THE PRINT EDITION
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2018
VOLUME XIX- ISSUE 52
Ribbon Cut at Gavin Quincy ATS/CSS by Rick Winterson
South Boston Mom’s Club Valentines Grab-A-Date
“Clinical Stabilization Services”. Tomarkthistransition,lastMonday afternoon the Gavin Foundation and various elected officials held a symbolic ceremonial ribbon-cutting in the Quincy Council Chambers located at Quincy’s historic Old City Hall. The ribbon-cutting event’s speakers included Gavin Foundation President John McGahan, who emceed the program. Both Congressman Stephen Lynch and Quincy Mayor Tom Koch spoke as well. The Quincy City Council members and staff, the Gavin’s Board of Directors, the Gavin Quincy staff, and its program participants were among the guests. In his opening remarks, McGahan expressed his profound gratitude to everyone who brought the Gavin Quincy operation about, especially Quincy Mayor Koch. He then introduced a young woman in recovery with support from the Gavin Foundation, whose remarks about her own “Journey” were extremely affecting
South Boston’s Gavin Foundation has been in the forefront of the war (yes, it’s a war) against the ongoing opioid crisis, as well as providing a full spectrum of services that deal with addiction, recovery, and substance abuse. The Foundation has 14 key programs, facilities, and activities, which are centered in South Boston but range over the City of Boston and down into Quincy. The Gavin’s Quincy operation is a 64-bed, state-of-the-art, rehabilitation facility that provides medically managed services – comprehensive treatment from caring, licensed professionals. It was established in 2015; it was initially a partnership with the Phoenix House. Late last year, in December, the Gavin Foundation took full ownership of the Quincy facility. It is now called “Gavin Foundation Quincy ATS/ CSS”, with the abbreviations ATS and CSS standing respectively for “Acute Treatment Services” and
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TIME FOR A CHANGE?
Local parents gathered at The Broadway on Tuesday, February 6th to celebrate the South Boston Mom’s Club membership and the organization’s past year of community, educational and philanthropic programming. Guests enjoyed signature cocktails and raffle prizes, while collecting in-kind donations for Julie’s Family Learning Program. South Boston Moms Club President, Kristin Frechette, addressed guests, sharing highlights from 2017 and the board’s collective excitement for the upcoming year. To learn more about the South Boston Mom’s Club please visit their new website http://southiemomsclub.com. Left to Right Danielle McClure, SBMC Member & Hosting Committee, Roberta Rybicki, SBMC Member, Jessica DeFeo, SBMC Member & Hosting Committee, Rachel Pearson, SBMC Member, Moms Night Out Co-chair and Hosting Committee. (More Photos on Page 7.
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Big Pharma at the Trough of Advertising By Richard Campbell One of the mysteries of the current day health care scene is the role of advertising in big pharma. By some estimates Americans spend over 300 billion dollars a year on prescription drugs. It’s big business. It was pointed out by Ana Swanson of the Washington Post, that the research firm Global Data did a study that showed in 2013, 9 out of 10 of the biggest pharmaceutical companies spent more on advertising than on research. If this is true, the level of corporate hucksterism has reached an all-time high in that industry. In the late nineties when restrictions were lifted on advertising prescription drugs, the flood gates were opened. We see the results today. One might ask what these often embarrassing, mostly idiotic ad schemes we see on TV are all about. After all, when we go to a trusted physician for medical care, it surely must be understood that they know after years of medical school and practice, what prescription to write out for whatever ails us. But even more
offensive, in the same article is this stunning quote: “The biggest spender, Johnson & Johnson, shelled out $17.5 billion on sales and marketing in 2013, compared with $8.2 billion for R&D. In the top 10, only Roche spent more on R&D than on sales and marketing.” In short, all that money that could have gone to research went to brain washing the American public. We doubt there is any positive effect from all this nonsense. Why? Because your doctor prescribes the medicine to you, not the other way around. We have to wonder, what do they think they are marketing? It often looks like they are selling lifestyles. Then there are the stupid names, like the erectile dysfunction drug, Cialis, or see Jenny or see Betsy. What a disgrace. The ADHD drug names like Concerta, and Focalin vaguely suggest that they help sufferers work in harmony because they become focused- but do these made up names really matter to the physician? What matters is that class of drugs has grown 8 percent a year since 2010. The constant marketing of drugs to the American consumer
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has shown its negative effects. Are today’s parents making decisions based on ads for ADHD drugs? We hope not. But according to two sources, the projected growth in sales of them is going up to over 17 billion by 2020. One in seven kids in the US is diagnosed with this problem, but many experts agree they are being over diagnosed and prescribed. Parents who only want the best for their children are sometimes roped in with slick advertising. As kids in ads have their pictures taken with A’s and B’s on their homework, it holds out hope for an easy way out of complex emotional and academic problems. College students routinely get these drugs from friends who have prescriptions. One study of a small liberal arts college in New England found that one in three students had abused Adderall during their college careers. The selling of the medications in general categories is even more specious, as a company mentioning a class of products, without mentioning the brand, doesn’t have to read the long list side effects. It’s a copywriter’s dream come true, as this gives them more time to invent silly and annoying scenarios to be “memorable”. One wonders if advertising feeds the
proliferation of more varieties of the same drug. The sheer number (hundreds) of anti-depressant medications on the market is itself a depressing statistic. Studies on the opioid crisis revealed the feeding frenzy on pain killers had an advertising angle. OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma announced last week, it will stop marketing its drug to doctors. Maybe the light is finally turning on in the heads of executives in this industry. We are not saying these medicines don’t have value in the hands of a good physician treating a patient, but we question all the peculiar ads that appear on TV, in magazines, and elsewhere, and the relationship between those ads and increased use. The big clue to how corrupt the current practice is the many times the ads repeat terms like, “tell your doctor”, or “ask your doctor”. If ever there was a restriction that needs to be re-instated, it is the one relaxing ad rules regarding serious medicines. Our opinion is your doctor and you can make an informed decision about prescriptions without any help from Madison Avenue.
