On Sunday, May 31, NEW Health (North End Waterfront Health) brought the community together for its fourth annual Viva le Bocce tournament at Langone Park. Running from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., the event invited local residents to watch the tournament at no cost while enjoying a festive, community-focused atmosphere. 

Attendees were treated to snacks, refreshments, raffles, and giveaways, while browsing informational tables set up by various community organizations. The successful event was made possible with the backing of Platino Sponsors, which included C3 – The Community Care Cooperative, CVS Health, Eastern Bank, and the Mass League of Community Health Centers.

Donations generated throughout the Viva le Bocce tournament are critical to supporting NEW Health’s expansive community outreach. Beyond providing medical, dental, vision, behavioral health, OB-GYN, and laboratory services in the North End and Charlestown, the health center funds numerous local initiatives. Proceeds from the tournament will help sustain:

• A robust food access program, including the Community Fridge in Charlestown

• Scholarships for individuals pursuing health care careers

• Substance use disorder services, including the Public Health Vending Machine at the Charlestown location

• A free Walking Club for the community

• A variety of dedicated programs for seniors

For information on the above and more, visit newhealthcenter.org/services-care/

About NEW Health

As a federally qualified health center and an affiliate of Massachusetts General Hospital and Boston Medical Center, North End Waterfront Health (NEW Health) extends its world-renowned healthcare services to people who live and work in and around Boston’s North End, Waterfront and Charlestown neighborhoods. NEW Health is committed to improving the quality of health and life for those it serves by providing high quality health care that is consumer oriented, culturally appropriate, neighborhood-based, affordable, and produces positive outcomes. NEW Health is a 2023 Health Center Quality Leader (HCQL), the only Massachusetts health center to receive a Gold badge from the Health Resources and Services Administration, among the top 10% of health centers nationwide.

NEW Health has been serving the North End of Boston and the surrounding community since 1971. In addition to primary care services for all patients, many specialty services are also offered including dental, vision, behavioral health, obstetrics, gynecology, laboratory services and x-ray services. NEW Health is a private, non-profit corporation that is governed by a community-based Board of Directors and licensed by the Department of Public Health. More information at www.newhealthcenter.org, on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

NEW Health is now accepting applications for The Elaine Wilson Scholarship for Community Health Outreach & Public Service. Established in 2023, the Elaine Wilson Scholarship for Community Health Outreach and Public Service was named in honor of NEW Health’s founder and first Chief Executive Officer, Elaine Wilson who joined the health center movement in 1971 and opened one of the first Federally Qualified Health Centers in the country. Through her unwavering commitment and passion to provide much needed accessible and affordable healthcare services for the residents of the North End she opened the health center in 1972. 

The Elaine Wilson Scholarship will award $2,500 to a resident of either the North End or Charlestown neighborhoods of Boston who is a matriculating student or applying to an institution of higher learning, (college or university) pursuing studies in healthcare, public health, or healthcare administration.

Please note that the application deadline is August 12th, 2026, and scholarship recipients will be announced on August 21st. If you have any questions, please reach out to Cristina Luna at acluna@mgb.org.

You can submit your application digitally, print out the PDF, or pick up and drop off a physical copy at our front desks at the Tufts or Hanover St. sites.

Applications are available online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/FDYBXB8

Watch the World Cup at Boston Public Market beginning Friday, June 12

The Boston Public Market Association (BPMA) announced 16 days of extended FanFest hours in honor of the World Cup. From Friday, June 12 through Saturday, June 27, the local food and drink hub will be open late, showing matches on the big screen. From savory gourmet sandwiches and craft beverages to globally inspired meals and award-winning sweet treats, experience the delicious diversity of Boston Public Market’s vendors.

Options include fresh sandwiches, smoothies, bagels, crêpes, ice cream, baked goods, roasted nuts, hearty salads, New England seafood favorites, Mexican, Moroccan, and Asian-inspired meals, plus local hard cider, craft beer, wine, and cocktails—with even more to discover throughout the Market.

