Caesars crosses the Rubicon

Suffolk Downs is partnering with the world's largest gaming company to bring a $600 million casino to the East Boston/Revere racetrack. Suffolk lead owner Richard Fields announced today a "strategic alliance" with Caesars Entertainment, which "owns or manages casino resorts on four continents."

Of course, the state legislature has yet to legalize casinos in the Bay State, and right now a bill filed by East Boston state Sen. Anthony Petruccelli that would authorize three resort casinos is sitting idly, but speculation is that the legislature will take up the matter this summer.

Those opposed to bringing casinos to Massachusetts are looking for a comprehensive, independent study of the effects, positive and negative, that such a move will bring to our state. So far, no such study has been authorized, and some feel that this is an attempt to downplay or hide the actual consequences of expanded gaming.

Neighbors of Suffolk Downs will be hosting "A Forum on Expanded Gambling" at the Winthrop Middle School on Wednesday, May 4.

Taking a look at Winthrop

The Globe today points out the "unexpected treat" that is Winthrop -- a "small town dangling off Eastie into the harbor." One business mentioned is the Moonstruck Cafe in Winthrop Center, a cute spot that I visited not too long ago.

Photo from Boston.com

Don't forget the marshmallows

The state's Department of Conservation and Recreation is hosting oceanside campfires at area beaches in February, including Feb. 7 at Winthrop Beach, Feb. 14 at Revere Beach and Feb. 28 at East Boston's Constitution Beach. Sounds like fun.

The DCR's winter program also includes winter tracking (Feb. 14) and nature photography for beginners (Feb. 21), both at the Belle Isle Marsh. Click here for details.

RIP

Winthrop and East Boston lost a couple of long-time civic-minded sons this week. Alan Lupo, who chronicled the lives of average Joes and never held his tongue when confronting abuse of power, died Monday at age 70, while Tony Marmo, widely active among non-profits and youth sports organizations, passed away Tuesday at age 90.

Both communities are lesser places in their absence.

Winthrop stalls on Dunkin'

The Globe takes a look at conflict between the town of Winthrop and the Dunkin' Donuts on Main Street of that community. Some in the DD camp blame the Orient Heights traffic lights 3/4 of a mile away at the intersection of Bennington and Saratoga streets in East Boston. Traffic guru John Vitagliano, however, has used videotape -- some available to see with the story -- that points the finger at cars entering and exiting DD.

I'm not sure that I quite understand Winthrop's reluctance to enforce an order passed by its zoning board that says the drive-through window cannot open between 7 and 10 a.m. The article implies that it is not specifically that the decision is under appeal in state court that prohibits officials from following up on it. "We're a legislative branch; we're not executive, we can't enforce anything," the town council president said. Can't they tell the police to do so?

No ocean sand for Winthrop Beach

According to Boston.com, the Army Corps of Engineers denied a permit that would have had tons of sand taken from the ocean floor and deposited on Winthrop Beach, a plan some residents of that community hoped would slow the erosion of the shore line there. Apparently there are some environmental concerns with the proposal.

In the last paragraph the story says that, "Winthrop Beach area residents blame the beach erosion for a string of flooding problems over the years." Erosion is a natural process. Would I be out of line to say that the cause of the flooding is homes built next to an ocean?

Spring cleaning

***East Boston resident Robert DeCoste is organizing a clean-up of Peddocks Island, located in Boston Harbor, for Saturday, June 7. A student at Mass. Maritime Academy, DeCoste is working with the state Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Boston Harbor Island Alliance, and the Friends of the Boston Harbor Islands on the project, and he is looking for donors and volunteers. DeCoste has made a video of some of the five thousand pounds of trash and debris that litters the island's shoreline and you can watch that by clicking here. If you'd like to contact him, his email address is robdmma@hotmail.com.

***This just in from Mary Berninger: "East Boston Kiwanis Club, in conjunction with its sister clubs in Revere and Winthrop, is spearheading a cleanup of the Belle Isle Reservation for this Saturday, April 5. The event is scheduled to run from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation will be supplying rakes, trash bags, gloves and other equipment."

Winthrop Beach to finally get more sand

An editorial in today's Globe outlines why getting new sand at Winthrop Beach has become a 10-year process involving state and federal agencies, a deal with some lobstermen and legislative blackmail. It now looks as though the sand may be coming soon. The article also extols on the charms of the beach and neighboring Deer Island.