Happy Hump Day!

A Child's Prayer

American Made Sweethearts(R) Teams Up with the USO to Give Families a Way to Say Thank You to Our Troops

REVERE, Mass., May 18 /PRNewswire/ -- They're in the country's heart and prayers for defending American liberties and keeping the country safe. It's hard to come up with a unique, heartfelt way to say thank you to the American troops, but the New England Confectionery Company is stirring up a sweet idea. Sweethearts(R), the official candy of love(TM), brings a new way to show appreciation and support of the military this summer with new Red, White & You Sweethearts, featuring sentiments like "Proud of U," "Home Safe" and "Miss You."

American military troops in the U.S. and overseas will be treated to the new Red, White & You Sweethearts in care packages through a partnership with the United Service Organizations, Inc. (USO). In addition, Americans nationwide can get a taste of the new Sweethearts for their own patriotic celebrations beginning Memorial Day through the Labor Day holiday.

The new Sweethearts brand is providing a $75,000 commitment to the USO to benefit the Operation USO Care Package program and will be promoting the program on its Red, White & You packaging. In addition, a Web site for consumers to make their own donation to the Operation USO Care Package program has been set up at www.uso.org/sweethearts.

"We're proud to provide a creative way to let our troops know we are thinking of them and praying for their safe return," said Jacqueline Hague, New England Confectionery Company Vice President. "For more than a century, people have been passing along their sweet sentiments through Sweethearts Valentine's Day candies. Our new Red, White & You Sweethearts provide Americans with a new way of expressing their thanks and love to our troops with sweet reminders of home."


Sweet Simple Sayings
The new Red, White & You Sweethearts display 13 heartfelt phrases, including "I (heart) USA," "Glory," "My Hero," "Miss You," "Proud of U," "Thank You," "USO," "Honor," "I (heart) You," "Brave One," "Home Safe," "Valor," and "Proud." Featuring all-American flavors, including strawberry, blueberry and vanilla creme, the new candies also offer a softer and tastier creme flavor in an array of patriotic colors -- red, white and blue.

Starting Memorial Day, Red, White & You Sweethearts will be available nationwide in eye-catching packaging and displays in two popular sizes: 1 ounce and 14 ounces. The suggested retail price for the 1-ounce box is two for $1.00. The suggested price for the 14-ounce bag is: $1.99.

Care Packages From the Heart
Red, White & You Sweethearts will be placed in scores of USO care packages for the troops this June and July. The Operation USO Care Package program has distributed more than 1.5 million care packages to deployed service members, and continues to distribute some 25,000 packages a month to troops around the world.

"The Red, White & You Sweethearts mean a lot to our service members and their families," said Sloan D. Gibson, USO president and CEO. "Not only are they a sweet addition to USO care packages, but they are a thoughtful reminder that the USO and New England Confectionery Company are proud of their service to our country and we support them until every one comes home."

"At a time of heightened patriotism, we are thinking of those who are separated from family members serving active military duty away from home and overseas," said Hague. "We hope to provide a sweet, memorable link between families and their loved ones who are making such tremendous sacrifices every day."

Hearts & Crafts
New England Confectionery Company is offering many craft ideas for patriotic-themed decorating and entertaining on the web site www.uso.org/sweethearts. Each craft project is designed to be simple to construct and safe for young children. Sample craft ideas include:

4th of July Shakers and Candy Dispensers: The creatively fun noisemakers are ideal for parades and celebrations, and provide a patriotic sweet treat on the way home.
Thank You Favor Boxes: Kids love to personalize. Have your kids make a special favor for your guests by selecting their favorite messages to place on hand painted flag boxes.

Patriotic Cupcake Cake: Cupcakes are all the rage these days. A new twist on the classic Flag Cake, this yummy cupcake flag cake loaded with patriotic messages is ideal for celebrations with family and friends.
Red, White & You Celebration Cookies: These easy-to-make patriotic cookies are shaped as a waving flag and are perfect for picnics, parties, even barbeques.

America's Sweethearts
Made in America, Sweethearts have been a tradition for more than a century. The concept of Conversation Motto Hearts dates back to the 1800s when printed sayings on colored paper were placed in "Cockles," small crisp candies formed in the shape of a scalloped shell. In 1866, Daniel Chase, brother of Oliver Chase, who founded The New England Confectionery Company in 1847, invented the process that allows the sayings to be printed directly on the candy. Some of the original phrases that are still included in the more than 100 sayings produced are "Be Mine," "Be Good," "Be True," "Kiss Me," and "Sweet Talk."

As the top-selling iconic Valentine's Day treat, more than eight billion Sweethearts, or about 100,000 pounds of the candy hearts, are produced every day. Fat-free, gluten free, allergen-free and sodium-free, Sweethearts are one of the few treats that candy lovers young and old can enjoy without guilt. Each small heart has three calories and no fat.

Phishers harvest Facebook passwords for profit

Thieves assume people use the same password for most online identities

Computerworld - Identity thieves that hit Facebook last week with a new round of phishing attacks are harvesting passwords for profit, a security researcher said today.

"It's not surprising that they're targeting Facebook," said Kevin Haley, a director on Symantec's security response team. "Facebook has, what, 200 million-plus users? The bad guys always go where's there's a lot of people."

The newest Facebook attacks resemble previous phishing rounds in their tactics: A compromised account sends a malicious link to friends. That link leads to a site that mimics the legitimate log-in page. But users duped into entering their usernames and passwords are likely giving away more than just their Facebook credentials, said Haley.

"Certainly this isn't new," he said, "but we think that what you're seeing is an attempt to shake out every last dollar they can get."

The criminals are operating on the assumption that the Facebook password they acquire from any given user has a good chance of being the same password that person uses on other sites, such as online shopping services or even bank accounts.

"Get one password for the right person and it's like having their wallet handed over," Symantec researcher Marian Merritt in the post to Symantec's security response blog said on Friday.

Computerworld - Complete Story

For Catholics Only

This information is for Catholics only. It must not be divulged to non-Catholics. The less they know about rituals and code words, the better off they are.

