Tri-CAP and the Tri-City Housing and Homelessness Task Force to conduct annual homeless Census. - Posted by Joe Cassia Jan 18, 2012 - Many agencies and service providers are helping to gather the necessary data for the annual homeless census and street count. This data is being gathered at the request of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as part of the Continuum of Care Application for McKinney-Vento funding. The goal is to capture accurate, reflective, and meaningful data on homeless individuals and families. The data will be collected beginning the night of January 25th for a brief period.
The census results help Tri-CAP apply for state and federal funds to continue to help eliminate poverty through education, housing and benefits advocacy, housing search, case management, mental health counseling, and substance abuse counseling. It is important to count everyone. Any agency or service provider that serves or works with homeless individuals or families can help by referring such individuals to a data collection site or event. One such event is the free lunch reception for homeless individuals and families that will take place on Thursday, January 26, 2010, between 12 – 2 PM at the Cyber Café @ Malden Square. For more information, contact Mobile Homeless Outreach Team @ 781-322-4125.

Baseball stadium plans being presented to the public Jan 12th - Posted by Joe Cassia Jan 5, 2012 - Mayor Gary Christenson announced today that the development team that is proposing to convert the 6.6 acre National Grid-owned site at 100 Commercial Street into a professional minor league baseball stadium will unveil its plans during a public meeting scheduled for Thursday evening, Jan. 12. The public meeting will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Council Chambers, third floor, Malden Government Center, 200 Pleasant St. There will be a multi-media presentation by the proposed developer, Boston Baseball Field of Dreams, and a question and answer session between the developer and members of an internal committee that has been meeting since early December to review the developer's proposal to convert this industrial site into a vibrant, year-round entertainment/recreational center.
"I am proud that the City of Malden is being considered for such a major project and am looking forward to the presentation to hear what is being proposed and how it improves the quality of life here in Malden," said Mayor Christenson.
The public meeting will be televised live on MATV's Channel 16 (Comcast) and Channel 26 (Verizon). Mayor Christenson is encouraging residents to submit questions for the committee's consideration and possible use in advance of the public meeting. Those questions, he says, should be emailed to maldenballpark@cityofmalden.info no later than 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11.
Attorney Alexander Bok, founder and president of Boston Baseball Field of Dreams, is proposing to build a 6,000-plus seat professional minor league ballpark on this downtown parcel that is close to public transportation and publicly owned parking facilities. He and his team are modeling the ballpark after Hammons Field in Springfield, Missouri, which is home to the AA Springfield Cardinals and the Missouri State Bearcats and was voted the Best Minor League Baseball Park in America in 2006. If designated by the MRA, the development group will then formally apply for a franchise in the independent Atlantic League of which an estimated 40 percent of the players are former or future major leaguers.
The City, Malden Redevelopment Authority (MRA), and National Grid have been working cooperatively on the redevelopment of this downtown parcel for some time. The MRA advertised the parcel for redevelopment at the end of October. While there was interest from several developers, Bok's group was the only entity submitting a response to the Request for Proposals (RFP). Bok's proposal contains several contingencies including the condition that three adjacent parcels be acquired in order to accommodate the construction of the estimated $45 million facility. If necessary, Bok's group is proposing to reimburse the MRA for the acquisition and related costs for these parcels.
According to Bok, the Malden facility would employ 20-25 year round workers and another 100-150 part-time employees during the baseball season. Assuming various city and regulatory approvals are received, Bok estimates that the stadium could open by spring 2014. In its written response to the RFP, Bok states: "(This is) a wonderful opportunity to bring a brownfield back to life and at the same time create jobs and economic opportunity for Malden residents and family entertainment for the Greater Boston community."
National Grid would retain ownership of the site. It would lease the parcel to the MRA who in turn would sublease to a preferred redeveloper. National Grid plans to vacate the Commercial Street site in the spring of 2012. It is consolidating its Commercial Street operations in a facility it owns at 170 Medford St.
