South Boston Today February 23 2023

By Kevin Devlin

The Tradition Continues This Saturday

The majority of editorials in most every newspaper, this one included, and unfortunately more often than not, must lean to the negative. That’s just the way of the world and the type of news that is out there demands. But sometimes, an editorial can be about the happy and positive things that also exist in today’s world. We think that the annual pre springtime opening of Sullivan’s Restaurant at Castle Island in Southie fits the latter description.

Some not familiar with the event that is ‘Sully’s’ Opening Day’; and it truly is an event if you’ve been to one, you know, might ask what is so big or unusual about the opening of a restaurant? It’s a fair and reasonable question. So let us enlighten those who may be confused. Opening day at Sully’s is an end of winter tradition that, depending on the weather can and has brought out literally tens of thousands of people who in many cases have been hunkered down at home during the cold and gray

winter weather. It attracts a wide variety of folks, including many families with young children. And of course, it attracts South Bostonians who were born and raised and still live here as well as those who over the years have moved away. Neighbors, who haven’t seen each other since before Christmas and way beyond, get to catch up in conversation and even long-time friendships are rekindled. But more than South Bostonians; long time and new arrivals, it brings in people from surrounding towns and even people; many of them curiosity seekers wanting to find out what all the commotion is about from other states. It’s not too unusual to see tourists from a number of other countries waiting in line as well. It’s also quite possible that there will be helicopters from one or more TV channels hovering above to film, from an Ariel view, the massive and happy looking crowds. Again, weather permitting. Without the slightest bit of exaggeration, the line to get

served at the counter by a very professional and friendly staff can stretch and has stretched in some years for a quarter a mile. It’s a gathering where everyone seems to really be enjoying each other’s company. Call it an experience. Oh, and by the way, the food is delicious. Have Sully’s prices gone up in recent years? They most certainly have. But it’s the case with all restaurants. Inflation is real and it’s everywhere. But many would say that what you get for your money is worth it.

So, today’s editorial is a positive one that wishes all those who make the trek to Castle Island this weekend for opening day at Sully’s a good time. Because it is just that – a good time that often turns out to be one of the biggest social events of the season. Pray for good weather and enjoy.

Tuesdays During Lent

The Holy Rosary - Tuesday Evenings at 6:30PM at Gate of Heaven Church

Wednesdays During Lent

6:30PM - 7:30PM

PRAYER, REFLECTION, ADORATION, & CONFESSION

6:30PM Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament

6:40PM – 7:00PM Spiritual Talk

7:00 – 7:30PM Confessions & Adoration

Wednesday, March 1st – Saint Brigid Church Presenter: Fr. Robert Casey

Wednesday, March 8th – Gate of Heaven Church Presenter: Fr. Christopher Boyle

Wednesday, March 15th – St. Brigid Church Presenter: Msgr. Liam Bergin

Wednesday, March 22nd – Gate of Heaven Church Presenter: Deacon Tucker Redding, SJ

Wednesday, March 29th – St. Brigid Church Presenter: Sister Maureen Casey, SND

Wednesday, April 5th – Gate of Heaven Church Presenter: Rev. Michael Steele

This Evening (April 5th) will include our Holy Week Reconciliation Service

There will be 4 Priests for Individual Confessions Fridays During Lent Stations of the Cross

Every Friday during Lent 3:00PM at Gate of Heaven Church Daily Mass Gate of Heaven Church: Monday through Friday at 9AM St. Brigid Church: Monday through Friday at 7AM

Fiasco At The Southern Border. It’s Out Of Control

Watching the increasing number of news reports, at least on the media outlets that will report it, about all the mostly young Americans dying from the deadly Fentanyl drugs coming over the border, proves that our country has a drug problem more serious than ever before. It’s now estimated that 300 Americans, each day, die from that poison. And then, when you think back a couple of weeks to Biden’s State of the Union Address, the problem is magnified. He spent a total of 10 seconds on the situation and offered no solutions and has done nothing about it. To do so, might interrupt the flow of illegals coming into the country and the Democrats won’t have that.

Stopping the flow of drugs and illegals crossing the border by securing that border is job of the federal government. It’s an obligation they have – it’s the law. But they won’t secure it and lie about it and tell us the border IS secure. Frustrated by the lack of any serious action by the feds, the State of Texas, over the screams of outrage by the federal government and the media and Democrat party leaders, has found it necessary to use its own resources to do what they can to stem the tide of illegals, among them criminals and people on the terrorist watch list, and Fentanyl. Thankfully Texas is making some progress.

The following are some of the results:

In a move that the Texas Governor, Gregg Abbott, has named ‘ Operation Lone Star’ Texas police and National Guard members, with the unofficial and covert help of some United States Border Patrol forces, have stopped more than 348,000 illegals. And as was stated, the number includes Mexican Cartel members, potential terrorists and Human Traffickers. And among THAT number

are many MS-13 gang operatives. Yes folks, the Mexican government is said to be letting dangerous criminals out of their prisons, if they promise to leave that country and go to the United States. Texas officials have also confiscated more than 361 million doses of the Fentanyl drug. If you do the math, it’s enough to kill every man, woman and child living in the United States. And that number is actually dwarfed compared to the number of doses that has already gotten through under Biden’s watch.

If Texas hadn’t stopped the number of criminals and drugs that they have, every one of them and every bit of it would have made it into communities all across our country. However, what Texas IS doing is busing illegals that they have screened to Democrat run cities around the country. You know, those so called ‘sanctuary cities’ that say all immigrants, illegal or not, should be allowed to cross the border. The stickler for those oh-so open-minded and tolerant big city Democrat mayors is they were counting on them staying in the states along the southern border. Texas however decided to follow in Florida’s footsteps and give those mayors a taste of what it has to deal with.