AMEN: The only part of a prayer that everyone knows.

BULLETIN: Your receipt for attending Mass.

CHOIR: A group of people whose singing allows the rest of the Parish to lip-sync.

HOLY WATER: A liquid whose chemical formula is H2OLY.

HYMN: A song of praise usually sung in a key three octaves higher than that of the congregation's range.

RECESSIONAL HYMN: The last song at Mass often sung a little more quietly, since most of the people have already left.

INCENSE: Holy Smoke!

JESUITS: An order of priests known for their ability to find colleges with good basketball teams.

JONAH: The original 'Jaws' story.

JUSTICE: When kids have kids of their own.

KYRIE ELEISON: The only Greek words that most Catholics can recognize besides gyros and baklava. (for you non-Catholics it means Lord have mercy)

MAGI: The most famous trio to attend a baby shower.

STABLE: Where Mary gave birth to Jesus because Joseph wasn't covered by an HMO. (The Bible's way of showing us that holiday travel has always been rough.)

MANGER: Where Mary placed Jesus because Joseph forgot the crib when packing the donkey.

PEW: A medieval torture device still found in Catholic churches.

PROCESSION: The ceremonial formation at the beginning of Mass consisting of altar servers, the celebrant, and late parishioners looking for seats.

RECESSIONAL: The ceremonial procession at the conclusion of Mass led by parishioners trying to beat the crowd to the parking lot.

RELICS: People who have been going to Mass for so long, they actually know when to sit, kneel, and stand.

TEN COMMANDMENTS: The most important Top Ten list not given by David Letterman.

USHERS: The only people in the parish who don't know the seating capacity of a pew.

Gulf Coast of Florida

To all my retired family & friends!

Today...

The 134th running of the Preakness Stakes.

Can Mine that Bird win it?

Update: I guess not. As the 8-5 favorite, Rachel Alexandra paid $5.60, $4.60, and $3.60 and became the first filly to win the Preakness since Nellie Morse in 1924. Second was Mine that Bird and third was Musket Man.

Ex-coach found guilty of stealing from club

Boston Globe

A former Chelsea High School football coach was convicted of larceny yesterday for withdrawing thousands of dollars from the team's booster club account to pay for personal expenses, according to the Suffolk district attorney's office.

A Suffolk Superior Court jury found James Atkins, 43, of Revere guilty of five counts of larceny over $250 and one count of larceny by check, Daniel F. Conley's office said. Atkins was acquitted of a sixth charge of larceny over $250.

His sentencing is scheduled for 9 a.m. today.

Prosecutors showed that Atkins, a Chelsea police sergeant suspended from duty and a former Medford High School football coach, used his position as coach of the Chelsea team and president of that team's booster club to withdraw nearly $10,000 from the team's bank account between 2004 and 2007.

Withdrawal records indicated that Atkins withdrew $500 at an ATM across from a Revere strip club; made three-figure withdrawals near the Foxwoods casino in Connecticut and the Seabrook Greyhound Park dog racing track in New Hampshire; and paid a $634 bar tab at the Champions Sports Bar at the Marriott Copley Place hotel in Boston.

In January 2007, at a meeting with Chelsea High School parents and the school's athletic director, Frank DePatto, Atkins agreed to repay the $8,200 in installments, prosecutors said. Instead, Atkins later asked for a charitable donation from a respected community member to put toward his outstanding debt, prosecutors said.

"It is always difficult when a police officer is found to have violated the law," Chelsea Police Chief Brian Kyes said in a statement.

Atkins's lawyer, Douglas Louison of Boston, maintained his client's innocence.

"I think every witness who testified said they were proud to know and be involved with Jim Atkins," Louison said. "No justice is done by convicting him of stealing money from the booster club he created and funded with his own personal monies. He put in over $50,000 of his own money into the program. It defies logic to say he stole money from the program."

WEEKEND LOVE FORECAST:

ARIES: The one you love is being unclear, but instead of asking more questions, use your intuition to figure it out. TAURUS: Romance isn't everything, but it sure would be nice after this week's hard work. Get in a more receptive mood. GEMINI: A relationship doesn't have to be committed for it to be deeply meaningful. CANCER: Handle a recurring relationship issue -- this will be the last time you'll have to. LEO: You have no control over how people think about you -- or do you? You'll try your darnedest to work whatever influence you do have. VIRGO: You enjoy a love that challenges you, which is why this weekend is so delicious. LIBRA: Go where the glitz and glamour is and you'll shine. SCORPIO: You feel like you're in a competition for someone's heart and you'll do well if you stay focused. SAGITTARIUS: You'll flash that killer smile and charm strangers with your witty banter wherever you go. CAPRICORN: You'll go to some effort to make someone's evening and you may just make their spring in the process. AQUARIUS: A sweet, intelligent person wants to swap stories with you. PISCES: There's no reason you shouldn't be confident. Psych yourself up.

COUPLE OF THE WEEKEND: Aquarius and Pisces may be zodiac neighbors, but they have their differences. When solving relationship problems, Aquarius likes to consider the psychology and take a scientific approach. Pisces revels in infinite possibility and would rather make an instinctual guess than work out the math. This weekend, these two come to the same conclusion -- differences aside, they make quite a team!

Demotivational Friday

The Undertaker's Story

Roy, an undertaker in Pennsylvania came home with a black eye.

"What happened to you?" asked his wife."

“I had a terrible day," replies Roy. ”I had to go to a hotel and pick up a man who had died in his sleep. When I got there, the manager said they couldn't get him into a body bag because he had this huge erection. Anyway, I find the room and, sure enough, there's this big naked guy lying on the bed with this huge erection. So I grabbed it with both hands and tried to snap it in half."

"I see," says his wife. "But how did you get the black eye?"

Roy replies, "Wrong room!"

10 Things You Don't Want to Hear on a 1st Date

Arkansas Mechanical Engineers

Ray & Bubba were standing at the base of a flagpole, looking up. A woman walked by and asked what they were doing.

