South Boston Today August 10 2023

TODAY:

A person was stabbed at the Roundhouse, the former Best Western hotel in the heart of the Mass and Cass area being used as transitional housing for residents of the streets surrounding it. Boston Police responded to the building located at 891 Massachusetts Avenue in Roxbury at around 9 p.m. Tuesday. They located the victim in the building’s basement suffering from multiple stab wounds, according to a police incident report. The unidentified victim was transported to Boston Medical Center to be treated for lifethreatening injuries. No suspect was indicated on the police report. The stabbing was the 41st stabbing this year in the area.

City Councilor at Large Erin Murphy offered an order that was approved by the Council providing a property tax abatement to Newmarket-area businesses adversely

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EDITORIAL

It’s becoming all too familiar in many parts of our country, and it’s been going on for quite a while in the State of Massachusetts and yes, in the City of Boston. What – you might ask? Coverups. Coverups have been exposed and revealed so many times that the public now automatically suspect it and who can blame them?

This brings us to the question of what actually took place back in June when the horrible situation was discovered in an apartment at the Maryellen McCormack Housing Development. No, people haven’t forgotten it. It was too bizarre and serious to forget. And in addition to the actual discovery, what is and will always be remembered is the contradicting stories and reports that followed.

A quick recap: On June 17th, firefighters responded to a call about someone having a heart attack at 381 Old Colony Ave. When the firefighters arrived, they found one dead body; later identified as a 26 year old ‘transgender person’, several

other adults present, drug paraphernalia and sex toys spread around the house and worst of all – four young children hiding in one of the rooms. All of this was documented in the report filed by the Boston Firefighters that showed up. The police were then called as was the news media and local elected officials rushed to the scene as well. The situation was such that a big response was justified. South Bostonians know our local firefighters well enough to trust that when they file a report about what they find, it’s factual. They have no reason to lie or illegally fabricate for any reason. But then came the conflicting accounts. City Hall got involved and what appears to be the Ideology driven, Politically Correct maneuvering began, and NEW accounts and reports miraculously appeared; all but accusing the BFD reports to be ‘misinformation’.

Of course, since the BFD reports stated that there were men dressed as women present in the home, accusations of ‘homophobia’ and ‘trans-

phobia’ were tossed in by at least one of the leftist leaning Boston City Councilors, the now notorious Kendra Lara. There is still an ongoing investigation, but a recent announcement confirms that the deceased person in the apartment was in fact, the victim of a drug overdose.

A statement released by Sam Dillon, President of Local Fighter’s Union 718 stood by the report that the responding firefighters made and defended the response of those firefighters to the call. This newspaper agrees with Mr. Dillon. Again, the BFD had no reason falsify their report.

As was stated above, judging by the conduct of the political establishments, the news media and PC activists in so many revealed instances, and in so many places, the public has every right to be skeptical of what they are being told and to suspect cover-ups. It’s the nature of today’s world. It will take a major shakeup of the political powers that be and the controllers of information to regain credibility, if in fact they ever can. We can only hope that shake up begins quickly. Using our votes wisely in upcoming elections may be the only peaceful solution.

August 17, 2023, 6:00 pm. Dealing with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia isn’t easy, so it is helpful to share your concerns and personal experiences with others who completely understand what you’re going through. You will also learn about proven strategies to help you better care for your family member. This group will be held in conjunction with our sister community, Standish Village. Call 617-268-5450 or email Program Director Erin Bollinger at ebollinger@ compassonthebay.com for more information and to register for the virtual meeting.

This is a virtual event sponsored by Compass on the Bay Assisted Living and Memory Support Community, 1380 Columbia Road, South Boston.

Jazz Concert by Frank Noonan at Compass on the Bay August 10, 2023, 6:00 pm at Compass on the Bay Assisted Living and Memory Support Community, 1380 Columbia Road, South Boston. Join us for our Summers on the Lawn Concert Series as we listen to Jazz with Frank Noonan!

Concert by The Swinging Standards at Compass on the Bay August 17, 2023, 6:00 pm at Compass on the Bay Assisted Living and Memory Support Community, 1380 Columbia Road, South Boston. Join us for our Summers on the Lawn Concert Series as we listen to The Swinging Standards!

Music with Matt Browne at Compass on the Bay August 24, 2023, 6:00 pm at Compass on the Bay Assisted Living and Memory Support Community, 1380 Columbia Road, South Boston. Join us for our Summers on the Lawn Concert Series as we host Musician Matt Browne!

Variety Show by Richie Bern at Compass on the Bay August 31, 2023, 6:00 pm at Compass on the Bay Assisted Living and Memory Support Community, 1380 Columbia Road, South Boston. Join us for our Summers on the Lawn Concert Series as we host Richie Bern and his Variety Show!

What Is The Definition Of Insanity?

It seems I’m always picking on liberal Democrats. But the way I see it, they just keep feeding their detractors with so many reasons, it would be a shame to let the opportunities pass without pointing out their faults, way out in left field ideas, incompetence and arrogance. This week, the lead off will be Massachusetts governor Maura Healy. A big fan of illegal immigration, she rolled out the welcome mat for them to come to the Bay State. She’s been putting them up in hotels at taxpayers’ expense despite the fact they broke the law to get here. She’s a dyed in the wool Trump hater and looks upon him, like most other liberals do, as a mean, evil racist because he secured the border when he was president and built that “racist” wall. Well, what’s now happening in Massachusetts could have been predicted by anyone with an IQ above 10.

