SBOL_02_11_2021

THE PRINT EDITION

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2021

VOLUME XIX- ISSUE 74

For the Love of Cookies

Valentine’s Day Offerings at XO TO GO

by Rick Winterson

Y

ou can of course (very successfully) shop Boston Seaport for that one-of-a-kind Valentine’s Day gift, meant for giving to no one else but your very own Valentine. But in Boston Seaport, a beautiful area designed by WS Development, you can go a step further – customizing that special gift at

HAVE YOU HEARD?

XO TO GO. Boston Seaport’s XO TO GO operates its pop-up shop at 100 Seaport Boulevard, by the Seaport Common. They offer complimentary services to customize that special gift for someone special, or for you yourself, if you wish.

Simply drop into XO TO GO with your gift. You’ll be greeted by an “Ambassador”, who’ll present you with colorful arrays of heat applied patches, including hearts, letters, flowers, and Seaport designs.

Just bring in your gifts from the many, many retail shops in Boston Seaport. A light-hearted way to personalize yourself during the pandemic caught our eye at South Boston Online – use XO TO GO’s services to customize that face mask you’re wearing so visibly these days.

That’s not all. On Saturday, February 13, Monique Aimee Continued on Page 2

Southie woman turns baking hobby into a business

By Ginger DeShaney

T

he timing was perfect for Katie Rausch. Just as she was turning 30 years old (Feb. 5), she transformed her baking hobby into a business.

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“I’m entering a new decade with a new passion,” she said. “I’m so excited. It feels like the right time.”

While stuck at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, Katie was looking for something to do “other than working and eating my feelings,” she said with an easy laugh.

She’d been doing a lot of cooking during COVID and decided to take a Continued on Page 3

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2021

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

Continued from Page 1

XO TO GO will provide hand-painted designs at XO TO GO; on Saturday, February 20, Goody Great will offer you what she calls “Custom Bedazzling”.

On Valentine’s Day itself, Sunday, February 14, Cassandra from the renowned Traveling Poetry Emporium will compose poems-to-order on a manual typewriter, yet. All these memorable Valentine events run from 1:30 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. For exact information about XO TO GO, visit Boston Seaport’s website.

You know about Valentine’s Day being a celebration of romantic love, but are you aware how far back in ancient history it goes? Saint Valentine, a Christian Bishop was beheaded 1,752 years ago in 269 A.D. by the Roman ruler, Claudius the Goth. One of Valentine’s offenses against the Roman Empire was marrying Roman couples,

There are many ways to personalize Valentine gifts at XO TO GO. after which the new husband then became exempt from serving in the military. It was this that led Pope Gelasius I in 496 A.D. to

Notice of Community Update Green Stratus Corp Notice is hereby given that Green Stratus Corp will hold a virtual meeting on February 22, 2021 at 6:30 PM relative to its proposal to

declare that Valentine was the patron Saint of love and marriage, and that Valentine’s Day would be observed on February 14. An even more ancient Roman observance called Lupercalia also took place during the Ides of February.

Ophelia, the lover of Hamlet, sang a Valentine song about him to Claudius and Gertrude (note the name “Claudius” again) in Shakespeare’s play “Hamlet” (Act IV, Sc. 5): “And I a maid at your window, To be your Valentine”.

Geoffrey Chaucer’s writings in the 1300’s also spoke about Valentine’s

Day. The tradition was continued in the New World (later to become America) by English settlers. Here in South Boston, we are fortunate to have the celebrations of three saints to help us while away the long New England winter – St. Nicholas (Santa Claus), St. Valentine, and of course, St. Patrick. Then four days later this year, on Saturday, March 20, spring arrives.

Anyhow, be sure to visit Boston Seaport, their row of pop-ups in the Seaport Common, and especially XO TO GO this Saturday and Sunday over the Valentine weekend.

site a Cannabis Establishment at 558-560 Dorchester Avenue in South Boston. This meeting will be held in accordance with the Massachusetts Cannabis Control Commission’s Administrative Order Allowing Virtual Web-Based Community Outreach Meetings. A copy of the presentation will be made available at least 24 hours prior to the meeting by visiting GreenStratusCorp.squarespace.com.

