THE PRINT EDITION
THURSDAY MARCH 25, 2021
VOLUME XIX- ISSUE 74
Bulletin Board Material
Condon CC Girls Honor Inspiring Women Who Give Back
By Ginger DeShaney
For Women’s History Month, the Condon Community Center Girls Group honored inspiring local women for their contributions. The girls created a bulletin board “celebrating women who embrace our community.” “It’s people within the community,” said Girls Group member and Condon CC school year staffer Keara Wilbanks, a student at Boston Latin School. “When you hear Women’s History Month, you think of celebrities. But these are not celebrities. They are more relatable.” They are the faces we see in the community, women who live here, women who give back. “They are not celebrities,” agreed Barbara Caputo Kelly, Program Supervisor, BCYF Condon Community Center, “but they are celebrities to us.”
Gathered in front of the bulletin board honoring local women are: Front row, from left: Mya Lobo (Boston Green Academy student), Ashley Higgins (After-School and Summer Program Director at the Condon Community Center), Mackenzie Nee (Boston Latin Academy student), and Isabel Alicea (honoree); Back row, from left: Lazhia Lobo (Boston Green Academy student), Barbara Caputo Kelly, (Program Supervisor, BCYF Condon Community Center), Keara Wilbanks (Boston Latin School student), Ayesha Lawton (honoree), and Debra Flaherty (Condon CC staff assistant).
Debra Flaherty, Condon CC staff assistant, said it was important for the girls to identify women who directly impacted the Condon Community Center. Mya Lobo, a student at Boston Green Academy, said the honorees
“make a big impact because they help us and the community.” According to Barbara, this is the first time the Condon Girls Group has created such a display. They started by looking back over the last year or so to see who has been
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involved with the community center. The honorees range from Condon Community Center Council members, business leaders, volunteers, artists, police officers, and more, Debra said. The women selected for the Continued on Page 2
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THURSDAY MARCH 25, 2021
Continued from Page 1 bulletin board are always ready to give back to the Condon Community Center. “Everyone has been hands-on down here,” Barbara said. “These women always reach out to check on us.” Isabel said she was surprised to find out she’d be featured on the board: “It’s an honor to be up there.” Her display reads: “One of my favorite places to be is the Condon Community Center. It’s always filled with people helping, bonding; a true sense of community in action. The positivity of the Condon CC effectively provides a respite for our youth from all of the negative influences present in today’s society.” The display of influential women is important, Ayesha said. “I spend most of my time at the Community Center. The Community Center
introduced me to a lot of people in the community I might not have met. “It did make my day,” Ayesha said of the honor, noting it’s nice to be viewed as a role model. “As the youth officer in South Boston, I’ve had the pleasure to assist and be a part of several events and projects at the Condon CC,” Ayesha’s display reads. “I look forward to these events because I find that I learn so much from the young people. It has been amazing creating longstanding relationships with families I’ve met while also helping to be supportive through these recent times.” According to honoree Christina’s display, “The Condon Community Center is a safeguard for me. It truly is a family-based environment. Day to day, I come in to see familiar faces that encourage me to be the best I can be.” “Christina is what we aspire
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to,” said Debra, noting Christina, who is studying nursing at Simmons, started as a Condon CC member and elevated her way up. “She lived and breathed the Condon and she comes back to be a mentor.” The Condon Girls Group will be hosting a series of women speakers, including many of the featured honorees. “Girls Group is about giving back to the community,” Barbara said, noting the many school year staffers are also members of Girls Group. The girls help out throughout the community center, from assisting with basketball, working in the reception area, and helping with seniors citizens. The girls helped with COVID-19 testing at the Condon, greeting people on the plaza, cleaning, and sanitizing. They have also done a clothing drive.
“It’s a great group of girls,” Barbara said, noting about 30 girls, ages 7 and up, are involved. “We are really proud of our girls. They are very nice young ladies; they are doing great in school.” The Girls Group has allowed Lazhia Lobo (Boston Green Academy) to “open up more. We all live here. We’re helping the community and helping others.” Mya likes meeting new people and forming new relationships. Keara enjoys “the strong sense of community.” And Mackenzie Nee, a school year staffer and Boston Latin Academy student, is happy she gets to “build connections with women you aspire to be like.” The bulletin board, which is located in the Condon’s main lobby, is wellreceived by the school, as well, Debra said. “It’s inspirational to them, too.”
