7
July 8, 2006
SOUTH END REPORT
Latino Arts Festival Set for Weekend
Rendering of 263-265 Northampton Street
Northampton Lot Goes From Cars to Condos by Thomas Grillo Courant News Writer
In a move that is expected to help turn an industrial section of the South End into a neighborhood, the city has selected a developer to build a $14.2 million residential building at 263-265 Northampton Street. The Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) has selected New Boston Ventures LLC and PEG Properties as the redeveloper of the former used car lot. “This is a unique opportunity to turn an overlooked lot into an affordable opportunity for first-time homebuyers who have been priced out of Boston,” said David L. Goldman, New Boston principal. Plans for the parcel consist of a sixstory, 45,739 square-foot brick building that will include 37 condominiums. Of that number, seven will be designed as
affordable artist live/work units to be priced as low as $183,000 to income-eligible buyers. Market rate units will cost between $369,000 and $600,000. Before construction commences, Goldman must complete an Article 80 development review. As part of the process, the community will have opportunities to shape the project before it receives final BRA Board approval. New Boston has also joined with PEG Properties to construct The Modern which is under construction at 255 Northampton Street. Goldman paid $1.8 million for the former parking garage that was razed to make way for 25 loft-style condominiums, priced starting at $399,000. While contractors have yet to pour a foundation, 10 units at The Modern have sold in the high $300,000s. “The units at both developments are for Continued on page 17
New England’s oldest Latino community arts event, Festival Bentances, will be held in Villa Victoria from Friday, July 14 to Sunday, July 16. The festival includes music, family events, Latin foods and vendors selling handcrafts. Organizers at Inquillinos Buricuas en Acción (IBA) expect 5,000 to 10,000 attendees. The festival officially starts with a parade around Villa Victoria at 6 pm on Friday. A family feast afterward includes two roasted pigs, part of a Puerto Ricanstyle Christmas, IBA Chief Executive Officer Vanessa Calderon-Rosado said. “The Christmas celebration in July will be a first,” she noted. “It was just something community residents wanted to do.” A Saturday concert at 4 pm includes music and dance from throughout Latin America. The Sunday concert, also at 4 pm, features Puerto Rican performances. This year, the IBA has timed its Tito Puente Latin Music Series, held in collaboration with Berklee College of Music, to kick off the festival. On Thursday, July 13, Berklee’s Bernardo Hernández will lead a Latino musical ensemble in O’Day Park on West Newton Street at 7 pm. The festival also includes children’s events in O’Day Park on Saturday and Sunday. Due to increased violence in the South
PHOTO: COURTESY OF INQUILLINOS BORICUAS EN ACCIÓN
PHOTO: COURTESY OF NEW BOSTON VENTURES LLC
by Daniel Friedman Courant News Writer
End, Calderon-Rosado said this year’s festival will include extra security. “With more crowds coming in each year...we want to make sure everyone is safe,” she said. Now in its 33rd year, Festival Betances commemorates Ramón Betances, a 19th century doctor considered the father of the Puerto Rican independence movement. This year’s festival is also a tribute to Jorge Hernández, a community activist who helped found IBA in the 1970s.