'We're supposed to find the height of the flagpole,' said Bubba, 'but we don't have a ladder.'

The woman took a wrench from her purse, loosened a few bolts, and laid the pole down. Then she took a tape measure from her pocket, took a measurement, announced, 'Eighteen feet, six inches,' and walked away.

Ray shook his head and laughed. 'Ain't that just like a woman! We ask for the height and she gives us the length!'

Bubba and Ray are currently working for the government and helping to distribute the money from the "stimulus package"

Seven firefighters to get ax in Revere

The Daily Item

REVERE - Mayor Thomas Ambrosino said seven firefighters will be laid off to help the city save money in the face of reduced state aid to Revere.

The announcement is not a surprise to Fire Chief Eugene Doherty who has worked to cut Fire Department costs since March 22 by keeping a fire engine or ladder truck and its crew out of service. Doherty has rotated the service reduction between the Revere Beach Parkway, North Revere, Broadway and beach area stations.

"There is not one station that is less important than another, meaning I can't close one on a regular basis," Doherty said Tuesday.

A $1 million-plus reduction in state money allocated to the city prompted Ambrosino since the year's start to scale back City Hall hours, reduce some city workers to part time status and lay off others, including nine police officers.

He expects the city's money woes to continue through July 1 when a new spending year begins.

"The layoffs are not over," he told City Council members Monday even as Ward 6 Councilor Charles Patch angrily called on Ambrosino to halt a city practice of allowing ranking public safety officials to take city vehicles home with them. Patch claims ending the practice could save $150,000 and save jobs. Ambrosino estimates $3.7 million in city spending cuts could confront the city next year, forcing additional cuts in public safety and City Hall jobs. Doherty said the only obvious source of financial relief for the state and the city is money from casino gambling. Ambrosino agrees. He is a member of a coalition of mayors and town officials who think casinos could generate more than $400 million annually in new state revenues while creating thousands of construction and permanent resort casino jobs.

The coalition supports building three gaming, entertainment and destination venues.

Stevie Wonder is 59 today

Stevie Wonder (born Stevland Hardaway Judkins on May 13, 1950, name later changed to Stevland Hardaway Morris) is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and record producer. A prominent figure in popular music during the latter half of the 20th century, Wonder has recorded more than thirty top ten hits, won 22 Grammy Awards (a record for a solo artist), plus one for lifetime achievement, won an Academy Award for Best Song and been inducted into both the Rock and Roll and Songwriters halls of fame. He has also been awarded the Polar Music Prize.

Blind from infancy, Wonder signed with Motown Records as a pre-adolescent at age twelve, and continues to perform and record for the label. He has ten U.S. number-one hits on the pop Charts, 20 U.S. R&B number one hits, and album sales totaling more than 150 million units. Wonder has recorded several critically acclaimed albums and hit singles, and writes and produces songs for many of his label mates and outside artists as well. Wonder plays the piano, synthesizer, harmonica, congas, drums, bongos, organ, talk box, melodica, and clavinet. In his childhood, he was best known for his harmonica work, but today he is better known for his keyboard skills and vocal ability.

Stevie Wonder was born on May 13, 1950 in Saginaw, Michigan, United States. The product of a premature birth, the blood vessels at the back of his eyes had not yet reached the front, and an aborted growth spurt caused the retinas to detach. The medical term for this condition is known as Retinopathy of prematurity, or "ROP", and while it may have been exacerbated by the oxygen pumped into his incubator, this treatment was not the primary cause of his blindness.

When Wonder was 4, his mother left his father and moved herself and her children to Detroit, Michigan. Wonder took up piano at age 7, and had mastered it by age 9. During his early childhood he was active in his Church choir. He also taught himself to play the harmonica and the drums, and had mastered both by age ten. Wonder also learned to play the bass during his early years.

Wonder has seven children from several relationships and two marriages: in 1970, to deceased Motown singer Syreeta Wright (the marriage ended in divorce in 1972) and, since 2001, to fashion designer Kai Milla Morris.

His daughter, Aisha Morris, was the inspiration for his hit single "Isn't She Lovely." Aisha Morris is a singer who has toured with her father and accompanied him on recordings, including his 2005 album, A Time 2 Love. Wonder has two sons with Kai Milla Morris; the older is named Kailand and he occasionally performs as a drummer on stage with his father. The younger son, Mandla Kadjay Carl Steveland Morris, was born May 13, 2005, his father's 55th birthday.

His children are: Aisha Morris (born April,1975) (by Yolanda Simmons); Keita Morris (by Yolanda Simmons); Kwame Morris; Mumtaz Morris; Sophia Morris; Kailand Morris (by Kai Milla Morris); Mandla Kadjay Carl Stevland Morris (born May 13, 2005) (by Kai Milla Morris)

One of my favorites
from "Songs in the Key of Life"
"Knocks Me Off My Feet"
(just music on the video)

Trucker's Breakfast...

A trucker came into a truck stop cafe and placed his order. He said, 'I want three flat tires, a pair of headlights and a pair of running boards.'

The brand new blonde waitress, not wanting to appear stupid, went to the kitchen and said to the cook, 'This guy out there just ordered three flat tires, a pair of headlights and a pair of running boards..... What does he think this place is, an auto parts store?'

'No,' the cook said. 'Three flat tires ... mean three pancakes; a pair of headlights...is two eggs sunny side up; and a pair of running boards...are 2 slices of crisp bacon !

'Oh,... OK!' said the blonde. She thought about it for a moment and then spooned up a bowl of beans and gave it to the customer.

The trucker asked, 'What are the beans for Blondie?'

'She replied, 'I thought while you were waiting for the flat tires, headlights and running boards, you might as well gas up!'

Wednesday already?

Revere man charged with using toy gun to rob club

BOSTON — Authorities say a Revere man robbed a local social club with a toy gun and ordered a bartender to give a 71-year-old customer a drink before grabbing the man in a headlock and using him as a human shield.

James Parker was held on $100,000 cash bail following his arraignment Tuesday on several charges related to the incident the previous day at a Sons of Italy hall.

