Harvard Street health center extends hours

Harvard Street health center extends hours

Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center announced last Wednesday that it has expanded the operating hours of its clinic, aiming to offer increased health care flexibility to area residents, even those without an appointment.

“Getting routine health care, such as physicals, immunizations and other regular procedures is crucial to maintaining good health,” said Dr. Chidi Chike Achebe, the health center’s president and CEO, in a statement. “Unfortunately, that type of care is not always readily available at a time that works for busy families.”

The Harvard Street center primarily serves Roxbury, Dorchester and Mattapan. It will offer expanded evening hours six days a week, with walk-in care offered from 8:30 a.m. until 8 p.m. on weeknights and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays. For more information, call 617-825-3400 or visit http://www.harvard
street.org.

BPS Back-to-School Hotline now taking calls

The Boston Public Schools (BPS) opened its annual Back-to-School Hotline for students and families on Monday. Parents and guardians can call the hotline at 617-635-9046 for help with school registration, assignments, transfers, transportation and other school questions.

The hotline is open between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. from Aug. 24, 2009, through Sept. 4, 2009, and between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. from Sept. 8, 2009, through Sept. 18, 2009.

The first day of school for BPS students in grades 1-12 is Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009. The first day for kindergarten students is Monday, Sept. 14, 2009. For more back-to-school information, visit http://www.boston
publicschools.org/welcome.

Jazz great Brubeck to receive honorary Berklee doctorate at Monterey jazz fest

Dave Brubeck, the iconic pianist recognized as a Jazz Master by the National Endowment for the Arts and a “Living Legend” by the Library of Congress, will be presented with an honorary doctorate from Berklee College of Music at the 52nd Monterey Jazz Festival, which begins Sept. 18, 2009.

The presentation will be made on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2009, just prior to the Dave Brubeck’s Quartet’s set celebrating the 50th anniversary of their groundbreaking album, “Time Out.”

“It feels fitting to make this presentation to Dave for his many contributions to jazz, orchestral and sacred music, and to education,” said Roger Brown, president of Berklee College of Music, in a statement. “… The 50-year anniversary of the release of ‘Time Out’ also seems like a perfect moment to thank Dave for all he’s done for the world, and the world of music.”

The Berklee Honorary Doctorate of Music was first presented in 1971 to Duke Ellington. Other recipients have included Dizzy Gillespie, Tito Puente, Chick Corea, Quincy Jones and Aretha Franklin.

Wilmot launches Randolph council bid

In an open letter addressed to Randolph residents, Greg Wilmot recently announced his decision to run for an at-large seat on the Town Council, citing the need for “a new voice and new energy” in Randolph politics.

“I settled in Randolph with my family because of its racial and cultural diversity, proximity to the City of Boston, and beautiful neighborhoods,” wrote Wilmot, a senior risk advisor at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts who holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Boston College and an M.B.A. from Northeastern University.

“… There are aspects of our Town that work very well.  It has a great deal of potential.  But you are, as I am, concerned and becoming increasingly frustrated about where the Town is heading.”

Wilmot cites public safety concerns, curtailed delivery of constituent services and underperforming schools as issues he’d look to address as a member of the council.

“I am concerned that if the Council is not comprised of the right people with the right set of skills and strategic vision, the quality of life in Randolph will continue to deteriorate,” he wrote.

Wilmot joins a crowded field of 13 candidates for five available at-large seats in Randolph’s Sept. 15, 2009, special town election.

The letter and more information on Wilmot’s campaign are available on his Web site at http://www.wilmot
forrandolph.com. More information on the special election is available at http://www.townof
randolph.com.