 Boston Public Market at 100 Hanover St, Boston. Located across the street from City Hall Plaza .

If you are taking the MBTA, the Boston Public Market is directly above Haymarket T Station and walking distance from North Station & South Station. There is parking on-site.

From Friday, June 12 – Saturday, June 27; the extended hours for the first five days of Fanfest are below:

Friday, June 12th 8 AM–11 PM

Saturday, June 13th 8 AM–11 PM

Sunday, June 14th 8 AM–9 PM

Monday, June 15th 8 AM–8 PM

Tuesday, June 16th 8 AM–11 PM

Visit bostonpublicmarket.org/ for the full schedule of extended hours, to learn more about vendors, and follow @bostonpublicmarket for specials and updates.

By John Romano   

Registration for NEAA 2026 Fall Soccer is now underway.  Our program will begin on Saturday, September 12th and run through Saturday November 7th.  There will be no games on Sat. October 10th as part of Columbus Day Weekend.

The program will run as follows:

Boys & Girls Ages 4/5 Year Olds – Saturdays from 9am to 10am

Boys & Girls Ages 6 to 8 Year Olds – Practice on Tuesdays from 5:30pm to 6:30pm, Games on Saturdays from 10:15 to 11:15am

Boys & Girls Ages 9 to 12 Years Old – Practice on Thursdays from 5:30pm to 6:30pm, Games on Saturdays from 11:30am to 1:00pm.

**All ages are as of 9/1/26.

Registration cost is $65 per player, this includes Team Shirt, Soccer Socks and a new ball for those who need one – if you have last years’ please bring it.  All new players will get a new ball or those moving up to the 9 to 12 group will get the larger size ball.

Space is limited, so sign up early.

The North End Athletic Association will never prevent a child from playing in our programs due to an inability to pay our registration fee.  If you need assistance, please contact NEAA Sports Coordinator John Romano at (617) 750-9749.

To Register go to: https://neaasportsboston.sportngin.com/neaa-soccer,  

2026 NEAA Mayor’s Cup Travel Team:

The NEAA is considering entering a couple of teams in the  Mayor’s Cup Tournament this year.  We are not exactly sure what ages yet but we know it will most likely be COED Teams playing in the Boys division.  We don’t have all the exact specifics yet but are trying to gauge interest.  It will mean an extra practice session on the weekend with the “tournament team” and the tournament will take place late in our season, likely early November.  There is a specific checkbox to let us know that you are interested.  This will be for ages 6 and up.  Players must be registered as part of our regular 2026 Fall Soccer program to qualify.

 DO NOT WAIT TO REGISTER AS WE HAVE LIMITED SPACE IN AGE AGE GROUP!

Any questions email me or call/text (617) 750-9749.

Join the Friends of Christopher Columbus Park (FOCCP) for a fun-filled summer afternoon filled to the brim with family friendly events. 

FOCCP will be hosting their Independence Day celebration on June 27, at the park from noon to 3:30 p.m. Marvel at a magic show with Peter the Magician. Gather around for mesmerizing storytelling by Big Joe the Storyteller. Enjoy the NEMPAC Musical Petting Zoo. Join the Knucklebones crew for energetic lawn games. Line up to meet the artist Frankie B and her face painting crew. Little ones and not so little ones can express their creativity at our craft tables including one hosted by our very own North End Children’s Librarian, Ashley. Multitalented Bruce of Bruce’s Fun Company and his partner, Lady Jane, will be there to delight with balloon twisties.  The event culminates on the west lawn with Bruce amazing the crowd with GIANT bubbles. The all-volunteer members of the Friends of Christopher Columbus Park are delighted to bring this fabulous event to our spectacular neighborhood park.  

