WBUR reports on progressives fretting about the City Council winding up next year just as white and XYish as "old Boston." Or as 'BUR calls these folks, "self-styled progressives," because God forbid people be allowed to identify their political leanings without a reporter casting some doubt on what they really are by adding some empty phrase like "self-styled." But I guess we could expect no less from self-professed reporter David Scharfenberg.
Dave Levy isn't buying some survey that claims 48 other states are more frickin' foul mouthed than we are.
The Ford Hall Forum hosts a discussion on Weds., May 22 on "how we can capitalize on social media's incredible benefits of crowd sourcing and speed while protecting against its inaccuracy and fear-mongering," with Globe blogger Garrett Quinn, who tweeted from Watertown, BPD PR person Cheryl Fiandaca and some guy who spent a lot of time trying to figure out what to retweet as the week's events unfolded.
The Boston Business Journal reports the Department of Transportation's Finance Committee this week approved a plan under which New Balance will build a new Worcester Line station near its impending new Brighton complex. The stop will be called Boston Landing.
Based on their clothes, you can probably tell about when this photo was taken. But where? See it larger. From the Boston City Archives (only click that link if you want to see the answer).
Mayor Menino says he wants to reduce injury rates among bicyclists by 50% by 2020. This report examines current bicycling trends in Boston and offers some suggestions, including looking at mandatory helmet use for all bicyclists, greater enforcement of existing traffic laws among both motorists and bicyclists and continuing to expand bicycle-friendly facilities and lanes in the city.
The Herald reports all 13 deputy fire chiefs signed a letter declaring they have no confidence in Fire Chief Steve Abraira, the department's highest ranking uniformed officer, in part because he didn't want to assume command in the minutes after the Boston Marathon bombings.
Abraira reports to Fire Commissioner Rod Fraser, who hired him from Dallas - the first time the job has ever gone to somebody not from Boston. He explains to the Herald why he left Marathon response to commanders in the field.
WBUR interviews Wendy Landman, executive director of WalkBoston on the implications of people who just don't want to drive as much as their parents.
Big Papi is selling memorial bats with net proceeds going to the One Fund. The blue bats feature the phrase "This is our f-ing city" (yes, written just like that).
The Herald talks to Dan Conley and John Barros. Currently, only East Boston is slated to vote on the proposed Suffolk Downs casino.
Case in point:
Haverhill 213 10:30 AM OB experiencing 30-45 min delays due to residual delay 5/13/2013 11:46 AM
Are the people who write these things really that dumb? Oh wait, I guess that's a rhetorical question.
When and where was this waterfront photo taken? From the Boston City Archives, of course. See it larger.
Lilac Sunday
It's Lilac Sunday over at the Arnold Arboretum.
Food trucks, Roxy's Gourmet Grilled Cheese, Batch Ice Cream, Clover Food Truck, Cupcakory and Slush King are also there.
Take mom over for a treat on her day!
Photo: Steve Garfield CC BY-NC-SA
Our newest candidate for mayor is John Laing of Hyde Park, who quickly found his newest supporter in Mister Malcolm the Dorchester Dancer.
Ed. note: If Laing wins, he will not only be Boston's first black mayor, he will be the first mayor to have graduated Brandeis.
The mayor's office announced today city government will be moving from its current legacy applications - such as Microsoft Exchange and Outlook - to Google Apps.
In addition to making legally required e-mail retention easier, the move will save money and free city MIS from the task of maintaining creaky legacy applications, by handing the thing over to Google:
The Jamaica Plain Gazette reports on a gathering of nine mayoral candidates at a forum sponsored by the West Roxbury Courthouse Neighborhood Association.
The candidates were mostly non-specific in their answers regarding plans for improving the city, sticking to generalities like "bringing people together," "broadening opportunities" and "improving schools," though Arroyo brought up his proposed "Invest in Boston" bill, which would invest Boston’s money in banks that invest in Boston to help promote economic development.
BPD: Feds never told us about the brothers.
FBI: Did too. Well, sorta. BPD had full access to an FBI database and could've looked up Tamarlan at any time.
Police Commissioner Ed Davis testified before the House Committee on Homeland Security today. Among his conclusions:
In the future we will review the need to deploy more assets including technology, cameras, undercover officers and specialized units. We will continue to enhance preparedness training for all of our officers to protect these large events.
I was photographing the scene at Heartbreak Hill for Running Times and later moved downtown. I photographed runners a half mile from the finish line for the last 25 minutes before the explosions went off. I decided to put them into a video as a tribute to all of them. (Pretty good song, too). If you know anyone who was at or close to the finish line at 2:50 share it with them.
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