I Am The Reason The Celtics Will Win Or Lose

I have a confession to make. I think I am the reason the Bruins lost their playoff series against Philadelphia. During the pivotal Game 7, I was sitting at the Red Hat bar on Bowdoin Street. The Bruins scored to go up 3-0. I turned to my friend and said, "This is going to be a rout!" She said, "If we lose, now I know who to blame."

We all know what happened next. The Bruins gave up four goals to lose 4-3. My friend has never let me forget it.

Well, I don't want history to repeat itself, and somehow I feel tied to the Celtics fate. Here's why:

The Boston Celtics are 3-0 in The Finals when their games take place while I am in an airplane. That's right, each of the Celtics three victories in the current championship series has taken place while I have been either in the air, on the tarmac, or at the gate. The Celtics are 0-2 in games that I am able to watch, start to finish, from some permanent location.

I don't consider myself a superstitious person, but the facts are the facts. And given how the Bruins fared, I admit I am a bit concerned. I don't have any travel planned for this coming week. Game 6 is tomorrow night. If this series is forced to a Game 7, I might have to book a trip somewhere, anywhere, to be in a plane for Game 7. And I will be soliciting donations for the cause.

Observations From the Road

Colorado River from near the Hoover Dam

Arizona/Nevada Border

June 11, 2010

Those of you who have been following me on Twitter know that I have been on the road this week. I flew to New Orleans on Sunday for work to attend Microsoft TechEd, the annual conference for users and developers of Microsoft software. Thursday, I continued west to Las Vegas to meet up with my brother Brett and his wife Holly. We're celebrating the end of Holly's service time with the U.S. Navy.

In the past week, I have been to two conferences, of sorts. I mentioned TechEd, and last Saturday, I attended the Mass. State Democratic Convention in Worcester, Mass., where I spent time with other Democrats.

A few observations, as I sit this Saturday morning in my Vdara hotel room in Vegas:

First, I have decided that going to conferences is fun. Generally speaking, the people there are passionate about a specific topic, and they enjoy hanging out with other people who share their passion.

Second, the city of New Orleans can't catch a break. There was this weird stench in the air during this week's trip. I am not sure if it was because of the stagnant muggy air, or perhaps the oil in the water in the nearby, but it smelled kind of like B.O. everywhere.

I ran into a couple of people directly involved in the oil cleanup efforts while I was in the airport getting ready to leave. Two guys had left the boat drilling the second relief well that aims to ultimately pour cement into the current leaking well. They said things were going well and sounded confident. One other man had just quit his job cleaning up oil on the shoreline. He didn't sound as confident, noting he needed his lawyer to force his employer to let him leave.

Third, hotel room coffee (you know, the coffee they let you brew yourself in your room) isn't bad, but it's better if they give you real creamers and not the powdered kind. I drank a lot of hotel room coffee this week.

Finally, the Boston Celtics are now 0-2 in The Finals in games that I watch from start to finish. They are 2-0 in games that take place while I am in flight. The good news for Boston fans? I am in the air flying back home tomorrow night, when the Lakers and Celtics play game 5.

I will be watching the England/U.S. soccer match today from poolside at the hotel. Go USA!

Democratic State Convention Redux

With Josh Dawson, my district's teller, at the lead (third from right), the various whips and asst. tellers and delegates listen to the roll call.

Worcester

June 5, 2010

Yesterday, I attended the Democratic State Convention in Worcester, and it was an honor to represent my fellow democrats living in Boston's 2nd Suffolk Senatorial District and Boston's Ward 5.

A few observations:

-- Governor Deval Patrick noted how he wants to "finish what we started." In general, I think the Governor needs to be careful about touting his accomplishments too much, given the high level of anxiety across the state about the current economy. The average voter could very easily say, "What does he have to gloat about; I am very worried about my job and my family." Which is why other themes within the speech resonated with me, including his discussion of ways he will continue to stimulate the economy, and the fact that he will "not rest" until every person who wants a job has one. I also liked his discussion of "generational responsibility," but that will be the topic of a separate post on this blog.

-- In my opinion, Mike Lake stole the show. The candidate for auditor had an impressive campaign organization on the floor, with whips for every voting location and numerous signs, t-shirts and even hats (Can I have one, please?). His speech was the best I have heard him give, and he was passionate. He also stressed his independence, which is key in this anti-incumbent year. Many no doubt came into the convention wondering if Mike would get the 15-percent needed to be on the primary ballot in September. He walked away with 24 or 25 percent---far more than what was needed---and impressed many delegates and potential donors in the process. (Admittedly, I am biased, as Mike is a friend, and I support him enthusiastically.)

-- Democracy in action is refreshing to see. So many people worked hard yesterday, on a hot Saturday in early June, to move democracy forward. There were the candidates, their campaigns and their volunteers. There were the staff members of the Democratic party and the party's volunteers. There were the representatives of the various causes that packed the expo hall adjacent to the DCU Center to give out literature and talk to delegates. There were the tellers, whips and many others supporting the individual delegations. It was truly organized chaos (emphasis on organized).

-- In the end, the voters get to decide. All the candidates who spoke yesterday made the primary ballot, which means all Democrats in Massachusetts will ultimately decide who will be the party's candidates in the November elections. I think this is great. The Democratic party has set a low threshold at the convention for candidates to make the ballot (15-percent of delegates' votes). As Boston City Councilor and State Treasurer candidate Steve Murphy put it yesterday, the party believes that all competent and worthy candidates should be considered for elections. The primary season has begun, and the three candidates for auditor and two for treasurer now face the full body of Democrats in the state, as it should be.

-- Finally, it was great to see Mac D'Alessandro, who's challenging Steven Lynch in the Democratic primary to be my congressman. As I have written here before, I am not very happy with Rep. Lynch; it's good he has strong competition.

Special thanks to Rep. Marty Walz for inviting me to the SEIU breakfast Saturday morning for the much needed coffee!

Endorsement: Steve Grossman for State Treasurer

As part of my day job, I represent several technology companies in Massachusetts. It's very fulfilling work, because I get to help very smart people who have come up with innovative ways to use technology to solve common problems facing businesses around the world.

Several weeks ago, I attended the annual meeting of the Massachusetts Technology Leadership Council, a group that represents industries I care about deeply in New England. The group pledged at the meeting to help the industry come together and create thousands of jobs over the next several months by remaining committed to innovation. I thought it was a shame I didn't recognize any state officials at the meeting.

When I spoke to Steve Grossman just week or so ago, he told me he has plans to use the office he seeks-- the State Treasurer's office-- to affect the technology industry and to help it grow again. He wants to use the powers of the office to put in place positive changes across numerous areas of the economy. He even offered to meet with representatives from the industry groups that represent the tech industry.

That's the type of thinking that we need from our elected officials to help us fully recover from the economic malaise. And it's why I plan to cast my delegate vote at the Democratic State Convention this Saturday for Steve Grossman to be Massachusetts' next Treasurer.

