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Thursday, January 14, 2016
The neighborhood is full of remarkable residents. Read about some of South Boston’s students on Pages 6, 7 and 10.
“If we do not plant knowledge when young, it will give us no shade when we are old.” (Lord Chesterfield, 1694-1773)
Volume XVIII - Issue 2
City solicits input on Dorchester Avenue
BostonCANshare continues
The Boston Redevelopment Authority’s Mark McGonagle (third from left) takes part in this planning table’s discussion at the Local 7 Ironworkers Hall. By Rick Winterson
During the second half of last year, the Boston Redevelopment Authority called for a series of community planning meetings. The objective was to develop a coherent plan for the west side of South
Boston, stretching from north to south along Dorchester Avenue and including many areas alongside the avenue. The “shape” pictured above gives a rough picture of the area studied, which extends as far eastward as Old Colony Avenue. Continued on Page 2
DON’T LET A FAT
The BCYF Condon Community Center staff, members and DYEE Teens Kathryn, Kianna and Joe joined with Mayor Martin Walsh to pitch in and make the 29th Annual BostonCANshare Campaign a great success. This drive will provide food and raise funds to support programs that enable low income people in the city to have access to healthy food. BostonCANshare began in 1986 as a can drive to restock food pantries after Thanksgiving. This campaign helps to fight hunger and increase access to healthy food in Boston. -BCYF Condon Community Center
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Thursday, January 14, 2016
Continued from Page 1 The BRA held six meetings at approximately monthly intervals from July through December 2015, all of them in the Local 7 Ironworkers Hall. The first one, held in July, was essentially an open house. A key step was to ask for all questions about the development of Dorchester Avenue on Post-It notes, which were then placed on the maps at the appropriate points – a very efficient alternate to opening the meeting compared to “one-at-a-time” oral questions from the audience. The next community meeting, held in September, was a “Walk and Bike with Us” exercise that actually asked the participants to traverse the areas being studied. Three subsequent indoor meetings were entitled “Imagine with Us,” “Plan with Us,” and “Design with Us” – visioning blocks, streets, height, density, land use, and open space. At these meetings, nine breakout tables of up to 10 participants each (another efficient brainstorming technique) prepared their own views of the avenue’s development. The final session on Dec. 14 (the main topic of this article) was called “What We Heard” – a summary recap of what the breakout tables had come up with, followed by dialogue. During the five months of this community project, a commendable
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75 to 80 South Boston residents regularly took part. Eight “Shared Priority Benefits” came to the forefront: new streets and sidewalks, open space, middle income housing, retail/amenities, affordable commercial space, modern industrial space, civic/cultural/art space, and energy efficient buildings. At the final meeting in 2015 – the “What We Heard” meeting on Dec. 14 – a recap presented by the BRA officials led to an intense but wellintentioned dialogue. Then it was time to decide on priorities. South Boston Online won’t reproduce all of the “ballots” cast, but the support for a combination of open space, middle income housing, and modern industrial space seemed to dominate the various breakout dialogues – a well-balanced community plan, in our opinion. The BRA is to be complimented on what has been an important and very productive community exercise. All of our readers are encouraged to attend the final meetings on this project; the December meeting was an excellent update, but more planning remains. The BRA will hold at least three additional community meetings between now and April. Choosing scenarios, assessing various plans, and finalizing the best overall plan will be the topics. Stay tuned and please make it a point to attend these next meet-
The “shape” of things to come: The Dorchester Avenue development plan extends along the street from north to south, between Broadway and Andrew Stations over to Old Colony.
A model of one section of the Dorchester Avenue “zone,” showing a proposed development called Washington Village – the angled intersection (low center) is Damrell and Old Colony.
ings. If nothing else, the meetings will result in a kind of “safety valve” for planning and managing South Boston’s explosive development patterns. This should allow for intelli-
gently steady development of what will definitely become a “development corridor” along and around Dorchester Avenue. Stay tuned and keep up.
Correction
700 East Broadway South Boston, MA 02127 617-269-5550 Jeanne Rooney Owner/Publisher Mail@SouthBostonOnline.com Susan Doucet Editor Sdoucet@SouthBostonOnline.com
Kevin Devlin Sports writer Mail@SouthBostonOnline.com
Rick Winterson Senior editor Rick@sSouthBostonOnline.com
Christine Mazzeo Photographer Mail@SouthBostonOnline.com
South Boston Online print edition is an independent newspaper published weekly by SouthBostonOnline, Inc. We welcome submissions and reserve the right to edit any and all submissions for publication. All photos, stories, artwork and advertisments are the property of SouthBostonOnline, Inc., and may not be reproduced without permission. Although we have a thorough editing process, we assume no liability for reporting or typographical errors that may appear. Editorials are collaborative opinions of the publisher and editors. The print edition of South Boston Online is published every Thursday.
Francis and Richie Hogan, brothers who competed in a regional boxing championship last weekend, are from Quincy. A headline in last week’s issue of South Boston Online incorrectly stated that they live in South Boston. They train at Peter Welch’s Gym in South Boston.
Letters policy
South Boston Online welcomes letters to the editor on topics of public interest. To be considered for publication, letters must be: no more than 500 words, refrain from extreme personal attacks, and include a name, address and contact information for verification purposes. Only the writer’s name will be used. While anonymous letters are appreciated, they will not be printed due to credibility issues. However, a writer may make a direct request to the editor to withhold a name if the writer feels that a published letter would result in direct physical harm. Writers should refrain from making incorrect statements and are expected to
double check facts. False statements in letters may subject the writer to be barred from future letter publication. South Boston Online also reserves the right to edit letters for space, content, grammar, spelling and libel considerations. Deadline for letters is Monday at 5 p.m. Send your letters to: Mail@SouthBostonOnline.com or South Boston Online 700 East Broadway South Boston, MA 02127
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Thursday, January 14, 2016
Recognizing our city’s public safety servants By RAY FLYNN
Ray Flynn is the former Mayor of Boston and U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican bout halfway through the funeral Mass for longtime Hub firefighter and union leader Mike Mullane, police Commissioner William B. Evans could be seen hurriedly making his way through the capacity crowd. As Evans, who had been sitting in the front of Dorchester’s St. Brendan Church with Mayor Martin Walsh and fire Commissioner Joe Finn, made his way for the door, I whispered to my wife: “A cop must have been shot.” I don’t know how many other people in the church had the same thought, but in understanding the extreme dangers of being a police officer in today’s day and age — it was sadly the first thing I thought of. Just before the final message, Fr. Richard O’Donnell requested that we all say a prayer for the Boston police officer who was just shot a short distance away in Dorchester. After the moving service, we had the chance to talk to many other public safety champions, including former fire Commissioner Leo Stapleton. As I listened to these dedicated men and women, I found myself telling a couple of Dorchester neighbors how fortunate we have been to have so many dedicated public safety servants on the job in Boston over the years. People like Stapleton, Mullane, Marty Pierce, Paul Christian, Mickey Roache, Paul Evans, Johnny Jennings and Bob Hayden, just to name a few. While speaking with a police officer, who filled me in on what
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the brazen, daylight shooting in Dorchester was all about, they pointed out that every day is an uphill battle because of the neverending avalanche of deadly drugs pouring into American cities. We can only pray that our political leaders will make the necessary changes to stem the tide. The fact is our southern borders are still wide open and very little is being done to curb the flow of drugs and guns from pouring into our country.
Let’s do something special in Boston this year. When we see a police officer or firefighter on the job, make a point to say: “Be safe and thank you.” But when a police officer is accused of excessive force, antipolice activists immediately come out of the woodwork to criticize them and demand that they be prosecuted — even before all the facts are known. I’m glad we live in a city where the citizens and our elected officials line up to support our brave public safety responders. We know the families of these dedicated cops and firefighters, including the brave drug officer who was shot in the line of duty yesterday. We know of their integrity and professionalism. And as we did (Friday), at Mullane’s Celebration of Life, we proudly stand with their families. Let’s do something special in Boston this year. When we see a police officer or firefighter on the job, make a point to say: “Be safe and thank you.”
Interested in advertising with South Boston Online? Contact us at 617-269-5550 or mail@southbostononline.com. South Boston Online accepts credit card payments.
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Thursday, January 14, 2016
Former South Boston state Local organizations receive grant to study health of representative campaigns South Boston’s trees for state Senate seat South Boston attorney Paul Gannon, who once served as a South Boston’s state representative, is now running in a special election for state senator of the Plymouth/Norfolk District. Though he is running in a different district than the one he represented as a state representative, Gannon, a Democrat, is holding a local fundraiser on Sunday, Jan. 17, from 6 to 9 p.m., in South Boston. This event will take place in the iconic gathering place, Touchie’s Shamrock Pub at 508 East Eighth St. The seat that Gannon is running for represents the communities of Weymouth, Hingham, Hull, Scituate, Cohasset, Marshfield, Duxbury and Norwell. It is currently vacant. See you there. If you can’t attend
but would like to contribute to the campaign, contributions can be sent to Paul J. Gannon, 7 Sentinel Road, Hingham, MA 02043. -Rick Winterson
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM You are Cordially Invited to a
FUNDRAISING RECEPTION for
Paul J. Gannon Candidate for State Senator Plymouth/Norfolk County on
Sunday January 17, 2016 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM Touchie’s Shamrock Pub 508 East Eighth Street, South Boston, MA 02127 Suggested Donation:
$25.00
$50.00
$100.00.
Please make checks payable to Committee to Elect Paul J. Gannon. If you are unable to attend and would like to make a donation, you can mail the donation to
Paul J. Gannon, 7 Sentinel Road, Hingham, MA 02043 (corporate checks, LLC, and Realty Trust are not permitted by law)
PLEASE FORWARD THIS INVITATION ALONG TO OTHERS WHO MAY BE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING For more information or if you would like to assist the campaign in additional ways please contact Stephen Regan at 617 257-1222 or steve@gannonforsenate.com
This invitation was designed by in-house volunteer labor
The Plymouth/Norfolk senate district includes the towns of Hingham, Weymouth, Hull, Cohasset, Norwell, Scituate, Marshfield and Duxbury
Last week the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) announced the release of its Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Grants. These grants are offered to municipalities and nonprofit groups in Massachusetts to maximize the social, economic, and environmental quality of communities through enhancing streetscapes and greenery. The funds for the Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Grants are provided by the USDA Forest Service and the Massachusetts ReLeaf Trust Fund, and are administered by DCR. Southie Trees and South Boston Neighborhood Development Corporation will receive a grant to work with the City of Boston Parks Department and neighborhood residents to assess the health of the trees in South Boston. (According to the state’s website, Mass.gov, the grant is for $5,000.) The process will involve building citizen advocacy, developing an urban forestry management plan, promoting and protecting the livelihood of our community’s greenery, and implementing strategic tree plantings to sustain a thriving ecosystem in the neighborhood. “DCR’s stewardship of the Commonwealth’s natural resources does
not stop at the borders of our properties,” said DCR Commissioner Leo Roy. “The Baker-Polito Administration remains committed to assisting our partners throughout the state to maintain and promote the health of all community forests.” “The Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Grants provide a vital funding source for municipalities and local non-profit partners to enhance communities through strategic planning and advocacy,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton. “By increasing the tree capacity within a community, residents and businesses will enjoy lower heating and cooling costs, cleaner air and water, a reduction in noise pollution, and the natural beauty trees bring to our neighborhoods.” “This grant represents a continued commitment by the state and DCR to invest in the South Boston community.” said Rep. Nick Collins. “I would like to thank Commissioner Roy and Secretary Beaton for their commitment to improving the quality of parks, beaches and recreational resources in South Boston and throughout the Commonwealth.” -Press release
Team Opportunity launches website Team Opportunity is an afterrecovery long term one to two year program with a structured, clean, stable and safe living environment for those who qualify and want to live a good clean life and help guide them back up the right road to long term recovery with career opportunity. Team Opportunity would like to request that members of the South Boston community visit the organization’s new website, teamopportunityfoundation.org, and become a supporter.
