THE PRINT EDITION
THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020
VOLUME XIX- ISSUE 74
Rep. Biele Supports Health Insurance Benefits for Surviving Families of Boston Firefighters
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epresentative David Bie le subm it te d testimony in support of S.1483, An Act concerning health insurance benefits for surviving spouses of firefighters in the City of Boston. The legislation is a home rule petition from the City of Boston. As written, the legislation would allow a surviving spouse of a Boston firefighter who died due to an injury or illness received in the performance of his or her duty to continue receiving health insurance coverage through the City of Boston’s Employees’ Healthcare Insurance. The home rule petition applies to surviving spouses regardless of marital status. Currently, a surviving spouse of a Boston firefighter is not eligible to receive health insurance coverage if he or she remarries. Similar “remarriage
penalties” for pension benefits have been eliminated by the Massachusetts Legislature, allowing surviving spouses of firefighters to retain pension benefits regardless of marital status. In addition to surviving spouses, the legislation also allows any dependent children of firefighters to continue receiving health insurance coverage. “Firefighters in the City of Boston risk their lives each and every day, and deserve our thanks, appreciation and support” said Rep. Biele. “This legislation acknowledges the sacrifices made by firefighters who died while protecting the City of Boston and its citizens by providing benefits and health care coverage to their surviving spouses and children.” This bill is currently under review in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.
2020 Polar Plunge by Rick Winterson
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ue to the late New Year tides, our printer’s Holiday schedule, and New Year’s Day falling on a Wednesday, South Boston Online is reporting on the historic South Boston Polar Plunge here in our January 9 issue. We hope you enjoy the write-up and the (many) colorful photographs. The
2020 Plunge was quite the event, drawing hundreds of Plungers to the M Street entrance of the Curley Community Center at 12 noon on Wednesday, the First of January in the New Year of 2020. The 2020 Plunge was scheduled to take place on the M Street side of the Curley Center because work has begun on renovating the Center, a project that won’t be completed until Continued on Page 4
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM
The Value of Nurse Practitioners Why does the Mass Medical Society (MMS) Reject Full Practice Authority? By: Brianne Fitzgerald RN, NP, MPH
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s a practicing nurse for over 40 years and a nurse practitioner (NP) with dual specialty in family medicine and psychiatry for 10 years I am disturbed by Mass Medical Society’s reluctance to support full practice independence for clinical trained nurse practitioners. Their carefully worded responses (read lobbyists) include comments like duty to protect patients, two-tiered medical system, and a physician led healthcare team model. The Board of Registration in Medicine says that patient protections come
from their “unparalleled practice requirements.” For the record I have worked with a great many physician colleagues who are team players and value the work we do and support independent practice as one way to better serve patient and reduce the burgeoning work flow. As an NP in the trenches I use the state prescription monitoring program (PMP) almost daily. This is a valuable adjunct to care. The PMP prescription data informs clinical decision making to help prevent or stop harm from duplicate drug therapy, prescription drug misuse, abuse and diversion. I have seen up to a dozen names of individual doctors prescribing many medications that put the patient and the community at risk. I have contacted individual
MD’s through phone and letter, I have called the DEA to report f lagrant over prescribing. Since the initiation of the PMP system I have spoken to one NP regarding concerns. I have called the MMS to inquire what their process is for physicians who are returning to practice after care and treatment for a substance use issue. Transparency is not a pillar of the MMS. Massachusetts is the only state in New England that prevents NP’s from independent practice. There are 21 states who allow full independent practice. Today’s medical students are not f locking toward primary care. Many are heading toward the more lucrative dermatology ophthalmology residencies and consider (for yourself ) just how
long it takes to access a nonemergency medical appointment. NP’s do not want to become mini docs. We are trained in a very different way and we work in a very different manner. Full practice authority will not prevent you from seeing a physician, it will give you more choice. NP’s are cognizant of our limitations and know how to refer. We too pay high malpractice premiums and I like to think that we are cautious and principled in our care for all patients. Please consider support for this vital and clinically based change. Talk with an NP, talk with your doctor as to why they support or not this change. The f ierce opposition from The Mass Medical Society is not to better serve patients rather to better serve the membership and their potential loss of income.
