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East Longmeadow police seek man suspected of robbing PeoplesBank on North Main Street

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No weapon was shown or implied, and the suspect made off with an undisclosed sum of cash.

This updates a story originally posted at 11:47 a.m.


EAST LONGMEADOW — Police are seeking the public’s help as they probe a Friday morning robbery of the PeoplesBank on North Main Street.

Sgt. Patrick Manley said the suspect, believed to be a black male in his early 20s, entered the bank, at 201 North Main St., at about 10:35 a.m. and handed a note to a teller demanding money.

No weapon was shown or implied, but the suspect made an intimidating comment to the teller as he handed over the note, Manley said. There were no injuries.

The suspect received cash and left the bank, said Manley, who declined to say how much money was taken. The suspect was last seen in the parking lot of the nearby CVS pharmacy. “He most likely got into a car and left the area,” Manley said.

The suspect was wearing black sneakers, black pants, a black hoodie, a black hat with a red New York logo on the front and sunglasses. He was also wearing latex gloves, indicating perhaps that he has done this before or was coached, Manley said.

He is about 5 feet 8 inches tall and may have worn layers of clothing to conceal a thin build.

Police are reviewing surveillance images of the robbery and may release them later, Manley said.

Those with information are asked to call police at (413) 525-5440.


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Springfield resident Thomas Marerro, 30, who allegedly crashed into cruiser while attempting to evade arrest, denies charges

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The suspect was ordered held in lieu of $1,500 cash bail, according to court documents.

thomasmarerro30crop.jpg Thomas Marrero

SPRINGFIELD - A 30-year-old city man, who allegedly crashed into a police cruiser Wednesday night while attempting to evade narcotics detectives at the Colonial Estates housing complex, denied the charges against him Thursday in District Court.

Thomas J. Marrero, of 17 Pasadena St., Apt. 7, was ordered held in lieu of $1,500 cash bail during his arraignment, according to court documents.

Marrero refused to get out of his vehicle after the crash which occurred after he jumped a curb and drove across a grassy area to get to North Branch Parkway, Sgt. John M. Delaney said. Police, spotting a firearm inside, broke through the driver’s side window and handcuffed the suspect.

The incident began about 7 p.m. as detectives, surveilling the complex after learning that the suspect was about make a delivery of crack cocaine, approached his vehicle, said Delaney, aide to Commissioner William J. Fitchet.

Police recovered a .40 caliber Smith & Wesson handgun (loaded with nine rounds), 20 rocks of crack cocaine and $43, Delaney said.

Marrero was charged with carrying a firearm without a license, possession of a firearm in commission of a felony, possession of cocaine with intent to distribute, resisting arrest and assault by means of a dangerous weapon (vehicle), Delaney said.

A pre-trial hearing was set for Dec. 7.

Barry Moser talks about his 'Alice' exhibit at R. Michelson Galleries in Northampton

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The exhibit features his award-winning revision of the characters from 1983 as well as updated works based on "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking Glass."

Barry Moser 1.jpg Hatfield resident Barry Moser's wood engravings and preparatory sketches from "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" are on display from now until Dec. 15 at R. Michelson Galleries in Northampton.

Thirty years ago, master printmaker and illustrator Barry Moser designed and illustrated Lewis Carroll’s"Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland." His revision of the characters earned him the 1983 American Book Award for Design and Illustration.

Moser’s “Alice” is on display at R. Michelson Galleries, 132 Main St., from now until Dec. 15. The exhibit, which is free and open to the public, features original engravings of Alice, the Mad Hatter, the Cheshire Cat, Humpty Dumpty and Tweedledee and Tweedledum to name a few as well as his preparatory sketches of the characters and several updated drawings in the form of watercolors.

The works on display are based on both "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" and its companion book "Through the Looking Glass."

Moser, 72, continues to create new illustrations. He is married with three daughters and has 10 grandchildren.

Michelson gallery manager Paul Gulla created the Chattanooga, Tenn., native’s installation.

Here are excerpts from a recent conversation with the Hatfield resident.

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Q. What’s it like for you to have your original engravings from "Alice in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking Glass" displayed on walls 30 years after you created them?

A. In some ways, it’s like seeing my dirty underwear hung up on the walls because it’s such old work and I rarely ever revisit my work once it’s done. So to see it up again is a little bit of a surprise.

But the thing I like about this particular installation is what Paul (Gulla) did. He pulled up a lot of stuff I had completely forgotten about. I think the kind of work that went into this (installation) makes it interesting and exciting—even for me who never gets too excited about his own work.

Q. Why don’t you like to revisit your work?

A. You’ve just got to move on. I take my work very seriously insofar as I am concerned and I am involved in it. But once it’s done and once it’s hanging or published, I go onto the next thing. And always with the idea that I want to do the next project better than I did the last project.

I want to always best myself if I possibly can. It’s not really a realistic goal, but it’s at least keeping that carrot out in front of me.

Q. Showing the preparatory sketches along with the final engravings is a nice addition to the exhibit.

A. Again, that’s what Paul did. It was nice to come back to and rediscover. Not so much the prints, but the preliminary drawings and to see how I was thinking at that particular time and place.

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Q. Are you surprised about where your head was at then?

A. Not so much surprised as amused. I haven’t worked this way in a very long time. This was 1972 or 1973 and by 20 years after that I was just beginning to get into computers and using them to design books and do the so-called sketches for my images. So when I come in and look at these (preparatory) drawings it’s like, “oh, I remember how I used to do that.”

Q. Were you at all reluctant or wary to make the leap to computers to assist you with some of your processes?

A. Oh good Lord, yes. I was not quite a Luddite, but damn near. I hated it at first and the mouse in my hand was not a natural thing. But as with so many things I have a somewhat tenacious personality and I was not going to let that thing whip me.

Because I worked in the trade book publishing I would be visiting with a designer who would be manipulating my work, sizing it for a book. It was like magic on the screen. I thought I could either stick my head in a hole and go the way of the Dodo or I can actually learn this stuff. And I’ve learned enough to allow me to do what I want to do.

Q. Once you agreed to the exhibit and to creating new images for it, what would you say about the new pieces?

A. I’d say they’re reinstatements of old things. If you look at the Cheshire Cat in the tree that’s a new image and does not look anything like the old image, but you can certainly see they’re related.

Q. Speaking of related, why do you use real people or well-known figures as models for your engravings?

A. I’ve always used real people but it wasn’t until the early 70s that I started using people with another meaning to it. When I put Richard Nixon in as Humpty Dumpty that’s an obvious satirical statement. That was one of my first political statements. I am fairly political but I find that unless it’s done very subtly it can get in the way of good work.

