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BRA pushing forward on Downtown vendors

Written By Unknown on Sabtu, 23 Maret 2013 | 12.32

Boston Redevelopment Authority officials will meet with Downtown Crossing pushcart operator Craig Caplan on Tuesday to discuss the future of the outdoor program after Mayor Thomas M. Menino intervened to prevent the vendors' ouster at the end of this month.

"This meeting is part of the ongoing conversation that is happening to determine the next phase of the Downtown Crossing pushcart program," BRA spokeswoman Melina Schuler said. "Talking and listening to the needs of pushcart operators is a crucial part of moving the pushcart program in Downtown Crossing forward."

Last week, Menino gave 26 pushcart operators in the Downtown Boston Business Improvement District a 60-day reprieve after the BID informed them they would be required to shut down at the end of this month. Vendors' permits now have been extended at least through the end of May.

The vendors, who have been hawking food and merchandise since the late 1970s, cried foul after receiving notice that the BID planned to implement a temporary, scaled-down pushcart program this spring for which they'd have to reapply — without guarantees of being accepted. The vendors argue that they've remained in business during Downtown Crossing's hard times and should be included in its revitalization.

The BID's long-term plan, which the BRA supported, was to upgrade and professionalize the vending program for 2014, with new merchandise and more permanent kiosks.

"We have communicated to all the vendors that their Public Works permits have been extended for another 60 days," BID president Rosemarie Sansone said by email. "The BID is continuing to work closely with the BRA and other city agencies in developing a plan for the coming year. In speaking to many of the vendors, we have let them know we are addressing this issue as thoughtfully and quickly as possible."

Caplan, who has forwarded a letter to Menino along with 1,000-plus names on a petition that supports the vendors, did not respond to Herald inquiries.


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It’s hip to be square in Cambridge

This architect-designed home may be the most unique in Cambridge, as much a work of art as a place to live.

The single-family detached house at 19 Clifton St. sits on commonly held land behind an 1886-built home and is technically part of a two-unit condo association. Designed in 2006 by local architects Beat Schenk and Chaewon Kim, the dwelling consists of three stacked boxes set at angles, with an exterior of stained Okoume plywood, the kind normally used on yachts.

The home looks unusual from the outside, but the interior consists of well-thought-out rooms and a masterful use of space. The two-bedroom, free-standing townhouse is on the market for $579,000.

From the front of the house you don't see any windows, but there are windows on the far side and in back, and many of the rooms get decent light from skylights cut into the exposed roof corners.

The first floor of the house has a skylit living/dining area with a white Carrara marble floor. A plywood staircase set at an angle divides this room from a kitchen area with four skylights that features a bottom row of stainless steel cabinets topped by brown granite counters.

Up above is a row of frosted glass lift-up cabinets. Stainless-steel appliances include a new Bosch dishwasher, a General Electric refrigerator and an Amana gas stove with a stainless-steel hood that vents to the outside. There's an additional wall for more kitchen storage and gadgets.

A glass door leads out to a crushed stone back yard with trees that provides parking for two vehicles.

The home's second floor has a guest bedroom, set off with sliding plywood doors, with polished plywood floors and knotty pine walls with two skylights and a window. Adjacent is a full bathroom with a white ceramic sink and a tub/shower with Carrara marble walls. Also on this floor is a small home office area with a window and a built-in bookcase.

The third floor is a sunny master bedroom suite with a large oak-floor bedroom, two windows, a wide skylight and recessed lighting. In one corner of the room is a two-door custom wardrobe with built-in drawers and hanging rods.

An angled frosted-glass window shields the bedroom from a large en-suite master bathroom. This space features Carrara marble floors and walls and an open shower area. There's also an area for a stacked Kenmore washer/dryer.

The 150-square-foot finished basement, with a window, is outfitted as a family room. The home has a heat-pump-based multi-zoned central heating and air-conditioning system.


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Walmart ad chops Stop & Shop

Written By Unknown on Jumat, 22 Maret 2013 | 12.32

Walmart takes aim at competing local grocery stores in a new price-comparison advertising campaign, but a Somerville consumer advocate warns such ads are "inherently deceptive."

