South Boston Today April 14 2022

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April 14, 2022: Vol.10 Issue 15

SERVING SOUTH BOSTONIANS AROUND THE GLOBE

Who Is Going To Step Up And Punish This Criminal Conduct?

CONTINUED ON page 10

Easter Tradition Continues Sunrise Mass and Service at Castle Island Sunday 6:00am

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he arrival of Easter this Sunday brings with it one of the most beautiful traditions South Boston has to offer. The Sunrise Mass at Castle Island will take place at 6:00am on the channel side of Fort Independence at the McKay monument with the ocean as the setting and as the sun first peeks over the horizon from the East.

The Castle Island Association started the tradition back in 1980 and has been organizing this event ever since. From the first year, with the Mass being said by Father Kelleher of Don Bosco, who was followed by Father Fleming of St Brigid, this moving ceremony draws at times thousands of people who get up before

dawn on Easter Morning and make the trek to ‘The Island’ by car, bicycle, on foot or by shuttle to experience one of the most unique religious gatherings around. The Sunrise Mass continues to gain in popularity with each passing year and if weather cooperates, draws large crowds each time often numbering in the thousands.

Over the years, people have come in from many surrounding communities and other states to be part of this sacred event to celebrate the Holiest of times on the Christian Calendar. Former residents also make the trip back to South Boston for this Mass; many even travelling from other states to return to their home town to be part of it. As all know, Easter cel-

ebrates the Resurrection of Jesus Christ 3 days after he was taken down from the cross and was buried.

Here, the traditional Catholic Mass will be celebrated, and all people of every faith are welcome to be part of it. Holy Communion will be given to those who wish to receive. A portable altar will be set up from which the Mass will be said.

The Service lasts approximately one hour from the time it commences.

Many attendees bring along their own chairs, as there is very little seating on that side of the island. It’s also recommended that you check the weather forecast for Sunday morning, so you can dress for whatever nature brings. Because it is such

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tion with this case. The video also shows the red Honda turning quickly into the McDonald’s parking lot, driving right into a group of people on motorbikes, striking one of them and continuing through a metal fence. A person is then seen throwing something through the driver’s side window of the car, smashing a hole in the glass. The driver of the car then gets out of the vehicle and punches are then thrown.

Michael Nader said he was driving home through Dorchester after visiting family and was passing by the McDonald’s at the intersection of Gallivan Boulevard and Granite Avenue as the fight was unfolding.

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Video shared with News Center 5 last week shows a car driving toward a group of motorcyclists and striking one person on a motorbike in a McDonald’s parking lot in Dorchester, which sparked a fight in the Boston neighborhood.

Boston police said they received a report about a fight in the parking lot of the McDonald’s restaurant at 515 Gallivan Blvd. shortly after 7 p.m. Saturday.

When officers arrived at the scene, they found a heavily damaged red Honda sedan that had fallen down a small embankment.

Police said two people involved in the fight suffered minor injuries. No arrests have been made in connec-

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he scenario that occurred in Dorchester a week ago will be perpetuated throughout the city, and in every neighborhood because these types of bikers believe that they will suffer no consequences, as evidenced by the policies of the city of Boston administration.

This is not unfair to say that this is not a ‘freedom of expression’ exercise by these scofflaws, nor is it a leisurely recreational respite or adventure, this is a citywide negative quality of life issue that exists in neighborhoods of color, mixed neighborhoods and white neighborhoods like Adams Village where this chaos occurred.

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an early time of day and Easter comes early in the season this year, sweaters or jackets, or both, are advised.

Even if you attend your regular Mass or Service at your traditional Church on Easter Sunday in addition to the Sunrise Mass, it is said that attending the Sunrise Mass at Castle Island is very special indeed and often adds to the spirit of this wonderful season. If this will be your first time, when you arrive at Castle Island, just go to the left of Fort Independence.

You’ll have no problem finding where the Mass will be said. Just follow the crowd and be prepared to enjoy an inspiring and spiritual experience that you’ll fondly remember for a lifetime.

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April 14, 2022

EDITORIAL However You Choose To Celebrate in 2022, Have A Happy Easter

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uring the previous 2 Easters, many people played it safe, stayed at home and avoided gatherings.

At the ‘request’ of the government, rules were followed.

Americans do not like to be told what to do but for what, at the time, was considered to be for the greater good and because people feel strongly about keeping our families, friends and neighbors safe, the public in some part, adhered to the guidelines set up. Easter, with our churches closed, made the day at times feel almost surreal, but when it comes to following our faith; especially on the most sacred day on the Christian calendar, most people adapted.

And adapt they did. Churches are up with the times as far as technology is concerned. They have the tech skills and equipment to ‘live stream’ Masses and Services that could be watched on TV, on their computers and even on their phones. And data shows that they did just that and the faithful eagerly took advantage of this temporary way to worship. There is nothing like being at Easter Service at church and in person but doing so virtually was the next best thing.

Well, that was then, this is now and far less people are willing to follow those same guide-

Publisher

lines; especially when those who claim to be experts and have all the answers and remedies seem to be operating with a lot of guess work.

It’s now 2022 and virtually no one thought Covid would still be an issue, although much less of a concern to most. And though some in positions of authority are doing their best to keep tight restrictions on the American population indefinitely, much to the disappointment of those who think they are in charge, those restrictions are unraveling fast for lack of compliance as much as the receding threat of the virus. This year, thankfully, our churches are open and though some would still rather stay at home and view those Masses and Services online because of some lingering safety concerns, at least now, people have the option to attend them in person if they so choose. We’re happy to see that option made available.

Families and friends will gather to celebrate once again and the world’s 2.4 Billion Christians will observe; in a traditional way, The Resurrection.

Whichever way you choose to celebrate this joyous time of year, all of us here at ‘South Boston Today’ wish everyone, Christians and non-Christians alike, a very Happy Easter.

John Ciccone

Airman Brandon Kenney, from Boston, Massachusetts, repairs the engine of a tractor aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), April 8, 2022. The Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group is on a scheduled deployment in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of operations in support of U.S., allied and partner interests in Europe and Africa. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Anthony Robledo) With more than 90 percent of all trade traveling by sea, and 95 percent of the world’s international phone and internet traffic carried through fiber optic cables lying on the ocean floor, Navy officials continue to emphasize that the prosperity and security of the United States is directly linked to a strong and ready Navy.

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April 14, 2022

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Information Center The

‘WHO’ Attacked the NYC Subway Will Determine How Long The Story Stays Newsworthy

SOUTH BOSTON TODAY John Ciccone

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et’s go with a few comments on the events in the news this week.

First. The New York City Subway Attack: As of this writing, it’s all over the news and NYC officials say they have a person of interest in mind. The update is that he’s been arrested. They put his picture up and it is apparently a big disappointment to the news media that this is something that; at least at this point, they can’t blame on White Supremacists. But give them time to figure out a way to do it and the odds are they will. One liberal member of the media didn’t even try to hide his anger when he found out it wasn’t a white guy who allegedly did it. His response was – and I’m quoting here “Damn, Damn Damn”.

I’m not sure how long this story will stay at the front of the news, but it’s a pretty sure bet that had it been, committed by an illegal alien terrorist that Joe Biden and his party are allowing to just stroll across our southern border, then we can be pretty sure that the story would and probably now soon will, magically disappear quickly and the news will shift to some farmer is Kansas who has a cow that came down with Covid. Then back to Ukraine.