Interested members of the community will have the opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from company representatives about the proposed facility and operations. Questions can be submitted in advance by emailing haley.dillon@boston.gov or asked during the meeting.

Event Link: http://bit.ly/558dotave Event number: 179 244 5094 Event password: 558d Look for the pop-up XO TO GO logo at 100 Seaport Boulevard, Boston Seaport.

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2021 Continued from Page 1

Love of Cookies

baking course online, where she learned about cookies, icing techniques, decorating, and so much more.

She made decorated sugar cookies for family and friends. She made a batch for a friend who was going away with a group of people.

When they got to their destination “they opened up the cookies and called me immediately,” Katie said. “They told me I should quit my job and do this full time.”

Another friend, who always thought sugar cookies were dry and boring, loved her cookies. She said about Katie’s cookies: “They look good and they taste good!”

“That makes me so happy,” said Katie, who moved to Southie last May with her fiance, Sean, and her dog, Coogan. “People are happy to get fun cookies. They make people happy and that makes me happy.”

That was the catalyst she needed to start Confectionates.

On Jan. 28, she posted on a Facebook page: Hi there! I am trying to get my

cookie business off the ground and what better way to start than with some Valentine’s Day treats! Here are some samples I made to share with you some ideas I can do, but am available to do any custom orders as well! ... Please let me know if you would be interested in ordering cookies for the upcoming holiday … Thank you so much for your support!!

“This is the first time I’m putting myself out there to the public,” she said. “It’s nerve-racking.”

That post garnered a lot of orders and now her business is taking off.

She featured photos with her post of her different Valentine’s Day designs, including cute conversation hearts, dinosaurs, and Valentine envelopes.

Her adorable cookies reflect her bubbly, fun personality and zest for life.

She works full time as a marketer for a pharmaceutical company, so she bakes after work and on weekends. After work, she figures, “I’ll just do a quick batch, and before I know it, it’s 11 p.m.”

As she enters this new decade, Katie is working full time, getting her cookie business off the ground from her kitchen, planning a wedding (this October, fingers crossed), and taking care of Coogan.

How does she juggle it all? She walks the dog, goes to Castle Island, stays active, and keeps her mind busy.

“I’ve always been a creative person,” she said, noting she loves drawing, music, and the arts. Through baking, “I’m able to express my creative side.”

Katie, who makes all her dough (nut-free) and icing from scratch, creates theme cookies: Valentine’s

Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, Cinco de Mayo, summer/beach themes, Christmas, etc. But she’ll also do custom cookies, “whatever people want.” She’s already gotten orders for baby showers, baby announcements, and other special occasions.

She acknowledges there is room for improvement: “The more orders and more practice, the cookies will get better and better.”

Before the online baking class, Katie only made chocolate chip cookies (she likes them on the gooey side) and she may eventually include them in her business.

Her Irish doodle is named after a downtown bar with beer specials.

“Who doesn’t love dollar beers?” she said. When thinking of a name for her business, she originally wanted to incorporate the dog’s name.

She toyed with Coogan’s Cookies, “but that was kind of lame,” she said. Then there was Coogan’s Confections, but “that wasn’t feeling very snazzy.” So she dropped Coogan and turned it into Confectionates,

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which denotes love, sweet treats, and affection, she said. Or, as her logo boasts: Crave. Indulge. Love.

“It’s a sweet treat; it’s a confectionate,” Katie said.

Right now she’s happy to drop off the cookies to clients around town. As her business grows, she’ll look into shipping options.

“I feel so honored when people reach out,” Katie said.

“I really enjoy [making cookies] and I want others to experience the cookies and enjoy them as well.”

To order cookies and to follow Confectionates: Facebook: h t t p s : // www.facebook.com/ Confectionates-337615254093998/ Instagram @confectionates Email: info@confectionates. com The website, confectionates. com, is under construction so check back often.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2021

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

Murphy’s Jewelry on First

Mr. Murphy, the founder of Murphy’s Jewelry, still keeps an eye on the business.

by Rick Winterson

T

he Murphy’s Jewelry location mentioned above doesn’t mean first base. It’s West First – No. 403, to be exact, on the ground floor, at the fork where Dorchester Street intersects, West First ends, and East First begins, angling off to the north and headed for City Point. In addition, zoning and building design restraints

strictly limit overhead signage, so you’ll have to look for the “Murphy’s Jewelry” on the front door and streetside window, flat against the building facade.

