SouthBoston
43rd Dedication of the South Boston Vietnam Memorial
If You Forget My Death, Then I Died In Vain
Last Sunday at Medal of Honor Park, the words dedication, commitment, honoring a promise made, belief in a cause and above all ‘Friendship and Loyalty’ fit perfectly when describing the efforts of some of the most impressive people that 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.
This commemorative event was impressive and moving. The rededication started with the Greater Boston Firefighters Pipes & Drums, US Navy from the USS Constitution presenting the Colors, The Pledge of
Allegiance and the National Anthem sung by Stephen McNulty, BPD. Tom Lyons took to the podium and welcomed the South Boston community, guests, the South Boston Delegation along with Mayor Wu, DA Hayden, Councilor At-Large Erin Murphy and thanked everyone for coming. Father Casey gave the Invo-
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EDITORIAL
The news was greeted with applause. Mayor Wu announced the Summer Street Bus Lanes would be removed. They were more trouble than they were helping to ease traffic, which was what the said purpose of putting them there was for – we were all told. Many people were skeptical about the stated intent and believed that it was part of a long-range plan to one day make Boston off limits to private car ownership. Make it so inconvenient to own a vehicle, let alone drive one in Boston and the day would come that banning them out right, would be more acceptable. Was that a Conspiracy Theory? Possibly. But most conspiracy theories are being proven real as of late. But we digress.
The stated reason for the decision to eliminate the bus lines along Summer Street was because people were just ignoring them with far more cars using them than there were buses. The reason for breaking the rules and ignoring the ‘Buses Only’ markings was confusion by drivers and the way these lanes
were set up were just plain stupid and drivers flat out refused to go along with this ill-conceived plan. There was a joke going around town that stated the plan drawn up as to where to put these bus lanes might have been created by Singer Stevie Wonder. As most know, Stevie Wonder is blind. While the statement was certainly not a dig at Stevie Wonder or to blind people in general, the point to be made was that whoever drew up the plans must have been blind.
Credit for the change
of heart was said to be public input, which was overwhelmingly opposed to the bus lanes. And there is much to be said about the perseverance of residents and our local elected officials that came out, took part in the hearings and expressed their concerns. That activism by concerned citizens, added to the fact that there was a full-on revolt by drivers who refused to obey what was clearly thought to be an unworkable and unpopular plan, played a major role in the
decision handed down.
There is nothing in writing that states that they won’t come back at a later date and try to implement a similar plan in the future. It bears watching.
The next battle to be engaged in should be that other ridiculous plan to impact East and West Broadway with less vehicle travel lanes and much restricted parking. This plan, if it were to come to fruition, would have a serious and negative effect on business owners on both ends of Broadway. Some
have already expressed dismay at the damage such a plan would do to their operation and would likely cause some of our merchants to shut their doors and relocate to another community. And that would not only be unfair to our local merchants but also to residents who shop there and do their banking.
The message that needs to be sent to city planners is this: While some change is good, change simply for the sake of change is not. When something isn’t broken and works well, just let it be.
AInformation Center The
Media There To Influence Not Inform
s the American people have learned, the news media is there to influence us, not inform us. In fact, their priorities now are to make voters confused, mislead them and definitely not give you the real story about anything anymore. They are putting their slant on most every broadcast and article. We are seeing their tactics intensify as the election draws closer. They’ve reached rock bottom in credibility as they are now denying reality even as people can see what they’re up to. But they just don’t care. They know people don’t believe or trust them any longer but they are desperate to stop Donald Trump. Last week it was Aurora, Colorado. There was clear video footage of violent Venezuelan gang members terrorizing citizens and taking over housing units. Reporters claimed it was not true – that it was all just in our imaginations and in the imaginations of the victims being driven from their apartments. This past week it was Springfield, Ohio. Police footage of illegal immigrants actually killing and eating ducks and geese in the city ponds and cats; some of them pets went viral. Not happening we are told by reporters and a couple of local politicians desperately in denial. It brings to mind the scene from the Jaws movie. A great White Shark was attacking swimmers, everyone in the town knew it, but the mayor of the fictional town of Amity, Long Island, along with
business owners so scared of frightening tourists away, got on television and said none of it was true, everything is just fine even as the body count was climbing, putting beach goers in danger. While Jaws was just a movie in a nonexistent place, Aurora, Colorado and Springfield, Ohio are real. And while the motive of the denial in the Jaws movie was to keep the tourists from spending their money somewhere else, the motive in these real places is to hide the turmoil that the Biden and Harris open borders policy is causing; especially with the election so close.
As the truth keeps getting out and denial is not working, the press will find it necessary to change tactics. It might go something like this if they stay true to form about Ohio and the cats: During week #1 of the story: ‘No one is eating pets’. By week #2 ‘Why do you care that people are eating pets’. Week#3:
Eating pets is a good thing’. Week #4 ‘Anyone opposed to eating pets is a White Supremacist. An exaggeration? Possibly, but not by much going by how the media operates these days.
