SBOL_06_17_2021

THE PRINT EDITION

THURSDAY JUNE 17, 2021

VOLUME XIX- ISSUE 74

Boston’s Plan to Recover from the Pandemic

By: Mayor Kim Janey

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hroughout the pandemic, our city has remained resilient through uncertainty and hardship. Together, we are making real progress in our public health recovery. Cases of COVID-19 continue to decline, as vaccination rates climb steadily across the city. Now,, we must focus on an economic recovery, reopening and renewal that includes all of our communities. That starts with bold measures that encourage equity in our city and open opportunities for those who have been shut out.

Boston’s recovery and reopening is a chance to renew our city, making it stronger and more equitable. The racial wealth gap among Boston residents made headlines even before the pandemic. I know we can do better.

My administration is implementing concrete changes to help working families earn living wages and build

Back to the Beaches

wealth of their own. I have announced two new measures to promote economic equity and opportunity for working families in Boston.

The first initiative put homeownership within reach for first-time homebuyers. I used a firsttime buyer program to purchase my own home, so I know how important homeownership is economic stability and breaking the cycle of poverty. That is why I am excited to triple down payment assistance for the Boston Home Center’s first-time Homebuyer Program.

With a $2.4 million commitment to this program in my FY22 budget proposal, we will be able to provide up to $40,000 in assistance to incomeeligible residents seeking to purchase a home for the first time. Residents can also receive assistance with down payments and closing costs. This change more than triples the average amount of Continued on Page 2

Save the Harbor/Save the Bay is bringing the Boston Circus Guild, the Harbor Healing Wellness Program and mobility mats and beach wheelchairs to the Metropolitan Region’s public beaches this summer as part of their Better Beaches Program Partnership with DCR. (Story on Page 11)

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THURSDAY JUNE 17, 2021

Continued from Page 1

Recovery Plan

assistance previously offered by the City.

Owning a home is part of the American Dream, and I am proud of the work our City is doing to make this a reality. As we work to close the racial wealth gap, it is programs like these that can help us achieve equity in Boston.

Closing the wealth gap means we also have to address the wage gap. That is why I have also signed an executive order establishing a prevailing wage standard for key city service contractors.

Starting July 1, Boston will guarantee rates for city contractors of $14.85 to $20 per hour for services such as cleaning and security, with an additional $6.26 to $6.70 per hour in health and pension benefits.

This executive order recognizes the importance of sustainable wages and benefits. It is time that the City of Boston sets a standard for other

employers to follow that supports the wellbeing of Boston’s working families, while also encouraging other employers to join us in the effort.

These new steps help ensure an equitable recovery from the COVID19 pandemic. These efforts will work together with other programs I have introduced since being sworn-in as Mayor, including the ONE+Boston Homebuyer Program, $50 million in new rental relief to help residents stay in their homes and a $50 million emergency package to support an equitable recovery and reopening for our City’s residents, workers and small businesses.

I will continue fighting for a stronger, more equitable Boston. It takes persistence to make a difference, and I promise that economic equity for residents will be at the forefront of Boston’s agenda to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Mayor Janey is joined by Director of the Office of Workforce Development Trinh Nguyen of South Boston, worker advocate Griselda Saladin, and Dan Nicolai of SEIU 32BJ, at her signing of an executive order that adopts the prevailing wage rate set by the Massachusetts Department of Labor Standards for all city contracts for cleaning and security services going out to bid after July 1, 2021. She also announced an expansion to the City of Boston First Time Homebuyer Program. (Mayor’s Office Photo by Jeremiah Robinson)

A Few Random Comments on This Sunday, the 20th

by Rick Winterson

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his coming Sunday, June 20, will be special to most of us. That’s because June 20, in this Year of Our Lord 2021, is both the first day of summer and Father’s Day. This coincidence actually happens fairly often.

The first day of summer (a.k.a. the “Summer Solstice”) always occurs on June 20, 21, or 22; Father’s Day is by law the third Sunday of June, which ranges from June 15 to June 21 in steps of a day at a time each year except for two-day steps in Leap Years.

