South Boston Today January 20 2022 by SouthBostonTodayOnline

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January 20, 2022: Vol.10 Issue 3

SERVING SOUTH BOSTONIANS AROUND THE GLOBE

Are Protests At The Homes Of Public Officials Protected Free Speech?

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t is the go-to tactic of Antifa and other extremist groups, nonetheless, a not-so-extreme group of antivax protestors took their complaints from City Hall to Mayor Michelle Wu’s home in Roslindale, where they gathered with megaphones and shouted chants as early as 7 a.m. The protesters said they opposed the

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January 20, 2022

EDITORIAL Childcare Dilemma

f there is a need that government can address, it is the need for affordable childcare. But not just the government. Business owners and CEOs of large corporations admit that they are having trouble getting people back to work because of childcare. President’s Biden’s attempt to address it is mired in the political stand-off in Washington DC. It appears that Democrats are too generous, and Republicans are too stingy. But business needs to step up if it want to rebound and thrive. New York State has set

aside $1.1 billion, made available through the previously approved American Rescue Plan toward Child Care Stabilization Grants, to subsidize providers. In Canada, Quebec’s has a subsidized childcare system, which, according to a Bloomberg report, has generated more tax revenue for the Canadian province because it kept women in the workforce and actually pays for itself. It is reality. Many working single parents leave their children with a relative or at the home of a lady down the street. They can’t afford

formal preschool or day care, which now averages almost $10,000 a year. With the high cost of living, twoincome families are usually a must in most households. Add the necessity of childcare, especially amid a pandemic, and the equation gets much more complicated. As businesses navigate staffing shortages, parents returning to the office are struggling to find access to affordable, high-quality childcare. For licensed child-care providers, staffing was a challenge prior to COVID, according to many reports nationwide. Affordable, quality childcare impacts not only families as they grapple with house-

hold budgets and the cost of working, but also businesses across all sectors in their efforts to recruit top talent. Recruiting is even more challenging now in the pandemic, as some parents have opted out of the workforce in order to raise a family. All of this can affect the economy. Childcare is an economic issue. And child-care costs have increased by more than twice the rate of inflation over

the past 30 years, according to the Center for American Progress, a policy institute. The result has hit low to moderate-income female workers especially hard. Women are downshifting their careers or leaving the workforce. Of all of the so-called “soft infrastructure” issues that need to be carved out of the Build Back Better Plan of the President, Childcare is the main candidate.

“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” - Walt Disney

Quick and Easy Chicken Noodle Soup

n 25 minutes, brimming with chicken, vegetables and egg noodles, and seasoned with fresh parsley, pepper, bay leaf and chopped garlic Ingredients • 1tablespoon olive or vegetable oil • 2cloves garlic, finely chopped • 8medium green onions, sliced (1/2 cup) • 2medium carrots, chopped (1 cup) • 2cups cubed cooked chicken • 2cups uncooked egg noodles (4 oz) • 1tablespoon chopped fresh parsley or 1 teaspoon parsley flakes • 1/4teaspoon pepper • 1dried bay leaf • 6cups Progresso™ chicken broth (from two 32-oz cartons)

Publisher

John Ciccone

In 3-quart saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Add garlic, onions and carrots; cook 4 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in remaining ingredients. Heat to boiling; reduce heat. Cover; simmer about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until carrots and noodles are tender. Remove bay leaf. Tips from the Betty Crocker Kitchens Pasta continues to absorb liquid, so if you make the soup ahead plan to cook the noodles separately and stir them in just before serving. If you’d like, bypass the egg noodles and add rotini, fusilli, or cavatappi pasta for a change of pace. To ensure even cooking, cut vegetables so they are similar in size. Most broth-based soups freeze well for up to 6 months. Pour soup into freezer containers, leaving 1/2 to 1 inch headspace because soups expand as they freeze.

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January 20, 2022

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MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES JOB POSTINGS FOR KEY CABINET-LEVEL POSITIONS City announces search for a Green New Deal Senior Advisor, Chief of Planning, Chief of Human Services, and Chief Information Officer

ayor Michelle Wu yesterday announced the City is seeking to hire several key Cabinet positions that will help deliver on the Mayor’s vision for a more equitable and resilient Boston. The openings include two newly created Cabinet-level positions, a Green New Deal Senior Advisor, and a Chief of Planning. Additionally, the City is filling the critical roles of Chief Information Officer (CIO) and Chief of Human Services. “We’re building a team to reshape what’s possible for Boston through the power of City government,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “I’m so excited to work alongside leaders ready to tackle our challenges and connect our communities through bold, urgent action.” The open roles are as follows: Senior Advisor, Boston Green New Deal The Senior Advisor will help shape a cross-departmental approach to climate and equity-led governance and help make Boston a groundbreaking model of city leadership. The Senior Advisor, working in close partnership with the Mayor, the Chief of Environment, Energy, and Open Space (EEO), the Chief of Operations, Chief of Streets, Chief of Planning, School Superintendent, and other senior City officials will have primary responsibility for driving the initiatives of the Boston Green New Deal and Just Recovery Plan laid out by Mayor Wu. The Senior Advisor will provide leadership on building climate resilient infrastructure and affordable housing, shape zoning and planning, transit, and environmental justice initiatives, and collaborate with other City departments to build and renovate schools and other public facilities to meet net-zero standards and advance the Mayor’s climate agenda. As a member of the Mayor’s Cabinet, this individual will co-chair a Green New Deal Cabinet with Chief of Environment, Energy, and Open Space, Reverend Mariama White-Hammond, and work closely with community members

