Sbol 07 20 17

THE PRINT EDITION

THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2017

VOLUME XVIIII - ISSUE 22

Tierney Center Programs Shine This Summer

S

Richard Campbell outh Boston Online stopped in on this past Tuesday to the Tierney Learning Center to see the summer programs in action, where the positive energy of the staff and students interacting revealed a sense of community pride. The Tierney Center is a shared space that provides developmental learning, lunch programs in cooperation with the Boston Public Schools, South Boston Head Start, ESL and math education, hands on Arts programs, as well as reading materials access provide by the Boston Public Library. In other words, there are a host of programs designed to get young students up to speed in learning and social skills. In addition, there are some small programs for adults and

limited computer access in their computer lab. During the school year the Tierney Center partners with the BPS Perkins School, providing after school programs.

The third, fourth, and fifth graders in the summer program were busy learning, being instructed by Ms. Goodwin and Mrs. Hyppolite in ELA; Mrs. Wade and Mrs. Alert in mathematics. Monday through Friday the program is sponsored by Boston Beyond and the Boston Public Schools. The students were challenged with provoking questions about global warming, mathematics fundamentals, and being tutored in how to respond and work collaboratively in the classroom. Besides active leaning, students enjoy enrichment activities in the afternoon.

Students took a break outside to pose with Staff Member Patricia Felix.

Amerigo Vespucci!

Arrives in Boston

continued on page 10

Looking For EASY Answers?

LOOK AT MASS BAY!

See full Vespucci Story on Page 12-13

Easy!

Easy!

Easy!

BANKING – NATIONWIDE!

ACCESS – WHEREVER!

FINANCING, TOO!

Free Checking Account – No Minimums 55,000 Surcharge-Free ATMs 5,000 Branch Outlets

Online & Mobile App Mobile Check Deposit Online Account Opening

Online Loan Apps Low Rates/Easy Terms Vacation & Lifestyle Loans

Easy!

massbaycu.org

When You’ve Got Mass Bay – It’s All Easy!

Open an account online or at any branch.

(617) 269-2700

147 West 4th Street, South Boston 409 D Street, Seaport Federally insured

by NCUA

EQUAL HOUSING

OPPORTUNITY

2

THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2017 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

Supporting Ed Flynn

Dear Friends,

A

s you know, our son Ed Flynn, is a candidate for District 2 Boston City Councilor. Since his return home from active duty in the United States Navy, Ed has represented working families at the U.S. Department of Labor and Probation Officer at the Superior Count in Boston. Ed has been deeply involved as a youth sports coach, and a community activist on issues that are important to the people of our district, especially Public safety, substance abuse, and over development. Ed is also an involved Boston Public School parent at the Josiah Quincy School in Chinatown, a strong national advocate for military veterans throughout the country, and an outspoken voice for our seniors.

Ed has been campaigning hard to meet as many people as possible to hear their concerns. But, as I’ve learned over the years, it’s loyal friends like you who can really make the difference in elections. In this era of big money, corporate interests and media, the voice of hardworking people like yourself, needs to be heard at all levels of our government.

I’m writing to ask for your support to help Eddie in any way possible to get elected to represent the people of District 2 at Boston City Hall.

Thank you for your continued friendship and loyalty over the years. We look forward in hearing from you again.

Ed can be reached at edflynnforboston@gmail.com and 617.820.8571.

Sincerely, Kathy and Ray Flynn

“Flynn: the Clear Choice”

In the upcoming election for District City Councilor, Ed Flynn is the clear choice. I’m supporting Ed’s candidacy because of his tireless dedication to the neigh-

borhood. Whether it’s coaching youth sports, advocating for neighbors at community meetings, or his many years of service to his country, Ed has always put the needs of others first. At City Hall, I know that supporting the community will always be his top priority. On Tuesday, September 26th, I will be proud to cast my vote for Ed Flynn for Boston City Council, and I hope you will consider doing the same.

Sincerely, Sean Monahan

“Running into Recovery” at GE

By Rick Winterson

You GE is ters to that is

are well aware that moving its headquarSouth Boston, a move already well underway.

As you are reading this, some 450 GE employees from all over the world have gathered in Boston for a conference. They are participating in GE’s XLP, an acronym for “Xcelerated Leadership Program”.

The 450 participants are looked upon as the next generation of

corporate leaders by (and for) GE. Part of this annual GE leadership conference includes public service – “hands on” public service.

