Making bones at science fairs

The path to success is not paved with paper mache volcanoes — but it can wind through the science fair.

It did for Randolph resident Barnas Monteith, a science fair champion in middle school and high school. Monteith took home top honors at the state, regional and international levels — and his wins paid for college.

Now the 38-year-old hopes to guide young students to science fair glory with his book "Dinosaur Eggs and Blue Ribbons: Science Fairs Inside and Out." Monteith will share his tips tomorrow during a signing at Barnes and Noble in the Prudential Center.

"There is a widespread perception, because sometimes science is boring in school that it is boring in real life, but that's not true," said Monteith.

Monteith first found success with a presentation on plants and fish at the science fair as a student at John F. Kennedy Middle School in Randolph. But it was an opportunity through the Museum of Science to work alongside famed paleontologist Jack Horner, who served as consultant to both Michael Critchton and Steven Spielberg for "Jurassic Park," that stoked his interest in science. It led to Monteith's science fair reign in high school. He won four years in a row with projects based on dinosaurs.

"They were pretty stressful for me, too, but I did enjoy them," said Monteith, a Tufts University graduate. "I think the thing about science fairs is you get to pick your own topic. That is one of the reasons why I still stayed with it in the adult world with advocacy. It's an alternative way to assess a kid's ability."

Monteith is now an entrepreneur and president of Tumblehome Learning, a Pembroke- and Taiwan-based company that makes educational tools promoting science and engineering.

"It's about exposure," said Monteith, co-chairman of the Massachusetts State Science and Engineering Fair. "EMC2, Raytheon, they are our sponsors. If you are a really smart kid, they will offer you a scholarship or internship on the spot."

Monteith said times have changed for the better.

"Kids are actually publishing peer review articles now," said Monteith. "There are a few kids even at the Massachusetts state fair who end up publishing their work. By the time you are out of high school, you have a patent you can earn money on. It's something you couldn't imagine in the '90s."

Monteith will be signing his book at Barnes and Noble, Prudential Center, 800 Boylston St., Boston. Sat.,
1. p.m.; 617-247-6959.

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The Ticker

Connector extends hours

The Massachusetts Health Connector is extending hours and adding workers at its walk-in and call centers ahead of Monday's deadline to complete an application and pick a health plan.

The Boston walk-in center at 133 Portland St. is bringing in additional staff today through Monday.

Those who visit the center should make sure they have Social Security numbers and other documentation for everyone on their application. They also should have income information and their checkbook if they plan on making a payment.

The Connector's call center also will have expanded hours over the weekend and on Monday.

Battery maker A123 suing Apple

Battery maker A123 Systems is suing Apple, claiming it aggressively poached some key staff members in violation of their nondisclosure and noncompete agreements when they left A123.

According to a lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Massachusetts, A123 is seeking a restraining order and preliminary injunction to stop former employee Mujeeb Ijaz from hiring former A123 employees at Apple, where he now works. A123 makes lithium-ion batteries for electric cars and other products,

The complaint says Apple is starting a battery division nearly identical to A123. Apple did not immediately return a request for comment.

Judge dismisses larceny charges

A state judge has dismissed larceny charges against a Northampton woman who was accused of embezzling money connected to a failed project to build condominiums catering to older gay and lesbian people.

Hampshire Superior Court Judge Mary-Lou Rup dismissed the charges against Nancy Whitley on Wednesday. Whitley and her former spouse, Heather Whitley, were charged in the disappearance of $146,000 in deposits by potential owners of the condos planned for Easthampton in 2006 and 2007.

Charges remain pending against Heather Whitley, who has pleaded not guilty.

Mass. ad agency may pitch Santa Fe

A Bay State-based advertising agency could receive a $900,000 contract to promote the city of Santa Fe, despite objections from some.

The Santa Fe New Mexican reports that the city's Finance Committee this week unanimously recommended hiring Winchester-based Fuseideas LLC to pitch New Mexico's capital to the world.