Dear South Boston Neighbor: As fellow neighbors and business owners, we have noticed that our wonderful neighborhood has been looking a bit shabby this cold, dark winter, and we are looking for helpers, like you, to join us in a week-long “Operation Clean Sweep South Boston.” This effort will take place over the School Vacation Week of February 17-25. During that week, we will be working with local youth programs, residents and business owners and the City to clean up the trash that has accumulated on our sidewalks and streets. You may join a group clean-up or simply sweep in front of your own home or business. As we get closer to that week, we will send more information about specific days and times, if you prefer to work with a group. Getting rid of litter is the goal, so, even if you have only a few minutes, please make an effort to pick up trash that you see around the neighborhood. We need everyone’s help to get the word out and to provide
the labor to make this effort a success. So please join us, grab a broom and trash bag, get outside and meet your neighbors and let’s work together to beautify South Boston. If you need brooms and trash bags let us know, and we will arrange a place for you to pick them up. We hope this clean-up campaign will lead to a greater awareness about the litter challenge in our community and welcome your suggestions and help to discourage littering. For more information, please contact :
Councilor Ed Flynn 617 635-3230 Donna Brown, South Boston NDC, 617 268-9610 Kathy Lafferty, SBNH , 617 268-1619 Dyan La Rosa, The Beauty Bar Gino Provenzano, Boston Police/ Neighborhood Resident Cathe Walsh, Cranberry Café Allison Baker, SB Boys and Girls Club
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SBCA 242nd Evacuation Day Essay and Poster Contests
Topics for the 2018 South Boston Citizens’ Association’s Evacuation Day Essay and Poster Competitions have been announced !
S
outh Boston Citizens’ Association President Tom McGrath announced today that because of the tremendous success of the past several years’ contest, the Association, along with Mass Bay Credit Union and Comcast will once again sponsor the 2018 Annual Essay and Poster Contests. “After last year’s outstanding effort put forth by past President Bernie O’Donnell, he has once again expressed an interest in taking on the challenge of chairing the contests. Bernie always taught me that these contests are a great way to
educate and strengthen the interest of the children of the community, I was more than pleased when Bernie offered to once again, head up this Event for the children of South Boston”, Remarked McGrath. Bernie further expressed “One of the missions of the SBCA is to reach out to the young children of this historically rich community.Joining the SBCA in promoting, organizing, and judging the Evacuation Day Poster and Essay Competitions is a most fitting way to improve on that mission.” The Poster Competition is open to all students in grades 3, 4 and 5 who are either South Boston residents or who attend school in South Boston. This year’s theme is Historic South Boston, for example: Dorchester Heights, Castle Island, Farragut Statue, LStreetBath House (Curley Rec. Center), or the Evacuation Day Parade. Posters should be original compositions, in any medium, at least 8 ½” x 11”, but preferably larger. Prizes are as follows: first prize $100, second
Flynn Seeks Working Group Following Pet Tragedy Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn is seeking to assemble a working group to examine the issues related to stray voltage in the City of Boston that recently led to the tragic death of a dog on Southampton Street. Flynn has since met with an official from the City of Boston Department of Public Works and has also contacted utility companies Eversource Energy & National Grid. Flynn said,” I read reports last week regarding stray voltage under the ground on Southampton street that led to the tragic loss of Ms. Begley’s dog, Bob. I am so sorry to hear about her loss and my heart goes out to her during this difficult time. It is now my immediate goal to establish a working group, comprised of City of Boston officials and the utility companies, to examine this issue thoroughly and prevent tragedies like this from occurring in the future.” “In the meantime, I have met with the Public Works Department and been informed that saturated ground, corroding salt, and older electrical cabinets and infrastructure present conditions where this can occur,” said Flynn. “I would encourage residents, if able, to sweep off any salt from their sidewalks as a precaution.” If residents become aware of similar incidents like this, please contact both 311 and Councilor Flynn’s office at 617-6353203 or Ed.Flynn@boston.gov.