Whether the subway attack was of a terrorist nature or not, the odds are pretty strong that it will be happening. I say this, and law enforcement officials at the border agree that it’s probably only a matter of time before The United States is once again attacked by foreign terrorists. When we have a border that’s not secured, and the whole world knows this and those running the country refuse to secure it, that raises the chances of coming attacks considerably. Reports from the border state clearly that MS-13 gang members, drug cartel members, human traffickers, illegal gun runners and yes, people from terrorist run countries like Iran are just walking right in. Now

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

the Biden/Brandon Regime is even issuing them free cell phones complete with service plans. They then provide free transportation to cities all over our country. Is there really anyone that has any doubts about how dangerous this is to our national security? Even Democrats must be waking up to this.

If it is confirmed that the culprit who shot those people on the subway and also set off incendiary devices is actually a home grown criminal, the New York City officials will have only themselves to blame. The criminals know that just like most Democrat run cities now, that being arrested is just a revolving door.

Culprits commit all sorts of hideous violent crimes and are quickly let go with low bail or no bail. In fact, often, when a violent criminal suspect is arrested, he’s back out the door before the arresting officers finish filling out their reports of the arrest. Because of weak, soft on crime liberal policies, the violence in New York City is spiraling out of control.

But never expect those responsible for the lenient policies to admit blame. They will make a big show of how outraged they are and walk to their podium in a huff, in front of a wall of TV cameras and blame guns, the NRA, FOX News and of course, they’ll somehow manage to throw Donald Trump in there as one of the causes. It’s predictable. It’s what they do. The public knows this and no longer is fooled by it.

Their next move is to rant on about the Second Amendment and how it is the GUNS that are the problem.

They’ll then demand more gun control; not never more criminal control.

They’ll then hold more feel good gun buyback programs to “get guns off the street” and attempt to shame law abiding citizens to turn theirs in. But what’s going on is just having the opposite effect. The law abiding citizens are NOT turning in their guns – they are buying more, millions more all over the country. Their thinking is,

those whose job it is to protect the public; the police, in so many cases, are not even allowed to do their jobs. So private citizens see the need to acquire the means and the tools to protect themselves and especially their families. So watch carefully over the next several days, the predictable finger pointing as the media and the hand wringing professional politicians attempt to blame everyone else for the subway shooting and in fact, the rising crime rate across America. And we can be sure, that they will not accept any responsibility for what they themselves are causing.

As I said, it’s what they do.

Moving on: The data was announced

earlier this week that inflation is now higher than it has been in 41 years. But if you drive a car, heat your home or buy groceries, you’ve already figured that out.

And we all know who has caused it.

Hollywood buffoon Sean Penn called a press conference to announce that he is thinking about, he just might consider, the possibility of taking up arms and joining the Ukrainians in their fight against Russian invaders. I’m pretty sure if he was at all serious, he would have done it, then announced it. More phony bluster from an actor who just isn’t getting as much attention as he used to. It’s kind of comical.

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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.

UMass board defrosts tuition After a two year freeze, the University of Massachusetts board of trustees approved a 2.5 percent jump in tuition in the 2022-2023 academic year, representing between $346 and $395 more per year, as well as increases in room and board costs ranging from 1.9 percent to 3.9 percent. State House News Service’s Chris Lisinski reports that UMass President Marty Meehan said another year of level tuition would not be “sustainable” in the current economic climate and with the public university system likely to face higher benefit

costs. For in-state undergraduates, combined annual tuition and mandatory fees will increase in fiscal year 2023 to $16,952 at UMass Amherst, $15,172 at UMass Boston, $14,854 at UMass Dartmouth and $16,182 at UMass Lowell.

At-sea catch monitoring expanded to all fishing vessels Federal fishing regulators have approved new rules that will increase atsea monitoring of local catches to 100 percent of trips, the Associated Press’s Patrick Whittle reports. At-sea monitors collect data on commercial fishing

boats to help enforce catch limits for depleted species in the Northeast such as cod, haddock and flounder. The new rules will allow some electronic monitoring technologies to be used as an alternative to human workers, Whittle writes. Monitoring is a controversial topic among fisherman who see it as another complication to earning a living in the industry, but environmental groups cheered the move. “This is a great day for New England’s historic groundfish fishery, including the chronically overfished Atlantic cod,” said Gib Brogan, a campaign director with Oceana.

April 14, 2022

Popular Children’s Museum exhibit Boston Black coming down For more than 18 years, the Boston Children’s Museum has been home to the Boston Black: A City Connects exhibit highlighting the city’s Black population and encouraging children to explore and discuss race. Now the museum is closing it down to make room for You, Me, We, a new exhibit focused on identity slated to open later this year. Melissa Higgins and Malene Welch from the Children’s Museum joined Paris Alston and Jeremy Siegel on GBH’s Morning Edition to talk about the change. officials used as one of several triggers to end the mask mandate, and some cities like Philadelphia have returned to masking. “Celebrating with family and friends is an important and treasured time, and as cases increase, we must remain vigilant so we can be together safely,” said Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, commissioner of public health, in the statement.

April 14, 2022

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Police Say Dial 911, not 311 For Loud Party Complaints

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nless a person is a confirmed hermit or determined to be anti-social, we’re guessing that very few, if any residents of South Boston can honestly say they have never gone to a party.

There are so many events and occasions that parties are held, that never having attended one would be almost impossible. And most parties are fun. It’s what parties are supposed to be. But as the weather gets warmer, the number of parties held in houses, in back yards and on the numerous roof decks naturally increase. No one is surprised by this and if all the parties were kept under control; that is, with no screaming and yelling at full lung capacity and with the music kept at levels that don’t shatter bullet proof glass, they quieted down even more after a certain hour and property damage wasn’t becoming an issue, there would be far less complaints by neighbors.

The Boston police agree that neighbors should not have to listen to earsplitting noise into all hours of the night and they stand ready to take action to put an end to what’s been going on. But they stress that if they don’t know about it, if neighbors don’t make those calls to com-

plain, they might not find out about the problem until well after it’s over. Our local police have stated that when calling in a complaint for an out-of-control party – call 911, NOT 311. You won’t be bothering them; they don’t mind the calls and with that 911 call, they can and will respond more quickly.

It may be disappointing to some of our newer and younger residents and to their guests to learn that South Boston is not New Orleans during Mardi Gras, every weekend is NOT St. Patrick’s Day and this community is not Brighton-Allston.

We have many senior citizens that reside here and there is a growing population of young families with small children who don’t like their kids being kept awake.

So, what can be done to resolve this growing problem: As was stated, calling 911 rather than 311 to report loud parties is the way to go and police have said they will respond.

Police spokes people have emphasized that when they get these complaints; they take them seriously and consider them among their priorities.

Disturbing the peace; especially when noise continues to come from the same address by repeat offenders, something needs to be done. The

police, in cooperation with ISD have and will continue to issue fines and if the problems persist at the same addresses, offenders have and will be brought court. The absentee property owners will also be contacted.

Once the 911 call is made, residents are urged to contact the Community Service Office at Area C-6 police station at 617-343-4747 and file an additional report on the next business day to get it on record in case further action is needed.

Other actions that can and should be taken is to contact the offices of Boston City Councilors Michael Flaherty at 617-635-4205 and Edward Flynn at 617-635-3203, give them the addresses of the party houses and inform them of the problems being caused at those locations.

