A smoke-free quarter-century

Twenty-five years ago today, I had my last cigarette.
I didn't quit for my health or for any real virtuous purpose. I had had a sore throat for several days and wanted to complain about it. I knew that I couldn't complain if I was smoking.
It was around noon that I had the cigarette. Again, I wasn't thinking it was my last. I just didn't have the next one. That, in itself, was remarkable. I was smoking about two-and-a-half packs a day, which averages to three per hour. If I recall correctly, cigarettes were about $7 per carton at the time.
By the time I got home from work, I was ready to complain. In the complaint session, I mentioned to Sandra that I'd not had a cigarette since noon and didn't feel like having one yet. (Sandra had quit more than five years before.) We agreed that it was good.
By the next morning, without a craving, I decided to see how things would turn out.
I'd tried to quit quite a few times, never going more than a couple of days. This time was different. If I could tell you why it was different, what went on in my mind and body such that I wasn't desperate for the nicotine, I probably could have made a boatload of money. I was just ready.
It turned out that I had strep throat. I went to the doctor on the first workday after New Year's. Even after the infection was gone, the sore throat lingered for months.

My cigarette of choice was Lark. Those of you of a certain age will remember the TV ads - "Show us your Lark pack." - from the late-60s. According to most everyone else, they tasted awful. When I was in college and people would be bumming cigarettes ("I left mine in the machine."), they'd see my pack on the table and look around to see if anyone else had anything else.
At the time I quit, we could still smoke in our offices at work. Our company, Digital, was offering free stop-smoking programs. By the end of the following year, smoking was prohibited inside the buildings.
Pretty soon, you couldn't smoke anywhere. New taxes and the costs of lawsuits drove prices to whatever they are today. When I was in high school, you could choose to spend 25 cents on lunch, a pack of cigarettes in New Hampshire, or a gallon of gasoline for the car. You could get mix and match four just by working a minimum-wage job. Now, well, do your own math.
I wish I could claim wisdom or virtue for this milestone. I can't, but I can be grateful.

North of the blizzard

We're all abuzz with news of the Boxing Day Blizzard. Snow's forecast to arrive in the early afternoon and get serious shortly after dark.

The demarcation line for the Winter Storm and Blizzard warnings runs through the city of Worcester. A blizzard in this context is not related to overall snowfall amount, but the strong winds and heavy snow leading white-out conditions for three or more hours. Because the storm is off-shore, the strongest winds may not extend so far inland.

It's still a serious storm, though, with the potential of two feet of snow and we're ready. On Thursday afternoon, I got the snowblower ready. It started easily, but didn't roll so well on the flat tire. It had been sitting on that flat tire for several months, so the sidewall was cracked. Fortunately, our local repair shop had an inner tube that fit the tire.
We have a couple of sheltered places where I think that I can get measurements of snowfall rates and overall amounts.The NWS guidelines for reporting on the storm are easy to understand. I expect to file my first SkyWarn report in the late afternoon.

Special thanks on this Christmas day

We certainly had a great time at Mike and Lynn's yesterday, a grand gathering of family that started at a noon and went late into the night. Today, we'll have more. Life's good.

And, while we have the chances to gather with family, to exchange notes and calls with friends, to have the fun of giving and receiving, there are folks who are working this holiday weekend. Those who keep the lights on, the water running to and from our houses, the streets safe, the sick and frail cared for, the Internet alive and robust, the movies and restaurants open for those who don't or can't celebrate Christmas, they're working today. The folks in harm's way here and abroad, doing our work so we can play, they're working today. They might not feel it to be a special honor to be working today, but we're so ever grateful. If you see them, thank them. If you don't see them, thank them all the more.

All He wants for Christmas is a roofing contractor

The Church of the Nativity marks the place in Bethlehem where Christians believe that the manger stood, the manger where Jesus was born.The church is one of the oldest in Christendom, with various structures in place since the 4th century. The BBC reports that it is now in danger of being closed because the three Christian denominations that share responsibility for church maintenance can't agree about paying for the roof repairs.
Bill Seamans, a former ABC correspondent in the Middle East and now columnist for the Keene Sentinel, reports that, during the time when Israel occupied the region, the Israeli army reservists made some urgent, but temporary, repairs to the roof in the quiet of the night.
The three parties did reach an agreement in September for a plan to repair the roof, but haven't been able to agree on paying for it. 
The government of the Palestinian Authority, where the church is located, may have to raise the money itself. If the church closes, tourists won't come. As it is, what with the general uneasiness about travel into the PA (access to which is controlled by Israel, which occasionally closes the borders for security concerns), tourists don't generally stay long in Bethlehem. They don't shop or stay in hotels or talk much to the locals. An opportunity for commerce, cultural exchange and understanding, and, oh, yes, spiritual renewal is being lost because of Christian disunity.
The Palestinians told the Armenian, Greek Orthodox, and Roman Catholic monks who share the administration of the church that the three groups must reach a decision about taking care of the roof. After three weeks, the three groups came back and reported that they couldn't agree.
The maintenance issues have long been fractious. Recently the church was closed to visitors because one monk wouldn't clean a staircase that was owned by another denomination.
As it stands now, the Palestinian Authority, like the Israeli soldiers before them,  may have to pay for repairs to a Christian holy site while the Christians quarrel about whose turn it is to take out the rubbish.

Crime in suburbia

From The Landmark (subscription required):

[Editor's note: There were 15 suspicious items this week.]

Holden

Monday, December 6

7:51 a.m. Burglar alarm, Mixter Rd., ok, workers at home
3:25 p.m. Two females advised to remove themselves from lot on Main St.
8:20 p.m. Driver left gas station without paying; will return
8:48 p.m. 911, accidental from Boulder Hill Rd., child playing with phone
11:24 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle at business

Tuesday, December 7

2:42 p.m. Dog hit by car near Fox Hill Dr.
3:32 p.m. Report of person texting while driving
7:29 p.m. Loud music complaint on Reservoir St.
7:20 p.m. Canvas bag with tools fell out of truck and is missing
8:51 p.m. Suspicious male hanging around Shrewsbury St. business
11:45 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Main St.

Wednesday, December 8

1:00 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle with dome light on, South Rd.
1:22 a.m. Caller says cruisers need to stop going through red light; advised they're responding to calls
6:30 a.m. Caller says pump leaking at gas station
8:58 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle found parked against garage at home, Shrewsbury St., towing company dropped it off at wrong house
11:47 a.m. Caller reports tool bag lost off back of truck; call if found
3:38 p.m. 911, verbal argument between mother and daughter, Quinapoxet Lane

Thursday, December 9

7:19 a.m. Report of eggs thrown at house, Nottingham Dr.
2:56 p.m. Caller to complain about officer threatening arrest for dog urinating on Christmas trees; advised to fill out complaint form

Friday, December 10

9:13 a.m. Walk-in regarding rights in domestic situation
11:26 a.m. Caller asking for police to keep peace while elderly couple moves out of son's home
11:43 am. Animal investigation, North St.
12:17 p.m. Caller regarding property seized during arrest, was arrested by state police
2:13 p.m. Water coming from manhole on Banbury Lane, creating large patch of ice
3:52 p.m. 911, well-being check on individuals on ice, Gail Dr.; doesn't believe ice is safe
4:02 p.m. Sanding, Banbury Lane
6:39 p.m. 911, debris in road, Bull Run presenting hazard, none found

Saturday, December 12

7:25 a.m. Cat missing
11:42 a.m. Caller reports dispatch won a $50 Wal-Mart gift card
1:36 p.m. Missing dog reported
2:02 p.m. Black lab found, Otterbrook Cir.; owner advised
3:40 p.m. Report of dog attack while individual was jogging, Fairview Ave.
4:08 p.m. Six to eight gunshots heard from residence, Wachusett St.
5:21 p.m. Possible debris in roadway, Wachusett St., top hat removed
5:50 p.m. Male party walking in middle of Reservoir St.; elderly individual
6:10 p.m. 911, party in road trying to change tire on Paxton Rd.
6:29 p.m. Dog possibly hit by car
8:53 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Trout Brook
10:01 p.m. Party looking at Christmas lights

Sunday, December 12

7:13 a.m. Caller reports three cars on Eagle Terr. Could be problem if there is snow and flag is still at half-mast, needs to be raised
8:15 a.m. Roads sanded
8:37 a.m. Dead raccoon on Wachusett St.
11:45 a.m. Report of teenager out of control
2:55 p.m. 911, hang-up Sterling Rd., child playing with phone
5:37 p.m. Caller reports wife not home; missing party returned at 5:56 p.m.
9:32 p.m. Caller reports hearing explosion near home where there was a fire earlier; all in order

Paxton

Monday, December 6

2:20 p.m. Officer out for follow-up investigation, Sunset Ln.
5:23 p.m. Suspicious pickup truck parked in front of house for long period of time, Pleasant St.
8:11 p.m. Assist Spencer PD with courtesy transport to Streeter Rd.
8:27 p.m. Assist Holden PD with contact information for person that drove off without paying for gas, Brooks Rd.

