12_22_2022

THURSDAY DECEMBER 22, 2022

SOUTH BOSTON ONLINE

VOLUME XIX- ISSUE 74

Merry Christmas

The Perfect Gift

By Ginger DeShaney Groundbreaking Marks Start of Michael Joyce Playground Renovations

G

round was officially broken Monday a f ternoon on the Michael Joyce Memorial

Playground at Marine Park.

The $1.4 million renovation project came together through the strong partnerships of the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Colin’s Joy Project, the Joyce family, colleagues in the Legislature, and the City of Boston, said Bethany Card, Secretary, Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs with the Baker-Polito administration.

Family members, local and state officials, friends, neighbors, and South Boston Catholic Academy students (who helped in the design process) were on hand for the ceremony.

“We are so grateful to the McGrath family for committing about $600,000 through the Colin’s Joy Project to build on the renovation work the playground underwent in 2014 to ensure that children of all abilities can play in a safe and fun environment,” Card said. “Thank you for inspiring us all. DCR, for its Continued on Page 2

In this Christmas season of giving, the Kindergartners at South Boston Catholic Academy, collected socks and gloves to bring to Father Bill’s Shelter in Quincy. Thank you to the families that donated to this needy cause. We want to Wish Everyone a Blessed and Merry Christmas!

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THURSDAY DECEMBER 22, 2022

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Continued from Page 1

Perfect Gift part, will match these funds through its capital plan budget and additional funds have also been dedicated through the Commonwealth’s budget.

“As families, as parents, as members of a community, we all know the important role that playgrounds and open spaces play in our young people’s lives. And it’s so wonderful to be here today to celebrate this work,” Card said.

This playground will be the most accessible playground within DCR’s portfolio, Representative David Biele said. “Children and families of all ages and all abilities can enjoy this wonderful space.”

DCR Commissioner Doug Rice noted, “We are so excited to be celebrating the start of work on the Michael Joyce Memorial Playground, a project that has been years in the making, and one which celebrates two Bay State families and their legacies.

“First, we are so grateful to the McGrath family and Colin’s Joy Project … The Colin’s Joy Project aims to enhance play spaces and sponsor family

programming in our communities.

We appreciate the McGrath family for their thoughtful contribution and ongoing support of the Michael Joyce Memorial Playground.

“We’re also celebrating the lifelong community-based contributions

of Michael Joyce,” Rice continued.

“Mr. Joyce was an advocate for the immigrant community who gave selflessly of his time and energy to make life better for those around him.”

Mary Joyce, daughter of Michael, was honored to be at the groundbreaking. Her hardworking father came to Boston from Ireland. He worked two and three jobs for his family and he was so respected and so loved that he went to the Statehouse, where he served under four speakers before cancer took him at age 66, she said.

“The Irish say if people talk about you, you’re not really gone,” Joyce said.

“And people still talk about Michael Joyce and what a gift he was to all of us.”

The existing Michael Joyce playground was the last playground in South Boston that Colin ever played at, his mom, Kerri McGrath, said. The

night before the accident, Kerri was on her way home from work and texted her nanny to ask where they were. They were at the playground and Colin did not want to leave, the nanny told her.

“I just started walking toward here to meet them because I was so excited to see them,” McGrath said. “And I remember his face in the stroller that day and just how excited he was to have spent the day here and to have played here …he was having a great day.”

Through Colin’s Joy Project, the McGrath family continues to create that joy for other families.

After the speaking program, officials and family members grabbed shovels for the ceremonial groundbreaking. Then Sloane McGrath’s South Boston Catholic Academy classmates helped break ground, too.

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

by Rick Winterson

THURSDAY DECEMBER 22, 2022

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The Shortest Day

W

e d n e s d a y, D e c e m b e r 21, was the shor te st d ay of 2022 .

The morning sun rose in the Southeast, popping out of the water at 7:10 a.m. It seemed to move across brilliantly clear skies at express train speeds. At 4:14 p.m. from the Heights, we watched the sun set behind the Southwest horizon - very quickly in a striking blaze of orange.

This year, the December 21 daytime lasted only nine hours and four minutes (9:04 hours).

It was followed by the longest night of 2022, which lasted for almost 15 hours before the sun rose again this morning. And what is called “the astronomical winter” began a short 34 minutes after sunset yesterday, at 4:48 p.m.

A ll of these celestia l happenings occur because our globe is tilted by 23.5 degrees.

Summer and warm, sunny weather happen during the months when

Sunrise - the shortest day of 2022 begins. the Earth’s northern hemisphere (where we live) is tilted toward the sun. Then winter follows, as the Earth orbits the sun and the northern hemisphere tilts away. (go to the Internet for diagrams of this).

There’s another interesting feature during this time of year.

It’s called “the winter solstice”.

