US – Thursday, March 18
The Senate’s Weak Health Care Bill
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid “got to 60” at 1:08 yesterday morning, clearing a key Republican hurdle and keeping the Senate’s version of a health care reform bill on track for passage before Christmas.
 
Alumni look for like-minded fans
When last month’s apocalyptic snowstorm never hit, despite empty streets outside, 50 Syracuse basketball fans still attended a local alumni association basketball watch party at the Pour House.
 
MBTA steps up for Riverside riders
Riverside Line commuters only have to endure two more days of bus service as Secretary of Transportation Jeffery Mullen estimated yesterday that the D line will be open for the Monday morning commute.  
 
Twenty years without a clue
For the past twenty years officials at the Isabella Stewart Gardner museum have been working with FBI agents the U.S. Attorney’s office to bring back 13 stolen artifacts that were infamously stolen on March 18th, 1990.  
 
Two tickets to ‘Paradise Lost’
“Paradise Lost” is a Depression-era drama rife with parallels to the current economic and political climate. In the wrong hands, a predictable production of Clifford Odets’ period piece could bore an entire audience into a coma.
 
‘I’ll be your mama’
Sandra Shipley says she wants a lot of people to come see her in “Entertaining Mr. Sloane,” but there’s one person she’s a little nervous about.
 
Buchholz: Season in majors the goal
For three years, the Red Sox have implored Clay Buchholz to slow down. Still, who could blame the right-hander for wishing April 9 was here already?
 
Cooke-ing up a B’s grudge match
When the Bruins and Penguins face off tonight at the Garden, it will be more than a chance for the Bruins to hang on to the final playoff spot in the East.
 
T Time: Week of February 26, 2010
Where to go and what to see
 
Published 21:53, November the 15th, 2007
 
With its doors shuttered, the Milky Way closed after having its permits suspended because of sprinkler violations.With its doors shuttered, the Milky Way closed after having its permits suspended because of sprinkler violations.
 

City: No sprinklers, no service

3 bars shuttered for failure to comply with fire safety law

BOSTON. Three bars were closed yesterday after failing to install sprinkler systems required by a new state law’s deadline.

The Boston Fire Department suspended the occupancy certificates for the Milky Way Lounge in Jamaica Plain, Packy Connors in Roxbury and Kay’s Oasis in Dorchester yesterday. Two other establishments — Sunset Grille in Allston and The Barking Crab on the Waterfront — were also targeted, but will stay open as they make appeals, according to Boston Fire spokesman Steve MacDonald.

The Fire Safety Act of 2004 required that certain venues install sprinklers in three years’ time. Those establishments — including bars, nightclubs, dance halls and discotheques — all had to have a capacity of 100 or more. Those that were deemed only restaurants were not subject to the sprinkler requirement.

The law was created in the aftermath of The Station nightclub fire in Warwick, R.I., where 100 people were killed.

A Fire Department analysis concluded 270 “places of assembly” in the city were applicable to the new sprinkler code, MacDonald said. As of yesterday, more than 100 of those had been granted 30- or 60-day extensions after showing proof they’d hired contractors to complete the work. He said the sprinkler installation costs have ranged from $25,000 to $75,000, depending on the building.

However, Milky Way co-owner Carol Downs said yesterday said her establishment filed a extension request this summer, but never heard back from the Boston Fire Department. Downs said they plan to go to court this morning to file a motion to reopen and get an extension on the work. She said the Milky Way’s lease runs out next August, and they’re negotiating with the landlord on extending the lease.

“We’re happy to invest in sprinklers, but without a lease, it doesn’t make sense,” Downs said by phone yesterday.

 
 
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MMMpod
The March MMMpod features conversation and music from Surfer Blood and The Allman Brothers Band (There's a double-bill you're not too likely to see. However, Gregg Allman does mention Hannah Montana!). We also speak with Vampire Weekend and the Dropkick Murphys.