Incidents, Thursday, May 31

10:17 a.m.: Resident reports broken window in motor vehicle, South Street

12:04 p.m.: Detail officer requests ambulance, Southwest Cutoff

2:19 p.m.: Medical call on Main Street

2:40 p.m.: Minor two-car MVA on Southwest Cutoff

4:57 p.m.: Party in lobby with found iPod, Davis Street

6:01 p.m.: Verbal domestic argument, South Street

8:03 p.m.: Report of domestic situation on Howard Street, with male transported to Marlborough Hospital by the fire department

8:34 p.m.: Past larceny of a cell phone, Belmont Street

9:14 p.m.: Party in lobby with found keys, Bartlett Street

Incidents, Saturday, June 2

9:59 a.m.: Alarm investigation, Main Street

10:59 a.m.: Multiple calls for minor two-car accident on Main Street

1:10 p.m.: Minor two-car accident on West Main Street. No injuries

2:18 p.m.: Employee reports MA CO P12916 dumping yard debris on property, West Main Street

8:28 p.m.: Medical call on Maynard Street

9:54 p.m.: One male in protective custody, East Main Street

10:15 p.m.: Medical call on Solomon Pond Road

10:34 p.m.: Party reports stolen purse, Main Street

Arrests:

June 1, 2 p.m.: Liexiu Luo, 54, 132 Pople Ave., Flushing, NY, arrested and charged with one count of sexual conduct for a fee. Luo was arrested at the EcoLodge, room 125, 380 Southwest Cutoff, after an investigation showed that she was working as a prostitute at the motel

June 2, 10:48 p.m.: Randy J. Levesque, 55, 14 Oread St., Worcester, arrested and placed in protective custody for public drunkeness

Our morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations.

1. Visit Northborough Patch today for our image gallery on the ARHS class of 2012's graduation.

2. The Open Space Committee meets tonight. Read below in the comments section for details.

3. Summer Healthy Food Drive Food pantries receive the bulk of their donations during the winter months, however hunger is a year-round issue. Donate a bag of healthy non-perishable food items during the month of June at Northborough Chiropractic and enter to win a raffle for a $100 Gift Card to Lowe's Market.

4. They’re not banned in Boston—at least not yet—but New York City restaurants, delis, movie theaters, stadiums and street carts may be prohibited from selling sodas and sugary beverages larger than 16 ounces. What do you think?

5. It's National Barefoot Day, according to Brownielocks.com. It's also Doo-Dah Day (which means to be silly).

Robert T. Lyons, 23, of 39 Belmont St., Northborough,
was summonsed to court on a complaint Feb. 1 by Northborough police and charged with threatening to commit a crime. Judge Calagione continued the case to July 25.

Arjunan M. Preetham, 21, of 19 Liberty Drive, Northborough,
was summonsed to court on a complaint May 27 by Westborough police and charged with OUI liquor, driving negligently, failure to stop/yield and speeding. Judge Calagione continued the case to Aug. 1.

Jose F. Reyes, 30, of 87 Fontaine St., Marlborough, was arrested May 27 by Northborough police and charged with OUI liquor, driving without a license, marked lanes violation and failure to dim headlights. Judge Calagione continued the case to July 26.

John J. Moynihan III, 60, of 16B Nova Drive, Pepperell,
was summonsed to court on a complaint April 20 by Northborough police and charged with OUI liquor. Judge Calagione found sufficient facts, continued the case without a finding to May 28, 2013, ordered him to lose his license for 45 days, to attend and complete a treatment program and attend a brains at risk program and pay $600 in fines.

With three days remaining for Shop & Explore MetroWest, the program
has already succeeded in generating economic activity throughout the region by attracting customers to local restaurants, retailers, services and arts & culture venues.

More than 110 participating businesses are offering special discounts and deals during the 9-day Shop & Explore MetroWest, which is a program of the MetroWest Tourism & Visitors Bureau.

With offerings such as a free one-week membership at a fitness facility, two-for-one admission to local museums, and half-price pizzas and steaks, Shop & Explore has generated significant buzz as well as income.

For consumers, the deals are the lure.

For participating businesses, the real value lies in increased visibility and connections with the community.

Roche Brothers’ four participating MetroWest grocery stores have seen an uptick in customers thanks to their special Shop & Explore offer of a free gourmet cupcake, according to Westborough store manager Rich Broderick.

“We are enjoying the Shop & Explore MetroWest event and all of the new customers coming to explore our store. Roche Bros. has always been committed to strong relationships with our community,” Broderick said. “This event gives us a way to say thank you to our loyal MetroWest customers and introduce our stores—and cupcakes—to new shoppers in the area.”

Perry Bent, owner of Wild Ruby Galleria in Framingham, said her small business has a level of visibility that she could not have afforded through her own advertising budget.

“As the new owner of Wild Ruby Artisan Galleria, it's been important to me to find affordable ways for my small business to get visibility," Bent said. "MetroWest Shop & Explore had a very low participation cost and put our name out all over Eastern Mass! The first day alone, our foot traffic increased substantially, and fully half of our sales were attributable to the promotion.”

Developed by the MetroWest Tourism & Visitors Bureau, in collaboration with Leadership MetroWest, to encourage residents and visitors alike to discover the great offerings in the region, Shop & Explore began on May 26 to capitalize on out-of-towners visiting MetroWest for the Memorial Day weekend.

Check this for a complete list of discounts and promotions in effect through June 3.

To make these special promotions even easier to find, the Visitors Bureau developed a free mobile app loaded with content about each participating business. Users of this free app can search by category, such as Dining or Arts & Culture, or use the map feature to find promotions offered by participating businesses near the user’s location. Download the app onto any mobile device, website, or tablet.

