CapeCodToday Blog Chowder

Marlowe offers a a trip to Hogwarts

Last weekend we tested out the new Marlowe Hotel in Kendall Square which is celebrating a Harry Potter festival of sorts. We were equally interested in the Bambara Restaurant where my wife had the best, aged steak of her life while I dined on meatloaf of a unique quality. The rooms are impressive, and the hotel is in the same block with the fabulous, three-story Cambridge Galleria.

The new Marlowe Hotel in Kendall Square offer a Harry Potter package

 Deathly Hallow & the Order of the Phoenix, but you must look like Harry

CAMBRIDGE, MA – July 23, 2007 - Hotel Marlowe, Kimpton’s AAA Four-Diamond rated  property on Edwin Land Blvd, adjacent to the Cambridge Galleria in Kendall square, celebrates the record-breaking sales of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and the cinematic success of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix with a package inspired by the highly anticipated blockbuster movie. Hotel Marlowe’s Harry Potter package offers guests and their families the opportunity to experience the enchantment of Harry’s return to Hogwarts Academy as he encounters new adventures facing familiar perils along the way. Guests and their families will be transported into the wizardly world of Harry Potter! 

The hotel is brand new with all the innovations needed to satisfy the high-tech clientel from the nearby IT firms. Our eighth-floor room looked down on the bucolic, canalside park on the right and the Charles Riverboat Company.

It's not more than fifty steps to the Cambridge Galleria and it's great shops and restauarnts like Best Buy, Borders, Sears, Macy's, Apple Store and more or enjoy casual dining at The Cheesecake Factory and California Pizza Kitchen.

An impressive, wizardly package 

The Hotel Marlowe Harry Potter package sends guests on a scavenger hunt around Harvard Square, collecting clues and gathering goodies, including Harry’s famous circular glasses - the perfect accessory for a wizard-in-training!

Upon completion of the scavenger hunt, families will receive passes to see Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix at Loews Theater. After a magical day, guests and their family can return to the Hotel Marlowe for a sorcerer’s slumber and enjoy breakfast the next morning at Bambara.

The Harry Potter package includes:

• One night stay at Hotel Marlowe
• Map that will lead guests on a Hunt for Harry around Harvard Square
• Magical sweets at Sweet Treats
• The entire family can look just like Harry, with Harry Potter Spectacles from The Curious George Store
• Four tickets to see the release of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix at the Loews Theater
  

After the movie the whole family can test their knowledge of one of the world's most famous wizards in Harry Potter Scene It?

After a day and night filled of Wizard’s adventures relax and enjoy breakfast at Bambara

• Rates: From $399.00 per night, based on double occupancy.
• Terms & Conditions: Rated subject to space, availability and change.  Taxes and gratuities not included.  Black out dates may apply.
• Valid: Through September 3
• Reservations: Call 800-825-7040; ask for rate code PPOT.
  

A word about Bambara

The restaurant is called Bambara, and knowing how difficult  to impress constant diners like ourselves, we were delighted at both the food and the service.

My wife is not a steak eater, but our server Mustapha urged her to try their "Signature Steak Frites" with its Angus flatiron, dry-aged steak shown on the right.  She claims it was the best cut of beef she's ever eaten.

The chef also offers a Summer Prix Fixe which is fit for a wizard at $36 for the three courses. 

NOAA predict a bad future for Cape's rivers and streams

Report on nutrient pollution forecasts worsening health for nation's estuaries
Cape Cod to Chesapeake are the most impaired in America 

While moderate to high level nutrient-related impacts were reported in systems from all coasts, the Mid-Atlantic region, stretching south from Cape Cod to the Chesapeake Bay, is the most impairedThe National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration today released a comprehensive assessment of estuarine eutrophication, or nutrient pollution, that clearly indicates linkages between upstream activities and coastal ecosystem health. The report shows that the majority of U.S. estuaries assessed are highly influenced by human-related activities and points out that eutrophication is a widespread problem globally.

“Observations have confirmed that our nation’s coastal waters are stressed,” said retired Navy Vice Adm. Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. “One thing we have learned from this study is that while the accumulation of nutrients in our estuaries has been stable in most of our estuaries, conditions are likely to worsen. The potential for serious degradation in most of our estuaries necessitates that we reinvigorate efforts to address nutrient pollution, and this study helps to confirm that an ecosystem approach is required for improving the health of our estuaries.” (Click NOAA image for a larger view of the grapic showing the current status of estuarine eutrophication in the United Statest.

Eutrophication is caused by excess nutrients in the water, which can result in increased blooms of algae, decreased dissolved oxygen and loss of seagrasses. The end result is loss of critical marine life habitat.

The NOAA report, “Effects of Nutrient Enrichment in the Nation’s Estuaries: A Decade of Change, National Estuarine Eutrophication Assessment Update” is an update of the 1999 National Estuarine Eutrophication Assessment, examining eutrophic conditions in 141 U.S. estuaries, and how and why conditions have changed in the decade between the early 1990s and early 2000s. Of the 99 estuaries that had adequate data for evaluation, 64 estuaries have moderate to high level nutrient related impacts.

