Wednesday, January 30, 2013
A recent Boston Globe article noted that Shaw's is struggling against low-priced competition. Do you shop at Shaw's or somewhere else in the area?
Recently, a Boston Globe article noted that Shaws Supermarkets have been having a hard time keeping up with lower-priced competitors such as Market Basket and Stop & Shop. The article noted that the supermarket chain has seen its New England market share fall from 19 to 11% in New England since 2006, while also seeing a $1.5 billion sales decline in that period. The company was reportedly started in 1860 but things apparently started heading south with a series of corporate acquisitions starting in the late 1980s. In the Globe article, customer satisfaction and high prices were cited as leading factors for Shaw's. While there's no Shaws in Chelmsford, there's one just up Route 3 in Nashua along with the four other local supermarkets we …
Monday, January 28, 2013
What should be done with the remnants of this Chelmsford landmark? The town wants your opinion, and so do we.
Back in November, we asked you what should be done with the iconic beech tree on the Common, and as we all know, it was cut down a few days later. Today, we want to ask you what should be done with the stump and remaining wood from the tree, because the town is taking stock and will come to a decision soon. You can send in your feedback to the town on what should be done on the TREE Committee page on the town website, or by bringing in the attached form to Room LL05 of Town Hall. Submissions are due by Feb. 10 On Feb. 28, the TREE Committee will take a look at all the suggestions and review them in a public input session at 7 p.m. at Town Hall.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Regional Roundup for the week of Jan. 27
Reading: Electronic Billboard Proposed for West Street at I-93, Reading. North Reading: Dog Allegedly Dials 911 in North Reading. Chelmsford: Planning Board Shares Concerns Over Billerica Road Fire Station. Westford: Selectmen Mull Warrant Article on Gun Ban Stoneham: POLICE MAP: Boston Man Arrested for Alleged Rape, Attempted Murder: Somerville: Craigie on Main's Tony Maws to Open in Old Kirkland Space in Somerville Arlington: New Gluten/Wheat Free Bakery to Open Tuesday Melrose: Melrose Appropriations Committee to Review Mayor's Proposed Pay Raise: Winchester Winchester School to Attend Franklin Park Zoo's Lunar New Year Celebration: Tewksbury: Ferreira's Fate Now In The Hands Of A Jury Medford: Medford's Go Green Program to Receive …
Thursday, January 24, 2013
The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency advises residents to minimize outdoor activity, keep an emergency kit, and check on elderly friends or relatives in extreme cold.
- GOVERNMENT
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Thursday, January 24
Editor's Note: The following is from the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency. “As we enter the time of year when we can expect extremely low temperatures and wind chills, we all must take precautions to minimize the dangers presented by such severe weather,” stated Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency (MEMA) Director Kurt Schwartz. “To that end, MEMA presents these cold weather safety tips.” Continue to follow MEMA updates on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MassEMA; Facebook at www.facebook.com/MassachusettsEMA. Download the free ping4alert! app to your Smartphone to receive important weather alerts and emergency messages from MEMA. Easy instructions are available at www.mass.gov/mema/mobileappp. .......
U.S. Postal Service rates are set to change on Sunday, Jan. 27.
- GOVERNMENT
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Thursday, January 24
The cost to mail a letter will rise slightly next week when postal-rate changes go into effect, according to the U.S. Postal Service. Stamp prices will increase one cent, from 45 cents to 46 cents, to mail one-ounce letters, effective Jan. 27. The cost for letters weighing more than one ounce will stay the same, at 20 cents for each additional ounce, an announcement from the postal service says. Postcard stamps will also see a one-cent increase, from 32 cents to 33 cents. Letters under one ounce mailed anywhere internationally will cost $1.10, the announcement says. Those looking to save a few cents could stock up on the postal service's Forever stamps (costing 45 cents until the one-cent increase on Jan. 27), which are usable even after…
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Flu season is upon us, and strong, officials say.
This month, the Red Cross called cases of the flu "widespread," while Boston officials declared the flu outbreak a public health emergency. Is this just another flu season — akin to past winters when H1N1 or norovirus flared up? Or is it more than just a bunch of hype? Some towns in the area are reporting that they're out of flu vaccine. Have you gotten a flu shot this year? Or do you not see the point? Tell us what you think — is the flu getting too much hype? Or does the headline-hogging flu deserve the attention? ....
AT&T officials offer tips to keep your cells germ-free this winter.
The following text was submitted by AT&T: Cell phone users can follow a few simple rules to avoid getting sick from their cell phones – some of these will sound familiar: ....
Monday, January 21, 2013
Massachusetts comes in 50th in pet ownership.
Submitted by the AVMA The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) recently released its U.S. Pet Ownership & Demographics Sourcebook, which revealed that Massachusetts ranks 50th out of 50 for pet ownership with 50.4 percent of households owning a pet. In 2006, which was the last time the AVMA put together the sourcebook, Massachusetts again made the bottom 10 list of pet owners, ranking 47th with 50.7 percent of households owning a pet. Massachusetts also ranked in the bottom 10 for dog ownership in 2011 with the lowest dog ownership of any U.S. state. The survey is conducted by the AVMA every five years and always includes a breakdown of pet ownership by state. The most recent survey, conducted in 2012 but based on December 31, …
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Check out prices and conditions.
They're not exactly the biggest ski areas on the East Coast, but you can still get some fun runs in fairly close to Boston without waking up at 5 a.m. and spending the full weekend in Vermont. Here are the five nearby ski areas, and their current prices and conditions. Bradford Ski Area You won't find much - just 13 trails - but it's a perfect place to bring the family or to go as a beginner. 60 S. Cross Rd., Bradford, MA. (978) 373-0071 Price for an adult weekend lift ticket: $45 Website: www.skibradford.com Conditions: current conditions Nashoba Valley Nashoba valley is a little bit bigger, with 17 trails and nine lifts. It also has both a large snow tubing facility and a snow tubing park. 79 Power Rd., Westford, MA (978) 692-3033 …
Friday, January 18, 2013
The "Good Neighbor Fund" is now open for applicants who need help paying their fuel bills.
- BUSINESS
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Friday, January 18
Editor's Note: the following release was provided by the Salvation Army. The Salvation Army, the administrator of the 2012–2013 Massachusetts Good Neighbor Energy Fund, announces that the fund is now open to all qualified candidates. The fund has been available to households on an emergency basis since Dec. 3. A cooperative effort between the state's energy companies, their customers and The Salvation Army, the Good Neighbor Energy Fund helps families in temporary crisis who do not qualify for federal or state assistance with the payment of their energy expenses. The Fund’s 28th Annual “Give The Gift of Warmth” campaign's goal is to raise $650,000 and help more than 2,000 families. “With the recent colder temperatures in mind, the …
Marie Shanahan
12:55 pm on Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Thanks for your comment, Anna, that empty plaza is just "maddening!" I'm actually from Cambridge, so I'm used to sights like that. I only recently relocated to Chelmsford, and must admit, when I spotted that abandoned plaza, I could have LOL "hissed!" It's what folks like me travel out here to avoid! But thank you. I'll shut up now. more ›