Universal Hub - Brighton

Why Mike Capuano decided to vote yes on Obama's health-care plan

adamg — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 01:55:20 +0000

Although I am not happy with every aspect of this bill, I have come to the conclusion that the benefits for Massachusetts and the country outweigh the problems.

During the last week we have been able to significantly increase the amounts coming to Massachusetts and to secure other funds that had been in jeopardy. In total, during this last week, roughly $4 billion has been protected for the Commonwealth as this bill has been readied for a vote. From a more general view, this bill also extends coverage to millions more Americans, prohibits insurance companies from denying coverage based on pre-existing conditions and creates health insurance exchanges for people to purchase affordable coverage. It also increases funding for Community Health Centers, and makes key investments in training doctors, nurses and other health care providers. And it does all this without harming the interests of Massachusetts.

From the other side, Sissy Willis reports from today's anti-HCR rally in front of Faneuil Hall.

Bedlam as beloved Fenway taco place re-opens in Brighton

adamg — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 18:40:05 +0000

Dave Alpert reports on last night's opening of El Pelon Taqueria on Comm. Ave. near BC:

... I don't think they were quite prepared for the onslaught that was to ensue. I hit the line to order around 6:30, and wasn't able to actually make that order until 6:54. It took about another half hour until I was walking out the door, chicken plato and fried plantains in hand. It also seemed like the Fenway had rented buses to bring people there. And the Fenway alumni association rallied a good crowd as well. I recognized many faces from the old neighborhood, and as everyone reached the front of the line, they congratulated Hoben and said stuff like, "I used to live around the corner on Jersey St." ...

Bike accident victim looking for help filling in the details

Kaz — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 15:25:18 +0000

Last Tuesday, Jesse Kirdahy-Scalia (@victorycig on Twitter) was struck by a car in Brighton on Strathmore Road. At the time of the accident, clockworkted posted this information here on Universal Hub asking if anyone had any more details. It mentions the driver of a silver Camry talking on a cellphone and then hitting a cyclist wearing a helmet and riding a blue bicycle.

It turns out Jesse was that cyclist and he woke up in the hospital 2 days later with no memory of what happened and a broken femur and ankle. He saw my Tweet asking the Boston Police on Twitter for more info and is hoping to find out if anyone has any knowledge of the events that Tuesday that they can give him.

Does anyone know anything?

Maybe he needed the money for some plastic surgery

adamg — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 13:38:13 +0000

3/6/10 - 4:50 am

Wicked Local Allston/Brighton reports the 7-Eleven in Cleveland Circle was held up at knifepoint early on March 6 by a guy with a "distinctive, scarred nose."

DA drops charges against former city worker charged with convenience-store holdups

adamg — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 20:22:59 +0000

The Globe reports the Suffolk County District Attorney's office today dropped its case against Miguel Vargas, 24, of Brighton, on charges he held up the same convenience store twice in December and was involved in planning a third robbery.

But the Globe says the DA's office could re-charge Vargas, against whom it still harbors strong suspicion of involvement in the heists. As a result of his arrest, Vargas lost his job with the DPW when he failed to show up for work, because he was in jail.

Innocent, etc.

bike accident in brighton?

clockworkted — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 18:31:43 +0000

Hearing word of a bike accident in which someone in a silver Camry talking on a cellphone t-boned a cyclist in Brighton on Stratmore St. He said the kid was a bigger guy on a blue bike and had a helmet on. Person reporting this didn't get too many details because he was in shock from how bad the crash was. Initial report is of severe injury or even death... Anyone know anything about this?

The Mad Bubbler of Allston/Brighton

adamg — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 13:29:55 +0000

On the advice of a friend, TKOG took up bubble blowing as a substitute for the cigarettes she's trying to quit. And now she can't stop:

... As I walked down Harvard Ave, I eventually became aware of two sets of footsteps shuffling behind me. A cute young couple walked a few feet behind me, and obviously had been for at least five minutes. I imagined their date-night clothes stained all over in bubble-sized daubs and immediately apologized. No, the guy told me, keep going, please. She likes them.

For ten minutes, they walked a few paces behind me, downwind (or, more accurately, downbreeze) while I blew thousands of bubbles. Finally I paused at a stoplight and, when they didn't come abreast of me, turned around to see whether they had left. The couple was standing under a streetlight a few feet behind me, surrounded so thickly by bubbles that the whole night was a Monet. In this iridescent haze, they kissed. ...

Sweet ride on the Green Line today

adamg — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:52:20 +0000

Robinite reports a driver on the B line was handing out lollipops to inbound passengers.

Why would a developer make traffic near his proposed project seem worse than it really is?

adamg — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 18:28:12 +0000

Michael Pahre wondered why the company that wants to put a Lowe's in Brighton Landing would submit a traffic report that shows traffic along Market Street that is far worse than anything Pahre, who drives the road, ever sees. He comes up with a possible answer: It would make the big-box store's plan to reduce traffic seem all the better. Lowe's goes before the Brighton Allston Improvement Association tonight.

And yes, this is the same parcel on which New Balance has proposed a mixed-use development.

Serious mellow harshing in Brighton: Man beaten in pot deal gone bad

adamg — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 18:01:29 +0000

2/26/10 - 12:05 am

Boston Police report finding a man in "a semi-conscious state" in the road outside 63 Strathmore Rd. shortly after midnight today: