Feast Fest 2010 Wiki

~column page~

From the Feast Fest 2010 Wiki:

Feast Fest 2010 or Feast Fest XVI, will be the sixteenth installment of Feast Fest, the world's largest international simultaneous competitive cooking event. The event is set to take place at the Marina del Rey Hotel-Beachview Resort from 12:14 p.m. to 6:53 p.m. on Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, November 25, 2010. After a slight decline in customer traffic in 2009 due to the economic crisis, Feast Fest 2010 is estimated to be the most highly attended Feast Fest ever. The number of Kitchen Passes, the Passes that allow one to view the cooking action from the kitchen, have been upgraded by customer demand from 125 to 200. After much turmoil in the 2010 Feast Fest offseason regarding the possibility of the Masons leaving the event and Jim McAllister taking over as Head Chef, it was concluded in September 2010 that the Masons would Head-Chef the 2010 Feast Fest and that McAllister would join them at the Head Chef's table in 2011.

EXHIBITIONS
6 preparatory exhibitions were performed for Feast Fest, all with high NCA scores. There is one exhibition left on the schedule.


1/16/10 @ Nyland Cooking Center, San Diego, CA, score 95.4
1/27/10 @ Lala Restaurant, Manhattan, NY, score 95.9
4/2/10 @ Windows on the Water Restaurant, Morro Bay, CA, score 97.3
4/28/10 @ Edelyn Cooking Arena, Punta Gorda, FL, score 98.8
7/25/10 @ Notes Restaurant, Long Beach, CA, score 98.1
10/14/10 @ Kitchen Stadium, Tokyo, Japan, score 96.2
11/2/10 @ U.S. Kitchen Stadium, New York, NY, score 97.6

The Masons were absent for the 4/28 and 10/14 exhibitions and will be absent for the 11/2 exhibition.
Jim McAllister was absent on the cooking floor for, ironically, the 7/25 exhibition, which was held in his own restaurant, due to a 7/21 appendectomy. McAllister attended but did not participate in the exhibition.
Lynn Avi was absent for the 10/14 Tokyo exhibition.
Joe Pasik will be absent for the 11/2 exhibition.
Jan Stephan was absent for the 1/16 and 10/14 exhibitions.
Andruw Stephan was absent for the 1/27 exhibition.

Only one exhibition (4/2, Morro Bay, CA), had all 58 Feast Fest chefs in participation.

Feast Fest 2011

~column view~

-SPECIAL OFFER-
For those who already have their preparations in order for Feast Fest 2010, we remind you that tickets are NOW ON SALE -- at the earliest date EVER -- for Feast Fest 2011, Wednesday, November 23-Sunday, November 27, 2010, with the Thanksgiving meal on Thursday, November 24. SPECIAL EARLY BIRD RATES AVAILABLE if you book tickets for next year's Feast Fest BEFORE this year's Feast Fest. Book before Nov. 24 to receive up to 40% off!

-INFORMATION-
Feast Fest 2011 or Feast Fest XVII will be the seventeenth installment of the world's largest simultaneous international competitive cooking event, to be held at the Marina del Rey Hotel-Beachview Resort in Marina del Rey, California, from 12:07 p.m. to 6:46 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 24, 2011, with ceremonies surrounding the event from Wednesday, November 23 to Sunday, November 27. The event will be presided over by the Mason duo and Jim McAllister, who will become the third co-head chef in 2011. 2010 will be his last year as Head Sous-Chef, and his position will be assumed by Lynn Avi. Lynn Avi, formerly an Assistant Head Sous-Chef, will leave room for Jan Stephan to assume his first authoritative position with the event.

Feast Fest 2010

~column view~

www.feastfest.com/2010

2010 Feast Fest - 11/24-11/28

Join us for the sixteenth consecutive year as the Beachview Resort here in Marina del Rey hosts the 2010 NCA Feast Fest, Thanksgiving weekend, Wednesday, November 24, 2010, to Sunday, November 28, 2010. Come taste the best Thanksgiving meals in the world and witness all the culinary action by purchasing a Kitchen Pass. Host your Thanksgiving family reunion here in beautiful Marina del Rey, using Feast Fest as the backdrop for an incredible holiday weekend you'll never forget.


TICKETS

LODGING (BEACHVIEW RESORT)

SCHEDULE

GUIDELINES

PAST FEAST FESTSv

2009
2008
2007
2006
Pre-2006

Boston Summary 2010

Boston Summary 2010
NOTES:
*This trip had the earliest departure date of any other trip (6/22).
*This trip totaled out at 29 full days and 31 days including traveling days.
*Landmark changes made during this trip:
New painting and roofing to be installed in late summer/early
fall.

Development of own personal closets in this house such as to
reduce packing amounts for future trips

Vinny T’s Restaurant Downtown has closed as of 7/15/10.

Introduction of a new food tradish, saltwater taffy, available
at Christmas Tree Shops for a marginal price.

THE DATES:
Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010
Flew to Boston
American Airlines Flight 264, left LAX 1:00 p.m. PT, arrived BOS 8:45 p.m. ET. Flight length: 4 hrs 45 mins
Rented Chevy Impala at Natl. Car Rental.


Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010
Went to Target in eve to stock up on supplies

Thursday, June 24th, 2010
Went to Best Buy to purchase new dishwasher (current one had broken) and then to Used Bookstore (Saugus).

Friday, June 25th, 2010
Went in eve to Christmas Tree Shops, then to Episcopal Church for Choir Concert – visiting choir from Baltimore, MD

Saturday, June 26th, 2010
Went to St. Peter’s Fiesta/Greasy Pole Festival for 3d consecutive year in Gloucester, MA

Sunday, June 27th, 2010
Inclement weather interfered with plans.

Monday, June 28th, 2010
Went in eve to Common, played wiffleball, walked by lake, etc.

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010
Visited Nanna in nursing home. Seemed in good condition. Went in eve to Stoneham Fmrs. Mkt. and Used Bookstore (Burlington).

Wednesday, June 30th, 2010
Nothing to report

Thursday, July 1st, 2010
Nothing to report

Friday, July 2nd, 2010
Went to Sunset Parade in Charlestown in eve. Beautiful sunset over downtown skyline.

Saturday, July 3rd, 2010
Nothing to report

Sunday, July 4th, 2010
Went to Independence Day Events and Contests on Common

Minifloat Competition – 1st place Best Theme!! (Theme was “Celebrating America: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow”)
Races:
Mom (Mothers’ race) – 4th
Myself - 6th to last

Went to parade at 3 p.m., parade was over by 5 p.m.

Monday, July 5th, 2010
Nothing to report

Tuesday, July 6th, 2010
Rested in afternoon due to sweltering day. Temps topped 100; heat index (what it felt like) topped 110 and got close to 115

Wednesday, July 7th, 2010
Another extremely hot day. Did errands in eve; they were selling Back to School products, God help me, at Target.

Thursday, July 8th, 2010
Went to Marblehead, as is annual tradish. Beautiful sunset over harbor.