For about a dozen days and nights around the 21st, the sun rises and sets at the same two points on the horizon. Within a minute or two, the length of the days doesn’t change. This

is the source of celebrations using the number “12”, such as “Twelve Days of Christmas” and “Twelfth Night”. The ancient Swedes observed their Yuletide for 12 days and nights also.

There will soon be some compensation for these austere winter climate patterns. Very gradually, minute by minute, our days will begin to get noticeably a little longer in January. This trend will of course increase, until we reach the “summer

solstice” on June 21 - on that date, daytime will last 15 hours and night will last for nine.

The weather will be sunny and mild; that’ll be the longest day (and the shortest night) of 2023.

For you word buffs, the unusual word “solstice” comes from the Latin “Sol sticet”, meaning “The Sun stands still” (which it seems to do).

Have a Happy 2023, a nd plea se, plea se, don’t ever look directly at the sun.

From Stephen, Caroline, Kristen and Council President Ed Flynn

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THURSDAY DECEMBER 22, 2022

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

Fresh Boston Brings Good Vibes, Unique Concept to South Boston

By Ginger DeShaney

F

resh Boston, at 232 Old Colony Ave., bring s somet h ing unique to the neighborhood.

It’s a deli, a liquor store, a bar, a dinner spot, a brunch stop, a caterer, and more.

“We want people to come in here and have a different experience.

We want to change the way people eat and drink,” said owner Charlie Merritt. “This unique concept has everything you need with a vibe.”

When Charlie had the opportunity to expand on his Fresh Nantucket shop, he wanted to go where people knew the brand.

“It’s a good time for us to be in this area,” said Charlie, who lives in South Boston. “It’s something Southie needed. We just want to be part of the neighborhood.”

The shop has only been open since Nov. 16 and already the neighborhood is showing some love.

“The demographic that’s come in has been amazing … really, really good people. I love the people that we’ve met,” Charlie said.

Charlie’s South Boston location draws from his original location in Nantucket, which started as a small, hole-in-the-wall shop with sandwiches and drinks, including alcohol. “We brought the island vibes to the big city,” according to the website freshboston.com.

The bar is called “the Island” and features eclectic, seasonal cocktails and house-made mixers. “The Bodega” is the liquor store, which features spirits, beers, seltzers, and a large selection of wine.

In addition to the bar, Fresh Boston, which occupies the former Stadium spot, does tastings, ranging from wine to agave spirits.

“What’s really cool is you can come to us and try something and then you can take it with you,” Charlie said.

Customers know Fresh for its sandwiches, with fun names such as the Capone (Italian), Nantucket Babe (black forest ham), and Treehugger (vegetarian). They

include specialty sandwiches, too.

They also have salads – with names such as Kale Me Maybe and Chop it Like it’s Hot – as well as fresh juices, açaí bowls, charcuterie, and more.

With a new chef in the house – Brian Sacco – Fresh Boston is also doing dinner. Brian, who has extensive experience in the kitchen, including time at Lincoln, Fatbaby, and the Broadway Group, has carte blanche to come up with new and exciting offerings, focusing more on shareable dishes.

Every dinner, Fresh offers five to eight items, always rotating in new dishes. Brian and Charlie both mentioned the pork belly as a dinner highlight and noted they’ve also done a duck confit tostada.

“We keep it approachable,” Charlie said about the high-end, made-from-scratch dinner menu.

“We keep it fresh,” added Brian.

The space is inviting, light, and bright. And Charlie hires good people and trains them. “We make sure we have really, really good people. We want people to remember the service here,” he said, “remember the interactions.

“I want the staff to have fun here; we want people to come in and have them have a relationship with the staff. We want people to connect here. We aren’t a corporation; we want that small business feel.”

Fresh is open six days a week: Monday: Closed Tuesday-Thursday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Friday: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Saturday: 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Sunday: 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Lunch is available daily until 4 p.m.

Dinner is served from 4-9 p.m.

Tuesday through Saturday. Brunch, which is very popular, is served Saturday and Sunday starting at 10:30 a.m.

Follow Fresh Boston on social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram. com/freshsouthboston/ Facebook: https://www.facebook. com/freshsouthboston

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

THURSDAY DECEMBER 22, 2022

Christmas in the Neighborhood Now crepes, now waffles, now dumplings and grilled cheese Hungry shoppers rushed the food vendors who aimed to please.

On wrapping paper, on gift bags, on ribbons and more In preparation of excited recipients ripping open their scores!

‘Twas the week before Christmas and all through the neighborhood Everyone was stirring, buying gifts for the ones who were good.

As the 2022 holiday shopping season is coming to an end We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, friend.

The Holiday Market at Snowport was packed to the gills Sunday afternoon With shoppers knowing their time to buy gifts was running out soon.

