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Opinion

Sunday, April 28, 2013

All You Wanted To Know About Lobster -- Just For The Shell Of It

It's seafood season and food columnist Bob Leo has everything you want to know about everyone's favorite crustacean.

  I recently ran into an old friend of mine who makes his living selling lobster. He has a small warehouse with waterfall style tanks. These enormous bins sit on top of railroad ties and cascade over into each other with a pump on the bottom returning the treated seawater to the top. It was a long hard winter for my friend. Frigid weather and an abundance of storms kept the local lobster fleet docked for much of the season.  But spring has finally sprung and prices are finally down. This past month has created an abundance of the spiny buggers and deals are a bound by everyone from your local grocer to the seafood restaurants that are famed for the NE delicacy. Keep in mind, however, not all lobster is created equal. The most sought after …

LETTER: Markey for Senate in April 30 Primary

Reader says Markey is a leading proponent of nuclear power plant safety.

  To the Editor: In the primary election on Tuesday April 30, No More Fukushimas strongly endorses Congressman Edward J. Markey as the next U.S. senator from Massachusetts. As a leading proponent of nuclear power plant safety at the Seabrook nuclear power plant– as well as at nuclear plants across the nation—Ed Markey has worked tirelessly to protect the public safety of thousands of Massachusetts families and millions of Americans. For decades, Congressman Markey has been a powerful voice for those of us who live and work in the shadow of the Seabrook plant. The public needs Ed Markey now more than ever, as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the Seabrook plant owners rush to extend the operating license of the Seabrook nuclear …

Saturday, April 27, 2013

LETTER: Bank Should Be Ashamed For Refusing to Lower Flag

Reader is furious that one Wilmington bank did not lower its flag to half-mast to honor the memory of Officer Sean Collier.

To The Editor: Bank of "America" on Main St. in Wilmington disrespected slain MIT police officer Sean Collier. All American flags in the area have been lowered to honor those killed in the Marathon bombing and Sean Collier. The BOA refused to lower their flag to honor these victims. The day after Sean Collier was laid to rest, a full 9 days after the bombing, Bank of "America" was still flying its flag high. This upset me terribly. I had to go in and ask why. I asked to speak to the manager and was told that she was not there. I reminded them who Sean Collier was and that he was from Wilmington. I said "Bank of "America" should be ashamed. You should all be ashamed." The three female tellers stood there speechless. One man, I'll call him …

Maxine

8:34 pm on Saturday, April 27, 2013

Oh my goodness. What a tempest in a teapot. Did you also go ringing the doorbells at homes where the flag was flying high? I've seen several homes like that in the last two weeks. I agree with Steevo. You might have gotten better treatment and a more comprehensive answer had you asked politely. Also, as Jon points out, the President proclaimed that flags should be flown at half staff through …   more ›

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Food for Thought

Sure, It's Bad For Us, But We Love Our Sugar!

What's a person with a sweet tooth to do?

“Sugar (do-do-do-do, doot doot, oh, honey honey, you are my candy girl........ “ Please, tell me I'm not the only one who remembers this classic from the Archies? Ok, how about this one, “Pour some sugar on me”? Really, the list of songs with sugar in the title goes on and on and on. From the Mills Brothers’ “Sugar Sugar” to the Stones’ “Brown Sugar” to 50 Cent’s “Sugar” and hundreds in between. The truth is this sweet, granular substance that dates back to the 3rd century isn't as desirable as songs would have you believe. Sugar, a simple carbohydrate composed of hydrogen and oxygen, is a leading cause of obesity, diabetes, dementia, and cardio-vascular disease. It is an empty food that has high caloric energy but absolutely no nutrients…

Thursday, April 4, 2013

Wilmington Municipal election 2013

LETTER: Broussard Is The Right Choice For School Committee

Reader says Broussard is smart, energetic and has a high sense of values.

Dear Editor, I would like to express my support for Julie Broussard as a candidate for Wilmington School Committee. I have known Julie for almost 10 years and we have been neighbors now for over 4 years. I know she would be a great addition to the School Committee. First of all, Julie is a great person and friend. She is smart, energetic and has a high sense of values. She always gives 110% to everything she does. She is always one to step up and become involved when help is needed. I truly could not think of a better person to assist in shaping the future of our school system. Julie is also a fantastic mom and her family means everything to her. Julie volunteers at her local church's religious education program, which is just one example …

Saturday, February 9, 2013

What Do You Think About Gov. Patrick’s Travel Ban?

Do you agree with the governor's decision or was it too drastic?

