Chelsea’s housing boss was rarely on the job
Michael E. McLaughlin, who abruptly resigned as Chelsea housing director last month after his $360,000 salary was revealed, put in only 15 full workdays in Chelsea all year.
JONATHAN WIGGS/GLOBE STAFF
Safe exit for last US troops out of Iraq
Weary of the war’s sacrifice, but proud they gave democracy a chance, the last unit out of the country reflects on nine long, hard years.
For Iowa’s evangelicals, no clear GOP favorite
There is no consensus this time among this faith community — except perhaps to support anyone but former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney.
Bus 19
Brothers seek a way up and out
George and Johnny Huynh want a better life — and they believe they can get it through school. They have to. It’s the only thing in their control.
A fir pines to make the yuletide cut
I am one of 10,000 evergreens that grow on 10 acres at Vandervalk Tree Farm in Mendon, a small town beyond the southwestern reaches of Interstate 495.
Two communities are worlds apart
With their different economic pictures, Sherborn and Springfield illustrate the growing financial inequality in Massachusetts.
“They’re living on the side of a cliff, and any moment they can slip.”
Emmett Folgert, a mentor to Dorchester teens George and Johnny Huynh
Inside The Boston Globe
Columnists
Metro
Final ride at Santa’s Land
After 54 years, the Christmas theme park of colorful cottages, zoo animals, and retro attractions that has hosted generations of children and their families, is closing today.
Business
ON THE JOB
The pop-up store: retail’s proving ground
Mika Nakafuji, a native of Japan, is testing the market in Boston for handmade, ethnic home accessories while fulfilling a dream of being her own boss.
Politics
Mitt Romney endorsed by Des Moines Register
The endorsement from Iowa’s largest newspaper could help Romney in central Iowa, an area where he didn’t fare as well four years ago.
Nation & World
In Libya, US defense chief offers aid
Leon Panetta became the first defense secretary to visit Tripoli as he tried to assess the challenges facing the postrevolutionary government.
Sports
Celtics’ Green needs heart surgery
The Celtics yesterday revealed that small forward Jeff Green will miss the season after doctors discovered an aortic aneurysm that will require surgery.
Books
Best poetry books of 2011
A good epic poem is hard to come by these days, and it’s not just due to our kitten-like attention spans that there aren’t more of them out there.
Travel
EXPLORE NEW ENGLAND
5 family-friendly New England trips for winter break
Here are a few places where you can keep the whole family amused next week.
Arts
Steven Spielberg on the making of ‘War Horse’
After reading the book and then seeing the award-winning play, the acclaimed director purchased the rights to “War Horse,” his new movie opening Christmas Day.
Opinion
“Keeping a safe distance from the Occupy movement may be smart politics, but it isn’t brave or far-sighted politics.”
Joan Vennochi
Ideas
As tempting as it might be to imagine the Christmas trees we see today in public parks and central plazas as a quaint relic of small town life, it turns out that our modern public trees have politics woven right into their roots.
Leon Neyfakh