The Salem News Online Plus Edition          Tuesday, August 17, 2004
Cable company can`t explain how porn showed up on CN8 By Sean Corcoran Staff writer SALEM -- Donald McFadden wasn`t quite sure what time the Red Sox were playing Saturday afternoon or even what channel they were on. But when his channel surfing hit upon some hard-core pornography on the Comcast Channel CN8, he knew he wasn`t watching Pedro pitching. "It was a total surprise," McFadden said. "I went by it and then my mind registered what I saw, and then I went back. "It was something I never saw before," he said. "I am just amused, and I want to find out what happened. I was not irate." When McFadden called Comcast to ask what happened, they told him that about six minutes of pornography showed up on CN8 that afternoon, and they had received several complaints. They would not tell him how the incident occurred. Yesterday, Comcast released a statement that did little to clear things up. "We apologize for this unfortunate situation," wrote spokeswoman Jennifer Khoury. "Within minutes we were able to rectify the matter and return to our scheduled broadcast. We take this very seriously." Comcast spokesman Marc Goodman could not elaborate on the statement. He said he did not know how many customers received the free pornography, where exactly they were located or how the incident came about. "We are still investigating," he said. A listing on the Comcast Channel`s Web site said paid programming was scheduled to be on CN8 at that time Saturday. Typically the channel hosts cooking, news and sports shows. McFadden said he lives alone and did not have any small children around to accidentally see the pornography, which came on sometime between 1 and 2 p.m. But City Councilor Kevin Harvey said he does have a daughter, and he would have been mortified if she had seen the filth. "This should never, ever have occurred," Harvey said. "Obviously I am going to invite Comcast to come into the City Council and explain to the citizens of Salem what happened on a beautiful Saturday afternoon." Harvey would like to have something written into the city`s contract with Comcast that says the city can seek another cable vendor if pornography makes it on the air again. But City Solicitor James Gilbert said the city just signed a new 10-year contract with Comcast last month and such a stipulation probably would not be legal. "But that doesn`t mean the City Council can`t ask representatives of Comcast to come in and discuss what happened," Gilbert said. For the record, the Red Sox didn`t play until 7 p.m. Saturday night, when they beat the White Sox 4 to 3. Staff writer Sean Corcoran can be reached at (978) 338-2527 or by e-mail at scorcoran@ecnnews.com. Pedro's bronze 'good as gold' By Bill Burt Staff Writer It may have been a bronze medal placed around his neck last night, but in the end it was no consolation prize for Jimmy Pedro. While the goal since his first Olympics as a 21-year-old in Barcelona in 1992 has been to win the United States` first-ever gold medal in judo, Pedro walked off the mat before 15,000 cheering fans yesterday feeling as if he had done just that. And for good reason. His third-place performance, which saw him defeat six judo competitors over seven hours, two of whom were reigning medalists from the 2003 World Judo Championship, put him all alone among America`s all-time best judo athletes. The St. John`s Prep graduate became the only American judo competitor to win two Olympic medals. "To go through what I went through today ... this is as good as gold," said the 33-year-old Pedro, tapping the medal hanging around his neck. "I was in the toughest bracket. I knew I might have to face all three medalists from last year`s world championships. I knew I might have to face two guys that had beaten me before. ... Honestly, I have nothing left. I left every ounce of energy and will on the mat." But while on the job for Monster.com in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he counseled elite Olympic athletes on the transition to the working world, he caught a glimpse of a speedskating event and later the medal ceremony. "I was sitting in the stadium that night when I saw (speedskater) Derek Parra win a gold medal and go up on the stand," Pedro said. "I immediately called my wife on the phone and told her I needed to go to the Olympics again. Thankfully, she said `OK.`" At 31, the comeback was on. It meant more international trips away from the family. It meant four to six hours a day of training. It meant putting off a "normal" life for another two years. "The thing is, those two years off were probably the best thing that ever happened to me in judo," Pedro said. "I appreciated what it took prepare and train and the commitment. Training for Athens turned out to be an enjoyable experience. Really, I loved every minute of it." It showed. Pedro went on to enter 15 national and international tournaments over that span. He won gold medals in 11 of them and silver medals the other four times. Yes, Jimmy Pedro was back. A tough draw When the judo competition at the Olympic Games in Athens rolled around, Pedro knew what he was in for. At least six of the 33 competitors in his weight class were gold medal candidates. "When the draw came out, I just shrugged my shoulders," Pedro said. "They talk about the luck of the draw, well, I got the bad luck of the draw. I was one of four guys that had to fight just to get to the main draw. And then if I won two fights, I`d be facing the defending world champion (Won Hee Lee) from Korea early in the round of 16." As predicted, Pedro won his first two bouts convincingly, by Ippon, judo`s version of a pin in wrestling, setting the stage for his fight with Lee. In two years, Lee had lost one bout. And that was to Pedro. Within 20 seconds, Lee scored on Pedro by taking him down. Pedro finally scored on Lee after a throw, but it wasn`t enough. While attempting to force a move on Lee with 44 seconds remaining, Lee got underneath Pedro and threw him on his back for Ippon, ending the bout. "He was too quick and too good," Pedro said. "It was close the entire way, but he was ahead the entire time. I knew I had to take a chance and he caught me. He deserved the win." Pedro earned his stripes the rest of the day. With hopes of a gold medal obliterated, a bronze medal and repechage (consolation round) was his only chance at a medal. The problem is, he had to win four straight bouts, two of them against judo stars Anatoly Laryukov of Bulgaria and Gennadiy Bilodid of Ukraine, who had beaten Pedro before. The fight with Laryukov was a classic, just like they had four years earlier with the bronze medal at stake in Sydney. Pedro twice came from behind, scoring points in the final seconds to tie the score and force sudden death overtime. Pedro won a penalty point as he held the Bulgarian down for five seconds without making a move in the "danger zone." The Bilodid fight was when Pedro drew on his experience, homework and work ethic. "(Bilodid) beat me in the finals of the Hungarian Open (last) March. He was a tough matchup because of his strength and awkward style. He just gave me all kinds of problems," Pedro said. "My father had film on him and we worked on ways to beat him. My brother Mike sort of imitated him while working out. It was a big help. He got tired. My conditioning was better." `A perfect ending` Pedro`s repechage semifinal was probably one of his easier matches of the day, wearing down the Portuguese national champ and bronze medalist at the 2003 World Championships before pinning him with about 1:30 remaining. This set up the final match against Daniel Fernandes of France, the reigning silver medalist at the 2003 World Championships. While Fernandes got an early lead, Pedro tied it with a throw midway through the fight. Penalty points for inactivity on Fernandes got Pedro a lead he wouldn`t relinquish. Pedro caught the Frenchman being overly aggressive for points and he rolled him on his back and pinned him. He stood up, looked for his father, Jim Pedro Sr., in the stands, and raised his arms. "I can`t explain that moment when I realized I had won," Pedro said. "When I won in Atlanta, that was special. That was my first medal. I was in the prime of my career at age 25. But this was sweeter. There was so much at stake. I had to beat some of the best judo players in the world, all in a row, and I did it. I`m still shocked." One of the first acts he performed after his incredible day was go to the locker room to get his cell phone and call his wife, who was awaiting his call at home in Methuen. "I told her, `Marie, I did it! I did it!` She had already heard from someone else, but she started crying anyway and said how proud she was," Pedro said. "Then I thanked her for letting me do this and how lucky I was to always have the family supporting me. My time to be there for them is now here. I owe it to them." Pedro also realized, too, after the glory of winning had settled down, that his competitive career in judo was over. "The irony was when I first started in judo at age 5, I hated the competitions," Pedro said. "I loved training and working out. It was a ball. But the bouts, especially the tournaments, were too much pressure. I had more fun playing baseball and football. But this really was my sport. Judo was perfect for me. Now it`s time I dedicate myself to family and I get involved in my kids` sports, just like my dad did with me. "I have no complaints about a bronze medal, none at all," he said. "When I look at my career and to finish this way, probably the most grueling day of my career, at my age. ... This is a perfect ending." HEAD: It may have been a bronze medal placed around his neck last night, but in the end it was no consolation prize for Jimmy Pedro. SLUG:spedro--> By Staff writer A1 Teen dies from injuries in Vinnin Square crash By Jill Harmacinski Staff writer MARBLEHEAD -- A 15-year-old honor roll student who was about to start her junior year at Marblehead High School has died of injuries suffered when she was hit by a car in Vinnin Square late Saturday night. Holly Pierce, of 35 Bennett Road, Marblehead, was pronounced dead at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston at midnight Sunday. "She was a very nice girl, very warm and mature. She was always helping out," said Bill Smalley, a member of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Marblehead, where the Pierce family are members. "It`s such a great loss to her family and the community." Cassidy wasn`t sure if Pierce or her friend, Camila Paiva, 16, had pushed the pedestrian button before crossing. "We are still investigating," he said. The accident occurred at 10 p.m. Saturday, as Pierce and Paiva walked across Paradise Road, which runs through Vinnin Square. As the girls crossed the street, they were struck by a black Chrysler Sebring convertible driven by Marino. When rescuers arrived, Marino had pulled to the side of the road and was "hysterical," police said. Paiva was upgraded to good condition yesterday at Brigham & Women`s Hospital in Boston. The crash remains under investigation by local and state police. Several witnesses to the accident were interviewed by police yesterday. Police do not believe alcohol, drugs or speed contributed to the tragedy, Cassidy said. `You`re always in my heart` Within hours of the crash, friends had erected a makeshift memorial on a telephone pole in Vinnin Square near the accident scene. More than a dozen bouquets of flowers were left at the pole. "You`re always in my heart," Lizzie Walker wrote on a poster stapled to the pole. "We just want her to know we love her and we want to remember her," said Parker Khouri, who dated Holly for four months. Pierce, who would have turned 16 on Sept. 25, played the violin, enjoyed surfing and read 50 books in the past six months, friends said yesterday. Upbeat and outspoken, the honor student cherished her many friends, rewarding them with handmade bracelets and brownies on their birthdays. "She was a great celebrator," said family friend Anthony Silva, who has known the Pierce family for 20 years. While devastated by her death, Holly`s family decided to donate her organs and tissue "to extend her gift to the world," her mother, Kacy Pierce, said in a prepared statement yesterday. "That`s what she would have wanted because she was such a giving kid," her mother said. Holly`s dad, Stephen Pierce, is an eighth-grade art teacher at Marblehead Middle School. Her mother is an art administrator formerly employed in Lynn. Holly is also survived by an older brother, Noah, 18, Silva said. Silva said he had known Holly since she was a baby, when her parents would bring her to the me and thee coffeehouse at the Unitarian Universalist Church. Over the years, Holly grew into a giving and creative girl who enjoyed music and acting, he said. She was a member of Rebel Shakespeare Company and the Marblehead Little Theatre. She had lead roles in Marblehead High productions of "Grease" and "Little Shop of Horrors." At the church, she was an active youth group member and usher at Christmastime, friends said. Holly spent last semester attending high school in Berkeley, Calif., Silva said. She learned to surf during her time on the West Coast and also enrolled in jazz violin lessons. "She just got back from California last month, and she was just hanging with her friends," Silva said. A memorial service will be held at the Unitarian Church on Saturday at 2 p.m. Grief counseling will be available at the church throughout the week. Staff writer Jill Harmacinski can be reached at (978) 338-2652 or by e-mail at jharmacinski@ecnnews.com. Middleton eyed for regional lock-up By O`Ryan Johnson Staff writer Middleton doesn`t know how they will handle another jail, and Lawrence is wondering what they`ll do if they don`t get a new one. Officials in both towns spoke out against a study released yesterday by the Division of Capital Asset Management that says if a regional lockup is built for Essex County, then Middleton is where it should go. While Essex County Sheriff Frank G. Cousins Jr. had advocated for the Lawrence location, spokesman Paul Fleming said he will not attempt to fight DCAM`s decision. "We`re not in a position now to have a preference," Fleming said. "He respects the process, he has to respect the process. There are no alternatives here. It`s not up to us to decide where it would go." If a countywide lockup is built then Middleton makes sense to town Police Chief Paul Armitage, but local politicians said the town does not want more prisoners. "The last thing we want is to increase the size of the jail," said Middleton Board of Selectman Chairman Timothy Houten. State Rep. Bradford Hill, R-Ipswich, whose district includes Middleton, pointed to a number of reasons why the town should not play host to more prisoners. He said Middleton has a development moving in next to the jail, water shortages and a merger of Essex Agricultural and a vocational high school along Route 114 that will bring more traffic to an already busy road. "For years, everyone has been looking at this as being located in Lawrence," he said. "That`s what the sheriff was pushing; the city was there with open arms. It seemed to be a perfect fit. This is the first I heard that Middleton was being considered. At this point, just knowing what I know, it looks like this could be a detriment to the town." The Legislature approved an $11 million bond for a regional lockup in 1996. In 2002, lawmakers amended the bond to include $11 million in mitigation money for the host community, with the understanding that Lawrence would host it and use the extra cash to replace its 38-year-old station. "This is a serious blow to us," Lawrence Police Chief John Romero said. "We need a new police station. It looked like there was a light at the end of the tunnel for us in getting that through. Now, I don`t know." A regional lockup has been discussed since the 1980s as a place where police from across the county could drop off prisoners in order to get more quickly back to work. The building would relieve city and town police departments of the responsibility of feeding and caring for prisoners` medical needs, which is traditionally the role of the sheriff. "The city is ready to stand up and host this facility," state Rep. David Torrisi, D-North Andover, said. "Where is the support in Middleton?" Before the first brick is laid, the project would need the sign off of either the Secretary of Administration and Finance or Gov. Mitt Romney. Both men also have the power to ignore the study and move the lockup to Lawrence. Flanagan said the proposed lockup might be housed entirely on the Middleton Jail property or on land nearby. "There has been no decision to go forward and actually build this thing," he said. "There is no decision to move in to design and construction." Oh, deer! Woman recovering after buck doesn`t stop here By Sean Corcoran Staff writer SALEM -- The victim of what could be the most bizarre hit-and-run accident the city has ever seen was released from Salem Hospital yesterday after three days of treatment. The suspect, a full-grown deer, is still on the run. Downtown Salem was still buzzing yesterday about the Friday afternoon incident, when a deer knocked down a tourist at the intersection of Washington and Lynde streets, near the courthouse. The impact of the collision left Katherine Osterhoudt, 59, of Claverack, N.Y., lying on the sidewalk with her head bleeding, witnesses said. She was taken to Salem Hospital. "It was ridiculous," said Amanda Velez, a worker at an ice cream shop on Lynde Street. At first, Velez literally could not believe her eyes. The deer ran by the storefront window toward North Street just seconds after it hit Osterhoudt. Velez knew she wasn`t crazy when a family ran into the store and told her to call 911 because a woman had been struck. Osterhoudt, who apparently was visiting Salem from her home in New York, could not be reached for comment yesterday. Danvers resident Joanne Medeiros said she had her own run-in with the deer just before the accident. Medeiros was dropping off a package at the FedEx box next to One Salem Green when she heard the clomping of hooves. She initially thought it was a horse-drawn carriage coming down Church Street, but when she turned around, there was a deer. "The deer came flying across the old Almy`s parking lot -- and I mean flying," she said. "It was obviously frightened." Medeiros is used to seeing deer nibbling at her husband`s garden in her Danvers yard, and when she first saw this one she thought, "Oh, my God. Did one follow me here?" The deer came right at Medeiros. It began to rear its legs, she said, and she thought it was going to try to push her out of the way. But then it lost its footing on the brick and turned toward Washington Street. There, it crossed the busy road and ran into Claverack. "I turned around the corner and then I saw the woman on the ground," she said. "She was as white as a sheet. I said, `That could have been me.`" Donald Famico, the city`s animal control officer, said two deer may have been roaming the city late Friday and throughout the weekend -- one with antlers and one without. Medeiros is positive the deer she saw on Friday afternoon had no antlers. But Famico spent at least an hour that night chasing the antlered variety through Federal, Essex and Chestnut streets. ON The deer jumped a 6-foot fence to get away. Famico thinks he may have been headed back toward North Salem and perhaps to the woods around Kernwood Country Club. Staff writer Sean Corcoran can be reached at (978) 338-2527 or by e-mail at scorcoran@ecnnews.com. Hurricane`s impact felt on North Shore By Tom Dalton Staff writer The impact of Hurricane Charley in Florida has been felt all the way to the North Shore, where residents have been anxiously awaiting word from family and friends who live in the path of the killer storm. Irene Jefferis of Marblehead knew her 55-year-old son was being evacuated from his island home on the west coast of Florida but didn`t know his fate until he called Sunday night. "His house was standing, but the windows and doors were blown out," she said yesterday. "But he`s safe. He reassured me he is safe." Richard Jefferis lives on Matlacha, a small island next to Pine Island, off the coast of Fort Myers. A restaurant where he works on Matlacha was badly damaged, she said. "He didn`t have time to talk," she said. "He said, `I have to hang up. I want you to know I`m safe.`" Anna Irvine of Swampscott has a home on Captiva Island, which was right in the eye of Hurricane Charley and its 145 mph winds. The storm left 17 dead and did an estimated $11 billion in damage, according to news reports. The hurricane hit North Captiva Island so hard, it created a new channel splitting the island in two, according to the Miami Herald. North Captiva had been separated from Captiva Island by a similar storm more than 80 years ago -- the Great Hurricane of 1921. "We were extremely lucky," Irvine said. "There was some major damage to many of the homes, but we just have shingles torn off the roof." Irvine tried calling friends on the island, but couldn`t get through. "Everyone we knew was not answering," she said. She got word about her house from friends who went over by boat. Dorothy Taylor, the assistant transportation coordinator for the Peabody Council on Aging, was worried about her son, Richard, who lives in Fort Myers. Although trees were knocked down in his neighborhood, she said his house did not suffer major damage. But Taylor is a home builder, and his business was hit hard, his mother said. "They lost a couple of houses they were building," she said. There was concern in Marblehead about the Rev. Randall Niehoff, a popular former minister at the Old North Church who is now pastor of a church on Sanibel Island, also off the west coast of Florida. "I`ve been in touch with his son, who assures us that both (Niehoff and his wife) are fine," said Marilyn Freeman, the former church secretary. "They were able to get off the island. They have not been allowed to go back on, so they don`t know what damage has been done to their home." A former Salem resident, Mark Goggin, is helping to coordinate the relief effort. "I`ve been working since last Wednesday about 18 to 20 hours a day," said Goggin, an administrator with the American Red Cross in Florida. "I`m getting used to the floor in my office." Goggin, who works out of Palm Beach, has been lining up trained Red Cross volunteers to help in the relief effort. "Right now, I have about 100 of them already assigned over to the west coast of Florida." The Red Cross has volunteers across the country and is expected to call for more help in a few days. "This is going to be going on for a long time, so I`m sure we`re going to be getting people from the Boston area to help out," said Goggin, the son of former Salem Deputy Fire Chief David Goggin. Goggin said he will head over to help as soon as he is certain the coast is clear -- a new storm, tropical storm Earl, has been moving through the Caribbean the past few days. "I need to verify where Earl is before I leave," Goggin said. Staff writer Tom Dalton can be reached at (978) 338-2523 or by e-mail at tdalton @ecnnews.com. OBITUARIES By Julio Chuy Staff writer Barbara Ann (Mitchell) Levasseur, 64 PEABODY -- Barbara Ann (Mitchell) Levasseur, 64, died Sunday, Aug. 15, 2004 at Salem Hospital. Born in Lynn, Sept. 26, 1939, she was the daughter of the late Harvey and Dorothy (Cook) Mitchell. She was raised in Everett and was a resident of Peabody for the past 13 years. She was retired but had enjoyed working as a nurse`s assistant in a nursing home. She was active in the Tabernacle Baptist Church in Peabody and sang in the choir. She is survived by two sons and a daughter-in-law, David and Anna Hathaway of Middleton and William Hathaway of Stoneham; two daughters, Shari Hathaway of New Jersey and Michelle Cappotto of Florida; two brothers, Barry Mitchell of Texas and Harvey Mitchell Jr. of Saugus; two sisters, Sharon Vincent of New Hampshire and Suzzanne Parker of Danvers; and seven grandchildren. She was the sister of the late David Mitchell. PHOTO 040816_SN_OBIT_ROCHE Eileen M. Roche, 79 LYNN -- Eileen M. Roche, 79, died Sunday, Aug. 15, 2004 in Union Hospital after a brief illness. She was the wife of the late Wesley J. Roche. Born in Lynn, she was the daughter of William and Marguerite (Healey) Dillon. She graduated from Lynn English High School in 1943 and was a lifelong resident of Lynn. She was employed at Eastern Bank on Union Street for several years. She was a member of the Lynn Police Women`s Auxiliary and the Franco-American AMVETS Ladies Auxiliary. She is survived by three daughters, Linda Roche of Lynn, Colleen Cox of Newburyport and Kerry Roche-Lentine of Bedford; a sister, Jean Callahan of Lynn; and three grandchildren, Joseph and Elizabeth Cox and Frank Lentine Jr.; and several nieces and nephews. She was the sister of the late William Dillon Jr., Francis Dillon, Kathleen Frost, Eleanor Dillon and Patricia Driscoll. PHOTO 040816_SN_OBIT_ZDANOWICZ John S. Zdanowicz, 88 BEVERLY -- John S. Zdanowicz, 88, husband of the late Esther (Scale) Zdanowicz, died Sunday, Aug. 15, 2004 at his home in Beverly. Born in Salem, he was the son of Stefan and Antonia (Marcziszek) Zdanowicz. Mr. Zdanowicz was an honorably discharged veteran who served his country during World War II as a member of the U.S. Navy. Mr. Zdanowicz was a lobsterman for more than 75 years. He owned and operated his own lobster business and was captain of the Lady Esther. He enjoyed to traveling to exotic places as well as most of the United States. He is survived by two daughters, Jude Pytlak and her husband, Paul, of Saugus and Patricia Porter and her husband, Glenn, of Beverly; a brother and three sisters, Frank and Victoria Zdanowicz, both of Salem, and Henrietta Batchelder and Jane Melody, both of Peabody. He was predeceased by two brothers, Joseph and Edmund Zdanowicz and a sister, Helen Duda. Carmen A. Navaroli Sr., 80 PEABODY -- Carmen A. Navaroli Sr., 80, died Sunday, Aug. 15, 2004 in the North Shore Medical Center, Salem Hospital, after a lengthy illness. He was the husband of the late Lois Ann (Sargent) Navaroli. Born and raised in Revere, he was the son of Carmen and Anna (Schenna) Navaroli. He was a resident of Peabody for the past 10 years. Mr. Navaroli served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He worked as an installer for an aluminum products company until his retirement. He is survived by five sons, Carmen Navaroli Jr. of Florida, Victor Navaroli and his wife, Barbara, of California, Daniel Navaroli and his wife, Gina, of Peabody, Ronald Navaroli of California and James Navaroli of Peabody; a sister, Theresa Mashak of Connecticut; a grandson, Daniel Navaroli Jr. of Lynn; a granddaughter, Allisa Navaroli of Lynn; and several nieces and nephews. Wilfred Roland Gaudet, 82 LAKE WORTH, Fla. -- Wilfred Roland "Will" Gaudet, 82, died Friday, Aug. 13, 2004 at his home. He was the son of John and Margaret (Perry) Gaudet. Born in Salem Mass., he lived in Peabody, Mass. and Topsfield, Mass. before retiring to Lake Worth 19 years ago. Mr. Gaudet served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and the Korean War. He worked at United Shoe Machinery Corp. in Beverly, Mass. for 32 years and owned and operated the Village Delicatessen in Topsfield. He was an active member of the American Legion and the Beverly Elks for many years. Having a passion for gardening, he was active in the American Hibiscus Society, serving as treasurer of the Conrad/Sunrise Chapter and as national publications chairman. He is survived by his children, Andrea Brown of Rowley, Mass., Linda King, Michelle Gaudet and Roland Gaudet of Palm Springs, and Rand Gaudet of Lake Worth; five grandchildren; a great-grandchild; a brother, Robert Gaudette of Peabody and Port Orange; and a sister, Marjorie Gray of Salem N.H. He was predeceased by his wife of 59 years, Rose Rita (Hitchcock), who died in June 2002. Alfred J. Schwarz, 79 BOXFORD -- Alfred J. Schwarz, 79, died Thursday, Aug. 12, 2004 at the Caritas St. Elizabeth`s Medical Center in Brighton. He was the husband of the late Edna (Billington) Schwarz. Born in New York City, he was the son of Emily and Otto Schwarz. He grew up in the Bronx, N.Y. and graduated from James Monroe High School. Mr. Schwarz entered the U.S. Navy in 1943 and served with the Seabees in the South Pacific. After his discharge from the Navy, Mr. Schwarz attended RCA`s Electronics School on the GI Bill. He was later employed by several electronics firms in Long Island, N.Y. and later worked at Grumman Aviation until his retirement. Mr. Schwarz was an avid sports lover. He was very musically inclined and was a self-taught guitarist. He is survived by his brothers, Jerome Schwarz of Putnam Valley, N.Y. and Robert Webel of Elmont, N.Y.; a sister-in-law, Margaret Laustsen of Boxford; and several nieces and nephews. PHOTO 040815_SN_OBIT_STORY John W. Story, 70 SOUTH HAMILTON -- John W. "Win" Story, 70, died Saturday, Aug. 14, 2004 in Massachusetts General Hospital following a brief illness. He was the husband of Dian (Rutherford) Story. Born in Haverhill, he was the son of the late Essex shipbuilder Jonathan and Marion (Hayes) Story. He was raised in Essex and was a 1951 graduate of Gloucester High School. He graduated from Trinity Pawling Prep School in New York in 1954. Mr. Story enlisted in the U.S. Army and served in Germany. Following his honorable discharge, he was