South Boston Today September 14 2023

Opinion writers in the Boston Herald and Boston Globe seem to want whoever is left among their gullible readers to believe that there is a political battle in Boston being waged between Boston’s so-called ‘old guard’ (translated – old white men) and the emerging ‘progressive class’ (translated – liberal elites and newly arrived residents). This jargon and narrative seem to betray the fundamental reasons for casting a vote. When it comes to city government, ideology, by and large, takes a back seat to delivering services, keeping taxes from skyrocketing, ensuring public safety, improving schools and simply “Doing Your Job”.

Political observers dismiss the notion of an ‘old guard’. They feel it’s a phony, trite, go-to sound bite offered by lazy reporters and spin doctors. Despite the efforts of activist journalists, who try to promote a progressive class, the label ‘progressive’ has no

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If You Can’t Drive Responsibly, Don’t Drive At All

It’s September and that means the kids are back in school. And while there might not be as many school age kids living here in Southie as there once were, there are still plenty and during the morning hours as they head off to their classes, they will be everywhere in the morning hours and later in the day as well. But everyone knows that – right. Well, maybe. But unfortunately, not everyone pays attention when driving through this neighborhood’s streets.

Chutzpah –

Thy Name Is Ruthzee!

An ever-increasing number of commuters heading to their jobs downtown and in the business districts take short cuts through our streets to get to work on time. Most are good drivers, operate their vehicles in control and pay attention to the road. They’re not the problem. The commuters who ARE the problem are those who speed on our main streets and even our side streets, especially if they are running late, showing no consideration to pedestrians; especially the chil-

dren heading to school. Ah, but the year is 2023, not 1990 and a new distraction while driving abounds – cell phones. While many cars now are equipped with hands free devices, many conversations whether on handheld devices (which is against the law while driving in this state) and yes, even the hands free type can be enough of a distraction to cause you not to see a school age kid or someone of any age crossing the street. And with all the warnings about the

dangers of texting while driving, there are still some people with questionable intelligence, who continue to do it.

And yet, it’s not just the commuters from out of town that need to be cautioned. There are local residents too that just plain drive too fast on these busy and often crowded neighborhood streets and allow themselves to take part in too many of those dangerous distractions.

South Boston over the years has had its share of serious in-

juries and fatalities caused by irresponsible drivers. These are tragic events that bring heartache to the friends and families of those injured and killed. Some of those victims have been children whose young lives have been cut short because drivers flaunted traffic laws or just weren’t paying attention. There’s no need for anymore. So please, whether you’re local or just passing through, pay attention, slow down and watch out for everyone; but especially be on the lookout for the children on their way to or from school.

the solemn Vietnam Memorial ceremony at Medal of Honor Park in South Boston is time honored. Tom Lyons, the internationally recognized veteran advocate and the engine behind this acclaimed memorial is an understated and respectful son of South Boston.

The traditional protocol that has existed since the founding of

Given his place of honor, what makes a City Councilor, who votes against initiatives benefitting veterans and police, think that she can, summarily and unabashedly, take her place, unassigned mind you, next to the guest speaker at the 42nd anniversary and rededication ceremony held on Sunday September 10th?

As a prerogative of the organizer, Ruthzee Louijeune and other city elected officials outside of the neighborhood were not invited to the event. In her case, her non-invite was based on her city council budget vote, in June of this year, to significantly reduce funding of the veteran’s affairs office and police department, which Mayor Wu wisely vetoed and reinstated.

Nonetheless, the entitlement she obviously displayed smacked of a “let’s see if you have the nerve to move me” attitude. She apparently felt further secure in her protocol breach, when MA Veterans Affair Secretary Jon Santia-

go, who was invited, sat right next to her.

Given her upbringing in the humble and considerate Haitian culture and her education through to the legal profession, one would think that she would instinctively acknowledge and embrace tradition and protocol and not appear to be playing the proverbial ‘card’, as she tries to present herself as a potential city leader.

Had the reverse happened at an important timehonored event in her core district or in the Haitian community, her acolytes likely would have been furious and acted accordingly.

The state of political affairs in Boston suggests that tradition, protocol, civility and mutual respect of each other’s policy positions and opinions is mired in what can only be characterized as intolerance, gamesmanship, and the perversion of the truth for political gain.

At the risk of getting carried away with rhetoric, the real message to Councilor Louijeune is that respectful consideration of peers, especially those who built a platform for you and others to stand along with them on, should be the first rung on a ladder of success in any profession.

“Dogs leave paw prints on our hearts.” - Michael J. Fox

Proposed Bill H.4422 Is Unconstitutional. State House Take Notice

We’ve been told that this newspaper, along with weeklies in other areas, are read and monitored in the press room at the Massachusetts State House and that the elected officials take note of what’s written. So that being the case, I have a message to every liberal Democrat elected official who might be planning to vote in favor of the proposed, anti- Second Amendment bill called (on the House of Rep’s side, soon to also be on the Senate side) ‘HD442’.

If you vote to pass this bill and it’s then signed into law by Maura Healy, you will get your hats handed to you in court. The lawsuit to challenge it has already been drawn up and is ready to go. You can’t win this. What is proposed in this bill is unconstitutional. You all know it. But you were hoping there wouldn’t be a challenge. The other reason you might consider supporting it is to kiss the tails of your leadership and Healy so you can curry favors with them and of course, keep your committee assignments. What it WILL do is cost the taxpayers of this state a lot of money.

HD.4420 is a bill that is so restrictive that it will deny law abiding Bay State citizens their constitutional rights. And anyone who tells you that it will not take guns away from those who legally own them is either misinformed or flat out lying to you.

I also urge you to take a close look at what’s happening in New Mexico. The governor there thought that she could just declare a state of emergency and ignore the Constitution and deny law abiding citizens their Second Amendment rights. She’s getting the shock of her career as even top gun hating Democrats are saying she can’t do that and law enforcement heads in her state say they will absolutely NOT enforce such an unconstitutional ruling.

Over the weekend, crowds of gun owners turned out in her state and defiantly openly carried every type of firearm from handguns and shotguns to rifles of nearly every caliber. No arrests were made, because police vowed that they would not ignore their oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States and the Second Amendment is a cherished part of that precious document. The words emblazoned on the Gadsden Flag boldly read ‘Don’t Tread On Me’. Politicians would be wise to heed and respect those words.

Moving on: With schools back in session in Boston and in fact all across the country, the topic of ‘school choice’ is once again in the news and the debate about it shows no signs of fading. Not everyone has the same opinion, and as Americans, we all have that right, but studies clearly show that the majority of Americans are solidly in favor of it and that sentiment is strong among people of every background and demographic.. Black, White, Hispanics, Asians and American Indians, etc.- every group has come out in favor of being able to choose the schools where their children go to get their education. Some would continue to choose public schools but would want the option of which public school districts. Many other families would opt for charter or private or religious schools. As was stated, a large majority of American families with children favor choice, and in some states, there is now a movement to provide for it.

