2 headed to prison for hacking into phone system

DALLAS — A teenager and a 23-year-old man from Massachusetts are headed to prison after being sentenced in Dallas on conspiracy charges related to a phone hacking case.

Nineteen-year-old Matthew Weigman of Revere, Mass., was sentenced to more than 11 years in prison Friday after pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to retaliate against a witness, victim or an informant and one count of conspiracy to commit access device fraud. Twenty-three-year-old Sean Paul Benton of Malden, Mass., received an 18-month sentence after pleading guilty to one count of conspiring to obstruct justice.

Prosecutors say Weigman hacked into Verizon computers to obtain identifying information on customers and change or discontinue their service. He and Benton then harassed a Verizon investigator who was cooperating with authorities in the case.

Houston Chronicle (Texas)

Good Day Sunshine!

Free cheese fries and Coke at Kelly’s Roast Beef’s 58th celebration

Saugus - In celebration of 58 years in business, Kelly’s Roast Beef, a 5-unit fast-casual eatery, is giving each of its loyal fans a gift on the company’s anniversary, Friday July 3rd, 2009: A Complimentary Order of Cheese Fries and a 20oz. Coca-Cola Fountain Beverage.

Anyone who signs up as a fan on the Kelly’s Roast Beef Legends eclub is eligible to redeem this outrageously delicious incentive, no strings attached.

Patrons simply sign up their name and email address on Kelly’s website at: http://www.kellysroastbeef.com/legends.html and a printable coupon will be emailed directly to the patron’s inbox to be redeemed on July 3rd.

Ever since the first Kelly's Roast Beef opened on Revere Beach back in 1951, the now-legendary chain has been providing fresh sandwiches and seafood. The family-owned business has been practicing the Kelly's Credo: "delivering premium ingredients fresh daily and making everything to order," for almost six decades! “We're happy to give a bit back whenever we can,” says Manny Paula, Kelly’s COO.

This mouth-watering, free gift is only available for redemption on Kelly’s anniversary date, Friday July 3rd, 2009. Kelly’s wishes to thank all of its loyal fans who make its business thrive.

For more information, visit www.kellysroastbeef.com.

Lynn Item

Life Lessons

I've learned that you can do something in an instant that will give you heartache for life.

I've learned that it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.

I've learned that it's a lot easier to react than it is to think.

I've learned that you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.

I've learned that you can keep going long after you think you can't.

I've learned that we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

I've learned that either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I've learned that regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship is at first, the passion fades and there had better be something else to take its place.

I've learned that learning to forgive takes practice.

I've learned that there are people who love you dearly, but just don't know how to show it.

I've learned that my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.

I've learned that sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down will be the ones to help you get back up.

I've learned that sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I've learned that true friendship continues to grow even over the longest distance, and the same is true for true love.

I've learned that just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to, doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.

I've learned that no matter how much I care, some people just don't care back.

I've learned that maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.

I've learned that your family won't always be there for you. It may seem funny, but people you aren't related to can take care of you and love you and teach you to trust people again. Families aren't biological.

I've learned that no matter how good a friend someone is, they're going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.

I've learned that no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.

I've learned that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.

I've learned that just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other. And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do.

I've learned that it takes years to build up trust, and only seconds to destroy it.

I've learned that we don't have to change friends if we understand that friends change.

I've learned that you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.

I've learned that it's not what you have in your life but who you have in your life that counts.

I've learned that two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.

I've learned that you cannot make someone love you. All you can do is be someone who can be loved. The rest is up to them.

I've learned that there are many ways of falling and staying in love.

I've learned that no matter the consequences, those who are honest with themselves get farther in life.

I've learned that no matter how many friends you have, if you are their pillar, you will feel lonely and lost at the times you need them most.

I've learned that even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you, you will find the strength to help.

I've learned that writing, as well as talking, can ease emotional pains.

I've learned that the people you care most about in life are taken from you too soon.

I've learned that it's hard to determine where to draw the line between being nice and not hurting people's feelings and standing up for what you believe

I’ve learned that the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.

I've learned that when you're in love, it shows.

I've learned that just one person saying to me, ‘You’ve made my day!' makes my day.

I’ve learned that having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.

I've learned that being kind is more important than being right.

I’ve learned that you should never say no to a gift from a child.

I've learned that I can always pray for someone when I don't have the strength to help him in some other way.

I've learned that no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.

I've learned that sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.