Prosecutors say Parker took money and bottles of liquor before a woman who asked to use a bathroom called police on a hidden cell phone.

A police officer disarmed Parker as he held the 71-year-old man in a headlock, pointing what turned out to be a toy gun at the man’s head.

Parker’s attorney, Michael Capone, did not immediately return a message left after business hours.

Boston Herald

Always loved...Marvin Gaye

Born this Date: Billy Squier in Wellesley, MA

William Haislip "Billy" Squier (born May 12, 1950 in Wellesley, Massachusetts) is an American rock musician. Squier had a string of arena rock hits in the 1980s. He is probably best known for the song "The Stroke" on his 1981 album release Don't Say No. Other hits include "In the Dark", "Rock Me Tonite", "Lonely Is the Night", "My Kinda Lover", "Everybody Wants You", "All Night Long" and "Emotions in Motion".

My Hobby:

Motivational Monday

Revere feels heat

Letters to the Editor

By George Rotondo

Your editorial “Chill out, Revere” (May 6) gave the impression that the Revere City Council was overreacting.

Well this was a chaotic scene as menacing teens shook seniors’ cars, blocked streets and prevented people from entering the hospital. Revere Beach has the largest concentration of seniors in the city, so who would have been responsible if an ambulance was needed?

I do agree, however, that metal detectors at Revere T stations aren’t the solution. We need more state troopers. Revere is required to provide medical aid and police service to a state-owned beach - an unfunded mandate. The state must do its part.

George Rotondo, Revere City Councilor

Boston Herald

Born this Date: Bono

Paul David Hewson (born 10 May 1960), most commonly known by his stage name Bono, is an Irish singer and musician, best known for being the main vocalist of the Irish rock band U2. Bono was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, and attended Mount Temple Comprehensive School where he met his future wife, Ali Hewson, and the future members of U2. He has been referred to as Bono, his stage- and nickname, by his family and fellow band members since his adolescence. Bono writes almost all U2 lyrics, often using political, social, and religious themes. During their early years Bono's lyrics contributed to U2's rebellious tone. As the band matured, his lyrics became inspired more by personal experiences shared with members of U2. Based on weeks that Bono's compositions have spent on the charts, he is the fifty fifth most successful songwriter in U.K. singles chart history.

Outside U2 he has collaborated and recorded with numerous artists, sits on the board of Elevation Partners, and has refurbished and owns The Clarence with The Edge. Bono is also widely known for his activism concerning Africa, for which he co-founded DATA, EDUN, the ONE Campaign and Product Red. He has organized and played in several benefit concerts and has met with influential politicians. Bono has been praised and criticized for his activism and involvement with U2. He has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, was granted an honorary knighthood by Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom, and was named as a Person of the Year by Time, among other award and nominations.

Live in Boston 2001

Happy Mother's Day!

Born this date: Tommy Roe

Tommy Roe (born Thomas David Roe, 9 May 1942, Atlanta, Georgia, United States) is an American pop music singer-songwriter.

Best-remembered for his 1962 hit single "Sheila," critic Bill Dahl writes that Roe was "widely perceived as one of the archetypal bubblegum artists of the late 1960s, but Roe cut some pretty decent rockers along the way, especially early in his career."

Relationships...

Using Caps

Man killed in Blue Line train accident

A man trespassing on the Blue Line right of way was struck and killed by a train as it was about to enter Revere Beach station this morning, the MBTA said.

The accident happened shortly after 10:30 a.m. on the northbound side of the tracks, MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo said in a statement. The victim was a 54-year-old Winthrop man.

Bus service replaced train service between Orient Heights and Wonderland while MBTA Transit Police investigated. The police are being joined in the probe by the district attorney's office.

Regular Blue Line service was resuming at midday, Pesaturo said.

Boston Globe

Blue Line riders being diverted after apparent suicide

Revere – Police are investigating circumstances that led to a man jumping in front of a Blue Line train as it pulled into Revere Beach station at 11 a.m. today.

According to a rider on the train the man appeared poised to jump in front of the train as it pulled into the station.

Due to the situation, Blue Line service is being diverted at the Revere Beach Station.

'Wizard of Oz' Munchkin Mickey Carroll dies at 89

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- One of the last surviving Munchkins from the 1939 classic film "The Wizard of Oz" has died.

St. Louis actor Mickey Carroll died Thursday at the age of 89.

His caretaker, Linda Dodge, made the announcement Thursday.

Carroll was born Michael Finocchiaro in July 1919 in St. Louis, the son of Italian immigrants.

He was one of more than 100 adults and children who were recruited for "Oz" to play the natives of what author L. Frank Baum called Munchkin Country in his 1900 book "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz."

Carroll told The Associated Press in a 2007 interview that the Munchkins made only $125 a week while filming, followed by decades of recognition.

No explanation required...

TGIF!

WEEKEND LOVE FORECAST:

ARIES: You want to know what a loved one is thinking. Instead of asking, just guess and you'll probably be right. TAURUS: Your path to love is a surprising one. It's better not to have any expectations. Just let yourself go for this fun ride. GEMINI: You'll be inspired to change your appearance in order to keep things fresh in you love life. CANCER: Someone finds your curiosity flattering! That said, be careful not to be too nosy. LEO: The one who laughs at your jokes has a little crush on you. VIRGO: You're creating the story of your love life with every decision you make. Be mindful! LIBRA: Your whimsical gesture reminds the one you love how unique your kind of affection really is. SCORPIO: You'll be inclined to share a juicy bit of personal information that you normally would keep mum. SAGITTARIUS: You'll meet new friends in a professional context. Singles find love this way. CAPRICORN: Your friends loosen you up. Someone new notices you while you're joking around with your pals. AQUARIUS: Loved ones think you're so attractive while completing a domestic chore. PISCES: Tell people how to treat you, or show them by the way you treat yourself.

