SBOL_10_28_2021

THE PRINT EDITION

THURSDAY OCTOBER 28, 2021

VOLUME XIX- ISSUE 74

Please Vote on Tuesday, November 2

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es, we know that 2021 is an “off-year” for an election – an odd-numbered year when the only races are for local offices. Even so, some of these offices have significant inf luence beyond the borders of Boston. Certainly, the person we elect as our new Mayor can affect government goings-on at the Commonwealth level. Her voice will certainly be listened to by officials in the State House.

REAL ACCESS!

Cleanup, Planting Efforts Beautify Park

In addition, those who are running for seats as City Councilors – both District and at-Large – will need to deal politically with Boston’s position as the “Metropolis” of all of New England. That includes overseeing the sixstate use of important facilities such as Boston Harbor, Logan Airport, and the Convention a nd E x hibition C enter – just to name a few Boston facilities used ver y widely.

Our conclusion: The 2021 Election is ver y important!

So please vote next Tuesday.

We a lso ask that you t h i n k about t he se f ac t s before you cast your vote: First, 2021 is a “year of change” for many of the City of Boston’s elected off icials.

Much of this began to occur Continued on page 3

By Ginger DeShaney Moakley Park will be bursting with color in the spring.

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ast Saturday, volunteers planted more than 880 daffodil, tulip, and allium bulbs. The plantings were part of the monthly cleanup sessions at the park.

“We want people to learn, we want people to play, we want people to be

invested, we want everyone to feel like they can have a piece of Moakley,” said Jenn Meakem, Community Engagement Specialist for Boston Harbor Now. “Moakley Park is a really big priority for Boston Harbor Now and the city.

It’s 60 acres of waterfront parkland.”

The Make Moakley Yours campaign, a joint effort between Boston Harbor Now and Boston Parks & Recreation, is designed to encourage people to get to know the park.

According to moakleypark.org, the

Continued on page 5

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THURSDAY OCTOBER 28, 2021

Trick or Treat on Broadway Friday Night, 10/29

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he South Boston Chamber of Commerce businesses, and the South Boston Neighborhood Development Corporation invite the neighborhood children in costumes to “Trick or Treat along East and West Broadway” on Friday, October 29, 2021 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Participating establishments will be clearly marked with an orange and black poster inviting the children to stop in for a treat.

Due to the narrow sidewalks along East Broadway between I Street and L Street, and for the safety and enjoyment of all participants, we are asking that all Trick-orTreaters walk in the same direction in order to avoid congestion that would cause anyone to step into

the street to pass. If you are starting in the area at I Street, please walk along the southern side of the street (odd numbered stores) and continue to L Street, using the cross walk, cross over to the northern side of the street (even numbered stores) and continue back toward I Street.

If you are starting in the area at L Street, please walk along the northern side of the street (even numbered stores) and continue toward I Street, using the cross walk, cross over to the southern side of the street (odd numbered stores) and continue back toward L Street.

Broadway businesses wishing to participate – that have not already received a poster, should contact Karen at 617-990-7062 or email Karen@vibrant-events.com

Halloween Peace Picnic on Saturday

Would you like to observe Halloween next weekend on this beautiful green side lawn. Then please do so. From 3 to 5 p.m. this Saturday afternoon, October 30, St. Monica Church at Preble and Old Colony will hold a Halloween Peace Picnic on their side lawn. They’ll also have a Children’s Trick or Treat in the same place at the same time. This Halloween observance is a Good Samaritan event. Log onto www.goodsamaritanministry. org/event for exact details.