Fuseideas was among 10 agencies that submitted proposals for the contract with the city's convention and visitors bureau, now known as Tourism Santa Fe.

If approved by the full Santa Fe City Council, the contract for Fuseideas would begin March 1. It would be a multiyear contract with an option to renew for three additional years.

• Vantage Builders Inc., a general contracting and construction firm based in Waltham, has named Joe Rodriguez, left, as project manager. Rodriguez joins Vantage from project management roles at JDL Corporate Interiors and iConstructors.

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Ink Block makes mark at former Herald HQ

The Ink Block is the transformation of the 24-acre former Boston Herald building in the South End into a destination residential area, and now the first two apartment buildings in the complex have opened.

They join a 50,000-square-foot Whole Foods Market that had its debut last month, in a four-building complex that will have 315 apartments, 83 condos, cafes and restaurants. A second phase will include an adjacent boutique AC Hotel by Marriott as well as a sixth building with more residential units.

"We're trying to create a community here that fits in with the rest of the South End, but has a design edge that reflects the area's history, food, art and music," said Ted Tye, managing partner of Newton's Nation­al Development.

Each of the three Ink Block apartment buildings is designed to appeal to different renter demographics. The Euro-styled 1 Ink features a glass exterior with bump-outs and floor-to-ceiling windows, and its apartments have a sleek and sophisticated vibe. The metal and precast stone-clad 2 Ink has hip, more industrial-looking interiors geared toward millennial renters. 3 Ink, which opens next month, goes with a more traditional Boston look, with its brick exterior and warmer interiors with wood cabinets.

Rents in the three buildings range from $2,529 to $2,804 for studios, $3,234 to $4,304 for one bedrooms, $4,104 to $4,704 for two bedrooms and $5,404-$5,804 for three bedrooms. Garage parking costs $325 a month.

The connected 1 Ink and 2 Ink share a lobby with a 24/7 concierge, as well as lounge areas with Wi-Fi, a projection TV and workspace. The funky decor is inspired by the site's news printing history, with wall coverings fashioned from thin strips of newspaper, pixelated wall displays and Ben-Day dot stenciling. Herald publisher Patrick J. Purcell has a minority interest in the Ink Block project.

We took a look at 1 Ink model Unit 411, a 753-square-foot one bedroom that's renting for $3,800 a month. The stylish kitchen features white quartz countertops and white Thermofoil finished cabinets, along with stainless-steel GE appliances and a quartz-topped island that seats three.

The open dining/living area has a built-in desk and floor-to-ceiling windows with panoramic city views, as does the carpeted bedroom. The bathroom has porcelain tile floors and a white-tiled shower and there's a closet that holds a stacked Bosch washer and dryer.

Stenciled door numbers, jelly-jar lights and pop art in the hallways give 2 Ink a funky vibe. Unit 432, a 591-square-foot studio at 2 Ink, rents for $2,529 and has a divider between the living room and bedroom. The kitchen has black granite counters and mostly black cabinets with white subway tile backsplash. This unit also has a tile bath and washer/dryer, plus a large bedroom closet and additional storage space.

Property manager Jessica Ryan says lot of young professionals are renting the 315 Ink Block apartments, which are 25 percent leased. The complex is offering one month of free rent and a "look and lease" promotion that gives an additional $1,500 off if a lease is signed within 24 hours of touring an apartment.

"People renting Ink Block are looking for a lifestyle, not just a well-designed apartment," Ryan said. "It's literally one-stop shopping here."

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The Ticker

Boston 2024 plans 
meetings across state

The group behind Boston's bid for the 2024 Olympics is reaching beyond the city for input on its proposal.

Boston 2024 announced yesterday that it would hold a series of 20 community meetings in the coming months around Massachusetts — venturing as far west as Springfield.

