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Gaskin: Addressing bias in Boston’s creative economy

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:57 GMT

The creative economy provides an entrepreneurial opportunity for Black artists. It also contributes to economic development and quality-of-life improvements in neighborhoods. After attending a reception at the Boston Society of Architects, I learned that there was a relationship between public art and economic development.This inspired me to look at a webpage produced by the Boston Arts Commission (BAC) that mapped the location of public art in Boston.  There were hundreds of “red dots” marking the locations of public art in downtown Boston, but in Grove Hall there was one lonely red dot for a painted utility box. Although the map missed several pieces of public art in Grove Hall such as the iconic clock tower and murals, the point was clear: the private sector and the City of Boston had under-invested in public art in Grove Hall and other communities of color, rendering them public art deserts.City-supported public art should be found in every neighborhood, as every neighborhood pa...

Hot mulled cider perfect for cold nights

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:57 GMT

Traditional spirits like wine and cocktails are the standard, but hosts who want to get a little creative should not hesitate to do so. When choosing a special beverage, timing is everything. When hosting on nights when the mercury has dropped, a warm beverage can heat up guests in a matter of minutes. On such nights, hosts can serve this version of “Hot Mulled (Sherried) Apple Cider” courtesy of Laurey Masterton’s “The Fresh Honey Cookbook” (Storey). One added benefit to Masterton’s recipe is it can produce a welcoming winter aroma.TAG GOES HEREHot Mulled (Sherried) Apple CiderINGREDIENTS1 gallon apple cider1 orange, unpeeled, cut into slices1/4 cup whole cloves4 sticks cinnamon1/4 cup honey, preferably cranberry honey1 cup sherry (optional)DIRECTIONSCombine the cider, orange slices, cloves, cinnamon, and honey in a large pot over medium heat. If you are picky about things floating in your cider, make a little bundle out of cheesecloth and place ...

Warm up with quick Hungarian beef ‘stew’

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:57 GMT

This time of year is perfect for a warming stew. Here’s one that takes about 15 minutes to make. Hungarian paprika lends a sweet pepper flavor to the stew. It can be found in the spice section of the supermarket. Regular paprika or smoked paprika will also work well. Be sure your paprika is fresh. Spices will keep only about 6 months.The meat is cooked for only a few minutes. It will stay juicy this way. If you prefer, boneless chicken thighs or pork tenderloin can be used instead.If Hungarian paprika is not available, use smoked paprika instead.Or crushed garlic cloves can be used instead of minced garlic.Any type of noodles can be used.TAG GOES HEREHungarian Beef “Stew”INGREDIENTS4 teaspoons canola oil, divide use2 cups sliced onion1 cup sliced celery3/4 pound grass fed beef tenderloin, cut into 1-inch pieces2 teaspoons minced garlic1 tablespoon Hungarian paprika2 teaspoons caraway seeds1 cup canned reduced sodium diced tomatoes with the juice1/4 pound egg noodlesSalt and freshly ...

Editorial: Feds tell colleges to keep students safe or lose $$

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:57 GMT

While actions speak louder than words, it often takes words to spur action. Few are more inspiring than “shape up or we could cut your funding.”That’s the gist of Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona’s warning to colleges and universities who’ve dithered as hateful rhetoric and harassment rage on campuses around the country.“We want to promote free speech and, to be frank with you, college campuses are where students should be able to express different opinions. But when it comes to antisemitism or Islamophobia, that has no place on our college campuses or in our schools,”  Cardona said in a CNN interview.College presidents maintain that they’re trying to balance freedom of speech and the safety of their students, but the “can’t we all get along” approach has done little to end campus strife.A disturbing video making the rounds on X shows a Harvard University student getting mobbed by pro-Palestinian demonstrators on the school&...

Bruins near the top in Herald power rankings

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:57 GMT

We are only a month into the 2023-24 season and already the preseason power rankings have been blown to smithereens. Projected contenders have morphed into pretenders. Potential also-rans are making a run at the playoffs. There is still time for the hockey world to right itself, at least as we saw it a month ago, but there will undoubtedly be some disappointments and pleasant surprises. Here are the first month’s rankings. Tuesday’s results not included.1. Vegas Golden Knights – No Stanley Cup hangover for Bruce Cassidy’s boys. They finally lost in regulation on Sunday but they were coming off a very impressive walloping of a good Colorado Avalanche team. It wouldn’t be surprising if they dip a bit after having the bubble burst.2. Boston Bruins – They might be a .500 team with just average goaltending. But the goalie is part of the team, too. Maybe their ability to grind out tight wins will help them in the spring, but they need do need to lighten the load on...