The internal committee which has been reviewing the stadium proposal consists of Mayor Christenson's designee, Kevin Duffy, Stephen M. Wishoski, MRA Executive Director, Deborah Burke, MRA Assistant Executive Director, Ward Four Councillor James Nestor, Principal Planner Michelle Romero, John Preotle, of Preotle, Lane & Associates, which developed River's Edge at the Malden-Medford line, Barry Abramson, financial consultant to the MRA, and Joseph Leary, Senior Vice President, Salem Five, and Jeff Nangle, licensed site professional and environmental consultant to the MRA. Information about the proposed developer is available at www.greaterbostonballpark.com.

Christenson's new era - Posted by Joe Cassia January 3, 2012 - Mayor Gary Christenson set an ambitious agenda at his inauguration last night, pledging to move City Hall, bolster police department ranks, establish a teen center, and harness the power of multiculturalism to lead a new era in the city. "Malden can be a shining example of our nation's most basic philosophy," Christenson said. "It does not matter where you're from, what your title is, or what kind of car you drive ... if you work hard and dedicate yourself, then anything is possible." Part political cotillion for the crop of City Council newcomers, at the two-hour ceremony officials also bade farewell to former mayor Richard C. Howard, for whom praise was effusive.
Christenson took the oath of office from his father, Jeff Christenson, who was said to have stood by his son from this start of his career 27 years ago, when on the same stage in the Malden High School auditorium, a young Christenson gave his first political speech to his classmates. "I remember how I felt more than what I said that day," Gary Christenson recounted. "Most importantly, I remember how it felt to be given an opportunity to make a difference."  US Congressman Edward Markey, for whom the new mayor interned years ago, also spoke about  the young Christenson's ambitions. "He has spent his entire life getting ready to be the next great mayor of Malden," Markey said.
Christenson, who entered public life when he was appointed to the Malden School Committee by Howard, thanked the outgoing mayor, who is slated to take over as town manager in Winchester this month.
"I have a feeling -- although you can never know -- that Gary is going to be a great mayor," Howard said in brief remarks. "Thank you to the City of Malden for giving me this opportunity for the last 16 years." Opportunity was a common theme for Christenson, too, who uttered the word in five languages before he said his office would invite to the table the deeply diverse cultural enclaves that have taken root in the city. Similarly, the evening was a cultural showcase of sorts, and included touchstones from Christian, Jewish, and Islamic clergy, a traditional dragon dance by a local kung fu school, and the national anthem sung by a citizen naturalized in Malden this year.
"I will look to the community leaders to help me harness the immense cultural pride that flows through our city," Christenson said. "By working together, we will find and foster the ideas that will benefit the entire Malden community."Along with Howard, two longtime councilors gave their final remarks as public officials. Paul Condon, master of ceremonies for the evening, exits the council after 26 years in the job, the longest stint in the body's history.
Paul DiPietro also wished his colleagues well in his exit from the council. At-large Councilor Deborah Fallon, who lost to Christenson in November, did not appear on stage, and was mentioned only once during the proceedings. After brief deliberations, Judith Bucci of Ward 8 was elected tol take the reins as council president from Gregory Lucey - By Matt Byrne, Town Correspondent

Free 2-hour Financial Workshops in January 2012 - Posted by Joe Cassia Dec 30, 2011 Tri-City Community Action Program, Inc. (Tri-CAP) has scheduled 8 free workshops in January, open to all, to help consumers develop a better understanding of and relationship with money. Tips, techniques, and topics in this program can help consumers develop better money management skills, make better decisions about credit and loans, and work towards their financial goals. The MoneySmart program runs on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday evenings in January from 6-8 PM at Tri-CAP.  Dates are January 9-26, 2012 (except Martin Luther King Day on Jan 16).  
