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February 17, 2022: Vol.10 Issue 7
SERVING SOUTH BOSTONIANS AROUND THE GLOBE
Edison Plant Is Coming Down But Vigilance Is Still Necessary
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eighborhood and political voices have been heard (to some extent) and consequently, the Edison Plant project has been modified with some community concerns factored in, but South Boston needs to treat this as an early stage of an important “work in progress”, despite the advances made by Hilco/Redgate through this early stage of the development process.
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February 17, 2022
EDITORIAL The Demolition of Edison. What Effect Will It Have On Our Air Quality?
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ave you ever walked by a demolition site where a building is in the process of being torn down and noticed the clouds of dust, dirt and so many other types of manmade pollution covering the surrounding streets, filling the air and floating its way into nearby neighborhoods? A typical home being torn down causes quite a bit of debris. But when it’s a huge building, you know, like the old Edison Plant on Summer Street, the amount of such debris and pollution filled clouds in the air is massive. And this potential problem is weighing heavily on the minds of so many South Bostonians;
not only those who live in relatively close proximity to the plant, but even those who live a considerable distance away as they worry about the air currents and breezes that blow in every direction and carry with it any and all unhealthy particles. This polluted debris, called ‘fugitive particles’, contains any number of dangers; including the possibility of asbestos. While the Edison Plant may be located on Summer Street, with the right wind conditions, the harmful fugitive particles could wind up down on F Street, on Old Harbor Street or Farragut Rd. Health studies have shown a significant
association between exposure to these particles and health risks such as Cardiovascular (Heart) disease, asthma, bronchitis, cancer and of course, pre mature death. It has long been suspected, that the high rate of cancer cases among South Bostonians over the many decades that Edison was operating came from that plant. Long time residents can remember the days when the sky was black with clouds of smoke from the giant chimneys and black soot covered everything for miles around. The Edison Plant is now a memory and no longer operational. But the concern among locals in 2022
is what precautions will be taken to keep the massive clouds of demolition pollution or ‘fugitive particles’ from filling neighborhood air with unhealthy and dangerous debris? We understand its now a done deal. The new project of stores, business offices, housing units and other buildings will soon be on that site. The wheels are in motion and pretty much unstop-
pable. But one of the top priorities of everyone who has any say in this project should be the health and safety of the residents who could be impacted. As we said, this is 2022. The technology should exist to rein in those pollutants and allow for a safer environment. No expense should be spared to see to it that those in charge do just that and held accountable if they don’t.
“When you deliberately distort and selectively present the truth, you lie” - Charlie Kirk
Boston Urban Forest Plan Virtual Open House March 14
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esidents interested in the future of trees in Boston are invited to join the Boston Parks and Recreation Department for a virtual conversation about the progress of the Urban Forest Plan on Monday, March 14, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. To join the discussion, follow the event link at boston.gov/
Publisher
urban-forest-plan. Boston’s first ever Urban Forest Plan will help prioritize, preserve, and grow the tree canopy throughout Boston for decades to come. In Boston, all residents depend on the many benefits provided by the trees in our urban forest. The issues being addressed include policy, funding, workforce development, design, climate resilience, and
John Ciccone
more. The goal is to create a strategic plan based on science and defined by the needs and desires of the community to ensure that the urban forest will be better managed both today and in the future. This project is a part of Healthy Places, a collaboration between the Heat Resilience Study, Urban Forest Plan, and Open Space and Recreation Plan. Healthy Places looks at
cooling the city, expanding the urban forest, and improving the park system. For more information on any of these projects, please visit boston. gov/healthy-places. Interpretation and translation services are available for the March 14 Open House at no cost. Please contact program manager Maggie Owens if you cannot attend this meeting, have any questions
or comments, or if you need interpretation services, translated materials, or disability accommodations by emailing maggie.owens@boston.gov or calling (617) 961-3025 by February 28, 2022. To stay up to date with news, events, and improvements in Boston parks, call (617) 635-4505, visit Boston. gov/Parks, join our email list at bit.ly/Get-Parks-Emails, and follow our social channels @ bostonparksdept on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
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Information Center The
God Bless Those Canadian Truckers
SOUTH BOSTON TODAY John Ciccone
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here’s a meme being posted and quoted all over America and Canada and now spreading to more than 2 dozen other countries. “If you’re wearing it, eating it, drinking it, cleaning with it, driving it or sleeping on it, thank a trucker for bringing it” This of course is in reference to the massive trucker convoys protesting the forced mandates and loss of freedom being imposed on our northern neighbors and other nations. We’ve all seen the reports. Thousands of trucks are forming convoys and descending on Canadian cities and holding huge peaceful demonstrations demanding that the little wannabe dictator Justin Trudeau stop chipping away at the liberties of Canadian citizens and also, remove the useless Covid Mandates in that country. Here in the United States, American truckers have begun organizing to hold similar convoys to show support to the Canadians. It has now spread to Belgium, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, France and more counties are joining in every week. But though it started in Canada and directed toward the Covid restrictions, it has grown in purpose as the working class of these countries sense a serious danger as they watch tin pot dictators like Justin Trudeau acting like kings and emperors thinking they have unlimited powers and that the ‘common folk’ had just better accept it or suffer the consequences. In Trudeau’s case, the convoy protests may have been avoided if he just listened to the concerns of the people. But Trudeau, acting like a Nancy Pelosi or Chuck Schumer or any number of Democrat governors and mayors around our country, would not even speak to the truckers’ representatives.