Sweat Fixx to Host 2ND Annual Fundraiser for Colin”s Joy Project On Saturday January 11th at 11:30am, Sweat Fixx in Southie will be hosting one of its signature HIIT FIXX classes to raise money for Colin’s Joy Project. The class is free with a suggested donation of $35. All proceeds with go back to the foundation. Space is limited. Two-year-old Colin McGrath was hit and killed two summers ago by a car while playing in a nearby park in South Boston. Last year, Sweat Fixx held a fundraiser in Colin’s honor after the owner, Elise Caira, bonded with Colin’s mother over their recent losses - Elise’s late mother and Kerri’s son, Colin. For more information and sign up go to: http://www.sweatfixx.com/schedule/
Boston’s City Council Sworn In Boston City Councilors Ed Flynn & Michael Flaherty were inaugurated this week for a new term at the Council. “I’m thankful for the support of friends, family, neighbors & the residents of District 2,” said Councilor Flynn. “ I will continue to focus on the issues pedestrian & public safety, public health, and other neighborhood & quality of life issues.”
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020
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Senator Collins Welcomes Local Youth Basketball Programs to State House with Boston Celtic Jaylen Brown
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o kick off the New Year, State Senator Nick Collins invited more than a hundred local student athletes to participate in a ceremony at the Massachusetts State House in recognition of Celtics star guard Jaylen Brown. Jaylen was being recognized for his work in the community, supporting youth sports programs, and helping young people reach their full potential in athletics and academics. “Jaylen sets an example on and off the court of what it means to be a team player, and to uplift others,” said State Senator Nick Collins. “It was a great opportunity to recognize his hard work, and show these kids that with commitment, dedication, and teamwork, it is possible to achieve great things.” The ceremony took place in the Senate Chambers, with kids from all corners of the First Suffolk District and the City
of Boston watching on. Youth from several BCYF Community C e nt e r s p a r t ic ip a t e d , as well a s severa l nonprof its supporting student athletes. Jaylen Brown was being recognized specif ic a lly for
January Library Activities
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key presentation is coming to the South Boston Branch Library next Monday evening, January 13, at 6 p.m. This event is entitled “Ken Gloss on the Value of Old and Rare Books”. You may possess a book of unknown value or one that comes from an uncertain background. Find out how to assess what that book could be worth, based upon Ken Gloss’s verbal estimate. And this is just one of many the activities that will be of interest to Branch Library patrons of all
ages – from young children up to adults interested in books and other media of all kinds. Just turn right to the checkout desk as you enter the South Boston Branch Library. Check out their display of the many activities there; look for information about the next “Friends of the Library” used book sale (Saturday, January 18, 10 a.m. until 3 p.m.). History books are priced at 2 for 1 for the month of January. Enjoy fabulous savings at our Book Sale! Come and browse our wide selection of hardcovers, paperbacks, DVDs, CDs, and audiobooks for adults and children, available at low, low prices. All book sale proceeds benef it the South Boston Branch Library and programs. And do you know what? All of the Branch Library’s activities are open to the public for free!
work done through his 7uice Fou nd at ion, ded ic ated to uplifting youth and families through athletics and academic excellence. The foundation
continues to donate resources to local services and centers in an effort to break cycles of poverty and create opportunities for young people in the city.
Get plugged in. Learn about an approved substation project in South Boston. You are invited to join us as we share information about an upgrade to the fence surrounding our existing K Street Substation, located on the corner of K Street and East 1st Street in South Boston. Eversource is in the process of finalizing the design of the substation’s upgraded security fence. As an important part of the process, residents of the South Boston community are invited to attend an information session and offer feedback about the aesthetic design of the fence. Information Session: Tuesday, January 21, 2020 Drop in between 6–8 p.m. Lincoln Tavern & Restaurant 425 W. Broadway, South Boston, MA 02127 Keeping the lines of communication open is an important part of our work in the community. The information session is designed to give residents an opportunity to provide feedback and ask questions about the next steps in the project. For more information about this project, please send an email to ProjectInfo@eversource.com or call 800-793-2202.
