EXTRA...

Howard Zinn dies at 87; Two on Cape charged in securities fraud; Folks don't like new MBL building; Osterville tree farm bids on Roberti farm; Two new Housing Programs; Brown in Falmouth Friday; Wind Power Grows 39% for the Year

TODAY's quote: ""They look like giant packing crates on the roof."" - Enid K. Sichel.

Howard Zinn, historian who challenged status quo, dies at 87
Long-time Wellfleet resident

Howard Zinn, the Boston University historian and political activist who was an early opponent of US involvement in Vietnam and whose books, such as "A People's History of the United States," inspired young and old to rethink the way textbooks present the American experience, died today in Santa Monica, Calif, where he was traveling. He was 87... In 1997, Dr. Zinn slipped into popular culture when his writing made a cameo appearance in the film "Good Will Hunting"... Globe.
Remembering Howard Zinn. Video

Residents Say MBL's Loeb Building Over Height

It was hailed as good news when the Loeb Laboratory on the Marine Biological Laboratory campus in Woods Hole received grants for a $25 million renovation, but now many residents are upset that the building's height is changing the aesthetic of the village.

The maximum height for buildings in a public use district in Falmouth is 50 feet, and the Loeb Laboratory, which was built in 1970, tops out at 45 feet... But the new structures are an eyesore to several Woods Hole residents, including Enid K. Sichel of Whitman Road. "They are architecturally very ugly," she said, "They look like giant packing crates on the roof"... Falmouth Enterprise.
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2 on Cape charged in securities fraud
Cease & desist order against Thomas Belekewicz, Merope Davos

State regulators filed civil charges yesterday against two Cape Cod residents who allegedly sold $9.4 million in unregistered securities to investors since 2001.

Secretary of State William Galvin sought a cease and desist order against Thomas Belekewicz of Sandwich and Merope Davos of Mashpee. The pair and their business, Investment Realty Funding Inc., allegedly sold promissory notes in a fund that loaned money to real estate developers and contractors... Globe.
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Senator-Elect Brown to visit Falmouth this Friday

Sen.-elect Scott Brown is making a three-day tour to thank and speak with Massachusetts voters. The surprise winner of last week's race to replace the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy will visit Chicopee and Falmouth on Friday; Saugus, Dracut and Worcester on Saturday; and Foxborough on Sunday... WCVB.

Tree farm bids on Sandwich Roberti Farm property

HF Johnson Tree Farm of Osterville has submitted the only bid for the 6.3 acres of land off Tupper Road in Sandwich formerly known as Roberti Farm. Sandwich Assistant Town Manager Doug Lapp said he is optimistic about Johnson's proposal.

"Based on our evaluation thus far, we're excited because we think this is a good proposal," Lapp said.

HF Johnson Tree Farm was founded by John Johnson of Centerville in 1920. His son Harry Johnson took it over in 1955 and handed it down to his son Arnold in 1987. Arnold Johnson currently operates the business with his three sons. He owns an eight-acre farm in Osterville and a seven-acre farm in Marstons Mills... Broadsider.
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Harwich selectmen approve $100,000 for two Housing Assistance Programs

Two new housing assistance programs will be put in place by the housing authority with the assistance of the board of selectmen, which on Monday night approved use of $100,000 from the town's affordable housing fund.

A mortgage assistance program is designed to help residents who are struggling short-term to make mortgage payments and who, with the assistance of no more than two months payments, would land back on their feet.

The second program, a rental assistance program, seeks to make more rental units available at affordable rates by buying down the cost of a rental unit.... Chronicle.
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Wind Power Grows 39% for the Year
10 GW of Wind Power Installed in U.S. Last Year

Despite a crippling recession and tight credit markets, the American wind power industry grew at a blistering pace in 2009, adding 39 percent more capacity. The country is close to the point where 2 percent of its electricity will come from wind turbines... NY Times.

With all of the conflict over Cape Wind and the constant reduction in scope of T. Boone Pickens' wind projects, it's easy to feel discouraged, but here's something to lift your spirits. Great news came from the American Wind Energy Association today. During 2009, 10 GW of new wind power capacity was installed in the U.S., enough to power 2.4 million homes. The last quarter of 2009 saw the installation of 4 GW alone.

The association gives credit to the American Recovery and Investment Act's $80 billion investment in clean energy for the largest installation for any year so far. You can read the association's full report on the year in wind here (PDF).

With big wind projects on the horizon for the next few years, and if all goes as planned, that annual number should keep going up.... EcoGeek.