CapeCodToday Blog Chowder

Globe Finally Issues Correction.. Warren Lied!

In my past blog I said that Elizabeth Warren may be 1/32  Native American  but I was going on information based on what I read in what I thought was a trustworthy news outlet, the Boston Globe.  It turns out they were injecting themselves into a story that would ultimately make their reporting look shoddy, again. Finally, after most news outlets had reported the truth the Globe has come clean and recanted.

Elizabeth Warren claimed to be Native American  with the Association of American Law Schools.  A a result of this, she has been touted as a minority hire at the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard University. 

Based on the facts that no living person can find any evidence that Elizabeth Warren has any link to Native Americans heritage what so ever, there is no question in my mind that Mrs. Warren lied to the Association of American Law Schools.  Then Mrs. Warren used the lie to forward her career into a tenured lifetime appointment into a cushy job with Harvard Law School. Good thing I can't afford to send my kids there...Even if the people of the Commonwealth decide to not elect the liar (Elizabeth Warren), she will still have a half million dollar a year job at Harvard.

So lets go over the facts, Elizabeth Warren lied her way to the top of academia, into national politics and policy, and now wants YOU to trust her as your United States Senator. Scott Brown wears a $600 barn coat, made some money from a book he wrote that nobody thinks is fictional and drives a pick up truck instead of a Mercedes.  

Where do they get these idiots to run for office??? I don't think Scott Brown is any sort of political genius or superman and just about everyone in the country felt he would lose in November in liberal Massachusetts, but it sure seems to me that the talent on the other side of the aisle is filled with a group of true jackasses.

So what about the truth? It appears actual Native Cherokee Americans are looking into this and they take this type of thing seriously, as they should.. Below is part of what Twila Barnes, writer of the blog Thoughts from Polly’s Granddaughter and actual Native American had to say in a letter to Mrs. Warren. 

I am writing this letter in the hope it will help end the current situation you have found yourself in. It seems you are being ripped apart in the media because of your claim of Cherokee ancestry and you don’t like it. According to a recent article in the Boston Globe, you believe your opponent is “creating a distraction” by “ridiculously” attacking you “with questions that have already been answered.” It seems you would like the “attacks” against your claims of Cherokee ancestry to stop so I thought I would offer some advice on how to make it stop.

Tell the truth….

While you cling to a family story and the inaccurate report that ONE document was found that supports your claim, we real Cherokees understand that those things mean nothing. You see, we Cherokees have lots and lots and lots of documentation supporting our claims of our ancestry. Our Cherokee ancestors are found on every roll of the Cherokee Nation (30+ rolls!) dating back to before the removal and in all sorts of other documentation, including but not limited to claims against the US government for lost property; the Moravian missionary records; ration lists before and after the forced removal, etc…yet your ancestors are found in NONE of those records.

But, your ancestors are found in plenty of historical records, and every time, they are found living as white people among other white people. Never are your ancestors ever found living among the Cherokees. Never, never, never, never…….yet you claim they were Cherokee….

So, Ms. Warren, you see, it is not just your opponent who has questions. We Cherokees have questions too and those questions have yet to be answered by you. You see, for us Cherokees, this is not political. This is about the truth.

You have claimed something you had no right to claim — our history and our heritage and our identity. Those things belong to us, and us alone. These are not things we choose to embrace when they benefit us and then cast aside when we no longer need them, but that is what you seem to have done by “checking a box” for several years and then no longer “checking” it more recently, when apparently you no longer needed it.

Several people who are experienced researchers in Cherokee genealogy have been working together exploring Elizabeth Warren’s ancestry. They have uncovered many documents that, combined, paint a very clear picture that Warren descends from white people who had no connection whatsoever to the Cherokee Nation. These documents will be posted soon.

A Century old Grand Dame's Birthday; Shear Madness, the Zoo, iMax, Skywalk and Top of the Hub

The Fairmont Copley Boston hotel, "Shear Madness," Top of the Hub, the Zoo & more

The lobby of the Fairmont Copley Boston is a trip back to the Belle Époque, a time when the grandest of the grand hotel were built. The Fairmont Copley Plaza is among the best examples.