The Bentonville, Ark.-based retail giant specifically targets Quincy-based Stop & Shop, showing how a shopper saved 14 percent at its Walpole store on items that she had purchased at a Stop & Shop in the same town.

Walmart launched the price-comparison campaign more than a year ago in Charlotte, N.C., and now is shooting commercials in some 50 markets across the country.

"We've had a lot of positive customer feedback, and we think that reflects how much customers appreciate learning about the price differences that exist in their communities and where they can find the most affordable prices," spokesman Bill Wertz said.

In a TV commercial shot Tuesday in Walpole, shopper "Grey" from Wrentham, who was compensated for her appearance, saved a combined 14.3 percent, or $14.75, on 24 items, ranging from Cabot Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese (8 oz.: $2.28 at Walmart and $3.04 at Stop & Shop) to Tide Clean Breeze Laundry Detergent (100 oz., 64 loads: $11.97 at Walmart and $14.49 at Stop & Shop). Some items were duplicates, but all except four were cheaper at Walmart, whose comparison excluded non-identical items and random-weight meat and produce on Grey's original Stop & Shop receipt.

But Somerville consumer advocate Edgar Dworsky urges shoppers to "take such comparisons with a grain of salt," noting they generally don't include a big enough sample of random items to mimic the average consumer's shopping experience.

"Do your own comparison for the items you buy," said Dworsky, a former director of consumer education at the state Executive Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation and former state attorney general in consumer protection. "The best shopper is the 'specials' cherry picker. The one who buys the best sales items from a variety of stores is going to save the most. You cannot save the most just going to one store."

Walmart's campaign runs through Monday and includes print, radio, TV and online elements at www.walmart.com/boston.

A Stop & Shop spokeswoman said "we continually strive to bring our customers savings every day." The chain offers weekly specials, "Real Deals" items on sale for multiple weeks and a gas rewards program. It also recently has provided clip coupons in its circulars, according to spokeswoman Suzi Robinson.


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Saudi buyer has new Ames for Hub mansion

Brokers wrapped up a blockbuster deal in Boston's Back Bay this week, finalizing the $14.5 million sale of the Ames-Webster mansion.

But it took three years and a hefty 37 percent price cut before a deep-pocketed Saudi businessman snapped up 306 Dartmouth St., one of the largest properties in the neighborhood.

The grand 26,000-square-foot property — with 50 rooms and 28 fireplaces and parking for up to six cars — hasn't been serving as a home but rather the offices of owner Raymond Property Co., a Hub real estate developer.

Originally listed in January 2010 for $23 million, then transferred to broker Campion & Co. in May 2011, the property had one price reduction to $18 million in November 2011.

306 Dartmouth was built as the home of Stephen Van Rensselaer Thayer and his wife, Alice. The wealthy Thayer was president of the Institute of 1770, Hasty Pudding Club and the Harvard Boat Club. But during construction, Thayer died at the age of 24. The home was bought by Charles Whitney, who sold it to prominent capitalist Frederick L. Ames in 1880.

Ames was born into great wealth in the 1830s. His great-grandfather founded the Ames Shovel Works and Ames invested heavily in railroads, becoming one of the principal owners of the Union Pacific Railroad.

Ames was determined to give this home his personal stamp, so he hired the architectural firm Sturgis and Brigham to extensively renovate the home and add a four-story, off-center tower — highly fashionable at the time.

The renovation also doubled the size the home's dining room, and added some of the finest museum-quality finishes including a skylight by Jean-Joseph Benjamin-Constant. The French artist's work is housed in collections across the world including New York's Metropolitan Museum and Russia's Hermitage.

Campion's listing boasted that the mansion has an "embassy-worthy main floor with handsome carved wood and elegant detail at every turn. The main entry is covered in hand-applied tesserae glass mosaic and bordered in market. The great hall, with its elaborate staircase and tower, is 60 feet long.

According to real estate records, the buyer of the property was FAL Boston LLC, an entity managed by Fahad Al-Athel, a Saudi sheikh and head of FAL Holdings, a conglomerate based in Riyadh. FAL was represented by broker First Boston Realty.

It's unclear at this point what Al-Athel intends to do with the property — keep it as an office, convert it back to a single-family residence or divide it into condominiums. The property has duel permit status both commercial and residential.

