The Third Decade

Dumpster Diving...Really?

Given the recent stories about the proliferation of rats around the area, I'm shocked that there are people who are choosing to go dumpster diving in areas where rats would most likely be scurrying about. I get that they're making a point about food waste, but what about common sense? With swine flu and bird flu floating around, do we really need people purposely exposing themselves to another potential source of infection? Someone call the parents, the Millennials are losing their damn minds!

Goodbye, Silver Line.

When I woke up this morning and read the Globe article about how the state scrapped plans for the 28X/Mattapan Silver Line, I was both happy and curious. That proposed extension of the Silver Line never really made sense to me. I've taken the existing route between Dudley Square and Downtown many times and have always found it slow, crowded, and uncomfortable. Current Silver Line service is sporadic. It's not unusual to wait at Dudley Station for over 15 minutes for a bus to depart...if it's even at the berth. Given that the extension would be about twice as long as the current route, it was surprising to see the state try to sell this project as an improvement to the bus service that already exists.

Anyway, I was curious to see what the reader comments to the article would be. Unsurprisingly, many of them are by people who don't live in the affected neighborhoods or use the Silver Line. They label area residents as "whiners" and suggest that the Roxbury, Dorchester, and Mattapan lost out on something beneficial. Puh-leeze. Planning to spend $147 million dollars for a new, slow bus line was ridiculous. Even as an express route with a dedicated lane, the bus would've still had to deal with Blue Hill Avenue's heavy traffic and the general lack of courtesy that most drivers show to each other. The state's idea also seemed like another temporary solution to an issue needing long-term planning and coordination: how to improve transportation to an area of Boston lacking rapid rail transportation.

Looking at the past 25 years in Boston transit, there's been an unfortunate pattern of disinvesting in routes in the urban core while investing heavily in outer areas. As Washington Street lost the Orange Line and South Huntington/Centre Streets lost the E-line (to be replaced by bus service), North Cambridge gained the Red Line extension, the new Orange Line was moved to the Southwest Corridor, and the commuter rail expanded in multiple directions. In the meantime, the Somerville Green Line extension, the Indigo/Fairmount Line, the Lynn extension on the Blue Line, and the Urban Ring have been dangled in front of area residents without significant progress being achieved. Is it any wonder that residents in dense urban areas are expressing their outrage and annoyance and demanding better ideas? Besides having poor transit options, as new residents move into urban areas they're bringing more cars to compensate for the lack of adequate public transportation and adding to congestion. The feeling I sense from a lot of people (although by no means the all) is that enough is enough.

We need something better regionally. As a Roxbury resident, I'm glad to know that organizations like the Washington Street Corridor Coalition have been working for years to advocate for improved service and coordinated planning. In addition to improved transit through Dudley Square, I also hope that Somerville, Dorchester, and Lynn are included in a regional transit update that brings more of the densest parts of Metro Boston better rapid transit options. The Silver Line was a nice try, but it's time to move forward and start thinking about how to build a more comprehensive rail network with some vision.

Uptick in the economy?

The property tax revaluation assessments are out. To my surprise, my little condo has an assessed value higher this year than last year. Is this a sign that the economy/housing market is improving or did the city change its formula for assessing property taxes this year?

Old Fashioned Roxbury Apple Festival

Just want to pass on information about this event happening tomorrow.

Eat, drink, and be merry at a free apple-themed festival evoking the spirit of a country fair. Take part in interactive cooking classes, enjoy drumming, and drink fresh cider from an old-fashioned cider press. Participate in a variety of workshops, including one by the Garden Girl on how to prepare your garden for the winter.

Bring the kids for an environmental scavenger hunt, face painting, henna tattoos, and a tour of Paige Academy that includes live chickens and a garden. Fresh chili, cornbread, and assorted baked goods will also be for sale. A live jazz band will will also perform. This event will run rain or shine.

*Workshops/Tours*
1:30-2:00 Tour of main building
2:15-3:00 Garden Girl's workshop (Umoja room)
3:15-4:00 Cooking class with Chef Nadine Nelson (Umoja room kitchen)
3:30-3:45 Tour of animals

*Please note that Paige Academy requires the removal of shoes INSIDE the facility. Please wear a comfortable pair of socks for indoor events.

Co-presented by Discover Roxbury, Earthworks, Epicurean Studio, Garden Girl, and Paige Academy. Live jazz band courtesy of Wally's Jazz Cafe.

Saturday, November 7, 1pm-4pm
Paige Academy, 28 Highland Ave, Roxbury
MBTA: Roxbury Crossing

What can we do with four more years?

Some people who did not support another four years of Menino have already begun gazing into their navels in despair about him being in office for another four year term. While it's not what was hoped for, let's face it, the man knows how to get things done. That said, perhaps it's time to look at another four years of Menino as a blessing in disguise. As I said, he knows how to get things done. So, instead of wallowing in self-pity, maybe it's an opportunity to gather in significant numbers to make sure your ideas are heard by the one man with all the cards in his hands. My shortlist for Roxbury is below:

BIOLAB: Can it. For years B.U. has shown that it hasn't been very good at managing labs with less deadly viruses. Why are we supposed to trust them with a Level 4 lab that will hold some of the deadliest pathogens on earth? Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz and other elected officials have gone on record as saying that they don't support the lab. Many residents don't support it either. We know you're for it, but do you really trust the designated operators to manage it well?

NCAAA at P-3: Support it. At a BRA meeting earlier this year, Roxbury residents expressed overwhelming support to have an arts center - as envisioned by Barry Gaither of the NCAAA - built at P-3. That part of Columbus Ave/Tremont St lacks a neighborhood cultural institution that can be draw and anchor. Rumors have floated for years that Menino wants to build a soccer stadium there for the Revolution, but that's the last thing a congested yet culturally-desolate area needs. Support the arts, Mr. Mayor. If you want a soccer stadium, build it on the waterfront or in place of the Biolab.

DUDLEY SQUARE: Build it. Before the election there was a design contest regarding the future of the Ferdinand Building. Your office announced that the winner of the contest would be designated after the election was over. Well, here we are. Show your commitment to the future of Dudley Square by designating a team before Thanksgiving to begin building out the Ferdinand site. Dudley Square has been languishing for years and needs a boost. The site of the new police station has been cleared, now it's time to get Ferdinand on the move. And while you're at it, can you get Jackson Square moving along, too?