I've learned that simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.

I've learned that life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.

I've learned that we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for.

I’ve learned that money doesn’t buy class.

I've learned that it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.

I’ve learned that under everyone’s hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.

I've learned that to ignore the facts does not change the facts.

I've learned that when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.

I've learned that love, not time, heals all wounds.

I've learned that the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.

I've learned that everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.

I’ve learned that no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.

I've learned that life is tough, but I'm tougher.

I've learned that opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.

I’ve learned that when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.

I've learned that I wish I could have told my Mom that I love her one more time before she passed away.

I've learned that one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.

I've learned that a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

Remembering Farrah Fawcett

Actress, and 70's Sex icon Farrah Fawcett lost her battle with cancer early Thursday morning. She was 62.

Fawcett has family ties to Houston, her father has lived in Southeast Texas for decades.

Thursday, 39 News spoke with two Houstonians who have been longtime counsel, and friends to the late star.

"I'd like people to remember her like I remember her," said Attorney Joe Jamail. "Which is a beautiful person. And never succumbed to all that fame that she had. (She) never forgot her roots."

Jamail worked as an attorney for Fawcett for over 30 years while working from his Downtown Houston offices.

Houston Attorney Kent Schaffer has worked with Farrah Fawcett and her team for 15 years.

"She put up with a lot of pain and suffering, and it just went on too long," Schaffer said of Fawcett's 3-year battle with cancer.

Fawcett's father is said to be leaving Houston for Los Angeles to be with Fawcett's longtime boyfriend and her son.

Don't Forget -- Today is Take Your Dog to Work Day!

Wouldn't it be great if you could take your pooch to work? Well, tomorrow you can, because June 26th is Take Your Dog to Work Day.

Created 10 years ago by Pet Sitters International (PSI), this special day was designed to promote pooch adoption from humane societies, animal shelters, and breed rescue clubs and to celebrate how much people love their furry pals.

Before you parade your pup through the office, be sure to clear it with your boss. And check with coworkers to see if they have pet allergies or are fearful of dogs -- scaring your officemates or making them sick would definitely spoil the fun!

If your workplace gives you the "A-OK," and your dog is in good health (make sure all of his shots are up to date), then go for it! Just remember to take whatever you'll need to keep your pup happy and comfortable for the entire day (bed, treats, toys, etc.), because if you want to continue the tradition, you'll want your best bud behaving at his absolute best!

WEEKEND LOVE FORECAST:

ARIES: Meeting new people will add excitement to your life, whether or not you turn out to like them. TAURUS: Chasing after someone who doesn't have the natural inclination to pay attention to you is useless. Love those who love you back. GEMINI: You'll save time by choosing your love interests wisely. Ask yourself honestly whether a partner is suitable before you embark. CANCER: Love is always teaching you and right now, you're liking the lessons. LEO: You will help the one you love to achieve a dream. VIRGO: You're in a flirty mood and will attract affectionate attention. LIBRA: The one you laugh with enriches your life, even if it's not quite a romance. SCORPIO: Pay attention to what your family thinks of your love interest. SAGITTARIUS: You are excited by the energy of an ambitious partner, but there are downfalls to loving a person like this worth taking into consideration. CAPRICORN: The one who loves you will push you to do the things you said you wanted to do. AQUARIUS: You can't make over another person, only yourself. PISCES: Go where the crowd is and you won't be disappointed.

COUPLE OF THE WEEKEND: All that Virgo and Cancer have in common becomes apparent with the moon in Virgo and the sun in Cancer. These two both enjoy relaxing at home and have a talent for turning their personal space into a comfortable slice of paradise. As these two open up to each other, a shared vision starts to form. Over the next five weeks, this relationship has swift and effortless momentum.

Shequila Night!

It's Friday!

Pop Legend Michael Jackson Dead at 50

The Los Angeles County coroner's office have confirmed that the self proclaimed 'King of Pop', Michael Jackson, died Thursday afternoon at the age of 50. The circumstances of Jackson's death are not immediately clear. Paramedics were called to the star's mansion in Belair at approximately 12:12pm Thursday afternoon after he allegedly collapsed after suffering cardiac arrest. The tragedy struck amid an effort by Jackson to resurrect his music career after years of controversial tabloid headlines. Earlier this year, he announced a series of massive back-to-back concerts in London.