I have already voted for Mr. Grossman once; he got my vote at the Boston Ward 5 Democratic Committee meeting in May, when he picked up the group's endorsement. His presentation to the group that night was impressive; there's little doubt to me that he has the passion, the energy, and the will to make tough choices for Massachusetts in the Treasurer's office.

Endorsement: Mike Lake for State Auditor

Mike Lake addresses supporters at his campaign kick-off.

Boston

April 28, 2010

Today I start a series of posts that outline how I plan to cast my delegate votes next week at the State Democratic Convention in Worcester.

If you sense a theme across my choices, you will see it is one of activism. I was surprised to learn that each of the statewide offices in Massachusetts can have an active role influencing issues that matter to me, including healthcare and investments in the private sector technology economy (which is the sector I work in).

The State Auditor's job is to make things run more efficiently, saving money and cutting waste. And Mike Lake is the right person for that job. I worked along side him in 2008 as a part of now State Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz's field operation. She was a grassroots candidate, and grassroots candidates need organization, which Mike Lake helped provide. As one of the downtown Boston field coordinators with Mike, I marveled at home he kept the ship moving even in the middle of the madness of election day.

Mike is a scary smart person. He has something like four or five or six degrees; I lost count. He also worked in an operations position within the Clinton Administration at a very young age. His academic accomplishments should not overshadow the fact that Mike is, fundamentally, a people person. He's been working very hard to meet as many people as possible during this campaign.

And when he speaks to people, what comes across is that Mike has three or four ideas about how, from the first day as State Auditor, he will make a difference. Cutting waste and saving taxpayers money. He wants to engage the public to make citizens aware of how the Auditor's office can help.

Mike will bring 21st-century efficiencies to an office that has not had a new leader in a long time. Just by listening to him for a few seconds, one gets a sense of the passion he has for his potential role. Mike is certainly not the typical politician. His speech is one of action, not of past laurels.

He might not be the most well known candidate, and given the long-term political connections of his opponents, that's not a surprise. But Mike is competent, bright, and deserves the chance to be evaluated by all Democrats in Massachusetts via a primary. I look forward to voting for him at the convention to give him that chance.

Are The Red Sox Even Playing?

Congrats to the Boston Celtics, who last night won the NBA Eastern Conference Championship and have advanced to NBA Finals for the second time in three years. The C's were not supposed to get this far. In fact, they weren't even supposed to get close.

It's great the NBA Finals will come back to Boston. Two years ago, the NBA did a great job bringing the basketball theme to the Rose Kennedy Greenway by the Garden. They erected a huge replica of the NBA logo and, of course, a giant basketball. It was neat.

And every local fan I talk to is happy the Celtics can distract them from the lowly Red Sox. In fact, I am not even sure why the Red Sox are trying. So far as I can tell, their fans have given up. A few weeks back, I was able to get reasonably priced, good seats to a Red Sox-Yankees game the day before the game. There is surprisingly less pink in the Fenway Park stands of late.

Except for one problem. The Red Sox are not playing that badly. At four games above .500, the Red Sox would actually be in first place of their division if they made their home out west. (Texas, the current leader of the American League West, is a game behind the Sox in the standings).

I hear that David Ortiz is horrible. Except when I look at the stats, he's doing much better now (or perhaps fans just have a ridiculously inflated sense of how he should be doing). He's batting .265 for the year (including his admittedly very slow start). Not great, but certainly not as bad as people claim. He's tied for the team lead with 10 home runs (More HRs, by the way, than the Yankees A-Rod).

The problem is the Red Sox are in a very tough division. Of the nine teams across the Majors that have a better record than Boston's sluggers, three of them are in the same division (Tampa Bay, my New York Yankees and Toronto). But that doesn't mean Boston stinks.

So while the Celtics continue their march toward a Championship, the Red Sox are quietly gaining momentum. Of course, not if you ask a Red Sox fan. To them, the season might as well be over.

And by the way, I am a Yankees fan. How about that?

Congratulations Mercedes and Jason!

Mercedes Fereck and Jason Carrasco introduced as husband and wife.

Hyatt Regency Boston

May 15, 2010

Neighborhood Bars

A week ago, I had the honor of witnessing the marriage vows of Mercedes Fereck and Jason Carrasco. Following the ceremony, I had some time to kill. A few of Mercedes' family's friends from Maryland and Scranton, Penn. wanted to go visit the bar that inspired Cheers on Beacon Street. I decided to escort them there. One of the guests asked me, "Well since you live nearby, when we enter Cheers, will everyone know your name?"

He thought the answer was yes. As anyone who lives in Boston knows, the answer is definitely "No." The Hampshire House on Beacon Street is primarily a tourist destination (even though its owner is a very, very good neighbor). But when one thinks of Boston, they think of Cheers, and they think of the neighborhood bar. And Boston certainly has them.

I love neighborhood bars. I love going to the counter and simply ordering "a beer." [Side note, why can't one just go to a bar and get served when simply ordering "a beer"? They do it in the movies all the time, but when I try, the bartenders get rather agitated.]

A neighborhood bar should not be part of a chain. It should be friendly and be staffed by people that live at least nearby, if not in the same neighborhood. It's owners should be concerned about the quality of life on the streets around the establishment. The beer should always be cold.

The neighborhood bar on Beacon Hill that I like the best is "The Hill Tavern" on Cambridge Street. I went there first when I didn't even live in Boston. On New Year's Eve, 1998, a group of high school friends and I traversed into the city from Arlington, and we landed at The Hill.

The Hill is friendly, has a nice menu, and it offers outdoor seating. I often go there after community meetings.

However, my favorite neighborhood bar in Boston is "The Mission" over on Mission Hill (in Roxbury Crossing). I am not sure why I like the bar so much; maybe it's because there is always a good deal of activity there by people who actually live in Mission Hill.

Of course, I have not been to too many neighborhood bars in Boston, and I am always open to visiting new ones. So if you see some guy who says simply "I will have a beer" at a watering hole near you, it's probably me.

Side note: A friend told me last night that if you step up to the bar in Pennsylvania and order "a lager," you get a Yuengling. I guess that's getting close to my ideal.

Boston Ward 5 Endorsements

It was a long night for Boston's Ward 5 Democratic Committee this past Tuesday, but in the end, the group handed out endorsements, just days ahead of the Democratic Convention in Worcester.

Following a candidates forum for those running for statewide offices, the Committee endorsed the following candidates:

Governor-- Deval Patrick (By Acclamation)
Lt. Governor-- Tim Murray (By Acclamation)
Attorney General-- Martha Coakley (By Acclamation)
Secretary of State-- Bill Galvin (By Acclamation)
Treasurer-- Steve Grossman

Steve Grossman received 19 votes from the committee, versus nine for his opponent, Boston City Councilor Steve Murphy. All 19 of those votes were needed for the endorsement, as a 2/3 vote of members eligible and present is necessary.

