North End Tree Lighting Dec. 3
The mayors’ 25th Enchanted Trolley Tour will continue the festive tradition of lighting the holiday tree while bringing holiday spirit to children across Boston including the North End at Paul Revere Mall.
Presented by Bank of Boston, the seasonal event which includes a visit by Santa Claus and a tree lighting and much more.
The special holiday festivities will be held on Sunday, December 5 at 3 PM.
NEWNC Approves Hanover Street Three-Story Addition
A request by Fiore Colella, owner of Fiore’s Restaurant, to renovate the facility at 250 Hanover Street by adding three stories to the site was unanimously approved by the North End/Waterfront Neighborhood Council (NEWNC) at its last monthly meeting.
The addition will create nine residential units and the height is under the 55-foot city mandate in the North End.
The other two requests, to change the legal occupancy of the building at Golden Bananas, Salem Street and a change of occupancy at 166 Salem Street from 8 unit to 9 units were both tabled, in agreement with NEWNC and the petitioners.
The next Council meeting will be held on Monday, December 13 at 7 PM via Zoom.
NEAA 49th North End Christmas Parade
The 49th annual 2021 North End Christmas Parade will be held on Sunday, December 12 at 1 PM with the arrival of Santa Claus by helicopter, hosted by the North End Athletic Association (NEAA), at Christopher Columbus Park.
Many cartoon characters like Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Goofy, Pluto, Donald Duck and others will participate in the popular parade. Several bands will also be a part of the fun event for children and their families.
The parade is held in association with The Taste of the North End, the Nazzaro Center, North End Against Drugs, Mayor’s Office of Tourism, Sports, Entertainment and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department.
Rain date or other bad weather conditions, the parade will be moved to Sunday, December 19 same time, same location.
NEWRA Opposes Three-Story Hanover Street Addition
A proposal by Fiore Colella owner of Fiore’s Restaurant, 250 Hanover Street to construct a three-story addition for 9 residential units was opposed by a vote of 10-2 by the North End/Waterfront Residents’ Association (NEWRA) at the group’s last public zoom meeting. The proposed height is 54.9 feet just short of the 55-foot rule imposed in the North End.
NEWRA also supported a proposal to add fourth-story addition with a deck and to make a finished garden level space legal living area at 114 Prince Street.
Both Senate candidates may presentations and participated in questions and answers.
Plans to renovate Faneuil Hall Marketplace were presented on an informational purpose only.
The next NEWRA meeting is scheduled for Thursday, December 9 at 7 PM via Zoom.
North End Library has Temporary Manager         Â
Maija Meadows Hasegawa is covering the North End Library until a new manager is replaced.
She started out in Lower Mills in 2008 and eventually went to the Central Library where she served as a Youth Services Librarian. She is getting herself re-acclimated to grown-up-books so she can make useful recommendations to patrons.
Maija started working in her Junior High School Libraries in Kansas. She attended Leslie College and then Simmons College for her graduate degree.
She is a patron of the library’s Book Sale, bringing in new books each week.
200 Daffodils Planted at Columbus Park
Two hundred daffodils, provided by the City of Boston, were planted in the Columbus Park Crescent Garden by Friends of Christopher Columbus Park (FOCCP) volunteers within 40 minutes on a Sunday morning.
The flowers will bloom next spring as part of the Boston Strong effort to have daffodils blooming along the entire route of the Boston Marathon.
Other planting projects are being planned by the FOCCP Horticulture Committee for a spring effort at the Crescent Garden.
Part of the summer flowers will include 10 azalea plants donated by Jen Royle owner Table Boston Restaurant in the North End.
The azaleas were planted in place of the roses that had not been thriving for years.
26th Christmas Program for North End Children
Saint Agrippina DiMineo Benefit Society will hold its 26th annual Christmas Program for North End children (only) on Sunday, December 12 with Santa giving out gifts from 12 noon to 2 PM at the Chapel located at 459 Hanover Street.
Children under 10 years of age that sign up by December 5 will receive a picture with Santa and a gift.
The holiday event will also include face painting, making balloon characters and gift bags.
Armenian Heritage Park Celebration
Armenian Heritage Park on The Greenway in conjunction with Boston’s Children’s Chorus, the Greenway Conservancy and Friends of Armenian Heritage Park recently held a Giving Thanks celebration in the park.
The celebration featured a performance by Boston Children’s Chorus, a song from its repertoire and Armenian folk songs.
Participants could tie a ribbon giving thanks on The Wishing Tree, walked the Labyrinth, meet and greet new and old friends and enjoy refreshments.
Landscaping Improvements at Columbus Park
Friends of Christopher Columbus Park (FOCCP) were pleased with the Boston Park’s Department for the latest planting on the park’s pathway to Richmond Street and along Atlantic Avenue.
The landscaping team led by Anthony Hennessey and complemented by work of the FOCCP Horticulture Committee made one of the most beautiful parks in the city even more attractive.