South Boston Today February 16 2023

Thoughts On Super Bowl Pre Game/ The Actual Game Well Played

Last week, much of the nation’s attention was focused on the Super Bowl even more than the Chinese Spy Balloon. That was certainly the case among South Bostonians as many of our residents set Sunday aside and settled in with family and friends to be part of what has become an American tradition. Of course, the level of enthusiasm was much lower with the New England Patriots not playing, but hey, we can’t always get what we want. Yes, there were the loud house parties and local bars had overflowing crowds. It happens.

Without mentioning the play by play itself, football fans know how that went without needing an editorial to tell them, we’ll touch on some other positive signs that took place before and during the game.

Quite a few of our readers commented on things last Sunday that brightened their

day regarding the Super Bowl. This year, with the exception of all the woke virtue signaling by the NFL, and some of the Ads, there were two outstanding quarterbacks. Patrick Mahomes for the Chiefs and Jalen Hurts for the Eagles, not only possessed an incredible drive to win and give it everything they had out on the field, they also were not afraid to show their faith in God for the entire world to see. For several prior years, players highlighting their religion was frowned upon by media and even the NFL itself. It seems those days are gone. The winds have shifted, and the power of prayer is again overwhelming, even for some of the most diehard critics and skeptics.

If there were any players protesting the National Anthem this year, it wasn’t visible on the TV screens. The Anthem itself (America’s one and ONLY National Anthem) was sung by Country Music star Chris Stapleton and he did it so well, with heart and soul that it actually brought tears to the faces of some of the players, many in the crowd, and especially the

Eagle’s coach Nick Sirianni. It was truly a moving moment that was replayed often during the following days. As the massive crowd stood in silent respect , the fighter jets flyover was as always, a beautiful sight (and sound). The tribute to the massive American Flag on the field, the military color guard and all the other tributes to our country, while most are there at every Super Bowl, there seemed to be a bigger need for it all in 2023. We’ll keep to ourselves our view on the half time show, except to say, in a concert arena, not a problem. But with millions of families with small children watching, the NFL could have made a more appropriate selection. Again, for those of you who watched the Super Bowl, giving you a play by play of the game and listing all the events during the pre-game show, isn’t necessary. But we just felt the urge to give our take and our opinion on what we believe were some very positive extras that helped make it a good day. And both teams are to be congratulated on their efforts.

Jim Brett, President & CEO of the New England Council, recently met Ambassador of Ireland to the United States of America - Geraldine Byrne Nason at the recent Inaugural US-Ireland Partnership for Growth Reception to Welcome the 118th Congress held in Washington, DC.

In America, There Is Only One National Anthem

There were a lot of positive things that took place at last Sunday’s Super Bowl. But like most major events, there’s always the chance of some controversy as well, especially when the likes of Roger Stokoe Goodell is the NFL Commissioner and is consumed with infusing his ‘Woke’ politics into so much the league does. He was instrumental in making sure that the so called Black National Anthem was played and he expected everyone to stand in its honor. As the song was being performed, few if any of the athletes sang along. The actual name of the song is ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing”. It’s a beautiful song and it was performed well by singer Sheryl Lee Ralph. But the problem is, it’s not, in anyway, the national anthem – black white or other. There is only one National Anthem and it’s called the Star Spangled Banner. And watching many interviews the day after the game, it’s clear that many, if not most African Americans feel the exact same way. Said one young black United States Marine, “To my knowledge, no one voted for that song to be the Black National Anthem, we are all Americans, no matter what our race, and those who push attempts to separate and divide us by race are dead wrong and they should be ashamed of themselves”.

What started the conversation online was Kari Lake’s refusal to stand while the song was being performed. Ms. Lake, who many feel was cheated out of becoming Arizona’s new governor, because of what seemed pretty clear to be voter fraud, is no racist. She has proven many times

that she sincerely believes people of every race should be treated equally – no one should get preference over another because of their race. But like the outspoken US Marine, she knows that there is but one National Anthem for Americans and she will not play along with Woke attempts to cause division.

Dr. Benjamin Carson, former presidential candidate and brain surgeon, famous for his work and expertise worldwide, and who happens also to be a black man and a proud American put into words what most people of all races feel: “What will be the next move? If there can be a Black National Anthem, will the push then be for a separate national Anthem for Asians, Hispanics, American Indians, Eskimos in Alaska…? If it’s done for one race, why shouldn’t every race and ethnic group have their own? It’s a deliberate attempt to divide”.

Dr. Carson is absolutely correct. It IS a deliberate attempt to divide Americans by powerful and racist people in high positions who want exactly that. When Americans are divided, the country is weakened. And a weakened America would be a dream come true for enemies of our country both foreign AND domestic.

Speaking of woke, Its often mentioned here how organizations like Netflix, CNN and businesses like Bed Bath and Beyond, Dick’s Sporting Goods and so many others are hurting badly because they decided to inject their left-wing politics into their business policies and outreach. It’s now being reported that one of the biggest organizations in the world, Disney, could

be in major trouble for the same reasons. Disney is doing battle with Florida’s governor Ron DeSantis over its support for what many feel is indoctrination of school children. Disney is losing badly. They have lost more than 2 million subscribers and billions of dollars in revenue, nearly 50% of its value and worth, as American families in droves are abandoning them by boycotting. While Disney is a private company and has the right to ‘go woke’ if they choose, it apparently never thought that its base of support would desert it in such

massive numbers. They now have announced that they will need to layoff another 7000 employees. Governor DeSantis just won reelection by a landslide in Florida. Apparently, the people there agree with what he’s doing, with Disney, not so much.

The bottom line is, if private companies want to continue to impose their woke policies on the people that keep them afloat, it’s their prerogative. But they shouldn’t be too shocked any longer when the people exercise their right to spend their money elsewhere.

John Ciccone

Window Into The State House

Window Into The State House provides our readers a

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Is ‘Snob Zoning’ Alive And Well?