and stakeholders, and City, State, and federal leaders to ensure citywide climate resiliency and the execution of the City’s carbon neutrality plans. The City will be partnering with a search firm to support the hiring process for the Green New Deal Senior Advisor. Chief of Planning The Chief of Planning’s job is to build a Boston with and for everyone. This role will have primary responsibility for driving the Mayor’s vision for planning that advances the goals of a more equitable, resilient, transit-oriented, and affordable City. The Chief of Planning will have an unprecedented opportunity to be at the forefront of making this vision a reality. The creation of a Cabinet-level Chief of Planning is the first step in Mayor Wu’s efforts to reform the City’s processes for planning and development. The Chief of Planning will serve as the Mayor’s point person to coordinate and direct all City plans, land use directives, and all related development policies and procedures. The Chief will play a central role in considering structural reforms to the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) while assuming a top leadership role in ongoing planning, zoning and development. From that position, the Chief will work with the BPDA Board, Director, and staff to advance reforms that ensure a planningled approach to development review. The Chief of Planning will also assume responsibility for advancing the City’s plans for zoning code reforms, spearhead public engagement initiatives to involve residents and community groups in planning, and coordinate with development review staff to ensure predictability and alignment between development and the City’s planning goals. Chief of Human Services The City is hiring a Chief of Human Services, who will help work toward a more equitable City, by ensuring that city services and opportunities for Boston residents are accessible and responsive to the needs of all.

The Chief of Human Services will lead the implementation of the Mayor’s human services agenda for Boston, overseeing key departments that provide services to City residents, and working in partnership with social service organizations and service providers across the City. The departments within the Cabinet focus, in particular, on services for youth, seniors, veterans and persons with disabilities. Those departments deliver direct services, provide regulatory oversight, and build partnerships to help these constituents and all Boston’s residents thrive. Chief Information Officer The Chief Information Officer (CIO) is the City’s most senior IT leader, serving on the Mayor’s Cabinet and

leading the Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT). That Department helps connect the City’s more than 18,000 employees with the hundreds of thousands of constituents they serve. The City is hiring for a CIO who will improve government operations and positively impact quality of life for Boston residents by expanding and leading the City’s digital services, analytics capabilities, cybersecurity practices, broadband access, and internal and external facing technology tools, platforms, and infrastructure. More details on the minimum requirements and core responsibilities, as well as a link to apply, are available on the City’s website for the Senior Advisor, Chief of Planning, Chief of Human Services, and Chief Information Officer.

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SOUTHBOSTONTODAY • www.southbostontoday.com

January 20, 2022

Window Into The State House

Window Into The State House provides our readers a synopsis of important issues of interest, past and current, that are being proposed, debated or acted upon by the Massachusetts Legislature. Many issues that are not related to local city government services are acted upon and have a direct impact on daily life. They are tax policy, transportation infrastructure, judicial appointments, social services and health, as well as higher education. We will excerpt reports from the gavel-to-gavel coverage of House and Senate sessions by news sources focused on this important aspect of our lives. These sources include a look ahead at the coming week in state government and summaries and analyses of the past week, re-caps of a range of state government activity, as well as links to other news.

Healey makes her decision... She’s in. Attorney General Maura Healey announced earlier this morning she is running for governor, setting herself up as the likely frontrunner in the race for the state’s top office. Healey released a video this morning making it official, and plans her first campaign event at East Boston’s Maverick Square MBTA station at 9 a.m. where she will give brief remarks, take questions, and meet with voters. “I’ve stood with you as the People’s Lawyer, and now I’m running to be your governor to bring us together and come back stronger than ever,” Healey says in the video.

Boston Globe’s Emma Platoff and Matt Stout and Boston Herald’s Erin Tiernan reported late yesterday afternoon that Healey was likely to make her plans clear today, and pointed out that she comes into the race with more than $3.6 million in campaign cash. There’s more to watch on Beacon Hill House Speaker Ronald Mariano is faced with several tough decisions now that former Majority Leader Claire Cronin is shipping off to Dublin. The Easton Democrat was sent off in style Wednesday as lawmakers and top state officials packed the House chamber to watch

her take her oath as ambassador and give a farewell speech. Who will he put forward to fill the number two spot in the House and will leadership decide to call a special election to fill Cronin’s seat with less than 10 months until the statewide election? As of Wednesday, Mariano had not made a decision on the next majority leader and wasn’t ready to present a person to the Democratic caucus during a morning meeting. Among the names being floated are Speaker Pro Tempore Kate Hogan (D-Stow) and Assistant Majority Leader Michael Moran (D-Brighton). The timing of Cronin’s departure also presents unique challenges for any potential 11th Plymouth special election. At times in the past when representatives have resigned at this point in the session, a special election has not been called. Former Rep. Vincent Pedone is one example of that. He resigned in mid-January 2012 ahead of that year’s statewide election and top House officials at the time decided against a special election. Another complication are the results of redistricting. Cronin’s current district is set to overlap with that of incumbent Rep. Gerard Cassidy, potentially pitting the winner of a special election against an incumbent. COVID cases, hospitalizations on the decline Cases of COVID-19 in Massachusetts continued to decline Wednesday while hospitalizations dropped slightly for the second day in a row. MassLive’s Benjamin Kail reports the lower numbers come after weeks of record totals fueled by the omicron variant. Public officials reported 14,647 new COVID-19 cases and 3,187 patients hospitalized for the virus.