Carly Simon is 64

Carly Elisabeth Simon (born June 25, 1945) is an American singer-songwriter, musician, and children's author. She rose to fame in the 1970s with a string of hit records, and has since been the recipient of a Grammy Award, an Academy Award, and a Golden Globe Award for her work.

She is the ex-wife of another notable singer-songwriter, James Taylor, with whom she has two children; Sarah Maria "Sally" and Ben Taylor, who are also musicians. On October 4, 2007, Simon became a grandmother, when her daughter gave birth to a son, Bodhi Taylor Bragonier.

Simon was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1994.

Friendship

Murder @ Walmart

Tired of constantly being broke & stuck in an unhappy marriage, a young husband decided to solve both problems by taking out a large insurance policy on his wife with himself as the beneficiary, and then arranging to have her killed.

A 'friend of a friend' put him in touch with a nefarious dark-side underworld figure who went by the name of 'Artie.' Artie then explained to the husband that his going price for snuffing out a spouse was $5,000. The husband said he was willing to pay that amount, but that he wouldn't have any cash on hand until he could collect his wife's insurance money.

Artie insisted on being paid at least something up front, so the man opened his wallet, displaying the single dollar bill that rested inside. Artie sighed, rolled his eyes & reluctantly agreed to accept the dollar as down payment for the dirty deed.

A few days later, Artie followed the man's wife to the local Super Wal-Mart store. There, he surprised her in the produce department & proceeded to strangle her with his gloved hands & as the poor unsuspecting woman drew her last breath & slumped to the floor...

The manager of the produce department stumbled unexpectedly onto the murder scene. Unwilling to leave any living witnesses behind, ol' Artie had no choice but to strangle the produce manager as well.

However, unknown to Artie, the entire proceedings were captured by the hidden security cameras & observed by the store's security guard, who immediately called the
police. Artie was caught & arrested before he could even leave the store.

Under intense questioning at the police station, Artie revealed the whole sordid plan, including his unusual financial arrangements with the hapless husband who was also quickly arrested.

The next day in the newspaper, the headline declared:

'ARTIE CHOKES 2 for $1.00 AT WAL-MART!'

Teacher Humor

These are actual comments made on students' report cards by teachers in the New York City public school system. All teachers were reprimanded(but, boy, are these funny!)

1. Since my last report, your child has reached rock bottom and has started to dig.

2. I would not allow this student to breed.

3. Your child has delusions of adequacy.

4. Your son is depriving a village somewhere of an idiot.

5. Your son sets low personal standards and then consistently fails to achieve them.

6. The student has a 'full six-pack' but lacks the plastic thing to hold it all together.

7. This child has been working with glue too much.

8. When your daughter's IQ reaches 50, she should sell.

9. The gates are down, the lights are flashing, but the train isn't coming.

10. If this student were any more stupid, he'd have to be watered twice a week.

11. It's impossible to believe the sperm that created this child beat out 1,000,000 others.

12. The wheel is turning but the hamster is definitely dead.

Game Day

A little old lady was walking down the street dragging two large plastic garbage bags behind her. One of the bags was ripped and every once in a while a $20 fell out onto the sidewalk. Noticing this, a policeman stopped her, and said, "Ma'am, there are $20 bills falling out of that bag. Oh really? Darn it!" said the little old lady. "I'd better go back and see if I can find them. Thanks for telling me officer.." Well, now, not so fast," said the cop. Where did you get all that money? You didn't steal it, did you?"

"Oh, no, no", said the old lady. "You see, my back yard is right next to the football stadium parking lot.. On game days, a lot of fans come and pee through a knot hole in the fence, right into my flower garden. It used to really tick me off. Kills the flowers, you know. Then I thought, 'why not make the best of it? So, now, on game days, I stand behind the fence by the knot hole, real quiet, with my hedge clippers.

Every time some guy sticks his pecker through my fence, I surprise him, grab hold of it and say, 'O.K., buddy! Give me $20, or off it comes.'

"Well, that seems only fair," said the cop, laughing. "OK. Good luck! Oh, by the way, what's in the other bag?"

"Well, you know", said the little old lady, "not everybody pays."

Police Humor

These are actual comments made by 16 Police Officers. The comments were taken off police car videos around the country:

1. 'You know, stop lights don't come any redder than the one you just went through.'

2. 'Relax, the handcuffs are tight because they're new. They'll stretch after you wear them a while.'

3. 'If you take hands off the car, I'll make your birth certificate a worthless document.'

