South Boston Today April 20 2023

Getting Into Boston Is A Bumpy Road

side-running bus lanes,” explained Sophia Cotman, a staffer with the Boston Transportation Department’s transit team, in a phone call with StreetsblogMASS on Wednesday. “And in addition to that, these are going to be bus-and-freight lanes to hopefully alleviate some of the traffic congestion for trucks, which is something that Massport is pretty excited about.”

Mayor Michelle Wu’s 2024 budget proposal includes nearly $2 million for the Bluebikes bikesharing system, with funds specifically earmarked for discounted passes and for buying the system’s first electric pedalassist bikes. In a memo to the Boston City Council, Mayor Wu wrote that “we have included $550,000 to support $5 Bluebikes passes for 10,000 residents, expanding Bluebike usage and encouraging mode shift, plus $1.4 million to introduce electric Bluebikes across the system.”

Most other bikesharing systems across the country have been offering electric pedal-assist bikes alongside traditional bikes for several years now. Lyft, the company that contracts with regional cities to operate the Bluebikes system, has been offering pedal-assist e-bikes in most of the other bikesharing systems that it operates across the country, including Citi Bike in New York, Divvy in Chicago, and Capital Bikeshare in Washington. As for busses into Boston from South Boston, the City of Boston is getting ready to install new bus lanes on Summer Street through the Seaport neighborhood this summer, but the city’s plans have been watered down considerably since the idea for a new Seaport busway first emerged in 2020.

In November of 2022, the Boston Region Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) completed a Transit and Truck Pri-

ority study that gives a background of this specific project among other info related to Transit/Truck priority lanes in general.

As part of the South Boston Waterfront research, MPO staff found that 670 trucks per day enter or leave the Seaport area via Summer Street at its crossing of the Fort Point Channel - seems an important route for trucks in this area. And commuters confront traffic challenges at that intersection.

Under the administration of former mayor Marty Walsh, the City of Boston had proposed a center-running dedicated busway on Summer Street through the Seaport to benefit riders of the MBTA’s 7-City Point bus, which connects South Boston, the Seaport District, South Station, and the downtown financial district. Under the city’s latest proposal, the center-running bus lanes have been replaced by curbside bus lanes, which are more likely to be blocked by illegallyparked vehicles and other traffic.

And, at the insistence of Massport, the state agency which owns considerable property in the neighborhood and operates a container shipping terminal near the southern end of Summer Street, it will be a “bus-and-freight” lane, which means that the MTBA’s buses will share the lane with trucks.

“The idea for center-running bus lanes got a lot of pushback from Massport and BCEC (the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center), so it has changed to having

The plan will also install new segments of protected bike lanes along Summer Street. “Currently the existing bike infrastructure will be added upon and improved to be more continuous,” said Cotman. “We’ll be adding connections through the places that are missing protection with striping and flexposts to add some additional separation.”

Summer Street currently has a short section of high-quality, curb-protected bike lanes near the Fort Point Channel and painted curbside bike lanes south of the convention center. The construction of the new Omni Hotel across the street from the convention center added another single-block segment of sidewalk-level bike lane on the north side of Summer Street between D Street and World Trade Center Ave., but it’s currently not connected to any other bike infrastructure, and the hotel’s management frequently blocks the bike lane and the adjacent sidewalk with illegally-parked cars.

Cotman explained that the new roadway configuration will be tested and evaluated in a 6-month pilot program, which would begin after new roadway striping and signal adjustments can be installed later this spring. The city plans to analyze how the pilot affects bus ridership, speeds, roadway safety, and rider satisfaction, “then make a decision about whether it should be permanently implemented,” explained Cotman. “If data shows that it’s not super helpful, the city will go from there to evaluate what else could be done.”

The proposal to install center-running buses on Summer Street was formerly ranked as the neighborhood’s highestimpact opportunity for improved transit

infrastructure in the city’s South Boston Seaport Strategic Transit Plan, an ongoing study of ways to improve transit service and capacity in one of the city’s fastest-growing neighborhoods.

The 7 runs frequently – every 6 to 10 minutes during peak commuting hours –and as of March 2023, the line was carrying roughly 2,500 passengers on a typical weekday, which is roughly 50 percent of its pre-pandemic ridership, according to data compiled by TransitMatters.

The city is hosting one more public meeting or open house, as it has been called, on May 1, from 5-8 PM at Seaport District Hall on 75 Northern Avenue to further discuss its plans in greater detail with neighborhood residents and workers.

“City Hall staff will be there with additional information about the project, discussing why the project is being done, how evaluated, and looking for feedback,” said Cotman. “It’ll be an opportunity for people to talk with city staff members one-on-one and get all their questions answered.”

Southie – We Have a Rodent Problem

The topic of this week’s editorial might make some readers cringe; maybe even lose their appetites if you’re having breakfast. That’s certainly not the intention. The purpose of touching on this subject is to cause awareness to those who may not yet have realized this growing problem of rodent infestation in South Boston and in fact much of the rest of the city as well. It is also to encourage those unaware, as well as the rest of us who are already witnessing this invasion of critters, to stand up en mass to demand the city do a heck of a lot more to combat it than they are already doing.

South Boston residents, for some time now, have been sharing their space with a wide variety of fury and winged critters. We have squirrels, chipmunks, raccoons, and those adorable fuzzy little bunnies. Occasionally we’ll see an ugly but docile possum hanging around in back yards. We’ve even got a few coyotes penetrating the town’s borders.

Moakley Park is often the site of a few hundred Canadian Geese splashing around in the puddles after a heavy rainstorm. And seeing a turkey or two roaming the streets is becoming a more frequent occurrence.

Hey, a few years back, we were even visited by a White Tailed Deer that swam over from one of the Harbor Islands and had to be captured by the Environmental Police and relocated to the Blue Hills. Most locals don’t really mind having the aforementioned wild things living among us. Maybe because most of them are cute and harmless and cause no problems, they are sort of accepted. But there is absolutely nothing cute and harmless about the massive invasion of mice and yes – rats that Southie is experiencing now. The fact is, they are a danger and a health hazard. It’s never been worse and with the number of calls and messages coming into this newspaper, people are getting alarmed.