“By giving visibility to area businesses, including nonprofits, and providing incentives for shoppers to utilize those businesses, we’re generating economic activity as well as pride in our region and what it offers,” said Susan Nicholl, the Visitors Bureau’s executive director. “Shop & Explore MetroWest is an opportunity to highlight great shopping and cultural experiences in MetroWest and to support our many businesses.”

The uniqueness of the app itself has drawn media attention from as far away as Canada, Nicholl said, citing press clippings from dozens of media outlets.

Established through 2010 state legislation as the Regional Tourism Council for the 19 towns that compose MetroWest, the Visitors Bureau is charged with generating economic activity in the region by attracting visitors to MetroWest and by spurring MetroWest residents to patronize local services, shops, businesses, nonprofits, and other attractions.

Major sponsorships for Shop & Explore MetroWest have been provided by Middlesex Savings Bank, Gatehouse Media, Bose Corporation, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Brendon Properties, and Herb Connolly Auto Group.

Additional support has been provided by Berkshire Realty Group, British Beer Company, Capital Group Properties, Clausen & Co., JBJ Construction and Wing Press.

Algonquin Regional High School held graduation ceremonies on Sunday.

The graduates are:

Jeremy Edmund Adams, Elaina Marie Aiosa, Nicole Theresa Alberghini, Zachary Hensley Allor, Tyler Guinan Andrus, Richard Peter Arnold, *Meghan Louise Aubrey, Michael Anthony Babine, Jonathan Patrick Bache, Danielle Alexandra Barney, Nicole Margaret Barr, Rebekkah Joan Barrett, Rachel Elizabeth Barth, ** *Juliana Rose Batista, *Nathaniel Bernard Bautz, Timothy Kristofer Benson, Alex Joseph Jon Berger, Abigail Elizabeth Biron, Holly Rose Bisset, Christopher Harold Blanchard, **Erica Renee Blanchard, Nicole Lawlor Boullianne, *Emily Paige Bourke, Brittany Morgan Bowker, Leah Elizabeth Bradford, Sean Michael Brady, Matthew Daniel Braverman, Laura Graciela Bravo, Cameron Paul Brilliant, *** *Brendan John Brits, Devin Michael Brosnan, Christopher James Brown, *Emily Paige Mallon Brown, Peter Christopher Bryant, Nicholas Lee Buck, Sean David Burns and Daniel John Butka.
Also, Elissa Emily Caldicott, *Abigail Jae Campbell, Thomas Michael Campbell, Anthony Michael Cardarelli, Sara Lynn Cassidy, Emily Ann Champagne, *Ariel Chia-Lin Chang, Michael Aaron Charlat, Nam Yoon Cho, ***Joehyun Leo Chung, *Alexander Jonathan Church, Kristen Alda Cipriano, Deidre Greene Clark, Princesa Mercedes Cloutier, Kendra Rego Coan, Andrew John Cobb, Matthew Steven Cofer, *Jonathan Bradford Cogswell Jr., Devan Alexander Cohen, Cheyenne Marie Coker, ***Megan Joan Colleran, Adriana Marielle Cook, *Matthew David Coombs, *Sarah Elizabeth Cooperman, Zhavon Ramel Copeland, Calvin James Cotanche, Brandon Paul Cousens, Kristen Crowley, Michael Joseph Darmiento, Alicia Marie Davies, *Megan Julie Davis, *Michael Lawrence de la Pena, Emma Nicole Decker, Melissa Fedora DeMattia, Caitlin Elizabeth Demeritt-Studholme, *Jason Paul DesMarais, Rajesh Kumar Doddi, Aurora Dawn Doehring, *Sean Patrick Doherty, ***Conor Brendan Donovan, *** *Catherine Johanna Dorian, Heather Lynn Dubois-Kujawski and Courtney Marie Dumont.
Also, Thomas Francis Earlie, Danielle Marie Edmands, *Emily Morgan Ellis, Robert Jordan Entwistle, Laura Susan Evans, Eric Benjamin Factor, ***Elise Jillian Farrington, Paul Mckenzie Ferguson, Sarah Ferguson, Maria Angela Ferrini, Antonio Michael Ferro, **Michael Alexander Ficenec, Laurie Catherine Finelli, ***Juliana Rae Fiore, Eric Victor Firth, Kelsey Leigh Flaherty, ** *Jacqueline Marie Flood, Joseph Louis Franchi, Jessica Lynn Galante, Samuel Louis Gersh, Marissa Anne Giannetto, Ryan Samuel Giblin, Heather Nicole Giguere, *** *Katherine Michelle Gillespie, Gage Bacon Gillis, *** *Sarah Irene Gittins, Ishaan Goel, Jennifer Lee Graham, Jacqueline Rhodes Grasso, Zachary Ryan Gray, ** *** *Kristen Suzanne Green, *Dana Irene Grieco, Samuel Christian Gruber, Nicholas William George Guay, Dylan Taylor Gustin and Carter Michael Guzzi.
Also, Sandra S. Habib, Thomas Forest Hamilton, *Ryann Nicole Hanley, Timothy Hubert Hanlon, Brooke Elizabeth Hanna, Matthew Christopher Hanna, *Alexandra Lee Hart, Kelsey Morgan Harvey, *Jamie Elizabeth Hayes, Conor Martin Healey, Quinn Rylee Healy, * ***Taylor Marie Henry, Corey Alison Hill, Alison Levinee Hines, Corey Douglas Hirakawa, William Arthur Holley, *Elizabeth Joan Holmes, Michael Joseph Horan, Kassandra Rashell Hostage, Michael Arthur Incorvaia, *Amanda Marie Irvine, Emily Lynn Jachowicz, *** *Meredith Marie Joseph, ***Lia Julianne Kahn, Michael Benjamin Kaminsky, *Michael Ivan Guerlain Karpuk, Zainab Soofia Kazmi, Alexander Ward Keegan, Mark Thomas Keller, ***Sara Ellyn Kendall, *Mark Erik Kerstens, *Kristin Elizabeth Koch, Justin Michael Kody, Yekaterina Kori, Carly Elizabeth Koumoutseas, Viktoras Aidis Kozica and Jacqueline Alexandra Krause.
