THE PRINT EDITION
THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 2017
VOLUME XVIIII - ISSUE 16
Congratulations Class of 2017
Collaborative Rededication June 6
Joseph Nee was an “Angel”, an angel nicknamed “Dodo” – the kind of angel one finds only in South Boston. You’d see him everywhere, enjoying himself and urging everyone else to have a good time, too. But behind the scenes, Dodo was a quiet, effective, non-stop mover-and-shaker for the good of our community. That was especially true of the South Boston Collaborative Center. Join us Tuesday evening, June 6, at 6 p.m. for the rededication of the Collaborative Center in Dodo’s name, immediately followed by a reception celebrating his life at The Lawn on D.
by Rick Winterson The South Boston Collaborative Center was established in the mid-1990s to combat the epidemic of drug-related, teenaged suicides plaguing the South Boston community. Joseph Nee, more frequently known by everyone as “Dodo”, played a key role in setting up the Collaborative, including a lengthy term as the Chair of its Board of Directors. And this
is the 20th year that the Collaborative has provided crucial services to those in our community who are afflicted with addiction. Like so many of the good things Dodo did for us, the Collaborative has been successful in its difficult, complex mission over the last two decades. A few years ago, the Collaborative relocated to new premises across the Old Colony project, on Columbia Road – 1226A Columbia Road to be exact, where the Branch Library was once sited. It is entirely fitting that the current Collaborative facility be rededicated and renamed in honor of Joseph “Dodo” Nee. Join us at the South Boston Collaborative Center at 6 p.m. next Tuesday, June 6, for a brief rededication ceremony and the unveiling of the new sign pictured – a tribute to Dodo Nee, a true son of South Boston. You are also invited to join us Continued on Page 3
Six Archbishop Williams High School students from South Boston were among the 124 graduates at the Braintree school’s 65th Commencement Exercises on Thursday, May 25. Front from left: Deirdre Grealy, Baileigh McCarthy, Jaelyn Kenneally. Rear: Brendan Toland, Matthew Hogan. Not shown: Christian Roche.
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THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 2017 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM
Andrew Square Station: Ready for a Reboot! By Richard Campbell
its six roads converging on one spotnumerous bus connections to the hospitals, and the continued growth in housing in the area. On many occasions I have offered comfort to visitors to the city who booked modest rooms in the two hotels near the square when they emerged from Andrew station, looking terrified at their destination. Clearly, the area small businesses in the square are growing and thriving, and more development is in the works. The Andrew Square Civic Association has done great work with planters and plantings, and the city has upgraded the traffic lights.
One T worker told me: “the wheel that squeaks gets the grease.” Well, now I’m squeaking. Riders of the MBTA may have noticed a number of station upgrades: some quite extravagant, others very long running. I believe it is our turn. As any rider of the MBTA knows there is considerable inequality of care across stations of the transit system. For if you are in the tonier neighborhoods, let’s use Arlington street stop in Back Bay as an example, your station will be manicured very carefully so as not to offend the high end clientele. But when you reach certain less desirable neighborhoods, well the condition and cleanliness can take a plunge. Shouldn’t there be consistent standards?