If you’re not sure how you might be able to help, Team Opportunity will be posting the type of needs we will require on our website and you can contact us if you can be of assistance. This is where a fellow man can lend a helping hand and you, the public, are that hand. If we all fight the fight we will win the battle. The numbers are stronger in our favor with the combined support we can provide. -Team Opportunity Founder Tom McCarthy
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Reading is back in the clubhouse - and you can help
By RICK WINTERSON
As you know, the South Boston Clubhouse of the Boys & Girls Club of Boston was completely renovated last year. It reopened its (new) doors last year, after 12 months of construction and limited club activities. The reading program, which had to be curtailed during the construction, is back. In its colorfully decorated new reading room, it is better than ever. South Boston Online interviewed three people at the Clubhouse this week – Charlie Cardillo, reading coach/assistant reading team leader; Phil Waters, volunteer reading coach coordinator; and Kathryn Klister, director of volunteer management at Generations, Incorporated. Much credit is due to the reading coaches, who voluntarily commit a few hours per week to working with young club members. Their youthful readers are in the first, second or third grade; the coaches take it upon themselves to expand the reading comprehension of their young friends. The time spent each week can vary, but usually consists of two after-school sessions at the Clubhouse – 2:30 to 5 p.m., either Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday. The South Boston Clubhouse now has eight volunteer Reading Coaches. There’s a waiting list for the reading program, so between four and six more reading coaches are needed. It’s “easy liftin’” as they say, as well as being extremely gratifying. Phil Waters told us how she wanted to find a “giving back” activity when she retired. As a reading coach, she established a warm relationship with the children she coached. “It was a real eye-opener,” Waters said. Charlie Cardillo, who is from Weymouth and also assists reading team
leader Christine Holley, spoke of how attached he becomes to each of his readers, whom he coaches throughout their school year. He spends his 30-40 minute coaching sessions oneon-one with each reader, developing a closeness with his young charges and a true feeling of accomplishment as the school year progresses. The Clubhouse Reading Program is not simply reading to the children. It is a structured learning program that is taught to the reading coaches, so they can be as effective as possible in guiding their readers. And to repeat, becoming a reading coach is extremely gratifying. If you have afternoons free during the school year – retired persons are ideal for this kind of volunteer effort – please plan to attend an information session at the Clubhouse on Sixth Street on Tuesday, Jan. 26, from 1 to 2:30 p.m. The Boston agency that provides the reading program to our Boys & Girls Club is Generations, Incorporated. According to Director of Volunteer Management Kathryn Klister, Generations, Incorporated, has 260 reading coaches in 21 programs from Boston to Revere. They are affiliated with AARP’s Experience Corps, where they obtain their reading programs. If you will forgive a bit of namedropping, as a Reading Coach, you’ll get to work with books written by folksinger Pete Seeger, prize-winning author Maya Angelou, and the irrepressible Dr. Seuss. Who knows? As a reading coach, you could become so interested that you’ll read the Reading Room’s books on your own. Please reserve Tuesday, Jan. 26, from 1 to 2:30 p.m., for a Reading Coach Information Session. Then think about becoming a Reading Coach at the Boys & Girls South Boston Clubhouse. It’s a very rewarding thing to take on.
Above: Phil Waters, Charlie Cardillo and Kathryn Klister stand by the alpine mural in the reading room of the Boys & Girls Club on Sixth Street. Left: The interior of the reading room – a nice place to get an assist from a reading coach, and then curl up with a book.
A poetic saying by that quintessential children’s writer and illustrator, Dr. Seuss (aka Theodor Seuss Geisel), on the wall of the reading room.
South Boston Online is now on Twitter @SouthBostonNews
ARE YOU AGE 50+ AND LOOKING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN SOUTH BOSTON? We are currently recruiting volunteers to start in January or February to help improve reading skills for 1st-3rd grade students at the South Boston Boys & Girls Club for 4-5 hours per week.
