SBOL_08_03_2023

Vertex Brings Summer

“STEAM” to Edgerley Family Boys & Girls Club

by Rick Winterson

The Edgerley Family South Boston Boys & Girls Club on Sixth Street has been a South Boston institution since the mid-1900s. The local Club is an organization devoted to youth, from young children up to teenagers. The programs offered by the Club include arts, sports, education, leadership, and technology.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals is a high technology corporation, especially in life sciences, whose headquarters and technical facilities are located on Fan Pier in South Boston. After they moved here, in 2016 Vertex made it their community-centered mission to provide technical learning opportunities to Boston students, including creating

what they call “Learning Labs”.

On Friday, 45 students from Vertex’s High School Summer Service Project came over from Fan Pier to the Edgerley Club on the corner of F and Sixth Streets. All of them are serving internships at Vertex, they came here to conduct educational sessions, and they all wore purple T-shirts with the Vertex motto, “The Science of Possibility”. These student interns bring their training from Vertex’s Learning Labs out to the surrounding Boston community.

Several full-time Vertex personnel came along as well last Friday. The overall visit to the Edgerley Club was coordinated by Dr. Melodie Knowlton, who holds a Ph.D. in Biology from Harvard. She’s the Senior Director of Community Affairs and the Global

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National Night Out

It was a night of celebration at the National Night Out event at Moakley Park in South Boston Tuesday. “Part of National Night Out is us actually thanking you all for all the partnerships you have with our police officers, all our public safety within the city here. But

we can’t do our job without the public. We can’t do our job without your support,” said Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox.

“Thank you so much for being here,” Mayor Michelle Wu told the crowd. “Thank you to our incredible partners as

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US Representative Stephen F. Lynch Endorses Boston City Councilor-At-Large Erin Murphy

US Representative Stephen F. Lynch, co-founder of the House Congressional Labor & Working Families Caucus, endorsed Boston City CouncilorAt-Large Erin Murphy re-election campaign citing Murphy’s record of providing constituent services across all of Boston’s neighborhoods and her commitment to substance abuse prevention and recovery.

A former ironworker who grew up in Boston public housing and has climbed the leadership ladder in Congress, Lynch said Murphy has distinguished herself in her first term with an uncommon work ethic and focus on improving city services.

“National politics have been taken hostage by extremists, and we need level-headed public servants like Erin to prevent the same thing happening in our cities,” said Lynch, who has represented Boston and the Massachusetts 8th Congressional District since 2001, serving as a senior member of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability.

“She brings a sense of compassion that’s rare among elected officials, and she puts it into action across the city,” added Lynch. “She is a consistent, fierce advocate for her constituents, and someone we can count on to mind the store back home while we’re staving off some of the lunacy in Washington.”

Murphy said Lynch’s career had served as a model for how she has served since her 2021 election.

“Congressman Lynch has never forgotten where he came from, and those are the interests he serves in Congress – the people he grew up with and worked with, not the special interests and the loudest voices in Washington,” Murphy said. “I’m honored that he has endorsed my candidacy for re-election, and I look forward to continuing to collaborate with him on the issues that matter most to Bostonians.”

Lynch said he has known Murphy for over a decade and recalled presenting her with the James F. Gavin Award in 2015 for her tireless work in the field of substance abuse prevention and recovery.

“Erin grew up here, she taught for more than 20 years in the Boston Public Schools, and she raised her three kids here as a single mother,” Lynch said. “She knows the struggle that workingclass people face in Boston, what it’s like to navigate the school system, how important it is to keep our neighborhoods safe. She’s a crucial, reliable voice at City Hall, and we need to send her back for another term.”

Lynch said he plans to campaign for Murphy prior to the September 12th preliminary election, with details to be provided at a later date.

Congressman Lynch was born and raised in the South Boston public housing projects, then became an ironworker after high school as a member of Ironworkers Local 7. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management

at Wentworth Institute of Technology, attending classes on nights and weekends. He received a law degree from Boston College Law School, working as a labor and employment attorney.

