South Boston Today November 30 2023

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November 30, 2023: Vol.11 Issue 48

T

he alarming spike in student absenteeism recorded during the pandemic coincides with declining test scores over the same period, as reported by the KIDS COUNT Data Center. This trend is reflected in data from the National Center for Education Statistics. The center found that more than 70% of U.S. public schools saw an uptick in student chronic absenteeism relative to the start of the pandemic. It also found that the average scores of 9year-old students had dropped by 5 points in reading and 7 points in math nationwide between 2020 and 2022.

It stands to reason that school attendance is critical for academic success. Less instruction means less learning. It also means less time to form connections with teachers and peers. And, once students fall behind academically, it can be extremely difficult for these children — and

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Student Absenteeism Begets Student Failure Begets Consequences

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November 23, 2023

EDITORIAL The Christmas Season Has Begun. Let’s All Enjoy It Together

D

ecember is known for the longest night of the year. Winter officially begins on December 21st, (The Winter Solstice) and the darkness will last longer than on any other day of the year. And for those who aren’t really crazy about the long, cold, darkness that winter brings on, you can take heart, because just a few days before Christmas, the days will actually start to get longer, slowly yes, but patience in a virtue.

And yet, there is a special treat in the process of taking place for anyone who likes taking evening walks in the brisk air.

There will soon be a beautiful Christmas light show in view and South Boston will soon be lit up like Santa’s Village from

one end of town to the next. It happens each year and has happened for generations.

The neighborhood will soon be lit up with brightly colored lights and decorations everywhere. Its part of that long standing tradition that comes with the season. But this year – 2023, could be even more colorful and bright if the early signs are an indication.

From City Point to the Lower End and from one end of East and West Broadway to the other, the homes and the businesses and even the public buildings are starting to get decked out in Holly and lights. There’ll be lit up reindeer and snowmen, Christmas trees and wreaths, Santa Clauses and even a Polar Express Train from the movie

fame. And of course, the beautiful Nativity Scenes will be on display in their full religious splendor in front of our local churches and in the windows of some of our residential homes to remind us all what the real ‘reason for the season’ is and what Christmas is all about.

Even some of the cars are already decorated with red ribbons and wreathes affixed to the front, the back or both and some even have reindeer antlers attached to the roof. It’s plain to see that a festive mood is growing in our town as the big day approaches.

But it’s not just the lights and decorations that remind us of all that, regardless of any political banter that’s been shouted at each other for far too many

months, this Christmas season might be a bit different, but it could be big – REAL big as every Christmas should be.

And it is people who add the frosting to the celebration. The caring and concern shown by South Boston’s many dedicated volunteers is enough to warm the hearts of anyone. There are the dozens of locals who give of their time and energy to put on the Annual Msg. Thomas McDonnell and Frank Kelley Christmas Dinner each year.

There are organized toy drives by squads of volunteers that collect a great many toys to be distributed to needy children and the gift cards donated by local businesses which will also go to families in need. The volunteers who are helping to

decorate the beautiful church altars which look so festive and welcoming each Christmas and so many other acts of kindness that go unmentioned but certainly not unappreciated by people with hearts of gold all around the neighborhood.

During the recent preceding years, the question was being asked, do to virus concerns and ominous statements by some purveyors of doom and gloom if there would even be a Christmas anymore. Well, that question has been clearly answered: There will ALWAYS be Christmas and we can thank GOD for that as well as all the good people who have no intention of ever letting it go. The Christmas season has now officially started. Why not get out and enjoy it and make this year’s celebration special and one to remember?

“Guard with jealous attention the public liberty” - Patrick Henry

Hearts, Hugs & Hope: A Virtual December 21, 2023, 6:00 pm. Dealing with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia isn’t easy, so it is helpful to share your concerns and personal experiences with others Alzheimer’s Support Group who completely understand what you’re going through. You will also learn about proven Offered by Compass on the Bay strategies to help you better care for your family member. This group will be held in conjunction with our sister community, Standish Village. Call 617-268-5450 or email

Program Director Erin Bollinger at ebollinger@compassonthebay.com for more information and to register for the virtual meeting.

This is a virtual event sponsored by Compass on the Bay Assisted Living and Memory Support Community, 1380 Columbia Road, South Boston.

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John Ciccone

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November 23, 2023

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There Are Now Guns In 52% of American Households John Ciccone

B

ecause of the Thanksgiving holiday and the desire to comment on all the good things the day brings, I decided to wait a week to comment on a story that made the news, regarding what happened at Wellesley High School.

Yes, the one in Massachusetts – where else? The school has a large variety of what they call ‘theme days’. These are events where students and parents who attend with their children, dress up in clothes pertaining to the particular theme selected, and speak and act out and maybe sing about what that particular day and theme means. These are usually fun activities. Well, Wellesley, being the community it is, run by the people it’s run by, with a definite leftward leaning in their views, nixed a theme day at the school called ‘USA Day’. Why? Well, according to the school’s principal Jamie Chisum, the school administration felt that USA Day would be just too political, maybe even divisive. So, it was cancelled/vetoed by those in charge.

You see, in towns like Wellesley, students expressing pride in America and celebrating our nation seems to be just a little too much for some of the more liberal minded adults to tolerate.

To use one of the Woke expressions of today, it apparently ‘triggers’ them.

And celebrating America is just not the type of ‘unifying message’ they want to be known for. To their credit, this decision did not sit well with many of the students or their parents who openly made it clear they weren’t happy about it. Said one mother of a student not at all happy about it – “I think it’s absurd.

