Monthly Archives: April 2011

Friday Morning: Report Finds Bullying Endemic In Mass. Schools

Published April 22, 2011

One quarter of Massachusetts middle-schoolers and over 15 percent of the state’s high school students report being victimized by bullying at school, according to a federal report released yesterday. Students who said they were involved in bullying were also five times more likely to have been exposed to violence at home, the report found.

As you might imagine, leaving a gang and dropping out of thug life isn’t easy. A Suffolk Superior Court jury found a Boston-area gang member guilty yesterday of armed assault with intent to murder for shooting his (former) best friend in retaliation for quitting their gang.

Career centers and job training programs in the state are facing major budget cuts as stimulus money runs dry and the house budget gets trimmed in Washington.

Though they never led until the final horn sounded, the Bruins beat Montreal 5-4 in overtime last night to even the first-round playoff series, 2-2. The teams will suit up again Saturday in Boston.

Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield, a 19-year veteran of the team, wrote a memoir about his time in the league. Wakefield, solid never flashy, is beloved by fans as a pitcher. Maybe now he’ll join the New England literary pantheon, too.

What we’re following: We’ll continue to report on a state trooper hit by a drunk driver, a solar power project on the Cape and a challenge to the state’s gun laws.

Bruins Look For Series Tie In Montreal

Published April 21, 2011

Boston Bruins goalie Tim Thomas looks behind as a shot by Montreal Canadiens' Mathieu Darche, right, goes in for a goal during Game 2. In Game 3, Thomas notched the win. (AP)

Boston Bruins goalie Tim Thomas looks behind as a shot by Montreal Canadiens' Mathieu Darche, right, goes in for a goal during Game 2. In Game 3, Thomas notched the win. (AP)

Which Boston Bruins team will show up Thursday evening in Montreal? We all hope it will be the one that was on the ice for the first two periods of Game 3. We do not want to see the third period Bruins, who — in part due to the Canadiens’ desperation — were helter-skelter, could not get the puck out of their own end and gave up 13 high-quality shots, while managing just two shots of their own.

In that third period, it was the first time Tim Thomas displayed the Vezina Trophy-candidate goaltending that he showed pretty much all season long — although the two goals he did surrender had a lot of “softness” in them, which just cannot happen.

This series has shown that the first goal scored is the all-important factor. Montreal did it in the first two games, while the Bruins built a three goal-lead before hanging on in Game 3’s aforementioned third period. But they also played inspired hockey in those first two periods. They took advantage of the turnovers that Montreal handed them and made netminder Carey Price look beatable.

We could talk about some of the bad things the Bruins did in that game, such as the “too many men” penalty in the game’s first minute. Or the power play (or lack thereof). But these things have been going on all year and the Bruins have been able to survive them. They managed their way to a 103-point season with scoring efficiency and a darn good penalty kill. They seem to no longer rely on the power play, which is a good thing; it hasn’t produced all season and there is no reason to think that will change now. Just decline the penalties.

Home ice has not meant an advantage for either squad, although if you have ever witnessed a playoff game in the old Montreal Forum or the current Bell Centre, you can see and feel why opponents can feel intimidated playing there. Boston seems not to have that problem, but the crowd can stimulate the Habs when they need to come back — like Monday night — or stymie an opponent when ahead.

Win or lose, the Bruins will be back home Saturday night at the TD Garden. A Boston win Thursday and it’s a best-of-three, anyone’s series and a happy flight from Dorval Airport to Hanscom Field. A loss would put the Bruins in a familiar hole, where history is not on their side!

Thursday Morning: Governor May Become A Witness

Published April 21, 2011

Gov. Deval Patrick may be called to testify in the corruption trial of former Mass. House Speaker Sal DiMasi. DiMasi resigned his seat in January 2009 before he was indicted on conspiracy, extortion and fraud charges.

The state’s most senior judge is backing House Speaker Robert DeLeo’s proposal to overhaul the state Probation Department, over Gov. Patrick’s plan. Roderick Ireland, the chief justice of the Supreme Judicial Court, will appear at a joint press conference with DeLeo today to endorse his plan.

The usually bustling spring home sales is market has started slowly in Massachusetts and many sellers are growing frustrated.

