Live from Cincinnati. Here's your hyperlocal Boston news.

It's difficult not to have a small bit of joy at Clear Channel's troubles, they who have inhaled radio stations across the nation like a prairie gopher vacuum, and who have decimated local ownership and content in the process.
It is true that they have tried to recognize the valuable contributions that local staffers make. For example, during the December ice storm, Worcester's WTAG rallied to keep the people informed:

Under the direction of Program Director George Brown, staff began taking text messages on a station cell phone, then a wireless laptop, and eventually, one phone line was restored.

Oh, and, by the way, George Brown was laid off this week.
Now we read that local content for Boston Clear Channel stations will orginate in Cincinnati. Granted, weather services such as Accuweather and The Weather Channel have been doing this for a long time. News, however, ought to be different and it is different.
On the other side of the coin, hyperlocal is the latest breathless buzzword that media outlets are using in an effort to remain relevant. One of my next projects is to count the number of times that Fox 25 (the Fox affiliate in Boston) uses the word local, such as local Massachusetts towns, local suburban schools, or local student. Using superfluous adjectives is like shouting at someone who speaks another language, adding nothing but noise to an already incomprehensible situation.

---
Update: a Maine web site shows that hyperlocal can work: Finally, someone makes hyperlocal pay

On the future of the Boston Globe

At this writing, Reuters reports that talks between the New York Times, parent company of the Boston Globe, and the Globe's unions have broken off and that the Times is planning to file federal paperwork to shut down the Globe - UPDATE 5-Boston Globe could file shutdown notice Monday. A story on the Globe web site, Agree or else, Globe tells unions, suggests that the sides are still unable to reach an agreement.
The Boston Business Journal, meanwhile, reports that the company has reached an agreement with the drivers' union, 45 minutes after the deadline passed. The deal will lead to major job losses, although not immediately - Globe and one union reach tentative deal.
There will likely be a paper today, Monday. (The Globe web site at this hour is still showing the Sunday edition.)

Those with tender sensibilities should not read this post

For the rest of you, I think that no matter how many times you say, "Ick," it won't be enough:
Inappropriate Mother's Day Gifts

via The Consumerist

Why you should read those blah-blah-blah license agreements

From the SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT FOR iTUNES (PDF, capitalization theirs):


...

So what do we do with this (from the iTunes store):

via FailBlog

Yes, but can my dog stick his head out the window?

Pet Airways is a pet airline

Welcome to Pet Airways, a pet-only airline dedicated to pet-friendly travel.

With Pet Airways, your pet will be safe and comfortable flying in the main cabin --- not in cargo!

Give your pet a first-class travel experience today!

via BookofJoe

Crime in suburbia

From The Landmark (subscription required):

Holden

Monday, April 20

1:42 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle in parking lot on Reservoir St., shows stolen from Worcester; Worcester hadn't updated records
12:02 p.m. Caller reports teen went out last night and didn't come home; may know where he is
7:26 p.m. Inquiry about tree limb pickup/removal

Tuesday, April 21

11:07 a.m. Animal quarantined on Fort Sumter Drive
12:35 p.m. Veterans agent advises of scam requesting donations for troops in Holden and Paxton
1:34 p.m. Large pothole on Holden St.
6:16 p.m. Caller concerned about Xbox dispute between son and ex-girlfriend

11:23 p.m. Parent reports son and friends smoking marijuana; parties left before parents could be notified

Wednesday, April 22

12:00 p.m. Property returned from Holden Chapel
12:16 p.m. Caller found rifle in attic and wants to turn it in
1:45 p.m. Obstructed view reported due to brush pile
7:36 p.m. 911 Two calls to report deer blocking traffic on Reservoir St.
7:53 p.m. Resident reports no electricity to well

Thursday, April 23

5:21 a.m. Stop sign found in parking lot at gym at high school; undamaged, just pulled from ground
7:44 a.m. Complaint about town vehicle taking up lane on Highland St.
3:58 p.m. Two youths spoken to about skateboarding at the gazebo
5:19 p.m. 911 Youths on bikes blocking driveway on Main St.; advised to disperse

Friday, April 24

10:41 a.m. Suspicious people soliciting on Sycamore Dr.
12:50 p.m. Two juveniles lying in soccer fields on Holden St. kissing; asked to move along
1:19 p.m. Private investigator on Manning St.
1:20 p.m. Two calls to report suspicious vehicle on Otter Brook Dr., caller believes trying to steal dog
3:45 p.m. Two individuals on dirt bikes on Tea Party Circle; sent on their way
4:41 p.m. Report of person under a vehicle on Shrewsbury St., possible disabled motor vehicle
5:05 p.m. Needles found on side of road
5:19 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle in lot at PD; for custody exchange
6:10 p.m. Tree crew with three trucks interfering with traffic on Phillips Rd.; two complaints; crew shut down
6:40 p.m. Walk-in to speak with officer regarding son's aunt using boy's picture on MySpace
7:16 p.m. Report of landline phone in mailbox; advised to dispose of it
8:40 p.m. Tree branch partially blocking roadway on South Rd.
9:30 p.m. Suspicious party on Princeton St.; OK, just fishing
11:14 p.m. Gunshots heard on Cranbrook Dr.

Saturday, April 25

7:50 a.m. Question about brush
8:22 a.m. Question about charity work
8:32 a.m. Caller with question about receiving passport
9:20 a.m. Multiple calls regarding burning permits
9:52 a.m. Report of lost dog
11:00 a.m. Two kids on top of water tank off Sycamore Dr.
11:34 a.m. Lost dog from Sumac Circle
11:54 a.m. Question about bicycles behind police department
1:16 p.m. Dog found
2:08 p.m. Caller concerned about neighbor burning, affecting asthma
4:00 p.m. Caller concerned that a beehive has been poisoned

11:37 p.m. Missing cat on Fairchild Rd.

Sunday, April 26

7:05 a.m. Report of raccoon watching person; afraid it will attack dogs
12:11 p.m. Report of resident playing music loudly on Dorothy Ave.
12:20 p.m. Illegal burn on Reservoir St.
1:55 p.m. Dog hit
3:18 p.m. Complaint of loud music
5:43 p.m. Caller concerned about neighbor cutting trees on his property

Paxton

Monday, April 20

10:48 a.m. Vehicle lockout, Howard St.
4:18 p.m. Kids riding dirtbikes on Camp St.

Tuesday, April 21

2:24 p.m. Suspicious white van driving slowly, Pleasant St.; census taker
10:17 p.m. Loose yellow lab, Streeter Rd.

Wednesday, April 22

10:03 a.m. Home lockout, Keep Ave.
7:23 p.m. Business lockout, Pleasant St.

Thursday, April 23

12:15 a.m. Two subjects running out of woods, near Asnebumskit Rd. and jumping into a moving motor vehicle heading north on Rte. 122.
11:17 p.m. Camper in Moore St. Park; party is tree worker, camping out rather than driving home to N.H.

Friday, April 24

7:01 a.m. Walk-in reports two small donkeys wandering around Pond St.; owner contacted, barn door left open
5:14 p.m. Suspicious female reported, Pleasant St.; census taker

Saturday, April 25

11:05 a.m. Suspicious male reported, Burtenmar Cir.; census taker
6:29 p.m. Neighbors' brush pile blocking caller's driveway, Suomi St.

Sunday, April 26

3:16 p.m. Caller concerned about size of neighbor's brushfire, Sherbrooke Dr.

Princeton

Monday, April 20

1:57 p.m. Request for light department, townwide
2:38 p.m. Assist fire department, Houghton Rd.

Tuesday, April 21

10:15 a.m. Assist fire department, Worcester Rd.
1:26 p.m. Person came to station to report trash/litter on Calamint Hill Rd. North Mountain Rd.