We’ve spoken to city of-

ficials who say this rapidly growing problem is being caused by all the construction of new buildings and all the digging up of streets and sidewalks pretty much everywhere you look. Animal control experts agree. So, what’s the solution?

While most of us are aware that hundreds of residents are legal gun owners, please remember that discharging firearms within city limits is illegal. No shooting - please. But that old saying “The squeaky wheel gets the oil is just as true today as it ever was. People need to deluge Boston City Hall and demand action. They can be setting

many more traps than they currently are and putting out more poison; particularly in the sewers where the rodents tend to dwell, make nests and reproduce and in fact everywhere; of course, taking care not to place them in areas where pets might be injured. It has to be done on a massive scale if this problem is to be eradicated. Pressure needs to be put on our elected officials who in turn need to pressure city hall to move on this.

So often in the past, officials react to serious problems AFTER someone is injured. So far, no reports that we are aware of have come in about people being bitten.

Let’s not be complacent and wait for that to happen to some child. You can make your concerns on this issue known by calling the 3-1-1 line and ask them to make a report and submit it or you can call the City of Boston’s Inspectional Services Environmental Department directly at 617-635-5353. Boston residents pay a lot of money in taxes – so many taxes and fees. Keeping our town free of rodent infestation is not an unreasonable demand. Again, this is not a pleasant issue to have to touch on in an editorial. But it’s one that needs immediate attention.

“To succeed in life you need 3 things: A wishbone, a backbone and a funny bone” -Reba McEntyre

Blue Cities Are Crumbling. Pray That Boston Won’t Follow

Wal-Mart, Walgreens, Rite Aid, Starbucks, REI, Target and so many other businesses are packing up and moving out of big cities all over America. Police officers, firefighters and other First Responders are resigning and seeking those vital career jobs elsewhere. Many residents who can afford to do so are leaving too and it’s not just the super rich it’s middle class families. Quite a few private and religious schools are also making plans on relocating or at least giving serious thought to leaving these same cities.

What do all the cities affected by this mass exodus have in common? I think we all know by now what it is. The 27 most crime ridden cities in the nation are run by liberal democrats; most are in deep blue states and the majority of them have soft on crime mayors District Attorneys propped up by Radical leftist billionaire and Democrat activist George Soros.

Once beautiful thriving cities like Seattle, Portland Oregon, Chicago, Baltimore, San Francisco, Los Angles, New York and others are becoming unlivable. People are afraid to walk the streets day or night parents fear for the lives of their children when they go to school. People are stabbed, mugged, shot, robbed and raped in ever increasing numbers because the criminals committing the crimes have no fear. As fast as the police were arresting them, liberal judges put them right back out on the street. The ‘progressive’ bail reform policies allowed violent offenders right back out the door without even having to post bail, to commit even more crimes. The DA’s refused to even prosecute many crimes. The criminals are being protected better than the innocent.

As you factor in all the above, and add to it the attempts; often successful, to cut police funding and then work hard to unconstitutionally deprive law abiding citizens their Second Amendment rights so they can at least defend themselves against this onslaught of mayhem and violence, it comes as no surprise that those who can

leave these cities turning into jungles are doing so as quickly as they can.

Another major incentive for residents to flee these areas is the departure of the businesses mentioned at the beginning of this column. If people have no place to even buy the food, medicines and other necessities, they really become trapped. But when these stores can no longer afford to stay in business because they are losing money instead of making a profit, they have no choice but to close up shop. The most recent case in point was the announcement by Wal-Mart that they will be closing their four stores in Chicago. They are doing this because shoplifting and theft is so bad they are losing huge amounts of money and those doing the robbing aren’t even being punished for it, so they just keep on doing it. And it’s getting worse. The departure of the Chicago Wal-Mart stores is typical of what’s happing in other cities in other blue states.

In the case of Chicago, residents are furious with Wal-Mart for leaving. That company’s stores have been a staple to that city and literally millions of Chicago residents are dependent on them. That city’s leadership and community groups are blaming the company for causing what is sure to be a major hardship to residents who depend on those stores for groceries, clothing, household supplies and so much more. But where should the blame actually be aimed - at Wal-Mart and the other businesses that are also being driven out because of all the crime or with the voters? The reality is, primarily it’s the fault of the liberals and Democrats that run Chicago that have put soft on crime policies in place but also the voters themselves who keep voting for the same type of people.

Case in point: Chicago’s mayor, Lori Lightfoot (AKA Mayor Beetlejuice), was widely blamed for the state of crime and decay that has been plaguing that city for several years because of soft on crime and anti-police policies. Unable to stand it anymore, the voters rose up

and booted her out of office in the recent election. This action gave hope and promise to bringing Chicago back to life again. But instead of electing the candidate who promised to get tough on crime and promote public safety, Paul Vallas, a moderate, the voters actually chose to elect yet another soft on crime and even more liberal and radical than Lori Lightfoot, Brandon Johnson who once advocated the defunding of the Chicago police force. It would appear that Chicago will be in the same predicament for the next four years; maybe even worse. It’s believed that seeing that the voters had the chance to put someone in office that seemed to have no intention of solving

the city’s crime wave was the last straw for Wal-Mart and other businesses. They are out of there.

One of the definitions of insanity is said to be ‘to do the same things over and over and expect different results’. This would seem to be right on the mark. The people of Chicago may have lost their last chance to turn things around for their city. And if the other crime ridden American cities follow the same path, the results are sure to be the same for them. The bottom line is, the Democrat party of today is not the same party of JFK –not even close. Its policies are bringing ruin to our big cities and to our country. It needs to change course or be voted out.

John Ciccone

Window Into The State House

Window Into The State House provides our readers a synopsis of important issues of interest, past and current, that are being proposed, debated or acted upon by the Massachusetts Legislature. Many issues that are not related to local city government services are acted upon and have a direct impact on daily life. They are tax policy, transportation infrastructure, judicial appointments, social services and health, as well as higher education. We will excerpt reports from the gavel-to-gavel coverage of House and Senate sessions by news sources focused on this important

The Life Of A Chromebook

Planned obsolescence in electronics like cell phones and laptops is more than just a headache for consumers: it’s a “triple-whammy of bad news” that’s costing taxpayers millions, packing landfills and protecting companies from corporate responsibility, says MassPIRG Executive Director Janet Domenitz. The average iPhone lasts three to five years before trade-in, according to Apple. For Chromebooks, Google puts the life expectancy at around four years.

