Have a Safe & Merry Christmas! Vol.30, No.51 -FREEwww.advocatenews.net vo oca ene ews ne ocatenews.net et F riday Free Every Raise Up Revere awards $60K to local organizations ri 781-286-8500 Friday, December 24, 2021 Self-test COVID-19 kits distributed at Lincoln School Shown from left to right are First Congregational Church Food Pantry Director Wendy Baur, First Congregational Church Pastor Tim Bogertman, Mayor Brian Arrigo, HarborCOV (Communities Overcoming Violence) Executive Director Kourou Pich, Community Action Programs, Inter City, Inc. (CAPIC) Emergency Assistance Program Director Cary Havey and Amazon Senior Manager Jerome Smith each accept a $20,000 check on behalf of their organization. See page 7 for photo highlights. RHS Building Committee: Site selection for new high school weeks away By Adam Swift T he Revere High School Building Committee will be making its fi nal recommendation on the site for a new high school next month. During last Tuesday night’s School Committee, representatives from owner’s project manager Leftfi eld and project architect Perkins Eastman gave an extensive update to the committee on the progress of the building project. The fi nal site selection is down to building on the current high school site or on the Wonderland property. The high school option would see the construction of a new building on the current Erricola Field, with the current BUILDING | SEE Page 16 Meet the 2021-2022 RHS Girls Basketball Team Captains Lincoln School fi rst graders Nadira Jannat and Geselle Villanueva received test kits from Asst. Superintendent Richard Gallucci on Wednesday with hopes to stem the COVID-19 Omicron variant. (Advocate photos by Tara Vocino) Meet the 2021-2022 RHS Boys Basketball Team Captains TEAM LEADERS: RHS Lady Pats Basketball team co-captains, pictured from left to right: Haley Belloise, Carolina Carvalho-Bettero and Skyla DeSimone. Pictured at far left, RHS Head Coach Christopher Porrazzo and Asst. Coach Michael Micciche. Pictured at far right: Asst. Coach Thomas Chea. See page 13 for more team photos. (Advocate Photo by Tara Vocino) TEAM LEADES: RHS Boys’ Basketball Co-Captains, pictured from left to right: Ihssan Mouroane, James Clauto and Jack D’Ambrosio. See pages12 for more team photos. (Advocate Photo by Tara Vocino)
Page 2 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2021 City employees distribute self-test COVID-19 kits 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 Open an account and order online at: www.angelosoil.com (781) 231-3500 (781) 231-3003 367 LINCOLN A A DA M Shown from left to right: Superintendent of Schools Dr. Dianne Kelly, Assistant Superintendent of Schools Richard Gallucci and Abraham Lincoln School Principal Sara Hoomis during Wednesday’s COVID-19 pre-Christmas test kit distribution at the Abraham Lincoln School. By Tara Vocino embers of the Superintendent’s Office distributed more than 7,000 self-test kits (14,000 tests) to every Revere Public School student, beginning at the Abraham Lincoln Elementary School on Wednesday, just in time for Christmas. With each kit is a four-page, multilingual instruction sheet containing a QR code with video instructions on how to administer the test. Superintendent of Schools Dr. Dianne Kelly said the test kits will be a way that students can safely visit families – if they test negative – this holiday season. (Advocate photos by Tara Vocino) We’ll be closed for the holidays December 24-25th. Wishing you happy holidays and thank you for being both customers and friends. As always, access our ATMs and your Online & Mobile Banking anytime. Enroll at www.EverettBank.com Dayanna Erazo, Maria Clara Nicodemos and Trisha Patel received test kits from Asst. Superintendent Richard Gallucci. (Photos Courtesy of Diana Cano) Santa Claus gets ZBA approval for Christmas Eve T 419 BROADWAY. EVERETT, MA 02149 771 SALEM ST. LYNNFIELD, MA 01940 WWW.EVERETTBANK.COM Member FDIC | Member DIF he big guy got clearance from the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) to make his rounds on Christmas Eve. In a late addition to Tuesday’s ZBA agenda, one S. Claus from the North Pole requested “temporary variances on December 24, 2021, to enable the appellant to conduct a one night, not for profi t, delivery service within the City of Revere to facilitate the delivery of toys and gifts to various resident locations within the community. To reduce the carbon emissions the appellant proposes to use non-domesticated animals to conduct the delivery services. The non-domesticated animals respond to the names: Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and Rudolph.” Prices subject to change FLEET
THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2021 Page 3 RFD welcomes new firefighters SNOW BLOWER SALES, SERVICE & REPAIRS Pickup/Delivery Available 1039 BROADWAY, REVERE 781-289-6466 781-289-6466 WWW.BIKERSOUTFITTER.COM WWW.BIKERSOUTFITTER.COM Lawrence A. Simeone Jr. Attorney-at-Law Shown from left to right are new Revere Firefi ghters Hernando Ortega-Bueno, Tyler D’Angelo, Dylan Stuart, Jacqueline Snyder, Jordan Bohannon and Jarel Pemberton. The six new fi refi ghters graduated from the Massachusetts Firefi ghting Academy on December 17. (Photo Courtesy of the Revere Fire Department) Student report puts focus on high school issues By Adam Swift I n the wake of students walking out of Revere High School last week in support of sexual assault victims, School Committee student representative Elni Lopez de Jesus presented the committee with an overview of issues she has heard from students at the school. While she touched upon the walkout, Lopez also covered a number of topics of concern to her fellow students. In addition, Lopez spoke to and highlighted the responses she received on the concerns from Revere High School Principal Dr. John Perella. Lopez said Perella addressed students during the walkout, and in a later email, he promised to invite student class representatives, athletes and club leaders to work on building and designing forums in which students and teachers can share and listen to each other’s perspectives and experiences. “Dr. Perella is working with the Superintendent of Schools to bring in additional outside support and free up class time in the spring to do the work necessary to heal and restore the community,” said Lopez. Other issues raised by students include a new grading system that some students said has had a huge impact on their anxiety and depression. Lopez said Perella told her that there would be adjustments to the grading system. Students also said they appreciated the fl ex block period they had during the pandemic while taking part in remote learning. Lopez said it is something the school is looking into. “Dr. Perella mentioned that the challenge is that he has to get agreement from the School Committee and how the school was in the process of putting it in place, but COVID messed it up,” said Lopez. In a similar vein, Lopez said students have stated that they would like to see more conversation-based, rather than lecture-based, classes. There were also issues that Lopez said students raised about special education students and programs and how the students are integrated into the school as a whole, and about overall attitudes at the high school. “Seniors and juniors have expressed how they feel like there is no sense of authority anymore which has led to the current misbehavior of the younger classes,” said Lopez. She said Perella replied that there are many students who never had a sense of closure from their previous schools, and that the behaviors in the outside world have complicated the situation. Lopez said Perella stated that he is working with the superintendent to build resources and help the students with many of the issues that were raised. “Thank you for the very thorough report,” said Mayor Brian Arrigo. “We appreciate it and appreciate you having the opportunity to amplify the voices of the students. It’s important for us to hear.” School Committee Member Carol Tye said Lopez’s report was the most thorough student report she has experienced in her time on the committee. “I congratulate you for the amount of time you put into it and how you worked very hard at making it objective, and still giving voice to all the students and respect to Dr. Perella,” said Tye. ~ 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 100 years of cigar experience OPEN & READY TO SERVE YOU! Happy Holidays! Buy Cigars by the Box & Save! Competitive Prices On All Brands, Good Selection Come On Down - Save Money & Time! R.Y.O. TOBACCO ----------TUBES WE SELL CIGARS & ACCESSORIES PLUS: * Travel Humidors * Desk Top Humidors * Many Types of Lighters * Ash Trays * Juuls * Vapes * Glass Pipes * Rewards Program * CBD Infused Products * VARIOUS GIFTS UNDER $30 - GIFT CERTIFICATES A.B.C. CIGAR 170 REVERE ST., REVERE (781) 289-4959 STORE HOURS: Mon. - Wed.: 8 AM - 7 PM Thurs., Fri. - Sat.: 8 AM - 8 PM Sunday & Holidays: 8 AM-6 PM
Page 4 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2021 In Partnership with United Way and Amazon, Mayor Arrigo Awards Three Community-Based Organizations $20K Grants through the Raise Up Revere Fund L ast Thursday, Mayor Brian Arrigo and representatives from both Amazon and United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley presented three grant awards to community-based organizations who continue to go above and beyond for Revere residents. The Raise Up Revere fund, which was established in April of 2020, is focused on meeting the immediate needs of Revere families and small businesses that have been most severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as longer-term strategies and innovative ideas that will continue to move Revere forward as a community. Recipients this year include HarborCOV, CAPIC, and the First Congregational Church Food Pantry. “The three organizations choCash Pay Guaranteed! "If it snows, you'll be working!" Happy New Year! 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PUBLIC SKATING SCHEDULE 12-8 p.m. Sunday 12/26 Monday 12/27 $8.50 Admission Price includes Roller Skates Rollerblades/inline skates $3.00 additional cost $8.50 Admission 12-8 p.m. Price includes Roller Skates Tuesday 12/28 Wednesday 12/29 Thursday 12/30 Friday 12/31 12-8 p.m. 12-8 p.m. $8.50 Admission Price includes Roller Skates 8:30-11 p.m. $10.00 Ages 18+ $8.50 Admission Price includes Roller Skates 12-8 p.m. CLOSED Sorry No Checks ATM on site Roller skate rentals included with Admission Inline Skate Rentals $3.00 additional BIRTHDAY & PRIVATE PARTIES AVAILABLE www.roller-world.com School Vacation Week Hours 12-8 p.m. $8.50 Admission Price includes Roller Skates ~ Under New Ownership! ~ Robert’s Restaurant 251 Broadway, Rte. 99, Malden * (781) 397-0628 Hours: 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM Family-owned & Operated The BEST Breakfast & Lunch for 32 Years! Hungry Man New Yorker Breakfast Specials Bacon, Homefries, Toast $8.15 + Tax 3 Eggs, Sausage & $8.15 + Tax 3 Eggs, Sausage & Bacon, Homefries, & Toasted Bagel with Cream Cheese Baked Chicken & Spanish Rice $12.95 + Tax $7.00 + Tax Delicious Lunch Specials American Chop Suey sen today continue to step up to the plate when our residents need them the most,” said Arrigo. “We started the Raise Up Revere fund at the beginning of the pandemic to support community-driven organizations that work to give back to our residents. I’m proud of how we’ve utilized these connections so far and am excited to see the fund continue to build capacity over the coming years.” In 2020, four nonprofi ts and organizations were awarded grants through the fund. This year, due to a generous $35,000 donation from Amazon and supplemented funds through an anonymous donor, the fund is able to award each organization with a $20,000 grant – totaling $60,000 that will be reflected through community-based work. Existing partners who have received the award in the past include The Neighborhood Developers (TND), Union Capital Boston, Moroccan American Connections in Revere (MACIR), Women Encouraging Empowerment (WEE) Revere, and The First Congressional Church of Revere Food Pantry. The Raise Up Revere Fund also funded fi ve $10,000 “Shot at a Healthy Future” scholarships – awarded to fully-vaccinated residents to boost incentive around the vaccine. “The Raise Up Revere Fund has been instrumental in helping our community weather the pandemic and its ensuing economic hardship,” said Jerome Smith, Amazon’s Sr. Manager of External Aff airs. “As a company, we’re thrilled to partner with them and ensure their funding can go even further in assisting our most vulnerable neighbors.” One recipient of the grant this strated throughout our region.” The First Congregational Church Food Pantry is another 2021 recipient – the $20,000 grant will be used to further efforts at the weekly Food Pantry by assisting in IT and computer relief. Throughout the course of the pandemic, the First Congregational Church Food Pantry operation grew exponentially. Now the Food Pantry is combined with the City of Revere BRIAN ARRIGO Mayor year is HarborCOV, a non-profit organization that provides free safety and support services, along with housing and economic opportunities for those affected by domestic violence and abuse. Executive Director Kourou Pich plans to use the $20,000 grant for emergency housing – one of the most visible and critical needs experienced by survivors of domestic violence. “Partnerships like the Raise Up Revere fund are key to ensuring our communities emerge from this crisis stronger and more resilient than before,” said Bob Giannino, President and Chief Executive Officer at United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley. “Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen the power of municipal, business and community leaders coming together to raise up the needs of their residents and catalyze the resources needed to address them. We’re grateful to Mayor Arrigo for his continued partnership and to Amazon for the generosity they have demon“Food Hub” team and operates out of the Food Hub at 200 Winthrop Ave (the previous League for Special Needs building). The pantry continues to see a record number of families during their weekly food events. CAPIC (Community Action Programs Inter-City, Inc), is the third and fi nal recipient of this year’s award. Through the utilization of $20,000 in Raise Up Revere funding, CAPIC will provide comprehensive emergency support services to at-risk Revere individuals and families who are in crisis mode; specifi cally, temporary emergency placements, such as hotel placements. CAPIC’s Emergency Assistance Program will also provide support to individuals and families once they obtain permanent housing, such as gift cards to purchase food, furniture, and basic household items. Donations to the fund can be made online or via your Donor Advised Fund by including “The Raise Up Revere Fund” in your recommendation details. Our tax ID number is 04-2382233. You can also send a check to the following address: United Way of Massachusetts Bay, PO Box 51381, Boston, MA 02205-1381. Please make checks out to “United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley” and include “The Raise Up Revere Fund” in the memo of your check.
THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2021 Page 5 Northeast Metro Tech to reopen Breakheart Inn WAKEFIELD – Superintendent David DiBarri of Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational High School (Northeast Metro Tech) and Culinary Program Head Liz Beals recently announced that the James Wallace Breakheart Inn will reopen to the public for sit-down meal service. The COVID-19 pandemic prompted the closure of the James Wallace Breakheart Inn – Northeast Metro Tech’s inschool restaurant – in 2020, but the restaurant will reopen to the public on Wednesday, Jan. 5, 2022. Students in the Culinary Program prepare all meals served at the Breakheart Inn from scratch each day, and serve them as well, as part of the Culinary Program curriculum. Starting on Jan. 5, the 52-seat restaurant will be open Tuesday through Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Reservations can be made by phone on the day of service. To make a reservation, call 781-246-0810 ext. 1114. Guests wishing to enjoy a meal at Breakheart Inn will need to wear a mask to enter the building, at the main entrance to check in and to enter the restaurant. Masks may be removed when guests have been seated and must be put back on when getting up from the table. As the restaurant reopens, Chef James Nolan will join the team in the back of the house as a new chef instructor. Nolan is a graduate of The Culinary Institute of America and brings 29 years of teaching experience and more than 35 years of professional cooking experience to the Culinary Program. Nolan is energetic, positive and looking forward to bringing new ideas and new skills to the students. “I’m excited that our students will once again have the handson learning opportunities that the James Wallace Breakheart Inn provides when it is fully operational,” said DiBarri. “We will have ample safety measures in place to maintain social distance and safety amid the pandemic, and we invite the community to stop by and see what our students are cooking.” Applications Available for Elderly & Disabled Taxation Relief Fund and Water and Sewer Relief Fund REVERE, MA- Mayor Brian Arrigo announced this week that the applications for grants from the Elderly & Disabled Residents Taxation Fund and the newly established Water and Sewer Relief Funds for Disabled Residents will be available in the City Treasurer’s Offi ce on the 2nd Floor of City Hall beginning December 20, 2021. Residents unable to apply in person may do so at www.revere.org/departments/treasurer The fund is sustained by voluntary contributions from taxpayers who respond to the pink donation card included in each quarterly tax bill. The purpose of the fund is to provide relief to elderly and/or disabled taxpayers and disabled water ratepayers who are having trouble paying their bills due to fi nancial hardship. “This program is funded by the generosity of Revere residents looking to extend a helping hand to those in need, said Mayor Brian Arrigo. “It’s aimed at helping senior citizens and fi nancially vulnerable individuals. This fund will provide some welcome relief for those who meet the criteria.” The “Elderly & Disabled Taxation Fund” has been in existence for several years and it is expected that grants of $200 each will be awarded this year. In order to qualify for the grant, the taxpayer must be a resident of Revere and meet the following additional requirements: be 65 years of age or disabled as of July 1 of the Fiscal Year; be current with all real estate taxes, have income of no more than $20,000 per year if single or combined $40,000 per year for joint property owners; and have no rental income. As part of the application, taxpayers should submit a statement of the extenuating circumstances which have created a hardship. The grants will be awarded to the neediest of applicants as determined by the Elderly and Disabled Taxation Committee, which is comprised of the Chairman of the Board of Assessors, Treasurer and three citizens as required by M.G.L. C. 60, §3D. For more information regarding the “Elderly & Disabled Taxation Fund,” please contact the Treasurer’s Offi ce at 781-286-8136. The applications must be returned to the Treasurer’s Offi ce on or before January 21, 2022. “While the benefi ts of this fund are modest, they will provide some measure of relief to those who fi nd themselves in diffi cult circumstances,” added Mayor Arrigo. “We encourage residents to let elderly or disabled relatives and neighbors know about this program if they think they might meet the guidelines.” Gerry D’Ambrosio Attorney-at-Law Is Your Estate in Order? Do you have an update Will, Health Care Proxy or Power of Attorney? If Not, Please Call for a Free Consultation. 14 Proctor Avenue, Revere (781) 284-5657
Page 6 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2021 Need a hall for your special event? The Schiavo Club, located at 71 Tileston Street, Everett is available for your Birthdays, Anniversaries, Sweet 16 parties and more? Call Paul at (617) 387-5457 for details. Pilot human study shows novel treatment suppresses mutant ALS gene The Angel Fund for ALS Research provides major funding (Wakefi eld, MA) – A clinical trial funded by The Angel Fund for ALS Research has shown signifi - cant progress in suppressing expression of the most commonly mutated ALS gene, C9ORF72 (C9). The C9 gene mutation, a lengthy expansion of a repeated segment of six molecules of DNA, causes both familial ALS and frontotemporal dementia. The results of the human trial, initiated and led by Drs. Robert H. Brown and Jonathan Watts at UMass Chan Medical School, were published in Nature Medicine. This is a major milestone and an exciting breakthrough in the eff orts to fi nd a treatment for this neurodegenerative disease, according to Dr. Brown. The study was conducted on one patient after being sanctioned by the FDA. Dr. Brown and the study team hope to expand the study to as many as 10 patients in the coming months with further FDA approval. To silence the C9 gene, the research team developed antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) that target the two RNA transcripts of the gene that contain the toxic, expanded segment of nucleic acids. When the ASO was delivered into the spinal fl uid, the activity of the gene was substantially suppressed in the participant. The suppression was maintained by repeated doses of the ASO, which were well tolerated without safety concerns in this pilot study. According to Dr. Brown, while ASOs against this target region have previously been shown by investigators to attenuate expression of the C9 gene in neurons in cell culture and mouse models, the UMass-led trial was the fi rst to demonstrate this in a human. A trial of a comparable ASO is now also being conducted by Biogen, Inc, in Cambridge; results from that study have not yet been reported. “The Angel Fund for ALS Research has been committed to fi nding a treatment and a cure for ALS for nearly three decades,” The Angel Fund said. “This is a giant leap forward on the road to such a discovery. We are proud to fund this research and are excited with the promising results of this clinical trial.” Dr. Jonathan Watts commented, “The research team is excited and encouraged by these results and we look forward to expanding our trial to include more individuals with C9 ALS and frontotemporal dementia. We are grateful to The Angel Fund for ALS Research for their funding.” In addition to the lead role taken by Drs. Brown and Watts, key participants included Drs. Helene Tran and Michael Moazami, as well as an extensive clinical trials team. Beyond the major funding from the Angel Fund, support was also provided by the National Institutes of Health and other ALS organizations. Blessed Mother of the Morning Star Parish Christmas and New Year’s Schedule Friday, Dec. 24, Christmas Eve 4 pm 5:30 pm 7 pm 9:30 am 11 am Family Mass Kreyol Saturday, Dec. 25, Christmas Day 8 am Our Lady of Grace St. Mary’s Our Lady of Grace Please note that there will be no 4 pm Mass on that Saturday Saturday, Jan. 1, Solemnity of Mary Holy Day of Obligation 4 pm 10 am 8 am 9:30 am 11 am Friday, Dec. 31 Saturday, Jan. 1 Sunday, Jan. 2, Epiphany 4 pm Saturday, Jan. 1 Sunday, Jan. 2 Sunday, Sunday, St. Mary’s Our Lady of Grace St. Mary’s Jan. 2 Jan. 2 Our Lady of Grace St. Mary’s Our Lady of Grace St. Mary’s (bring a fl ashlight!) St. Mary’s Our Lady of Grace
THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2021 Page 7 Raise Up Revere awards $60,000 to local organizations By Tara Vocino T hree organizations, HarborCOV, CAPIC and the First Congregational Church Food Pantry, were awarded $20,000 each through the city’s Raise Up Revere fund last Thursday afternoon outside of First Congregational Church. The award amount wouldn’t have been possible without Amazon, which donated a generous sum. Last Thursday afternoon outside of First Congregational Church, Mayor Brian Arrigo thanked companies for their generous donations to helping people fi nd shelter and access to healthy food. Community Action Programs, Inter City, Inc. (CAPIC) Emergency Assistance Program Director Cary Havey accepts a $20,000 check. At left is Mayor Brian Arrigo and at right is Amazon Senior Manager Jerome Smith. 8 Norwood St. Everett (617) 387-9810 HOURS: First Congregational Church Food Pantry Director Wendy Baur and Pastor Timothy Senior Manager Jerome Smith. Open Daily at 4:00 PM Don’t Forget to Book your Holiday Party Early! Order your Holiday Party Platters Now! Join us begining at 4 PM for our NEW YEAR’S EVE CELEBRATION featuring Everett’s own... NEW HarborCOV Executive Director Kourou Pich accepts a check. At left is Mayor Brian Arrigo and at right is Amazon Senior Manager Jerome Smith. MIKE MATARAZZO ~ www.eight10barandgrille.com ~
Page 8 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2021 Top 5 Tips to Cut Costs and Winterize Your Home W indows – Check for leaks around the edges where the window is hinged, slides or meets another unit. Clean the tracks of any debris that might be interfering with seals. Lock windows once winter sets in and apply a quality exterior caulk to seal any leaks. Doors – Feel around the perimeter of the door for any cooler air coming in. Check the weatherstripping around the door, including the door sweep attached to the bottom. Apply exterior-grade caulking to seal gaps if necessary. Attics, Basements and Crawlspaces – Leaky ductwork is a primary escape route for warm air, so inspect all visible ductwork openings that can be easily accessed. Check for any holes that go through the main fl oor to the basement or attic, for small openings in the ductwork, electrical or plumbing connection. Caulk or foam around them or use foil tape or mastic to seal any leaks. Pipes – Disconnect, drain ~ OP-ED ~ and store any garden hoses as the weather turns cold. Any exposed water pipes in uninsulated spaces such as in a crawlspace, attic, or exterior wall should be protected with foam insulating sleeves. Burst pipes from freezing can cause some of the most expensive repairs in the home. HVAC – Change air fi lters on a regular basis. Operate the system on the "auto" fan setting on the thermostat. Ensure proper airfl ow by inspecting ducts for dust buildup and obstructions. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, HVAC preventative maintenance can help save homeowners up to 25-percent in energy cost. Dropping Temperatures, Rising Costs • This winter is forecast to be slightly colder across the country than last year. • Natural Gas - Nearly half the homes in the US use natural gas for heat, and they could pay an CUT COSTS | SEE Page 17 Tips on reducing waste during the holidays A s anyone who has spent time cleaning up wrapping paper or the remnants of a holiday meal knows, this is the season of celebration, giving … and waste. In fact, Americans throw away 25 percent more trash during the Thanksgiving to New Year's holiday period than any other time of year. The extra waste amounts to 25 million tons of garbage, or about 1 million extra tons per week, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). But, with a little creativity and planning, all of us can reduce waste over the holidays. With thanks to the EPA, here are some ideas: • Give treasure -- a favorite book, plant start, or antique. Check estate sales, flea markets, and resale shops for unique fi nds. • Choose recycled or sustainably sourced materials. Shop local to support area shops, makers, and artisans while reducing shipping costs and impacts. • Give “anti-matter” -- event tickets, museum memberships, gift certifi cates, or even your time and talents. • Reuse maps, comics, newsprint, kid art, or posters as gift wrap. Wrap gifts in recycled paper or a reusable bag. Or, skip the gift wrap, hide the gifts, and leave clues or trails for kids to follow. • Give rechargeable batteries with electronics. • Consider a potted tree that can be replanted, or a red cedar slated for removal during habitat/farm maintenance. • All food-soiled paper products are commercially compostable, unless plastic- or foil-coated. • Reuse packing and shipping materials. Save ribbons, bows, boxes, bags, and décor for the next holiday. • Replant, mulch, or compost your live tree. Compost food scraps. We can make a diff erence. If every family reused just two feet of holiday ribbon, the 38,000 miles of ribbon saved could tie a bow around the entire planet, according to Stanford University. If every American family wrapped just three presents in re-used materials, it would save enough paper to cover 45,000 football fi elds. If we each sent one fewer greeting card, we’d save 50,000 cubic yards of paper. Whether it be during the holidays or any other time of year, as always, we will be on the job, collecting and safely disposing of whatever cannot be recycled and converting it into clean, renewable energy to power local communities. At WIN Waste Innovations, supporting the needs of the communities we serve is one of many ways we bring our Performance for the Planet vision to life. From all of us at WIN Waste Innovations, we wish you a happy and sustainable holiday season. ~ GUEST COMMENTARY ~ Government Is Our Business, Especially When It Comes To Voting By Sal Giarratani W ell, the race for State Senator in the 1st Suff olk & Middlesex district has been decided in the recent state primary. City Councilor Lydia Edwards from East Boston beating Revere School Committeeman Anthony D’Ambrosio gives Edwards vacated senate seat As I read the page one headline in The Revere Advocate (Low turnout gives Edwards vacated senate seat), I think the results of this election and the horrible turnout shows just how powerful each of us is if we just take the time to vote. How many who came before us sacrifi ced their lives so that our democratic republic could continue. Freedom isn’t free. It gets paid for all the time by those we just remembered on Veterans Day and by those we just remembered on December 7, the 80th anniversary of Pearl Harbor. The least we can do is vote in our elections. Our system depends on us voting, making choices, etc. When we sit on our hands and let others choose for us, we give up our right to complain about the results. We had our chance and threw it away. Voting is not a Democrat, Republican, liberal or conservative thing, it is an American thing. In all transparency, I have worked in numerous campaigns over the years and have been a candidate for public office too. I know first-hand the importance of elections. Government is always our business. Either we run the government or it runs us. Sit back, do nothing but don’t pretend you are an innocent bystander. I congratulate Lydia Edwards on her victory and I congratulate Anthony D’Ambrosio for running. They stepped into the arena. Too bad there were so few who couldn’t even take the time to show up and vote. Maybe next time, some of these no-shows will actually show up and vote but there’ll probably be just more excuses why they couldn’t fi nd the time. This is America; it only works if its citizens do their duty starting by voting.
THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2021 Page 9 AG Healey urges businesses and organizations to remain on guard against cyberattacks this holiday season I n light of persistent and ongoing cyber threats this holiday season, Attorney General Maura Healey is urging organizations, especially critical infrastructure owners and operators, to adopt a heightened state of vigilance against cyberattacks and to proactively assess existing data security practices. “Cybercrime is a prominent and persistent threat against both our public infrastructure and our private enterprises,” said Healey. “We urge all Massachusetts businesses and government organizations to take action to strengthen their cyber defenses, and we will continue to work alongside our federal law enforcement partners to address evolving security threats.” The federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) urged business leaders and operators of critical infrastructure, such as public utilities, government organizations and agencies, logistics and transportation fi rms, and healthcare providers, to take immediate steps to strengthen their organization’s operational resiliency against cyber threats. Healey joins CISA in off ering the following actions to reinforce their defenses: • Increase organizational vigilance by ensuring there are no gaps in Information Technology (IT)/Operational Technology (OT) security personnel coverage and that staff provides continual monitoring for all types of anomalous behavior. Security coverage is particularly important during the winter holiday season when organizations typically have lower staffi ng. • Prepare your organization for rapid response by adopting a state of heightened awareness. Create, update, or review your cyber incident response procedures and ensure your personnel are familiar with the key steps they need to take during and following an incident. Have staff check reporting processes and exercise continuity of operations plans to test your ability to operate key functions in an IT-constrained or otherwise degraded environment. Consider your organization’s cross-sector dependencies and the impact that a potential incident at your organization may have on other sectors, as well as how an incident at those sectors could aff ect your organization. • Ensure your network defenders implement cybersecurity best practices. Enforce multi-factor authentication and strong passwords, install software updates (prioritizing known exploited vulnerabilities), and secure accounts and credentials. • Stay informed about current cybersecurity threats and malicious techniques. Encourage your IT/OT security staff to subscribe to CISA’s mailing list Sweet Dreams By Gini Pariseau I t was an especially dark night. The moon was only showing a sliver of itself. It looked like it had been dipped in chocolate. A hint of cloud that looked like a scoop of marshmallow fl uff could be seen beside the sliver of moon. It was a night for sweet dreams. Some girls and boys knew what time of year it was by the change in the weather. Some knew by the amount of shopping their parents suddenly did. Others knew by the name of the month on the calendar… December! It was the time of year to be especially good. It was a night to catch a sweet dream. Sweet dreams love an especially dark night. They fl y around out there by the dozens, bumping into each other, trying to fi nd a lovely little sleeping child to share their magic. It is a very diffi cult and tedious task to make the perfect match. When morning comes, all sweet dreams must be gone. All are, hopefully, in the hearts and minds of chiland feeds to receive notifications when CISA releases information about a security topic or threat. CISA regularly announces emerging security threats to organizations, such as security vulnerabilities with ApacheLog4j, a commonly used opensource application. • Lower the threshold for threat and information sharing. Immediately report cybersecurity incidents and anomalous activity to CISA and/or the FBI. Cyberattacks can cause substantial disruptions to businesses, government agencies and other targets. Earlier this year, a widely-reported cybersecurity breach at Colonial Pipeline led to fuel shortages across the East Coast. In April 2021, the city of Lawrence, Massachusetts faced ransomware attacks against systems at City Hall, the Lawrence Police Department and the Lawrence Fire Department. A similar ransomware attack targeted the Brockton, Massachusetts police department in July 2021. The Massachusetts Data Security Regulations, which the AG’s Offi ce regularly enforces, also require entities to employ many of the above safeguards with respect to personal information about Massachusetts residents that an entity maintains, stores, transmits, or processes electronically. All organizations, regardless of sector, size, or location, must recognize that no company is safe from being targeted by ransomware and other cyber threats. Detailed guidance and resources from the U.S. Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency can be found at CISA Insights: Preparing For and Mitigating Potential Cyber Threats. The National Institute of Standards and Technology also provide guidelines and practices for organizations to better manage and reduce cybersecurity risk. USA Lawn and Yard Care SNOW PLOWING Driveways From $ 35 * REASONABLE RATES * Prompt, Courteous Service * PARKING LOTS 781-521-9927 At this time of dren somewhere in this world. Babies in cribs, boys and girls in their beds, sleeping bags, tents and parent’s arms – all were sound asleep and hoping for a sweet dream. Now, it was getting close to morning and getting close to December 25. There was one dream still out there this night. It was floating around frantically trying to fi nd some child who would cherish the magic of dreaming and would want what this sweet dream had to off er. It was December and children are very particular about their sweet dreams. But, that was the hard part… what this sweet dream had to off er. It wasn’t sweet like candy or fun like doing a puzzle or riding a bike. It was plain and simple and shared in a minute. As the sun came up and the moon melted into day, somewhere in this world a little child awoke from the night and remembered the sweet dream that was shared and whispered in their ear…you are loved! How sweet it is! Magic and Wonder, We count our blessings to serve such an AMAZING Community! To All of Our Friends & Neighbors, We Wish You a Joyous Holiday Season, and a Bright, Happy New Year! memberspluscu.org 781-905-1500 Better Rates Free Checking Large ATM Network Mobile App MEDFORD NORWOOD DORCHESTER EVERETT PLYMOUTH Call
Page 10 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2021 Baker files bills to protect survivors from dangerous individuals, limit distribution of pornography O n December 15, the BakerPolito Administration fi led two bills to create comprehensive new protections for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, assault and battery, the harmful distribution of explicit images, and other crimes. The two bills, which were refi led by the Administration, are An Act to protect victims of crimes and the public (H.4290) and An Act relative to the harmful distribution of sexually explicit visual materials (H.4291). Together, the proposals mandate strengthening public safety tools and statutes designed to keep survivors and communities safe. On December 16 the House referred both bills to its Committee on the Judiciary. Governor Charlie Baker and Lt. Governor Karyn Polito announced the legislation at a roundtable event where they heard from survivors whose stories speak to the importance of these critical public safety reforms. The roundtable was held at Plymouth Public Library and was moderated by Executive Director Sandra Blatchford of the South Shore Resource and Advocacy Center, which works with several survivors. “SSRAC fully supports both legislative fi lings to address dangerousness and SEVM [sexually explicit visual materials]. Holding offenders on dangerousness enables survivors to focus on their safety,” said Blatchford. “Protection against the pervasive threat of a dangerous offender often means a victim may have to leave employment, uproot children, and move away from support systems. The provisions of the dangerousness legislation will enable survivors to evaluate options, work with advocates, and move towards healing and safety.” Other advocates and survivor resource organizations were also present to speak in support of the legislative package. Several survivors who spoke in support of the Administration’s dangerousness-prevention legislation shared their experiences with domestic violence and noted that the legislation would provide stronger protections for people who encounter similar experiences in the future. Other survivors told stories that highlighted the importance of strengthening and modernizing laws that hold people accountable for the distribution of sexually explicit visual