Friday, July 9th, 2010
Went to Bandstand Band Concert on Common featuring Dad on drums/cymbals.

Saturday, July 10th, 2010
Went to Newburyport for Annual Music Festival. Light rain didn’t hinder the performances. Afterward, got meatball subs from Newburyport House of Pizza. Then went to Plum Island after dinner where an unleashed dog on the beach there tried to kill me. However, as you will have deduced by the existence of this trip summary, I am a fast enough runner.

Sunday, July 11th, 2010
Went to Plymouth for Music Festival there. Stopped at Christmas Tree Shops, Building 19 ½, Ocean State Job Lots, and similar bargain stores along way. Playing at Festival was James Taylor’s brother, Livingston Taylor.

Monday, July 12th, 2010
Nothing to report

Tuesday, July 13th, 2010
Nothing to report


Wednesday, July 14th, 2010
Planned to go to Vinny T’s. These plans were hindered by excessive rain. Vinny T’s was moved to Thursday.

Thursday, July 15th, 2010
Joined Mike the Painter Guy for a ride around town to look at possible color and roof combinations for the new paint job

In eve, went to Vinny T’s, only to find it CLOSED! Went instead to mehish Mexican joint.
Then went to Contemporary Art Mus.

Friday, July 16th, 2010
In eve, went to Fenway Park. Arrived around 8:00. As soon as we arrived, it began to rain. Rain delay from about 8:15 to 9:20. Gameplay resumed at 9:20 p.m. in top 4th. Rangers pounded Sox. Left in middle of 8th at 11:15 p.m. Rangers won 8-4. Bought Tim Wakefield T Shirt at team store! Got home Midnight.

Saturday, July 17th, 2010
Went to Essex/Ipswich/Little Neck. Shopped at antique shops and White Elephant Antiques in Essex. Bought turkey subs at Ipswich House of Pizza, took them to Little Neck Beach and picnicked there. Walked on beach after dinner. No dogs trying to kill me this time, yay!

Sunday, July 18th, 2010
Went to Rockport. Picnicked by Old Maiden Beach, glorious sunset over water. Found lost cell phone on beach, turned it into Rockport P.D.

Monday, July 19th, 2010
Went to Common in eve; played wiffleball. Played only until the middle of the 2nd inning, when sudden lightning started. Lightning continued for well over an hour along with rain. Huge flashes of lightning lit up the entire sky.

Tuesday, July 20th, 2010, Wednesday, July 21st, 2010, Thursday, July 22nd, 2010
Wrote this on Tuesday. May go out tomorrow. 7:10 p.m. flight back to L.A. on Thursday. Flight gets in around 10 p.m. LA time.

Wakefield Daily Item Mock Newspaper -- Tuesday, April 6, 2010

Finally, folks, here is a mock paper that is NOT from nine months ago! Hooray! In a flash of inspiration, decided to create a new spring version even though I'm not back there right now.

All stories fictional.

WAKEFIELD DAILY ITEM

Tuesday, April 6, 2010 copyright IV VI, MMX

NATIONAL GUARD BAND IS CAMPED IN WAKEFIELD; SELECTMEN PROMISE TO LEND ENCAMPMENT FACILITIES TO GUARD AS LONG AS NEEDED

-WAKEFIELD

-The Board of Selectmen called a special summons Friday evening to discuss the encampment of National Guard troops encamped in the Breakheart Reservation as they try to provide flood relief throughout Massachusetts.

A narrow 21-19 vote declared that the town would to continue to lend a 5-acre tract of land on the reservation to the troops for as long as it may be needed.

Almost all of the naysayers said that they supported the Guard and had no problem with them being encamped in Wakefield, but suggested that they find an alternate encampment site other than the Reservation.

Two of the 19 naysayers said they appreciated the Guard but claimed Wakefield "did not have the fiscal resources" to allow their encampment. Both were Republican.

The budget crisis was the main dividing issue between those who opposed the measure and those who approved it. Many said that allowing the troops to locate elsewhere within the town would relieve much strain on the Breakheart Reservation, which has been having trouble keeping facilities and its budget afloat, especially in the Reservation's Wakefield portion.

Many claimed that the Breakheart Reservation "is not a military base" [quoted by Clem Andersen] and that housing military or National Guard troops "was never identified or approved as a viable use of the Reservation's facilities." [quoted by Tom Menzinotti]

The issue was shared, not split, by parties, and, to the surprise of everyone, John Altorizotti and Kevin Meeklinger, two Democratic Selectmen who are close colleagues and have had the same vote on every measure proposed since they joined in 2004, were split, with Altorizotti approving the encampment and Meeklinger opposing it.

Of the 21 yeasayers, 11 were Republicans and 10 Democrats; of the 19 naysayers, 10 were Democrats and 9 Republicans.

Selectman Bradley Ravell (D) said, "This is a tough issue, but on the back burner it does have the added benefit of uniting some of these Selectmen. Usually we Democrats vote one thing, and the Republicans the exact opposite, but some interparty rivals are actually rallying in agreement for their decisions on this measure. It really is interesting and I think it is helping to melt some of the icy tensions between both parties on the Board, especially with the tough times of these floods."

The vote was a preliminary, and a second vote will be held tonight to make a final decision.

The issue with the National Guard was one of two issues that summoned Friday evening's unscheduled debriefing.

-STEVEN ISISHMAN

Second Issue Debated At Debriefing Is Flood Damage; MGLD Targets Selectmen

-WAKEFIELD

-The second of two issues mulled over at last night's session was flood damage, which has taken its toll on the town. Lake Quannapowitt has extended two feet on its south shore, covering most of the playground equipment right on the shore in a puddle of muddy water.

"It's issues like these and so many others that made us feel the necessity to discuss the floods," a concerned yet optimistic Ivan Pittman (D) said Thursday.

Alexander Axelrod of the MGLD spoke before the board and reported that Wakefield was slacking off in its efforts to dredge, clean, and drain the flood waters compared to neighboring towns. Axelrod reported that Wakefield had an average of 0.75 inches of water resting on each of its streets, with the main thoroughfares exhibiting only slightly less. This compares to towns with better drainage programs, such as Melrose, Reading, and Stoneham, faring better with the flooding. Melrose had 0.60 inches of water per every street; Reading 0.50 inches; and Stoneham a mere 0.23 inches.

"Obviously we were caught off guard and these storms are taking their toll on everybody," said Axelrod, "but that still does not excuse us from the rather sloppy, ineffectual job we have been doing of upkeeping the drainage and flood protection systems."

Axelrod got right to the heart of the matter and targeted the Board of Selectmen itself. "One of the primary reasons for this is because we the MGLD were unable to scrape together the monetary potato chips that fell under the sofa, if you will, to fund the upkeep. Consequentially, because the Board of Selectmen has refused to fund we the MGLD, we in effect are unable to fund the upkeep."

Selectmen initiated a $23,500 bond to be funded to the MGLD to help temporarily establish upkeep, but most Selectmen seemed to show no interest whatsoever at one proposal to initiate a $700,000 bond for upkeep to the MGLD for the rest of 2010 and possibly into 2011.

