SBOL_06_2021

THE PRINT EDITION

THURSDAY JUNE 3, 2021

VOLUME XIX- ISSUE 74

Stricter Enforcement Rules on Large House Parties

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oston City Councilor Ed Flynn & Councilor At-Large Michael Flaherty held a hearing last Friday, May 28th to discuss strategies against large house parties. The hearing aims to discuss ways to provide stricter enforcement rules regarding large house parties and the city’s noise ordinance, including increasing fines. The hearing featured testimonies from Boston Police Department, Inspectional Services Department, as well as from concerned residents, and was attended a lso by Councilor Lyd ia E dwa rd s.

Neighbors have reported an overwhelming number of large house parties, oftentimes bet ween 30- 40 people and hosted by renters with absentee landlords - with 600 911 calls in one weekend alone in South Boston. In fact, Superintendent

Kevin McGoldirck from the Boston Police Department said that there are close to 4,200 calls related to loud music, and 2,400 are calls reporting on large parties this year already.

These partiers often disturb neighbors with loud noises at all hours, and leave behind trash and litter on the street which attracts rodents and pests.

Superintendent McGoldirck a nd Ch ris Eng l ish f rom Inspectional Services Department spoke about the existing process for neighbors who are disturbed by large parties, and hear directly from neighbors about their deteriorating quality of life due to these large parties. Currently, residents are to report large house parties to the Boston Police Department at 911, which can trigger potential placement on the city’s Problem Properties List.

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Alpha Atleta Brings Field Hockey to South Boston

By Ginger DeShaney

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rmed with sticks, boundless energy, and positive attitudes, the girls at Alpha Atleta’s South Boston field hockey clinic are eager to learn.

“There’s zero field hockey in South Boston,” said Megan Shea. “Let’s bring it to Southie.”

Mega n a nd her wife, Nicole Poli, started Alpha Atleta “for camps, clinics, and to grow the game,” said Megan.

“We just wanted to bring field hockey to South Boston and get the girls going,” added Megan, the head field hockey coach for Division 1 Merrimack College. “And honestly, they’ve gotten so much better.”

According to the duo, “We are committed to delivering an outstanding player experience for athletes and families who are looking to start field hockey for the first time or

to continue their development as field hockey players … We want to develop individuals to be the best players they can be and have fun along the way!”

Alpha Atleta will offer its South Boston youth field hockey program and run camps and clinics for youth through high school students throughout the summer, said Nicole, a former professional women’s lacrosse player for the Boston Storm and former

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THURSDAY JUNE 3, 2021

Continued from Page 1

House Parties

Councilor Flynn and Councilor Flaherty are urging the City of Boston to look at issuing increased fines for this out-ofcontrol behavior, perhaps starting at $1,000 for a first offense, and exploring $2,000 for a second offense, and $3,000 for a third offense for those that repeatedly violate the city’s noise ordinance.

Councilor Edwards suggested updating t he cit y’s Noise Ordinance and have it in effect earlier, and Councilor Flynn also suggested having a dedicated liaison to deal with this issue.

Neighbors who of fered public testimonies spoke about the level of noise and amount of trash that they were subjected to in their community due to large house parties. They recount the dramatic decline in quality of life due to these parties, seeing public

urination and trash, and how the party throwers and absentee landlords show no respect for their neighbors and community. One resident recounted how elderly neighbors were harassed by a party thrower after she reported a party, and how sick and elderlly neighbors couldn’t sleep. “It blows my mind to see the amount of properties that are being called on, and the number of times they are called on,” she said. “I want to stay here, I want to raise my daughter here, but it’s becoming extremely difficult for all of us to have a good quality of life here.”

“I’ve heard from literally hundreds of neighbors that are outraged over these huge house parties in South Boston. Time and again we’re seeing renters, from absentee landlords, who want to extend their college frat days every Thursday to Sunday at all hours while showing blatant

The South Boston Neighborhood Development Corporation (SBNDC), sponsor of the South Boston Farmers Market, will hold an Opening Day Celebration at the market on Monday, June 7th Get some early spring vegetables from our returning Massachusetts farm Riverdale Farms, As well as newcomer Humble Bones which will be selling granola. Of course, there cannot be an opening day without live music by our favorite market band, Jan and Lou Borelli from 12-3:00 pm.