Riders may also notice the advantage of being near a high profile institution, that perhaps pressures the MBTA to maintain the station nearby, is advantageous. For example, look at Harvard’s station and one will see suddenly the ability for the MBTA to keep things gleaming is not a problem. The platforms and stairs of Downtown Crossing Red Line have been a disgusting mess for over twenty years, but now that we have pricey condos and shops, bless
the bureau of uglification- they are finally on to a remodel. It must be that people paying millions of dollars for condos don’t like the filth like the rest of us. The real question is: why isn’t anyone offended? Where are the PC police when I need them? This is clear evidence of class bias being imposed upon my neighborhood. You are incredulous. Let’s look at South Boston stations, shall we? For a while, now that South Boston is one of the hottest real estate market’s in Boston, extra attention has been given to Broadway station, which looks pretty good. I assure you this upgrade in conditions roughly paralleled the addition of
high end housing around the station. But Andrew Square, like Downtown Crossing, has a long way to go. First, I would like to ask if it would absolutely kill the MBTA to have the floors and walls really scrubbed down? Is there a secret ban on painting this station that we are not aware of? Can we actually have proper garbage containers on the upper bus platforms that aren’t Gerry-rigged, sporting holes and covered in filth? Does the outdoor lighting at the station have to resemble a prison yard to give us the appropriate feeling of degradation? I mean, I’m just asking but…isn’t it a bad idea to let a Station leak like sieve for years on end? Andrew Square is becoming a major hub in South Boston, with
This is not to say that some progress hasn’t been made. We managed to get the T Station sign straightened out that had been bent over for nearly two years after a car ran into it. “Someone with power” complained that the clock on top of the station has been broken, so maintenance was out to fix it. Thank you. Now that summer is nearly upon us, I’m asking publicly that we get a serious scrub down, perhaps some better lighting, a new coat of red paint for the pillars. The MBTA may find that creating a nicer environment will also contribute to making the place feel a little more secure. I understand that Andrew Square isn’t the heart of the metropolis, but the MBTA can and should do better.
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 2017
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Mass Bay Credit Union “Shred It Day” Mass Bay Credit Union is holding their first ever Shred It Day on Saturday, June 10, 2017 from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at their South Boston Headquarters, working with Shred-it®, a locally-operated global leader in secure document disposal.
A joyful Joe “Dodo” Nee (l.) enjoying a South Boston Collaborative Center Derby Day party with his friends. Yes, it was a dress-up Derby afterward for a celebration – a celebration of Dodo’s life - next Tuesday evening. Immediately following the rededication ceremony at the Collaborative, there’ll be a fundraising reception at the (very) popular Lawn on D. Admission to this gala event is $25. That includes free parking in one of the Convention Center lots near The Lawn on D. Kenny Morrell, South Boston’s popular piano soloist, will provide entertainment. A raffle will feature sporting event tickets and hotel stays among many other prizes. The refreshments are certainly worth noting: Passed hors d’oeuvres and reception food sta-
tions will include savory delights such as grilled scallops and tangy guacamole, along with complimentary beverages from Seaport Catering Co., courtesy of developer Jon Cronin. Join us for food, music, a drink, and warm fellowship. The Nee family all plan to be on hand. Stop by and say “hello” to them. And please take a long look at the photograph of Dodo with his friends at the Collaborative’s Annual Derby Day Party a couple of years back. Dodo truly enjoyed himself at these events; he would be very pleased to know you intend to enjoy yourself at next Tuesday’s rededication and reception.
Safeguarding personal information against fraud and identity theft is more important than ever and Mass Bay is prepared to help their members and community neighbors. Their Shred It Day will consist of a large Shred-it® shredding truck parked in the Mass Bay employee parking lot at their South Boston Headquarters, located at 147 West 4th Street. Members and residents who live in the community are invited to bring any documents that contain sensitive information and have them shredded safely and for free! “We hope members and nonmembers will take advantage of this opportunity to discard their sensitive
documents safely,” says President and CEO John Thomas. “Protecting our members is a priority at Mass Bay, and we are happy to also extend this opportunity to those living in our community.” There is a five-box maximum.
Mass Bay Credit Union is a not-forprofit, full-service financial institution that provides the highest level of service and personal attention to all our members. Mass Bay Credit Union operates under the Credit Union ideal of “People Helping People” and is 100% committed to providing our members with the best banking products and services available, with the best value, state-of-the-art technology and unparalleled access. Continually striving to expand and refine our product and service offerings to best meet members’ needs, Mass Bay is also dedicated to offering these services at the most competitive rates and lowest cost.
Benefit Party for Kimberly Farina
Kimberly Farina Note
As some of you may know, on January 8th Kimberly Farina unfortunately suffered from a stroke at only 29 years old. Originally the entire right side of her body had no movement. She spent a week in the ICU at Boston Medical Center before being moved onto the neurology floor for another two weeks. From BMC she moved to Spaulding rehab in Charlestown where she spent another few weeks recovering and slowly but surely getting her movement back. Thankfully Kim was able to start walking again but it was her right arm that was giving us trouble. It might have taken a little longer than we wanted but eventually kim started being able to squeeze/flex her hand, move her fingers, twist her wrist, and lift her arm. Finally Kim was able to move home but she still continues her out patient therapy every week where she is constantly getting stronger everyday! We are so lucky that Kim was able to make the recovery she has and we will forever be grateful we still have her here with us. So come out on June 3rd for a great cause to not only support Kim but also celebrate her 30th birthday, hope to see you all there!