One thing is certain: The powerful Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay will be watching closely.

Jennifer Athas is a licensed real estate broker. Follow her on Twitter @JenAthas.


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Device blocks cell use in cars

Written By Unknown on Kamis, 21 Maret 2013 | 12.32

The West Bridgewater Police Department is touting a device they say can save lives by preventing people from texting, emailing or calling while driving.

Sgt. Tim Nixon said the department will describe the Cellcontrol Trigger to parents today at West Bridgewater High School's Safety Night and give away 10 of the devices as door prizes.

"When my kids are old enough to drive, they will be having something like this," Nixon said. "It takes the thought process out of the equation for the driver. The parent is the one who chooses the control options."

The Trigger works by plugging into a vehicle's on-board diagnostics port, which is located just under the steering wheel.

Once connected, the device automatically transmits information to the driver's mobile phone, deactivating such features as email, phone, text and the Internet the moment the vehicle begins to move.

The phone remains on, but the driver can't use it except to call 911 or a number the parent has put on an approved list.

The Trigger, which retails for $89, can also be used with tablets and laptops, and by companies with fleets of vehicles, said Chad Kennedy, senior vice president of engineering for Cellcontrol.

In 2011, 3,331 people were killed in crashes involving a distracted driver, compared to 3,267 in 2010, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Another 387,000 people were injured in such crashes in 2011.


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Managers have ball in their court

Some companies blame March Madness for distracting workers and sapping office productivity, but other firms say the college basketball tourney actually boosts morale and can be a team-building tool.

ZeroTurnaround, a Hub-based Java productivity tools maker, is among the companies that uses the tournament to boost competition between sales staff to generate new opportunities and deals.

"Our 'March Madness' is about hitting our March numbers, and if people are hitting their numbers, I don't care if they check ESPN," ZeroTurnaround President and COO Alex Laats told the Herald. "If you just recognize that it's on people's minds and if you can turn that around and turn it to your advantage, then you can boost productivity and have fun with it."

At Jumptap, employees rally around March Madness through group polls and viewing parties after work. Later this month, Jumptap's MobileSTAT, a monthly report that shows mobile audience trends, will include March Madness-themed data, said spokeswoman Christina Feeney: "For Jumptap as a business, it's absolutely a positive."

The hoops competition heats up today and tomorrow as 64 teams face off on the road to the national championship.

A recent Challenger, Gray & Christmas study found that the tournament's first two days of play will cost American companies at least $134 million in "lost wages" as an estimated 3 million employees will spend one to three hours following the basketball games instead of working.

Even President Obama took time out of his busy schedule to release his tourney picks. The commander-in-chief has Indiana beating Louisville to win the national championship.

But Katie Loehrke, an editor at J.J. Keller & Associates, said March Madness can give workers with little in common something to bond over.

"One of the things that can really influence morale in a positive way is employees who feel like they're trusted," she said. "If they're trusted to get their work done and still be able to flip over to ESPN.com for five minutes ... that can boost morale."

Hub-based online fantasy sports startup DraftKings has an internal bracket challenge going on among its 13 employees that's designed to help them generate better products and experiences for customers.

"There's no better way to know what a sports fan wants than to live it," said CEO Jason Robins.


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Fed is expected to maintain stimulative programs

Written By Unknown on Rabu, 20 Maret 2013 | 12.32

WASHINGTON — The Federal Reserve on Wednesday is expected to maintain its resolve to keep borrowing costs at record lows despite growing signs that the economy is strengthening.

The Fed will end a two-day meeting with a policy statement and updated economic forecasts. Afterward, Chairman Ben Bernanke will hold a news conference.

Most analysts think policymakers will acknowledge the economy's improvements but leave the Fed's stimulative policies unchanged.

Bernanke has said in recent weeks that the job market, in particular, has a long way to go to full health and still needs the Fed's extraordinary support.

The unemployment rate, at 7.7 percent, remains well above the 5 percent to 6 percent range associated with a healthy economy. The Fed has said it plans to keep short-term rates at record lows at least until unemployment falls to 6.5 percent, as long as the inflation outlook remains mild. And it foresees unemployment staying above 6.5 percent until at least the end of 2015.