Galvin gives himself a deadline Secretary of State William Galvin told MASSterList he will announce a decision on whether to run for reelection by the end of the month or sooner, pointing to the February start of party caucuses to elect delegates to the statewide convention. “The party has certain rules that you have to announce what you’re doing very quickly and it’s approaching at the end of the month,” Galvin said Wednesday afternoon. “By that time, or sooner, I will say something, and everyone will know, but I don’t think I’ve hidden much.” Galvin has repeatedly said for months that he enjoys his job and has more to do in the position. But his comments hold more urgency now that NAACP Boston President Tanisha Sullivan announced her secretary of state candidacy, centering issues of public records access and voting rights as top priorities. No coal: Santa delivers solid December for state’s casinos The state’s three casinos ended 2021 on a high note, with Encore Boston Harbor posting its secondbest month ever for gaming revenues, MGM Springfield recording its fifth-best month, and Plainridge Park marking its best December since 2019, Jon Chesto of the Globe and Tom Reilly of the Sun Chronicle report. Rep. Robinson hearing set for early February Mark Feb. 3 on your calendar. That’s the day state Rep. Maria Robinson will appear before the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committing for a hearing on her nomination to become assistant secretary of energy in the Office of Electricity. State House News Service’s Katie Lannan recontinued on page 6

January 20, 2022

SOUTHBOSTONTODAY • www.southbostontoday.com

Boston Sparks Association Awarded State Funding To Support First Responders

he Boston Sparks Association, a 501 (c)(3)nonprofit organization located at the Fire Museum at 344 Congress Street, was recently awarded state funding to support the organization’s ongoing efforts. The A-10 Rehab, which Boston Sparks Association is commonly known as, houses three Rehab Support vehicles at the Boston Fire Museum. The A-10 Rehab provides support and rehab to the first responders (Firefighters/Police/EMS personnel) on the fireground as well as the victims of the incident. The A-10 units are manned by all volunteers and respond 24/7/365. The rehab support coverage area serves the entire City of Boston and the 35 Departments of Metro Fire outside of Boston. Senator Nick Collins and Representative David Biele were instrumental in sponsoring and advocating for a state grant which was awarded to the organization as

part of the FY22 budget. The financial assistance will be used to purchase additional equipment and supplies. “It is important to be sure we provide such a passionate volunteer group with financial means to purchase equipment and supplies to support our first responders in Massachusetts,” said Senator Nick Collins. “The mission of the rehab team is incredible and invaluable for the first responders in the Boston area. Their commitment to serve and support our emergency teams in any condition is unmatched,” said Representative David Biele. Senator Collins and Representative Biele paved the way to help support our first responders throughout the Boston Metro area. They are well appreciated as the Boston Sparks expects to expand their canteen and rehab services to include multiple cities and towns on the South Shore.

The Boston Sparks Association, Inc. also operates the Boston Fire Museum which is currently under

Outside the Boston Fire Museum and Headquarters for the A10 Rehab Units left to right Senator Nick Collins, BSA member Justin Holstrom and State Representative David Biele

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renovation and expected to open to the public in the Spring with a brand new look.

6 Protests continued from front page

vaccine mandate, particularly for government workers who could be fired or suspended for not complying with vaccination requirements. A similar requirement for employees is already in place on the state level. They didn’t stop there. They then went to City Council president Ed Flynn’s home in South Boston. This past weekend marked the official start of Boston’s citywide vaccination mandate, and in the weeks leading up to the roll-out, some Bostonians have made it clear through protests that they’re unhappy with Mayor Michelle Wu’s new policy. Boston.com readers were asked if they felt the protesters had gone too far by gathering outside the mayor’s home, and the majority of the more than 2,000 readers who responded to our poll said there was nothing wrong with how they were choosing to protest. “These are peaceful protests and every American’s constitutional right. If Mayor Wu is unhappy, that is unfortunate. She should have been aware of the price of becoming a politician,” a reader from Boston said. Even among those opposed to the protest outside her home were many readers who said there was nothing wrong with protesting in general, as long as protesters were considerate of who they were harming in the process. Picketing a politician’s or government employee’s home, especially in the antagonistic way as described in Stephanie Ebbert’s Boston Globe article, is an act of bullying and a sure way to discourage good people from running for office. ‘These officials need protection. Intimidation should not be protected by the right to free speech; it has become a weapon in a battle that should be fought by

Window continued from page 4

ports if Robinson is confirmed, she will join a list of lawmakers leaving the House. COVID-19 spike putting overtime pressures on police departments

