south Boston Online

THE PRINT EDITION

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2017

VOLUME XVIIII - ISSUE 43

West Broadway Development Gets Community Review

“Toys for Tots” in South Boston

by Rick Winterson

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ou have surely seen and heard of the “Toys for Tots” program, first founded by Major Bill Hendricks, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, and his wife Diane.

Actually, the idea occurred to Diane, after she had unsuccessfully tried to find a way to get Christmas toys to needy children.

Just as a reminder, here are a few remarkable facts and figures describing “Toys for Tots”. In this

By Richard Campbell Monday night two meetings were held by the Boston Planning and Development Agency BPDA concerning new housing developments on West Broadway. First was the Impact Advisory Group Meeting at the Laboure Center, and the second was a public meeting for citizen

Year of Our Lord 2017, “Toys for Tots” has turned 70 – Diane and Bill Hendricks began it in 1947. If you would like to see a heart-warming sight, take the elevator to the Eighth Floor of South Boston’s Design & Innovation Building at 21 Drydock Avenue by the Flynn Terminal.

You’ll see an entire floor of toys piled up and ready for Christmas – well over 150,000 of them, all to be delivered by December 25.

What’s even more impressive, note that the whole floor is staffed by volunteers, who include Barbara Continued on Page 3

stakeholders at the Condon School. Both meetings were to review a major demolition and rebuilding project on 457-469A West Broadway. The enterprise desiring to build the new housing (44 housing units, 50 garage spaces), 463 LLC, is in the review process with the BPDA. The BPDA Project Manager, John Continued on Page 8

Mayor Walsh accepts a USMC award for his support of “Toys for Tots”.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2017 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

Finding the Center: The South Boston Branch Library

By Richard Campbell

W

hile members of the community g ive t he S out h Boston Branch Library positive ratings on service, and in general the atmosphere of the library is welcoming, we hold the position that the library facilities of the South Boston Branch are in need of major improvement. It is very hard to ignore the fact that in South Boston, the branch library is the only truly open public meeting space, and its design is entirely inadequate to that task.

The small footprint of the library, with its weak design and technology infrastructure make it a rudimentary building that was adequate in the early post World War II period that simply cannot be afforded the gradualist approach in order to meet 21st

century library standards. The space in the South Boston Branch Library is not large enough, or adequately designed to serve a community that is increasingly accustomed to better technology, and a higher level of design. While private commercial interests in South Boston and the Seaport erect glorious monuments to business interests, the time to consider major plans for a new library is

Msgr. Thomas J. McDonnell and Frank Kelley Christmas Dinner St. Monica’s Parish Hall (Corner of Old Colony Ave. and Prebble St.)

Christmas Day 11:30 a.m. 1:30 p.m.

All are welcome If you are unable to get out and would like a meal delivered to your home please call 857-261-2632.

After December 23rd call 617-590-9922

Hosted by: South Boston-Seaport Catholic Collaborative and the Elected Officials representing South Boston

long over-due. Some politicians have been advocating for a library space in the Seaport, but it must be understood that the purpose of a branch library is to serve the residents of our community.

The rationale for a bigger public space recognizes how libraries are changing in our city and across the nation. Where once libraries were considered fortresses of knowledge and repositories of books, they are now platforms for information literacy, cultural and civic events, varied instruction, and advanced research with digital media-while still maintaining their traditional services. But even more critical for South Boston, the lack of a welldesigned free public community meeting space large enough to accommodate larger civic events demands a different design approach. The current program room, with outdated projection equipment, poor lighting and inadequate seating, is not sufficient to support the growing needs of the entire community.

Residents of South Boston are fully aware of the design and construction industry in our neighborhood, from the recent Seaport developments to the history of carpenters and craftspeople that is a part of South Boston’s tradtion. What cannot be said about the current library is that it reflects the uniqueness and high level of craftsmanship in architecture and design that is routinely created by construction teams who reside in South Boston. I invite any member of the community to visit the East

Boston Branch, designed by William Rawn, to see an excellent example of a modern branch library. If the decision was made to remodel the South Boston Branch Library it would require at least the addition of a second floor to create a decently sized public hall, a dedicated children’s room, proper reference services, computer labs, and amenities like a café or garden. When considering these requirements alone, one might ask whether the future library would be better relocated to accommodate parking for residents accessing the new significant programming space.

