MBTA offering special pass on Patriots’ Day
For Patriots’ Day, Monday, April 16, the MBTA is again this year offering a special $20 all-day pass for the Framingham/Worcester Commuter Rail Line, which runs parallel to the Boston Marathon route. Unlimited travel up and down the Marathon route for one flat rate is available for purchase beginning Monday, April 9, through April 15 from ticket offices at North, South, and Back Bay Stations, and onboard-only on April 16 on Worcester Line trains. This special commuter rail pass is also available for purchase now through April 16 on the mTicket app.
CharlieCards preloaded with roundtrip subway fare will also be easily available for purchase at Riverside Station on the MBTA Green Line on April 16 from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Customers travelling around Boston on Marathon Monday are also encouraged to purchase a $12 1-Day Link pass valid for unlimited subway and bus travel, which is available from any station fare vending machine and valid for twenty-four hours after purchase.
Due to safety concerns, Copley Station will be closed for the entire day on April 16. Customers are instead encouraged to use Arlington Station (serving all Green Line branches) Prudential Station (Green Line E branch), Hynes Convention Center Station (Green Line B, C, and D branches), or Back Bay Station on the Orange Line. From approximately 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., above-ground Green Line stations at South Street (B branch), Kent Street (C branch), and St. Mary’s Street (C branch) will be closed.
The Red, Orange, Blue, and Silver Lines will operate a regular weekday schedule with rush-hour levels of service before and after the race.
Buses and trackless trolleys will operate a regular weekday schedule on April 16, though some bus routes will be detoured to accommodate the Marathon and other festivities. Pre-marathon events are also scheduled the weekend prior, resulting in route adjustments to various bus routes in and around Copley Square. Customers are encouraged to subscribe to T-Alerts and check the MBTA website for more information on these changes.
Paul Pingaro Scholarship applications now available
Applications are now available for the Paul Pingaro Scholarship at The Martin Pino Center. Thanks to a generous donation from the Salvator and Maria Pizzi Foundation, we will now give out two $1000.00 Scholarships this year. Eligibility requirements for Applicants are as follows: Applicant must be a resident of East Boston, a graduating High School senior, must be accepted into an accredited college or university and turn in a completed application no later than April 27, 2018. For More information please call 617 635-5121 and ask for Joe Weddleton.
PUBLIC ICE MEETING SCHEDULE ANNOUNCED
On Thursday, April 19, the general public and current rink users are invited to attend the annual ice allocation meeting for the Porrazzo Rink. The meeting will take place at 5:00 PM in the lobby of the arena and will touch on the allocation process for ice time, review the 2017/18 season, and discuss the upcoming 2018/19 season.
The Porrazzo Rink is located at 199 Coleridge Street in East Boston, MA 02128 and is a public ice skating facility managed by FMC Ice Sports.
About FMC Ice Sports:
Facility Management Corporation is an innovative leader of public recreational facility management, specializing in ice arena operations. FMC has been operating community ice arenas since its inception in 1992. The primary focus of the company is the development and expansion of affordable skating opportunities and the extension of the operating season at the ice arenas, providing year-round programming to local skating enthusiasts. For more information, please go to www.fmcicesports.com or call 1-888-74-SKATE.
East Boston Social Centers to Hold Annual Pizza and Comedy Fundraiser April 12
The East Boston Social Center will hold its Annual Spring Fundraiser, a Pizza and Comedy night at Prince Restaurant in Saugus, on the evening of Thursday April 12, 2018 – doors open at 6:30pm. We look forward to seeing you and sharing a great night of laughs, pizza and friendship.
The East Boston Social Center is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit multi-service agency that has served the children, families, and senior citizens of East Boston since its founding in 1918. That’s 100 years! Stay tuned for our Anniversary Gala later this year.
Net proceeds from this event will support the Social Centers’ programs, which serve over a thousand members of the East Boston and Greater Boston community each year. The Social Centers provide fully licensed and accredited Early Learning and After School programs for children ages two months through fourteen years, free after-school programming for at-risk teens, a Summer Program, as well as nutritional and social and recreational programming for the elderly, and community space for advocacy, self-help and community groups.
Ticket price of $35 per person includes all you can eat cheese pizza, free soft drinks and a hilarious comedy show with some of the area’s best comedians. Other menu items and a cash bar are also available for purchase.
There is also a Raffle for4 Red Sox tickets, an assortment of gift certificates, baskets and much more. Chances are $20 for a book of 10 (Need not be present to win).
