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Police chief warns of 3+ hour backups, urges shoppers to avoid Wrentham Outlets

The police chief in Wrentham, Massachusetts, is warning of three-plus hour waits and urging shoppers to avoid the Wrentham Outlets on the afternoon of Black Friday. "STOP. IF YOU ARE TRYING TO DRIVE TO THE #WRENTHAMOUTLETS, DO NOT BOTHER. THEY WILL BE CLOSED BEFORE YOU CAN GET THROUGH TRAFFIC. WAITS EXCEED THREE HOURS. 495 AND SURROUNDING ROADS ARE JAMMED. TRY ANOTHER DAY," Wrentham Police Chief Bill McGrath said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. STOP 🛑. IF YOU ARE TRYING TO DRIVE TO THE #WRENTHAMOUTLETS, DO NOT BOTHER. THEY WILL BE CLOSED BEFORE YOU CAN GET THROUGH TRAFFIC. WAITS EXCEED THREE HOURS. 495 AND SURROUNDING ROADS ARE JAMMED. TRY ANOTHER DAY. @WCVB @wbz @boston25 @NBC10Boston @7News @wvpremoutlets — Chief Bill McGrath (@ChiefMcgrath) November 24, 2023 McGrath had warned of hours long delays throughout the day. Get Boston local news, weather forecasts, lifestyle and entertainment stories to your inbox. Sign up for NBC Boston’s newsletters. #BlackFriday Afternoon Report. It’s worse😳! 1.5 - 2 hour wait depending on direction you’re coming from. Tho I don’t get why shoppers voluntarily do this, no road rage, no complaints. Still, be warned! Crazy traffic & waiting! @WCVB @boston25 @wbz pic.twitter.com/evHdV3UOKK — Chief Bill McGrath (@ChiefMcgrath) November 24, 2023 More to come.

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India Is Chasing Chinas Economy. But Something Is Holding It Back.

India’s economy is booming. Stock prices are through the roof, among the best performing in the world. The government’s investment in airports, bridges and roads, and clean-energy infrastructure is visible almost everywhere. India’s total output, or gross domestic product, is expected to increase 6 percent this year — faster than the United States or China. But there’s a hitch: Investment by Indian companies is not keeping pace. The money that companies put into the future of their businesses, for things like new machines and factories, is stagnant. As a fraction of India’s economy, it is shrinking. And while money is flying into India’s stock markets, long-term investment from overseas has been declining. Green and red lights are flashing at the same time. At some point soon, the government will need to reduce its extraordinary spending, which could weigh on the economy if private sector money doesn’t pick up.

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Joe ODonnell, entrepreneur and transformative philanthropist for cystic fibrosis, dies at 79

Instead, he worked endless hours beyond the glare of headlines, never more so than while raising money for cystic fibrosis research. Little could be done in 1974 when his son, Joey, was born with the genetic disorder and died 12 years later. Leaving no potential donor’s hand unshaken, Mr. O’Donnell spent nearly 40 years helping to raise more than $500 million — principally through founding The Joey Fund — to develop treatments that have extended the lives of those with the condition. “As a kid, I was taught not to shine a spotlight on yourself, and I always thought people who did that were kind of jerks,” he told the Globe in 2001, when he was trying to purchase the Red Sox. “And even today, I still think that’s true.” In his decades as one of Boston’s most successful and influential entrepreneurs, Joe O’Donnell kept as low a profile as possible for someone who came close at different points to buying the local football and baseball teams. Get Today's Headlines The day's top stories delivered every morning. Enter Email Sign Up “It is by far the most important thing that I do,” he said for a Phillips Exeter Academy alumni profile a few years ago. “It is Joey’s legacy.” Advertisement Mr. O’Donnell, whose expansive holdings included stadium concessions, a venture capital firm, a marketing agency, and ski areas, was 79 when he died of cancer Sunday in his Boston home. His fund-raising propelled scientific advances and “led to the breakthrough medicines that are transforming the lives of tens of thousands of people with cystic fibrosis around the world today,” said Dr. Michael Boyle, chief executive of Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. “We would not have these transformative medicines without Joe.” Mr. O'Donnell with his wife, Kathy, and students from the Winn Brook Elementary School in Belmont looked over blueprints for the playground the children helped design in Joey's honor in 2013. Joey O'Donnell attended Winn Brook Elementary. JohnTlumacki Initially building a business empire with the Boston Culinary Group, which provided concessions to stadiums and other venues across the country, Mr. O’Donnell branched into a multitude of other ventures. When pressed, though, he would often smile, shrug, and say he sold popcorn and candy. Advertisement A friend once joked that he “owns 4 percent of everything,” Boston Magazine noted when it placed Mr. O’Donnell atop its 2006 list of “The 100 People Who Run This Town.” High on the roster of his other full and part ownerships were the private equity group Belmont Capital, Allied Global Marketing, and the Suffolk Downs racetrack. “He could digest the most complex spreadsheet in minutes,” said Mike Sheehan, a friend and former Globe chief executive who was a partner in some of Mr. O’Donnell’s ventures. “But his real gift was his X-ray vision: He could see through the numbers to the people behind them. And if he sensed the slightest character flaw, there’d be no deal.” Mr. O’Donnell was also an informal adviser to mayors, governors, and former president George W. Bush, a friend since their Harvard Business School days. “Joe O’Donnell was a great man and loyal friend. He had a big heart and a big laugh,” Bush said in an email. “His love for Boston was eclipsed only by his love for his family and his friends.” Rising to success from a modest childhood, Mr. O’Donnell was the son of a police officer and a school secretary in Everett, a formative hometown that still loomed large in his thoughts when he was spending most of his time in boardrooms and executive suites. Advertisement “In Everett, you could blindfold me and I could smell my way home,” he recalled warmly in a 2003 Globe interview. “I love that city.” By that year, Mr. O’Donnell had led separate groups of partners who tried, without success, to buy the New England Patriots in the late 1980s, and then the Red Sox, before the team was sold to a group led by principal owner John Henry, who also owns the Globe. “Joe had tremendous charisma,” said Steve Karp, a prominent real estate developer and Mr. O’Donnell’s key partner in the Red Sox bid. “He could walk into a room and not know anybody and leave with half the people thinking he was their best friend.” Among those newfound pals were some who might later find themselves on the opposing side of a conference table from Mr. O’Donnell, negotiating hard-wrought deals. Ultimately, though, his reputation rested largely on an “unassuming demeanor” and unending generosity, said Karp, who added that Mr. O’Donnell was “doing something for someone all the time” behind the scenes. “He didn’t believe in emails or texts,” Karp said. “He believed in picking up the phone and calling. He was interested in how your family was doing, which made him unique. He wanted to know about you personally, as well as the business situation.” And when Mr. O’Donnell met those who, like him, had lost loved ones, he gave them his favorite book on grieving, “The Bereaved Parent,” along with a hug and an offer to simply listen. Advertisement “In business he was a tough guy, everybody knows that. But there was this incredibly humane, soft, caring, empathetic side of Joe,” said Lawrence Bacow, a former Harvard president who had served with him on the Harvard Corporation, the university’s top governing board. “You didn’t know what it was like to have a friend until you had Joe O’Donnell as a friend.” Born on April 19, 1944, Joseph James O’Donnell grew up in Everett, the son of Teresa Rose Cavicchi O’Donnell and Joseph I. O’Donnell. An honors graduate at Malden Catholic High School — a significant recipient of his philanthropy — Mr. O’Donnell was the captain of the football and baseball teams. He then spent a post-graduate year at Phillips Exeter Academy before a scholarship allowed him to attend Harvard, where he also played football and baseball. “He believed that he achieved great success not despite his blue-collar roots, but because of his blue-collar roots,” said US Senator Ed Markey, who was two years behind Mr. O’Donnell at Malden Catholic. “That’s what made him the quintessential man to connect all the various parts of Boston.” After graduating from Harvard with a bachelor’s degree and receiving a master’s from Harvard Business School, Mr. O’Donnell was associate dean of students at the business school. In the mid-1970s, he began running what became the Boston Culinary Group, which he sold more than a dozen years ago. Advertisement In addition to the Harvard Corporation board, he served on the university’s Board of Overseers and as a Harvard Alumni Association director. A Harvard Medal recipient, he was “one of Harvard’s most devoted and inspiring alumni leaders,” Drew Faust, a former Harvard president, once told the Harvard Gazette. In 2012, Mr. O’Donnell and his wife, Kathy, donated $30 million to Harvard as a way of giving thanks for his good fortune to attend as a scholarship student. A six-time varsity letter winner and Harvard baseball’s team captain as a senior, Mr. O’Donnell donated $2.5 million to the baseball program. The team’s ballpark is named for him. He had in 1970 married Katherine Kelliher, who worked for Action for Boston Community Development until their son, Joey, was born. Soon after, Joey was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. “He never asked us if he was going to die,” Mr. O’Donnell said just after his son’s death, in 1986. “That was the beauty of him,” he told the Globe. “He kept telling us not to worry; that the doctors would come up with a cure; that he was just a normal kid, and that’s how we should treat him.” Joey O'Donnell Family handout/Globe staff In their long, widely admired marriage, the O’Donnells became extensively involved with Cystic Fibrosis Foundation fund-raising, and they brought up two daughters who were born after Joey died — Kate O’Donnell of Boston and Casey Buckley, who lives in the Brookline part of Chestnut Hill. “My parents had a beautiful marriage. I’ve always been in awe of their relationship,” Kate said. “She always let him think that he was right, and she was always in charge in the background. They had a beautiful respect for each other.” A service will be announced for Mr. O’Donnell, who in recent years spent as much time as possible with his granddaughter, Blair, and grandson, J.D., who both called him Go-Go — a nickname that evolved from how his granddaughter used to say Joe-Joe. “His whole life was people,” Casey said. “People meant family and friends and community, and he created community wherever he went. Whatever group he was a part of, he made it better, and he made it fun, and he made it successful.” Mr. O’Donnell had launched his successful career as an entrepreneur in the 1970s in part to help pay the medical bills when Joey was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis as a baby. During Joey’s 12 years “he taught me a lot,” Mr. O’Donnell told the Globe in 1986. “I think he taught a lot to everyone who knew him.” And a few days before Joey died, “all of a sudden he told me he knew what heaven was,” Mr. O’Donnell said. “He told me heaven was different, that a long time down here was like a blink of an eye in heaven.” Bryan Marquard can be reached at bryan.marquard@globe.com.

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business

Bed Bath & Beyond, Christmas Tree Shops Led MA 2023 Store Closures

Business & Tech Bed Bath & Beyond, Christmas Tree Shops Led MA 2023 Store Closures This year saw another sizable shift in the big box store landscape across the Bay State. Bed Bath & Beyond and Christmas Tree Shops were among the major retailers that closed across Massachusetts in 2023. (Autumn Johnson/Patch) MASSACHUSETTS — Several national discount, department store and specialty chains closed locations in Massachusetts in 2023 as they grappled with inflationary pressures, filed for bankruptcy or adjusted their business models to reflect changes in consumer shopping habits. Others, including pharmacy giants CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid, closed stores as demand for COVID-19-related services declined. And Target blamed the closure of a handful of metropolitan stores on a spike in organized retail crime. Here's a look at how some of the announcements affected Massachusetts: Bed Bath & Beyond came back from the dead in digital form after Overstock.com acquired $21.5 million in intellectual property assets from the beleaguered chain. Still, the chain planned to shutter 896 stores as part of its bankruptcy filing, according to NBC News. The closures included 360 flagship stores, 120 Buy Buy Baby stores, and 416 Bed Bath & Beyond, Harmon and Buy Buy Baby stores that were set to close. In August, the new owners of Buy Buy Baby, announced plans to reopen 11 stores in the Northeast, and the new owner of the health and beauty chain Harmon said it would reopen at least five stores, CNBC reported. The 10 remaining Bed Bath & Beyond stores in Massachusetts began winding down operations in April with clearance sales. This followed a series of closures of other locations over the previous year. The stores were all closed for good by the summer. Foot Locker said it would shutter 545 stores, including 125 of its Champs Sports locations by 2026, as part of a "reset" that includes opening about 300 "new concept" stores, according to Business Insider. There remain 13 Foot Locker locations in Massachusetts, according to the company website, along with six Champs Sports locations. Party City, the largest party goods, Halloween and specialty retail chain in the country, has 21 stores in Massachusetts from Holyoke to Millbury and 11 in the Boston area. Walmart, which has been closing a handful of underperforming stores each year, said it was shuttering 23 stores across a dozen states, according to a Business Insider report. Massachusetts was spared from the Walmart closings and still has 48 locations across the state. Best Buy said it would close between 20 and 30 big box stores in 2023, while opening eight smaller concept and 10 outlet stores. The company did not say what specific stores would close, but typically closes between 15 and 20 a year, Business Insider reported. Best Buy closed locations in Boston, Cambridge and Wareham in recent years, but still has 23 Massachusetts locations. Target blamed organized retail crime in a September announcement of nine store closures in the New York, San Francisco, Seattle and Portland, Oregon, areas. Previously, Target closed four stores with declining foot traffic — one each in Philadelphia and its hometown of Minneapolis and two in Washington, D.C. Target still has 50 locations in Massachusetts — five of which are in Boston. In reevaluating its physical store strategy, Amazon said in March it would shutter nine of its Go locations — two in New York, three in Seattle, and four in San Francisco, according to Business Insider. Barnes & Noble opened two new bookstores in the Boston area within the past two years— at Lynnfield Marketplace and Legacy Place in Dedham — in the former location of two Amazon Books storefronts. Seven Big Lots stores — three stores in California and four in Colorado — were scheduled for closure in 2023 as the discount chain shifts its emphasis to small towns from urban areas, Business Insider reported. There remain 23 Big Lots locations in Massachusetts. Four Macy's stores closed in California, Colorado, Hawaii and Maryland as part of the company’s three-year plan to close 125 stores. While Macy's closed its locations in Westfield and Leominster in 2000, there remain 16 open in Massachusetts. JC Penney planned to close stores in Oswego, New York; Elkhart, Indiana; and Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, in 2023, MSN reported. Since 2020, the department store chain has closed more than 150 stores. With the closure, 663 stores remain. There are six JC Penney locations left in Massachusetts. More CVS stores closed as the company adjusts its business plan to reflect changing populations and buying patterns. CVS is in the second year of the three-year plan to close 900 stores by the end of 2024. While the CVS location on Front Street in Worcester was among the closures in November, the Rhode Island-based chain is still ubiquitous across the state. Struggling under slumping sales and heavy debt from opioid-related litigation, the Rite Aid drugstore chain said in October it was accelerating the closure of some underperforming drugstores while it restructures under Chapter 11 bankruptcy. In all, 154 locations were affected. A month later, Rite Aid said it was closing 31 more stores. In all, 185 locations were affected. Only the Webster Rite Aid location has closed in Massachusetts in recent months. Walgreens plans to close 150 stores by the end of August 2024, the Deerfield, Illinois-based drugstore chain said in June, citing slowing demand for COVID-19-related services among other factors. Walgreens did not say which among its 9,000 stores nationwide would close. The Lincoln Street Walgreens in Worcester closed in November but there remain 145 locations open across the state.

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business

Though the pandemic subsided, ImprovBoston never recovered

SBC codec Audio channel type and number: Joint Stereo, Stereo, Dual Channel, Mono; Number of frequency bands: 4 or 8; Number of audio blocks in one packet: 4, 8, 12, 16; Quantization bit allocation algorithm: Loudness, SNR; Maximum and minimum bit pool used in quantization process: usually 2-53. Some wireless headphone users note low sound quality and lack of high frequencies when using the standard Bluetooth SBC codec, which is supported by all headphones and other Bluetooth audio devices. A common recommendation to get better sound quality is to buy devices and headphones with aptX or LDAC codecs support. These codecs require licensing fees, that's why devices with them are more expensive.It turns out that the low quality of SBC is caused by artificial limitations of all current Bluetooth stacks and headphones' configuration, and this limitation can be circumvented on any existing device with software modification only. SBC has lots of different parameters that are negotiated during the connection setup phase:The decoder is required to support any combination of these parameters. Encoder may implement only a part of them.Existing Bluetooth stacks usually negotiate the following set of options which I call «profile»: Joint Stereo, 8 bands, 16 blocks, Loudness, bitpool 2..53. This profile encodes 44.1 kHz stereo audio with 328 kbps bitrate.Bitpool is a parameter that changes encoding bitrate: the higher it is, the higher the bitrate, and hence the quality. But exact bitpool value corresponds to exact bitrate only within exact profile.The bitrate is also significantly affected by other parameters: audio channel type, number of frequency bands, number of audio blocks. You can increase the bitrate indirectly by negotiating non-standard profiles, without changing the bitpool. Bitrate calculation formula The decoder of the SNK shall support all possible bitpool values that do not result in excess of the maximum bit rate. This profile limits the available maximum bit rate to 320kb/s for mono, and 512kb/s for two-channel modes. Bluetooth stack modification LineageOS 15.1 (since 31 March, 2019) and 16.0 (since May 13, 2019) (since 31 March, 2019) and (since May 13, 2019) Resurrection Remix (since May 14, 2019) (since May 14, 2019) crDroid (since May 13, 2019) Where did 551 and 452 kbps come from? For example, Dual Channel mode encodes channels separately, using individual bitpool for each channel, unlike Stereo or Joint Stereo, which use bitpool for both channels. Forcing the device to use Dual Channel instead of Joint Stereo will get us almost doubled bitrate of 617 kbps, with the same bitpool value of 53.To me it feels that bitpool should be an internal variable. I assume that it is an A2DP specification design fault that bitpool value is not bound to other codec parameters and only defined as an independent negotiated variable.Fixed bitpool and bitrate values originated from recommended profile for high quality audio. But the recommendation should not be the reason to set the limit on these parameters.A2DP specification v1.2, which was active from 2007 to 2015, requires all decoders to work correctly with bitrates up to 512 kbps:No bitrate limit stated in the new version of the specification. It is assumed that modern headphones with EDR support released after 2015 can support bitrates up to 730 kbps.For some reason, all currently tested Bluetooth stacks (Linux (PulseAudio), Android, Blackberry and macOS) have artificial restrictions of maximum bitpool parameter, which directly affects the maximum bitrate. But this is not the biggest problem, almost all headphones also limit the maximum bitpool value to 53.As I've already seen in my tests, most devices work fine on a modified Bluetooth stack with a bitrate of 551 kbps, without interrupts and crackling. But such a bitrate will never be negotiated under normal conditions, with stock Bluetooth stacks.Every A2DP-compatible Bluetooth stack should support Dual Channel mode, but there's no way to force usage of this mode.Let's add a switch to the user interface! I made patches for Android 8.1 and Android 9, which add full support for Dual Channel into the stack and into developer menu, and handle Dual Channel mode as an additional «HD Audio» codec like aptX, AAC or LDAC by adding a tick to the Bluetooth device settings Here's what it looks like:This checkbox toggles Dual Channel mode which is configured to usefor EDR 3 Mb/s devices andfor EDR 2 Mb/s devices.This patchset has been merged into the following alternative firmwares:Bluetooth time division technology is designed to efficiently transmit large fixed-size packets. Data transfer occurs in slots, the largest number of slots sent in one transmission is 5. There are also transfer modes using 1 or 3 slots, but not 2 or 4. You can transfer up to 679 bytes in 5 slots, at a connection speed of 2 Mbps, and up to 1021 bytes at a speed of 3 Mbps. In 3 slots maximum amount of data is 367 and 552 bytes, respectively.If we want to transfer less data than 679 or 1021 bytes but more than 367 or 552 bytes, the transfer will still take 5 slots, and the transmission will take the same amount of time, which reduces the transmission efficiency.44100 Hz audio encoded using SBC in Dual Channel mode with bitpool = 38, 16 blocks in a frame, 8 frequency bands, produces audio frame of 164 bytes, with 452 kb/s bitrate.Audio payload should be encapsulated into L2CAP and AVDTP transmission protocols, which deduct 16 bytes of overhead from the audio payload. 679 (EDR 2 mbit/s DH5) - 4 (L2CAP) - 12 (AVDTP/RTP) - 1 (SBC header) - (164*4) = 6 What is that all for? Can we go even further? # setprop persist.bluetooth.sbc_hd_higher_bitrate 1 Compatibility with the devices Sound difference comparison Contacting Android developers Conclusion One 5-slot audio transmission can contain up to 4 audio frames:A single packet transmits up to 11.7 ms of audio data, which will be transmitted in 3.75 ms, and we have 6 unused bytes left in the packet.If you slightly raise the bitpool, 4 audio frames can no longer be packed into a single transmission. You'll have to send 3 frames at a time, which reduces transmission efficiency, reduces the amount of audio transmitted in one packet, and will increase chance for audio stutter under poor radio conditions.551 kbps bitrate for EDR 3 Mbps was selected using the same principle: with Bitpool 47, 16 blocks per frame, 8 frequency bands, the frame size is 200 bytes, with a bit rate of 551 kbps. Single transmission can bundle up to 5 frames or 14.6 ms of music.The algorithm for calculating all the SBC parameters is quite complicated, you can easily make a mistake if you try to calculate all of them manually, so I made an interactive calculator to help those who interested:Contrary to popular belief of aptX sound quality, in some cases it can produce worse audio quality than SBC with a standard 328k bitrate.SBC dynamically allocates quantization bits for frequency bands, acting on a «bottom-to-top» basis. If the whole bitrate was used for the lower and middle frequencies, the upper frequencies are «cut off» (silenced).aptX quantizes frequency bands with the same number of bits constantly, which makes it a constant bitrate codec: 352 kbps for 44.1 kHz, 384 kbps for 48 kHz. It can't «transfer bits» to frequencies that need them most. Unlike SBC, aptX will not «cut» frequencies, but will add quantization noise to them, reducing the dynamic range of audio, and sometimes introducing crackles. SBC, on the contrary, «eats the details» — discards the quietest areas.On average, compared to SBC 328k, aptX makes less distortion in music with a wide frequency range, but on music with a narrow frequency range and a wide dynamic range SBC 328k sometimes wins.Let us consider a special case, a piano recording. Here's a spectrogram:Most energy locates in the 0-4 kHz frequencies, and lasts up to 10 kHz.The spectrogram of the file aptX file looks like this:Here is SBC 328k:It can be seen that the SBC 328k periodically completely cut off the range above 16 kHz, and used all available bitrates for the frequency ranges below this value. However, aptX introduced more distortions into the frequency spectrum audible by the human ear, which can be seen on the subtracted original audio spectrogram from the aptX spectrogram (the brighter, the more distortion):SBC 328k has introduced less distortion to the signal in the range from 0 to 10 kHz, and the rest frequences had been сut:485k bitrate was enough for SBC to save the entire frequency range, without cutting off the bands.SBC 485k produces much better results in the range of 0-15 kHz on this sample than aptX, and a smaller but still noticeable difference at 15-22 kHz (the darker, the less distortion):By switching to a high-bitrate SBC you will get sound which is superior to aptX most of the time, on any headphones. On headphones with EDR 3 Mb/s support, 551 kb/s SBC produces sound that is very close to aptX HD.Android patchset has an additional option to increase bitrate for EDR 2 mbps devices even further. You can bump the bitrate from 452 kbps to 595 kbps, at the cost of reducing the stability of the transmission in case of congested radio conditions.Just set the persist.bluetooth.sbc_hd_higher_bitrate variable to 1:Extreme bit rate patch is currently merged only in LineageOS 15.1, but not in 16.0.SBC Dual Channel is supported by almost all headphones, speakers and car head units. This is no wonder — the standard mandates its support in any decoding devices. There are a small number of devices on which this mode causes problems, but these are very rare cases.More details on compatible devices can be found at 4pda and xda-developers I made a web service that encodes audio to SBC (as well as to aptX and aptX HD) in real time, right in the browser. You can compare the sound of different SBC profiles and other codecs without actually transmitting audio via Bluetooth using this service, on any wired headphones, speakers, and on your favorite music. You can also change the encoding parameters directly during audio playback.I tried to contact many Bluetooth stack developers from Google, asking them to consider including my patches to the main Android branch—AOSP, but did not receive a single answer. My patches in Gerrit code review system for Android have not received any comments from anyone involved in the development as well.I would be glad if anyone could tell Google developers about this implementation of SBC HD for Android. The gerrit patchset is already out of date (this is one of the earliest revisions), but I will update it if developers are interested in my changes (it's not easy for me to update it, I don't have Android Q compatible devices).Users of LineageOS, Resurrection Remix and crDroid firmwares can enhance Bluetooth audio quality by ticking a checkbox in Bluetooth device settings. Linux users can also get a higher SBC bitrate by installing the patch from Pali Rohár , which among other things, adds support for the aptX, aptX HD and FastStream codecs.

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business

The Power Vacuum at the Top of the Crypto Industry

The price of Bitcoin is surging again. Major financial firms are showing renewed interest in digital currencies. And crypto fanatics are celebrating the end of a long period of depressed prices and business collapses. But the sudden explosion of optimism has come at a turbulent moment for the cryptocurrency industry. The last time crypto prices were skyrocketing, the industry’s most influential executives were Sam Bankman-Fried and Changpeng Zhao, rival billionaires whose online sparring could move markets. Now Mr. Bankman-Fried, the founder of the FTX crypto exchange, and Mr. Zhao, who ran the world’s largest crypto firm, Binance, both face prison time after parallel falls from power. A federal jury convicted Mr. Bankman-Fried last month on fraud and conspiracy charges stemming from FTX’s collapse. Three weeks later, Mr. Zhao pleaded guilty to a money laundering charge and agreed to relinquish control of Binance.