Saturday June 3, 2017 7 pm - midnight Carson Place (Teacher’s Union Hall) 180 Mt. Vernon St, Dorchester, MA 02125 Cash Bar * DJ Jimmy Donovan * Raffles Tickets $20 Chrissy (Petrie) Mullen Kellie Mullen Kristine Mullen Ashley Miller Noreen Rosher Pattie McCormick Kelley O’Shea Patsy Perry-Pratt
617-997-1280 857-417-6555 781-974-3582 617-319-5804 617-259-8604 617-888-1545 617-593-3594 857-891-2031
Donations can be made payable to Farina’s Fighters Fund at East Boston Savings Bank
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THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 2017 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM
A Street Park Dedicated
Entrance to the Park, with a flowering chestnut tree. The A Street Park is another small green gem in South Boston, nestled in the angle formed by the
State Street Building and the new parking garage. It has gentle grass slopes, curving pathways, and plenty of playing surfaces for those proverbial “children of all ages” who live in South Boston. A crowd of perhaps 100 or more showed up for a coffeeand-doughnuts mid-morning fete, on one of the few sunny May days we’ve had recently. In his remarks, Mayor Marty Walsh spoke of “green space” plans, echoing the “Emerald Necklace” concept of Frederick Law Olmstead 150 years ago. With Councilor-at-Large Michael Flaherty and Rep. Nick Collins, and accompanied by a boy named Jack, Walsh unveiled the Park’s sign.
West Broadway Task Force Meeting Goes Public by Rick Winterson A crowd of perhaps 200 people showed up at the West Broadway Task Force meeting, convened by Betty Flaherty in the Condon School last Tuesday evening. They were there to discuss crime problems, especially the recent near-fatal shooting in the West Broadway development (the unnamed victim will survive, but will likely lose a leg). We can only list the (strongly made) suggestions from the attendees, without judging them: Call 9-1-1 more (anonymously) More police coverage (on foot?) More lights, on all night Locking buildings at sunset Cameras, cameras, cameras
Attention New Locations for the Sail Boston Meeting
ATTENTION NEW LOCATION Please join us for a South Boston community briefing, to brief you on plans for the return of the Tall Ships this June. Monday, June 5th | 6:00 – 8:00 PM Tynan Community Center, 650 E 4th Street, South Boston and Wednesday, June 7th | 6:00 – 8:00 PM James Condon Elementary School, 200 D Street, South Boston For more information please visit sailboston.com
Monday June 5th 6:00 - 8:00 PM Tynan Community Center 650 E 4th Street
Wednesday June 7th 6:00 - 8:00 PM James Condon Elementary School 200 D Street
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SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 2017
Thompson Island Outward Bound: Summer Expeditions! By Richard Campbell
from the Walsh-Golins Model implemented through practical learning in outdoor studies. The program emphasis upon skills such as “social emotional learning” and “motivated learning” promote a holistic set of developmental goals that one might not find in the traditional classroom. Through environmental immersion, hands on skills, and social bonding with peers and instructors, the training is pretty intense.
