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Dear Abby: Love me, but leave me alone, say parents

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Dear Abby: Love me, but leave me alone, say parents


Dear Abby: My parents are in their 70s. They live in a retirement community. As they have gotten older, they have become more private. They no longer want their children or grandkids around. Recently, I received a call telling me that they would not be answering phone calls anymore. I have stopped by their house, but they do not answer the door. What little relationship I had with them no longer exists. Advice? — Wanting to Connect

Dear Wanting: You cannot force your parents into unwelcome contact. If you are concerned about their welfare, contact the police and ask them to do a wellness check because their behavior has changed.

However, if everything checks out, you will have to accept that this is what your parents want and abide by their choice, as difficult as that may be.

Dear Abby: I recently watched a video of the founder of Overeaters Anonymous, Rozanne S., telling the story of founding the program and her own struggles with food. In it, she mentioned that your mother had been instrumental in getting OA information out to the public and was responsible for its growth.

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Abby, OA saved my life, and I’m grateful to Rozanne and to your mother. After 39 years in the program, I have released 120 pounds from my top weight. I’m now at a healthy weight and have been for most of 39 years. Beyond the weight loss, I have sanity, freedom and healthy relationships in my life. I came in only to lose weight, but the clarity I derived from working the 12 steps is the most important thing I have ever done in my life.

I’m glad I didn’t have to rely on a drug to help me lose weight, and I found that working on what’s inside helped to make the outside a normal weight. My only regret is that more people aren’t aware of the program and still believe the solution is to “just lose the weight.”

In the introduction to my first OA book, it said, “Thin will not make you well, but well will make you thin.” Today, I love myself as I am — something I never thought would be possible. — Joe A. in Houston, TX

Dear Joe: Thank you for your sweet letter. I remember my mother’s interest in Overeaters Anonymous and her respect for its founder. I once had the pleasure of meeting Rozanne, a lovely woman, as well. As I’m sure most of us know, people have been known to eat for reasons that have nothing to do with physical hunger.

The introduction of weight loss drugs has hit like a tidal wave and, for some, it has been like a miracle (so far). However, for those wanting a more conservative approach, or who cannot tolerate the side effects of these drugs or afford the cost, Overeaters Anonymous may provide a successful path to weight loss.

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There are more than 6,500 OA meetings worldwide, in 77 countries. This includes 2,500 virtual meetings taking place almost any time of the day from other locations around the world. Readers, if you’re interested, you will find more information about Overeaters Anonymous at OA.org. Like any 12-step program, there’s no membership fee, but donations are welcome.

 

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

 



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Boston, MA

Defiant Knicks fans brush off Game 5 blowout, blast ‘cocky’ Celtics supporters in Boston: ‘Worst city in America’

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Defiant Knicks fans brush off Game 5 blowout, blast ‘cocky’ Celtics supporters in Boston: ‘Worst city in America’


Knicks fans brushed off their team’s blowout loss to the Boston Celtics in Game 5 — and still talked trash to their rival’s fanbase outside TD Garden Wednesday night.

“F–k Boston,” said Brooklyn resident Rick Haddad, 18, outside the Beantown venue. “It’s the worst city in America. Worst people, worst culture, worst sports team.”

His buddy Edward Dweck then took a shot at the Celtics’ home arena.

“This is a fake garden. This is a p—y-ass garden,” the 18-year-old Brooklynite yapped. “I’ve never heard of TD Garden, only Madison [Square] Garden and the Botanical [Garden].”

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Knicks fan Kevin Shah outside Boston’s TD Garden Wednesday night after New York’s loss. David McGlynn

The Brooklyn pals were among scores of fans who were still defiant after New York lost 127-102, which will stretch the series to at least six games.

The Knickerbockers are still up 3-2.

“You ain’t been paying attention,” Kevin Shah huffed.

“You don’t see patterns. Game f–king 6 at home. It’s gotta be.”

“The formula is you go all do your thing and you get cocky, and we punch you in the mouth without knowing it,” said Shah, a Bronxville native who now lives in Ohio.

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“The whole time it’s been the formula, dog,” he continued to rant. “Every time they got full of themselves, they got met with a reality check, bitch.”

Knicks supporters brushed off the crushing Game 5 loss. David McGlynn

Even Mayor Eric Adams got involved with a two-word response to the disappointing loss.

“BUCK FOSTON,” Hizzoner tweeted.

Another fan outside TD Garden, David G., shouted “Knicks in six” for several minutes as fans left the venue.

“It’s OK. We are good, buddy,” he said. “Knicks in six. We are good.”

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“I’m getting a lot of f–k yous, but I don’t care,” he added as a pair of Boston fans told him to pipe down.

“We just kicked your ass! Jesus. Shut the f–k up!” an angry Celtics fan shouted at him while another screamed, “You smell like s–t.”