Governor Abbott has now bussed thousands to New York City, Washington DC, Baltimore and Philadelphia. And now, you can hear those tolerant Democrat pro-open-borders mayors scream and wail in horror. They are overrun with homeless immigrants. They don’t have the resources to house, feed or clothe them. The hospitals in those cities are bursting at the seams from all the new arrivals and without insurance.

Now these mayors are condemning the Texas and the Florida governors for giving them just a slight taste of what’s been happening in the border towns. And they want it to stop. Well, to quote Mick Jagger – “You

can’t always get what you want”. Oh yes, and here’s another kicker. As we mentioned in a recent article, New York’s mayor is now busing the illegals to the Canadian border. Even the immigrants want out of New York, since under NYC’s liberal city government, the place is a crime invested war zone. And the ever so tolerant liberal Canadian officials are furious. They are condemning New York’s mayor and demanding it be stopped.

Personally, I can feel for the good people, the non-criminal illegal immigrants who must think they are being used as props by American politicians. Yes, It’s my view that no

one should be allowed to cross our borders, unless they do it the legal and proper way. But they have been enticed to come, legal or not, by the Biden Administration. Biden and the Democrat Party has sent the word out worldwide that everyone can come in. The Democrats want and need new voters, and this is how they think they can get them. So secured borders are a thing of the past for as long as the Democrats are in power. Did they ever think it would get so out of control? Who knows. But it’s a pretty sure bet, they have no intention of doing what’s needed to stop it unless they are finally forced to do so.

John Ciccone

Window Into The State House

Appetite For Rent Control?

Massachusetts housing advocates hangry for a drop in soaring prices, say a debate over rent control in Boston — where costs are among the nation’s most expensive — is slowly making the controversial policy “more palatable” on a statewide level. Voters banned rent control policies across the commonwealth in a 1994 referendum, but Cambridge Rep. Mike Connelly says he’s seen a small, but noticeable, shift in the appetite for policies that could curb the climbing cost of housing that’s being felt in all corners of Massachusetts.

Connolly first pitched his Housing for All bill four years ago, with minimal support from Beacon Hill. The legislation that includes proposals to boost affordable housing funding and address homelessness also includes enabling legislation to allow cities and towns to enact rent control policies that make sense in their communities. “If the Boston City Council can agree to a final policy, there is some sense that people around

the commonwealth will see and be open to rent control,” Connolly told MASSterList.

The Cambridge Democrat said this session lawmakers have filed five bills that address the policy in some way. And it’s no longer just Boston-area lawmakers championing the cause — legislators in Canton and Acton have signed on. But all eyes are on Boston, where city councilors on Wednesday hold their first hearing on Mayor Michelle Wu’s proposed homerule petition that could be the first rent control policy to hit the books in almost 30 years. First it faces a trifecta of hurdles — passing the city council, then the Legislature and then earning a signature from Gov. Maura Healey.

Connolly and state Sen. Lydia Edwards, an East Boston Democrat, are hopeful. Healey has signaled she supports a local option for such policies. Wu centered her campaign in part on bringing back some form of rent control as a way to address an intensifying housing crisis. Average

rents in Boston, at roughly $3,000 according to recent Census data, now rival those of Bay-area cities.

Her policy, which Edwards and Connolly have called “benign,” faces criticism from both progressive housing advocates who say it doesn’t go far enough and the real estate lobby, who fear it will have a “chilling effect” on much-needed development. The day before the Boston hearing, the Greater Boston Real Estate Board launched a $400,000 opposition campaign hitting Boston voters with text messages, direct mail and a phone bank nay-saying Wu’s policy.

Real estate industry launches sixfigure anti-rent control campaign

One day before Boston city councilors were slated to open debate on Mayor Michelle Wu’s housing stabilization bill that includes a home-rule petition to introduce a controversial rent control policy, the Greater Boston Real Estate Board unleashed an $400,000 campaign against the measure.

A BCEC REDEVELOPING STORY

The battle over a stretch of land near the South Boston convention center just keeps smoldering. After months of pushing legislation to require a community advisory board and other conditions on a Massachusetts Convention Center Authority redevelopment plan, Democratic state Sen. Nick Collins is looking for a new way to ground the whole project.

More than a decade ago, the MCCA was allowed to acquire three parcels along D and E streets adjacent to the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. It was meant to build more mid-priced hotels, and to make Boston’s convention scene more competitive against other cities, like Orlando, Fla., Collins told Playbook. Boston was losing mid-price conventions “not because of Mickey and Minnie, [but] because of the price points of the different kinds of conventions,” he said.

Now Senator Collins is pushing SD 2406,

a short bill that would require any state or quasistate agency to return private property acquired by eminent domain if the land doesn’t get used for its stated purpose. Boston.com reported earlier this month that two bids near the convention center included grocery stores, labs, and office and retail space. That’s the type of general economic development MCCA chief David Gibbons has said would help the local hotels and generate long-term revenues for the convention business — but, to Collins, not the original intent. “They’re acting like an open-ended developer. That’s not what their role is as a convention center,” Collins said.

Collins’ bill is just the latest barb in a long fight. He’d already sent Gibbons a letter in December arguing that the agency had run afoul of commitments for how it was supposed to develop the land it snatched up near the convention center through eminent domain. State Rep. David Biele, Boston City Council President Ed Flynn and Councilor Michael Flaherty,

Iwo Jima veterans mark the 78th anniversary of pivotal battle

An annual ceremony at the State House that once included 30 to 40 Marines who battled in Iwo Jima, included just two Marines on Tuesday. They marked the 78th anniversary of the pivotal World War II battle that paved the way for victory in the Pacific Theater.

Pressley eyes trauma survivors as ‘next pandemic’

In touting a new law that expands federal mental health support for survivors of natural disasters, domestic terrorist attacks and other crises that are declared designated emergencies by FEMA, U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley said the Post Disaster Mental Health Response Act identified trauma survivors as the nation’s “next pandemic.”