The Inspiring Women Honored on the Bulletin Board Are: Haley Dillon, South Boston Liaison for Mayor Marty Walsh Lana Gayle, BCYF Youth Worker, Hyde Park Community Center Kelly O’Shea, Coldwell Banker Realty, Condon Community Center Member and Volunteer Nora Baston, Superintendent BPD Bureau of Community Engagement Cherie Cope, BCYF Regional Manager, Retired, Condon CC Mentor Emily Soukas, Senior Manager, Activations & Brand Partnership, WS Development Isabel Alicea, Condon CC Council Member, Condon Volunteer Erika Butler, Coordinator of Girls Citywide Outreach & Leadership Initiatives Erica Hagler, Principal Artist, Blind Fox Art, Condon CC Benefactor Ayesha Lawton, BPD Community Service Officer, C-6, Condon Volunteer Allison Baker, BGCB Senior Program Leader, Condon Volunteer Lucretia Triplett, Condon School Operations Coordinator, Wonder Woman Christina Demard, CCC Summer Staff, Boston Latin Academy graduate Olga Markos, Owner of Olga’s Kafe, Condon Benefactor
Also honored but not pictured on the bulletin board:
Margaret Lynch, Director of Marketing & Development, South Boston Health Center Jeanne Rooney, Publisher of South Boston Online Cathe Walsh, Owner of Deja Brew
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THURSDAY MARCH 25, 2021
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Just Wait ‘til Next Year! By Rick Winterson
T
here’s a theme worth highlighting in this article about South Boston and the 2021 St. Patrick’s/ Evacuation Day observances this year. The theme is about how much we did in South Boston, even though there was a COVID19 pandemic still going on, which resulted in our Annual Parade being canceled. But many virtual observances under COV ID protocols still continued to be held. If 2021 demonstrates how much we can do despite the pandemic, just think about much will happen when the Parade returns live in 2022. Please read on. And as we often say around South Boston, “Just wait ‘til next year!” The week has been fastpaced. Here’s a summar y: Last Wednesday morning, the South Boston Citizens’ Association, led by its President Tommy McGrath a nd the Thomas Park Rangers under the command of Super visor Michael Creasey, created a video. This video depicted virtually the annual wreath laying at the stone monument, which commemorates March 17, 1776, when the “American Redoubts on Dorchester Heights compelled the Evacuation of Boston …”. Cameras whirred; they nicely c aught a solemn moment
Sen. Nick Collins and his wife, Dr. Olivia Liff, open the virtual St. Patrick’s Day breakfast. that included the A nthem and “Danny Boy”. The video debuted that evening of the 17th. Coa st Gua rd Au x ilia r y Kimberley Shaw from the Old Colony Flotilla in Dorchester was the bugler for this video event. As the f lag was lowered, she rendered “Taps” on her own antique bugle that she had rescued from an antique shop, and then refurbished. It was an authentic instrument that did not have the finger valves found on modern-day trumpets. She sounded each note with nothing but lip pressure; thanks for your effort, K imberley. Activities of t he Day continued all over. The loyal volunteers from Tommy Butler’s Msgr. Thomas J. McDonnell and Frank Kelley Banquet Society gathered at mid-day down at
Florian Hall to distribute six hundred (yes, 600!) free cornedbeef-and cabbage dinners in and around South Boston. The Edgerley Boys & Girls Club held a virtual luncheon emceed by John Tobin, featuring greetings from seven of our elected officials and a routine by comic Will Noonan. Brendan Frize, the Club’s Member of
the Year, and Club Director Ha rr y Duva l l su mma riz ed the Club’s recent activities. Last Sunday, State Sen. Nick Collins put on an excellent two-hour TV show (on NESN) that was actually a virtual St. Patrick’s Day Annual Breakfast – virtual in the sense that you had to make your own breakfast while sitting at home. He was ably aided by his wife, Dr. Olivia Liff, and their young daughters, as well as by a Parade of officials and personalities, including a blessing from Cardinal Sean and skits from all of the candidates campaigning to replace Mayor Walsh, who is now sworn in as Secretary of Labor in Washington, D.C. Curragh’s Fancy and the High Kings (from Ireland) performed upbeat Irish music. You really did a nice job, Nick. A nd to ou r re aders: Just wa it ‘til next yea r!
