Rock climbing is not a sport for the faint of heart – sheer rock faces, jaw dropping heights, and the fear of falling. And it’s the fear that keeps the curious from ever trying it.

Rock climbing gyms have become a popular alternative for curious thrill seekers looking to learn more about the sport and practice in a safe space.  If you’re looking to cast your fears aside, try visiting Metro Rock Rock Climbing Center in Everett for an introductory climbing lesson.  I recently signed up for the 90-minute Basic Top Rope Climber class, which included instruction on basic climbing and all climbing gear.

Matt, our instructor for the evening, carefully guided us through the basics of climbing safety including tying knots and using the belay carabiner – a device designed to create friction on the climbing ropes. After we tied our knots, we practiced belaying, which is the process of placing tension on the ropes to assist the climber in the event of a fall. We also learned about checking climbing equipment for proper use and safety and communicating effectively with our climbing partner.

Matt’s approach to instruction was humorous and fun (all the while stressing safety), which I found both comforting and encouraging. Once we practiced tying knots and belaying, we hit the walls, taking turns climbing and belaying for the rest of the evening.

My Tips:

• Safety First – Keep in mind that the experience isn’t just about yourself – it’s also about your partner and ensuring that you’re both able to watch out for one another and enjoy yourselves at the same time.
• Go with a Buddy or Meet Someone New – It’s hard to try some things by yourself, but don’t let that stop you. There are plenty of other first time climbers at MetroRock and an equal number of people looking for climbing partners.
• Multiple Programs for All Levels – From beginners to experienced climbers to children’s programming and yoga classes (yes, climbers need flexibility too), Metrorock offers something for everyone. Be sure to check out their detailed program section for more information.
• Park or Take the T – There is plenty of onsite parking available at the Everett location. You also have the option of taking the free MetroRock shuttle to and from the Wellington T station. I opted to take the T on the night of my visit, and it was incredibly easy.
• Learn Something – In addition to the climbing basics, I learned something new about myself: I’m tenacious.

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Cristy is a Boston-based blogger in constant pursuit of fun activities in the city. Read more of her work at bostonurbansafari.blogspot.com.

Investigators have not released details of how the 44-year-old woman fell to her death from a second floor bedroom window, but Allen Stilkey is also charged with assault and battery and threatening to commit a crime. Neighbors say they woke to the sound of police at the home, and were stunned to learn of the horrific fall.

Lisa Bombara who lives across the street and went to school with the victim, says she didn’t know of any trouble in the home. “Everybody who knew her loved her. She was very energetic, outgoing, I can’t possibly see how this could have happened,” she said.

WBZ-TV’s Beth Germano reports

According to Bombara, the couple was married a year and a half ago. “I don’t know the circumstances, but if he contributed to her going out that window in any way, I don’t understand,” she said.

Police responded after receiving a 911 call at 12:03 a.m. They found Lisa Stilkey severely injured, and she later died at UMass Medical Center in Worcester where she was transported.

Stilkey was arrested Friday night at the Douglas Police station, but a neighbor says he was handcuffed and put in the back of a cruiser at the scene.

He’s being held on $500-thousand dollars bail and will be arraigned on Monday.

“Terrible, it just feels unjust,” says Temi Fagbenle. Born of Nigerian parents, she’s one of twelve children raised in London. At age 15, she passed a British graduation exam, and went to boarding school in the United States.

At 6-foot-4, she immediately caught they eyes of coaches at elite basketball schools. “She was ranked in many polls as 9th, 10th, 11th best player in women’s basketball,” says her Harvard coach, Kathy Delaney-Smith. “She was getting offers from Duke and big time schools.”

WBZ-TV’s Christina Hager reports

Harvard was her dream, and she was younger than her peers, so Temi repeated her junior year to improve her grades. It worked. “I got into one of the best schools in the world,” she says proudly. “It’s an honor.”

But there was a catch. NCAA officials said repeating her junior year was against its rules, and suspended her from playing in games for a year. “NCAA member schools created this rule to discourage prospective student-athletes from intentionally delaying university enrollment for athletic reasons rather than academic pursuits,” the NCAA said in a statement.

Temi says she delayed enrollment for the opposite reason. “Academics come first,” she says. “Basketball has a shelf-life. You need to look at the long run.” Harvard appealed the suspension and was able to reduce it from two years to one.