No endorsement was made in the race for State Auditor. Mike Lake and Suzanne Bump both received 12 votes. Guy Glodis did not attend the forum ahead of the meeting, and he was not nominated as part of the endorsement proceedings.

By the way, Lt. Governor Tim Murray addressed the forum during the night, and he was fantastic. Too bad I didn't wear by Tim Murray t-shirt!

Mother's Day Fun Fact

Mother's Day is a huge day for restaurants. My mom told me this morning it's actually the biggest day of the year for eateries. And the reason is pretty simple. Most guys don't cook; so they take their moms to brunch. Meanwhile, for Father's Day, typically families eat in. Fittingly, I discussed this with my mom over brunch this morning.

Happy Mother's Day, mom!

Scary Scott Brown: Episode 1

I did not vote for Senator Scott Brown, but I respect that he is the current junior Senator from Massachusetts, and I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. At first, I was ok with some of the moves he made. He voted to pass the jobs bill, proposed by the President and other Democrats, shortly after he took office. Better yet, he was authoritative about his vote, which he delivered early in that roll call.

But this week I saw a very scary side of Scott Brown. His latest proposal would allow the United States to strip citizenship from anyone, without a hearing, if it is believed that person is a terrorist or is aiding terrorists. It is one of the most ridiculous, anti-American proposals I have ever heard of. To put it in perspective, as "The Massachusetts Liberal" points out, even Glen Beck says the proposed law is unconstitutional.

Citizenship is a cherished right, and certainly it comes with responsibilities. However, there is a constitutionally outlined process that allows the U.S. government to strip someone of its citizenship. It's called treason, and it's punishable by death. However, in the spirit of our democracy, treason must be tried in federal court. The law proposed by Brown and his equally delusional counterpart, Sen. Joe Lieberman, would allow the government to strip citizenship without trial-- without a hearing, even.

Jim Braude provided a simple example of the law's ludicrous nature during yesterday's "Jim and Margery" Show on 96.9 WTKK-FM. As he put it, certainly in the past many Irish Boston residents supported the efforts of some of the groups in Northern Ireland who were pushing for independence from the U.K. By certain definitions, those groups were terrorist organizations, meaning under the law proposed by Scary Scott, contributors to the groups could be stripped of their U.S. citizenship.

What bothers me even more is that I think, deep down inside, both Sens. Brown and Lieberman know their law doesn't have a chance to pass Constitutional muster. They made the proposal for two reasons. First, they can tell their constituents they mean business. A caller to "Jim and Margery" yesterday said, "It's about time we grew some balls." Those callers are, of course, Scary Scott's base, and they can cry liberal foul when the law is challenged by the lefties.

Second, and this scares me the most, by proposing the law, Scary Scott can "compromise" by "settling" with a second proposal that is perhaps not nearly as aggressive--but still strips Americans of there liberties. The second proposal would be like a much more powerful Patriot Act. It may or may not pass the Constitutional test, but that doesn't matter to the New England Senators. At that point, they would have tried not once, but twice, to pass a law that "simply cracks down on those citizens whose actions would indicate they don't want their citizenship anyway."

Scary, scary stuff, people.

Aquapocalypse

From the door of the White Hen Pantry on Cambridge Street.

Boston

May 2, 2010

The cliche that you don't realize how important something is until you don't have it rings true time and time again.

Yesterday in Boston, residents were suddenly told mid-day that the water coming out of their taps was no longer safe to drink. The main aqueduct bringing drinking water to Boston from the west sprang a significant leak, cutting off supply to the city and several other towns in eastern Massachusetts.

The impact is being felt in ways one would not imagine. No one is selling coffee today; apparently every store has coffee makers with hard-wired water supplies. Last night, the bartender at the Aquitaine in the South End juggled a pitcher of water as she meticulously washed her tools; she could not use the sink or the spritzer that serves soft drinks. I boiled water late last night; I could not brush my teeth without a water source.

Certainly things could be a lot worse, especially if public officials and City employees were not as responsive as they were, distributing information about the water issue (even if they did use memos, like the one above, with rather interesting spellings). Boston Transportation Department vehicles drove the streets last night using loudspeakers to inform residents.

It's when things like this happen that I wonder what it would be like if other things I took for granted just suddenly weren't available. Certainly there are the staples of living; water being one of them. But what about other more modern amenities that are pretty important? I always think first about cell phones. What would life be like without a cell phone? It's the subject of another much longer post.

Statewide Candidates Forum on May 18

I have taken on a new role recently as secretary of the Boston Ward 5 Democratic Committee. It's more work than you think, especially given that the committee is very active. I just put the finishing touches on the notice for the next committee meeting, which is more of an event that's open to the public.

On May 18, Tuesday, the Boston Ward 5 Democratic Committee is hosting a forum for Democratic candidates running for any of the statewide offices in Massachusetts. Those offices include Governor, Lt. Governor, Attorney General, Secretary of State, Treasurer and Auditor. The event will be held at the Boston Architectural College on Newbury Street, at the corner of Newbury and Hereford Streets.

From 6:30 to 7 p.m. on May 18, candidates will have the chance to meet with members of the community. The forum starts at 7. Given how the forum is scheduled, it could be one of the last times the candidates will appear, in some sort of collective form, ahead of the Mass. State Convention in Worcester in early June.

All are invited to attend!

If you don't get it, well, I just can't help you

More and more people are declaring that "People get it."

I hear it a lot at work. I talk about someone my company might want to partner with, and I hear, "A good idea; they get it." I talk about a potential political candidate I might want to help out, and my friends nod emphatically, "He gets it."

Typically, when someone says someone else gets it, I merely nod. My acknowledgement is mainly out of relief. If someone is telling me that someone else gets it, that means I must get it, too. Thanks heavens. I certainly want to be part of the club, and I am guessing that getting it is a prerequisite for membership.

To say that someone gets it means, undoubtedly, that you get it. Yet you proclaim that fact in an indirect way that makes other people want to get it as well. In truth, if you don't agree with someone else it could be that they get it, and you don't. And then you are in bigger trouble.

This weekend I will try hard to find out what it is, even though, so I have been told, I get it.

Images From Boston Shines 2010

Sara Eskrich and Michelle Snyder from City Council President Mike Ross's Office chat with State Representative Marty Walz during the post Boston Shines pizza party, which was held at 74 Joy Street.

Beacon Hill, Boston

April 24, 2010

A nice group from Suffolk University volunteered during the cleanup, and they even had their own t-shirts!

Beacon Hill, Boston

April 24, 2010

City Council President Mike Ross surveys Phillips Street Park.

Beacon Hill, Boston

April 24, 2010

The group of volunteers from Suffolk University, along with a couple of Phillips Street neighbors.

