EVEEVERET Vol. 30, No.48 -FREERETT DVOD www.advocatenews.net Have a Safe & Happy Hanukkah! CCATTEAT Free Every Friday 617-387-2200 Friday, December 3, 2021 Councillor DiPierro looks to alleviate traffi c snarls at Gateway Mall By Christopher Roberson W ard 3 Councillor Anthony DiPierro recently presented a Resolution asking Mayor Carlo DeMaria and his administration to “immediately take necessary steps” to assuage the traffic bottleneck at the Gateway Center Mall. DiPierro said more than 300 drivers, stuck in gridlock, called 911 during the weekend of November 12 expressing their extreme frustration. “People were stuck there from 90 minutes to three hours,” DiPierro said during the November 22 City Council meeting. “It’s a public safety emergency. Something needs to be done; it’s far too dangerous being stuck there.” In addition, DiPierro said the congestion has compelled him to take his business elsewhere. “I avoid that area at all costs; I do my shopWard 3 Councillor Anthony DiPierro is sponsoring a Resolution to lessen the traffi c volume at the Gateway Center Mall. (File Photo) ping up Route 1 and further north,” he said. In a follow-up interview, DiPierro said traffic at the mall has become a “major COUNCILLOR | SEE PAGE 4 Tide Rules on Turkey Day SINCE 1921 Messinger Insurance Agency 475 Broadway Everett, MA 02149 Phone: 617-387-2700 Fax: 617-387-7753 NEW COMPETITIVE AUTO RATES AND BENEFITS AVAILABLE ACCIDENT FORGIVENESS DISAPPEARING COLLISION DEDUCTIBLE 11% DISCOUNT WITH SUPPORTING POLICY 10% COMBINED PAY IN FULL DISCOUNT AND GREEN DISCOUNT 10% GOOD STUDENT DISCOUNT Celebrating 100 years of excellence! Monday thru Friday: 8am to 6pm Saturdays 9am to 1pm! Check out our NEW website! www.messingerinsurance.com Crimson Tide defender JJ Costa (#10) grabs hold of a Pioneer running back as teammate Pedro Rodrigues closes in for support. See pages 15-17 for story and photo highlights.
Page 2 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021 Area doctors weigh in on new Omicron variant I By Christopher Roberson t only took fi ve days for the Omicron variant of COVID-19 to spread from South Africa to the United States with the fi rst case being confi rmed in California on December 1. The new strain has also spread to several other countries, including Botswana, the Netherlands, Portugal and the United Kingdom. Dr. Lou Ann Bruno-Murtha, division chief of infectious diseases at Cambridge Health Alliance, said it is only a matter of time before Omicron works its way into Massachusetts. The arrival of Omicron in the Bay State will only compound the current problems created by the already-prevalent Delta variant. “Delta is still the variant contributing to the recent increase in infections and hospitalizations in the region,” said Bruno-Murtha. “The science and implications of the Omicron variant are actively being examined, and we will know more very soon. At this time, the best response is to promote COVID vaccination for those not fully vaccinated and encourage everyone who is eligible to seek a booster dose as soon as possible.” Dr. Kimiyoshi Kobayashi, ANGELO’S FULL SERVICE Regular Unleaded $3.259 Mid Unleaded $3.299 Super $3.419 Diesel Fuel $3.399 "43 Years of Excellence!" 1978-2021 KERO $4.81 DEF $3.49 9 Diesel $3.099 9 HEATING OIL 24-Hour Burner Service Call for Current Price! (125—gallon minimum) DEF Available by Pump! Open an account and order online at: www.angelosoil.com (781) 231-3500 (781) 231-3003 367 LINCOLN AVE • SAUGUS • OPEN 7 DAYS chief quality offi cer at UMass Memorial Medical Center, said Massachusetts may not necessarily be a target. “It is still unclear whether this will happen,” he said. “It will depend on how it competes with the Delta variant. We will have to watch what the balance between Delta and Omicron will be.” Dr. George Abraham, chief of medicine at Saint Vincent Hospital, said he was not surprised by the detection of Omicron and the previous strains. “We have predicted and long suspected that we would see variants,” he said. “The variants pop up in parts of the world where there have been the lowest levels of vaccination.” Abraham also said OmiEverett successfully defends Turkey Toss title OMICRON | SEE PAGE 5 cron may not be that troublesome in the long-term. “Based on preliminary data from our South African colleagues, the number of cases has risen dramatically, about 700-fold, but the number of hospitalizations, serious illnesses and deaths have not increased signifi cantly,” he said. “This suggests that there might be overall mild disease associated with this variant as opposed to severe disease.” In addition, Abraham said he trusts the effi cacy of the vaccines. “We know the vaccines work reasonably well, generating what’s called virus-specific antibodies. But they also generate what’s called a polyclonal response,” he said. “That means it may also work against some viruses in the same family. Right now we need to determine Everett High School football players Jayden Biggi and Darrion Green propelled Everett to victory over Salem High School in this year’s Thanksgiving Turkey Toss. The event, which was hosted by Kiss 108, was held on November 24 at Assembly Square in Somerville. In 2019, Everett had defeated Arlington High School to win the Turkey Toss. This year’s event raised $2,600 for The Greater Boston Food Bank. (Photo Courtesy of Jordan Corey for iHeartRadio) Prices subject to change Fill Up & Save! Fall is Coming! FLEET
THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021 Page 3 Everett celebrates arrival of Hanukkah By Christopher Roberson O n the second night of Hanukkah, residents joined city officials in front of City Hall to celebrate Everett’s fifth annual Menorah lighting. During the November 29 ceremony, Rabbi Sruli Baron of Tobin Bridge Chabad spoke about the history of the eight-day Festival of Lights, which dates back more than 3,300 years. At that time, Baron said, Israel was occupied by the Syrian-Greek Army, led by Antiochus IV Epiphanes. “The SyrRabbi Sruli Baron of Tobin Bridge Chabad Shown, from left to right, during the fifth annual Hanukkah Menorah Lighting in Everett, are State Representative Joseph McGonagle, Ward 6 Councillor Michael McLaughlin, Ward 2 School Committee Member-Elect Jason Marcus, Councillor-at-Large John Hanlon, Councillor-at-Large-Elect Stephanie Smith, Rabbi Sruli Baron of Tobin Bridge Chabad, Ward 2 Councillor Stephanie Martins, School Committee Member-at-Large Millie Cardello, State Senator Sal DiDomenico, Ward 5 Councillor Rosa DiFlorio and Ward 3 Councillor Anthony DiPierro. (Photos Courtesy of the City of Everett) very long. “A brave group of people called the Maccabees banded together and rose up against the mighty Greek Army,” said Baron. “After a series of miraculous military victories, they succeeded in driving the Greeks from the land.” HANUKKAH | SEE PAGE 5 Everett Communications Director Deanna Deveney spoke on behalf of Mayor Carlo DeMaria. ian-Greeks wanted to Hellenize the land of Israel – essentially obliterate the Jewish religion from the land,” said Baron. Shortly thereafter, a series of Decrees went into effect, making it illegal to practice the Jewish religion. Baron said the Jewish people continued to practice their religion despite being forced into hiding. However, that did not last for
Page 4 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021 DiDomenico's Essential Employee Premium Pay Amendment included in Senate’s ARPA spending bill D uring the Massachusetts Senate’s recent debate of its $3.82 billion American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) spending bill – An Act relative to immediate COVID-19 recovery needs – State Senator Sal DiDomenico successfully negotiated the inclusion of nursing facility representation on the Essential Employee Premium Pay advisory panel proposed under the Senate bill. This massive spending package includes $500 million for bonuses for essential employees who served during the pandemic, and it tasks an advisory panel with determining who would be eligible for these bonuses. Recognizing that there was inadequate representation of eldercare providers on the proposed Premium Pay panel, DiDomenico fi led an amendment to the Senate bill that added a member of the Massachusetts Senior Care Association to represent nursing facility employees on the advisory panel. The overwhelming majority of staff within the nursing facility community worked overtime to ensure adequate care coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic to protect their residents. The nursing facility community’s perspective on the establishment of the essential employee pay program is necessary to refl ect the key role of these workers. “Massachusetts elder-care nurses have been working overtime on the frontlines all throughout the COVID-19 panCOUNCILLOR | FROM PAGE 1 problem” during the past two years. However, he lauddemic,” said DiDomenico. “The adoption of this amendment is crucial to providing the nursing facility community with a voice on this panel, especially given all of their hard work and dedication to keeping their residents safe and healthy.” The ARPA spending bill was unanimously passed by the Senate on November 10 and directs federal ARPA funding to assist the Commonwealth’s ongoing recovery. It particularly focuses on making equitable investments and ensuring that communities disESSENTIAL | SEE PAGE 21 ed the Everett and State Police for implementing a temporary traffic management plan. “The Everett Police DeSal DiDomenico State Senator partment, in conjunction with the State Police, have COUNCILLOR | SEE PAGE 22 The temporary traffi c management plan for the Gateway Center Mall will be in eff ect every weekend in December. (Photo Courtesy of the Everett Police Department) Monogram D4 Double siding Cedar impression half rounds Harvey Vinyl 63 Replacement Windows Custom Aluminum Trim work Windows & Doors Top quality Vinyl Siding! •Vinyl Siding •Carpentry Work •Decks •Roofing •Free Estimates •Replacement Windows •Fully Licensed •Fully Insured
THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021 Page 5 House passes legislation to balance health care market, protect vulnerable hospitals O n November 17, 2021, to protect community hospitals, State Representative Joseph McGonagle and his Massachusetts House colleagues recently passed (1581) H.4262, An Act enhancing the market review process, to promote a more balanced health care market by strengthening the regulatory processes for health care expansions. The legislation creates a more rigorous review to ensure that when large hospital systems expand, they are not infringing on community hospital markets and raising health care costs for patients. It also requires the ongoing upkeep of a health resource inventory, which will give regulators a better understanding of the Commonwealth’s existing health care resources to inform these reHANUKKAH | FROM PAGE 3 Once they declared victory, the Maccabees wanted to light the Menorah in the Temple courtyard. “The problem was you needed a special, ritually pure oil to light the MeOMICRON | FROM PAGE 2 how well our vaccines work against this variant.” Dr. Shira Doron, an Infectious Disease physician and epidemiologist at Tufts Medical Center, said Delta continues to attract a great deal of attention. “Delta is a major threat in Massachusetts and for the time being, a far greater one. We do not yet know if Omicron is more deadly, more transmissible or more easily evades immunity than Delta,” she said. “If it does any of those things and if it manages to outcompete Delta and become predominant, then it could mean a worse winter than what we are view processes and future reform efforts. H.4262 now goes to the Senate. “The House took a major step in working to guarantee that every Massachusetts resident has access to quality, affordable health care by passing legislation that will protect community hospitals,” said Speaker of the House Ronald Mariano. “Community hospitals offer high-quality care to the most vulnerable patient populations at affordable rates. Our efforts to control health care cost growth depends on their continued existence.” The legislation continues the House’s commitment to health care as demonstrated in Massachusetts’s health care reform law of 2006 and the landmark cost containment law of 2012. Community hospitals opernorah,” said Baron, adding that the Greeks had destroyed the oil flasks. “They calculated that it would take eight days to make new oil.” However, one of the Maccabees discovered a lone oil flask which had somehow already facing. What everyone should do now is get vaccinated if they have not received the vaccine. If eligible for a booster, now is the time to get one.” Dr. Daniel Kuritzkes, chief of the Infectious Diseases Division at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, shared a different opinion, saying it is likely that Omicron is already in Massachusetts. “I’m sure it’s here,” he said. Kuritzkes said he was very surprised to learn that the new variant had been detected in Australia, which has extremely tight COVID-19 restrictions. “It’s highly mutated,” he said of Omicron. “This is why people need to get vaccinated.” Lawrence A. Simeone Jr. Attorney-at-Law ~ Since 1989 ~ * Corporate Litigation * Criminal/Civil * MCAD * Zoning/Land Court * Wetlands Litigation * Workmen’s Compensation * Landlord/Tenant Litigation * Real Estate Law * Construction Litigation * Tax Lein * Personal Injury * Bankruptcy * Wrongful Death * Zoning/Permitting Litigation 300 Broadway, Suite 1, Revere * 781-286-1560 Lsimeonejr@simeonelaw.net health care market. “I am thrilled with this bill Joseph McGonagle State Representative ate on thin margins and with the constant possibility of closure. H.4262 limits unchecked growth of hospital chains, better suiting community hospitals to survive and ensuring continued competition in the gone untouched. The oil was lit and it burned for the following eight nights. “When kindness prevails over darkness, that’s when miracles happen and that’s and very proud we passed it amidst an ongoing healthcare crisis,” said McGonagle. “Our hospitals, healthcare facilities and their workers have continued to work courageously and tirelessly, not just against COVID-19, but also all the other everyday medical needs of the Commonwealth. In Everett, many of us rely on our community hospital, which is always in danger of being overtaken. This legislation will support our community hospitals and keep Everett safe, strong and healthy.” An Act enhancing the market review process: • Expands and strengthens the material change notice (MCN) process of the Health Policy Commission (HPC) to include a broader range of transthe message of Hanukkah,” said Baron. Deanna Deveney, the city’s communications director, spoke on behalf of Mayor Carlo DeMaria. “Hanukkah is a actions and give cost and market impact reviews (CMIRs) more weight in the Determination of Need (DoN) and Attorney General (AGO) proceedings • Requires the Department of Public Health (DPH) to consider additional sources of information, including CMIRs and Center for Health Information and Analysis (CHIA) data, as part of the DoN process • Re-establishes a health planning council that will assist DPH in maintaining an inventory of health care resources to inform the MCN process and better assess the appropriateness of DoN applications • Protects independent community hospitals’ markets and gives hospitals another tool to halt DoN proceedings should a proposed project encroach on their primary service area. time to find light in the darkness,” she said. “May each light represent that our future is bright and our community will persevere through darkness.”
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THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021 Page 7 North Atlantic Carpenters Union cites labor dispute at 600 Broadway By Christopher Roberson O rganizer Martin Sanchez and the North Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters are crying foul because Everett carpenters are not being allowed to work on the new mixed-use building at 600 Broadway. Callahan Construction was selected as the general contractor for the project, which is known as The 600 Apartment Complex. Callahan then hired Optiline Enterprises as a subcontractor. According to Optiline’s website, the company specializes in interior and exterior steel framing, drywall and drywall finishes as well as insulation and soundproofing. “That company doesn’t comply with the area standards,” Sanchez said when the protest began on December 1. “We don’t want a union contract; we just want a responsible contractor.” Union Regional Manager Richard Pedi said the Carpenters Union does not agree with Callahan’s business practices, adding that the company has a history of not paying employees fairly. Therefore, he said, the union would never submit a bid to Callahan. “This is not personal, this Organizer Martin Sanchez (left) of the North Atlantic Carpenters Union and David Jean-Baptiste are pictured at the 600 Broadway construction site. (Advocate Photo by Christopher Roberson) is business,” said Pedi. He also said Optiline is even worse. “Optiline is one of the biggest offenders,” he said. “Optiline’s business practice is horrible.” In addition, Pedi said bids can only be submitted to a general contractor not to a subcontractor as the subcontractor hires its Whittier School Turkey Toss Winners own workers. Despite the union’s position, Pedi said local carpenters still deserve the opportunity to work for Optiline. “A jobsite should be reflective of the community,” he said. Ward 1 Councillor Fred CaCARPENTERS | SEE PAGE 19 CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING December 3, 2021 5:00 PM● Please come to the SACRO PLAZA for Food and Refreshments in the lobby of the building Kenneth Giannelli (left) and John Marazzi were named the winners of this year’s Whittier School Turkey Toss. (Photo Courtesy of the Everett Public Schools) For Advertising with Results, call The Advocate Newspapers at 617-387-2200 or Info@advocatenews.net
Page 8 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021 MASS BADGE Serves More than 1,200 Thanksgiving Dinners T he annual community Thanksgiving dinner sponsored by Mass BADGE, in conjunction with the City of Everett, and Zion Church Ministries took place on November 22 and served over 1,200 residents at the Edward G. Connolly Center. For 10 years, food donations and volunteers have been major contributors to the success of this event. It was truly a community effort thanks to the tremendous generosity of local businesses; Members Plus Credit Union, Costco Wholesale, Texas Roadhouse, JC Market, Rita’s Catering, Oliveira’s Restaurant, Piantedosi Baking Company, Elm Street Bakery, and support from Chief Steven Mazzie and the Everett Police Patrolmen’s For Advertising with Results, call The Advocate Newspapers at 617-387-2200 or Info@advocatenews.net Pictured from left, Everett Police Chief Steven Mazzie, Brazilian Consul-General Ambassador Benedicto Fonseca and Mass BADGE Founder and President, Raoul Goncalves Association as well as the Everett Fire Fighter’s Union. “We have so much to give thanks for in this community,” said Raoul Goncalves, Mass BADGE Founder and President. “I also want to recognize the incredible effort and commitment from the many volunteers who dedicated their time during this busy season to guarantee that this annual celebration continues to be such an amazing success. From left, School Committeeman Marcony, City Councillor Stephanie Martins, and City Councillor-Elect Irene Cardillo. Thanks to the many volunteers who made the event a great success.
THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021 Page 9 DiDomenico secures $1M for district O n November 10, State Senator Sal DiDomenico announced that he successfully secured a total of $1 million in funding for essential aid for local community nonprofi t organizations working in the cities of Everett, Chelsea, Cambridge and Charlestown. An amendment by DiDomenico was included in S.2564, An Act relative to immediate COVID-19 recovery needs – also known as the ARPA Spending Bill – approved by the Massachusetts Senate. This bill makes critical investments into key economic sectors in the Commonwealth, such as housing, workforce development, schools and health care systems, using federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and FY21 state revenue surplus funds. During the height of the COVID-19 crisis, Everett and Chelsea were among the top five hardest-hit communities in the Commonwealth, with Chelsea being ground zero. This funding is crucial to help boost communities that were severely aff ected by the COVID-19 pandemic. On November 15, the Massachusetts House of Representatives and Senate appointed a Conference Committee to reconcile the diff erences in their respective versions of the bill. The bill will then be sent to the Governor Charlie Baker for his review and signature. “I am extremely pleased to have secured this funding for our community,” said DiDomenico. “The $1 million in funding will create tremendous DIDOMENICO | SEE PAGE 20 Immaculate Conception Parish announces Christmas and New Year’s Mass Schedule W eekly Mass Schedule: 4:00 p.m.; Sunday Vigil (English), 7:30 Vietnamese, 7:00 a.m. English, 10:00 a.m. English, 12:00 p.m. Spanish and 4:00 p.m. Haitian-Creole. And not 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 5:30 p.m., 12:15 p.m. Nov. 29-Dec. 7, 2021, there will be a nine-day Novena in Preparation for the Immaculate Conception Mary, every day from 6:30-10:00 p.m. with the Haitian Community in the upper Church. All are welcomed. Dec. 8, 2021: Immaculate Conception of Mary, Day of Obligation: Masses at 7:00 a.m. & 12:15 p.m. in the ChapA Zonta tradition el, and at 6:00 p.m. Spanish (introduction of the Legion of Mary to the Spanish Community). Christmas Eve, Friday, Dec. 24, 2021: • At 4:00 p.m. English • At 6:00 p.m. Spanish • At 11:00 p.m. English Christmas Carols half hour before the Midnight Mass Christmas Day, Saturday, Dec. 25, 2021 • At 10:00 a.m. English • At 12:00 p.m. Spanish • At 4:00 p.m. Haitian-Creole New Year 2022: • New Year’s Eve, Friday, Dec. 31, 2021, Mass is at 4:00 p.m. • New Year’s Day, Saturday, January 1, 2022, Mass is at 10:00 a.m. Superintendent of Schools Priya Tahiliani (center) recently accepted a donation of grocery store gift cards from Mary Jane O’Neill and Barbara Lawlor of the Zonta Club of Chelsea. The gift cards will be given to school principals to distribute to students and families. The Zonta Club, which has made this annual donation for many years, also presents a scholarship to an Everett High School senior every June. (Photo Courtesy of the Everett Public Schools)
Page 10 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021 E Club celebrates 50th Anniversary, Everett sports history Club welcomed special guests: Paul Perillo and Brandon Conde T he E Club celebrated its 50th Anniversary Dinner on Saturday evening at Spinelli’s. The E Club honors Everett’s history in sports by awarding scholarships to student athletes as a foundation for success in whichever paths they choose to pursue after high school. This year, The E Club welcomed special guests: Paul Perillo and Brandon Conde. Perillo is a 1986 Everett High School graduate who played football and baseball. His passion for sports inspired an interest in sports journalism and led to a career with the Boston Herald in addition to a variety of opportunities in radio and television. Conde is a lifelong Everett resident who graduated in 2012 and was passionate about football from a young age. In High School he had a successful football career, winning multiple “Super Bowls” The honorees at the E-Club 50th Anniversary Banquet. under Coach John DiBiaso. He continued to play football for Bridgewater State, where he studied biology. In 2019, Brandon experienced a life-altering accident that injured his spinal cord, making him a tetraplegic. The E Club will hold their annual meeting on January 11 at Zion Baptist Church and their next dinner in May 2022. All are invited to join. (Photos by Katy Rogers for The E Club) SEE PAGES 11,12,13 E-Club Executive Director Vin Ragucci, Jr. holds the raffle bowl for Rev. Bishop Robert Brown. Special guest Brandon Conde (front) is shown with the honorees at the E-Club banquet. EHS Head Football Coach Rob DiLoreto (standing left) is shown with the many guests at the E-Club banquet.
THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021 Page 11
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THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021 Page 13 Mayor sponsors Gift a Vet Program M ayor Carlo DeMaria recently announced the “Gift a Vet” Program at the Connolly Center. The Council on Aging will be accepting donations to benefit the New England Center and Home for Veterans in Boston. The following items will be accepted: toiletries, razors, soap, shaving cream, socks (white only), hats, gloves and scarves. All items must be new and in their original packaging. Items are being collected at the Connolly Center from November 29 through December 10. You may drop your gift in the receptacle at the rear entrance of the Connolly Center. For additional information, please call 617394-2323. ~ LETTER TO THE EDITOR ~ “Happy Thanksgiving” D uring the season of Thanksgiving it reminds us to let our patients know how grateful we are. To allow us to serve you in attaining and maintaining your health is the most wonderful gift anyone could entrust to a health professional. You reinforce our dedication to be the best through the confidence you have shown through the referrals of loved ones. We are continuing our tradition of giving back to the community. For almost forty years we have sponsored a Toys for Everett Tots campaign. This year the date of the event will be Saturday, December 11. If that date is not convenient we will be accepting toys starting December 6. Please bring in a new unwrapped toy and receive free care for that day. New patients are also welcome to participate, please refer a friend. The toys will be distributed to a local school in Everett and toys will be provided to children that are the most in need. I continue this tradition to ensure all children will have a least one gift on Christmas day. In closing, please allow us to extend our personal thanks. We pledge to continue providing the very best chiropractic care available. Have a very Happy and Healthy Holiday season. Thank you, Everett Chiropractic Office Dr. Brian L. Leahy Sandy, Erin and Analia Blessed Mother of the Morning Star Parish Christmas & New Year’s Schedule Friday, Dec. 24, Christmas Eve 4 p.m. Family Mass St. Mary’s (Bring a flashlight!) 5:30 p.m. 7 p.m. St. Mary’s Kreyol Our Lady of Grace Saturday, Dec. 25, Christmas Day 8 a.m. Our Lady of Grace 9:30 a.m. St. Mary’s 11 a.m. Our Lady of Grace Please note that there will be no 4 p.m. Mass on that Saturday Saturday, Jan. 1, Solemnity of Mary Holy Day of Obligation 4 p.m. Friday, Dec. 31 St. Mary’s 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 1 Our Lady of Grace Sunday, Jan. 2, Epiphany 4 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 1 St. Mary’s 8 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 2 Our Lady of Grace 9:30 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 2 St. Mary’s 11 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 2 Our Lady of Grace WE CAN HELP PAY YOUR HEATING BILLS! You may qualify for ABCD’s Fuel Assistance Program and be eligible for as much as $1,030 towards your heating costs (oil, gas, or electric). Maximum benefit is $1,030 Household of 1 = $40,951 Household of 2 = $53,551 Household of 3 = $66,151 Household of 4 = $78,751 Cold days are coming. ABCD’s got you covered. APPLY TODAY! Last day to apply is April 30, 2022 Residents of Boston, Brookline, and Newton: 178 Tremont Street, Boston, MA — 617.357.6012 Residents of Malden, Medford, Everett, Melrose, Stoneham, Winchester and Woburn: 18 Dartmouth Street, Malden, MA — 781.322.6284
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THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021 Page 15 Everett sends seniors out in style with Thanksgiving victory over St. John’s, 44-14 Crimson Tide uses both ground and air attacks as Clerveaux, Ellerbe and Mohamed lead way By Nick Toscani E verett High football has not stumbled on Thanksgiving Day in 20 years. Make that 21. Using a potent, two-way attack and continuing defensive blanket, the host Crimson Tide squad sent its – count ’em – 30 seniors out on a fantastic note, overpowering visiting St. John's of Shrewsbury, 44-14. A big, early halftime lead vanished in the third quarter after a rally by the Pioneers, but Everett’s size and depth came to the rescue once again and snuffed out any upset chances. Everett finished the season an impressive 9-1, including its 25th Greater Boston League championship (6-0 GBL). St. John’s, new to the Catholic Conference this season, finished at 5-6 overall. “Thanksgiving is special and Thanksgiving football is special in Massachusetts,” said Everett Head Coach Rob DiLoreto, who helped the Tide to three wins over Chelsea on Thanksgiving Day in the 1980s and was head coach in his very first Turkey Day game. “Our seniors led us all year and they all played great today. We are very happy to send them out with a win on Thanksgiving. Coach DiLoreto gave credit to St. John’s, which came back from a slow first half and made it a close game as late as the middle of the third quarter. “We know that St. John’s of Shrewsbury is a top-notch program, and today was a big challenge for us and kept us focused up until today,” Coach DiLoreto said after the win. The highlights and highlight-makers were many for Everett on both sides of the ball, starting with its offensive playmakers: –Senior running “beast” JC SPORTS | SEE PAGE 16 St. John’s (S) 0 0 14 0 – 14 Everett 7 14 10 13 – 44 First quarter E – Cam Mohamed 28-yard pass from Karmarri Ellerbe (Adoni Santos kick) Crimson Tide defensive lineman Scott Marcus (#80) grabs the St. John’s Pioneers quarterback. BOX SCORE Second quarter E – Jayden Clervaux 49yard run (Adoni Santos kick) E – Marcus Scott 14-yard pass from Karmari Ellerbe (Adoni Santos kick) Third quarter SJ – Bob Rodolakis 11-yard run (Sam Lavallee kick) SJ – (Shrewsbury) Ryan Coonan 30-yard pass from (Sam Lavallee kick) E – Adoni Santos 26-yard field goal E – Jayden Clervaux 38yard run (Adoni Santos kick) Fourth quarter E – Cam Mohamed 29-yard pass from Kamari Ellerbe (pass failed) E – Rich Malloy 14-yard run (Adoni Santos kick) Everett quarterback Karmarri Ellerbe followed teammate Jaiden Coriano (#22) during Turkey Day action. A Pioneers defender unsuccessfully attempted to grab Everett running back Jayden Clerveaux during Turkey Day action on Thursday. Crimson Tide quarterback Karmarri Ellerbe is tackled driving up the middle. Crimson Tide wide receiver Cam Mohamed dekes a St. John’s defender for some Everett yardage. Crimson Tide defensive back Brian Gibbs (#9) tackles a Pioneer running back as teammates Syeed Gibbs (#13) and Giacobbe Ward (#11) close in for support.