Thank you for your continued generosity to the East Boston Social Centers and support of the community of East Boston. We look forward to seeing you on April 12th!
To purchase tickets for the event or for raffle chances, please call Marisa at (617) 569-3221 ext. 107, email at [email protected] – or contact any of our Board members.
You may also purchase tickets online at: https://www.ebsoc.org/news-events/
East Boston Branch Library
Check out What’s Happening at the East Boston Branch Library
EAST BOSTON POP-UP CHOIR
A free 8-week choral program for children ages 7-12
Through May 24
Mondays and Thursdays from 5-6pm
East Boston Library – 356 Bremen Street, Boston, MA 02128
The Boston Children’s Chorus (BCC) is excited to expand our programs to the East Boston Branch of the Boston Public Library! Geared towards children ages 7-12, these 8 weeks will be packed with skill-building, cultural exchange, and tons of fun, culminating in two performances in May. The East Boston Choir will perform in BCC’s Season Finale Concert at Dorchester’s Strand Theatre on Sunday, May 20 and in a community concert at the East Boston Library on Thursday, May 24.
Interested? Join us on Monday, April 2 from 4-5 p.m. for a special kick-off rehearsal for parents and children. This event will include an orientation to BCC, time to meet and mingle with other families in the choir, BCC swag giveaways, and food from a local restaurant!
For more information, please contact Jana Hieber at 617-245-6043 or [email protected]. Or visit our website at http://www.bostonchildrenschorus.org/our-programs/east-boston
April School Vacation Events:
Jedlie’s Magic Circus
Tuesday, April 17th at 2 p.m.
The always zany Jedlie is back to astound and amaze us with his Magic Circus tricks. Get ready for a rollicking good time in this fast paced interactive magic show. For children ages 4 and up.
Mike the Bubble Man
Wednesday, April 18th at 1:30
Mike the Bubble Man brings magic and science to the stage with this interactive show about BUBBLES!
Through music, choreography, and comedy, bubbles-in all different shapes and sizes-come alive, sparking imagination and wonder. You’re never to old for a love for bubbles, especially when there’s a chance to see the world from inside one.
Are We Climate Ready?
Saturday, April 21st at 11 a.m.
Join the Boston climate conversation to talk about what it means to be “climate ready”. Meet neighbors and learn how climate change will affect our neighborhoods and the possibilities for our community to benefit climate action. This will be a bilingual presentation in English and Spanish. To learn more contact Ruth Nieves at nievesarg.19.gmail.com or call (617) 935-1483
For information any of these programs, call or come in to the East Boston Branch Library, 365 Bremen Street, (617) 569-0271.
Boston Public Library’s free homework help underway
Boston Public Library’s free Homework Help program began and runs through May 24, 2018, offering free afterschool help and mentorship provided by high-achieving high school students at most BPL locations across the city. The program, offered Monday through Thursday from 3:30 -5:30 p.m. is open to students in grades K-8; no registration required. Boston Teacher’s Union (BTU) tutors are also available during select weekdays from 4-6 p.m. for students in Grades K-12. Visit www.bpl.org/homework for complete information. Most homework help mentors and program participants are Boston Public Schools students, though it is open to all, and BTU tutors are either current or retired Boston Public Schools teachers.
Tech goes home
Tech Goes Home is a computer based program with the goal of ensure that all low-come residents of Greater Boston are equipped with the tools, training, and access to support 21st-century skills development. The TGH program offers resident the ability to improve their quality of life as new member of the online community.
What’s included for Boston residents?
- 15 Hours of Computer training
- A web based curriculum designed to help you access resources throughout the Internet.
- The option to purchase a brand new computer for just $50
- Help accessing significantly discounted high-speed Internet for qualified participants
If you interested in participating or have any questions,Speak to a staff at ABCD East Boston APAC or Call 617-567-8857
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR ALL GIRLS SPORTS FESTIVAL
Mayor Martin J. Walsh, the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, and Boston Centers for Youth & Families invite girls from throughout the city to spend their April school vacation at the All Girls Sports Festival in Roxbury. The free four-day event will take place April 17 to April 20 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily.
“Young women from all over Boston are invited to come join our Parks Department for our annual festival of sports clinics and life skills workshops during April school vacation week,” said Mayor Walsh. “It’s a great time to have fun, make new friends, and develop new strengths that will help our students grow and learn in the years to come.”