In a bizarre story, Lawrence police say they’ve found no evidence to support a criminal claim by the city’s mayor. Mayor William Lantigua says he was nearly run down by a car with unregistered plates outside city hall last month. The mayor has clashed with police during his tenure.

What we’re following: We’ll continue to report on Boston’s new bike sharing program, the water main break in the town of Nahant and developments in the DiMasi trial. Radio Boston will dive into the controversy over the legalization of marijuana.

Wednesday Morning: Cape Wind Takes Another Step

Published April 20, 2011

U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar gave the OK yesterday to start construction on Cape Wind, the controversial wind farm in Nantucket Sound. Strong backing from state and federal authorities has given the project momentum, despite the objections of some Cape Codders.

The state’s highest court yesterday ruled that the odor of marijuana smoke is not grounds for officers to order someone out of a parked car. The ruling has been assailed by police groups as the stripping of a crime-fighting tool.

It’s Cyber Wednesday at the Herald, with a bevy of Internet related stories. The paper reports on the Springfield TV news anchor who resigned in the wake of a YouTube scandal, the state-funded sex education website Mariatalks.com and a teenage cyber-bullying victim from North Andover.

The man whom many believe will be the next to lead the exiled Tibetan government currently lives in Medford and worked as a research fellow at Harvard Law School. Lobsang Sangay may move to Dharamsala, India after Tuesday’s election results.

The Celtics barely escaped with a win over the Knicks last night, taking a 2-0 lead in their first-round playoff series.

What we’re following: We’ll continue to report on a lawsuit filed by the parents of DJ Henry, an accident at Logan and the UMass football program’s decision to play home games at Gillette Stadium.

Pulitzer Praise For Critic Sebastian Smee

Published April 19, 2011

Sebastian Smee, an art critic for the Boston Globe, was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for criticism yesterday.

In announcing the award, the Pulitzer board called Smee’s writing “vivid and exuberant” and praised his ability to bring “great works to life with love and appreciation.” Smee, a relative newcomer to Boston, came to the Globe by way of Sydney, Australia, where he served as the national art critic for The Australian.

Sebastian Smee (AP)

Sebastian Smee (AP)

Smee told WBUR’s All Things Considered yesterday that he was particularly proud of a series he started called “Frame by Frame,” in which he highlights an individual work from a permanent collection in New England.

“The reason I like it, I guess, is since I moved here to New England three years ago I’ve just been so impressed by the quality and the range of the museums,” Smee said. “And not just the big, obvious ones like the MFA and the ICA and Harvard, but so many great, smaller college museums which have wonderful permanent collections.”

In 2010, Smee covered the MFA’s new Art of the Americas wing with the Globe as well as with WBUR’s Radio Boston. We learned about Smee’s love for illustrations in the The New Yorker from his piece on the Norman Rockwell Museum’s William Steig exhibit. Smee even ventured out to western Massachusetts to explore the art scene there. The art critic doesn’t just do art, either. Books sometimes fall into his repertoire.

Boston also features another local Pulitzer-winner. The Pulitzer Prize for music was awarded to “Madame White Snake” by Zhou Long. “Madame White Snake,” Long’s first opera, premiered in Boston at the Cutler Majestic Theater and was produced by the city’s very own Opera Boston.

Tuesday Morning: Authorities Engage On Energy

Published April 19, 2011

The controversial Cape Wind wind farm in Nantucket Sound may take a crucial step forward today. U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar will unveil a final operation and construction plan for the project today, according to the Associated Press.

In other local energy news, the owners of the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant filed a lawsuit in federal court yesterday designed to prevent Vermont authorities from shutting the plant down when its license expires next year. The Entergy Corp. filed the suit in the first salvo of what’s expected to be a lengthy legal battle.

Marathon fans in Kenya and Japan had a lot to celebrate yesterday after the 115th running of the historic Boston Marathon. Kenyan Geoffrey Mutai won the men’s race in record time, while countrywoman Caroline Kilel bested the field on the women’s side. Masazumi Soejima and Wakako Tsuchida gave Japan a sweep of the men’s and women’s wheelchair divisions.

If you’re interested in the 26,000-plus entrants who didn’t win, the Herald has a story on the non-elites, including an adorable picture of a couple celebrating after finishing the race and getting engaged.