The surge of thousands of illegals who have accepted the invitation from Healy and the other foolish liberal politicians and activists in this state are now overwhelming the system. They are costing citizens millions of dollars, they are camping out in the streets and in parks in such numbers that Healy this week, stunned by what’s happening, has declared a ‘state of emergency’. She’s begging Biden for help when he is the main cause of it all. Sometimes you just have to ask, ‘what the hell is wrong with these liberals?’ Their policies are killing this country, as every ‘thinking’ American can see and yet, they still don’t get it. Or maybe it’s what they want.

Look at New York City’s new mayor – Eric Adams. Another big supporter of illegal immigration as long it was the border states being overrun. But now, New York City has been flooded with migrants who illegally crossed into our country. Mayor Adams is now demanding that the southern border be secured because his city just can’t han-

dle the massive influx. Awe, how’s it feel Eric? In Chicago, another bastion of liberalism, neighborhoods are also being flooded and the citizens there are almost in revolt over it. Residents of predominantly African American neighborhoods are demanding action be taken because they say the new migrants are coming into their towns to commit crimes. Detroit is having the same problems as are so many other Democrat controlled (formerly pro illegal immigration/open borders advocating) cities in Blue States across America. And as the surge at the border continues, it brings with it hundreds of Cartel members, human traffickers and people who are officially on the terrorist watch list. And by the way, the deadly Fentanyl drug continues to flow in, killing thousands of American kids. Who would have thought that American politicians would be responsible for dragging down our country and would do it in record time?

What’s happening brings to mind that saying: ‘One description of insanity is to keep doing the same thing and making the same mistakes over and over and expecting a different outcome”. When you look at what these politicians are doing to us, that definition is a perfect fit for them.

On a somewhat related issue, let’s look at what has become of the lunatic run state of California. While the place has beautiful weather, most everything else there has turned to crap. Run by politicians who probably see grazing herds of unicorns and magic dragons, the home of Nancy Pelosi and Gavin Newsome has become a bastion of anti-police activism. Americans were able to view the video of what happened at a Seven/Eleven store in Stockton, California last week. The store, which has been robbed regularly, as the thieves just walk in and help themselves to whatever they want had a surprise for one particular guy, who

allegedly has robbed the store several times. This time, the store owners took it upon themselves to administer their own justice. They took him to the floor and beat him unmercifully with a large wooden pole. The store owners felt the need to do this because in California, police pretty much have their hands tied and get little to no support when they try to do their job.

To show how out of touch the news media is with the public, one of the area’s newspapers wrote a whining, hand wringing and huffing editorial stating that what the store owners did to the alleged thief was over the top and unnecessary. But most Americans

were not only happy about what they saw happen on the video, they were amused by it, and it brought them satisfaction seeing justice finally being applied. In California, while the politicians there are behind the ‘defund the police’ movement, the citizens are definitely not.

As the craziness rages across the country, particularly in Blue State Cities, it truly seems like the American people have finally had enough. There had to be a breaking point sometime and it looks like that time is either now or getting pretty close. There has to be an end to this bs. Americans must do what we must to take back our country.

Note: talk back to John Ciccone by email at jciccone@southbostontoday.com

SOUTH BOSTON TODAY

John Ciccone

Affordable Housing Challenges

Continue

Massachusetts is spending $45 million per month in a scramble to shelter 5,500 families — including thousands of new migrants — in need of support. To reduce the outlays, housing advocates say the state needs to put a lid on evictions that have roughly doubled since last year. For the reality is, migrants are only part of the ongoing shelter crisis.

Cambridge Rep. Mike Connolly — the Democrat behind a potential ballot measure that would enable local rent control among other tenant protections — said he spent yesterday pressing the governor to support the revival

Window Into The State House

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

of a pandemic-era policy known as Chapter 257. It shields renters from eviction while they’re seeking payment assistance. “The underlying general affordable housing emergency has played a big part in causing the ranks of shelters to swell,” Connolly said, which a review of state court data support. Fixing that, he said, is a yearslong commitment.

Gov. Maura Healey wouldn’t let slip her thoughts on eviction deferment yesterday but will today unveil her final touches on her inaugural budget as governor. Should she green-light the measure, it will mark the first tangible progress on housing reform this session. The policy would perma -

Cypher and E Streets Improvement Project PRE-CONST

Wednesday, August 16, 2023

6:00PM

CRISPR Therapeutics

105 West First Street

South Boston, MA 02127

nently shield renters from eviction for nonpayment while they ride out the application process for assistance programs including the Rental Assistance for Families in Transition program.

Connolly, however, isn’t taking any chances. Instead, he took a major step in his ballot initiative that could punt the question of rent control and tenant protections into the hands of voters. He formed the Committee to Explore Tenant Protection Ballot Question, filing with the state Office of Campaign Finance. It means the beginning of fundraising in support of the measure.

He’s filed a similar bill in the Legislature. Connolly says rent control, while not the only way, is the fastest way to stabilize housing costs for most Bay State renters. The move tees up a potential ballot battle between renters and developers and real estate groups that have already come out in opposition to a policy in Boston.

Greg Vasil of the Greater Boston Real Estate Board told MASSterList he is “with this issue for the long haul.” The

GBRE funded a $400,000 opposition campaign this spring in opposition to Boston’s now-approved rent control policy. Since rent control is currently banned statewide, the bill is pending legislative approval. At this point, both Connolly and Vasil said they’re still “exploring” mounting fullfledged campaigns. Connolly said he’ll make his decision to move forward next month after the attorney general weighs in on the ballot questions.