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Famous steakhouse chain opens first Massachusetts location

BOSTON — A world-famous steakhouse has opened its doors in Boston. STK offers brunch, lunch, and dinner, as well as happy hour featuring menu items like wagyu meatballs, truffle fries, and tacos. With locations in Los Angeles, Dubai, New York, London, Salt Lake City and Miami, STK has proved itself to be one of the best steakhouses in the world. The Boston location is located in the Back Bay on 222 Berkley Street. It will serve its world-famous prime-cut meats, seafood, sides, and creative cocktails. For more information and to make a reservation, visit the link here. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW ©2023 Cox Media Group

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business

Shaking Crab in Springfield permanently closed

Seafood lovers in Springfield might be in a pinch. Shaking Crab in downtown Springfield is permanently closed as of November — the seafood restaurant quietly updated its Facebook hours to the official statement “last Tuesday,” it read on Tuesday, Nov. 21. The restaurant had opened on June 2, 2022 at 1373 Main St., a space formerly occupied by JT’s Sports Pub which closed in 2014 after 11 months. JT’s owner tried to sell the business, but said his landlord signaled the $5,000 monthly rent would increase, which scared away buyers. Shaking Crab’s first location opened in 2015 in Newton, and it’s since expanded to at least 15 restaurants worldwide. Its Cajun menu features king crab legs, shrimp, mussels, lobsters and more, and the chain is especially known for hefty bags of boiled seafood, potatoes and corn shaken in signature sauces. Read more: Shaking Crab Cajun seafood restaurant is looking to expand to downtown Worcester The Springfield location was active on Facebook since its opening, posting in October 2022 about lobster cheesy fries, the jumbo seafood galore tray, Halloween specials and live music. The Downtown restaurant advertised more live music shows with holiday themes into November and December last year. But more than six months after opening day, Shaking Crab announced it would be “temporarily closed until further notice,” and apologized “for the inconvenience” on its Instagram page Jan. 31. Whether the crabs would ever shake again in Springfield had been uncertain since. MassLive attempted to contact Springfield owners and of the overall chain, including every other location in Massachusetts and in Rhode Island and New Hampshire, numerous times over the past 10 months with no response. It wasn’t until mid-November when the sign at the Springfield location — the large, purposefully crooked “shaking” letters spelling “Shaking Crab” next to a crab claw, laid over a glossy maroon background — was removed. Shaking Crab has not responded to MassLive about the sign’s removal and Facebook post. Jackey Zhao, one of the Springfield owners, told MassLive when the restaurant opened in June that he’d had high hopes for its success. “Long term, I want to thrive,” he’d said previously. “We’re pretty much the only one in the area that has this extent of seafood. I’m hoping, you know, seafood lovers come in, have some great seafood, have a drink, have fun all in this one place.” “There’s a great community here so we’re hoping regulars will start to come and we can make some friends,” he added. MassLive toured the Shaking Crab when it opened in June 2022:

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business

Valley Opportunity Council, continuing downtown Chicopee investment, buys closed Polish National branch

CHICOPEE — The Valley Opportunity Council — seeking to provide parking for its redevelopment of 30 Center St. — has purchased the former Polish National Credit Union branch at 244 Exchange St. for $418,000. The sale was recorded at the Hampden County Registry of Deeds Dec. 12. Polish National Credit Union closed the Exchange Street branch in 2020 as part of its strategic plan. It has two other branches nearby — 46 Main St. and 923 Front St. — and Valley Opportunity Council will continue a lease with the credit union allowing it to keep its smart ATM at 244 Exchange, said Stephen C. Huntley, executive director at Valley Opportunity Council. “We have been trying to inch-by-inch improve the neighborhood there,” Huntley said. This is the fourth property Valley Opportunity Council has purchased in the Chicopee Center downtown following problem properties at 30 Center St., The Kendall at 25 Springfield St. and 48 Center St., a building that houses the Greater Chicopee Chamber of Commerce among other tenants. Huntley said 30 Center St. does not abut 244 Exchange St. to the rear, but it is very close. “We don’t want to hurt that neighborhood by taking away parking as we redevelop,” he said. Purchased by Valley Opportunity Council in 2022 for $1.35 million, 30 Center Street has four apartments now and room for four more. Its three storefronts are rented: Hot Oven Cookies, Moda Mia clothing store for women and Island Spice Restaurant. As for the bank branch building, which dates from 1971 according to city records, Huntley said Valley Opportunity Council is seeking a new tenant. The branch office building and its parking lot, both bought by Valley Opportunity Council, total just more than a half-acre of land. Huntley said the purchase price was funded out of the agency’s reserves. Also coming soon is Valley Opportunity Council’s project to convert the Belcher School into new apartments.

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Apple Is Doing Its Part to End Green Bubble Shaming. Its Our Turn.

For more than a decade, smartphone users everywhere have faced a major problem in how we communicate: the “green versus blue bubble” disparity. When iPhone users send texts to other iPhones, the messages appear blue and can tap into exclusive perks like fun emojis and animations. But if an iPhone user texts an Android user, the bubble turns green, many features break, and photos and videos deteriorate in quality. Over time, the annoyance and frustration that built up between blue and green bubbles evolved into more than a tech problem. It created a deeper sociological divide between people who judged one another by their phones. The color of a bubble became a symbol that some believe reflects status and wealth, given a perception that only wealthy people buy iPhones. Now part of this problem will soon be addressed. This month, Apple announced that it would improve the technology used to send texts between iPhone and Android users, starting next year, by adopting a standard that Google and others integrated into their messaging apps years ago. Texts sent between iPhones and Androids will remain green, but images and videos will look higher-quality and security features like encryption may eventually arrive, Apple said.

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Restaurant News for the Week Ending January 14

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Price Increases Cooled in November as Inflation Falls Toward Fed Target

A closely watched measure of inflation cooled notably in November, good news for the Federal Reserve as officials move toward the next phase in their fight against rapid price increases and a positive for the White House as voters see relief from rising costs. The Personal Consumption Expenditures inflation measure, which the Fed cites when it says it aims for 2 percent inflation on average over time, climbed 2.6 percent in the year through November. That was down from 2.9 percent the previous month, and was less than what economists had forecast. Compared with the previous month, prices overall even fell slightly for the first time in years. That decline — a 0.1 percent drop, and the first negative reading since April 2020 — came as gas prices dropped. After volatile food and fuel prices were stripped out for a clearer look at underlying price pressures, inflation climbed modestly on a monthly basis and 3.2 percent over the year. That was down from 3.4 percent previously. While that is still faster than the Fed’s goal, the report provided the latest evidence that price increases are swiftly slowing back toward the central bank’s target. After more than two years of rapid inflation that has burdened American shoppers and bedeviled policymakers, several months of solid progress have helped to convince policymakers that they may be turning a corner.

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Nutrition First of Agawam offers sweet yet healthy smoothies and energizing teas

Still fresh into the 2024, New Year’s resolutions for many are a top priority. One of the most popular resolutions is the coveted — and sometimes agonizing — notion to lose weight or improve your overall health.

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Greater Bostons Most Festive Restaurants, Bars, and Pop-Ups for the 2023 Holiday Season

The Ultimate Holiday Guide to Eating, Drinking, and Merrymaking in Boston Where to find the best holiday cocktail pop-ups, hot chocolate bars, Santa teas, highly decorated restaurants, and ski-lodge-inspired winter patios in and around the city in 2023. Devoted foodies and restaurant newbies love The Feed. Sign-up now for our twice weekly newsletter. With winter on the horizon and stores already dusting off their Christmas playlists, it’s clearly the season for holiday festivities. What does this mean in the Greater Boston hospitality scene? For many restaurants, bars, and hotels, it’s just about time to break out the ornaments, lights, wreaths, and garland. From over-the-top décor to holiday cocktails, from afternoon teas with guest appearances by Santa to hot cider at a giant market, there’s a lot going on these days. Below, we’re tracking holiday beverage pop-ups (cocktails, hot chocolate, tea, etc.); venues that get really decked out for the holidays; and even a few ski-lodge-inspired winter pop-ups that’ll keep that festive feeling going into the new year. (You may also be interested in our guides to holiday lunches, cozy fireplaces, and hot chocolate, each freshly updated for 2023.) Jump to: Holiday and Winter Beverage Pop-ups: From Santa-themed cocktails to luxurious hot chocolate From Santa-themed cocktails to luxurious hot chocolate Good Holiday Vibes: These venues really deck the halls These venues really deck the halls Wintery Pop-ups: Turning restaurant patios and courtyards into food-filled ski lodges Holiday and Winter Beverage Pop-ups From Santa-themed cocktails to luxurious hot chocolate Avery Bar Chocolat Hot chocolate bar On Saturday afternoons and evenings throughout the holiday season, the Ritz-Carlton’s swanky Avery Bar—complete with a cozy fireplace!—becomes the ultimate hot chocolate destination. Relax over a warming mug while choosing among decadent toppings—from candy cane shortbread cookies to caramel whipped cream—and indulging in pastries and sweets while you sip. Also, bring the kids: Adults can sip a richer cup (with the optional addition of a spirit or cordial) made of a blend of milk and dark chocolates, while the little ones enjoy a lighter, easier-drinking style. The Ritz-Carlton, Boston, 10 Avery St., Downtown Boston, 617-574-7100, ritzcarlton.com/boston. Hot Chocolate, Cocktails, and Tea at the Four Seasons This hotel is doing all the holiday beverages At Four Seasons One Dalton Street, Boston, the team is hitting pretty much all the holiday season beverage notes. There’s the lobby chocolate bar, for one, with bonbons, cookies, and mugs of hot cocoa with toppings like peppermint bark and marshmallows; catch it from November 27 through January 1 (3 p.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays and noon to 6 p.m. weekends). At the hotel’s cocktail lounge, Trifecta, find gold-themed winter décor and a “12 Days of Cocktails” holiday menu with creative glassware and tableside drink-making. Despite the carol-inspired name, the holiday menu is available for the entire month of December; definitely make a reservation. Also at Trifecta—and with reservations encouraged and available at that same link—the afternoon tea service is holiday-themed starting December 1 (served Friday, Saturday, and Sunday). Treats will include orange ginger petit fours and white chocolate mocha opera cakes, paired with seasonal teas and liqueurs. 1 Dalton St., Back Bay, Boston, 617-377-4888, fourseasons.com/onedalton. The Inn at Hastings Park’s “Christmas Tea with Santa” Family-friendly afternoon tea—optionally in an igloo Lexington’s acclaimed Inn at Hastings Park offers a lovely Saturday high tea all year, but on December 9 and 10, it’s a special holiday edition for the whole family, including: tea, cocktails, and towers of sweet and savory bites for the grownups; tea or hot cocoa, snacks, and activities for the kids; and, of course, pictures with Santa for everyone. Seating is available inside the Town Meeting Bistro or, for even more fun, inside an “Inngloo.” Reserve via Resy: December 9, December 10. Town Meeting Bistro at the Inn at Hastings Park, 2027 Massachusetts Ave., Lexington, 781-301-6655, innathastingspark.com. Maccabee Bar Hanukkah-themed cocktail and snack pop-up A Manischewitz-infused Aperol “schvitz”; a vodka sour with jelly doughnut notes; an apple brandy sour that tastes like a latke—oy vey! Founded in 2018, Boston bar star Naomi Levy’s Hanukkah-themed cocktail bar is back this year. It’s currently slated for a December residency at the Charles Hotel’s Noir, but keep an eye out for additional locations locally and beyond. Can’t decide on a drink? Take a chance and spin the dreidel! (Levy hasn’t announced the full 2023 menu yet, but there will be snacks involved as well, including latkes from the Noir kitchen and sufganiyot—jelly doughnuts—from Lionheart Confections.) Limited reservations available via email (noir@charleshotel.com) but plenty of space for walk-ins. The Charles Hotel, 1 Bennett St., Harvard Square, Cambridge, 617-661-8010 (Noir), maccabeebar.com. Miracle and Sippin’ Santa Christmas-themed cocktail pop-ups Christmas-themed cocktail pop-up Miracle and its Christmas-meets-tropical spinoff, Sippin’ Santa, are taking up residence at several Boston-area venues yet again this year in a fun, kitschy tradition that got its start in New York City in 2014. The pop-ups have since franchised out around the world, with Boston-area bars participating since 2017. Head to the Hotel Marlowe in Cambridge or Mystic Station in Malden from late November through late December for Miracle’s over-the-top décor and glassware, featuring silly but tasty drinks with names like “Grandma Got Run Over by a T-Rex.” Sippin’ Santa, meanwhile, returns to Shore Leave in Boston’s South End to delight with rummy “Kris Kringle Coladas” and lots more. Multiple locations, miraclepopup.com and sippinsantapopup.com. Santa’s Cantina at Loco Fenway Drinks, vibes, and holiday lunch In addition to offering a holiday lunch prix fixe menu throughout the season, Loco Taqueria & Oyster Bar is turning its enormous new-ish location in the Fenway into a winter wonderland full of themed décor. Swing by in November and December to enjoy the ambiance (including a Christmas tree made of tequila bottles) and a special holiday cocktail menu. Stay tuned for drink details. 61 Brookline Ave., Fenway, Boston, 857-277-0769, locosouthboston.com. Snowport Giant holiday market with plenty to drink The Seaport District’s annual holiday market is back for its fifth year, and in addition to a ton of vendors, Betty the Yeti sightings, iceless curling, and other fun, there are numerous opportunities to drink wintery beverages. The setup includes four holiday-themed bar areas (Jingle Bar, Dizzy Dreidel, and more); watch for options like hot mulled cider from Downeast Cider and a variety of other cocktails (some served hot). There’s plenty of food to go with those drinks, include melty cheese in a surprisingly high number of forms. Snowport, 100 Seaport Blvd., Seaport District, Boston, bostonseaport.xyz/snowport. Triple Eight Distillery Pop-up Bar at the Mandarin Oriental, Boston Nantucket whisky, live jazz, and more As of November 28, the Mandarin Oriental’s lobby will be decked out in Christmas lights and other festive décor, including a tree. The season’s events and offerings include live jazz, hot cocoa, and space by the crackling fireplace, not to mention a pop-up cocktail bar featuring Nantucket’s Triple Eight Distillery, and in particular, its single malt whisky, the Notch. Operating Thursday through Saturday from 4 to 7 p.m., November 30 through December 30, the bar offers holiday cocktails, whisky flights, and a handful of snacks. Mandarin Oriental, Boston, 776 Boylston St., Back Bay, Boston, 617-535-8888, mandarinoriental.com. Good Holiday Vibes These venues really deck the halls Delux Cafe, South End This casual South End haunt always looks like December with its year-round Christmas lights and convivial vibe. Swing by the eclectic spot for a warm dive-bar feel, $5 cans of Schlitz, and comfort food. (We’re big fans of the bathroom, too.) 100 Chandler St., South End, Boston, 617-338-5258, thedelux.com. Grill 23 & Bar, Back Bay The 40-year-old steakhouse always looks grand for Christmas: think wreaths, a big tree, and other elegant touches. Check out the special holiday lunch on select dates in December, or make a reservation for a fancy steak dinner anytime. We also whole-heartedly recommend a post-work visit to the bar for a drink and dessert (like the signature coconut cake or classic chocolate chip cookies). 161 Berkeley St., Back Bay, Boston, 617-542-2255, grill23.com. The Liberty Hotel­, Beacon Hill Is it really December if you haven’t gazed up in awe at the Liberty Hotel’s upside-down Christmas tree display in its tall atrium? It’s a good opportunity to plan a visit to one of the hotel’s restaurants or bars, including Lydia Shire’s Italian-inspired mainstay, Scampo, or Clink, which is offering a holiday lunch menu. 215 Charles St., Beacon Hill, Boston, 617-224-4000, libertyhotel.com. Oak Long Bar + Kitchen, Back Bay Luxurious Back Bay hotel Fairmont Copley Plaza really does it up come Christmastime: You’ll see items like a giant Christmas tree, a sleigh of presents, and an array of dazzling festive wreaths. The vibes spill into the hotel’s gorgeous restaurant, Oak Long Bar + Kitchen—which is open on Christmas Day, in case you’re looking to feast on lobster Thermidor or a yule log dessert. Fairmont Copley Plaza, 138 St. James Ave., Back Bay, Boston, 617-585-7222, oaklongbarkitchen.com. The Venetian, Weymouth Head south of the city to dine among over thousands of ornaments and twinkling lights, not to mention garlands, trees, and other Christmas-y magic, installed in partnership with local florist Beach Plum Floral Design. The spacious Italian restaurant has completely transformed into a holiday wonderland—and it’ll remain that way through the end of January, in case you want to keep the Christmas feelings going post-December. Reservations encouraged but not required, and this is a family-friendly spot. The standard lunch and dinner menus will be served, but watch for seasonal specials and festive treats. 909 Broad St., Weymouth, venetian-weymouth.com. Wusong Road, Cambridge Every inch of this tiki bar and restaurant is filled with eye-catching décor year-round. Visit from late November through late December, though, and you’ll find even more: “Wusong Wonderland,” as the team calls it, returns this year with plenty of Christmas-y accents, seasonal tiki mugs, and other surprises. 112 Mt. Auburn St., Harvard Square, Cambridge, 617-528-9125, wusongroad.com. Wintery Pop-ups Turning restaurant patios and courtyards into food-filled ski lodges Après at Deck 12, Seaport District Who says rooftops are just for summer? For the second year, Yotel is turning its popular indoor-outdoor roof deck into the mountain lodge of your ski-themed dreams: heated gondola-like spaces, Adirondack chairs, and such—not to mention stunning Boston skyline views. A special food and drink menu will be available, with winter-themed cocktails, hot cocoa, and plenty of comfort food. Yotel Boston, 65 Seaport Blvd., Seaport District, Boston, 617-377-4747, deck12bos.com. Alpine Après at Gufo, Cambridge New Italian restaurant Gufo is similarly thinking of mountains this winter, transforming its heated and enclosed patio space into a cozy destination that draws inspiration from 1970s Italian Alps ski lodges. Open on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings, the first come, first served patio will include a menu to go with the theme. You’ll find comforting dishes like alpine pizza with prosciutto crema, potatoes, fontina, and rosemary; soft polenta mushroom ragu; and baked gnocchi with fontina, breadcrumbs, and truffle; not to mention desserts like a cookie platter and panettone. Hot cocktails and other seasonal specials will amp up the menu. (Contact the restaurant to inquire about holiday parties and other private events in the space—it’s available for bookings the rest of the week.) 660 Cambridge St., East Cambridge, gufocambridge.com. The Lodge at Publico, South Boston Starting December 7, the Southie restaurant Publico will again turn its expansive inner courtyard into a ski-chalet-inspired space for the winter. This year will be extra special as the Lodge will play host to the Cisco Brewers beer garden, whose Seaport location is hibernating for the winter. (Don’t worry; Publico is still offering its popular “shot-skis”—the best way to do shots with your friends—and cocktails, too.) Hungry? There’ll be a menu of made-to-share comfort food. 11 Dorchester St., South Boston, 617-622-5700, publicoboston.com. Portions of this guide appeared in the print edition of the December 2023/January 2024 issue with the headline “It’s the Most Wonderful Lunch of the Year.”

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Servicio de mascotas busca ayudar a los animales puertorriqueos

Vanessa Henriquez and Kassandra Perez launched a fundraising event at the View Street Tavern Sunday to raise money to feed abandoned dogs and cats on Puerto Rico. (Dave Canton /The Republican)Dave Canton

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U.S. Moves Closer to Filing Sweeping Antitrust Case Against Apple

The Justice Department is in the late stages of an investigation into Apple and could file a sweeping antitrust case taking aim at the company’s strategies to protect the dominance of the iPhone as soon as the first half of this year, said three people with knowledge of the matter. The agency is focused on how Apple has used its control over its hardware and software to make it more difficult for consumers to ditch the company’s devices, as well as for rivals to compete, said the people, who spoke anonymously because the investigation was active. Specifically, investigators have examined how the Apple Watch works better with the iPhone than with other brands, as well as how Apple locks competitors out of its iMessage service. They have also scrutinized Apple’s payments system for the iPhone, which blocks other financial firms from offering similar services, these people said. Senior leaders in the Justice Department’s antitrust division are reviewing the results of the investigation so far, said two of the people. The agency’s officials have met with Apple multiple times, including in December, to discuss the investigation. No final decision has been made about whether a lawsuit should be filed or what it should include, and Apple has not had a final meeting with the Justice Department in which it can make its case to the government before a lawsuit is filed.

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Gas Prices Are Falling Fast, Helping Tame Inflation

In the fight to bring down inflation, the falling price of gasoline stands out as a victory, even if Federal Reserve policy has little to do with it. The national average for unleaded gas was $3.14 a gallon on Dec. 12, according to AAA. That’s 23 cents less than it was a month ago and the lowest it has been in nearly a year. Higher prices in California, where gas is $4.70 a gallon, may be masking a more broad-based decline: About 60 percent of gas stations are selling below $3 a gallon, AAA says, and a quarter are below $2.75. The fall in gas prices has been crucial to an overall slowdown in inflation. On Tuesday, the government reported that the Consumer Price Index rose 3.1 percent in November, from a year earlier. Gas prices fell 5.8 percent month over month in November, the index showed, following a 4.9 percent drop in October. The biggest driver behind cheaper gas is falling oil prices. The price of Brent crude, the international benchmark, had plunged to $69 a barrel by midday Tuesday, after approaching $100 a barrel in late September.

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In Mass. and Cass, Boston health commission hires private security

The health commission confirmed to the Globe that it first hired the company, Ware Security of Norwood, in November 2021 to provide what a spokesperson called “additional exterior security” around a homeless shelter and engagement center the organization operated on Atkinson Street, by the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard. They are not police officers, though, and they don’t make arrests. None of them have fired their weapon while on patrol in Mass. and Cass. They are members of a private security force that the Boston Public Health Commission has contracted to help secure the area — at a cost of more than $2.3 million this calendar year alone. They have been fixtures over the last two years in the thick of the open drug market known as Mass. and Cass: armed, uniformed guards and their marked vehicles patrolling for signs of violence or property damage. Advertisement At the time, the area had become overwhelmed by makeshift tents and shelters in what had become Boston’s version of a large “tent city,” with scores of people living on the streets and openly selling and injecting drugs. The city has several times cleared the streets of the encampment, most recently earlier in November, and police are monitoring the area from a 24-hour mobile command center on Atkinson Street. The health commission’s contract with Ware Security is to set expire Dec. 31, but the commission plans to continue to pay for some level of security into the next year, spokesperson Jonathan Latino said. The organization recently signed a contract through June with New England Security, which provides similar services for a private business organization in the area. The health commission contract with the firm does not specify a final cost, but it spells out requirements for posting security guards at health commission sites, including a new homeless center on Massachusetts Avenue. Advertisement When the health commission, a taxpayer-funded, quasi-city organization, closes out its contract with Ware at the end of the year, it will have paid the company more than $3.1 million in total, according to documents reviewed by the Globe. Latino said the funding has come from COVID-19 relief funds the city received under the American Rescue Plan stimulus package. Health advocates and some community leaders said the use of public funds for private security is unfortunate but needed for public safety, a reflection of the violence and lawlessness that has taken hold in the area. Though the city removed the tent encampments in January 2022, shortly after Ware Security was hired, they returned several times, and vagrancy continues to plague the neighborhood. The engagement center was closed after a series of stabbings. Several social-service organizations pulled their outreach workers from the area over the summer because of concerns for their safety. Latino said the security work has “been vital to promoting public safety in the area and supporting our outreach workers and clinical partners to connect individuals to housing, health care, life saving harm reduction services, and other supports.” But City Council President Ed Flynn said he is “concerned” about putting so many resources to private security on city streets. “Although I understand these private companies provide security services to residents, businesses, and the public, they should not be used as a replacement of Boston police,” Flynn said. He added that the concern for safety is a sign that the city should continue to hire more police officers. Advertisement Larry Calderone, president of the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association, also took issue with the ongoing use of private firms, saying, “They’re subcontracting our work out.” “If the City of Boston is in need of police intervention on a City of Boston street, that falls under the sole jurisdiction of the men and women of the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association,” he said. Ware representatives declined to comment, saying they didn’t have permission from the health commission. New England Security also declined to comment. Latino said the contract with Ware increased over time: At first, two guards patrolled the health commission sites, and then four began patrolling in March 2022. As conditions worsened again earlier this year, with tents popping back up on Atkinson Street, the health commission paid Ware to deploy seven guards during the day and eight overnight, he said. The contract with the company calls for the security workers to be “highly visible,” and also “empathetic” to those living on the streets. Latino said there have been no complaints against the Ware guards. The area has been a health and public safety concern for well over a decade. City officials have repeatedly embarked on sweeps to break down the encampments, but they return. In August, Mayor Michelle Wu said the area had reached “a new level of public safety alarm,” leading her to introduce changes to city law aimed at making it easier to remove tents more quickly. Advertisement After the City Council approved her proposal in October, the city cleared tents and closed Atkinson Street to public congregation while seeking to connect people on the street with services. On a recent evening, a man in an SUV with Ware insignia watched over the area, as a few people straggled to and from the shelter. The Boston Police Department mobile operations center was parked on Atkinson, where tents previously stood. Several police cruisers were also stationed nearby, their blue emergency lights flashing. The Police Department did not respond to a request for comment about the department’s interactions with private security. The Newmarket Business Improvement District has a contract with New England Security for patrols in the area. Executive director Sue Sullivan said her organization spends nearly $1 million a year on the security contract, which was first signed in June 2022. The Business Improvement District is funded by an additional assessment on the area’s businesses, and that money pays for the security, as well as street cleaning and other upkeep. The private security, Sullivan said, “is probably the biggest benefit” to the businesses. She said New England Security has received 39,000 calls this year related to Mass. and Cass, ranging from reports of overdoses to complaints of people breaking into the companies’ trucks, or individuals causing trouble in the McDonald’s drive-thru line. Sullivan’s group’s contract is for unarmed guards, though individuals who have licenses to carry firearms can, and sometimes do. Advertisement She praised New England Security, saying that its guards make a point of connecting with people on the street, and that they’re willing to handle any type of issue. “I’ve seen them disperse crowds of 30 or more just by showing up and saying, ‘Hey, you guys have got to go,’ ” she said. “Most people, believe it or not, are not looking for an altercation.” Sean Cotter can be reached at sean.cotter@globe.com.Follow him @cotterreporter.