Check out the entertainment schedule at foccp.org/foccpevents 

The North End Athletic Association’s Midnight Riders lacrosse program enjoyed a successful and memorable day at the Battle of Boston Tournament on Saturday, June 6, held in South Boston.

The tournament brought together 98 teams from across Massachusetts and the Greater Boston area, providing young athletes with an opportunity to compete, develop their skills, and celebrate the sport of lacrosse.

Leading the way for the Midnight Riders was the 3rd/4th Grade Boys team, which captured its division championship with a perfect 5-0 record.  The program was also represented by its 1st/2nd Grade Girls and 1st/2nd Grade Boys teams.  All teams competed hard, and represented the N.E.A.A. Midnight Riders with enthusiasm and sportsmanship.

Beyond the competition, the tournament served as a celebration of the growth of the Midnight Riders program.  Players, coaches, parents, family members, and friends spent the day together supporting one another and enjoying the camaraderie that has become a hallmark of the program.

The N.E.A.A. is especially grateful to David Paolisso who is the Commissioner of the North End’s program.  Dave and his wife Allie, along with all the volunteer coaches have really done a fantastic job in just three short years.  

The recent decision by those in charge at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to allow for the sale of fruit-flavored vapes in the United States represents a huge step backwards after a longstanding ban of these fruit-flavored, nicotine-based products because of their appeal to children.

Nicotine is highly addictive and affects the developing adolescent brain in ways that rival other hard drugs. The still-developing human brain is susceptible to substances (including alcohol, nicotine, marijuana, and drugs of all kinds) that alter  brain chemistry that can lead to a lifetime of addiction.

For example, children who start drinking alcohol at the age of 15 are five times more likely to become alcoholics than those who do not start to drink until they are in their 20s.

As for cigarettes, a study in England found that the most-common link among heroin addicts was that they began smoking as teenagers.

The FDA’s recent decision reverses a former policy that had banned fruit-flavored e-cigarettes (such as JUULS)  because of their appeal to children. Given that about 90 percent of the 1.5 million American teenagers from middle school through high school who use e-cigarettes (which typically are disposable imports that are not covered by the ban on JUULS) choose flavored products, the American Academy of Pediatrics and many public health advocates have criticized the FDA’s abrupt change in policy.

We should point out that thankfully, the FDA’s new policy will not overrule our state law here in Massachusetts, which has banned the sale of fruit-flavored e-cigs since 2019.

In addition, Glas Inc., the Los Angeles-based company that manufactures the e-cigarettes that received FDA approval, asserts that its technology will preclude young people from being able to use their products. Their authorized devices are designed to pair with smartphones via Bluetooth, so they will not work if separated from the phone of the verified adult owner.

Technology is a great thing, and we certainly hope that the tech being embedded in these new e-cigs will prevent them from being accessible to young people. 

However, e-cigarettes have been shown to cause long-term damage to the lungs of users at any age. In our view, whatever benefit there may be to allowing these fruit-flavored vapes to come on the market (in theory, to wean smokers away from cigarettes) is far outweighed by the great harm that can result from a lifetime of addiction to nicotine if begun at an early age.

Mayor Michelle Wu has announced that the City of Boston will host six community watch parties for residents, families, and visitors this summer. Together with the FIFA Fan Festival hosted by Boston 26, these neighborhood celebrations will bring the excitement, energy, and spirit of the World Cup directly into communities across Boston.

“Boston is proud to welcome the world this summer, and these watch parties will help bring the excitement and spirit of the World Cup directly into our communities,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “These free, family-friendly events give residents throughout our neighborhoods the chance to celebrate the games close to home—cheering together, sharing cultures, and being part of a historic moment for our City.”

From Dorchester to East Boston, Roxbury to Charlestown, neighborhoods across the city are already buzzing with anticipation as Boston prepares to host seven FIFA World Cup matches this summer. Mayor Wu’s community watch parties are one way to help ensure that the excitement, celebration, and opportunity associated with this summer’s historic events extend into every neighborhood, giving residents the chance to celebrate the tournament in their own way.

