THE PRINT EDITION

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2020

VOLUME XIX- ISSUE 74

Blooms + Booze

Momentous Weekend

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alloween will be here on Saturday, October 31, but the usual observances will be absent. All we can (safely) tell you at this time is that COVID-19 cases are increasing. Please make sure that you (and your children) follow all of the recommended Halloween precautions issued by the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) listed on page 6. It’s critically important for you, for your kids, for South Boston, and for our entire society. You don’t have to be told

HAVE YOU HEARD?

that the most important election in many years is at hand. At this time, please remember that you can vote early until Friday, October 30. Or you can still apply (in-person) for an absentee ballot until 12 Noon on Monday, November 2. And of course, you can cast your vote on Election Day itself (as this writer plans to do) – TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, from 7 A.M. until 8 P.M. Thank you for voting. Finally, please remember that Daylight Savings Time (DST ) rever ts to Ea stern Standard Time (EST) at 2 a.m. Sunday morning, November 1. W hether you reset your clocks this coming Saturday evening or on Sunday morning, ju st remember t h at old saying, “Spring forward, Fall backward”, and set your clocks back one hour this weekend.

And once again, please VOTE!

Colleen Dunleavy (left) and Crystal Mills, owners of Love Child. Duo Focuses on Celebrations, Connections, and Creativity

By Ginger DeShaney

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t was a match made in party heaven. Colleen Dunleavy knows flowers. Crystal Mills knows cocktails. They met six years ago doing a photo shoot and immediately hit it off professionally and creatively.

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“Colleen and I are such a great match,” Crystal said. “We had a friendship from Day 1, and it’s been amazing for us to know each other’s strengths and build our business as business partners.” Today, their business, “Love Child,” combines blooms and booze and is making a name in South Boston.

Continued on Page 4

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2020 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

The Two 2020 Ballot Questions (both proposed by Initiative Petitions)

Prescription Take Back Day

There are two Ballot Questions for you to vote on this Election Year of 2020, both of which were proposed by Initiative Petitions. They are simply entitled as follows:

1.- Motor Vehicle Mechanical Data, and 2.- Ranked-Choice Voting Both of these questions seem important to us here at South Boston Online, so we will give you our viewpoints on them right up front. To summarize, we have assessed them thoroughly, and we advise you to vote “YES” on Question 1. – Motor Vehicle Mechanical Data, and “NO” on Question 2. – Ranked-Choice Voting.

1.- Motor Vehicle Mechanical Data (“YES”) This law, if approved by you the voter, will mean that car owners and the independent repair facilities they choose to use will be able to access mechanical data at no cost, when that data is logged into so-called “telematics systems” that are part of modern cars’ instrumentation. This would allow independent repair facilities, which the vehicle owner him/herself chooses, to test, repair, and maintain the vehicle, without needing to first obtain an advance authorization from the manufacturers. Basically, an authorization like that would require that the car’s owner(s), when repairs are required, would have to go back to the dealer where the car was bought. Please note that there was a Right to Repair law passed back in 2012. However, as cars have become more computerized, that 2012 law does not cover the more recent data gathering systems in cars, which use wireless transmission (“telematics”). There have been many arguments against allowing independent repair facilities to have access to your car’s operating data. Several of these arguments actually hint that your vehicle data (in the wrong hands) could lead to your being tracked down, attacked, and assaulted. We don’t think that argument is valid. On the other hand, free access to your car’s mechanical operating data would allow you to shop around for the skilled, most reasonable repair facilities you can find. It would prevent an owner in a rural area from having to travel long distances to the dealer where the car was bought. It’s your car – vote “YES” and get it maintained wherever you choose.

2.- Ranked-Choice Voting (“NO”) Ranked-choice voting (RCV) looks like it has many advantages. Simply stated, RCV would allow you, the voter, to look over a ballot and its list of candidates, and then assign a “position” or “rank” to each of them – “first choice, second place, third …”, and so on. If the initial vote count doesn’t lead to a majority of first-place votes cast for any single candidate, the candidate with the lowest number of votes is taken out of the count, and his or her votes are mathematically reassigned to the remaining candidates. Now, RCV will often work well, fairly, and accurately, just as the current voting system does. But there could be problems, if RCV results in candidates who are not well-regarded by large numbers of the voters. In addition, think of the amount of research a voter may have to perform, when the field of candidates is large. And remember that large numbers of candidates have recently occurred in several political campaigns, ranging from the City of Boston up to the Federal level. And we don’t know really that much about RCV. Our neighbors in Cambridge have used it locally for many years, but their RCV elections are for groups of electees, such as for their City Council (9 slots) and School Committee (6). The State of Maine has also had problems with its RCV contests, some of them ending up in the courts. Yes, there are many advocacy groups in favor of RCV, but we suggest a “NO” vote. RCV here must first be given a much more careful, in-depth look, in our opinion.