"The team of scientists that worked on this assessment concluded that most of the problems in the estuaries are related to human activities," said lead report author Suzanne Bricker, Ph.D., of NOAA's Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment. "These impacts are occurring in a watershed that currently supports 53 percent of the nation's population, and excluding Alaska accounts for only 17 percent of the nation's land mass. The scientists' assessment is that the ecological health of our coastal waters is seriously threatened by nutrient pollution. We need to comprehensively address the influx of excess nutrients from upland watersheds to protect our nation’s estuaries."

While moderate-to-high-level nutrient-related impacts were reported in systems from all coasts, the Mid-Atlantic region, stretching south from Cape Cod to the Chesapeake Bay, is the most impaired. The North Atlantic region, from Maine to Cape Cod, was the least impaired proportionally. From North Carolina to Florida, a majority of estuaries have moderate or low eutrophic conditions. The Gulf of Mexico estuaries have very large watersheds with low to moderate populations. They are poorly flushed, and as a result have high level of factors that can cause eutrophication. Regardless, Gulf of Mexico estuaries are proportionally less impacted than those in the heavily populated Mid-Atlantic. The Pacific region has very little nutrient load data available, making it difficult to provide an overall assessment.

In looking ahead, the report predicts that conditions in 65 percent of the nation's estuaries are likely to worsen in the next decade, while only 20 percent will improve. The remaining 15 percent will remain unchanged. Read the complete NOAA report here. 
 

Man falls after electric shock in Bourne; Dennis fire; Tanker, car collide in Yarmouth; Ptown, Eastham crashes; Stuck truck stalls Route 6A traffic; Emergency landing; Bird's nest KOs power

Structure fire in Dennis

     ^{Flames pour from a house on Olivia Walker Road in South Dennis.}
SOUTH DENNIS – The Dennis Fire Department responded to a call at 3:23 PM this afternoon alerting them to a structure fire at 25 Olivia Walker Road in South Dennis.

When the first crews arrived flames were jetting out of the rear of the house. Crews were able to knock down the fire in a matter of minutes. No injuries were reported.

Investigators believe a faulty motor on an electric fan sparked the blaze in the summer rental. Mutual aid from Harwich and Yarmouth covered the Dennis station.
Story and photos by Kevin Morley.

Tanker, car collide on Route 6 in Yarmouth
YARMOUTH -A close call after a fully loaded gasoline tanker and a vehicle collide on Route 6 late Tuesday evening. The crash happened on the eastbound side near the Bass River Bridge on the Dennis/Yarmouth town line. The vehicle driver was taken to Cape Cod Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The truck driver was not injured and there was no spill.

Two injured in Provincetown crash

     ^{Two cars collided on Route 6 at Snail Road in Provincetown Tuesday evening.}
PROVINCETOWN - Two people were injured in a crash on Route 6 at Snail Road shortly after 7 PM. A Subary Legacy and a Toyota Camry collided. The Camry skidded across a traffic island flattening the right side tires and knocking down a stop sign. Two people in the Camry were taken to Cape Cod Hospital with non-life threatening injuries. Provincetown Police are investigating the crash.
Photos by Tim Caldwell

One seriously injured in Eastham crash
EASTHAM - One person was seriously injured in a  late afternoon crash in Eastham. Reports say a vehicle driven by 78-year old Paul Alarie of Eastham was exiting the Tedeschi's store when it was  apparently broadsided by a tow truck driven by 75-year old Paul Underhill of Eastham. Eastham Police are investigating the cause of the crash. Further details were not immediately available.

Stuck truck stalls Route 6A traffic

     ^{A tractor trailer makes several hitches to get turned around after getting stuck at the RR bridge in W. Barnstable.}
WEST BARNSTABLE - A tight squeeze made for a major traffic jam in West Barnstable. A tractor trailer was too tall to get under the railroad overpass on Route 6A. Reports say the trailer became slightly jammed . Traffic came to a standstill while the truck managed to back out from the overpass and then had to backup all the way to the Barnstable/West Barnstable Elementary School where it was able to make several hitches and get turned around. Traffic was at a standstill for about 45 minutes. Photos by Frank Paparo.

Charges filed in Falmouth fatal crash
FALMOUTH - The driver accused of triggering a double fatal crash in Falmouth July 14th is now facing serious charges. Falmouth Police along with the Cape & Islands District Attorney's Office issued 23-year old Michael Catarius citations for motor vehicle homicide (2 counts), operating negligently to endanger, operating after license suspension, failing to stop for a red light and speeding. Investigators say Catarius had somehow gotten on the Otis base and fled when State Police arrived to question him. by the time police found him he had apparently run a red light at Route 151 and Sandwich Road in Falmouth causing a six vehicle collision. A man in one of the vehicles Edward Kipp of RI was killed as was a passenger in Catarius' vehicle 26-year old Michael Warren of Falmouth. Catarius who is still recuperating from his injuries is entitled to a hearing in Falmouth District Court. The crash remains under investigation by Falmouth Police, the D.A.s office and Mass State Police reconstruction. Photo by AAP.

