Which Fall TV Shows Are You Enjoying Most?

The new fall television season is well underway; which new shows are you sticking with?

  Yes, I know, cable TV shows launch year-round. But network television still, mostly, stays with the annual fall tradition of launching a slew of new shows at once and calling it 'the new season.' Which ones have you tried?  I was surprised by how much I liked the first episode of Last Resort (ABC) — and how much I, a fan of the BBC series, Sherlock, disliked the new Holmesian series Elementary on CBS. Not to rush to judgment, but there's only so much space on my DVR hard drive. While we're at it, not a completely new show, but what about the TNT series Major Crimes, which has just recently been spun out of the late, beloved The Closer? Of the new shows you have you seen — which do you recommend? Tell us in the comments section below, …

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Who Won the Brown-Warren Debate?

Incumbent Scott Brown and challenger Elizabeth Warren squared off in their first debate Thursday night.

Republican Sen. Scott Brown faced off against Democratic challenger Elizabeth Warren Thursday night in a debate televised by WBZ-TV. The Thursday debate was the first of four planned tilts between the candidates, and it saw disagreement between the two on just about every topic. Polls have seesawed over the last week, with Brown and Warren swapping small leads, as they have throughout the campaign. The debates may provide one or the other an opportunity to change voter minds and swing the election his or her way. Central to Thursday's debate was the focus on taxes, jobs and the economy. "He has said he will defend the top 2 percent and the top 3 percent...and will hold the other 98% of families hostage," Warren said, referencing Brown's …

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Dadima Sheth

2:13 am on Saturday, September 29, 2012

I have a topic that I would like the next debate moderator to ask both Brown and Warren to comment on. I the following plan would have Congress lead by example in cutting waste in Congress in Federal Government. I would like to ask both Senator Scott and Professor Warren to call upon the House and Senate leadership to lead in the belt tightening necessary to set our Federal Budget on the path …   more ›

SOUND OFF: What's Your Best Driving Advice?

As teens get their licenses and permits, what's one thing you want them to know before they head out on the road?

When first learning to drive, my father stood me next to the car to tell me about the most dangerous part on the vehicle. He said, "it's the nut that holds the wheel." According to research from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 16-year-olds have the highest crash rate of any driving age group, and the crash rate per mile for 16-year-olds is nearly double that of 18- and 19-year olds. This suggests that even a couple of years' worth of experience is a significant factor. While teens will likely have to learn some things through practice, there are some pieces of wisdom experienced drivers can share. Below are some driving tips from Patch editors (as we spend a good chunk of time driving around town!). But we also want your …

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SOUND OFF: Pres. Obama and the Democratic Convention

What did you think of Obama's speech and the convention? Will you vote for him in November?

Pres. Barack Obama capped off the Democratic National Convention with a speech that highlighted his foreign policy wins, health care reform and immigration reform on Thursday. Over three nights, Democratic leaders took aim at Republican nominee, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, and his running mate, Congressman Paul Ryan. A number of Massachusetts Democrats spoke at the convention, including Gov. Deval Patrick, Congressional candidate Elizabeth Warren and Sen. John Kerry.  After last week's Republican National Conventon, we asked readers to tell us what they thought of the convention and Romney.  Now, we want to hear from you about the Democratic convention. What did you think of the president's speech? What did you think of the …

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Your Child Hungry? Waltham YMCA Can Help

Waltham YMCA is offering a free food program.

The following is an opinion piece by YMCA Greater Boston CEO Kevin Washington, submitted by the YMCA. Summer vacation for most kids means backyard barbeques, hot dogs and s’mores by a glowing camp fire. But for the 250,000 children who received free or reduced lunch during the school year, summer vacation can be a time of worry and hunger. For some low-income Boston families, providing three meals a day for their children can be a near impossibility, especially when the last school bell rings for the summer and children lose their access school lunches. In 2011, according to the Child Defense Fund, more than 200,000 Massachusetts children received food stamps. The same study also showed that the number of children in Massachusetts enrolled…

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LETTER: Devaney Writes About Her Re-Election Bid for Governor's Council

Watertown's Marilyn Petitto Devaney seeks an eighth term on the Governor's Council.

Dear Friends, I am Marilyn M. Petitto Devaney, and very honored to serve as your Governor’sCouncillor, (District 3). I respectfully ask for your continued support by your vote on Election Day Thursday, Sept. 6. Re: Personal Information: I have four children and three grandchildren. I was married to the late John “Jack” Devaney, a Watertown Firefighter, U.S. Marine, who supported me in everything I pursued. Working together, without personal financial resources. I began as a freshman in college with four children and a great, supportive husband (ABA - Middlesex Community College, BS - Suffolk University, Masters - Boston State College.) I served as youngest Watertown Town Meeting member and when changed to a City; elected as Watertown’s …

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Bites Nearby

Bites Nearby: Halfway Cafe

This neighborhood cafe on Main Street in Watertown has a diverse menu at attractive prices.

It doesn't look like much from the street, but the Halfway Cafe, 394 Main St. in Watertown, is quiet and pleasant, and has a surprisingly diverse menu. There's something for everyone: fish plates, vegetarian offerings, chicken and pasta, steamers and fried clams, many different kinds of sandwiches, salads and gourmet desserts for $4.99. It's one of six Halfway Cafe's in the greater Boston area. Suggested dish: We chose the black bean burger ($8.99), which wasn't actually a burger, but a more substantial whole-wheat wrap filled with beans, hummus, arugula, a yogurt-jalapeno spread and more. It was hearty and tasty: creamy, complex and delicately seasoned. A vegetarian delight. Almost stealing the show though was the side dish we chose. One …

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LETTER: Health Care Decision Not An Entitlement

One Waltham resident says health insurance should not be a luxury only for wealthy people.

The follow is a letter to the editor from Waltham residen Jacob Weiner:  Last week, the Supreme Court voted 5-4 to uphold the individual mandate of the Affordable Care Act.  Scott Brown lamented the decision as a “massive new federal entitlement” while his challenger, Elizabeth Warren, praised the court, commenting that it enables “every American [to] get access to high quality, affordable health care and fair treatment from insurance companies.”  As the child of two individuals whose “pre-existing” health conditions would have given insurance companies an excuse not to offer them care, I applaud Ms. Warren’s support of the bill, and the help it will undoubtedly bring to Massachusetts residents.  Senator Brown’s referral to the law as an “…

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LETTER: Barrett Supports Health Care Law

State senate candidate Mike Barrett has some suggestions for the Affordable Care Act.

The following a letter to the editor from Mike Barrett, Democratic candidate for the 3rd Middlesex State Senate seat.  As a Democratic candidate for State Senate and a health care technologist in my professional life, I’m elated by the Supreme Court’s vindication of national health insurance.  The decision pretty much ends the debate on health insurance for all (we’re going to have it).  So now it’s on the next big question -- how do we control the associated costs? Guiding idea #1: Bring back the Kaiser model.  Whatever you call it -- staff-model ACO (accountable care organization) or staff-model HMO (health maintenance organization) – let’s re-establish the concept of doctors cooperating in integrated networks, coordinating care between …

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Supreme Court Upholds Health Care Law [POLL]

Justices voted 5-4 in favor of keeping the law.

The United States Supreme Court has upheld the national health care law passed two years ago, according to NBC News. The court voted 5-4 in its ruling. Follow HuffingtonPost's live blog for continuing updates. For photos of protestors and supporters' at the court reacting to the ruling, click on the photo box to the right.  What are your thoughts on the ruling? Tell us in the comments section below, and take our poll. [Editor's note: This poll appears on several Patch sites in the Boston area.]

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