"The purpose of these meetings is quite simple — to listen to the people of Massachusetts and use those conversations to help shape the bid to bring the Games to the United States," said Rich Davey, CEO of Boston 2024. "In the end, these will be Massachusetts' Olympic and Paralympic Games and we are committed to every corner of the state having a voice in this effort."

The first meeting will be held Monday in Roxbury, followed by sessions in Lowell, Cambridge, the South Coast, Springfield and Malden.

Citigroup invests $100B for climate

Citigroup announced yesterday a plan to lend and invest $100 billion over the next 10 years to help reduce the impact of climate change. The plan was developed with Boston-based environmental nonprofit Ceres.

Citigroup said it will seek to finance programs to cut greenhouse gases, increase access to clean water, manage waste and create green low- and moderate-income affordable housing.

Citigroup had previously committed $50 billion to the effort in 2007 and met that goal three years early.

Baker funds broadband expansion

Gov. Charlie Baker will release $50 million in capital funds for the expansion of broadband Internet access in western Massachusetts, his administration said yesterday.

The existing capital funds will be used by the Massachusetts Broadband Institute to narrow a digital divide by pushing municipal and private investments and bridging the "last mile" of broadband access for underserved cities and towns in the western part of the Bay State. According to the Baker administration, 45 towns in western Massachusetts still do not have residential cable or broadband, and depend on dial-up technology.

TODAY

 Labor Department releases weekly jobless claims.

 Wal-Mart Stores Inc. reports quarterly financial results.

TOMORROW

 Deere & Co. reports quarterly financial results.

THE SHUFFLE

 The nonprofit Initiative for a Competitive Inner City has named former state Treasurer Steve Grossman as its new chief executive officer. The Boston-based group describes itself as a pioneer in developing market-based solutions to help revitalize economically under-performing urban economies through business and job development.

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Nonstops to Shanghai land at Logan in June

China's Hainan Airlines will start nonstop flights between Boston's Logan International Airport and Shanghai — China's major commercial center and largest financial hub — on June 20.

Boston is the largest U.S.-Shanghai air travel market without nonstop service, according to Massport, which runs Logan. More than 73,000 passengers traveled between the two cities last year, it said.

"Our new Boston-to-Shanghai service will open a new door for business as well as leisure and recreational travel," said Pubin Liang, Hainan's North American managing director.

The flights aboard two-class Boeing 787 Dream­liners will run three times per week, with a flight time of 14 hours and 40 minutes to Shanghai's Pudong Airport.

The route will be the third direct China route landed by Logan since Hainan launched its Boston to Beijing flights last June. Cathay Pacific Airways will start nonstop Boston to Hong Kong service in May.

"This is the start hopefully of a continued expansion of our capacity to meet the needs of people here, businesses here and people and businesses in … China," Gov. Charlie Baker said. "The combination of our medical, educational and business institutions — along with the size and activities associated with our normal population here — has had a big impact on that."

Hainan's Boston-to-Beijing flights, which have been four days weekly with temporary increases to daily during the summer and holidays, will revert to daily May 1. The flights have operated at 90 percent capacity.

"It's been a very successful experience," Massport CEO Tom Glynn said. "The popularity of their service in Boston has led us to this situation today."

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European shares lower; Japan shares at 14-year high

TOKYO — European shares were mostly lower early Thursday as investors waited to see the outcome of negotiations between Greece and its eurozone creditors.

Britain's FTSE 100 fell 0.4 percent to 6,871.27, while France's CAC 40 shed 0.3 percent to 4,786.14 and Germany's DAX lost 0.4 percent to 10,920.35. Wall Street also looked set for a dismal start, with Dow and S&P futures both 0.3 percent lower.

European policymakers are struggling to find a compromise that will keep Greece out of bankruptcy and in the eurozone.

Athens' new government argues that six years of recession show that further austerity measures would just strangle growth, but creditor countries are refusing to lend it more money without tough conditions.