Economists think Bernanke will take note of the economy's gains. But most foresee no pullback in the Fed's strategy of keeping short-term rates at record lows and of buying $85 billion a month in Treasurys and mortgage bonds to keep long-term loan rates down.

"Even though the economy has improved, it has not improved enough to switch course," says Diane Swonk, chief economist Mesirow Financial. "We don't have unemployment low enough yet."

The economy slowed to an annual growth rate of just 0.1 percent in the October-December quarter, a near-stall that was due mainly to temporary factors that have largely faded. Economists think growth has rebounded in the January-March quarter to an annual rate around 2 percent or more. The most recent data support that view.

Americans spent more at retailers in February despite higher Social Security taxes that shrank most workers' paychecks. Manufacturing gained solidly in February. And employers have gone on a four-month hiring spree, adding an average of 205,000 jobs a month. In February, the unemployment rate, though still high, reached its lowest point in more than four years.

The brighter news has prompted speculation that the Fed might be preparing to dial back its easy-money policies. Such thinking has been fed by concerns voiced by a few Fed regional bank presidents about the low-rate policies.

These include fears that the Fed has pumped so much money into the economy that it could eventually ignite inflation, fuel speculative asset bubbles or destabilize markets once the Fed has to start raising rates or unloading its record $3 trillion investment portfolio.

Minutes of the December and January policy meetings showed that some officials suggested that the Fed might need to at least scale back its $85 billion-a-month in bond purchases. Still, the low-rate policies received solid backing in 11-1 votes. And economists see no sign that this support is eroding.

When he gave the Fed's twice-a-year economic report to Congress in February, Bernanke defended the low-interest rate programs. And while he acknowledged the fears of critics, he downplayed them. He struck the same note in a speech to a conference in San Francisco. There, Bernanke said it would be "quite costly" to the U.S. economy if the Fed pulled back too soon.

At their last meeting Jan. 28-29, Fed officials reaffirmed their decision in December to keep short-term rates at super-lows at least as long as unemployment stays above 6.5 percent. The Fed's benchmark rate for overnight bank lending has remained at a record low near zero since December 2008. The Fed also repeated its plan to keep buying bonds to lower long-term rates until the job market had improved "substantially."

One reason for the Fed's reluctance to reduce its stimulus is the history of the past three years. In each of the three, economic prospects looked promising as the year began. Yet in each case, the economy stumbled.

In 2010, U.S. growth was hurt by turmoil from Europe's debt crisis. In 2011, a spike in gas prices and supply disruptions caused by Japan's earthquake and tsunami dampened growth. And in 2012, higher gas prices cut into consumer spending.

Though the economy has brightened this year, it still faces threats, including across-the-board government spending cuts that took effect March 1 and are expected to trigger furloughs and layoffs. Those spending cuts, along with the Social Security tax increase and higher taxes on top earners, are expected to cut growth in half this year, according to the Congressional Budget Office. The CBO predicts that the drag will slow growth by 1.5 percentage points, to 1.5 percent.

David Jones, chief economist at DMJ Advisors, expects the Fed's policies to remain intact this week and at its April meeting. But he says policymakers might signal at their June meeting that they're considering some changes in their bond-buying program.

"I think the June meeting will be the one that really counts," Jones says. "At that time the Fed might consider at least tapering its $85 billion in bond purchases to a smaller level."


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VW announces China recall for gearbox problem

BEIJING — Volkswagen AG announced a recall Wednesday of more than 384,000 vehicles in China to fix gearboxes following a report last week by state TV that criticized the quality of the German automaker's cars.

Volkswagen said that problems with direct-shift gearboxes might cause a power interruption, but it said drivers could remain in control and maneuver to a stop. The company said it would repair gearboxes and install the latest software upgrades at no cost to owners. Many systems in modern cars are controlled electronically.

The recall applies to vehicles imported or manufactured in China between December 2008 and this month, the government's product quality agency said in a separate statement. It said that would include models such as the Sirocco, Golf Wagon, Jetta, Magotan, Touran and Passat.

A broadcast Friday by Chinese state television to mark World Consumer Rights Day accused Volkswagen of selling cars with substandard gearbox systems, causing unspecified problems for some drivers.

