Government

City Councilor Annissa Essaibi-George Day in the North End

City Councilor At Large Annissa Essaibi George recently toured Boston’s historic North End on her eighth monthly Annissa-At-Large day. Councilor Essaibi-George spent a day in the North End visiting the community centers, local businesses, historical and cultural sites, and meeting with residents.

“The North End is truly a beautiful place. I had so much fun exploring the neighborhood and meeting the neighbors,” Councilor Essaibi-George said after a long day in the North End.

Councilor Annissa Essaibi-George started her day in the North End by hosting a coffee hour at the Boston Common Coffee Company. Her day continued with a visit to Casa Maria, an apartment building for elderly and disabled residents, where Councilor Essaibi-George spent time catching up on neighborhood issues over coffee and cookies.

Councilor Essaibi-George experienced history first hand when she visited the City’s Archeological Dig at the Old North Church. She learned about artifacts from Irish, English, Jewish and Italian immigrants.

For lunch, Councilor Essaibi-George met with State Representative Aaron Michlewitz at Mangia Mangia and spoke with the owner of the restaurant Johnny Pangiluca. She continued visiting local small business after lunch, including long time business Green Cross Pharmacy on Hanover street. She even picked up some pastries, for which the North End area is famous to locals and tourists from around the world.

“The North End does small businesses in a big way. As a small business owner myself I really admire the hard work that the North End business owners put in every day,” said Councilor Essaibi George.

At the Mirabella Pool
At the Mirabella Pool

After the business walkthough, Concilor Essaibi-George paid a visit to the North End Public Library where she met with the librarians and then proceeded to the Boston Centers for Youth and Families, Nazarro Center and Mirabella Pool.

Her journey through the historic North End continued with a visit to the North End Music and Performing Arts Center where she met with the staff and learned about different programs and classes the Center offers, and their unique partnership with Boston Public Schools.

Councilor Annissa Essaibi-George’s day wrapped up at the Fisherman’s Feast, which is an annual event in the North End based on the devotion of fishermen and their descendents from Sciacca and Sicily to Madonna Del Soccorso. The Councillor described the event as a “gorgeous ceremony that I was honored to be a part of.”

After being elected to office, Councilor Essaibi-George pledged to stay in close contact with constituents. This vow is being fulfilled through Annissa-At-Large days. In the past, Councillor Essaibi-George has spent Annissa-At-Large days in East Boston, Mattapan, Jamaica Plain, Brighton, Roslindale, Roxbury, and South Boston.

Look for #AnnissaAtLarge on Twitter to learn where the Councillor has been in the North End, as well as pictures from the day. Her schedule is on Facebook on Annissa for Boston. People can tweet questions and ideas to @AnnissaForBos.

Photos and release courtesy of Councilor Annissa Essaibi-George office.