South Boston Today November 16 2023 by SouthBostonTodayOnline

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November 16, 2023: Vol.11 Issue 46

veryone loves a threeday weekend, and new trends in work might mean that every week is a little shorter. A four-day workweek may do more than give you an extra day to catch up on laundry, though. Research indicates that a shorter workweek benefits the employee, the workplace, and the environment. A four-day workweek is a schedule in which full-time employees are expected to work four days a week, instead of the traditional five, for the same pay. It’s often confused with a compressed workweek, in which people work a “normal” 35 to 40 hours in four days, followed by three days off. Because these compressed schedules tend to lead to overwork and additional stress, a true four-day week maintains the same work sched-

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November 16, 2023

EDITORIAL so brought great South Boston Once Again Did Veteran’s Day Right Doing satisfaction to those residents

s November barrels ahead at what seems to be the speed of light, we leave the Veterans Day holiday behind us and look forward to a fast approaching Thanksgiving extra long weekend. Of course, most true South Bostonians would say that in our community, every day is a day to honor our veterans and that is absolutely true. And doing a review of how Veteran’s Day 2023 went here in Southie, it certainly causes us to feel pride in who we are. The parade down E. Fourth

Street that kicked off from the Thomas Fitzgerald Post and marched to St. Brigid Church passed by crowds of cheering residents; many of them our town’s young children proudly waving the flag of our country/their country as their faces brimmed with smiles. The sacred ceremonies both religious and military where further honor and recognition was given to the heroes; past and present who put their very lives on the line to protect and defend us from harm were inspirational.

If you were able to make it to Castle Island’s Fort Independence for the semiannual ‘Flag Retirement Ceremony, you were witness to the true honor and respect the symbol of our great country is given. In South Boston, when our flags become faded and frayed, we don’t simply throw them away when we get a new replacement, we bring them to our veteran’s posts, and they dispose of them the proper way; the same way it’s done in the military and in other patriotic communities

around this nation. We had school children blessed with visits from military service members in uniform as they were greeted by the kids and their teachers with welcoming embraces and the students were reminded of the great sacrifices America’s military makes to protect them and has done so for nearly 250 years of our nations existence. As the Veteran’s Day weekend went on, people of every age would approach neighborhood veterans and thank them for their service.

who greeted the vets and we’re willing to bet that to a man and women, it made those vets; every vet, very happy to be recognized for their military service. In all it was a great weekend in South Boston, as neighborhood pride as well as national pride was on display at every turn. It showed once again that not only are South Bostonians proud of our veterans, but we can also be proud of the way we honor those men and women who have made it all possible for us to live in a free country.

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Boston’s T Official Tree arrives November

he annual gift of an evergreen 40-year-old, 45-foot-tall white spruce doChristmas tree from Nova nated by Bette Gourley of Stewiacke, N.S., Scotia is scheduled to arrive and her family. by police escort at Boston Common Boston Parks Commissioner Ryan at approximately 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Woods, Santa Claus, and local school November 21. children will greet the tree at its final This is the 52nd year that a tree has destination near the Boston Visitors been donated and commemorates 106 Center at 139 Tremont Street. The tree years of friendship with Nova Scotia. will be lit at approximately 7:55 p.m. This recognizes the people of Boston on Thursday, November 30, as the City who provided emergency assistance of Boston’s Official Tree Lighting is when Halifax, Nova Scotia was devas- celebrated on Boston Common from 6 tated by a maritime munitions explosion p.m. to 8 p.m. The ceremony will be in the harbor in 1917. The first Tree for broadcast live on WCVB Channel 5 Boston was donated in 1971 by Joseph starting at 7 p.m. Slauenwhite from Lunenburg County. The annual Tree Lighting on Boston Boston’s official 2023 tree is a Common is co-sponsored by the Boston

Publisher

John Ciccone

Parks and Recreation Department and title sponsor, The Province of Nova Scotia. Amazon serves as the presenting sponsor, Meet Boston is the signature sponsor, Bank of America, JetBlue, Constellation, and the Downtown Boston Business Improvement District are the Community Sponsors, and media sponsors are WCVB Channel 5 and the Boston Globe. Visit Boston.gov/lights-on-bos for more information and follow our social channels to stay up to date with all the holiday lighting events: @bostonparksdept on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

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When Communist Leaders Come Visiting, Leftist Pols Put On A Façade John Ciccone

uesday of this week, the President of Communist China, Xi Jinping, arrived in San Francisco to take part in the 30th Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation or APEC for short. It’s reported that during his stay, he will meet directly with Biden. Millions of Americans, hearing that news have probably drawn a deep breath and are holding it wondering how many ways Biden will embarrass our country this time. But more important is the question of what concessions and give aways will China leave with. So far, under this current administration, China has been making out like a bandit as everything is going its way and absolutely nothing of any significance is coming to our country. Its what happens when the world knows that the United States is being run by weak incompetents that bristle at the term ‘America First’. In fact, the term America last would better fit the bunch currently in charge. But beyond the international ramifications and negatives that are expected from the APEC conference for the United States, let’s take a look at things more local. When ‘XI’s” plane arrived, he was greeted at the airport by various dignitaries. He was immediately met by California’s governor Gavin Newsome. Some would say it was a warm embrace between two Communists. In Xi’s country, the government dictates to the people what they can do and when they can do it. It’s how Communist dictatorships operate. Anyone who strays from what the government commands is usually in for trouble. They have so much in common with how the California state government runs. People are fleeing California by the tens of thousands. It is said that one of the few businesses still thriving in that state is the U-Haul company as rentals are through the roof by people packing up and getting the hell out. Taxes are crippling and

