However, what we are paying at the pump because of this so-called war is nothing compared to the coming shock of heating oil prices for the 20% of Mass. residents who use oil to heat their homes.

The average price for a gallon of heating oil already is a jaw-dropping $6.15 per gallon, which represents a staggering 75% increase above the average price of $3.52 per gallon at this time last year.

This means that a fill-up of 200 gallons for a family’s oil tank will cost about $1250, a figure that is completely unaffordable for many and that will strain the budgets for most.

Natural gas prices are not predicted to increase as much, but the 50% of Mass. residents who heat their homes with natural gas are expected to see an increase of up to 15% in their heating bills this winter.

Even if the war with Iran were to end tomorrow, the significant disruptions to the world’s energy supply chains that already have occurred would not bring significant relief from the current elevated prices for gasoline, diesel, and home heating oil.

In short, there is no relief in sight — and there is the likely prospect (depending on weather around the country and more supply shocks) of prices going even higher.

The only hope we have for making it through the winter heating season without emptying our wallets is to pray for a warmer-than-normal winter. Even so, we still should plan on lowering our thermostats — and wearing heavy sweaters — in our homes.

Was this weekend’s nor’easter

a preview of things to come?

This weekend’s long-lasting storm brought torrential rain, high winds, and some coastal flooding for almost four full days. The miserable conditions made life difficult for most of us — but it was not nearly as severe as it could have been.

Those who live along the coast were fortunate that the predicted high tides (in the range of 10.4 feet) during the 72-hour period were not unusually high. Combined with the storm surge of about 2.5 feet, the highest tide of this past weekend was 12.9 feet — enough to flood some low-lying areas, but not a devastating surge.

By comparison, the highest tide ever recorded in Boston Harbor was 15.16 feet on January 4, 2018 (which exceeded the 15.10 tide of the Blizzard of ‘78). That epic high tide, which flooded the Boston Seaport and the Blue Line at Aquarium station, occurred during a “King Tide” of 12.1 feet.

The 14.67 high tide two months later on March 2 was predicted to have been a 10.21 tide — but there was a storm surge of almost 4.5 feet that bumped it up to the third highest high tide in Boston history.

If you do the arithmetic, you can see where we’re going here as we look ahead to the coming winter months.

Meteorologists tell us that while the historic El Nino that is occurring right now prevents the formation of hurricanes, it encourages the type of long-lasting coastal nor’easters that we experienced this weekend.

We were lucky that this storm occurred during a period of low high tides. In addition, the storm occurred in September. The power outages that affected thousands of residents were just an inconvenience, unlike in winter, when below-freezing temperatures can be life-threatening.

However, the high tides in October, November, December, and January will exceed 11 feet, with the highest occurring over the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays at 11.5.

Let’s hope that the El Nino-fueled nor’easters that will be coming our way this winter — and we know they’ll be coming — do not occur during these periods of extreme high tides. Winter nor’easters typically feature stronger winds, and if the rain we experienced this weekend had been snow, it would have been measured in feet. A storm similar to this weekend during a high-tide cycle in winter will be an epic natural disaster.

More than ever, all of us will be at the mercy of Mother Nature this coming winter — and we should be prepared to batten down the hatches.

The grant will help Camp Harbor View — which offers a unique summer camp for thousands of city youth on Long Island in Boston Harbor and provides comprehensive family services, all at no cost — expand its year-round programming model, leveraging its newly expanded facility to deepen engagement with children and families beyond the summer months through workforce development, postsecondary planning, financial coaching and economic mobility programming. The funding will also support Camp Harbor View’s dual-generation approach to economic mobility, providing paid employment and career readiness opportunities for youth while helping families build financial resilience through coaching, navigation services and emergency assistance.

The award will support Urban Edge’s merger with the organization Nuestra Comunidad, who together are working to expand access to housing stability, financial resilience, economic mobility and homeownership programs for urban Boston residents. The funding will also help the combined organization strengthen its long-term operations, preserve affordable housing, expand community wealth-building programs and position its affordable-housing and homeownership pipeline for future growth.