Page 16 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021 Everett Crimson Tide football seniors head to the 50-yard line for the coin toss. – Junior Karmarri Ellerbe had SPORTS | FROM PAGE 15 Crimson Tide defender JJ Costa (#10) grabs hold of a Pioneer running back as teammate Pedro Rodrigues closes in for support. Clerveaux finished his high school career with 138 yards rushing and two more touchdowns to finish as one of highest-scoring individual players in Everett High history: 19 TDs, 116 points and 1,195 yards rushing. a career day, hitting on 13 of 19 passes for 260 yards and 3 TDs. – Senior Cam Mohamed also had a career day, his best in an Everett uniform, with 9 receptions, 160 yards and 2 TDs. Everett’s starting defense, which allowed a puny 24 points in 12 games this season, led by Jayden Biggi, Donovan Gaskins, Jaylen Murphy and Marcus Scott, was immense once again, holding St. John’s to no points, two first downs and only 47 yards total offense in the first half. Everett started fast and SPORTS | SEE PAGE 17 Crimson Tide running back Jayden Clerveaux leaves the St. John’s Pioneers defenders in the dust for a touchdown. For Advertising with Results, call The Advocate Newspapers at 617-387-2200 or Info@advocatenews.net
THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021 Page 17 Crimson Tide running back Jayden Clerveaux takes off with a Pioneer defender on his heels. SPORTS | FROM PAGE 16 strong in the first half, scoring three times for the 21-0 halftime lead. After the two teams both went three-andout to start the game, Crimson QB Ellerbe found Cam Mohamed on a bubble screen, and the speedster only had to make one Pioneer miss for a 34-yard touchdown. It was 7-0, Everett after one quarter but that did not last long as Clerveaux took an inside handoff and raced to the end zone for a 42-yard TD just one minute into the second quarter. Everett 6-3 tight end Marcus Scott made a one-handed catch and reached the ball over the goal line for a 14-yard TD reception, and St. John’s was down by three scores at halftime. Everett led 21-0 at the halftime break (though it seemed like so much more to the visitors) and appeared destined for a lopsided victory before devouring a well-earned Thanksgiving Day meal. Not so fast, said the Pioneers. St. John’s, led by gigantic 6-5 quarterback Ryan Miller, rallied back with touchdowns on consecutive drives to start the third quarter and take a big chunk out of the Everett lead, making it 21-14, with plenty of ballgame left to go. “At that point in the game, when we’re down only by one score, and we have the momentum, that’s when you really have to put your foot on the gas pedal,” St. John’s Head Coach John Andreoli said. But this hardly could have sat well with the home team, and in their final game in a Tide uniform, the three main men of the Everett offensive took control behind their sturdy offensive line and made it all-Crimson the rest of the way. Adoni Santos banged through a 26-yard field goal from the SJS 9-yard line to extend the Everett lead to 24-10 on its next possession, a strong answer to the Pioneer pushback. With 3:38 left in the third quarter, Ellerbe handed off to “GoTo” Clerveaux, who busted out for a 38-yard touchdown run and, after a Santos PAT, an Everett’s defender Pedro Rodrigues grabbed the jersey of the St. John’s Pioneers ballcarrier during Thanksgiving Day action at Veteran’s Memorial Stadium in Everett. again commanding Everett lead, 31-14, at the close of the third. For only the fourth time this season, due to some blowout leads against GBL competition, the Tide starters were playing this one out on both sides of the ball. Mohamed broke a 39-yard touchdown reception off a quick screen from Ellerbe five minutes into the fourth quarter to make it 38-14. Senior Richie Malloy leaped over two would-be tacklers into the end zone with just under six minutes to play in the game for the 44-14 lead and the sealing score.
Page 18 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021 Eliot Family Resource Center awards The President’s Volunteer Service Award medals By Tara Vocino T he Eliot Family Resource Center celebrated its fourth anniversary while awarding presidential volunteer service award medals on Wednesday night. Police Chief Steven Mazzie dropped off Christmas stuffed animals to give to children. At right is Eliot Family Resource Center Program Director Liliana Patino. Evelyn Gayhart received The President’s Volunteer Service Award – gold. Shown here are her parents, Mark and Eleanor Gayhart. (Advocate photos by Tara Vocino) Sophia Gentile received The President’s Volunteer Service Award – silver. Shown here is her mother, Dorotea Gentile. Pictured from left to right are Mayor Carlo DeMaria, Ward 2 Councillor Stephanie Martins, Eliot Family Resource Center Program Director Liliana Patino, Ward 3 Councillor Anthony DiPierro and State Senator Sal DiDomenico at the Eliot Family Resource Center’s fourth anniversary celebration on Wednesday night. New England’s Matthew Slater Uses ‘My Cause, My Cleats’ Campaign to Shine Light on ‘Fill the Stadium’ Initiative OLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. — Every year, the NFL takes part in “My Cause, My Cleats,” a collaboration between the NFL and players where athletes have the opportunity to represent hundreds of charitable organizations that focus on causes from youth wellness to sex trafficking prevention and support for single parents. This year, New England Patriots’ player Matthew Slater will go out on the field representing Compassion International and its Fill the Stadium (FtS, fillthestadium.com) initiative, a global campaign dedicated to assist in providing essential food, medical care and support to impoverished children and their families due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Fill the Stadium has a clear goal: to provide food and C Patriots’ Wide Receiver Joins Compassion International’s Fill the Stadium to Aid Desperate Children Suffering Through Pandemic In order to bring awareness life-saving aid to 70,000 children who missed out on relief this year due to gaps of support created by the Covid-19 crisis. The target of 70,000 is the average capacity of pro-football stadiums in America. So far, the team has raised over $33 million and filled nearly 67,000 seats—but there are still children who desperately need help. Compassion CEO Santiago “Jimmy” Mellado commented, “At Compassion, we believe the empty stadiums at NFL games last season were a sobering reminder of those who still need essential food, health care, and support as this crisis continues. We are committed to caring for 70,000 children who were not sponsored due to the pandemic, which is enough children to fill an average NFL football stadium.” to this campaign, Fill the Stadium is partnering with top athletes like Patriots’ wide receiver Matthew Slater. “Unfortunately, the effects of this virus have been felt hardest in the developing world,” Slater said. “Imagine being a child right now... living in poverty and not knowing what your future may hold. It is our goal to support 70,000 kids in this very situation. That is why my family and I have teamed up with Compassion International.” The Fill the Stadium team notes that $500—approximately the same amount most Americans would spend for a family of four to attend a pro-football game—will help provide 12 months of life saving food, nutritional supplements, hygiene essentials, and Covid-19 medical screenings for children and families in crisis. In addition to Slater, those holding co-leadership roles in this charitable team effort are Alyssa Naeher, a member of the U.S. Olympic Women’s Soccer Team (which won a Bronze Medal in Tokyo); Nick Foles, professional football MVP quarterback; Adam Engel of the Chicago White Sox; Sam Burns, PGA TOUR golfer; Nick Ahmed of the Arizona Diamondbacks; Jordy Nelson, former professional wide receiver; Devin and Jason McCourty, NFL defensive backs; Nate Solder of the New York Giants; Jaccob Slavin of the Carolina Hurricanes; Brock Huard, FOX sports broadcaster and former professional quarterback; and many others. Steve Stenstrom, president of Pro Athletes Outreach, is also playing a lead role in the effort. To learn more about this effort, visit the Fill the Stadium website, as well as Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. Founded in 1952, Compassion International is a Christian child development organization that works to release children from poverty in Jesus’ name. Compassion revolutionized the fight against global poverty by working exclusively with the Church to lift children out of spiritual, economic, social, and physical poverty. Compassion partners with more than 8,000 churches in 25 countries to deliver its holistic child development program to over 2 million babies, children, and young adults. Its child sponsorship program has been validated through independent, empirical research.
THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021 Page 19 Mayor Carlo DeMaria awarded a city citation to volunteers – pictured from left to right – Evelyn Gayhart, Sophia Gentile, Valentina Medina and Caitlin Dyer. CARPENTERS | FROM PAGE 7 pone said the situation “adds insult to injury.” “It’s bad enough that the massive size destroys the character of the neighborhood and blocks sunlight from the surrounding properPictured from left to right are Sophia Gentile (The President’s Volunteer Service Award – silver recipient), Evelyn Gayhart (The President’s Volunteer Service Award – gold recipient), Caitlin Dyer (The President’s Volunteer Service Award – silver recipient) and Valentina Medina (The President’s Volunteer Service Award – gold recipient) at Eliot Family Resource Center on Wednesday night. ties, but the fact that they won’t even hire local personnel on the project is just another slap in the face,” he said. However, there is nothing in any of the building documents that require Callahan or Optiline to hire local workers. Slated for occupancy by next fall, the 80,000-square-foot complex will feature six floors and 85 units ranging from studios to two-bedroom apartments. In addition, 15 percent of the units will be categorized as affordable housing. The mixed-use development will also have a restaurant on the ground floor as well as 7,000 square feet of retail space and 37 parking spaces. Caitlin Dyer received The President’s Volunteer Service Award – silver. Shown here are her mother, Katie Lima, and her brother, Connor Lima. Valentina Medina received The President’s Volunteer Service Award – gold. Shown here is her aunt, Liliana Patino. LIKE US ON FACEBOOK ADVOCATE NEWSPAPER FACEBOOK.COM/ ADVOCATE.NEWS.MA
Page 20 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021 ~ LETTER-TO-THE-EDITOR ~ E Club Executive Director Thanks All for Successful 50th Anniversary Event Dear Editor, The E Club of Everett would like to send our sincerest thank you to all who joined us in celebrating our 50th Anniversary at Spinelli's. We enjoyed dinner, entertainment, and raffled off an evening at Encore Boston Harbor. The E Club honors Everett's tradition in sports by raising money for student athletes to pursue success after high school in whichever endeavors they choose. We are the only club of our kind. Over the past 50 years, our recipients have gone on to do great things. We would like to extend an invitation to our annual open meeting on Tuesday, January 11. Please join us at the Zion Baptist Church, 757 Broadway at 6PM. We welcome your feedback. Signed, Vincent J. Ragucci Jr. Executive Director The E Club DIDOMENICO | FROM PAGE 9 opportunities for local community non-profits in the cities of Everett, Chelsea, Cambridge and Charlestown and I am thrilled to provide my support for these essential organizations.” The following organizations are funded via DiDomenico’s amendment: • Eliot Family Resource Center • Latinos Unidos en Massachusetts • Joint Committee for Children’s Health Care in Everett • Transition House in Cambridge • Everett Haitian Community Center • Cambridge Nonprofit Coalition • GreenRoots, Inc. in Chelsea • La Colaborativa • Special Townies in Charlestown • The Neighborhood Developers • La Comunidad, Inc. • Portal To Hope • Everett LGBTQ+ Youth Space and Resource Center • Food for Free • Kennedy Center in Charlestown • Everett High School Band Program • Community Action Programs Inter-City, Inc. • Grace Food Pantry • Cambridge Economic Opportunity Committee, Inc. • ROCA LIKE US ON FACEBOOK ADVOCATE NEWSPAPER FACEBOOK.COM/ ADVOCATE.NEWS.MA
THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021 Page 21 Baker announces state supported monoclonal antibody treatment sites T he Baker-Polito Administration recently announced the deployment of three state supported mobile units for monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatment for high-risk individuals who have been exposed to or have COVID-19. These new clinics have the capacity to treat a combined 500 patients per week with therapies that have shown to be effective in reducing severity of disease and keeping COVID-19-positive individuals from being hospitalized. Referral from a health care provider is required for treatment at any of the three new mobile clinics. Treatment is provided at no cost to the patient and offered regardless of immigration status or health insurance. Patients should discuss with their health care providers whether mAb treatment is right for them. Two of the new mobile units – currently in Fall River and Holyoke – began administering mAb treatment to patients on November 22, and a third unit will be deployed to Everett on December 3. These mobile clinics will increase access to mAb treatment in Massachusetts for high-risk individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 or who have been exposed to someone with COVID-19. The mobile clinic sites can be relocated easily based on demand. “These mobile sites enable individuals with early COVID-19 or who have been exposed to COVID-19 to be treated quickly and safely ESSENTIAL | FROM PAGE 4 proportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic are prioritized. Using this framework, the bill delivers targeted, transformational supports to critical sectors, such as health care, mental and behavioral health, housing security, environment and workforce development. On November 15, the Massachusetts House of Representatives and Senate appointed a Conference Committee to reconcile their respective versions of the ARPA spending bill before it can be sent to Governor Charlie Baker for his review and signature. ~ LETTER TO THE EDITOR ~ Thank You The E Club of Everett its Officers, Board of Governors and Membership would with monoclonal antibody infusion,” said Acting Public Health Commissioner Margret Cooke. “While the best protection against COVID-19 is vaccination, these therapies can help prevent hospitalization and severe illness for infected or exposed high-risk individuals. People with questions about whether this treatment is right for them should discuss it with their healthcare provider.” In partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the temBAKER | SEE PAGE 29 like to thank the individuals, business, and friends who sponsored a table at our Kickoff Banquet held at Spinelli’s on Saturday, November 27, 2021. The funds raised will help future Scholar/athletes in their college endeavors. They are as follows: Agnetta Family, Rick Farnell Family, John J. “Jack” McGrath Family, Mayor Carlo DeMaria Family, Bubba Sag, Inc., Vincent J. Ragucci, Jr. Family, Everett Bank, Armando “Mando” Leo Family, Kayem, Inc., Angelina and Carmine Ragucci Family, Malden Trans., Inc., State Senator Sal DiDomenico Family, Councillor-At-Large Michael Marchese Family, Palladion Security Services, Encore, Sachetta & Callahan, LLC, Joseph D. Cataldo, Esq., Katy Rogers Photography, Fine Art, McGovern Automotive Group, Anderson Component Corp., State Representative Joseph McGonagle, and Peter E. Flynn, Esq. If you would like to sponsor a table at our Scholarship/Awards Banquet May 28, 2022 please contact me at 617.331.0957. Thank you to all, stay safe and well, James A. “Tank” Agnetta, Jr. Treasurer E. Club of Everett
Page 22 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021 COUNCILLOR | FROM PAGE 4 developed a temporary plan to control the flow of traffic during the holiday season, and it seems to be working rather nicely,” he said. The plan, which will be in effect every weekend in December, includes closing the cross rotary exit which usually allows cars to access the mall by cutting across Revere Beach Parkway. The entry point to enter the rotary from Santilli Highway will also be closed. Therefore, drivers exiting Santilli Highway will need to use the right lane to get on the Parkway. In addition, drivers travelling westbound on the Parkway can use the Wellington Station exit to reverse direction and get to the mall from the eastbound side. Looking ahead, DiPierro said either the rotary at the mall’s entrance needs to be redesigned or a second exit needs to be put in. He also said that State Representative Joseph McGonagle recently informed him that funding is available through the Transportation Bond Bill to take steps to loosen the congestion. “I am looking for all stakeholders, including city and state officials, to come together and develop a long-term solution,” said DiPierro. “I’m afraid that doing nothing will not only be detrimental to the safety of the visitors, but also to the survival of the businesses that call the Center home.” Police Chief Steven Mazzie said traffic at the mall typically picks up after Thanksgiving and continues until after January 1. However, there was an unforeseen circumstance that caused traffic to increase earlier than expected. “Without our knowledge, there was a seasonal Halloween store that had opened at the mall and was one of the only ones in the Metro Boston area,” said Mazzie. “We experienced a large traffic issue that caught us off guard during the last weekend of October.” Ward 2 Councillor Stephanie Martins said efforts to resolve the traffic backups have been ongoing since 2019. “The state has not been responsive,” she said. “Not only is the one exit not functional but it’s also a safety issue because emergency vehicles cannot get in and out when traffic is backed up. My hope is that we can secure state funds to finally get some shovels on the ground and address the matter.”
THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021 Page 23 AG’s Office offers guidance on donating to charities ahead of holiday season I While some charities raise sional solicitors. “Thousands of charities in Massachusetts rely on donations to help provide critical services and resources to individuals and communities, especially as we continue to face challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Healey. “If you are in a position to give, be sure to do your research and make informed decisions in order to maximize the impact of your donation.” funds on their own, others pay professional solicitors to solicit donations from the public, and solicitors are required by statute to register with the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office. Conventional professional solicitors fundraise through phone, mail and door-to-door campaigns. The 2020 Professional Solicitor Bulletin outlines the financial results that solicitors and charities report from campaigns conducted in Massachusetts in 2020, a year where many charities faced fundraising challenges due to the pandemic, with new restrictions around in-person events, along with cancelations and solicitations that were limited. In 2020, 44 conventional professional solicitors collected $93 million through campaigns conducted in Massachusetts. While the amount kept by professional solicitors varied widely among solicitors, only approximately $40 million ended up with the actual charities. The 2020 report is consistent with campaign reports from the last five years, in which conventional professional solicitors transferred less than 50 percent of funds they raised to charities. However, the total revenue that all professional solicitors reported as having raised in 2020 campaigns conducted in Massachusetts increased from approximately $950 million in 2019 to $1.2 billion in 2020. This increase is largely due to three professional solicitors that employed unconventional methods: an investment management firm fundraising for a donor-advised fund, an online fundraising platform that works with a related donor-advised fund, and a fundraising firm that targeted major donors. These three professional solicitors reported raising $1.12 billion for charities in 2020 and transferred nearly 99 percent of those funds to the charities. The AG’s Office encourages potential donors to ask questions when they are contacted by a professional solicitor: • Is the solicitor calling your The Naughty List: BBB’s 12 Scams of Christmas W hile 2021 is winding down, scams targeting the public continue to cause trouble. Consumers should watch out for any fraudulent schemes aimed at swiping their cash and stealing personal information. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has a Naughty List with the top 12 scams of Christmas that are most likely to catch consumers and donors off guard during this season. Many of the scams on this list are facilitated through emails and social media platforms; however, the latter is where most people are vulnerable. Exercise caution when coming across social media ads about discounted items, event promotions, job opportunities and donation requests, as well as direct messages from strangers. If you are asked to make a payment or donation by wire or e-transfer, through third parties, by prepaid debit or gift cards, treat this as a red flag. Be mindful of these scams that could cut into your holiday cheer and BBB’s tips to avoid them: 1. Misleading Social Media Ads: As you scroll through your social media feed, you often see items for sale from a small business. Sometimes the business even claims to support a charity to try to get you to order, or they offer a free trial. BBB Scam Tracker receives reports of people paying for items that they never receive, getting charged monthly for a free trial they never signed up for or receiving an item that is counterfeit or much different from the one advertised. The 2020 BBB Scam Tracker Risk Report found that online purchase scams were the most common cons reported to Scam Tracker and the category with the most victims. Do your homework and research the company before ordering. Check out the business profile on BBB.org and read the reviews. 2. Social Media Gift Exchanges: Each holiday season this scheme pops back up, and this year is no different. A newer version of this scam revolves around exchanging bottles of wine; another suggests purchasing $10 gifts online; another twist asks you to submit your email into a list where participants get to pick a name and send money to strangers to “pay it forward.” There is even a twist about “Secret Santa Dog” where you buy a $10 gift for your “secret dog.” In all of these versions, participants unwittingly share their personal information, along with those of their family members and friends, and are further tricked into buying and shipping gifts or money to unknown individuals. And – it’s an illegal pyramid scheme. 3. Holiday Apps: Apple’s App Store and Google Play list dozens of holiday-themed apps home a volunteer or a professional fundraiser? • How much of every dollar donated will go to the charity? • Confirm the charity’s name and the services it offers. Professional solicitors are required by law to disclose certain information when asked and may not mislead prospective donors or misrepresent facts. While the Attorney General’s Office has a variety of tools to address deceptive practices in charitable solicitation, the most effective means of preventing fraud is an educated donating public. The Attorney General’s Office maintains annual financial reports from charities and professional solicitors that opn anticipation of the upcoming holiday season and as people across the state continue to struggle amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Attorney General Maura Healey is advising residents to make informed decisions when donating to charities. Her Office released a new bulletin showing that only 43 percent of the funds that conventional professional solicitors raised on behalf of charities were transferred to charitable organizations in 2020. More than half of charitable contributions collected were retained by the profeserate in the Commonwealth, which are available for public inspection online. For additional tips on donating, consumers may also review the Attorney General’s Office’s Giving Wisely Advisory (https://www. mass.gov/service-details/giving-wisely-to-charity) and the Donating Dos and Don’ts: A Guide to Charitable Giving (https://www.mass.gov/files/ documents/2021/01/27/Donating%20Dos%20and%20 Donts.%202021.pdf). Individuals with inquiries or complaints about charitable solicitations should call the Attorney General’s Non-Profit Organizations/ Public Charities Division at 617963-2101 or access an online complaint form. where children can video chat live with Santa, light the menorah, watch Santa feed live reindeer, track his sleigh on Christmas Eve or relay their holiday wish lists. This holiday season, like last year when COVID-19 caused children to skip the traditional in-person visit with Santa, apps may play a more important role than ever. Review privacy policies to see what information will be collected. Be wary of free apps, as they can sometimes contain more advertising than apps that require a nominal fee. Free apps can also contain malware. 4. Alerts About Compromised Accounts: BBB has been receiving reports on Scam Tracker about a con claiming your Amazon, PayPal, Netflix or bank account has been compromised. Victims receive an email, call or text message which explains that there has been suspicious activity on one of their accounts, and it further urges them to take immediate action to prevent the account from being compromised. Be extra cautious about unsolicited calls, emails and texts. 5. Free Gift Cards: Nothing brings good cheer like the word free. Scammers have been known to take advantage of this weakness by sending bulk phishing emails requesting CHRISTMAS | SEE PAGE 26
Page 24 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021 Beacon Hill Roll Call By Bob Katzen GET A FREE SUBSCRIPTION TO MASSTERLIST–Join more than 22,000 people, from movers and shakers to political junkies and interested citizens, who start their weekday morning with MASSterList—the popular newsletter that chronicles news and informed analysis about what’s going on up on Beacon Hill, in Massachusetts politics, policy, media and influence. The stories are drawn from major news organizations as well as specialized publications selected by widely acclaimed and highly experienced writers Chris Van Buskirk and Keith Regan who introduce each article in their own clever and never-boring, inimitable way. MASSterlist will be e-mailed to you FREE every Monday through Friday morning and will give you a leg up on what’s happening in the blood sport of Bay State politics. For more information and to get your free subscription go to: www. massterlist.com/subscribe. THE HOUSE AND SENATE: There were no roll call votes in the House or Senate last week. This week, Beacon Hill Roll Call reports local representatives’ roll call attendance records for the 2021 session. No more roll calls are planned in the House until January 2022. The House held 121 roll calls in 2021. Beacon Hill Roll Call tabulates the number of roll calls on which each representative was present and voting, and then calculates that number as a percentage of the total roll call votes held. That percentage is the number referred to as the roll call attendance record. The vast majority of the 159 representatives are not in the House chamber during a session because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Sources tell Beacon Hill Roll Call that they have seen as few as 12 members in the chamber and as many as 40. The remainder are watching the session from their home or business and voting remotely. Here’s how the remote voting system works: Eight appointed monitors are required to be present in the House chamber and are each given the task of recording the votes of approximately 20 members who are watching the session remotely from their homes or business offices. Each monitor has their 20 members on a conference call and fills out a form indicating how each member voted. The sheets are given to the court officers who then give them to the House Clerk who verifies that the correct totals have been recorded on the sheet and that the sheet is signed by the monitor. The assistant clerk records the yeas and nays in the roll call computer, which activates the green (voted YES) or red (voted