It’s become a problem in public school districts around the nation that have relied more heavily on technology since the pandemic, a new U.S. PIRG report due out Tuesday will detail.

MassPIRG shared a few findings

from the report exclusively with MASSterList including the potential to save Massachusetts schools $34 million if Google doubled the life of Chromebooks from four to eight years — assuming no additional maintenance costs, data show.

The move would also slash emissions equivalent to taking 17,000 cars off the road for a year, report author Lucas Gutterman of MassPIRG, told MASSterList. The more than 31 million Google Chromebooks sold globally in the first year of the pandemic represent approximately 8.9 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions, the report finds.

Google has the power to “lighten the load” for struggling schools paying $250 to $300 per laptop as well as cut down on toxic electron-

SCHO L ARS HIP OPPO RT UNITIES 2023

Massport is currently accepting applications for the following Scholarships:

• THOMAS J. BUTLER MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Awarded to a high school senior who resides and is involved in community service in South Boston, with a minimum 3.0 GPA.

• DEBORAH HADDEN GRAY MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Awarded to a high school senior who resides and is involved in community service or employment in the city of Boston, Chelsea, Revere or Winthrop, with a minimum 3.0 GPA.

• LOWELL L. RICHARDS III MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

Awarded to a high school senior who resides and is involved in community service in the city of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, or Winthrop, with a minimum 3.0 GPA.

• DIVERSITY STEM SCHOLARSHIP

Awarded to high school seniors of color who reside or attend school in the city of Boston, Chelsea, Winthrop, Revere, Worcester, Bedford, Concord, Lexington, or Lincoln, and are involved in community service with a minimum 3.0 GPA.

Scholarship applications must be received by Massport no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, April 28, 2023. For more information on these scholarships, including application checklist and criteria please visit www.massport.com

ic waste by increasing the lifespan of devices, Gutterman said.

The so-called Chromebook churn is “an egregious example” of what happens when electronics are built to deteriorate too quickly, said Domenitz. The advocacy organization is working with Sen. Michael Brady of Brockton and Rep. Adrian Madaro of East Boston on a digital right-to-repair bill (S.142/H.360) that would help extend the lifespan of much-needed electronic devices like cell phones and laptops by requiring tech companies to make parts and instruction manuals available to the public.

It’s the fourth time the bill will come before lawmakers, but Brady tells MASSterList he’s hopeful it will finally see success after he “narrowed the bill” to eliminate medical technology and gained more support from colleagues. Most electronics are “designed to be disposable,” says David Webb, a technology repairman who owns Hamilton Computer Repairs in Worcester. Electronics companies aren’t required to provide parts or even repair manuals for products, meaning it’s often easier and cheaper to replace entire items than try to fix them. “This bill would help us move away from planned obsolescence to a culture of repairability,” Webb told MASSterList.

Google last year followed companies Apple, Samsung and more to make parts for some devices more accessible to consumers for common repairs, but advocates at MassPIRG and elsewhere say big tech’s efforts so far haven’t gone far enough.

Healey’s 100 days come with several successes, few crises

Gov. Maura Healey largely avoided crises and made it through her first 100 days collecting some success, including on her tax package — many elements of which the House has already passed — and

filled new Cabinet positions on climate change and veterans affairs. She also moved quickly to stockpile the abortion drug mifepristone in the face of a federal ban, write Matt Stout and Samatha J. Gross for The Boston Globe. But, the state is still in need of solutions for its “broken” transportation and housing systems, they say.

Convention Center Authority

halts controversial South Boston redevelopment

The independent state agency that oversees its convention centers has rejected two controversial plans and pushed out its request for proposals for redeveloping a 6.2-acre piece of land in South Boston taken via eminent domain a decade ago after officials accused it of using “false pretenses” to launch the effort, writes Greg Ryan of the Boston Business Journal. The MCCA still intends to move forward with redevelopment, just on a slower timeline.

Affordable housing on top of libraries adds up to community success, advocates say

When you add affordable housing on top of libraries, community advocates say the sum total is success for a community struggling in the midst of a housing crisis. Boston’s West End and Upham’s corner branches are the first to gain housing under the Walsh administration policy proposal. A third, brand-new library being built in Chinatown will also see affordable units.

Lyme-disease-carrying deer tick season is getting longer

Tick-borne illnesses like Lyme disease are on the rise in the U.S., especially in the Northeast, upper Midwest and northern Pacific Coast where the warming climate enables ticks to be active earlier in the spring and later into the fall or winter months, extending the window of tick-borne disease risk each year, NPR reports.

Pentagon, fishing industry sounding the alarm over offshore wind development

An “unprecedented expansion

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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.

Boston City Council

Erin J. Murphy

Councilor - At - Large

Ishare the discouragement felt by so many parents and families this week upon learning of Boston Public School’s error in calculating student GPAs to determine student eligibility for our three exam schools.

I am also disappointed to learn that BPS appears to not have the ability to implement its new and complex exam school admission policy in an efficient, transpar-

ent way. We learned this week that notices of admission will not be sent out to families until May, at the earliest. For decades, exam school placements were delivered every

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES 2023 NEIGHBORHOOD COFFEE HOUR SERIES

Southie – May 10th at A Street Park

Mayor Michelle Wu and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department will host the 2023 Neighborhood Coffee Hour Series in partnership with Dunkin’® in parks citywide from

May 2 to June 21. Visit boston.gov/ coffee-hours for more information. Mayor Wu’s Neighborhood Coffee Hours are a unique opportunity to speak directly with the Mayor and staff from City departments

year in mid-March.

This delay in exam school notices also means that every BPS middle and high school assignment is also put on hold. To leave thousands of BPS families in the dark, not knowing where their students will be attending school in the Fall, is simply unacceptable.

The confusion and distrust resulting from what seems like yet another serious blunder by BPS central office will be difficult to repair. Boston families, still reeling from the Covid-19 pandemic and its effects on their students’ education, as well as inflation and a tightening economy, depend on our

public school system and elected officials to provide accurate, reliable, fair, and understandable policies and programs.

We need to do better.