“Congratulations to two truly remarkable organizations, Urban Edge and Camp Harbor View, on being selected as Bank of America Neighborhood Builders. Both organizations are making a lasting impact on our communities by creating greater opportunities and helping families to thrive,” said Miceal Chamberlain, president, Bank of America Greater Boston. “We are proud to support their important work and look forward to seeing all that they accomplish through this well-deserved recognition.”

Michael Garand, president of Bank of America Worcester, added, “Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester has demonstrated an incredible commitment to strengthening neighborhoods by creating safe and affordable housing and giving families the opportunity to build brighter futures. It is a privilege to honor their hard work, and I congratulate the entire team on being recognized into the Neighborhood Builders program.”

Neighborhood Builders is part of the bank’s longstanding efforts to build thriving communities by addressing issues fundamental to economic opportunity. Since the program’s inception in 2004, 69 nonprofits have been selected as Neighborhood Builders in Massachusetts, with the Bank investing over $10 million into these nonprofits.  

“What started as a summer camp nearly 20 years ago has blossomed into a robust year-round program that has served thousands of young people across Boston,” said Camp Harbor View CEO Sharon McNally. “An integral part of that growth was recognizing that our youth can truly thrive when the entire family is supported. Thanks to the Neighborhood Builders Program, we will continue partnering with our families to build financial resiliency, economic mobility, and a connected community. We are so grateful to Bank of America for this support.”

Added Urban Edge CEO Emilo Dorcely: “Being named a Bank of America Neighborhood Builder is a recognition of the people we serve as much as it is of Urban Edge. For more than 50 years, our neighbors have made clear what they need: homes they can afford, a real stake in the decisions that shape their communities, and the chance to build wealth where they already live. This investment tells us that Bank of America sees that work and is willing to stand behind it at a moment when the pressure on families across Greater Boston has never been greater.” 

Bank of America also announced a third Neighborhood Builder award, $100,000 over two years, to Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester. The announcements were made at Gillette Stadium during the Patriots game on Sunday, Sept. 20. In total, Bank of America is investing $500,000 across the three organizations. In addition to the funding, each organization’s executive director and a selected emerging leader will participate in a leadership development program.

The grant will help Habitat for Humanity MetroWest/Greater Worcester serve more families by launching its FY2027–FY2029 strategic plan and invest in new leadership positions. These investments are intended to help the organization scale its operations, grow its housing pipeline and reach a goal of improving housing conditions for more than 20 families annually by the strategy’s third year. The funding will also help Habitat sustain its increased pace of home construction and repair, develop new revenue sources and expand its ReStore operation, with a goal of generating more than $1 million in annual net revenue by FY2029 to support its mission.

“We are incredibly honored to be selected as a Bank of America Neighborhood Builder,” Habitat MetroWest/Greater Worcester CEO Debbie Maruca Hoak said. “This investment comes at an important moment as we work to expand the number of families we serve across our communities. The flexible funding and leadership development will strengthen our capacity to create more opportunities for families to achieve the stability and security of a safe, affordable home. We are deeply grateful to Bank of America for investing not only in the homes we build, but in Habitat’s ability to serve more families for years to come.”

Bank of America is one of the world’s leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving more than 69 million clients with approximately 3,500 retail financial centers, approximately 15,000 ATMs (automated teller machines) and award-winning digital banking with approximately 60 million verified digital users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. As the #1 small business lender in the United States (FDIC), Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 4 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and more than 35 countries and/or jurisdictions. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

Pizzi, also highly regarded for his philanthropy – often lending his hand as a master of ceremonies for charity events – will be receiving the prestigious Tony DeMarco Founders Award at the National Italian American Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Oct. 25 at the Kowloon Restaurant.

“We’re honored to present this important award to Mr. Pizzi in recognition of his stellar contributions to our organization and many others,” said event chairperson Paul Solano. “Like Tony DeMarco for whom the award is named, Johnny Pizzi is a champion in every sense of the word.”