materials. “Today’s proposals would provide stronger protections for survivors, and we are grateful for our partnership with providers and advocacy organizations who support survivors for sharing their stories in support of this legislation,” said Baker. “Our dangerousness proposal would update the current system of pretrial detention, which exposes victims and survivors to potential harm. Making these and other commonsense changes will strengthen the ability of prosecutors and the courts to hold dangerous individuals and protect survivors and our communities.” “Hearing survivors’ stories underscores the importance of acting soon to make these reforms that will make our families and communities safer,” said Polito, who is chair of the Governor’s Council to Address Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence. “By modernizing the laws governing the harmful distribution of sexually visual materials, we can combat cyberbullying through prevention education, empower prosecutors to appropriately handle cases involving minors and explicit images and help state law keep up with what technology is now.” “We cannot overstate the courage of victims and survivors who have chosen to share their experiences and support these bills,” said Public Safety and Security Secretary Terrence Reidy. “As a former prosecutor now charged with leading the state’s public safety apparatus, I know these laws will equip criminal justice and law enforcement professionals to mitigate the threat of dangerous individuals and nonconsensual sharing of explicit content, especially among our young people. The measures in these bills demonstrate the Administration’s responsiveness to challenges facing today’s society.” “We have worked with too many victims brutally assaulted at the hands of a predator with a long and violent criminal history. While pending trial, these offenders often violate stay-away orders, with little consequence,” said Health Imperatives CEO Julia Kehoe. “This dangerousness legislation will provide law enforcement and criminal justice professionals with long-overdue tools to save lives and reduce incidents of domestic and sexual violence.” An Act to protect victims of crimes and the public: First fi led in 2018, the Administration’s proposal would expand the list of off enses that can provide grounds for a dangerousness hearing and close certain loopholes at the start and end of the criminal process that currently limit or prevent eff ective action to address legitimate safety concerns. It would strengthen the ability of judges to enforce the conditions of pretrial release by empowering police to detain people who they observe violating court-ordered release conditions; current law does not allow this, and instead requires a court to fi rst issue a warrant. Under this proposal, judges will be empowered to revoke a person’s release when the off ender has violated a court-ordered condition, such as an order to stay away from a victim or from a public playground. Current law requires an additional fi nding of dangerousness before release may be revoked. The legislation also expands the list of off enses which can provide grounds for a dangerousness hearing, including crimes of sexual abuse and crimes of threatened or potential violence. It also follows the longstanding federal model in including a defendant’s history of serious criminal convictions as grounds that may warrant a dangerousness hearing. Current law requires courts to focus only DEA: ‘One Pill Can Kill’ T he holiday season presents an opportunity to promote awareness of substance misuse and the widespread availability of dangerous substances. Many young adults are being exposed to illicit substances. Individuals experiencing isolation, loss or loneliness during the holidays might turn to misusing substances for relief. Check in with family and friends and have important conversations about counterfeit pills. The U.S. overdose epidemic has reached a tragic level. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the most recent 12-month reporting period show that more than 100,000 people died due to drug overdoses – primarily from fentanyl and methamphetamine. That is the equivalent of one death every five minutes due to an overdose. This year the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has seized 15,000 pounds of fentanyl – a record amount – which is the equivalent of 440 million lethal doses. Criminal drug networks are exploiting the U.S. opioid crisis by mass-producing fentanyl and fentanyl-laced pills that they’re distributing to all 50 states and the District of Columbia. These deadly, fake pills are made and marketed to look like genuine, prescription medicine. DEA laboratory analysis has shown that four out of 10 fake pills with fentanyl contain a potentially lethal dose. Fake pills are widely available. Criminal drug networks take advantage of the anonymity and accessibility social media platforms off er to push deadly drugs more quickly, easily and cheaply than ever before. Drug traffi ckers are even using emojis as code when buying and selling deadly drugs on social media platforms. • Know the dangers of deadly drugs online. • Never take medicine that wasn’t prescribed to you by your own doctor. • Talk to your family and friends about the danger of buying drugs online. • Spread the word that One Pill Can Kill. Facts about counterfeit pills Criminal drug networks are mass-producing fake pills and falsely marketing them as legitimate prescription pills to deceive the American public. Counterfeit pills are easy to purchase, widely available, often contain fentanyl or methamphetamine and can be deadly. Fake prescription pills are easily accessible and often sold on social media and e-commerce platforms, making them available to anyone with a smartphone, including minors. Many counterfeit pills are made to look like prescription opioids – such as oxycodone (Oxycontin® ), hydrocodone (Vico) , Percocet® din® ) and alprazolam (Xanax® ). – or stimulants like amphetamines (Adderall® Legit or counterfeit Authentic oxycodone: synthetic opioid drug prescribed for pain as OxyContin® , Tylox® and Percodan® . These drugs are derived from one species of the poppy plant and have a high potential for abuse. Counterfeit street names: 30s, 40s, 512s, Beans, Blues, Buttons, Cotton, Greens, Hillbilly Heroin, Kickers, Killers, Muchachas, Mujeres, OC, Oxy, Oxy 80s, Roxy, Roxy Shorts, Whites. Authentic alprazolam: depressants that produce sedation, induce sleep, relieve anxiety and prevent seizures. Available in prescription pills, syrup and injectable preparation. Prescribed as Valium® Restoril® , Xanax® , Ativan® pin® , and Klono. Counterfeit street names: Bars, Benzos, Bicycle Handle Bars, Bicycle Parts, Bricks, Footballs, Handlebars, Hulk, Ladders, Planks, School Bus, Sticks, Xanies, Yellow Boys, Zanbars, Zannies and Z-Bars. Authentic amphetamine: prescription stimulants used to treat attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Used as a study aid, to stay awake and to suppress appetites; prescribed as Adderall® Dexedrine® , Focalin® Methylin® and Ritalin® , Concerta® , Metadate® . Counter, , feit street names: A-Train, Abby, Addy, Amps, Christmas Trees, Co-Pilots, Lid Poppers, Smart Pills, Smarties, Study Buddies, Study Skittles, Truck Drivers and Zing. on the crime charged, ignoring a defendant’s criminal history when determining whether the defendant may be the subject of this sort of hearing. Additional elements of this proposal would: • Extend the requirement that police take the fi ngerprints of people arrested for felonies to all people arrested, regardless of the charge, and allows a court to order fi ngerprinting of any person arraigned on any criminal charge, to ensure that decisions about release can be made with knowledge of a person’s true identity and full criminal history. • Enhance the collection and value of data for the cross-tracking system required by Massachusetts General Laws c. 6A § 183/4, by ensuring that information about an individual who is arrested or arraigned can be linked to a unique fi ngerprint identifi er. • Require that the probation department, bail commissioners and bail magistrates notify authorities who can take remedial action when a person who is on pretrial release commits a new off ense anywhere in the Commonwealth or elsewhere. • Allow bail commissioners and bail magistrates to consider dangerousness in deciding whether to release an arrestee from a police station when court is out of session. • Create a new felony off ense for cutting off a court-ordered GPS device. An Act relative to the harmPROTECT | SEE Page 16
THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2021 Page 11 W e wish you a Merry Christmas State Representative Jessica Giannino Council President Anthony Zambuto School Board Member Carol Tye Ward 2 Councillor Ira Novoselsky Ward 4 Councillor Patrick Keefe & Family Ward 5 Councillor-Elect Al Fiore Councillor-at-Large-Elect Marc Silvestri & Family &F il Council Vice-President & Gerry Visconti Family School Board Member Michael Ferrante & Family School Committeeman Anthony D’Ambrosio Ward 6 Councillor Ricky Serino Ward 1 Councillor Joanne McKenna Councillor-at-Large George Rotondo Mayor Brian Arrigo
Page 12 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2021 Meet the 2021-2022 RHS Boys’ Basketball Patriots RHS Boys’ Varsity Basketball — Back row, pictured from left to right: Chris Claudio, senior captain James Clauto, Glen Kule, Andrew Leone, senior captain Jack D’Ambrosio, senior Hamza Ghoul, Luke Ellis, senior Kenny Arango, senior Jean Saint Dick, senior captain Ihssan Mourouane, Ramadan Barry, Vincent Nichols, Domenic Boudreau, Vinny Vu, Sal DeAngelis and Alejandro Hincapie. Front row, pictured from left to right: Assistant Coach Alex Green, Freshmen Coach Bob Sullivan, Head Varsity Coach David Leary, JV Coach John Leone and Assistant Coach Dennis Leary. The full team, including varsity, junior varsity and freshmen during practice last Sunday at Revere High School. (Advocate photos by Tara Vocino) RHS Boys Junior Varsity Basketball — Players pictured from left to right: Ethan Day, Christopher Claudio, Vincent Vu, Glen Kule, Andrew Leone, Umar Sheikh, Luke Ellis, Davis Cruceta, Jeremy Castillo Vides, Domenic Belmonte, Ryan El Babor, Tyler Johnson, Aly Boukansous, Alen Dejesus, Juan Garcia, Avisenna Lung and Joshua Mercado. Coaches pictured from left to right: Assistant Coaches Alex Green, Bob Sullivan, David Leary, Head Junior Varsity Coach John Leone and Asst. Coach Dennis Leary. Members of the freshmen boys’ basketball team include: Khaldoon Alhyari, Jayden Balogun, Ethan Day, Vittorio DeSimone, Juan Garcia, Andrew Hincapie, Lucas Jimenez, Avisenna Lung, Erick Mayorga Jr., Joshua Mercado, Sam Mghizou, Gabriel Paretsis, Pedro Pereira, Noah Ramos and Adrian Sarita. BOYS | SEE Page 13
THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2021 Page 13 Meet the 2021-2022 RHS Lady Patriots Varsity Basketball Team Revere High Lady Pats Basketball seniors: Pictured from left to right: kneeling: Maressa Nunes Oliveira and Carolina Carvalho-Bettero; standing: Head Coach Christopher Porrazzo with seniors Skyla DeSimone, Diane Mancia and Isabelly Utero. BOYS | FROM Page 12 Revere High Lady Pats Basketball Team: Pictured from left to right: kneeling: Bella Stamatopoulos, Elaysia Lung, Co-Captain Haley Belloise, Diane Mancia, Co-Captain Skyla DeSimone; standing: Nisrin Sekkat, Lea Doucette, Carolina Carvalho-Bettero, Belma Velic, Maressa Nunes Oliveira, Isabely Utero; at far left: Asst. Coaches Ariana Rivera and Michael Micciche; at far right: Asst. Coach Thomas Chea and Head Coach Christopher Porrazzo. Missing from photo: Lorena Martinez, Maria Riad and Jessica Nova. (Advocate photos by Tara Vocino) RHS Boys’ Varsity Basketball seniors — Back row, pictured from left to right: Kenny Arango, Hamza Ghoul, James Clauto, Jack D’Ambrosio, Ihssan Mouroane, Ramadan Barry and Jean Saint Dick. Front row, pictured from left to right: Assistant Coach Alex Green, Freshmen Coach Bob Sullivan, Head Varsity Coach David Leary, JV Coach John Leone and Assistant Coach Dennis Leary. Lady Patriots Soccer Pride Brothers Andrew Hinacapie and Christopher Claudio. Attorneys at Law 14 Norwood St., Everett, MA 02149 Phone: (617) 387-4900 Fax: (617) 381-1755 The Revere High School Patriots Girls Soccer team held their banquet recently, where the Lady Pats were presented with team sweatshirts. (Courtesy photo, Asst. Coach Chris Porrazzo) John Mackey, Esq. * Katherine M. Brown, Esq. Patricia Ridge, Esq.
