Race, politics & protest in 2017
On Jan. 21, nearly 200,000 Boston-area residents braved the cold January weather for a women’s solidarity march that was one of many held around the country and around the world. Speakers and marchers pledged their support for the rights of women, people of color and immigrants.

Walsh begins second term as Boston mayor
On the very first day of the new year, Martin J. Walsh took the oath to serve his second term as mayor of Boston, pledging to prioritize the city’s middle class, redouble his administration’s housing efforts, increase pathways to job employment and decrease Boston’s homeless population.

City, activists seek better planning
The activists’ complaints, during a public meeting for the BPDA’s PLAN: Glover’s Corner process, echoed those from groups in Roxbury and Jamaica Plain who have argued that the BPDA processes are slanted toward real estate developers and ignore the needs of the low- and moderate-income people who live in Boston.

Boston councilors start historic new chapter in City Hall
“I am committed to elevating the experiences of residents who feel like they are not heard in this city,” Campbell said, addressing fellow councilors and others gathered in the Ianella Chamber during the first council meeting of the year.

A threat to consumer protection
People are enamored with their bad habits. Even though the habits are often not helpful, they become part of one’s persona. For example, when smoking was more acceptable, a lit cigarette handled adroitly could have dramatic affect.

IN THE NEWS
Gabrielle Farrell joined Senator Elizabeth Warren’s 2018 campaign for re-election as press secretary following her most recent stretch as press secretary for Mayor Marty Walsh’s successful 2017 re-election campaign. She will now serve as an official spokesperson for Senator Warren throughout her campaign.

There are always more victims than one in a police killing
This was a TV ad that millions saw during the 2016 presidential campaign. The speaker was then 26-year-old Erica Garner, the daughter of Eric Garner. The spot was aired in support of the presidential bid of Democratic contender, Bernie Sanders.

ROVING CAMERA
Income inequality. There are divisions that are still in big cities, including neighborhoods in Boston, that without a leverage point, result in generational displacement..

Roxbury Community College — Your future is our focus
The New Roxbury Community College (RCC) is now open! The College is currently undergoing $72.5 million in renovations; and, our fully-renovated Media Arts Center, new Student Commons, and new Health Sciences Building opened in September 2017. In January 2018, the second floor of our Academic Building will re-open.

Justice Dept. pushes for citizenship question on U.S. Census
The Justice Department is pushing for a question on citizenship to be added to the 2020 census, a move that observers say could depress participation by immigrants who fear that the government could use the information against them.

Reverend Liz Walker
Reverend Liz Walker addresses the audience at Mayor Walsh’s inauguration..

Black and Latino legislators reflect and prepare for new year
In 2017, the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus prioritized and pushed forward significant pieces of legislation, including sweeping criminal justice reform, police officer accountability and data collection, recreational marijuana provisions and greater flexibility for schools that teach English language learners.

A banner year for business
Throughout 2017, the Banner’s business pages highlighted local entrepreneurs, those risk-takers who have set up shop to offer services and products from branding to beauty supplies, fitness to fences, sweets to soul food.

BIZ BITS
Most working professionals want to advance their skills, land that promotion and get a raise. However, some 36 million adults face a significant barrier to achieving their goals and aspirations: They still need to complete a significant amount of coursework in order to earn a college degree.

‘Bedlam’s Sense and Sensibility’
Jane Austen’s 1811 novel “Sense and Sensibility,” was her first published book, and, like her other masterpieces to come, it portrays the quest for love, marriage and money among the people she knew best — 18th-century English gentry — with wry wit and wisdom.

First fruits
Every December for the past 42 years the Black Community Information Center has coordinated a committee of organizations to host Kwanzaa celebrations.

Mansfield museum teaches history through black dolls
Debra Britt and her sisters are lifelong doll collectors. Their collection of historical black dolls was just a personal passion until Britt’s daughter came home from elementary school one day and said her teacher wouldn’t allow her to write a report on Madam C.

FOOD
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line cookie sheet with aluminum foil or parchment paper. In medium bowl, combine dates, cherries, pineapple, raisins and pecans. Mix well. In large bowl, combine pie crust mix, baking soda, sugar and spices. Stir to mix. Add eggs and beat well.

POMEGRANATE POWER
Worldwide, pomegranate consumption is on the rise for culinary and health reasons, and there is demand from cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries, all of which makes for attractive pricing on a fruit that grows by the hundreds on a healthy tree. The trees are low-maintenance and can adapt to many conditions, including heat and drought.