End of Summer Extravaganza
The rain washed away the Independence Day celebration but as promised, the City will host an End of Summer Extravaganza on Sept. 3 at 5 p.m. in Glendale Park. There will be live entertainment, food and fireworks at 8:30 p.m. Free admission, and rain date of Sept. 4.
Zoning, Planning Eliminate Remote Options
The City has announced that the Zoning Board of Appeals and Planning Board will no longer broadcast their meetings on Zoom or YouTube any longer, and will move back to an in-person only meeting format.
The ZBA and Planning had been two of the first and most successful boards to implement a remote option during COVID-19, and saw a jump in attendance and participation in their meetings as a result. Both boards moved back to City Hall meetings in July, and intend to go forward that way. City officials said there were perhaps some legal issues with having meetings continue with a remote option.
Foresteire case Continued Again
The criminal case against former Supt. Fred Foresteire continues to stall out in District Court, with another continuance earlier this summer for a status hearing. In the most recent action, a status hearing on June 24 got continued to September 22, and there are no other public updates, according to the District Attorney’s Office. He was originally charged criminally in February 2019.
Zion Church Community in Unity Block Party
Zion Church Ministries, 757 Broadway, invites all to join them on Saturday, September 18, from noon to 3 p.m. for their Annual Community-in-Unity Block Party. Enjoy free food, entertainment, a Gaming Truck, activities for children, free health screening, giveaways, and more. It’s time to have some fun, so mark the calendar and come celebrate at the Community-in-Unity Block Party.
Senior Summer Concert Series
The Senior Summer Concert series at the Connolly Center continues with week with Racy Cavicchio and his Orchestra. Dance to classic Big Band tunes and listen to a great veteran of the music industry play. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the concert begins at 6:30 p.m.
Future concerts include:
•Thursday, Aug. 12: Back Track, 6:30 p.m. Celebrate the popular girl groups of the 1960s, from the Shirelles to the Supremes to the Dixie Cups.
Ann-Laurie Pierre Fundraiser
Ann-Laurie Pierre, a senior at Everett High (EHS), has been faced with difficult circumstances and has been especially hit hard by the pandemic. Her father died of COVID-19; and her mother is battling cancer, unable to work.
Please consider donating to Ann-Laurie’s GoFundMe page and join the community for her fundraiser event to help her to be able to attend Howard University. The event is on Thursday, April 5, 6 p.m., in the Village Bar & Grill, 38 Norman St.
Bus Survey Available
REMINDER: Share Your Input with the Bus Network Redesign Travel Survey.
The MBTA would like to remind everyone about a new survey that will help them better understand what customers need from the bus network. The MBTA hopes to create a better and more equitable bus network—to do that, they need public input:
•Does the MBTA take you where you need or want to go?
•When you need to get somewhere, is riding the MBTA a good option for you?
Provide your input into the future of the MBTA bus network by taking the survey at mbta.com/bnrdsurvey. One can also call (857) 366-1871 to take the survey over the phone.
The survey has been extended until August 8.
LUMA Announces Multicultural Festival
LUMA Director Lucy Pineda this week announced they will hold the 14th annual Everett Multicultural Festival all day long on Aug. 29 at the Lafayette Playground.
The event is free of charge and has moved from Sacramone Park to the Lafayette after not having a festival last year. There will be lots of music, including Grupo Los Nitidos, Carlos Latin Band and others – as well as food from around the globe and traditional dancers.
Ward 5 and 6 Community Meetings
Mayor DeMaria is pleased to announce that he will be hosting an in-person community meeting for the City of Everett’s Ward 5 community at Swan Street Park on Tuesday, August 17 at 7 p.m. to learn more about the current issues facing the specific neighborhood.
“My Administration and I have enjoyed meeting with the community over the past few months,” said Mayor DeMaria. “Throughout our community meetings, I have learned about the issues and concerns facing the neighborhoods of Everett. Residents asked questions and shared concerns, and we are working to find solutions. I look forward to having our in-person community meeting with the residents of Ward 5.”
Due to inclement weather, the original date for the community meeting for this ward had to be cancelled.
•Mayor DeMaria said he will hold the Ward 6 Community meeting on Aug. 4, 7 p.m., in Meadows Park. The meeting will address specific issues in the neighborhood. This ward meeting had been rescheduled from the original date of Wednesday, July 14.
Everett Seniors on The Road Again!!
