Hakkarainen Clipping Service

Sunday, August 07, 2011

Crime in suburbia

Holden

Monday -- July 25

6:12 a.m. Suspicious person, South Rd.
10:43 a.m. Report of three males at door of home, refused to leave, in driveway, Malden St.
11:22 a.m. Elderly male walking through woods and back yard, Shrewsbury St.
12:16 p.m. Male on bike watching female put children in her car, Forest Dr. OK, person waiting to meet friend
8:39 p.m. Suspicious vehicle parked across from business on Broad St. Male walking around

Tuesday -- July 26

8:04 a.m. Suspicious vehicle, Main St.
2:17 p.m. Suspicious vehicle parked on side of River St.
2:21 p.m. Citizen concerned about male parked by rail trail, River St.
7:49 p.m. Multiple kids in gazebo, Man St.8:51 p.m. Person complaining about youths disturbing the peace behind business, Main St.
9:12 p.m. Youths walking around Summer Ln./ Autumn Cir.
917 p.m. Person home from vacation reports air conditioners have marks on them, Reservoir St.

Wednesday -- July 27

12:58 a.m. Person at station requests assistance with repossessed vehicle, Main St.
6:25 p.m. Person at station to be fingerprinted for employment, Main St.8:40 p.m. Vehicle all over the road and blew through stop sign, Bullard St.

Thursday -- July 28

8:48 a.m. Police assist person locked out of vehicle, Mark Cir.:04 p.m. Caller reports his dog was mauled by another dog still in the yard, Sumac Cir.2:58 p.m. Person at station regarding fraudulent activity on his credit card, Main St.
5:10 p.m. Request for officer to speak to youths and have them leave area, Boyden Rd.
7:45 p.m. Person at station regarding ongoing neighborhood dispute, Main St.
10:03 p.m. Report of people having a fire at beach, Causeway St. None found

Friday -- July 29

1:00 a.m. Suspicious vehicle with no headlights, Jamieson Rd.
1:50 a.m. Suspicious vehicle, Birchwood Dr.1:57 a.m. Suspicious incident, person threatening to harm others and himself, Wachusett St.
4:13 a.m. Suspicious vehicle, Main St.
6:26 a.m. Car in woods, Reservoir St.
9:50 a.m. Police speak to youths about bicycle safety, Main St./Vista Cir.
10:36 a.m. Report of wild turkey hopping on one leg, Salisbury St.
1:40 p.m. Report of rabid fox in Doyle Rd.
6:14 p.m. Suspicious person, Sunnyside Ave. Arrest: ...

Saturday -- July 30

3:11 p.m. Skateboarders hanging around business, Main St.
4:56 p.m. Person wants to speak with officer regarding neighbor dispute, Frederickson Ave.
5:11 p.m. Multiple calls about two loose white dogs trying to start fight with another dog, Woodhaven Rd.
6:04 p.m. Kids in area of business, Main St.
6:13 p.m. Loud music at Eagle Lake, Causeway St.
9:27 p.m. Group of kids behind Town Hall being loud, Main St.

Sunday -- July 31

7:34 a.m. Loud noise from neighbor’s garage, Wyndhurst Dr.

Paxton

Wednesday -- July 27

4:42 p.m. Caller reports two bicycle riders being verbally abusive to her at stop sign, Grove/Maple Sts.
8:28 p.m. Possible rabid animal, Pleasant St.
9:41 p.m. Two vehicles with flat tires in front of library, Richards Ave./Maple St.

Friday -- July 29

8:36 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, Grove St.

Saturday -- July 30

8:02 p.m. Police assist fire dept., West St.

Sunday -- July 31

12:01 a.m. Dog barking, Streeter Rd.
12:06 p.m. Caller wants to speak with officer regarding custody issue. Advised it is a civil matter, Streeter Rd.

Princeton

Monday -- July 25

10:50 a.m. Report of couch, chair and carpet illegally dumped, Worcester Rd.
2:54 p.m. Several youths coming out of woods with duffel bags, Thompson Rd.
4:41 p.m. Officer met with person wanting to file complaint, Town Hall Dr.
11:56 p.m. Caller reports underage drinking party, Goodnow Rd.

Tuesday -- July 16

10:55 a.m. Suspicious person on Echo Lake Trail. Female thought male was following her, Westminster Rd.
3:25 p.m. Police stand by to assist with possible issue, Mountain Rd.

Wednesday -- July 27

12:18 a.m. Suspicious vehicle beside Redemption Rock Trl. for long period of time
11:05 a.m. Vehicle with open rear door parked in driveway, officers found house secure, Worcester Rd.
9:55 p.m. Suspicious vehicle with lights on for 15 minutes, Hubbardston Rd.

Thursday -- July 28

2:36 p.m. Report of ATV riding around property, Ball Hill Rd.

6:07 p.m. Report of emu in Wheeler Rd.

Saturday -- July 30

1:00 a.m. Suspicious vehicle following another vehicle, Leominster Rd.
10:14 p.m. Caller saw lights at end of driveway, then found his mailbox was missing, Coal Kiln Rd.

Sunday -- July 31

1:34 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, Isaac’s Way

Rutland

Monday -- July 25

10:01 a.m. Caller concerned that turkeys crossing Pommogussett Road will be hit
3:20 p.m. Two or three foxes trying to attack caller and his family, Fairview Ave.

Tuesday -- July 26

2:34 a.m. Assist special agent regarding student, Miles Rd.
2:07 p.m. Report of shots fired on rail trail, Barre Paxton Rd.

Wednesday -- July 27

11:18 a.m. Person reports screw in his tire, wants road cleaned, Main St.

Thursday -- July 28

9:37 a.m. Report of kitten in Cool Sandy Beach area with some type of netting around its neck, Kosta Ave.
10:19 a.m. Woman screaming in swamp area behind house, Philips Ave.
3:10 p.m. Caller found evidence of drugs, Bethany Dr.

Friday -- July 29

1:05 a.m. Loud house party, Jamie Ann Dr.
5:02 p.m. Group of youths skateboarding on Main St.
6:52 p.m. Assist Holden PD, requesting information about person who claims to live in the woods in Rutland

Saturday -- Jul7 30

6:09 a.m. Kitten in trap with mesh around its head and other injuries, Kosta Ave.
:09 a.m. Suspicious males in home driveway, Blair Dr.10:11 a.m. Request for officer, dogs fighting and neighbors yelling, Jackson Ave.
11:31 a.m. Complaint about the public suing over roads being used for shortcut during the road closure, Depot/Moulton Mill Rds.

Sterling

Monday -- July 25

2:46 a.m. Suspicious man going through garbage along the street; vehicle also seen on Albright Rd. OK, person collecting cans
11:23 p.m. Suspicious male in bushes behind home, Clinton Rd. Ran when chased by individual, headed toward Redstone Hill area

Wednesday -- July 27

8:21 a.m. Suspicious activity, people at house removing items, Riverview Rd. Arrest: ...

Thursday -- July 28

12:39 p.m. Suspicious person carrying white bag, walking up and down street, Kendall Hill and Shady lanes5:01 p.m. Person at station regarding profane comments made to him, Leominster Rd.

Friday -- July 29

9:36 p.m. Huge tree down and blocking Worcester Rd.
10:10 p.m. Complaint about barking dogs, Chace Hill Rd.

Saturday -- July 30

11:03 a.m. Cell phone caller reporting vehicle parked in unsafe location at far end of overpass, Worcester Rd.
2:20 p.m. Dog locked in car, Leominster Rd.
10:44 p.m. Request for officer, person thinks she smells marijuana in area of back yard, Redstone Hill Rd.
11:12 p.m. Caller reports gun shots, Albright Rd.

Sunday -- July 31

12:17 a.m. Loud bangs in area of Clinton Rd.
5:44 p.m. Complaint about motorcycles leaving business and racing up and down Rte. 140
6:45 p.m. Complaint about loud music, Leominster Rd.

Saturday, August 06, 2011

Google and Facebook - too smart to help you

Try to find the link to the online help for Facebook. Hint: it's at the bottom of the page. Just press the Page Down key on your keyboard until you get there. Go ahead. I'll wait.
...
Found it yet? Probably not. Facebook thinks that you're much more interested in the musings of your friends to want to see what's at the bottom of the page. (By the way, here's the link to Facebook Help Center. You might want to bookmark it.)
Facebook has achieved phenomenal growth with a frequently-changing user interface, a complex process for setting privacy options, and no customer service. If you discover a problem, wander through the help pages until you're satisfied that it isn't addressed anywhere, Facebook is glad to have you report it.

via My bug is not listed above. - Facebook Help Center

Just don't expect an answer.
You won't get an email if they agree that it's a bug. At most, it might be listed on the Known Issues on Facebook page.If your problem is fixed, what you tried to do before will just work when you try it again later.
The folks who built Facebook and Google are very smart. They're so very smart that they'd prefer to devote engineering resources toward fixing problems rather than responding to your email queries. In I'm Feeling Lucky: The Confessions of Google Employee Number 59, Douglas Edwards recounts a conversation with Google co-founder, Sergey Brin. Edwards told Brin about the problems of the lone Googler responsible for customer service. The poor guy, noted Edwards, couldn't respond to all of the emails.