Page 14 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2021 Medford gallops past Malden High boys in GBL opener, 66-46; Everett & Malden girls fall in opening games By Steve Freker M edford (2-0, 1-0 GBL) boys basketball went on a 12-0 run in the fi rst quarter to balloon an early lead to a 25-8 advantage and never looked back, in a 66-46 win over Malden High (0-1, 0-1 GBL), spoiling the Golden Tornados’ home, season and Greater Boston League (GBL) opener on last Tuesday night. Junior Justin Bell led Malden with 12 points as the home team cut the lead to 20 points after trailing by a 46-28 margin after three quarters. On the girls’ side, Malden fell on the road to Medford, 46-41, last Tuesday. The Malden boys fell to 0-3 overall (0-3 GBL) after succesing to action by participating in the Tewksbury Christmas Tournament vs. Burlington High on Tuesday, December 28 and then playing in either the consolation or championship game on Wednesday, December 29. Malden will return to the GBL league slate on Tuesday, January 4, hosting Somerville at 6:00 p.m. **** sive losses to two-time defending MIAA Division 1 State Champion Lynn Englis h on the road and Everett High at home on Tuesday night. Golden Tornados Head Coach Don Nally’s team will be returnEverett High girls’ basketball team falls in season opener to Revere, 67-32 The Revere High girls’ basketball squad opened their season with a big, 67-32 win over visiting Everett High girls on Tuesday night. Everett was back in action hosting Medford (1-0, 1-0 GBL) in its home opener (Medford won, 55-53). After that, the Everett girls stayed at home on Tuesday, December 21, hosting Malden High (Malden won, 49-33). **** Revere High boys’ and girls’ basketball teams took on Somerville on Dec. 16 Both the Revere High boys’ and girls’ basketball teams took on Somerville High on Thursday night. Coach Dave Leary’s Patriots boys’ team (0-1, 0-1 GBL) was seeking its fi rst win on the Recently, Malden High School basketball players were ready to go on Game Day during the school day. Shown above, from left, are juniors Peyton Carron, Jovan Kanu, Ransley Sainty Jean, DeMarco Ross, Jonald Joseph and Justin Bell. (Courtesy/Malden High School) road at Somerville High (0-1, 0-1 GBL) while the Revere girls were home for the second straight game to open the season, this time against the Lady Highlanders. The Revere boys’ basketball team’s home opener was on December 21, hosting Lynn Classical in another GBL matchup. **** Malden High School coed swim team looks for ‘ThreePeat’ in GBL; open season with win, 80-60 The Malden High School coed varsity swim team is seeking its fi rst “Three-Peat” as Greater Boston League Champions in over a decade, since the late 2000s. Malden Head Coach Jess Bisson’s squad is led by senior captains Tony Giech, Sarah Oliveira, Molly Sewell and Abby Tang. Malden opened the season with a win over GBL rival Lynn Classical last Tuesday, 84-63, led by Giech, Tang and Sewell, all with multiple first-place finishes. Malden hosted its home opener last Thursday at the MHS Pool versus Revere. Malden High School senior Tony Giech and the Golden Tornados swim team is seeking a Greater Boston League Championship “Three-Peat” this season. (MHS Blue and Gold Photo/Carlos Aragon) VENDING MACHINE MOVER $500.00 Signing Bonus for All New Hires Driver with clean driving record for the greater Boston area to move and service vending equipment. Any Electronics experience is helpful but not necessary. Salary commensurate with job experience. Our company was established in 1961. We offer competitive wages, a 401k and profit-sharing plan, health & dental benefits, paid holidays and paid vacations and many other benefits. Full time, plus OT available. Random drug testing and background checks are performed. Must be able to speak English fluently. Apply in person Monday thru Friday, 9am to 4pm @ 83 Broadway, Malden, MA – Or send your resume to david@actionjacksonusa.com. No phone calls please.
THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2021 Page 15 Last, But Certainly Not Least By Gini Pariseau F How Older Drivers Can Save on Auto Insurance Dear Savvy Senior, Can you provide any tips to help seniors reduce their auto insurance premiums? I just got hit with a 15 percent increase on my car insurance and am looking for ways to save. Fixed Income Frank Dear Frank, Unfortunately, auto insurance rates went up signifi cantly over the past year as the pandemic eased and more Americans got back on the roads. But there are plenty of ways to cut your premium. To fi nd out what discounts may be available to you, contact your auto insurer and inquire about these options, and any others that may benefi t you. Low mileage discount: Most insurers off er discounts to customers who drive limited miles each year, which is usually benefi cial to retirees who drive less because they don’t commute to work every day. These discounts usually kick in when your annual mileage drops below 7,000 or 7,500, which is signifi cantly less than the typical 12,000 miles most Americans drive a year. Drivers Ed discount: Many states require insurance companies to off er defensive driving discounts – between fi ve and 15 percent – to drivers who take a refresher course to brush up on their safety skills. These courses, off ered by AAA (aaadriver.online/register/roadwise) and AARP (aarpdriversafety.org), cost $20 to $30 and can be taken online. Monitored driving discount: Many insurance providers offer discounts based on how and when you use your car. To get this, the insurer would provide a small monitoring device that you would place in your car to track things like your acceleration, braking habits, driving speeds, phone use and when you drive. Drivers are rewarded between 10 and 50 percent for safe driving and for not driving late at night. In addition, many insurance providers also off er discounts to drivers who do not have any violations or accidents for three or more years. Membership discounts: Organizations that you belong to can also lower your insurance premium. Insurers off er discounts through professional associations, workers’ unions, large employers or membership organizations such as AAA, the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, AARP, etc. You could even qualify for savings based on the college you attended or the fraternity or sorority you belonged to decades ago. Bundle policies: If your auto policy is issued by a different company from the one insuring your life or home, call each insurer and ask if bundling the policies would be cheaper. Improve your credit: You may be able to lower your car insurance premium by paying your bills on time and reducing the amount of debt you carry. Insurers look at how their customers manage credit to get an idea of risk and to price policies. Better rates are given to those with good credit scores, typically 700 or above. Increase your deductible: While it’s not right for everyone, paying a higher deductible could save you big on premiums. For example, raising your deductible from $200 to $500 could reduce the cost of your collision and comprehensive coverage by 15 to 30 percent. Going to a $1,000 deductible could save you 40 percent or more. Consider your car model: If you’re shopping for a new vehicle, call for an insurance quote before you decide what to buy. Some vehicles are safer and cost less to repair than others. Insurance companies collect data about each make and model and use it to determine how much to charge customers. Comparison shop: To fi nd out if your current premium is competitive with what other insurers charge, or to help you look for a diff erent provider you should comparison shop. Online brokerages such as CarInsurance.com, TheZebra.com and QuoteWizard. com let you plug in basic details – such as your age and your car’s make, model and year – to compare rates from insurance companies. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior. org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. inally, here it was…Christmas Eve. It was the night Allison had been waiting for. The family would gather around the tree as Allison and her two older brothers gave their parents their gifts. It was the fi rst year Allison had been old enough to be part of giving her very own present to her parents. Allison was excited about her gift because she had made it herself. As her parents sat in the two big chairs beside the fireplace, her brother Jamie pulled a red box with a green bow stuck to the top out from under the tree and handed it to his mom. She read the little tag aloud and opened the box. Inside was a beautiful red candle, and as his dad put a match to its wick, Jamie told them that it would smell like cinnamon in a minute. Everyone waited and commented on the wonderful cinnamon scent. Next came Peter, who proudly presented a gold box with gold ribbon to his Dad, who read the tag and opened the box. Inside was a wonderful assortment of jelly candies. Everyone sampled a diff erent fl avor and commented how good their choice was. Allison came up next with her hands behind her back. In one sweeping action she presented her gift and held it in front of her. It was a big card that had a Christmas tree on the front with Santa and his reindeer going over the top of it. At the bottom, Allison had printed “Mom and Dad” with a diff erent color for each letter. Allison’s mom reached for the card, and both parents leaned together as they read the inside and commented on the pictures. Allison’s dad sat the card on the mantle and suggested everyone sample another round of jelly candies. He then turned the room lights down so they could appreciate the glow from the candle better. The card Allison had made for her parents faded out of sight on the mantle as the candlelight illuminated the coff ee table and the candy box. Allison began to feel her gift didn’t match up to her brothers’. The card had only provided momentary excitement as it was opened. Already it had faded in comparison to her brothers’ gifts. She passed on the next round of jelly candy and expressed her desire to go to bed so Santa Claus could come. She went to sleep dreaming of a magic moment when her parents would like and enjoy her present the best. The next morning she came down the stairs to the living room, and while there were so many presents under the tree from Santa, the fi rst thing she noticed was the coff ee table. The candle had burned itself away and the box that contained the jelly candy was empty. But there, sitting high and proud on the mantle, was her card. MAPC launches new report ranking Metro Boston bike paths, greenways and trails H ow does your community stack up when it comes to creating safe, accessible walking and bicycling routes? A new report aims to help you fi nd out.The “Metro Boston Municipal Trails, Bikeways & Greenways Inventory” study released this week by the Metropolitan Area Planning Council (MAPC) is tracking the region’s progress toward building new bike and pedestrian facilities across Greater Boston – ranking cities and towns based on total mileage recently built. It compares communities based on shareduse path, bicycle lane and foot path availability. The report also examines access disparities by race and socio-economic status, and it off ers a list of high-priority projects to link key routes regionally for greater equity. According to the report, Cambridge, Somerville and Boston are leading the region by bike lane mileage, with more than 15 percent of streets in Cambridge featuring some form of protected bike lane, and at least 10 percent of streets in Somerville and fi ve percent of streets in Boston. The report is current through the end of 2020 and is using data pulled from trailmap.mapc. org, MAPC’s inventory of bike and pedestrian infrastructure in Greater Boston. The full report is available at mapc.org/ resource-library/trails-inventory. According to MAPC, the goal is to update the database annually. “It’s great to see this kind of data in one place, and to be able to show lots of measurable momentum toward building out a safe network of interconnected trails and bike lanes,” said MAPC Senior Transportation Planner David Loutzenheiser. “The goal is to get even more information, especially in light of how transportation patterns continue to evolve amid the pandemic, and to be able to use that to help cities and towns make a case for future investments.” “There’s great news in the report, showing the significant progress that’s been made since the time in the early 1990s when the Boston area bicycle and trail network consisted of the Paul Dudley White Path along the Charles River and the Minuteman Trail in Arlington,” said Malden Councillor-at-Large Stephen Winslow, who founded Bike to the Sea in 1993 to help create what is now the Northern Strand Community Trail, which connects Everett to Lynn and Nahant. Connecting the Northern Strand through to Salem is one of the fi ve key regional routes identifi ed in the report as a high priority for the region. “I’m hopeful that as more residents become familiar with the newest facilities being added through the Complete Streets and Shared Streets programs, that momentum will continue to build towards the vision of a transformative regional network,” said Winslow. Massachusetts Bicycle Coalition Executive Director Galen Mook said bicycling infrastructure helps to support a growing economy and attracts new development while alleviating traffi c and pollution that is harmful to communities. “This ranking of bike lanes, trails [and bikeways] across the Metro Boston region by MAPC shows which municipalities are investing in their communities, and provides incentives and best practices for municipalities to inspire and educate leaders to take action,” said Mook. “Since this report showcases exactly where the gaps are, policymakers and municipal leaders in communities that didn’t rank as high will hopefully be motivated to invest in their infrastructure as the benefi ts of better bicycling and walking infrastructure become apparent.” For Advertising with Results, call The Advocate Newspapers at 781-286-8500 or Info@advocatenews.net
