Spaulding To Host ‘Boston Strong’ Celebration Tonight
Though a community open house on Sunday was postponed Friday in the midst of a citywide lockdown and manhunt for suspects in the Boston Marathon bombing, Spaulding Rehabilitation Center will go ahead with other plans to celebrate its grand opening in the Charlestown Navy Yard this weekend. Spaulding representatives had planned to hold a small thank you gala for donors, staff and local and state officials Friday night, but the event was canceled. Following Friday’s arrest, an even bigger celebration has been organized for tonight, with a performance by the Boston Pops, speaker Mayor Tom Menino and a “rousing sing-a-long” of “Sweet Caroline”—a special nod to the city’s “Boston Strong” spirit. “I’ve never been more proud to be part of Boston and Spaulding,” David Storto, president of Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, said in a statement. “Our gathering tonight will reaffirm the spirit of resilience both in the people of our city and the drive of our patients and caregivers who never give up.” The recently completed nine-story building at the corner of 16th Street and First Avenue in the Charlestown Navy Yard will provide a new home for the staff and patients currently at 125 Nashua St. The Spaulding network, part of the Partners HealthCare system, offers in- and out-patient services for people recovering from and adapting to a range of issues, including spinal cord and brain injuries, strokes, amputations and burns. Menino himself benefitted from Spaulding’s therapy services late last fall after he suffered a back compression fracture following other health problems. “As a former patient myself, I can personally speak to the amazing care that happens at Spaulding,” Menino said in a statement released Saturday. “While this hospital has been planned for many years, as we all process these past few days, its importance to our region has never been more evident and necessary.” Tonight’s event, which is closed to the public, will include a moment of silence, recognition of Spaulding clinicians—who were among the first responders at the scene of the Boston Marathon bombing—and a singing of “Sweet Caroline” to celebrate “the indomitable spirit of the people of Boston,” according to a statement. The community open house and health fair, previously scheduled for Sunday, April 21, has been postponed. Spaulding spokesman Tim Sullivan said organizers hope to reschedule the event for later this spring, possibly in late May or June. South End Patch
Lynch, Markey to Debate Tonight in Lowell
The combatants for the Democratic nomination in the U.S. Senate special election will square off Monday night in Lowell for their second debate leading up to the April 30 primary. Congressmen Edward Markey (D-Malden) and Stephen Lynch (D-South Boston) will participate in the debate being held at 7:30 p.m. at Durgin Hall on the campus of the University of Massachusetts Lowell. The debate is being sponsored by UMass Lowell’s Center for Public Opinion and the Boston Herald. Questions for the debate will be posed by UMass Lowell students while the moderator will be reporter Jaclyn Cashman, according to the university. Markey and Lynch previously met for their first debate March 27 at the Channel 5 studios in Needham. The two candidates agreed to six total debates before the primary. The winner of the April 30 primary will be the Democratic nominee to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry. The general election in June 25. SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch
Daylight Saving Starts Tonight
South End Patch
Things to Know in the South End Today, Feb. 26: Community Meeting on Albany Street Project Tonight
1. Weather: The National Weather Service is predicting a partly sunny day with a high of 42 degrees. 2. Community Meeting on 275 Albany Street: If you’d like to have a say about the recently changed hotel-to-apartment-complex project designed for 275 Albany Street, stop by a South End community meeting tonight at 6:30 p.m. at Project Place 1145 Washington St. The developer of the Albany Street site was first approved in 2010 to build two hotels and a parking lot at 275 Albany Street. That plan changed the first time in the summer of 2012 to become half hotel, half residential, and the developer is now seeking to change the project to two new residential buildings. See here for more information. 3. “Townie” Author at South End Library: Tonight, the South End Library and Friends of the South End Library will host acclaimed author, Andre Dubus III who will read from his compelling memoir, Townie. It describes his early life growing up amid violence and chaos on the poor side of local towns –including Haverill –after his father, the eminent writer Andre Dubus, left the family and visited only on Sundays. The talk starts at 6:30 p.m. See here for more information. 4. Art at OWK: Starting tonight, United South End Artists, Inc. and OKW Fine Clothing & Gallery will present the 4th annual Small Works Show at OKW Fine Clothing & Gallery in the South End.The exhibit will feature original paintings, photography and sculpture produced by member artists of United South End Artists, Inc., and will run through April 4. See here for more information. 5. Coda Does the Harlem Shake: File this one under “viral video craze we barely understand,” but check out this video of the staff at Coda donning their crazy costumes and joining in the latest Internet video fad, the Harlem Shake. Things you can do every day on South End Patch: Share your news with the rest of the community. Click here to add an announcement. Add your events to our events calendar. Click here to sign up for breaking news updates. Want up-to-the-minute news? Click here to follow us on Facebook or Twitter. Share your thoughts on your community in a blog. Click here to get started. South End Patch
Things to Know in the South End Today, Feb. 21: Democratic Caucus Tonight
1. Weather: The National Weather Service is predicting today will be mostly sunny with a high near 33 degrees and wind gusts up to 26 mph. 2. Calling all Democrats: The Boston Ward 8 Democratic Committee will be holding its caucus this Thursday February 21, at 6 pm at the South End Branch of the Boston Public Library (685 Tremont Street). More info here. 3. Creative Writing at Library: Love to write? Join Writing in the World: A Creative Writing Workshop for Adults offered at the South End Branch Library (685 Tremont St.) each Thursday. The seminar is aimed at beginning writers who want to experiment with poetry and short fiction. Limited to those over 55. See here for more information. 4. Jeff Jones at Darryl’s: Performing tonight until 11 p.m. at Darryl’s Corner Bar & Kitchen (604 Columbus Ave.) is Self taught musician Jeff Jones, who will play guitar, alto saxophone and piano. See here for more information. 5. Announce Your News: Did your business recently win an award? Is your organization holding a drive or looking for volunteers? Are you planning an upcoming event and looking to get the word out? Do you know someone from the South End who has accomplished something fantastic? Post an announcement on South End Patch to let the whole neighborhood know. Things you can do every day on South End Patch: Share your news with the rest of the community. Click here to add an announcement. Add your events to our events calendar. Click here to sign up for breaking news updates. Want up-to-the-minute news? Click here to follow us on Facebook or Twitter. Share your thoughts on your community in a blog. Click here to get started. South End Patch