Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all of our readers. No matter what one’s ancestral heritage, we can all be a bit Irish on this day. And as they say on the Emerald Isle, may the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, the rains fall soft upon your fields, and, until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Protestors gathered on Packard Avenue last Saturday, calling for Tufts University to close the controversial Confucius Institute. — Photos by Joe Creason

By Joe Creason

The crowd’s chants echoed down Packard Avenue in the brisk afternoon air on Saturday, March 13. Amplified sound waves shook the atmosphere on the Tufts University campus as over 100 protestors, including elected officials, organizers, students and supporters of the Free Tibet, East Turkestan, Hong Kong movements, made their grievances known.

Twelve years of an era have come to an end. I cannot count the number of homes my crew and I have saved, and the lives we’ve transformed over the last decade. With deep gratitude and excitement, I am honored to share with you my personal transformation.

I humbly announce my departure from the Somerville Fire Department.

Whether one is of Irish lineage or not, St. Patrick’s Day stands for a recognition of Irish and Irish American culture, and in many ways its cultural appropriation throughout our society.

The religious origins of the day have, for some, been obscured and often all but forgotten in favor of the “wearing of the green,” throwing parties, and holding parades. The day has been celebrated on the North American continent since before the American Revolution, and is actually an official holiday in neighboring Suffolk County. Ask any of our Boston brethren and they would – to a single soul – be aware of this fact.

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This is my go-to dish for St. Patrick’s Day. It’s very easy to make, and goes perfectly with corned beef. The cabbage adds a nice sweetness and texture to the mashed potatoes. I have tried both, the cabbage and the kale, and personally prefer the cabbage. Give it a try.

Peter D. Privitera, formerly of Somerville and the West End of Boston, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 7, 2021 at Woburn Nursing Center, at age 88. 

Peter was born on October 29, 1932 in Boston, a son of the late Gaetano Privitera and Josephine (Morello) Privitera. A native of the West End of Boston, Peter was raised with a strong sense of pride in his roots and maintained a lifelong connection with the neighborhood and his friendships. At the young age of 16, he began his lifelong love for the sea when he started working on the commercial fishing boats run by his family. He grew up learning the ocean, boating, and many life skills that he carried forever. When not on the water, he surrounded himself with anything that evoked the sea. From his experience with knotting fishing line, he made numerous macrame scarves for family members. Peter had a great appreciation for all lighthouses and was completely fascinated by anything related to the sea.

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Review by Off the Shelf correspondent Ed Meek

Have we been looking at animals the wrong way? Sy Montgomery thinks so.

For much of our history, animals have been thought of as sources of food or game or as pests. In recent years, science has “discovered” that many animals are sentient and even intelligent. This has led to a rethinking of the value of animals based on how close they are to being human.

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Gary Margolis is Emeritus Executive Director of College Mental Health Services and Associate Professor of English and American Literatures (part-time) at Middlebury College. His third book, Fire in the Orchard, was nominated for the 2002 Pulitzer Prize. His poem Winning the Lunar Eclipse, about the Red Sox World Series 2006 win, was featured on Boston’s ABC5. His memoir is titled Seeing the Songs: A Poet’s Journey to the Shamans in Ecuador, and recent books include Time Inside and Museum of Islands.

Arrests:
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Cameron St. Laurent, March 8, 4:53 p.m., arrested at Assembly Row on a warrant charge of larceny under $1200.

Rachid Belhadj, March 10, 12:57 p.m., arrested at Artisan Way on warrant charges of larceny over $1200, furnishing a false ID, resisting arrest, receiving stolen property under $1200, shoplifting by concealing merchandise, and open and gross lewdness.

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, Ward 2 City Councilor J.T. Scott, and city staff invite you to a virtual public meeting to discuss remediation at Conway Field. Representatives from the EPA and DEP will detail the site cleanup plans, safety precautions, and construction and address any questions or concerns.