Forty-eight hours visiting Boston's best venues for city fun for kids

By Walter and Patricia Brooks

This year The Fairmont Copley Boston on Copley Square in Boston's Back Bay will celebrate its centennial with 100 days of celebration leading up to its anniversary on August 19, 2012.

It's not an exaggeration to say that they just don't build hotels like this any longer.
A different view with our room reflected in the Hancock Tower next door and the Trinity Church and Copley Square to the left.Together with Trinity Church and the Boston Public Library, two next door neighbors, this landmark hotel is one of the architectural jewels of Copley Square. 

From community events and historic tours to weekend packages to a search for hotel memorabilia, the hotel will celebrate this milestone in grand style.  In addition to centennial celebrations, the hotel will also debut a complete restoration totaling in excess of $20 million.        

The hotel is poised at one of the most exciting times in its history, according to Paul S. Tormey, regional vice president and general manager.

This hotel is next to the city's most desirable shopping meccas, Copley Place and Boylston and Newbury Streets.

Our visit

When we visited last weekend with our two grandchildren we stayed on the Fairmont Gold level, which has undergone a magnificent remodeling bringing this always delightful top flight hotel up to the latest in 21st century appurtenances.

When we arrived on a Friday evening this month, we were running late for our Charles Playhouse theater date.  Luckily for the four of us, the nightly hors d'oeuvres and munchies in the Gold Lounge were so impressive, we were tempted to not bother about going out for dinner.

I was so impressed with the tiny espresso maker in our room I asked my granddaughter to find it on the web, and we bought one for home.

On to "Shear Madness"

We first saw "Shear Madness" at the Charles Playhouse thirty years ago, and it's even funnier today.

This rollicking beauty salon "comic murder" opened in upstate New York in 1978, and the producers scheduled a brief run at the historic Charles Playhouse in Boston's Theater District to begin January 29, 1980.

A third of a Century later it's still here and wowing audience every performance. Some have seen it a dozen times.

Voted "Best Comedy of the Year" seven times by the Boston Globe and recipient of the  title "Best Play of the Year" by both the Chicago Sun-Times and the Philadelphia Enquirer, "Shear Madness" has also received the Raven Award from the Mystery Writers of America and has been inducted into the Comedy Hall of Fame, the first play ever to receive that accolade.  "Shear Madness" is listed in the Guiness Book of World Records as the longest running play in the history of the USA.

This unique comedy-whodunit takes place today in the "Shear Madness" hairstyling salon and is chock full of up-to-the-minute spontaneous humor.  During the course of the action, a murder is committed and the audience gets to spot the clues, question the suspects, and solve the funniest mystery in the annals of crime.The outcome is never the same, which is why many audience members return again and again to the scene of the mayhem.

See the "Shear Madness" website here.

Franklin Park Zoo is 100 years old this year too, celebration starts Saturday

This is the Bear cage at the zoo when it opened in 1912. No cages today, and things have changed.
Even Lions need a little love as this family discovered at Franklin Park Zoo.
Visiting a distant cousin at the Franklin Park Zoo where
The Lovebirds may get in your hair.Franklin Park Zoo is a 72-acre site nestled in Boston’s historic Franklin Park, and has long been considered the “crown jewel” of landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted’s Emerald Necklace Park System. Construction of the Zoo began a century ago, and the zoo officially opened in 1912.

It seems crazy, but we've spent dozens of weekends in Boston with our children and now grandchildren, and we never thought to visit perhaps one of the best zoo in America.

There are no bars here, just huge open spaces, and the atmosphere is quite wonderful.

This Saturday, May 19, starts the zoo's 100th Birthday Celebration called Zoo 100 Day.

It's the start of a summer-long series of celebrations marking this milestone, and on Saturday,  and the first thousand visitors will receive a mini-cupcake of frosting shot, and all the animals will be getting surprise birthday present throughout the day.

Zoo New England is two zoos, the Franklin Park one and the Stone Zoo in Stoneham. It's mission is to inspire people to protect and sustain the natural world for future generations by creating fun and engaging experiences that integrate wildlife and conservation programs, research, and education.