Are we a commonwealth or a collection of headstrong duchies, each determined to make its own rules? That is one question that arises from Andrew Brinker’s very interesting Boston Globe story about leaders in Middleborough, Mass. thumbing their nose at new zoning requirements designed to generate more housing in communities with MBTA access. When it comes to housing, Massachusetts is indeed a feudal land, with housing in each fief ruled by powerful zoning boards that have an unspoken mandate to keep things pretty much the same, within reason. But along comes a new law that requires MBTA communities to create a multifamily zoning district near a train station. Action plans for implementing the new zoning were due a few weeks ago. Middleborough, among a few other towns, didn’t do its homework. And the dog didn’t eat it, either.

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“We understand that the state has a housing problem,” Leeann Bradley, the town’s planner, says in the story. “But this is being shoved down our throats.” The guidelines call for the zoning of nearly 1,500 units in a town of about 24,000, which does seem like a lot. But the resistance reflects a classic parochialism that has hindered housing generation for decades.

Thought question: Could we have built, in today’s political and bureaucratic environment, the nation’s highway system or its rail system?

Top business leader warns state is on the brink of decline

The Massachusetts worker shortage is a “bomb cyclone,” according to John Regan’s alarming — some would say alarmist — State of Massachusetts Business speech yesterday. Regan is president of Associated Industries of Massachusetts who’s got a terrific wit and a way with words, but there was

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nothing amusing about his view of where things stand. Regan warned our future prosperity is threatened — and not the distant future.

SJC ends a deadly, misogynistic legal loophole

“We conclude that the exception in the Commonwealth to the mere words rule for sudden oral revelations of infidelity has run its course.” So wrote Supreme Judicial Court justice Frank M. Gaziano, speaking for the court as the SJC yesterday struck down the state’s centuries-old, sexist defense for murder that held a man could kill his wife if he discovered she had been unfaithful.

What part of ‘illegal’ don’t they understand?

It’s beginning to be clear the Gaming Commission might have its work cut out for it policing the distinction between betting on college sports, and betting on Massachusetts college sports. All three

MBTA Service Changes on the Red, Mattapan, Orange, Green And Commuter Lines

The MBTA today announced service changes for March on the Red, Mattapan, Orange, and Green Lines as well as the Haverhill and Newburyport/Rockport Commuter Rail Lines.

Accessible shuttle buses will replace Red Line service between Harvard and JFK/ UMass Stations during the weekends of March 4-5 and March 25-26.

The MBTA is installing a new digital signal system to replace the existing analog system. On March 4-5, the T will perform tests on the new system between Central Square and Downtown Crossing Stations before switching to the new digital signal system between these stations during the weekend of March 25-26.

During the weekend closures between Harvard and JFK/UMass, free shuttle buses will make stops at all stations except Park Street and Downtown Crossing Stations. Riders that

would normally ride the Red Line to or from Park Street or Downtown Crossing are advised to use Red Line shuttle buses that will stop at Haymarket Station and State Station where there are connections to the Orange, Blue, and Green Lines. South-bound shuttle buses toward Ashmont/Braintree will also stop at Summer and Otis Streets and north-bound shuttle buses toward Alewife will stop at Federal and Franklin Streets, which is in close proximity to Downtown Crossing for connections to the Red Line. Signage will be in place to direct riders to shuttle bus stops and extra MBTA personnel and Transit Ambassadors will be on-hand to assist riders.

Evening weekday Mattapan Line service changes will take place from March 6-9 to remove a staircase at Milton Station. Service will be replaced with accessible shuttle bus service between Mattapan and Ashmont Stations beginning at approximately 9 PM on March 6-9.

of the state’s casinos have now been found to have taken illegal bets on Massachusetts-based college teams. We’ll see if this turns into an enforcement nightmare, or at least a bad dream.

End of elevated food assistance draws $130 million proposal from Healey

Needy families in Massachusetts stand to lose a third of the public help they get to buy food, as elevated COVID-emergency benefits expire. With the state already facing a wrenching food-insecurity problem, Gov. Healey’s proposed a supplemental budget that includes $130 million to fill the hole left by the federal expiration. Sam Drysdale of State House News Service examines the proposal, which Doug Howgate of the Mass. Taxpayers Foundation calls a “good balance.”

Venture capital discrimination still in Sen. Friedman’s sights Sen. Cindy Friedman has modified her legislation making sexual harassment and discrimination by venture capitalists against startup founders a crime. She’s hoping this third iteration is the one that musters enough support, and ap -

Haverhill Commuter Rail Line trains will be replaced with accessible shuttle bus service between Haverhill and Reading Stations for nine days from March 4-12 to perform Automated Train Control (ATC) work. ATC is a federally mandated safety system that sends signals to trains about potentially unsafe conditions, automatically slowing and stopping a train if needed. Passengers should note that bicycles are not allowed on shuttle buses, and regular Commuter Rail fares will be collected between Reading and North Station.

Due to the continued demolition of the Government Center Garage by private developer HYM Construction, Orange and Green Line service changes will take place in the downtown Boston area during the weekend of March 11-12.

Orange Line train service will be suspended between Ruggles and North Station during the weekend of March 11-12. The MBTA will lever-

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synopsis

important issues

interest, past and current, that are being proposed, debated or acted upon

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.

Councilors Flynn and Lara Refile Hearing on Water Safety Awareness And Swimming Lessons

Council President Ed Flynn and Councilor Kendra Lara refiled a hearing order to discuss water safety awareness and increasing access to swimming lessons in the City of Boston. This hearing order is a refile from last year, where Massachusetts saw a spike in the number of drownings, particularly in the month of May. Drowning is the leading cause of preventable, injury-related deaths in Massachusetts in children below the age of 15, and unfortunately, Black and lower income communities are more likely to be affected by

drownings. A study from the University of Memphis found that 66% of Black children could not swim well enough to be safe in the deep end, and a report by USA Swimming found that 79% of children in families that earn less than $50,000 in annual income have little or no swimming ability.