Next steps for protecting Boston from rising seas

Experts say flood barriers like those in Providence, Rhode Island could be one way to stave off the rising seas where Boston Harbor meets Fort Point Channel, potentially stopping more intense storms from letting the ocean reclaim what was once South Bay — a large swath of Dorchester, South Boston and Roxbury.

all Democrats, also signed the letter, which complained about the request for proposals process being rushed at the end of the Baker administration.

The drama flared up again last week when the MCCA met behind closed doors to discuss the two bids that have come in — something it can do if an open meeting may have a “detrimental effect on the negotiating position of the public body.”

Gov. Maura Healey has a part to play here, of course, but hasn’t taken a position. The governor has yet to say whether she plans to follow through on her predecessor’s plans to sell another MCCA asset — the Hynes Convention Center — and funnel the proceeds to the convention site in South Boston.

“We look forward to continued collaboration with key stakeholders to develop an approach that works for both facilities and, importantly, the neighborhoods in which they reside,” Healey spokesperson Karissa Hand said in an email to Playbook. “We are also committed to building a strong team across our administration, including the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority Board.”

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.

REP. BIELE APPOINTED VICE CHAIR OF COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY

Also assigned to Committee on Ways and Means, Committee on Economic Development and Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs

Representative David Biele (DBoston) was appointed to four legislative committees for the current two-year session of the Massachusetts Legislature, the 193rd General Court. Rep. Biele, currently in his third term, was named Vice Chair of the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security which considers matters relating to shipping or otherwise transporting energy sources; the safety of the public; fire laws; motor vehicle laws; the correction system; probation; homeland or Commonwealth security matters; the prevention of terrorists attacks; the reduc-

tion of the vulnerability to terrorism; and the coordination of homeland security related activities of the Commonwealth with those of the Federal Government. Additionally, Rep. Biele was appointed as a member to three legislative committees:

• Joint Committee on Ways and Means, which examines matters relating to the finances of the Commonwealth and such other matters as may be referred thereto. Each year, the Committee on Ways and Means helps craft and develop the state budget;

• Joint Committee on Economic Development and Emerging Technolo-

gies, which examines matters relating to commercial and industrial businesses; gambling and gaming; science and technology; economic development; research and development; medical technology and medical devices; computer access (internet, networking, data storage); and workforce training and development; and

• House Committee on Intergovernmental Affairs, which examines matters concerning partnerships between the Commonwealth and other governmental entities.

“I am honored for the opportunity to serve on these committees and work on issues impacting our community and our Commonwealth. I am grateful to Speaker Ronald Mariano for selecting me to serve on these committees and for the support of my colleagues in confirming these assignments,” said Rep. Biele. “I want to especially thank the residents of the 4th Suffolk District for placing your trust and confidence in me and for the honor and privilege of representing our neighbor-

hoods in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. I look forward to the work ahead with residents and colleagues in government to make a positive difference in our communities and across our state.”

In addition to committee assignments, Rep. Biele also serves as a Commissioner on the Metropolitan Beaches Commission, charged with reviewing the state of public beaches, including beaches in South Boston and Dorchester, and developing recommendations to protect those beaches while increasing public access and enjoyment.

Flynn Calls for Affordable Housing Tax Exemption For Below Market Rent

rent in the City of Boston. Currently, the City of Boston has a number of tax exemptions for homeowners who own and occupy their property. Under Council President Flynn’s proposal, there would be a $6,000 tax exemption for property owners willing to charge $500 a month below market rate rents.

that incentivizes reducing rents by $500 per month below market rate would provide units across the city to come online much more quickly in the next fiscal year, and before the city’s heaviest turnover on September 1st.

quickly. Council President Flynn plans on submitting this proposal as an amendment to the home rule petition.

At the Boston City Council’s Government Operations Hearing on rent stabilization, Council President Flynn proposed an affordable housing tax exemption for property owners that charge below market rate

At the hearing, Council President Flynn discussed the urgent need to increase the city’s housing stock as well as affordable units through the city’s Inclusionary Development Policy program while emphasizing that these actions all take considerable time in terms of proposals, community process, approvals, permits, construction, lotteries and occupancy. However, a Rent Reduction Act featuring an affordable housing tax exemption

To offset the tax exemption, money from the Community Preservation Fund, the Neighborhood Trust and Linkage money from future projects, as well as federal funds can be utilized. The property owner would be required to register the unit with the city and provide proof of reduced rent to receive the property tax credit. This proposal aims to incentivize Boston’s current property owners to be stakeholders by charging below market rents, and provide an opportunity for affordable units to come on-line more

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES CITYWIDE PERMANENT OUTDOOR DINING PROGRAM

Cabinet, and the Disabilities Commission. The permanent program

“Our housing crisis calls for creative and bold solutions to get as many affordable units online as quickly as possible, “said Council President Flynn. ”An affordable housing tax exemption could provide relief for working families in every neighborhood of the city by the next fiscal year, reward property owners who have been good neighbors in quietly providing below market rents for years to help families stay in the city, and encourage other housing providers to join them in being a good neighbor.”

