Boston, MA
Boston Wine Expo's revamped layout a reason to cheers
The Boston Wine Expo returns in March with various vendors, tastings, and other events, spearheaded by show director Raffaele Scalzi.
The two-day expo running from March 2-3 at the Park Plaza Hotel is anticipating more than 4,000 attendees and over 100 wineries represented. While the expo has more than 20 years of existence, Scalzi took the organizational reins in 2018.
Before Scalzi took over, the expo would feature around 400 vendors and roughly 12,000 attendees. With recent modifications to heighten the event’s exclusivity, Scalzi believes it will enhance the overall quality of the expo.
“We hit that 4,000 attendee projection last year, so we know that there was an audience here in Boston,” he told the Herald. “We know that even though the expo had a little pause, this affluent and knowledgeable wine community is still here.”
Modifications include splitting the two-day events into multiple sessions to ensure a safer environment, a more optimal tasting space for attendees and to deter attendees from drinking straight through the day. The changes, he said, have led to a positive reception from both attendees and vendors who are excited to have true members of the wine community participate in this regional showcase.
The expo’s presence, even under the modified format, Scalzi said, remains one of the largest in the entire region. That reputation is a selling point to those seeking to promote their products in a large-scale setting and others looking to add to a collection of wines.
“We have some national brands that participate at the expo so if they want to market in Boston this year and have a big New England presence, there is no other wine event in the area that you can go to and see this many producers at the same time,” Scalzi said.
While the coronavirus pandemic forced the entire hospitality industry to change course, Scalzi said there was a silver lining in terms of planning an event for whenever governmental restrictions were lifted.
“We were shooting for a much bigger event prior to COVID and the pandemic definitely changed the landscape of our program,” Scalzi said. “Now, we’re absolutely fine with just 4,000 people coming to the event.”
Though the event is catered to a knowledgeable wine community, restauranteurs and retail liquor store owners, Scalzi encouraged others to take part and enhance their wine-tasting experience.
“Overall, this event is about finding something new and networking with like-minded individuals,” he said. “I would say to come and try all your favorite wines and find something new.”
The expo will feature five tasting class events including Intro to Wine Tasting, Wines of the Piedmont, Belle Glos Pinot Noir, Uncorking Bordeau and For The Love of Sake. Each class lasts from 90-120 minutes with tickets costing $65 each.
Boston, MA
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Boston, MA
Boston Fleet hang on to beat Ottawa Charge with exciting 3-2 victory
LOWELL — The Boston Fleet returned from their nine-day break with a win against the Ottawa Charge at Tsongas Center. Both teams lost two of their last three entering Tuesday night’s matchup.
Both teams went into the final 20 minutes of play tied at 2-2, but Hannah Brandt scored the game-winning goal for Boston to give the home team its second straight victory and first win streak of the season.
The first 20 minutes saw a combined 16 shots between both teams but goalies Aerin Frankel and Emerance Maschmeyer stood on their heads for Boston and Ottawa, respectively, to keep the game scoreless.
The second period was a different story with four goals scored.
The game’s first goal came 2:18 into the second period when Jamie Lee Rattray buried her first goal of the season. Ottawa tied things up four minutes later with a goal from Shiann Darkangelo — who began last season with the Fleet before being traded to the Charge — but Boston reclaimed the lead two minutes later thanks to Shay Maloney’s first PWHL goal.
With 3:42 left in the second Aneta Tejralova — who spent a season with the PHF’s Boston Pride — shot one right past Frankel to make it 2-2 as Ottawa tied the game for a second time in the period.
The game remained tied for the first half of the third period until Brandt ripped one past Maschmeyer to give the Fleet their third and final lead of the game with help from a nice pass from Hilary Knight from behind the net.
The Charge went on a crucial power play with about seven minutes left when Sydney Bard was called for boarding in the third period. But the Fleet killed it off thanks to some big saves from Frankel.
Ottawa pulled Maschmeyer in the final two minutes for the extra skater, but Frankel once again stood on her head despite the Charge’s best effort. The Northeastern product stopped 24 of 26 shots in the win.
Boston now has 10 days off and returns to action Dec. 27 against the Toronto Sceptres at Coca-Cola Center.
Boston, MA
Boston Dental office manager accused of posing as dentist
A Milton, Massachusetts, man indicted in May on accusations he practiced dentistry without a license is facing additional charges, the Office of the Attorney General said Tuesday.
Fritz Gabriel, 69, was the manager of Boston-based dental practice Forest Hills Dental. Investigators allege that Gabriel posted as a licensed dentist and issued prescriptions, including ones for controlled drugs like Percocet and Hydrocodone, using the registration and credentials of another dentist without their knowledge. Under state law, only licensed dentists are allowed to issue prescriptions to their patients.
Gabriel is further accused of charging a patient’s credit card more than $6,000 in unauthorized purchases, including $5,000 to Forest Hills Dental. According to the AGO, Gabriel helped the patient open the credit card and then used the account without the patient’s knowledge or consent.
He was indicted by a Suffolk County Grand Jury on charges of unlawful use of a registration number and one count of fraudulent use of a credit card.
In court Tuesday, Gabriel pleaded not guilty to the new charges. He was released on personal recognizance.
Back in May 2024, Gabriel was indicted on allegations he fraudulently billed MassHealth for dental services that were never provided or provided unlawfully. Those charges also allege that he, despite not being licensed, performed an extraction on a MassHealth member that left her with an exposed root in her mouth. That case is ongoing.
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