Wednesday, April 22

2:48 p.m. Suspicious incident, Main St.
10:44 p.m. Suspicious person, Main St.

Thursday, April 23

8:32 a.m. Traffic safety hazard, Mountain Rd.
8:40 a.m. Suspicious incident, Boylston Ave.
12:35 p.m. Suspicious person, Jefferson Rd.
6:35 p.m. Assist animal control officer, Hubbardston Rd.

Friday, April 24

7:11 a.m. Officer investigation, Town Hall Dr.
12:49 p.m. Assist animal control officer, Mountain Rd.
3:01 p.m. Public service, East Princeton Rd.
5:28 p.m. Disturbance, motor vehicle, Dowds Ln./Calamint Hill Rd. South
8:33p.m. Suspicious incident, Fitchburg Rd.
8:50 p.m. Assist fire department, Brooks Station Rd.

Saturday, April 25

8:50 a.m. Request for light department, Houghton Rd.
12:17 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Mountain Rd.
1:59 p.m. Disturbance, gun shots, Rte. 140 North
4:46 p.m. Request for animal control officer, Rte. 140 North
6:41 p.m. Person came to station with item found on Worcester Rd.
7:53 p.m. Assist light department, East Princeton Rd.
8:41 p.m. Suspicious person, Houghton Rd.
10:38 p.m. Suspicious incident, East Princeton Rd.

Sunday, April 26

4:15 a.m. Assist animal control officer, East Princeton Rd.
9:43 a.m. Request for animal control officer East Princeton Rd.
10:46 a.m. Suspicious person, Clearings Way
9:35 p.m. Open gate, Mountain Rd.

Rutland

Monday, April 20

7:16 a.m. Disturbance, couple in car arguing about dog, Main St.
4:58 p.m. Motor vehicle accident, unsure if in Holden or Rutland, Bond St. Standing by until HoldenPD arrives
9:48 p.m. Wires arcing, National Grid notified, Welch Ave./ Emerald Rd.

Tuesday, April 21

1:28 a.m. Party reporting he went off the road into the woods, Kenwood Dr.
8:30 a.m. Motor vehicle lockout, Memorial Dr.
9:29 a.m. Abandoned bicycle on side of Main St./Pleasantdale Rd.
1:37 p.m. Assist other PD to go to home and collect firearms from person with revoked firearms license, Barre Paxton Rd.

Wednesday, April 22

12:40 a.m. Check on people in parking lot, Maple Ave., changing tire

Thursday, April 23

3:27 p.m. Report of man driving back and forth on Campbell St., ringing doorbells; census taker
10:48 p.m. Party complaining about car burning rubber, Rte. 122

Friday, April 24

1:00 p.m. Transformer blew at end of driveway, throwing sparks into road, Emerald Rd.

10:24 p.m. Police transport individuals from basketball court to home on Vista Cir.

Saturday, April 25

2:15 a.m. Oakham PD requesting assistance with kids racing up and down street; motor vehicle broke down in middle of street, kids fled scene, beer cans strewn around area, Crawford Rd., Oakham
12:07 p.m. Motor vehicle lockout, car running, Maple Ave.
3:17 p.m. Complaint about noisy motorcycles, Pleasantdale Rd.
3:47 p.m. Person at station to speak with officer, Main St.
3:58 p.m. Person at station to speak with officer, Main St.
4:34 p.m. Motor vehicle lockout, Vista Cir.
9:31 p.m. Officer requesting backup for large house party, Crawford/East Hill Rds.

Sunday, April 26

9:50 a.m. Complaint about man sitting in pickup truck at playground watching kids, Memorial Field
9:56 a.m. Complaint about four wheeler riding in Glenwood Rd.

Sterling

Monday, April 20

10:41 a.m. Dog running in the middle of Clinton Rd.

2:49 p.m. Approximately 12 juveniles skateboarding inside gazebo, Park St.
6:19 p.m. Assist citizen who can't find his way home, Main St.

Wednesday, April 22

8:53 a.m. Male in gray van going through trash, Jill Ln.
12:12 p.m. Disabled Coca-Cola truck, Main St.
7:20 p.m. Leominster PD reports significant traffic backup due to very large beaver in roadway; removed from road and placed in woods

Thursday, April 23

3:00 p.m. Dog loose, causing fear among neighborhood children, Sunset Dr.
7:30 p.m. Male party requesting assistance to remove belongings from home in Medfield

Saturday, April 25

1:12 p.m. Several parking violation traffic citations issued, Park St.
2:10 p.m. Assist citizen with mechanical issues, Redemption Rock Trl.
6:03 p.m. Complaint about dog, John Dee Rd.
10:50 p.m. Annoying phone calls, Main St.

Sunday, April 26

9:18 a.m. Parking enforcement, Sholan town beach

Was it the back rub that unglued Angela?

Did this:

lead to this?
Angie in her undies turns heads in Berlin

When walking a dog, the shortest distance between two points is impossible.

Yesterday, brother Mike stopped by for a visit, eager to have me listen to a new-old Hugh Masekela CD. The conversation covered a lot of terrain, music and politics, but mostly about family, stories of hope and adventure, stories of hard times getting harder.
"So," he asked, "how old is Marley?"
"Thirteen."
"What is that in human years?"
Well, as it turns out, the commonly used metric of one dog year equaling seven human years doesn't quite work. Dogs mature much earlier than humans; a one-year-old dog is more like a teenager than a seven-year-old human.

Data (PDF)  from California Veterninary Medicine Association.

So, that led to a search for clever about dogs, leading to "My dog is worried about the economy because Alpo is up to 99 cents a can. That's almost $7.00 in dog money." ~Joe Weinstein

The quote is undated, but I figured that a can of Alpo has increased in price along with everything else. Google Shopping showed that you can get pretty close to a buck a can for some sale items in case lots.
One offering, though, is not much of a deal at all. Not only is the price-per-can at nearly $3.00, but shipping is, well, ...

For that price, they should not only ship it, but also get up early in the morning and feed it to him.
While looking around for that other information, I stopped to sniff these fenceposts:

• The Centers for Disease Control report, via WSJ, (subscription), that tripping over pets is a major cause of emergency room visits and that people are more than seven times as likely to trip over their dogs as over their cats.
  
• Spending $50 to test your dog's IQ probably says more about your IQ than your dog's.

Worried about swine flu? The economy? Well, some yard work might help.

"That is well said," replied Candide, "but we must cultivate our garden."
Oh, snap.

Itch Alert: Poison ivy seems to be growing faster and with greater potency

The winters are very long in Canada. Too long.

Because your diet, with rapee, poutine, and hot hamburgers isn't weird enough, you've got to have Ketchup Cake for dessert.
The article says, "Think carrot cake without all the work."
No. I won't.

Neighbors balk at Westminster development plan - Sentinel & Enterprise

Quote of the day from my old town:
Neighbors balk at Westminster development plan - Sentinel & Enterprise: "I'd like kids in my family to have a job where they don't have to go all the way to Worcester, where they could be threatened by some crack head with a butcher knife,"

When it comes to speaking, I'm all thumbs.

OntheCommon.com - When it comes to speaking, I'm all thumbs.