As one would expect, Pizzi was excited and humbled to learn of the immense honor that will be bestowed upon him at the annual induction ceremony.

“I’m very proud and honored to accept this award,” said Pizzi. “I’ve met [former world welterweight champion] Tony DeMarco, and he was a great guy. It’s always wonderful to be recognized. When people choose to acknowledge your efforts, it really means the world. For 40 years, what I’ve always liked to do is helping people.”

Eastie roots

The son of former opera singer Don Carlos Pizzi and Barbara Pizzi, Johnny grew up in the Jeffries Point neighborhood in East Boston and graduated from East Boston High School in 1970. He was a teammate of the great Dennis Dent on the East Boston Fittons semi-professional team.

A 40-year employee of the United States Postal Service, he began his comedic career in the 1990s. Pizzi and Mike Clarke are co-founders of Giggles Comedy Club in Saugus.

A courageous battle

Pizzi is currently in a battle against pancreatic cancer and has begun treatment.

“One day after I was diagnosed with cancer on July 23, I was notified that I was getting this [DeMarco] award,” related Pizzi. “I went from the devastation of being told that I had pancreatic cancer to hearing that I was going to get such a wonderful award. It kind of helped me balance out what my feelings were at that time. My entire family has been instrumental in helping me deal with this illness.”

Pizzi has “a very positive attitude” about his health situation.

“I think I have a second lease on life – God’s given me a second chance, so I’m happy about that,” he said.

Pizzi’s friends, colleagues, and many fans will be gathering at two fundraisers in his honor on Oct. 15 at Giggles Comedy Club in Saugus.And on Oct. 25, Pizzi will step to the podium – a familiar place for the excellent emcee – to receive an award recognizing a lifetime of kindness and generosity to others.

The 2026-2027 national public high school rankings were based on data points such as student achievement on state tests, graduation rates, and college readiness measures, including student participation and performance in Advanced Placement exams – with a focus on evaluating how well schools serve all students, including underserved populations.

Once again, there are more Massachusetts schools represented in the top 25% of all public schools ranked nationally than any other state. Massachusetts Charter Public School Association (MCPSA) member schools represent 12 of the top 100 public high schools in the Commonwealth.

Excel students predominantly identify as Latino or Hispanic, and many will be the first in their families to graduate from college. Year over year, Excel students consistently achieve at high levels, outperforming their peers in academic growth and achievement across the state.

“This data proves that college-level coursework belongs to every student in East Boston and Chelsea, not just some,” said Sarah Stuntz, Excel Academy Charter High School Head of School. “Ninety-four percent of our students take an AP exam, and we rank in the top 20 schools in the state for both College Readiness and state assessment performance. Recognition like this is a wonderful moment for our students and all the staff who show up for them every day.”

As a result of this rigorous education, Excel students are four times more likely to earn a college degree than their peers. For six years after graduation, the Excel College and Post-secondary Success (CAPS) Team ensures graduates have the guidance and support necessary to thrive in their chosen path.

Excel Academy high schoolers returned to school for the 2026-2027 academic year on August 19th.

Excel Academy Charter Schools prepares students to succeed in high school and college, apply their learning to solve relevant problems, and engage productively in their communities. A network of public charter schools in Boston, Chelsea, and Rhode Island, Excel’s College Access and Secondary Success (CAPS) program supports students for up to six years after graduation through college counseling, one-on-one financial aid advising, and ongoing guidance.

Of Winthrop

Julia Adela “Julie” Markakis, age 81, of Winthrop, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Friday, September 25, 2026, at Massachusetts General Hospital. Born in Lynn in 1945, she was the daughter of the late Leonidas and Julia (de La Vega) Markakis. Raised and educated in Lynn, Julie graduated from Lynn English High School in 1963, where the popular teenager became Co-Captain of the cheerleading Team, Queen of the Sr. Prom, and Miss Lynn English High. Julie then attended and graduated from The Academie Moderne, a finishing school created by the late Mildred Albert, where both Julie and her sister Olga graduated. As simple as it may seem, Julie often said that the academy prepared her well for her career in the airlines and beyond.