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constantly going up even more. There are restrictions and regulations of nearly everything now. Gavin Newsome is said to be chomping at the bit in anticipation of a new Covid outbreak, so he can once again shut down small businesses, Churches and schools. You know, just like in China, except for the churches where churches are for the most part banned – something Newsome can only dream about – right now. In San Francisco where the APEC conference will take place, there was a mad rush to clean the place up for Newsome’s visiting Communist idol. That city has become a disgrace. Once a beautiful destination for American as well as foreign tourists, it has become a pit. The homeless tent cities are constantly expanding to more and more sections. The reasons are because the taxes are so high and the cost of living untouchable for most, people have lost their homes, the drug epidemic there has exploded as some parts of California, they pass out crack pipes to users and crime is out of control. To say that San Francisco Stinks is not an exaggeration. People are casually relieving themselves in public and it is seldom even being cleaned up. It’s what happens when liberal politicians keep cutting the police AND the sanitation budget. It has become a common occurrence in so many Democrat run cities. These are the conditions San Francisco is experiencing with no major ‘workable’ effort to do anything about it – of course until now. Armies of cleanup crews had descended on that city prior to the APEC conference to remove the tent encampments, to try to temporarily keep the criminals at bay and cleanup the messy streets so the place no longer smells. You see folks, some liberal officials don’t really care that American citizens have to live in those conditions.

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

As far as they’re concerned, it’s the new normal in their parts of America. Remember how they used to melt down when Trump used to shout his motto of ‘America First’? But when the Communist leader of America’s biggest potential enemy comes visiting, they pull out all the stops and spare no expense to put on a show. The thing is, Xi Jinping is no dummy. He knows what San Francisco and many other cities in Blue States have turned into. So he is well aware that it’s all a façade put on for his benefit. And he also knows that when he leaves to go back to China, San Francisco will go back to the decaying, crime

infested place it has become. Folks, if America is to survive and return to being the strong and prosperous place it should always remain, we as citizens need to remove those ‘America Last’ people now in control whose goal it seems is to bring us down to the level of a third world country. Elections really do have consequences. Our country is suffering from those consequences. That old battlecry of ‘throw the bums out’ has taken on a new sense of urgency. We may have just one year, until November 2024, to work on this if America’s future is to be bright.

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November 16, 2023

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.

SOCCER STADIUM IN EVERETT? It turns out the rumors were true. As Conservation Law Foundation president Brad Campbell reported in the CommonWealth Beacon last month, a “backroom deal” was in the works in the Legislature to liberate a 45-acre parcel along the Mystic River in Everett to become a new soccer stadium for the New England Revolution, owned by Robert Kraft. When asked about it, Speaker Ron Mariano seemed perplexed by the notion that the House would include such a provision in its supplemental budget — and they didn’t. But the Senate plans to act on a bill today that would help enable the stadium, and the House and Senate have until end of day Wednesday to reconcile their differences. You could call it a last-minute shot on goal by Sen. Sal DiDomenico of Everett with an assist from Everett Mayor Carlo DeMaria. The question is whether anyone is playing goalie. According to some great report-

ing by the Boston Globe’s Jon Chesto, DiDomenico has been working behind the scenes with community and environmental groups to get buy-in. Community benefits “range from setting aside four acres of open space for a public park to $5 million for a community center and $10 million for a housing stabilization fund, to limiting on-site parking to 75 spaces and allowing the city’s soccer teams and band program to use the facility,” Chesto reports. But not everyone is sold on the stadium, among them Brad Campbell. As he points out, a project with the sheer scale of a new stadium deserves its own a bill and public hearings. (That won’t happen by Wednesday.) The stadium proposal reportedly has 75 parking spots, creating a fascinating amount of pressure on fans from throughout New England to take public transportation to get there. The clock is ticking. Will the House jump onboard, or call it a draw and wait ‘til next year?

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House lawmakers want to provide food benefits to non-citizens With little or no fanfare, House lawmakers last week put into a year-end budget measure language that would have the state provide food benefits to immigrants who are here legally but are not U.S. citizens. The policy represents a shift after the benefit was ended 20 years ago. One fiscal watchdog said lawmakers seem to be trying to find ways to draw people unable to care for themselves to Massachusetts. Repeat tax revenue misses have lawmakers’ attention Four consecutive months of state tax revenue falling below forecasts have caught the attention of lawmakers, but whether there’s cause for alarm depends on whom you ask. State Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew Gorzkowicz said Tuesday: “It’s something that we’re monitoring very carefully. And while it’s true that the state has missed its revenue collection benchmarks four months in

a row, we continue to see growth year-over-year.” He added that “no one is panicking at this point.” State Sen. Bruce Tarr said in a separate forum that the shortfall “points to the need to focus very closely on expenditures moving forward because the robust amounts of revenue that we have been collecting do not seem to be materializing in the current fiscal year.” Mass. lawmakers discuss four-day workweek Massachusetts lawmakers are eyeing a four-day workweek — for the rest of us — and heard testimony yesterday on a proposed pilot program. State Reps. Dylan Fernandes and Josh Cutler want the state to use tax credits to induce businesses to adopt four-day workweeks for two years and to regularly report on how the change is working out. Fernandes said: “The five day work week is a human construct and we think it needs updating.” One argument put forth by proponents of the shortened workweeks is that they’re easier on the environment. continued on page 5

