Breaking News from Sonia Chang-Diaz

Friends,

Today I am officially announcing that I will be a candidate for State Senate in the Second Suffolk District this year!

Over the past several months, so many of you have shared your advice, enthusiasm, and ideas with me and offered your financial backing and volunteer support as I've considered this decision. I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your support, insights, and generosity of spirit.

I decided to enter this race because, as a community activist and a former teacher, I know there is still the need and opportunity to do more for our community. From improving the quality of our schools and reducing youth violence to keeping housing affordable and stable and making sure economic development reaches those who need it most, it's clear we've got a lot to do. I'm ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work for the people of this district. What I've heard from you is that you're anxious to do the same.

We saw in 2006 that there's a real appetite for new leadership in the Second Suffolk district- a readiness for change that thousands of voters share with you and me. Although it may be well-worn, I take to heart the truism that "you must be the change you wish to see in the world." That's why I'm in this race for a second time.

I hope you'll be that change with me, and walk with me again on this campaign trail (both literally and figuratively!). I know I can only do it with your help.

Over the coming months, I'm looking forward to making my case for new leadership to voters across the district and talking seriously about the issues we all care deeply about.

To find out how you can be a part of this effort from Day 1, or to ask any questions, please drop me an email at soniachangdiaz@gmail.com. You can also visit www.soniachangdiaz.com We're working on updating the website, but you can help us get started by making a campaign contribution today, no matter the amount. More information will be available soon.

Thank you again for your support and your work on behalf of our communities. I look forward to seeing you soon on the campaign trail!

Saludos,
Sonia

Idea-Raiser with Sonia Chang-Diaz

Please join Sonia Chang-Diaz for an "Idea-Raiser" on February 13th at 6:30pm, at Java Jo's, 3710 Washington Street, JP Contribute ideas about how we can tackle the issues that concern you most.

Some of you have been asking, what is Sonia up to these days? As she considers what her next steps are, Sonia's number 1 priority is being an activist for positive change in our community. One of the best resources she has in this effort is the great knowledge and ideas of us, her supporters. It's important to Sonia to continue learning about what's going on in the neighborhoods of Boston, and the issues that are affecting residents' lives the most. The best way to learn about that is from you!

We hope you will come by to share with Sonia and one another what you think are the biggest priorities in our neighborhoods, discuss what is being done to address those concerns, and brainstorm what we can do now.

Please RSVP to let us know whether or not you can make it. Feel free to bring others with you who might be interested in sharing their concerns and ideas with Sonia.

Thank you,
Jessica
cell: 508-981-3537

Java Jo's, 3710 Washington Street, Jamaica Plain
Link: http://maps.google.com/maps?client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&channel=s&hl=en&q=java+jo's+jamaica+plain&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl

Steal Some Art!

Dear Friends, Family and Customers,

As some of you may already know, Chris' dealers, Camelia Genovese and David Sullivan decided to retire earlier this year and have closed the doors of their Thayer St. gallery for good. Our sadness at the gallery's closing took on a practical dimension for us when Camelia pulled up in front of our house with the first of several van loads of pictures (most of them framed) representing over a decade of Chris' work.

Of course we're both fond of these pieces. But Chris has new stuff to work on, and we need to run a business out of already cramped quarters here at Yale Terrace. So we've decided to try and clear things out at a 50% to 60% discount down from regular gallery pricing. There are dozens of framed photographs to choose from (you can see a few below), including images from Chris' Wonalancet River, April Fools Blizzard and Zakim Bridge series'. A number of these works are included in prestigious collections, including Fidelity Investments, the Boston Public Library and the Boston Athenaeum.

We'll be having open house 12-5 Sunday, December 16 for people to take a look. Or just give us a call if some other time would be more convenient for you. In any case, it'd be great to see you.

Cheers,

Chris and Kosta

PS
Feel free to forward this note to anyone you think might be interested. If you received this e-mail by error, we apologize - we try to keep our mailing list up to date, but stuff inevitably creeps in and out.

chris@3rdeyephoto.com
60 Yale Terrace
Jamaica Plain, Ma
02130
617-522-4337

Forest Hills Community Improvement Initiative Meeting

Dear Forest Hills Community Members,

Please join us for the next Forest Hills Improvement Initiative Community Meeting this, Saturday, November 17th, from 8:30 AM to 12:00 N, Covenant Congregational Church, 455 Arborway, Jamaica Plain (next to the Court House). Translation to Spanish will be provided. Translation to other languages will be provided if requested by tomorrow November 14th. Coffee, tea and refreshments will be served all morning; the meeting will start at 9:00 AM.

This meeting will focus on the Forest Hills District Concept Plan and site specific Use and Design Guidelines and Development Scenarios. For your review prior to the meeting, please find attached DRAFT Use & Design Guidelines.

Community participation is of great importance to the quality of this effort. We ask and hope each of you will assist us in community outreach by forwarding this notice on to friends and neighbors you think would be interested in attending. Attached and below are flyers in both English and Spanish for your distribution next week.

For additional information, visit the BRA Web site: http://www.cityofboston.gov/bra
Select “Planning Initiatives”, and then select “Forest Hills Improvement Initiative”.

Forest Hills Improvement Initiative Meeting: 11/17

Dear Forest Hills Community Members,

Please join us for the next Forest Hills Improvement Initiative Community Meeting on, Saturday, November 17th, from 8:30 AM to 12:00 N, location to be finalized, notice will be sent once confirmed. Translation to Spanish will be provided. Translation to other languages will be provided if requested by November 14th. Coffee, tea and refreshments will be served all morning.

Please note: an earlier notice appeared in last week’s JP Gazette advertising the wrong date.

This meeting will focus on the Forest Hills District Concept Plan and site specific Use and Design Guidelines and Development Scenarios. An agenda and DRAFT materials will be distributed prior to the meeting to allow for your advance review.

Community participation is of great importance to the quality of this effort. We ask and hope each of you will assist us in community outreach by forwarding this notice on to friends and neighbors you think would be interested in attending. We are preparing flyers in both English and Spanish and will forward those for distribution next week.

For additional information, visit the BRA Web site: http://www.cityofboston.gov/bra
Select “Planning Initiatives”, and then select “Forest Hills Improvement Initiative”.

Appreciatively,

John Dalzell, AIA, LEED-AP
Senior Architect
Boston Redevelopment Authority
One City Hall Square
Boston, MA 02201
617 / 918-4334

M-O-N-E-Y

ATTENTION:
ACTIVISTS,
ADMINISTRATORS &
DEVELOPMENT STAFF OF COLOR

Demand for adequate services in our neighborhoods is increasing.
Government funds are being slashed. Competition for funding is fierce.
You & your organization are expected to be there & you want to be there.
What do you do to increase your skills and help your organization survive?

ATTEND THE
INSTITUTE OF NEIGHBORHOOD LEADERSHIP’S
FUNDRAISING ACADEMY

When?
Thursday evenings 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
October 25 through November 15, 2007


• Grassroots fundraising introduction: Thursday, Oct. 25
• Make special events profitable: Thursday, Nov. 1
• Grants: Thursday, Nov. 8
• Meet the funders: Thursday, Nov. 15


Where?
Boston English High School
144 McBride Street
Jamaica Plain

2 blocks from the Green St. station on the Orange Line
Free parking lot next to building

How much?
Only a $5.00 donation to pay for materials.


This is a program of the Union of Minority Neighborhoods

FOR REGISTRATION & INFORMATION CONTACT:
UMN
617-541-4111
umnunity@gmail.com

Free Dinner