Community journalism

Broke and trendy? Roslindale film maker and blogger Elaine McMillion has put together a directory of every thrift store, boutique, and consignment shop in the Boston area along with ideas of what to do with all the homeless ex-belongings.

http://www.beansinacan.com

Wednesday evening, 6pm, Honan-Allston library.

http://allstoncivicassociation.org/

While walking Jamaica Pond this morning a huge 'goldfish' surfaced. A darker fish was also swimming along with it.

Did someone drop a little goldfish in the pond years ago?

Boston's startup scene constantly gets compared, negatively, to San Francisco & NYC. A group of Bostonians had enough and decided to show everyone that we might not be the biggest or most famous innovation center but we are the loudest and nothing can stop us when we work together.

Bostonians from all over are uniting tonight to show that not only is our startup scene huge, vibrant and growing but we're also willing to help each other and others purely for the sake of helping. Need a job, a lead, or just someone to bounce ideas off of? Ruby Riot is calling your name.

http://westroxbury.patch.com/articles/irish-social-club-closes-abruptly

http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/west_roxbury/2011/04/after_65_years_irish_social_cl.html

The last dance was this past Sunday, no notice about the closing or about the financial situation was given to members. If the building does need to be sold couldn't there be some match up with the YMCA or Roche Center. It seems hard to believe that area Irish Step Dancing schools wouldn't have been interesting in renting the space for classes.

A supervisor at a Fenway halfway house that helps recently released federal prisoners get used to living on the outside was sentenced after admitting she helped her boyfriend - whom she met while he lived there - sell heroin to residents.

After her release from prison, Deborah Belim, 44, of Roxbury, will have to spend seven months under house arrest, the US Attorney's Office in Boston, reports.

Prosecutors said Belim became involved with the man while he was a resident at the Coolidge House - and selling drugs to other residents. After his stay, he moved in with Belim, who then began transporting heroin into the residence and selling it to residents, prosecutors say.

• The case against Belim

They've blocked off Post Office Square this morning and are shooting a Sarah Jessica Parker movie there. I think I caught a glimpse of her, but I'm not certain. Some photos.

Detective Mario Oliveira has been nominated as an America's Most Wanted All-Star, but needs votes to secure the title! We all know, Mario is an all-star, lets show the rest of the world he is too!

Vote here for Mario and be sure to vote everyday until April 10th!

Press Pass Tv is a nonprofit organization that engages youth in advocacy journalism to tell the stories of communities working for change. Jean Grae performed at the 3rd Eye open 11th Hip Hop Festival. Press PassTv was able to catch Jean before her performance. She discussed her record sales and her old school flavor. Jean described how she maintained her own identity and how we all have a responsibilty to ourselves to follow our bliss. Jean advises young and up coming artists to not "worry about what the industry or society thinks or dictates, be yourself and stick to it and it will pay off in the end." Click here to watch the video Press Pass TV Interview with Jean Grae

The crowd chanted "They say cut back, We say fight back" before the speakers came to the podium.

Congressman Ed Markey addressed the crowd to remind them what caused the financial crisis (and it wasn't public public sector workers.) Next, Congressman Mike Capuano announced, "I am a cheesehead" to communicate his solidarity with the working people of Wisconsin fighting for the right to bargain collectively for wages, benefits and work conditions. Mike foretold of similar attacks on worker rights by Republicans soon to come in Indiana, Ohio, Michigan and Pennsylvania. He said it was a fight for the middle class.

An Open Boston City Council
http://anopenbostoncitycouncil.blogspot.com

Photo by Courtney Sacco.

Jamaicaway at Pond Street.

Photo copyright Courtney Sacco. Posted in the Universal Hub pool on Flickr.

An Open Boston City Council
http://anopenbostoncitycouncil.blogspot.com

20 shoveling violations in a 0.4-mile stretch of Brighton Center, many of them on or abutting city-owned property.

Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6reSAg6U_Cc

I've emailed the mayor a link to the video. Think he'll do anything about it?

Is is true that the people applying for the Old Stag's liquor license are bringing back Hot and Sexy Tuesdays?

Why did they tell community members that they weren't having live entertainment, and now are moving to take over the entertainment license?

Why did the Public Services Committee pass their application through to the Alcohol Licensing Board without any letters of support from community organizations?

Why can't anyone get a hold of the lien holder of the Old Stag? Are there really no other bidders for The liquor license of a bar in foreclosure?

Where is the information, people!?

As the second customer to enter the POW!, all-new, improved Hyde Park YMCA this morning, I have seen the future and it's OK. Normally, I bike (or in terrible weather drive) 4.5 miles to the West Roxbury branch. Come sleet and bitter cold, I suspect one three quarters of a mile down the hill will be more to our liking.

District City Councilor Rob Consalvo has been flogging this rehab in the most glorious terms, as well as updating all on when it would actually open for swim and sweat. He's an insider, as his wife, Michelle, is development coordinator. This seemed to drag on but it did open as he promised before the end of November.

The good (with WR in mind):

• Machines, from spin bikes to circuit equipment to free weights and beyond are all new and high end
• Lighting is even and bright throughout the building
• The 25-yard pool is gorgeous and has wide lanes
• Shower heads are adjustable and water pressure is strong
• Lockers are in great shape, with plenty of interior hooks and, mirabile dictu, sequential numbering
• Lots of treadmills

Louis Gossett, Jr., one of Hollywood’s most celebrated actors, is scheduled to appear at Lynn City Hall today where he’ll talk to over 2,000 middle school students about violence, racism, and bullying. Read full article by John Stephen Dwyer.

83-year old former First Lady Rosalynn Carter was at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum Sunday to discuss her latest book, “Within Our Reach: Ending the Mental Health Crisis.” Read full article by John Stephen Dwyer

Ever wonder how much money that bodega is making off food stamps? You know, the one where the healthiest thing is a hot dog covered in chili? Or ever debate with a friend whether Whole Foods is reaping the rewards of the economic downturn with all the overeducated hipsters needing to get their organic salmon fix?

Well, here's the spending break down for the past four years, mapped on Google so you can see exactly which cities are getting Food Stamp funds, which stores they're being spent at, and even how the Great Recession has changed the demographics of poverty in Boston and Massachusetts. Hint: The years have not been kind to Chicopee.

Before Barack Obama arrived in Boston last weekend to campaign for Deval Patrick, three Emerson College students and a fourth from Lesley College arrived at Hynes Convention Center around 6 a.m., more than six hours before doors would open.

Read full article by John Stephen Dwyer

Welcome to the neighborhood, Endowment for Unexceptional Humans! Check them out! You could even get some money from them by applying for a scholarship or grant.

Right now, they're trying to raise initial funds on Kickstarter.

BU's Katie Koch shows us firsthand what it's like for a biker on Comm. Ave. Personally, I'm terrified just watching it.

Bike Safety Day is today at BU, and Dean Elmore is giving away a brand new bike (helmet and lock included).

Based on this ad for an intern, it sure sounds like Wicked Local Brookline and Brookline Patch will soon have a new competitor.

Frazzled commuters report they're rapidly reaching the boiling point this rush hour as delays mount on outbound trains due to signal problems. Jennifer DePolito tweets:

Holy crap. Every train at south station is delayed and there are a million people here. WTF.

Boston Police report an increase in the number of residential burglaries of late in the Eagle Hill area. Thieves are making off with the usual stuff - laptops, iPods, jewelry and cash - during daytime break-ins, police say, adding a number of the heists were done through open or unlocked windows in the rear or on side alleys. Apartments have been accessed through unlocked doors, police add.