Crime in suburbia

From The Landmark (subscription required):

Holden

Monday, April 13

1:11 p.m. Motor vehicle lockout, Shrewsbury St.
1:23 p.m. Suspicious male for the second time at residence, River St.
2:45 p.m. Motor vehicle lockout at Dunkin' Donuts
6:22 p.m. Large black bear climbing up tree and causing traffic delay, Highland St.
7:41 p.m. Teens on bikes reported posing safety hazard
9:09 p.m. Bear went back into the woods
10:42 p.m. Motor vehicle lockout

Tuesday, April 14

12:27 a.m. Pedestrian signal on lights at center activating
8:22 a.m. Pedestrian crossing lights cycling
9:30 a.m. Pedestrian crossing lights fixed
9:45 a.m. Motor vehicle lockout, Main St.
11:11 a.m. Caller reporting dog in yard; owners got dog
11:53 a.m. Lockout, Lovell Rd.
6:59 p.m. Dog chased jogger, Bullard St.; owner spoken with
11:05 p.m. Loud music, Main St.
11:10 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle in parking lot, Shrewsbury St.; OK, making phone call

Wednesday, April 15

12:35 a.m. Suspicious person behind Papa Gino's; OK, having trouble with vehicle
1:24 p.m. Solicitors selling meat, Wachusett St.
2:05 p.m. Moped in woods, Wild Rose Ave.
5:54 p.m. Report of receiving weird letters
6:52 p.m. Tenant making noise late at night

Thursday, April 16

8:15 a.m. Caller believes son and friends are using drugs; requests extra patrols
8:30 a.m. Truck with uncovered load
8:54 a.m. Stray cat, Wachusett St.
3:11 p.m. Report of black bear, Harris St.
3:30 p.m. Water flowing out of sewer and crack in Kendall Rd.

11:06 p.m. State police report if gunshots are heard on Newell Rd., they're putting down a deer

Friday, April 17

4:16 a.m. Loud animal sounds, Mark Cir,/Salisbury St.
6:08 a.m. Private investigator working in area, Greenbriar Ln.
9:08 a.m. Woman with child in southbound travel lane, Main St.
10:36 a.m. Tree company dropped tree on Greenwood Pkwy.
11:05 a.m. Complaint of brush piles at residence too high for folks making turns off Reservoir St.;
1:40 p.m. Private investigator in area
9:18 p.m. Caller unable to contact boyfriend on cell

Saturday, April 18

1:52 a.m. Man and woman walking in travel lane, Main St.
2:23 a.m. Motor vehicle with dome light on, Nola Dr.

12:02 p.m. Vehicle on both sides of Clark St. obstructing traffic
12:21 p.m. Call about removal of leaked fuel into garbage can
12:48 p.m. Irate customer at gas station
4:50 p.m. Overload of cars at St. Mary's due to church function
6:36 p.m. Kids in lot on Main St. advised to leave
11:40 p.m. Report of new occupants on Main St. with loud stereo

Sunday, April 19

12:30 p.m. Off-road motorcycle speeding toward maze

Paxton

Monday, April 13

9:39 a.m. Caller reports a suspicious man with a rake. Turns out he is landscaper, Shanadoah Dr.

Tuesday, April 14

11:09 a.m. Horse caught in fence, Richards Ave.

Wednesday, April 15

2:33 p.m. Spencer Rescue Squad advising they have locked themselves out of the ambulance. Requesting officer, Paxton Garage.
11:00 p.m. Office flagged down to attend to a raccoon that was hit by car. Advised the animal is code 4.

Thursday, April 16

3:55 p.m. Town crossing guards reporting loose beagle in Country Bank parking lot
3:59 p.m. Caller reporting that a male with long hair and beard is riding his bike erratically, near Maple and Grove Sts.

Saturday, April 18

4:15 p.m. Caller reporting people down by the reservoir, retrieving brush. Concerned for their safety. Reservoir security notified

Sunday, April 19

11:55 a.m. House at Monticello Dr. has brush in roadway, traffic hazard
5:02 p.m. Missing poodle "Elmo" Has tags and harness, last seen at Keep Ave.

Princeton

Tuesday, April 14

5:10 p.m. Public service, Mountain Rd.

Wednesday, April 15

10:21 a.m. Disturbance, gun shots, Rte. 140 N
5:12 p.m. Request for animal control officer, Bullard Rd.

Thursday, April 16

11:00 a.m. Assist fire department, Hubbardston/Allen Hill Rds.

Friday, April 17

1:52 p.m. Trash/litter complaint, Worcester Rd.
6:04 p.m. Traffic safety hazard, Dowds Ln.

Saturday, April 18

9:20 a.m. Disturbance, Fitchburg Rd.
2:04 p.m. Request for animal control officer, Hubbardston Rd.

Sunday, April 19

3:52 p.m. Request for animal control officer, Mountain Rd.
4:21p.m. Assist fire department, Clearings Way
6:07 p.m. Assist fire department, Whitaker Ln.

Rutland

Monday, April 13

5:49 p.m. Rubbish dumping, Maple Ave.
9:33 p.m. Motor vehicle lockout, Miles Rd.

Tuesday, April 14

1:15 p.m. Black wire hanging low over roadway, Kenwood Dr.
4:15 p.m. Motorist reports she ran over something and it damaged her oil pan, Maple Ave.

Wednesday, April 15

6:44 p.m. Parking violation, access road at the schools
8:14 p.m. Several attempts to serve summons, Memorial Dr., Glenwood Rd.

Thursday, April 16

10:04 a.m. Person at station to speak with officer regarding tractor dispute, Main St.
1:51 p.m. Person wants to speak with officer on duty, Main St.
5:58 p.m. Complaints about vehicles parked at the schools, school access road

Friday, April 17

6:33 a.m. Report of moose at end of Pommogussett Rd.
4:07 p.m. Officer speaks to youths on skateboards, Main St.
5:46 p.m. Suspicious white van in beach area, Crawford Rd.

Saturday, April 18

8:30 a.m. Person wants it recorded that someone left a beer can in her mailbox overnight, Birchwood Rd.
9:35 a.m. Yellow/orange bike left at end of driveway, Main St.
10:03 a.m. Green ATV in roadway, Glenwood Rd.
2:32 p.m. Person to speak with officer regarding carrying a hand gun, Main St.
6:00 p.m. Person at station to speak with officer, Main St.
10:21 p.m. Motor vehicle lockout, Main St.

Sunday, April 19

10:38 a.m. Party complaining about neighbors on ATV on sidewalks, Glenwood Rd.
7:29 p.m. Erratic driver all over road, Main St.
9:04 p.m. Erratic operator, Main St.
10:28 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Main St.

Sterling

Monday, April 13

8:21 a.m. Call about loose dog, Chace Hill Rd.
3:01 p.m. Person dropped off item found on Laurelwood Rd.
8:30 p.m. Black bear and cub in area of Elliott Rd.

Tuesday, April 14

7:57 a.m. Report of problem at intersection of Riverview/ Greenland Rds.
2:48 p.m. Person asking whether anyone on Chace Hill Road has seen two small white dogs
3:11 p.m. Suspicious male in roadway, Squareshire Rd.
6:32 p.m. Police remove two juvenile skateboarders from middle of Worcester Rd.
6:59 p.m. Caller reports dirt bikes on Old Beaman Rd.
8:39 p.m. Black bear on porch, advised to remove bird feeders, Upper N. Row Rd.

Wednesday, April 15

9:31 a.m. Handful of screws found at end of driveway, Elliott Rd.
1:34 p.m. Two small dogs running in traffic, Leominster/Pratts Jct. Rds.
5:29 p.m. Police asked to check on skateboarders behind church, Bridge St.
5:51 p.m. Excessive barking of dog, Glendale Ave.
6:09 p.m. Skateboarders, Waushacum Ave./Newell Hill Rd.
7:23 p.m. Vandalism, screws found in driveway, Elliott Rd.

Thursday, April 16

8:44 a.m. Screws found in driveway, Elliott Rd.
9:16 a.m. Bear sighting, Upper N. Row Rd.