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ast Saturday, October 24, was Prescription Take Back Day. This important event took place in the lobby of our South Boston Police Station C-6 at 101 West Broadway, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. The importance of Prescription Take Back comes from making sure that old and outdated medicines are disposed of safely, to avoid public misuse of addictive medicines or possible misuse by children and other members of your family. Were you aware that certain medicines, if disposed of carelessly, can damage the environment where we all live? Saturday’s Prescription Take Back Day was set up to remind South Boston residents of the need for safe disposal of prescriptions. The members of BPD Station C-6 want to help you dispose of medicines safely. But please remember, the prescription dropoff is open 24 hours around-theclock every single day. When you arrive, just let the BPD Officer behind the lobby desk in Station C-6 at 101 West Broadway know that you are making a drop-off. Before depositing your old prescriptions, remove or erase their labels to preserve your privacy. Dropping them off at Station C-6 is a positive action that really makes a difference. An additional suggestion: The Station C-6 lobby also offers information on the City of Boston’s Police Cadet Program. This program offers paid (!), two-year civilian positions within the BPD (Boston Police Department). Completing this program and passing the Police Exam might lead to preference for a Police Academy class.

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2020

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Keep the Exams at “Exam Schools”

or clarity, these are Boston’s three exam schools: Boston Latin School (frequently referred to as “Boston Latin” or “Latin”); Boston Latin Academy (often called “Latin Academy” or just “the Academy” for short), and the John D. O’Bryant School of Mathematics and Science. Admission to them is limited to students living in Boston; the “exam” all applicants took until this year was the ISEE (the Independent School Entrance Examination). An applicant’s recent school grades also play a very important part in deciding to invite that applicant to attend an exam school. Because of Coronavirus and the COVID-19 pandemic (now increasing in Boston), the exam portion of the exam school admissions process has been cancelled this year. Instead, rankings based heavily upon

“GPA” (grade point average), closely followed by assessing the Zip Codes where each applicant lives according to its income level, will determine who gets invited to attend exam schools. This health-based decision was based entirely upon the need reduce or eliminate exposures to COVID-

19. In other words, it’s because of an urgent medical safety need, and it’s only for this year. Since t hen, severa l news media, the educational establishment, and many of Boston’s elected and/or appointed officials have insisted that the system(s) for getting into exam

schools be changed. It has become a “hot” campaign issue a mong ca ndidates running for local offices. Most of the cha nge s sug ge sted requ ire altering the exams, or completely eliminating them altogether. But how can Boston continue it s world-renow ned “ex a m schools” w it hout “ex a ms”? C er t a i n ly, e x a m s a nd admissions policies can always be improved (as they were during much of the 1900s). And Boston’s existing elementary and middle schools could begin offering extra study opportunities to students who want to apply to exam schools. Why not begin these added scholastic opportunities right away, in January, 2021? But keep ent ra nc e exams as a requirement to be considered for exam schools.

LOCATIONS AND SCHEDULES SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17 – FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30 Registered Boston voters can vote at any early voting location in the City, including City Hall. Pick a time and place that is best for you. Los votantes registrados en Boston pueden votar en cualquier centro de votación adelantada en la ciudad, incluyendo en la Alcaldía de Boston. Elija la hora y el lugar que sea más conveniente para usted. DROPBOXES FOR VOTE-BY-MAIL BALLOTS AVAILABLE UNTIL NOVEMBER 3 (WILL BE NDER 24HR SURVEILLANCE) for more information visit: boston.gov/early-voting

