RETIREMENT AT D-4 STATION
On July 6, Boston Police Commissioner William Evans stopped by District D-4 (South End) to salute and say goodbye to two really good guys, 38-year-veteran Det. John Joyce and 36-year-veteran Det. Kevin McGill, who both called it a career after protecting and serving the citizens of Boston for well over three decades. During their final roll-call, District D-4 Captain Steven Sweeney proudly added their names to the District D-4 Wall of Fame, an honor reserved and designated for retiring officers who have spent at least a decade serving the District D-4 community which encompasses the South End/Back Bay sections of the city. Said Commissioner Evans, “We’re going to miss John and Kevin. Their commitment to our city and to keeping people safe was nothing short of exceptional. The shoes won’t be easy to fill but their dedicated approach to our profession is one that won’t soon be forgotten.”
Esplanade Association’s Healthy, Fit & Fun Program Returns for the Eighth Straight Year
Free fitness classes on the Esplanade will return for the eighth-straight year this summer! Beginning Tuesday, July 10, the Esplanade Association (esplanadeassociation.org) will again partner with some of Boston’s most respected fitness organizations to host the Healthy, Fit & Fun free fitness program.
Healthy, Fit & Fun consists of a variety of outdoor fitness classes— including professionally-led Zumba, Yoga, and Boot Camp— that are taught for a range of experience levels and abilities. People of all ages and fitness-levels are invited to get fit for free in the park while enjoying beautiful river views.
Classes will begin Tuesday, July 10 and will be held every week, Tuesday through Thursday, until Thursday, Sept. 6. Whether park visitors want to get a cardio workout while dancing to the rhythms of Zumba, ease away the stress of the work week with a relaxing sunset Yoga session, or build muscle tone at a Boot Camp class, there are fitness offerings for everyone on the Esplanade this summer.
This year’s weekly class schedule includes:
- Tuesdays at 6 p.m.: Zumba led by Healthworks (meet at the DCR Memorial Hatch Shell).
- Wednesdays at 6 p.m.: Sunset Yoga led by Sarah DiVello (meet at Fiedler Field).
- Thursdays at 6 pm: Boot Camp led by Boston Fit Body Boot Camp (meet at Fielder Field).
Healthy, Fit & Fun classes are free and open to the public. Participants can visit esplanadeassociation.org to find a complete program schedule, learn more about the different class offerings, and pre-register for the summer. Advanced registration is strongly encouraged. In the event of rain cancellation, a call will be made by noon the day of a class and shared via the Esplanade Association’s twitter (twitter.com/EsplanadeBoston).
These classes are made possible with help of the following sponsors: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Healthworks Fitness for Women, Polar Beverages, Boston Fit Body Boot Camp, and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).
ONE HOOD HOOPS LEAGUE IS BACK
OneHood basketball league started this week on July 11 at 6 p.m. at the BCYF Blackstone Community Center outdoor and indoor courts. The league plays every Wednesday and Friday for six weeks.
OneHood is a partnership between the BCYF Blackstone Community Center and IBA, and is in its 12th year of bringing basketball and unity to the South End. Each year, about 60 players from around the South End and other neighborhoods of Boston are brought together to play in a six-week tournament, offering a healthy physical outlet in a neutral space. The partnership also hires former players from the community as head coaches, assistant coaches, time keepers and score keepers to develop their leadership and keep them connected as role models to community youth. Participation in three violence prevention/conflict resolution workshops are required of all players. IBA and the BCYF Blackstone Community Center bring in experienced facilitators from the community to deliver these workshops, which address the effects of youth violence, making the right choices and choosing a path in life.
One of the more popular events of each season is the annual OneHood All-Stars vs Boston Police basketball game. That will be held on Friday Aug. 10, at 6 p.m.
Also of interest is the Community Youth vs Boston Police game slated for July 19 at O’Day Playground.
WEAVE A SCARF AT DAHLIA IN SOWA
Dahlia will guide you through making a gorgeous handwoven infinity scarf using colors and textures of your choosing. No previous experience required, and you’ll go home with a wearable finished piece at the end of the session.
Space is limited to four people per session, so reserve early for your preferred date. You are encouraged to bring a friend or three and make it a fun day!
Class is $95 per person, and includes all materials and equipment, and refreshments.
Sign up online at EventBrite (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/weave-a-scarf-workshop-tickets-37501624368) or call the studio to reserve your space at 617 527 4456.
Upcoming dates available: Saturdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.:
- July 21 and 28
BACK BAY HAPPENINGS
- The Friends of the Public Garden are looking for champion volunteer weeders to help maintain the beautiful Boylston Street border and the Beacon Street border in the Public Garden. ‘You supply the enthusiasm, we supply the gloves, kneepads, and some brief instructions on weed identification!’ Volunteers meet up on alternating Thursdays, 5-7 p.m.
