US – Friday, July 30
Arlington graves may be mixed up
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier has just gotten quite a bit of company: As many as 6,600 graves at the country’s hallowed Arlington National Cemetery for fallen U.S. service members may be mislabeled, one lawmaker said on Thursday.
 
WikiLeaks founder defends war posts
Julian Assange, founder of the website that published more than 91,000 secret U.S. military reports from Afghanistan, says he’s revealing injustices. President Barack Obama says he’s concerned that disclosure of sensitive information may harm military operations.
 
Short-term living in Jersey City
Subletting in NYC typically involves some kind of covert transaction. Try to find a budget traveler who hasn’t enjoyed the risk of Craigslist’s lease-free rentals. But thanks to a bill Gov. David Paterson signed into law last Friday, renting an apartment for less than 30 days isn’t kosher. Fortunately, there’s a saving grace for those in search of short-term living: Jersey City.
 
Taking a joy ride through Italy
Unless the locals covered you in meatballs and sang “Nessun Dorma” upon arrival, this vacation could hardly be more Italian. For this is a “Vespa vacation” — a two-wheeled tour of the nooks and crannies, the winding back roads and the off-the-beaten-track hidden gems of breathtaking Umbria, a beautiful region located in Central Italy.
 
She’s ready to Crosse the bridge
Telling Liris Crosse that she can’t do something might be a guarantee she will try.
 
Dinner and a movie plus something more
Around the corner from the marquee that bears the name of one of Hollywood’s founding fathers, Marcus Loew, and adjacent to one of Boston’s oldest cinemas, the newly restored Paramount, BiNA Osteria’s Cinema Italiano brings benchmark Italian movies (with English subtitles) to Downtown Crossing.  Pair, say, Fellini’s masterful three-hour stunner “La Dolce Vita” with BiNA’s Cinema Italiano three-course prix fixe ($35). Or choose the inky black seafood risotto ($23), which is as dark and decadent as the film’s finale. Next up: “Johnny Stecchio.”
 
Rabbis, controversy, and jail time at Chelsea’s wedding
Although facts on the famed Clinton-Mezvinsky wedding, which is rumored to happen this weekend, are tighter than Hillary Clinton’s smile, some details have leaked out. Sources report that groom Marc Mezvinsky  has “hurt” his father’s family by not inviting them to the wedding (Ed Mezvinsky pleaded guilty in 2002 to swindling investors out of $10 million.
 
PATRIOT TRAIN
School is in session at Gillette Stadium, where the Patriots kicked off their 2010 training camp Thursday.
 
HOPE THERE, BUT IT'S SLIM
As the clock ticks down to baseball’s trading deadline, the Red Sox don’t appear close to making any splashy moves. Deals can, and often do, come together at the last minute, however, so fans will wait on tenterhooks.
 
Updated 22:43, July the 1st, 2009
 

Will Mass. be able to wipe the slate clean?

Patrick hopes for new era with post-scandal ethics reform measures

What do you think?

Gov. Deval Patrick came into office with a message of change. Now that the state has adopted ethics, pension and transportation reform, how do you think the governor has lived up to his campaign promises? 

 

 With Gov. Deval Patrick signing sweeping ethics reform legislation Wednesday, the state is hoping to turn the page after a series of embarrassing accu­sations against former lawmakers in the last year has rattled the public’s faith in government.

The bill targets gift-giving to lawmakers, establishes larger oversight on lobbyists and strengthens the state Ethics Commission’s subpoena power. Pam Wilmot, executive director of Common Cause Massachusetts, praised the legislation for creating more disclosure and transparency in campaign financing.

“This law demonstrates our firm commitment to governing with integrity, with openness and with the public’s interest foremost,” Patrick said.

Former House Speaker Salvatore DiMasi and state Sen. Dianne Wilkerson have been charged with public corruption, while former Sen. James Marzilli was arrested last year for on public lewdness charges. While Wilmot said it “doesn’t mean there will never be another scandal,” she said it will lead to increased scrutiny and stiffer punishments for wrongdoing.

“I think the public should feel confident that this is a serious, thoughtful reform,” said Wilmot, a member of the governor’s ethics reform task force.

 
 
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MMMpod
In the July MMMpod, Young Veins talk about breaking away from Panic! at the Disco, Keith Lockhart talks about Buckwheat Zydeco throwing the Boston Pops for a loop, Zooey Deschanel talks about how Roy Orbison inspired a She & Him song, Derek Miller of Sleigh Bells talks about how awesome Funkadelic is, and we talk about how awesome Jimmy Cliff is, who in turn talks about Sam Cooke and divine intervention. An explosive show for July! Oh yeah, and we also test your knowledge of America songs in the MMMPod medley.