OCT 19-23 & OCT 26-30 MON, WED, FRI, 9AM – 5PM & TUE & THRS, 9AM - 8PM Boston City Hall, One City Hall Square, Boston, MA 02201 SAT & SUN, OCT. 17 & 18, 11AM – 7PM BCYF Paris Street Gymnasium 112 Paris Street, East Boston, MA 02128 BCYF Quincy 885 Washington Street, Chinatown, MA 02111 District Hall 75 Northern Avenue, Boston, MA 02210 (Seaport) Richard J. Murphy K-8 School Cafeteria 1 Worrell Street, Dorchester, MA 02122 Thelma Burns Building 575 Warren Street, Roxbury, MA 02121 Another Course to College Cafeteria 612 Metropolitan Avenue, Hyde Park, MA 02136 BCYF Roche Gymnasium 1716 Centre Street, West Roxbury, MA 02132 Dewitt Center 122 Dewitt Drive, Roxbury, MA 02120 Fenway Park (Gate A) 4 Jersey Street, Fenway, MA 02215 Jackson Mann School Auditorium 500 Cambridge Street, Allston MA 02135

TUESDAY OCTOBER 20 12PM - 8PM BCYF Paris Street Gymnasium 112 Paris Street, East Boston, MA 02128 BCYF Tobin (Lower Level) 1481 Tremont Street, Roxbury, MA 02120 THURSDAY OCTOBER 22 12PM - 8PM BCYF Shelburne Gymnasium 2730 Washington Street, Roxbury, MA 02119 Strand Theatre 543 Columbia Road, Dorchester, MA 02125 TUESDAY OCTOBER 27 12 PM - 8PM St. George Orthodox Church of Boston 55 Emmonsdale Road, West Roxbury, MA 02132 BCYF Hyde Park 1179 River Street, Hyde Park, MA 02136 THURSDAY OCTOBER 29 12PM - 8PM Florian Hall 55 Hallet Street, Dorchester, MA 02122 Boys and Girls Club Mattapan Teen Center 10 Hazelton Street, Mattapan, MA 02126 In order to vote early or on Election Day, you must register to vote by October 24. Check your voter status at boston.gov/election Para poder votar por adelantado o el día de las elecciones, debe registrarse para votar antes del 24 de octubre. Consulte su estatus como votante en boston.gov/election

SAT & SUN, OCT. 24 & 25, 11AM – 7PM Harvard/Kent Elementary School Gymnasium 50 Bunker Hill Street, Charlestown, MA 02129 James F. Condon School Cafeteria 200 D Street, South Boston, MA 02127 BCYF Perkins Gymnasium 155 Talbot Avenue, Dorchester, MA 02124 Mildred Avenue K-8 School Gymnasium 5 Mildred Avenue, Mattapan, MA 02126 Saint Nectarios Greek Church Banquet Hall 39 Belgrade Avenue, Roslindale, MA 02131 Margarita Muñiz Academy Gymnasium 20 Child Street, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 BCYF Shelburne Gymnasium 2730 Washington Street, Roxbury, MA 02119 The Salvation Army Kroc Center 650 Dudley Street, Dorchester, MA 02125 Boston Public Library - Central Branch (McKim Building) 700 Boylston Street, Back Bay, MA 02116 Honan Allston Branch Library (Community Room) 300 North Harvard Street, Allston, MA 02134 If you miss the early voting period, you can still vote on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3. Si decide no votar por adelantado, todavía puede ir a votar en persona el día de las elecciones, que es el martes, 3 de noviembre. Learn more at boston.gov/early-voting Call 311 • election@boston.gov #VoteEarlyBoston Llamar 311 • election@boston.gov

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2020 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

Continued from Page 1

Blooms and Booze

“Flowers and cocktails go hand in hand,” said Colleen, who also owns Dunlovely Floral Design while Crystal also owns WanderLush, a craft cocktail business. “Flowers and cocktails make people feel better and put smiles on their faces.” Colleen and Crystal, both 34 years old, share a passion for hosting. “We love finding reasons to gather and celebrate,” Colleen said. “We love to bring people together and connect with the community.” Love Child’s mission is simple: fostering celebrations, connections, and creativity. “I love that we can play a role in continuing to help people to celebrate -- even if it’s just the everyday, mundane things in life -- during what is such a hard time for all,” said Crystal. “It’s really kept our spirit alive, too.” Located at 317 E St., just off Broadway, the small space packs a big punch. It’s a micro venue, a retail shop, and a workshop space.  Love Child was supposed to open to the public the weekend Boston shut down in March because of the pandemic. The delay didn’t deter this dynamic duo. After coming up with creative ways to grow their customer base during the shutdown, Love Child opened its doors as a retail shop in June and started hosting events in August. So far, Love Child has hosted five private events, including a brunch, a birthday party, and a mother-daughter lunch.  Up to eight people are allowed for each event. The host can bring in their own food, or they can order from a Love Child menu curated by Tim Chatigny, the chef at Lincoln. The event can be contactless, or the host can have a Love Child representative on hand. Colleen and Crystal transform