There are so many schemes the media and of course the DNC has going on to influence the election. Another meme spells a couple of them out perfectly; one that most Americans are wise to. It reads as follows: ‘Don’t drink the cool-aide. The closer we get to the election, the cheaper the cost of gas will
talk back to John Ciccone by email at
get and we’ll even see interest rates drop a bit. They know exactly what they are doing, they are playing the American people like a drum. They could have done it over the last 3 years, they didn’t and if they win, they’ll jack up all the prices higher than ever’. To close, just a comment about the latest assassination attempt against President Trump. Though the feds say they will do an investigation on what took place, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis says
his state will conduct its own investigation. According to feedback after the governor’s announcement, more people have confidence in the State of Florida doing the investigation than they have in one done by the FBI or the United States Secret Service. That doesn’t speak well as far as how much confidence people still have in federal agencies. Hopefully that will all change with the change in administrations set to begin next January 20th.
Note:
SOUTH BOSTON TODAY
John Ciccone
The Steward Health Care Saga Steward Health Care didn’t make too many major headlines over the past week in a change of pace, but today it’s back in the spotlight when the state’s Health Policy Commission Board meets to review the system’s six courtapproved Massachusetts facility sales and Steward CEO Ralph de la Torre faces a U.S. Senate committee contempt vote.
While initial HPC review is set to take 30 days, the agency could choose to follow with a more rigorous, six-month review — the only caveat being that Steward’s deals are supposed to close by the end of September. The HPC did receive a notice of material change
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.
for Lifespan’s proposed acquisition of St. Anne’s and Morton Hospitals, which shows processes are moving forward, despite any timeline uncertainties.
Just a couple of hours before the HPC meets, down in D.C., a Senate health committee will meet to vote on civil and criminal contempt resolutions for de la Torre, who continues to be a no-show at hearings. de la Torre says his absence is due to ongoing bankruptcy proceedings, but in a letter to senators Wednesday, his team offered an additional and pointed reason: his attorney wrote that the government intends to “frame Dr. de la Torre as a criminal scapegoat for the systemic failures in Massachu -
setts’ health care system.”
There has been one Steward facility, though non-operational, that has skirted most attention: the inactive Norwood Hospital. After a 2020 flood and halt to construction, the facility wasn’t included in Steward’s broader bankruptcy proceedings and is essentially rudderless. Perhaps not for much longer, though Sen. Mike Rush and Rep. John Rogers filed identical state legislative proposals earlier this week that would enable Norwood Hospital to be operated by UMass Memorial Health.
Rush’s petition was sent to a Senate regulatory oversight committee, while the House has yet to move on Rogers’s. But
UMass Memorial doesn’t appear to be on the same page: the health group said it has “no plans” to take over Norwood Hospital and had nothing to do with the legislation.
Fighting ‘Taxachusetts’: Massachusetts business groups, execs launch Mass Opportunity Alliance
The Massachusetts Technology Council, the Pioneer Institute and the Massachusetts Competitive Partnership are leading the Mass Opportunity Alliance — a nonprofit meant to highlight the tax burden and high costs of business and living in the Bay State. The
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BOSTON TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL
DATE: Saturday, November 2nd, 2024
LOCATION:
The Common Market Restaurant 97 Willard Street, Quincy, MA 02169
EVENT DETAILS:
6:00 pm Cocktails Hour (cash bar)
7:00 pm Buffet Dinner
Councilor Ed Flynn Filed Hearing on Residency
Requirement for Employees
At this week’s Council Meeting, Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn filed a hearing order to discuss the residency requirement for City of Boston employees. Recent challenges of employee recruitment and retention have raised questions about the efficacy and impact of the residency requirement, especially for positions with lower wages. There remains many vacancies for emergency response support roles, traffic and parking-related supervisors, public works, equipment and repair-related workers.
The cost of living in Boston has significantly increased since the residency requirement was introduced in 1976. At the time, the requirement was intended so that city employees are directly invested in the communities they serve, and to ensure working families remained in Boston. Now, rising housing prices, rent, and general expenses have placed a huge financial burden on residents, including city employees.
Younger recruits and lower wage employees face particular challenges living in the city due to the high cost of living, where the average salary for a city employee is $79,000, and the median sale price of a house is
$961,250. Moreover, according to a recent study conducted by SmartAsset, a single adult has to make over $124,966 a year to live comfortably in the city, whereas a family of four has to make $319,738.
While the City established a temporary moratorium on certain public safety-related and specialized roles such as lifeguards, 9-1-1 call takers and police dispatchers, hiring for these positions remains difficult, not to mention other lower-wage roles that require residency.
“As Boston continues to rank as one of the most expensive cities to live in the United States, it is critical that we discuss whether the city’s residency requirement has impacted our ability to recruit and retain talent to ensure both public safety and the quality of life for our residents,” said Councilor Flynn. “While the residency requirement was implemented so that workers are invested in the communities they serve, the reality now is that many of our dedicated employees and working families are unable to afford nearly $1 million for a home, or to raise their families with the high cost of living. It is worthwhile for us to have a conversation about whether we can continue to attract and retain not only public safety roles, but also positions that work to deliver those basic city services that help to keep our city moving forward.”
