Looking back at '17

May 3, 2017

Bikes Not Fights promotes peace in O'Day

by Michele D. Maniscalco

Approximately 60 people of all ages came together in O'Day Playground, 85 West Newton Street, to play basketball and games, receive free bike maintenance and gear and to beat the balmy weather with free ice cream at the Friends of O'Day Park's Bikes Not Fights event.

The mission of the Friends group, which formed last year, is to replace illicit activities in O'Day Playground with all-ages harmony, and Saturday's event met that goal. Bikes Not Fights co-chairs Barbara Collins and Nicola Truppin were joined by members of the Blackstone/Franklin Square and Pilot Block neighborhood associations (B/FSNA and PBNA), IBA (Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción), the Boston Police Department's (BPD) D-4 community service team and St. Stephen's Youth Program in setting up the event, greeting guests and guiding activities.

FULL STORY HERE

May 11, 2017

A South End creative dynasty

by Michele D. Maniscalco

While she comes across as articulate and affable, Jean Gibran, a longtime resident of West Canton Street who taught in the Boston Public Schools for 25 years, has a down-to-earth manner that one might not expect from the matriarch of an accomplished and creative dynasty. Her late husband, the internationally renowned sculptor, luthier and inventor Kahlil Gibran, with whom she shared a 50-year marriage movingly and lovingly chronicled in her 2014 book, "Love Made Visible", was the younger cousin of the poet Kahlil Gibran, author of "The Prophet", a perennial favorite among college students and young adults for decades.

The younger Kahlil's artistic legacy is represented with whimsical sculptures of children in two South End Parks: "West Canton Street Child", in Hayes Park and "Ad Astra" in Childe Hassam Park. Jean and Kahlil collaborated on "Kahlil Gibran: His Life and World", widely considered a definitive biography of the poet. Jean's recent revision of the biography, "Kahlil Gibran: Beyond Borders", was published in December 2016. Jean presented on the new book at last fall's South End Authors Book Festival and at a book talk late last month at Barnes and Noble at the Prudential Center.

FULL STORY HERE

May 25, 2017

155 housing units proposed for Shawmut Ave.

by Sue O'Connell

The Boston Business Journal reports that the Davis Cos. has proposed a13-story housing complex at 112 Shawmut Avenue. The company filed a letter of intent with the Boston Planning & Development Agency. The proposal includes 155 units and 128 parking spaces.

FULL STORY HERE

June 1, 2017

USES forges ahead at Neighborhood Gala

by Michele D. Maniscalco

This year's United South End Settlements Neighborhood Gala, which transformed the Harriet Tubman House at 566 Columbus Avenue into a fine-dining bazaar and glitzy dance club, celebrated the organization's 125 years of service to the community, unveiled a new direction for its future and surpassed the fundraising total of the previous year's Gala by an impressive margin while showcasing the South End's rich diversity of cuisine and providing a festive evening for guests.

New beginnings often come with growing pains, and those were manifested in a demonstration that greeted guests to this year's gala, in which 18 people carrying signs and chanting "Save Our Seniors" protested the closing of USES's well-loved senior activities and services effective June 30, pointing out that there is no other senior center or program in the South End.

Seniors protest program closing at USES Neighborhood Gala
by Michele D. Maniscalco
Guests arriving at the Harriet Tubman House, 566 Columbus Avenue, for the United South End Settlements Neighborhood Gala beginning at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, May 24 had to cross a picket line to enter the benefit, as participants in the USES senior programs, their friends and relatives protested the end of senior services there, which is scheduled for June 30.

Guests greeted friends on the picket line warmly as the protesters carried signs reading "Save Our Seniors", Seniors Lives Matter" and "Seniors are the roots of the Harriet Tubman Center community" and chanted similar slogans. The closure of the senior programs is part of a shift in focus stemming from Vision125, a new strategic plan that has been in development since the fall of last year. USES will concentrate its focus on helping families with children to "disrupt the cycle of poverty", according to a blog post on the plan by USES president and CEO Maicharia Weir-Lytle.

FULL STORY HERE

June 8, 2017

"From Beirut to Boston"

by Michele D. Maniscalco

In addition to being wildly popular among the locals, chef-owner Jay Hajj's Mike's City Diner has been named best diner in Massachusetts by MSN and one of the best in the country by USA Today's 10Best.com, and the diner's signature Pilgrim Sandwich was honored on a Thanksgiving-themed episode of the Food Network's Top 5 Restaurants.

Since Hajj came to the US as a child from war-torn Lebanon, without a word of English and with dyslexia, he has tirelessly tried to sought to prove himself. As a boy of 8, he strove to learn his new language and make friends; as a teen, he strove to establish himself as a tough guy not to be trifled with; and since early adulthood, he has striven toward success with indefatigable hard work and a commitment to serving fresh, delicious, house-made food.