Man falls after apparent electric shock in Bourne
BOURNE - A man was rushed to Falmouth Hospital after apparently receiving an electric shock. Reports say the jolt caused the man to fall about 2 stories around 3:30 PM. Rescuers at 24 Portside Drive were unable to get a medevac so the victim was taken to Falmouth Hospital in serious condition. Further details were not immediately available.

Chapter X: "To Have and Have Not"

"I need a few people to help me get my sailboat over to the marina to store it for the winter," he explained. "It won't take long." Painting courtesy of Anne Sullivan

A SUMMER IN TIME by Norman H. Goroshnik
CHAPTER X: THE FALL SEASON: "TO HAVE AND HAVE NOT"

Interwoven among the homes, there had to be some houses that were built over 150 years ago.  These houses were kept up by craftsmen and preserved by their inhabitants.  These houses represented a lot of history and tradition. By some miracle, they survived the coastal weathers that often find there way to Cape Cod.

You sat up in bed, noticing it was eleven thirty. Here it was Saturday morning, you almost slept until noon.

With some effort, dreary-eyed and half asleep, you managed to make it to the refrigerator.   Cold air escaped as you opened the door and reached for the pitcher of orange juice.   It gave you a chill.  You felt around inside the kitchen cabinet for a clean glass then carried the juice  back up to your room.

Once you were dressed, it was back to the kitchen for coffee.

The cottage was still quiet, it appeared the others had every intention of sleeping late.  You should in the antique laden kitchen in a pair of navy blue toreador pants and a white pullover, the enjoyable smell of fresh coffee throughout the room. You leaned against the counter, coffee cup in hand, munching on a day-old doughnut, reminiscing about last night.  It had to be a wonderful time.

As for Paul, he sat up in his bed, running his hand through his hair, he realized he had his work was cut out for him.  He wanted a long distance relationship with you. He was not afraid of it.  Paul was trying to paint a picture in his mind of the possibility that some how, some way, he could have you for his own.  It all seemed so right!

He knew by then he was serious about you.  Paul was smart enough to know he was asking for more than he could of hoped for.  It had to be a matter of luck but he wanted you badly enough.  He was sure about his feelings.

By now David was dressed, and ready to leave. "I suppose we should go over to your girlfriend's cottage!", David said, being somewhat sarcastic.

Paul ignored his remark.  "I am ready, let's go."

"Take us to the beach!" she ordered

Sheila watched David pull into the driveway and came running.

"Take us to the beach!" she ordered.

Paul chuckled to himself. "Give us a few minutes," answered David.

From the passenger's seat, Paul glanced up toward the screen door.  He noticed you coming out.  He waved, watching your every step.  He had to wonder how and if you would consent to keeping in touch with him.

"Good morning, Blair.  How are you?" asked Paul.  "I am fine, and you?"   "The same," Paul answered, welcoming you into the car.

Everyone wanted to enjoy the beach today, the last fling on Craigville Beach.

A young man made his way out of the crowd approaching you and Paul as you sat together on your beach towel. The sun had tanned his young body.  He was a lot shorter than Paul, with blond hair.

"I need a few people to help me get my sailboat over to the marina to store it for the winter," he explained.  "It won't take long."

"I have my car over there now. I can take four people back.  My boat is sitting in the surf."

Paul jumped up in a flash. "Blair, come with me, what do you say?"

"Well, okay," you replied.  "I am coming also!" Abby called out.

Brian led the way to the surf, where the sailboat waited half in the water.  Abby  and Paul helped Brian maneuver the sailboat out into the waves.

One by one, the new crew jumped in to pushing the boat into the sound.  Once underway, the beach looked a long way off.  Brian said he had trouble with the centerboard.  It might be hard to steer, but so far it was working well.  Brian steadied the sailboat with skill and great confidence.  He knew what he was doing.

Paul was wondering then, about the blow-up over a friend of yours coming to see you this weekend.  But this was the wrong time to bring it up.  Instead, Paul put his arm around your shoulder, making sure you were comfortable and felt safe.  The weather was perfect for sailing.

You listened to the water separating underneath the boat.  Slicing through the waves.  The sun began to sink in the west.  It all was too beautiful. 

It was wonderful indeed to be out on Brian's boat with Paul as your escort.

Brian turned left heading into a cove up ahead.  The boat slowed down as it came out of the currents.  It seemed to find its own way into the marina, seeking a familiar pier nestled in between other sail and motorboats of all sizes.

Paul released his hold on you. Brian, with Paul's help, lowered the clean white sail. He also secured a line on to a large hook.  As soon as the boat was made steady, everyone was busy unloading the boat.  Paul got into the swing of things.

After Brian stored away his gear in his locker, he led the way to his car.  He headed out of the marina.  "The caretaker will put my boat in storage for me,"  Brian said.

"Blair, did you have a good time?" asked Paul.  "Yes I did, it was wonderful.  I am so glad we went along," you replied.

