Worcester/Boston Express Train In Service
The Massachusetts Department of Transportation alongside other agencies launched a new express commuter train between Worcester and Boston Monday morning. The train runs along the Worcester/Framingham line twice daily: once toward Boston during the morning commuter and once toward Worcester in the afternoon, according to MBTA.com. During weekday mornings, the train will depart from Worcester’s Union Station at 6:20 a.m., make a stop in Framingham at 7 a.m., make another stop at Back Bay Station at 7:37 a.m. and finish the run at South Station at 7:43 a.m. In the afternoon, the train will depart from South Station at 5:35 p.m., stop at Back Bay Station at 5:41 p.m., make a stop in Framingham at 6:13 p.m. and finish in Worcester at 6:43 p.m. The express service made its debut in Worcester Monday, April 29 with Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray and Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty aboard. South End Patch
Categories: Arrests Tags: Express, Service, Train, Worcester/Boston
Tips for Finding the Right Personal Trainer
Do you lack the motivation to exercise on your own? Would you like to design your own exercise program? Do you have specific exercise goals? If so, hiring a personal trainer may be just what you need. A personal trainer will design the right workout plan to help you set and meet your goals. In addition, a personal trainer will teach you proper techniques, keeping you safe from injury and helping you get the most out of your workout. AOL Health offers some tips on selecting a personal trainer: Finding a trainer: Contact your local gym or fitness center, which often offer personal training packages for an additional fee. Look for trainers online, in your local newspaper or Yellow Pages. Some trainers may be willing to travel to your home. (But you should be sure to conduct a background check on these professionals.) Try out a trainer. Ask for a list of trainers at your gym, and then observe them to see if you like how they interact with their clients. Get a referral from a friend or other gym members. You can often buy one session and see if the trainer is a good fit for you. Check credentials. Look for a reputable certification and a degree in the exercise/fitness field. Ask for references from other clients and discuss the trainer’s past experience. Here are some organizations and websites that certify trainers: American Council on Exercise (ACE): www.acefitness.org National Strength & Conditioning Association: www.nsca-lift.org IDEA Health and Fitness Association: www.ideafit.com Other certifications include the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and the Aerobics & Fitness Association of America (AFAA). Package details. Don’t shy away from hiring a trainer because you think doing so is just for the rich and famous. Gyms often offer package deals and payment options. One inexpensive option is group training—exercise with friends to save money. Pitfalls to avoid. Beware a trainer who tries to sell supplements. The average person can get all the nutrients needed from a healthy diet and does not need protein powders and herbs. Be careful about getting nutritional advice from a trainer. Only a registered dietitian is qualified to give diet advice. Do your homework before hiring someone to make sure you get the expertise you need. Soon you’ll be on your way to meeting your fitness goals! Patch invites readers to share their own experiences with personal trainers. Personal trainers are also encouraged to blog on Patch with additional tips. South End Patch
Allergies in New England
Allergies to tree pollen begin later in New England than in most other areas, but when it begins, it comes on fast, according to allergists familiar with this area. “When the tree season comes on, patients go from feeling normal to just being miserable,” said Dr. Don McNeil, who specializes in allergy and immunology. The spring allergy season is short—just six to eight weeks—but it can make allergy sufferers highly uncomfortable. McNeil says this is heightened by the fact that many people with pollen allergies also have mold allergies. The moist, warm weather that marks spring also encourages mold growth, which means mold spores are on the rise at the same time as tree pollen. The tree pollen that causes related spring allergies can only arise from trees that pollinate: deciduous trees. These are the oaks, hickories, sycamores, cottonwoods, birches and other hardwoods that are prevalent in the Northeast. Although that makes spring allergies worse in New England, McNeil said moving to another region rarely brings longterm relief. “If you are prone to having allergies, you may move to a new area and be free of your symptoms initially,” he said. “After a year or two, you become sensitized to the allergens in the new