Published by The Boston Globe
When 10-year-old Caroline Beecher of Newton wrote President Obama a letter of congratulations after he was elected, she did not expect that she would meet the president one day.
Tweet Yahoo! Buzz ShareThis Caroline and her 5-year-old sister, Grace, were outside during their next-door-neighbor’s private fund-raiser Saturday, waiting with their mother, Karin Beecher. They held up a sign welcoming Obama reading, “Can Malia and Sasha come out and play?’’
When Obama saw the sign, he came over to the girls to say hello and shake their hands.
“I felt really excited because, I mean, it’s the president,’’ said Caroline. “It made me feel really important. He looked older than I thought he was going to look.’’
Grace was shyer around the president, though both girls were buzzing with excitement, their mother said.
Grace said Obama was tall and wore a black suit. “He’s nice,’’ she said. “I was really excited.’’
Karin Beecher said she and her husband had the idea to make the sign with their daughters, but did not expect Obama to come talk to them. When she shook Obama’s hand, she asked whether he had seen the sign.
“He actually smiled and said he had and that it had made him feel good,’’ said Beecher. “It says a lot about the kind of man the president is. He’s got a million things going on in his life — what would make him stop?’’
Beecher said Caroline has been talking about the encounter ever since.
Caroline said: “I kept telling myself, Oh, my gosh, wouldn’t it be really cool if the president came out? It felt really good. And the Secret Service gave me a pin.’’
Showing posts with label Obama. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Obama. Show all posts
Friday, October 29, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
Needham woman is hailed by Obama for aid to Afghan widows
Published by The Boston Globe
A Needham woman who lost her husband in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and cofounded an organization to improve the lives of Afghan widows received the 2010 Citizens Medal from President Obama at a White House ceremony yesterday.
Retik Ger started Beyond the 11th with Patti Quigley of Wellesley, who also lost her husband in the 9/11 attack.
The group raises money for widows and their children in Afghanistan, a country that had provided refuge for the planners of the attacks.
“Nobody would have blamed Susan if she had turned inward with grief or with anger, but that isn’t who she is,’’ Obama said. “So instead, she and another widow started Beyond the 11th, and this is a group that empowers Afghan widows affected by war and terrorism. And Susan says, ‘These women are not our enemy.’ ’’
Retik Ger, who moved to Needham in 1999, said the organization’s first big fund-raiser was a three-day bike ride from Ground Zero in New York to Boston, which she will repeat next year on the 10th anniversary of the attacks.
This September, Beyond the 11th will host a bike fund-raiser in Needham.
“It’s an incredible honor to be awarded this medal, and I hope that it shines a light on what Beyond the 11th does,’’ said Retik Ger, who has remarried and has four children. “Widows in Afghanistan have a unique disadvantage. . . . They really are still very much in need.’’
Retik Ger, who was among 13 people who received the award, was nominated by Kumu Gupta of Quincy who saw “Beyond Belief,’’ a 2006 documentary about her work. Gupta, who was born in India, said she was touched and inspired by the way Retik Ger overcame her own misfortunes and bridged the culture gap between East and West.
The citation, read aloud yesterday by a military aide at the White House, said in part, “The United States honors Susan Retik Ger for advancing women’s rights and demonstrating the power of America’s ideals.’’
Retik Ger said she visited the women helped by her foundation in 2006 to hear their stories. “They have very difficult lives,’’ she said. “It was very humbling and made me feel like when I came home, I need to continue, I need to work hard.’’
A Needham woman who lost her husband in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and cofounded an organization to improve the lives of Afghan widows received the 2010 Citizens Medal from President Obama at a White House ceremony yesterday.
Retik Ger started Beyond the 11th with Patti Quigley of Wellesley, who also lost her husband in the 9/11 attack.
The group raises money for widows and their children in Afghanistan, a country that had provided refuge for the planners of the attacks.
“Nobody would have blamed Susan if she had turned inward with grief or with anger, but that isn’t who she is,’’ Obama said. “So instead, she and another widow started Beyond the 11th, and this is a group that empowers Afghan widows affected by war and terrorism. And Susan says, ‘These women are not our enemy.’ ’’
Retik Ger, who moved to Needham in 1999, said the organization’s first big fund-raiser was a three-day bike ride from Ground Zero in New York to Boston, which she will repeat next year on the 10th anniversary of the attacks.
This September, Beyond the 11th will host a bike fund-raiser in Needham.
“It’s an incredible honor to be awarded this medal, and I hope that it shines a light on what Beyond the 11th does,’’ said Retik Ger, who has remarried and has four children. “Widows in Afghanistan have a unique disadvantage. . . . They really are still very much in need.’’