High-priced Boston liquor licenses are hindering nightlife

A limited supply of liquor licenses in Boston, highly controlled by the city and state, is behind the city’s latenight scene, writes Mike Deehan for Axios and GBH. Currently, the city’s licenses are capped at about 1,400 by state law. Buying and transferring one from a current licensee to a new business can cost as much as $600,000.

Pork sales under new regulations soon

Seven years after voters opted for new rules on the treatment of live-

continued on page 7

This

meeting will discuss contractor mobilization for the Cypher and E Streets Improvement Project. Hours of operation, project and delivery schedule, truck routes and environmental controls will also be presented.

RUC T ION MEE TING

MAYOR WU APPOINTS RAHEEM SHEPARD AND KATE BENNETT TO THE BPDA BOARD

Mayor Wu reappoints current Board Chair Priscilla Rojas

Mayor Michelle Wu today announced two new appointments to the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) Board of Directors. Raheem Shepard of Hyde Park, Regional Manager of the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters for the City of Boston and a current member of the Zoning Board of Appeal (ZBA), is being appointed to fill a seat traditionally held by a representative of the construction trades. Shepard will fill the seat being vacated by current member Michael Monahan, whose term expires this month. Kate Bennett of Roslindale, the outgoing Administrator of the Boston Housing Authority, is being appointed to fill a vacant seat. Current Board Chair Priscilla Rojas, whose seat is in holdover status, will also be reappointed. The new appointments will need to be approved by the City Council. Once they are confirmed, all BPDA Board member seats will be filled and current.

“I join the board members in thanking Mike Monahan for his years of service to the City of Boston and working people,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “Raheem Shepherd and Kate Bennett are tremendous additions to the Board who will bring experience and focus to make Boston the best city for families— affordable and green, with opportunities connecting every generation. I thank them and Chair Rojas for rolling up their sleeves with Chief Arthur Jemison and our

entire City team to build a growing and green city for everyone.”

“I want to thank Mike Monahan for 22 years of service – to the ZBA for 12 years and to the BPDA for the last 10. He has been an important voice for the growth of the City,” said Chief of Planning and Director of the BPDA Arthur Jemison. “I look forward to working with Kate and Raheem, who are experts in their own right on building Boston in a thoughtful way. I am confident they will help guide growth that will make our City more resilient, affordable, and equitable.”

Kate Bennett has worked in affordable housing development, policy, and planning for more than 25 years, with a particular focus on public housing revitalization as the former head of the Boston Housing Authority (BHA). Bennett has spearheaded over $2 billion in redevelopment activity currently underway at several BHA sites across the city. She has also been instrumental in the development of the BHA’s green, healthy housing and sustainability programs, and in the expansion of resident empowerment and self-sufficiency initiatives. Bennett holds a Masters in City Planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She has also managed affordable housing programs for the City of Chelsea and the City of Newton.

“As someone who has dedicated my career to housing for Boston residents and families, I share the Wu Administration’s belief that our growth depends on government,

community, and developers coming together to build a stronger City,” said BPDA Board of Directors nominee Kate Bennett. “I am very grateful to Mayor Wu for this opportunity to continue to serve our community.”

Raheem Shepard is the Regional Manager of the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters for the City of Boston. His appointment upholds Boston’s longstanding tradition of including union representation on the BPDA Board. As a member of the ZBA, Shepard reviews development proposals which require zoning relief, and works with his fellow ZBA members and Chief of Planning Arthur Jemison to help advance the Mayor’s goal of rebuilding trust with communities through planningled development, while advancing equity, affordability, and resilience across all functions of the City’s development review process.

“Serving on the BPDA Board of Directors is not only a great professional and personal honor, but it’s an opportunity to work closely with Mayor Wu’s Administration to chart a course for Boston’s future,” said BPDA Board of Directors nominee Raheem Shepard.

“I am grateful to Mayor Wu for reappointing me to a new term on the BPDA Board, and I am eager to welcome Raheem and Kate,” said BPDA Board Chair Priscilla Rojas. “I appreciate the opportunity to continue supporting smart planning and development that serves the City and its residents.”

These appointments are part of

Mayor Wu’s ambitious growth agenda for Boston, which is focused on advancing the City’s resilience, affordability, and equity goals. Under the Mayor’s leadership, the agency approved Inclusionary Zoning for the first time in the City’s history and PLAN: Mattapan, which includes zoning recommendations of all City-owned parcels to unlock opportunities for new housing and growth. The agency is undertaking the first major reform to Article 80 of the zoning code, which governs Boston’s development review process, to modernize development review and increase efficiency and predictability for development.

The Mayor’s agenda also includes the creation of a City Planning and Design Department and Planning Advisory Council operating under the direction of Chief of Planning Arthur Jemison. The staff of that new City agency will support the work of the BPDA Board. The Mayor has also committed to completing the neighborhood planning initiatives in Downtown, Charlestown, East Boston, and Newmarket in the coming months, and to launching a rezoning effort of Boston’s squares and corridors to create thousands of additional housing units across the City.

Compass on the Bay recently worked on a special project for Boston Medical Center. Our team put together 32 Dementia Friendly kits for BMC’s Emergency Room. These kits are designed to help reduce one’s anxiety during an unexpected visit to the Emergency Room. We are so happy to have the chance to give back to a community partner with whom we work so closely.

