That's Sylvester, but not Stallone

Sylvester is all lover, not an ounce of fighter in him

    Sylvester Is a Lover, Not a Fighter My name is Sylvester, but my last name is Reed, not Stallone.  While I think I have the charisma of a movie star, I would rather be the lead in a romantic comedy, not a bang ‘em up fighter flick like Rambo or Rocky.  I have the green eyes of a leading man, so while I admit I look tough, at heart I am a lover, not a fighter.  Actually, that is an understatement.  I am a four-year-old fuzzy cuddle guy who wants nothing more than to be with you. I honestly can’t tell you how I ended up on the streets of Wakefield, but I know I am so glad to be off of them and in a warm comfortable home with humans.  I love humans.  I love their company, their conversations, to which I am a huge contributor, and of …

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A Look at the Possible Bike Trail Route

Your local editor made the trek down the old rail bed this week for some photos of what could eventually become a bike trail running through Lynnfield by way of Wakefield and Peabody.

Many local residents have been very interested in the progress of a proposed rail trail that would run through Lynnfield's Reedy Meadow, linking downtown Wakefield with trails running through Peabody and beyond. Back in December, we noted that the state has determined the project is eligible for federal funding, although the actual funds will be a separate step. The rail trail has also been part of the ongoing discussion about improving Lynnfield's athletic fields and recreational spaces. Actual construction of the trail in Lynnfield is still some time away, and one big part will be Reedy Meadow itself. Popular trails in Danvers and Peabody, to name just a few in the area, don't seem to have anywhere near the water issue to contend with …

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Should DUI Alcohol Limit Be Lowered To 0.05 Percent?

The National Transportation Safety Board recommends reducing the limit. Some say it would save lives. Others say it's unreasonable.

  One drink could be the standard for drunken driving – at least for some people if the National Transporation Safety Board has its way. On Tuesday, the NTSB recommended states lower the blood-alcohol threshold for driving under the influence from 0.08 percent to 0.05 percent. What do you think? Is the proposal reasonable? About 10,000 deaths a year are related to drunken driving. The NTSB says the lower limit would save 500 to 800 lives a year. Officials at the American Beverage Institute called the proposal "ludicrous." It said the average woman could reach the 0.05 percent limit by having one drink. There were 114 DUI fatalities in Massachusetts in 2012, which were 34 percent of traffic-related fatalities last year, according to Mothers…

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Michael Quinlan

6:11 pm on Saturday, May 18, 2013

I think their desire to lower the limit is a means of increasing government control. Soon everyone, no matter who (except illegal aliens of course), will technically be in violation of the law so the government will always have a pretext to arrest whenever they have a need. Just look at the current tax code. Nearly every tax filing (beyond the most trivial) are in violation.   more ›

State House News Service Weekly Roundup: Three's Company

Recap and analysis of the week in state government.

Like pieces of a puzzle that don't quite fit together yet, the Big Three may have been separated at birth, but with each incremental step their destinies seem to grow more intertwined. No, we're not talking about those Big Three - Gov. Deval Patrick, Senate President Therese Murray and Speaker Robert DeLeo - though they play major character roles in this thickening plot.  Instead, three bills have come to define the early months of the 2013 legislative agenda and resolutions on tax hikes, local road funding and the annual state budget continue to be elusive and dependent on one another. Patrick spent the early part of his week welcoming British Prime Minister David Cameron to Boston for a few quick meetings and a visit to the Copley …

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House Hunt

This Weekend's Open Houses in Wakefield

Looking for a new home in Wakefield? See if one of these catches your eye.

Realtors and homeowners - this is your space. Upload photos of the houses you're showing this weekend and enter the property details in the caption. Selling your place without a realtor? Consider yourself invited to add your photos and details into the mix and don't forget to check out our Real Estate section. Please upload one photo per open house listing and include the following information in the captions of all photos: Click on the big green "Upload Photos & Videos" button to get started. If you have any trouble getting the message out, send an email to william.laforme@patch.com.   Address Price Details Time: Agent 191 Nahant $449,900 Single Family, 3 Beds/2 full baths, 1600 sq. ft. Sunday, May 19, 2013 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.   36 …

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Majority of Building Saved, Two Pets Rescued in Salem Street Fire

Fire Department reports that a jogger initially reported early Thursday afternoon fire, and that heavy flames were showing upon arrival. One firefighter treated for heat exhaustion.

A home on Salem Street suffered significant damage in a two-alarm fire shortly after noon on Thursday, although there were no injuries and two pets were also rescued from the structure. A passing jogger helped save the home by calling to report heavy smoke. The Wakefield Fire Department reported in a follow-up email later Thursday that upon arrival, heavy fire could be seen from the rear wall and porch of the house, which resulted in a second alarm struck almost immediately. The fire was mostly contained in the rear part of the home, which overall sustained heavy damage, reported the fire department. The fire was knocked down in several minutes, but much of the rest of the house reportedly suffered heavy smoke damage and some water damage…

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Wakefield Comedians Lending Their Talents to PTO Fundraiser

Greenwood PTO's "Laugh at Ourselves" fundraiser tonight at Knights of Columbus Hall on North Ave. features Jim Colliton and Dan Lee - Wakefield parents and stand-up comedians.

Two Wakefield parents are lending their talents as stand-up comedians to tonight's "Laugh at Ourselves" fundraiser for the Greenwood PTO. The event is 7 p.m. at the Knights of Columbus Hall on North Ave. In a recent conversation with Wakefield Patch, Jim Colliton, a 12-year town resident, said that he's been a professional comedian for about that long. Colliton grew up in Bedford with no family members involved in entertainment he said, although by the time he became a student at Fitchburg State, roommates were regularly telling him he was funny. Motivated in part by an unsatisfying job at the time, Colliton said he started doing some open mic nights at places like The Comedy Vault and Nick's Comedy Stop. "It was a reality slap," he said …

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Wakefield Police Log

Man Charged With 2nd OUI, Texting, Open Container

Information provided by the Wakefield Police. Where arrests are mentioned, it does not indicate a conviction.

Wakefield Police responded to these and other calls for service on Wednesday, May 15, 2013. At 11:04 a.m. a motorist reportedly struck a sign near Salem Street and New Salem Street. She reportedly called back to provide her information. At 12:45 p.m. a parking complaint came in from Common Street. At 1:06 p.m. the K9 unit performed a narcotics search in a vehicle on Water Street, which came up negative. At 1:12 p.m. police spoke with a man on Main Street after a woman called to report that he was staring at her son in a way that made her uncomfortable. At 2:15 p.m. an accident with no injury was reported near Pleasant Street and Otis Street. At 2:26 p.m. an accident involving a vehicle and a school bus was reported near Traverse Street and…

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