Friday, April 17

2:38 a.m. Assist State Police checking area of Muddy Pond Rd. for anyone on foot
9:07 a.m. Car in parking lot is running, person at wheel sleeping, Leominster Rd.
10:22 a.m. Solicitors going door-to-door, Fitch Farm Ln.
9:24 p.m. Disturbance, loud music, Wilder Rd. Loudest noise is the crickets

Saturday, April 18

5:00 a.m. Caller reports road blocked by tree limbs, Olde Parish Ln.
6:38 p.m. Suspicious activity, Pratts Jct. Rd.
10:55 p.m. Suspicious activity, motor vehicle, pulling into driveways, Chace Hill Rd.

Sunday, April 19

1:45 p.m. Request for animal control officer, Lakeshore Dr.
2:11 p.m. Dog found on Beaman Rd, belongs on Pinewood Rd.
3:06 p.m. Request for animal control officer, Newell Hill Rd.
5:43 p.m. Complaint about loud music, Wilder Rd.
8:46 p.m. Youths throwing things at trailers, Main St.
9:19 p.m. Loud yelling, Glendale Ave.

Website terms unenforceable due to unlimited right to amend

Website terms unenforceable due to unlimited right to amend:

"The US District Court for the Northern District of Texas has said, though, that Blockbuster cannot rely on any of its terms and conditions because a clause allowing it to alter them creates too much uncertainty for customers."

It would be interesting to see if, by extension, this ruling could apply to credit card companies that have allegedly changed interest rates, fee structures, and penalties without appropriate notice.

Just in time for Mother's Day

From the PediSedate web site:

"PediSedate is a medical device consisting of a colorful, toy-like headset that connects to a game component such as the Nintendo Game Boy system or a portable CD player. Once the child places it on his or her head and swings the snorkel down from its resting place atop the head, PediSedate transparently monitors respiratory function and distributes nitrous oxide, an anesthetic gas."

via Nifty gaming gadget administers nitrous oxide to kids

Microsoft tests its new software delivery system.

Charlottetown, The Guardian: Local News | Important computer software found near rural Kings County road:

MONTAGUE – Police here have what they say is important computer software that was found along a rural road and they are searching for its owner.
RCMP Const. Jamie Parsons of the Kings District RCMP say a motorist driving along the Greenfield Road in Summerville, near Montague, located a container containing numerous computer CDs, with what Parsons believes is important computer software. The container was found Wednesday.
Anybody with information about the container is asked to contact Montague RCMP at (902) 838-9300."

They ought to charge $1K to get into the room, $2K to get

Joe the Plumber is campaigning for Steve Lonegan (NJ) Gubernatorial Campaign.
For a thousand bucks, you can have a private meeting with Joe (aka Samuel Wurzelbacher, which is an anagram for We Amaze Bush Cruller) the Plumber.
A licensed plumber charges more than that, but you'd be guaranteed to have less humanure than when you started.

FedEx: when you absolutely, positively want to keep unions out

The Wall Street Journal, Journal of Commerce, and other news sources are reporting that Federal Express has warned Congress that placing the company under the jurisdiction of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRD) would jeopardize FedEx's plans to purchase 30 new cargo planes from Boeing. Each plane goes for more than $250 million. Currently, FedEx is governed by the Railway Labor Act. The company believes that it would be easier for unions (Teamsters) to organize under NLRB rules.
Meanwhile, the Memphis Daily News is reporting that FedEx is reducing its air capacity because of the on-going recession.
So, FedEx won't buy airplanes that it may not buy anyway.
Oh, that company that FedEx might buy planes from if we let them, Boeing? It turns out that Boeing's largest customer is International Lease Finance Corp. ILFC's parent company is ... AIG.
So, one more time. Tell Congress to keep the unions out of FedEx so that they might or might not buy airplanes from a company whose biggest customer is another company that is so far in the hole that it has to stand on its head to see the bottom and in which we, the people, have an 80% stake.
You explain all that to Lucy, ok?

[Update 4/22/09:  Court: FedEx Drivers Not Employees: "Drivers for FedEx Ground are independent contractors, not employees, and therefore can't unionize, the United States Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit decided today."

What do you want to be if you grow up?

Jeff at Wormtown Taxi has had a long-running series of posts regarding the Bump Installation Crew (B.I.C.), road crews in the city of Worcester who manage to install new bumps with each repair job.
Well, for that little guy or gal who wants to grow up and join a B.I.C., here's just the right gift, Bump Installation Crew action figures:

 

Available at the Stop and Shop on West Boylston Street.

Happy 40th, AJH

Martha C. (Thomas) Ferrecchia

It's with great sadness that we note the passing of Martha Ferrecchia. She was the copy editor at the time that I worked at the Hudson Daily Sun/Marlborough Enterprise.
We used the UPI style guide, which differed just enough from the AP guide that I'd learned in college that I tripped up at least once a day. I came to look forward to her gentle, light-hearted, but ever clear edits. She was a writer's best friend.
Telegram obituary: "Martha C. (Thomas) Ferrecchia"

Your hometown newspaper

Once again, the front page of the Telegram has no stories with a Worcester byline. Boston's important, to be sure, state capital, big marathon, and all that. But should there be two wire service stories, including one about the 'Craigslist Killer,'^[1] be on the front page?

^[1]To their credit, neither the AP nor the Telegram used the 'Craigslist Killer' monicker to describe this creep. The same can't be said for nearly 1000 other news outlets.

---

Disclaimer: although I now write for OnTheCommon.com, a blogging service on the Telegram.com site, I do not work for the Telegram.

Memo to WSJ: do you know that you have an online edition?

A bunch of years ago, I used to pick up a copy of the Wall Street Journal at the corner store while on my way to work. It was and is not only the best business newspaper in the country, its general reporting about politics, world events, and social trends is pretty darn good. Rupert Murdoch's ownership over the last two years hasn't had a major impact on the quality or tone of reporting. (The WSJ editorial board is decidely conservative, but the news reporting is, to coin a phrase, fair and balanced.)
Shortly after WSJ.com came online, I signed up for a subscription and, except for one brief break, I've been a subscriber for nearly a dozen years. I find the online version easy to scan and search. It's available whenever I want it. Also, I don't have to toss out yet another daily paper. Oh, and one more thing, it was particularly handy when I doing a lot of business travel. I could read the Journal whenever and wherever.
So, this morning, I get this email from the WSJ, offering a special deal whereby I can get the paper edition of the Journal for free when I stay in Marriott hotels.
OK, now that's nice, a good free newspaper instead of just the USA Today that's typically left outside my hotel room. Nevertheless, it's odd that the WSJ doesn't understand why most people, particularly business travelers, subscribe to the online version - so that they can read the paper online whenever, wherever.

Quotes without a home

As I was reading a critique of President Obama's economic policies, I was intrigued by this quote, attributed to Karl Marx in Das Kapital from 1867:

"Owners of capital will stimulate the working class to buy more and more of expensive goods, houses and technology, pushing them to take more and more expensive credits, until their debt becomes unbearable. The unpaid debt will lead to bankruptcy of banks, which will have to be nationalized and the State will have to take the road which will eventually lead to Communism."

The quote is interesting on a couple of levels. First of all, it seems to describe our current situation pretty accurately. Of course, the analysts go on to blame the president for this condition when Marx is presciently describing the result of the failed policies and practices of capitalists. Cheap credit and an over-stimulated housing market has led to many people becoming prisoners of debt and, in turn, crippled banks and other corporations.
Whether we wind up in Communism or not (or whether we're there now or not) is a point of discussion for another day. I've been most intrigued by the quote because I can't find a source for it.
A Google search of any of the phrases in this quote will turn up lots of citations of this quote, but none of them, as best as I've been able to tell, are in Das Kapital. The best source for an English translation of Capital seems to come from the folks at marxists.org. There I could find no occurence of this quote. Marx and his fellow travelers said a lot of things about technology, credit, and debt, and the spirit of this quote isn't too far from what Marx would have said. Nevertheless, the quote doesn't appear in the book.
As an additional bit of info, I translated the quote into German , using Google Translate, and then tried to find even a few strings, such as "Häuser und Technologie" (houses and technology), in the original German text. Again, no joy.
Quotes are illustrative, helping us put big ideas into packages that we can fit into our pockets. Let's first, however, make sure that what's being quoted was actually said or written.