Pictured:

Compass on the Bay Director of Community Relations Dean Tricarico with Boston Medical Center Outreach Coordinator Mark Smith and his assistant

I Was Just Thinking…

accept the importance of standards which society establishes for individual behavior and the willingness to make strenuous personal efforts to abide by those standards. By adhering to acceptable societal norms, we can fulfill our civic duty to benefit the whole of society.

Events are sugar coated to shift the blame.

This, all this, is wrong.

As members of a civilized society, we must do what is right.

We need and must obey the laws.

If not, lawlessness, chaos, and disorder will inevitably ensue.

ly right, and breaks the law, then repercussions should follow. The problem is many believe they can do as they please and walk away without paying the price of their folly due to soft-on-crime prosecutors. Sadly, they’re right.

by Kevin Devlin

“In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility.” (Eleanor Roosevelt)

As members of a civilized society, we have a personal responsibility to

When an individual fails to meet these expectations, they should not search elsewhere outside of themselves to blame for this failure. One can’t blame family, friends, economic circumstances or societal influences to rationalize inappropriate or unlawful behavior.

Yet that’s exactly what is happening in our country today. No one blames the individual anymore for their actions. They are misunderstood. Societal factors, we are told, are to blame, not the individual. Due to inequities, those causing the problems are the victims, not the perpetrators of misdeeds.

I don’t have the right to walk into a convenience store and steal whatever I choose.

I don’t have the right to walk into a clothes store and steal hundreds of dollars of merchandise.

I don’t have the right to smash my way into a jewelry store and steal thousands of dollars of jewelry.

I don’t have the right to go along with the unruly mob and destroy property or attack the police.

I don’t have the right to walk down the street and inexplicably punch someone in the face.

Or God forbid, cause serious bodily harm by shooting someone or pushing them in front of an oncoming train.

But nobody should be allowed to do what they please at the expense of other individuals or society in general.

We can’t have one set of rules for some and another set of rules for others.

The function of society is to safeguard the wellbeing of the citizenry and the responsibility of every citizen is to behave in a lawful manner.

We must respect others and allow fellow citizens to live happy, productive, and safe lives.

And if we fail to do what is necessary to sustain a healthy and vibrant society and this nosedive into disorder continues unabated, we will lose ourselves and everything that truly matters.

Mass & Cass continued from front page

neighborhood directly affected, Boston is one step closer to reconstructing a 35-acre recovery campus on Long Island for people struggling with addiction after state authorities issued a key permit for the city to rebuild the Long Island bridge, city officials announced Wednesday. The permit, known as a Chapter 91 license, evaluates the impact of a project on public access to coastline and waterways. The next steps for Boston’s Long Island Bridge project: a federal consistency review by the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management and a bridge permit from the US Coast Guard. “We are taking this as a ‘go’ sign” for the project, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu said during a phone interview Wednesday.

YESTERDAY:

Due to its concentration of neighborhood services providing help, the area around Mass and Cass has attracted a large number of people struggling with homelessness and drug addiction, especially after the closure of facilities on Long Island, in the Boston Harbor Islands.

Mayor Michele Wu believes that, despite opposition from the City of Quincy which has its Squantum

Mass and Cass, also known as Methadone Mile or Recovery Road, is characterized as “the epicenter of the region’s opioid addiction crisis.” It is located in the area of Newmarket, an industrial part of Boston that includes some of Dorchester, South Boston, Roxbury, Boston, and the South End.

On October 8, 2014, the city of Boston condemned the Long Island Viaduct. The closure of the only access point to Long Island also closed all homeless shelters and treatment services previously located on the island, leading to the displacement of 700 people. 57 percent of the city’s substance use treatment beds had been housed on Long Island. The Boston Health Care for the Homeless respite facility, Barbara McInnis House, temporarily sheltered four dozen women on cots. 250 men were sheltered for several months on cots and overflow mats at the South End Fitness Center.

If one fails to do what is moralaffected by the open-air drug dealing and violence. “We know they’re struggling through none of their own doing, and we’ve failed them in not providing a safe environment,” Murphy said. “Many have been adversely impacted by the deteriorating conditions of the neighborhood that aren’t accurately reflected in their property tax valuation.” Sixty-five business owners from the 200-member Newmarket Business Association have collectively spent $3.9 million in security costs to address the squalor, and incurred $1.9 million in damages in 2021 alone, Murphy said. The cost has increased “tremendously” in the past two years, Murphy said, noting that Newmarket business owners spent $500,000 on security measures, including cameras, to try to curb the crime occurring near their Mass and Cass workplaces. Offering a property tax abatement is a way to compensate these owners for the increased cost of doing business in the area, Murphy said.

In January 2015, under the administration of Mayor Martin Walsh, an old Boston transportation building at 112 Southampton St was renovated and turned into a 100-bed men’s shelter. In April 2015, it became a

250-bed shelter. In June 2015, the shelter had 450 beds. Following the migration of homeless and addicts to Mass and Cass, businesses in that year reported vandalism and difficulty hiring and retaining employees as they fear for their safety. The Greater Boston Food Bank spent more than $1 million on security since people began camping in the area.

