News: June 2009 Archives

Dunkin' Donuts is "voluntarily withdrawing" all hot chocolate and Dunkaccino drinks from stores because equipment used to make an ingedient was contaminated wth Salmonella. These are the only products affected, the company says. It's a temporary situation.

It's a time-honored tradition: when laws get tough, people scramble to avoid them. The latest instance of this phenomenon comes with Boston firefighters, who are hurrying to cash in their pensions before a new law goes into effect that would reduce the size of said pensions. Firefighters who were injured on the job while filling in for a (higher-paid) supervisor used to be able to get additional pension money when filing for disability, due to their temporarily elevated status. About 100 firefighters had filed for such benefits over the past six years, but the change in the law has prompted 29 former flame-battlers to try to get in on the hot action this week (perhaps before beginning their bodybuilding careers). The new law bases pension for disabled firefighters on the firefighters' own average salary, not that of supervisors.

The woman who gave birth to a certain Bostonist says "If you're not kind to animals then you're not kind to people" and she says it regularly. Translation: Stop killing ducks, kitties and any cute, or ugly, animals. We need to say this in 2009? C'mon people!

This appalling story from Worcester is sad and maddening. A man reportedly admitted beating a one-year old cat to death on a Friday several days after the seven-pound feline scratched the man while he was walking his dog close to where the cat's litter was born recently. The alleged killer claimed he was acting in self defense. We know. The outrage is palpable in Worcester where citizens are protesting for police action.

Speaking of outrage, there's a blog about this incident on Examiner.com. The author said this incident raises questions about "what is right and what is wrong" and creates a "moral conundrum" to talk to your kids about. Umm, no. The alleged killer hasn't even been charged with a crime so he has the presumption of innocence. But, Bostonist can't find the shade of gray the Examiner.com has unearthed.

We just got word that "Crown Consumer Brands will send out coffee crews and shoe shiners to roam the city of Boston. The company will offer free coffee along with a DentaBurst™ sample, as well as a free shoe shine and a Shine to Go sample to each passerby." This strange conglomeration of coffee breath, fresh breath, and shiny shoes will center on the Boston Convention & Exhibit Center (415 Summer St), but apparently also pop up all around town from June 28th to July 1st, coinciding with the National Association of Chain Drug Stores' 2009 Marketplace.. We suppose that if you're on the way to a job interview or a hot date, you might need both a shine and a mint, but we're still a little confused about the whole thing. Regardless, know that you may be able to freshen up on the street early next week... or not.

According to TMZ.com and ABC via WCVB, Michael Jackson, 50, died after he suffered cardiac arrest on Thursday. Various reports say paramedics responded to his home where he was already in cardiac arrest. Jackson dominated pop music in the 1980's after becoming a star in the 1970's as a member of the Jackson 5. The LA Times has posted a collection of photographs of Jackson. Jackson has three children: Michael Joseph "Prince" Jackson, Jr., Paris Michael Katherine Jackson and Prince Michael "Blanket" Jackson II.

Senator John Kerry simply can't help himself and has, yet again, confirmed he is like a serial killer whose victims are jokes. He took on John McCain's unmentionables and the educational bona fides of "the troops" - Bostonist knows there must be more examples but we also think these two prove the point. And now, Kerry unleashed his funny bone on Sarah Palin by saying he wished she had disappeared instead of former presidential wannabe/frequent flyer/gigolo Mark Sanford. Bostonist won't lose sleep if Governor Palin stayed out of, or in, frankly, the lower 48 so Kerry's point isn't lost on our corner of the Internets. However, in light of David Letterman's skirmish with Palin it occurs to Bostonist that if Democrats give her more free publicity then her disappearance, that Kerry mentioned, from the national scene won't come to pass. Please leave the Palin jokes to Tina Fey.

Photo from flickr user Pasquale D'Silva.

There's a first time for everything, and yesterday marked the first time we didn't have an aneurysm or punch somebody after reading a Howie Carr column. In fact, we think he might be right. Inconceivable! Carr's column used trademark Herald cleverness in branding email as "see" mail, stressing the fact that others can "see" what you write, even if it's incriminating. He cited Phil Markoff and Sal DiMasi as examples of this phenomenon, most recently illustrated by incompetent South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford. Anyway, the column degenerates into rambling about Whitey Bulger at the end, but not before making the important point that "emails are writing." Pulitzer! Pulitzer!

The Boston Herald reports that the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority's insurer, Ambac Financial Group, just had its credit downgraded, which might spell trouble for the Pike. Early this year, UBS, a Swiss financial company, demanded a $400 million payment from the Pike, "but eventually backed off because the credit rating of the Pike’s insurer." The lower rating might mean a renewed demand for the payment and an immediate financial crisis at the Turnpike, which just delayed a vote on a toll hike. [Herald]

Ordinarily, you'd have to ply us with booze and chocolate to get us to say something nice about MassPIRG, the organization that makes any innocent walk around Harvard Square into an annoying journey into the lowest depths of human passive-aggression. But, what do you know? The jolly gang of union busters has actually done something that we can get behind. It's a petition addressed to Secretary of Transportation James Aloisi urging him to begin the public comment period for the potential MBTA fare hikes already.