[Update 4/21/09]
The good folks at snopes.com published similar research on this quote and confirmed what I'd suspected, that Marx didn't write this in Das Kapital or anywhere else.

Given historical realities, if these lines about consumer debt were indeed written by Marx, it was more likely to have been Groucho than Karl.

a “strange, little, wet, fried, angry place”

My wife's family name is MacGregor, so the following is presented with all due reverence.
Daily Express | UK News :: English study has the Scots written off as a dozy bunch
Study leader Jason Rentfrow said early analysis revealed that personalities were becoming clustered into distinct geographical patterns. He said:

“London is becoming psychologically separate from the rest of the nation.
“People in London tend to be, on average, more analytical, assertive, dominant, efficient and creative.
“People in Scotland are less open-minded and less tolerant of differences."
...
Scots actor John Hannah, who now lives in London, described his home land as a “strange, little, wet, fried, angry place.”

Rentfrow had previously created a personality map of the United States. It showed significant regional differences in personality types.

Map source: The United States of Mind, Wall Street Journal (subscription)

Scott Adams is reading my cell phone bill

As noted, I recently bought a new cell phone. The price of the phone was based on a $50 rebate. 



I made it past Rebaterus and get the card. I learn that it's a debit card, not a credit card, but when I try to use it, I should call it a credit card. And don't let the restaurant try to add the tip because the card might be rejected.
I haven't tried using the card. Stay tuned.

Lunchtime patent tricks

Whether it was the Earl of Sandwich or the Duke of Shrewsbury who first invented the staple of American luncheon dining, it is those purveyors of fine Scottish cuisine, McDonald's, who are seeking a patent on the manufacture of same.
From McDonald's filing with the World Intellectual Property Organiztion (WIPO): (WO/2006/068863) METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MAKING A SANDWICH

The present invention relates to methods of making a sandwich. In one aspect, the invention relates to pre-assembly of sandwich components and simultaneous preparation of different parts of the same sandwich. In one aspect, the invention relates to one or more of the following: pre-assembly of meat and cheese; simultaneous toasting of a bread component and heating a pre-assembled meat and/or cheese filling; and assembly of sandwich garnishes and condiments on a sandwich assembly tool. In another aspect, the present invention relates to a sandwich assembly tool useful in the foregoing methods for preparation of a sandwich, including, for example, a made-to-order sandwich.

via Overlawyered: Will your lunch violate intellectual property laws?

When corned-beef becomes hash

During the 2008 presidential campaign, Sen. John McCain called for the United States to emulate Ireland, particularly its 11% business tax rate.

if you go to the country where it’s 11 percent tax versus 35 percent, you’re going to be able to create jobs, increase your business, make more investment, et cetera.

He didn't say that the fundamentals of the Irish economy were sound, but he came close.
Seven months later, we learn from New York Times colulmnist, and Nobel laureate, Paul Krugman, that

the Irish government now predicts that this year G.D.P. will fall more than 10 percent from its peak, crossing the line that is sometimes used to distinguish between a recession and a depression.
But there’s more to it than that: to satisfy nervous lenders, Ireland is being forced to raise taxes and slash government spending in the face of an economic slump — policies that will further deepen the slump.

Apparently, the Irish government and bankers over-leveraged their financial assets, in much the same way as happened in Iceland.
Unfortunately, the Irish government is responding to the banking crisis in much the same was as the U.S. is doing: bailing out the banks without fixing the fundamental problems with the banking systems.

Not to put too fine a point on it, that’s one reason I’m so concerned about the Obama administration’s bank plan. If, as some of us fear, taxpayer funds end up providing windfalls to financial operators instead of fixing what needs to be fixed, we might not have the money to go back and do it right.

Such are the joys of politics, economics, and world finance - everyone has a chance to get it seriously, dangerously wrong.
Oh, and about that 35% tax rate? It doesn't seem too burdensome for many corporations. According to the GAO, between 1998 and 2005, two-thirds of American corporations paid no income taxes.

Pump up the amps

From the Worcester Tea Party rss feed:

Asian beetle threatens national pastime

No, not that beetle. This beetle:


Men's Journal, April 2009 -- Baseball’s Bug Problem
Add a new crisis for Major League Baseball: a tiny Asian import named the emerald ash borer. This beetle, discovered in Michigan in 2002, has quickly ravaged forests from there to Ohio, Indiana, and Maryland, killing tens of millions of white ash trees — the same type used by Louisville Slugger to make MLB’s official bats.

via J-Walk Blog and MLB.com.

OntheCommon.com -= - Our towns, our people, our stuff

I have joined the Worcester Telegram and Gazette OnTheCommon.com blogging team. I will be writing about Holden and Phillipston.
This is my first post: Our towns, our people, our stuff

Crime in suburbia

From The Landmark (subscription required):

Holden

Monday, April 6

11:08 a.m. Jackknifed tractor trailer unit on Lincoln Ave.
11:32 a.m. Raccoon in yard on Valley Hill Dr.
12:14 p.m. Raccoon in garage on Wachusett St., possibly rabid
11:54 p.m. Dead beaver on Main St.

Tuesday, April 7

2:56 a.m. Worcester requests notification to Holden resident that his restaurant caught on fire
8:40 a.m. Pothole next to manhole cover on Main St.
9:02 a.m. Vehicle in lot on Main St. that doesn't belong there
9:19 a.m. Business concerned about solicitor claiming they are associated with Holden office
2:36 p.m. Group of solicitors without permits on Nola Dr.
8:02 p.m. Report of larceny from business on Main St.; individual wanting to return same items twice
8:06 p.m. Caller about dog tied out all day on Avery Rd.
9:30 p.m. Two callers inquiring if individual has been reported missing

Wednesday, April 8

10:20 a.m. Inquiry about issues at Trout Brook
2:45 p.m. Census bureau will be in town for six to eight weeks
3:37 p.m. Post office reports patron upset about construction, made scene then left
4:29 p.m. Report of possible loitering at high school; okay, parties waiting for a ride
7:20 p.m. Individual suspected in theft is back in Main St. business

Thursday, April 9

3:50 a.m. Fluid trail from business on Main St. to Valley Hill Rd.
11:38 a.m. Animal problem on Hunter Circle
5:04 p.m. Caller reports egging car received was actually paint
5:18 p.m. Tree branch removed from travel lane on Main St..

Friday, April 10

12:46 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle in lot at pool on Salisbury St.
7:58 p.m. 911 call from Cutler Rd.; homeowner says did not call and hung up twice
10:08 a.m. Report of two dogs missing from Princeton St. residence
12:50 p.m. Abandoned car in middle of parking lot at library; appears to have slipped out of gear; will wait an hour for owner before towing
3:06 p.m. Main St. business owner advises of manhole in parking lot leaking water/sewage; water department advised
5:32 p.m. Report of two kids in vehicle in Big Y parking lot, possibly rolling a joint
6:13 p.m. Report of kids skateboarding at business on Main St.
8:03 p.m. Caller asking about what happened at her home on Woodhaven earlier in the day

Saturday, April 11

2:42 a.m. Worcester PD reports party that was involved in accident in that city might be in Holden, car has door hanging off; no contact

Sunday, April 12

2:29 a.m. Suspicious person walking near state police barracks
7:44 a.m. Report of truck taking wood from new development on Preservation Lane
11:22 a.m. Low-hanging wire on Salisbury St.
12:07 p.m. Water leak in basement coming from pipe from Bullard St.; water department advised
7:46 p.m. Multiple reports of bear in area of Quinapoxet St./Windy Ridge Rd.