The recall comes at a time of widespread anxiety in China over product safety following a series of scandals over fake or tainted food, milk powder, medicines and other goods.

China is Volkswagen's biggest market and strong sales have helped to buoy the German company's finances against weaker performance in other global markets.

Volkswagen sold 2.8 million vehicles in China last year for a 14 percent share of the market, according to LMC Automotive, a research firm.

Foreign makers of autos, processed food and other products often are regarded in China as more reliable than domestic brands but any quality problems are widely publicized by state media.

Yum Brands Inc., the owner of KFC and Taco Bell, said sales at its 5,300 outlets in China in January and February tumbled 20 percent following a food scare over its chicken suppliers.


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Now hear this! Scanner makes big impression

Written By Unknown on Selasa, 19 Maret 2013 | 12.32

A medical device from Lantos Technologies will change the face — and ear — of the audiology industry when it hits the market later this year as it aims to replace the "medieval art" of silicone ear canal impression-taking, according to the company's chief executive.

Spun out of Massachusetts Institute of Technology labs, the company's 3D Ear Scanning System can be used in a variety of markets, including consumer audio, industrial and military hearing protection, and hearing aids, said Lantos CEO and Chairman Jeffrey Leathe.

"These industries have been looking for a Holy Grail since their inception," Leathe, 56, said. "Every ear canal is different. They're just like fingerprints."

Founded in 2009, the Cambridge company has raised nearly $12 million to date. The Lantos device is the first 3-D ear scanning technology to land U.S. Food and Drug Administration clearance, Leathe said.

The Lantos portable handheld scanner can capture precise images of an individual's ear canal as a soft membrane fills with a water-based optical dye and conforms to his or her specific ear anatomy. The device membrane can also extend all the way to the eardrum and be easily removed once the process is complete, Leathe said.

"There's a lot of real estate in the ear canal not being used currently," he said. "The devices that work best are those deepest in the ear canal."

Lantos scans take less than two minutes for both ears, unlike traditional impressions, which can last up to 15 minutes, Leathe said.

The Lantos scanner is currently being tested by three of the largest hearing aid manufacturers in the world, Leathe said. The companies were not disclosed.

The device, which is expected to be commercially available in six to nine months, will also be "well within the standard (price) range" of instrumentation already being used by audiologists, Leathe said.


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The Ticker

Cynosure buys Palomar

Cynosure's stock dipped slightly yesterday after the Westford company announced it was buying Palomar Medical Technologies Inc. of Burlington in a cash-and-stock deal valued at about $294 million.

"Both have been industry leaders in light laser technology for cosmetic purposes," said Cynosure Chairman and CEO Michael Davin, above, who will assume those roles at the combined company. "I think they will complement each other very well."

Cynosure specializes in a minimally invasive laser approach to cellulite and non-invasive technology for tattoo removal, Davin said, while Palomar is a leader in hair removal and intense pulsed light for skin rejuvenation.

Cynoshare shares closed at $27.10, down nearly 
5 percent, while Palomar's rose 4.36 percent to $13.17 amid news of the deal between the companies.

SEC freezes Wilmington co.'s assets

The Securities and Exchange Commission has announced an asset freeze against a Massachusetts-based investment adviser charged with stealing money from clients who were given the false impression they were investing in a hedge fund.

The SEC alleges that Gregg D. Caplitz and Insight Onsite Strategic Management in Wilmington sraised at least $1.1 million from clients that was used for purposes other than investing in the hedge fund they purported to manage.

Mass. agency invests $4.1M in Forsyth

The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center today awarded a $4.1 million capital grant to the Forsyth Institute for a new center to transform the way disease testing is done.

TODAY

 The Commerce Department releases housing starts for February.

 Federal Reserve policy makers meet to discuss interest rates.

TOMORROW

 Babson College hosts the 7th annual NFTE New England Youth Entrepreneurship Conference on its campus.

 Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke holds a news conference on interest rates and an economic forecast.

 American Science and Engineering Inc. of Billerica has named Tyco Electronics executive Charles P. Dougherty, left, as the company's new president and chief executive officer. Dougherty replaces Anthony R. Fabiano, who is retiring from the company.


