Quite simply, the best dog ever.

I can honestly say my branch library helped mold em into the person I am today

A new short film looks at the impact of New York City libraries on the city's populace

Filmmakers Julie Dressner and Jesse Hicks produced a short film that looks at how library branches in New York City have evolved into community centers that offer an array of services and programs despite budget cuts. The film has gone viral, and it was even screened at a June 3 New York City Council meeting on the library budget in an attempt to sway the council to approve additional library funding.

"Think that libraries are becoming obsolete in the internet era? Not so. Over the last decade, book circulation at New York City libraries has jumped by 46 percent, annual visits by 59 percent, and program attendance by 88 percent. These figures are even more startling considering that budget cuts have forced the libraries to reduce both staff and hours. And this year, City Hall is essentially proposing no increases in aid. The city’s three library systems are petitioning the city for an additional $65 million, which they say will enable them to keep their doors open six days a week. This video offers a surprising look at how library branches in New York City have evolved into community centers, providing a whole array of services and programs."" -- New York Magazine

SEE VIDEO HERE


Story hour - Orient Heights Branch Library, date unknown

Home Town

 A video from my late teen years, shot in and around the old neighborhood (Eastie) and ripped from V-66 our old local music video channel. Thanks Norma!

The Madona Shrine

I grew up In east Boston, Orient Heights,to be exact. NOT a lot going on there. Back then it was basically an Italian-American neighborhood separated from the city by water and bounded on one side by the airport(Thanks Logan for all my current hearing problems)

One nice, and unusual point of interest was, and still is, The Madonna Shrine. A 35 foot statue of the original Madonna, (NO NOT THE POP ICON) surrounded by a large brick plaza which doubled as an outdoor chapel.

And offers very nice views of the neighborhood as well as the airport. Yes you can see the particular three decker I grew up in down there. Many a time I wandered up here, making use f the plaza to stage as a castle, fort, tower or spaceship. I was a bored well read child with an active imagination. the views of the airport beyond only further fueled my dreams of getting the hell out of Dodge.


And yet lately, I've been thinking of the old neighborhood with a lot more nostalgia and affection. maybe I'm just getting older and sappy...

Here's a little history, or herstory as the case may be, from the Shrine's site:

The 35-foot-high statue of the Blessed Mother was created by Italian-Jewish sculptor Arrigo Minerbi — free of charge. He had escaped Nazi persecution thanks to the protection of the Don Orione Fathers in Milan, and this statue was his way of thanking them. It stands across the street from the Don-Orione Retirement Home.

So the next time you're visiting Boston and a little fed up with the over touristy-ness of Fanuel Hall take a little side trip across the bay to Eastie and visit the old gal, she'd love to see you!