For more information, please contact Council President Flynn’s office at 617635-3203 and Ed.Flynn@Boston.gov.

the Streets

Mayor Michelle Wu announced the City of Boston’s Permanent Outdoor

Post-pandemic program will improve accessibility and public safety, while streamlining process for local businesses

Boston City Council Passes Flynn’s Lunar New Year Holiday Resolution

At last week’s Boston City Council Meeting, Council President Ed Flynn and Boston City Council passed a resolution in support of designating Lunar New Year as an official holiday in the City of Boston. The resolution was co-sponsored by Councilors At-Large Erin Murphy and Ruthzee Louijeune. Lunar New Year is one of the most important holidays for our AAPI communities. It begins on the second new moon after the winter solstice, and is usually

celebrated for a week starting from New Year’s Eve to the sixth day of the New Year. Boston is home to a large number of AAPI residents and one of the oldest Chinatowns in the nation, with a significant number of AAPI residents living in Chinatown and a vibrant Vietnamese community in Dorchester. Every year, these communities organize numerous lion dances, banquets and events to welcome the Lunar New Year. In California, it is designated as a state holiday, and in New York, the New

York City Council recently voted to make Lunar New Year an official school holiday.

“I represent the largest number of AAPI residents in Boston. AAPIs have always been an integral part of our city and our country, yet they have faced strong institutional discrimination and racism throughout history.” Council President Flynn said. “Designating Lunar New Year as an official holiday would be an appropriate way to recognize their significant contributions and the

Wu continued from page 5 creates a predictable, streamlined process for business owners that will expedite application review and allow for annual renewals. It incorporates the activation of public space enjoyed during the temporary program but addresses issues such as barriers to accessibility and concerns from public safety officials. The application to participate in the permanent program will be made available later this month with the goal of restaurant patios opening as early as May 1. The new program will include a monthly fee for all participants to help fund efforts to further expand outdoor dining more equitably across the City. Business owners will be able to apply via an online portal which will be open starting on February 23, 2023. Through this portal, businesses will be able to submit their applications, track application progress, and renew the Outdoor Dining Permit annually. The application to apply will be available here.

“We were so excited to hear about the return of outdoor dining. For us, as a small restaurant the pandemic forced us to get creative, and the outdoor dining program has been a critical component to our sustainability and recovery. We saw changes in consumer behavior when we were forced to rethink the way we use public spaces,”

said Andy Fadous, co-owner of

American Provisions & Gray’s Hall. “With our two businesses on East Broadway & I Street in South Boston, we were able to provide an outdoor space for the community in both the morning and evenings, open longer hours and employ more staff.”

The permanent program requires businesses to submit professionally engineered site plans for outdoor dining setups on the street and sidewalk to ensure all patios meet the requirements of the state building code. The COVID-19 temporary program allowed for hand-drawn site plans and portable ramps under a temporary variance from the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board (MAAB). The City has prepared multiple sample templates, which have been informed by the Disabilities Commission and approved by the MAAB for permanent use. The City has designated a staff member to help restaurant owners with technical assistance on engineering plans.

In 2020, the Outdoor Dining Pilot Program was created under temporary state legislation as a business relief response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to any of the temporary outdoor dining programs, fees were collected for the City’s Sidewalk Cafe Program, which predated the pandemic.

Going forward, all approved businesses participating in outdoor

dining will be required to pay $399 per month if they have a liquor license and $199 per month if they do not. Fees will go toward technical assistance for hiring architects to draft site plans, with the goal of expanding the program to businesses that would not otherwise be able to participate.

The City will not be permitting on-street outdoor dining in the North End this year. Restaurants in the neighborhood with adequate sidewalk width will be eligible to apply for outdoor dining if their proposal complies with accessibility and licensing requirements. Restaurants with privately owned spaces seeking to have outdoor dining patios are encouraged to apply through the Inspectional Services Department.

The scheduled closures of the Sumner Tunnel and continued congestion around the North Washington Street Bridge construction project are expected to put a greater strain on North End traffic this summer and make it harder for residents and first responders to navigate the area. With about 95 restaurants in just over a third of a square mile, the North End has the densest per capita number of restaurants in the state. This has brought unique challenges and quality of life issues expressed by residents over the course of the temporary programs, including increased traffic, sanita-

cultural diversity they bring to the City of Boston.”

For more information, please contact Council President Flynn’s office at 617-635-3203 and Ed.Flynn@Boston.gov.

tion issues, and accessibility problems for older residents and those with limited mobility. The City will be creating a task force to determine how these issues could be remedied in future iterations of the permanent program. This year, the City will buy back jersey barriers from North End restaurant owners and provide relief for costs related to storing these items.

The Permanent Outdoor Dining Program builds off of Mayor Wu’s commitment to reimagine how Boston streets work for residents and visitors and how reconfiguring public spaces can foster community. In January, the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) announced findings from the Copley Connect pilot in summer of 2022. Following the success of the pilot, transportation planners with the BPDA and BTD intend to study permanent improvements to Dartmouth Street between the Boston Public Library and Copley Square Park that would improve the public realm between three of Boston’s most iconic civic spaces and formally unify Copley Square. Additionally, the Boston Transportation Department will be announcing more Open Streets events in the coming months following the success of last year’s events creating more than a mile of car-free space in Jamaica Plain, Roxbury, and Dorchester.

Southie Pride Showed Up For The Mayor of Southie Race 2023

Congratulations to the 2023 Mayor of Southie, Greg Lally who raised $40,704.31.

The Mayor of Southie was created to help raise funds to support the South Boston St. Patrick’s Day / Evacuation Day Parade run by the South Boston Allied War Veterans Council with South Boston residents competing for the honorary and esteemed title of Mayor of Southie. The candidate

who raises the most money in 6 weeks is the winner and the monies go to funding the parade. This year was a record breaker for this fundraiser. Collectively the four candidates raised a total of $84,569.31! You know what that means, the parade is going to be phenomenal thanks to the hard

work and time these Southie young people put in. We want to give credit and thank all of the candidates on a job well done for the greater good of our community. Each and every one of you should be proud of yourselves and your ability to step up and support our South Boston traditions.

First runner up was Kimberly Miller who raised $31,100.00

Second runner up was Jamie O’Brien who raised $10,815.00

Third runner up was Pat Dillon who raised $1,950.00

Well done and loud and proud, “Southie Is My Home Town.” See ya on the parade route.