Retik Ger, who was among 13 people who received the award, was nominated by Kumu Gupta of Quincy who saw “Beyond Belief,’’ a 2006 documentary about her work. Gupta, who was born in India, said she was touched and inspired by the way Retik Ger overcame her own misfortunes and bridged the culture gap between East and West.
The citation, read aloud yesterday by a military aide at the White House, said in part, “The United States honors Susan Retik Ger for advancing women’s rights and demonstrating the power of America’s ideals.’’
Retik Ger said she visited the women helped by her foundation in 2006 to hear their stories. “They have very difficult lives,’’ she said. “It was very humbling and made me feel like when I came home, I need to continue, I need to work hard.’’
Monday, April 13, 2009
Gov. Patrick announces second round of stimulus money to Mass. schools
BOSTON—High-poverty Massachusetts schools will be receiving $163 million as part of the second phase of federal stimulus money for education, Gov. Deval Patrick announced Thursday.
The distribution of funds among districts was based on the proportion of low-income students in the district’s total population, said Jonathan Palumbo, spokesperson for Patrick’s office. Districts can decide how to use the money as long as they meet certain requirements, such as saving teaching jobs, said Palumbo.
“If we want to build sustainability into the school system, maintain the level of services and make progress towards the goal of student achievement at all levels, the government made the case that we needed to do everything we could that education was properly funded,” he said.
Massachusetts will receive a total of $1.88 billion in stimulus money for education over the next two years, said Palumbo. The funds announced last week are being dispersed under Title 1, a 40-year-old federal program for low-income school districts, he said. Schools will receive the first half in July and the second half in the fall.
Massachusetts schools have never received this much government funding before, said Colleen Coburn, policy advisor for Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry. The inclusion of education in the stimulus package is due in part to advocacy from politicians like Sen. Kerry and Gov. Patrick, she said.
“The money through the Recovery Act just going out now is more that has gone to education in almost every single category in the entire last year combined,” said Coburn.
The stimulus package also breaks new ground in transparency, because schools have to apply for the funds, specify their use and report how they were allocated on a set timeline, said Coburn.
“People think the federal government is just sending out checks,” said Coburn. “A goal of the [Obama] administration is to hold people more accountable and make transactions transparent. We want all this to be public information.”
The first round of stimulus money was for state stabilization, and the federal government mandated that 82 percent of these funds go to education to meet district budget gaps, said Coburn. The state could decide how the remaining 18 percent will be spent on government services. Boston Public Schools did not receive funds in the first round, said Coburn.
The third and final round of federal education funding will be allocated for special needs education under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), she said.
Boston Public Schools will receive about $20.8 million in Title 1 stimulus funds, which is $3.8 million more than Superintendent Carol Johnson expected when she approved the 2010 budget last month, said Chris Horan, spokesperson for the district. In that budget, Johnson recommended areas that could use additional funding if BPS received more money, he said.
Johnson’s recommendations included $1.4 million for students with disabilities, because BPS did not receive enough IDEA funds, said Horan. The federal government requires the rest of the money to be split evenly between protecting teaching jobs and investments such as textbooks and teacher training, he said.
Horan said Mayor Thomas Menino promised to restore all teaching positions if the Boston Teachers Union agrees to a one-year wage freeze, which would save the district an estimated $30 million.
Wage freezes have already saved 200 jobs, and continued negotiations with unions to freeze wages are likely to save most teaching jobs, said Coburn.
Springfield Public School District is receiving $8.6 billion from Title 1, the most of any district in Massachusetts other than Boston, according to the Massachusetts State website. Worcester is next, receiving $3.9 billion. Holyoke and Lawrence are receiving $3.1 million each.
Schools must remember to budget each lump sum for the next two fiscal years, said Coburn. In addition, a district’s financial status may change from year to year and receive more or less funding through Title 1, she said.
“A lot of people think all the money should go into schools now, but in reality, the government is anticipating a gap,” said Coburn. “What schools need is going to be even bigger a year from now.”
Because federal stimulus money from the Recovery and Reinvestment Act has not been distributed yet, the stimulus package’s success is still unmeasured, said Cindy Roy, spokesperson for the Massachusetts Office of Administration and Finance. Massachusetts must track every dollar being spent to show taxpayers where there money is going, she said.
“It’s a $700 billion bill. It is going to be complicated,” said Roy. “But were communicating with the federal government, they’re communicating with us … as we get further into the process it, will get easier for everybody.”
The distribution of funds among districts was based on the proportion of low-income students in the district’s total population, said Jonathan Palumbo, spokesperson for Patrick’s office. Districts can decide how to use the money as long as they meet certain requirements, such as saving teaching jobs, said Palumbo.