The market season begins on Opening Day, June 7th, and will be open through October 25th, every Monday from 12-6pm at 446 Broadway, on the sidewalk in front of the municipal parking lot.

The South Boston Farmers Market accepts EBT/SNAP, WIC, and Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Coupons, and has the Healthy Incentive SNAP match program (HIP) available for EBT/SNAP users.

If you’re interested in joining the farmers market committee or are looking for more information about vendors, programming, or sponsorship, please visit our website: http://www.sbndc.org/southboston-farmers-market/ or find us on Facebook- South Boston Farmers Market- and Twitter at @SBFarmersMkt_ .

SBNDC is a local non-profit that has successfully developed over 200 units of affordable housing in the community. SBNDC also provides support to the South Boston Street Festival, the Christmas and Spring Strolls, and Southie Trees.

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

disrespect for their neighbors next door; young families, our seniors and persons with disabilities. The neighbors that helped to build this city, that live here and contribute to their community, that are paying increased property taxes while dealing with more quality of life issues - they’ve had enough,” said Councilor Flynn. “This was a significant issue prior to COVID19, and though restrictions will be lifted due to the success of vaccination efforts, large house parties will undoubtedly continue to present these quality of life issues beyond the pandemic. It’s critical that we look to increase fines for those who violate city regulations, so that we help keep our neighborhoods peaceful, healthy and clean. I want to thank my colleagues, ISD, BPD, and the neighbors for being

in this meeting, let’s continue working together on this issue.”

“Enough is enough. These out of control parties have been a burden on South Boston and communities across the city for too long,” said Councilor Flaherty. “We have tried to control them with the tools currently available to us, but these landlords and their tenants are not getting the message. It is time to hit absentee landlords and their tenants in the pocketbooks with increased penalties. We have no other choice if we stand any chance of improving the quality of life for our residents.”

For more information, please contact Councilor Flynn’s office at 617-635-3203, Ed.Flynn@ Boston.gov, or to Councilor Flaherty’s office at 617-635-4205, Michael.Fla hert y@boston.gov.

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

THURSDAY JUNE 3, 2021

Memorial Weekend – 2021

Tom McCarthy, Commander of the Fitzgerald Post, greets the Post’s guests.

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his was perhaps the most unusual Me m or i a l Day weekend in anyone’s memory.

For the most part, our masks came off on Saturday, May 29 – expect for public transport, medical establishments, and a few other exceptions. Even so, South

Boston’s faithful patriots gathered, and we resolutely observed our weekend of remembrances.

Last Thursday and Friday were beautiful, but it was a wet weekend.

Memorial Day began cold and misty.

South Boston Online mentions these factors for only one reason: Despite the pandemic and the unpleasant weather, we gathered together over Memorial Weekend to solemnly remember those who were taken from us, especially those who lost their lives in combat.

And also on this Memorial Day, we expressed our national gratitude to all Gold Star families, who were invariably left behind in sadness.

Thursday afternoon, the Boston Vet Center, located here at 7 Drydock Avenue, erected a tent by the Castle Island parking lot. They called for all of us to go for a Memorial Walk around Fort Independence (which we did). Many veterans showed up; reminiscences of Armed Forces buddies

Erin Murphy, Candidate for City Council At-large and Congressman Stephen Lynch attend the Memorial.

The march to Medal of Honor Park’s Vietnam Memorial.

dominated the conversation. If you are a combat vet, a member of a vet’s family, or part of a Gold Star family, and you need counseling or other help, get in touch with the Boston Vet Center.

On Friday morning, a truly meaningful Fifth Rededication of the Massachusetts Fallen Heroes Memorial in Boston Seaport took place. South Boston Online will be reporting on this solemn event elsewhere in this issue.

And you’ll recall it rained continuously all day on Saturday. Nevertheless, memorial observances, especially for veterans killed in combat, still proceeded all around the City of Boston.

On Sunday, the rain continued.

Here in South Boston, the Thomas J. Fitzgerald VFW Post No. 561 assembled its members, their families, and many friends. Led by Post Commander Thomas J. McCarthy, the Post marched to Medal of Honor Park and back, in the rain, for their traditional wreath-laying at the Vietnam

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Memorial. This was followed by brunch at the Post on Fourth Street.

