Best of Patch: Readers' Choice

Best of Winner: Shake Fitness

This was a tight one, and brought in many votes, but Shake Fitness is crowned best gym in Northborough.

It was neck and neck until the end, but ultimately, Shake Fitness pumped ahead to win our best gym/best place to excercise category this week. With a total of 785 cast in the contest, Shake came away with 42 percent of that total. On its tail the entire time was Core Connection, which nabbed 34 percent. Boost Fitness also had a wonderful showing with 18 percent of the vote. Located in the Honey Farms Plaza on Main Street, Shake Fitness offers classes in everything from Zumba to drumming dance to hip-hop. Owner Char Willingham said Shake has always had a warm and welcoming environment where everyone is accepted, regardless of their ability. "We are incredibly happy that we won and surprised," said Willingham, "but also honored to have been …

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State of the Union: Will You Be Watching? [Poll]

What was once an announcement of the state of the country's affairs is now often seen as a wish list of soon-to-be unfulfilled promises.

  As President Barack Obama prepares for the delivery tonight of the 2012 State of the Union address, members of the Congress prepare partisan showmanship that traditionally punctuates the annual speech. In this era of deeply divided politics, many question the purpose of the speech. What was once an announcement of the state of the country’s affairs is now often seen as a wish list of soon-to-be unfulfilled promises. "Presidents will talk about solving some policy problem, and then the bold language of the State of the Union address disappears into the messy reality of governing," Jack Pitney, a political scientist at Claremont McKenna College, told The Huffington Post in a Jan. 23 report. The same report lists many unfulfilled Obama …

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POLL: Should There Be Campaign Donation Limitations for Businesses?

The Supreme Court ruled two years ago today that there should be no limitations put on businesses/corporations when it comes to their campaign donations.

Even the Supreme Court is isn't all that decisive when it comes to the issue of campaign finance and business in America.  While the 5-4 decision in Citizens United vs. The Federal Election Commission on Jan. 21, 2010 established an unprecedented freedom for businesses, corporations and unions to financially support their candidate of choice, it was an extremely contentious issue at the time and it remains one today, with members of government and special interest groups constantly trying to revise or legislate a new rule of law.  According to Wikipedia, the ruling "was a landmark decision by the United States Supreme Court holding that the First Amendment prohibits government from placing limits on independent spending for political …

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POLL: Unemployment Drops, But What's the Local Story?

For six straight months, the nation has added at least 100,000 jobs a month, and the unemployment rate is now 8.5 percent. Is that effect felt here?

At the risk of sounding pessimistic: is it really getting better out there? For six straight months, the U.S. has added at least 100,000 jobs a month, reducing the national unemployment rate to 8.5 percent. In December, the job gains came across several categories: retail, manufacturing, mining and hospitality. At the beginning of 2011, the unemployment rate was 9.1 percent. If you are unemployed and live locally, are you seeing signs that more jobs are available? Or is the national trend not happening here in MetroWest?

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POLL: Are You Glad Christmas Is Over?

Are you a Scrooge or a Santa? How do you feel the day after Christmas?

Bah humbug, or I can't wait until next year? How do you feel the day after Christmas?

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Danielle Horn

5:14 pm on Tuesday, December 27, 2011

I don't really feel like it's over until after New Year's. Then I have no use for winter. :-)   more ›

POLL: What are the popular toys this year?

What are the kids asking for from Santa this year?

In the early '80s, moms were duking it out in the aisles, smashing one another with carts to get the Cabbage Patch dolls as they were unloaded. Fights have broken out over Xboxes, Elmo dolls and other hot items of the season. We needn't get that violent over securing our kids that "special toy," but we'd love to know: what are they asking for this year? Please do take our poll. While the selections are broadly-based, we hope you'll add your commentary below to tell us about specific items your kids are asking for from Santa, and you. Be sure to check Northborough Patch next week for a video with local kids telling us what they'd like for Christmas. It's a hoot, to say the least.

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