“If we want to build sustainability into the school system, maintain the level of services and make progress towards the goal of student achievement at all levels, the government made the case that we needed to do everything we could that education was properly funded,” he said.
Massachusetts will receive a total of $1.88 billion in stimulus money for education over the next two years, said Palumbo. The funds announced last week are being dispersed under Title 1, a 40-year-old federal program for low-income school districts, he said. Schools will receive the first half in July and the second half in the fall.
Massachusetts schools have never received this much government funding before, said Colleen Coburn, policy advisor for Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry. The inclusion of education in the stimulus package is due in part to advocacy from politicians like Sen. Kerry and Gov. Patrick, she said.
“The money through the Recovery Act just going out now is more that has gone to education in almost every single category in the entire last year combined,” said Coburn.
The stimulus package also breaks new ground in transparency, because schools have to apply for the funds, specify their use and report how they were allocated on a set timeline, said Coburn.
“People think the federal government is just sending out checks,” said Coburn. “A goal of the [Obama] administration is to hold people more accountable and make transactions transparent. We want all this to be public information.”
The first round of stimulus money was for state stabilization, and the federal government mandated that 82 percent of these funds go to education to meet district budget gaps, said Coburn. The state could decide how the remaining 18 percent will be spent on government services. Boston Public Schools did not receive funds in the first round, said Coburn.
The third and final round of federal education funding will be allocated for special needs education under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA), she said.
Boston Public Schools will receive about $20.8 million in Title 1 stimulus funds, which is $3.8 million more than Superintendent Carol Johnson expected when she approved the 2010 budget last month, said Chris Horan, spokesperson for the district. In that budget, Johnson recommended areas that could use additional funding if BPS received more money, he said.
Johnson’s recommendations included $1.4 million for students with disabilities, because BPS did not receive enough IDEA funds, said Horan. The federal government requires the rest of the money to be split evenly between protecting teaching jobs and investments such as textbooks and teacher training, he said.
Horan said Mayor Thomas Menino promised to restore all teaching positions if the Boston Teachers Union agrees to a one-year wage freeze, which would save the district an estimated $30 million.
Wage freezes have already saved 200 jobs, and continued negotiations with unions to freeze wages are likely to save most teaching jobs, said Coburn.
Springfield Public School District is receiving $8.6 billion from Title 1, the most of any district in Massachusetts other than Boston, according to the Massachusetts State website. Worcester is next, receiving $3.9 billion. Holyoke and Lawrence are receiving $3.1 million each.
Schools must remember to budget each lump sum for the next two fiscal years, said Coburn. In addition, a district’s financial status may change from year to year and receive more or less funding through Title 1, she said.
“A lot of people think all the money should go into schools now, but in reality, the government is anticipating a gap,” said Coburn. “What schools need is going to be even bigger a year from now.”
Because federal stimulus money from the Recovery and Reinvestment Act has not been distributed yet, the stimulus package’s success is still unmeasured, said Cindy Roy, spokesperson for the Massachusetts Office of Administration and Finance. Massachusetts must track every dollar being spent to show taxpayers where there money is going, she said.
“It’s a $700 billion bill. It is going to be complicated,” said Roy. “But were communicating with the federal government, they’re communicating with us … as we get further into the process it, will get easier for everybody.”
Cambridge Housing Authority director hopeful Obama will deregulate housing funding
PUBLISHED by The Cambridge Chronicle
Cambridge —The Cambridge Housing Authority hopes the Obama administration will be receptive to stripping the red tape around public housing funding, the organization’s executive director told an audience at Harvard’s Rappaport Institute for Greater Boston lecture Monday afternoon.
Gregory Russ discussed new opportunities for public housing at “Housing Policy and the Post-Bush Era: The View from Cambridge.” The talk, co-sponsored by Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies, was part of the Kennedy School of Government’s spring Boston 101 Lecture Series on local institutions.
Russ said that while the financial sector was heavily deregulated under the Bush administration, public housing programs have been regulated to the point of being “stifled” during Bush’s terms in office.
“A sad, sad thing of the prior administration is the complete depreciation of the value of the housing department, of knowledgeable staff and the idea that public housing is a good thing,” Russ said.
Nationally and in Cambridge, public housing needs funding to update old buildings that were constructed as early as the 1940s with outdated electrical systems, Russ said. Housing authorities also need money to develop new types of energy and to enhance services available to seniors and the disabled, he said.
“In terms of capital, this is what the administration must do to preserve units and keep them viable in the long-term,” Russ said.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development needs restructuring and reform overall, he said, to reverse the “foot-dragging” and “under-funding” of the agency under Bush.