Activities will be held at the Reggie Lewis Track & Athletic Center at Roxbury Community College, 1350 Columbus Avenue, and the nearby BCYF Madison Park Community Center, Building 4, 55 Malcolm X Boulevard. The All Girls Sports Festival features a variety of sport clinics and health and wellness workshops supported by local colleges, non-profits, and City of Boston agencies. Free lunch will be also be provided.
Participants will find a variety of fun ways to exercise mind, body, and spirit and try out a variety of sports with expert instructors including basketball, tennis, Double Dutch, step dancing, track, swimming, rugby and soccer. Participants must be Boston residents ages 11 to 14 and should wear activity-appropriate clothing.
To pre-register go to https://apm.activecommunities.com/cobparksandrecdepart. For more information, please contact Barbara Hamilton at (617) 961-3093 or by emailing [email protected].
MAYOR’S CUP STREET HOCKEY TOURNAMENT COMING APRIL 17 – 19
Mayor Martin J. Walsh and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department will host the 2018 Mayor’s Cup Street Hockey Tournament in partnership with the Boston Bruins on April 17, 18, and 19 during the April public school vacation week.
“Every year, young players from neighborhoods across Boston compete in the Mayor’s Cup Tournament for the title of ‘Boston’s Best,’” said Mayor Walsh. “This is a great competition that many look forward to every year, and I thank the Boston Bruins for their partnership and support and wish this year’s players all the best of luck.”
Additional support is provided by P&G Gillette. Teams will compete in two regions in Mite (ages 7 to 8) and Squirt (ages 9 to 10) divisions. Please note that pre-registration for teams is required with a limit of eight teams per regional division.
Region 1 playoffs will take place Tuesday, April 17, at Fallon Field located at 910 South Street in Roslindale. Region 2 playoffs will take place Wednesday, April 18, at Garvey Playground located at 340 Neponset Avenue in Dorchester. Winning teams will meet for the finals at Ryan Playground, located at 74 Alford Street in Charlestown, on Thursday, April 19.
To register or for more information, please contact Billy Sittig at [email protected] or call (617) 961-3082.
MAYOR WALSH OPENS SWAN BOATS ON APRIL 14
Mayor Martin J. Walsh will host the first ride of the season on the popular Boston Swan Boats as they open at the Public Garden lagoon on Saturday, April 14, at 10 a.m.
“This year the Swan Boats celebrate their 142nd season of providing joy and memories to residents and visitors in the Public Garden,” said Mayor Walsh. “We’re ready for spring in Boston and the tradition of joining the Paget family and local children for the first ride around the Public Garden lagoon.”
This annual rite of spring is made possible thanks to the Paget family, owners and operators of the Swan Boats first launched by Irish immigrant and shipbuilder Robert Paget. Mr. Paget designed the Swan Boats after attending the opera Lohengrin in New York City. At the end of the opera, the hero crosses a river in a boat drawn by a swan.
Mayor Walsh will be joined on the first ride of the year with students from Boston Public Schools including the Ellis Mendell Elementary School and the Higginson/Lewis K-8 School, both in Roxbury.
The students are drawing pictures of the Swan Boats in art class and their work will be randomly selected from all the drawings created. All of the artwork chosen will then be on display at Boston City Hall.
2018 marks the 142nd season for the Swan Boats. The oldest and smallest boat in the fleet just celebrated its 107th season, while the newest was launched in 1993. The swan on today’s boats is made from either copper or fiberglass, depending on the age of the boat, and encloses a paddle mechanism that is used to foot propel the boat through the water.
Fully loaded, each Swan Boat weighs three tons and carries up to twenty passengers. The Swan Boats are built on oak framed pontoons sheathed in copper just as they were initially constructed in 1877. After being stored in a safe place for the winter, the boats are returned to the Public Garden Lagoon in the spring with Mayor Walsh and his young guests celebrating the first ride of the season.
For more information, please visit the Swan Boats of Boston online at www.swanboats.com or call (617) 522-1966.
LEARN ITALIAN FREE
The class will be held at Robert DeLeo Senior Center, 35 Harvard St., Winthrop for residents age 55 and above.
Whether you have Italian ancestry, or just want to learn one of the world’s most beautiful languages, join us at informal and friendly Italian language and culture classes. Wednesday afternoons from 1:15 to 2:45 p.m.
For info call 617-846-8538