4. 'If you run, you'll only go to jail tired.'

5. 'Can you run faster than 1200 feet per second? Because that's the speed of the bullet that'll be chasing you.'

6. 'You don't know how fast you were going? I guess that means I can write anything I want to on the ticket, huh?'

7. 'Yes, sir, you can talk to the shift supervisor, but I don't think it will help. Oh, did I mention that I'm the shift supervisor?'

8. 'Warning! You want a warning? O.K, I'm warning you not to do that again or I'll give you another ticket. '

9. 'The answer to this last question will determine whether you are drunk or not. Was Mickey Mouse a cat or a dog?'

10. 'Fair? You want me to be fair? Listen, fair is a place where you go to ride on rides, eat cotton candy and corn dogs and step in monkey poop.'

11. 'Yeah, we have a quota. Two more tickets and my wife gets a toaster oven.'

12. 'In God we trust, all others we run through NCIC.'

13. 'How big were those 'two beers' you say you had?'

14. 'No sir, we don't have quotas anymore. We used to, but now we're allowed to write as many tickets as we can.'

15. 'I'm glad to hear that the Chief (of Police) is a personal friend of yours. So you know someone who can post your bail.'

AND THE WINNER IS....

16. 'You didn't think we give pretty women tickets? You're right, we don't! Sign here.'

Suffolk Downs puts community days on the card

EAST BOSTON -- Suffolk Downs will be celebrating civic institutions and organizations in several North Shore communites throughout the summer.

The community days began Saturday when the racetrack observed "Chelsea Day."

Lynn (July 18), Revere (Aug. 1) and Saugus (Aug. 8) are also on the list of communities to recognized at the track.

Also on the list are Salem (July 11), Winthrop (July 25), and East Boston (Aug. 22).

Parking and admission will be free for residents of the communities honored (with proper ID).

In addition to a full card of live racing, the track will provide family entertainment, including pony rides, carnival games, face painting and a balloon artist, at the outdoor tent, picnic area and playground.

All in attendance will have the opportunity to have pictures taken with a racehorse and jockey at the track's "Fan Photo Experience."

The family fun begins at 12:30 p.m. First post time for live racing is 12:45 p.m.

Different groups, charities, organizations, clubs and youth sports groups from each community will take part in the festivities.

The track established the "Community Winner's Circle" in a continuation of its long-standing community outreach program.

Each "Community Winner's Circle" honoree is recognized by the track in a post-race winner's circle ceremony.

The track will also contribute toward a charity or a cause within the community being celebrated.

There will be additional beneficiaries of the community day festivities as well.

Also, a local group will perform the National Anthem, while another will present the colors.

Lynn Item

Monday Strikes

Manic Monday

Happy Birthday, Michelle!

Godfather, Uncle Tommy, Michelle, and Godmother, Aunty Debbie

The Sound of Music

More than 200 dancers were performing their version of "Do Re Mi", in the Central Station of Antwerp. with just 2 rehearsals they created this amazing stunt! Those 4 fantastic minutes started the 23rd of March 2009, 08:00 AM. It is a promotion stunt for a Belgian television program, where they are looking for someone to play the leading role, in the musical of "The Sound of Music".

To all you Dad's...

First day of summer...

WEEKEND LOVE FORECAST:

ARIES: You may have to go against what someone else wants in order to do what is right for you. TAURUS: Do what you have a flair for doing and new friends flock to you. GEMINI: You get superior results at work and rock your personal life as well. CANCER: Make preparations so that your dates go as well as possible. Others will be impressed by the effort you put out. LEO: Dare to be unavailable to work from midnight tonight until midnight tomorrow. You need a complete reprieve. VIRGO: Stop rescuing a loved one and trust that this person can handle things on their own. LIBRA: Everyone from the clerk at the drive-thru window to your closest loved ones seem to want you to take a "survey" to report a favorable review of their performance. SCORPIO: Rejuvenating activities include cooking, reading and walking. SAGITTARIUS: Be proactive. Think about what you want a relationship to be like and you will naturally drift toward that reality. CAPRICORN: You will benefit from formal study of the art of courtship. AQUARIUS: Despite what you learned as a child about saying "no" to loved ones, you'll do so this weekend to favorable result. PISCES: Ask advice of one who has triumphed over relationship hardship.