Memorial observances took place all over Boston on Monday, the 31st, from cemeteries to the USS Constitution.

All of these were meaningful of course, but perhaps the single most significant event was the unveiling of the Shaw 54th Massachusetts Regiment Memorial at the upper corner of the Boston Common. This is a true work of art by the noted American sculptor (from Maine) Alphonse Saint-Gaudens. It was first unveiled on May 31 in 1897, 224 years ago. Be sure to go and see it – the renewed metal finish really glows!

At all times during the Memorial Weekend, the sacrifices made by Gold Star families were recognized, which is highly fitting. Everyone who took part this year in Memorial Weekend remembrances – rain or shine (or cold and windy) – deserves a fond pat on the back for their efforts. South Boston never forgets those who have departed from us.

Post Commander Thomas J. McCarthy (l.) conducts the wreath laying.

Flags fly over the wreath-decorated Vietnam Memorial

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SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

Black Owned BOS Returns This Summer

by Rick Winterson

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e have some s h o p p i n g news for you.

Sponsored by WS Development, who is the largest developer in South Boston’s Seaport District, a significant plaza of pop-up shops will “happen” on the last Sunday afternoon of the next five summer and fall months to come. This large, varied pop-up market belongs to an enterprise called Black Owned BOS, which was founded by its Managing Director, Jae’da Turner. Black Owned BOS pop-ups feature an incredibly varied selection of unique, handcrafted consumer products.

Their pop-up+ will “happen” on Seaport Common at 85 Seaport Boulevard; its scheduled hours are 12 noon until 6 p.m. on these five coming Sundays – June 27, July 25, August 29, September 26, and October 17.

T he photographs t hat accompany this article were taken during the last Black Owned BOS pop-up market late in May (Dear Reader: Please be assured that, as of May 29, COVID face masks will no longer be required at the future pop-ups).

Many of the individual pop-ups are small enterprises that design, fabricate, and then market items of apparel – for women, men, or children – along with accessories to be carried or worn.

One example of these offerings was a strikingly designed, brilliant orange purse-

and-kerchief set purchased that day from Akosua’s Closet by the writer’s companion. The writer confesses to the purchase of a T-shirt from Local Luxury, who embosses T-shirts with puns about Boston’s neighborhoods – like “Dior”chester, “Fendi”way Park, and Rox“Burberry” (the writer’s “T” reads “Prada”pan, instead of Mattapan).

Fun! Many, many other kinds of items are also available from the 30+ Black Owned BOS vendors who will be displaying and marketing their original products each month until October. A partial list of these other products includes highaltitude Arabica coffees, carefully grown decorative plants, a rainbow of pillows, cosmetics and perfumes, skincare and natural health items, stationery, pet foods, candles, works of art, and numerous other lines of goods.

It’s a great opportunity to buy unusual, one-of-a--kind gifts.

Why not consider making a whole afternoon out of your Sunday trip to the Black Owned BOS. pop-ups? The neighborhood of Seaport Common, where these pop-ups are located, includes the Boston Harborwalk, two museums with great city views, several other open green areas, and many attractive places to eat.

You can easily walk to Seaport Common from South Station’s Red Line, or take the Silver Line to its first stop at the Courthouse.

Black Owned BOS was launched two years ago, in 2019, to provide support, consulting, and the advantages of size to black-owned businesses. The Seaport Common, where the popups will be located, is a vibrant public area that has become one of the most attractive destinations anywhere in the City of Boston.

It’s worth repeating those five future dates for the Black Owned. pop-up market: Sundays from 12 noon to 6 p.m. - June 27, July 25, August 29, September 26, and October 17. See you there.

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These Club Members Express Themselves Through Their Art

By Ginger DeShaney “Art is amazing,” said Erica Bayliss, age 10.

“Art lets you express your feelings,” said Sean O’Keefe, 11.

“It’s kind of a fun way to relax,” said Nolan Brennan, 14.

“I love it. I’ve drawn my whole life,” said Kay’ary King, 10.

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hese were the answers to the question: What do you like about art?

South Boston Online sat down for a Zoom call with these four artists from the Edgerley Family South Boston Boys & Girls Club and the Club’s Arts Director, Anne Gordon.

