Reports are stating that at least two people are dead and many injured after two explosions near the finish line of the Boston Marathon 4/15/13. Below is information to be aware of:
Boston Police urge witnesses to contact them with any details: 1-800-494-TIPS(8477)
Mayor’s hotline to find family members: 617-635-4500
Governor Deval Patrick is telling people to stay out of large crowds, and to go home or to your hotel
Baggage Update: For runners looking to claim their bags - baggage claim is now open on Berkeley Street between Boylston Street and St. Jame Avenue. All unclaimed bags will remain secure.
Our thoughts are with the victims, families and friends of victims of the Boston Marathon tragedy. Please stay tuned for more information.
All MBTA service will be suspended effective 2pm today. Customers are encouraged to make final MBTA trips as early as possible.
According to MassDOT, Traffic: Boston- I-93NB Exit-14, Morrissey Blvd closed, flooding.
High Wind Warning in MA: Hazard, damaging winds east 35-45mph with gusts up to 75mph (in effect until Tuesday 6pm EST)
Gov. Patrick has requested that all schools close and private employers stay home on Monday. Additionally the governor says to keep the roads clear for emergency personnel.
If a hurricane is likely in your area, you should:
Listen to the radio or TV for information.
Secure your home, close storm shutters and secure outdoor objects or bring them indoors.
Turn off utilities if instructed to do so. Otherwise, turn the refrigerator thermostat to its coldest setting and keep its doors closed.
Turn off propane tanks
Avoid using the phone, except for serious emergencies.
Moor your boat if time permits.
Ensure a supply of water for sanitary purpose such as cleaning and flushing toilets. Fill the bathtub and other larger containers with water.
Find out how to keep food safe during and after and emergency.
You should evacuate under the following conditions:
If you are directed by local authorities to do so. Be sure to follow their instructions.
If you live in a mobile home or temporary structure – such shelter are particularly hazardous during hurricane no matter how well fastened to the ground.
If you live in a high-rise building – hurricane winds are stronger at higher elevations.
If you live on the coast, on a floodplain, near a river, or on an island waterway.
Read more about evacuating yourself and your family. If you are unable to evacuate, go to your wind-safe room. If you do not have one, follow these guidelines:
Stay indoors during the hurricane and away from windows and glass doors.
Close all interior doors – secure and brace external doors.
Keep curtains and blinds closed. Do not be fooled if there is a lull; it could be the eye of the storm – winds will pick up again.
Take refuge in a small interior room, closet or hallway on the lowest level.
Lie on the floor under a table or another sturdy object.
Avoid elevators.
What to do AFTER a Hurricane:
The winds and rains of a violent hurricane may have passed, but danger still exists. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers the following safety advice for homeowners returning to their property after a major storm.
Returning Home
Be informed.
Find out if local authorities have declared your neighborhood safe. Officials may close certain roads due to flooding or suspected road damage. Be aware if there are specific routes you need to take and if authorities have established assembly points for residents in your area.
Plan accordingly. Try to return to your home during daylight hours so you won't need to use lights. Make sure all family members are accounted for. Alert others of your status and plans to return home.
Drive carefully. Watch out for road hazards like debris and sinkholes.
Do NOT drive through any water. Standing water may be hiding large sinkholes or may be deeper than it appears. Attempting to drive through — even in a sport utility truck — may stall your vehicle and put you in a more dangerous situation.
Be aware of fallen electrical power lines. Do not drive over them or through any water that may contain downed lines.
If power lines fall on your vehicle while driving, continue to drive away from the danger. If your vehicle stalls, do not turn off the ignition and DO NOT get out. Wait for emergency rescue personnel and warn other bystanders away from your vehicle and potential danger.
Remain aware. Keep your radio tuned to local news and emergency broadcasts for updated information. If possible, keep a vehicle window slightly open so you can hear emergency sirens and other signals.
Once at Your Home and Property
Use extreme caution. Approach your home with a critical eye.
Be wary of fallen power lines on or near your property. Alert the power company and local authorities of the electrical hazard.
Buildings and homes that look undamaged may suffer from hidden dangers of flood damage. Do NOT work in or around any building until it has been examined and certified safe by professional engineers or architects. Leave the area immediately if you sense the building shifting or hear unusual noises that may signal a possible collapse.
Do you smell gas? Floodwaters may have shifted supply lines or broken seals. If you smell gas or suspect a leak, turn off the main valve if possible, open the windows and leave the building immediately. Alert the gas company, as well as local police and fire departments.
Do NOT turn on any lights, smoke, light matches or do anything that could cause a spark. Do NOT return to your house until you are told it is safe to do so.
Avoid the shock of your life. If you see inside your home frayed wiring, sparks from wires or smell something burning but see no evidence of fire, you may have electrical damage. If possible, shut off the electric system at your home's main circuit breaker or fuse box.