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BlackBerry OS not a perfect 10

Written By Unknown on Senin, 18 Maret 2013 | 12.32

The new BlackBerry 10 operating system is a total revamp. It has not one line of code in common with the software that powered previous BlackBerry smartphones, but still manages to feel like an improvement on something familiar. The new touchscreen-only BlackBerry Z10, available at the end of the month from Verizon and AT&T, is therefore a brand-new product — not an evolved device like the iPhone 5 or upcoming Samsung Galaxy S 4.

The OS is made up of a set of desktop panels accessed by a conventional slider tray, an active frames screen and the "Hub." Swiping up from the bottom takes you to your active frames screen, which contains open applications. An inward swipe from the left takes you to the Hub, which is a chronology of notifications, messages, emails and calls — convenient for a busy day.

The BlackBerry die-hards might be turned off by the Z10's lack of a physical keyboard. But the virtual keyboard is among the best in the touchscreen world, with a new auto-complete feature that will finish your word with an upward swipe.

Yet the biggest problem with this phone almost feels weird to write about a smartphone: It's no fun.

Yes, fun. We now live in a world of mobile apps, with their funky camera filters, mobile window shopping, GPS navigation and custom radio channels. And what exists of this in the BlackBerry World store is mostly expensive and poorly reviewed. There's no Yelp, Instagram, Google Maps, Netflix, Vine or Amazon, to name some popular apps.

Almost making up for this lack of apps is the incredibly fast LTE speeds from AT&T on the Z10 I tested. And while BlackBerry 10 does have social media integration, it feels half-baked. For instance, if you receive a notification that one of your friends has updated her Facebook status, clicking on it will show you the full status update but lead you to a dead-end.

This is just one of a handful of improvements that the new OS on the Z10 needs to be a game-changer. Yet it should be considered a respectable entrant to the most competitive industry in the world.


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The Ticker

State: Please file online

Less than a month before the tax filing deadline, Massachusetts officials continue to urge taxpayers to file their state returns electronically if possible.

The state Revenue Department said it had processed nearly 1.4 million electronic returns as of Friday, compared with about 154,000 paper returns. The average turnaround for a refund was just under three and a half days for electronically filed returns and five days for those filed the old-fashioned way.

Maxim's up for sale

Racy men's magazine Maxim is up for sale, according to the publication's president, Ben Madden. The private equity owners of Maxim's parent, Alpha Media Group, have owned the business for more than six years, and that is the usual time for such investors to try to sell, he said. Madden added that the company's investment in online video and digital subscriptions is starting to pay off. Digital revenue is up 
45 percent so far this year, compared to a year ago, while print ad revenue is set to rise in the first half, he said.

Today

 The Boston Redevelopment Authority holds a community meeting for a convention center hotel project on D Street in South Boston.

 Moscow government officials and KPMG host conclude presentations of their "Destination Moscow Roadshow 2013" at the InterContinental Hotel in Boston.

TOMORROW

 The Commerce Department releases housing starts for February.

 Federal Reserve policymakers meet to discuss interest rates.

 Commerce Bank has promoted Alan Jenne, left, as senior vice president of consumer lending. Jenne, who is responsible for the bank's consumer lending and classic car divisions, joined the bank in 2009 as vice president of consumer lending.

 Welch's of Concord has appointed Geralyn R. Breig to its board of directors. Breig is a former executive with the Avon and Godiva brands and is currently a board director with 1-800-Flowers.com.

 Monster has hired Matt Anchin as senior vice president of global communications. Most recently, Anchin served as senior vice president of global marketing and communications for the media businesses of Nielsen, and vice president of online communications at American Express.


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Heiress talk of Tinseltown

Written By Unknown on Minggu, 17 Maret 2013 | 12.32

Hub celebrity hounds are giddy about sightings of Bradley Cooper, Jeremy Renner and Amy Adams, but the person who is really shaking up Hollywood is the 27-year-old heiress who is signing their checks.

Megan Ellison is the daughter of Oracle Corp. co-founder and CEO Larry Ellison, who is ranked by Forbes as the fifth-richest person on the planet and whose $43 billion fortune includes the Hawaiian island of Lanai.

Megan and her brother, David, also a film producer, are Ellison's only children, the products of his marriage to Barbara Boothe — his third of four wives.