“They’ve really blossomed this year because they’ve been able to devote so much time to their art,” said Anne, who is retiring this summer. “They’ve really done some great work.”

The three younger kids are in A nne’s after-school cohort; Nolan is a member of the Teen Center, and they all love art.

“The reason art is really special to me,” said Nolan, “is that no matter what you do in art, even if you make a mistake, you always have a chance to fix anything you don’t like about it. Whereas not necessarily the world can fix everything. You can always try to make amends with any of your problems but you can’t always fix them, whereas in art you always have an opportunity to fix whatever you don’t like about it.”

Said Sean, “Art is special to me because sometimes it can make a change in the world and that’s why I like it. Pictures can make more people realize what they are doing is wrong.”

Erica, who attends St. Peter’s and has been drawing since she was 2 or 3 years old, enjoys making art for others. She has created posters about saving the world and caring about the planet, so she’s interested in that aspect of art.

“The reason I feel art is important to them,” said Anne, “is they may not all go on to become artists, but … whatever fields

they go into, it’s important to be creative. To be able to think up new ideas, think for themselves, they are all learning that along the way.

“You can express yourself through the arts; you never run out of things to do, you’re always busy, you have projects galore,” said Anne. “It touches something inside that makes you feel good about being able to produce artwork.”

T he k id s were excited to s h a re t hei r c re at ion s .

Erica’s BonBon puppet and wall hanging were inspired by the game “Five Nights at Freddy’s.”

Sean, who attends the Condon School, is inspired by movies and TV shows he likes. “I really like to draw,” he said. He’s also gotten more into anime. Sean said he went from stick figures to adding more detail.

“They are all at an age where they would want their artwork to be more realistic,” Anne said. “They take inspiration from the games they play or the shows and movies they watch.”

Kay’ary, a student at the Perry School, drew a dragon and a little figure from a video game the kids all play. He also did an abstract black and gold piece. He also likes to create figures out of pipe cleaners.

Nolan, who attends the Perry School, put his fine motor skills to work by painting tiny figurines that will be used in Dungeons and Dragons in the Teen Center. Some of the miniatures represent characters in the game.

“ T h e y ’r e improving their skills all the time,” said Anne, who is grateful for her assistant, Jennifer Sheehan, who was integral in helping the members with their projects.

“Drawing is all about practice.

We sometimes give them hints or direction or encouragement to try something new. It mostly comes from the kids themselves.

“They’ve all been drawing ever since they were little and they are all good at it,” Anne said.

“I love these kids,” Anne continued. “They’re all really well-rounded kids and that’s a good qua lit y to have.”

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

THURSDAY JUNE 3, 2021

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Massachusetts Fallen Heroes Memorial Rededicated

by Rick Winterson

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he rededication of the Massachusetts Fallen Heroes Memorial, which celebrated the obelisk’s fifth year on Seaport Common, was a truly memorable event – the high point of Boston’s Patriots Week. The entire program took place in an hour and a half on Friday morning, beginning at 10. The cannon salutes, a flyover, the helicopter touchdown, and the military precision of the ceremonies all contributed to the memories of those we have lost. Dan Magoun, the Director of Massachusetts Fallen Heroes non-profit, opened the ceremony.

Every one of the speakers was excellent. Talks were delivered with a solemn determination that we must not forget the sacrifice made by each of the Massachusetts Fallen Heroes named on the Memorial. Yes, there was sadness, but also deep, strong love for these 272 American Fallen Heroes.

Governor Baker referred to the losses suffered by the families of the Fallen, which led to taking pride in those family members who had “answered the call”. Congressman Lynch mentioned his work in recovering the remains of

our military casualties, who had died on the fields of combat. He called for everyone to “witness the burden that Gold Star families carry”, and concluded by stating it wasn’t enough to remember our heroes – “We must also honor their lives”, he insisted.

Jon’s Allison-Cardoso then stepped up and spoke about her brother Glenn, and how he is “on my mind, in my heart” every day. She lovingly described her brother as a provider, a father, a soldier, and then mentioned that the Fallen Heroes Memorial honors her brother for all time. Sadly, repeatedly, and even poetically during her speech, Allison-Cardoso said about herself and every Gold Star family, “Memorial Day is every day of our lives.” How true.