Q. Since you are always looking to the next project, what are you working on?

A. I just finished the last engraving today of a book I am doing . It’s six short stories by Barry Lopez, a West Coast writer. They’re nontraditional stories and not plot driven. It’s all about nature and the desert.

What’s in the future is a children’s book by Patty MacLachlan (author of "Sarah, Plain and Tall"). It’s an autobiographical story for children. She is a major figure in children’s literature. We’ve been friends for a long time. So that’s what’s coming up.

For more information, visit http://www.rmichelson.com/

http://www.moser-pennyroyal.com/moser-pennyroyal/Biography.html

Wilbraham Senior Center needs more space, committee says

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In 10 years, 46 percent of the town's adult population will be age 60 or older, the committee predicted.

wilbraham town seal wilbraham seal small

WILBRAHAM - A Senior Building Needs Study Committee appointed by the Board of Selectmen has found a definite need for a larger senior center for Wilbraham seniors - those ages 60 and older.

“The Wilbraham facility is inadequate,” Dennis Lopata, chairman of the committee, told the Board of Selectmen.

He said the facility cannot provide the programs that the current senior population needs.

In a report to the selectmen, the committee found that currently 30 percent of the town’s adult population is age 60 and older. There are currently 3,711 adults ages 60 or older living in town. In 10 years, the percentage of seniors living in town will grow to 46 percent - by another 1,972 people if those ages 50 to 59 remain in town.

“Our older citizens are not leaving town,” the report says. “They are aging in place and in 10 years nearly half of the adult population will be seniors.”

Selectman James Thompson, who said he just turned 60, said it is good that people are staying in town.

Thompson said he agrees that there is a need for a larger facility for a large, growing part of the population.

According to the report prepared by the Senior Center Building Needs Study Committee, the existing senior center has no space large enough to accommodate the aerobics class, line dancing or meals.

The Scantic Valley YMCA’s community room is used for these activities, the report says.

Seniors currently attend meals programs at senior centers in other communities, the report states.

The report also says that 25 percent of those who responded to a survey state that they have been denied access to a senior center program or activity because of lack of space.

Also in the survey seniors said they would like to see more space in a town senior center followed by more educational programs, crafts, entertainment and meals.

Thompson said that now that the committee has presented its report, “The ball has been moved to the selectmen’s court” for options.

Thompson said there is a need for a larger space, but the dilemma is “where to find funding.”

Selectman Robert Russell said the town is waiting for a demographic study from the schools on the school population’s future needs.

“Last year, Minnechaug graduated 330 high school students,” Russell said. he added that there are currently 184 students in kindergarten.

Selectmen said there is a possibility that more school space could be freed up for other town departments.

Selectmen will be evaluating town buildings, Thompson said. He told the members of the Senior Center Building Needs Study Committee, “We’ll be back to you.”

Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez split up

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Distance and their busy schedules were reportedly a contributing factor.

Bieber gomez.jpg Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez

Justin Bieber is no longer Selena Gomez's 'Boyfriend,' a source confirms to The Associated Press.

The split happened last week, and distance and their busy schedules were a contributing factor.

Eighteen-year-old Bieber is touring to promote his latest album, while 20-year-old Gomez is filming a "Wizards of Waverly Place" reunion for Disney Channel called "The Wizards Return: Alex versus Alex," that will air next year.

The pair first stepped up publicly in February 2011 at the Vanity Fair Oscar party.

E! News was the first to report the split.

Bieber seems to be doing OK, at least publicly. On the red carpet of Wednesday's Victoria's Secret fashion show he said, "I'd rather be here than anywhere in the world."

Obituaries today: Christine A. L. Tharion, 50, ran home day care center before breast cancer diagnosis

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Obituaries from The Republican.

tharion.jpg Christine A.L. Tharion


Christine A.L. (Hipp) Tharion, 50, of Eugene Drive, Belchertown, died peacefully on Nov. 8, 2012 following a long battle with breast cancer. Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., May 17, 1962, she was the daughter of Richard and Audrey (Jones) Hipp. Tharion was a graduate of Bridgewater State College, receiving her Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education in 1984. She was a resident of Belchertown since 1989, and ran a home day care center, An Apple A Day, for 20 years before her illness. A devoted member of St. John's Lutheran Church in Westfield, she was active with their Bible study and youth groups. Her passion was her family, her church and her day care children. She will long be remembered for her caring ways and tenacious spirit.

Obituaries from The Republican:

New England GOP decline continues amid losses

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The election could not have gone much worse for Republicans in New England.


By BOB SALSBERG,Associated Press
MICHELLE R. SMITH,Associated Press


PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) — The election could not have gone much worse for Republicans in New England.

GOP presidential candidate Mitt Romney, a former Massachusetts governor, did not capture a single electoral vote here. Sen. Scott Brown, who electrified Republicans with his upset victory in a January 2010 special election to succeed the late Sen. Edward Kennedy, was cast aside by Massachusetts voters in favor of Democrat Elizabeth Warren.

Elsewhere in New England, Republicans lost every major election for Congress and governor. The six-state region will not have a single Republican U.S. House member, and only two Republican senators will serve in the next session. Only one of six governor's offices will be filled by a Republican.

The results come in an election when local candidates were hurt by national Republicans seen as extremists by the region's moderate and independent-minded populace, and in a year when Democrats turned out in big numbers to re-elect President Barack Obama. The losses disheartened Republicans, who have been fighting dwindling numbers here for years.

"It's a nightmare," former Republican U.S. Rep. Chris Shays, of Connecticut, said a day after the election.

Rob Coupe, political director for Rhode Island Republican congressional candidate Brendan Doherty, seen as the party's best shot in two decades to pick up a House seat for the state, struggled when asked to explain his candidate's defeat. Doherty came in a stunning 12 points behind freshman Democratic Rep. David Cicilline.

"I think it's just tough to be Republican in Rhode Island," Coupe said. "I don't know what else to say."

The rout extended to local races, as well. Republicans fell from eight to five out of 38 seats in the Rhode Island Senate, leading one Republican operative to observe on Twitter, "RI Senate GOP can caucus in a mid-size sedan. How convenient." The same can be said in Massachusetts, where only four of 40 state senators are Republican.

Massachusetts has produced Democratic icons like the Kennedys and the late House Speaker Tip O'Neill, and the region is known for liberal stances on issues like gay marriage, which is now legal in all New England states except Rhode Island. But the area once had a number of "rock-ribbed" Republicans who stood for fiscal conservatism, environmental stewardship, and protection of personal liberties, including support of abortion rights. As the national party has moved further right and focused on social issues, it has turned off voters and candidates alike.