"This is a temporary matter," stated one GOP Selectman, "and at such time such proposals are irrelevant. Once the flooding has subsided, continuing the upkeep when unnecessary will simply be draining us of important funds."

The Selectmen are to vote tonight.

-STEVEN LaFONTAINE

DAILY BRIEFING FROM THE ITEM WIRE ROOM

Wakefield Daily Item wire services are to be thanked, as always, for their efficient service in delivering these reports.

Relief for New England as high pressure sets in?

A high pressure system will slowly make its way into the Northeast beginning this morning, bringing warmer temperatures and sunshine to flood-ravaged parts of RI, CT, and MA. "Cleanup is finally something that looks achieveable," said a MA State Representative, "something we can finally start." Pop-up showers are a possibility for parts of ME, but other than this, no rain has been reported in New England forecasts for today or tomorrow.

-New England Reporters' Wire Line

Malden wants to talk to Cambridge, Woburn after icy political corruption

Malden wants to talk, they say, to Cambridge and Woburn after icy relations separated the towns last week. Cambridge councilperson Ross Thenn and Woburn councilperson Adler Armonian were accused of perjury during a Middlesex County Consensus Thurs., Mar. 25, after denying claims that they issued $2,000,000 school bond funds to the city of Malden on Tues., Mar. 16 after rejecting issuing said bonds to their own towns on Mon., Mar. 8. "These people don't have any connections to Malden," said Peter Roxbury of the Woburn council, "and the fact that they turn their backs on their own towns... it's heinous!" Malden officials now want to apologize to Cambridge and Woburn officials for accepting the money without proper city grants. Thenn and Armonian may receive fines of $7,000; Liam Rosecek, who accepted the funds for Malden without requesting a grant, may receive a $2,500 fine. "This deal was very, very back-door," said Roxbury. "We need to know what the motive was to get some kind of closure on this." The three leaders of each town plan to convene in Saugus Apr. 7.

-Wires of Middlesex County

Amonson no longer in Massachusetts

Mark Amonson, the former Galvin Middle School teacher fired for misuse of position and vulgarity in such, is no longer a Massachusetts resident, the state says. Government records show Amonson is renting a four-room apartment in downtown San Diego as of February 28. "Amonson had family in San Diego," said his lawyer Moltosekevich, "it only makes sense that, in these tough times for him, he would go there."

-Wires of Middlesex County

Rains help, not harm, when it comes to raging Main St. fire Friday

-WAKEFIELD

-The fire department is thanking the massive recent rains as they finally found themselves a good use in helping to douse a huge fire that broke out in a home at 573 Main St. on Friday. The home, owned by Pat and Alen Kwajnjadr, both 58, caught flames Friday night around 10:30 p.m. when a curtain was draped over a heating system too long, restricting ventilation, and, after some time, starting the blaze. "It was carelessness on our part," said Alen Kwanjnjadr, who rung 911 immediately when he heard a crackling noise coming from the master bedroom and saw the blaze.

"This fire was extremely fluid, that meaning that it moved everywhere and anywhere it could; it just swarmed this household in a matter of minutes," said Fire Department Worker Gregorio Santonainni.

The fire reached the attic of the home and began billowing out a chimney, but once the blaze reached the outside of the home it was no match for the pelting rain, which was coming down in sheets at the time.

"I was cursing all this rain earlier, but now I thank it; it helped save our home," remarked Alen Kwanjnjadr.

Fire officers instructed the Kwanjnjadrs to open all the windows of their home, and then fire hoses rid the inside of the inferno while the downpour finished the job on the outside.

The damage to the Kwanjnjadrs home surmounted at a lung-stopping $16,000, but the couple, ever in high spirits, believe it is salvageable. "We've owned this home for 31 years and we plan to for another 31," said Alen's wife Pat. The Kwanjnjadrs were reportedly staying with family in Melrose while county and town officials come to assess the damage. A realtor showed up at the site of the charred abode Saturday to instruct the couple if the home was worth trying to salvage.

"She said yes," said Pat Kwanjnjadr, "but even had she said no, we would have tried anyway."

-RYAN BORGNE


Police sniff out eight individuals in Type A searches across town

-WAKEFIELD
-Police were successful in a Type A bust over Saturday and Sunday, said Dep. Will Halveles. Anonymous tips led to the arrest of six individuals; the other two were found by police themselves.

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A man was arrested for disrespect for the badge and aggravated assault on an officer at 3:34 p.m. Saturday. A call summoned officers to Quannapowitt Parkway, where the man had been stopped by police on a routine traffic stop, as his tail light was out. The man refused to give his license and registration. When additional officers arrived, he did, and everything checked out, but the conflict continued. When an officer handed the man back his license and registration, he kicked the officer in the shin. He then ran out of the car and into the woods. Along the way, he tossed an oil can that just barely missed the head of one officer. The man, after about one minute, came out of the woods to see if the officers were gone, then, finding them not to be, threw another oil can at them. He did not run this time, but rather stood in the same exact position as officers approached him and arrested the man, John Kinnem, 46, of 142 Peter Lane, Woburn, on the aforementioned charges. Kinnem continued to be uncooperative, repeatedly kicking the passenger side door of a police car while being driven to the police station. He once kicked the door so hard that it came open and he tried to flee, but was foiled in these plans as well.


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Two 10-year-old boys were detained, then sent home, and one adult arrested, at the scene of a fight on the Common at 2:41 a.m. Saturday. The adult, Ken Kenewick, 51, of 111 Laramie Drive, Saugus, was not related to either of the two boys but apparently had started the fight by throwing a baseball at the head of one of the two boys and then pointing to the other boy, as to say, "he threw it at you." Kenewick then encouraged the boys to go at each other. Kenewick was arrested for coercion of juveniles, simple assault, and failure to cooperate with a police officer. The two boys were placed in handcuffs and detained, but then released after about five minutes. Both were given low-level citations for curfew violation. The homes of both youths were called to ensure they had returned home; both had by 3:27 a.m. This was the eighth fistfight involving young youths so far this year; this was the 52nd time citations had been given to youths for curfew violation. (Curfew in April ends at 9:30 p.m. Mon.-Thu.; 10:00 p.m. Sun; and 11:15 p.m. Fri. and Sat.)


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Also on Friday night:

• At 5:22 p.m., youths creating a disturbance on Root Road were sent on their way.
• At 5:58 p.m., a report of an unattended sewer manhole was logged out of Albion St.
• At 6:31 p.m., a man on Minot St. reportedly left a pizza box full of pizza unattended in the middle of the road, where a car ran over the pummeled pie.
• At 7:55 p.m., a youth reportedly egged a house on Main St. near Most Blessed Sacrament Church.
• At 8:19 p.m., a youth creating a disturbance on Redfield Road was gone when an officer arrived.
• At 10:13 p.m., youths playing basketball in the middle of the street on Tamworth Hill Avenue were moved to a different location.
• At 11:35 p.m., Mary A. Lyn, 44, of 41 Astor Road, Boston, and Ken Morgan, 39, of 66 Harrison Court, Wakefield, collided at the Junction, slowing traffic for approximately 20 minutes.
• At 11:37 p.m., a lone youth was cited on the Common for curfew violation.
• At 11:58 p.m., Ken Waveland, 21, of 667 Peterman Blvd., Gloucester, and Joshua Millington, 20, of 103 Main St., Wakefield, exchanged information after colliding at the intersection of Main and Albion.

