Three Things You Didn’t Know about the Boston Center for the Arts
You probably walk by the Tremont Street plaza often, but are you familiar with what the Boston Center for the Arts has to offer the community? South End Patch News
How Do You Feel About The New T Alerts System?
The MBTA launched its new alerts system Tuesday, and as promised the alerts are detailed and timely, but depending on what you clicked when you signed up, you may be bombarded with emails or texts. The service offers a variety of clickable options and you can opt in or opt out as you please. In the early going, have you found the new service helpful, or are you busy deleting unwanted emails and avoiding your phone’s texts? Tell us in the comments. South End Patch
Tell Us About Your ‘26.2 Acts of Kindness’
A little bit of kindness goes a long way. That’s the basic idea behind Charlestown resident Stephanie Zanotti’s “26.2 Acts of Kindness” project—an effort to put some positivity back into the world after tragedy. And she’s hoping others will join her. “In the wake of the Newtown, CT tragedy, a kindness movement was started by Ann Curry [of the TODAY show] to do 26 acts of kindness for the 26 victims of Sandy Hook Elementary,” Zanotti said in an email. “This is Part 2. I am participating in 26 acts of kindness for the victims at the 26th mile of the Boston Marathon. Each mile of the route is dedicated to an act of kindness.” Since announcing her plans the week following the Boston Marathon bombings, Zanotti has been busy working on her acts of kindness. “My acts have ranged from signing my dog up with a therapy dog program to a cup of coffee for the next person in line to sending an Edible Arrangement fruit basket to the trauma ICU of my hospital to thank my fellow colleagues/nurses,” said Zanotti, a nurse at Brigham & Women’s Hospital. “Tonight I donated several pairs of sneakers to a friend traveling to Jamaica who always brings down a suitcase full of shoes to donate. Included was a special pair of sneakers that I wore to run the last 6 miles of last year’s marathon across the finish line with my best friend.” Zanotti has been spreading the word about “26.2 Acts of Kindness” on her Facebook page, through Patch and in other ways, and already many have responded to her call, including the folks behind the original “26 Acts” project. Charlestown resident Carrie Sunde, a Syracuse University student who recently won the title of “Miss Cambridge,” posted a photo to the Charlestown Patch Facebook page of a parking meter where she left money for people to use. Patch reader Pam D’Esopo is gathering handmade baby blankets for the patients of Boston Children’s Hospital ICU wards, she wrote in the comments of an article about Zanotti’s project. “My goal is to share the inspiration behind ‘26 Acts of Kindness,’ which is to ask ourselves during our ‘busy’ lives: how can I make a small difference today?” Zanotti said. “When people see our posts, I hope something resonates. Whether or not they can commit to all 26 acts or do one act or for one moment have their faith in humanity restored after this horrible tragedy; that is what keeps me going.” What are you doing for your “26.2 Acts of Kindness”? Share your plans, ideas and calls for volunteers in the comments section below. South End Patch
Boston Schools Superintendent Shares Tips for Talking with Kids about Marathon Bombing
In the aftermath of Monday’s Boston Marathon bombing, Boston Public Schools Superintendent Carol R. Johnson sent a letter to staff and families of students titled, “Talking with Children about Tragedies,” that was shared via the Warren-Prescott School newsletter on Tuesday morning. In the newsletter, Warren-Prescott Principal Michele Davis wrote: “Our sincere thoughts and prayers go out to all of those affected by yesterday’s events. Our own Melissa Shea ran the Boston Marathon yesterday and her family was among the spectators. I am relieved to report that Melissa and her family are safe.” Davis asked that anyone with information about other Warren-Prescott families that may have been affected by the bombing to contact her at mdavis@boston.k12.ma.us. Boston Public Schools are closed this week for April Vacation. Below is Johnson’s letter: —– Dear BPS families and friends, We hope you and your family are safe tonight. We wish to express our deep gratitude to the first responders, public safety personnel and everyday citizens who stepped in to help today at the Boston Marathon. Many of you have questions about how to talk to your children about today’s events. Below, please find resources from the National Association of School Psychologists, which has prepared tip sheets for parents and teachers to help children, teenagers and adults cope with tragic situations. Among their professional advice (from the NASP website): Remain calm and reassuring. Children will take their cues from you, especially young children. Acknowledge that the threats and uncertainty are unnerving but the likelihood is that you and your children or students will be okay. There is a difference between the possibility of danger and the probability of it affecting them personally. Acknowledge and normalize their feelings. Allow children to discuss their feelings and concerns and encourage