Charlestown residents looking to serve the community are invited to run for the seven precinct seats on the Charlestown Neighborhood Council (CNC). Elections will be held on Saturday, Nov. 14, at the Knights of Columbus Hall from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The CNC is Charlestown’s voice to Boston City Hall and other state and regional entities on neighborhood concerns such as public safety, real estate development and environmental impacts. The CNC has a number of committees that handle specific issues. Ad-hoc meetings are also held to review issues that are outside the committees’ arenas, may have a marked impact on the community or are particularly controversial.
Each year one-third of the CNC’s 21 seats are either elected or selected. In addition to this year’s election for seven precinct seats, elections are held every other year for the seven at-large seats. The final seven members are chosen each year from a pool of candidates nominated by Charlestown community organizations.
The term for the precinct representatives is for two years and responsibilities include attending the monthly meetings, helping with administrative duties and participating on committees.
To run for a precinct seat, a candidate must live in that precinct and be at least 18 years old. The candidate must gather 25 signatures of residents of their precinct who are at least 18 years old.
Nomination documents are available at the Charlestown Branch Library at 179 Main St., and should be mailed to Barbara Babin, CNC election chairman, at P.O. Box 290376, Charlestown, MA, 02129. All applications must be postmarked by Friday, Oct. 30.

The Charlestown Preservation Society (CPS) would like to announce the fall round of mini-grants for 2009.
CPS mini-grants are small award grants of up to $250 to support non-profit organizations and activities “that further the CPS mission of preserving Charlestown’s architectural heritage and quality of life,” according to a statement made by the organization. All applicants must be Charlestown-based non-profits, and grants aren’t awarded automatically to past recipients. The CPS board of trustees will review each request and then determine the award recipients. (The organization reserves the right to reject any application following a discussion and vote by the board).
Applications must be submitted to the CPS by October 30, 2009 for consideration at the November board meeting. The next grant round will occur in the fall.
Mini-grant applications are available on the CPS website: http://www.charlestownpreservation.org. For and more information or any questions, please e-mail info@charlestownpreservation.org or call the CPS at 617-241-7500.

A friend recently moved away from Beacon Hill. She and her husband had one child, with another on the way. They found a house in Newton with double the space they had on Beacon Hill, not counting the Newton house’s finished attic and basement.
Their 1250-square-foot condominium had parking, a laundry and a small balcony. Sounds good, doesn’t it? It was so good they sold it for about $200,000 more than they paid for their new house, even in today’s less-than-ideal real estate market. Their mortgage payment per month is 35 percent less than it was in the city.
So we shouldn’t feel sorry for them.
We should feel sorry for us. We lost productive members of our community. How can we keep young families in the city with financials like this?
It’s true that some downtown areas aren’t as expensive as Beacon Hill, so the numbers wouldn’t work the same way. But the problem remains—it’s cheaper in the streetcar suburbs of Boston than it is downtown.
It wasn’t only the expensive living space, however, that did in downtown Boston. My friend said schools were the strongest factor. Would her child get into the public school she wanted him to go to? A couple of friends’ children had not. There was no guarantee he would get into a private school either, even if they could afford it. Although she doesn’t work right now, her husband has what anyone would consider a well-paying job.
She said she also felt with no public and only two private schools in her neighborhood, her child would most likely have to take a bus or a car pool elsewhere to go to school. That was the big problem. His playground friends would be dispersed. He wouldn’t have the sense of community she wanted for him—a sense of community she had enjoyed living in downtown Boston. “We had to leave to keep the feeling of community we had enjoyed while we were living there,” she said wryly.
Her new neighborhood is convenient. The elementary school, the playground and a best friend are all within walking distance. The children her son now meets at the playground will be his schoolmates. She’s not missing out on the walkability, safety, convenience and community we value in our downtown neighborhoods. The big change is for her husband. Instead of walking the entire distance to work, he takes a bus and then walks part way. It takes him a bit longer than it did.
It’s no wonder that with such competition Boston currently ranks 94th out of America’s 100 largest cities when it comes to the percentage of households with children, according to Common Boston, an organization associated with the Boston Society of Architects, which in June sponsored a panel that addressed this problem.
With empty-nesters moving into downtown, young professionals sticking around for 3 to 5 years and young families moving out, it feels as if we’re living in an old folks’ home with some young professional attendants. I don’t want to live with only a bunch of old fogies, nice as you are.
Expensive housing is an intractable problem. There’s little space on which to build, and the BRA doesn’t require developers to build enough units large enough for families.
Creating neighborhood schools would help keep families in the downtown. The success of schools in Charlestown, the North End and Chinatown, with not enough room for all who want to go there, shows how popular such schools. But neighborhood schools bring up a host of political problems that must be solved before they can be fair to all Boston kids.
I have no answer to the question of how to keep young families in the city. It’s a goal that all our leaders express. But there is precious little being done to make it happen.
City Councilor John Connolly held hearings this past year on how to make the city more livable. Except for him and Common Boston, no one else appears to be paying more than lip service to solving this problem.
If, however, keeping young families in the city is their goal, I’d like to see mayoral and city council candidates, as well as anyone else out there who fancies him or herself a city leader, figuring out how we can accomplish such a thing.
Otherwise, just call us assisted living on the harbor.