The program focuses on 5 core financial competencies: earning, spending, saving, borrowing, and protection from financial risk.  Topics include banking and borrowing basics, budgeting, why it’s important to pay yourself first, how to keep your financial data safe, predatory lending, identity theft, how to read and understand your credit report, what banks look for when reviewing a loan application, loans and loan terms, how to understand interest rates (fixed, variable, APR), mortgage terms and home ownership, and more!  
Please pre-register by leaving a message at 866-833-2823 with a return number and best time to call.  A volunteer will call back to confirm your registration.  
Special Savings Program:  Some participants will be invited to participate in the CommonCents Savings Plan, a highly specialized program for low-income residents to save $1,300+ over a 2-year period towards home ownership, starting a small business, or going back to school. Tri-CAP adds a 3:1 match to their savings, creating a combined total of $5,000 towards their goal. Participants in this program must complete all the MoneySmart seminars.  More information about getting into this special part of the program is available by calling Freda Hunt at 781-322-4125. Registration is open now; leave a message today at 866-833-2823!

Banner season for Malden High cross-country - Posted by Joe Cassia December 15, 2011 - Submitted by Paul Famiglietti: The Malden High School girls' cross-country team entered the 2011 season with a hefty weight on its shoulders: it had never won a Greater Boston League title and had just watched the 2010 boys' team win its first in 40 years. "The pressure isn't in winning the first title, there's no pressure if it's never been done. The pressure comes with knowing you have the talent to do so," explained Malden coach David Londino. "The pressure comes with knowing you could possibly blow this if you're not 100 percent dedicated a 100 percent of the time."
With this kind of thinking and a lot of hard work, the girls finished their dual meet season undefeated and followed it up with an impressive victory at the Greater Boston League Championship meet, outscoring second place Cambridge, 31-48.
As she did throughout the dual meet season, junior Haley Dowdie (19:40) led the way for Malden, finishing second overall in the 2.9-mile race. Following Dowdie with strong fourth and fifth place finishes were junior Lauren Benoit (left) (20:33) and senior Haley DeFilippis (20:46). After a pair of experienced Somerville runners claimed the sixth and seventh places, newcomer Jackie Bouley (21:31) finished in eighth. Senior Marielle Colt (22:02) rounded out the top five with her 12th place finish. Junior Iris Feng (18th) and sophomore Cristina DiScipio (20th) also figured in the scoring.
"These girls worked hard to become GBL champs because they wanted to be the first, but also because they understood what another banner for female sports could mean to future athletes at Malden High School," said Londino. "They're a very special group of young ladies and their accomplishments this season are special as well. I couldn't be more proud."
DeFilippis, Dowdie, Benoit, and Bouley received GBL all-star honors for their performances.
While the girls will lose valuable seniors in DeFilippis and Colt, they remain confident knowing they are just a piece or two away from being able to put it all together again in 2012.  
Back to Back GBL Titles for Tornado boys
Ten days after finishing up their second straight unbeaten Greater Boston League season with a win over Medford, the Malden High boys' cross-country team dominated the GBL championships by taking five of the top 10 spots en route to a 29-39 triumph over second-place Cambridge Rindge & Latin.
"Our goal coming into the day was to have five to six runners finish in the top ten," said Londino. "Last year we got three of the top four spots. After 2011 senior captains Andrew Terenzi and Patrick Keough graduated, we knew we'd have to win it this year with our depth. Three of our top five finishers were underclassmen. They really stepped up and got the job done today."
Senior Yusuf Mohamed got the Golden Tornadoes on the scoreboard as he pulled away and finished first overall (16:21) in the 2.9-mile race, seven seconds ahead of Cambridge senior Will Suslovic. Just as exciting was the battle for third place between Malden freshman Berhanu Tsige (left) and Cambridge sophomore Michael Scarlett. Tsige (16:48), who had kept pace with the leaders through most of the race, was able to hold off Scarlett (16:53) and capture third place overall. 
After Somerville and Cambridge runners finished fifth and sixth, senior William Wong (17:18) and sophomore Allan La (17:22) grabbed the seventh and eighth spots. Seconds later, sophomore Danny Gould (17:26) crossed the line in 10th place. Junior Dawit Aynalem (12th) and sophomore David Kibazo (14th) rounded out the MHS scorers.