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November 16, 2023

CITY COUNCIL PASSES FIREARMS ORDINANCE CO-SPONSORED BY COUNCILOR WORRELL AND COUNCIL PRESIDENT FLYNN

he Boston City Council passed an ordinance cosponsored by City Councilor Brian Worrell (District 4) and City Council President Ed Flynn (District 2) aimed at combating the 150-200 shootings recorded in the city each year. The ordinance will require the Boston Police Department to submit an annual report on seized or surrendered firearms that is expected to

inform policy to stem gun violence in the city. “I believe that data-informed solutions can help us ensure that we’re taking the best approaches possible to reduce gun violence,” said Councilor Worrell. “Where are the guns coming from? Where do we need more resources? How can we best prevent repeat offenders? This report should help us tackle the answers to these questions and proactively spot any other trends of concern.” The annual report will coordinate information from the Boston Police Department, Massachusetts State Police, Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office and Suffolk County District

Attorney’s Office. The data for each firearm will include whether it was involved in a crime, where it originated, when it was last legally sold, where it was seized, and the age of the person with the gun when it was recovered. Also included will be each gun’s model, manufacturer, modifications and any licensed dealers, as well as if it was registered in any databases. “This annual report on the flow of illegal firearms into Boston will assist law enforcement and policymakers better understand the impact of illegal gun trafficking, and help us develop strategies on gun violence prevention and education,” said Council President Flynn. The annual report, which will be submitted to the City Council, Mayor’s Office and Boston Public Health Commission, also aims for a review of trends on how firearms are transported into the city as well as any other takeaways or policy

Boston City Council Passes Anti-Bullying Policy

ity Council meeting, the City Council voted unanimously to adopt an Anti-Bullying Policy for the City Council, which was sponsored by Council President Flynn. The vote came after three working sessions chaired by Council President Flynn. This policy is part of his emphasis on creating a safe and healthy work environment, and is an important step in preventing workplace bullying. The final version of the policy incorporated input and suggestions from Councilors present at the three Rules Committee working sessions chaired by Councilor Flynn discussing the AntiBullying policy he filed in May. This policy includes potential examples of what workplace bullying may look like, and serves as a value statement from the City Council that workplace bullying is not tolerated. After passage, Councilors, staff, interns, and volunteers will sign this to acknowledge that they have read this, and the receipt will be kept

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in their personnel file. New Staff information sessions hosted by Central Staff will also include information on this policy. “I hope that this policy can serve as a first step in addressing and preventing workplace bullying, and it is also my hope that both future Council Presidents and Councilors will build upon this draft, and make efforts to create a more respectful

and inclusive work environment,” said Council President Flynn. “It is of the utmost importance that we have a workplace in the City Council where everyone feels welcome and not subject to any type of bullying or harassment.” For more information, please contact Council President Flynn’s office at 617-635-3203 and Ed. Flynn@Boston.gov.

recommendations that the Boston Police Department believes can address gun trafficking. The ordinance comes 13 months after the City Council unanimously declared gun violence a public health emergency. In 2022, the Boston Police recovered more than 900 guns, while a recent report showed that only 10 percent of guns recovered at Boston crime scenes in 2021 were purchased in Massachusetts. Earlier this year, the Boston Public Health Commission released a report showing that the leading cause of death among Boston kids ages 1-17 was homicide. “There are too many kids in our city who are dying from gun violence. No child should be unsafe in their own city. We need to act,” said Councilor Worrell. “I think these reports will help give us a better chance at crafting policies that will do that.”

Window continued from page 4

T knew remote-work story that got Globe reporter fired was wrong MBTA public relations employees were told to ignore calls from Boston Globe investigative reporter Andrea Estes when she was working on a story about remote work at the agency and could have prevented her from publishing an error-filled story that led to her firing in May, Bruce Mohl of CommonWealth Beacon reports. Mohl reports some emails about how to respond to the story–which said 9 workers had remote jobs when the number was actually six–were sent to former Secretary of Transportation Gina Fiandaca. UMass Lowell discloses layoffs amid budget gap UMass Lowell is laying off 23 employees and has cut another 80-plus positions through attrition and voluntary buyouts as the campus faces a yawning budget gap. Chancellor Julie Chen said the end of federal pandemic funding, shrinking class sizes and higher benefit costs drove the school’s $37 million budget shortfall for fiscal year 2024.

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I Was Just Thinking…

by Kevin Devlin

nstead of law and order we get disorder, violence, and death. On November 1, Jonathan Lewis, a seventeen-year-old student at Rancho High School in Las Vegas, who was defending his friend who was thrown in a trash can by bullies, was himself attacked and brutally beaten by the same group of approximately fifteen teenagers.

Four-Day Workweek continued from front page

The attack occurred near the high school. Despite multiple efforts by doctors at the University Medical Center to save his life, Lewis was placed on life support, and one week after sustaining this merciless assault and battery, he succumbed to his injuries. At least two teenagers were nearby recording the incident. So far eight students between the ages of 13 and 17 have been arrested by Las Vegas police on suspicion of murder in the fatal beating of this good Samaritan. What has happened to our youth? Where is their moral compass? Back in the day, this did not happen. If an altercation occurred, it was not fifteen teenagers against one. And if a fight occurred, teenagers had enough sense to know when to stop. When enough was enough. Instead, today they are happy to beat their victim to a pulp without worrying about the consequences for the victim.

ule (seven to eight hours) but provides an additional day off. In contrast, the four-day workweek allows employees to work fewer hours without a reduction in pay. Through various studies and trial programs, shifting from a five-day workweek to a four-day workweek has a largely positive impact on employees and businesses. Participants in trial programs across the globe, including the United Kingdom (UK), Iceland, New Zealand, Spain, and Japan, have highlighted an array of positive outcomes on employee mental health and well-being, as well as increased retention and resilience. A four-day workweek brings several important benefits — and a few downsides. If you’re looking to make a case for reduced hours at your workplace, it’s worth taking the pros and cons into consideration. Advantages of a four-day workweek include increased productivity, reduced facilities cost and improved morale. One of the largest concerns about the four-day workweek has been disproven by the existing trials. Many companies worry that reducing the working hours would actually result in a reduction in productivity, but that hasn’t proven to be the case. Employees have been just as productive, if not