Come to an Information Session
Tuesday, January 26th, 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. South Boston Boys & Girls Club 230 West Sixth St., South Boston, MA 02127 Please call (617) 399-4699 or email pwaters@generationsinc.org to RSVP. W W W.GENERATIONS INC.ORG
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Meet Ryan McDonald: Youth Ambassador spring semester meetings begin Boys and Girls Club helper The South Boston Community Health Center is pleased to announce that the first Youth Ambassador meeting of the spring semester will be held Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2016 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the South Boston Community Health Center, 409 West Broadway, 3rd Floor. Youth ages 12 to 16 are encouraged to join the Youth Ambassador group to become involved with health related trainings, community service projects and art based activities that engage youth in the life of the South Boston community. The Youth Ambassador meetings will be held every Tuesday from January to June. This year, Youth Ambassadors will be involved in a wide variety of activities and
trainings to promote a healthier and more fulfilling life, including the Hearts of Kindness Project in February, Community Day in May and ongoing Youth/Adult Dialogues about Substance Abuse, in partnership with other South Boston youth serving agencies. Applications to become a Youth Ambassador will be accepted for two weeks, at the Jan. 19 and 26 meetings. For more information about the Youth Ambassador program, please contact Mayra RodriguezHoward at 617-464-7423 or Linda Doran at 617-464-7463, at the South Boston Community Health Center. -Press release from the South Boston Community Health Center
Contact South Boston Online Have a story idea? News tip? Correction? We want to know about it. If you have a story idea or tip, contact writers Rick Winterson (rick@SouthBostonOnline.com) and Kevin Devlin (mail@SouthBostonOnline.com) by email or by phone at 617-269-5550. Send additional feedback to owner Jeanne Rooney (mail@SouthBostonOnline.com) or editor Susan Doucet (sdoucet@SouthBostonOnline.com). We welcome your input.
BY KEVIN DEVLIN
He’s a nice young boy who really loves growing up in a community that embraces youth. His name is Ryan McDonald. Ryan, 9, is the son of Nicole and Joe McDonald. His birthday is Jan. 16, so if you see him, wish him a happy birthday. His four grandparents are Karen and Joe, and Elaine and Mike. His family also has a German shepherd named Willie and a black cat named Sky. Ryan is in the fourth grade and attends the Tynan Elementary School in South Boston. His favorite subject is reading and someday he hopes to be a Boston firefighter so he can help people. His favorite colors are orange, red, green, and pink for breast cancer awareness. His favorite food is chicken nuggets. And his favorite professional athletes are Stephen Curry, the current MVP in the NBA and star guard of the Golden State Warriors, and Rob Gronkowski, Patriots super tight end and Super Bowl champion. In his leisure time, Ryan enjoys playing basketball with his friends
in his backyard. He also plays video games and loves reading. He’s currently reading the book ‘Steve Jobs’ by Walter Isaacson. Ryan also recently finished reading ‘Charlotte’s Web,’ a well-known children’s book written by E.B. White, illustrated by Garth Williams and published in 1952. In the world of sports, Ryan has been active in the South Boston Youth Soccer League since he was knee high to a grasshopper. He has been skating in the South Boston Youth Hockey League for two seasons and is on the peewee team. He is also currently on the Gate of Heaven CYO third and fourth grade travel hoop league team coached by his aunt, Danielle, his grandmother, Karen, and Elaina McCarthy. He likes “everything about soccer, scoring goals in hockey, and learning more about basketball each game.” Five weeks ago, at the South Boston Boys and Girls Club, Ryan said he began helping out autistic kids. “I like helping people at the club,” he said. “I help and play with autistic kids. I help Jordan. I play with him and he loves going on the trampoline. I feel good when I help others out.”
Compass on the Bay events All events at Compass on the Bay Assisted Living and Memory Support Community, 1380 Columbia Road, South Boston • French Music Performance at Compass on the Bay Jan. 19, 2:30 p.m. - Join us for our “Grab Your Passport! Destination: France” celebration, featuring a performance of French music by Joseph Reid and Jessica Cooper. • Yoga Class at Compass on the Bay Jan. 20, 1 p.m. - Join us for yoga class with Karen! • Johnny Rampino Entertains at Compass on the Bay Jan. 25, 1:30 pm - Join us for the entertainment of Johnny Rampino during our monthly birthday party.
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Thursday, January 14, 2016
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Introducing Ronan Manning: alter server and local volunteer By KEVIN DEVLIN
He’s a quiet, young boy, polite, and happy he’s being raised by two caring parents. His name is Ronan Manning. Ronan, 8 is the son of Dan and Ashley Manning. He also has a younger sister named Keira. He’s in the third grade and attends the Condon Elementary School in South Boston. His favorite subject is math. He’s doing well in the classroom and someday hopes to either join the United States Army or play for the New England Patriots. His favorite color is blue and his favorite foods are ice cream and steaks. His favorite professional athletes are Patriots quarterback Tom Brady, New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning, and Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning. He likes the Manning brothers because Ronan shares their last name. But he also thinks it’s funny when the Manning brothers play against each other and their coaches are yelling their last names from the sidelines, obviously causing a little confusion.
In his spare time, Ronan enjoys playing video games, such as Super Mario and Minecraft. He also loves hanging out and playing with his
ners for the less fortunate. As an alter server he likes lighting the candles before Mass and as a volunteer at the dinners he feels good when he
“Doing good things for people makes me feel good . . . I like helping people,”said Ronan Manning, 8. cousins. And, he likes to read. He’s currently reading one of the books in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series written by Jeff Kinney. Ronan is an altar server at Saint Brigid’s Church and volunteers at Saint Monica’s when they hold their annual Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, and Saint Patrick’s Day din-
helps out people in need. He helps out preparing the food and setting up the hall. “Doing good things for people makes me feel good,” he said. “I like helping people.” In the world of sports, Ronan keeps busy. He’s been playing baseball for four years, in the positions
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of second base and shortstop. He played in the South Boston Pop Warner Football Program last fall on the E team and was a safety and linebacker. He also plays hoop in the Gate of Heaven CYO house and travel leagues. In baseball, he enjoyed getting his team jersey last summer, in hoop he loves playing defense and stealing the ball, and in football, he likes tackling his opponents and keep them from scoring. Last October, at the South Boston Neighborhood House (aka the Ollie), Ronan was elected president of the Moon Group in his age group. His slogans were help the police, make the Ollie more fun, and have more free candy for everyone. If Ronan were the president of this great country, he said that he would “give money to people who need it the most.” His parents are proud of him - and they should be. “Ronan is a very sincere, quiet, and dedicated child,” said his mother, Ashley. “He cares about his friends, family, and about politics … He’s a quiet force and we love him.”