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM
Continued from Page 1
Plunge sometime late in 2022. 2020’s January 1st was a brilliant sunlit day, actually a fairly warm 40+ degrees, as was the water. In addition, Mother Nature’s schedule of tides required the 2020 Plunge to occur around mid-day. No matter – what is perhaps South Boston’s oldest continuous tradition went off without a hitch. And it was covered by nationwide media stretching from Downtown Boston to outlets on both American coasts. South Boston is still America’s urban hometown. The exact date of South Boston’s very first Polar Plunge is unknown. However, polar plunging apparently began in the U.S. after the Civil War. Civil War soldiers bathed in local bodies of water to keep themselves clean; they continued this practice – both summer and winter – after the Civil War ended in 1865. Locally, this morphed into the L Street Brownies, the oldest Polar Plunge society in America. Our more highly
visible St. Patrick’s/Evacuation Day Parade did not begin until 1901, led by Army Major George Murray, the Parade’s first Chief Marshal. Many of the 2020 Plungers gathered at the L Street Tavern. Fundraising efforts for scleroderma research and treatment occur there before the Plunge. In fact, piper Kevin Conroy received a Citation from City Councilors Ed Flynn and Michael Flaherty for his decade-long efforts in that cause, which have now
been (very) capably taken over by Paul Lombard. A combined pipesand-drums band formed up and led the Plungers to the Curley Center. The Polar Plunge itself serves as both an activity and a fundraiser for the Curley Community Center and the L Street Brownies’ activities. As usual, many of the Plungers, in addition to salt water swimming apparel, wore imaginative costumes ranging from Vikings to Harlequin faces to penguins to bumblebees
(seriously!). No count could be made, as Plungers arrived continuously from just before until just after 12 noon. There were certainly 500 (or more) of them. The countdown began; no one held back, every swimmer took the Plunge! And all of the reactions to the Plunge were positive: joy, triumph, laughter, and shouted comments – “I feel alive!”, “I loved it!”, “I’ll be back next year!” – and so on. See you at South Boston’s 2020 Parade in mid-March!
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM
A December 31 Walk Around Boston by Rick Winterson
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t is difficult, if not impossible, to sample everything that the City of Boston has to offer over the two-day New Year’s celebration all of us enjoy here – New Year’s Eve (December 31) and New Year’s Day itself (January 1, 2020). One partial solution is to walk around Boston during the daytime hours of December 31, the day before the New Year actually arrives. South Boston Online did just that; our key sighting was the many ice sculptures we saw, especially in South Boston’s Seaport District. We began in Copley Square. A welcoming display of three American f lags adorned the Boston Public Library, fittingly arrayed in the breeze blowing over the Library’s motto: “Free to All”. One ice sculpture vividly marked “BOSTON” was on display; many others were being fabricated for the New Year in the pits where the Copley Square fountains are turned on in warm weather. In walking through Boston to the Seaport District, we passed over the Boston Common. The only ice we saw was the skating
rink formed within the Frog Pond, but doesn’t that pass muster as a sculpture of some kind? Crowds were lining up to take their skating spins. We passed by the 40+-foot Christmas tree sent to Boston by Nova Scotia. This has become a custom that recognizes the help sent to Nova Scotia from Boston in 1917, immediately after a disastrous explosion that destroyed much of Halifax, Nova Scotia’s capital city. We soon arrived in the South Boston Seaport, where some ten ice sculptures had been arrayed along Seaport Boulevard. Many of these symbolized the businesses that had erected them. Perhaps the most nearly symbolic was the life-sized ice sculpture of a bear outside L.L. Bean. Was it called “L.L. Bear”? All of the ice sculptures were quite beautifully done – our favorites were the reindeer by Courthouse Sqaure and the monster squirrel (with nut) near the Seaport Green. After that, nothing remained of our two-hour walk except to stop for (hot, strong) coffee, and then pick up some groceries at Trader Joe’s. Boston is most certainly a walking city.