For more information, please contact Councilor Flynn’s office at 617-635-3203 and Ed.Flynn@ Boston.gov.
Councilor Ed Flynn Files Hearing on Establishing Hero Squares
At Wednesday’s Council Meeting, Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn filed a hearing order to discuss the process of establishing Hero Squares in the City of Boston. A Hero Square is a designated square or intersection honoring the memory of U.S. service members who are killed in the line of duty. Hero Squares celebrate their sacrifices on behalf of our city and country, and educate local communities about the history of service in their own neighborhoods.
The City of Boston established its first Hero Square in 1898 in honor of Admiral George Dewey after his leadership in the victory of the Battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish-American War. Since the establishment of Dewey Square, the City has installed over 1,200 Hero Squares across Boston. In 2013, the City added a biography and a QR code to each Hero Square plaque that leads to more information about the veteran.
“I am calling for this hearing to help our veterans and military families learn about the process to establish a Hero Square in the City of Boston,” said Councilor Flynn. “We have a large veteran and military family population in Boston, and it is important that the City continues to raise awareness about its resources, so that we can help make them more prevalent in our neighborhoods, and honor the memory of those who served and made the supreme sacrifice.”
For more information, please contact Councilor Flynn’s office at 617-635-3203 and Ed.Flynn@Boston.gov.
BCYF Curley Community Center Open House Tuesday, September 24
BCYF Curley Community Center, 1663 Columbia Road in South Boston, invites you to stop by their fall Open House on Tuesday, September 24 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Learn what’s planned for fall programming including new classes, see what’s planned for older adults, view the Children’s Room schedule and hear about expanded capacity and frequency of fitness classes. There will also be class demonstrations and the opportunity to take an informal tour of the facility and speak with staff. Staff will also be available to assist with membership registration.
Whether you are a current member or have never been there we would love to see you there!
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group wants to improve the state’s competitiveness, and has been raising millions of dollars from donors who can stay invisible, considering the nonprofit doesn’t have to make its contributors public. All three groups, despite different leanings, unsuccessfully fought what’s known as the “millionaires tax,” the surtax on annual earnings over $1M. Its leaders say they designed the nonprofit to be a “long-term, permanent fixture.” The nonprofit launches this morning.
Understanding police recertification in Mass: A dive into POST
Chris Faraone and Sam Stecklow of the Boston Institute for Nonprofit Journalism and the Invisible Institute take a deep dive into the inner workings of the system of police data in Massachusetts, now four years removed from historic police certification reform.
The POST Commission, the system that goes through the process of recertifying thousands of existing police officers statewide, is heralded by the state as the end-all-be-all of police disciplinary reform — and yet a series of decisions made by the commission have implications for its attempted transparency and the usefulness of the data it’s at -
tempting to collect. Full employment history of all officers going through the recertification process isn’t available, which means the public can’t see who the officers are who transfer between departments after they commit misconduct; and the disciplinary data that is provided is minimal.
Milton’s MBTA Communities Act lawsuit has a court date
The Supreme Judicial Court will hear arguments on Oct. 7 on AG Campbell’s push to force the town of Milton to comply with the MBTA Communities Act — the controversial zoning law that requires municipalities near T service to allow multifamily housing by right in certain areas. Campbell filed a lawsuit against Milton and its building commissioner in February, and whatever happens in the case could impact dozens of other municipalities statewide.
The Federal Reserve interest rate cut: How will it impact state and local governments?
On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve made an interest rate cut of 0.5 percentage points — the first rate cut in four years — representing a change in the operating environment for state budgets. The cut could lower borrowing costs for state and local governments looking to finance infrastructure projects, which in turn can impact the hous-
ing market, creating a more affordable path to buying and building homes. Rate cuts also tend to boost economic activity and slow overall growth, and state and local governments could see an increase in tax revenue resulting from that. Some officials say that if the federal funds rate continues at this pace, debt costs could improve and prompt states to refinance older, higherinterest bonds.
Critics of WPI hotel deal calling for reevaluation of Worcester’s relationship with colleges News spread recently that Worcester Polytechnic Institute completed a $46M purchase of two hotels at Worcester’s Gateway Park. The mayor called the sale “discouraging” for the intended purpose of Gateway Park; a city councilor said this could be the “biggest example of getting our pockets picked.” This situation might affect how the city handles business with colleges and universities, considering city officials say they were not made aware of WPI’s plan to buy the properties until the very end of the process.
RFK Jr. under investigation for allegedly decapitating whale on Cape Cod Former presidential candidate Robert F Kennedy Jr. said Saturday that he’s under investigation by the National Marine
Fisheries Services for allegedly decapitating a dead whale in Hyannisport around 1994 and bringing it home. The NMFS is an office of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the entity to which an environmental advocacy group sent a letter requesting an investigation be opened into Kennedy after a 2012 interview resurfaced where his daughter told the story. The letter points out that it’s illegal to possess any part of an animal, dead or alive, protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act or the Endangered Species Act.