Lincoln Chafee — whose father, the late Sen. John Chafee, defined the Republican brand in Rhode Island for decades — lost his Senate seat in 2006 and became an independent in 2007. He spoke at the Democratic National Convention to support Obama this year.

Maine still has a Republican governor, tea party-backed Paul LePage, and Connecticut, Rhode Island and Vermont had Republican governors who left office in January 2011. But the overall trend has been Republicans losing ground, even in New Hampshire and Maine, once strongholds for the party.

In New Hampshire, the "live free or die" state that has long prided itself on low taxes and small government, Republicans lost both the state's U.S. House seats, as well as control of the state House of Representatives, although they retained narrow control in the state Senate. Maggie Hassan, a Democrat, won the governor's office.

Maine still has a sitting Republican U.S. senator, Susan Collins. But Democrats on Tuesday won both chambers of the Legislature, and independent former Gov. Angus King won the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by centrist Republican Olympia Snowe.

The only other Republican who represents the region in Washington is Sen. Kelly Ayotte, of New Hampshire. Vermont's senators are a Democrat and an independent, Bernie Sanders, who calls himself a democratic socialist and caucuses with Democrats.

Shays, a moderate who lost his congressional seat to a Democrat four years ago, ran for Senate this year and lost in the primary to Republican Linda McMahon. McMahon lost to Democratic Rep. Chris Murphy on Tuesday.

"My party is out of touch, and the brand is not a good brand," Shays said, then ticked off a list of problems, including Senate candidates in Missouri and Indiana who made comments about rape that many voters here found offensive. The national party can't cater just to voters from places like Oklahoma, he said.

"We're New England Yankees, and we think a little differently," Shays said. "The people we represent focus more not on ideology, but on common sense."

While much of the region has voted heavily Democratic in recent years, voter registration numbers show a more nuanced picture. Voters unaffiliated with any party outnumber Democrats and Republicans in all the New England states that collect that information, representing 40 to nearly 53 percent of the electorate, depending on the state. Registered Democrats outnumber registered Republicans everywhere but New Hampshire. Only Vermont doesn't track such information.

To appeal to independents, Brown positioned himself as a moderate, pro-abortion rights Republican and one of the most bipartisan members of the Senate. He ran TV ads that pictured himself with Obama, while barely uttering Romney's name. It didn't work. He lost by 8 points to Warren.

"They were able to label him and convince enough voters that he would be the 51st vote in the Senate to reverse successes that women had made over the years," said Gene Hartigan, a Republican consultant and former state party director.

Rhode Island congressional candidate Doherty argued the state would be better served by having a Republican in the GOP-controlled House, and said he could exert his influence to moderate the national party's positions.

Voter Lisa Harden, of East Providence, R.I., didn't buy it.

"He's a Republican, and he's going to follow the other Republicans," she said Tuesday after casting a ballot for the Democrat.

Across New England, national Republican groups spent millions in vain to get rid of Democratic members of Congress. In Massachusetts, which hadn't sent a Republican to the House since 1994, they had banked on Richard Tisei ousting U.S. Rep. John Tierney, a veteran Democrat who had been tarnished by fallout from a gambling scandal involving his wife's family.

During the campaign, Tierney suggested his opponent would back a far-right agenda in the House. Tisei, a former state senator who is openly gay, ran as a moderate yet lost narrowly.

Republicans blew it after 2010, when several tea party-backed candidates swept into Congress, and then focused on issues that turn off New England voters, said Robby Mook, executive director of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

"They're not interested in passing fringe legislation about abortion, individual health care decisions," said Mook, a Vermont native. "They support civil liberties."

Hartigan said Republicans must acknowledge the growing political clout of women, young people and minorities and adjust their platform on social issues if they are to regain an edge, a sentiment echoed by Shays.

Darrell West, director of governance studies at the Brookings Institution think tank, said the national party has no incentive to care about New England because population has shifted to the South and West, and that's where the party sees its future.

Local Republicans are "going to have to get used to it, because it's hard to see this changing anytime soon," West said.

But some in the party took a more optimistic view.

"The major problems of the day, our crushing debt and bad economy, were not fixed by this election, and these problems will re-emerge bigger than ever," said Jerry Labriola Jr., chairman of the Connecticut GOP. "It's inevitable that the voters will need to turn to pro-growth, common-sense solutions offered by Republicans."

___

Salsberg reported from Boston. Contributing were Associated Press writers Sue Haigh in Hartford, Conn., Norma Love in Concord, N.H., and David Sharp in Portland, Maine.

Eric Carle museum celebrates 10 years with weekend of book signings, special events and array of art fun

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Eric Carle, Tony DiTErlizzi and Peter Laird, co-creator of theTeenage Mutant Turtles, will "doodle for dollars.:

carlecat.jpg

The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst is celebrating its 10th anniversary Nov. 10 and 11 with the museum's first major permanent collection exhibition, "Iconic Images: 10 Years of Collecting for The Carle."

The opening weekend features a special installation of festive stars created by area picture book artists, book signings, and a bookshop boutique for holiday shopping.

"This is a major milestone for our young museum, which has quickly become the premier center for picture books, both nationally and internationally," said Alexandra Kennedy, executive director, in a release.

"We are eager to highlight our important permanent collection and our extensive educational reach, and to thank the many supporters who have made our successes possible."

To commemorate the museum's anniversary, sculptor Nancy Schon has created a bronze maquette of "The Very Hungry Caterpillar," which will be on display in The Great Hall. Best known for her "Make Way for Ducklings" sculpture at the Boston Public Garden, Schon is offering the custom maquettes for sale for $10,000 apiece throughout the museum's anniversary year, contributing all profits to The Carle.

Schon is offering a tour of her Newton studio to those who purchase a maquette.

On Sunday, the public is invited to a special book signing bash with artists featured in "Iconic Images."

Participating artists include Kathryn Brown, Nancy Ekholm Burkert, Bruce Degen, Etienne Delessert, Jane Dyer, Mordicai Gerstein, Barbara McClintock, Charles Santore, and Paul O. Zelinsky.

So guests can also own a piece of history, The Carle is holding a special "Doodles for Dollars" fund-raiser with three artists: picture book artists Eric Carle and Tony DiTerlizzi and comic book artist Peter Laird, co-creator of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Each artist will sign and doodle either a book or a paper suitable for framing.

The doodles ($10 apiece) are limited to one per artist per guest. Each artist will create 100 doodles.

In addition to the book signings and doodles, the South Hadley Children's Chorus will perform at 1 p.m., chief curator Nick Clark will give guided tours of "Iconic Images" and several artists will conduct storytimes in the Reading Library.

