Boston Common
Simon Glik, who wound up arrested when he used his cell phone to video a drug bust on Tremont Street along the Common in 2007, yesterday filed suit in US District Court, alleging his First, Fourth and Fourteenth Amendment rights were violated by police.
Glik was also charged with "aiding escape" of a prisoner and disturbing the peace. All the charges against Glik were dismissed in court - including the charge of violating the wiretapping law, which he says was meant to cover secret taping of private conversations, not public recording of events out in the open, such as an arrest on the Common near Tremont Street.
Complete complaint.
Scene on the Common the other day.
Ever vigilant Jay Fitzgerald notices that the Times has written Yet Another Story about Shake Shack, the New York burger stand that wants to open up on Boston Common. This time, we learn the owners are seeking to open a branch in Kuwait, which is somewhere out there in the world, so, therefore, Fitzgerald acknowledges, this would mean a Boston Common stand would make us world class. Or something. If Shake Shack even opens here, because the story implies that the owners are still only considering Boston and seem a bit hurt that Bostonians might have gotten all snarky at them.
Jay Fitzgerald has no objections to a restaurant on the Common. But he takes issue with one called Shake Shack:
... But you just know the same types who think "SoWa" is such a cool name will go with the "beloved" Shake Shack – and then they'll lecture us about having an inferiority complex while they’re off aping everything Manhattan. They'll never understand that it's not about New York – or Kansas City. It's about losing a little local character every time they plunk an out-of-state chain or name on an historic area. ...
Tom Wheaton photographed last evening's protest on the Common over the Maine same-sex marriage vote.
Copyright Tom Wheaton. Posted in the Universal Hub pool on Flickr.
The Globe reports on the first annual Freedom Rally on Boston Common since voters decriminalized possession of small amounts of marijuana.
Health Care For All, HFCA, organized a Labor Day rally and march in support of health care reform, which started with speeches at the gazebo on the Boston Common and ended after a march and more live music at Copley Square.
To set a festive tone at the gazebo, a funk band followed by a rag time band played as the crowd of thousands gathered. Speakers on the gazebo included Rep. Michael Capuano, AG Martha Coakley, Rep. Stephen Lynch, Mayor Thomas Menino, Rep. Ed Markey, Rep. John Tierney, Betty McGuire from SEIU, a representative from Doctors for America, and a woman who told her story about needing surgery and being uninsured. Read more
The first grant by Awesome Foundation (NOT a subsidiary of the Human Fund), will pay for a giant hammock on Boston Common, Mass. High Tech reports.
Hansy Better, an architecture professor at RISD, got the $1,000 grant to design and install the hammock - which will offer free rides to the public - assuming the city Parks Department gives a permit.
Scooters parking legally - see if you can spot the problem in this photo, taken at this morning's Boston Common Scoot-in by organizer Jeff Cutler.
The Herald reports several restaurateurs are interested in turning a concrete building last used as a Boston Common men's room into a cafe. Possible sticking point: Whether the cleaned-up joint can get a liquor license.
Building a restaurant chain on toilets.
And "Thriller" tribute. At 5 p.m. today (Sunday), BostonTweet reports.
Mike Mennonno walked by the revival tent on the Tremont Street side of the Common yesterday morning:
... "Do you know about Jesus Christ?" he called out to me.
"Je-whoosy-whatsy?" I said, not breaking my stride.
"Jesus Christ," he repeated. "Your personal lord and savior?"
"My personal what?" I said, stopping and looking at him screwy. "Did I win an iphone? What is this?" ...
Richard Beaubien reports the Frog Pond carousel was originally supposed to be up for a two-week test go-round. But it already seems like a Common tradition:
Right now it's only running until about 9pm. Still it's a really nice addition to summer evenings. Word is if all goes well, it may become a permanent fixture. How can you help? Well if you're down there spend a couple of bucks to put the lid on the ride. And call 617-635-2120 or email bcfpond@yahoo.com. Let them know that you like it.
Copyright Richard Beaubien.
More on Frog Pond and the carousel.
Beth Peardon took a close look at the carousel now by Frog Pond on Boston Common.
Copyright Beth Peardon. Posted in the Universal Hub group on Flickr.
Drumming at the park on Sunday, May 17, 6-10 p.m.
At the rate cost estimates for the "Little Dig" Silver Line project are rising, it will eventually surpass the Big Dig - in cost, at least.
And if the project never gets funded? Well, turns out the MBTA has plenty of other tunnels to play with.
UPDATE: The 28X project is dead.
The state will use $114 million in federal stimulus funds to build enhanced bus corridors along Washington Street and Blue Hill Avenue over the next three years, officials announced at a Dudley Station ceremony today.
Most immediately, Dudley will get a direct Silver Line connection to South Station this fall - which brought exclamations of joy from state Rep. Bryon Rushing, because the plan does not involve a billion-dollar tunnel under the Common.
"The tunnel is dead! The tunnel is dead!" he yelled. Read more
A group promoting better care for foster kids had all these cardboard cutouts on the Common today (really, they were all there, no matter how Photoshopped in they look in the photo).
Garrett videoed Spare Change Guy working the crowds at yesterday's rally.
BehindDarkEyes took in today's Tea Party rally on the Common.
Copyright BehindDarkEyes.
Was the entire Harbor already reserved? In any case, if you want to see Republicans party like it's 1773, head to the Common between 10 and 4 today.
Rob Sama will be there:
... You cannot tax your way into prosperity or spend your way out of debt. You don't need a PhD in Finance to understand that. And yes, it really is that simple.
Mike Mennonno gets to thinking about rage after a lunchtime encounter yesterday with a man who erupted into one on the Common:
... When he went rabid, everyone sort of skittered away from him instinctively, careful to avert their eyes and avoid any jerky motions that might cause him to lunge at them, too. No one was harmed. The rage zombie -- he was just like one of the infected in 28 Days Later -- raged on some more but kept moving down the path.
There was a collective nervous chuckle when we'd reached a safe distance, like, WTF? Like when you pass someone walking a big dog on a leash, and the dog looks perfectly under control, but lunges at you suddenly as you pass close by, barking and snarling and going crazy for no apparent reason. Only better: this guy wasn't on a leash. That adrenaline rush puts some pep in your step. Better than a Red Bull.
All the rest of the way to work, it played over and over in my head. That poor sod a few paces in front of me. What if the rageoid hadn't just barked at him? What if he'd taken a bite? ...
Register for The Walk for Hunger, May 3
The demand for emergency food has never been greater. Pantries and meal programs supported by Project Bread, Massachusetts’ leading antihunger organization, have never been more crucial. And The Walk for Hunger, Project Bread’s annual fundraiser, has never been timelier. On May 3, thousands of people will come to Boston for the 20-mile pledge walk to raise money during the 41st Walk for Hunger. Every dollar, every mile, and every volunteer hour counts for our neighbors in need. Registration is now open to participate. Read more
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