employed for 30 years as a lineman by New England Telephone Co. The Storys enjoyed wintering in Vero Beach, Fla. and spent their summers in Asbury Grove. In his retirement, his seasonal joy was being a lobsterman, serving locally caught seafood to patrons at Woodman`s Restaurant in Essex. He was a member of the Tyrian Masonic Lodge, AF & AM in Gloucester and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and was captain of the Essex Veteran Firemen`s Association. He was predeceased by his first wife, Diane (Jackson) Story. Robert F. Cheney Jr. PENSACOLA, Fla. -- Robert F. Cheney Jr., died Aug. 7, 2004 at his home. He was the son of Betty Barnes of Pensacola and Robert Cheney of Beverly, Mass. He graduated from Beverly High School in 1973. He was employed for many years by Morton Thiokol in Danvers, Mass. He was a member of the Franco-American Club in Beverly. He is survived by his sons, Jeff Cheney of Tucson, Ariz. and Timothy Cheney of Danvers; his grandchildren, Ashley and Casey Cheney of Tucson and Anthony Cheney of Danvers; a brother, Michael Cheney of Beverly; a sister, Cheryl Howlett of Pensacola; and several nieces and nephews. He was the father of the late Scott Cheney. PHOTO 040816_SN_OBIT_HOOPER Ronald W. Hooper, 72 Danvers -- Ronald W. Hooper, 72, of Nichols Street, a retired carpenter and husband of the late Catherine (Thorpe) Hooper, died Monday, Aug. 16, 2004 at his home. Born and raised in Danvers, he was the son of the late Ross and Beatrice (Ambrose) Hooper. He was educated in the Danvers school system and graduated from Danvers High School. Mr. Hooper was employed for many years as a carpenter by S. Magnuson & Associates in Manchester-by-the-Sea until his retirement in 1997. A lifelong resident of Danvers, he enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid motorcycle enthusiast. PHOTO 040816_SN_OBIT_ESPINOLA Antonio J. Espinola, 88 PEABODY -- Antonio J. Espinola, 88, died Monday, Aug. 16, 2004 at Union Hospital in Lynn following a brief illness. He was the husband of the late Alzirina (Aguiar) Espinola. Born and raised in Graciosa, Azores, Portugal, he was the son of Jose and Candida (Dos Anjos Picanco) Espinola. He immigrated to the United States in 1979. Mr. Espinola lived in Peabody for many years before returning to Portugal for 10 years. After the death of his wife seven years ago, he moved back to Peabody. While living in Peabody, he worked at the former Blay Industries on the North Shore for six years until his retirement. He also enjoyed gardening. Katherine M. (Kopaczynska) McCarthy, 86 WENHAM -- Katherine M. (Kopaczynska) McCarthy, 86, wife of James McCarthy, died Monday, Aug. 16, 2004 at the Blueberry Hill Healthcare Center in Beverly following a lengthy illness. Born in Chelsea, she was the daughter of Anthony and Eleanor (Potorski) Kopaczynski. She was raised and educated in Chelsea. She lived in Wenham for the past 42 years. She was the owner of Kay`s Beauty Salon on Main Street, Peabody for more than 35 years. She retired in 1976. She enjoyed gardening, cooking and baking for her family. In addition to her husband, she is survived by a brother, Joseph Kopaczynski of Newburyport; a sister, Victoria Kopaczynska of Beverly; and several nieces and nephews. She was the sister of the late Andrew, Edmund, Benjamin and Stanley Kopaczynski. Holly Windrush Pierce, 15 MARBLEHEAD -- Holly Windrush Pierce, 15, died Sunday, Aug. 15, 2004 at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston from injuries suffered after being struck by an automobile Saturday, Aug. 14, 2004. Born in Danvers Sept., 25, 1988, she was the daughter of Steve and Kacy Pierce. She was a member of Marblehead High School`s chorus and orchestra. She was also involved with the Rebel Shakespeare Company for the past four years and appeared in Marblehead High School dramatic productions. Holly had just returned from a semester attending Berkeley High School in Berkeley, Calif. and was about to enter her junior year at Marblehead High School, where she was an honor student. Holly was a great celebrator and in addition to making friendship bracelets for family and friends, she enjoyed celebrations and making cakes and brownies to help friends and family commemorate important events. In addition to her parents, she is survived by her brother, Noah Pierce, of Marblehead; her grandmother, Kit Finkle of Huntington, N.Y.; her grandfather, Kip Pierce of Orleans; and several aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.. LOCAL DEATHS By Julio Chuy Staff writer BEVERLY Zdanowicz, John S., 88 BOXFORD Schwarz, Alfred J., 79 DANVERS Hooper, Ronald W., 72 HAMILTON Story, John W., 70 MARBLEHEAD Pierce, Holly Windrush, 15 PEABODY Espinola, Antonio J., 88 Levasseur, Barbara Ann (Mitchell), 64 Navaroli, Carmen A. Sr., 80 WENHAM McCarthy, Katherine M. (Kopaczynska), 86 OUT OF TOWN Cheney, Robert F. Jr., of Pensacola, Fla. Gaudet, Wilfred Roland, 82, Of Lake Worth, Fla. Roche, Eileen M., 79, of Lynn Late deaths Robert F. "Hutch" Hutchinson, 48, died Friday, Aug. 13, 2004 at the Westridge Healthcare Center in Malborough. Funeral arrangements will be announced by the Campbell Funeral Home, 525 Cabot St., Beverly. Felicia A. (Pszenny) Wadach, 88, died Sunday, Aug. 15, 2004. Funeral arrangements will be announced by the David H. Gonet Funeral Home, 22 Hawthorne Blvd., Salem. Births By Vaccaro Clow -- Born at Lowell General Hospital, May 3, a daughter, Isabella Margaret, to Carla and Robert Clow. Grandparents are Margaret and Giuseppe Vaccaro Jr. of Beverly. Great-grandparents are Mary and Giuseppe Vaccaro Sr. of Hamilton and Margaret Taddeo of Georgetown. Orfanos -- Born at Beverly Hospital, July 30, a son, Mars Rocket, to Greg and Judi Orfanos of Beverly. Grandparents are Joe Muscara of Whiting, N.J., Ester Muscara of Atlanta, Ga., John Orfanos of Bradenton, Fla., and Barbara Orfanos of Whiting, N.J. Great-grandparents are Pauline Moulton of Beverly and Pauline Murray of Las Vegas, Nev. Pasquarello -- Born at Beverly Hospital, July 30, a daughter, Hannah Charlotte, to Dan and Amy Pasquarello of Beverly. Hannah is welcomed home by her sisters, Cate and Abigail. Grandparents are Joseph and Beverly Pasquarello of Beverly and Robert and Lois Macdonald of Beverly. Cross Parisi -- Born at Beverly Hospital, Aug. 4, a daughter, Jordyn Mary, to Anthony Parisi and Kimberly Cross of Gloucester. Jordyn is welcomed home by her siblings; David, Ashley, and Katrina. Grandparents are Richard and Judith Cross of Beverly Farms and Thomas and Mary Parisi of Gloucester. Porter -- Born at Beverly Hospital, Aug. 4, a daughter, Mariah Michelle, to Todd Porter and Nicole LeBlanc of Beverly. Grandparents are Susan and James McGinnity, Thomas LeBlanc, and Teresa Porter, all of Beverly. Great-randparents are Shirley LeBlanc of Danvers, Charles and Gloria Porter, Rosaline Woods, and Louis and Joanne Woods, all of Beverly. Coles -- Born at Beverly Hospital, Aug. 5, a son, Jared Vincent Jr., to Jared Coles and Laurie Flynn of Beverly. Jared is welcomed home by his brothers, Sean and Ryan. Grandparents are Judy Kennedy of Beverly and Jack and Janice Coles of Danvers. Gonzalez -- Born at Salem Hospital, Aug. 5, a daughter, Giselle Marie, to Luis Gonzalez and Brandy Cruwys of Haverhill. Grandparents are Marie Brown of Beverly, Noemi Gonzalez of Salem, and Mary Wildes of Beverly. Great-grandmother is Lillian Haskell of Andover. Sutton -- Born at the North Shore Birth Center, Aug. 7, a son, Gabriel Scott, to Dr. Scott Sutton and Sharon Pelosi of Beverly. Gabriel is welcomed home by his sister, Jessie-Marie. Grandparents are Harvey Sutton of Norwich, N.Y. and Stanford and Evelyn Pelosi of Norwich, N.Y. and Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. Moscariello -- Born at Salem Hospital, Aug. 11, a son, Evan Michael, to Mike and Cindy Moscariello of Beverly. Grandparents are John and Bobbie Garski of Beverly and Sully and Irene Moscariello of Reading. Great-grandmother is Lillian L`Italien of Salem. Beverly calendar Tuesday, Aug. 17 Big Band Dance, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Beverly Council on Aging, 90 Colon St. Free. (978) 921-6017. Parking & Traffic Commission, 10:30 a.m., conference room B, City Hall, 191 Cabot St. Cable & Telecommunications Corp., 5:30 p.m., Beverly High School, 100 Sohier Road. Crossroads Quilters Guild meeting, 6:30 p.m. at the Church of the Nazarene, Route 1A. Ice cream social followed by a paper pieced workshop. "Seasons" project kits will be available. $5 for guests. Call Nancy Whitney at (978) 922-2632. Evening Book Discussion Group meeting, 7:30 p.m., Beverly Public Library, 32 Essex St. Group will discuss "Seabiscuit" by Laura Hillenbrand. Public welcome. Call (978) 921-6062. Wednesday, Aug. 18 Free Blood Pressure Checks, 9 to 11 a.m., Beverly Council on Aging, health room. Call (978) 921-6017. Menopause program, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Esacpe Within Women`s Fitness and Wellness Center, 131 Dodge St. Call (978) 236-1650. Career Information Night, 6:30 p.m., North Shore Community College`s Corporate and Community Education Division, Suite 121E, 100 Cummings Center, Beverly. Representatives and information on a variety of courses, fields and programs. Call (978) 236-1200. Building Commission, planning & construction committee, 7 p.m., Beverly Public Library, 32 Essex St. School Committee, 7 p.m., City Council chambers, City Hall. Planning Board, 7:30 p.m., conference room A, City Hall. Thursday, Aug. 19 Beverly Senior Citizens Club meeting, 2 p.m., Beverly Council on Aging, 90 Colon St. (978) 739-9155. State Rep. Mary Grant district office hours, 6 to 7:30 p.m., City Hall, City Council Chamber. (617) 722-2582. Book Discussion Group meeting, 7 p.m., Beverly Farms Branch Library, 24 Vine St. Group will discuss "Reading Lolita in Tehran" by Aaar Nafisi. Public welcome. Call (978) 921-6066. Friday, Aug. 20 State Rep. Mary Grant office hours, 10:45 to 11:15 a.m. Beverly Senior Center. (617) 722-2582. Saturday, Aug. 21 Pickle Lovers` Dill Pickle Event, 11 a.m., Eurostoves` The Culinary Center, The Commodore Plaza, 45 Enon St. (Route 1A). Cost is $20; includes lesson from award-winning Stanley Magdziarz and jar of pickles. Call (978) 232-0007 or visit www.eurostoves.com. Monday, Aug. 23 Beverly Bill of Rights Committee meeting, 7 p.m, Beverly Public Library, 32 Essex St. Public invited to help prepare for Sept. 13 public forum to urge City Council to oppose the USA Patriot Act. For information, call (978) 922-1806. Wednesday, Aug. 25 "Charlotte`s Web," 7 p.m. presented by Neverland Theatre. Tickets $10. Temple B`nai Abraham Theater, 200 Lothrop St. (978) 948-7925 or www.neverlandtheatre.com. Thursday, Aug. 26 "Charlotte`s Web," 7 p.m. presented by Neverland Theatre. Tickets $10. Temple B`nai Abraham Theater, 200 Lothrop St. (978) 948-7925 or www.neverlandtheatre.com. Sunday, Aug. 29 St. Margaret Catholic Church Religious Education registration, 9:30 to 11 a.m., parish rectory, 672 Hale St., Beverly Farms. Classes meet on Sunday mornings and are available for kindergarten through high school students. Parents of new registrants should call (978) 927-5302. "Charlotte`s Web," 2 and 5 p.m. presented by Neverland Theatre. Tickets $10. Temple B`nai Abraham Theater, 200 Lothrop St. (978) 948-7925 or www.neverlandtheatre.com. Monday, Aug. 30 2004 Charity Cup Golf Tournament, 7:30 a.m., Beverly Golf and Tennis Club. Sponsored by the Beverly Bootstraps Food Pantry Inc. and We Care About Homes Ltd. Includes raffle, breakfast, lunch, and awards. "Charlotte`s Web," 7 p.m. presented by Neverland Theatre. Tickets $10. Temple B`nai Abraham Theater, 200 Lothrop St. (978) 948-7925 or www.neverlandtheatre.com. Tuesday, Aug. 31 "Charlotte`s Web," 7 p.m. presented by Neverland Theatre. Tickets $10. Temple B`nai Abraham Theater, 200 Lothrop St. (978) 948-7925 or www.neverlandtheatre.com. Wednesday, Sept. 1 Reception for "Ocean View" exhibit at Monsterrat College of Art, 3:30 to 5 p.m. Featured artists include Jon Imber, George Nick and Jane Goldman. 23 Essex St. (978) 921-4242. Saturday, Sept. 11 Seventh annual Kelly For Cancer event, 7 to 11:30 p.m. at the American Legion Hall, Herman A. Spear Post No. 133, 3 Judson St. Live music, featuring The Mud Bugs and Burma’s Bravest. Proceeds donated to the American Cancer Society. E-mail kelly4cancer@aol.com. Monday, Sept. 13 Gallery talk and booksigning, 11:30 a.m. at Montserrat College of Art`s Carol Schlosberg Alumni Gallery, 23 Essex St. "Letter from the Road," photographs by Garielle Keller and text by Ethan Berry. (978) 921-4242. Thursday, Sept. 16 Gallery talk, 11:30 a.m. at Montserrat College of Art`s 301 Gallery, 301 Cabot St. for "Private View: Paintings by Grant Drumheller." (978) 921-4242. Births Durkee -- Born at Salem Hospital, May 25, a daughter, Brooke Livia, to Keith and Gwendolyn Durkee of Danvers. Brooke is welcomed home by her sister, Paige. Grandparents are Eileen Frye of Peabody, Marcia Colella of Salem, and Peter Durkee of Middleton. Great-grandparents are Caroline Swaine and Lois Pilote, both of Peabody. Milano -- Born at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, July 23, a son, Brian Herrick, to Jeffrey and Kathleen Milano of Billerica. Brian is welcomed home by his sister, Heather. Grandparents are Michael and M. Haroldine Allen and Walter and Sally Milano all of Danvers. McEnaney -- Born at Beverly Hospital, Aug. 1, a son, William Coe, to Thomas and Deborah McEnaney of Lynn. Grandparents are William and Judith McEnaney of Danvers and Coe and Ada Johnson of Rockford, Ill. Barry -- Born at Beverly Hospital, Aug. 3, a son, Noah Daniel, to Timothy Barry and Laura Barry of Danvers. Noah is welcomed home by his brother, Joshua, and sister, Amanda. Grandparents are Theresa Murducca of Rockport and Francis and Diane Barry of Dennisport, Mass. Great-grandmother is Fern Caruso of Medford. Billings -- Born at Beverly Hospital, Aug. 3, a son, James Edward, to Kevin and Margaret Billings of Danvers. Grandparents are Wally and Jeanne Cammett of Beverly and Jim and Pauline Billings of Peabody. Great-grandparents are Edward and Mary Curran of Portland, Maine. Wilichoski -- Born at Beverly Hospital, Aug. 4, a son, Brad Mark, to Jay and Amy Wilichoski of Danvers. Brad is welcomed home by his brother, Ben. Grandparents are Mark and Judy Veilleux of Danvers and Bob and Peggy Wilichoski of Danvers. Great-grandmothers are Anna Morrison of Danvers and Mary Wilichoski of Rowley. Davis -- Born at Beverly Hospital, Aug. 8, a daughter, Madison Kate, to Michael and Mandy Davis of Danvers. Grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Richard Dolliver and Mr. and Mrs. John Davis, all of Danvers. Births By Dalton -- Born at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, July 22, a daughter, Faith Corrinne, to James and Sandra Dalton of Wenham. Grandparents are Jack and Eloise Dalton of Lewisville, Texas, Scott Garinger of Salem, and Lois Duperey of Lexington. Carcione -- Born at Beverly Hospital, Aug. 1, a daughter, Teagan Grace, to Allen Carcione and Patricia Cavanaugh of Wenham. Teagan is welcomed home by her brother, Blake. Grandparents are Ann Cavanaugh and Dennis Cavanaugh, both of Guilderland, N.Y. and Vincent Carcione and Barbara Carcione, both of Everett. Great-grandmother is Gertrude Griffen of Malden. Hamilton-Wenham calendar Tuesday, Aug. 17 Wenham Board of Assessors, 6 p.m., joint library. Joint Recreation Board, 7 p.m., 16 Union St., Hamilton. Wenham selectmen, 7:30 p.m., recreation building. Wednesday, Aug. 18 Hamilton Conservation Commission, 7:30 p.m., Memorial Room, Town Hall. Thursday, Aug. 19 Hamilton Personnel Board, 7:30 p.m., Town Hall. Wenham Historic District Commission, 7 p.m., joint library. Saturday, Aug. 21 Wenham COA coffee and doughnuts social for Wenham residents, age 60 or older, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Recreation Building on School Street. Special guest is Arthur "Butch" Crosbie, president of the Hamilton Historical Society. 32nd Annual Summer Craft Fair, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. hosted by Wenham Museum, 132 Main St., Wenham. (978) 468-2377. Sunday, Aug. 22 Sundays in Patton Park, 5 p.m., featuring the funk and rock of Overdrive. Free. All welcome. Patton park Gazebo, Hamilton. (978) 468-4818 or www.pattonparkconcerts.org. Saturday, Aug. 28 Benefit concert featuring young violinist Daria Kharivona of Russia, 7:30 p.m., followed by a reception. $10 general. $5 students/seniors. Christ Church, 149 Asbury St., South Hamilton. Tuesday, Sept. 7 Neverland Theatre auditions for its Halloween Spooktacular from 6:30 to 8 p.m. by age groups. Open to ages 7 to adult. Hamilton-Wenham Community House, 284 Bay Road. www.neverlandtheatre.com. Saturday, Sept. 11 Friends of the Hamilton-Wenham Library Book Sale, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. 14 Union St., Hamilton. (978) 468-5577. Monday, Sept. 13 Friends of the Hamilton-Wenham Library Book Sale, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. 14 Union St., Hamilton. (978) 468-5577. Tuesday, Sept. 14 Friends of the Hamilton-Wenham Library Book Sale, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. 14 Union St., Hamilton. (978) 468-5577. Wednesday, Sept. 15 Friends of the Hamilton-Wenham Library Book Sale, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. 14 Union St., Hamilton. (978) 468-5577. Thursday, Sept. 16 Friends of the Hamilton-Wenham Library Book Sale, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. 14 Union St., Hamilton. (978) 468-5577. Friday, Sept. 17 Preschool program, "Apples, Apples," 9 to 10:15 a.m. or 12:45 to 2 p.m. $12 per child accompanied by adult. Registration required. Wenham Museum, 132 Main St., Wenham. (978) 468-2377. Wednesday, Sept. 22 Patton Lecture Series presents Martin Blumenson, author of "The Patton Papers and Patton: The Man Behind the Legend," 7 p.m. $7. Wenham Museum, 132 Main St., Wenham. (978) 468-2377. Wednesday, Sept. 29 Preschool program, "Orange, Brown, Red and Gold Leaves," 9 to 10:15 a.m. or 12:45 to 2 p.m. $12 per child accompanied by adult. Registration required. Wenham Museum, 132 Main St., Wenham. (978) 468-2377. Patton Lecture Series presents Brian Soel, author of "The Fighting Pattons," 7 p.m. $7. Wenham Museum, 132 Main St., Wenham. (978) 468-2377. Thursday, Oct. 14 Patton Lecture Series presents James Patton Totten, grandson of George Patton Jr. and son of Ruth Patton Totten, 7 p.m. $7. Wenham Museum, 132 Main St., Wenham. (978) 468-2377. Friday, Oct. 8 Preschool program, "Fire Safety," 9 to 10:15 a.m. or 12:45 to 2 p.m. $12 per child accompanied by adult. Registration required. Wenham Museum, 132 Main St., Wenham. (978) 468-2377. Tuesday, Oct. 19 Preschool program, "Pumpkinpalooza," 9 to 10:15 a.m. or 12:45 to 2 p.m. $12 per child accompanied by adult. Registration required. Wenham Museum, 132 Main St., Wenham. (978) 468-2377. Friday, Oct. 29 Preschool Halloween Party, 10 to 11:15 a.m. for ages 3 to 5. Costumes encouraged. $12 per child accompanied by adult. Registration required. Wenham Museum, 132 Main St., Wenham. (978) 468-2377. Hamilton-Wenham briefs By MIND/BODY CONNECTION: Early Childhood Partners will host Dr. Jonathan Inz, a licensed psychologist who will present "How the Mind/Body Connection Influences Self-Control in Young Children" Tuesday, Aug. 31, at 6 p.m. Light supper and child care will be provided. A $5 donation is suggested. Call (978) 468-5489 for location and to register. SENIOR SOCIAL: The Wenham COA will host a coffee and doughnuts social for Wenham residents age 60 or older on Saturday, Aug. 21, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Recreation Building on School Street. Special guest is Arthur "Butch" Crosbie, president of the Hamilton Historical Society. BABIES AND BOOKS: Registration has begun for the fall sessions of Babies and Books storytime, held at Banbury Cross Children`s Bookshop, 162R Main St., Wenham. The eight-week program begins Sept. 13, and includes stories, singalongs, and games for children age 6 months up to 3 years. Cost is $72. For information about days and times, call (978) 468-4040. COA TRIP: The Wenham Council on Aging will sponsor a trip to the Cortina Inn in Killington, Vt. from Sept. 14 to 16. Prices range from $320 for a triple to $380 for a single. For more information, call Gladys at (978) 468-2808. CANTEMUS AUDITIONS: Cantemus, the Virtuoso Chamber Chorus of the North Shore, will hold auditions for new singers in all voice parts Tuesday, Aug. 24 and 31, 7 to 10 p.m. at Christ Church, 149 Asbury St., in Hamilton. For audition details or to make an appointment, call John Hoffacker at (978) 922-6990. COA TRIPS: The Wenham Council on Aging is offering the following trips: • Sept. 7, 8, and 9: Three-day, two-night stay on Nantucket Island. Cost is $401 and includes ferry ride, bus, lodging, and meals. • Wednesday, Oct. 13: Scenic Foliage Trip on the Conway Railroad in North Conway, N.H. Lunch at the White Mountain Hotel, and shopping afterward. Choice of haddock or chicken. Cost is $57. All trips include drivers` tips. For reservation or more information, call Joan Richardson at (978) 468-3486. TRAIL WALK: A guided walk through Chebacco Woods will be held by Chebacco Woods Management Committee the third Sunday of each month at 1 p.m., weather permitting, all year long. Participants meet at the trail`s main entrance on Chebacco Road, off Essex Street, Hamilton. For more information, call (978) 468-7715 or (978) 468-3451. CHILDREN`S CHOIR: The Gordon College Children`s Choir, the area`s top youth choir, will hold open auditions through the end of August for children age 7 to 16. The season runs from September to May. Practices are held Monday nights. Cost is $310 and includes lessons, uniform and performances. Call (978) 867-4818 or e-mail sdoneski@faith.gordon.edu. WEEKLY TRIPS: The Hamilton-Wenham COA Van Program will provide a weekly trip for seniors to the Rowley Market Basket Plaza every Wednesday. The van picks seniors up at their homes at noon and returns between 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. The plaza also has a CVS, TJ Maxx, Agawam Diner and Spud`s Restaurant. Donation of $1 accepted. For reservations and information, call (978) 468-5534. REUNION: The Hamilton High School class of 1959 is planning its first-ever reunion to be held in October. Organizers are hoping to contact several classmates believed to be living in the New England area. Call (781) 894-8361 with any information, or e-mail goldagoodie@yahoo.com. PATTON LECTURES: The Wenham Museum, 132 Main St., Wenham, will present a George S. Patton Jr. Lecture Series. • Wednesday, Sept. 22 -- Martin Blumenson, author of, "The Patton Papers and Patton: The Man Behind the Legend." • Wednesday, Sept. 29 -- Brian Sobel, author of, "The Fighting Pattons." • Thursday, Oct. 14 -- James Patton Totten, grandson of George S. Patton Jr., will share family stories and memories. All lectures begin at 7 p.m. Tickets are $7 general or $5 for for members. A series pass may be purchased for $15 general or $10 for members. For more information, call (978) 468-2377 or visit www.wenhammuseum.org. READING COACHES: SenorCare RSVP America Reads is looking for volunteers to coach children with reading both in school and after school in the Hamilton/Wenham area. Training will be provided, and coaching will begin in the fall of the new school year. For more information, call Joan at (978) 468-1193. Births By Amundsen -- Born at Beverly Hospital, June 30, a son, William Aiden, to Brad and Denise Amundsen of Ipswich. William is welcomed home by his brother, Bradley. Grandparents are Howard Amundsen and Maureen Amundsen of Ipswich, John Savage II and Joan of Amesbury, and the late Patricia Savage. Eisenhaur -- Born at Beverly Hospital, Aug. 9, a daughter, Tiegan Ruth, to Gerald Eisenhaur and Andrea Knight of Ipswich. Grandparents are Annmarie Hall of Beverly, Sandra Bemis of Ipswich, and Gerald Eisenhaur of New York City. Great-grandparents are Gerald Eisenhaur and Margaret Eisenhaur, both of Stoneham, and Ruth Kelleher of Beverly. Ipswich calendar By Tuesday, Aug. 17 Dune Detectives Family Program, 10:30 a.m. to noon at Crane Beach. Identify signs of wildlife and search for clues. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Cost is $5 per adult; children free. Registration required. Presented by Trustees of Reservations. (978) 356-4351. Thursday, Aug. 19 Land of Enchantment, 10 a.m., Ipswich Public Library, 25 North Main St. Outdoor puppet show; bring blanket or cushion to sit on. (978) 356-6648. Meet a Lifeguard Program, 10 to 11 a.m., for ages 14 and older at Crane Beach. Learn what it takes to be a lifeguard, use the equipment and try their workout. Free with beach admission. Registration required. Presented by Trustees of Reservations. (978) 356-4351. Picnic Concert featuring Pick 3, 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Castle Hill on The Crane Estate, Argilla Road. $20 per car, $15 members. (978) 356-4351. Planning Board, 7:30 p.m., Town Hall, meeting room C. Friday, Aug. 20 Meet the Appleton Farm Cows, 3 to 5 p.m., for all ages. Visit dairy barn at milking time and taste homemade ice cream. $5 adults; children free. Appleton Farm, off Route 1A. Registration required. Presented by The Trustees of Reservations. Call (978) 356-5728. Ipswich Family YMCA triathlon, 4:30 p.m., Crane Beach. Race begins at 5:45 p.m. and includes half-mile swim, 2-mile run and 9-mile bike ride. Cost is $35 for Ipswich resident, $40 for nonresidents, $50 for resident teams and $60 nonresident teams. Enter by Aug. 17. Call (978) 359-9622, Ext 110. Saturday, Aug. 21 Music at Eden`s Edge, 8 p.m. at Castle Hill Concert Barn, Crane Estate, Argilla Road. Music of Vivaldi, Locatelli and Fontana. $22. (978) 356-7774 or www.edensedge.org. Thursday, Aug. 26 Ipswich Miniature Golf Open Challenge, 9 p.m., Tee Time Golf. Includes 18 holes of mini golf, use of batting cages and driving range, and refreshments. For ticket information, call (978) 356-9622, Ext. 109. Saturday, Sept. 18 Ninth Annual Ipswich Chowder Fest, tasting from 2 to 4 p.m. Downtown Ipswich. Ipswich news in brief GOLF CHALLENGE: The Ipswich Miniature Golf Open Challenge will be held Thursday, Aug. 26, at 6 p.m. at Tee Time Golf. Includes 18 holes of mini golf, driving range and batting cage use, and refreshments. Proceeds benefit the Ipswich YMCA`s Partners with Youth program. For ticket information, call (978) 356-9622, Ext 109. TENNIS ANYONE?: The Richardson Tennis Courts, located behind Ipswich High School, are available for use nightly after 7 p.m. Reservation permits will be issued to Ipswich Recreation Department members; nonmembers are welcome on a space-available basis. Annual fee to become a member is $25 per individual/$40 per family. Daily fee is $5 for nonmember/$3 for guest of member. CHOWDER FEST: The ninth annual Ipswich Chowder Fest will be held downtown Saturday, Sept. 18, with tastings from 2 to 4 p.m. Area restaurants are invited to enter the competition. To enter, call Chris Saulnier at (978) 356-0577 or visit www.ipswichchowderfest.com. ART SHOW: Three artists, Retta Gilmore, Jan Perry and Sandy Galanis, will participate in an art show and sale Aug. 30 to Sept. 12, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily at The Hall-Haskell House, 36 South Main St. The show will include paintings, prints, cards and gifts. By Manchester calendar By Tuesday, Aug. 17 Board of Health, 8:30 a.m., Town Hall, Room 5 Body and Sole walking club starts walking at 8:30 a.m. Call (978) 526-4515. Fishing Clinic, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuck`s Point. Children age 6 to 14 (under 10 must have adult). Equipment provided; $5 donation suggested. Call Manchester Parks and Recreation at (978) 526-2019. Thursday, Aug. 19 Regional School Building Subcommittee, Jr. Sr. High School, Room 126. Friday, Sept. 17 Free sample class of Family Music Makers, 10:30 a.m. First Parish Church, 2 Chapel Lane. Music adventure for infants, toddlers and preschoolers. Must be accompanied by adult. Free. Reservations required. Call (617) 783-9818 or visit www.familymusicmakers.com. Manchester-by-the-Sea news in brief By BARBECUE: The COA`s annual Senior Citizen`s Barbecue will be held Wednesday, Aug. 25, at Tuck`s Point. Meal will be served at 11:30 a.m. and will include barbecued chicken, ribs, summer salads, cookies and lemonade. The cost is $6 per person, and transportation is available. For information, contact the Manchester Council on Aging, (978) 526-7500. VOLUNTEERS: The Parks and Recreation Department is looking for directors, instructors and volunteers to teach aerobics/health and fitness, arts and crafts, computers and other workshop topics. Also, supervisors for the women`s basketball league are needed. No experience required. For more information, call Karyn Goodhue at (978) 526-2019. WELL-WISHERS: The Manchester COA seeks volunteers to become COA Well-Wishers, a group of thoughtful citizens who extend notes and cards to hospitalized or homebound seniors. Call (978) 526-7500 to become a Well-Wisher. CHESS PLAYERS: The Manchester COA is seeking senior citizens to play chess against students from Manchester Essex Regional High School. For more information, call (978) 526-7500. Marblehead/Swampscott By Field -- Born at Brigham and Women`s Hospital, July 27, a daughter, Chloe Elizabeth, to Barry and Heidi Field of Marblehead. Chloe is welcomed home by her brother, Tyler. Grandparents are Gerald and Frances Kessner of Montreal, Canada and Paul and Paula Field of Salem. Great-grandfathers are Joe Miller of Montreal, Canada and Walter Groszyk of Salem. Larson -- Born at Salem Hospital, Aug. 5, a daughter, Victoria Rose, to Kris and Rebecca Larson of Marblehead. Victoria is welcomed home by her siblings, Rachel and Elrick. Grandparents are Rosemary Keene of Marblehead, Ron Melish and Lorna Larson of Fort Washington, Md., and William Gerry and Susan Lobel Keene of Bethesda, Md. Marblehead/Swampscott calendar By Tuesday, Aug. 17 Senior Book Discussion Group, 10 a.m. Featured book "Language of the Threads" by Gail Tsukiyama. Abbot Public Library, 235 Pleasant St., Marblehead. (781) 631-1481. Marblehead Housing Authority, 5:30 p.m., Roads School, community room. Marblehead Recreation, Parks and Forestry Board of Commissioners, 7 p.m., Community Center, Marblehead. Old and Historic Marblehead Districts Commission, 7:30 p.m., selectmen`s meeting room, Abbot Hall, Marblehead. Marblehead Recreation and Park Commission, 7:30 p.m., 10 Humphrey St. Wednesday, Aug. 18 Swampscott School Building Committee, 7 p.m., Swampscott High School teachers` room. Marblehead Board of Selectmen, 7:30 p.m., selectmen`s meeting room, Abbot Hall, Marblehead. Rosh Chodesh Elul celebration, 7:30 p.m., home of Georgianna Sawyer. Sponsored by Lynn-Swampscott-Marblehead chapter of Hadassah. Song, prayer and discussion. Free; open to all women. For directions, information or to RSVP, call (781) 639-0210 or e-mail hadassahlsm@comcast.net. Thursday, Aug. 19 End of Summer party, 1:30 p.m. at Abbot Public Library, 235 Pleasant St., Marblehead. Features entertainment by Willmore the Magic Explorer. Swampscott Conservation Commission, 7:30 p.m., Senior Center, Swampscott. Swampscott Planning Board, 7:30 p.m., Swampscott Town Hall. Marblehead Conservation Commission, 8:15 p.m., lower level conference room, Mary A. Alley Municipal Building, Marblehead. Saturday, Aug. 21 Public Safety Day, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Phillips Park, Humphrey Street, Swampscott. Demonstrations, raffles and refreshments. Sponsored by Swampscott Police and Fire Departments. Saturday, Aug. 28 Summer Jazz Series, 8 p.m. featuring Rebecca Parris. Tickets $23.50 in advance, $25.50 at door. Unitarian Universalist Church, 28 Mugford St., Marblehead. (781) 631-1528. Saturday, Sept. 18 Wine and food sampling 5 to 7 p.m. at the Lee Mansion in Marblehead. "The Way We Cook: Recipes from the New American Kitchen," with cookbook authors Sheryl Julian and Julie Riven. Tickets $18 general or $15 seniors. Beneftis the Friends of Abbot Library and the Marblehead Museum. (781) 631-1768. Music at Eden`s Edge, 8 p.m. at King Hooper Mansion, 8 Hooper St., Marblehead. Music of Beethoven, Claude Debussy, Ralph Vaughan Williams. Tickets $20. (978) 768-6229 or www.edensedge.org. Sunday, Sept. 19 Nature program, 1 to 3 p.m. hosted by Marblehead Trails Committee, "Mushroom Identification" with Dan Small at Camp Shore Lea, Marblehead. Opportunity to purchase a bat house. Free for all ages. (781) 631-4103. Friday, Oct. 1 "Wine Tasting Under the Tent," 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the Lee Mansion Garden in Marblehead. Tickets $35 per person. Benefits Friends of the Marblehead Public Schools and Marblehead Museum. (781) 631-1768. Thursday, Oct. 7 Slide presentation, "Marblehead Pottery: An Ideal Place to Work," 7:30 p.m. with Marilee Meyer and Susan Montgomery. $10 general or $5 Marblehead Museum and Historical Society memers. 170 Washington St., Marblehead. (781) 631-1768. Sunday, Oct. 17 Nature program, 1 to 3 p.m. hosted by Marblehead Trails Committee, "Marblehead Trees, Bark and Leaves" with Tom Hammond and Joan McDuff at Camp Shore Lea, Marblehead. Opportunity to purchase a bat house. Free for all ages. (781) 631-4103. Thursday, Oct. 21 "Murders in Marblehead," a lecture by local historian Don Doliber, 7:30 p.m. $7 general or $5 Marlehead Museum and Historical Society members. 170 Washington St., Marblehead. (781) 631-1768. Marblehead/Swampscott news in brief By SAFETY DAY: The Swampscott Police and Fire Departments will hold the annual Public Safety Day Saturday, Aug. 21, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Phillips Park on Humphrey Street, Swampscott. Event includes demonstrations by various public safety agencies, tours of aircrafts and a ladder truck, raffles and refreshments. All ages welcome. GALLERY WALKS: The Marblehead Arts community will host weekend gallery walks: Aug. 21 and 22, Sept. 18 and 19, and Oct. 16 and 17. Enjoy art, entertainment, refreshments and a reception from 2 to 4 p.m. on each day. Call (781) 631-2868. SENIOR TRIPS: The Swampscott Senior Center will offer the following trips: • Thursday, Sept. 9 - Mohegan Sun, $22. • Thursday, Oct. 14 - Turkey Train Foliage Trip, $48. • Wednesday, Nov. 10 - Warren`s Lobster House and shopping in Kittery, Maine, $48. • Thursday, Dec. 2 - La Salette Shrine, $39. Early sign-up is recommended. For more information, call (781) 596-8866 or visit the Senior Center at 89 Burrill St. EXPLORE WORLDS: Children age one to 12 are invited to attend Swampscott Public Library`s 2004 summer reading program, Explore Other Worlds. Activities and special events continue through August. Activities will include story times, T-shirt tie-dyeing, Kindermusik, puppet theater, special guest appearances and more. For information, call (978) 596-8867, visit www.noblenet.org/swampscott, or stop by the children`s room of the library, 61 Burrill St. MUSICAL KEYBOARD LESSONS: The Swampscott Senior Center will sponsor musical keyboard lessons taught by Joe Stroup. The lessons will be held Mondays from 6 to 7 p.m. at Swampscott High School. Cost is $48 for six weeks of lessons. For more information, call the Senior Center at (781) 596-8866. MOVIE NIGHT: The Marblehead Recreation department will sponsor a free movie night every Friday evening at dusk (about 8 p.m.) at Seaside Park. All shows are for the entire family. Bring seating and picnic dinner; refreshments are also available. Call (781) 631-3350 for information. Births Shalhoub -- Born at Beverly Hospital, Aug. 4, a daughter, Arianna Maria, to Dr. Joseph Shalhoub and Angela Shalhoub of Peabody. Grandparents are James and Star Diantgikis of Lynn and John and Patricia Shalhoub of Jersey City, N.J. Wronkowski -- Born at Salem Hospital, Aug. 5, a daughter, Jenelle Tayla, to James and Kimberly Wronkowski of Peabody. Jenelle is welcomed home by her sister, Jillian. Grandparents are James and Donna Wronkowski of Peabody and George and Peggy Hutton of Limerick, Maine. Close -- Born at Beverly Hospital, Aug. 6, a son, Nicholas James, to Michelle Close of Peabody. Grandparents are David and Joyce Close of Peabody. Great-grandparents are Rodgers and Ruth Close of Beverly. Healey -- Born at Salem Hospital, Aug. 6, a son, Nicholas John, to Brian and Kathleen Healey of Peabody. Nicholas is welcomed home by his rother, Benjamin. Grandparents are John Dennis and Donna Healey of Peabody and Thomas and Joan Murphy of Peabody. Great-grandmother is Eileen Ventresca of Swampscott. Blais -- Born at Salem Hospital, Aug. 8, a son, Adam David, to Paul and Donna Blais of Peabody. Grandparents are David and Brnda Lence of Keller, Texas, Joe and Sue Giambrone of Peabody, and Paul and Sylvia Blais of Derry, N.H. Great-grandparents are Edward and Beatrice Daley of Peabody. Lemon -- Born at Beverly Hospital, Aug. 9, a son, Darius Mylez, to Darrin Lemon and Anne White of Peabody. Darius is welcomed home by his siblings; Kelsie, Analise, and Elijah. Grandparents are Emerson and Sandee Green of Peabody, David Lemon of Lynn, and the late Fannie Mae Lemon. Great-grandmother is Dorothy Green of Peabody. By Peabody news in brief By LA LECHE LEAGUE: La Leche League of Beverly offers a monthly information and support group for pregnant and breast-feeding women the second Wednesday of the month starting Sept. 8, at 10 a.m. at St. John`s Lutheran Church in Peabody. Call Julie at (978) 745-5586. SMOKE DETECTORS: Free smoke detectors are currently available to Peabody seniors, as part of a program made possible by the Peabody fire Department and the Peabody Triad Council. For information or to sign up, call (978) 531-2254, Ext. 118. SON GAMES: Children age 4 through sixth grade are invited to the Son Games, Aug. 23 through 27, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. at the Calvary Baptist Church, 4 Coolidge Road, Peabody. Activities include Bible stories, crafts, skits, games, songs and snacks. For information, call (978) 531-0914. BABY-SITTING: The American Red Cross, located at 85 Lowell St., will offer a baby-sitting training course Aug. 21 and 28, from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Participants must be between 11 and 15 years old and will receive a baby-sitting certificate and a child and infant CPR certificate upon completion. To register, call (978) 531-2280. YARD SALE: The Inn Transition, located at 42 Washington St., will hold a yard sale Saturday, Aug. 21, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. to benefit its homless program. Items will be sold for $5 per bagful. Volunteers are needed. Call (978) 531-9951. REUNION: The Bishop Fenwick High School class of 1964 will celebrate its 40-year reunion at the Lyceum in Salem on Sunday, Aug. 22. For more information, call Tim at (978) 927-7373 or Kathy at (978) 744-3857. CLASS REUNION: The Peabody High School class of 1942 is forming a 62nd reunion committee. Any classmate interested in being a member of this committee may call Mary at (978) 531-1336 or Marie at (978) 777-5196. TORAH CLASS: Chabad of Peabody will offer a weekly Torah Class every Sunday night at the home of Rabbi Schusterman, 459 Lowell St. He will cover basic Bible studies on the weekly Torah portion. For more information, visit the new Web site, www.chabadpeabody.com, or e-mail rabbi@chabadpeabody.com. LIBRARY FUN: Registration has begun for the South Branch Library`s summer reading program, "Up, Up, and Away." Program runs through Aug. 25, and includes story time, crafts, parties and events for all ages. Call (978) 531-3380 for details. CAMP CHEROKEE: Children between the ages of 2.9 and 5 are invited to attend the Peabody YMCA`s Camp Cherokee summer program. Includes swim lessons, arts and crafts, indoor and outdoor sports, and field trips. Days and hours are flexible. Call (978) 531-5650 or apply at the YMCA, 259 Lynnfield St. SUMMER CAMP: Registration is ongoing for the North Suburban Jewish Community Center of Peabody`s fall after-school programs. Activities are available for children ages 18 months through elementary school. The center is located at 83 Pine St. in West Peabody and is open weekdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, call (978) 535-2968. REUNION: The Peabody High School class of 1949 will hold a 55th class reunion Saturday, Sept. 18, from noon to 5 p.m. at the Marriott Hotel in Peabody. Festivities include a luncheon buffet and entertainment by Pete Saran and his orchestra. For more information, call (978) 530-1840 or (978) 531-6186. ANIMAL LOVERS: Peabody Animal Shelter is looking for volunteers to spend two to four hours per week caring for homeless animals. No experience necessary; training will be provided. Morning and evening shifts are available Sunday through Saturday. Call (978) 531-7478. REUNION: The Peabody High School class of 1942 will celebrate a 62nd reunion with a luncheon at the Garden Terrace of the Danversport Yacht Club, Thursday, Oct. 7, 2004, at noon. The event is free to class members. For more information, call Mary Franggos at (978) 531-1336 or (978) 777-5196. ENTERTAINMENT BOOKS: Peabody Rotary Club will offer free 2004 Entertainment Books with the purchase of the 2005 edition. This year`s books may be used through Nov. 1 and offer savings at restaurants, hotels, movies and museums. Proceeds will benefit local charities. Call Mel at (978) 531-8605. REUNION: The Peabody High School class of 1944 will hold a 60th reunion in October. Class members interested in planning or attending should call Marie (MacLeod) Hathaway at (978) 777-2820 or Phyllis (Osgood) Gonet at (978) 739-4115. FOOD DONATIONS: Haven from Hunger, located at 71 Wallis St., is in need of the following food items: pasta, spaghetti sauce, peanut butter and jelly. For more information, call (978) 531-1530. ART VOLUNTEERS: The Peabody Essex Museum seeks people interetsed in learning and sharing art to become gallery docents or instructors. Volunteers will be trained to guide school groups and family visitors through the museum. For more information, call (978) 745-9500, Ext. 3043 for more information. FRIENDSHIP CLUB: Meets Mondays for lunch, friendly conversations and variety of programs at The North Suburban JCC, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. For more information, call Carol at (978) 535-2968. USMC DETACHMENT: Marine Corps League, Essex County Detachment, is a group of active and former Marines. They meet the first Tuesday of the month at 7 p.m. at VFW Post 1011, 20 Stevens St. New members welcome. LIBRARY PASSES: The Peabody Institute Library offers passes to museums and educational institutions in the area. For more information or to reserve a pass, call (978) 531-0100. REUNION: The Peabody High School class of 1994 is planning its 10-year reunion. Organizers need classmates` current mailing addresses. E-mail pvmhs1994@hotmail.com. For more information visit the reunion Web site at www.pvmhs1994.com. GO SWIMMING: The Peabody/Lynnfield YMCA Family Center Pool Club, located at 259 Lynnfield St., Peabody, will offer a daily swimming pool pass for $6 per person throughout the month of August. Pool hours are Monday through Friday, 3 to 7 p.m., and weekends, noon to 6 p.m. Call (978) 531-5650 for information. CRAFTERS WANTED: Crafters are needed for the following craft fairs: * Knights of Columbus Craft Fair Saturday, Oct. 16, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Craft tables available for $25. Call Maura Santos at (978) 532-2741. * Higgins Middle School Annual Holiday Craft Fair Saturday, Oct. 23, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the school gym at 1 King Street Ext. Crafters are invited to reserve tables now. Cost is $40 for an 8"x10" space or $46 with an 8-foot table. Original crafts only. For more information, call Linda Fabrizio at (978) 977-9699 after 6 p.m. * Peabody House Fifth Annual Holiday Bazaar, 18 Walnut St., Saturday, Nov., 6, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tables available for $25 or rental space without a table for $20. Call (978) 538-0568 or (978) 531-5497. ESSAY CONTEST: The National Foundation for Women Legislators and the National Rifle Association are cosponsoring an annual essay contest, "The Millennial American Dream." Seven winners will receive a $3,000 scholarship and a trip to the NFWL`s national conference. Female college-bound high school juniors and seniors are eligible. Entries must be postmarked by Monday, Sept. 21. For more information, call (617) 722-2090. Peabody calendar By Tuesday, Aug. 17 Sign Review Board, 7 p.m., lower level, City Hall. Meeting to discuss church closing, 7 p.m., AOH Hall, 104 Boston St., Salem. All parishioners of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish of Salem, Peabody and Danvers invited. (978) 922-7632. Wednesday, Aug. 18 Big Sister Association orientation meeting, noon, Peabody Office, 47-49 Central St. Women age 20 and up needed to mentor girls age 7 to 15. Call (978) 531-5405. Peabody Golden Age Club meeting, 1 p.m., Elks Hall, Oak Street. Author signing, 6 p.m. featuring Chuck Hogan, author of "Prince of Thieves." Barnes & Noble, 210 Andover St. (978) 573-3261. Gay and Lesbian Literature Discussion Group, 8 p.m. featuring "Leave Myself Behind" by Bart Yates. Free. All welcome. Borders Books and Music, 151 Andover St. (978) 538-3003. Thursday, Aug. 19 Planning Board, 7 p.m., Public Services Department meeting, 50 Farm Road. "Better Than the Movie" book group meeting, 7 p.m. featuring Nicholas Sparks`, "The Notebook." Barnes & Noble, 210 Andover St. (978) 573-3261. Author signing, 7:30 p.m. featuring Rob Bradford, author of "Chasing Steinbrenner." Free. All welcome. Borders Books and Music, 151 Andover St. (978) 538-3003. Friday, Aug. 20 Story time featuring brand new releases, 7 p.m. Barnes & Noble, 210 Andover St. (978) 573-3261. Comedy Night Fund-raiser sponsored by the Committee to Elect Anne Manning State Representative, 7 to 10 p.m. at the A.O.H., 58 Lowell St. Suggested donation $25. Summer Movie Series, 7 p.m., featuring "Peter Pan." $2 admission; bring seating. Sponsored by Knights of Columbus. 96 Main St. (978) 532-1660. Second Union performance, 7 p.m. Two self-taught musicians. Free. All welcome. Borders Books and Music, 151 Andover St. (978) 538-3003. Saturday, Aug. 21 Yard sale, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., The Inn Transition, 42 Washington St. $5 per bag of items. Volunteers needed. Call (978) 531-9951. White Elephant Craft Fair, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Peabody Council on Aging, 79 Central St. Tables available for $20. Call (978) 531-2254, Ext. 124. Yard sale, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Peabody Glen Health Care Center parking lot, 199 Andover St. Table rentals cost $10. For information, call (978) 531-0772. Simon Kidgits Club Carnival, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Northshore Mall, Route 129 and 114. Entertainment, prizes, games, moon bounce and refreshments. Meet Scooby Doo. Public welcome. Tickets $3; Kidgit Club members free. www.simonkidgitsclub.com. Portuguese Story Time, 3 p.m. Includes story and craft. Registration required. Peabody Institute Library, 82 Main St. Call (978) 531-0100, Ext. 29. Sunday, Aug. 22 Family open house, 3 to 5 p.m., Temple Beth Shalom, 489 Lowell St. Meet the Rabbi, religious school directors and board members. Event also includes crafts and activities for children. (978) 535-2100. 12th Annual Summer Concert Series, 6 to 8 p.m. featuring Gopherbroke. Leather City Common. Bring seating. In case of rain, held in Wiggin Auditorium, Peabody City Hall. Free; all welcome. (978) 538-5700. Tuesday, Aug. 24 Family Picnic Night, 6 p.m., South Branch Library. Food and entertainment. (978) 531-3380. Wednesday, Aug. 25 Ice Cream Social, 1 p.m., South Branch Library. (978) 531-3380. Crazy Cards, 1 p.m., Peabody COA, 79 Central St. Card games, prizes and refreshments. Cost is $3. Call (978) 531-2254, Ext. 124. Mystery Discussion Group, 8 p.m. featuring "Bare Bones" by Kathy Reichs. Free. All welcome. Borders Books and Music, 151 Andover St. (978) 538-3003. Thursday, Aug. 26 Peabody Emblem Club #2 Embola Raffle, 6:30 p.m., Peabody Elks Hall, 40 Oak St., Peabody. Raffle, door prizes and refreshments. Friday, Aug. 27 Story time featuring children`s favorite characters, 7 p.m. Barnes & Noble, 210 Andover St. (978) 573-3261. 3 Feet Up performance, 7 p.m. Musical group draws from wide range of spiritual sources. Free. All welcome. Borders Books and Music, 151 Andover St. (978) 538-3003. Sunday, Aug. 29 12th Annual Summer Concert Series, 6 to 8 p.m. featuring Fortune featuring Mary Beth and Brian Maes. Leather City Common. Bring seating. In case of rain, held in Wiggin Auditorium, Peabody City Hall. Free; all welcome. (978) 538-5700. Tuesday, Aug. 31 PJ Party, 7 p.m., South Branch Library. Ages 3 to 8; bring blankets and wear pajamas. Stories and snacks. (978) 531-3380. Salem calendar By Tuesday, Aug. 17 Meeting to discuss church closing, 7 p.m., AOH Hall, 104 Boston St., Salem. All parishioners of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish of Salem, Peabody and Danvers invited. (978) 922-7632. Wednesday, Aug. 18 Board of Appeals, 6:30 p.m., 120 Washington St. Historical Commission, 7:30 p.m., 120 Washington St. Thursday, Aug. 19 Salem High School class of 1943 reunion, Danversport Yacht Club. Call (978) 744-7751 or (978) 744-4005. Concerts on the Common 2004 presents a movie, "The Princess Bride," at dusk, approximately 7:30 p.m. Free. Salem Common. "A Chorus Line," 8 p.m. performed by Salem State College Student Theatre Ensemble. Mainstage Auditorium, Lafayette Street. $15 general, $10 seniors/students. (978) 744-8478. Friday, Aug. 20 "A Chorus Line," 8 p.m. performed by Salem State College Student Theatre Ensemble. Mainstage Auditorium, Lafayette Street. $15 general, $10 seniors/students. (978) 744-8478. Saturday, Aug. 21 Underwater Coastline Adventure (you stay dry), 10 a.m. departure from Hawthorne Cove Marina to Misery Island aboard HOBBES Science boat. For ages 8 and older. Tickets $12; advance payment and registration required. Presented by The Trustees of Reservations. Call (978) 526-8687. Salem High School Classes of 1987, 1988, and 1989 Reunion, 6:30 p.m., Spirit of Boston Cruise, Boston Harbor. Tickets are $78 per person; must mention Salem High School when purchasing. Call (617) 748-1400, Ext. 3010. "A Chorus Line," 8 p.m. performed by Salem State College Student Theatre Ensemble. Mainstage Auditorium, Lafayette Street. $15 general, $10 seniors/students. (978) 744-8478. Sunday, Aug. 22 "A Chorus Line," 2 p.m. performed by Salem State College Student Theatre Ensemble. Mainstage Auditorium, Lafayette Street. $15 general, $10 seniors/students. (978) 744-8478. Wednesday, Aug. 25 Beacon Christian Academy Open House, 9 to 11:30 a.m., 8 North St. Parents and students grades pre-K to 8 may register, view facility and meet teachers. Call (978) 741-4200. Thursday, Aug. 26 Art show and sale, 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. presented by Artists Among Us. Old Town Hall, 32 Derby Square. Theatrical storytelling by Activated Storytellers, 7 p.m. at Salem Public Library, 260 Essex St. Features their latest production, "Under Your Nose (Exploring the Obvious)". Free, all welcome. (978) 744-9667 or www.activated-storytellers.com. Concerts on the Common 2004 presents a movie, "Finding Nemo," at dusk, approximately 7:30 p.m. Free. Salem Common. Saturday, Aug. 28 22nd Annual Boston Antique and Classic Boat Festival, noon to 5 p.m. $5 adults, children under 12 free. Hawthorne Cove Marina, 10 White St. Sponsored by Lowell`s Boat Shop. (617) 666-8530. Sunday, Aug. 29 22nd Annual Boston Antique and Classic Boat Festival, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. $5 adults, children under 12 free. Hawthorne Cove Marina, 10 White St. Sponsored by Lowell`s Boat Shop. (617) 666-8530. Saturday, Sept. 4 Salem Common Neighborhood Association citywide yard sale, 9 a.m. to noon on Salem Common. Thursday, Sept. 16 Salem Council on Aging Lobster Bake, 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets $10. Chowder, lobster, salad, dessert and live entertainment. Franco American Club, Park Street, Beverly. Saturday, Sept. 18 A Boy`s Life at the Turn of the Modern Era, a program especially for children, 2 p.m. Includes hands-on activities. Stephen Phillips Trust House, 34 Chestnut St. (978) 744-0440. Saturday, Sept. 25 Trails & Sails Walking Tour of Chestnut and Essex Streets, 11 a.m. For more information, call Stephen Phillips Trust House at (978) 744-0440. Thursday, Oct. 7 Nathaniel Hawthorne Bicentennial Lecture Series, 7 p.m. "Hawthorne`s Friends in Salem: The Non-Literary Companions He Chose," with Thomas Woodson. Free. All welcome. House of Seven Gables, 54 Turner St. (978) 744-0991, Ext. 126. Wednesday, Oct. 13 A Story in Every Layer, 7 p.m. Presentation of results of extensive paint analysis on woodwork in four oldest rooms of Stephen Phillips Trust House, 34 Chestnut St. (978) 744-0440. Saturday, Nov. 6 Fine and Decorative Arts Tours, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Stephen Phillips Trust House, 34 Chestnut St. Diverse collection of art and antiques from five generations will be highlighted. (978) 744-0440. Saturday, Nov. 13 Fine and Decorative Arts Tours, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Stephen Phillips Trust House, 34 Chestnut St. Diverse collection of art and antiques from five generations will be highlighted. (978) 744-0440. Salem news in brief AARP TRIPS: The Salem AARP will offer the following trips throughout the summer: • Aug. 18 -- Parkers Maple Barn in Nashua, N.H. Includes breakfast. • Sept. 26 to 28 -- Summit Hotel in Killington, Vt. Includes pool, tennis, etc. • Sept. 18 -- Deerfield Fair in Deerfield, N.H. Lunch included. • Oct. 7 -- Turkey Train Ride and cruise on Lake Winnipesaukee. • Dec. 3 -- Radio City Rockettes Christmas Show, Wang Center, Boston. • Dec. 5 to 7 -- Atlantic City and New York City. Includes Radio City Christmas Show. Space is limited. For information, call (978) 744-6582 or (978) 745-2867. YMCA: The Salem YMCA will offer several new upcoming programs, including tai chi, adult fencing, kids fun night, teen strength training, swim lessons and Swim Team prep classes. Call (978) 744-0351 for schedule, fees and registration information. REUNION: The Salem High School class of 1943 will hold its 61st reunion at the Danversport Yacht Club Thursday, Aug. 19. All members of the class and their guests are welcome. Program includes dinner and cocktail hour. For more information, call (978) 744-7751 or (978) 744-4005. HABITAT HOUSE: Habitat for Humanity of the North Shore is currently renovating a house at 18 Crombie St. in Salem. Local families of four or five people with an income up to $33,000 may download an application at www.habitatforhumanity-northshore.com and send the completed forms to 215 Maple St., Lynn, MA 01904 by Aug. 30. CLASS REUNION: The 45th reunion of the Salem High School class of 1959 will be held Saturday, Nov. 20, at the Danversport Yacht Club. Classmates who have changed addresses should send new information to Joan Sobocinski Pizzello, 37 Endicott St., Salem, MA 01970. YARD SALE: The Salem Common Neighborhood Association will hold a citywide yard sale on Salem Common Saturday, Sept. 4, from 9 a.m. to noon. All Salem residents are welcome to participate. For more information or to rent a table, call (978) 745-5907. All proceeds from table rentals will benefit the Roger Conant Restoration Fund. REUNION: The Salem High School class of 1979 will hold a 25-year reunion Saturday, Nov. 27, 2004, from 7 p.m. to midnight at K of C in Salem. Classmates whose addresses have changed or those with questions should call Caroline (Cheech) Garabedian at (978) 744-2333 or e-mail garoscmd@aol.com. WRITERS GROUP: Church Street Writers Retreat meets Thursdays, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at the Lyceum, 43 Church St. For more information, call (781) 592-0457. GOLF PASSES: Salem Park & Recreation Department is accepting applications for 2004 season passes to Olde Salem Greens Golf Course. Salem residents may purchase a pass at the Mack Park office or call (978) 744-0180 for more information. AARP TRIP: The Salem AARP chapter changed the date of its trip to the Summit Hotel in Killington, Vt. The three-day trip is scheduled for Sept. 26 to 28 and includes a cruise on Lake Champlain and visits to the Shelbourne Museum and St. Gauden`s National Park. Space is limited. For information, call (978) 744-6582 or (978) 745-2867. GOLF TOURNEY: The fifth annual Steve O`Grady Golf Tournament will be held Monday, Aug. 23, at Salem Municipal Golf Course. Enjoy morning flight followed by a luncheon, prizes, raffle, silent auction and awarding of the 2004 Stephen M. O`Grady Scholarships. For more information, call (978) 745-5949 or visit www.stephenogrady.com. REUNION: The Salem High School class of 1964 will hold its 40 year reunion Saturday, Sept. 25, at the Knights of Columbus in Salem. Contact Jim Solovicos at (978) 532-0031 or jtsolovicos@hotmail.com or Gail Annis at (978) 887-8681 or r.e.annis@verizon.net. HISTORY EXHIBIT: Salem State College Enterprise Center, located off Loring Avenue, will present an exhibit, "Stopping the Clock: A Time to Remember Salem`s Pequot Mill Strike," through Aug. 27. The exhibit may be viewed Mondays through Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information, call (978) 542-6389. By Births By Kaulenas -- Born at Beverly Hospital, July 29, a son, Corey Aras Ide Kaulenas, to Dainis Kaulenas and Jenna Ide of Salem. Fure -- Born at Beverly Hospital, Aug. 3, a daughter, Mackenzie Theresa, to Mr. and Mrs. David Fure of Salem. Grandparents are Sandy and Tasso Alefantis of Salem and Vincent and Janet Fure of Salem. Great-grandparents are Vincent Fure of Lynn, Blanche Hincman of Salem, and Laura MacQuarrie of Tampa, Fla. Hill -- Born at Beverly Hospital, Aug. 5, a son, Teagan Robert, to Stephen and Nell Hill of Salem. Teagan is welcomed home by his brother, Logan. Grandparents are Robert and Selma Johanson of Topsfield and Robert and Dawn Gale of Salem, N.H. Great-grandparents are Don and Shirley Nelson of Peabody, Don and Joan Gallant of Tampa, Fla., and Robert Johanson of Beverly. LeBlanc -- Born at Beverly Hospital, Aug. 7, a daughter, Madeline Joan, to Gregory and Linda LeBlanc of Lynn. Grandparents are Richard and Gail Torrey of Salem and Roberta LeBlanc and Jack LeBlanc, both of Lynn. Great-grandparents are Leslie and Madeline Broadbridge of Exeter, N.H. and Ursula Baker of Saugus. Births By Tri-Town calendar By Tuesday, Aug. 17 Middleton Board of Selectmen, 7:30 p.m., Fuller Meadow School. Topsfield Board of Selectmen, 8 p.m., Public Library. Wednesday, Aug. 18 Topsfield COA Men`s Club Luncheon, Michael`s Harborside Restaurant. For time and to reserve a van ride, call (978) 887-6866. For information about the Men`s Club, call (978) 887-5853. Topsfield Web site Committee, 9 a.m., Town Hall. State Rep. Brad Hill`s Office Hours, 6 to 7 p.m., Flint Public Library. Middleton Board of Health, 7 p.m., Department of Public Works Building. Masconomet Regional School Committee, 7 p.m., Angelica`s Restaurant. Conservation Commission, 7 p.m., Public Library. Topsfield Planning Board, 7:30 p.m., Public Library. Thursday, Aug. 19 Masconomet Regional School Fiscal Management Subcommittee, 7:30 p.m., Administration Building. Topsfield Historic District Commission, 7:30 p.m., Town Hall. Friday, Aug. 20 Board of Road Commissioners, 7:30 a.m., Public Works Building. Board of Assessors, 8:30 a.m., Town Hall. Wednesday, Aug. 25 Last day of Boxford voter registration, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Boxford Town Hall, 7A Spofford Road. Call (978) 887-6000, Ext 501. Saturday, Aug. 28 Drummer Boys Great Indoor/Outdoor Antique Show, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. More than 250 dealers. $5.50 per person. Topsfield Fairgrounds, Route 1. (978) 535-4811. Sunday, Aug. 29 Drummer Boys Great Indoor/Outdoor Antique Show, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. More than 250 dealers. $5.50 per person. Topsfield Fairgrounds, Route 1. (978) 535-4811. Middleton Kiwanis Club Concert, 5 to 7 p.m., bandstand behind Memorial Hall. Performance by Overdrive. Tuesday, Aug. 31 Public meeting, 7:30 p.m. Topsfield Library. Chris Siccardi from the Community Preservation Act (CPA) organization will discuss how the CPA can help fund Town Hall upgrades. All Topsfield residents urged to attend. Wednesday, Sept. 8 Terrific Toddlers program, 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. for families with children ages 2 and 3. Featured topic is insects. $8 adults and $6 children. Registration required. Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, 89 Perkins Row, Topsfield. (978) 887-9264. Friday, Sept. 10 Sunset Walk, 6 to 8 p.m. for families with children ages 6 and older. $10 adults and $8 children. Registration required. Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, 89 Perkins Row, Topsfield. (978) 887-9264. Wednesday, Sept. 15 Terrific Toddlers program, 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. for families with children ages 2 and 3. Featured topic is flowers. $8 adults and $6 children. Registration required. Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, 89 Perkins Row, Topsfield. (978) 887-9264. Wednesday, Sept. 22 Terrific Toddlers program, 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. for families with children ages 2 and 3. Featured topic is trees. $8 adults and $6 children. Registration required. Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, 89 Perkins Row, Topsfield. (978) 887-9264. Sunday, Sept. 26 Wonder Walk for families with children ages 3 and older, 1 to 2:30 p.m. Features topic is Incredible Insects. $9 adults and $7 children. Registration required. Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, 89 Perkins Row, Topsfield. (978) 887-9264. Wednesday, Sept. 29 Terrific Toddlers program, 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. for families with children ages 2 and 3. Featured topic is seeds. $8 adults and $6 children. Registration required. Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, 89 Perkins Row, Topsfield. (978) 887-9264. Friday, Oct. 1 180th Topsfield Fair opens, 4 to 10 p.m. Musical ride of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in the arena, 7 p.m.; fireworks, 8:30 p.m. Topsfield residents admitted free. Topsfield Fairgrounds, Route 1, Topsfield. Wednesday, Oct. 6 Terrific Toddlers program, 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. for families with children ages 2 and 3. Featured topic is leaves. $8 adults and $6 children. Registration required. Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, 89 Perkins Row, Topsfield. (978) 887-9264. Tri-Town news in brief By NATURE PROGRAMS: Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, 89 Perkins Row, Topsfield, will offer the following adult programs through the fall: • Cuttyhunk and Elizabeth Islands Tours Sundays, Sept. 12, 19, and 26, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. $50 per trip. • Plum Island Bird Walk Sunday, Sept. 12, 7 to 11 a.m. $18. • Saturday Morning Bird Walks, Sept. 11, 18, 25, and Oct. 2, 9, 16, and 23, 7:30 to 9 a.m. $6. • Twilight-to-dark Canoe Trip, Thursday, Sept. 16, 6 to 9 p.m. All equipment provided. Participants must be able to swim. $30. • Photographing Autumn Woodlands and Meadows Saturday, Sept. 18, 8 a.m. to noon with Bob Speare. Bring camera. $30. • Migrants at Mount Agamenticus, Maine, Tuesday, Sept. 21, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bring lunch, binoculars and field guides. $45. • Monhegan Island Weekend Friday, Sept. 24, to Sunday, Sept. 26., with Bob Speare and Carol Decker. $504 per person includes accommodations, all meals, transportation and field instruction. Registration is required for all activities. Discounts are offerred to Massachusetts Audubon members. For more information or to register, call (978) 887-9264. TOWN MEETING: Topsfield residents are invited to attend a public meeting Tuesday, Aug. 31, at 7:30 p.m. at the Topsfield Library. Chris Siccardi from the Community Preservation Act (CPA) organization will be present to discuss how the CPA can help fund Town Hall upgrades. CLASSMATES SOUGHT: The Masconomet class of 1979 is looking for classmates for its 25-year reunion in August. Classmates should contact Michelle (McAdoo) Costanza at (978) 777-6483 or e-mail at mjcostanza@verizon.net. HOME SERVICES: During the summer months, the Topsfield Council on Aging offers home visits to Topsfield elders who are house-bound and would enjoy a social visit. Also, Meals on Wheels home delivery is available to elders Monday through Friday. Call (978) 887-1523. WATER BAN: The Topsfield Board of Water Commissioners has issued a Voluntary Water Ban due to increasing water demand and decreasing flows from the Ipswich River. Residents are asked to limit use of water outdoors and to irrigate lawns only one time per week for no more than two hours. For information, call (978) 887-1517 or visit www.topsfieldpw.org. FAMILY PROGRAMS: Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, 89 Perkins Row, Topsfield, will offer the following family programs through the fall: • Terrific Toddlers meet Wednesdays, Sept. 8, 15, 22, 29, and Oct. 6, 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. for families with children ages 2 and 3. $8 adults; $6 children. • Family Campout, a river adventure, Friday, Sept. 10, 6 p.m. to Saturday, Sept. 11, at 11 a.m. for families with children ages 7 to 11. $32 adults; $29 children. • Sunset Walk Friday, Sept. 10, 6 to 8 p.m. for families with children ages 6 and older. $10 adults; $8 children. • Saturday Exploration, Sept. 18, 1 to 2:30 p.m., for families with children ages 5 and older. $9 adults; $7 children. • Fours and Fives in Fall, discovery classes meet Tuesdays, Sept. 21, 28, and Oct. 5, 12, and 19. Choose from 9:30 to 11 a.m. or 12:30 to 2 p.m. Also meets Fridays, Sept. 24, and Oct. 1, 8, 15, and 22, 9:30 to 11 a.m. Fee for five-week session, $72 per adults/child pair. • Family Paddle Saturday, Sept. 25, 9:30 to 11 a.m. for families with children age 6 and older. Must be able to swim. Equipment provided. $14 adults; $12 children. • Wonder Walk for Families Sunday, Sept. 26, 1 to 2:30 p.m. for families with children ages 3 and older. Registration is required for all activities. Discounts are offerred to Massachusetts Audubon members. For more information or to register, call (978) 887-9264. Craft fair information By What: 32nd annual Wenham Museum Crafts Fair. Where: Wenham town center, intersection of Route 1A and Arbor Street. When: Saturday, Aug. 21, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., rain or shine. Wenham firefighters` cookout begins at 10:30 a.m. Cost: There is no admission fee; hamburgers and hot dogs sold at fire station. Concert information By What: Benefit concert by Russian violinist Daria Kharinova. Where: Christ Church of Hamilton and Wenham, 149 Asbury St., South Hamiton. When: Saturday, Aug. 28, 7:30 p.m. Cost: $10 general admission; $5 for students, recent graduates and senior citizens. Proceeds benefit Peace Park children`s camps in Lezye, Russia. Call the church at (978) 468-8174 with questions or for directions. Home for the Deaf sells land By Melissa Beecher Staff writer DANVERS -- Three homes will be built on a small piece of property in Danversport that was recently sold by the New England Home for the Deaf. Ipswich developer Roger LeBlanc purchased 169 Water St., an area of land between Liberty and Water streets behind the William Penn Hussey monument. The space on the Danvers/Peabody town line was separated into three lots and three single-family homes will be built there, LeBlanc said yesterday. "We don`t know the design yet ... although they possibly may be colonial-style houses," LeBlanc said. "The land became available and I invested." LeBlanc purchased the land from the New England Home of the Deaf for $400,000, according to a purchase agreement filed with the Danvers Planning Department. No building plans have yet been filed with the building or code departments. The Planning Board accepted the plan on July 27. The board`s approval was not needed to break the property up into three lots because enough frontage existed for three homes on the site. The sale is expected to be finalized next month with the deed scheduled to be delivered to LeBlanc on Sept. 15. Officials at the New England Home for the Deaf could not be reached for comment yesterday. Volunteers needed to create playground By Melissa Beecher Staff writer DANVERS -- They collected pennies and sold candy bars. They held "slipper day" and "hat day" and a gift wrap sale. Their parents participated in a buy-a-brick fund-raiser and Krispy Kreme raffles. The kids of Riverside Elementary School have done a lot of work for their new playground and on Friday it should pay off. It should, that is, if Kim Field can harness one last team effort from her community. Field, a teacher at Riverside and co-chair of the school`s playground committee, says volunteers are the only way the $45,000 playground will be completed. The equipment will be delivered by New England Recreation at the end of the week and it will be up to volunteers to finish the construction. "We need as many people as we can to get things together," said Field. "The more people the better." According to Field, teachers and members of the Parent Advisory Council are expected to show up at 8 a.m. on Friday to start building. She said the group has started recruiting others to make sure the job is finished this weekend. "This has been a yearlong project and we`re really excited to finish it up before school starts," Field said. "Everyone has been great, very, very supportive. We`re looking for just a little more." The new multi-level, hard plastic play structure has two triple-wide slides and one corkscrew slide. A mock rock climbing wall and two free-standing art areas are also included in the main frame. The state-of-the-art jungle gym will be a welcome addition to the playground, Field said. "We`re the last school in town to build a new playground," said Field. "The kids will be thrilled when they see the whole new structure in there." Volunteers who show up to help out will also be offered free refreshments compliments of B.J.`s, Magnolia House of Pizza and Applebee`s. "We`re just thankful to everyone and can`t wait to get this done," Field said. Volunteers needed By What: Building the playground at Riverside Elementary School Where: Riverside School, 95 Liberty St. When: Friday, Saturday and Sunday, starting at 8 a.m. What needs to be done: People are needed to help put playground equipment and pathways together. Refreshments are being donated from area businesses. Library parking lot taking shape By Anna Scott Staff writer IPSWICH -- An idea to build a parking lot behind the public library is finally taking shape, library Director Victor Dyer said yesterday. Now, they`re nearing the end of those talks. Because of the way the lot lines are drawn, the parking lot will cross church property so the library needs church permission. In turn, the church will be allowed to use the lot for services on Sundays, when the library is closed. The lot is expected to hold between eight and 10 cars, and will be designated for library staff. Pushing staff members to the back lot will free spaces in front of the library for patrons, Dyer said. The trustees will pay for the cost of the lot, which Dyer said has not been determined yet. Parking in the historic North Main Street area is notoriously sparse, and town planners have considered adding parking spaces in tandem with a beautification project in the works there. "When the library has an event, parking up there comes at a premium," said DPW Director Bob Gravino. Kim Rishi, who attended a magic show at the library yesterday with her 3-year-old son Alexander, said she often has trouble finding parking at the library. "It`s tough," Rishi said. "Sometimes I have to park in front of the apartment buildings, and I don`t think the people in the apartments like that very much." Residents want traffic changes By Lisa Arsenault Staff writer MANCHESTER -- Lincoln Street residents say something needs to be done about traffic in their neighborhood after three tractor-trailer trucks got stuck on the busy road Friday. The short stretch of road is home to Manchester Memorial School, Manchester Essex Regional High School and roughly 35 houses. The road is also the designated route for travelers going from Route 128 to Route 127 and Magnolia. Police were called to Lincoln Street three times Friday because large tractor-trailer trucks needed help turning around from under a pedestrian bridge that connects Memorial School to the high school needed. "Traffic has grown substantially in four years I`ve been there," Lincoln Street resident Karen Bennett said. "Not allowing big trucks is one of the things we`re talking about. Commercial truck traffic is a major concern." Residents of the street banded together earlier this summer to try to get the town or the state to do something about traffic after a Waste Management truck took out a piece of a maple tree near the corner of Arbella Street. A group of roughly 10 people have met regularly since then, Bennett said, and a petition is in the works. Grace Vasta-Carr and a group of about six neighbors proposed making the street one-way from Summer Street to Arbella Street. They are also asking the state to consider a new exit off Route 128 that will give motorists a direct route to Magnolia without going through Manchester. Under Vasta-Carr`s one-way proposal, motorists would enter Lincoln Street from Arbella Street and continue to Summer Street. The way it is now, the eastern end of Lincoln Street is one-way and motorists who enter from Summer Street have to take Arbella Street to get back onto School Street. Vasta-Carr`s proposal would reverse the one-way direction of Arbella Street. Vasta-Carr, who has lived on Lincoln Street for 10 years, said large trucks that use the street as a throughway cause the biggest problems. Bennett`s husband, Kevin Prentice, said police have closed the street twice this summer to have large trucks drive down Arbella Street in the wrong direction. Bennett said one problem is that trucks have to speed up to make it over the hill near Arbella Street, but then end up taking the corner at a dangerous speed. The speed limit on Lincoln Street is 25 mph. School Superintendent Robert Shaps said he hasn`t heard complaints from parents about traffic. School Committee Chairwoman Susan Beckmann said district officials have looked at traffic studies of the area and voted to increase the number of buses bringing students to the schools to cut down on traffic. Public Works Director Robert Moroney said making Lincoln Street a one-way is not the answer. If traffic from Route 128 to Route 127 did not travel along Lincoln Street, it could end up going through the center of town instead, where traffic flow is already a problem, he said. "We`re trying to come up with ideas," she said. "It`s the only street in the whole town that has two schools on it. It`s just gotten worse and worse over the years." G-O-A-L! By PEABODY -- Three soccer teams took part in a tournament Saturday arranged as part of the 100th anniversary of the Portuguese Benefit Society. The Lusitanos of Lowell took first place in the tournament, with Sports Peabody coming in second, the FPI team from Fishery Products coming in third. Besides sponsoring a soccer league, the benefit society supports a marching band and social club on Northend Street. Roughly 200 people turned out for anniversary festivities this weekend, including a two-night block party, a Mass on Sunday for deceased members, a luncheon and concert by the Portuguese Marching Band, and a performance by a folkloric dance group. "It was very nice," said Elio Vasconcelos, secretary of the society. "We hope the place will last another hundred years." -- Jamie Jamieson Grant will fund worker education at Brooksby Village By Jamie Jamieson Staff writer PEABODY -- Forty Brooksby Village employees will go to school to learn English or pursue a high school degree next month. But they won`t need to take any time off from work. North Shore Community Action Programs will hold classes right at the Route 114 senior housing complex twice a week. "It`s incredibly wonderful for both our staff and for us," Human Resources Director Carol Dooley said. Instructors from the NSCAP`s Basic Education program have already tested the students and divided them into three levels of English as a Second Language classes and one GED class. A grant from the state Department of Education made the program possible. Although NSCAP has run English and basic education classes for some time, this is the first workplace education program the anti-poverty agency has offered. Students come from all areas of the senior housing complex`s work force. There are dishwashers and cooks, housekeepers and home health aides and nursing assistants. Some are quite young. Others are middle-aged. "All along we`ve been offering some basic English classes," Dooley said. "But this is much more intense, and it`s going to continue over five years." Many of the workers hope to earn their high school degrees and then move on to college. The workers come from around the world, including the Dominican Republic, Brazil and other South American countries. A handful come from Turkey, Albania and Italy, as well. "We actually thought of Brooksby Village because we have a couple of volunteers who live there and they were doing wonderful work," said Beth Hogan, NSCAP`s executive director. Managers at the residential community "were very receptive and very supportive," she said. Hogan said a crucial part of the program is Brooksby`s willingness to pay workers for the time they spend in class -- four hours a week. "You`d be amazed how many of the people we work with (who) are working two and three jobs," Hogan said. "If they can do it while they are at work, they are much more likely to experience success." Learning English and improving math and writing skills can make it possible for employees "to move up the career ladder," she said. In addition to the classroom instruction, Dooley said workers will also be able to find tutors at Brooksby Village. "We`re going to be relying on our residents very heavily to be tutors," she said. "We have such a great base of people here who used to be teachers and used to be engineers, and they are so eager to be involved." Man killed while walking on Route 128 By Lisa Arsenault and Gail McCarthy Staff writers A man was killed on Route 128 north in West Gloucester after police believe he got in a fight with a cab driver and walked into traffic just before 8 p.m. yesterday. Police would not release the man`s name. Traffic on Route 128 north was shut down between Essex Avenue and Concord Street for more than two hours while state police investigated the accident. The Crime Prevention and Control Unit (CPAC) of the Essex County district attorney`s office was called in, along with the medical examiner. Police would not identify the driver of the Nissan Altima that hit the man. Gloucester Police Lt. Jerris Cook said he did not believe the driver would be charged in the accident. Police believe the man had been drinking before he was hit, Cook said. A cab driver picked the man up at his house and took him to the Liquor Locker on Main Street, where the clerk refused to sell him alcohol because he was noticeably intoxicated, Cook said. A Liquor Locker store clerk confirmed last night that a man was refused alcohol earlier that evening, after which the man caused a scene before he left in a cab. The liquor store staff then called Gloucester police. The call of the fight came in just 15 minutes before police received calls from motorists on Route 128 who said a man was trying to flag drivers down and pull them from their cars, according to the police report. In the meantime, police said, the man had crossed the median to the northbound side where he walked into the road and was struck by a driver just over the crest of the hill after exit 14 on Route 128 north. Rockport resident Mike Frontierro was driving in the left-hand lane on his way home from work when saw the man walking down the white dotted line in the middle of the highway just seconds before he was hit. "I just went up over that crest after the Route 133 exit, and then I saw a car slightly in front of me hit its brakes and swerve toward my lane. When he hit his brakes, I didn`t know what to think, and then I hit my brakes and I saw the guy on the white line in between my truck and that car. We both missed him. I missed him by inches," Frontierro said. He said it appeared the man was walking along the dotted line, not trying to cross the road. "He was like ducking one way and the other. He was just staring. It was the freakiest thing to see, especially doing 50 miles per hour, and it was a little misty," Frontierro said. "When I looked in my mirror, he didn`t appear to be getting out of the road, and it appeared clear to cross the road. Just 10 or 15 seconds or 6 inches, I could have been the one who hit him. There was no avoiding what happened. It was on the crest, and there was no time to react. I can`t believe there wasn`t a chain reaction, so traffic must have been light." Frontierro pulled over as soon as he could. "I got out of my truck and looked back and all the cars had stopped at that point," said Frontierro, who serves on the Rockport Forest Fire Department. He then met up with the frightened young couple who struck the man, and he also saw the body. "I knew he was dead right away," said Frontierro from his home last night. "You could see there wasn`t a breath of life in him." Topsfield auto racing legend Ollie Silva dies By Russ Conway Staff writer Ollie Silva and his racecars were always easy to pick out on the oval track. There was no mistaking the custom-slanted, brightly polished chrome zeroes on either side of the black "Big O" cars, or the flare of the driver who made them go fast. Together, they became the legend of "Quick Silva" -- a legend preserved in the memories and scrapbooks of the generations of fans who followed Silva over a career that spanned three decades, from the early 1950s to the late 1970s. Silva, 75, died peacefully in his sleep Sunday night at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Manchester, N.H., following a long battle with throat cancer and diabetes. A Topsfield native, Silva was a former longtime resident of Haverhill. He had lived in Salem, N.H. for the past 31 years. Silva`s quiet demeanor off the speedway was in sharp contrast to the explosive on-track skills that earned him the nickname coined by national TV broadcaster Dick Berggren: "Dynamite Ollie." Silva`s instinctive reflexes -- turning the steering wheel with both arms constantly in motion to make split-second maneuvers -- became his trademark. His uncanny eye-hand-foot coordination was not affected by the ocular problem, with him since childhood, that made his eyes oversensitive to light and caused him to wear tinted prescription glasses. One of the first 10 drivers inducted into the New England Auto Racers Hall of Fame, Silva became famous for his rear-to-the-front charges, beginning at the former Pines Speedway in Groveland. His spectacular driving style -- left-front wheel often lifting a foot off the track as he sped out of the turns -- earned him legions of followers. His reputation grew with wins at speedways throughout New England and, later, at tracks across the country and in Canada. "Anybody in racing will tell you, that`s the hardest thing to do," said Vic Miller, a longtime racecar builder from Plaistow, N.H., and Silva`s crew chief from 1969 to 1973. "Go to a place where guys race each week and beat them in their own back yard, especially in Florida and California. "Ollie won a lot of those races, and we didn`t have as good equipment as the other guys had." Back roads of Topsfield One of 16 children born to Portuguese immigrants, Silva started driving at age 10, steering a tractor and a pickup truck on his family`s large produce and poultry farm in Topsfield. By the time he was 14, he had secretly purchased a car and hid it in woods near the farm to "practice drive" on rarely used back roads. At 17, he attended a midget car race at the old Topsfield Fairgrounds dirt speedway and set his sights on becoming a racecar driver. He launched his career in 1949 at age 19 at the old Dracut Speedway. During the next 32 seasons, Silva`s "short track" racing career progressed as the sport changed and its popularity grew. From a start in jalopy stock cars, he became successful in "flathead" powered stocks, cut-downs, late models, modifieds and sprint cars. His greatest success came in supermodifieds, the fastest and most unlimited class of racecars that compete on oval "short track" speedways of under a mile. He drove in more than 3,300 races, including qualifying heats, semi, consolation and feature events, winning more than 1,000 of them. He won feature events in 25 straight seasons (1954-1978) while racing at 65 speedways in a dozen states and four Canadian provinces. At the request of his family, the funeral service and burial will be private. Accidents prompt traffic change along Route 97 By Michael Puffer Staff writer TOPSFIELD -- Following a fatal accident in March and a serious crash that sent two to the hospital in July, town officials have decided to prevent traffic from entering Wenham Road from Route 97. In the near future the Department of Public Works will erect a "Do Not Enter" sign on Wenham Road as it intersects Route 97 and Route 35 on the Topsfield/Wenham Line, said Road Commissioner Joseph Gibbons. The signs will serve as a temporary measure until the commissioners can carry out a study of the tricky intersection, Gibbons said. Traffic will still be able to travel two ways on Wenham Road, as well as exit onto Route 97. Highway Superintendent David Bond conducted a study of the intersection after 83-year-old Mary Hebert of Topsfield was killed there in April. Hebert`s husband was attempting to make a left turn from Route 97 onto Wenham Road when his car was struck by a driver traveling the opposite way -- coming out of Topsfield -- on Route 97. A deep dip in Route 97 just before the intersection can blind traffic heading into Topsfield to drivers heading in the opposite direction, though drivers are expected to slow before making the left turn into Wenham Road or Route 35. Still, Bond`s investigation found the intersection is no more prone to accidents than any other intersection in town, Gibbons said. "We don`t have any data that indicates that intersection is more dangerous than anything else," Gibbons said. "There is some concern -- a sort of rumor that it is a tough intersection." Town officials were prepared to write the accident off as driver error until another serious two-car accident occurred under nearly identical circumstances in early July, Gibbons said. One driver was sent to Beverly Hospital and a 16-year-old girl passenger had to be taken to North Shore Children`s Hospital. After that, town officials decided to close off the Route 97 end of Wenham Road to incoming traffic for six months, Road Commissioner Phil Knowles said. In the meantime, Selectman Ron Kuzmar has asked state Rep. Ted Speliotis, D-Danvers, to ask MassHighway to pay for a study that might lead to further changes. Road commissioners endorsed the closure, but the final decision rested with Police Chief Daniel O`Shea and Fire Chief Ronald P. Giovannacci, Knowles said. Police Chief Daniel O`Shea and Bond were unavailable for comment Monday. Attempts to reach Giovannacci were unsuccessful. Concert celebrates reconciliation By Steve Landwehr Staff writer HAMILTON -- When Daria Kharinova bows her violin for a benefit recital at Christ Church later this month, her strings will vibrate with more than the fellowship of parishes separated by thousands of miles of sea and land. Her performance will also symbolize harmony between bitter, even mortal enemies. The 18-year-old Russian violinist is the featured performer at a concert at the church Saturday, Aug. 28. The church has an established cultural exchange program with Russian Orthodox parishes around St. Petersburg, Russia. Christ Church organist and choirmaster Daniel Jay McKinley met the young woman on a trip there last year. "She`s highly talented," McKinley said. "I think she could fit into any music school in the United States." Daria, or Dasha, as she is known to friends and family, is a student at the Music College of the St. Petersburg Conservatory. Her father, the Rev. Viacheslav Kharinov, is the rector at Church of the Assumption in Lezye, Russia, a small village east of St. Petersburg, which was known as Leningrad during World War II. The church is on the grounds of a German burial ground, filled with unmarked graves of the soldiers who died during the brutal Siege of Leningrad. For 900 days, from September, 1941, to January, 1944, Adolph Hitler`s Nazi troops surrounded the city, cutting off all but a trickle of supplies that were brought in across Lake Ladoga. In just two months of 1942, January and February, 200,000 of St. Petersburg`s residents died of starvation or freezing. By the time the Red Army broke the blockade, as many as 800,000 people had died, and the siege became a bitter symbol of German war-time brutality. When the Rev. Kharinov took over the church, it stood partially destroyed as it had after the war, when it served as a field hospital, prison and post office. The priest got an idea that not only the church, but the burial grounds as well, could be restored with a higher purpose. Today, what was once a largely unmarked burial site is more than just a cemetery, it is a peace park where young people come every summer to explore the past and contemplate a better future. They meet with war veterans and study the history of religious and social intolerance. The Rev. Kharinov also supports international meetings on peace and reconciliation at the park. "Basically, his project came to fruition, and he got a lot of German support," McKinley said. In fact, some German families have had their loved ones remains re-interred in Peace Park. Proceeds from the church recital benefit the park. Daria will play selections by Bach, Mozart, Prokofiev, Vivaldi, and Tchaikovsky, accompanied by McKinley on the organ. Fair tradition continues By Steve Landwehr Staff writer WENHAM -- For the 32nd straight year, the Wenham Museum`s summer crafts fair will take over the town center this Saturday. Sherry Vernick, the museum`s artisan coordinator, said around 50 craftspeople are expected, offering everything from paintings to furniture to toys. Included in that group, she said, are six artisans from Hamilton and Wenham. The event is now billed as Wenham Day, and includes lawn sales at the Hobbs House and Wenham Tea House and a cookout at the fire station. "It`s a good time for the community to come together," Vernick said. For those unfamiliar with the museum`s collections, the event also offers a chance to tour them at no charge. Currently on display is a tribute to Hamilton`s recently deceased Gen. George S. Patton, and the historic Claflin-Richards House will also be open for tours from 1 to 3 p.m. The museum`s toy shop will also be open for business. Artisans will display their wares on the lawn in front of the museum, inside Burnham Hall and across the street on the Memorial Green. The fair will go on rain or shine. One unique offering is the opportunity to buy a raffle ticket to win a quilt that is being called Wandering Through Wenham, Vernick said. It`s a project Vernick began in 2001 to piece images of the town`s historic buildings together on a quilt. Later, families were invited to the museum to add cloth impressions of their own homes. The raffle drawing will be held in November. Along with the cookout, which runs from 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., firefighters will be providing demonstrations, and kids will be able to explore the department`s fire trucks. A smoke trailer, which teaches kids how to safely escape a smoke-filled building, will also be on hand, Fire Chief Cal Perkins said. Proceeds from the cookout help pay for new firefighting equipment. Almanac By Weather art by TODAY`S FORECAST: Today mostly sunny, patchy fog in the morning. Warmer with highs in the upper 70s. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph, becoming east in the afternoon. Tonight mostly clear, lows in the lower 60s. South winds 5 to 10 mph. . EXTENDED FORECAST: Wednesday partly cloudy, highs in the upper 70s. South winds 10 to 15 mph. Wednesday night mostly cloudy, a chance of showers in the evening. Patchy fog after midnight, lows in the lower 60s. South winds 10 to 15 mph, chance of rain 40 percent. MARINE FORECAST: Today north wind 5 to 10 knots, becoming east in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Tonight southwest wind 5 to 10 knots, seas 2 to 3 feet. Wednesday southwest wind 5 to 10 knots, becoming south 10 to 15 knots in the afternoon. Seas 2 to 3 feet. Wednesday night south wind 10 to 15 knots, seas 2 to 3 feet. A chance of showers in the evening, patchy fog after midnight. SUN and TIDES: SUNSET TODAY: 7:41 p.m. SUNRISE TOMORROW: 5:54 a.m. TODAY`S HIGH TIDE: 1:11 p.m. TODAY`S LOW TIDE: 7:08 p.m. TOMORROW`S HIGH TIDE: 1:20 a.m. TOMORROW`S LOW TIDE: 7:35 a.m. LOTTERY: Yesterday`s Mass Daily 1-0-7-3 Payoffs (based on $1 bet) Exact Order All four digits - $3,837 First or last three digits - $537 Any two digits - $46 Any one digit - $5 Any Order All four digits - $160 First three digits - $89 Last three digits - $89 Mass Millions Bonus: Clarification By A story that ran on page A3 of Friday`s paper requires clarification. The story should have said that Beverly`s effort to refit the heating systems at six schools deals primarily with the systems` burners and fuel tanks, not the boilers themselves. Beverly`s crossing guards cross over staffing, pay cuts By Chas Sisk Staff writer BEVERLY -- Pat Innis worked for 13 years as a school crossing guard. Two weeks ago, she learned from fellow crossing guard Elaine Saulnier that her services might no longer be needed. Saulnier had received a letter in the mail, but Innis and several other crossing guards apparently were never informed of any pending decisions. "I think they should have had communication, instead of leaving people in the air," Innis said. "I would have never known anything about a letter if Elaine hadn`t said something to me. I would have assumed I was going back to to work." "Me too," added Denise Ramsdell, another crossing guard. "They`re supposed to let you know." Innis, Ramsdell, Saulnier and several other crossing guards say they have been blindsided by budget cuts. Some are so upset that they`re vowing not to come back after decades of service to the School Department. School officials say the cuts are needed to balance the budget and bring crossing guards` benefits in line with workers who perform similar roles. They also add that, before this week, every current crossing guard will be offered a position of some kind, even if it`s only as a substitute. "I wish we could have had all this worked out in July, but sometimes things move slow," said Joan Liporto, the School Department`s director of personnel. Most of the crossing guards are women who took the job while raising children in the school system. They are paid around $20 a day to work two, one-hour shifts. They get paid even if they`re forced to call in sick or if the district is closed because of snow or vacation. Several crossing guards interviewed yesterday said they were happy with this arrangement. They worked while their children or grandchildren were in school, and the money supplemented their income from other sources. The crossing guards didn`t learn that their pay would change until earlier this month, when Acting Superintendent James Hayes sent out letters informing them that from now on they would be paid only for days worked. The letter said people who are unhappy with the changes can choose to look for work elsewhere. "It`s almost like they`re hoping we`re not coming back," Ramsdell said. Under pressure School officials say the cuts will save the district $83,000 this year, and they`ll make crossing guards` pay packages comparable to employees who do similar jobs, like lunch room monitors. Still, some parents said they are disappointed with the cuts. "When you cut the quality of a position, it affects the quality of the people you`re going to attract to that position," said Steve Galante, co-president of the Cove Elementary School PTO. But Liporto said that so far only five crossing guards have said they won`t come back next year. Those five positions will be offered to the six permanent guards who weren`t asked back, and the remaining guard will be placed in the city`s pool of substitutes. "As soon as we get through staffing we will follow up," Liporto said. But some of the crossing guards said that notification is coming too late. The job may not pay enough to cover the bills, but it`s something they have come to rely on, they said. "It`s all in how it was done," Ramsdell said. "That`s what it all boils down to," added Saulnier. Massachusetts news in brief By Associated Press State`s high court urges police to record confessions BOSTON (AP) -- Harshly criticizing the use of unrecorded criminal confessions, the state`s highest court on Monday strongly discouraged police from taking statements without having a tape-recorder rolling. While stopping just short of requiring police to record all interrogations, the Supreme Judicial Court said that when police fail to record them, defendants will be entitled to a judge`s instruction that the jury should weigh unrecorded statements "with great caution and care." In a divided, 4-3 ruling, the court overturned an arson conviction in a case that relied heavily on the defendant`s unrecorded statements. Valerio DiGiambattista was convicted of burning down a Newton house owned by his former landlord in 1998. But the high court said DiGiambattista`s confession should have been suppressed because police used trickery to obtain it and implied that he would receive leniency if he confessed. -- Teen injured by flying manhole cover files lawsuit against NStar CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (AP) -- A Holliston teenager critically injured by a flying manhole cover last month has sued NStar, the electric company whose wiring exploded and blew the 185-pound metal plate into the air. ON He spent about two weeks in a medically induced coma in Massachusetts General Hospital, and had several surgeries. He was discharged on Friday. "I do feel kind of like I cheated death," Brack said at a press conference on Monday, the same day the lawsuit was filed in Middlesex Superior Court in Cambridge. -- Speaker thanks members for `rejecting mediocrity` BOSTON (AP) -- House Speaker Thomas Finneran thanked lawmakers for "rejecting mediocrity and embracing excellence" as he detailed achievements of the past two years, never mentioning the session`s hottest topics: gay marriage and the change to how U.S. Senate vacancies are filled. In a two-page letter, followed by seven pages of highlights from the session, Finneran applauded lawmakers for moving swiftly to close $4 billion in budget deficits without raising taxes or "relying on fiscal gimmicks," something he called the session`s crowing achievement. "Members initiated real reforms that fundamentally restructured and streamlined government," Finneran wrote in the letter, released by his office Monday. "Members also made the difficult choices now so as not to burden future generations. And despite scarce revenues, members continued to fund the public services that most improve a person`s quality of life: education, health care, and economic development." The session began Jan. 1, 2003 and ended July 31. Police By Salem Monday • William Damon III, 23, of 946 Bay Road, Hamilton, was arrested and charged with malicious destruction of property over $250 after police responded to a reported smashed window at Crow Haven Corner at 125 Essex St. at 2:10 a.m. Patrolmen Kate Noftle, Gilbert Priddy, Edward Vaillancourt and Robert Lubas made the arrest. • Police responded to the Run-A-Muck Child Care Center at 3 Colby St. for a report of a "pigeon out front attacking pedestrians" at 10:49 a.m. According to a police report the pigeon "moved along" at 10:55 a.m. No injuries were reported. • A Bridge Street man reported that someone broke into his apartment sometime before 12:46 p.m. and stole a DVD player, a video game system, a gold chain and $50. Police said there were no signs of forced entry. Beverly Monday • Police received a report of a break-in at Beverly High School`s transportation building on Sohier Road at 10:07 a.m. According to police, several tools were believed to be missing, but a full inventory has not been completed. It was unclear yesterday when the building was broken into. Peabody Sunday • Riquezme Andrade, 32, of 72 Walnut St., #1, was arrested and charged with driving without a license and driving with no inspection sticker. Patrolman Mark Bettencourt made the arrest after a traffic stop on Lynnfield Street at 11:11 p.m. Monday • Police arrested Ioannis Nash, 17, of 180 Lowell St., #1, and charged him with possession of alcohol by a minor after officers responded to Norfolk Avenue at 3:10 a.m. for a report of someone throwing things. Danvers Monday • A 16-year-old Middleton boy was arrested and charged with disorderly conduct and malicious destruction of property after police responded to a reported fight at the law offices of Donovan & Donovan at 29 Elm St. Patrolman Timothy Williamson made the arrest at 3:51 p.m. Topsfield Friday Saturday Boxford Friday • David Dubois, 37, of 17 White St., East Boston, was arrested and charged with drunken driving and lane violations on Killam Hill Road just before 11 p.m. Patrolman James Riter made the arrest. Manchester-by-the-Sea Monday • A Summer Street man reported a laptop computer worth $800 stolen from his home at 8:35 a.m. He believes it was taken sometime Sunday, according to the police report. Part of old mill coming down to make for development By Tom Dalton Staff writer SALEM -- A large section of one of the few surviving mill buildings on the North River will soon be coming down. The Historical Commission recently approved a developer`s request to demolish a portion of 28 Goodhue St., a sprawling, four-story wooden structure near the intersection of Bridge and Boston streets. The former tannery and shoe factory has been vacant for the past five years. Anthony Roberto of North River Canal LLC, who bought the building last December, had sought a waiver of the city`s six-month demolition delay ordinance. He plans to demolish about half of the building while retaining the core of the structure for use in a proposed housing and retail redevelopment. He submitted a demolition proposal to the Historical Commission following discussions with Historic Salem, Inc., a private group that closely monitors development in and near historic areas of the city. This may be the only surviving shoe factory in the city built before the great fire of 1914, according to research by HSI. Even with this approval, it is not clear when Roberto will begin taking down part of the vacant building. He is waiting for the City Council to rezone the North River canal corridor, a stretch of land that follows the river from the North Street overpass to Boston Street. Under current zoning, a mixed-used housing development is not allowed. "We don`t have the zoning," said Joseph Correnti, Roberto`s attorney. "Right now, we`re watching the (zoning) being discussed and seeing how that comes out." A committee that includes private citizens has met for two years with city officials to plan the future use of this area, which once was home to tanneries and mills. The committee is close to submitting a new zoning proposal to the City Council, which would allow mixed-use developments, according to an aide to the mayor. Roberto is considering 50 or more condos on this site, but his plans are not final, his lawyer said. He is still assembling financing and working on design and construction plans. The mill building at 28 Goodhue St. was built in the early 1900s and survived the Great Fire of 1914, which began in the "Blubber Hollow" factory district and destroyed many buildings there and throughout the city. The building, which housed more than 40 small shops and artists` studios in recent years, was condemned by the city in 1999 as a potential fire hazard. By Julio Chuy Staff writer At a glance By Jane Murphy Staff writer National Mediation Board chairman has local ties Harry R. Hoglander of Magnolia has been named chairman of the National Mediation Board. He was sworn in as a board member in August 2002, after being nominated by President George Bush. The National Mediation Board is an independent federal agency, established by the Railway Labor Act, governing labor-management relations of nearly 500 railroads and 100 airlines in the United States. Hoglander, a decorated retired member of the U.S. Air Force, served as a B-29 gunner in the Korean War. He earned his undergraduate degree and a commission in the Air Force. He later joined the Massachusetts Air National Guard and qualified to fly jet fighters. He retired as a lieutenant colonel. A graduate of Suffolk University Law School, he became a member of the Florida Bar and is a community volunteer. Ex-auto exec launches campaign for diabetes By Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) -- Former auto executive Lee Iacocca, whose past crusades included design and safety improvements in American cars and refurbishing of the Statue of Liberty, is launching a new campaign -- this time to fund clinical tests toward a potential cure for deadly type 1 diabetes. Iacocca said Monday he wants a million Americans to contribute $10 each toward the three-year testing program to be conducted at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. He`s already committed $1 million to this effort to cure the autoimmune disease afflicting 2 million Americans. While type 2 diabetes is more common and treatable, affecting as many as 18 million people, type 1 often leads to blindness, loss of limbs and is the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. Last November, medical researchers announced in the journal Science that they had successfully reversed type 1 diabetes in laboratory mice, by using spleen cells from healthy mice to block the destruction of cells in diseased specimens. The process offers potential not only for diabetes but other immune diseases, it said. "We did it in mice and now we want to do it in humans -- but we can`t wait for the government or the pharmaceutical industry to do it -- I`ll be dead or an old man," Iacocca, 79, said in a telephone interview. He said he originally planned to appeal to 10 other wealthy individuals to match his $1 million "challenge grant" for the projected $11 million cost of the human testing. "But then I became a populist overnight," and decided instead to ask ordinary Americans to contribute $10 each. "We need a little help," Iacocca said. "Back in the Depression the saying was, `Brother, can you spare a a dime?` and now I`m asking, `Brother, can you spare 10 bucks?`" After Iacocca`s wife, Mary, died of type 1 diabetes 21 years ago, he founded the Iacocca Foundation that has provided $30 million for diabetes research. That support led to the breakthrough lab tests on mice, led by Dr. Denise Faustman, director of immunology at Massachusetts General. The human clinical trials, to be conducted by Dr. David Nathan, director of the hospital`s Diabetes Center, will be financed separately by Join Lee Now, the fund-raising initiative announced on Monday. Marblehead promises investors a rose garden By Alan Burke Staff writer MARBLEHEAD -- "They really like us." Town officials didn`t say that when they looked at a recent assessment of Marblehead`s financial outlook, but they could have. In a summary to prepare the sale of $26 million in bonds to fund the new high school and the remodeled middle school, the bond rating company Standard and Poors painted a picture of an above average town with above average prospects. In the midst of a recession, Marblehead`s bond rating is AA+, a notch below the top rate of AAA. Tom McNulty, a longtime Board of Selectmen member, credited the good news partly to changes made in town government more than a decade ago, including the appointment of a town administrator. "We`re No. 1," he said, citing a recent Boston Magazine article that hailed Marblehead as the best town in the region. Good municipal management played a part in winning that designation, he added. McNulty said the town`s bond rating rose twice since hiring full-time Town Administrator Tony Sasso and consolidating finances into the single office of Finance Director Bart Snow. "We`re thrilled," Selectman Harry Christensen said of the summary. He echoed McNulty`s comments regarding the changes made in the 1990s, saying "It wasn`t the most efficient form of government." The value of the town`s homes also impressed the money men. "The town`s $4.46 billion property tax base has been increasing rapidly," the summary reads. The median price for a home is almost half a million dollars. "Most new homes in the town are being built for more than $750,000," the summary added. Remarkably, the assessed value of homes in Marblehead has increased an average of 12 percent every year from 1998 to 2003. The town budget remains in good shape "despite posting a small $501,000 operating deficit, or 1 percent of the budget, in fiscal 2003," said S&P. The town`s debts are judged as "moderate" and its ability to retire debts in a timely fashion is seen as "above-average." The summary also includes information about residents -- the fact that the per person buying income of Marbleheaders is $35,665. That amount reflects what everyone`s got to spend after they get their paycheck. It`s a figure nearly twice as high as the national average and more than 50 percent higher than the state average. Property taxes account for 74 percent of the town`s revenues and S&P seems to approve of Marblehead`s reluctance to use permanent tax overrides. Noting the recent passage of more than half a million dollars in overrides this spring, the report continues, "This is just the third operating override under Proposition 2 , which indicates the town`s willingness and ability to stand pat, even in difficult economic cycles." The unemployment rate for Marblehead was 3.65 percent in 2003, and while it has climbed since it is still well below state and national rates. Top 10 Marblehead taxpayers By Rank Taxpayer Description Assessed value of all properties Taxes paid 1 Edward T. Moore Trust real estate investor $40,382,900 $342,447 2 J. Hilary Rockett, Jr. real estate investor $29,947,900 $253,958 3 Eastern Yacht Club club $10,538,500 $89,366 4 Bessom Associates housing co-op $10,801,300 $91,595 5 Angelo Arena real estate investor $10,309,900 $87,428 6 Peter S. Lynch investment manager $9,795,800 $83,069 7 James Crosby commercial property $7,314,600 $62,028 8 Robert W. Green real estate investor $7,042,000 $59,716 9 Corinthian Yacht Club club $6,506,000 $55,171 10 John B. McCarthy executive $6,244,700 $52,955 Source: Corby Capital Markets, Inc. Who owns Marblehead? By Alan Burke Staff writer MARBLEHEAD -- The Edward T. Moore Trust is at the top of the list of the town`s biggest taxpayers, paying out nearly $350,000 in 2004 on more than $40 million in assets. Developer "Ted" Moore, who directed the recently approved Peach Highlands 40B project, accounts for nearly 1 percent of the town`s total real estate taxes. The list was created from town records as part of the recent sale of $26 million in Marblehead bonds. The company established a $4.46 billion overall value for town property. Bringing up second place is J. Hilary Rockett, Jr., credited with nearly $30 million in Marblehead property. Rockett paid over $250,000 in taxes last year. Other names on the list are investment manager Peter Lynch, whose various Marblehead residences are worth nearly $10 million; supermarket owner James Crosby, with commercial properties downtown exceeding $7 million in value; and Kelly`s Roast Beef executive John McCarthy, whose property is worth slightly more than $6 million. Two yacht clubs -- Eastern at more than $10 million and Corinthian at $6.5 million -- are also on the list. Also in the $10 million bracket is Bessom Associates, a unique cooperative of homes on the Salem Harbor side of Marblehead. History of 28 Goodhue St. By Pre-1907 -- Site of George F. Putnam`s tannery 1907 -- Property sold to North Shore Shoe Co. 1907-1910 -- Present building constructed 1916 -- Additions built 1930s -- Still a shoe factory 1950s -- Owned by Pioneer Plastics Corp. 1990s -- Small shops, artists` studios 2003 -- Sold to Anthony Roberto Note: This information is based on research by Historic Salem, Inc. Phish fans stream out of site, fan found dead By COVENTRY, Vt. (AP) -- Phish fans streamed out of the concert site yesterday on their way home, and police reported traffic clearing by the end of the day. Fans started leaving the band`s two-day festival on Sunday, even before Phish played its last set. More than 60,000 fans attended the band`s farewell concert and state police reported that many of them were heading out of the area on Interstate 91 by later in the day. Early yesterday morning, traffic was steady in the southbound lane of the interstate as those fans made their way out of northern Vermont. "Traffic is moving slowly, but much faster than it was coming in," said state police Sgt. Bruce Melendy, who was driving north toward the concert site on Interstate 91 early yesterday morning. The interstate had become a parking lot with as many as 2,500 vehicles pulled to its breakdown lane and its median over the weekend. By nightfall, fewer than 75 remained. Many fans walked more than 15 miles to get to the concert after parking their cars on the highway or on local residents` lawns and fields. Police blocked the roads because heavy rains and mud had made parking impossible at the airport. yesterday, as traffic streamed southbound on Interstate 91, other fans waited impatiently in lines of cars inside the gates of the Newport State Airport for a chance to get on the road. "People are leaving, but the backup is extreme," said Matthew LeBaron of Bel Air, Md., early yesterday. He said he had been sitting in his car since late Sunday night. "We had a lot of fun (at the concert), but the traffic getting out is unbelievable," he said. Local farmers and tow-truck operators were kept busy helping to pull cars, trucks and campers out of the mud and water. Police said the going was still slow late yesterday getting fans out of the concert site. Police tried to hire buses to help fans get back to their cars, but couldn`t find bus companies willing to send the vehicles, Melendy said yesterday morning. Instead, local residents shuttled Phish fans in their vehicles. Melendy said he expected most people to be out of the concert site by yesterday night and as night fell the site had a lot fewer people. But there still were some who hadn`t even packed up, yet. "Some people came back after the concert to their tent and found him in the tent," Melendy said. An autopsy is scheduled. Looking for a loved one? By The American Red Cross will assist anyone trying to locate a family member in Florida who cannot be contacted due to Hurricane Charley. For help, call the Red Cross at (617) 375-0700. Donations to a hurricane relief fund can be mailed to The American Red Cross at 285 Columbus Ave., Boston, MA 02116, or made online at bostonredcross.org. Special grand jury DA`s latest weapon in crackdown By Mark Vogler Staff writer SALEM -- Lawrence is the major focus of a special grand jury that convened here Friday to begin investigating a clandestine, multimillion-dollar-a-year enterprise involving lawyers, medical professionals and others who profit off auto insurance fraud. But probing the illegal racket that has earned Lawrence the dubious nickname of "auto insurance fraud capital of Massachusetts" could take Essex County prosecutors well beyond city and county limits and even across state lines into southern New Hampshire. District Attorney Jonathan W. Blodgett said his team of three full-time prosecutors are prepared to follow the probe wherever it goes in an investigation that is expected to last two to three months and involve the testimony of up to 100 witnesses or more. "If it takes us outside the county, it`s our hope and expectation that the attorney general`s office will follow it," Blodgett said in a recent interview in which he for the first time publicly discussed the scope, mission and expectations of the unique investigation. "If it goes into southern New Hampshire, we will bring the information to the FBI and bring it to the U.S. attorney`s office in New Hampshire. They`re set to go. And they will be very cooperative and ready to work with us if the evidence takes us to other jurisdictions," he said. "This is a major problem -- not just in Lawrence, but in the Merrimack Valley and statewide," he added. "Within the last two months, people who are believed to be players in Lawrence are coming down to Danvers and Peabody, particularly in the malls. We`re getting some accidents that maybe now people are beginning to think are suspicious," Blodgett added. The special grand jury probe comes in response to an Eagle-Tribune series titled "At Fault: Inside The Culture of Auto Insurance Fraud," published in June after a yearlong investigation. It detailed an underground economy fueled by an exceptionally high rate of personal injury claims filed by victims in Lawrence car accidents, many of them believed to be staged or exaggerated to scam insurance