NO) lights on the electronic roll call board. Members participating remotely then have the opportunity to see on the broadcast how they are recorded so that they can verify that their vote is recorded accurately. The tally is then displayed on the roll call board and the presiding officer announces the totals and the result of the vote. If a member wants to speak on an issue under consideration, they leave the conference call temporarily. Using a different telephone, they call into a line that patches them into the debate. Their voice is then heard in the House chamber and by those watching the broadcast online. In the House, 86.7 percent (138 representatives out of 159) did not miss any roll calls and have 100 percent roll call attendance records while 13.3 percent (21 representatives out of 159) have missed one or more roll calls. The representative who missed the most roll calls is Rep. Meghan Kilcoyne (D-Northborough) who missed 15, resulting in an 87.6 percent attendance record. Rounding out the top six representatives who have missed the most roll calls are Reps. Patrick Kearney (D-Scituate) who missed eight roll calls (93.3 percent attendance record); David LeBoeuf (D-Worcester) who missed six roll calls (95.0 percent attendance record); Chynah Tyler (D-Roxbury) who missed four roll calls (96.6 percent roll call attendance record); and Reps. Ann-Margaret Ferrante (D-Gloucester) and Tami Gouveia (D-Acton) who both missed three roll calls (97.5 percent roll call attendance record) Beacon Hill Roll Call contacted these six legislators and asked each one for a comment on his or her attendance record. Only four responded: Reps. Kilcoyne, Kearney, Ferrante and Gouveia. Reps. Tyler and LeBoeuf did not respond to repeated requests for a comment. “I was forced to miss one full formal session because I sat for the Massachusetts Bar Exam at the end of July,” said Kilcoyne. “My absence is recorded in the House Journal along with the explanation for the missed votes on that one day. The journal also reflects how I would have voted had I been present on that day. Other than the one day I was forced to miss, I have a perfect voting record.” “As a lieutenant in the United States Navy Reserve, I report for active duty at least for two weeks a year, sometimes longer depending on the nation’s needs,” said Kearney. “I have been undergoing treatment at Dana Farber,” said Ferrante. “I take my role as a state representative very seriously, so when I experienced technical difficulties in dialing in during one of our formal sessions, I quickly alerted the clerk,” said Gouveia. “While my roll call vote for quorum was unable to be recorded, I did record two votes in favor of the two bills before the House that day.” REPRESENTATIVES’ 2021 ROLL CALL ATTENDANCE RECORDS The percentage listed next to the representative’s name is the percentage of roll call votes on which the representative voted. The number in parentheses represents the number of roll calls that he or she missed. Rep. Joseph McGonagle 100 percent (0) HOW LONG WAS LAST WEEK’S SESSION? Beacon Hill Roll Call tracks the length of time that the House and Senate were in session each week. Many legislators say that legislative sessions are only one aspect of the Legislature’s job and that a lot of important work is done outside of the House and Senate chambers. They note that their jobs also involve committee work, research, constituent work and other matters that are important to their districts. Critics say that the Legislature does not meet regularly or long enough to debate and vote in public view on the thousands of pieces of legislation that have been filed. They note that the infrequency and brief length of sessions are misguided and lead to irresponsible late-night sessions and a mad rush to act on dozens of bills in the days immediately preceding the end of an annual session. During the week of November 22-26, the House met for a total of 26 minutes while the Senate met for a total of 57 minutes. Mon. Nov. 22 House 11:00 a.m. to 11:05 a.m. Senate 11:15 a.m. to 11:41 a.m. Tues. Nov. 23 No House session No Senate session Wed. Nov. 24 House 11:02 a.m. to 11:23 a.m. Senate 11:06 a.m. to 11:37 a.m. Thurs. Nov. 25 No House session No Senate session Fri. Nov. 26 No House session No Senate session Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com
THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021 Page 25 “YOUR FINANCIAL FOCUS” JOSEPH D. CATALDO MAKING YOUR ESTATE THE BENEFICIARY OF YOUR IRA provide for Massachusetts estate tax savings so that when you die, you will have taken advantage of your $1million Massachusetts estate tax exemption by making sure the remainder share in your testamentary trust is funded with enough of the IRA or 401(k) account monies to bring the total of all assets being distributed to your children to at least equal the $1million. If your spouse is aging and you are In most situations you would name your spouse as your primary beneficiary of your IRA or 401(k) account. If you were to die, your spouse would be able to establish his or her own spousal IRA account and would be able to defer withdrawals until age 72, at which time your spouse would then be required to take out required minimum distributions (RMD’s) over his or her life expectancy. One reason why you might wish to make your estate the primary beneficiary would be to actually protect the remaining IRA or 401(k) monies in the event your surviving spouse were to go into a nursing home. If the estate were to be named the beneficiary of your IRA or 401(k) account, you would include a testamentary trust provision in your Last Will and Testament which would take effect once your Will is allowed. The testamentary trust would provide for discretionary distributions of income and principal in order to benefit your surviving spouse. One of the downsides to this, of course, is the cost and time associated with the probate process. Another downside to this is the remaining monies in the IRA or 401(k) account would have to be distributed over a five-year period with the passage of the SECURE act. Income taxes will have to be paid each year which will have a negative impact on the ability of the account to grow over time. The upside of this strategy is that MassHealth does not treat testamentary trusts the same as irrevocable trusts and the transfer penalty provisions do not apply to these trusts as well. There is no five-year look back period to be concerned with. With irrevocable trusts, there can only be income distributed to the Settlor, not principal. With a testamentary trust, principal distributions are allowed to be distributed to the surviving spouse without any negative impact on MassHealth eligibility. If the testamentary trust is structured with a remainder share and a marital share, this strategy may also concerned about a future nursing home admission, and are also concerned about providing for all of your spouse’s health care needs, daily living expenses, housing needs, etc., then this is one strategy to at least consider. For Advertising with Results, call The Advocate Newspapers at 617-387-2200 or Info@advocatenews.net
Page 26 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021 Baker announces start of public ice skating season T he Baker-Polito Administration recently announced that the state Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR) has opened state-managed ice rinks for free public skating through the winter season, with the exception of Kelly Outdoor Rink in Boston, which is scheduled to open on Saturday, December 18, weather permitting. DCR ice rinks will continue to adhere to COVID-19 guidance, which requires all visitors and staff within public areas of the rinks to wear a mask. Appropriate signage has been posted throughout the facilities to remind visitors of the requirements. “We are excited to again announce the start of free ice skating at DCR managed rinks for people of all abilities to enjoy skating with friends and family,” said Acting DCR Commissioner Stephanie Cooper. “As part of our commitment to providing the people of Massachusetts with safe and engaging recreational spaces, the Baker-Polito Administration continues to invest in our first rate state park facilities, including ice rinks, as a way to promote fitness, well-being, and community pride.” Public ice skating times and locations of DCR-managed rinks, as well as a full list of all DCR-owned rinks, can be found on DCR’s webpage. Visitors are advised to call ahead concerning the availability of ice skate rentals and snack concessions. Additionally, adaptive programming is offered during the winter season through DCR’s Universal Access Program. To learn more about UAP, please visit the program’s webpage (https://www.mass.gov/orgs/universal-access-program) where upcoming events are posted. CHRISTMAS | FROM PAGE 23 personal information to receive free gift cards. In some of these emails, scammers impersonate legitimate companies, like Starbucks, and promise gift cards to loyal customers who have been supporting their business throughout the pandemic. They might also use pop-up ads or send text messages with links saying you were randomly selected as the winner of a prize. If you have received an unsolicited email with gift card offers, do not open it. Instead, mark it as Spam or Junk. However, if you opened the email, do not click on any links. 6. Temporary Holiday Jobs: Retailers typically hire seasonal workers to help meet the demands of holiday shoppers. Shippers and delivery services are top holiday employers this year because of the increase in online orders and the need to get most of these packages delivered before Christmas. These jobs are a great way to make extra money, sometimes with the possibility of turning into a long-term employment opportunity; however, jobseekers need to be wary of employment scams aimed at stealing money and personal information from job applicants. Keep an eye out for opportunities that seem too good to be true. 7. Look-Alike Websites: The holiday season brings endless emails offering deals, sales and bargains. Be wary of emails with links enclosed. Some might lead to look-alike websites created by scammers to trick people into downloading malware, making dead-end purchases and sharing private information. If you are uncertain about the email, do not click any of the links. Instead, hover over them to see where they reroute. 