Note: talk back to John Ciccone by email at jciccone@southbostontoday.com
He doesn’t feel he has to. In his mind and in the minds of like other like him, he is above them all. In fact, he won’t meet or speak with anyone who doesn’t agree with him. He often flees the capital city and dictates from a secure hidden bunker. When asked which country in the world he admires most, he quickly responded it is China. And of course, it is. Why, because like Hitler’s Nazi Germany, the Communist government of China has the final word on everything. Dare to oppose them and you disappear – forever. Oh, how Trudeau must envy that form of government as he quietly maneuvers to make Canada into the same type of Communist dictatorship. As of this week, Trudeau has dug in his heels and tightened the chains he’s tactfully wrapping around the people even more. He’s taking the licenses and putting a hold on the bank accounts on the ‘offending’ truckers. But he may have waded in a bit too deep with this. The truckers are being joined by even more supporters and even the premiers of several Canadian provinces have come out to oppose him and have agreed to the demands of the truckers and are lifting the mandates. Just as in the United States, where it looks like a sure bet that the party of Brandon, Pelosi , Schumer and Newsom will get their heads handed to them at the end of this year and then get totally obliterated in 2024, Trudeau is now riding so low in the Canadian polls he will probably get the much-deserved boot when his current term is up. And it can’t come too soon. Because at this point, the people still have the power to toss him out of office. But if they wait much longer, just like the Communist
Chinese government he worships so much, he could conceivably consolidate so much power with his ‘Emergency Powers’ Acts, future elections will be meaningless. The government will decide who rules. And Trudeau is well aware of his weakness. Last time he ran, he barely made it, getting only one third of the popular vote. As Americans, this is a scenario we need to prepare for and nip in the bud. There are those of a certain political party here in America in positions of power who would like nothing better than to rule the people not govern them.
They really believe that they are the masters, and we are the subjects and we work for them not the other way around. If the people sit back and let this go unchecked, our country could become like China in less than a decade. But we are Americans and it’s not in the DNA of patriots to allow that. Those Canadian truckers and the American truckers that might be soon picking up the torch and joining them here in the states are doing what they are doing for all of us. They are setting an example. They deserve our praise and support.
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SOUTHBOSTONTODAY • www.southbostontoday.com
February 17, 2022
Window Into The State House
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t could be a long day in the House of Representatives with debate planned over whether undocumented people in Massachusetts should have the ability to obtain driver’s licenses. The bill heading to the House floor for consideration later today has been
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.
in the works for a number of years, with advocates at one point staging a hunger strike outside the State House in an effort to prompt legislative action. Two years later, representatives are on a path to move it one step forward. Gov. Charlie Baker is skeptical, at
best, of the bill. But with debate set to start at 1 p.m. this afternoon, we asked the five (before they became four) gubernatorial candidates where they stand on the issue. If the measure reached their desk, would they sign it into law, veto it, or return the proposal with amendments?
Allen’s drops out of 2022 governor’s race Harvard Professor Danielle Allen withdrew from the 2022 governor’s race Wednesday, criticizing the current state Democratic Party’s caucus process on her way out the door. “The current caucus system is leading to a serious impoverishment of our democracy — fewer choices on the ballot, fewer non-traditional candidates able to enter the pipeline,” she said in a statement. Allen, who became the first Black woman to run for governor as a major party candidate, is the second Democratic candidate to drop out of the race. Former Sen. Ben Downing exited stage left after 10 months of campaigning. The Democratic field now looks to be a showdown between frontrunning Attorney General Maura Healey and Sen. Sonia Chang-Diaz, both of Boston. Judge blocks Boston employee vax mandate The court-ordered pause on Boston’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for city employees was indefinitely extended after a judge ruled against Mayor Michelle Wu. Boston Herald’s Sean Philip Cotter reports Massachusetts Appeals Courts Judge Sabita Singh issued the order Tuesday, overturning a lower-court decision that let the mayor move forward with disciplining workers who did not comply with the mandate while she negotiates over the mandate with three public-safety unions. State releases new mask guidance State health officials updated mask guidance in Massachusetts yesterday, now advising that only people in certain higher risk categories need to wear them indoors. Boston Globe’s Amanda Kaufman reports that the state suggests people mask continued on page 8
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REP. BIELE SUPPORTS INCREASED PROTECTIONS FOR VETERANS
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tate Representative David Biele joined his colleagues in the Massachusetts House of Representatives in passing legislation that makes key reforms to the governance structure of veterans’ homes, ensuring that homes are federally licensed as health care facilities and providing independent oversight and accountability of veterans’ homes management. Following the tragedy at the Holyoke Veterans’ Home in 2020, which resulted in the COVID-19 related deaths of 77 veterans, the Legislature established the Special Joint Oversight Committee on the Veterans’ Home in Holyoke COVID-19 Outbreak to investigate and make legislative recommendations. This legislation, entitled An Act relative to the governance, structure and care of veterans at the Commonwealth veterans’ homes, follows the work done by the Special Joint Committee by: • Requiring home superintendents to be licensed as nursing home ad-