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In Mass. and Cass, Boston health commission hires private security

The health commission confirmed to the Globe that it first hired the company, Ware Security of Norwood, in November 2021 to provide what a spokesperson called “additional exterior security” around a homeless shelter and engagement center the organization operated on Atkinson Street, by the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard. They are not police officers, though, and they don’t make arrests. None of them have fired their weapon while on patrol in Mass. and Cass. They are members of a private security force that the Boston Public Health Commission has contracted to help secure the area — at a cost of more than $2.3 million this calendar year alone. They have been fixtures over the last two years in the thick of the open drug market known as Mass. and Cass: armed, uniformed guards and their marked vehicles patrolling for signs of violence or property damage. Advertisement At the time, the area had become overwhelmed by makeshift tents and shelters in what had become Boston’s version of a large “tent city,” with scores of people living on the streets and openly selling and injecting drugs. The city has several times cleared the streets of the encampment, most recently earlier in November, and police are monitoring the area from a 24-hour mobile command center on Atkinson Street. The health commission’s contract with Ware Security is to set expire Dec. 31, but the commission plans to continue to pay for some level of security into the next year, spokesperson Jonathan Latino said. The organization recently signed a contract through June with New England Security, which provides similar services for a private business organization in the area. The health commission contract with the firm does not specify a final cost, but it spells out requirements for posting security guards at health commission sites, including a new homeless center on Massachusetts Avenue. Advertisement When the health commission, a taxpayer-funded, quasi-city organization, closes out its contract with Ware at the end of the year, it will have paid the company more than $3.1 million in total, according to documents reviewed by the Globe. Latino said the funding has come from COVID-19 relief funds the city received under the American Rescue Plan stimulus package. Health advocates and some community leaders said the use of public funds for private security is unfortunate but needed for public safety, a reflection of the violence and lawlessness that has taken hold in the area. Though the city removed the tent encampments in January 2022, shortly after Ware Security was hired, they returned several times, and vagrancy continues to plague the neighborhood. The engagement center was closed after a series of stabbings. Several social-service organizations pulled their outreach workers from the area over the summer because of concerns for their safety. Latino said the security work has “been vital to promoting public safety in the area and supporting our outreach workers and clinical partners to connect individuals to housing, health care, life saving harm reduction services, and other supports.” But City Council President Ed Flynn said he is “concerned” about putting so many resources to private security on city streets. “Although I understand these private companies provide security services to residents, businesses, and the public, they should not be used as a replacement of Boston police,” Flynn said. He added that the concern for safety is a sign that the city should continue to hire more police officers. Advertisement Larry Calderone, president of the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association, also took issue with the ongoing use of private firms, saying, “They’re subcontracting our work out.” “If the City of Boston is in need of police intervention on a City of Boston street, that falls under the sole jurisdiction of the men and women of the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association,” he said. Ware representatives declined to comment, saying they didn’t have permission from the health commission. New England Security also declined to comment. Latino said the contract with Ware increased over time: At first, two guards patrolled the health commission sites, and then four began patrolling in March 2022. As conditions worsened again earlier this year, with tents popping back up on Atkinson Street, the health commission paid Ware to deploy seven guards during the day and eight overnight, he said. The contract with the company calls for the security workers to be “highly visible,” and also “empathetic” to those living on the streets. Latino said there have been no complaints against the Ware guards. The area has been a health and public safety concern for well over a decade. City officials have repeatedly embarked on sweeps to break down the encampments, but they return. In August, Mayor Michelle Wu said the area had reached “a new level of public safety alarm,” leading her to introduce changes to city law aimed at making it easier to remove tents more quickly. Advertisement After the City Council approved her proposal in October, the city cleared tents and closed Atkinson Street to public congregation while seeking to connect people on the street with services. On a recent evening, a man in an SUV with Ware insignia watched over the area, as a few people straggled to and from the shelter. The Boston Police Department mobile operations center was parked on Atkinson, where tents previously stood. Several police cruisers were also stationed nearby, their blue emergency lights flashing. The Police Department did not respond to a request for comment about the department’s interactions with private security. The Newmarket Business Improvement District has a contract with New England Security for patrols in the area. Executive director Sue Sullivan said her organization spends nearly $1 million a year on the security contract, which was first signed in June 2022. The Business Improvement District is funded by an additional assessment on the area’s businesses, and that money pays for the security, as well as street cleaning and other upkeep. The private security, Sullivan said, “is probably the biggest benefit” to the businesses. She said New England Security has received 39,000 calls this year related to Mass. and Cass, ranging from reports of overdoses to complaints of people breaking into the companies’ trucks, or individuals causing trouble in the McDonald’s drive-thru line. Sullivan’s group’s contract is for unarmed guards, though individuals who have licenses to carry firearms can, and sometimes do. Advertisement She praised New England Security, saying that its guards make a point of connecting with people on the street, and that they’re willing to handle any type of issue. “I’ve seen them disperse crowds of 30 or more just by showing up and saying, ‘Hey, you guys have got to go,’ ” she said. “Most people, believe it or not, are not looking for an altercation.” Sean Cotter can be reached at sean.cotter@globe.com.Follow him @cotterreporter.

35b949220520343a70128af7c1ff19d9

business

Truck Stops Upgrade to Recharge Electric Vehicles (and Their Drivers)

Planning a long road trip? Now you can nibble on crudités and shop for home furnishings at a roadside service plaza while you wait for your electric vehicle to recharge. The truck stops that keep Americans fueled, fed and refreshed along major highways are spending billions overhauling their stores to keep up with changing consumer behavior, particularly the growing popularity of electric vehicles. Along with the addition of charging stations, these travel centers are being redesigned to accommodate longer stays, with renovated restrooms and showers, quick-serve kitchens, full-service and fast-food restaurants, and dog parks. The changes continue to transform the modern truck stop, a slice of Americana that took off in the 1960s amid the expansion of the Interstate Highway System. Over the years, truck stops were often perceived as grimy — and occasionally seedy. But today, they are more akin to a mini-Walmart, filled with energy drinks, iced coffee, and healthy snacks like sliced fruit and veggies. Across the aisle, you’re likely to find purses and puzzles, as well as phone chargers and birdhouses.

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business

Mass. real estate prices expected to remain high in 2024

As 2023 comes to a close, real estate prices have continued to climb, following trends from the last few years. And they’re not coming down anytime soon, according to experts in the real estate industry. In Massachusetts, where state officials have said up to 200,000 new housing units are needed to address the commonwealth’s ongoing housing crisis, the lack of supply has been a major contributor to high prices for homebuyers and renters. The state has fought to produce more housing to reach that number, but progress has been slow on that front. “Over the last few years, we just have a substantial shortage of inventory,” Amy Wallick, the 2024 president of the Massachusetts Association of Realtors, said, adding that inventory is currently the industry’s biggest obstacle. “With the demand and lack of supply, that’s where we’re seeing these prices still remaining strong even right now, as we close out ‘23.” According to MAR data, the median sales price for a single-family home in Massachusetts increased by 10% to $605,000 between November 2022 to November 2023, and increased by 4% to $515,000 for condominiums. In that same period, new listings decreased by 0.3% for single-family homes and by 2.7% for condominiums. The price changes were most dramatic in southeast and Central Massachusetts, where the median sales price for a single-family home went up by 13.3% and 13.6%, respectively. In November 2023, there were 3,238 closed sales for single-family homes, down by 11.2% from last year, and 1,317 closed sales on condominiums, a 9% decrease. Things didn’t look much better for renters: according to rental platform Zumper, the median rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Massachusetts was $2,255 in November, a slight increase over the median $2,228 in November 2022. In Boston, that number was even higher at $2,990 last month, making it the third most-expensive city for renters in the country. Exacerbating the supply-and-demand problem are high mortgage interest rates, with averages in the 6% to 7% range. Wallick said those interest rates are expected to come down slightly in early 2024, which could help homebuyers. “We’re not going to see them where they were previously, down in the twos and threes,” she said. “But even if we get down closer to that ... five to six (percent) window as opposed to the six-and-a-half to seven-and-a-half [percent] range, that will impact that affordability.” Despite any changes in interest rates, Wallick said prices will likely remain strong through the coming year. While more inventory usually comes on the market after the holidays, it won’t be enough to significantly change the situation. The state has implemented multiple programs to increase housing production, including requiring towns with MBTA stations to allow multifamily housing near them and providing funding for affordable housing developments. In October, Gov. Maura Healey filed a $4.12 billion bond bill that is expected to create 40,000 new housing units if passed. In a year-end interview with MassLive, Healey said addressing the housing crisis is a “top priority.” “I think the key is supply ... This is why I’m so big-time focused on production, whether it’s through new units, or [the] renovation [or] rehabilitation of existing units,” Healey said. “It’s why we proposed [accessory dwelling units] by right ... it’s one of the quickest ways to create housing and a lot of housing. So these are all things that we need to do. “And with more production, with more supply out there, rents are going to go down,” she continued. “But you know, I understand and I feel the pain that people who are trying to rent feel, that people who are trying to buy homes feel. And you know, this is why ... it’s a top priority for our administration.” However, those homes will not be created overnight, so it may be a while before they affect prices. “The reality here in Massachusetts, we have a housing shortage. So as long as the demand remains strong ... the supply just doesn’t substantiate the demand,” Wallick said. “It would have to be a serious influx of inventory, which I don’t necessarily think is achievable.”

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business

Audit backers clear major hurdle

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Boston-based company working to develop painkiller with no addiction risk

Boston-based company Vertex working to develop painkiller with no addiction risk Share Copy Link Copy MEDICATION DEVENS PAIN RELIEF WITHOUT OUT THE RISK OF ADDICTION, IT COULD BE A HOLIDAY WISH COME TRUE FOR MILLIONS OF AMERICANS. HERE WITH ME NOW IS DOCTOR TODD ELLERIN, THE VICE CHAIR OF MEDICINE AT SOUTH SHORE HEALTH. SO DOCTOR ELLEN, THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE TO BE WITH YOU. THE. DEVELOPER, VERTEX BASED RIGHT HERE IN BOSTON, BELIEVES THAT THIS DRUG COULD ACTUALLY CREATE A NEW CLASS OF PAINKILLERS. WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? YEAH, I THINK FIRST OF ALL, SHAUN BIOTECH HAS BEEN TRYING TO DEVELOP SAFE AND EFFECTIVE PAIN MEDS THAT ARE NOT OPIATES BECAUSE. OF THE OPIOID CRISIS THAT WE HAVE. AND IT’S BEEN PRETTY UNSUCCESSFUL. SO, SO TO THINK THAT THERE’S A NEW CLASS THAT’S IN EARLY PHASE TRIALS IS VERY EXCITING. AND AND I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT COULD REALLY WORK TO PREVENT BOTH CHRONIC PAIN AND ACUTE PAIN. SO VERTEX JUST RELEASED RESULTS FROM A CLINICAL TRIAL. TELL US MORE ABOUT THAT. THIS IS JUST EARLY CORRECT. THAT’S RIGHT. THIS IS THE. DRUG IS VV5 48. AND IT WORKS BY INHIBITING SODIUM CHANNELS OKAY. BUT THE KEY IS THEY WORK ON NERVES THAT ARE PART OF THE PAIN CYCLE. AND THE ONES THAT ARE OUTSIDE THE BRAIN. SO THIS IS THOUGHT NOT TO BE ADDICTIVE IN A PHASE TWO TRIAL JUST RECENTLY, THERE’S A PRESS RELEASE. IT SHOWED THAT THIS DRUG DECREASED PAIN IN A SIMILAR, MAYBE EVEN BETTER THAN ITS COMPARATOR, WHICH IS LYRICA, WHICH IS A CURRENT NEUROPATHIC PAIN MED. SO IT’S ONE THAT WE CURRENTLY USE. AND SO I THINK THAT’S GOOD NEWS. BUT AGAIN, THIS HAS ALLOWED IT TO GO INTO LARGER TRIALS BECAUSE THEY JUST LOOKED AT HUNDREDS OF PATIENTS. WE HAVE TO SEE WHAT IT’S LIKE IN THOUSANDS OF PATIENTS IN JANUARY. THEY’RE ALSO GOING TO RELEASE DATA ON THEIR UM, STUDY IN IN, IN ACUTE PAIN IN POST-SURGICAL PATIENTS. SO THAT’S AGAIN, I THINK 2024 IS GOING TO BE EXCITING TO HEAR THESE RESULTS. AND THAT’S SOMETHING THAT I WAS GOING TO ASK YOU ABOUT. YOU KNOW, WHAT TYPES OF PAIN COULD POTENTIALLY BE TREATED. THIS IS SOMETHING PERHAPS LIKE A BROKEN BONE OR SURGERY THAT THIS COULD BE TREATED RIGHT IN THE PHASE TWO TRIAL WITH CHRONIC PAIN WAS DIABETIC WITH NEUROPATHIC PAIN. SO THOSE THAT HAVE REALLY NUMBNESS OR PAINFUL TINGLING IN THE FEET. SO THAT’S IT’S A VERY CHRONIC PROBLEM. REMEMBER THERE ARE OVER 50 MILLION PATIENTS IN THE US THAT ARE SUFFERING FROM EITHER ACUTE OR CHRONIC PAIN. AND THERE ARE AT LEAST 3 MILLION PATIENTS RIGHT NOW THAT HAVE A CHRONIC OPIOID USE DISORDER. SO WE’RE LOOKING FOR ANOTHER AVEN GET LOCAL BREAKING NEWS ALERTS The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. Your Email Address Submit Privacy Notice

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Single family residence in North Falmouth sells for $6.1 million

The spacious property located at 35 Sunset Point Road in North Falmouth was sold on Dec. 15, 2023 for $6,084,000, or $1,258 per square foot. The house, built in 1998, has an interior space of 4,835 square feet. This two-story home offers a capacious living environment with its four bedrooms and seven bathrooms. The home's external structure has a gable roof design, covered with asphalt roofing. Inside, a fireplace enhances the ambiance of the living area. The property is equipped with forced air heating and a cooling system. Additionally, the house features an attached garage. Additional houses that have recently been sold close by include:

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business

Duplex sells for $787,530 in Northampton

A spacious historic house built in 1900 located at 13 Arlington Street in Northampton has a new owner. The 3,300-square-foot property was sold on Dec. 6, 2023. The $787,530 purchase price works out to $239 per square foot. The property features six bedrooms, three bathrooms, and an underground garage. It sits on a 0.3-acre lot. Additional houses have recently been purchased nearby:

2d50118ce52db928027f9f5c1b70c57c

business

Santa Claus impersonators enjoy high Christmas demand

It was well worth it: The 54-year-old Saugus resident worked 99 gigs last year as a highly coveted “real-bearded” St. Nick, and is primed to hit 100 this season. Now Marvel expects to make upwards of $20,000 between Thanksgiving and Christmas. The former Uber driver and wine consultant spent that amount two years ago on red suits, leather belts, bells, and oversized metal keys to the North Pole, plus the smaller expenses oft forgotten: liability insurance, background checks, gas mileage, and fees to launch his Santa website. For Brian Marvel, becoming Santa was an investment — a $13,000 one, to be exact. Advertisement “I was initially surprised at the cost of everything,” he said. “But like I said to my wife early on, I should’ve done this years ago. It is far and away the most joyful way to work for yourself, and the community needs you.” Indeed, it does. Professional Santas are in short supply as demand for impersonators skyrocketed in the past few years, said Dan Greenleaf, cofounder of the New England Santa Society. Though Santas have long been holiday staples at malls and some chain stores, Greenleaf says now more families want the white-bearded men to grace their holiday gatherings, and more mom-and-pop shops and restaurants have realized that St. Nick can be a “big draw” for customers. Get Trendlines A business newsletter from Globe Columnist Larry Edelman covering the trends shaping business and the economy in Boston and beyond. Enter Email Sign Up But the number of Santas has remained steady, or perhaps even declined after an exodus of older impersonators during the pandemic. Once, clients could book a professional Santa a few weeks before Christmas. Now, many sought-after Santas must turn people away by October. Marvel posed for a selfie with Elizabeth Pehota while greeting runners during a fund-raiser kickoff for The Greg Hill Foundation. Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff “The real issue now is not that there are too few Santas necessarily,” said Greenleaf, a 16-year impersonator himself. “But it’s become such a crisis because everyone and anyone wants a Santa in December.” Plus in the past, he added, Santas could squeeze in multiple short gigs in a day. Many customers today want their Santas for four to six hours. Advertisement The dearth of Santas can be a letdown for clients, but it’s a boon for local impersonators. Most function as independent contractors who spend a few thousand dollars of their own money annually on grooming and logistics. Background checks, which are generally required for bookings, and performers’ insurance alone — “an absolute necessity,” one Santa said, to guard against potential complaints or injuries stemming from performances — can run up to $40 and $225 a year, respectively. Many also attend Santa boot camps and conferences to perfect their voices and mannerisms, and learn to answer skeptical children’s questions about elves and reindeer. But even those command hundreds in tuition, plus the cost of travel. So the uptick in inquiries only makes it easier for the pros to earn back those startup costs and reap the benefits of a frantic season. Marvel, for example, had two events booked one recent Friday night. Before heading to a car dealership, he parked himself on the steps outside a nonprofit fund-raiser, well-wishing charity runners picking up their bibs. “Good luck tomorrow,” Marvel shouted to one guy. “Good luck on the 25th,” the man replied. Though many Santa impersonators are retired from their day jobs, a few see the job as a side hustle alongside full-time work. Take John Monette, for example. The Framingham-based impersonator attends holiday events every December weekend, balancing the gigs with his full-time job as an electrician. Like many New England Santas, he uses booking platforms like Gig Salad to handle his scheduling for the season. But his wife is the real manager (and Mrs. Claus stand-in). Advertisement Marvel's "Believe" belt buckle is an essential part of his season Santa get-up. Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff For every gig John takes, Susan is behind the wheel — literally. She drives him, so he can relax. She fixes wardrobe malfunctions. And she coaxes hesitant grandparents into family photos with Santa. “When people hear that Mrs. Claus is coming, it’s a big relief for them too,” she said. The couple puts their life into Santa. Susan spends a few hours daily penciling appointments into the calendar, and they wake up at 5 a.m. to get ready before commuting dozens of miles for events. Monette needs at least an hour to dab his cheeks with blush, gel his beard, and don one of his seven suits, which each cost between $500 and $2,000. Altogether, the Monettes throw $1,000 into the business annually. After 25 or so events at up to $250 an hour, they come out of the season with between $8,000 and $10,000 in revenue. “The truth is, if you’re cutting corners and pinching pennies, I don’t think it’s worth it to even be doing this,” John said. Santa Jack, a New Hampshire-based impersonator who requested the Globe not share his full name, agreed that the job comes with surprising expenses that can be tough to stomach. A retired salesman, he pays $600 each December to bleach his red beard into a snow-like shade of white. That’s on top of the costs of off-the-rack suits ($200-$600) and leather boots (at $100 or so.) Advertisement In eight years, Jack has never failed to recoup that money in profits. But if he ever does come up short, it would be paid back in good will. Some kids who may be struggling in life truly need an infusion of joy from a Santa visit around Christmas, he said. “It’s not a job,” he said. “It’s not a hobby. It’s a calling.” The calculus of the Santa business looks different for impersonators of color. Black and brown St. Nicks have always been difficult to come by, leading a few local residents to capitalize on the scarcity. Edward Campbell, dressed as Santa Claus, shares a laugh with Justice Edwards, 3, and her mother, Shaleea, during the Black Santa Boston Brunch at Park 54 Restaurant & Lounge in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Boston on Dec. 9. Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff The North Shore Juneteenth Association hosted its second annual Inclusive Santa event last weekend featuring several Black and brown St. Nicks. Edwin Cabrera, a 33-year-old Latino Santa, said the benefit of hiring St. Nicks that look like the North Shore’s many diverse children cannot be underestimated. “These kids want to believe I am Santa, even when there’s seven other Santas there,” Cabrera said. The most important part of preparing for the role, Cabrera said, was nailing his “Ho, ho, ho.” “It’s essential,” he said. “If you can’t do it well, it’s not believable.” In Easton, an upstart program called Black Santa Boston also exploded after its launch last December. Jazzy Manley, director of Five Star Athletics Cheer, started the program offhandedly as a pop-up after she struggled to find a Black Santa. The program initially allowed families to visit the gym for a photoshoot and meet-and-greet with St. Nick — complete with hot cocoa and letter writing. And more than 200 came. Advertisement Marvel passes though a parking garage after a job in the Seaport District. Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff Now, Manley is running Black Santa Boston as a booming side business. Word spread after last year’s successful launch. Demand was so high this season that she had to start waitlists for people wanting photoshoot appointments and private events. Manley sees that as a worthwhile payoff. She and her mother, the founder of Five Star, invested $1,200 in sprucing up the space for Santa visits with two photo backdrops, festive lighting, and “a cart of Santa’s treasures,” she said. That does not count the price of Manley’s time — somewhere between four and six hours daily as the booking director, planner, and troubleshooter. Black Santa Boston charges $45 for photo sessions and $450 for private events. But that is not keeping people away, she added. “I decided where there was a lack, I would create,” Manley said. “And the need ended up being just ridiculous. We are looking for more Santas and more days now. We thought it would die down.” Her Santas-for-hire are ecstatic that the program proved popular. Walter Frye, a grandfather of four and second-year St. Nick, said he is already looking into purchasing a custom suit of his own for future Black Santa gigs and assumes he will see a return in profits. “If I put all that money up, long-term, it’s something that’ll pay off,” he said. Manley’s grandfather, Edward Campbell, 75, is actively enlisting his friends in Brockton to join him in being Santa. He recently texted her pictures of some jolly candidates. “They’re great-looking guys,” Manley recalled him saying. “Can they qualify?” Edward Campbell waves to street traffic as he arrives at Park 54 Restaurant & Lounge. Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff Diti Kohli can be reached at diti.kohli@globe.com.Follow her @ditikohli_.

2d50118ce52db928027f9f5c1b70c57c

business

Santa Claus impersonators enjoy high Christmas demand

It was well worth it: The 54-year-old Saugus resident worked 99 gigs last year as a highly coveted “real-bearded” St. Nick, and is primed to hit 100 this season. Now Marvel expects to make upwards of $20,000 between Thanksgiving and Christmas. The former Uber driver and wine consultant spent that amount two years ago on red suits, leather belts, bells, and oversized metal keys to the North Pole, plus the smaller expenses oft forgotten: liability insurance, background checks, gas mileage, and fees to launch his Santa website. For Brian Marvel, becoming Santa was an investment — a $13,000 one, to be exact. Advertisement “I was initially surprised at the cost of everything,” he said. “But like I said to my wife early on, I should’ve done this years ago. It is far and away the most joyful way to work for yourself, and the community needs you.” Indeed, it does. Professional Santas are in short supply as demand for impersonators skyrocketed in the past few years, said Dan Greenleaf, cofounder of the New England Santa Society. Though Santas have long been holiday staples at malls and some chain stores, Greenleaf says now more families want the white-bearded men to grace their holiday gatherings, and more mom-and-pop shops and restaurants have realized that St. Nick can be a “big draw” for customers. Get Trendlines A business newsletter from Globe Columnist Larry Edelman covering the trends shaping business and the economy in Boston and beyond. Enter Email Sign Up But the number of Santas has remained steady, or perhaps even declined after an exodus of older impersonators during the pandemic. Once, clients could book a professional Santa a few weeks before Christmas. Now, many sought-after Santas must turn people away by October. Marvel posed for a selfie with Elizabeth Pehota while greeting runners during a fund-raiser kickoff for The Greg Hill Foundation. Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff “The real issue now is not that there are too few Santas necessarily,” said Greenleaf, a 16-year impersonator himself. “But it’s become such a crisis because everyone and anyone wants a Santa in December.” Plus in the past, he added, Santas could squeeze in multiple short gigs in a day. Many customers today want their Santas for four to six hours. Advertisement The dearth of Santas can be a letdown for clients, but it’s a boon for local impersonators. Most function as independent contractors who spend a few thousand dollars of their own money annually on grooming and logistics. Background checks, which are generally required for bookings, and performers’ insurance alone — “an absolute necessity,” one Santa said, to guard against potential complaints or injuries stemming from performances — can run up to $40 and $225 a year, respectively. Many also attend Santa boot camps and conferences to perfect their voices and mannerisms, and learn to answer skeptical children’s questions about elves and reindeer. But even those command hundreds in tuition, plus the cost of travel. So the uptick in inquiries only makes it easier for the pros to earn back those startup costs and reap the benefits of a frantic season. Marvel, for example, had two events booked one recent Friday night. Before heading to a car dealership, he parked himself on the steps outside a nonprofit fund-raiser, well-wishing charity runners picking up their bibs. “Good luck tomorrow,” Marvel shouted to one guy. “Good luck on the 25th,” the man replied. Though many Santa impersonators are retired from their day jobs, a few see the job as a side hustle alongside full-time work. Take John Monette, for example. The Framingham-based impersonator attends holiday events every December weekend, balancing the gigs with his full-time job as an electrician. Like many New England Santas, he uses booking platforms like Gig Salad to handle his scheduling for the season. But his wife is the real manager (and Mrs. Claus stand-in). Advertisement Marvel's "Believe" belt buckle is an essential part of his season Santa get-up. Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff For every gig John takes, Susan is behind the wheel — literally. She drives him, so he can relax. She fixes wardrobe malfunctions. And she coaxes hesitant grandparents into family photos with Santa. “When people hear that Mrs. Claus is coming, it’s a big relief for them too,” she said. The couple puts their life into Santa. Susan spends a few hours daily penciling appointments into the calendar, and they wake up at 5 a.m. to get ready before commuting dozens of miles for events. Monette needs at least an hour to dab his cheeks with blush, gel his beard, and don one of his seven suits, which each cost between $500 and $2,000. Altogether, the Monettes throw $1,000 into the business annually. After 25 or so events at up to $250 an hour, they come out of the season with between $8,000 and $10,000 in revenue. “The truth is, if you’re cutting corners and pinching pennies, I don’t think it’s worth it to even be doing this,” John said. Santa Jack, a New Hampshire-based impersonator who requested the Globe not share his full name, agreed that the job comes with surprising expenses that can be tough to stomach. A retired salesman, he pays $600 each December to bleach his red beard into a snow-like shade of white. That’s on top of the costs of off-the-rack suits ($200-$600) and leather boots (at $100 or so.) Advertisement In eight years, Jack has never failed to recoup that money in profits. But if he ever does come up short, it would be paid back in good will. Some kids who may be struggling in life truly need an infusion of joy from a Santa visit around Christmas, he said. “It’s not a job,” he said. “It’s not a hobby. It’s a calling.” The calculus of the Santa business looks different for impersonators of color. Black and brown St. Nicks have always been difficult to come by, leading a few local residents to capitalize on the scarcity. Edward Campbell, dressed as Santa Claus, shares a laugh with Justice Edwards, 3, and her mother, Shaleea, during the Black Santa Boston Brunch at Park 54 Restaurant & Lounge in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Boston on Dec. 9. Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff The North Shore Juneteenth Association hosted its second annual Inclusive Santa event last weekend featuring several Black and brown St. Nicks. Edwin Cabrera, a 33-year-old Latino Santa, said the benefit of hiring St. Nicks that look like the North Shore’s many diverse children cannot be underestimated. “These kids want to believe I am Santa, even when there’s seven other Santas there,” Cabrera said. The most important part of preparing for the role, Cabrera said, was nailing his “Ho, ho, ho.” “It’s essential,” he said. “If you can’t do it well, it’s not believable.” In Easton, an upstart program called Black Santa Boston also exploded after its launch last December. Jazzy Manley, director of Five Star Athletics Cheer, started the program offhandedly as a pop-up after she struggled to find a Black Santa. The program initially allowed families to visit the gym for a photoshoot and meet-and-greet with St. Nick — complete with hot cocoa and letter writing. And more than 200 came. Advertisement Marvel passes though a parking garage after a job in the Seaport District. Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff Now, Manley is running Black Santa Boston as a booming side business. Word spread after last year’s successful launch. Demand was so high this season that she had to start waitlists for people wanting photoshoot appointments and private events. Manley sees that as a worthwhile payoff. She and her mother, the founder of Five Star, invested $1,200 in sprucing up the space for Santa visits with two photo backdrops, festive lighting, and “a cart of Santa’s treasures,” she said. That does not count the price of Manley’s time — somewhere between four and six hours daily as the booking director, planner, and troubleshooter. Black Santa Boston charges $45 for photo sessions and $450 for private events. But that is not keeping people away, she added. “I decided where there was a lack, I would create,” Manley said. “And the need ended up being just ridiculous. We are looking for more Santas and more days now. We thought it would die down.” Her Santas-for-hire are ecstatic that the program proved popular. Walter Frye, a grandfather of four and second-year St. Nick, said he is already looking into purchasing a custom suit of his own for future Black Santa gigs and assumes he will see a return in profits. “If I put all that money up, long-term, it’s something that’ll pay off,” he said. Manley’s grandfather, Edward Campbell, 75, is actively enlisting his friends in Brockton to join him in being Santa. He recently texted her pictures of some jolly candidates. “They’re great-looking guys,” Manley recalled him saying. “Can they qualify?” Edward Campbell waves to street traffic as he arrives at Park 54 Restaurant & Lounge. Craig F. Walker/Globe Staff Diti Kohli can be reached at diti.kohli@globe.com.Follow her @ditikohli_.

d4ab60c941c030df5acb0ebb055f0377

business

Zipcar expanding EV offerings after Boston pilot

The company, owned by Avis , has been expanding its EV fleet since a pilot program started in Boston in 2022 with just 10 electric vehicles. It added more vehicles in more cities in 2023 and currently has about 300 EVs in its fleet nationwide. Under an initiative announced in December, Zipcar plans to double its EV fleet in 2024, with at least one-quarter available in economically disadvantaged communities. The expansion will span 10 cities including Boston, Chicago, New York, and Denver. (Some of you may be wondering: Zipcar is still around? Yes, it is.) Zipcar, the car-sharing company based in Boston, is delving deeper into the electric vehicle market after a successful local pilot program. Advertisement According to the company’s surveys, only about one in 10 customers has ever driven an electric vehicle. So a top priority for the program was addressing drivers’ questions and concerns about charging, Justin Holmes, vice president of policy and marketing, said. Get Innovation Beat Boston Globe tech reporters tell the story of the region's technology and innovation industry, highlighting key players, trends, and why they matter. Enter Email Sign Up “What we found is that the best-case scenario is when a member doesn’t have to worry about charging really at all,” Holmes said. To address the challenge, Zipcar has sought out designated parking spots with chargers (every Zipcar has a specific parking spot where customers pick up and drop off the vehicle). When that isn’t possible, Zipcar staff take EVs to nearby charging stations for a fill-up before a customer picks up a vehicle. Each Zipcar EV also includes cards for popular charging networks, in case a customer needs to recharge on a longer road trip. That’s similar to the company’s gas-powered cars, which have a special debit card tucked in the sun visor to pay for gas refills. Zipcar hopes to avoid some of the horror stories that have beset EV programs at traditional car rental companies. Hertz and others ran into problems when they stuck customers with electric cars unexpectedly. That can’t happen at Zipcar, where customers choose to rent a specific, individual car, electric or gas-powered. Advertisement Zipcar also designed an online guide with a series of how-to videos for its EV customers, covering topics like driving dynamics and charging. College student and Zipcar customer Madeline Mueller had never driven an EV before she tried one from the car-sharing service in November. Going electric was just as easy to rent and drive as a gas-powered car, she said. Living in Somerville, she doesn’t need to own a car right now, but “this experience has me strongly considering electric vehicles if I do move somewhere I require a car,” she said. Winning over future EV drivers could be an added benefit of Zipcar’s program, according to Ingrid Malmgren, policy director at nonprofit EV advocacy group Plug In America. “Particularly with something like Zipcar where you may use the same vehicle multiple times, it seems like a great introduction to an electric vehicle,” Malmgren said. Aaron Pressman can be reached at aaron.pressman@globe.com. Follow him @ampressman.