THANK YOU!

Greg Lally, Kimberly Miller, Jamie O’Bryan, and Pat Dillon the Mayor of Southie candidates. Your support and dedication to the South Boston Veterans and our beloved parade is astonishing. YOU rallied your troops to showed South Boston residents what community is all about. YOU have reminded all of us of what Southie Pride feels like and looks like. Together they raised on record the most of any campaign ever done $84,569.31. These four candidates have a lot to be proud of I am sure South Boston will be seeing more of these 4 people in the future!

From the South Boston Allied War Veterans Council

Guy The Wine

Here Comes The Sun

Even though it’s still February, if you take a moment to notice, you just might start to feel that sun becoming a little bit warmer on your face. Spring is closer than you think and since it’ll be here before we know it, we should take a look at some wines that are great for “welcoming Spring”.

Château de Valmer NV Brut, Loire Valley ,France ($19.99) is a prime example of a perfect sparkling wine to greet the Spring. This wine has texture, freshness and tight acidity. Along with crispness, it offers green fruits, a line of citrus and a final bright, perfumed aftertaste. Like most wines

from the Loire, it’s best to drink now.

The Botanica 2019 Citrusdal Mountain Chenin Blanc ($35.99) takes a non-interventionist approach, with natural fermentation in large, old (neutral) vats. It’s an intense, mouthfilling mashup of ripe apple, peach, citrus zest and honeysuckle with crushed rock and pleasant salinity. It’s also a beautiful argument that South African Chenin Blanc can age. Also fermented in old wood vats is the Optenhorst 2018 Chenin Blanc, ($35.99) from Wellington, bone-dry and dancing with delicate fruit—peach, apple, zesty citrus—over complex layers of earth, wild herbs, florals and wet-concrete minerality.

The Mulderbosch 2019 Chenin Blanc, ($14.99) from Stellenbosch relies on a little more wood (barrelfermented, with 25 percent new), for pronounced textures. Tension balances finesse, and minerality cuts a slightly rich palate. As has become one of the signatures of Mulderbosch wine making, the 2019 harvest began as early as possible in order to harness the natural acidity that is so central to the character and freshness of Chenin Blanc.

COMMUNIT Y MEE TING

Massport will host an informational meeting on Cypher/E Street Improvements.

This project will provide safety enhancements for all modes of transportation, pedestrian access, and a new connection to E Street.

Thursday, March 2, 2023 CRISPR Therapeutics

Community Room 105 West First Street South Boston, MA 02127 6:00PM

Please email community@massport.com for more information.

The palate has lively acidity, balanced by a firm, pithy texture central to Chenin Blanc’s character. There are unmistakable citrus notes, offset by creamy lees making this a deliciously moreish wine.

As with so many other varietals, California’s array of climates provide some fantastic support for Chenin Blanc. The 2021 Three by Wade Chenin Blanc California, ($24.95) is made up of 100% Chenin Blanc, offering a welcome change of pace from

your Chards and Sauv Blancs. Fermented in stainless steel but with full malolactic conversion, it’s acidic with a perfectly smooth, weighty mouthfeel you’ll love. For a taste of spring with melon-fruit flavors beneath aromatics of lemon blossom and honeysuckle, this one is hard to beat.

2020 Dormilona Chenin Blanc, Margaret River, ( $30.00) Red apple flesh, quince, ripe stone fruits, with superb balance, fresh acid and purity on the palate – good phenolic grip to it. Loaded with aromatic lift, the perfume and palate drive are pure and enticing, a terrific spectrum of white stone fruits with pears and apples that is met with a delicate but striking phenolic grip. Complex and beautifully balanced. Nose of dry hay, with quite delicate and shy aromas of lemon pith. Very similar on the palate, subtle aromas of lemon and lime. The acidity shows the wine is at an early age, green apple, lemon sherbet, spice and a lanolin/waxy lift, bright with a fine texture, crunchy acid and medium palate. It should be noted that it keeps building, delicious, plus the drinkability factor was brilliant. Please

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.

South Boston Citizens ‘Association Announces Henry Knox Unsung Heroes

SBCA President Tom McGrath and Executive Board are pleased to announce that on Saturday, March, 4th, 2023, at the Kick-off Breakfast, The Henry Knox Award Presentations 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, once again will be South Boston’s own State Representative David Biele, who continues to lead the fight to preserve the historical importance of Evacuation Day while serving in the Massachusetts House of Representatives. “As President of the Association, it is an honor for me to work with David to kick-off the festivities. David’s commitment and involvement with the SBCA and our community has been a tremendous asset to me and the Executive Board.” Said McGrath.

The awards are presented to everyday volunteers in the community who seek no recognition, Who are considered who are considered “Unsung Heroes”, kicks off the monthlong celebration for one of the most important events in American history.

This year’s recipients are BPD C6 CSO Ayesha Lawton, Joe Acarri, Luanne O’Connor and Danny Monahan.

We will have more info on recipients next week

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 4th to honor these men and women.”

Tickets are available at the door for a $15.00 donation. Doors open at 9:30AM.

Michael Donovan continued from front page Boston, spent the first seven years of his life in the Old Colony Development and attended Saint Augustine’s School for two years before his family moved to Thornley Street in Savin Hill where he enjoyed his formative years, going to school, playing sports and building friendships to last a lifetime.

After graduating from Boston College High School in 1960 and unable to afford the high college tuition, Donovan went straight to work as a messenger at the old courthouse in Pemberton Square, now known as the John Adams Courthouse. Donovan worked his way “up the ladder” to become the youngest assistant clerk of court appointed by five Superior Court Justices and the first union representative for the clerical workers.

Heeding the advice of the late Robert H. Quinn, a neighbor, friend, and former Speaker of the House and Attorney General, Donovan went to Suffolk ‘night school’ and received a BA in 1972, and his Juris Doctor in 1976.