Paxton

Monday, April 6

9:44 a.m. Area of Anna Maria College, car struck deer

Tuesday, April 7

3:35 p.m. Grove St. resident reporting a missing tan/white collie
9:18 p.m. Dead cat in the road, West St.

Wednesday, April 8

3:31 p.m. Dirty tap water, Shanandoah Dr. Work was being done on water pipe. Problem should clear up on its own.

Thursday, April 9

8:09 a.m. Report of several males walking through the neighborhood, handing out Splenda samples. Also a white van with NC plates. Advised subjects they must check in with dispatch.

Friday, April 10

10:31 a.m. Large log in roadway, Pleasant St. by the American Legion
10:49 a.m. Caller reporting two males with metal detectors walking the perimeter of Congregational Church. Church gave them permission to be there.
2:16 p.m. Walk-in reporting tree branches in road by DPW barn
6:26 p.m. Worcester PD advising of possible erratic driver on Pleasant St.
9:04 p.m. Erratic vehicle on Pleasant St.

Sunday, April 12

12:00 p.m. Lost dog, brown/white, near Maple St.
1:40 p.m. Dog found near Town Hall

Princeton

Monday, April 6

8:27 a.m. Traffic safety hazard, Sterling Rd.
7:00 p.m. Assist highway department, Rte. 140 North
10:20 p.m. Open gate, Mountain Rd.

Tuesday, April 7

6:59 a.m. Disturbance, gun shots, Mountain Rd.
5:00 p.m. Public service, Town Hall Dr.

Wednesday, April 8

11:35 a.m. Officer investigation, Westminster Rd.
2:45 p.m. Officer investigation, Ball Hill Rd.
3:39 p.m. Public service, Mountain Rd.

Thursday, April 9

9:29 a.m. Erratically operated motor vehicle, Sterling Rd.
2:32 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Sterling Rd.
3:01 p.m. Erratically operated motor vehicle, Mountain Rd.

Friday, April 10

9:55 a.m. Assist fire department, Jefferson Rd.
2:00 p.m. Suspicious person, Westminster Rd.

Saturday, April 11

3:58 p.m. Public service, Rte. 140 North
4:34 p.m. Request for animal control officer, Wheeler Rd.

Sunday April 12

1:15 a.m. Assist other police department. Hubbardston Rd.
2:15 a.m. Assist other police department, Worcester Rd.
4:18 a.m. Request for light department, Worcester Rd.
5:09 a.m. Request for highway department, Worcester Rd.
8:03 p.m. Assist animal control officer, Coal Kiln Rd.
8:45 p.m. Suspicious incident, Boylston Ave./Connor Ln.
11:07 p.m. Request for animal control officer, Coal Kiln Rd.

Rutland

Monday, April 6

8:27 a.m. Complaint about yellow utility truck pulling Jake brake making a lot of noise in neighborhood, Pleasantdale Rd.
3:34 p.m. Tree fell knocking down wires, Cloverdale Ln./ Sassawanna Rd.
4:10 p.m. Person into station to speak with an officer, Main St.
6:41 p.m. Caller reporting gunshots in area of Bernard Rd.

Wednesday, April 8

6:51 a.m. Person reporting cow on wrong side of the fence, Pommogussett Rd.
10:40 a.m. Complaints about large trucks using Jake brake unnecessarily, Pleasantdale Rd.
11:50 a.m. Person complaining about neighbor dumping yard waste debris and duck waste over wall onto his property, Rolling Ridge Rd.

Thursday, April 9

8:46 a.m. Report of large sheep running down Pleasantdale Rd.
4:00 p.m. Person came to station to speak with an officer,Main St.
4:55 p.m. Person wants to speak with an officer about ongoing issue with neighbors, East County Rd.
5:27 p.m. Tree in roadway, Glendale Rd./Campbell St.
5:45 p.m. Plymouth Police Department reporting a person accidentally lost a box from his truck, Bethany Dr.
7:08 p.m. Suspicious vehicle parked at the Rail Trail, Rte. 122

Friday, April 10

10:14 a.m. Person in to station be fingerprinted, Main St.

Saturday, April 11

8:16 a.m. Report of baby moose in roadway, East County Rd.
5:28 p.m. Person came to station to speak with an officer, Main St.

Sunday, April 12

10:49 a.m. Caller reports cars parked on both sides of Main St.
6:37 p.m. Person reporting annoying phone calls between kids, Stevens Way

Sterling

Monday, April 6

12:05 a.m. Report of male sitting on guardrail in front of restaurant, Leominster Rd.
10:53 a.m. Complaint about dog that chases person walking on Sherwood Dr.
1:00 p.m. Raccoon roaming the area of overpass on I-190, climbed over chainlink fence to get to roadway from Princeton Rd.
5:49 p.m. Medium sized white dog loose on Stuart Rd./ Meetinghouse Hill Rd.
9:06 p.m. Report of lost yellow Lab, Taft Rd.

Thursday, April 9

11:51 a.m. Report of dog bite, Chace Hill Rd.
1:37 p.m. Possible rabid raccoon on porch of home on Redemption Rock Trl.
2:17 p.m. Person saw cat in window of home that recently had a fire, Waushacum Ave./School St.

Friday, April 10

10:30 a.m. Large black dog wandering onto property on Princeton Rd.
2:54 p.m. Report of missing Springer spaniel, Gates Rd.

Saturday, April 11

8:20 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle with female sitting in it on property on East Park Rd.
5:20 p.m. Report of two people in vehicle in parking lot behind café on Main St.

Life is good ...

via PostSecret

Worcestershire Journal - The math of getting there on time :

Worcestershire Journal - The math of getting there on time : Real Worcester - Worcester News and Blogs

If people would just have 'merkin names, we'd be fine.

As I've often said, my wife really had to love me to grab a name such as Hakkarainen.
My family anglicized the pronunciation of our name, letting Hakk sound like 'hack,' rather than 'hahk' or 'huck' (hence, my father's nickname) and shifting the emphasis from the first syllable to the third, where rain sound like, well, 'rain,' rather than 'rye-n.' So, huck-a-rye-nen (with appropriate throat-clearing sounds after the first and before the third syllables) becomes hakk-a-rain-en.
Naturally, most folks, on first take, will say Hakkarainian, moving us 2000km southeast from Finland to Armenia.
I will, of course, also answer to "Mr. Er-ah-um-hakk-a...."
But, enough of that.
A Texas legislator has an idea, originally directed at Chinese immigrants - change your names so that they're easier for Americans pronounce. (Legend has it that many immigrants' names were changed when they arrived in the United States, but this seems less likely. More often, as was the case on my father's birth cetificate, errors and changes were made by local town or school clerks.)
Or, we could learn how to pronounce the names. Granted this is more work and, goodness knows, our poor American brains can't handle much more. Nevertheless, the Wall Street Journal has an article about a couple of web resources, www.howtosaythatname.com and www.pronouncenames.com, that will help you pronounce foreign first and surnames. The databases are still works-in-progress, but they're a step in the right direction.

And now for something completely different, Raymond Luxury Yacht (YouTube video).

He was a friend of mine

Dan died in a car crash in Oklahoma on Sunday, a long way from home.
He was, at once, smart, angry, loving, drunk and ashamed, sober and proud, funny, mean-spirited, fiercely loyal, a dark star of emotional distance.
"Don't be sorry. Change," he used to say, ultimately unable to do either for himself.
As his wife, Alice, noted, we don't have to worry about him any more. That part of the pain has stopped, for us, for him. All the unfinished business, of tearful memories, joyful recollections, financial chaos, and perhaps a few more lurking secrets, well, that what the rest of time is for.
Death comes mid-sentence.