Tuesday, December 7

3:13 p.m. School zone lights flashing at wrong times, West St.
6:08 p.m. Disabled vehicle, Asnebumskit Rd./Pleasant St.
7:46 p.m. Police assist fire dept. at call, Sunset Ln.
11:54 p.m. Suspicious vehicle in driveway of home, Holden Rd.

Friday, December 10

12:06 p.m. Caller reports while he was cutting down a tree, it fell in roadway and took out power line, Pleasant St.
1:57 p.m. Caller heard noise during night, damage to door, Monticello Dr. No attempted break-in, small crack from door shrinking due to cold

Saturday, December 11

2:55 p.m. Lost tan pit bull, Holbrook Ln.
4:08 p.m. Caller found pit bull, Baxter Rd.

Sunday, December 12

11:52 p.m. Suspicious vehicle in Boynton Park

Princeton

Wednesday, December 8

5:45 p.m. Police remove to side of road gallon jug of glass cleaner, possibly fell off truck, E. Princeton Rd.
2:35 p.m. Person at station to discuss divorce proceedings, Town Hall Dr.
9:10 p.m. Caller heard loud bang and truck pulling away, Coal Kiln RD.

Thursday, December 9

2:33 p.m. Large male yellow Labrador in road, Sterling Rd.
5:30 p.m. Request for traffic control during morning commute and weekends, Calamint Hill Rd. S

Friday, December 10

7:16 a.m. Request for traffic control during rush hours, Ball Hill Rd.
2:06 p.m. Report of speeding mail carrier, Goodnow Rd.
5:12 p.m. Suspicious vehicle at end of driveway, Ball Hill Rd.
10:10 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, Fitchburg Rd.

Saturday, December 11

11:40 a.m. Police pick up safe found on side of Westminster Rd.

Sunday, December 12

1:12 p.m. Welfare check of children, Brooks Station Rd. No one home
1:56 p.m. Person wants to speak with officer about neighbor taking pictures of his property, Fitchburg Rd.
4:07 p.m. Vehicle left running in parking lot, Worcester Rd.

Rutland

Monday, December 6

8:32 a.m. Caller wants to speak with officer about Internet safety and her children, Charnock Hill Rd.
10:42 a.m. Person at station to speak with officer regarding ongoing case, Main St.
11:21 a.m. Person at station to speak with officer about neighbor issue, Main St.
11:49 a.m. Person wants fingerprints done, Main St.
2:23 p.m. Loose horses, in and on side of Muschopauge Rd.

Wednesday, December 8

10:02 a.m. Person at station to thank officers for their help

Thursday, December 9

4:15 p.m. Person concerned about skaters on pond, Main St.

Friday, December 10

2:33 p.m. Police speak with tenants about parking issues, Main St.
6:18 p.m. Police attempt to return property, Valley View Cir.
11:23 p.m. Officer assists homeowner shutting water off after pipe burst, Maple Ave.

Saturday, December 11

10:20 a.m. Caller reports hunters on posted property, concerned for horses in area, E. County Rd.
5:27 p.m. Caller reports hitting deer, Maple Ave.
9:57 p.m. Barking dog, Juniper Ln.
10:45 p.m. Three suspicious males, Pommogussett Rd./Richards Ave.

Sunday, December 12

1:07 a.m. Suspicious vehicle at end of driveway and someone walking toward house, Phillips Rd.
11:01 p.m. Dog barking for long time, unusual behavior, Brintnal Dr.

Sterling

Monday, December 6

7:31 a.m. Two-car accident, one vehicle atop fire hydrant, Leominster Rd.
10:00 a.m. Suspicious vehicle stopping in front of houses, Country Club Blvd.
6:24 p.m. Multiple calls about dog hit and injured in Upper N. Row Rd.
11:19 p.m. Suspicious activity, Boutelle Rd.

Tuesday, December 7

7:12 a.m. Caller reports two Labradors missing, seen entering rail trail. Animal Control Officer will return them to owner, Redstone Pl.
9:11 a.m. Missing Siberian husky; later found, Mortimer Rd.
2:32 p.m. Person wants to speak with animal control officer regarding dog issue, School St.
4:14 p.m. Walk-in reports that while walking, found something in a bucket (animal parts), Fern Ln.

Wednesday, December 8

3:07 p.m. Missing American Staffordshire terrier, Princeton Rd./Rte. 140
3:12 p.m. Caller reports bottle with acid-smelling substance and tin foil bits inside mailbox. Advised not to touch it. Police pick up entire mailbox, Chace Hill Rd.

Thursday, December 9

4:39 p.m. Annoying phone calls from people seeking donations for football league, Wiles Rd.
5:10 p.m. Dog found, I-190. Owner later found, Laurelwood Rd.

Friday, December 10

2:26 p.m. Police out with disabled vehicle, appears abandoned, Leominster Rd.
2:57 p.m. Two teens coming out of woods, Hastings Rd.
3:54 p.m. Golden retriever sitting on front steps of home, Boutelle Rd.
7:24 p.m. Brown striped tabby cat in garage for three hours, Tuttle Rd.

Saturday, December 11

8:28 p.m. Caller head squeal of tires, requests police to check area, Kendall Hill Rd.

Sunday, December 12

12:29 a.m. Caller awakened by sound of what he believes was a mailbox being smashed, Redstone Hill Rd. Police find no signs of damage
11:18 a.m. Caller to make plans to pick up dog, Old County Rd.

New web platform for Telegram

Nicole reports that the Telegram, along with the Boston Globe, will be switching web platforms in 2011. For most folks, this will be manifest as new services and more timely publications. For the newspaper production staff, we hope that the situation will not longer be this Red Green-style toolset that mungs the content from one format to another. (A former T-and-G staffer says it's like watching a snake trying to swallow and digest a pig between 4 and 5AM every day.)
Well, good luck to them. Their new web services provider, EidosMedia, has a slick presence and, by their own measure, do a good job of producing content in multiple formats, locations, and languages. It's early, yet, so we'll have to see what's ahead.
In the meantime, however, with the mobile devices an increasingly important channel for news, it would seem that their pages showcasing their mobile offerings would look great on a mobile device, such as Android phone.

via Mobile - getting it right

Initial view is pretty small on a phone. By rotating the phone and then zooming, the graphics and additional on the right side of the page are clipped and require scrolling.

Good luck to all.

More on Christmas shopping

So, venerable and typically rather cautious Consumer Reports suggests that you might find good values among the As Seen on TV family of products. They've reviewed and liked the Forearm Forklift, Slap Chop, Ove Glove, the ShamWow, PedEgg, (even while allowing that your sweetie might not see the charm in your gesture),  or e Snuggie.
But, with a particular note of caution, as we saw with the PedEgg, guys should be very careful when shopping at ASoT.

1. When shopping for Mom or Nana -
   

   

   DEva Lite Bra D - The Official Site of AsSeenOnTV.com

   
   
2. When shopping for wife and/or girlfriend
   

   

   ASave $85.00 - Renaissance by Ultra Aesthetics - Proven Stretch Mark Treatment Creme

3. See #2
   

   

   Bare and Beautiful Hair Removal - The Official Site Of AsSeenOnTV.com

You've been warned - Christmas the deadliest day of the year: study | Posted | National Post

How can you be in two places at once when you're not anywhere at all?

This was one of those days when one appointment became two became three became four. The morning trips were fraught with a shameful level of loopiness among my fellow travelers. A half-inch of snow, if that, put cars off the road, into each other, or just sideways on tiny hills. (One commenter wondered if we'd been invaded by South Carolinians.)

The Road Less Traveled

By late morning, after finishing my downtown appointment, the temperature had reached 35, the roads had been salted, and everyone was a happy bug again. Even the trip to Rutland and back was on roads that were just wet. People were their rambling selves again. Odd day, this. Sometimes I think that I don't know my people at all.