the retail shop into the event venue by moving things to the small back room, repurposing items as venue pieces, and keeping many of the pieces out as decor. “When people come in to shop, they are shocked it can be rented out as a venue,” Colleen said. The original business plan was to provide the space full time as an event venue and a place for the duo to host workshops. The retail store was not part of the plan. “One thing that brings us together is the creativity we both have,” Colleen said. “We are constantly bouncing ideas off each other.” Their Blooms + Booze workshops are very popular. “Everybody LOVED it,” Crystal said. “It’s combining two things most people like, and it’s a lighthearted and educational class. What’s not to love?” They offered the workshops virtually during the shutdown and will soon be releasing a new class schedule. A private group of up to six guests at Love Child learn to make a signature cocktail -- along with some Mixology 101 -- and then are instructed on how to make something beautiful with flowers. The class themes are also seasonal. In addition to Colleen’s fresh and dried flower arrangements and Crystal’s cocktail kits, the retail space also features pieces and gifts by local artists and makers, many of them women. “We’re building an army of female entrepreneurs,” Colleen said, noting the duo brings in pieces by smallbatch makers who share their missions.  “The more we can lift each other up, the better,” Colleen said.    Love Child’s neighbor, Neatly Nested, has been a vital partner, too.  Colleen and Crystal have been working with Danielle McClure at Neatly Nested for years. “She believed in us years ago when we did Blooms + Booze classes in her store, and she continues to do so,” Colleen and Crystal agree. “She has played a role in helping us also understand retail, which is new to both of us, and overall to just have another fellow Southie business owner is such a blessing for us.” Love Child’s retail shop is currently open three days a week, Thursday through Saturday, but as the holidays approach, the shop will add hours.  “We want people to think of us as a neighborhood spot to run in and grab a gift or to treat themselves,” Colleen said.  Follow Love Child on Instagram @_ _ _lovechild_ _ _ and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/lovechildco.

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2020

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The GITA Comes to Town by Rick Winterson

J

oe Rull dropped by the South Boston Online office last week. It’s always nice to see an old friend, of course, especially when he brings a robotic companion named GITA along with him. The GITA is a robot in the configuration of a squat, two-wheeled, carry-all vehicle. What is attention-getting about the GITA is its ability to follow its owner automatically, wherever said owner walks. According to its instructions, the GITA operates by means of computeraided “vision” that identifies its owner. From there, it carries items in the cavity between its wheels, and faithfully follows its owner wherever he or she walks. It was uncanny to see the GITA swivel on its two wheels and then follow Joe. The GITA, after going

through several prototypes, now operates entirely separately from its owner (no leash needed), and navigates on its own while following its owner. It can carry about 20 kilos – roughly 40 pounds – in its load cavity, and will travel as fast as 20 miles an hour – much faster than any walking pace but suitable for keeping up with a bicycle-riding owner. It is battery operated and can function for up to eight hours on a single charge. Recharging takes four hours – less than overnight. While the GITA is a novelty item, it might eventually have a more practical use such as assisting those who are handicapped, or perhaps even for transporting infants and toddlers safely. Piaggio Fast Forward is the designer/developer of the GITA; they are located here in Boston and Vicinity. They are a subsidiary

of Piaggio in Italy, whose best known line of specialized small vehicles is likely to be VESPA.

And “la gita” is an Italian word meaning “short walk for pleasure”.