UMass system has challenges ahead
Enrollment in the UMass system saw a 0.1 percent increase this year across campuses, and officials have also flagged a big funding gap for infrastructure repairs and upgrades. The UMass Board of Trustees Administration and Finance Committee Chair said Wednesday that enrollment continues to be “a top risk” for the university. The News Service’s Michael P. Norton reports that UMass is one of many universities across the nation facing demographic challenges as the population of high school graduates declines, especially across the Northeast, but leaders are optimistic about the future in light of an “admissions sharing” pilot program.
2025 South Boston Evacuation Day/St. Patrick’s Day Chief Marshal
The Allied War Veterans of South Boston is honored to announce that it has nominated Alana (Devlin) Ball as the Chief Marshal of the 2025 Evacuation Day/St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Lieutenant Commander Alanna Ball is a native of South Boston, Massachusetts. She graduated from Boston Latin Academy in 2003 and
Leveraging Tennis to Combat Youth Mental Health Challenges
By Dr. Brian Hainline
U.S.
Surgeon General Vivek Murthy warns that today’s youth mental health crisis is the “defining public health issue of our time.” He’s right. American adolescents are experiencing unprecedented levels of mental health challenges. Fortunately, there’s a way to reverse these trends. I’ve spent my career studying the intersection of sports and mental health, including roles as the chief medical officer at NCAA, co-chair of the International Olympic Committee Consensus Meeting on Mental Health in Elite Athletes, and fellow of the American College of Sports Medicine. Sports can help kids combat depression, be-
earned a Bachelor of Science in Fashion from Lasell University and a Master of Business Administration from Saint Leo University. In 2011, she received her commission through Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island. Her operational assignments include Logistics Department Head (N4) at SEAL Team TWO, Assistant Logistics Officer at Commander Task Force (51) at Naval Support Activity, Bahrain, and Assistant Supply Officer onboard USS DENVER (LPD 9) in Sasebo, Japan. Ashore, she served on the United States Fleet Forces Command Staff as Logistics Readiness and Operations Cell Lead Supervisor, Naval Special Warfare Group TWO as Special Programs Officer, and The Joint Staff (J4) in Washington, DC, as Executive Assistant to the Vice Director for Logistics and Battle
come more resilient, and find a strong sense of purpose.
Encouraging more kids to get involved in youth sports -- and particularly in tennis, which offers several unique advantages -- could help solve the mental health crisis. Kids are experiencing mental health challenges at shockingly high rates. More than four in 10 high schoolers report ongoing feelings of sadness and hopelessness. Sports offer an antidote. Participating in sports is linked to lower rates of depression and anxiety. This is especially true for girls. Girls who participate in sports experience mental health disorders at rates up to 2.5 times lower than their inactive counterparts.
Sports help young people build self-worth. The ability to set goals -getting faster, stronger, or fitter -- and then put in the hard work to achieve them provides a sense of accomplishment. Tennis is especially equipped to help young Americans grow up mentally resilient. As president of the U.S. Tennis Association, I have seen first-hand how the sport can connect individuals and open doors of opportunity for those who might otherwise be left on the outside looking in. Tennis has one of the lowest barriers to entry of any sport. Unlike other sports
Captain in the Joint Operational Logistics Center (JLOC).
In 2022, she competed at the Department of Defense Warrior Games in Orlando, Florida, with TEAM SOCOM, winning one silver medal in powerlifting and five gold medals in swimming. In 2023, she was selected to represent TEAM USA at the Invictus Games in Dusseldorf, Germany, where she won gold in powerlifting, four silver, and one bronze in swimming.
LCDR Ball’s awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM), Joint Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (2), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2), and various personal and unit awards. She is a qualified Naval Surface Warfare Supply Corps Officer, Naval Expeditionary Supply Corps Officer, and a 2015 recipient of the ADM Stanley
that require costly gear and a field full of players, all a kid needs to start is a $20 racquet, a few balls, and a partner. There are more than 250,000 tennis courts across the United States.
Tennis also promotes family bonding. People can play tennis well into their golden years -- meaning parents and even grandparents can play with kids. Research shows depression rates are lower among children who report close relationships with their parents.
The sport also promotes stronger communities. Local clubs, tournaments, and events create opportunities to connect. The USTA recreational league has 330,000 players from all backgrounds and walks of life. By encouraging intergenera-
LIEUTENANT COMMANDER ALANNA BALL (RETIRED)
R. Arthur Award for Joint Logistics Team of the Year for service throughout OPERATION INHERENT RESOLVE. She lives in Virginia Beach with her husband, James, and their three rescue dogs, Oliver, Kai, and Rudy.
tional interaction and inclusivity, tennis fosters a sense of belonging and shared purpose. Strong community cohesion is associated with positive mental health outcomes.
Tennis has physical health benefits, too. Playing tennis for three hours a week can lower the risk of heart disease by over 50%. Another long-term study discovered playing tennis could extend one’s life by up to a decade -longer than any other sport.
Nelson Mandela, who made great use of sports in bringing South Africa together, famously declared, “Sport has the power to change the world . . . It speaks to youth in a language they understand. Sport can create hope where once there was only despair.” We need that hope more than ever. For many kids, it can be found on their local court.