---

So, you missed the lunar eclipse of several lifetimes because it was cloudy ...

via HOBOTOPIA: Laugh-Out-Loud Cats #1576

Hey, UMass, you made the big time

No, it's not interesting that your story about semi-clad bone marrow solicitation made the New York Times. You made it to the show because the story was picked up by News of the Weird/Pro Edition:

University of Massachusetts Memorial Medical Center in Worcester is a fairly upscale joint (you would think)...

Parallel blogging

Latest items from my blog on legal topics, Parallel Eagles

• Good luck with that 
• Discussion series on Intellectual Property at MWCC

Worcester, the trend-setter

It looks like southern New England night get its first major snowstorm this weekend.

Sunday through Monday...the potential exists for a significant
winter storm though significant discrepancies continue between
the operational models and ensemble members. The 12z model runs
have generally trended westward again with surface low pressure
track except for the European model (ecmwf). Two camps exist...the 12z GFS remains
deepest within the western envelope of the gefs and GFS ensemble
means...with good clustering noted between Nantucket Island and the
40n 70w benchmark position Sunday night...as phasing occurs sooner.

via Area forecast discussion National Weather Service Taunton Massachusetts 1035 PM EST Wednesday Dec 15 2010

In other parts of the country, municipalities are discovering what Worcester has known for quite a while - let the citizens clean their own sidewalks and fine 'em if they don't. The Wall Street Journal, New Shovel-Ready Project, reports that not only are cities around the country forcing property owners to clear the sidewalks.
In addition, a recent Massachusetts SJC ruling allows property owners to be sued for failing to clear snow and ice that didn't fall directly from the sky.
So, get your gear ready, folks. Winter's coming.

see more There I Fixed It

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Crime in suburbia

From The Landmark (subscription required):

[Editor's note: There were 20 suspicious items this week.]

Holden

Monday, November 29

3:24 a.m. Vehicle parked on grass near "No Trespassing" sign, Shrewsbury St.
8:46 a.m. Pedestrian walk button sticking, Main St.
12:31 p.m. Hunters near rail trail
1:22 p.m. Vehicle parked illegally in business lot, Main St.
3:41 p.m. Call regarding dispute between mother and son
5:48 p.m. Dog missing for about an hour

Tuesday, November 30

12:52 a.m. Suspicious person, Main St.; looking for his cat

8:07 a.m. Two cars parked on lawn, Sycamore Dr.; owner thinks they're hunters
1:14 p.m. Vehicle parked in business lot for several weeks
2:30 p.m. Individuals asked to leave Main St. lot
3:27 p.m. Possible rabid skunk
3:29 p.m. Driver fell asleep and vehicle left roadway
5:24 p.m. Individual under house arrest is at high school
5:48 p.m. Loose black dog in Union St. area
5:56 p.m. Dog secured to utility pole

Wednesday, December 1

10:40 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle parked on side of Mark Cir.
12:02 p.m. Elevator stuck at high school; not stuck, student hit button by mistake
1:34 p.m. West Boylston PD reports individual left rail trail with blood on face and legs from possible gun shots
1:50 p.m. Shooter still at large; helicopter to search area; no contact
2:34 p.m. Garage owner had abusive client in to get sticker; yelling when he couldn't produce correct documentation
2:51 p.m. Preserving the peace, Sycamore Dr.
3:14 p.m. Caller's son not home from school; advised buses are late
9:20 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle in parking lot

Thursday, December 2

12:18 a.m. Neighbors want heavy machinery at gravel pit shut down
5:48 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Raymond St.
6:40 a.m. Caller reports propane tank left near driveway, Pleasant St.
7:44 a.m. Vehicles cutting trees blocking lane of traffic, Chapel St.
10:28 a.m. Burglar alarm at home; OK, just interior decorator
3:23 p.m. Elevator not working at building, Reservoir St.
3:59 p.m. Four hunters walking up Heather Cir. with guns; caller advised it is hunting season
6:30 p.m. Suspicious fundraising calls

Friday, December 3

1:29 a.m. Injured deer, Princeton St.; appears to be attacked by coyote and is deceased
7:00 a.m. Weapons violation
9:20 a.m. Quail Run resident reports someone cutting sections of Christmas lights
9:53 a.m. Bike found in woods, Lovell Rd.
10:00 a.m. Tractor trailer needs to be removed, General Hobbs Rd.
1:52 p.m. Porcupine in yard; advised to call Critter Control
2:27 p.m. Christmas cookies dropped off
6:13 p.m. W. Reading, Pa. PD calling about gun registered to Jefferson resident; used in armed robbery in that town
7:26 p.m. 911 abandoned call, Reservoir St.; problems with phone
7:37 p.m. Possible house party, Holden St.
7:59 p.m. Vehicle left at gas station overnight; operator ill

Saturday, December 4

12:18 p.m. Elderly couple can't find car in lot, Reservoir St.; car found
1:09 p.m. Dog missing, Twinbrooke Dr.
2:11 p.m. Environmental Police will question suspect in illegal deer killing
3:21 p.m. Caller asking if it is legal for hunters to walk down street with gun

Sunday, December 5

8:35 a.m. Environmental Police speaking with Princeton St. resident about illegal hunting
11:59 a.m. 911 abandoned call; mother says son got into trouble
6:48 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Bullard St.; OK, janitor cleaning up after basketball
7:35 p.m. Vehicles driving in sand pit, Quinapoxet St.; advised owner sometimes moves vehicles; neighbor unhappy with answer; will take up issue with town
10:55 p.m. Couple arguing behind building, Fruit St.; will quiet down
10:59 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Fort Sumter Dr.

Paxton

Tuesday, November 30

7:42 a.m. Car parked in wrong direction, believed to be hazard, Marshall/Laurel Sts.
12:42 p.m. Pickup truck in Pond St. area; believed to be hunters

Wednesday, December 1

3:47 a.m. Person at station advising a repossession of vehicle will occur, Ledyard Rd.
4:26 p.m. Suspicious red vehicle parked on culde sac, Mower Cir.

Thursday, December 2

12:33 p.m. Possible rabid fox in area, Holden Rd./ Whitney Dr.

Friday, December 3

9:41 a.m. Request to speak with animal control officer about putting out a trap for a lost cat, Richards Ave.
11:45 a.m. Person at station to speak with officer about neighbor who dumped ashes on his property that started a small fire, Pleasant St.
4:47 p.m. Suspicious person wearing dark clothing walking in woods, Old Lantern Cir./Camp St.
8:40 p.m. Child's bike on side of road, Pleasant St.

Saturday, December 4

7:40 a.m. During the night, chairs were dumped in the woods, Pleasant St./Arlene Dr.
3:44 p.m. Report of hunters on public trail at Boynton Park, Camp St.
5:59 p.m. Suspicious vehicle parked at Lancelot Dr.

Sunday, December 5

2:09 a.m. Suspicious vehicle, Pleasant St.

Princeton

Monday, November 29

4:40 p.m. Suspicious vehicle in parking lot all day, Goodnow Rd. Person hiking on mountain
5:10 p.m. Police stand by disabled vehicle until it is removed, Gregory Hill Rd.

Tuesday, November 30

12:02 p.m. Older golden retriever unable to get out of pond, Allen Hill Rd. Dog got out of water and limped away
12:49 p.m. Person found paint cans and roofing material in his Dumpster, Hubbardston Rd.
1:41 p.m. Suspicious vehicle in driveway at 4 a.m. Doors slammed and vehicle left, Beaman Rd.

Wednesday, December 1

6:27 p.m. Tree blocking road. Officer removed enough to allow one lane of traffic to pass, Goodnow/Hubbardston Rds.
6:53 p.m. Police assist high dept. to remove tree blocking half of Goodnow/Hubbardston Rds.
7:06 p.m. Vehicle parked at bad spot on side of Rte. 140 N. Police assist driver moving vehicle off the road
9:45 p.m. Motor vehicle violation, E. Princeton Rd. Criminal complaint issued for unlicensed operation of vehicle, speeding
10:05 p.m. Police transport person to residence to pick up another person with valid license to operate vehicle from previous call, E. Princeton
Rd.

Thursday, December 2

1:10 a.m. Hose from Mass Highway data collection box on road came loose, Rte. 140 Police secure hose
6:45 p.m. Hose from data collector came loose and got caught in vehicle tire, Rte. 140 N
7:46 p.m. Safety hazard. Police assist Mass Highway removing data collection hoses, Rte. 140 N

Saturday, December 4

10:26 a.m. Person reporting robbery in progress. Found to be hunters on property, Worcester Rd.

