Community journalism

We're writing here to announce a new project commemorating the Circle Cinema, which has been a Brighton landmark since 1940. The theater, and its iconic CIRCLE sign, are scheduled to meet the wrecking ball later this year.

We are a photographer and a sociologist who have teamed up to collect memories, photos, and opinions of the theater and its sign (positive, negative, indifferent). We are also looking to interview folks with stories to tell about the theater. Was your first date at the Circle? Work the concession stand in high school? See a memorable film there that has stayed with you ever since? We want to hear from you.

Please connect with us by commenting here or on our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/longlivecirclecinema), where you can read more about our project by clicking on “About.” And we invite you to "like" the page to follow project updates. If Facebook isn't your thing, you can email us directly at .

The Brighton Allston Historical Society has agreed to be the repository for whatever we collect.

Thank you!

Kenneth Connolly, 53, had bail set at $750 at his arraignment in a hospital room at Boston Medical Center for an incident in South Boston that ended with him getting shot by a state trooper, a Boston police officer or possibly both, the Suffolk County District Attorney's office reports.

At about 1:45PM on June 13, 2013, President Barack Obama and his motorcade sped from Roxbury Community College where he rallied 12,000 supporters on behalf of U.S. Representative Ed Markey who is running for United States Senator to replace John Kerry in the June 25th Special Election. This footage was taken near Boston Medical Center at the Massachusetts Avenue/Southampton Street/Melnea Cass Blvd/Mass Ave Connector Intersection heading towards Interstate 93North to go to Logan Airport.

According to members of the Boston Elections Department that asked to remain nameless out of fear of losing their job said that it is unlikely both Robert Cappucci and John Laing will make the ballot.

It is believed that it will be close for David Portnoy, internet entrepreneur and followed by 100,000 people via twitter. There is concern that because he has the financial resources, Portnoy will challenge the Boston Elections Department if he does not qualify. Portnoy spent nearly $17K to collect 5000 raw signatures with the hope that 3000 would qualify as legitimate signatures.

As of today, twelve candidates for Mayor have qualified for the ballot with 3000 certified signatures of Boston voters.

They are in reverse alphabetical order: Yancey, Wyatt, Walzciak, Walsh, Ross, Richie, Consalvo, Connolly, Conley, Clemons, Barros, and Arroyo.

I'm glad @fox25news reads their mail on-air. Good to know their viewers are even dumber than their talking apes. #mapoli #bospoli

— Chris Faraone (@Fara1) June 5, 2013

I'm going to guess Chris Faraone is, at least in part, talking about Doug VB Goudie, a former producer for Howie Carr. Doug is now a commentator, interviewer and advocate for conservative ideas on the Fox 25 Morning News on WFXT.

Carr gave Doug the nickname "Virgin Boy" or "V.B." His on-air co-workers refer to him as VB most of the time. Do they know it stands for Virgin Boy? Is Fox 25 trying to be as dumbed down and vulgar as possible? I ask because I didn't think there was an audience for dumbed-down in Boston.

Thousands of local peace activists marched in support of peace and anti-violence this morning at the 17th Annual Mother's Day Walk for Peace. The event took place in Dorchester on 5/12/13. This raw video footage is near the end of the march on Geneva Avenue as peace activists marched towards the conclusion of the march at Fields Corner. District Attorney and 2013 Mayoral Candidate Dan Conley is seen marching in the peace march.

According to www.justicewithpeace.org:

"The Mother's Day Walk for Peace began in 1996 for families who had lost their children to violence. On a day that we celebrate mothers and children, the Walk became a place for families and friends to feel support and love with thousands of others who pledge their commitment to peace. Through the years, it has become a way for thousands of people to financially support the work of the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute."

Mysterious aircraft puzzles Quincy residents

QUINCY —
The Federal Aviation Administration knows what’s up there but it’s not telling the public.
A slew of Quincy residents have been complaining and calling police and the city about an aircraft that appeared about two weeks ago and has been taking wide, repeated loops in the air, between about 7 p.m. and 4 a.m.
Residents from Wollaston to West Quincy describe a low-pitch humming sound coming from the aircraft. Some have said it’s reminiscent of a drone, which is an unmanned aircraft operated by remote control.
“It’s not a drone,” FAA spokesman Jim Peters said. “It’s an authorized flight and we are aware of it.”

In 1939 during his retirement speech to Yankee Fans at Yankee Stadium, Lou Gehrig famously said "Today is the Greatest Day of my life." On April 20, 2013, David "Big Papi" Ortiz famously said with patriotism, "This is our fu_king city!

Click here to watch Big Papi's speech the Fenway Faithful:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPvDwb4eZaE

Click here to watch Big Papi's first hit of the 2013 Red Sox Season:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVLPu1yAqgY

The following video was recorded by Douglas Bennett of Dorchester. You can follow Bennett on twitter @bostonpolitics

The video that you see is of Downtown Boston during the lockdown. This area is Chinatown's most northern border.

Jennifer Lord Paluzzi, who helped build a chain of town news sites in the suburbs of Worcester that got sold to a sort of mini-Patch outfit headquartered in Tribeca, reports she and all the other Massachusetts employees - seven reporters and three salespeople - were laid off yesterday. The sites are still up, but there's nobody left to update them.

Join Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders at our annual Summer Party held outside in the heart of Provincetown, MA on Saturday, July 27 from 4:00-7:00PM. Enjoy the view of the harbor, mingle with other GLAD supporters and learn more about our ground-breaking cases.

