US – Saturday, November 21

Shave and a haircut — Elliott’s $.02

You’ll notice none of America’s problems have been solved. Well, you can only blame yourself for not doing a good enough job of demanding the government act on the brilliant ideas I’ve been dispensing every week in Metro, the world’s greatest newspaper. Don’t bother groveling for forgiveness; it demeans us both.

The last of the original urban village

It was once a vibrant neighborhood, but was cleared out to make way for hospitals, hotels and upscale condos emblematic of a new Boston. Fifty years later, those that remember the neighbors and streets of the "old" West End are becoming as scarce as the landmarks of their youth.

First drop in Mass. jobless rate since ’07

The state unemployment rate fell to 8.9 percent in October, marking the first decline in over two years, according to state labor officials.

Kids stand by as reform debated

Eighth-graders at the Excel Academy Charter School in East Boston scored tops in Massachusetts on the English and math MCAS tests last year, a feat that left principal Komal Bhasin and her staff both proud and motivated to continue their success.

These Orphans are not afraid to play with ‘Dolls’

Ryan Landry and his Gold Dust Orphans have long been having their way with some of the greatest films of all time. Finally, the men, women and not-so-easily-identifiable members of this ridiculously talented troupe take on the big kahuna of camp, “Valley of the Dolls.”

Exploring every ‘Avenue Q’ puppet

The fuzzy puppets that inhabit “Avenue Q” won’t teach their audiences how to sing the ABC’s. These mature Sesame Street-like adult puppets have real problems: sex, racism, morals and finding a purpose in life.

Time to erase fourth-and-2

The Patriots sound like they’re sick of talking about it.

UMass heads the crowded HEA pack

UMass sits atop Hockey East going into the weekend. But not by much.

What to do and where to go.

Published 21:58, June the 21st, 2007

Boston Police investigate a shooting yesterday afternoon in Dorchester.

Boston Police investigate a shooting yesterday afternoon in Dorchester.

Photo: NICOLAUS CZARNECKI/METRO

City sees 30th murder of ’07

DORCHESTER. A 39-year-old man was shot to death in the backyard of a home here yesterday afternoon, according to police and witnesses — less than a day after a friend of the victim said he tried to get him to turn his life around.

The shooting took place around 1:40 p.m., on Nottingham Street. Police had made no arrests as of last night, but a witness told police the shooter may have run into a nearby house after the shooting. The victim was rushed to Boston Medical Center, where he later died.

The friend, who asked to remain anonymous, only referred to the victim as “JoJo.” He added that the man had previously spent time in prison, and that he was saddened by the incident after speaking with him only hours earlier about getting a job and finding a way off the streets.

“I just got home from Florida [Wednesday],” the friend said yesterday afternoon. “I was out on the porch, and he was walking by and came up. ... I just asked him how life was treating him.”

Anyone with information can contact Boston Police anonymously by calling 800-494-TIPS or by texting the word ‘TIP’ to “CRIME” (27463)

The November MMMpod features interviews and music with a band called Girls, a band of girls called Supercute, and a supercute vampire. Yes, listeners, we have Pattinson!

[Flyers by PaperG]