In 1996, HUD developed the Moving to Work Demonstration Deregulation program, which allowed the Cambridge Housing Authority to design its public housing program according to the city’s specific needs, Russ said. In an agreement signed in 1999, CHA agreed to follow a few basic national regulations, such as how to define income qualifications, while forming their own local policies.
According to Russ, the CHA’s flexibility has allowed the organization to keep its current units in good condition and invest surpluses into buying new buildings, including a unit that CHA is expected to purchase at a board meeting on Wednesday.
Russ said the federal stimulus package has designated $3 million for each housing authority, and Massachusetts may also pass on stimulus money to CHA. He said CHA has identified $40 million in projects, but the agency does not know how much they will receive.
Eric Belsky, executive director of the Joint Center for Housing Studies, said Cambridge has “taken full advantage” of the Move to Work program by competing for funds, such as tax credits, that other housing authorities usually do not have the opportunity to get.
“They take much more of a leadership role,” Belsky said. “It has much more of a public purpose … tied to a local and political scene.”
Belsky said he hopes Move to Work can be expanded under the new administration, because although Congress approved its renewal under Bush for ten additional years, the program became more limited.
“It suffered from benign neglect,” Russ said. “They made changes we don’t like, but we wanted the extension.”
Cambridge —The Cambridge Housing Authority hopes the Obama administration will be receptive to stripping the red tape around public housing funding, the organization’s executive director told an audience at Harvard’s Rappaport Institute for Greater Boston lecture Monday afternoon.
Gregory Russ discussed new opportunities for public housing at “Housing Policy and the Post-Bush Era: The View from Cambridge.” The talk, co-sponsored by Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies, was part of the Kennedy School of Government’s spring Boston 101 Lecture Series on local institutions.
Russ said that while the financial sector was heavily deregulated under the Bush administration, public housing programs have been regulated to the point of being “stifled” during Bush’s terms in office.
“A sad, sad thing of the prior administration is the complete depreciation of the value of the housing department, of knowledgeable staff and the idea that public housing is a good thing,” Russ said.
Nationally and in Cambridge, public housing needs funding to update old buildings that were constructed as early as the 1940s with outdated electrical systems, Russ said. Housing authorities also need money to develop new types of energy and to enhance services available to seniors and the disabled, he said.
“In terms of capital, this is what the administration must do to preserve units and keep them viable in the long-term,” Russ said.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development needs restructuring and reform overall, he said, to reverse the “foot-dragging” and “under-funding” of the agency under Bush.
In 1996, HUD developed the Moving to Work Demonstration Deregulation program, which allowed the Cambridge Housing Authority to design its public housing program according to the city’s specific needs, Russ said. In an agreement signed in 1999, CHA agreed to follow a few basic national regulations, such as how to define income qualifications, while forming their own local policies.
According to Russ, the CHA’s flexibility has allowed the organization to keep its current units in good condition and invest surpluses into buying new buildings, including a unit that CHA is expected to purchase at a board meeting on Wednesday.
Russ said the federal stimulus package has designated $3 million for each housing authority, and Massachusetts may also pass on stimulus money to CHA. He said CHA has identified $40 million in projects, but the agency does not know how much they will receive.
Eric Belsky, executive director of the Joint Center for Housing Studies, said Cambridge has “taken full advantage” of the Move to Work program by competing for funds, such as tax credits, that other housing authorities usually do not have the opportunity to get.
“They take much more of a leadership role,” Belsky said. “It has much more of a public purpose … tied to a local and political scene.”
Belsky said he hopes Move to Work can be expanded under the new administration, because although Congress approved its renewal under Bush for ten additional years, the program became more limited.
“It suffered from benign neglect,” Russ said. “They made changes we don’t like, but we wanted the extension.”
Friday, April 10, 2009
Boston Public Library celebrates Inauguration
BOSTON—More than 340 people came to the Boston Public Library’s viewing party for the 44th Presidential Inauguration in Copley Square on Tuesday morning.
The Rabb Lecture Hall filled up and the crowd spilled over to a side room as the ceremony progressed to President Barack Obama’s Oath of Office and speech. The audience cheered, laughed and occasionally jeered President George Bush when he appeared on the projection screen.
“To hear the cheering and applause—it means a lot to be here,” Mary Bender, the library’s manager of communication, said as she teared up. “It’s what a library should do. It’s about ideas.”
Bender said six other branches of the Boston Public Library were also showing the inauguration in different neighborhoods around the city. The screenings were planned early on for those who would want to watch the event with company.
“Obviously people came out in the cold and snow, so they wanted to see it with other people instead of seeing it alone,” Bender said.
When President Barack H. Obama was announced, tumultuous applause in the auditorium was accompanied by a Native American cry. As the Oath of Office began, the entire room stood in unison with the crowds filling the National Mall in Washington D.C.