Beacon Hill, Boston

April 24, 2010

A Clean(er) Beacon Hill

The "Green Machine" on Phillips Street

Beacon Hill, Boston

April 24, 2010

Yesterday was Boston Shines, the annual citywide cleanup organized by Boston Mayor Tom Menino's Office of Neighborhood Services. I have been participating in neighborhood cleanups on Beacon Hill since I moved here back in 1999. I got behind the wheel of my Honda early Saturday and delivered brooms, trash bags and a variety of other tools to three volunteer stations around the neighborhood. Then I helped get volunteers started at the Phillips Street Park, before doing some cleaning of my own.

When I started, I noticed something quite striking. The streets around Phillips Street Park were fairly clean to begin with. Certainly cleaner than during other Spring cleanups. There are a couple of reasons for this. In my opinion, the biggest reason is the increased effectiveness of street sweeping, and the effectiveness is because of the strict enforcement of posted street sweeping signs.

You leave your car on a Beacon Hill street when that street is posted for street sweeping, and your car will be towed. Period. As I have said many times before on this blog, you have to remove the cars in order for the street sweeper to be effective. I pointed out to the residents I saw yesterday that the towing was the reason streets felt cleaner than they have been in the past. Just a few months ago, before street sweeping started again on April 1, the streets were a mess.

A second reason---and one that cannot be overlooked---is the ongoing, consistent efforts of neighbors to clean up their own streets. Current and former members of the Beacon Hill Civic Association's City Service Committee, including Jack Fitzgerald and Keeta Gillmore, were out and about yesterday.

A few volunteers got to witness my obvious excitement yesterday when Beacon Hill was visited by the infamous "Green Machine." It's smaller than a normal street sweeper, and it has been patrolling downtown Boston streets since 2005. Pictured above, the machine is a welcomed site. My friend Kim Jennings noted, "That thing can move." Simple pleasures when one is wrapping up a Spring cleanup day.

Nervous Watching Jeopardy!

Screen shot from Jeopardy
April 12, 2010

It's the only time in my life that I was nervous watching Jeopardy!

My high school friend Amanda Lahan competed in the legendary game show this past week. Well she actually competed a few months back, but the show aired on Monday.

I am so proud of Amanda, because she put up a good fight. She finished in positive territory and even got the Final Jeopardy! question correct. She fared far better than I did... My only confident moment was when one of the clues was a picture of White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel.

Unfortunately, Amanda drew a tough lot, as she was forced to challenge the legendary Morgan Saxby, the returning (and as the game would play out, continuing) champion. I have no idea, really, if Morgan Saxby is legendary--and Amanda told me he's actually a pretty nice guy--but with a name like Morgan Saxby? Come on.

Congrats to Amanda on a fantastic performance!

Making Beacon Hill Shine

Working with Mayor Menino's Office of Neighborhood Services, the Beacon Hill Civic Association (BHCA) is coordinating "Beacon Hill Shines" on Saturday, April 24. The flier is above, and you can click on the image to read more.

It's a great event. Each year hundreds of neighbors hit the streets and help make neighborhood streets sparkle. The BHCA is participating alongside volunteers from neighborhoods across the city.

Beacon Hill Shines takes place from 9 a.m. to noon on the 24th, and neighbors can pick up supplies at the Phillips Street Park or in front of Charles Street Supply. After the event, the BHCA is hosting a pizza party for volunteers at 74 Joy Street.

Why Casinos are bad

I really hope my state representative, Marty Walz, votes against the casino bill that is before the Massachusetts House this week. And should the bill pass that legislative body, I hope my state senator, Sonia Chang-Diaz, will vote no if she's given the chance.

Casinos are bad for local economies, and I base my opinion on personal experience. I was born in southeastern Connecticut when what is now Foxwoods was merely a bingo hall. In the early 90's, the region bore the brunt of that time period's recession.

While a young kid, the defense industry fueled much of the economy in southeastern Connecticut. The sign across the Thames River in Groton still reads, "The Submarine Capital of the World." Problem is, you don't need submarines in a post Cold War era. And you don't need the parts that supply them, either.

In the midst of the economic malaise that affected my friends and family, there arose a wonder in the Connecticut woods. Foxwoods promised jobs, and it brought them. Make no mistake about it, casinos do produce jobs, and Foxwoods created them at a time when they were so desperately needed. Sound familiar?

Except I don't live in southeastern Connecticut today. To put it frankly, there isn't much happening there beyond the casinos. It took a herculean effort a few years back by the region's U.S. Congressman to save the U.S. Sub Base along that same Thames River. Many argued that its shuttering might have been a final economic straw for the region, and I agree with them.

The problem with destination casinos (which is what the Governor and others are arguing for) is that they try very hard to be destinations. I did a report when I was a senior in high school that discussed, in part, the psychological manipulation on display within Foxwoods. There are no clocks. There are few windows. There's a lot of bells and whistles (literally), generating excitement and adrenaline. The whole atmosphere is intended to do one thing---keep people there.

And Foxwoods and nearby Mohegan Sun have succeeded. Between the "wonder of it all"---the restaurants and live entertainment and sporting events and all those darn chances to win---it's no wonder that those that go decide not to leave.

One of my friends went to Foxwoods late last year. She explained how to save cost, she was going to stay in nearby Mystic, rather than on the grounds of the casino. Now, I love Mystic. My parents live there. My brother operated a marine business there, and his wife works there. Mystic is a great Connecticut town, and prior to the opening of the casinos, it was the main tourist attraction in the region. Not any more.

Someone asked my friend where she was going to go to dinner when she was in Connecticut. "I don't know," came the reply. "Probably somewhere in the casino."

To which I suggested: "Why not go out to dinner in Mystic?"

The story of my friend best exemplifies why I don't like casinos. From an economic perspective, casinos do not to contribute to the surrounding communities, but rather take from them.

The wonder in the Connecticut woods still is the wonder contained to the Connecticut woods. The nearby city of Norwich, economically depressed since I was born, is still economically depressed. It's downtown is as empty as when I was a kid. The restaurants of Mystic still receive their best business during the summer from out-of-state beachcombers, not from casino traffic (this is based on a first-hand interview with a waitress). It pains me to write this; Connecticut will always have a very special place in my heart.

Speaking of "wonders," I wonder what we all could have come up with to help spur economic activity over the past three years had we not spent so much time worrying about casinos. My concern is that a casino in Massachusetts will have the same effect as Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun in Connecticut. Why would a visitor to a casino near Boston want to go into the city? Why would they want to peruse shops on Newbury; visit an historic site downtown, or experience the city's varied neighborhoods?

For non-economic reasons, my dad hates gambling. He doesn't even buy lottery tickets. I have gambled from time to time, and I have had a great time visiting Las Vegas with friends on a couple of occasions. Notwithstanding, I am sure my distaste for casinos is somewhat influenced by my dad. Regardless, my opposition to casinos in Massachusetts is driven largely by what I experienced as a kid. I think my reasons are economic. And beyond the jobs casinos can create, I worry that the economic consequences of Massachusetts casinos would be harsh.