Still, her coach says it’s unfair. “The NCAA as our governing body should applaud a student, a 17-year-old kid from another country, making academic decisions,” says Delaney-Smith. “I’m so disappointed they’re not.”

There are scientists working on the next generation of contact lenses, so called “smart lenses”, and the potential is pretty amazing.

These are so called smart lenses, packed with circuits, sensors, and wireless technology.

WBZ-TV’s Paula Ebben reports

“There’s a possibility to develop a really, really important new tool for medicine,” says Smart Lense developer Babak Parviz. He’s testing a smart lens that could one day replace the standard blood test. “It allows for a very non-invasive, continuous monitoring of the human body.”

Parviz believes bio-markers found in the blood, such as cholesterol, sodium, potassium and glucose can all be found on the surface of the eye.

One lens can monitor glucose and radio out the result. “Someday maybe you can read the result with your cell phone.”

Kim carter has Type 1 diabetes and pricks her finger 5 to 7 times a day. “I hate it,” says Kim, “it hurts.” So, she says she would definitely try it out if one became available on the market.

Some new lenses don’t just monitor disease. They treat it.

Dr. Joe Ciolino is a doctor at mass eye and ear infirmary: “The lens has the ability to release medication to the eye for a long period of time.”

Harvard researchers are also testing such a device. A light brown donut shape in the center of this lens contains a drug. Dr. Dan Kohane of Children’s Hosptial, Boston adds, “The object would be placed in the eye and would slowly leak out over time” thereby delivering the medication.

Perhaps the most amazing idea for a smart lens is this one: Tiny LEDs built into the lens overlay images into your field of vision. The idea is that one day you would be able to stream health data, the internet, even television, right in front of your eyes.

That appeals to grad student Matt Davis: “You could be reading your emails when you walk down the street, things like that.”

Just watch out where you walk!

Last month, one of Holly Foglietta’s twin sons scored his 200th goal.

Foglietta says her son had talked to the referee about keeping the puck when he scored. But when that happened, she says her sons’ coach, Bill Norcross, became angry that the game was stopped, yelled at her son about being selfish, and tossed the puck back on the ice.

WBZ-TV’s Jim Armstrong reports

Norcross supporters paint a different picture. Norcross’ attorney, Kevin Foley, says Holly Foglietta blew the incident out of proportion and could not let it go.

“She began posting nasty things on Facebook, using terms like child abuse. The Lynn Youth Hockey Board decided to terminate her family from the Lynn Youth Hockey presumably for that conduct,” Foley told WBZ NewsRadio 1030.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030′s Mark Katic reports

Members of the Lynn Youth Hockey Board met in closed session Friday night. They were trying to determine if the actions of Holly Foglietta justified the decision to kick the twins off their hockey team.

“This is surreal I never in my life thought this would happen,” said Bill Foglietta the boys’ father.

The board heard testimony from Bill and the family attorney Gary Zerola. They will issue their decision in five to ten days.

Selected by WBZ’s Dave Mager.

This storm is still rather ragged and by the time it gets consolidated and better formed it will be too far out to sea to produce a big snow event here.  The offshore track will keep the heaviest of the precip out over the water and most of the Gulf of Mexico moisture will stay even farther offshore with the partial double barrel structure.  The other obstacle to overcome is today’s warmth.  While most of the ground is still frozen, the pavement was able to absorb some of the heat…this will limit the impact on the roads on the front side of the storm.  We will also have to overcome mild boundary layer temps, at least through late morning until the North wind gets stronger from the developing cyclone and draws down some of that arctic air.  Regardless of these limiting factors, midday tomorrow, the surface cold will have arrived, the pavement cooled and the heaviest of the snow falling from maximum lift to give us a good environment for snow accumulation…the problem is it won’t last long.  In the end, very little has changed from our snowfall forecast last night…1-3″ of fluffy snow for Boston and towns east and north with coatings in SW NH and Western MA…3-6″ south and east of Boston of a heavier snow highest amounts should be in Plymouth County very close to the Canal.  The Mid and Lower Cape are wild cards, there is potential for 6-8″ but I think the warmth currently present will be tough to overcome keeping amounts in a sloppy, slushy 2-4″ range.  Flurries linger into the evening but then we clear out overnight Saturday as winds back to the NW and frigid air invades Southern New England for 36 hours.