But there is a reason that school choice is not more widespread and is taking so long to spread. The strongest opposition comes from the Teachers’ Unions and the elected politicians who depend on their campaign donations.

It isn’t going unnoticed that the

‘do as we say, not as we do’ mentality runs strong in some of the biggest opponents of school choice; namely the office holders who block every attempt of allowing choice, all the while, putting their own children in private schools. On the city, town and state levels, this attitude is well represented by elected officials and even on the national level in the highest offices. Many sitting US Senators and Congress members are fierce opponents of School Choice while selecting to choose private schools over public for their own families but denying it to others. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris fall into the same

category. It’s also been exposed that even some leaders of public-school teachers’ unions who fight tooth and nail to keep American families from having the right to choose, they themselves have their own children in private schools. The latest case to be reported is that of one Stacy Davis Gates, who is Vice President of the Illinois Federation of Teachers AND Vice President of the American Federation of Teachers.

A report surfaced last week that Ms. Gates has her child attending a local private school but goes to virtual war against any attempt to allow

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Millions, Possibly Billions For Migrants

A top House lawmaker said his chamber is bracing for an eventual spending bill to cover the growing costs of delivering emergency shelter and services to an increasing number of legal immigrants and families in need of support. It’s a “multibilliondollar question,” Milton Rep. William Driscoll told MASSterList, referring to how much taxpayers from Massachusetts and other states welcoming migrants will be expected to pay and what the implications for future budgets will be if states are forced to bond the expense. In the Bay State alone, it’s already cost tens of millions.

“With the money involved, I just think the federal government — both the administration and the congressional delegation — need to come together and support states that are involved in this crisis because the numbers are staggering in terms of costs. And it’s adding up,” Driscoll said. Driscoll said an additional 800 families sought services from the Bay State over the last month with 6,700 now dependent on state resources. More than 2,700 are currently living in hotels

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.

and motels in more than 80 communities across the state with costs quickly adding up. Migrants on average spend about a year on state services, according to Healey’s office.

State and local officials — including Democrats — from Beacon Hill to Albany have called on President Joe Biden to step in as states and municipalities increasingly feel the crunch. Massachusetts is currently shelling out about $45 million a month to cover the cost of providing emergency shelter and resources, according to the latest tallies from Gov. Maura Healey’s office. But the Healey administration has been less than transparent so far about the total costs incurred as migrants continue to flow into the state, further strapping already limited resources.

Today, the Healey administration deploys up to 250 National Guard members to at least 40 hotels and motels that don’t have service providers currently. Healey’s office, which ordered the deployment following an emergency declaration last month, said the guardsmen will coordinate access to meals, medical care and transportation. It’s a move Driscoll said only brings the Bay State “back to baseline”

in delivering mandated services without setting up assurances to address continued growing need. The Boston Globe reports Beacon Hill lawmakers are considering a bill that would make social safety net benefits like food stamps available to legal immigrants, the Globe reported. If passed into law, Massachusetts would join six other states — including nearby Maine and Connecticut — to do so.

Driscoll said he worries about the ballooning costs in the meantime. In a scathing letter to the Healey administration earlier this week, he criticized the state’s response so far, saying communication and the flow of information in particular has been fragmented. “We need to stop playing catchup,” Driscoll said.

Mayor Wu would block union agreement if reforms not approved Ongoing negotiations between the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association and the city are “firmly” in the arbitration process after long-running talks got the two sides nowhere, Mayor Michelle Wu said yesterday on GBH’s “Boston Public Radio.” Once the arbitrators issue an award the final step is to submit it to the

BPDA Releases Analysis of City’s Out of Date Zoning Code Announces Restructuring of Planning Department to Tackle Inequities

The City of Boston today released a report commissioned by the Boston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) to assess the Boston Zoning Code. The report, authored by Cornell University professor and Director of the National Zoning Atlas Sara Bronin, details issues such as extreme length and inconsistencies that make the code inaccessible to most Bostonians. The City and BPDA also announced a significant restructuring of the Planning De-

partment, creating Zoning Reform and Zoning Compliance teams and replacing the previous neighborhood planning team with a new Comprehensive Planning team. These new teams will support the City’s ability to modernize and enforce the Code, which has not been comprehensively updated since 1964, and will lead the next major planning and zoning initiative: Squares & Streets. Mayor Wu announced the restructuring of the Planning Department during her keynote address at the Greater

Boston Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Forum.

“One of the most impactful responsibilities of city government is to set the rules for how our neighborhoods grow,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “But for decades, our system in Boston has been built on a confusing and inconsistent process of handing out exceptions. Reforming our planning process and zoning code will be a sea change for our city, helping to fulfill a commitment for predictability and equity to meet

city council. But if arbitrators come back with a plan that doesn’t include reforms Wu is seeking and that the union has resisted around sufficient family time off, officer health and well-being, detail work and the disciplinary system, Wu said they could theoretically block the contract.

Gov. Maura Healey declares state of emergency in Massachusetts counties damaged by flooding

Gov. Maura Healey has declared a state of emergency in Massachusetts after torrential downpours in Worcester and Bristol counties on Monday night triggered catastrophic flash flooding that damaged roads, homes and businesses and prompted the closure of local schools, reports CBS Boston. Widespread flooding in Leominster and North Attleboro occurred when upwards of 10 inches of rain fell. Firefighters used boats to evacuate residents in some cities as homes and roads became dangerous. The emergency declaration will open cities and towns up for federal emergency dollars as they navigate the crisis and rebuild.

the needs of our communities.”

“We take seriously the recommendations in the report and will tailor our response to Boston’s needs - including exploring how to build design recommendations into the code that improve equitable access but protect the ability for neighborhoods to maintain their unique character,” said Chief of Planning Arthur Jemison. “We need a solid policy foundation and a modern zoning code to enforce a structure of

Mayor Wu Announces Major Planning and Zoning Initiatives to Rezone Squares & Streets and Allow Childcare Across the City

Over 5,000 Community Members Enjoyed Free Harbor Island Cruises

This summer nearly 5,000 community members joined Save the Harbor/Save the Bay for free harbor island cruises to Georges and Spectacle Islands, including around 30 kids from the South Boston Neighborhood House.

The trips are organized and run by Boston Public School students in Save the Harbor’s Youth Jobs Program. Once on the island, they lead fun, STEAM-based education activities like Fishing 101, the Treasures of Spectacle Island archaeology exploration, and hikes through Fort Warren on Georges or to the top of Spectacle’s drumlins for a great view of the Boston Skyline and the outer harbor.