In September 2021, during the tenure of Mayor Kim Janey, who succeeded Walsh when he was named the US Secretary of Labor by President Joseph Biden, Suffolk County Sheriff Steve Tompkins published his proposal for Mass and Cass. His plan was to house people living in tents at a former detention center in the South Bay House of Correction, where they would be directed to involuntary treatment. At the time of Tompkins’ proposal, Massachusetts was facing a lawsuit over using correctional facilities to house men who are civilly committed under Section 35, the state law that allows a judge to involuntarily commit a person to addiction treatment for up to 90 days. In 2016, Massachusetts stopped continued on page 8

WW ll Vet Yolanda Cerullo To Celebrate Her 100th Birthday

Saturday, August 19th, 1:00pm at Compass On The Bay. All are Invited!

On Saturday, August 19th, at 1:00 pm, a very special person will celebrate her 100th birthday. Yolanda Cerullo, a beloved resident at Compass On The Bay which is located at 1380 Columbia Road in South Boston. She has not only had a full and amazing life up to this point but is still going strong.

Yolanda is a veteran of the United Sates Coast Guard and served her country in World War ll. On the August 19th date she will be celebrated by her fellow veterans of all ages; including the Members of the Thomas Fitzgerald Post and the post commander Thomas McCarthy as well as nonveterans alike for her outstanding military service for which she received an honorable discharge. The community is invited to gather on the green in front of Compass On The Bay at 1:00pm, where Yolanda will be honored and presented with congratulatory citations. Birthday cake and other refreshments will be served and everyone in attendance will be invited to celebrate with her.

In addition to the gathering on the green, there will be an old-fashioned Southie style motorcade in her honor. Anyone who would like to participate in the motorcade is asked to gather at the Boston Teacher’s Union Hall parking lot at 1:00 pm. The motorcade will leave from there at 1:20pm and head off to Yolanda’s party on the green at ‘Compass’ and parade by; with horns beeping as they pass as a tribute to Yolanda.

Everyone who has had the pleasure to know and to meet Yolanda Cerullo, is taken by her kindness and friendly smile. She loves to be around people; make new friends and enjoys good conversation. Yolanda and her late brother Ottavio Cerullo; raised in East Boston, became residents of Compass by the Bay together. Ottavio, also veteran of World War ll, was celebrated in the same manner 2 years ago when he turned 100 years old. It was a great turn out for Ottavio, and it’s hoped that there will be the same for Yolanda on August 19th.

As was previously stated, Yolanda Cerullo has led an active life. After her military service she became a

greeter for MGM Studios. A college graduate, where she took night courses to get her degree, she has worked in the offices of several law firms and at the Massachusetts State House. As a girl and young woman, she was an excellent and accomplished athlete, participating in many sports activities and she particularly loves to swim. She likes to garden, is an animal lover and has a particular affinity for dogs. She also has great skill at sewing and has

New England Council President, Jim Brett, also Chairman of the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities, was named to the Presidential Delegation representing President Biden at the Special Olympics World Games in Berlin, Germany.

In the photo are:

Mary Davis, CEO of Special Olympics

Olaf Scholz, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany

Jim Brett, President and CEO, New England Council

often made her own clothes.

Yolanda Cerullo is truly a remarkable woman. As was stated, she plans to continue enjoying life to the fullest. She would really love to see her South Boston neighbors; veterans and nonveterans alike, come by on Saturday, August 19th at 1:00 pm to help her celebrate her 100th birthday. It would do her loving heart good and would be sure to bring smiles to the face of this beautiful lady as well as to all who come to wish her Happy Birthday.

Window continued from page 4

stock sold in the state, the regulations are getting close to taking effect, reports Chris Lisinski for State House News Service. It requires pigs to have enough space to lie down, stand up, turn around freely and fully extend their limbs. Massachusetts businesses cannot sell any whole pork meat derived from animals denied that space, regardless of where they were raised, slaughtered and butchered.

School shakeup: Boston mayor faces pushback on plan to revamp high schools

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu wants to overhaul the Madison Park and O’Bryant high schools in Boston, but concerns are mounting over details on transportation and vocational classes, reports Deanna Pan for the Globe. Frustration is rife among families, school leaders, and others who say they weren’t included in the city’s decision.

Guy The Wine

Santa Barbara

Does Santa Barbara have good wines? There are so many incredible, awardwinning wines made in Santa Barbara, yet it’s not an area that readily comes to mind. However, there are a handful of various American Viticultural Areas (AVAs) found here, and the climate and terroir can

vary widely from one to the next, but that just means you’ll find a lot of variety there, as well. I believe you’ll find the following to be some of the best examples from this tremendous region……….

Sanford Chardonnay, Santa Rita Hills, 2019, ($39.99) The 2019 Santa Rita Hills Chardonnay comes exclusively from their two estate vineyards in the heart of this coolclimate appellation.

The wine is fermented in French Oak,

(20% new), for just under 9 months, giving it what Winemaker Steve Fennell describes as,”an elegant, full-bodied and structured wine”. You’ll find notes of citrus fruits and peaches, as well as aromas of brioche, meyer lemon, and white flowers intermingled with beeswax and passion fruit.

Au Bon Climat Hildegard White, Santa Maria Valley, USA, ($41.99) The 2020 Hildegard checks in as a barrel-fermented blend of 50% Pinot Gris, 40% Pinot Blanc, and 10% Aligote that was aged for 18 months in new French oak. It reveals a light gold color, as well as a terrific bouquet of orchard fruits, toasted bread, spice, honeysuckle, and flowers. With good richness, medium body, and terrific balance, it has bright acidity yet still comes across as rich and textured. Blind-tasted, I’d have guessed Sonoma Coast Chardonnay.

