A few weeks ago, Anthony Riccio sent me this picture taken in the North End and asked if I could identify the men. Anthony is writing a book about the North End that will be published later this year. The book will consist of pictures and interviews collected by Anthony when he worked at the Read More…
Commentaries
Taking Stock of the North End During the COVID Era as We Turn the Page to 2021
By Bernie Sapienza For anyone who lives or works here, we all know how intrinsically tied together the business and residential communities are in the North End. Over the past five decades, the North End has had a few transformational events—the harbor clean-up of the 70s and the Big Dig of the 90s come to Read More…
Isabel’s Prince St. Laundry, a Community Friend in Boston’s North End
The most important community spots are often the least celebrated. When I first moved to the North End in 1991, the Italian section of Boston had largely gone unchanged for decades. It was the affordable part of Boston back then. My street level two-bedroom apartment at 4A Prince (currently the location of the restaurant Artu) was Read More…
Copp’s Hill Moment: Christmastide and Pandemic
The hopes and fears of this past year by Thomas F. Schiavoni Christmas Eve will soon fall softly upon an ancient burying ground and the former tenements atop Copp’s Hill. There will be no movement, no sounds of traffic, nor the machinery of commerce at the epicenter of a major American city. There will only be empty Read More…
Open Letter to Mayor Walsh on the Former St. Leonard Rectory, 14 N. Bennet St.
By Thomas F. Schiavoni, Saint Leonard Church parishioner A revised variance request by Epsilon Partners for 6 luxury condominium units at the former Saint Leonard Rectory on North Bennet Street has met ongoing neighborhood resistance, including votes in opposition by NEWRA and NEWNC, as well as a second rejection by NEWNC on a revised proposal. A Read More…
OpEd—14 N. Bennet St. Rectory Conversion ZBA Hearing, Nov. 10
By Ellen Hume The Zoning Board of Appeal will vote on November 10 on the proposal to turn the St. Leonard’s Rectory at 14 N Bennet St. into six condos, with no off-street parking, a new fifth story, and giant French Door windows with open balconies. We are inviting the neighborhood to attend the meeting Read More…
Commentary: Moving Back to the North End
After many years of living in the suburbs, Boston lured us back. Its skyline promised to be the perfect backdrop to our second act like it has been for many popular movies. The pros and cons of living in Boston were many, but whenever we spent an early summer evening strolling along the city streets, Read More…
Life on the Corner: The Boston Floating Hospital
I read recently that Tufts Medical Center is renaming the Boston Floating Hospital and it will now be known as the Tufts Children’s Hospital. Although I think this is sad, I suppose they have to compete with Children’s, MGH/Brigham, and Boston Medical Center, and a name change might better reflect the hospital’s present location. To Read More…
Councilor Edwards on Boston Public Schools’ Phased Reopening
Honoring our Kids Success – At-Home and Beyond the Virtual Classroom By District One City Councilor Lydia Edwards Boston Public School (BPS) families and guardians have endured unimaginable hardship since the onset of the COVID pandemic and face uncertainty for the upcoming academic year. Once surrounded by vital classroom interactions, our kids are now relegated Read More…
Councilor Edwards on This Year’s Feast Season
A Feast From Afar By District One City Councilor Lydia Edwards COVID-19 has turned the world on its side and we have been left to deal with the unimaginable: no hugging or sharing the company of those we love. This is a time when our traditions, values, and faith play a vital role in how we Read More…
Open Letter to Mayor Walsh on the Proposed St. Leonard Rectory Conversion
By Thomas F. Schiavoni, Saint Leonard Church parishioner A variance request by Epsilon Partners for 6 to 8 luxury condominium units at the former Saint Leonard Rectory on North Bennet Street has met with significant neighborhood resistance, including votes in opposition by the Residents’ Association (NEWRA) and Neighborhood Council (NEWNC). The City of Boston Board Read More…
Commentary: Going Back to School
What will going back to school look like this year? As August rolls around, children in grades K-12 wait to find out what returning to school in 2020 will entail. Because of COVID -19, there are more questions than answers regarding what is best for students, parents, and school communities. What is the best option? Read More…