On to The Skywalk, Top of the Hub and iMax at the Aquarium

On Sunday we brought the kids to the Skywalk Observatory, Boston's only sky-high vantage point for sweeping 360 degree views of Greater Boston and beyond. You could never have imagined Boston so beautiful and laid out below you.

We then went to The Top of the Hub for a magnificent Sunday Brunch, located on the 52nd floor of the Prudential Tower. The restaurant has an elegant decor and a romantic atmosphere.

The kids reveled in their fun food choices while I had a truly remarkable Duck Confit Hash
Queso Cotija, of Poached Eggs, Crisp Tortillas, and Salsa Ranchero, and my wife had the Crispy Bell & Evans Chicken Breast, Black Forest Ham, Aged Gruyère, and Shallot Mustard Cream Sauce.

The menu will make your mouth water.

After brunch we drove five minutes to the iMax at the Aquarium on the harbor, and saw the softer side of the frozen North as you tag along with a mother polar bear and her two growing cubs in To the Arctic 3D. Join the trio as they struggle to survive and thrive in a frigid environment of immense glaciers, spectacular waterfalls, snow-bound peaks and melting ice.

At the Aquarium's Simons IMAX Theatre, you won't just watch a film, you'll be there, thanks to amazing IMAX 3D technology. It's 12,000 watts of digital sound and New England's largest screen. Don't miss the most cinematic way imaginable to see these beautiful and astounding creatures of the deep.

Come back for your wedding anniversary

If you had your honeymoon at the Fairmont, you can return now at that long-ago room rate, maybe $7 a night.

Always a great popular place for weddings and honeymoons in Boston, The Fairmont Copley Plaza is inviting couples back to celebrate their own anniversaries at their original room rate.  For example, a couple who spent their honeymoon at The Copley Plaza in 1947 would have paid a rate of approximately $7 per night.  The Anniversary Package includes accommodations in a newly renovated guestroom and a hotel history booklet. This package is available for a minimum two night stay, based upon availability.  Present the original folio, and enjoy one night at the original rate paid and the second night at the hotel's best available rate. This package is available through December 30, 2012.

Throughout the year, there will be a number of Centennial activities including hotel tours, memorabilia displays, historic programs and a ribbon cutting event.  For a full schedule of community events, please visit fairmont.com/cop/copley100 or become part of The Fairmont Copley Plaza's online communities at facebook.com/FairmontCopleyPlaza or twitter.com/FairmontCopley.

For reservations or additional information please visit fairmont.com/copleyplaza or call (800) 441-1414.

The links to fun in the city:

Sheer Madness
top Of the Hub Restaurant
Sky walk top of the hub
Franklin Park Zoo
IMax New England Aquarium
Faneuil Hall Market Place
Fairmont Copley Boston

Yoga Everywhere 365 days - Sarah demos triangle pose [Cape Yoga]

Link: http://youtu.be/b-IGhsyXf4A

Sarah Swain demonstrating triangle pose at Earthly Delights in Osterville. Sarah, a fabulous musician and songstress organized the First Annual Cape Cod Women's Music Festival in Wellfleet last weekend - some of the most amazing musicians and artists partcipated in this Rockin event. This annual event celebrates and honors women in music as well as benefits local families dealing with cancer. Thank you Sarah.

http://youtu.be/b-IGhsyXf4A

Barnstable Today: Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Good afternoon, Barnstable Today viewers! I must apologize for the lack of "Barnstable Today" postings recently. I spent Monday and Tuesday of this week at the Smarter Cape Summit in Falmouth.

On this episode of Barnstable Today:  we hear from Nina Coleman about changes to the off-road vehicle policy at Sandy Neck, as well as get a preview of this week's Town Council meeting - at which Councilors will hear the annual budget presentation. Councilors could also decide to appoint Acting Town Manager Tom Lynch as Town Manager. Watch today's episode for details.

Barnstable Today: Friday, May 11, 2012

On this episode of Barnstable Today, we cover this week's golf committee meeting, learn about a change for the Mid-Cape Farmer's market, and get a glimpse of last night's special Town Council meeting.