Dierberg 2021 Vineyard Chardonnay, Santa Maria Valley, ($32.99). Winemaker Tyler Thomas used to work in Sonoma where he always

needed to hurry the ripeness of the fruit. In Santa Maria, the grapes retain a freshness and longer growing time. There is not the pressure of rot or disease due to rain. It’s a different process than making wine in Northern California’s picking season, more laid back. This Chardonnay is gorgeous in color and flavor, with lemon oil and tropical fruit tempered by the cool microclimate there. The flavors are bright, focused with a hint of sweetness from the oak, adding complexity.

Foxen 2021 Block UU Chardonnay, Santa Maria Valley, ($29.99). Santa Maria Valley’s winemaker David Whitehair says that this area’s long growing season allows them to grow 2.5 to 3 tons of grapes with a lot of acidity. This, in turn, creates full-bodied wines with malolactic fermentation and carefully watched time in oak for each vintage. This one has distinct tropical notes and a rich full mouthfeel of grapefruit, peach, pineapple and mango; the notes of minerality offer a hint of vanilla.

housing civilly committed women in jails and prisons in response to a lawsuit.

As of September 2021, the number of tents in the Mass and Cass area was estimated to have grown from a dozen to more than 100. Mayor Michelle Wu assumed office on November 16, 2021. As of October 2022, the city of Boston collected nearly three times the number of syringes it gave out since January 2022, according to Bisola Ojikutu, executive director of the Boston Public Health Commission.

By July 2023, there were 140 people living in tents, lean-tos, and other ramshackle structures on nearby Atkinson Street. Each morning the area is cleared of people and structures so that the street can be cleaned. Shortly after the city workers finish,

the tents, structures, and people return. Despite Wu’s vow to remove encampments homeless advocates pushed back, the attempts to remove them fell short and the crisis there has grown.

BACK TO TODAY

City, State and Federal officials are scrambling to find the magic potion to cure a public health emergency that not only has its obvious victims but has collateral damage imposed on people and neighborhoods in both the immediate and surrounding areas. One example is the deterioration of Clifford Park and the impact on youth sports in the community. The question that looms large – IN THIS STRUGGLE OF THE HUMAN CONDITION, WHO ARE AND, MORE IMPORTANTLY, WHO SHOLUD BE IN THE ORDER OF PRIORITY… AND WHERE?

COUNCILOR MURPHY STATEMENT ON PUBLIC HEALTH RISKS POSED BY ONGOING PROBLEMS AT MASS AND CASS

ering more data and asking city employees like those from the departments of the Boston Public Health Commission, Chief of Streets, and Boston Public Works to appear before elected representatives and answer questions. My colleagues may be satisfied with the state of things at Mass and Cass. I’m not, and I don’t think the people of the City of Boston are, either.

The tragic situation at Mass and Cass remains a major public health concern for all Bostonians and, as Chair of the Public Health Committee, I will continue seeking answers and solutions. As the situation has worsened and the dangers have mounted, I will intensify my efforts and I hope my colleagues will join me. I think we owe that to the people of Boston, regardless of the neighborhood in which they live.

Unfortunately, some of my colleagues are willing to play politics with a public health issue, and have sided firmly against the notion of gath-

I will continue to push for more data, more answers, more solutions. There’s a reason that the Boston City Council gets called a “clown show” in the media. It’s because some members would prefer to stand in the Council Chamber and lob insults rather than trying to solve problems.

If people want to try to twist a hearing order – a governing measure specifically designed to exact more information that we can use to take action and improve our city – into election season silliness, to waste time with name-calling and personal attacks, have at it. I’m going to keep working on trying to fix Mass and Cass, and a lot of the other problems we’re all facing, and that we should be facing together.

Mass & Cass from page 6

Coffee With A Cop 2023 – Building Relationships One Cup At Time

On Tuesday, the annual Coffee With A Cop event was held at Deja Brew, 704 East Broadway, hosted by Marissa Walsh. Commissioner Michael Cox and his team of Superintendents as well as our own Captain Joe Boyle and his team were

present and available to discuss issues in the South Boston community, ask for information and direct residents with overall concerns. This is community policing at its best.

Mother Nature was not a deterrent to our police or Council President

Flynn, Councilor Murphy, Rep. Biele and City Councilor At-Large candidate Brigid Nee Walsh. The coffee was flowing both hot and iced as residents asked questions and engaged in conversations regarding Mass & Cass and were addressed by

Tania Del Rio, Director, Coordinated Response Team, Mayor’s Office. We as a neighborhood are always engaging with C-6 and are appreciative for great leadership, rank and file and our Community Service Officers. Stay safe BPD.

Unity Day Celebrated At Anne Lynch Homes At Old Colony 2023

On Wednesday, the residents at Anne Lynch Homes At Old Colony celebrated Unity Day in style with Tex’s BBQ Express, cotton candy, slip & slide, a bouncy house, raffles, give aways from Verizon and Xfinity as well

as the South Boston Neighborhood House. The children had their faces painted while the balloon woman was kept busy with all sorts of requests. The adults enjoyed mini messages which were said to be divine. The Fire Department gave out

fire hats and safety coloring books, while BPD and Longwood engaged in conversation and the festivities. State Rep. David Biele and BHA Administrator Kenzie Bok were in the crowd speaking to the residents and socializing. City Councilor At

Large candidate Bridget Nee Walsh stopped in to say hello and wish the residents, OC Task Force, organizers and vendors a day of fun. Beacon Properties did a great job in organizing the event and you can see it was a success with all the smiles!