Also, Alexander Joseph LaFreniere, Benjamin Robert Lagasse, *Deanna Abigail Lagasse, Nicholas Stanton Lagasse, *** *Ryan Thomas Lang, **Stephanie Kristina Langella, *** *Julia Wolk Larcenaire, Margot Elizabeth Lee, ***Linnea Elise Leger, Hannah Rose Leonard, *Danielle Ivy Lewis, Lily Christen Liang, Curtis Lee Lin, Blanca Gabriella Linera, ZhuoHao Ling, Jacob William List, Matthew Christopher Long, Christopher Michael Longo, Amy Elizabeth Lopatin, Victoria Faith Lorenzi, Nathan Pierce Lowell, Dean Daichi Ludgate, *Sarah Babu Lukose and ***Zachary Paul Lusk.
Also, *Kyle Edward Macchi, Cameron Lewis Macdonald, Malcolm Paul MacDonald, Morgan S. Magnussen, Kyle David Mannion, Zachary Thomas Marcoulier, Shannon Marie Marks, Albert Edward Marsocci, ***James Robert Martin, *Patrick Brennan Mathon, Mark David Mauro, Andrew Thomas McAuliffe, Shelby Terese McCready, Michael Jumar McCullough, David Richard McGovern, Kathryn Storm McGuire, Philip Ronald McHugh, *Robyn Danielle McInnis, Hayley Elizabeth McKie, Tara Ann McLeod, Eileen Isabella McNicholas, Raymond Lee Mead, Zachary Thomas Meath, Katherine Meng, Jacqueline Olivia Millar, Christian Nicholas Miller, Kaitlin Irene Monroe, Amanda Jo Mooers, Ashley Elizabeth Mooers, ***Channing Victoria Moreland, Luke Somers Morrell, Palmer Prescott Morse, John Michael Mukai, Brandon Erik Mullen, Caleb Joseph Murphy, Dylan Patrick Murphy, *Meredith Lee Murphy, Patrick John Murphy, Zachary Thomas Murphy-Brown, Victoria Ann Murray and Shane Michael Muzyczka.
Also, Gauri Nagpal, Allison Wing-Shan Ng, *Daniel Patrick O’Brien, Jeremy Edward O’Brien, Carly Elizabeth O’Connell, Kathleen Anne O’Connor, Michael Francis O’Driscoll, Brendan Matthew O’Reilly, Shayleigh Ann Oldroyd, Nu Ri On, Reginald Tyrone Padgett, Taylor Marie Page, Yash Patel, Stephanie Alexandra Santana Perkins, *Mark Joseph Perreault, Timothy David Perron, ***Matthew Adrain Pfannenstiel, Matthew Eric Pieper, Alexandra Anne Pietro, Charles Fraser Pim, Emma Katherine Poellmitz, *** *Emily Mary Polanowicz, *Athena Elizabeth Polymeros, Kristen Frances Pompey, Alexa Nicole Potenza, Sean Joseph Preston, *Stephen Preston Putnam, Kendall Marie Railing, *Nivedhitha Ramesh, *Preeti Rangaraj, ** *Aarane M. Ratnaseelan, Brittany Leigh Rayburn, Michael Anthony Rea, Ryan Patrick Reynolds, Andry Freitas Rezende, Edward Thomas Roche, *Jill Adriana Rosenberg, Brian Matthew Rotermund, Kathryn Lee Rueger and Savannah Lynn Ryan.
Also, Alex Xavier Sanchez, Elizabeth Nicole Santellan, *Alicia Marie Santini, *Puja Sarma, Vincent Paul Sarnosky Jr, * ***Andrew Jay Savarese, Maximillian Robert Schmitt, Alina Jeanine Schneider, *** *Allen Charles Scholl, *Kevin Scott Schultz, John Nicholas Scorzelli, ***Caroline Severo, ***Samantha Rose Sexton, Lauren Elizabeth Shea, Lauren Leigh Sheehan, Daniel Ryan Sheehy, Alex Russell Shepherd, Eric David Shi, *Margaret Elizabeth Shields, Victoria Helena Shipp, Michael Joseph Shulman Jr., Joshua Ian Silva, Jhennyfer Dheryann Siqueira, Abigail Rose Solis, Kerryn Michelle St. Andre, Weston Carver Standish, Lindsey Anita Lee Stanton, Benjamin Scott Steiman, Samuel Avery Stokoe, *Daniel Richard Strickland, Christopher Charles Strobel, Andrew James Stukalin, Nicolette Svitenko and Colin Daniel Sweeney.
Also, Melissa Lakhena Taing, **Grace Xiao-En Tan, Selim Enis Tanriverdi, Jacob Dylan Teehan, *Kimberly Nicole Temlak, James Brown Temte, ** ***Katlyn Elizabeth Tennyson, ***Alexander Robert Teplansky, Amanda Lisa Tessier, *** *Richard Daniel Thompson, Priyanka Rani Thorat, Curran Joseph Tierney, Scott Michael Trehub, Pedro Luis Trinidad Figueroa, Evan Reed Turner, Kristina Ayanna Tymes-Wilbekin, ***Stephen Luis Tzianabos, Kyle Andrew Vaccaro, Ashly Varghese, Emily Sarah Ventura, Jared Stephen Verge, Anton Martin Vernooy, Alexander James Wallace, ***Patrick Joseph Walsh, Ryan Edward Walsh, Fiona Jane Watkinson, Claudia Nicole Weaver, *Laura Christina Welch, Jennifer Polly Welton, Catherine Irma Werner, Andrew Lee West, Kyla Mae Wester, Benjamin William Wheeler, Joseph William White, Jonathan Peter Willis, *Katherine Wilson, Jenna Ashley Winkler, Matthew Stetson Woislaw, Adam Steven Wolfset, Robert James Wood, Olivia Jean Woodland, *Nicole Katarina Wrin, ** *** *Ellen Mu Yang, Calvin Lee Yuen. 