Sergey offered a useful perspective. "Why do we need to answer user email anyway?" he wanted to know.
To Sergey's thinking, responding to user questions was inefficient.. If they wrote us about problems, that was useful information to have. We should note the problems and and fix them. That would make the users happier than if we wasted time explaining to them that we were working on the bugs.

See? It took two people to write, review, and send a reply to your complaint. Those talents could have been better spent fixing the problem without interference from you.
Something that doesn't work as expected one time will, by the wizardry of very smart people, work properly at some time in the future. The classic pop-culture definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over, expecting different results. Facebook and Google invite and, to some extent, require this kind of insane behavior.
It's not an oversight. It's their business model. At last check, there are three Googlers and one Facebooker in the Forbes top 50 richest people in the world.

Google and Facebook - too smart to help you

via My bug is not listed above. - Facebook Help Center

Sergey offered a useful perspective. "Why do we need to answer user email anyway?" he wanted to know.
To Sergey's thinking, responding to user questions was inefficient.. If they wrote us about problems, that was useful information to have. We should note the problems and and fix them. That would make the users happier than if we wasted time explaining to them that we were working on the bugs.

Monday, August 01, 2011

Old-school business opportunity through Google Plus

The classic Internet scam is known as a 419 Scam. In brief, you receive an email that seeks your help in moving funds out of a west African country. You are asked to provide your bank information and, possibly, a check to facilitate the transfer.
We don't see them very often any more because most everyone knows to check snopes.com for information about a Nigerian (419) Scam.

The 419 name refers to the section of the Nigerian criminal code regarding theft by fraud. The scam is not limited to Nigeria, however. The messages originate from any of several west African countries.
This morning, I found this message from an attorney in Togo in my Spam folder:

I am looking for a missing client (Gary Hakkarainen) who is traceable to your family tree because he shares the same family name and nationality with you. He is an international investor in solid minerals such as precious stones, diamonds, mercury, gold bars, gold dust, Oil and gas etc. He got missing since his business trip to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday 7th July 2004. But now, there is an urgent need of him or any of his relative because his bank here wants him or his relative to run re-activation process of his bank account with the balance of €22.788Million which became dormant after this past six years the account has not been operated by him. Also a family treasure safe keeping security company here in the name of GSE that he deposited six trunk boxes of Gold Bars and Gold Dust as family treasure and classified bond on 29th December 2003 seeks for him as well. Kindly get back to me so that I will give you his full details to enable you give me any info or link about him that you can possibly provide, and you will be highly rewarded for your time and any help you can offer.

It was sent to me by way of my Google Plus profile. I've since restricted this feature so that only people I know can send me messages in this way.
For the record, Gary is not a close relative. Hakkarainen is a fairly common name in central Finland and, as a result, the diaspora has sent quite a few folks with that name into the wilderness.

Old-school business opportunity through Google Plus

I am looking for a missing client (Gary Hakkarainen) who is traceable to your family tree because he shares the same family name and nationality with you. He is an international investor in solid minerals such as precious stones, diamonds, mercury, gold bars, gold dust, Oil and gas etc. He got missing since his business trip to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday 7th July 2004. But now, there is an urgent need of him or any of his relative because his bank here wants him or his relative to run re-activation process of his bank account with the balance of €22.788Million which became dormant after this past six years the account has not been operated by him. Also a family treasure safe keeping security company here in the name of GSE that he deposited six trunk boxes of Gold Bars and Gold Dust as family treasure and classified bond on 29th December 2003 seeks for him as well. Kindly get back to me so that I will give you his full details to enable you give me any info or link about him that you can possibly provide, and you will be highly rewarded for your time and any help you can offer.

Promoting your Google Plus profile

While there is still a lot of noise regarding the ham-handed ways that Google has dealt with business accounts on Google Plus, that isn't stopping Mashable from trying new approaches.
This morning, I noticed the following banner at the top of the Mashable site:

Clicking on the link, as you might suspect, brings you to Mashable founder Pete Cashman's Google+ posts page. If you have a Google+ account, you can add him to one of your circles and see what all the fuss is about.
---
And now a message from the Department of Self Promotion: you can find me on Google Plus here.

Promoting your Google Plus profile

Thursday, July 28, 2011

The job's yours, unless you need it.

A couple of months ago, an email came through with information about a contract technical writing job with Staples. The message, sent by a recruiter, included this delicious sentence:

Only seeking candidates who have been recently (within the last 3 months) been working as a technical writer.

This is a contract position, mind you, not even a permanent job. They didn't want anyone who was a) new to the profession or, more likely, b) out of work for a long time.
I muttered a bad word and forgot about the email until I saw this article in the New York Times: The Help-Wanted Sign Comes With a Frustrating Asterisk
It appears that this is a common trend. Employers, flush with stimulus funds and renewed tax cuts, are choosing to treat people who have been out of work for a long time as damaged. (This also applies to people who have gone through training in preparation for a career change.)
It may not be quite as bad as it seems. A search through Monster, SimplyHired, Craigslist, and a few other job sites only showed this example from Monster:

The Times article notes that New Jersey has passed a law that prohibits discrimination against the unemployed.
And so, tonight's moment of Zen: would you ever get the chance to turn down a job offer from a place that wouldn't hire you because you were out of work?

The job's yours, unless you need it.

A couple of months ago, an email came through with information about a contract technical writing job with Staples. The message, sent by a recruiter, included this delicious sentence:

Only seeking candidates who have been recently (within the last 3 months) been working as a technical writer.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Crime in suburbia

From The Landmark (subscription required):
[Editor's note: There were 29 suspicious items this week and 1 lock-out.]

Holden

Monday, July 18

12:20 a.m. Report that porcupine was hit, someone wrapped it in something and placed it in her yard, Main St.
1:28 a.m. Suspicious vehicle, Apple Tree Lane
11:54 a.m. Mass State Police advising of complaint regarding male parties protesting in front of the post office. Poster of President Obama with Hitler mustache
2:35 p.m. Police advise group at post office to move tent and table off the sidewalk, Main St.
2:53 p.m. Caller reports he gave part of his social security number to company he thought was phone company, Mark Bradford Dr.
3:40 p.m. Call regarding person setting off explosives under the underpass, River St.
7:24 p.m. Suspicious male in area of school, Salisbury St.
8:52 p.m. Report of possible gunshots, Mason Rd.
10:30 p.m. Group of kids at rear of building, Main St.

Tuesday, July 19

12:13 a.m. Suspicious vehicle, Shrewsbury St. People carpooling picking up vehicles
3:20 p.m. Suspicious van at home where people are away, Cranbrook Dr.
4:39 p.m. Person thought his vehicle had been stolen, no problem, car in lot, Main St.
5:58 p.m. Caller reports yelling at residence, Sumac Circle
6:12 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, Salisbury St.
7:36 p.m. Kids on skateboards in back of business on Main St.
9:48 p.m. Disturbance, youth group skating at business on Main St.

Wednesday, July 20

10:56 a.m. Loose sheep in area of Red Barn, Shrewsbury St.
11:51 a.m. Person trying to cross Shrewsbury St. was threatened
2:20 p.m. Police assist motorist with flat tire, Chapel and Malden St.
8:23 p.m. Suspicious incident, male left house upset, Salisbury St.
9:09 p.m. Caller concerned about items left in home when he moved, South Rd.
10:12 p.m. Large group of youths behind senior center, Main St. Group dispersed

Thursday, July 21

7:36 a.m. Report of several men taking pictures of home and putting ladders up against house, Village Green Lane
12:31 p.m. Person at station reporting his trailer plate either lost or stolen, Main St.
7:51 p.m. Person at station to make statement about earlier incident, Main St.
9:05 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, Avery Heights Dr.

Friday, July 22

1:06 a.m. Suspicious vehicle, Birchwood Dr.
2:39 a.m. Suspicious vehicle, Zottoli Rd.
8:12 a.m. Report of several construction vehicles working in the road with no detail officer, Wachusett St. and Manning St.
9:39 a.m. Barking complaint, Avery Heights Dr.
12:47 p.m. Report that someone is in vehicle and sleeping at Highland and Main St.
1:05 p.m. Possible scam involving suspicious call, Mayo Dr.
1:06 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, Nola Dr.
1:51 p.m. Suspicious person, Wachusett St.
2:21 p.m. Report of dying raccoon in Dumpster, Doyle Rd.
9:46 p.m. Three youths walking in middle of the road, Reservoir St. and Main
9:55 p.m. Caller from Florida reporting her car stolen for second time. Advised she needs to fill out a new report with police in St. Petersburg, Florida

Saturday, July 23

9:17 a.m. Report that large truck will be in road for short time, Main St.
6:43 p.m. Follow-up with Environmental Police, Main St.

Sunday, July 24

12:09 a.m. Suspicious vehicle, Homestead Rd.
11:18 a.m. Report that person has erected a farm in his back yard, Holden St.
12:15 p.m. Report of person in pickup truck removing landscape items from vacant home, Brattle St.
1:38 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, Boyden Rd.
3:57 p.m. Caller reporting a scam about winning money, Bailey Rd.
8:04 p.m. Report of fireworks/bottle rockets in area of Fairhill Rd.

