Eastie Pride Day

Back in 1989 community activist Sal LaMattina put together a neighborhood celebration and called it Eastie Pride Day. Today, Sal represents East Boston on the city council and his community festival is going strong.

The 21st Eastie Pride Day takes place today between 4 and 8 p.m. at Piers Park on the waterfront. It should be sunny and in the mid-80s at the start of the event. Click here to see the line-up of activities.

Fish feast

Years ago Christmas Eve included a visit to my father's mother, who lived first on Meridian Street, not far from the bridge, and then on Eutaw Street. I didn't see that side of the family as often as my mother's side -- even though everyone lived in East Boston -- so it was a chance to catch up with some relatives, and my grandmother treated me like a king, being that I was the only male among her seven grandchildren.

Grandma and her second husband put out traditional southern Italian fish dishes (including calamari, baccala, lobster and quahogs) on Christmas Eve -- known as the Feast of the Seven Fishes -- though at the time I didn't eat much fish, confining myself to shrimp and my step-grandfather's pizza. My dad and grandmother passed away years ago, but I have fond memories of the holidays (we sometimes went there for Easter as well) spent at her house, and I wish that my family carried on the fish tradition. I would happily try every one.