US – Thursday, March 18
My Voice
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.
 
Boston
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.
 
Boston
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.  
 
Boston
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.  
 
Boston Arts
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.
 
Arts
‘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.
 
Boston Sports
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.
 
Boston Sports
Dice-K on road to return?
The groin. The shoulder. The back. The neck.
 
Listings
T Time: Week of February 26, 2010
Where to go and what to see
 
Updated 21:50, July the 21st, 2008
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Ridership is up 28 percent on Amtrak’s Portland-to-Boston service.Ridership is up 28 percent on Amtrak’s Portland-to-Boston service.
Photo: GETTY IMAGES
 

Amtrak’s Downeaster ridership up 28 percent

 PORTLAND. Soaring gas prices played a role in a 28 percent gain in ridership for Amtrak’s Downeaster during the latest fiscal year, and operators of the Portland-to-Boston service are looking at options to accommodate future growth, officials said yesterday.

The ridership gain was the biggest of any Amtrak train in the period ending June 30, and revenue for the month of June set an all-time record of more than $590,000, said Patricia Quinn, executive director of the Northern New England Passenger Rail Authority.

On average, 947 more passengers rode the Portland-to-Boston train every day, and ticket revenue grew 33 percent for the year, Quinn said.

Gas prices were a primary reason for the increase in passengers, along with a fifth daily run and added capacity on the trains, she added.

“People are viewing public transportation differently than before,” Quinn said. “It’s been phenomenal. All trains are up.”    

The Associated Press
 
 
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Music
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.