July 18 - Dorchester Reporter

girls from the back seat,but they struggled toget the doors— whichwere locked — open.With assistance fromtheir friend Christine,they extricated the girlswhile carefully avoidingthe power lines. A fewmoments after they wereall out, the car burst intoflames – Cleckley is stillnot sure if the fire wascaused by the downedlines or the impact to thecar – but either way, theflames soon erupted intoa full blown conflagrationas the terrified womenran toward WashingtonStreet.“I had to get off ErieStreet because I wasafraid more power lineswould be coming down,”July 18 2013 The Reporter Page 5Toppled utility pole nearly crushed family(Continued from page 1)extended family, includingthe driver, SatishaCleckley, 25, and hersister and front seat passenger,Aquila Williams,29. In the back were theirdaughters, AnayamaWilliams, age 6, andSatisha’s 3-year-oldJa’Noiya— strapped intoher car seat. A 22-yearoldfriend, ChristineClark, was also in theback seat, catching alift home from the sameparty.As Satisha Cleckleysteered her rented 2013Hyundai Sonata ontoErie Street from GreenwoodStreet, she brieflynoted that the powerlines above her weresagging extra low. Butshe was more concernedabout the truck in frontof her that was drivingslow— too slow. “I wasonly going about twomiles an hour becauseof the truck,” she saidin an interview with theReporter. “Then, I heardthe guys up on the corneryelling, ‘The pole! Thepole!’ ”In the next instant,the heavy wooden utilitypole came smashingdown on the Hyundai’shood. The impact sentthe rear of the vehicleskyward and — just asabruptly – brought itsmashing back to thepavement.Dazed by a blow toher head, Cleckley wasconfused and thoughtthat the flashes shesaw next all aroundthe car “looked likelightning.” In fact, theflashes and pops weredowned power linescrackling and shootingflames all around thecar. “It sounded likefireworks,” she said.Cleckley and her sisterrushed to extract theWho’s responsiblefor street poles?(Continued from page 1)onto a passing car carryingfive people, includingtwo small children, thatshortly afterwards burstinto flames.Fortunately, therewere but minor injuriesat the scene, but theaccident plunged about4,700 utility customersinto darkness, at leastfor the minutes it tookfor NStar managers torestore service to most ofthem. About 250 homesand businesses werewithout power throughthe night, as NStar workcrews were dispatched tomake emergency repairson Eire Street.Durand says that theutility company wouldnormally leave repairslike that to Verizon, but,he said, “We responded,and in the interest ofpublic safety and gettingthe system backup, we set those poles.”Power was fully restoredaround 3:30 a.m., hesaid.Durand said thatNStar has fired off aletter to Verizon callingattention to the incidentand reminding them“that it’s their servicearea.” Added Durand,“To my knowledge, it’sextremely rare for thisto happen. We have aprogram – and I’m sureVerizon does as well – toinspect and repair andreplace poles. This is arare occurrence.”Durand said thatNStar and Verizon havehad a long-standingagreement to split thecity between them onmaintenance of the polesthat carry their wires.NStar has jurisdictionover Brighton, EastBoston, Jamaica Plain,Roslindale, South End,and West Roxbury. Verizoncovers Charlestown,Dorchester, Mattapan,Roxbury, and SouthBoston.Darryl Smith, whoran to the scene of theaccident on June 22,said that both companiesneed to communicatebetter and step up theirefforts to maintain polesthat are a clear andpresent danger. “Whenthe community is lodgingcomplaints into NStar– and they know it’snot their issue – thatinfo should be passedon to the community sothey can then lodge thecomplaint to the rightplace. This just wasn’thandled properly. Whathappened was almosttragic. There’s no waypeople should be ridingdown the street and polesare falling on them andtheir kids.”