In partnership with the GE Foundation, these future leaders of GE will host a community service project that involves the painting of 80 light pole banners.

These banners will be hung around Boston starting in mid-August as part of “Running into Recovery” month. The project aims at raising public awareness and sharing positive messages about substance abuse and recovery from addiction. In addition, 20 volunteers from Boston’s Boys & Girls Clubs have joined the 450 GE conferees, and are participating in GE’s “Running into Recovery” project.

Monday evening, July 17, the GE conferees were joined at the Boston Marriott Copley Place by Mayor Marty Walsh, Gary Mendell (Founder and CEO of Shatterproof), and David Barash, M.D., who is the Executive Director and Chief Medical Officer of the GE Foundation. Each delivered appropriate remarks about “Running into Recovery”.

GE itself has made a $50 million philanthropic commitment to the City of Boston, $15 million of which will be dedicated to healthcare services, such as behavioral care and addiction treatment focusing on Boston’s opioid crisis.

Look for those banners around South Boston in mid-

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2017

3

Flynn Calls for Bus Rapid Transit Program in District 2

Ed Flynn, candidate for Boston City Council District 2 has released a proposal to bring a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Silver Line investment program to District 2. In his campaign for City Council, Flynn has talked extensively about modernizing and enhancing Boston’s public transportation system.

Flynn said, “In recent years, conventional bus routes have become overburdened due to an explosion in both the South Boston population and the levels of T ridership.

More and more residents are taking the T to work in Downtown and on the South Boston Waterfront without adequate resources to accommodate them, leading to service interruptions and inefficiencies.”

He continued, “Through commonsense investments in transportation infrastructure, we can make the community more accessible and ensure that all residents are able to access Boston’s major economic and employment zones.”

In 2015, the South Boston Waterfront Sustainable Transportation Plan was commissioned to provide recommendations to the most pressing issues affecting the South Boston Waterfront, and they found

that “transit connections between the South Boston Waterfront and South Boston residential neighborhoods have not kept pace with Waterfront land use growth and demand for access to these areas.”

The MBTA has stated that they have seen an 84-percent ridership increase on the number 7 bus, and a 54-percent increase on the number 9 bus. These two routes provide service at levels greater than 11,000 rides per day, many of which have riders waiting for multiple buses before being able to board, negatively affecting their work schedules.

Flynn’s proposal to bring about a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Silver Line investment program in the District, would link the City Point Bus Terminal to the South Boston Waterfront, South Station areas and Copley Square. Bus Rapid Transit lines would supplement existing bus service, enabling riders to travel directly to the South Boston Waterfront, Downtown Boston and Copley from the City Point Bus Terminal. A second step the MBTA could take to improve the situation would be for a direct Silver Line route from Andrew Square to the South Boston Waterfront, this

will address the current strain on the system, as well as preempt the ridership increase being brought on by new developments in that area. A third remedy is to increase the current number of buses along the number 9 and number 7 routes during peak hours, allowing residents to travel more efficiently. Of

course, the need for the most environmentally friendly bus models is also a priority to reduce noise pollution and carbon emissions that are currently affecting our residents. By implementing these programs, the MBTA could greatly reduce the stress on the system caused by the current levels of ridership and improve service delivery.

South Boston Elected Officials Encourage Residents to Attend MBTA Public Meeting

South Boston Elected officials are calling on the MBTA to host a second public meeting to respond to community questions and concerns regarding the proposal touseTrack61asatestingfacilityfornewRedLinecars.Residentsareencouragedto attend The meeting onThursdayJuly27th,6:30-8:00PMattheCondonSchool.

“After a poorly publicized first meeting in which the MBTA was unprepared to answer most of the questions from the community, it became clear that a second public meeting was necessary before the T moved forward with such a significant proposal” said Rep. Collins. “After meeting with the Transportation Secretary Pollack following the first meeting in June to discuss the neighborhood concerns, she assured me she is committed to working with us. Our hope is this next meeting is the first step in that direction.”

“One meeting on a major track proposal and its impacts on the community is unacceptable” said City Councilor at Large Michael Flaherty. “The South Boston neighborhood deserves better and the MBTA knows better.”

Many residents have inquired about quality of life impacts from the MBTA’s proposal. Concerns include remediation of polluted soil, noise and air pollution, hours of operation, and the permanence a structure being built.