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The Most Anticipated Boston Restaurant Openings of 2024

To wrap up the year, Eater Boston polled both local journalists and readers of this site to get their thoughts on the past year in dining: the good, the bad, and the most exciting things to come in 2024. The results have been collected in the following series of posts. (Check out the full archive here.) Below, we ask: What restaurant debut are you most excited about in 2024? I’ll be glad to have China Pearl back in Chinatown and see what Brian Moy (Shojo) has done with the place. I’m also excited for Gufo (and former SRV) chef Andrew Hebert’s modern take on Portuguese cuisine at Baleia. More immediately, Mario’s Pizza, a hidden gem of a takeout and delivery place in Roxbury for a few years, is returning imminently with a new location in Jamaica Plain. Even though the new spot won’t have the full menu of Portuguese snacks from the former location (the cod fritters!!), my takeout rotation needs their New York-style pizza and I could not be more excited. — Jacqueline Cain, freelance writer and Eater Boston contributor I’m curious to see what Chompon Boong Boonnak has in mind for his second act Merai, and how much it’ll differ from his award-winning Mahaniyom. I was also ecstatic when I heard my old haunt Jacob Wirth is staging a comeback. Though the food was less memorable, I remember the days when my coworkers and I would go for karaoke night, where we’d order beers by the stein and sit shoulder-to-shoulder at one of the communal tables with strangers. It wouldn’t matter if our singing was off-pitch, as the piano-playing and ambient noise would blanket our belting. — Valerie Li Stack, freelance writer and Eater Boston contributor I’ve been really excited about Folio, the restaurant that’s attached to the Boston Athenaeum, to open sometime hopefully soon. And Small Victories, from the folks behind the Quiet Few, which is headed to Southie. — Nathan Tavares, freelance writer and Eater Boston contributor I’m very much looking forward to Merai, from the folks who run Thai favorite Mahaniyom. I’m also interested to see what the new vision is for Darryl’s Corner Bar & Kitchen, an iconic space in Boston. — Devra First, restaurant critic for the Boston Globe The Donut Stand in Hopkinton. They currently have a weekend pop-up at the Vin Bin in Southborough, and I fill my belly there like I’m about to hibernate. I’m excited to see what they can do with their very own space. — Matt Shearer, reporter for WBZ NewsRadio What’s old is new again, and I cannot wait for Jacob Wirth to return to the Theater District next year. I’ve had so many great (and sometimes foggy) memories of the place, including the piano singalongs and the partaking of very strong German beers. And it sounds like they won’t mess with the original concept, which is good news indeed. — Marc Hurwitz, founder of Boston’s Hidden Restaurants and Boston Restaurant Talk, food/travel writer for NBC Boston/NECN I can’t wait to see what the Mahaniyom team brings to their new concept Merai in Brookline. Every aspect of the Mahaniyom Thai menu is so well crafted, casting a wider net at Merai will bring exciting creative license. — Celina Colby, freelance writer and Eater Boston contributor I am really excited to see how cocktail expert Will Isaza (Blossom Bar, Birds of Paradise) translates his experience into coffee at Cafe Gloria, his first solo project in East Boston. — Erika Adams, Eater Boston editor I am a Mahaniyom superfan, so I’m extraordinarily excited for its upcoming sequel, Merai! Jody Adams’ forthcoming spot, La Padrona, is also high on my list. — Rachel Leah Blumenthal, Boston Magazine food editor Reader responses Over 80 people took part in Eater Boston’s dining survey this year (thank you, all!). Below, find some of the top reader responses for most anticipated restaurant openings in the new year.

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What Ails Offshore Wind: Supply Chains, Ships and Interest Rates

A few years ago, interest in offshore wind energy was so strong that developers proposed spending tens of billions of dollars to plunk hundreds of turbines the size of skyscrapers in the Atlantic Ocean from Maine to Virginia. But several of those projects have recently hit the skids after executives miscalculated the impact that the pandemic and rising interest rates would have on supply chains. The industry has found it much more difficult to manufacture, transport and erect wind turbines than it had expected. Just two dozen or so turbines have been installed in U.S. waters, compared with more than 6,000 in Europe, which has been building offshore wind farms for decades. As a result, the cost of offshore wind energy will be higher than anticipated and its climate and economic benefits will, in some cases, arrive years later than expected. Some wind farms may be delayed. Others may never be built. To date, Eastern states have awarded contracts to build roughly two dozen offshore wind farms with 21 gigawatts of electric capacity, or enough to meet the needs of more than six million homes. But developers have canceled or asked to renegotiate rates for nearly half that capacity. Analysts are downgrading expectations: About 15 gigawatts of offshore wind will be installed by 2030, according to BloombergNEF, a research arm of Michael Bloomberg’s financial data and information company. That’s about one-third lower than what it had expected as recently as June. Europe has already installed about 32 gigawatts of offshore wind capacity.

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Once caught selling weed above a Springfield strip club, shes now a legal dealer

It’s been just under five years since Alissa Nowak found herself in a Springfield courtroom, caught up in a drug bust above a local strip joint after she sold marijuana to an undercover cop. Police nabbed Nowak and another person on marijuana distribution charges at an underground “vendor party,” where dealers sold weed and drug paraphernalia to customers gathered in a warehouse space above the Mardi Gras strip club in downtown Springfield.

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Hybrid Cars Enjoy a Renaissance as All-Electric Sales Slow

As Teslas and other electric vehicles dazzled car buyers with futuristic technology and dreams of a gasoline-free future, hybrid cars began to seem like yesterday’s news. Sales of the Toyota Prius, the standard-bearer for hybrids, fell 85 percent over a decade. Now, a slowdown in the growth of electric car sales has led General Motors, Ford Motor and Volkswagen to walk back ambitious targets for those vehicles. And sales of hybrids are robust, underscoring what may be the enduring reality check of 2023: Many Americans are hugely receptive to electrification, but they’re not ready for a fully electric car. “Consumers want the same experience they’ve had” with a combustion engine car, said Stephanie Valdez Streaty, director of industry insights for Cox Automotive. “And we are not there yet. Price is still the top barrier for most consumers.” Americans bought a record 1.2 million electric vehicles last year, a gain of about 46 percent and a 7.6 percent share of all new car sales, according to Cox. But hybrid sales rose even faster, up 65 percent to more than 1.2 million, lifting their market share to 8 percent from 5.5 percent, according to Edmunds. Throw in plug-in hybrids, and nearly one in 10 new cars pairs a gasoline engine with electric motors to save fuel and boost performance.

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Tenant Trouble: Small Landlords say they face difficulty evicting renters - Boston News, Weather, Sports

The ‘American Dream’ for Wildia Capre always centered around owning her own home. “I wanted a piece of my city,” said Capre who immigrated to Boston as a child. In July 2022, her childhood dream came true when she closed on a multifamily building in Dorchester. However, her dream soon became her nightmare. “Most of the cabinets, they are either broken or keyed, they barely open, they are all keyed inside,” Capre said as she walked in her empty upstairs unit. “The microwave is completely gone.” Capre said the tenant who lived in her upstairs unit keyed the doors, kitchen cabinets and fridge. She said the walls had holes in them and glass was missing from cabinets. “It’s hard to see,” she said of her now empty apartment. While she found the renter through a Realtor, Capre told 7 Investigates the relationship with the renter took a tumultuous turn just a few months into the lease. “Screaming, yelling, slamming doors upstairs, dropping things on the floor, breaking things upstairs and at one point she threatened to come downstairs and cave my head in,” Capre remembered. Records show police were called to the property multiple times for landlord and tenant disputes. Capre even filed for a restraining order against her renter. “I have felt anything but safe in this house since I bought it,” Capre said. The tenant also stopped paying rent after a few months. Capre started the process to remove the renter three months after their lease started, but she quickly discovered the housing court is complex, time consuming and expensive. “If you are a corporation, it’s easier for you to deal with these types of things, you have your lawyers, you know, but when you are a first generation, you just bought your house, you basically dished out your life savings and to not have the help at all,” Capre said. Although her renter declined to comment to 7 Investigates, court documents claim the renter experienced utility issues, including lack of hot water and interruptions to the supply of water and heat. The renter also accused Capre of retaliation and discrimination, according to court documents. Capre said the unit passed an official inspection before the renter moved in and she tried to promptly respond to any problems that arose. While Capre initially tried to evict her tenant by herself, she eventually hired attorney Jordana Greenman. Greenman said she’s handled multiple other cases like Capre’s. “The state cannot accept that people like Wildia Capre are more common than they think and that these landlords that are like this landlord are at risk of losing their homes themselves,” Greenman said. Douglas Quattrochi, the executive director of MassLandlords, said he’s also heard from many landlords who are frustrated by the legal process in the state. “If you are looking at the courts for a quick redress you’ve done something wrong. The courts are your redress of last resort. It’s going to take a long time, you’re definitely going to lose money; you’ll never get it back,” Quattrochi said. “We can’t rely on the courts to sort these things out because they really aren’t set up for that.” The most recent eviction data analyzed by MassLandlords shows the average eviction case in the state takes around 3.5 months, but Quattrochi said there are cases that have taken more than 600 days. Quattrochi said while it is great the state has so many renter protections, it can make things hard on landlords. He advises landlords to try to work with their tenants before taking the matter to court. He said distributing rental assistance faster would go a long way to help some landlords. “People just want access to the safety net and they want access to due process without these legal gotchas, like, ‘Oh, I forgot to do this paper just so,’” Quattrochi said. Greenman said she would like to see a few more caveats in the current laws for owner-occupied units and small landlords. She fears without change, there may be fewer landlords willing to rent in the future. “I don’t want homelessness, most landlords don’t want their tenant to be homeless; they just want their house back,” Greenman said Capre’s tenants finally choose to move out in December, nearly a year after Capre sent the first ‘Notice to Quit.’ Capre said she is still owed around $7,000 in back rent and wants the court to make her former tenant pay. Their court case is still ongoing. “Things don’t just stop because people moved out of your house. The bills don’t just get paid. My mortgage still needs to get paid, the damage needs to be fixed,” Capre said. She said this entire ordeal has left her hesitant to rent again. “This is very very discouraging,” Capre said of the process. “I was terrorized in my house for over a year. I wouldn’t wish that on any other landlord, especially a small landlord.” (Copyright (c) 2023 Sunbeam Television. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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Gran Cocina, Holyoke business incubator, gets $45K state coworking grant

HOLYOKE — Taking a food idea — or a family recipe — and turning it into a business often requires a commercial kitchen few can afford. That’s where Wellspring Cooperative Corp. and its new project Gran Cocina comes in, renting professional kitchen space for as little as $25 an hour and also providing food safety training. “There is a lot of interest,” said Fred Rose, co-director of Wellspring Co-Operative. The name Gran Cocina transales to “big kitchen.” Wellspring also founded and runs worker-owned enterprises such as Wellspring Harvest greenhouse in the Indian Orchard section of Springfield and Wellspring Upholstery Cooperative, a furniture repair business in Springfield. On Wednesday, the state and MassDevelopment, the state’s economic development agency and land bank, announced a $45,000 grant for Gran Cocina, which is on High Street in Holyoke’s downtown. The money — one of 16 grants totaling $950,000 for the Collaborative Workspace Program — will pay for an energy-efficient mini-split heating and cooling system; repairs; renovating an unfinished room into additional space; and adding a walk-in cooler. Rose said to expect a publicity push in the new year, looking to add businesses to the facility. Wellspring also will add a cafe, where customers can try out food produced within. Other local projects included in Wednesday’s announcement include: Greater Easthampton Chamber of Commerce received $50,000 to build out a collaborative workspace at a building it owns. Last year, MassDevelopment awarded the organization a $5,000 seed grant to study market and design feasibility for the project. The Sphere, Northampton received $100,000 to build out a vacant and gutted storefront to increase space and visibility of The Sphere Innovation Lab. The lab will be a woman- and nonbinary-oriented entrepreneur coworking space based on inclusivity, collaboration and uplifting entrepreneurs. The storefront is 82 Maple St. in the Florence section of Northampton.

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F.A.A. to Investigate Exhaustion Among Air Traffic Controllers

The Federal Aviation Administration is planning to form a panel to look into the potential risks posed by exhaustion among air traffic controllers, many of whom have been working round-the-clock schedules that have pushed them to the physical and emotional brink. The F.A.A. expects to announce more details about the three-member panel on Wednesday, said Jeannie Shiffer, a spokeswoman for the agency. Michael Whitaker, the F.A.A. administrator, said at a news conference at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport on Tuesday that “as far as fatigue goes, we’re taking this issue very seriously.” “We’re looking at launching a group to examine fatigue among air traffic controllers in the very short term to identify if there are risks,” he said, “and if there are, we will act accordingly to mitigate those risks.”

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EBNHC Launches New Behavioral Health Urgent Care Service The Boston Sun

Special to the Sun East Boston Neighborhood Health Center (EBNHC), the largest community-based primary care health system in Massachusetts, gathered with city, state and community leaders last week, to officially announce the opening of its new Behavioral Health Urgent Care Service (BHUCS). Part of the EBNHC’s integrated behavioral health program, the BHUCS provides same-day and urgent mental health services for children, adolescents, and adults, in East Boston and surrounding communities, transforming how community members — predominantly low-income immigrants — can access the high-quality behavioral health services they need and deserve. “Timely access to high-quality behavioral health services is a common challenge across the Commonwealth, especially for vulnerable families. I’m proud to say that EBNHC’s Behavioral Health Urgent Care Service addresses this growing need head on,” said EBNHC President and CEO, Greg Wilmot. “Our industry must offer innovative ways to close long-standing gaps in care. This expansion of our behavioral health program is a monumental step in the right direction as we strive to achieve health equity for our patients and neighbors.” The new service is innovative and different from other behavioral health urgent care options across the state as it is co-located with the state’s only community-based satellite emergency facility, operated by EBNHC. Additionally, the service is fully integrated within the health center and EBNHC’s larger behavioral health and recovery services program. This unparalleled care model allows patients in the community to be connected to a wide range of care services, seamlessly and immediately moving from the BHUCS to emergency medical care, primary care, additional behavioral health care, and other health and wellness programs available through the Center. Addressing health equity gaps, like disparities in access to behavioral health care for Black and Latinx communities, has long been a focus for EBNHC which was recently recognized by the Department of Health and Human Service’s Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) as a 2023 National Quality Leader and one of the nation’s leading health centers in reducing health disparities. To help put patients at ease, the new BHUCS suite features state-of-the-art behavioral health care design. A calming space, intentionally constructed to be safe and aesthetically pleasing for those struggling with a mental health or substance use disorder, the BHUCS provides access to immediate crisis evaluation, next-step planning, and support for all patients ages six and above. The BHUCS currently welcomes walk-ins five days a week and will move to seven-day a week access in early 2024. “We are in the midst of a behavioral health crisis that requires new ideas, more resources, and a strong investment to meet this demand,” said EBNHC Executive Vice President and COO, Ryan Boxill, PhD, MBA. “Since our soft-opening last month, we’ve already seen great demand for this service that will be especially vital for low-income and non-English speaking patients. Our highly trained, diverse, multi-disciplinary behavioral health team members are eager to welcome many first-time patients and are equipped to offer care in their native language.” Thanks to earmarked state funding advocated for by Massachusetts State Rep. Adrian Madaro, EBNHC has hired more than 20 diverse new staff, experienced in providing behavioral health care to adults, adolescents, and youth. “Behavioral health care providers are still seeing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which, for many children was a two-year hiatus from achieving key developmental, academic and social milestones,” said Michael Mancusi, MSW, LICSW, EBNHC Vice President and Chief Behavioral Health Officer. “This has had a deleterious effect on the mental health of our young people, and we realized a better model was needed to address community behavioral health — one with an immediately accessible entry point and a range of care to match our patients’ needs. That is why we created the BHUCS — to provide an urgent response to an urgent health care crisis.” Patients can now access the following services at the BHUCS, Monday-Friday, 9:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (weekend hours will be available in 2024): • Same-day clinical triage, crisis evaluation, next step planning and support • On-site medical evaluation and necessary laboratory tests • Psychopharmacology evaluation and medication prescription • Crisis response and stabilization • Care navigation and care coordination • Enrollment in EBNHC primary care, based on availability EBNHC has also expanded mind/body offerings for patients, such as reiki, trauma-informed yoga, community peace circles and other community interventions to meet interest in non-traditional, indigenous, and culturally relevant healing methods.

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EBNHC Launches New Behavioral Health Urgent Care Service The Boston Sun

Special to the Sun East Boston Neighborhood Health Center (EBNHC), the largest community-based primary care health system in Massachusetts, gathered with city, state and community leaders last week, to officially announce the opening of its new Behavioral Health Urgent Care Service (BHUCS). Part of the EBNHC’s integrated behavioral health program, the BHUCS provides same-day and urgent mental health services for children, adolescents, and adults, in East Boston and surrounding communities, transforming how community members — predominantly low-income immigrants — can access the high-quality behavioral health services they need and deserve. “Timely access to high-quality behavioral health services is a common challenge across the Commonwealth, especially for vulnerable families. I’m proud to say that EBNHC’s Behavioral Health Urgent Care Service addresses this growing need head on,” said EBNHC President and CEO, Greg Wilmot. “Our industry must offer innovative ways to close long-standing gaps in care. This expansion of our behavioral health program is a monumental step in the right direction as we strive to achieve health equity for our patients and neighbors.” The new service is innovative and different from other behavioral health urgent care options across the state as it is co-located with the state’s only community-based satellite emergency facility, operated by EBNHC. Additionally, the service is fully integrated within the health center and EBNHC’s larger behavioral health and recovery services program. This unparalleled care model allows patients in the community to be connected to a wide range of care services, seamlessly and immediately moving from the BHUCS to emergency medical care, primary care, additional behavioral health care, and other health and wellness programs available through the Center. Addressing health equity gaps, like disparities in access to behavioral health care for Black and Latinx communities, has long been a focus for EBNHC which was recently recognized by the Department of Health and Human Service’s Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) as a 2023 National Quality Leader and one of the nation’s leading health centers in reducing health disparities. To help put patients at ease, the new BHUCS suite features state-of-the-art behavioral health care design. A calming space, intentionally constructed to be safe and aesthetically pleasing for those struggling with a mental health or substance use disorder, the BHUCS provides access to immediate crisis evaluation, next-step planning, and support for all patients ages six and above. The BHUCS currently welcomes walk-ins five days a week and will move to seven-day a week access in early 2024. “We are in the midst of a behavioral health crisis that requires new ideas, more resources, and a strong investment to meet this demand,” said EBNHC Executive Vice President and COO, Ryan Boxill, PhD, MBA. “Since our soft-opening last month, we’ve already seen great demand for this service that will be especially vital for low-income and non-English speaking patients. Our highly trained, diverse, multi-disciplinary behavioral health team members are eager to welcome many first-time patients and are equipped to offer care in their native language.” Thanks to earmarked state funding advocated for by Massachusetts State Rep. Adrian Madaro, EBNHC has hired more than 20 diverse new staff, experienced in providing behavioral health care to adults, adolescents, and youth. “Behavioral health care providers are still seeing the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, which, for many children was a two-year hiatus from achieving key developmental, academic and social milestones,” said Michael Mancusi, MSW, LICSW, EBNHC Vice President and Chief Behavioral Health Officer. “This has had a deleterious effect on the mental health of our young people, and we realized a better model was needed to address community behavioral health — one with an immediately accessible entry point and a range of care to match our patients’ needs. That is why we created the BHUCS — to provide an urgent response to an urgent health care crisis.” Patients can now access the following services at the BHUCS, Monday-Friday, 9:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. (weekend hours will be available in 2024): • Same-day clinical triage, crisis evaluation, next step planning and support • On-site medical evaluation and necessary laboratory tests • Psychopharmacology evaluation and medication prescription • Crisis response and stabilization • Care navigation and care coordination • Enrollment in EBNHC primary care, based on availability EBNHC has also expanded mind/body offerings for patients, such as reiki, trauma-informed yoga, community peace circles and other community interventions to meet interest in non-traditional, indigenous, and culturally relevant healing methods.

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Mass. Gas Prices Tumble Four Cents With Arctic Blast On Horizon

BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — With an Arctic blast of cold weather gunning for New England, AAA Northeast says Massachusetts' average gas price is down four cents from last week at $3.13 per gallon. Officials say there's been an uptick in energy demand as the temperatures continue to drop, though overall need has been lower than previous winters. Because of that, regional inventories of oil and gasoline have been seeing steady price decline. Still, the Commonwealth's average price for gas is seven cents higher than the national average. Read More: Cinema For All: Belmont World Film Fest Comes To Greater Boston “The national average for a gallon of gas is very close to a flat $3 a gallon and we’re not far behind here in the Northeast. But prices might waffle a bit on weather-related concerns and the potential for escalating tensions in the Middle East, which so far, have not had a lasting impact on oil prices,” said Mark Schieldrop, Senior Spokesperson for AAA Northeast. AAA Northeast's most recent survey found that the current national average is also down— one cent below last week at $3.06.

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SpaceX Makes Progress in 2nd Launch of Giant Moon and Mars Rocket

SpaceX, Elon Musk's spaceflight company, launched its Starship rocket from the coast of South Texas on Saturday, a mammoth vehicle that could alter the future of space transportation and help NASA return astronauts to the moon. Saturday’s flight of Starship, a powerful vehicle designed to carry NASA astronauts to the moon, was not a complete success. SpaceX did not achieve the test launch’s ultimate objective — a partial trip around the world ending in a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. But the test flight, the vehicle’s second, did show that the company had fixed key issues that arose during the earlier test operation in April. All 33 engines in the vehicle’s lower booster stage fired, and the rocket made it through stage separation — when the booster falls away and the six engines of the upper stage light up to carry the vehicle to space.

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Alaska Airlines flight makes emergency landing in Portland after window appears to have blown out after takeoff

Alaska Airlines flight makes emergency landing in Oregon after window appears to have blown out after takeoff. Kyle Rinker CNN — Alaska Airlines has temporarily grounded its fleet of Boeing 737-9 Max aircraft after one of its planes made an emergency landing in Oregon Friday, officials said – an incident that a passenger says involved a panel and window blowing out in flight. Alaska Airlines Flight 1282, which was headed from Portland to Ontario, Califorina, returned safely to Portland International Airport around 5 p.m. PT after “the crew reported a pressurization issue,” the Federal Aviation Administration said. A panel of the fuselage, including the panel’s window, popped off shortly after takeoff, Kyle Rinker, a passenger on the flight, told CNN. “It was really abrupt. Just got to altitude, and the window/wall just popped off and didn’t notice it until the oxygen masks came off,” Rinker said. Firefighters were called to assess minor injuries after the landing, and no serious injuries were reported, the Port of Portland Fire Department said. A passenger’s video posted to social media shows a side section of the fuselage, where a window would have been, missing – exposing passengers to the outside air. The video, which appears to have been taken from several rows behind the incident, shows oxygen masks deployed throughout the airplane, and least two people sitting near and just behind the missing section. In a statement late Friday, Alaska Airlines said it was working with Boeing to understand what took place on Flight 1282. The aircraft is a 737 Max 9 that received its certificate of airworthiness on October 25, 2023, according to the FAA. The airline’s grounded fleet of 65 Boeing 737-9 aircraft is expected to undergo full maintenance and safety inspections over the next several days before being returned to service, the airline said. “My heart goes out to those who were on this flight – I am so sorry for what you experienced,” Alaska Airlines CEO, Ben Minicucci said in a statement. Though the airline has acknowledged an incident on Friday’s Flight 1282, it has not detailed what the incident entailed. The plane “landed safely back at Portland International Airport with 171 guests and six crew members,” the airline said. According to FlightAware, the flight was airborne for about 20 minutes. The plane departed from Portland International Airport around 5:07 p.m. local time and landed at 5:27 p.m. Evan Smith, a passenger on the airplane, told CNN affiliate KPTV that he was sitting at least six rows in front of the section where the incident took place. “There was a really loud bang toward the rear of the plane and a whoosh noise and all of the masks dropped,” Smith said. Emma Vu, another passenger, was asleep in her seat and woke up to a sensation of falling and seeing emergency masks drop down, she told CNN in a phone call on Friday. She apparently woke up after the panel section popped off; it wasn’t clear how close to the missing panel she was. Vu said she texted her parents their code word for emergencies to let them know about the incident. “I’ve never had to use it before, but I knew that this was that moment,” Vu said. People sitting on either side of her comforted her, she said. “The flight attendant came over too, and told me it was going to be OK,” Vu said. “The fact that everyone was kind of freaking out and she took that time to kind of make me feel like I was the only passenger – honestly that was really sweet.” Vu plans to take a different flight to her intended destination on Saturday morning, she said. The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the incident, both agencies said. In a statement to CNN, Boeing said it was aware of an incident involving Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 and was working to gather additional information. This is a developing story and will be updated. CNN’s Paradise Afshar and Tina Burnside contributed to this report.

