March Meeting

Rough Sleepers by Tracy Kidder, discussion led by Chryso, was praised as a choice for book group.  Dr. Jim O'Connell is "saintly," although he would hate that description.  So much like Mr. Kidder's other subject, Dr. Paul Farmer, but stateside.  And we were thrilled that one of our own, Nancy, knows one of the doctors working in Boston Health Care for the Homeless (or an affiliated group) and that Nancy spoke to Jim after a talk he gave.  Thanks to Katie for hosting us!

Pat B. (me) brought two books to the group:  one I came upon randomly at the library and one that I ordered through the library network.  Click on either title to learn more about these books.

The first one was about NYC homeless and was less about personalities and more about details:  They Just Need to Get a Job, 15 Myths on Homelessness by Mary Brosnahan, published recently (November, 2024).  She has been the president of the Coalition for the Homeless in New York City for thirty years.  

The second was a book written by Jim himself, Stories from the Shadows, Reflections of a Street Doctor, published in 2015.

An aside, although related to housing:  Stay tuned for more information about the MBTA 3A Multi-family zoning law.  The rules for housing developments in the designated zones are on the town website (https://www.townofholliston.us/planning-board/news/mbta-3a-zoning-information). Two parcels have been submitted to the state for its approval.  They are 1) along Concord Street near Ashland border and 2) Summer Street including Xaverian Missionaries property.  I can't find the final map (some of the Ashland border site was changed at Town Meeting) but here is a not-perfect overview map: 

Upcoming Meetings

*THIRD THURSDAY OF THE MONTH, WITH EXCEPTIONS

Contact Alden Book Group member