SOUTHBOSTONTODAY • www.southbostontoday.com

January 20, 2022

free, open, and civilized debate’. Protesters have chained themselves to boats in front of Gov. Charlie Baker’s home to demonstrate support for climate change action. An anti-addiction activist dumped hypodermic needles outside the governor’s Swampscott residence. And far-right activists routinely protested the governor’s COVID-19 restrictions within shouting distance of his front door. One Republican lawmaker thinks these expressions of free speech have gone too far. And he has an idea for what to do about it. Rep. Steven Howitt, of Seekonk, has newly filed legislation that would impose legal penalties for protesting too close to the home of an elected official. While he said Baker’s experience was not his inspiration for the bill, he became determined to finalize the details and file the bill after eight people were arrested in late September for chaining themselves to a pink boat outside the governor’s house with “Climate Emergency” spraypainted on it. The bill states that no elected official should be “subjected” to protests within 100 yards of their home and provides for penalties should someone refuse to stop demonstrating after being asked by police to disperse. Anyone who refuses a police request to stop protesting and leave the area would face up to a year of possible jail time, and fines of between $100 and $500. “I think it’s a common sense piece of legislation,” Howitt said. Now, is it constitutional? That might be a question.” For government officials from Los Angeles to Seattle and beyond, 2020 was the year that political protests came home to roost. Demonstrators repeatedly ditched traditional venues, such as government buildings and big commercial

streets, to chant, rant and sit-in outside the front doors of officials. When a lawyer advised the Los Angeles City Council not to adopt a blanket ban on evictions, renters rights activists were furious. A group of protesters descended on the city lawyer’s block days later, honking their car horns and shouting, “Shame on you!” from a megaphone, according to video of the event. Organizers posted the attorney’s home address on Twitter, along with a map and a photo of his house and accused him of protecting his “class interests” as a homeowner. The practice of protesting at powerful elected and unelected officials’ homes has a very long tradition in the United States, going back at least to the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s. The principle behind protests of this kind over the decades has been that people feel unable to access their leaders through “ordinary” means, such as requesting meetings and showing up at City Hall, so they take the protest to their houses. In Seattle, the tradition of protesting outside leaders’ homes has recent precedent in the SHARE/ WHEEL protests of 2009, when activists demanding funds for

bus tickets camped overnight at city council members’ houses, in 2012 when homeless advocates showed up at then-mayor Mike McGinn’s house, and in 2016 when Black Lives Matter protesters set up shop outside former mayor Ed Murray’s house to protest his support for a new youth jail. Then as now, some officials came out to talk to the protesters and listen to their concerns, an act that defused the situation considerably, since, again, one motivation for showing up at people’s houses is frustration at not feeling heard. Today, protests at elected leaders’ homes aren’t just normalized—they’re typical. As much as Seattle likes to see itself as unique in both its political progressiveness and its collective response to injustice, protesters are gathering outside the homes of local officials in cities across the country— from St. Petersburg, FL to New York to San Francisco to Boston. To watch these protests is to watch a norm-shifting in real time: Standing outside elected officials’ houses and waving signs or painting on the street was a phenomenon that wasn’t all that common—until now, when it very much is.

Omicron is wreaking havoc with staffing at suburban police departments, with some scrambling to fill slots by reassigning employees --especially officers and others digging deep into overtime budgets to cover widespread absences, Norman Miller

of the MetroWest Daily News reports. Orchestrated interruption: Somerville to try again for vax mandate vote The Somerville Board of Health plans to meet on Thursday to take up a potential local vaccine mandate. The

anti-vax activist from Peabody who forced last week’s attempted meeting on the issue to be canceled with a coordinated Zoom bombing is already rallying supporters to disrupt the meeting once again. Shira Laucharoen of Cambridge Day has the details.

January 20, 2022

SOUTHBOSTONTODAY • www.southbostontoday.com

Hockey Southie Style

Champs!

outh Boston swept the Squirt AA and Pee Wee AA divisions in the 28th Annual Mayor’s Cup Hockey Tournament presented by the Boston Parks and Recreation Department in partnership with the Boston Bruins Foundation and P&G Gillette. The tournament began December 18 with finals held January 2 at Boston University’s Walter Brown Arena. A total of 128 games were played citywide in 15 divisions at seven rinks with 1,235 youth hockey players from seven different programs.

South Boston Squirt AA Roster Coaches Michael Adams Robert Savicke Drew Kelley Players Ryan Adams Maren Ahern Mac Angotto Thomas Chatfield John Cote Kane Coughlin John Fahy Jack Grossman

Tess Kane Addis McFarland Ronan Murray McKenna Savicke Ariana Sinnott South Boston Peewee AA Roster Coaches Drew Kelley Nick Marchiselli John Kane Players Finn Martin Darien Ho Conal Martin

John Jankowski Nick Miani Shane Collins Liam Long Joseph Leeman Martin Lee Colm Darcy Thomas Brooks Nolan Burns John Kane Ryan Ballard Jayden McQueen Patrick Kennedy (Goalie) Ian Baella