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2020 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

South Boston Greets Salon 120 West by Rick Winterson

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ast Saturday, October 24, a new enterprise opened its doors at 120 West Broadway. The enterprise’s name – “Salon 120 West” – evokes its location memorably; their signage points out how new and modern Salon 120 West really is, by footnoting it “ – Est. 2020 – ”. Taylor Portanova and Kasey Bertucci are the owners of Salon 120 West. They hail from Quincy and of course are both licensed and offer much experience in beauty services. For the last seven years, the two of them have worked together in the ‘burbs around the City of Boston. During our interview, they vividly described their decision to go out on their own, with Kasey describing it as “our vision”, and Taylor simply saying “passionata” – no need to translate! Senior Stylist

Mia Carbone and Apprentice Hannah Graveline round out the Salon 120 West’s staff – “At your service!” The décor at Salon 120 West is nicely done – in fact, it’s striking. Darker colors ascend from the teak-colored floors and the black leathern working seats, and then blend with warm yellows and white as they rise. Some areas of the walls are decorated with 3D leafy sprays and petals, an effective contrast. And speaking about color, Taylor and Kasey mentioned with particular pride the extensive skills in hair coloring they bring to their clients in South Boston. Be sure to ask them about it. And in addition to their dozen or so hair coloring services, their skills include cuts, styling, straightening treatments, and extensions. They asked that South Boston Online mention the precautions they plan to take while the pandemic still lurks: “At Salon 120 West, our pandemic precautions are all in place. We’ll follow every guideline.” Visits there are by

Taylor Portanova (l.), Co-Owner; Kasey Bertucci (r.), Co-Owner; with Apprentice Hannah Graveline (center). Not shown: Mia Carbone, Senior Stylist. appointment only. Phone 617-3157440; log onto salon120west.com. And if you are a couple who are reading this, you might want to arrange a joint visit for the two of you – next door to Salon

120 West, there’s a barbershop named “Blair and Blade” operated by a nice guy named Nate Barnes, a licensed master barber. His phone is 540-5208098; log onto blairandblade.genbook.com

Therapy Horses Bring Smiles to Seniors at Compass on the Bay

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hile Idaho the miniature horse may be small in stature, he performs a very important job. Residents of Compass on the Bay, a Memory Support Assisted Living Community in South Boston, recently enjoyed a visit from Idaho and the team at Lifting Spirits Miniature Therapy Horses, who travel to senior living communities and other care settings providing comfort, and a little laughter, to everyone they meet. Lifting Spirits’ therapy horses are trained to interact with people of all ages to assist in alleviating both mental

and physical stress on the body. Along with bringing joy to seniors, contact with animals has several benefits including lowering blood pressure, releasing endorphins, reducing agitation, and may even stimulate fond memories from residents’ pasts, which is particularly comforting to those experiencing memory loss. “Our miniature horses offer a really unique experience for these residents, and can be a much-needed distraction from any loneliness or challenges they may be experiencing that day,” said Toni Hadad, Founder and President of Lifting Spirits. “People can’t help but smile when we walk in. It is incredible how these little horses make such a big impact.” Compass on the Bay is a Memory Support Assisted Living community dedicated exclusively to those with memory loss. For more information on Compass on the Bay’s holistic approach to Memory Care, please visit www.CompassontheBay. com. For information on Lifting Spirits Miniature Therapy Horses, visit www.MiniTherapyHorses.net.

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2020

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A Prehistoric Planting on Pleasure Bay

The unique, ginkgo leaves

fan-shaped

by Rick Winterson

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outh Boston Online admits that calling the gingko biloba trees planted around South Boston’s Pleasure Bay “prehistoric” is something of an exaggeration. After all, Pleasure Bay is a 20th Century engineering creation, as well as a landscaping masterpiece. Only one hundred years, an even century, have passed since Pleasure Bay was opened for its first full year in 1920, after initially opening for part of 1919. The planning for Pleasure Bay goes back into the latter years of the previous century – 1897, to be exact. That’s when Boston’s renowned landscape architect, Frederick Law Olmstead, proposed and designed the terminus of his “Emerald Necklace” – a manmade arc of dikes and filled land that encircled a bay, along with a paved promenade that ended on Castle Island (which, back then, was still an island). Castle Island was later joined to the South Boston shoreline via Day Boulevard; after that, stone causeways and bridged tide gates were constructed across Head Island (the “Sugar Bowl”) and north to Castle Island. Together, these construction projects formed the completely enclosed body of water now called Pleasure Bay. Actually, the enclosed bay really should