*** UPDATE: I heard from Jamie Hellen, Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz's chief of staff, that she will vote against any bill for expanding gambling. Yay Sonia!

Church's Big Day

Trinity Church in Copley Square

Boston

April 4, 2010

Happy Easter to those that celebrate on this beautiful day in New England. This morning at Trinity Church in Boston, performers were on hand outside to keep occupied those waiting in line for services. I took the picture above as I was leaving the 8 a.m. service; the queue was for the 10 a.m. service. It made me wonder if the clergy is nervous on Sundays like this one, when so many current and potential parishioners attend. It's a day off or me, but not for them!

Make it a Census Competition

So today is census day. The 2010 census is supposed to take a snapshot of the total U.S. population, and who is living where, on this day. The form actually asks each household to enter in the names of people who, as of April 1, are living there "most of the time."

One of my favorite books is Freakonomics, which applies economic analysis to human nature. One chapter talks about human motivation and concludes that peer pressure---more specifically, the fear of embarrassment---is the most effective motivation. Without giving the chapter away, suffice it to say that guilt is a far better way to encourage parents to pick up their children on time at daycare versus fining those that are tardy. (Yes that was the actual way the book's authors studied the issue of motivation.)

For that reason, I applaud the U.S. Census for setting up a way to track, in real time, what towns, counties and states are winning the census race. As of writing this blog post, a little more than half of U.S. households have mailed back their census forms (I sent mine back over a week ago). A neat website set up by the census lets you see how various parts of the country are faring in terms of their response rates.

Map of Downtown Boston and Environs
Taken from Census.gov
April 1, 2010

In case you can't see it clearly, the map above is of downtown Boston, and the shades of blue and green indicate the range that each shaded area falls into based on how many households have returned their census forms. The green shades represent areas where the response is better than 50 percent, and the blue represents areas where the response is below 50 percent (As response gets better, the shades will turn yellow and orange, per the key at the top). It's kind of neat. In the spirit of the Freakonomics chapter, I might encourage my neighbors to mail their forms back, so we can beat Cambridge!

****

I don't understand why anyone would tell people not to mail back their census forms. Some anti-government groups are urging citizens to refrain from participating in the census; they say the government is out to get too much info on all of us.

An editorial I read in today's New York Times notes how Michelle Bachmann, a Republican Congresswoman from Minnesota, is part of the crowd telling people to "Throw it out" instead of "Mail it back." As the New York Times points out, if Bachmann succeeds, the only thing her disciples will gain is less federal funding and a scaling down of other benefits, which are allotted based on the census results. Heck, if she's really successful, Minnesota could stand to lose one of its allotted congressional seats. Perhaps Representative Bachmann would then get redistricted out of Congress?

-----

Editor's Note: Editorial mentioned above is "The Real Census," The New York Times, April 1, 2010; page A20.

Big East to the Final Four

Only a few weeks ago, I was jeering West Virginia and hoping that my UCONN Huskies would deliver them a whooping (they did). Yesterday, I was hoping like heck that same West Virginia team would find a victory against Kentucky (they did).

I root for the UCONN Huskies during the season, but once they are out of the running, I root for UCONN's conference, the Big East. I can't really understand why one night I am against various teams that are UCONN foes in the trenches of the season-- teams like Georgetown, Syracuse, Notre Dame, St. John's, Villanova and West Virginia-- and the next night I am cheering for those same enemies. To college basketball fans, it makes sense. You are loyal to your team first, and your conference second.

The Big East conference is the best conference in college basketball. During a couple weeks this season, four teams from the Big East were among the top ten ranked teams in the country. Syracuse and West Virginia almost occupied two of the four coveted No. 1 seeds in the NCAA tournament. Eight Big East teams made it to the big dance, more than any other conference.

Yet, the Big East's performance in the NCAA tournament has not been superb. Only two of the original eight Big East tournament entrants made it to the second weekend (the Sweet Sixteen, in insider parlance). The team that played the best during weekend one, Syracuse, could not get past a surging Butler Bulldog team-- which is from the Horizon Conference, arguably far inferior to the mighty Big East.

Why the disappointing tournament performance? My brother Brett puts forth a theory that the Big East conference is perhaps too good. The conventional wisdom is that playing in a difficult conference helps you at the end of the season; playing challenging opponents all year long hones a team's skills and allows it to see where problems are against high-class competition. It's kind of like training for a marathon by always pushing yourself to get beyond where you've been before, as opposed to training by running a mile during each training run.

Brett's theory is that there is a conference strength threshold that, when passed, becomes detrimental to the conference's teams. On more than one occasion this year, analysts have said the Big East "is eating its own." Playing a top-ten opponent each night for several weeks would wear even the best trained athletes. The Big East teams in the tournament this year have simply looked pooped.

I accept Brett's theory over the comments of many other non-Big East fans that say the conference is overrated. As someone who has watched many Big East games this year, and saw how the teams looked in the NCAA tournament, I still believe strongly the Big East is legit. But then again, I do admit I am biased.

And then, amid my concerns and theories of conference fatigue, there's West Virginia. The Mountaineers were not the best team in the Big East conference this year, but they are the best team now. They won the Big East conference tournament, and they have not looked back. Yesterday, they defeated Kentucky, a No. 1 seed, to earn a spot in the Final Four.

The Big East conference is now 8-7 in the NCAA tournament, with one team left. Most importantly, the Big East conference is headed to the Final Four, where it belongs.

Disappointment with Representative Stephen Lynch

All of my neighbors are represented by Mike Capuano. I live in one stray precinct within my Ward and downtown Boston that is represented by Stephen Lynch.

For reasons I cannot understand, Congressman Lynch intends to vote against the health care bill in front of the House of Representatives this weekend.

I have written about the health care bill in the past. It's complicated, and because it's complicated, it's easy to create soundbites against it. Even if the soundbites are dead wrong. Like the notion that health care reform means the government is taking over health care. Like in Europe, where (the soundbites continue) you have to wait months for routine procedures because of bureaucratic paperwork.

The health care bill in front of Congress this weekend does not represent a government takeover. It sets up exchanges of health care insurance companies (private companies), and it allows these companies to compete for a large number of potential customers. In that way, it creates competition. Hardly a government-run plan that so many think the bill completely encompasses.

Health care reform is complicated because we all need it and we're willing to pay anything for it in a catastrophe. The popular portions of health care reform are portability (insurance companies can't deny you coverage if you switch plans) and deniability for pre-existing conditions (insurance companies can't deny you coverage for already being sick). However, if these portions were to pass by themselves, there would be no incentive for people to have coverage unless they were sick. And this would bankrupt the insurance companies.

So to pass the things people like, the insurance companies need the government to demand that everyone be covered. And to do that, the government needs to help those who can't afford insurance. And to do that, the government needs to encourage the industry to control costs and be more efficient. Controlling costs inevitably means less revenue and less profit, and private industry doesn't like that. And that's why, beyond the stuff people like, health care reform is hard.