Page 16 PROTECT | FROM Page 10 ful distribution of sexually explicit visual materials: First fi led in 2017, the proposal modernizes the laws governing the distribution of sexually explicit images and empowers District Attorneys with additional tools to protect children. Under this proposal, the fi rst step in an explicit images case involving a minor will be to enroll the minor in an educational diversion program rather than go through the juvenile justice process and potentially have the minor committed to the Department of Youth Services. While District Attorneys and the Attorney General will still have the right to bypass educational diversion programs in certain instances, the focus will now be on educational diversion rather than legal punishment. Current Massachusetts law calls for minors who engage in peer-to-peer distribution of sexually explicit visual material to be subject to prosecution for the distribution or possession of child pornography. This legislation seeks to update the law consistent with our lives and 21st-century technology. Should a case proceed to the juvenile justice system, this bill affords district attorneys the discretion to decide whether a minor should be charged with a misdemeanor rather than a felony. The fl exibility provided under this law will help ensure that minors who do not belong in the juvenile justice system do not wind up there. This legislation also seeks to close a loophole under current law by creating penalties for adults who distribute a sexually explicit image for purposes of revenge or embarrassment. While current law addresses nonconsensual recording of an unsuspecting person, it does not address instances where someone distributes an image without consent regardless of whether the initial image may have been taken with consent. This legislation closes the gap in state law by creating a new felony off ense and empowering judges in criminal proceedings to ensure that an explicit image in question is permanently destroyed. Like us on Facebook advocate newspaper Facebook.com/Advocate.news.ma THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2021 BUILDING | FROM Page 1 high school then being demolished to replicate the playing fi elds on that portion of the property. In addition, the building committee is considering a high school plan that could include the renovation of the current fi eld house in addition to a new building, rather than building the gym into the new high school. However, Dakin said that option could severely impact high school sports for close to two years, since the fi eld house would be inaccessible. Each option would see a new high school open for students in the summer of 2026, according to Brian Dakin of Leftfi eld. Dakin highlighted some of the benefi ts and disadvantages of each site, as well as potential overall costs of the project and the cost to the city. All three building options come in at an initial cost estimate of over $400 million, according to Dakin, but those numbers will be revised in the coming months as a site is selected and schematic planning gets underway for the selected option. “We’re confi dent that by the time we are picking one of these, we can get all of these options under $400 million and the cost to Revere will be in the $230 million to $250 million range,” said Dakin. Revere has a Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) grant that will reimburse the city 76 percent of the building cost, but Dakin said there are a number of caveats to that reimbursement number. For example, Dakin said there are a number of caps on reimbursement levels for site work, which he said will be extensive at the current high school site. The MSBA also does not reimburse for land acquisition, which would be a major expense with the Wonderland site, which would have to be either purchased from the current owner or taken by eminent domain. “We are carrying $23 million for land acquisition for the acreage that we need to put the school there,” said Dakin. He said the city has been in constant touch with the Wonderland property owners, and he added that a new school will likely need about 25 of the 33 acres on the site. Dakin said the remaining acreage could be privately developed, and that the tax revenue from that development could potentially help pay for the cost of the Wonderland land acquisition over a number of years. When all is said and done, Dakin said, the actual reimbursement amount from the state for either building project will be closer to 40 percent of the total cost. The advantages of building on the current high school site include not having to pay for the land acquisition, as would be the case at Wonderland, and it would be the most cost-eff ective option, according to Dakin. He said the location is also better for pedestrians and bikes. Disadvantages include the disruption to school operations for up to fi ve years and the temporary loss of the use of Erricola Park and Ambrose Field, which would be used for temporary parking over that time period. The advantages of the Wonderland site, according to Dakin, include the ability to use the current high school building down the road as a new middle school or community center and the lack of disruptions to school operations. Disadvantages include it being the more expensive option and that it is farther from the center of the community. January will be a key month for the project, with a presentation scheduled before the City Council on Jan. 10 and a public forum on Jan. 12. The Revere High School Building Committee will make its site recommendation on Jan. 13, with votes by the School Committee scheduled for Jan. 18 and the City Council on Jan. 24.
THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2021 Page 17 1. On December 24 what country has a traditional “Feast of the Seven Fishes”? 2. In 1817, Hawaii’s fi rst coffee was planted in what district of the Big Island? 3. On Dec. 25, 1821, Clara Barton was born – the “Angel of the Battlefi eld” and founder of the American Red Cross – in North Oxford in what N.E. state? 4. In 1970 who wrote and recorded “Feliz Navidad”? 5. Simba is a Swahili word for what animal? 6. December 26 is the first day of Kwanzaa, which has how many days? 7. What TV music show had a bubble machine? 8. Which NYC borough is more populous, Brooklyn or Manhattan? 9. What U.S. state’s language is the derivation of a word for an appetizer? 10. Are fl amingos always pink? 11. On Dec. 27, 1932, what “Showplace of the Nation” opened at Manhattan’s Rockefeller Center? 12. How are thiamin, riAnswers bofl avin and niacin similar? 13. What well-known Englishman wrote the 1842 travelogue “American Notes for General Circulation,” including the line “The tone of society in Boston is one of perfect politeness, courtesy, and good breeding”? 14. On Dec. 28, 1958, what teams – based in Atlantic Ocean ports – played at the first NFL sudden death overtime game? 15. How are shekel, rand and real similar? 16. “Frosty the Snowman” was fi rst recorded in 1950 by what “Singing Cowboy”? 17. On Dec. 29, 1997, what Asian port began killing chickens to contain the spread of avian fl u? 18. The Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball is covered with triangles made of what? 19. What two planets have polar ice caps? 20. On Dec. 30, 1865, Rudyard Kipling was born, who authored what book with a one-word title that is a person’s name? After two wins, Patriots suffer first loss to Lynn Classical By Greg Phipps C onvincing league victories over Everett and Somerville to open the season had the Revere High School girls’ basketball team feeling very good about itself. But the Patriots were brought back down to earth a bit on Tuesday after suffering a 29-point road defeat at the hands of the Lynn Classical Rams. The loss gave Revere an early 2-1 record and left the Patriots at 2-1 in Greater Boston League play as well. Just one Patriot player – Skyla DeSimone – fi nished in double fi gures against Classical. She had 12 points. Carolina Carvalho-Bettero, who had combined for 40 points in the fi rst two contests, was held to seven points in the eventual 52-23 loss to the Rams. First-year Head Coach Chris Porrazzo acknowledged that it was great to start off 2-0 but understood that the matchup against Classical on the road was going to provide a major challenge. “That’s not an easy place to play and they’re an extremely well-coached team," he told the press prior to the game. The Patriots ended last week on a solid note, coming off the season-opening win last Tuesday against perennial league powerhouse Everett, as they rolled to a 56-20 rout of Somerville last Thursday. Carvalho-Bettero connected for 14 points and DeSimone added fi ve points and seven takeaways. Bella Stama also had a solid all-around eff ort in the win. Porrazzo said it was important not to suff er a letdown against the Highlanders following the Everett win. He said his group succeeded in doing that. “We did that pretty emphatically from the jump,” he told the press. “Our defense created a lot of pressure up and down the court which generated most of our off ense.” Through their first three games, the Patriots had outscored the opposition by a 10859 margin in the two wins while being defeated by 29 in the lone loss. Revere moves on to participate in the North Reading High School holiday tournament on Monday and Tuesday. MBTA actively seeking to hire new employees and expand its workforce Hundreds of well-paying positions are now open at the 'T' T he MBTA is aggressively hiring new employees to join its dynamic workforce. It takes many people to move over a million trips a day, and the 6,500-person MBTA is redoubling eff orts 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 benefi ts 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 signifCUT COSTS | FROM Page 8 average $746 this winter, 30 percent more than a year ago. This could be the most expensive winter for natural gas heated homes since 2008-2009. • Electricity - The second-most icant part in revitalizing the region post pandemic,” said MBTA General Manager Steve 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 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.” The MBTA has gone to over 20 online and in-person career fairs across the region this fall and is updating the way it hires to make it easier and faster to start a T career, including Commercial 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, streamlining the application process, and used heating source for homes is electricity, making up 41 percent of the country, and those households could see a more modest 6 percent increase to $1,268. • Heating Oil - Homes using heating oil, which make up 4 more. 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 off ers competitive salaries, extensive healthcare benefi ts, 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, and sick time, and fl exible spending accounts. Members of the public can view open positions online and visit the MBTA website for more information on insurance and other benefi ts. For full information visit mbta. com/careers, or connect with the T on Twitter @MBTA, Facebook / TheMBTA, or Instagram. percent of the country, could see a 43 percent increase – more than $500 – to $1,734. • Propane - The sharpest increases will probably be for homes that use propane, which account for fi ve percent of US households. 1. Italy 2. Kona 3. Massachusetts 4. José Feliciano 5. Lion 6. Seven 7. “The Lawrence Welk Show” 8. Brooklyn 9. Hawaii (pūpū for pupu platter) 10. Flamingo chicks are grey or white, and a diet of plankton with carotenoids causes them to change color. 11. Radio City Music Hall 12. They are B vitamins. 13. Charles Dickens 14. The Baltimore Colts and the New York Giants 15. They are types of currency (for Israel, South Africa and Brazil, respectively) 16. “Gene” Autry 17. Hong Kong 18. Waterford crystal 19. Earth and Mars 20. “Kim”