“As a City surrounded by water, it is vital for our young people to have basic water safety awareness and to know how to swim.We must explore ways to partner with local and community organizations to provide swimming classes for our low-

income residents and young people of color so that they can have the basic skills to be safe around water.”

Council President Flynn said.

“Access, knowledge, and safety are all driving factors in pool usage. If we want to ensure all communities benefit from our city facilities, we must tackle the root causes behind the decline

in usage. Increasing access to swim lessons and water safety awareness is one way to move the needle towards equity and truly democratize access to recreation.” District Six City Councilor Kendra Lara said.

Council President Flynn and Councilor Lara will hold this hearing in the coming weeks.

BioMed Realty Executes Lease with Lydia Shire for Restaurant Concept In Seaport

BioMed Realty – a Blackstone portfolio company and leading provider of real estate solutions to the life science and technology industries – executed a lease with renowned, James Beard award-winning chef Lydia Shire for a restaurant concept at Seaport Science Center, a 492,000 square-foot life science redevelopment in Boston, MA. Slated to open in 2024, this new concept will complement the venerable Scampo which Shire opened at the Liberty Hotel in 2008.

BioMed Realty and Chef Shire are

pleased to deliver this vibrant restaurant at Seaport Science Center, a property that is surrounded by some of the world’s most influential companies and top research institutions in one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Boston. The restaurant will be on the ground floor of the building with connection directly into the building’s lobby. The partnership with Chef Shire will expand beyond the walls of the restaurant with collaboration opportunities for tenant events in the building’s six story atrium and all-season roof deck.

The design of the 13-floor Seaport Science Center features state-of-the-art lab and collaborative spaces, a luminous six-story atrium and winter garden, an all-season roof deck and an array of amenities. The property is built for multi-tenant use with robust infrastructure to accommodate a range of tenant lab and office requirements.

Since being acquired by Blackstone in 2016, BioMed Realty’s investment in Massachusetts and its life science industry has continued to deepen over time. Within the Boston/Cambridge market, BioMed Realty has an operating portfolio of 5.6 million square feet with 1.9 million square feet of in-process development.

The address of the Seaport Science Center is 601 Congress Street in Boston’s Seaport District.

About BioMed Realty:

BioMed Realty, a Blackstone portfolio company, is a leading provider of real estate solutions to the life science and technology industries. BioMed Realty owns and operates high

quality life science real estate comprising— as of December 31, 2022—16.4 million square feet concentrated in leading innovation markets throughout the United States and the United Kingdom, including Boston/ Cambridge, San Francisco, San Diego, Seattle, Boulder and Cambridge, U.K. In addition, the Company maintains a premier in process development platform with 3.4 million square feet of Class A properties in active construction and 7.8 million square feet of future development platform in these core innovation markets to meet the demand of the life science and technology industries. To learn more about BioMed Realty, visit biomedrealty.com and follow the company on Twitter @biomedrealty.

About Lydia Shire:

Lydia Shire is a renowned, award-winning chef and restaurateur whose cooking has delighted countless diners and patrons to her many New England establishments. Known for pairing ingredients and flavors in bold new ways, Lydia brings together the best of New England cuisine with a modern, luxurious flair. A pioneer in the field, Lydia and her culinary offerings have graced the covers of many culinary magazines. Her restaurants have won many awards, including “Best of Northeast,” and her cooking has inspired generations of men and women in the field. To learn more about Lydia Shire, please visit www.scampoboston.com.

I Was Just Thinking…

academic skills they’ll need as they become young adults and eventually productive members of society. Our children need to be taught math, science, civics, and history. They need to be able to read with comprehension and write with clarity and grammatical prowess.

During the height of the pandemic which ushered in remote learning nationwide, more and more parents were made aware of what was and what was not being taught to their children. And what they saw and heard they did not like.

by Kevin Devlin

“Education is not merely neglected in many of our schools today, but is replaced to a great extent by ideological indoctrination.”(Thomas

Sowell)

Teachers are entrusted to help our children learn and acquire the necessary

Parents and not teachers have the right to know and determine what their child is being taught. The Latin term in loco parentis - in the place of a parent - gives teachers and administrators legal responsibilities in the absence of parents. But that does not mean that they can supersede the authority or wishes of parents.

Teachers are paid to teach. Their job is to educate, not indoctrinate. Parents pay the freight either through taxes or tuition. In the final analysis it’s the par-

Schools continued from front page a blueprint for success to Mayor Michelle Wu and her appointed Boston School Committee. However, that plan was only made public, in sporadic press conferences and releases, and only after she was chosen and under contract. After having been chosen, she has been confronting the challenge of her career: turning around a school system that fails thousands of children every year.

In a New York minute, her agenda, whatever it was, was hijacked by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Boston’s schools are operating under threat of a takeover by the state, which in a report last spring described the district’s “entrenched dysfunction” and “systemic disarray”. Less than one-third of elementary and middle school students are proficient in reading and math. Enrollment has been hemorrhaging in recent years, as parents with means scramble to the suburbs, charters, or private schools.

Ms. Skipper is Boston’s sixth superintendent in a decade. As reported, her predecessor, Brenda Cassellius, vowed she’d hand incoming kindergartners their high school diplomas one day; she left as they finished second grade. While it is early to draw conclusions, there is real optimism and a sense among many principals, teachers, school officials, and outside observers that Skipper is starting to drive the change the school system desperately needs.

It falls to her to carry out the agreement Mayor Michelle Wu reached with the state education department last summer. The Mayor has promised a massive school rebuilding project and “academic

ent’s right and responsibility to know and determine what their children are taught. Not the inclinations, the covert maneuvering of teachers who want to impose their prejudices and ideological leanings on their students in opposition to the wishes of parents.

Although the United States has the bestsurveyed educational system on paper in the world, our students “consistently score lower in math and science than students from many other countries.” In 2018, based on the findings of a Business Insider study, the U.S. ranked 38th in math scores and 24th in science scores.