"Greece is likely to submit an extension request for up to six months on the 'loan agreement.' The question is what scope a 'loan agreement' would take?" IG market strategist Stan Shamu said in a commentary.

Most markets in Asia were closed Thursday for Lunar New Year holidays, but Japanese stocks climbed to their highest level in nearly 15 years early in the day after the release of strong trade data.

The Nikkei 225 stock index meandered later in the day, gaining 0.4 percent to 18,264.79 as it fell back from an intraday peak of 18,322.50 that was the benchmark's highest level since May 2000.

The rally was driven by strong buying of exporters and shipping lines after the government reported the trade deficit plunged nearly 60 percent on a 17 percent year-on-year jump in exports in January.

Elsewhere in the region, Australia's S&P ASX/200 lost 0.2 percent to 5,904.20. New Zealand's shares also fell.

Oil prices extended losses amid speculation that a recent rally in crude was excessive.

The price of benchmark U.S. crude, which rose last week, fell $1.74 to $50.40 a barrel in electronic trading on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It fell $1.39 to $52.14 a barrel Wednesday.

Brent crude, a benchmark for international oils used by many U.S. refineries, fell $1.57 cents to $58.96 a barrel.

The U.S. dollar fell to 118.63 against the Japanese yen, from 118.78 on Wednesday. The dollar edged up against the euro, to $1.1436 from $1.1399.

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Orphan drugs for rare diseases soar

Treatments for rare diseases — key to the success of several Bay State companies — surged nationally last year, a trend that experts say will likely only continue.

Seventeen of the 41 novel new drugs the Food and Drug Administration approved in 2014 treat rare or "orphan" diseases that affect 200,000 or fewer Americans, offering new hope to patients who previously had few or no drugs available to treat their conditions.

"This really is a time of great interest in orphan drugs," said Mary Dunkle, vice president for educational initiatives at the National Organization for Rare Disorders. "There were a few companies who took a risk early on and made this a successful business model."

An orphan drug designation by the FDA means its developer qualifies for tax benefits and seven years of exclusivity, compared to five years for other drugs.

"Companies are understanding the great value of pushing into new areas where there has not yet been an attempt to develop a drug," said Irving Adler, a spokesman for Alexion Pharmaceuticals, a Connecticut-based firm with operations in Cambridge.

Alexion has one approved orphan drug Soliris, which treats two rare, life-threatening diseases.

Other local companies that have developed orphan drugs include Burlington-based Dyax Corp. and Cambridge-based Genzyme.

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Critics glad Partners abandons S. Shore hospital buy

Partners HealthCare System's decision to abandon a controversial plan to acquire South Shore Hospital is a victory for the state's efforts to help rein in rising health care costs, according to critics of the proposed purchase.

"It will help moderate costs, and South Shore (Hospital) is a very good system independent of Partners," said Stuart Altman, chairman of the Massachusetts Health Policy Commission, established in 2012 under the state's health care cost-containment law. "In the case of Partners, the problem was they were using their higher reimbursement amounts to generate higher costs."

Partners dropped its bid in the wake of a Suffolk Superior Court judge's rejection last month of an antitrust settlement negotiated by former state Attorney General Martha Coakley that would have paved the way for it to acquire South Shore Hospital and Hallmark Health System's Lawrence Memorial and Melrose-Wakefield hospitals. Attorney General Maura Healey threatened to file an antitrust lawsuit to block any future merger.

"We have listened and heard the public concerns and ... we have decided that the best approach is not to proceed with our plan," outgoing Partners CEO Gary Gottlieb said in a letter to employees yesterday.

That decision is the "right choice for Partners and the commonwealth," Healey said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Gottlieb said Partners and Hallmark agreed "to take a pause as we reflect on next steps."

Healey said in a court filing that she will continue to evaluate that proposal if and when the companies proceed.

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Amazon drone arguments don't fly

Tensions between Amazon and the Federal Aviation Administration have been brewing for months, so it should come as no surprise that the agency drafted regulations that shoot down the e-commerce giant's drone delivery ambitions.