To be exact, the precise moment the Summer Solstice takes place this year will be 11:32 p.m. on Sunday evening, June 20 – just over three days after sunset tonight (Thursday). June 20’s daytime hours will extend from sunrise at 5:07 a.m. until sunset at 8:24 p.m. – fifteen hours and seventeen minutes of full daylight – the longest day of the year. When you arise next Monday morning, summer will be only eight hours old.

If God and the Coronavirus are willing, we believe South B o s t o n’s 2 0 21 summer could be truly memorable.

But back to Father’s Day. You’re aware that most people give gifts to Dad on Father’s Day. In fact, except for rained-out graduations and a few late June weddings, Father’s Day is the last annual event in what merchants call the A merican “Gifting Season”, which extends from New Year’s Day through June.

South Boston Online checked a number of Father’s Day gift lists, some of them from massively overcrowded store cata logs, some of them suggestions by our well-intentioned acquaintances.

Unfortunately, these gift lists repeated themselves constantly; they all fell into a half-dozen boring categories. There were far too many mentions of outdoor grilling equipment. Gifts of craft beers and whiskey topped other lists. Health and fitness items were popular – from gym memberships to health foods to OTC medicines. Dining out with Dad was mentioned frequently;

shorts and swim trunks for Dad were often listed as well. Believe it or not, some gift lists suggested giving fancy deodorants to Dad. Look, these lists show little thought and are only suitable for the stereotyped 2021 American father figure. If you must give your Dad something to wear, just give him a whizzy cap with his favorite team on it. The other listed items are suitable only for a non-stop grillmaster guy, who’s hungry, very thirsty, sadly out of shape, and doesn’t smell very good.

Instead, please consider this gift suggestion: Get your father some really good sunglasses.

Seriously, proper eye protection in the bright sun, especially for those of us who are “more mature”, is important during the summer.

Look for brands such as RayBan (a division of Bausch & Lomb) or Oakley (a division of Luxottica in Milan, Italy).

Aviator styles are the coolest, best covering shades of all, but make sure what you buy suits your Dad (does he need to wear

scrip glasses under his shades when he drives, for example?).

And please note that the brands mentioned are considered “luxury sunglasses”.

They’re quite expensive, so you might want to give them to your father jointly with another family member.

But enough about gifts. If you want to give your Dad the best thing of all on Father’s Day, just make sure he knows you love him. If you do nothing else, take time for that. Ask Dad to go for a walk with you (guaranteed: he’ll be surprised!). South Boston has lovely walks along Broadway, Dorchester Heights, the Seaport, and our miles of achingly beautiful shores. While you’re out walking, put your hand on his shoulder or your arm around his waist, and then talk with him about your future (another surprise is likewise guaranteed).

Stop and buy him a coffee; tell him again you love him.

And as Father’s Day winds to a close, begin planning to have a great summer yourself.

It’ll almost be here by then.

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

THURSDAY JUNE 17, 2021

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Senator Collins Calls for Fire Safety Legislation

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Bill Honors Victims of 2014 Back Bay Fire

e c e n t l y, State Senator Nick Collins testified on S. 1554, An Act implementing the Recommendations of the Walsh-Kennedy Commission Report, before the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee hearing. Sen. Collins filed the legislation after chairing the Commission that developed the recommendation through public hearings, victim testimony, public comments, and stakeholder input.

The bill would implement those recommendations from the special commission created and named in the wake of a horrific tragedy that occurred on March 26, 2014 in Boston in which an unpermitted welding operation caused a fire which

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ultimately led to the tragic death of t wo Boston Firef ighters, Lieutenant Edward J. Walsh, and Firef ighter Michael Kennedy, as well as injuries to 18 others.

T he language wou ld increase fines and penalties for failing to follow regulations like pulling permits. S. 1554 also creates a standard certification program for those seeking to perform hot work, including a n electronic databa se to check certification status of an employee, certif ication cards that can be requested as proof of certification, and continued education. Finally, the bill directs the Department of Fire Safety to establish a public notification system so that consumers and insurance agencies can check the safety records of

Library Reopens

he South Boston Branch Library has now reopened Masks are still required for everyone who patronizes the Branch Library, and services are still somewhat limited.

A list of the Library services at our South Boston Branch includes book checkout, pick-up of holds, browsing time, printer use, and limited time on the Library’s computers.