Tickets are $75 online | $85 on site | $30 student
Purchase at www.glad.org/events.

Don't miss our amazing auction and celebrity auctioneer Kate Clinton. You don't have to be present to win. Travel packages, restaurants, massages, and much more - something for everyone!

Children are welcome to attend (at no charge) and will enjoy a range of fun activities.

Delicious summer fare and refreshing cocktails provided.

More information, tickets and sponsorships are available at www.glad.org/events.

There is a community meeting tonight regarding the proposed demolition and new construction of both the St. Augustine's Church and School in South Boston. Please attend the meeting to voice your opinion: 6:30 pm, Boys and Girls Club of South Boston, 230 W. 6th Street. Please see Caught in Southie for more information.

Alexis Laboy, 24, was arrested last night after police found a Calico M-100 "mini-rifle" with its shoulder stock removed on him - inside a bag that contained 48 rounds of .22 caliber ammunition - the Suffolk County District Attorney's office reports, adding he didn't have a license for either.

South Boston District Court Judge Michael Bolden set bail today at $20,000.

According to the DA's office, somebody dropped a dime on Laboy around 8:20 p.m., telling police he was driving around Southie with another guy in a black Durango - after they'd gotten out of a Lexis. Police couldn't find the Durango, so they staked out the Lexis, parked at Father Songin Way and Kemp Street, the DA's office says:

I join with the Somerville Scout and Ward 5 Online in reporting the death of Robert "Bob" Publicover, fierce advocate for the HIV/AIDS community and founder of the Somerville News.

I offer my most heartfelt condolences to his husband, David Lebahn, family, friends and the entire Somerville News staff.

For more information on Bob, please read this beautiful article that was featured in the Somerville Scout this past May.

Press Pass TV is a non-profit organization that harnesses the power of media arts to empower youth in under-served communities. In this segment, PPTV partners with the City School to take an in-depth look at an innovative education program in Haiti. Click here to check out the video!

Local theatre artist Danny Bryck performs his one-man documentary play "No Room for Wishing," chronicling the story of the occupation of Dewey Square, using the exact words of the people involved. Co-produced by Company One and Central Square Theater, playing at the Boston Center for the Arts this weekend and Central Square Theater 9/30-10/9.

In 1995, the House of Compassion opened its doors taking in people living with HIV and AIDS to live in a welcoming home environment. The House now faces closure, with a looming 30,000 in debt threatening the homes of their ten residents. Find out more about the House of Compassion!

Press Pass TV is a non-profit organization that focuses on telling the stories of the community. For years, Press Pass TV has been covering the ongoing fight for more youth jobs funding. Here, we take a look at how young people across Massachusetts are using their shared battle to unite around a larger youth movement for justice.Click this link to find out more about Jobs for Justice: Building a Youth Movement

Press Pass TV is a non-profit organization that focuses on telling the stories of the community. For years, Press Pass TV has been covering the ongoing fight for more youth jobs funding. Here, we take a look at how young people across Massachusetts are using their shared battle to unite around a larger youth movement for justice.Click this link to find out more about Jobs for Justice: Building a Youth Movement

The ever present, always hilarious Southie Yuppy/Local feud erupted again last week over at Caught in Southie's Facebook page with an anonymous letter to the editor from a wayward, misunderstood yuppy. As expected, the ensuing comments erupted into spirited vitriol from both sides, eventually breaking the 200 comment line.

Perhaps the most entertaining post of the thread was fittingly the last, where self proclaimed South Boston local and member of the Boston Sports Club's Welcoming Team, Bridget Lee, chimed in with her opinion of the socio-economic forces at play in South Boston's gentrification:

In 2008, Boston.com launched locally-focused YourTown pages for specific Boston neighborhoods and surrounding cities and towns.

They are now redesigning the pages, one by one, in a manner that de-emphasizes Boston.com and Globe content in favor of links to external news sources and tweets. All of the Boston neighborhood pages are still in the old format, but many of the surrounding cities and suburbs have been converted.

What's your opinion of the changes? Here are some 'old' and 'new' pages to compare:

Old: Arlington, Concord, Newton, Roslindale, Waltham

New: Belmont, Brookline, Cambridge, Somerville, Lexington

Once we've collected sufficient comments here, I'm going to point David Dahl of the Globe at this post. He is in charge of both the existing YourTown pages and the ongoing redesign.

Laura Smeaton, a League of American Bicyclists LCI (League Cycling Instructor) presents a free workshop for those who want to get out on their bikes earlier this year. Stubborn patches of ice, chilly breezes, and cold spring rains will be no match for you once you're equipped with the knowledge from this workshop! Winter? What winter?!

When: Sunday, February 12, 4:00-5:30pm
Where: Ferris Wheels Bike Shop, 66 South Street, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 (www.ferriswheelsbikeshop.com)

Village 14 is a collaboration between longtime local blogger Sean Roche and Greg Reibman, who is also a longtime blogger and who was, until recently, publisher of the regional chain that owns the Newton Tab. Reibman, however, writes the site is not a strike back at GateHouse. The duo aren't looking for ads, to start. It's just a couple of Newtonites who are really interested in the place and who love to blog, he says.

H/t Ian Lamont.

A volunteer effort to provide food for the Occupy Boston tent city will be holding a Thanksgiving cookout at Dorchester's Franklin Park on the morning of Thursday, November 24, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM.

Copy edit fail:

Massachusetts General Hospital is launching Boston’s second hand transplant program.

Why, oh why, can't we have a better press corps?

MGH to begin replacing hands