prize $75, and third prize $25. The Essay Competition is open to all students in grades 6 through 12 who are either South Boston residents or who attend school in South Boston. The Essay themes are broken down according to grade, as follows: For students in grades 6 through 8: What roles did General John Thomas, Colonel Henry Knox, Lt. Colonel Benedict Arnold, Ethan Allen and the Green Mountain Boys have in the fortification of Dorchestrer Heights? Essays should be at least 500 words, prizes are as follows first prize $100, second prize $75, third prize $25. The Topic for students in grades 9 through 12: Recent Historical books like Bill O’Reilly’s Killing England transport readers to the events of the American Revolution. In your essay take us to events leading up to March 17, 1776 in Boston and Dorchester Heights. Why is it important to South Bostonians
and all Americans? Essays should be at least 1000 words, prizes are as follows; first prize $150, second prize 100, third prize $50. As in years past, the SBCA, Mass Bay CU and Comcast are generously sponsoring the competitions. All prizes will be presented during the Historical Exercises on Saturday, March 17, 2018 at Dorchester Heights, following the 9:00 A.M. Mass at St. Augustine’s Chapel, weather permitting. All entries should bear, in an attached envelope, the contestant’s name, school and a means of contacting the entrant, and should be submitted no later than Friday, March 9th, 2018 at 5 PM. All entries may be mailed to South Boston Citizens’ Association, P.O. Box 74, South Boston, MA 02127, or can be picked up at schools by a representative of the Citizens’ Association. Entries can also be dropped off at 170 M Street.
Boxing Show Saturday, March 10th Join us for this year’s March 17th Boxing Show on Saturday Night, March 10th at the Peter Welch’s Gym, in South Boston. Admission is free of charge to all!
Boxing Show Tryouts Tryouts will be held every Tuesday and Thursday at 7:30 pm, at the Peter Welch Gym 371 Dorchester Ave. South Boston. A ll tryouts and training are FR E E to every young man or lady participating in this year’s show. A ll boxers will be matched by age, weight, and experience and must report to the Peter Welch’s Gym with a mouth-guard, shorts and sneakers.
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First LiGK Session Assembled
Emily Soul, Lead Playmaker by Rick Winterson
L
ate last spring on May 31, an organization called LiGK (which stands for the “Life is Good Kids Foundation”) conducted an introductory meeting at the Neighborhood House. Approximately a hundred interested South Bostonians attended. The central message and mission of LiGK is the effect of trauma on South Boston’s young children and methods for treating this trauma effectively. Unfortunately, trauma is all too frequent. It can come from outright tragedies, such as shootings and major storms.
It also can stem from poverty, violence, substance abuse, or even bullying. The LiGK Foundation emphasizes the power of optimism. Methods in the LiGK system include “playful engagement”, “meaningful relationships”, and “heal, learn, and grow”. Last Friday, Monday, and Tuesday, twenty-five South Boston people gathered at the Boys & Girls Club to learn basic LiGK methods, a process called “discovery”. This was led by Emily Soul, a Chief Playmaker with the LiGK Foundation. It included playful pursuits, one of which involved manipulating a parachute in various shared ways, all done in unison. The track record of the LiGK Foundation is impressive. Not only has it worked with children who suffered from domestic traumatic tragedies like the Newtown shooting and Hurricane Katrina, LiGK has also served worldwide – in Haiti (after hurricanes), Denmark (with young Syrian refugees), and Japan (after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear reactor was hit by an earthquake and tsunami).
The LiGK parachute, an example of group activities during the LiGK gathering.
Some 25 South Boston participants attend the LiGK gathering in the Boys & Girls Club.
Youth Ambassadors Send 2018 Valentines by Rick Winterson South Boston’s Youth Ambassadors are a group of reen-agers, who meet at the South Boston Community Health Center under the guidance of Linda Doran. They work on various projects around South Boston, all of which depend on the Youth Ambassadors performing good works. The Youth Ambassadors have helped out during emergencies, built planters along Broadway, and recently posted valentines to the South Boston community. Walk by the Health Center’s eye and dental clinic; check out their front windows. After you note the arrays of red hearts and their headliner, “Be Kind”, take a few moments to check out the Youth Ambassadors’ “Hearts of Kindness Project”. To quote the first line, Hearts of Kindness is “an initiative to promote good will in South Boston”. Then read the rest of the Hearts of Kindness description yourself. You’ll be impressed – it’s much more inspiring than the daily newspapers. And since this week (February 11 through the 17th) the Random Act of Kindness Week, perform some small act of kindness yourself. As the Good Book says, “Go thou and do likewise.”
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Ribbon Cutting Continued from Page 1 recovery with support from the Gavin Foundation, whose remarks about her own “Journey” were extremely affecting (she received a standing ovation!). Congressman Lynch expressed his own gratitude for the Gavin Foundation’s continuing efforts, and praised them for extending their efforts into Quincy. Mayor Koch spoke likewise, as well as telling the story about his own growing awareness of the opioid crisis in Quincy. He also mentioned receiving pledges from certain drug firms NOT to market their addictive painkillers so aggressively, by (sometimes) claiming these products weren’t really addictive. The ribbon arrayed at the front of the Council Chambers – a royal (perhaps) purple band of cloth – was then well and truly cut, with a single snip of the outsized scissors. A collation in the Old City Hall followed. The present day Gavin Foundation is a non-profit agency
Honored guests Margaret and Congressman Stephen Lynch at the Quincy ribbon cutting. that provides comprehensive adult, youth, and community substance abuse programs, involving education, prevention, treatment, and recovery. The Foundation grew from the efforts of James Gavin just over 50 years ago. In the 1960s, Gavin, a South Boston resident, converted the upper floors of his home on East Fourth Street (near K) into a recovery facility for alcoholics. Gavin’s converted home became the prototype for so-called “halfway houses” and it grew into the current day Gavin Foundation.