4

THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2017 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

The Murals of Southie

by Rick Winterson Murals are the oldest form of art we know. The paintings on the cave walls of Lascaux in southwestern France – undeniably hand-painted murals – are somewhere between 15,000 and 20,000 years old. Murals through the ages have become memorable because they are usually very large (compared to studio works) and are of course readily accessible to the general public as they pass by. Leonardo DaVinci’s “Last Supper” is a mural, as is the recent painting on the Big Dig ventilator wall in the Greenway at Dewey Square. That’s a trompe l’oeil by Iranian painter Mehdi Ghadyanloo he calls “Spaces of Hope”.

Well, believe it or not, South Boston has eight skillfully painted murals of our own for you to view.

Just walk back over Summer Street Bridge into South Boston’s Fort Point neighborhood and proceed up A Street. At the corner of A and West Third, where KO Pies and Catering sits, you’ll see a mural designed around Australia in the Earth’s southern hemisphere. This is by the KO founders/owners, who imported their culinary specialty here and have now expanded into East Boston.

Then walk up West Broadway.

Look left as you pass Al’s Liquors when you get to C Street. You’ll see a mural that advocates the reunification of the Republic of Ireland with the UK-controlled six counties in Northern Ireland. A half block down C Street, you’ll spot a green-andwhite coat of arms with Dropkick Murphys atop in Gaelic letters. The artists are unknown – can you help?

Three blocks further on, take a look to the left once again, down F Street on the east wall of the Loco Taqueria & Oyster Bar. A forty-foot abstract mural will greet you, by Augustine Kofie, a well-known mural painter from Los Angeles. Interestingly, the original conception of this mural was “developed” (if that’s the word) over several beers jointly consumed inside Loco by el jefe Mike Shaw, photographer Tood Mazer, and artist Kofie.

Note how cleverly Loco’s windows are woven into the overall composition.

Walk around behind The Distillery, one of South Boston’s artist colonies at

516 East Second Street. There’s a mural by then Distillery resident Adam O’Day. It’s a colorfully rendered welcoming painting for artists exhibiting at one of the Distillery’s Open Studio events. By the way, one of Adam’s paintings won a citywide prize for his rendering of Boston viewed from the west along Route 90 as it enters Boston.

Take a 5, 9, or a 10 “T” bus from H and get off at Marine Park. Walk along Day Boulevard around Pleasure Bay. On the side of the Harry McDonough Sailing Center facing the shore, you’ll see a mural based upon John Skelton’s “Landing the Curragh”, painted by Dan McCole and his SBAA (South Boston Arts Association) team.

If you have just moved here and have some friends coming in, why don’t you set up a kind of Scavenger Hunt. See how fast each of your guests can find all of the murals and

take cell phone pictures of them. First

Prize for the winner: A free subscription to South Boston Online.

An abstract mural on the side of Loco Taqueria & Oyster Bar, created by Augustine Kofie from LosAngeles and hatched over shared beers with Loco’s el jefe, Mike Shaw, and photographer Todd Mazer .

From Castle Island, walk westbound along Day Boulevard until you get to the “L”, the Curley Community Center.

On the M Street beach side, on the wall facing seaward, there’s another mural

by Dan and his SBAA cohorts entitled “Landfall at Shea Head, Kerry”, also by John Skelton, who hails from Ireland.

Continue down Day Boulevard and hop over to Columbia Road, walking down Columbia until you get to the 1200 block of Old Colony (Anne M. Lynch Homes). Rachel Finkelstein and her colleagues from South Boston Accion have painted a mural seeking peace, community, and so on. It’s colorful and is done on the cubist style of Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque from the early 1900s.

Finally, head for Andrew Square down Preble Street. As you hit the Square, keep an eye out to the right. You’ll discover yet another mural by Dan McCole (prolific, isn’t he?), assisted by members of the Andrew Square Civic Association. Fittingly, it depicts the old trolleys that use to serve Andrew Square Station, back in 1940 when it was called the “Elevated” or the “El”.

More South Boston murals are planned. Two had already been painted some years back and were mothballed due to weather. There are three empty panels on the admin building at the old Edison Plant, and Dan McCole’s mural team are getting ready for another challenge – Bill Frew, Deb Putnam, Tom and Pattie Steiner, Janetta Chaparro, Paul Conley, Claire Conway, Don Mejra, Debby O’Toole, and Dan himself, of course.