I think it’s sad and depressing that we’re in this state where celebrating America is somehow too political”.

Other parents and students expressed the same sentiments. It was also learned that the USA Day theme had been rejected by the school administra-

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tion in other years as well.

There are some good people who live in Wellesley, Massachusetts; in fact, most of them are. It’s unfortunate that those who run the town AND the high school let their leftwing liberal/progressive political, some would say anti-American ideology ruin it for the majority.

On another topic, as a proud member of the National Rifle Association (NRA), I was pleased at some of the results of the work they have been doing and the victories they are winning all across America. They’ve been suing states which have been trying to infringe on the Second Amendment rights of their citizens by passing gun laws that step on those rights of law-abiding citizens. In Maryland, in Oregon and in Nebraska, NRA backed lawsuits have got the courts to overturn those laws.

The courts have found these laws to be oppressive, burdensome, and draconian.

None of these laws would have done anything to help stop gun violence, none of them would do anything to prevent criminals from getting their illegal guns.

The only people these laws would have an effect on are the law obeying people who just want to possess the means to protect themselves and their families.

Because the courts stepped in to overturn these ‘gun control’ schemes in other states, it would be wise for the Massachusetts State Legislature to take notice. Because none of the laws overturned came anywhere near being as restrictive and oppressive as the one that they are trying to pass in Massachusetts. It has already passed in the House of Representatives and will soon go to the State Senate. It’s so bad that the Massachusetts Chiefs of Police Association has come out in opposition to it.

Make no mistake, if it passes the senate and is signed by Healy – the governor, there will be a lawsuit filed by the NRA and its Massachusetts affiliate G.O.A.L.

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

It will be overturned and will cost the taxpayers plenty in legal fees.

The latest data on gun ownership which has been recently released shows that now; in 2023, more than 52% of American households have guns - the highest it’s ever been and this number is expected to grow by leaps and bounds because of the spike in crime and the flow of millions of illegal migrants being brought into the country by the Democrats. It can no longer be hidden that there is a percentage of those illegals that are clearly identified as people on the terrorist watch list, MS-13 and other violent gang members, drug

cartel members, and child traffickers.

Child killing Fentanyl is turning up everywhere. Police forces are seeing their recruitment lacking and officers are often prevented from doing their jobs by liberal DAs. The American public is well aware of what’s going on. So citizens, fearing for their safety now and what the future might bring nationwide are, to put it bluntly, arming up. It should also be noted that the data also shows that nearly 40% of new gun owners are women. So, my Question to the Mass State Legislators who are infringing on the 2A rights of citizens is – What the hell are you thinking?

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November 23, 2023

Window Into The State House

Window Into The State House provides our readers a synopsis of important issues of interest, past and current, that are being proposed, debated or acted upon by the Massachusetts Legislature. Many issues that are not related to local city government services are acted upon and have a direct impact on daily life. They are tax policy, transportation infrastructure, judicial appointments, social services and health, as well as higher education.

We will excerpt reports from the gavel-to-gavel coverage of House and Senate sessions by news sources focused on this important aspect of our lives.

These sources include a look ahead at the coming week in state government and summaries and analyses of the past week, re-caps of a range of state government activity, as well as links to other news.

Legislative Committee Heard Testimony On Gun Related Bills Over the summer, House and Senate Democrats were fighting over whether the Judiciary Committee or the Public Safety Committee should review omnibus gun reform legislation?

That’s all a faint memory now, brushed into the history pages by the House’s eventual decision to circumvent the joint committee process altogether and by a string of high-profile action — or inaction — since then.

But the Public Safety Committee will finally got its chance today to hear what Bay Staters have to say about myriad proposals to reform some of the strongest gun laws in the nation. Fifty-six bills were on the agenda for a public hearing in Gardner Auditorium, the State House’s largest hearing room.

Both proponents and opponents of tweaking existing gun laws made their cases, many of whom already layered on more than six hours of feedback when representatives held their own hearing in October without any Senate participation. Keep in mind that lengthy hearing was just about a single omnibus bill, not

the dozens of individual proposals currently before the Public Safety Committee. The House muscled through the legislation the following week, and debate has gone mostly quiet since then.

For all of the legislative bickering, Senate Democrats have made clear they, too, want to put some kind of reform bill on Gov. Maura Healey’s desk before the 2023-2024 term ends, particularly with measures to rein in the rising presence of untraceable ghost guns. It’s anyone’s guess at this point whether the Public Safety Committee will play a formal role in drafting the legislation expected to emerge in the Senate next year, or if the hearing will be a mere formality before a readyfor-the-floor bill pops out of Senate Ways and Means Gun rights advocates, opponents find rare common ground on Beacon Hill Supporters and opponents of revisiting some gun rights in Massachusetts had plenty to disagree upon – as always – during a Statehouse hearing Tuesday, but they agreed the state should explore

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ways to limit access to what often are called “ghost guns.” The weapons essentially are do-it-yourself kits that are not covered by many gun laws and can be easily assembled into functioning weapons.

State and federal officials have said they are increasingly used in urban crime, especially.

A safe and reliable MBTA by end of 2024?

On GBH’s “Boston Public Radio” on Monday, Gov. Healey said that the $24.5 billion cost estimate to fix the MBTA is not the same as what it will take to provide better service for T riders, reports the News Service’s Colin A. Young. Healey backed up MBTA General Manager Phil Eng’s “slow zone plan” that involves shutting down segments of each subway line in phases over the next 13 months to make fixes in areas where trains can’t run full speed.