When one looks at the current large scale neighborhood plans, the power plant community near Medal of Honor park stands out as a most likely candidate to include a significantly enlarged three floor library. The redesign projects along Dorchester Avenue and near the waterfront, or even the Gatey school remodeled should not be out of the question; and it must be understood that designing a new building from the ground up presents the most potential for expanded capacity.

The advantage of being right on the commercial main street of South Boston must be weighed against the ability to create a building to serve the whole community.

This is clearly not the time for minor improvements. South Boston residents need to support the idea of a new open cultural space to compliment all the private development in our neighborhood.

Because the Boston Public Library has proven its ability to create such new spaces in other city neighborhoods, their leadership on this issue should be openly invited.

It is understood that advocating for a complete renovation or rebuilding of a city library involves a lot of community cooperation between city officials, professional librarians, architects, designers, construction managers, and local community input. As we head into 2018, we at South Boston Online believe that advocating for a new library should be on the top of the list for residents of South Boston.

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2017

Toys for Tots!

Continued from Page 1 Parade. And be sure to bring a toy yourself (unwrapped, nonviolent). On the particular morning of this article, the volunteers took a short break so they could receive greetings from Boston’s Mayor Martin J. Walsh. He toured the Eighth Floor at 21 Drydock, thanking the volunteers as he went along. A short program followed, which began by reviewing the long-standing connection between the City of Boston and the U.S.

Marine Corps. The Navy Yard is an example of this connection; it was founded here in Revolutionary War times.

South Boston native General Joseph Dunford is currently the Commandant of the Marine Corps and he chairs the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The Mayor made some remarks about how strongly and completely he supports “Toys for Tots”, and accepted a framed award from the Corps. If you would like to help out “Toys for Tots” in 2017, look for the red, three-car “Toys for Tots” train symbol. Leave an unwrapped, nonviolent toy at that drop-off point.

Or being from South Boston, you can simply bring the toy(s) you’re contributing over to 21 Drydock Avenue, Eighth Floor. Use your car, or take the Silver Line (SL-2).

From South Station, SL-2 goes right by “Toys for Tots” at 21 Drydock.

Thank you.

Volunteers are key to “Toys for Tots” – like these kind folks from Tiff Advisory Services.

Rep. Collins Calls for Hearing on Closure of Harborlights

Hearing Set for Thursday, December 21st, 6:30pm

Representative Nick Collins has called for a hearing to be held by the Department of Public Health on the proposed closing of the Harborlights nursing and rehabilitation facility run by Kindred Healthcare. On December 1, 2017, Kindred notified the DPH, as well as staff and patients at their 6 facilities across Massachusetts that they intend to close all the facilities by the end of the first quarter in 2018.

Under DPH regulations, any nursing facility in Massachusetts seeking to close must go through a comprehensive public process that includes a hearing where the proponent has to explain their reasons for closure. Rep. Collins called for the hearing to be held in the South Boston community so that residents and families of patients impacted by this proposed closure can have their voices be heard.

“Like many people in the communities I represent, I’ve had family treated at Harborlights” said Rep. Collins. “I’m opposed to this closure and will be seeking

a delay so we can find a way to preserve these critical services for our neighborhood. It’s important not just to South Boston but our regional health care system.”

A similar situation took place in the North End in 2016 when the Spaulding Rehabilitation Facility was seeking closure. A stay was ordered and with public pressure from community as well state and city officials, the process resulted in a new operator, Marquis Health Services, taking over the facility.

“When the community banded together and spoke with one voice, they were successful in having a new operator take over. We need to do the same thing. It’s going to take everyone getting involved in this, and that’s why it is so important to have this hearing in close proximity to the people that are most affected,” Rep. Collins said.

After working with the DPH, Rep. Collins was successful in getting the hearing scheduled at the Curley Recreational Center on the M St. side, on Thursday, December 21st at 630pm. All are encouraged to attend and to speak at the hearing.