Throughout the weekend, guests will have the opportunity to see the exhibitions "Beyond Books: The Independent Art of Eric Carle" and "Our British Cousins: The Magical Art of Maisy and Friends" featuring the colorful work of popular British artist Lucy Cousins.

In the spirit of growth and transformation, the museum will offer photo opportunities with a large-scale version of the famous Eric Carle butterfly as well as butterfly temporary tattoos to replace its signature caterpillar tattoos.

All Sunday events are free with museum admission. For a complete schedule, see carlemuseum.org

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A submitted question and answer with Eric Carle:

What inspired you and your wife, Barbara, to create the museum 10 years ago?
In the early 1980s, my wife, Barbara, and I traveled to Japan and visited several picture book museums there. Inspired, we decided to create a museum in the United States that would also honor picture books, for their importance as works of art and for their educational value. And so, in 2002, 10 years ago, The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art opened its doors in Amherst.

My wife, Barbara, and I share a vision of "giving back." And from this feeling and from our love for picture books and wanting others to experience the wonder and joy that we felt when we looked at books, came the impetus to build the museum.

It came from a shared amazement as we looked at a framed original illustration versus the printed book, and watching others look carefully and begin to inquire about the process, technique and the feelings a single illustration evoked.

It came from the joy we felt when we visited other artists in their studios and when we looked and talked with them about their work. It came from an absolute conviction that picture book art is precious and deserves a home of its own and an honored place among the arts.

What do you feel has been The Carle's most important contribution to the field of art and literature?

Well, it is the first museum of picture book art on this scale in this country and I think the presence the museum now has is raising up the work of illustrators from all around the world and saying, this is art, this is important and meaningful, for people of all ages. And for some young visitors, it is their first visit to a museum. And so it is an introduction to that experience of visiting a museum, learning to appreciate art and books, too.

What has surprised you most about the museum? What did you and Barbara not foresee 10 years ago?

Even today when I go to the museum I'm amazed at the size of the building. And the richness of it, and the beauty of it. The main hall, with its big windows, the light coming in. I mean, it's light like in my childhood classroom in Syracuse. Big windows, light shining in, color, paintbrushes in the studio. But one thing we had not anticipated was how the museum would become a kind of home for the art.

This has just happened on its own - a number of picture book artists and their families have offered their work to us for the permanent collection. For instance, we have a wonderful collection of Leo Lionni's books. Now the museum's collection includes works of William Steig, Maurice Sendak, Ludwig Bemelman and my own original art.

What is your dream for the museum in the next 10 years?

To continue to thrive and grow; to be a place where the art of the picture book will be enjoyed and studied by visitors for many years to come. We hope the museum will continue to be a place of learning, for visitors and educators, art teachers and students; a cultural and educational center and academic resource.

Eric and Barbara Carle founded the museum in November 2002. Eric Carle is the author and illustrator of more than 70 books, including the 1969 classic, "The Very Hungry Caterpillar."

Since opening, the 40,000 square foot facility has served more than half a million visitors, including 30,000 schoolchildren. Its extensive resources include a collection of more than 10,000 picture book illustrations, three art galleries, an art studio, a theater, picture book and scholarly libraries, and educational programs for families, scholars, educators and schoolchildren.

Museum hours are Tuesday through Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday 10 am to 5 p.m., and Sunday noon to 5 p.m.. Admission is $9 for adults, $6 for children under 18, and $22.50 for a family of four. For further information and directions, call (413) 658-1100 or visit the museum's website at www.carle
museum.org


Boston Red Sox sign free agent catcher David Ross

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The Boston Red Sox have signed backup catcher David Ross to a two year contract.

The Boston Red Sox have signed free agent, backup catcher, David Ross to a two year contract.

The Boston Red Sox have signed free agent catcher David Ross to a two-year contract.

Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal reported the signing on Saturday morning.

The deal won't be final until the 35-year-old Ross passes a physical, and the financial details are not yet known.

Ross is a veteran catcher who is considered more of a backup than a starter. He's considered a very good backup though.

The signing of Ross is a signal that the Red Sox are far from done with the reshaping of their 93-loss 2012 roster.

Adding Ross to a squad that already features Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Ryan Lavarnway gives the Red Sox three catchers.

That makes someone expendable.

Lavarnway would appear to be the likely odd-man out.

Saltalamacchia is coming off a productive full 2012 season. The 27-year-old former top prospect hit only .222, but he also crushed 25 home runs and drove in 59 runs.

Lavarnway is also coming off a solid season, but the bulk of it was spent at the triple A level, where he hit .295 with eight home runs and 43 RBI in just 310 at bats.

Lavarnway has been one of the Red Sox top prospects for the past two seasons. He's never played well enough at the major league level to pry the starting job away from Saltalamacchia, and at the age of 25, the window for the Red Sox to take advantage of his perceived potential on the trade market is beginning to close.

Ross has been one of the steadiest and most consistent backups in the majors since the turn of the century.

For 11 seasons he's played the role of backup, and he's done so for six different teams, including a very brief stint on the Red Sox.

Ross was signed as a free agent on Aug. 22, 2008, and then released by the Red Sox at the conclusion of the 2008 season. He appeared in eight regular season games and one postseason game for the 2008 squad.

His more productive stints in the majors have come while playing for the Cincinnati Reds from 2006 until the middle of the 2008 season, and the Atlanta Braves, which is where he spent the past four seasons backing up all star Brian McCann.

In 2012, Ross hit .256 with nine home runs and 23 RBI in just 176 at bats.

Ross' stats won't generate much in the way of excitement, but backup catchers don't produce big numbers because of their low at bat totals.

The question now becomes what the Red Sox will do with either Lavarnway or Saltalamacchia?

Either player could now be packaged in a trade. The signing of Ross should be looked at as the first in a series of moves. That's more than likely what it is.

Amherst Survival Center, Western Massachusetts Food Bank say need is great for holiday turkeys

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Andrew Moorehouse, executive director of the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, said the organization has more turkeys than last year but the need is greater as well.

Andrew Morehouse 2012.jpg Andrew Morehouse, Executive Director of The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, sits is in the Food Bank's Hatfield warehouse.

AMHERST - The Amherst Survival Center is looking for help – turkeys and donations of all that accompanies Thanksgiving.

The center will be serving more than 1,000 between the annual holiday meal Nov. 21 and providing turkeys and Thanksgiving trimmings to more than 350 families.

Community support for both programs is especially critical now, as the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts will provide fewer turkeys than in the past, the center said in a prepared statement.

Andrew Moorehouse, executive director of the Western Massachusetts Food Bank in Hatfield, said they have more turkeys available than last year but the need is greater as well.