“There’s no better way to beat this summer’s record-breaking heat than to spend the day out on the harbor and the islands,” said Save the Harbor Executive Director Chris Mancini. “Swimming in the clean waters off Spectacle Island and exploring the ‘Dark Tunnel’ in Fort Warren are two of the best places to be during a heatwave.”

Every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 300-500 kids from around the region meet at the Leader Bank Pavilion or Fan Pier where Harbor Historian David Coffin tells them how Spectacle Island went from a landfill on fire to the beautiful park it is today. “It’s one of my favorite stories to share with the kids,” said Coffin, “And it emphasizes the importance of the park’s carry-in, carry-out policy. They take that experience home with them and become the next generation of environmental stewards.”

“We’re particularly proud to have added guided audio tours and information in six languages this year,” said Deputy Director Kristen Barry. “This way, native speakers in Mandarin, Spanish, Cape Verdean Creole, Vietnamese, and Haitian Creole can more easily participate in our programs.”

To learn more about Save the Harbor/Save the Bay’s free All Access Boston Harbor excursions or upcoming free events on the waterfront or your favorite beach, visit their website at www.savetheharbor.org and follow @savetheharbor on social media.

Access In Motion

Kids from the South Boston Neighborhood House at Fan Pier Marina before their departure to Spectacle Island.

Photo by Kristen Barry.

Millis Girl Scout Brownie Troop 64074 making a splash at Georges Island. Photo by Irka Perez.

Local groups joined Save the Harbor/Save the Bay for their final Summer 2023 trip to Georges Island.

Photo by Irka Perez.

Wins & Loses continued from front page

real definition if you follow the evolution of the use of the word that was first defined at the turn of the 20th century.

This is really a political dynamic that is pitting the ‘ruling class’ against the ‘working class’. Most of the progressive/ruling class have options including school choices, video home security, and access to the halls of power at city hall. The working class goes about living paycheck to paycheck, working a second part-time job and do so with dignity. They simply want a government that uses its resources to keep their families safe, give their children a good public-school education (because they have no choice), keep a roof over their heads and enjoy their parks and other city amenities. The simple things of life in a city.

Global policies such as climate change, the greening of America, electric vehicles etal, are matters that they have no time or energy to worry about and city elected officials, they believe, should just do their job.

As to the results of Tuesday primary, the Boston Herald wrote,” voters in Boston resoundingly rejected two scandal-scarred City Council candidates but not necessarily the super woke progressive policies they espoused. What the preliminary election showed was that voters will tolerate some extreme left positions but not repeated above-the-law behavior exhibited by defeated incumbents Kendra Lara and Ricardo Arroyo because…their personal behavior that sank them, not their devotion to bike lanes, a fossil fuel ban and racial equity.” Boston, one of the bluest and most reliably liberal cities in the country, didn’t suddenly become un-woke overnight. This was not a realignment. Because the council got so far into the mud and ethics violations and corruption that voters wanted something that’s a restore to order and accountability. One resident was overheard the day after the election, “Thank God that the voters have morals, scruples and values.”

As stated in the Boston Globe, “Arroyo and Lara represent the far-left end of progressive politics, but that’s not what ultimately did them in. Personal scandal aside, will their successors represent a version of their progressive politics or something more centrist? In Tuesday’s election, old and new Boston joined forces to oust Arroyo and Lara. Now, the political dynamic shifts. It’s Enrique Pepén versus the more conservative Jose Ruiz and Ben Weber versus the somewhat more conservative William King. Pepén is a political newcomer and Ruiz is well known in the community through coaching, youth volunteer activities, and his work as a Boston police officer. The votes of Arroyo’s progressive supporters would seem destined for Pepén, yet Wu’s abandonment of the incumbent might thwart that natural migration.”

Then there are the 8 at-large candidates on the November ballot, who are a mixed bag. It’s not quite a battle for the soul of the city. But how it ends up in November will say something about new power versus old – the ruling class versus the working class.

Ciccone continued from page 3

the same option for the families of students in the district where she resides. And she’s far from being the only one. American public schools in so many cities, despite the claims to the contrary are not only failing academically but are just not safe. Families understandably want the best education possible for their children and it’s clear that many of the schools where children, especially those from poorer families, find themselves locked into, don’t provide for that. This would also explain the growing movement to Home Schooling. Keeping their kids safe, with a high-level learning environment and free of political indoctrination is and should be a priority for every American family.

BDPA contined from page 4

accountability for growth.”

Having an antiquated Zoning Code limits the City’s ability to address the current housing crisis by creating steps and costs to the creation of new housing. The report released today shows that Boston’s code is abnormally long compared to cities of comparable size by geography and population. At nearly 4,000 pages, Boston’s code is nearly 40 percent longer than that of New York City, which has 13 times Boston’s population and six times its land area. By every form of comparison to comparable size cities, Boston’s code is significantly longer.

The analysis also shows that length does not result in a clearer or more effective code, but rather, a more complex, inconsistent, and inequitable Code. The report indicates that the length of the code and its many contradictions impede residents from making even small changes to their home or business without hiring a lawyer. This creates barriers that prevent Bostonians from being able to participate meaningfully in the planning process.

The BPDA’s newly restructured Planning Department includes three new teams: Comprehensive Planning, Zoning Reform, and Zoning Compliance, in addition to the existing Transportation & Infrastructure Planning division. The Comprehensive Planning team will reform and expand the former neighborhood planning team’s capacity to focus exclusively on long term, Citywide visioning, in partnership with other City departments. The previous neighborhood planning team was also responsible for reviewing development proposals in their assigned neighborhoods, which consumed a significant portion of the planners’ time and limited the team’s capacity to complete proactive, Citywide planning. Zoning Compliance, a new division of the Planning Department, will work with the Development Review Department to support planning-led development. The Zoning Compliance team will root their approach to reviewing projects within a clear planning and zoning context from prefile through approval, ensuring that development projects comply with plans and new zoning recommendations, and facilitating fewer exceptions to the Code.

Finally, the reorganization has doubled the capacity of the Regulatory Planning & Zoning team, renamed Zoning Reform, in order to allow planners to amend the code proactively. Many of the issues in Boston’s Zoning Code have been

well-known and documented for decades, but the Planning Department lacked the capacity to take on large scale change. The Zoning Reform team will also provide recommendations to the Zoning Board of Appeal (ZBA). With a dedicated focus on providing more clear context to the ZBA, and in concert with future changes to the code, this team will reduce the City’s reliance on the ZBA.