November 16, 2023

Without worrying about the consequences of their actions because they know those in the courts will give them a slap on the hand and allow them back on the streets. It’s a deadly game. Inexplicable. Sadly, human life is not valued. Brutality is embraced by those who embrace Mob mentality. It’s a sickness eroding our social fabric which needs to be vaccinated out of existence. Human decadence which needs to be eradicated. Those who are involved in such senseless acts of violence need to suffer the consequences of their immoral and illegal behavior. They need to spend a long time in prison so they can reflect on their actions and realize what they’ve done. The life they ended. The pain they inflicted. Maybe then they can truly repent their sins and live in civil society without being a danger to others. Jonathan Lewis was only 17.

more so, than they are in a full week. Furthermore, employees that aren’t burnt out tend to do better, more innovative work. Large organizations discovered quickly during the pandemic that remote work has led to huge decreases in the amount of money spent on offices. That means reducing office square footage and related costs such as air conditioning, heating, electricity, and other in-person expenses. Many companies found themselves with a surplus in their human resources budgets, which they were then able to reallocate to employee wellness initiatives. Employees in Iceland that participated in the four-day workweek trial reported improved morale and better work-life balance. For workers who need to do thoughtful, collaborative work, taking down time is essential to perform at your best. Disadvantages of a four-day workweek include being not cost-effective for all industries and scheduling concerns. In Sweden, which tested a four-day workweek with nurses, the plan was scrapped because it was ultimately found to not be cost-effective. A true four-day workweek is a reduction in hours with no reduction in pay, meaning that more employees may have to be hired in industries that require seven-day-a-week coverage. This may offset any gains that would otherwise be

He wanted to join the navy after high school. His father is planning to fulfill his son’s wishes for donating his organs so others may live. Certainly, a tragic ending to a brave soul who died, no, was senselessly beaten to death, much before his time, by a Mob of teenagers who are a product of the times. Yes, we must blame these teenagers for this savage behavior. Yet it’s also our willingness as a society to allow our leaders to effectuate policies which perpetuate disorder and violence, and ultimately, in too many instances, results in the death of innocent, law-abiding people. A willingness to let parents off the hook and put them on notice that they too have a responsibility to mold their children in a positive manner. This senseless, brutal behavior cannot continue. It must be stopped. Because we need to change before it’s too late.

made from reduced facility costs. A government organization found that customer satisfaction dropped during their four-day experiment since all employees had the day off on Friday. This created a hardship for their normal clientele. In companies that need to be open for most of the week, this could potentially be managed by offering a staggered schedule. Providing a four-day workweek may work with different days off for different people (similar to how shift employees work). Though some companies worldwide are testing or embracing a four-day workweek, American companies are slower to jump on board. Despite the evidence demonstrating the efficacy of a four-day workweek, the future of work in the US still looks to be many years away from seeing it become standard. More research needs to be done to cement its value and benefits. Although the pandemic accelerated the shift towards reduced working hours, companies are beginning to push back, and employees are looking for greener pastures. As companies navigate the new normal in the world of work, it’s almost certain that they’ll see more trials on how to successfully bring work-life balance to the forefront of the employee experience.

November 16, 2023

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The

Wine Guy

Wines For The Cooler Weather

ith the weather being definitely on the cooler side now, I thought it might be best to hedge our bets on what wines might be most enjoyable. So, some reds, some whites and hopefully, some time to try the following…

Carson Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon, 2019, Paso Robles, Central Coast, California, ($13.99) is a great wine for Pulled Pork, other BBQ fare or Angus beef Bacon Cheeseburgers. You’ll find pleasant but not overbearing notes of dark berry fruit and cherries, with soft oak notes and a pleasant finish. It’s balanced, with deep coloring and a very satisfying moth feel. Frankly, this one drinks closer to a $20.00 bottle than its posted price; you might want to pick up more than one! Beaumont Chenin Blanc, 2021, Stellenbosch, South Africa, ($19.99), is a pleasant and surprising break from your typical Chardonnay. You’ll find that the fruit notes of melon, kiwi and citrus are subtle but, combined with an unexpectedly long finish for a white, will give you a great taste. The South Africans have been growing a number of Loire Valley varieties for over a century now and this one represents the enhancements that come from attention to detail and the unique weather

patterns of the country. Any seafood or poultry dish will be better for it! Alexander Valley “Sin Zin” Zinfandel, Sonoma, California, ($19.99), This Zin from the Alexander Valley in Sonoma, captures the true essence of Alexander Valley. The fruit is sourced from a variety of vineyards with differing microclimates. This provides winemaker Kevin Hall with an array of unique parcels of fruit and he produces a wine of structure, balance and finish, with distinctive notes of dark berries, earthiness and layers of flavor. You can have this Alexander Valley Sin Zin Zinfandel one with pungent cheese and a baguette or a nice New York strip done the way you like it. 2021 Bottega Vinaia Pinot Grigio, ($19.99). The grapes sourced for Bottega Vinaia’s Pinot Grigio come from a tiny cluster of vineyards located 400 meters above sea level in the Dolomite mountains, farmed by the same two families for

November 16, 2023

over 100 years. This crisp, clean and dry unoaked white is the hallmark of Bottega Vinaia craftsmanship. This high quality Pinot Grigio also possesses an intense aroma uncommon in Pinot Grigio, as a result of unusually cool nighttime temperatures in the region. I’m sure all the PG drinkers out there know what they like to have it with, but don’t forget Chicken Picatta or Braised Scallops, as the acidity and balance of this wine really bring their flavors out.