The Bruins finally got on the board last night after downing the Canadiens 4-2 in Montreal. The team is still down 2-1 in the best-of-seven series.

What we’re following: We’ll continue to report on the Boston police officer suing the city over a promotion, a pre-trial hearing in Sal DiMasi’s corruption case and the ongoing state budget negotiations.

Marathon Monday: It’s Patriots Day

Published April 18, 2011

If you woke up to a police barrier blocking you from your favorite Dunkin’ Donuts, you’re not the only one. Today marks the 115th Boston Marathon — an inspiring day for runners and non-runners alike — and the race wreaks havoc with the area’s traffic patterns.

It’s Patriots Day, hopefully you have the day off. The City of Boston provided this handy list of what you can expect for today’s holiday:

Closed: All municipal offices, including Boston City Hall, schools, libraries and community centers.

Traffic & Parking: Parking meters not in effect. All other rules apply. The Transportation Department has issued a traffic advisory for many streets.

Trash and Recycling: Collection delayed by one day this week in Allston, Brighton, Dorchester, East Boston, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain (except streets with twice a week pickup), Mattapan, Roslindale, or West Roxbury.

The T is running a regular weekday schedule with added service before and after the marathon. With the marathon cutting much of Greater Boston in half, many bus routes are impacted.

Some streets around Boston are closed.

As for the race itself, past champion Robert Kiprono Cheruiyot and fellow Kenyan Geoffrey Mutai are names to know on the men’s side. Ryan Hall, who finished third in 2008 and fourth last year, is the best American hope.

Teyba Erkesso won the 2010 race and is back to defend her title against two other past champions, Dire Tune of Ethiopia and Catherine Ndereba of Kenya in the women’s race.

Of course, the man to keep your eyes on in the men’s wheelchair race is Ernst Van Dyk who’s gunning for his 10th Boston title.

If you’re looking to follow the marathon action today, check out live twitter coverage from @runnersworld, as well as the @bostonmarathon official feed.

WBUR’s Alex Ashlock is covering the race again for the station — he’ll have updates throughout the day.

Defending Champions Look For Repeat At 115th Marathon

Published April 15, 2011

The 2009 Boston Marathon men's leaders jet past cheering crowds. (www.ChristopherSPenn.com/Flickr)

The 2009 Boston Marathon men's leaders jet past cheering crowds. (www.ChristopherSPenn.com/Flickr)

Thousands of runners are flocking to Boston for Monday’s 115th running of the Boston Marathon.

On the men’s side, Kenyan Robert Kiprono Cheruiyot is back to try to defend the title he won in course-record time last April, but he’ll be challenged by a deep, fast field.

Cheruiyot ran 2:05:52 last year, but fellow Kenyan Geoffrey Mutai should challenge him this year. Mutai ran a 2:04:55 in Rotterdam last year, the second fasted marathon time in the world in 2010.

Ryan Hall will try again to break the long American drought in the race. Hall finished fourth last year and third in 2009, and says he is obsessed with winning the Boston Marathon. The last American winner on the men’s side was Greg Meyer in 1983. The race also features newcomers this year, most notably Olympians Alistair Cragg of Ireland and Moses Mosop of Kenya.

The women’s race has been decided by three seconds or less the last three years. Ethiopia’s Teyba Erkesso won the 2010 race and is back to defend her title against two other past champions, Dire Tune of Ethiopia and Catherine Ndereba of Kenya. Ndereba is a four-time winner.

Kara Goucher carries the American hope on the women’s side. Goucher finished third in 2009, but took last year off while she was pregnant.

“My return to running has gone very well,” said Goucher, who gave birth to a son in September 2010. “I can’t think of a better place than Boston to pick up where I left off. The 2009 Boston Marathon stands as the highlight of my career. I wished I could have won, but I did the best I could and Boston embraced me for that.”

Another woman to watch is former Providence College star Kim Smith, an Olympian from New Zealand who will be running Boston for the first time.

A sentimental favorite is Joan Benoit Samuelson, a two-time Boston winner. She hasn’t run the race since 1983, but the 53-year-old Maine native has been enjoying a late-career resurgence after her performance in the 2008 Olympic Trials race, which was also held in Boston. Samuelson needs to run 2:46 or better to qualify for the trials again.

