Last week, Somerville attempted to “go green” by creating an ordinance that would require large stores to provide recycling bins for shoppers’ plastic bags. The city’s aldermen had only one small problem—they didn’t know who would handle the actual recycling of the bags.

They tried again at this week’s meeting, but continued to have trouble. This time, the aldermen and the law department couldn’t decide who is responsible for writing the ordinance.

(more…)

Taking you around the internet for your afternoon enjoyment.

Drumroll please: The Patriot-Ledger has announced a winner in its Quincy slogan contest. “Quincy: The Cornerstone of American Liberty.” It was created by Shawn Duyette, who now lives in Oregon. [Patriot Ledger]

(more…)

Since all my favorite TV shows are over for the season, I decided to take my time getting home last night. I perused the racks of the Newbury Street H&M, which was uncharacteristically calm due to the rainy weather. I made a stop at Filene’s Basement. After that, I started getting hungry and decided to head home.

I should have stopped for a snack first, since I had the longest commute since December’s midday blizzard due to the fire in Downtown Crossing.

(more…)

Like a lot of people who have been following the Celtics playoff run closely, I was unsure what to make of their weekend in Detroit. The breakthrough win on the road and the absolute dud in Game 4 put me somewhere between Bob Ryan’s “just not acceptable” and Tony Massarotti’s “try not to sweat this game so much” lines of thinking.

Ultimately, I’m left feeling like I still don’t get this team — which may be the most frightening thought of all.

(more…)

Things started looking bad for Jim Ogonowski, presumptive challenger to John Kerry, last week when the Globe reported that he was a couple hundred signatures short of getting his name on the Republican primary ballot. The situation only got worse when fellow GOP hopeful Jeff Beatty accused the Ogonowski campaign of forging signatures. We waited with baited breath to see if the farmer from Dracut would make the 10,000 benchmark.

Today, we learned he hasn’t made it yet.

(more…)

Remember those wonderful days before the Super Bowl, when the Patriots were 18-0? Everybody was talking about jinxes. The Herald accused the Globe of jinxing the team by writing a book about the perfect season, then it accused Mayor Tom Menino of cursing the team to failure because he started planning a victory parade.

Now it’s time for the Celtics to deal with the superstitious fans out there.

(more…)

Your condensed guide to today’s daily papers.

In these troubled economic times, it’s good to know state employees are doing well: The Legislature has proposed giving state and municipal employees a cost of living increase on their pensions, which will cost about $6 billion. [Globe]

(more…)

Your long day of corporate drudgery is over. Get out and enjoy the city! Here are a few ideas to get you started, lovingly picked by Boston Daily.

The last time we witnessed an attempted Show and Taste, a kid in our kindergarten class got in trouble for bringing a mud pie to school. We’re certain the results of Sibling Rivalry’s cooking demonstration will be far more palatable.

(more…)

If any national organization could tell the difference between Brooklyn, New York and Brookline, Massachusetts, we’d expect it would be National Public Radio. Surely the liberal soccer moms in the affluent Boston suburb donate generously enough to put the town on NPR management’s radar.

But World Cafe’s David Dye didn’t seem to know the difference when he introduced Brookline native Eli “Paperboy” Reed on this weekend’s program.

(more…)

It’s time again for Dan Morrell’s Culture Snob, wherein our correspondent sizes up public figures based on their cultural preferences. This week we break down the battle between the ladies in Tom Brady’s life.

Bridget or Gisele? Hollywood actress or international supermodel? It just won’t die. So here’s a last-ditch effort to kill this once and for all. (more…)