Around New England

Small Retailers Feeling the Brunt of Boston’s War on Plastic Bags

Matthew McDonald

Starting today, retail stores with 20,000 square feet or more in Boston have to stop providing thin-film single-use plastic bags to customers unless they have gotten a temporary waiver from the city.

They'll also have to charge customers at least 5 cents per bag, whatever kind of bag they offer.

Around New England

Cellist Plays Bach Across From Demolition of Historic Polish Church

Matthew McDonald

A cello player originally from Poland played Johann Sebastian Bach's Sarabande Suite Number 1 to mourn the demolition of a Polish church in the western Massachusetts city of Holyoke.

Ignacy Gaydamovich wasn't a parishioner of Mater Dolorosa Church, which closed in 2011 and has since then been the inspiration for prolonged efforts by parishioners to save it.

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