City Of Boston to host 3rd Annual Ship Lighting at Martin’s Park on November 25

oston’s newest holiday tradition will once again be held on Saturday, November 25, from 4-6 p.m. in Martin’s Park at the Smith Family Waterfront. Located in the Seaport District and Fort Point neighborhoods, this third annual children’s celebration is hosted by the Friends of Martin’s Park and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department. Located at 64 Sleeper Street and visible from the Northern Avenue Bridge, Martin’s Park at the Smith Family Waterfront is a climate-resilient park built in memory of eight-year-old Martin W. Richard, the youngest victim of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. The accessible park provides play opportunities for children, families, and visitors of all abilities. The Park’s wooden playship is the centerpiece of the space and will be transformed into a beautiful holiday display when the ship, surrounding beach fencing, and pedestrian bridge are illuminated with over 5,000 feet

of white and blue LED lights. Visitors are encouraged to head inside the park for the celebration, sponsored by the Friends of Martin’s Park and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, with additional support from Nan Fung Life Sciences Real Estate, MacKay Construction, WS Development, Cambridge Trust, Barking Crab, and Lusterity Design + Events. Refreshments will include eggnog from H.P. Hood, hot cocoa from Tuscan Kitchen, and coffee from Caffe Nero Seaport. Santa Claus and The Grinch will arrive by boat with the Boston Police Harbor Unit at the Harborwalk and enter the park to switch on the lights. Entertainment will be provided by the acapella group Ball In The House, performing a selection of holiday classics. Special guests include the Boston Red Sox official mascot Wally the Green Monster, and the Seaport’s own Betty the Yeti. In addition, the Boston Park Rangers Mounted Unit horses will

be on hand, along with a fire truck from the Boston Fire Department. The City of Boston celebrates the lighting of Boston’s official 2023 Christmas tree from Nova Scotia on Boston Common on Thursday, November 30, beginning at 6 p.m. This year’s tree is a 40-year-old, 45-foottall white spruce donated by Bette Gourley of Stewiacke, N.S., and her family. The celebration will be immediately followed by the lighting of the trees on Commonwealth

Avenue Mall at Arlington Street and Commonwealth Avenue at 8:15 p.m. Visit boston.gov/lighting-martinspark or call (617) 635-4505 for more information or visit Boston. gov/LightsOnBos for information on other holiday lighting events. To stay up to date with news, park improvements, and events, sign up for our email list at bit.ly/Get-ParksEmails and follow our social channels @bostonparksdept on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

November 16, 2023

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Flag Retirement Ceremony at Fort Independence

n Thursday, November 11, 2023 the Castle Island Association, along with the Scottish American Society and DCR held the bi-annual Flag Retire-

ment Ceremony. The day was perfect to honor our Veterans and show respect to the Flag of the United States of America. Bill Spain and the CIA hosted a tasty luncheon

with food from Sully’s. Neighbors and old friends gathered to enjoy, socialize and celebrate Veterans Day. It was like old home week at the Island.

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November 16, 2023

Veterans Day Celebrated In South Boston 2023

he Thomas J. Fitzgerald VFW Post #561 held its 72nd annual Veterans’ Day Memorial Service on November 11, 2023 under Commander Thomas McCarthy. This is a true South Boston com-

munity event as we pay respect and thank those who have served and currently serve this great nation. Commander McCarthy is always so thorough to include South Boston High School/Excel JROTC, the Girl Scouts, Compass

On The Bay resident Yolanda, community members and our elected officials. The Veterans marched to St. Brigid Church for a Memorial Mass said by Father Joe White and then a wonderful breakfast was presented

at Cushing Hall. Speeches were given, stories were told, laughs were plenty and camaraderie was present as always in this little village we call South Boston. Thank you to the “Fitzy Post” and all of the volunteers.

November 16, 2023

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for those who have brought South Boston Catholic Academy News oftheirbody; best gifts to times in need and

Honoring Our Veterans

n Thursday, November 10th, we had a special visit from Staff SGT Marco Defelice, in the U. S. Army. He came in and spoke to grades 3-6 about Veterans Day and the students asked him so many interesting questions. The 6th Graders read a special prayer...”A Prayer for Veterans Day”

that began with...”Governor of Nations, our Strength and Shield: we give you thanks for the devotion and courage of all those who have offered military service for this country; For those who have fought for freedom; for those who laid down their lives for others; for those who have borne suffering of mind or

the prayer ended with...Give to us, your people, grateful hearts and a united will to honor these men and women and hold them always in our love and our prayers; until your world is perfected in peace through Jesus Christ our Savior.” Afterwards, he walked around and said hello to the students in grades K1-2. The students all presented him with cards for him to hand out to Veterans. Staff Sergeant Defe-

November 16, 2023

lice is the husband of our Grade 3A Teacher, Mrs. Kellie Defelice. The students and teachers enjoyed and learned alot about life in the Service of our country and what it is like to be a Veteran at this presentation! A Special Thank You to Staff SGT Marco Defelice and to all Veterans for their Service. God Bless you all! New families are welcome to email our admissions team at admissions@sbcatholicadacademy.org for more info. about South Boston Catholic Academy.

