Friday, August 8, 2008
Garden dedication (Lynn Item)
Last modified: Monday, August 4, 2008 11:53 PM EDT
Community officially breaks ground on Ford School Garden
By Dan Baer/The Daily Item
LYNN - Singing, joke telling and most importantly, planting seeds highlighted a kid-friendly groundbreaking at the new Ford School Community Garden Monday morning.A neighborhood plagued by violence over the last week was transformed into a place of joy by the smiling faces of children, community leaders and local residents, all of who expressed both pride and optimism for the future of the Highlands and the Ford School.“This garden is going to make the families here a part of this neighborhood,” said School Committee member Maria Carrasco. “Now people who live in the Highlands are able to get fresh produce from this garden. This is the first time that children are able to see where the food they eat every day comes from.”With Mayor Edward J. Clancy Jr., Superintendent Nicholas Kostan and several other community leaders present, David Gass of the Highlands Coalition praised donors and students, especially those from Lynn Vocational and Technical Institute’s plumbing shop, for all of the efforts in bringing the garden to life.One theme among speakers Monday was that of surprise as they viewed the final product, three sleek, raised gardens atop what was once just a giant slab of asphalt.“I have to admit that in the beginning, I was a disbeliever. I thought no one would be able to plant a garden on that hot top,” said Claire Crane, principal at the Ford School. “But here it is, it is a success. This is another first for Lynn, this is going to be a model for urban schools. I have already had principals from other urban schools calling me asking how we did this.”Kostan praised both Crane and the community for coming together on the project, which will serve as an academic tool for the school along with its role as a community meeting area and food resource.“This project was wonderful in bringing the community together. We have a lot of great principals in this city, but no one brings a community together like Claire Crane,” Kostan said. “I have to admit when they first came to us with this project I asked, ‘How are you going to grow anything back there on that hot top,’ but this has been an unbelievable project and all of the great people involved deserve to be commended. I am so appreciative of all of their efforts and the efforts of so many people coming together.”The idea for the garden came last May when members of the Highland Coalition used funding from the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to plant 58 trees along Green Street.Members saw the DCR’s funding as an opportunity to further beautify the community through the construction of a garden. With $10,000 from the DCR and the generosity of many throughout the community, volunteers and teenagers paid with a Workforce Investment grant were able to bring life to a desolate urban area.Construction began outside the Ford this spring with volunteers from the LVTI plumbing shop jack hammering the hot top and constructing pipes and supports for benches next to the gardens. Just a few months later crops are ready for harvesting and the majority of the project is complete.The gardens themselves are set atop the concrete and will eventually receive water from a roof-mounted cistern watering system.The Highlands Coalition is hoping to use the garden to bring immigrant residents and Lynn natives alike out of their homes to work together and take pride in their community.Some area residents did turnout for the groundbreaking and stayed along after to help plant seeds with school children from the Ford.
Community officially breaks ground on Ford School Garden
By Dan Baer/The Daily Item
LYNN - Singing, joke telling and most importantly, planting seeds highlighted a kid-friendly groundbreaking at the new Ford School Community Garden Monday morning.A neighborhood plagued by violence over the last week was transformed into a place of joy by the smiling faces of children, community leaders and local residents, all of who expressed both pride and optimism for the future of the Highlands and the Ford School.“This garden is going to make the families here a part of this neighborhood,” said School Committee member Maria Carrasco. “Now people who live in the Highlands are able to get fresh produce from this garden. This is the first time that children are able to see where the food they eat every day comes from.”With Mayor Edward J. Clancy Jr., Superintendent Nicholas Kostan and several other community leaders present, David Gass of the Highlands Coalition praised donors and students, especially those from Lynn Vocational and Technical Institute’s plumbing shop, for all of the efforts in bringing the garden to life.One theme among speakers Monday was that of surprise as they viewed the final product, three sleek, raised gardens atop what was once just a giant slab of asphalt.“I have to admit that in the beginning, I was a disbeliever. I thought no one would be able to plant a garden on that hot top,” said Claire Crane, principal at the Ford School. “But here it is, it is a success. This is another first for Lynn, this is going to be a model for urban schools. I have already had principals from other urban schools calling me asking how we did this.”Kostan praised both Crane and the community for coming together on the project, which will serve as an academic tool for the school along with its role as a community meeting area and food resource.“This project was wonderful in bringing the community together. We have a lot of great principals in this city, but no one brings a community together like Claire Crane,” Kostan said. “I have to admit when they first came to us with this project I asked, ‘How are you going to grow anything back there on that hot top,’ but this has been an unbelievable project and all of the great people involved deserve to be commended. I am so appreciative of all of their efforts and the efforts of so many people coming together.”The idea for the garden came last May when members of the Highland Coalition used funding from the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) to plant 58 trees along Green Street.Members saw the DCR’s funding as an opportunity to further beautify the community through the construction of a garden. With $10,000 from the DCR and the generosity of many throughout the community, volunteers and teenagers paid with a Workforce Investment grant were able to bring life to a desolate urban area.Construction began outside the Ford this spring with volunteers from the LVTI plumbing shop jack hammering the hot top and constructing pipes and supports for benches next to the gardens. Just a few months later crops are ready for harvesting and the majority of the project is complete.The gardens themselves are set atop the concrete and will eventually receive water from a roof-mounted cistern watering system.The Highlands Coalition is hoping to use the garden to bring immigrant residents and Lynn natives alike out of their homes to work together and take pride in their community.Some area residents did turnout for the groundbreaking and stayed along after to help plant seeds with school children from the Ford.
all City Clean-up
Please keep our neighborhood clean!