Also Saturday:

• At 1:33 a.m., police broke up a fight on the Common between two intoxicated men. The men fled the scene immediately, and police decided not to press any charges.
• At 3:45 a.m., a New England Seismic Foundation Richter Scale on Main St. indicated a 1.3 magnitude intraplate rumbling centered under Greenwood.
• At 6:27 a.m., a false alarms call came out of the Lord Wakefield Hotel when burning toast set off a smoke detector.
• At 8:44 a.m., an intoxicated man was found in operation of a car when he was stopped for speeding on Main St. Jules Gregorian, 29, of 116 Valiant Honor Road, Stoneham, was arrested for speeding and DUI. It'll be awhile before he gets his valiant honor.
• At 11:22 a.m., youths egging and toilet-papering a house on Walton Street were sent on their way. Police helped clean up the mess.
• At 12:16 p.m., a Minot St. resident reported his car radio had been ripped out of its socket and stolen.
• At 1:44 p.m., a Main St. resident reported somebody had stolen his neighbor's yellow 2002 Chevrolet Corvette.
• At 3:36 p.m., a Water St. resident reported a swarm of seventy birds had defecated on his car windshield almost simultaneously.
• At 5:01 p.m., a man blasting songs on a boom box on Pitman Avenue was asked to move inside.
  
• At 5:43 p.m., police arrested Kevin Philmont, 45, of 415 Gapham Avenue, Haverhill, on petty theft charges after he was caught smashing a car window and stealing three sweatshirts, a GPS system, a video camera, and a laptop computer. The owner of the vehicle had these items returned to him and he was warned to guard the items more safely.
• At 6:25 p.m., a call came from Redfield Road about youths smashing headlights of cars with bottles.
• At 8:21 p.m., police stopped a man on marked lanes, and, finding him to be unlicensed, arrested the man, Pete Olivon, 27, of 21 Alanwouoden Drive, Peterbrogh, N.H., on failure to have on his person a valid driver's license.
• At 8:45 p.m., police arrested Ken Kwaight, 19, of 52 Main Avenue, Teterborough, on simple assault and animal cruelty after police witnessed him throwing a basketball at a man's head and hurling a milk jug at a dog.
• At 10:10 p.m., a fight between youths on the Lower Common was broken up. Of three youths, two gave name and address. One of the youths had returned home by 10:34 p.m.; the other was not confirmed home until 12:51 a.m.
• At 11:12 p.m., a complement setting off firecrackers on the Lower Common was dispersed.
• At 11:51 p.m., power went out for about twenty minutes on Quannapowitt Parkway after a squirrel chewed through wires.

Also Sunday:

• At 2:31 a.m., a party of ten youths on the Common was broken up. Seven were cited for curfew violation; the other three fled the scene before citations could be issued. Three gave name and address; all were home by 3:00 a.m.
• At 3:01 a.m., a faulty carbon monoxide alarm went off accidentally in a home on Sesame Street. No one was harmed.
• At 6:53 a.m., a Main St. resident woke up to find his house egged and toilet-papered.
• At 7:01 a.m., Wakefield felt a 1.1 magnitude intraplate rumble according to the NESF.
• At 7:03 a.m., Wakefield felt a 1.2 magnitude intraplate cracking according to the NESF.
• At 7:11 a.m., a Main St. resident reported a vase and a boom box stolen from his home.
• At 8:44 a.m., the local Shaw's Market reported someone had stolen $22 from a cash register when an employee left the register unattended.
  
• At 9:55 a.m., police broke up youths on the verge of a major confrontation on the Upper Common.
• At 11:33 a.m., police dispersed youths banging on the playground equipment at the Yueull School.
• At 12:12 p.m., a screaming man was deported from a barbershop to Eustis Ave. Extension, where screaming continued. The man was deported to Eustis Ave., where screaming continued. The man was deported to Mill Road, where screaming continued. The man was deported to Hill Road, where screaming continued. The man was deported to Water St., where screaming continued. The man was deported to Tamworth Hill Ave., where screaming continued. The man was deported to Vale View Road, where screaming continued. The man was deported to Axelrod Road, where screaming continued. The man was deported to Main St., where screaming continued briefly, then stopped.
• At 12:34 p.m., a yelling man was deported to Vale View Road.
• At 1:55 p.m., a heavy set man was calmed after throwing an extreme and inconsolable diatribe on Mill Road.
• At 5:12 p.m., a Howard St. resident reported his back license plate stolen.
• At 8:44 p.m., police arrested Barbara Keftingwood, 25, of 288 Alan Road, Sharon, on DUI.
• At 11:06 p.m., a man reported his car was repeatedly egged by youths when he slowed at a yield sign on New Salem St. The youths were gone when police arrived.

Also on Monday:

• Monday was a quiet day for the P.D., with only four calls.
• At 12:33 a.m., police arrested Will Wood, 44, of 12 Main St., Melrose, on DUI after being stopped at the Junction.
• At 6:22 p.m., a man kicked a police officer in the shin and threw his badge down to the ground. He fleed police before he could be identified or arrested.
• At 6:57 p.m., Ofcr. Bob Keln launched an investigation about reports of credit card theft from two neighboring houses on Lowell St.
• At 10:49 p.m., police broke up a party of youths on the Common. Of five youths, four were cited for curfew violation; the other fled.
  

Wakefield Daily Item Mock Newspaper -- Tuesday, July 21, 2009

The twelfth and FINAL Item mock from summer 2009, however, I've gotten so much into posting these that I'm thinking about posting some fresh winter ones--ones that are completely new and NOT holdovers from half a year before--soon, so keep your eye out for those if they come.


It should be noted that the "editorial" of Phyllis Hull is purely a mock of how her mind works, and I do not agree with any single thing listed in that said editorial, as a matter of fact, just the opposite.


Wakefield Daily Item
Tuesday, July 21, 2009 copyright VII XXI, MMIX

Hull at it again
Hull issues another editorial to the ITEM saying to "get real!"