Immediately after Donovan received his law degree at graduation exercises held at the Hynes Auditorium in June of 1976, he went straight to Charlestown and walked in their annual parade, thus beginning his initial campaign for Clerk of Superior Civil Court for Suffolk County. He won and never looked back, serving forty-six years, the longest tenure ever, and the only courthouse worker who started out as a messenger and then held this office. Donovan retired last December and left content he made the right choice at the right time. “It was a privilege for me to be a public servant for most of my life,” Donovan said. “I’m overjoyed that I was able to fulfill my calling to serve and help people in need. I feel it’s the biggest achievement of my career, the hallmark of my career. “Upon my urging, my longtime First Assistant Clerk, John E. Powers, was named Acting Clerk to serve out the remaining two years of my unexpired term,” Donovan further stated. “Leaving him in charge I feel at ease knowing the important work of this court would continue

in a professional manner.”

While serving as Clerk of Superior Civil Court, Donovan was an Adjunct Professor of Law for thirtysix years, teaching night classes at the New England School of Law, now called New England Law/ Boston. He was involved with the Mass Academy of Trial Attorneys (MATA) helping young attorneys navigate the ins and outs of the court system and served as Chairmen of Education Committees for Superior Court Magistrates.

In the mid-eighties, Donovan moved back to South Boston with his wife Kathy. When his son James went to the Gate of Heaven School, Donovan coordinated the school’s golf tournament for five years to raise money for school funds. He became a member of the South Boston Civic Association, the Gate of Heaven Neighborhood Association, and subsequently coached first and second graders in Gatey’s CYO basketball program for many years.

Gate of Heaven CYO Athletic Director, Kevin Lally, has nothing but high praise for his instructional league coach. “Mike is one of the main reasons why Gate of Heaven CYO is such a success,” Lally said. “As I have said countless times it all starts with our first and second grade instructional program which he has been dedicated to for more than thirty years. Even though Mike was a local elected official, I never thought of him that way. He was there for the children of South Boston never looking for a vote or seeking the limelight. The kids were all that mattered.”

Gatey Commissioner Sean Monahan also has admiration for Coach Donovan. “Mike taught boys in the instructional program every Saturday (except when he was prepping his law students for their licensing exam) and coached a house league team for many years,” Monahan said. “He was great with the kids, full of energy teaching the basics, always made the drills fun, and seemed to enjoy it as much as the kids. “You’d never know our humble coach was Clerk of Suffolk Superior Court and a law professor,” Monahan added. “Throughout the years we’ve had boys playing for their high school and college

varsity hoop teams thanks to Mike’s efforts in teaching them the love for the game. All the players and volunteers thank him for his friendship, his help, and I congratulate my good friend on his retirement.”

Donovan was recently appointed by Mayor Michelle Wu as a member of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority Board, and he’d like to volunteer at local schools and conduct weekly readings for students. Both endeavors should help keep him somewhat busy, but his number one priority is to spend more time with his wife Kathy. Moving forward, if they’re not home reading or walking to Castle Island for exercise, they’ll be vacationing. They’ve already been to France and Greece and are going

to Italy in the spring. Additionally, he wants to spend quality time with his four children, Michael, Matthew, Michelle, James, and his seven grandchildren. Because he loves them all.

Donovan cherishes his unofficial Savin Hill-Southie duo citizenship. And when he reflects upon his youth and lifelong friendships from his Savin Hill days, his heart beats faster, but doesn’t diminish his love for Southie. It has simply enriched him, as well as the people in both communities, who proudly call him one of their own, simultaneously acknowledging him as a good man and a trustworthy public servant who deserves the utmost respect for his lifelong dedication to helping others.

St. Peter Academy News

Excellence in Education Scholarship Program 2023

St Peter Academy, established in 2004, owes its existence to the unbridled commitment of a core group of South Boston parents who believed that the values and traditions of a Catholic religion-based education were worth preservation.

Now located in its permanent home at 371 West Fourth Street,

it has afforded a quality education over the past 18 to more than 2,000 students. The Academy continues to thrive and will be adding additional Toddler and Pre-Kindergarten Classrooms this year.

St Peter Academy has established an Education Foundation. The Foundation will award scholarships and financial aid entering Grades 1 – 6

to past, present, and future Academy children, families and educators who exemplify the qualities inherent in service to others. Applications will be considered based on South Boston residency, financial need, academic performance. Deadline to apply is March 31, 2023. Please email spa@stpeteracademy.com for an application.

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 617268-0750 or by emailing spa@ StPeterAcademy.com.

South Boston Catholic Academy News

Celebrating our 100th Day of School and St. Valentine’s Day!

For the students at South Boston Catholic Academy, the past week was another special week full of great fun, activities, and letting all our families, friends, teachers, and staff know how much we care and appreciate them. The students had a chance to celebrate our 100th Day of School. What is the meaning of 100 school days? 100 School Days marks the 100th day of learning in the school

year. It offers students and teachers time to reflect on the work done by students and allows schools to celebrate achievements and accomplishments. The students had a chance to think about all the different ways we can count up to 100 to celebrate our 100th Day of School! In Ms. Byrne’s class, they did 100th Day Exercisesincluding counting out 100 M&M’s. The older students made fanatic and

interesting posters using their creativity and imagination. Each class celebrated its 100th day in unique and special ways.

We hope everyone had a wonderful St. Valentine’s Day! 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 sending letters/cards to those we love on St. Valentine’s Day. The students made Special Valentines with messages

to their parent(s). The students had parties in their classrooms where they had a chance to exchange cards and candy with everyone in their class. Shout out to our Home and School Committee for all their great help and support, our awesome Student Council, who helped write, organize, and deliver candy grams for the students, and to Ms. Olsen, for her wonderful guidance and help with this year’s Students Council.