FULL STORY HERE

June 15, 2017

Cathedral goes to Beacon Hill

Six Cathedral High School students competed for and were selected to be interns at the Massachusetts State House this summer. They are among only 120 students selected from across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

They are participating in a 6 to 8 week program in which they will observe tours, learn the skills associated with providing historical information, create their own tours, and be fully functioning
tour guides by the end of the summer.

FULL STORY HERE

June 29, 2017

Revitalization of South Ends Harriet Tubman Park -"Step on Board"

by Gary Bailey

There was a lot of activity this month at the Harriett Tubman Park located at the corners of on Columbus Avenue between Pembroke and West Newton Streets.

After a several of years of planning, fundraising a visit to the park by Boston Mayor Marty Walsh and the unwavering advocacy of South End resident Frieda Garcia , the has received a much needed sprucing up in the form of some replanting and refurbishing.

This refurbishing could not have happened at a better time. Visitors to the park have increased significantly since the announcement that Tubman's face will be on the twenty dollar bill. This was followed by the discovery of a rare and unknown portrait of the famed abolitionist that was sold at an auction in March 2017 and then it was announced that the portrait would be shared by the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture and the Library of Congress.

FULL STORY HERE

July 13, 2017

Foodie's named Business of the Year

by Michele D. Maniscalco

As part of the Boston Main Streets Awards program, Mayor Martin J. Walsh and the Office of Economic Development joined Washington Gateway Main Street (WGMS) in honoring Foodie's Urban Market, 1421 Washington Street, with the Business of the Year Award on Wednesday, June 28. The Mayor's stop at Foodie's was part of a multi-day trolley tour of the Main Street business districts at which he recognized outstanding businesses in neighborhoods across the city.

FULL STORY HERE

August 3, 2017

Hotel Alexandra Finds a Buyer

by Sue O'Connell

The dilapidated Hotel Alexandra, a five-story structure at the corner of Washington Street and Massachusetts Avenue, may have a buyer.

Currently owned by The Church of Scientology, it is now under agreement for sale to Common Management.

"Common Management is delighted to have the opportunity to redevelop the iconic Alexandra building," the compnay said in a statement. "Like so many of the residents who have patiently waited for this building to be brought back to life, we see its beauty and promise, and very much look forward to engaging with our neighbors and other stakeholders to restore this property."

FULL STORY HERE

August 31, 2017

Blackstone Lifeguard Killed

Blackstone Community Center has set up a condolance book in honor and memory of Nakieka "Kiki" Taylor. Nakieka was a lifeguard at the center for almost 5 years

On the night of Sunday, August 20, Taylor, 30, was on the patio of her family's home on Walnut Avenue, Roxubry, when she was shot and killed by what family members suspect was a stray bullet, according to the Boston Herald.

FULL STORY HERE

September 14, 2017

Alleged South End Gang Member Sentenced For Cocaine Distribution

Submitted by the office of Acting United States Attorney William D. Weinreb, District of Massachusetts

An alleged member of the Villa Victoria Pirates street gang was sentenced yesterday in federal court in Boston for distributing cocaine.

Anthony Nunez, a/k/a "Dizzo," 26, of Boston, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge William G. Young to time served of 16 months in prison and six years of supervised release. During the first three years of supervised release, Nunez is precluded from entering certain parts of Boston's South End, and for the entirely of his term of supervised release, Nunez is precluded from associating with 32 gang associates. In June 2017, Nunez pleaded guilty to two counts of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of cocaine base.

FULL STORY HERE

September 27, 2017

Mega-Project: Exchange South End

by Sue O'Connell

Boston developer The Abbey Group has filed formal plans for its proposed $1 billion-plus redevelopment of the former Boston Flower Exchange (off Albany Street).

The development is now called Exchange South End and plans detail transformation into a life science research and technology campus.

Exchange South End will be nearly 1.6 million square feet and contain four new buildings with commercial, technology, and life science research space, a 30,000-square-foot, publicly accessible park. Building C would be the tallest of the project's four buildings at 282 feet. Developers plan 288 underground and 14 surface parking spots. the Exchange South End would contain a total of 1,159 parking spaces.

FULL STORY HERE

Again, low turnout at South End polls for preliminary election

by Michele D. Maniscalco

While ballot figures by ward and precinct were not available at press time, Tuesday's preliminary election for mayor and City Council Districts 2 and 7 seemed to draw light turnout in the South End despite spirited races with a wide variety of candidates to choose from in each council race.

According to the unofficial election results posted on the Elections page of Boston.gov, Mayor Martin J. Walsh will face off with District 7 city councilor Tito Jackson on Tuesday, November 7, with Walsh netting 34,869 votes or 62.53 per cent over Jackson's tally of 16,202 or 29.06 per cent and competitors Robert Cappucci with 3,735 or 6.70 per cent and Joseph Wiley with 529 or 0.95 per cent, with 100 per cent of precincts reporting. In the District 2 race, South Boston resident Edward M. Flynn, son of former mayor and ambassador to the Vatican Raymond Flynn, led the race with 5,083 votes, or 56.41 per cent over longtime South End/Bay Village resident Michael Kelley, with 2,860 or 31.74 per cent of the vote.