Massport is currently accepting applications for the following Scholarships: • Thomas J. Butler Memorial Scholarship Awarded to a high school senior who resides and is involved in community service in South Boston, with a minimum 3.0 GPA. • Deborah Hadden Gray Memorial Scholarship Awarded to a high school senior who resides and is involved in community service or employment in the city of Boston, Chelsea, Revere or Winthrop, with a minimum 3.0 GPA. • Lowell L. Richards III Memorial Scholarship Awarded to a high school senior who resides and is involved in community service in the city of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, or Winthrop, with a minimum 3.0 GPA. • Diversity STEM Scholarship Awarded to high school seniors of color who reside or attend school in the city of Boston, Chelsea, Winthrop, Revere, Worcester, Bedford, Concord, Lexington, or Lincoln, and are involved in community service with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
SBCA Pres. Tommy McGrath and Ranger Supervisor Michael Creasey place the commemorative wreath at the Evacuation Day Memorial on the Heights.
Scholarship applications must be received by Massport no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 30, 2021. For more information on these scholarships, including application checklist and criteria please visit www.massport.com
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THURSDAY MARCH 25, 2021
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Coming of Age Ollie Program Helps Transform Boyz II Men By Ginger DeShaney
J
ared Frith, 15, really enjoys being a member of Boyz II Men at the South Boston Neighborhood House. “It doesn’t feel like any other program,” he said. “Cam is super chill, but not too chill. It’s almost like being at home but way more fun.” Cam Murphy is the Boyz II Men coordinator. “I definitely want this program to be a place where they learn independence,” he said. “I try to not be overbearing or overcontrolling. I want them to have these experiences where they can learn. “I want them to have that ability to grow. When they move on from this program, they’ll be going off on their own a little bit.” Boyz II Men is a free program for boys ages 10-16 that meets on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Activities include craft/paint night, game night, movie night, cook night, and Saturday field trips. They also tackle real-life subjects. Cam, who is in his second year at the Ollie, is engaged to Caitlyn DeCarlo, who runs Girls Group there. Girls Group has been in existence at the Ollie for 30 years, he said. So Cam pitched the idea for a boys group to executive director Kathy Lafferty. The name Boyz II Men felt fitting “because the idea behind the program was to not only be a space for the boys to come and hang out and do fun activities but also do team building,” Cam said. The goal is to incorporate both the fun side but also serious issues, including substance abuse and healthy
relationship programming. “We want to work both ends,” Cam said. Boyz II Men partners with Harvard for a Civics program where Harvard students teach Civics to the boys. The boys also volunteer in the community and have taken part in “Love Your Block,” a community cleanup. “We want the boys to grow into leaders within the community,” Cam said. Jared has been with the program from the start. “I was a little bit jealous there was a Girls Group and I was wondering if they were going to [do a boys group],” he said. “When I heard they were going to, I was almost too old.” There’s no set cutoff, but the initial age range was 10-14, Cam said, because it’s kind of the forgotten group. “A lot of programs are usually 10 and under or teens. We fill in the sweet spot where there’s not a lot of programs.” “It’s really fun,” said Jared, who attends Boston Collegiate. “I like it because after school on days where I don’t have anything, I can go to the boys group and just hang around.” Michael Curran, 12, a student at the Condon, said: “My mom told me about it and I was like, ‘This might be cool,’ and it really is. It’s really fun.” There are about 25 boys on the roster, but 5-7 come regularly during the week. On the weekends, a few more boys participate. Because of COVID-19, some boys have opted to stay home. Attending programming is not required. Members are welcome back at any time, said Cam, who also works at the Condon School as the swim paraprofessional and