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City Councilor At-Large Michael Flaherty Announces New Endorsements The complete list is available below: Congressman Stephen Lynch, Suffolk County Sheriff Steve Tompkins, Suffolk County Register of Deeds Steve Murphy, Suffolk Supreme Judicial Clerk Maura Doyle, Suffolk Superior Court Clerk Mike Donovan, Clerk Magistrate of Suffolk Superior Court Maura Hennigan, MA Senate Assistant Majority Leader Sal DiDomenico, MA Senate Majority Whip Mike Rush, State Senator Nick Collins, MA House Assistant Majority Leader Mike Moran, State Rep David Biele, State Rep Edward Coppinger, State Rep Kevin Honan, State Rep Dan Hunt, State Rep Jay Livingstone, State Rep Dan Ryan, Councilor Frank Baker, Councilor Kenzie Bok, Councilor Liz Breadon, Councilor Lydia Edwards, Councilor Ed Flynn, Councilor Matt O’Malley, Former Boston Police Commissioner William Gross, Ward 5 Democratic Committee, Ward 6 Democratic Committee, Ward 7 Democratic Committee, Ward 12 Democratic Committee, Ward 16 Democratic Committee, Teamsters Local Union #25, Greater Boston Labor Council, Greater Boston Building Trades, Boston Teachers Union, North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters, Unite Here Local #26, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 103, AFSCME 93, New England Joint Board Unite HERE (NEJB UNITE HERE), SEIU Local 888, SEIU 1199, SEIU Local 888, SEIU NAGE Local 5000, Boston Carmen’s Union #589, Professional Firefighters of Massachusetts, Boston Firefighters Local 718, Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association - Emergency Medical Services, Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association, Boston Police Superior Officers Federation, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 2222, International Union of Elevator Constructors Local 4, International Union of Operating Engineers Local 4, International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Local 6, International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers Local 7, United Union of Roofers, Waterproofers and Allied Workers Local 33, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 35, Laborers’ International Union of North America Local 22, Laborers’ International Union of North America Local 88 (Tunnel Workers), Laborers’ International Union of North America Local 151, Laborers’ International Union of North America Local 223, Laborers’ International Union of North America Local 1421 (Wreckers), Operative Plasterers’ & Cement Masons’ International Association Local 534, Sheet Metal Workers’ International Association Local 17, The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Iron Ship Builders, Blacksmiths, Forgers and Helpers Local 29, United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States, Canada (UA) Plumbers & Gasfitters Local 12, United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States, Canada (UA) Pipefitters Local 537, United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and PipeFitting Industry of the United States, Canada (UA), Sprinkler Fitters Local 550, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1445, Floorcoverers Local #2168, Carpenters Residential Local #723, Carpenters Local #327, Piledrivers Local #56, Shop and Millmen Local #51

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Continued from Page 1

VOTE

after then Mayor Marty Walsh decided to accept the position America’s Secretary of Labor in March. A mini-cascade of local political openings resulted from his moving on. There will be another cascade of appointed municipal openings after next Tuesday’s election winners are sworn in. Vote for those who, in your opinion, will orga nize Cit y of f ices most capably for the future.

Sec ond, t he COV I D 19 pandemic showed us all,

including our locally elected officials, that the City of Boston has lots of “homework” to do before we are ready for another pandemic. Just think about the tragedy of Mass/Cass, which was caused (in part) by COVID-19 job losses, contagious illness, and lack of shelter. Whatever you think about Mass/Cass, clearing it out safely is (and will still be) the job of the City’s top elected officials. No one else! Vote for the candidates whom you believe will do the best job handling future problems as big this one.

Third, recognize there are many other major issues the City

Lists of Candidates to be voted upon in the 2021 General Election by residents of South Boston

Lists give the candidates’ names in alphabetical order MAYOR OF BOSTON Annissa Essaibi George Michelle Wu

DISTRICT 2 CITY COUNCILOR Edward Flynn (unopposed) DISTRICT 3 CITY COUNCILOR* Frank Baker (incumbent) Stephen McBride

*NOTE: South Boston voters in the neighborhoods of Andrew Square, McCormack Housing, and the Polish Triangle were reapportioned into District 3 several years ago.

CITY COUNCILORS-AT-LARGE (four top vote-getters will be elected)

Michael Flaherty (incumbent) Althea Garrison David Halbert Ruthzee Louijeune Julia Meija (incumbent) Carla Monteiro Erin Murphy Bridget Nee-Walsh

THURSDAY OCTOBER 28, 2021

faces. Global warming and the local f looding that Boston has experienced is an undeniable fact.