Exterior space, including the courtyard and reading garden, are also accessible. Simply collect any reserved items at the Branch front desk. NOTE: “BPL to

GO” is no longer a service.

And please contact the South Branch Library if you have any questions, especially concerning limitations on the Children’s Services at our Branch Library.

The Branch phone is (617)2680180; Jane Bickford is the Branch Librarian for South Boston.

Current hours for the South Boston Branch Library are: MON – 10 to 6; TUE – 10 to 6; WED – 10 to 6; THU – 12 noon to 8; FRI – 9 to 5

The Branch L ibra r y is c losed on Saturdays a nd Sundays.

those performing hot works.

“Some of the things that I think, beyond the fines, that we really need to think about and some other states do have that we don’t, is defining criminal negligence and creating a pathway to hold violators criminally liable for their actions,” said Senator Nick Collins. “I support this bill in an effort to increase public safety in the Commonwealth, protect our f irst responders, a nd hold individua ls a nd organizations accountable for k nowingly endangering the lives and property of others.”

Boston Fire Department Commissioner John Dempsey said “The fines are so minimal that sma ller companies, if they roll the dice, the fine is so little, if they get caught it’s cheaper to pay the fine than it is to hire a firewatch or maybe even pull permit. So, I

believe by increasing the fines, this will get their attention.”

Michael O’Reilly, legislative agent for Boston Firefighters Local 718, said “As long as it’s cheaper to pay the fine than it is to do the right thing, we have potential to see tragedies li ke t h is happen a g a in.”

The bill will now be reviewed by the Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee.

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Mass. Nurses Association Endorses Erin Murphy

rin Murphy, candidate for Boston Cit y Council At-la rge, was thrilled to announce on Thursday that she has received the endorsement of the Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA), the most powerful and effective voice on nursing and health care in the Commonwealth.

“I’m deeply honored that the Massachusetts Nurses Association has chosen me as their candidate for At-Large City Council,” Murphy said. “Our front-line responders have borne the brunt of this pandemic, and no one should question their commitment, their devotion, and their work ethic. I stand shoulder-toshoulder with nurses around Boston and across the Commonwealth as they continue to provide life-saving service.”

The MNA told Erin that

they are very excited to be working on her campaign to help her get elected to the Council and be a strong voice for all nurses.

Murphy, a longtime teacher in the Boston Public Schools and single mother, is running for an At-Large City Council seat for the same reason she taught Boston’s schoolkids for 22 years: devotion to this city, its children, and our shared future.

“Just like the nurses I’m proud to have standing with me, I clocked in every day as a mom and as a public school teacher, and I’ll bring the exact same work ethic to the Boston City Council,” Murphy said.

Founded in 1903, the Massachusetts Nursing Association (MNA) is the largest union and professional association of registered nurses and health professionals in the state and the third-largest in the country.

The MNA represents more than 23,000 members who work in 85 health care facilities, and a growing number of nurses and health professionals who work in schools, visiting nurse associations, public health departments, and state agencies.

The MNA endorsed Erin’s campaign because its members believe in her vision for Boston: an inclusive, welcoming city for ALL

families and in every neighborhood.

Erin has laid out a plan to make Boston an affordable place for all families to live and raise their children.

Her message has resonated in every neighborhood, and she’s been fortunate to meet supporters across the city.

Erin Murphy is running to be the go-to call at City Hall for EVERYONE in Boston.

“Parklets” (A New Word?)

by Rick Winterson

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eave it to WS Development a nd Boston Seaport to introduce another unique, peoplefirst urban service to the City of Boston. And just possibly they are also introducing a new word into our local language: “Parklets”. Three parklets have now been installed in Boston Seaport – on Northern Avenue in the vicinity of the Courthouse, on Pier 4 Boulevard just to the south of Seaport Boulevard, and on Boston Wharf Road towards the Sea Green. The three parklets will stay in place until the end of October, which also brings the end of pleasant outdoor weather around here; they’ll be brought back each year in the future, when spring weather arrives once again.

Parklets are carefully designed examples of Boston Seaport’s response to our much increased desire for more outdoor experiences, especially in the city’s newly built-up areas. Part of this new emphasis on the out-of-doors was caused by the pandemic, of course, but it also stems from what Boston Seaport

nicely defines as “tactical urbanism”.