Sunday, December 5

4:21 p.m. Small beagle running in roadway, Rte. 140 N

Rutland

Monday, November 29

8:17 a.m. Disabled vehicle. Police transport individuals to business to wait for ride, Barre Paxton Rd.
10:48 a.m. Suspicious vehicle in driveway, Irish Ln.
11:35 a.m. Person at station to speak with officer about male that asked if a female and her friend wanted a ride, Main St.

Tuesday, November 30

3:55 p.m. Officer on investigation, Main St. Appears to be lock boxes on side of road
4:33 p.m. Mother and juvenile in station to speak with officer about computer safety, Main St.
6:28 p.m. Loose beagle mix, Emerald Rd.
6:54 p.m. Dog officer unable to get information regarding report of dog bite, Main St.
10:07 p.m. Deer struck by vehicle, Barre Paxton Rd.

Wednesday, December 1

6:36 p.m. Report of someone at vacant house with flashlight, Miles Rd. Waiting for realtor

Thursday, December 2

11:00 a.m. Person at station to ask for record of calls on Cameron Dr. No records found
1:26 p.m. Golden retriever picked up, E. County Rd.
1:43 p.m. Person at station to be fingerprinted for employment, Main St.
3:46 p.m. Dump truck lost 10-15 gallons of antifreeze, Main St. DPW wall take care of it
4:56 p.m. Parents and son at station to speak with chief about neighborhood issue, Main St.
8:36 p.m. Parent and juvenile at station to speak with officer about computer safety, Main St.

Friday, December 3

12:40 a.m. Suspicious people on Wachusett St., asked to move along
7:34 a.m. Gold colored dog running down Pleasantdale Rd.
7:43 a.m. Open gate and vehicle with Maine plates parked in driveway, Pleasantdale Rd.
11:03 a.m. Loose yellow Labrador, Maple Ave.
5:52 p.m. Driver hit dog, Pleasantdale Rd.

Saturday, December 4

10:55 a.m. Report of gunshots, possibly on school property, Miles Rd.
12:52 p.m. Loose dog in yard, Campbell St.
4:40 p.m. Person stuck in elevator at library, Main St.

Sterling

Monday, November 29

3:58 a.m. Suspicious vehicle, Bean Rd.
12:45 p.m. Theft of copper bar from microwave tower, Chocksett Rd.
2:26 p.m. Police off with vehicle parked partially in Griffin/Muddy Pond Rds.
4:24 p.m. Lost black Labrador, Rowley Hill Rd. Dog later returned home
4:38 p.m. Officer wanted, Samuels Ln. Possible scam regarding someone out of the country who needs money

Tuesday, November 30

11:31 a.m. Suspicious vehicle, Worcester Rd.
3:59 p.m. Caller reports hitting small dog, School St. Owners took dog into house
4:16 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, possibly hunter, Merrill Rd.
10:19 a.m. Request for police assistance while doing small patch jobs on Rte. 140
5:31 p.m. Brown cat with stripes meowing loudly in woods, Rowley Hill Rd.

Wednesday, December 1

1:39 p.m. Caller concerned about animal that has no food, Leominster Rd.

Thursday, December 2

8:06 a.m. Person at station to speak with officer regarding threats via Face Book. Referred to court for restraining order, probate issues
10:56 a.m. Police off with vehicle in middle of road, no one with vehicle.

Friday, December 3

3:22 p.m. Caller received letter, possible prank or mistaken identity, Legate Hill Rd.
5:24 p.m. Elderly caller reporting unwanted guest entered house, Justice Hill Cutoff Rd.
7:23 p.m. Loud gunshots, Greenland/Riverview Rds.
10:20 p.m. Suspicious male walking in middle of road, runs into woods when cars approach. Had argument with girlfriend; parents on way to pick him up, Redstone Hill Rd.

Saturday, December 4

5:07 a.m. Dog barking for long time, Fox Run Rd./Birch Dr. May be hurt
12:56 p.m. Loose Boxer, Chace Hill Rd. Police bring dog to station where owner will pick up
4:07 p.m. Person at station to talk about dog that was purchased; person now being threatened, Leominster Rd.
11:29 p.m. Suspicious vehicle with lights on parked in cemetery, Redstone Hill Rd.

Sunday, December 5

4:25 p.m. Loose cow grazing on lawn, Pratts Jct. Rd.

Danny & Annie - StoryCorps

"I walked in alone. I'll walk out alone." Danny & Annie - StoryCorps

Cr48 in Worcester

Google is releasing limited numbers of its Cr-48 Chrome Notebook. To get one, you have to apply to the pilot program and prove yourself worthy. I applied yesterday and am still hopeful.
In the meantime, at least seven folks from Worcester have or will soon have received their new toys.

via Cr-48 Shipping Tracker

That third place

The stuff that shows up on the Intertubes over the weekend seems to address more social issues than technical ones. Political topics sometimes get stirred up by events in the nation and world and by the Sunday morning talk shows. Mostly, though, the articles, blog posts, and tweets tend to show how people are living their lives.
One post, Why Teens Don't And Won't Tweet, gave a view about social networking that's lost in the breathless rush to the Next New Thing. Twitter isn't useful to teens because teens, for the most part, want to hang out with their friends. Facebook gives them that. Twitter is something else. It can be a way to hang out with your friends, but that's not really what it's designed to do best. Twitter is about broadcasting to the world, giving everyone a chance to hear what you can say in 140 characters or less. Again, teens generally don't want to talk at everyone, even if it sometimes seems like that. They want to talk with their friends, hear their friends, trade inside jokes, and experiment.
Facebook becomes that important "third place" in their lives, a place that while often overlapping with home and school, is something essentially different, something close. Nearly 30 years ago, Ramon Oldenburg and Dennis Brissett authored a key analysis of American culture titled The third place. In it, Oldenburg and Brissett describe an America that is increasingly time-bound. "Most individuals, except in unusual situations, seem able to estimate the time of day within 15 or 20 minutes when they are at home or at work," they write. In the third places, time easily gets away from you.
The third places can get wild as people step out of their typical roles and often play against them. 

Often third place participation is loud and boisterous. It is reassuring to observe that the average person, given the opportunity to let off steam, rarely will be vulgar, obnoxious, or spiteful in the presence of his companions.

Yes, people can appear to behave badly, but it's relatively rare for people to cross that line into bullying. (If abusive behavior was the norm or even something frequent, Facebook wouldn't have a half billion users.)
The authors wax wistful, often idealizing the purpose and performance of these third places, but they're onto something.

Third places provide enabling, not escapist, experiences for their inhabitants.They are a forum for "play" in a society interfused with a stubborn commitment to work and purposiveness. Association in third places envelopes individuals in a temporary world within their ordinary worlds.

Finally, some snow

The snow dusted us late last night, so light that you couldn't even measure it sideways.

Nevertheless, with all of the cold weather that we've had, below freezing all week, I think we've earned a bit of pretty.

Phony Beatlemania has bitten the dust

I asked several people at a gathering last night what they remembered about the night that John Lennon was shot. Most were too young to remember or to have cared.
That night in 1980, I was working  at the old Enterprise-Sun news office in Marlborough, finishing up my stories about the Hudson selectmen's meeting. Computer terminals had just been installed a few months earlier. I saw the story come in from the U.P.I. wire service. There was one other reporter in the office that night. We talked for a little bit and then sat quietly until it was time to go home.
As Brian observed, music was being ripped in a lot of different directions at the time. The Beatles, gone for more than a decade, weren't part of anyone's current listening, but they still formed the backdrop for popular music. Punk was ricocheting between angry politics and just louder. We'd come out of the disco crisis scarred and a bit embarrassed that we'd liked Saturday Night Fever.
So, while Lennon's murder was a shocking reminder of violence, it wasn't a demarcation. With the assassinations of the 60s, a line of dreams was broken. We were sad at Lennon's death. We weren't, however, grieving for what he and we might have been.

If you knew how to spell Wachusett, ...

you might not be working at Rite-Aid.

---

---

More on winter

We've had a few days of below-freezing weather with a couple more in the queue. There'll be a warm-up on Sunday and Monday, bringing freezing glop that turns to hydraulic cement early next week.

via Wunder Blog : Weather Underground

We've rearranged a few rooms in our house. I now have a different BlogCave^™ off of our family room. The wood stove provides enough warmth; I've not had to turn on the heat, yet.