is working to become the swim teacher. “It’s been a little difficult, especially where we were just expanding. Our numbers were growing at a steady incline and then after COVID we kind of lost momentum, which is unfortunate,” he said. “Our numbers basically doubled just prior to COVID. And then we lost a significant chunk. “We are a very new program so we are still in the stages of building the group,” Cam added. “The boys group is looking toward building the numbers.” The group loses boys to sports, school clubs, and summer programming, but they are always welcome to come back. The group uses the app GroupMe to keep kids in the loop on what’s going on. All the members who have signed up receive the messages. “Once you’re a member, we’ll never kick you out,” Cam said. Michael has several favorite activities: “Game night. We go on trips on Saturdays. We do really fun stuff, like playing board games, and we can play other games, too.” “Their favorite night is game night where they get to run a little bit more wild and play whatever
games they want,” Cam said. “On Saturdays we try to get out and get active. We do hikes, do different field trips. One of the favorites is the hikes, especially during COVID time, where they can spread out and get some fresh air.” Boyz II Men often collaborates with Girls Group on weekend and vacation activities. Jared really likes the outdoor programming: “I like how they do snowboarding and they did skateboarding. They also did surfing last year.” Boyz II Men partners with the Chill Foundation, which offers board sports: paddleboarding, skateboarding, snowboarding, and surfing, Cam said. Jared and Michael have been involved with the Neighborhood House since they were very young. And now they are in the process of transforming from boys to men. To join or get more information about Boyz II Men, email Cam Murphy at cmurphy@sbnh.org. Anyone is welcome to the group, but the Ollie doesn’t do dropoffs or pickups so the kids have to get there on their own.
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THURSDAY MARCH 25, 2021
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2,000 Pink Flamingos at Boston Seaport by Rick Winterson
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ast Saturday, March 20, spring arrived in South Boston at 5:37 a.m. (Eastern Daylight Saving Time). Two days later, on Monday, March 22, a flock of 2,000 pink flamingos gathered on Seaport Common, the open central green space in Boston Seaport, courtesy of WS Development. The pink flamingos will be here for nine days until Tuesday, March 30. Don’t miss them – they have also been scheduled to be flocking at the Derby Street Shops, The Street-Chestnut Hill, and Market Street-Lynnfield. South Boston Online will pose a leading question for you to consider, “How would you like to take some photos of your kids on your iPhone, when they are backed up by a flock of 2,000 pink flamingos?” Ah, it’s an event such as this that will really form fond memories. And young lovers out for a spring walk can have their picture taken with a symbol of our nation from all
the way back into the 1950s more than 60 years ago – before flower children, retro, disco, the “Me” gen, metal, rap, and the still-new 21st Century. Needless to say, pedestrians of a “certain age” perhaps would be flattered to have their photographs taken with something that was once a part of their landscaping in the ‘burbs of the 1950s (Levittown?). You might be surprised to learn that the original (and the very first) pink flamingos, an all-American example of kitsch art, were created in Massachusetts back in 1957. A local artist named Don Featherstone was selected to sculpt a lawn decoration for Union Products, a company then based in Leominster. Featherstone sketched his proposed design without ever seeing a real flamingo; he used photos from National Geographic Magazine as his model. He named his creation “Diego”; little realizing that it would become a pop-art icon. Diego’s leggy, densely feathered design with the black tip on each beak and curvaceous necks throughout exploded in popularity
across the nation almost at once. More than 60 years later, the very same pink flamingos are still being manufactured by the successor to Union Products in Fitchburg. Is it conceivable that “Diego” might have ushered in the pop-art movement led by Andy Warhol and his Campbell tomato soup cans in 1970? Now, no one thinks these pink flamingos are anything more than decorations – not fine art by any means, just lawn decorations that go in and out of fashion every few years. In fact, Featherstone’s flamingos won
him one those famous “Ig Nobel Art Prizes” from the Improbable Research Magazine in 1966. Listen to Lindsay Binette, WS Development’s Director of Field Marketing. She says, “Our flamingo installation allows visitors to find humor in the unusual, the absurd, and the unexpected when they visit four of our New England properties … With the pink lawn flamingo’s origins in Massachusetts, there is a wonderful connection to Massachusetts-made pop art … making it all the more fun and meaningful to us.”