BOSTON REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
PUBLIC MEETING
69 A ST. MONDAY, JANUARY 25 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
200 D ST.
Condon School Auditorium South Boston, MA 02127
PROJECT PROPONENT: 69 ASTMA Owner, LLC PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The proposed project consists of the renovation, expansion and mixed-use commercial conversion of an existing three-story brick and beam factory building and related demolition of a two-story former catering and office structure that is approximately 17,749 square-feet of land on three combined consolidated lots. This proposal will create five (5) levels of approximately 51,700 net square feet of commercial office space and approximately 12,000 net square feet of ground level retail and fitness/gym space on the lower levels, with an on-site garage containing 18 parking spaces at the center of the project site.
mail to:
phone: email:
EDWARD M MCGUIRE III
Boston Redevelopment Authority One City Hall Square, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02201 617.918.4251 Edward.McGuire@boston.gov
BostonRedevelopmentAuthority.org Teresa Polhemus, Executive Director/Secretary
CLOSE OF COMMENT PERIOD: Friday, February 5, 2016
@BostonRedevelop
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Thursday, January 14, 2016
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South Boston Catholic Academy’s seasonal celebration The student council at South Boston Catholic Academy hosted a Christmas party for all students before the Christmas break. There were games, including Snowman Slam and Santa’s cookie toss. The students made sequin snowflakes, beaded candy canes and more. Christmas music, hot chocolate and the movie “Elf,” made it a fun and wonderful day at South Boston Catholic Academy! The students also had a tag day and were able to wear red, and together they helped raise over $500 for The Bed for Every Child Program through the Mass. Coalition for the Homeless- they raised enough for two full bed sets. South Boston Catholic Academy is currently accepting applications for all classes preschool through grade 6. We have Before School and After School Programs available and have small class size; high acceptance rate to Parochial,
Private and Boston Exam Schools. Please contact Mrs. Barbara
Keohane with any questions or for a tour of the school at b.keohane@
sbcatholicacademy.org or call 617268-2326 for more information.
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Thursday, January 14, 2016
“City Hall To Go” comes to South Boston For most residents, traveling downtown to Boston City Hall can be a long way to go. Boston is, after all, a city that stretches across nearly 50 square miles. Many people need a personal interaction to get direct services, ask a question or get information, so Boston is continuing to take City Hall to the neighborhoods during the months of January and February. Important services where and when you need them! The BYCF Condon Community Center is scheduled to host the “City Hall To Go” Truck” on the second and fourth Thursday of each month. The next stops here in the Condon Lobby are Thursday, Jan. 14, 11:30
a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and Thursday, Jan. 28, 3 to 6 p.m. All Boston residents are welcome. Some of the many services available are: pay a parking ticket, dispute a parking ticket, apply for residential parking permit, request a birth, death, or marriage certificate, get an e-library card, pre-register for school, pay property taxes, get a dog license, notary, register to vote, file personal exemptions, sign-up for snow and street cleaning alerts, register for summer jobs, First Night buttons and much, much more. Please note that the vehicle
does not take cash payments. All requests for official documents will be processed promptly. Birth, marriage, death, and residency certificates, and parking permits will be mailed. For more information, visit cityofboston. gov/cityhalltogo.
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Thursday, January 14, 2016
The spirit of giving
Feeling good when helping others BY KEVIN DEVLIN
It’s good to teach future generations about the spirit of giving to those less fortunate than ourselves. It’s in America’s DNA to open our hearts to do so, and Jake Rooney’s story is a testament to that resolve regarding worthy causes. Jake is the son of Mark and Theresa Rooney. He has a brother named Nolan and a sister named Bridget. He attends Roxbury Latin in West Roxbury, where he’s an honor roll student. Last spring, Jake was the recipient of the Joan Regan Service Award for the student who demonstrates leadership and community service. Jake’s a member of the Drama Club and has participated in six school plays. Recently, he was in the play entitled the ‘Christmas Truce’- a true story about German and British soldiers on the front lines in World War I ,who crossed into no man’s land on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day to
BOSTON REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
mingle, as well as to exchange food and souvenirs. It was an unofficial truce, a reprieve from fighting. He’s currently involved in the play ‘Wait until Dark’ and was the football team’s manager last fall. For the past two school years, Jake and schoolmate Will Ebben have been the student coordinators for the Haley House service program. Once a month they take a group of sophomores to the Haley House in the South End and cook meals for the homeless and other less fortunate
PUBLIC WORKSHOP
PLAN: SOUTH BOSTON DORCHESTER AVE WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 27 5:30 PM - Open House 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Workshop
147 WEST FOURTH ST Mass Bay Credit Union South Boston, MA 02127
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The PLAN initiative is an opportunity to think strategically about the types of uses and scale of development best suited for the future of the South Boston Dorchester Avenue transit corridor. The goal of this study is to create a vision, with the community, and to establish guidelines that will result in a comprehensive plan that informs new zoning to guide future development. The Workshop on January 27 will be a Placemaking & Mobility Workshop. The workshop will focus on the future character of the study area and various components of the emerging PLAN. We look forward to having you join us at the Placemaking & Mobility Workshop. For more information please visit: bit.ly/PlanDotAve
mail to:
phone: email:
MARY KNASAS
Boston Redevelopment Authority One City Hall Square, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02201 617.918.4489 Mary.Knasas@boston.gov
BostonRedevelopmentAuthority.org Teresa Polhemus, Executive Director/Secretary
@BostonRedevelop
people. Jake has also been involved in the Connected Living project for seniors for two years. Senior citizens are welcomed to the school and students introduce them technology by showing them how to use computers, iPhones, and other gadgets. Jake is involved in the school’s Ave Atque Vale (Hail and Farewell) initiative. Students act as pallbearers for homeless people who have no one to mourn for them. “It’s a meaningful experience,” he said. “Some people are buried and