Record-breaking South African Ernst Van Dyk is aiming for his 10th Boston win in the men’s wheelchair race, and Japan’s Wakado Tscuhida could win her fifth straight.

This weekend, the Boston Athletic Association will honor several past champions of the race, including American Jean Driscoll, who won the women’s wheelchair race eight times. She held the record for most Boston wins until last year, when it was shattered by Van Dyk.

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CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story misstated the number of years since Joan Benoit Samuelson competed in the Boston Marathon.

Friday Morning: Labor, Mayor Actually Agree

Published April 15, 2011

In an unprecedented deal, Boston’s labor leaders agreed to a deal with Mayor Menino that will require municipal workers to foot more of their health insurance bill — to the tune of $70 million. As cities and towns fight with unions over health care costs across the state and across the country, this deal feels like a harbinger of things to come.

Amid a dispute over staffing levels and tough talk from their boss, nurses at Tufts Medical Center have voted to authorize a one-day strike. The nurses’ union has not set a date for the walkout and said that they’ll only proceed with the strike if it’s warranted.

The state’s new Parole Board yesterday heard testimony in its first case. In the wake of resignations of the five former members of the board, new Parole Board Chairman Josh Wall has pledged to run the board differently.

While traveling to promote his new memoir, Gov. Deval Patrick sat down with WBUR’s Bob Oakes at the JFK Presidential Library for an intimate conversation about Patrick’s life and career. WBUR will broadcast the entire Patrick-Oakes conversation Sunday at 8 p.m.

The Bruins dropped the opening game in their first-round playoff series to the archrival Canadiens. Montreal netminder Carey Price shut the team out, 2-0.

The ICA opens a new exhibit on the vinyl record — unlike dinosaurs, they still exist — today. It looks and sounds awesome, as Oakes and WBUR’s Lisa Tobin can attest.

Speaking of looking and sounding awesome, WBUR’s Andrea Shea reports on Boston’s role in the “rock ‘n’ roll” of visual art — graffiti.

What we’re following: We’ll continue to report on the racetrack in Raynham that’s closed its poker room amidst state scrutiny, the expanding partnership between Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Milton Hospital and a novel approach to college drinking at Holy Cross in Worcester.

Cyclists Campaign For Bike Lane On Mass. Ave.

Published April 14, 2011

Many bikers already use Mass. Ave. to cross the city. (David Salafia/Flickr)

Many bikers already use Mass. Ave. to cross the city. (David Salafia/Flickr)

The City of Boston is considering building a bike lane on Massachusetts Avenue in the heart of Boston, stretching from Symphony to the Mass Ave. Bridge. Sounds great, right? There is a small catch.

Building a bike lane on the already-crowded roadway would require the elimination of either parking or a travel lane. That’s sure to be controversial.

The Boston Cyclists Union, a bike advocacy group, is campaigning for the creation of the bike lane and plans to show up in force at a public meeting on the plan tonight.

“Cyclists are always going to use that street, there really isn’t another option,” said Peter Stidman, the director of the BCU. “There’s no way to get rid of the cyclists, they’re already there. What we’re just trying to do is make it safer for everyone.”

The city already has plans to build a bike lane that connects the Boston Medical Center to Symphony. The Mass Ave. Bridge and the Cambridge side of the river already feature bike lanes, too, so this section would connect the area for bikers.

There’s little doubt that it’s the parking that will be removed — there’s already a ton of car and bus traffic on the street — so some area businesses are sure to provide opposition to the plan. The parking isn’t that important to business though, Stidman and other cyclists claim.

“Pedestrians travel in herds on that street, so it would be hard for any business owner to argue that the two-hour parking that’s there comprises a significant portion of their customer base,” Stidman said.

Anyone who has walked around Newbury Street and Boylston Street in that area can attest to the frequent traffic jamming Mass Ave., so the bike lane proposal would mark a drastic change to the landscape.

“It is going to be a test for Boston, to see if we can be progressive and think about alternate forms of transportation,” Stidman said.

The public meeting on the bike lane plan is tonight at the Boston Public Library from 7-9 p.m. The city’s bike czar has a neat website full of resources and includes a map where you can share your bike-friendly ideas.