Lifestyle

By Ginger DeShaney The mother-daughter duo of Karen O’Leary and Nichole Mikshenas are regulars at the Lynch Campaign Mother’s Day Plant Night.  Karen has been volunteering for this annual event for 21 years. “It’s fun,” said the Southie resident. “It feels like we’re doing something good.” A room full of volunteers gathered at Plumbers Local 12 Union Hall in Dorchester Wednesday night, May 4, to wrap foil around 7,000 plants and prepare them for delivery to seniors across the area.  “This is great,” Congressman Stephen Lynch said as he looked out over the room. “They’ve got it down to a science. It takes just a couple of hours.” That’s thanks in large part to Nick Zaferakis, the organizer/coordinator. This Mother’s Day event has been going [...]

By Ginger DeShaney  Jennifer Nunez, Angela Huber, Stephanie Greene, and Izzy Gonzalez are always there for the kids in Southie, providing a safe haven. “You know the phrase, be the person you wish you had when you were younger?” asked Stephanie. “We are trying to do that. “We want to make an impact on young people.” In recognition of their work ethic, talent, positive attitude, and heart, Jennifer, Angela, Stephanie, and Izzy have been promoted at the Edgerley Family South Boston Boys & Girls Club. “Living in South Boston, I see the kids in the neighborhood,” said Jennifer. “Knowing they have a safe place after school is important.” Angela added that some kids may not have a stable home life or a good support system. [...]

By Ginger DeShaney After pivoting to online events for the last two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the South Boston Neighborhood House’s benefit and auction will be held in person for a night of food, drinks, silent and live auctions, and dancing.  “This year we are super excited to be back in person,” said Kathy Lafferty, executive director of the Neighborhood House, also known as the Ollie. The House is Where the Heart Is gala will be held on Friday, April 8, in the Plaza Ballroom (with access to outdoor space) at the Seaport Hotel, starting at 6 p.m. Tickets are $125.  Because the online events were so popular, the gala will incorporate some virtual components this year. For example, the silent auction will [...]

Fort Point residents Rocco Giuliano and Philip Manna are working to save the 39 honey locust trees slated to be bulldozed on the site of Related Beal’s proposed ChannelSide development. Incorporating signs with tree facts, banners, and prayer flags, the duo from the 249 A Street Visual Artists Cooperative is raising awareness and fighting for the trees, which are tabbed to come down for the new development at 244-284 A Street. “Phil and I love those trees,” Giuliano said. “They are very beautiful trees.” In discussions with Stephen Faber, the executive vice president of Related Beal, and landscape developer Robert Adams of Halvorson, “it became apparent to us … that they intended to just destroy all these trees,” Giuliano said.  Giuliano told them the trees [...]