He said pantries across Western Massachusetts are seeing 2,000 more people a month on average. “People are coming in more frequently.” There are new faces, he said.

And this is on top of federal cutbacks in both food and money. This year, the federal government provided 1 million pounds less in food.

For Thanksgiving, they will have about 5,900 turkeys but some are needed at the 30 meal sites. He said they even reduced the number of agencies to receive turkeys from 350 to 300. They never have enough to meet the demand.

People can help in a number of ways. They can donate turkeys to their local food pantry or program or donate turkeys, grocery store gift cards or money to the Food Bank directly.

The Survival Center, meanwhile, is asking people to donate food for the meal and to help clean up after the meal Nov. 21 open to anyone from 1 to 2:30 PM at the Immanuel Lutheran Church on North Pleasant Street.

Besides turkeys, they need canned pumpkin, stuffing mix and any other sides for Thanksgiving, or gift certificates to area grocery stores so people can buy their own supplies.

To donate food for the Thanksgiving Box program or to help with the meal contact Tracey Levy, Program Director, at 549-3968 x202 or at tracey@amherstsurvival.org.

Boston Red Sox sign catcher David Ross, which means Jarrod Saltalamacchia or Ryan Lavarnway might go

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Considered an excellent backup and probably more, Ross will take someone's roster spot.

Dustin Pedroia, David RossBoston Red Sox infielder Dustin Pedroia (white jersey) and former Atlanta catcher David Ross will be reunited as teammates in Boston after Ross signed a two-year contract.

The Boston Red Sox strengthened their catching Saturday, signing David Ross to a two-year, $6.2 million contract.

That investment immediately raises questions about whether either Jarrod Saltalamacchia or Ryan Lavarnway is about to to elsewhere.

Ross, 35, played briefly for Boston in 2008, the last year the Red Sox won a playoff game. He went 1-for-8 in eight games.

He has spent the last four years in Atlanta, where he backed up Brian McCann and has often been considered baseball's best backup catcher.

Fox Sports reported a media source described Ross as "more than a backup but not a starter'' in Boston. He hit .256 with the Braves last year, when he wrapped up a two-year, $3.25 million contract.

With Ross locking up one roster spot, either Saltalamacchia or Lavarnway will not start the season in Boston. Saltalamacchia, 27, is arbitration eligible, which means the Red Sox have until Dec. 2 to tender him a contract.

The team's No. 1 catcher hit 25 home runs last year, one short of the Red Sox record for catchers. He drove in 59 runs, a remarkably low number for a player with so many homers, and hit .222 - lower than his .235 average of 2011.

He hit .200 after the All-Star break and .180 after Sept. 1. Saltalamacchia's defense has improved with time, but he is not considered an elite defensive catcher by any means.

Lavarnway, 25, presents almost an opposite situation. Portrayed as a prospect whose hitting would mask defensive issues, he has made great strides as a receiver.

Called up to the Red Sox in August, he flopped at the plate with a .157 average. Nonetheless, Lavarnway's youth and position make him one of Boston's best trade prospects, and he could also start 2013 in Pawtucket.

Though Saltalamacchia is only two years older, he is seen as the player who has reached his talent plateau or is close, while Lavarnway is still developing.

Ross could be a mentor if Lavarnway stays. Ross is known as a quality game manager, an area where Saltalamacchia has never established himself.

Ross threw out 40 percent of attempted base stealers in four years with Atlanta, and 15 of 34 last year. He is a .238 career hitter, but batted .269 in four years with the Braves.

If Saltalamacchia is kept, a platoon is possible. Ross hits right-handed, and the switch-hitting Salty is much better from the left side.

Ross has played 11 big league seasons. Of his six teams, only Boston was an American League club.

Last winter, the Red Sox signed Kelly Shoppach, then traded him in midseason. Unlike Ross, who will likely see significant action, Shoppach was perceived as a true No. 2 catcher whose presence gave Lavarnway time to develop in the minors.

The Red Sox were 26-16 with Shoppach catching, and 43-77 when Saltamacchia or Lavarnway did the receiving. Ross is known as a solid clubhouse presence, an area where Shoppach's role came under fire.

Stanley Park in Westfield sets up 3 reserved parking spaces for wounded veterans

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A veterans memorial was erected at the park two years ago.

Stanley park ing 111012.jpg Robert McKean, managing director of Stanley Park in Westfield, stands next to with one of the new reserved parking signs for veterans inside the park.

WESTFIELD – Access to key locations within Stanley Park got a little easier Friday for veterans with the designation of three “Wounded Warrior” parking spots.

“This is one additional way to help our veterans,” said Park Director Robert C. McKean. “We strive to make Stanley Park as accessible as possible. This is a small token allowing our wounded warriors to gain easy access.”

Park employees installed the first restricted parking sign for Wounded Warriors at the site of a new veterans’ memorial created in 2010 on the park grounds.

A second sign was scheduled for placement near the park’s rose garden and the third near the children’ playground area.

“All will be in place before Veterans Day,” declared McKean, a veteran and former director of the state’s Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Agawam.

“These are the major areas of the park and now they have dedicated parking places for our veterans that have been wounded and need a little assistance,” said McKean.

The veterans memorial, erected just off Western Avenue between the rose garden and open fields areas of the park, has been an ongoing process since 2010.

McKean said Friday the pathway from the parking lot still needs to be completed. It is currently useable and handicapped available but the plan is to install stone pavers to complete the walkway.

The memorial recognizes all veterans including those of the Merchant Marine Corps. Included with the memorial are individual Salute A Veteran Stones which are purchased by the public in memory of a deceased or living veteran.

The memorial was created through efforts of a 10-member volunteer committee. The monument itself was donated by Allen William of Chester Granite Co. in Blandford and the Beveridge Family Foundation, which operates the park, provided $5,000 towards its creation.

Carmelina's restaurant in Hadley, bought by former dishwasher, reborn as Alina's

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Amaya is still looking for new parking spaces, a chronic problem at the Hadley site. Judging by his early business, he’ll need them.

CARMELINA_S.JPG Martin Amaya plans to reopen the former Carmelina's restaurant in Hadley as Alina's.

HADLEY – When Martin Amaya arrived in Western Massachusetts from El Salvador in 1994, he needed a job. Any job. Just 18, he used some family connections and landed at Mezza Luna, a Northampton restaurant run by Damien DiPaolo.

A hard worker, Amaya took on more and more responsibilities as he learned the business, and DiPaolo, who also owned Carmelina’s in Hadley, rewarded him.

“I’d bake from 4 a.m. to 2 p.m., go home and nap, then work as a dishwasher at Carmelina’s,” Amaya recalled.