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s summer officially begins South Boston Online wanted to check in anew with Thompson Island Outward Bound to give interested students in the area an update on the programs available this summer to rising 7th and 8th graders enrolled in the Boston Public Schools. There are a variety of program offerings, from full immersion to short trips. The Summer Expeditions program has five-day backpacking and climbing programs beginning in July 1, 15, August 4, August 16, August 24. The more water oriented Summer Expedition is the seven-day Kayaking Expeditions where ten crews of two learn boat basics, capsize and rescue procedures, navigation skills, and weather forecasting. This offers a chance to explore marine environments in detail, to get a fresh perspective on the harbor islands, and to camp out under the stars. The program runs two tracks, one starting on July 1, and one on July 15 th. These popular programs are
very well developed and have a great reputation among parents and the Boston City Schools. Of course the focus of Outward Bound is more than merely a camp, but is an educational program designed to help students reach important developmental milestones through mentorship and experience with great educators. Just getting out and doing something fun this summer is enough of a motivation for most students to give these programs a try, but they are often surprised how much they learn in the process. Students learn that even regular daily tasks like cooking and
setting up camp can have educational value for individual life skills. For inner city youth, who sometimes don’t get to see nature up close, taking a trip to Thompson and staying overnight provides a jumping off point for people to explore the Boston Harbor Islands. Perhaps unseen to many casual observers of programs like these is the in depth research, development and testing of Outward Bound that has deep roots in educational practice. The program’s success is pinned to its carefully planned learning modelmost prominently fashioned
BRING IT. SHRED IT. FORGET IT!
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Thompson Island Outward bound can trace its lineage back to the early Boston Farm School established on Thompson Island in 1833, which taught at risk boys in agriculture and gardening along with life skills, and was reformulated on multiple occasions to become the Thompson Academy. Outward Bound found its modern footing when Thompson Island Trustees partnered with Outward Bound in 1988 to create the Thompson Island Outward Bound Education Center. For more information, go to: https:// thompsonisland.org/
Saturday, June 10th 9am – 11:30am 147 West 4th Street South Boston
If you live in the community and have old documents to discard, bring them by and we’ll shred them FREE OF CHARGE! Limit: 5 boxes See You There! Easy!
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THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 2017 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM
Tim ‘Doc” Cook Memorialized rial Mass at St. Brigid Church for Timothy John Cook – Tim “Doc” Cook – who was a Corpsman in the Marines in Iraq. Afterward, the Timothy “Doc” Cook Foundation awarded three $1,000 scholarships in his name. This event, the Fourth Annual, took place in St. Brigid Hall. Thomas Casper, Eric Lopes, and James McDonnell were the three scholarship recipients.
A photo of a picture of Corpsman 3PO Timothy John Cook (USMC), a.k.a. “Doc” Cook, taken while he was on active duty in Iraq (2007). “Doc” conceived and invented an armored mass casualty vehicle.
by Rick Winterson Sunday morning on May 21, there was the 8 a.m. Memo-
“Doc” was a hero in many ways – one of them, a highly unusual way. He was a Corpsman who brought medical care to the wounded on the battlefield, under actual hazardous combat conditions. In addition, he noticed that the ambulances for transporting the wounded away from the battleground were inadequate. They were HMMWVs (High Mobility Military Wheeled Vehicles,
first called “Humm-Vees”, later called “Hummers”). They could only carry a few litters. “Doc” thought of armoring a larger military truck and converting it into a large ambulance. So he put together an armored vehicle that could hold six litters, along with space for a corpsman to care for them in transit. It was formally called an armored mass casualty vehicle. Informally, “Doc’s” invention was known as “The Armadillo”. He never got credit for his invention; it is impossible to know how many lives it saved. And “Doc” himself is no longer with us – he succumbed to
PTSD-related complications after returning home. It is entirely fitting that the Timothy “Doc” Cook Foundation was established in his name. Not only that, this is historically the season when we honor veterans, especially those who made the ultimate sacrifice and paid with their lives. Perhaps you would consider donating to “Doc’s” scholarship fund yourself. If you would, please go to the East Boston Savings Bank (East Broadway branch), or log onto https://www. go f u n d m e . co m / ya d u d e d o c
Meghan Murphy and Joe Cook flank the three 2017 recipients of Timothy “Doc” Cook Foundation Scholarships for $1,000 – James McDonnell, Thomas Casper, Jr., and Eric Lopes.
The modified Army truck invented by Tim “Doc” Cook – a deuce-anda-half with armor attached that will safely transport six litters carrying wounded soldiers and their corpsman.
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 2017
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Ed Flynn Campaign Continuing to Build Momentum Boston. Our district is among the most diverse in the city and it’s an honor to be connecting with so many people who are supporting our efforts.”