Brian Hainline, MD is Chair of the Board and President of the United States Tennis Association and recently transitioned from the NCAA as their Chief Medical Officer. He co-chaired the International Olympic Committee Consensus Meetings on both Pain Management in Elite Athletes and Mental Health in Elite Athletes. Brian is a Clinical Professor of Neurology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. This piece originally ran in Detroit News.
Guy The Wine
It’s Not Just For Devils Anymore
Tasmania is a true cool climate region with a reputation for ultra-premium Pinot Noir and sparkling wines. The island’s pristine environment and relative isolation establish its credentials as a clean and unspoiled haven suited to premium food and wine production. The scale of wine production in Tasmania is small but growing and many wellknown companies have increased their holdings in recent years. The island is not divided into sub-regions, though there are distinct differences between wine growing areas.
In the north are the sheltered Tamar Valley and the hilly, wetter Pipers River area noted for fine sparkling and exceptionally aromatic Pinot Noir wines. The East Coast area takes in dry rolling hills overlooking pristine beaches and sprawling ocean bays, while in the south around the capital Hobart are Coal River and the Derwent and Huon valleys, which are sheltered by mountains to the west. Generally mild spring and summer temperatures followed by warm autumn days and cool nights produce a long season in which grapes ripen slowly, encouraging maximum flavor development. Lest one become complacent in such a paradise,
Tasmania has its share of threatsfrost, fungal disease, heavy rain and bushfire among them.
The island state is perfect for leisurely touring and its wilderness areas attract serious hikers and nature lovers. Many well-preserved historical sites provide a glimpse into the fascinating and often brutal world of a 19th Century colonial penal colony.
Devil’s Corner Tasmania Pinot Noir, 2021, (Australia), ($20.99) The hallmark of this Pinot Noir
is its purity of fruit. It is brightly colored with youthful purple tones. Its strongly perfumed style is redolent of spicy black cherry, dark fruits and hints of raspberries. The wine displays a juicy, sweet-fruit middle palate with soft, ripe tannins and fresh acidity. Made in a drink-now style with generous flavors, this coolclimate Tasmanian Pinot Noir can be enjoyed confidently for 3 to 5 years. Tamar Ridge Pinot Noir, Tasmania, ($54.99). As its name suggests, the Research Series gives our winemakers license to trial experimental techniques in the vineyard and winery. With this vintage, we celebrate our Kayena Vineyard grape-growing mastery with a vividly elegant, refined, and experimental style of Pinot that’s light ruby in color and deliciously complex. Serve with cranberry and pecan stuffed roast turkey, bok choy and a juniper infused red wine jus. Or for something a little different try whole pan-fried Murray cod in a Szechuan and garlic marinade. Dawson & James Meadowbank Vineyard Chardonnay, Tasmania, Australia, ($51.99). This is a buttery and complex White Wine, with Fullbodied fruit and spice, often with the ability to age. Ranging from bold Australian Chardonnay to aged Vouvray, this style usually relies on the interplay of oak and fruit, forming a complex, honeyed character. For this a classic match would be lobster or crayfish doused in butter. Dishes with more robust fish such as cod or swordfish are a decent bet also.
Various chicken and pork dishes may work, depending on the sauces. Roasted root vegetables can work well. A number of cheeses also work well. Nutty and/or creamy cheeses of differing hardness from cheddar to gouda and taleggio can work well. Stilton and creamier blue cheeses can work also, though Roquefort seems a little more fussy.
Domaine A Stoney Vineyard ‘Lady A’ Sauvignon Blanc Coal River Valley, Australia, ($45.99). The first vintage of Lady A was made in secret as a present for Ruth Althaus in 1996. Inspired by the famous oaked Sauvignon Blanc of Bordeaux, Lady A has earned a cult status reputation around the globe. It is a wine of astounding fruit purity, superb elegance and complexity. A bright core of citrus fruit is woven with subtle nuances of oak and natural acid drive. Lady A is crafted in small batches from a single hectare plot at Stoney Vineyard. It hails from the oldest Sauvignon Blanc vines on the estate dating back to 1991.
A warm, energetic (and recordbreaking) vintage is on full song here. A rich, stone fruit-led nose blossoms with white peach, gooseberry, green melon and a gentle, grassy suggestion of hay. Though carrying a little less overt oak influence than usual, it’s very well integrated, balancing tidily against a voluminous, elegant palate of pineapple, passionfruit and gooseberry. Train-track medium-plus acidity leads into a fine, long finish. Will cellar very, very well (7–8 years).
Will be held on Sunday, Sept. 22nd at 8:30AM in Cushing Hall downstairs St. Brigid Church
Classes, also, begin on Sunday, Sept. 22nd at 9AM in Cushing Hall, followed by 10:30AM Family Mass You can also Register your child online at www.gateofheavenstbrigid. org/religious-education
• 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 2026.
• 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. 22, 2024, at 9 AM at Cushing Hall, downstairs at St. Brigid Church
• Any questions, please visit our website at http://www.gateofheavenstbrigid.org/religious-educationand fill out our Online Registration Form under “Religious Education” or you can come with your child and fill out a form in person on Sunday, Sept. 22nd.
