PMCG - thePhoenix, S@N, FNX

Rap and relativity

Ian Donnis — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 21:23:00 GMT

Speaking of public radio, NPR this morning relayed a story about Somali rapper K'Naan, who -- because he grew up amid the discharge of rocket-propelled grenades in a war-torn capital -- views the tough tales of American gangsta rappers as being pretty light by comparison. As K'Naan noted, it comes down to a matter of perspective.

K'Naan grew up in Mogadishu, on what he calls "the meanest streets in the universe." In one song on his new album, he calls his hometown the "risky zone," full of pistols and Russian revolvers.

"The song's called 'ABCs,' " K'Naan says. "And it's about how being born in a certain place changes everything, your destiny. I got the kids choir singing, 'They don't teach us the ABCs / We play on the hard concrete,' and for us, that is very true."

Somalia is one of the poorest and most violent countries in the world. Malnutrition and clan warfare are rampant. According to Amnesty International, some 6,000 civilians were killed in fighting in 2007 alone. K'Naan says he wants to use his music to raise consciousness about what's happening there.

Idea for White House garden started in Maine

Deirdre Fulton — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 21:18:00 GMT

Last spring, we wrote about Mainer Roger Doiron's efforts to encourage Barack Obama to replant a Victory Garden on the White House lawn. It seems we're not the only ones who think Doiron's is a great idea.

In October, his video, in which he describes his idea and records himself planting a garden in front of his own "white house" (in Scarborough), won third place in the Brighter Planet Climate Matters video contest. Watch it yourself:

This Lawn Is Your Lawn-3rd Place Tie from Brighter Planet on Vimeo.

Now, the Eat the View idea is a finalist in two contests that aim to give the Obama administration some direction as it takes office. The first, which will wrap up on January 12, is OnDayOne.org (here, Eat the View is one of nine finalists). The other is at Change.org.

Gardener in Chief! Vote!

Carpilio out as news director at WRNI

Ian Donnis — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 21:03:00 GMT

John Carpilio, a veteran of local broadcasting, is no longer in his post as news director at WRNI, Rhode Island's public radio station.

GM Joe O'Connor offered the following statement:

With sadness today I have decided to let John Carpilio go as our News Director.

John is a man of great integrity and experience and this decision was among the toughest I have made since I became General Manager.

Please know that I have asked John to become our primary substitute host for all of our programs in the future.

I would like John to remain in our RIPR family in this way for as long as possible.

Until a replacement for John is hired, I will be managing the newsroom with the assistance of WRNI’s Morning Edition Host Bob Seay.

Teixeira fesses up

Ian Donnis — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 19:39:00 GMT

Much of the reporting immediately after word broke that Mark Teixeira would sign with the Yankees treated this development as a hard-to-figure and unexplainable mystery.

In fact, there were many clues -- such as how Teixeira grew up revering Don Mattingly, and how he'd previously had a bad encounter with the Sox -- that he'd sign with the Evils.

During his formal unveiling today, the ballplayer acknowledged as much (which is more than Scott Boras did with a putrid interview yesterday on the MLB Network):

From the Globe's Extra Bases blog:

On whether he planned on signing with the Yankees all along:

"The whole process was confusing. Sometimes I'd tell Scott to stop calling me, then I'd call him five times a day saying, 'Tell me what you know!' Two weeks before Christmas, I talked to [my wife] Leigh about it again, and we kind of decided that, hey, the Yankees are where we want to be. Cash [Brian Cashman] might want to give Leigh a hug, because when I asked her during the process, 'Where should I go, where should I go?,' she'd always say, 'I just want you to be happy.' Finally she said, 'I want you to be a Yankee,' and it was a done deal. Once we got the contract figured out, it was a no-brainer for me."

It's interesting to note that the Red Sox' visit to Teixeira's home in Texas came on Dec. 18, which is just a week before Christmas. If Teixeira's comments can be taken at face value, he made his mind up a week before the Sox' trip.

