Today the Boston Marathon bombers were identified as Tamerln Tsarnaev (26) and his brother Dzhokhar Tsarnaev (19). A huge manhunt for these two is underway in reaction to the serious nature of their crimes and the threat that they continue to pose. Last night the two brothers robbed a 7/11 store and hijacked a car. Sadly they also shot and killed an MIT security guard. At about 3am this morning, Tamerlan Tsarnaev was shot dead in a fire-fight with SWAT teams but the younger brother (Dzhokhar) escaped into the suburbs and into the night. The drama of the search for him continued to unfold throughout the day and the tension, in this city and throughout the entire North East was palpable.
Tonight we had dinner at a fantastic Provençal Restaurant (called ‘Pastis’) down in the Village. We had arranged to meet up with one of Peter’s old friends from his days at the Hong Kong Football Club. In his 30 year career in the Far East Howard Meitiner proved to be a very successful businessman. He started his career as a record salesman with Debenhams on Oxford Street in London and was then head hunted to DFS Hong Kong.
But he is no longer involved in the cut throat world of business. Instead he now chooses to give back to the world and is the CEO of Phoenix House, a leading non-profit provider of substance abuse treatment services since 1967. The Phoenix House programs are tailored to meet the needs of each individual client, and they are renowned world wide for their willingness to embrace new research-tested treatment methods and practices.
They run more than 120 programs in California, Florida, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, Texas, Vermont, and Virginia and Metro D.C. all of which are designed to lead individuals and families affected by addiction from disruptive to productive lives. They welcome clients from every level of society and address an array of problems.
They work with kids at risk, support clients in recovery, and offer a wide range of treatment options for adults and teens, as well as additional services such as vocational training and arts therapy. Their strong networks on Facebook and Twitter extend beyond treatment to support their entire recovery community. It was inspiring to talk to Howard and to learn more about Phoenix House. We hope to actually go out with him on a visit to some of their NY treatment centres early next month.
I’m thinking of starting a blog – things that should be invented……first request would be a flashing light for the vehicle of those who need to get to an emergency but are not first responder vehicles like fire brigade/police/ambulance!! Do you think say obstetricians or doctors on call might appreciate this? 
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