Mr. Murphy, the founder of Murphy Jewelry, passed away 20 years ago, four years after he sold Murphy’s Jewelry to Billy Cosetta in 1998. That was when the jewelry store was located on East Broadway, where Emerson intersects. The current West First location offers somewhat more space, which helps – fullservice jewelry retail shops offer both jewelry itself and services such as repair and fittings, which requires a workbench area and tool storage. There’s even room for a remarkably life-like drawing of Mr. Murphy on the shop’s back wall. Just by looking at it, you can certainly visualize him delivering his favorite saying, “A fast nickel is better than a slow dime!”

Current owner Billy Cosetta prefers to be addressed as “Billy” by everyone he knows or deals with. He is a South Boston bornand-brought-up individual, from East Sixth Street between I and K. He and his wife have now lived in Quincy for 21 years. Bill

Murphy’s Jewelry offers variety, many services, and rapid delivery. started with Murphy’s Jewelry over 50 years back in 1969; his first assignment was keeping Mr. Murphy in cups of coffee.

Billy kept the change from these coffee pickups, which at that time actually amounted to a fairly good allowance – Billy was only ten the year he started.

And he stayed on, learning the business and the various crafts as he went along – “on the job” or “OJT” as we say now. In 1998, almost 40 years after Billy began at Murphy’s, he bought Mr. Murphy out.

Over the years, he has employed family members and as many as four or five others, up until the time when the original building that housed Murphy’s Jewelry was sold.

This necessitated the move over to West First.

Much of Billy’s present business load is providing services and repairs. The most

popular retail item he vends is still Claddagh rings, which certainly are not confined to Irish customers only.

The silver Claddaghs come in sizes 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 for the ladies; 9, 10, 11, 12 for the gentlemen.

Gold Claddaghs are fitted in the store, usually on the same day. He can provide custom engagement and wedding rings within two weeks or less, and he can source most other types of jewelry within two or three days.

Stop in at Mu r phy’s Jewelry when you’re in the neighborhood (parking is quite easy to find). It’s a small store featuring Billy’s personalized approach, craftsmanship, and prompt deliveries from his network of suppliers. You’ll receive new batteries while you wait. And by the way, Billy still continues Mr. Murphy’s custom of repairing Rosaries for free.

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2021

M

5

Mayor Walsh Announces Completed Improvements to Flaherty Park in South Boston

ayor Martin J. Walsh and the B o s t on Pa r k s and Recreation Department announced the completion of improvements and reopening of the Playground at Flaherty Park in South Boston. Representing a combined $21.9 million in renovations from Mayor Walsh’s Capita l Improvement Pla n and Community Preservation Act funding, the reopening will increa se open space.

“Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Boston has remained committed to ensuring that our city services, projects and priorities remained ongoing as we responded to the public health crisis,” said Mayor Walsh.

“At a time when open spaces are so critical to our residents’ mental and physical health.

Me a su ri ng .25 acre s, John J. Flaherty Jr. Park is located at 130 B Street in South Boston. Improvements to the park include new play structures, safety surfacing, pathways, site furnishings, passive areas, and landscaping.

The $856,000 project budget was funded by Mayor Walsh’s Capital Improvement Plan and $94,000 in BPDA mitigation funding from the development

of

45 West Third Street.

Me a su ri ng .25 acre s, John J. Flaherty Jr. Park is located at 130 B Street in South Boston. Improvements to the park include new play structures, safety surfacing, pathways, site furnishings, passive areas, and landscaping.

The $856,000 project budget was funded by Mayor Walsh’s Capital Improvement Plan and $94,000 in BPDA mitigation funding from the development of 45 West Third Street.