Police have stated that a loud/out of control party doesn’t just have to be going on into the nighttime hours, In fact, if there is one going on at anytime of the day and the volume of music or screaming or serious rowdiness is taking place at any time of the day or night, that too would warrant a call to 911.

In short, no one is saying people who live in the neighborhood aren’t allowed to have parties. They have the right to celebrate whatever they

consider a worthy cause or no cause at all. What people do NOT have the right to do is become a nuisance and disrupt the quality of life for others in the community. Again, there’s that term ‘disturbing the peace’. In a residential neighborhood, people have THEIR rights to not be disturbed. Local residents are not killjoys or the type who just look for things to complain about.

Show them some consideration, some courtesy and respect and in most cases, they will return it. That’s pretty much has been a code in this town for generations. And by doing so, the complaints and the tension that can come about by these disturbances will diminish and it will lead to everyone getting along.

in 1877. After being stored in a safe place for the winter, the boats will return to the Public Garden Lagoon in the spring with

Mayor Wu celebrating the first ride of the season.

For more information, please visit boston.gov/swan-boats.

Swan Boats Open April 16

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ayor Michelle Wu, the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, and the Paget family will host the first ride of the season on the popular Boston Swan Boats as they open at the Boston Public Garden lagoon on Saturday, April 16, at 10 a.m.

2022 marks the 145th season for the Swan Boats, a beloved tourist attraction and iconic symbol of Boston and the Public Garden. The oldest and smallest boat in the fleet just celebrated its 112th season, while the newest was launched in 1993. The swan on the boats is made from either copper or fiberglass, depending on the age of the boat, and encloses a paddle mecha-

nism that is used to propel the boat through the water.

Launched in 1877 by Irish immigrant and shipbuilder Robert Paget, the Swan Boats continue to be owned and operated by the Paget family. Mr. Paget designed the Swan Boats after attending the opera Lohengrin in New York City. At the end of the opera, the hero crosses a river in a boat drawn by a swan.

Fully loaded, each Swan Boat weighs three tons and is powered by the driver using a foot propelled paddle wheel. The Swan Boats are built on oak-framed pontoons sheathed in copper just as they were initially constructed

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April 14, 2022

MAYOR WU UNVEILS FIRST CITY BUDGET AND $350 MILLION FEDERAL SPENDING PLAN The budget, in partnership with federal ARPA funds, reflects the clear call for transformative action to support affordable housing, landmark investments in mental health, early education and childcare, arts, climate resiliency, and initiatives to close Boston’s racial wealth gap

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ayor Michelle Wu proposed her administration’s first budget, with coordinated resources to set a foundation for the future, connect Boston’s communities, and deliver on the details of City services across all neighborhoods. The recommended Fiscal Year 2023 Operating Budget is $3.99 billion, representing new growth of $216 million or 5.7% over

Fiscal Year 2022, and the Fiscal Years 2023-2027 Capital Plan totals $3.6 billion of neighborhood infrastructure investments. Mayor Wu also unveiled her plan to connect $350 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to accelerate a Green New Deal for Boston through major investments to leverage the operating and capital budgets, focusing on affordable housing, mental health, climate resiliency, early education and childcare, arts, and economic opportunity to bridge Boston’s racial wealth gap.

“In this moment of urgency and opportunity for Boston, our recommended budget ties together our shared resources to set a foundation for the future, connect our communities, and deliver on the details of City services across our neighborhoods,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “As we emerge from the pandemic, this budget charts a course towards our brightest future for our children,

for our communities, for Boston.

I’m so excited to be building that future together.”

Mayor Wu’s first budget proposal comes in the first year of a new balance of budgetary power with the City Council. For the first time, Mayor Wu and the Office of Budget Management (OBM) hosted a series of listening sessions in partnership with the Boston City Council to engage residents on the budget process and solicit public feedback, ahead of the Mayor submitting each to the City Council. Through these listening sessions and a citywide survey in 12 languages, the City directly engaged with over a thousand residents over the last three months to guide budget drafting.

The budget proposal reflects the clear call from residents for transformative action to support Boston’s people, neighborhoods, and City services.

The Recommended FY23 Oper-

ating Budget comes a month after Boston received AAA bond ratings from both rating agencies for the eighth year in a row. These ratings are recognition of the City’s strong fiscal management before and during the pandemic, despite its significant impact on the City. The ratings will allow the City to secure the most favorable rates for infrastructure investments to support equity, affordability, and resiliency in every neighborhood.

“Mayor Wu’s FY23 Budget submission centers residents’ voices in its investments while maintaining strong fiscal responsibility that has earned Boston high marks for financial management,” said Justin Sterritt, Chief Financial Officer for the City of Boston. “The strategic use of the Operating Budget, Capital Plan and Federal ARPA funding together will unlock transformational investments that will have deep impacts for communities in Boston.’’

MAYOR MICHELLE WU BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS

The budget, through the multiple funding sources, proposes targeted impact in key areas including:

• An unprecedented commitment of $380 million in housing affordability through the Operating budget, the Capital budget, and federal recovery funds to build and acquire new affordable units, invest in affordable homeownership, and fund housing stability services and an expanded voucher program.

• A greener City vehicle fleet, improvements for mobility and active transportation, the first citywide composting program, new leadership for food justice and urban agriculture, and investments in Boston’s tree canopy and open space that will collectively accelerate Boston’s Green New Deal.

• A new Center for Behavioral Health at the Boston Public Health Commission to elevate mental health as a Citywide priority, a coordinated crisis response program, specialized supports for older adults, and pathways for greater representation of Boston residents and people of color in public safety jobs.

• Accelerating an equitable economic recovery by more than doubling investments in Main Streets districts to support our small businesses; creating an innovative Legacy Business Fund; funding the new Office of Contract Services that will help tie city con-

tracting to wealth-building opportunities for BIPOC- and womenowned local businesses; expanding workforce development for immigrant professionals, young people, and city residents; and investing in neighborhood placemaking, arts, and culture.

• A major expansion of the City’s language access capacity, investments in immigration legal services, wraparound supports for returning citizens, and resources to grow the City’s new Office of Black Male Advancement to amplify the voices of all Boston residents.

• Empowering youth and families, with a significant commitment to

the Boston Public Schools through a $40 million increase for BPS in the Operating Budget paired with over $100 million in federal ESSER funding to support students and school communities, strengthen academics, and improve facilities and operations; a new Office of Early Childhood; and funding for 6,000 youth summer jobs and 1,000 full-year jobs.

The budget works in concert with $350 million in federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to accelerate a Green New Deal for Boston. Mayor Wu’s proposal for ARPA funds builds on continued on page 7

April 14, 2022

MAYOR WU LAUNCHES GROUP CHARGED WITH DESIGNING CRISIS RESPONSE PROGRAM

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ayor Michelle Wu and the Office of Human Services launched the Community-Led Design Group for Mental Health Crisis Response, made up of 15 community members with professional or lived experience with mental health issues, as part of the City of Boston’s commitment to developing a public safety infrastructure rooted in public health. The decision to explore community-led crisis response programs was a result of feedback from advocates and community members, in particular from communities of color who have been disproportionately impacted by the lack of mental health supports. The group will design a pilot proposal for a community-led response system for mental health crises throughout Boston neighborhoods and will produce a report in September with recommendations

Wu Buget continued from page 6

the $95 million in federal funding for emergency relief for residents, financial support for small businesses. The proposal includes: • $206 million for housing stability, affordable homeownership and financial assistance to first-generation homebuyers, strategic acquisitions to combat displacement, and deeply-affordable housing creation on City-owned land; a nationleading pilot to advance energy efficiency in triple deckers and other multi-family homes while maintaining affordability; and upgrades to public housing units across five sites for air quality, energy effi-

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Neighborhood Trauma Team hotline to receive services and support from professionals who are trained in trauma response and who have connections to the neighborhood.