November 16, 2023

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St. Peter Academy

Grades 2/3 Habitat Diorama Projects

ach 2nd and 3rd grader were given a different type of habitat to study. They studied the different climates, what animals live there, where they are located. They then completed an informational book that could teach others. After

they completed their report students made 3D dioramas to represent their habitat. The students worked very hard and did an awesome job learning, studying, and creating their individual habitats. Ms. Hildreth was proud of all her students! They can’t

wait for their next assignment! St. Peter Academy is accepting applications for the current and upcoming school year. St. Peter Academy is an independent, community-based private school and serves students from ages 15 months through grade 6. SPA is currently accepting applications for the limited spaces available in the year-round toddler program (beginning at age 15 months) and for students in Pre-

13 K (School Year and Full Year Programs), Kindergarten and grades 1-6. Financial Aid Available. Two Scholarships will be offered this year for applicants for Grades 1 through 6. You may request scholarship information from the Front Office (spa@stpeteracademy.com). Appointments for individual virtual tours can be made by contacting Maria Blasi, at 617-268-0750 or by emailing spa@StPeterAcademy.com.

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November 16, 2023

This week,

Danny reacted to the latest rumors surrounding Bill Belichick and his future in New England:

art of being a sports-talk radio host involves taking live phone calls from listeners. When I hosted my show on WEEI 93.7 FM, I admit, I would sometimes tune out during those calls. Rarely, were they not ridiculous. The most ridiculous calls though, by far, came from Bill Belichick critics. I was on WEEI from 2013 through 2017. That’s five full calendar years in which the New England Patriots went to two AFC Championship games and three Super Bowls — winning two of them. And yet, there were many callers who wanted Belichick’s head on a platter for offseason moves he either made or didn’t make, specifically when it came to the offensive pieces around Tom Brady. One caller, I remember specifically, said he would never go to another game at Gillette Stadium as long as Belichick’s part of the organization, because Belichick traded star offensive lineman Logan Mankins for a fourth-round draft pick and a backup tight end prior to the 2014 season. I often think about that call and its absurdity, considering the Patriots went on to win the Super Bowl five months later. And it’s important to note that they won that Super Bowl

only because of Malcolm Butler, who Belichick signed that year as a rookie undrafted free agent. Nevertheless, the hot take machine keeps turning. Which brings us to the Patriots’ current conundrum. At 2-8, the Pats would have the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, if the season ended today. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. So this either gets you excited for the Draft or makes you want to burn a sleeveless hoodie. Well, if your excitement lasts more than four hours, please consult your nearest sports-media personality. They will immediately take away your excitement for a top-three draft pick by breaking down all the ways Belichick has “ruined” Mac Jones as an NFL quarterback. It’s the manifesto they’re fully committed to, paid for by Jones’ camp: Defend Mac at all costs. So much so, that the conversation here in New England has gone from, “Who’s the next quarterback” to “Who’s the next head coach and general manager”? I give them some credit though. At least the “experts” are now admitting that Jones isn’t the guy. I’ve been trying to tell you this for two years. It’s good to see mostly everyone else

is starting to come around, following Jones’ horrendous performance against the Indianapolis Colts in Germany. Problem is, the media’s criticism of Jones comes with an excuse. “It’s not his fault! Blame Belichick,” they slam into their keyboards on X, and shout into any microphone they can find. We even now have Dan Orlovsky, President of the Mac Jones Campaign, going on The Pat McAfee Show on ESPN, claiming that not only is there talk of Belichick getting fired, but there’s also rumblings of the exact destination where Belichick will end up next season. “I have heard that that’s gonna be the case,” said Orlovsky when McAfee mentioned rumors that Belichick and the Patriots could part ways in the offseason. “Who knows the likelihood of it, but, I’ve heard that that’s gonna happen. And I’ve heard the location is already kind of determined as well.” Well, if Belichick’s location for next season is already being discussed behind closed doors in Foxboro, then I’d say we’re most definitely witnessing Belichick’s final season with the Patriots. But the question is, are those rumors that Orlovsky speaks of actually true?

For what it’s worth, Orlovsky didn’t seem all that confident in what he was saying, prefacing it by reminding McAfee that he’s “not a reporter and all that stuff.” Yet, here he is, on ESPN on Tuesday afternoon, reporting this. Orlovsky has already picked his side in this fight though. He picked it a long time ago, much like mostly everyone else in the media. They chose to show unconditional love for Jones and they’ve stuck to their guns. It’s basically everybody else’s fault but Mac’s. And so, in their eyes, when it comes to Belichick, there’s only one way to fix this Patriots problem: get rid of the greatest coach of all time. I’ll be honest. I don’t know what Robert Kraft is going to do this offseason, when it comes to Belichick. I find it hard to believe he’s going to cut him loose just 16 wins shy of the most wins in NFL history as a head coach — both regular season and playoffs combined. But given the fact that Brady left, I guess anything’s possible. But if you’re asking me to pick a side in the Belichick vs Jones debate, you already know. I’m Team Belichick. Follow Danny on instagram @ DannyPicard.

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November 16, 2023

SPORTS TODAY MAC JONES Tweet of BENCHED the Week AGAIN AS PATRIOTS LOSE THIRD STRAIGHT

SBT Staff

or the second time this season, the New England Patriots are on a three-game losing skid. The Pats, now 2-8 on the season, put on an embarrassing display this past Sunday in Germany, losing to the Indianapolis Colts, 10-6. In the process, they may have sent Mac Jones out there for the last time in his Patriots career. Jones was horrible in the loss, and was benched for the team’s final offensive possession, in favor of backup quarterback Bailey Zappe, who also wasn’t very good, entering the game for the final two-minute drill while trailing by four. Zappe threw an interception deep over the middle after a no-huddle fake spike, ending the game and leaving everyone in New England searching for answers as to how the team can turn things around. “Obviously it was a disappointing game,” said Patriots coach Bill Belichick after the loss. “Similar theme that we’ve had to other games this year. Just too many missed opportunities in all three