“I think this is a great day for America,” Steve Shannon of Boston said as he watched the screen.
The president’s speech began by reminding America of the troubles that still haunt the country and of the challenges that lie ahead. He acknowledged a “sapping of confidence” of the American people but assured them the issues would be faced.
“Starting today, we will pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and begin the remaking of the state of America,” Obama said.
In his speech, the president referred to the values inherent in America’s founding to show those who are skeptical of the nation’s recovery that America is still capable of leadership, equality and freedom. He indirectly addressed the actions of the Bush administration and reached out to countries across the globe.
“To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward with mutual interests and mutual respect,” Obama said. “We will extend a hand, if you are willing to unclench your fist.”
In the Rabb Lecture Hall, President Obama received a standing ovation.
“I think it’s an amazing point in history. His speech was wonderful,” Joanne Peters of Brockton said. “He fulfills Martin Luther King’s dream for all Americans.”
Jeff Avallon of Boston said he liked the way Obama spoke to the world, because his presidency is a “turning point” for America’s image. He said Obama’s mention of the Founding Fathers and their central ideas “apply to everyone.”
Avallon’s business partner, John Goscha of Colorado, said he distinguished Obama’s speech from President Bush in that Obama welcomed the entire world to unite. Goscha said he thought Obama was positive but realistic.
“I appreciated the way he spoke about sacrifice and hard times ahead,” Goscha said. “He wasn’t too dreamy.”
Kendra al-Kaleem of Boston said she came to the library to watch the inauguration because the institution represents knowledge, learning and community. She said she thought the ceremony was a symbol of changes to come for America.
“Just the fact that we’ve elected and inaugurated the first African American president when we came here in shackles and chains—this country has grown up from teargas and dogs,” al-Kaleem said.
Theodore Ross, a former economist from Boston, said Obama’s speech showed that the new president understands the changing scope of technology and its potential uses. He said that certain innovations that could help civilians are usually known only to the military.
“He’s even more ahead than I imagined,” Ross said. “He understands it, and he’ll make good decisions because of that.”
Several people in attendance at the library’s viewing, such as Susan Kron of Boston, said they came to share the moment with a group of people. Kron said she felt elated and hopeful at the end of Obama’s speech.
“It’s the beginning of goodness again,” she said.
Other people, like Joe Hogan of Boston, said they worked at the library and were giving up their lunch breaks to come to the viewing. Hogan, who is a capital planning officer for the library, said he liked how Obama asked the whole country to have more civic involvement.
“Hopefully people, especially poor and underprivileged people, will have a greater voice,” Hogan said.
Sarah Marquez, a Colombian student learning English in Boston, said she congratulates America on Obama’s inauguration.
“It was awesome, he makes me cry, almost,” she said. “He will be the best president.”
Marlea Harger of Newton said she feels positive about the future, because Obama appeared calm and in control of the problems facing America.
Dawna Jones-Hodge of Milton said the occasion is especially important to her because of her African American heritage and family history. She brought pictures of her parents and a Bible with her to the viewing.
“I was old enough to remember segregation and the South and when Dr. King died. My parents lived through that,” Jones-Hodge said. “Slavery is only one generation away; my grandmother was a slave.”
She said Obama cannot be expected to solve every problem, but the significance of his inauguration is the start of improvement.
“I feel like now we have somebody to represent everybody,” Jones-Hodge said. “I’m happy to be a part of it.”
The Rabb Lecture Hall filled up and the crowd spilled over to a side room as the ceremony progressed to President Barack Obama’s Oath of Office and speech. The audience cheered, laughed and occasionally jeered President George Bush when he appeared on the projection screen.
“To hear the cheering and applause—it means a lot to be here,” Mary Bender, the library’s manager of communication, said as she teared up. “It’s what a library should do. It’s about ideas.”
Bender said six other branches of the Boston Public Library were also showing the inauguration in different neighborhoods around the city. The screenings were planned early on for those who would want to watch the event with company.
“Obviously people came out in the cold and snow, so they wanted to see it with other people instead of seeing it alone,” Bender said.
When President Barack H. Obama was announced, tumultuous applause in the auditorium was accompanied by a Native American cry. As the Oath of Office began, the entire room stood in unison with the crowds filling the National Mall in Washington D.C.
“I think this is a great day for America,” Steve Shannon of Boston said as he watched the screen.
The president’s speech began by reminding America of the troubles that still haunt the country and of the challenges that lie ahead. He acknowledged a “sapping of confidence” of the American people but assured them the issues would be faced.
“Starting today, we will pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and begin the remaking of the state of America,” Obama said.