The Community-Led Design Group will explore how the community-led model could expand to support residents facing mental health challenges.

The launch of this design group builds on Mayor Wu’s commitment to creating alternative crisis response programs in Boston that are grounded in public health. In June 2020, then-City Councilor Michelle Wu filed an ordinance for alternative non-police responses to emergencies. In 2021, former Mayor Kim Janey charged the Mental Health Crisis Response Working Group – made up of the Human Services Cabinet (HS), Boston Police Department (BPD), and Boston Emergency Medical Services (EMS) – with creating a pilot program to reimagine the way Boston responds to mental health crises, including three response models: (1) enhancing BPD’s co-response, which the City has taken steps to implement by standardizing dispatch procedures; (2) alternative EMS response that would deploy teams of EMTs and mental health workers in response to 911 calls. Boston EMS is actively working through necessary requirements, systems, trainings and securing resources, with a roll out expected within the next three

for the City’s evaluation of the program’s feasibility and strategies for implementation.

“Public safety must be grounded in public health and building community trust,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “As we emerge from the worst of the pandemic, the depth of mental health needs across our communities makes this work urgent. I am grateful to community members offering their lived experience and expertise to design a crisis response program that effectively, compassionately serves Bostonians in crisis.”

“A mental health crisis is a health care issue, not a criminal one, and it requires an evidencebased, public health response.

For too long, those suffering from mental health disorders have been criminalized, leading to further stigma and shame that has deterred people from seeking out care and deepened inequities in our communities,” said Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, Commissioner of Public Health and Executive Director of the Boston Public Health Commission. “The Community-Led Design Group is a critical first step toward ensuring those in crisis can get the care they need.”

The Community-Led Design Group will examine mental health resources needed to support community members in crisis

and opportunities to build community capacity to de-escalate mental health crises and connect individuals to the necessary and relevant resources. This model can potentially offer an alternative entry-point for receiving emergency mental health support, other than calling 911 or waiting for an appointment with a mental health clinician. The alternative crisis response model will center community support, rather than a police response, during mental health crises. Through these efforts, the City will strengthen citywide public safety and public health infrastructure to better protect the safety and wellbeing of Boston residents. The group will develop a report that will be presented to Mayor Wu and the public for review in the fall.

The individuals tasked with this responsibility are from a variety of neighborhoods, identities, and backgrounds, representing all Bostonians. Members include social workers, clinicians, organizers, psychologists, housing and mental health advocates, and individuals from organizations working to increase access to mental health support for communities of color.

Community-led response has already had a positive impact in violence prevention work in Boston. Residents impacted by community violence can call the

continued on page 12

ciency, and health; • $34 million for economic opportunity and inclusion, to grow BIPOC-owned businesses, further invest in Main Street business districts, expand tuition-free community college and workforce training programs, and create a commercial rental rebate program to support small business recovery and build wealth in Boston neighborhoods; • $31.5 million for climate-focused investments, including expanding the Green Youth Jobs program, creating walking and biking infrastructure, growing and preserving our urban tree canopy, strengthening

our local food systems, and supporting electrification of the City vehicle and school bus fleet; • $20 million for transformative arts and culture investments that will facilitate placemaking and strengthen both downtown and our neighborhood communities; • $20 million to ensure an equitable response to the ongoing pandemic by supporting critical COVID-19 vaccination efforts, ongoing testing, community engagement, and continued collaboration with community-based organizations and community health centers; • $18 million to tackle behavioral health and substance use

disorder challenges; • $15 million for investments in Boston’s early education and childcare system, including growing the early educator workforce and streamlining access and enrollment for Boston families; and • $5 million for evaluation and equitable administration, to support language access, establish an equity framework, and ensure strong compliance with federal guidelines.

The proposals for the spending of federal funds and revenue replacement was formally filed with the City Council on Monday with the annual submission of the operating budget and capital plan.

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The

Wine Guy

Some Easter Dinner Ideas

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ith Easter Sunday coming up this weekend, a ham in the oven is a usual part of the day. As well, sweeter, less dry white wines are also on the menu; here are some ideas that will please your guests, even if they didn’t find any hidden eggs during the hunt…

Dr. Loosen, Sparkling Riesling, NV, Mosel, Germany, (14.99) This 100% Riesling from Mosel, Germany is made in the Charmat method, where the secondary fermentation that produces the bubbles happens in large, pressurized tanks. It has 18.8 g/L of residual sugar. In its native country, it’s known as “Sekt” and offers a sweetness that’s crisp and easy drinking; it won’t compete with the ham, it will just complement it. Tasting the wine shows just a touch of sweetness balanced by some beautiful bubbles and acidity. It features pleasant aromas of honeysuckle and apples on the nose with some added tangerine flavors and ends mostly dry, crisp and long. This is a wine that’s elegant, but casual and a nice change up to other sparkling wines from the Riesling region.

Trefethen Dry Riesling 2020,California, ($21.99. This Dry Riesling is crisp, showing beautiful notes of lemon, lime, and spring flowers. The nose explodes with fresh aromas of lemongrass, ginger, and white pepper.

It’s balanced with refreshing acidity and an elegant finish. This versatile wine pairs perfectly with lighter cuisine. Try simple fish, chicken, or pasta dishes with citrus flavors and avoid strong tomato-based sauces. This is a crisp and complex expression of the variety, with fresh acidity at its core.

Waxy apple, honeysuckle and ginger combine for a lengthy, layered and memorable experience on the textured palate. The 2020 Trefethen Dry Riesling shows up as one of the finest

in its category from the New World.

This wine offers aromas and flavors of ripe apple and a hint of flowers. Pair it with a crab and shrimp salad.

Pewsey Vale Eden Valley Dry Riesling 2021Barossa, South Australia, ($19.99).

Pale straw with green hues. Intense aromas of fine dried herbs, white flowers, lemons and lime. A long and rich palate, reminiscent of grapefruit, lime and fresh rosemary. The wine finishes with a soft natural acidity which balances the flavor and minerality that is delicious now or will reward medium to long-term cellaring.Enjoy this one with fresh oysters, seared scallops, salt and pepper squid, Thai beef salad, or a tomato salad with pickled walnuts and fresh basil.

James Suckling gave it 96 points; he rarely goes above 93. He said: “ A very fresh, piercing nose of sliced lemon with plenty of sweet perfume, too. The palate is similarly intense and vibrant with white stone-fruit and lemon flavors, delivered in an impressively intense and balanced mode.”.

France is also home to some outstanding, yet little-known Rieslings, offering an unusual value; Melanie Pfister Berg Riesling, 2018, Alsace, France, ($34.99) is one of them. This is a wine full of earthy stone fruit and a dry, crisp length that rises far above its “entry” class. The vineyard soils are a variation of France’s famous argile-calcaire mix, or clay limestone mix. (Locally, Berg’s soils are known as Muschelkalk, a geological term referring to the middle Triassic period, and in Berg’s case it’s Muschelkalk topsoil--averaging 3-feet--over limestone bedrock.) The clay gives the Riesling body while the calcareous limestone gives finesse, focus, and length.