Search ends for missing towboat captain in Buzzards Bay

UPDATE: Search ends for missing captain

Body discovered in cabin of submerged vessel

   Members of the state medical examiner's office remove the captain's body from a boat in Wareham as family members look on. Photo by David G. Curran.

The search has ended for the missing captain of the Triple J. According to the United States Coast Guard, Wareham Fire Department divers found the captain deceased in the cabin of the towboat.

The discovery was made around 8:30 a.m. Wednesday

Triple J towboat captain radioed he was taking on water at 1 a.m. today

Wareham harbor master found tug unmanned and partially submerged around 6 a.m.

By Walter Brooks

The location of the submerged towboat Triple J.The Coast Guard reported today that it is searching for a missing towboat captain in Buzzards Bay west of Pocasset between the towns of Wareham and Falmouth.

Watchstanders from the Sector Southeastern New England command center received a distress call at approximately 1 a.m. from the captain of the 29-foot TowBoat U.S. vessel Triple J, reporting that his vessel was taking on water.

A 25-foot Response Boat from Station Cape Cod Canal, a 41-foot utility boat from Station Woods Hole and the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Tigershark were immediately launched to search for the captain.

Harbor master discovers unmanned, half submerged vessel

The Wareham harbor master found the Triple J unmanned and partially submerged around 6 a.m. approximately three miles south of Hog Island Channel.

Lt. Brian Hall, the command duty officer at Sector Southeast New England said, “He called us on a VHF-radio and we were able quickly find a fixed position. We launched several assets and are conduct a through search of the area."

Assisting in the search are:

• Bourne, Mass., Police Department
• Wareham Harbor Master
• Marion, Mass., Harbor Master

   Bourne Fire Rescue aided with the search. Photo by David G. Curran.

Cape's charter schools can teach the "big boys" about thrift

Thrifty Cape Charter schools resist "edifice complex"

Charters do with less - a lot less

By Walter Brooks

Cape Cod’s two public charter schools are both in the midst of high profile construction projects.  Cape Cod Lighthouse Charter School (CCLCS) is mid-way through the renovation of the former Regal Cinema multiplex in Harwich and even has a creative blog about the project's progress.

CCLCS in former Route 137 Harwich movie theater.

At the same time the Sturgis Charter Public School is about to place the modular units for their new “Sturgis West” campus in Hyannis.

Both charter schools have managed to succeed in rather unconventional spaces prior to building their new facilities.  Sturgis’ main campus is in the former Meyer’s Furniture store in Hyannis and their “new” campus is temporarily housed in the former Artifacts Fine Furniture store across the street.  In Orleans, CCLCS has run a middle school out of the “underground mall” for over 15 years.

Indeed, Sturgis was just named the fifteenth best high school in the United States by US New and World Report and the best high school in Massachusetts.

Sturgis West rendering by Studio G Architects.

Sturgis under $11 million, Lighthouse for $4 million

In a recent radio newscast Sturgis’ Executive Director, Eric Hieser declared that the cost of the Sturgis West campus was “under $11 million.”  Paul Niles, director of the Cape Cod Lighthouse Charter School, quoted the cost of his school’s project at $4 million - $1.9M to purchase the property and $2.1M to convert the Harwich multiplex.

Meanwhile, Nauset Regional High School raised eyebrows last year with a $6.5 million project to replace windows and the roof at the multi-building campus in North Eastham.

Over in Harwich, the Monomoy Regional School District withdrew its request for a $68 million high school complex at the site of the current Harwich High School.  In the face of taxpayer outrage, the Monomoy committee decided to re-think the project.  The $68M proposal had included surprises such as a $3 million sports stadium complex.  “Edifice complex” was the term one taxpayer used in expressing his dissatisfaction with the Monomoy building committee.

Yesterday, Sturgis launched the Sturgis West  - Breaking New Ground blog to keep people informed about the construction project, according to Marion Weeks, Community Outreach Coordinator at Sturgis. Sturgis  West - Breaking New Ground is a collaborative effort by JK Scanlan Company, Studio G. Architects and Sturgis Charter Public School. Visit the blog here or sign up for their email alert.Cape Cod Lighthouse Charter School is rehabilitating its facility for considerably less than the cost of a maintenance project at Nauset Regional High School and Sturgis is building a 400 student school for about 16% the proposed cost of Monomoy’s 700-800 student school.