Many of our schools need to improve. And it’s not due to a lack of money – every year, Boston schools spend $25,000 per student. The City’s police force badly needs strengthening.

The list goes on (and on) – your vote will help ensure Boston of good political leadership.

Perhaps most important,

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recognize that elected officials in the City of Boston are almost a lways re-elected in future campaigns – often several times.

The candidates you, the voter, elect next Tuesday will likely be with us for many years to come.

It’s a fact. And it’s a fact that says that Boston’s local elections, even in an “off-year”, might be the most important elections of all.

So think carefully before you vote. But above all, please vote!

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THURSDAY OCTOBER 28, 2021

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Flynns Endorse Erin Murphy For At-Large City Council

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aymond L. Flynn, former United States Ambassador to the Holy See and former Mayor of Boston, and Kathy Flynn have endorsed Erin Murphy’s candidacy for At-Large City Council, saying her election would continue a long tradition of selfless public service in Boston.

The Flynns, lifelong Boston residents who have raised children and grandchildren in the city, called Erin a leading light in a new generation of leaders who will extend leadership to every neighborhood in the city.

“Erin is an exemplary candidate for an extraordinary time in our city,” said Ambassador Flynn. “She has the empathy that defines public service, the energy that makes for a great city councilor, and the passion

Erin Murphy pictured with Ray and Kathy Flynn we need at City Hall. She will represent working families across Boston with vigor, and I am proud to endorse her candidacy.”

“Erin taught in the Boston Public Schools for 22 years, she raised her family here in the city

as a single mom, and she’s been an advocate for her community long before she ran for office,” said Kathy Flynn. “She has fought on the frontlines of the substance abuse and addiction crisis, and she’s perfectly suited to represent our neighborhoods on t he Cit y C ou nci l.”

City Councilor Ed Flynn, a South Boston Democrat and the son of Ambassador and Kathy Flynn, endorsed Erin in September.

“I’m so proud to have the endorsement from Ambassador and Mrs. Flynn,” Erin said. “They are a legendary family that has never stopped giving to our city, and a wonderful example for us all. Their decades of giving back to their neighborhood and their city are a cause for celebration, and I’m grateful that they’re in my corner.

From South Boston to the Vatican, they represent the best of our city.”

The Flynns’ support comes as Erin has been expanding her grassroots operation before the November 2 election, when Erin will compete for one of four At-Large City Council seats, and as citywide support has been building. Her outreach has extended to every neighborhood in the city, the same energy she would bring to the City Council.

Erin’s campaign has been gathering steam all year, with a string of high-profile endorsements and a surge in grassroots support and volunteerism across the city.

Erin has also been endorsed by, among others: US Representative Stephen F. Lynch, activist and mentor and former At-Large candidate Said Abdikarim, State Senator Nick Collins, House Ways and Means Chairman Aaron Michlewitz, State Representatives Dan Hunt, Jon Santiago, Michael J. Moran, Ed Coppinger, Dan Ryan, and David Biele, former state Representatives Jeffrey Sanchez and Carlo Basile, City Councilors Frank Baker and Ed Flynn, and former City Councilors Diane Modica, Sal LaMattina, and John Nucci, Register of Deeds Stephen J. Murphy, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council 35, United Steelworkers Local 12003, Teamsters Union Local 25, AFSCME Council 93 (which represents Boston municipal employees), the Massachusetts Nurses Association, Boston Firefighters Local 718, Laborers Local 223, the Massachusetts Women’s Political Caucus, and Boston EMS. A lifelong Dorchester resident, Erin has centered her campaign around being Boston’s go-to call at City Hall.