Last month, Amaya came full circle, buying Carmelina’s and reopening it on Nov. 1 as Alina’s.

Now the boss, Amaya, 37, knows virtually every aspect of the restaurant business as well as every nook and cranny at Alina’s. And he learned it all the hard way. Washing dishes. Making salads. Managing staff. By 1999, he was running Mezza Luna, which has since closed. By 2001, he was head chef at Carmelina’s. He took to it all from the first.

“I fell in love with cooking and baking,” he said.

When DiPaolo sold Carmelina’s to David and Debbie Windoloski in 2007, Amaya bought 15 percent of the business.

“It didn’t work out,” he said. “I was unhappy.”

He took his restaurant skills and opened the first Alina’s in Deerfield, which he ran with his wife, Maritza Amaya-Branche. They named it after their daughter, Alina, now nine.

Amaya jumped at the chance to buy Carmelina’s back from the Windoloskis. He brought back some of the old crew, including the piano player and bartender who worked there under DiPaolo. He has also taken the menu from his Deerfield restaurant, Italian dishes he has honed over the years, and installed it at Carmelina’s. He brought his restaurant’s name, as well.

Amaya is still looking for new parking spaces, a chronic problem at the Hadley site. Judging by his early business, he’ll need them.

“Business is awesome,” he said. “The numbers are crazy. It’s nice that I’ve come back to where I started.”

President Obama wins Florida, topping Mitt Romney in final tally

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President Barack Obama was declared the winner of Florida's 29 electoral votes Saturday, ending a four-day count with a razor-thin margin that narrowly avoided an automatic recount that would have brought back memories of 2000.

APTOPIX Obama_Boot.jpg President Barack Obama holds up a pen as he speaks about the economy and the deficit, Friday, Nov. 9, 2012, in the East Room of the White House in Washington.

BY TAMARA LUSH, The Associated Press

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — President Barack Obama was declared the winner of Florida's 29 electoral votes Saturday, ending a four-day count with a razor-thin margin that narrowly avoided an automatic recount that would have brought back memories of 2000.

No matter the outcome, Obama had already clinched re-election and now has 332 electoral votes to Romney's 206.

The Florida Secretary of State's Office said that with almost 100 percent of the vote counted, Obama led Republican challenger Mitt Romney 50 percent to 49.1 percent, a difference of about 74,000 votes. That was over the half-percent margin where a computer recount would have been automatically ordered unless Romney had waived it.

There is a Nov. 16 deadline for overseas and military ballots, but under Florida law, recounts are based on Saturday's results. Only a handful of overseas and military ballots are believed to remain outstanding.

It's normal for election supervisors in Florida and other states to spend days after any election counting absentee, provisional, military and overseas ballots. Usually, though, the election has already been called on election night or soon after because the winner's margin is beyond reach.

But on election night this year, it was difficult for officials — and the media — to call the presidential race here, in part because the margin was so close and the voting stretched into the evening.

In Miami-Dade, for instance, so many people were in line at 7 p.m. in certain precincts that some people didn't vote until after midnight.

The hours-long wait at the polls in some areas, a lengthy ballot and the fact that Gov. Rick Scott refused to extend early voting hours has led some to criticize Florida's voting process. Some officials have vowed to investigate why there were problems at the polls and how that led to a lengthy vote count.

FL House-West_Boot.jpg A Palm Beach county election worker pauses as he counts ballots from election day in Riviera Beach, Fla., Friday, Nov. 9, 2012.

If there had been a recount, it would not be as difficult as the lengthy one in 2000. The state no longer uses punch-card ballots, which became known for their hanging chads. All 67 counties now use optical scan ballots where voters mark their selections manually.

Republican George W. Bush won the 2000 contest after the Supreme Court declared him the winner over Democrat Al Gore by a scant 537 votes.

The win gave Obama victories in eight of the nine swing states, losing only North Carolina. In addition to Florida, he won Ohio, Iowa, New Hampshire, Wisconsin, Virginia, Colorado and Nevada.

New England Patriots look to build momentum in Sunday's game against Bills

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After a week of self scouting, New England is anxious to get back on the field.

When Bill Belichick took the podium for his last news conference before his New England Patriots host Buffalo Bills, he had the look of a man who was unsure of what to do with himself.

"It seems like a month since we've played," he said.

The Patriots last took the field on Oct. 28 in a 45-7 win over the St. Louis Rams in London. Not quite the month Belichick alluded to, but still a considerable amount of time off between games.

New England spent the first of those two weeks self-scouting for ways to improve, and the second getting ready for Buffalo, a team the Patriots beat easily in Week 4, 52-28.

Since Belichick took the helm in 2000, the Patriots are 9-3 coming off a bye. While no one would say what particular areas were focused on during the time off, one of the main talking points among players was building better chemistry between the skill players on offense and in the secondary on defense.

"When you don't have a particular game plan, you can take some time to do some special projects that the coaches did to figure out how we can improve this second half," quarterback Tom Brady said. "That's really where a lot of time was spent."

The result of that labor will first be seen Sunday when the Patriots (5-3) host the Bills (3-5) – a contest that looks to be a blowout on paper.

New England fell behind 21-7 at halftime the last time they met, but scored six consecutive touchdowns to put the game out of reach. Brady passed for 340 yards and three touchdowns, while running backs Stevan Ridley and Brandon Bolden combined for 243 yards and three touchdowns.

Bolden was suspended four games Friday for testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug, though New England, owners of the fourth-best rushing attack in the NFL, has enough depth with Shane Vereen and Danny Woodhead to gloss over the loss.

Bills coach Chan Gailey is well aware of this fact and realizes that he's entered a situation where he has to pick his poison. Knowing that there's little that can be done to slow Brady, his main focus this week has been on finding a way to slow the ground game.

But that, too, can prove impossible when the passing game is working.

"Anytime you can take the same personnel, go empty and be successful, then you tighten it down and run it and then spread it out and run it. They do it a lot of different ways," Gailey said. "What makes them such a good offense is they have so many ways to attack you with similar personnel groupings."

The Patriots' first meeting with the Bills was the last time that everything clicked for New England until the game against the Rams. New England entered the bye week on a high because of that performance. This will be the first opportunity to see if any of the adjustments made during the time off work, though it can hardly be considered a test.

In fact, with games against Indianapolis, the Jets and Miami to follow, New England may not be forced to prove its credentials until back-to-back games against San Francisco and Houston in Weeks 14 and 15.

But that doesn't mean that the team is taking any of those games lightly.

"We have a lot of challenges here with Buffalo in all three phases of the game as a team," Belichick said. "Hopefully we're ready to meet those and get back out on the field and start playing again.