Paxton

Monday, July 18

11:55 a.m. Advised of sinkhole at Burtenmar Circle. Referred to DPW
12:45 p.m. Individual using Dumpster without permission, Pleasant St.
2:52 p.m. Suspicious person taking pictures, Highland St.
7:02 p.m. Golf cart parked in road, Pond St.

Tuesday, July 19

2:14 a.m. Party in to lobby, to use phone for ride. Transport to Rutland line.
1:10 p.m. Red pick-up in area. Person knocking on doors, asking for used batteries, Streeter Rd.
11:50 p.m. Car hit deer, Richards Ave.

Wednesday, July 20

12:54 p.m. Suspicious van in front of empty house, Orchard Dr. Ok, it’s a landscaper hired by bank.
3:40 p.m. Investigate gun shots, Red Oak St.
9:34 p.m. Suspicious person wearing all black and a straw hat and carrying a knapsack reported near Congregational Church. Driver of disabled tractor trailer unit, waiting for tow and ride.

Thursday, July 21

10:48 a.m. Suspicious auto, Richards Ave.
10:50 a.m. Dog found with Southbridge tag. Owner contacted.

Sunday, July 24

4:46 a.m. Dead pug in road, Holbrook Rd.
4:32 p.m. Caller advises a garter snake has gone into her mother’s apartment, Howard St.

Princeton

Monday, July 18

12:06 a.m. Suspicious vehicle, Fitchburg Rd., Crow Hill parking lot
9:34 a.m. Missing Ragdoll cat, Worcester Rd.

Tuesday, August 19

12:47 a.m. Suspicious vehicle parked on the side of Matthews Lane
9:24 a.m. Suspicious vehicle on side of East Princeton Rd. and Merriam Rd.
8:21 p.m. Suspicious person, Mirick Rd.

Wednesday, July 20

8:15 a.m. Police stand by at school bus stop, Mountain Rd.

Thursday, July 21

8:22 a.m. Motor vehicle lockout, Worcester Rd.
8:52 a.m. Police remove large animal from roadway, Worcester Rd.
9:37 p.m. Police check on suspicious vehicle, Gates Rd.

Friday, July 22

8:39 a.m. Request for help, bat in house, Hubbardston Rd.

Saturday, July 23

8:20 p.m. Report of person face down on dirt road next to business on Main St. Person taking a nap

Sunday, July 24

3:15 p.m. Complaint about barking dog, Ball Hill Rd.
10:52 a.m. Report of suspicious person behind building on Worcester Rd.

Rutland

Monday, July 18

7:27 a.m. Report of dog bite, Vista Circle
8:03 a.m. Person out walking her dog was attacked by three neighbor dogs, East County Rd.
5:57 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, Orchard Hill Dr.
11:36 p.m. Report of fireworks coming from area of Laurelwood Rd.

Tuesday, July 19

8:37 a.m. Person filled tank of large mobile home and drove off leaving credit card, Barre Paxton Rd.

Wednesday, July 20

8:29 a.m. Caller advising of pool ladder left in pool and owners are away, Kalloch Dr.
10:20 a.m. Request for escort to business to pick up medication, Main St.
6:20 p.m. Person at station to speak with officer regarding child custody issue, Main St.
7:50 p.m. Report of cars taking a left onto Glenwood from Main St, not going around the island, person feels the detour sign is confusing people
8:04 p.m. Report of trash dumped, Maple Ave. Wants officer to help resolve issue
9:32 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, Main St.
9:57 p.m. Person reports that while walking dog encountered black bear that stood on its hind legs growling, dog barked and chased bear into field, Cloverdale Lane

Thursday, July 21

7:17 a.m. Request for an officer for a problem with door on a truck, Crawford Rd.
7:29 a.m. Purse and backpack beside road and items strewn in roadway, Paddock Rd.
10:48 a.m. Report of truck backed up with hose into water, Pleasantdale Rd.
3:37 p.m. Person from Department of Conservation and Recreation requesting assistance with a group of youths using a rope swing, East Hill Rd.
6:41 p.m. Report that swing seat snapped at playground, Memorial Dr.
6:45 p.m. Department of Conservation and Recreation official asking for assistance at rope swing, East Hill Rd.
7:34 p.m. Police check on three vehicles parked on the road, East Hill Rd.
9:03 p.m. Environmental Police requesting assistance with five Mopeds, Long Pond boat ramp
9:39 p.m. Caller concerned about welfare of person that had been hitchhiking, carrying a heavy backpack, Long Pond
9:51 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, Barre Paxton Rd.

Friday, July 22

12:44 a.m. Police transport operator of vehicle that had run out of gas, Pommogussett Rd.
6:43 a.m. Caller out running was charged by a dog, Glenwood Rd.
6:41 p.m. Irate person calling multiple times, threatening to call the FBI, Main St.
10:51 p.m. Motor vehicle in the woods and then it sped off, Moulton Mill Rd.
11:03 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, Barre Paxton Rd.

Saturday, July 23

11:00 a.m. Assist with car seat installation, Main St.
12:10 p.m. Suspicious vehicle seen again, Moulton Hill Rd.
1:30 p.m. Multiple calls from irate person, Main St.
5:52 p.m. Car parked on basketball court, Memorial Dr.
9:00 p.m. Police advised of people overdue to return home, Christmas Tree Lane. Later returned
11:43 p.m. Loud noise, Pequot Trail

Sunday, July 24

7:02 p.m. Caller asking about damage to his property, Main St. Person made threats against the department
7:18 p.m. Person called asking about the next town meeting, said he was going to call members of the select board, Main St.
7:38 p.m. Person asking if the department wants to make threats against him, Main St.

Sterling

Monday, July 18

6:18 a.m. Officer wanted, medication missing from vehicle, Riverview Rd.
11:20 a.m. Citizen reports a person driving intoxicated on two occasions, usually on Saturday night, Leominster Rd.
7:08 p.m. Caller reports solicitor at door, Pineview Rd.

Tuesday, July 19

2:38 a.m. Complaint about loud music, wants officer to tell them to quiet down, Worcester Rd.
10:00 a.m. Complaint about barking dog, James Rd.
9:26 p.m. Report of open garage door, Worcester Rd.

Wednesday, July 20

11:59 a.m. Caller reports dog got into swimming pool, John Dee Rd.
11:57 p.m. Caller reports striking a deer, Metropolitan Rd.

Thursday, July 21

9:53 a.m. Verbal altercation with work crew in woods near home on Wilder Rd. Caller states person tried to attack him

Friday, July 22

4:42 p.m. Motorist with complaint about a tree company, taking down trees and has travel lane blocked, no officer on scene, Still River Rd. and Beaman Rd.

Saturday, July 23

2:41 p.m. Report of elderly male pacing back and forth and then sitting on side of road, Jewett Rd. and Greenland Rd.
8:57 p.m. Report of King Charles Cavalier dog loose on highway, Interstate 1-190
11:53 p.m. Possible gunshots in area of Mortimer Rd.

Sunday, July 24

4:27 p.m. Caller reports chirping sound, Griffin Rd. Device is used to scare away rodents

Crime in suburbia

From The Landmark (subscription required):
[Editor's note: There were 29 suspicious items this week and 1 lock-out.]

Holden

Monday, July 18

Tuesday, July 19

Wednesday, July 20

Thursday, July 21

Friday, July 22

Saturday, July 23

9:17 a.m. Report that large truck will be in road for short time, Main St.
6:43 p.m. Follow-up with Environmental Police, Main St.

Sunday, July 24

Paxton

Monday, July 18

Tuesday, July 19

Wednesday, July 20

Thursday, July 21

10:48 a.m. Suspicious auto, Richards Ave.
10:50 a.m. Dog found with Southbridge tag. Owner contacted.

Sunday, July 24

4:46 a.m. Dead pug in road, Holbrook Rd.
4:32 p.m. Caller advises a garter snake has gone into her mother’s apartment, Howard St.

Princeton

Monday, July 18

12:06 a.m. Suspicious vehicle, Fitchburg Rd., Crow Hill parking lot
9:34 a.m. Missing Ragdoll cat, Worcester Rd.

Tuesday, August 19

12:47 a.m. Suspicious vehicle parked on the side of Matthews Lane
9:24 a.m. Suspicious vehicle on side of East Princeton Rd. and Merriam Rd.
8:21 p.m. Suspicious person, Mirick Rd.

Wednesday, July 20

8:15 a.m. Police stand by at school bus stop, Mountain Rd.

Thursday, July 21

8:22 a.m. Motor vehicle lockout, Worcester Rd.
8:52 a.m. Police remove large animal from roadway, Worcester Rd.
9:37 p.m. Police check on suspicious vehicle, Gates Rd.

Friday, July 22

8:39 a.m. Request for help, bat in house, Hubbardston Rd.

Saturday, July 23

8:20 p.m. Report of person face down on dirt road next to business on Main St. Person taking a nap

Sunday, July 24

3:15 p.m. Complaint about barking dog, Ball Hill Rd.
10:52 a.m. Report of suspicious person behind building on Worcester Rd.