MBTA Launches New Online Youth Pass Application The new secure online application makes it fast, simple, and easy to apply for the Youth Pass Program online, and is available in English, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and Portuguese. Online applications to be expanded to the MBTA’s other free and reduced fare programs in 2022.

he MBTA announced the launch of the new digital Youth Pass application available online at mbta.com/ youthpass/apply. “Providing young adults with more convenient access to this secure, easy-to-use applica-

tion is another step in providing broader access to the MBTA’s system through the Youth Pass’s discounted fares and monthly passes,” said MBTA General Manager Steve Poftak. “We continue to be excited to expand the reach of the Youth Pass through our municipal and community partnerships, and we’re proud to see the official launch of this online application, which we aim to expand to other reduced fare programs in 2022.” The Youth Pass is a card that can be used by eligible young adults with low incomes to purchase roughly 50% reduced one-way fares or $30 monthly LinkPasses for the bus, subway, and Fairmount Line Zone 1A stations at MBTA Fare Vending Machines, the CharlieCard Store, fare boxes on buses and trolleys at street-level stops, or at retail sales locations. Youth Pass cards can also be used to purchase half-price one-way

fares for Commuter Rail, Express Bus, and ferry. Applicants can now apply to the program remotely and easily online from their home computer or mobile device without having to visit their local Youth Pass office in-person. Young adults residing in any participating municipalities can now simply visit mbta.com/youthpass/ apply to complete the online application, which is available in English, Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and Portuguese. Applicants can use the online application to upload their eligibility documents and select to have their Youth Pass card mailed or picked up from their local Youth Pass office, if approved. The MBTA devised a single, streamlined process in the SimpliGov platform that allows Youth Pass administrators in participating municipalities to process, verify, and deliver

Youth Pass CharlieCards within five business days with minimal error. The MBTA also anticipates launching similar online applications to the other free and reduced fare programs within the coming months. The MBTA’s growing list of municipalities and community partners participating in the Youth Pass program includes Arlington, Attleboro, Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Framingham, Lexington, Malden, Medford, Melrose, the North Shore, Quincy, Revere, Somerville, Wakefield, Watertown, and Worcester. Cities or towns interested in joining the program are encouraged to email youthpass@ mbta.com for information on how to begin the process. For more information, visit mbta.com/youthpass-eligibility, or connect with the T on Twitter @MBTA, Facebook / TheMBTA, or Instagram @ theMBTA.

SOUTHBOSTONTODAY • www.southbostontoday.com

The

Wine Guy

Healthy Resolutions

lright, the playoffs are underway, and there’s still time to do something for the new year- make a healthy resolution that you can keep. Red wines, in addition to being simply enjoyable, are also good sources of Resveratrol, a natural supplement that helps lower cholesterol and fight free radicals in the body (and you thought it was just for

drinking!) So, do your palate and your immune system a favor and try these... Mark West Black Label, Monterey County, Pinot Noir, 2018 ($17.99). The deepest, darkest, smoothest Pinot in Mark West’s collection, with notes of black cherries, plums, mocha, vanilla, and caramel. A geographic and climatic paradise for grape vines, Monterey is a part of the greater Central Coast AVA and contains within it five smaller subappellations, including Arroyo Seco, San Lucas, San Bernabe, Hames Valley and the famous Santa Lucia Highlands. The climate is relatively warm but tempered by cool, coastal winds, allowing the regions in Monterey County an exceptionally long growing season. Bud break often happens two weeks sooner and harvest tends to be two weeks later compared to other surrounding regions. Pair this one with grilled lamb chops, gourmet flatbread pizza, or pulled pork sandwiches. 2016 Tomero Reserve Malbec

Mendoza ($24.99)6This beautifully balanced and juicy Malbec comes from high in the Uco Valley, specifically the district of Tunuyán, and was made from vines planted in 2000. I love this wine’s crunchy red and black fruits, especially its raspberry and dried blackberry notes, not to mention subtle notes of mint and vanilla in the substantial finish. Try this with any red meat or red sauce pasta dish, especially Bolognese or pungent cheeses, like English Cheddar or Smoked Gouda. Geyser Peak Cabernet Sauvignon, 2017, California, ($13.99), The rich deep ruby color of the 2017 California Cabernet Sauvignon leads to aromas of blackberry and blueberry fruit with sweet vanillin oak and a hint of mint. Rich and decadent on the palate with an elegance both voluptuous and tannic. Flavors of blueberry and black cherry are underlain by a fine seam of acidity and soft tannins that continue to a lingering finish. Pairs well with beef tenderloin, Ratatouille,

Article 80 Meeting Schedule

Dorchester Bay City The BPDA will be hosting a series of Virtual Public Meetings in connection with the submission of the Draft Project Impact Report for the proposed Dorchester Bay City project. These upcoming topic-specific Public Meetings follow an initial Kick-Off Public Meeting, which was held on December 15th.