Brian drove right up to the cottage in Hyannisport.  By then everyone had returned from the beach.  A cheer went up for the homecoming sailors!

Once again the lawn was bustling with activity. The sun was setting.  It always seems you are in touch with the earth and the sky by the ocean.

Paul left with David.  It was time to go and get cleaned up for a dinner planned for the evening.  While at the beach, Carol the girl from the boy's cottage, met everyone.  She was invited to come and join them for dinner.  She sat on the second step of the staircase looking on.

It was after dinner that things changed considerable. Tension seemed to have come inside from perhaps the other side of the screen door.  Who knows!

Paul watched you leave to go to your room.   He felt somewhat shutout, not knowing if he should stay or leave.   He began to feel he would rather be some place else.

He caught Carol's eye and walked over to her.  "Carol, let's go for a walk, would you like to get out of here for a while?"  "That's a good idea, " came her answer.  Paul led the way out. He waited until Carol caught up to him.  The screen door banged behind him, hedid not realize how fast he was moving.

"Slow down, Paul!"

"I am sorry," he answered Carol.

She grabbed his arm, trying to catch up with him.  There were little or no lights coming from the homes.  The sea air was everywhere and the aroma from the hedges and the flowers made this walk every so romantic.  But Paul was sad.

"I am falling in love with this place, Carol.  This place has everything."  Carol listened to Paul talk.  He was like  a storyteller.   

Paul put his arm around Carol. His head was bent down, considering how tall he was compared to Carol.  She was so pretty.  Paul felt a desire to kiss her, and that is what he did.

Carol did not object to the kiss.  She wasn't surprised and she didn't reject him. After all, Paul wasn't a bad looking guy and he was pleasant to be with.  She didn't reject his advance.

Paul was just responding to a pretty young lady.  He had some built up mixed emotions by this time.  Paul had you and then again, he did not have you.  You were there for him in one way, but not in others.  He was more himself with Carol.  He did not feel he was competing for someone's attention.  It weighed heavily on his mind.

Carol recognized Paul's uneasiness.  She knew he would not try to take advantage of her while they were alone.  She allowed Paul to kiss her again, more out of appreciation and companionship.  Carol enjoyed the attention.  Rebelling if she thought any less of Paul.

"Paul we should go back."   They retraced their steps through the shadows.  As always, the porch light waited for Paul and Carol to return.  The walk back was more of contentment, of each having made a friend. Cold winds were coming up from the North.  It was warmer closer to the sound.

"Carol, I don't want to go in there," Paul said.  "We can sit in my car," she suggested.

You were alone in your room.  Even the newspaper did not hold your interest.  You kept noticing the time.  You hadn't heard from your friend from Providence.  You sat in temporary seclusion waiting for someone who should have arrived by now.  You decided to return to the living room, picking up a pullover sweater, adjusting it over your shoulders to fit.  Going back downstairs, you  headed outside.  A gust of cold air chilled you as you tried to focus, peering   down the dark driveway for any oncoming cars.  

The change of weather wasn't conducive to remaining outdoors.   It did not take long before you turned around and went back in.  You approached Sheila, who was sitting in a Queen's Ann chair.  "Sheila, have you seen Paul?" you asked.

"Paul left with Carol," she answered, "I supposed they went for a walk."

The expression on your face revealed concern as you went over to glance out of the window. You held onto the separated curtain for support, wondering where Paul went.

Paul spotted you coming outside, standing with the screen door at your back.  He stiffened straight up and his blood pressure went sky high there in Carol's car!  Only after you went in, did he catch his breath.  This had to be the most embarrassing and exasperating moment for him. Paul closed his eyes and tried to regain his composure.

"Paul, would you rather be with Blair?  She is a very nice girl, but aren't you glad to be with me? I just met you and I know little about you, but I think you are a really nice guy.  I suppose you see a lot  of what you want in her.  You were probably never close to a girl like Blair.   She has to mean something very special to you.  Most guys would not care the way you do."

Carol continued, "She does not deserve all that you feel for her.  Either she is immature or foolish to let you get away.  She has to know by now that you care for her.  She must give you a sign."  Carol concluded, feeling sure Paul was listening to her as a friend.

"I am sorry, Carol. You really are special.  But it's late and I better let you go.  Thanks for being here for me.  You are adorable.  Why some guy, with a lot to offer does not make you his bride, I don't understand,"  said Paul.

As soon as Paul stepped out of Carol's car, she backed out of the driveway not even turning to offering him a ride to their cottage.

Coming soon: CHAPTER   XI
How do you convince someone that you care? Why can't that special person recognize the signals?  What kind of signals are required to form a serious relationship?  If you win her hand or lose it, it is like playing poker or chess.  It is all in the game!  More action coming, continue reading. Enjoy!

A Summer in Time: Table of Contents

It's a deal; Murdoch owns Dow Jones, CC Times

Dow Jones Deal Gives Murdoch a Coveted Prize

Rupert Murdoch finally won his long-coveted prize yesterday, gaining enough support from the deeply divided Bancroft family to buy Dow Jones & Company, publisher of The Wall Street Journal and one of the world’s most respected news sources, for $5 billion. Dow Jones said early today that the companies had signed a definitive merger agreement after the boards of both companies voted last night to approve the deal.