any questions they may have regarding this event. Listen and empathize. An empathetic listener is very important. Let them know that others are feeling the same way and that their reactions are normal and expected. Take care of your own needs. Take time for yourself and try to deal with your own reactions to the situation as fully as possible. You will be better able to help your children if you are coping well. If you are anxious or upset, your children are more likely to be so as well. Talk to other adults such as family, friends, faith leaders, or a counselor. It is important not to dwell on your fears by yourself. Sharing feelings with others often makes us feel more connected and secure. Take care of your physical health. Make time, however small, to do things you enjoy. Turn off or monitor the television. It is important to stay […]
WATCH: Drew Bledsoe Complains about Wine Law at Mass. State House
Massachusetts is one of 11 states that doesn’t allow out-of-state vineyards to directly ship wine to their customers, and former New England Patriots quarterback Drew Bledsoe is urging Beacon Hill legislators to pass a bill that would change that law. “Very simply put, this bill is fair, and it’s right. It’s fair to the consumers to be able to purchase wine directly from the wineries, it’s fair to the small businesses like ours who want to sell directly to the customers, it’s right for the state – it actually increases revenue to the state – and in the states that this has happened, it’s also benefitted the package stores and the distributors,” Bledsoe said during a press conference on the State House steps Thursday afternoon. The bill, called an Act Regulating the Direct Shipment of Wine, was put forth by Rep. Theodore Speliotis (D-Danvers) on Jan. 22. Right now it’s in the Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee and no vote is scheduled, according to Jeremy Benson of Free the Grapes. Massachusetts is the seventh-largest wine-consuming state in the union, Bledsoe said. If Massachusetts changes its law, he said he believes the remaining 10 will follow suit. Only 1 percent of wine that’s sold in the U.S. is sold direct, and Bledsoe said it is more profitable to do so. “That’s a motivation for this, and we don’t make any bones about it. It also benefits not only our business, but a lot of mom and pop wineries across the country.” Bledsoe’s wine, called Doubleback and based in Walla Walla, Wash., is sold in Massachusetts, through distributors, and in 14 other states. His friend and protege, Tom Brady, tried to buy it but Bledsoe had to tell him he couldn’t ship a case to him. Instead, Bledsoe sent it to Brady’s dad in California. “I think his dad drank it all,” he said. Although Bledsoe made an appearance on Beacon Hill Thursday, don’t expect many public appearances from him anytime soon. When asked if he was thinking about a run for public office, Bledsoe said, “Never say never, but I’m not looking to jump back into public life again. I enjoy working in my winery, and raising my family and living a pretty quiet life out there in Oregon.” SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch
Boston Talking About Hosting 2024 Olympic Games
There hasn’t been an Olympic games hosted in America since 1996 in Atlanta, and like leaders at Massachusetts’ State House, the Boston City Council will be exploring the feasibility of bringing the games to New England. “Why hasn’t Boston made a serious play for the Olympics?” District 6 City Councilor Matt O’Malley asked during Wednesday’s council meeting. “It’s obvisouly a huge undertaking. […] It could bring peril. […] The Atlanta Games of 1996 was really run well and turned a profit. […] Montreal hosted the games in 1976 and it took 30 years for them to pay off a billion dollar budget.” He added that Vancouver had debt problems after hosting the games, too. O’Malley said he doesn’t want to rush the process but that there is momentum with State Sen. Eileen Donoghue, D-Lowell, having filed a state bill to study the feasibility of hosting the Summer Olympics. Boston was selected among 35 cities to submit a bid by the United States Olympic Committee. But Mayor Thomas Menino has called the idea of Boston hosting the Olympics “far-fetched” as he told WBUR that it costs $ 6-8 million just to bid, and that would be publicly funded. Pushing for the games is the Boston Olympics Exploratory Committee, which has already reached out to councilors and the city administration (having met with Menino already). The group also has its own website for the 2024 games. “The benefits could be enormous,” O’Malley said. “We have the hotel rooms, the dorms. The locations of sporting events would not just be in Boston proper. It could be 200 miles north, south, east, west of Boston. We could be talking about the New England region. Another strength we have is the city could hold the summer or winter games. When you apply for both your chances are exponentially heightened.” However, O’Malley also admitted it could cost billions of dollars to implement additional infrastructure. The matter was referred to the Committee on Economic Development for a future hearing. SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch
What’s Your Question about the South End?