While it will be snowy and roads will get snow-covered, I think this will be a very low impact storm and I wouldn’t cancel any plans over this one.  Have a great weekend.

She was driving down East Water Street Thursday afternoon as Officer Jim McLaughlin was heading to an emergency call. She thought she heard a siren but it was too late. Ferguson said, “Coming up to the intersection I always slow down, and put my foot on the brake, I looked to the right. I thought I heard a siren, looked forward, looked back and boom, I had no idea what I hit.”

WBZ-TV’s Kathy Curran reports

Police say this is one of the challenging spots to navigate in town and this is why. There are actually five different entrances feeding into the intersection, there are three stop signs and one yield. The direction Jill Ferguson was coming from has the right of way.

To make matters worse there’s a bit of a blind spot from one of the incoming roads. Lt. Nick Zeoli said there were four or five serious accidents at the intersection of Liberty and East Water streets last year. “Most people are used to a four way stop or a four way intersection with lights, that intersection poses somewhat of a challenge” Zeoli said. Ferguson added, “You have to be right in the middle of the intersection before you see them coming.”

Jill is counting her blessings. She’s thankful no-one was seriously hurt but she’d like to see the town and the state make the intersection safe.

Both drivers live within a mile of the intersection. The crash is still under investigation.

Watch Phantom Gourmet

Restaurant Oro is a romantic, city-style restaurant overlooking Scituate Harbor.
Seafood is the specialty here, including velvety corn and clam chowder, crispy lobster cakes packed with chunks of fresh-shucked meat, crispy potato strings, and creamy lobster bisque.

For a different kind of date experience, Tangierino in Charlestown is a sexy Moroccan restaurant offering exotic flavors and honey-sweet pastries with a little live belly dancing on the side.

Sorellina in Copley Square is the ultimate destination for that date you’re looking to impress. Modern Italian cuisine is the focus, including handmade pastas and Kobe beef meatballs. But you can’t leave before you taste the seductive molten chocolate cake.

Valentine’s Day is on a Tuesday this year, which is great for restaurants, because Tuesday is typically one of the least busy days of the week.

For more food and fun, watch the Phantom Gourmet Saturday and Sunday at 10:30 a.m. and 11a.m. on MyTV38.

Today President Obama’s announcement of a comprise plan: It allows churches and religious organizations to be exempt from paying for or directly providing contraception coverage. Instead, it requires an institution’s insurance company to offer women contraception free of charge.

Ethan Mack, a freshman says, “As long as the church doesn’t have to offer it to women because they find it against what they believe in, than I have no problem. What’s most important to me is upholding religious liberty in this country. This is not an issue about health care, this is an issue about religious liberty, so as long as we are truly upholding that value, that’s what’s the most important thing. If that’s what this exemption truly does, then I think my biggest gripe is gone.”

WBZ-TV’s Karen Anderson reports

Brendan Anderson, also a freshman says, “I actually think it’s a really good compromise because it hits both sides of the issue and I can’t really see how people would be too upset by that. I’m glad it came around. This is such a nice conclusion.”

Lizzie Jekanowski, a Co-Chair Boston College Students for Sexual Health, says she wants to learn more. “If it’s implemented correctly this could still be a good way so women can still access their contraception and have it be covered by their insurance agencies while still addressing religious beliefs.

But she is still concerned about the impact of conservative religious groups on women’s choices. “I am disappointed that a minority group in our nation is trying to dictate what should be the case for all women and all people,” she says. “We are a nation of different religious beliefs, different moral beliefs and I don’t believe a small group of people should be telling me a woman what health care I deserve.”

Jessika Parry, the other Co-Chair of BC Students for Sexual Health, says “I think it is a good compromise to have people working directly with their insurance companies. I’m just worried about implementing that. I’m worried companies will hide that from their employees that their insurance companies are required to offer that and forget to mention it.”

Ben Martin, of the St. Thomas Moore Society at BC says he is waiting to see what the Bishops say. “I’m curious to see how it develops. It’s interesting and promising that he’s open to talk about this but we’ll see. we’ll have to wait and see.”

WBZ’s Rod Fritz talks with WBZ Financial Editor Dave Caruso, from Coastal Capital of Danvers.