For Mr. Murdoch, the verdict represents the pinnacle of his long career building the News Corporation into a $70 billion media empire that already includes more than 100 newspapers worldwide, satellite broadcast operations, the Fox television network, the online social networking site MySpace and many other parts.

Combined with the planned beginning of the Fox business news channel in October, the purchase of Dow Jones makes Mr. Murdoch the most formidable figure in business news coverage in this country, perhaps worldwide...  Read the rest of the New York Times story here. 
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WSJ; News Corp. Appears to Have Enough Votes to Clinch Deal
Bancroft Family Members Owning 32% of Votes Have Agreed to Support Bid

News Corp. is poised to win control of Dow Jones & Co., including its flagship publication The Wall Street Journal, after a key Bancroft trust changed its mind and decided to accept News Corp.'s $60-a-share offer for the newspaper publisher.

The trust, overseen by a Denver law firm, holds 9.1% of Dow Jones's voting shares and had been holding out for a higher offer from News Corp. But the media giant refused to raise its price, which was already a 67% premium to where Dow Jones stock was trading before news of the offer became public on May 1. News Corp. had signaled its intention to abandon the offer if the family didn't support the offer. That put pressure on the Denver trust to back down.

Helping persuade the Denver trust to change its mind was a decision by Dow Jones's board to create a fund to cover payments to firms advising Bancroft family members, including Merrill Lynch and the law firms Hemenway & Barnes and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz. News Corp. would assume these liabilities if it bought Dow Jones. The fees could total at least $30 million, according to people familiar with the situation...  Read the WSJ report here. 
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CNN; Bancrofts accept News Corp. deal - DJ executive
Dow Jones shares jump more than 10 percent after an executive director at the company said it would become part of News Corp.

Dow Jones & Co. Inc.'s controlling Bancroft family "has accepted" News Corp.'s $5 billion offer to buy the publisher of The Wall Street Journal, an executive of a Dow Jones unit said Tuesday.

"The Bancroft family has accepted," John Prestbo, editor and executive director of Dow Jones Indexes, told reporters on Tuesday in Chicago. "Dow Jones (up $5.43 to $56.99, Charts) "will be part of News Corp (down $0.11 to $22.73, Charts, Fortune 500)," he said.

Family members owning 32 percent of Dow Jones & Co. voting stock have agreed to support Rupert Murdoch's $5 billion buyout offer, The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday.

That represents about half of the family's 64 percent ownership of the company's voting shares, likely more than enough to seal the News Corp deal, the Journal reported, citing unnamed sources.  Prestbo told Reuters the information came from an internal company memo.

Dow Jones' shares were gaining 10.8 percent Tuesday morning on the New York Stock Exchange following the announcement.  The Bancrofts have been deliberating over whether to accept Murdoch's $60-per-share bid since it was announced in early May.

Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. is expected to reach a definitive agreement to buy Dow Jones & Co. Inc. on Tuesday evening, capping his three-month pursuit of the publisher of The Wall Street Journal, a source familiar with the matter said.

Dow Jones shares rose 11 percent in anticipation of the deal. See CNN/Money
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Reuters; Bancroft family accepts News deal: DJ executive

Dow Jones & Co. Inc.'s controlling Bancroft family "has accepted" News Corp.'s $5 billion offer to buy the publisher of the Wall Street Journal, an executive of a Dow Jones unit said on Tuesday.

"The Bancroft family has accepted," John Prestbo, editor and executive director of Dow Jones Indexes, told reporters on Tuesday in Chicago. Dow Jones "will be part of News Corp," he said.

Prestbo told Reuters the information came from an internal company memo...See Reuters here.

Veteran Benefits

It is not necessary to be a veteran to have political credibility in this country.  Our nation is built on civilian control and the whole idea around world peace is to make the Army irrelevant, not to rack up political points by enlisting or invoking your status as a veteran.  I am not one of those who ridicule  Dick Cheney and other bellicose neocons of the world because they have never served.  I don't call them chicken hawks.

I wonder how helpful it is to be a veteran, anyway.  John Kerry was a decorated war hero.  Did him a lot of good didn't it?  And when he botched a joke about the troops not being the brightest bulbs on the tree, everyone lined up to take a whack at him and it totally derailed any presidential thoughts he had. Nor has the status of John McCain, decorated war hero and ex prisoner of war enhanced his presidential prospects. Bill Clinton was bashed repeatedly for not serving in Viet Nam, but he was elected twice. President Bush filled in as a weekend warrior only.  We better be careful about pushing that weekend warrior stuff, it cost Dan Rather his job.

When I was younger, Gold Star Mothers were seen as the most honorable of citizens. They had sacrificed a child to the cause and a grateful nation saluted them. I recall in World War II there was a sticker  in the window of the home of a Gold Star mother so that when you rode down the street you felt a sufficient amount of reverence.  Now consider Gold Star Mother Cindy Sheehan. The president won't talk with her and many in the nation define her and Michael Moore also, as terrorists among us.