USS Constitution’s crew will celebrate their ship’s 212th birthday on Oct. 21 by taking the ship out to sea in the Boston Harbor for a 90-minute underway demonstration, and a 17-gun salute.
For optimal viewing of this unique event that begins at 8 a.m., visitors are encouraged to watch from Pier One or the Hoosac Pier, both in Charlestown.
“We’re taking the ship out to sea to pay homage to her history and unique accomplishments in service to the United States,” said Cmdr. Timothy Cooper, USS Constitution’s 71st and current commanding officer, who assumed command July 24. “This is my first time going underway aboard Old Ironsides as the ship’s captain, so I am very excited about this opportunity to take the ship out to the harbor, which are few.”
The last time the ship was underway was July 4, when she celebrated America’s 233rd birthday with a 21-gun salute to the nation.
During this underway, the ship will fire shots from her port and starboard saluting batteries in honor of the 16 states that comprised America when USS Constitution was launched in the late 18th century; one additional shot will be fired in honor of the ship herself.
USS Constitution was launched in the Boston Harbor on Oct. 21, 1797. In her years of active service, from 1798 - 1855, the three-masted wooden frigate fought in the Quasi-War with France, the Barbary Wars and the War of 1812. Today, Old Ironsides' is the oldest commissioned warship afloat in the world, has a permanent crew of about 75 active duty U.S. Navy Sailors, and is visited by nearly half a million people every year.
To learn more about USS Constitution, visit the newly-redesigned Web site at www.history.navy.mil/ussconstitution.

CNC MEETING
The next monthly meeting of the Charlestown Neighborhood Council takes place at the Knights of Columbus Lower Hall, 75 West School St., on Thursday, Nov. 5, at 7 p.m.

CNC PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE MEETING: FOCUS ON VANDALISM
The next Charlestown Neighborhood Council Public Safety Committee meeting will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 6:30 p.m., at the Charlestown Police Station, 20 Vine Street. The main focus of evening will be on school-related vandalism. All Charlestown residents are invited to attend and meet local school officials and police who will address this issue.

CNC TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE MEETING RE: ACCESS TO SULLIVAN SQUARE
There will be a meeting of the Charlestown Neighborhood Council’s Transportation Committee on Tuesday Oct. 27 at the Knights of Columbus, 75 West School St., at 7 p.m. to discuss the proposed access to Sullivan Square.

CNC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING RE: SPAULDING REHABILITATION HOSPITAL
The Charlestown Neighborhood Council (CNC0 Development Committee will be meeting on Monday Oct. 19, 7 p.m. at Building 114 in the Nay Yard to discuss the Spaulding Hospital Remediation activities.
CNC Development Committee meeting re: Wind Turbine Blade Test Facility
The CNC Development Committee will be holding a meeting on Oct. 26 re: Wind Turbine Blade Test Facility Meeting will be held at the Charlestown Police Station, 20 Vine St. at 7 p.m.

BUNKER HILL POST 26, THE AMERICAN LEGION INSTALLATION
The public is cordially invited to attend the annual installation of officers of Bunker Hill Post 26, The American Legion. The installation will be held Saturday afternoon, Oct. 24 at 2 p.m. Bunker Hill Post is located at 23 Adams Street, at the corner of Chestnut Street.
The incoming Commander of Post 26 will be William “Bill” Boyle. Bill is a Army veteran of the Viet Nam era. He is a retired Boston Firefighter, Past Chief Marshal of the Battle Of Bunker Hill Parade and Past Grand Knight of Council No. 62, The Knights Of Columbus. The others officers of the Post that will be installed on Oct. 24 are:
Cheryl Hodge-Spencer,P.C, – Sr. Vice Commander
Eileen Locke – Jr. Vice Commander
Arthur Hurley, P.C. – Finance Officer
Paul Morceau, P.C. – Adjutant
Daniel “Doc” Sheehan, P.C. – Graves Registration Officer
CDR Robert Gillen, USN (ret) – Service Officer
William Galvin, Esq. – Historian
Thomas White, P.C. – Sergeant at Arms
Rev. Patrick Healey – Chaplain
The members of the Executive Committee to be installed are:
Albert Gallarelli, P.C., Edward Kelly, P.C., Jerry Sheehan, P.C., Jack Duffy, P.C., Edward McKinnon, Florence Johnson, P.C. and Patricia Farris, P.C.
The installing officer will be John “Jake” Comer, Past National Commander of the American Legion. At the conclusion of the installation a buffet will be served.