And the symbolic ribbon to Quincy’s Gavin recovery services is well and truly cut.
Gavin President John McGahan, Quincy Mayor Tom Koch, Congressman Stephen Lynch, and Norfolk County (High) Sheriff Michael Bellotti at the Gavin-Quincy ribbon cutting.
Best Wishes for a Happy, Safe and Healthy New Year from your friends at City of Boston Credit Union Boston City Hall | Canton | Dorchester | South Boston | West Roxbury (617) 635-4545 | cityofbostoncu.com
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SHSB Celebrates 2017 Success by Rick Winterson The letters “SHSB”, which are very well known in South Boston, stand for “Save the Harbor/Save the Bay”. SHSB is an organization of volunteers who bear a lot of the responsibility, as well as deserving a lot of the credit, for orchestrating the cleanup – the very successful cleanup - of Boston Harbor’s beaches from Lynn to Hull. SHSB has been spearheading this forbiddingly complex mission since 1986, 32 years ago. We said the beach cleanup has been “very successful”. If you are new to South Boston, please listen up. The beaches of South Boston – all five miles of them – stayed open continuously all during the beach season of 2017. Yes, that’s NO closures, 100% availability. You could have had your families and friends over for a day on the beaches of South Boston anytime you felt like it in the Year of Our Lord 2017. And just take a look at our ocean waters as you walk along our beaches – blue, green, and clear, very clear. That’s not only a remarkable accomplishment, in which SHSB played a key part, it’s a reason to celebrate. And celebrate SHSB did
– Wednesday evening, January 31, courtesy of the people who operate Harpoon Brewery’s Beer Hall at 306 Northern Avenue on the South Boston Waterfront. Much beer was served; many Harpoon pretzels were consumed. The evening of January 31 was both portentous and well-selected. It was the evening of the second full moon in January, the so-called “Blue Moon”. It was also the one of those times, called a “Supermoon”, when the moon approached the Earth as closely as it ever does. And the moon that evening sported a distinctly orange tint. In addition, the SHSB party at Harpoon served to kick off 2018
activities. The 2018 Shamrock Splash, which is a fundraiser, will take place this year on Sunday, March 11, at High Noon. The Splash will occur at a South Boston beach (of course!) – on the M Street side of the BCYF’s Curley Community Center. Preregister for the Shamrock Splash for $20 at ; registration on the day of the Splash costs $25. Come one, come all! SHSB President Patty Foley, a South Boston lady, and Bruce Berman, the SHSB Director of Strategy, Communications, and Programs, led the party’s mercifully brief program. Among the companies mentioned for
their support of South Boston beaches were jetBlue, B. GOOD, L.L. Bean, and of course Harpoon Brewery, who hosted the SHSB celebration. Just one fact to illustrate SHSB’s 2017 achievements: Last year, SHSB awarded over $55,000 to 27 organizations in nine beachfront communities from Nahant to Nantasket, in support of 93 beach activities from concerts to athletics to festivals. Well done! But the main object of the January 31 SHSB get-together was to celebrate a year of achievement in 2017. A full house crowd of SHSB party-goers showed up at the Harpoon Brewery. And a good time was had by all.
Maureen greets SHSB Communications Director Bruce Berman.
Patty Foley (center), President of SHSB, with Lindsay and Ahmed.
Three Harpooners are cheerfully serving the SHSB party-goers.
The celebrating SHSB crowd at the Harpoon Brewery.
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Moms Night Out
New SBMC Members
SBMC members, Sida Star Liu (left) and Becca Kornfeld toast with their husbands at the event.
Julia Hebert, SMBC Member, Kristin Frechette, SMBC President, Carrie Coughlin, SBMC Member, Becca Lanstein, SBMC Member & Hosting
Kimberly Matthews, SBMC Board Member & Family Fun Day Coordinator, Kevin Loy, Hosting Committee Member, Rachel Pearson, SBMC Member, Moms Night Out Co-chair and Hosting Committee
South Boston Operation Clean Sweep Help Clean up the South Boston Neighborhood Saturday, February 17-Sunday, February 25, 2018 Any time of your choice The streets and sidewalks are a mess! Please join local business owners and fellow residents in picking up trash around South Boston. You may join a group clean-up or simply sweep in front of your own home or business. Getting rid of litter is the goal, so, even if you have only a few minutes, please make an effort to pick up trash that you see around the neighborhood. If you need supplies, we can help! We are working with DPW to provide brooms and trash bags. Let us know when you are planning your clean-up. Once your trash is bagged, please contact the City of Boston by dialing 311 or using the 311 App for trash pick- up. Questions? Please contact : Councilor Ed Flynn ed.flynn@boston.gov 617 635-3230 Donna Brown, South Boston NDC, 617 268-9610 Kathy Lafferty, South Boston Neighborhood House, 617 268-1619 Dyan La Rosa, The Beauty Bar Gino Provenzano, Boston Police/Neighborhood Resident Cathe Walsh, Cranberry Café
Thanks for helping to beautify South Boston!