Union Sacre Elsass Dry Riesling, 2019, Santa Barbara , California, ($19.99), from California’s Central Coast, provides a fruity but surprisingly well-structured wine. Notes of melon, honeysuckle, lime green apple and jasmine all combine with a gentle tartness on the finish. The original plants are from the northern Mosel River region and, like everything else that goes to California, they’ve mellowed over the years. It will not only liven up the ham, it will also pair really well with Roast Boar, if you’re inclined to be a little more adventurous this Sunday (and no, the paper is fresh out of Boar spears; we may get more next year, though!)

We wish all of you a Blessed and Happy Easter!

April 14, 2022

South Boston Holy Week Church Services Schedule Gate of Heaven and St. Brigid Parishes with St. Augustine Chapel Stations of the Cross 3:pm at Gate of Heaven Church, Friday April 8th Holy Thursday: 7:pm at St. Brigid Church

Good Friday:

3:pm Gate of Heaven, 4:pm St. Augustine Chapel,7:pm St. Brigid Easter Vigil: 7:30pm at Gate of Heaven Easter Sunday Mass Schedule Sunrise Service at Castle Island – 6:am 8:am St.Brigid, 9:m Gate of Heaven, 10:30am St.Brigid, 12:Noon Gate of Heaven (No 6pm Mass)

St. Monica and St. Peter Churches

Palm Sunday: Regular Schedules Holy Thursday : Mass of the Lord’s Supper Bilingual Mass 7:pm St. Monica Lithuanian Mass 7:pm St. Peter

Good Friday

Lithuanian Service 3:pm St. Peter English Service 5:pm St. Monica Spanish Service 7:30pm St. Monica

Easter Vigil

English 5:pm St. Monica Lithuanian 7:pm St. Peter Spanish 7:30pm St. Monica

Easter Sunday

Regular Schedules

April 14, 2022

Virtual Public Meeting

51 Melcher Street Tuesday, April 19

Zoom Link: bit.ly/3LxUW18

6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Toll Free: (833) 568 - 8864 Meeting ID: 161 061 0646

BPDA Director Brian Golden Announces Departure After Leading Agency Through Transformational 8 Years

Project Proponent: GI Partners Project Description: The Project will involve the conversion of the existing approximately 97,000 square foot office building at 51-61 Melcher Street to life science use. While the existing building envelope will not be expanded, the Project will include physical changes to the interior and minor upgrades to the exterior of the building, including to loading facilities and mechanical equipment. The Project provides an exciting opportunity to develop additional life science laboratory and supporting office space to accommodate the burgeoning life sciences industry in Boston. The Project will meet the commercial needs of the Fort Point neighborhood while maintaining the existing historic character of the neighborhood. mail to:

phone: email:

9

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Nick Carter Boston Planning & Development Agency One City Hall Square, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02201 617.908.5303 nick.carter@boston.gov BostonPlans.org

@BostonPlans

Teresa Polhemus, Executive Director/Secretary

Virtual Public Meeting

330 C Street Wednesday, April 20

Zoom Link: bit.ly/3tdutzn

6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

Toll Free: (833) 568 - 8864 Meeting ID: 160 324 0184

Project Description: The proposed project consists of a new six-story 74-room hotel, with a ground-floor restaurant, situated at 330 C Street in South Boston. The lot size is approximately 8,202 square feet and is currently occupied by a vacant single-story concrete block building which formerly housed a repair garage.

mail to: Stephen Harvey Boston Planning & Development Agency One City Hall Square, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02201 phone: 617.918.4418 email: stephen.j.harvey@boston.gov

Close of Comment Period: 4/29/2022

BostonPlans.org

@BostonPlans

Teresa Polhemus, Executive Director/Secretary

B

oston Planning & Development Agency (BPDA) Director Brian Golden today announced he will conclude his tenure after serving for more than eight years as the chief executive of the agency. As the BPDA’s chief executive, Golden has managed the biggest building boom in Boston’s history, while ushering in holistic reforms that have improved how the agency supports the residents of Boston. He focused on improving transparency, accountability, and community engagement, while furthering equitable outcomes throughout Boston’s neighborhoods.

As Director, Golden led an intensive operational reform effort over multiple years and rebranded the agency from the former Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) to the Boston Planning & Development Agency to better reflect the agency’s mission.

“The Board has seen first hand the instrumental work Brian has led to support economic development and new housing opportunities that lift up our communities, while creating a more transparent, accountable BPDA that better serves the people of Boston,” said BPDA Board Chair Priscilla Rojas. “On behalf of the Board, I thank Brian for his many years of service to our city and wish him the best of luck in his future endeavors.”

“During my time on the Board I have witnessed the transformative

impact of Brian’s leadership to create long lasting positive changes that are improving our neighborhoods by creating more opportunities for Boston residents to succeed, and stabilizing Boston’s finances through increased tax revenues,” said Dr. Ted Landsmark, BPDA Board Member. “I thank Brian for not only his leadership at the BPDA, but his friendship, and am grateful for his commitment to creating a stronger, more resilient Boston for generations to come.”

Appointed as Executive Director/ Secretary in 2009 by Mayor Thomas M. Menino, and permanent Director

by Mayor Martin J. Walsh in 2014, Golden is the longest serving leader in the agency’s 65-year history. Over the past eight years, he has steered more than 90 million square feet of development approvals through the BPDA’s permitting process. This total reflects approximately 49 million square feet of residential development, as well as 32 million square feet of commercial, institutional, life science, hotel, retail, and industrial development. These projects represent approximately $43 billion of investment. The approvals include approximately 46,000 new housing units, nearly 11,000 of which are designated as income-restricted and available at below market rates.

These developments support over 80,000 permanent jobs, over 90,000 construction jobs, and 46,000 additional induced (indirect) jobs.

Since 2019, over 20 percent of new housing units approved each year have been income-restricted; over 35 percent of units approved in 2021 were income-restricted. Boston has a higher percentage of income-restricted affordable housing than any other city in America.

Golden grew the BPDA’s planning capacity, dedicating the resources and personnel necessary to complete the first general city plan since 1965, continued on page 10

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Criminal Conduct continued from front page

“It was pretty chaotic. Just people running all over the place and people were just ... one guy was getting beaten with helmets,” said Nader, who took photos of the scene from inside his truck. “It was just craziness. It was chaos.”

In the video, some people fled the scene of the fight on motorbikes, as fighting spilled onto the street. “People were running in between cars, so traffic had to stop. People were afraid to hit people running across the street, running through cars,” Nader said. “I just hope no one got hurt. It could have gotten serious.” Boston police have been asking anyone who took pictures or recorded video of the incident to contact them.

Late last year, an attack on an elderly driver out buying the family’s Thanksgiving turkey was just the latest example, at that time, of how the city has struggled to deal with dirt bike and ATV riders. ‘5 Investigates’ found dozens of complaints to the city through 311 service requests about dirt bikes and ATVs, some dating back more than seven years. “If the city has time to cite me for putting my trash out three hours too early on a Sunday it better be prepared to ticket or arrest these ATV and motor bike gangs,” one resident wrote in a complaint dated “over 7 years ago” on a city website.