When the snow is covering the back window, we'll have better insulation. Until then, the sharp northwest winds alert us to each little gap that we missed in our last weatherization project.
Nature plays hard and wants to win.

Bringing the science of weather to Worcester

This year's Southern New England Weather Conference was held at Holy Cross on Saturday. About 140 amateur weather nerds and professional meteorologists, including those we see on TV, spent a cloudless day discussing weather reporting, forecasting, and climatology.^[1]. Through the presentations, discussions between sessions, and in the Twittersphere, a couple themes kept showing up:

1. How do yo engage the public, particularly school kids, in science, in general, and meteorology, in particular?
2. How do you convey scientific information, with all of its nuances, uncertainty, and urgency, through often fractious channels of media and government, to an impatient public?

Next year, I will try to bring one or more of the grandchildren. I think that they would have enjoyed hearing  someone such as 11-year-old Dew Butler, who maintains stormtopia.com, give a weather analysis that was sharp, funny, and fun. They'd be intrigued by Matt Noyes of NECN and his disarmingly easy-going approach to science education. Jonathan Byrne is both the Mad Scientist and thoughtful educator, bringing the best out of our students. Even the technical analysis of a meteotsunami, dense with math and physics, is pretty cool when you see a video of boats bouncing around Boothbay Harbor on an otherwise calm day. They might have wondered while some of the adults teared up a bit at Barry Burbank's tribute to Don Kent, who passed away this past year.
Winter weather is more that just knowing how much it's going to snow. Some storms, such as our 2008 Ice Storm and sundry blizzards, can be life-threatening and economically devastating, not to mention keeping kids in school until the end of June.
Forecasting severe and dangerous weather, including hurricanes, is so much better now that we miss completely the worsening ability to get urgent news to the public. Bryan Norcross of the Weather Channel and America's Emergency Network, compared his experience with Hurricane Andrew in 1992 to our situation today. While we're able to forecast with much greater accuracy now and we have cell phones and all manner of Internet-based communications, we're less effective in being able to handle such a situation without power.
The problem of the last mile, getting official news to people in a emergency, has worsened in our hyper-connected lives.Our cell phone networks don't support broadcast messages. ("Send a reverse 911 to all Verizon Wireless subscribers.") Our TV and radio stations have cut back on their news staffs. Many radio outlets, for example, do not have local staff at all, except for an engineer to receive and rebroadcast a satellite signal. Those stations that do have local staff are often concentrated in large cities, leaving outlying areas without meaningful news. And, even if  the radio stations can do the job, fewer people are likely to have a battery-powered AM/FM radio in their homes. It's these issues that America's Emergency Network is helping us solve. These are also issues that can engage young people, helping us keep our emergency supplies, including a working radio, in ready condition.
The people we watch regularly, such as Kevin Lemanowicz of Fox25, Tim Kelley of NECN, who does the only Worcester-specific broadcast, Burbank of WBZ, who visited Holden last year, and Noyes, are very approachable. They appreciate the challenge of balancing the  roles as TV personalities and scientists. They understand the complexities the weather in central Massachusetts. They'll be thoughtful as some guy launches into a discourse on probabilistic forecasting, risk analysis, and our culture's poor grasp of statistical analysis. Grandkids (and children and spouses) might roll their eyes when they hear talk like that, but these folks are patient and respectful.

Joseph D’Aleo's winter forecast

And, then, few minutes later, they become as excited as school kids. They talk about long-range indicators suggesting a pattern of wintry weather next week, leading to a discussion about the overall prospects for winter.(It may snow a lot.)

^[1] Last year's conference was visited by a frontal passage, bringing a squall through the region and sending the weather folk to the windows.

---

Bringing the science of weather to Worcester

This year's Southern New England Weather Conference was held at Holy Cross on Saturday. About 140 amateur weather nerds and professional meteorologists, including those we see on TV, spent a cloudless day discussing weather reporting, forecasting, and climatology.^[1]. Through the presentations, discussions between sessions, and in the Twittersphere, a couple themes kept showing up:

1. How do yo engage the public, particularly school kids, in science, in general, and meteorology, in particular?
2. How do you convey scientific information, with all of its nuances, uncertainty, and urgency, through often fractious channels of media and government, to an impatient public?

Next year, I will try to bring one or more of the grandchildren. I think that they would have enjoyed hearing  someone such as 11-year-old Dew Butler, who maintains stormtopia.com, give a weather analysis that was sharp, funny, and fun. They'd be intrigued by Matt Noyes of NECN and his disarmingly easy-going approach to science education. Jonathan Byrne is both the Mad Scientist and thoughtful educator, bringing the best out of our students. Even the technical analysis of a meteotsunami, dense with math and physics, is pretty cool when you see a video of boats bouncing around Boothbay Harbor on an otherwise calm day. They might have wondered while some of the adults teared up a bit at Barry Burbank's tribute to Don Kent, who passed away this past year.
Winter weather is more that just knowing how much it's going to snow. Some storms, such as our 2008 Ice Storm and sundry blizzards, can be life-threatening and economically devastating, not to mention keeping kids in school until the end of June.
Forecasting severe and dangerous weather, including hurricanes, is so much better now that we miss completely the worsening ability to get urgent news to the public. Bryan Norcross of the Weather Channel and America's Emergency Network, compared his experience with Hurricane Andrew in 1992 to our situation today. While we're able to forecast with much greater accuracy now and we have cell phones and all manner of Internet-based communications, we're less effective in being able to handle such a situation without power.
The problem of the last mile, getting official news to people in a emergency, has worsened in our hyper-connected lives.Our cell phone networks don't support broadcast messages. ("Send a reverse 911 to all Verizon Wireless subscribers.") Our TV and radio stations have cut back on their news staffs. Many radio outlets, for example, do not have local staff at all, except for an engineer to receive and rebroadcast a satellite signal. Those stations that do have local staff are often concentrated in large cities, leaving outlying areas without meaningful news. And, even if  the radio stations can do the job, fewer people are likely to have a battery-powered AM/FM radio in their homes. It's these issues that America's Emergency Network is helping us solve. These are also issues that can engage young people, helping us keep our emergency supplies, including a working radio, in ready condition.
The people we watch regularly, such as Kevin Lemanowicz of Fox25, Tim Kelley of NECN, who does the only Worcester-specific broadcast, Burbank of WBZ, who visited Holden last year, and Noyes, are very approachable. They appreciate the challenge of balancing the  roles as TV personalities and scientists. They understand the complexities the weather in central Massachusetts. They'll be thoughtful as some guy launches into a discourse on probabilistic forecasting, risk analysis, and our culture's poor grasp of statistical analysis. Grandkids (and children and spouses) might roll their eyes when they hear talk like that, but these folks are patient and respectful.

Joseph D’Aleo's winter forecast

And, then, few minutes later, they become as excited as school kids. They talk about long-range indicators suggesting a pattern of wintry weather next week, leading to a discussion about the overall prospects for winter.(It may snow a lot.)

^[1] Last year's conference was visited by a frontal passage, bringing a squall through the region and sending the weather folk to the windows.

---

About this thing of sleep that is rumored to exist ...

Crime in suburbia

From The Landmark (subscription required):
[Editor's note: There were 27 suspicious items this week.]

Holden

Sunday, November 21

9:44 a.m. Brown water reported, High St.
2:15 p.m. Caller to speak with “head man”
5:02 p.m. Kid’s bicycle abandoned for a week, Pleasant St.
5:41 p.m. Caller asked to pay for disposal of box of trash found elsewhere; claims he’s not responsible
6:01 p.m. Report of dog feces covering mail box and inside
8:07 p.m. Doors open at business; owner can’t be reached

Monday, November 22

12:19 a.m. Doors wide open at business, same as yesterday; unable to reach owner
5:42 a.m. Suspicious vehicle on side of Union St., secured and unoccupied
7:21 a.m. Half-dead fox on side of Sycamore Dr.
10:31 a.m. Rabid fox foaming at the mouth, Sycamore Dr.
11:38 a.m. Two parties picking up trash, Fairchild Dr.; warned for loud exhaust
11:55 a.m. Party in to speak with chief, and no one else
1:27 p.m. Vehicle driving slowly and filming, Village Green Ln.
1:40 p.m. Report of neighbors who haven’t been seen or heard from for days; OK, on vacation
2:07 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, Princeton St.
2:22 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, Main St.
3:35 p.m. Door shot at by BB gun, Surrey Ln.
4:10 p.m. Youths gathering in cemetery for possible fight at 5 p.m., Main St.; dispersed
5:07 p.m. Attempted assault, Colonial Rd.; argument over pellet stove
11:22 p.m. Dog barking non-stop, Shrewsbury St.
11:36 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, Shrewsbury St.; OK, custodian

Tuesday, November 23

12:25 a.m. Barking dog, Shrewsbury St.
8:54 a.m. Car on side of Manning St. with no one around
11:41 a.m. Unknown party behind neighbor’s home, North St.; OK, friend of family
1:35 p.m. Male lying in mulch in business parking lot
4:53 p.m. Suspicious activity behind abandoned building, Princeton St.; pipe bomb found and destroyed
9:09 p.m. Two males arguing on Fruit St.
11:00 p.m. Caller reports argument with wife, worried that wife will take son out of state, claims both drinking

Wednesday, November 24

1:56 a.m. Check on young persons walking on Main St.
9:58 a.m. Mailbox too close to roadway, Wachusett St., party struck it with side mirror
12:51 p.m. Dog loose, Brennan Way
2:26 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, Salisbury St.