Rutland

Monday, July 18

Tuesday, July 19

8:37 a.m. Person filled tank of large mobile home and drove off leaving credit card, Barre Paxton Rd.

Wednesday, July 20

Thursday, July 21

Friday, July 22

Saturday, July 23

Sunday, July 24

Sterling

Monday, July 18

Tuesday, July 19

2:38 a.m. Complaint about loud music, wants officer to tell them to quiet down, Worcester Rd.
10:00 a.m. Complaint about barking dog, James Rd.
9:26 p.m. Report of open garage door, Worcester Rd.

Wednesday, July 20

11:59 a.m. Caller reports dog got into swimming pool, John Dee Rd.
11:57 p.m. Caller reports striking a deer, Metropolitan Rd.

Thursday, July 21

9:53 a.m. Verbal altercation with work crew in woods near home on Wilder Rd. Caller states person tried to attack him

Friday, July 22

4:42 p.m. Motorist with complaint about a tree company, taking down trees and has travel lane blocked, no officer on scene, Still River Rd. and Beaman Rd.

Saturday, July 23

Sunday, July 24

4:27 p.m. Caller reports chirping sound, Griffin Rd. Device is used to scare away rodents

Happy Birthday, Sandra

Sandra, with Marian, Mike, and Adam

Friday, July 22, 2011

Is is warmer in the summer or in the country?

A few thoughts on the current Ahotalypse:

Our improved long-range weather forecasting has made us into wimps. We've had several days to worry about how it was going to be, such that the heat began to feel oppressive even before it was.
We'll often hear people say that it's like a sauna. Remember that even though 90^°F seems hot, a sauna is often 90^°C.
A dew point of 79^°F is, however, unusual.
A time of summer heat reminds me of this story of my youth.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Mr. Hakkarainen goes to Helsinki

[This post is one of a series about Teuvo Hakkarainen, the newly elected True Finns Party MP from Viitasaari. For the record, my grandfather was born in Viitasaari.]
It appears that our new public servant fancies the taxis. According to the Helsinki Times, Mr. Hakkarainen spent more than €2000 in his first two months in office.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Crime in suburbia

From The Landmark (subscription required):
[Editor's note: There were 20 suspicious items this week and four ock-outs]

Holden

Monday, July 11

8:20 a.m. Radar set up due to citizen concerns, Wachusett St.
10:38 a.m. Police assist citizen locked out of vehicle, Main St.
3:43 p.m. Person at station to report suspicious incident, Main St.
3:49 p.m. Caller reports disgruntled patron, Main St.
9:06 p.m. Police at Fairview Ave. for information
10:56 p.m. Moose hit, Wachusett St. near Princeton town line. Moose injured but mobile
11:03 p.m. Three males on foot in area of Country Hill Rd. fled as person drove by

Tuesday, July 12

4:47 a.m. Police check on person on foot in area of Main St.
12:19 p.m. Police assist person locked out of vehicle, Shrewsbury St.
5:01 p.m. Police check on suspicious incident, Reservoir St.
8:07 p.m. Report of female solicitor, Fairchild Dr.
8:46 p.m. Police check area of Main St. for kids
10:27 p.m. Police transport juvenile, General Hobbs Rd.

Wednesday, July 13

12:57 a.m. Police check vehicle with dome light on, Stoneleigh Rd.
1:11 a.m. Police check vehicle with door open, Wyoming Dr.
5:14 a.m. Woman walking in middle of Bullard St.
8:27 a.m. Two males sleeping on steps of building, Shrewsbury St.
9:07 a.m. Assist with car seat installation, Main St.
9:24 a.m. Person yelling and screaming, Wachusett St.
11:55 a.m. Suspicious male on Main St., report that he pulled his pants down in front of female
5:07 p.m. Kids on bikes hanging around parking lot, Main St.
6:46 p.m. Kids trying to gain entry to second floor of school, Jamieson Rd. Child attempting to retrieve his shoe thrown on roof

Thursday, July 14

6:08 p.m. Three youths in roadway talking in obscene manner, Nichols/Manning Sts.
8:19 p.m. Suspicious male carrying box cutter, Boyden Rd.
9:14 p.m. Group of kids causing commotion, Main St.

Friday, July 15

1:19 p.m. Suspicious, skinny male wearing winter hat, Wachusett St.
1:50 p.m. Police disperse group of kids in parking lot, Main St.
4:55 p.m. Group of teenagers using obscene language, Main St.
10:00 p.m. Possible party on football field at high school, Main St.

Saturday, July 16

2:58 a.m. Loud pool party, Twinbrooke Dr.
3:00 a.m. Loud music, Highland St./High Ridge Rd.
3:19 a.m. Loud disturbance, people yelling and arguing, South View Rd.

Sunday, July 17

2:00 a.m. Loud party, Jackson St.
11:27 a.m. Caller reports people cutting down trees without permission, Howard St.
11:46 a.m. Assist elderly female with problem with her vehicle, Main St.
1:43 p.m. Possible illegal burn, Nola Dr.
5:39 p.m. Lawn tractor in roadway, Dominitis/ Wachusett Sts.
11:10 p.m. Four youths walking up Salisbury St.

Paxton

Monday, July 11

8:00 a.m. Deer struck vehicle, West/Soumi Sts. Police requested
11:01 p.m. Leicester PD requests assistance with night vision for male in woods, Crestwood Rd.

Tuesday, July 12

8:49 a.m. Loose dog, Marshall St..
11:16 p.m. Police check on vehicle at Boynton Park, Mower St. Persons advised of park hours

Thursday, July 14

No calls for service

Friday, July 15

7:00 a.m. Dead cat in Richards Ave.
7:47 a.m. Pitbull loose in Richards Ave.

Saturday, July 16

11:49 a.m. Report of fisher cat in yard at night, South St.

Sunday, July 17

1:12 a.m. Suspicious vehicle, West St.
11:34 a.m. Holden PD received report of illegal tree cutting on vacant property on Howard St. Advising it is the property owner

Princeton

Monday, July 11

3:23 p.m. Teenage girl walking on E. Princeton Rd., crying and followed by black car
3:30 p.m. Police transport female to Schoolhouse Rd.
5:53 p.m. Request from person needing ride back to car after being lost on Wachusett Mountain, Westminster Rd.
7:48 p.m. Bear seen on hiking trail, Rte. 140 N
9:02 p.m. Request for ambulance for person who hit moose in Holden and is in her vehicle in Princeton, Worcester Rd.
9:06 p.m. Call from person on hiking trail on mountain who believed she heard a bear, doesn't want to continue on trail. Police transport person to vehicle, Mountain Rd.

Tuesday, July 12

7:57 p.m. Person at station requesting speed signs on Ball Hill Rd.
1:18 p.m. Complaint about barking dog, Worcester Rd.
5:19 p.m. Police transport individual to home on Rte. 140 N
11:49 p.m. Suspicious vehicle parked on Fitchburg Rd. Hiking on cliffs

Wednesday, July 13

11:11 a.m. Dog followed child from Mirick to Hobbs Rds.
1:01 p.m. Police assist person locked out of vehicle, Old Colony Rd. Ext.
6:12 p.m. Westminster PD reports two dogs running in Rte. 140 N

Thursday, July 14

1:30 a.m. Suspicious vehicle, Town Hall Dr.
3:28 a.m. Car running, headlights on, Ball Hill Rd.
10:39 a.m. Suspicious male in vehicle at Echo Lake Trail parking lot, Mountain Rd.
8:35 p.m. Person locked behind gate at state reservation, Mountain Rd.

Friday, July 15

6:30 p.m. Caller reports cat-like animal in yard, Brooks Station Rd.

Saturday, July 16

10:43 a.m. Bat caught in house, animal control officer notified and will pick up for testing, Pheasant Hollow Run
8:51 p.m. While hiking on mountain person came across two bears. Doesn't want to go through the woods, police respond to assist
10:09 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, E. Princeton Rd.
10:17 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, E. Princeton Rd.

Sunday, July 17

4:40 p.m. Wallet found, Rte. 140 N
5:00 p.m. Police bring wallet to owner, Mason Rd., Holden

Rutland

Monday, July 11

8:40 a.m. Suspicious van on side of road unloading into another truck, E. County Rd.
12:27 p.m. Caller heard gunfire in area of Clearview Rd.
5:04 p.m. Three suspicious males, Barre Paxton Rd.
8:04 p.m. Suspicious male took off when seeing police cruiser, Hubbardston town line
11:00 p.m. Stray dog in yard won't let homeowner out of house, Walnut St.

Tuesday, July 12

4:20 p.m. Report of kittens in area of Stevens Way that may be starving
6:12 p.m. Person at station in reference to what she feels is a privacy violation by the assessor's office, Main St.
7:46 p.m. Caller wants to "politely file a complaint" against officer for not speaking to him, Main St.

