THE PRINT EDITION
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020
VOLUME XIX- ISSUE 74
Holiday Helpers: Relief for Families in Need By Ginger DeShaney “I am a single parent of two children; my family needs assistance this year because I am currently unemployed and have no money to provide the kids with Christmas presents. Everything in my life is very stressful right now and receiving help with gifts for my children would lessen the burden. Any help would be greatly appreciated.”
T
he Holiday Helpers program through the South Boston Neighborhood House is more important than ever this year. With families struggling to make ends meet during the COVID-19 pandemic, this holiday program “helps parents feel a little bit of relief,” said Kathy Lafferty, executive director of the South Boston Neighborhood House.
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“While COVID-19 doesn’t discriminate, those already in need in our community are suffering disproportionately from the pandemic’s economic fallout,” Kathy said. “I am a single father of 4 children and have never needed help before -- but I’m hurting right now. I am only working 2 days/week due to the pandemic ... My kids have so many needs and I just can’t provide. It doesn’t feel good to have to reach out and ask for help but I do it for my kids. Without this program I will not have anything to give them and I am really worried about that. Please help and thank you.” So far this year, 344 families have registered for help and families are calling every day; last year at this time, that number was 250. “The need is great,” Kathy said, noting so many people have been laid off or had their hours cut. Continued on Page 3
A Visit from Santa Claus by Rick Winterson
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he South Boston Chamber of C om merc e held the first of its three “Thursday Shopping Sprees in Southie” late last Thursday afternoon, just before sunset at 4 p.m., December 3. The next two of these “Sprees” occur on Thursday, December
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10, and Thursday, December 17, from 4 till 6 p.m. Other than enjoying yourself (which is certainly very important), the purpose of these Chamber “Sprees” is to support South Boston’s small business community by shopping locally this Holiday Season – which is equally as important! In order to stress the need for Continued on Page 6
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM
Package Thefts Surge by Rick Winterson
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ast We d n e s d a y evening, the Boston Police Department’s Station C-6 on West Broadway held its December meeting of South Boston’s Neighborhood Advisory Council (the NAC). Due to COVID-19, this meeting was held virtually; it was chaired by Capt. Joseph Boyle, the Commander of BPD Station C-6. Capt. Boyle began the NAC meeting by reviewing various serious crimes, both in Boston overall and here in South Boston. The Captain said that several types of crimes are increasing, especially crimes of violence. Complaints about loud parties late at night, including those that violate rules put in place to stop
the spread of COVID-19, are also on the increase. In addition, many more crimes against property are being committed, which adds to the rapidly growing workload at Station C-6 when these are reported (the officers assigned to C-6 follow up every single report of property crime). C apt a i n B oyle t a l ked specifically about the many thefts of packages that are delivered, a nd then lef t unprotected on porches and front steps. Obviously, this is the Season when gifts are bought to celebrate the Holidays (nothing new about that). But in addition, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 has caused a massive shift to buying Christmas gifts online, and then having them delivered – far more of these gifts are
Msgr. Thomas J McDonnell and Frank Kelley Christmas Dinner Update Please call 617-586-5824 if you would like a meal delivered to your home. Meals will be delivered on December 24th between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. (Safety protocols in place). We will not be able to gather in person or accept food donations this year. Our greatest need for support is drivers to deliver meals to our neighbors. Volunteers should meet at Florian Hall, 55 Hallet StBoston, MA 02124 @ 10:45 a.m. on December 24th. Any Questions Email: manning.danielr@gmail.com
Checks can be made payable to: South Boston Seaport Collaborative (memo: Holiday Dinner) Please mail or deliver checks to: Deja Brew 704 East Broadway South Boston, MA 02127
Special thanks to the Boston Firefighters Local 718 IAFF
purchased online than in past Holiday Seasons. Boyle asked that the NAC publicize the need to reduce package thefts, so his officers at C-6 can focus on more serious violent crimes. The single best way to eliminate thefts of packages is for you to receive them in person whenever they are delivered. Is there a way you can receive your package deliveries where you work? If that isn’t possible, try to enlist a helpful friend, relative, or neighbor to receive and sign for your packages in person, as a favor to you. Perhaps you could return the favor later on – that would mean two deliveries are now safely being made “in person”. The US Post Office offers a “signature only” option with their deliveries. Post a note stating that if you aren’t home, they should leave you a USPS note to pick your package up at the South Boston Post Office. There are UPS and FedEx cu stomer ser vice loc ations right here in South Boston (on Summer Street) that will hold your packages for you to pick up. Use Amazon Locker or other services, where the package can be dropped off for you to pick up at a local convenience store. You have many options for receiving sa fe, thef t-proof deliveries. Protect your gift-giving. Check out all your gift delivery options, especially at this time of year. A South Boston Online “t ha nk-you” goes to BPD