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Flynn, Campbell, and Edwards to Hold Hearing to Prevent and Investigate Hate Crimes and Discrimination on March 30th
B
oston City Councilors Ed Flynn, A ndrea Ca mpbell, and Lydia Edwards will be having a City Council hearing to discuss how the City of Boston can be proactive in investigating hate crimes and preventing incidents of discimination. The hearing will be chaired by Councilor Julia Mejia in the Committee of Civil Rights, and will be held next Tuesday, March 30th at 1pm. This hearing aims to discuss what resources residents can access when they experience discrimination, and see if the city can utilize an agency like the Boston Human R ights Commission for preventing and investigating hate crimes and discrimination. To watch
the livestream of the hearing, you can go to boston.gov/citycouncil-tv. To submit written testimony or request to testify at the hearing, please reach out to Christine O’Donnell at Christine.Odonnell@boston.gov. When someone experiences a racist or discriminatory incident, it can be difficult for them to
Gate of Heaven and St. Brigid Parishes Easter Mass Schedules
Easter Vigil
Saturday, April 3rd 7:00 p.m. at St. Brigid Church There will NOT be a 6:oo p.m.Mass on Easter Sunday Easter Sunrise Mass on Castle Island is not allowed due to Pandemic – Possibly a later Mass can be celebrated in the Easter Season when restrictions are lifted.
Saint Brigid Church
NEW Easter Sunday Mass Schedule 7:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
Gate of Heaven Church NEW Easter Sunday Mass Schedule 9:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 12:00 Noon
find the avenue to report the incident or seek an investigation, and the victim of a hate crime or a racist incident might also be too fearful to come forward and report to authorities such as the police. With the COVID19 pandemic, there has been an uptick of racist incidents and hate crimes against A API residents, with the latest shooting at Atlanta reminding us just how violent this hate can be. The killing of George Floyd and other tragic events have also highlighted the need for serious discussions on systemic racism impacting the lives of Black Americans and communities of color. In the city, we have different departments that interact with constituents who experienced d iscriminator y i n c i d e nt s , including the Human R ights Commission. It’s important for the city to have a way for residents to report hate crime and discriminatory incidents, and have measures in place for the City to formally investigate and review these incidents, as well as providing resources to victims and anti-discrimination educ at ion to t he public. “Recent incidents have tragically illustrated again how hate and discrmination can turn into deadly violence, and it is imperative that our residents have a place that they can turn to and resources they can access when they experience a hate crime or acts of discrimination,” said Councilor Flynn. “I am advocating for a Director of
Special Investigations within the City of Boston Human Rights Commission to work to ensure that our city has the mechanisms to fight hate and discrimination. I want to thank Councilors Campbell and Edwards for their partnership on this issue.” “To ensure Boston is a safe and inclusive City for all residents, it’s essential the City of Boston take further action to address and prevent racism, discrimination, and hate crimes, including by having systems separate from policing for residents to report these incidents and have equitable access resources and justice,” said Councilor Campbell. “I am grateful to both Councilor Flynn and Councilor Edwards for partnering on this hearing to push for proactive solutions.” “Boston’s diversity is what makes us great,” said Councilor Edwards. “I’m excited to have a conversation about how we can make sure that everyone feels welcome here and knows where to turn if they experience a hate crime or discrimination. I’m grateful for the partnership of Councilors Fly nn a nd Campbell on this hearing.” For more information, ple a se cont ac t C ou nci lor Flynn’s of f ice at 617-6353203 or Ed.Flynn@Boston. gov. More information on the hearing can also be found at ht tps://w w w.boston.gov/ p u b l i c - n o t i c e s / 14 7 6 7 0 8 6 .