“Soccer has always been a way for communities to come together, celebrate culture, and build connections across neighborhoods and generations,” said City Councilor At-Large Ruthzee Louijeune. “These watch parties will create joyful, welcoming spaces where families, residents, and visitors from every background can experience the excitement of the World Cup together. In a city as diverse and vibrant as Boston, it’s important that the energy and opportunities surrounding this global event are felt not only downtown, but in every neighborhood across our city.”

The City is able to host various watch parties after receiving official approval from FOX on our FIFA World Cup 2026 Public Viewing Event applications. The selected matches reflect communities with strong cultural ties and large diasporas across Boston, including Cabo Verdean, Haitian, Colombian, Brazilian and Portuguese communities. 

Each watch party will feature a large viewing screen, live music, family-friendly activities, face painting, food vendors, and community programming for residents and visitors of all ages to enjoy. The events will also provide opportunities to support Boston’s small businesses and local vendors throughout the tournament.

“As a community leader in Boston, I am deeply excited and proud to see the City of Boston creating spaces for communities to come together and celebrate the World Cup through public watch parties,” said Ruth Georges, Haitian community leader. “For Haitians across Boston, Haiti’s return to the world stage for the first time since 1974 is an emotional and historic moment that represents resilience, culture, pride, and the enduring spirit of the Haitian people. This is bigger than soccer — it is about visibility, unity, and creating opportunities for Haitian families, youth, and communities across the diaspora to celebrate our heritage alongside the American and Caribbean communities that make Boston so vibrant and diverse. To witness Haiti’s historic return in a city like Boston makes this moment even more meaningful, powerful, and unforgettable. To our community and supporters, Grenadye alaso!”

“It’s exciting to see the City of Boston creating opportunities for communities with connections to World Cup teams to come together, celebrate their cultures, and strengthen community ties,” said Miguel Vargas, President of Bajucol, an East Boston-based Colombian folkloric dance troupe. “Events like these not only bring people together through soccer, but also create meaningful opportunities to support local businesses and highlight the diversity that makes neighborhoods like East Boston so special.”

“Soccer has a unique ability to bring people together across cultures, languages, and neighborhoods, and these community watch parties are a beautiful reflection of that spirit,” said Caroline K. Foscato, President and Founder of Soccer Unity Project. “We are incredibly grateful to the Mayor for the City’s longstanding partnership with Soccer Unity Project on the Boston Unity Cup, one of Boston’s most ethnically diverse events, uniting communities through the global game. We also thank the City of Boston for stepping up during this once-in-a-lifetime moment to use soccer as a vehicle for residents to celebrate together and build unity with their friends, families, and neighbors by sharing the joy and energy of the World Cup throughout the city – especially in the communities that so love football (soccer) but may not always have access to the game. These events will help ensure that every neighborhood feels connected to this historic moment for Boston and for the game of soccer.”

Below is a list of free, family-friendly watch parties the City is hosting:

Watch Party #1 – Spain vs. Cabo Verde – Monday, June 15 | 1:00 PM ET; Town Field, Dorchester 

Watch Party #2 – Brazil vs. Haiti – Friday, June 19 | 9:00 PM ET; Parkman Bandstand, Boston Common

Watch Party #3 – Colombia vs. Portugal – Saturday, June 27 | 7:30 PM ET;?ast Boston Memorial Stadium 

Watch Party #4 – FIFA World Cup Semi Final – Tuesday, July 14 | 3:00 PM ET;?ocation to be announced at a later date

Watch Party #5 – FIFA World Cup Semi Final – Wednesday, July 15 | 3:00 PM ET;?ocation to be announced at a later date

Watch Party #6 – FIFA World Cup Final – Sunday, July 19 | 3:00 PM ET;?ocation to be announced at a later date

In addition to the community watch parties the City is encouraging residents to celebrate this historic summer in ways that reflect the unique character of their own neighborhoods and communities. Earlier this spring, the City launched both the Summer Block Party Grant Program and the Office of Cultural Affairs Mini Grant Program to support community-led celebrations, cultural events, and neighborhood gatherings connected to the summer’s major events. The City also received financial support from the Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism for the watch parties. These programs are designed to help ensure residents across Boston can celebrate in ways that are meaningful, accessible, and reflective of their communities.