A few reasons to be cheerful in RI

Ian Donnis — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 19:27:00 GMT

Big quantities of red ink will remain the focus when the General Assembly resumes business this afternoon, but there's some good news to be found beyond the anticipated election of the first female Senate president, not to mention the first Asian-American leader of a Rhode Island community.

The folks at Advocacy Solutions sent this out this list as part of a recent holiday greeting:

Rhode Island is number one in adult flu vaccinations
The Department of Health announced that Rhode Island had the nation's highest rate in 2007 for influenza vaccination among adults 65 years and older. According to the CDC's 2007 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS) data, Rhode Island's 2007 rate is 80%; the national average for influenza immunization is 72%.

The 2008 State New Economy Index named Rhode Island a top performer
According to the 2008 report, Rhode Island ranked:

As the "Top Mover" in the nation for inventor patents
2nd in the nation for health IT
2nd in the nation in broadband communications
3rd in the nation for industry-performed research as a percentage of total worker earnings
4th in the nation for non-industry investments into Research & Development
5th in the nation for scientists and engineers as a percentage of the state's workforce

Rhode Island has one of the best Medicaid health plans
In a survey conducted jointly by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) and U.S. News and World Report, Rhode Island's three Medicaid health plans were ranked among the best in the nation. The Medicaid plans of Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island (4th), Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Rhode Island (8th), and United Health Care of New England (10th) were all ranked in the top 10. The annual rankings are based on consumer assessments and measures of success in regards to both treating and preventing illness. Out of a possible score of 100: Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island received a score of 89.1; Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Rhode Island received a score of 88.0; and United Health Care of New England received a score of 86.8. By comparison, the top Medicaid plan, Fallon Community Health (Massachusetts) received a score of 89.8.

Rhode Island is one of the best places in the country for marine businesses
Thanks to our rich maritime heritage, large coastline, and cooperation between government agencies, private companies, and educational institutions, Soundings Trade Only magazine has recognized Rhode Island as one of the best places in the country for marine businesses.

Rhode Island has one of the lowest rates of uninsured children in the nation
According to a report by Rhode Island Kids Count, Rhode Island continues to have one of the lowest rates of uninsured children in the nation. Only 6.9% of Rhode Island's children were uninsured in 2007, compared to a national average of 11%. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, that puts Rhode Island among the top-10 for lowest rate of uninsured children.

Rhode Island was first in e-prescribing
Rhode Island was the first state in the nation to implement true electronic prescribing. Rhode Island selected by SureScripts as the national beta test site and birthplace of electronic prescribing. In 2006, Child Magazine ranked Rhode Island as the safest place in the nation to raise a child...listing our e-prescribing initiative as one of the reasons why.

Rhode Island has great bike paths and beautiful scenery
The East Bay Bike Path runs 14.5 miles from East Providence to Bristol almost all along the water. Users can enjoy the sights, sounds and smells as the path takes them by coves and marshes, over bridges, and through State Parks. The state has similar paths elsewhere - in places like Coventry and South County.

Rhode Island was first to declare independence
Rhode Island's tradition of independence and dissent gave it a prominent role in the American Revolution. In 1772, the first bloodshed of the American Revolution took place in Rhode Island when a band of Providence residents attacked a grounded British ship for enforcing unpopular British trade regulations. This incident would come to be known as the Gaspee Affair. Keeping with its culture of defiance, Rhode Island was the first of the original thirteen colonies to declare its independence from Great Britain on May 4, 1776.

We're home to the first champion in baseball history
The Providence Grays won the first World Championship in baseball history in 1884. The team played their home games at the old Messer Street Field in Providence. The Grays played in the National League from 1878 to 1885. They defeated the New York Metropolitans of the American Association in a best of five game series at the Polo Grounds in New York. Providence won three straight games to become the first champions in major league baseball history.