* denotes National Honor Society members in good standing. 

** Gold Stole Recipient acknowledges the 10 students with the highest grade point averages.

*** denotes Tri M Music Honor Society members. 

Information courtesy of the office of Harold Naughton

State Representative Harold P. Naughton Jr., D-Clinton, of the 12^th Worcester District has returned to his home in Clinton following an eight-month deployment to Afghanistan with the United States Army Reserve.  He served with the 2^nd Brigade Combat Team, Fourth Infantry Division of Ft. Carson, Colorado.

Rep. Naughton was deployed to Afghanistan in October of 2011.  For the past eight months, he worked with Afghan judicial authorities, military and security forces, along with officials from the United Nations, the US Department of State, International Committee of the Red Cross and other entities in establishing a sustainable judicial and law enforcement system in the City of Kandahar and the Kandahar Province in southern Afghanistan, adjacent to the Pakistan border.  

“I am thrilled to be home with my wife and children,” said Naughton. “While I am honored I had the opportunity to serve my country, I am overjoyed to once again be with my family and friends. Words cannot express how much their support meant to me while I was gone. I look forward to returning to the State House and working for the communities of the 12^th Worcester District once again.”

Representative Naughton represents the 12^th Worcester District including Northborough, Clinton, Boylston, the second precinct of Sterling and the second precinct of Lancaster. He lives in Clinton with his wife, Ellen, and their four children.

In the Massachusetts House, Rep. Naughton currently serves as the house chairman of the Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security. Previously, he served as the house chairman of the Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs.

Rep. Naughton was last deployed from September 2005 to May 2006, serving in Kuwait and Baghdad, Iraq.

Rep. Naughton plans on returning to the State House during the week of June 4, 2012, after spending some time with his family. 

Incidents, Sunday, June 3

11:03 a.m.: Sick fox in the front yard of a home on Church Street

11:47 a.m.: Minor two-car MVA with no injuries, Belmont Street

3:57 p.m. Two car MVA on Belmont Street

8:14 p.m.: Ducks in the roadway on Shops Way

10:10 p.m.: Medical call on Main Street

10:13 p.m.: Report of dispute between family members, East Main Street

1:54 p.m.: One in custody for operating after suspended license, Southwest Cutoff

Incidents, Monday, June 4

7:05 a.m.: Report of a hit and run on West Main Street.

Arrests:

June 4, 2:25 a.m.: Johan C. Losada, 19, 4 Meadowstreet Rd., Shrewsbury, arrested and charged with marked lanes violation and operating with a suspended license for OUI

Great Wall, the Asian restaurant on Main Street, was closed on Wednesday evening after an inspection resulted in three "critical violations" by the Board of Health. Two of the violations were related to temperature, and the third was inadequate sanitizer strength for the dish machine.

One refrigeration unit read at a temperature of 50°F, and in the fridge were three food items that temped between 49°F and 52°F, according to Health Agent Jamie Terry.

Great Wall's owners and management faced the Board of Health on May 14 for a revocation hearing resulting from a series of poor inspections and closings since its opening in 2009.

In a hearing that lasted for more than two hours, two of the three board members voted to give the restaurant a "last chance."

"This will be a last resort," said Glenn French during the last hearing. "No more critical violations can happen. I will move that it's an immediate shutdown and revocation will be on the table. And that's pretty much where it will go."

Terry said that the restaurant will remain closed until the next Board of Health hearing, which was originally scheduled for June 12 at 6:15 p.m. The owners have asked to meet with the board sooner if possible. Terry is awaiting responses from board members to see if it is possible.

Update: Great Wall will meet with the Board of Health for a public revocation hearing on Wednesday, June 6, at 6 p.m. at the Town Hall, Conference Room B.

Our morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations.

1. Northborough Patch is sitting down for a live chat with the chief of police on Wednesday. Be sure to submit your questions. Ask him what you've been wanting to know.

2. You probably stuffed them into the back of your closet and wish you had room. Well, donate your winter coats as the Northborough Moms and Tots gets going on its annual fundraiser.

3. Northborough Moms and Tots and Northborough Helping Hands Association, Inc. is approaching its half-way point for its fundraising goal for the 2012 Backpack Drive. These two groups are once again teaming up to continue with its Fifth Annual Backpack Drive to benefit students in need in the Northborough public schools. Last year, a total of 125 backpacks were requested.

4. Closed for the fourth time last week, Great Wall restaurant will face a second revocation hearing with the Northborough Board of Health on Wednesday, June 6, at 6 p.m.

5. Don't forget the weekly meeting of the Rotary Club, as well as the Tuesday night dinners at the Senior Center.

Information courtesy of Doug Telepman

Proving the adage true that there is a first for everything, students from Algonquin Regional High School are staging the first all-student-run musical in
the school’s 53-year history.

On June 7, the curtain goes up on The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, a one- act musical comedy conceived by Rebecca Feldman with music and lyrics by William Finn, a book by Rachel Sheinkin and additional material by Jay Reiss.

The show centers on a fictional spelling bee set in a geographically ambiguous Putnam Valley Middle School. Six quirky adolescents compete in the bee, which is run by three equally-quirky grown-ups.

Produced and directed by Algonquin junior Josh Telepman, with musical direction by senior Stephen Tzianabos, choreography by senior Sarah Gittins and costumes by junior Lia Maynard, the show features a cast of nine talented students.