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020
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First Peace Breakfast of 2020 More than a hundred guests partook of 2020’s first Peace Breakfast last Saturday morning, January 4. Peace Breakfasts are celebrations in St. Monica Hall to ease the reactions to a nearby violent death that occurred two years ago. These are volunteer efforts – the Good Samaritans of Monica’s Kitchen, the Boston Police Department, and many concerned residents work together to promote peace. Volunteers from “Crossroads”
in Duxbury helped out last Saturday. “Crossroads” asks teenagers to perform community service to help them find meaning in their lives. And Victoria, a young guest, celebrated her birthday. She turned eight on January 5 (the 12th Day of Christmas; the Eve of the Epiphany). The next Peace gatherings are also in Monica’s Kitchen - a pasta dinner (5-7 p.m., Friday, January 10) and a breakfast (9-11 a.m., Saturday, February 1).
Duxbury’s “Crossroads” members, led by Wilson (r.), help serve the Peace Breakfast.
Deacon Paul Kline wishes young Victoria a happy eighth birthday.
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Martin holds his “You’ll Never Be Alone” medallion at the Peace Breakfast.
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM
South Boston Catholic Academy News Congratulations to Andrew in K2A!
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ndrew in K2A, was a runner up winner in the Scholastic Book Club Pigeon’s Birthday Party Contest! Scholastic Book Club received so many very colorful and well-done invitations to Pigeon Birthday Parties across the country. It was a big job to decide which eleven children would be selected winners. So many of the entries were deserving of the great prize of winning a Scholastic Library which included a set of 22 great books and
videos for the winning student to take home and a duplicate set for the winning student’s classroom. After a lot of consideration and discussion, Andrew’s entry was chosen as one of the eleven winners. Congratulations to Andrew, to his teacher, Mrs. Connolly, and to all of his classmates in K2A! Happy reading K2A! Also, the students in K2A did a fantastic job making and decorating their very own miniature stables to bring home to their families
for Christmas. They did this class project to celebrate Jesus’ Birthday in a very special and memorable way. Boston Catholic Academy (www.SBCatholicAcademy.org) is currently accepting applications for all classes PreSchool-Grade 6. We have Before School and After
School Programs available and high acceptance rate to Parochial, Private, and Boston Exam Schools. Please contact: Mrs. Jamie Brown, our Vice Principal, with any questions or for a tour of the school at j.brown@ sbcatholicacademy.org or phone 617-268-2326 for more information.
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SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020
Tynan Happenings
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he tynan Council hosted their annual Children’s Christmas party this past month and had a great turn out! With the weather calling for sleet and rain 130 kids made it up to see Santa anyhow and receive a gift and plenty of food and goodies. It was good time with lots of new and old faces having just a wonderful time. The cafeteria was decorated, and the bulbs hung on the Christmas tree thanks to the tynan council and bcyf staff. We would like to thank Santa for coming and spending a whole lot of time with us! (thanks Paul & Mary) There was plenty of food to go around as we served finger sandwiches, chicken broccoli and ziti, meatball and calzones! This year we added the “Bozzy Bowl” flag football tournament with 60 kids ages 12 & under. The Bowl is dedicated in the memory of Danny Bausmer, who grew up as a member of the tynan community center and spent most of his childhood/teen years hanging out at the tynan playing various sports and hanging out with the many friends he had. Danny was a Boston Police Officer, a husband and father, who lost his battle with
cancer at a very young age. The BCYF Tynan will keep his memory alive on an annual basis by hosting the Bozzy Bowl at our Christmas Party. Large donations were made in the memory of Danny to help run this year’s Tynan Children’s Christmas party, thanks to Jason Rae who spearheaded the efforts! The winners received $30.00 Nike gift certificates for their efforts. Nice Job! The Second annual “battle for the cup” Hockey tournament took place this School vacation. We had 5 community center teams participating from around the city. It was a very good tournament with double elimination which gave teams plenty of time to play some hockey and have a good time. In between the games the teams were treated to pizza, calzones and chicken fingers from village Pizza on L street. The final game was the home team taking on the Leahy Holloran community center from Dorchester and the kids from the tynan were able to hold on once again and keep the cup safely at home! Thanks to the bcyf Jackson Mann from Allston Brighton, bcyf Charlestown and the bcyf Roche community center from west Roxbury for participating in our hockey tournament and making friends with so many!