January 20, 2022

leg of lamb, and grilled Portobello mushrooms. The blend is 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 6% Zinfandel and James Suckling gave it 91 points. Great quality for the price and healthy, to boot! CVNE Vina Real Crianza 2017, Tempranillo, Rioja, Spain, ($16.99). This wine shows shades of medium to deep shiny cherry color on a purple background. To the nose, intense aromas of ripe fruits (blackberries, blackcurrants) stand out, complemented with subtle hints of oak. To the palate, it shows structured and round character, with a good integration of fruitiness and oak. The aftertaste is marked by very well-balanced tannins, as well as by persistent spicy, toasty and balsamic aromas. An extended stay in the bottle is the finishing touch to this Rioja Alavesa wine’s character. So, remember, some resolutions are meant to be kept! Talk To The Wine Guy at jdris8888@gmail.com

Virtual Public Meeting

804 E.7th Street Wednesday, January 26

Zoom Link: bit.ly/3HwUXjO

6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Toll Free: (833) 568 - 8864 Meeting ID: 161 077 0052

January 10,2022 | 6:00 PM Virtual Public Meeting | Transportation, Infrastructure, Sustainability and Resiliency Register Here: bit.ly/3ysaUEy January 20th, 2022 | 6:00 PM Virtual Public Meeting | Housing & Economic Development Register Here: bit.ly/30szFDY

January 31, 2022 | 6:00 PM Virtual Public Meeting | Inclusive Public Realm Improvements and Placemaking Register Here: bit.ly/3s9UXC2 February 17, 2022 | 6:00 PM Virtual Public Meeting |Urban Design & Open Space Register Here: bit.ly/3J3mbjI

All vital project documents, including an Executive Summary of the Draft Project Impact Report, are available for review in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Cape Verdean Creole, Haitian Creole, Traditional Chinese, and Simplified Chinese on the Dorchester Bay City project webpage on the BPDA’s website. Interpretation will be provided for all Public Meetings in Spanish, Vietnamese, Cape Verdean Creole, Haitian Creole, Mandarin, and Cantonese. To submit a comment on this Proposed Project in a language other than English please email bpdawebcontent@boston.gov. If you have any questions about the BPDA review of the Dorchester Bay City project, please contact: Aisling Kerr at (617) 918 - 4212 or by email at aisling.kerr@boston.gov BostonPlans.org

@BostonPlans

Teresa Polhemus, Executive Director/Secretary

Project Description: The proposed project consists of the conversion of the existing 3-story building previously used as a nursing home into a residential building with twenty-one residential units and twentyone garage parking spaces.

mail to: Stephen Harvey Boston Planning & Development Agency One City Hall Square, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02201 phone: 617.918.4418 email: stephen.j.harvey@boston.gov

Close of Comment Period: 2/1/2022

BostonPlans.org

@BostonPlans

Teresa Polhemus, Executive Director/Secretary

January 20, 2022

SOUTHBOSTONTODAY • www.southbostontoday.com

Godspeed Mr. Rull

oseph F. Rull, age 95, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 13, 2022 at his daughter’s home in Walpole, Massachusetts, surrounded by his loving family. Born in Boston, Massachusetts on July 10, 1926, he was the son of the late

John E. and Sarah T. (Lacey) Rull. He was raised in South Boston, where he attended South Boston High School. As World War II came to America, Joe left high school and began working in the Hingham Shipyard, helping with the war effort. As the war continued to escalate, Joe enlisted in the United States Marine Corp, proudly serving his country in her time of need. He was stationed at the Balboa Canal Zone at the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal, where he earned the rank of Corporal. He was honorably discharged in May of 1946, returning to his hometown of South Boston. Joe married his beloved wife, Beatrice Ann Beatty, on June 26, 1948, in the Gate of Heaven Church in South Boston. They made their home together in Dedham, and Joe took a position with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Department of Corrections, working in the Charlestown Prison. After the prison was closed, Joe was reassigned to the Walpole Prison and in 1961, he moved his family to the small suburban town of Walpole. Thirteen years later, he and Beatrice made their home in Foxborough, Massachusetts, and Joe took a new position with the Department of Corrections, working as a transportation officer. He retired from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1981, after twenty-eight years of dedicated service. In his retirement, Joe kept busy, taking a position with Motorola in Mansfield, where he worked as a security officer for ten years. Throughout his life, Joe loved music, regularly playing his ukulele and singing with the Foxborough Senior Center Chorus. He also enjoyed traveling, taking many cruises to Bermuda with his good friend, Charlie Curtis. Back at home, Joe tried his luck with Keno or with an occasional trip to Foxwoods