"We've had a lot of practice time, a lot of film time, a lot of meeting time but like I said, I think we're excited and ready to get back out there and go. It can't get here soon enough."


Amherst to consider bylaw changes to deal with student housing problems

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The zoning is one step toward addressing the problems caused by rowdy students.

amherst seal amherst town seal.jpg

AMHERST – The town could be the first in the state to regulate single-family rentals by requiring the owner to apply for a special permit if he or she will not live in the home.

On Nov. 19, Town Meeting will be asked to consider the change, one of a number zoning articles that look at housing issues in the town related to college students.

Planning Board chairman David Webber said, “We don’t have any issues bigger than student housing.”

Over the past several years, Town Meeting has adopted several bylaws aimed at rowdy student behavior - particularly parties involving University of Massachusetts students who live off campus. The bylaws have targeted nuisance houses, open containers, and beer keg permits, with fines that have increased over time.

This single-family house bylaw addresses the growing numbers of homes that were once owner-occupied but are now being rented to students. According to a Planning Board report based on assessor records, there were eight such conversions in 2009 and 20 to date in 2012, with 27 projected for the year.

Planners are split, however. Webber said he supports the bylaw. “I think it’s a good idea. The Planning Board is limited in scope in terms of what it can do. ... We’ve become the sounding board for the public on a lot of these issues,” Webber said.

But member Jonathan O’Keeffe opposes it.

“Were trying to find a balance between regulations that will protect the neighbors from the unwanted effects (of students) and not make things overly restricted for property owners,” he said. “This one goes a little too far.”

For example, he said, a professor taking a sabbatical might want to rent for a year. Under the proposal he or she would have to seek a special permit.

According to the Planning Board report, the town counsel believes this bylaw is probably the first attempt in the state to regulate single-family rentals in this way. But according to the report, the counsel “believes that this is an eminently defensible way to regulate the impacts of single-family rental properties in Amherst.”

The board unanimously supports another proposal that would require special permits to anyone renting out both units of a duplex. An owner who occupies half of the duplex would just need site plan review, O’Keeffe said.

There would be far more single-family homes that would need such a permit than duplexes, he said, and the nature of a duplex is that it is operated as investment property.

Also if an owner is living there “the assumption is they’re keeping an eye on things,” he said.

The Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods Initiative is currently looking at setting up a rental registration program that would allow the town to address problem landlords.

The Planning Board, meanwhile, is supporting a resident petition article that strengthens the nuisance house bylaw. The proposal would allow the town to hold property managers liable in addition to property owners.

Town Meeting begins Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. at the Amherst Middle School.

Springfield Housing Authority prepares to buy building at 60 Congress St., for consolidation of administrative offices

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The building has previously housed the American Linen Co., Spaghetti Warehouse and Hooters prior to a major renovation as an office building.

SCT building feature.jpg Workers put some final touches on the new office building at 60 Congress St. in Springfield when it reopened in 2009. The building formally housed Hooters is now home to the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, and will soon be home also to the Springfield Redevelopment Authority.

SPRINGFIELD – The Springfield Housing Authority is purchasing a four-story office building at 60 Congress St., to consolidate its administrative offices which are now at scattered locations.

The authority will spend approximately $4.6 million to purchase the property in the Metro Center neighborhood, including about $250,000 to finish off the office space, the authority stated.

The authority will use approximately $2.1 million from a federal corruption restitution fund to help finance the purchase of the building. A former executive director of the Housing Authority, Raymond Asselin, and other defendants agreed to pay back the funds to reimburse the authority after years of looting the authority, including bribes and major home improvements.

The authority will also use private financing to purchase the building.

The bottom two floors of the building will continue to be rented by the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, while the top two floors will be used as the housing authority’s new central offices, Executive Director William H. Abrashkin said.

Abrashkin said the move, scheduled to begin in March, will be another important step for the authority to become a “fully reconstituted and contributing member of the Springfield community.”

“It will make our operations more transparent and cost-effective in a business sense while also improving our service to the public in the long term,” Abrashkin said. “It will support the economic redevelopment of the city by bringing a significant number of employees into the Metro Center economy on a daily basis.”

Authority Board Chairman Raymond Warren said the purchase will bring the authority under one administrative roof, providing offices for about 50 of the 130 people employed by the authority. The move is “an operational priority” and more cost-effective, he said.

The authority, which is tax exempt, is negotiating an annual payment to the city in lieu of taxes, Abrashkin said.

The building has been owned by 60 Congress LLC, since 2008, with individual owners listed as Zane Mirkin of Longmeadow and Jerome J. Gagliarducci of Wilbraham. They gutted the building and did extensive exterior and interior renovations.

“It’s basically a brand new building, all done,” Abrashkin said. “It’s been completely rehabbed to modern codes and requirements. We think the building is a very good value for the Springfield Housing Authority. It would be a lot more expensive if we built new.”

In prior decades, the building had a series of tenants including the American Linen Co., Spaghetti Warehouse and Hooters.

The authority’s board unanimously authorized the purchase in October, leading to a purchase and sale agreement.

The authority’s offices are now scattered among six buildings at two housing developments. When the offices move, it will free up space in those housing complexes for tenant uses.

At one of the housing sites, the nearby Saab Court apartments, resident Luis M. Rivera said the plan to free up space for tenant uses sounds like “good news.” He said there is a need for indoor space for tenants to congregate, talk, and play dominoes.

While the administrative offices will move, five district offices will remain open, at current on-site locations in the developments they serve, officials said.

The authority will benefit by receiving rent from the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, currently $233,000 a year.

Raymond Asselin and other defendants in the corruption case pledged to pay back $4.4 million in restitution.

Warren said the funds specifically stolen from Housing Authority programs have been recovered and returned to those programs. Some other funds earmarked by the court to benefit the authority as a whole, were chosen by the board to help with the building purchase, Warren said.

“An investment that will serve the SHA for decades is the highest and best use of these funds as ordered by the court as part of the sentencing agreement of former SHA administrators,” he said.

Aaron Vega's organization, name recognition helped him win Holyoke state representative seat, analysts say

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Vega won 13 of the 14 precincts thanks to hard work, name recognition and being a Democrat, analysts said.

vegawin.JPG Aaron M. Vega is seen at his Election Night victory party.

HOLYOKE - Polls had been closed for less than a half hour when campaign manager Rory Casey saw how big state representative candidate Aaron M. Vega's win would be.

"We're crushing it across the city," Casey said.

He was tabulating totals brought to Vega headquarters at Open Square by campaign runners from the 14 precincts and within minutes the race was over.

Democrat Vega, a two-term councilor at large, got more than 60 percent of the vote, or 9,514 votes, to win the 5th Hampden District seat.