District Two City Council Candidate is top fundraiser, earns endorsements, support
Ed Flynn’s campaign continues to build momentum headed into the summer as he leads all opponents in fundraising, has collected numerous labor and elected official endorsements and saw strong support at Memorial Day weekend events across the district. “I am humbled and excited about the support building for this campaign,” Flynn said. “It’s clear that voters are responding to our message of unity as we seek to improve our schools, make our streets safer, and maximize economic opportunity for everyone in
Over Memorial Day Weekend, Flynn held a visibility on Washington Street in the South End, participated in a veterans’ memorial dedication with Gold Star families in South Boston, met with residents in Peter’s Park in the South End and joined an event honoring Puerto Rican Veterans in the South End. These events come a week after Flynn and dozens of volunteers knocked on more than 3,000 doors and an impressive quarter of fundraising that has seen the campaign lead the District Two field.
Flaherty, SJC Clerk Maura Doyle and Suffolk Superior Court Clerk Michael Donovan. A lifelong resident of South Boston and 25-year veteran of the United States Navy, he has built a strong coalition of supporters across the entire district, including the South End, Chinatown, Bay Village and South Boston. Ed Flynn is a lifelong resident of South Boston, where he has been deeply involved as a youth sports coach, veterans’ advocate, and community activist. In addition to being an
Flynn was the first of any candidate in the city’s upcoming elections to be certified for the November ballot. He also recently announced 10 major labor union endorsements, in addition to several endorsements from elected leaders, including state Rep. Nick Collins, Councilor Michael
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active Boston Public Schools parent at the Josiah Quincy School in Chinatown, Ed is a member of the Cityside Neighborhood Association, South Boston Citizens’ Association, Ward 7 Democratic Committee, and VFW Fitzgerald Post. Ed served on active duty in the Persian Gulf on two deployments and overseas in the Navy Reserves, helping to coordinate disaster relief in Haiti. Ed and his wife, Kristen, are raising their children, Caroline and Stephen, in South Boston.
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THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 2017 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM
Fitgerald Post’s 2017 Wreath Lying Ceremony by Rick Winterson Last Sunday, May 28, the Thomas F. Fitzgerald Post, VFW No. 561 (Veterans of Foreign Wars) conducted its annual Memorial Day ceremony. This involved a solemn laying of the 2017 ceremonial wreath at the South Boston Vietnam Memorial - the nation’s first such memorial – in Medal of Honor (M Street) Park. The event was led by Ed Flynn, Commander of the Post. Occurring exactly 100 years after the U.S. entered World War I in 1917, it seemed that this year’s wreath laying was especially significant. World War I was called “The war to end all wars” soon after it ended. In part, this was due to many weapons of war that were used for the first time – gas warfare, the machine gun, exploding artillery shells
sharp, well-drilled group, led by Cadet Commander Christian Badgett. A contingent of perhaps 100 guests of the Post followed, piped to Medal of Honor Park by Kevin Conroy.
A parade of perhaps a hundred marches up Fourth to Medal of Honor (M Street) Park. (instead of cannonballs), the first aerial bombings, armored tanks, submarines, and so on. More important, the WWI casualty count was extraordinarily high – almost 20 million (20,000,000) deaths. And more than half of these were civilians, not soldiers. This year’s wreath laying
marked a century of war since 1917. And in the spring of 2017, America is still hard at it. At 9:30 last Sunday, the Color Guard from the South Boston High School JROTC Battalion (Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps) stepped off from the Fitzgerald VFW Post No. 561. This is an extremely
An invocation was offered. Post Commander Ed Flynn delivered dedicatory remarks. The Colors were presented, memorial bouquets and a floral wreath were solemnly emplaced, and Tom Florentino blew “Taps”. Congressman Steve Lynch then spoke of the immensity of the veterans’ sacrifices; Giselle Sterling (USMC), Boston’s Commissioner of Veterans Services, focused on the devastation of PTSD among veterans, After the Sunday morning ceremony, the Fitzgerald Post hosted a brunch. Clerk of Court Michael Donovan spoke briefly. The JROTC Color Guard received an award from Post No. 561 Commander Ed Flynn.
The South Boston High School JROTC Color Guard bears the colors to the wreath laying.