Governor details plan for coastal resilience effort Gov. Maura Healey provided new details yesterday surrounding the new organization that will be tasked with developing a plan to protect

the state’s more than 1,500 miles of coastline from the effects of climate change. An employee of the state Office of Coastal Zone Management will oversee what is being called the ResilientCoasts initiative, Healey said. The state’s coast will be divided into Coastal Resilience Districts based on factors such as the risks threatening certain geographies.

Abandoned Springfield warehouse to become 90 apartments Boston-based developer Davenport Companies received $600,000 from the state’s Underutilized Properties Program, which the developer will use to redevelop a vacant, historic 90,000-square-foot building in Springfield called Lyman Corners into market-rate rental housing.

Davenport needs around $25 million to complete the project, however, through it’s trying to bring that price tag down.

Momentum behind emergency shelter exists According to Housing and Livable Communities Secretary Ed Augustus, about 450 fami-

continued on page 15

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November 23, 2023

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MAYOR WU SHARES BOSTON’S WINTER WEATHER PREPARATIONS

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ayor Michelle Wu today joined City officials at the Public Works yard on Frontage Road to discuss winter preparations currently underway in the City of Boston and resources available to residents including older adults and individuals experiencing homelessness.

“The City is ready to support Boston residents through inclement winter weather and in keeping energy bills down as temperatures drop,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “Our City departments are working around the clock to keep our communities safe, and I encourage Bostonians to utilize City services and look out for vulnerable neighbors.”

Herein is the abridged version of the rules, the full version of which can be found at: https://www.boston.gov/news/ mayor-wu-shares-bostons-winter-

weather-preparations-2023 Rules on clearing snow: * Property owners must fully clear snow, sleet, and ice from sidewalks and curb ramps abutting the property within three hours after the snowfall ends or three hours after sunrise if the snow ends overnight.

Curb and pedestrian ramps to the street should be cleared fully and continually over the duration of the storm to ensure accessibility for individuals with disabilities. If a storm will last over an extended period of time, property owners are asked to continually check ramps abutting their property for compliance. * Removal of snow and ice from a private property to the street or sidewalk is prohibited.

Parking during a declared snow emergency: * If a snow emergency is declared, cars will be ticketed and

towed if parked on a posted snow emergency artery. * Space savers must be removed within 48 hours after a snow emergency has been lifted. Please note: space savers are NOT allowed in the South End and Bay Village.

Trash and recycling: * During severe snowstorms, recycling and trash collection may be canceled, but this is extremely rare.

Most often, severe snowstorms can cause delays in service. Residents can download the free Trash Day App to view neighborhood recycling and trash schedules, locate a textile dropbox in their neighborhood, and to find out what items they can and can’t recycle. * Crews have a difficult time reaching trash barrels and recycling carts placed behind snowbanks.

Residents and business owners are asked to please clear an area at the

curb for collection or place containers next to or in front of snowbanks.

Caring for vulnerable populations: * If you see homeless and vulnerable individuals out in the cold who appear immobile, disoriented, or underdressed for the cold, please call 911. * The Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) utilizes a city-wide network of emergency shelters, outreach providers, city agencies, and continued on page 15

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I Was Just Thinking…

L

by Kevin Devlin

ast month I went to a local supermarket to buy some food. I usually buy their blueberry muffins because they are tasty and relatively inexpensive. But that was last month. The price went from $4.99 to $6.99 for a package of four, a 40% increase in the blink of an eye.

Now, they too have become Student Absenteeism cont. from front page

especially children with limited resources — to catch up. Chronic absenteeism also places students at greater risk of dropping out of school, and this early academic exit can carry lifelong consequences, reducing both an individual’s employment and earning options far into adulthood.

In the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as unprecedented pandemic-era spikes in absenteeism linger in schools around the state, Education Department officials are looking to redirect district accountability measures, pour in funds and move the issue to the front of the line.

“I am considering proposing increasing the weight of chronic absenteeism in the district and school accountability system to highlight the importance and urgency of the issue,” said Education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley at a recent Board of Elementary and Secondary Education meeting. “At the same time, we believe in a kind of reciprocal accountability. And we want to make sure that we put out grants and offer the technical assistance — like webinars and other things — to support

November 23, 2023

victims of Inflation Nation.

And as shoppers know, it’s only the tip of the proverbial iceberg.

When the Build Back Better initiative was declared in 2020 to rebuild America, everything from eggs to gasoline prices increased beyond belief. The average person has been hammered by this while the only thing being built is other people’s bankrolls.

Since 2020, the cost of eggs is up 46.8%, ground coffee is up 37%, white bread is up 33%, potato chips are up 32.54%, sliced bacon is up 26.6% per pound, chicken is up 22.15% per pound, milk per gallon is up 16.27%, sirloin steak is up 31% per pound, monthly asking rent is up 20.6%. monthly mortgage is up 42.9%, while new car prices are up 16.66%, and gasoline per gallon is up 56.5%.

I readily admit the problem is complex.

Experts declare that the labor market is robust (unemployment is at 3.9) and economic growth

is strong.

Many say their personal financial situations are fine and the recession economists have been predicting for over a year has not materialized. Many also declare inflation is not the problem, simply the high prices.

Yet it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize most Americans have a negative view on the condition of the economy and feel rising food prices are an ongoing major concern, greatly impacting their finances every day.

Yes, groceries and housing remains unaffordable for many Americans.

According to a recent NBC News poll of all registered voters, 60% disapprove of how President Biden is handling the economy.

Simply stated, people are mad.

Wage increases have lagged in relation to inflation, so how can the average American survive when faced with higher prices from eggs to gasoline,

from monthly rental rates to mortgages?