Lynch was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives, then the State Senate. In 1999, he earned a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.

In addition to the Committee on Oversight and Accountability, Lynch serves as a senior member of the Committee on Financial Services, where he is the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Digital Assets, Financial Technology and Inclusion. He also sits on the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government, an investigative subcommittee of the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Along with the Congressional Labor and Working Families Caucus, which works to protect workers’ rights and educate Members of Congress on issues that impact American families, Lynch co-chairs the House Caucus on Prescription Drug Abuse, the

House Caucus on Anti-Terrorism and Proliferation Financing, and the House Quiet Skies Caucus, which works on aircraft air and noise pollution issues.

He and his wife, Margaret, live in South Boston, where they raised their daughter, Victoria, and niece Crystal.

Boston City Councilor At-Large Erin Murphy was first elected in 2021, after a more than 20 years as a Boston Public Schools teacher. A lifelong Dorchester resident, she attended BPS, worked her way through the University of Massachusetts Boston and her Master’s degree from Fitchburg State University, while raising her four children in the city as a single mom.

Since taking citywide office, Murphy has delivered on her promise to be the “go-to call at City Hall” for constituents in every neighborhood, delivering on a broad range of her priorities, including education, senior services, substance abuse and recovery, job growth, safer streets, veterans’ priorities, and increased opportunities for small businesses and people of color. Murphy has been working hard to earn votes in every neighborhood in advance of the November 7th general election.

City Councilor-At-Large Erin Murphy with US Representative Stephen F. Lynch

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VERTX

Head of STEAM Education at Vertex. Her visit to the Club was specifically devoted to providing STEAM Education to young Club members.

“So what does STEAM mean?”, you may ask. “STEAM” is an acronym word made up from S for Science, T for Technology, E for Engineering, A for Art, and M for Mathematic. STEAM originally began as STEM, and then was turned into STEAM by adding in the A for Art. Note that each letter of STEAM stands for a critically important subject that young people should learn in the 21st Century.

More than a hundred members of the Boys & Girls Club took part in Vertex’s STEAM Education event on Friday. Their ages ranged from six up to ten years old. The event began with a pizza lunch at noontime. Just before 1 p.m., the young people were split by ages into three groups and their STEAM Education began.

The six year-olds gathered around tables where they were given the task of making slime. Yes, slime! This

introduced them to a technical field called “polymer chemistry”, where slimes of varying viscosity (you can look that scientific word up for yourself) can be made into shapes to play with. The slime ingredients included baking soda, Elmer’s glue, and even contact lens solution with boric acid in it.

Seven and eight-year-olds performed DNA extraction from strawberries, which are technically known as “tetraploids”. Now, DNA is a material that determines the characteristics, which make a living organism into its unique self. Separating it from an organism (like a strawberry) is complicated, but the young Club members took several careful steps and did it well.

Nine and ten-year-old Club members were given 3-D pens to use, in order for them to create small relief pictures and structures that were strong enough to hold objects. Heat-sensitive, colored rods were liquefied in these special pens, which are heated by a tiny motor. The liquid was then ejected onto paper, and once again became solid. But after being sent through the

tip of the pen, the rods had now been carefully applied, and they were turned into objects of many shapes and colors.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals’ STEAM Education event lasted for about two hours. The Boys & Girls Club members all took part with great enthusiasm, including a brief piano solo by Maxwell.

Certainly, the people and student interns from Vertex did an excellent job. They all work nearby on Fan Pier in a building designed and built by South Boston developer Joe Finn. Many live in South Boston as well. The people from Vertex have truly become contributors to the South Boston community.

Back Home

Josh Davis Returns to Southie to Take Helm at Boys & Girls Club

By Ginger DeShaney

Josh Davis’ career has come full circle. His first job after graduating from Tulane with a degree in Sociology was Education Director at the Edgerley Family South Boston Boys & Girls Club from 2001-2007. He then held several other positions with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston, including Director at the Orchard Gardens and Dearborn Clubs, before coming back to Southie to replace Harry Duvall as Executive Director.