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phases of the game. Just got to play better situational football and do a better job taking advantage of the opportunities that we have. We just didn’t do a good enough job today.” If the season ended after Week 10, the Patriots would have the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. With the 2024 draft class projecting to have a great quarterback group, a high draft pick could actually end up being a blessing for the franchise. Jones, who the Patriots drafted with the No. 15 overall pick in the 2021 Draft, finished Sunday’s loss to the Colts with 170 pass yards, zero touchdowns, and one interception. His one pick was the last straw for Belichick, who yanked Jones from the game after he made a highly under-thrown pass over the middle inside the red zone, which landed right in the hands of Colts safety Julian Blackmon with 4:24 left in the fourth quarter. “It was a terrible throw,” said Jones after the game. “Practiced it, hit it in practice, snugged the throw, and I knew where to go. I just didn’t do it. Didn’t do it right.” As a result, Belichick had seen enough, and made the move to Zappe after the Patriots defense forced the Colts to punt with two minutes left in the game.

WHAT TO WATCH NFL THURSDAY, NOV. 16 WEEK 11 Cincinnati at Baltimore (-3.5) 8:15 P.M. PRIME SUNDAY, NOV. 19 Pittsburgh at Cleveland (-4) 1 P.M. CBS NY Jets at Buffalo (-6.5) 4:25 P.M. CBS Minnesota at Denver (-2.5) 8:20 P.M. NBC MONDAY, NOV. 20 Philadelphia at Kansas City (-3) 8:15 P.M. ABC/ESPN NCAAF SATURDAY, NOV. 18 WEEK 12 #2 Georgia at #13 Tennessee (+10.5) 3:30 P.M. CBS #5 Washington at #12 Oregon State (-2.5) 7:30 P.M. ABC

After the game, Belichick was asked why he decided to make the move, and he responded, “I just thought it was time for a change.” Jones also reacted to being benched. “They just told me I was out of the game,” said Jones. “So I wasn’t playing very good, so I got taken out of the game before the two-minute drive at the end of the game. Yeah, that’s kind of what it was. “It’s a difficult situation,” added Jones. “But at the end of the day, I really did want the team to win. I’ll always be that person. I know that we didn’t win, so it’s hard for everybody, but I have to play better to not even be in that situation. It’s not ideal for anybody.” It could’ve been an ideal situation for Zappe, who hadn’t seen game action in over a month, but instead, Zappe threw an interception. It marked the third time this season that Zappe had entered the game for a benched Jones. The other two games were against the New Orleans Saints in Week 5, and against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 4. Now, the Patriots enter the bye week. After their Week 11 bye, the Pats will head to MetLife to take on the New York Giants in Week 12. As to who New England’s starting quarterback will be against the

Giants, Belichick refuses to go into detail on the team’s decision, heading into the bye. “We’ve got a lot of things to work on this week as a team and we’ll work through those. That’s what we’re going to do this week,” said Belichick on Tuesday, when asked if Jones is still the team’s No. 1 quarterback. As for Jones, he said he’ll continue to work on himself to be ready. “I always use the bye week to evaluate myself and the team and everything I can do better, and there’s a lot of things clearly I need to do better,” said Jones. “I’m always going to work. I know that. “I’ve played well in my career before, but just not right now,” added Jones. “It’s peaks and valleys, but I’m kind of in a valley right now, and just got to bounce back.”

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Dear Friends & Neighbors, ĞĂƌ &ƌŝĞŶĚƐ Θ EĞŝŐŚďŽƌƐ͕ ŶĚ tĞ ĂƌĞ ǁƌŝƚŝŶŐ ƚŽ ǇŽƵ ĂďŽƵƚ ƚŚĞ Ϯ ŶŶƵĂů ‘South BostonBoston Turkey Trot’ on November 2ϮŶĚ͘ dŚĞ ĞǀĞŶƚ ǁŝůů We are writing to you about the 2nd Annual ‘South Turkey Trot’ on November 22nd. The event will ĞŶƚĂŝů Ă ǁĂůŬ ͬ ƌƵŶ ĂƌŽƵŶĚ ĂƐƚůĞ /ƐůĂŶĚ ĂƐ ǁĞůů ĂƐ Ă ƌĞĐĞƉƚŝŽŶ ĨŽůůŽǁŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ƌƵŶ ƚŽ ƌĂŝƐĞ ŵŽŶĞǇ ĨŽƌ ĂƐĂ entail a walk / run around Castle Island as well as a reception following the run to raise money for Casa DǇƌŶĂ͕ Ă ŶŽŶͲƉƌŽĨŝƚ ŽƌŐĂŶŝǌĂƚŝŽŶ ǁŝƚŚ ƚŚĞ ŐŽĂů ŽĨ ĞŶĚŝŶŐ ĚŽŵĞƐƚŝĐ ǀŝŽůĞŶĐĞ ŝŶ ŽƐƚŽŶ͕ D ͘ dŚĞ ƌĞĐĞƉƚŝŽŶ ĨŽƌ ƉĂƌƚŝĐŝƉĂŶƚƐ ǁŝůů ďĞ ŚĞůĚ Ăƚ ƚŚĞ ϰϭϬ >ŽƵŶŐĞ ŝŶ >ŽĐŽ dĂƋƵĞƌŝĂ ŝŶ ^ŽƵƚŚ ŽƐƚŽŶ͘ dŚĞ ƌĞĐĞƉƚŝŽŶ Myrna, a non-profit organization with the goal of ending domestic violence in Boston, MA. The reception ǁŝůů ŝŶĐůƵĚĞ ĨŽŽĚ Θ ďĞǀĞƌĂŐĞ ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞ͕ ƌĂĨĨůĞƐ͕ ĂŶĚ ŵŽƌĞ͘ for participants will be held at the 410 Lounge in Loco Taqueria in South Boston. The reception will tŝƚŚŽƵƚ ƚŚĞ ŚĞůƉ ŽĨ ŽƵƌ ďĞůŽǀĞĚ ƐƉŽŶƐŽƌƐ͕ ǁĞ ǁŽƵůĚ ŚĂǀĞ ŶĞǀĞƌ ďĞĞŶ ĂďůĞ ƚŽ ƌĂŝƐĞ ŶĞĂƌůǇ ΕΨϯϱ͕ϬϬϬ ĨŽƌ include food & beverage service, raffles, and more. ƚŚĞ ĂŶĂ &ĂƌďĞƌ ĂŶĐĞƌ /ŶƐƚŝƚƵƚĞ ůĂƐƚ ǇĞĂƌ͕ Ă ĨŽƵŶĚĂƚŝŽŶ ƚŚĂƚ ŝƐ ĚĞĂƌ ƚŽ ŵĂŶǇ ĨĂŵŝůŝĞƐ͕ ŝŶĐůƵĚŝŶŐ ŽƵƌ ŽǁŶ͘ tĞ ŚŽƉĞ ƚŽ ĐŽŶƚŝŶƵĞ ƚŚĞ ƚƌĂĚŝƚŝŽŶ ƚŚŝƐ ǇĞĂƌ ǁŝƚŚ ϭϬϬй ŽĨ ƉƌŽĐĞĞĚƐ ŐŽŝŶŐ ƚŽ ƚŚĞ ĂƐĂ DǇƌŶĂ͘ Without the help of our beloved sponsors, we would have never been able to raise nearly ~$35,000 for