ministrators and either be a veteran or someone with experience managing veterans in a nursing home or long term-care facility; • Establishing a 17-member statewide Veterans’ Homes Council to manage and control the veterans’ homes, promulgate regulations to the local boards, and confirm and remove superintendents; • Preserving local, 5-member boards of trustees for the veterans’ homes in Chelsea and Holyoke with the authority to nominate candidates for superintendents of their respective veterans’ homes; • Establishing the Office of the Veteran Advocate, an independent office that will be led by a Veteran Advocate appointed by the Governor, Attorney General and State Auditor; • Requiring the Veteran Advocate to submit an annual report, which will be made public, to the Governor and the Legislature with an analysis of the delivery of services to veterans and recommendations for
changes in agency procedures; • Establishing the position of ombudsperson for each veterans’ home to advocate on behalf of the residents and staff at the home; • Requiring the Department of Public Health (DPH) to conduct and report on inspections of veterans’ homes twice a year, or as often as they see fit, and establishes a maximum time of 30 days for a veterans’ home to correct any violation that DPH identifies; and • Requiring the Office of Veterans’ Homes and Housing to submit an annual report of findings including but not limited to the quality of care provided at the homes and an analysis of activities of the Office and of the Veterans’ Homes Council. “This bill makes significant changes to how our veterans’ homes are administered and managed that will increase protections, accountability, and, most importantly, care for our veterans,” said Rep. Biele. “We owe a debt of gratitude to our veterans who deserve the best possible care,
and I was proud to join my colleagues in supporting this important legislation that establishes protocols and systems designed to identify and eliminate mismanagement or inadequate care as soon as possible.” In addition to this legislation, the House recently approved a $600 million bond authorization — with $400 million for the construction of an updated Holyoke Veterans’ Home facility and $200 million to increase geographic equity and accessibility for veterans not primarily served by the veterans’ Home in Chelsea or Holyoke. The legislation passed the House of Representatives with a 156-1 vote and now goes to the Senate.
BC HIGH ANNOUNCES STRATEGIC PLAN “Vision 2026” Prioritizes Student Well-Being, Access and Affordability, and Spiritual and Intellectual Growth in Just and Inclusive World
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fter several years of positive enrollment trends, remarkable growth, consistent fundraising efforts, and rapid expansions in technology to prepare for the evolving innovation economy, Boston College High School is excited to share “Vision 2026,” the five-year strategic plan that will guide the school’s ongoing formation of students for faith, for depth, for reconciliation, and as global citizens. The BC High Board of Trustees, chaired by Fr. Michael McFarland, SJ, President Grace Cotter Regan, and the school’s leadership team worked collaboratively and from a position of strength to develop
a bold vision for the future of the school, one that aligns with and supports the principles of a Jesuit, Catholic education. “The Strategic Plan is founded on four defining pillars: a powerful formative student experience that integrates care and learning; a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion; access and affordability for students and families of all backgrounds; and financial stability and sustainability,” said Fr. McFarland. “Together these pillars serve the school’s mission to form leaders of competence, conscience, and compassion who seek to do all things for the greater glory of God.” BC High’s priorities over the next
five years include providing transformative experiences in the pursuit of human excellence; recruiting, supporting, and retaining faculty and staff who are deeply committed to the school’s mission and values; attracting a diverse student body that embraces and furthers the Jesuit, Catholic tradition; enhancing and building state-of-the-art facilities to accommodate student needs; and strengthening the school and its students as a leaders in Boston and beyond. “The last two years have demonstrated, perhaps more than any other time, the importance of cura personalis – care for the whole person – and with it our core responsibility
to develop and further relationships and experiences that best support spiritual and intellectual growth and overall student wellness,” said President Regan. “Meeting the needs of our students in a post-pandemic
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6 Edison continued from front page
It is so, because this property has inherent environmental flaws in its soil and in its building (asbestos), creates an impact on the commercial waterfront, licenses a private developer to acquire valuable and limited, if not priceless, harbor-access real estate that could be considered ‘public preservation-worthy’. The tearing down of the Boston Edison power plant in South Boston is now underway and expected to last well into 2023. Hilco Redevelopment Partners and Redgate received city approval in January 2021 to build a 1.68-million-squarefoot mixed-use development on the 15-acre Summer Street site. The coal-fired power plant, which was in operation for more than a century, has sat dormant since being decommissioned in 2006. The project will include about 860,000 square feet of office and research-and-development space, up to 636 housing units, a hotel of up to 240 room, and a 2.5-acre waterfront park, among other features. The teardown of the power plant is expected to take place in phases over 20 months. Site preparation, utility disconnections and other initial work began in December. Last week, the site received approval from the state Department of Environmental Protection that allows it to begin important abatement work that precedes larger demolition work. Abatement includes the removal of asbestos.