“Ever since I was able to work, I was working with children in some capacity,” said Josh, who credits his passion to his parents. “Just the idea of giving back to the community has always been instilled in me since a very young age.”

He has hit the ground running since assuming the ED role on Jan. 4, 2023. He spends a good amount of time on administrative duties – such as general oversight and management of the building, strengthening corporate relationships, fundraising, organizing training and professional development for staff.

“But there’s nothing better than getting out into the program

areas and spending time with the staff, participating in an activity, or just having a normal everyday conversation with a member,” he said. “Those organic interactions with the Club members are what makes this place so special; that connection with an adult who really is taking an interest in what they’re doing today and, ultimately, what they want to do as they continue to grow in the Club.”

Josh is working on a strategic plan for the Edgerley Family South Boston Club for the next five years, under guidance from the new Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston Nicholas President and CEO Robert Lewis Jr. But the heart of the Club will remain the same: “and that’s the fun, engaging activities, allowing the members to be themselves, to explore their own

career interests, to really figure out who they are. And I think that’s what’s great about this building.”

Josh’s strategic plans include: Ensuring every teen has identified a path for life after the Club, whether that’s college, the trades, or jobs, and offering internships and other opportunities “so that we’re really laying out a wide menu of options for our members to decide what they would like to do,” Josh said.

Emphasizing increased participation in the Homework Room for all ages.

Focusing on mental health as the community comes out of the pandemic and expanding social work services and resources.

Josh, 44, will make sure that the Edgerley Family Club continues to set all kids up for success and provide the resources and guidance they need.

In addition, Josh wants to make the Club an option for the wider community who could benefit from its resources. He’d like schools, local organizations, and community groups to use the building when the Club kids are in school and even offer swim lessons, music lessons, and gym access.

The summer program, which ends Aug. 18, has about 300 kids; the Edgerley Family Club will aim for about 285 kids

for the after-school program. In the meantime, Josh is coming up with creative ways to remember all the kids’ names.

“I take it as a sign of respect when we know the child’s name and they reciprocate,” Josh said, noting all the staff know every child’s name.

Josh is grateful for the dedicated veteran staff members he has to lean on: Pattie McCormick, Associate Director of Development; Tim Bothwell, Director of Operations; and Mike Mogan, Teen Director, who have all been with the Club for decades. Add in the new staff members, who are passionate, and he has the perfect combination.

Josh is excited to be leading a team of like-minded people who are entrenched in the community and want to make a difference. “I know that I can’t do it all myself.”

The Club and the community have been so welcoming to Josh. And he’s humbled by the fact that kids he used to help with homework are now dropping their own kids off at the Club.

“Giving young people opportunities that they may not otherwise have has always been a part of my life,” Josh said. “And then to have the opportunity to assume a role like this … is something I take very seriously. It’s a big responsibility and something that I’m very passionate about.”

A Gospel Fest in the Seaport’s Leader Bank Pavilion

by Rick Winterson

The NAACP (the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) held their 2023 Convention over last weekend, from July 28 through July 31. This event, their 114th Annual Convention, took place at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center on Summer Street in South Boston. Members of the NAACP gather annually to advocate for themselves, a goal which is typified by their commitment

to “Thriving Together”. The Convention had many sponsors. Among the ten key sponsors was the City of Boston itself. Led by Mayor Michelle Wu, the City presented a superb Gospel Fest last Sunday evening in the Leader Bank Pavilion. The Fest was performed by a number of professional musicians, known both locally and across the U.S. for their Gospel singing talents.

We estimate that an audience of more than 3,000 showed up at the Leader Pavilion for Sunday’s Gospel Fest. First, nine Boston clerics conducted a 30-minute

Prayer Session that opened with an evocative prayer offered by John M. Borders, the Bishop of Morningstar Baptist Church in Mattapan. Then, Mayor Michelle Wu took the stage to welcome everyone. The entire Fest lasted approximately three hours.

