News

by Rick Winterson    It’s more than just a rumor.  A Trader Joe’s may be coming to South Boston’s Fort Point/Seaport District, into an empty building on the border between Fort Point and the South Boston Seaport.  We don’t have many details here at South Boston Online just yet.  All we know at this time is that a formal inquiry has been made to the City of Boston Zoning Board about establishing a retail grocery store.  It was made by a Trader Joe’s agent; it’s to be situated in an empty (but renovated) building at 44 Thomson Place. Thomson Place stretches between Congress Street and Seaport Boulevard.  The intersection of Thomson Place and the Boulevard is closed to automobile traffic but is open for pedestrian [...]

by Rick Winterson   Credit the South Boston Allied War Veterans Council (the AWVC) with making an excellent choice.  They have selected South Boston’s John Beatty to be the Chief Marshal of the 2019 St. Patrick’s/Evacuation Day Parade.  In this function, John will assume a leadership position in the Parade itself on Sunday afternoon, March 17, as well as hosting the Parade Chief Marshal’s Banquet on the evening of March 2, and performing numerous other functions during our “Parade Season” this year. And to use a phrase, John is a “dyed-in-wool” South Bostonian.  He was “born down on I Street; raised up on Fourth Street”, to use another paraphrase.  His mother, Carol, still lives here also – in Castle Cove.  She’s the lady who brings [...]

Cites Quality of Life Concerns Throughout District   Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn announced that he will call for a hearing next week regarding the issue of after hours and weekend construction. Flynn relayed concerns brought to his office from residents throughout District 2 related to construction work being done outside permitted hours - early in the morning, late in the evening, or on the weekend or holidays without permits. Moreover, community leaders called attention to permits granted for after hours and weekend work in the South End, while others pointed to issues of public safety, rodent control, and adhering to approved plans. "Whether I am in the South End, South Boston, Chinatown, Beacon Hill, Back Bay, the Bay Village, or Downtown - residents frequently express concerns [...]

On Tuesday, February 5, 2019, hundreds of thousands of people are expected to join regular weekday commuters as the City of Boston celebrates another Patriots’ championship.  Parade-goers travelling on the MBTA are encouraged to visit mbta.com/patriots for full information on service, service adjustments, and purchasing fares. All customers are strongly urged to purchase roundtrip fare in advance. Parking availability can be checked at some of the busiest MBTA stations on Twitter @MBTA_Parking. Daily parking rates are $2 – $15 with cash, credit, or mobile phone.  As a result of the anticipated crowds, trains and platforms will experience extremely heavy volume. Customers should exercise caution, stay safe, and be prepared for longer commutes and crowded conditions associated with the high demand for service. The MBTA thanks our regular riders [...]

By Ray Flynn, Former Mayor of Boston   Every Saturday around 2 p.m., ten men and one woman from the Boston area would stop their busy lives and head to St. Peter and Paul Church in South Boston to sing in the Men’s Choir at the 4 o’clock Mass. Most of the men lived in South Boston at one time.  Some of them, like Bob Buckley, moved  to communities like Arlington, while others came from places like East Boston and the South Shore. One choir member, Jim Ryan, Southie’s first Commissioner of Little League, continued to live on Athens Street.  Everyone in our group, including our organist Mazzie and organizer Marty Quinn, had proud Southie roots. We also sang at various civic and religious events [...]

 by Rick Winterson   Sometimes, an event is so enjoyable, and what’s more important, so meaningful, that it’s difficult to know where to begin writing it up.  That was certainly with case for the recent tribute paid to the military veterans, who are now residing in Compass on the Bay at 1380 Columbia Road.  But, as some famous author must have once said, just “begin at the beginning”.  So here goes. Dianne Paull and Joanne Miller are the two Receptionists at Compass on the Bay.  During a conversation they had late last year, they came up with the idea of somehow recognizing and honoring the twelve veterans living at Compass on the Bay.  Well, Receptionists (as everyone knows) are on the front lines of communications.  [...]

The Boston Police Department is seeking the public’s help to identify the male in the photos above in connection to the investigation into missing person Olivia Ambrose who was last seen in the area of 25 Union Street in Downtown Boston on Saturday, January 19, 2019. Investigators have reviewed surveillance video and marked a timeline of events and locations in the areas of both Downtown Boston and Charlestown in hopes of better understanding the facts and circumstances surrounding Olivia Ambrose’s disappearance. 11:04 PM: Ambrose is seen leaving a bar located at 25 Union Street (Hennessy’s) with a white male who has since been determined to not be involved in her disappearance. 11:42 PM: Approximately 40 minutes later, two unknown males are observed inviting Ms. Ambrose [...]

by Rick Winterson      Last Tuesday, two evenings ago on January 15, Boston’s Mayor Martin J. Walsh delivered his 2018-2019 “State of the City” address.  It was the fourth annual such presentation by Walsh, in which the Mayor described two visions of his administration - the vision based upon past achievements, and the vision he and his team foresee in the City of Boston’s future. As it has in years past, this event was held in Symphony Hall.  The Orchestra and First Balcony seats were filled by the estimated crowd of some 2,000 attendees.  The evening had a definite festive tone to it; the extensive program included many local performing artists, who began their performances at 6:15. Mark Volpe, the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s President [...]