Although she never married, Julie was the high school sweetheart of the late Boston Red Sox great Tony Conigliaro. Although the young couple went to rival schools, they dated for many years. Their

love and respect for one another lasted well beyond high school, and is well documented in all three books written about the Red Sox slugger.

Post-Academie Moderne, Julie was hired by Eastern Airlines as a Flight Attendant, where she enjoyed an illustrious career spanning more than two decades. When the airline was sold, Julie worked at the State House in Boston, and later transferred to the Department of Public Health, where she retired after 25 years of public service.

“Jules” often stated that she “loved her adventures traveling the world,” and one of her fondest memories was traveling to Greece and Israel with her Mom. Like her Dad, “Big Lou,” Julie was philanthropic, donating money to causes she believed in, such as the Jimmy Fund, Wounded Warriors Project, DAV, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Red Cross, American Cancer Society, ASPCA, National WWII Museum, and, fondly, as a member of Silverliners, an airline group of current and former Flight Attendants supporting good causes.

Julie is survived by her loving siblings, Olga Sherry of Brewster, Alexander “Alex” Markakis of Revere, Nora Markakis of Lynn, and Louis “Lou” Markakis of Revere; her nieces and nephews: Julie Cowles, Angel Melnik, Laura Sherry, Sean Sherry, and Alex “Robert” Markakis.

Julie will “surely be missed” by many cousins and dear friends.

A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, October 2, 2026, at the SOLIMINE FUNERAL HOME, 67 Ocean St. (Rt. lA), Lynn, at 11 a.m. The burial will be at Pine Grove Cemetery, Lynn. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Visiting Hours are Friday from 9-11 a.m., before the Funeral Service. Donations in Julie’s memory may be made to a charity of one’s choice, as Julie herself was philanthropic to multiple charities throughout her life. Directions and online guestbook at www.solimine.com

He will be remembered as a kind, humble family man,

who truly knew what mattered most in life

Family and friends are respectfully invited to attend Visiting Hours today, Wednesday, September 30, from 5 to 8 p.m. in the Vertuccio Smith & Vazza, Beechwood Home for Funerals, 262 Beach St., Revere for William J. “Billy” Gleeson, Sr., who died on Saturday, September 26, surrounded by his loving family at the Lahey Medical Center in Burlington following a long illness with multiple health problems. He was 83 years old. His Funeral will be conducted from the funeral home on Thursday, October 1, beginning at 9 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass in St. Anthony of Padua Church, 250 Revere St., Revere at 10 a.m. Interment will immediately follow in Holy Cross Cemetery, Malden.

Billy was born on November 10, 1942, in Boston to his late parents. Francis “Frank” and Josephine (Cahill) Gleeson. Billy began his life living in Roxbury along with his eleven brothers and sisters. Billy was educated in Boston Public Schools. At the age of 10 the family moved to East Boston, where he made his home for over 70 years.

Billy married the love of his life, Josephine M. “Joanne” (Russo) on July 28, 1963. They had one son, William, Jr. and happily raised their son together. Billy was always dedicated to his family and worked to provide for them. He began working in a shoe factory and then later worked in the Security Business. Throughout Billy’s life, he had some health struggles, but he marched on with his wife by his side and worked until this past year. He enjoyed a career with Alliance Security for 32 years.

Billy enjoyed traveling all over the country and especially had a few places that he truly liked such as Niagara Fall’s and Dolly Wood in Tennessee. Billy also enjoyed taking the entire family on a yearly vacation so they could all enjoy it together. He also enjoyed his trips to Atlantic City and Foxwoods. Billy was an avid Boston Sports fan but mostly enjoyed his home and being with his family. He will be remembered as a kind, humble family man, who truly knew what mattered most in life.