More recent complaints include that riders are “reckless” and “dangerous” and they “hit my dog.” “(P)lease step up patrols, enforcement,” another one wrote. And another, dated Oct. 17 with a picture of a rider doing a wheelie on Seaport Boulevard: “These guys are going to get someone killed.” - one of the dozens complaints made to the city about dirt bike and ATV riders.

Boston police said the department’s auto theft unit had impounded 108 ATVs and dirt bikes since May 2021. Records show arrests and confiscations of off-road vehicles dating back to at least 2015. Earlier this year, Boston police warned the public about an increase in activity of off-road vehicles like dirt bikes and ATVs, saying many are not properly registered and often they’ve been reported stolen.

Don’t hesitate to report these incidences that occur in the South Boston Community.

MCM Properties mcmproperties.com

Golden continued from page 9

Imagine Boston 2030, which the BPDA board formally adopted in 2017. He also initiated a variety of community planning efforts in Roxbury, East Boston, Allston-Brighton, Jamaica Plain, Dorchester, South Boston, Mattapan, Newmarket, Downtown (including the Municipal Harbor Plan), and the Raymond L. Flynn Marine Park (Master Plan Update). Many of these plans seek to nurture Boston as one of the world’s great life science clusters by creating a framework for increasing the number of facilities for life science uses. Since 2014, the BPDA has planned over 14 square miles, representing almost 30 percent of Boston’s land mass.

During this time, the BPDA planning department has added over 24 new staff members and hosted an average of 80 in-depth community engagements a year.

As Director, Golden has managed over 20 million square feet of BPDA-owned property, prioritizing public land for public good. Among its assets, the BPDA owns and operates the Raymond L. Flynn Marine Park (RLFMP) in South Boston, whose tenants employ more than 4,500 people, and much of the Charlestown Navy Yard.

Golden has transformed the public disposition process for BPDA-owned land, adopting a transparent, accessible approach that emphasizes thorough community input. In 2018, the BPDA also adopted diversity criteria for all Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for public land. This criteria requires those seeking to develop BPDA land to first explain how a proposed project advances equity and benefits diverse constituencies. Since then, the BPDA has released over 16 RFPs and designated ten development projects meeting the diversity criteria.

These include the Blair Lot, Parcel 8, and the Crescent Parcel in Nubian Square, as well as 24 Drydock and Parcel M in the RLFMP, and Build-

ing 108 in the Charlestown Navy Yard. Golden launched an RFP in 2021 to seek a developer for the BPDA- owned seven acre Parcel P3 in Roxbury, and responses are currently under review.

In 2020, Golden announced the creation of the first ever Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI). Today that office is led by a Director of DEI and supported by a team of community engagement managers.

ODEI has led the implementation of the BPDA’s first Language Access Plan, formally adopted in 2021, to ensure that non-English speaking residents can participate in the BPDA’s work in a meaningful way.

In addition, Golden has overseen the Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development (OWD) which supports Boston residents through job training, educational opportunities (such as free community college), and financial empowerment programming. Since 2014, OWD has trained approximately 40,000 individual Bostonians, with funding provided primarily through commercial development linkage payments.

In recent years, Golden has promoted transformational policy changes that put Boston at the forefront of addressing major challenges that cities are facing in the twenty-first century. His efforts have positioned Boston as the leader in fair housing practices by becoming the first city to place Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing (AFFH) requirements into its zoning code. This innovative policy seeks to address effects of past racial bias in housing. Golden also required new development and retrofits to prepare for the impacts of coastal storms and sea level rise, going beyond more limited areas identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). He promoted zoning code provisions that eliminated off-street parking minimums for affordable housing, thereby streamlining the process for the approval of

April 14, 2022

needed affordable housing while supporting climate goals and reducing traffic congestion.

Last month, the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize announced that Boston was being honored as a Special Mention for the 2020 World City Prize, based on the city’s holistic work on climate resilience, improving housing affordability and mobility options, and fostering civic participation. Boston was the only city in the United States honored in the 2020 prize cycle. Boston’s submission was led by Golden and BPDA staff, which hosted the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize nominating committee for a visit in 2019 with City of Boston agencies, non-profit organizations, institutions, business leaders, and community stakeholders. In 2020, the American Planning Association (APA) honored Boston with an Excellence in Sustainability Award for its Coastal Flood Resilience Design Guidelines. Those guidelines became the basis for recently codified Coastal Flood Resilience Zoning Overlay District (CFRZOD).

An attorney since 1993, Golden is a former member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, where he served the Allston-Brighton neighborhood of Boston. He was also the New England Regional Director at the US Department of Health and Human Services, a Commissioner at the Massachusetts Department of Telecommunications and Energy, and a member of the Board of Directors at the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston. Golden has served as a US Army officer, active duty and reserve, for more than 25 years. His military experience includes duty in Bosnia, Iraq, and Israel/West Bank. Golden is a graduate of the Boston Latin School and Harvard College. He received a Master’s degree from the US Army War College and a law degree from the College of William and Mary’s School of Law. Golden will continue to serve as Director through the end of the month.

April 14, 2022

SOUTHBOSTONTODAY • www.southbostontoday.com

God Bless you, Kay White

Savin Hill’s first lady laid to rest

O

By Kevin Devlin

n Tuesday, April 5, at the New Calvary Cemetery in Roslindale, hundreds of people said farewell to Catherine “Kay” (Glavin) White who was laid to rest. Family and friends alike were sad, but it wasn’t a time for sadness. It was a time to rejoice, a day of remembrance for a great lady who lived a long and wholesome life. She was two months shy of her 99th birthday.

Kay, also known as “Nana White” was the matriarch of her family and, in my estimation, the first lady of Savin Hill. One of ten children in the Glavin household, she was married to the late Robert White for over forty years.

Kay had seven children. They are Cathy, Barbara, Margie, Bobby, Walter (Wally), Edward (Eddie) and Father Joseph (Joe) White.

Kay also had 20 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, and anticipat-

ed great-great grandchildren.

“Yes, we are sad,” said her son, Father Joe White, on the church altar. “But we are here to celebrate the life of Kay White. She lived a very good and long life…and we are here to rejoice because this is not the end…only the beginning of eternal life.”

Kay worked as a cook and unofficial secretary at Saint William’s Church in Dorchester for many years, hence one reason for twenty priests being present at her funeral Mass. When the church closed in 2005, Kay was heartbroken, so she decided to expand her crocheting activities (which was previously focused on Saint Patrick’s Day Irishknit berets for family and friends) to include making American flag blankets for those who served in the armed forces. These flags are now scattered throughout the world with those who were fortunate to have known and loved one of God’s best.

Kay’s home in Savin Hill was

the center of ceaseless activity for many years, as friends, priests, and family members visited her and often stayed longer than anticipated. Her door was always open, she said the Rosary at least once every day, handed out wise advice, and was stern, when necessary, with family members. If she said yes or no to a question she never wavered in her decision.

Kay was a devout Catholic and embraced God every minute of her life. She taught all in her family to love one another, to love God, to love and respect one’s neighbors, and to defend this great country.

“She was a model of magnanimity,” Father Joe added. “And passed her Faith on from one generation to the next. She nourished us in so many ways leaving us with shared experiences, Faith, and Hope.”

Her son Wally, who spoke at the Mass, said his mom would be pleased to see so many people in attendance.