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Boston Globe Travel Show Boston Globe Travel Show Shines Light On Warm Climes By Richard Campbell It is approaching the middle of February when Bostonians are so ready to travel somewhere warm. In the spirit of advancing anyone’s odds of escaping the cold, dark, and wet, South Boston Online stepped in to see the Boston Globe Travel Show at the old Seaport World Trade Center exhibit hall that ran this weekend, February 9-11. My focus here is upon warm places- you know those areas in the world that have green grass, sunshine, beaches, and a more carefree life. Some of these ideas are for quick getaways, and others are for more serious travelers. As many South Bostonians have probably observed, the Norwegian Cruise Line routinely docks at our pier, to cruise locals from Boston to the Caribbean, Mexico, to South America and Southern Europe. This year representatives were touting their Free at Sea program which allows you to choose services ala cart with things like an unlimited bar package, to specialty dinning, and on shore explorations. The nine-day Caribbean Cruise to St. Thomas, St. Maarten, St. Kitts, St. Johns, Antigua, Tortola, are popular options. Their cruises run from April to November, and word on the ground is book in advance. On a whole different level of luxury across the globe, the “Grecian Legends, Dreams and Fables Tour of Greece and the Mediterranean” by Insight Travel offers something that could qualify as the dream excursion of a lifetime. Starting in Athens and continuing through the Greek Isles with highly cultivated guides, you’ll get to tour Mykonos, Ephesus, Samos, Patmos, Crete, Heraklion, Santorini and Thira. Thirteen days of Greece up close and personal with meals included is a great idea- with the addition
of cultural explorations, it becomes an education on the classical world. These trips start in April as well, and involve both a European flight and the cruise. Competing on the Southern European front of premier travel experiences, is Viking River Cruises, who was in attendance, offering a new fifteen-day excursion into Italy, The Adriatic, and Greece- starting in Athens and ending in Venice. For simpler immediate weather fixes, a trip to Martinique is four hours, to the heart of the lesser Antilles, with an average temperature of 79 degrees, you don’t need to see the glossy program to get the feeling you’ll be cossetted. The island is dotted with coastal and inland resorts, and as a French possession, the island is a mix of French and Creole cultures. This is a place more dedicated to beach life, water sports, hiking, and of course eating, shopping, and lounging like a lizard on the beach. The people from the Martinique travel board were offering $149.00 round-trip flights from the Providence Airport, on Norwegian Air. That’s a bargain! The representatives from Puerto Rico put on a brave face on extolling that the Condado district of hotels of San Juan are up and running fine, with new properties coming online as the capital weathered the storm better than outlying small towns. They say enthusiastically that San Juan is ready for guests. The music and cultural scene is laid back, the food is cheap, the beaches are beautiful, and of course the locals are gracious. This might be the opportunity to be booked in exclusive hotels normally over booked at this time of the year-and some hotels had sales of a third off. Scoring 7 nights in a four-star hotel with round-trip flight for $2,400 is a pretty good. San Juan is a great quick vacation not requiring a passport, and depending upon your humanitarian inclinations, it might be a could way to help out fellow Americans. Aruba is definitely a young couple’s paradise. It isn’t a deep
Puerto Rico Representatives give the okay on San Juan. culture, but you can find some great deals on flight and hotel bundles. As you gaze at the pictures of tropical waters, think about this: you can be on the beach in five hours. How you look in a bathing suit and gaging your sun block correctly are pretty important matters. The people at this booth were very nice, but there didn’t seem like a lot of depth to the hotel choices. Jet Blue was offering some really great four days, threenight package discounts to fancy resorts from Boston. I’ve never been fond of resorts, but as I look outside at the grayness here, they get more appealing every second. A series of guest travel experts gave lectures on everything from European river cruises to how to be a mindful traveler. Sagres Vacations focused upon authentic travel in Portugal and Spain. These were mostly for people who have never traveled to the particular regions, but were mildly entertaining.
There were some frills in this show, like spa treatments, the Kripalu Wellness Pavilion, car raffles, and samples of various skin care products. The virtual reality demonstration of Luzia Cirque Du Soleil, coming to Boston in Junegave an imaginary trip to Mexico without having to book a hotel or flight! There was a virtual Red Sox batting cage, and some goofy mascots roaming for the kids. The show failed terribly on the food venues, and the Craft Beer corner, despite friendly servers, totally lacked decent visuals standards and ambience. This hall, which is a cozy size, has a black ceiling, garage lighting, and no special acoustic divisions is so ready for an upgrade. There were multiple places to sign up for free vacation getaways, and tons of free promotional logo materials. Particularly for newlyweds or those new to travel, this show offered plenty of bright, happy faces.
Arubu for young newlyweds.
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The Boston Globe
Travel Show...