The existing children’s structure was replaced with three new structures. A new state-ofthe-art play area for children ages

two to five includes a playhouse for young children to explore dramatic play, a circuit track with a foot bridge, and a misting water play area. Additional play structures for children ages 5 to 12 integrate rope elements,

climbing entrances, and slides to provide graduated strength challenges for all ages. Other features include a central lawn panel for picnicking and play, an exercise area, tables and benches, and an increase in tree canopy.

Gate of Heaven and St. Brigid Parishes News Ash Wednesday, February 17, 2021 Mass Schedule and Distribution of Ashes St. Brigid Church: 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Gate of Heaven Church: 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.

Change in Distribution of Ashes this year… Due to the pandemic we will not be placing the ashes on the foreheads of parishioners.

At the conclusion of Ash Wednesday Mass we will distribute small packets of blessed ashes to each family unit. You may take them home and bless yourselves and family with the ashes. There will be instructions with each packet on how to administer the ashes. We would ask that one person from each family take one packet.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2021

VIRTUAL MEETING FOR PROPOSED RETAIL RECREATIONAL CANNABIS DISPENSARY at 558-560 DORCHESTER AVE (“The Connection”) MEETING DATE: Monday, February 22nd from 6:30 to 8:30 Log on information: Event Link: http://bit.ly/558dotave Event number: 179 244 5094 Event password: 558d Andrew Square Civic Association does not support cannabis dispensaries in our neighborhood at this time, and members voted unanimously in 2020 to oppose any such establishments.

Andrew Square is located at the crossroads of “Methadone Mile”, and well known for the numerous methadone clinics, recovery and rehabilitation programs, and homeless centers in the vicinity, as well as the resulting problems residents of the area encounter on a daily basis. It is a site of frequent overdoses, and our neighborhood has seen an increase in crime, including residential break-ins, motor vehicle break-ins, robberies, assault and property damage as a result.

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

New Home for Medicine Wheel

by Rick Winterson

B

ecause of major reconstruction/ renovation within and around King Terminal, Medicine Wheel Productions (MWP) at 110 K Street and their exhibition space, SPOKE Gallery, have relocated.

Their new quarters are in the complex of brick buildings at 840 Summer Street – just a couple of blocks from their previous location.

MWP’s initial major activities at 840 Summer included the “A Day without Art” virtual program last Sunday, February 7, and currently include “Layered Time”, the first of four thematically connected solo exhibits. The opening exhibit was created by artist David Lloyd Brown; he named it “Small Creatures”. It consists of a series of

20 one-square-foot paintings hung in SPOKE Gallery and strikingly grouped into four vertical columns.

Due to COVID-19, Gallery Hours are by appointment only, and all pandemic precautions must be followed while there. For further information, go to the MWP web page at https://mwponline.org/ wordpress/programs/spoke-gallery, or email info@mwponline.org. or email info@mwponline.org..

MWP will be located at 840 Summer Street for the next one or two years, but that won’t become their permanent home. Exact permanent plans will be made at their upcoming Annual Meeting later in the month. Eventually, these plans will involve a larger, more versatile space within one of South Boston’s existing residential developments.

Our local businesses have also been negatively impacted as well.

Addiction is an overwhelming problem in our neighborhood, and in an effort to combat the issue, we have many social service agencies doing their utmost to assist those afflicted with this disease.

As ASCA does recognize and respect that the proponents have every right to garner support for this business endeavor, we feel very strongly that there are more suitable locations.

In response to similar requests, we suggest a more densely populated business district as an alternative, where customers may obtain services, and safely return to their residence or business.

“Small Creatures”, by David Lloyd Brown (the first of four 2021 exhibitions in the new SPOKE Gallery’s quarters at 840 Summer).

Sadly, residents of our many small streets and private ways have been targeted by those who sell or purchase prescribed medications illegally. We firmly believe that these businesses should be located away from residential communities, as well as recovery and rehabilitation centers.

We do not oppose cannabis (marijuana) dispensaries or the services they provide. However, we feel strongly that a business of this nature would not add value nor improve the area but would only add to the myriad of problems and would likely have a negative impact on those who are trying to overcome addiction.

“we care about the square”

Medicine Wheel/SPOKE Gallery relocates to the building at 840 Summer Street.