companies. Blodgett intends for the grand jury to augment and expand upon an 11-month crackdown on auto insurance fraud by a multiagency task force initiated by Lawrence Police Chief John J. Romero, which has already led to 71 people being charged with auto insurance fraud. "My hope is that this will finally put a serious dent in the cottage industry of auto insurance fraud," said Blodgett, whose office has worked closely with Romero since last September`s death of a 65-year-old Lawrence great grandmother in a staged car crash that police said she helped plan. "This effort to address this problem has really struck a chord throughout this county. People are glad this is finally happening. And I`m glad we can finally pool our resources to address this thing," he said. Assistant District Attorney Alex Cain heads up the grand jury team, joined by prosecutors Jessica Pacheco and Greg A. Friedholm. The DA`s newly created computer forensic unit will also be involved, analyzing trends and following the paper trail of major players in the crash-for-cash schemes. The district attorney`s office will continue to work with the task force, which is composed of Lawrence police detectives, investigators from the Insurance Fraud Bureau of Massachusetts, the district attorney`s office, the state attorney general`s office and investigators from several insurance companies doing business in Lawrence. Initially, the grand jury will meet for several hours every other Friday. About 50 witnesses are expected to receive subpoenas at the outset. The investigation is also expected to involve demands for numerous documents. Any indictments on criminal charges will be handed down throughout the investigation, and not be held until the end. While those charged in task force criminal cases have involved mostly street-level participants, the grand jury will target major organizers of the fraud schemes, including personal-injury lawyers, chiropractors, physical therapists and other professionals who are the key organizers in the fraud scams. "There is no profession that is not going to be scrutinized," Blodgett vowed. "If the evidence points to criminal conduct, it makes no difference to what profession that person is in. We will follow every lead and assess every bit of information," he said. Where task force investigators may have trouble tracking down suspects and potential witnesses who hide when they find out police are looking for them, subpoenas issued by the grand jury can`t be so easily ignored. It also provides investigators a more efficient way to question numerous witnesses in a complicated case. There will be no time limit on how long the special grand jury will be in session. "Given all the information coming in now and all the additional information gleaned from the grand jury, it`s very hard to set a timeline," Blodgett said. "I see this grand jury sitting for at least two or three months and maybe even longer," he said. Because of the success of the Lawrence task force, the Insurance Fraud Bureau initiated a similar group in Lynn, which will also figure heavily in the grand jury probe. With two active fraud task forces operating at different ends of the county, the district attorney expects to see the fraud schemes and players spreading into more quiet communities where there is currently no police pressure and auto insurance fraud has seldom been detected. "There`s a direct correlation to where people go when the heat is on," Blodgett said. At the conclusion of the special grand jury, Blodgett said he might issue a special report detailing the findings as a way to educate the public and others involved in the fight against insurance fraud. "This is a quality of life issue and the public has been very good in responding to this, because the public is fed up with it," he said. Maylor staying put By Natalie Miller Correspondent SWAMPSCOTT -- Town Administrator Andrew Maylor withdrew his name from consideration Friday for a town manager position in Winchester. Maylor had applied for the job with 100 other applicants and was one of 10 finalists for the position, which pays $120,000 a year. He earns almost $100,000 as Swampscott`s town administrator. Maylor has been Swampscott`s town administrator for almost two years. Prior to that, he was the deputy city manager of Chelsea for six years. "I am a little relieved," Board of Selectmen Chairman Dan Santanello said. "It`s normal to test the waters," he added, explaining Maylor`s interest in the job. Santanello said many good things are happening right now in Swampscott, and the town manager is happy to be a part of it. "He fits in the community very well," Santanello said. Maureen Gilhooley, Maylor`s administrative assistant, said she isn`t aware of any other job opportunities that Maylor is currently pursuing. "I would definitely miss him if he did not stay." she said. Maylor is out of town this week on vacation and could not be reached for comment. Disgraced N.J. governor, unlike Kerry, did right thing by his church By Paul Kengor The recent news of a homosexual affair by Democratic Gov. James McGreevey of New Jersey is a stunning revelation. We are not accustomed to this kind of thing in America. The British find it quite familiar. Indeed, in Britain, when a story breaks of a sexual scandal involving a male MP, the first question often asked is: Was it with another man? That`s not a standard assumption in American politics. Though he clearly has his failings, there`s something impressive about McGreevey: He has the integrity to discipline himself for moral misconduct; in this case, he is resigning. Yet, one of the more impressive displays by McGreevey took place weeks ago, and went almost unreported outside New Jersey, possibly because sympathetic journalists in the national media feared its repercussions on John F. Kerry: McGreevey`s response begged the question, or at least should have begged the question, if anyone at CBS News or the New York Times cared to ask: Would John F. Kerry do the same? Kerry, also a Catholic, is not just passively pro-choice; he is a champion of the cause. At the 2003 NARAL Pro-Choice America Dinner, where he described pro-lifers as "the forces of intolerance," Kerry boasted that his maiden speech as a freshman senator had been in support of Roe v. Wade. ON In Kerry, Democrats have nominated the most fiercely pro-choice individual ever to receive a major party nomination for president. This greatly disturbs the Catholic Church, which has worked as steadfastly to slow abortion as any institution. To the Church, nothing would be more aggravating than to watch its progress on abortion reversed by no less than a Catholic president. Support of "abortion rights" is a family affair for the Kerrys. Despite agreeing with her husband that abortion ends the "process of life" (as she put it), Teresa Heinz Kerry (also a Catholic) likewise remains pro-choice, recently telling Newsweek: "I ask myself, if I had a 13-year-old daughter who got drunk one night and got pregnant, what would I do. Christ, I`d go nuts." Kerry`s daughter Vanessa and two sisters joined him in April at the March for Women`s Lives in Washington, D.C., where he gave the keynote speech. Ironically, as Kerry addressed the rally, Cardinal Francis Arinze, speaking from the Holy See, presented Redemptionis Sacramentum, a Vatican declaration stating that priests must deny Communion to unrepentant pro-choice Catholic politicians. Arinze said "unambiguously pro-abortion" Catholic politicians are "not fit" to receive the sacred elements -- the bread and wine that Catholics consider the body and blood of Christ. That brings us full circle to McGreevey. Around the same time as Sheridan`s bold letter, Archbishop Myers of Newark released, "A Time for Honesty," to which McGreevey complied. And that again begs the question: Could just one person in the national media ask John F. Kerry if he will follow McGreevey`s example? At the very least, it`s an interesting question that seems newsworthy -- surely, worth a single headline. Please? Someone? Paul Kengor, Ph.D., is author of "God and Ronald Reagan." He is also a professor of political science at Grove City College and a visiting fellow with the Hoover Institution. Contact Kengor at pgkengor@gcc.edu Peabody schools: State must step in to level playing field By Robert Kelly The relevance of demographic and student-mix differences between districts has been established. And year after year the government school system produces the best evidence that higher spending per pupil is not the answer to the education problem. If that were the case, most large city schools would routinely rank with the best, instead of the worst. Nevertheless, year after year the usual demands from the education establishment for more money and better buildings, etc., command attention while, in the meantime, underlying problems in the education system go unaddressed. The positive and Pavlovian response to these demands has led to the skyrocketing costs and the flawed system that communities can no longer afford. All school districts must comply with state-imposed standards. In that sense, the system can be considered equitable. But that`s it. Otherwise, each district becomes what local tax revenues can afford. And the result is predictable: Three separate school systems -- high income, middle income and low income. State funding doesn`t attain its goals because it does not directly confront problems related to different mixes of students and parents. Money alone is not the answer; the lack of high-priced teachers and better management is not at the core of the problem. The solutions are more complicated than that. And an examination of some of the characteristics of the government school system is a useful way to probe for the keys to better scholastic performance. Some things to ponder This is a dilemma of mind-boggling proportions. A few observations here might assist readers to come to grips with its massive scope. Some of the systemic problems are presented below as a series of observations that are worth arguing about: r Wealth can buy superior education, but the ability to do so should not be found in a government system. Wealthy communities have no right to convert their public schools into private ones by overspending. If parents seek more than a fair government system (something that pleads for definition) should offer, private schools are available to them. r Children educated in the government system are entitled to facilities (buildings, books, material) of equal quality. This alone will not assure good education, but when accomplished would represent a huge step in the right direction. Supplies could be made available to all districts from state inventories. r The state and its architects should approve new building construction. Floor plans for all districts could be identical after making allowances for comparative size and other local characteristics. r Teachers abandoned professional status when they decided to unionize and bargain collectively. It`s time to finish the transformation. Grade their jobs and take them into the civil service system as state employees. r School employees deserve fringe benefit packages that model the private sector. Wage and fringe increases should be automatic and calculated with the use of indexes that reflect recent contract settlements in the private sector -- and strikes should be illegal. r The state/city employee contract negotiation approach with unions needs reform. The time has come for the state to emerge as the bargaining manager with teachers unions (power vs. power). This list could go on for pages. But these items are sufficient to make the point that fixing Peabody`s schools goes far beyond sending a few more dollars to the city. It will take men and women with large imaginations and dependable political support to pull it off. None are presently in view. And if that happens, if the structure is completely overhauled, the impact will be different from district to district. Toward a `fair` public education system A theoretical picture of what a fair government school system could be is emerging: r School buildings, supplies, curricula (including arts) and extracurricular activities (sports, band, etc.) are the same throughout the state. The state will buy all supplies and aids, including books, and issue them to districts at cost. r School employees (except the superintendent and, perhaps, other administrative professionals) are in the civil service program with job grades and testing procedures for qualification and upgrade. r The state negotiates one basic contract for teachers, including variances for specified districts (e.g. a "danger" adjustment for schools with a record of violence). r Studies covering wage and fringe increases of private-sector contracts in the state are used to automatically adjust teachers` wages during contract negotiations (say, every five years). r Working conditions in all districts are identical. For example, class size is the same everywhere. r Over time, fringe benefit packages for teachers will harmonize with those available in the private sector. r The state will negotiate health care packages and costs for all school employees and bill districts for their share of the tab. r There is no competition among districts in terms of teacher pay. r Teachers can be assigned to districts depending upon need, just as other civil service employees can be transferred to different locations. r Strikes are outlawed. Planning, negotiating and implementing such a major change will be enormously difficult and time-consuming. But difficulty never defines need. If it must be done, someone must do it. Results will justify the effort. The impact of structural change Equal facilities, supplies, programs and teaching talent will have various effects on various districts, some of which are estimated below: r For high-income districts, there will be consequential budget savings; less-luxurious school buildings and extracurricular programs; a possible decline in test scores as student mix (rich vs. poor) changes; possible initial parental discontent; mixed teacher reaction, mostly negative; mixed student reaction. r Middle-income districts: Consequential budget savings; school buildings more uniform but not much more adequate than before; a more dependable flow of supplies; more dependable extracurricular activities and arts programs; modest improvement in test scores; high-level support of most parents; mixed teacher reaction; mixed student reaction, mostly positive. r Low-income districts: Consequential budget savings; tremendous upgrade in buildings and supplies; immediate upgrade in scholastic achievement and a decrease in violence; enthusiastic support of parents, teachers and students. In short, reforming the school system will set the education establishment on its head; it will disturb parents, teachers and students to varying degrees. The rich will be unhappy as their posh schools become normalized; the poor will be delighted for the same reason. Middle-income districts will, overall, be pleased. But even this is not enough. Even after creating a government school system that is apparently uniform and fair, scholastic results will differ radically. Why? Because problems related to demographics have yet to be addressed, a subject that will be analyzed in the next, and final, column on education. Robert Kelly of Peabody writes a weekly column for The Salem News. His e-mail address is robert.kelly5@verizon.net Nobody`s talking issues By Taylor Armerding Staff writer Political candidates and their surrogates are forever saying they want to talk about issues. But they really don`t. More often the goal is to duck the issues. Take Teresa Heinz Kerry`s unflattering remarks about Sen. Edward. M. Kennedy, made in a 1976 interview long before she was Mrs. Kerry. Does she still believe what she said then? The Democratic response is that this is "a 30-year-old quote dug up by the Republican attack machine," and that Republicans ought to have something better to talk about. Right. Apparently they should have been talking about a 35-year-old war in Vietnam. Or take New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, who chaired the Democratic National Convention and was doing the morning TV show circuit afterwards when he was asked about Republican critics pointing out that Kerry had said next to nothing in his acceptance speech about his 20 years in the U.S. Senate. Richardson`s response: "They`re (the Republicans) just so negative." Let`s see. Did Richardson answer the question or change the subject? And now, here in Massachusetts where the generally moribund Republican Party, led by Gov. Mitt Romney, has managed to recruit a record number of challengers to Democratic incumbents in this fall`s House and Senate elections, here is the latest "issue" buzz: More incumbent females are facing challengers than men. Instead, Republicans are falling all over themselves, saying they`re not "targeting" women specifically but, you know, it`s just coincidence that more women are holding seats in districts that are suburban and might lean Republican. So please don`t be mad at us for being so politically incorrect. I suspect most rational voters care more about how somebody thinks and votes than whether they wear pants or a dress. And the fact we even have to talk about the gender of candidates means, once again, we aren`t discussing the issues. Taylor Armerding is associate editorial page editor of The Eagle-Tribune. He may be reached at (978) 946-2213 or at tarmerding@eagletribune.com. A suggestion for improving school performance By In the summer 2004 edition of MassINC magazine, CommonWealth, Edward Moscovitch of Cape Ann Economics offers some thoughts on how the state might comply with Superior Court Judge Margot Botsford`s ruling that the state must take further steps to ensure that every child in Massachusetts receives an adequate education. He noted that while the Department of Education has in place a sophisticated system for testing student achievement, it has not taken the next logical step, which is to show districts how to improve student achievement. Here`s his suggestion, excerpted from the article, "Passing judgment: What it will take to make schools constitutionally adequate": 1.) Frequent assessments are made of individual student progress and of the particular deficiencies that are holding each student back. 2.) Teachers learn classroom-management skills that enable them to work with a small group of students while other students are constructively engaged in independent or small-group activities. 3.) Teachers use research-based intervention to address the deficiencies they identified in Step 1, and are able to do so in the small-group settings they learned to manage in Step 2. 4.) Progress of struggling students is monitored frequently -- weekly, for those farthest behind -- and this monitoring is used to determine whether the interventions in Step 3 are working. If not, the teacher needs to try something else and -- with help from coaches knowledgeable in the subject -- look for new strategies. The power of moonlight By As alternative energy sources go, lunar power doesn`t have a terribly high profile. But a $2 million experimental project in the Merrimack River may show how the moon could eventually play a significant role in the region`s energy mix. The project, funded in part by the Massachusetts Renewable Energy Trust, is being conducted by Virginia Verdant Power. It`s river water, flowing through turbines beneath a small barge anchored in the river`s north channel under the Chain Bridge in Amesbury, that will generate the electricity. But the major source of that water`s motion is the moon, which generates currents that can run from 3 to 9 knots in both directions as the tide rises and falls. Six turbines will spin in both directions as the tide changes and are expected to produce about 20 kilowatts of electricity, or enough to supply the energy needs of 20 average homes. If the project is successful, it could be expanded to generate about 500 kilowatts. At $2 million, it seems like a rather pricey way to produce 20 kilowatts of electricity. But if this project leads the way to broader use of the tide, it will be more than worth it. Massachusetts, blessed with lots of coastline, is also blessed with strong tidal currents. Making use of them to produce electricity is an idea worth trying. Harmony needed to expand economy By When it comes to the economic health of the region, members of the business and political communities should be working together. Certainly that should be the prime concern of Gov. Mitt Romney, members of the Legislature and area business leaders regarding the roles of regional economic development councils and the governor`s regional competitiveness councils. But that was not at all the case recently after the governor vetoed $250,000 in state funding for the Merrimack Valley Economic Development Council. The funding, which amounts to about two-thirds of the agency`s budget, was quickly restored by the Legislature in an override. But in the wake of that override, some of the rhetoric has sounded more competitive than cooperative. Some Merrimack Valley legislators suggested that the competitiveness councils should be eliminated. In the words of state Rep. David M. Torrisi, D-North Andover, "The governor should scrap (them) because no one buys into that." State Sen. Susan C. Tucker, D-Andover, is also not enthused about them, suggesting that a bit of long-term planning is all they do. Indeed, the six competitiveness councils, created in 2003 by Romney, have produced plenty of interesting data. But they meet infrequently and are not focused on specific projects. Bradford`s group has also played an important role in trying to foster a dialogue between business and legislative leaders from the region, hosting a meeting of the fledgling Northeast Legislative Caucus at Salem`s Hawthorne Hotel last month. The truth is that the competitiveness councils are no financial threat to economic development councils because they have no budget. While defending agencies like the Merrimack Valley Economic Development Council, lawmakers should also be able to see the value in the kind of studies the competitiveness councils have been able to produce. The Merrimack Valley and the North Shore have both separate and common interests. If councils like those the governor has created can coordinate those common interests, everybody wins. U.S. should help prevent more deaths in Sudan By To the Editor: There is a genocide going on in Sudan in which a group called the Janjaweeds is trying to wipe out the African population of Darfur. I was astonished when I learned that President Bush is avoiding calling it a genocide so that the United States won`t be obligated to resist it because of the pact signed by our country and 130 others to resist genocide. Instead, Bush has been aiming to convince the Sudanese government to interfere with the attacks on the area. Unfortunately, the government is so corrupt it has actually been arming the Janjaweed attackers. We have to maintain a more active dedication to using our extraordinary political power to resist injustice wherever possible. A thousand people are dying in Sudan every day, and many are living in concentration camps and starving to death. It is necessary to act immediately to aid these people before the death toll reaches the millions. Anna Stover Beverly Reform politics by declaring corporations noncitizens By To the Editor: I was struck by the defeatist conclusion of the Friday, Aug. 13, 2004, editorial headlined, "Campaign finance `reform` proving a sham." It noted that "if history is any guide, closing this loophole will just lead smart, creative people to find another one. For when it comes to politics, money always finds a way." As this case summary has been interpreted since that time, corporations now claim the same protections under the Bill of Rights as individuals, leading to abuses of our system of government that the Founding Fathers tried very hard to protect against. If we are sincere about a fair election process, we should do whatever we can to put corporations back in the position of being granted privileges by our citizenry, instead of rights, thereby leveling the playing field of influence. Then we can at least have the hope that the interests of highly concentrated money can be kept in check relative to the interests of our citizens. Ed Falis Ipswich Not impressed with Nyhan analysis By To the Editor: Before Florida Congressman Porter Goss was nominated by President Bush to head the CIA, he was routinely described as "widely respected" and "nonpartisan" by the media. In fact, USA Today said on Aug. 11, 2004, that "for most of his career, he (Goss) has been viewed as relatively nonpartisan." However, columnist David Nyhan claims that Bush has "picked out a divisive and partisan operator, a political hack." Amazing how quickly one`s reputation can change in Washington, D.C., isn`t it? Even the quickest news search can shatter Nyhan`s unfounded claims about Goss. For example, Nyhan claims, "After the Commission report ... Goss leapt to the defense of the crumbling status quo, throttling attempts by Democrats on the House Intelligence Committee to advance reform." That is not what the house organ of the Democratic Party said about Porter Goss. According to The New York Times (Nov. 5, 2003, Page 14), Goss` criticism of the CIA "went beyond those that he and his Democratic counterpart, Representative Jane Harman of California, made in late September in a private letter to George J. Tenet, the director of central intelligence." Does this sound like a "partisan attack dog" or someone in favor of the status quo to you? If George W. Bush nominated Mother Teresa (of Calcutta, not Heinz Ketchup) as secretary of Health and Human Services today, Nyhan would have a column in your paper tomorrow decrying, "What has she ever done, look at the poverty over there in India!" Am I overstating things for dramatic effect? Unfortunately, not by much. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said in the June 5 Chattanooga Times Free Press interview that if nominated, she would support Porter Goss because, "Whoever replaces Tenet needs to be independent of political pressure." She went on to add that Mr. Goss "has shown that ability as chairman of the House intelligence panel." Well, on the day of Goss` nomination, Pelosi said she no longer supported Goss and added, "But I will say what I said before is that there shouldn`t (be) ... a person should not be the director of central intelligence who has acted in a very political way when we`re dealing with the safety of the American people. Intelligence has to be the gathering of analysis and the dissemination of information, of intelligence without any political ... any politics involved at all." Florida Sen. Bob Graham, a Democrat, is a guy who has been lauded by Nyhan on several occasions in your paper for his thoughtful viewpoints on intelligence issues. He had this to say about Goss on June 5 in the Miami Herald, "He`s an outstanding public servant ... I would recommend him highly." Perhaps I should reconsider my opinion of Nyhan`s column. After all, he knows of what he speaks. He has been a partisan attack dog and hack in this town for 25 years. Kevin Whalen Danvers By AUTO SCANNER Larry Rubenstein Business calendar By Wednesday, Aug. 18 North Shore Chamber of Commerce Networking After 5, 5 to 7 p.m. the Crane Estate at Castle Hill, 299 Argilla Road, Ipswich. Advance registration required. (978) 774-8565. "Networking for Desired Results," 7 to 8:30 p.m., Cape Ann Business Incubator, 8 Blackburn Center, Gloucester. Free; all welcome. Call (978) 282-7779 or e-mail infor@businc.org. Thursday, Aug. 19 North Shore Women in Business breakfast meeting, 7 to 9 a.m. Holiday Inn, Route 1 North, Peabody. Executive coach Jean DiGiovanna will lead "Networking with a Twist." $15 for members and $30 for guests. For reservations, call (978) 741-3223 or e-mail info@NSWIB.org. Friday, Aug. 20 North Shore Business Forum meeting, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., Danversport Yacht Club, Route 62 East, Danvers. "Use of the Internet in your business," with Carol Sanger. Cost is $7 and includes breakfast. Call (978) 777-9164 or visit www.nsbforum.org. Tuesday, Aug. 24 "Exploring Franchise Business Ownership as a Career Option," 7:30 to 10 a.m., Enterprise Center at Salem State College, 121 Loring Ave., Salem. Free; reservations required. Call (978) 542-7528 or visit www.enterprisectr.org. Small-business tax workshop, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Beverly Public Library, 32 Essex St. Presented by the IRS and Massachusetts Department of Revenue. Register at www.dor.state.ma.us or call Brian Lynch at (617) 887-5332. Free. Wednesday, Aug. 25 Ask the Expert, 3 to 5 p.m., Enterprise Center at Salem State College, 121 Loring Ave., Salem. Information on e-mail services available. Free; reservations required. Call (978) 542-7528 or visit www.enterprisectr.org. Thursday, Aug. 26 "Writing Performance Appraisals," 7:45 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., North Shore Community College`s ICTT, 100 Cummings Center, Suite 121E, Route 62, Elliot St., Beverly. Cost is $35 and includes breakfast. Limited space. Call (978) 236-1200. Beverly Chamber of Commerce After Hours, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., Endicott College, Tupper Hall, 376 Hale St., Beverly. $5 members and $10 nonmembers. Call (978) 232-9559. Friday, Aug. 27 North Shore Business Forum meeting, 7:30 to 8:30 a.m., Danversport Yacht Club, Route 62 East, Danvers. "Web site design for visibility" with Jeannette McRobert. Cost is $7 and includes breakfast. Call (978) 777-9164 or visit www.nsbforum.org. Monday, Aug. 30 North Shore Networking Group meeting, 2 to 4 p.m., North Shore Career Center, 70 Washington St., Salem. Topic is "The Secrets of Marketing Yourself." Free. Call (978) 825-7299 for information or (978) 825-7200 to register. nnn Mail your upcoming business events to Suzanne Brown, Essex County Newspapers, 32 Dunham Road, Beverly, MA 01915. Call her at (978) 338-2647; or e-mail her at sbrown@ecnnews.com. "Exploring Franchise Ownership as a Career Option"< By Diane Nolan Correspondent "Exploring Franchise Ownership as a Career Option" • Who: Michael Harrington, presenter • What: History, evolution, pros and cons of franchise ownership • Where: Enterprise Center at Salem State College, 121 Loring Ave., Salem • When: Tuesday, Aug. 24, 7:30 to 10 a.m. • How: Admission is free; register by calling (978) 542-7528 Franchising facts from franchise.org • The number of franchises expands by 6 percent annually. • More than 9 million people are employed by franchises. • There are more than 2,500 franchise parent companies • 75 industries use franchising to distribute services and goods. • Fast food is the most popular type of franchise. • Top 10 franchises, according to the annual Franchise 500 are Subway, Curves, Quiznos, 7-Eleven, Jackson Hewitt Tax Service, The UPS Store, McDonalds, Dunkin` Donuts and Baskin Robbins. SALEM -- North Shore entrepreneurs are staking their claim in a trillion-dollar industry. Franchising was a $1 trillion business in 2000, according to the International Franchise Association. The evolution of franchising, the pros and cons and how to determine if it is right for you will be discussed at a seminar hosted by the Enterprise Center in Salem next week. "Franchises make up about 40 percent of the retail economy," said Entrepreneur`s Source franchise consultant and coach, Michael Harrington, who will be leading the seminar. "About 8 percent of businesses are franchised." North Shore residents Steven Freyer, Tim and Ann Halvorsen, and Jack Keilt decided to get into the action when they purchased Fantastic Sams and moved the headquarters from California to Beverly in December 2003. The foursome was drawn to Fantastic Sams because of the service it provides. "It is an essential service," said Freyer, chairman of Fantastic Sams` board of directors. "Everyone needs to get their hair cut. You`ll never be able to hold your head up to your laptop to get it cut. someone will always have to do it for you." Service is also the reason that Al Ruthazer got involved with a franchise. After working in manufacturing for 17 years, Ruthazer said he wanted to get involved with a business focused more toward service, so he began researching franchises. "I literally found The Little Gyms Web site at 11 o`clock one night," said Ruthazer, who began pursuing the Arizona based franchise almost immediately. Ruthazer did the same research that Harrington recommends to his clients. "There is sort of a three fold process to learning about a franchise," Harrington said. "Interview the franchisor ... interview other franchisees across the country ... research the circular." Through interviews and assessment tests, Harrington helps his clients narrow down the number of franchises to pursue, cutting down significantly on research time. Owning a franchise is "not for everybody," Harrington said. "Franchise owners don`t have ultimate total control. For instance, they have to use the franchise name and logos." Ruthazer decided that owning a franchise was right for him. He and his wife, Maureen, opened The Little Gym in Danvers in February 2003 and are planning to open another in Woburn next year. "About 90 percent of franchises are still open after 10 years," Ruthazer said. "Having that support and network is something that can`t be replaced. When you buy a franchise, you are buying thousands of years of collective wisdom and a business plan that has already been tested." Part of the Fantastic Sams business plan is a three-tier system that provides franchise owners with support at a local, regional and national level. New salon owners from all over the world recently came to the headquarters to attend a weeklong training session, "Salon Fundamentals," where they learned all about their new business, including management and payments. Salons pay a weekly fee to the Fantastic Sams franchise, "so they know each week what their fees will be," said Freyer, who added that many salon franchises take a percentage of the salons intake. "Our salons keep everything after they pay the fee." "Most of these people have never picked up a pair of shears in their life," laughed Freyer, who added that a background in hairdressing is not a prerequisite for owning a franchise. "(Franchises) don`t require that you have a background in a particular field," Harrington said. "You don`t have to stick to what you know." One of the great challenges of a company that has franchises all over the world is to make them aware that they have a support system and the yearly meeting allows people to network and meet other franchisees, Freyer said. Both The Little Gym and Fantastic Sams franchises hold annual gatherings of franchise owners and employees. There are more than 1,350 Fantastic Sams franchises around the world, said Freyer, who added that they hope to increase this number to 2,000 in the next five years. Multi-talented John Mayer learns to go with his instincts By SCOTT MERVIS Scripps Howard Since his breakthrough with the dreamy ballad "Your Body Is a Wonderland," John Mayer has been an artist in the fast lane. His major-label debut, "Room for Squares," sold nearly 4 million copies, won him a Grammy for Best Pop Vocal and sent him on a co-headlining amphitheater tour with the more established Counting Crows. When he went to record the follow-up, Mayer found himself having to work his way out of a mental traffic jam. Now that the stakes were so high, he wondered, just how much did he have to worry about the audience receiving it? "It`s almost like pulling into a four-way intersection," he says, "but not being able to go all the way through and you lose your light and the other cars try to make it through but they start honking at you. You just have to say, `I`m not thinking about it. Honk all you want. I`m just making my second record here.` " Last fall, Mayer dropped "Heavier Things," a record that debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard charts and is inching close to double platinum. Mayer delivered another infectious, radio-ready single in "Bigger Than My Body," and while the record wasn`t exactly a departure from "Room for Squares," it did weigh in with a bit more sonic heft. "When I made `Room for Squares,` " he says, "I owned two guitars and one amplifier. That was pretty much the tone on the record. This one I had a rack of guitars and a bunch of amps. I still think I used them sparingly and tastefully." Touring this summer, Mayer ventures into blues while also teasing snippets of songs from Marvin Gaye, Sam Cooke and Joe Jackson, among others. Mayer says that becoming comfortable with his current stage set required breaking through a wall -- not a Pink Floyd one, but a figurative one. "My struggle has always been -- and this is going to sound self-serving -- that there are a lot of different things I could do. A lot of people who come to my shows come to hear the hits, some people come to my shows to hear me play the electric guitar and some people come to the shows to hear me play those tunes that I hardly ever play. And at every moment that I`m playing a song, I know that it`s affecting somebody. ... "Now, it`s like forget about what it did on the charts or how many people say it`s their favorite song. Live is the forum to play people a song they didn`t know was their favorite that could become their favorite." Meaning? "I did an interview about that and the woman misrepresented it in the interview," Mayer says. "No one had an objection about that. It`s such an expansive universe of music that I hadn`t begun to get into it. Since I wasn`t born into it and I never got into it in my adolescence, it`s just so much to pick up with two hands, I just haven`t yet." ON But how does he go about doing that? "Not going to parties," he says sharply. "If they have a red carpet there, just don`t go. Just don`t go." Not that the temptation isn`t sometimes there. "Sometimes," he says, "but I always think about what I have. And it`s actually what some people who go to these parties want. All you gotta do is realize that what you have is the way to go, and then you`re cool. When you stop pining for other people`s stuff, you realize that what you`ve got is what you`re looking for." Scott Mervis writes for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Business Briefcase By photo: biz_schneider Robert J. Schneider of Topsfield is the new senior vice president at Lahey Clinic. He will oversee Lahey Clinic Northshore in Peabody, Lahey Lexington and Lahey`s community group practices. Schneider was previously chief executive officer of the Henry Ford Medical Group in Detroit. nnn Endicott College named Elizabeth Prueter to its AmeriCorps-VISTA position. Prueter will work in the community service office with students and community organizers on service projects like America Reads, tutoring and work study placement. The college was awarded a grant by the Massachusetts Campus Compact to fund the position. nnn photo: biz_paula Kelly`s Roast Beef Director of Operations/Chief Operating Officer Manny Paula was elected to the Massachusetts Restaurant Association board of directors. Paula will serve a three-year term on the board. The Tewksbury resident works in Kelly`s four locations, including Danvers. nnn Thomas J. Keough Jr. was named environmental division manager at Hancock Associates of Danvers recently. He brings more than 10 years of experience in environmental permitting, wetland delineations and regulatory analysis. nnn photo: biz_ellington Richard Ellington of Ellington Financial Services in Danvers completed a course on priority senior issues conducted by the Society of Certified Senior Advisors. He earned the Certified Senior Advisor designation and will participate in continuing education provided by the society each year. nnn Marblehead`s Jack-Tar American Tavern named Ron Amon its new general manager. The Marblehead resident has more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry. He will oversee the restaurant`s daily operations, customer relations and staff training. Sous chef Paul Riccardi of Salem was promoted to chef at Jack Tar. Riccardi is responsible for menu development, kitchen staffing and ordering. nnn photo: biz_centracchio Debra Centracchio was named mortgage processor at National Grand Bank in Marblehead. She will provide customer service and manage the mortgage process from application to closing. nnn The Resource Connection Inc. named Katie Ferrari, Donna Lund and Nancy Litch employees of the month for outstanding work performance and reliability. The staffing firm has offices in Middleton and Boston. nnn First Ipswich Bancorp, the parent company of First National Bank of Ipswich, recently completed a stock offering with a subscription rights dispensation to the company`s existing shareholders, raising a total of $3.9 million. nnn Axcelis Technologies was awarded the Outstanding Community Partner award by the North Shore United Way. Axcelis, a semiconductor company located in Beverly, donated $48,381 to the organization. nnn The Salem post office is among offices of the North Reading-based postal district that recently earned the nation`s highest marks in exemplary customer service. The entire Massachusetts Postal District has maintained national recognition for the 14th consecutive quarter, earning the right to fly the Yellow Jersey, which symbolizes excellence in overall customer satisfaction. nnn North Shore Community Action Programs Inc. and Peabody`s Brooksby Village received a grant from the Massachusetts Department of Education that will provide basic adult education classes to be taught at the retirement community. Courses including English for speakers of other languages and GED preparation will be offered. nnn Mail your business people news and photos to Suzanne Brown, Salem News, 32 Dunham Road, Beverly, MA 01915. Call her at (978) 338-2647; or e-mail her at sbrown@ecnnews.com. Real estate transactions By BOXFORD 183 Washington St: Oak Leaf RT and Samantha J. Kalman to Charles N. and Kimberly D. Berents, $480,000 DANVERS 55 Ash St Unit 14: Winding Brook Village Con and John M. Thomson to Christine L. Bavaro, $419,900 3 Butler Ave: Donato Cobuzzi to Lawrence and Jennifer K. Fliegelman, $323,000 11-A Chester St Unit A: Andre C. and Christine L. Ruest to Dennis J. Lyons, $353,000 15 Lafayette Ave Unit C1: Stephen A. Longmuir to Robert Giguere, $145,000 155 Maple St Unit 2: Michael D. Hill to Steven Nutter, $165,000 155 Maple St Unit 3: Michael D. Hill to Brooke Turner and Sean Mulkerron, $208,500 HAMILTON 110 Asbury St: Benjamin G. and Minnie W. Robertson to Gregory W. and Lael Cook, $469,000 PEABODY 4 Cottage St: Edward F. and Robert J. Conway to Leandro L. and Valeria D. Nascimento, $345,000 62 Emerson Ave: Amy J. and Michael J. Ackroyd to Patrick J. and Darlene L. Conrad, $375,000 18 Fairview Ave: 437 Essex Inc to John Barry Fritz and Coralie A. Gallagher-fritz, $310,000 2 Gardner St: Roman Catholic Archb to Denise H. and Gerald E. Breen, $430,000 2 Gardner St: Roman Catholic Archb to Denise H. and Gerald E. Breen, $430,000 2 Glenway Ave: Marlene A. Rabchenuk and Marlene A. Raebeck to Robert S. Walker, $294,000 156 Goodale St: Donald G. and Joan E. Johnson to Bradford E. Barrett, $500,000 154 Lynnfield St: Annmarie and William J. Lebel to Paul M. and Susan Landry, $369,900 24 Nickerson Rd Lot 106: John V. Langton to Michelle J. Ridgley, $363,000 7 Pine St: Samuel L Stanley FT and Samuel L. Stanley to Eddington Pl RT and Joseph M. Pelich, $310,000 74-A Russell St: North Homes Corp to Steven A. and Darisse Romano, $442,700 65 Tracey St: Joseph R. Silva to David A. and Lucy M. Lantych, $269,900 Woodbridge Rd Unit 4102: Hamano Hisako Est and Kumiko Hamano Oga to Michael A. Butter, $335,000 SALEM 7 1st St Unit 1A: Carrie A. and James W. Mailhoit to Rachel C. Dougherty, $286,000 11 Bertuccio Ave: Giunta Joseph R Est and Ronald M. Giunta to Robert L. Wong, $265,000 35 Buffum St: M Joyce Crowley to Linda Locke, $415,000 17 Chandler Rd: Alison W. and Michael Scott Spurgeon to Aleksander and Aferdita Shahini, $315,000 4 Chestnut St: Lee Weston and Lucille Kulisich to Hugh Kerr and Johanna Ingham, $675,000 11 Grafton St: Robinson David H. Est and Bonnie A. Robinson to Renaissance Riest Investments, $408,500 1 Linden St Unit 2R: Jeffrey E. Holloran to Lisa A. Romano, $240,000 24 Prescott St: Adele M. Gagnon and Rita Campbell to Richard B. and Rebecca L. English, $271,500 4-6 Summit Ave Unit 2L: James B. Collett to Barbara J. Galvin, $242,000 160 Whalers Lane Unit 160: Abigail S. and Joshua A. Levin to Irina Ratskovskaya, $315,000 TOPSFIELD 153 High St: Joseph A. and Shirley M. Nekoroski to Michael K. and Jamie A. Tveter, $470,000 33 Valley Rd: Cindy Gail Colbert-Conrad and Richard H. Conrad to Diane and John Dooley, $3,648 33 Valley Rd: Cindy Gail Colbert-Conrad and Richard H. Conrad to Diane and John Dooley, $3,648 WENHAM 17 Foster St: Joanne M. and Roger E. Mercaldi to Michael Schmidt, $575,000 Olympic Diary By BY Jimmy Pedro Third place never felt so good. It really was the greatest athletic day of my life, even better than the many international judo tournaments, including the world championship, that I have won. What made it a little extra special afterward was the amount of people that came up to congratulate me after I won my match for the bronze. It was amazing. There were coaches and judo players from so many countries I couldn`t count. I knew a lot of people sort of knew my story of competing in four Olympics and making another comeback, and then yesterday having seven fights at 33-years old, but I didn`t realize so many people cared and knew that this was it for me. I mean the No. 1 Japanese judo competitor ever shook my hand. And so did the French coach. It really means a lot to know your peers appreciate what you do. I`ll never forget that. Won Hee Lee of Korea, who beat me in my third fight yesterday and eventually won the gold medal, gave me a nice handshake afterward. He couldn`t speak English but I understood what he meant. He really was an awesome judo player and deserved the gold. He`s super quick. It`s scary to think how good he is at only 22-years old. As for dinner, there was only one place I was going to go: McDonald`s. I love to go there, but because of my diet, I hadn`t been to a McDonald`s in about two months. In fact, the last time I was there was coming home from training camp in Canada. That was a real treat to get back to Athletes Village with my bag of McDonald`s food. As for the my immediate future, I`m staying here in Athens until the judo competition is over on Aug. 20. I`m already excited thinking about going home to see my wife Marie and the kids (Casey, P.J. and Ricky). In fact, when the kids heard I had won a bronze medal she said they all started jumping up and down, going crazy. Marie said the youngest, 4-year-old Ricky, had no idea why he was jumping up and down but he seemed to be having fun. With me being finished, I can now focus solely on trying to help my teammates. Today, Ronda Rousey will be competing. She is an amazing story. She is only 17-years old, but very, very hungry to be great in this sport. She moved from Santa Monica, Calif., about 11 months ago to train with myself, my father and Alex Ottiano (men`s judo player who competed at 145 pounds on Sunday). I got up early today to go over to the weigh-in (at 7:30 a.m.) this morning. I went to breakfast with her, too. She`s so young and I want her to get in a comfort zone. I remember how tough it was in 1992 for me. She`s in a real tough draw, especially her first bout against Austria. If she wins that, there is another tough one. But Ronda is a judo player to watch. If she sticks with it, she can be the first ever American to win a gold medal. It is nice talking about other competitors. It`s nice to walk around with a big smile. I feel like the weight of the world is off my shoulders and I had the time of my life. Cubs win Major B Beverly City Series By Jean DePlacido Correspondent In a hotly contested Beverly Major B City Series the East champion Cubs bested the Rangers in a come from behind 20-16 victory. The West champs had taken the opener of the best-of-three series with a 6-5 win in the bottom of the sixth, but the Cubs roared back to pull out a 5-4 last inning victory to even things up. "It was more like a football game," said manager Tom Modini, who has coached in Beverly Little League for the past four years. "These two teams were so evenly matched, and I think pitching made the difference because both had to use a bunch of different pitchers before it ended. "I can`t say enough about what a great group of kids and parents we had. There were no superstars, but every single kid had a clutch hit or big play in the field during our playoff run." The Cubs were 11-4-1 during the regular season, lost to the Giants in the playoffs to fall into the losers` bracket, but bounced back to defeat the Giants twice to win the East. Flip Flop Regatta honors Zapp By Laurie Fullerton Correspondent Boston -- A fleet of 51 boats from throughout the North Shore, Mass. Bay and Newport took part in the second annual Flip Flop regatta last weekend off Boston harbor in a yacht race that honors the legacy of Alexandra Nicole Zapp. Zapp, a 30-year-old Boston sailor, was murdered on July 18, 2002 after stopping at a Burger King rest stop in Bridgewater on Rte. 24. The Flip Flop regatta, so named because of Zapp`s free-spirited style and love of flip flops, is a pursuit race where yachts of all sizes have staggered starts, with the idea that all the boats finish in a fair race. A number of North Shore sailors attended the event, including Charles Keifer of Marblehead,who owns the 80-foot maxi boat "Nirvana" which placed first in Division A. "We really did the race because we feel it is a good cause, and it was not exactly about winning but of course winning it was a nice bonus," Keifer said. The wind conditions were fluky and finding the breeze was difficult for the varied fleets. For Harry Hepburn, who sails out of Salem, it meant a slow start but he and his crew picked the shifts well to finish first in his division. Hepburn celebrated his first-ever first place finish in a major PHRF regatta on Saturday night. "We had a tough start, but really made some headway on the second leg and found our breeze," Hepburn said with a big smile. "By the time we got to the final mark we were neck and neck with one other boat. But we out-sailed them and won it. It was a great race and it is a great cause and I am glad to be here." The fleet included first-time racers from the Courageous Sailing Center, a non-profit organization that offers free sailing to the youth of Boston while sailors dressed in pink and green, Ally`s trademark colors, and wore flip-flops, creating a tropical, festive mood, despite the somber overtones. "This is really the only big boat regatta in Boston and we have 51 boats participating from Marblehead to Newport and beyond," said Scott Akerman, one of the event organizers and a good friend of Ally Zapp`s. "The event has grown and with the spectator fleet, non-sailors were able to get out on the water and participate, too." The money raised at the event numbered in the tens of thousands and it will all go to help support the Ally Foundation and help raise awareness towards better legislation to keep repeat sex offenders off the streets. "This is a great event that has now grown beyond the people who really knew her, but for this event to succeed it has to," said Brian Sullivan on Newport, a good friend of Ally`s. "Her short life speaks to a lot of sailors. They really connect with her. Her good friends are putting this great spin on a horrible situation and it is not easy, but it is worthwhile." St. Pierre`s Steeler stock on rise By Bill Kipouras Staff writer Coaches aren`t likely to be up after a defeat, especially in the National Football League, but Bill Cowher of the Pittsburgh Steelers certainly was upbeat about his quarterback situation after a 27-21 preseason loss in Detroit. One day earlier it had been announced that one of the incumbents, 29-year-old Charlie Batch, would be sidelined by season-ending knee surgery, leaving No. 1 Tommy Maddox as the only veteran, backed up by first round pick Ben Roethlisberger and Danvers` Brian St. Pierre, neither of whom has appeared in an NFL regular season. Batch`s injury left Cowher shopping around for a vet to fill the void. After what Roethlisberger and St. Pierre did in Detroit, Cowher no longer feels another arm is necessary. "I can`t foresee a need at this point (to sign anyone else)," he told the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. "Brian made some big throws, some clutch throws and gave some receivers a chance to make a play," Cowher praised. "I`d say I did play well. I just wish we could have won it at the end, that would have been nice," St. Pierre said. "On a couple of my incompletions I had to throw it away and one was dropped. I had pretty good command and felt good about what I did. "The first snap? It happened so quick, a deep post for a TD. It was a good way to start and get your feet wet," the former BC ace said. The Steelers summoned Kurt Kittner as a veteran face to have around when Batch went down. Kittner has made more stops than American Airlines since May. Four clubs. St. Pierre didn`t sound concerned about Kittner, and said he was "taking nothing for granted" with Batch out for the season. "Whether Charlie was here or not, I knew I was playing very well and that I`d be fine," he said. "Cowher thought I did well. One of the coaches told me the same thing and said he felt I deserved to be here. Today I`m somewhat sore. There were a lot of young linemen in the game and I took some shots. The coaches said they were impressed with the way I stood in the pocket. I got in there in the second half of the third quarter and it was mostly thirds (third teamers), which can be an adventure," St. Pierre said. The Steelers were down 20-7 before rallying around St. Pierre. The celebrated Roethlisberger, operating with the first unit, was pronounced the No. 2 QB and St. Pierre will be No. 3 on the depth chart, Cowher said after game. Roethlisberger did have a hot shot debut. "I expected he`d be the No. 2 guy," St. Pierre flatly stated. "But you never know in this game. But I can tell you that Charlie Batch`s situation doesn`t affect me at all. I`m having a good training camp. I can`t say I was anxious to play this game. But I was very much looking forward to it and now I want to try and keep building on it." St. Pierre, who got sacked twice, had a 129 QB Rating, which is pretty good. "I`d like a fewer hits the next time. We`ve got Houston Saturday. But I`m not going to worry about who`s No. 1-2-or-3. I just want to keep playing well. I want to play well for myself and the team and let the staff deal with it." The Steelers` three quarterbacks combined to complete 16 of 26 passes for 224 yards, two touchdowns, no interceptions and a passer rating of 114.9. ... Lynn`s Jim Mello made his National Football League officiating debut in the Patriots-Eagles exhibition after a spiffy season in NFL-Europe. ... Toronto Raptors` assistant Jim Todd said he wasn`t especially surprised that the USA got dunked by Puerto Rico in Olympic basketball. "They did struggle through their exhibition games. The talk, I hear, is not to be surprised if they didn`t win a medal," Todd said from West Palm Beach. "I`d like to see them win it all. But it`s tough now. Someone in USA Today said maybe we should get a team together that travels around, maybe a college all-star team, if we can`t get the so-called big stars together. Maybe it`s time for a change. Myself, I`m surprised they didn`t put Michael Redd on that team. He`s an excellent shooter and they need a shooter. I thought it was strange he didn`t get a shot." He also wondered about Tim Duncan taking only 10 shots against Puerto Rico. "Not enough," Todd said. "I still think they have enough overall talent and athleticism to win, but they have to play together. I`m sure any loss for the US, the way we look at basketball, is going to be embarrassing. I`m sure everybody feels a little egg on his face, being the first all-NBA team to lose there. I wouldn`t count them out, however. They could still get a bronze, but if they don`t play together they`re not going to medal. If they decide to play like Larry Brown wants them to play, they can still contend for gold. But if they`re going to continue to play 1-on-1 basketball, that`s not good enough. They have to play the team concept to win. That`s the bottom line." It`s the opinion of ex-Celtics` scouting director Rick Weitzman of Peabody that maybe it`s time for USA Basketball to send the NBA champs to the Olympic Games because the Western World has caught up and their team skills can be better than an all-star that hasn`t been together for long. "I`d like to see the Detroit Pistons over there," Weitzman said. ... Keith plays out of Ferncroft, hits it a ton, and is a top player at Emory University. "It was the first time we`ve won anything together. Keith always makes a lot of birdies and I felt I could be steady," Kevin said. "He was geared up for it because it took place before he drove to school and hopped on a plane (Monday) with the Emory team to play in Scotland." The Rourke family has been on a roll. Father Tom Rourke and son Keith teamed in a scramble that won the Otto Moulton Tournament. Tom and Phil Singleton of Lynnfield won the Round-A-Day at Salem C.C. Tom and Tim Whelan of Swampscott won the Tedesco Four Ball consolation, reeling off five in a row after losing in 21 holes the first day. Rourke, the architect of the St. John`s Prep golf program in the early 90s, has teamed with daughter Kathy Natale to win three State Father-Daughter crowns. Kathy has been the Ferncroft women`s champ seven times and owns two state titles. You think this family like its golf? Bill Kipouras is a staff writer at the Salem News. He can be reached at (978( 338-2615 or by e-mail: bkipouras@ecnnews.com. NL Standings By NL Standings East Division W L Pct GB Atlanta 67 50 .573 -- Florida 59 58 .504 8 Philadelphia 59 59 .500 8 New York 56 60 .483 10 Montreal 49 67 .422 17 Central Division W L Pct GB St. Louis 77 40 .658 -- Chicago 63 54 .538 14 Houston 57 60 .487 20 Pittsburgh 56 60 .483 20 Cincinnati 56 62 .475 21 Milwaukee 54 62 .466 22 West Division W L Pct GB Los Angeles 69 48 .590 -- San Francisco 64 55 .538 6 San Diego 63 55 .534 6 Colorado 53 65 .449 16 Arizona 36 84 .300 34 ------ Sunday`s Games Houston 5, Montreal 4 Arizona 2, N.Y. Mets 0 San Diego 7, Cincinnati 2 Pittsburgh 3, Colorado 0 San Francisco 3, Philadelphia 1 Florida 5, Milwaukee 3, 10 innings Los Angeles 8, Chicago Cubs 5 St. Louis 10, Atlanta 4 Monday`s Games St. Louis 10, Cincinnati 5 Pittsburgh 8, Arizona 7, 10 innings Atlanta 5, San Diego 4 Florida 4, Los Angeles 2 Montreal at San Francisco, late Tuesday`s Games Houston (Oswalt 12-8) at Philadelphia (Wolf 5-7), 7:05 p.m. Chicago Cubs (C.Zambrano 11-6) at Milwaukee (Santos 9-8), 8:05 p.m. Cincinnati (Claussen 1-3) at St. Louis (Morris 12-8), 8:10 p.m. N.Y. Mets (V.Zambrano 2-0) at Colorado (Jennings 10-10), 9:05 p.m. Pittsburgh (Vogelsong 3-9) at Arizona (Randolph 2-2), 9:35 p.m. Atlanta (Jar.Wright 11-5) at San Diego (Peavy 8-3), 10:05 p.m. Florida (A.J.Burnett 3-5) at Los Angeles (W.Alvarez 6-3), 10:10 p.m. Montreal (Kim 3-4) at San Francisco (Schmidt 15-4), 10:15 p.m. Wednesday`s Games Montreal at San Francisco, 3:35 p.m., 1st game Montreal at San Francisco, 7:05 p.m., 2nd game Houston at Philadelphia, 7:05 p.m. Chicago Cubs at Milwaukee, 8:05 p.m. Cincinnati at St. Louis, 8:10 p.m. N.Y. Mets at Colorado, 9:05 p.m. Pittsburgh at Arizona, 9:35 p.m. Atlanta at San Diego, 10:05 p.m. Florida at Los Angeles, 10:10 p.m. Cardinals 10, Reds 5 CINCINNATI ST. LOUIS ab r h bi ab r h bi Freel 3b 4 0 1 0Wmack 2b 4 2 2 0 Poppel p 0 0 0 0Cedeno rf 2 2 1 0 PNortn p 0 0 0 0Isrnghs p 1 0 0 0 Redling p 0 0 0 0Pujols 1b 5 2 3 5 Larkin ph 1 0 0 0Rolen 3b 3 2 2 2 DJmnz 2b 4 0 0 0MAndn rf 1 0 0 0 Casey 1b 4 1 1 1Edmnd cf 3 0 0 0 Dunn lf 4 0 2 0Rnteria ss 4 0 1 1 WPena cf 3 0 0 0RSndrs lf 4 1 1 0 Bragg rf 4 1 1 1Mtheny c 4 1 2 0 LaRue c 4 1 1 0Suppan p 2 0 0 0 FLopez ss 3 1 0 0King p 0 0 0 0 Harang p 2 0 0 0Mabry rf 0 0 0 1 RWgnr p 0 0 0 0 Vn Wal ph 0 0 0 0 JCastro 3b 2 1 2 3 Totals 35 5 8 5Totals 33 10 12 9 Cincinnati 000 001 202 -- 5 St. Louis 202 000 24x -- 10 E--FLopez (9), JCastro (7). DP--Cincinnati 1. LOB--Cincinnati 5, St. Louis 6. 