Mayor Carlo DeMaria and The Council on Aging have planned a long awaited trip to Maine for our annual Lobster Bake for Wednesday September 22, 2021. Our luxury Silver Fox coach will pick us up at The Everett Stadium Parking lot at 8:30am. Our first stop is the famed Stonewall Kitchen, where you will have time to browse through the many jellies, jams and other onsite made goodies. Our next stop is the fabulous Foster’s for a traditional Down East lobster bake. Our meal includes, New England clam chowder, Steamed mussels and Maine Clams, Fresh lobster (or chicken) baked potato and dessert. After our feast, we will stop at When Pigs fly artisan breads, and then to Yummies Candy emporium, featuring over 10, 000lbs of bulk candy, packed sweets and vintage products. Reservations must be made in person with our trip coordinators Hazel McNeil and Carol Dello Russo, at The Connolly Center August 9 through August 13. Please make checks payable to The City of Everett. For additional information please call 617.394.2323 or 617.394.2260
Free Annual Senior Summer BBQ
Mayor Carlo DeMaria and The Council on Aging have planned their annual Free Senior Summer BBQ for Everett Seniors only, aged 60 and over. This year, due to the changes at The Connolly Center, the Council on Aging has decided to host the event at Anthony’s Restaurant, 105 Canal Street in Malden, Friday August 6, at 3 p.m. The COA has chosen the theme of “Willie Wonka and The Chocolate Factory.” You will enjoy traditional BBQ fare with entertainment by Doo Wop DeVille. Tickets are available at The Connolly Center, July 19 through July 23 from 9 a.m. until noon. If you need transportation for this event, or have any questions, please call us at 617.394.2323 or 617.394.2260.
Meditation For Senior Citizens
Mayor Carlo DeMaria and The Council on Aging are happy to announce Mindful Meditation for seniors at The Connolly Center. The schedule is as follows; Fridays, August 6, August 20 and September 3 at 8:30 a.m. This class is designed for you commune with your inner self, promoting self-awareness and the well-being of mind body and spirit. Please join Anna Noble from East Boston Health for this rewarding class. Reservations are required by calling 617.394.2260 or 617.394.2323. Class size is limited to 20 people.
Volunteers Needed
The Bread of Life mobile food pantry at the Lafayette school in Everett needs volunteers to help distribute free groceries on Thursdays from 3 to 5pm. Call Charlene @ 781-824-0564 or email [email protected] The Bread of Life mobile food pantry distributes food to needy families every Thursday from 3-5 p.m. at the Lafayette School in Everett.
Council on Aging/ Connolly Center
Mayor Carlo DeMaria and The Council on Aging, together, have been working diligently to be able to offer programing to our senior residents to slowly open up The Connolly Center while maintaining current safety practices and protocol. We are happy to announce our “Coffee Clutch” program.
The Connolly Center will be open Mondays and Fridays only. There will be two sessions offered to Everett Seniors, and one session offered on Friday. Each session will allow a maximum of 24 seniors. There will be 6 tables of 4 people each for a 90 minute session. Seniors will have the opportunity to see old friends, enjoy a snack and coffee and scheduled entertainment. Safety protocols, such as mask wearing, temperature checks and social distancing are mandatory. Our staff is required to sanitize before and after each session.
The “Coffee Clutch” Schedule is as follows:
Monday from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Monday from 10:45 a.m. to noon
Friday from 10 a.m. to 12 noon
Reservations are a must. To make a reservation please call Margaret @ (617) 394-2323.
COVID Testing Site Moved
The Everett COVID-19 testing sit has been moved to RiverGreen Park, 1 RiverGreen Drive, as of July 3.
The testing will be walk-up only with no appointment necessary.
Testing times include:
•Monday to Thursday, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2-7 p.m.
•Friday and Saturday, noon to 6 p.m.
AFT Mass. Seeks Mask Wearing in K-6 Schools This Fall
In response to new guidance from the state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) that contravenes CDC recommendations by suggesting that only unvaccinated students, educators, and staff members in Massachusetts schools should wear masks indoors this fall, the 23,000-member AFT Massachusetts released the following statement from AFT Massachusetts President Beth Kontos:
“The state Department of Elementary and Secondary Education needs to listen to health experts, including the CDC and the American Academy of Pediatrics, and require – not just recommend – universal mask wearing in K-6 schools this fall. If DESE continues to reject public health guidance and fails to act, local school committees need to step up and require universal mask wearing to keep us all safe and to maximize the likelihood of schools staying open this school year.
“We all want a safe and productive return to school in September, and with the surge of the incredibly contagious Delta variant and vaccine disinformation threatening the progress we’ve made against COVID, we need to use all the public health tools we have to stop the spread and keep schools open for in-person learning. Until we can get all school-aged kids vaccinated, basic public health precautions like masking are the bare minimum needed to keep our students and their vulnerable family members safe.”
STATE Tomato Contest to be held Aug. 24
The 36th Massachusetts Tomato Contest will be held in the KITCHEN at the Boston Public Market in downtown Boston on Tuesday, Aug. 24.
Tomatoes will be judged by a panel of experts on flavor, firmness/slicing quality, exterior color and shape. Always a lively and fun event, the day is designed to increase awareness of locally grown produce.
Farmers can bring tomatoes to the market between 8:45 and 10:45 a.m. on Aug. 24 or drop their entries off with a registration form to one of the regional drop-off locations on Monday, Aug. 23. Drop off locations include sites in Great Barrington, South Deerfield, Worcester, Dighton and West Newbury. These tomatoes will be brought in to Boston on Tuesday.
Be sure to include a registration form with all entries.
The 36th Tomato Contest is sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources, New England Vegetable and Berry Growers Association and Mass Farmers Markets in cooperation with the Boston Public Market.
For more information, contact David Webber, [email protected].