They collaborated with Kyle Zick Landscape Architecture to design these parklet as havens that can be positioned right on the city’s streets.

The parklets will actually seat up to a dozen people around two tables, as well as accommodating a small group on the upholstered swing chairs at the other end of each parklet. The parklets’ many potential uses can be easily pictured – eating a takeout lunch, conveniently meeting a bunch of friends, or giving a family with children a chance to sit for a bit in comfortable swing chairs. And so on (a quick rubber of Bridge at lunchtime, anyone?).

And obviously, the parklets are for pedestrians in Boston Seaport more than anyone else.

The design of the parklets includes a sort of pergola overhead, so there’s partial shade within. The slatted sides maintain the street views, over window boxes holding flowering green vines that will grow up the sides of the parklets as summer progresses (summer begins just over three days from tonight’s sunset).

They are painted with a naturallooking chalk green and decorated inside with contrasting hues.

Lunch in one of the three new “parklets”. This one’s on Northern Avenue near the Court House.

A family with children would enjoy the Pier 4 Boulevard “parklet” and its comfy swing chairs.

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THURSDAY JUNE 17, 2021

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Southie’s McRae Wiederer is O’Bryant Valedictorian that I’m extremely grateful for all of the staff who understood that this year would be different and adjusted their plans accordingly and all of the students who made efforts during the year to show those staff that they were appreciated.

“We’re all here today a nd (hopef u lly, not tr ying to jinx anything) ready to put this all in the past.”

The daughter of Ed Wiederer and Ginger DeShaney said she knows she’s lucky to be valedictorian, noting most of the hardships she faced in high outh Boston’s McRae school were self-inflicted. “I know Wiederer addressed her many of you have cared for siblings John D. O’Bryant School or held down jobs (or both) while of Mathematics & Science classmates also being full-time students, and all as valedictorian Tuesday at Fenway of you are much stronger than I am.

Park under partly cloudy skies.

“After two and a half long years With the threat of rain looming, the of high school and one and a half very ceremony was held in the covered confusing years of high school, we’ve right-field grandstands as 332 students received their diplomas. all put in the work and made it to graduation. All of us who have made “While I am going to try to it to this day deserve to be proud of keep the ‘unprecedented times’ what we’ve accomplished and what talk to a minimum, I will say

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“So after six years of hard work, long nights, and far too much stress, I’ve been rewarded with … public speaking.” we’re yet to do. Whether you’re off to your dream college or career or doing something completely different than what you’d expected, you should be proud of yourself for getting here, especially considering that our senior year was the way it was.”

While milestone moments like graduation are very convenient times for changemaking, you don’t have to wait for a particular moment to

make a change, said McRae, who will attend Penn State to study veterinary and biomedical sciences.

“If you realize at any point down the road that the choices you made at 17 or 18 aren’t right for you anymore, it’s never too late to make a different choice. It might be incredibly difficult, but it’s never too late. Because everyone here deserves a life that they’re proud to be living.”

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Tribute Paid to Health Care Workers, First Responders

USS Constitution arrives at Castle Island. Note her flag with 15 stripes and stars – 13 original states, plus Vermont (admitted in 1791) and Kentucky (1792).

by Rick Winterson

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he USS Constitution, berthed in Boston at t he Cha rlestown Nav y Yard, sallied forth into the Harbor waters. She headed for Castle Island so that she, her officers, and her crew could render a formal tribute (in the form of a 21-gun salute) to America’s health care workers and first responders, who are still performing their duties so courageously and self lessly during the pandemic crisis.

At 11:30 a.m., the USS Constitution arrived at the

beginning of President Road just off the Castle Island/ Fort Independence shoreline, accompanied by police harbor craft and tugboats, and to the cheers of a hundred or so spectators ashore in South Boston. Helicopters “chopped away” overhead; news vans from Boston’s major media showed up.

Some 200 health care workers and f irst responders were guests aboard the USS Constitution; they were taking part in a three-hour tour of Boston Harbor in their honor.

