Needham Ground Round abruptly closes its doors

In the end, the Mass. Turnpike — and its toll-payers — came out with half a bailout and a study group, which may be the best possible outcome.

Despite school officials’ confidence that the Newman School will be “a building that’s healthy and safe,” some parents fear the schools chosen for the contingency plan also suffer from heating and ventilation problems.

Behind his couch — also orange with arms like tree stumps — there’s a collection of books on Native American life. From his window, Muzi, 77, can see Highland Avenue, past the rows of cars in his lot — a business his immigrant father built — and the flow of traffic on Route 128. The history of various cultures and tribes intrigues him, always has, but he can’t pinpoint the reason. He just shrugs.

When John Grabowski turns 50 this year, the occasion will be more momentous than a typical birthday. When that day comes, Grabowski, the country office director of Mozambique for the international charity organization Save the Children, will have spent 25 years of his life in the United States and the other 25 in Africa.