place.” The actual cause of sniffling, sneezing, wheezing and worse are the tiny bits of pollen from tree buds that are floating about in the air. Pollen rises in the early morning, so McNeil advises patients to keep their windows closed overnight. “Some patients benefit from bathing before bed to remove any pollen that may have attached to their skin or hair during the day,” McNeil said. McNeil says it is important for people suffering from allergies to find a local allergist who is board certified in allergy and immunology. “Avoid people who are practicing allergy but don’t specialize in it,” said McNeil. Some practitioners profit from placing patients on a repeating regimen of allergy shots, he said. While shots are often effective for safely building up a tolerance to allergens, patients should be evaluated regularly and moved to a maintenance program when the effective dose has been reached, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. South End Patch
Muddy River Project: Expect Loud Bangs Starting Apri 30
As if Boston residents haven’t been through enough recently, be ready to hear loud bangs three times a day starting April 30, all due to the Muddy River Restoration Project. Work on the $ 93 million Muddy River Restoration Project, an environmental, preservation and flood control project to address serious flooding and environmental issues along the Muddy River, started in February. The Boston Parks and Recreation Department posted basic details on its Facebook page about “residents may hear a loud bang similar to a gunshot” three times a day, starting April 30 through May 10. “The bang lasts for a second and is in connection load testing for the $ 30.9 million Muddy River Flood Risk Management and Environmental Restoration project,” posted Boston Parks and Rec. For more on the Muddy River project construction click here. South End Patch
Two South End Students Make BC High Honor Roll
South End Patch
Patch Interviews U.S. Senate Candidates
South End Patch
Categories: Arrests Tags: Candidates, Interviews, Patch, Senate, U.S.
New Commuter Rail Cars Finally In Service
Passengers aboard three brand new commuter rail cars, which left from North Station Wednesday morning, took a ride that was five years in the making. The MBTA announced Wednesday that three of the 75 new double-decker commuter rail coaches built by Korean company Hyundai-Rotem were in service. The cars left from North Station toward Haverhill at 10:30 a.m. on April 24. “We are constantly working to bring our customers a better experience,” MBTA General Manager Beverly Scott said in a statement. “These new coaches will do just that, with a cleaner, more informed and more comfortable trip for all on board.” The coaches will service the north side of the commuter rail system before operating throughout the system in the coming weeks, according to the statement. The MBTA bought the coaches for $ 190 million in 2008, but a series of production delays held the cars up until now. Aspects of the new coaches, according to the MBTA: 55 percent more seating than single-level coaches Onboard LED displays for station announcements Larger bathrooms Improved air conditioning and air flow systems South End Patch
Tell Us About Your ‘26.2 Acts of Kindness’
A little bit of kindness goes a long way. That’s the basic idea behind Charlestown resident Stephanie Zanotti’s “26.2 Acts of Kindness” project—an effort to put some positivity back into the world after tragedy. And she’s hoping others will join her. “In the wake of the Newtown, CT tragedy, a kindness movement was started by Ann Curry [of the TODAY show] to do 26 acts of kindness for the 26 victims of Sandy Hook Elementary,” Zanotti said in an email. “This is Part 2. I am participating in 26 acts of kindness for the victims at the 26th mile of the Boston Marathon. Each mile of the route is dedicated to an act of kindness.” Since announcing her plans the week following the Boston Marathon bombings, Zanotti has been busy working on her acts of kindness. “My acts have ranged from signing my dog up with a therapy dog program to a cup of coffee for the next person in line to sending an Edible Arrangement fruit basket to the trauma ICU of my hospital to thank my fellow colleagues/nurses,” said Zanotti, a nurse at Brigham & Women’s Hospital. “Tonight I donated several pairs of sneakers to a friend traveling to Jamaica who always brings down a suitcase full of shoes to donate. Included was a special pair of sneakers that I wore to run the last 6 miles of last year’s marathon across the finish line with my best friend.” Zanotti has been spreading the word about “26.2 Acts of Kindness” on her Facebook page, through Patch and in other ways, and already many have responded to her call, including the folks behind the original “26 Acts” project. Charlestown resident Carrie Sunde, a Syracuse University