Ever wonder why they named the square after that guy you never heard of? Or when that new restaurant is going to open? Let South End Patch find the answer for you. Each week, we will strive to find answers to those nagging questions you have about the neighborhood. You Ask, Patch Answers is a program designed to help you better understand where you live, even if it’s just the tiniest details. All you have to do is add your question to the comment section below. We’ll pick one of the submitted questions and get to work finding an answer for you, which we’ll publish the following week. See some previous questions and answers: South End Answers: When will the Arlington St. Street Lights Be Fixed? South End Answers: How Can I Get a Crosswalk On My Street? Which Cable Providers Service the South End? South End Answers: What’s Up with the Ice Melt This Year? Clarendon at Tremont Street Intersection: Too Dangerous? It’s that easy! Ask away. SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch
What Do You Think About Gov. Patrick’s Travel Ban?
All non-emergency drivers were ordered off the roads on Friday when Gov. Deval Patrick issued an executive order banning travel during the blizzard. As of Saturday morning, the travel ban is still in effect. Patrick’s executive order is being praised by some and bashed by others, reported The Boston Globe. While former Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis, who was in charge of the commonwealth during the Blizzard of ’78, praised the governor’s move, others called the order “tyrannical” and say the strict ban and hefty fines were too much, according to The Globe. Those caught violating the ban would face up to a year in jail and a $ 500 fine. What do you think? Do you agree with the governor’s decision or do you think the travel ban was too strict? Let us know in the comment section. South End Patch
Super Bowl Kickoff Time and Five Fun Facts about the Big Game
Watching the Super Bowl with friends can leave a lot of us feeling like information haves and have-nots. While some of us have been following the teams, their players, strategy, and statistics since the day we were born, others at least know who the quarterbacks are and that they are the ones who throw the ball. Whether you’re looking to impress the sports nerds in the room with a few of your own facts, or you’re simply a true connoisseur of arguably useless knowledge, here’s some fun trivia for you about Super Bowl 2013. Five Fun Facts About the Super Bowl This year, a 30-second commercial costs $ 4 million, up from 3.5 million last year and $ 42,000 in 1967, according to Time. Football fans are anticipated to consume an estimated 79 million pounds of Hass avocados during Big Game gatherings this year, according to the Hass Avocado Board. If you still think the 1983 season finale of M*A*S*H was the most-watched broadcast in the U.S., think again. The 2010 Super Bowl between the New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts stole that title, only to be beaten exactly one year later when 111 million people tuned in to watch the 2011 Super Bowl between the Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers, according to Nielsen Co. That record was broken again last year when 111.3 million people watched the Giants beat the Patriots, according to ESPN.go.com. Heading into the game, the 49ers are 5-0 in Super Bowls and the Ravens are 1-0 in Super Bowls. Super Bowl XLVII is the first time in professional sports history that siblings will play each other. John Harbaugh coaches the Ravens and Jim Harbaugh coaches the 49ers. So who will come out with the title? Finally, here’s some actual useful knowledge to have heading into Sunday. Who: The Ravens vs. The 49ers Kickoff Time: Sunday, Feb. 3 at 6:30 p.m. ET Where: New Orleans, LA at Mercedes-Benz Superdome Channel: NBC Places to Watch in the South EndThe South End is not exactly known for its sports bar scene. Your best bet is to head to Clery’s (113 Darmouth St.) for their Super Bowl Party, which starts at 1 p.m. on Sunday. They’ve got a deal where $ 15 gets you two drink tickets and a buffet, and there’s also a wings eating contest you won’t want to miss. Other than that, your own home is a grat place to watch the big game. Enjoy your flat screen, that big comfy couch and the company of loved ones. If you’re looking for an interesting take on Super Bowl fare, check out these recipes provided by the owners of some of your favorite Boston food […]