Why Holden needs three pharmacy chains

Just a reminder that the good folks of Holden are still struggling along, bearing up under great privation, with only two national pharmacy chains (Rite-Aid and CVS) in town. A third, Walgreens, is under construction on Main Street.
We need Walgreens so that we can figure out what to do. They're offering a sale on the Intelligender gender prediction test kit.

You can find out in as little as 10 weeks into your pregnancy whether you'll be buying pink or blue clothes for that little darling.
In the old days, of course, folks had to wait until the baby was born before know if the baby was a boy or girl. And, what's worse, the rules changed along the way. This clipping, from the Ladies' Home Journal in 1918 (via Out of the blue and in the pink) shows that pink was regarded as a stronger color and, therefore, more suitable for boys.

via kath.A.rine

Whatever the color scheme, Walgreens can help you find out early, if there's a Walgreens in your town. Which there isn't is our fair town. At least not yet.

Predicting the demise of Twitter

In 1967, the hippies of San Francisco staged a Death of the Hippies event to declare, among other things, that the mainstream culture had caught on to the hippie culture and, by the principle of the Observer's Paradox, had killed it. One contributing factor to the death of the hippies was that they'd wound up on the cover of Time magazine.

It's since become akin to the Sports Illustrated Cover Jinx, that if something cool winds up on the cover of Time, it must, by definition, no longer be cool.
Therefore, when Twitter shows up on the cover of Time, the countdown clock begins...

Subcriptions for online news services

The other day, I wrote a piece on Real Worcester about the new electronic edition of the Worcester Telegram. For about $70/year, you can get version of the paper that looks like the printed version. Access to the regular web version on telegram.com will, as far as I know, remain free.
With print newspapers struggling, a lot of outlets are considering plans that would charge for content. Some might go to an annual subscription fee. Others would involve micro-payments, charging a few cents for special features. Still others are thinking about putting the really good stuff behind a pay wall. (The New York Times tried this for a while, gave up, and may try again.)
Finally, some online papers have always charged for their content.
The value, of course, is what you're willing to pay. Let's have a look at some of the offerings. You be the judge.

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Crime in suburbia

From The Landmark (subscription required):

Holden

Monday, May 25

1:16 a.m. Power outage on Banbury Lane
3:10 a.m. 911 St. Vincent Hospital requests check on patient who left hospital with equipment; person is hostile
5:11 p.m. Gas station reports drive off without paying; person contacted
8:15 p.m. 911 hang up from Moscow Rd.; resident says smoke detector going off but there's no fire
9:12 p.m. Injured dog on Manning St.

Tuesday, May 26

10:36 a.m. Report of two males dumping brush on Princeton St. near pond; gone on arrival
1:44 p.m. Tree crew blocking street access on Meadowwood Dr.
3:07 p.m. Unauthorized tree crew blocking Wachusett St.
3:15 p.m. Cable wire on Holden St. hanging low
4:09 p.m. Cable crew working on Bullard St. at blind corner; shut down
7:51 p.m. Ten teens reportedly attacked vehicle on Holden St. while high; no one found in area
11:21 p.m. Report of hearing motorcycle speed by, then a screech and a crash, on Old South Rd.

Wednesday, May 27

2:46 p.m. Pizza driver bitten by dog during delivery
2:56 p.m. Suspicious vehicle parked on Mayo Dr. since 8 a.m.; repeat incident
3:38 p.m. Business owner in Jefferson Plaza would like teens moved from lot
3:58 p.m. Half-dead raccoon on High St.
5:53 p.m. High water, septic alarm on Wachusett St.
8:10 p.m. Skateboard rail hit by car while in road
8:13 p.m. Walk-in regarding raccoon on High St.

10:15 p.m. Report of loud music on Dorothy Ave.

Thursday, May 28

4:04 a.m. Occupied motor vehicle in lot on Main St.
8:41 a.m. Crew on Wachusett St. unloading backhoe without a detail
11:13 a.m. Check on fox in area of Crestview Dr.
11:34 a.m. Construction crew blocking lane on Holden St.
2:34 p.m. Suspicious incident on railroad tracks
3:17 p.m. Piles of brush in road on Wachusett St.
3:52 p.m. Report of past larceny at supermarket
3:54 p.m. Concerned citizen calling regarding brush in road on Wachusett St.
5:44 p.m. 911 Report of teens with camera and tripod on Windsor Court filming home, filming not wanted; parties advised to vacate area
8:12 p.m. Dog got electric shock from pole on Boulder Hill Rd.
9:50 p.m. Raccoon in house on Greenwood Parkway

