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.

Updated 22:53, October the 22nd, 2008

From booster to strip clubs

Allegations

Atkins allegedly made the withdrawals between 2005 and 2007. The charges came to light after parents of the team raised concerns over suspicious activity in the booster club’s account.

BOSTON. A former high school football coach allegedly stole thousands of dollars from a Chelsea booster club and used some funds intended for team uniforms at a strip club.

James Atkins, 43, was arraigned yesterday on 10 counts of larceny for alleged thefts of around $10,000 from the Chelsea High School football team booster club, of which he was the president.

According to prosecutors, Atkins used money for airline tickets and made cash withdrawals as far away as Alabama. One withdrawal of $500 was made about a mile from the Squire strip club in Chelsea, where Atkins allegedly spent it.

“The evidence we’ve assembled paints a disturbing picture,” said Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel Conley. “It suggests the use of young people’s money for sordid adult purposes.”

Atkins was dismissed as the head football coach at Medford High School earlier this month.

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]