The Kristaps Porzingis trade probably won’t hit home for most Celtics fans until Marcus Smart has the Memphis Grizzlies in the Western Conference Finals, while Boston is eliminated in the second round because Porzingis is on the bench in street clothes. That’s the way I look at this trade. I’m baffled. Not just because the Celtics ended up trading Smart in a three-team deal that sent Porzingis from Washington to Boston. But because the C’s made the trade in a manner that showed their obsession with Porzingis.

Brad Stevens and Wyc Grousbeck wanted the 28-year-old Porzingis so very badly, that they went from trading Malcolm Brogdon to trading Smart. The initial trade had Brogdon going to the Los Angeles Clippers in a three-team deal that didn’t even involve Smart or the Grizzlies. As it seemed the trade was agreed to, the Clippers pulled out because of injury concerns they had with Brogdon. At that point, the Celtics found themselves in a weird spot. But they decided to then go above and beyond to land Porzingis by trading away the heart and soul of the team.

Here’s how Grousbeck described

the organization’s mindset as they made the trade, in a great piece by Adam Himmelsbach of The Boston Globe. “The general tone was, how do we take this energy we’re feeling right now that was built up over having two good seasons but then didn’t get all the way? The whole point is, how do we get to Banner 18?” Grousbeck said to Himmelsbach. “If we’d all agreed we should keep things the same, that would have been fine,” added Grousbeck.

“But the idea of bringing in another talented big popped up early in the conversation, and we ended up executing on that idea.”

Porzingis turned 28 earlier this month. But his injury history is that of someone in their 50’s. Right now, the 7-footer is the shiny toy in the room, after having a career year last season with the Washington Wizards. In 65 games last season — his highest gamesplayed total since 2016-17 with the New York Knicks — Porzingis averaged a career-high 23.2 points per game while averaging 32.6 minutes per game.

The previous two seasons with Washington and Dallas, Porzingis played in just a total of 51 games. He’s played in more than 66 games

only once — his rookie season with the Knicks in 2015-16, when he played in 72 games. It just seems like the Celtics were willing to risk it all on Porzingis’ health, and it’s undoubtedly a very risky bet.

“He is a committed and now seasoned and effective player,” Grousbeck said of Porzingis in the Globe story. “He’s a real force. I’m really impressed with his commitment to being part of a winning Celtics team. I met with him when he came up for the press conference and spent some real time with him, and he’s so happy to be here. He’s so ready to shine at this stage of his career. But he sees a team concept, not the KP show. “He’s continually improved over his career, and he thinks this is his prime,” added Grousbeck. “But he’s about the team, his teammates, and the banner. He chose us. There were other people, I hear, that wanted him. And he chose us. He wants to be here, and he wants to win a ring.”

I’m not entirely sure what Grousbeck is talking about, because it sounds like the Celtics chose him, not the other way around. And they chose him over Smart, who has been a key defensive piece to the

core group with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. “What I remember most about Marcus is his energy and his smile,” Grousbeck said in Himmelsbach’s Globe story. “He brought so much to this team and will definitely be missed. Our friendship is going to continue. [My wife] Emilia and I are going to attend his upcoming wedding, and that’s the way he and we want it.”

Regardless of how Grousbeck describes it, that’s going to be awkward. But it’s going to get even more awkward when players like Tatum and Brown are trying to win without both Smart and Porzingis, while Smart is winning in Memphis, and Porzingis is out for the season with an injury.

I hope I’m wrong, because I’d never sit here and root for an injury. But I’m just being realistic with you. The story of Porzingis’ career has been injuries. That’s why it was so easy for the Celtics to acquire him.

Again, at first, he was traded for Brogdon. Last season, Brogdon was traded for Daniel Theis and Aaron Nesmith. Put that into perspective.

Follow Danny on instagram @ DannyPicard.

This week, Danny shared his overdue thoughts on the Celtics acquiring Kristaps Porzingis:

PATRIOTS PREPARE FOR PRESEASON, BRING BACK FLOWERS

The New England Patriots announced this week that they’ve signed defensive end Trey Flowers, bringing him back to Foxboro for a second run.

Flowers, who turns 30 later this month, was originally drafted by the Patriots in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft. He then played three seasons with the Pats, leaving to sign with the Detroit Lions in 2019. After being released by Detroit prior to the 2022 season, Flowers signed with the Miami Dolphins, but played only four games with them last season before being placed on injured reserve with a foot injury.

In fact, over the last three seasons — with both Detroit and Miami — Flowers has played in just 18 games due to injury. But he recently worked out for the Patriots, and apparently, he was good enough for them to sign him.

Of course, Patriots coach Bill Belichick didn’t really have much more to add about the two-time Super Bowl champion in his press conference on Tuesday.

“Alright, well, getting close here to Houston,” said Belichick in his opening statement, as the team prepares for Thursday night’s preseason opener against the Texans. “Still working on things we need

Tweet of the Week

to work on, also start preparing for Houston, so it’s a little bit of a combo practice, some combo meetings, combo days. Roster addition – we added Trey [Flowers]. You know, we’ll see how that goes. He won’t be practicing right away, so I think that’s about where we’re at here.”