Like any young woman who has received — depending on which reports you believe — anywhere between $200 million and $2 billion from her father, Megan 
Ellison has skipped the waiting tables, fetching coffee and doing commercials stages of most Hollywood hopefuls. She seems to have started her career as a film prod­ucer — and a very talented one.

So far, unlike many super-rich folks who have tried to take Tinseltown by storm, Megan and her production company, Annapurna Pictures — operated from three houses in the Hollywood Hills — have backed some real winners.

In fact, if you enjoyed "Lawless, "The Master" or "Zero Dark Thirty," you have Megan Ellison to thank.

According to its website, 
Annapurna Pictures, which gets its name from the Hindu harvest goddess who protects the world from starvation, has "the goal of creating sophisticated, high-
quality films that might otherwise be considered risky by trad­itional Hollywood studios."

It seems that Ellison is on the right track again by backing 
David O. Russell's untitled 
Abscam film project, which has brought the latest crop of stars to Boston.

Ellison, who "does not do press interviews," according to her publicist, reportedly rides a Harley and likes to hang out with Jessica Chastain. In a nod to Hollywood's love of sequels, she also has purchased the rights to the "Terminator" film franchise.

In other words, Ellison is living the dream.

According to her Twitter 
account, she was recently at the South by Southwest festival for the premier of "Spring Breakers," a film she produced that stars James Franco and several women in 
bikinis, including Vanessa Hudgens and Selena Gomez.

Hopefully, Boston will be next on Ellison's itinerary. She can stop by the Herald — we're in the same building as the Abscam flick's 
offices — and we can join her 
in bashing Vanity Fair for a nasty little comment about her looks in a recent profile.

It may take several more great films, but we can't wait for the day when Larry is introduced as Megan Ellison's father.

Boston, keep an eye out for 
Megan. She's the one to watch.


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PAX East goes for big game

Bay State digital artists are taking their creations to a new level for this year's PAX East video gaming expo, which kicks off Friday.

Visible from a half-mile away on a digital canvas, six marquee artworks have gone live on an 80-foot-tall LED tower outside the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. All the videos were designed by video game company employees or video game design teachers.

"This is the future of public art," said George Fifield, president of Boston Cyberarts, a local nonprofit arts group that organized the display with the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority. "The first time (the artists) see something they made on something so humongous, you see their jaws drop and their eyes open wide."

The 30-second works on the digital billboard reflect gaming culture, either in vintage or modern forms. For example, a group of eight artists who work for Needham-based game design company Turbine Inc. created "Mists of Mortal Legends" featuring "high-flying intergalactic combat where issues of control are turned upside down."

Meanwhile, Fitchburg State College media professor Jeffu Warmouth's "1UP" shows a self-inspired character "moving through a shifting set of game environments drawn from the Golden Age of arcade games."

Warmouth, 42, a Groton resident, said he spent about 100 hours creating his video, which recalls scenes from the classic 8-bit games "Donkey Kong," "Joust" and "Dig Dug."

"I've always done work with kind of a popular bent to it and I've done a lot of work about pop culture, and I've always been interested in venues that are not white gallery space," said Warmouth, who has made two previous videos for the BCEC marquee. "There's something great about the marquee being in the public space where people are not expecting art. Definitely, it's expanded my audience."

Other digital works include "LARP" by Chris Florio; "Space Plants" by Fish McGill; "Tiger Training" by William Russell Pensyl; and "Growing Phones" by Joshua Pablo Rosenstock.

The artists and teams chosen to produce marquee art are paid a $500 honorarium for their work, which take about a month to complete.

PAX East, which attracts thousands of video game enthusiasts from around the globe, runs March 22-24.

"(The marquee's) become something of a landmark for the South Boston waterfront and reflective of the fact this is the Innovation District," said convention center chief Jim Rooney, adding the agency would consider calling for more videos geared toward future BCEC events.

A separate Boston Cyberarts gallery exhibition in Jamaica Plain titled "The Game's Afoot: Video Game Art" runs until April 14.

"The whole gaming industry has been in retreat these days as people change the game platforms they've been using," Fifield said. "When all gaming finds its feet again, Massachusetts is positioned to be a really important player."


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