Thursday, November 25

1:36 a.m. Neighbors having argument, Princeton St.
3:14 a.m. Suspicious vehicle in lot, Shrewsbury St.
3:16 a.m. Suspicious person, Shrewsbury St.
5:32 a.m. Towle Dr. resident reports neighbor blasting music; when spoken to, turned it up louder
11:27 a.m. Report of altercation between friends; no police service needed
12:28 p.m. Dog in roadway, Manning St.; picked up and then loose again in Trout Brook area

Friday, November 26

12:42 a.m. Suspicious male sitting at desk on side of Wachusett St., drinking beer
12:46 a.m. Suspicious person slumped over wheel in vehicle, Main St.; overtired, no medical or alcohol issues
5:14 a.m. Suspicious male, Wyndhurst Dr.
9:31 a.m. Manhole cover in middle of Rte. 31
10:54 a.m. 911 call about bag of leaves in road, Main St.
11:57 a.m. Claim of restraining order violation, Main St.; neighbor shone laser pointer in house at wife
2:18 p.m. Car left in lot for 3 weeks, Reservoir St.
6:10 p.m. Two barking dogs, Winthrop Ln.
6:15 p.m. Dump trucks in roadway, Chapel St.
9:51 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, Main St.
11:17 p.m. Suspicious male, South Rd.
11:57 p.m. Suspicious person, Main St.

Saturday, November 27

12:05 a.m. Suspicious vehicle, Shrewsbury St.; changing glasses to contacts
8:59 a.m. Call about posting property for hunting

3:21 p.m. Erratic driver, Main St.; says was on the phone and has a lot on his mind
5:35 p.m. Caller states individual giving him crap; just wants it logged
6:40 p.m. Caller says resident acquired dog from Petfinder and it bit owner in the face; owner at hospital; dog in basement until animal control can fetch it

Sunday, November 28

2:24 a.m. 911 hang up; verbal argument, male party left to avoid physical altercation
8:44 a.m. Suspicious vehicle, Main St.
1:50 p.m. Suspicious vehicle driving by house taking pictures, Lovell Rd.
4:39 p.m. Glove box inside car open, Union St.; requests extra patrols
4:54 p.m. Worcester PD requests check on individual wanted for malicious destruction of property; not home, may be at Victoria’s Secret

Paxton

Monday, November 22

4:55 a.m. Gun shots in West St/ Pine Acres area. Suspect taken into custody by Spencer PD.
5:46 p.m. Tanglewood Rd. resident calling because her trash wasn’t picked up, advised to call trash company
6:11 p.m. Car struck deer, West St.

Tuesday, November 23

8:02 a.m. Suspicious pick-up truck in driveway of vacant house, Keep Ave. Person is employee of Northeast Properties
12:46 p.m. Resident reports no water, Keep Ave. Advised to call water department.
3:30 p.m. Cell phone caller advising her black Lab Seeing Eye dog ran off while she was at Boynton Park; dog found at 5:21 p.m.
5:32 p.m. Bicyclist on side of road with flashers on, Pleasant St. Picked up by parent.
6:31 p.m. Suspicious auto, Silver Spring Dr.
9:41 p.m. Caller reports child’s car seat on side of Crowningshield Dr.

Wednesday, November 24

11:19 a.m. Missing black cat, Pleasant St.
4:12 p.m. Suspicious auto behind residence, no plates, Grove St.
5:12 p.m. Suspicious auto near Howe’s Farm Stand

Friday, November 25

12:06 a.m. Dispersed gathering, Boynton Park
12:26 a.m. Dispersed gathering, Moore State Park
4:27 p.m. Suspicious auto, Marshall St.
11:57 p.m. Report of suspicious lights between residences, Red Oak St. Four-wheelers in area, will stop riding for the night.

Saturday, November 24

1:15 p.m. Missing calico cat, Richards Ave.
9:25 p.m. Suspicious person knocked at door, then took off, Whitney Dr.

Princeton

Wednesday, November 24

9:27 a.m. Suspicious vehicle, Merriam Rd.; found to be female putting on makeup before going to work
9:29 a.m. Husband’s wallet and keys taken by wife, later found in leaves outside, Lovers Ln.
10:07 a.m. Male dog wandering in neighborhood, Sterling Rd.
12:11 p.m. Missing pointer dog, Clearings Way
2:18 p.m. Suspicious pickup truck followed female home and then parked on side of road near her house, Ball Hill Rd.

Thursday, November 25

6:25 p.m. Large rock in roadway causing traffic hazard, Sterling Rd.

Friday, November 26

4:00 p.m. Suspicious incident, Parker Place
4:20 p.m. Report of person looking at females in hot tub, Goodnow Rd.

Sunday, November 28

12:06 p.m. Caller’s dog attacked (third time), Beaman Rd.
5:27 p.m. Group of teens in dark clothing riding bicycles on both side of Rte. 140

Rutland

Monday, November 22

12:43 p.m. Person at station to speak with officer about abandoned vehicle on his property, Main St.

Tuesday, November 23

3:40 a.m. Woman locked out of her apartment, Main St.
1:08 p.m. Person at station to report scam on Craig’s List, Main St.

Wednesday, November 24

10:40 a.m. Loose horse behind house, Campbell St.
12:18 p.m. Female reports receiving strange phone calls, Overlook Rd.; international scam

Thursday, November 25

10:05 a.m. Dog chasing male out running, dog now in road, Central Tree Rd.

Friday, November 26

12:49 p.m. Loose dog, Summerhill Dr.
2:37 p.m. Loose chocolate Labrador running down E. County Rd.
4:25 p.m. Man at station with machete found while cleaning out his house, Main St.

Saturday, November 27

9:21 a.m. Loud bang and power is out, Bethany Dr.

Sunday, November 28

7:35 p.m. Young female bitten by dog, Paddock Rd.
9:41 p.m. Car egged, Oakridge Rd.

Sterling

Monday, November 22

12:10 a.m. Complaint about truck running all night, Bird St.
11:12 a.m. Stray cat at home, Birch Dr.
5:33 p.m. Two small black dogs loose, Albright/Pratts Jct. Rds.
5:39 p.m. Large deer hit in road, Redemption Rock Trl./Princeton Rd.

Tuesday, November 23

8:22 a.m. Two small black dogs missing, Nicholas Dr.
11:58 a.m. Person bitten by dog, Holden Rd.; was tied and on owner’s property

Wednesday, November 24

11:22 a.m. Possible sick fox in yard, Chace Hill Rd.
12:07 p.m. Loose dog in yard, Gates Rd.
6:37 p.m. Vehicle stolen from parking lot, Clinton Rd. Taken by another employee

Thursday, November 25

1:50 a.m. Male wearing all black riding scooter down Jewett Rd.
2:27 a.m. Complaint about barking dog, Mortimer Rd.
1:22 p.m. Dead fox in drainage area, Ashton Ln.

Friday, November 26

12:50 p.m. Small black male dog found on Rte. 12, taken to shelter, Laurelwood Rd.

Saturday, November 27

10:19 a.m. Squirrel stuck in chimney, Olde Parish Ln.