Still, I wonder if we had candidates for congress and the presidency who had military experience or whose children might have volunteered for a military career, how that could give them a special perspective on making war, a new way of thinking about "bring em on," and some basis for admiring the military which could be a little deeper than blind and emotional patriotism. There is more to national defense than rising when they play patriotic music or saying, "Thank you for your service" when we hear that someone is or has been a member of the Armed Forces.

I have read where some who argue for a return to the draft say that universal compulsory military service would bring a new dimension of sensitivity to those who advocate for and vote for war.  If they knew that their words and votes would put their children in harm's way, perhaps they would struggle more skillfully to avoid war and to explore exhaustively  all alternatives to war.

News Corp., Dow Jones deal is still alive according to WSJ today

News Corp., Dow Jones approach decision;
Meeting time moves to 7 p.m. Tuesday

Late meeting Monday
News Corp. was negotiating past Monday’s deadline in an attempt to get some holdout family members to support the deal, the Journal reported. The paper said a proposal under discussion would have News Corp. pay the Bancroft family’s advisory fees which could total at least $30 million if it received the support of at least one of two key holdout shareholders. The support would seal the deal, the Journal reported.Both sides negotiating a possible sale of Dow Jones & Co. to Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp. appeared to be edging closer to a final decision, newspapers reported.

The boards of both companies planned to meet Tuesday to discuss whether to proceed with the deal or not, The Wall Street Journal reported. News Corp.’s board of directors set a meeting for 4 p.m., and the Dow Jones board planned to meet at 7 p.m.

Wall Street became increasingly skittish about Rupert Murdoch’s prospects for clinching a deal to buy Dow Jones, sending the stock of The Wall Street Journal publisher down more than 5 percent Monday as a deadline arrived for the Journal’s controlling shareholders to decide ... Read the rest of this WNYT story here.  
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Dow Jones Deal Gets Closer As Talks Turn to Fees
Fund Would Cover Some Family Costs To Gain Key Votes

The Fund
The late-night proposal under discussion was for the Dow Jones board to create a fund to cover payments to firms advising Bancroft family members, including Merrill Lynch and the law firms Hemenway & Barnes and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz. News Corp. would assume these liabilities if it bought Dow Jones. The fees could total at least $30 million, according to people familiar with the situation.News Corp. and Dow Jones & Co. edged closer to a final agreement on the sale of the publisher to the media giant late yesterday, as Dow Jones negotiated on an unusual deal for the company to cover advisory fees for its majority owners, the Bancrofts, in exchange for some holdout family members supporting the deal.

The talks capped a tense day in which some family advisers and Dow Jones board members scrambled to line up enough votes to ensure the sale. A 5 p.m. deadline set by the family came and went amid apparent brinksmanship in both camps...  Read the rest of today's Wall Street Journal story here.

New Revue buzzes in and out of 60s and 70s music at Cape Playhouse

From left, the cast of "Beehive"; Kearran Giovanni, Danielle Chambers, Jennifer Zimmerman, Laiona Michelle, Lindsey Gordon, Bridget Beirne. Photo by Kathleen A. Fahle

"Beehive" Stings Dennis Audiences with Sixties Nostalgia
Revue buzzes in and out of 1960s music

                                    By Libby Hughes, Cape Cod Today Theatre Critic

The Cape Playhouse takes a bite out of the sixties with the musical revue, "Beehive." The show strikes a note of nostalgia for those into Rock n' Roll, teenyboppers, Beatle-mania, and Woodstock's hippie-flower power.

Two hit musicals straddle July and August

At the peak of the summer season, the Playhouse has wisely straddled July and August with two musicals-Thoroughly Modern Millie  and Beehive. The latter is a no-brainer. Six young women sing their hearts out through a beehive of 33 songs (getting the rights to all those ditties must have cost a pretty penny!) and entertain the socks off the audience on opening night. They had a standing ovation to prove it.

Created in 1985

A young man by the name  of Larry Gallagher created the show and premiered it in 1985 at the Sweetwater Cabaret in New York City before sending it on a national tour. Sadly, his death at the age of 41 was a great loss to the theatrical and musical world. Through dialogue and song, Gallagher gives a historical perspective of the 1960s with the assassination of John F. Kennedy, the Vietnam War, the Beatles, and the rising freedom and power of women beginning at Woodstock.

Irony of  Vietnam and Iraq

The irony is that Americans are going through the same sort of agony with the Iraq War as they did over the Vietnam War where 57,000 American lives were sacrificed. The Iraq War is fast approaching 4,000 losses since March of 2003.

Music is the great liberator and comforter. What will be the music of the post-Iraq War?

Six girls have Broadway sounds

Every one of the six female singers has a Broadway sound for punching out a strong show-tune. But Laiona Michelle is the glue for the group. She lights up the stage and leads them from one song to the next, tying it all together. Her sultry, sexy, alto-mezzo voice has power-sensational power. Lindsey Gordon is cute, perky, and funny. Kearran Giovanni has stage charisma as well as vocal prowess. Bridget Beirne catches the flavor of the long-haired hippie girl, soaring high on pot and booze. Jennifer Zimmerman and Danielle Chambers are equally charming as rockers.