“This show’s got everything,” Telepman said. “First of all, it’s absolutely hilarious, but it also has its poignant and sentimental moments.” Telepman added that the show, when originally produced on Broadway, won two Tony Awards, including best book for a musical.

Telepman is no stranger to the stage, having appeared in over 30 productions as an actor, but this is his directorial debut. “I’ve been privileged to work with some great directors over the years, and have learned what a positive difference proper direction makes in how an audience perceives and experiences a production,” Telepman said. “I’m hoping I can draw upon my
experiences and deliver an enjoyable and memorable show for our audience.”

Tzianabos, as well, is making his first foray into musical direction. A talented musician and performer in his own right, Tzianabos is an experienced composer and arranger, having worked with several musical and choral groups. Leading a cast in a musical production, however, is a different experience.

“This is a whole new challenge,” Tzianabos said, “but with the talented
cast and musicians I have to work with, I know we’re going to have a great show.”

Telepman came up with the idea of staging a musical put on exclusively by students and approached Tzianabos about coming on board. Together they obtained the faculty approvals necessary to move forward—first from drama teacher Maura Morrison and Music Department Chair Amy Collins, and eventually from Principal Tom Mead. Then, after applying for, and being
granted, the licensing rights to stage the show, they began the quarter-of-a-year process of producing a first-rate musical.

“Our goal, from the beginning, has been to produce a professional show,” Telepman said. “From the audition process, through rehearsals, all the way to and through the performances, it has been vitally important to us that everyone takes this process seriously. We don’t want this to be just a great, student-run production. We want it to stand on its own as simply a great piece of musical theater. I couldn’t be more pleased with our cast, or more excited about the
results. I think we’ve built something special here, and the audience is going to love it.”

“I was surprised that this has never been done here before,” Tzianabos added. “I hope this becomes a long-standing tradition at Algonquin. I really think this can become one of the highlights of the school year for years to come.”

Dozens of students signed up for auditions, and Telepman and Tzianabos began the arduous task of casting the show. “It was tough,” Telepman said, “because most of those who auditioned were our friends. But in the end, we made our decisions based exclusively on who fit each part the best.”

Comprising the ensemble cast are Algonquin students Ty Andres, Julia Baker, Conor Donovan, Juliana Fiore, Leah Gibson, Alex LaFreniere, Ali Maynard, John Mukai and Jack Tzianabos.

“I really wanted to do this show, and am so excited to be able to play the part of Olive,” said freshman Julia Baker. “I love the directors and I know the audience is really going to enjoy the show.”

“I’ve been privileged to be a part of many productions here at Algonquin over the years,” said senior Alex LaFreniere. “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to conclude my high school drama career in this show, with such a great cast and crew. I hope everybody comes to see us. ”

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is performed in Algonquin’s Small
Performance Theater on June 7, 8 and 9 at 8 pm. All tickets are general admission and are $5.

They can be reserved by sending an email to arhsspellingbee@gmail.com. Please indicate which performance you are attending, and how many tickets you need. Seating is limited, and reservations will be honored on a first-come-first-served basis. Unreserved tickets will be available at the door on the evening of each performance.

Incidents, Monday, June 4

1:54 a.m.: One in custody for operating after suspension, Southwest Cutoff

7:05 a.m.: Report of a hit and run MVA on West Main Street

7:28 a.m.: Unlicensed operation, Bartlett Street

10:47 a.m.: Medical call on Village Drive

1:25 p.m.: Medical call on Otis Street

5:26 p.m.: Outside fire on Rice Ave.

6:28 p.m.: Criminal application for unlicensed operation on Main Street

Incidents, Wednesday, June 5

2:32 a.m.: One female in custody for OUI, South Street. Passenger is transported to Nelson Drive

7:12 a.m.: 17-year-old female being combative, Hudson Street

Arrests:

June 4, 2:25 a.m.: Johan C. Losada, 19, 4 Meadowstreet Rd., Shrewsbury, arrested and charged with marked lanes violation, operating with suspended license for OUI, Southwest Cutoff

June 5, 3 a.m.: Alyssa C. gigas, 20, 127 Prendiville Way, Marlborough, arrested and charged with OUI (liquor), South Street

June 5, 7:45 a.m.: Haleigh Ann Connelly, 17, 59 Hudson St., Apt. 4, Northborough, arrested and charged with A&B, intimidating witness

A little after 6 p.m. on Tuesday, residents of our area will have an opportunity to witness one of the rarest predictable celestial events: a transit of Venus.

Often referred to as the "Evening Star" or "Morning Star," Venus is the brightest natural object in our sky after the Sun and the Moon. As the second planet from the Sun, it's closer to the Sun than the Earth is. 

A "transit" of Venus occurs when Venus passes between us and the Sun in such a way that we can see Venus's silhouette backlit by the Sun's brilliant light. It last happened in 2004, but it won't happen again until 2117. Unless you plan to shatter some human longevity records, this is probably your last chance.

Were Venus either large enough or close enough to block out the Sun's light as it passed, we would call this event an eclipse, as we do when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun. Venus, however, is a little bit smaller than the Earth and about 27 million miles away. When its tiny silhouette is viewed against the Sun, which lies another 66 million miles beyond, it can offer viewers a dramatic sense of the solar system's vast scale.

Assuming sufficiently clear skies, the transit will be visible for us starting at about 6:04 p.m. on Tuesday and will remain so until the sun sets. Those in the central and western U.S. will be able to enjoy it longer, while viewers in Alaska, Japan, and large sections of Australia, China, and Russia will be able to see it in its entirety. By the time the Sun rises on the East Coast on Wednesday, Venus will have completed the transit.

How to watch

Never look directly at the sun with your naked eyes. You can damage your eyes. Likewise, viewing the sun with either binoculars or a telescope can direct the sun's magnified rays directly into your eyeball and cause serious injury―think about what happens to ants under a magnifying glass.