Page 18 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2021 If you have any questions about this week’s report, e-mail us at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com or call us at (617) 720-1562. 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 infl uence. 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 emailed 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 subscriptions go to: www.massterlist. com/subscribe. THE HOUSE AND SENATE: There were no roll calls in the House or Senate last week. This week, Beacon Hill Roll Call reports on the percentage of times local senators voted with their party’s leadership in the 2021 session. No additional roll calls in the Senate are planned until 2022. Beacon Hill Roll Call uses 111 votes from the 2021 Senate session as the basis for this report. This includes all roll calls that were not quorum calls or on local issues. The votes of the 34 Democrats were compared to Senate Majority Leader Cynthia Creem (D-Newton), second-incommand in the Senate. We could not compare the Democrats’ votes to those of Senate President Karen Spilka (D-Ashland) because, by tradition, the Senate president rarely votes. The senator who voted with Creem the least percentage of times is Sen. Diana DiZoglio (DMethuen) who voted with her only 83 times (74.7 percent). Rounding out the top three who voted with Creem the least number of times are Sens. Walter Timilty (D-Milton) who voted with her 91 times (81.9 percent) and Marc Pacheco (D-Taunton) who voted with her 96 times (86.4 percent) All in all, 31 of the 34 Democrats (99.1 percent) voted with Creem 90 percent or more of the time -- including 11 (32.3 percent) who voted with Creem 100 percent of the time and six who voted with Creem all but one time. The votes of the two Republican senators were compared with those of GOP Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr (R-Gloucester). In 2021, as in 2020, none of the two voted with Tarr 100 percent of the time. In 2021, the Republican senator who voted the lowest percentage of times with Tarr was Sen. Patrick O’Connor (RWeymouth) who voted with Tarr 82.8 percent of the time. Sen. Ryan Fattman (R-Sutton) voted with Tarr 90 percent of the time. SENATORS’ SUPPORT OF THEIR PARTY’S LEADERSHIP IN 2021 The percentage next to the senator’s name represents the percentage of times the senator supported his or her party’s leadership in 2021. The number in parentheses represents the number of times the senator opposed his or her party’s leadership. Some senators voted on all 111 roll call votes. Others missed one or more roll calls. The percentage for each representative is calculated based on the number of roll calls on which he or she voted. Sen. Joseph Boncore has resigned 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 fi led. 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 December 13-17, the House and Senate each met for a total of 24 minutes. Mon. Dec. 13 House 11:00 a.m. to 11:12 a.m. Senate 11:05 a.m. to 11:18 a.m. Tues. Dec. 14 No House session No Senate session Wed. Dec. 15 No House session No Senate session Thurs. Dec. 16 House 11:00 a.m. to 11:12 a.m. Senate 11:06 a.m. to 11:17 a.m. Fri. Dec. 17 No House session No Senate session Bob Katzen welcomes feedback at bob@beaconhillrollcall.com Carpenito Real Estate would like to wish your Family a Happy and Blessed Holiday Season and a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year! Stay well and Stay safe. 335 Central Street, Saugus, MA 01906 (781) 233-7300 View all our listings at: CarpenitoRealEstate.com Like us on Facebook advocate newspaper Facebook.com/Advocate.news.ma View the interior of this home right on your smartphone. PRINCIPAL RESIDENCE PROBATE, MASSHEALTH AND CAPITAL GAINS TAX CONSIDERATIONS I f you transfer your home to an irrevocable trust in order to protect the home from the possibility of going into a nursing home, there are several benefi ts of doing so. First and foremost, once your home is transferred to an irrevocable trust, the fi veyear look back period commences in order to protect the home in the event of one or both of the Donor’s of the trust enters a nursing home and needs to apply for MassHealth benefi ts. Another benefi t of an irrevocable trust is the avoidance of probate upon the death of the Donor(s) of the trust. Certainly, if a husband and wife own the home as tenants by the entirety, probate would be avoided upon the fi rst spouse to die. If the surviving spouse does not take action to place the home either into a revocable trust or irrevocable trust, upon the death of the surviving spouse, the children would have to initiate probate proceedings in order to obtain title to the home. A simultaneous death, although very unlikely, would also result in the children having to probate the estates of both spouses. Having a funded irrevocable trust would obviously avoid the negative ramifi cations of that unlikely event. When you place your home into an irrevocable trust, you also obtain the benefi t of being able to sell your home and take advantage of the Internal Revenue Code Section 121 capital gains tax exclusion on the sale of your principal residence. The trust will be drafted as a grantor-type trust for not only income tax purposes but for capital gains tax purposes. For a husband and wife, this means the fi rst $500,000 of capital gain is exempt from taxation. For a single person, the first $250,000 of capital gain is exempt from taxation. The home must be your principal residence for at least two of the fi ve-year period immediately preceding the date of sale. What is becoming more of a concern with deeding the home outright to the children reserving a life estate in the home by the parents is the greater likelihood of a child dying prior to the parents. With life expectancy so long with medical technology, it is not uncommon for one of the parents to reach the age of 90, 95 or even 100. Consequently, may have a situation where a child dies of some cause age 65 or 70. These situations unfortunately do occur. In the deed with a life estate plan, since the home was deeded directly to the children, the child who has now died has an estate that needs to be probated. If, however, the home was placed into an irrevocable trust, the predeceased child’s trust share would be held in further trust for his or her children. If that child had no children, his or her share would be distributed to the surviving siblings. This dispositive scheme would be pursuant to the terms of the trust, not the Last Will and Testament. There would be no involvement by the probate court. This would result in signifi cantly less legal fees, time and complexity when compared to the probate process. Joseph D. Cataldo is an Estate Planning/Elder Law Attorney, Certifi ed Public Accountant, Certifi ed Financial Planner, AICPA Personal Financial Specialist and holds a Master’s Degree in Taxation.
THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2021 Page 19 AG Healey’s Office opens application period for grant program to help residents pay heating bills W ith energy prices on the rise this winter, Attorney General Maura Healey has announced a new grant program to help Massachusetts residents pay their monthly heating bills. “Each winter, tens of thousands of families across our state struggle to pay their heating bills and that’s only worsened with the unprecedented pandemic and rising energy prices,” Healey said. “Our goal with this program is to help give Massachusetts residents the fi nancial support they need to stay warm this winter.” Economic uncertainty related to the COVID-19 pandemic and volatility in global fossil fuel prices are leading to a spike in energy prices this winter. AG Healey’s Residential Energy Assistance Grant (REAG) will provide approximately $500,000 in funding to organizations that assist Massachusetts households in paying their energy bills. The program builds on the offi ce’s Natural Gas Fuel Assistance grant program by expanding the types of fuel sources that are eligible for assistance. In addition to natural gas, eligible fuels may include, but aren’t limited to, electricity, oil, and propane. The Natural Gas Fuel Assistance grant program has awarded more than $3 million over three years to organizations across the state including the United Way, the Lend a Hand Society, the Southeast Asian Coalition, the Massachusetts Association for Community Action. The AG’s REAG program is open to state agencies, municipalities, and nonprofi t organizations with eligible programs including those that provide direct assistance to residents by subsidizing their home heating costs or those that provide specialized assistance to customers in need including help translating application documents. Approximately 400,000 Massachusetts residential customers currently receive a low-income discount rate on their electric and gas bills, with more customers signing up for payment plans each week. Enrollment in similar programs is expected to increase with this winter’s high energy rates. The AG’s Offi ce is especially interested in proposals for programs that will provide funding to families who otherwise would not be receiving fuel assistance, or who are not receiving suffi cient help in paying their monthly heating bills. Successful applicants will be those that provide assistance to households that make 80 percent or less than the Massachusetts median income. Families that make 60 to 80 percent of the state’s median income are particularly vulnerable to this winter’s rising energy rates and are simultaneously ineligible for assistance from the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The REAG program is funded through a settlement that the AG’s Offi ce reached in September 2020 with the competitive electric supplier, Starion Energy, for using unfair and deceptive sales tactics to lure more than 100,000 Massachusetts customers into expensive contracts with high electricity rates. In advance of this winter’s rising heating rates, AG Healey launched a campaign in November to educate residents about the new and expanded programs available to assist them in paying their energy bills. As part of the campaign, the AG’s Offi ce has reached out to communities across the state to connect them with resources and to urge customers to contact their utility company to learn about the range of assistance programs that they may qualify for, including fl exible payment plans as well as balance forgiveness programs. For more information on the available programs, see the AG’s resource fl yer that is available in multiple languages. The grant program will start on Feb. 7, 2022 and run through June 15, 2024. Interested applicants can visit the AG’s website, www.mass.gov/ago/grants for more information and for application instructions. Questions about the grant program can be submitted by email to AGOGrants@mass.gov by 5 p.m. on Jan. 7, 2022. Applications must be received by 5 p.m. on Jan. 14, 2022. BBB warns against online puppy purchases T he demand for “quarantine puppies” and other pets increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, bringing with it a spike in scams that has persisted even as virus-related lockdowns have abated. Online pet scams – in which an online search ends with a would-be pet owner paying hundreds of dollars or more to adopt a pet that ultimately doesn’t exist – are especially pervasive during the holiday season, when families might be looking to add a furry family member as a gift. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) advises extreme caution if shopping for a pet online. In addition to a shortage of puppies available due to high demand, earlier this year, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suspended imports of dogs to the United States from countries deemed at high risk of rabies. The United States typically imports one million dogs each year and has since updated the restrictions. People currently shopping for pets online are very likely to encounter a scam listing in an online ad or website. Knowing the red flags associated with this scam can help people avoid heartache and loss of money. Online shopping scam reports to BBB Scam Tracker skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic, and pet scams make up 35 percent of those reports in 2021. While pet scam–related reports are down slightly from 2020, they are expected to double this year to those reported in 2019, and more than four times as many were reported in 2017, when BBB published its fi rst investigative study about online puppy scams. Scammers frequently capitalize on high demand during the holidays by posting pictures of pets in Christmas hats and other gear. When a wouldbe pet parent pursues the listing, the scammer refuses to let the consumer meet the pet before buying – often claiming COVID-19 considerations. The scammer claims that the buyer must use a pet delivery agency of some kind, often an airline. BBB Scam Tracker has received many reports of fake web pages impersonating real businesses for this purpose. The scammer also might demand fees for vaccinations or other last-minute “needs.” Ultimately, the pet does not exist, and the consumer has lost money and emotional investment. The largest group of victims by age are those 25-35, followed by those 35-44. The average fi - nancial loss reported to BBB Scam Tracker was $1,088. While 82 percent of pet scam reports involved dogs, other reports included cats, birds and iguanas. The tactics used in pet scams continue to evolve. Scammers increasingly ask for payment through untraceable cash apps, such as Zelle, Google Pay, Cash App, Venmo and Apple Pay. A review of BBB Scam Tracker data finds that most reports listed Zelle as the payment method involving the purchase of online pets. Pet scams are a worldwide problem, with the United Kingdom and Australia reporting large increases in pet scam complaints in 2020 and 2021. Many pet scams originate in Cameroon, according to data from Petscams.com, which tracks and catalogues puppy scams. Law enforcement agencies in the United States and abroad have worked to apprehend pet scammers. In December 2020, the U.S. Department of Justice announced criminal charges against a Cameroonian national living in Romania; among other tactics, the suspect had claimed the pets he was selling had COVID-19, and he required would-be buyers to purchase a “vaccine guarantee document.” The BBB has issued the following recommendations for buying pets online: See the pet in person before paying any money. Consider a video call with the seller if there are concerns about meeting in person because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This way, you can see the seller and the actual pet for sale. More often than not, scammers won’t comply with the request, and it helps avoid a scam. Conduct a reverse image search of the photo of the pet and search for a distinctive phrase in the description. Research the breed to get a sense of a fair price you are considering. Think twice if someone advertises a purebred dog for free or at a deeply discounted price … it could be a fraudulent off er. Check out a local animal shelter for pets to meet in person before adopting. Who to contact if you are the victim of a pet scam Petscams.com: petscams. com/report-pet-scam-websites tracks complaints, catalogues puppy scammers and endeavors to get fraudulent pet sale websites taken down. Federal Trade Commission (FTC): reportfraud.ftc.gov to fi le a complaint online or call 877-FTC-Help. Better Business Bureau: BBB Scam Tracker (https://www.bbb. org/scamtracker) to report a scam online. Canadian Anti-fraud Centre: antifraudcentre-centreantifraude or call 1-888-495-8501 for scams involving Canada. Your credit card issuer: Report the incident if you shared your credit card number, even if the transaction was not completed.