There were sweaters and ornaments and chocolate and rings Shopping bags were filled with the most amazing things.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

State Representative David Biele

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THURSDAY DECEMBER 22, 2022

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

Holiday fun at the Tynan Community Center

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

THURSDAY DECEMBER 22, 2022

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Condon Age Strong Celebrates Our biggest crowd yet! All was merry & bright as over 150 attendees enjoyed a delicious luncheon, a spirited singalong and a fun dance party during the Condon Community Center’s Annual Christmas Celebration! Many special guests joined in including Mayor Michelle Wu, Chief of Human Services Jose Masso, Chief of Community Engagement Briana Millor, City Councilors Ed Flynn and Michael Flaherty, Rep. David Biele and Haley Dillon from Sen. Collins office.

Special “Thanks” to our BPD Transportation crew, Bobby & Jakeand St. Peter’s for welcoming Seniors from the West Broadway Development and all across our neighborhood to spread Christmas cheer!

MERRY CHRISTMAS

City Councilor At-Large

Erin Murphy ErinforBoston.com

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THURSDAY DECEMBER 22, 2022

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

On Your Mark, Get Set, Go! We held our Annual South Boston Catholic Academy Jingle Bell Run. Many came and were ready to run. Thank you to our wonderful parents who did such a great job organizing this fun event, our families and friends, volunteers and to all those, young and old, who participated in this year’s SBCA Jingle Bell 5K Run!

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

O

n S u n d a y, December 11, 2022, Mr. a nd Mrs. Santa Claus stopped by SBCA to have some Cocoa and Cookies with the children that came to say hello. The children had a chance to tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas and

THURSDAY DECEMBER 22, 2022

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Welcomed Mr. & Mrs. Claus have a photo taken with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Thank you to our wonderful parents who did such a great job organizing this special event, our families and friends that come to say hello to Mr. and Mrs. Claus. We Wish Everyone a Blessed and Merry Christmas, from a ll of us at SBC A !

Gate of Heaven & St. Brigid Parishes with St. Augustine Chapel

2022 Christmas Mass Schedule Christmas Eve, Saturday, December 24th

4:00PM Mass at St. Brigid Church, 4:00PM Mass at Gate of Heaven Church (Children’s Pageant) 4:30PM Mass at St. Augustine Chapel 9:00PM - Gate of Heaven Church

Christmas Day

Sunday, December 25th 8AM Mass – St. Brigid Church 9AM Mass – Gate of Heaven Church 10:30AM Mass – St. Brigid Church NO 12 Noon or 6PM Mass on Christmas Day Monday, December 26th

No Masses on December 26th. The Parish Office will be closed.

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THURSDAY DECEMBER 22, 2022

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

Annual Bozzy Bowl at the Tynan

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Virtual Public Meeting

THURSDAY DECEMBER 22, 2022

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CITATION ON PETITION TO CHANGE NAME

33-39 Ward Street January 10, 2023

Zoom Link: bit.ly/3hos029

6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Toll Free: (833) 568 - 8864 Meeting ID: 160 133 7168

Project Proponent: Boston Ward LLC Project Description: The BPDA is hosting a Virtual Public Meeting for the 33-39 Ward Street Notice of Project Change located in South Boston. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the Notice of Project Change. The meeting will include a presentation followed by Q&A and comments from the general public.

The proposed Notice of Project Change consists of a change from condominium ownership to rental apartments. In all other respects, the proposed project remains the same and is consistent with the project plan previously approved by the BPDA Board on September 24, 2017. 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

BostonPlans.org

@BostonPlans

Teresa Polhemus, Executive Director/Secretary

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ZONING HEARING The Zoning Commission of the City of Boston hereby gives notice, in accordance with Chapter 665 of the Acts of 1956, as amended, that a virtual public hearing will be held on January 11, 2023, at 9:30 A.M., in connection with a petition for approval of the First Amendment to Amended and Restated Development Plan for Planned Development Area No. 78, Seaport Square Project, South Boston (“First Amendment”), filed by the Boston Redevelopment Authority d/b/a the Boston Planning & Development Agency.

Said First Amendment proposes revised development programs for the final development sites of the Project – Blocks L-3, L-6 and G – and proposes key changes to Block F, the site of Seaport Common, in order to advance the priorities of providing additional public open space, affordable housing, and job creation opportunities and reducing carbon emissions through reductions in the number of parking spaces currently approved for the Project.

This meeting will only be held virtually and not in person. You can participate in this meeting by going to https://bit.ly/BZC_January2023.

Copies of the petitions and a map of the area involved may be obtained from the Zoning Commission electronically, and you may also submit written comments or questions to zoningcommission@boston.gov.

Interpreting services are available to communicate information at this hearing. If you require interpreting services, please contact the following: zoningcommission@boston.gov or 617-918-4308. The meeting is scheduled for January 11, 2023. Please request interpreting services no later than January 6, 2023.

For the Commission Jeffrey M. Hampton Executive Secretary

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THURSDAY DECEMBER 22, 2022

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