I will be speaking to BPS leaders and administrators about what went wrong and why. I will share with you all what I learn, and I will remind Superintendent Skipper, Mayor Wu, and the Boston School Committee how crucial it is that we all, as City leaders, re-dedicate ourselves to putting all our Boston children and families first.

Sincerely,

Erin J. Murphy At Large Boston City Councilor

about open space and their neighborhoods. Through these conversations, and a suggestion box at each site, Mayor Wu looks forward to hearing how the City of Boston can improve upon parks, public areas, and City services.

Participants will enjoy Dunkin’ Iced Coffee and assorted Dunkin’ MUNCHKINS® Donut Hole Treats along with fresh fruit from Star Market. Additional support is provided by City Express courier service. Each family in attendance will receive a free flowering plant from the Parks Department, while supplies last. Residents at each event

MAYOR WU ANNOUNCES REGISTRATION FOR BCYF TEEN SUMMER PROGRAMMING

Over 300 youth are able to register for slots across all programming

Mayor Michelle Wu and Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) today announced that registration is open for a variety of summer teen programs. Building on Mayor Wu’s commitment to make Boston the best city in the country to raise a family, these programs foster youth employment and life skills while providing youth with fun summer activities. Boston teens can register now for the BCYF Snap Shot photography

program through the City of Boston’s Summer Jobs Program, SuccessLink.

Registration for the BCYF SuperTeens pre-employment program for young teens opens today. The BCYF Girls Leadership Corps is also now seeking participants for this year’s programming.

“These summer opportunities enable teens to learn crucial life skills, while enjoying the company of their peers,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “Summer programming, especially

opportunities like these that provide a paycheck, help prepare our teens for the future and I encourage any interested families to apply and take advantage of what BCYF has to offer.”

“We have put together a diverse menu of options for young people of all ages this summer across all our centers and we are looking forward to providing these enriching and engaging summer programs,” said Marta Rivera, Commissioner of Boston Centers for Youth & Families.

will also be eligible to win a raffle prize from Dunkin’. All coffee hours will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., weather permitting.

“We encourage interested families to sign up as soon as possible to guarantee a spot.”

“Summer workshops, programs, and employment are fantastic opportunities for our young people to stay engaged, make new friends, and learn new skills,” said Council President Ed Flynn. “I want to thank the BCYF team for putting together a variety of different programs for our young people. Summer programming brings tremendous benefits to our young people’s physical and mental well-

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I Was Just Thinking…

by Kevin Devlin

“Pretty much any way you slice it, trans women are going to have strength advantages even after hormone therapy. I just don’t see that as anything else but factual.” (Joanna Harper, a medical physicist/Britain’s Loughborough University.)

Men and those who have transitioned-transgendered women-are stronger than women, that’s an undeniable physiological fact. So, they have an unfair advantage over women when they compete against them.

Take UPenn transgender athlete Lia Thomas as a prime example. Upon

winning the women’s 500-yard freestyle event in March of 2022, Thomas became the first openly transgender athlete to win an NCAA Division I national championship in any sport. By the conclusion of Thomas’ swimming career at UPenn in 2022, Thomas’ rank had moved from 65th on the men’s team to 1st on the women’s team in the 500-yard freestyle, and 554th on the men’s team to 5th on the women’s team in the 200-yard freestyle. So, from being a so-so swimmer in the men’s division, Thomas transitioned to a trans woman by using hormone replacement therapy, and became a national champion in the woman’s division.

Was this fair to the women athletes she competed against?

Is it fair to include transgendered athletes who enjoy an unfair advantage?

Can transgendered women compete in female categories without their biological sex giving them an unfair advantage?

If transgendered athletes were excluded from competing would that be unfair treatment?

Should transgender women be banned from competing in female categories?

Should a separate category be established?

The struggle for equality for women has been epic. From second class citizenship and being considered as mere property throughout the ages they have fought long and hard for recognition, fairness, and equal treatment.

In 1966 Betty Friedan (author of The Feminine Mystique published in 1963) helped establish the National Organization for Women (NOW) promoting “grassroots activism to promote feminist ideals…and protect the equal rights of all women and girls.”

In June of 1972 then President Nixon signed the Education Amendments Act. The law’s Title IX recognized gender equity as a civil right, giving thousands of women and girls access and equal opportunity to competitive sports.

But that was then.

Riley Gaines, the former Kentucky swimming star who tied Thomas for fifth place in the 200-freestyle at the 2022 NCAA Championships, is dismayed that the Biden administration is now going to back the bill to amend Title IX to bar states from banning transgender athletes from competing against the same gender they identify as. And as this debate rages on whether transgender females should be permitted to compete against biological women, Gaines has been

active in the battle to keep women’s sports equal.

New York Post columnist Piers Morgan is on the same page as Gaines.

“Nobody’s questioning trans rights to fairness and equality, what I would question is where trans rights to fairness and equality begin to erode or even destroy, as we’re seeing in women’s sport, the rights of women and to fairness and equality,” he said on Bill Maher’s HBO show.

Call me old-fashioned but what’s right is right and that which is occurring today in this country regarding women sports sure isn’t right.

Women should be competing against other women, not against those who just say they are women because they identify as such, and transgender athletes should compete against other transgender athletes or against athletes of the same biological sex.

But more importantly moving forward, we need understanding and tolerance on both sides, not threats from angry protestors Gaines experienced while speaking on this issue at San Francisco State University on April 6, so everyone will feel included and be given a fair and equal opportunity to realize what they have worked so hard to achieve.

WU continued from page 5 being, and I encourage our families and young people, especially young women, to join leadership programs to learn about community service, teamwork, accountability, and financial literacy.”

BCYF’s Snap Shot Teen Photography program is a unique summer job program for ages 16 to 18 that introduces participants to all aspects of photography. Teens receive a paycheck while participating in the program. Led by a professional photographer, the program includes opportunities to conduct photo shoots, visit museums and art galleries, learn digital photo editing, engage in online personal development workshops, and serve as a staff photographer for BCYF. Interested youth should apply to Snap Shot through the SuccessLink Summer Jobs Program at Boston. gov/Youth-Jobs. Select “BCYF Snap Shot” from the summer job spread-

sheet on the website. The program will operate from Monday, June 26 to Friday, August 25, 2023.