With focus on such matters as sex education for second graders or pitting students against each other by race, labeling some oppressed and some the oppressors in what they consider a corrupt system, it’s understandable why our students lack proficiency in subjects which truly matter, and why parents are outraged

The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle wrote that “Educating the mind without

excellence across all our schools,” was able to avert a state takeover. It came a long to-do list, and a series of rigid deadlines in three years’ time.

Skipper has restructured the Central Office, reduced the number of direct reports she has from 15 to three. Her deputies oversee academics, operations, and family and community advancement. She’s assigned additional staff to each of the district’s nine “regions” to help schools with issues around hiring, facilities, and buses, as well as literacy and academic instruction. Simple sounding, but consequential. Her goal is to make BPS more student centric.

Student Centric! ‘What a novel concept’, one active school parent observed. Is the Boston Teachers Union on board? Jessica Tang, the union’s president, was quoted as saying “She’s very no-nonsense, She is thoughtful. She listens.”

Is Ms. Tang listening? Is the School Committee listening? Are Parents listening? “Changing the make-up of the Boston School Committee is the wrong-headed waste of political, financial, resource and human capital that belies the student centric mantra. It is a decoy from the need for leadership”, one prominent retired school officials confided.

HISTORY:

The Boston School Committee is no stranger to controversy.

From 1909 until 1983, the committee was a fivemember body elected by a citywide vote. The later decades of that, though, were marred by criminal indictments and allegations of cronyism. The tongue in cheek quip during those years was – “The School Committee was the only job with income and no salary.”

Then, in the 1970s, the body opposed busing to

educating the heart is not education at all.” We need to educate the heart by learning to live and accept others as equals in peace and harmony: as Americans united in thought and purpose. Love not hatred, tolerance not intolerance, is what is needed so our children can feel good about themselves and others. That’s how it should be so we can mold healthy and carefree young minds devoid of unnecessary despair, doubt, anxiety, or hatred.

The system is failing.

We want our children to be educated in a proficient manner without being indoctrinated.

We don’t want them to be told what to think or how to think.

Because we want them to be able to think on their own, to evaluate facts in an objective and logical fashion to arrive at unbiased conclusions.

It’s time to get back to basics and dump the politically charged and ideologically motivated lesson plans in the classroom wastebaskets.

racially integrate the district, leading advocates to push back. Several officials at the time pushed for referendum votes to change the city charter — first in 1977, when the voters shot it down, and then in 1983, when changes to the council and committee makeups were approved. The changes resulted in the committee consisting of nine districts and four at-large seats, as the current council is. But, although the change did diversify the body, chaos still reigned.

Then-Mayor Raymond Flynn led the charge for further change, eventually succeeding in getting a move to an appointed board approved, with the change taking effect to start in 1992 and appointing members for the first time.

Advocates and campaigning politicians periodically resuscitate the debate. Then-Mayor Thomas Menino, facing pressure in 1996, promised to bring the matter up for a vote every six years — and then backtracked on that.

A decade later, mayoral hopeful Sam Yoon ran against Menino, pledging to bring the school committee back to the ballot.

The Boston NAACP called for a look at making the body elected, and that year the advocacy group Boston Coalition for Education Equity surveyed all of the council candidates in a push to get the conversation about this topic back going. Many at-large candidates did call for change — though they differ on whether the committee should be all elected, partially elected or appointed by the city council in addition to the mayor. But then-Mayor Martin Walsh didn’t seek to change the board’s makeup.

City Council Passes Home Rule Petitions for a Boston Elected School Committee Valentines With A Veteran

Members of the Boston City Council voted to support two Home Rule Petitions filed by Councilors Ricardo Arroyo (District 5) and Julia Mejia (At-Large) that would change the structure of the Boston School Committee from an all-appointed body to an elected body. In a 7-5-1 vote, Councilors Arroyo, Liz Breadon, Gabriela Coletta, Tania Fernandes Anderson, Kendra Lara, Ruthzee Louijeune and Mejia voted in favor of “An Act Relative to Reorganization of the Boston School Committee” that establishes a change to an elected School Committee. Councilors Frank Baker, Michael Flaherty, Ed Flynn, Erin Murphy and Brian Worrell voted against the Home Rule Petition, and Councilor Kenzie Bok voted present. The legislation now heads to the Mayor’s desk.

The second Home Rule Petition, “An Act Establishing Student Voting on the Boston School Committee,” would give the two students on the body voting ability. On “An Act Establishing Student Voting on the Boston School Committee,” In an 11-2 vote, Councilors Arroyo, Bok, Breadon, Coletta, Fernandes Anderson, Flaherty, Lara, Louijeune, Mejia, Murphy, Worrell voted in favor of the Home Rule Petition. Councilors Baker and Flynn voted against the Home Rule Petition. This legislation also heads to the Mayor’s desk.

“I am grateful that my Council colleagues have approved these important pieces of legislation that will return the School Committee to a body that reflects the overwhelming will of the voters of Boston to rejoin every other municipality in the Commonwealth by

having an elected School Committee,” Arroyo said. “It’s my strong belief that an elected Boston School Committee would increase accountability, responsiveness, and equity to students, teachers, and families to the benefit of the system as a whole.”

“I am incredibly thankful to the advocates and the residents of Boston for making this possible,” Mejia said. “These Home Rule Petitions are responsive to the will of the voters, who, if enacted, can now elect their school committee leaders and hold them accountable. We are giving people back the power, transforming this into a true democratic process.”

The initial Home Rule Petition, filed in 2021, is in line with a non-binding vote in favor of the return to an all elected committee, which received 79% support from the voters, winning every precinct in the City of Boston. The final Home Rule, titled ““An Act Relative to Reorganization of the Boston School Committee,” creates a 13 member body by the year 2028 with nine district seats serving 2 year terms, making Boston’s School Committee inline with the other 350 municipalities in Massachusetts that elect their School Committee members.

“An Act Relative to Reorganization of the Boston School Committee” in its amended form would include a more streamlined phasing of an elected school committee, the body’s structure, term limits, and more defined language around vacancies. Following the passage of the Act, during the first municipal election voters would elect nine district seats and four would remain appointed. At the next municipal election, these four ap-

pointed seats would then transition to four elected seats, at which point the entire school committee would transition to an all elected body composed of 13 members. Each member would serve a two year term.