Page 20 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2021 Discount Services -Raccoons -Squirrels 781-269-0914 Removal WASTE REMOVAL & BUILDING MAINTENANCE • Landscaping, Lawn Care, Mulching • Yard Waste & Rubbish Removal • Interior & Exterior Demolition (Old Decks, Fences, Pools, Sheds, etc.) • Appliance and Metal Pick-up • Construction and Estate Cleanouts • Pick-up Truck Load of Trash starting at $169 • Carpentry LICENSED & INSURED Call for FREE ESTIMATES! KITCHEN CABINETS To Look Like New 508-840-0501 FURNITURE STRIP & FINISH FRANK’S Housepainting (781) 289-0698 • Exterior • Ceiling Dr. • Power Wash • Paper Removal • Carpentry FREE ESTIMATES — Fully Insured P assed following a long illness on Saturday, December 18 at the Kaplan Family Hospice of Danvers. Her death comes only 14 days after the passing of her 99-yearold mother, Lena R. “Lee” (Aldorisio) Bailey. Beverly was born in Boston “Proper prep makes all the difference” – F. Ferrera • Interior OBITUARIES Beverly A. (Bailey) Daigle & the family moved to live in Worcester in her early years, there. She came to Revere with her family & was schooled here. She was an alumna of Revere High School Class of 1958. Beverly worked soon after her children were born. She worked in the hospitality industry, after receiving her Bartenders license. For a time, she was with the Top Hat Lounge, which later becoming Stars, in Peabody. She later worked at the ITAM Post on Lucia Ave. in Revere for some 7 years. Her last & happiest time was the almost 10 years she worked as a bartender at DeMaino’s Restaurant in Revere. Beverly enjoyed a most engaging personality, which drew not only her faithful customers but also won her many, many friends. Beverly was the daughter of the late Lena R. “Lee” (Aldorisio) Bailey, Francis J. Bailey & William Quin. She is the beloved & proud mother of Carol Gerard of Tewksbury, Francis J. Daigle of Dorchester, Saugus Police Detective John B. Daigle of Saugus, Eric M. Daigle of Dracut, Michelle L. Daigle of Lowell, Patricia L. Daigle of Revere, & the late Robert Daigle of the Cayman Islands. She is the dear sister of Patricia l. Bailey – Childers of Coral Gable, FL., Joanne Bernard of TN., Joyce Maher & her husband Kevin of Salem, William Quinn & wife Sue of Topsfi eld, & the late Carolyn Joyce Bailey, The late Wayne Quinn & his surviving wife Joanne of Washington State. She is also lovingly survived by 17 grandchildren & 8 great grandchildren & her best friends, Richard Oliver & Carole Nutile 0f Revere. Many nieces, nephews, grandnieces & grandnephews. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105-9959. OBITUARIES | SEE Page 22 ~ In Loving Memory ~ MARK GASPARELLO May 1, 1964 - Dec. 30, 2016 You will never be forgotten. We miss you. We love you. All The Family 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 REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS SELLER1 BUYER2 Rivera, Abel V Rosato, Carmen DeOliveira, Marcelo M DeOliveira, Regiane G Revere Street RT Acevedo, Hector Sharifi , Khelay Diaz-Pernia, Luis E Montoya, Amanda M Patriot Way Dev LLC Ebrahimi, Islamodden Chan, Wen J Lizardo, Auhilda Cimmino, Michael SELLER2 ADDRESS Tennihan, Rose 228 Mountain Ave Lepore, Nicholas 356 Reservoir Ave 52 Mill St #B Chen, Yanni 376 Ocean Ave #1615 DATE PRICE Revere 02.12.2021 $ 615 000,00 01.12.2021 $ 520 000,00 01.12.2021 $ 675 900,00 30.11.2021 $ 370 000,00 925 Revere Beach Pkwy 29.11.2021 $ 775 000,00
THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2021 Page 21 AAA Service • Lockouts Trespass Towing • Roadside Service Junk Car Removal 617-387-6877 26 Garvey St., Everett MDPU 28003 ICCMC 251976 Discount Tree Service 781-269-0914 Professional TREE REMOVAL & Cleanups 24-HOUR SERVICE We follow Social Distancing Guidelines! ADVOCATE Call now! 781-286-8500 advertise on the web at www.advocatenews.net Classifi eds
Page 22 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2021 Your Hometown News Delivered! EVERETT ADVOCATE MALDEN ADVOCATE REVERE ADVOCATE SAUGUS ADVOCATE One year subscription to The Advocate of your choice: $100 per paper in-town per year or $120 per paper out-of-town per year. Name_________________________________________ Address_______________________________________ City_______________ State_______ Zip ____________ CC# _______________________________ Exp. _____ Sec. code____ Advocate (City):___________________ Clip & Mail Coupon with Credit Card, Check or Money Order to: Advocate Newspapers Inc. PO Box 490407, Everett, MA 02149 Like us on Facebook advocate newspaper Facebook.com/Advocate.news.ma EAST BOSTON at the present time there is a barber great sunlight........................$989,000 O f Stoughton, formerly of Revere, passed away on Wednesday, December 22, 2021. Devoted daughter of Nathan Cooper and Sophie Glatt. Beloved wife of Allen Goldfarb. Loving mother of Nadene Freeman and Lisa Holbrook. Cherished grandmother of Dylan Holbrook and Auren Freeman. Dear sister of Ruth Goldman, Harvey Cooper, and Alan Cooper. Bernice, a self-acclaimed "Show Biz Afi cionado," was applauded for her charm, while exhibiting exemplary customer service throughout her many years at Macy's. In lieu of fl owers please donate in P assed after a lengthy illness on Saturday, December 18, 2021 at the VA Boston Healthcare System of Brockton. Born & raised in Revere, he was a lifelong resident & alumnus of Revere High School, Class of 1952. In August of 1954, he entered the U.S. Marine Corps & served honorably until his discharge on August 15, 1958, as Sergeant. He was married to his one & only, Emily OBITUARIES | FROM Page 20 Bernice Goldfarb OBITUARIES Bernice's name to: Breast Cancer Research Foundation, 28 W. 44th St., Ste 609, New York, NY 10036. Joseph S. Oreto, Sr. J. (Caddle) Oreto & they had fi ve (5) children. Emily was stricken with metastatic cancer and passed on October 16, 1980 at only 42 years of age. “Joey” was faced with raising fi ve children, with help from his Mom & Dad, the late Joseph M. Oreto & Grace M. (Fabiano) Oreto & other Oreto family members. He had a thirty-six-year career with Polaroid Corp., as a lead Mechanic within the Film Department. He was prompted to take an early retirement in 1999 & continued to be a dedicated dad, grandpa, son, brother & uncle. He is the proud father to Deborah J. McTomney & husband Michael of Quincy, Joseph S. Oreto, Jr. & wife, Sonia of Revere, Ronald S. Oreto of Medford, Darrin J. Oreto of Revere & Scott C. Oreto of Weymouth. Cherished Grandpa to 7 grandchildren & 5 great- grandchildren. Dear brother of Lillian F. Hibbard & her husband, Hugh of Revere & the late Frank P. Oreto & the late Carol A. Consolo. He is also lovingly survived by many nieces, nephews, grandnieces & grandnephews. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Division of Development, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 022849168. 6 Hodgkins Rd., Unit A $379,000 Rockport, MA - CONTINGENT 38 Main St., Saugus (781) 558-1091 mangorealtyteam.com ~ Meet Our Agents ~ 43 Holland St., Saugus $499,000 level living. The living room overlooks a deck with an open backyard area, with tional full bath. The level yard is nestled with a fenced in yard, shed, and more. You will love this home just as the previous owner did!! CONDOMINIUM - LYNN Patrick Rescigno Rosa Rescigno Carl Greenler Barry Tam Sue Palomba Founder, CEO Lea Doherty Location! Welcome to 6 Hodgkins Road in Rockport with 2 deeded its own entrance with a beautiful mudroom. This condo can be transferred into the home of your dreams with a kitchen that offers granite counter tops, stainless steel appliances and an eat in with plenty of sunlight. 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THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2021 Page 23 Follow Us On: COMMERCIAL & RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY SALES & RENTALS From Our Family To Yours, We Wish You A Merry Christmas! Sandy Juliano Broker/President WE KNOW EVERETT!! Call TODAY to sell or buy with the best! LISTED BY NORMA & ROSEMARIE NEW LISTING BY SANDY SOLD! CONDO - NEW PRICE - $449,900 30 CHELSEA ST. #812 EVERETT CALL NORMA FOR DETAILS! 617-590-9143 NEW LISTING BY SANDY SOLD SINGLE FAMILY 39 ARLINGTON ST., EVERETT $529,900 NEW LISTING 129 CLARENCE ST., EVERETT NEW PRICE! $799,900 TWO FAMILY SOLD BY NORMA HUGE 3 FAMILY 21-23 CLEVELAND AVE., EVERETT $980,000 32 RIDGE RD., READING $675,000 NEW LISTING BY NORMA CONDO 120 WYLLIS AVE., UNIT #310 SOLD BY JOE! 6 FAMILY CHARLES STREET, MALDEN $1,250,000 CALL JOE FOR DETAILS 617-680-7610 UNDER AGREEMENT SINGLE FAMILY 20 BAKER RD., EVERETT $509,900 SOLD BY MICHAEL AS BUYER’S AGENT 58 BRADFORD ST. EVERETT Joe DiNuzzo Norma Capuano Parziale - Broker Associate www.jrs-properties.com O D il F 10 00 A M 5 00 PM - Agent Open Daily From 10:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. 433 Broadway, Suite B, Everett, MA 02149 Denise Matarazz - Agent Maria Scrima - Agent Follow Us On: 617.544.6274 Rosemarie Ciampi - Agent Michael Matarazzo -Agent Mark Sachetta - Agent
Page 24 THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2021 ............. # 1 “Experience and knowledge Provide the Best Service” View our website from your mobile phone! 335 Central St., Saugus, MA 781-233-7300 SAUGUS - 11 Unit Building. Cliftondale Sq. Property consists of 3 store fronts & 1 free-standing building, 7 residential units. All separate utilities. All units WONDERING WHAT YOUR HOME IS WORTH? CALL US FOR A FREE OPINION OF VALUE. 781-233-1401 38 MAIN STREET, SAUGUS LITTLEFIELDRE.COM
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