US – Tuesday, March 16

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.

Cabbies, patrons fight over plastic

Pub crawlers rejoiced when city officials mandated credit card machines in all taxicabs last year, putting an end to late-night ATM visits. But as they try to pay with plastic, many riders report being told the machine is broken, only to find it magically fixed when the driver learns the customer’s last dollar bill went to the bartender.

Rains spur state of emergency call

The weekend nor’easter that left thousands without power in Boston continued its relentless assault yesterday, forcing several road closures and service shutdowns on the MBTA as Gov. Deval Patrick declared a state of emergency.

Exchanging the red lights for a blackout

Is it possible that Hub residents pine for the good old days of the Combat Zone. Most would probably not go that far, however many have been drawn to a recent photography exhibit at the Howard Yezerski Gallery exploring those once-seedy streets, if to just have an image to associate with a bawdy relic of Boston’s urban folklore.

A ‘Fly’ new play at the Huntington

The magic of live theater has never been more evident than in the Huntington’s production of “Stick Fly.” In lesser hands, playwright Lydia Diamond’s tale of familial dysfunction could easily be pedestrian, but director Kenny Leon finds everything that’s good about it and encourages his talented cast to run with it.

Going in for some ‘Light’ comedy

Physics meets chick flicks in “Legacy of Light,” the latest production of the Lyric Stage Co.

No Dance, but they’re playing

Tommy Amaker was surely something just south of exhausted yesterday afternoon, but the Harvard men’s basketball coach was still smiling.

SPRING ASIDE, PROSPECT NOT REDD-Y

Red Sox prospect Josh Reddick has gotten plenty of playing time during spring training – and he’s made the most of it.

T Time: Week of February 26, 2010

Where to go and what to see

Updated 21:40, July the 15th, 2008

Jesus Lorenzo receives an award outside his home from the Boston EMT yesterday.

Jesus Lorenzo receives an award outside his home from the Boston EMT yesterday.

Photo: NICOLAUS CZARNECKI/METRO

Dorchester boy helps save mom’s life

BOSTON. An 8-year-old Dorchester boy was honored yesterday for helping save his mother’s life Monday morning by calling for medical help.

When Melissa Vazquez began to have a seizure, young Jesus Lorenzo came the rescue, calmly calling 911 and talking the respondent through the ordeal.

“He did an unbelievable job,” said Boston Emergency Medical Services Chief Rich Serino. “He stepped up to the plate and stayed cool, calm and collected.”

Lorenzo not only detailed what was wrong with his mother, he also corrected the dispatcher when the wrong address went out. Later, he dressed his little sister to go to the hospital and called relatives to inform them of the emergency.

For his efforts, Lorenzo was given a junior EMS badge and other gifts from medical personnel, as well as a healthy mother who beamed with pride yesterday. “This is the best day of my life,” Lorenzo was heard to say.

[Flyers by PaperG]

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.