"We were very pleased with the overall performance today and I think a lot of our guys are going to be motivated by it and grow from it," said Londino. "We have five of our top seven varsity runners returning next year and our junior varsity guys took 10 of the top 15 spots in today's JV race. As long as they all continue to work as hard as they have been, they should be very confident moving forward."
For their performances throughout the season and at the GBL Championship meet, Mohamed, Wong, La, Gould, and Tsige were named Greater Boston League all-stars. Along with the rest of the boys' distance squad, they hope to carry the success and momentum of the cross-country season into the upcoming indoor track season.

Malden High Rediscovery Program seeks hosts for homeless students - Posted by Joe Cassia November 21, 2011 9:00 AM - There are more than 6,000 homeless high school students who have no family ties: they are alone without a place to call home or an adult to lean on. These youth are in our schools struggling to survive, facing incredible obstacles to stay in school and succeeding in life. Homeless high school students who are on their own are not eligible for child welfare services, family services, and adult housing programs. They are unsafe and out of place at emergency shelters among chronically homeless adults, many of who struggle with mental illness and substance abuse. Massachusetts has only handful of emergency shelter beds for 6,000 homeless, unaccompanied young people. There is a way you can help. Become a part of Rediscovery's Youth Harbors Host Home Program.
Host Home volunteers step forward and temporarily open their homes to a high school student experiencing homelessness, providing an alternative to the streets. Our youth are traditionally high school juniors or seniors who have demonstrated amazing resilience and commitment to their education.
You can help to create the safety and stability necessary for a motivated student to finish high school, continue to pursue educational and vocational goals, and transition to independence.
To Become a Host you Must: Be at least 25 years old. Have an extra bedroom/private living space for the student. Fill out an application, undergo a background check, provide three references. Complete an initial interview and follow-up home visit. Participate in orientation.
We Provide: A designated outreach worker to meet with you regularly to provide support
24 hour on-call support for emergencies
A modest stipend to cover the cost of room and board
Facts: 6,000 students in Massachusetts high schools are homeless and alone without family ties.
Full time students do not qualify for government subsidized housing.
75% of homeless high school will drop out of school.
Rediscovery serves homeless, unaccompanied youth at Malden and Everett High Schools.
100% of Youth Harbors participants graduated or were on track to graduate in the 2010-2011 school year.
For information: Maria Vertkin, Program Manager 617-720-3934 mvertikin@jri.org Submitted by Malden High School

112 from Malden High win college scholarships - submitted by Malden High School - Posted by Joe Cassia Nov 7, 2011 - The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education announced today that more than 18,200 students in the class of 2012 have been awarded the John and Abigail Adams Scholarship, qualifying them to receive free tuition at any Massachusetts public college or university. 112 of these students attend Malden High School.
According to Principal Dana F. Brown this is the largest number of students receiving the Adams in many years.  Said Brown; "When you combine these numbers with our recent Advanced Placement scores you can see why many families are choosing Malden High School for their children."
Statewide a total of 18,261 students in the class of 2012 received the merit-based scholarship, an increase of 227 students since last year. Students become eligible for the scholarship based on their performance on the grade 10 MCAS English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics tests. To qualify, a student must score in the Advanced category on one exam and either the Proficient or Advanced categories on the other, and have combined scores from the MCAS ELA and Mathematics tests that place them in the top 25 percent of students in the graduating class in their district.
"The Adams Scholarship is a prestigious award, and these students should be very proud of their hard work and commitment to educational excellence and high standards," said Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Mitchell D. Chester. "Our collective goal is to ensure that all students graduate ready for success beyond high school. I am pleased to congratulate this year's student recipients and wish them well as they pursue higher education." Higher Education Commissioner Richard M. Freeland agreed.