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world requires investing in our campus and our curriculum in ways that advance and promote education of the head, the hand, and the heart.” In support of these aims, and given the increasing incidence of mental health issues in adolescence, BC High is taking immediate steps to address student health and wellness. This includes implementing a new “House System” for the 202223 academic year that allows students to connect more deeply with the adult members of the community and with each other. “Our House System is way to make a large school like ours feel smaller. By creating a ‘community
SOUTHBOSTONTODAY • www.southbostontoday.com
February 17, 2022
Deconstruction work is scheduled this month for the site’s pump houses, among other buildings. The physical teardown of structures on the site won’t be visible to outsiders until this spring, said Melissa Schrock, Hilco senior vice president, mixed-use development. Suffolk is overseeing construction, with NorthStar Contracting Group Inc., which is based in New York with a local office in Everett, serving as deconstruction subcontractor. “We are eager for the project to come to life and bring new energy, jobs, and community open space to the South Boston neighborhood,” Ms. Schrock said in a statement. After being approved in January 2022, the Boston Real Estate Times then quoted Ralph Cox, principal at Redgate Capital, “This milestone marks a years-long community review process, throughout which our plans for the redevelopment were revised and improved,” said Cox. Ben Spera, Partner with Hilco Redevelopment Partners added, “we are thankful for the thoughtful feedback from South Boston residents, elected officials, community advocates and neighbors who have long imagined the potential of the vacant site.” In addition to providing needed housing, public open space and employment opportunities, the project’s commitments involve many other unique public benefits for the South Boston community, including more than $10 million to the MBTA to improve transit service and safety in the neighborhood, a $1.75 million
commitment for improvements and operations of Medal of Honor Park and Christopher Lee Playground, a $1 million perpetual scholarship endowment for South Boston college students, commitments for trade apprenticeships and internships throughout the duration of the development, 16% of housing units to be provided at affordable or workforce income levels, priority access and below-market rents for local and disadvantaged small business retailers, and access to 120 parking spaces for South Boston residents free of charge on nights, weekends and during snow emergencies. “We’re grateful to the South Boston community, its leaders, and the BPDA for supporting our vision to transform this abandoned site into a modern and sustainable district that will create jobs, housing, and community-friendly spaces for the South Boston neighborhood,” said Melissa Schrock, Senior Vice President of Mixed-Use Development at Hilco Redevelopment Partners. “This is a complex adaptive reuse redevelopment of an obsolete industrial
site that has been inaccessible to the public for over 120 years. Thanks to the valuable input we’ve received, we look forward to reinvigorating the property for generations to come.” In a virtual presentation to community members via zoom prior to the start of the work, members of the development team said no explosives would be used in the process, nor would any “dropping of ” or “tipping of ” structures. The plan is to create an “interior containment area” for each building using barriers and negative air pressure, and then after abatement, to take down equipment and other structures inside the building before taking down its exterior structure. The building with the power plant’s signature smokestacks is expected to begin coming down later this year. It’s anticipated that structure will be dismantled before the boiler houses next to it, at the intersection of Summer Street and East First Street, are eliminated. Not every structure on the site is being dismantled. Hilco and Redgate are planning to preserve and reuse four turbine halls.
within the community,’ each boy is known and his ‘story’ and experience is fully understood, appreciated, and valued,” said BC High Principal Adam Lewis. “When boys are known and loved – and they really feel supported – they will learn better, they will lead better, and they will develop stronger, deeper, and more supportive relationships and connections. Simply put, our House System fosters a greater sense of belonging, and it does so within the context the Jesuit tradition and the world in which we live.” In addition, the Strategic Plan prioritizes the development and enhancement of new wellness facilities and technologies with a comprehen-
sive Campus Master Plan that will further help address student health and wellbeing. This includes renovation and expansions of existing spaces and development of new areas, including the stadium, innovation space and athletic facilities . “It is important that the physical space of our campus – the areas in which students learn and are cared for – complement our philosophical approach to teaching and learnng. With a large and diverse community, aging infrastructure, and a 40-acre campus, we are taking into account many factors and looking to the future and the area around us,” said
President Regan. “It is exciting to think of the relationship between the space in which our stulearn and are formed and the technological and physical needs that will continue to arise as we grow and accommodate a more diverse and dynamic community of learners.” About Boston College High School: Boston College High School is a Jesuit, Catholic, collegepreparatory school for young men in grades 7 to 12. Founded in 1863, the school enrolls approximately 1,500 students from more than 140 communities in eastern Massachusetts. For more information, please visit bchigh.edu.
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South Boston Citizens’ Association Announces the Jimmy Flaherty Kickoff Breakfast, Saturday, February 26, 2022 Seapoint Restaurant
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BCA President Tom McGrath and the Executive Board are pleased to announce that on Saturday, February 26th, 2022, at the Kick-off Breakfast, The Henry Knox Award Presentation will take place at the Seapoint Restaurant, 367 East 8th Street, at 10AM. Family, friends and neighbors are respectfully invited to attend this wonderful event. A $15.00 donation is requested at door to help off-set costs. This year’s event will once again feature great music of Bob Fowkes and Curragh’s Fancy.