Insight for luxury custom travel packages.
Viking River Cruises a popular choice with seniors.
Norwegian Cruises into South Boston in April.
Martinique Reps pose with company model on “the beach”.
On behalf of the BCYF – Tynan Council, we would like to thank you for your generous contribution that will continue to support the many programs at our site.
Latam Air wins the Most Effective Ad Award.
Roza Lyons MJW Charitable Foundation Police Athletic League Gavin Foundation Quiet man Pub Memorial Fund BCYF Foundation Dedham Savings East Boston Savings Bank Gatey CYO City of Boston Credit Union Carpenters Union Local 33 Sullivan’s Wears & Wares Stop & Shop Habit Kathy Hogan South Boston Neighborhood House
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Stephen Lynch Rondo’s Sal’s Restaurant & Pizzeria South Boston Pop Warner Christopher Kelley Meridian -Engels Volker Michael Donovan, Clerk of Court Murphy’s Law MJR Consulting, Joseph Rull Stapleton Florist Café Porto Bello East Broadway Nails American Provisions Broadway Haircutters Olympic House of Pizza Joseph’s Deli
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Working on Edgy: “The Art of the Internet 1989 to Today” By Richard Campbell I was expecting something more nostalgic and playful, but this ICA exhibit is almost exclusively a contest of edginess between various artists, with the intended result being to shock the audience into alternate realities. On a simplistic level it succeeds, especially for those who don’t remember 1989, or never lived without the cyborg, deep state, constantly connected world we live in today. The show reveals the work of 60 artists in multiple mediums, divided into five thematic sections. When you enter the gallery you are shown several walls of hyperactive TV screens, playing loops- some ridiculous, some quasi political, and others like personal messaging. For anyone old enough to remember David Bowie’s film “The Man Who Fell to Earth” (1976) such a display of the omnipresent power of the “media” has become a rather frequently used trope by artists wishing to disarm us. The speed of the cycling between images is meant to emphasize your inability to really perceive the totality of the screens. Perhaps representing the expanse of the internet itself- a realm of seemingly infinite proportions. In the display “Surface Tension” by Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, a big eye appears on a centrally located screen. It is programmed to track the movements of viewers in the gallery space. Conceived in the 1990’s as a response to the “rise of surveillance”, it was reconfigured in 2004 to coincide with the Gulf War and increased surveillance of Americans by the Bush administration, post 911. Now that we are used to having our every movement tracked, people born after the internet age are trained to be oblivious to the idea of privacy. Unless one unplugs completely, this display warns: get used to being anonymously watched across the internet by “officials”. Thanks, Big Brother. A more intense exploration of the level of deep surveillance available 24/7, 365 days a year is the Simon Deny’s “Modded Server-Rack Display: With Some Interpretations of David Darchicourt Designs for NSA Defense Intelligence, 2015.” The sculpture arranges images made by Darchicourt, who worked as a graphic designer for the NSA, on a big computer server rack interspersed
with sculptural parts that detail the surveillance state. The source of this work apparently became known after Edward Snowden released documents detailing the US global surveillance program on its own citizens. Gretchen Bender’s disoriented American flag from 1989 would be more like what people saw in art galleries at the time. A digital image of a flag at a sporting event is fragmented and reassembled into strips creating a strong 2-D image represents divergent views in the United States. “The Fed Ex Delivery Worker Interview” by John Kline includes video about a real Fed Ex worker who was employed without benefits as a third party contractor. The artist then scanned the body of the worker and crated a series of heads that end up floating in packing peanuts in a FedEx delivery box to create: “Saving Money with Subcontractors (Fed Ex Workers Head).” The weirdness is that one imagines receiving and opening a Fed Ex box to find someone’s head! This is relatively mild humor compared to some of the more bizarre sculptures and videos represented in the show. In the land of the ideal computerized fem-bot, Kate Cooper’s “Rigged” utilizes similar techniques used in high end fashion magazines to present idealized beauty, but taken a step further, presents a parody of beauty itself. The connections
between the objectification of the female form, fashion, and pornography are rather subtly presented. Similarly, Amalia Ulman creates a large chromogenic print of her idealized self as she customized it on social media platforms for her followers. Her faux identity was a cross between Kendal Jenner and Kim Kardashian, and she later revealed to her 89,244 followers that it was all just a performance. These images are thankfully not as grotesque as Ed Atkin’s disturbing giant avatar driven work “Hybrid Bodies.” Someone likes his stuff, but I don’t want to meet them. The funniest understated display is the talking refrigerator with green screen background. The work by Mark Leckey underscores the banality of being connected to everything at all times. Reminiscent of high-end appliance ads with a nod to materialist lifestyle devices, (cell phones, tablets, monitors), the on screen narrative reveals humans wanting to be something more through their devices. In a peculiar way this display is the most accurate influence of the latest internet, which is quickly turning into a commodified version of television, soon to be controlled by large monopolistic corporations whose sole desire is to keep us online to… sell, sell, sell.
Top Center: The Talking Refrigerator, Bottom Center: Gretchen Bender’s American Flag, Right Top: Kate Cooper’s Rigged, Right Center: Amailia Ulman’s Faux Identity, Bottom Right: John Kline’s Fed ExWorker.
