Mass. tax revenues decline; budget trims loom

Recent tax collections have been unexpectedly disappointing, failing to measure up to last year’s levels.

The city shuttles more than 33,000 students every day.

JOSH REYNOLDS FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE

A better year for Boston school bus arrivals

Boston school buses — chronically late last year, prompting a barrage of criticism — are increasingly arriving on time this fall.

Medicare payment changes draw fire

Neurologists in Boston and nationwide are objecting to a plan that would pay them less for certain diagnostic tests, a change meant to cut Medicare costs.

As residences rise, downtown builds a new vitality

The construction of residential towers is transforming Boston’s long-struggling downtown area into a full-blown neighborhood.

Former DJ’s interviews with stars set to go public

Chelsea native Joe Smith donated tapes of over 200 hours of interviews with various legends of rock music to the Library of Congress.

Tale of the tapes

Chelsea native Joe Smith’s archive of interviews for the Library of Congress tells the story of rock ‘n’ roll.

Dan Shaughnessy

BC fired its football coach and nobody cares

We are sports-crazed Bostonians, blissfully unaware why the rest of the country makes such a big deal out of college football.

A class at the Advaita Meditation Center in Waltham.

G Cover

Meditation can improve your health

Researchers have reported positive results from meditation in a wide range of ailments, including heart disease, weight management, and chronic pain.

Shopping apps help ease the pain

The best apps for smartphones and tablets are as useful inside the mall as for shopping online.

Globe Santa

Son, 7, bravely helps mother fight cancer

Today’s letter to Globe Santa tells of a couple and their son, who have been faced with job losses and a cancer diagnosis over the past two years.

Boston Globe ePaper

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The complete print edition, in its exact layout. Browse the print edition page by page, including stories and ads.

Globe Insiders

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//c.o0bg.com/rf/image_90x90/Boston/2011-2020/2012/11/19/BostonGlobe.com/Special/Images/craftbostonsquare12H.jpg Craftboston Holiday in the Boston Center for the Arts

Craftboston Holiday at the Cyclorama in the Boston Center for the Arts, December 7-9, 2012

Globe exclusives

The Grinch and Young Max the dog in the touring show of “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The Musical,” at the Citi Wang Theatre.

Stage Review

Overstuffed ‘Grinch’ still gets message across

In Practice

Using humor in the doctor’s office
Boston Ballet’s Paulo Arrais and Kathleen Breen Combes (above) and Jeffrey Cirio (below right) in rehearsal last week.

Dance Review

A shimmering ‘Nutcracker’ from Boston Ballet

How to donate to Globe Santa
Christina and Tony Loftis of Wayland are sharing what they have learned about using social media to find runaways.

Runaway’s parents seek to help others

Masterpieces on loan leave MFA walls lacking
Jets owner Woody Johnson has to first decide whether he believes in Rex Ryan as a coach.

Sunday Football Notes

Here is how the Jets can get back on course
Lindsay Bogar (left), Rachel Shepard, and Lexi Swartz frolicked in the snow on Loon Mountain on Saturday in Lincoln, N.H.

Will the New England ski season fall short again?
Ten-month-old Amara plays at home in Billerica with mom Kate Mazzola and her surrogate, Courtneylee Martinez.

globe magazine

A lasting surrogacy bond
George Wendt and Shelley Long

10 holiday TV movies: the real and the surreal
Isabelle Huppert, Kris Kristofferson in “Heaven’s Gate.”

Ty Burr revisits ‘Heaven’s Gate’

book review

‘Flight Behavior’ by Barbara Kingsolver

Sports

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Celtics 116, Magic 110

Rajon Rondo (15 points, 16 assists, 9 rebounds) beats Josh McRoberts in the second half.

Celtics outlast the Magic in OT

The Celtics played well enough to win in overtime, 116-110, beating the rebuilding Magic for their second consecutive win.

Metro

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Those at the “What If Sandy Happened Here?” forum contemplated the havoc climate change could cause in the Boston area.

Sandy’s ruin prompts climate-change forum

Those at the “What If Sandy Happened Here?” forum contemplated the havoc climate change could cause in the Boston area.

Columnists

Adrian Walker

Tim Cahill’s real mistake

James Carroll

The Earth experiment
“Naked cushion triple earrings” range from $1,109 to $1,688.

INNOVATION ECONOMY

Jewelry maker’s earrings a star on ‘Oprah’

Dan Shaughnessy

BC fired its football coach and nobody cares
49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick stepped in for the concussed Alex Smith and was brilliant.

Christopher L. Gasper

Fact is, injuries can cost you a job in sports

Jeff Jacoby

Warren’s welcome farm-subsidy stance
Lieutenant Governor Tim Murray

Joan Vennochi

Tim Murray’s delusional ambitions

Beverly Beckham

Ken Burns’s Christmas present for all
The Boston Innovation Center, now being built on Northern Avenue, is set to open in the spring. It will be the first structure in Seaport Square.

Innovation Economy

Innovation Center must make effort to energize Seaport

Lawrence Harmon

Kids’ CSI: Evidence of a great idea
The 300-square-feet micro units include just enough space for a kitchenette, bathroom, bed alcove, counter seating, built-in shelving, and bicycle hanger.

Renée Loth

Micro units: Perfect pad, imperfect price

Boston Capital

Reasons to back Amazon deal

Nation & World

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Karen Golinski (left), a federal employee, has sued to add her wife, Amy Cunninghis, to her health insurance plan.

High court to consider taking gay marriage cases

The Supreme Court may decide this week whether to take up challenges next year to the federal Defense of Marriage Act.

Politics

POLITICAL NOTEBOOK

Senator Lindsey Graham had previously signed on to the pledge not to raise taxes.

Lindsey Graham, Peter King may break tax pledge

Senator Graham said he would be willing to violate the “Taxpayer Protection Pledge” and Rep. King said the pledge may be outdated.

Business

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Black Friday ‘‘is certainly not dead,’’ said the National Retail Federation’s chief, but ‘‘it’s starting to spread out.’’

As options expand, Black Friday sales slip

After spending years to make Black Friday into the year’s blockbuster shopping day, retailers undercut themselves this year.

Arts

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Book Review

Caleb Carr, a military scholar, crafts a vivid ancient world in “The Legend of Broken.’’

‘The Legend of Broken’ by Caleb Carr

Carr, a military scholar, crafts a vivid ancient world in “The Legend of Broken.”

Health and wellness

Daily Dose

Avoid holiday overspending by planning ahead

Stacey Tisdale, author of “The True Cost of Happiness,’’ has these tips to avoid overspending.

Magazine

The cover for the November 25 2012 issue

One Direction + Drew Brees = A social media goldmine for Pepsi
The cover for the November 18 2012 issue

7 holiday styles that shine
The cover for the November 11 2012 issue

Vacation options for single seniors and gays and lesbians
The cover for the November 4 2012 issue

How to be a New England vegetarian in winter

Opinion

“Even for the handful summoned to the Cabinet Room on a regular basis, it is a request that can eventually take on the aura of a holiday fruitcake. The thought is very much appreciated, but the taste remains far removed from the flowery and festive exterior.”

John E. Sununu 

Ideas

“To its fans in the plastics industry, and there are many, the supermarket shopping bag—or ‘T-shirt bag,’ as it’s known in the business—is a triumph of cost-effective engineering.”

Leon Neyfakh 

“Dylan, Streisand, Paul McCartney, Artie Shaw, I got them all to talk. Well, that’s pretty good.”

Former record executive and DJ Joe Smith