In a "well, duh" matter, a Craigslist posting about "420 help" may have led to a Quincy man's arrest for selling marijuana. Remember, folks, just because they might not prosecute you for holding doesn't mean they won't prosecute you for selling. And take note that the police have definitely heard of Craigslist by now.

According to the Boston Globe, the newspaper has reached a "tentative agreement" with the Boston Newspaper Guild to cut $10 million in wages and benefits which are reportedly required to keep the paper from closing. The Globe's largest union recently rejected a similar deal, which led to the paper imposing a 23% wage cut on the 700-member Guild. In the new proposal, there is a 5.9% pay cut. The 23% cut remains in place until the contract is ratified.

The Globe and Wikipedia report that Ed McMahon, the Tonight Show announcer born in LA but raised in Lowell, has died. He had been hospitalized since February with pneumonia or possibly bone cancer. More details as they emerge.

Philip Markoff, the Craigslist Killer, pled not guilty to seven charges on Monday pertaining to the death of 26-year-old Julissa Brisman. There is no bail and the trial begins on June 1, 2010. Prosecutors gave a detailed description of the crimes in asking for no bail. Markoff was indicted on Sunday.

Philip Markoff, a Boston University medical student, was indicted today on suspicion of killing Julissa Brisman, whom he met through craigslist. Markoff will be arraigned in Suffolk Superior Court tomorrow. Craigslist has changed its policy on "erotic services" ads based on this and similar cases.

People says that Gisele Bündchen is preggers—for real this time—and while we find few things more hideous than pregnancy and birth, the pregnancy and eventual spawning of a nasty, emaciated fashion model might be one of the most disgusting things we have ever considered. Will the baby be superhuman? Will anybody be shot? We honestly don't care. We're only posting this for the pageviews. Thanks for clicking.

The Laurelwood at Hopedale condo complex has said no to fun, outlawing biking, baseball, street hockey, skateboarding, and rollerblading in the area. The ban is supposedly due to liability issues, but may also have stemmed from residents' complaints about noise. More, including an admonition for kids to put their toys away, at the Milford Daily News.

The Globe reports emergency vehicles are blocking the left lane of the Tobin Bridge, causing delays on the bridge and I-93. Take another route if you can!

When budget cuts put several of the city's horses out of work, their riders began to plan a farewell celebration for the noble beasts. After all, what better way to say goodbye to your favorite mount than with a little parade? But Mayor Menino, ever thrifty, stomped on the idea of an equestrian celebration, allegedly either because the unit's fate has not been completely decided, or because he didn't even know about the celebration and therefore couldn't have rejected it. Either way, there's a city council hearing about saving the horsies next Tuesday, so there may be no need for a parade.

It was proposed months ago, but the House and Senate have now approved a bill that would eliminate the always-troubled Turnpike Authority. It's now up to Deval Patrick to pass it or not; given his previous stance on the issue, it seems likely that he will. Unions representing Pike employees are (obviously) opposed to the organization's elimination, as it would eliminate their cushy jobs and associated pensions. Trashing the Turnpike Authority seems like a potentially good move that could allow for greater standardization of transportation policy across the state. The utter lack of regard for unions in this case makes the drawn-out Globe drama all the more interesting. Is there something intrinsic about newspapers that make them seem worth saving? Or what if journalism were a government-funded endeavor? Would the Globe be losing even more than "$85 million" this year?

At least the pilot didn't die? A plane taking off for sunnier climes (Phoeniz, AZ) narrowly missed crashing into a construction vehicle at Logan early this morning. The construction vehicle was apparently crossing the runway, oblivious the a several-ton aircraft coming at it. The incident marked the third incursion, or instance of a vehicle being on the runway when a plane is about to take off, this year. Logan had 13 incursions in 2008, four in 2007, seven in 2006 and 15 in 2005. An aviation expert called it a "difficult" airfield to navigate because of all the "weird intersections"—were they inspired by the roads here or what?

Sam Yoon needs a tricorn hat. Immediately. June 17, 2009 is Bunker Hill Day and nobody could ever forget it because no one will ever shut up about it. Mayor Menino seems to think no child in Boston has ever heard of the historical event it represents despite apparent proof to the contrary reported by the Globe. Yes, the Mayor of Boston actually said Boston Public Schools no longer teach students about the Battle of Bunker Hill. The Globe said Bunker Hill is specifically mentioned in the state's Department of Education curriculum guidelines. The Globe also reportedly couldn't reach school officals because they had the day off. Some people worked, though, even if school officials didn't. And that is the whole ever-loving point, isn't it? (Yes, a line from Primary Colors) Should it be a day off ONLY in Suffolk County? It could be worse, it could be St. Patrick's Day Evacuation Day, which we know exists just to cover a bender.

Photo by flickr userDerekOneil.

We can get wireless on commuter rail cars; it doesn't really help those of us who take the regular T, but we suppose it's a nice convenience for the long-distance commuters. New York City agrees; the MTA is trying to get the wireless hookup for its own travelers. Rep. Chuck Schumer theorizes that NYC might even be able to get federal funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to take its trains online. Why didn't we think of that?