there’s no one to be there to say goodbye to them. It’s pretty sad. We’re glad to be there for them to say a prayer and say we care about them. “ Jake’s favorite school endeavor is the annual Christmas toy drive. Jake and schoolmate Logan Warshaw started the program as eighth-grade students. “Logan knew about another group who started this,” he said. “I knew about Julie’s Program (in Southie) from my grandma (Hon Rooney), so we eventually decided to bring the toys we got to Julie’s. “The thought of kids not receiving Christmas presents sort of shocked us,” Jake added. “So we wanted to help out as much as we could. Each year we have been getting more and more toys. We have bins in all the classrooms. It’s pretty cool to see how many toys, especially new toys that we have been getting from the students and teachers. We got so many that we ended up being the main contributor to Julie’s. It was great to know we were Continued on Page 11
NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING ON SITE CLEAN-UP ACTIVITIES On-Terminal Areas 900 East First St., South Boston MassDEP RTN 3-00257 Former Owner: Coastal Oil of New England (CONE) Current Owner: Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) Tuesday Jan. 26, 2016 As part of the Public Involvement Process for the site at 900 East First St., Massport will host a public information meeting about the remediation and assessment activities for this site. The site is tracked by the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) under Release Tracking Number (RTN) 3-00257. The purpose of this meeting is to provide information on the continued cleanup of the site pursuant to the Massachusetts Contingency Plan (MCP). The meeting will be held in the Senior Lunch Room of the Curley Community Center located at 1663 Columbia Road, South Boston, on Tuesday, Jan. 26 at 7 p.m. Please use the M Street entrance. Copies of the assessment and remediation documents are available for review at the South Boston Public Library and MassDEP, Northeast Regional Office, 205B Lowell St., Wilmington, MA 01876 or online at http://public.dep.state.ma.us/wsc_viewer/. Interested parties may also submit written questions or concerns to Erik Bankey at Massport’s Environmental Management Unit Office, One Harborside Drive, East Boston, MA 02128, or by email at ebankey@massport.com.
SouthBostonOnline.com
Thursday, January 14, 2016
families each Christmas,” he said. “This takes an enormous pressure off the parents, especially single-parent moms. Jake and Logan have a done a great job organizing their toy fundraising drive. These contributions from Roxbury Latin are substantial and we are grateful for them.” Jake’s parents smile when they think about their son’s unselfishness. “We are proud of Jake’s involvement,” said his dad. “I’d like to think my wife and I played a part but the bigger influence is my mother who was on Julie’s board. She took him to a few annual dinners and gave him an understanding of what the program was all about. My father-in-law, George ‘Giggs’ McManus, who has done so much in addiction services, was also a great influence on Jake.” “In addition to this,” he said, “growing up in this community, you can’t help having community service in your blood.”
Jake Rooney (left) is and Bob Monahan, the Executive Director of Julie’s Family Learning Center, show donated toys from Roxbury Latin.
making a difference.” Last year, Julie’s Family Learning Program gave Jake and Logan an award at their annual dinner. They also received citations from the House of Representatives and the state Senate, sponsored by Representative Nick Collins and Senator Linda
Dorcena Forry respectively. Jake and Logan proudly received these accolades on behalf of Roxbury Latin and the student body. Robert D. Monahan, the executive director of Julie’s, is ecstatic about these toy donations. “We try to get toys for about 100
Know a student deserving of attention? South Boston Online welcomes information about individuals who contribute to their community. Contact Kevin Devlin at kdevlin444@gmail.com or South Boston Online staff at Mail@ SouthBostonOnline.com.
Overdose Prevention Training
The South Boston Community Health Center and Boston Public Health Commission are holding a session on how to use Narcan, a drug that reverses the effects of a opiod overdose. The session is Jan. 21 at 2 p.m. at the health center at 409 West Broadway, in the third floor community room. Please RSVP to Shaun Gavin at 617-464-5821 if you plan to attend.
Want to be a lifeguard?
DCR is now accepting applications for summer lifeguards at their beaches and pools. In order to apply, an individual must pass a DCR lifeguard test. Application information and dates for lifeguard tests can be found at: mass.gov/eea/agencies/ dcr/inside-our-agency/ employment/dcrlifeguard-test-dates.html
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Thursday, January 14, 2016
SouthBostonOnline.com
Learning how to play the game
The Gate of Heaven CYO Instructional hoop league By KEVIN DEVLIN
Learning how to play any sport needs to begin at an early age and many youngsters have the opportunity to begin this journey at the Walsh Center gym in the Gate of Heaven CYO Instructional basketball leagues for boys and girls. The program, for first and second graders, started in December and will end in mid-February. The players are taught dribbling, shooting, and passing
drills, along with introductions to man-to-man and zone defensive schemes. The boys’ league is held on Saturday at the Walsh gym from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. The boys’ league cocommissioners are Sean Monahan and Mike Donovan. They are ably assisted by Tommy White, Mike Bolstad, Owen Donovan, Jake Harrison, Conor Strickland, Chris DiMaggio, and Ivan Atchue. The girls’ league is held right after the boys’ league at the Walsh gym from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. The
girls’ league co-commissioners are Allison Baker and Hannah Powers. They are ably assisted by Emily Hart, Mary Kate Hart, and Maggie Hart. Longtime former girl’s commissioner, Barbara Kelly, was back at the gym last Saturday, helping out once again. The youngsters really love going to the gym on Saturdays and learning the fundamentals of the sport. And afterwards, they’re treated to Dunkin’ Donuts to replenish their energy sources. Photos on Pages 12 and 13 by Kevin Devlin
SouthBostonOnline.com
Thursday, January 14, 2016
13
Meet the Evans Club
This team is in the Gate of Heaven CYO midget hoop house league. The kids are young and learning the game. They are coached by Edward Flynn. Pictured with the team is the league commissioner, Sean Monahan. The players are Jared Firth, Dylan Picard, Stephen Flynn, Andrew Donovan, Coulter Medeiros, Jaylen, Mullen Burn, Owen Donovan, Ben Fennelly, and Joseph Keating. “These players work well together,” Flynn said. “And they are great kids.