A nautical mural on the outward facing M Street side of the “L” – the Curley Community Center – a replica of John Skelton’s “Landfall at Shea Head, Kerry” by Dan McCole and the SBAA mural team.

A mural of old-time streetcars in Andrew Square Station by Dan McCole, executed with the assistance oi ASCA (Andrew Square Civic Association).

A mural by Rachel Finklestein and South Boston Accion in Old Colony (Anne M. Lynch Homes). Facing out towards Columbia Road, the mural is reminiscent of early 20th Century Cubism.

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2017

5

A mural with double Irish themes on the side of Al’s Liquors – Irish unity and the Dropkick Murphys. The artist(s?) are unknown. Do you know who they were?

A antipodean mural by the (Australian) owners/founders of KO Catering and Pies Pies, which is on the West Third Street side of their shop that fronts A Street.

A mural by South Boston’s prizewinning artist, Adam O’Day, welcoming new arrivals to The Distillery – check out Adam’s block lettering.

A mural by Dan McCole and his SBAA team on the Harry McDonough Sailing Center, overlooking Pleasure Bay. It’s a replica of “Landing the Curragh” by Irish painter John Skelton.

Please Join Us to Celebrate

City of Boston Credit Union’s

New South Boston Branch Now Open at 130 West Broadway

Community Open House Saturday, July 22, 2017 10 am to Noon WAAF Street Team Face Painting ~ Refreshments Prizes for everyone from The Prize Vault Membership open to those that live or work in Boston or a community of Suffolk or Norfolk County Boston City Hall | Canton | Dorchester | South Boston | West Roxbury 617.635.4545 | Cityofbostoncu.com

Federally insured by NCUA Member of MSIC

6

THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2017 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

Society of Arts & Crafts Showcases Three Award Winners

By Richard Campbell

In contrast to many modern works of art, the Society of Arts and Crafts is focused upon art that most Americans can understand without prolonged explanations, not merely because of the deep roots in American Arts and Crafts Movement; but because the works are expressive without attempting to make grand statements. This is not to say that the three artists whose works were chosen for awards by the society lack sophistication or significant artistic achievement.

These are works that are playful without being too demanding, and have more of a stake in the traditional ideas of decorative beauty, than overt statements.

This year’s awards went to Tanya Crane of Pawtucket, who originally hails from Los Angeles, and is a lecturer at the School of the MFA, as well as RISD; Janice Jakielski, who teaches at the School of the MFA and Harvard; and Julie Morringello. who stud-

ied at RISD, and hails from Deer Isle where she founded a company called Modernmaine. Despite the certain similarities in educational backgrounds, the women’s works are in entirely different disciplines, and reveal different aesthetic approaches. Crane is a metalsmithing artist who makes sculpture and big jewelry, Morringello specializes in hand crafted lighting, and Jakielski is a trained potter, glass blower, and textile artist who currently creates porcelain art, and some unique fabric pieces she calls wearables. All of the artists have had significant shows and recognition across the country before being given the four-month award to showcase their works at the Society of Arts and Craft in the South Boston Seaport District.

Tanya Cranes’ most prominently displayed work “Big Pimpin” is a necklace and pendant sculpted from copper, enamel and gold plated brass. It displays a series of five articulated circular black shapes continued on page 7

Tanya Cranes’ work “Big Pimpin”

Tanya Cranes “Pangaea”

“Light Totem 2 Orange Crush” & “Light Totem 3 Semaphore”

by Julie Morringello.

Open a checking account and get $100!* One more great reason to call South Boston home.

Come in for a Free** & Easy Checking account and you’ll get: • $100 Cash Bonus • Free usage of other banks’ ATMs throughout the U.S.*** • No minimum balance or monthly fees • Free online bill pay and mobile banking Free & Easy Checking is only available at our East Broadway branch. So it really is another great reason to live in South Boston. Stop by or open an account online today.