The BPDA’s guiding principles for zoning reform are climate-friendly zoning that legalizes new housing and supports smart growth, a mix of uses, and walkable neighborhoods. The Planning Department will create change by putting policies in place that seek to prevent displacement, reduce nonconformities, end the City’s over-reliance on the ZBA, create more opportunities for as-ofright development, prioritize more approachable language, and produce a Code that is accessible and equitable. The restructured Planning Department has already begun to clean up the code by consolidating definitions into a single section that will apply to the whole code. This will have the impact of creating a common means for interpreting language across the code.

The team has also moved to make Citywide updates such as approving childcare as an allowed primary or accessory use across commercial and residential areas. The Zoning Reform team’s immediate goal is to implement zoning that results from ongoing neighborhood planning initiatives and to work on a strategy for overhauling the code based on the results of the report and Mayor Wu’s vision for a functioning Zoning Code that serves the City and its residents.

The restructured Planning Department’s first major planning and rezoning initiative, Squares & Streets kicks off this fall and will focus on neighborhood centers and main streets. Vibrant squares and streets include businesses and services, public spaces, cultural institutions, and reliable transportation options. As Boston’s population continues to grow, our squares and streets are important places for ensuring every Bostonian has access to affordable, sustainable, and equitable places to live, work, and play. This initiative will implement a framework for strategic growth and deliver new zoning for transit-oriented development in commercial and mixed-use areas. Over the course of the next two years, this process will be implemented through customized small area plans for selected squares and streets and provide a clear vision for growth.

Rep. Lynch to Host Service Academies Information Session on October 1st

On Sunday, October 1st, 2023, Congressman Stephen F. Lynch (MA-08) will host an information session at Braintree Town Hall for all high school students interested in applying to one of the United States Service Academies. All students and their families are welcome to attend. Representatives from each of the following academies will make brief presentations and be available for questions:

United States Military Academy at West Point, NY

United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, MD

United States Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, CO

United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, NY

United States Coast Guard Academy at New London, CT

Massachusetts Maritime Academy at Buzzards Bay, MA

Congressman Lynch’s Academy Day Sunday, October 1st, 2023, 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Cahill Auditorium in Braintree Town Hall, 1 JFK Memorial Drive Braintree, MA 02184. Contact: Seamus Buckley, 617-428-2000

For those unable to attend, more information on the Service Academy nomination process is available on our website: https://lynch.house.gov/ service-academy-nominations

Council President Flynn Schedules Hearing on Gun

Trafficking & Illegal Firearms

Boston City Council President Ed Flynn has scheduled a hearing next Monday, September 18, 2023, at 10 a.m. to discuss amending the City of Boston Code relating to the Study and Report on trafficking of illegal firearms. The hearing is co-sponsored by Councilor Brian Worrell and follows the unanimous adoption of a City Council Resolution declaring gun violence as a public health emergency in October 2022.

Gun trafficking and the illegal flow of firearms is a major contributor to gun violence, with the Boston Police recovering more than 900 firearms in 2022. Since 2015, there have been over 1,700 shootings recorded in the City of Boston, with more than 170 shootings in 2022. According to the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network, only 10 percent of the firearms recovered at crime scenes that were traced were purchased in Massachusetts, while the rest were

brought into Massachusetts from 18 other states.

“Gun violence is a public safety emergency in our city and country. We need a comprehensive study and review of the flow of firearms into Boston to help our law enforcement and policymakers better understand the impact of illegal gun trafficking and enable the development of more effective strategies to reduce gun violence,” said Council President Flynn. “I look forward to discussing the amendment language and getting this critical annual review work started for our City.”

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

Guy The Wine

Chilean Spring

On the Pacific coast of South America lies one of the most unusually shaped countries in the worldChile. Stretching more than 2,600 miles from North to South, there are a large number of very distinctive climates that support a wide range of fruits and vegetables; fortunately, for wine lovers, wine varieties are at the top of the list. The following are all emblematic of the quality, style and value of today’s Chilean wines… Montes,

Alpha Series, Cabernet Sauvignon, Colchagua Valley,

2020, ($29.99). This one is deep, ruby-red in color with a nose that’s complex- ripe red and black fruits, including strawberries, prunes, and blueberries. There are also wellbalanced notes of tobacco, leather, and toast, thanks to the 12 months of barrel aging. These are followed by dairy notes of dulce de leche and toffee. The tannins are silky on the palate, with great body and elegance. With medium balance and a long finish, the wine’s palate repeats the aromas perceived on the nose. Roasted and/or grilled red meats, Pasta Bolognese and Asian Fusion dishes will all be better with this one and don’t be surprised by the 14.5% ABV.

If you have a special event coming up, here’s just the thing. Don Melchor Cabernet Sauvignon, Maipo Valley,2019, ($149.99). The Tasting Panel gives it 98 points, saying, “The Don Melchor Vineyard lies at the foot of the Andes on the northern bank of the Maipo River, over 2,000 feet above sea level; this wine reflects that dramatic terrain. This wine opens with streamlined notes of black coffee

before plum and chocolate take center stage with spice and cedar. A magnificent performance featuring Kirsch on the finish and cameos by Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. The event that I tasted this wine at had small pieces of Chateau Briand dipped in Bernaise or Bordelaise sauces; unsurprisingly, people didn’t move on too quickly to the next table!

If white wines are more your preference, try a bottle of Cousino Macul Antiguas Reservas Chardonnay, Maipo Valley, 2022, ($18.99). With a clean, bright, golden color, this Antiguas Reservas Chardonnay has aromas that remind me of pineapple, papaya, honey, nuts and tropical fruits, like passion fruit. While in the mouth, it shows a high acidity that maintains the freshness of the wine, great volume, and long persistence. The freshness and fruit stand out above the French barrel, which adds pleasant complexity without hiding its varietal characteristics. Grilled seafood, boiled or baked, stuffed lobster and poultry are all enhanced by this one.

2019 Lapostolle Grand Selection Sauvignon Blanc ($13.99) is the quintessential Chilean style of Sauvignon Blanc. Alexandra Marnier Lapostolle, of the family that owns Grand Marnier, built an organic- and biodynamic-certified estate in the Colchagua Valley near Santa Cruz, the Chile equivalent of the town of Napa, 180 kilometers southwest of Santiago. There, her showcase winery corkscrews into the hillside for natural temperature control. Her Sauvignon Blanc is flinty and, as per her background, quite French, made with clones imported from Sancerre and a touch of Semillon. These yields baked apple and banana flavors and a roundness in the mouth, but with a lip-smacking acidity on the finish.

Parks Department Announces Fall ‘Hike Boston’ Schedule

The Boston Parks and Recreation Department has announced the Fall 2023 schedule for Hike Boston, a daytime hiking series aimed at providing guided group hikes and interpretive programs led by Urban Wilds staff and Park Rangers. As Boston’s parks and wilderness areas come alive with autumn hues, this initiative offers an opportunity to explore new spaces and deepen connections with favorite parks. For more information, please visit boston.gov/Hike-Boston.