Babe Ruth played for the minor league Providence Grays of 1914 and hit his only official minor league home run for that team before being recalled by the Grays parent club, the Boston Red Stockings.

We never agreed to this one!
Rhode Island never ratified the 18th Amendment establishing national prohibition of alcohol.

Rhode Island has more donuts than the other guys
Rhode Island features both the highest number and highest density of coffee/doughnut shops per capita in the country, with 342 coffee/doughnut shops in the state. Thank you, Dunkin Donuts.

Free Narragansett Beer for a year!

Ian Donnis — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 19:17:00 GMT

If you win Gansett's latest Father's Day tie-design contest.

Send a lo-res image of your design to Intern@NarragansettBeer.com by January 23, 2009 and keep your fingers crossed.

Pingree Gets Armed Services

David S. Bernstein — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 18:51:00 GMT

Maine's new congresswoman, Chellie Pingree, has been assigned to the Armed Services Committee, according to the list released today by Speaker Nancy Pelosi. (The Dem caucus still has to formally vote on it.) Not bad, freshman! I wouldn't have thought of her for that, but you take what you're given; I do think of her as being strongly anti-Iraq War, but my Portland colleagues might know more about her aptitude for the committee.

New England's other freshman, James Hines of Connecticut, gets financial services, which is almost a given for that district, which is thick with Wall Street bankers and traders.

Peter Welch of Vermont is following his chairman, Henry Waxman, from Oversight to Energy & Commerce. Other than that, no changes for the New England contingent in the House.

RIP Ron Asheton, Stooges guitarist

Ryan Stewart — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 18:26:00 GMT

Ron Asheton, guitarist for the legendary Stooges, was found dead today of what is believed to be a heart attack. He was 60. We're blasting Funhouse in tribute, and we urge you all to do the same.

Previous Stooges coverage:

Stooges 101: Professor Iggy instructs. By Carly Carioli

Prometheus' fire: Iggy + the Stooges bring it again. By James Parker

VIDEO: Not the Stooges, but Allston's Xmas-themed Stooges tribute band the Scrooges does "TV Eye"

Pop Trash, MRTPQ, Big Jim, WTF and The Finisher!

Charlie — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 18:25:00 GMT

	Fletcher takes out the Pop Trash, Special Ed relates a disturbing story for the MRTPQ, we address Big Jims offensive ads, check the WTF Line and hear The Finisher! Check it out!
	Put us on your iPod.

LEFTOVER LUNCH 1-06-09

Julie Kramer — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:52:00 GMT

PIXIES-HERE COMES YOUR MAN

DURAN DURAN-RIO

PRIMUS-MY NAME IS MUD

HOODOO GURUS-BITTERSWEET

GARBAGE-I THINK I'M PARANOID

TEARS FOR FEARS-HEAD OVER HEELS

NEW ORDER-BIZARRE LOVE TRIANGLE

PORNO FOR PYROS-PETS

REM-THE ONE I LOVE

BLONDIE-HEART OF GLASS

SPACE-FEMALE OF THE SPECIES

DAVID BOWIE-SUFFERGETTE CITY

DEPECHE MODE-PEOPLE ARE PEOPLE

OASIS-SUPERSONIC

PET SHOP BOYS-ALWAYS ON MY MIND

RED HOT CHILLI PEPPPERS-KNOCK ME DOWN

INXS-DEVIL INSIDE

MEAT PUPPETS-BACKWATER

"I'll buy almost anything if it's shiny and made by Apple."

Mike Miliard — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:51:00 GMT

Apple Introduces Revolutionary New Laptop With No Keyboard

Partners: cash-strapped papers and dubious ads

Ian Donnis — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 17:16:00 GMT

Speaking of newspaper advertising, a ProJo reader recently pointed out to me some of the dubious ads that have been running in Rhode Island's statewide daily, such as a full-pager yesterday on A7, dramatically headlined, "Amish mantle and miracle invention help home heat bills hit rock bottom."