Erin’s vision for Boston a nd her c a mpa ig n a re built on her core beliefs: T h riv i ng , be st-i n- c la s s public schools for ever y student in every neighborhood A friendlier cit y for seniors, with a more compassionate policy focus Stronger outreach to veterans, out of respect for their service and supporting their needs Safer streets and policing across the City, prioritizing communit y policing A firm plan to relieve the crisis at Mass & Cass that respects all stakeholder Reducing income inequ a lit y by promot ing good jobs for all Bostonians

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THURSDAY OCTOBER 28, 2021

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Continued from Page 1

Moakley Park

city is ensuring that it is ready for the effects of a changing climate. Improved Boston parks and open spaces have the potential to:

protect us from climate change; improve our day-to-day lives; make Boston’s many varied communities more resilient, healthy, safe, and vibrant.

“Moakley Park is such an amazing resource and space for so many people but it really is consistently not heard of or not necessarily thought of,” Jenn said.

Moakley Park will undergo at least three phases of renovation. “Part of Boston Harbor Now’s job is to help increase engagement in the park throughout every single one of those phases,” Jenn said.

“We want to get volunteers invested in this space … When people come and pick up trash or plant something, they are then very connected to the space. They have put sweat into a space and they can always be proud of that.”

The Make Moakley Yours cleanups, which started in March, have been attracting between 25 and 50 volunteers each month, ranging from college students and families to other nonprofits and some

of the sports teams that use the park, as well as candidates and elected officials. “It’s been a really lovely monthly event,” Jenn said.

About 40 volunteers gathered Saturday. The original plan was to plant more than 1,000 bulbs in the park. But according to Rebecca Smerling, Boston Harbor Now’s Director of Programs, a supply chain issue affected the shipment.

The bulbs they were supposed to get are still on a container ship, so Rebecca had to search high and low for bulbs for the project. She had to go all the way to Bedford to buy bulbs from a garden center.

After getting guidance on how to plant the bulbs, the volunteers got to work.

They all said the planting wasn’t difficult.

Amanda Brown attends Boston University and is part of a community service sorority. “I love doing things outdoors,” she said.

Emily Wilczewski, also a member

of BU’s community service sorority, said she had heard good things about this volunteer opportunity from others. “I like being outside,” she said.

Adena Masliansky also likes being outdoors. She enjoys opportunities to be a part of something bigger and to meet people.

Ashley Rapp, a Northeastern University student, got an email from school about the cleanup. “I just wanted to do it,” she said. Ashley is in the environmental club at NU and this opportunity was right up her alley.

Barth Kabra is also an NU student. “I’ve never been to the park before,” so he signed up.

NU students Alyssa Goldstein and Daniel Maddox were planting bulbs with Shannon Fairley-Pittman, who is director of Global Student Life at NU. “It’s really cool; it’s fun,” said

Alyssa. Added Daniel, “It’s a great way to feel connected to nature.”

“This park is the heart of South Boston,” Rebecca said.

“It connects the Harbor to the South Boston neighborhood.”

She said the volunteers usually get thank yous from people who see them working in the park.

The monthly cleanups will resume in the spring but Boston Harbor Now is planning special events in the coming months. To stay informed about upcoming events, subscribe to the Boston Harbor Now newsletter at https://www.bostonharbornow. org/stay-in-the-know/.

“We all have a space to work and take care of … and Moakley is going to be incredibly important,” Jenn said. “The more people who care and can get involved, the better. [Moakley is] for all of us.”

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THURSDAY OCTOBER 28, 2021

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There’s No Place Like MW Hair Studio

By Ginger DeShaney

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he banter between Lisa Walsh and Nikki McCart is easy because they’ve been friends forever. They finish each other’s sentences. They laugh a lot because, well, they are downright hilarious.

The second you are in their presence, you feel like family. And that’s exactly how they want it.

Lisa, 41, and Nikki, 37 -- who were both born and raised in Southie -- opened MW Hair Studio at 401 W. First St. (right next to Publico) on Oct. 1 and the atmosphere is very welcoming.

“The goal is to make everybody feel like they have someplace they belong,” Lisa said.

“We want everyone to feel comfortable and at home and relaxed,” Nikki said. “That’s kind of the vibe we like in here. It’s like you’re in a living room getting your hair done.”