“An Act Establishing Student Voting on the Boston School Committee” would make the two students on the body voting members. This Home Rule Petition is contingent on the passage of the first Home Rule Petition and requires the Boston Student Advisory Committee (BSAC) to elect the two student members to the body. Should a student member of the body not be present this Act includes one alternate student member who is also elected by BSAC. Each student member would serve a one year term. It would make Boston the only municipality in Massachusetts that allows students to serve as voting members of the School Committee.

Councilors Arroyo and Mejia have held multiple hearings and working sessions to finalize both Home Rule Petitions, which would need approval from the Mayor, state legislature and governor to become law.

If enacted, Boston would move away from its allappointed School Committee model and join the other 350 cities and towns of Massachusetts in allowing residents to decide the makeup of the committee.

Both Councilors Arroyo and Mejia believe that an elected school committee will lead to more community representation on educational matters and restore confidence in the decision-making process when it comes to Boston Public Schools.

Last Thursday, Council President Ed Flynn and Councilor At-Large Erin Murphy partnered with South Boston Moms Club for their first Valentines with a Veteran event. The event was held at the Thomas J. Fitzgerald VFW Post 561 in South Boston in celebration of local veterans and featured pizza, treats, and children talking to veterans while making Valentine’s Day cards for them.

Council President Flynn, together with former Mayor Raymond Flynn, brought pizzas for the event, and the South Boston Moms Club brought along arts and craft supplies for the card decoration. Over 20 moms, kids and veterans were in attendance, and everyone had a great time, especially our local veterans who were delighted to receive so many cards this year. In the past, South Boston Moms Club has held Valentine’s events at the Marion Manor, but decided to also show our deep appreciation for our veterans and military families this year.

“We had a fun Valentines with a Vet event with the South Boston Moms Club last week. It was great to engage so many wonderful children and families, to get creative and do something both sweet and meaningful for the local veteran community. When a veteran serves, the family serves as well. This was a wonderful way to pay tribute to our veterans and military families while we honor their service, sacrifice, and dedication to our city and country.” said Council President Flynn.

Councilors Flynn and Murphy Partner With Moms Club

Guy The Wine When

You Get Right Down To It

One of the reasons that I begin so many columns with a word or two about the weather is because wine and weather are so dependent on each other. There are seasons where a hearty red is more enjoyable than others. For example, when it’s cold out, like today, hearty reds are especially enjoyable. One of the heartiest reds out there, Zinfandel, comes to mind, not only because of its full body and long finish, but also because of its broad base of food complements. So, consider having a glass or two of the following, sit down in your favorite chair and figure out what you’re going to do now that the Superbowl is over, and Opening Day at Fenway is still a ways off….

Cline 2020 Ancient Vines Zinfandel, Contra Costa County, ($16.99). There’s a delicacy to this

Zinfandel due in large part to the vibrancy of the fruit and elevated acid structure. While the nose leads with oak tones of fresh cedar wood, chocolate and nutmeg, the palate opens up to vibrant fruit; notes of black and red plum, red currant, rhubarb, mission fig, boysenberry and blueberry. There’s an awful lot going on here and that extends to pairing with anything except things that were in the water before they were on a plate.

Klinker Brick 2018 Old Vine Zinfandel, Lodi, ($20.99). Liberally spiced with oak, this full-bodied wine has equally rich fruit flavors that don’t get overwhelmed. It starts with coconut, vanilla and cedar, then reveals delicious ripe plums, raspberries and strawberries on a smooth texture. I’ve had it with a Hanger steak, sauteed in a BBQ, Soy and Brown sugar glaze, along with mushrooms and wild rice. A real treat for your palate, on multiple levels.

Midnight 2018 Estate Zinfandel, Paso Robles, Willow Creek District, ($44.99). This is a bruiser of a Zinfandel, but it fires on so many cylinders beyond the heft. Woody pine, smoked plum and liquid licorice aromas lead into a palate of oaky tannins that offer the dense plum and licorice flavors. The tannins dig in and hold.

Derek Rohlffs 2021 Rattlesnake Ridge Vineyard Zinfandel, Moon

age the service suspension by extending the Orange Line closure to Ruggles in order to perform track work, including the replacement of rail fasteners between Back Bay and Ruggles. Orange Line riders are asked to use Green Line service between Copley and Government Center Stations. Free and accessible shuttle buses will also operate between Copley on the Green Line and Ruggles on the Orange Line, making stops at Back Bay and Massachusetts Avenue Stations.

Green Line trolley service will be replaced with accessible shuttle bus service between North Station and Government Center Station during the weekend of March 11-12.

Accessibility vans will also be available for on-demand transportation during the weekend of March 11-12 – Orange and Green Line riders should ask MBTA personnel for information and assistance.

Evening weekday Red Line trains will be replaced with accessible shuttle bus service between Braintree and North Quincy Stations beginning at

Mountain District, Sonoma, California, ($39.99). Seemingly soft and rich, this black fig- and blackberryscented wine made from organic grapes delivers warm, ripe, deep and delicious berry flavors wrapped in light tannins and an expansive, full body. While technically dry, the luscious palate packed with blueberries and melted blackberries is sweetly seductive. This is definitely a sipping wine; you couldn’t rush it, even if you wanted to. Try it with a Roasted

approximately 9 PM on March 20-23. This service change will allow MBTA crews to perform critical tamping work along the track in these areas. Newburyport/Rockport Commuter Rail Line trains will be replaced with accessible shuttle bus service between Swampscott and North Station for nine days from March 20-28 to perform ATC work. Passengers should note that bicycles are not allowed on shuttle buses, and regular Commuter Rail fares will be collected between Swampscott and Newburyport/Rockport Stations.

Evening weekday Orange Line trains will be replaced with accessible shuttle bus service between Wellington and North Stations beginning at approximately 9 PM on March 27-30. This service change will allow MBTA crews to perform critical tamping work along the track in these areas.

