News

Snow quickly accumulated during last week’s storm, so South Boston Online decided to capture the results in before and after images. Top: Andrew Square (looking across to the Southampton Street Bridge) was almost socked in with a heavy snowfall Saturday evening, even though Dunkin’ Donuts bravely kept its lights on. Bottom: On Sunday morning, the Dorchester Street/West Broadway intersection (looking toward the Kelly Bridge) was clear and sunny down to the pavement. Nice job, everyone. -Rick Winterson

Never let it be said that the literary scene in South Boston is somehow defeated or diminished by bad weather. The Friends of the South Boston Branch Library held their regular, periodic book sale Saturday, despite predictions of a snowstorm. The sales volunteers placed bookshelves outside, in utterly selfless defiance of Mother Nature and her wiles. The quick-frozen precipitation actually began before the book sale finished at its regularly scheduled closing hour of 3 p.m. Proceeds from the book sales go to support the Branch Library’s community activities that aren’t covered in the regular operating budget. The sale raised about $3,000. -Rick Winterson

By RICK WINTERSON On Tuesday, Jan. 12, the Federal Emergency Management Agency held a well-attended Community Open House at the Boston Teachers Union Hall on Mt. Vernon Street. The primary purpose of the open house was to introduce Boston’s residents and landowners to FEMA’s updated “Flood Insurance Rate Maps.” Several hundred people attended, who kept coming and going throughout. The Open House was organized efficiently; the FEMA staff was well-informed and there was a pleasant buzz of interest. A bit of history: For decades, the federal government has provided flood zone maps to the public. The original maps were developed on the ground, using transits and telescopes. They were very useful, but current-day satellite technology (LiDAR) has allowed far more accurate flood maps to be made. [...]