Wednesday, July 13

8:45 a.m. Officer wanted to keep the peace while union workers working on the tunnel settle a union issue, Pommogussett Rd.
10:35 a.m. Report of male on DCR trail tried to give person's dog some biscuits, Charnock Hill/ Intervale Rds.
9:27 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, Main St. Arrest: Juvenile arrest, possession of Class D drugs to distribute
10:41 p.m. Police checking on vehicle possibly illegally dumping items in Dumpster

Thursday, July 14

1:46 p.m. Report that female in parking lot was rolling a joint, Maple Ave.
9:58 p.m. Dogs baking continuously, unusual for them, police asked to check area, Clealand Cir.

Friday, July 15

6:58 a.m. Dog outside and barking, house open, no one around, request that police check residence, Irish Ln.
7:55 a.m. Loose bull on side of road, Maple Ave.
8:25 a.m. Suspicious activities at 3 a.m. in back yard of home, Ten Rod Rd.
8:26 a.m. Report that road closed sign had been put up on Grizzly Dr.
8:40 a.m. Report of "horrid" smell from farm, Millbrook Street, points south

Saturday, July 16

2:50 p.m. Caller chased by dog while riding her bike, Millbrook St.
9:37 p.m. Suspicious male dressed in black, stumbling up Maple Ave. toward the center

Sunday, July 17

1:11 a.m. Police check on person walking along Main St.
10:15 a.m. Suspicious vehicle in driveway, Glenwood Rd.

Sterling

Monday, July 11

3:44 p.m. Report of door-to-door salesman at house, Albright Rd.
5:39 p.m. Window salesman at door without town identification, Taft Rd.
8:11 p.m. Large cow with horns walking down Redstone Hill Rd.

Tuesday, July 12

4:52 a.m. Suspicious activity, people in yard with flashlights, appeared to be looking in windows, Albright Rd.
5:22 a.m. Caller requesting officers, home broken into and television missing, Albright Rd.
9:49 a.m. Small black dog running loose in road, Crowley Rd./Redemption Rock Trl.
5:12 p.m. Leominster PD requests assistance to transport resident they just stopped from walking onto I-190, Leominster Rd.
8:55 p.m. Officer wanted, person withholding car keys from male, School St

Wednesday, July 13

9:17 p.m. Officer wanted, male states his car keys are being withheld from him, School St.

Thursday, July 14

12:24 a.m. Report of person hiking down Rte.12
9:15 a.m. Injured rabbit in barn, Flanagan Hill Rd.
9:42 a.m. Request to speak with officer regarding neighbor's dog, Gates Ter.
1:48 p.m. Request to speak with animal control officer regarding skunk living under shed, Hilltop Dr.
5:11 p.m. Report of vehicle driving around gate and down path to reservoir, Upper N. Row Rd.
10:16 p.m. Motorist reports loose dog in Greenland/Crowley Rds.

Friday, July 15

10:17 a.m. Raccoon in rubbish can again, Hall Ave.

Saturday, July 16

12:14 a.m. People in parking lot being very loud, Redemption Rock Trl.
12:16 a.m. People shining spotlight and shouting while playing basketball, wants officer to tell them to quiet down, Pamela Ln.
9:17 a.m. Large male pitbull running around Jill Ln.
1:38 p.m. Suspicious vehicle in area of Flanagan Hill/Pratt's Jct. Rd.
4:33 p.m. Officer wanted regarding vehicle going through path next to caller's property and scaring his horses, Upper N. Row Rd.

Sunday, July 17

9:50 a.m. Caller reports bicyclist causing traffic hazard, Justice Hill Rd.
12:46 p.m. Dirt bike in woods, N. Row Rd.
10:16 p.m. Noise complaint, yelling and swearing, dog barking, Griffin Rd.

Monday, July 18, 2011

Learning that I was white

It was television, black and white television, of course, that taught me about race - mine by way of others. It might have been my neighbor's mother, commenting on the blond hair of Mary Wells as she sang Two Lovers on American Bandstand.
It might have been my father admiring the natural rhythm of African dancers on some National Geographic-type show.
It might have been my mother explaining to me that natives didn't mean blacks in African jungles; natives just mean people who lived in a place. I was a native of America. It took a while for me to get that into my head. By the time I did, I knew that I was white.
In a small town in central New England, we had no occasion to meet anyone other folks of European descent. It was mostly Finns, French (by way of Canada), Swedish, Polish, English, and Irish. To compensate, one darker-than-usual Italian was nicknamed "Nig". I don't know that any harm was meant by it or felt by it. I didn't know because I didn't ask.

I listened to racist jokes and disliked them not because they were offensive, but because they weren't funny. I sometimes used racist slang because I was trying on personas to find one that fit. I was also a Marxist, Objectivist, and pre-Yuppie for much of the same reason. I argued race relations with our high principal who argued in return that the French-Canadians were treated just as badly.
What I learned about race, then, came from tv, books, and music. I read Claude Brown's Manhcild in the Promised Land and got a nervous A- on my book report. (The teacher wasn't sure if this was an appropriate book, but also wasn't sure if it alright to say that it wasn't.)
The book showed me as much about life in the city as it did about race.When I heard The Drifters sing Up on The Roof, I imagined a world far away from what I would ever be. I didn't, until much later, realize that when I climbed 30 feet up a pine tree in the woods behind the house where I see fields and more trees that I was doing much the same thing.
Except, that, of course, it wasn't the same thing at all.
Or that the song was written by a couple of white folks.

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Why Holden needs three national pharmacy chains

Another in the occasional series about Holden's need for three national pharmacy chains.

The irresistible impulse of retailers to anchor their businesses to holidays or themes shows up this week in premature back-to-school promotions. Even with temperatures hitting their stride, it's never too early to diminish kids' summertime joy.
Walgreens puts their sales on the first page of their local weekly ad.

Rite-Aid exercises comparative restraint by sneaking theirs onto the bottom page.

Only CVS wins the point by having no back-to-school sale yet. Instead, you can get free gas with your high-fiber cereal.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Publicly noted

I learned of my appointment as a Notary Public by piece of advertising mail that arrived the day before my official notification showed up. The advertising, along with the three additional pieces that have arrived in the past week, offers cool-looking seals that will emboss the paper, ledgers for recording items that I've notarized, and various signs, cards, and letterhead stationery to indicate that I'm the real deal. It's nice of them to be so eager to help.
There is no public listing of notaries public in the state (raising the question of how I got on the advertisers' lists). The state's website suggests places where you might to find one hanging around.
The application process has been much more rigorous since 2003. Governor Romney signed an executive order that gave more guidance to notaries public about their duties and how those duties should be performed. (A copy of the executive order is here, in Word 2003 format(!).)
I applied in late May, having obtained signatures from three references and one attorney and detailing my past deeds and misdeeds. The advertisement arrived on July 6, the date of my appointment; my official notice arrived on the 7th.
To complete the process, I needed to pay $60 and take the oath of office. I could take the oath at the state office building in Boston, which I did.
The trek into the city is becoming less of a big deal. Thirty years ago, I wouldn't drive through the Summit. Now, I can find my way into and out of the city, getting lost creatively and finding my way again. I parked in a garage a couple of blocks from the State House and made my way to the office tower.

Lifers in state bureaucracies are a grim bunch. I was in the office for maybe 20 minutes and saw one worker smile and that only because there was a mother with her child at the counter. The person at the counter took my check and stapled it to a form (making it all the more difficult when it came time to deposit the check at the bank, I'm sure). She then directed me to a large bound volume where I was to print and sign my name and enter various dates and other information. A copy of the oath, complete with the "I, (name), do solemnly swear", fill-in-the-blank sections, was printed on a card. I read the oath, including the appropriate words as needed. The clerk nodded and handed me a manila envelope with my certificate and other documents.
When I got home, there was an piece of advertising in the mail. The seller has an Earthlink email address.

What the newspaper business used to be

It used to be, said one of the people at the table, that the first paragraph of a news story had to include the who, what, when, where, and why -- just the facts. "Now, every reporter thinks that he's a columnist." The person's comment was directed at Sean Murphy, long-time reporter for the Boston Globe. Murphy was at the State House Library today, talking about his 25-year career as a reporter and attorney.

Sean P. Murphy at the State House Library

As an investigative reporter, Murphy has used the state's public records law (and a lot of persistence) to draw important documentation about the Big Dig. He told the story of waiting for days in the lobby of the Bechtel offices until the company finally produced the documents that they were required by law to produce. The public records laws, Murphy noted, allow any citizen, not just a reporter or an attorney, to obtain information to public meetings and the public's business.
Institutions such as the Globe have the resources to both obtain information and ensure its accuracy. Murphy referred to editing often, in the context of a process for ensuring that a story is accurate and complete.
The news business is in trouble, he observed. "We're fighting for our lives."
When I asked him about the role of citizen journalists (bloggers, mostly), he said, "It's a threat." It's a threat to all of the major newspapers, TV stations, and other professional news outlets. He didn't detail the nature of the threat, but said that people should insist that their news sources are appropriately edited and vetted.
Leaving the balcony area where the meeting was held, I walked past file cabinets full of past issues of newspapers, including those from papers gone by, and past the microfilm readers. The place where old newspapers, along with clippings, photos, and related materials, is often called a morgue.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Reflections on radio

Tim Wallace has posted a couple of interesting and fun pieces, Red Sox Radio Rivalry and More on Radio Maps, about Red Sox and Yankees radio broadcasts. The maps show the areas covered by stations that broadcast Red Sox and Yankees games.

via Red Sox Radio Rivalry | Bostonography (click to enbiggen)

I had an aunt and uncle who lived in St. Albans, in the upper-left corner of Vermont. Wallace's maps show how this area has broadcasts for both teams. As a kid, I watched Red Sox in French from the Montreal TV stations. As I've mentioned in earlier notes in this journal,I was shocked to speechlessness when, one day, I stumbled upon a radio broadcast of a baseball game that was the Yankees and some other team that wasn't the Red Sox. I might have just as well picked up the signal from Radio Moscow or readings from Chairman Mao. Normal Americans wouldn't be listening to baseball games on the radio when the Red Sox weren't playing, would they?