The city of Lynn is conducting street sweeping next week. Please sweep your sidewalk and pull unwanted weed. Cars must be remove from the street. You will be fined and towed.
The city will conduct the sweep the week of August 11-15.
The city of Lynn is conducting street sweeping next week. Please sweep your sidewalk and pull unwanted weed. Cars must be remove from the street. You will be fined and towed.
The city will conduct the sweep the week of August 11-15.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Violence
It is sad to read about the violence that is taking place in our city. As we are well aware, we can no longer ignore the issue. However, we can come together as a community and find solutions. Please make constructive comments to solve this horrendous problem.
New Clean-up date
Our clean-up date will be Saturday, May 17. We will meet at Ford School at 8:30. Come and clean our neighborhood.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Fundraiser
Monday, May 5, 2008
from 6-9 PM
At the Tide’s Restaurant
Fundraiser for the International Children’s Garden at The Ford School in Lynn
Join us for a fun filled evening to raise $$$ for Rain Water Conservation
(10% of sales will be donated by Tide’s)
The Highlands Coalition:
LINC Hamilton Ave. Committee
Lynn Health Task Force High Rock Tower Association
Neighbor to Neighbor HAWC
Crime Watch The Gateway Project
Community Connections Girls, Inc.
from 6-9 PM
At the Tide’s Restaurant
Fundraiser for the International Children’s Garden at The Ford School in Lynn
Join us for a fun filled evening to raise $$$ for Rain Water Conservation
(10% of sales will be donated by Tide’s)
The Highlands Coalition:
LINC Hamilton Ave. Committee
Lynn Health Task Force High Rock Tower Association
Neighbor to Neighbor HAWC
Crime Watch The Gateway Project
Community Connections Girls, Inc.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Minutes from our March 24 meeting
HIGHLANDS COALITION MEETING NOTES
March 24, 2008
The Highlands Coalition met at Ford School. Those that came early watched a DVD of the Peace Rally held in December. The meeting began at 7:02 PM. There were 40 people in attendance. David Gass had everyone introduce themselves at the beginning of the meeting.
Restoring Voting for 4-1 and 2-4
The handicapped ramp at Ford was certified handicap accessible in October. We have been working on this issue for over a year and raised $600 to pay the engineer. The plan was given to City Clerk Mary Audley in October to give to Mike Donovan to sign off. We had been told by Paul Crawley that we might have to wait until the next census before a change of voting places could be made. Leslie Greenberg asked Councilor Collucci at the meeting if he would help us with this issue. He said he would look into it.
Leticia Carrasco announced the Highlands Coalition Blogspot and encouraged people to add comments.
Foreclosures
David and Leslie addressed the issue of the many foreclosures in Lynn and specifically in the Highlands. Leslie reported that people needed to do 2 things if they were in danger of of losing their home; talk to their bank and get a lawyer. People could contact Neighborhood Legal Services who would advise them without a charge.
Development Area Grants
Brandi Walker from LHAND talked about the $3000 grants that will be given to 21 homeowners to fix the exterior of their house. She explained the process and advised those people who had not filled out a form to do so immediately. The end of the grant period is June 27, 2008. If okayed, people have to complete the work and have it inspected by that date. After filling out a form, a letter stating that they had been accepted to the program would be sent out. The work has to be done by a licensed contractor. Of 8-9 present, several attendees have already been accepted. Even though the grant was desigignated for the Rockaway area, if there is extra money, other streets in the Highlands will be considered.
Community Garden
On April 29th at 1PM, there will be a groundbreaking ceremony for the community Garden at the side of
school. This would be a multi-cultural garden with seeds planted from different countries. Dave said the cost would be about $25,000. He has received some grant money and was waiting to hear from 10 other grants he submitted. Tech teachers and students will build the garden. He was trying to get donated supplies for the irrigation system. Two contractors at the meeting are willing to help with the project.
Area Clean-up.
Tom Sheehan from Ward 3 talked about a neighborhood clean up on Saturday, May 10 from 8:30 am to
3pm.. He received $500 from SCI to organize this. People will meet at Ingalls School for supplies and
then go to their area to clean. Highlands people would meet at Ford School and clean up specific areas.
After the clean up, there would be a lunch at Ingalls School, speakers etc. There would also be a barrel
swap, bring your old barrel and get one with a secure lid that would comply with the Lynn Trash
ordinance, which was handed out. Councilor Colucci said he would arrange for the sweeper before then.