The come-on, complete with a news story-style byline for "Mark Woods" of "Universal Media Syndicate," makes this alluring pitch: "Saves money: only uses about 8 cents electric an hour; so turn down your thermostat and never be cold again."

An illustration shows the flinty Amish supposed makers of these miracle devices (and a small disclaimer notes "special advertisement feature" at the top of the page). So what's the problem?

Take it away, Daily Kos:

I have no data to dispute the origin of the Mantle (though I'm willing to bet a lot of money that it was not made by Amish craftspeople) but right in the ad, they gave me data that clearly indicates that heater within is no miracle invention. In fact, an electric heater should only be a miracle to someone who lived more than a hundred years ago. Electric heaters have been around a long time.

The ad claims that their heater will "help home heat bills hit rock bottom." But keep reading and you'll see how. You have to turn down your thermostat - duh. The only difference is that if you put one of their "miracle" devices in the room you spend your time in, you won't notice that your furnace or boiler is not heating the room or the rest the house..

Don't get me wrong. I'm not knocking the idea of turning down your thermostat and only heating the room you are in. That's smart - you will use less energy but you don't have to buy a $249 (plus shipping) "Miracle Invention" to do it.

In recent months, the Journal (along with many other cash-pressed newspapers) has also published ads for special coin-buying opportunities, "Universal Health Cards," and other would-be amazing deals, all with purported limited-time offers.

In some cases, abashed newspapers have performed self-criticism of sorts after publishing these ads. From the News & Observer in North Carolina, for example:

Noelle Talley, spokeswoman for the state Attorney General's Office, said the office has gotten several complaints about the Universal Health Card. She said people have been told that their doctors participate in the program and have paid for the card, then found that the doctors do not accept it. Some have dropped their insurance for the card because it's cheaper.

The program is not illegal, Talley said, but the Attorney General's Office has issued a tip sheet warning consumers about such plans. "It's an area where there seems to be some confusion among consumers about what they're getting into," she said.

The ad has been running in newspapers around the country this month. Jim McClure, The N&O's vice president for display advertising, said that he had reviewed the content of the ad and found that "it clearly states what it is and what it is not."

Maybe technically that's true, but to me the ad looks misleading and, from my brief research, promises more than it delivers. I'm concerned not only that it gives information to readers that is at best confusing, but also that it undermines the credibility of the newspaper.

The ad caused me to wonder whether the well-publicized revenue declines in the newspaper business have caused the paper to accept advertising that might not appear in flusher times.

I had a sneaking suspicion that ProJo publisher Howard Sutton would not return my call to talk about these kinds of ads, so I instead spoke with Tim Schick, administrator of the Providence Newspaper Guild.

"As long as it is clearly marked as avertising, we do not have an issue without it," Schick says. I asked whether these ads would succeed in appealing to some vulnerable readers. "There’s always that risk," he says, "but this is nothing new in the industry. It has been going on for a long time. Ultimately, it’s a business decision on the part of the newspaper whether to accept it or not. In most cases, from what I've seen, unless you're extraordinarily careless, what’s showing up in the Journal is fairly obviously an advertisement."

The Sandbox Recap Blog - 1/06/09 - By Intern Blonde Girl, Mike Wildman Wildes, and Intern H

FNX Intern — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:42:00 GMT

6 am

Oh no! Grandma’s dementia has kicked in again! Can you guess What’s in Grandma’s Fridge for a pair of tickets to see The Killers on January 26^th? The recipe calls for:

1 cup minced onion

1 garlic cloves

Tsp all flour

1 can clams

1 cup clam juice

2 medium potatoes

Fred, 23, calling from Tewksbury helped our senile Grandma recall this recipe for deliciousness – known as New England clam chowder! Good job Fred!

Fletcher’s pop trash:

While Fletcher’s favoring Twitter over Facebook, it comes with a price. Be careful you’re not getting phished! He once lost $400 from a Ukrainian hacker who decided his was just too cute for his own good. And even celebrities are being phished. Now, poor Britney Spears gets ragged on about having an extra-large, 4 foot vagina. Yuck!
SPIKE’s Dustin Sussman declares in this article that some musicians have a little more hype than deserved – so he’s writing to blow their major ego-infested bubbles’ to smithereens.

Top 10 Most Overrated Singers of all Time

Axel Rose
Christina Aguilera
Bono
Mick Jager
Cher
Amy Winehouse
Chris Martin

Alkaline Trio has signed on for headlining next spring’s Pick Up the Phone Tour to raise awareness for suicide prevention. Tour will include Trio, as well as Anberlin and newbies, Single File, starting April through the summer.
After his two-year battle with the blood disorder, myelodysplasia, the character actor of Alfred in the Batman series, Pat Hingle, dies at the age of 84. (cnn.com/entertainment)

New Sandbox Throw down:

Fletcher talks about Axel Rose in new album, Chinese democracy, “I like the song I.R.S. but there’s no way Rose’s holding that note at end of song – no way!” Special Ed denies it, saying that “he sings notes like that in his sleep;” so Fletcher throws down! When (and if) GNR has live performance tour, Fletcher bets Ed a steak dinner to Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, that Axel cannot actually hold this eleven second note in a live concert. We shall see…

7am

Special Ed’s Psychic Readings for 09’

Obama saves us all! Amy Winehouse stays alive! And Big Jim gets dumped, while Julie Kramer litters. The story goes as follows: Big Jim gets dumped and decides to go to a show with Julie Kramer. On the way to the show, Julie’s drinking a road soda – and tosses the can out the window. Bad karma Julie!

Special Ed’s Sports Update:

Boston College centers in a controversy that Jets are interested in Coach Jeff Jagodzinski. Reports from ESPN say that Jagodzinski has a three year contract with BC, but will still interview with Jet’s athletic director, Gene DeFilippo about future plans.

8am

Comcast Mega Robo Thunder Phone Query:

Home for the Holiday’s and Things Can Happen….

Special Ed’s Dad, a huge fan of the station, is still layin’ it down with the missus at the prime age of 68. That’s great, but at 5 am right down the hall from poor Special Ed while home for the holidays. Ah! “Did he take the pill?” Charlie suggests.

Parents in their 60s shacking up and laying it down, good or gross?

Fletcher: Sure; I’ll end up settling with the wife, why pay when you’re wife’s right there… flabby or not – it just makes sense!

Henry stays quiet, but says “oh guys, if you were at my house... I’d make lots of noise for you.”

Followers of Big Jim shares a story of his younger years. He arrives home at 6 am from a night of hotel partying, makes coffee, sits down at the kitchen table and starts reading the Sunday paper to soon go catatonic. Sounds from the back room show that mom and dad haven’t been bored while their son’s been gone. Follower says, “Instead of getting sick from hang over, I wanted vomit from that moment right there.”

Pauline calls in to say “Yes, they definitely should be having sex for as long as they can!” She works in Cardiac Rehab – and knows a story from a male patient, who, at the age of 88, was taken by a booty call from a 91 year old woman – disguising it as a request for creamy soup because she was ill. Yikes, I guess she wanted a different kind of creamy soup. Let’s see if we can get him in for the “My Song’s Better than Your Song”

The Sandbox calls up Lizzie Goodman, editor-at-large of Blender Magazine, to get an update on the 2009 music forecast.

Prince to release three new albums – Lizzie wants the dirtyyyyyy Prince back. “There’s no real structure to the release, no signed record company; we wonder if this is going to be good for Prince, will he be true to his fans? All I know is that it’s fun to have somebody of his caliber make an appearance in 2009 – I’m all set.”