BCYF SuperTeens program teaches teens ages 13 and 14 life readiness and resiliency to help prepare them for their upcoming academic year and future employment. The program focuses on opportunities to enhance communication, collaboration, teamwork, and problem solving. The SuperTeens are mentored by BCYF staff throughout the summer, and they participate in both online workshops and in-person job shadowing activities that highlight employment skills. The SuperTeens also participate in weekly social and recreational activities, including a Learn to Row crew program on the Charles River, leadership workshops, job shadowing, community service projects as well as field trips to museums and institutions around the City of Boston. Participants earn a paycheck in the form of a stipend,

and they will also be provided with opportunities that encourage civic engagement and physical health and wellness. Registration began today at Boston.gov/BCYF-SuperTeens. The program will operate for 6 weeks from Monday, July 10 to Friday, August 18, 2023.

BCYF Girls Leadership Corps provides girls ages 11-14 with workshops and activities. Workshop topics will include self-defense with Girls LEAP, leadership skills, empowerment with the YW F.R.Y.E. Initiative, and more. The Girls Leadership Corps program participants will plan activities that Boston girls will be invited to register for, including Summer Girls Nights and various workshops and special activities. Interested program participants should email Erika.Butler@boston. gov<mailto:Erika.Butler@boston.gov>.

The program will operate from Tuesday, July 18 to Friday, August 18, 2023. These teen programs are in ad-

dition to many activities offered at BCYF community centers across the city. Registration for center programs can be found at Boston.gov/BCYFRegistration. In addition, BCYF is currently seeking full-time, part-time, and seasonal lifeguards for BCYF pools and swim lessons. Sign on and retention bonuses up to $1,000 are available, depending on date of hire and remaining employed though September 4th. Training is available and equipment is provided. Visit Boston. gov/BCYF-Aquatics for more information or apply directly at Boston. gov/Lifeguard-Jobs.

Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) is the City of Boston’s largest youth and human service agency. BCYF operates 35 community centers in Boston that offer a variety of engaging and enriching programs for people of all ages created through community input and need. BCYF also oversees many citywide programs.

MBTA COMPLETES PURCHASE OF WIDETT CIRCLE TO IMPROVE CRITICAL RAIL EFFICIENCY

Widett Circle will provide additional capacity for rail operations leading to increased efficiency, equity, and reliability of Commuter Rail service in Massachusetts

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) today announced it has completed the purchase of Widett Circle, a key component in a larger strategy to improve Commuter Rail service and to better meet the transportation needs of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Widett Circle consists of 24 acres and is located one mile from South Station and adjacent to existing MBTA Commuter Rail facilities. With the completion of this purchase, the area will be used by the MBTA to improve Commuter Rail operations through new facilities that allow for train storage and maintenance activities near South Station for nine of the T’s 14 Commuter Rail lines, accounting for two-thirds of all Commuter Rail service.

Widett Circle will allow the MBTA to better serve Commuter Rail operations’ existing and future equipment and maneuvering needs and will provide additional maintenance and layover functions for trains operating from South Station. These increased functions are critical for more frequent service on the Fairmount and Worcester Lines, as well as additional, future regional and urban rail service that would include the West-East Rail between Pittsfield and Boston, and South Coast Rail Phase One Service between Boston and Fall River/New Bedford. As part of the South Station Expansion (SSX) project, the MBTA identified Widett Circle as a critical location to provide layover functions on the south side of the Commuter Rail network, and a yard at Widett Circle was included in the SSX State and Federal environmental filings that won approval in 2016 and 2017.

“The purchase of Widett Circle is an important step in our efforts to improve rail operations and make service more efficient and reliable,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Our administration is grateful for the hard work that went into making this purchase possible and we look forward to continued collaboration with local leaders and the community to ensure we are making the most of this opportunity.”

“Equitable, reliable, and convenient transportation is crucial for the residents of Massachusetts,” said Transportation Secretary and CEO Gina Fiandaca.

“This purchase will allow the MBTA to improve operations and invest in existing and future transportation throughout the Commonwealth. We are committed to providing a better transportation system for all and this purchase is significant step to improving services and efficiencies for commuters.”

“Completing the acquisition of Widett Circle is a major step forward toward our goals of improving Commuter Rail service in the near term as well as the future vision for rail that is more frequent, reliable, and better positioned to embrace new and greener technology,” said MBTA General Manager Phillip Eng. “This complex process was only successful thanks to the collaborative efforts involving the T, MassDOT, and the City of Boston. I look forward to continued progress in providing the kind of service our customers expect and deserve.”

The completed purchase of Widett Circle builds on the Healey Administration’s priority to increase access and equity for residents who utilize public transportation and supports the Commonwealth’s goals in investing in a green future for public transportation.

Currently, the MBTA’s yard in the Readville neighborhood of Boston is the layover facility closest to downtown Boston, located nine miles away from South Station. As a result, trains that are not in passenger service must travel back and forth along the Fairmount Line creating a burden on resources including train crews, additional costs associated with the use of fuel, as well as the potential for creating congestion along the line. A central location for a layover yard will allow trains to begin and end service from each corridor more efficiently. By adding a layover yard that is only one mile from South Station, the MBTA will be able to reduce its “deadhead” miles by more than 50,000 miles per year, reducing operating costs by shortening trips to and from the layover yard and increasing capacity for trains in passenger service.

An expansion of rail capacity at Widett Circle will allow the MBTA to:

• Address current deficiencies and provide additional storage and servicing capacity on the south side of the T’s Commuter Rail system;

• Reduce the distance non-revenue trains must travel for layovers, reducing deadhead miles traveled to Readville, resulting in costs savings and environmental benefits such as a reduction in diesel emissions in Environmental Justice communities;

• Relieve congestion on the Fairmount Line by limiting non-revenue travel distance, providing the opportunity for a potential increase in revenue service;

• Reduce the time trains must layover at South Station, which will free up platform capacity for additional services at the station.

As the MBTA moves forward with utilizing Widett Circle for rail operations, design work is expected to incorporate resiliency measures into its planning to address impacts as a result of climate change, as well as considerations for improving stormwater drainage.