New Business
Marisol Santiago and Blessing Edinowe from Neighbor 2 Neighbor talked about their organization and
the issues they were working on, including Cori Reform and Closing the Tax Loophole. They asked that
people call Senator Tom McGee and ask him to support these bills.
Announcements / New Business
Dave Gass talked about the LINC lobby day on Thursday and invited people to join him.
Dr. Crane talked about the school budget cuts and how devasting it was going to be. Many teaching
positions and programs would be cut.
Leslie talked about Health Care, program that Romney pushed through and its problems. She discussed
Single-Payer and advised folks to call or e-mail the Presidential candidates.
Calvin Anderson discussed the LHAND grant that allowed his neighborhood to have small bins on poles
for litter. He already discussed this with a Highlands person who will submit for a SNIF grant. People
would be asked to adopt a litter pail attached to poles and be responsible for it. We could push this at
the Neighborhood clean up on May 10th.
Dave had 2 videos, one from the Peace Rally and one from planting the trees. They were $5 each or
2 for $8. The money would go into the Highlands Fund. Fifty dollars was collected.
Meeting ended at 8:30 sharp.
Submitted by: Leslie Greenberg, acting Secretary
March 24, 2008
The Highlands Coalition met at Ford School. Those that came early watched a DVD of the Peace Rally held in December. The meeting began at 7:02 PM. There were 40 people in attendance. David Gass had everyone introduce themselves at the beginning of the meeting.
Restoring Voting for 4-1 and 2-4
The handicapped ramp at Ford was certified handicap accessible in October. We have been working on this issue for over a year and raised $600 to pay the engineer. The plan was given to City Clerk Mary Audley in October to give to Mike Donovan to sign off. We had been told by Paul Crawley that we might have to wait until the next census before a change of voting places could be made. Leslie Greenberg asked Councilor Collucci at the meeting if he would help us with this issue. He said he would look into it.
Leticia Carrasco announced the Highlands Coalition Blogspot and encouraged people to add comments.
Foreclosures
David and Leslie addressed the issue of the many foreclosures in Lynn and specifically in the Highlands. Leslie reported that people needed to do 2 things if they were in danger of of losing their home; talk to their bank and get a lawyer. People could contact Neighborhood Legal Services who would advise them without a charge.
Development Area Grants
Brandi Walker from LHAND talked about the $3000 grants that will be given to 21 homeowners to fix the exterior of their house. She explained the process and advised those people who had not filled out a form to do so immediately. The end of the grant period is June 27, 2008. If okayed, people have to complete the work and have it inspected by that date. After filling out a form, a letter stating that they had been accepted to the program would be sent out. The work has to be done by a licensed contractor. Of 8-9 present, several attendees have already been accepted. Even though the grant was desigignated for the Rockaway area, if there is extra money, other streets in the Highlands will be considered.
Community Garden
On April 29th at 1PM, there will be a groundbreaking ceremony for the community Garden at the side of
school. This would be a multi-cultural garden with seeds planted from different countries. Dave said the cost would be about $25,000. He has received some grant money and was waiting to hear from 10 other grants he submitted. Tech teachers and students will build the garden. He was trying to get donated supplies for the irrigation system. Two contractors at the meeting are willing to help with the project.
Area Clean-up.
Tom Sheehan from Ward 3 talked about a neighborhood clean up on Saturday, May 10 from 8:30 am to
3pm.. He received $500 from SCI to organize this. People will meet at Ingalls School for supplies and
then go to their area to clean. Highlands people would meet at Ford School and clean up specific areas.
After the clean up, there would be a lunch at Ingalls School, speakers etc. There would also be a barrel
swap, bring your old barrel and get one with a secure lid that would comply with the Lynn Trash
ordinance, which was handed out. Councilor Colucci said he would arrange for the sweeper before then.
New Business
Marisol Santiago and Blessing Edinowe from Neighbor 2 Neighbor talked about their organization and
the issues they were working on, including Cori Reform and Closing the Tax Loophole. They asked that
people call Senator Tom McGee and ask him to support these bills.
Announcements / New Business
Dave Gass talked about the LINC lobby day on Thursday and invited people to join him.
Dr. Crane talked about the school budget cuts and how devasting it was going to be. Many teaching
positions and programs would be cut.
Leslie talked about Health Care, program that Romney pushed through and its problems. She discussed
Single-Payer and advised folks to call or e-mail the Presidential candidates.
Calvin Anderson discussed the LHAND grant that allowed his neighborhood to have small bins on poles
for litter. He already discussed this with a Highlands person who will submit for a SNIF grant. People
would be asked to adopt a litter pail attached to poles and be responsible for it. We could push this at
the Neighborhood clean up on May 10th.
Dave had 2 videos, one from the Peace Rally and one from planting the trees. They were $5 each or
2 for $8. The money would go into the Highlands Fund. Fifty dollars was collected.
Meeting ended at 8:30 sharp.
Submitted by: Leslie Greenberg, acting Secretary
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