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2021

7

Local Sports: A Few Comments

by Rick Winterson

T

he Celtics have just come off a semidisastrous road trip – winning two, losing three, in a grueling five-game western road trip. This drops their record to 12 wins, 11 losses, perilously close to .500 ball. Granted it’s still early in the season after only 23 games, but the NBA shortened the 2021 season to 62 games, so it’s more

than one-third over at this time.

Whatever descriptions are used about the Celtics, the one word that stands out is “inconsistent”. Defensive ace Marcus Smart is still nursing the muscle tear on his left calf, which was bad enough to be visible on the TV shot that recorded his going down. And Jaylen Brown’s energy was missing in the third and fourth road games, but even with him back Tuesday night, Utah sank 122 points Yes, the Jazz have the single best record in the NBA right now (20W, 5L), but the Celts’ overall defense has varied from “inconsistent” to “non-existent”, especially on the road.

On offense, it’s perhaps unfair to single out just one player, but Kemba Walker has been particularly inconsistent in scoring. A couple of his recent games ended with onescore-in-nine attempts and twoscores-in-twelve- attempts. He’s averaging just 16 Ppg, yet he keeps shooting. It’s time Walker did some bench-warming, coming in only

as a second “green team” member.

And this writer has questions about the home team’s overall coaching and motivation. So, let’s wait a week and see how the next six games go (five of these are at home).

Super Bowl 55 (LV, according to the NFL) is now history. Please make no mistake about how we felt.

South Boston Online was delighted to watch Tom Brady, even though he was playing for Tampa Bay, decimate Kansas City, particularly with those two TD passes to Rob Gronkowski - #12 to #87! They were thrilling; there’s no other word for it. And in NFL games, scoring 31 points almost certainly leads to a win. Which it certainly did.

However, there’s a question we have: Wasn’t the Buccaneers’ defense actually better than their offense, even with said offense being led by the G.O.A.T.? Holding the Chiefs to just three field goals and nine points was defensively outstanding. Yes, the Chiefs incurred many costly penalties,

and did you catch a look at Mahomes’s discouraged face in the second half?

But the Bucs’ Big “D” completely prevented the Chiefs from threatening at any time in the entire game.

We thought that Super Bowl announcers Jim Nantz and Tony Romo were biased. They seemed to be pulling for the Chiefs to score more than they did. Or perhaps even to win. And aren’t you sick and tired of all those constant columns discussing Brady versus Belichick?

Hey, cut it out! Tom and Bill are both absolutely all-time greats, as quarterback and coaching champions, respectively. Let it ride that way.

Next write-up will be a few words about the Bruins at 18 points in 11 games (only Toronto has more, after 13 games). Also, the Sox’ pitching needs some (critical?) evaluation. It’ll be vital (!) this year And finally, what do you think about the Bucs’ chances to repeat in the 2022 Super Bowl?

Brady’s coming back, he says.

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2021

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

Nicole Herendeen Named to “40 Under 40”

by Rick Winterson

N

icole Herendeen is a South Boston re sident l iv i ng in the Dorchester Heights neighborhood. She’s a City-based professional; she holds the position of Senior Public Affairs Associate with Benchmark Strategies in Downtown Boston. And she has just been signally honored by The Irish Echo. On Friday evening, February 26, the Irish Echo will confer one of their 2021 “40 Under 40” Awards upon Nicole.

The Irish Echo, located in Manhattan, is likely to be America’s most widely read Irish-American newspaper. Founded in 1928, the Echo is currently owned by businessman and publisher Mairtin O’Muilleoir. Its weekly circulation of 60,000 leads to a readership of well over 100,000 in the United States and in Ireland, and it boasts a newsstand presence in all

Nicole Herendeen, named to the 2021 Irish Echo “40 Under 40”, at The Paramount on East Broadway. major American and Irish cities.