-WAKEFIELD


-EDITORIAL
-PHYLLIS HULL


-When certain people make a pact to carry out certain ideals, it is expected that that pact will be carried out with--what else? Certainty! But our egalitarian bleeding-heart liberals see no such matter deserves its limelight. They focus too much on the little things, not enough on the big picture. How have Democrats survived, nay, thrived, all these years with this idiotic approach? But that's a tangent, something for a different day. I come here with the intention of a better Wakefield, of course, that has ALWAYS been my intention, and so I trust that you will trust and put your faith n me, as I do, despite my being voted out of office, offer countywide service to those true few conservative souls. You. Yes, you. I know you're out there! Why not come and cast a vote for a better Wakefield, and a better Middlesex County? And Middlesex County comprises over half of the Boston Metropolitan Area, so why not cast a vote for a better Boston metro, too? Yes...sounds appealing NOW, doesn't it? See, that's the magic of an effective campaign. Using those appealing words, ones that mesmerize you, ones that hypnotize you, ones that have a naturally wondrous description such to voluntarily draw you in. Why, how do you think I could have gotten my way on the Board of Selectmen so many times without this strong sense of mesmerizing wording? Why, that's right, I wouldn't have been able to do it at all!

I have been called many things--pompous, miserly, unlovely, monstrous, arrogant, pushy, selfish, and, in a political sense, as put by a rival Selectman, "hopelessly and annoyingly pugnacious." I have been called all these things, and many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many, many more. I have in front of me a list of insulting adjectives directed towards me that comes out to 269. But the one that bothers me the most is "UnWakefieldish." I have always stood solely for the good of Wakefield. Why, that's why I became involed in Wakefieldian politics in the first place! Duh! I love Wakefield as much as any one of you, and when you insult me in such ways, I invite you to get real! Vote Hull 2010!


WE ASKED LOCAL WAKEFIELDIANS! Of a survey of 1,400 Wakefieldians:

What was your first response to Hull's "invitation" for Wakefieldian voters "to get real"?

Stupid 32%
Another annoying attempt to get us on her side 21%
Well, at least we finally know what method she used to get everyone on the B.O.S. on her side! 18%
I'm just tuning out what she tries to preach to us now 7%
She makes a few good points, but they still won't convince me she's the best choice for county 6%
She's no longer on the B.O.S., so we're supposed to be done with dealing with this idiotic person! 5%
Oh, wow, she's sunk this low now? 4%
She stands there and drafts this editorial insulting all of us and then expects us to go to the polls and VOTE FOR HER?!?! 3%
Why do WE need to "get real"? If ANYONE needs to "get real," it's her! 2%
Inspiring and wonderful, I will definitely listen to her 1.4%
I believe in conservative values, but even I know Hull has gone loco on this one. 0.6%

Beyond the Polls:

"Hull needs to get it together. When will she accept that she's a dried up wrinklebag on the political scene? She's been booted off, rightly so, and she shouldn't be pursuing a further office! She can go jet off to Tahiti and have the resort workers there be her slaves, I don't care, as long as she gets OUT of the Wakefieldian politics scene--and pronto."
-Sherm, Court Street


MGLD still not giving in as tension mounts
-WAKEFIELD
-The Municipal Gas and Light Department is still staving off continuous complaints from its customers for rescinding its online payment program. An MGLD spokesperson, Rick Joyce, said Monday, "the townspeople just don't understand what a fiscal dilemma we would have if we let that program continue. We would have collapsed!" But this did not work, as Richard Toaentimmer, a spokesperson for the WTHWA (Wakefield Townspeople and Homeowners Welfare Association), shot back, "So? We'll just switch over to Pyburn Oil Company! It's something we've already been considering anyway!" Yet another emergency debriefing has been set for the MGLD today at 1:30 p.m. Townspeople are invited to come but are urged to keep quiet, after most previous briefings since the incident have been filled with jeering. Said one MGLD worker, "It was horrible in there [during the last debriefing]. Everyone was jeering, and only one person from the WTHWA spoke, so they only cheered one person. Everyone from the MGLD who spoke, even those on their side, was jeered and booed, myself included. I approached the stand, uttered maybe two or three words out of my mouth and they acted as if I was Alex Rodriguez in front of a Fenway crowd. I understand these people are upset, but, holy, we can barely get any business done in there." For today's debriefing, citizens will be allowed to speak up if they approach the stand, but any unauthorized jeering, yelling, or booing will result in the deportation of any and all from the meeting room. Said Toaentimmer in response, "So throw us all out then! Because, trust me, there WILL be more jeering for what the MGLD has done to us."



OF BROWN D.L. ONE IS WHS GRAD, WEINHAUSTIN, JEREMY, OF WAKEFIELD (2003-2007), FORMERLY OF NORTH READING (1989-2003), CLASS OF 2007, FOR SPRING SEMESTER.


Cane/walker thieves strike again
-WAKEFIELD
-The cane/waler thieves, two persons who disguise themselves as old men with canes and walkers, have struck again! They slapped a man on Pheasantwood Ter. on his knee and took his wallet, which contained $150, three credit cards, and a driver's license, which they flung back at the victim. The victim also reported the two persons approaching an elderly woman and possibly tampering with her purse. The matter is being investigated by Offc. Rick Pikee, who found a pair of canes abandoned roughly in the area of the latter incident.

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More foreign currency was found outside of the Epsilon Office Building at 9:19 a.m. The money was reported as $25 worth of Norwegian currency, or "kronor."

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Pete Roscherer, 29, of 163 Main Street, and Keely Anna Dobres, 29, of 2 Fosters Lane, collided at the Junction yesterday at 2:20 p.m. Roscherer (rah-SHAIR-er)'s 1988 blue Dodge Vision swerved out of control when approaching a stoplight and fender-bendered Dobres' 1990 Chevrolet Chevette, which swerved out of control into a large shrub. Roscherer was taken to Melrose-Wakefield hospital for medical examination after he kept wincing and rubbing his right shoulder during the accident investigation. A hairline fracture in his shoulder was found. Dobres complained of a leg pain, but doctors found her to be completely intact and merely a little startled from the crash.

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In other business yesterday (Monday) and this morning, police:

• found a group of youths around the Common bandstand a 6:49 a.m. Subsequent investigation revealed they were putting up posters for a lost dog. The police recommended using trees and phone poles for posting the signs instead of the bandstand. Shortly after this suggestion, the youths had left the area.
• deported a screaming man in a Starbucks to Vale View Road at 7:50 a.m. The man was also reportedly screaming, "MORE CREAM! MY COFFEE NEEDS MORE CREAM!"
• issued a summons to a Stoneham man at 8:55 a.m. on Lowell Street. The man had been driving a foreign vehicle that was unregistered in the U.S. and had license plates from Nicaragua. The man himself was legal American.
• sent youths banging on and vandalizing the playground equipment at Yueull School on their way at 11:03 a.m. The vandalism was mostly in terms of mild spray painting. The vandalism was mostly random letters and one large message on a basketball backboard that read "Yankees ****." The groundskeeper of the playground saw no harm in the small random letters, but, as he claimed to be from Manhattan, ordered the Yankees comment to be removed. It only took about five minutes to remove the vandalism.
• found a 1:46 p.m. Salem Street call about a heavy-set men throwing an extreme and unsubduable diatribe to be unfounded.
• found that a situation at 2:50 p.m. on Foundry Street wherein a teenager was blasting loud songs on a boom box had been resolved.
• called in the MGLD to resolve a 20-minute power outage on 2nd Street in which a squirrel had chewed through wires.
• found that an 8:55 p.m. call regarding Wyoma Street fireworks was unfounded.
• responded to a 9:32 p.m. call from Jefferson Road about youths "behaving suspiciously." It turned out that the suspicious behavior was simply the youths behaving well.
• attended to a dumpster that had been left entirely open on Victorino Avenue, causing stench complaints at 9:58 and 10:01 p.m.
• sent youths on Granada Street on their way at 1:16 a.m. They were all walking home anyway, it transpired.
• received a report at 1:54 a.m. that a youth was asleep in a tree on Weaver Road. The youth had left by 2:30 a.m.

Amerks smushed by Winchester
-WAKEFIELD
-After two consecutive wins Saturday and Sunday, the Amerks 11/12 year-old All Stars fell yet again, this time to Winchester, to finish 3rd in the double round-robin tournament. Robby Shelley and Bobby Allan both pitched fantastic games, up until the top 9th, when Allan was relieved by Kenny Wooster, who walked twice and gave up a 3-run homer by Craig Belton of Winchester. Horace Wilks then drove in a solo shot to give Winchester the 4-0 win and foil the chances of the Amerks for a .500 winning percentage. Wakefield was able to ward off the last-place finish, with Woburn finishing below them.


Qpwt. Angler Championships find 2.9 pound carp
-WAKEFIELD
-Mark Droy, Danny Ross, and David Meennall all won in their respective divisions for the Carp Angler Championships on Lake Quannapowitt, held on a two-day course over Sunday and Monday. 16-year-old Meennall snagged a shattering 2.9-lb. carp.

WINNERS
4-7 Male
Robby Ayford, Wakefield--1.6 lb.
Kyle Sohor, Wakefield--1.6 lb.

4-7 Female
Jauna Lilles, Reading--1.4 lb.

8-10 Male
Joshua Ryan, Woburn--1.8 lb.

8-10 Female
Josie Simmonds, Greenwood--1.9 lb.

11-12 Male
Shawn Xaviahway, Wakefield--1.7 lb.

11-12 Female
Rosy Pilham, Montrose/Wakefield--1.6 lb.

13 Male
Mark Droy, Wakefield--2.3 lb.

13 Female
Suzy Lay, Melrose--2.0 lb.

14-15 Male
Roy Russ, Wakefield--2.4 lb.

14-15 Female
Sally Ayer, Greenwood--2.1 lb.

16 (Both Genders)
Wallace David Meennall, Montrose/Wakefield--2.9 lb.


Nats 11s/12s pull one over on Lynn-Wyoma
The younger counterpart to our champion Nats 13s/14s open the playoffs with a 10-8 jubilee over Lynn-Wyoma's Little League All Stars.

-WAKEFIELD
-With all the craziness over the Nats 13s/14s championship victory, have we stopped to think that the champions' younger brother team, the Nats 11s/12s, could be putting on a championship run as well? The Wakefield National League 11-12 Year Old All Stars, who were not expected to advance beyond the first round of the winners' bracket playoffs having been seeded 7th, got past monstrous 2nd seeded Lynn-Wyoma Monday by using great hitting and a strong pitching gallery.

In part, the Nats claimed the victory off two grand slams by Petey Lochler and Benjamin Benson in the 8th and 9th innings, respectively, for a comeback victory, no less.

The crowd in Wyoma was loud and jeery. With Wyoma Youth Rec Park known as the park with the fiercest crowd in the little leagues, Nats manager Adam Mohalson stressed to the preteen players the importance of tuning out the loud boos and jeers made by the crowd. "Our players letting down on road games has been a problem before due to that very issue," said Mohalson.

In the first little league game since the Nats Championship to be broadcast on WCVE, fans across Wakefield tuned in for the 7:05 start. At Taniato's Bar and Tavern downtown, where little league games are taken as seriously as Red Sox games, the crowd was unimpressed as they gazed upon Alan Moling of Lynn-Wyoma smacking a 2-run homer to put Lynn-Wyoma up ahead in the bottom 1st. The disappointment continued, as Will Kent and Juan Rodriguez both doubled for an RBI in the bottom 2nd. Meanwhile, in the early top innings, Lynn-Wyoma starter Alan Pierson was pulling off a fantastic game, striking out nine batters out of ten in the first third of the game. The one batter who didn't strike out in the first three innings for Wakefield was Mark Schuber, an average second baseman who just barely got his ball to inch over the fence, got Wakefield on the board to make the game 3-1.

In the bottom 3rd, however, two consecutive base hits and the avoidance of a rundown at home plate by Scotia Amanden gave Lynn-Wyoma its fourth run.

The bottom 4th saw Nats starter Alexander Cornfield melting, letting a double and a home run go by him to make the score 5-1 in favor of Lynn-Wyoma. Before the bottom 5th, Cornfield was relieved by Kyle Kyston, who is, incidentally, the twin brother of ace reliever Brad Bryan Kyston of the Amerks 11s/12s squad (which see article above).

The bottom 5th saw a solo jack by powerhouse hitter Adam Thoulsfeld.

The bottom 6th saw a defensive error on the part of Wakefield, when a throw to home to tag out Juan Rodriguez, advancing from second after a double, was grossly undercompensated for by catcher John Gregory. The score upped to 8-1 Wakefield, but this was the last run Lynn-Wyoma would see.

The top 7th, which was an easy one-two-three inning for Timothy Whalen, who had relieved Alan Pierson in the top 6th, found closer Danny Blaucher relieving Kyle Kyston. Manager Mohalson, when asked about his decision to bring in Kyston in as early as the 7th, responded, "We were down seven runs, we only had a couple chances left, and the Lynn-Wyoma fans were getting louder and rowdier. We needed good pitching, and fast. Blaucher is our best pitcher; I wasn't going to wait until the 9th to put him in; we needed him NOW. I motioned to Blaucher and asked him if he'd be willing to run in a little early for me, and he nodded with definite affirmation and agreement, so, we sent him out, and, boom, the comeback all started there."

Blaucher would pitch perfectly, hurling 8 strikeouts and allowing only one hit.

But the story of the comeback comes from the unprecedented hitting pulled off by the Nats in the 8th and 9th. Patrick Wander and Adam Warner singled, and John Gregory was walked. Petey Lochler, right fielder, then stepped up to the plate and smashed a crushing longball 381 feet over the dead center fence to make the score 8-5.

The raucuous Lynn-Wyoma crowd was quieted slightly, but they came back in all their vulgar vim.

The Lynn-Wyoma crowd exploded in the bottom 8th, when Danny Blaucher stepped to the mound to face the heart of the Lynn-Wyoma lineup, Will Kent, Jasper Michaels, and Adam Thoulsfield. In a moment of confusion, Blaucher jogged back into the dugout and the manager called time. Blaucher emerged shortly after with earplugs to block out the taunts and jeers from the crowd, which, as called by a Little League regional manager, "have no place in a game being played by kids." (Examples: "You're gonna get ******' knocked off the mound, Blaucher!" and "My kid can ******' obliterate you!") Breathalizer tests at some games revealed that many of the parents, the fathers mostly, become intoxicated before the game and do not behave in a regulated manner. But Blaucher's earplugs blocked the vulgar expletives, and he silenced the crowd by throwing nine straight strikes, seven of which were swinging strikes (none foul balls), to retire the side with immediacy for the Nats.

The top 9th saw Wakefield still down, though, and an incredible offensive rally pulled through to set up another grand slam for Wakefield, this one by Benjamin "Benny" Benson, giving the Nats the lead, 9-8.

The crowd at Toniato's back in Wakefield exploded.

Lynn-Wyoma finally relieved Timothy Whalen with closer Thomas Appier-Williams with one out in the top 9th, but to no avail. After the grand slam, Mark Schuber hit a pop fly but Mark Stone, a third-string bench player, pulled off his first career and season home run, a solo, to up Wakefield 10-8. In the bottom 9th, Juan Rodriguez pulled off a triple, reigniting the Lynn-Wyoma crowd, but comeback flames were ousted when Lynn-Wyoma hit into two straight infield pop outs and a strikeout by Blaucher to close out the game. Pierson of Lynn-Wyoma will be rewarded with the win, and Cornfield with the loss, but due to the spectacular comeback Blaucher picks up the save.

The Nats face Swampscott on Friday in Swampscott, against a crowd that, fortunately, is much more well-behaved.




Townies and Rowley split five-inning cutshort due to light malfunctions
-WAKEFIELD
-A game between the Townies and Rowley was cut like ice cream cake in half last night when stadium lights broke about a half inning into the game. The lights were not needed then, as it was still twilight, but questions arose as to if the game should continue with pending darkness. A rule put forth by League Umpire Bob Detron stated that the game would go until 85% darkness, which would be measured by a light meter in the ballpark. If, by that time, four innings or less had been played, the game would continue the next day. If at least five innings had been played, the game would end. Five innings were fit in just in time to avoid a game the next day (a welcome avoidance for the Townies as a postponement of the game until the next day would result in six playing days in a row for the team), but on the bleaker side of things, each team went home dissatisfied at the 2-2 tie that resulted. Both managers rallied for a sudden death inning to break the tie, but Umpire Detron pressed the rules in place and consulted the league rule book to see if ties could be allowed under such situations. They can be.

Knowing that they had little to work with, both teams got to work early. Adam Blackpool of Wakefield tripled in the bottom 1st, and then a Ken Yueull single brought him in. Ron Rosh had a solo jack in the bottom 3rd.

Wakefield's lead was slim, but it looked strong as starting pitcher Paul Monaergan kept hurling strikeouts and easy grounders and pop flies. Part of the reason the game was able to extend into the 5th was because Rowley retired so quickly in the first three innings. But all it took for Rowley to change that was an off pitch by Monaergan that allowed Johnny Jenks to hit a booming double to righty. Monaergan melted and nearly cost Wakefield the game, but would be saved by his fellow fielders. Monaergan delivered Ken Kelly a slow ball that he easily crushed for a 2-run homer, tying the game. Monaergan then walked two batters in a row and allowed a single. During the single, Grant Farmten got caught in a rundown at home and was tagged out by catcher John Sloman. Monaergan was wise, delivering a mid-speed curveball to batter Shawn Shendel, which skipped into double-play depth. An easy 5-4-3 double play retired the side and prevented the lead.

The Townies tried to falicitate a comeback, but to no avail. In both the bottom 4th and bottom 5th, the Townies were able to get runners on 2nd and 3rd bases, but a medley of good double plays and pop flies ensured no further runs were scored.

The Townies pick up their second tie of the season, the first against Merrimack Valley on June 21 due to a similar lighting problem. The Townies' record is now 8-10-2. Rowley's becomes 10-9-1.

Wakefield Daily Item Mock Newspaper -- Friday, July 17, 2009

Wakefield Daily Item
Friday, July 17, 2009 copyright VII XVII, MMIX

Perton's letter to parents of Galvin Middle School students
-WAKEFIELD
-John Perton, principal of Galvin Middle School, was reelected for a second term as principal by the School Board on July 7. His second term as principal goes into effect August 11. In response, he wrote and issued this election letter to parents of Galvin students. Perton will be eligible for a third term, pending his job and location status (i.e., if he still lives in Wakefield and has not been fired or removed/replaced by a superintendent) before the 2011-2012 school year.


Perton's letter:

JOHN PERTON
JULY 17, 2009

My fellow Wakefieldians, I continue to serve as Principal of Galvin Middle School as of my School Board reelection July 7. In my second term, I plan to continue the fiscal molding that outlined my first. Wakefield is a town strapped for funds, especially when it comes to the schools. My goal will be, always was, to create an environment in which students can blossom both socially and academically without putting a dent in the valuable fiscal year funds of the town. We, as a town, need to distribute the fiscal year funds equally to all our departments and do the best for each department with what we are each given without groveling for more. That was my basis for my first two years of service, and it will be this way again. The Perton service you're used to and--as confirmed by a 81% approval rating in a March 2009 poll--pleased with, but with some changes to improve the school, to, hopefully, a blue-ribbon status like the one we so proudly shepherded during the 1970s and 1980s. These are:

1. Better student-staff member correlation. The staff and the students both must learn to be less edgy and more respectful with each other. I plan to do this by implementing a "discussion program," wherein students and teachers would take a little nugget of their time each week to talk in a noneducational manner, as well as in a casual atmosphere. It would, undoubtedly, take alittle whle for everyone to warm up to this idea, but we all know that once we got used to it, it would be a terrific way to enhance the connectivity between the teachers and the students, as this bond is so important in order to help students blossom.

2. Transferring funding for teaching those wacky standards to more important lessons, which would ideally be embedded in an outreach program wherein students of all ethics, social classes, and "in crowds" can come together to form a lasting bond. This could be done in such ways as, say, partnering up these differing kinds of students on class assignments. I feel it is important to tear down the poster on the wall of all of our students' brains that middle school is a "food chain."

3. Listening to all the suggestions of all of the teachers, young AND old, amateurs AND veterans, and taking them into account. All teachers here have the best interest: drenching children with lessons that they can carry throughout life. Anyone who does not conform to this educational mantra will have the door held open for them and we will see them out of our school. Thank you, and may God bless America, and may he keep his watch over the good town of Wakefield, Massachusetts.

AMONSON FIRED
Also deported to Woburn
-WAKEFIELD

-Galvin Middle School History teacher Mark Amonson was fired by the Wakefield School Board Thursday for misuse of position and vulgarity in such misuse after being robbed while walking to school on Monday, May 4, being stripped of nearly all of his clothing, and making the "idiotic," as called by one School Board member, decision to continue on to school despite the incident, horrifying and scarring his students. A Wakefield court, in addition, sentenced Amonson to 30 to 90 days of deportment to Woburn on charges of engaging in an obscene act. Amonson will be arrested if he attempts reentry to Wakefield, and he has been suspended from the Middlesex County Middle School District for life. Moltosekevich, Amonson's lawyer hired from a local law firm, said Thursday, "It really is a sad ending. This poor man did nothing wrong, and yet he has been shunned by his beloved town of Wakefield and deported from it on grounds that are extremely unfair." Amonson's family issued a joint statement with Moltosekevich to Item which reads, "We are deeply regretful that such a thing would happen to Mark. The fault is not his, he was, and, we hope, will continue to be, if his academic career can in any way continue, a wonderful teacher, and he does not deserve this punishment."


Merck family impresses David Merck's innocence
-WAKEFIELD
-The Merck family issued a statament Thursday claiming David Merck's innocence in the Dennison case. Family members insist that of the three coconspirators, Merck was "chosen to be the fall guy even though he committed no crimes." The Dennison case drags on, with all three principal conspirators in custody.

Study shows Wakefieldians are losing political interest
-WAKEFIELD
-A study has shown that over 41% of Wakefieldians are "losing interest" in the political actions that the town takes. The study, conducted by W.A. Merimac of Merimac Bros. mental analysis services, says that this is a common response in our brains not to pay more, but rather less attention to political happenings when political turmoil exists. "It's not that these people want to be ignorant," says Merimac, "rather that we have sort of a drawn out fight-or-flight response because it's such an awkward, complicated situation. If things get worse, people will only end up becoming more ignorant."

More foreign currency found
-WAKEFIELD
-The police department received an additional three calls for foreign currency Thursday, in addition to six on Wednesday. A Walter Street resident reported $26 worth of European Union bills at 4:11 p.m. An Auburn Street resident reported $29 worth of Irish currency at 4:29 p.m. Foreign currency calls wrapped up at 6:26 p.m. with a notice from an Eaton Court resident reporting a finding of $59 worth of currency from Kenya.

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A quiet break from altercations involving youths came to an abrupt end when police found seven youths engaged in nothing much short of physical combat at the Yueull School at 3:13 p.m. yesterday. On spotting police, the youths appeared spooked and left the scene almost immediately, except for one youth who gave his name and address and then fled the scene as well. The Yueull School playground was empty by 3:30 p.m.

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In other business yesterday (Thursday) and this morning, police:

• logged that a man suffering from heat exhaustion declined medical treatment when it was offered to him on the Common at 12:00 p.m. exactly. The man gave his address and phone number; a call to the phone number revealed the man was home and being treated by his wife for the heat exhaustion.
• reported that hangups to the police department were of recurring frequency between about 12:21 and 12:56 p.m.
• responded to a minor, no-injuries car crash on the Parker St. onramp to Yankee Division Highway (Interstate 95) at 2:16 p.m.. Keith Brackins, 28, of 218 Hilsbrogh Way, Reading, was driving a 2003 Toyota that lost brake control and slammed into the rear end of a 1995 Plymout driven by Stanley Rotomorr, 19, 343 Main Street. The Plymouth also lost control and crashed into some landscaping.
• received a call from a Sweetser Street resident at 2:51 p.m. reporting his mailbox had been smashed.
• reported that a 4:05 p.m. call from Thorndike Road concerning youths throwing a parcel into the air was unfounded.
• disregarded a call from a Quannapowitt Parkway resident, very possibly the same resident who called Wednesday complaining about squirrels "behaving unusually," that came at 4:09 p.m. about more "unusual behavior" of squirrels.
• asked people to leave the scene of an unidentified scene on an unidentified road at an unidentified time, estimated about 5:00 p.m. The police officers' reasons for taking the actions were unidentified, as were the names of the complement involved.
• found a dog romping without a leash at 6:22 p.m. The dog had no name tag. Several minutes into the investigation, a woman discreetly removed the dog from the street.
• responded to a call made by an adolescent youth who was left home alone for about ten minutes; he had gone down into his cellar for a moment and came back up to see both front windows of his 4th Street home smashed. No items were reported stolen when police arrived at 6:24 p.m.; the youth's parents had arrived home by that time.
• logged at 6:49 p.m. that a black sweatshirt was reported stolen from a car parked on Dillaway Street.
• found a youth purportedly standing in the middle of the street on Dellano Lane to be gone when police arrived at 6:50 p.m.
• sent youths in front of Pyburn Oil Co. on their way at 8:16 p.m.
• found nothing to be wrong on Kearney Lane at 9:22 p.m. after a resident on that street reported that she "needed assistance," then hung up.
• moved a carving of a zebra that had been left abandoned in the middle of Catalpa Street at 10:11 p.m.
• deported a screaming man on Eustis Ave. Extension to Vale View Road at 11:10 p.m., where the screaming continued. Police deported the man to Brook Street, where the screaming continued shortly, then stopped without further police intervention being needed.
• logged at 5:43 a.m. this morning that youths were reportedly fishing on Lake Quannapowitt. The caller explained that the youths all had fishing licenses but that he was not sure when the lake was opened for fishing. Police explained that fishing hours on the lake are from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m., meaning technically the youths had not committed any violations.

Wakefield Merchants fall to Lexington Blue Sox like Vicksburg to the Union in a 19-7 obliteration
-WAKEFIELD
-The Wakefield Merchants fell to Lexington last night at Fernald Field, with pitcher Jack Cholley giving up 8 runs. Wakefield took the early lead, but the Blue Sox battled back to cream the Merchants. In the first, Jick Rollins of Wakefield hit a booming triple that set up a 2-run homer by Wilhelm Xavier Toniato. Patrick Wastzer got out of a rundown at second at John Shelburne drove in 2 runs on an inside-the-park home run. In the bottom 4th, Danny Traterie singled and Bruce Walls took a walk to set up a 3-run shot by Phillip Akora. But that was the end of Wakefield's domination. Zak Pillsbury grand slammed after Cholley gave up a single, a walk, and a walk by way of striking a batter in the shoulder in the 5th. The top 6th found Jason Rundo and Ryan Boller smacking solo shots, followed by Cholley giving up another grand slam, this one by Raymond Riggi. Khalylle [pronounced like Khalil] Brine made a diving catch to stop a Wakefield solo homer in the bottom 8th after a grand slam in the top 8th. Three consecutive doubles drove in 2 runs for the Blue Sox. In the bottom 9th, Lexington ace Kerry Kyle Stone pitched nine straight strikes to shut down any last chance of retaliation.

The Blue Sox hit an astonishing 3 grand slams.

The Merchants started off their six-game homestand 0-1. The homestand continues Sunday night at Fernald Field against the Gloucester Fishermen, with first pitch at 7:37.

So far, 24 games into the season, the Merchants have been performing much better on the road (11-3) then at home (3-7). Some Merchants players have complained to Fernald Field staff that "the lighting is too dim, causing pitchers to misthrow." Before game time yesterday, the Blue Sox made a similar complaint. Stadium staff are working on replacing the light bulbs to make them brighter, which should be done about a week from now, about halfway into the current homestand. "The Merchants should only have to play one or two more games under the dim lighting if all goes well," said a Fernald Field official.