The event Chairman will be Senator Nick Collins who will continue to lead the fight to preserve the historical importance of Evacuation Day while serving in the Massachusetts State Senate. “As president of the Association, it is an honor for me to appoint Nick to kick-off the festivities. Nick’s commitment and involvement with the SBCA and our community has been a tremendous asset to me and the Executive Board.” said McGrath. The award recipients will be announced next week as the
committee is putting final touches on the upcoming events while working within the City and State guidelines. The awards are presented to everyday volunteers in the community who seek no recognition, who are considered “Unsung Heroes”, which kicks off the month-long celebration for one of the most important events in American history. Tom McGrath, President of the SBCA, said “It is an honor to recognize these individuals who dedicate their time and energy to the South Boston Community. I
hope the community will join me and others on Saturday the 26th to honor these men and women.” Tickets are available at the door for $15.00 and doors open at 9:30AM. Tommy McGrath
SBCA Annual Essay & Poster Contest Is On!
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opics for the 2022 South Boston Citizens’ Association’s Evacuation Day Essay and Poster Competitions have been announced by the SBCA for the 246th Evacuation Day. South Boston Citizens’ Association President Tom McGrath announced today that because of the tremendous success of the past several years’ contest, the Association along with City of Boston Credit Union, Comcast and Mass Bay Credit Union will once again sponsor the 2022 Annual Essay and Poster Contests and all other events associated with the Month-long celebration. Once again, after last year ’s outstanding effort put forth by past President Bernie O’Donnell and his committee, they have once again expressed an interest of taking on the challenge of chairing The Essay and Poster Contests. “Bernie always taught me that these contests are a great way to educate and strengthen the interest of the children of the community, I was more than pleased when Bernie offered to once again head up this Event for the children. Bernie further expressed “One
of the missions of the SBCA is to reach out to the young children of this historically rich community, joining the SBCA in promoting, organizing, and judging the Evacuation Day Poster and Essay Competitions is a most fitting way to improve on that mission.” The current plan with respect to our annual Evacuation Day activities is to continue to host all the events as we have done in years past, but with additional precautions, including social distancing and face coverings. We will continue to work with Governor Baker, Elected Officials from the City of Boston, the City of Boston Health Commission, and the National Park Service for the planning of our activities, as we do every year, and will strictly follow their requirements and guidance on all aspects of our hosted events. We look forward to working with the community again this year, which commemorates the 246th anniversary of Evacuation Day in Boston. Celebrating Evacuation Day events in the community is a huge undertaking, especially under current circumstances.
But thanks to Volunteers and Community Business partners in past years, such as Comcast, Mass Bay Credit Union and City of Boston Credit Union, we at the SBCA are confident we will be able to complete the task and make it possible for the entire community to safely enjoy this year ’s commemorative events. All entries should bear, in an attached envelope, the contestant’s name, school and a means of contacting the entrant, and should be submitted no later than Friday, March 9th, 2022 At 5 PM. All entries may be mailed to South Boston Citizens’ Association, P.O. Box 74, South Boston, MA 02127, or can be picked up at schools by a representative of the Citizens’ Association. Entries can also be dropped off at170 M Street. Topics Poster Contest Open to all students in the City of Boston. This year ’s theme is the “Significance of British General William Howe’s evacuation of Boston on March 1776. Posters should be original compositions, in any medium poster at least 8 1/2 x 11 but preferably larger.
Prizes are as follows: 1st prize $100, 2nd $75, 3rd $25 Essay Contest – Grades 6-8 “What is the significance of Dorchester Heights and the role of Henry Knox and the noble train of artillery leading up to March 17 1776?” Please focus on the history and the importance to the South Boston community. Essays should be at least 500 words. Prizes are as follows: 1st prize $100, 2nd $75, 3rd $25 Essay Contest - High school Grades 9-12 “What was the role of Paul Revere and the American Revolution? What connection did he have with Castle Island? Essay should be at least 1,000 words. Prizes are as follows: 1st prize $150, 2nd $100, 3rd $50 Posters and Essays are for residents of the City of Boston Tommy McGrath
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SOUTHBOSTONTODAY • www.southbostontoday.com
The
Wine Guy
Wines For The Weather
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ith the weather being all over the place for the next several days, I thought it might be best to hedge our bet on what wines might be most enjoyable. So, some reds, some whites and hopefully, some time to try the following… Carson Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon, 2018, Paso Robles, Central Coast, California, ($13.99) is a great wine for Pulled Pork, other BBQ fare or Angus beef Bacon Cheeseburgers. You’ll find pleasant but not overbearing notes of dark berry fruit and cherries, with soft oak notes and a pleasant finish. It’s balanced, with deep coloring and a very satisfying moth feel. Frankly, this one, drinks