The purchase price for the Widett Circle area is $255 million. The MBTA Board of Directors authorized the purchase of Widett Circle in December 2022 with $155 million in MassDOT funds and $100 million in MBTA Capital Investment Plan (CIP) funds.

Window continued from page 4 of offshore wind,” propelled by industry insiders-turned regulators has fast-tracked development despite repeated warnings from federal scientists about potential harms to marine life and the fishing industry, writes a two-reporter team for New Bedford Light. The Pentagon is also warning of potential harms from the Biden administration’s plans to advance offshore wind projects along the central Atlantic US coast it says could conflict with military operations, Bloomberg News writes. The Trump administration put roadblocks in the path of offshore wind development in favor of fossil fuels that the Biden administration has ripped up. Instead, the government is now fast-tracking clean alternatives like wind and solar to expand domestic energy production and slow the pace of climate change.

Moran likely winner in Boston House race

South End Democrat John Moran appears poised to fill Dr. Jon Santiago’s House seat in Boston’s 9th Suffolk district after his primary opponent, Amparo “Chary” Ortiz, suspended her campaign. There are no Republicans running, so the race is likely to be decided following the May 2 primary. Santiago resigned earlier this year to join the Healey administration as secretary of Veterans’ Services.

Guy The Wine Spain Produces Wonderful

Wines

grapes. For those new to Spain, knowing what to expect can be challenging if you are unfamiliar with the region.

Below is a breakdown of some of Spain’s most popular (and delicious) white wines. This list includes their region of origin as well as the primary grapes from which the wines are made. Use this as a guide to expand your understanding of Spanish wine.

TWO SPANISH SPARKLING WINES FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS

Cava de Paraje Calificado (Xarel.lo, Macabeo & Parellada)

Cava is the traditional sparkling wine of Spain; its distinct and appealing flavor profile is defined by three native grapes: Xarel.lo, Macabeo, and Parellada. This premium category of cava was introduced in 2015 and requires a minimum of three years of aging before release, giving it a rich texture and depth of flavor that stands up to any Grand Cru Champagne. This is an excellent alternative to your typical high-end sparkling wine.

Clàssic Penedès (Xarel.lo, Macabeo & Parellada)

enjoying them now.

Rioja Blanco (Viura)

While famed for its ageworthy red wines, Rioja’s white wines are gaining well-deserved attention. Viura is the regional name for Macabeo (the same grape used in cava production). These wines represent incredible complexity and body wellsuited to those looking for a substitute to Chardonnay. Crianza, Reserva, and Gran Reserva categories also see time in barrel, adding flavor and textural nuances to wines that can age for several years.

THREE REFRESHING

SPANISH WHITE WINES FOR EVERYONE

Rías Baixas (Albariño)

Perhaps the best known and most widely loved white wine of Spain, Albariño comes from the Rías Baixas region in Galicia. These wines are aromatic with great acidity and notes of apricot, mandarin, and a saline minerality, inspiring visions of their coastal origins. They are the perfect pairing for seafood, salads, cheeses, or to enjoy anytime on their own.

WINES FOR SOMETHING DIFFERENT

Txakoli (Hondarribi Zuri)

This white wine from the Basque region of northern Spain is made from the unusual varietal Hondarribi Zuri. Three regions in País Vasco produce Txakoli: Arabako Txakolina, Bizkaiko Txakolina, and Getariako Txakolina. These wines are incredibly bright and mineral-driven with tongue-tingling acidity and sometimes even a slight effervescence. They are the ultimate poolside wine.

Ribeiro (Treixadura)

Treixadura is another Spanish grape with a tongue-twisting name, but do not let that stop you from experiencing its delicious iterations. It is commonly found in the Ribeiro region in Galicia. These delightful wines are fresh with notes of lime, cucumber, and stone fruit. They are best enjoyed in their youth, so it would be perfect as your Tuesday night wine.

Jerez-Xérès-Sherry (Palomino Fino)

As the global popularity of Spanish wine grows, more exciting options are becoming available in restaurants and wine shops. While many people are familiar with Spain’s premium red wines from regions such as Rioja and Priorat, the country also produces stellar white wines. These wonderful – and often underappreciated selections – represent a great value with excellent variety and versatility.

Like its red wines, Spain’s white wines are labeled with their appellation of origin – or Denomination of Origin (DO). This designation represents the grape’s place of origin, and typically each DO will specialize in one or more different wine styles made from specific

Similar to Cava in both grape varieties and production method, Clàssic Penedès comes exclusively from the Penedès region of Spain (Catalunya) and offers an equally exquisite high-end sparkling experience. This category has very strict requirements for production and can only be made from 100% organically grown grapes. This region is the first 100% organic sparkling classification in the world.

TWO RICHER SPANISH WHITE WINES FOR CHARDONNAY LOVERS

Valdeorras (Godello)

Chardonnay lovers, meet Godello. With a flavor profile of golden apple and citrus, this grape variety is best known from the region of Valdeorras in Galicia. Wines made from Godello can be reminiscent of white Burgundy, with great acidity and a creamy weight on the palate. They have the potential to age and develop in the bottle but do not be shy about

Rueda (Verdejo)

Step aside Sauvignon Blanc, Verdejo from Rueda is here to take your place! Some of the country’s zestiest and most versatile white wines come from this region in the Duero River Valley. With crowd-pleasing acidity and refreshing citrus flavors, Verdejo wines from Rueda can easily grace any dinner table. Look for wines made from old vines to show even more concentration and depth.

Terra Alta (Garnacha Blanca)

The Terra Alta region in Cataluña is revered for its wines made from Garnacha Blanca. This white mutation of the Garnacha Tinta grape (also known as Grenache in France) shares the same peppery zest, but also intriguing florals and notes of green stone fruit and pear. It is refreshing with great complexity and texture; this Spanish white wine holds up well throughout an entire meal.

THREE SPANISH WHITE

Palomino Fino is the grape responsible for the majority of one of Spain’s most famous wines – Sherry! Often incorrectly assumed to be sweet, traditional Sherry is bone-dry with unique aromas and flavors derived from the use of solera aging. Not for the faint of heart, Sherry wines should be tried at least once by everyone and are best experienced with food. Look for a refreshing Fino or Manzanilla to pair with almonds, charcuterie, or seafood, an expressive Amontillado to enjoy with poultry or grilled vegetables, or a nutty Oloroso to compliment richer meat dishes and stews.