Leaders will provide a mix of prepared and informal commentary during the hikes. Some hikes will focus on taking a leisurely walk in the park, while others will be informational. Hikes will primarily take place on unpaved paths, so it is advisable to wear sturdy footwear. Programs are expected to last about one hour, but the length may vary.

Upcoming hikes (all begin at 10 a.m.)

Wednesday, September 20

Franklin Park, Dorchester

Hike (meet near the tennis courts at the Shattuck Picnic Grove)

Friday, October 6

Allandale Woods, 19 VFW Parkway, West Roxbury

Urban Wilds hike (meet at the entrance near the daycare)

Wednesday, October 11

Olmsted Park, 217 Jamaicaway, Jamaica Plain

Nature walk (meet at the Daisy Field parking lot.)

Friday, October 13 (rain date October 20)

Sherrin Woods, Hyde Park

Urban Wilds hike (meet near the corner of Marston and Austin Streets)

Stay up to date with news, events, and design and construction work in Boston parks by signing up for our email list at bit.ly/Get-Parks-Emails and following our social channels @bostonparksdept on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Virtual Public Meeting

118 B Street Residential Project

Zoom Link: bit.ly/3Lf2AQj

Toll Free: (833) 568 - 8864

6:00 PM - 7: 30 PM

Meeting ID: 160 952 2298

Project Description: East Way Development LLC

Project/Planning Initiative Description:

The BPDA is hosting a virtual Public Meeting for the proposed 118 B Street Residential Project located in the South Boston neighborhood of Boston. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the Proponent’s responses to the comments received at our last public meeting reviewing the Small Project Review Application (SPRA) and potential impacts. The meeting will include a presentation followed by questions and comments from the public.

mail to: Scott Greenhalgh

Boston Planning & Development Agency

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

phone: 617.918.4271

email: scott.greenhalgh@boston.gov

Cypher and E Streets Improvement Project PRE-CONSTRUCTION MEETING

Wednesday, September 20, 2023

6:00PM

CRISPR Therapeutics

105 West First Street

South Boston, MA 02127

Close of Public Comment Period: 10/10/2023

Website: bit.ly/118-B-Street

@BostonPlans BostonPlans.org

Teresa Polhemus, Executive Director/Secretary

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.

42nd Dedication of the South Boston Vietnam Memorial If You Forget My Death, Then I Died In Vain

Dedication, commitment, honoring a promise made, belief in a cause and above all ‘Friendship and Loyalty’ are all words that fit perfectly when describing the efforts of some of the most impressive people South Boston is proud to count among its citizens. Tom Lyons and every member of The South Boston Vietnam Memorial committee are truly an amazing group of individuals who are united in a noble goal. As most people know, they made a promise to keep alive the memory of their fellow Vietnam Veterans who were killed in action during the Vietnam War; all 25 of them. And talk about promises kept, their promise to their fallen comrades is one for the ages.

They built the memorial that proudly stands at Medal of Honor Park at M Street and every year since it was first dedicated; they have one of the most impressive and moving commemorative events to remember them that can be found anywhere in the nation.

Last Sunday they held the 42nd dedication. Even after 42 years, the crowds still turn out to be part of the experience to remember and show respect to not only the 25 deceased heroes but also to show support to the promise keepers; those local heroes who were fortunate to make it home from that war and continue to make sure those who did not, are never forgotten. The term ‘Band of Brothers’ is a term often used to describe a tightly knit group of people who

have always and will always have each other’s backs through thick and thin and through good times and bad and South Boston’s Vietnam Veterans epitomize that term.

It’s believed that God himself smiled down for most of the ceremony at the request of Fr. Casey on the annual dedication as the weather held until almost the end. The rededication started with the Greater Boston Firefighters Pipes & Drums, presentation of the Colors, The Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem sung by Stephen McNulty, BPD. Tom Lyons took to the podium and welcomed all and thanked everyone for coming. Father Casey gave the opening prayer and then the guest speakers

were brought up one by one and thoughtfully and eloquently expressed just how much this day and ceremony means to them and how honored they were to be part of it.

This Year’s Keynote speaker was Lt. General Christopher J. Mahoney, Deputy Commandant for Programs and Resources who spoke from the heart when expressing how honored he was to be at the dedication and in South Boston itself. His voice, pride and leadership were strong as he addressed the crowd.

Congressman Stephen Lynch, Mayor Michelle Wu, Council President Flynn all spoke. Council President Flynn spoke for the South Boston elected delegation who is in attendance as every year.

As the rain began, the ceremony concluded and the words Welcome Home echoed as people started to leave.

SBT Staff Report

LTE

Dear Editor:

We are writing regarding a letter written by the South Boston elected officials, signed by Ed Flynn, City Council President, Michael Flaherty, City Councilor At Large, Nick Collins, State Senator, David Biele, State Representative and Stephen Lynch, United States Congressman to Jascha Franklin-Hodge, Chief of Streets for the City of Boston. This letter expressed frustration and despair at Mayor Wu’s determination to proceed with the Summer Street bus lane “pilot project”.

A link to the proposed pilot may be viewed here: https://www.boston.gov/ sites/default/files/file/2023/08/Summer%20St%20Pilot%20Plans_2.pdf

More about the proposed pilot can be seen here: https://www.boston. gov/departments/transportation/ summer-street-multimodal-corridorimprovements#corridor-improvement

Despite the concerns of our Elected Officials, Mayor Wu plans to proceed with her pilot program. Currently signs are up all along the east side of L and Summer Street for the lane striping work to commence.

Flynn, Flaherty, Collins, Biele and Lynch expressed outrage that appropriate community feedback has not been afforded to this proposed project. Taking parking spaces away from residents and businesses without reasonable commu-

nity input is a strange way to proceed.

It is harder to be a small business owner today than in any time in recent history. Increased inflation, sky-rocketing interest rates, increased insurance costs - all of them are forcing unprecedented hardship on business owners. Now without the parking making business accessible for their customers? It seems an undue burden to bear.

Why is City Hall working actively against the business community? Boston derives 75% of its income from commercial tax dollars. The commercial tax rate is approximately 2 1/2 times that of the residential tax rate. The “public process” in retrospect, is not seemingly transparent. The notices were not publicized properly for public input and weigh-in of all stakeholders. Interestingly as well, they were held in March during St. Patrick’s Day and Evacuation Day events in March. Have the neighborhood and civic groups weighed in? Has anyone informed South Boston Catholic Academy about this?