COUPLE OF THE WEEKEND: Virgo and Sagittarius have a fantastic connection this week. Their sharing is mutually enlightening. Virgo makes everyday events seem spectacularly special because of the attention to detail Virgo so naturally exacts. Sagittarius learns that you don't always have to go out and see new places in order to be impressed by the world -- the most spectacular events of life happen right at home.

Dog track sued in $4m loan feud

Adviser says he’s owed

A financial adviser who made a $4 million wager on Wonderland in Revere has yet to see his investment pay off, according to a lawsuit.

E. Mark Noonan, who runs Alouette Capital in Boston, arranged the loan in 2005 for the realty company that controls Wonderland Greyhound Park and the adjacent commuter parking lot, to save the business “from collapse,” according to court records.

“To this day, although Mr. Noonan’s loan matured and should have been repaid in full over a year ago in September 2007, he has not been paid a dime,” the suit states. The complaint was originally filed in Suffolk Superior Court in December but moved to federal court this week.

Noonan, who served as an investment banker and financial adviser to Wonderland since the mid-1980s, claims the company has the means to repay the loan. His suit cites the parking lot’s annual revenue of up to $700,000 as well as payments from a partnership with Suffolk Downs, which secured an option to purchase Wonderland in August.

Patrick Dinardo, a lawyer for Wonderland and other defendants, did not deny that Noonan is owed the money but said the claims “have no merit.” He declined further comment.

In a counterclaim, Wonderland seeks unspecific damages from Noonan alleging that his “interference with the business and contractual relationships” between the defendants violates the state laws on unfair business practices. The counterclaim says Noonan is “motivated by a desire for unjust and illegitimate personal financial gain.”

Noonan, who lives in Lexington, and his attorney could not be reached yesterday.

Wonderland’s parent company, the Westwood Group - owned by Richard Dalton and Charles Sarkis, who are named as defendents in the case - ran into legal trouble in 2003 because of previous financing provided by Noonan.

Westwood agreed to a $10,000 settlement and consent order with Secretary of State William Galvin for allegedly failing to properly disclose loans from Noonan to the company and Sarkis, according to Galvin’s office and a regulatory filing by Westwood.

Boston Herald

Born this Date: Thelma Houston

Thelma Houston (born Thelma Jackson, May 7, 1943, Leland, Mississippi) is an American singer-songwriter and actress. She scored a number-one hit in 1977 with her cover version of the song "Don't Leave Me This Way", which won the 1978 Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.

In 2000, Houston toured successfully throughout Australia in the stage musical version of Fame. Upon returning to the U.S. Houston toured with Nile Rodgers and Chic, and with Cher on her Living Proof: The Farewell Tour. Houston regularly performs at Teatro ZinZanni in Seattle and San Francisco.

Her version of "Don't Leave Me This Way" continues to be popular today. In recent years she has been invited to sing this song on dozens of TV shows and specials including NBC's Today Show, ABC's Motown 45 and The Disco Ball...A 30-Year Celebration, and PBS' specials American Soundtrack: Rhythm, Love and Soul, Soul Superstars, and Old School Superstars. "Don't Leave Me This Way" was mentioned by VH1 as being among the greatest dance songs in 2000, and was ranked number eighty-six on the channel's countdown of The 100 Greatest One-Hit Wonders. She won an episode of the NBC show Hit Me, Baby, One More Time with her renditions of her own hit and "Fallin'" by Alicia Keys. On September 20, 2004, Houston's rendition of "Don't Leave Me This Way" was inducted into the Dance Music Hall of Fame in New York City.

On August 14, 2007, Houston released her first studio album in seventeen years, A Woman's Touch.[1] The album features cover versions of songs by male artists such as Luther Vandross, Marvin Gaye, and Sting that Houston had been inspired by. The first single from the album was "Brand New Day". On August 20, 2007, Houston's 1984 album Qualifying Heat was reissued as an import title in the U.S. with a bonus track.

She sang "Don't Leave Me This Way" on American Idol Wednesday April 22, 2009.

Tough Guy!

No more for St. Joe's...

'cuz school's out for summer!

Imagine finding this while putting out the trash!

Coconut Crab (Birgus latro) is the largest terrestrial arthropod in the world. It is known for its ability to crack coconuts with its strong pincers in order to eat the contents.

It is sometimes called the robber crab because some coconut crabs are rumored to steal shiny items such as pots and silverware from houses and tents.


The coconut crab is a large edible land crab related to the hermit crab, and are found in the tropical Indian and Pacific Oceans . They eat coconuts for a living! How would you like to be on an island and come across a crab that is more than 3 feet from head to tail and weighs up to 40 pounds, with a pair of large pincers strong enough to open coconuts! They can climb trees too, but they only eat coconuts that have already fallen to the ground. Coconut crab meat has been considered a local delicacy.

Another misinformed non-resident writes about Revere Beach

All anyone has to do is walk the beach to find out there's a problem, which doesn't exist in Nahant, Lynn or other DCR run property. It's funny, the state runs the beach and the MBTA, and yet Revere pols are being chastised for them not taking action. Whose job is it anyway? Sometimes it's so crowded on the sidewalk you have a hard time passing the bandstand area. If these kids were there for the beach, they'd be on it, instead of hanging around the sidewalk or sitting in their car w/their stereo systems booming. And it doesn't stop as a 1 day deal, just wait until the summer is on us and you'll find it on a daily basis.

Last week, a mass text message prompted thousands of Boston teens to skip school and descend upon Revere Beach, stopping traffic, bearing weapons and occasionally shoplifting. In response, the Revere City Council requested that metal detectors be installed in the Revere Blue Line Station, so that gun/knife wielders don't converge upon the scenic landscape of trash and hypodermic needles. The cash-strapped MBTA said no.

Chill Out, Revere

Judging by their wildly over-the-top rhetoric some Revere officials want to prepare a defense of Revere Beach to rival D-Day.

And who are they defending this strip of sand from?

Why, none other than Boston public school kids on an unauthorized break from classes!

“Now that they’ve gotten a taste of Revere Beach, I’m afraid they’re going to come often,” Councilor Charles J. Patch said at a hearing on Monday.