Gate of Heaven Parish Coffee and Conversation Hour
Happy New Year To All! All are welcome to join us on the 2nd Sunday of each month at the Gate of Heaven Parish Coffee and Conversation Hour, downstairs in the Lower Hall, following the 9AM Mass at Gate of Heaven Church on East 4th Street. Looking forward to seeing old and new friends this Sunday, January 12, 2020.
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THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM
Public Meeting
Open house at Carol Masshardt’s
776 Summer Street Monday, January 13 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Tynan School 650 East 4th Street South Boston, MA 02127
Project Proponent: HRP 776 Summer Street LLC Project Description: HRP 776 Summer Street LLC has filed a Master Planned Development Area application. HRP 776 Summer Street LLC proposes to redevelop an approximately 15.2-acre site located at 776 Summer Street in the South Boston neighborhood. The proposal entails approximately 1.78 million square feet of occupiable space, including: approximately 636 residential units, approximately 960,000 square feet of office/research and development uses, approximately 80,000 square feet of retail uses, 240 hotel rooms, and up 1,214 parking spaces. The proposal will also preserve several historic buildings on the site and provide 5.5 acres of new outdoor public spaces, including approximately 2.5 acres of open space on the waterfront. mail to:
phone: email:
by Rick Winterson During the afternoon of New Year’s Day last Wednesday, Carol Masshardt, a local resident, held a New Year’s Day Open House. Carol is a fine hostess, who provided drinks, a catered luncheon, and good conversation to her home full of more than 40 guests. These guests comprised colleagues at Bridgewater State University, other educators, and many of her friends from and around South Boston. Her caterer (Khari Wilcox, 774-318-4040) excelled. The festivities were augmented with a discussion and reading by Prof. David O’Malley from ”A Book of
Tim Czerwienski Boston Planning & Development Agency One City Hall Square, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02201 617.918.5303 tim.czerwienski@boston.gov
BostonPlans.org
@BostonPlans
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Carol Masshardt welcomes guests into her home.
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020
Compass on the Bay Events Yoga With Karen at Compass on the Bay
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Garage Parking Space Available
January 14, 2019, 1:00 pm Join us for a free yoga class!
Crooner Gian Faraone January 20, 2019, 1:00 pm Join us as we listen to thesmooth sounds of crooner Gian Faraone!
Steve Lanzilotta Entertains January 22, 2019, 10:30 am Join us for the entertainment of Steve Lanzilotta!
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Richie Bern Entertains at Compass on the Bay January 26, 2019, 2:30 pm Join us for the entertainment of Richie Bern!
Patrick Hoye Entertains at Compass on the Bay January 29, 2019, 10:30 . Please join us for the entertainment of Irish musician Patrick Hoye, strolling singer and guitarist. Patrick hails from Mullingar Ireland and came to Boston in 1974 to pursue a degree at Berklee College of Music. He has traveled the world performing with Ireland’s Joe Dolan band. Please join us for this festive performance!
LEGAL NOTICE OF COMMUNITY OUTREACH MEETING REGARDING A MARIJUANA ESTABLISHMENT PROPOSED BY HOLLAND BRANDS SB, LLC Notice is hereby given that a community outreach meeting for HOLLAND BRANDS SB, LLC (“Holland Brands”)’s proposed Marijuana Establishment is scheduled for Wednesday, January 29, 2020, at the Tynan Community Center, 650 E. Fourth Street, MA 02124, at 6:30 p.m. The proposed Marijuana Retailer is anticipated to be located at 538 E. First Street, South Boston, MA 02127 (the “Property”). Community Members and members of the public are encouraged to attend, and will be permitted to ask questions and receive answers from representatives of Holland Brands. A copy of this notice is on file with the City Clerk’s office at Boston City Hall, 1 City Hall Square, Boston, Massachusetts 02201. A copy of this notice was published in a newspaper of general circulation at least fourteen (14) calendar days prior to the community outreach meeting and mailed at least seven (7) calendar days prior to the community outreach meeting to abutters of the Property, owners of land directly opposite the Property on any public or private street or way, and abutters to the abutters within three hundred (300) feet of the property line of the Property as they appear on the most recent applicable tax list,
notwithstanding that the land of any such owner is located in another city or town.
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020 THE PRINT EDITION
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