Listen to the report

Officers say there were about 200 people inside Fortunato’s, also known as Club 44, when they witnessed a fight around 1:30 a.m.

The brawl quickly escalated, as people began throwing chairs, tables and beer bottles.

Several people began throwing beer bottles at responding officers attempting to break up the brawl.

Officers from Dracut, Tyngsborough, UMass-Lowell and State Police also responded.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030′s Karen Twomey reports

Those arrested ranged in age from 18 to 33. Charges include assault and battery on a police officer and disorderly conduct.

One of the people arrested is alleging police brutality.

“They grabbed me, slammed me against the sidewalk, hit me with flashlight,” Miguel Fernandez told WBZ-TV’s Paul Burton. “They kept kicking me on the floor and slamming my head on the sidewalk. That’s why it’s police brutality.”

The bar where the fight broke out was closed for several alleged code and safety violations.

City officials say over the past few months, they’ve seen a spike in violence when the bars let out.
In response, they are putting more police officers on the street.

—————————

The following is a list of individuals were arrested:

Miguel Fernandez, age 25, from Lawrence, MA. He was charged with Assault and Battery on a Police Officer, Assault and Battery with a Dangerous Weapon (beer bottle) Affray, Disorderly Conduct, and Resisting Arrest.

WBZ-TV’s Paul Burton reports

Pierre Pierre Clemat, age 21, from Boston, MA. He was charged with Affray.

Nilsson Devasconcelos, age 33, from Andover, MA. He was charged with Affray and Disturbing the Peace.

Jason Sanon, age 20, from Cambridge, MA. He was charged with Disorderly Conduct.

Aser Honore, age 26, from Lowell, MA. He was charged with Disorderly Conduct.

Ccshron Brown, age 23, from Lowell, MA. He was charged with Affray.

Carlos Feliz, age 20, from Lawrence, MA. He was charged with Assault and Battery on a Police Officer, Resisting Arrest and Disorderly conduct.

Jovan Siri, age 18, from Lowell, MA. He was charged with Assault and Battery on a Police Officer, Affray and Resisting Arrest.

Brousseau Normil, age 19, from Cambridge MA. He was charged with Affray and warrant for possession of class D.

Anthony Decontreras, age 23, from Lowell, MA. He was charged with Assault by Means of a Dangerous Weapon (chair) Affray and Resisting Arrest.

Rolando Fernandes, age 22, from Lawrence, MA. He was charged with Affray.

Richie Hernandez, age 19, from Lawrence, MA. He was charged with Disturbing the Peace and Resisting Arrest.

Joshua Saldarriaga, age 21, from Dracut, MA. He was charged with Affray, Assault and Battery on a Police Officer and Resisting Arrest.

Cheury Gomez, age 21, from Cambridge, MA. He was charged with Affray and Resisting Arrest.

The Esplanade Association, which is responsible for the park that has long been a destination of joggers, cyclists, tourists, and others, says the park has long been neglected.

The association is proposing a number of upgrades.

WBZ-TV’s Kate Merrill reports

They include better maintenance in the future, a pedestrian walkway that extends into the river, and a widened bridge over Storrow Drive to allow for better access.

The association is also hoping to generate revenue, proposing a café and possibly even a ferris wheel, like the London Eye.

The proposed changes are still in the early stages.

There are some skeptics who fear this cherished spot will end up being overdeveloped.

It happened around 11 a.m. in the cafeteria at the Walpole Elementary School on Bemis Lane.

There were about 70 students in the cafeteria eating lunch at the time.  No one else was hurt.

The boy’s step-cousin, Nick Philips says he had been talking about shooting himself all week.

“It was on purpose. He’s been telling everyone about it this week. He’s just been depressed lately,” Philips said.

The school principal wouldn’t comment on whether any officials were told about any warning signs.

Police put the school on lock down for several hours.

The teen was rushed to the hospital, where his condition is said to be very serious.

His name has not been released.

WBZ-TV New Hampshire Bureau Chief Lauren Leamanczyk reports

Officials confirmed that the gun the boy used was a rifle. It’s unclear where he got the weapon. Students who talked to WBZ-TV said that no one seemed to have seen the gun until the shooting took place.