8. Fake Charities: Typically, 40 percent of all charitable donations are received during the last few weeks of the year; however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many organizations had to cancel their usual fundraising events and awareness campaigns and are now inviting donors to support online. Donors are advised to look out for fraudulent charities and scammers pretending to be individuals in need. Avoid impromptu donation decisions to unfamiliar organizations. Responsible organizations will welcome a gift tomorrow as much as they do today. Verify a charity at BBB’s give. org. Where possible, donate to the charity through their website and use a credit card. 9. Fake Shipping Notifications: More consumers are making purchases online; there is also an increase in the number of notifications about shipping details from retailers and carriers. Scammers are using this new surge to send phishing emails with links enclosed that might allow unwanted access to your private information or download malware CHRISTMAS | SEE PAGE 28 Start the New Year with a new career at the MBTA T growth opportunities to employees and encourage members of the public to visit our website to learn more about our many open positions and beginning their career at the T.” This fall the MBTA has gone to over 20 online and in-person career fairs across the region, and it is updating the way it hires to make it easier and faster to start a T career, including Commercial fits and incentives. “The MBTA plays an integral and essential role in keeping Massachusetts moving. The T is a diverse and exciting place to work, and we’re actively hiring and training new employees, especially bus drivers, right now to join our ranks and play a significant part in revitalizing the region post pandemic,” said MBTA General Manager Stephen Poftak. “The MBTA is being proactive in recruiting new individuals to join our team and fast-tracking the hiring process, and will continue to work closely with local and state career centers and our community partners to recruit new individuals to join our team. We offer a variety of Driver’s License (CDL) permit “events” at Registry of Motor Vehicle locations (CDL permits are encouraged in applying for bus operator positions), a revamp of the interview process and streamlining the application process. The T has also launched an aggressive recruitment campaign, more than doubling the size of its Human Resources recruiting department since Labor Day 2021 with more anticipated to join soon. A Human Resources team was also recently created that is dedicated to vehicle operator hiring, especially MBTA bus operators. The MBTA offers competitive salaries, extensive healthcare benefits, free public transit, training programs, tuition assistance, employee assistance programs and an emphasis on diversity, equity and inclusion. MBTA employees also receive attractive retirement plans, paid vacation, holidays, sick time and flexible spending accounts. Members of the public can view open positions onhe MBTA is aggressively hiring new employees to join its dynamic workforce. It takes many people to move more than a million trips a day, and the 6,500-person MBTA is redoubling efforts to hire hundreds of open positions – from train and trolley operators to administrative and technical positions, and especially bus drivers, who are in high demand to transport Massachusetts residents to work, play and everywhere in between. Prospective candidates looking for a rewarding career where they can have a positive impact on the entire region should visit mbta.com/ careers for more information on open positions and to learn about the MBTA’s many beneline and visit the MBTA website for more information on insurance and other benefits. The MBTA envisions a thriving region enabled by a bestin-class transit system. The MBTA’s mission is to serve the public by providing safe, reliable and accessible transportation, and it holds core values built around safety, service, equity and sustainability. Each employee that works for the MBTA performs their role based on the MBTA’s vision, mission and values. The MBTA is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021 Page 27 7. In the original Brothers Grimm fairytale, who was Ashputtel? 8. How are Tom Brady and Peyton Manning similar? 9. Manitoulin Island is the 1. The world’s tallest thermometer (134 feet) is in the town of Baker in what U.S. state? 2. On Dec. 3, 1895, what female Austrian psychoanalyst was born who wrote “The Ego and Mechanisms of Defense”? 3. What is a Joe Frogger? 4. December 4 is National Cookie Day; what was the first U.S. mass-produced cookie? 5. The Gießkannenmuseum in Gießen, Germany, celebrates what kind of “can”? 6. On Dec. 5, 1901, what entertainment company was founded that is headquartered in Burbank, Calif.? world’s largest lake island and has over 100 inland lakes; what lake is it in? 10. December 6 is St. Nicholas Day; he was the Bishop of Myra, which is now called Demre and is in what country? 11. Why are helium balloons able to float? 12. What European city is considered the world’s most bicycle-friendly city? 13. How are Canada, snow and cackling similar? 14. On Dec. 7, 1932, what Swiss physicist received an American visa? 15. The watchword of the Camp Fire Girls of America (rebranded as Camp Fire) is “Wohelo,” an anagram standing for what? 16. On Dec. 8, 1993, the U.S. Secretary of Defense stated that there were 24 GPS satellites available for civilian navigation use; what does GPS stand for? 17. In what N.E. state is Funspot, the world’s largest video game arcade? 18. Which insect is thought to have the largest brain? 19. Where will the FIFA World Cup be in 2022? 20. On Dec. 9, 1902, what method of transport was first shown on a U.S. stamp? ANSWERS 1. California 2. Anna Freud 3. A spicy molasses cookie thought to have originated in Marblehead, Mass. 4. Animal Crackers 5. Watering can (The museum has over 1,000.) 6. The Walt Disney Company 7. Cinderella 8. They are the only starting quarterbacks to win at the Super Bowl with two different teams. 9. Lake Huron 10. Turkey 11. Because helium is lighter than air. Air is mostly oxygen and nitrogen. 12. Copenhagen, Denmark 13. They are varieties of geese found in North America. 14. Albert Einstein 15. Work, Health, Love 16. Global Positioning System 17. New Hampshire (Weirs Beach) 18. Ants 19. Qatar 20. Bicycle (This “Messenger on Bicycle” stamp replaced earlier stamp designs with a “running” messenger.)
Page 28 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021 CAMPAIGN | FROM PAGE 26 onto your device. They might also try to trick people into paying new shipping fees. 10. Pop Up Holiday Virtual Events: This year many local in-person events, such as popup holiday markets or craft fairs, have moved online. Scammers are creating fake event pages, social media posts and emails – charging admission for what used to be a free event. The goal is to steal credit card information. Confi rm with the organizer of the event if there is an admission fee. In the cases where there is a charge, use a credit card. If the event is free, watch for scammers trying to claim otherwise. 11. Top Holiday Wish List Items: Low or ridiculously priced luxury goods, jewelry, designer clothing, and electronics are almost always cheap counterfeits and knockoff s. This year the Galactic Snackin’ Grogu Animatronic (aka Baby Yoda) and game consoles are some of the items in high demand. Be very cautious when considering purchasing these high-value items from individuals through social sites. 12. Puppy Scams: Many families, especially those with children, might be considering to add a furry friend to their household this year; however, you could fall victim to a pet scam, which are on the rise this year. Request to see the pet in person before making a purchase. We follow Social Distancing Guidelines! Frank Berardino MA License 31811 • 24 - Hour Service • Emergency Repairs BERARDINO Plumbing & Heating Residential & Commercial Service Gas Fitting • Drain Service 617.699.9383 Senior Citizen Discount 379 Broadway Everett 617-381-9090 ADVOCATE Call now! 617-387-2200 ADVERTISE ON THE WEB AT WWW.ADVOCATENEWS.NET All occasions florist Wedding ~ Sympathy Tributes Plants ~ Dish Gardens Customized Design Work GIFT BASKETS Fruit Baskets www.EverettFlorist.net CLASSIFIEDS
THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2021 Page 29 REAL ESTATE TRANSAC TIONS Copyrighted material previously published in Banker & Tradesman/The Commercial Record, a weekly trade newspaper. It is reprinted with permission from the publisher, The Warren Group. For a searchable database of real estate transactions and property information visit: www.thewarrengroup.com. BUYER1 Ortiz, Oscar BAKER | FROM PAGE 21 porary clinics will be operated by Gothams, a Texas-based emergency management company with experience supporting commercial, federal and state facilities in COVID-19 emergency response. Mobile clinBUYER2 SELLER1 Severino, Madelyn E ic staff will also be deployed to provide mAb treatment in community locations, such as nursing homes, assisted living residences, and congregate care settings. Under the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s emergency use authorization, COVID-positive or exposed patients aged 12 and older at high risk for severe COVID-19 illness are eligible to receive mAb treatment. The single intravenous infusion treatment takes 2030 minutes, followed by an hour of patient monitoring. If administered within 10 days of onset of COVID-19 SELLER2 ADDRESS 13 Hoyt St CITY Everett symptoms, the one-time therapy is highly effective in neutralizing the virus and preventing symptoms from worsening. With the addition of these three mobile units, Massachusetts residents can now receive mAb treatment at 32 publicly available locaFRANK’S Housepainting (781) 289-0698 • Exterior • Ceiling Dr. • Power Wash • Paper Removal • Carpentry FREE ESTIMATES — Fully Insured ~ HELP WANTED ~ Construction Help Wanted Seeking Full-Time Laborers Basic construction knowledge, MA Drivers License with clean driving record a must. EVERETT ALUMINUM Call Steve at: (617) 389-3839 Clean-Outs! We take and dispose from cellars, attics, garages, yards, etc. We also do demolition. Best Prices Call: 781-593-5308 781-321-2499 DATE 08.11.2021 PRICE $460 000,00 tions. A map of sites can be found at Monoclonal Antibody Therapy Locator (arcgis.com). For more information about accessing this treatment, visit https://www.mass.gov/info-details/monoclonal-antibody-mab-therapy-treatment-for-covid-19. “Proper prep makes all the difference” – F. Ferrera • Interior LIKE US ON FACEBOOK ADVOCATE NEWSPAPER FACEBOOK.COM/ADVOCATE.NEWS.MA
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