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in Connecticut. As a native of Southie, Joe was an avid Boston sports fan, who loved following the New England Patriots and Boston Red Sox. Beloved husband of the late Beatrice Ann (Beatty) Rull. Loving father of Joseph M. Rull of Foxborough, Thomas E. Rull and his wife, Margie, of Waltham, Stephen F. Rull and his wife, Renee, of Medfield, Mary E. Cassidy and her husband, Michael, of Walpole, Maura M. Barrows and her husband, Peter, of Walpole, John P. Rull of South Boston, and Paula McAleer and her husband, Edward, of Attleboro. Cherished grandfather of Colleen, Andrea, Kelly, Stephen, Peter, Matthew, Michelle, Daniel, Julia, Erin, Shaun, Adam, and Joseph; and great grandfather of Caitlin, Timothy, Ryan, Molly, Emma, Norah, Lacey, Matthew, Emily, Nathan, Amber, Ashlyn, Ava, and Cian. Brother of Helen Evans of Quincy, Frances M. Preston of Medford, the late Mary A. Tinnell, the late Daniel J. Rull, the late John E. Rull, the late Cecelia Heiser, the late Edward T. Rull, and the late Dorothea M. Hines. Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Joe’s Life Celebration on Wednesday, January 19, 2022 from 4 to 7 PM in the James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, 48 Common Street, Walpole. All are welcome to gather in the funeral home on Thursday, January 20, 2022 at 9:00 AM, prior to Joe’s Mass of Christian Burial that will be celebrated in Saint Mary’s Church, 58 Carpenter Street, Foxborough at 10:00 AM. Interment will follow in Saint Mary’s Cemetery in Foxborough. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Compassionate Care Hospice, 800 West Cummings Park, Suite 3100, Woburn, MA 01801.

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South Boston Catholic Academy News

Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

he students at South Boston Catholic Academy read about Dr. Martin Luther

King, Jr and did projects in their classroom and during Art Class based on his achievements and

legacy. Through these projects, they learned why he is such a special and honored person. With Dr. King, Jr’s, as a role model, some of the students in K0 and K1 said this is what they would do… “To change the World I Will”… “Be kind; Be helpful to Mom and Dad; Play with my sister; Help my family and friends;

January 20, 2022

Love others; Share toys; Not fight; Help people feel better when they are sick; Use kind words and Clean the earth.” Happy Birthday Dr. King! Thank you and God Bless you! New families are welcome to email Mrs. Jamie Brown at j.brown@sbcatholicacademy.org to learn more about South Boston Catholic Academy.

January 20, 2022

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This week, Danny gave “Pic’s Picks” for the Divisional Round of the NFL Playoffs:

sually, I only pick five games every week. But since last weekend was “Super Wild Card weekend” and there were a total of six NFL playoff games, I decided to get nuts and pick all six. And it was a good weekend. Because I went 5-1 against the spread, bringing my record on the season to 51-40. The only game I got wrong was Dallas as a 3-point favorite over San Francisco. I even mentioned with that pick last week that I nearly went with the 49ers. But I didn’t, and my perfect week was ruined by a Cowboys team that had its head up its own behind. Can you believe they wanted to actually blame the ref for losing that game? All because the ref needed to spot the ball in the final seconds, after one of the dumbest decisions I’ve ever seen a quarterback make, when Dak Prescott chose to run the ball up the middle of the field with no timeouts. Simply idiotic. Anyways, let’s move on to the Divisional Round, where we’ll see two games on Saturday, and two games on Sunday. Here are my picks for all four games:

TENNESSEE TITANS (-3.5) over Cincinnati Bengals -You can’t say that I’m disrespecting a very good Bengals team when I picked them last week as my “Lock of the Week.” That was against the Raiders though. This Saturday at 4:30 p.m., the No. 4 seed Bengals travel to Tennessee to take on the No. 1 seed Titans who are coming off their first-round bye. Also, the Titans are possibly seeing the return of star running back Derrick Henry, who’s been out since mid-season after having foot surgery. Well, he’s practicing again, and I’m expecting him to play in this one. Look, I don’t expect the Titans to win the Super Bowl, or even get out of the AFC, but I do expect them to beat the Bengals at home. Joe Burrow will soon make Cincinnati a Super Bowl contender. It might even be as soon as next year. But it won’t be this year. Give me the Titans to win by 10 and advance to the AFC Championship Game for the second time in the last three years. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (-3) over Los Angeles Rams -These two teams also played each other back in Week 3. The Rams won that game, in LA, 34-24. Now though, the rematch is in Tampa

Bay this Sunday at 3. Tom Brady’s offense is banged up, but he still has Mike Evans and Rob Gronkowski. For me, this one simply comes down to the quarterbacks. Who should I trust more in a big playoff game? Brady, or Matthew Stafford? Stafford and the No. 4 seed Rams had an impressive win over the Cardinals in the Wild Card round, but there’s just no way I can sleep at night knowing I put money on him to go into Tampa Bay and knock off Brady and the No. 2 seed Buccaneers. Give me Tampa Bay to win by a touchdown. BUFFALO BILLS (+1.5) over Kansas City Chiefs -A lot of people are high on Buffalo right now, as they should be. I have to go with the No. 3 seed Bills on Sunday in Kansas City because I think Josh Allen is ready to get to the Super Bowl. One game at a time, of course. But the No. 2 seed Chiefs just aren’t unbeatable. In fact, the Bills already beat them, in Kansas City, back in Week 5, by a score of 38-20. Allen threw three touchdowns in that game, and rushed for another. The Bills’ franchise QB looked like a man possessed in the Wild Card round against the Patriots. I’m not betting against him right now. Give me Buffalo to win and

get back to the AFC Championship for the second straight year. LOCK OF THE WEEK: GREEN BAY PACKERS (-5.5) over San Francisco 49ers -This game is a rematch from Week 3 in San Francisco, when Aaron Rodgers drove the Packers down the field in the final 37 seconds to set up Mason Crosby for a game-winning 51-yard field goal. Green Bay won 30-28. Now, the No. 1 seed Packers host the No. 6 seed 49ers on Saturday night. I don’t see Green Bay losing this game. Credit to the 49ers for going into Dallas and knocking off the Cowboys in the Wild Card round, but even at the end of that game, the 49ers made some critical mistakes that kept Dallas alive and gave the Cowboys a chance to win. If San Francisco gives those opportunities to Rodgers and the Packers at Lambeau on Saturday night, Rodgers will make them pay, something Dak Prescott and the Cowboys couldn’t go. Rodgers is not Prescott. And these Packers are not the Cowboys. I’m taking Green Bay to win, cover, and advance to the NFC Championship for the third straight year. Follow Danny on Twitter and Instagram @DannyPicard.