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2018
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Valentine’s Celebration at Veronica Robles Cultural Center By Richard Campbell
Kerry Kavanaugh, a local News anchor and reporter at Boston News 25, with whom Ms. Robles has shared friendship and support. There was something really touching about the awards given out to local artists and staff members, and Ms. Kavanaugh made sure to give others the space to express themselves on stage.
A
lthough this is an East Boston story, after venturing out to hear the Mariachi sounds of Veronica Robles at the Veronica Robles Cultural Center this past Saturday, and seeing the unbound joy at this community party, I knew this story had wings. As I had not ever seen a Mariachi band live, this alone was quite an experience. Ms. Robles moved and sang with a gifted possession of the spirit, communicating the importance of love and creativity to her audience. The band lead by her husband Willy Lopez backed her voice with a remarkably tight ensemble. I’m not a Valentine’s person, so I came for the musicand went away with much more: the evidence of what an open heart can do for others. The real reason for highlighting this very talented musician is to shine a light on the blossoming of a community center for the arts and education that has been recognized by Mayor Martin Walsh, and many others as an extremely positive phenomenon in Boston. This celebration
All the kids and their parents at this event were so well behaved I thought I had gone back in a time machine to an America where it matters to have manners. Veronica Robles sings to Kerry Kavanaugh and her husband. was a fund raiser, and a Valentine to the citizens of East Boston. People showed in great numbers to support the Robles Center, hear vibrant songs, partake in an elegant dinner, and celebrate the youth who attend the Center’s programs. Besides the beautiful decorations and great food, the level of graciousness of the staff running the event spoke volumes.
Valentine’s at the Allisons’
Andrea (center) wins the Katharine Hepburn competition at the Allisons’ Valentine Party. Note her costume as an aviatrix, and her Hepbun-like smile.
There were local politicians from Annissa Essaibi George to Ayanna Pressley, (who danced quite well on stage!) but the special person who really helped drive the event forward was the Mistress of Ceremonies,
So, here’s my Valentine to Veronica Robles, musician, activist, and sweet heart to East Boston! For more information on the activities of this great arts group go to http://www. ver on ic a r oble s . c o m /.
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2018
South Boston Catholic Academy News PreK Students Celebrate St. Valentine’s Day! Here are some photos of the PreK students at South Boston Catholic Academy creating their Valentine’s cards and drawings for their parents. The students also enjoyed many other Valentine’s Day activities, such as matching games and a St. Valentine’s Day Party. South Boston Catholic Academy is an academically rigorous, supportive Catholic Elementary School Accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEAS&C). South Boston Catholic Academy is currently accepting applications for all classes PreK-Grade 6. We have Before School and After School Programs available and have small class size; high acceptance rate to Parochial, Private and Boston Exam Schools. For additional information about South Boston Catholic Academy, please visit our website at www.sbcatholicacademy. org or call 617-268-2326. We also, offer tours weekly on Tuesday at 9 a.m. or by appointment, to schedule a school tour, please email Mrs. Jamie Brown, Assistant Principal, at j.brown@sbcatholicacademy.org.
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SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2018
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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2018
ZONING HEARING
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Office of Coastal Zone Management
The Zoning Commission of the City of Boston (“Zoning Commission”) hereby gives notice, in accordance with Chapter 665 of the Acts of 1956, as amended, that a public hearing will be held on March 7, 2018, at 9:30 AM, in Room 900, Boston City Hall, in connection with a petition for the Second Amendment to the Development Plan for Planned Development Area No. 54, Fan Pier (the “Second Amendment”), filed by the Boston Redevelopment Authority d/b/a Boston Planning & Development Agency. Said Second Amendment, as it relates to Parcel H and E of the Fan Pier Development, would allow for Parcel H to be dedicated to residential use with ground and second-floor facilities of public accommodation, including civic/cultural space. Parcel E would be developed as an all office building with ground floor retail and other facilities of public accommodation, and with no laboratory space. The Second Amendment eliminates the requirement that at least one of the parcels on which hotel use is permitted shall be developed in whole or in a part as a hotel. A copy of the petition and the Second Amendment may be viewed at the office of the Zoning Commission, Room 952, Boston City Hall, between 9 AM and 5 PM any day except Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays. For the Commission, Jeffrey M. Hampton Executive Secretary