Will prices for goods or services ever go down?

Some say no.

Why? Because it’s a (brave) new world and we need to get used to paying more for the same, or perhaps even more for less.

What is the brain trust in the White House doing to alleviate this problem?

Most Americans are tired of their games, their disingenuous answers to our concerns.

Americans want this economic puzzle solved, put together in a cohesive manner to show the whole picture, and a clear path to a new future devoid of telling us we need to get used to higher prices without recourse because there’s nothing to be done to change it.

But the latter premise is unacceptable and must not be tolerated as the new normal to be blindly accepted as unavoidable.

our districts as they better engage our families. Riley continued. “This is about an educational community, focusing on an issue that is germane to all of us.”

At the October meeting, Riley proposed a broad shift from current “underperforming” accountability metrics given to schools to “attendance priority schools.” More recently, he shifted focus to the procedure to more narrowly adjust the school accountability metrics, noting federal mandates for the system. A student is considered chronically absent if they miss at least 10% of school days, usually 18 days a school year.

Before the pandemic, chronic absenteeism was 13% across Massachusetts schools, said Rob Curtin, the chief officer of ‘education data’. That number peaked during 2021-22 at just under 30% and dropped to 22% last school year. “Close to 200,000 (chronically absent) students — if you think about that, each one of those students has generally missed at least 18 days, you’re looking at four million days of school missed

by the students,” said Curtin.

The problem spreads across all grade levels — elementary students jumped from about 10% prepandemic to over 20% now, and high schoolers moved from 23% to nearly 30% now, officials detailed.

Despite common misconceptions, Curtin said, the issue doesn’t concentrate in urban districts. About three-fourths of schools across all districts meet the state’s standard of “attendance priority schools” with high levels of chronic absenteeism, officials said. High rates of absenteeism have been tied to risks of lower literacy, lower academic achievement, and graduation, among others. The measurable impact of the recent rise, Curtin said, is “startling.” MCAS exam scores broadly reflect a wide gap between chronically absent students and others, Curtin said. On the 2023 English MCAS exam for grades three to eight, for instance, 46% of non-chronically absent students and only 25% of chronically absent students met or exceeded expectations, Curtin presented.

To deal with this, the state is

looking to step up efforts to educate and communicate with families on the issue. Riley noted this involves directing $4 million to districts to invest in things like technical assistance and rolling out a statewide communications strategy including public service billboards.

Another vital “lever” the department has to move the issue, officials said, is the state’s accountability system for districts. The system uses targets for attendance, MCAS scores, graduation rates, transportation, and other metrics to evaluate districts’ performance and direct funding. Attendance is currently weighted 10% of districts’ scores, but officials said the weighting could shift to prioritize the problem area. Federal requirements mandate high level of focus on measures of achievement and growth, Curtin said, but there is some room to redirect priorities in 2024.

Riley stated this past week that he will not name the typical “chronically underperforming schools” this year, shifting

continued on page 7

November 23, 2023

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National Parks Hosts Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day in Charlestown Navy Yard

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he National Parks of Boston will host a gathering of remembrance at the USS Constitution Museum followed by a wreath-laying ceremony on the World War II-era destroyer USS Cassin Young to remember and honor those who perished in the December 7, 1941 attack on the U.S. Naval Base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

USS Cassin Young was named in honor of U.S. Naval Commander Cassin Young, who received honors for his actions during the Pearl Harbor attack. December marks the 80th anniversary of the commissioning of the USS Cassin Young.

On Thursday, December 7, this free three-part public program will be held in the Charlestown Navy Yard starting at 11:30 a.m. with lunch and a speaking program at the USS Constitution Museum, followed by an outdoor ceremony beside USS Cassin Young, and concluding with warm beverages at the Charlestown Navy Yard Visitor Center. Lunch is provided by the Mayor’s Office for Veterans’ Services and Boston Harbor Now is sponsoring the beverages. Ceremony speakers include National Parks of Boston Superintendent Michael

Student Absenteeism cont. from page 6

focus instead to “attendance priority schools” to address a persistent, chronic absenteeism crisis. “While (underperforming) designations have served us well in the past, in reviewing the data this year, it’s clear that we need a different approach, one based on collaboration and working together as opposed to merely labeling

Creasey, USS Constitution Commander Billie J. Farrell, USS Constitution Museum President & CEO Anne Grimes Rand, Massachusetts Executive Office of Veterans Services Secretary Jon Santiago, and Boston Commissioner of Veterans’ Services Robert Santiago. State and city elected officials will be among the attendees, along with veterans and USS Cassin Young volunteers. The program will include the USS Constitution and Flying Leatherneck Honor Society Color Guards and rifle and cannon salutes from both USS Cassin Young and USS Constitution.

USS Cassin Young was named for U.S. Navy Commander Cassin Young, recipient of the Medal of Honor for his distinguished and heroic actions during the attack on Pearl Harbor, which initiated the United States’ entry into World War II. As commanding officer of USS Vestal, which was moored to USS Arizona, Cmdr. Young took personal command of his ship’s three-inch antiaircraft gun at the

beginning of the attack. When the forward magazine of Arizona was hit, Cmdr. Young was thrown overboard and incredibly swam back to his ship amidst burning oil on the water between the two ships.

Despite the subsequent bombing of Vestal, Cmdr. Young moved his ship away from Arizona to save the ship and countless lives. USS Cassin Young has similarly served the country with distinction. It was built in San Pedro, California, typical of the many Fletcher-class destroyers serviced in the Charlestown Navy Yard during World War II. The ship was commissioned at the end of 1943 and first saw action in the Pacific Theatre in 1944.

