Good luck to the Malden residents braving this year’s Boston Marathon!

16 Maldonians signed up for one of the world’s most famous races, consisting of 26 miles throughout the Greater Boston area. 

Malden Patch will publish the times of local runners as they become available next week. 

In a breakfast speech to the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, Senate President Therese Murray, D-Plymouth, urged lawmakers to consider a so-called living wage, and increasing the state's minimum wage, similar to legislation passed recently in Maine and New York. “By identifying what a living wage is in Massachusetts, we can have a positive impact on families, and especially single parents who are trying to improve the lives of their children,” Murray said, according to an Associated Press article. She noted that lawmakers in Maine recently approved a bill that would raise the state’s Continue reading >>>

Print Email Text Size The Spectacle Blog If you are in Boston on Saturday, April 13, 2013, I hope you will attend the Greater Boston Tea Party Tax Day Rally. Americans for Tax Reform President (and regular AmSpec contributor) Grover Norquist is the keynote speaker. Some of the other featured speakers include Fox News contributor Dr. Keith Ablow, Gun Owners Action League President Jim Wallace and yours truly. I had the privilege of speaking at last year’s Tax Day Rally in Worcester.  The rally begins at 1 p.m. Please gather at the Parkman Bandstand Continue reading >>>

State Senate President Therese Murray told the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Thursday that the time has come for a “serious conversation” about Massachusetts’ minimum wage. “An adult earning minimum wage in Massachusetts earns $16,704 annually, which is under the federal poverty level of $19,090,” Murray said. “Let’s start this conversation today.” In her speech, Murray, a Plymouth Democrat, pointed to states such as Maine and New York, which recently raised their minimum wage to $9 an hour, as examples. Massachusetts raised its minimum wage from Continue reading >>>

SUNDAY: Lauren Scheuer ("Once Upon A Flock") reads at 1 p.m. at Tatnuck Bookseller, 18 Lyman St., Westborough … Laurie Collins ("The Pajamas of My Dreams") reads at 2 p.m. at Bestsellers Cafe, 24 High St., Medford … Yvette Van Boven (“Homemade Summer”) reads at 2 p.m. at KitchenWares by Blackstones, 215 Newbury St. MONDAY: Caron Levis ("Stuck With the Blooz") reads at 12 p.m. at Bestsellers Cafe, 24 High St., Medford … Simon Tofield (“Simon's Cat in Kitten Chaos”) reads at 7 p.m. at Brookline Booksmith … Adam Grant (“Give and Take: A Revolutionary Approach to Success”) reads Continue reading >>>

BOSTON — Massachusetts needs to have a conversation about what constitutes a living wage, Senate President Therese Murray told business leaders Thursday.In a breakfast speech to the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, the Plymouth Democrat noted that lawmakers in Maine recently approved a bill that would raise the state's minimum wage to $9 per hour by 2016, adjusting it annually for inflation after that. The bill has yet to be signed into law.In Massachusetts, the minimum wage has been $8 per hour since 2008 and isn't automatically adjusted to inflation. Murray also pointed to New York, Continue reading >>>

The Boston Theater Critics Association has announced its nominations for the 31st Annual Elliot Norton Awards. The awards, which recognize excellence in Greater Boston theater, will be presented on Monday, May 13, at 7 p.m. at the Paramount Mainstage, 559 Washington Street, Boston. Tickets are $30 (including post-party) and available by phone at 617-824-8000 or online www.nortonawardsboston.com. (Use "NortonSave" code to receive $5 off for the month of April only.) Sponsors for the 2013 awards ceremony include, ArtsEmerson, Actors' Equity Association, ArtsBoston, EdgeBoston, Emerson College, Continue reading >>>

$0 Joiner Fee on Workshop Days   [Boston, MA – April 10, 2013] – The Wang YMCA, a branch of the YMCA of Greater Boston is helping the community kick start a healthy lifestyle. Through April and May, the Wang YMCA offers free fitness workshops in an effort to encourage healthier living open to both members and the community. Anyone who signs up for membership on workshop days pays no joiner fee for membership and receives $10 Y Bucks to spend on Y programming. Members who refer a friend also get Y Bucks towards Y programs. Members who refer a friend Continue reading >>>

Spring programs and swim lessons offered at 13 locations across metro Boston   [Boston, MA, April 2, 2013] – YMCA of Greater Boston kicks off its second round of spring programs on Sunday April 28th running through Saturday June 22nd. The Y offers toddlers, youth, teens, adults and older adults healthy, fun and educational programs such as swim lessons, dance and enrichment, sports, specialty fitness and more. An extensive swim lesson program runs at 12 locations with a goal of helping all ages become confident and responsible swimmers. Members and Continue reading >>>

Get ready for an urban casino because the rural option looks like a nonstarter.Foxwoods has hit the same wall of community resistance in Milford that derailed Steve Wynn and New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft in Foxboro, so it’s going to come down to Everett vs. Suffolk Downs for the grand prize: the Greater Boston resort casino license.That’s sweet redemption for Wynn, who now has a second chance in Everett, where residents love his plan. Maybe Foxwoods doesn’t care. Some say Foxwoods’ $400,000 up-front fee bought the Mashantucket Pequots a chance to sue the eventual Wynn-Suffolk Continue reading >>>