COUPLE OF THE WEEKEND: Sagittarius and Aquarius are two adventurers who have potential to come together for a shared adventure this weekend. They favorably affect each other's lives as they set out on the journey. Sagittarian style is to embrace other worlds and, while in them, do as the natives do. Aquarius is intent on learning about the new territory and leaving it a better place. Both will succeed in their aim.

Speaks for itself...

Thirsty Thursday...

Today's Birthday: Paul McCartney

Sir James Paul McCartney MBE (born 18 June 1942) is a multiple Grammy Award-winning English singer-songwriter, poet, composer, multi-instrumentalist, entrepreneur, record producer, film producer, painter, and animal rights activist. He gained worldwide fame as a member of The Beatles, alongside John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr. McCartney and Lennon formed one of the most influential and successful songwriting partnerships and wrote some of the most popular music in rock and roll history. After leaving The Beatles, McCartney launched a successful solo career and formed the band Wings with his first wife, Linda Eastman McCartney, and singer-songwriter Denny Laine. He has worked on film scores and classical and electronic music, released a large catalogue of songs as a solo artist, and taken part in projects to help international charities.

McCartney is listed in Guinness World Records as the most successful musician and composer in popular music history, with 60 gold discs and sales of 100 million singles. His song "Yesterday" is listed as the most covered song in history—by over 3,700 artists so far—and has been played more than 7,000,000 times on American television and radio. Wings' 1977 single "Mull of Kintyre" became the first single to sell more than two million copies in the UK, and remains the UK's top selling non-charity single. (Three charity singles have since surpassed it in sales; the first to do so, in 1984, was Band Aid's "Do They Know It's Christmas?", whose participants included McCartney.) According to britishhitsongwriters.com he is the most successful songwriter in U.K. singles chart history, based on weeks that his compositions have spent on the chart.

One of McCartney's first girlfriends was called Layla, whom McCartney remembered as having an unusual name in Liverpool at the time. Layla was slightly older than McCartney and used to ask him to baby-sit with her, which was a code word for sex. Julie Arthur, another girlfriend, was Ted Ray's niece.

McCartney had a three-year relationship with Dot Rhone in Liverpool, and they were due to get married until Rhone lost the baby she was expecting. In London, McCartney had a five-year relationship with actress Jane Asher. They were engaged to be married until they broke up in 1968. McCartney married American photographer Linda Eastman in 1969 (McCartney was the last Beatle to get married). They had four children (Linda's daughter Heather who was adopted by Paul, followed by three more children) and remained married until Linda's death from breast cancer in 1998. In 2002, McCartney married former model Heather Mills and they had a child, Beatrice, in 2003. They separated in May 2006 and were divorced in May 2008. Widespread animosity towards McCartney's wives was reported in 2004. "They [the British public] didn't like me giving up on Jane Asher," McCartney said. "I married a New York divorcee with a child, and at the time they didn't like that."

State pushes a wave of construction

Public outlays could spur private projects


Governor Deval Patrick’s administration will spend hundreds of millions of dollars this summer building roads and highway ramps for at least five struggling private developments - from the former Naval air station in Weymouth to Somerville’s Assembly Square - in hopes of jump-starting construction and the local economy.

The money, a combination of federal stimulus money and state funds, will not go directly to the private developers, but rather for public works that Patrick aides said they expect will make it easier for companies to arrange financing in otherwise tight credit markets. That, in turn, would kick off construction of the planned office parks, shopping centers, housing, and hotels that will create new jobs.

Although more projects may be chosen later, the ones already approved include not only SouthField in Weymouth and Assembly Square, but a new business park in Fall River that will recruit biotech companies, the Westwood Station project, and Waterfront Square at Revere Beach.

The state’s immediate goal is to start work in the current construction season, with the first five projects receiving $20 million to $60 million in public works improvements. Patrick officials expect to officially an nounce the funding commitments over the coming weeks.

“The projects we will be announcing will change the way we grow and develop over the next 10 years,’’ said Gregory Bialecki, the Massachusetts secretary of housing and economic development. “What we’re trying to do is create the places that will be our new employment centers.’’

The federal funds will come out of an $800 million allotment for transportation projects Massachusetts received from the stimulus package.

Initially the Patrick administration used some of that federal money for simple projects such as road paving. But it now wants to target improvements that have the ancillary benefit of creating additional economic growth.

“Now, we’re able to look over the horizon and go after the big picture things we’re trying to do,’’ Bialecki said.

In Somerville, Mayor Joseph Curtatone called the selection of the Assembly Square project a major benefit for his city, which like many communities is struggling to fund public services with less money.