"Massachusetts needs the Adams Scholars' drive and talent as we continue to grow our state's knowledge-based economy," said Freeland. "Whether a student wants to build web sites or skyscrapers, study medicine or music, they will find a rich and varied array of programs and opportunities at Massachusetts' 29 public college and university campuses. We welcome the Adams Scholars to our community colleges, state universities and the University of Massachusetts."
The Adams Scholarship provides a tuition waiver for up to eight semesters of undergraduate education at a Massachusetts state college or university. The scholarship covers tuition only; fees and room and board are not included. The scholarship must be used within six years of a student's high school graduation.

MC hockey coach takes leave; McLean takes over - Posted by Joe Cassia Nov 3, 2011 - Statement from Malden Catholic High School - Malden Catholic High School announced today that John McLean, current assistant varsity hockey coach of Malden Catholic, will assume duties as head varsity hockey coach of the Lancers. The announcement follows Coach Chris Serino’s decision to take a medical leave. PX00015_9.JPGSerino (right) will continue at Malden Catholic as athletic director, managing the school’s Division 1 athletic program and coordinating with college recruiters. He will continue to work closely with the Malden Catholic coaching staff, including Coach McLean. Coach McLean steps into his expanded role immediately. Owner of Dynamic Power Skating, he first came to Malden Catholic as assistant hockey coach in 2007. Coach McLean previously served alongside Coach Serino at Merrimack College from 2002-2005. He was assistant hockey coach at Beverly High School from 1989 to 1991. He holds a bachelor of arts in education from Boston College, where he was a varsity hockey player and team captain. He was a member of the USA Select Hockey East All Star Team, 1986-1987.

A whale of a day at Malden's Cheverus School - Submitted by the Cheverus School - Posted by Joe Cassia Nov 4, 2011 - The Cheverus School, a Catholic parochial school in Malden, along with the New England Aquarium, a global leader in ocean exploration and marine conservation, hosted a Whale Day at the school on Oct. 31 that featured exhibits, demonstrations, and a 42-foot-long inflatable Right Whale in the school gym. The Whale Day was held as part of an educational program arranged by Cheverus School with the New England Aquarium education department. All 350 students at the school got a chance to participate since the curriculum is intended for all grade levels. In addition, teachers are supplementing with their own related curriculum in their respective classrooms. “As part of this educational program, our students and staff got to choose a Right Whale to sponsor. Our pick is Snowball, a whale that has been tracked as far north as the waters off New England,” says Deb Cuneo, a fifth-grade teacher at Cheverus. On Whale Day, the New England Aquarium set up a mini-museum of whale artifacts and exhibits, including real whale bones, baleen, and teeth. The stations are interactive, allowing students to explore the size of whales, mammal intelligence, echo location, feeding habits, blubber, research tools, and whale identification. About a dozen parent volunteers were also on hand to assist. The Cheverus Centennial School of Sacred Hearts Parish, which was founded in 1908 and currently serves students in preschool through eighth grade, has established a reputation for spiritual and academic excellence. Throughout most of its history the school has been staffed with the Sisters of Providence, but in recent years it has transitioned to a very dedicated lay staff. For more information about enrollment, contact Susan Degnan at 781-324-6584 or e-mail her at sdegnan@cheverusschool.com.

Visiting Nurse and Community Health ranks among top home health providers - Submitted by Visiting Nurse and Community Health - Posted Joe Cassia October 13, 2011 – Visiting Nurse and Community Health (VNCH) has been named to the 2011 HomeCare Elite, a compilation of the top-performing home health agencies in the United States.  Now in its sixth year, the HomeCare Elite identifies the top 25 percent of agencies and further highlights the top 100 and top 500 agencies overall.  Winners are ranked by an analysis of performance measures in quality outcomes, process of care measures, and financial performance.