Added Lisa, “When people come in, they make themselves right at home; it’s easy.”

“It’s like a second home,” Nikki said.

Nikki worked as a bank manager for eight years in Southie before following her passion to the beauty business.

She went to beauty school and Lisa hired her as an assistant at a local salon.

“I like doing hair. It relaxes me,” Nikki said. “It’s fun. It doesn’t feel like a job.”

“If you do what you love, you never work a day in your life,” Lisa said.

“I like making people feel good about themselves,” Nikki said.

Lisa, who is a master stylist, didn’t know what she wanted to be when she grew up, so she gave

Lisa Walsh and Nikki McCart hairdressing a shot and fell in love with “We consider ourselves a craft it. She’s been in the business for 22 years. cutting and color salon because Lisa “Meeting new people and is a master stylist,” Nikki said. They having people be happy when they offer hair services that include styling, leave my chair ... that’s the power cutting, color, highlights, balayage. Their that drove me to continue to want cliente includes women, kids, and men. to keep doing this,” Lisa said.

“We are very experienced in Lisa was at their previous salon our field and we don’t have anyone for 14 years; Nikki for 8. “I wanted a specific that we would target,” said change in my life at that time,” Lisa Lisa. “We really want everybody said. “It’s a constant evolution and it just to feel like they can come here.” felt like we got to a place there where we “… from your kids to your reached the peak of growth. It was just grandmother,” Nikki added. time. But it felt organic. We were ready.”

“I want people to feel like, no matter Lisa’s goal had always been to what they’re looking for, that they’ll be own her own place. “I just have a heard,” Lisa said. “And our goal is to have way that I like things to go,” she said. people genuinely feel like they can trust They looked at spaces on West us with what they’re looking to get done.

Broadway but they didn’t want to “Whatever your need is, if you want be on the main drag. “We’re tucked something chic, if you want something away in a residential area and it’s in funky and crazy colors, if you want not wild and crazy,” Nikki said. “It’s the Jennifer Aniston, if you just want a just nice and relaxing and quiet.” trim,” said Lisa, “... I just want you to feel Neighbors have stopped in and that no matter what it is you’re looking welcomed them to the neighborhood. for, you should feel comfortable here.”

Having never worked in this The studio is open Tuesdays area, they are attracting a new clientele, through Fridays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. they said, noting they’ve already Lisa and Nikki do a lot of weddings gotten a lot of foot traffic. “It opens on weekends. During the holidays, up a new world of possibilities,” Lisa they’ll be open on some Saturdays. said, noting many of their clients have They still have some finishing also followed them to the new space. touches to complete on the studio, such

as adding a TV (and Netflix), putting up curtains, and having a wall mural done.

The intimate studio has just two chairs so at most there would be four people in at a time. “It’s almost like an old-school salon where you all sit and have a group chat,” Nikki said.

Now that they have their own place, another goal is to give back to the community. “We were both born and raised here,” Nikki said. “We’ve worked here our whole lives so we really wanted to be able to give back.”

They donate to local fundraisers and organizations, and sponsor kids and teams. “The goal is to be more involved in general,” Lisa said.

And where did the name come from? While sitting at Loco drinking coconut margaritas one day, they ran through names of crystals, flowers, and the like, but most of them were already taken. “Why not make it more us?

What about MW Hair Studio?” said Lisa, who calls Nikki, “the M to my W.” “I feel like [studio] makes it more personable,” Nikki said. “It’s very customy. It’s a lot of custom cutting and color.”

“And people feel like they are getting a unique experience,” Lisa said. “The idea of it being a hair studio makes it a little different. I don’t want to be like anybody else.”

“No, I want to be like us,” Nikki said.

Website and to book online: MWhairstudioboston.com Phone: 617-752-4212 Email: mwhairstudioboston@ gmail.com Instagram: @ mwhairstudioboston

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

Senator Collins Votes To Support Military Families Relocating

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ecently, State Senator Nick Collins voted to pass An Act relative to military spouse-licensure portability, education and enrollment of dependents, or SPEED Act, to support military families who relocate to the Commonwealth by providing career stability for the spouses of service members and quality education for their children.