The City of Boston continues to partner with The Boston Host Committee (Boston 26) for the FIFA World Cup 2026 to ensure residents, families, and visitors are connected to exciting events and programming throughout the upcoming tournament. For more details on the FIFA Fan Festival, please visit the official FIFA World Cup 2026 website or the Boston 26 website.

Residents and visitors are encouraged to support local businesses during the tournament and explore the City’s Neighborhood Business Guide and summer programming at boston.gov/summer. 

As new national research points to a dramatic decline in reading for pleasure across the United States, the Boston Public Library Fund is launching its 2026 Summer Readathon to help readers of all ages reconnect with books, storytelling, and the joy of discovery.

From June 22 to August 22, participants are invited to set a personal reading goal and ask friends, family, and colleagues to support their progress. Whether they choose to read a certain number of books or track hours spent reading, Readathon participants will help raise critical funds for the Boston Public Library’s youth programs and resources.

The Readathon comes at a pivotal moment for reading culture in America. A major national study released in 2025 found that daily reading for pleasure in the United States has declined by more than 40% over the last two decades, with the percentage of Americans who read daily for enjoyment dropping from 28% in 2004 to just 16% in 2023. Researchers pointed to increased screen time, digital distraction, and shifting leisure habits as key contributors to the trend.

This year’s theme, “Unearth Your Story,” encourages readers to dig into new books, revisit beloved favorites, and rediscover the power of reading to spark imagination, creativity, and connection.

Joining is easy:

• Set a reading goal, such as a number of books or hours read.

• Create a fundraising page and share why the Library matters to you.

• Invite friends, family,  and colleagues to donate, such as $5 per book or $1 per hour read.

• Track your progress and post updates throughout the summer.

To sign up or learn more, please visit:  https://www.justgiving.com/campaign/2026summer

The mission of the Fund is to provide financial support to the Boston Public Library, ensuring that it remains viable, engaging, accessible, and free to all. The Fund fulfills this mission by working in partnership with the Library, donors, and other funders in supporting BPL programs and special initiatives. Support from the Fund supplements, but does not supplant, other BPL resources, including City of Boston funding.

The MBTA has announced the availability of special edition collectible CharlieCards featuring iconic Boston landmarks to celebrate an exciting summer of events taking place in Boston and the surrounding Commonwealth this year. 

“The MBTA is excited to welcome thousands of visitors to the Commonwealth for this summer’s MA250, SailBoston, and World Cup special events,” said Interim Secretary of Transportation and MBTA General Manager and CEO Phillip Eng. “These special edition CharlieCards – featuring photos of iconic Boston landmarks like the Boston Public Library, the USS Constitution, and our own South Station – are another way we’re sharing in the celebrations with the rest of the region. Designed by our Customer Experience Design Lead in collaboration with our Fares team, the collectible cards are a fun way for both riders and visitors to explore the city, discover new destinations, and commemorate their travels. We hope they add a little extra enjoyment to every journey while showcasing the many experiences that make Boston and Massachusetts such a remarkable place to visit and explore.” 

The MBTA’s Customer Experience team in partnership with the MBTA Fare Revenue Department created this series of three commemorative cards highlighting major local landmarks and events that make Boston and Massachusetts special—and all easily accessible by the MBTA.

Cards are available now within fare vending machines at Park Street, Downtown Crossing, and Forest Hills with additional cards deployed at over a dozen more stations throughout the subway system this week.