C-6 Sgt. Steve McNeil , who over s e e s t he C om mu n it y Service effort at C-6, for his assistance on this write-up. We’ll close with a couple of actual package theft stories: This writer had a package stolen after it was dropped off without a signature. A package thief opened it up, found out that it contained nothing but a special coffee, and in anger, threw the coffee all over the writer’s front steps. The coffee vendor refused to refund the price (it was only $16), because there was no signature. This incident wasn’t very serious (just irritating), but an angry thief lost his temper and might have done more harm. Tuesday’s Boston Herald (by Rick Sobey, page 8) reported on an alleged “porch pirate” from Everett, who was nabbed by Arlington police. The police found 19 A mazon packages from several different addresses in his car and bags of clothing in the alleged “porch pirate’s” trunk. Also, he was accused of OUI from drugs and had a BB gun. He was NOT someone you yourself would like to meet, while he’s heisting packages from your porch or front steps. A final note: Immediately report stolen packages to 9-1-1 (first!), and then to Station C-6 right afterward. Try to get a description of any suspected thief; ca ll 9-1-1, even if something in your neighborhood only looks suspicious to you!
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020 Continued from Page 1
Helpers
While the program has a lot of support from corporate partners, individuals, and families, some of the donors are struggling as well and may not be able to give as much as they’d like. “It might not be as robust as in the past, but every child will have something to open under the tree [Christmas] morning,” Kathy said. “I’m confident we can get at least a few things to every family.” The setup is different this year because of COVID-19. In a normal year, each family would submit a wish list, indicating sizes, gift ideas, etc. The donors would then shop from the lists and drop off the items at the Neighborhood House. This year, program staff had to figure out how to keep the process safe while supporting families. Families register online, filling out a form indicating why they need help, clothes sizes, gift ideas. Kathy and staff created Amazon Wish Lists and a Target Registry with items specific to each family. Kathy knew the items couldn’t be delivered to the SBNH in order to keep staff and participants safe, so she reached out to
Jon Cronin as well as Dave Gibbons at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center, and they gladly offered a helping hand. Once an item is ordered through the Wish List or Registry, it ships automatically to the Convention Center. “We are so grateful to them for the space,” Kathy said. Neighborhood House staff sort the items at the Convention Center for each family. To sign up to be a donor, go to http://sbnh.org/holiday-helper-2020 and “Click here to become a Holiday Helper.” You can sign up to donate cash, buy gift cards, or shop the online wish lists. You can also read the recipient families’ stories. For the online shopping, Kathy is urging donors to purchase by Monday, Dec. 14, at the latest to ensure the deliveries arrive in time. Cash donations and gift cards can be donated right up until Christmas Eve. The Holiday Helpers program gives people an opportunity to give back, since volunteering looks very different now because of COVID-19. “The need is great,” Kathy emphasized again. “No donation is too small. If you are able to help, we really appreciate it.” “We are requesting holiday help this year because COVID affected us pretty bad. I got laid off from my job and we lost our apartment. I’ve actually been staying with family until I am able to get us back on our feet again. Not sure when that will be. I dread the holidays this year because I know my kids will be disappointed and I can’t bear to see that. It’s just been such a bad year all around. Anything you can do to help put smiles on their faces will be a blessing. Thank you.”
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM
Fitzgerald Post Fundraiser: Soldiers’ Home in Chelsea by Rick Winterson
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t’s no secret that South Boston’s veterans take care of their own, especially when the words “their own” refer to fellow veterans. Last Saturday, December 5, the Thomas J. Fitzgerald VFW Post #561 held a fund drive to benefit the Soldiers’ Home in Chelsea, a nearby local agency that supports veterans in need from Massachusetts. The Soldiers’ Home’s mission statement reads, “Established in 1882, the Soldiers’ Home in Chelsea offers Residential and Long Term Care programs to eligible Massachusetts Veterans. Our mission is to provide, with Dignity, Honor, and Respect, the highest quality of personal health care services to Massachusetts Veterans.” Note the use of that very important word “Home” in the title of this agency.