The legislation would speed up the professional licensure process for military spouses to ensure they can continue their careers, allow for advanced and virtual enrollment for military children to resolve disruptions in education, provide in-state tuition continuity for militaryconnected college students, and establish a Purple Star Campus designation to identify public schools that show a major commitment to military families.

Components of the SPEED Act include:

Military Spouse-Licensure Portability

Expedited Military Spouse Teacher Licenses

Advanced and Virtual Enrollment for Military Children

Purple Star Campus Designation

In-State Tuition Continuity for MilitaryConnected College Students “I am proud to support this legislation, representing an important commitment to our Veterans throughout the entire state for their service to our nation,” said Senator Nick Collins.

“This bill will set relocating military families up for success which is a top priority for me.”

The SPEED Act now advances on to the Massachusetts House of Representatives for further consideration.

THURSDAY OCTOBER 28, 2021 :

Stoplights Stopped in Andrew Square

You already know there has been a powerful Northeaster out there for the last two days. The Andrew Square stoplight complex shown here was knocked out completely. Crews were hard at work throughout the night to repair the damage.

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THURSDAY OCTOBER 28, 2021

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SBCA News - Highlights from K1B Ms. Katie Tempinski

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he children in K1B are social and love to learn! This month they have been learning about each other during Morning Meeting.

They have brought in items from home in the class “All About Me” bag. When it is each child’s turn they talk about the items they brought in and share why the items are special to them and their family.

Ever y day at Mor ning Meeting K1B sings their good morning song in English and in Spanish and says their good morning prayer. The child ren t ake t u r ns with classroom jobs, say the Pledge of Allegiance, place the date

on the calendar, report the weather and count how many days they have been in school.

The children look forward to center time where they do

a variety of hands-on math, language, literacy, science, social, f ine motor and ar t activities. K1B enjoys working together with their peers and

teachers during this small group time. We recently went on a fall walk and a leaf hunt and had a chance to enjoy a beautiful autumn day.

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THURSDAY OCTOBER 28, 2021

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Recent Sports – by the numbers

by Rick Winterson

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he Red Sox’s season is over, of course, but they must address one by-the-numbers point. Despite the presence of gifted hitters like Devers, Bogaerts, and Martinez (assuming his contractual stuff works out), along with streaks from Hernandez, Verdugo, Renfroe, and the rest, pitching is needed most by the Sox. And here’s the numbers: In about two hours, a starting pitcher needs to throw around 100 pitches in every game he starts. Many of those pitches will have to be some sort of fast ball. Figure that a fast ball travels faster than 90 miles per hour, and you’ll have an idea of how much stress throwing a fast ball puts on a pitcher’s arm and at the elbow.

It’s not that breaking balls (curves or sliders) are easy to throw. It’s that a fast ball, thrown accurately, takes a lot of arm strength. Many pitchers simply don’t have that much strength.

An MLB team needs a dozen pitchers or more – five starting hurlers (at least), setup-middle relieflong relief, and a couple of closers, all of whom must be able to throw a fast ball. So light a candle for the Red Sox pitching recruiters.

Late last week, the Associated Press (the AP, by Tim Reynolds) announced the top 75 players ever to play for the National Basketball Association (the NBA). This was one of the observances connected with the 75th Anniversary of the NBA this year; it follows a similar list of the 50 best all-time NBA players put together back in 1996. Between them all, the 75 scored 1.5 million points – that’s 20,000 each. And one might argue about leaving off Tom Heinsohn or including Bill Sharman, but overall, it looks like a good list. So onto some hoop numbers: Of the 75 players named (76 actually, due to a tie in the voting), 18 played for the Boston Celtics at one time or another, and many of those 18 were Celtics for their

entire careers. That’s a 1:4 ratio – one out of every four of the 75 all-time NBA players played for the Celtics, at least for a while.