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Lehrhaus Jewish tavern in Somerville is a celebration of Jewish life

A Jewish tavern in Somerville was the only Massachusetts eatery to make Esquire magazine’s list of best new restaurants of 2023. But given the uniquely delicious and culture-filled experience this restaurant delivers, its appearance on the list is no surprise. Lehrhaus opened on Washington Street in March 2023 with a full menu of certified dishes. But the tavern — whose name means “house of learning” in German — is also meant to be just that, its cofounder, Rabbi Charlie Schwartz, said. “Everything we do here is a celebration of Jewish life and the Jewish experience,” he said. Lehrhaus’ diverse and meaningful menu Created by chefs Alex Artinian and Noah Clickstein, the restaurant’s dishes are all linked to stories of Judaism and the Jewish diaspora, Schwartz said. Its menu is designed to look like Talmudic texts and includes commentary and stories about the dishes. “Oftentimes in North America, when we think about Jewish food, we tend to think about deli or Israeli food,” Schwartz said. “Our menu goes one step further, bringing in stories from different Jewish communities around the world.” Read more: Gourmet cookie shop with over 40 flavors opens first Mass. location Lehrhaus does serve deli classics, such as its beet reuben, Schwartz said. But it also offers dishes from Jewish communities that aren’t as well known, such as its Ethiopian-inspired red lentil stew. The restaurant’s cocktail menu also pays tribute to Jewish communities around the world. For instance, Schwartz said, the restaurant offers a “Yemeni espresso martini” made with hawaij, a Yemeni warming spice, which honors one of the oldest communities created during the Jewish diaspora. Schwartz said the restaurant’s fish and chips, mac-and-cheese kugel and beet pastrami reuben have been among its most popular dishes. “We take beets and cure them and smoke them and spice them and slice them thin,” he said. “It’s really just an incredible sandwich.” Lehrhaus Jewish tavern and house of learning in Somerville makes a beet reuben sandwich.Lehrhaus Read more: A Chipotle with a drive-thru is opening in Marlborough But on Saturdays, Lehrhaus has a completely different menu. Going in, the founders knew that they couldn’t cook on the Jewish Sabbath, which runs from Friday to Saturday, Schwartz said. So, they came up with the idea of doing a burger bar, which would take no meal prep the day before. Schwartz said the restaurant has many gluten-free and vegan options, especially on its burger bar menu. That menu also includes egg creams, floats and soda, which you can get with or without booze. What it’s like to hang out at Lehrhaus Lehrhaus also pays homage to Jewish culture through its decor. Schwartz said the restaurant has a gallery of notable Jewish people and scenes from history, as well as a 3,000-book library containing everything from Jewish religious texts to graphic novels. But perhaps the pièce de résistance is the restaurant’s murals of composer Leonard Bernstein and historian and philosopher Hannah Arendt, which are featured in its bathrooms. Lehrhaus is a Jewish tavern and house of learning in Somerville.Lehrhaus Read more: These Mass. restaurants are offering igloo dining this winter season Lehrhaus regularly hosts a wide range of classes on Jewish culture and history, covering topics such as Jewish songs, poetry and dream healing. But Schwartz said the restaurant is a great hangout spot for anyone. Its patrons come for its excellent food and drinks and warm, inviting atmosphere as much as anything else, he said. “You don’t have to be French to go to a French restaurant. You don’t have to be Irish to go to an Irish pub. You don’t have to be Jewish to come to our tavern,” Schwartz said. Lehrhaus’ hours are 4:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Sundays and 4:30 to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday. The burger bar is open Saturdays from 7 to 10 p.m.

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Western New England University, WPI get $1.1M for advanced robotic welding

SPRINGFIELD — The state has granted $1.1 million to Western New England University for a research and training cluster in advanced robotic welding. The award will support a collaborative project between the university’s Center for Advanced Manufacturing Systems, Worcester Polytechnic Institute and local industry partners to grow the advanced welding cluster and deliver new highly skilled workers to employers in the region. Cutting-edge welding technologies have applications in offshore wind, vehicles, aerospace and defense, such as submarines.

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Boston Scientific SVP Brown Sells 15,750 Shares for $795,756

Boston Scientific Corporation specializes in the design, manufacturing and marketing of medical equipment and materials. Net sales break down by area of application as follows: - cardiovascular (60.9%): products used in cardiology surgeries (41.9% of net sales), cardiac rhythm management (27.9%), peripheral surgeries (25.1%), and other (5.1%); - endodontic surgery (31.4%): equipment used in endoscopy (57.5% of net sales) and urology (42.5%); - neuromodulation (7.6%). The remaining sales (0.1%) concern specialty pharmaceuticals manufacturing activity. The United States account for 58.1% of net sales.

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Opinion | Sam Altman, Sugarcoating the Apocalypse

My favorite “Twilight Zone” episode is the one where aliens land and, in a sign of their peaceful intentions, give world leaders a book. Government cryptographers work to translate the alien language. They decipher the title — “To Serve Man” — and that’s reassuring, so interplanetary shuttles are set up. But as the cryptographers proceed, they realize — too late — that it’s a cookbook. That, dear reader, is the story of OpenAI. It was founded in 2015 as a nonprofit to serve man, to keep an eye on galloping A.I. technology and ensure there were guardrails and kill switches — because when A.I. hits puberty, it will be like aliens landing. When I interviewed them at their makeshift San Francisco headquarters back in 2016, the OpenAI founders — Sam Altman, Elon Musk, Ilya Sutskever and Greg Brockman — presented themselves as our Praetorian guard against the future threat of runaway, evil A.I., against bad actors and bad bots and all the lords of the cloud who had Mary Shelley dreams of creating a new species, humanity be damned.

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Restaurant News for the Week Ending November 26, 2023

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Why China and Boeing Still Need Each Other

As a result, Boeing has redistributed dozens of jets earmarked for Chinese airlines to other customers. Boeing is holding 85 Max planes in storage awaiting delivery to Chinese carriers, for which the planes were even painted years ago. Those are among 250 aircraft in Boeing’s inventory, most of which the company said it expected to deliver by the end of next year. China is a crucial market for Boeing. Before the pandemic, about a third of Boeing’s 737s were being delivered to the country. Over the next two decades, Boeing projects, China will account for 20 percent of global airplane demand. This means China will need an estimated 6,500 single-aisle planes like the 737 Max and more than 1,500 larger, twin-aisle planes, such as Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner, Boeing said. The Max was banned globally for 20 months after it was involved in two fatal crashes in late 2018 and early 2019, killing 346 people in Indonesia and Ethiopia. Passenger flights aboard the Max resumed in much of the world by early 2021, but China was the last major country to clear the plane to fly again. The first Max passenger flight there was in January, and all 95 Max planes in China are now back in service. While Boeing’s sales and deliveries to China have diminished greatly, the company hasn’t been shut out. Boeing sold a handful in 2020 to a Chinese leasing company, ICBC Leasing, which also took delivery of a dozen Max jets in 2021 and 2022. Boeing has also sold and delivered dozens of 777 freighters to customers in China in recent years. In the three years since the Max began flying again, Boeing has received more than 2,100 new orders worldwide for the jet, not including cancellations. During an air show in Dubai this month, the company announced more than 200 additional orders, about a third of those for the Max. That sales momentum, faith in the company’s ability to accelerate deliveries and other recent positive news have helped to lift Boeing’s share price more than 15 percent this month.

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China Evergrande Gets Reprieve in Talks With Foreign Investors

Once China’s most prolific property developer, China Evergrande has narrowly averted liquidation. A Hong Kong bankruptcy judge on Monday gave Evergrande another two months to work out a deal with foreign investors who lost money when the company defaulted two years ago with hundreds of billions of dollars in debt. The judge set another court hearing for Jan. 29. It was an unexpected development in a bankruptcy lawsuit filed 18 months ago by one investor trying to get paid by forcing the dismantling of Evergrande. The judge, Linda Chan, had said in October that she was ready to order the liquidation of Evergrande if it could not reach an agreement with its creditors on how to divide what remains of the company’s assets. “We thought the company was going to be wound up today,” said Neil McDonald, a partner at the law firm Kirkland & Ellis, which is a legal adviser to the creditors. The investor who originally filed the suit, he said, “changed its position and didn’t push to wind up the company, which was a surprise to us.” For two decades, Evergrande was a model of China’s embrace of capitalism. It was one of the country’s most successful companies and at the heart of the real estate industry, which drove one third of the nation’s economic growth. But years of overexpansion left it financially precarious, and when it defaulted, it had more than $300 billion of overdue bills.

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See all homes sold in Cape Cod, Nov. 19 to Nov. 25

The following is a listing of all home transfers in Cape Cod reported from Nov. 19 to Nov. 25. There were 3 transactions posted during this time. During this period, the median sale for the area was a 1,978-square-foot home on Cambridge Drive in Mashpee that sold for $454,223. Centerville 9 Rainbow Drive, Centerville, $729,000, 1,976 square feet, $369 per square-foot, three bedrooms and three bathrooms. Dennis Port 9 Edwards Ave., Dennis Port, $240,000, 756 square feet, $317 per square-foot, two bedrooms and one bathroom. Mashpee 69 Cambridge Drive, Mashpee, $454,223, 1,978 square feet, $230 per square-foot, three bedrooms and four bathrooms. Real Estate Newswire is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to generate analysis of data from Propmix, an aggregator of national real-estate data. See more Real Estate News

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New York City Sues Bus Companies That Brought 30,000 Migrants From Texas

Mayor Eric Adams of New York on Thursday ratcheted up his feud with Gov. Greg Abbott of Texas, filing suit against 17 transportation companies that he said had carried out a plan by Mr. Abbott to send more than 30,000 migrants to New York City and make the city pay for their care. New York is seeking more than $700 million in damages from those companies, an amount the lawsuit describes as the cost of caring for and sheltering the migrants. The lawsuit, filed in State Supreme Court in Manhattan, argues that purposely transporting the migrants with the “evil intention” of shifting the costs of their care to New York violates state law. “This lawsuit is baseless and deserves to be sanctioned,” Mr. Abbott said in a statement. “It’s clear that Mayor Adams knows nothing about the Commerce Clause of the U.S. Constitution, or about the constitutional right to travel that has been recognized by the U.S. Supreme Court.”

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Americas Truckers Face a Chronic Headache: Finding Parking

In the wee hours one night in July, a Greyhound bus heading to St. Louis turned onto an exit ramp leading to a rest area in Southern Illinois and hit three parked tractor-trailers, smashing its front, crumpling its roof and ripping off part of its side. Three passengers were killed. The tractor-trailers were parked along the ramp’s shoulder, a common sight on the nation’s highways. “It’s scary because it can happen in the blink of an eye,” said Carmen Anderson, 64, a South Dakota-based truck driver for America’s Service Line, who recently had to park on an off-ramp in North Carolina after not being able to find parking at rest areas or truck stops. The accident in Illinois highlighted a widespread complaint among the nation’s truckers: Parking spots for commercial trucks are hard to come by.

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Dazed Cannabis sparks fond memories of Magic Lantern club it replaces on Rt. 20

MONSON — Owners of the new Dazed Cannabis haven’t stripped their location — once the Magic Lantern club — of its history. That flashing neon sign luring travelers with “erotic dancers lounge” and “topless” remains in the newly-opened cannabis retailer at 399 Boston Road West.

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The Pentagon Road to Venture Capital

For decades, national security personnel have moved from jobs at the Pentagon to positions at major military contractors. More recently, a growing number of senior Pentagon officials are leaving to take positions at venture capital or private equity firms that invest in a new generation of Silicon Valley-style defense tech startups. The New York Times has identified at least two dozen venture capital, government contractor financing or private equity firms that are run by or have hired former Pentagon officials or retired military officers, with most of the hires having taken place in the last five years. They have also hired people with national security experience at the White House or other agencies. The roster of people who have cycled out of government positions and into venture capital firms that are backing defense-oriented startups numbers at least 50, The Times found. In many cases, these former national security officials continue to regularly interact with top Defense Department officials they used to work with, and with members of Congress.

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MBTA readies plan to expand low-cost fares

Where are the best places to shop? Who gives the best haircut? Who cooks the best burger? Vote today for "Best of Readings". Vote!

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Opinion | One Year In and ChatGPT Already Has Us Doing Its Bidding

As a society, we’ve clearly benefited from promising A.I.-based technologies; this year I was thrilled to read about the ones that might detect breast cancer that doctors miss or let humans decipher whale communications. Focusing on those benefits, however, while blaming ourselves for the many ways that A.I. technologies fail us, absolves the companies behind those technologies — and, more specifically, the people behind those companies. Events of the past several weeks highlight how entrenched those people’s power is. OpenAI, the entity behind ChatGPT, was created as a nonprofit to allow it to maximize the public interest rather than just maximize profit. When, however, its board fired Sam Altman, the chief executive, amid concerns that he was not taking that public interest seriously enough, investors and employees revolted. Five days later, Mr. Altman returned in triumph, with most of the inconvenient board members replaced. It occurs to me in retrospect that in my early games with ChatGPT, I misidentified my rival. I thought it was the technology itself. What I should have remembered is that technologies themselves are value neutral. The wealthy and powerful humans behind them — and the institutions created by those humans — are not. The truth is that no matter what I asked ChatGPT, in my early attempts to confound it, OpenAI came out ahead. Engineers had designed it to learn from its encounters with users. And regardless of whether its answers were good, they drew me back to engage with it again and again. A major goal of OpenAI’s, in this first year, has been to get people to use it. In pursuing my power games, then, I’ve done nothing but help it along. A.I. companies are working hard to fix their products’ flaws. With all the investment the companies are attracting, one imagines that some progress will be made. But even in a hypothetical world in which A.I.’s capabilities are perfected — maybe especially in that world — the power imbalance between A.I.’s creators and its users should make us wary of its insidious reach. ChatGPT’s seeming eagerness not just to introduce itself, to tell us what it is, but also to tell us who we are and what to think is a case in point. Today, when the technology is in its infancy, that power seems novel, even funny. Tomorrow it might not.

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Ask Amy: Is it fair to split the bill when everyone else drinks and you dont?

Dear Amy: How can I politely say no when friends are passing through town or vacationing here and ask if they can spend a couple of nights with us? I have never said no to anyone and have always been gracious to anyone staying in our home, but I find I really don’t enjoy it. I have extreme stress and anxiety days before they arrive, and also while they are here. My husband doesn’t understand my tirades over this. He welcomes anyone who wants to stay with us. I just don’t like people here with us 24 hours a day. I like my privacy at night to rest and read or watch television, and the last thing I want is to see faces at the breakfast table when I get up in the morning. I know this issue will be coming up soon again as one recent guest has already said he plans to be back in town early next year. Houseguests unsettle me, my lack of privacy is the issue, although I make sure they would never guess how I feel. I am tired of pretending it is fine that they are staying with us. How can I suggest that a hotel is a better choice when they ask to stay? I don’t want to offend anyone, but my mental health is more important to me than sharing my home with out-of-towners. How do I nicely say sorry, but no? – Not Saying No Dear Not Saying: Saying “no” firmly but kindly is an act of clarifying grace and, in your case, essential self-care. Your husband is the X-factor here, because he chooses not to recognize your extreme challenge, and then undermines you by being an automatic “yes” man. His behavior is supremely unfair to you, but if you are pretending that everything is OK during a visit, he may believe that you ultimately enjoy hosting. The first person you need to learn to say “no” to is the man you are sharing your home with. Your pre-visit “tirades” brought on by stress don’t seem to have impressed him. You could practice a “no” with these next self-invited guests: “You mentioned wanting to visit, but I’m finding it very hard to host lately, so hosting you in our home won’t be possible. I’ve found a number of nearby places you could look at to stay, and I’d be really happy to spend time with you during your time in town.” If you can’t bring yourself to either confront your husband about this or manage an emailed “no,” you will land with people at your breakfast table. Perhaps you should consider them to be essentially your husband’s guests. If so, you could either choose to stay elsewhere, or protect your privacy by spending as much time as possible alone, especially at both ends of the day. This is a change in your expected behavior, but – you must calmly and carefully take care of yourself. Dear Amy: My husband and I frequently go out for dinner with my brother and sister-in-law. Sometimes her sister and husband will join us. They are all drinkers, and we are not. (They usually have more than one drink). I don’t think it is fair that we pay for their alcohol every time we go out, but my husband and I both feel awkward asking for a separate check. I did ask once for them to buy their drinks before being seated, but that idea didn’t fly. Would love your thoughts on this sensitive issue. – Non-Drinker Dear Non-Drinker: This isn’t really that sensitive an issue, and you should not shy away from stating your own need and desire to go out, enjoy a meal, and pay for your meal separately. If the other two couples want to co-mingle their charges and split the cost down the middle, that’s up to them. You can ask the server directly: “Could you prepare a separate check for the two of us?” There is no need to dive into the awkwardness or explain this to the other diners. Your friends should accept your choice, resume ordering their meals, and not give it another thought. Dear Amy: “Exhausted Daughter” did not understand her mother’s life-long emotional distance. Thank you for suggesting that this daughter do some research about neurodivergence. I faced an analogous situation and receiving a diagnosis really helped everyone to understand that this behavior was not intended as a personal response. – Been There Dear Been There: I hope “Exhausted Daughter” can also receive some helpful insight. (You can email Amy Dickinson at askamy@amydickinson.com or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or Facebook.) ©2023 Amy Dickinson. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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Hamed Aleaziz Joining Washington Bureau

We’re excited to announce that Hamed Aleaziz, until recently a superb reporter at The Los Angeles Times, is joining the Washington bureau to cover immigration and the Department of Homeland Security. At The Los Angeles Times, Hamed was a scoop machine. He broke news about the Biden administration forcing out the head of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, about an accidental U.S. government leak of the personal information of thousands of ICE detainees seeking protection in the United States and a new effort to place migrant families on home curfews. He previously covered immigration at BuzzFeed News, where he broke stories on Biden and Trump policies, and was a Livingston Award finalist in 2021. Before joining BuzzFeed, he covered immigration, civil rights and breaking news at The San Francisco Chronicle. Hamed decided he wanted to be a journalist at the age of 10, when a feature story in The Oregonian documented his family’s immigration dilemma about having to return to Iran, where his older brother would not be able to get the critical medical care that he needed. The story sparked an outpouring of support and his parents later became U.S. citizens. Hamed spoke about the story and its impact on his life on NPR in 2020. Hamed graduated from the University of Oregon with a degree in journalism. His first day in the bureau was Monday. Please welcome him! — Elisabeth and Yara

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Dunkin sued by lactose intolerant customers over nondairy milk surcharge

A class action lawsuit against Massachusetts’ favorite coffee chain Dunkin’ claims that the company illegally charged extra to customers with lactose intolerance or milk allergies to use nondairy alternatives in their drinks. According to the lawsuit, filed last month in U.S. District Court in California, the use of nondairy milks like soy, almond, coconut and oat milk is medically necessary for these customers, and therefore the surcharge of between 50 cents and $2.15 is illegal under the Americans with Disabilities Act and other nondiscrimination laws in six states — including Massachusetts — where the named plaintiffs live. “Non-Dairy Alternatives, which do not contain lactose, are medically necessary for individuals with lactose intolerance and milk allergies,” the complaint says. “For those persons, the use of these Non-Dairy Alternatives is not a choice.” Dunkin’ did not immediately respond to a request for comment. According to the suit, the average price of a coffee drink at Dunkin’ in 2023 was $3.25. Depending on the store location and date, the nondairy surcharge changed, but at the maximum $2.15, the surcharge could be up to 40% of the average drink price. However, while it could be assumed that the surcharge is meant to cover an added cost for using nondairy milk, the plaintiffs argue that this is not the case. According to the complaint, whole milk costs between 3 and 5 cents per fluid ounce, half and half between 9 and 19 cents, and heavy cream between 17 and 32 cents. The price per fluid ounce of coconut, oat and soy milk is between 6 and 7 cents, and the price for almond milk is between 4 and 7 cents. The suit points out that the prices of whole milk, half and half and heavy cream, all of which are provided for free at the customer’s request, are the same, if not more, than nondairy milk, and estimates that Dunkin’ has profited by over $250 million from the surcharge since 2018. “Non-Dairy Alternative Surcharges are not to defray the added costs of use of these ingredients. Instead, the Surcharges are designed to profit from those consumers with lactose intolerance and milk allergies,” the complaint says. The number of customers affected is not small: according to the lawsuit, between 12 and 48% of adults in the United States are lactose intolerant. Attorneys for the plaintiffs have asked the court to award at least $5 million in damages to the class members and order Dunkin’ to stop charging extra for nondairy milk.

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Theres momentum at last for East-West Rail, but Postal Service still stands in the way

Just look at what’s happened lately. MassDOT is seeking $108 million from the feds for rail improvements between Springfield and Worcester. Governor Maura Healey set aside $8.5 million in her first proposed state budget for track upgrades in Pittsfield and $4 million for a station study and design in Palmer. A new commission reconvenes on Tuesday to hash out the best governing structure for passenger rail operations in Western Massachusetts. Amtrak and CSX are finally all aboard. And Senate President Karen Spilka was just out touring Palmer, where she pledged that it’s a matter of “when, not if” improved train service between Pittsfield and Boston gets done. After years of being stuck on the siding, East-West Rail sure seems like it’s on the right track now. Advertisement But there’s one big obstacle no one seems to be talking about: the US Postal Service’s sprawling mail-sorting complex along the Fort Point Channel. State officials can do all the track and station work they want out west. With the massive USPS facility blocking a South Station expansion in Boston, East-West Rail could be going nowhere. Get Trendlines A business newsletter from Globe Columnist Larry Edelman covering the trends shaping business and the economy in Boston and beyond. Enter Email Sign Up This isn’t just an issue for adding to Amtrak’s meager one-train-a-day, east-west service. The upcoming commuter rail expansions to Fall River and New Bedford can’t reach their full potential without more South Station capacity. Dreams of running frequent, subway-like service on the Fairmount line through Dorchester can’t really come true, either. South Station is jam-packed, at capacity. That’s why MassDOT has spent years nudging forward a South Station expansion, one with space for up to 10 tracks to augment the 13 there today. However, to pull it off, the USPS needs to move. An Amtrak train pulls into South Station. Expanding the station could allow the rail line to add service in Boston, including a long-planned route across Massachusetts. Pat Greenhouse/Globe Staff Representative Bill Straus, the longtime point person for transportation issues in the House, plans to raise the issue on Tuesday to the Western Massachusetts Passenger Rail Commission in Springfield. He wants to draw attention to the logjam while East-West Rail is in the spotlight. Advertisement Trying to dislodge the USPS from Fort Point has been a saga that has lasted for years, if not decades. Several previous state transportation secretaries told Straus they were optimistic a deal would get done. But it never has. And while the USPS no longer needs to be near rail lines, Straus notes there’s only one place South Station can expand: the property next door. About eight years ago, MassDOT seemed to be closing in on a deal that involved a land swap with the Massachusetts Port Authority. The USPS would have moved to Massport land in South Boston, off Pappas Way by the Reserved Channel, while Massport would have received some land that the USPS uses for parking near A Street, closer to downtown. Talks broke down as the value of the Postal Service’s land grew amid a development boom. MassDOT hasn’t given up. Spokeswoman Jacque Goddard said “high level discussions” were held last fall with the USPS about a relocation, and “the lines of communication remain open.” In other words, the ball is with the people who run the Postal Service. No word yet from them. Straus said he hopes Healey and her transportation secretary, Gina Fiandaca, will find a receptive audience with rail fans in the Biden administration, including possibly the president himself, and that the USPS can be convinced of the broader public good. (Trump-era appointee Louis DeJoy is still in charge, though.) The focus, Straus said, shouldn’t be on making a killing in the real estate market. Advertisement When asked about her East-West Rail efforts, Healey said she wants a fully functioning transportation system for the entire state. Translation: It’s not just about Greater Boston, and the beleaguered MBTA. To ensure that vision doesn’t get derailed, Healey is going to have to reckon with the South Station dilemma — and that means dealing with the post office. Jon Chesto can be reached at jon.chesto@globe.com. Follow him @jonchesto.

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Britains Economy Is Not Working. Here Are 2 Key Reasons.

In the countryside of Cambridgeshire, a British semiconductor start-up was ready to expand beyond its lab and open a manufacturing base. But the company’s ambitions came with unexpected costs to bring enough electricity to the new site. The potential bill? One million pounds. The company, Paragraf, makes chips using graphene, an ultrathin carbon. Its devices can be used to check for defects in electric vehicle batteries to prevent fires, or work in quantum computers. After acquiring the site in 2023, Paragraf made plans to ramp up its weekly manufacturing capabilities from tens of thousands of devices to millions. But the cost of increasing the power supply to the location, a result of years of underinvestment in Britain’s electricity grid, is diverting money — and time — from hiring and equipment purchases, said Simon Thomas, Paragraf’s chief executive. “Our biggest kind of advantage when you’re a company like ours is the pace you can move,” he said. Delays are “not just affecting what you can do now, it’s affecting how successful you’re going to be in the future,” he added. “It’s extremely frustrating.”