“What descended on that beach on April 28 makes the Blizzard of ’78 pale by comparison,” said Councilor George V. Colella.

Right, the Blizzard of ’78 - when the beach nearly washed away, 2,000 Revere residents took shelter at the high school, 3,000 homes were damaged and the tidal surge nearly swept residents and rescue workers out to sea. No hyperbole there!

Granted, the scene at Revere Beach on April 28 was enormously troubling to a city that was unaware and unprepared for an onslaught of thousands of young people - some of them, yes, bent on mayhem.

More than 2,800 Boston high school students were absent that day, an increase from a typical Tuesday, and there were six arrests of Boston juveniles in Revere, according to state police. Witnesses described shoplifting and fights and traffic was snarled for hours.

But a call by Revere officials for the nearly-bankrupt MBTA to install metal detectors at the Revere Beach T station to scan every beach-goer for weapons is laughably excessive. Would there be a special allowance for beach chairs and baby carriages?

Yes, times are tight, and city officials see in this unusual incident an opportunity to secure more funding in the state budget for beach patrols. And surely law enforcement ought to take this incident seriously, but there is every indication that they have. Revere officials ought to take a deep breath before calling out the National Guard.

Boston Herald

Cache of electronics recovered after teens arrested on car theft charges

Saugus - Officers have arrested two teenagers they believe are responsible for a rash of motor vehicle break-ins that occurred in East Saugus.

Patrolman Matthew Donahue was conducting a patrol in an unmarked cruiser during the early morning hours on April 28 when he noticed a white Ford Contour with no headlights on that came back stolen out of Malden, according to Police Lt. Michael Annese.

As soon as Donahue approached, the Contour sped off and turned onto Serino Way. The officer rounded the corner to see the vehicle with two open doors crash into a parked car.

“They jumped out of the car and ran for it,” Annese said.
While searching the area for the suspects, officers located several vehicles in the area that appeared to have been burglarized.

Inside the damaged Contour patrolmen found a cache of electronics including numerous GPS units, iPods, DVDs, cell phones, a wristwatch, car starter and other mobile devices, Annese said.

Officers Paul Vansteensburg and Matthew Vecchio encountered a male matching one of the suspects’ descriptions on Bristow Street — identified as Mayco Martinez, 17, of 23 Russell St., Everett — and detained him following a brief foot pursuit.

Annese said Martinez was carrying cell phones, GPS systems, jewelry and cash on him when the officers apprehended him.

Moments later police saw the male walking down Bristow Street who drove the Contour, Barry Smith, 18, of 141 Washington Ave., Revere and arrested him without any resistance.

In addition the electronics officers recovered screwdrivers, wrenches and other items in the Contour that are frequently used to break into motor vehicles, Annese said.

Police arrested Smith and charged him with leaving the scene of property damage, receiving a stolen motor vehicle, receiving stolen property of more than $250 and unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle.

Martinez was arrested and charged with receiving a stolen motor vehicle, receiving stolen property of more than $250 and resisting arrest.

Altogether Smith and Martinez are suspected of breaking into at least four vehicles in East Saugus. Annese said the duo could be the culprits behind additional crimes in Saugus and other communities based on the items discovered in the Contour.

Annese credited the officers involved for identifying the suspicious vehicle and apprehending the two suspects.

“It was a good piece of police work all around,” Annese said.

Saugus Advertiser

It's that day already!

Throngs on beach alarm Revere officials

Teens playing hooky are cited

REVERE - A repeat of last week's mass student hooky that led to a stabbing, arrests, and traffic gridlock at Revere Beach could happen again, with worse consequences, if communications among public safety officials do not improve and if state funding for beach patrols dries up, city councilors said yesterday.

Suggesting measures from installing metal detectors at Revere Beach T stations, to introducing metered parking and even using funds from possible expanded gambling to beef up police patrols at the beach, Revere city councilors called an emergency meeting yesterday to seek answers from state and MBTA police, as well as legislators, on how to prevent the events of last week from recurring.

"The Blizzard of '78 paled in comparison to what descended at Revere Beach that day," said Councilor George V. Colella, who was mayor in 1978 and who was at Revere Beach on the morning of April 28 when, according to State Police, about 3,000 middle and high school-age students, mainly from outside the city, came to Revere Beach by T and cars on a 93-degree day, during which many students decided to leave or skip school.

State and MBTA police made six arrests, including Dante Lara, 18, of Boston, who is accused of stabbing a self-proclaimed Latin Kings gang member in the head with a chisel, according to the Suffolk district attorney's office. Lara was arraigned last week and charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon. Bail was set at $5,000 cash, and he was ordered to stay away from the victim, Revere Beach, and known Latin Kings members, said Jake Wark, spokesman for the Suffolk district attorney's office.

Wark said Reinaldo Ortiz, 25, of Dorchester, was also arrested, after driving the getaway car onto which Lara jumped after the alleged stabbing, leading transit police on a brief chase down Revere Beach Parkway and Beach Street.

Ortiz was arraigned last week and charged with assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, being an accessory after the fact, operating after suspension, and negligent operation of a motor vehicle, Wark said.

Henry Mateo, 18, of Roxbury, was arrested and charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, Wark said, after he threatened the victim with the shaft of a hockey stick. Mateo did not appear at his arraignment last week, and there is a warrant for his arrest, Wark said.

Information on the other three arrested was not available from Chelsea District Court, but State Police Major Daniel Grabowski told the council yesterday that the arrests included drinking in public.

Students quickly spread word of the skip day by way of texting and social sites like MySpace and Facebook, a fact that concerned Revere City Council President Daniel Rizzo.

"The most disturbing thing to me is how fast something like this can organize itself and put public safety in great jeopardy," Rizzo said. "They did identify rival gangs that were on the beach known to carry firearms, and thank God nothing exploded with all those kids down there. We weren't prepared for it."

Grabowski told the council that because of cutbacks, the state will eliminate funding for dedicated patrols on Revere Beach starting on Memorial Day weekend, but added that the State Police will not give up their responsibilities at the beach.