Please join friends and neighbors at a special winter event For

Tuesday, December 19th 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Roza Lyons 709 East Broadway South Boston, MA 02127 Suggested Donations $50 ~ $100 ~ $250 ~ $500 ~ $1,000 Checks to be made out to “Friends of Ed Flynn” Seniors Complementary For more information contact Steve at (339) 832-2028 or email at info@edforboston.com Donate online at https://secure.actblue.com/donate/friendsof-ed-flynn-committee Printed in-house, Labor donated. Paid for and authorized by the Friends of Ed Flynn Committee

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2017 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

Christmas Parties in the Ol’ Hometown It’s “that Season” again. Christmas, other Holidays, and the New Year are all here or soon coming. South Boston Online recently covered three celebrations in the “Party Triangle” around Perkins Square – from the Heights to the Distillery to CAPO. They were all delightful and filled with high-spirited party goers – the Allisons on Old Harbor Street, Dan McCole in the Distillery, and the combined Neighborhood Associations at CAPO. These events were almost consecutive: Saturday afternoon, Saturday night, and Monday evening. By Rick Winterson Phyllis’s clam chowder and hors d’oeuvres were excellent.

The Allison’s party is underway last Saturday.

Dan McCole’s (2nd from l.) extended clan love his party.

A quartet from the Boys & Girls Club entertains at CAPO.

The youngest guest at the Allison’s Christmas party.

Guests arrive at the Allison’s party on Old Harbor Street.

“Hogan’s Goat” – Skip, Kathi, and Bob – make Holiday music.

CAPO’s gorgeous Christmas mantel and fireplace.

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2017

Joanne, Chris, and Patty begin picking raffle winners.

Margaret and Judge Patrick King at the Associations’ party.

Moss and Linda enjoying the festivities at CAPO.

Karen Rocco wins “Blue Man Group’ tickets in a potted plant.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2017 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

Beautifully Festive Scenes on 2017 Laboure House Tours

by Rick Winterson

The 27th Annual Laboure House Tours have come and gone once again.

In South Boston, these much-anticipated events have always foreshadowed Advent and a joyous Christmas Season. The Tours in the Year of Our Lord 2017 were no different. In fact, they might have

been better – person after person who went on this year’s tour commented how elegant and cheerful the homes looked.

Add to this the variety of beautiful things available in the Shoppe at Laboure, along with the refreshing pause after the Tours, and it was a great way to begin the Season.

South Boston Online can’t fit a lengthy description of all five homes

on the House tours into this article, but we can give a few high points: A completely refurbished Tour home on G Street was decorated in an “Upstairs/Downstairs” Noel theme. This is a home where a family does more than go in and out. The family who lives here “gathers joyfully”. At another G Street site,

870 East Sixth Street

49 G Street

58 G Street

a German Christmas home was centered around numerous fireplaces adorned with exquisite German miniatures. The large Christmas tree we now use in America and many of our other Christmas customs come from Germany by way of Queen Victoria, who adopted them to ease Prince Consort Albert’s loneliness

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2017 for his home during the Holidays.

The approach to the House Tour participant on N Street well suited the motif of “Homecoming”. The exterior lighting was stunning, and beckoned one to take an active part in the homecoming.

Chandeliers inside were particularly eyecatching. On Sixth Street, the theme was “A Nutcracker Christmas”. This home

had an expansive open living room looking out large bay windows, where the entire family could get together or do their own things. And sure enough, a nutcracker soldier adorned a wall. The fifth home occupied striking grounds in a building with an equally striking exterior. Inside, each surface – from mantel to table top – was adorned in

tastefully arranged classic Christmas decors having modern twists. And at the end of the House Tours, the Shoppe at Laboure was yet another vibrant Christmas sight - all on its own.

In alphabetical order, the generous occupants of the House Tour homes were Barbara Connolly, Tom and Tricia Harnan, the Karpel family, Dom and Jen

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Lange, and Dave and Lauran Winick.

Holiday designers, again in alphabetical order, were Elkus/Manfredi, Embarc Studio, JS Designs-Mt. Ida College, NESAD Alumni, and Suffolk University,

Many thanks, and a Merry Christmas to all of you.

56 N Street

928 East Broadway

Tour goers enjoy refreshments and good conversation after the House

Yes, the Shoppe at Laboure carries everything needed for the Holiday Season.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2017 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

West Broadway Development Gets Community Review

The design team takes a breather before the public session begins. continued from page 1 Campbell, and representatives for the project were all in attendance at both meetings. In truth, the two meetings were very similar, with the first meeting being more coherent and dedicated to real design issues.