A s soon a s t he USS Constitution was placed, she rendered a 21-gun salute to the heroic pa ndemic “warriors” aboard and ashore. The origin of the 21-gun salute is somewhat obscure. At first, these salutes were once fired out to sea, as a demonstration that a ship’s arma ments were empt y of ammunition and had been disarmed. In other words, they were friendly, non-hostile ships.

In land armies once upon a time, three volleys by seven musketeers signified a short truce to collect the dead and wounded from a battlefield. Nowadays, by world agreement, these volleys are used exclusively for salutes of honor – in this case, to our health care workers and first responders.

The USS Constitution is the oldest commissioned warship in the world. From 1797 until

Spectators on the Castle Island gather to witness the salute to health care workers.

The 21-gun salute by the USS Constitution at the peak.

1855, she was never defeated in combat; she captured 30 enemy warships in naval battles around the world.

“Old Ironsides” was her nickname, because cannonballs seemed to ricochet off the sides of her hull. She fought both against the Barbary Pirates (“millions for defense; not one cent for tribute”), and in the War of 1812. The American f lag Old Ironsides f lies has just 15 stars and stripes since she was commissioned in 1797, when the U.S. was made up of only 15 states – Vermont and Kentucky

had joined the Union, in addition to the 13 original states. It is this f lag, “The Star Spangled Banner”, that Francis Scott Key wrote about and which eventually became our National Anthem.

And even though fighting COV ID-19 was not military c ombat, ou r he a lt h c a re workers and first responders are diligent and highly courageous fighters, who performed their duties with a different kind of heroism.

They certainly de ser ved Frid ay’s t ribute.

Many sailing vessels were on hand, including this sloop-rigged craft that is quite a contrast to the square-rigged Old Ironsides

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THURSDAY JUNE 17, 2021

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Farmers Market Opens in Boston Seaport

by Rick Winterson

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e are pleased to announce that a Farmers Market has just opened in Boston Seaport.

This is the second Farmers Market to grace South Boston. It is located at Sea Green on Boston Wharf Road; it will be open through October every Thursday afternoon from 2 until 6 p.m.

Farmers Markets have become increasingly popular around here over the last ten years or so. In part, that’s because Farmers Markets are open air; in part, it’s due to the fact that Farmers Markets are local enterprises.

But most of all, it’s because Farmers

Market sell food that is same-day (!) farm fresh, as well as products like cheese, honey, and preserves made on farms, which have unique tastes (this writer confesses to weaknesses for local cheddars and raw honey from Carlisle).

The Boston Seaport Farmers Market consists of six vendors. Listed in the order of their arrayed counters, they are Stillman’s Farm (New Braintree/Lunenburg, famous for their strawberries), Red’s Best fresh fish/Boston smoked fish (a marketing cooperative of fishermen), Picnic & Pantry Local Cheeses, Samira’s Homemade Authentic Lebanese Food (check the flatbread), Griffin Hall Farms (vending sprouted veggies – grow your own), and Humble Bones (who also take part in our Monday’s Farmers Market at Perkins Square).

Jason Tucker walked us through his fish tent, which is a highly varied cooperative venture among 1,000 small New England fishing boats. You can purchase unusual items like Jonah crab and monkfish (yum – tastes like lobster) from Red’s Best Fresh Fish section. In the Boston Smoked Fish section, you can select from several

chowders and smoked pates. Jason even has “salmon bacon” for sale.

We mentioned that Stillman’s has a reputation for its strawberries.

We agree with that. People travel to Stillman’s to purchase them, but now these strawberries are being brought to South Boston from around Mt. Wachusetts and the Quabbin Reservoir. And Griffin Hall Farms has a reputation for regenerative agricultural practices. You might have noticed that Humble Bones was also a vendor at the Farmers Market in Perkins Square last week. When you visit the Boston Seaport Farmers

Market, be sure to allow yourself an hour or so to talk with all six vendors.

You might ask why we need two Farmers Market in South Boston?

Well, one partial answer is that you may want fresh produce on Monday for the week, and then would also like to stock up on Thursday for the weekend – fresh produce doesn’t stay fresh for very long. In addition, the Farmers Market in Boston Seaport also features a varied selection of fish, ethnic foods, and local cheese products. So, please patronize each of them; we are very fortunate to have them both.