– BILL FORRYSatisha Cleckley, 25, was at the wheel of her rentedHyundai on Erie Street when the pole fell onto hercar’s hood. Her daughter, Jan’Noiya was in thebackseat. Both escaped serious injury.Photo courtesy Satisha CleckleyCleckley recalled. Herfears were completelyjustified. The pole thatfell onto her car hadpulled down a secondpole farther down theblock, closer to the intersectionwith Greenwood.And the immediateneighborhood — andmany streets aroundFour Corners— had beenplunged into darkness onan 80-degree night.A trio of Boston Policeofficers— who heard“an explosion” whileresponding to an unrelatedcall nearby— wereon the scene in seconds.They also recorded thetwo poles down on ErieStreet and noted thatthe second pole had alsostruck a car — which wasscorched in the fire thatfollowed. No additionalinjuries were noted inthe police report.A pair of ambulancescollected Cleckley andher passengers aboutten minutes later anddrove them to BostonMedical Center, wherethey were all treated forminor injuries.While the victims wereat the hospital, DarrylSmith was racing to thescene after getting a textmessage from a neighborhoodactivist. Smithknew these utility poleswell. He had been to ErieStreet a few weeks beforeto eyeball the one thatlater toppled onto thecar. “It was pointed outto me that the pole wasin danger of collapsing,”Smith said. He reportedwhat he had found toNStar as had businessowners and civic activistsin Four Corners who hadcalled in their concernsthat it looked about tofall at any moment.Mike Durand, a spokesmanfor NStar, confirmedthat the utility companydid get calls about thepole’s condition, but, hesaid, responsibility forreplacing the pole fellto a different company:Verizon, the phone companythat shares the poleproperty with NStar.S t e p h a n i e L e e , aspokesperson for Verizon,declined to commentin detail for this story,saying simply: “We areaware of this situation,but can’t provide anyinformation at this timeas the incident is underinvestigation.”Meanwhile, DarrylSmith worries that thereare other poles out therethat could be a problemright now. “I think there’sa citywide concern here.I did get some othercomplaints that there areother poles in danger ofcollapse. We respectfullyask NStar and Verizon todo a full investigation ofall the poles in the city toensure that a situationlike this never occursagain.”Satisha Cleckley, whois planning a lawsuitover her losses and injuries,couldn’t agree more.The lifelong Dorchesterresident returned towork this week aftersuffering sprains to herwrist, neck, pelvis, andankle. She has sufferedfrom migraines since theaccident and lost many ofher personal belongingsin the blaze that engulfedthe Hyundai.Worst of all, she said,is the stress the incidentcaused her daughter.“July Fourth was a nightmarefor her with all thefireworks. Every time afirecracker goes off sherelives that night. She’straumatized.”Stop paying big bank fees! Switch to Totally FREE Checkingat Mt. Washington Bank and start saving today!Switch to Mt. 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Editor’s Note: Catholic Charities’Teen Center at St. Peter’s hosted anevent on July 10 to celebrate its tenthanniversary. The Teen Center at St.Peter’s serves teens from the Bowdoin/Geneva neighborhood of Dorchester.There are approximately 300 membersof the Teen Center, with as many as80 participating in educational orrecreational activities daily. The eventhighlighted the accomplishments of 24graduating seniors who will be goingon to either college or the militarynext fall. One of the featured speakerswas Manuel Gomes, presently acriminal justice major at BridgewaterState University, who addressed theaudience. Excerpts of his remarks areprinted here.Today I want to appreciate all thesupporters of Catholic Charities andour families here at the Teen Center.Without the support of the Teen CenterI would not be who I am today, andwithout the support of the donors theTeen Center could not exist.This place is the reason that Iam not on the street doing drugs ordoing time in jail, like others in myneighborhood. I know teens like mewho I went to middle school with whostill didn’t earn a High School diploma.The reason I didn’t end up like themis because I made the Teen Center myhome. I spent so much time here thatmy friend started teasing me, sayingI should get a bed and pillow at theTeen Center. I said, “Dude, I am justtrying to get my work done.” They feltthat I was stupid by coming to thecenter every single day trying to getmy homework done. Well look at