It took part in the landings in the Philippines, rescued survivors from the stricken carrier USS Princeton, screened the American force that sank four Japanese carriers in the battle of Cape Engano, and survived two separate kamikaze hits, one of which killed 21 crew members. No stranger to Charlestown, the ship was recalled to service in

1951 and underwent modernization at the shipyard on several occasions during the next decade before finally hauling down its commissioning pennant in 1960.

“On this day of remembrance and reflection, the National Parks of Boston is proud to honor the service people of the United States Navy past and present, and share the history of USS Cassin Young with visitors from around the world,” said National Parks of Boston Superintendent Michael Creasey.

Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day marks the beginning of a weekend of programs and events related to the U.S. Navy and Armed Forces.

On December 8, Navy midshipmen and Army cadets compete in “Patriot Games” around the city, which includes a relay race from the Charlestown Navy Yard to Bunker Hill Monument and back.

Later that evening, USS Constitution hosts its annual tree lighting ceremony. The 2023 Army-Navy Game takes place at Gillette Stadium on December 9.

schools,” Riley said at the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education meeting on Tuesday.

“One that is laser focused on school attendance.”

Though attendance has begun to recover from the pandemic peak — from 28% absenteeism statewide to 22% this year — the schools across the state are still at “unprecedented” levels of absenteeism.

From 2019 to 2023, according to DESE data, chronic absenteeism has grown 72%.

Roughly over 1,300 schools, or three-quarters of Massachusetts schools, will fall into the new “attendance priority schools” designation, Riley said.

The commissioner called the prioritization “the most important thing we can do as an educational commu-

nity if we want to improve outcomes for children” and noted the need to innovate solutions. Members said the issue will be discussed further at upcoming meetings. Perhaps signaling a glimmer of hope, Riley went on to say that despite the persistent issue, Massachusetts has had the fastest rate of attendance recovery among 11 states with 2022-23 chronic absenteeism data.

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SOUTHBOSTONTODAY • www.southbostontoday.com

The

Wine Guy

Cold Weather Wines

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ell, we’re at that point in time after Thanksgiving, but before Christmas and New Year’s- many people’s favorite time of year to have gatherings and parties. With that in mind, I thought it might be good to suggest the following: “cold weather wines” have a little more body and substance to them than the lighter wines of Spring and Summer. The following are “naturals” for items like stews, chicken pot pie and Roasts;in many cases, they can warm you up as much as the foods they’re served with…

Syrah is made from one of the oldest grapes in the world and many of the best examples can be found in France’s Rhone Valley. Château Maris Les Planels Syrah 2018 Minervois La Livinière, Languedoc, France,($29.99) With thyme, rosemary and some menthol notes, as well as a touch of lavender, this aromatic bouquet propels you into the heart of the vine. In the mouth, this sunny wine communicates over the full length of the tongue: a bouquet of already complex aromas with some notes of sautéed black cherries, blackcurrant, licorice, pepper and cold meats. This one is rich and full-bodied, yet elegant and seamless, with an impressive texture.

Far Niente has been making wine since 1979 and has made a name for itself as one of Napa Valley’s benchmark wine producers. Its estate chardonnay is rich and full-bodied.

Toasty oak will suit your chestnuts roasting on an open fire, and decadent notes of pineapple and heady floral aromas will offer reminders of summer. There are several labels within their portfolio, with their Estate Chardonnay being one of the

more popular ones at a cost of around $60.00/bottle.

My friend and fellow wine writer Carrie Dykes mentioned an “orange” wine. She mentioned that, “One way to ensure you have a hefty white wine is to opt for a skin-contact (orange) wine.

It imparts a tannic backbone from the time the juice spends on the skin. It also adds texture and weight. Tarpon Cellars in Napa offers wines that take the classic Napa expressions and add a modern twist. Tarpon’s Cambero Skin Contact wine is a blend of 93% chenin blanc, 6% sauvignon blanc, and 1% verdejo. With aromas like apricot, lemon curd, rosehips, and pear, and savory traits on the palate, this wine can pair with more complex dishes. Try it with a Chinese dry pot to see how the piquant Sichuan spices play off the fruity notes of the wine. Or, playfully pair various tingling and aromatic dishes with Cambero — Indian meals like masala dosa, citrusy dishes like Senegalese chicken Yassa, or punchy Korean tteokbokki would all be delicious and warming winter pairings. It runs around $27.99/bottle.

Banfi Brunello di Montalcino 2018,Sangiovese from Montalcino,

MANY THANKS

TO THE STUDENTS & STAFF AT SBCA

November 23, 2023

Tuscany, Italy, ($79.99). A rich and elegant Brunello, both in structure and in olfactory expression. Brilliant ruby red with garnet-colored reflections, on the nose the aroma is sweet and fruity, the hints of fresh red fruit stand out, which combine perfectly with the more complex notes of licorice and pipe tobacco. The structure is powerful, and the palate is pleasantly enveloped by a consistent tannic texture, well balanced by a pleasant acidity. Extremely persistent with excellent aging potential. It pairs particularly well with rich and tasty dishes. Perfect as a meditation wine.

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate gives this wine 93 points- a rarity for him.

He says, “Castello Banfi brings us this classic expression of the vintage.

Their 2018 Brunello di Montalcino is hearty and dark with a level of distinguished power (with 15% alcohol) and sophistication that you only get with Brunello, a wine that by law ages for five years before its commercial release. Dark plum and blackcurrant segue seamlessly to spice, tar and black earth. The fruit ripeness is opulent and contrasted against elegant acidity and polished tannins.”.