There is also the alleged use of outdated data, not considering any of the new development along the Summer Street corridor. The Edison Plant is being redeveloped, a marijuana facility is slated to soon open doors across from Ethel & Andy’s on First Street and a lab building is being proposed for the corner of Summer and East First Streets. How can Mayor Wu not take into account millions of square feet of new development? That is not to mention the impacts on the Conley Terminal, the Boston

Convention Center and the surrounding hotels, let alone the access to the Seaport. How can this be undertaken without impact review substantiated by current data and the appropriate traffic studies? This is no small matter.

Can our first responders, police officers and firefighters adequately navigate this intersection to assure public safety and do their jobs? How can we be assured of that without the appropriate data? We all know that “pilot programs” very rarely go away, so once implemented, this is likely to stay in place. Also, when seeking contact information for Mayor Wu’s Transportation Department, you are invited to fill out a form to submit and email. No telephone number is readily available for these officials. When property values, our businesses that feed our families and the quality of our daily lives are affected, we’re invited to fill out a form? Is this an adequatre response to what the people of South Boston have on the line?

We’d also note that over 500 signatures were collected in opposition after the public meeting April 19, 2023. These should be as a public document filed with our South Boston public officials.

As business owners, residents and voters in South Boston we are signing on to this letter, in support of our Elected Officials, to voice our disapproval of the way this process is being handled. All stakeholders should be given the adequate time and notice to provide input. We strongly urge Mayor Wu to

Another Bike Lane Battle:

Downtown Boston could wind up gridlocked during big conventions and other events as city officials forge ahead with plans for a dramatic reconfiguration of one of the city’s busiest thoroughfares, elected officials are warning.

The Wu administration’s carve out of dedicated bus and bike lanes along Summer Street will force traffic to squeeze through a constricted roadway, even as millions square feet of new development takes shape along the corridor, warns a letter by U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch, City Council President Ed Flynn, City Councilor Michael Flaherty, state Sen. Nick Collins, and state Rep. David Biele.

The Sept. 1 letter to city transportation officials comes as the Wu administration prepares to implement the controversial pilot program in the wake of the sleepy Labor Day weekend. “We could face all out gridlock for conventions, potential tunnel closures and other infrastructure issues, and any other type of demonstration,” the neighborhood’s elected leaders warn.

reconsider implementing this proposal and revisit the process with the respect due to the voters, residents and stakeholders in South Boston.

Yours Respectfully, Rich Evans, Associated Quirks, Mari Quirk, Blue Ground, Zack Hughes, Cedar Hill, Scott Johnson, Cobb Design Group, Richard Cobb, Commune Hair Salon, Sandy Porier, Grayscale Design, Misty Gray, HR Ventures, Hyde Properties, Theodore Drescher, Lash L’Amour, Cynthia Tang, LM Floral, Larry Mirley, MDLA Architecture, Michael D’Angelo, Gay Street Invest LLC, Allison Drescher, Mechanic Advisor, Parker Swift, Medicine Wheel, Michael Dowling, Michelle Joyce Photography, Michelle Joyce, Minkin Studio, Jill Minkin, Norton Lilly, Paul Walsh, Oceanworks, Patrick Todd, OM Financial Group, Rick Kreis Studio, Sarra Studios, Lauren Gentossio, TEAK Media, Jackie Herskowitz Russell, Thayer Design Studio, Vibrant Event Productions, Karen Stanley, White Truck, Phil Peterson Kevin Tedeschi, John Fiasconaro, Mike Arcieri, Doug Kruse, Ryan McColgan, Dave Moore, John Young, Brian Miley, Craig Bodnar, Mike Aldred, Brandon Ross, Ognor Bodnar, Francis Johnson, Bill Tracy, Joe Hally Sr., Ron Smith, Paul McDougall, Darlene Evans, Patrick Evans, Conor Evans, Vin Puccio, Linda Puccio, Vin Puccio, Jr., Anthony Puccio, Barry Milan, Sean McColgan, Jerry Arroyo, Joe Travis, Rachel Jamison

-Contrarian Boston-

South Boston pols blast city’s impending plans for “multimodal corridor” on Summer Street

Summer Street Multimodal Corridor Pilot

City of Boston BPDA and BTD, You’re Not Listening! Can You Hear Us Now? The City of Boston is pushing forward regardless of multiple letters from the South Boston Elected Delegation, 500+ signatures in opposition and a letter from the South Boston Business Community.

Dear Chief Franklin-Hodge,

We are writing today once again in regards to our opposition to the City of Boston’s Summer Street Multimodal Corridor Pilot. As you know, we have expressed serious concerns on a number of occasions - ranging from a lack of a thorough community process and feedback, concerns on planning using outdated data that does not factor in millions of square feet of development on L St, Summer St, and the South Boston Waterfront, and now a haphazard rollout that will potentially cause gridlock for neighbors, our workforce, and negatively impact our economy. In terms of outreach, this pilot warranted appropriate community feedback where residents had ample opportunity to comment on its feasibility. Unfortunately, it was of great concern to us, our civic groups and constituents when meeting notices were not publicized properly and did not allow for sufficient public input. Moreover, they took place during Evacuation Day and St. Patrick’s Day events in March, with attendance that was wholly unrepresentative of the public interest. In our experience, it was unprecedented that our initial requests for genuine engagement, a transparent process, and a community meeting at the Tynan School in South Boston were flat out denied. At that time, the city subsequently proposed an Open House that would not allow for community feedback, before reluctantly agreeing to finally hold one meeting at the Tynan School- where the South Boston Elected Officials and majority of the community voiced their disapproval.

We previously made our concerns clear to the city on several occasions that the use of old data to support any reconfiguration to Summer Street has the potential negatively impact Conley Terminal, the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, and the surrounding hotels which are significant drivers of

our city, state, and regional economy, as well as many local businesses and industries in the South Boston Waterfront and those that the city hopes to attract. We have highlighted time and again that our city, state, and region is in a worldwide economic competition. Launching this pilot without accounting for millions of square feet of growth and development has the potential to impose gridlock that would decrease productivity, disincentivize future investment, and further limit foot traffic - which may cause businesses to relocate elsewhere, cut into the city’s commercial tax base, and create public safety concerns.

We find it unconscionable that the City of Boston Transportation Department would roll this pilot out without any legitimate public process, awareness campaign, or accounting for feedback from the business community and other key stakeholders in the area, while relying on old data. We are at a loss that the City of Boston would implement such a proposal without providing adequate engineering for meaningful review, as the accepted practice is to provide proof of concept before implementation. Data should drive policy decisions and, to date, meaningful data and adequate engineering have been wholly lacking regarding this proposal despite our repeated requests. We have also recently witnessed a variety of factors that have created similar conditions of one lane on Summer Street earlier this year; construction with cones for several blocks to narrow traffic during the rideshare protest, combined with a convention and the temporary closure of the Sumner Tunnel. It is easy to make the connection about how, aside from the congestion this may cause for morning and evening commutes on weekdays, we could face all out gridlock for conventions, potential tunnel closures and infrastructure issues, and any other type of demonstration.