The beloved husband of 63 years of Josephine M. “Joanne” (Russo) Gleeson of East Boston and the loving father of William J. “Billy” Gleeson, Jr. and his companion, Julie Nguyen of Dorchester, he was the cherished grandfather of Chenelle M. Gleeson and her fiancée, Jeff Doucette of Belmont, Alise M. Niolet and her husband, Marcus of Concord, New Hampshire and the late William J. “Willy” Gleeson, III and his wife, Krissie Sansaverino – Gleeson and surrogate grandfather of Serena DiSciscio of Concord, NH; great grandfather of Kourtney R. Gleeson and Luciana Niolet; dear brother of the late Joanne Candelora, Frank Gleeson, Edward Gleeson, Mary Thomson, Herbert Gleeson, Joseph Gleeson, Theresa MaQuiggin, Thomas Gleeson, Katherine Gleeson, and Elaine Bates. He is also lovingly survived by his brother-in-law, Frank Candleora and many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to Lahey Clinic Office of Philanthropy, 529 Main St., 4th Floor, Charlestown, MA 02129. To send your condolences online, please visit www.vertucciosmithvazza.com. Funeral arrangements entrusted to the care and direction of the

Vertuccio Smith & Vazza, Beechwood Home for Funerals.

Opening reception: Saturday, October 3, 4-7 p.m., Third Thursday reception: October 15, 6–9 p.m. This is Free and open to the public.

DOODAH!

Make of it what you will.

Kinda, sorta, a nonsense word from a meaningless musical phrase that has evolved into a bit of slang meaning an unnamed gadget, a state of excitement, or trouble.

Walter Kopec, with a background in graphic design, uses strong graphic sensibilities in drawing, painting and sculpture to explore the conundrums of “sense-making” within the turmoil of the day-to-day. With play and puzzle-making in full spirit and using appropriate, minimal material, the work addresses wide-ranging issues…from the ramifications of the overtly political to the subjectively personal; the act of thinking and how we say what we say.

Kopec’s love of letterform and typography, linguistics and wordplay drives much of his work. By splitting and manipulating letterforms, the creation of invented words, and the use of real words in new ways, he leverages the endless elasticity of language and creates new forms and whimsical words that put on display the duplicity of language. www.walterkopec.com

Of his work, artist Rick Dorff says: My found objects have evolved into something beyond their original use and identity, shaped by entropic processes like rust, decay, fading, or being run over in the street.

My constructed objects illustrate ideas I want to explore further, ranging from concepts and dialogues to experiments with form.

Rick Dorff is a self-taught artist working mainly in the realm of three-dimensional images. His work has been shown at the AMP: Art Market Provincetown, Atlantic Works Gallery and Fort Point Theatre Channel.

Gallery Hours: Fridays and Saturdays, 2–6 PM, and by appointment

For more information, please visit: www.atlanticworks.org

The Havoc faced the North Boston Devil Rays in an exciting best-of-three semifinal series that went the distance. With Game 3 tied 4–4 in the final inning, two outs on the board, and a runner on first, Omar Ortiz delivered the decisive hit—a double over the right fielder’s head. The walk-off victory sent the Havoc to their third consecutive BBA championship series.

For the second straight year, the Boston Havoc faced the Lowell Angels in the best of 5 championship series. The Havoc dominated the series, sweeping the Lowell Angels 3–0 to secure another title.

Omar Ortiz was named 2026 BBA Finals MVP after batting .636 in the finals and leading the team in hits and RBI.

The Boston Baseball Association plays most of its games at East Boston Memorial Park. For more information, visit http://www.bbaboston.com.

That spirit will be celebrated at the 18th Annual ALS & MS Walk for Living, taking place at 10 a.m. on Sunday, October 18, 165 Captains Row on Admiral’s Hill in Chelsea.

The annual event brings together residents, families, friends, caregivers, staff, community members, and supporters for a two-mile, dog-friendly walk benefiting the Center’s residents. Remarkably, many of the residents who participate do so in wheelchairs, while others are dependent on ventilators. Their presence makes the Walk for Living much more than a fundraising event — it is a powerful celebration of living life to the fullest.