FENWAY TIMES
- The Fenway Community is invited to a public meeting on July 19 from 6:00-8:00 to hear from Boston Parks and Recreation, Boston Police, Recovery Services, and Healthcare for the Homeless about their effort in the Back Bay Fens and how the community can contribute to safety in the neighborhood parks. The meeting is sponsored by the Fenway Civic Association and the Fenway Garden Society and will be held at the Fenway Community Center.
- The Fenway Victory Gardens is having a Community Participation Day on Saturday, July 21, from 9 a.m. to noon. This is an opportunity for members to satisfy their service hours and for other community volunteers to clean, weed, and turn compost. Coffee and snacks are provided before 9 a.m. Are you a City of Boston resident and interested in joining our waitlist for a garden plot? If so, send an e-mail to [email protected] with your name, e-mail, phone number, and waitlist request!
TITO PUENTE CONCERT SERIES
The Tito Puente Latin Music Series, a partnership of IBA and Berklee College of Music is back this summer at O’Day Playground, South End, for salsa and more.
- July 12, Orquestra El Macabeo – Known for their edgy take on traditional Latin music, this world-renowned Puerto Rican group brings punk rock to salsa 7 p.m.
- Eguie Castrillo Y Orquestra Mar Del Norte – Grammy Award Winner and percussionist Eguie Castrillo comes with his Salsa orchestra “Mar Del Norte” to pay tribute to the Salsa of the 70s and 80s.
HEBREW READING CRASH COURSE
Have you ever wanted to learn how to read Hebrew? Now is the perfect time!
With the High Holidays just around the corner, learning how to read Hebrew is the perfect summer activity and will help make your holiday services much more meaningful.
‘Read it in Hebrew’ is our new, cutting-edge Hebrew reading crash course is taking the Jewish world by storm. The flashcard based language course developed by the Jewish Learning Institute, promises users that they can learn to read Hebrew in only four weeks if they follow the program.In addition to reading skills, students get a glimpse into the holiness and depth of the Hebrew language, including brief kabalistic explanations of the Hebrew letters.
The course begins Monday, July 30, from 8-9 p.m. for four consecutive Monday evenings at Chabad of Downtown Boston – 16 Piedmont St.
Registration required. www.ChabadDB.org/Hebrew . Cost for the 4 session course is: $100. Space is Limited.
CONCERTS AT TITUS SPARROW PARK
The Friends of Titus Sparrow Park have once again brought a slate of great summer concerts to the South End park. Below is the remaining lineup of concerts for the summer – including kids’ concerts in the mornings.
- Weds. evenings at 6:30 p.m. (unless noted):
July 18, Grupo Fantasia
July 25, Big Ol’ Dirty Bucket
Aug. 1, Booty Vortex
Aug. 8, Pan Neubean Steel
Aug. 15, Gretchen and the Pickpockets
Aug. 22, Slim Jim and the Mad Cows (6:15 p.m. start)
Aug. 29, TBD (6 p.m. start)
- Childrens’ Concerts, Tuesdays at 10 a.m. (rain location, unless noted, basement of Union United Methodist)
July 17, Matt Heaton
July 24, Karen K & the Jitterbugs
July 31, Vanessa Trien
Aug. 7, Kira Helper
Aug. 14, Wayne Potash (no rain location).
WORCESTER SQUARE CONCERT SERIES
The Worcester Square Area Neighborhood Association (WSANA) had to cancel its first concert of the season on Thursday, June 28, due to rain.
There will be other concerts on July 19 and Aug. 16.
BCYF FUN STOPS AT BLACKSTONE
Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) is pleased to bring back the annual “BCYF Fun Stops” offering free, daily, drop-in activities at five locations in Boston through August 17.
Children ages 8-14 are welcome to stop in and enjoy a variety of structured activities including board games, sports, arts and crafts and more from 12 noon to 5 p.m.* each weekday. No pre-registration is required, however, parents must fill out a brief waiver form that contains the necessary emergency contact information as well as allows youth to swim during scheduled times at the Fun Stop pool locations. Each Fun Stop is open on a first come, first serve basis, and is limited to 50 youth per day. Many of the Fun Stops are able to provide lunch through the Summer Food Service Program, but please confirm with the site. Fun Stops began on July 9 and will continue through Friday, Aug. 18.
The Fun Stops are hosted in parks or open spaces adjacent to or near a BCYF community center. In the South End, the Fun Stop will be at:
BCYF Blackstone Community Center, 50 West Brookline St., South End, 617-635-5162.