When asked what Flowers could add to the team, Belichick said, “Well, we’ll see. He hasn’t played in a while, got injured in September of last year, so yeah, we’ll see.”

Belichick did admit that the veteran Flowers would bring value to younger Patriots players.

“Look, I haven’t seen Trey in a few years,” said Belichick, “but he’s been a hardworking guy, loves football, competes well, smart player.”

The Patriots host the Houston Texans in their first preseason game on Thursday night. All eyes will be on the quarterback position, and a potential “competition” between Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe.

As expected, Belichick isn’t revealing his specific plan for their playing time.

“Yeah, we’re still working on that,” said Belichick on Tuesday. “But the players who are least experienced will get the most playing time. I can tell you that.”

For the rest of the team, Belichick said he’s looking forward to seeing how this team fares in “contact situations.”

“To give the players a chance to play and see how they perform in contact situations,” said Belichick, when asked what his expectations were for the first preseason game with this year’s team. “They’re somewhat limited out here, but it’s putting it all together, not just a drill or first-and-10s, 7-on-7s, it’s real football. Things change quickly, they’ll have to make in-game adjustments, how they compete, physicality, and a lot of guys will get a chance, so we’ll see how it goes.

“Every day is an evaluation. We try not to put too much weight on the games, certainly they’re important. We’re out here at training camp, this is a big part of the evaluation. I wouldn’t want to minimize what we do out here on the field.

“There’s no film on Houston, so it is what it is,” added Belichick. “New staff, new system, but we want to give our players a chance to go out there and have some idea of what to expect, what to do. If we have to adjust, we have to adjust, but we have to start somewhere. We’ll start with what we think we know and go from there.”

Thursday night will be the Patriots’

only home preseason game this year. The other two games will be played in Green Bay on Saturday, Aug. 19, and in Tennessee on Friday, Aug. 25.

New England opens the regular season at home against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, Sept. 10 at 4:25 p.m. As of this week, the Pats are a +3.5-point underdog in that Week 1 game against the Eagles.

Philadelphia has the second-best odds of winning Super Bowl 58, at +800, behind the odds-on favorite Kansas City Chiefs, who are +600 to win it all.

The Patriots are +5500 to win the Super Bowl. To put that into perspective, they have worse odds than the Pittsburgh Steelers, Chicago Bears, and New York Giants.

New England has the worst odds of winning the AFC East, at +800. The Buffalo Bills are the favorite, at +120.

SBT Staff

In Honor of La Madonna Del Soccorso Di Sciacca

Boston’s Oldest Continuous Italian Festival

AUGUST 17 -20, 2 023

North, Fleet & Lewis Streets in Boston’s North End

Thursday Aug 17th

6:00pm

Opening Ceremonies: La Madonna Del Soccorso will process to Christopher Columbus Waterfront Park for the Annual Blessing of the Fishing Waters.

7:30pm

Italian American of the Year Award Presentation to:

Saturday Aug 19th

12:30pm

Join the Children of the Fisherman's Society as they process their statue around the festival.

1:00pm-2:00pm

Classic Italian Games and activities on the Mainstage

2:30pm-5:30pm

Sunday Aug 20th

10:30am

High Mass at St Leonard ’s Church

12:30pm

Nine Hour Grand Procession of La Madonna through the streets of the North End, accompanied by several Marching Bands

1:00pm-2:00pm

8:30pm-10:30pm

Introducing Una Serata Italiana

Featuring Recording Artists: Charlie P, Lisa Mesina John Micalizzi, and Angelo Venuto

Friday Aug 18th

4:30pm Fisherman’s Feast Carnivale Show: Parade through the Feast grounds with a Carnivale style float and dancers.

5:00pm-6:00pm

Beverly Richard’s Dance Studio

7:00pm-8:00pm

Italian American Favorites by Jimmy Geany

8:30pm-10:30pm

An additional performance by Recording Artists : Charlie P, Lisa Mesina John Micalizzi, and Angelo Venuto

More info at FISHERMANSFEAST.COM

The 5th Annual Fisherman ’s Feast Best Meatball Competition: 10-12 Restaurants competing for who has the best meatball, Featuring special guest MC and judges. Take part in choosing who has the best meatballs !

3:30pm-4:30pm & 6:30pm-7:30pm

Music by Enzo Amara

8:00pm-10:30pm

BILLY AND THE JETS: Singing the hits of Elton John and Billy Joel

ALL WEEKEND

Fisherman’s Feast

Cooking Demonstrations : Bono Olive Oil and Lilly’s Pasta Present: MasterChef 10 contestant Kenny Palazzolo, along with various local and celebrity chefs will showcase their talents and share recipes. Stop by and witness each demonstration and learn secrets from the experts

Children's Activities: At the Main Stage

2:30pm-7:30pm

Old Time Favorites by the Reminisants

7:30pm-10:30pm

Doo-Wop Acapella by Street Magic

8:00pm

THE FAMOUS FLIGHT OF THE ANGEL

The statue of the Madonna Del Soccorso returns to North Street for the Grand Finale

She is welcomed back by devotees, and a crowd of enthusiastic spectators, for our ANGEL CEREMONY

Upon the completion of the ceremony spectators are showered with confetti that fall from the rooftops.

This years Flying Angel is April Palazzolo Cedano with side angels

Jillian Fialkosky and Sarah Bramante

National Geographic calls it “A spectacle NOT to be missed!”