The latter meeting gave a group of about 30 citizens of South Boston opportunity to voice their concerns as stakeholders in the neighborhood.

If ever there was a set of business properties in dire need of replacement, the grey brick stretches on the beginning of West Broadway- home of the acclaimed Dollar Store- is certainly on the top of the list. It must be said, there is no redeeming design value in the current set of blighted buildings, and even though the preliminary architecture renderings by Stefanov Architects looked a tad generic, there is little doubt in this that these buildings would be a considerable improvement of what is there now. The buildings will help the Perkins Square area development become a more business friendly shopping area. That said: it is also clear that South Bostonians are experiencing development fatigue.

While some residents expressed grave concern about the prospect of losing the bargain Dollar store, the project representatives tried to make it clear that the private developer has expressed interest in keeping the Dollar Store, and that the building is designated to have first floor retail space. They also went to great pains to explain that

the city does not have the power to tell the owner of buildings to whom specifically that he/ she may rent the retail space, but that the kind of retail space, and its impact must be approved in advance with community review.

The architect opened with a review of changes made to the building design (reducing its height and removing balconies that would face other residences) in response to community concerns. As this is in the early stages, various legal and technical details were addressed, and people vented.

Many were focused upon the impact that yet another new set of buildings would have upon South Boston traffic, with the residents of Silver Street, (immediately behind the property in question) seeming to have the most legitimate claim on this argument. It is worth noting to anyone with the concern over traffic on Broadway that the majority of rush hour traffic is not generated from residents of South Boston, but by traffic coming off the highways and cutting through our neighborhood to get elsewhere in the city. While nothing initiates the NIMBY ire of residents more than the issue of their unbridled freedom of driving, there were also residents who made complaints that the MBTA bus service in the neighborhood is over taxed during rush hour because of all the new residents. Both situations, some residents seemed to think, the BPDA should do

more to address in their race for more housing developments.

The general issue of smog and cars seems rather intractable, but it seemed unlikely that the 50 clever mechanical parking spaces included inside this building design would have that much impact on the over-all Broadway traffic, and that the general increase in housing density of South Boston was more the issue.

Some residents sick of all the building around them in this area of South Boston called for a delay to the project, which didn’t seem like a probable option. Most of the comments centered around the congestion caused by cars by people who own them, with discussions disintegrating into commuter habit speculations. This writer has always been curious why the South Boston business people have never had a real parking garage in Perkins Square for those who want to drive and shop, or why businesses haven’t sought an exception to standard rules to build one. According to one city official, the city wouldn’t cough up fifteen million for a garage on the city lot, and that this problem is “a common one in most city neighborhoods.” This writer has noticed more than a few such space saving garages in other better planned Boston neighborhood business districts.

Evidently double parking all the way down Broadway is preferable ßto considering one parking garage

to serve a major business district.

There were some people from the construction trades who advocated for the project because it means more jobs- but whether those jobs are for people who live in South Boston was an issue not adequately defined. The original information on the proposal was briefly stated as images of the site were shown by the architect, Douglas Stefanov, who was interrupted constantly. Developers must forgive the general public for being skeptical about terms like “affordable” housing and cold engineering reports. The claims for average rents in this building seemed modest, but every shiny new building in South Boston is rented at a premium. The BPDA tried to make the case that the project is a good step for the common renter, as opposed to wealthy condominium owners, or city housing project residents.

Consider this project next to lining a third of West Broadway with flimsy low income housing, and it does seem a rather modest commercial proposal. This writer put in a recommendation that the architect try to do more to create a village feel to the building, that would consider the pedestrian within a shopping district. There will be more meetings after the holidays, as the public meeting took place during a flurry of holiday gatherings, and as a result was not as widely attended.

Architect Douglas Stefanov shows off building materials.

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2017

Police Update (NAC)

By Rick Winterson

Station C-6 of the Boston Police Department held its usual monthly Neighborhood Advisory Council (NAC) meeting on Wednesday, December 6, at 6 p.m., chaired by the C-6 Commander, BPD Capt.

Joseph Boyle.

Topics of local concern included an anticipated traffic problem along Boston Street as the street tie-ins to the expanded South Bay Shopping Center are built, especially during peak traffic flows when the new movie house lets out audiences. At this time, Station C-6 can only keep an eye on the area, surveying for problems as they arise.

