Cottage Park Yacht Club’s Blessing of the Fleet/Open House July 12

Special to the Transcript

If you want to get on the water more this summer, or you’re thinking that it’s finally time to learn to sail, buy that fishing boat, or just spend more afternoons hanging out with friends on the harbor, come down to Cottage Park Yacht Club on Saturday, July 12 for an Open House that runs from 1 to 4 p.m., and see what the place is all about.

The Open House will take place on CPYC’s head pier and feature music from the local band Locust, appetizers from Chef Michael, tours, door prizes, and the Sunset Bar open for the season.

After that introduction, stay for the Blessing of the Fleet, an annual tradition that features a Catholic Mass, Presentation of the Colors, and a parade of brightly decorated boats that wraps from the westerly mooring field into the marina for the blessing and then back out again. The day ends with an evening BBQ on the head pier (admission free, but BBQ is $10 for adults, $5 for kids) and a spectacular sunset behind the city.

Contact membership@cpyc.org for details.

NEWS Briefs

Celebrate 12 Years of Community, Culture, and Creativity at Eastie Week 2025

The East Boston community and Boston Harbor Now are proud to announce the return of Eastie Week, the beloved multi-week celebration of East Boston’s vibrant culture, community, music, and arts. Now in its 12th year, Eastie Week 2025 will take place from Sunday, July 13 through Sunday, July 27, with more than two dozen events hosted throughout the neighborhood by local artists, community groups, cultural organizations, and youth programs.

Everyone is welcome, whether you call Eastie home or you’re visiting for the first time.

Eastie Week Kickoff:

Eastie Week kicks off on Sunday, July 13, with the ZUMIX Walk for Music, a lively community parade beginning at the ZUMIX Firehouse and ending at Piers Park. Immediately following the walk are the Eastie Week Kickoff Celebration and the first concert of the ZUMIX Summer Concert Series, featuring the band Don’t Be Denied and an opening set by ZUMIX Youth performers.

Eastie Week Highlight:

On Saturday, July 19, the neighborhood will be buzzing with a full day of engaging, family-friendly events that highlight both the creative spirit and the waterfront access that make East Boston unique.

Spend the morning kayaking with Piers Park Sailing Center, then head over to the ICA Watershed Block Party from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., an all-ages celebration filled with music, art-making, games, food, and more. At 3:00 p.m. in Piers Park, the Boston Lyric Opera makes its Eastie Week debut with Street Stage at Piers Park, a free, outdoor concert in an oceanside amphitheater surrounded by stunning views of Boston Harbor.

Additional activities and events offered on July 19th include Greenway Soundscape, Tibetan spiritual healing and folk music; Ñ Press: Open Hours, featuring screen printing workshops, where community members can print their own shirts, monotypes, and collages; free family Zumba at the East Boston YMCA; and free live music at The Tall Ship.

Cambridge Health Alliance Raises More Than $770K at Art of Healing Gala

Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA), an academic community health system serving Cambridge, Somerville and Boston’s metro-north region, honored the Davis family with its annual Art of Healing Award on June 18 at the Royal Sonesta Hotel in Cambridge. For decades, the Davis family has invested in communities and social sector organizations that expand access to education, build skills, nurture talent, and address critical needs for housing, equitable health care, and other support services. The Davis family’s grantmaking is focused on a deep concern for issues of equity and opening pathways to opportunity, especially for underserved children and youth whose talents and potential often go unrealized.

“We are proud to honor the Davis family for their commitment to equity and improving the quality of life for underserved communities,” said Cambridge Health Alliance CEO Assaad Sayah, MD. “Their investment in addressing root causes and preventing poor health in our communities reflects CHA’s dedication to reducing disparities and improving health equity for all.”

The Art of Healing Award was presented during CHA’s signature fundraising event, which raised more than $770,000 to support the health system’s vision of equity and excellence for everyone, every time. Proceeds from the evening will directly support expanding CHA’s robust health care system, which provides outstanding health care services to patients, but also invests in the future through capital improvements, workforce development and meeting the clinical needs of CHA’s patient population through innovation.

This year’s event highlighted CHA’s commitment to access and excellence. CHA cares for 150,000 patients while expanding its reach through a new location at CHA One Cabot Care Center and two Community Behavioral Health Centers, and actively investing in innovative technology to best serve its patient population.

The Art of Healing Award celebrates visionary people who transcend boundaries, embrace humanity and inspire the healing of body and spirit. Past honorees include Marylou Sudders, former Mass. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Dr. Noubar Afeyan, founder and CEO of Flagship Pioneering, John Rosenthal, founder of Stop Handgun Violence, former Mass. Governor Michael and Mrs. Kitty Dukakis, and Donald Berwick, MD, former Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.