theirdirection and look at mine. They nevergot to their destination and never madeit through high school, but because thepeople at the Teen Center believed inTo the Editor:The George Zimmermanacquittal in themurder of Trayvon Martinserves as a reminderto mothers raising brownand black boys that ourfear of losing our childrento senseless violence becauseof the color of theirskin or the neighborhoodthey live in is trulyour reality. The biggestthreat to our children isthe mindset that createsand supports laws like“stand your ground” thatgive license to individualsto track and attackunarmed young men.The danger of thismindset is the dehumanizationof young men ofcolor. Make no mistake,Commentarythis dehumanizationis felt by our children.They question theirworthiness and somehave come to disregardthe worthiness of theirpeers. We cannot escapethe fact that we haveyoung men like TrayvonMartin being murderedacross this country dailyand there is no outrage ornational media coverage.Now is the timeto instill in our childrenthe belief thatthey matter. We mustremind them that, asMassachusetts NAACPPresident Michael Currysaid, courage has notskipped their generation.They must know thatthose who came beforeme and gave me the opportunity tosucceed, I turned my life around andbecame a good student, became a peerleader here at the Teen Center andif I continue doing right I will arriveat my destination for good, and afterI finish college I can give back to mycommunity and make it better.I remember [in the] spring of 2008 Ihad an opportunity that shaped my life.Paulo DeBarros asked if I wanted tojoin the Teen Center on a trip to NewYork City. I told him I have no moneyand my mother is not paying for mytrip. He felt bad for my situation andgave me a permission slip that I couldgo and join the trip with 48 studentsand staff. When I arrived in NewYork I saw something different thanBoston. I said to myself this is a totaldifferent world. That happiness mademe call my mother and I said, “Amigo jan chiga merca – (I just arrivedin the United States).” From there onI started to join outside programs sothat I could go and see more. I joinedSummer Search my sophomore year,and I went to two trips around thecountry. I went to Outward Bound andCushing Academy learning programsfor five weeks with 700 hundred moreLetter to the EditorZimmerman verdict sendsthe wrong message to allthem in the civil rightsmovement were ableto leverage their voicesand work strategicallytogether to eliminatethose laws that threatentheir safety, rights toprotection, and the rightto vote. More than ever,young people need thetools to engage in civicleadership. As this verdictconfirms, there ismuch work to be done.Our prayers go out toTrayvon Martin’s familyand so many others whohave lost children tosenseless violence.– Monalisa SmithThe writer is presidentof Mothers for Justiceand Equality in Roxbury.July 18 2013 The Reporter Page 9Gomes: Teen Center opened doors to new opportunitiesManuel Gomes of Dorchester speaksto the audience during the Ten YearAnniversary Celebration at CatholicCharities Teen Center at St. Peter lastWednesday.Teens listened to speeches from their peers during the Ten Year Anniversary Celebration at Catholic Charities TeenCenter at St. Peter last Wednesday.students, from all over the world. Lateron the year, I went to Ghana for acommunity service trip with school,and lastly I went to Washington DCwith Habitat for Humanity.These experiences inspired me tolearn more, and they began here atthe Teen Center. Today I am successfulstudent at Bridgewater StateUniversity because I carried on what Ihave learned all these years, especiallythe training that I gained while I wasPeer Leader here at the Teen Center.I changed because of the opportunitythat was given; people like Mr. Barrosalways believe that youth can changeif you trust them with tools to guide.I believe that it only takes a smallthing to change a person. I never foundit helpful when people were telling mewhat to do and lecturing me. I don’tlike to be told what to do, but if I amallowed to experience something IAntoine Badlissi, MDJaime Pareja, MDcan learn a lot. Sometimes we makemistakes and we find ourselves indifficult situations, but