“My mom always told us to be kind,” her son Wally stated on the church podium. “She told us to be compassionate, live our Faith, and stay out of trouble. She was

11 an amazing woman who showed us the way. Although we are saddened…we are here to celebrate her life of Faith.”

Life has changed for Kay White, yet it has not ended as she begins her righteous path to immortality next to the throne of God whom she loved so deeply. The days in which she was waked and then laid to rest, the sun was shining brightly. The weather was perfect.

God was preparing, welcoming Kay up to Heaven. The day after the services, it rained. I walked outside of my house and thought that God was crying but when I heard birds chirping in nearby trees. I realized the rain was our tears and the birds singing was affirmation that God had indeed welcomed Kay into his Kingdom.

She was one of a kind, without doubt a “model of magnanimity” who will be sorely missed by many for many years.

And until we meet again, I will steal Kay’s two favorite words she used regularly when saying goodbye to company, by declaring, “God Bless” to everyone, especially to you, Kay White.

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SOUTHBOSTONTODAY • www.southbostontoday.com

How Some Easter Traditions Came To Be

T

o the more than 2.4 billion Christians around the world, Easter is the most important holiday/holy day on the calendar. It celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 3 days after he was crucified on the cross and heralds in a new beginning of life. Churches in the United States as well as all over the rest of the world hold special Masses and Services to celebrate this joyous and most holy time.

Over the years and in different countries, other traditions and symbols have been added to coincide with the religious aspects of the season and most of them, even into the current year of 2022, have easily withstood the test of time and are enjoyed by followers of all ages to this day. Among them are the following: EASTER CANDY: Easter is the second biggest candy selling holiday in America, second only to Halloween. Among the most popular are of course chocolate eggs which were made popular in Europe more than 2 centuries ago. Eggs have long been associated with new life and the Resurrection of Jesus. Another egg-shaped candy is the Jellybean and became popular in the 1930’s. But the origin of the Jellybean is dated back to the Biblical era and has remained popular well into the 21st Century. And of course, who can forget the yellow PEEPS? Those yellow chicks made

from marshmallows and other sugars – LOTS of Sugar. Add to this, the chocolate bunnies, the pastel-colored syrupy eggs and so many other sweet goodies and sweet toothed celebrants around the globe are quite happy.

Lamb, Ham and Other Traditional Easter Foods: Not all the tasty delights are of the sweet sugary variety. The sumptuous main courses of Ham, Lamb, Beef, Pork and even Turkey are all favorites not only in America but in other parts of the Christian world as well. Lamb especially is considered an Easter delicacy as Jesus was and

still is referred to as the ‘Lamb of God’ The meats are prepared in a number of ways, often determined by what part of the world one resides in. Then there are the perfectly prepared vegetables, with varying recipes, the many kinds of breads and fruits and a multitude of desserts that satisfy the most discriminating appetites. All of these foods are prepared in ways geared to the regional Easter methods.

Easter Lillie’s: The traditional white Easter Lily symbolizes the purity of Christ to Christians and are common decorations in churches everywhere.

Wu response continued from page 7

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months to six months; and (3) the community-led design group.

The Working Group has hosted multiple community listening sessions and public meetings, analyzed 9-1-1 data on mental health crisis-related calls and community feedback, researched best practices from other cities, and convened conversations with subject matter experts and stakeholders from other cities that already lead on alternative responses. The development process also included 11 community meetings and a survey Request For Information (RFI).

ABOUT THE OFFICE OF HUMAN SERVICES

April 14, 2022

Often, the church altars are not decorated until Easter Morning to herald in the joyous celebration of the Resurrection itself. Their growth from dormant bulbs in the ground blooming into beautiful flowers is part of that symbolism of new life. Easter Lilies are native to Japan and were brought to England in the 1700’s and eventually found their way to America. They have since become the unofficial flower of the Easter Season.

Easter Parades: These were popular in America in during the 19th and 20th centuries and still are in many parts of the world. In the past, people would wear their finest clothes and walk up and down main streets in cities and along country roads to meet and greet neighbors and friends after attending church. Easter Parades appear to be making a comeback in the United States as some cities and towns put on at times extravagant processions through the main streets. Floats and colorful marching bands keep everything upbeat and happy for the spectators who turn out and of course, always included is the beloved Easter Bunny; the main attraction as he waves to the crowds.

So, there you have it, a brief review of just some of the many Easter Traditions that have become popular over the years and have remained so ever since. Oh, and we certainly can’t forget the Easter Egg Hunts that top off the perfect Easter activity for the kids.

(Some of the Information for this article was provided by history.com)

The Mayor’s Office of Human Services (HS) is the largest cabinet in the City with seven departments and offices that span work across multiple communities all striving to create a healthier Boston. Committed to promoting and ensuring the health and well-being of the City’s most vulnerable residents, HS provides a wide array of critical programs and services all while advocating for systemic change to tackle root causes of some of our most pressing challenges in the City. HS departments work with and for the populations with the greatest needs in our city, including Veterans, youth, persons with disabilities and our aging residents.

April 14, 2022

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South Boston Catholic Academy News

Third Grade News

W

hat am I looking at?

- Grade 3A students, at South Boston Catholic Academy, participated in the survey project. Students were told to create a survey question with 3-5 options to answer. They were asked to survey at least 15 people. Then they created data tables and bar graphs to visually represent their data. Finally, they included at least 3 findings that

they learned from their data. The students put a lot of thought, time and effort and did a fantastic job on their surveys and thoroughly enjoyed working on this class project!

All of the third graders at SBCA completed a survey project as their culminating activity for their math unit on graphing and data. Students in 3B were tasked with creating a question to ask of others along with options for

the people surveyed to choose from.

For example, a few questions students asked were “What is your favorite type of dog?” or “What is your favorite subject in school?” Students asked fifteen people to choose a response and then created a data table and bar graph based on the results. Finally, students were asked to report three findings from their survey. Students were then able to share their projects with their classmates and hang them in the school hallways. This was such a fun way for the third graders to apply what they have learned in math class to a real-life context! The projects turned out great, and the teachers

13 are so proud!

In grade 3C, the survey project was a great way to have our students use what they were learning about collecting and representing data. We wanted them to show their understanding in a fun and interactive way. Students were asked to pick a topic that was interesting and important to them to see how their opinions compared to those of their classmates. They came up with some amazing ideas! New families are welcome to email Mrs. Jamie Brown at j.brown@sbcatholicacademy.org for more information about South Boston Catholic Academy.

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SOUTHBOSTONTODAY • www.southbostontoday.com

April 14, 2022

This week,

Danny shared his thoughts on some of the top stories in the sports world:

I

t’s the busiest time of year for sports fans. We’ve had March Madness, then MLB Opening Day, followed by The Masters, and now the NBA Playoffs and Stanley Cup Playoffs are set to begin. And for some of us, you can even add WrestleMania to that list.

What’s that? You want more? Ok, well, then you have the NFL Draft later this month. And after that, it’s time for horse racing’s Triple Crown, beginning with the Kentucky Derby less than a month away on May 7.

I’m sure there’s something I’m forgetting. But the point remains, this is the most exciting time of year in the sports world.

What I’ve been most excited about though is the Boston Celtics’ upcoming playoff run.

The C’s are the No. 2 seed in the East. They’ll take on the No. 7 seed Brooklyn Nets in the first round, which begins this weekend.

I’m not sure if you feel the way reading that as I feel when I write it.