New families are welcome to email our admissions team at: admissions@sbcatholicacademy.org for more info. about South Boston Catholic Academy.

It’s that time of the year. We’re currently in the dead zone of the sports calendar. The NFL season is over. Regular season baseball has yet to begin. The NBA and NHL are still a few months away from the playoffs. And March Madness isn’t here quite yet. Golf is in full swing, but we’re still two weeks away from The Players Championship, and a little over a month away from The Masters. You know I’m a huge wrestling fan, but WrestleMania isn’t until April. And does anybody really care about the XFL or the USFL? I mean, how much football do we actually need? The XFL officially re-started last week. It used to be owned by Vince McMahon. Now it’s owned by The Rock. You can’t make this stuff up.

ESPN and FX are the home networks for the XFL every weekend. The league has two divisions, and a total of eight teams. It’s a 10-week regular season, with four teams making the playoffs. Those playoffs begin on Saturday, April 29. The XFL Championship Game is on Saturday, May 13 at the Alamodome in San Antonio. As for the USFL, their regular season begins on April 15. They also have

two divisions, with a total of eight teams. And they also have a 10week season, which concludes in mid-June. The USFL games can be seen on FOX and NBC.

I think the thing that hurts the XFL and the USFL the most is that they’re both trying to be the same thing. They’re both trying to be the go-to professional football league during the NFL offseason. Unfortunately, the presence of both leagues at the same time makes for an overabundance of offseason football. We barely need one offseason football league. Nobody needs two.

The best way for these two leagues to handle their business would be to either join forces and create one league, or, they could do something truly unique and come together for a joint playoff format. Still, I can honestly tell you that I won’t be all that interested either way. For me, the football season is September through the Super Bowl in early February. That’s it. After that, I’m in standby mode for the MLB season to begin, and for the NBA and Stanley Cup Playoffs to start.

-Though, this year, I will have my eye on the World Baseball Classic, which begins on March 7. Team

USA’s first game is on March 11 against Great Britain.

There are 20 teams in this year’s WBC. It consists of four divisions. Team USA is in Pool C, along with Great Britain, Mexico, Canada, and Colombia. All of these games will take place in Phoenix. The other three divisions will play in Miami, Taiwan, and Tokyo. After their first game against Great Britain on March 11, USA takes on Mexico on March 12, then they play Canada on March 13, followed by their final Pool-Round game against Colombia on March 15.

The top-two teams in each Pool will advance to the Quarterfinals on March 17 and 18. Team USA’s Pool C will be matched up with Pool D in Miami, which consists of Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Israel, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic. Pools A and B will have their Quarterfinals on March 15 and 16 in Tokyo. Then, the four teams remaining will meet in the Semifinals in Miami on March 19 and 20. The WBC Championship Game will take place in Miami on March 21.

As for the Red Sox, they will have 12 players representing their respective countries in this year’s WBC. Those players are: Jorge Alfaro, C

(COL), Richard Bleier, LHP (ISR), Rafael Devers, INF (DR), Edwin Díaz, INF (PUR), Jarren Duran, OF (MEX), Kiké Hernández, INF/OF (PUR), Norwith Gudino, RHP (VEN – DPP), Rio Gomez, LHP (COL), Kenley Jansen, RHP (NED – DPP), Nick Pivetta, RHP (CAN), Alex Verdugo, OF (MEX), Masataka Yoshida, OF (JPN).

The Sox begin their spring training schedule this week, with a game against Northeastern on Friday, followed by games against the Atlanta Braves on Saturday, and the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday. It should be noted that spring training games will not take a break during the World Baseball Classic. Boston begins the regular season on March 30 against the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park.

The Houston Astros enter the 2023 MLB season as the favorite to win the World Series, at +600. The Los Angeles Dodgers have the second-best odds, at +750. The New York Yankees, New York Mets, and Atlanta Braves are all tied for the third-best odds, at +800. The Red Sox are in the middle of the pack, at +6,000. Follow Danny on instagram @ DannyPicard.

This week, Danny shared his thoughts on some of the top stories in the sports world:

WHAT TO WATCH

SPORTS TODAY

CELTICS REMOVE ‘INTERIM’ TAG, OFFICIALLY NAME MAZZULLA HEAD COACH

Just days before the NBA All Star Game in Utah, the Boston Celtics announced that Joe Mazzulla was no longer the “interim” head coach of the team. Instead, they named him the full-time head coach of the Celtics, and gave him an extension.

Mazzulla, 34, was named the interim head coach just before the season began. He replaced Ime Udoka, who was suspended for the season for violating team rules.

Along with the news that Mazzulla was being officially named the Celtics’ full-time head coach, there was a report from Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix that said Udoka is “no longer employed in any capacity by the Celtics.”

Mazzulla is the 19th head coach

Tweet of the Week

in Celtics history. In his first season, he’s led the C’s to the NBA’s best record at the All-Star break, at 42-17, and got the nod to coach the Eastern Conference at this year’s All-Star Game.

“One of the things that’s pretty obvious and evident about Joe is he’s a really good coach and he’s also just an outstanding leader,” said Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens during a conference call with the media last Thursday night. “I think he’s done a great job, right from the get-go of galvanizing a locker room around a mission.

“I give him a lot of credit, I give our players a lot of credit, and I give the staff a lot of credit,” added

Stevens. “And, as far as the timing of it, they’ve obviously done a great job, they’ve put themselves in a position to compete for the things we want to ultimately compete for thus far. And I want to give them the opportunity to finish the regular season strong, hopefully the postseason strong, and not be in a cloud of uncertainty. I think that they certainly have earned that and, Joe specifically, has just done a great job. I mean, he really has. He’s always prepared, he’s really driven, he does all of the work necessary, but he also has a pulse on when the work needs to be put aside for the people.”