Officials asked to analyze the race said Vega won because he ran a highly organized campaign, devoted time to door-to-door vote-seeking, had name and face recognition and benefited from an Election Day swing that embraced Democrats like President Barack Obama and Elizabeth Warren for U.S. Senate.

Voters backed Vega up and down the city. He won 13 of the 14 precincts, losing only the home precinct of Linda L. Vacon, the Republican nominee, and even that one by only seven votes.

Vacon, the Ward 5 councilor, won Ward 5A over Vega, 659-652.

Overall, Vacon finished second with 20.4 percent, or 3,200 votes.

Newcomer Jerome T. Hobert, the Green-Rainbow Party nominee, came in third with 18.7 percent, or 2,933 votes.

"Aaron had a robust ground game, and really, that's what you need to win," Councilor at Large Rebecca Lisi said.

Also helping Vega, she said, was that his well-run campaign overlapped in the pursuit of votes with well-run organizations for Obama and Warren.

Ward 1 Councilor Gladys Lebron-Martinez said name recognition is still gold in politics and Vega has it here. He has his own prominence and also was helped by that of his late father, Carlos A. Vega, who was executive director of Nueva Esperanza Inc., a nonprofit social services group, Lebron-Martinez said.

gladys.JPG Ward 1 Councilor Gladys Lebron-Martinez introduces Aaron Vega at victory party at Brennan's Place on High Street after Vega won state representative election Nov. 6.

"He's been very active in the community, he goes to all the things. Name and face recognition are very important," Lebron-Martinez said.

It takes a lot of work to win a citywide election, she said, going door-to-door, day after day, and attending as many events as possible.

"He worked it, he worked it, and this is what people need to understand, it takes a lot of work," she said.

Mayor Alex B. Morse said Vega won because he has been an effective councilor and has ideas and values that resonated with the majority of voters.

"Third, and perhaps most importantly, Aaron won because he was willing to put in the work necessary to run an effective, inclusive, winning campaign," Morse said.

City Council President Kevin A. Jourdain, a Republican, said the Democratic Party's tailwinds helped Vega sail to victory.

Obama, a Democrat, defeated Republican Mitt Romney to seize a second term and Warren unseated U.S. Sen. Scott Brown,. R-Mass., and that momentum helped Vega, Jourdain said.

"I think it's that he was the Democratic nominee in a very strong Democratic year. I mean, he ran a good campaign and he's a good person. But I would say the reason he won is he's the Democratic nominee in a year that Democrats ran very strong," Jourdain said.

Vega will take over the seat that Democrat Michael F. Kane vacated in June after 11 years. Kane took a job with Columbia Gas of Massachusetts.

AM News Links: 'Daily Show' appearance by David Petraeus' mistress Paula Broadwell getting more attention, 'Skyfall' sets Bond box office debut record, and more

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Sales of Broadwell’s 2012 biography of Petraeus, "All In: The Education of General David Petraeus," spiked on Amazon.com.

Daniel Craig;Javier Bardem This film image released by Sony Pictures shows Daniel Craig as James Bond, left, and Judi Dench as MI6 head M, in a scene from the film "Skyfall." Dench has been the Bond matriarch: the strong-willed, no-nonsense mainstay of feminine authority in a movie franchise that has, more often than not, featured slightly more superficial womanly traits. In "Skyfall," Dench isn't just dictating orders from headquarters, but is thrown directly into the action when a former MI6 agent, played by Javier Bardem, is bent on revenge against her. (AP Photo/Sony Pictures, Francois Duhamel)


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Springfield Garden Club to host 'These Enchanted Seasons' fund-raising event in Wilbraham

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Three well-known floral designers - Robert G. Whitney, Heather Sullivan and Christi Langone - will show participants how to create trend-setting traditional and contemporary arrangements for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s.

gardenclub.jpg From left, designer Bob Whitney, Springfield Garden Club President Sherry Williams, event chair Suzanne Reed and designer Christi Langone.

Cold weather doesn’t mean you can’t have beautiful plant materials in your home,” said Judy A. Cmero, a member of the Springfield Garden Club.

Whether it’s fresh flowers from the florist or an arrangement of twigs with interesting buds and bark from a walk in the woods, arrangements can provide a lift at holiday time or any time.

The Springfield Garden Club will present “These Enchanted Seasons: Seasonal Designs for the Upcoming Holidays” on Friday, Nov. 16, at Wilbraham and Monson Academy’s Greenhalgh Athletic Center Dance Studio, 40 Faculty St., Wilbraham.

Three well-known floral designers—all members of the American Institute of Floral Designers—Robert G. Whitney, Heather Sullivan and Christi Langone—will show participants how to create trend-setting traditional and contemporary arrangements for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s. They will use a variety of seasonal flowers, sprigs, holly, baskets, bells and unexpected materials as they educate, inspire and entertain their audience.

floral.jpg The Springfield Garden Club is getting ready for their "These Enchanted Seasons" fund-raiser on November 16. This is a floral display similar to one that will be auctioned at the event.


The event begins at 6:30 p.m. with a social with wine, punch and light hors d’oeuvres followed by the designers’ program. “They’ll give hints on decorating for the entire holiday season,” Cmero said.

Each designer will create multiple designs for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s.
There will be a live auction of their creations.

Whitney, a sales representative for Springfield Florist Supply Inc., suggested selecting a variety of pinecones, pieces of bark and mushrooms—for example—to be used in arrangements along with fresh flowers. “How you put it together” is what makes the finished product appealing, he said, noting that the items found in nature or in the yard help stretch a floral design budget.

As part of the presentation at the garden club event, the designers will talk about good design and good mechanics. While creating the arrangements, they will talk about “why we put things together the way we did,” Whitney said. “That’s the educational part of the evening.”

“Having plant materials around you is very energizing, and working with plant materials is energizing and soothing and uplifting,” said Cmero, the garden club publicity chairman. “There are a lot of benefits for having plants in your home and around your home.”

Tickets for the event are $20 each and include a complimentary glass of wine and light hors d’oeuvres.

The event is a fund raiser for the garden club’s scholarship fund and outreach activities.

Since 1990, the club has given nearly $55,000 in scholarships to more than 30 Hamden County residents pursuing degrees in horticulture, agriculture, environmental science and related fields.

For more information, contact Judy Cmero at (413) 599-0462 or jacm56@charter.net.

To order tickets to “These Enchanted Seasons,” send a check made payable to the Springfield Garden Club to Judy Cmero, 452 Springfield St., Wilbraham, MA 01095. Include a stamped self-addressed envelope to have your tickets mailed or pick them up at the door.

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