Viewpoints: Weak-mayor system holding us back

Back in 1841, not long before Sacramento established its first city charter, a young Bostonian by the name of Ralph Waldo Emerson published an essay titled "Self-Reliance," and in it he penned these words: "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, adored by little statesmen and philosophers and divines."When it comes to the strong-mayor debate recently roiling the occupants at Sacramento City Hall, never have truer words been written.Nearly four years ago, back when Heather Fargo was still mayor, I wrote an essay in Sactown magazine calling for a strong-mayor Continue reading >>>

Super Bowl on Sunday reignites NY-Boston rivalry

In the struggle for supremacy, curses are exchanged, aspersions cast. These two great American cities cannot avoid one another, and they are on a collision course once again in the Super Bowl.Sunday’s big game between the New York Giants (who really play in New Jersey) and the New England Patriots (home town: Foxborough, Massachusetts) is stirring passions across trading floors, bars and chatrooms throughout the U.S. Northeast, a proxy for greater battles over commerce, academia, cultural achievement and clam chowder.“Half this firm has roots in Boston, the CEO is a Bostonian,” said Continue reading >>>

A Friendly Super Bowl Divide

When Patriots fan Fay Thurston pulled up the shade on a front window of her Southington home on Feb. 4, 2008, she was greeted by a reminder of the Super Bowl disappointment from the day before.The score — 17-14 — was sprayed in blue paint on the snow on her front lawn.It was the day after the Giants upset the previously unbeaten Patriots. Thurston Continue reading >>>

SUPER BOWL: Rooting for Dan Ross

Look for the Good Project Anne Kubitsky of Old Lyme has a vision. In a country with a tanking economy, a discouraging political situation, and escalating national protests, she has become a leader in the awakening of gratitude. The 'Look For The Good Project' is a community art project that encourages people (like you!) to share little bits of what they are grateful for, via postcard, in an online art gallery. <!--Latest Entries [rss:lookforthegoodproject.org/rss:2::bullet-nolead:]--> Continue reading >>>

The Three Super Bowl Cities Seen From Space

Here are the three cities of Sunday's Super Bowl as seen from space: New York City (Giants), Greater Boston area (Patriots), and the host city, Indianapolis, Indiana. The high definition images were captured by NASA's Landsat 7. One cool bit of space trivia: since 1972, Landsat satellites have collected two million images, now stored in the National Satellite Land Remote Sensing Data Archive. [Flickr] Continue reading >>>

Record breaking rower prepares for olympic quest

Published on Saturday 4 February 2012 13:50 RECORD-breaking rower Mick Dawson will return to San Francisco for some last-minute inspiration – before he attempts to mark the Olympics by crossing the Atlantic. Bostonian Mick and pal Andrew Morris will set off from the east coast of the United States in late April, planning to finish their epic adventure by rowing up the Thames Continue reading >>>

East Coast grudge match: Desert Sun staffers speak out for Giants and Patriots

<!--Saxotech Paragraph Count: 7-->I gotta get to the storah and pick up a few things, but first I gotta go find my kha kis — no, not a parahapants, the things to staht my kha.Hey, where's my pockabook?WHY THE PATS WIN SUNDAY'S GAME - THE PARTY: The Patriots have too many offensive weapons and if Brady is on, so are the Pats. New England needs tight ends Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez in top form, a big game from Wes Welker and will rely on the “Law Firm” aka BenJarvis Green-Ellis out of the backfield. So while defense wins championships and the Giants have a surging one, I'm Continue reading >>>

Arlington High boys hockey plays today in Belmont

It was another tough defeat for the Arlington High boys hockey team on Saturday night as the Spy Ponders were edged, 1-0, by visiting Wilmington at Ed Burns Arena. The Spy Ponders record dipped to 3-8-1 overall with the defeat. Five of the eight Arlington losses have been by just one goal. "We played pretty well," said Arlington first-year coach John Messuri afterward. "We just have to learn how to compete late."  The lone tally came with just under two minutes remaining in the game as Dalton Rolli scored, assisted by Cam Owens.  Wilmington, who improved to 7-3-3 with the win, outshot Continue reading >>>

BARE COVE PARK: Dogs, owners must follow rules

Recent visitors to Bare Cove Park have noticed that rules regarding dog and owner behavior have been posted by the Bare Cove Park Committee at both entrances in an effort to keep the park safe and enjoyable for all. The Selectmen formally approved the adoption of the rules at Tuesday night’s meeting. (See related file). Bare Cove Park Committee Chair Patti Coyle explained that the rules are necessary first and foremost because the 500-acre park is a wildlife sanctuary, not a dedicated dog park. “We’ve been telling people for years that Bare Cove Park is NOT a (dedicated) dog park, it’s Continue reading >>>

Knights lock up CC title in fight-marred win

Thanks to 28 points from Dan Powers, Catholic Memorial (13-2) reclaimed the Catholic Conference basketball title with a 74-57 victory over BC High last night at Perry Gymnasium in West Roxbury. But the game was marred with a cloud of controversy after both benches cleared and fans from both sides came pouring out on the floor at the end of the third quarter. A Knights player and an Eagles player got tangled up behind the play and got into a shoving match. The fans reacted and poured out onto the court. After the melee, Chris Siggers of Catholic Memorial and BC High’s Mike Corcoran were ejected. The Continue reading >>>