The Rededication’s keynote speaker was Staff Sergeant David Bellavia, USA, who is also a Medal of Honor recipient.

Sgt. Bellavia spoke powerfully; the statements he made and the questions he asked were blunt and direct. “Memorial Day should be our Thanksgiving Day”, “Why do we fight? Because we love our country.”, “That is our oath; that is our promise.”, “Are we worthy of their sacrifice?” At the end Sgt. Bellavia stated, “We must live our lives in thanks for that sacrifice.” Powerful indeed!

The MFH Honor Guard emplaces five wreaths – one for each U.S. military service.

Gold Star families place yellow roses in the Memorial’s reflecting pool.

It’s the Fifth Anniversary of the Massachusetts Fallen Heroes Memorial.

Firefighter and once Local 718 President Ed Kelly closed the speeches by describing the efforts that eventually succeeded in establishing and completing the Massachusetts Fallen Heroes Memorial. Then, the new names of more recent Fallen Heroes were formally narrated and another panel containing these names was emplaced. A member of each one of the five U.S. military services solemnly and precisely set

memorial wreaths on stands nearby. A flyover and a 21-gun salute then honored the dead. The bugler blew “Taps”. A formal silence was observed. As a final event, a procession of Gold Star family members silently placed yellow roses, one at a time, into the reflecting pool at the foot of the Fallen Heroes’ obelisk.

The Fallen Heroes Fifth Rededication was a meaningful, memorable experience.

Congressman Stephen Lynch addresses the guests.

Ed Kelly speaks about the Fallen Heroes Memorial.

Medal of Honor recipient David Bellavia asks, “Are we worthy of their sacrifice?”

Jon’s Allison-Cardoso sadly states “For us, every day is Memorial Day.”

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SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

Contiued from Page 1

Field Hockey

head women’s lacrosse and field hockey coach at Division 3 Mount Ida College.

Alpha Atleta’s first clinic is in its fourth week. Nicole and Megan got a bigger turnout than they expected.

They thought they’d maybe get 6-12 kids to sign up, but 21 girls registered. Now, they get 25 kids a week “and each week we get someone new,” said Megan, who was a D1 All-American field hockey player for the University of New Hampshire.

“They’re a good group of kids,” Nicole said. “The kids are getting better. None of them had touched a stick before.”

Helping teach at the clinic are former Columbia and Bentley field hockey players, a current UConn player, and a high school player.

A lpha At let a’s m ission is to motivate and empower athletes of all levels to be the best they can be. Through fitness, mindfulness, skill development and nutrition, Alpha Atleta offers a 360-degree approach to wellness.

“We’re going to be more about how do we give everyone a place to be successful,” said Megan, whether that’s

to play high school, club, Division 1 college, or anywhere in between. “We want kids who are going to flourish and be really good and guide them, but we really want this to be 360 degrees.”

Added Nicole, “It’s love of the game … building a complete player through nutrition, fitness, skills, the game … and just trying to help get them to understand beyond skill.

There’s a lot more that goes into it.”

The Alpha Atleta Academy offers a one-stop shop to give athletes the edge they need to get to the next level,

the website says. The Academy provides access to camps and clinics, workout programs, nutrition programs, and college recruiting assistance.

A lpha Atleta also offers bootcamp workouts and personal training for adults. But camps and clinics will drive the organization.

This first clinic, which originally started at Moakley Park, then was moved to M Street Park, has found its home behind South Boston Catholic Academy, which provides a great field hockey surface and

some privacy. Megan and Nicole are grateful for the school’s generosity.

The parents love the program, said Nicole, who was a standout soccer and lacrosse player at Western New England University and was inducted into the school’s athletic Hall of Fame. “The parents are really awesome. They’re super supportive. They are loving it and they are encouraging us to keep going.”

For more information and to sign up for camps and clinics, visit https://www.alphaatleta.com/

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

THURSDAY JUNE 3, 2021

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Senator Collins,, Rep. Biele Boost Public Safety Funding in State Budget Recently, Senator Nick Collins and Representative David Biele worked to secure additional public safety funding for Boston in the Fiscal Year 2022 (FY22) State Budget.

In late April, through an amendment sponsored by Rep. Biele, the House added $50,000 for directed patrols in the South Boston including Day Boulevard, Carson beach, M Street beach, and Castle Island.