Reflections on radio

via Red Sox Radio Rivalry | Bostonography (click to enbiggen)

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Crime in suburbia

From The Landmark (subscription required):
[Editor's note: There were 16 suspicious items this week.]

Holden

Monday, June 27

9:58 a.m. Driver on side of road, out of vehicle in travel lane, Main St. Cleaning up coffee spill; now on his way
1:30 p.m. Person received call from Bay State Veterans, Inc. for a donation, saying they want to pick up check tomorrow, Chapel St. Advised caller to check credentials and call with suspicious activity
1:34 p.m. Suspicious incident, illegal dumping, Chaffins Pond
6:33 p.m. Call about approximately five kids skateboarding in Heritage Ln.; brought pole in board to do tricks

Tuesday, June 28

12:01 a.m. Two suspicious males on foot in area, one wearing white tank top and jean shorts, other all in black, Fox Hill Dr.; All set, two residents out for a walk
1:05 a.m. Vehicle parked on Zottoli Rd., no one around
4:53 a.m. Caller reporting ongong brown water, High S.; will call DPW during regular business hours
6:00 a.m. Sick-looking raccoon, Reservoir St.
12:12 p.m. Black bear in area, doesn't appear to be tryng to harm persons or property, Heather Cir.

Wednesday, June 29

12:04 a.m. Police check group of kids at McDonald's, Main St.
2:47 a.m. Dead skunk in Reservoir St.
12:04 p.m. Woman called station to report she will show up at police station after work so HPD can serve restraining order against her
4:10 p.m. Skunk call, Fox Hill Dr.
8:39 p.m. Two suspicious males walking toward Highland St., checking yards and cars

Thursday, June 30

10:15 p.m. Caller damaged tire on pothole on Main St. near Papa Gino's, will try to get the commonwealth to reimburse him
10:49 p.m. Stray golden retriever mix, Salisbury St.

Friday, July 1

2:36 a.m. Caller reports fireworks in area, Country Hill Rd.
5:56 a.m. Caller complaining about neighbors' dog barking, Ft. Sumter
8:13 a.m. Suspicious white utility-type van stopping, dropping a cone but does not appear to be doing anything utility-related, Arizona Ave.; cable company truck
10:35 a.m. Suspicious vehicle with N.Y. plates, Bailey Rd.; operator involved in Asian longhorned beetle work
4:59 p.m. Illegal dumping, Princeton St.
7:21 p.m. Suspicious motor vehicle, Main St.; OK, driver pulled over to use cell phone
7:32 p.m. Person looking to retrieve her revoked license; advised sent back to Registry of Motor Vehicles

Saturday, July 2

12:28 a.m. Party in lobby regarding firearms; advised firearms were sent to state police for testing
4:57 a.m. Person advising of "large, squishy porcupine" deceased in front of Holden Spa, Main St.
6:10 a.m. Officer confirms deceased porcupine to be the size of a small child
9:10 a.m. State DPW advised of dead animal on Main St. They will have people remove animal.
3:52 p.m. Male in lobby to report an "idiot" that "flew by him" on Highland St., provided vehicle's plate number
9:31 p.m. Complaint about fireworks in area, Avery Heights Dr.
10:34 p.m. Caller reports knives and forks stuck in her front yard, Flagler Dr.
10:50 p.m. Report of fireworks, Shrewsbury St./Parker Ave.

Sunday, July 3

7:04 a.m. Person in lobby to speak with EMT about what type of cold pack she should use on her arm that she bumped the previous day
3:35 p.m. Caller reports injured turkey in her yard
5:20 p.m. Caller advises someone tried to take lug nuts off his vehicle, Main St.
9:19 p.m. Report of people setting off "things that explode in the air" and "are illegal," Mark Bradford Dr.

Paxton

Monday, June 27

12:50 p.m. Bear in back yard, West St.
10:23 p.m. White truck in driveway of vacant house, Iron Forge Rd.

Tuesday, June 28

11:15 a.m. Vehicle parked on Pleasant St. OK, dog in vehicle having seizure
12:53 p.m. Request to speak with animal control officer about large snake in yard, Red Oak St.
6:11 p.m. Deer hit and seriously injured, Reservoir Rd.

Wednesday, June 29

12:25 p.m. Officers assist ATF agents with investigation, Marshall St.
4:33 p.m. Two-car accident, Grove St. Request for animal control officer for a dog
4:56 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, person sleeping in car, Pleasant St.

Thursday, June 30

12:34 p.m. Request for officer to check on person at playground that seems too old to be playing there, West St.
7:26 p.m. Multiple gunshots, Davis Hill Rd.
7:45 p.m. Officers off with ATF agents to seize firearms, Marshall St.
10:12 p.m. Suspicious person, Pond St. and Sunset Ln.

Friday, July 1

8:34 a.m. Suspicious vehicle between South St. and Paxton Rd., vehicle pulling in and out of driveways
6:16 p.m. Three mangy looking foxes playing on the tennis courts, Pleasant St.

Saturday, July 2

1:52 a.m. Suspicious vehicle at park on Mower St.

Sunday, July 3

2:14 p.m. Several calls regarding skunks on Camp St. Mother apparently hit by car and baby skunks are staying with her in the street
3:06 p.m. Police destroy injured skunk, Camp St.
8:26 p.m. Smoke coming from chimney of building under construction, West St. Smoke is from wood boiler

Princeton

Monday, June 27

8:58 a.m. Person came to station requesting officer set up radar on Goodnow Rd.
3:50 p.m. Dumpster fire, Brooks Station Rd.
4:33 p.m. Request for backhoe from highway department to scene of Dumpster fire, Brooks Station Rd.
6:18 p.m. Request for traffic control every day during early morning motorcycle traffic, Hobbs Rd.

Tuesday, June 28

9:30 p.m. Motorcyclist lost wallet, possibly on Brooks Station Rd.
6:43 p.m. White vehicle parked by pond on Goodnow Rd.

Wednesday, June 29

7:46 a.m. Radar patrol due to complaint of speeding traffic, Hobbs Rd.
8:28 a.m. Radar patrol due to complaint of speeding traffic, Goodnow Rd.
9:46 a.m. Injured porcupine, Goodnow Rd.
5:37 p.m. Child fell off bicycle, Mountain Rd.

Thursday, June 30

8:42 a.m. Suspicious vehicle parked on Houghton Rd.

Friday, July 1

8:29 a.m. Large green truck, either pumping water from or into brook, Ball Hill Rd.
9:38 a.m. Small, older vehicle speeding on Prospect St. Caller wants officer to speak to operator
11:24 a.m. Request for officer regarding dispute between property owner and person fishing in brook, Ball Hill Rd.
9:35 p.m. Report of fireworks being set off over neighbor's garage, Leominster Rd. Words exchanged, officer wanted
11:40 p.m. Police investigate group of youths at building, Mountain Rd.

Saturday, July 2

8:50 p.m. Caller locked inside gate at state reservation, Mountain Rd.
10:49 p.m. Suspicious vehicle at community building. Boylston Ave.

Rutland

Monday, June 27

2:17 p.m. Person wants deceased skunk removed from Maple Ave.
6:17 p.m. Male caller using vulgar language, yelling at dispatcher, Main St.

Tuesday, June 28

9:03 a.m. Motorcyclist lost his wallet between Rutland and Princeton
9:22 a.m. Request for animal control officer to pick up stray cats in neighborhood, Turkey Hill Trl.
10:27 a.m. Six gunshots in area, River Rd.
2:50 p.m. Caller using vulgar language against the dispatcher, department and the President, Main St.
2:51 p.m. Caller using vulgar language toward the dispatcher, the department and the President, Main St.
3:39 p.m. Selectmen's secretary received nasty phone calls from same person that calls dispatch on regular basis, Main St.
6:04 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, Barre Paxton Rd.

Wednesday, June 29

3:27 p.m. Person using vulgar language against dispatcher, Main St.

