Boston's Pools Opening Soon for Summer

Ten city pools will be open seven days a week starting on June 29, including one in the South End.

Soon, you'll be able to cool down in a city pool any day of the week. The city announced on Monday that Boston's 10 Centers for Youth and Families (BCYF) city swimming pools and one city beach will stay open every day of the week starting on June 29.  In addition to the 10 pools open seven days a week, all of the city's pools are open on Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. During the week, pool hours vary depending on location.  One pool that will remain open all week is the South End's BCYF Blackstone pool, located on 50 West Brookline St. This year marks the second in a row the city has decided to open its pools early.  “With the warm weather on its way, we want our residents to be able to beat the heat seven days a week,” Mayor Tom …

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Beacon Hill Hotel & Bistro Celebrating 'Midsummer's Eve'

Running this week at the Charles Street establishment.

Beacon Hill Hotel & Bistro is holding a special holiday dinner to celebrate the Swedish summer solstice for "Midsummer's Eve" this week. According to a release from Beacon Hill Hotel & Bistro, Midsummer's Eve is considered one of the "greatest festivals of the year" in countries like Sweden, Finland and Estonia. This is a celebration that predates Christianity and is celebrated with "food, libations, activities and games including the traditional dance around the maypole." “Midsommarmiddag” or “Midsummer Dinner” will started Monday and will run until Sunday. It will be available from 5:30 to 11 p.m. (10 p.m. on Sunday) for $47 per person. This traditional prix fixe menua will be served along with the Bistro's regular menu and dinner …

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Post Your Beacon Hill Yard Sale and Patch Will Send Shoppers Your Way

Fill out this easy form and Patch will build an interactive map of garage sales, yard sales, estate sales in Boston. Share the details of what exactly you have for sale in the form!

Having a garage or yard sale? Share the details here to be added to our interactive map of sales. Later this week we'll show you a map of sales in the area. This map shows you sales in several Boston neighborhoods. You can also add your sale to your local Patch by clicking on it below: If you're looking at this on your mobile device, switch to desktop view.

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Five Things

July 4 Fireworks, Concert Won't Get National Telecast

Markey and Gomez go for Round 3 tonight in their final debate.

SONG OF THE DAY: "For Me This Is Heaven" by Jimmy Eat World Good morning, Beacon Hill! Here are five things you need to know today, Tuesday, June 18: 1. NO LONGER NATIONAL: In case you missed this, the annual 4th of July Boston Pops concert and fireworks show will not be televised nationally on CBS for the first time in 20 years due to declining ratings. It will still be broadcast locally on WBZ. 2. THE FINAL DEBATE: Ed Markey and Gabriel Gomez are set to tussle in their final debate before the June 25 U.S. Senate special election. Here's our preview here. 3. GET THE PATCH NEWSLETTER: Have you signed up for the Beacon Hill Patch Daily Newsletter yet? Each morning you can get Beacon Hill Patch news delivered directly to your e-mail inbox. …

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Welfare Reform Bill Introduced on Beacon Hill

The bill, aimed at curbing abuse and fraud, will be debated by the Senate Thursday.

  State Senate Democrats have introduced a new bill this week intended at reforming the Massachusetts welfare system, including forcing applicants to prove they have searched for employment through a state program. According to Boston.com, the bill is aimed at shaking up what Senate President Therese Murray called a "stagnant" system. And the Senate expects to act quickly with a vote coming Thursday. Boston.com reported the bill would also force adult welfare recipients to use EBT cards with "photographic identity." Penalties of perjury could be imposed on recipients who use a false identity. In a statement, Republican Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr said the bill "reflects a comprehensive approach that seeks to transition recipients …

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200 One Fund Claims & Counting as Submission Deadline Passes

More than $47 million has been donated to One Fund Boston, which will be dispersed to victims' families and survivors of the Boston Marathon bombings.

The deadline to submit claims to One Fund Boston passed on June 15, but the last few are still coming in. "We continue to receive claims that are timely filed – we are up to 200 – I expect we will receive deliveries all throughout the day and tomorrow that are timely filed," said Camille Biros, deputy administrator of the One Fund, to Patch on Monday. More than $47 million had been raised as of Monday morning by corporate and individual donors, according to the One Fund Boston website. Biros said 188 submitted claims had been received as of June 14, adding she expects the total to rise by the end of Monday. "Payments are right on schedule to be made beginning June 30 (July 1 since June 30 is a Sunday). Donations continue to be received by …

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Politicians on Parade in Charlestown

Candidates for Boston mayor, City Council and U.S. Senate were among those participating in the 2013 Bunker Hill Day Parade on Sunday.

With Boston's mayoral and City Council races heating up, many of the candidates turned out Sunday for Charlestown's Bunker Hill Day Parade, taking advantage of an opportunity to get their faces and names out in the community.  Among those marching was Beacon Hill's city councilor, Mike Ross, who is running for mayor.

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CBS Won't Broadcast July 4 Concert Nationally

According to a report, it will be the first time in 20 years the annual concert and fireworks display won't be seen by a national audience.

  The upcoming annual 4th of July Boston Pops concert on the Charles River Esplanade will be the first in many years to not be broadcast nationally. According to an AP report published in the Boston Herald, CBS declined to renew their contract with the producers of the show. The concert will continue to be broadcast locally on CBS affiliate WBZ-TV. Executive producer David Mugar said TV ratings for the annual concert and fireworks display have dropped in recent years, according to the report. In the past, the event has attracted national stars, including Jennifer Hudson last year. This year, the event will include more local artists like Susan Tedeschi, Ayla Brown and Howie Day.  The news was first reported by the Boston Globe.

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