South Boston is on Parade, following the colors to Medal of Honor Park.
The place of wreath laying: South Boston’s Vietnam Memorial – the first in the nation.
Post Commander Ed Flynn, USN (Ret.), front and center, opens the 2017 wreath laying ceremony.
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 2017
South Boston’s Congressman Steve Lynch speaks at the Vietnam Memorial.
Bouquets and a commemorative wreath are emplaced by VFW Post No. 561.
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Cadet Battalion Commander Christian Badgett accepts an award from Post Commander Ed Flynn.
Bugler Tom Florentino solemnly renders “Taps” at the Vietnam Memorial.
A Memorial Day crowd enjoys brunch at the Fitzgerald Post after the 2017 wreath laying.
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THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 2017 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM
Out Across Space & Time:
Kennedy Museum Guests Nail the Value of NASA By Richard Campbell
A
s part of the 100th anniversary celebration of the birth of John F. Kennedy, the astronaut and engineer guest speakers for this past Sunday at Space Exploration Day came well prepared to deliver. “We choose to go to Mars…” said Chief astronaut Christopher Cassidy, echoing Kennedy’s famous inspirational speech that launched the space program. And when space electrical engineer Su Curley detailed the operational aspects of the modern day space suit with vivid demonstrations, there was no question: American astronauts are in good hands. These are skilled ambassadors for NASA with a gold mine of personal experiences to relate. Starting with a video feed from astronaut Jack Fischer on the international space station, multiple hands on scientific demonstrations, to fascinating stories of Russian cosmonauts, Q&A sessions, photo ops, and personal stories about how they got to NASA –members of the audience easily became space enthusiasts. The JFK Museum hit this one way out beyond the blue sky of Fenway- to earth’s outer atmosphere. A very friendly pre-talk demonstration on the International Space Station ISS by Dan Barstow, the Educational Manager of the Center for Advancement of Science in Space or CASIS, gave young students a guided tour of the station, breaking down it’s component parts and marveling
Chief Astronaut Christopher Cassidy with Space Enthusiast at the football field sized station that has been active since 2000. According to CASIS literature, as of January this year some 226 astronauts from 8 countries have traveled for tours of duty on the station. It is hard not to be stunned by the images and feats of this project: from the numerous shuttle missions and spacewalks it took to build ISS, to the frequent scientific experiments; the space station set a premium on international cooperation. When the ISS is orbiting the earth at about 17,500 miles per hour, we are talking about some serious fly over imagery. While the eye popping imagery throughout this program was impressive, and wonderful other worldly weightlessness space ninja tricks kept us amused, there was plenty of detailed science on board. To understand the environmental and physical challenges of creat-
ing a safe, operable space suit, the development of materials engineering and physical fitting and testing of the ISS /astronaut crew suits, Su Curley’s twenty-five years of experience in space systems showed as she delved deep into what it is actually like to suit up for flight and space walks. Her anatomy of the contemporary space suit revealed some rather sophisticated design solutions, and why the ticket price for a suit is over a million dollars. Controlling for pressure, temperature, oxygen supply, astronaut communications, the ability to handle space tools, to remain tethered and to do all this while dealing the peculiar functions of the human body, is no mean feat. The current space suit weighs in at about three hundred pounds, and Ms. Curley explained where mass costs money in space, the engineer’s objective is to reduce the weight through new designs while maintaining more advanced systems. The newest set of prototypes called the TRON reduce the weight by a third, add much more functionality and flexibility. Her insightful descriptions, punctuated with historic footage from Gemini and Apollo, to the current day, put the evolution of the space suit into the context of the history of space flight. Judging by audience members reactions, this woman showed she is really the right stuff. Next came Christopher Cassidy, a native New Englander from York, Maine, and Chief of the Astronaut Office, who started his career at the Naval Academy, was a Navy Seal for
10 years, attended MIT, and then encouraged by Bill Sheppard went on to apply to NASA to complete two space flights staying on the space station for six months in 2013. For all his accomplishments, he presented the world of a scientist and astronaut modestly through the lens of cultural understanding with an affable good nature that concealed the stress of years of training and exploration. He described having to operate from a Russian instrument panel on the Soyuz crafts, and speaking space talk in Russian simultaneously during flight stages, the differences between various stages of takeoff and landing, docking with the space station, as well as dealing with life in space. Cassidy also covered the feeling of space flight, giving the audience details of daily activities at the space station, while showing videos of his journey along the way. It is one thing to have someone narrating a script on TV about being an astronaut, it is really something else to hear an astronaut relate his experience directly in detail. Cassidy projected the future of the Mars Program to be on course for late 2020’s to early 2030’s. As if all this wasn’t enough, the JFK Museum offered extra hands on activities for young space enthusiasts to build their own rocket workshops to Astronaut puppets for younger kids, space geography jeopardy, and the Space exhibit of the Mercury Freedom 7 spacecraft, which took Alan Shepard, the first American, into space. In countless ways the space program has paid back dividends to Americans, and this was a particularly fitting tribute to memory of a president who set our sights so high.