In his speech, the president referred to the values inherent in America’s founding to show those who are skeptical of the nation’s recovery that America is still capable of leadership, equality and freedom. He indirectly addressed the actions of the Bush administration and reached out to countries across the globe.
“To the Muslim world, we seek a new way forward with mutual interests and mutual respect,” Obama said. “We will extend a hand, if you are willing to unclench your fist.”
In the Rabb Lecture Hall, President Obama received a standing ovation.
“I think it’s an amazing point in history. His speech was wonderful,” Joanne Peters of Brockton said. “He fulfills Martin Luther King’s dream for all Americans.”
Jeff Avallon of Boston said he liked the way Obama spoke to the world, because his presidency is a “turning point” for America’s image. He said Obama’s mention of the Founding Fathers and their central ideas “apply to everyone.”
Avallon’s business partner, John Goscha of Colorado, said he distinguished Obama’s speech from President Bush in that Obama welcomed the entire world to unite. Goscha said he thought Obama was positive but realistic.
“I appreciated the way he spoke about sacrifice and hard times ahead,” Goscha said. “He wasn’t too dreamy.”
Kendra al-Kaleem of Boston said she came to the library to watch the inauguration because the institution represents knowledge, learning and community. She said she thought the ceremony was a symbol of changes to come for America.
“Just the fact that we’ve elected and inaugurated the first African American president when we came here in shackles and chains—this country has grown up from teargas and dogs,” al-Kaleem said.
Theodore Ross, a former economist from Boston, said Obama’s speech showed that the new president understands the changing scope of technology and its potential uses. He said that certain innovations that could help civilians are usually known only to the military.
“He’s even more ahead than I imagined,” Ross said. “He understands it, and he’ll make good decisions because of that.”
Several people in attendance at the library’s viewing, such as Susan Kron of Boston, said they came to share the moment with a group of people. Kron said she felt elated and hopeful at the end of Obama’s speech.
“It’s the beginning of goodness again,” she said.
Other people, like Joe Hogan of Boston, said they worked at the library and were giving up their lunch breaks to come to the viewing. Hogan, who is a capital planning officer for the library, said he liked how Obama asked the whole country to have more civic involvement.
“Hopefully people, especially poor and underprivileged people, will have a greater voice,” Hogan said.
Sarah Marquez, a Colombian student learning English in Boston, said she congratulates America on Obama’s inauguration.
“It was awesome, he makes me cry, almost,” she said. “He will be the best president.”
Marlea Harger of Newton said she feels positive about the future, because Obama appeared calm and in control of the problems facing America.
Dawna Jones-Hodge of Milton said the occasion is especially important to her because of her African American heritage and family history. She brought pictures of her parents and a Bible with her to the viewing.
“I was old enough to remember segregation and the South and when Dr. King died. My parents lived through that,” Jones-Hodge said. “Slavery is only one generation away; my grandmother was a slave.”
She said Obama cannot be expected to solve every problem, but the significance of his inauguration is the start of improvement.
“I feel like now we have somebody to represent everybody,” Jones-Hodge said. “I’m happy to be a part of it.”
Bush bashing ends on the eve of Inauguration
CAMBRIDGE—About 10 people attended the “Pre-Inaugural Comedy Bash” at the All Asia bar in Cambridge last night where several comedians “retired” their George Bush jokes and tried out new Barack Obama material.
“For people who don’t have the money to go to Washington, the odds for a bathroom here are better,” the show’s host Janet Cormier said to start the evening.
Cormier introduced three other comedians—Erin Judge, Marc Basch and Dorothy Dwyer—in between interacting with the small crowd, which included a family of four children and a large group of teenagers waiting for the band to perform.
“Obama will raise the standards for all kinds of race relations,” Cormier said. “If anybody wants a black best friend, I am available; it will be very fashionable.”
Comedian Erin Judge said writing jokes about the popular president-elect was challenging for her as compared to creating bits about “easy targets” like President Bush and vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin. Judge, who has been performing at All Asia for six and a half years, said she went to high school in Texas while Bush was governor.
“For the past 14 years, this man has been my leader, and that ends tomorrow,” she said. “It’s a great thing to celebrate … I’m still in shock.”
Audience member, Aixa Aleman, said she was visiting from Washington D.C. because her city would be too crowded today. She said she plans to celebrate the inauguration by making “Yes we can” martinis.
Aixa’s brother, Jose Aleman of Somerville, said he has high expectations for the new presidency as a scientist.
“In terms of funding and general receptiveness, the current administration has been less than desirable,” Aleman said.
Tara Zanardi of Somerville said she came to the show despite the cold weather to celebrate the inauguration in a different way. Zanardi said that while she thinks Obama is “intelligent and thoughtful” and an improvement over Bush, she does not want to expect too much.