Comments were made about local residences being taken over

by AIR BnB for use as short-term rentals. While the concept generally seems harmless, these rentals could be used for non-stop weekend parties, for example, that become loud and a severe nuisance. The police informed the attendees to call 9-1-1 at once (and often), even if no crime or law-breaking appears ro be going on. They can take action on the basis of declaring the offending premises a “Disorderly House”.

A C-6 detective at the NAC meeting advised the attendees that white, unmarked vans, which look like legitimate delivery vehicles, are actually (in some cases) stealing packages left on porches and steps by the major

delivery firms in South Boston and Dorchester. As always, call 9-1-1 at once, even if the van you have spotted only appears to be suspicious.

A report of another shooting in December, in or near Old Colony/ McCormack housing, turned out to be false, although it was a serious incident. Apparently, the owner of a gun wounded himself, while using his own weapon in a careless way.

Everyone knows there is a nationwide argument about gun controls, but no matter what side you are on, there is no excuse for mishandling a weapon, or “playing” with it.

Fortunately, the gun owner was only wounded; no one else was harmed.

The Recent Shooting The fatal shooting in November is still under investigation; the second victim is still recovering from his wounds. The police are seeking any information about this incident the public can give them. Please call 1-800-494-TIPS or Text the word “TIP” to CRIME (27463). In the meantime, patrols in squad cars are being stationed around Old Colony/ McCormick, which the police say is “precautionary” – letting the project residents they are available.

The Rumor Mill Many rumors have cropped up about the shooting, including the claim that it was gang-related, and that the shots somehow came from above (?). SBOL emphasizes that these are nothing but rumors, all of them unconfirmed.

IMPORTANT PUBIC NOTICE

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2017 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

ICA Winter Harbor Market Weathers the Storm

Kim Mowers of the Kimberly Rose/ Zaum company

Somerville’s Union Square Donuts came fully loaded.

By Richard Campbell This past Saturday the Institute for Contemporary Art celebrated their Winter Market, a small pop-up festivity of artists and vendors designed as a holiday attraction for Seaport visitors. It was well received by those who braved the first Boston snowfall. Held in the lobby of the ICA the low key event featured young artists and entrepreneurs, plying their goods. The majority of the artists in displays were small, and missing enough choice to give them broad appeal, but there were some unique start-ups.

Perhaps the most ICA appropriate artist, Alex Kittle of Panandscan, displayed her edgy film and TV inspired illustrations that give a cartoonish glimpse of entertainment classics like Twin Peaks, Moonstruck, and Kill Bill with cult worthy stickers and pins of everyone from Joan Jet to John Waters. Hillary Kassel’s Highland Felting Studio offered some uniquely shaped fiber creations, and Burrow, had handmade wool goods from Salem, that seemed to be primarily in the black and white mode sporting geometric patterns. Kim Mowers of the Kimberly Rose/ Zaum company of East Boston offered “upcycled” leather goods mostly for women, but included computer bags as well.

Ashley Diamond Armstrong- a witty young designer had a limited set of products: namely buttons, bags, hand-made paper prints of her company The Little Goods which

seems poised to become a marketing and packaging enterprise. Grace Givertz, sported some clever jewelry and not only seemed to be a crafts person, but also an acoustic folk singer on the side. You may notice that most of the art work centered around women’s products.

The food and drink vendors were what the guys are mostly into.

Can’t say that Mei Mei is the most tantalizing choice for a holiday meal, but they are popular with the kids. Who could turn down free zesty samples of Aeronaut Brewing of Somerville, or Nussli118 sweet samples given out of fine nuts and health foods- the kind of thing you find in Whole Foods. I was partial to South Boston local Nicolas O’Connell’s Cask Force Artist Series from Fort Point, due to show up sometime at American Provisions. Their Vermont maple syrup with over the top caramel flavors, turned my pancakes into a luxury food. Somerville’s Union Square Donuts had some exotic donut holes that looked scrumptious, but you know if you sample the beer and all the rest, you can’t have the donuts as well!

The ICA had some people serving liquor flavored coffees and the art making station was crowded. Early on there was some choir music, so staff and visitors seemed in the holiday mood. This is a festival that could grow into something more substantial in the future and worthy of a bookmark for next year.