We want to give our heartfelt Thank You and Appreciation to the students in Grade 4A for the beautiful Hand Made ‘Happy Thanksgiving Card’ sent to this newspaper.

We are also grateful to EVERY student, staff member, the administration and to the involved parents at South Boston Catholic Academy for being such an important part of the South Boston Community. It is an honor and a pleasure to carry your wonderful stories and pictures showing the great work being done at the school and for the top rate traditional education taking place. We wish you all the best and a Merry and Joyful Christmas Season.

South Boston Today Team

November 23, 2023

SOUTHBOSTONTODAY • www.southbostontoday.com

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Compass on the Bay Named a Great Place to Work

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reat Place to Work Institute and its senior care partner Activated Insights have honored Compass on the Bay as a Great Place to Work. As part of the certification process, 100% of associates at the Memory Support Assisted Living community were surveyed, which gave insight into over 60 elements of their experiences in the workplace. Throughout the process, associates highlighted that their work makes an impact on resident quality of life, the community’s vibrant social environment, and the sense of fulfillment they gain from their work. Rankings are based on associates’ experiences, regardless of their backgrounds.

Activated Insights is the senior care affiliate of Great Place to Work, the global authority on high-trust, high-performance workplace cultures. Through its aging services certification program, Activated Insights helps Great Place to Work recognize outstanding workplace cultures in the aging services industry and produce the annual Fortune “Best Workplaces for Aging Services™” as well as other Great Place to Work Best Workplaces lists for Millennials, Women, Diversity, Small & Medium Companies, and various regions. Through its

employee engagement platform, Activated Insights helps clients create great workplaces that outpace peers on key business metrics like revenue growth, profitability, and retention.

“Compass on the Bay is truly a special place to work, and we are so grateful to be honored in this way,” shares Caity Burke, Executive Director of Compass on the Bay. “Our associates are the backbone of what we do, and it is because of their selflessness, hard work, and commitment that we have built such a supportive and enriching culture here.”

Compass on the Bay in South Boston is an assisted living community dedicated exclusively to those with memory loss. The community features Compass Memory Support, a renowned, research-based treatment program for those with dementia, from Mild Cognitive Impairment to Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia-causing diseases. The community is managed by Senior Living Residences of Braintree, MA and is affiliated with Boston University Alzheimer’s Disease Center (BUADC). Learn more at www.

CompassontheBay.com.

To learn more about Activated Insights, visit their website at ActivatedInsights.com. Discover more about Great Places to Work here.

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November 23, 2023

participated in their very own ing their balloons and posters.

South Boston Catholic Academy News lySBCA version of the Macy’s They also had help from the

Thanksgiving Highlights

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he day before we left to celebrate Thanksgiving with our families and friends, our 6th graders did a great job leading the whole school in a wonderful Morning Prayer Service for Thanksgiving. Their prayers included, Praying for the children that

don’t have access to a good education; People who are sick, suffering and hungry; and for World Peace. The prayer service ended with a special prayer Thanking God for Everything and hoping that everyone would have a Happy Thanksgiving.

The students in K1 wonderful-

Thanksgiving Parade. They paraded throughout the school, as all the students waited in the hallways in front of their classrooms to see the children pass by. They end their parade in the school Gym where their families could see the awesome decorations they made especially for this parade. As you can see from the photos, the K1 students did an amazing job designing and decorat-

Specials Teachers making their designs come to life. A BIG Thank you to our awesome students in the 6th grade, in K1 and their teachers for making our Thanksgiving extra special!

We hope and pray that everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving!

New families are welcome to email our admissions team at admissions@sbcatholicadacademy.org for more info about South Boston Catholic Academy.

November 23, 2023

SOUTHBOSTONTODAY • www.southbostontoday.com

St. Peter Academy

Annual Thanksgiving Gathering

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he day before Thanksgiving, St. Peter Academy staff and families gathered in the Community Room for the Annual Feast. St. Peter Academy prepared the turkeys and the families brought in sides and desserts.

It was such a wonderful time getting together with our families and

staff before Thanksgiving Break.

All the food and desserts were delicious and enjoyed by all. Thank you to all who contributed to the feast, everything was amazing.

Special thank you to Olga’s Kafe for donating the delicious coffee.

Now onto the Christmas Season!

Please join us at the Ironworkers

Hall on December 10th at 11:00 am for Breakfast with Santa and the Holiday Show!

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

11 for students in Pre-K (School Year and Full Year Programs), Kindergarten and grades 1-6.

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

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November 23, 2023

Msgr. Thomas J. McDonnell and Frank Kelly Thanksgiving Dinner 2023

Smashing Success!

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hanksgiving morning at St. Monica Church Hall was a display of how

the community of South Boston came together to take care of our seniors, in need families

and those struggling. The great teams of volunteers were made up of residents, business owners, elected officials, school children, families, friends, union members and a little wink from God as they prepped, cooked, plated and

delivered a Happy Thanksgiving to 736 people. That’s 87 turkeys’ folks! God Bless our community and God Bless the volunteers who are leading the way for the next generation because that’s the Southie way.

November 23, 2023

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continued on page 14

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November 23, 2023

Msgr. Thomas J. McDonnell and Frank Kelly Thanksgiving Dinner 2023 continued

November 23, 2023

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Wu Winter continued from page 5

first responders to assist those in need of shelter and are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. * During extreme cold weather, street outreach teams operate with extended hours and provide mobile outreach vans on the streets in the evening and throughout the day.