University of Massachusetts Boston Community Update on Residence Hall Project Saturday, June 10, 2017, 10 a.m.– noon Campus Center, 3rd Floor, Ballroom A Continental Breakfast Will Be Provided This community meeting will provide an update on the ongoing residence hall project. Join us to learn more about this unique public/private partnership, see the design of the finished residences, and discuss construction progress and impacts. For more information, contact Philip J. Carver at philip.carver@umb.edu. Parking is available in the Campus Center Garage.
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Anyone requiring disability-related accommodations, including dietary accommodations, should visit www.ada.umb.edu.
Space Engineer Su Curley demonstrates with “Larry” the suit.
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 2017
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South Boston’s “Seven Seas” (and Beaches) by Rick Winterson Certainly, it’s a bit of an exaggeration to call the waters off of South Boston “seas”. And they are most emphatically not the South Seas – they’re much colder. But unlike other Boston neighborhoods, we do have seven beaches, and they stretch for more than three divine miles along our shores. Now, admittedly South Boston is an urban neighborhood. It is firmly connected to Boston, a diverse, worldclass city of 640,000 people. So, it’s easy to forget that South Boston is actually a maritime community; the boundaries of South Boston are over 80% salt water. Take a look at any
map of South Boston – from the Fort Point Channel, to the Waterfront and the Reserved Channel, around Castle Island and Pleasure Bay, past the L to Carson Beach, and ending at Mother’s Rest – it’s all South Boston shoreline and all salt water. Just wait till the Waterfront and the Power Station developments are completed. And then, watch Conley Terminal and the Flynn Cruiseport as added shipments from the expanded Panama Canal begin to arrive. Yes, we’re a maritime community. South Boston even has a lobster wharf. But the largest segment of South Boston’s shoreline is its beaches. And here’s the best news of all: Our
What better view of the Kennedy Complex than across the water on K Street Beach?
M Street Beach, with the Curley Center in the distance – a place to meet and greet.
The east end of Carson Beach, as the recent “king tides” come in.
beaches are squeaky clean. We have just received water quality results from Save the Harbor/Save the Bay, and with one small exception, our beaches are 100% acceptable, 100% of the time. You would have to go north to Winthrop or as far south as Nantasket to find beaches as clean as ours.
beaches of South Boston?” Well, they are Pleasure Bay, the beach outside the causeway to the Sugar Bowl, M Street Beach (hook-up city), the “L” beach at the Curley Center, K Street Beach, Carson Beach, and the Old Harbor curve from the McCormack Bathhouse around to Mother’s Rest.
In fact, the only “excursion” (as they are called) occurred in Pleasure Bay, which is partly walled off from the open ocean by the causeway. For just one week last year, its test reading was high. It’s back to normal now; it’s something that happens now and then with enclosed shorelines. The rest of our beaches were all 100%, all the time.
The unofficial first week of summer is here. Become a part of South Boston’s summer lifestyle – along clean, sunny, vibrant, uncrowded miles of beaches (uncrowded except for M Street Beach on weekends). You can even eat along our beaches – at Sully’s of course, from various food trucks, and even Molly Moo’s, which we’ve heard is opening up on the McCormack Bathhouse plaza.