The fundraising drive at the Fitzgerald Post accepted in-kind donations along with contributions of money. The tables inside the Fitzgerald Post were covered with items of new clothing, especially cold weather gear, with what many of us consider simple items such as Kleenex tissues and other sanitary supplies. Several Post members, along with our state Rep. David Biele, stopped by the Post to run the fundraiser last Saturday. Both monetary and in-kind donations f lowed in between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m., despite the wet, stormy weather all day long. Some the more notable donations were from Mary and Tom Ryan, and another gift made in memory of Robert Russo. It is activities like these that will make for a warm, happy Holiday Season during these difficult times. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Fitzgerald Post members with Rep. David Beale at the Post’s fundraiser.
Generous monetary donations were also given to the Soldiers’ Home in Chelsea.
Tables and cartons full of in-kind donations to the Soldiers’ Home in Chelsea.
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020
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Happy Hanukkah in 2020 by Rick Winterson
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his y e a r, t he obser vance of Hanuk ka h begins as you are reading this. The 2020 Hanukkah celebration, also known as the “Jewish Festival of Lights”, starts at sundown on Thursday, December 10 – this issue’s publication date. It is an eight-day-long observance that ends on Friday evening, December 18. South Boston Online hopes that ever yone enjoys a Happy Hanuk kah. Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the second Jewish Temple in Jerusalem in 165 B.C., 2,185 years ago. In fact, the word “Hanuk kah” means “dedication”. The history of the Temple’s rededication stretches out over six years from 171 B.C., during the time when Israel was occupied by Greece.
Brief ly stated, when Antiochus IV became the newly crowned King of Greece, he took on godlike airs and insisted that all temples (including the Jewish Temple) worship Greek gods. He had the Jewish Temple gutted and installed a statue of Zeus, the king of the Greek gods. A Jewish man named Mattathias and his seven sons refused to
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worship Zeus; they killed a soldier guarding the Temple and f led. The seven sons, led by the oldest son Judas Maccabeus (Maccabeus means “hammer”), then fought a guerilla war for three years that finally defeated the Greeks and led to the Temple being restored in 165 B.C. So why is Ha nu k k a h celebrated over eight nights?
One story about Hanukkah tells of the second Temple’s lantern burning steadily for eight nights, even though it held only enough oil for one. Another story tells about the Jews finding eight iron spears in the Temple and setting candles on their tips, which were then lit using a ninth candle called the “Shammash”, a word meaning “servant” or “attendant”. In any case, you can imagine why an eight-branched “menora h ” or candelabrum, with a ninth servant candle in the center, has become the key symbol of Hanuk ka h. Traditionally, sweet fried foods such as potato pancakes in applesauce and jelly doughnuts are eaten on Hanukkah. Many games are played as well. One of them, “Dreidel”, is the ancestor of that western game of chance called “Put ‘n’ Take”. Once again, Happy Hanukkah!