Friday, May 29

7:37 a.m. Light dept. notified of telephone poles shocking dog on Boulder Hill Rd.; also notified of large limb hanging on Acorn Dr.
9:23 a.m. Typographical error on accident report
1:57 p.m. Caller regarding raccoon in her house; mother removed, babies are still in house; advised to contact Critter Control
3:32 p.m. Inmate's identification found at ATM
3:52 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle with male "rolling joints" reported
4:17 p.m. 911 Mother wants teen daughter returned home; she left residence to go to friend's house; daughter returned home at 5:57 p.m.
5:45 p.m. Report of rowdy youths in light department lot on Chapel St.
8:44 p.m. 911 hangup from Dix St.; child dialed out of anger
8:49 p.m. Westboro PD advising they took individual into custody at WRHS Senior Prom on report that individual has a car full of alcohol and is supplying
promgoers; not sure where car is
9:27 p.m. Burglar alarm reports glass breakage in garage on Newell Rd.; okay, people on skateboards;
9:46 p.m. Caller wanting to know why police were there

Saturday, May 30

8:50 a.m. Caller asking if missing boy was found
12:21 p.m. West Boylston PD reports cat hit on Shrewsbury St.
1:50 p.m. Deposit accidentally dropped in mail box
2:57 p.m. Small child walked into home on Colorado Circle
3:39 p.m. Out of control 9-year-old in vehicle
3:44 p.m. Fox walking through back yard on Putnam Lane
9:18 p.m. Possible fireworks in area of Nelson St.

Sunday, May 31

3:26 a.m. Suspicious incident at Trout Brook; okay, groups camping in field
12:01 p.m. Small white dog found
4:43 p.m. Lost dog reported
7:59 p.m. Citizen report of possible argument on Wyoming Dr.
8:00 p.m. Group of kids loitering outside light department

Paxton

Monday, May 25

4:53 p.m. Large tree branch fell on the wires outside home, Knollwood Rd.

Tuesday, May 26

2:55 p.m. Report of vehicle driven all over the road and very slowly, Pleasant/Camp Sts.
6:00 p.m. Report of vehicle all over the road with operator on cell phone, Marshall/Suomi Sts.
8:15 p.m. Loud music, Orchard Dr.

Wednesday, May 27

12:20 a.m. Leicester PD requesting assistance transporting female to Rutland Town line to meet with Rutland cruiser
1:37 a.m. Suspicious small car parked at end of Briarcliff Ln.
10:41 a.m. Motor vehicle accident, property damage, Pleasant St.
11:29 a.m. Disabled 10-wheeler in middle lane, Pleasant St.
3:35 p.m. Motor vehicle accident, Pleasant St./Boynton Pkwy.
4:28 p.m. Disabled motor vehicle, Pleasant St./Richards Ave.

Thursday, May 28

8:45 p.m. Caller reports cold, brown water at home, Forestdale Rd.

Friday, May 29

8:15 a.m. Disabled motor vehicle, Pine/Pleasant Sts.
2:07 p.m. Motor vehicle lockout, Pleasant St.

Saturday, May 30

8:54 p.m. Caller concerned about campfire in backyard, Knollwood Rd.

Sunday, May 31

5:13 p.m. Three youths inside house under construction were attempting to light small fire, Baxter Dr.

Princeton

Monday, May 25

12:20 p.m. Assist fire department, Mountain Rd.
7:20 p.m. Public service, Mountain Rd.

Tuesday, May 26

2:46 a.m. Traffic safety hazard, Rte. 140 North
7:27 a.m. Suspicious incident, Boylston Ave.
11:14 a.m. Request for animal control officer, Beaman Rd.
12:06 p.m. Request for traffic control, Calamint Hill Rd. South

Wednesday, May 27

6:15 a.m. Traffic safety hazard, Gregory Hill Rd.

Thursday, May 28

11:00 a.m. Suspicious incident, Boylston Ave.

Friday, May 28

5:46 a.m. Traffic safety hazard, Hubbardston Rd./ Allen Hill Rd.

Saturday, May 29

9:00 a.m. Request for light department, Rhodes Rd.
9:38 a.m. Request for animal control officer, Old Brooks Station Rd.
10:18 a.m. Request for light department, Redwood Dr.

Sunday, May 30

4:37 p.m. Request for animal control officer, Blood Rd.

Rutland

Monday, May 25

3:24 p.m. Caller reports teenagers took her son's three-wheel Spiderman scooter and left the area, Laurelwood Rd.

Tuesday, May 26

5:15 p.m. Officer investigation, Main St.
5:57 p.m. Officer investigation, Main St.
9:44 p.m. Vehicle off side of road, hard to see, Rte. 56 near Emerald Rd.

Wednesday, May 27

4:50 p.m. Suspicious male at door, asking to mow lawn for gas money, Glenwood Rd.
6:42 p.m. 911 hang-up, child playing with phone, Main St.