Basketball can teach many lessons in life: hard-work, teamwork, discipline and to have fun. These basketball players and all the players in the Gatey CYO program are a credit to their families - and their parents are proud of them too.” Coach Flynn wants to inform everyone that the Knights of Columbus (Pere Marquette Council) will soon host its annual free throw contest. Details to be announced. -Kevin Devlin
Gate of Heaven defeats rival St. Ann’s of Dorchester
The Gate of Heaven third and fourth grade hoop team is coached by Mark Donovan and Katherine Hogan (missing from picture). The players are Max Hogan, Henry Gailunis, Alex Polena, Finber Kyne, Kristian Dhamo, Erik Dhamo, Conor Strickland, and Owen Donovan. By KEVIN DEVLIN
On Saturday, Jan. 9, at the Walsh Center gym, the Gate of Heaven CYO third and fourth grade travel basketball team defeated crosstown rival, Saint Ann’s of Dorchester, 36-24.
Gatey had a three-point lead at intermission, 16-13. It was close during the opening minutes of the second half, but with 7:18 remaining on the game clock, Gatey surged ahead and improved their record to 5-1. Conor Strickland and Owen Donovan netted 16 points each while
The Saint Ann’s of Dorchester thrid and fourth grade hoop team is coached by John Powers and Mark Casey.
Max Hogan was a monster on the boards. For Saint Ann’s, Billy Donovan scored eight points, Alexis Ludhowski had seven points, and Ryan Donovan contributed six points. Gatey Coach Mark Donovan was proud of his squad and felt it was a complete game effort.
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“They played well today,” he said. “The offense was flowing and everybody played well on the defensive end. The players listen and are getting better every single game. Coach (Katherine) Hogan and I are happy to be involved with such a great bunch of kids.”
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Thursday, January 14, 2016
Letter to the editor South Boston Online, in its Dec. 3, 2015, issue (Page 8), photographed and published the image of a tattered and filthy American flag located atop a steel crossbar on an abandoned site at B Street and West Broadway. Following a week of inaction on everyone’s part, I began an unsuccessful quest to find someone in the area working with a ladder, whose use I could recruit. I once again visited the tattered flag’s location and happily, I discovered a pickup truck (with ladder) parked next to the site. I then tracked down the pickup’s owner. After explaining my quest, he and his partner took on the task and
SouthBostonOnline.com
“I pledge allegiance...”
lowered the flag with respect. The three of us ceremonially folded the flag, later to be brought to the fire station at K and Fourth Streets for proper disposal. My hope that this project would be addressed by a South Boston official, a veterans’ post or a civic organization was never realized. The assisting tradesmen are both Dorchester residents; I am not a veteran. Once again, my sincere thanks to all involved. Ed Oliver/Bohld Southie Pride Patrol South Boston Community GRIME Watch
Southie Pride Patrol’s Ed Oliver/Bohld presents a damaged American flag from an abandoned site to Firefighter Sean Ingram of Boston Fire Department Engine 2 for proper disposal by incineration at the Fourth Street Firehouse this week. (Photo by Rick Winterson)
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM
Administrative help wanted Small South Boston business looking for PT administrative help. All day Fridays from 8:30 AM until 4:30 PM and up to 12 additional hours negotiable during the remainder of the week. Duties include answering phones, working with small office staff and filing. Can-
didates must be professional and able to work with clients. Super-organized and self-motivated individual a must. Compensation will be commensurate with experience, starting at $15/hour. Please send resume and salary requirements to: PTjobapp@ gmail.com.
SouthBostonOnline.com
Thursday, January 14, 2016
15
Real Estate transactions BUYER 1 (First) BUYER 1 (Last)
BUYER 2 (First)
BUYER 2 (Last)