Last week, the Senate approved the following funding items through an amendment sponsored by Sen. Collins: $300,000 for BPD gun violence prevention by the Youth Violence Strike Force in collaboration with faith based and nonprofit community organization; for the Street Outreach Unit patrols at Massachusetts Ave and Melnea Cass Blvd, and community policing in Areas C-6, C-11, B-3, E-18. $100,000 to the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority police force for dedicated patrols at Red Line stations south of South Station. $50,000 for State Police Troop H dedicated to patrols at state parks and beaches in Dorchester, Mattapan and Hyde Park.

The debate now moves on to a joint House-Senate conference committee to be named in the coming days. Sen. Collins and Rep. Biele said they’ll be ensuring all of the aforementioned budget items make it to the Governor’s desk.

“This increase in public safety funding is critical and I am joining Rep. Biele in advocating to our colleagues in the House and Senate that they remain in the final version of the FY22 budget,” said Senator Collins.

“Nothing is ever guaranteed in the state budget,” said Rep. Biele. “I was proud to work with my colleagues to allocate funding for directed public safety services in our community and will continue to advocate in support of these important services as the budget process continues.”

By law, the State budget needs to pass both the House and Senate and be signed by the Governor before June 30 unless an extension is authorized.

The upcoming fiscal year 2022 runs from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022.

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THURSDAY JUNE 3, 2021

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

Reading Can Be Fun! A Big Thank You to Mrs. Elizabeth Brooks, a parent at South Boston Catholic Academy, for organizing this year’s Scholastic Book Fair and to her committee of SBCA parents who volunteered their time. As always, Thank You to all our families and friends at South Boston Catholic Academy for their support in helping to make this year’s school book fair a big success. We are very grateful for their support throughout the school year that has made this and all our events possible. “There are many little ways to enlarge your child’s world. Love of books is the best of all.” —Jacqueline Kennedy.

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THURSDAY JUNE 3, 2021

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SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

Virtual Public Meetings

Virtual Public Meetings 244 - 284 A Street (Fort Point) Project Description: The BPDA will be hosting a series of Virtual Public Meetings in connection with the Draft Project Impact Report (“DPIR”) submission for the Proposed Project at 244 284 A Street in the Fort Point neighborhood of the South Boston Waterfront. You may register in advance for these meetings through the links provided below.

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June 7th at 6:00 PM | Kick-Off Public Meeting Zoom Link: bit.ly/AStreetJune7 Webinar ID: 160 246 0903

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June 21st at 6:00PM | Public Meeting (Open Space & Resiliency) Zoom Link: bit.ly/AStreetJune21 Webinar ID: 161 132 7449

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July 12th at 6:00PM | Public Meeting (Urban Design & Ground Floor Activation) Zoom Link: bit.ly/AStreetJuly12 Webinar ID: 161 170 9098

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July 26th at 6:00 PM | Public Meeting (Transportation) Zoom Link: bit.ly/AStreetJuly26 Webinar ID: 161 431 7060

Should you require language interpretation services for any of these meetings, please contact Aisling Kerr through the email address/phone number available below to submit your request. mail to:

phone: email:

Aisling Kerr Boston Planning & Development Agency One City Hall Square, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02201 617.918.4212 aisling.kerr@boston.gov

Close of Comment Period: 8/2/2021

BostonPlans.org

@BostonPlans

Teresa Polhemus, Executive Director/Secretary

The Law Office of

Paul J. Gannon PC General Practice of Law

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

A Virtual Alzheimer’s Support Group Offered by Compass on the Bay on June 17, at 6:00 pm. Dealing with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia isn’t easy, so it is helpful to share your concerns and personal experiences with others who completely understand what you’re going through. You will also learn about proven strategies to help you better care for your family member. This group will be held in conjunction with our sister community, Standish Village. Call 617-268-5450 or email Program Director Dean Tricarico at dtricarico@compassonthebay.com for more information and to register for the virtual meeting.

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

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THURSDAY JUNE 3, 2021

The BCEC Is BACK!

by Rick Winterson

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he Seaport District’s Boston Convention a nd E x hibition Center, a.k.a. the BCEC (but not the “ConCen”), has finally opened after a lengthy Coronavirus-related lockdown. Its lockdown was over a year long, punctuated only by the BCEC’s conversion into a 1,000 bed field hospital at the height of the pandemic last spring. Welcome back.