Sunday, November 28

8:42 a.m. Two Persian cats in back yard, Holden Rd.
11:31 a.m. Beagle with cable still attached ran away, Meetinghouse Hill Rd.
2:09 p.m. Two dogs in road chasing passersby, Rowley Hill Rd.
4:36 p.m. Disturbance over use of hose, Worcester Rd.
6:18 p.m. Young male sitting in break down lane, Clinton Rd.
6:36 p.m. Lancaster PD requests cruiser for South Meadow area; individual transported home

Crime in suburbia

From The Landmark (subscription required):
[Editor's note: There were 27 suspicious items this week.]

Holden

Sunday, November 21

9:44 a.m. Brown water reported, High St.
2:15 p.m. Caller to speak with “head man”
5:02 p.m. Kid’s bicycle abandoned for a week, Pleasant St.
5:41 p.m. Caller asked to pay for disposal of box of trash found elsewhere; claims he’s not responsible
6:01 p.m. Report of dog feces covering mail box and inside
8:07 p.m. Doors open at business; owner can’t be reached

Monday, November 22

12:19 a.m. Doors wide open at business, same as yesterday; unable to reach owner
5:42 a.m. Suspicious vehicle on side of Union St., secured and unoccupied
7:21 a.m. Half-dead fox on side of Sycamore Dr.
10:31 a.m. Rabid fox foaming at the mouth, Sycamore Dr.
11:38 a.m. Two parties picking up trash, Fairchild Dr.; warned for loud exhaust
11:55 a.m. Party in to speak with chief, and no one else
1:27 p.m. Vehicle driving slowly and filming, Village Green Ln.
1:40 p.m. Report of neighbors who haven’t been seen or heard from for days; OK, on vacation
2:07 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, Princeton St.
2:22 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, Main St.
3:35 p.m. Door shot at by BB gun, Surrey Ln.
4:10 p.m. Youths gathering in cemetery for possible fight at 5 p.m., Main St.; dispersed
5:07 p.m. Attempted assault, Colonial Rd.; argument over pellet stove
11:22 p.m. Dog barking non-stop, Shrewsbury St.
11:36 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, Shrewsbury St.; OK, custodian

Tuesday, November 23

12:25 a.m. Barking dog, Shrewsbury St.
8:54 a.m. Car on side of Manning St. with no one around
11:41 a.m. Unknown party behind neighbor’s home, North St.; OK, friend of family
1:35 p.m. Male lying in mulch in business parking lot
4:53 p.m. Suspicious activity behind abandoned building, Princeton St.; pipe bomb found and destroyed
9:09 p.m. Two males arguing on Fruit St.
11:00 p.m. Caller reports argument with wife, worried that wife will take son out of state, claims both drinking

Wednesday, November 24

1:56 a.m. Check on young persons walking on Main St.
9:58 a.m. Mailbox too close to roadway, Wachusett St., party struck it with side mirror
12:51 p.m. Dog loose, Brennan Way
2:26 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, Salisbury St.

Thursday, November 25

1:36 a.m. Neighbors having argument, Princeton St.
3:14 a.m. Suspicious vehicle in lot, Shrewsbury St.
3:16 a.m. Suspicious person, Shrewsbury St.
5:32 a.m. Towle Dr. resident reports neighbor blasting music; when spoken to, turned it up louder
11:27 a.m. Report of altercation between friends; no police service needed
12:28 p.m. Dog in roadway, Manning St.; picked up and then loose again in Trout Brook area

Friday, November 26

12:42 a.m. Suspicious male sitting at desk on side of Wachusett St., drinking beer
12:46 a.m. Suspicious person slumped over wheel in vehicle, Main St.; overtired, no medical or alcohol issues
5:14 a.m. Suspicious male, Wyndhurst Dr.
9:31 a.m. Manhole cover in middle of Rte. 31
10:54 a.m. 911 call about bag of leaves in road, Main St.
11:57 a.m. Claim of restraining order violation, Main St.; neighbor shone laser pointer in house at wife
2:18 p.m. Car left in lot for 3 weeks, Reservoir St.
6:10 p.m. Two barking dogs, Winthrop Ln.
6:15 p.m. Dump trucks in roadway, Chapel St.
9:51 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, Main St.
11:17 p.m. Suspicious male, South Rd.
11:57 p.m. Suspicious person, Main St.

Saturday, November 27

12:05 a.m. Suspicious vehicle, Shrewsbury St.; changing glasses to contacts
8:59 a.m. Call about posting property for hunting

3:21 p.m. Erratic driver, Main St.; says was on the phone and has a lot on his mind
5:35 p.m. Caller states individual giving him crap; just wants it logged
6:40 p.m. Caller says resident acquired dog from Petfinder and it bit owner in the face; owner at hospital; dog in basement until animal control can fetch it

Sunday, November 28

2:24 a.m. 911 hang up; verbal argument, male party left to avoid physical altercation
8:44 a.m. Suspicious vehicle, Main St.
1:50 p.m. Suspicious vehicle driving by house taking pictures, Lovell Rd.
4:39 p.m. Glove box inside car open, Union St.; requests extra patrols
4:54 p.m. Worcester PD requests check on individual wanted for malicious destruction of property; not home, may be at Victoria’s Secret

Paxton

Monday, November 22

4:55 a.m. Gun shots in West St/ Pine Acres area. Suspect taken into custody by Spencer PD.
5:46 p.m. Tanglewood Rd. resident calling because her trash wasn’t picked up, advised to call trash company
6:11 p.m. Car struck deer, West St.

Tuesday, November 23

8:02 a.m. Suspicious pick-up truck in driveway of vacant house, Keep Ave. Person is employee of Northeast Properties
12:46 p.m. Resident reports no water, Keep Ave. Advised to call water department.
3:30 p.m. Cell phone caller advising her black Lab Seeing Eye dog ran off while she was at Boynton Park; dog found at 5:21 p.m.
5:32 p.m. Bicyclist on side of road with flashers on, Pleasant St. Picked up by parent.
6:31 p.m. Suspicious auto, Silver Spring Dr.
9:41 p.m. Caller reports child’s car seat on side of Crowningshield Dr.

Wednesday, November 24

11:19 a.m. Missing black cat, Pleasant St.
4:12 p.m. Suspicious auto behind residence, no plates, Grove St.
5:12 p.m. Suspicious auto near Howe’s Farm Stand

Friday, November 25

12:06 a.m. Dispersed gathering, Boynton Park
12:26 a.m. Dispersed gathering, Moore State Park
4:27 p.m. Suspicious auto, Marshall St.
11:57 p.m. Report of suspicious lights between residences, Red Oak St. Four-wheelers in area, will stop riding for the night.

Saturday, November 24

1:15 p.m. Missing calico cat, Richards Ave.
9:25 p.m. Suspicious person knocked at door, then took off, Whitney Dr.

Princeton

Wednesday, November 24

9:27 a.m. Suspicious vehicle, Merriam Rd.; found to be female putting on makeup before going to work
9:29 a.m. Husband’s wallet and keys taken by wife, later found in leaves outside, Lovers Ln.
10:07 a.m. Male dog wandering in neighborhood, Sterling Rd.
12:11 p.m. Missing pointer dog, Clearings Way
2:18 p.m. Suspicious pickup truck followed female home and then parked on side of road near her house, Ball Hill Rd.

Thursday, November 25

6:25 p.m. Large rock in roadway causing traffic hazard, Sterling Rd.

Friday, November 26

4:00 p.m. Suspicious incident, Parker Place
4:20 p.m. Report of person looking at females in hot tub, Goodnow Rd.

Sunday, November 28

12:06 p.m. Caller’s dog attacked (third time), Beaman Rd.
5:27 p.m. Group of teens in dark clothing riding bicycles on both side of Rte. 140

Rutland

Monday, November 22

12:43 p.m. Person at station to speak with officer about abandoned vehicle on his property, Main St.

Tuesday, November 23

3:40 a.m. Woman locked out of her apartment, Main St.
1:08 p.m. Person at station to report scam on Craig’s List, Main St.

Wednesday, November 24

10:40 a.m. Loose horse behind house, Campbell St.
12:18 p.m. Female reports receiving strange phone calls, Overlook Rd.; international scam

Thursday, November 25

10:05 a.m. Dog chasing male out running, dog now in road, Central Tree Rd.

Friday, November 26

12:49 p.m. Loose dog, Summerhill Dr.
2:37 p.m. Loose chocolate Labrador running down E. County Rd.
4:25 p.m. Man at station with machete found while cleaning out his house, Main St.

Saturday, November 27

9:21 a.m. Loud bang and power is out, Bethany Dr.