This year it’s do or die for Kelly Clarkson. In her last album release, Clive Davis was furious because he wanted to have more singles, while she wanted more artistic privilege, reported by RealityTvWorld. Hey Kelly, maybe you should have listened to him? “Since You’ve Been Gone was the height of what she’s achieved” Goodman says, “–she needs to listen to the people who know what they’re talking about. She had her get-out-of-jail-free card on the last album – but now it’s do or die time for her in 2009.”

9am

Caller Lindsay phoned in earlier to the WTF – proclaiming “Big Jim is a Big Dick! That was the most insensitive commercial he’s ever done…” while he makes an ad for Cradles to Crayons, an organization dedicated to the end of child abuse. Lindsay calls the Sandbox this morning to defend herself, just pointing out how insensitive Big Jim.

WTF Line –

Lots of 2008 Hater’s calling in to say bon voyage to the year – HAPPY F*CKIN NEW YEAR!
Going to lunch today? Ask Quizno’s guy if they know what they’re doing when you order the prime rib sandwich?
Weekend Dime, Marc Stein refers to Paul Pierce as P-Squared – it’s catching on Special Ed, yay!!

Booger, black pepper, blueberry, earthworm, cherry, dirt, cinnamon, ear wax, sausage, grape jelly, grass, lemon drop, vomit, sardine, toast marshmallow, pickle, and rotten egg – are just a few delicious individual flavors of Harry Potter jelly beans. Eat a handful of them all together and get a “disgusting flavor explosion!”
Mainer calls in to complain about “you guaay’s over at WNFX need to tell your Street Teamers to drive on the right side of the lane” - Frank66132
The Sandbox sends out thanks to Shane who listens from Ireland!!! Making the New England morning show a midday Ireland show!

The Closer – Vince McMahon “You’re fired!”

Five Great Franken Clips

Mike Miliard — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:31:00 GMT

Norm Coleman’s pending legal challenges notwithstanding, it looks like this is actually gonna happen: Al Franken has staged his comeback, an has been declared the victor in the Minnesota Senate race. Now seat him! Hurry, before the Wall Street Journal’s conspiracy-mongering and Dick Morris’s dark mutterings queer the deal! (Because everyone listens to what Dick Morris has to say these days, right?)

Anyway, Josh Marshall over at Talking Points Memo posted this clip yesterday of Franken, back sometime in what looks like the early Reagan administration, doing a bang-on Mick Jagger impersonation, with his then comedy partner Tom Davis aping Keef Richards.

It’s incredible. But before the looneys on the right pillory soon-to-be-Senator Franken for dancing around and imitating a leotard-clad limey (as if they didn’t have enough to bitch about already), here are four other clips which demonstrate the North Star Stater’s indefatigable patriotism.

* Franken and Davis on Letterman in ’87, in which the pair show off their national pride — Davis proffering his imitation of Franken’s soon-to-be colleague, Senator Daniel Inouye, hawking Macadamia nuts; and Franken (impressively!) drawing a freehand map of the lower 48 in less than two minutes.

* The 1980 Grateful Dead Trivia Quiz offers an alternate view of presidential history. (“Q: Who dosed Jack Kennedy? A: TUNE IN TO FIND OUT!”)

* Franken, interviewed by the Bay State’s own Robert Bird — co-star of the must-see 1999 documentary, and soon-to-be MTV series, How’s Your News? — at the 2004 DNC in Boston.

* A Franken-co-penned sketch from the just-past election season. “I’m John McCain, and I approve this message.”

Alas, one sketch I could not find anywhere online is the best one: “Final Days,” Franken and Davis’s classic from SNL’s first season — allegedly written while both were on LSD — in which Richard Nixon (Dan Aykoyd) and Henry Kissinger (John Belushi) experience a long, dark night of the soul in the White House portrait gallery. Here's the transcript.