636 East Broadway

*Offer good for one Free & Easy Checking account per customer. Offer expires December 31, 2017. Must be a new checking account relationship, defined as not having a checking account at Dedham Savings within the last six months. Must be opened with funds not currently on deposit at Dedham Savings. One $100 bonus per customer: $50 cash bonus will be deposited at account opening and $50 cash bonus will be deposited when customer’s first direct deposit is received. The value of the bonus is interest and subject to IRS and other tax reporting. No minimum balance required to receive bonus. **Free of monthly service and maintenance charges. Overdraft fees per item may apply. See Fee Schedule for details. Ask us for more information. All other bank fees may apply. ***If you are concerned about ATM surcharges by other banks, enroll in electronic statements and receive recurring direct deposits each statement cycle to have ATM surcharges rebated at the end of each statement cycle. Offer good at Dedham Savings’ South Boston branch only.

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2017

7

continued from page 6

that are suspended in a ring from the necklace that is distinctly influenced by primitive African work.

The long gold plated woven chain looks sturdy and offers a bright contrast to the shapes. Another work by her is also a necklace called “Pangaea” is made with a sterling silver chain, copper and seagrass is reminiscent of hand woven baskets or sundials. They are big pieces and one could imagine the jewelry items being used in fashion shows for their bold stage appeal.

Jakielski’s work in this show is made from a unique porcelain process, called tape cast porcelain which allows her to create very delicate and colorful objects that do not look like porcelain at all, but as if they were fabricated out of paper “Recherche” by Janice Jakielski “Au Jardin” by Janice Jakielski or wood. “Au Jardin” reminded The Society of Arts and Crafts has a me instantly of Matisse’s paper by hand to create warm lighting. resenting specific kinds of vessels. rather large gallery and shop that sells cuts, a multisided vase sculpture “Light Totem 2 Orange Crush” Morringello’s work is more many unique, decorative gift items that of elegant curved shapes that comand “Light Totem 3 Semaphore” utilitarian than the other two and are hand crafted. These pieces would bine bright colors with flat white. were two of my favorites. They could be seen more as lighting fixbe in the special gift category- from “Recherche” is similarly modeled seemed to be almost made to order tures created for high end restauhandmade textiles to blown glass and but is a covered ginger jar sculpto enhance the Society’s ultrarants, fancy design firms, or luxury ceramics, jewelry, and wooden sculpture. These pieces have a domestic white gallery. The craftsmanship residences. The lamps are made tures- their shop offers a high contrast feeling to them while simultaneis precise and the acrylic decorative by fusing very thin maple wood to a lot of mass produced stuff you ously creating a sense of wonder painting gives one the feeling of into a series of large shade shapes see in some museum shops. Founded about the manner in which the restrained playfulness. Any executhat house lamps, and are painted in 1897, the Society has offered a details were created, and the tive in the Seaport District lookplatform for crafts that generously dimensionality of the objects reping for an original piece to make exceeds the modest space it inhabThe Museum Shop has an assortment of hand made artwork. a sterile conference room meeting its. The gallery is located at 100 Pier friendly need look no further. The 4, Suite 200, and is open Tuesdayworks of these three women are Saturday 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, and being exhibited until October 28th, open until 9:00 pm on Thursdays. so there is plenty of time to see them.

8

THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2017 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

by Rick Winterson

South Boston: A Place of Healing?

Stanfield had accepted the position of Pastor of the Fourth Presbyterian Church here in South Boston.

A single apartment landlorded by Ken Bennett became available at 26 Boston Street . And there was much to be done for Burns and Lorraine Stanfield, with their professional responsibilities and a rapidly growing family. Paul stayed here, studying and working, for four months.

Y

ou perhaps heard that Rev. Burns Stanfield, the Pastor of Fourth Presbyterian Church, recently lost his father, Paul. Paul Stanfield passed away peacefully on July 14 in the Kavanagh House Hospice, which is located in Des Moines, Iowa.

He was 89. At his end, he was surrounded by his loved ones, including the Rev. Burns. He still had moments of lucidity even during his extremity; the last thing Paul Stanfield heard before he died was a family prayer at his bedside that closed with “ … Alleluia, Amen.”

Paul Stanfield was a (very) considerable person. His long, goodly, well-lived, productive life earned the esteem of all who knew him. It ended with the classic “happy death”, as loved ones wept, prayed, and bore witness of his passing over to another land. But there’s a small, yet meaningful, backstory here.

And it involves South Boston.

South Boston’s Fourth Presbyterian Church, 340 Dorchester Street at the corner of Vinton. as well as an advocate for jusPaul was born in 1928, and tice in Des Moines, Iowa. His his family moved to Oklahoma efforts earned him the Bishop during the Dust Bowl tragedy.