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM
Continued from Page 1
Stroll supporting local small businesses du ring t he se pla g ue-f i l led pandemic times, Santa Claus consented to visit South Boston all the way from the North Pole. No snow had fallen, so he was conveyed by an antique, elfdriven fire engine instead of his sleigh. He was accompanied by an impish, singing/dancing/song writing elf named Anna Daley Young, who got the young folks at Santa’s four stops to join her in Christmas songs and dances. Young Anna Daley Young also is a country music performer; she’s well on her way to becoming a Nashville superstar. Santa Claus, Anna, and their fire engine “sleigh” made four stops between 4 and 6 p.m. last Thursday – Medal of Honor Park at M Street, the Library on East Broadway, Perkins Square in front of the parking lot, and C Street at West Broadway. They wore masks, of course, as did most of the crowd except for the children. Large, beautifully
proportioned Christmas trees had been erected and were brightly lit for the first “Shopping Spree”. South Boston Online is taking the liberty of listing (in alphabetical order) 47 small Southie businesses that took part in last Thursday’s “Spree”. Please do your Holiday shopping with them. All of these local enterprises are located along East or West Broadway, except for six (6) of them that we have noted:
A l ’s B ot t le d L iquor s, A meric a n Provisions, Best Dressed, Bringing up Baby, Brito Fa mily Denta l, The Broadway, Cafe Porto Bello, Capo Restaurant, Caress, City of Boston Credit Union, The CLT Method, Columbus Cleaners (Emerson St.), COVET, D Luxe Nail Bar, Dedham Savings, deirfiur Home, Deja Brew, East Boston Savings Bank, Fat Baby (Dorchester St.), Feather and Waves, Habit, House of Ivy, The Juice Box, I Beauty Lounge, Indulge Day Spa, J.P. Licks, Liz at E, L Street Tavern (L and 8th), LexRx LLC, Lincoln Tavern & Restaurant, LOCO Taqueria &
Oyster Bar, Love Child (E St.), Lulu Green, Luxe Leisure, Micro Plant Studio, Neatly Nested, Nurture Salon and Spa (L Street), The Paramount, The Playwright, Publico (Dorchester St.), Purple Shell, Roza Lyons, Shenannigans, Social Wines, Stapleton Floral, Starbucks, Wink Eyecare.Please shop, dine, or support these 47 enterprises – they combine high quality, reasonable pricing, and community presence in their offerings. And be sure to take some of your Holiday photos by the tree at the Librar y and at the Perkins Square tree by the parking lot. Thanks.
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM
South Boston Catholic Academy News
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rom ou r Mu sic Te a c h e r , Ms. E le a nor Ty n a n… This year we are focusing on the fundamentals of music, and emphasizing the “fun”! During this year of challenges, the students are exceeding expectations and showing great resilience in the face of so much change. As the older students study music history and famous composers, fourth grade works on building their ukulele skills and creating their own books of chords, with which they will write songs later in the year. K1 is working on developing our sense of pitch by playing with various silly songs, folk songs, and sliding scales. Our lovely K indergarten students are studying A merican and international folk songs, while
Highlights from Music Class! learning to play simple songs on the xylophone, and identify high and low pitches within a song! They love playing the high low game, where they get to jump up and fall to the ground to demonstrate low noises and high sounds. In first and second grade we are working on learning our rhythms! They impress with their ability to internalize a beat, and write their own rhythmic patterns. For a fun change of pace they used their musical notes to create silly pumpkin faces, as seen here. Overall, the children of South Boston Catholic Academy are showing me every day that music and joy cannot be thwarted by quarantines, or pandemics. Their sense of play abounds, and I am blessed to help guide them in their musical journey.
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020
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Flynn to Hold Hearing on Water & Sewer Infrastructure
oston City Councilor Ed Flynn will be chairing a virtual hearing on issues relating to water and sewer infrastructure in the city next Monday. The aim of the hearing is to discuss the safety and maintenance of our water and sewer infrastructure, which is critical for the sanitation and public health of our residents. The hearing will be on Monday, December 14th, at 5pm. Boston is one of the oldest cities in the United States, and its water distribution system began construction in the mid-1800s. By the 1970s, the conditions of the city’s water system began to deteriorate, and in 1977, the Boston Water and Sewer Commission was created
to oversee Boston’s water system. With the recent development boom, we need to ensure that the added buildings to our water and sewer lines do not overburden the system, and that the integrity of our infrastructure is maintained. Back in April, there was unfortunately a water main break in the South End, which f looded many businesses and buildings, and caused additional hardship to residents and business owners during the COVID-19 pandemic. We need to ensure that something like this can be prevented in the future. Moreover, neighborhoods such as Back Bay, South End, Bay Village, Fort Point Channel, and other nearby neighborhoods were built on filled land that
rely on wood pilings for support, and these wood pilings need to be submerged in groundwater in order to prevent rotting. Therefore, maintenance of water and sewer infrastructure is important for groundwater level also, as any rupture or leakage not only causes f looding, but also decreases the groundwater level that submerges the wood pilings beneath foundation in many parts of the city. Some Boston neighborhoods a lso have private alleys and private sewers that abut commercial and residential properties, where property owners are responsible for the maintenance of these alleys and sewers. However, the costs of maintenance and repair for private alleys and sewer lines can
be expensive, as well as a point of confusion and contention. “Our water and sewer infrastructure is essential for our residents’ health, public safety, and quality of life, and we need to ensure that our water and sewer pipes are well maintained and secure,” said Councilor Flynn. “Access to clean water and quality waste management is always critical, and I look forward to having this discussion with stakeholders about how we can maintain the integrity of this important infrastructure.” For more information on the hearing, please visit h t t p s : // w w w. b o s t o n . g o v/ public-notices/13675546, or contact Councilor Flynn’s of f ic e at 617- 635 -32 03.