we learn fromour mistakes and grow by makingthe right choices. I am sure some ofyou are professional today becausesomeone like your parents, families,or friends, gave you an opportunityto view something different and yourchoice helped you become the personthat you are today. Helping someone tosee and experience something differentis the best way to contribute to theirfuture.I want to take this time to thanksall of you for coming to the CatholicCharities Teen Center at St. Peter’s10 year celebration. I am hoping Iwill continue to see this place groweven more in the next ten years andcontinue providing amazing opportunitiesto more of Boston’s youth, botheducationally and economically.Do you have COPD? Asthma?Emphysema? Snoring? Problem sleeping?Ask your primary care physician about our new service...Atrius HealthPulmonary & Sleep Medicine ProgramThe Atrius Health affiliated practices: Granite Medical Group, HarvardVanguard Medical Associates, and South Shore Medical Center, recentlyopened the Atrius Health Pulmonary & Sleep Medicine Program for patientswith chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma and otherpulmonary and sleep disorders.Mark Berenberg, MDMilana Shturman, MDStephen P. Tarpy, MDThe program is run by doctors who are board certified inInternal Medicine, Pulmonary Disease and Critical Care Medicine.Atrius Health Pulmonary & Sleep Medicine Program90 Libbey Industrial Parkway, Suite 106, Weymouth | 781-682-0600Visit www.atriushealth.org/services/pulmonary.asp to learn more.Dorchester Reporter 2013

Page 14 THE Reporter July 18 2013Boys & Girls Clubs of Dorchester1135 Dorchester Avenue • (617) 288-7120Members of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Dorchester gathered recently at theDan Duquette Sports Academy. Thanks to the Yawkey Foundation whichprovided the funding for our members to attend this week-long Sports Camp.Dorchester Yacht Club Cruise- For the 2nd consecutive year, theClub will partner with the DorchesterYacht Club as they host 40 luckymembers for a cruise of Boston Harboron 7/24. Our members will enjoya scenic ride through the harborwhich will be followed by a cookoutfor all participants. Our thanks tothe members of the Yacht Club whodonate their time to this fun, annualevent. For more information contactLaurene Plourde (lplourde@bgcdorchester.org).Denney Center Nutrition Fair- Our Denney Center Unit locatedin the Harbor Point community willpartner with the The Greater BostonFood Bank to host a Nutrition Fairfor members on 7/18. There will be avariety of displays and inter-activesessions for members to enjoy. Formore information contact Chad Hassey(chassey@bgcdorchester.org).Boston University School ofDance - On 7/23 the Boston UniversitySchool of Dance will visitthe Club to perform for members ofall ages. After the performance theDance Team will host two workshopsfor members that will include variousdance types. The visit and follow-upworkshops are made possiblethrough Associated Grantmakers ofThe Boys and Girls Clubs of Dorchester hosted the Read Boston Storymobilethis past week. In addition to hearing from a noted storyteller the participatingmembers also get to take home donated books to encourage reading.Massachusetts’ Cultural Day program.For more information contactDonna Seery (dseery@bgcdorchester.org).Tween Scene Program Begins- A new program for members ages13/14 will begin this week. The 1/2day program will run for the nextfour weeks and includes a number ofon-site and off-site events. This newprogram helps to bridge the gap insummer programming for membersthat are too old for the day-time programand too young for work. For informationcontact Dianne Lescinskas(dlescinskas@bgcdorchester.org).Upcoming Special Event:Music ClubhouseOpen Mic NightFriday, July 19th6:00 p.m.As part of the Safe SummerStreets program, we will hostthe monthly Music ClubhouseOpen Mic Night. Members ages10 & up are encouraged to registerwith Ayeisha Mathis in advance.