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Two New Southie Murals by Rick Winterson
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ithin less than a block of The Distillery on East Second, two new murals attract the eye from the street level. They are positioned on either side of the entrance to a vacant lot, next to the architect offices at # 555. And these murals are worth a detour and a long look-see during your next walk in that neighborhood. Except in the artist’s mind, both of the murals are untitled. They are abstract, except that their staring, realistic eyes are looking, looking, looking. Are their unfolded faces and openmouthed gazes seeing something going on? Or are they astonished, beyond all expectations, at something that is no longer there? The mouths depicted in the murals are not smiling and certainly not shouting for joy. The mural to the right
of the cinderblock entrance to the empty lot uses words. It is inscribed with words like “health” and the artist’s email address - @mconroyart. Michael Conroy, who lives in Brooklyn now, was born and brought up in Dorchester. He describes his paintings as “visual poems” that ref lect the communit y where he lives and works. The second mural to the left shows a mysterious light bulb that illuminates what can only be called a “basement studio”, window out to the sidewalk and all. It too has lettering – the block caps C, H, and L, along with “eeesh …” to the right. Both works are worth the long look mentioned above. Conroy believes that art belongs on ground f loors, in the street, and even in basements, at eye level and as close to the earth as possible. His quote about art is (very) simple but memorable, “Art to me is within us …”
A Cordial April 15 Reminder: McCarthy Memorial Scholarships This is a reminder that your application for the 2021 McCarthy Memorial Scholarship Awards is due on or before Thursday, this coming April 15. Exact details of how to apply can be found at http://josephamccarthyscholarship.com, or by logging onto “Joseph A. McCarthy Memorial Scholarship Fund”. In order to qualify, applicants must submit an essay (of 1,000 words or less) on “An Irish-American Contribution to Society (either Nationally or Locally)” with their applications; winners of these scholarships will be notified by June 1. Please note that these scholarships can be used at any accredited colleges or technical schools. In 2021, five scholarships of $2,000 each will be awarded in memory of Joseph A. McCarthy, who was a South Boston man with deep Irish roots. But (of course) you do not need to be Irish to apply! In fact, Awards from the McCarthy Fund are open to every qualified student in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This year of 2021 is the final year of these Awards, which will have assisted 47 students from Massachusetts to attain their ambitions for advanced, post-secondary education. Once again, your application (and the essay) must be submitted by April 15. Log onto “Joseph A. McCarthy Memorial Scholarship Fund” for complete application instructions.
THURSDAY MARCH 25, 2021
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A Walk on the First Day of Spring by Rick Winterson
S
pring is here. It arrived at 5:37 a.m. on Saturday, March 20. At that moment of time, the daylight hours (from sunrise to sunset) and the nighttime hours were divided equally at 12 hours each. We had warm, breezy weather this year, and sunshine all day long – ideal for the first walk of spring. As you know, Boston is a walking city. Its urban areas are small and close-knit. Our public transport, despite complaints about it, offers local residents a reasonably good way to get around Boston – from the Esplanade to Lower Mills; from Piers Park to Jamaica Pond. And then your walks can begin. And of course, it is something of a well-kept secret that South Boston could be the most walkable area in all of Boston. Perhaps our most striking feature is mile after mile of beaches, which have earned essentially 100% quality ratings over the past several years. The curving sweep from Mother’s Rest at Carson Beach to M Street Beach is a couple of miles long; beaches in and around Pleasure Bay offer another mile of two of beach, inside and out. The walk along the Causeway to the
Sugar Bowl, and then around Fort Independence, is equally striking. That walk took us a couple of hours, punctuated in the middle by a brunch stop at Local 149. Both East and West Broadway are also picturesque, whether you are walking past residences, doing some window shopping, or stopping for coffee here and there. It’s always a pleasant detour to walk through Butler Park stretching along First Street for the better part of a mile; the historic notes posted along the Park’s walkway are very interesting. While you are walking anywhere in South Boston, greet the fellow walkers you pass on your way. We’re really very friendly people here. The first day of spring brought impressive crowds to Castle Island. Sully’s had long lines, but conversations had sprung up, so no-one seemed to be in a hurry. Lots of people simply loafed along South Boston’s sidewalks or sat on their front steps, iced coffee (?) in hand. Joggers were everywhere. The trees are coming into leaf on Dorchester Heights and in No Man’s Land. These are Boston’s highest natural spots and immensely historic ones as well. Sunsets up there are really special, too. So let’s take a walk – a South Boston walk. It’s spring!