Sunglasses do not provide sufficient protection. If you know someone who works in plumbing or construction, ask them if they have any #14 welder's glass. You can look directly at the sun through this material without risking injury.

If you have a tripod or a partner and a pair of steady hands, you can use binoculars to project an image of the Sun onto a white piece of paper. Remember, don't look through your binoculars at the sun!

Though it's not quite the same as viewing the phenomenon in person, there are several places to watch the transit of Venus online:

• The Slooh Space Camera will offer an 8-hour webcast of the transit that includes real-time video feeds from 10 telescopes around the world.
• Astronomers Without Borders will carry a video stream of the transit from the Mount Wilson Observatory in California.
• NASA will offer a live video feed from the Mauna Kea Observatories in Hawaii with expert commentary.
• The San Francisco Exploratorium will host an online video stream from the Mauna Loa Solar Observatory in Hawaii.

Lastly, there's Don Pettit, an astronaut currently aboard the International Space Station. Pettit's not doing a video feed, but he will become the first person to ever photograph a transit of Venus from outer space. 

Information courtesy of the Patrick-Murray administration

The Patrick-Murray Administration announced $2,100,224 in Workforce Training Fund grants to 28 Massachusetts companies.

Northborough Steris Isomedix, Inc., was awarded $47,000 for 40 employees to be trained, and the administration expects six additional jobs to be created as a result of the project. 

The grants, which support up to two years of training, will create over 200 new jobs and train nearly 3,000 workers.

"We are focused on addressing the skills gap issue in the Commonwealth so that workers can compete in today’s ever-changing jobs market,” said Governor Deval Patrick. "The Workforce Training Fund focuses on the needs of both our businesses and workers, as Massachusetts continues to lead the nation in economic recovery.”

“It’s great to see the Workforce Training Fund programs back in full operation, with assured funding,” said Richard C. Lord, president and CEO of Associated Industries of Massachusetts. “Employers of all sizes across the state are seeking improved productivity, and these grant programs are proven resources for advancing workforce skills.” The companies are located in 23 towns across the Commonwealth, and employee trainings will cut across a variety of sectors helping engineers, lean manufacturing, suppliers, trades, and food services.

“The Workforce Training Fund continues to provide Massachusetts companies with the right resources to train employees and build a stronger and more effective workforce,” said Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray.  “The program is another tool in the toolbox for businesses, and we look forward to seeing this funding support new jobs, increased work capacity, and business growth in regions across the Commonwealth.”

“We are committed to providing training to new and incumbent workers so that they develop the skill sets and expertise necessary for sustainable jobs that are in demand by Massachusetts employers,” said Joanne F. Goldstein, secretary of labor and workforce development. “We welcome future applications from employers who recognize the value of training, at all levels, and propose training programs that enhance their business and upgrade the Massachusetts workforce.”

The fiscal year 2012 budget established the Workforce Training Fund as a trust fund, allowing for collection and disbursement of funds as needed by businesses, rather than on an annual appropriation cycle. “Businesses are welcome to contact us about grant workshops held across the Commonwealth to help educate businesses about this excellent resource,” said President and CEO of the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development's Commonwealth Corporation Nancy Snyder. "We are delighted to see consortiums applying for grants together to fill needs that help a variety of workers.”

The following is a complete list of Workforce Training Fund General Program Grant Recipients (listed by city/town):  

Ashland Lentros Engineering, Inc., $25,220 awarded, 41 employees to be trained, and two additional jobs are expected to be created as the result of this project.                
Bellingham Dunkin' Donuts Northeast Distribution Center Inc., $167,620 awarded. 388 employees to be trained and 34 additional jobs are expected to be created as the result of this project.                
Beverly Electric Insurance Company, $95,000 awarded. 283 employees to be trained and 30 additional jobs are expected to be created as the result of this project.                
Boston City Of Boston Credit Union, $58,825 awarded. 51 employees to be trained and 5 new jobs expected to be created as a result of training.  
Eascare Ambulance Service LLC, $130,935 awarded. 544 employees to be trained and 10 additional jobs are expected to be created as the result of this project.            
Next Street Financial, LLC, $16,000 awarded. Training needs of workers at 2 Boston-based property management companies will be assessed.  
Braintree George H Dean, $124,150 awarded. 47 employees to be trained, 3 new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.  
Cambridge Cambridge Trust Company, $128,260 awarded. 145 employees to be trained, 13 additional jobs are expected to be created as a result of training    
Canton Network Engines, Inc., $103,200 awarded. 121 employees to be trained, 12 additional jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.   Chicopee Chicopee Industrial Contractors, Inc., $29,765 awarded. 15 employees to be trained, 3 additional jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.  
Holden Alden Research Laboratory, $119,700 awarded. 78 employees to be trained, 5 new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.   Lawrence Key Polymer Corporation, $10,900 awarded. 21 employees to be trained, 0 new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.   Solectria Renewables LLC, $138,300 awarded. 111 employees to be trained, 12 new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.  
Malden B C D Metal Products Inc., $28,000 awarded. 29 employees to be trained, 3 additional jobs are expected to be created as the result of this project.  
Massachusetts AFL-CIO, $24,700 awarded. Training needs of workers at 10 unionized companies will be assessed.  
Mansfield LACERTA GROUP INC., $49,500 awarded. 78 employees to be trained, 17 additional jobs are expected to be created as the result of this project.  
Millbury Stellar Industries Corp., $32,640 awarded. 42 employees to be trained, 2 additional jobs are expected to be created as the result of this project.               
New Bedford Five Star Surgical, Inc., $72,900 awarded. 35 employees to be trained, 2 additional jobs are expected to be created as the result of this project.  
North Andover Network Allies, LLC, $37,245 awarded. 24 employees to be trained, 5 additional jobs are expected to be created as the result of this project.  
Northborough Steris Isomedix, Inc., $47,000 awarded  . 40 employees to be trained, 6 additional jobs are expected to be created as the result of this project.  
Salem Jacqueline’s Wholesale Bakery Inc. (DBA Jacqueline's Gourmet Cookies), $100,650 awarded. 73 employees to be trained, 13 new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.  
Taunton Emond Plumbing and Heating Inc., $97,536 awarded. 110 employees to be trained, 15 additional jobs are expected to be created as the result of this project.  
Walpole Rolls Royce Naval Marine, $107,053 awarded. 142 employees to be trained, 10 new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.   Westfield Bern Optics, Inc., $82,500 awarded. 46 employees to be trained, 5 additional jobs are expected to be created as the result of this project.   Westford MCS Laser Services Inc., $61,200 awarded. 32 employees to be trained, 4 additional jobs are expected to be created as the result of this project.        
Weymouth Enterprise Equipment Co. Inc., $34,720 awarded. 30 employees to be trained, 2 additional jobs are expected to be created as the result of this project.  
Worcester Central Massachusetts Workforce Investment Board (leading Southern Worcester Manufacturing Collaborative), $103,675 awarded. 115 employees to be trained (consortium grant involving 5 companies),12 additional jobs are expected to be created as the result of this project.  
Rand Whitney Packaging LLC, $73,350 awarded. 42 employees to be trained, 10 new jobs are expected to be created as a result of training.   