Boston Water and Sewer Commission (BWSC) 980 Harrison Avenue Boston, MA 02119
WATER MAIN FLUSHING NOTICE
Boston Water and Sewer Commission will commence Water Main Flushing in the South Boston/Seaport area starting:
September 30, 2024, through November 30, 2024
The boundaries for the areas being flushed are Boston Harbor to the north, Dorchester Bay/William J. Day Blvd to the south, Pleasure Bay/Castle Island to the east and the Southampton MBTA /Yard Fort Point Channel to the west.
The purpose of the Water Main Flushing Program is to improve drinking water quality for residents and businesses.
Water Main flushing will take place between the hours of 10:00 P.M. and 6:00 A.M.
The flushing process may cause discolored water and a reduction in pressure. The discoloration of the water will be temporary and is not harmful. If the condition persists, please contact BWSC’s 24 Hour Service at (617) 989-7000.
BWSC appreciates your patience as we work to improve the quality of drinking water we will provide to the residents and businesses of Boston.
If you have any questions, contact BWSC’s Night Operations Manager at (617) 989-7000 or visit our website @ www.bwsc.org.
Don’t Forget Pick Up After Your Pet!
Pet waste discarded on the street or in catch basins carries harmful bacteria straight into the waterways we rely on for recreation. Remember to “Scoop the Poop” and dispose of pet waste in the trash.
Proper disposal of pet waste protects the environment and our waterways from contamination.
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Register: bit.ly/4dlhJeO
Toll Free: (833) 568 - 8864
Meeting ID: 160 612 2952
PROJECT PROPONENT: Monarc Development LLC
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
The Planning Department is hosting a Virtual Public Meeting for the proposed project located at 736-742 East Broadway in the South Boston neighborhood of Boston. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the Small Project Review Application (SPRA) that was filed and its potential impacts. The meeting will include a presentation followed by questions and comments from the public. The proposed project located at 736-742 East Broadway proposes a new four-story building to contain 12 dwelling units, with a ground-floor restaurant and six off-street garage parking spaces.
Mail to:
Phone:
Email:
Zoe Schutte Planning Department One City Hall Square, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02201 617.918.4311 zoe.schutte@boston.gov
Website:
bit.ly/3AIRvnU
Close of Public Comment Period: 10/10/2024
St. Brigid Parish News
All are welcome to come to the monthly Coffee and Refreshments on Sunday, September 22, 2024 after the10:30AM Family Mass In the Downstairs Hall at St. Brigid Church
Gate of Heaven Parish News
All are welcome to come to the monthly Coffee and Conversation on Sunday, September 29, 2024 after the 9AM Mass In the Downstairs Hall at Gate of Heaven Church
Vietnam Memorial continued from front page cation and the speakers were brought up one by one. They thoughtfully and eloquently expressed just how much this day and ceremony meant to them and how honored they were to be part of it.
This Year’s Keynote speaker was SSGT Ryan M. Pitts, US Army (ret.), Medal of Honor Recipient –
Afghanistan, who spoke from the heart when expressing how humbled he was to be the Guest of Honor at the re-dedication and in South Boston itself. Pitts, clearly understood the South Boston community as he said, “these young men dropped their bats and picked up a rifle.” His voice and pride were strong as he addressed the crowd and present-
ed the Purple Heart posthumous to the wife (Barbara Nee) and family of the late John Nee, Proud Veteran of the United States Marine Corp and Veteran of the Vietnam War.
Retired Boston Firefighter Engine 7.
Even after 43 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. A very heartfelt South Boston thank you to all who volunteer, the planning committee, invited guests, community partners and the Gold Star families.
Unity Day 2024 At Mary Ellen McCormack/Old Harbor Celebrated!
Saturday brought wonderful weather and a day of togetherness in the “Village”, sponsored by Winn Companies. Carol Sullivan of the Task Force, Mayor Wu, BHA Admin. Bok, Chief Dillon, Councilors’ Flynn and Murphy, Haley Dillon from Senator Collins office, State Rep. Biele and
community partners enjoyed a day of talking to residents, food, music, dancing, give aways, face painting, pony rides, a petting zoo and so much more. It was an outstanding event which was proven by the laughter of children having fun with decorated faces and the best cotton candy!
South Boston Catholic Academy News
Grade 1B News
The students in Ms. Peggy Byrne’s 1B class had fun with their classroom project...The children shared how they felt about beginning a new school year. Ms. Byrne enjoyed reading a story entitled: “First Day Jitters” by Julie Dan-
neberg. The children were surprised by the ending! (Author’s message - even teachers can be nervous on the first day of school). Then, they had a chance to drink some “Jitter Juice” during Snack Time, just in case there were still some jitters lingering! The special “Jitter Juice” was made by combining Sprite and Blue Hawaiian
Punch and tasted sooo good!
