Cinderella review: A shoddy but satisfying twist on the classic tale
Writer/director Kay Cannon’s Cinderella (★★★☆☆) serves up an inspiring and strong female character to lead a messy but likable modern take on the fairytale. Although the Cinderella soundtrack consists mostly of pop covers, Cabello and Menzel each co-wrote an original song that they sing in character. This big-budget Cinderella is a shoddy but satisfying twist on the tale, one that would have benefited from a sharper, more unifying thematic structure. Or at least more scenes featuring Billy Porter as the Fab G, an updated twist on the Fairy Godmother character. Cinderella doesn’t quite know what to make of the Fab G when they first appear.
Source:MetroXpress
September 03, 2021 09:45 UTC
Hudson police dispatcher one of five to earn leadership scholarship
HUDSON — After 19 years on the job, Hudson Police Department lead dispatcher Jody Blanchard still looks for ways to improve. She'll attend after being awarded the Massachusetts PSAP (Public Safety Answering Point) Leadership Scholarship, one of just five dispatchers to receive the award. “It teaches mainly leadership skills — how to be a better leader and reinforcing all of the things we do,” said Blanchard, 44, of Northborough. She said, thanks to the scholarship, she will develop new skills to not only improve herself, but those with whom she works. “I enjoy being a leader here, I enjoy the job and I enjoy training new people,” said Blanchard.
Source:MetroXpress
September 03, 2021 09:45 UTC
Hytera Signs USD 30 Million Contract with Shenzhen Metro Line 12 to Provide Integrated Communication Solutions
SHENZHEN, China--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Hytera, a global leading provider of Professional Mobile Radio (PMR) solutions, has signed a new contract worth USD 30 million to provide the entire integrated communication solutions with systems, equipment, terminals and services for Shenzhen Metro Line 12. The objective is to cover as wide an area as possible and also provide easy connections to other metro lines, railway stations and surrounding cities. At present, Hytera’s communication solutions for transportation have served more than 10 cities in China. As one of the local high-tech enterprises in Shenzhen, Hytera will make greater effort to contribute to Shenzhen's construction of metros, railways, transportation, airports and other city infrastructures. For more information about Hytera transportation solutions, please visit: https://bit.ly/2VcZ2ar
Source:MetroXpress
September 03, 2021 09:33 UTC
The top two returning local high school girls soccer players entering this fall
As the calendar turns from August to September, the high school fall sports season is officially underway. Soccer underwent a number of changes last fall due to COVID-19, but in 2021, things are mostly back to normal. All of these are a welcomed sight in 2021 and so are these two returning Daily News All-Stars for girls soccer. The engine to the Maroon and Gold’s attack, Kelly scored seven goals and added four assists last fall. A three-year varsity player and a Midland-Wachusett League All-Star her sophomore season, Kelly also plays club soccer for NEFC 2003 DPL and lacrosse for Algonquin.
Source:MetroXpress
September 02, 2021 10:30 UTC
School bus companies, schools districts work to address school bus driver shortage
The way North Reading Transportation CEO John McCarthy sees it, school bus drivers are a precious commodity. Combined with the pandemic, school bus transportation companies are dealing with an alarming national problem. McCarthy said some former school bus drivers have been receiving the federal boost to their unemployment checks, which may have offered a disincentive to get back to work. Hamilton said some companies are allowing school bus drivers to bring their children to work. Jay Byer, director of finance and operations for the Mendon-Upton Regional School District, said the district’s contracted school bus companies are dealing with a shortage of drivers.
Source:MetroXpress
September 02, 2021 09:33 UTC
Masks, new school building, busing problems mark first day of school in Framingham
After dismissal on Wednesday afternoon, Sophia and Monique Andrade marveled at the $98.3 million building. Framingham Public Schools ushered in its first day of school on Wednesday, launching into the third consecutive school year marked by the COVID-19 pandemic. Simultaneous to the first day of school, crews were next door, demolishing the old Fuller. Schools impacted by this are Barbieri Elementary School, Harmony Grove Elementary School, McCarthy Elementary School and Fuller Middle School, per a routing structure put together by the Transportation Department. At Dunning Elementary School, the back-to-school scene was a far cry from last year's, when students began school logging onto Chromebooks from home.
Source:MetroXpress
September 02, 2021 09:11 UTC
'A fantastic first day.' Smiles behind masks as Milford students return to school
MILFORD — There were a lot of smiling faces during Milford’s first day of school Wednesday. “The students did a great job wearing masks today,” Milford Superintendent of Schools Kevin McIntyre said, adding that he could see students’ excitement despite the state-mandated face coverings. “It was actually a fantastic first day of school,” McIntyre said. Milford students began last year in a hybrid model, with students separated into groups — physically in school some days, but remote on others. Milford students wore masks well the first day back, McIntyre said.
Source:MetroXpress
September 02, 2021 09:11 UTC
Happy "The Ask Rayceen Show" Day!
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has issued a proclamation declaring September 1 as “The Ask Rayceen Show” Day, a day set aside to honor Rayceen Pendarvis, a longtime community advocate, LGBTQ activist, and emcee, and her eponymous monthly variety program The Ask Rayceen Show. Held on the first Wednesday of each month from March to November, The Ask Rayceen Show showcases the talents of local artists, musicians, rappers, poets, dancers, burlesque performers, actors, comedians, authors, and other creatives, especially those who are Black and/or LGBTQ, from across the District and the surrounding metropolitan area. “I know none of it would be possible without the support of the performers, panelists, DJs, guests, sponsors, vendors, venues, volunteers, and everyone with Team Rayceen Productions — especially Niqui, Jeff, Krylios, Monique, and Zar.”The Ask Rayceen Show will have three more editions, with the first premiering at 7 p.m. this evening virtually on the Team Rayceen YouTube channel. Team Rayceen will also be hosting an event on September 9, called “One Last Wobble,” a reference to the popular line dance with which the show ends. For more information on The Ask Rayceen Show, or to access monthly episodes, visit www.AskRayceen.com, via YouTube at www.youtube.com/teamrayceen, or follow the show on Twitter at @AskRayceen.