Our two charter schools’ history of excellent teaching in unusual spaces proves that the four walls around a classroom are less important than what the teachers and students do behind those walls.

Perhaps the charters might teach the traditional public school districts a thing or two about thrift in school construction.

The taxpayers who eventually have to pay for any public works would appreciate the thrift.

"Mother's Day morass" hurts Route 6A business; Fulcher out, Tuttle in, McAuliffe out, Holcomb, Tolley in

TODAY's quote: “Whoever conceived of this (Sagamore Bridge repair) plan should be fired.
If I were a tourist and I was caught up in that thing on Sunday, I would never go to the Cape again.’’
- Anne Kilguss,  Orleans second home owner.

"Mother's Day morass" at Sagamore Bridge angers visitors, hurts tourism here

Orleans: Fulcher out, Hodgson in

When the Orleans votes were tallied last night, longtime Orleans Selectman Margie Fulcher walked over to John Hodgson and gave him a hug and wished him good luck.
     The 41-year-old banker had knocked on 1,300 doors over the course of the campaign and racked up an almost 2-1 victory in his third run for the office.
   For what he'll do different, see his replies to our questions here.

Tuttle wins in Dennis

After his reelection last night in Dennis, Selectman Alan Tuttle said, “Wastewater is the biggest issue we face. The towns and county are now realizing that there are new ways that are more cost effective to deal with this.”

McAuliffe out, Holcomb, Tolley in

She's been an elected official in Yarmouth for a quarter century but like Margie Fulcher in Orleans, Suzanne McAuliffe may have stayed too long at the party and came in third in the town's two-man Selectman race last night losing to incumbent Erik R. Tolley and challenger Norman C. Holcomb.Route 6A businesses down 50 percent, 
Sandwich in gridlock all of Sunday

By Walter Brooks

The Boston Globe reports that with irate motorists trickling past idle equipment in the closed lanes on the Sagamore Bridge a few weeks ago, the Army Corps of Engineers which controls the bridges over the canal had its contractor double the number of shifts halfway through the project to meet the late-May deadline for reopening all lanes by May 24.

"Those who do not learn from history..."

The complete George Santayana quote is “Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it,” but it's clear neither the US Army Corps or the Department of Highways have learned from theirs.

The Army Corps faced a backlash in 2009 after a resurfacing project on the Sagamore deck caused severe backups, prompting the convening of a federal, state, and local task force to work with business and civic groups and coordinate project timing and traffic management.

Former State Rep. Thomas Cahir and Cape Cod Transportation Authority chief said one part remedy would be to relocate Exit 1 which is literally at the foot of the Sagamore Bridge, to enter Route 6 some distance to the east.

Cahir says drivers who have tried to skirt Route 6 until the last possible moment, clogging Route 6A, have worsened delays while trying to merge onto Route 6 just as that highway shrinks to one lane outbound.  “I really think that’s the reason for the most frustration,’’ said Cahir.

Many drivers now leave Route 6 and try taking the alternative Route 6A which has resulted in a massive gridlock through the entire town of Sandwich bringing local travel and business to a standstill.

The Globe reported that Kerry Barrett of Twin Acres Ice Cream Shoppe said business has fallen by more than 50 percent on Sundays, normally the busiest day, and Mother's Day was by far the worst.

Read the Globe story here.

To see all the Xtras, click here, and to write a Letter to the Editor, click here.

MassDEP Finds Unacceptable Sound from Falmouth Wind #1 [Dave Kent]

 The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) released the results of a study today that could go a long way toward resolving the dispute over the Falmouth turbines.   Here’s a quick summary of the study’s cover letter to the Falmouth Board of Selectmen:

• The study compared sound levels to the State’s 10 decibel threshold for Wind #1
• Sound levels were tested at 5 residences on 4 separate nights
• Unacceptable sound levels (over the 10 decibel threshold) were measured at 1 out of the 5 homes:  211 Blacksmithshop Road
• MassDEP will continue its work to assess the sound emitted by Wind #1 during the day and of Wind #1 and Wind #2 operating concurrently.