2B--Freel (14), Dunn (23), Pujols 2 (33), Rolen (28). 3B--JCastro (2), RSanders (2). HR--Casey (19), Bragg (2), JCastro (3), Pujols (37). CS--Womack (5). S--Suppan. SF--Mabry. IP H R ER BB SO Cincinnati Harang L,7-5 5 6 4 3 2 6 RWagner 1 0 0 0 0 0 Van Poppel 1 4 4 3 2 0 PNorton 2-3 1 1 1 0 1 Riedling 1-3 1 1 1 0 0 St. Louis Suppan W,11-6 61-3 5 3 3 1 4 King 11-3 1 0 0 0 1 Isrnghs S,33 11-3 2 2 2 0 1 Van Poppel pitched to 2 batters in the 8th. HBP--by Harang (Rolen), by Suppan (WPena). Umpires--Home, Dan Iassogna; First, Doug Eddings; Second, Darren Spagnardi; Third, Jeff Kellogg. T--3:14. A--33,957 (50,345). Braves 5, Padres 4 ATLANTA SAN DIEGO ab r h bi ab r h bi Furcal ss 3 1 0 0KGreen ss 4 1 2 0 MGiles 2b 4 0 1 0Aurilia 3b 5 1 1 0 JDrew rf 3 1 1 2Loretta 2b 4 1 1 0 CJones 3b 4 1 1 1Nevin 1b 4 0 1 1 JuFrco 1b 4 0 0 0BGiles rf 4 0 2 1 AJones cf 4 1 1 1Klesko lf 4 0 2 1 Mrrero lf 4 1 1 0Payton cf 4 1 1 0 Smoltz p 0 0 0 0RaHrdz c 3 0 1 1 EddPrz c 4 0 1 0Htchck p 2 0 0 0 Hmptn p 3 0 1 1Neal p 0 0 0 0 Ritsma p 0 0 0 0Bchnan ph 1 0 0 0 Thmas lf 1 0 0 0Stone p 0 0 0 0 Brrghs ph 1 0 0 0 Totals 34 5 7 5Totals 36 4 11 4 Atlanta 021 000 200 -- 5 San Diego 000 100 120 -- 4 E--Loretta (6). DP--Atlanta 2, San Diego 1. LOB--Atlanta 6, San Diego 7. 2B--Marrero (16), Hampton (3), Loretta (38). 3B--Payton (3). HR--JDrew (27), CJones (20), AJones (20). SB--Furcal (18). IP H R ER BB SO Atlanta Hampton W,9-8 7 7 3 3 2 3 Reitsma 2-3 1 1 1 0 1 Smoltz S,30 11-3 3 0 0 0 2 San Diego Hitchcock L,0-2 61-3 6 4 4 3 5 Neal 2-3 1 1 1 0 0 Stone 2 0 0 0 1 1 Hampton pitched to 1 batter in the 8th. Umpires--Home, Fieldin Culbreth; First, Tim McClelland; Second, Jim Wolf; Third, Tony Randazzo. T--2:32. A--34,426 (42,445). Marlins 4, Dodgers 2 FLORIDA LOS ANGELES ab r h bi ab r h bi Pierre cf 4 0 2 0Izturis ss 4 0 2 0 LCstillo 2b 3 1 1 0SFinley cf 4 0 1 0 L Duca c 4 1 1 0Brdley lf 4 0 1 0 Cbrera lf 2 1 1 1Beltre 3b 3 1 1 0 Lowell 3b 4 0 1 1ShGren rf 4 0 0 0 Conine 1b 4 0 0 0Choi 1b 2 1 0 1 JEcrcn rf 3 1 1 0Werth rf 1 0 0 0 AGnzlz ss 4 0 0 0Cora 2b 2 0 1 0 Pavano p 3 0 0 0Mayne c 3 0 0 0 Mota p 0 0 0 0Weaver p 2 0 0 0 LHarrs ph 1 0 0 0Vntura ph 1 0 0 0 Benitez p 0 0 0 0Vnafro p 0 0 0 0 Drifort p 0 0 0 0 Brzban p 0 0 0 0 Totals 32 4 7 2Totals 30 2 6 1 Florida 000 110 020 -- 4 Los Angeles 010 100 000 -- 2 E--AGonzalez 2 (10), ShGreen (6). DP--Florida 3, Los Angeles 1. LOB--Florida 7, Los Angeles 4. 2B--Beltre (22). 3B--Pierre (9). HR--Cabrera (25). SB--JEncarnacion (4), Izturis (19), Bradley (12). CS--Pierre (17), Bradley (8). S--Cora. IP H R ER BB SO Florida Pavano W,13-5 71-3 6 2 1 2 3 Mota 2-3 0 0 0 0 0 Benitez S,35 1 0 0 0 0 0 Los Angeles Weaver 7 5 2 1 2 4 Venafro 0 0 0 0 0 0 Dreifort L,1-4 2-3 2 2 2 3 1 Brazoban 11-3 0 0 0 0 1 Venafro pitched to 1 batter in the 8th. HBP--by Venafro (Pierre). WP--Dreifort. Umpires--Home, Bill Miller; First, Paul Emmel; Second, Brian Gorman; Third, Dale Scott. T--2:39. A--53,121 (56,000). Pirates 8, Diamondbacks 7 (10 innings) PITTSBURGH ARIZONA ab r h bi ab r h bi Kendall c 5 1 3 0McCkn lf 4 1 2 0 JWilsn ss 5 1 1 1AGreen 3b 4 0 0 0 Mckwk 3b 4 2 0 0Tracy 3b 1 0 1 0 CWilsn rf 4 1 0 0DBtista rf 5 0 3 2 Mesa p 0 0 0 0Hlnbrn 1b 5 0 0 0 ANunez ph 0 0 0 0Terrero cf 3 1 0 0 Gnzalez p 0 0 0 0Hirston 2b 4 3 3 1 Ward 1b 6 1 3 6Cintron ss 5 0 0 0 Bay lf 3 0 0 0Hill c 5 2 3 4 TRdmn cf 5 1 3 1Webb p 2 0 1 0 Castillo 2b 4 1 1 0Dssens p 0 0 0 0 SBrnett p 2 0 0 0Fetters p 0 0 0 0 JBtista ph 1 0 1 0Nance p 0 0 0 0 Mdows p 0 0 0 0Baerga ph 1 0 0 0 Grabow p 0 0 0 0Aquino p 0 0 0 0 Hill ph 1 0 0 0 STorres p 0 0 0 0 Wggntn 3b 1 0 0 0 Totals 41 8 12 8Totals 39 7 13 7 Pittsburgh 000 030 022 1 -- 8 Arizona 001 100 104 0 -- 7 E--Kendall (7), AGreen (3). DP--Pittsburgh 2. LOB--Pittsburgh 12, Arizona 7. 2B--Ward (9). 3B--Ward (2). HR--Ward (11), TRedman (7), Hairston (10), Hill (1). SB--Castillo (2), McCracken (1), Hill (1). CS--Castillo (2). S--Hairston, Dessens. SF--JWilson. IP H R ER BB SO Pittsburgh SBurnett 5 5 2 2 1 3 Meadows 11-3 1 1 1 0 2 Grabow 2-3 1 0 0 0 1 STorres 1 1 0 0 0 1 Mesa W,4-1 1 5 4 4 1 0 Gonzalez S,1 1 0 0 0 1 1 Arizona Webb 6 7 3 0 3 6 Dessens 2 2 2 2 0 3 Fetters 2-3 1 2 2 1 1 Nance 1-3 1 0 0 1 0 Aquino L,0-1 1 1 1 1 3 2 WP--Meadows, Webb, Nance, Aquino. Umpires--Home, Jim Joyce; First, Kerwin Danley; Second, Marvin Hudson; Third, Dana DeMuth. T--3:42. A--28,768 (49,033). NL Leaders G AB R H Pct. Bonds SF 104 266 90 94 .353 Casey Cin 102 409 78 139 .340 Loretta SD 115 467 81 159 .340 Rolen StL 113 412 87 136 .330 Helton Col 111 395 85 129 .327 Pujols StL 112 438 101 142 .324 JEstrada Atl 98 341 47 110 .323 ARamirez ChC 103 390 76 126 .323 Beltre LA 111 426 73 137 .322 Overbay Mil 115 420 59 134 .319 HOME RUNS--Pujols, St. Louis, 37; Dunn, Cincinnati, 36; Thome, Philadelphia, 35; Beltre, Los Angeles, 33; Edmonds, St. Louis, 31; Burnitz, Colorado, 31; Bonds, San Francisco, 31. RUNS BATTED IN--Rolen, St. Louis, 104; Castilla, Colorado, 99; Pujols, St. Louis, 92; Burnitz, Colorado, 86; BAbreu, Philadelphia, 82; Cabrera, Florida, 81; Beltre, Los Angeles, 80; Edmonds, St. Louis, 80; Thome, Philadelphia, 80. RUNS--Pujols, St. Louis, 101; Bonds, San Francisco, 90; BAbreu, Philadelphia, 88; Rolen, St. Louis, 87; Helton, Colorado, 85; JDrew, Atlanta, 83; Loretta, San Diego, 81. HITS--Loretta, San Diego, 159; JWilson, Pittsburgh, 149; Pierre, Florida, 146; Pujols, St. Louis, 142; Izturis, Los Angeles, 141; Casey, Cincinnati, 139; Beltre, Los Angeles, 137. DOUBLES--Overbay, Milwaukee, 39; Casey, Cincinnati, 38; Loretta, San Diego, 37; Castilla, Colorado, 36; Pujols, St. Louis, 33; DeLee, Chicago, 33; Rollins, Philadelphia, 32; Lowell, Florida, 32. TRIPLES--JWilson, Pittsburgh, 11; Pierre, Florida, 8; DRoberts, Los Angeles, 7; Hairston, Arizona, 6; Cintron, Arizona, 6; Durham, San Francisco, 6; Tucker, San Francisco, 6. STOLEN BASES--Podsednik, Milwaukee, 43; DRoberts, Los Angeles, 33; BAbreu, Philadelphia, 29; Pierre, Florida, 27; Freel, Cincinnati, 22; Rollins, Philadelphia, 21; CPatterson, Chicago, 20. PITCHING (13 Decisions)--Milton, Philadelphia, 12-2, .857; Schmidt, San Francisco, 15-4, .789; Lima, Los Angeles, 11-3, .786; Estes, Colorado, 13-4, .765; Marquis, St. Louis, 12-4, .750; Carpenter, St. Louis, 12-4, .750; Clemens, Houston, 12-4, .750. STRIKEOUTS--RJohnson, Arizona, 202; Schmidt, San Francisco, 186; BSheets, Milwaukee, 184; OlPerez, Pittsburgh, 165; Clemens, Houston, 156; Clement, Chicago, 155; Oswalt, Houston, 152. SAVES--Graves, Cincinnati, 36; Gagne, Los Angeles, 35; Benitez, Florida, 34; Kolb, Milwaukee, 33; Isringhausen, St. Louis, 33; Mesa, Pittsburgh, 33; Hoffman, San Diego, 31. Watson playing catch-up with team By Howard Ulman Associated Press FOXBORO -- Benjamin Watson spent his 18-day holdout trying to remember plays while his New England Patriots teammates were busy practicing them. Yesterday, just 24 days before the regular-season opener, the first-round draft pick signed a six-year contract with the Super Bowl champions and ran a few plays from his tight end position. He just didn`t catch any passes. "I`ve got to learn the plays before I can worry about getting passes," he said yesterday. His performance in practice this week will determine if he plays Saturday night at Cincinnati in New England`s second exhibition game. It didn`t help that team security policies prevented him from taking home his playbook from the team`s minicamp in June. "I`m not starting from square one," Watson said, "but I`m still behind." The signing of Watson, the 32nd and last pick of the first round, leaves quarterback Philip Rivers as the only unsigned first-rounder. Rivers was obtained by San Diego in a draft-day deal with the New York Giants for Eli Manning. Watson`s former agent, Tom Condon, was pushing for a five-year contract. The Patriots insisted on six years and Watson switched to agent Pat Dye Jr., who reached an agreement with the team during the weekend. "Both guys are good agents," Watson said. "I just felt that it was just my time to come back." The negotiations were conducted quietly with few public comments from the agents or the team. "It`ll still be quiet because I really don`t have anything to say about it," coach Bill Belichick said with a smile. Watson, known as a good receiver, had 65 catches for 852 yards and six touchdowns in three years at Georgia after catching eight passes for 93 yards and a touchdown in one season at Duke. The Patriots already have two solid tight ends, nine-year veteran Christian Fauria and 2002 first-round pick Daniel Graham. But they frequently use a two tight-end formation and need three in case one gets hurt. "Anytime you`re out (of action), there`s a lot to learn in the NFL and so I`m behind," Watson said. It will take a lot of work for him to play a big role in the season opener against the Indianapolis Colts in Foxboro on Sept. 9. "I`m going to try my best to make it up," he said. "I know the coaching staff is going to try their best to put me in a position to where I can learn everything." After being drafted on April 24, he spent much of his time in Foxboro through the three-day minicamp that ended June 12. He worked out, caught passes from Tom Brady, studied the offensive system and attended team meetings. "We`re over here all day long," Watson said a week before that minicamp. "The first thing they told us is that it`s a job, and it definitely is." That become more evident to him during the negotiations, and he`s sorry he missed 18 days of camp in which he could have formed bonds with teammates. "There`s no sense of embarrassment" in reporting late, Watson said. "The one thing I learned is that it`s a business and everybody here treats it as such." But now he has a contract and must focus on football. "Everybody`s 20 practices ahead of him just in training camp," Belichick said. "On top of that, he`s a rookie so all rookies have a big mountain to climb. So I`d say he`s got quite a ways to go." Sports By By John Tomase STAFF WRITER BOSTON -- Keith Foulke has long maintained he pitches better with steady work. If that`s the case, the Red Sox might want to consider using him in long relief. With the team infrequently taking tight leads into the late innings, Foulke has become persona non grata in the Red Sox bullpen. He entered last night with just 5 innings pitched this month. That changed a bit when he entered in the eighth to protect a 5-4 lead. He escaped a jam, then cruised in the ninth after the Red Sox took an 8-4 lead to earn his 20th save. "It`s definitely weird, going through stretches where I don`t pitch on a regular basis," Foulke said. "I`ve had a lot of off time. It`s kind of hard to get any consistency and go out there with the same stuff every time." To stay sharp, Foulke has taken to throwing on the side -- sometimes immediately after a game. But a solution appears to be on the way. Foulke met with manager Terry Francona before yesterday`s game, and the two discussed getting Foulke into games earlier, with two-inning saves a more likely possibility. Such an opportunity presented itself last night. "You might get out there in a save situation after not pitching in a while and it`s like, `Oh my god, don`t screw this up," Foulke admitted. "I`ve already blown too many saves this year as it is." Though Foulke`s numbers are still outstanding (20 saves, 1.80 ERA), he`s recorded all five of his blown saves since May 30. "Two different seasons is what it feels like," Foulke said. "I really needed the work early in the season after struggling in spring training to get everything down. I feel a lot better now than I did then." As for last night`s save, it morphed from a nailbiter to a breeze after the Sox scored three runs in the eighth. "Three-run saves are the best," Foulke said. "You can go out there and mess up a bit and there`s still a little margin for error." Lowe keeps it going Don`t look now, but Derek Lowe`s actually restoring his place as a legitimate member of the starting rotation. Lowe improved to 4-1 over his last six starts with last night`s solid seven innings of five-hit ball. He allowed four runs (3 earned) and struck out a season-high seven. "This whole second half I feel like I`ve given the team a chance to win pretty much every time, whereas the first half wasn`t really even hit or miss -- it was just miss," Lowe said. "I think I`m leaning on having been here before, the last two years having been in a pennant race. I realize that every game is so important." Since allowing eight runs to the Braves on July fourth, Lowe has settled into a groove. He hasn`t surrendered more than four runs in any of his last eight starts. That`s more than effective enough considering the eight runs a game of support he`s received. "These next eight or nine starts I`m going to try to bring a playoff attitude," Lowe said. "There`s four teams in this thing, and only one of them`s going to make it." Odds and ends David Ortiz has reached in 28 of his last 29 games, and is hitting .359 in that span. Including a double last night, 52 percent of his hits have gone for extra bases (70 of 135). ... With his appearance at second last night, Doug Mientkiewicz has now played first, second, third and the outfield in his career. ... Fans attending this week`s series can make donations to the Hurricane Charley relief effort in Lee County and Southwest Florida, the Red Sox` spring training home. Fans can make checks out to the Red Sox Foundation through Monday, Aug. 23 and mail them to: The Red Sox Foundation, Fenway Park, Boston, MA 02215. Sports briefs By Baseball Danvers tops Salem in Gallant Tournament: Danvers eliminated Salem from the Gallant Tournament with a 6-2 victory last night at Forest River Park. Greg Ladd paced Danvers with two homers and three RBI, while T.J. Patrikas singled and doubled to drive in two runs and Cam Robair lifted out a solo homerun. Patrikas earned the win, allowing two runs on one hit with six strikeouts in three innings. Kyle Larsen finished the game allowing three hits while fanning four. Billy Geary was the tough luck loser for Salem, pitching six innings of six hit baseball with four strikeouts. Andy Cavanaugh doubled and scored both runs, while Jesse Valerio, Nick Marfangelli and Tyler Madden all hit safely. ... Champions takes 2-0 lead: Andrew O`Neill`s pinch-hit double scored a run and set up a three-run fifth inning that carried Champions to an 8-4 victory over the Amesbury Reds Saturday night. After O`Neill delivered, Jon Blodgett, who was 2-for-4 with three RBI, knocked in two runs with a double for a 6-3 lead. ... Spirit players earn NEL Players of the Week awards: Outfielder Lucas Taylor and pitcher Klae Calvert were named the Northeast League`s Batter and Pitcher of the Week (Aug. 9-15), respectively, by Sportsticker. Taylor belted out 12 hits in 22 at bats, totaling a .545 batting average that included his first homer of the season and a pair of triples. The West Virginia native scored 12 runs, knocked in five and swiped five bases for the Spirit, who won all six of their games last week. ... Beverly Scorpions win 5-3: Solid relief from Dion Ferreira and timely hits from Lucas DeOliveira and Saulo Couto proved enough as the Scorpions slid past the Merrimack Wolves. Ferreira earned the win after hurling three innings while George Silve and Brian Levine chipped in with their gloves. Golf Locals competing in PubLinks Championship: Jim Whitney of Beverly Golf and Tennis is tied for tenth place heading into today`s final round after shooting 1-over 73 in the first round of the Mass. Public Links Championship at Maplegate Country Club in Bellingham. Football Peabody High football car wash: The Peabody High football team will hold a fundraiser car wash Sunday, Aug. 22 from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Holden`s Oil on Lynnfield St. in Peabody. The cost is $5.00. Basketball Fall Basketball Skills Clinic: There will be a fall basketball skills development workout program beginning Sunday, September 26 at St. Mary`s High School in Lynn. Former Lynnfield varsity basketball coach Brian McDormand will conduct the workouts. The program is open to both girls and boys ages 10 and up. For more information call Brian at (781)-598-6794 or (617)-791-4790. Ice Skating Hamilton-Wenham Skating Club: The nine week fall class will begin Thursday, Sept. 9 at Johnson Rink in Hamilton. Entry fee is $140 and instruction is based on the U.S. Figure Skating Association Basic Skills Program. Each class will begin at 3:55 p.m and please call Jan Lee at (978) 468-2924 for more information. Hockey ... Cape Ann Hockey School: Two-week session will run August 16-27 at Peabody skating rink and will feature camps for players in mites, squirts, pee wees and bantams. Please call the rink at (978)535-2110 or director Bob Driscoll at (978) 531-6779. Basketball ... North Shore Board of Officials: Anyone interested in becoming a member of the North Shore Board of Officials for basketball can contact Chairperson Minnie Dakos at (978) 532-0665. Athletic meeting Beverly High School/Middle School Fall Athletic Meeting: There will be a mandatory informational meeting for all athletes and their parents interested in playing a fall sport at Beverly High School on Monday, Aug. 16 at 7 p.m. in the Beverly High School auditorium. Middle School cross country parents and their children are also required to attend. Tennis Tennis North fall registration: Entry deadline for the fall season at Tennis North in Swampscott is September 10. Call (781) 599-5634 for more information. Track 10th Annual Crane`s Beach Sand Stride 5K: The 10th Annual Crane`s Beach Sand Strike 5K will be tomorrow night at 6:15 p.m. beginning at the Crane`s Beach Refreshment Stand. Post entry is $15 with the proceeds benefitting the boys and girls track program at Ipswich High School. For more information call (603) 382-8958. Baseball Salem Baseball Clinic: The Salem Baseball Clinic will be held on Aug. 19 from 5 to 8 p.m. and Aug. 20 from 9 a.m. to noon at Palmer Cove in Salem. The clinic, run by the Salem High School coaching staff along with Salem State coaches, is open to players 13-17. The cost is $20. For more information call Salem High head coach Mike Ward at (978) 740-3730. ... North Shore Fall Baseball League: Extra Innings in Middleton is now accepting registrations for the North Shore Fall Baseball League. Individuals or teams, ages 8-18, may register to play. For more information call (978) 762-0668. Fund Raisers Peabody Police vs. North Shore Old Timers: The Peabody Police will play a group of North Shore Old Timers in the 48th Annual Labor Day Baseball Game to benefit the Jimmy Fund on Monday, Sept. 6 at Emerson Park. The North Shore Old Timers will feature former Major League Baseball pitcher John Tudor and former Boston Bruins goalie Reggie Lemelin among others. The day will begin with a Kids Clinic from 8:30 to 10 a.m. for players ages 8-12 with sign-ups beginning at 8 a.m. Donations can be made to the Jimmy Fund and all clinic participants must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. The game will begin at 10 a.m. with raffles being held for autographed memorabilia and gift certificates for local restaurants. For more information contact Sgt. Rich Girolimon at (978) 538-6323. ... Swampscott American Legion fundraiser: The Swampscott American Legion baseball team will be holding a fundraising cruise on Horizon`s Edge Casino Cruises on Thursday, Aug. 26. The ship leaves at 6:30 p.m. from 76 Marine Blvd. in Lynn. Tickets are $25, not including a $3 federal tax which must be paid prior to boarding. The Swampscott Mariners completed their season with a record of 21-3 and advanced to the state finals in Greenfield, Mass., where they finished sixth in the state. The team is attempting to raise money to defray the cost of participating in that tournament. For more information call either Paul Halloran at (617) 872-0384 or Jeff Newhall at (781)727-7623. Soccer District 5 wins U15 State Championship: The District 5 U15 soccer team, which is comprised of players from towns north of Boston won its second consecutive state championship Aug. 8 at the state tourney in Ayer. Danny Sargent found the back of the net to provide the difference maker in the championship round, which was a 1-0 victory over District 6. After cruising through the tournament undefeated last year, the group had to go through strict competition to claim their second straight crown. Basketball Coaching vacancies Salem State College has openings: Salem State College is looking for head coaches in men`s tennis and softball. Anyone interested should send a resume to athletic director Tim Shea by faxing him at (978) 542-2926, or by calling the athletic department at (978) 542-7260. ... Hall of Fame Salem High Hall of Fame nominations: Salem High Hall of Fame nomination forms for the 2004 inductions can be picked up at the high school athletic office from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m., Monday through Friday. The deadline for nominations is Aug. 31. Golf Danvers High Alumni Tournament: The Danvers High School Hockey Alumni Golf Tournament will be held Monday, Aug. 16 at Far Corner Golf Course in Boxford. Shotgun start is at 8 a.m. Donation is $100 per player. Proceeds benefit annual DHS scholarships for a graduating hockey player and cheerleader. For more information, contact David Deluca (978-774-6671), Paul Munzing (978-774-2566) or Gary Munzing (978-922-9516). ... Locals competing in PubLinks Championship: Jim Whitney of Beverly Golf and Tennis is tied for tenth place heading into today`s final round after shooting 1-over 73 in the first round of the Mass. Public Links Championship at Maplegate Country Club in Bellingham. ... 2004 North Shore Amateur Championship: The 2004 North Shore Amateur Championship will be held on Aug. 24-25 at Far Corner Golf Course in West Boxford, MA. There will be two qualifiers from each club and the entry fee is $45 per person. Anyone interested should send entries to William Flynn, P.O. Box 429, Danvers, MA, 01923. Entries close Aug. 14 and must be made through your PGA Golf Professional. ... Johnson Jr. Open at Beverly G & T: The Johnson Jr. Open has been moved to Tuesday, August 17th at Beverly Golf and Tennis. The tournament is open to golfers ages 8-15 and the entry fee is $5 and includes greens fees and lunch. Registration will conclude Sunday, August 15 and you may call the pro shop at (978) 922-9072 ext. 111 to sign up. ... Ouimet Golf Marathon: Dick Duggan of The Meadows at Peabody played 175 holes, riding the first 100 and walking the remainder, at the 2004 Ouimet Golf Marathon yesterday at Stow Acres Country Club while Mike Zmetrovich of Marblehead finished with the lowest amateur gross score, 9-under through 100 holes of golf. Kernwood`s Ron Northrup played 125 holes while George Demerrit and Greg DeMayo of Salem CC combined for 110 holes. ... Local golfers to tee it up at the 2004 Stone Cup: Diane and George Carter, both Wenham Country Club members, lead a group from the North Shore, who will be participating in the Stone Cup, which is a couples` tournament held by the Mass. Golf Association, Monday, Aug. 23 at Crumpin Fox Golf Club in Bernardston. Riki and Michael Allen, also members at Wenham CC will play along with Maureen and Henry Ramini of Salem CC and Ferncroft`s Christine Vector and Larry Venezia. Rugby North Shore Rugby Club looking for players: The North Shore Rugby Club is looking for new players to join the team this fall. Players are needed for both the male and female teams, and no experience is required. Call (781) 771-1127 or visit www.NSRFC.com for more information. Fall practices Beverly High fall practice schedule: The Beverly High fall practice schedule is as follows: Varsity football, Aug. 23 at 8 a.m., fieldhouse; freshman football, Aug. 24 at 10 a.m., fieldhouse; girls tennis, Aug. 26 at 2 p.m., Beverly High tennis courts; golf, Aug. 30 at 3 p.m., fieldhouse; cross country, Aug. 30 at 8 a.m., fieldhouse; field hockey and girls soccer, Aug. 26 at 8 a.m., fieldhouse; and boys soccer, Aug. 26 at 6 a.m., fieldhouse. All student-athletes must have a physical examination. Any questions should be directed to the athletic office at (978) 921-6141. Danvers High fall practice schedule: The Danvers High School practice schedule for fall sports will be held as follows: ... Marblehead High School tryouts and practice schedule: There will be a meeting on Wednesday, Sept. 1 at 7 p.m. in the fieldhouse with District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett, Principal Marilyn Hurwitz, and Athletic Director Rod Pickard. All coaches, athletes and parents are expected to attend. The tryout schedule is as follows: Boys/Girls Cross Country: Monday, Aug. 23, 8 a.m. at the high school field. Football Cheerleaders: Monday, Aug. 23, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for an open clinic in the fieldhouse. Football: Monday, Aug. 23, meet at 2 p.m. and non-contact practice from 5 to 7 p.m. Girls Soccer: Thursday, Aug. 26, from 7 to 9 a.m. and 3 to 5 p.m. at the middle school field. Boys Soccer: Thursday, Aug. 26, from 7 to 11 a.m. and 4 to 6 p.m. at the middle school lower field. Field Hockey: Thursday, Aug. 26, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Seaside Park. Girls Tennis: Thursday, Aug. 26, from 2 to 4 p.m. for freshmen and sophomores and 4 to 6 p.m. for juniors and seniors. Golf: Wednesday, Aug. 25, from 8 to 9 a.m. for a meeting in the high school cafeteria. ... Ipswich preseason meetings: The following is a list of preseason meetings for all of Ipswich High School`s fall sports: Football -- Aug. 9, seniors and juniors from 5 to 5:45 p.m. and sophomores and freshman from 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. at the Ipswich Gym for equipment issuing Cheerleading -- Aug. 24, 9 a.m. in Middle School Gym Golf -- Aug. 24, 1 p.m. at high school cafeteria Boys Soccer -- Aug. 25, 6 p.m. at Mile Lane Girls Soccer -- Aug. 25, 6:30 p.m. at Mile Lane. Field Hockey -- Aug. 25, 5 p.m. at Bialek Park; Cross Country -- Aug. 26, 11 a.m. in room B229 at Ipswich High No student/athlete will be allowed to participate until the school has received a valid physical examination which has been completed within the last 13 months. For more information contact Tom Gallagher at (978) 356-3137. ... Bishop Fenwick first day of practice dates: All fall athletes at Bishop Fenwick High School are asked to bring a copy of an updated physical exam to the first day of their team`s fall practices and report behind the locker rooms at Fenwick. First day of fall practices, by sports, is as follows: Monday, Aug. 23: Football, 3 p.m. for grades 10-12. Friday, Aug. 27: Girls soccer, 8 a.m. for grades 10-12; Boys soccer, 3 p.m. for grades 10-12; Field hockey, 9 a.m. for grades 10-12; Volleyball, 9 a.m. for grades 10-12; Football Cheerleading, 9 a.m. for grades 10-12. Monday, Aug. 30: Cross country, 4:30 p.m. for grades 9-12. ... Peabody High fall tryouts: All athletes must have a valid physical, academic eligibility check and signed parental permission form to participate in Peabody High fall tryouts. The tryouts will be held on the following dates: Physicals will also be held on Aug. 19 from 3 to 5 p.m. at Sports Medicine North. Student/athletes under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. The Athletic Department is requesting all student/athletes with health insurance to make arrangements for physicals with their family physician. ... Salem High fall practice: Salem High fall practice begin shortly, but all students must have a physical examination to be eligible to participate. Forms can be picked up at the Athletic Department/Main Office from 8:00-2:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Every student participating in high school athletics is required to pay a user fee of $100 per year and can be dropped off at the Athletic Office during business hours. For more information, please the Athletic Office at 978-740-1113. 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