Special guests at the Fest included MAJOR (R. Johnson Finley), an award-winning soul, R&B, and Gospel singer who served as the Fest’s Master of Ceremonies. The Gospel music performed ranged widely through many genres, even

hip-hop. Among the nationally known singers in the Fest were Fred Hammond, who performs contemporary Gospel music, and Kierra “Kiki” Sheard-Kelly, whose family background includes generations of noted Gospel singers. We especially enjoyed the performance of “The City of Boston Gospel Chorus”, a 40-member group led by James Hills, which had been especially assembled for Sunday’s Gospel Fest. Solo Sam, a counter tenor, and Hakim delivered memorable solo performances.

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Lilah’s Crystals and Tarot Open on West Broadway

downtown for twenty-seven years. The building was sold to developers, and we needed a new location. My older son had been in school at Tynan, and I thought it might work,” she said.

Lilah found the location, former home of Neatly Nested, on the corner of E. and West Broadway and saw the possibilities. It is a calm and interesting place, with quiet meditation spaces, a well-spaced display of candles, soap, crystals, jewelry, and separate, private places for the practice of Tarot readings, Reiki, and Chakra.

“People come in who have things on their mind and are looking to de-stress. I help them find their energy and direction,” she said.

By Carol Masshardt

Healing and relaxation are indisputably needed, and If Lilah Evans is correct, there will be a customer base in South Boston just looking for a holistic way to deal with stress. Offering Tarot Card readings, Meditation, Reiki, (transfer energy through palm healing) Chakra (exploring centers of vital energy in the body) are age old practices now available in the neighborhood.

“We moved here in May after being on Tremont St. in

Though one may think of these practices as new, they are generations old, and, in fact, Lilah’s mother, Katherine, will be working with her as they transition from downtown to South Boston. She also makes many of the things for sale, including soap, some of the candles, in addition to an ample supply of crystals and jewelry.

“I learned Tarot reading from my mother and grandmother over many years,” she said. “I grew up in Florida and moved to Boston when I was sixteen and have lived here since. We are moving from downtown to Dorchester soon, so this location is good for what we do. I also see how hard people work, and so far, they have been open to using energy as a way to balance.”

Lilah believes in what she does and how the mind and body connect. She appreciates the importance of knowing oneself and developing natural ways to relax. She also knows the limits of what she can offer, knowing that some people need medical and mental health intervention.

“I’ve seen people benefit so much and feel better about themselves. When people get in touch with their positive energy, they are not so alone. I think this place was meant to be, “she said. “So far, people have come in and said, ‘we need something like this.’ That makes me happy. It does take an openness; I am happy to talk about it with anyone.

On a recent very hot afternoon, Lilah’s store was cool and quiet and had a positive energy all of its own. A fisherman came in and looking around said as an aside “I believe in this stuff.” And, so, the relationship has begun with this storefront, the Evans mother and daughter, and South Boston. The products are available to all. The other services are limited to those eighteen and over. Lilah’s Crystal’s and Tarot is open six days from 10-6:30.

(Carol Masshardt can be reached at carolhardt@ comcast.net)

Lilah Evans Meditation Room

South Boston Community Members Enjoy Free Harbor Cruise

to Spectacle Island

This July, 368 South Boston community members joined Save The Harbor/Save The Bay’s free All Access Boston Harbor Cruises to Georges and Spectacle Island, including 111 kids and families from The South Boston Neighborhood House and others from Artists For Humanity, Idiil Learning Center, South Boston Outreach Summer and the Boston Children’s Chorus.

“There’s no better way to beat this summer’s recordbreaking heat than to spend the day out on the harbor and the islands,” said Save the Harbor Executive Director Chris Mancini. “Swimming in the clean waters off Spectacle Island and exploring the ‘Dark Tunnel’ in Fort Warren are two of the best

places to be during a heatwave.”

Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 300-500 kids from around the region meet at the Leader Bank Pavilion or Fan Pier where Harbor Historian David Coffin tells them how Spectacle Island went from a landfill on fire to the beautiful park it is today.

