and Massachusetts Avenue.
- Main Street, Cambridge, closed from Third Street to the Longfellow Bridge.
- Ames Street, Cambridge, closed from Main Street to Memorial Drive.
- Wadsworth and Amherst Streets, Cambridge, closed
- Land Boulevard, Cambridge, from Binney Street to Longfellow Bridge closed.
- Hayward, Carlton, Charlotte’s Way, and Dock Streets in Cambridge, closed.
- Access allowed to One Memorial Drive only with issued permit.
6 p.m.
- Memorial Drive closed between Massachusetts Avenue Bridge and the BU Bridge.
- Massachusetts Avenue Bridge closed to vehicles in both directions. Pedestrians will be allowed to cross.
- Vassar Street in Cambridge closed from Massachusetts Avenue to Memorial Drive. Access will be allowed for residents only.
11 p.m.
- Third Street in Cambridge becomes one way from Main Street to Msgr. O’Brien Highway
- Craigie Draw Bridge (at Leverett Circle) open for vehicular traffic for 2 hours or until traffic starts to subside. Small boats that can pass under bridge will be allowed to pass.
Massachusetts State Police and DCR officials may adjust times of closures in order to ensure public safety.
Handicap Parking
Parking for event-goers with disabilities will be available at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary beginning at 10 a.m. on July 4th. To reach the lot, enter Storrow Drive outbound from Leverett Circle and exit at the Charles Circle off-ramp. A handicap plate or placard will be required to enter the lot.
A shuttle will run from the parking location to the Esplanade between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., or until the designated handicap area at the Esplanade is full, and will return all event-goers to the lot at the end of the concert and fireworks.
Handicap parking also will be available on Cambridge Parkway on July 4. After 5 p.m., vehicles with handicap parking plates or placards can access the parkway at the intersection of Land Boulevard and Binney street in Cambridge. The parking area will close when all spaces are full. All cars parked on Cambridge Parkway must be off the road by 1 a.m. Any vehicles left after 1 a.m. will be towed at the owner’s expense.
Allston-Brighton Community Safe Medication Disposal Day
When: Saturday, June 12, 2010 from 9AM-12PM
Where: St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center/ Brighton High School
11 Nevins Road
Brighton, MA 02135
Please:
- Blacken out or remove personal information on pill bottles; leave name of medication
- If not in bottles, place in sealable plastic bags
- Put all sharps in containers or sturdy bottles
Totally anonymous – No questions asked!
Partners include: St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center, Allston Brighton Substance Abuse Task Force, Boston Police Department and CVS Pharmacy
MBTA Announces Opportunity to Meet the General Manager
As part of the MBTA’s efforts to strengthen customer service, newly appointed MBTA General Manager Richard Davey announced a Join the GM – for a new train of thought campaign, a back-to-basics approach that will include regular visits to MBTA stations to listen and interact with daily commuters in person. On Thursdays, beginning Thursday, April 8, and continuing for eight weeks, MBTA General Manager Richard Davey, along with the T’s top managers will convene at a selected subway or bus station to listen to customers concerns, and promote public transportation.
Each week, MBTA managers from various departments will be available at a selected subway or bus station prepared to listen, respond, and follow up with customers concerns and recommendations. Upon completion of eight weekly sessions, “Join the GM” will continue on a monthly basis system-wide. Below are the remaining seven sessions:
Dudley Square Station—Thursday, April 15—7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Kenmore Station—Thursday, April 22—7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Maverick Station—Thursday, April 29—7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Forest Hills Station—Thursday, May 6—7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
North Station—Thursday, May 13—4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Haymarket Station—Thursday, May 20—4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Ruggles— Thursday, May 27—4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Information about How to Respond to Flooding and Massachusetts’ Recent Rain
What does the Governor’s State of Emergency Declaration Mean and Why Did He Declare One?
The declaration of a State of Emergency enables the Governor to take the appropriate steps to mobilize many of the Commonwealth’s assets, such as the National Guard, and conduct other emergency business to assist local communities in their response to and recovery from the many impacts of this storm.
What do I do if there is a flood in my home or building?
- A flood can be caused by rainwater or sometimes by sewage backups. In both cases, a flood can cause serious health problems. The first step is to act fast.
- Ensure your own safety. If there is major flooding that could have reached or submerged gas or electric equipment, do not go near flooded energized electrical fixtures. Dial 911 or call your gas or electric company to shut off all gas and electricity to avoid electrocution and fire hazard. Never go near downed power lines.
- Seek alternative shelter pending site cleanup. When it is safe to enter your home to begin cleanup, pump or mop standing water out of flooded areas as soon as possible and immediately remove water soaked materials from your home. Water soaked areas should be dried out within 24 – 48 hours to prevent mold hazards.
DO NOT OPERATE GAS POWERED PUMPS OR GENERATORS INDOORS. INDOOR OPERATION OF GAS POWERED EQUIPMENT CREATES A CARBON MONOXIDE HAZARD.
What are the dangers of a flood?
- Floodwater can damage gas and electric appliances, and possibly cause fire or electrocution.
- Water soaked carpets and plaster can cause mold to grow and create a health hazard.
- Sewage backups can bring harmful bacteria, viruses and parasites that can cause diseases. Sewage backups should be reported to your local Police Station and/or Department of Public Works
How do I clean up after a flood?
- Always wear rubber gloves and waterproof boots. You may also need goggles and other protective clothing.
- One you have pumped all the visible water out of the area, throw away all materials which have absorbed water or been damaged. This includes wet paper items, carpets, clothing, and furniture.
- If walls have been damaged by the water, the building owner may need to remove the sodden or damaged drywall as soon as possible and restore the damage after the building is dry.
- If there is oil or other hazardous materials spilled from containers, call a professional or 911. Heating oil tanks may have overturned and spilled their contents into the basement water. Do not pump any spilled hazardous materials outdoors or into the sewer system.
Protect Yourself
- If you cut yourself, clean the wound out right away with soap and water. See a doctor to prevent infections.
- Do not forget to take breaks to prevent exhaustion.
- Do not eat or drink in the flooded area.
- Clean yourself up after you have finished working. Wash your hands, take a shower, and change your clothing.
Protect Your Neighbors
- Be aware of any neighbors who use electrically dependant medical devices (such as oxygen machines) who may be at risk if they lose electrical power. Please check on vulnerable neighbors or call 911.
- Please report flooding to your local Police Station to assist in identifying problem areas.
Water Damage Scam in Allston-Brighton
Senator Tolman has received word from the Boston Police that criminals operating in the Allston-Brighton area have been using the recent rain and resulting flooding in order to engage in criminal activity. Over the past few days individuals have been impersonating Water and Sewer Department employees in order to gain access to elderly resident’s homes and then to steal cash and valuables.
Boston Water and Sewer employees are not checking basements for flooding. All Water and Sewer Department employees have uniforms and Identification, as well as a labeled vehicle. If someone claiming to be a Water and Sewer employee comes to your house and you did not call the department for service, do not let them in. Call 911 and ask for the police to respond. Anyone with any information on these recent crimes is asked to call the District D-14 detectives at 617-343-4256
Allston-Brighton residents eligible to have taxes done for free
Allston-Brighton Area Planning Counciland the Allston-Brighton Resource Center recently announced that they will provide free tax preperation services to qualified members of the Allston-Brighton community. Eligible residents include should contact either organization to schedule an appointment with one of their tax specialists. For more information please click here.