17
July 8, 2006
Ask Amos Dear Amos, I am one year old and house-trained. My mom just started letting me sleep in her bedroom on the floor and the other night I had an accident right on my bed. Her bedroom is upstairs, not near the outside door. I felt really bad about this but I had to go, and she didn’t wake up when I tried to tell her. I love sleeping with her and the kitties. What should I do? What can she do to help me? Signed, Rosey Dear Rosey, I’m so sorry this happened. It was not your fault, and I bet you wet on your bed because you knew the bedroom rug was not the right place. Your mom should stop giving you water at 6 pm and not give you rawhide after that time either. Rawhide makes you thirsty! You might just have a little bladder so mom needs to help you out and be aware of this. Another thing she can do is take you out just five to 10 minutes before bedtime. Dear Amos, I took my chew bone into the garden last week. I buried it! It was great fun. Then I found it, brought it in and chewed on it for hours. More great fun! Then it all went downhill. I had stomach cramps and I suddenly went out of control with, well, going to the bathroom all over the house. It was gross and my mom was beside herself. What do you think happened to me? Signed, Hilda Dear Hilda, I’m sorry this happened. BUT, now you know, or mom should know, that bones you play with and chew on must be kept in the house. My guess is the bone picked up some bacteria that was on the ground or in the
soil and you ingested it. Not good! So keep what you put in your mouth in the house! In fact, when a rawhide or bone gets raunchy looking, chances are it is, and should be thrown out. And, while we’re on the subject, all cloth toys should go into the washer and dryer once a week because they can hold onto germs too. Dear Amos, My mom took your advice and bought me Brewer’s Yeast and garlic pills, and I have to tell you, that Brewer’s Yeast makes my food taste awesome! What the heck is in that stuff? My food tastes savory and more meaty. I’m loving it! And, another thing, my coat is shiny and my shedding is WAY down. This should be called miracle powder! Signed, Abby Dear Abby, I experienced the same thing. I love the stuff. It makes a great gravy in my food. Brewer’s Yeast is pure, readily available protein-amino acids – the building blocks of life. It’s getting into your fur – which is also made of protein – and I feel it’s acting like fur food. It’s good for you, and good for people too! How’s the combination doing to keep the mosquitoes away? So far so good for me…. Dear Amos, I heard there is a camp for dogs and people in Vermont. It sounds like a great time. I mean you go there, play and sleep with mom and dad. What could be better? What is the name of it? I want my mom to take me there with her! Signed, Sam Dear Sam, It’s called Camp Gone to the Dogs. Go to www.campgonetothedogs.com to learn more.
Ask Amos at: editorial@bostoncourant.com
Northampton continued from page 7 entry level buyers who don’t qualify for affordable housing and can’t afford market rate,” Goldman said. “It’s the best value for people who left the city due to high prices but want to return.” The Northampton Street projects are the latest developments that Goldman’s company has undertaken. In 1996, as investors avoided the area, Goldman and partner Dennis Kanin purchased the abandoned Allen House on Worcester Street. Goldman turned the dilapidated
Italianate and French Second Empire-style mansion into 11 luxury condos. At the time, the idea to transform the decaying brownstone into the neighborhood’s first luxury condominiums raised eyebrows. Today, construction of luxury housing in that section of the city is routine. Penmark, the former Boston College High School building that overlooks the South End Burying Ground on Washington Street, was recently turned into 60 luxury condominiums priced from $600,000 to $1.2 million. “David has a great record in the South End,” said Jessica Shumaker, a BRA spokesperson. “He’s completed several projects in a very short of amount of time.”
First Church of Christ, Scientist
Ongoing. Tours of the Mother Church. View the original structure and the extension. Thursday-Saturday, 12 pm to 4 pm. Free. 450-3436.
Jesuit Urban Center
Wednesday, July 12. Mid-day Organ Concert. Mariko Irie plays the music of W. F. Bach, Joe Utterback and Duruflé. Free. 739-1340.
Emmanuel Church
Wednesday, July 12. “The DaVinci Code: An Interfaith Conversation.” Rabbi Howard Berman of Boston Jewish Spirit, Rev. James Field of the Catholic Church of Incarnation in Melrose, and Rev. Maureen Kemeza of Emmanuel Church in the Back Bay will lead a discussion. 7:30 pm. Free. 983-1200.
Old South Church
Ongoing. “Venice at Copley Square.” Tour and lecture on the structure and design of the church’s Ruskinian Italian Gothic sanctuary. Tuesdays at 3 pm. Free. 536-1970.
Trinity Church
Fridays July 14 and 21. “Handling Stress as People of Faith.” Arville Stephen, LICSW, clinical director of the Trinity Boston Counseling Center, and Steven Maurer, MA, a licensed mental health clinician, discuss ways people can reduce stress. Attend one of the workshops, which will include quiet times for prayer and meditation. 8:30 am-1 pm. $50 suggested donation. 536-0944, ext. 311.
Vilna Shul
Thursday, July 13. “The Wooden Synagogue Project and Education.” Artists discuss researching and constructing some of the work in the “Continuity” exhibit. 7:30 pm. $10. 523-2324. Thursday, August 24. “The Wooden Synagogues of Poland.” Professor Thomas Hubka, author of Resplendent Synagogues, discusses the architectural heritage of synagogues in Pale. $10. 7:30-9 pm. Through Thursday, August 31. “Continuity: Traditions of Jewish Art and Architecture.” Exhibit exploring synagogue architecture from around the world. Free. For hours, call 523-2324.