be called a “lagoon”, and just as certainly, it was landscaped and became a beach area about a hundred years ago. However, Pleasure Bay certainly isn’t “prehistoric”. Nowadays, it’s a pleasant, t wo-and-one-half mile walk of about an hour. The Plea sure Bay l a nd sc api n g i nc lude s t he planting of trees, some of which are ginkgoes (full name – Gingko biloba, also called the “maidenhair” tree). They are perhaps the most unusual trees anywhere in South Boston because ginkgo trees have been on planet Earth for a very long time. Paleontologists have discovered fossilized gingko trees that go back more than 250 million years (250,000,000), and that certainly is ancient and “prehistoric”. The one remaining specie of live ginkgo, like the ginkgo biloba trees found on Pleasure Bay, is occasiona lly ca lled “living fossils” by scientists. Ginkgo trees are easy to spot when their leaves are out. These leaves are uniquely fanshaped, unlike any other tree on earth (see photo). Yet ginkgoes are “deciduous” trees, meaning they shed their leaves each fall, just like more modern leaf y trees. Ginkgo branches often curve themselves into picturesque shapes; ginkgo wood is normally disease-free and insect-free. Some individual ginkgoes are claimed to be as old as 2,500 years – not “prehistoric”, but certainly “ancient” – and can grow to more than a hundred feet tall. Current day ginkgoes originated in the wilds of southwestern China, have been cultivated elsewhere by Chinese monks, and were brought into the Western world a few centuries ago. A tea made from ginkgo leaves has a folk reputation for improving brain function, but more recent scientif ic tests show only a (very) limited cognitive effect. In most cases, ginkgo trees are cultivated for their long,

A ginkgo tree on Pleasure Bay. healthy lives and their use as an element in landscaping. In South Boston, you’ll find them in several places, such as Dorchester Avenue, near Andrew Square, and

along Day Boulevard. Look for the ginkgo biloba marked “G.M. J.A.” with nail-heads on Pleasure Bay (possibly standing for Ginkgo Monk and Jazzy American?)

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2020 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

SBCA Academy News

Calling all Happy Haunts! Join us for a safe and festive Halloween celebration. Dress up your cars and yourselves and roll into this socially distant car parade. This parade is being hosted by The MOMS Club of South Boston. EVERYONE is welcome to participate! Please feel free to RSVP even if you don’t belong to the club. Southie, this is for you! Awards for costumed cars!! Categories to be announced. Time/Schedule: 9:50am - Vehicles line up for the parade at the Boston Athletic Club Parking Lot (Pappas Way Entrance) 10:30am - The parade begins (parade will conclude at the end of the route) Parade Route: A parade map through South Boston will be made available online, via email and on the day of the parade. Participating vehicles will be asked to place a special parade flyer on their dashboard. Rules of the Road: Participants agree to remain in their vehicles while in the Boston Athletic Club Parking Lot and for the duration of the parade Please come with masks in the event we need to communicate with you while in your vehicle Abide by all COVID protocols. Please be safe and consider the health and wellbeing of those around Please no consumption of any prohibited substances Please do not throw anything out of your vehicle Pedestrian and traffic safety is of imminent importance. All participants agree to abide by all traffic laws. Note: pedestrians always have the right of way. If you see someone in the crosswalk or attempting to cross the street, kindly stop and let them cross. The South Boston Police Department will be assisting vehicles through the parade route. We are grateful for their involvement to ensure a safe and successful parade. Please reserve a spot in the parade by letting us know on evite. Space is limited. Special Thanks To: Boston Athletic Club, Boston Mayor Martin Walsh, City Councilor Ed Flynn, Massport, South Boston Neighborhood Liaison: Haley Dillon, South Boston Police Department, and Representative David Biele. You made this event possible. We are so grateful! Questions: Please email us at southbostonmomsclub@gmail.com

Highlights from Grade 1B

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rticle and photos by Ms. Peggy Byrne’s our Grade 1B teacher… The children in Grade 1B watched a video and listened to a story calledThe Lego Ocean Mystery! It was a story about a container of Legos that ended up falling off a ship and opening so all the Legos ended up floating in the ocean. It was more than 21 years ago!! Lego pieces are still being found today all over the world! The children did some brainstorming... They pretended to find some of THOSE Legos! Their Stem Challenge was to think of what to build and see how high it could go without falling! The

children realized that it all depended on a strong foundation! They wrote where they found them and what they made. Grade 1B students, also, surprised Dr. Civian, our Principal, by making handmade cards for her, in honor of Boss’s Day, thanking her for all that she does for us at South Boston Catholic Academy. One of the students wrote: “Good Afternoon, Mrs. Civian, We love you so much for being our Principal.” Students that are celebrating their Fall birthdays have been sharing all of the various activities they’ve enjoyed including pumpkin carving and apple picking.