State Representative Kathie-Anne Reinstein of Revere told the council yesterday that the State Police Revere Beach patrol budget was slashed from $2.7 million to $1.65 million this year as a result of Governor Deval Patrick's midyear cuts.

Reinstein added that in his proposed fiscal year 2010 budget earlier this year, Patrick eliminated all funding to that account, but that on Friday the House budget restored $1.35 million to that account.

But with the state facing a $5 billion deficit, Reinstein warned the council there is a chance funding will be further reduced or possibly eliminated by the time the budget is completed.

"I appreciate you putting back what you can put back, but I just don't see these numbers anywhere near workable," Councilor Anthony T. Zambuto told Reinstein. "It's going to be devastating.

"These numbers are very scary when it comes to public safety," he said, "if we're expecting any level of protection."

The Golf Game

A group of guys lived and died for their Saturday morning round of golf. One transferred to another city. It wasn't the same without him.

A new woman joined their Club. She overheard the guys talking about their golf round. She said, "You know, I used to play on my golf team in college and I was pretty good. Would you mind if I joined you next week?"

The three guys looked at each other. Not one of them wanted to say 'yes', but she had them on the spot. Finally, one man said it would be okay, but they would be starting early -- at 6:30 a.m.

He figured the early tee-time would discourage her. The woman said this may be a problem, and asked if she could be up to 15 minutes late. They rolled their eyes, but said okay. She smiled and said, "Good, I'll be there at 6:30 or 6:45."

She showed up at 6:30 sharp, and beat all three of them with an eye-opening 2-under par round. She was a fun and pleasant person, and the guys were impressed. Back at the clubhouse, they congratulated her and invited her back the next week. She smiled, and said, "I'll be there at 6:30 or 6:45."

The next week she again showed up at 6:30 sharp. Only this time, she played left-handed. The three guys were incredulous as she still beat them with an even par round, despite playing with her off-hand. They were totally amazed.

They couldn't figure her out. She was again very pleasant and didn't seem to be purposely showing them up. They invited her back again, but each man harbored a burning desire to beat her.

The third week, the guys had their game faces on. But this time, she was 15 minutes late, which made the guys irritable. This week the lady played right-handed, and narrowly beat all three of them.

The men mused that her late arrival was due to petty gamesmanship on her part. However, she was so gracious and so complimentary of their strong play, they couldn't hold a grudge.

Back in the clubhouse, all three guys were shaking their heads. This woman was a riddle no one could figure out. They had a couple of beers, and finally, one of the men asked her point blank, "How do you decide if you're going to golf right-handed or left-handed?"

The lady blushed, and grinned. "That's easy," she said. "When my Dad taught me to play golf, I learned I was ambidextrous. I like to switch back and forth. When I got married in college, I discovered my husband always sleeps in the nude. From then on, I developed a silly habit. Right before I left in the morning for golf practice, I would pull the covers off him. If his you-know-what was pointing to the right, I golfed right-handed; if it was pointed to the left, I golfed left-handed."

The guys on the team thought this was hysterical. Astonished at this bizarre information, one of the guys shot back, "But what if it's pointing straight up?"

She said, "Then, I'm fifteen minutes late!"

Three Hillbilly's

Three Hillbillies are sitting on their porch in Arkansas.

One says, "Boy is my wife dumb. She's so stupid that she went shopping today and bought an air-conditioner. Hell, we ain't got electricity!"

Then the other guy says, "Ah that ain't nothing, my wife's dumber than that! She went shopping yesterday and had a washing machine delivered."

They all laughed and laughed, because nobody around here has plumbing!

The third Hillbilly said, "Well, I reckon my woman's got to be the dumbest. Just this morning I was looking in her purse for some change and found six condoms. Hell, she ain't got no pecker."

Get out your sombrero's and celebrate

The Mexican Hat Dance

Happy Cinco de Mayo

Success:

At age 4 success is......not piddling in your pants.
At age 12 success is.....having friends.
At age 17 success is.....having a drivers license.
At age 35 success is.....having money.
At age 50 success is.....having money.
At age 70 success is.....having a drivers license.
At age 75 success is.....having friends.
At age 80 success is.....not piddling in your pants.

Revere Beach to test its metal

Officials urge detectors to fight ‘riffraff’

Furious Revere pols are calling for the MBTA to install metal detectors at the Blue Line’s Revere Beach station to stop the onslaught of armed and dangerous teens at the nation’s oldest public beach.

“There are seniors afraid to take the T,” said Revere city Councilor at-Large John R. Correggio, who was inundated with constituent complaints after thousands of Boston public school students held a skip day at the beach Tuesday.

“They’re outraged and they’re scared to death. Every other teenager who got off the train had a knife or a weapon.”

City Council President Daniel Rizzo and Correggio called for an emergency City Council hearing to be held this afternoon to discuss the unprecedented scrum.

“It was almost riot proportions,” said Correggio, a retired fire lieutenant. “They raised hell and they had weapons.”

The Herald reported last week that mass “texting” enabled thousands of students - mostly from the Hub - to skip school, ride the T to Revere and invade the beach.

Authorities made at least six arrests as teens shoplifted and fanned out into the neighborhood, causing a shutdown of Revere Beach Boulevard that turned 10-minute afternoon commutes into hourlong ordeals.

But MBTA Transit Police Chief Paul MacMillan said the MBTA doesn’t have the staff to man metal detectors and pointed out that riders with licenses to carry a weapon can legally do so on the T.

“Installing metal detectors would not be a practical solution to the problem,” MacMillan said.

City councilors say the beach has become a magnet for drug users and criminals and also want state police to increase patrols. Joseph Cuoco, who has lived along the beach for 25 years, said the city needs new strategies to ward off the riffraff.

“I walk the beach every morning and afternoon, and I see a lot of the garbage that’s left behind late at night - the whiskey bottles and hypodermic needles in the sand,” Cuoco said.

Yesterday the beach was strewn with broken bottles and refuse.