Sitting here ponderingthe imponderableon Bastille Day – anappropriate occasioncommemorating a momentwhen the worldgot turned upside down– you hassle with thisvexing question: “Whendid sport become devoutlytopsy-turvy andmight the malaise bepermanent?” Perchedon the sideline for twoweeks scanning in utterdetachment the madnessof the give and take offersa ripe education. Reconsiderjust a handfulof the daunting issuesa mere fortnight yields:• Baseball’s on-rushingdebacle revolvingaround the sleazy anticsof a shuttered Miamianti-aging clinic. Isthe relentless probe ofBiogenesis and its (atleast) 20 MLB clients thebiggest nightmare thisgame has encounteredsince the summer of1920 when a Chicagogrand jury was probedthe dumping of the1919 World Series? It’sbeginning to look likethat, old Sport.• The concomitantfinal meltdown of thechap who was onceregarded a looming jockavatar and who mighthave been his generation’sbiggest star. Hasthere ever in our crazedculture been a morethunderous collapse of awould-be demi-god thanthe mindless pratfallof Alex Rodriguez, nownearing its epic completion?Nor has there beenone that’s stirred lesssympathy, which onlyadds to the tragedy.• Football’s gravestembarrassment. Ever!That it will crush whathad become the game’sproudest and cockiestfranchise while deeplytarnishing its fineachievements will onlyseem unfair to diehardadherents, of whichthere are – hereabouts– many. But that’s theprice the Patriots willpay for having abandonedprudence let alonecaution in the recklesspursuit of football glory.The Aaron Hernandezdisaster has only justbegun. It will percolatemany months, incurringmuch greater embarrassmentwhile takingyears to fully run itscourse, much to thehumiliation of all concerned,especially thehead coach, who (as ofthe writing) remains remarkablyAWOL on thisissue. Oddly nobody iscalling Bill Belichick onthat. In the meantime,if I were Bob Kraft I’davoid claiming I’d been“duped” when offeringanother mea culpaand, Bob being Bob,there will be more. Butas a strategy, “duped”doesn’t work. Ignoranceof the pertinent hasnever been an excuse,not even in football.• In terms of gravityand impact, theHernandez case is byfar the most serious.But it’s noteworthy thatthe Patriots’ rogue tightend became the NFL’s29th player arrested forcrimes and misdemeanorssince the league’slast certified gridironevent, February’s SuperBowl. For those scoringat home, here’s abreakdown of otheroffenses logged thus far,with thanks to the AP,which has relentlesslymonitored this messybusiness:Eight DUIs, two felonydriving charges (highspeed car chases withcops), three drug busts(all for marijuana), twounlawful gun possessions,three domesticbatteries (one entailingchild abuse), eightdisorderly conductswith battery featuringfisticuffs (most occurringat nightclubs), onefor stiffing a court date,one for cheating at a LasVegas crap table (mostunwise). In several suchinstances, resisting arrestcharges were alsolodged. Hey, football isa tough game and yougotta be tough to play it.Amazingly, threemore rocket scientistsmoonlighting in theNFL got pinched afterHernandez went down,including a Clevelanddefensive back jailedfor battering his ladyfriend and anotherdistinguished Patriot,cornerback AlfonzoDennard, nailed onceagain by Nebraska’sgendarmes for drivingtoo fast under the influenceof too much drinkand promptly jailed forviolating probation.Young Dennard waslet off the hook only threemonths ago with a lightrap on the knuckles inwhat seemed somethingof a sweetheart dealafter he was convicted ofassaulting a police officerand resisting arrest.However, Dennard’sre-match with Nebraskajurisprudence may notgo so easy. It shouldpose a heftier challengefor Coach Belichick ifhe seeks to again rescuehis promising – if rash– D-back. Doubtless, italso leaves Owner Kraftfeeling double-“duped.”Life is so unfair!• All of which NFLCzar Roger Goodelltakes deep to heartalthough the shoddybehavior of miscreantsin his lodge may be theleast of the commissioner’sproblems. In astory breaking duringthe fortnight that didn’tget the attention itdeserved, the federaljudge shepherding themassive law suit forinjury indemnificationfiled by 4,200 ex-NFLplayers ordered theleague and the players tobegin mediating the casewith court-appointedexperts, and pronto!Some wonder whichside this latest rulingfavors. But from here,it looks like anothercrucial victory for theplayers in their long,painstaking crusade toforce the league to compensateinjury claims,mainly but not entirelyconnected with concussions.The all-powerfulNFL’s desperate effortsagain failed to quashthe suit. Every step itadvances is anothervictory for the players.And the implicationsare huge. Consider thatthe 4,200 plaintiffs constituteroughly one thirdof all surviving NFLalumni. They’re seekingbillions in damagesand if they win, awardswould likely extend toNFL alumni not joinedin the suit and even tokin of deceased players.Small wonder the ownersregard the potentialimpact as potentiallycatastrophic, thereby agraver concern than badbehavior even when itresults in capital crime.NFL owners can livewith their league’s imagebeing compromised,July 18 2013 The Reporter Page 15At the All-Star break, imponderables to ponderSports/Clark BoothLarge Format PrintingBillboards • Banners1022 Morrissey Boulevard, Dorchester617-282-2100carrolladvertising.comNEPONSET PRESCHOOL$37/day - 7:30-5:30Fall Toddler Program$25/day - 8:30-12:30281A Neponset Avenue, Dorchesterwww.neponsetpreschool.comLic. #291031 617-265-2665but not with their profitsbeing compromised.• Then there are theCeltics. Did we thinkwe’d live to see the daya highly esteemed andfavored coach like DocRivers would dumpthis fabled Green teamto coach the historicallywoeful likes of theL.A Clippers? Ah, theignominy. Equallybaffling was the tradedispatching two agingbut certified Celticlegends for a half dozenmarginal journeymenwho offer little likelihoodof contributingmuch, and a fistful ofdraft picks, none likelyto be premium.Such seemingly offthe-wallmoves haveb e e n f a s h i o n a b l eelsewhere (to mixedresults), but never herewhere traditional approachesdisdainingsuch flamboyance haveever prevailed. But inthe Age of the SalaryCap, wherein payrollstrategy becomes ascrucial as coaching anddevelopment and scouting,tradition be danged.People who knowrather more about thissubject understand themoves and accept them,however begrudgingly.“Danny Ainge knowswhat he’s doing,” youare told. No doubt! Butsomewhere in the hereafteryou also know thatRed is rumbling as onlyhe can.• Once upon a timebaseball’s mid-summernight’s classic redeemedmany failings and ills.The All-Star Game wasthe sporting calendar’smost fervent feel-goodmoment. Given its currentshape it’s hard toappreciate how muchit glowed and how seriouslyit was taken.Nowadays, all the allstarfestivals suffer.Hockey’s and football’shave become ludicrous.But because baseball’swas once the shiniest,its decline is the mostpoignant. It has becomepointless, irrelevant,and unnecessary. Evenwhen played well andtouched with excitementit’s a bloody bore. Theparty’s over.Czar Selig’s bizarrecontrivance – ordainingthe outcome to determinethe World Serieshome-field advantage– is an insult to baseballlogic once solidly rootedin immutable geometricsand common sense.Selig’s silly ploy wasactually the last straw.But as a footnote notonly to how much theevent has slipped butalso to how sharply theconcept has withered,consider this: Of the 72players on this year’srosters, exactly twothirds – 48 players – getsubstantial bonuses ontop of their hefty contractsfor being selected.Wouldn’t you think thatfor the salaries theseblokes command beingnamed an all-star wouldactually be demanded,rather than somevaguely happy surprise?So, this year wehave Miguel Cabrera,Tori Hunter, JustinVerlander, and DavidWright – averaging $20million-plus in annualsalary – each coppinga $100,000 bonus forplaying probably twoinnings. Another 24players, including includingyour own MessrsPedroia, Buchholz, andOrtiz will get $50,000extra. What a greatcountry!Interestingly, baseball’sAll-Star gameoriginated as a charityevent with participantsgetting a free lunch anda pat on the back. Butthat was once upon atime, which was a longtime ago.This summer the place to be is Venezia Restaurant! Veneziais the perfect place for lunch or dinner with friends, family, orco-workers! Their brand new renovation offers a spectacularsummer dining experience with an outdoor patio right on thewater, fun weekend entertainment and even a private room!Enjoy the beautiful Boston skyline and summer weather withamazing food right on the water at Venezia Restaurant! Comeby car or come by boat!

