Baby Steps Toward Normalcy, Something Old For Something New: HUB

The HUB is a rundown of the stories people in Boston are talking about. Patch publishes the HUB every weekday.

Good morning, Boston! It's Monday, March 29, which means it might just be a short week for you.

Today we're looking at some wicked winds, potential paid sick leave for city employees to get vaccinated and antique shopping.

But first...

After a year in which it seemed every week brought more misery than the last, things finally appear to be on the upswing.

Boston will get a few things back this week that will further help nudge us to normalcy. On Thursday, outdoor dining returns to the North End (it started in the rest of Boston last week but, you know, it's the North End,) the Red Sox host a few thousand fans on Opening Day and Trillium's Fenway location is opening. (Trillium's Fort Point brewery will open Friday.)

They're all small steps forward in the grand scheme of things, but after such a bleak winter it's nice to see some rites of spring returning.

Of course, don't confuse progress with victory. Coronavirus metrics are increasing in parts of the state — with more and more young people being diagnosed with the virus — despite thousands of people being vaccinated each day.

Those vaccinations won't be at Fenway Park anymore, as the ballpark administered its final dose Saturday. It's been replaced by the Hynes Convention Center, which will see a huge vaccine boost as it begins a partnership with FEMA's Community Vaccination Center program.

For information on getting a coronavirus vaccine in Massachusetts, visit Patch's information hub

Check this out

Something old for something new: If you're like me, TikTok completely overwhelms you. But this story about a South Boston woman who uses the social media app to document her travels across New England antique shops makes me want to give it a shot. In fact, I think I will. (The Boston Globe)

The Boston Committee on Government Operations may not sound like the most exciting group, but it's holding an important hearing at 10 a.m. to discuss legislation that would require equitable distribution of the coronavirus vaccine in the city and paid sick time for city employees to get the vaccine. Watch the meeting here — but if you miss it, we'll have an update in Tuesday morning's HUB.

What I'm reading today: How many generations mourned Jessica Walter's death last week was a testament to her decades-spanning career. You may have known her as Evelyn Draper in Play Misty For Me — I knew her as Lucille Bluth in Arrested Development. Spencer Kornhaber at The Atlantic dives into what made Bluth — but really, what made Walter — so damn funny.

Weather

It's going to be a windy one. The strong gusts from last night will continue into midday today — we're talking up to 55 miles per hour, so bring in those trash cans. Otherwise it'll be sunny with a high in the low 50s.

Have a swell Monday.

You can email me at mike.carraggi@patch.com and follow me @PatchCarraggi.