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up if they have weakened immune systems, are at increased risk for severe disease, or live with someone who fits either of those categories. Down month for state’s casinos amid nationwide surge The mid-winter blues hit Bay State casinos in January as revenue declined compared to December at all three facilities. Jim Kinney of MassLive reports MGM Springfield, and Encore Boston harbor both saw revenue decline slightly while Tom Reilly of the Sun-Chronicle reports Plainridge Park posted its weakest month in nearly a year. Jon Chesto of the Boston Globe reports the numbers come as a national trade group reported casinos in the
closer to a $20.00 bottle than its posted price; you might want to pick up more than one! Beaumont Chenin Blanc, 2020, Stellenbosch, South Africa, ($19.99), is a pleasant and surprising break from your typical Chardonnay. You’ll find that the fruit notes of melon, kiwi and citrus are subtle but, combined with an unexpectedly long finish for a white, will give you a great taste. The South Africans have been growing a number of Loire Valley varietals for over a century now and this one represents the enhancements that come from attention to detail and the unique weather patterns of the country. Any seafood or poultry dish will be better for it! Alexander Valley Sin Zin Zinfandel This Zin from the Alexander Valley in Sonoma, California distinct, captures the true essence of Alexander Valley. The fruit is sourced from a variety of vineyards with differing microclimates. This provides winemaker Kevin Hall with an array of unique parcels of fruit and he produces a wine of structure, balance and finish, with distinctive notes of dark berries, earthiness and layers of flavor. You can have tis one with pungent cheese and baguette or a nice New York strip done the way you like it. 2020 Bottega Vinaia Pinot Grigio, ($19.99). The grapes sourced for Bottega Vinaia’s Pinot Grigio U.S. posted their best year ever, recovering faster from the pandemic downturn than the rest of the economy. Baker signs ‘Nero’s Law’ Gov. Charlie Baker signed “Nero’s Law” Tuesday, a bill that authorizes emergency medical personnel to provide treatment and transport to injured police dogs. That includes basic first aid, CPR, and administering life saving interventions like naloxone. WCVB has more details. A sit down with Boston’s housing chief Boston’s new housing chief Sheila Dillon is at the center of several major development changes in the city. So when she has something to say, people listen. Boston Business Journal’s Greg Ryan sat down with Dillon
February 17, 2022
come from a tiny cluster of vineyards located 400 meters above the sea level in the Dolomite Alps, farmed by the same two families for over 100 years. This crisp, clean, dry unoaked white is the hallmark of Bottega Vinaia craftsmanship. The high-quality Pinot Grigio also possesses an intense aroma uncommon in Pinot Grigio, as a result of unusually cool nighttime temperate in the region. I’m sure all the PG drinkers out there know what they like to have it with, but don’t forget Chicken Picatta or Braised Scal-
lops. The grapes sourced for Bottega Vinaia’s Pinot Grigio come from a tiny cluster of vineyards located 400 meters above the sea level in the Dolomite Alps, farmed by the same two families for over 100 years. This crisp, clean, dry unoaked white is the hallmark of Bottega Vinaia craftsmanship. The high-quality Pinot Grigio also possesses an intense aroma uncommon in Pinot Grigio, as a result of unusually cool nighttime temperate in the region. Damn The Cold Weather, Full Drinking Good Wine Ahead!
for a Q&A about charging special assessments on new lab space, how housing intersects with workforce development, and other topics.
gear makers, chemical giants Ten Worcester firefighters who have been diagnosed with cancer are leading a lawsuit against the makers and sellers of turnout gear and firefighting foam, claiming they knew the products contained dangerous and carcinogenic chemicals for years. The Telegram’s Brad Petrishen has the details.
Massachusetts RMV staffers faked road tests The Registry of Motor Vehicles says an investigation found some 2,100 drivers were given passing grades on their road tests without ever actually getting behind the wheel. Joe Dwinell of the Boston Herald reports those drivers are being given 10 days to take the tests for real, while four employees have been fired in connection with the scheme dating back to 2020. Worcester firefighters with cancer file lawsuit against turnout
Report: ‘Workforce crisis’ affecting mental healthcare A report from the Association of Behavioral Healthcare says there is a “workforce crisis” affecting mental healthcare in the state. WBUR’s Deborah Becker reports the crisis is resulting in longer waits for outpatient treatment and fewer people getting care.
February 17,, 2022
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Virtual Public Meeting
270 West 2nd St. Wednesday, March 2
Zoom Link: bit.ly/3AJwsOc
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Toll Free: (833) 568 - 8864 Meeting ID: 161 073 5202
Project Description: Multi-Family Residential proposal with 96,000 sf of FAR floor area, 88 multi-family units, 66-garage parking spaces, and associated amenities and open space.