Dingham Peace Award from the His scholastic achievements and Catholic diocese in Des Moines. military service allowed him to obtain a Master’s degree in JourTwenty-five years ago, in 1992, nalism. Among Paul’s “beats” Paul Stanfield lost his wife Salee. was coverage of the Clutter family Their love affair had continually murders, later to become Truman grown stronger as the years - 40 of Capote’s book “In Cold Blood”. them - had gone by. They had sucHe and Asalee Ferguson, who cessfully raised four children. Paul nicknamed herself “Salee”, marwas devastated. In his sadness, he ried in Oklahoma; they raised turned his energies and talents to four children – Burns was their becoming a Presbyterian lay minister. second child. After 30 years of A year later, late in the summer of newspaper work, Paul became 1993, Paul found out that he was eliactive in the Presbyterian Church, gible to take various courses in Ministry at the Harvard Divinity School.

Two years before, in 1991, Burns

In a recent conversation with Burns, he said he was convinced that his father’s stay in South Boston had a healing effect. Paul returned to Iowa a renewed person, and for the next two decades, he provided long-term interim service to congregations in places like Deep River, Iowa (less than 300 people). Don’t you just love that name? Google it up. Eat at Nick’s, if you are ever there.

Could all of these occurrences been coincidences? Well, yes. But there’s some folk wisdom that says, “Coincidences are God’s way of doing us favors, without letting us know it was Him.”

What do you think? For Paul Stanfield, was South Boston a place to heal?

Kids Helping Kids

Ronan has organized a school supply drive to help collect supplies for less fortunate kids. Please find a letter from him attached, along with a flyer and a picture of Ronan proudly displaying his donation go fund me page. Please consider running these

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2017

9

Vandals in No Man’s Land

by Rick Winterson

No Man’s Land has a long history in South Boston. Briefly, it is a long, crescent-shaped piece of land about an acre in size (just over 40,000 square feet). It lies between the High School and Dorchester Heights; it was “left over” after the necessary land was appropriated for the Dorchester Heights monument and the South Boston High School. Based upon the fact that it has a steep slope, No Man’s Land might have been one of the sides of a reservoir that was built on the Heights in the 1800s, where the monument now stands.

Since the drug epidemic in the mid-1990s, Michael Dowling, the Artistic Director of Medicine Wheel Productions (110 K Street), has led a summertime program to recover No Man’s Land and convert it into a park. This program employs Boston youth, and is now in its 20th year. No Man’s Land has become an official public park with gates into Dorchester Heights in back of the monu-

ment. The pathways and stonework in the park are notable additions to South Boston – be sure to take a walk through it the next time you’re in the Thomas Park neighborhood.

Unfortunately, people interested in small urban parks aren’t the only ones who visit No Man’s Land. Last weekend, vandals stopped by and left their own marks. However, the paint they used was cheap red stuff and sloppily applied, so it could be cleaned up. By noontime on Monday, No Man’s Land was back in shape.

Paint was also sprayed on the school walls, using the numbers “3rd” and “5th”. Maybe that stands for the grades the vandals are in, not Third and Fifth Streets. The “Double R” symbol the vandals used goes all the way back to the “Range Rider” series on black-and-white TV. Not cool!

Whatever the case, the 2017 summer workers from Medicine Wheel have restored No Man’s Land, so please feel free to walk through it and enjoy something public that was created entirely by a local, non-profit group of people – Medicine Wheel Productions.

Graffiti left behind by vandals in No Man’s Land over last Weekend.

damaged masonry left behind by vandals in No Man’s Land over last

Paint sprayed on the wall of the High School facing back to No Man’s Land – possibly the vandals were still in the third and fifth grades? Their graffiti looks like it.

Fortunately, the paint could be cleaned off. The vandals obviously didn’t know enough to buy decent paint.

10

THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2017 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

Tierney Center Shines...

continued from page 1

As Debbie John, the Education Director, who graciously took time out of her busy day to explain the mission said, the center also provides enrichment activitiesfun activities for the kids who spend the mornings in educational initiatives. The kids did their absolute best in between classes to show off their art work and activities, walking enthusiastically around the building, and posing during enrichment programs.

There was no shortage of creative art by the students on displayed in the Tierney Learning Center building, as I did a walk through with Lauretta Brennan and Patricia Felix, support staff for the center, we came across the Art Room which showed off the colorful tie-dye T-shirt program as well as a host of art supplies, and working tables.