Dogs and us

The nation is much relieved to know that the Obama family now has a dog, a Portuguese water dog name Bo. The First Puppy is a gift from Sen. Ted Kennedy (no jokes about water, Chappaquiddick, please).
Meanwhile, over at both Kennedy's and Obama's alma mater, Harvard scientists are scientists are studying if and how dogs think.
One of the Harvard scientists studying dog behavior observed, generally about dogs, "If you have an animal and it's more than that, it's truly a member of your family, you see things every day that you don't have the ability to explain or describe, but you know how important it is to you."
Now, we love our dog in particular and, for the most part, dogs in general. Nevertheless, some dogs seem destined to take undue chances with their Darwinian fate.
To wit, when a UK dog had an operation to treat a suspected tumor, doctors discovered that the dog's stomach contained "17 garments, including nine socks, four gloves and a stocking." The family had been wondering where their laundry had gone to. The teen-aged son had first noticed that his rubber gloves went missing two years ago.

Happy 90th, Woody

Five years of RoasterBoy

It started here.
Want to know how to make God laugh? Talk about your plans for the future.
More later.

Springtime on PEI

WOCN15 CWHX 101908 Special weather statement for Prince Edward Island issued by Environment Canada at 4:08 PM ADT Friday 10 April 2009. 

A developing low pressure system over the central United States will track northeastward to lie southeast of Cape Cod Massachusetts Saturday evening. The low will track south of Nova Scotia on Sunday. Snow or rain is forecast to begin Saturday night. Precipitation is forecast to be mainly snow overnight possibly giving significant accumulation over Queens and Kings counties by Sunday morning. Lesser amounts are forecast for Prince county. Due to the uncertainty in the track of the low there is uncertainty in the amount of snow Prince Edward Island may receive. The public is advised to monitor future forecasts as warnings may be required. END/..

And, then, ...

Geeks with too much time and too many cats

With apologies to Dave Barry, Twittering Cat Flap would make a good name for a rock band.

Twittering Cat Flap. So you know whether your pet is in or out. - The Next Web

Crime in suburbia

From The Landmark (subscription required):

Holden

Monday, March 30

3:30 p.m. Walk-in regarding what to do about neighbor throwing storm debris on his pile
3:55 p.m. Caller again about storm debris complaint

Tuesday, March 31

2:43 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle in lot on Wachusett St.; ok, paper delivery person
7:24 p.m. Disabled motor vehicle on Main St.; out of gas
4:46 p.m. Reservoir St. resident complaining that yellow trash bags were dumped on lawn; civic group will be picking them up
5:47 p.m. Multiple dogs on rail trail not on leashes reported
8:08 p.m. Purse and sweatshirt in roadway on Salisbury St.
8:45 p.m. Walk-in to report suspicious incident

11:58 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle on Shrewsbury St.; okay, picking up supplies

Wednesday, April 1

12:42 a.m. Suspicious motor vehicle on Wahlstrom Lane; appears someone has been living in the vehicle
1:56 a.m. Vehicle with no plates in lot on Elmwood Ave.
7:41 a.m. Caller inquiring if there was power outage overnight
8:24 a.m. Graffiti found in parking lot at Wachusett Regional High School
10:51 a.m. Report of Internet scam
11:30 a.m. Walk-in to speak with officer about Internet scam
11:48 a.m. Caller inquiring about getting property back from ex-girlfriend's house; told it is a civil matter
1:43 p.m. 911 Report of erratic driver, possible up to something, on Main St.; no contact
2:20 p.m. Caller reports receiving inappropriate text messages from ex-husband of woman he's dating; informed it's a civil matter
4:18 p.m. 911 Suspicious person walking on train tracks behind Main St. residence
4:46 p.m. Caller reports teen trying to gain access to residence door that isn't usually used on Mason Rd.; okay, teen supposed to be there
6:30 p.m. Motorcycle racing on Princeton St.

Thursday, April 2

8:42 a.m. Request for directions to Department of Agriculture

10:00 a.m. Background check for Texas State Police
1:01 p.m. Caller wants to know if her license is active or not; advised to call Registry of Motor Vehicles
7:22 p.m. Report of transformer leaking fluid on Putnam Rd.

Friday, April 3

3:31 a.m. 911 hang-up from Winfield Rd.; dialed 911 instead of 411
8:11 a.m. Caller asking for extra patrols; purse stolen from vehicle in Worcester

11:21 a.m. Inquiry about prices for rabies clinic
11:26 a.m. Inquiry about firing ranges in town
7:03 p.m. 911 Caller concerned about son; not listening to parents
10:50 p.m. 911 Caller says husband upset; doesn't need any help

Saturday, April 4

12:39 a.m. Suspicious person in business on Main St. after hours; okay, just computer tech
9:43 a.m. Tree down in front of home on Wachusett St.
9:50 a.m. Several calls regarding trees down
10:25 a.m. Complaint about a brush fire on Lovell Rd.
10:53 a.m. Neighbor burning brush in the roadway on Terrie Lane
2:41 p.m. Complaint about someone dumping a Christmas tree in yard on Mason Rd.; action wanted
6:45 p.m. Caller reports she thought she saw a driver drinking from a can on Main St.

Sunday, April 5

1:47 a.m. Tree branch removed from South Rd.
10:03 a.m. Complaint about parking ticket received on Main St.; advised to appeal it
12:16 p.m. Caller reports neighbor burning on Shrewsbury St., lots of smoke going into his residence.
1:54 p.m. Suspiciouos motor vehicle always sitting in driveway on Coventry Rd.; neighbors believe drug sale going on; no contact
4:21 p.m. Multiple calls regarding male driving off road on motorcycle at high rates of speed on Jackson St.
5:14 p.m. 911 hang-up from Birchwood Dr.; father playing with phone

Paxton

Thursday, April 2

4:08 p.m. Vehicle with flat tire, Grove St.
4:31 p.m. Vehicle off to side of the road, West St. Okay, driver is using cell phone.
4:51 p.m. Caller reporting that a truck drove over his neighbor's lawn, Pleasant St.
5:28 p.m. Party brought loose dog to station. Contacted owner.
6:47 p.m. 911 hang-up. Child playing with phone.
7:10 p.m. Pedestrian reporting vehicle travelling at a high rate of speed. When he motioned for vehicle to slow down, driver made obscene gesture, Brooks Rd.

Friday, April 3

7:30 a.m. Disabled auto, at Rutland town line.
11:03 a.m. Caller requesting officer to pick up firearms and hold them for safekeeping until she can obtain a license to carry.
12:46 p.m. Caller on emergency line reporting her toilet is overflowing, Lancelot Dr.
5:18 p.m. Caller reporting he found a loose dog that was almost hit by a car, Grove St. Owner contacted.
7:10 p.m. Caller advising of an unwanted guest, Holden Rd.

Saturday, April 4

10:46 a.m. Fire call/ training, District 7 strike team activation.

Sunday, April 5

12:54 p.m. Neighbor throwing sticks and debris from the storm over his fence, Woodland Dr.
1:05 p.m. Marlboro Hospital emergency room nurse calling to report a dog bite victim. Patient is in the hospital for stitches. Incident occurred at Trout Brook Reservation in Holden. Dog owner is from Paxton.
5:19 p.m. Caller reporting gun shots near Spencer line, Treasure Valley Reservation. Reporting white male, early 20s, wearing dark clothing, armed with a shotgun. Advised they were from Treasure Valley, with valid licenses to carry.

Princeton

Tuesday, March 31

10:53 a.m. Suspicious incident, Old Brooks Station Rd.
5:18 p.m. Public service, Mountain Rd.

Wednesday, April 1

3:34 p.m. Public service, Dowds Lane
6:20 p.m. Request for animal control officer, Rte. 140 North

Thursday, April 2

7:35 a.m. Traffic control duty, Sterling Rd.
2:17 p.m. Officer investigation, Main St.