All non-emergency drivers were ordered off the roads on Friday when Gov. Deval Patrick issued an executive order banning travel during the blizzard. (Editor's note: The ban is lifted statewide as of 4 p.m. Saturday.) Patrick's executive order is being praised by some and bashed by others, reported The Boston Globe. While former Massachusetts Gov. Michael Dukakis, who was in charge of the commonwealth during the Blizzard of ’78, praised the governor’s move, others called the order “tyrannical” and say the strict ban and hefty fines were too much, according to The Globe. Those caught violating the ban would face up to a year in jail and a $500 fine. What do you think? Do you agree with the governor’s decision or do you think the travel ban …

JT

3:40 pm on Sunday, February 10, 2013

People should use their common sense in situations like this--but there are always some who won't and will endanger others in the process. The ban was good in that respect, and the $500 fine certainly should have made folks think twice if they were hesitating over driving or staying home for no particular reason. However, the threatened jail time was absurd--and enough's been said about that here…   more ›

Thursday, January 24, 2013

Please Don't Help My Kids

A Patch blogger's post about not helping her children on the slide is being debated across the country.

A Patch blog from Alameda, CA, called “Please Don’t Help My Kids” has struck a nerve with readers across the country. Posted in September, the blog has taken off over the past few weeks as it has found a second life through social media sharing. The blog has 124,000 Facebook recommendations and 833 people have tweeted the blog. The blog is an open letter to other parents at the playground. The blogger Kate Bassford Baker’s basic request is for parents to not help her daughters on the slide. She wrote that she wants her daughters to do things and learn things on their own. Learning to walk up the slide’s ladder is the first step to learning new things and overcoming obstacles, she wrote. “Because, as they grow up, the ladders will only get …

Lee Coytemore

12:17 pm on Saturday, April 6, 2013

this is Typical 'Liberal behaviour' sickness that 'one' over-reacts consistently in the "prediction of Calamity", and 'fear mongering' without justification. Overly intervening in the lives of other people for their own personal need to feel secure and safe while maintaining to provide these Catastrophic Conclusions All While under the possible discretionary use of Dr. Prescribed medication. -and…   more ›

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Life in the Mom Lane

Lance Armstrong Admission Serves as Reminder to Parents Everywhere

With Armstrong's doping admission, it was a reminder that even seemingly the perfect role model can let you down.

Like most of America, I have to admit to watching at least some of Lance Armstrong’s interview with Oprah last week. I’ve seen bits and pieces replayed on the news and watched videos of the interview on various websites around the internet. Perhaps the most poignant moment for me was when Armstrong described the pain he felt while admitting to “doping” to his 13-year-old son.  As Armstrong explained, it was when he heard his oldest son, Luke, defending him that he knew he had to admit what he had done to him. Without a doubt that was likely the moment that Armstrong won over the hearts of many viewers but mine simply isn’t one of them. Like Armstrong I have a 13-year-old son and can certainly understand how difficult that sort of admission…

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Life in the Mom Lane

Moms Make a Different Kind of Sacrifice

A loose spider sums up just what moms have to sacrifice for their children.

As moms we are used to making sacrifices. Some of them are simple, some of them are just a bit harder and, frankly, some are just completely unexpected. I’ll be the first to admit this. I’m a pretty darn “girly” mom. Now, before anyone out there takes offense, I’m just admitting who I am and absolutely not criticizing anyone else. I like girl clothes, I like to have my hair and makeup done, and pedicures are my friend. Now, I’m not opposed to getting dirty, but it’s really not my favorite thing to do. I can’t deny that being the mom of a boy has been a bit of an experience. In my own strange way I’ve come to appreciate things that I never thought I would be able to face. Immediately things like the “Discovery Room” at the zoo come to mind…

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Life in the Mom Lane

Are Long School Days the Answer to Educational Concerns?

There has been recent talk of longer school days, but one mom doesn't believe it's the right option for children.

Lately there has been a lot of talk about increasing the length of time that students spend in the classroom each day. Recently, it was announced that a pilot program will be introduced in Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Tennessee and Colorado that will allow some cities and towns to lengthen the school day. The goal is to determine if the move to a longer school day will help students to achieve more academically. Here in Massachusetts two towns, Lawrence and Fall River, are expected to participate in the program which will add approximately 300 hours of learning time to the school year. The pilot program is expected to continue for approximately three years. Now, let’s face it. As moms we do joke around a lot about dying for …

Christine Berry MacKenzie

6:08 pm on Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Thank you both for your comments and support. While I am not on board with a longer day you definitely make valid points, J.R. There would absolutely need to be a trade off with less homework and longer lunch periods as well as study periods would be a tremendous benefit. I am, however, a HUGE fan of gym class and wish that students were able to have it more, not less, often. I was actually …   more ›

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