Alex Kittle Illustrator of Panandscan

Nicolas O’Connell’s Cask Force Vermont Maple Sryup

Hillary Kassel’s Highland Felting Studio.

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2017

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ICA Winter Harbor Market Weathers the Storm

Grace Givertz, folk singer, sported some clever jewelry.

Fabric artist from Burrow, had handmade wool goods.

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Coffee liquor drinks at the bar.

Aeronaut Brewery Rep of Somerville: A flair for the dramatic.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2017 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

“For Now” Opens

by Rick Winterson “For Now”, located at 68 Seaport Boulevard on the edge of One Seaport’s Courthouse Square, is a retail incubator. Inside “For Now”, there are thirteen - Lucky 13 - small pop-up shops, which take many forms - racks, steps, shelves, pegboards, tabletops, and mannequins. Each one of these is really a small business of its own, featuring elegant, enticing crafted goods.

It is the concept of the “For Now” proprietors, Katharine ReQua and Kaity Cimo, that small but creative businesses belonging to craftspeople can pilot their wares in a real-life, bricks-and-mortar marketplace at “For Now”. They can then move on, after one, or

two, or three months, to achieve their own independent e-commerce success. But they are here for, well, “For Now”. Two of these thirteen talented people, Seth Mankin and Alice Walk, are from South Boston. Their works are pictured.

The thirteen enterprises incubating their creative products within “For Now” are (alphabetically): Alaina Malie, Alice Walk, Brunswick Palk, CCH Collection, Emerson Fry, Moonlight & Sage, Onward Reserve, Sailor Made, Seacoast Sweets, Seth Mankin, S*** That I Knit, The Win Lab, and Welden. Goods range from fine wear, to accessories, to beauty aids, to jewelry, and even to designer confections.

“For Now” proprietors Katharine ReQua and Kaity Cimo ask you to drop in.

And it’s accessory viewing time as well, when you’re inside “For Now”.

Unique fabrics in classic silhouettes, made to order by Alice Walk.

Compare an imaginative dress with a discreetly tucked-and-flared burgundy jacket.

A 2017 Seaport Greeting

A six-foot tall greeting at the entrance to Courthouse Square, overlooking Seaport Boulevard. It is eye-catching, It’s non-denominational, and of course, it’s non-controversial. After all, who doesn’t want a huge portion of happiness, two yards tall, over the Holidays.

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2017

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Seaport Restaurant Review: Gather in a Cozy Enclave

By Richard Campbell

I

t’s a little tough to find reasonable restaurants in the Seaport that are more sophisticated than glorified junk food, and more accessible than pricy establishments.

District Hall’s restaurant, Gather, isn’t exactly a bargain, but for tasteful dinner and lunch, it represents a reasonable compromise. Starting with the small, but resourceful wine list, you can find a reasonable Pinot Grigio from Anterra, Italy, or a solid Chardonnay from Sonoma in the whites, to a moderate California Merlot or Cabernet in the reds. The price of admission for the few French wines isn’t extraordinary in most cases, and unlike some places in the Seaport they give you a decent sized glass. The beers on tap represent a small but original selection of crafts and regular

View of the cool casual dinning room from the bar.

American beers, and the friendly bartenders offer advice on how to match them with food.

The three buck oysters are fresh and come with some tangy wasabi, sriracha, and lemon cocktail sauces. I also had the clam chowder which passed muster easily- though perhaps

Housing Shortage Hits Gingerbread

It appears that the crisis level shortage of suitable housing in South Boston now extends to Gingerbread Houses, right at the most critical Gingerbread House season of the year. Our good friends at Dedham Savings (“your bank” at 636 East Broadway) need more entries to round out their sponsorship of South Boston’s 2017 Gingerbread House contest.

The Bank is offering six (6) generous cash prizes for your best gingerbread creations - $100 up to $250; three to the general public, three to businesses who take part. Simply drop your entry off, on or before this Saturday, at Dedham Savings’ East Broadway Branch. Also, bring an unwrapped toy or a $25 entry fee, and leave your contact information at the Bank with your entry.

All proceeds will go to Laboure or Toys for Tots.

for people who don’t want smoky in their chowder-they might go for the French Onion soup.

Twenty-nine dollars for a Lobster roll seems a bit egregious, even in the Seaport district. The pretty grilled salmon with baby carrots, portabella mushrooms, and potato salad is not as much of a stretch at $24.00, but like most of the dinner entrees, unique enough to be worthy of sampling at least once. The grilled Salmon burger at $16.00 for lunch is a better bet.