Thursday, June 30

11:03 a.m. Black bear climbing onto deck, Davis St. Bear now on E. County Rd.
12:41 p.m. Request for officer regarding window removed from caller's house, Pommogussett Rd.
2:59 p.m. Report of dog living in an apartment, Maple Ave.
5:30 p.m. Person at station regarding someone riding motorcycle up and down Edith Ln.
7:30 p.m. Dog running on Rte. 68, E. County Rd.
7:45 p.m. Caller found several baby bunnies, Richards Ave.
9:07 p.m. Selectman reports board members are getting phone calls from person that keeps calling the station, Main St.
9:59 p.m. Caller inquiring if anyone at the department would like to "mouth off" at him. Person made comments towards detectives and selectmen

Friday, July 1

10:25 a.m. Caller wanted dispatchers identification and wanted to speak to "Ron's" boss, Main St.
4:07 p.m. Caller using vulgar language, yelling at dispatcher, said he was going to call select board members, Main St.
9:31 p.m. Police checking for fireworks in area of Watson Lane and Ten Rod Rd.

Sunday, July 3

4:10 p.m. Selectman reports receiving three calls from person that is using vulgar language, Main St.
6:43 p.m. Report of female bitten by dog, Anthony Dr. Animal is from another town

Sterling

Monday, June 27

6:22 a.m. Caller reports hearing cow mooing for over an hour, may be hurt or stuck somewhere, Crowley Rd. and Redemption Rock Trl.
2:59 p.m. Caller reports being bitten by a dog, Birch Dr.
4:16 p.m. Caller reports hearing shots behind house on East Park Rd.
4:44 p.m. Caller requesting animal control officer about a baby bird found in the toilet and now the bird won't leave the person, Hall Ave.
5:56 p.m. Caller report a horse was left to her in a will and wants to know where she can move it to, Main St.

Wednesday, June 29

10:22 a.m. Person at station to speak with an officer regarding a neighborhood problem, Tanglewood Rd.
3:52 p.m. Person came to station with a heavyduty trailer hitch found on roadway, Main St.
4:42 p.m. Police out with cars parked on lawns of residents, Upper North Row Rd.

Friday, July 1

2:36 p.m. Report of small boy running down the street, child said he was running away, Princeton Rd.
10:44 p.m. Caller reports finding three baby raccoons and mother has been killed, Bean Rd. Doesn't know what to do with them

Saturday, July 2

12:50 p.m. Clinton Hospital reports person bitten by a Boxer, South Nelson Rd.
4:16 p.m. Suspicious vehicle parked in front of business on Main St.
7:52 p.m. Report of fireworks going off, Oakwood Dr.
9:41 p.m. Report of a lot of fireworks going off in area of Jewett Rd.

Sunday, July 3

11:13 a.m. Report of suspicious person following person walking dog, Rowley Hill Rd.
10:41 p.m. Report of possible fireworks, Lakeshore Dr.
11:13 p.m. Complaint about noise, people setting off fireworks, North Row Rd.
11:49 p.m. Report that party is getting out of hand, Tanglewood Rd.

Friday, July 08, 2011

On privacy and community

We were shopping for stuff and met up with a friend. We've known her for long time and so had a quick chat to catch up the doings of the kids, grandkids, and all.
Because we're all of a certain age, the conversation drifted toward retirement communities. Our friend preferred the over-55 developments made up of separate, detached houses or, at most, duplexes.
Stay away from the condo or apartment types, she said. "Everybody knows your business. If you go out for ice cream with your neighbor, everyone will be saying, 'Oh,you went out for ice cream. Where'd you go? What did you get?'"
We talked about work as well, which led to mention of a mutual friend. "She's divorced now, isn't she?" ask our friend.
"Not quite," I remarked.
Our friend noted that, three times this week, she'd seen our mutual friend's almost-ex-husband walking on a street in town.
"He's been staying with his brother," said Sandra. "I think that his brother lives down that way."
"Three times I saw him," said our friend.
"Maybe he's having car troubles," wondered Sandra.
"Three times."

Tuesday, July 05, 2011

Let the sun burn your kid because no one can touch him

According to this NPR report, A Touchy Situation For Sunscreen At Camp : Shots - Health Blog : NPR, summer camps aren't letting staff or other campers apply sunscreen to kids because, well, you know what touching leads to.
In the meantime, according to the National Cancer Institute, 8700 people die annually from melanoma with incidence and death rates increasing.

Music for the faint of heart

According to The Pandora For Old People Taps Baby Boomer Music Market | Fast Company, AARP opened a new music web site last month. The Concord Music Group offers music for people of a certain age.

AARP and Concord Music Group have teamed up to create a new multi-media, online resource designed to help adults find the music they love in the digital age.

A few points about the site, however.

When you click on the link above, be prepared to wait a while. In my tests, it took about 10 seconds for the page to show up.
At this writing, the link in the lead article is broken. It should point to this page.
It's bad news when a 404 lands in the top search results. At this writing, here's what a Google search shows:

Rock on.

Saturday, July 02, 2011

Sitting quietly between then and now

Every night for the past week or more, I've sat on the back deck and watched the fireflies. There aren't many because we don't have much of the tall grass that they seem to like. Just a few, though, are enough to make me think of myself as a 10-year-old boy.
There was always more of everything when we were kids, wasn't there. The summers were hotter, the winters colder. Lots and lots of fireflies on warm nights in early summer. Once in a while, I'd tried to catch some and was a few times successful. You learn quickly that they don't light up in the jar on your bedside table. They didn't light up because they had no hope for love as long as they were in the jar.
I was old as a kid, far too serious even in my immaturity, taking myself much too seriously for far back as as I can remember. It's good, and even a bit of a revelation, to be drawn to those times more than a half-century ago, to realize that I was really a kid who caught fireflies on a summer night.

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Crime in suburbia

From The Landmark (subscription required):
[Editor's note: There were 19 suspicious and three strange items this week and five lock-outs]

Holden

Monday, June 20

4:45 a.m. Parking violations, four vehicles, Main St.
8:43 a.m. Bear sighting, Bullard St.
10:57 a.m. Possibly sick raccoon, Sycamore Dr.
11:32 a.m. Possible sick raccoon, Putnam Rd.
5:24 p.m. Suspicious vehicle in bank parking lot, Main St.
6:34 p.m. Male soliciting house painting, High St.
8:41 p.m. Report of neighbor screaming obscenities for no reason, Briarcliff Ln.
9:31 p.m. Report of persistent solicitors, Wyoming Dr.
9:52 p.m. Suspicious vehicle in parking lot, windows open, Main St.
10:28 p.m. Small terrier running around, Bullard St.

Tuesday, June 21

12:44 a.m. Person at station reporting large sinkhole on Rte.31 Street needs to be closed
1:31 a.m. Police advised of repossession action, Main St.
3:18 a.m. Female in vehicle in parking lot on Princeton St. Has been asked not to park there
12:55 p.m. Female locked herself out of her vehicle, Main St.
4:15 p.m. Request that police conduct welfare check on female because of strange vehicle in area, Walnut St.
6:30 p.m. Person at station says his neighbor struck his dog with a shovel, Princeton St.
9:09 p.m. Drunk and disorderly person refusing to pay cab driver, Torrey Ln.

Wednesday, June 22

12:53 a.m. Man in bushes by business, Main St.
11:05 a.m. Complaint about teens hanging around parking lot, Main St.
12:31 p.m. Woman reporting possible Internet scam regarding her rental property in New York, Main St.
10:40 p.m. Person waving his arms trying to flag down motorist, Bullard/Harris Sts.

Thursday, June 23

3:57 a.m. Police check person walking dogs, Salisbury St./Putnam Rd.
4:17 a.m. Suspicious vehicle behind business, Main St.
6:04 a.m. Smoking transformer, Wachusett/ Quinapoxet Sts.
5:49 p.m. Suspicious vehicle in area, possibly involved in car breaks, Parker Ave.
6:26 p.m. Small toddler in roadway, Newell Rd.
8:06 a.m. Kids hit ball into angry neighbor's yard and are afraid to retrieve it, Ann St.
11:44 p.m. Police out with five individuals at Industrial Park

Friday, June 24

2:56 a.m. Male dressed in black taking cigarettes out of can, Princeton St.
4:08 a.m. Shirtless man walking up and down Princeton St.
8:06 a.m. House egged overnight, Autumn Cir.
12:38 p.m. Report of large amount of oil leaked into reservoir, Shrewsbury St.
4:12 p.m. Person left business without paying bill, Main St.
9:41 p.m. Suspicious vehicle on dirt road, Sterling Rd.
11:14 p.m. Two suspicious males wearing dark clothing and hoodies walking around Fox Hill Dr.

Saturday, June 25

10:16 a.m. Raccoon walking in Main St.
12:35 p.m. Theft of historic Bruins calendar, Main St.
1:28 p.m. Police off with three solicitors, Mountview Dr.
11:26 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, Lexington Cir.

Sunday, June 26

1:40 a.m. Suspicious vehicle, Highland St., school parking lot
3:52 a.m. Suspicious vehicle, Doyle Rd.
9:21 a.m. Person at station for car seat installation, Main St.
10:46 a.m. Person at station for car seat installation, Main St.
5:38 p.m. Transport lost pedestrian to Timber Ln.
7:17 p.m. Caller heard boy yelling, Main St.

Paxton

Monday, June 20

6:02 p.m. Suspicious vehicle at entrance to DPW area, Holden Rd.
10:38 p.m. Male came from behind vacant house and went into woods, Davidson Rd.