Signage will be in place during all scheduled changes in service to direct riders to shuttle bus stops. Extra MBTA personnel and Transit Ambassadors will also be on-hand to assist riders.

Due to an anticipated increase of riders ex-

Rack of Lamb or Veal Chops.

OZV 2020 Old Vine Estate Grown

Zinfandel (Lodi), (15.99). An earthy, doughy aroma shows how fresh this wine is, before revealing layered, indulgent flavors of raspberry syrup, blackberry jam and dark chocolate that coat the mouth. With a full body, smooth texture and lingering finish, it’s easy to love. It’s been a consistent favorite for many years; once you have a sip, you’ll see why.

Here’s to ‘The Zin’!!

pected to use the MBTA to travel to St. Patrick’s and Evacuation Day events, there will be no scheduled service changes during the weekend of March 18-19.

The MBTA will announce additional service changes in advance as they are confirmed and scheduled. Riders are encouraged to subscribe to TAlerts or to follow the MBTA on Twitter for up-todate service information.

The MBTA previously announced service changes taking place in February on the Orange, Green, and Red Lines as well as the Haverhill Commuter Rail Line. Riders are encouraged to visit mbta.com/ feb2023 for a complete list.

The MBTA apologizes for the inconvenience of these scheduled service changes, and appreciates the understanding and patience of riders as this critical and necessary work to maintain, upgrade, and modernize the system takes place.

For more information, please visit mbta.com/ alerts, or connect with the T on Twitter @MBTA, Facebook /TheMBTA, Instagram @theMBTA, or TikTok @thembta.

MBTA continued from page 4

South Boston

Virtual Public Meeting: 330 C Street

March 7, 2023

6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Project Description:

Zoom Link: bit.ly/3xlcjNk

Toll Free: (833) 568 - 8864

Meeting ID: 160 508 0921

The proposed project consists of a new six-story 74-room hotel, with a ground-floor restaurant, situated at 330 C Street in South Boston. The lot size is approximately 8,202 square feet and is currently occupied by a vacant single-story concrete block building which formerly housed a repair garage.

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

BostonPlans.org

@BostonPlans

Please join us for a

Tuesday, Feb 28th @ 6:00pm

776 Summer Street

Deconstruction Update

Please register in advance for this webinar by scanning the QR code. This meeting will provide updates on the deconstruction project schedule, ongoing mitigation and monitoring efforts, and timing updates for the takeover of the East 1st Street sidewalk and parking lane. To submit questions or comments ahead of the meeting please reach out to HRPInfoNortheast@hilcoglobal.com.

The 247th Evacuation Day Essay and Poster Competition Topics Announcement Entry Deadline is March

10th at 5:00PM

South Boston Citizens’ Association President Tom McGrath has announced that because of the tremendous success of the poster and essay contest, the Association along with City of Boston Credit Union ,Comcast and Mass Bay Credit Union a will once again sponsor the 2023 Annual Contests and. all other events associated with the Month-long celebration. And, because of the amount of poster entries and interest, we will be expanding the winners categories for the poster contest for grades 3,4 and 5.These grades will compete against students in their own grades.

Once again, after last year’s outstanding effort put forth by past President Bernie O’Donnell, Mary McCarthy Collins and their committee, they have expressed an interest of taking on the challenge of co-chairing The Essay and Poster Contests.

“Bernie always believed me that these contests are a great way to educate and strengthen the interest of the children of the community and I was more than pleased when Bernie offered to once again head up this Event for the children of South Boston”, remarked McGrath. This

year the High School competition will be open to all students residing in Suffolk County or attending a school in Suffolk County.

“One of the missions of the SBCA is to reach out to the young children of this historically rich community, and joining with the SBCA in promoting, organizing, and judging the Evacuation Day Poster and Essay Competitions is a most fitting way to improve on that mission.”, O’Donnell said.

The current plan with respect to the annual Evacuation Day activities is to continue to host all the events as in years past. SBCA will continue to work with Governor Healey, Elected Officials from the City of Boston, the City of Boston Health Commission, and the National Park Service for the planning of the activities and will follow any requirements and guidance on all aspects of the hosted events.

The SBCA looks forward to working with the community again this year, which commemorates the 247th anniversary of Evacuation Day in Boston. Celebrating Evacuation Day events in the community is a huge undertaking, but thanks to Volunteers and Community Busi-

ness partners in past years, such as Comcast, Mass Bay Credit Union and City of Boston Credit Union, the SBCA is confident it 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 include, 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 10th, 2023 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 at 170 M Street South Boston.

The poster competition is open to all students in grades 3, 4, and 5 who are either South Boston student residents or any student that attends a school in South Boston.

The poster may be submitted in any Medium at least 8 1/2 “x11”, but preferably larger. The Essay competition is open to all students in grades 6-8, who are either South Boston student residents or any student that attends a school in South

Boston. The high School Essay competition is open to all students in grades 9-12 who are either City of Boston student residents attending any High School.

2023 Essay Contest

Topic for grades 9-12- Describe the events of the Boston Tea party and Boston Massacre and their importance to the American Revolution?

Essays should be at least 750 words; prizes are as follows: first prize $200, second prize $100, third prize $50.

Topic for Grades 6 to 8 - What the role of Abigail Adams in the American Revolution?

Essays should be at least 500 words, prizes are as follows: first prize $150, second prize $100, third prize $50.

Poster Topics

Grade 3 Dorchester Heights and General George Washington

Grade 4 Statue of Admiral David Farragut

Grade 5 Colonel Henry Knox and the Noble Train of Artillery

Prizes are as follows: first prize $100, second prize $75, third prize $50. probation by leadership, to make it through the process this session.

Window continued from page 4 47%,” writes Kathryn Carley.