ADDRESS
CITY
ZIP
PRICE
DATE
Kelle
Louaillier
Jennifer
Pinck
525 E 1st St., #4
South Boston
02127-1404
$1,110,000
12/17/15
Laurin D
Johnson
603 E 4th St., #2
South Boston
02127-3049
$525,000
12/17/15
Richard
Bourdeau
128 Tudor St., #F
South Boston
02127-2641
$426,000
12/18/15
Jeffrey L
Piltch
286 Emerson St., #1F
South Boston
02127-3138
$430,000
12/18/15
586 East Fourth LLC
586 E 4th St.
South Boston
02127-3051
$1,335,000
12/18/15
Marykim
Bourdeau
Anthony J
Verani
Valentina
Zuman
5 Lilly St.
South Boston
02127-2827
$563,000
12/18/15
Eric B
Segal
Laura N
Segal
433 W 4th St., #1
South Boston
02127-2653
$453,000
12/18/15
Richard
Eaton
Elaine
Dalton
770 E 3rd St., #6
South Boston
02127-2338
$804,000
12/18/15
Assaad
Nasr
Suzanne
Nasr
13-15 Story St., #1
South Boston
02127-3072
$465,000
12/18/15
Corcoran East NT
Mary
Corcoran
594 E 6th St., #2
South Boston
02127-3130
$699,000
12/18/15
Vincent J
Donnelly
Jana F
Donnelly
5 Payne St., #2
South Boston
02127-3308
$584,000
12/18/15
John
Orlando
525 E 1st St., #3
South Boston
02127-1402
$510,000
12/18/15
William Z
Antonucci
862 E 2nd St., #3
South Boston
02127-2357
$651,000
12/21/15
DFS Properties LLC
687 E 8th St.
South Boston
02127-4234
$6,000
12/21/15
Patrick B
Gallagher
413 E 7th St. #1
South Boston
02127-4120
$686,000
12/21/15
Jahan
Khalili
428 W 2nd St.
South Boston
02127-1314
$439,000
12/22/15
Kathleen A
Ollen
Elizabeth
Weber-Ollen
795 E 3rd St., #1
South Boston
02127-2336
$555,000
12/22/15
Lindsey
Bagdonas
Ryan P
Fisher-Werner
512 E 6th St.
South Boston
02127-3029
$580,000
12/23/15
Nicholas
Landry
204 Dorchester St.
South Boston
02127-2844
$565,920
12/23/15
18 Preble Street LLC
18 Preble St.
South Boston
02127-3523
$800,000
12/23/15
Cyberian Tiger Hldg LLC
714 1/2 E 5th St.
South Boston
02127-3204
$675,000
12/23/15
Catheroine
Quinn
Patrick
Doherty
Alexandra
Doherty
685-687 E 6th St., #2
South Boston
02127-4303
$670,000
12/23/15
Kyle F
Mcgrew
Casey B
Jenkins
525 E 1st St., #5
South Boston
02127-1402
$812,000
12/23/15
Erik-Jan
Peerbolte
525 E 1st St., #6
South Boston
02127-1402
$812,000
12/23/15
Andrew
Fernstein
606 Dorchester Ave, #2
South Boston
02127-3552
$290,000
12/24/15
Georgia
Christoforou
27 Train St., #1
South Boston
02122-2401
$369,000
12/24/15
Genet
Bekele
114 Brook Ave
Boston
02125-2917
$420,000
12/18/15
Thomas
Kazmouski
Amy
Kazmouski
47 Westglow St.
Dorchester
02122-2441
$438,000
12/17/15
Hiep T
Le
Lien N
Train
10 Redwood St.
Dorchester
02122-1121
$415,000
12/17/15
Andy
Fadous
18 Claymont Ter #18
Dorchester
02122-2531
$395,000
12/17/15
James P
Davidson
Lynn
Deasy
15 Juliette St., #3
Dorchester
02122-1705
$295,000
12/18/15
Kerriann
Buckley
Robert
Buckley
86 Savin Hill Ave #1
Dorchester
02125-1430
$205,000
12/18/15’
David
Bloom
48 Sudan St., #A
Dorchester
02125-1322
$429,000
12/18/15
Steven
Mathieu
David
Gormley
36 Newport St.
Dorchester
02125-1225
$365,000
12/18/15
Lawrence J
Gailbraith
Brian J
Barkwell
53 Tuttle St.
Dorchester
02125-1434
$465,000
12/18/15
William P
Christopher
Mary M
Ward-Christopher 12 Tuttle St.
Dorchester
02125-1434
$650,000
12/18/15
King S
Small
39 Everton St.
Dorchester
02121-3506
$255,000
12/18/15
33 Hamilton St.
Dorchester
02125-2558
$319,500
12/18/15
David Tieu Dang RET
Matthew
Quynh
Mcculley
Dang
Tnh T
Le
7 Rock Ter
Dorchester
02121-3513
$210,000
12/21/15
Kenville P
Mercury
40 1/2 Glenway St.
Dorchester
02121-4008
$428,000
12/21/15
Benjamin M
Bailey
44 Mill St., #2
Dorchester
02122-3536
$380,000
12/21/15
Kathleen
Armour
33 Adams St., #3
Dorchester
02122-1701
$200,000
12/22/15
Jennie R
Chu
69 Pleasant St., #2
Dorchester
02125-1838
$329,000
12/22/15
Tran T
Nguyen
10 Bloomington St.
Dorchester
02122-3202
$380,000
12/22/15
Nicholas
Malames
47 Houghton St.
Dorchester
02122-3301
$685,000
12/22/15
Jerry
Dao
1653 Dorchester Ave
Dorchester
02122-1350
$325,000
12/22/15
Ben A
Le
52 Moseley St
Dorchester
02125-1232
$300,000
12/23/15
Veronica
Floyd
14 Payson Ave
Dorchester
02125-2117
$250,000
12/23/15
My N
Ngo
Thanh Q
Tieu
19 Levant St.
Dorchester
02122-1032
$450,000
12/23/15
Hyacinth
Blake
Conroy
Blake
9 Harvard Ave
Dorchester
02121-2129
$587,500
12/24/15
Yen H
Hoang
51R Linden St
Dorchester
02122-2906
$390,000
12/24/15
Andy K
Do
21 Mill St.
Dorchester
02122-3560
$1,275,000
12/24/15
Maria
Julie
Armour
Le
16
Thursday, January 14, 2016
SouthBostonOnline.com
Rooney Real Estate
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