“It’s one of my favorite stories to share with the kids,” said Coffin, “And it emphasizes the importance of the park’s carry-in, carry-out policy. They take that experience home with them and become the next generation of environmental stewards.”

The trips are organized and run by Boston Public School students in Save the Harbor’s Youth Jobs Program. Once on the island, they lead fun, STEAM-

based education activities like Fishing 101, the Treasures of Spectacle Island archaeology exploration, and hikes through Fort Warren on Georges or to the top of Spectacle’s drumlins for a great view of the Boston Skyline and the outer harbor.

“We’re particularly proud to have added guided audio tours and information in six languages this year,” said Deputy Director Kristen Barry. “This way, native speakers in Mandarin, Spanish, Cape Verdian Creole, Vietnamese, and Haitian Creole can more easily participate in our programs.”

“All of these free cruises are only made possible with leadership support and partnership

from Cronin Development, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, Massachusetts Office of Environmental Protection, Bay State Cruise Company, and Mass Bay Lines,” said Mancini.

All Access trips will continue weekly until August 24th and are free and open to all to join through Save the Harbor’s website, along with evening and weekend Share the Harbor tours.

To learn more about Save the Harbor/Save the Bay’s free All Access Boston Harbor excursions or upcoming free events on the waterfront or your favorite beach, visit their website at www. savetheharbor.org and follow @ savetheharbor on social media.

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National Night Out

we celebrate the work that the Boston Police Department does, the work that the community does, and how all of our agencies and all of our levels of government are working really hard so that Boston continues to be the safest city in America.”

The mayor thanked Commissioner Cox, the police officers and command staff, the Fire Department, elected officials, and everyone throughout the neighborhood.

In addition to food, kids’ activities, the horse and dog combo, a raffle for scooters, the BPD ice cream truck, the chance

to sit in a firetruck, and more, two awards were handed out.

The Dorchester Heights Association won the Top Crime Watch Group of the Year Award. The award was given in recognition of outstanding success in crime prevention activities that serve as an inspiration to

others to keep up the fight against crime in Boston.

Nancy and Simon

Pongratz of the West Broadway Neighborhood Association won the Community Service Award for their tireless efforts to beautify the neighborhood and keep it thriving, successful, and safe.

Boston Children’s Rec Fest

Returns August 15

Mayor Michelle Wu and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department invite city youth to come celebrate the summer at the 2023 ParkARTS Boston Children’s Rec Fest on Tuesday, August 15 at Franklin Park from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The Boston Children’s Rec Fest is presented with the support of title sponsor Bank of America and presenting sponsors College H.U.N.K.S. Hauling Junk & Moving and H.P. Hood, LLC. Additional support is provided by LEGO Discovery Center Boston.

Children and families from throughout Boston have the opportunity to participate in a variety of free activities from various exhibitors including Rosalita’s Marionette Puppets, ParkARTS

arts and crafts, and face painting. The event will showcase active sports and play with exciting inflatable attractions such as the All-In-One Sports Arena, a family Zumba class, and hands-on clinics hosted by sports professionals teaching tennis, baseball, and soccer skills. The event will also include free treats from HP Hood LLC.

The location of the festival is at 25 Pierpont Road in Roxbury near the rear entrance of the Franklin Park Zoo. By MBTA, take the Orange Line to Forest Hills and the #15 bus to the Zoo. By car, the park can be reached from Blue Hill Avenue, Seaver Street, or Circuit Drive. Ample free parking is available and the park is ADA compliant. Visit boston.gov/childrensrec-fest to learn more. Stay up to date with updates.

The Law Office of

Paul J. Gannon PC

Headquarters Project Mass Bay Credit Union

by Rick Winterson

Recently, we received news that the Mass Bay Credit Union, now headquartered at 147 West Fourth Street, is planning a complete redevelopment of its property at that address. This property is located along the southeastern side of A Street and stretches between Fourth and Fifth Streets.

A key part of this project will be the relocation of the Mass Bay Credit Union’s Headquarters and its main South Boston Branch. That means building an entirely new facility, which will be sited at A and Fifth Streets on the opposite corner of their property. Currently, this half-acre-sized lot is used for parking.