The school is for students in grades 5 through 8.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030′s Bernice Corpuz reports

Gov. John Lynch released this statement Friday afternoon:

“This is a terrible tragedy, and I know that all of New Hampshire shares in the pain and grief of the children, families and community of the Walpole Elementary School. The state of New Hampshire is offering whatever assistance it can to the community, along with all of our thoughts and prayers.”

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline has several resources if you suspect someone is suicidal.

You can learn more on their website.

“This is great!” said one woman of the weather while walking her dog on the Seawall in Marshfield. “My dog’s been swimming…I’ve been walking…it’s nice.”

At the Crosswinds Golf Club in Plymouth, they had nearly 80 golfers out on the course the day before the looming storm.

WBZ-TV’s Bill Shields reports

“The grass is brown, but at least it’s not covered in white,” said one golfer as he finsihed his round.
George Doody, the course starter, said this winter is a bonus. “We’ve been open more than in any winter since I’ve been here,” he said.

At the Plymouth DPW yard, they have a mountain of salt, ready to go. The forecast is for Plymouth salt trucks to be put to use Saturday.with as much as 6 inches of snow there.

And that won’t bother the guys at Morrison’s Power Equipment. They have a showroom full of snow blowers left over from a mild winter.

“December started out strong,” said Scott Morrison. “But then there were no storms, and our sales just died.”

Mayor Tom Menino, Red Sox CEO Larry Lucchino, Sox new manager Bobby Valentine, acting Massport CEO David Mackey and a couple of hundred JetBlue team members joined in the celebration.

The plane left with almost a full load of passengers in the late morning for Fort Myers, the home of the new JetBlue Park where the Red Sox Spring Training facility is located.

Marty St. George, senior vice president of JetBlue, noted that this was the third year of an expanding relationship between the airline and the Red Sox. The carrier is also the official airline of The Boston Marathon.

“It’s a great partnership,” said Mayor Tom Menino. “They do so much for the city.”

Security was very tight for the media and VIP’s who were on the tarmac to see the plane arrive. Mayor Menino’s vehicle had been escorted to Terminal C by the State Police. Apparently people in the mayor’s SUV, complete with tinted glass, were not checked in at the North Gate. When the Mayor’s photographer got out to take some pictures, she was briefly asked to leave because she was not displaying a pass.

Again, Wally The Green Monster was one of the most popular people at the ceremony posing in front of the aircraft for the TV cameras.

Bob Weiss, CBS Boston travel contributor

JetBlue came to Boston in 2004 and in eight years has become the number one airline carrying passengers from Logan. The airport had a record year in 2011 with 28,800,000 passengers using the airport. JetBlue now carries about 25 percent of that business.

Marty St. George termed the airline’s relationship with The Red Sox as one of the most important for the airline and urged the baseball team to bring another championship back to Boston.

JetBlue Park, Fenway South, will be officially dedicated on February 25 in Fort Myers.

Bob Weiss’s All Things Travel Reports can be heard on WBZ NewsRadio 1030.

He also talked about how the concussion has effected Nathan Horton and how he felt recovering from a serious concussion.

The guys also ask Patrice about his thoughts on the latest Tim Thomas story, and how it’s affecting the team.

Listen:

Why have the Sox operated like a small-market club in this offseason? This offseason the Sox have spent less than $10 million dollars. Has John Henry over-spent on soccer?

How big of an issue is the MLB luxury tax for the Sox?

Listen:

“I think so,” said Peverley when asked if his current stretch that’s featured just two non-empty-net goals in his last 18 games has been one of his toughest in memory. “Usually if you’re creating chances, you can at least say you’re doing something if you’re not scoring. But if you’re not creating chances, you have to look at yourself in the mirror.”

That reflection is a bit ugly these days. In two of Peverley’s last three games, he hasn’t even registered a shot on goal. Including his empty-netter against Washington last Sunday, Peverley has scored just nine goals in 46 games on the season. Matching the 18 he scored combined with Atlanta and Boston last season might be a long shot.

While he fit seamlessly with Milan Lucic and David Krejci on Boston’s first line last June when Nathan Horton went out with a concussion in the Stanley Cup Final, during Horton’s most recent injury situation things didn’t go as well for Peverley. Last Saturday against Pittsburgh, he was even benched for the final six minutes of the 2-1 loss.