There are permanent art installations from tiled art, to big fish wall art provided through a workshop with Medicine Wheel, and a series of smaller unique art displays throughout the hallways. The multi-purpose room which is the largest space in the center is a beautiful light filled high ceil-

ing hall with flexible seating for learning or lunches. Many of the adult programs happen in this room, and community meetings as well, and it offers views of the center’s landscaping, including a well-tended rose garden, and the playground.

The Joseph Tierney Center’s namesake lived from 1941 to 2009, grew up in Old Colony in the forties and fifties, attended Suffolk Law School, served in the Boston City council, and was a well-known active member of the South Boston community.

The Learning Center, an architecturally compact building designed as a community space, is located at 125 Mercer Street Boston, close to the housing communities it serves. These kids are truly lucky to have such cool spot to come and learn, with people who genuinely care about child and student development.

The critical work of the instructors was evident throughout the tour.

From the perspective of South Boston Online, initials for the center: TLC, seem to say it all. For more information about the summer and school programs, visit their home page at: http://www. thetierneylearningcenter.org/

The back play area of theTierney Learning Center Campus with landscape

Mrs. Goodwin lead students through “One Well: The Story of Water on Earth.”

Students pose with Staff Member Lauretta Brennan in the multipurpose room.

Tie dye in process in the Art Room, note the students sport their own works.

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2017

The Tierney Learning Center: Summer Learning Program!

Above SBO went to class to get a shot of the students with their instructors. The wall art throughout the building shows a history of the student’s creative energies. Some of the students showed a great deal of enthusiasm during the play period after classes.

11

12

THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2017 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

Amerigo Vespucci Arrives in Boston Harbor

By Richard Campbell Dubbed the most beautiful ship in the world by Americans aboard an aircraft carrier who encountered it in 1962, it would be hard to imagine a more beautiful ship, or hospitable crew than The Amerigo Vespucci.

Built in Castellammare di Stabia, it was originally launched in February 1931, and represents the best of the Italian Navy as a seaman training ship. It most assuredly retains its original luster. From Tuesday to Saturday morning the ship will be in port at the World Trade Center dock, and free tours are schedule in the evenings between 4:00pm and 6:00pm. South Boston Online was there to see the ship hosting dignitaries, as well as the arrival of the first group of visitors.

Under the command of Captain Angelo Patruno since October 2016, you may rest assured from his extensive history of training in the Naval Academy through a series of rigorous maritime and scientific studies, as well as multiple commands of other naval vessels- that the ship is in good hands. When they say engineering marvel they have this ship in mind. After a two-year overhaul in preparation for its relaunch in its 85th year, the ships exterior and its machinery were given extensive upgrades from a highly efficient eco-friendly engine, to new propulsion system, and new high tech designed propeller, and advanced security systems. To give you an idea of what kind of power must be needed to drive this ship, it’s displacement is 4,200 tons, and its sails are 2,650 square meters.

We aren’t merely talking beautiful, but big and technologically advanced. The highest point of the ships tallest mast is 54 meters, and watching guys climb it will give you goose bumps.

For Bostonians walking around the ship gazing at its spotless gleaming surfaces, large rope works, life boats and presentation vessels, carefully planned quarters, multiple wheel houses, and with its inordinately

polite, well-dressed crew; they might get the impression that the Amerigo Vespucci is merely a traveling show boat of sorts. But if they saw the training manuals and the tests the sailors had to pass at the Naval Academy to run the beast; they would quickly come to an understanding that running a ship like this is every bit as technically advanced as modern day war ships. I stopped counting the boats that were festooned around the deck, but for the record they include: 2 speedboats, 2 motorboats, 2 launches, 4 skiffs, 1 whaler. The crew of was verbally told to me as about 400 including, officers, senior enlisted, Naval Academy staff, and Naval Academy cadets. In the past 85 years the vast majority of the Italian Naval officers have trained on this ship- as the Italian Navy places heavy value on knowing how to navigate the ocean without having to always rely upon the latest technical devices.

It was most interesting to watch all hands on deck preparing for the arrival of the Ambassador of Italy to the United States, his excellency Armando Varricchio, and General Counsel of Italy inBoston Nicola De Santis. Upon the arrival of the dignitaries and the eloquent speeches, I was beginning to understand the need of the crew to impress. As ambassadors to their country, from the captain to the crew, these are people who are not merely nice, but supremely polished. The patience and time they took with all the crew, the press, and the public showed they possess enviable diplomatic skills.