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SPORTS TODAY

BILLS DOMINATE PATRIOTS IN WILD CARD ROUND

SBT Staff

t was over in the first half. The Bills ended the New England Patriots’ season on Saturday night in Buffalo, 47-17, thanks to an early 27-0 lead that crushed the Patriots’ confidence going into halftime of their Wild Card playoff game. Buffalo scored a touchdown on nearly every possession they had, including on all four of their firsthalf possessions. Quarterback Josh Allen threw two touchdown passes

he National Hockey League will continue to soften its COVID-19 protocols, following the All-Star break on Feb. 4-5 in Las Vegas. According to reports, the NHL and NHLPA have agreed to stop testing asymptomatic players and staff members once the post-All-

WHATTOWATCH NFL SATURDAY, JAN. 22 Divisional Playoffs Cincinnati at Tennessee (-3.5) 4:30 P.M. CBS San Francisco at Green Bay (-5.5) 8:15 P.M. FOX SUNDAY, JAN. 23 Divisional Playoffs LA Rams at Tampa Bay (-3) 3 P.M. NBC

Tweet of the Week

Buffalo at Kansas City (-2.5) 6:30 P.M. CBS NBA FRIDAY, JAN. 21 Portland at Boston 7:30 P.M. NBCSB NHL SATURDAY, JAN. 22 Winnipeg at Boston 3 P.M. NESN/ESPN+ GOLF THURS, JAN. 20 - SUN, JAN. 23 The American Express 3 P.M. GOLFC

in the first quarter on his first two drives of the game, to give the Bills a 14-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. Then, running back Devin Singletary rushed for two touchdowns on Buffalo’s next two possessions, putting the Bills up 27-0. The Patriots kicked a field goal as time ran out in the second quarter, to make it a 27-3 game at the half. Allen threw three more touchdown passes in the second half. The only possession that didn’t result in a touchdown for the Bills on Saturday night was their final possession in the final two minutes of the game, in which backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky had three kneel downs to run out the clock on Buffalo’s 47-17 win. Patriots quarterback Mac Jones

finished the loss 24-of-38 with 232 pass yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. Damien Harris was New England’s rushing leader with just 30 yards on nine carries. Allen finished the game 21-of-25 with 308 pass yards, five touchdowns, and no interceptions. Singletary had a game-high 81 rush yards and two touchdowns on 16 carries. The No. 3 seed Bills will now take on the No. 2 seed Chiefs in Kansas City on Sunday night in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. For the Patriots, their season comes to a disappointing end. Including Saturday night’s loss to the Bills, the Patriots finished the year losing four of their last five games. Their only win in that stretch came against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 17.

NHL TO STOP TESTING ASYMPTOMATIC PLAYERS SBT Staff

January 20, 2022

Star Game portion of the schedule begins. Under the new plans, the league will continue to test all players and staff members before crossborder travel between the United States and Canada. Over the last month, the NHL — along with several other pro sports leagues — reduced the isolation period for players and staff members with positive tests from 10 days to

five days, if they were asymptomatic. Players and staff members are not tested again until 90 days after a confirmed positive test. Now, the league will reportedly stop testing asymptomatic individuals altogether. According to NHL data, 73 percent of the league has tested positive for COVID-19 this season. There is reportedly only one unvaccinated player in the NHL.

BERGERON NAMED AN ALL-STAR FOR THIRD TIME

SBT Staff

oston Bruins captain Patrice Bergeron has been selected to the 2022 All-Star team for the Atlantic Division. It marks Bergeron’s third career All-Star selection. He was previously an All Star in back-to-back years in 2015 and 2016. Bergeron leads the NHL in faceoff wins with 507 and faceoff win percentage of 63 percent. He ranks second on the Bruins in assists with 19, and third on the team in goals with 11. The All-Star Game takes place in Las Vegas on Feb. 5. As of now, Bergeron is the only member of the Bruins to be named an All Star. B’s defenseman Charlie McAvoy was added to the NHL’s “Last Man In” vote, which allowed fans to select one more player for each division’s All-Star team, but McAvoy was not voted in. Perhaps the league’s most notable snub is Bruins forward Brad Marchand, who ranks top 10 in the NHL in goals with 20, and points with 43. With several weeks before All-Star weekend in Vegas, it’s still possible that Marchand somehow gets the All-Star nod, if somebody is forced to back out with either an injury or COVID-19 between now and then.