In closing, we had previously emphasized that we supported bus lanes at appropriate locations to relieve areas of high congestion and move our workforce, like the one-block stretch that was implemented further along Summer St approaching South Station; however, now extending this lane down Summer Street in areas that did not have pre-pandemic bottlenecks, and with reduced traffic flow on account

of remote and hybrid work policies, is seemingly a solution in search of a problem.

Sincerely,

Ed Flynn

Boston Council President , District 2

Michael Flaherty

Boston City Councilor, At-Large

David Biele

State Representative

Stephen Lynch

United States Congressman

Nick Collins State Senator

Gate of Heaven and St. Brigid Parishes News Hearts, Hugs & Hope: A Virtual Alzheimer’s Support Group Offered by Compass on the Bay

Gate of Heaven Parish

All are welcome to come for Coffee and Conversation

Sunday, Sept 17th after the 9 a.m. Mass Downstairs at Gate of Heaven Church

St. Brigid Parish

All are welcome to come for Coffee and Refreshments

Sunday, Sept 17th after the 10:30 a.m. Mass Downstairs at St. Brigid Church

GOH and St. Brigid Religious Ed. Grades K-6, 2023-2024

Registration: Sunday, Sept. 17th, following the 10:30 Mass downstairs at Cushing Hall, St. Brigid Church.

Classes Begin: Sunday, Sept. 24th, 9-10:15 AM, Cushing Hall followed by 10:30 AM Mass.

• Our Sacramental Program is a two-year program in accordance with Archdiocesan Guidelines.

• Please note that parents should enroll their children in the 1st Grade Program for their child to receive their Sacrament of First Holy Communion in the 2nd Grade in 2025.

• For those students enrolling in 1st Grade who were not Baptized in either St. Brigid or Gate of Heaven Church, please provide a copy of your child’s Baptismal Certificate to register.

• Our first class will be held on Sunday morning, Sept. 24, 2023, at 9 AM at Cushing Hall, downstairs at St. Brigid Church.

• Any questions, please visit our website at http://www.gateofheavenstbrigid.org/religious-education and fill out our Online Registration Form under “Religious Education” or you can come and fill out a form in person on Sunday, Sept. 17th, following the 10:30 AM Mass in Cushing Hall, at St. Brigid Church.

Confirmation Class Information

Grade 9

Confirmation Class - Sunday, September 17th &September 24th from 4pm to 7pm in Cushing Hall, Lower St. Brigid Church.

Confirmation Rehearsal - Sunday, October 1st at 12Noon at Mass at Gate of Heaven Church, followed by rehearsal until 2pm. (Student and Sponsors in attendance)

Confirmation Ceremony - Wednesday, October 4th at 5:30 PM at Gate of Heaven Church. (Students and Sponsors to arrive at 5 pm)

Grades 7 and 8

Parent & Student Information Meeting - Sunday, October 15th at 5pm in the Cushing Hall, Lower St. Brigid Church. Followed by the 6 pm Mass.

October 22nd - 7th grade – 4pm to 7pm

October 29th - 8th grade – 4pm to 7pm

For all Confirmation Questions: Please email Fr. Peter at SBGHParishesRelEd@gmail.com

September 21, 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.

South Boston Catholic Academy News

Welcome Back to our Current and New Students, Families, Faculty and Staff!

From Principal, Dr. Helenann Civian’s desk... “I hope everyone had a wonderful summer. I hope you are relaxed, recharged and ready to start a new school year. I am so delighted that you are part of our amazing learning community. I welcome and value your positive energy and dedication to excellence in education, and

I look forward to working with you and your children.

We are so thankful that we are starting the school year with such an amazing staff. Thank you for entrusting us with your child/children. We are honored to ensure they are learning and receive the highest quality of support and love. The students at SBCA are

amazing! Inspired by the traditions of our Catholic faith, family spirit, and academic excellence, we are committed to meeting the spiritual, academic, physical, and social needs of individual students within a learning environment that is both stimulating and supportive. New families are welcome to email our admissions team at admissions@sbcatholicadacademy. org for more info. about South Boston Catholic Academy.”

The First Grade students had fun with their First Day of School Classroom Project...The children shared how they felt returning to

school on their first day. The First Grade teachers enjoyed reading a story entitled “First Day Jitters” by Julie Danneberg and the children were so surprised by the ending! (Author’s message- even teachers can be nervous on the first day of school.) Then the students and even their teachers had a chance to drink some “Jitter Juice” just in case there were still some “jitters” lingering! It was a fantastic start for all students, families, faculty and staff and we are looking forward to another wonderful new school year at South Boston Catholic Academy.

Did I jinx the New York Jets? Maybe.

Last week, I gave you my 2023 NFL season predictions, which included division winners, a roundby-round breakdown of the playoffs, and the Super Bowl champion.

I picked the Jets to beat the Dallas Cowboys in Super Bowl LVIII, with Aaron Rodgers winning Super Bowl MVP. Ouch.

As you saw on Monday night, Rodgers suffered a season ending Achilles tear, which was confirmed in an MRI on Tuesday. The injury happened on Rodgers’ fourth snap of the game. And just like that, his Jets career could be over before it really even started.

I’ll get to the future of Rodgers and the Jets in a moment. But first, I need to react to the latest news surrounding the cause of Rodgers’ injury. On Wednesday, the NFL Players Association sent out a statement that called for all stadiums in the league to change to natural grass, blaming MetLife’s new softer “FieldTurf” synthetic surface.

“Moving all stadium fields to high quality natural grass surfaces is the easiest decision the NFL can make,” said NFLPA executive

director Lloyd Howell in the statement. “The players overwhelmingly prefer it and the data is clear that grass is simply safer than artificial turf. It is an issue that has been near the top of the players’ list during my team visits and one I have raised with the NFL.

“While we know there is an investment to making this change, there is a bigger cost to everyone in our business if we keep losing our best players to unnecessary injuries,” added Howell in the NFLPA’s statement. “It makes no sense that stadiums can flip over to superior grass surfaces when the World Cup comes, or soccer clubs come to visit for exhibition games in the summer, but inferior artificial surfaces are acceptable for our own players. This is worth the investment and it simply needs to change now.”

Of course, this is all being said now because of Rodgers’ devastating injury, which is clearly horrible for the league’s 2023 marketing campaign. I mean, all eyes were on Rodgers in the Big Apple. It started with HBO’s Hard Knocks, and many in the league office’s were probably hoping it would end with Rodgers and the Jets playing in the Super Bowl in Las Vegas in February.