FULL STORY HERE

October 26, 2017

Casa Myrna Wins $3 Million Grant Slate

Submitted by Casa Myrna

Throughout Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, The Mary Kay Foundation is awarding $20,000 grants to 150 domestic violence shelters across the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Guam for a total of $3 million. Local shelter, Casa Myrna was chosen to receive one of the annual grants to further the organization's efforts to combat domestic violence and provide rehabilitation services throughout Boston. This year's highly sought-after grant slate brings the total investment in The Foundation's annual shelter grant program to nearly $42 million.

Casa Myrna will use the grant funding to support emergency shelter services. Other recipients use the unrestricted funds for basic operating expenses, hiring much-needed personnel, completing repairs and renovations or adding programs and resources based on the unique needs of their shelter and the clients they serve.

FULL STORY HERE

November 9, 2017

Flynn wins District 2 City Council seat

by Michele D. Maniscalco

Tuesday, November 7 was an exceptionally energized Election Day in the South End, with improved participation and a groundswell of excitement, particularly surrounding the District 2 City Council race. In the candidacy of longtime South End/Bay Village resident and former Menino aide Mike Kelley, South Enders saw the real possibility of interrupting South Boston's historic dominance of the District 2 seat.

While South End-specific voting numbers could not be obtained by press time, visits to the Cathedral gymnasium and Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology voting stations and observations from volunteers outside polling places suggested a steady flow of voters with peaks in the morning and after-work hours. Ultimately, South Boston's Ed Flynn, a probation officer and the son of former Mayor Ray Flynn, surpassed Kelley in a down-to-the-wire race with a margin of 508 votes out of 14,458 cast according to unofficial results posted on the City of Boston web site Tuesday night.

The District 2 result was not declared until a final precinct in Chinatown was counted, with the announcement coming around 11:00 PM. The District 7 seat being vacated by mayoral hopeful Tito Jackson went to children's advocate Kim Janey, who bested opponent Rufus J. Faulk almost 1,100 votes, or 4,940 versus Faulk's 3,852. Jackson was defeated handily in the citywide mayoral vote, with 36,433 votes or 34 per cent versus incumbent Mayor Martin J. Walsh's 70,125, or 65 per cent of the vote, Jackson attracted a following in the South End particularly with his focus on affordable housing. The last incumbent mayor to lose an election was Mayor Michael Curley in 1949.

FULL STORY HERE

November 16, 2017

Veterans honored at Puerto Rican SE memorial

by Sue O'Connell

On Veterans Day, Saturday, November 11, a crowd of about 100 people attended the dedication of a plaque honoring Purple Heart recipients at Puerto Rican Veterans Monument Square, 1440 Washington Street.

US Senator Elizabeth Warren, Governor Charlie Baker, MA Veterans' Services Secretary Francisco A. Ureña, State Representative Jeffrey Sanchez, City Council President Michelle Wu, City Councillor Ayanna Pressley, City Councillor-Elect Ed Flynn, and other elected officials were in attendance.

In her remarks, Warren noted that, "tens of thousands of Puerto Ricans" defended the United States. "From Army Lieutenant Teófilo Marxuach, who ordered the firing of the first American shot in World War I, to the 65th Infantry Regiment, the 'Borinqueneers,' to the more than 10,000 men and women who have volunteered to serve since 9/11..."

FULL STORY HERE

December 14, 2017

Dorchester man to get life for 1992 South End murder

Courtesy Adam Gaffin, www.universalhub.com

On Monday, a Suffolk Superior Court jury convicted James Witkowski of first-degree murder for the rape and suffocation of 21-year-old Lena Bruce in her South End apartment on July 12, 1992, the Suffolk County District Attorney's office reports.

The conviction means a mandatory sentence of life without parole.

FULL STORY HERE

After 15 year fight, BSL 4 studies approved at NEIDL

by Michele D. Maniscalco

After approximately 15 years of review, litigations, city council hearings and other forms of scrutiny at the local, state and federal level, Boston University's (BU) National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratory (NEIDL), also known as the Biolab, received approval from the Boston Public Health Commission for research on biosafety level (BSL) 4 research at its facility at 620 Albany Street, according to an announcement released by BU on December 6.
While BSL 4 work is not the majority of the NEIDL's activity, the BSL 4 lab taking up only 13 per cent of the building's space, it has been by far the most contentious and controversial piece in opening the NEIDL at its full capacity, as BSL 4 research involves the world's deadliest pathogens, those with neither cures nor vaccines, raising concerns among neighbors in Roxbury and the South End.

FULL STORY HERE