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM
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mail to: Stephen Harvey Boston Planning & Development Agency One City Hall Square, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02201 phone: 617.918.4418 email: stephen.j.harvey@boston.gov
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The photograph depicts the mixed-use building under construction in Andrew Square, on the triangular lot formed by the intersection of Preble and Dorchester Streets. The building was affected by last Saturdayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s storm, which brought high winds along with rain-and-snow downpours to South Boston during the evening. Significant portions of the buildingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s blue, adhesivebacked membrane were torn away. At the lower left, you can see two black construction traffic barriers, which the winds picked up and blew across the median (a #10 bus ran into one of them after dark).
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020
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Take Part in Boston’s Community Choice Electricity Program By Mayor Martin J. Walsh
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oston is a leader on climate action. We’re preparing our communities for climate impacts like coastal f looding and heat waves, and we’re cutting the emissions that cause climate change to begin with. We’ve committed to becoming carbon neutral by the year 2050, and we’ve developed a Climate Action Plan to get us there. An important part of this work is bringing more clean, renewable energy into our city. And now, we’re taking another big step in this work with the rollout of our Community Choice Electricity program. This is our policy to combine the buying power of Boston’s homes and businesses, in order to get more stable and affordable electricity rates and bring more clean energy into our city. CCE allows the community to make informed electricit y choices, increases utilization of renewable energy, and helps protect vulnerable populations who are most at-risk from the climate crisis. The City has been sending notices to residents who are enrolled in Eversource Basic Service. The notice lets you know that you’re being enrolled in the clean energy program starting February 1. You don’t have to do anything to get that benefit and be part of this program. The Community Choice Program is an opt-out program, meaning that customers who are on Eversource Basic Service will be automatically enrolled unless they choose to opt-out. We’re also providing discounts for 20,000 low- income residents, through a solar energy program. The opt-out period goes from December 4, 2020, through January 11, 2021. During this time, customers can opt-out by signing and returning a postage paid opt-out card received by mail. Customers can opt-in or
out at any time without penalty, and have the option to “opt-up” to receive 100 percent renewable electricit y. Pa rticipation in the program will only change where a customer’s electricity is coming from, not how it is delivered to their home. The program will officially launch in February 2021 and will be the largest municipal a g g r e g a t ion pr o g r a m in New England. This is an opportunity for residents to be in better control of their energy consumption by placing power in the hands of the City rather than a company or utility. I assure everyone that the City of Boston is committed to moving forward with affordable and stable electric rates, and we are a trusted resource for residents seeking information on their electricity options. We a re committed to making sure that residents have all the information they need about this program and their options. Starting December 14th, the City of Boston’s Environment Department will host a series of 11 webinars for residents and businesses. Staff will answer questions on how the program works, customer benefits, electric rates and renewable energ y offered, key features, and what to expect over the next few months as the program launches. I encourage everyone to attend one of these webinars to learn more about how this progra m will benef it our goal to make Boston a more
sustainable and resilient city. More i n f or m at ion a b out t he se webina rs, includ ing instructions for registering, is available at Boston.gov/ c o m m u n i t y - c h o i c e - e n e r g y. Recently, I was named the Chair of the US Climate Mayors. This is an opportunity to highlight the progress we’re making here in Boston, and work with our fellow cities to promote climate action at the national level, as well. As cities
across the country continue to look to Boston as a leader in this work, our Community Choice Electricit y progra m will be a key component of our efforts. I encourage all Boston residents to support this work by participating in this program, and continuing to take climate action in your everyday lives. For more information about the City of Boston’s efforts, and about other steps the City is taking, visit Boston.gov/environment.
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020 THE PRINT EDITION
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