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2020

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Celebrating Halloween Safely During COVID-19 Mayor Martin J. Walsh and the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) today released guidance on celebrating Halloween safely during the COVID-19 pandemic, urging residents who choose to celebrate Halloween to take extra precautions to keep themselves and others safe. Health officials have advised that many traditional activities, such as trick-or-treating, costume parties or crowded, confined spaces like haunted houses, raise the risk of spreading viruses. “Halloween is one of the best nights, and what’s most important this year is that any person participating in activities does so in a way that is safe for not only themselves, but also their neighbors and community,” said Mayor Walsh. “We’re asking people to take the extra precautions that are necessary this year, including avoiding direct contact with trick-or-treaters, wearing masks at all times, washing hands before eating any treats, and avoiding attending or hosting gatherings.” 

Tips for safe trick-or-treating:

Trick-or-treat only with immediate family members. Avoid direct contact with individuals passing out candy. Wash hands before handling treats. Wear a mask. A costume mask is not a substitute for a cloth mask. Stay at least 6 feet away from others who do not live with you. Bring hand sanitizer with you and use it after touching objects or other people.

Tips to safely prepare for trick-or-treaters:

Avoid direct contact with trick-or-treaters. Wash hands before handling treats. Set up a station outdoors with individually wrapped goodie bags for trick-or-treaters. Wear a mask. A costume mask is not a substitute for a cloth mask. Stay at least 6 feet away from others who do not live with you. BPHC health officials encourage families to find safer, alternative or virtual ways to have fun this season. The safest celebrations involve people from your household, are outdoors, allow for social distancing and other safety measures. In addition, BPHC is urging adults not to participate in gatherings or parties on Halloween.

Halloween activities without risk:

Carving or decorating pumpkins Decorating your home A virtual Halloween costume contest A family Halloween movie night A trick-or-treat scavenger hunt at home A Halloween neighborhood scavenger hunt from a distance

Halloween activities with risk: Traditional trick-or-treating Trunk-or-treat events Haunted houses Hayrides or tractor rides Fall festivals Halloween parties or celebrations

Any Halloween activities should comply with COVID-19 safety guidelines and participants should limit the risk of exposure to COVID-19 by following these safety tips: Wear a face covering. A costume mask is not a substitute for a cloth or paper mask. Do not wear a costume mask over a protective cloth mask because it could make it hard to breathe. Instead, consider using a Halloween-themed cloth mask. Stay at least six feet apart. Avoid large parties or gatherings. Avoid crowded areas. Wash your hands or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer, especially before eating candy. Avoid touching your face. As a reminder, any Halloween activities are subject to the current gathering size limits set by the City of Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Read more on the Halloween activity guidance released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2020 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

Virtual Public Meeting

Dorchester Bay City Thursday, November 4 6:00 PM

Register: bit.ly/DBCNov4 Call-in: 833-568-8864 Webinar ID: 161 909 0401

Monday, November 16 6:00 PM

Register: bit.ly/DBCNov16 Call-in: 833-568-8864 Webinar ID: 160 760 2881

Wednesday, December 2 6:00 PM

Register: bit.ly/DBCDec2 Call-in: 833-568-8864 Webinar ID: 160 776 4081

Some Good News

Project Description: The Boston Planning & Development Agency will be hosting a series of Virtual Community Advisory Committee (“CAC”) and Public Meetings in connection with the proposed Dorchester Bay City project. A Virtual KickOff Public Meeting was held on October 19th, which was followed by an Urban Design focused Virtual Public Meeting on October 28th. The next topic-specific Virtual Public Meetings are as follows: • • •

Wednesday, November 4th: Open Space, Public Realm & Resiliency Monday, November 16th: Transportation & Infrastructure Wednesday, December 2nd: Topic TBD

mail to: Aisling Kerr Boston Planning & Development Agency One City Hall Square, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02201 phone: 617.918.4212 email: Aisling.Kerr@Boston.gov BostonPlans.org

@BostonPlans

Teresa Polhemus, Executive Director/Secretary

Riverdale Farm from Groton has decided to keep their farmer’s market open in South Boston through November - Mondays from 12 noon until 6 p.m. Please patronize them and their freshly harvested produce. They are also planning to return next year.