Now, for 14th time, The Irish Echo is set to present its Annual “40 Under 40” Awards for the year 2021. This has become a hugely popular yearly celebration that recognizes the 40 (yes, just 40) Irish and Irish Americans who have best distinguished themselves in their fields of work before reaching age 40. To quote The Echo, “We’ll

Virtual Public Meeting

69 A Street Tuesday, February 16 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Zoom Link: bit.ly/2Nu9DcC Toll Free: (833) 568 - 8864 Meeting ID: 160 670 1122

Project Proponent: CIEE, a/k/a the Council on International Education Exchange

Project Description: The NPC II Project will re-purpose the approved building envelope, and so remains entirely consistent with exterior appearance of the Approved Project. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant impacts on CIEE’s operations, substantially reducing its workforce. To address these implications and fulfill its commitment to economic development, job creation and community benefits, CIEE is partnering with the established life-science venture of Genesis and Phase 3 Real Estate Partners. The NPC II Project would enable CIEE to repurpose the Approved Project with a similar commercial use and resulting employment opportunities. The NPC II Project is also consistent with the public review and input for the Approved Project, which reduced the size and scale of the Original Approved Project. To emphasize, the NPC II Project will not result in any expansion to the building envelope, or reduction in set-back dimensions, open space, on-site parking/loading or overall site improvements.

mail to:

phone: email:

Michael Sinatra Boston Planning & Development Agency One City Hall Square, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02201 617.918.4280 michael.a.sinatra@boston.gov

Close of Comment Period: 2.26.2021

BostonPlans.org

@BostonPlans

Teresa Polhemus, Executive Director/Secretary

be honoring the up-and-coming personalities of Irish America from every walk of life, and from every part of the nation … in a variety of fields and occupations.” And it’s worth re-emphasizing that only 40 receive this Award each year – just 40 out of a U.S. population of 300+ million. And Nicole Heredeen, only in her mid-twenties, is one of this year’s honored recipients.

Nicole Heredeen was born and brought up in Melrose. Irish immigrants bearing the name of Heredeen (or something similar) probably came here in the mid-1800s, especially into Ohio and New York. Nicole attended Arlington Catholic High and proudly graduated from Providence College in 2017, receiving a combined degree in Political Science and English, and completing the Liberal Arts Honors Program. She spent a semester studying in Florence, Italy. While in Europe, she made her first visit to Ireland (she liked Galway the best).

Nicole commits herself to being politically engaged. She volunteered on Mayor Walsh’s 2017 re-election campaign, working the phone banks and canvassing. In 2019, she took part in the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce “Boston’s Future Leaders (BLF)” Program for emerging leaders under 40. She’s a member of the Young Professionals in the Massachusetts Women’s Political Caucus, dedicated to increasing women

elected to public office. Earlier on, Nicole held an internship with Congresswoman Katherine Clark (MA-5). Education, immigration, and cybercrime were issues she worked with. She also served as an intern for Representative Robert Craven when she was in Rhode Island. Right now, Nicole is actively engaged with our Irish community as a member of the Boston Irish Business Association (the BIBA).

B enc h m a rk St rate g ie s, which Nicole joined early in the summer of 2017, is a public affairs firm. They provide extensive governmental, informational, and liaison services to a wide range of global businesses and non-profit organizations, both domestic and international. It was founded and is led by Patrick Bench, the person who recommended to The Irish Echo that Nicole be considered for a 40 Under 40 Award in 2021. As we mentioned, Nicole herself holds the position of Senior Public Affairs Associate with Benchmark. And we think that her being awarded a 40 Under 40 in 2021, especially when she’s so much younger than 40, is truly remarkable. That’s not an empty honor – she earned it.

South Boston native Joe Rull introduced Nicole to the writer and then sat in on our interview, which proceeded quite pleasantly.

Nicole’s work involves managing public affairs campaigns for a variety of Benchmark’s clients. She also leads the firm’s Massachusetts public policy reporting practice.

When asked at the end what she specially enjoys working on with Benchmark, Nicole became visibly enthusiastic and replied, “International trade missions.

I’m really challenged by them and really enjoy the work - seeing complex things come together with all kinds of companies, from small Irish businesses up to NRG Energy.” (NRG is a Fortune 500 firm out of Houston) Nicely

sa id!

congratulations Under

40

on

Award,

A nd your

40

Nicole.