“With a person built up to be so fabulous, it’s important to remember he’s not perfect,” she said.
Comedian Marc Basch did not include the inauguration in his stand-up, although he supports Obama. He instead called his material “socio-political,” touching on race, religion and gender issues.
“Obama really seems to have a great family life and a good marriage,” Basch said. “Clinton cheated and George and Laura really don’t seem passionate.”
Cormier said she puts on a comedy show once a month at All Asia, and in February the show is traditionally themed for Black History Month.
“Social commentary is what I pride myself in,” she said.
Cormier said she thinks a large audience is hard to attract because of the economy, and she did not want to assume her whole audience would want to hear about politics, even in Cambridge. However, she said that with the historic event and all the excitement, “Why not, dammit?”
Cormier ended the show with her favorite Bush quote: “The Associated Press asks, ‘Mr. President, why can’t you find Osama bin Laden?’ And Bush replies, ‘Because he’s hiding.’”
“For people who don’t have the money to go to Washington, the odds for a bathroom here are better,” the show’s host Janet Cormier said to start the evening.
Cormier introduced three other comedians—Erin Judge, Marc Basch and Dorothy Dwyer—in between interacting with the small crowd, which included a family of four children and a large group of teenagers waiting for the band to perform.
“Obama will raise the standards for all kinds of race relations,” Cormier said. “If anybody wants a black best friend, I am available; it will be very fashionable.”
Comedian Erin Judge said writing jokes about the popular president-elect was challenging for her as compared to creating bits about “easy targets” like President Bush and vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin. Judge, who has been performing at All Asia for six and a half years, said she went to high school in Texas while Bush was governor.
“For the past 14 years, this man has been my leader, and that ends tomorrow,” she said. “It’s a great thing to celebrate … I’m still in shock.”
Audience member, Aixa Aleman, said she was visiting from Washington D.C. because her city would be too crowded today. She said she plans to celebrate the inauguration by making “Yes we can” martinis.
Aixa’s brother, Jose Aleman of Somerville, said he has high expectations for the new presidency as a scientist.
“In terms of funding and general receptiveness, the current administration has been less than desirable,” Aleman said.
Tara Zanardi of Somerville said she came to the show despite the cold weather to celebrate the inauguration in a different way. Zanardi said that while she thinks Obama is “intelligent and thoughtful” and an improvement over Bush, she does not want to expect too much.
“With a person built up to be so fabulous, it’s important to remember he’s not perfect,” she said.
Comedian Marc Basch did not include the inauguration in his stand-up, although he supports Obama. He instead called his material “socio-political,” touching on race, religion and gender issues.
“Obama really seems to have a great family life and a good marriage,” Basch said. “Clinton cheated and George and Laura really don’t seem passionate.”
Cormier said she puts on a comedy show once a month at All Asia, and in February the show is traditionally themed for Black History Month.
“Social commentary is what I pride myself in,” she said.
Cormier said she thinks a large audience is hard to attract because of the economy, and she did not want to assume her whole audience would want to hear about politics, even in Cambridge. However, she said that with the historic event and all the excitement, “Why not, dammit?”
Cormier ended the show with her favorite Bush quote: “The Associated Press asks, ‘Mr. President, why can’t you find Osama bin Laden?’ And Bush replies, ‘Because he’s hiding.’”
Cambridge rolls out the red carpet for inauguration specials
PUBLISHED by The Cambridge Chronicle
Cambridge —You can dine on a 21-ounce burger, pineapple-shaped chocolate and special “bailout” fries as Barack Obama’s being sworn in as president, but if you really want to forget about the recession, head for the free champagne or hot chocolate.
All around Harvard Square, businesses are coming up with creative ideas to celebrate the inauguration next Tuesday.
In one shop, the Harvard Book Store, free bubbly will be served to the first 60 people during a live screening in the Third Room at 11:30 a.m. Visitors can choose between straight champagne and mimosa.
But if you're looking to ring in Obama's term in style, try Mr. Bartley’s Gourmet Burgers. The famous burger place plans to release its first triple-decker, 21-ounce hamburger — and special “bailout” fries — on the same day.
The "Inauguration Burger" is described as a “historically large burger for a historically large party,” general manager Bill Bartley said. The plain $17 burger’s tagline is “smothered in hype,” because if any toppings were included, “it would be too expensive,” Bartley said.
Mr. Bartley’s, known for its entrees named after politicians and celebrities, is one of several Cambridge businesses offering festivities on Tuesday morning. Harvard Square will place a big-screen TV in the middle of Harvard Square’s “pit.” And not too far away, the Charles Hotel will be offering free hot chocolate, raffle prizes and an opportunity to skate at its rink in what’s being called an “ObamaRama Inaugural Gala on Ice” from 5 to 10 p.m.