ZONING HEARING The Zoning Commission of the City of Boston (“Zoning Commission”) hereby gives notice, in accordance with Chapter 665 of the Acts of 1956, as amended, that a public hearing will be held on March 7, 2018, at 9:00 AM, in Room 900, Boston City Hall, in connection with a petition for the Fourth Amendment to Master Plan for Planned Development Area No. 69, South Boston/The 100 Acres (“Fourth Amendment”), as well as a petition for the First Amendment to Development Plan for General Electric Company Headquarters Campus, South Boston, Massachusetts, within Planned Development Area No. 69, South Boston/The 100 Acres (“First Amendment”), filed by the Boston Redevelopment Authority d/b/a Boston Planning & Development Agency. Said petitions would allow for a Proposed Project, consisting of approximately 388,070 gross square feet, includes the rehabilitation of the Brick Buildings including the connection of the Brick Buildings by a shared atrium/lobby; the construction of a new approximately 293,300 square foot, 12-story building that will be connected to the Brick Buildings by a pedestrian bridge and GE Plaza, a new pedestrian walkway open to the public that will run from Necco Street to the Fort Point Channel; and the construction of public realm improvements, including approximately 61,490 square feet of outdoor public space, including a Harborwalk, green space, interpretive signage and amenities. A copy of the petitions and the Fourth Amendment and the First Amendment may be viewed at the office of the Zoning Commission, Room 952, Boston City Hall, between 9 AM and 5 PM any day except Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays. For the Commission, Jeffrey M. Hampton Executive Secretary
Notice of Issuance of the Designation Report for the South Boston Designated Port Area (DPA) Boundary In accordance with applicable regulations at 301 CMR 25.00, public notice is hereby given of the Office of Coastal Zone Management’s (CZM) issuance of the South Boston Designated Port Area boundary designation report. CZM shall consider written comments relative to the designation report. Comments must be received by 5:00pm on March 9, 2018 (30 days after publication of this notice in the Environmental Monitor). Comments should be addressed to: Office of Coastal Zone Management Attn: Lisa Berry Engler 251 Causeway Street, Suite 800 Boston MA 02114-2136 CZM will convene a public hearing on the DPA boundary designation report on February 26, 2018 at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held at: EDIC - Raymond L. Flynn Marine Park 22 Drydock Avenue, 3rd Floor Conference Room Boston, MA 02210 (parking available at Central Parking Garage, 12 Drydock Avenue) Copies of the state DPA boundary regulations (301 CMR 25.00) can be obtained at the State Bookstore, Room 116, State House, Boston, MA 02133, or electronically at: www.mass.gov/files/documents/2016/08/ wl/301-cmr-25.pdf
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SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2018
BCYF Tynan Happenings
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n Friday February 6th at 4:30pm, the Rams played the Chiefs in the BCYF Tynan flag football Super Bowl. It was a hard fought battle between both teams but in the end, the Rams came out on top 62-48 to beat the Chiefs. The Rams came out scoring quickly with Evan Pierce and Aiden Kinevy scoring some quick touchdowns to put the Rams in the lead. The Chiefs came back with Robert Wisniewski and Zaidin Pickup scoring a few touchdowns to
keep the Chiefs in the game. At the half, the Rams lead the Chiefs 37-18. It seemed like the Rams were in a good situation to win until Mullen Byrne and Jayden McQueen scored some quick touchdowns to have the Chiefs only down by one touchdown. In the end, the Rams held on with some scores from James Posell and Finn Cawley and a interception by Max Atchue to seal the deal for the win. The MVP of the game was Evan Pierce, who had three touchdowns, two extra points and played great defense. It was a great year and all the kids had fun and improved a lot as the season went on. We hope to see everyone back next year Girls Fitness will be starting on March 12th from 6pm-7pm for 8 weeks! Registration tonight @6pm. Ages are 10 & up and the instructor will once again be Amanda McCarthy. Email youth Worker, Katie O’Connell (Katie.O’Connell@ boston.gov) for more information.
Teen Center is now opened Monday through Friday from 6-9 pm. We have a variety of activities for our teens to participate, including but not limited to board games/tournaments, trivia nights, Netflix/movie night. We are also equipped with a brand new PlayStation with online access. Stop in and use our chrome books for both educational and recreational purposes. The BCYF Tynan Community Center Floor Hockey League has started. If you still want to play than please see Greg lally
Excel Track Team at SBHS Members of the Excel track team at South Boston High School get together for a team pic on Tuesday, Feb. 6 at the Reggie Lewis Track Center for the annual BPS city league track championship. Maleah Ferguson was first in the Girls 55 Meter Dash (Top Left) These four came in 6th in the 4 x 200 meter relay (Top right)
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A.D. by feb.15th. Schedules can be picked up in the Gym Office. BCYF Tynan kids went to the Patriots Hall Of Fame recently and had a great time! The price is right if you are looking to take the family. The tour started out with a video of the Patriots history before and after they had become this dynasty. It’s very user-friendly with some great exhibits, running through the tunnel, eye catching patriot imagery on large ceiling screens and many more attractions.
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15, 2018 THE PRINT EDITION
New Apartments Availible 188 Emerson St #2 Rent Price - $2,400
Prime Location 2 Bedroom, 1 Bathroom Apartment
East-side 2 bedroom, 1 bath apartment in a very well maintained 2 family house. Con-veniently located close to the East Broadway shops and restaurants and just minutes to the South Boston Seaport. There’s an extra room that can be used as a walk in closet or an of-fice. Available March 1st or before.
242 W 3rd St #1 Rent Price - $2,600 Condo Quality
2 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom Apartment
On the door step to the Seaport area...This 2 bedroom, 2 bath apartment has been tastefully renovated and is considered to be in condo condition....Very well located close to the West Broadway shops and within walking distance to the Broadway T station and the SB Seaport. Available March 1st!