Newton firefighters cite complete mismanagement of city finances.

Of course, these are the same guys who thought nothing of effectively shutting down the turnpike at rush hour to make a point.

Karen explains why, after two visits with lousy service, she won't be going back to 51 Lincoln.

David Cohen won't run for re-election next year.

Given Newton's propensity to elect the same guy mayor over and over again (hmm, why does that sound familiar?), Chuck Tanowitz wonders what Newton now needs in a mayor-for-life.

Or for the four weekends that follow, so the T can make a bridge disappear.

Newton mayor decides not to seek $27,000 raise after all. Something about outraged residents approaching City Hall with some hot tar and feathers in advance of a Prop. 2 1/2 override vote later this month, we hear.

The Tab reports a Newton woman was arrested on two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon for allegedly ending an argument with an acquaintance by throwing a porcelain plate - which opened a gash on his nose - and a bottle of hydrogen peroxide at him. They were arguing in her driveway over her vacuum cleaner.

There was a mosquito in our car yesterday. JR posts photos of mosquito larvae and pupae, taken on April 26 in a puddle in backwoods Newton:

... The small woodland pools are absolutely teaming with mosquitoes. ...

Michael Pahre discusses the oddity of Boston having two marathons this year - one Sunday for Olympic women trialists, and the normal one, on Monday.

Jim Sullivan recounts a day at the race.

Boston Police vow to crack down on drunken revelers. Are you listening, Boston College?

Why Tufts's president isn't running this year.

The year's grossest Marathon discussion.

The Tab reports a kitchen worker at the Atrium Cheesecake Factory stabbed a cook in the arm in a dispute over some spattered grease on April 10. The police investigation was hampered because apparently the chain policy for such occurrences is to send the worker home.

Saw my first Massachusetts Smart Car today - with an appropriate license plate - getting onto Rte. 9 in Chestnut Hill (also included my speedometer in the photo just to prove I'm not one of those insane people snapping photos while moving). He broke 60 on the hill down to Rte. 128, then zipped on up to 128 north (and not even pedaling very hard, that I could tell). As you can see, from the back, it basically just looks like a Mini or Matrix beaten with an ugly stick; it's only when you pull up next to it that you realize how different the thing is (says the guy driving around in a giant red space egg).