Other indulgences offered in Harvard Square include a special Barack Obama chocolate assortment sold at L.A. Burdick Chocolate Café, featuring a Hawaiian pineapple with an embossed “O,” said Bill Hall, the café’s manager.
Curious George Books and Toys will display several dozen Obama books in its window, in addition to other political books, said general manager Bindy Fleischman.
“We’ve had them since primaries,” Fleischman said. “The interest was there, and we restocked and restocked.”
Other festivities will continue into the evening. The Middle East Club in Central Square will host an Inauguration Night Show in its upstairs club at 9 p.m., featuring Archelon, which covers the late ’90s band Presidents of the United States of America, and Death and Taxes.
The Middle East’s Clay Fernald said the club might even host “Segway Abe.”
“[He’s] a good friend of ours … you may have seen riding around town in a Segway dressed as Abe Lincoln,” Fernald said.
If you’re hungry for an inauguration special, UpStairs on the Square will serve a special dinner menu costing $44, to represent the 44th president, Mary-Catherine Deibel, co-owner and operator, said. The dinner menu and Tuesday’s lunch menu include “Foie a change with grilled pineapple,” “Yes we can … liberally peppered steak” and “Mile-high expectations lemon meringue pie.”
Beginning at noon, the restaurant will also serve “Swearing-in-the-Afternoon Bar Specials” such as “I Can See White Russians,” and “other loony leftist libations,” according to a press release. The night will finish with an inaugural ballroom dance with the Winiker Orchestra.
“We’re big Obama fans, and it’s the most historical inauguration since we’ve been alive, so we’ve drawn in the community to celebrate these events,” said Diebel.
Cambridge —You can dine on a 21-ounce burger, pineapple-shaped chocolate and special “bailout” fries as Barack Obama’s being sworn in as president, but if you really want to forget about the recession, head for the free champagne or hot chocolate.
All around Harvard Square, businesses are coming up with creative ideas to celebrate the inauguration next Tuesday.
In one shop, the Harvard Book Store, free bubbly will be served to the first 60 people during a live screening in the Third Room at 11:30 a.m. Visitors can choose between straight champagne and mimosa.
But if you're looking to ring in Obama's term in style, try Mr. Bartley’s Gourmet Burgers. The famous burger place plans to release its first triple-decker, 21-ounce hamburger — and special “bailout” fries — on the same day.
The "Inauguration Burger" is described as a “historically large burger for a historically large party,” general manager Bill Bartley said. The plain $17 burger’s tagline is “smothered in hype,” because if any toppings were included, “it would be too expensive,” Bartley said.
Mr. Bartley’s, known for its entrees named after politicians and celebrities, is one of several Cambridge businesses offering festivities on Tuesday morning. Harvard Square will place a big-screen TV in the middle of Harvard Square’s “pit.” And not too far away, the Charles Hotel will be offering free hot chocolate, raffle prizes and an opportunity to skate at its rink in what’s being called an “ObamaRama Inaugural Gala on Ice” from 5 to 10 p.m.
Other indulgences offered in Harvard Square include a special Barack Obama chocolate assortment sold at L.A. Burdick Chocolate Café, featuring a Hawaiian pineapple with an embossed “O,” said Bill Hall, the café’s manager.
Curious George Books and Toys will display several dozen Obama books in its window, in addition to other political books, said general manager Bindy Fleischman.
“We’ve had them since primaries,” Fleischman said. “The interest was there, and we restocked and restocked.”
Other festivities will continue into the evening. The Middle East Club in Central Square will host an Inauguration Night Show in its upstairs club at 9 p.m., featuring Archelon, which covers the late ’90s band Presidents of the United States of America, and Death and Taxes.
The Middle East’s Clay Fernald said the club might even host “Segway Abe.”
“[He’s] a good friend of ours … you may have seen riding around town in a Segway dressed as Abe Lincoln,” Fernald said.
If you’re hungry for an inauguration special, UpStairs on the Square will serve a special dinner menu costing $44, to represent the 44th president, Mary-Catherine Deibel, co-owner and operator, said. The dinner menu and Tuesday’s lunch menu include “Foie a change with grilled pineapple,” “Yes we can … liberally peppered steak” and “Mile-high expectations lemon meringue pie.”
Beginning at noon, the restaurant will also serve “Swearing-in-the-Afternoon Bar Specials” such as “I Can See White Russians,” and “other loony leftist libations,” according to a press release. The night will finish with an inaugural ballroom dance with the Winiker Orchestra.
“We’re big Obama fans, and it’s the most historical inauguration since we’ve been alive, so we’ve drawn in the community to celebrate these events,” said Diebel.
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