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THURSDAY MARCH 25, 2021
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Flynn Working with BHA to Promote Vaccine for Residents
C
ity Councilor Ed Flynn is working with the Boston Housing Authority to ensure that eligible residents living at BHA housing have access to COVID19 vaccines. He has been in contact with the BHA about onsite vaccinations for residents, as there is a large number of our seniors, residents of color, and immigrants living at these developments who have been disportionately impacted by COV ID-19. Councilor Flynn’s tea m assisted in the outreach effort in notifying residents at the both the Monsignor Powers in South Boston and the St. Botolph Housing Development in Back
Bay about onsite vaccination c l i n ic s , i nc lud i n g c a l l i n g residents in multiple languages such as spanish, madarin and cantonese. Councilor Flynn also visited the West Ninth Street Development in South Boston to greet staff and encourage neighbors to get vaccinated. In add it ion, members of Councilor Flynn’s team assisted in vaccine ef forts at Torre Unidad in the South End with doork nock ing, c a lling, a nd helping our seniors with the vaccine registration process. “It is critica l that our neighbors in public housing have the same level of access to COVID-19 vaccines as anyone
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else, especially as many of these residents are in communities that have been hit so hard, a nd d ispropor t ionately, by pa ndemic,” sa id C ou nci lor Flynn. “Vaccine equity is key to our path of recover y for our city and country. I will continue to work with the BHA
to ensure that our residents have the opportunity to get vaccinated and help protect t hem selve s, t heir fa m i lie s, a nd t he i r c om mu n it ie s .” For more in format ion, ple a s e c ont a c t C ou nc i lor Flynn’s office at 617-635-3203 a nd Ed.Flynn@Boston.gov.
Boston City Councilor At-Large Michael Flaherty To Host Community Preservation Committee Virtual Hearing TONIGHT To Approve Over $25.5M in Funding Councilor Flaherty, as chair of the Community Preservation Committee, will host the hearing on Thursday, March 25th at 5 p.m. The Boston City Council’s Community Preservation Committee will hold a virtual hearing to review and approve the appropriation over $25.5M in FY21 Community Preservation Fund revenues. The City of Boston’s Preservation Committee is recommending $13M for affordable housing projects, $5M for historic preservation projects, and $6M for recreational use and open space projects. Including this
Don’t miss your chance at winning the Weekly $100 Pot ‘O Gold and be automatically entered into the drawing for the Grand Prize valued at over $500! #SouthieSZN continues, Shop, Dine, or Pamper at any 4 participating business, take a selfie at one of them, and complete the online entry form at southbostonchamber.org/southieszn. It’s time for spring cleaning and you could be the winner of the Grand Prize that includes a deep cleaning of your home, condo, or appartment from Fresh As A Daisy Cleaning Service, along with other great items and gift cards. #SouthieSZN
round of funding, the city will have allocated a total of over $92 million in CPA funds to support 198 projects. WHERE: The public may watch this meeting live on Xfinity 8/RCN82/Verizon 964 and via live stream at www.boston. gov/city-council-tv. Members of the public wishing to testify virtually via videoconference should email Christine O’Donnell at christine.odonnell@boston.gov for a link and instructions on how to testify. Written comments may be sent to the Committee at ccc.cpa@boston.gov or christine. odonnell@boston.gov.
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South Boston Catholic Academy News: St. Patrick’s Day Highlights
O
n March 17, 2021, the students at South Boston Catholic Academy had a chance to celebrate
a very special St. Patrick’s Day filled with leprechaun hunts, Irish step dancing, and lots of green! The children learned about St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland and of the Archdiocese of Boston. He is credited with bringing Christianity to the people of Ireland. St. Patrick had a great love for God and taught about the great love that God has for all of us. We hope that everyone had a Happy St. Patrick’s Day! “Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig oraibh!” is Gaelic for “St. Patrick’s Day blessings to you!”
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM
THURSDAY MARCH 25, 2021
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SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM
THURSDAY MARCH 25, 2021
Virtual Public Meeting
Amend Accessory Parking Zoning Wednesday, March 31 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Amend Article 32 Groundwater Zoning Monday, March 29 5:30 PM - 7:00 PM
Zoom Link: bit.ly/3kUXdqQ Toll Free: (833) 568 - 8864 Meeting ID: 161 611 0558
Project Proponent: Boston Planning and Development Agency
Zoom Link: bit.ly/3rsZaNZ Toll Free: (833) 568 - 8864 Meeting ID: 161 812 6907
Project Proponent: Boston Planning and Development Agency
Project Description: This is a public meeting to present proposed zoning changes that would make Accessory Parking a Conditional Use in neighborhood business subdistricts. Currently it is an Allowed Use in basements and first floors where there is an Allowed Use on the upper floors, such as residential. This condition creates a blank street wall with no active first floor use and runs counter to planning goals for neighborhood subdistricts. By making Accessory Parking Conditional, requiring a Conditional use permit, it provides and opportunity for community input and design review. See 3/31/21 on the BPDA Calendar for more info.