tĞ ĂƌĞ ĐƵƌƌĞŶƚůǇ ůŽŽŬŝŶŐ ĨŽƌ ĐŽƌƉŽƌĂƚĞ ĂŶĚ ĨĂŵŝůǇ ƐƉŽŶƐŽƌƐ ƚŽ ŽƌŐĂŶŝǌĞ ĂŶĚ ĨƵŶĚ ƚŚĞ ĞǀĞŶƚ͕ ƌĞĐĞƉƚŝŽŶ͕ the Dana Farber Cancer Institute last year, a foundation that is dear to many families, including our own. ĂŶĚ ƌĂĨĨůĞƐ͕ ĂƐ ǁĞůů ĂƐ ĐŽŶƚƌŝďƵƚĞ ƚŽ ŽƵƌ ĨƵŶĚƌĂŝƐŝŶŐ ĞĨĨŽƌƚƐ ĨŽƌ ƚŚŽƐĞ ǁŚŽ ĂƌĞ ǁŝůůŝŶŐ͘ ŶǇ ĂŶĚ Ăůů We hope to continue the tradition thisand year withgo100% of proceeds going Myrna. contributions will be greatly appreciated won’t unnoticed. If you would like to to the be aCasa sponsor this ǇĞĂƌ͕ ƉůĞĂƐĞ ŵĂŬĞ ǇŽƵƌ ĚŽŶĂƚŝŽŶ ǀŝĂ ĐŚĞĐŬ ƚŽ ŽŶĞ ŽĨ ƚŚĞ ĂĚĚƌĞƐƐĞƐ ďĞůŽǁ Žƌ ǀĞŶŵŽ ΛƐŽƵƚŚŝĞƚƵƌŬĞǇƚƌŽƚ͘ We are currently looking for corporate and family sponsors to organize and fund the event, reception, and tĞ ůŽŽŬ ĨŽƌǁĂƌĚ ƚŽ ŵĂŬŝŶŐ ƚŚŝƐ ĞǀĞŶƚ ŐƌĞĂƚ ĂŶĚ ĐŽŶƚŝŶƵŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ƚƌĂĚŝƚŝŽŶ ŝŶ ƚŚĞ ^ŽƵƚŚ ŽƐƚŽŶ raffles, as well as contribute to our fundraising efforts for those who are willing. Any and all contributions ĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƚǇ͊ will be greatly appreciated and won’t go unnoticed. If you would like to be a sponsor this year, please ĞƐƚ͕ :ŽŚŶ Θ 'ƌŝĨĨŝŶ make your donation via check to one of the addresses below or venmo @southieturkeytrot. We look ͲͲ forward to making this event great and continuing the tradition in the South Boston community! dĞů͗ ϳϴϭͲϳϬϲͲϳϲϬϯ dĞů͗ ϲϭϳͲϲϵϵͲϯϲϱϯ ŵĂŝů͗ ũŽŚŶ͘ŵ͘ďĂƌƌǇϯϮϱΛŐŵĂŝů͘ĐŽŵ ŵĂŝů͗ ŐĐŽŶŶŽůůǇϴϳΛŐŵĂŝů͘ĐŽŵ Best, sĞŶŵŽ͗ ΛƐŽƵƚŚŝĞƚƵƌŬĞǇƚƌŽƚ ϳϭϬ ĂƐƚ ϱƚŚ ^ƚƌĞĞƚ ϲϵϵ ĂƐƚ ϲƚŚ ^ƚƌĞĞƚ ^ŽƵƚŚ ŽƐƚŽŶ͕ D ϬϮϭϮϳ John & Griffin -^ŽƵƚŚ ŽƐƚŽŶ͕ D ϬϮϭϮϳ Tel: 781-706-7603 Email: john.m.barry325@gmail.com Venmo: @southieturkeytrot

East 6th Street 699 South Boston, MA 02127 Tel: 617-699-3653 Email: gconnolly87@gmail.com 710 East 5th Street South Boston, MA 02127

November 16, 2023