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See all homes sold in Cape Cod, Nov. 5 to Nov. 11

The following is a listing of all home transfers in Cape Cod reported from Nov. 5 to Nov. 11. There were 98 transactions posted during this time. During this period, the median sale for the area was a 1,519-square-foot home on Captain Chase Road in South Yarmouth that sold for $645,000. Brewster 235 Old Chatham Road, Brewster, $299,000, 1,664 square feet, $180 per square-foot, three bedrooms and two bathrooms. 149 Fiddlers Lane, Brewster, $350,000, 864 square feet, $405 per square-foot, two bedrooms and one bathroom. 25 Hannah Road, Brewster, $880,000, 1,260 square feet, $698 per square-foot, three bedrooms and two bathrooms. 118 Seaway Road, Brewster, $1,100,000, 1,040 square feet, $1,058 per square-foot, three bedrooms and one bathroom. 129 Pond Street, Brewster, $1,110,000, 2,276 square feet, $488 per square-foot, three bedrooms and three bathrooms. 131 Owl Pond Road, Brewster, $1,280,000, 2,318 square feet, $552 per square-foot, three bedrooms and four bathrooms. 201 Ambergris Circle, Brewster, $1,400,000, 1,897 square feet, $738 per square-foot, four bedrooms and three bathrooms. Buzzards Bay 52 Ships View Terrace, Buzzards Bay, $345,000, 864 square feet, $399 per square-foot, one bedroom and one bathroom. Centerville 155 Five Corners Road, Centerville, $475,000, 1,764 square feet, $269 per square-foot, three bedrooms and two bathrooms. 40 Richardson Road, Centerville, $575,000, 1,366 square feet, $421 per square-foot, three bedrooms and two bathrooms. 86 Cottonwood Lane, Centerville, $605,000, 1,144 square feet, $529 per square-foot, three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Chatham 76 Orleans Road, Chatham, $600,000, 1,040 square feet, $577 per square-foot, two bedrooms and two bathrooms. 41 Earles Way, Chatham, $1,050,000, 1,660 square feet, $633 per square-foot, three bedrooms and three bathrooms. Cotuit 49 Windmill Lane, Cotuit, $560,000, 1,694 square feet, $331 per square-foot, three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Dennis 40 Compass Lane, Dennis, $649,000, 1,248 square feet, $520 per square-foot, two bedrooms and two bathrooms. 31 Gages Road, Dennis, $665,000, 780 square feet, $853 per square-foot, two bedrooms and one bathroom. 42 Scarsdale Road, Dennis, $1,276,000, 1,596 square feet, $799 per square-foot, four bedrooms and two bathrooms. Dennis Port 55 Oak Street, Dennis Port, $762,000, 852 square feet, $894 per square-foot, three bedrooms and two bathrooms. 15 Beach Pine Road, Dennis Port, $1,000,000, 1,511 square feet, $662 per square-foot, three bedrooms and three bathrooms. East Falmouth 573 Carriage Shop Road, East Falmouth, $315,000, 1,152 square feet, $273 per square-foot, two bedrooms and two bathrooms. 82 Ashton Ave., East Falmouth, $368,000, 1,540 square feet, $239 per square-foot, three bedrooms and two bathrooms. 88 Candace Way, East Falmouth, $540,000, 1,002 square feet, $539 per square-foot, three bedrooms and two bathrooms. 106 Sailfish Drive, East Falmouth, $675,000, 1,288 square feet, $524 per square-foot, two bedrooms and two bathrooms. 86 Vidal Ave., East Falmouth, $750,000, 3,733 square feet, $201 per square-foot, six bedrooms and four bathrooms. 22 Mill Farm Way, East Falmouth, $785,000, 2,161 square feet, $363 per square-foot, three bedrooms and four bathrooms. 44 Pinewood Drive, East Falmouth, $829,535, 2,268 square feet, $366 per square-foot, three bedrooms and three bathrooms. 137 Cairn Ridge Road, East Falmouth, $1,120,000, 2,853 square feet, $393 per square-foot, three bedrooms and three bathrooms. 64 Moonpenny Lane, East Falmouth, $2,600,000, 4,064 square feet, $640 per square-foot, three bedrooms and four bathrooms. East Sandwich 4 Wolf Hill Road, East Sandwich, $900,000, 1,994 square feet, $451 per square-foot, three bedrooms and four bathrooms. Eastham 1061 State Highway, Eastham, $238,000, 252 square feet, $944 per square-foot, one bedroom and one bathroom. 310 Windjammer Lane, Eastham, $1,100,000, 2,118 square feet, $519 per square-foot, three bedrooms and three bathrooms. Falmouth 110 Dillingham Ave., Falmouth, $550,000, 1,183 square feet, $465 per square-foot, two bedrooms and two bathrooms. 47 Two Ponds Road, Falmouth, $705,000, 1,548 square feet, $455 per square-foot, three bedrooms and two bathrooms. 60 Oyster Pond Road, Falmouth, $920,000, 2,029 square feet, $453 per square-foot, three bedrooms and two bathrooms. 15 Keel de Sac, Falmouth, $1,000,000, 1,516 square feet, $660 per square-foot, two bedrooms and three bathrooms. 50 Nemasket Road, Falmouth, $2,500,000, 1,008 square feet, $2,480 per square-foot, three bedrooms and one bathroom. Forestdale 6 Pleasant Wood Drive, Forestdale, $610,000, 1,512 square feet, $403 per square-foot, three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Harwich 62 Long Road, Harwich, $430,000, 1,792 square feet, $240 per square-foot, four bedrooms and two bathrooms. 6 Argyle Way, Harwich, $599,000, 1,192 square feet, $503 per square-foot, three bedrooms and two bathrooms. 6 Jans Path, Harwich, $650,000, 1,724 square feet, $377 per square-foot, three bedrooms and two bathrooms. 6 Tupelo Drive, Harwich, $735,000, 1,192 square feet, $617 per square-foot, three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Harwich Port 19 Monomoy Road, Harwich Port, $1,875,000, 2,853 square feet, $657 per square-foot, four bedrooms and four bathrooms. Hyannis 800 Bearses Way, Hyannis, $305,000, 1,144 square feet, $267 per square-foot, three bedrooms and two bathrooms. 35 Alden Way, Hyannis, $431,200, 654 square feet, $659 per square-foot, two bedrooms and one bathroom. Mashpee 174 Lowell Road, Mashpee, $365,000, 1,404 square feet, $260 per square-foot, two bedrooms and three bathrooms. 17 Windsor Way, Mashpee, $418,000, 1,476 square feet, $283 per square-foot, four bedrooms and three bathrooms. 14 Holly Farm Drive, Mashpee, $492,500, 1,428 square feet, $345 per square-foot, four bedrooms and two bathrooms. 15 Executive Drive, Mashpee, $510,000, 1,685 square feet, $303 per square-foot, two bedrooms and three bathrooms. 17 Valley Road, Mashpee, $539,900, 1,232 square feet, $438 per square-foot, two bedrooms and two bathrooms. 18 Chadwick Court, Mashpee, $710,000, 1,615 square feet, $440 per square-foot, two bedrooms and three bathrooms. 119 James Circle, Mashpee, $980,000, 2,416 square feet, $406 per square-foot, four bedrooms and three bathrooms. Orleans 18 West Road, Orleans, $429,000, 1,198 square feet, $358 per square-foot, two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Osterville 151 Hollingsworth Road, Osterville, $1,050,000, 1,428 square feet, $735 per square-foot, three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Pocasset 1 Hawthorne Court, Pocasset, $395,000, 1,615 square feet, $245 per square-foot, two bedrooms and three bathrooms. Provincetown 202A Bradford Street, Provincetown, $750,000, 823 square feet, $911 per square-foot, two bedrooms and one bathroom. 175 Bradford Street Extension, Provincetown, $1,425,000, 1,085 square feet, $1,313 per square-foot, two bedrooms and two bathrooms. 27 Pearl Street, Provincetown, $1,795,000, 2,050 square feet, $876 per square-foot, four bedrooms and two bathrooms. Sagamore Beach 3 Maria Ave., Sagamore Beach, $875,000, 1,930 square feet, $453 per square-foot, three bedrooms and three bathrooms. Sandwich 27 Feake Ave., Sandwich, $250,000, 1,020 square feet, $245 per square-foot, one bedroom and one bathroom. 18 Nauset Street, Sandwich, $399,000, 1,440 square feet, $277 per square-foot, three bedrooms and two bathrooms. 2 Ground Cover Lane, Sandwich, $1,795,000, 3,601 square feet, $498 per square-foot, four bedrooms and five bathrooms. 10 Parsonage Way, Sandwich, $2,550,000, 3,345 square feet, $762 per square-foot, four bedrooms and four bathrooms. South Dennis 19 Nautical Way, South Dennis, $219,164, 912 square feet, $240 per square-foot, two bedrooms and one bathroom. 432 Old Chatham Road, South Dennis, $330,000, 1,023 square feet, $323 per square-foot, two bedrooms and one bathroom. 6 Agnes Road, South Dennis, $601,000, 1,178 square feet, $510 per square-foot, three bedrooms and two bathrooms. South Yarmouth 51 Swift Brook Road, South Yarmouth, $485,000, 864 square feet, $561 per square-foot, two bedrooms and one bathroom. 6 Mercury Drive, South Yarmouth, $500,000, 720 square feet, $694 per square-foot, two bedrooms and one bathroom. 239 Pleasant Street, South Yarmouth, $520,000, 1,525 square feet, $341 per square-foot, three bedrooms and three bathrooms. 43 Reflection Way, South Yarmouth, $550,000, 1,544 square feet, $356 per square-foot, three bedrooms and three bathrooms. 35 Fairwood Road, South Yarmouth, $637,500, 2,262 square feet, $282 per square-foot, four bedrooms and three bathrooms. 100 Captain Chase Road, South Yarmouth, $645,000, 1,519 square feet, $425 per square-foot, two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Teaticket 402 Teaticket Highway, Teaticket, $425,000, 1,080 square feet, $394 per square-foot, four bedrooms and one bathroom. 115 Brick Kiln Road, Teaticket, $440,000, 688 square feet, $640 per square-foot, two bedrooms and one bathroom. 24 Montauk Street, Teaticket, $635,000, 1,152 square feet, $551 per square-foot, four bedrooms and one bathroom. 25 Lawrence Street, Teaticket, $950,000, 1,792 square feet, $530 per square-foot, three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Truro 125 Shore Road, Truro, $425,000, 424 square feet, $1,002 per square-foot, one bedroom and one bathroom. 11 Hughes Road, Truro, $450,000, 430 square feet, $1,047 per square-foot, one bedroom and one bathroom. 54 Highland Road, Truro, $602,555, 1,331 square feet, $453 per square-foot, four bedrooms and one bathroom. 16 Moses Way, Truro, $980,000, 1,729 square feet, $567 per square-foot, four bedrooms and three bathrooms. Wellfleet 84 Kelley Way, Wellfleet, $420,000, 1,986 square feet, $211 per square-foot, four bedrooms and two bathrooms. 115 Pineneedle Road, Wellfleet, $685,000, 2,528 square feet, $271 per square-foot, three bedrooms and three bathrooms. 16 Whimbrel Way, Wellfleet, $720,000, 2,510 square feet, $287 per square-foot, four bedrooms and four bathrooms. 422 Old Kings Highway, Wellfleet, $899,900, 1,918 square feet, $469 per square-foot, three bedrooms and three bathrooms. 383 Eastwind Circle, Wellfleet, $955,000, 2,883 square feet, $331 per square-foot, three bedrooms and two bathrooms. West Barnstable 410 Cedar Street, West Barnstable, $670,000, 1,663 square feet, $403 per square-foot, three bedrooms and three bathrooms. West Dennis 3 Allain Way, West Dennis, $320,000, 676 square feet, $473 per square-foot, two bedrooms and two bathrooms. 17 Bayberry Road, West Dennis, $580,000, 884 square feet, $656 per square-foot, two bedrooms and one bathroom. 28 Shore Road, West Dennis, $710,000, 924 square feet, $768 per square-foot, three bedrooms and one bathroom. West Harwich 36 Arbutus Ave., West Harwich, $685,900, 1,339 square feet, $512 per square-foot, three bedrooms and two bathrooms. West Yarmouth 21 Yelverton Lane, West Yarmouth, $517,000, 888 square feet, $582 per square-foot, two bedrooms and one bathroom. 57 Town Brook Road, West Yarmouth, $530,000, 1,333 square feet, $398 per square-foot, three bedrooms and two bathrooms. 17 Woodcrest Lane, West Yarmouth, $687,000, 1,632 square feet, $421 per square-foot, three bedrooms and four bathrooms. Yarmouth Port 46 Rhine Road, Yarmouth Port, $224,400, 912 square feet, $246 per square-foot, two bedrooms and one bathroom. 45 Frances Helen Road, Yarmouth Port, $323,100, 720 square feet, $449 per square-foot, two bedrooms and one bathroom. 44 Mary David Road, Yarmouth Port, $335,000, 720 square feet, $465 per square-foot, two bedrooms and one bathroom. 43 Pompano Road, Yarmouth Port, $750,000, 1,626 square feet, $461 per square-foot, three bedrooms and three bathrooms. 450 Route 6a, Yarmouth Port, $899,900, 3,303 square feet, $272 per square-foot, five bedrooms and five bathrooms. 179 Country Club Drive, Yarmouth Port, $1,210,000, 2,954 square feet, $410 per square-foot, three bedrooms and four bathrooms. Real Estate Newswire is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to generate analysis of data from Propmix, an aggregator of national real-estate data. See more Real Estate News

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WooSox owners reach agreement to sell team (report)

It didn’t take long for Worcester Red Sox principal owner and chairman Larry Lucchino to find a new ownership group for the Red Sox’s minor league affiliate. An industry source told The Boston Globe’s Michael Silverman that Diamond Baseball Holdings has “reached an agreement” to buy the WooSox. The deal, per Silverman, still needs to be approved by MLB. The team moved to Worcester three years ago after 47 years in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. The WooSox played their first season at Polar Park in April 2021 after signing a 35-year lease. They’ll still continue to play in Worcester for the next 32 years. Lucchino was part of the ownership group that bought the then-PawSox in 2015 and helped relocate them to the Heart of the Commonwealth in a deal reached in 2018. But he announced on the “UnAcnhored Boston” podcast earlier this month that it “was time” to sell the team. $200 INSTANT BONUS DRAFTKINGS MASS CLAIM OFFER BET $5, GET $200 BONUS BET FANDUEL MASS CLAIM OFFER BET $50, GET $250 BONUS CAESARS MASS CLAIM OFFER $1,000 FIRST-BET BONUS BETMGM MASS CLAIM OFFER MA only. 21+. Gambling Problem? If you or a loved one is experiencing problems with gambling, please call 1-800-327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org for 24/7 support. LiveChat with a GameSense Advisor at GameSenseMA.com or call 1-800-GAM-1234 MA Gambling Helpline. MA only. 21+. Gambling Problem? If you or a loved one is experiencing problems with gambling, please call 1-800-327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org for 24/7 support. LiveChat with a GameSense Advisor at GameSenseMA.com or call 1-800-GAM-1234 MA Gambling Helpline. “I’m now 78. I’ve been at this for over 40 years so it’s time to sell this team and move on to a blissful retirement,” Lucchino told co-hosts Bob Lobel and Mike Lynch. Lucchino long has been an executive in baseball, beginning his career in 1988 as Baltimore Orioles team president. It’s unknown how much the WooSox sold for. Although he’ll no longer own the Worcester Red Sox, Lucchino will continue to stay on as chairman. Enter your email address here to receive the Fenway Rundown email newsletter in your inbox every Wednesday. Other Red Sox affiliates under Diamond Baseball Holdings include the Portland Sea Dogs and Salem Red Sox. In total, they own and operate 25 Minor League Baseball teams. “Diamond Baseball Holdings (DBH) is committed to elevating fan experiences, creating “centers of energy,” fostering dynamic engagements for brands and highlighting the evolution of the Minor League Baseball environment,” the website states. “It is grounded in a deep-rooted appreciation for traditions, community and the sport of baseball.” The WooSox begin their 2024 season on the road against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs on March 29. They finished seventh in all of Minor League Baseball in total attendance (519,651) for 2023, according to Baseball America.

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WooSox owners reach agreement to sell team (report)

It didn’t take long for Worcester Red Sox principal owner and chairman Larry Lucchino to find a new ownership group for the Red Sox’s minor league affiliate. An industry source told The Boston Globe’s Michael Silverman that Diamond Baseball Holdings has “reached an agreement” to buy the WooSox. The deal, per Silverman, still needs to be approved by MLB. The team moved to Worcester three years ago after 47 years in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. The WooSox played their first season at Polar Park in April 2021 after signing a 35-year lease. They’ll still continue to play in Worcester for the next 32 years. Lucchino was part of the ownership group that bought the then-PawSox in 2015 and helped relocate them to the Heart of the Commonwealth in a deal reached in 2018. But he announced on the “UnAcnhored Boston” podcast earlier this month that it “was time” to sell the team. $200 INSTANT BONUS DRAFTKINGS MASS CLAIM OFFER BET $5, GET $200 BONUS BET FANDUEL MASS CLAIM OFFER BET $50, GET $250 BONUS CAESARS MASS CLAIM OFFER $1,000 FIRST-BET BONUS BETMGM MASS CLAIM OFFER MA only. 21+. Gambling Problem? If you or a loved one is experiencing problems with gambling, please call 1-800-327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org for 24/7 support. LiveChat with a GameSense Advisor at GameSenseMA.com or call 1-800-GAM-1234 MA Gambling Helpline. MA only. 21+. Gambling Problem? If you or a loved one is experiencing problems with gambling, please call 1-800-327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org for 24/7 support. LiveChat with a GameSense Advisor at GameSenseMA.com or call 1-800-GAM-1234 MA Gambling Helpline. “I’m now 78. I’ve been at this for over 40 years so it’s time to sell this team and move on to a blissful retirement,” Lucchino told co-hosts Bob Lobel and Mike Lynch. Lucchino long has been an executive in baseball, beginning his career in 1988 as Baltimore Orioles team president. It’s unknown how much the WooSox sold for. Although he’ll no longer own the Worcester Red Sox, Lucchino will continue to stay on as chairman. Enter your email address here to receive the Fenway Rundown email newsletter in your inbox every Wednesday. Other Red Sox affiliates under Diamond Baseball Holdings include the Portland Sea Dogs and Salem Red Sox. In total, they own and operate 25 Minor League Baseball teams. “Diamond Baseball Holdings (DBH) is committed to elevating fan experiences, creating “centers of energy,” fostering dynamic engagements for brands and highlighting the evolution of the Minor League Baseball environment,” the website states. “It is grounded in a deep-rooted appreciation for traditions, community and the sport of baseball.” The WooSox begin their 2024 season on the road against the Lehigh Valley IronPigs on March 29. They finished seventh in all of Minor League Baseball in total attendance (519,651) for 2023, according to Baseball America.

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Dakin Humane Society sells Leverett facility to Better Together Dog Rescue

LEVERETT — Dakin Humane Society announced Wednesday that it has sold its former animal shelter at 63 Montague Road in Leverett to Better Together Dog Rescue. The news release didn’t include a sales price for the 3,480-square-foot building on 5 acres of land. But records at the Franklin County Registry of Deeds show the sale was for $575,000.

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Regulators Approve New Type of Bitcoin Fund, in Boon for Crypto Industry

Federal regulators on Wednesday approved a new financial product that tracks the price of Bitcoin, a landmark moment for the cryptocurrency industry that proponents hope will increase investment in the technology. The Securities and Exchange Commission authorized 11 applications to offer exchange-traded funds tied to Bitcoin, a potentially simpler way for people to invest in digital assets. Some of the largest financial firms in the world, including the asset managers BlackRock and Fidelity, were approved to offer the products, known as E.T.F.s, which could begin trading as soon as Thursday on traditional platforms like the Nasdaq. The approvals were hailed as a sign that mainstream financial institutions remain willing to deal in digital currencies even after 18 months of market crashes and high-profile bankruptcies. Since the fall, Bitcoin’s price has surged more than 60 percent, as traders bet that approval of the new crypto products would give the industry an imprimatur of regulatory legitimacy, drawing fresh investment from professional wealth managers and amateur traders. The price of Bitcoin shot up on Tuesday after a post appeared on the S.E.C.’s official X account announcing the approval of the E.T.F.s, but dropped swiftly when Gary Gensler, the S.E.C. chair, said the agency’s account had been hacked.

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Serious Medical Errors Rose After Private Equity Firms Bought Hospitals

The rate of serious medical complications increased in hospitals after they were purchased by private equity investment firms, according to a major study of the effects of such acquisitions on patient care in recent years. The study, published in JAMA on Tuesday, found that, in the three years after a private equity fund bought a hospital, adverse events including surgical infections and bed sores rose by 25 percent among Medicare patients when compared with similar hospitals that were not bought by such investors. The researchers reported a nearly 38 percent increase in central line infections, a dangerous kind of infection that medical authorities say should never happen, and a 27 percent increase in falls by patients while staying in the hospital. “We were not surprised there was a signal,” said Dr. Sneha Kannan, a health care researcher and physician at the division of pulmonary and critical care at Massachusetts General Hospital, who was the paper’s lead author. “I will say we were surprised at how strong it was.” Although the researchers found a significant rise in medical errors, they also saw a slight decrease (of nearly 5 percent) in the rate of patients who died during their hospital stay. The researchers believe other changes, like a shift toward healthier patients admitted to the hospitals, could explain that decline. And by 30 days after patients were discharged, there was no significant difference in the death rates between hospitals.

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Valley Opportunity Council, continuing downtown Chicopee investment, buys closed Polish National branch

CHICOPEE — The Valley Opportunity Council — seeking to provide parking for its redevelopment of 30 Center St. — has purchased the former Polish National Credit Union branch at 244 Exchange St. for $418,000. The sale was recorded at the Hampden County Registry of Deeds Dec. 12. Polish National Credit Union closed the Exchange Street branch in 2020 as part of its strategic plan. It has two other branches nearby — 46 Main St. and 923 Front St. — and Valley Opportunity Council will continue a lease with the credit union allowing it to keep its smart ATM at 244 Exchange, said Stephen C. Huntley, executive director at Valley Opportunity Council. “We have been trying to inch-by-inch improve the neighborhood there,” Huntley said. This is the fourth property Valley Opportunity Council has purchased in the Chicopee Center downtown following problem properties at 30 Center St., The Kendall at 25 Springfield St. and 48 Center St., a building that houses the Greater Chicopee Chamber of Commerce among other tenants. Huntley said 30 Center St. does not abut 244 Exchange St. to the rear, but it is very close. “We don’t want to hurt that neighborhood by taking away parking as we redevelop,” he said. Purchased by Valley Opportunity Council in 2022 for $1.35 million, 30 Center Street has four apartments now and room for four more. Its three storefronts are rented: Hot Oven Cookies, Moda Mia clothing store for women and Island Spice Restaurant. As for the bank branch building, which dates from 1971 according to city records, Huntley said Valley Opportunity Council is seeking a new tenant. The branch office building and its parking lot, both bought by Valley Opportunity Council, total just more than a half-acre of land. Huntley said the purchase price was funded out of the agency’s reserves. Also coming soon is Valley Opportunity Council’s project to convert the Belcher School into new apartments.

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Boston Police union, city reach tentative 5-year contract deal

The city has reached a deal with the largest union representing officers of the Boston Police Department, the Herald has learned. The city and the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association have reached a 5-year tentative contract deal that is pending ratification by the union members. “We are glad to have reached a tentative agreement at the negotiating table for a five-year collective bargaining contract between the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association and the City of Boston,” Mayor Michelle Wu and BPPA President Larry Calderone said in a joint statement shared with the Herald. “This tentative agreement reflects our shared focus on ensuring safety across every neighborhood through community policing and providing necessary resources for the health and well-being of officers and their families. We are especially grateful to all the Boston Police officers who serve our city day and night with professionalism and dedication,” the statement continued. The deal took place during a “flurry of meetings over the last few days” that included Wu’s direct participation, according to a source familiar with the matter, that finalized early Friday morning. The details The basics of the deal, according to multiple sources familiar with the matter, include changes to arbitration rules, the officer discipline system, medical leave management, the detail system that has been under fire in recent months and “union retention time,” which is how union business is managed during official job time. The deal includes full retroactive pay and incentive benefits for current officers and retirees at 2% for 2020, 1.5% for 2021, 2% for 2022, 1% for 2023 and 2.5% for 2024, according to a source familiar with the matter. It also includes additional money for the department’s transitional career advancement program to the tune of about $350 a week for an officer of five years, $380 per week for those with 10 years in and $420 per week for those with 15 years of experience. The educational incentive program has added six new approved colleges and six new approved majors for undergraduate degrees, according to the source. The paid details will be $60 per hour for standard works, whereas work in special areas including main arteries pay $75 per hour with a bump to $80 per hour next year for “priority” jobs. The City Council will still need to vote on the contract. The firefighter’s contract was referred to a committee hearing before a vote was taken at a subsequent regular meeting.

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Springfield Pharmacy, city plan 10 to 2 apartments with North End redevelopment

SPRINGFIELD — Locally owned Springfield Pharmacy has the prescription for the city’s housing shortage. In an agreement finalized last month, Springfield Pharmacy bought the now-vacant lot at Main and Waverly streets in the Memorial Square neighborhood for $30,000. As part of the deal filed with the Hampden County Registry of Deeds on Dec. 28, Springfield Pharmacy also promises the city to build affordable housing. Right now, the plan is to build a larger, 3,000- or 3,200-square-foot drug store with a nextdoor medically-related commercial space on the first floor with 10 to 12 affordable apartments upstairs, said Tobias Billups, a co-owner of the drug store with partner Alexander Wu. It’s a $4 million to $6 million project that‘s still in its early stages and at least 6 to 8 months away from groundbreaking, Billups said. Read more: Housing study calls for 17,000 more apartments across the Pioneer Valley amid affordability ‘crisis’ “It’s obviously wise for me, but it does benefit the community,” he said. “We’re a good neighbor.” “And I’m busting out at the seams.” They’ve owned the pharmacy since 2019 and need to grow. The current location has a Main Street address, but is back off the street. Growing in the North End is a natural progression. Tobias Billups, owner of Springfield Pharmacy in Springfield's North End, has purchased an empty lot at Main and Waverly streets in Springfield and will be building a new pharmacy with apartments above. (Don Treeger / The Republican)The Republican “We try to give back as much as we get from the community as we can, maybe little bit more,” he said. Springfield Pharmacy didn’t just want to get a larger store. Billups said the partners wanted to own the new space instead of leasing, as he does now. The city advertised repeatedly for developers interested in taking over over the parcel, said Chief Development Officer Timothy Sheehan. “I don’t think there was much success the first couple of times,” he said. The property — measuring 14,174 square feet or about a third of an acre — was once the site of a four-story apartment building that burned and was demolished in 1998. Today, the land is zoned for business and was assessed for tax purposes at $72,700. The site is just opposite the Puerto Rico Market & Bakery and a few blocks from Baystate Medical Center. The city took the property in 1997 from owners Brightwood Development Corp. for nonpayment of taxes, according to documents on file at the Hampden County Registry of Deeds. Brightwood bought it at a mortgage foreclosure auction in 1993, also according to documents at the registry. A photo from 1939 shows a handsome tree-shaded four-story apartment block with a grocery, Waverly Cash Market, on the corner. It was owned by Jacob Chiz, according to a city directory from that year. This 1939 photo from Springfield city files shows the four-story apartment building that once stood at Main and Waverly streets in the city's North End. (Photo courtesy of the city of Springfield) The Springfield Pharmacy proposal is exactly the kind of infill development the city wants to encourage in the business districts, Sheehan said. The storefronts up and down Main Street in the North End are mostly filled, he said. And the city has a long-standing shortage of livable apartments. Fire has claimed much-needed apartments in the neighborhood over the years, said Jose Claudio, the chief operating officer of the New North Citizens’ Council. Billups and Wu met with the council a few years ago to discuss expansion, Claudio said. “I said the neighborhood needs housing,” Claudio said. “It makes sense for him to build it. That’s a home run for the neighborhood.”

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Stocks Are in a Bull Market. What Does That Mean?