The white wines of Spain are a unique opportunity to further explore this incredible country and expand your palate. While they often represent some of the world’s best values, these wines also offer a glimpse into the tastes and traditions that make Spain one of the most important and vibrant wine countries in the world. Enjoy!

Pet waste discarded on the street or in catch basins carries harmful bacteria straight into the waterways we rely on for recreation. Always remember to “Scoop the Poop” and dispose of pet waste in the trash. Proper disposal of pet waste protects the environment and our waterways from contamination.

6 Elkins Street

May 2, 2023

6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Project Description:

Zoom Link: bit.ly/6ElkinsSt

Don’t Forget Pick Up After Your Pet! Virtual Public Meeting

Toll Free: (833) 568 - 8864

Meeting ID: 161 118 2400

The BPDA is hosting a Public Meeting for the 6 Elkins Street project located in South Boston. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the Project Notification Form. The meeting will include a presentation followed by Q&A and comments from the Public.

The Proposed Project will include the construction of a new approximately 97,000 gross square foot research laboratory development, including office, laboratory, research and development uses, along with approximately 4,400 square feet of publicly accessible retail/restaurant space and approximately 8,250 square feet of incubator lab space. The proposal also includes approximately 48 parking spaces in a one-level below grade garage.

mail to: Ebony DaRosa

Boston Planning & Development Agency

One City Hall Square, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02201

phone: 617.918.4419

email: ebony.darosa@boston.gov

BostonPlans.org

@BostonPlans

Teresa Polhemus, Executive Director/Secretary

Virtual Public Meeting

617 Dorchester Ave f/k/a 20 Boston St

May 10, 2023

6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Project Proponent:

Mark Little

Project Description:

Zoom Link: bit.ly/617DorAve

Toll Free: (833) 568 - 8864

Meeting ID: 161 107 0319

The information at this meeting is crucial to you as a City of Boston resident, and stakeholder. Interpreting services are available to communicate the content of these documents at no additional cost to you. If you require translation services, please contact the following: Tyler.C.Ross@boston.gov. The meeting is scheduled for 4/5/2023. Please request interpreting services no later than 5 days before the meeting date.

Meeting of the general public to review 617 Dorchester Ave f/k/a 20 Boston St. This meeting will be focused on the proposed 617 Dorchester Ave f/k/a 20 Boston St project. Please note that this is a Public Meeting. The meeting will begin with a 45-minute presentation of the project by the development team, followed by 45-minutes of public Q&A.

mail to: Tyler Ross

B oston Planning & Development Agency

O ne City Hall Square, 9th Floor

B oston, MA 02201

phone: 617.918.4214

email: tyler.c.ross@boston.gov

website: www.bit.ly/617DorchesterAve

Close of Comment Period: 5/15/2023

@BostonPlans BostonPlans.org

Teresa Polhemus, Executive Director/Secretary

South Boston Catholic Academy News 4th Grade News

The Easter Season is called the Great 50 Days and celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It begins on Easter Sunday and ends on Pentecost Sunday, the 50th day after Easter. It also includes the Ascension of the Lord, which occurs on the 40th day after Easter. The Easter season is a

joyful time for celebrating the presence of the risen Christ in the church and the gift of the Holy Spirit. Some Christians observe the Easter Octave, which is the eight days from the first to the second Sunday of Easter. The first seven of these eight days are also collectively known as Easter Week. The Easter

Octave is concluded by the Second Sunday of Easter, Divine Mercy Sunday. In Christian churches that celebrate the Easter Octave, it marks the beginning of Eastertide referring to the week following Easter, or the fifty days from Easter to Pentecost Sunday. It is a joyful feast and a special festival season for the church.

During Easter Week, on Thursday, April 13, 2023, the students, families, faculty, and staff at South Boston Catholic Academy celebrated a special school Mass celebrating the Easter Octave. Ms. Samantha Guildford’s

and Mrs. Patricia Coleman’s 4th grader students did a wonderful job participating in this Mass, as Greeters, Readers and bringing up the gifts of bread, wine, and water to the Altar. Our SBCA Children’s Choir, led by the Music Teacher, Mr. Carlo Bunyi sounded amazing as they sang the joyful songs of the Easter Season. Father Robert Casey, our Pastor, was the celebrant at this Mass. New families are welcome to email our admissions team at: admissions@sbcatholicacademy.org for more info. about South Boston Catholic Academy.

Every year, a 23-person committee picks three finalists for the New England Patriots Hall of Fame. This year, that committee selected head coach Bill Parcells, linebacker Mike Vrabel, and offensive lineman Logan Mankins.

One of these three former Patriots will now be voted into the team’s Hall of Fame by the fans, with voting ending on May 2. You can vote at patriots. com/hof.

The Patriots are the only team in the NFL that allows its fans to make the final selection for the team Hall of Fame.

Personally, I always enjoy going over the finalists, even if this year’s finalists have all been finalists several times before.

Out of the three, Vrabel has been nominated the most. This will be Vrabel’s seventh straight time as a finalist. Parcells has now been nominated five times, while this is Mankins’ second straight nomination.

Here’s a breakdown of each finalist from the Patriots’ website, to better serve you before you vote:

“Mike Vrabel is a three-time Super Bowl Champion and is recognized as one of the most versatile linebackers and best free agent signings in team history. He joined the team before the

2001 season, following a four-year career with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he was used primarily on special teams and as a reserve linebacker. During his eight-year tenure in New England, Vrabel played a major role in the Patriots dynastic run that included three Super Bowl championships in four years (2001, 2003 and 2004).

He exemplified positional versatility during his Patriots tenure by starting at both inside and outside linebacker, regularly lining up on offense in shortyardage and goal-line situations, and continually making valuable contributions on various special teams units.

As a Patriot, he caught eight regular season passes and two more in the playoffs. All 10 of his receptions were for touchdowns, including touchdown receptions in back-to-back Super Bowl wins over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl XXXVIII and Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl XXXIX. He earned Pro Bowl and first-team Associated Press All-Pro honors following the 2007 season, the year the Patriots became the first team in NFL history to win 18 consecutive games in one season.”