Beyond the soundbites, though, is the fact that healthcare reform is so desperately needed. It's an industry that is weighing down business with its costs. The bill before Congress is far from perfect. But reform is the right thing for all of us. Leaders would know that. And by not supporting the bill, Congressman Lynch is showing a lack of leadership.

Boston Ward 5 Committee Officers

Last night, I was picked by fellow Boston Ward 5 Democratic Committee members to be the secretary of the group for a two-year term. It was part of a very peaceful transfer of power, as Rob Whitney, the only committee chairman I have known, stepped aside.

Josh Dawson, a good friend and neighbor from the Back Bay, is the new chairman. Other officers include:

Treasurer: Greg Timilty

First vice chairman: Shelia Martin

Second vice chairman: Jay Livingstone

Executive committee members (at large): Fran Burke, Rajan Nanda, David Greenwold

Executive committee members (ex officio): Marty Walz and Kenzie Bok

As secretary, I look forward to working with Dave Greenwold, the "webmaster" of the committee's website, to continue to beef up the group's web presence. Stay tuned!

What the Heck is Evacuation Day, Anyway?

Today is a holiday in Suffolk County, Massachusetts, the county that includes Boston. No, it's not a holiday because today is St. Patrick's Day. Rather, today is Evacuation Day.

One might think it rather convenient that Evacuation Day is scheduled for the same date as St. Patrick's Day. However, the two dates in history do correspond.

What is Evacuation Day? I admit I did not know, either, until I read David McCullough's masterpiece, "1776." On March 17, 1776, the British evacuated Boston during the relative early days of the Revolutionary War. The story is a great one. The rebels pinned the British in Boston during the Winter of 1776 by transporting large guns from Fort Ticonderoga in upstate New York, sneaking the armory into what is now South Boston. The British literally woke up one morning to see the large weaponry staring down at them, and they knew they were cooked. They left Boston really without even putting up a fight.

Given that this happened in March of 1776, and the United States didn't become the United States for about another four months, the significance of such victories cannot be overstated.

So happy Evacuation Day, everyone. And if you just happen to have a green beer today to celebrate, that's ok, too.

Hooked on Boston Media

Last year I lauded the new WCVB-TV show "On The Record," a Sunday morning local political forum. I still don't like the pop quizzes they ask their guests, but the show itself is an excellent way to learn about local political news in a non-boring way.

Well, it turns out there is other content available on the airwaves that can provide political updates, without the drab normally associated with the political theater.

Take Jim Braude and Margery Eagan. I would flip to 96.9 WTKK whenever I had to drive somewhere for lunch to listen to their noontime show, "Eagan and Braude." The only trouble was, given the show was on during lunch, I couldn't listen to it very often.

Now, the two hosts have moved to the morning, and they are on the air from 7-10 a.m. as the "Jim and Margery" show. I guess you have to to change the name of the show when you move it? Or perhaps people are too tired in the morning to respond to last names? Whatever the case, while the name is different, the show is the same.

I love their show. First off, they get along very well together and play off each other. They present a witty, funny and incisive look into local politics, as well as national issues that have local impact. Listening to Jim and Margery should have been required for all residents ahead of the recent special U.S. Senate election; the hosts were among the few to look at the substance of the race, in addition to the polling. Even more recently, the Mass. Gubernatorial candidates are recent visitors to the show.

I think Jim and Margery will do to local talk radio in Boston what Don Imus did to the same market in New York City. The hosts universally show how no matter what your political interest, politics does impact every day life. If radio talks about the politics in the context of what it means for everyday lives, people will become more politically motivated, whether they know it or not.

Beyond "Jim and Margery," I should admit I have started reading the Boston Globe more and more. Each day at the office, I read the New York Times from front to back. After my volunteer work for local political races last year, I now often read the Globe as well.

And soon I will start reading the Boston Herald as well. My good college friend was just hired as the new Red Sox beat reporter there!

Boston Parking-- It's a Complicated Science

Beacon Street at Joy

Boston

March 12, 2010

I tell people that Boston residents are nice, unless you get behind the wheel of a car. In a similar way, Boston is a navigable city, unless you decide to drive. And if you want to park on the street, good luck.

Having lived in Boston since 1999, and having a job out of the city during that time, I consider myself a master of Boston parking. On Beacon Hill, parking is at a premium. The local Beacon Hill Civic Association has a parking committee, with a charter that basically boils down to preservation of the precious parking spaces.

Generally speaking, if you find an open parking spot on Beacon Hill, the driver has to assume there is something wrong with it. After deftly performing a parallel park into an open space, I get out of the car and spend a few minutes investigating the spot. I generally follow a mental checklist:

• Is there a fire hydrant nearby,
• Is street cleaning scheduled for anytime when the car will be there,
• Are there any temporary "no parking" signs posted for a residential move-in or construction,
• Are there any temporary signs on the ground nearby, indicating they were posted and fell down,
• Am I really on a street that is a Beacon Hill residential street,
• Are there parking tickets on any cars nearby, and if so, why,
• Is there anyone nearby watching me, giving me a suspicious look as if to ask "why are you thinking of parking there?"

In short, I try to think of every possible reason why a spot may not be legitimate, and once I am satisfied, I leave the car.

Given the scarcity of parking spaces in Beacon Hill, changes in parking rules have a dramatic effect. This is especially true for "reverse-commuters" like me, who work out of the city and need their cars each day. Several years ago, the City of Boston changed the meters on Charles Street, extending the meter hours from 6 p.m. at night until 8 p.m. at night. Simple change, but a major impact on me. Since then, I actively avoid parking on Charles Street, since I typically get home before 8 p.m. and would need to feed the meter until 8.

Well, this week, I noticed a change that, for me at least, has a significant positive effect. I typically park on Beacon Street, by the Boston Common, which during the week offers parking spaces that are zoned for residents during the evening hours only. This is perfect for me, as I drive to Waltham each morning for work. Up until this week, however, parking on Beacon Street was inconvenient on the weekends, as I would need to get out of bed early to move my car when the hours for resident parking there expired.

Well, as you can clearly see from the new signs that are posted on Beacon Street and are pictured above, the residential parking now extends to the weekend days on Beacon Street. If you find the signs above confusing... well... I don't blame you. But the translation for me is simple---it's 9:16 on Saturday morning, and I don't need to worry about my car parked on Beacon Street.

Thank you to the City of Boston for a change that gives me more time to sleep!

Boston Ward 5 State Convention Delegation

Below is the full list of state convention delegates from Boston's Ward 5. We are all attending the state convention this June in Worcester.