“This project will do a lot to stabilize our future,’’ Curtatone said of the proposed development. “It will allow us to invest in education, public works and public safety. It’s the most important project in the city.’’

The state is still sorting through the list of projects that have applied for public aid, and more may be added in the coming months.

But Bialecki indicated several high-profile stalled developments have needs the state cannot accommodate.

One is Columbus Center, an $800 million condominium, hotel, and retail project over the turnpike in Boston that has been unable to arrange private financing.

Another request that is too large to fill came from Gale International and Vornado Realty Trust, developers of the Filene’s block in Downtown Crossing, which Bialecki said were looking for as much as $300 million in assistance.

Neither set of developers returned calls seeking comment.

In downturns in the early 1990s and 2001, Massachusetts lagged the national economy in its recovery, taking months longer to restore jobs and production lost during the contraction.

The new spending initiative is an attempt to reverse that trend, although it is unclear just how quickly some of these private developments can get underway and contribute to the economy.

The five projects chosen so far are all ambitious:

◼The Assembly Square project in Somerville includes retail stores such as Ikea, office buildings, and more than 2,000 residential units.

◼The former South Weymouth Naval Air Station would become SouthField, a minicity with more than 2,800 housing units, golf course, stores, offices, and movie studios. State officials are arranging financing to build an access road that would connect the development with routes 3 and 18 and cost about $60 million.

◼At Waterfront Square at Revere Beach, Eurovest Development is planning to build a $500 million mixed use project that would include more than 900 housing units, a hotel, and 200,000 square feet of stores, restaurants, and offices. The state is considering upgrades to the MBTA’s Wonderland Station as well as the network of roads around it.

◼For Fall River, the state will build an off-ramp from Route 24 that would allow officials to add new space next to the city’s 500-acre Industrial Park for biotech companies.

◼The $1.5 billion Westwood Station project includes hundreds of housing units, retail stores, and offices on a large site opposite the Route 128 Amtrak station. The developers want help building a new highway interchange at interstates 95 and 93 that would improve traffic flow around the project, which is projected to create about 3,700 construction jobs and as many as 9,000 permanent jobs.

“We have one or two critical tenants that are still waiting to see what happens with the road system. And if these commitments come through, we can get financing to move the project forward soon,’’ said Jay Doherty, chief executive of developer Cabot, Cabot & Forbes.


Boston Globe

Happy Birthday, Barry Manilow!

Barry Manilow (born June 17, 1943) is an American singer-songwriter, musician, arranger, producer, conductor, entertainer, and performer, best known for such recordings as "I Write the Songs", "Mandy", "Weekend in New England" and "Copacabana". Manilow's achievements include sales of more than 76 million records worldwide. In 1978, five of his albums were on the best-selling charts simultaneously, a feat equaled only by Frank Sinatra, Michael Jackson and Johnny Mathis. He has recorded a string of Billboard hit singles and multi-platinum albums that have resulted in his being named Radio & Records number one Adult Contemporary artist and winning three straight American Music Awards for Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist. Several well-known entertainers have given Manilow their "stamp of approval," including Sinatra, who was quoted in the 1970s regarding Manilow, "He's next." In 1988, Bob Dylan stopped Manilow at a party, hugged him and said, "Don't stop what you're doing, man. We're all inspired by you." Arsenio Hall cited Manilow as a favorite guest on The Arsenio Hall Show and admonished his audience to respect him for his work.

As well as producing and arranging albums for other artists, such as Bette Midler, Dionne Warwick and Rosemary Clooney, Manilow has written songs for musicals, films, and commercials.

Since February 2005, he has been the headliner at the Las Vegas Hilton, and has performed hundreds of shows.



Copacabana

Japanese Eye Test

If you cannot decipher the words, try pulling the
corner of your eyes as if you were Japanese.

Homeless man's body pulled from Saugus River

REVERE – A state police dive team extracted the body of a 46-year-old homeless man from the banks of the commuter rail bridge crossing the Saugus River in Revere by the General Edwards Bridge just before 12:40 p.m. today.

The fully clothed body was pulled into a state police boat from three to four feet off shore at low tide. It took police about an hour to raise the body using ropes.

"State police assigned to the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office responded to a body recovery in water near Mills Avenue in Revere late Wednesday morning," Suffolk District Attorney Spokesman Jake Wark said.