Instead, the Jets turn to Zach Wilson, who stepped in for the injured Rodgers on Monday night. New York ended up coming back and beating the Buffalo Bills at MetLife, thanks to the Jets ferocious defense.

Right now, at least, Jets coach Robert Saleh is sticking with Wilson — the No. 2 overall pick in 2021 — as his starting quarterback.

“I don’t know why people are trying to put an obituary under our team name,” Saleh told the media on a conference call Tuesday.

“I do want to make it very clear, Zach’s our quarterback,” said Saleh. “We’ve got a lot of faith in Zach . . . this is Zach’s team, and we’re rolling with Zach.”

Not many outside the Jets organization believe in Wilson. I’m still up in the air on him. I do think he has potential. But to me, when I watch Wilson, I see a lack of confidence at the NFL level. And if you can’t play the quarterback position with conviction in this league, then it’s never going to work out for you. So, let’s see how it goes.

One rumor I would like to completely squash right here right now though, is the idea that Tom Brady would ever play for the New York Jets.

If I have to hear another well respected NFL analyst bring up Brady’s name when talking about the Jets’ quarterback situation right now, then I’m going to rip my TV off the wall.

Let me be clear: Tom Brady is never going to play for the New York Jets. If for nothing else, the reason he would never do that is because he just stood in front of a sold-out crowd at Gillette Stadium on Sunday and declared that he is a “Patriot for Life.”

The guy even ran out of the tunnel like he used to, giving all of us goosebumps.

What kind of a heartless monster would Brady be if he turned on Robert Kraft and said, “Actually, on second thought, Robert, [expletive] you and the statue your about to give me in Foxboro, I’m going to come out of retirement and play for the Jets.” It’s not happening.

That would be like David Ortiz wearing pinstripes, or Patrice Bergeron playing for Montreal, or Larry Bird joining the Lakers.

Tom Brady is never playing for the New York Jets. So please stop bringing it up.

Follow Danny on instagram @ DannyPicard.

This week, Danny shared his thoughts on Aaron Rodgers suffering a season-ending injury in Week 1:

What To Watch

SPORTS TODAY

PATRIOTS LOSE TO EAGLES IN WEEK 1

Unfortunately, for the New England Patriots, Tom Brady was not leading the charge on their fourth-quarter comeback, which ended up falling short, as the Pats lost to the Philadelphia Eagles in their season opener, 25-20, on Sunday at Gillette Stadium.

Brady was honored at halftime of the game, leaving everyone in Foxboro

Tweet of the Week

with mixed emotions after the loss.

New England trailed 16-0 after the first quarter, but answered in the second quarter with two Mac Jones, to Hunter Henry and Kendrick Bourne, cutting the Eagles’ lead to 16-14 at the half.

Philadelphia then kicked three field goals in the second half to take a 25-14

lead. The Patriots cut that lead to 25-20 after Jones threw another touchdown pass to Bourne with 3:37 left in the fourth quarter, but couldn’t convert on their two-point conversion attempt.

New England was able to get the ball back at their own 44-yard line with just under two minutes left in the game, but

they couldn’t convert on a 4th-and-11 at the Eagles’ 20-yard line with 27 seconds left, ending the game.

Now, the 0-1 Patriots host the 1-0 Miami Dolphins on NBC Sunday Night Football. Miami is coming off a 36-34 Week 1 win over the Chargers in LA. The Dolphins are a 2-point favorite.

BRADY TO BE INDUCTED INTO PATRIOTS HALL OF FAME IN JUNE

Tom Brady ran onto the field at halftime of Sunday’s Week 1 game at Gillette Stadium, as he always used to, wearing his blue No. 12 Patriots jersey, yelling “Let’s [expletive] Go” to the crowd behind the end zone. It was a piece of visual nostalgia like no other. And afterwards, he spoke to the raucous crowd in a short-butsweet ceremony honoring his 20-year Patriots career.

The ceremony was also used to announce that the Patriots will be honoring Brady once again, this summer, as they waive the standard four-year wait period and induct him into the Patriots Hall of Fame on June 12, 2024.

Here’s the full press release on the team website:

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – Tom Brady’s return to Foxborough began by ringing a bell atop Gillette Stadium’s new Lighthouse. At halftime, a capac-

ity crowd gave a ringing endorsement when Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft announced he was waiving the four-year wait period to induct Brady into the team’s hall of fame next spring.

“When Tom Brady announced his retirement after 23 NFL seasons, there was only one place I wanted him to be on opening day – right here at Gillette Stadium, with 65,000 of his closest friends,” said Kraft when he addressed the crowd at halftime. “Patriots fans didn’t get an opportunity to appropriately thank Tom when he left. I wanted to give them that opportunity. Unfortunately, a halftime ceremony just doesn’t provide enough time to honor Tommy the way he deserves.”

In addition to accelerating the induction process, Kraft also announced that for the first time, the team will host its Hall of Fame ceremony inside Gillette Stadium to accommodate as many fans as possible. The ceremony will be held the evening of June 12, 2024. Patriots executives

chose the 12th day of the sixth month as two of the numbers most often associated with Tom Brady’s Patriots career; his six Super Bowl championships and his iconic uniform number, 12. The ceremony will be a ticketed event in which Season Ticket Members will receive first priority. Details will be communicated to Season Ticket Members later this year prior to any public announcement.

Brady becomes the first player to have the four-year wait period waived since the current Patriots Hall of Fame guidelines were established in 2007. Kraft chose to make a special exception for a special player. As a result, Brady will become the 35th person to be inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame presented by RTX.

Brady entered the NFL as the 199th overall selection in the 2000 NFL Draft. Over the next two decades with the Patriots, he set nearly every imaginable franchise passing record and propelled

the Patriots to six Super Bowl championships, nine AFC Conference crowns and 17 AFC East Division titles, which included 41 playoff games, 30 playoff wins and 219 regular season wins. He also earned three NFL MVP Awards during his time in New England.

Brady finished his career as the most accomplished player in NFL history with 251 wins, 15 Pro Bowl berths, seven Super Bowl wins, 7,753 completions, 89,214 passing yards and 649 touchdowns.

The Patriots Hall of Fame presented by RTX will host its 2023 ceremony on the Enel Plaza just outside the Hall of Fame on Saturday, Oct. 21 starting at 12:00 p.m. ET. The fans selected Mike Vrabel for induction this year. He will be joined by long-time assistant coach Dante Scarnecchia, who was selected by Robert Kraft as this year’s contributor. The 2023 ceremony is free and open to the public. All fans, former teammates and coaches are welcome and encouraged to attend.

SBT Staff

SBT Staff