On Tuesday, CNN reported that President Obama will extend "health care and other benefits to the same-sex partners of federal employees" by signing a memorandum on Wednesday. As more states begin to recognize gay marriage, this could be seen as another reason for supporters of gay marriage to be optimistic that gay marriage will be allowed in any state. As Bostonist recently illustrated, attitudes on this issue still inspire heated exchanges and intense emotions. The President has recently been criticized by gay rights groups because his Justice Department supported the Defense of Marriage Act in court despite candidate Obama's pledge to try to repeal it. Obama has also not carried out his promise to drop the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

No word on the organization behind it, but there will be a rally to protest Iranian election fraud tonight from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. at City Hall Plaza. Wear green, and check out Boston.com's Big Picture gallery of the election's aftermath. [Via UHub]

Some thug left a defenseless kitten in a Hyde Park mailbox Saturday, according to news reports. A postman discovered the kitten and quickly brought her to the MSPCA hospital in Jamaica Plain, where she is recovering from being shoved through the narrow postbox slot. She will be put up adoption soon.

In a press release, mayoral candidate Sam Yoon proposed to undo Boston's BRA should he be elected. According to Yoon, the Boston Redevelopment Authority is an "outdated system that favors developers over communities, that lacks coordination, and that consumes a large amount of revenue with no oversight." He proposes to replace it with a "Community Development and Planning Agency,"—which, if he simply called it the "Community Neighborhood Development Operations Management," could have the acronym CONDOM—with an emphasis on transparency, citizen accountability, and green development. He even throws in a few biking shouts-out.

Yoon's new tack, which he takes as the future of the Filene's hole remains uncertain, might have more traction with an electorate sick of failed development projects than Michael Flaherty's emphasis on major crime, which is down 11% since last year.

The Globe reports that a 30-year-old woman died of swine flu yesterday.

The Globe's off-lead today was the story of Massachusetts's newfound arsenal, courtesy of a US military program that delivers surplus weapons to police departments throughout the nation. You have to read nearly half the article to get to the first mention of alleged violations of federal regulations, but the most frightening fact comes in the first paragraph anyway. West Springfield has two grenade launchers? For what? Fending off the marauding hordes of Chicopee? I guess we should count our blessings. The MBTA only got machine guns.

The Alleged Criminal Formerly Known as Clark Rockefeller was convicted today after 5 days of jury deliberations on the charge of custodial kidnapping and assault and battery. The ACFKCR was acquitted of of using a false name. Thus, while the question of whether the man is an evil mastermind or a total douche remains unsettled, the question put to the jury—whether or not ACFKCR was sane or not when he kidnapped his daughter has been. It now remains to be seen whether he will be sent to California for questioning in connection with a decades-old double murder.

After a year of work to fix a "support beam in need of immediate repair," the Department of Conservation and Recreation reopens the upstream sidewalk on the Longfellow Bridge today, fully reopening the bridge to pedestrian and vehicular traffic in the first time in forever. The best news? The Longfellow will be open for the Charles River fireworks show this July 4th. The Commonwealth has spent more than $12.5 million since August, 2007 to fix the bridge. [DCR Press release]

Seroquel is a type of antipsychotic that is widely prescribed to treat bipolar disorder, but is it also a street drug? Signs point to "yes." Furious Seasons has noticed a slew of arrests involving the illegal sale of Seroquel on the streets of Massachusetts. One man was even shot and killed in Lawrence over a Seroquel deal gone bad. A quick Web search reveals anecdotal evidence that Seroquel is used to come down off of amphetamines or simply for the potency of its tranquilizing effect. Taking Seroquel is like popping a super-sized Xanax. And its abuse is international. The Globe-Mail reports that junkies are using Seroquel as a poor man's heroin. So, returning to Furious Seasons's question, why haven't we heard more about it?

Residents of Union Square in Somerville are rightly freaking out over reported correlations between contaminated soil and high cancer rates. It turns out that recent soil testing has shown that Union Square's soil contains "arsenic, lead and other metal contamination." Officials "are not sure if it comes from the Miller’s River that once ran through or from the Kiley Barrel factory site, where paints were once blasted off recycled barrels." Whatever the cause, eating vegetables planted anywhere near Union Square is not a good idea. All hope is not lost for burgeoning Union Square gardeners, however. Container gardening and raised bed gardening both allow you to garden without planting in contaminated soil. For a fee, Somerville's Green City Growers will even set you up with a raised bed plot, or you can stop by the Boston Green Fest in August for a tutorial. [Somerville Journal]

Looking for another way to die? Fung Wah has expanded its service to include trips directly from Providence to New York City, since it was so inconvenient for Providence residents to come up to Boston to catch the bus, or to hop on it when it came through their city. Starting June 15, you can go directly from RI to NYC (and vice versa) without worrying about any silly Massachusetts getting in the way. Brilliant. For Rhode Islanders. We guess.

According to Boston.com, the Boston Newspaper Guild rejected $10 million in wage and benefit cuts, mandated by The New York Times Co. to keep operating the paper, by a vote of 277-265. WCVB also reported the vote. The Globe reported a high turnout for the vote.