But if you do, then you understand this feeling of, “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

The Nets? Really? That’s the Celtics’ reward for nearly finishing as the No. 1 seed in the conference?

What a horrible draw.

Without center Robert Williams, Boston’s dominant defense is obviously a little less dominant. And so, combine that with Kyrie Irving’s return for the Nets, and it could quite possibly make for a complete disaster for the Celtics.

Now, that’s not to say the Williams-less Celtics don’t have a shot to beat Brooklyn. They most certainly do. If you’ve paid any attention to my hot takes over the years, then you know exactly how I feel about Jayson Tatum. He’s truly the “Young King,” as LeBron James crowned him a few years back.

Tatum is a superstar in this league, and at just 24 years old, he’s going to continue to be a superstar for a very long time. Combined with Jaylen Brown, this is a duo that Brooklyn and the rest of the league are very well aware of.

It’s just that, in a perfect world, the Celtics wouldn’t see the Durant/Irving Nets until the Conference Finals. Instead, they’ll have to face Brooklyn in the first round, thanks to Irving having missed most of the season because of irrational vaccine mandates.

Those mandates were lifted for pro athletes last month, which allowed Irving to return full time and help the Nets just barely get into the

playoffs. Had Irving played he entire season, there’s no doubt that Brooklyn would be one of the top teams in the East, and this matchup would not be happening this early in the playoffs. But what’s done is done.

That said, I’m taking the Celtics in seven.

-Fenway Park will have a new look in right-center field this year, thanks to several state-of-the-art improvements above the bleachers. The Red Sox unveiled the new amenities and event spaces this week, and also sent out a press release with the description of the changes. Perhaps the most interesting change comes in the form of payments throughout the ballpark.

Starting this season, Fenway will be completely cashless. No matter where you are in the ballpark, you can only pay with credit/debit cards and smartphones.

Here are some of the structural changes from the press release: The Truly Terrace is a newly constructed 8,800-square-foot open-air concourse space located at the back of Bleachers Sections 39, 41, 42 and 43. The area includes a new row of barstool seating directly behind the Bleacher seats, new standing room areas with drink rails, and new restrooms.

The NESN Studio at Fenway Park is located within the Truly Terrace behind Bleachers Section 39, a newly constructed NESN Studio at Fenway Park will be NESN’s new broadcast home for their pre- and post-game shows during Red Sox home games.

The 521 Overlook is a new, 7,600-square-foot event space located directly above the Truly Terrace that offers sweeping views of Fenway Park. Designed to accommodate a variety of functions of different types and sizes, the indoor space has a capacity of up to approximately 600 people that can be subdivided into as many as four rooms for smaller groups. The west side of the function room features a 130-foot-long and 10-foot-high wall of windows that lead to a spacious balcony with sweeping views of the entire field and ballpark.

New Video Boards sitting directly above the 521 Overlook and below the New Balance sign is a new, expanded video board that stands approximately 62 feet wide and 16 feet tall. Additionally, two, new LED boards have been installed along the fascia between the Truly Terrace and 521 Overlook that each run nearly 50 feet long.

Follow Danny on Instagram @ DannyPicard.

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SPORTS TODAY CELTICS TO Tweet TAKE ON NETS of the IN FIRST Week ROUND OF PLAYOFFS

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WHATTOWATCH NBA SUNDAY, APRIL 17 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Gm 1: (7) Brooklyn at (2) Boston 3:30 P.M. ABC WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals Gm 2: (7) Brooklyn at (2) Boston 7 P.M. TNT MLB FRIDAY, APRIL 15 Minnesota at Boston 2:10 P.M. NESN SATURDAY, APRIL 16 Minnesota at Boston 4:10 P.M. NESN NHL THURSDAY, APRIL 14 Ottawa at Boston 7 P.M. NESN SATURDAY, APRIL 16 Pittsburgh at Boston 12:30 P.M. NESN

SBT Staff

osing Robert Williams to a knee injury hasn’t been the only tough break for the Boston Celtics lately. The most recent bit of bad news is that they’ll have to face the powerhouse Brooklyn Nets in the first round of the NBA Playoffs.

Game 1 is at the TD Garden this Sunday.

The C’s finished the regular season winning the Atlantic Division with 51 wins, and enter the playoffs as the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. The Nets finished with 44 wins and clinched the No. 7 seed on Tuesday night by beating the Cleveland Cavaliers in their play-in game.

Brooklyn’s 44-38 record is nothing to brag about. But every basketball fan knows that this is a bad break for the Celtics. The only reason the Nets just barely got into the

playoffs was because Kyrie Irving played in just 29 games.

Irving chose to not get the COVID vaccine, and New York vaccine mandates had prevented him from playing in home games in Brooklyn up until the end of March. In fact, up until January, the Nets organization didn’t allow Irving to play in any games because of his decision to not get vaccinated.

The team sent out a statement in October, saying that because he wasn’t allowed to play in home games, he would not be allowed to have “part-time availability.” Well, the Nets’ tone changed a few months later, as they released another statement in December, which read: “After discussions with our coaches, players and staff, the orga-

nization has decided to have Kyrie Irving re-join the team for games and practices in which he is eligible to participate . . . We believe that the addition of Kyrie will not only make us a better team but allow us to more optimally balance the physical demand on the entire roster.”

So, in other words, winning mattered more to the Nets. And the move has worked out, especially since New York City mayor Eric Adams lifted the ban on unvaccinated athletes and performers in late March, allowing Irving to return to the team on a full-time basis.

Irving’s presence on the court is arguably the biggest difference maker in all of the NBA. Since he’s been allowed to play in home games and return full time, the Nets have gone

6-3, which includes Tuesday night’s play-in game, in which Irving scored a game-high 34 points with 12 assists.

The duo of Irving and Kevin Durant is as dangerous as they come.

For the Celtics — who finished just two games behind the Miami Heat for the No. 1 seed in the East — it’s an unfortunate first-round draw. Had Irving and Durant played together all season, the Nets might have been the No. 1 seed in the East.

Brooklyn has the third-best odds to win the NBA Championship, at +650, while the Celtics are tied with the Golden State Warriors for the fourth-best odds to win it all, at +900. The Phoenix Suns are the favorite at +270. And the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks have the second-best odds at +475.

RED SOX SIGN WHITLOCK TO FOUR-YEAR EXTENSION

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SBT Staff

he Boston Red Sox announced last weekend that they signed righthanded reliever Garrett Whitlock to a four-year, $18.75 million extension, which begins next season and runs through 2026.

The deal also includes club options for the 2027 and 2028 seasons, worth $8.25 million in 2027 and $10.5 million in 2028. He’d be

an unrestricted free agent in 2029.

Whitlock, 25, was one of Boston’s best pitchers last year, in his first season in the majors.

In 46 appearances, Whitlock went 8-4 with a 1.96 ERA, striking out 81 batters while walking 17, in 73.1 innings.

He became only the 10th Red Sox pitcher in the Live Ball Era (since 1920) to throw at least 70 innings and record an ERA below 2.00.

Among the 30 rookies who threw at least 70 in-

nings in 2021, Whitlock ranked first in ERA, second in WHIP, and third in opponent OPS. Whitlock began his professional career in the New York Yankees organization, after being drafted by the Yankees in the 18th round of the 2017 MLB Draft. Before even reaching the majors, Whitlock underwent Tommy John surgery in 2019. He then went unprotected in the 2020 Rule 5 draft, where the Red Sox selected him.