You have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load. Stocks Are in a Bull Market. What Does That Mean? It doesn’t mean stocks will continue to rise indefinitely, but it does reflect a generally optimistic outlook on Wall Street. Share full article

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A Once Despairing Sandwich Shop Owner Sees a Miracle

Joe Faillace looked out the front windows of his sandwich shop this month and barely recognized the neighborhood where he has worked for almost 40 years. There were no tents within view, no emergency sirens, no campfires, no drug users slumped over on his patio or the sidewalk. Instead, he saw customers walking down quiet, clean streets toward his restaurant in time for a lunch rush that now doubles his average daily sales from early in the year. “The difference over the last six months is something I never believed was even possible,” he said. “It’s an entirely new place. Every day feels like a miracle.” The transformation is in fact the result of a fractious, litigious and arduous process that has consumed much of downtown Phoenix since Sept. 20, when a Maricopa County judge ordered the city to clear away its largest homeless encampment, a tent city of more than 1,000 residents known as The Zone. The judge ruled that the encampment had become a public nuisance, a place of “lawlessness and chaos” with such high rates of crime that it violated the rights of local businesses, and therefore needed to be removed within 45 days. The city spent more than $30 million to open three homeless shelters in October and then worked with a team of local nonprofits to clean up The Zone block by block. Outreach workers offered temporary shelter to more than 700 people living in The Zone, and 585 eventually accepted help and chose to move indoors. The city also added 362 transitional beds for longer-term housing and turned a nearby parking lot into a sanctioned camping area with security and portable restrooms; a few dozen people now pitch their tents there.

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Why Astronauts From Italy, Sweden and Turkey Are Flying Commercial

A private mission launched four astronauts to the International Space Station on Thursday. Unlike on earlier such flights, none of the passengers are wealthy space tourists paying their own way to orbit. Instead, three of the crew members are sponsored by their nations — Italy, Sweden and Turkey. For Turkey, the crew member is the country’s first astronaut. The flight, by Axiom Space of Houston, is part of a new era where nations no longer have to build their own rockets and spacecraft to undertake a human spaceflight program. Now they can simply purchase rides from a commercial company, almost like buying a plane ticket. The astronauts were riding in a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule on top of a Falcon 9 rocket, launching from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. After a day’s delay for additional checks of the vehicle, the countdown proceeded smoothly, the rocket’s engines lighting up at 4:49 p.m. Eastern time. The spacecraft is expected to arrive at the space station early Saturday morning. The private astronaut mission, Ax-3, is the third for Axiom, which is also developing its own space station and making new spacesuits for NASA. It chartered this rocket flight from SpaceX, and has been sending paying customers for two-week stays at the International Space Station since 2022. In 2019, NASA opened up its part of the space station to visitors, a reversal from earlier policies. (Russia has hosted a series of space tourists on the International Space Station since 2001.)

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Chinas Rising Debt Spurs Moodys to Lower Credit Outlook

The lowering of the credit outlook nonetheless marks an important milestone for China’s economy. Until recently, China had seemingly unlimited money to spend on the world’s largest bullet train network, a vast military buildup, subsidies to manufacturers and extensive overseas construction projects. Today China faces increasingly serious budget constraints, triggered mainly by a steep slide in the real estate sector. The construction of apartments, factories, office towers and other projects has been the country’s largest industry, accounting for 25 percent of economic output. Apartments are also the main investment for most households, accounting for three-fifths or more of their savings. While borrowing by China’s national government has been limited, local and regional governments and state-owned enterprises have borrowed heavily for the last 15 years. The money the local governments pulled in from lenders has generated high economic growth, but many of them are now in serious trouble. For China, the change in the credit outlook will have little direct effect on its finances. Unlike many countries, China relies very little on overseas borrowing. The national government mainly sells bonds to the country’s state-owned banks. The country’s regional and local governments and state-owned enterprises also sell bonds to them.

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10 least expensive homes sold in Worcester County, Dec. 10-16

A house in West Boylston that sold for $109,924 tops the list of the most affordable residential real estate sales in Worcester County in the past week. In total, 302 residential real estate sales were recorded in the county during the past week, with an average price of $479,573, or $280 per square foot. The prices in the list below concern real estate sales where the title was recorded during the week of Dec. 10, though the property may have been sold earlier.

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Eversource to give update on power restoration in Massachusetts Tuesday

Eversource Energy plans to update its customers on power restoration in Massachusetts Tuesday morning in the wake of Monday’s storm, which knocked out power to hundreds of thousand of people. President of Regional Electric Operations Craig Hallstrom is set to speak during a livestream at 11 a.m. that will be broadcast on the energy company’s Facebook page, according to the utility company. According to Eversource’s live power outage map, just under 46,000, or about 3.8%, of home and businesses served by the company in eastern Massachusetts were still without power by 9:45 a.m. Virtually none of Eversource’s customers in Western Massachusetts were affected by this time, according to the map. “We have hundreds of crews on the ground working, but with outages being so widespread, it will take some time,” Hallstrom said in a Monday press release. “We are bringing additional contract crews on to support our restoration effort, and our employees are committed to working around-the-clock until all of our customers affected by this storm have their power back.” National Grid said in an email to MassLive Tuesday morning that it would provide an update on power restoration via a press release later that morning. “We understand the frustrations around power outages across Massachusetts, especially as we approach a major holiday weekend,” the energy company wrote on social media Tuesday morning. “Additional crews are being allocated to the hardest-hit areas and are working around the clock to restore service to all of our customers as quickly and safely as conditions allow.” According to National Grid’s live power outage map, over 2,200 outages across Massachusetts were affecting over 73,000 customers as of 9:45 a.m. The energy company said in a press release Monday evening that it had already restored power to 127,000 customers. Power outages across Massachusetts reached a peak of over 285,000 customers affected Monday amid record-breaking high winds. By Tuesday morning, over 134,000 homes and businesses were still without power, forcing many schools in Plymouth and Norfolk County to close for the day. As of 9:45 a.m., just under 120,000 customers in Massachusetts were still without power, according to Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency’s live power outage map.

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Celebrate bear brothers 18th birthday at the Stone Zoo in Stoneham this Jan.

Looking for a beary good time this January? Then party it up with two bears that are celebrating their 18th birthday later this month. The Stone Zoo in Stoneham is throwing a birthday bash to help black bears Smokey and Bubba celebrate reaching adulthood (in human terms) on Saturday, Jan. 13. The zoo will decorate the brothers’ habitat for the occasion while guests can sign a card for the birthday boys. You can also snap a selfie with the zoo’s bear mascot to memorialize the occasion. Read More: Bear caught trying to break into chicken coop in Sterling while owners away The party will start at 10 a.m. with a training session from the bears’ care team. It will last until 2:30 p.m. and a full schedule can be found on the zoo’s website. The event is rain or shine and is included with general admission. Tickets can be bought online. The Stone Zoo is located at 149 Pond St. in Stoneham.

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Single-family house sells for $3.5 million in Wellesley

A spacious house built in 1953 located at 19 Radcliffe Road in Wellesley has new owners. The 3,582-square-foot property was sold on Dec. 15, 2023. The $3,500,000 purchase price works out to $977 per square foot. The property features four bedrooms and four bathrooms. The unit sits on a 0.5-acre lot. Additional houses have recently been purchased nearby:

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business

Google Allows More App Payment Options in Antitrust Deal With States

Google said on Monday that it would allow developers on its Play app store to offer direct payment options to users and would pay $700 million to settle an antitrust suit brought by state attorneys general, in the company’s latest move to navigate increased regulatory scrutiny of its power. The suit, brought in July 2021, accused Google’s app store of abusing its market power and forcing aggressive terms on software developers. The tech giant is facing several antitrust challenges in the United States, including a trial in which the federal government claims Google has abused its dominance in online search. In its announcement on Monday, Google said it would now allow apps to charge consumers directly rather than having to charge through Google. The company will pay $630 million to create a settlement fund for consumers, as well as pay $70 million into a fund to be used by the states. To highlight the choice that users have in how they download apps, Google reaffirmed that phone makers, like Samsung, that use the Android mobile operating system can continue installing multiple app stores on their devices in addition to Google’s Play Store. The settlement was announced in September, though details were not released. Google hopes that the settlement will act as a template for resolutions with other critics of its Play Store policies, including Epic Games — the maker of the popular game Fortnite — which won an antitrust lawsuit against Google last week, according to a person familiar with the matter.

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Chinas Economy Grew Last Year, but Strains Lurk Behind the Numbers

Car production set records in China last year. Restaurants and hotels were increasingly full. Construction of new factories surged. Yet China’s economic strengths conceal weaknesses. Deep discounts helped drive car sales, particularly for electric cars. Diners and travelers chose cheaper dishes and less expensive hotels. Many factories ran at half capacity or less because of weak demand inside China, and are working to export more to make up for it. China’s economy grew 5.2 percent last year as it rebounded from nearly three years of stringent “zero Covid” pandemic control measures, the country’s National Bureau of Statistics announced on Wednesday. During the final three months of the year, output rose at an annual pace of 4.1 percent. Longer term, China’s growth is slowing. High debt, a housing crisis that has undermined confidence, and a shrinking and aging work force are weighing on output.

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Springfield y Holyoke obtienen una subvencin federal de $500,000 para conseguir empleos subempleados en trabajos que sostengan a la familia

8/14/2018 -This is David M. Cruise, President and Chief Executive Officer, Regional Employment Board of Hampden County. (Jim Kinney / The Republican) Staff-Shot

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Whats open and closed on New Years Eve before 2024

New Year’s Eve is this weekend. What happens if you forget a bottle of bubbly or need last-minute party snacks Sunday? If you’re out celebrating in Massachusetts on New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31, you’re probably in luck and can stop at a store ... but it’s also a Sunday, when store hours are often limited. So, here’s a list to check what is open and what’s closed on New Year’s Eve, 2023. Government City and town offices: Closed State offices: Closed Registry of Motor Vehicles: Closed State and local courts: Closed Federal courts: Closed Finance Banks: Closed. Most ATMs will remain open. Stock market: Closed; the bond market will close early on Friday, Dec. 29. Alcohol Massachusetts liquor stores: Open Connecticut liquor stores: Open Shopping Auburn Mall: Open 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. Holyoke Mall: Open 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Hampshire (Hadley) Mall: Open until 5 p.m., check with individual venues Natick Mall: Open 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. Big Y: Open regular hours Stop & Shop: Open until 6 a.m. 9 p.m. Market Basket: Open until 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. Price Rite: Open until 7 a.m. until 6 p.m. Star Market: Open 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. Walmart: Open regular hours Target: Open until 9 p.m. Wegmans: Open until 8 p.m. Safeway: Open regular hours Costco: Open until 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m. CVS: Open until 5 p.m.; hours may vary Walgreens: Open until 8 p.m.; hours may vary Aldi: Open, hours vary by location Whole Foods: Open, hours vary by location Trader Joe’s: Open regular hours Parcel services Post offices: Closed FedEx: Closed UPS: Closed Transportation Pioneer Valley Transit Authority: Northampton and Springfield Service ends early. Worcester Regional Transit Authority: Regular Sunday schedule. UMass Transit: Service ends early by 6 p.m. for Routes 30, 31 and 33; no service for 34, 35, 36, 38, 45, 46. MBTA: Services are free after 8 p.m.

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John Fish and Stephen Weiner settle failed condo project lawsuit

The one-sentence confirmation marked the end of a battle that pitted two prominent and well-respected players in local real estate development. Fish is chief executive of Suffolk Construction, the region’s largest general contractor. Weiner made his name developing the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Boston and shopping centers throughout the suburbs. “The parties have resolved their claims against each other and have agreed not to comment further,” each side said on Monday in identical statements to The Boston Globe. Neither side would discuss settlement terms. After more than four years of conflicting claims, depositions, and embarrassing disclosures, John Fish and Stephen Weiner, former friends and business partners, have settled their nasty legal fight over an aborted plan to build an $800 million luxury condominium tower in the Back Bay. Advertisement The men were so close that Fish once hired Weiner’s son Adam to give him construction experience. Some prominent business leaders worried their schism reflected badly on Boston, an ugly conflict more common in brash New York than in the more buttoned-up world of New England real estate. The legal fight erupted in October 2019, when Fish sued Stephen and Adam Weiner, alleging he lost tens of millions of dollars when, a few months earlier, they backed out of a deal to build the condo tower on Boylston Street near the Hynes Convention Center. Fish argued that Stephen Weiner was reluctant to backstop $400 million in financing, and that Weiner unilaterally released a statement in August 2019 announcing the project had been scrapped. The construction magnate had invested personally in the project, and Suffolk was slated to build the tower. Almost a year later the Weiners countersued for fraud and negligent misrepresentation, alleging Fish falsely said he would be able to obtain all state approvals for the tower by a specific date and on acceptable terms. They said Fish was the one who called off the deal. Advertisement Most of the counterclaims were dismissed in March 2021, with Judge Kenneth W. Salinger writing that the Weiners “did not plausibly suggest that Fish either made a false statement of fact or promise he did not intend to perform.” Shortly after that Fish sued the law firm that had worked on the condo venture, Goulston & Storrs, which also represented Weiner’s development firm in Fish’s first suit. Fish sought more than $300 million, a figure that was more than three times Goulston’s net operating income in 2019. John Fish and Stephen Weiner have settled their four-year legal battle over a scuttled condo tower they had planned to build on this parcel above the Massachusetts Turnpike along Boylston Street in the Back Bay. David L. Ryan/Globe Staff/David L Ryan, Globe Staff The Goulston lawsuit alleged that senior partner Alan Rottenberg committed “legal malpractice” by advising Weiner behind Fish’s back, while billing both for his time. It also said Rottenberg had an “undisclosed personal financial interest” in Weiner’s firm and was advising his longtime client about getting out of the condo deal even as Fish kept putting money into it. Goulston settled the claims in June 2022. More recently, Salinger delivered two setbacks to the Weiners. In February of last year he ruled that father and son failed to retain evidence even though they knew Fish was likely to sue them. Both deleted emails and texts they “knew or reasonably should have known” might be relevant, the judge said. Two months later Salinger found that Stephen Weiner had violated long-standing protocol and rules agreed to by both parties by attempting to furtively use “off-camera” documents during his deposition. The judge granted the request by Fish’s lawyers to require Weiner to sit for another 2½ hours of deposition and allow them to raise the issue during trial. Advertisement One possible wrinkle arose on the final business day of 2023, when the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office dissolved the entity Fish used to sue the Weiners — JFF Cecilia LLC — after two consecutive years had passed without the LLC’s managers filing an annual report. Several attorneys in Boston told the Globe the matter is likely an oversight. Fish’s law firm, Choate Hall & Stewart, did not confirm whether it intends to reinstate the LLC into good standing with the Commonwealth to complete the settlement. Catherine Carlock can be reached at catherine.carlock@globe.com. Follow her @bycathcarlock. Larry Edelman can be reached at larry.edelman@globe.com. Follow him @GlobeNewsEd.

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Low pay could hamper new MassHealth doula services, advocates say

Massachusetts’ state-funded health care system, MassHealth, announced Friday they will offer doula services for pregnant, birthing and postpartum people next spring. But many advocates remain concerned about potential barriers for doulas, including low reimbursement rates and MassHealth not offering reimbursement for travel. Doulas are individuals who are trained to support a birthing person before, during and after pregnancy. They provide emotional, physical and educational support. Kate Symmonds, staff attorney at the Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, said while the rate of pay that MassHealth is offering may be what some doulas are currently charging in the Commonwealth for their care, it’s not enough to ensure the long term stability and success of MassHealth’s program.

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Eversource builds Rapid Pole fleet across New England to speed power restoration

SPRINGFIELD – Nearly a year ago, a powerful storm swept across New Hampshire, breaking about 200 power poles. Lines on the ground. Lights out. Heat out.

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Readers: Where is the best barbershop in Greater Boston?

Tell Us Readers: Where is the best barbershop in Greater Boston? Where do you go for the best cut? Latin Shears barbershop on Dudley Street. John Tlumacki/Globe Staff For many people in the Boston area, barbershops are a way of life. They are not only a place to get a haircut or a shave, but a place to socialize with friends and neighbors and a place where there is a sense of community. Barbershops also provide communities with a place of cultural unity — a place where you might find others who speak your language, see familiar faces, and receive services from a barber who knows your hair type and style. For many barbershop customers, building a close relationship with their barber is very important. This relationship helps ensure that the haircuts remain consistent and to their liking, and that the barber understands their hairstyle and remembers the haircut they like. Advertisement: As most people consider their hairstyle to be a central aspect of their image, getting a fresh new haircut can be a boost of positivity and self-esteem. Barbershops are found throughout every neighborhood in Boston and in many towns around the Boston area. Much of these barbershops are small businesses owned by locals, thus contributing to the culture of each community. Some of barbershops have become favorites among locals, such as Razors Barbershop in Somerville, which offers live music and an espresso bar; others are might be longtime businesses like John’s Barber Shop in Cambridge, which has a vintage vibe having served the community since 1910; or FineLinez Barbershop in Taunton, which was named the “best men’s haircut” by Boston magazine in 2023, and was frequented by Celtics star Al Horford and former Celtics Marcus Smart and Robert Williams. We want to know: Where is the barbershop in Greater Boston you visit for the best cut, and what makes it the best overall experience? Fill out the form or e-mail us at [email protected], and your response may appear in a future Boston.com article. What is the best barbershop in Boston? What's the name of your favorite barbershop? (Required) Tell us why you go here, and what you love about the experience. Name Your name may be published. Neighborhood/Town Your neighborhood/town may be published. What are your preferred pronouns? He/Him She/Her They/Them Other Please select your preferred pronoun so we may correctly refer to your response in an article. Email or Phone Please enter an email address and/or phone number that we can easily contact you with. We may reach out for more information. It will NOT be published.

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Once caught selling weed above a Springfield strip club, shes now a legal dealer

It’s been just under five years since Alissa Nowak found herself in a Springfield courtroom, caught up in a drug bust above a local strip joint after she sold marijuana to an undercover cop. Police nabbed Nowak and another person on marijuana distribution charges at an underground “vendor party,” where dealers sold weed and drug paraphernalia to customers gathered in a warehouse space above the Mardi Gras strip club in downtown Springfield.

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With a Deadline Looming, the United Methodist Church Breaks Up

With 17,000 members, White’s Chapel Methodist Church in Southlake, Texas, offers multiple worship services each weekend along with the kind of attractions that only the largest houses of worship can boast: a coffee shop, an indoor playground, a Christmas festival with pony rides and fireworks, and near-daily opportunities for volunteering and socializing. On Sunday mornings, a small white bulldog named Wesley, after the founder of Methodism, roams the campus with a handler, greeting admirers. “They call this place the biggest small church,” said Linda Rutan, who was sitting with her husband near a sprawling holiday train set on a recent Sunday morning. The Rutans have attended White’s Chapel since they moved to Texas from California in 2022. “It’s so friendly,” she said, “you don’t feel like it’s a huge church.” Until July, White’s Chapel was the second-largest United Methodist congregation in the country. The conservative-leaning church lost its status this year not because it shrank — it is growing, leaders say — but because it left the denomination. America’s second-largest Protestant denomination is in the final stages of a slow-motion rupture that has so far seen the departure of a quarter of the nation’s roughly 30,000 United Methodist churches, according to the denomination’s news agency.

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No concern or remorse: Some Patriot Property tenants face imminent eviction

SPRINGFIELD — Several renters on Mattoon Street are facing the struggle of finding new homes after their new landlord recently filed no-cause evictions against them in regional Housing Court. The company — Patriot Property Management Group — sent out notices of the pending evictions of several long-term tenants in late October, shortly after taking over management of the properties. Many of the cases are being heard for the first time in Western Housing Court this month and into early February. Through one of its subsidiaries, Amat Victoria Curam LLC, Patriot Property filed six “no-cause eviction” cases against tenants, court documents show. Resident Kelsey Almonte said she had her first hearing on Jan. 2. She’s been a tenant for five years at 20 Mattoon St. “I’m seeing many familiar faces in court,” Almonte said of her neighbors. “People who are longtime tenants, just like me, (are) getting notices to vacate their apartments for no reason.” Almonte said many of her neighbors are elderly people. She also said she has been paying her rent on time and has never had problems like this with her landlords in the past. It is legal in Massachusetts for landlords to evict tenants, even if they haven’t done anything wrong. The management company did not respond to requests for comment about the eviction letters. 12-20 Mattoon St. apartment complex in Springfield is now managed by Patriot Property Management Group. (Hoang 'Leon' Nguyen / The Republican, File) Gordon P. Shaw, an adjunct law professor at Western New England University and a housing attorney at Community Legal Aid in Springfield, told The Republican that first Housing Court hearings are set aside for mediation, ”where a court-appointed mediator, the landlord’s lawyer and the tenant attempt to settle the case.” Almonte has two children, one of whom has special needs, and lives in a studio apartment. During mediation, Almonte agreed to move out of her apartment by June 30 of this year, according to court documents obtained by The Republican. “My daughter needs until at least the end of the school year before I disrupt her sense of normalcy,” she said. “It’s a lot to look for an apartment in this economy. I’ve been saving up to move out as I continue to pay my rent.” Springfield Gardens, cited by the city as an absentee landlord with a history of substandard properties, previously owned Almonte’s apartment building. “Springfield Gardens wasn’t great — they didn’t respond to management requests or make any effort to improve the life of tenants — but, they weren’t trying to wipe out tenants,” she said. “It just seems like (Patriot Property) has no concern or remorse.” Patriot Property Management Group, which is run by two West Springfield real estate agents, purchased 12-20 and 66 Mattoon St., as well as apartments on Federal and Belmont streets in a sale in August last year. The company bought seven more Springfield Gardens buildings in late October. At the time of Patriot Property’s first purchase from Springfield Gardens, a spokesperson for the buyer said improvements would be made to the buildings on Mattoon, Belmont and Federal streets; however, tenants said that no improvements have been made, and building conditions still remain poor. Another 20 Mattoon St. tenant, Kenneth Lafland, said he has lived in his apartment for three years. The Springfield human services organization, the Center for Human Development, helped him get his apartment and continues to help with his rent, which is split with another tenant. The pair’s first hearing was scheduled for Jan. 3 but was pushed to later this month. “I work part time, and I’m still waiting for a disability check to come in,” he said. “I can’t afford to move out right now.” Lafland said he never received any previous letters from Patriot Property about rent increases — or anything that would indicate the company would want him to leave his apartment. “They’ve just been bullies,” he said. “If I’m evicted, it’ll be on my record.” Despite the upheaval they can cause, Shaw said the no-cause evictions are “a common law practice.” “Not just for Massachusetts, but for some neighboring states, as well,” said Shaw. While tenants have the right to make a counterclaim, especially if the landlord has “failed to maintain the property to the state’s sanitary standards,” they are only able to use housing code violations that date back to when the landlord took ownership of the property, Shaw said. “So, in this case, since Patriot Property only took over ownership in late fall, tenants would likely not be able to use that counterclaim,” he said. Many tenants who face their landlords in Housing Court go without representation, and unlike criminal cases, there is “no right to counsel in eviction cases,” he said. Once a tenant has been served with an eviction, called a notice to quit letter, they will be given a date for their first mediation hearing. Three days before their mediation, tenants must provide their legal answer to the eviction, Shaw said. “In many cases, at (the first hearing), the mediator will get a tenant and landlord to settle on a decision for when the tenant will move out,” Shaw said. “In the chance they don’t settle, they await trial before a judge.”

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How to Host a Proper English Pub Lunch

The chef Margot Henderson was 10 when she catered her first party, a birthday celebration for her younger brother Robin, then 5, in their hometown, Wellington, New Zealand. “Our mother was a complete health nut who would feed us apple cider vinegar and honey,” recalls Henderson. “I wasn’t going to let my brother suffer like I had! I made a whole spread of oranges and jellies and cooked snails from the garden with garlic, parsley and breadcrumbs.” Image Henderson outside the pub. Credit... Sandra Mickiewicz This innate talent for hospitality would become the foundation of Henderson’s four-decade career in restaurants, which started when she moved to England in 1984, soon working in some of London’s most acclaimed kitchens. In the early ’90s, she met her future husband, the chef Fergus Henderson, now 60, when he served her a dish of pigeon and peas at a pop-up restaurant where he was cooking. “It was perfect.” says Henderson, 59. “I fell for his food and for him. It also helped me identify how I wanted to cook, which is slowly and gently.” The couple, who have been married for over 30 years and have three children together, share a bold, elegant approach to cooking that emphasizes the quality of their ingredients, and their respective empires — Fergus runs the three meat-focused St. Johns restaurants in London; Henderson runs the restaurant Rochelle Canteen, also in London, as well as the catering company Arnold & Henderson with her business partner, Melanie Arnold — have helped define contemporary English cuisine.

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In market for pitching, Craig Breslow may have to part with top prospects

NASHVILLE — There’s plenty of pitching to be had this winter, which is a good thing for the Red Sox and more than half the teams in both leagues, all in search of it. But there are strings attached. If you want one of the elite free agents like Yoshinobu Yamamoto or Blake Snell, it’s going to cost well north of $200 million. If you want to trade for the handful of starters being made available on the trade market, many of those are short-term rentals, with most eligible for free agency a year from now. That doesn’t address Boston’s rotation problems for the long-term. Of course, there’s a third path: trade for younger starting pitchers with more seasons of control. But to acquire that, a team will have to give up one of its top three or so prospects, plus additional young talent — a steep cost. What to do? “That’s the conundrum, right?” acknowledged Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow on the first full day of the Winter Meetings. “Controllable starting pitching is coming at a premium this season. But the value of controllable pitching is you don’t have to dip into free agency every single year. “So as we talk about this level of consistency and quality that we’re trying to build here, control is a really important part of that.” Usually, when a team talks control, it’s talking about the ability to throw strikes and avoid walks. But not here: the control Breslow seeks is contractual control and the security that comes from knowing that a front-line pitcher is under team control for multiple seasons before reaching free agency. If the Red Sox were closer to being a playoff contender, there might be a case to be made to trade for, say, Corbin Burnes or Shane Bieber or Tyler Glasnow. They could rationalize giving up a good prospect and a young player off the major league roster for the chance to win it all in 2024. But because the Sox have finished last two years in a row and three times in the last four years and they are in need of several upgrades. And because the organization’s best starting pitching prospects — Wikelman Gonzalez and Luis Perales — are, at minimum, a year and a half away, the Red Sox would run the risk of needing more quality starting pitching a year from now if they didn’t successfully extend the short-term rental for which they traded. Meanwhile, the top starter at Triple A Worcester last year was lefty Shane Drohan, whom the team was willing to leave unprotected for Wednesday’s Rule 5 draft. “As we think about who the premium prospects in the organization are,” said Breslow, “it’s not a secret that most of them are on the position player side.” BET ANYTHING GET $250 BONUS ESPN BET CLAIM OFFER MASS 21+ and present in MA, NJ, PA, VA, MD, WV, TN, LA, KS, KY, CO, AZ, IL, IA, IN, OH, MI. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-Gambler. (2 kB) https://saturdaytradition.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/GameSense-Icon-2.png espnbet.app.linkespnbet.app.link ESPN BET Explore our action packed sportsbook, loaded with exclusive odds boosts, custom offers and a suite of cutting-edge features. Fast load times, secure transactions and seamless navigation – ESPN BET serves up the ultimate online sports wagering experience. (20 kB) Indeed, when it comes to position player capital, the Red Sox are in much better shape. Shortstop Marcelo Mayer, outfielder Roman Anthony and catcher Kyle Teel are all Top 50 prospects through the industry. Each one is elite and could be ready to step in as everyday contributors as soon as the 2025 season. Would the Red Sox consider trading one of the three for a young quality starter they could control for three or more seasons? “Untouchable is a tough word, right?” said Breslow. “Because in reality, our goal is to win as many major league games as we possibly can. I think there are prospects who are going to contribute toward that, but if we have the opportunity to win more games by making them available in a trade, we need to consider that.” Breslow may be new to the job, but he’s already paying the price for the organization’s poor track record of developing homegrown starting pitching over the last 15 years. Brayan Bello has shown the potential to end that drought, but he qualifies as the only starter since Clay Buchholz to emerge as a No. 1 or No. 2 starter. On the free agent front, Snell comes with draft pick compensation attached thanks to a qualifying offer, which would seem to be eliminate him from consideration. Beyond the lefty and Yamamoto, the rest of the free agent market doesn’t qualify as elite, though Jordan Montgomery might come close. After that, there’s the trade market. And the Red Sox have apparently decided, if they have to deal for pitching, they might as well trade for someone who they’re going to control for three or more seasons. Seattle’s Logan Gilbert is one such option. Breslow again pointed out that the team has a number of back-end candidates in Tanner Houck, Garrett Whitlock and Kutter Crawford, all of whom he said have “starter upside.” But none of those three is likely to have the kind of front-of-the-rotation impact. To get that the Red Sox will have to pay a heavy price, and with the way the market’s shaking out, that’s likely to be not in the form of a big check, but rather, some really prized prospects.

