Retailers Ask Legislature for E-Commerce Sales Tax

Today is Thursday, April 7. Here are five things you need to know today.

1. Something interesting is afoot on Beacon Hill that could impact those of us who like to shop online. E-commerce sites like Amazon and Zappos offer some amazing deals, but they also create un-level playing field for local (small) retailers. A group of those local retailers are lobbying the Legislature to this end – and asking the state to collect a sales tax from online businesses. It’s a paradox for anyone who is a serious supporter of local business but who also likes to scan the web for bargains. There’s got to be some middle ground. Maybe this proposal at the Statehouse will get us closer to it. You can read more about the issue in the Globe.

2. Ever since I saw a clip of Dennis Taylor, a 15-year-old from the neighborhood with a set of pipes appropriate for someone at least 20 years his senior, I’ve been wanting to do a story on him in Patch. That day finally came yesterday, when our contributor Rhiannon D’Angelo featured him in a . There’s no doubt in my mind that Dennis is destined for some spectacular success. If you like soul and old R&B (heck, even if you don’t), check out this story about Dennis and – here’s the important part – . Big thanks to Dennis, his mom Michelle and Rhiannon for putting this story together.

3. And may I direct you to one more story you may have missed: This Sunday , a long-time Charlestown resident, will be leading a team called Susie’s Doozies at the MS Society Walk along the Charles. Susie’s lived with MS for 25 years – and her health is a testament to the medical breakthroughs we’ve seen in the last couple of decades that support people with the disease. She’s trying to raise $2,500 this year and bring a group of townies with her on the walk. If you can pitch in or want to hear more about her story, . Susie says thanks to everyone who’s already donated.

4. It’s Thursday: Charlestown Live night. Guest host Kathy Giordano will be talking with Joe Cianciarulo, adult education director at the Charlestown Community Center. The show airs live on BNN-TV Channel 9 tonight at 6:30 p.m. It airs again on Saturday at 8 p.m. and Monday at 10:30 a.m.

5. The forecast? More of the same. A slight chance of showers in the morning, but mostly sunny otherwise with a high near 45.

For more info on what's happening around the neighborhood, check out our events calendar.