Safety tips: * If you are able, keep catch basins and fire hydrants clear of snow and debris. This will help prevent flooding and allow for access in the event of an emergency. * Shoveling snow requires significant exertion; please be cautious. * Please take extra care when turning corners with snow piles that might limit visibility. * Carbon monoxide poisoning is a concern during winter weather, especially with the use of generators.

Watch for signs of frostbite: Watch for signs of hypothermia: Heating guidelines for property owners and tenants: * In accordance with the Massachusetts State Sanitary Code, the heating season officially begins on September 15 and runs through May 31.

Property owners must heat habitable spaces at a minimum temperature of 68° between 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. and 64° between 11:01 p.m. and 6:59 a.m.

Heating safety: * Never try to heat your

Window continued from page 4

lies have left the emergency assistance shelter system since Sept. 1 and the goal is to only increase that number. About 4050 migrants arrive in the state every day, though the flow is slowing due to colder weather.

Augustus said they “desperately” need the supplemental budget appropriation of $250 million in order to provide the same quality of care to all who are without shelter.

Boston eyeing guaranteed basic income The city of Boston is considering giving cash to residents whose income from work and other sources falls below a certain threshold. The proposal, which has yet to be fleshed out with numbers, had at least a half-dozen council champions at a recent hearing. Councilor Ed Flynn spoke against it, arguing that the city should focus more on job creation and paying municipal employees more. A number of cities, including Cambridge, are conducting pilot

universal basic income programs.

Harvard focus of federal civil rights probe The federal Department of Education has added Harvard to a list of universities under investigation for the possible violation of Jewish students’ civil rights following the Oct. 7 terror attacks in Israel conducted by Hamas. The Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights is exploring whether the schools violated Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

home using a charcoal or gas grill, the kitchen stove, or other product not specifically designed as a heater. These can cause a fire or produce dangerous levels of carbon monoxide very quickly.

Tips to keep water flowing and pipes unfrozen during extreme cold: * The Boston Water and Sewer Commission recommends homeowners locate a home’s main water shut off valve, and learn how to use it. Should a frozen pipe burst, shutting the main valve quickly will minimize flooding and property damage.

Emergency home repair resources: * Income-eligible homeowners and Boston’s residents over age 62 can receive assistance with winter emergencies and repairs, such as fixing storm damage, leaking roofs, or leaking/frozen pipes. Grant and loan funding is available. For assistance, residents should call the Mayor’s hotline at 311 or the Boston Home Center at 617-635HOME (4663).

Tips for what to do during a power outage: * Follow instructions from public safety officials; Call 9-1-1 to report emergencies including downed power lines; Call your utility company to report power outages and get restoration information; National Grid 800-322-3223; Eversource 1-800-592-2000

Lawyers for troopers accused of overtime theft say everyone was doing it Attorneys for two retired state police commanders facing federal charges that they repeatedly lied about whether they worked full overtime shifts say their clients were simply following long-standing agency practice. Lt. Daniel J. Griffin of Belmont and Sgt. William R. Robertson of Westborough were charged in 2020 and authorities say Robertson ordered a subordinate to shred potential evidence in the case, the Telegram’s Brad Petrishen reports.

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November 23, 2023

This week,

Danny shared some interesting quotes from Tiger Woods, as he embarks on another return:

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iger Woods returns this weekend to play in the Hero World Challenge.

On Tuesday, he held a press conference in the Bahamas, and talked everything from his return, to the PGA’s deal with Saudi Arabia, and more.

So I thought I would share some of his Q and A with the media: Q: Tiger, when did you decide that you were going to be able to play? What’s the buildup been like?

Woods: As far as the commitment to playing, probably after I caddied with [my son] Charlie and was able to recover each and every day like that. I was still lifting and still doing a bunch of other things too alongside of that, so in conjunction with that and during part of it, all my beach walks at home, just the accumulation, how could I recover, could I keep progressing at the same time, right? I was hitting golf balls a lot, trying to get Charlie ready for the event. And then post-event I started feeling, you know what, I can probably do, so why not? Talked to the committee, and a committee of one was able to give me a spot.

Q: How concerned are you about walking 90 holes?

Woods: I’m not concerned at all about walking it. It’s more, as I said, I don’t have any of the ankle pain that I had with the hardware that’s been placed in my foot, that’s all gone. The other parts of my body, my knee hurts, my back. The forces go somewhere else. Just like when I had my back fused, the forces have to go somewhere. So it’s up the chain. As I said, I’m just as curious as all of you with what’s going to happen. I haven’t done this in a while.

Q: What was your reaction to the June 6 framework announcement?

Woods: Well, going back to that, I would say that my reaction was surprised, as I’m sure a lot of the players were taken back by it, by what happened.

So quickly without any input or any information about it, it was just thrown out there. I was very surprised that the process was what it was. We were very frustrated with what happened and we took steps going forward to ensure that we were not going to be left out of the process like we were. So part of that process

was putting me on the board and accepting that position.

Q: Tiger, Jay Monahan’s taken a lot of heat since June 6. What’s your assessment of the job he’s done since then?

Woods: I think Jay has been a part of the direction, he understands what happened prior to that can’t happen again and won’t happen again, not with the players that are involved and not with the player directors having the role that we have.

Q: Tiger, do you have a sense of what the professional golf landscape will look like in a year or two years, or does it feel as murky to you on the inside of the process as it does to us on the outside?

Woods: To answer that question, I would say that the answer is murky. I would have to say there’s a lot of moving parts on how we’re going to play. Whether it’s here on the PGA Tour or it’s merging, or team golf.