The report does not make any recommendations nor does it direct the Town of Falmouth to take any particular action but it does say this:

“Earlier today the town advised Mass DEP that on May 14 that the Board of Selectmen passed a motion to temporarily cease operation of Wind #1.  We understand that Wind #1 will not be operating during nighttime hours unless and until steps are taken to reduce nighttime sound impact to levels below MassDEP’s 10 dBA threshold”.

So, while not making any recommendations, MassDEP does appear to acknowledge the appropriateness of the Town shutting down Wind #1 at night.

Update:  After a review of the full study, I can provide some more detail on how this study was performed and on its most important results.

In a nut shell, MassDEP:

• Sampled at 4 (not 5) homes near Wind #1

• They worked on nights that allowed them to sample low, medium & high wind conditions.
• On a night when sampling was done, they 1^st sampled with Wind #1 running, starting at about 1:00 AM.
• When that sampling was complete, Wind #1 was turned off and sampling was done to determine background noise.
• In each sampling run, noise levels were recorded every 5 seconds
• Sampling was “attended” meaning that a technician was involved.  This is important because he/she eliminated any samples that were affected by unrelated noise (passing cars, high noise through trees caused by wind gusts, etc.).
• Average decibel levels were then compared:  With Wind #1 operational vs.  non-operational (background)

The following appears to be the critical table of results:

This shows that, of the 4 test homes, only 211 Blackshop Road exceeded the State’s 10 decibel threshold in any study but that that home was consistently over the threshold.

Cape daily newspaper owner's top UK editor charged

TODAY's quote: "I have concluded ... there is sufficient evidence for there to be a realistic prospect of conviction, All these matters relate to the ongoing police investigation into allegations of phone hacking and corruption of public officials in relation to the News of the World and The Sun newspapers."
- Alison Levitt QC, Principal Legal Adviser to Britain's Director of Public Prosecutions.

Rupert Murdoch's top British newspaper executive charged with conspiracy

News of the World editor Rebekah Brooks charged with perverting the course of justice.

By Walter Brooks

Rebekah Brooks headed the Murdoch newspapers in Great Britain including the tabloid News of the World which was closed after 168 years. That's Murdoch in the inset.The New York Times along with literally hundreds of other newspapers around the world report that Rebekah Brooks, the one-time  head of Rupert Murdoch’s British newspaper empire and a close friend of British Prime Minister David Cameron, was charged on Tuesday that she, her husband and four others conspired to pervert the course of justice in the hacking scandal that has burrowed into public life here.

The Times said the decision to prosecute Ms. Brooks and her husband was seen as a blow to Mr. Murdoch and Mr. Cameron, who has been depicted as maintaining a cozy friendship with her both when he was in the opposition and, since 2010, as prime minister. 

Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation is the owner of the daily Cape Cod Times newspaper, the Barnstable Patriot and Nantucket Inquirer-Mirror weeklies, and the Standard-Times in New Bedford.

Today's charges are among the most dramatic developments of a controversy that has sent shockwaves through the British political establishment and rocked Rupert Murdoch's media empire to its core.

Ms. Brooks, no relation to the owners of Cape Cod Today, faces one charge of conspiring with her personal assistant Cheryl Carter to "remove seven boxes of material from the archives of News International". The maximum sentence for perverting the course of justice is life imprisonment.

In a separate charge she is accused of conspiring with her husband, her chauffeur and a security consultant to conceal "documents and computers" from the investigating detectives. All the offenses are alleged to have taken place in July of 2011.

The other suspects were identified as Cheryl Carter, Ms. Brooks’s personal assistant; Mark Hanna, the head of security at News International, the British newspaper subsidiary of the Murdoch family’s News Corporation; a chauffeur, Paul Edwards; and two security consultants, Daryl Jorsling and a second suspect who was not named.

Read the Times story here.

See the hundreds of other stories about this scandal here.

To see all the Xtras, click here, and to write a Letter to the Editor, click here.