SBOL_Jeanne

   It takes more than a single photograph to capture the effect of a so-called “Supermoon”.  The orb itself, viewed alone without any surrounding scenery, is huge and brilliantly tinged with perhaps a bit of orange.  Whether that’s caused by smog, moisture, or atmospheric refraction is a good question. But certainly, the Supermoon last Sunday and Monday came as close to Earth as our satellite ever gets – 221,000 miles away instead of its normal distance of 238,000.  That’s 8% or 17,000 miles closer.  Travelling 17,000 miles on Earth would take you from Boston to the North Pole and then down the Pacific side of the globe all the way to the South Pole. The reason for the Supermoon coming close to Earth is simple [...]

   Something over two years ago, many of Boston’s movers and shakers decided to perpetuate the name of the Honorable Raymond L. Flynn, elected Mayor of the City of Boston from 1984 until 1993 and then appointed Ambassador to the Holy See – the Vatican – by President William J. Clinton until 1997.  To accomplish this honor, the 30-person Raymond L. Flynn Commission was assembled; it was co-Chaired by Rosemary E. Sansone and Francis J. Doyle, Esq. The Commission went to work immediately.  To perpetuate the name of Ray Flynn might seem to be a task that’s easily accomplished – he’s already (and still) well known by most of Boston’s residents and those who work here.  However, a substantive monument in Ray’s honor required careful [...]

Partners with the Tierney Center and Boys Club By Kevin Devlin On October 19, Doc Wayne Services Inc. was named Beyond Sport’s 2016 Sport for Health Award Winner at the Summit and Awards event in London. Sponsored by Comic Relief, over 2,150 entries from 145 countries were considered for this coveted award. Doc Wayne’s Chalk Talk Group Therapy initiative was awarded this honor for “being an innovative way of delivering group therapy to at-risk youth,” said Doc Wayne Youth Service’s Inc. Chief Operating Officer, Rebekah Roulier, “…and for confronting the stigma surrounding mental health.” The Joseph M. Tierney Learning Center in South Boston on Mercer Street was Doc Wayne’s first site for the Chalk Talk program. Doc Wayne is now also working with the South [...]

New aquatics director realizing her passion By Kevin Devlin She started her new position as the aquatic’s director for the South Boston Boys and Girls Club last February and is enjoying the experience. Her name is Chelsea Phelan. Chelsea is the daughter of Thomas and Debbie Phelan. She also has an older brother named Thomas. She grew up in the city of Havre de Grace in the state of Maryland. Havre de Grace is located in Harford County at the mouth of the Susquehanna River and the head of Chesapeake Bay. The city is named after the French port city of Le Havre which was once called Le Havre de Grace. Chelsea went to the local high school and played on the varsity soccer team [...]

Acknowledging Mylah James By Kevin Devlin On a monthly basis during the schoolyear, the South Boston Neighborhood House, aka the Ollie, recognizes youngsters by announcing their “Student Spotlight” winner. These young members are spotlighted for their good behavior, being kind, caring and considerate, being attentive students, as well as just being super kids overall. Mylah James is the Ollie Spotlight winner for October. Mylah James, 8, is the daughter of Tiffany James. Her dad is Cornell, her stepdad is Cliff, and she has one sister and three brothers. Mylah is in the third grade at the James Condon Elementary School which is located on D Street. The Condon is “an innovative school serving students who reflect the rich diversity of Boston.”       The mission is to [...]

South Boston Catholic Academy is an urban elementary school serving 350 students, Pre-K to Grade 6, from South Boston, the Seaport District and surrounding communities. Our mission, inspired by our Catholic faith, serves to develop well rounded students through an environment that is both stimulating and supportive.   At South Boston Catholic Academy, faith is a key component of our cultural legacy and our understanding of the full development of the whole person. Under the thoughtful guidance of Father Robert Casey, the rites of Catholic Church are celebrated and the spiritual strength of all faiths are appreciated.   Our community comes together for morning prayer, monthly Mass and the celebration of the Sacraments as well as for competitive sports and cultural presentations.  Our emphasis is [...]

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.”                                                                                                                                          (John F. Kennedy) By Kevin Devlin World War I, also known as “The Great War” and “the war to end all wars” ended on November 11, 1918. The following year in November, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11, 1919, as the first commemoration of Armistice Day. “To us in America,” he said, “the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show [...]

Thank you for returning me as your State Representative to fight for the issues important to our community. I am grateful for the confidence you have shown me. In the 189th General Court of the Commonwealth we had many legislative achievements. I was proud to have sponsored or co-sponsored several important pieces of legislation crucially benefitting our district and the state as a whole, including: Ensuring women receive equal pay for equal work — one of the strongest pay equity laws in the country Securing $109 million for improvements to the Paul W. Conley terminal in South Boston, creating jobs and ensuring the local shipping industry continues to grow and thrive Authorizing $200 million in local transportation funding- including $14.5 million for City of Boston [...]

by Rick Winterson   South Boston has enjoyed the presence of the Blue Hills Bank in its booming Waterfront and Seaport District for several years now.  But it wasn’t in the form of a bank branch.  Instead, since 2014 it has been the very popular Blue Hills Bank Pavilion.  But the question remained:  When will the Blue Hills Bank, which is headquartered in Boston’s Hyde Park neighborhood, open a full service branch bank here on the South Boston Waterfront? Well, after a year and a half of research, the (affirmative) answer to that question came last Wednesday evening, the 3rd.  Blue Hills Bank, now in its 145th year, threw a gala event to formally celebrate its Branch Bank opening at 87 Seaport Boulevard (corner of [...]

by Rick Winterson   NEVER FORGET:    The century mark of America’s Veterans Day holiday approaches rapidly.  On this Friday morning, November 11, in this Year of Our Lord 2016, the 98th Anniversary of the cessation of “The War to End All Wars” will occur. Of course, this is well-known history, but it bears repeating:  The original World War I Holiday was called “Armistice Day”.  It was a celebration of the end of that war – “The War to End All Wars” – the first war known as a World War.  While it is still observed as Armistice Day (or Remembrance Day) in many other nations, Armistice Day became Veterans Day in America in 1954 during the Eisenhower administration.  Its purpose:   To honor the service [...]