Tuesday, June 21

7:52 a.m. Missing Blue Tick Coonhound, Welch Ave.

Thursday, June 23

9:43 a.m. Tree across Rte. 122 approximately one mile from Rutland line
12:09 p.m. Loose dog at business, Pleasant St.
12:14 p.m. Two horses in Hill St.

Friday, June 24

1:33 p.m. Loose Pomeranian trying to chase cars, Richards Ave.
9:02 p.m. Person complaining about bulldozer noise, Richards Ave.
10:31 p.m. Suspicious parked vehicle, Red Oak St.

Saturday, June 25

10:28 a.m. Complaint about three trucks "strangely" parked, Pleasant St.

Sunday, June 26

3:19 p.m. Suspicious vehicle, Richards Ave.
4:26 p.m. Caller reporting suspicious incident with person who said they were moving to town, Laurel St.
11:34 p.m. Complaint about barking dog, Elizabeth Ln.

Princeton

Monday, June 20

6:35 a.m. Loud explosion and subsequent power loss, Laurel Ln.
10:25 a.m. Missing tortoise shell-colored cat, Sterling Rd.
10:37 a.m. Report of fireworks going off all afternoon on Sunday, Dowds Ln.
11:24 a.m. Request for assistance getting person into car, Beaman Rd.
7:18 p.m. Large orange and white cat hanging around Redwood Dr.
11:22 p.m. Brown and white dog running in and out of traffic, Rte. 140
11:48 p.m. Suspicious silver vehicle parked near driveway for two-three days, Westminster Rd.

Wednesday, June 22

9:06 a.m. Keys locked in vehicle, Hubbardston Rd.; police gain access
3:08 p.m. Dead coyote in Coal Kiln Rd.

Thursday, June 23

6:10 a.m. Dead porcupine in Main St.

Friday, June 24

12:03 a.m. Youths trying to take sign chained to tree, Willson Rd.
7:10 a.m. Suspicious vehicle parked at end of driveway, Houghton Rd.
10:30 a.m. Someone used daughter's credit card, Town Hall Dr.
12:48 p.m. Person heard something during night and by morning a bike was missing from barn, Main St.

Saturday, June 25

1:55 p.m. Suspicious vehicle parked on side of road for long time, Greene Rd.

Rutland

Monday, June 20

12:44 p.m. Report of loud screaming, Valley View Cir.
6:22 p.m. Boston terrier and pug running in middle of Rte. 68
6:44 p.m. Strange-acting raccoon in yard, Pommogussett Rd. Caller advised to remove food from area

Tuesday, June 21

6:57 a.m. Missing female coonhound, Welch Ave.
12:51 p.m. Request for officer to speak with unwanted person, Maple Ave.
1:12 p.m. Request for officer to return, threats made, Maple Ave.
2:37 p.m. Missing Peek-a-Poo, found at Pout and Trout, River Rd.
3:27 p.m. Caller wants to speak with animal control officer about animal on her property never seen before, Fairview Ave.
5:00 p.m. Person in for community service, Main St.
7:09 p.m. Man at station bitten by dog on Main St.
8:55 p.m. 911 caller heard loud bang, picture window hit with possible BB or air gun, Main St.
11:26 p.m. Report of dozen kids throwing rocks at glass window, Barre Paxton Rd. Officer
found vehicle broken down

Wednesday, June 22

10:36 a.m. Report that dog that bit a person has been quarantined, Main St.
10:39 a.m. Request for officer for vehicle lockout; vehicle is running and has small child inside, Barre Paxton RD.
11:24 a.m. Report that a wanted person was seen walking on Edson Ave., headed toward Main St.
11:36 a.m. Person wants to speak with officer about individuals on Bushy Ln.
12:21 p.m. Request for officer to go to residence and ask person there to call his boss, Main St. Person is retired and does not have a boss
4:33 p.m. Suspicious vehicle sitting in driveway, Pommogussett Rd.
5:02 p.m. Request for welfare check on children, Maple Ave.
5:18 p.m. Police speak with female juvenile walking on Main St.

Thursday, June 23

11:01 a.m. Ex-resident threatening dispatcher, and blaming the town for bombing his mother's house, Oxford
11:04 a.m. Ex-resident irate and threatening, wants to speak with chief, Oxford
1:13 p.m. Report of barefoot girl walking past Brunelle. Police drove her to Pommogussett
3:58 p.m. Vehicle lockout, police gain access, Miles Rd.
8:41 p.m. Missing tabby cat, Pleasantdale Rd.

Friday, June 24

4:12 a.m. Holden PD requests assistance for suspicious male walking up and down Princeton St., not wearing shirt
12:39 p.m. Two loose hound dogs in yard, continuous problem, Ware Rd.
6:17 p.m. Vehicle lockout, police gain access, Main St.
7:15 p.m. Female complaining about male's behavior, Maple Ave.
9:08 p.m. Caller reports gunshots, Wachusett St.

Saturday, June 25

8:58 a.m. Caller has three stray kittens in her yard, Barre Paxton Rd.
11:52 a.m. Caller wants information about investigation regarding property damage, Main St. Dissatisfied and used vulgar language
5:37 p.m. Child riding four-wheeler up and down Turkey Hill Trl.

Sunday, June 26

4:54 p.m. Small plane flying very low, Bushy Ln.
9:55 p.m. Female requests assistance with getting sick dog to vet, Beechwood Dr.

Sterling

Monday, June 20

9:25 a.m. Loose pitbull in road preventing person from walking home, Jewett Rd.
1:42 p.m. Report of spent fireworks rocket on rear steps of home, Oakwood Dr. Caller wants officer to look at it

Tuesday, June 21

9:29 a.m. Dogs cornered baby bunny in wall, found injured, advised to put bunny back where it was found, Pine St.
4:20 p.m. Loose German shepherd on I-190

Wednesday, June 22

8:39 a.m. Graffiti on mailbox, Tanglewood Rd. Caller wants officer at scene
11:45 a.m. Request to speak with officer, Campground Rd.
12:07 p.m. Indoor cat escaped and won't come out from under porch, N. Row Rd. Caller
wants to use Have-a-Hart trap
12:10 p.m. Multiple calls about phone calls and no one is there, Samuels Ln.
8:49 p.m. Suspicious vehicle blocking driveway, Maple St.

Thursday, June 23

6:42 p.m. Complaint about bear walking through yard, Kathleen Ln.

Friday, June 24

1:29 p.m. While person was away, someone drained his oil tank to office, Worcester Rd.
6:07 p.m. Dead coyote in Chocksett Rd.

Saturday, June 25

10:51 a.m. Small female beagle found, Tuttle/ Sky Farm Rds.
11:25 a.m. New litter of kittens found, Goulding Rd.
6:14 p.m. Three juveniles skateboarding down Red Stone Hill Rd.

Sunday, June 26

10:52 a.m. Theft of 200-pound wooden wolf, Leominster Rd.

Monday, June 27, 2011

Why we love the web

You wouldn't be surprised that someone who invents this:


via bookofjoe: Nose Stylus

would have more to say about it, along with a video of a guy in a tub with the thing.

Finger-nose stylus for touchscreen technology from Dominic Wilcox on Vimeo.

While you have the image stuck in your head all day tomorrow, I know that you'll be thanking me.

Friday, June 24, 2011

Making the Baby Jesus cry

Sports Illustrated wins the prize for the earliest Christmas promotion.

Dept. of Self-Promotion

I am now a blogger on The CMO Site, an executive social network that provides research and analysis for chief marketing officers and other marketing executives with a focus on technology and social media. I'm grateful to be working with long-time friend, Keith Dawson, who is senior editor at the site.
My first post, Massachusetts Healthcare Marketers Struggle With Consumer Apathy, went live this morning.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

I get the news I need on the weather report, 2011

People such as Dick Albert, retired meteorologist for WCVB, become so much a part of our households that we regard him as a brother or uncle. We know his stories, his quirks, his good humor. Even as the technology changed the way that weather forecasts were made and delivered, we still had the feeling that he was talking directly to us.

Even though he had to stand still when on screen, you knew he had great energy and enthusiasm. So, to see him in person at The Willows this afternoon, talking with a 100 or so folks, it's not surprising that it was tough to get a picture of him. He rarely stood still. He talked with the whole crowd and we felt like he'd never left the evening news.
But, he has gone. He's retired and doing well. He (a Leap-Year Baby) will have his 17th birthday next year.
And, it's not likely that we'll have that kind of relationship with future weather forecasters, news anchors, or others. Dick had keen observations on the diminished importance of local news. The audience for TV news of all kinds is much older than the general populace. Folks under 40 rarely watch local news, preferring online sources, John Stewart, or just nothing. The shared experience of watching the weather together is going away and may be gone soon.
During the storms of the winter, I'd turn on channels 4 or 7, stations I watch infrequently, and wonder "Who is this guy who's telling me about a blizzard?" Two or three lead meteorologists have come and gone on those stations and barely left a trace.
The shared experience of local news lasted for the first half-century of television. Something will take its place. It may even be as good in its own way, but it will certainly be different.