Use portable, gas-powered electric generators outside on a dry and level surface. Never hook up a generator to your home's wiring. Never use a generator indoors where odorless carbon monoxide can accumulate and kill you.
Electrical equipment and appliances must be completely dry before use. Have a certified electrician check appliances if you are unsure of their safety condition.
Cleanup Safely
Wear proper protective clothing. Heavy-duty work gloves, hard hats, watertight boots with steel shanks and insoles should be used during cleanup. Earplugs and goggles or face shields should be worn if you are using, or are near, powered equipment such as chain saws, dryers and other dangerous tools.
Be cautious of chemicals. Floodwaters and high winds may have shifted or unearthed chemical containers. Avoid inhaling chemical fumes. Propane gas tanks for barbecue grills blown onto your property could pose a risk of fire and explosion. Notify your local fire department immediately to handle such hazards.
Be alert for animal dangers. Wild or stray domestic pets will be disoriented just like humans after a natural disaster. Do not attempt to corral or make contact with such animals. Call your local animal control office to deal with strays and disoriented pets.
If you are bitten by an animal, seek medical attention immediately.
Watch out for an increased presence of rats and other rodents which may feed off spoiled food or animal carcasses. Contact animal control authorities for information on how to dispose dead animals found on your property.
Don't wade into the water. Standing floodwater on your property may hide a host of dangers including live electrical lines and fecal matter from overflowed sewage lines. Do not let children play in any water or touch objects that may have been exposed to possibly contaminated water.
Other Tips
Be prepared for fire hazards. Always have at least two fire extinguishers at the cleanup site since water supplies may be inoperable and local fire department response may be slow.
Beware of spoiled food. Check all food for mold and other signs of spoilage. If in doubt, throw it out.
For more information on food safety concerns following a hurricane, check the Food and Drug Administration's Web site: http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~dms/fsdisas.html.
Is the water safe? Use only bottled water for eating and drinking until local authorities verify that the public tap water system is safe to use again.
You can purify water by boiling it vigorously — it should be bubbling and rolling for at least one minute. If you can't boil water, add six drops of ordinary, unscented household bleach per gallon of contaminated water and stir well. Let the water stand for 30 minutes before use. Bleach alone will not kill parasitic organisms or make the water potable.
Watch your back. Use teams of two or more people to remove debris and heavy objects that weigh more than 50 pounds.
Beware stress and strain. Limit your cleanup to manageable tasks. Avoid over-exertion and take frequent breaks. Also be aware of signs of emotional distress, common after any natural disaster. Seek support from friends, neighbors, religious and professional organizations.
More safety information and tips can be found at the CDC Website.
And STAY TUNED to 97.7/107.3 for updates and alerts!
In a recent interview, Gene Simmons was asked if he would ever consider performing with Ace Frehley and Peter Criss again. And he said NO.
Gene added, quote, "Ace and Peter were great for the beginning of the band, but it would be the death of the band with Ace and Peter today. They were both equally as important as Paul [Stanley] and I for the beginnings of the band . . ."
"But not everybody is designed in their DNA to be a marathon runner. They were short-distance runners . . . but we have to take it to the next level. We've been doing this for 40 years. Physically, neither of them could do what we do."
"You've gotta 'be there,' with no dark clouds over your head, no drugs or alcohol in your system. They were fantastic for the beginning of the band, and that's the chapter they should [remain] in."
Guitar World Magazine has made it official: Eddie Van Halen is the greatest guitarist of all time. The recent "100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time" issue released earlier this week comprised a list of your favorite shredders by collecting almost 500,000 votes in a tournament style poll. The final round pitted him against Queen's Brian May, who only claimed 37.52% of the votes.
Here are the top ten guitarists of all time according to Guitar World and your votes.
On Sunday night, a man in Portsmouth, New Hampshire hired a STRIPPER to come to his home for a private dance. But when she got to his house he REFUSED to open the door.
Eventually the stripper called the COPS and reported it as THEFT OF SERVICES because the man had ordered the private strip show, but stopped it from happening.
The local police captain Mike Schwartz speculated on what happened.
Quote, "I guess there are some people who would have a better dance than others. Maybe you were expecting MIKHAIL BARYSHNIKOV and got someone looking like [me]. I wouldn't answer the door either."
Translation: The stripper probably did NOT look like what the customer was expecting. The police decided it wasn't a theft since she had never danced, but if she wants to keep pursuing this she can file a civil complaint.
I'm sure 99.9% of the Chinese restaurants in this country are making good, clean food, and not getting caught for LEGENDARY health code violations. But it only takes that ONE story to make you suspicious of all of them.