Virtual Public Meeting
51 Melcher Street Wednesday, February 23
Zoom Link: bit.ly/3uBXTIG
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Toll Free: (833) 568 - 8864
Project Proponent: GI Partners
Meeting ID: 160 789 8377
Project Description: The BPDA is hosting a PublicMeeting for the proposed project at 51 Melcher Street, a project located in the Fort Point neighborhood of Boston. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the overall project and the potential impacts. The meeting will include a presentation followed by questions and comments from the public. The Proponent is proposing to redevelop the existing building to be ready to use as lab space, as well as upgrades to the first floor, and public realm. 作为波士顿居民和利益相关者，本会议的信息对您来说是至关重要的。可以提供翻译服务以 传达本会议的内容，您无需承担任何额外费用。如果您需要翻译服务，请通过以下方式进行 联系：(nick.carter@boston.gov) (617-918-5303) 会议定于2022 年02月23日，请在会议 前5天内申请口译服务
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: 3/23/2022
BostonPlans.org
mail to: Nick Carter Boston Planning & Development Agency One City Hall Square, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02201 phone: 617.918.5303 email: nick.carter@boston.gov
Close of Comment Period: 3/15/2022
BostonPlans.org
@BostonPlans
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St. Peter Academy
Valentine’s Day Celebrations!
H
appy Valentine’s Week at St. Peter Academy! We had a wonderful time celebrating the day of LOVE! The students made and delivered Valentine Cards
SOUTHBOSTONTODAY • www.southbostontoday.com
to our neighbors at the Marian Manor. The parties continued with waffle brunches, fruit platters, yummy candy treats and Valentine Card distribution throughout the classrooms. Student Council is conducting a hot chocolate sale Wednesday and a Tag Day Food Drive (wear red or pink) and donate nonperishable food items to St. Monica Church Food Pantry. Our hope is our positive energy lifts the moods of everyone we meet!
St. Peter Academy is now accepting applications for the 2022-2023 school year. St. Peter Academy is an independent, community-based private school and serves students from ages 15 months through grade 6. SPA is currently accepting applications for the limited spaces available in the yearround toddler program (beginning at age 15 months) and
February 17, 2022
for students in Pre-K (School Year and Full Year Programs), Kindergarten and grades 1-6. Financial Aid Available. Two Scholarships will be offered this year for applicants for Grades 1 through 6. Appointments for individual virtual tours can be made by contacting Maria Blasi, at 617-2680750 or by emailing m.blasi@ StPeterAcademy.com.
February 17,, 2022
SOUTHBOSTONTODAY • www.southbostontoday.com
South Boston Catholic Academy News
Celebrating St. Valentine’s Day!
W
e hope everyone had a wonderful St. Valentine’s Day! The students at South Boston Catholic Academy thoroughly enjoyed their St. Valentine’s Day by making a variety of
colorful artwork, crafts and decorations. They, also, handed out Valentine’s Day cards to their classmates and friends during their Valentine parties in their classrooms. One of many accounts/stories about
St. Valentine is that…Saint Valentine is the patron saint of love. Believers say God worked through his life to perform miracles and teach people how to recognize and experience true love. This famous saint, an Italian doctor who later became a priest, inspired the creation of the holiday of Valentine’s Day. He was sent to jail for performing weddings for couples during a time when new marriages were outlawed in ancient Rome. Before he was killed for refusing to renounce his faith, he sent a loving note to a child he had been helping to
11 teach, the daughter of his jailer, and that note eventually led to the tradition of sending Valentine’s cards. Prayer: Dear Jesus, Help me to love You in the same selfless way in which St. Valentine did, and by my example may others know that You love them. Amen. “The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.” – Helen Keller, Author. Families are welcome to email Mrs. Jamie Brown at j.brown@sbcatholicacademy.org for more information about SBCA.
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SOUTHBOSTONTODAY • www.southbostontoday.com
February 17, 2022
This week,
Danny shared his thoughts on a possible Tom Brady return:
A
few weeks ago, I reacted to Tom Brady’s retirement post on social media. So, it might seem kind of crazy what I’m now about to do, but I’m just being honest. I’m about to tell you where I think Brady is actually going to play next season. I no longer believe Brady is done playing football. I fell for it a few weeks ago after reading his Instagram statement that thanked everyone but the New England Patriots. But I’m falling for it no longer. What changed my mind? Well, Brady himself changed my mind. I listened to the words that came out of his mouth on his very own podcast with Jim Gray. Gray, Brady’s co-host on the “Let’s Go!” podcast, asked Brady last week about the possibility of coming out of retirement, just a week after he announced his retirement. Brady’s response? “I’m just going to take things as they come,” he said on the podcast. “I think that’s the best way to put it, and I don’t think anything, you know, you never say never. At the same time, I know that . . . I feel very good about
my decision. I don’t know how I’ll feel six months from now. “I try to make the best possible decision I can in the moment, which I did this last week,” added Brady. “And, again, I think it’s not looking to reverse course. I’m definitely not looking to do that. But in the same time, I think you have to be realistic that you never know what challenges there are going to be in life. Again, I loved playing. I’m looking forward to doing things other than playing. That’s as honest as I can be with you there.” Brady is used to answering questions with a big bowl of word salad. But the only three words I needed to hear were, “never say never.” And there it is. That’s the quote. He said it, not me. Never say never. Basically, the translation here is pretty simple. By saying “never say never,” Brady is telling us that he’s not done playing. So, if he’s telling us this just a week after calling it quits, why did he call it quits in the first place? Well, perhaps his Instagram post — which didn’t include the word “retire” or any words