Peverley says he understood head coach Claude Julien’s decision.

“If I’m not playing, he’s obviously showing that I’m not playing well. And I realize that, and I can take it. I’ve got to be better and I’ve got to continue to get better,” said Peverley.

Julien’s solution to the problem was putting Chris Kelly between Peverley and Lucic for what turned out to be a victory over the Capitals. Three nights later, that line was still together but was among the biggest culprits – based on expected production – in the Bruins’ embarrassing 6-0 loss in Buffalo.

Two days of practice have given Peverley, Lucic and Kelly (Peverley’s center for most of the forward’s time with Boston since both were acquired in separate trades last February) to get on the same page. Getting Boston out of its current funk will require a team effort, but there will have to be individual improvement from key players like Peverley, especially while Horton remains sidelined.

The Bruins brought Peverley to Boston last season because he could provide secondary scoring and step up into the forefront when needed. This is one of the times the Bruins need Peverley to play like a prime-time player. He knows exactly what he needs to do.

“I think it’s using my speed and shooting the puck more, creating opportunities,” he said. “Shooting the puck and maybe creating some opportunities for somebody else. It’s a bunch of things.”

Attleboro EMTs say the woman’s mother was driving her to Sturdy Memorial Hospital, but had to pull over into a parking lot on Pleasant Street.

EMT Stephen Marcotte says they were quick to respond to the 911 call, but by the time they arrived they found grandma holding the newborn and mom in their car and smiling.

“The baby was there healthy and responding. They didn’t need us,” Marcotte joked.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030′s Mark Katic reports

We obviously checked over the mom and the child and made sure the child was warm enough. My partner cut the umbilical cord. He did a great job. The rest of the guys did phenomenal work.”

Mom and son were taken to the hospital and are said to be doing just fine.

“He’s got some symptoms so he’s been pulled back,” Julien said of Horton. “He’s back to square one and we’re giving him some time here.”

Horton had been exercising and lightly skating, but his progression — or lack thereof — didn’t provide much encouragement.

“Those symptoms, once he got back on the ice, they came back,” Julien said.

Horton suffered the concussion on Jan. 22 in Philadelphia after a hit to the head by Tom Sestito. There was no penalty on the play, and Brendan Shanahan did not issue supplemental discipline.

It is the second concussion for the 26-year-old Horton in the span of eight months, as he was knocked out of the Stanley Cup Final in Game 3 against Vancouver.

The Bruins have lost four of six games since Horton’s injury. They’ve scored just 1.5 goals per game in that span, nearly two full goals fewer than their season average.

Answer:  For 99% of us we have been in your shoes at some time, just making it. And probably have not done as well as you for many people start to use their credit card for the extras they truly cannot afford.

Now that the Super Bowl is over there are ads everywhere promoting Valentine’s Day. There are many folks who dislike this holiday and think it over rated.

Love is free but most Valentine gifts do cost money. Valentine’s Day should be a fun day celebrating love. Isn’t that what it’s all about?

The greeting card industry and retailers in general have expanded this holiday so it’s not just your one true love; it’s your kids, little sister, grandmother, your mom, dad, the dog, the cat, the next-door neighbor, and your best friend. I’m surprised the card industry hasn’t found a way to include your ex.

It is indeed very commercial. There are red hearts everywhere reminding us of the day. Over 36 million heart shaped boxes of candy will be given as gifts this year, and last year the flower industry grew over 190 million roses for the day.

According to the National Retail Federation, the average consumer will spend $126 on Valentine’s Day, up from last year. With over 60% of consumers planning to celebrate the holiday, total 2012 Valentine’s Day spending is expected to be close to $18 billion.

Men spend more money on gifts than women by almost 2 to 1. Maybe they are just trying to make up for that flat screen TV they bought to watch the Super Bowl.

The survey also found consumers will shell out over $4 billion for jewelry this Valentine’s Day. About half of those surveyed intended to buy candy and 36% plan to buy flowers and take their sweetie out to dinner.

How much do you want to spend or can afford to spend on this holiday? It does not have to be expensive. You can do it really cheap and still let someone know they are loved!

Write a poem or a special letter to those you love. Tell them why they are loved and why you need them in your life. None of this “roses are red, violets are blue” stuff, you want the real thing. Something from the heart.