Page 20 THE Reporter July 18 2013‘Sisters of Color’ rallyaround bomb victim(Continued from page 1)in Lower Mills at 2261Dorchester Ave.Daniel, who had studiedpre-med at UMassAmherst and was pursuingher dream of becominga doctor at the timeof the bombing, has comea long way since emigratingfrom Haiti 14 yearsago, when she was just17. Now, she is using thesame energy and focus toput the past behind herand live her life.Daniel, 30, is currentlyundergoing prostheticstraining to learn howto use her recently fittedprosthetic leg, andthough she said theprocess is difficult, sheis determined to pushthrough.She did not attend thearraignment of the survivingbombing suspectDzhokhar Tsarnaev lastweek in South Boston.Daniel said she is notinterested in followingthe trial. “I’m puttingall of my energy into recovery,and doing thingsthat make me happy,” shesaid. “I’m trying to figureout how I move on withmy life.”Throughout the recoveryprocess, Maryhas tried to focus on thepositives. “I’ve learnedabout humanity - howpeople come togetherduring a crisis - and abouthumility,” she said. “To becompletely dependent onother people, and to letyourself be vulnerable,is very difficult.”The organizers ofThursday’s benefit areenthusiastic about helpingsomeone from thecommunity.Liz Miranda of DS-Tination Lifestyle saidthat, as time passes andpublic attention shifts toTsarnaev’s trial, peopleshould keep the victimsin mind.“We want people to rememberthat real peoplewere hurt, and real liveswere changed,” saidMiranda. “This [mixer]is an opportunity forpeople to experience areal-life connection towhat happened that day,and to support someonefrom the community.”“We’ve worked withthe United Sisters ofColor before, and we knewabout Mery’s story,” saidDominique Gutierrez ofTwins & Friends.“We were really excitedto work on this event.”The event organizershope to have about 100people in attendance atthe mixer.The United Sistersof Color also hosted aRun4Mery on June 30, anevent that raised about$2000 and gathered over60 people for a 5K run.Anjela Childs, co-founderof the United Sistersof Color, said that shewanted to support Meryas a part of her organization’smission to bringthe community togetherby helping locals in need.“[I was] completelyshocked that I had notheard [Mery’s] story,”wrote Childs in an email.“I felt the need to dosomething so I contactedher cousin and askedher what she felt Meryneeded the most from us.After a lengthy conversation,I decided to haveRun4Mery 5K. It justmade sense.”Daniel said she hopesto attend the event onThursday night, thoughher schedule is constantlyin flux and full of medicalappointments. Thoughthe steep stairs in herMattapan apartmentforced her to move out ofthe neighborhood, Danielsaid she is touched by thecommunity’s generosity.“That should be the spiritof a community,” shesaid. “It’s not somethingI was expecting. They’regoing out of their way tohelp me, and I’m full ofgratitude.”The event organizersare asking for a $15donation at the door onThursday night, andeveryone is welcome.To contribute to theMery Daniel recoveryfund, visit gofundme.com/meryrecovery.SELECT THURSDAYS THIS SUMMERJuly 25 and August 8, 5 – 8 pmTickets are FREE but limited to Museum capacity, andcan be picked up at the door each free evening.Neighborhood Nights is generously supported in part bythe Josephine and Louise Crane Foundation, The Caleb C.and Julia W. Dula Educational and Charitable Foundation,the William E. Schrafft & Bertha E. Schrafft CharitableTrust, and the Yawkey Foundation. The Museum receivesoperating support from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.Photograph by Lisa Abitbol, 2012NEIGHBORHOOD NIGHTSART • MUSIC • FAMILY FUNFREE to all, with a special invitation toour neighbors in the Fenway, Mission Hill,Roxbury, Jamaica Plain, and Dorchester280 THE FENWAY BOSTON617 566 1401GARDNERMUSEUM.ORGFairmountCommuter Rail Linenow open!Traveling to Boston just got easier.There’s a stationnear youSOUTH STATIONNewmarketUphams CornerFour Corners/Geneva AvenueTalbot AveMorton StreetFairmountKnow before you goMore service –Six new round trip trainsrecently added.Get a CharlieTicket –Purchase your fare or pass ona CharlieTicket instead of on aCharlieCard so the conductorcan view your fare.Purchase your farebefore boarding –Get tickets ahead of timeto avoid an onboard fee orbuy tickets through the freemTicket app.Choose the fare that’s right for you!StationZoneOne-WayFare7-DayLinkPass10-RideTicketMonthlyPassSouth Station $2 $18 $20 $70Newmarket Station 1A $2 $18 $20 $70Uphams Corner Station 1A $2 $18 $20 $70Four Corners/Geneva Avenue Station1A $2 $18 $20 $70Talbot Avenue Station 1A $2 $18 $20 $70Morton Street Station 1A $2 $18 $20 $70Fairmount Station 1A $2 $18 $20 $70Readville Station 2 $6 N/A $60 $189• The 7-Day LinkPass offersunlimited travel onsubway, local bus,inner harbor ferryand commuter railzone 1A.• The Zone 1AMonthly Pass offersunlimited travel onsubway, local bus,inner harbor ferryand commuter railzone 1A.READVILLEFor schedules and more info, visit mbta.com