about the Patriots — was actually just a goodbye to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, under the guise of a “retirement” statement. Doesn’t that strange statement start to make a little more sense, if it’s really just a way to officially, and publicly, end his time with the Bucs, as short lived as it might’ve been? The minute I heard the words “never say never” come out of Brady’s mouth, a guy who was an MVP candidate this season at the age of 44, I knew there was something else going on. And now, I’m here to tell you what that something else is. Brady wants to finish his career with his hometown team, the San Francisco 49ers. And the 49ers are expected to move on from Brady’s old backup, Jimmy Garoppolo, who has one year left on his current contract. The 49ers lost to the Rams in the NFC Championship. Are they ready to hand the keys to 21-year-old quarterback out of North Dakota State, Trey Lance? Or would they like to make another run or two at a Super Bowl by upgrading at the quarterback position next year? I’m going
with the latter. Brady — a man who calculates everything he says and does — is not about to demand a trade. He also has one year left on his deal. His “retirement” statement was just his way of saying, “I don’t want to play that final year in Tampa Bay.” He wants to play that final year in San Francisco. In order to make that happen, the 49ers would have to trade for Brady’s rights. Heck, they could send Garoppolo to the Bucs if they really wanted. The Bucs might ask for some extra compensation in the form of draft picks, but if you’re the 49ers, you might as well go all in. Bottom line, Brady is not done playing football. He has a plan. That plan is to get to San Francisco. And the 49ers would be crazy not to see it through. Brady’s story is already fairytale worthy. Ending that story as the Super Bowl MVP for his hometown 49ers shouldn’t be too much for your imagination to handle. At the very least, never say never. Follow Danny on Twitter and Instagram @DannyPicard.
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February 17,, 2022
SPORTS TODAY
RAMS WIN SUPER BOWL LVI
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SBT Staff
atthew Stafford finished off a 79-yard drive with a touchdown pass to Cooper Kupp in the final minutes of the fourth quarter, helping the Los Angeles Rams to a 23-20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI on Sunday. It’s the Rams’ first Super Bowl championship since the 1999 season, when they were the St. Louis Rams. Kupp was named Super Bowl MVP, finishing the game with eight catches for 92 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner with 1:25 left in the fourth. Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald sealed the deal for the
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SOUTHBOSTONTODAY • www.southbostontoday.com
Rams when he put a big hit on Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow on 4th-and-1 at midfield with under a minute remaining. Donald finished the game with two sacks, which was tied with teammate Von Miller for the game high. As a team, the Rams sacked Burrow seven times, which tied a Super Bowl record. On the other end, Stafford was sacked only twice, and finished the game 26-of-40 for 283 pass yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions. Burrow was 22-of33 for 263 pass yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions. Burrow’s only touchdown pass
came on the very first play of the second half, as he found Tee Higgins open down the left sideline for a 75-yard score, giving the Bengals their first lead of the game, 17-13. The go-ahead touchdown came with some controversy, though, as replays showed Higgins got away with a blatant offensive face mask on Rams cornerback Jalen Ramsey, which caused Ramsey to fall to the ground, making Higgins wide open and giving him room to run into the end zone. That wasn’t the only controversial touchdown of the game. The
officials were heavily criticized again after the Rams’ gamewinning touchdown. As LA was driving inside the Bengals’ 10yard line, the officials made two defensive pass interference calls on Cincinnati, ultimately, giving the Rams a 1st-and-goal from the 1-yard line, which eventually led to a 1-yard game-winning touchdown pass to Kupp. With the Rams’ win at SoFi Stadium, it marks the second straight year that a team won the Super Bowl at their home stadium. The Buccaneers won the Super Bowl at their home stadium in Tampa Bay last year.
BRUINS’ RASK ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT
with the Bruins, and is the all-time winningest goaltender in Bruins history with 308 regular-season wins. Two of those wins came this season, as Rask returned from hip surgery last month, signing a one-year, low-risk high-reward deal with the Bruins in a comeback attempt. But that comeback only lasted four games. And now, Rask is calling it quits. “While I am sad to say goodbye to the game I love,” added Rask, “I am so very thankful to have shared these last 15 years with the greatest teammates and fans in the best sports city in the world.”
B
SBT Staff
oston Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask is officially hanging up the pads. Rask, 34, announced his retirement late last week, in a statement sent out by the team. “Today is a day that I hoped would never come,” said Rask in the statement. “But now that it’s here, I feel I owe it to everyone to hear it from me. When I made the decision to
have surgery on my hip last summer, I did so knowing that the road to recovery would be challenging. I also knew it was something I would have to do if I wanted to give myself a chance to play my best hockey again. The rehab, the workouts, the practices — all of it was with the intention of getting back to where I needed to be to help my teammates win games and make another run at a Stanley Cup. Over these last few weeks, I’ve
realized that my body is not responding the way it needs to for me to play at the level I expect of myself and that my teammates and Bruins fans deserve. Therefore, it is with a heavy heart that I announce my retirement from the game of hockey.” The Bruins acquired Rask in the summer of 2006, in a trade with the Maple Leafs, that sent goaltender Andrew Raycroft to Toronto. Rask spent all 15 years of his NHL career