Why, after all, would the FAA inflict upon itself the masochism of unmanned aircraft hurtling through the sky with gadgets and groceries? The agency seems to have its hands full with helicopters and planes.

And therein lies the abject failure of Amazon to publicly make the case for its proposed Prime Air delivery service, which aims to get packages to customers in 30 minutes or less using small aerial vehicles.

"We believe customers will love it," wrote Paul Misener, Amazon's vice president of global public policy, to the FAA in December, without much in the way of hard data to support his sweeping claims.

Random assertions like those seem to be the basis of Amazon's argument, and the FAA just isn't buying it.

"What data or analysis supports Amazon's position that aerial delivery is in the interest of the American public?" asked the FAA in a rather testy letter to Amazon on Oct. 30. "Examples of benefit to the public may include reductions in injuries or fatalities related to current hand delivery practices."

In other words: what's in it for us?

Amazon's failure to provide much of an argument beyond that it really, really wants to have drones is almost certainly to blame for the FAA's stifling proposal that would mandate drones remain within eyesight of the operator at all times and stay only 500 feet above ground level. Both rules pretty much defeat the purpose of Prime Air.

That said, the FAA isn't so obtuse as to scare off what could potentially be a huge innovation industry in the United States. The agency specifically stated that it is open to public comment on the proposed line-of-sight restriction. Once the proposed rules are published online, the public has 60 days to comment.

Misener has rightly argued that it's in the best interests of the nation for Amazon to keep its drone research and development here in the U.S.

But Amazon needs to get a grip: it's not like these drones are going to be defusing bombs or transporting life-saving medicine.

Until that's the case, Amazon is going to have to make a better argument.

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Top US labor official arrives as West Coast ports back up

LOS ANGELES — The nation's top labor official flew Monday to California in an attempt to resolve a damaging contract dispute between West Coast dockworkers and their employers.

U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez arrived in San Francisco, where months-long negotiations between the dockworkers union and a maritime association of companies have come to a halt.

So, too, has the movement of billions of dollars of cargo that is supposed to pass through 29 seaports from Southern California to Seattle. The ports are a critical trade link with Asia and the gateway not just for imports such as electronics, household goods and clothing but also U.S. exports including produce and meat.

Starting Saturday, companies locked out workers who would load or unload ships, saying they would not pay weekend or holiday wage premiums to crews they accuse of intentionally slowing work to gain bargaining leverage. As a result, cranes that would otherwise be moving containers onto dockside yards were raised up, stationary and eerily quiet on normally bustling waterfronts.

Dockworkers deny slowing down and say they want to work.

Full port operations are supposed to resume Tuesday, when Perez is scheduled to speak formally with both sides for the first time. He already has been in touch by phone with representatives of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Association, which represents the shipping lines that carry cargo and the terminal operators that handle it once the ships dock.

For now, those massive vessels are forming ever-longer lines outside the ports, laden with imports that are now delayed by weeks. Off the coast of Los Angeles and Long Beach, for example, 33 "congestion vessels" were awaiting space at the docks, according to the Marine Exchange of Southern California — a new high since this round of disruptions began.

Cargo congestion at the coast's largest ports predated the contract dispute, though the problems were nothing like those now seen. Congestion worsened in the fall, which is when the maritime association says dockworkers began slowing down. The union blames the slow movement of cargo on larger problems with the supply chain, including a shortage of truck beds to carry containers from dockside yards to distribution warehouses.

Contract negotiations began in May. The last contract expired in July. The two sides have reached tentative agreements on many of the key issues, but are stuck on whether to change the process of arbitrating workplace disputes.

Several other issues have been on the table, including pay. The maritime association says average wages exceed $50 an hour; the union says wages are set between $26 to $36 an hour — though many shifts carry a premium over that range.

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Contact Justin Pritchard at http://twitter.com/lalanewsman

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