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A Review: “Look to the Sky” An Exhibit by Jim Nickelson

by Rick Winterson

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creative artist and expert cra f t printer named Jim Nickelson is now exhibiting at the FP3 Gallery. The Gallery is located in Fort Point (“FP3”could mean Fort Point’s 3rd Gallery, we imagine), on the ground f loor of the 346 Congress Street building. Its hours are from 10 to 6; you can ring for the concierge to let you in, if necessary. The Gallery is next to Barbara Lynch’s “Sportello”; look for the FP3 banner.

Jim Nickelson’s photographs are largely abstract. He wants them to depict the cosmos around us, natura l and manmade, especially when scientific truths are involved. In the notes that go with his exhibit, he states “These photographs are the result of my inquiries into the ways that we as a species grapple with the unknown and our relationship to the Universe.” He stirringly entitled his exhibit “Look to the Sky”, which echoes humanity’s remarkable space achievements last year (three Mars trips, scrapings from asteroid Ryugu, and samples from the dark side of the Moon). And 2021 in space looks even more promising.

Nickelson has a host of talents – aerospace engineering at U. of Texas, a JD degree from Harvard, the author of a book

Pyrotechnic 58 – tresses of light.

The interior of the FP3 Gallery. on fine printing, and a creative photographer and printmaker.

As you enter the exhibit, you’ll first pass seven pictures from Nickelson’s “Pyrotechnic” series, created between 2011 and 2018. In his words, “Pyrotechnic studies natural forms found in abstracted fireworks, reminiscent of how we (humans) find familiar forms and comfort wherever we look.” Take a long look at the seven fireworks in the Pyrotechnic series and carefully form your own opinion. This reviewer strongly preferred the “white on black background” photos – stately curves, a spray of rectangles (like a deck of thrown cards), and f inally, what looks like a luxurious tress of freshly combed hair.

Across the exhibit f loor,

Pyrotechnic 35 – forever curves.

Nickelson is exhibiting seven of his “Prelude” series. Prelude is only the first of three movements in a major photographic effort he began in 2016, and calls “Harmony of the Spheres”. The seven hangings are centered on Prelude #1 in the middle, which depicts a starry sky over a horizon (although it is a starscape unknown to astronomy). In this reviewer’s opinion, a look at the Prelude photos in reverse order depicts the formation of the universe: #8 is the original formless void; #7 and #6 show a blinding pulse of light followed by darkness; gathering coherence is symbolized by #5; (for some reason, #4, a dark cosmic rose, wasn’t hung, which could have symbolized the early expansion of the universe); #3

Pyrotechnic 90 – shuffling the cards.

and #2 show streaks and stars as further consolidation proceeds, followed finally by Prelude #1 in the center – the sky as we see it today. It is important to view Prelude as a complete series, with each work to be seen as just one part of the whole.

We ment ioned “t h re e movement s” i n Ha r mony of the Spheres.

“Prelude” is the first. The other two are na med “Ourobos” and “Euclidean Sonatas”. That is fitting. Ourobos is the snake in Greek my tholog y, who lived by eating his own tail, thus forming an endless circle.

Euclid was the Greek founder of geometry; sonatas in classical music generally feature three movements. Since it is modeled on being a visual symphony, you can therefore view Harmony of the Spheres using three separate symphonic speeds – Andante for Prelude, Allegretto and Allegro on your iPhone for the other two movements. You may then leave Jim Nickelson’s exhibit by viewing his Pyrotechnic wa ll once more at Presto, a fourth symphonic pace.

And plan to drop in again. Admission is free.

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THURSDAY JUNE 17, 2021

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South Boston Catholic Academy News

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“You can make anything by writing.” – C.S. Lewis.

rom Ms. Smith…

On Tuesday, June 8, 2021, the 5B Grade class had a “Publishing Party” to celebrate and share their narrative “books” the students wrote. A Narrative is writing that tells a story. It has a sequence of events, the plot…A novel written from the point of view of the main character is a narrative.