There’s a lot of different aspects that are being thrown out there all at once, and we are trying to figure all that out and what is the best solution for all parties and best solution for all the

players that are involved.

Q: As far as the landscape goes, is there a path back to the PGA Tour for the players who joined the LIV Golf League? If so, what would that look like?

Woods: As far as a pathway, we’re still working on that.

That’s part of the deal we’re working through is trying to find a path, whatever that looks like.

There’s so many different scenarios. That’s why I said there’s a lot of sleepless hours trying to figure that out, a lot of participation from the players and what does that look like?

Q: You’re obviously busy at the moment, but your name has already been mentioned as a possible captain for the 2025 U.S. Ryder Cup team. What are your thoughts on that at the moment?

Woods: Right now, there’s too much at stake with our tour to think about a Ryder Cup right now. We have to get this done and we have to be focused on this right now. The players and everyone involved understands that this is an issue we need to focus on.

Follow Danny on instagram @DannyPicard.

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November 23, 2023

SPORTS TODAY PATRIOTS LOSE FOURTH STRAIGHT, JONES BENCHED AGAIN

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SBT Staff

hings can’t get much worse for the New England Patriots.

The Pats lost their fourth straight game on Sunday, falling to Tommy DeVito and the New York Giants, 10-7, at MetLife Stadium.

With the loss, the Patriots fall to 2-9. If the season ended after Week 12, New England would have the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 Draft.

Sunday’s loss also marked the fourth game of the season in which Bill Belichick benched Mac Jones.

After much speculation as to who would be the Patriots’ quarterback against the Giants, Jones made the start, but was replaced by Bailey Zappe at halftime.

Zappe led the Pats to a touchdown drive in the first possession of the second half, thanks to a seven-yard touchdown run by Rhamondre Stevenson on the 11th

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Tweet of the Week

WHAT TO WATCH NFL THURSDAY, NOV. 30 WEEK 13 Seattle at Dallas (-9) 8:15 P.M. PRIME SUNDAY, DEC. 3 LA Chargers at New England (+6) 1 P.M. CBS San Francisco at Philadelphia (+2.5) 4:25 P.M. FOX Kansas City at Green Bay (+6) 8:20 P.M. NBC MONDAY, DEC. 4 Cincinnati at Jacksonville (-8.5) 8:15 P.M. ABC/ESPN NCAAF FRIDAY, DEC. 1 PAC-12 Championship #5 Oregon vs #3 Washington (+9.5) 8 P.M. ABC SATURDAY, DEC. 2 SEC Championship #1 Georgia vs #8 Alabama (+6.5) 4 P.M. CBS

play of the 60-yard drive. The touchdown was New England’s first score of the game, and tied it at 7-7.

The Giants kicked a field goal with 8:10 left in the fourth quarter, to take a 10-7 lead, which ended up being the game-winning points.

Patriots rookie kicker Chad Ryland missed a potential gametying 35-yard field goal — wide left — in the final seconds of the game, giving New York the win.

It’s the second straight game in which Ryland missed a secondhalf field goal.

“Too much poor ball security on offense,” said Belichick to open his postgame press conference.

“Turned the ball over too many times. Got away from us. We had a few times we didn’t turn it over and missed opportunities at the end of the game to put it into overtime. So, not good enough.”

As for the quarterback “controversy,” Belichick said after the game that he “thought both guys deserved a chance to play.”

Jones was horrible in the first half, finishing 12-of-21 for just 89 pass yards and two interceptions.

“Yeah, just bad quarterback play and wasn’t good enough by me,” said Jones in his postgame press conference. “So, if the quarterback doesn’t play well,

you have no chance.

“Coach O’Brien told me I was out, and I understood,” added Jones. “I wasn’t moving the ball.

I wasn’t scoring points. So, I understand why that happened.”

Zappe — off the bench in the second half — was no better, finishing 9-of-14 for 54 pass yards and one interception.

“We walked in the locker room and OB just looked at me and said, ‘Hey, you’re starting off second half’ and I said, ‘Yes, sir’ and that was really about it,” said Zappe after the loss.

“Incompletions, turnovers, that’s just, it comes down to the quarterback and I take that,” added Zappe. “That’s on me in the second half.”

A day after the game, on Monday, Belichick was asked in his press conference if he would consider bringing in another quarterback from outside the organization for the rest of the season.

It wasn’t a hard “no.”

“I don’t really see that right now, but I mean, I wouldn’t rule anything out, anything that would help our team,” said Belichick.

“We’ve brought in players at any position. You never know what’s going to happen. If I think there’s somebody, if our pro scouting department thinks there is somebody

that would help us, we’ll certainly listen to it and take a look at it, at any position. It’s not really about the quarterback position.

It would really be any position. I don’t know. Nobody that comes to mind, but we’ll see.”

There are multiple scenarios in which the Patriots would be eliminated from playoff contention entirely with a loss to the Los Angeles Chargers this Sunday at Gillette Stadium.

The Chargers are 4-7 and have lost three straight. It won’t be the most difficult opponent the Patriots have ever had, but at this point, the Chargers are able to say the same thing about the Patriots.

“We’re just going to keep working as hard as we can to fix it,” said Belichick on Monday.

“We’ve lost a lot of close games.

We’ve just got to play better in situational and executional football at critical situations in the game. It’s what we’re working on.

We’ll keep working on it.

“Every week’s a challenge,” added Belichick, “and I’m excited about the challenge, the opportunity, and what we have to do to win each week. So, I’ll keep working as hard as I can to help our team.”

The Patriots are a 6-point underdog at home against the Chargers on Sunday.