The students in Ms. Peggy Byrne’s class also welcomed our new Physical Education (Gym) Teacher, Coach Jason, (Mr. Jason Margeson). Quoting Ms. Byrne...”The children had so much fun in Gym class, that they wanted to have Gym class again with Coach Jason the next day!”
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” - Dr. Seuss. “You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” — A.A. Milne, “Winnie the Pooh” New families are welcome to email our admissions team at admissions@sbcatholicadacademy.org for more info. about South Boston Catholic Academy.
The NFL announced this week that 167 “modern-era” players have been nominated for the Pro Football Half of Fame Class of 2025. Of that group of 167 players, 13 are former Patriots.
By mid-October, this list will get cut down to 50. It will then get cut down to a list of Finalists just before the Super Bowl in February.
For now though, let’s take a look at the list of nominees. Here’s the press release from the NFL: MODERN-ERA NOMINEES FOR THE PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME CLASS OF 2025
*-Finalist for the Class of 2024. Italics indicates first year of eligibility. (Players must have last played at least five full seasons ago to be eligible for nomination. Therefore, any individual who last played in 2019 is eligible for the first time in 2025.)
QUARTERBACKS (10): Marc Bulger, Randall Cunningham, Jake Delhomme, Doug Flutie, Rich Gannon, Jeff Garcia, Donovan McNabb, Eli Manning, Steve McNair, Tony Romo RUNNING BACKS (31): Shaun Alexander, Terry Allen, Jamal Anderson, Tiki Barber, Larry Centers (FB), Jamaal Charles, Stephen Davis, Corey Dillon, Warrick Dunn, Charlie Garner, Eddie George, Priest Holmes, Steven Jackson, Chris Johnson, Thomas Jones, John Kuhn (FB), Vonta Leach, Dorsey Levens, Jamal
This week,
Danny took a look at the players nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2025:
Lewis, Marshawn Lynch, Eric Metcalf (also WR/PR/KR), Glyn Milburn (also WR), Lorenzo Neal (FB), Clinton Portis, Tony Richardson (FB), Robert Smith, Darren Sproles (also PR/KR), Fred Taylor*, Chris Warren, Ricky Watters, Ricky Williams WIDE RECEIVERS (21): Anquan Boldin, Donald Driver, Antonio Freeman, Irving Fryar, Torry Holt*, Joe Horn, Chad Johnson, Brandon Marshall, Derrick Mason, Herman Moore, Muhsin Muhammad, Jordy Nelson, Andre Rison, Jimmy Smith, Rod Smith, Steve Smith Sr., Demaryius Thomas, Hines Ward, Reggie Wayne*, Wes Welker, Roddy White
TIGHT ENDS (6): Ben Coates, Vernon Davis, Antonio Gates, Jeremy Shockey, *Delanie Walker, Wesley Walls
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (26):
Willie Anderson* (T), Bruce Armstrong (T/G), Matt Birk (C), Lomas Brown (T), Ruben Brown (G), Jahri Evans* (G), Travis Frederick (C), Jordan Gross (T), Ryan Kalil (C), Lincoln Kennedy (T), Olin Kreutz (C), T.J. Lang (G/T), Nick Mangold (C), Logan Mankins (G), Tom Nalen (C), Jeff Saturday (C), Mark Schlereth (G/C), Josh Sitton (G), Chris Snee (G), Joe Staley (T), Dave Szott (G), Brian Waters (G), Richmond Webb (T), Erik Williams (T), Steve Wisniewski (G), Marshal Yanda (G)
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (18):
John Abraham (DE also LB), Jared Allen* (DE), La’Roi Glover (DT/ NT), Casey Hampton (DT/NT), Robert Mathis (DE), Chester McGlockton (DT), Haloti Ngata (DT), Simeon Rice (DE), Clyde Simmons (DE/ DT), Justin Smith (DE), Neil Smith (DE), Henry Thomas (DT/NT), Justin Tuck (DE), Ted Washington (NT/ DT), Vince Wilfork (DT/NT), Jamal Williams (DT/NT), Kevin Williams (DT), Pat Williams (DT) LINEBACKERS (20): Jessie Armstead, Brendon Ayanbadejo, Cornelius Bennett, Lance Briggs, Keith Brooking, NaVorro Bowman, Tedy Bruschi, Donnie Edwards, James Farrior, London Fletcher, James Harrison, Luke Kuechly, Willie McGinest (also DE), Ken Norton Jr., Julian Peterson, Bill Romanowski, Takeo Spikes, Terrell Suggs, Mike Vrabel, Lee Woodall
DEFENSIVE BACKS (18): Eric Allen* (CB), Eric Berry (DB), Antoine Bethea (S), Dré Bly (DB), Kam Chancellor (S), Nick Collins (DB), Antonio Cromartie (CB), DeAngelo Hall (DB), Rodney Harrison* (S), Eugene Robinson (DB), Samari Rolle (DB), Allen Rossum (DB), Bob Sanders (S), Aqib Talib (CB), Earl Thomas (S), Charles Tillman (CB), Troy Vincent (CB), Darren Woodson* (S) PUNTERS/KICKERS (15): David Akers (K), Gary Anderson (K), Darren Bennett (P), Jason Elam (K), Jeff Feagles
(P), Jason Hanson (K), John Kasay (K), Sean Landeta (P), Shane Lechler (P), Pat McAfee (P), Brian Moorman (P), Matt Stover (K), Matt Turk (P), Mike Vanderjagt (K), Adam Vinatieri (K)
SPECIAL TEAMS (2): Josh Cribbs (KR/PR also WR), Brian Mitchell (KR/PR also RB)
Twenty Finalists will be presented to the full 50-member Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee during its annual meeting to choose the Class of 2025. Those candidates will consist of 15 Modern-Era Players Finalists, three Seniors Finalists, a Coach Finalist and a Contributor Finalist.