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Virtual Public Meeting

80 West Broadway Wednesday, November 4 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Zoom Link: bit.ly/37ebPwY Toll Free: (833) 568 - 8864 Meeting ID: 161 027 7029

Project Proponent: 80 West Broadway, LLC

Project Description: 80 West Broadway, LLC proposes to redevelop an approximately 21,770 square foot property located at 80-110 West Broadway in South Boston. The project site currently contains a four-story, mixed-use building occupied at its ground level by Amrheins Restaurant, a one-story addition at 84-88A West Broadway, and a surface parking lot for 44 vehicles. The proposed project consists of retaining the four-story building, which will continue to include ground-floor bar/restaurant space for Amrheins, with six residential units above, and to construct on the remainder of the project site an eight-story, approximately 123,400 square feet of gross floor area, mixed-use building with ground-floor retail space and research and development/office space above. The proposed project will also include approximately 25 below-grade parking spaces. mail to: John Campbell Boston Planning & Development Agency One City Hall Square, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02201 phone: 617.918.4282 email: john.campbell@boston.gov

Close of Comment Period: 11.20.2020

BostonPlans.org

@BostonPlans

Teresa Polhemus, Executive Director/Secretary

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2020

11

Councilors Flynn & Baker File Hearing to Discuss Speeding Cars a Public Health Emergency and Address Infrastructure Improvements

B

oston City Councilors Ed Flynn and Frank Baker are calling for a hearing at this week’s City Council meeting to discuss speeding cars and unsafe streets as a Public Health Emergency to raise awareness about this critical issue, as well as to talk about traffic calming infrastructure needed to improve pedestrian safety. Last week, Councilor Flynn also recommended an updated Safe Streets 12 Point Plan to the city aimed at infrastructure improvements, slower speeds and enforcement. There were severa l car crashes in recent weeks in various parts of the city. Two pedestrians were fatally struck by vehicles in South Boston, one at Andrew Square and another on First St, and another pedestrian was struck by a pickup truck at the entrance of the Public Garden when the truck crashed into a stone pillar. Just last week, there were four separate incidents where cars crashed into buildings

or light poles in South Boston on L St, East Broadway, West Broadway, and on Old Colony Ave -causing not only injuries, but also displacing families and businesses. In Dorchester, there was a motor vehicle crash that resulted in an SU V rollover with a baby inside, as well two pedestrians struck while in the crosswalk during broad daylight - both on the same day. Even as we see less traffic during t he COV ID -19 pa ndemic, some drivers view these less congested roads as a license to speed and put the safety and lives of our neighbors in danger. These crashes illustrate that work still needs to be done to reduce speeding and achieve Vision Zero - the goal of having zero serious or fatal crashes in the City of Boston. Advocates and public health agencies have long viewed road safety as a public health issue, as car crashes are one of the leading causes of death and injuries in the nation and

worldwide. In fact, the World Health Organization highlighted road safety as a public health issue in 2004, and the New York State Department of Health identifies motor vehicle traffic injuries as a major public health problem. In recognizing speeding cars and road safety as a public health emergency, we elevate this issue and provide the urgency needed to ma ke the infrastructure improvements required to address this public health and safety issue. Moreover, it will also allow city departments and the Boston Public Hea lth Commission to work together to develop strategies to reduce car crashes and traffic fatalities and injuries. “I believe it’s time we call our unsafe roads what we all know them to be - a Public Health Emergency,” said Councilor Flynn. “Declaring a Public Health Emergency will help to bring the awareness and resources needed to address this serious issue to hopefully prevent serious

and fatal crashes like the ones that we continue to see all too frequently in our neighborhoods. I want to thank Councilor Baker for his partnership on this issue, I look forward to working with my colleagues and the city on making our streets safer.”     “My number one constituent complaint is the need for lower speed limits and traffic calming measures,” said Councilor Baker. We were already successful in lowering the speed limit to 25 miles per hour but we need to do more to make our streets safer. As elected officials we must make a commitment to eliminate traffic fatalities and severe injuries from road crashes, while increasing safe, equitable mobility for all and improving the quality of life in Boston.”  For more information, please contact Councilor Flynn’s office at 617-635-3203 or Ed.Flynn@ Boston.gov a nd C ou nci lor Baker’s office at 617-635-3455 and Frank.Baker@boston.gov.

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2020 THE PRINT EDITION

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