And the Red Flower Chinese Restaurant in Williamsburg, Kentucky just became that story.
Last Thursday afternoon, a woman named Katie Hopkins and her friends were eating at the Red Flower, and saw two workers wheeling in a garbage can. They were trying to be slick, but Katie spotted a large animal sticking out of the can.
The workers wheeled it into the kitchen, trailing BLOOD behind them. Katie called the health department, and when a health inspector got there, he found out they'd just wheeled some ROADKILL into the kitchen. A dead deer, to be specific.
The restaurant tried to explain that the dead deer wasn't going to be served to customers . . . it was for the owner and his family. As you'd expect, that excuse did NOT work.
The Red Flower was shut down IMMEDIATELY. They can reopen if they pass the state's most rigorous health inspection, and prove they've sanitized the restaurant.
How do you like your eggs? Scrambled? Fried? Hard-boiled? Be honest . . . because we're about to use that information to figure out your personality.
A ridiculous study out of England has matched up personality traits, lifestyle choices, and even SEXUAL preferences with how people like their eggs. Sounds like a good use of funds. Here's what they found . . .
Poached eggs. Means you're outgoing and happier than most people. You wear loud clothing and prefer upbeat music.
Hard-boiled eggs. You're disorganized and most likely to get divorced.
Fried eggs. Everything about you is SEXUAL. You're better informed about sex, have broader sexual experience, and a stronger sex drive.
Scrambled eggs. You're guarded and shy. You're also the most likely not to have children.
Omelets. You have lots of self-discipline. You're reliable, organized, and have a clean home. You're also least likely to get divorced.
Noone ever claimed that the U.S. brewed the best beer. In fact, it seems we usually get crapped on for our generally lower standards of the craft compared to other countries. Belgium, to name one, is a country that bends us over its national knee and gives us a European spanking with their hearty and delicious offerings.
BUT STOP COMPLAINING:
According to an analysis performed by "The Economist," the US has THE CHEAPEST BEER IN THE WORLD. If that doesn't make you want to wet your whistle with beer water, I don't know what will.
Due to our relatively higher pay, and fewer bucks per beer, it takes the average American only five (5) minutes to raise the skrill to afford a 16oz. beer at a store. Compare that to our pals in India where a bottle of your average courage serum takes 50 damn minutes to afford, and you may be a little less concerned with what your friends are starting to call a 'problem'.
Here is the breakdown of the beer purchasing power of work efforts across the world. Cheers, ladies and gentleman.
There's a chance that when you were a kid, your parents washed your mouth out with soap for cursing. There is NO chance that happened to you once you became an adult. But it actually happened to this woman.
On Tuesday, 20-year-old Stephanie Madewell, her boyfriend, 26-year-old John Vincent Caruso, and their two children were at their home in Land O'Lakes, Florida. And Stephanie was swearing.
John was upset, and told her if she kept cursing so loud he'd wash her mouth out with soap. But she ignored him and kept going.
So he grabbed a bottle of Dawn liquid dishwashing detergent, went up behind her, jammed the bottle in her mouth, and squirted it.
She called the cops, and they found a cut on her lip and dried up dish soap on her cheek, chin, and running down her neck into her shirt. John was arrested for domestic battery.
The cops say John told them his parents used to wash his mouth out with soap as a kid, so even though he's 26, quote, "he will still put soap in his mouth out of respect for his parents."
(Dude kinda looks like Billie Joe Armstrong from Green Day)
This is mean, unethical, and will probably cause a lifetime of awkward family gatherings. But for you, it's the opportunity of a LIFETIME to get rich AND show off your legendary Casanova skills.
A billionaire in Hong Kong is offering any man in the world $65 MILLION . . . if you can seduce his lesbian daughter away from her wife and turn her hetero.
Cecil Chao Sez-tsung is a property developer in Hong Kong. His 33-year-old daughter Gigi Chao (on right in photo) married her girlfriend, Sean Eav, in April in France.
Cecil says that wedding was, quote, "false" and he wants to pay a man a fortune to seduce Gigi back to heterosexuality. Quote, "I don't mind whether he's rich or poor. The important thing is that he's generous and kind-hearted."
So if you're generous, kind-hearted, willing to seduce a stranger for a paycheck, AND you believe that sexual preference is just a choice that can be manipulated with huge sums of cash . . . I guess you should head to France.
And if you can't seduce Gigi, maybe you can convince her to pretend to date you and split the money. Even if you offer her a 90-10 split, you're set for life.
Most of us don't want to offend other people or get in unnecessary confrontations. But sometimes when someone's talking in a movie theater or letting their baby scream on a bus, you NEED to say something. A new survey figured out the appropriate amount of time you should wait to handle awkward situations. Here are the results:
"Shhh" someone in a movie theater. The average person says you should wait just under two minutes before you start making "shhh" sounds.