As far as South Boston Online knows, the first event at the reopened BCEC was the 2021 NIKE Boston Volleyball Festival weekend –over Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, during the last week of May. Obviously, a Lead Sponsor was NIKE, the athletic footwear giant. We understand that Gatorade, among others, was a key sponsor as well. Participants in the Volleyball Festival this year were limited to teenage athletes, both male and female; adults, at least for now, weren’t taking part, presumably due to COVID-19 limitations that were still in force when the Volleyball Festival was first planned.

It was really a pleasant sight to see so many people gathered around the BCEC’s angle-pillared front entrance.

Major groups of visitors to Boston have been all too short since last spring. The volleyball athletes were being admitted in a controlled fashion at various BCEC checkpoints. Most were girls, the first contingent to play; a huge number were on hand to use the many courts set up inside by BCEC personnel, which were quite a sight by themselves.

The players came here from all over the U.S. A distance prize goes to the Lady Elite Volleyball Club

from Orange County next to Los Angeles, California. Colorado and Texas were a couple of other western states that sent multiple teams.

It was the first time many of the young athletes had ever traveled to Boston, so we were asked a lot of questions about what’s the best thing to see here. After we spent some time making suggestions, it became obvious that Freedom Trail was the favorite destination, in part because it can be walked and in part because it includes a dose of real history – the Boston Common, Paul Revere, the USS Constitution, and so on. We were also asked where to eat. One coach inquired about Boston’s “Little Italy” (he meant the North End, of course), so Francesca’s and Osteria’s names came up. Another coach from Houston thanked us for our help, and then he said, “Hey, we were told that you people in Boston are unfriendly.”

We all laughed at that. That’s a bum rap, if South Boston Online ever heard one.

And then a thought occurred to us here at South Boston Online. How fortunate we are that so many of our usual activities are on their way BACK! In addition to the BCEC, these “BACKS” include the BCEC’s just opened Lawn on D, the return of the South Boston Street Festival on September 18, the Farmers Market’s opening in Perkins Square next Monday (June 7), and most important of all, going back to in-person schooling in September.

Even so, while we have just dispensed with most needs for face masks, South Bostonians were smart enough to retain outdoor dining for the rest of this summer. Please enjoy it. And be patient.

It’s going to take a while, but South Boston is definitely on its way BACK!!!

The Sisters Garden at Night

St. Monica Church’s newly completed Sisters Garden of Prayer and Peace was blessed and dedicated 12 days ago – late in May, the month of Mary. The Garden was specifically named for the generations of good sisters, who have contributed so much to South Boston’s community and its people over the last 160 years. It is just as beautiful after dark as it is during the day.

And the Sisters Garden is open to the public. If you want to understand (deeply) the meaning of those words “Prayer and Peace”, visit the Garden when night falls and contemplate for a while.

Virtual Community Meeting

PLAN: Newmarket Wednesday, June 16 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Zoom Link: bit.ly/34A50De Toll Free: (833) 568 - 8864 Meeting ID: 160 864 8327

Event Description The Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) invites you to join the first community workshop for the PLAN: Newmarket planning initiative.

PLAN: Newmarket, The 21st Century Economy Initiative will look at the needs of an industrial neighborhood in the City of Boston. The Initiative will work closely with the community to develop a vision for the area that incorporates a strategy for job retention and growth. Identified by Imagine Boston 2030 as one of the expanded neighborhoods, focuses will include land use, jobs, climate resilience, transportation, public realm, and a social justice and equity impact analysis.

The Workshop will focus on defining 21st Century Industry uses and Jobs in Newmarket. An overview presentation will begin at 6:30 pm, followed by the community workshop activities.

Interpretation and Translated materials will be provided in Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Haitian, and Cape Verdean Creole.

Contact: Arreen Andrew Boston Planning & Development Agency One City Hall Square, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02201 617-918-4423 | arreen.l.andrew@boston.gov

bostonplans.org

@bostonplans

Teresa Polhemus, Executive Director/Secretary

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

THE PRINT EDITION

THURSDAY JUNE 3, 2021

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