student who recently won the title of “Miss Cambridge,” posted a photo to the Charlestown Patch Facebook page of a parking meter where she left money for people to use. Patch reader Pam D’Esopo is gathering handmade baby blankets for the patients of Boston Children’s Hospital ICU wards, she wrote in the comments of an article about Zanotti’s project. “My goal is to share the inspiration behind ‘26 Acts of Kindness,’ which is to ask ourselves during our ‘busy’ lives: how can I make a small difference today?” Zanotti said. “When people see our posts, I hope something resonates. Whether or not they can commit to all 26 acts or do one act or for one moment have their faith in humanity restored after this horrible tragedy; that is what keeps me going.” What are you doing for your “26.2 Acts of Kindness”? Share your plans, ideas and calls for volunteers in the comments section below. South End Patch
Pet of the Week: Brownie, 2-Year-Old Playful Mix
Brownie is an active and fun-loving two-year-old mixed breed. She loves to play with other dogs during our morning playgroup and would likely do well living with another playful dog. This girl has a lot of energy to burn, and is looking for a home with an active family. She is very smart and loves to cuddle. Brownie would benefit greatly from attending a basic obedience class to help work on her manners. She is already walking better with the help of a gentle leader. Brownie loves to chase birds and squirrels, so would probably do best in a home without cats or small critters. This lady has a lot of personality and would love to meet her new family ASAP. If you’re looking for an affectionate and playful companion, Brownie just might be the dog for you. For more information on Brownie or any of the other animals currently residing at the Animal Rescue League of Boston, please call 617-226-5602. The Animal Rescue League of Boston is open Tuesday through Thursday 1-7 p.m. and Friday through Sunday 1-4 p.m., excluding some holidays. For more information, visit our website, Twitter and Facebook page. South End Patch
State House News Service Weekly Roundup: Lounging
Emotionally drained by last week’s marathon bombings, House lawmakers raced through budget week, shortening it to a three-day affair that averaged out to about a billion dollars in spending for every hour in session. The only thing left to do by Friday was figure out where that money was going. It was an impressive display of efficiency and trust or acquiescence, depending on your vantage point. House lawmakers sprinted through deliberations over how to best allocate $ 33.8 billion, agreeing to bump up the bottom line closer to $ 34 billion between Monday and Wednesday night. After 37 hours in session – many spent in idle chatter awaiting a thumb’s up or down on legislators’ preferred earmarks, policy goals and spending priorities from lawmakers debating in an adjoining lounge – Democrats uniformly supported the budget put before them by Ways and Means Chairman Brian Dempsey. The Haverhill Democrat defended the bill as “fiscally responsible,” making investments in local aid and higher education to avoid UMass tuition and fee hikes, while holding the line on other spending for programs such as pre-kindergarten until proper oversight can be demonstrated. Click here to subscribe to MASSterlist, a free morning newsletter by State House News Service that highlights political news from a wide array of newspapers and journals in Massachusetts and New England House Speaker Robert DeLeo and Dempsey have turned budgeting efficiency into an art in recent years, transforming what used to be a four- or five-day process into a three-day exercise at best. Even a late start Wednesday so that members could attend a memorial for slain M.I.T. police office Sean Collier in Cambridge couldn’t slow down the feverish pace of decision-making in the lounge. So intent on finishing by Wednesday night, DeLeo even appealed to an authority higher than any lawmaker’s professed devotion to education, social justice or public safety. “I am not providing dinner tomorrow night,” DeLeo said around 8 p.m. on Wednesday, a light-hearted caution against stalling delivered, incidentally, not long after lawmakers put the kibosh on Munchy Ways and Buddafingers. Lawmakers had almost nothing to say about the issue in the years leading up to last November’s voter approval of a medical marijuana law, but the House this week slammed the door on edible, candy-like med marijuana products. That’s not to say lawmakers weren’t included in the process, following the now traditional pilgrimage to Room 348 – the lounge – to pitch their amendments out of listening range for the general public. Large, bundled revisions arrived on the floor for approval, some adding tens of millions in spending to the final document. Republicans voted in a bloc against […]