VNCH’s Chief Executive Officer Christine Dixon, RN, BSN, MMHC, credits unwavering staff dedication to quality and performance as the primary reason the agency has ranked as one of the HomeCare Elite every year since 2006.  She said, “The focus, nationwide, has been on improving health care delivery.  As the performance criteria become more exacting, it is increasingly more difficult to achieve a recognition like that given by HomeCare Elite.  To have attained this ranking for 6 years in a row truly speaks to our dedication to providing our patients and the 28 communities we serve with the highest quality home health care available today.”
“It is increasingly challenging to manage the cost/quality equation.  The 2011 HomeCare Elite winners demonstrate a commitment to providing patients with the best possible care while managing their business efficiently and effectively,” said Amanda Twiss, CEO of OCS and My InnerView.  “This year, we updated our methodology to reflect industry focus and, based on this rigorous analysis, we congratulate Visiting Nurse and Community Health on being one of the top home care agencies in the country.”
“The HomeCare Elite designation continues to gain significance given the regulatory changes and challenges that agencies face.  Agencies that have earned recognition among the HomeCare Elite demonstrated that they not only can adapt to an evolving marketplace but continue to excel in both clinical and financial outcomes,” said Marci Heydt, product manager for the post-acute care business group, DecisionHealth.
About VNCH
For over 110 years, VNCH, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, has had a deep rooted tradition of providing quality care to patients in their homes.  Awarded for its quality ranking in the top 25% of home care providers nationally, VNCH is committed to using modern, state-of-the art medical technology to help achieve its goals.  To learn more about VNCH, visit the agency’s website at www.TheVisitingNurses.com.
VNCH serves the following communities: Acton, Arlington, Bedford, Belmont, Billerica, Burlington, Cambridge, Carlisle, Chelsea, Concord, Everett, Lexington, Lincoln, Malden, Medford, Melrose, Newton, Revere, Somerville, Stoneham, Wakefield, Waltham, Watertown, Wayland, Weston, Wilmington, Winchester, and Woburn.
About OCS and My InnerView
As a combined business unit of National Research Corporation, OCS and My InnerView empower clients and partners throughout the entire post-acute continuum of care, including home health, hospice, skilled nursing, assisted living, and more.  The company offers market-leading survey solutions, predictive tools, data analytics, quality and outcomes reporting, financial insights, and the nation’s largest comparative databases. OCS and My InnerView partner with more than 12,000 post-acute providers.  For more information, please visit the OCS and My InnerView websites or call 888.325.3396 and 800.601.3884.
About DecisionHealth®
For 25 years, DecisionHealth has served as the industry's leading source for news, coding tools and resources and training materials found in reputable products such as Home Health Line, Diagnosis Coding Pro for Home Health and the Complete Home Health ICD-9-CM Diagnosis Coding Manual.  Our unique blend of award-winning staff journalists and unmatched access to health care executives and industry experts enables us to provide solutions, tools and guidance that are relied on by nearly 100,000 home health care and specialty physician practice professionals.  For more information, please visit www.decisionhealth.com or call 877.602.3835.

Cambridge Health Alliance Opens New Bone and Joint Center - People suffering from assorted aches and pains now have a new place to get expert care. On May 23rd, Cambridge Health Alliance opened the new CHA Malden Bone and Joint Center, located at 195 Canal Street. The center, co-located with CHA’s Malden Family Medicine Center, features board certified orthopaedic physicians and other highly skilled providers who will provide a variety of services. CHA’s orthopaedics team diagnoses and treats injuries and conditions that affect the bones, ligaments, tendons, muscles and joints. This includes everything from evaluating strains and splinting broken bones to doing complex reconstructive surgeries after an accident. Physicians at the center include experienced surgeons William Lipman, MD, and Eric Launer, MD, who has advanced training in arthroscopic surgery. They are joined by physiatrist Anatoly Shalnov, MD, an expert in non-surgical treatments, along with a group of physician assistants and physical therapists. Because the CHA Malden Bone and Joint Center is co-located with a thriving family medicine practice, patients will be able to access a wide range of orthopaedics, sports medicine, radiology, rehabilitation, and primary care services all under one roof.