Embracing Life

As avid ski racers, Martha Waite and Paul Koch loved skiing down a snowy mountain. After they were diagnosed with ALS—Martha in 2018 at age 67 and Paul in 2024 at age 63, they assumed their skiing days were over.

Then they became residents of the Leonard Florence Center for Living.

Last winter, Leonard Florence Center staff made it possible for Martha and Paul to return to the slopes for a ski outing in Waterville Valley, New Hampshire. It was a trip they will never forget.

“Participating in activities I love is something I never thought possible after my diagnosis,” said Martha Waite. “The skiing trip was everything I had hoped for—fun, exciting and exhilarating. My brother and his wife, Karen, came from Canada to ski with me. We laughed when we realized we hadn’t skied together since high school. I am so proud to be a resident of the Leonard Florence Center for Living.”

Paul passed away on June 20, 2026, making the February ski outing even more meaningful.

The ski trip is just one example of the extraordinary experiences made possible at the Leonard Florence Center for Living. Through advanced technology, a highly skilled and compassionate staff, and a robust calendar of activities and outings, residents living with ALS, MS, and ventilator dependence are able to experience a level of independence and engagement that is not possible in a traditional nursing home.

As the country’s first urban model Green House® skilled nursing facility, the Leonard Florence Center for Living provides residents with a level of choice, dignity, and independence that sets it apart. The Center cares for more people living with ALS than any other facility in the world. In 2020, the Center also opened the Stein Family Center for Well-Being, the only Green House® ventilator program in the country.

Honoring the

Hackel-Remis Family

The 2026 ALS & MS Walk for Living will honor the Hackel-Remis family, including Michael Hackel and Danielle Remis Hackel, longtime friends and supporters of Chelsea Jewish Lifecare who are deeply involved in the local community.

Michael’s father, Richard Hackel, is a resident of the Leonard Florence Center for Living and is living with ALS. A former attorney, Richard has not allowed his diagnosis to define his life.

Richard is an active participant in life at the Center and is known for his enthusiasm, generosity, and willingness to encourage those around him. He is often among the first to sign up for trips and activities and is always eager to lend a hand or help another resident.

“We are delighted to honor the Hackel-Remis family at this year’s Walk for Living,” said Barry Berman, CEO of Chelsea Jewish Lifecare. “Richard is an inspiration to everyone who knows him. He embraces every opportunity to participate, whether it’s a trip, an activity, or simply helping another resident. His determination and positive spirit embody everything the Walk for Living represents.”

A Celebration for the

Entire Community

The ALS & MS Walk for Living begins at 10 a.m. on Sunday, October 18, at 165 Captains Row on Admiral’s Hill in Chelsea. Every dollar raised goes directly toward patient care and programs for residents living with ALS and MS.

Following the two-mile walk, participants will enjoy a community celebration featuring a BBQ hosted by Chili’s, face painting, live dance performances, a petting zoo, and more.

The $20 registration donation includes a Walk for Living T-shirt, food, and all activities.

M&T Bank is the Platinum-level sponsor. A.H.O.A., ACS Development Corporation, and Geriatric Medical are Gold-level sponsors. Eastern Bank and Eastern Salt Company are Silver-level sponsors. Independent Newspaper Group is the media sponsor.

To register for the Walk or make a donation, visit www.walkforliving.org.

For more information, contact Walk Director Maura Graham at mgraham@chelseajewish.org or 617-409-8973. All donations are tax deductible.

About Chelsea Jewish Lifecare

Chelsea Jewish Lifecare is redefining senior care and re-envisioning what life should be like for people living with disabling conditions. Its eldercare community includes skilled nursing and short-term rehabilitation residences; specialized ALS, MS, and ventilator-dependent care; traditional and specialized assisted living; memory care; independent living; adult day health; and homecare and hospice agencies—all dedicated to delivering customized, compassionate care.