On Monday, South Boston

Online conducted a brief telephone interview with Theresa Dorilas, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Mass Bay Credit Union. She told us that individuals can show their support of the Credit Union’s project by emailing their comments to Stephen

J. Harvey at the Boston Planning & Development Agency (the BPDA). His email address is: Stephen.J.Harvey@ boston.gov. She also mentioned that the deadline for sending your comments is tomorrow, Friday, August 4.

The Lincoln Property Company will handle the redevelopment and has already filed plans with the City of Boston. These can be found at:

https://bostonplans.org/projects/ development-projects/147-w-fourthstreet. In addition to its Headquarters, the Credit Union’s new 224,000 square foot, union-built, mixed-use project will include retail spaces, life sciences training, 20% affordable housing, and many new job opportunities.

President/CEO Theresa Dorilas emphatically assured us that Mass Boston Credit Union’s commitment to “People Helping People” will continue during and after this project’s development. The Credit Union’s other three branches in Everett (183 Main Street), Quincy (1250 Hancock Street), and the South Boston Seaport District (409 D Street) will continue their operations as usual.

The parking lot at A and Fifth, where new Headquarters will be located.

The existing Mass Bay Credit Union building at A and Fourth.

Mayor Wu, City Leaders Celebrate Record-Breaking Summer Learning For All $6 Million in Public Funds Drives Enrollment Across Hundreds of Programs

The 5th Quarter of Summer Learning, a collaboration of the City of Boston, the Boston Public Schools, and Boston After School & Beyond and 261 programs will reach nearly 20,000 students, a 20 percent increase from 2022 and a new record for the number of programs and youth participating. Students participate in a wide range of academic and enrichment programs in every neighborhood of the city, as well as nature camps in the surrounding communities.

“Summer is the perfect time for Boston’s young people to explore the joys of learning by taking advantage of the endless activities available in our City,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “When we invest in initiatives like Fifth Quarter, we are creating opportunities for youth to not only have important learning experiences but to also have a strong foundation for their future professional and personal growth. I’m thankful to Boston After School & Beyond and all of our partners whose critical support ensures our students stay engaged all year long.”

A historic investment of $4.1 million from the Boston Public Schools in programs that integrate academics and enrichment helped drive this increase. A RAND national longitudinal study, which included Boston, shows that students who attend at least 80% of the time outperform their peers in math, English language arts, and social and emotional skills.

“I am immensely proud of the historic success of Boston’s summer learning campaign, the 5th Quarter of Summer Learning, as it has brought together our community and empowered nearly 20,000 students with enriching academic and enrichment programs,” said

Summer Learning For All

Superintendent Mary Skipper. This remarkable 35 percent increase from last year reflects our commitment to fostering engaged, curious, and confident young minds across every neighborhood in the city.”

The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education invested $1.9 million, and foundations another $500 thousand, to support enrichment and skill development in Boston Beyond’s network of 111 nonprofit community-based programs, serving more than 10,000 young people.

“Through investments in the 5th Quarter of Learning,

students are building on the skills learned during the school year and becoming more engaged, curious, and confident,” said Chris Smith, Executive Director of Boston After School & Beyond. “We’re grateful to the City of Boston and the state for making summer a priority.”

Programs in Boston’s 5th Quarter of Learning take place in every Boston neighborhood and beyond, allowing young people to access a program that interests them, close to home. From mariachi dancing at the Veronica Robles Center and sailing at Courageous Sailing in Charleston

to learning mixed martial arts at Level Ground MMA in Fields Corner or exploring nature at Hale Education in Westwood, nonprofits are making the community a classroom for young people. Boston’s model has proved to be an inspiration to other cities. Boston Beyond is assisting the Springfield Empowerment Zone Partnership and the City of Philadelphia in designing and measuring their 5th Quarter of Learning programs. For a full list of 5th Quarter programs across the city, please visit Boston Beyond’s Summer at https:// bostonbeyond.org/summer-2023/