Mazzulla was also on the conference call, and expressed his grati-

SLATER RETURNING TO PATRIOTS FOR 16TH SEASON

He’s back.

Special teams captain Matthew Slater is returning to the New England Patriots, the team announced last weekend.

Slater, 37, will enter his 16th NFL in 2023, all with the Patriots. New England drafted Slater out of UCLA in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He’s a 12-time team captain, and his 10 Pro Bowl invitations are the most special-teams Pro Bowl

honors in NFL history. The only other active players in 2022 who had 10-plus Pro Bowl invitations were Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers, who had 15 and 10, respectively.

“I couldn’t be happier to learn that Matthew Slater has decided to return for his 16th season with the New England Patriots,” said Patriots owner Robert Kraft in a statement.

“Matthew’s drive to be the best at what he does will one day earn him

enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Yet, as stellar as his football career has been, he is an even better person. He is led by his faith and spirituality, dedicated to his family and committed to his craft. There is no better leader for our younger players to follow and no better ambassador for the Patriots organization. He is truly special, and I am grateful that his contributions to the team will continue.”

tude for a supportive front office.

“I’m just grateful,” said Mazzulla, “grateful that not many people get an opportunity to experience this, especially in the manner that I am with the players that I’m able to coach and the people I’m able to work for, and it’s for the Celtics. It is a dream come true, for sure.

“Ever since I’ve been here, even as an assistant, I’ve always felt their support, I’ve always felt their communication, I’ve always felt their honesty,” added Mazzulla. “So I always knew exactly where I stood, even though it was an interim position, I knew exactly where I stood. I knew I would get a fair shake, an opportunity.”

“Matt’s incredible career is a testament to his preparation and will to succeed,” said Patriots coach Bill Belichick in a statement. “We are thrilled he will be playing this season.”

SBT Staff

247th Annual Evacuation Day Events

2023 Evacuation Day Committee

t City Councilor Ed Flynn, General Chairman

Governor Maura Healey, Honorary Chairperson

Congressman Stephen F Lynch, Honorary Chairman

Mayor Michelle Wu, Honorary Chairperson

State Senator Nick Collins, Honorary Chairman

State Representative David Biele, Honorary Chairman

City Councilor Michael F. Flaherty, Honorary Chairman

City Councilor Erin Murphy, Honorary Chairperson

City Councilor Frank Baker, Honorary Chairman

Suffolk Register of Deeds Stephen Murphy, Honorary Chairman

Jimmy Flaherty

Kick-Off Breakfast

Saturday, March 4th

State Senator, Nick Collins

Honorary Chairman

Seapoint Restaurant 10:00 AM

Suggested Donation $ 15 00

21+Bowl-A-Rama

Sunday, March 5th

Cheryl Joyce, Andrea Flaherty, Rich Devoe, Pauline Bare and Joyce Higgins

Honorary Chairpersons

South Boston Bowl 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

Must be 21+ to attend-no children, please

Basketball Free-Throw Competition

Monday, March 6th

City Councilor Ed Flynn

Former Mayor Ray Flynn

Bernie O’Donnell, Kathy Davis, John Lydon

Honorary Chairpersons

Tynan Community School Gym - 6:00 PM

The Swimming Competition

Tuesday, March 7th

City Councilor Erin Murphy

Honorary Chairpersons

Boys and Girls Club Pool

Registration 6:00 PM, Meet 6:30 PM

Tom & Eddie Butler

St. Patrick’s Senior Salute

Saturday, March 11th

Mayor Michelle Wu

Councilor Michael Flaherty & Thomas Butler Jr Chairmen

Mary Collins, Kathy Flynn and Joyce Biele, Honorary Chairwomen

Saint Peter’s Lower Church Hall - 11:00 AM

Ice-O-Rama

Sunday, March 12th

State Rep. David Biele

State Senator Nick Collins

City Councilor Ed Flynn

City Councilor Frank Baker

Honorary Chairmen

Murphy Rink, Day Boulevard

Events begin approx 9:00 AM

Boxing Show

Saturday, March 18th

Register of Deeds Stephen Murphy

Honorary Chairman

Peter Welch’s Gym – Doors open at 4:00PM

143rd Annual

Evacuation Day Banquet

Friday, March 17th

BCEC 2nd Floor Ballroom

New England Boiled Dinner

Entertainment by Curragh’s Fancy

Reception 5:30 PM-----Dinner 7:00 PM

FOR TICKETS CALL 857-204-5825

Our Sponsors

Athletic Competition

Condon School Gym

Wednesday, March 15th

4 PM-6 PM

Joe Curran and Barbara Caputo Kelly, Honorary Chairpersons

Boys and Girls ages 10 to 14

St. Patrick's Day Road Race

Sunday, March 19th

Proceeds benefit South Boston Boys & Girls Club

Pre-registration Required

617-516-5441

Race begins at 11:00 AM at the Club

Evacuation Day Memorial Mass

Friday, March 17th

Fr. Joe White

Margaret Lynch, Honorary Chairwoman

St Augustine's Chapel - 9:30 AM

Memorial/Historical Exercises

Friday, March 17th

Including

Essay & Poster Competition Winners

Bernie O’Donnell, Past President SBCA

Robert Allison, S B Historical Society

City Councilor Edward Flynn

City Councilor Michael Flaherty

State Senator Nick Collins

Bill Foley, Retired NPS

Honorary Chairpersons

Dorchester Heights Monument - 11:00 AM

St. Patrick’s/Evacuation Day Parade

Sunday, March 19th at 1 pm

Coleman Nee - Chief Marshal

Allied War Veterans Council Broadway Station

Thomas E. McGrath, President

“The Nation's Oldest Neighborhood Civic Organization”