You ask, “What are the seven
An entrance onto Carson Beach. Looks inviting doesn’t it?
The McCormack bathhouse set on Carson Beach at the Old Harbor curve.
The western end of Carson Beach, as it curves around all the way to Mother’s Rest.
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THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 2017 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM
SBCA News The 5th grade students at South Boston Catholic Academy have just completed an in-depth study of the American Revolution. We began by introducing many of the key people, places, and events that were played essential roles in this historical era. Students then worked very hard to synthesize all their knowledge by creating a class-wide museum. Each 5th grader researched a specific figure of the Revolution and wrote a short biography to form a large portrait gallery of Revolution characters. Using a combination of creativity and historical understanding, students created newsletters from the time period to provide updates on the Revolution, a feature story on a battle, among other historical information from the era. Lastly, each student created a “choice exhibit” where they explored a topic of their choice, such as Weapons used in the Revolution or Famous Women of the Revolution, and presented it in their favorite way, many through Google slides and others through posters or models. Students enjoyed a full afternoon of curating their museum for their parents, teachers, and other classes of the school. Taking advantage of our proximity to many of the original Revolution sites, students concluded this unit by taking a day-long field trip to explore parts of the Freedom Trail. While completing a photo scavenger
hunt with their group throughout the day, students looked for major features such as the gravestone of Samuel Adams and completed tasks such as reciting the opening stanza of “Paul Revere’s Ride” in front of the statue. They met a Revolutionary character through a program at the Old State House, acted out a scene from the Boston Massacre on the original site, and explored Paul Revere’s House. Overall, bringing our study of the American Revolution to life in the city of Boston was a great culminating activity for our unit! Here are a few quotes from some of our 5th graders about their favorite part of this class project: “One of my favorite parts was seeing what life was like in Paul Revere’s actual house. This was by far the coolest field trip ever!” – Bobby. “This field trip helped me and my classmates to see the Revolution and where it all took place. It helped us to learn more about where we live and history that lies beneath it.” – Sophia. “The Freedom Trail made the Revolutionary War more interesting because I already knew about some of the things. My favorite part was Paul Revere’s house. There was so much to see and what he had in his house.” -Haliegh. “This trip brought our study of the American Revolution to life because we got to see the actual places!” -Gregory. S
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 2017
South Boston Students Graduate from Boston College High
On Sunday, May 21, 2017, at Boston College High School’s 153rd Commencement, President William Kemeza and the Board of Trustees presented diplomas to 303 members of the class of 2017. Among the graduates were South Boston residents: Eric Lopes and Robert O’Shea
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THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 2017 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM
Boston Air Pollution Control Commission Notice is hereby given that the City of Boston Air Pollution Control Commission will hold a Public Hearing on Thursday, June 22, 2017 at 11:00 A.M. in Room 900 of Boston City Hall, Boston, Massachusetts. The Commission will consider the proponent’s request for a new parking freeze permit for a parking facility in the Raymond L. Flynn Marine Park (RLFMP) to be constructed on a parcel located directly behind the Northern Avenue entrance to the Park, which is located at 22 Drydock Avenue, Boston, MA, pursuant to the Procedures and Criteria for the Issuance of Parking Freeze Permits adopted under M.G.L. Chapter 111, Section 31C. The proposed permit involves: 270 spaces for an approximately 90,000 square foot public surface parking lot in South Boston near the entrance of the Raymond L. Flynn Marine Park. The request will deduct 270 spaces from the South Boston parking freeze bank. Sign language interpreters will be provided upon prior request. Copy of the application is available for public inspection at Boston City Hall, Room 709. Questions should be directed to:Haidee. janak@boston.gov or APCC@boston.gov or 617-635-3850 For the Commission, Haidee Janak, Parking Freeze Program Manager Air Pollution Control Commission City of Boston Environment Department Boston City Hall, Room 709 Boston, Massachusetts 02201 617-635-3850
Public Meeting
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CLOSE OF COMMENT PERIOD: 6/30/2017
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Teresa Polhemus, Executive Director/Secretary
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 2017
Little League Opening Day at Moakley Park
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SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THE PRINT EDITION
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