When in the rare case that someone did not speak English as well as Italian, they provided the most gifted translators, the sailors were as meticulous in their dress and comportment. This is one of those once in a lifetime experiences.

Magnifico is the only word that

From above: The Amerigo Vespucci at dock, officers preparing for the arrival of dignitaries, inspecting a group of the sailors before events begin.

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2017

13

AmerigoVespucci Tour of the Ship.

T

op left down: Captain Angelo Patruno welcomes his excellency Armando Varricchio. The senior crew members pose with the Captain and Ambassador, The rope works that are used to hoist the sales. Below: the crew hands out press credentials, checking off the names of visitors to the ship. The massive ships wheel. The captain speaks personally to members of the press, telling stories of vessel in history.

14 THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2017 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM Public Notice: Image Submissions to South Boston Online South Boston Online is happy to accept appropriate images from the community for events, as well as personal notices, as we see including photography from neighborhood sources as part of our mission. This being said, we are a print publication, and images submitted to us for print need to be a minimum of 300 pixels per inch in resolution, and at least two megapixels in total size.

Though there are some select cell phone cameras that can meet this standard, many do not, and the pictures from them will not print with decent clarity. We accept the following image formats: jpeg, tiff, and pdf. We reserve the right to refuse images that will not print correctly, or are not considered appropriate for our publication.

Air Traffic over Southie

The photos show both American and JetBlue Airlines headed into Logan Airport. They are coming on for a landing last Sunday afternoon, taking a route over South Boston’s Pleasure Bay from the southeast, about a minute apart. That was the typical pattern of landings for a long period on Sunday, relieved only by an occasional prop-driven aircraft having a low noise level. The same pattern was repeated early last Monday morning, well before 7 a.m.

EMPLOYMENT NOTICE S&R Corporation is looking for local experienced operators and laborers for our South Boston project. Please send us your resume or contact us at humanresources@ sandrcorp.com for details. EOE. Females and minorities are encouraged to apply. Signatory to local operators and laborers unions.

The Law Office of

Paul J. Gannon PC General Practice of Law

Criminal Defense Personal Injury Motor Vehicle Accidents Establishment of Corporations, LLCs Wills & Estate Planning Real Estate Litigation Probate No Charge for Initial Consultation

82 West Broadway South Boston, MA (617)269-1993 pgannon@paulgannonlaw.com

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, JULY 20, 2017

July 24, 6:30pm: “Ped 101" with WalkBoston WalkBoston offers free, beginner pedestrian advocacy trainings called "Ped 101,” and we'd love you to come! Our goal is to help build the constituency of people that are comfortable to speak up for walking in their own community.

Thank you Team Southie Healthy Community Champions for helping set this up: Joe Kebartas, Esther Medina and Maren Tober!

Some concerns they have already mentioned: 1. sidewalk walkability/snow clearing in winter (people w/strollers / elderly/ disabled people cannot go outside, or have to walk in streets for weeks) 2. cars speeding and not stopping when people are in crosswalk (concerns around elderly and people with kids) 3. people crossing everwhere (and getting hurt) as there are too few crosswalks, and traffic lights taking ages to switch to walking signal

Come join the conversation. We’d love to have you!

Date: Monday, July 24 at 6:30 PM - 8 PM Location: Boston Public Library, South Boston Branch, 646 E Broadway

More info at: facebook.com/walkboston/events/

THIS SUMMER, LEARN TO PLAY THE LIVERPOOL WAY! IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SOUTH BOSTON AND THE DCR

This summer, Liverpool FC International Academy MA is thrilled to bring our Reds Soccer School clinics to South Boston! Our Liverpool FC-approved curriculum is tailored to players of all levels and highlights soccer agility, 1v1 skills for success, and small-sided games.

We are offering our three-day clinic FREE to soccer players in and around South Boston.

For more information on clinic details, read below.

CLINIC DETAILS • July 31 - August 2 • 9:00am-12:00pm • Evan’s Field in South Boston (located at the beginning of Castle Island) • Open to girls and boys born in 2004-2009 • All players will receive a Liverpool FC International Academy MA t-shirt Learn more on our website at www.lfcinternationalacademyma.com/programs/reds-soccer-school/south-boston

15