President Richard Nixon: And you! Franklin Delano Roosenfelt. You were a Jew, too, weren't you? Jewboy! Jewboy! [turns to portrait of Lincoln] What is happening to me, Abe? Everything's falling apart, Why me, Abe? Why me?!

[the lips on Lincoln's portrait move]

Voice of Lincoln: Because you're such a dip.

Kudos to Chuck, with a caveat

Adam Reilly — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:22:00 GMT

Even though I'm on Chuck Turner's press-enemies list, I'd like to congratulate the city councilor for goading the Feds into a laughable effort to violate his First Amendment rights. Still more evidence, I think, that Turner's PR campaign is working surprisingly well.

As Universal Hub's Adam Gaffin notes, there's rich irony in the government's contention that Turner shouldn't be able to selectively cite evidence to defend himself. Then again, as Dan Kennedy and Paul Flannery note, there's also rich irony in the government seeking to curtail Turner's right to free speech after he tried to do the same thing to the media.

Sisters: doing it for themselves!

Adam Reilly — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 16:06:00 GMT

If you're a connisseur of the women-doing-X trend story, be sure to check out Lissa Harris's new blog, Women Do!, which is "Dedicated to the "Women Do ____" story, found wherever fine News-papers are sold."

And then--if you come across new examples of this hackneyed genre--be sure to draw them to Harris's attention, so she can deconstruct them with righteous, white-hot rage.

power down

Symboline Dai — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:43:00 GMT

We were nearly 12 days without electricity (heat, lights, hot water, the fun stuff) and only got internet connection back last week. Nearly 3 weeks without. I'm on book deadline, but here's a note from a reader. Someone else wrote me before the disaster, but that's lost. Sorry. I don't recommend life without being able to turn on the lights but I can tell you that you can read somewhat comfortably with seven candles. . . . Hello Sally, I picked up my weekly boston phoenix yesterday, and then saw the title of the cover article and was like "very cool" and then saw it was by you, and it's awesome! My boss is also a Leo. Ive been working with her for a year now, and it has been a very hard year. [especially since i am doing a job that is VERY detail oriented - that's a whole different story] I can definitely see the trademarks....the growling and roaring. the demarcating of territory. The micromanagement, cos she feels noone can do a good job and she needs to do it all herself. being the sagitarrius i am, i have tried to help, and probably just threatened her and made the situation worse. In the article you did not mention much of leo's weaknesses, did I get some of them right above? My boss definitely is VERY disorganized and it affects both of our work severely. I have tried to be practical and then after being treated quite harshly, i have stepped back and tried to put up some boundaries. Any advice for those working for high-powered leo's? Congrats again on your cover article, and good luck in 2009 to you and yours (and especially for your forthcoming book!). Take care. S. Dear S. Leo can definitely be disorganized. Part of that is the fixed-sign "reactiveness" that happens. If she's disorganized absolutely DO NOT step in and help. Bosses need to figure out things for themselves. Do not anticipate, only echo. Keep records. When she decides to rewrite history, you can say, "Actually, on Tuesday, you decided we'd do it this way. I wrote myself a memo so I could follow your instructions." Leo will be under major strain this year. If there's anyone else who can be a buffer, get them to cowboy up. (Does anyone still use that?). Thanks for writing!

Steve Jobs is a genius...

Charlie — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:33:00 GMT

Yes, I know this is a parody.

Apple Introduces Revolutionary New Laptop With No Keyboard

Maine State Pier sinks even lower

Jeff Inglis — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:25:00 GMT

Last night the Portland City Council approved reopening negotiations with the politically connected Ocean Properties (you know, the one run by the gov's cousin and his brother - except now the gov's bro is just a "consultant"). Of course, we've been calling for a complete do-over since August 2007 (see "Saving a Sinking Waterfront") but the council isn't interested.

One of the folks quoted by the Press Herald from the council meeting has started a social network to call more attention to the debacle.

