Not so sure about this

Worcester County's economy may get worse before it gets better, but when it does finally recover, Worcester could be the next Cambridge, a panel of area bankers said during a discussion this morning.

The panel agreed that the University of Massachusetts Medical Center's growing profile as well as the affordability of real estate in the Worcester area could attract companies to the area the same way companies were attracted to Cambridge decades ago. They said businesses could flock to the area to be close to UMass and also Bristol-Myers Squibb, which is building a massive complex in Devens.

"Chaves aids Colombian rebels" -- watch this story

A cache of controversial computer files closely tying Venezuela's President Hugo Chávez to communist rebels seeking to topple Colombia's government appear to be authentic, U.S. intelligence officials say.
The trove -- found on a dead guerrilla leader's laptops during a military raid in March -- is likely to ratchet up pressure for the U.S. to impose sanctions on one of its most important oil suppliers.

So touching

From Page Six

"PROJECT Runway" isn't alone in switching allegiance from Elle magazine to Marie Claire.

One of the show's three judges, Nina Garcia , who was fashion director at Elle until recently, is said to be going to Marie Claire, too. The show's winning models and designers will now be featured in the Hearst title rather than Elle.
A Marie Claire rep said: "We have no personnel announcements at this time." A rep for Garcia didn't return calls.

Bad economy = food makers sticking it to consumers?

There are certain things we take for granted when it comes to product sizes: a carton of eggs will have a dozen eggs; milk comes in quarts, half gallons, and gallons; and margarine and butter are sold by the pound.

Cross off margarine from that list. These two “3 pound” tubs of Country Crock margarine look identical, but checking the net weight statement reveals a surprise. The three pound tub is now three ounces short.

I don't care if it would make me look shorter

The platypus: new evolutionary insight?

A team of scientists has determined the platypus's entire genetic code. And right down to its DNA, it turns out, the animal continues to strain credulity, bearing genetic modules that are in turn mammalian, reptilian and avian. There are genes for egg laying -- evidence of its reptilian roots. Genes for making milk, which the platypus does in mammalian style despite not having nipples. Genes for making snake venom, which the animal stores in its legs. And there are five times as many sex-determining chromosomes as scientists know what to do with.Yet in its wackiness, Wilson said, the platypus genome offers an unprecedented glimpse of how evolution made its first stabs at producing mammals.

Don't forget.....

Today's the day to download the new Nine Inch Nails album, The Slip, FREE.

Eat me crunchy

For my husband, this post will seem a waste of time.
For me, eating cereal is a race against the clock - once it gets too soggy, I don't want it anymore. So naturally I'm excited about the "eat me cruncy" bowl. Here's what the Web site says about its design:

The shelf covers 70% of the base, holding the cereal above the milk; however it also has a section where the milk and cereal mix together. The shelf has a cliff that stops cereal getting underneath the shelf but allows the milk to flow freely. There is ample space (even a wheatabix sideways on) for cereal to join the milk in the base for your perfect crunchy yet milky mouthful. Eat the cereal from the shelf-less section of the bowl where the cereal and milk mix - pushing the cereal in as required. The shelf is completely removeable so you can wash your eatmecrunchy bowl effectively. The bowl is made of melamine so it is also dishwasher safe.

It's ‘arrivederci’ for LaGroceria

For restaurant owner Frank Mastromauro, the summer of 1973 has lasted more than three decades.

Two years after his father, Franco, opened LaGroceria in Central Square in 1971, Mastromauro agreed to work in the restaurant for the summer.

On May 18, after 35 years in the restaurant business, autumn will finally set in, and Mastromauro will preside over the final dinner to be served at LaGroceria, as the landmark Italian eatery will close its doors forever.

“It’s just time,” Mastromauro said. “I’ve been doing it for so long, and I’ve enjoyed it, but it’s time to do something else.”

Probably a good move

Citing the “important fiscal issues” the city is facing, Mayor David Cohen announced Wednesday afternoon he would not accept the $27,600 raise he inserted into his proposed FY09 budget presented Monday evening.

The $27,600 would raise Cohen’s salary to $125,000.
Had Mayor David Cohen accepted the pay raise, he could have added $11,000 to his pension, according to calculations from the state Board of Retirement’s website.
In a letter to the Newton Tab in 2005, Cohen said, “At a time when we are cutting back on teacher positions, school librarians and other city personnel, I will not accept a pay raise. That money is better used preserving other crucial positions.”

Should Hillary bow out?

love this coffee table

and it goes with our wedding-present furniture. plus, it's called the "antigua coffee table" and guess where we went on our honeymoon.....