“No matter where I go in the city, people are concerned and talking about it,” Rizzo said. “When I was growing up ... in the ’70s it was unheard of to have kids down there with weapons.”

Rizzo said the massive convergence of teens showed how fast those problems can mushroom.

Bob Upton, a Revere Beach real estate broker and member of the Revere Beach Partnership, said he believes the beach is well-maintained by the state Department of Conservation and Recreation. Said Upton, “there’s a lot of people working to improve the image of Revere Beach, not just in words but in deeds.”

Boston Herald

Safe Sex...

Today...

The Sermon

A minister decided that a visual demonstration would add emphasis to his Sunday sermon.

Four worms were placed into four separate jars.
The first worm was put into a container of alcohol.
The second worm was put into a container of cigarette smoke.
The third worm was put into a container of chocolate syrup.
The fourth worm was put into a container of good clean soil.

At the conclusion of the sermon, the Minister reported the following results:

The first worm in alcohol - Dead
The second worm in cigarette smoke - Dead
Third worm in chocolate syrup - Dead
Fourth worm in good clean soil - Alive.

So the Minister asked the congregation, “What did you learn from this demonstration?”

Maxine was sitting in the back, quickly raised her hand and said, “As long as you drink, smoke and eat chocolate, you won't have worms!”

That pretty much ended the service.

Mine That Bird wins Derby @ 50-1 odds

Derby Day

Las Vegas legend Danny Gans dead at 52

Las Vegas has lost a legend.

The world-famous "Man of Many Voices" Danny Gans died unexpectedly at his home in Las Vegas last night, ET confirms. He was 52.

Danny had received many accolades, including being named Entertainer of the Year. He is also known for his TV credits, including his performance as Dean Martin in the 1992 CBS miniseries "Sinatra."

Though he has a regular show at the Wynn's Encore hotel, he was not scheduled to perform last night.

"Elaine and I and all of us in the Company are devastated at the loss of our brilliant, talented and loving friend," Steve Wynn tells ET. "One of the most unique human beings and entertainers in the world has been taken from us in an unexpected moment. A profoundly tragic event that leaves us all sad and speechless. The loss of Danny to his wife Julie, his children Amy, Andrew & Emily is at this moment impossible to comprehend. We will all try to go on with our lives without our dear friend. At this moment it seems almost impossible."


I saw him in Vegas a few years ago on the recommendation of a few friends who had previously seen his show and he was a really great entertainer.

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Born this Date: Tim McGraw

Samuel Timothy "Tim" McGraw (born May 1, 1967) is an American country singer and actor. With many of his albums and singles topping the country music charts, Tim has achieved total album sales in excess of 40 million units. He is married to country singer Faith Hill and is the son of former baseball player Tug McGraw. His trademark hit songs include "Indian Outlaw", "Don't Take the Girl", "I Like It, I Love It", "Something Like That", "It's Your Love" (featuring his wife, Faith Hill), and "Live Like You Were Dying".

McGraw had eleven consecutive albums to debut at Number One on the Billboard albums charts; Twenty-one singles to hit number 1 on the Billboard Hot Country 100 chart; three singles named the #1 country song of the year; ("It's Your Love", "Just To See You Smile", and "Live Like You Were Dying") Won 3 Grammys, 14 Academy of Country Music awards, 11 Country Music Association (CMA) awards, 10 American Music Awards and 3 People's Choice Awards. Ranked as one of the top five in all genres of music, his Soul2Soul II tour with Faith Hill became the highest-grossing tour in country music history.

McGraw has ventured into acting, with a supporting role in the Billy Bob Thornton film Friday Night Lights, The Kingdom, a lead role in 2006's Flicka and a supporting role in Four Christmases with Vince Vaughn and Reese Witherspoon. He is also a minority owner of the Arena Football League's Nashville Kats.

All I Want, released in 1995, continued his run of success, debuting at number one on the country charts. The album sold over two million copies and reached the top 5 on the Billboard 200. "I Like It, I Love It" reached number one on the country charts as the leadoff single, while "She Never Lets It Go to Her Heart" also went to number one in 1996. "Can't Be Really Gone", "All I Want is a Life", and "Maybe We Should Just Sleep on It" were all top 5 hits.

In 1996, McGraw headlined the most successful country tour of the year, The Spontaneous Combustion Tour, with Faith Hill as his supporting act. Faith Hill broke off her engagement to her former producer Scott Hendricks so that she and Tim could start dating each other; then married on October 6, 1996. The couple have since had three daughters, Gracie Katherine (born May 1997), Maggie Elizabeth (born August 1998) and Audrey Caroline (born December 2001).

TGIF

Demotivational Posters

WEEKEND LOVE FORECAST:

ARIES: Fill your own emotional wells up first so that you'll have plenty of good vibes to share with others. TAURUS: Because you are so grounded, you will magnetize romantic opportunities to you. The Sun is rooting for you! GEMINI: Take your business to the next level and your personal life improves as a result. CANCER: You will get back the power you once gave away. LEO: Be yourself. When you're doing what's genuinely fun for you, you'll bring energy and excitement to the relationship. VIRGO: Change the way you see yourself. Be kinder and more supportive. Love blossoms as a result. LIBRA: Do the thing you used to do to for entertainment and pleasure that you long ago, for some reason, stopped doing. SCORPIO: Don't worry about disappointing a loved one. Focus on what you need to do. Independence is sexy. SAGITTARIUS: A short excursion out of your comfort zone brings you face to face with potential love. CAPRICORN: You'll show your affection in creative ways and win a heart. AQUARIUS: You bring magic and joy to someone who really needs it. PISCES: Lavish care on yourself and you'll instantly improve your love life.>

COUPLE OF THE WEEKEND: Mercury has two homes -- Gemini and Virgo. Right now the communication planet is relaxing in Gemini, so this sign's gift of gab is amplified. Who better to lavish the lovely verbal prowess on than Virgo, a sign who can really appreciate a good conversation. Virgo's natural attention to detail makes for excellent listening skills. The intellectual sparks turn into romantic ones by the end of the week.

To the world...