Ask someone on a cell phone to keep it down. The average wait is just under two-and-a-half minutes.
Give a parent a dirty look for not dealing with a loud baby. The average time is just after two minutes and 40 seconds.
Realize you've been stood up on a blind date. Give the person 26 minutes before you bail.
Honk at a car in front of you at a green light. This is the only one where I think the average is WAY, WAY OFF. The survey found the average person claims to wait 50 SECONDS before honking. In real life, the average person waits, like, two.
#1.) When You're Shopping at a Small Business. If you're at Wal-Mart, go ahead and pay however you want to. But banks actually charge the STORE when you use a card . . . sometimes as much as 3% of your total purchase.
--So it's better to pay with cash at a mom-and-pop store, because they get don't get charged for it.
#2.) When You're Leaving a Tip. It depends on the restaurant, but sometimes the credit card tips don't get paid out to the servers until the end of the week.
--And when you're working for tips, having cash-in-hand at the end of the night can make a difference.
--Plus . . . and this probably isn't that common . . . but according to CreditCards.com, some restaurants actually make the SERVERS pay the bank charges.
#3.) Anytime You Plan to Haggle. Like at a flea market, because it's easier to bargain with someone when you're holding a bunch of bills in their face.
--Plus, the vendors get charged if they run a card, just a like a small business does. And since they KNOW they'll be charged, that could ALSO affect how low they go.
#4.) When You're on a Budget. Study after study shows that you spend less . . . because you BUY less . . . when you're paying with cash.
--One reason is because you don't actually feel like you're parting with REAL money when you use a card. Another is because paying with cash forces you to keep track of what you spend, because eventually you run out.
#5.) When You're Buying Something You Might Have to Return. Especially if it's a present for someone else, because if they return it and you used a card, they'll only be able to get store credit.
--But even if it's something for YOU, you should still use cash, because sometimes it takes days before a refund ends up back in your bank account. But if you pay with cash, you'll get it back immediately.
Just days after Concord got the OK to ban the sale of single-serving plastic bottles, Brookline is going after plastic foam containers.
“I just felt it was the right thing to do,” said retired Brookline attorney and grandmother Nancy Heller, who authored the ban, to be considered at Brookline’s November town meeting. “It always bothered me when I went to certain coffee shops and the cups were made of Styrofoam. I don’t want to name them, but Styrofoam is an environmental hazard in the world.”
To be clear, Styrofoam is a brand name for plastic foam, like Kleenex for tissues. But Heller’s point is that plastic foam cannot be recycled here, and many towns and cities either burn it or leave it in landfills, where it will not decompose. For many years a favorite container for fast food, plastic foam also winds up polluting the ocean. Then last year, the federal Department of Health and Human Services added styrene, the chemical found in plastic foam hot beverage and food containers, to its list of possible carcinogens.
Think about what could be leaching into your medium regular every morning. Or your red hot take-out ribs.
Heller soon discovered that more than 100 cities and towns have already banned plastic foam, including Portland, Ore., Seattle, San Francisco and Carmel, Calif., in 1988, the second year of Clint Eastwood’s term as mayor. Great Barrington, a crunchy granola Berkshire town, made it illegal 22 years ago. Boston’s City Council tried to ban it in 2009. Guess who else has voluntarily moved from plastic foam to paper wrappings? McDonald’s, our recession-proof business superstar. And Big Macs taste just the same.
Brookline also has a warrant item banning plastic bags, something citizens groups have tried to ban in numerous cities and towns, including Boston. Clearly, the banning brigades are picking up steam.
Once upon a time, I made fun of these leafy suburban and holier-than-thou urban crusaders. I saw Al Gore’s movie. I figured he exaggerated wildly. Surely I’d be dead before Cape Cod, where I just spent vacation, is under water. Now? Well, Greenland practically melted this summer. Seals and sharks swarmed the Cape while swarms of mosquitoes, because of our warm winter, ruined barbecues. My vet said to check the temperature before stopping tick medicine because ticks ran wild last February. February! I see what few climate change deniers remain. They sound nuttier and angrier every day.
So I’m with you, Nancy. I am. What’s good enough for Big Macs is good enough for Brookline, Boston and all of America.
This is pretty chilling. A man named Randy Scott was trapped inside the World Trade Center on 9/11, and before he died, he wrote a note to get help and threw it out an open window. It said, quote, "84th floor. West office. 12 people trapped." Someone on the ground found it THAT day, right before the building collapsed. Then it was passed around for 10 years until DNA was used to match a spot of blood on the note to Randy. Last year, the note was finally given to his wife, Denise.
She's agreed to put the note in a museum at the 9/11 memorial.
Be informed.