Source:MetroXpress
September 01, 2021 19:41 UTC
Daily News All-Stars for high school spring sports in 2021
Still, sports happened – for the most part – at every school and All-Stars were named for all four seasons. As we put the 2020-21 school year finally to bed, let's take one last look at all the Daily News' All-Stars from the spring of 2021. Check out the Daily News' All-Stars for boys outdoor track and field. Check out the Daily News' All-Stars for girls outdoor track and field. Check out the Daily News' All-Stars for boys lacrosse.
Source:MetroXpress
September 01, 2021 18:40 UTC
Ida’s devastation shocks, fuel shortages hinder recovery
Governor Edwards told the news conference he was pressing the U.S. government for help securing bulk fuel supplies while refineries remained offline. The crucial offshore oil industry hub of Port Fourchon remained cut off from supply boats, fuel and air ferry services. “The state of Louisiana provides fuel for the rest of the country. And now we need the rest of the country to give up a little bit of their fuel to come back to Louisiana,” Edwards said. New York City also experienced flooding, with social media images showing water gushing over subway platforms and trains.
Source:MetroXpress
September 01, 2021 18:33 UTC
Several MetroWest communities have mandated masks in public buildings
With COVID-19 cases on the rise once again, several MetroWest communities have required that face coverings be worn while people are inside municipal buildings. This includes but is not limited to public buildings, schools and private child care facilities; retail stores; retail food stores, food establishments and bars until the customer is seated; fitness and health centers; and houses of worship. NatickNatick instituted a mask mandate, effective Aug. 16, for all municipal buildings. There is not currently a mask mandate in municipal buildings in Milford, but that could change as soon as Friday, according to Lisa Tamagni, the town's assistant director of public health. FranklinFranklin has also not imposed a mask mandate, either for municipal buildings or in general for the town.
Source:MetroXpress
September 01, 2021 18:21 UTC
Tesla’s Roadster shipment to be delayed to 2023, says Musk
(Reuters) -Tesla Inc top boss Elon Musk on Wednesday signaled a one-year delay in the shipment of Roadster sports car to 2023, citing global supply chain bottlenecks. Musk had in January hinted https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1354869981146738693?lang=en that the Roadster, which was originally set to be launched last year, would be released in late summer of 2022. “2021 has been the year of super crazy supply chain shortages,” Musk tweeted https://bit.ly/2WItQzY. A year ago, the Silicon Valley billionaire had said in comedian Joe Rogan’s podcast that Roadster was lower priority and compared it to a “dessert”. He had said a ramp-up in production of sport utility vehicle Model Y and the construction of a vehicle factory in Berlin were more important.
Source:MetroXpress
September 01, 2021 18:04 UTC
In leading Mass. Bar Association, Hopkinton's Thomas Bond seeks to add diversity
HOPKINTON — Thomas Bond grew up in a working class family — his father was a Teamster and his mother was a cafeteria worker. So when Bond, of Hopkinton, graduated from Suffolk Law School in 1985, he wanted to work with working-class people. Bar Association, you work with defense counsels, and it’s the first time it’s not an adversarial relationship, like you have when you’re in court. It’s nice to be able to work together.”Bond grew up in Charlton, graduating from Shepherd Hill Regional High School before going to Northeastern University and finally Suffolk Law School. “The public school system here is excellent,” he said.
Source:MetroXpress
September 01, 2021 17:48 UTC
Woman in her 80s is this year's first case of West Nile virus in Massachusetts
Katie LannanState House News ServiceBOSTON — A woman in her 80s has this year's first human case of West Nile virus in Massachusetts and was likely exposed to the virus in Middlesex County, the Department of Public Health said Wednesday. "Risk from West Nile virus has been slow to increase this year," acting Public Health Commissioner Margret Cooke said. The department said it considers the current risk of human infection with West Nile virus to be moderate in Greater Boston and in several towns in Bristol and Worcester counties. Five human cases of West Nile virus infection were identified in Massachusetts last year. The department recommends draining standing water around homes, along with installing or repairing screens to keep mosquitos from getting inside.
Source:MetroXpress
September 01, 2021 17:13 UTC
Indie rock fave Waxahatchee brings 'Saint Cloud' tour to Detroit's Majestic Theatre
click to enlarge Molly MatalonKatie Crutchfield will bring Waxahatchee to Detroit in support of 'Saint Cloud.' Just as the world was set ablaze by the pandemic, Alabama singer-songwriter Katie Crutchfield, who performs as Waxahatchee, had released her fifth album and the first since becoming sober in 2018. Saint Cloud topped many a year-end list thanks to her sharpened observational lyrics and her heightened ability to make the healing process a joyful one, albeit turbulent. “I feel like I can still do this and have it be meaningful and have it be something people can relate to, and still make it dark and sad without making myself the victim,” Crutchfield told Metro Times last year. Doors open at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Sep. 7 at the Majestic;4120 Woodward Ave., Detroit; 313-833-9700; majesticdetroit.com.
Source:MetroXpress
September 01, 2021 15:33 UTC