Chicago White Sox fill coaching staff openings with plenty of big-league experience

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:57 GMT

The Chicago White Sox didn’t specifically target former major leaguers while filling openings on their coaching staff.But as it turns out, each of the five new additions has big-league playing experience.“We just identified guys that we felt had impeccable makeup,” Sox manager Pedro Grifol said during a video conference call. “One thing I noticed is that these guys are like grinders.“Each one of these guys brings a little different mindset to what they had to do to play major-league baseball for a long time and be in the game for a long time, which was really intriguing to me.”The Sox announced their 2024 staff on Tuesday.The newcomers include Marcus Thames, who will try to help the Sox get back on track offensively after being named the team’s hitting coach.The Sox also added Jason Bourgeois as the first base/outfield coach, Drew Butera as the catching coach, Matt Wise as the assistant pitching coach and Grady Sizemore as a major-league coa...

Lowry: The kidnapped posters aren’t an affront

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:57 GMT

There are many things in American life considered offensive or controversial that never would have been before. Now, kidnapped posters have to be added to the list.There’s an ongoing struggle in our streets over whether it’s legitimate to post flyers about people kidnapped in the Hamas terror attack on Israel on Oct. 7, or this is a provocation that warrants the posters being torn down.As far as public debates go, this isn’t a close call. On one side there is decency and respect for the suffering of innocents, and on the other, perversity, ignorance and hatred.The contention over the posters is hardly the most consequential element of the debate over the Gaza war, but it is shocking nonetheless.The posters don’t include extensive editorial comment, and don’t include gory content.They are unadorned. They have the name and age, as well as a photo, of the hostage or hostages. They include a brief factual statement about the number of Israelis killed, wound...

Mary Ann Esposito’s Broiled Pomelos with Mascarpone & Dates

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:57 GMT

Have you tried pomelos? They are the distant big boy cousins of grapefruit and are thick-skinned and juicy. Besides just eating them like a grapefruit for breakfast, try them broiled for a healthy dessert.TAG GOES HEREBroiled Pomelo with Mascarpone Cream and DatesINGREDIENTS2 pomelos, each cut in half4 tablespoons honey1 cup mascarpone cheese at room temperature2 tablespoons light cream or half and half½ cup finely diced datesDIRECTIONSUse a small paring knife to cut in between the pomelo sections and loosen the fruit from the rind. Place the haves cut side up in a broiler-safe pan.Brush the tops of each half with the honey.Broil until the honey begins to caramelize and the edge of the rind begins to brown. Remove from oven and place each half on a dessert plate.In a medium bowl, combine the mascarpone with the cream and dates. Divide and top each half with a dollop of the cheese mixture. Serve warm.Serves 4www.ciaoitalia.com

Dear Abby: Thankless grandkids to get one last gift

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:57 GMT

Dear Abby: For years, we have given generous gifts to our six out-of-town grandchildren and received almost no thanks or acknowledgment. It hurts my feelings because I devote a lot of thought, in addition to money, to choosing something special for each of them.Obviously, they don’t care, but when we have just sent checks, not knowing what they read, wear or want, our checks are always cashed. It’s the same with gift cards. This year, we will send gifts to their parents — our own children. PERIOD. The grandchildren will receive your Letters Booklet — including the section on writing thank-you notes. Please send me six before the end of November. — Ticked Off Granny in OregonDear Ticked Off: The issue you have raised is one I hear about often from other “ticked off” readers each year. I’m sorry you didn’t mention how old your grandchildren are, because the fault may lie with their parents, who should have taught their children thi...

Fallbrook, Rainbow voters support detaching from San Diego water authority, early results show

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 10:00:57 GMT

SAN DIEGO -- Measures proposing the separation of the Fallbrook Public Utility and Rainbow Municipal Water districts from San Diego County Water Authority appeared to be on their way to passing, early results showed.Tuesday's special election comes several months after the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) voted in favor of allowing the two water districts to leave the central water agency and switch to Eastern Municipal Water District in Riverside County, moving the proposal to a customer vote.The two largely agricultural water districts argued that the move would help save their customers about $7.6 million per year. Farmers and growers in the districts have said they are struggling to pay their bills amid county-wide water rate increases, while also losing crops. These five San Diego zip codes are among priciest for homebuyers However, the Water Authority, along with many county leaders, strongly opposed the detachment, claiming that it could increas...