Friday, April 3

6:32 a.m. Traffic safety hazard, Rte. 140 North
7:43 a.m. Traffic control duty, Sterling Rd.

Saturday, April 4

10:29 a.m. Suspicious person, Westminster Rd.
11:40 a.m. Public service, Sterling Rd.
5:55 p.m. Disturbance, Rte. 140 North
7:10 p.m. Request for light department, Brooks Station Rd.

Sunday, April 5

12:00 a.m. Request for light department, Wheeler Rd.
12:10 a.m. Traffic safety hazard, Wheeler Rd.
9:01 a.m. Traffic safety hazard, Leominster Rd.

Rutland

Monday, March 30

2:35 p.m. Person trying to locate family members who were volunteers at Heifer International in the past
3:05 p.m. Tree resting on wires, Crawford Rd.
4:58 p.m. Tree in roadway, Barre Paxton Rd.
5:54 p.m. Report of people cutting wood on town property, Ware Rd.

Tuesday, March 31

4:52 a.m. Person reports seeing an individual ducking behind bushes on Juniper Ln.
6:38 p.m. Caller states someone is taking town wood, Ware Rd.

Wednesday, April 1

11:44 a.m. Person came to station to speak with officer, Main St.

Thursday, April 2

9:13 a.m. Police pick up child that missed the bus, Nancy Dr.

Saturday, April 4

1:04 a.m. Person reporting a limb just fell on his vehicle, Pleasantdale Rd.
5:28 p.m. Attempt to deliver summons, Sycamore Dr.
5:50 p.m. Attempt to deliver summons, Bigelow Rd.

Sunday, April 5

1:52 p.m. Person wants officer to come and speak to her kids who are fighting a lot, Prouty Lane

Sterling

Monday, March 30

4:16 p.m. Person came to station to speak with officer regarding past incident, Leominster Rd.
4:27 p.m. Request to speak with animal control officer about a dog trainer, Leominster Rd.
6:46 p.m. Caller wants to speak with officer about past case,Leominster Rd.
7:06 p.m. Officer investigation, followup, Swett Hill Rd.

Tuesday, March 31

1:12 p.m. Report of two Husky dogs running loose in neighborhood, Mortimer Rd.

Wednesday, April 1

1:05 p.m. Report of black Lab hanging around home on John Dee Rd.
6:21 p.m. Motorist reporting large dog wandering on side of road, Redemption Rock Trl.

Thursday, April 2

7:58 a.m. Parking complaint, Riverview Rd./Jill Lane

Saturday, April 4

10:55 a.m. Report of large rooster in yard for four days, Kendall Hill Rd.
1:44 p.m. Large German Sheppard running up and down the street, Upper North Row Rd.

Sunday, April 5

2:01 a.m. General services, checking on vehicle, Chocksett Rd.
11:56 a.m. Young boy found Master card and various other cards, Redemption Rock Trl./Interstate 190 Exwy.
12:31 p.m. Caller wants to know law regarding basketball playing near roadway, Redstone Hill Rd.
2:42 p.m. Report of small light colored dog loose in yard on Beaman Rd./Osgood Rd.
6:51 p.m. Female found CO2 pellet gun beside road, Worcester Rd.

It's a pretty low roof there, Bill.

Bill O'Reilly claims Obama is sending my ratings through the roof.

Here are the top-rated cable TV shows for the week of March 23. You're in a statistical dead-heat with Penguins of Madagascar and SpongeBob.





Not only that, but Oprah, Judge Judy, Vanna White, and Dr. Phil are stealing your lunch money.

St. V accidents the most in state - telegram.com

According to the telegram.com News, St. Vincent hospital had more accidents and medical errors than any other acute care hospital in the state.

“In no way would we want to use these numbers to evaluate the quality that a hospital provides,” said Paul Dreyer, director of the state’s Bureau of Health Care Safety and Quality."

They might not, but you're free to draw your own conclusions.

"But four surgeries in which objects were left inside a patient, as happened at St. Vincent last year, is a major problem, he said. “They need to immediately conduct a quality review and identify the problem,” he said. “I’d be looking to see what’s going wrong in that operating room.”

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Three Stooges Men in Black - Where are the tools? (7:00)

Ur boss wntz U 2 snd mo IMz

Study: frequent IMs with your boss make you more productive - Ars Technica: "Those who maintained constant communications averaged an increase in revenue of $588 per month over the average, while those who did not produced $98 per month less than the average."

How much do I have to lose before I get really rich?

LoJack Corp., which lost $33 million in 2008, boosted the salary of chairman and CEO Richard T. Riley by 15 percent and granted him stock-based incentives valued at $1.1 million.
LoJack boss: $1.1M stock boost amid loss - Boston Business Journal:

Worcestershire Journal - New telegram.com - am I in Worcester?

Worcestershire Journal - New telegram.com - am I in Worcester? : Real Worcester - Worcester News and Blogs

Rocket fuel in baby formula?

I'm sure that every parent who's been up all night with a baby will believe that this is true.
From Rocket fuel in baby formula? : Consumer Reports Health Blog:

The chemical perchlorate, which is used in solid rocket and jet fuels, was recently detected in 15 powdered baby formulas, according to ABC News. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found the chemical in 15 tested brands of powdered infant formula. The agency says the total is below the reference dose , which the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set as the level of concern.

The researchers note that "this is reassuring at first glance," but add that "ingestion of [powdered infant formulas] that use water with even minimal amounts of perchlorate for reconstitution could result in a perchlorate dose that exceeds the [reference dose] in many cases." But the researchers note that the potential effects of exceeding that dose are unclear.

Worcestershire Journal - NYT 2 T&G - kthxbai

Worcestershire Journal - NYT 2 T&G - kthxbai : Real Worcester - Worcester News and Blogs: "The Boston Business Journal is reporting that, even though parent New York Times is threatening to disown sibling Boston Globe, the Telegram and Gazette is free to go about its business."

Uh, about that sidewalk stuff ...

From the Town of Holden web site:

Meanwhile,

Scott Adams has been reading the mail of my friends and former co-workers

Frequently ask me no questions and I'll tell you no lies

Netflix time relativity - 'equal to' equals 'later than'

I tried to put my Netflix account on hold and so selected the latest date available. Their idea of the latest date differs from mine:

In the age of conglomerates, who's selling you what?

Boston.com reports the sad news that Unilever is closing the Breyer's Ice Cream in Framingham. (via Universal Hub)
With this news, we're also reminded of the variety of products that our food companies produce:

•  
• Unilever's other brands include Ben & Jerry's, Dove, and Vaseline.
  I'll have some Vaseline Firming Lotion with my Chunky Monkey, thank you.
  
  
• Meanwhile, ConAgra Foods , the folks who make Hebrew National meats and Healthy Choice meals also make Squeeze 'n Go pudding and other dried things, including the decidely non-kosher Slim Jim Beef N Cheese.
  
• The healthy, wholesome Kashi folks are a division of Kellogg's, home of Tony the Tiger and the Keebler elves.
  

Chldren as office products

This Sunday's funny papers have two strips with the same theme:

These cars of modern times

When I drove old and, um, inexpensive cars, I wouldn't go anywhere without first checking under the hood. There was always something that needed inspection, repair, and/or replacement - spark plug wires, oils, other wiring. I was never a good mechanic, but I believe that the little bit of inspection and tinkering made it unnecessary to make major repairs very often. The little things made the car run until it managed to fail spectacularly.
Fast forward to better days when we'd be able to buy new cars. Months would be go by without lifting the hood because a) there was little good and much harm that at guy with a wrench and screwdriver could do and b) cars didn't need the same level of tinkering.
As a result, I guess I shouldn't have been surprised to open the hood to check the windshield washer fluid and discovered that I was a landlord: