A hit of kindness
Cash mobs target businesses to help out in difficult times
By Kathleen Pierce
Globe Correspondent / March 31, 2012
MALDEN - It was a mob hit in a cannoli shop. But cash not crooks descended on The Cannoli Guy Café here Friday at the city’s first “cash mob.’’
The café opened at 7 a.m., and by midafternoon, owner Clark Heighton could not turn out the treats fast enough. “A fantastic, fantastic day,’’ said Heighton, who rang in as many sales - 400 cannoli - in eight hours as he does in an entire week. “I’m trying to figure out a way to thank the city.’’
Customers found out about the event, organized by the city of Malden, days earlier on Facebook and Twitter, and they came out to support the six-month-old cafe. That’s the spirit of the so-called cash mob that combines the buy-local movement with the power of a flash mob: getting strangers together on short notice to make a statement. In this case, the goal is to infuse small businesses at a prescribed time with cash, credit, and community.
There have been several cash mobs in the region from Boston to Newburyport. And while it’s hard to know how many have been held globally, more than 200 organizers have surfaced since last fall, according to Andrew Samtoy, a Cleveland lawyer who popularized the concept.
A thrift store in Cambridge in February was the site of one of the region’s first cash mobs. They have been met with varying degrees of success - some involving one store, others a row of merchants - but momentum is starting to build with more being planned in Lowell and Malden.
“We are always thinking about new ways to invigorate the city. This is the most feasible and we can pull it off with limited resources,’’ said Ron Cochran, director of online services and communication technology for the City of Malden.
A cash mob works like this: City officials, civic groups, or individuals use social media, blogs, and e-mail to spread the word about the event. As @Lowellcashmob tweeted this week, “Infusing revenue into Lowell businesses, you never know where the cash mob will strike!’’
Merchants do not run them, but are selected for a “hit.’’ Participants are encouraged to spend $10 to $20. There often aren’t any discounts or incentives - it’s less about nabbing a Black Friday bargain and more about sharing the wealth.
Malden resident Cheryl Cadigan heard about her town’s cash mob on Facebook and stopped by The Cannoli Guy Café on her way to work Friday. “I had never heard about this place,’’ she said. Even though Cadigan doesn’t eat cannoli, she dropped $30 on a dozen. “The economy is not good. I want to do my part.’’
Last weekend, stores in Brookline along a stretch of Beacon Street hampered by construction were selected for the city’s first cash mob. Around 30 to 50 customers visited a bakery, tavern, and hardware store, among other spots, for a few hours. To capitalize on increased foot traffic, Aaron Mehta, owner of The Wine Press, held a tasting and said sales increased 10 to 15 percent compared with a normal Saturday. Continued...
“Our goal was to have a single person show up,’’ said Samtoy. “We couldn’t have predicted it would get this far.’’
Saturday, March 31, 2012
Friday, March 30, 2012
COASTAL ANGLERS: NEW N.H. MARINE RULE CHANGES IN EFFECT FOR 2012
DURHAM, N.H. -- Coastal anglers should be aware of several new rule changes for 2012 that are now in effect regarding the taking of different species in some New Hampshire coastal rivers and other coastal/estuarine waters. These changes, recently implemented by the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, include the following:
* Recent declines in the spawning runs of river herring in the Oyster River have prompted Fish and Game to close this river to the taking of river herring by any method from the head-of-tide dam at Mill Pond in Durham to the mouth of the river at Wagon hill Farm and Durham Point. A map that corresponds to the extent of this closed area can be found on page 24 of the 2012 NH Saltwater Fishing Digest in the shellfish section. The coordinates for the Oyster River shellfish closure and the river herring closure are identical and are identified in red.
* The Gulf of Maine Cod Spawning Protection Area is located south of the Isle of Shoals and was implemented in 2011 to protect large aggregations of spawning cod during the spring. The area is closed to the use of recreational and commercial gear capable of catching cod between April 1 and June 30. A map of the Cod Spawning Protection Area can be found on page 9 of the 2012 NH Saltwater Fishing Digest put out by Fish and Game and on the web at http://www.fishnh.com/pubs/fishing.html. New rules allow fishing within the state waters portion of the Gulf of Maine Cod Spawning Protection Area with hook and line and an artificial weight or single lure weighing one ounce or less. The rule provides anglers with the opportunity to fish for pelagic species such as mackerel while still prohibiting the use of gear that could catch spawning cod. Any vessels transiting through this area must have all hooks and bait removed from fishing rods, commercial vessels must have all gear
stowed, and any groundfish on board the vessel that were caught outside this area must be gutted.
* The taking of sea-run salmon is now prohibited in coastal/estuarine waters. Any salmon caught must be released immediately.
* The area 50 feet above and 200 feet below the fish ladder at the Wiswall Dam on the Lamprey River in Durham, N.H., is closed to all fishing between April 1 and July 31. The lower closure equates to roughly the end of the granite wall on river left, and a USGS pin on river right. Signs will be posted.
Please note that because these rules went into effect after the 2012 NH Saltwater Fishing Digest went to print, they are not included in the publication. The Digest is a good resource for information on other marine fishing rules. Download it at http://www.fishnh.com/pubs/fishing.html or pick up a copy at any Fish and Game Department office or licensing agent.
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the guardian of the state's marine, fish and wildlife resources and their habitats. The Department's Marine Fisheries Division is located in Durham, N.H. Visit http://www.wildnh.com/marine.
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* Recent declines in the spawning runs of river herring in the Oyster River have prompted Fish and Game to close this river to the taking of river herring by any method from the head-of-tide dam at Mill Pond in Durham to the mouth of the river at Wagon hill Farm and Durham Point. A map that corresponds to the extent of this closed area can be found on page 24 of the 2012 NH Saltwater Fishing Digest in the shellfish section. The coordinates for the Oyster River shellfish closure and the river herring closure are identical and are identified in red.
* The Gulf of Maine Cod Spawning Protection Area is located south of the Isle of Shoals and was implemented in 2011 to protect large aggregations of spawning cod during the spring. The area is closed to the use of recreational and commercial gear capable of catching cod between April 1 and June 30. A map of the Cod Spawning Protection Area can be found on page 9 of the 2012 NH Saltwater Fishing Digest put out by Fish and Game and on the web at http://www.fishnh.com/pubs/fishing.html. New rules allow fishing within the state waters portion of the Gulf of Maine Cod Spawning Protection Area with hook and line and an artificial weight or single lure weighing one ounce or less. The rule provides anglers with the opportunity to fish for pelagic species such as mackerel while still prohibiting the use of gear that could catch spawning cod. Any vessels transiting through this area must have all hooks and bait removed from fishing rods, commercial vessels must have all gear
stowed, and any groundfish on board the vessel that were caught outside this area must be gutted.
* The taking of sea-run salmon is now prohibited in coastal/estuarine waters. Any salmon caught must be released immediately.
* The area 50 feet above and 200 feet below the fish ladder at the Wiswall Dam on the Lamprey River in Durham, N.H., is closed to all fishing between April 1 and July 31. The lower closure equates to roughly the end of the granite wall on river left, and a USGS pin on river right. Signs will be posted.
Please note that because these rules went into effect after the 2012 NH Saltwater Fishing Digest went to print, they are not included in the publication. The Digest is a good resource for information on other marine fishing rules. Download it at http://www.fishnh.com/pubs/fishing.html or pick up a copy at any Fish and Game Department office or licensing agent.
The New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is the guardian of the state's marine, fish and wildlife resources and their habitats. The Department's Marine Fisheries Division is located in Durham, N.H. Visit http://www.wildnh.com/marine.
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Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Hiker Responsibility Code
You are responsible for yourself, so be prepared:
1. With knowledge and gear. Become self reliant by learning about the terrain, conditions, local weather and your equipment before you start.
2. To leave your plans. Tell someone where you are going, the trails you are hiking, when you will return and your emergency plans.
3. To stay together. When you start as a group, hike as a group, end as a group. Pace your hike to the slowest person.
4. To turn back. Weather changes quickly in the mountains. Fatigue and unexpected conditions can also affect your hike. Know your limitations and when to postpone your hike. The mountains will be there another day.
5. For emergencies. Even if you are headed out for just an hour, an injury, severe weather or a wrong turn could become life threatening. Don’t assume you will be rescued; know how to rescue yourself.
6. To share the hiker code with others.
hikeSafe: It’s Your Responsibility.
The Hiker Responsibility Code was developed and is endorsed by the White Mountain National Forest and New Hampshire Fish and Game.
Have fun and have a great hiking season!
Dave
1. With knowledge and gear. Become self reliant by learning about the terrain, conditions, local weather and your equipment before you start.
2. To leave your plans. Tell someone where you are going, the trails you are hiking, when you will return and your emergency plans.
3. To stay together. When you start as a group, hike as a group, end as a group. Pace your hike to the slowest person.
4. To turn back. Weather changes quickly in the mountains. Fatigue and unexpected conditions can also affect your hike. Know your limitations and when to postpone your hike. The mountains will be there another day.
5. For emergencies. Even if you are headed out for just an hour, an injury, severe weather or a wrong turn could become life threatening. Don’t assume you will be rescued; know how to rescue yourself.
6. To share the hiker code with others.
hikeSafe: It’s Your Responsibility.
The Hiker Responsibility Code was developed and is endorsed by the White Mountain National Forest and New Hampshire Fish and Game.
Have fun and have a great hiking season!
Dave
House Kills Casino Bill - Politics News Story - WMUR New Hampshire
House Kills Casino Bill - Politics News Story - WMUR New Hampshire
CONCORD, N.H. -- New Hampshire's House has voted against legalizing four gambling casinos licensed to install up to 14,000 video slot machines and 420 table games.
The House rejected expanded gambling legislation and Wednesday's key vote of 154-195 to reject proponents' best amendment was no different. The House killed it 236-108. The bill faced long odds since Gov. John Lynch pledged to veto it if it had reached his desk.
The bill directed that some of the profits be used to reduce business taxes, which had made it more attractive to some in the House. They also argued New Hampshire had to act now because Massachusetts had legalized casinos and that would draw away revenue from the state.
But opponents argued a future Legislature could divert the profits to something else.
Read more: http://ow.ly/9Wppi
CONCORD, N.H. -- New Hampshire's House has voted against legalizing four gambling casinos licensed to install up to 14,000 video slot machines and 420 table games.
The House rejected expanded gambling legislation and Wednesday's key vote of 154-195 to reject proponents' best amendment was no different. The House killed it 236-108. The bill faced long odds since Gov. John Lynch pledged to veto it if it had reached his desk.
The bill directed that some of the profits be used to reduce business taxes, which had made it more attractive to some in the House. They also argued New Hampshire had to act now because Massachusetts had legalized casinos and that would draw away revenue from the state.
But opponents argued a future Legislature could divert the profits to something else.
Read more: http://ow.ly/9Wppi
MBTA Details Fare Hikes, Service Cuts - Project Economy News Story - WCVB Boston
Who is taking who for a ride? 23% increase in Fares....... WHAT!
MBTA Details Fare Hikes, Service Cuts - Project Economy News Story - WCVB Boston
MBTA Details Fare Hikes, Service Cuts - Project Economy News Story - WCVB Boston
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