MEN (11)

George Alex

Rich Davey

Mike George

David Greenwold

Ross Levanto

Jay Livingstone

Rajan Nanda

Greg Timilty

Michael Wasserman

Rob Whitney

WOMEN (11)

Patricia Amend

Sydney Asbury

Fran Burke

Suzanne Comtois

Mary Clayton-Crozier

Kate Gallivan

Kristine Glynn

Elizabeth Leary

Shelia Martin

Judee Shupe

Diana Wogan

MALE/FEMALE (1)

Pat McDonough

ALTERNATES (4)

Winthrop Roosevelt

Peter True

Alysia Ordway

Jane Willis

Chat With The Governor

Mass. Governor Deval Patrick (on left)

Beacon Hill, Boston

March 6, 2010

At right is Rob Whitney, in mid-background is Jim Ryan, and in far background is Ted Furst.

If you don't live in Massachusetts, then you don't know that our Governor, Deval Patrick, is facing a very tough re-election fight this year. Part of his problem is the fervent anti-incumbent mood that exists across the country. Part of the problem is the economy, and the fact that voters are both scared and angry (I would argue that fear is a more powerful motivator than anger, but that's a subject for a later post).

Part of the Governor's problem, though, is that he has not done a good enough job showing off what he's done and his roadmap for an additional term. And for that reason, the Governor is getting moving. Yesterday, he went to a small gathering of neighbors on Beacon Hill in Boston, hosted by Martha and Joel Pierce. I was happy to be invited and was able to attend.

The Governor reviewed his many accomplishments. He talked about ethics and education reform. He urged those in attendance to be educated and engage our neighbors in debate (even those, as he put it, who don't agree with us). He also ended his comments by urging all to "believe," a nice reference back to the visionary oratory so common when he was a candidate four years ago.

I asked the Governor a question about casinos. As I plan to detail in a later post, I have real trouble accepting the notion of casinos, primarily because of what I witnessed growing up in Conn. near Foxwoods and the Mohegan Sun. I told the Governor I was concerned casinos in Massachusetts would take away from the economic activity of nearby towns, rather than contribute to it. The Governor answered by noting that the siting of the casinos would be key to their success. Whether I agree or not depends on his definition of "siting," which I can go into in the later post.

On the whole, I think the Governor has done much for Massachusetts over the past four years. The Governor noted yesterday how he likes campaigning, but hates to fund raise or brag (He says President Obama told him in the Fall to "get over it."). While bragging is important for any incumbent (and warranted by the Governor), the average voter is more skeptical than ever. Governor Patrick needs to connect his accomplishments to what he aims to do, and he needs to connect what he aims to do to the issues that have people scared: jobs, and their way of life.

Massachusetts voters are reading everywhere about how the lives of their children will not be better than their own, and we are reading that for the first time in generations. Innately, voters are optimistic, but they need politicians to acknowledge their fears and present ideas that will assuage them. Right now, the fear is connected to the economy. Governor Patrick has the smarts and ideas---and no doubt the presentation skills---so that people can believe in him.

Let the campaign begin.

Mark Knoller (@markknoller)

I am pretty active on Twitter, and there are a few people who have mastered the art of reporting on Twitter. Mark Knoller is one of them. The CBS News White House correspondent tweets a few times a day, usually in the morning with an overview of the President's schedule, and then during the day with periodic updates.

I read Twitter feeds in Tweet Deck, and have Tweet Deck open at work during the day. So each new tweet from Knoller shows up in the upper right corner of the screen (a standard feature on Tweet Deck). Reading Knoller's Tweets is both informative and entertaining. His rolling commentary makes one feel like they are actually following the President and his staff around.

This was particularly the case this past Thursday, when Knoller posted tweets quite often about the President's summit on healthcare. When he made his first few tweets, I sent him a direct tweet, noting how I trust him to post tweets "of value." Within minutes, his reply came:

@rosslevanto if i only tweeted items of value, you might not hear from me ever again.

I can't imagine another platform that allows someone to interact directly with a White House correspondent. I applaud Mark Knoller for his use of Twitter. His updates show his personality. Previously, I would not have thought of watching CBS News (I prefer NBC and MSNBC). But I just might start now.

You can follow Mark (yep, we're on first name basis, now) on Twitter at @markknoller. If you are a political junkie like me, following him should be a requirement.

Worcester Bound

I was honored Saturday to be elected by fellow Democrats to represent my ward at the Democratic State Convention this June in Worcester.

I have some work to do before I go. I plan to study up on the candidates running for state-wide offices so I can best represent fellow Democrats.

We have a great group of delegates coming from Ward 5, Boston. Watch out, Worcester!

The Best Birthday Gifts

Slogging through the snow
Beacon Hill, Boston
February 16, 2010

I have noticed that as I get older, I appreciate more practical gifts. Last year, my mom bought me an awesome birthday gift. It wasn't tickets to a UCONN basketball game (which is all I really wanted as a kid). No, it was a pair of black Die Hard Oxford shoes (shown above).

The shoes are waterproof. On the sole it says they are also oil-proof, though I have never had to test that. I have used them quite a bit on snowy, cold days.

Happy birthday to anyone born on this day. It's a great day to have a birthday. I wish you all very warm, dry feet.

Democracy in Action

Boston Ward 5 Democratic Committee Chairman Rob Whitney at the podium during a regular meeting of the committee, held in Boston on Feb. 16. Attached to the podium is a list of females interested in being on the committee's slate of state convention delegate candidates. The Ward 5 Democratic Caucus is scheduled for this Saturday, Feb. 20 at the Community Church of Boston, 565 Boylston Street, at 9:30 a.m.

Memories

It's my birthday this week. I get a bit nostalgic around my birthday, so you will have to bear with me.

Today I want to talk about Caldor. There's a Facebook group I am a member of called "I was a Norwichtown Mall kid growing up," which is "exclusively" for anyone who knows what the Norwichtown Mall is. The profile photo for the group is a picture of an empty mall hallway, with closed up center-isle clothing stands. Anyone in the know would recognize it, instantly, as the Noriwchtown (Conn.) Mall.

Caldor was the anchor store at one end of the mall. (A supermarket is at the other end.) My mom would take me to Caldor quite a bit as a kid. It's one of those stores that sells bikes and windshield washer fluid next to "designer" clothing. It really was the precursor to the modern-day Walmart or Target. Then again, it's possible those stores existed back then, too, and they had just not made it to Connecticut. At the end of the day, Caldor wouldn't survive.

Caldor had a nifty song that played over and over again inside. It went something like "Caldor, your everyday discount store... we save you money... everyday low prices... Caldor, your everyday discount store."

Yes, it is scary that I remember that. It is interesting, however, that I have never ever seen another Caldor anywhere on the planet.

Sadly, Caldor is no longer there. But it's theme song lives on in the heads of many Norwichtown Mall kids.

Running to Be a State Convention Delegate

The Democratic Caucus for Ward 5 in Boston is scheduled for this coming Saturday, Feb. 20. During that caucus, I very much hope to be elected as a delegate to the Democratic state convention, to be held in early June.

During my two years on the Ward 5 Democratic Committee, I have had many conversations with residents in Ward 5. I feel as though I have a good handle on what the concerns are in the neighborhoods. I know I would represent Ward 5 Democrats well at the convention.