The Selection Committee will meet next year (on a date still to be determined) in advance of Super Bowl LVIX. While there is no set number for any class of Enshrinees, the selection process bylaws provide that between four and eight new members will be selected.
Finalists must receive at least 80% support from the Selection Committee to join the Class of 2025. The Modern-Era Player Finalists will be trimmed during the annual selection meeting from 15 to 10, then to seven. Committee members then will vote for five of the seven Finalists.
This year’s reduction voting and the selection meeting ballots will be processed via an online voting platform developed specifically for the Pro Football Hall of Fame by the firm Ernst & Young LLP. EY has overseen the election process since the Centennial Class of 2020.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025 presented By Visual Edge IT will be enshrined next August in Canton.
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SPORTS TODAY
PATRIOTS LOSE TO SEAHAWKS, PLAY JETS ON TNF IN WEEK 3
They simply just ran out of gas. After battling with the Seattle Seahawks through most of the game on Sunday at Gillette Stadium, the New England Patriots couldn’t hold onto their 20-17 fourth quarter lead, and allowed a game-tying field goal drive by Seattle in the final minutes that forced overtime. In overtime, the Seahawks forced New England to punt, and then drove down the field 71 yards for a gamewinning 31-yard field goal, defeating the Pats, 23-20.
“If we get the little things right, the big things will take care of themselves,” said Patriots coach Jerod Mayo in his press conference after the loss. “We just didn’t take care of the little things, and we weren’t as detailed or on top of our P’s and Q’s like we should have been. Which is my responsibility. I take 100 percent responsibility. These guys, I will say this, this is a tough football team. No matter what’s said outside this building, and I told these guys that, as well. We’re a tough football team, not only physically, but mentally. I appreciate their effort. It just wasn’t enough today.”
Tweet of the Week
The Pats had a chance to take a six-point lead in the fourth quarter, but the Seahawks blocked Joey Slye’s 48-yard attempt, which then led to Seattle’s game-tying drive that forced overtime.
Kicking wasn’t the Patriots’ biggest problem in this game though. New England’s defense allowed too many big plays, with the biggest coming in the first quarter, on a 56-yard deep ball from Geno Smith to a wide open DK Metcalf that tied the game at 7-7.
Metcalf finished with a game-high 129 receiving yards on 10 catches. Smith finished with a game-high 327 pass yards while completing 33 of his 44 passes, with one touchdown.
“[Metcalf]’s got all the tools,” said Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez after the loss. “He’s fast, real fast, physical, smart. You know, he studies a lot of film, you can see how he plays. You know, he’s been in the league, so he’s done it, he’s done it against multiple different corners. That’s what he does.”
For the Patriots, Jacoby Brissett didn’t put up the numbers that Smith did. Brissett finished 15-of-27 for 149 yards and a touchdown. He didn’t turn the ball over, but after the game, Mayo implied that their pass game needs to be better.
“We definitely have to start to get the ball down the field,” said Mayo. “We’ve got to start pushing the
ball down the field to get that shell defense, and we’ve got to be able to run. We’ve got to be able to pass. We’ve got to be able to ping-pong between the two. It’s something that we need to work on. That’s what I would say.”
It sounds like Brissett agrees.
“Yeah, I think obviously we would like more in our passing game,” said Brissett in his postgame press conference. “I’ve got to do a better job of getting a lot of those guys involved in the game plan and throughout the game. I take responsibility for that.
“[The Seahawks] had a good tail on us when we were trying to push the ball down the field,” added Brissett. “And they did a good job. Had a good game plan as far as not letting us get behind them. We tried to, but we’ve got to find ways to get on top of that and continue to try to push the ball down the field and find different ways, but I thought they
did a good job of playing two deep a lot of the times when we were trying to take our shots.”
Now, the 1-1 Patriots have a short week, and will travel to MetLife Stadium to take on Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets on Thursday Night Football. The Jets are also 1-1, and are coming off a win over the Titans in Tennessee. New York is a 6.5-point favorite.
“Today is Wednesday in our book,” said Patriots defensive lineman Deatrich Wise on Sunday after the loss to the Seahawks. “Here you must have short term memory. We will watch the film coming into [Monday] and then it is a quick turnaround to make sure you get the body right. This will be a big mental week and recovery week, making sure we get after the game plan, know what we have to do, study and be able to play high energy Thursday night.”
Kickoff is set for 8:15 on Prime Video.
SBT Staff