Our morning column, 5 Things You Need to Know, provides you with information that can help you plan your day and give you some fodder for water cooler conversations.

1. The biggest tip: call ahead! But Tougas Family Farm is in full strawberry picking swing. Find out the hours and get the updated pickers line right here.

2. According to its Facebook page, "It's Carnival Week on the Tumblebus! The kids swing on the trapeze bar, hurdle the horse mat, throw bean bags at the target, do the monkey bars and walk the tightrope (balance beam). At the end of class the kids take a few turns on the zip line."

3. Northborough Patch is talking to the chief of police today, live, and online. We welcome your questions, and welcome you to sign in and chat with us. We're sure you've all had something you've wanted to know. Here are the deets.

4. The Graphic Novel Book Club meets this evening at the Northborough Free Library.

5. According to history.com, Although the term D-Day is used routinely as military lingo for the day an operation or event will take place, for many it is also synonymous with June 6, 1944, the day the Allied powers crossed the English Channel and landed on the beaches of Normandy, France, beginning the liberation of Western Europe from Nazi control during World War II. Within three months, the northern part of France would be freed and the invasion force would be preparing to enter Germany, where they would meet up with Soviet forces moving in from the east."

Great Wall, the Asian restaurant that has been closed down by the Northborough Board of Health four times since opening, and has already faced one license revocation hearing, will come before the board again on Wednesday, June 6, at 6 p.m. in Conference Room B at the Town Hall.

The hearing is open to the public.

Great Wall was given a "final chance" last month when it came before the Board of Health after being closed for numerous critical violations. Pleading for a final chance to turn it around, the restaurant was cited for two more violations this past week and promptly closed until the revocation hearing on Wednesday.

Submitted by Carrie Schluter, public relations specialist

Yashaswini Makaram, eighth grader at Robert E. Melican Middle School in Northborough, MA, won the top prize in the 2012 state-wide Massachusetts Science and Engineering Fair 

The Massachusetts Middle School Science & Engineering Fair is a forum for students in grades 6-8 to explore "real world" science and engineering discovery through hands-on experience. Students also learn about the many exciting and emerging fields of science and technology today, building important life skills—from reading, writing and math to communications, teamwork and design.

The first statewide competitive fair was held in 1999, and since that time, participation has been on the rise. The competition was held on June 2, 2012 at Worcester Technical High School in Worcester.

Approximately 300 students from middle schools around the state participated in individual and team projects. The Grand Prize is sponsored by Cabot Corporation.

Yashaswini was awarded the top prize in 2012 for her project “"Accelerometer Apps: Sizing Up Smartphones to Measure Height and Distance." She used open-source android SDK and examples to pull together a smartphone app that allowed her to measure the angle of phone’s tilt with respect to direction of gravity using the built-in accelerometer. She used the phone camera to view the object and align to its top and bottom. She then used this information and trigonometric computations to measure height and distance to an object. She did more than 300 measurements with different phones, objects of different heights and at different distances to thoroughly assess the accuracy of measurements.

She had obtained second place in 2011 for her project “Printings, Paintings, Pictures and Pixels: A Study in Science of Vision,“ which analyzed the performance of digital technologies such as scanners, digital camera and computer screens to accurately depict the features of works of art such as oil paintings and water colors.

Yashaswini enjoys math and science and has represented her school in various math meets. She loves to read; fantasy is her favorite genre. She plays flute in the school band and is learning singing Indian Classical music.

What inspired her to do the project? She said, “I was learning about trigonometry, and had gotten a new phone so it would be interesting to incorporate what I was learning into an experiment, and explore how android phones work at the same time."

Log on at 1 p.m. on Wedneday, June 6, to shoot your questions to Northborough Police Chief Mark Leahy.

Leahy sits down with Northborough Patch to talk about issues, policies and anything else that comes up in a day's work as head of our local squad.

Submit your questions in our comments section below now, or log on at 1 p.m. on Thursday to ask your questions of the chief.

Join us, won't you? Now's your chance to ask.

A Westborough man has been charged with trying to solicit, and pay for, sex with his cousin in her Northborough home last year.

Gregory D. Aghjayan, 48, of 171 Ruggles St., Apt. 2, Westborough, was summonsed to court on a complaint by Northborough police on May 16 and charged with accosting/annoying a person of the opposite sex and soliciting sexual conduct for a fee.

