US – Tuesday, February 9
Plant blast under investigation
Federal investigators headed to Connecticut yesterday to determine the cause of an explosion at an unfinished power plant that killed at least five workers and hospitalized dozens of others.
 
Pressure grows for sanctions
International pressure for new sanctions against Iran grew yesterday after Tehran announced plans to make higher-enriched uranium and add 10 nuclear sites in a year, raising Western fears it wants to develop atom bombs.
 
Stern: I’d do ‘Idol’ for $100M
Howard Stern took to his radio show yesterday to address the rumors that he’s a possible replacement for Simon Cowell for the next season of “American Idol.” To sum it up? He’s not going for it.
 
Dancing while the skinny lady sings
You’ve heard of the jukebox musical? David Parsons and singers AnnMarie Milazzo and Tyley Ross of the East Village Opera Co. offer a jukebox opera, playing nightly at the Joyce. Eleven Parsons dancers share the stage with Milazzo and Ross, who clutch microphones cranked to 11 and stroll through the action. On the recorded soundtrack, three drummers create a wall of sound so loud you — well, I — want to hide under the seat. Digital video of abstract patterns, natural landscapes and stunning architecture change for each song.
 
‘Free’ ad leads to fraud suit
NEW YORK. A Wisconsin college student is suing credit firm Experian — the brains behind the ubiquitous FreeCreditReport.com jingles — for fraudulent advertising after she inadvertently signed up for a monthly $14.95 monitoring service.
 
Let me count the ways ...
‘Tis the season for writing love letters. But that can be a daunting endeavor, especially when you’re not sure where to start. Should you put it in verse, use flowery language, get erotic? As with almost anything in life, the simpler you keep it, the easier (and often better) it will be. It doesn’t sound that romantic, but think of your love letter as a laundry list of the reasons why you adore your sweetheart. It’s kinda like Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s Sonnet 43: “How do you love your partner? Count the ways!” Here’s how to do it without rhyming or pulling out a thesaurus:
 
Updated 21:59, January the 4th, 2009
 

McPhee: Friends of Gov. Patrick worry not this recession

There are murmurings of layoffs in Boston of people I would call “essential” employees. You know, the police officers, firefighters and ambulance workers who actually show up for work in snow storms. There are threats of $7.00 tolls in Eastie and toll hikes on the Massachusetts Turnpike. Property taxes are about to be raised and teachers could be axed. In a word, Massachusetts is a mess.

But Dana Harrell from Milton is not worried. Harrell is one of the many campaign contributors to Deval Patrick’s gubernatorial war chest and lives less than a quarter-mile from the governor’s abode. He is earning $120,000 a year courtesy of the beleaguered taxpayer. Harrell’s job: Director of Real Estate Services; a position that never existed in Massachusetts before; a position created during a statewide hiring freeze.  

Harrell, 60, is one of the many real estate workers who have taken a financial hit in the current market. But Harrell’s cash flow into the governor’s campaign coffers two years ago was an insurance policy. He’s all set now.

 So are the folks in Newton. Well, at least the people with kids who will attend Newton North High School. Last week, Patrick’s administration funneled $46.6 million in state taxpayer money into the staggering $200 million building that will only benefit an absurdly small population of Bay State residents. Now, one of the wealthiest municipalities will take money from the pockets of some of the poorest cities and towns in the Commonwealth.

Then there’s the money doled out to Parsons-Brinckerhoff. The Big Dig boondogglers were forced by Attorney General Martha Coakley to pay $47 million in fines after a woman was crushed to death in the tunnel. Like Patrick’s buddy Harrell, the company has nothing to worry about. They are already $30 million richer with a Massport contract for a parking lot we don’t need at Logan Airport. The company is slated to collect another $300 million to rebuild a bridge in Amesbury.

If only the Director of Real Estate Services could find Patrick a new home in D.C.

The Michele McPhee Show can be heard on 96.9 FM WTKK weeknights 7 to 10 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. to noon.

 
 
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MMMpod
The February MMMpod features conversation from Ozzy Osbourne. Michael Emerson from "Lost" tells us about his days enjoying punk rock in Boston. We also dig up an old interview from the late great Howard Zinn. We have a song from Delta Spirit and The Soft Pack, who tell us where they got their name.

 
 
Metro Life Panel