A group of girls decked out in Knicks jerseys also felt the wrath of some insufferable Boston fans who shouted, “Keep walking! Go home! Go back to New York!”

Boston Celtics center Luke Kornet (40) dunks against New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) during the second half of Game 5 of an NBA basketball second-round playoff series, Wednesday, May 14, 2025, in Boston. AP

Back in the Empire State outside MSG, fans were clamoring for another shot at the Celtics.  

“Jaylen Brown thinks he’s all hot s–t. He f–king sucks, bro,” Nia Newkirk, 25, said of the Boston guard.

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“He is not the best driver in the NBA. He’s not the best driver on his team, bro. You needed [Boston forward] Jayson Tatum. Y’all got f–king lucky tonight. Knicks in six.”

The series heads back to the Big Apple for Game 6 Friday night, where the Knicks will have another shot to close out the Celtics and advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.

A Celtics fan shows off his team’s logo after Boston’s win in Game 5 Wednesday night. David McGlynn

“I don’t care about Boston. Boston’s a bitch,” said Bronx resident Damion Jones, 30. “They, they always be a bitch … Oh, man, f–k Boston. We lost because of us. Yes, we lost because of us.” 

Hoboken resident Liam Walker, who rooted for the Knicks inside the watch party inside the world’s most famous arena, predicted beldam if New York took Game 5 or wins Friday.  

“I mean, there’s like way more people here [inside the Garden on Friday], they’ll be like hundreds of people outside, like it would be people going like crazy,” he said.

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“It would just be like a riot in the streets. It would be awesome.”



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Boston, MA

Boston City Council to debate removal of Tania Fernandes Anderson

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Boston City Council to debate removal of Tania Fernandes Anderson


The Boston City Council is expected to discuss removing Tania Fernandes Anderson today after she pleaded guilty to federal corruption charges.

The city’s own lawyers have explained that councilors cannot remove Fernandes Anderson from office before she is sentenced in her case, but that doesn’t stop the council from adding to the growing calls urging the disgraced councilwoman to resign.

It also doesn’t stop them from taking action to formally address the situation.

We know Fernandes Anderson has already pleaded guilty to federal corruption charges. Her decision to conceive a kickback scheme involving a family member who she hired to her staff isn’t up for debate. She admitted giving them a large bonus and then pocketing $7,000 — thus her federal convictions and upcoming sentencing in July.

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Boston City Councilor Tania Fernandes Anderson did not show up for the body’s first meeting since pleading guilty to federal corruption charges.

But until then, the councilor is allowed to maintain her seat. The council, however, also has some options.

They’ve already removed Fernandes Anderson from her city council committee positions, and an existing rule mandates that if a council member is convicted of a felony, the president — in this case Ruthzee Louijeune — has to refer the matter to council for a two thirds majority vote.

In 2010, the council voted and removed one of their own who was convicted, but the supreme judicial court overturned that and ruled the council didn’t have the authority.

Today’s formal proceeding at noon to address Fernandes Anderson’s conduct and conviction may demonstrate to the public that the council is working to restore public trust and add pressure to Fernandes Anderson to resign — but ultimately their hands may be tied until she is sentenced this summer.

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Boston city staff attorney running for mayor placed on paid administrative leave by city officials – The Boston Globe

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Boston city staff attorney running for mayor placed on paid administrative leave by city officials – The Boston Globe


City of Boston officials have placed a staff attorney on paid administrative leave as the employee pursues a bid for mayor.

John F. Houton, who has worked in the city’s law department for 18 years, including the past 14 years as in-house counsel for the city’s treasury department, is one of 13 candidates who have filed paperwork with the city to challenge Mayor Michelle Wu this election cycle. Houton told the Globe he believes the decision to put him on leave, which was first reported by Commonwealth Beacon, is retaliation in response to his mayoral campaign.

“I’m very disappointed that I’m being challenged and intimidated to not run,” Houton, 58, told the Globe in an interview Tuesday. “It’s caused some issues, but I’m holding steadfast in trying to get my signatures so I can be on the ballot.”

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Houton said city officials told him on Friday they are placing him on leave because he is a candidate for mayor. When he asked why other city employees running for office, including Kerry Augustin, the receptionist for the city’s Age Strong Commission who is also running for mayor, were not treated similarly, Houton said they expressed concern that his employment as an attorney for the city could be a conflict of interest or present ethical dilemmas.

“In order to perform its essential functions, the Law Department’s work depends on being fully non-political in its operations, and, importantly, the Department must be perceived as non-political by Cabinet Chiefs and Department heads seeking advice and counsel,” city spokesperson Jessicah Pierre said in a statement.

Pierre said the city’s Human Resources department is handling all decisions related to Houton’s employment, with the advice of outside counsel. Wu is not involved, Pierre added.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.


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Niki Griswold can be reached at niki.griswold@globe.com. Follow her @nikigriswold.





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