Familiar songs for Baby Boomers

Whether solo, duo, trio, quartet or a sextet, the girls were on pitch and in perfect harmony. You'll recognize all the songs such as "I'm Sorry," "You Don't Own Me," "Downtown," and "Where the Boys Are (A Connie Francis song)." The second half of the show is built musically around the emergence of the Women's Movement.

Fabulous Choreography

But it is to Mark Martino where much of the applause belongs. His direction and choreography are unmistakable. He gives those girls enough stage business and humor to keep the audience interested for two hours. They pump and chop the air with their arms or swing them in circles from the elbows or roll their fists in a rolling pin motion. Their legs are shaking and strutting every minute. And vocally, they go up and down the scale like roosters hooting or hiccupping--all part of the sixties scene and sound.

Superb, opulent costumes and phenomenal wigs

Along with Martino, kudos go to costume designer Jose Rivera whose psychedelic mini-skirts and tops in lime, peach, fuchsia, and pink are period colors along with rich sultry, sparkly blacks and bronzes. The  1960 beehive wigs are almost as "high as an elephant's eye!" Richard Chambers' set has the jukebox look, complemented by Christopher Chambers' stunning lighting.

Music packs a wallop

And the band never lets up under the direction of Tom Frey, who also plays the piano and synthesizer as well as singing and conducting his four guys onstage.

For a summer pleaser, "Beehive" is a good one. Performances run July 30 through August 11, Monday through Saturday at 8:00pm. Matinees Wednesday at 2:00pm, Saturday 8/4 at 4:00pm, Thursday 8/9 at 2:00pm. The Cape Playhouse is located on Route 6A in Dennis. Box office: 508-385-3911.

Tropical depression 300 miles east of Chatham as town meets to decide on filling breakthrough and just off-cape pollution matters

 Tropical depression between Cape and Bermuda this morning
Heading north-north-east at increased speed at 5am Tuesday

Radar of TD Chantal at 6am todayA tropical depression formed late Monday between Bermuda and Cape Cod and was expected to briefly become a tropical storm.  The storm center was 380 miles east of Chatham where voters will decide tonight whether to spends over $4 million to fill in a break in their barroier beach caused by an April storm. The system wilkl probably become a Tropical Storm briefly and could affect Newfoundland late Wednesday or early Thursday, but it will not be too strong.

While this is the  third depression the 2007 hurrican season, it comes quite early and is expected to increase in strength today. "As a tropical system it has a very short life ahead of it," said senior hurricane specialist James Franklin. the National Hurricane Center.The depression was about 380 miles north of Bermuda and 380 miles southeast of Chatham on Tuesday morning, according to the Hurricane Center. At 5 a.m. EDT, it had top sustained winds near 35 mph and was moving toward north-northeast at 21 mph, forecasters said. That's an increase in speed since a 16 mph reading at 11 p.m. EDT.

The depression will be named Chantal if it reaches tropical storm strength with winds of at least 39 mph. There have been two named storms in 2007: Subtropical Storm Andrea, which formed in May, and Tropical Storm Barry, which formed June 1, the first day of hurricane season.  Read the Sun-Sentinal story here.
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Chatham watching nature alter their landscape as it meets tonight

With valuable real estate and the town's harbor hanging in the balance, Chatham voters must decide whether to try to push back the sandsCHATHAM -- From Minister's Point in North Chatham, where million-dollar houses ring Pleasant Bay, the breach in Nauset Beach makes for gorgeous scenery: Where a bar of pale sand once stretched uninterrupted across the horizon, blocking the force of the ocean, blue-green water now swirls through a widening gap.

The 1,000-foot break in the landscape, picturesque as it is, has raised weighty questions about how this town at the elbow of Cape Cod should respond. Tonight Chatham's 5,500 voters will decide at a special Town Meeting whether the town should spend $4 million to fill the breach with fresh sand, undoing changes wrought by a pounding storm in April and restoring a natural barrier that protects coastal property.

Threatened homeowners and town officials moved decisively in the weeks after the storm... But many residents say that the push for Chatham to assert its will in shaping its coastline has failed to gain traction in the face of a more popular philosophy: Let nature take its course...  Read the rest of this Globe story here. 
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The politics of pollution:
The world faces a potent political struggle as it grapples with global warming

SOMERSET — Perched like a fortress at the edge of Mount Hope Bay, Brayton Point power plant is a prominent landmark in SouthCoast — a region struggling to reinvent itself as a center for clean, renewable energy.  Brayton Point (on right) is one of the biggest electricity producers in Massachusetts. But each year, its smokestacks release several million tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere — inefficient generators and high-carbon coal fuel make it one of the biggest emitters of greenhouse gases in the Northeast... 