Which is all to say that nothing has changed since this whole mess began. It's still projected to be private development, for private profit, with a small nod in the direction of citizens and taxpayers. Let's see if this goes as well as the last round.

Fletcher's New Christmas Sweater

FNX Intern — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 15:21:00 GMT

Fletcher got a new sweater for Christmas. Isn't it spiffy?

NYT resumes front-page ads -- so what?

Ian Donnis — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 14:54:00 GMT

Some of us remember when, not all that long ago, the august New York Times used to run little classified-type ads at the bottom of its front-page. Now, seeking to goose revenue amid industry-wide problems, the Times is going with somewhat larger ads in the same area.

Dan Kennedy explains why it doesn't much matter:

1. The Times' most important front page is the home page of NYTimes.com, which, like nearly all news Web sites, has included advertising from the beginning. In a world in which the Web is your primary delivery vehicle, it's silly to pretend there's anything sacrosanct about print.

2. Back in newspapers' heyday, the Times was one of the few quality papers to run front-page ads at all. The reason we're all saying that the Times is now selling display ads on page one is that it's always run classifieds. Remember those ads reminding Jewish women to light candles for Shabbat?

3. The Times actually held out longer than many. As Richard Pérez-Peña notes, a number of excellent national papers have been publishing front-page ads for a while, including the Wall Street Journal, USA Today and the Los Angeles Times. Each of those papers has its own pathologies, but none is any more troubled than the New York Times is these days.

Henry w/Headlines 01/06/09

HSantoro — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 13:38:00 GMT

-- Major fire destroys "restaurant row" in the Fenway. It started around two o'clock this morning on the corner of Peterborough and Kilmarnock Streets. Destroyed or damaged were: Thornton's, Umi Fenway, Sorrentos, Greek Isle, Roddee 2, and a dry cleaning business. 100 firefighters fought the four-alarm blaze.

-- Dunkin' Donuts is about to launch a 100-million dollar nationwide ad campaign with the new slogan, "You kin' do it!" It's Dunkin's way of helping us deal with the economic slump.

-- Joe Kennedy's Citizen Energy Corporation has laid of 20 employees because Citgo has cancelled its free oil program.

-- Eleven people were hurt at the new high-end South Boston restaurant, Franklin Southie when some ten-by-ten foot ceiling panels fell. Eight people were treated at hospitals and three were treated on the scene.

-- It was on this date in 1964, the Rolling Stones began their first tour as a headlining band. The Ronettes were the opening act.

Mega Robo Thunder Phone Query - Gross or Good?

Special Ed — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:26:00 GMT

People living longer + drugs like Viagra = Old people banging.

The above equation means that your parents are probably having sex and will continue to do so into an advanced age.

Our question to you is if this is a good idea or not.

Is it gross or good for your parents to be banging?

Leave your thoughts with a comment.

The Countdown / First Contact Song of the Day [MONDAY – 1/5]

Paul Driscoll — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 02:50:00 GMT

[# 5] Airborne Toxic Event - Gasoline

[# 4] Scott Weiland - Missing Cleveland

[# 3] Snow Patrol - Crack The Shutters

[# 2] The Ting Tings - That's Not My Name

[# 1] The Killers - Spaceman

First Contact Song of the Day

Glasvegas - Gerladine

CLICK HERE to see the full FNX Playlist!

Listen to The Countdown weeknights @ 9 on Alter-Ego!

NEW MORRISSEY [FNX FILES]

Paul Driscoll — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 02:32:00 GMT

Morrissey is previewing the first single from his forthcoming album 'Years Of Refusal' online now.

In a posting on his MySpace blog, Moz announced today that listeners can hear 'I'm Throwing My Arms Around Paris', which he describes as his "cosmopolitan hymn to architecture," streaming from his MySpace player.

The single will be released on February 9, and the album is due out February 17 in the US and February 23 in the UK.

Source - NME.com

Morrissey - Every Day Is Like Sunday [Video]