Higher education, higher cost — Dig digs into the problem

Dig Boston has a story about the heights Massachusetts achieves as a state in terms of higher educational attainment — a lot of us have college degrees — but the unpleasant reality that so many of us who’d like to join the ranks of the college-education are held back by soaring costs. “Tuition and fees at Massachusetts public colleges have increased nearly 60% in the past two decades, while state-funded financial aid fell by

FBI on the case as more schools hit with hoax threat calls

For a second straight day, schools across the state were forced into lockdown by a spate of what officials say are hoax calls about shootings or bombings. MassLive’s Will Katcher reports the FBI is now helping to investigate the incidents, which have impacted schools from Greenfield to Martha’s Vineyard.

In Lenox, worries abound about fate of Bitcoin-backed businesses

Some Lenox residents are nervous that their community’s down -

town could take a hit as the fallout from the spectacular collapse of the FTX digital currency platform continues to expand. Former FTX executive Ryan Salame owns several hospitality businesses in the Berkshire County town and some are worried the assets could be clawed back after FTX declared bankruptcy, the Eagle’s Clarence Fanto reports.

Push is on again for better Bottle Bill

Marissa Walker of the SunChronicle finds out where the push to expand the state’s 40-year-old Bottle Bill stands, with legislation teed up that would boost the

deposit to 10 cents and expand it to include single-serving liquor bottles. The beverage industry likely stands ready to push back and has a track record of influencing public opinion as it did in 2015 when a referendum to expand the law failed at the ballot box.

Lawmakers want to halt New Bedford pier development deal

State lawmakers from the SouthCoast say the process that led to the awarding of a contract to redevelop the New Bedford State Pier was faulty and secretive and should be revisited by MassDevelopment, the New Bedford Light’s Anastasia Lennon reports.

St. Peter Academy News

Sweetheart Dance and Valentine’s Day Celebrations

Friday, February 10th St. Peter Academy’s Sweetheart Dance was held in the Community Room. The room was decorated with festive hearts and crafts made by the extended day program. Families and staff came dressed in their fancy clothes, mingled, and

danced the night away. It was a fine night of food, friends, and fun!

On Monday, Mr. Christian, Art Teacher took his students to the Marian Manor to drop off their Valentine’s Day Cards to the residents. The students did a wonderful job of creating and decorating their cards

for our neighbors at the Manor.

Valentine’s Day activities happened all day on Tuesday! The students were so excited to pass out valentines and to celebrate this special day with their friends. Happy Valentine’s Day from St. Peter Academy!

St. Peter Academy is accepting applications for the 2023-2024 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

year-round toddler program (beginning at age 15 months) and 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. You may request scholarship information from the Front Office (spa@stpeteracademy.com). Appointments for individual virtual tours can be made by contacting Maria Blasi, at 617-268-0750 or by emailing spa@ StPeterAcademy.com.

South Boston Catholic Academy News

Focusing on February Heart Health Month

ABIG Thank you to Nicholas Foligno, an American Professional Ice Hockey Left Winger for the Boston Bruins, Janelle Foligno, Author and Blades, the team mascot for the Boston Bruins for coming to visit the students at South Boston Catholic Academy. They came to tell us about the importance of heart health and how we can keep our heart healthy by exercising and eating right.

Janelle Foligno, wrote a book entitled, “Dear Heart, A Letter To My Special Heart” that she dedicated to her daughter Milana. Janelle read her inspiring story to the students. Quoting Janelle, “Milana’s journey has taught us a lot. It’s identified the important need for congenital heart defect research and heart research in general, which has spear-headed our efforts to make a difference for those battling heart disease. Our

mission is to live a heart healthy life. Not only for Milana, but for ourselves and others. We strive to create a family foundation that can grow as we do. It’s important for us to give back through philanthropy and show our children the positive impact it can have to their communities.”

The Foligno family is dedicated to helping others learn more about the importance of our heart health. For more information about them and our heart health, go to http:// heartsplaybook.com/our-story.html. Thank you again to The Foligno Family and the Boston Bruins for this very special visit to SBCA. The

students loved meeting them and learning about the importance of keeping our heart healthy.

February is Heart Health Month. Stepping away from the computer once a day to get some fresh air and sunshine can improve your mood by increasing serotonin levels and the production of endorphins. Getting outside can also increase red blood cell production, which carries oxygen throughout the body and to your brain. New families are welcome to email our admissions team at: admissions@sbcatholicacademy.org for more info. about South Boston Catholic Academy.

It’s here. Spring Training has arrived. Pitchers and catchers reported to spring training this week, and for the Boston Red Sox, their first full squad workout takes place on Monday. The Red Sox begin their spring training schedule with a game against the Northeastern Huskies next Friday, Feb. 24, followed by their first spring training game against an MLB team, next Saturday, Feb. 25 against the Atlanta Braves.

It will be strange not seeing Xander Bogaerts in Fort Myers. But at least the offseason ended on a positive note, with the Sox signing Rafael Devers to an 11-year, $331 million contract extension. In other good news, Chris Sale is present and is throwing normally. His presence and health will be key for Boston in 2023.

What will also be key is adjusting to the league’s new rules. That’s right, new rules. There are three major rule changes in 2023, which will be officially implemented in MLB during spring training games. Those three new rules are: pitch timer, shift restrictions, and bigger bases.

Here’s how MLB.com breaks down all three:

Pitch timer: The length of games

will still be determined by innings, not minutes. But to create a crisper pace, there will be a 30-second timer between batters and then a shorter time limit between pitches. Pitchers will be required to begin their motion 15 seconds after receiving the ball with the bases empty or 20 seconds after receiving the ball with runners on base. If they don’t, they will be charged with an automatic ball.

Pitchers will also be limited to two disengagements from the mound (i.e. pickoff attempts or step-offs) per plate appearance with a runner on first. The disengagements reset the clock.

Batters, meanwhile, must be in the batter’s box and alert to the pitcher by the 8-second mark on the clock, or else be charged with an automatic strike.

Shift restrictions: The defensive team must have a minimum of four players on the infield, with at least two infielders completely on either side of second base. These restrictions are intended to increase the batting average on balls in play, and allow infielders to better showcase their athleticism with great defensive plays.