CITY COUNCILOR-AT-LARG CANDIDATES FORUM
Charlestown City Councilor-at-Large Candidates Forum, Wednesday, Oct. 21, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., at the Knights of Columbus Hall, 75 West School St. Sponsored by Friends of the Charlestown Navy Yard.

SECOND CHANCE THRIFT STORE SALE
The Second Chance Thrift Store at the First Church, Green Street, will be having a large sale on Sat. Oct. 17 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

CALLING ALL CRAFTERS, ENTREPRENEURS, AND THOSE WHO LOVE TO MAKE BEAUTIFUL THINGS
The annual St. Francis de Sales Social Club Craft Fair will be held on Sunday, Nov. 15, from 12 to 4 p.m. Our fair will be held in the Bishop Lawton Hall, St. Francis de Sales Church, 303 Bunker Hill Street in Charlestown on the top of historic Bunker Hill.
Past years have sold out, so if you would like to reserve a space for this years fair please contact sfsocialclub@aol.com.
Please provide a description of what you will be selling and the name of your company and/or product. We will be using this information in our print and internet advertising. We will also ask you for a small item to donate for our raffle.
The table fee for the fair is $30. This includes an 8 foot table with a table cloth. We also will provide chairs for vendor seating. Please email sfsocialclub@aol.com for any questions.

CHARLESTOWN FARMERS’ MARKET
The Charlestown Farmers’ Market is back. The market operates on Main Street across from The Cooperative Bank from 2 to 7 p.m. every Wednesday through the end of October. Cash and Farmers’ Market Coupons are accepted. The market is co-sponsored by the Kennedy Center and the Charlestown Business Association.

RESCHEDULED: FALL FAIR AT THE TRAINING FIELD
Friends of the Training Field will sponsor the annual Training Field Fall Fair at the Training Field on Saturday, Oct. 17 (rescheduled due to rain), from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. If you are interested in being a vendor, please contact Nancy at 617-242-4939 or Christine at 617-242-9217. Vendor proceeds benefit the Friends of the Training Field.

ACCEPTING VENDORS FOR HOLIDAY SALE
The Fifth Annual Warren Prescott Holiday Sale sponsored by the CBA will be held Saturday, Nov. 14 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. This is a great Annual Holiday Shopping Event and they are accepting vendors now. We will be closing the call for vendors by Nov. 10 and space is available for only a specific number of vendors. Space is reserved on a first come, first served basis. Signup online at www.charlestownbusiness.com.

LIFE FOCUS CENTER SILENT AUCTION/DINNER THEATER
Life Focus Center Inc., will be holding a fundraiser on Friday, Oct. 16, 6 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus featuring "Hot Spot Productions." Call Marge Bowdridge at 617-242-4323 for tickets.

DAUGHTERS OF ISABELLA #1 ANNUAL '100 PRIZES PLUS'
The Daughters of Isabella #1 will be holding a fundraiser on Monday, Oct. 19, 7 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus upper hall, 75 West School St. A $1 chance is eligible for all 100 drawings. The first drawing is at 8 p.m. but you do not have to be present to win. fro tickets call Patti Harty at 617-242-1511.

BREAST CANCER BENEFIT
A Bras, Bouquets, Beauty & Breast Cancer event will be held Tuesday, Oct. 27 from 5-8 p.m. at Raspberry Bouquet, 129 Main St. Order Zyrra Bras, Mary Kay Cosmetics and Floral gifts from Raspberry Bouquet (delivered by RunMyErrand.com) and a portion of proceeds will go to benefit breast cancer research.

'FALL FLING' FUNDRAISER TO BENEFIT YOUTH FOOTBALL
The Charlestown Youth Football and Cheerleading (CYF&C) program will be hosting a “Fall Fling” fundraiser on Friday, Nov. 6 at 7 PM, at the Knights of Columbus Hall. The price per person is $25 and the proceeds will be used to offset the considerable operating expenses of CYF&C. The event will include a DJ, snacks, a 50/50 raffle and much more.

OYSTER PROJECT
On Sunday Oct. 25 at 8 a.m. the Massachusetts Oyster Project will be placing water cleansing oysters in the Harbor between Charlestown and the North End. Volunteers are needed to help count oysters, measure oysters, and help place them in net containers. The group will meet behind the tennis courts on the North End side of the Washington Street Bridge. To volunteer, please email massoyster@gmail.com.

CHARLESTOWN WATERFRONT COALITION
The Charlestown Waterfront Coalition meets at Building 114 at 7 p.m. the first Monday of every month.