Sunday, November 28

7:35 p.m. Young female bitten by dog, Paddock Rd.
9:41 p.m. Car egged, Oakridge Rd.

Sterling

Monday, November 22

12:10 a.m. Complaint about truck running all night, Bird St.
11:12 a.m. Stray cat at home, Birch Dr.
5:33 p.m. Two small black dogs loose, Albright/Pratts Jct. Rds.
5:39 p.m. Large deer hit in road, Redemption Rock Trl./Princeton Rd.

Tuesday, November 23

8:22 a.m. Two small black dogs missing, Nicholas Dr.
11:58 a.m. Person bitten by dog, Holden Rd.; was tied and on owner’s property

Wednesday, November 24

11:22 a.m. Possible sick fox in yard, Chace Hill Rd.
12:07 p.m. Loose dog in yard, Gates Rd.
6:37 p.m. Vehicle stolen from parking lot, Clinton Rd. Taken by another employee

Thursday, November 25

1:50 a.m. Male wearing all black riding scooter down Jewett Rd.
2:27 a.m. Complaint about barking dog, Mortimer Rd.
1:22 p.m. Dead fox in drainage area, Ashton Ln.

Friday, November 26

12:50 p.m. Small black male dog found on Rte. 12, taken to shelter, Laurelwood Rd.

Saturday, November 27

10:19 a.m. Squirrel stuck in chimney, Olde Parish Ln.

Sunday, November 28

8:42 a.m. Two Persian cats in back yard, Holden Rd.
11:31 a.m. Beagle with cable still attached ran away, Meetinghouse Hill Rd.
2:09 p.m. Two dogs in road chasing passersby, Rowley Hill Rd.
4:36 p.m. Disturbance over use of hose, Worcester Rd.
6:18 p.m. Young male sitting in break down lane, Clinton Rd.
6:36 p.m. Lancaster PD requests cruiser for South Meadow area; individual transported home

We shall meet, but we shall miss him.

From my OnTheCommon Holden blog - We shall meet, but we shall miss him

We shall meet, but we shall miss him.

From my OnTheCommon Holden blog - We shall meet, but we shall miss him

Dept. of Signs

Even though the Signs of Worcester are pretty well under monitored, other communities have gone rogue. This NPR piece, City Asks: Who Put Up All Those Stop Signs?, for example, alerts us to a real and present danger: the uncontrolled proliferation of stop signs. Not only is someone in Cranston RI  putting up stop signs without permission, but the city is telling residents to obey the signs. A communique from the mayor's office noted that "drivers ... should not take this as a free pass. A stop sign is a stop sign."
The folks in the Midwest are having troubles as well. A railroad company in Mason City IA put up stop signs without permission. Even the gentle souls of Canada have to endure vigilante traffic justice.
Meanwhile, back at home, properly posted signs are reminding us not to park in a place where we'd probably not want to park anyway.

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Dept. of Signs

Even though the Signs of Worcester are pretty well under monitored, other communities have gone rogue. This NPR piece, City Asks: Who Put Up All Those Stop Signs?, for example, alerts us to a real and present danger: the uncontrolled proliferation of stop signs. Not only is someone in Cranston RI  putting up stop signs without permission, but the city is telling residents to obey the signs. A communique from the mayor's office noted that "drivers ... should not take this as a free pass. A stop sign is a stop sign."
The folks in the Midwest are having troubles as well. A railroad company in Mason City IA put up stop signs without permission. Even the gentle souls of Canada have to endure vigilante traffic justice.
Meanwhile, back at home, properly posted signs are reminding us not to park in a place where we'd probably not want to park anyway.

---

More on reporters as opinionators

Nicole tells a fine story, A Confession « Nicole, Worcester,  about helping her grandmother vote during 2002. It's an excellent response to the column by Nick Kotsopoulos, Ballot help defies spirit of the law.
Voting isn't a social studies MCAS test where you have to demonstrate that you, unaided, know the answers. It's an act of civic participation whereby each voter expresses a viewpoint on the candidates and issues at hand. In town meetings, we vote in public, with plenty of opportunity to chat before and during the vote. Those votes are as legally binding as ballots on election day. Similarly, people can vote by absentee ballot, at home or wherever, with all manner of assistance and with no real time constraints. 
Our voting processes are complex and imprecise. We try to balance the rights of groups to voice their opinions, of individuals to act according to their consciences, and of the general public to know that the votes were counted as accurately as humanly possible.
We're coming up on the 10th anniversary of Bush v. Gore in which activist judges decided that the state of Florida should stop counting the votes in the 2000 presidential election because the Florida Supreme Court erred in its scheme to fashion a recount and that there wasn't time to create a new scheme that met constitutional requirements.

via Ballot help defies spirit of the law

So, people vote for many reasons and in many ways. Governments and others determine how the votes are tallied. As I said, our processes are complex and imprecise. We're trying to bring as many people into the process as we can. Yes, we need to do so legally. We're not helped by snarky comments about voters who are new to the process and uncertain about what to do. Particularly when those comments are made by an otherwise good political reporter.

---

More on reporters as opinionators

Nicole tells a fine story, A Confession « Nicole, Worcester,  about helping her grandmother vote during 2002. It's an excellent response to the column by Nick Kotsopoulos, Ballot help defies spirit of the law.
Voting isn't a social studies MCAS test where you have to demonstrate that you, unaided, know the answers. It's an act of civic participation whereby each voter expresses a viewpoint on the candidates and issues at hand. In town meetings, we vote in public, with plenty of opportunity to chat before and during the vote. Those votes are as legally binding as ballots on election day. Similarly, people can vote by absentee ballot, at home or wherever, with all manner of assistance and with no real time constraints. 
Our voting processes are complex and imprecise. We try to balance the rights of groups to voice their opinions, of individuals to act according to their consciences, and of the general public to know that the votes were counted as accurately as humanly possible.
We're coming up on the 10th anniversary of Bush v. Gore in which activist judges decided that the state of Florida should stop counting the votes in the 2000 presidential election because the Florida Supreme Court erred in its scheme to fashion a recount and that there wasn't time to create a new scheme that met constitutional requirements.

via Ballot help defies spirit of the law

So, people vote for many reasons and in many ways. Governments and others determine how the votes are tallied. As I said, our processes are complex and imprecise. We're trying to bring as many people into the process as we can. Yes, we need to do so legally. We're not helped by snarky comments about voters who are new to the process and uncertain about what to do. Particularly when those comments are made by an otherwise good political reporter.

---

RoasterBoy as athletic supporter

In order to graduate (again) from MWCC, I have to take gym. They call it something else, Fitness and Wellness, so it's not volleyball or synchronized swimming, but it's still gym.  I don't dispute the notion that I could use more exercise than I get, so I'm going along with this requirement with good humor and an open mind.
(One faculty member describes this as the means by which the staff at the Fitness and Wellness Center justifies itself. As far as I've been able to determine, Mt. Wachusett is alone in the Massachusetts community college system with such a requirement.)
When I tried to sign up for this course online, however, I was not able to do so. Apparently, in order to register for the gym class, I had to prove that I've taken college-level course in math and reading.

I was able to convince the person working in the Registrar's office that I'd taken a calculus course at a time close to when Newton had invented it. For the reading prerequisite, I read the catalog requirement that said that I needed to know how to read.
Now, I'm registered for gym, twice a week. I'm ready for all that's modern in the world of education.

RoasterBoy as athletic supporter

In order to graduate (again) from MWCC, I have to take gym. They call it something else, Fitness and Wellness, so it's not volleyball or synchronized swimming, but it's still gym.  I don't dispute the notion that I could use more exercise than I get, so I'm going along with this requirement with good humor and an open mind.
(One faculty member describes this as the means by which the staff at the Fitness and Wellness Center justifies itself. As far as I've been able to determine, Mt. Wachusett is alone in the Massachusetts community college system with such a requirement.)
When I tried to sign up for this course online, however, I was not able to do so. Apparently, in order to register for the gym class, I had to prove that I've taken college-level course in math and reading.

I was able to convince the person working in the Registrar's office that I'd taken a calculus course at a time close to when Newton had invented it. For the reading prerequisite, I read the catalog requirement that said that I needed to know how to read.
Now, I'm registered for gym, twice a week. I'm ready for all that's modern in the world of education.

Health news you can use, I think

via Triple That Vitamin D Intake, Panel Prescribes - WSJ.com (subscription)

via Extra Calcium and Vitamin D Aren’t Necessary, Report Says - NYTimes.com