The case was later handed over to Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett's office, where the incident remains under investigation.

Essex County DA Spokesman Steve O'Connell confirmed that the body was that of a homeless man, but did not release his identity as next of kin has yet to be notified.

O'Connell said there did not appear to be any signs of foul play, but the district attorney's office is awaiting the results of an autopsy to conclude the investigation.

“ There were no obvious signs of trauma on the body,” said O'Connell. “But the case will remain under investigation as we await the results of the autopsy. We have a pretty good idea of who this person is, but we are still attempting to locate and notify his family.”

O'Connell said two individuals fishing in the area made the initial call to the Revere Fire Department to report the body.

Revere Fire Chief Eugene Doherty said his department took a call at 11:25 a.m. for a body floating in the water at the junction of the Pines and Saugus rivers. According to the caller, the body appeared to have floated down the Saugus River.

Doherty said he dispatched a fire boat and asked for the assistance of a private boater at the Point of Pines Yacht Club.

Divers appeared to locate the location of the body quickly, but it took the dive team some time to carefully lift the body from the water in to a police boat.

Three state police cruisers closed a portion of the General Edwards Bridge during the investigation.

Body found floating near Route 1A in Revere

The remains of a person were spotted this morning floating off the Point of Pines neighborhood in Revere today.

The remains were recovered by the Revere fire department after they were found near the confluence of the Pines and Saugus rivers and alongside the General Edwards Bridge on Route 1A, according to Revere Fire and Suffolk District Attorney Daniel F. Conley's office.

The person's gender or identity could not be immediately established, officials said.

State police assigned to Conley's office are investigating. The discovery was made around 11:25 a.m., Revere fire officials said.

Questions to Ponder

Why does Goofy stand erect while Pluto remains on all fours?
They're both dogs!

If Wile E. Coyote had enough money to buy all that ACME crap, why didn't he just buy dinner?

If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, what is baby oil made from?

If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons??


Do the Alphabet song and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star have the same tune

Why did you just try singing the two songs above?

Why do they call it an asteroid when it's outside the hemisphere, but call it a hemorrhoid when it's in your butt?



Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him for a car ride, he sticks his head out the window?

Hump Day!

Deadline for votes is Today....

My friend's son wrote this poem...please vote for his poem by clicking on the link below and clicking on vote on the right hand side of the webpage and selecting "Mutualism" by Steven Biondo.

Thanks for your help!

http://www.angelicdynamo.com/poems/03/

Aging

A reporter interviewing a 104-year-old woman asked: 'And what do you think is the best thing about being 104?'.

She simply replied, 'No peer pressure.'


The nice thing about being senile is You can hide your own Easter eggs.


My memory's not as sharp as it used to be. Also, my memory's not as sharp as it used to be.


THE SENILITY PRAYER : Grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway, the good fortune to run into the ones I do, and the eyesight to tell the difference.

Happy Birthday, Lisa!

Lisa and Nicole

Happy Birthday, Cindy!

Richard & Cindy

WEEKEND LOVE FORECAST:

ARIES: Nothing is a waste of time in relationships. Look back and note what you've learned so far from the people you have loved. TAURUS: You haven't had time to pursue a certain interest -- until now. You're lucky in love when you do. GEMINI: You'll be thinking short term, though your date may be thinking long term. CANCER: You might want to change something about yourself, but someone dear loves you the way you are. LEO: You're willing to let go of an old way of thinking so that you can have more fun with someone special. VIRGO: Be wary of making promises, especially if you feel pressured to do so. LIBRA: A kiss is not just a kiss. You'll get one that's loaded with emotion. SCORPIO: Quiet the critical voice that's keeping you from expressing yourself to your love. SAGITTARIUS: Someone will take a risk to be with you, perhaps by expressing their heart to you. Stay in the moment. CAPRICORN: You might fall for a person who is trying to sell you something. AQUARIUS: Speed dating or Internet dating is particularly lucky for you now. PISCES: Go to a sporting event -- amorous vibes will flow freely there.

COUPLE OF THE WEEKEND: Gemini and Aquarius are simply dazzling this weekend as the sun and moon turn up dial on their wit, charm and beauty. Naturally, they are attracted to each other, though they have a funny way of showing it. An innocent passerby might think they dislike each other immensely -- the arguing and teasing just doesn't seem friendly. But secretly each is eating up this sassy brand of attention.

Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass...

It's about learning to dance in the rain.