On Sept. 30, 2011, Aghjayan's cousin visited the Northborough police station to discuss accusations that he had asked to have sex with her, court records allege. Unable to stay at the station for an interview at that time, Officer Scott Maffioli picked up the victim on Oct. 5 to go to the police station to discuss the situation.

According to police, the victim said she got a phone call from Aghjayan on June 18, when after approximately five minutes, he showed up by himself at her residence. She said they went into her apartment and sat on the couch, where Aghjayan said he was bored and started to discuss childhood memories.

The victim said she "kind of went with the conversation and then noticed Aghjayan's facil expressions changed" and that he "tried to open his pants" and said he was getting aroused. The victim said she told him to leave and started "kicking him a lot," according to police. The victim also said Aghjayan stood up and asked about having sex and she "told him he was disgusting" after which he allegedly said, "I can pay you." The victim kicked him in the buttocks.

She said there was no physical contact between her and Aghjayan, and that his "pants never came down."

In February, after police discussed the case with Assistant District Attorney Anthony Melia, the victim said she wanted to pursue charges.

Aghjayan has had 34 previous court appearances, court records say.

Westborough District Court Judge Vito Virzi continued the case to July 19.

The Northborouth Board of Health voted unanimously on Wednesday night to revoke the food license for Great Wall, an Asian restaurant located at 259 West Main St.

"I have no confidence in this restaurant at all—none," said Glenn French, board member. "I don’t think they can straighten their act out. I don’t see any other arguments to be made. They had their chance, they had their opportunity, for good or bad, they had it, and they blew it. I gave ‘em a chance. I was overly optimistic that I thought this thing would straighten itself out. It’s the operators fault that this happened with the restaurant. It’s been a long time coming and it’s not a surprise, and I don’t have any kind words to put to it."

The decisive, stern words came from French, who on May 15 advocated at a previous revocation hearing that Great Wall be given another chance, provided that food expert Dr. Sam Wong direct the restaurant into following the proper standards and procedures. On May 15, the board had voted 2-1 to allow Great Wall to reopen, with the understanding that it would be closed and face a revocation hearing if any critical violations were found.

Within three weeks, three critical violations were found.

Great Wall was closed, for the fifth time since opening three years ago, on May 30 when Health Agent Jamie Terry conducted an unannounced inspection of the restaurant. She found issues with the temperature of the food cooler, as well as sanitation in the dishwasher.

The restaurant has faced a multitude of hearings and numerous violations, many of them that occurred repeatedly.

"On May 30, I conducted an unannounced routine inspection," said Terry. "The beginning went well, and then I came across the 'Coke Cooler,' which holds the appetizer products. The refrigerator was reading at 50 degrees and it's supposed to be 41 or below. There were three food items found in the cooler between 49 and 52 degrees: boneless spare ribs, raw beef teryaki and chicken fingers."

Great Wall, which was represented by Dr. Wong at the hearing, did not dispute the violations, but indicated that the food cooler could fluctuate in temperature when opened and closed. A system log, which Dr. Wong constructed to help direct employees keep proper tabs on procedures and systems, indicated that the cooler was at 37 degrees consistently.

The log was maintained by manager Qen Quin Lin, known as Carol.

The board questioned the validity of the log, particularly when Terry pointed out that it had been already filled out through 3:30 p.m. on the day she arrived, which was at 2:45 p.m.

"How do you say the log is being kept accurately when the health inspector shows up at quarter of three and it's already filled out to 3:30?" said French.

Board member Dilip Jain added, "It can't be reading 37 degrees at all times and then Jamie goes in and it's 50 degrees. There is no explanation for that. It doesn't happen. If it's reading 37 degrees at all times, then they're not opening the door and taking food out. So it's been logged in at 37 degrees, and it's their bad luck that Jamie comes in and it's 50 degrees? Come on, we're all intelligent people here."

Wong also said that employees told him the strips used to test the sanitizer levels were giving "false readings."

Terry said three different test strips were used by three different manufacturers at the inspection, all giving "very low" sanitation readings on the dishwasher. At the hearing, Carol said that there were no customers in the dining room on the day of the inspection, and the dishwasher was not needed.

"While I was there, there were two patrons in the dining room," said Terry.

Noncritical violations of the May 30 inspection included a hair found on crab rangoon; Terry added that it could "happen anywhere" and the employees were wearing hairnets. She also saw two fruitflies, also not uncommon during any restaurant inspection, she said.

"I think it's the users of the system that are faulty," said French. "I don't think it's the system that is faulty. They are on probation and they have people come in once a week and they are 'this close' and still this of all things happens? Had Jamie not gone in there, someone could have eaten this food. It's a real problem. The town has always tried to accomodate businesses, because it's important to grow a town, but you can't grow a town by serving food that could poison someone. I'm sorry." 

French, who moved to revoke the license, was seconded by board member Dierdre O'Connor.

"Public health is to the benefit of the greatest number of people," said O'Connor, "and I just find this really regrettable that we have to do this."

Read all of Patch's coverage on Great Wall here.

Incidents, Tuesday, June 5

2:32 a.m.: One female in custody for OUI, South Street

7:12 a.m.: Female, 17, being combative, Hudson Street

1:13 p.m.: Report of fox in neighbor's backyard on Alcott Drive

5:15 p.m.: Report of possibly rabid fox in the area of Intervale Farm Lane 

7:31 p.m.: Verbal argument between father and son, South Street

11:15 p.m.: Report of fireworks being set off in the area of Howe Lane

11:33 p.m.: Activated alarm, Southwest Cutoff

11:49 p.m.: Report of fireworks in the area, Howe Lane

Arrests:

June 5, 3 a.m.: Alyssa C. Cigas, 20, 127 Prendiville Way, Marlborough, arrested on charges of OUI (liquor), South Street

Haleigh Ann Connelly, 17, 59 Hudson St., Apt. 4, Northborough, arrested and charged with A&B and intimidating a witness