A fancy smoked cheddar grilled cheese sandwich with fries at $14.00 is slightly overpriced but

looked quite tasty. All of their salads are fairly reasonable flavor filled options, and you can add chicken, salmon, shrimp, or lobster to the mix.

They have a good mixture of light and heavy components on the menu, but for a high tech setting they miss the boat by not having a take-out tech box lunch at a special catered price.

I want to try Waffle Sunday, where you make your own waffle from fresh ingredients.

It seems like a clever idea and a fun thing to do if you are in the Seaport for an event with kids.

There was not much in the way of innovative desserts, but some of the comfort sides are nice to go with their sweet cocktails.

This is a slightly upscale casual dining experience for business people who don’t blink at twenty dollar lunches or thirty dollar dinners. The fun part about this space is the small and friendly bar where you can sidle up for a meal with graciously unpretentious service, and grab a bite before doing business in the Seaport.

Conveniently located in District Hall at 75 Northern Avenue,

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2017 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

CITATIONS

BPDA Income Restricted Rental Opportunity Residences at M 11 Minot St., Dorchester, MA New construction apartments, fully02122 furnished kitchens, hardwood floors, in unit washer/dryer, HVAC, easy access to public transportation.

3 Income Restricted Rental Units

# of Bedrooms Estimated Square Feet 1 1025 1 935 1 813

Rent

$1267 $1267 $1267

% of Medium Income 70%

70% 70%

MAXIMUM HOUSEHOLD LIMITS Household Size 70% AMI 1 $50,700 2 $ 57,950

Tenants will be selected by lottery

Applications are available during the application period: December 29th, 2017 - January 11th, 2018 To request an application be sent by email, email affordables@rooney-re.com or call: 617-269-1000 during the application period.

Applications may be picked up in person from Rooney Real Estate Representative at the property 11 Minot St, Unit 101, Dorchester, MA 02122 DATE TUESDAY, January 2nd, 2018 WEDNESDAY, January 3rd, 2018 THURSDAY, January 4th, 2018 FRIDAY, January 5th, 2018 SATURDAY, January 6th, 2018

TIMES 11:00 AM TO 2:00 PM 4:00 PM TO 7:00 PM 11:00 AM TO 2:00 PM 11:00 AM TO 2:00 PM 10:00 AM TO 2:00 PM

Completed paper applications must be returned to Rooney Real Estate at 700 East Broadway, South Boston, MA 02127, or mailed to the same address.

All applications, including Online applications, are due or postmarked by January 19th, 2018.

Pick up applications on site at 11 Minot St., Dorchester, MA 02122 Asset, Use, and Occupancy Restrictions apply.

Minimum Income Limits Apply. Preferences Apply.

Preferences for Boston Residences, For reasonable accommodations or further questions, please contact 617-269-1000

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, DECEMBER 14, 2017

15

Patriots Face Steelers: On the Road to Super Bowl This Sunday the Patriot nation will be looking closely at how the home team handles the Pittsburgh Steelers. With the Pittsburgh Gazette giving a near full page picture of Tom Brady in action, their sports writer Ron Cook’s article reads: “You Can Expect Tom Brady’s Best Against the Steelers.” While Ben Roethlisberger made a good showing himself in the squeaker with the Baltimore Falcons, there is plenty of respect on both sides of the field for their opponents. Roethlisberger called Brady “the best of all time” and Brady warned his team that they have a lot of work to do to face the Steelers. The civility of the discourse between the two quarterbacks is a lesson for politicians across our nation. Game Time: 4:30, on CBS.

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, DECEMBER 14, 2017 THE PRINT EDITION

Open House Sunday December 17th, 12-2pm

780 East Broadway #1B

City Point near Medal of Honor Park, large 1 bedroom, 1 bath condominium with deeded parking. Conveniently located just steps to the Broadway shops and minutes to the Seaport area.

This garden level unit (mostly above grade) has had some recent updates and is perfect for a first time buyer or an investor...Bring your checkbook to the Open House this Sunday.

Asking Price

$449,000

jackie@rooney-re.com • (617) 645-5370 “PROFESSIONAL SERVICE WITH RESULTS”