The students found topics of interest to them and using their imagination wrote their very own and unique story around it and made their own books to share with their classmates and families. Some of the titles of their great books are as follows…

M. V. P., The Overtaking, Into the Jungle, Digging to China; Timothy, Bill, Bob (The Three Musketeers); Steve the Duck, The Missing Child, Attack of the Ivy, The Mysteries of the Forest, The Martians and Peter The Dragon…Fantastic work on your “books” Grade 5B! From Ms. Reh… Monday, June 13, was an exciting day

in 2B! We had a Fairy Tale Celebration in our classroom!

The students worked on their magical math mission and I lost my voice like Ariel does in the “Little Mermaid.” Thank you all to our parents for providing such awesome materials! The room looked AWESOME! The students were in pure shock when they came in that morning. Just a recap, we have been focusing on Fairy Tales in Language Arts for

the past 9-10 weeks. We studied seven different fairy tales, and each student wrote their own original fairy tale. As a fun wrap up to the year and celebrate all of their hard work, each child dressed up as their favorite fairy tale character! This past Monday was truly a magical day in 2B!

Thank you to our families for everything! “Someday you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again.” – C.S. Lewis.

New families are welcome to email Mrs. Jamie Brown at j.brow n@sbcat holicacademy. org to learn more about South Boston Cat holic Ac ademy.

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Frog Pond Spray Pool Reopens June 24 Mayor Kim Janey, Boston Pa rk s C ommissioner Rya n Woods, a nd The Sk ating Club of Boston are pleased to welcome children and guests to kick off the 2021 summer season as the Boston Common Frog Pond spray pool reopens on Thursday, June 24. The day will include a fun and exciting celebration at 11 a.m. followed by the opening of the spray pool.

In addition to activities from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. residents can enjoy tasty Hood Ice Cream Sandwiches provided by in-kind sponsor HP Hood LLC and a Mobile Dairy Bar provided by the New England Dairy Council.

Limited giveaways while supplies last. Media support provided

by Magic 106.7 and Mix 104.1.

L ead sponsor is Highla nd Pa r t ners Cha ritable Fu nd.

The celebration will feature a special visit from the official mascot Frog Pond Freddie. Come

visit LEGOL AND® Discovery Center Boston’s table to meet their Master Model Builder and build fun LEGO® creations.

Plus, take your photo with a life size football, basketball, hockey and baseba ll Championship trophies… all made of LEGO! New England Dairy, a nonprof it education organization that serves as the voice of local dairy farmers, will be on site to celebrate all things dairy – farming, food, nutrition, and wellness. Stop by their Mobile Dair y Bar to sample milk from their refrigerated truck and tap system while learning about hea lt hy eating a nd physical activity. In addition, children of all ages are eligible to enter a summer raff le.

Families will also be able to enjoy a ride on the Boston Common Carousel. The Carousel is handicapped accessible and has height requirements: anyone 42”

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or taller can ride alone; anyone The Frog Pond spray pool under 42” requires the presence of is open daily from 11 a.m. to an adult. Admission for the ride 6 p.m. until Labor Day. The is $3 with 10-ride cards available facility is managed by The for $25. Hours of operation are 10 Skating Club of Boston and a.m. to 6 p.m. seven days a week. staffed by youth workers from A year-round recreational the Boston Youth Fund. For facility, the Frog Pond offers ice further information, please call skating in the winter, a spray pool the Frog Pond at (617) 635-2120. and supervised wading for youth To stay up to date with in the summer, and the Carousel news, events, and design and from spring through fa ll. construction work in Boston The event will be held Parks, sign up for our email list w it h i n c u r rent adv i sor ie s at bit.ly/Get-Parks-Emails and f rom t he B oston Publ ic follow our social channels (@ Health C o m m i s s i o n bostonparksdept on Twitter, a nd t he Cit y of Boston. Fac ebook, a nd Inst a gra m.

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11

THURSDAY JUNE 17, 2021

Back to the Beach

For Hockey Fans, Boston Is Best

This year, Save the Harbor/Save the Bay awarded $52,900 in small grants to 16 organizations to fund free beach events in South Boston. The organizations, listed below, will host events including movie nights, dance classes, volleyball, mini fishing derby, the first Boston International Dragon Boat Festival and more.