mail to: Bryan Glascock Boston Planning & Development Agency One City Hall Square, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02201 phone: 617.722.4300 email: bryan.glascock@boston.gov
Virtual Public Meeting
Close of Comment Period: 4.9.2021
BostonPlans.org
Project Description: This public meeting is to present proposed amendments to Article 32 Groundwater Conservation Overlay District of the zoning code and receive comments in order to extend protection to groundwater levels in areas of the city with older buildings on wooden piles built on filled land. This includes parts of East Boston, downtown waterfront, Roxbury/South End, South Boston and Audubon Circle. mail to: Bryan Glascock Boston Planning & Development Agency One City Hall Square, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02201 phone: 617.722.4300 email: bryan.glascock@boston.gov
@BostonPlans
BostonPlans.org
Teresa Polhemus, Executive Director/Secretary
Criminal Defense Personal Injury Motor Vehicle Accidents Establishment of Corporations, LLCs Wills & Estate Planning Real Estate Litigation Probate No Charge for Initial Consultation
82 West Broadway South Boston, MA (617)269-1993 pgannon@paulgannonlaw.com
@BostonPlans
Teresa Polhemus, Executive Director/Secretary
Virtual Public Meeting
The Law Office of
Paul J. Gannon PC General Practice of Law
Close of Comment Period: 4/9/2021
80 West Broadway Wednesday, March 31 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Zoom Link: bit.ly/38KfToE Toll Free: (833) 568 - 8864 Meeting ID: 160 419 0721
Project Proponent: 80 West Broadway, LLC Project Description: 80 West Broadway, LLC proposes to redevelop an approximately 21,770 square foot real property located at 80-110 West Broadway in South Boston (the “Project Site”). The Project Site currently contains a fourstory, mixed-use building occupied at its ground level by Amrheins Restaurant, a one-story addition at 84-88A West Broadway, and a surface parking lot for 44 vehicles. The Proposed Project consists of retaining the four-story building, which will continue to include ground-floor bar/restaurant space for Amrheins, with six residential units above, and to construct on the remainder of the Project Site an eight-story, approximately 123,400 square feet of gross floor area, mixed-use building with ground-floor retail space and research and development/office space above. The Proposed Project will also include approximately 25 below-grade parking spaces. mail to:
phone: email:
Stephen Harvey Boston Planning & Development Agency One City Hall Square, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02201 617.918.4418 stephen.j.harvey@boston.gov BostonPlans.org
@BostonPlans
Teresa Polhemus, Executive Director/Secretary
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM
THURSDAY MARCH 25, 2021
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Saint Patrick;s Day Massat the Cathedral Ray and Cathy Flynn and the family joined with Cardinal O’Malley for a group pic on March 17, 2021 at the Cathedral.
Wear Your Mask, Please Yes, we are entering Phase Four, and yes, restaurants are reopening, even for indoor dining. But wearing masks, unless you are actually dining or drinking, is still required at most times. And believe it or not, masks not only protect those around you, they can also look pretty good. Please keep your masks on.
Thank you.
Zoo New England “Run Wild” Virtual 5K (Month of April, Virtual) For those looking to talk a walk on the wild side, Zoo New England is hosting their first ever Virtual 5k Series - Run Wild. Taking place over the month of April, Run Wild allows registrants to join the pack and set out for a run, walk, or stroll on a route of their choosing. Virtual Animal Breakfasts (April 3-25, Virtual) Early risers can stay comfy in their pj’s and enjoy breakfast while they ZOOm with WILD friends during Zoo New England’s Virtual Animal Breakfasts. Breakfast hosts (along with expert sidekicks from Zoo New England’s Education team) include: Sloth, Hippo, Kangaroo, Reindeer, Yak, Fennec Fox, Camel, Red Panda ZOOcation Week (April 19-23, Virtual) Taking place from April 19- 23, families can join Zoo New England for ZOOcation Week- a wild week of virtual animal encounters and educator-led crafts and activities, live from both Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo!
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THURSDAY MARCH 25, 2021
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