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SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2021

Councilor Flynn Files Hearing Order to Discuss Zoning and the Community Outreach Process for Life Science Laboratories

B

oston City Councilor Ed Flynn is filing a hearing order at this week’s City Council meeting to discuss the zoning and the community outreach process for proposed developments of life science laboratories. As more life science laboratories are being proposed and built in the city, a thorough community review should

be part of the zoning process. This hearing order aims to discuss how the city’s zoning code can ensure that our community has a role with laboratory developments, and that our neighbors have a way to voice their input in the process.

In recent years, Boston has become a hub for the science and technology industries, and there are multiple proposals from various companies that hope to construct life science laboratories in the City of Boston. The recent development boom has brought changes to the landscape of our neighborhoods, and areas currently zoned for industrial and manufacturing uses may now be directly next to residential areas.

This may become an issue when life science laboratories are able to bypass a community process when it is built in an area that is currently zoned for industrial and

manufacturing uses, even if the area is actually next to a residential area.

This was recently an issue when a life science laboratory began construction right next to a residential building without a thorough community process in the South Boston Waterfront, because the laboratory was in an area zoned as Restricted Manufacturing and was deemed zoning compliant.

As a result, this proposal was not required to go through a thorough community process. Residents have expressed concerns about the lack of a community process with such projects, especially during a pandemic and residents unaware of the types of testing that would be conducted in the laboratory.

“It is important for residents

of a neighborhood to have input on proposed developments and what takes place in their community, especially if it is a laboratory that can potentially impact public health and safety in the area,” said Councilor Flynn. “The zoning code should be written in a way that would allow for a thorough community process and our residents to have the opportunity to offer feedback when a laboratory or similar development is being proposed in their area. I look forward to the discussion at this hearing.”

For plea se

more contact

information, Councilor

Flynn’s office at 617-635-3203 and

Ed.Flynn@Boston.gov.

St. Sebastian’s South Boston Studenst Recieve High Honors

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St. Sebastian’s School is proud to announce those students who were named to the Second Quarter and First Semester Honor Rolls under the following categories: High Honors: Aor above in all subjects, Honors with Distinction: B or above in all subjects, and Honors: B- or above in all subjects.

Student from South Boston: Michael P. Callow, Grade 11, Honors with Distinction Joseph M. Hamilton III, Grade 12, Honors John P. Hamilton, Grade 10, Honors, Caspar T. Touloukian, Grade 10, High Honors

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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2021

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

Celebrating Catholic Schools Week 2021!

The Theme: Catholic Schools: Faith. Excellence. Service.

T

he week of February 1, 2021 was an exciting week for us! Students

at South Boston Catholic Academy celebrated Catholic Schools Week.

Monday, February 1, marked the Feast Day of St. Brigid of Ireland and the beginning of Catholic Schools Week. Father Casey, our Pastor, celebrated the Mass on the Catholic TV network. Also at this Mass with Father Casey were our Principal, Dr. Helenann Civian and Mrs. Denise Moriarty who did the readings at this Mass.

Each day, at school, we start with a Morning Prayer.

This week Grade 6 led us in special prayers ref lecting the daily theme for Catholic Schools Week. In celebration of Catholic

Schools Week, we also had a: Spelling Bee - Grades 3 - 6 hosted classroom Spelling Bees. As always, we continue to promote ‘being kind’, this week students seen being extra kind, received a special ‘Bee’ Sticker!

Students wrote Thank you cards to their parents for sending them to our school. We had Teacher/ Staff Appreciation Day and the teachers were treated to a special lunch! On Friday, it was Student Appreciation Day and it was Crazy Hair/Hat Day and many came styled to impress! Our Principal, Dr. Civian, treated the whole school to a ‘Pizza

Lunch’! These are just some of the special and fun things we did during this very special week.

A Big Thank you to all our wonder f u l Pa rents/Fa milies/ Friends, members of our Home and School, to our Principal, Dr. Civian, Faculty and Staff and our Pastor, Father Casey, for all their understanding, encouragement, assistance and support especially during this very different school year. Thank you and God Bless you all for helping to make this 2020-2021 school year possible for all the students at South Boston Cat holic Ac ademy!

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