(And Nearly So for Other Sports)

The TrikeHub Mass Kiting South Boston Neighborhood House Catholic Charities Teen Center at Saint Peter’s OrigiNation Cultural Arts Center Boston Police B3 Community Service Office The Fund for Parks and Recreation in Boston Ohana New England Dragon Boat Team Make Boston Shine Trust BCYF Condon Community Center Great White North Communications Ltd. The American City Coalition (TACC) MOMS Club of South Boston Catholic Charities, Laboure Youth Tutoring Youth South Boston Leadership Initiative Curley Community Center Council In 2020, the Better Beaches Program awarded more than $200,000 in grants to 22 organizations who ran creative, virtual and socially distanced summer programs during the pandemic. 25% of the grants went to provide safety equipment and support as organizations faced the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and worked to keep their beaches safe and open. Save the Harbor has invested nearly $1.5 million dollars to support free beach events and programs since they began their Better Beaches Program partnership with DCR in 2007.

This year’s Better Beaches Program grants will bring free concerts, beach parties, circus performances, DJ sets, yoga and fitness classes, art classes, kayaking and paddle boarding, movie nights, pedicabs, mobility mats, beach wheelchairs and more to the region’s waterfront neighborhoods and beachfront communities of Lynn, Nahant, Revere, Winthrop, East Boston, South Boston, Dorchester, Quincy and Hull.

“It is exciting to have so many new organizations on board this year,” said Maya Smith, Save the Harbor/Save the Bay’s Community Engagement Manager. “I am certain that they will bring new visions, new voices, more food choices, more accessibility and a more diverse audience to the beach.”

Among our many correspondents at South Boston Online, there’s a survey outfit called “WalletHub” located in Washington, D.C. WalletHub publishes surveys and studies on a regular basis that list the “Best” (and sometimes, the “Worst”) cities and states in the U.S. in a number of various categories.

Just today, we received a survey from WalletHub that listed Boston as the #1 Top City for Hockey Fans. We beat out Detroit, Pittsburgh, and New York City, who were ranked #2, #3, and #4, respectively. Please note that the WalletHub survey also included rankings of Boston’s local college hockey fans, as well as the Bruins’ pro game fans. We are really pleased at this. Boston is such a great sports town!

And for its basketball fans, Boston ranks a solid #2. Yes, WalletHub ranked Los Angles #1, but L.A. is more than five times larger than Boston. More important, L.A. has two NBA teams – the Los Angeles Lakers and the LA Clippers. At a population of only 700,000 Bostonians, we’ll gladly accept #2 for our basketball fans. And Boston’s football fans are also highly ranked - #3, behind only Pittsburgh and Dallas. We even beat out Green Bay (#4). That’s strong evidence of the Belichick reign.

As for Boston’s baseball fans, how long has it been since you saw an empty seat at Fenway (except during the pandemic, of course)? Go, Boston – baseball is here, and 2021-2022 looks like it will be a full season for all three of our other major sports.

Virtual Public Meeting

601 Congress Street Wednesday, June 30 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM Project Proponent: Biomed Realty LLC. Project Description: This is a reschedule of the original Virtual Public Meeting for the 601 Congress St. project from 6/21 due to a conflict with an observed City Holiday. This will be a virtual meeting to discuss the Project Notification Form (PNF) proposed at 601 Congress Street. The Proponent has proposed a change from office to lab space, additional mechanicals to support the change and minor changes to the public realm. No other changes are proposed. Due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) has postponed all in-person BPDA-held public meetings regarding Article 80 development projects and planning initiatives. View more information on the BPDA’s COVID-19 response. mail to:

Funds to support the program come from a legislative appropriation to the Department of Conservation & Recreation and include $50,000 in proceeds from the Virtual Harpoon Shamrock Splash, which will be awarded to organizations and creatives who empower, amplify and invest in community members of color and improve beach access for people with disabilities.

Zoom Link: bit.ly/2SSHNcY Toll Free: (833) 568 - 8864 Meeting ID: 160 507 5360

phone: email:

Nick Carter Boston Planning & Development Agency One City Hall Square, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02201 617.918.5303 nick.carter@boston.gov BostonPlans.org

Close of Comment Period: 7/7/2021

@BostonPlans

Teresa Polhemus, Executive Director/Secretary

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THE PRINT EDITION

THURSDAY JUNE 17 2021

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