If you are attending the Caucus, or the Ward 5 Democratic Committee meeting Tuesday night, I humbly ask for your support, and I would be happy to talk with you more about what I have learned.

Major Step For Cleaner Neighborhoods

Laura Sargent in Representative Marty Waltz's office emailed me this week to tell me great news. Governor Deval Patrick has signed into a law a bill that will help make Boston streets cleaner.

Now, those of you who read this blog know that one issue I am fairly passionate about is trash. When I first became a member of the Beacon Hill Civic Association back in 1999, I was asked shortly thereafter to represent younger Beacon Hill neighbors on the infamous "trash committee" (which is now called the City Services Committee). Spending one night each month talking about creative ways to make Beacon Hill's streets cleaner became, I admit, somewhat addictive.

Given the time I have spent studying the issue, I hope you will trust that I do have some insight into how the streets could be cleaner. Last year, I wrote a post that outlined three main initiatives that would help significantly.

1) Towing on street cleaning days. Street cleaning only works if cars are not in the way of the street sweeper. That's why Mayor Menino administration's maximum enforcement of posted street sweeping signs is so important. Move your cars, neighbors!

2) Switching to 2 + 2. We have three days of trash pick up on Beacon Hill. That means trash is on the sidewalk far too often. I suggest moving to two days of pickup, plus an additional day of recycling (with trash pick up and recycling happening on the same day).

3) This is the issue that Laura phoned me about. The law that is now in place (whoo hooo!) will allow the City to better penalize trash scofflaws. The City will now be able to put in place procedures that attach unpaid trash violation fines to a property's tax bills. This will give those violations weight. It will also wake up absentee landlords throughout the city (building owners who rarely visit their properties and check on their tenants).

Kudos to all who helped the "green ticket" law become a reality, including Representative Marty Walz, Representative Aaron Michlewitz, Mayor Menino and his administration, and the Boston City Councilors who supported this effort. Thank you all!

You Have to Root for the Saints

Happy Super Bowl Sunday!

My good friend Tracy is from Indiana and is a huge Colts fan. I certainly respect that. But I don't know how anyone not from Indiana could root for the Colts today.

I was in New Orleans in October of last year, the first trip to the Bayou since I was a little kid. New Orleans is a a great city, and I stayed at a hotel just off Bourbon Street. The mixture of cultures, excellent food, and tawdry series of drinking establishments in the downtown areas of the city make it a unique tourist experience.

Bourbon Street, New Orleans

October 21, 2009

But underneath the pomp and circumstance, you feel sadness in New Orleans. Almost as if the city is unable to live up to its potential. I had always known New Orleans has its fair share of poverty, and my friends who went to school there say the "sadness" I sensed has always been there, but you have to assume the city is still struggling with its future post-Katrina.

The hotel I stayed in had just reopened after being gutted and rebuilt. The hotel was flooded by Katrina, and the mold from the deluge made the entire building uninhabitable. When I left the hotel, I was reminded by hotel employees to stay in groups after dark. "Many are still angry," they would say. I did not go to the Ninth Ward to witness the rebuilding efforts, but Katrina was on everyone's mind. Rather than feeling a surge of rebirth, however, what I sensed was more of an understanding of dejection. Kind of like New Orleans is always on the short end of the stick. Of course, I was only there for a week.

There was one thing that was a rallying cry while I was there, and that was the New Orleans Saints. At the time, they were still undefeated.

Today is the New Orleans Saints first trip to the Super Bowl. Before this season, the Saints had won just two games in the playoffs, in the history of the franchise. The team has been in the NFL since 1967. In that same time period, the Dallas Cowboys have won 33 playoff games and five Super Bowl championships.

Consider this-- despite all the great games played in the Louisiana Superdome over the years, including Super Bowls, college bowl football games and NCAA basketball Final Fours, the Saints win two weeks ago was the first time an NFL conference championship game was played there.

You can't be a bigger underdog than the City of New Orleans has been, and the New Orleans Saints are today. The country is rooting for them.

Enjoy your Super Bowl Sunday.

No More SUM for Citizens Bank

It's hard to believe there was a time when there were no ATM fees. A time when you could go from bank to bank and use their ATMs without fear of charges at either end of the transaction. At least, I know there was such a time in my life.

ATM fees are a permanent part of life now. And one last vestige of what that old time was like faded away quietly in recent months. My bank, Citizens Bank, has left the SUM ATM network.

Started in the late 1990s by US Trust, the SUM Network was the small banks way of battling back against BankBoston. Remember BankBoston? BankBoston ATMs were everywhere in Boston. And BankBoston charged fees to use them if you were not a BankBoston customer.

In an attempt to stand up to the BankBoston giant, US Trust collected together all the other small little banks and created an alliance. Use any ATM at any of the smaller banks, and you don't pay a fee. It was a fantastic populist reaction to the move of the evil banking empire, and it worked. US Trust was rewarded with loyalty. That certainly was the case for me, a US Trust customer by accident (the regulators made me a US Trust customer when my first bank, Bank of Boston, was eaten up to make BankBoston).

Except US Trust wasn't around that much longer. Citizens Bank bought US Trust right about the turn of the century. To the delight of US Trust customers, Citizens stood by the SUM network and said it would remain a part of the small bank alliance.

That ended late last year. Citizens has pulled out. I emailed Citizens to ask why, and I received the note at the end of this post. This is a sad event for the little guys who just need a bank to keep their money safe.

Citizens is crucial to the SUM network, in my opinion, because the bank offered more ATMs than any other SUM participant. Without Citizens, the options for SUM participants are dramatically smaller. I wonder how much longer SUM will be around.

Every time a bank merger happens, the resulting entity says the merger is completely about offering better service to customers. If that were the case, than Citizens would have remained a SUM network member forever. At the very least, it would recognize that it technically owns the originator of the idea (notice in the email below they try to make it sound like the SUM concept was someone else's thing, anyway).

Regardless of the consumer advocate arguments, the bottom line right now is the ATM I used before every time I walked to my car in the morning is no longer free. And that's a shame.

Dear Ross Levanto,


Thank you for your recent email regarding the SUM Network. Citizens Bank has made a business decision to no longer participate in the SUM surcharge-free program offered by the NYCE network. Customers were notified of this change in their November 2009 checking account statement.

Please keep in mind; you enjoy free access to more than 2,600 ATMs operated by Citizens Bank or Charter One. You may search for an ATM or branch in your area by visiting our website at www.citizensbank.com and choosing the Branch/ATM Locator on the right side of the page. This will direct you to a page which requires the city, state or zip code of the branch you are looking for. Once this information is entered, you will be brought to a page which will list the five closest branches, along with their hours, phone numbers, and directions.

If you have any further questions, please contact us via email or by calling our 24-hour Customer Service Center at 800 922-9999. Thank you for using our Online Banking Services.

Sincerely,

R. Ventura
Email Team Advocate