Two of these come to mind immediately.

Injury-prone Bill Walton was the leader of the Celts first real “Green Team”, and contributed mightily to the Celts 1986 championship by winning the Best Sixth (6th) Man Award at age 33.

Walton played in 80 games (!!!) during the entire ’85 –’86 season, and that was behind the awesome front line of Bird-McHale-Parish, guards Ainge and Johnson, and Coach K.C. Jones.

The other memorable Celt was John Havlicek. He was on the court for more minutes than were ever played by any other Celt, and he scored a team record of 26,395 points that still stands. His stamina was unmatched; perhaps Havlicek was the greatest of all the Celts. The closest other player to Havlicek was Paul Pierce, who sank 24,023 points as a Celt, but Pierce played his entire career during the NBA’s three-point era.

The Patriots’ defense has been criticized this season, with some good reasons. But their defensive numbers really aren’t all that bad.

The total points scored against the Pats in their seven games so far have been 140, or 20 points per game.

That isn’t great, but it’s OK. A top NFL defensive unit lets in an average of about 15 points per game. Even when the defensive numbers in their two games against the hapless Jets are backed out, the Pats are still averaging 24 points-against per game. Marginal, yes, but not “bad”.

In the 32-team NFL standings, nine teams are truly winners (5 or more wins). At 7-0 this morning, only the Arizona Cardinals are unbeaten. Similarly, ten teams are really losers – only 1 or 2 wins, except for the poor Detroit Lions at 0. That leaves 13 teams in the “won a few-lost a few” middle category and there are at least ten games to go for all of them.

That’s the category where the Pats sit; their playoff hopes are still alive!

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THURSDAY OCTOBER 28, 2021

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Free Bluebikes Rides on Election Day

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To help reduce transportation barriers as residents head to the polls, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts (“Blue Cross”) is offering free Bluebikes rides on Election Day (Tuesday, November 2), providing voters a convenient and socially distant transit option. Complimentary rides will be available across the Bluebikes system’s 11 municipalities: Arlington, Boston, Brookline, Cambridge, Chelsea, Everett, Newton, Revere, Salem, Somerville, and Watertown. Blue Cross is the title sponsor of Bluebikes, a publiclyowned bike share managed by municipal staff.

For the second consecutive year, Blue Cross is leveraging its Bluebikes sponsorship to demonstrate its commitment to increasing access to the polls. A study conducted by professors at Harvard University and Boston University found that lack of access to a car is a significant obstacle to voting and decreases turnout. Among the sector of voters in the study with access to a car, 66% voted in a recent general election, while only 36% without a car voted.

“We’re proud to help remove transportation barriers as citizens exercise their right to vote,” said Jeff Bellows, vice president of corporate citizenship and public affairs at Blue Cross. “Bluebikes is an easy transportation option that is accessible to residents across Metro Boston, including those in underserved or underrepresented communities who may face challenges reaching their polling place. We hope residents who plan to vote on Election Day will take advantage of complimentary Bluebikes rides.”

Riders can access free, unlimited two-hour trips from any of the more than 400 Bluebikes stations across the system by downloading and opening the Bluebikes app on a mobile device and choosing “Get a Pass.” Riders interested in taking Bluebikes to the polls can visit www. bluebikes.com/map to find the closest station to their polling venue.

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THURSDAY OCTOBER 28, 2021

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Barks, Brews & Boos About 50 dogs and their owners celebrated the spooky season Sunday at Pappas Way during Barks, Brews & Boos. Many of the dogs were dressed in costumes -- including Pegasus, a skunk, unicorns, the Beast, a boxer, lobsters, Batman, UPS driver, Wonder Woman, Super Man, a pumpkin, and a taco -- and competed for prizes. The event, sponsored by Oxford Properties and Pappas Enterprises, also featured music, beer, food from American Provisions, pet portraits, caricature artists, and plenty of dog treats. Photos by Ginger DeShaney

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THURSDAY OCTOBER 28, 2021

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