“Bill Parcells was the head coach of the New England Patriots for four seasons (1993-96) and led the team to two playoff berths. After inherit-

ing a team that had finished 14-50 in the previous four years, including an NFL worst 2-14 season in 1992, he brought the clout of a two-time Super Bowl Champion to the Patriots sidelines, infusing instant credibility in 1993 and finished his Patriots career with a 34-34 record, including 2-2 in the playoffs. In 1994, a seasonending seven-game win streak allowed the Patriots to clinch their first playoff berth in eight years. The performance earned Parcells NFL Coach of the Year honors. After finishing 6-10 in 1995, the Patriots rebounded with an 11-win season in 1996, tying the then franchise record for wins and earning their first division title in 10 years. After a convincing victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers, 28-3 in the divisional playoff game in foggy Foxborough, the Patriots hosted their first AFC Championship game and defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars, 20-6, to earn a trip to the Super Bowl for just the second time in franchise history. This is the fifth time that the Patriots Hall of Fame Nomination Committee has nominated Bill Parcells for Patriots Hall of Fame induction (2011, 2012, 2014, 2020 and 2023). On Feb. 2, 2013, Parcells was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He is the only coach in NFL

history ever to lead four different teams to the playoffs and three different teams to a conference championship game. He is a member of the Patriots 1990s All-Decade Team.”

“Logan Mankins is recognized as one of the best offensive linemen in franchise history. He played nine of his 11 NFL seasons with the New England Patriots after joining the team as a first-round draft pick in 2005. The three-time team captain earned six Pro Bowl selections and six All-Pro honors (2007, 2009-13) during his time with New England, including firstteam Associated Press All-Pro honors following the 2010 season. Despite playing his entire collegiate career as a left tackle, Mankins was moved to left guard when he joined the Patriots and was immediately inserted into the starting lineup. Mankins started all 130 regular season and 17 postseason games in which he appeared as a member of the Patriots. With Mankins in the lineup, the Patriots offense finished in top 10 in eight of his nine seasons with the Patriots - 2005 (7), 2007 (1), 2008 (5), 2009 (3), 2010 (8), 2011 (2), 2012 (1), 2013 (7).”

Me? I’m going with Vrabel. It’s actually long overdue.

Follow Danny on instagram @ DannyPicard.

This week,

Danny shared his thoughts on this year’s finalists for the 2023 Patriots Hall of Fame:

WHAT TO WATCH

CELTICS TAKE COMMANDING 2-0 SERIES LEAD OVER HAWKS

It seems as if the No. 7 seed Atlanta Hawks are no match for the No. 2 seed Boston Celtics in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.

The C’s took a 2-0 series lead on Tuesday night, as they beat the Hawks, 119-106, at the TD Garden. The series now shifts to Atlanta for Games 3 and

Tweet of the Week

4, on Friday and Sunday night.

As expected Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have been leading the way. Brown had a game-high 29 points in Boston’s Game 1 win, while Tatum had a game-high 29 points in Game 2.

The series has also been a block

party for the Celtics. Through the first two games, Boston has a total of 19 blocks. They had seven blocks in Game 1, and 12 blocks in Game 2. If the Celtics win their firstround series against the Hawks, then they’ll play the winner of the No. 3 seed Philadelphia 76ers and

No. 6 seed Brooklyn Nets.

Through the first two games of that series, the 76ers lead 2-0, as the Nets don’t seem to stand a chance. Game 3 of that series Thursday night in Brooklyn.

The Celtics were 3-1 against the 76ers in the 2022-23 regular season.

PATRIOTS TO INDUCT SCARNECCHIA INTO HALL OF FAME

While the New England Patriots would probably prefer Dante Scarnecchia return to the sidelines to coach up their offensive line in front of Mac Jones for 2023, they’ll instead be honoring him for his long-tenured service for the organization as a vital coach, especially during the Tom Brady era.

Scarnecchia will go into the Patriots Hall of Fame as part of the 2023 Class, as a “contributor.” Only former players and head coaches are eligible for the normal nomination process. But Patriots owner Robert Kraft has decided to make Scarnecchia the fourth person to be added as “a lifelong contributor” to the franchise.

The other three are Patriots found-

er Billy Sullivan (2009), former playby-play announcer Gil Santos (2012), and former cheerleading director Tracy Sormanti (2021).

“Dante Scarnecchia is recognized as one of the greatest assistant coaches of all time,” said Kraft in a statement on the team’s website. “He is the first Patriots assistant coach to receive this honor and I can’t think of a more deserving person. You would be hard pressed to find anyone who made greater on-field contributions over his 34 seasons with us, which propelled us to 10 of our 11 Super Bowl appearances and helped us claim five of our six Super Bowl championships. He earned the respect of his fellow coaches and players, many of whom credited Dante for making them the best they could be. I am proud that his legacy will be preserved in our Hall of Fame forever.”

Scarnecchia spent 34 of his 36 NFL seasons with the Patriots, in multiple stints. In his first stint — beginning in 1982 — he was the team’s special teams and tight ends coach. He then left to become the offensive line coach of the Indianapolis Colts in 1989, before returning to the Patriots’ organization in 1991.

He eventually became a legendary offensive line coach for New England, retiring after the 2013 season. But Scarnecchia was re-hired in 2016, and then retired again for good after the 2019 season.

Scarnecchia was part of 10 Super Bowl teams and five Super Bowl championships. He coached for 22 of the franchise’s 28 playoff seasons, including 48 of the organization’s 59 playoff games.

He’ll also be honored by the Pro Football Hall of Fame this summer,

receiving an “Award of Excellence.”

“Well-deserved,” Bill Belichick told the media at the league meetings. “Yeah, Dante’s a great football coach. Obviously had a long, long history with the Patriots in multiple roles. But when I was here in ’96 with Bill [Parcells], it was Dante, Romeo [Crennel], Al [Groh] and I on the defensive staff. And that was three great people to work with. So I got to know him pretty well then, and then of course when I came back, he was coaching the offensive line, so I kept him as the offensive line coach.

“He made a huge impact on our team and me. Just a wonderful guy to work with on all levels. Hardworking, dedicated, unselfish, good fundamental coach. Understands offense, defense, kicking game. Very good teacher, detailed, tireless worker. Well-deserved.”

SBT Staff SBT Staff