Thursday, May 28

7:15 a.m. Vehicle with front-end damage and tree branches sticking out of bumper, driving on wrong side of road, Barre Paxton Rd.
3:45 p.m. Report that Highland cow has its horns stuck in a feeder and appears to be struggling, Glenwood Rd.

Friday, May 29

6:31 a.m. Loose cow on side of Pommogussett Rd.
6:46 p.m. Motor vehicle accident, car vs. tree, Pleasantdale Rd.

Saturday, May 30

9:54 a.m. Caller with complaint of selectmen, secretary, police, threatening law suit, Main St.
2:05 p.m. Person wants to speak with officer about neighbor dispute and dirt bikes, Main St.
3:07 p.m. Person reporting many motorcycles in area for long time, Pleasantdale Rd. near four corners
3:30 p.m. Complaint about recreational vehicles, Barre Paxton Rd.
9:42 p.m. Fireworks complaint, Laurelwood Rd.
11:57 p.m. Police out with two vehicles, warned parties about trespassing, Crawford Rd.

Sunday, May 31

8:29 a.m. Report of vehicle stopping around parking lot for half hour, Maple Ave.
11:25 a.m. Moose walking in road, Charnock Hill Rd.
5:40 p.m. Person wants to speak with officer about community service, Main St.

Sterling

Monday, May 25

1:52 a.m. Two vehicles speeding down Heywood Rd. Caller believes one person in vehicle was shooting at the other. Another person reports hearing shots in woods.
7:38 p.m. Black dog running around, Redstone Hill Rd.
10:50 p.m. Disturbance, parties making noise and swearing, Charles Patten Dr.

Tuesday, May 26

1:01 p.m. Suspicious activity, older male taking items from residence where people are moving out, Redemption Rock Trl.

Wednesday, May 27

12:25 p.m. Caller requesting assistance getting onto Rte. 12
6:09 p.m. Suspicious activity, people going door-to-door, Tru-Green employees, Ashton Ln.
6:29 p.m. Caller reports young male in back of pickup truck unrestrained, Meetinghouse Hill Rd.
6:46 p.m. Report that someone called the school pretending to be child's mother, Mortimer Rd.

Thursday, May 28

3:59 p.m. Very large truck parked partially in caller's back yard, Leominster Rd.

Friday, May 29

9:43 a.m. Dog lost, is deaf, Redemption Rock Trl. Found and returned to owner
4:45 p.m. Station tour and interview of officer for student working on school project, Leominster Rd.
8:28 p.m. Caller requesting assistance with vehicle with three occupants in area all afternoon, Circle Ave. Strong smell of burnt marijuana in area

Saturday, May 30

8:28 a.m. Complaint about excessive noise from motorcycles, Redemption Rock Trl./Jennifer Ln.

Sunday, May 31

2:33 p.m. Domestic disturbance, Leominster Rd.
8:44 p.m. Report of branch hanging across cable, Rowley Hill Rd.

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Afraid to invest in the stock market. Have we got a deal for you?

OK, so the Dow and other indices have had a pretty good stretch lately. Nevertheless, we're still jittery, wondering where we can invest and hope to get the kinds of returns that we were seeing just a couple of years ago.
Well, ingenuity to the rescue. Why invest in risky ventures such as invention, development, manufacturing, or sales? Go to where the big money is: lawsuits.
You can invest in funds that back lawsuits. The New York Times article: reports on Juris Capital, a Chicago firm backed by two hedge funds:

Juris typically invests $500,000 to $3 million in a case, Mr. Desser said. He would not identify the company’s backers, but said that “on the portfolio as a whole, our returns are well in excess of 20 percent per year.” He added, “We’re certainly beating the market.”

These aren't your Lionel Hutz ambulance-chasing cases, but well-financed ventures doing God's work. As Anthony J. Sebok, a professor at Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law in New York, noted:

If the claims are valid, then they may benefit from being litigated more effectively because the lawyers have more resources. “Having funding available for cases that are good cases, cases that from a God’s-eye point of view, so to speak, should’ve been brought, is a good thing,” Mr. Sebok said.

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Former history teacher makes past his present writing project - Sentinel & Enterprise

Nifty story about my high school social studies teacher. In my senior year, I took his seminar on communism. It was more like a college course. Edmund Wilson's To the Finland Station was a key piece of our readings.
Former history teacher makes past his present writing project - Sentinel & Enterprise

American industry rises to the challenge

We're in the middle of what many claim is the worst recession since the 1930s. Our unemployment rate stays high, home foreclosures send people from their homes, and two of the three American automobile manufacturers are bankrupt.
Yet, summoning the best minds and best spirits, our free-market economy reaches deep within and brings forward new hope. The Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, known to us as 3M, delivering, in our hour of need, a new product that will surely lift us from these bleak and desperate times.