Bigger bases: First, second and

third have been expanded from 15 inches on each side to 18 inches on each side, while home plate remains unchanged. The primary reason why the bases are bigger is safety, giving fielders and runners more room to operate without colliding. But the slightly decreased distance between bases could help runners on stolen-base attempts and bang-bang plays.”

All three rule changes will also be enforced in the postseason, but they will not be used in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, which begins in March. The changes were all tested in more than 8,000 games at the Minor League levels. According to MLB.com, last year, nineinning Minor League games that used the pitch timer were 25 minutes shorter than games in 2021 that did not use the pitch timer, on average. Additionally, stolen-base activity increased from 2.23 attempts per game to 2.81. The stolen-base success rate improved from 68 percent to 78 percent.

And limits to the defensive shift helped increase batting averages across the Minor Leagues from .247 to .249.

I personally think the pitch clock is going to create a somewhat

chaotic experience the first few seasons in use. I hope I’m wrong but think about the play clock in the NFL. That’s just one clock. In the MLB, you’re now going to have four different timers. You’ll have the 30-second timer between at-bats, a 15-second timer for the pitcher with bases empty, a 20-second timer for the pitcher with a runner on base, and an eight-second timer for hitters to get in the batter’s box and be ready for the pitch.

Based on what we know baseball to be — a game that’s played with no timer whatsoever — I can absolutely see all four of these clocks run close to 0:00 before almost every pitch. And you’re telling me that won’t end up being a little chaotic for both the umpires and the players?

Umpires will reportedly be wearing a device on their wrists thatw ill buzz when the clock expires, so it will be on them to call the violation.

So, now we’re trusting umpires with not just getting balls and strikes correct, but we’re also asking them to combine that with real-time reactions that could cost pitchers and hitters balls and strikes?

Yeah, this should go well.

Follow Danny on instagram @ DannyPicard.

This week, Danny shares his thoughts on the beginning of a new baseball season with several major rule changes:

CHIEFS WIN SECOND SUPER BOWL IN FOUR YEARS

Super Bowl LVII had a little bit of everything. Unfortunately, the one thing that’s grabbed everyone’s attention is a bad penalty call in the final minutes of the game, which most certainly helped the Kansas City Chiefs defeat the Philadelphia Eagles, 3835, on Sunday in Arizona, to claim their second Lombardi Trophy in the Patrick Mahomes era.zMahomes was also named Super Bowl MVP for the second time.

He should thank the NFL officials though, because their “defensive holding” call on Eagles cornerback James Bradberry with 1:54 left in the fourth quarter essentially prevented Philadelphia from getting the ball back.

The questionable call came on a 3rd-and-8 from the Philadelphia 15-yard line, with the game tied 35-35, and just under two minutes left on the clock. Mahomes lofted a pass to the back left corner of the

Tweet of the Week

end zone, intended for Chiefs wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster. The ball was greatly overthrown, and it looked as if it would then be fourth down, which, after a projected Chiefs field goal, would have given the Eagles the back with over 1:30 to work with.

Instead, a flag was thrown after Mahomes’ third-down pass, and Bradberry was called for holding Smith-Schuster, which gave Kansas City an automatic first down at the Philadelphia 11-yard line. The Eagles had only one timeout left, and so, the Chiefs ran three plays — one run and two QB kneels — to put themselves in position to kick a go-ahead 27-yard field goal with 11 seconds left in the Super Bowl.

Harrison Butker buried the chip shot, and put Kansas City up 38-35, giving the Eagles only eight seconds to work with. Obviously, the eight seconds was not enough, and the Chiefs went on to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.

After the game, Bradberry took the high road and told the media that the official who threw the flag on him for holding made the right call.

“I mean, I pulled the jersey,” said Bradberry after the loss. “They called holding. I was hoping they would let it ride. But it was a hold.”

Bradberry did make some minimal hand contact with Smith-Schuster’s

hip and he did tug the jersey a little bit, but not enough to warrant a game-deciding penalty with a Super Bowl on the line, especially considering that Mahomes’ pass would’ve been overthrown if there was no contact from Bradberry at all.

Referee Carl Cheffers was sticking by that penalty flag after the game, saying, “there was no debate” about it.

“It was a clear case of a jersey grab that caused restriction,” said Cheffers when asked about the call by pool reporter Lindsay Jones.

Jones asked Cheffers to take her through the play.

“The receiver went to the inside and he was attempting to release to the outside,” said Cheffers. “The defender grabbed the jersey with his right hand and restricted him from releasing to the outside. So, therefore, we called defensive holding.

“That’s what we’re looking for, those kind of restrictions in those kind of routes that put the receiver at a disadvantage.”

Was Smith-Schuster at a “disadvantage” on the play because of Bradberry’s contact? Whether the officials or Bradberry want to admit it publicly or not, the call was definitely debatable.

Still, the Chiefs have to be commended for their comeback win. They trailed the Eagles 24-14 at

halftime, and then scored a touchdown on their first three possessions of the second half.

The MVP Mahomes finished the game 21-of-27 for 182 pass yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions. Had the Eagles won, there’s no doubt that Jalen Hurts would’ve been named Super Bowl MVP.

Hurts finished the game with three rushing touchdowns, while also going 27-of-38 for 304 pass yards, one passing touchdown, and zero interceptions.

Eagles receivers DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown combined for 13 catches and 196 yards, with Brown catching Hurts’ lone touchdown pass of the game.

For the Chiefs, Travis Kelce led the team with 81 receiving yards on six catches. Kelce caught one of Mahomes’ three touchdown passes. Kadarius Toney and Skyy Moore caught Mahomes’ other two touchdown passes.

Running back Isiah Pacheco led the Chiefs in rushing with 76 yards on 15 carries and a touchdown.

For what it’s worth, the Chiefs are already the favorite to win next year’s Super Bowl, at +600. The Eagles are tied with the San Francisco 49ers and Cincinnati Bengals for the third-best odds, at +900, behind the Buffalo Bills, who have the secondbest odds, at +850.

SBT Staff