Even among politicians who are endorsing action to combat global warming, there are varying degrees of commitment, notes Sue Reid, a staff attorney at the Boston-based Conservation Law Foundation. She pointed to Sen. Edward Kennedy and Congressman William Delahunt's opposition to the proposed Cape Wind project off Cape Cod as an example of how political positions on climate change can be fickle...  Read the rest of this Standard-Times article here.  

Fasting for Pluto

Welcome to the social-minded world of the 21^st century! In this millennium we are faced with a number of causes to support and to debate over -- from Darfur to global warming, and from stem cell research to human cloning. Fortunately, we have legions of activists and responsible world citizens to get behind these many causes (as well as a number of Hollywood celebrities who just want to get their face on the latest magazine cover!).

Recently I participated in a peaceful protest for a cause very dear to my heart. No, it wasn't to call attention to the conditions in Darfur or to sound the alarm against global warming. Rather, it was in support of the (dwarf) planet Pluto. I know what you're saying. Surely there are more important issues on our own planet that require attention. Poverty. Education. Crime. Terrorism. Rain forests. Melting polar ice caps. Renewable energy sources. Steroid use by professional athletes. Yes, yes, these are all good and worthy causes. But I'd rather concern myself with a tiny celestial body drifting through the blackness of space some 3.5 billion miles away.

If you remember from last year, Pluto was downgraded from a regular planet to a "dwarf" planet. This created an increased financial burden on the one-time 9^th planet as its new status meant it was no longer eligible for group health insurance under the Milky Way Galaxy's planetary benefits plan. And as we all know, Pluto is a single planet caring for three small moons - Charon, Nix, and Hydra. She needs our support! (It is rumored that 8th planet Neptune is the father, yet that deadbeat dad refuses to pay child support! Swine!)

Wanting to do something to help out poor Pluto, I joined with a handful of like-minded folks to stage a protest in order to call attention to the "dwarf" planet's plight. Our small band included two rather nerdish amateur astronomers (neither of which, as far as I could ascertain, had ever been out on a date with a girl before), a couple of astrologer-vegetarians named Sundance and Starburst (both members of the transcendental group "Sisters of the Solar System"), and an odd fellow named Nick (who claimed he once lived on Pluto). After much discussion, we decided to go on a hunger strike until Pluto's status as a full-fledged planet was reinstated. Here's how it turned out:

Day 1: Encountering no resistance, we took over the maintenance department of the Massachusetts Institute of Astrophysics and then telephoned the local newspaper to announce our intended hunger strike. I left a message on the voice mail of the newpaper's sports editor, but never received a call back. For the remainder of the day we consumed only water seasoned with lemon juice. By bedtime, as we crawled into our sleeping bags, we were a bit hungry but determined.

Day 2: Awoke with the fragmented dream of a large breakfast of eggs and bacon in my head, but then remembered our protest. Throughout the day we read poetry aloud, played chess, sang protest songs, and emailed news releases to the media, yet not one reporter arrived to cover our hunger strike. By evening hunger pangs arrived. Just before bedtime I caught Sundance hiding in the janitor's closet eating a granola bar, which she quickly devoured.

Day 3: Awoke to find the astronomers wolfing down a dozen doughnuts they had smuggled in that morning from a local coffee shop. In another room, the astrologers were each finishing off a bowl of Fruit Loops in soy milk. I was outraged. Nick, unaware, meditated alone over in his corner of the room. That evening, a pizza delivery car pulled up to the back of the building to meet the two astronomers who handed the kid a twenty and told him to keep the change. Later the same night I discovered the astrologers with Chinese take-out.

Day 4: Opened my eyes to complete silence. No one around. Only myself ... oh, and Nick in the corner meditating. Around noontime the rest of the crew returned from an all-you-can-eat brunch buffet, holding their stomachs and talking about taking a walk in the afternoon to work off the calories they had consumed. That evening, the astronomers located a charcoal grill on campus and had a barbeque of steaks and ribs. Sundance and Starburst joined them with a case of beer and a couple of bags of organic potato chips. Back in the room I drank my water and lemon juice and tried to do some reading, but my brain was weak from lack of food. Meanwhile, Nick continued with his meditation, completely oblivious to everything going on around him.

Day 5: Awoke to find a note pinned to my sleeping bag. The astronomers and astrologers had packed up and left together - headed to Niagara Falls for the weekend in Starburst's VW Beetle. So, I was alone with Nick, who meditated until noontime when he suddenly opened his eyes and announced he was needed back on Pluto. At that moment, his corporeal body transformed into a ball of pure light and then "he" swiftly exited the room out the window and up into the sky. With that, I rolled up my sleeping bag and headed to the nearest fast food restaurant.

Despite our protest, Pluto remains a "dwarf" planet. Occasionally, I receive a postcard from the astronomers and their astrological girlfriends as they make their way across country from hostel to hostel. And just the other evening, my regular TV programming was briefly interrupted by a celestial transmission from Nick. Dressed in the uniform of his home world, he warned me that his fellow Plutonians were planning to attack Earth over Labor Day unless their dwarf planet status is upgraded - so I might want to think about being out of town that weekend.

Gee, I wonder what Mars is like this time of year?

Jack Sheedy