Mike Ross's Summer Plans

With the budget season over, City Councilor Mike Ross thinks the city can get down to the summer time living.

“This is the week to be in Boston,” Councilor Mike Ross said. “If you cant have fun in Boston around the Fourth of July, then something isn’t right.” 

With the budget pressure off, Ross said he'll focus on getting into the community over the next few weeks. On June 11, Ross hosts softball games at The Mission Hill Playground near Smith Street and The Basilica of Our Lady of Perpetual Help. Ross and his staff provide gloves and other gear for pick up games against local youth organizations in the neighborhood.

“This is a great opportunity to meet the families and the younger generations of the neighborhood. Representative Jeff Sanchez often joins me in these games. We play as often as we can and we host a BBQ with burgers and hot dogs as well,” Ross said.

The game is a Summer fixture, according to Ross staff assistant Johanna Sena.

“We try to do them every Wednesday at 5:30 p.m., after the Fourth,” Sena said. “Councilor Ross teams up with local kids and other guests, like other representatives or Boston police officers."

Seana said anone is welcome to play.

"To confirm participation in case of postponement or if Councilor Ross has other appointments, we ask that you contact our office 617-635-4225. We usually need players,” she said.

Ross said that one of the major attractions to the downtown area is The Spray Pool at the Frog Pond in the Common, which is open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. for children ages 12 and under. The Earl of Sandwhich shop will open up in the 660-square foot Pink Palace, a long-dormant historical building last used as a restroom. The hope is a new restaurant will help enliven and activate the common.

"This will add a whole new feeling of safety and being welcomed in the Common after dark," Ross said. 

One of the programs that Councilor Ross is the most excited about is the 17^th season of Shakespeare on the Common, which is put on by the Commonwealth Shakespeare Company. This year, the politically charged “Coriolanus” will run from July 25 to August 12.