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business

Triplex in Cambridge sells for $3 million

The spacious historic property located at 95 Trowbridge Street in Cambridge was sold on Nov. 8, 2023. The $3,000,000 purchase price works out to $512 per square foot. The three-unit house, built in 1916, has an interior space of 5,856 square feet. This three-story triplex presents a total of nine bedrooms and four baths. On the exterior, the home features a flat roof design constructed with tar and gravel roofing. There is a lone fireplace indoors. The property is equipped with a steam heat system and a cooling system. Additional houses have recently been purchased nearby: On Roberts Road, Cambridge, in July 2023, a 3,906-square-foot home was sold for $2,300,000, a price per square foot of $589. The home has 6 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. In June 2023, a 3,993-square-foot home on Dana Street in Cambridge sold for $2,700,000, a price per square foot of $676. The home has 10 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms. A 3,393-square-foot home at 27 Harold Street in Somerville sold in June 2023, for $1,400,000, a price per square foot of $413. The home has 7 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. Real Estate Newswire is a service provided by United Robots, which uses machine learning to generate analysis of data from Propmix, an aggregator of national real-estate data. See more Real Estate News

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business

China Evergrande Gets Reprieve in Talks With Foreign Investors

Once China’s most prolific property developer, China Evergrande has narrowly averted liquidation. A Hong Kong bankruptcy judge on Monday gave Evergrande another two months to work out a deal with foreign investors who lost money when the company defaulted two years ago with hundreds of billions of dollars in debt. The judge set another court hearing for Jan. 29. It was an unexpected development in a bankruptcy lawsuit filed 18 months ago by one investor trying to get paid by forcing the dismantling of Evergrande. The judge, Linda Chan, had said in October that she was ready to order the liquidation of Evergrande if it could not reach an agreement with its creditors on how to divide what remains of the company’s assets. “We thought the company was going to be wound up today,” said Neil McDonald, a partner at the law firm Kirkland & Ellis, which is a legal adviser to the creditors. The investor who originally filed the suit, he said, “changed its position and didn’t push to wind up the company, which was a surprise to us.” For two decades, Evergrande was a model of China’s embrace of capitalism. It was one of the country’s most successful companies and at the heart of the real estate industry, which drove one third of the nation’s economic growth. But years of overexpansion left it financially precarious, and when it defaulted, it had more than $300 billion of overdue bills.

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business

How Chinas Property Crisis Blew Up Bets That Couldnt Lose

One of China’s largest investment firms, Citic Trust, had a clear pitch to investors when it was aiming to raise $1.7 billion to fund property development in 2020: There is no safer Chinese investment than real estate. The trust, the investment arm of the state-owned financial conglomerate Citic, called housing “China’s economic ballast” and “an indispensable value investment.” The money it raised would be put toward four projects from Sunac China Holdings, a major developer. Three years later, investors who put their money in the Citic fund have recouped only a small fraction of their investment. Three of the fund’s construction projects are on hold or significantly delayed because of financing problems or poor sales. Sunac has defaulted and is trying to restructure its debt. The unraveling of the Citic fund provides a window into the broader problems facing China’s ailing property sector. What started as a housing slump has escalated into a full-blown crisis. The budgets of local governments, which depended on revenue from real estate, have been destabilized. The shock to the country’s financial system has drained China’s capital markets.

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business

Eli Lilly, riding a pharma hot streak, expects to double planned employment in Boston research center

But Daniel Skovronsky, Lilly’s chief scientific and medical officer, said in an interview that the 12-story, 334,000-square-foot laboratory and office building will ultimately accommodate 500 Lilly scientists and researchers. In February 2022, Lilly said that it would increase its modest Massachusetts workforce from 120 to 250 employees when it opened the $700 million Lilly Institute for Genetic Medicine along Fort Point Channel. The Indianapolis-based company said it would move 120 scientists from Kendall Square in Cambridge to the institute and add another 130. Eli Lilly and Co., which transformed itself from a stodgy underperformer into one of the world’s hottest pharmaceutical companies, said Wednesday that the genetic medicine research center it plans to open in Boston in August will eventually employ twice as many workers as originally estimated. Advertisement The firm has roughly 200 employees in Cambridge, who would move to the institute at 15 Necco St. With new hires over the next 10 months, the institute could have as many as 300 employees when it opens, eventually growing to 500. Skovronsky, speaking during a break at the 2023 STAT Summit in Boston, said it was a no-brainer to open a genetic medicine center in Massachusetts, which boasts one of the world’s most robust biotech hubs, including many firms that focus on gene-based treatments. “It’s incumbent on us to be where the scientists are,” said Skovronsky, who also serves as Lilly’s executive vice president. “We’re here in Boston for the talent for sure.” Michael DiFiore, an analyst for Evercore ISI, agreed. “They kind of need to be where the heat is, and that’s in Boston, where there’s so much academic and startup activity going on,” DiFiore said. “You almost can’t not have a presence there if you’re serious about next-generation technology platforms.” The institute will focus on developing RNA-based medicine, gene therapies, and other treatments that address the root cause of diseases. RNA drugs use ribonucleic acid found in cells to turn genes on and off in the treatment of disease. Gene therapies replace defective genes with healthy ones to help fight illnesses. Advertisement Messenger RNA coronavirus vaccines by Moderna and Pfizer have introduced genetic medicine to the public on a wide scale. But the Lilly institute doesn’t plan to work on vaccines. Rather, it will concentrate on drugs similar to those pioneered by Cambridge biotech Alnylam Pharmaceuticals, according to Skovronsky. In 2018, Alnylam won the first approval ever of a medicine that uses RNA interference, or RNAi, to “silence” disease-causing genes. The drug, called Onpattro, treated a rare inherited disease called hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis, or hATTR, which causes multiple serious symptoms, including nerve damage. Alnylam has since persuaded drug regulators to approve four additional RNAi drugs for rare diseases. The medicines, which have annual list prices of six figures per patient, work by silencing disease-causing genes in the liver. Lilly is running clinical trials of an RNAi drug delivered to the liver to treat a fatty particle in the blood called lipoprotein(a), Skovronsky said. High levels of that particle, also known as lp(a), can dramatically raise the risk of having a heart attack or stroke at an early age. Lilly also plans to run clinical trials next year of experimental medicines that deliver the same gene-silencing technology to the brain to treat Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, he said. “One of the things we’ve been working really hard on is making these kinds of technologies work in other organs,” Skovronsky said. “It’s really hard to get drugs into the brain, but I think we’ve been making good progress.” Advertisement In addition to housing Lilly employees, the new institute will include biotech space that other companies can use, modeled after Lilly’s Gateway Labs in San Francisco. The incubator will create opportunities for collaboration with Lilly scientists and could house an additional 150 workers, Lilly said. Few pharmaceutical firms have generated more excitement lately than Lilly. By the end of the year, the 147-year-old company is expected to win approval for both its Alzheimer’s treatment donanemab and its buzzy obesity drug tirzepatide, which it already markets as Mounjaro for diabetes. Like Biogen’s recently approved Alzheimer’s drug Leqembi, donanemab removes deposits of a sticky toxic protein in the brain called beta-amyloid that is a hallmark of the disease. The Food and Drug Administration approved it in July after clinical trials showed the medicine modestly slowed cognitive decline in people with early Alzheimer’s. Donanemab generated even more impressive results than Leqembi in a recently published study of patients with early Alzheimer’s symptoms, slowing the rate of cognitive decline by about 35 percent. Based on that, donanemab is widely expected to win FDA approval for people with mild impairment. Lilly has also stirred excitement for tirzepatide, one in a wave of new drugs that have led to weight loss in patients. When Mounjaro was prescribed for people with type 2 diabetes, it helped those who were also overweight or obese lose up to nearly 15.7 percent of their body weight. Estimates for the size of the global obesity market by the end of the decade have ranged from $50 billion to $100 billion. Advertisement Lilly now boasts a staggering market value of $575 billion, the most of any big pharma company. Jonathan Saltzman can be reached at jonathan.saltzman@globe.com.

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business

The Escape Game opening first Mass. location at Legacy Place in Dedham

The country’s top escape room provider is giving New Englanders a chance to put their game-solving skills to the test for the first time by bringing a new location to Massachusetts Saturday. With five themed-rooms to choose from, The Escape Game is opening its 4,364-square-foot facility at Legacy Place in Dedham on Saturday, Dec. 16. Crack codes, uncover clues and solve puzzles while taking on the “Timeliner,” “The Depths,” “Prison Break,” “Gold Rush” or “The Heist.” The rooms are for all skill levels and can be booked by going online. With 38 locations nationwide, The Escape Game has served more than 7 million players since 2014, according to its website. The entertainment company has built its reputation on providing memorable experiences for guests through immersive 60-minute, story-driven missions. More information about The Escape Game can be found online.

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business

Boston Scientific gains FDA approval for Watchman FLX Pro LAAC device

“We are pleased to introduce U.S. clinicians to our newest LAAC technology, which is designed to enhance post-procedural healing, improve the precision of Watchman FLX Pro implants, and expand the size range of treatable appendages,” Joe Fitzgerald, Boston Scientific’s group president of cardiology, said in a prepared statement announcing the news. “These enhancements to our Watchman FLX technology will enable efficiency during implant procedures and allow physicians to optimize treatment for their patients.” “There is a rich history of safe use and low thrombosis rates in cardiovascular devices that utilize this thromboresistant polymer coating, and we have adapted that model to provide a more streamlined healing process that begins immediately following LAAC,” added Kenneth Stein, MD, Boston Scientific’s senior vice president and global chief medical officer. “We believe this evolution of the Watchman device also gives promise for a future with less thrombosis risk, which may eventually enable a simpler post-implant drug regimen for patients.” In September 2022, Boston Scientific gained approval from the FDA to expand the labeling of its Watchman FLX device to include an additional 45-day dual anti-platelet therapy (DAPT) treatment option. This allowed U.S. clinicians to choose between DAPT and short-term OAC plus aspirin following LAAC procedures.

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business

Boston Scientific Co. (NYSE:BSX) Shares Sold by Stratos Wealth Partners LTD.

Stratos Wealth Partners LTD. reduced its position in Boston Scientific Co. (NYSE:BSX - Free Report) by 22.0% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 8,435 shares of the medical equipment provider's stock after selling 2,376 shares during the quarter. Stratos Wealth Partners LTD.'s holdings in Boston Scientific were worth $456,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Get Boston Scientific alerts: Other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC raised its position in shares of Boston Scientific by 8.5% in the 1st quarter. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC now owns 6,657 shares of the medical equipment provider's stock worth $340,000 after buying an additional 524 shares during the period. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. increased its position in Boston Scientific by 3.0% during the 1st quarter. Robeco Institutional Asset Management B.V. now owns 139,354 shares of the medical equipment provider's stock worth $6,972,000 after purchasing an additional 4,049 shares in the last quarter. Transcend Capital Advisors LLC increased its position in Boston Scientific by 182.1% during the 2nd quarter. Transcend Capital Advisors LLC now owns 12,325 shares of the medical equipment provider's stock worth $667,000 after purchasing an additional 7,956 shares in the last quarter. Dubuque Bank & Trust Co. increased its position in Boston Scientific by 4.3% during the 1st quarter. Dubuque Bank & Trust Co. now owns 5,112 shares of the medical equipment provider's stock worth $256,000 after purchasing an additional 209 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Concord Wealth Partners increased its position in Boston Scientific by 59.7% during the 1st quarter. Concord Wealth Partners now owns 840 shares of the medical equipment provider's stock worth $42,000 after purchasing an additional 314 shares in the last quarter. 89.11% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Insider Transactions at Boston Scientific In other news, EVP Joseph Michael Fitzgerald sold 15,867 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, September 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $55.00, for a total transaction of $872,685.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 197,992 shares in the company, valued at $10,889,560. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. In related news, EVP Joseph Michael Fitzgerald sold 15,867 shares of Boston Scientific stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 20th. The shares were sold at an average price of $55.00, for a total transaction of $872,685.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 197,992 shares in the company, valued at $10,889,560. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, EVP Wendy Carruthers sold 11,671 shares of Boston Scientific stock in a transaction dated Monday, July 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $52.85, for a total transaction of $616,812.35. Following the sale, the executive vice president now owns 67,584 shares in the company, valued at $3,571,814.40. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 217,635 shares of company stock worth $11,566,176. Insiders own 0.53% of the company's stock. Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of analysts recently weighed in on the stock. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price target on shares of Boston Scientific from $58.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, September 21st. Oppenheimer upped their price target on shares of Boston Scientific from $58.00 to $59.00 in a research report on Friday, July 28th. Raymond James boosted their price target on Boston Scientific from $60.00 to $61.00 in a research report on Friday, July 28th. Robert W. Baird boosted their price target on Boston Scientific from $60.00 to $63.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Thursday, September 21st. Finally, Barclays boosted their price target on Boston Scientific from $59.00 to $60.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Friday, September 22nd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, fifteen have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Boston Scientific has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of $60.10. Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on Boston Scientific Boston Scientific Stock Performance Boston Scientific stock opened at $51.54 on Wednesday. The company has a market cap of $75.46 billion, a PE ratio of 85.89, a P/E/G ratio of 2.07 and a beta of 0.77. Boston Scientific Co. has a 12 month low of $38.79 and a 12 month high of $55.38. The company has a fifty day moving average price of $52.35 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $52.09. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.46, a current ratio of 1.29 and a quick ratio of 0.80. Boston Scientific (NYSE:BSX - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 27th. The medical equipment provider reported $0.53 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.49 by $0.04. Boston Scientific had a net margin of 6.81% and a return on equity of 15.16%. The company had revenue of $3.60 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.50 billion. During the same period last year, the firm posted $0.44 EPS. The company's revenue for the quarter was up 10.9% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts expect that Boston Scientific Co. will post 1.99 earnings per share for the current year. Boston Scientific Profile Boston Scientific Corporation develops, manufactures, and markets medical devices for use in various interventional medical specialties worldwide. It operates through MedSurg and Cardiovascular segments. The company offers devices to diagnose and treat gastrointestinal and pulmonary conditions; devices to treat various urological and pelvic conditions; implantable cardioverter and implantable cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators; pacemakers and implantable cardiac resynchronization therapy pacemakers; and remote patient management systems. Recommended Stories This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest and most accurate reporting. This story was reviewed by MarketBeat's editorial team prior to publication. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com. Before you consider Boston Scientific, you'll want to hear this. MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street's top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. MarketBeat has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on... and Boston Scientific wasn't on the list. While Boston Scientific currently has a "Buy" rating among analysts, top-rated analysts believe these five stocks are better buys. View The Five Stocks Here

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business

Stocks end 2023 up 20% for the year as resilient economy energizes investors

Business Stocks end 2023 up 20% for the year as resilient economy energizes investors The broader market's gains were driven largely by the so-called Magnificent 7 companies, which include Apple, Microsoft and Alphabet. People pass the front of the New York Stock Exchange in New York, Tuesday, March 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Peter Morgan, File) AP NEW YORK (AP) — The S&P 500 closed out 2023 with a gain of more than 24%, and the Dow finished near a record high, as easing inflation, a resilient economy, and the prospect of lower interest rates buoyed investors, particularly in the last two months of the year. Stocks closed Friday with modest losses. The S&P 500 slipped 13.52 points, or 0.3%, to 4,769.83. That is still just 0.6% shy of an all-time high set in January of 2022 and it still left the benchmark index with a rare ninth consecutive week of gains. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 20.56 points, or 0.1%, to 37,689 after setting a record Thursday. Advertisement: The Nasdaq slipped 83.78 points, or 0.6%, to 15,011.35, but that was barely a blemish on an annual gain of more than 43%, its best performance since 2020. The broader market’s gains were driven largely by the so-called Magnificent 7 companies, which include Apple, Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon, Nvidia, Meta Platforms and Tesla. They accounted for about two-thirds of the gains in the S&P 500 this year, according to S&P Dow Jones Indices. Nvidia led the group with a gain of about 239%. Most major indexes were able to erase their losses from a dismal 2022. Smaller company stocks had a late rally, but managed to erase the bulk of their losses from last year. The Russell 2000 index finished 2023 with a 15.1% gain after falling 21.6% in 2022. The rally that started in November helped broaden the gains within the market beyond just the big technology companies. It marked a big psychological shift for investors, said Quincy Krosby, chief global strategist at LPL Financial. “Investors were able to accept that fact that the market would close the year on a higher note,” Krosby said. “Above all else, it was broad participation in the market that reinforced and confirmed gains for smaller company stocks were particularly important.” Shares in European markets edged higher Friday, also after a year of gains. Benchmark indexes in France and Germany made double-digit advances, while Britain’s has climbed just under 4%. Advertisement: Asian markets had a mixed session on the last trading day of the year for most markets. Tokyo’s Nikkei 225 gave up 0.2% to 33,464.17. It gained 27% in 2023, its best year in a decade as the Japanese central bank inched toward ending its longstanding ultra-lax monetary policy after inflation finally exceeded its target of about 2%. The Hang Seng index in Hong Kong ended flat, while the Shanghai Composite index gained 0.7%. The Shanghai index lost about 3% this year and the Hang Seng fell nearly 14%. Weakness in the property sector and in global demand for China’s exports, as well as high debt levels and wavering consumer confidence, have weighed on the country’s economy and the stock market. Investors in the U.S. came into the year expecting inflation to ease further as the Federal Reserve pushed interest rates higher. The trade-off would be a weaker economy and possibly a recession. But while inflation has come down to around 3%, the economy has chugged along thanks to solid consumer spending and a healthy job market. The stock market is now betting the Fed can achieve a “soft landing,” where the economy slows just enough to snuff out high inflation, but not so much that it falls into a recession. As a result, investors now expect the Fed to begin cutting rates as early as March. Advertisement: The Fed has signaled three quarter-point cuts to the benchmark rate next year. That rate is currently sitting at its highest level, between 5.25% and 5.50%, in two decades. That could add more fuel to the broader market’s momentum in 2024. High interest rates and Treasury yields hurt prices for investments, so a continued reversal means more relief from that pressure. Wall Street is forecasting stronger earnings growth for companies next year after a largely lackluster 2023, with companies wrestling with higher input and labor costs and a shift in consumer spending. Bond market investors appeared headed for a third losing year in a row until things turned around starting in late October. Excitement about potential cuts to interest rates sent bond prices soaring and yields dropping. The yield on the 10-year Treasury, which hit 5% in October, stood at 3.88% Friday, up from 3.85% on Thursday. The yield on The two-year Treasury, which more closely tracks expectations for the Fed, fell to 4.25% from 4.28% from late Thursday. It also surpassed 5% in October. U.S. and international crude oil prices were relatively stable on Friday. The price of oil tumbled by more than 10% this year, defying predictions from some experts that it could cross $100 per barrel. Despite production cuts from OPEC, a war involving energy exporter Russia and another in the Middle East, U.S. benchmark crude dropped nearly 11% in 2023, and a whopping 21% in the final three months of the year. Increased production in the U.S., now the top oil producer in the world, as well as Canada, Brazil and Guyana offset the reduced output from OPEC. Not all OPEC members participated in the cuts and some countries like Iran and Venezuela are pumping more oil, energy analysts say. Advertisement: Charles Sheehan contributed to this report.

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business

Here are 8 bakers' favorite pastry shops around Greater Boston

Nothing is better than walking into a local bakery and being hit with the smell of freshly baked bread, warm chocolate chip cookies or hints of cinnamon. But before you decide which decorated goodies will tantalize your taste buds, you have to first figure out where to stop for a treat — and the Boston area has a wide range of bakeries to choose from. So, we asked some of the top local bakers to give us recommendations for where they get their favorite baked goods (when they're not whipping them up themselves). Here are the bakers behind the recommendations: Joanne Chang, owner of Flour Bakery and James Beard Foundation Award winner for Outstanding Baker in 2016 Daisy Chow, owner of Breadboard Bakery Soheil Fathi, pastry chef, and Sarah Moridpour, owners of La Saison Chris Goluszka, pastry chef at The Ritz-Carlton Maura Kilpatrick, executive pastry chef and owner of Sofra Bakery Or Ohana, cofounder of Bakey Tzurit Or, pastry chef and founder of Tatte Bakery Nicole Walsh, co-owner of Clear Flour Bread From festive treats to every day eats, here are the bakeries they frequent most often and their favorite things to order. And you can read on to get advice on how to judge a bakery's quality (good news: it involves croissants). Bova's Bakery 134 Salem St., Boston — 617-523-5601 Cannoli on display at the counter of Bova's Bakery in Boston's North End. (Robin Lubbock/WBUR) Goluszka's holiday go-to: "If it's a dinner party, Bova's in the North End is my favorite. Their Florentine cannoli is my favorite." Breadboard Bakery 203A Broadway, Arlington — 781-777-2863 Walsh's favorite daily treat: Cinnamon rolls. Clear Flour 178 Thorndike St., Brookline — 617-739-0060 Choosing a new bakery Clear Flour Bread co-owner Nicole Walsh's advice is to stick with something classic and simple. "If they offer laminated pastries, which are like croissants, I'm going to get something that's more basic — like a plain or pan au chocolat croissant just to see how they do," Walsh said. "It's how they make dough, it's how they handle it, and how they follow it through its life cycle. I think it's definitely telling of a bakery who knows what they're doing when they can kind of nail something that's simple and not sort of filled with cream or over the top with crushed candy on top." "I love Clear Flour bread in Brookline. You really cannot go wrong; everything on the menu is incredibly delicious, fresh and so well done," Or said. "Whenever I walk in it always remind me of our first [Tatte] location where we baked in the back. I love it." Or's favorite daily treat: "I usually buy their seasonal crostata — individual size — and eat it all by myself. It's incredibly delicious and fresh. I always get an Epi [bread] to snack on too." Or's favorite loaf: "Back when I started Tatte during the farmers market days and before we started making our own bread, we used Clear Flour bread for all our sandwiches. My daughter grew up eating their bread daily, addicted to their Epis and flower shaped French bread." Ohana's favorite loaf: "Easy pick every day is their Sourdough 2.0." Cocorico Boulangerie 450 Summer St., Boston — 617-476-6664 Chang's favorite daily treat: "It's hard not to recommend pretty much everything made here. The raspberry cruffin, the classic canele, flaky gorgeous pain au chocolat, cinnamon morning bun." Formaggio Kitchen 358 Huron Ave., Cambridge — 617-354-4750 94 Hampshire St., Cambridge — 617-714-5758 268 Shawmut Ave., Boston — 617-350-6996 Chang's holiday go-to: "They are the gold standard for a reason. Their cheeses are unique and top quality; they have a huge selection of crackers and nuts and cookies and chocolates (I love the McCrea's dark chocolate caramels); the staff are all really kind and helpful. It's like Willy Wonka's factory for adults who love food." House of Lavash 7 Cushing Ave., Belmont — 617-484-1575 Fathi on their bread: "We're addicted." Iggy's: The Bakery 130 Fawcett St., Cambridge — 617-924-0949 Chang's favorite loaves: "They make an ancient grain that has almost a custardy interior that I can't stop eating and their francese is on every holiday table in the city — or should be. My all time favorite is the cranberry pecan. It makes excellent toast with a big hunk of butter." SALT Patisserie 792 Beacon St, Newton Centre — 617-467-0695 Kilpatrick's holiday go-to: Their beautiful tarts, in large and individual [sizes]. Ohana's favorite daily treat: "I really like their traditional butter croissant." Kilpatrick's favorite daily treat: "Canelé. It's perfectly toasted, [with a] burnt exterior." Sofra Bakery 1 Belmont St., Cambridge — 617-661-3161 Walsh's favorite daily treat: "I never leave Sofra without one of their earthquake cookies. They're like heaven-sent cookies. If I'm wanting something savory I usually get one of their spreads with one of their crick cracks, which are so good." Tatte Bakery and Café Over 20 locations across Massachusetts A patron walks into Tatte Bakery in Harvard Sq. (Jesse Costa/WBUR) Why Ohana goes here for holiday parties: "They have great variety and it's always packed in style and looks amazing." Yi Soon Bakery 112 Brighton Ave., Allston — 617-254-3099 Chow's favorite daily treat: Almond cookies. "They're basically flat almond tuiles with an addictive crunch. Their custard buns and roast pork buns are so light and delicious." VINAL Bakery 222 Somerville Ave., Somerville — 617-718-0148 Goluszka's favorite daily treat: "Their English muffin breakfast sandwiches are the best (flora with an egg, can never go wrong) and they have a good rotating selection of morning pastries. And they have a good maple scone." With additional reporting by WBUR's Amy Gorel.

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business

New York Plans to Invest $1 Billion to Expand Chip Research

Gov. Kathy Hochul of New York announced on Monday a plan to invest $1 billion to expand chip research activities in Albany, N.Y., as the state aims to continue as a global semiconductor center. The plan is expected to create 700 new permanent jobs and retain thousands more, and includes the purchase of a new version of one of the world’s most expensive and sophisticated manufacturing machines, along with the construction of a new building to house it. At an event in Albany, Gov. Hochul positioned the investment as a national priority. “The Chinese are attempting to dominate this industry,” she said. “We have no intention of letting that happen. “ The initiative should draw $9 billion in additional investments from chip-related companies, according to state officials. They expect it to boost New York’s chances to be selected to host a new National Semiconductor Technology Center, a planned centerpiece of the research portion of federal money that Congress allocated in 2022 as part of the CHIPS Act.

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business

Smith & Wesson earnings down

SPRINGFIELD — Smith & Wesson Thursday reported earnings of $2.5 million, or 5 cents per share in its most recent quarter compared with $9.6 million, or 21 cents per share, for the same time period last year. Net sales were $125.0 million, an increase of $3.9 million, or 3.2%, over same three months of last year.