One fund changing mission

One Fund Boston will pay out millions in its last disbursement to the survivors and the families of those killed in the Boston Marathon bombings before transitioning to a fund supporting programs rather than individuals.

The fund will distribute the $19 million in its coffers — and any donations made before July 30 — to victims later this year, One Fund spokeswoman Dot Joyce said.

"The One Fund was created to be a fund to collect the generosity of the world and distribute that quickly," Joyce said. "It has fulfilled that mission and it is clear the programming and services would be helpful to continue the healing of the community."

The fund is asking for public comment on how decisions on the final payments will be made. Applications will be reviewed beginning in August.

After the final round of payments, One Fund "will no longer be a fund for distributing money" to individuals, Joyce said. Instead, the fund will be used for "support services," including programs for those affected by the bombings.

Those programs will be run by a third party to provide care for "invisible wounds," including tinnitus, hearing loss, mental health problems, PTSD and traumatic brain injury, according to One Fund.

"The effectiveness of direct financial distributions for these injuries is difficult to determine," One Fund said in a draft protocol for the second disbursement. "We believe that addressing these needs through innovative programming will be a better way to facilitate meaningful long-term assistance."

Roughly 2 percent of the money One Fund has received will be used to pay for a medical collaboration between health care providers in the area.

"We're working very closely with the hospital community," Joyce said.

Joyce said the fund's staff will eventually trim down as the organization makes the transition, likely by the end of the year.

One Fund paid out nearly $61 million in the first round of disbursements months after last year's bombings, which killed three people and injured more than 260.

Two Boston brothers yesterday were found guilty of making a fake $2 million claim to One Fund. Brandon Mattier, 23, and Domunique Grice, 28, said their aunt had lost both legs in the attack, but One Fund suspected their claim was false and referred it to the attorney general's office. The investigation revealed their aunt had died a decade ago.

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Nuclear industry explores accident-resistant fuel

ATLANTA — Researchers are trying to make the fuel in nuclear power plants safer during extreme accidents.

The U.S. government increased funding for the research effort after the 2011 accident at the Fukushima Dai-ichi plant in Japan showed the problems with existing fuel.

Nuclear fuel comes in pellets about the size of a fingertip. Those pellets are stacked into rods up to 15 feet high. Each rod is wrapped in a sheath of metal alloy called cladding. During an extreme accident, the alloy can release explosive hydrogen gas and create excess heat.

Tougher cladding might give nuclear plants more time before a bad situation turns into a meltdown.

Researchers are exploring ways to protectively coat the cladding, make it self-healing or even replace it with ceramics.

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Whole Foods says recalled beef free of mad cow

Whole Foods Market yesterday recalled a recall.

The Austin, Texas-based natural and organic grocery chain said possibly tainted beef products recalled Thursday by a Missouri company did not affect shipments to its stores.

"Following notification from our supplier ... Whole Foods Market immediately launched an in-depth investigation," Whole Foods spokeswoman Heather McCready said in a statement. "We now have official documentation confirming that the cattle in question destined for our stores were in fact not at risk for BSE, as they were all under 30 months of age."

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced Fruitland American Meat's recall of approximately 4,012 pounds of fresh beef products, including bone-in ribeye roasts, because they could contain parts of the nervous system that can carry properties related to bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or mad cow disease. Those parts are required to be removed from cattle 30 months of age and older as a precaution.

Fruitland had advised the USDA that the roasts had been distributed to a New York City restaurant and a Whole Foods distribution center in Connecticut that services New England stores, including 27 in Massachusetts.

"It is unfortunate the processor could not confirm accurate information at the time, but we fully support the issuance of the USDA …voluntary recall to quickly address the issue out of an abundance of caution," McCready said.

BSE is fatal to cows and can cause a fatal human brain disease in people who eat tainted beef, but the USDA said there was no indication the slaughtered cattle showed signs of BSE.

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World Cup viewership up 8 percent in US

NEW YORK — Television viewership of the World Cup's opening game in the United States was up 8 percent over 2010, due to increased interest in ESPN's English-language telecast.

The Nielsen company said Friday that 9.5 million people in the U.S. watched Brazil's tournament-opening victory over Croatia, compared to the 8.8 million who saw Mexico take on South Africa in 2010's first game.

Univision's Spanish-language audience of 5.1 million was down from the 5.9 million who watched in 2010. That's not a surprise, given the game four years ago involved Mexico, and a large percentage of Univision's audience is of Mexican descent.

ESPN's opening day audience Thursday was 4.4 million, up 55 percent from the 2.9 million who watched in 2010.

Facebook said that some 58 million people worldwide posted messages about the first game, 16 million of them in the host country of Brazil, which won the game.

Twitter said that more than 12.2 million tweets were sent about the first day's match during the live telecast. Neymar was the most tweeted-about player for Brazil, and he gained 165,000 followers.

The sport's governing body FIFA said the opening match attracted record audiences for the year in Europe.

German broadcaster ZDF's coverage of Brazil's victory reached 15.9 million viewers, the biggest TV audience of 2014 so far in Germany. The match in São Paulo also drew in the biggest sports television audiences for 2014 in the United Kingdom, France and Italy.

ITV's live match broadcast in the UK was watched by 10.7 million people - 6.4 million more than the opening game from the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. RAI 1 in Italy broadcast the match to an audience of 9.1 million while coverage from TF1 in France reached 8.7 million viewers.

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Tundra’s great take on cargo

The Tundra SR5, Toyota's workhorse pickup truck, takes driving big cargo to a new level.

Whether in the city or on a work site, the 381-horsepower, 5.7-liter iForce V8 engine commands the road — it is the "Big Dog." Pulling into traffic and passing on the highway can be done with authority and with power to spare.

The Tundra's steering wheel-mounted shifter makes downshifting a breeze, taking some stress off the brakes and giving you more control in turns. Its big 8-foot, 1-inch-long bed is perfect for cargo, easily fitting sheetrock, plywood, mulch or anything else you're hauling. The Tundra is right at home in the lumber yard, in the backyard or the garden center.

With the test vehicle's Radiant Red paint showing significant wear after 9,000 miles, the need for a bed liner seems obvious unless you wear your scratches like a badge of honor.

Spartan, but well thought out, the Tundra's interior has some decent optional features such as a built-in 7-inch high definition touchscreen Entune GPS and Bluetooth, but lacks heated seats, lumbar support, and interior storage. A middle seat folds down next to the driver, but lacks decent storage for a cellphone and a 12-volt charging receptacle.

You may need a step ladder to climb into this vehicle, especially if some of your precious cargo includes kids who take it as a challenge to climb Mount Tundra. Even the driver may need some assistance as there is no handle and no step to help you in.

Getting used to this behemoth takes a while and squeezing into those tight parking spots in parking garages will take some practice. And with the double cab and long bed extending this truck to almost 20 feet 8 inches, you can pretty much forget about parallel parking this beast. The width and the extra row of seating makes this a very roomy vehicle.

The good news is with all of the extra cargo space you can carry plenty of extra gasoline — and you may need it as it burns 13 miles per gallon in the city, 17 on the highway.

The Tundra, with a suggested retail price of $37,101 as tested, comes standard with a 2-inch receiver hitch. Both 7-pin and 4-pin trailer wiring hook-ups sit side by side on the rear bumper with weather protective housings.

Switching to four-wheel-drive was simple — especially compared to the recently reviewed 4Runner — as was getting into tow mode. Side view mirrors set further away from the vehicle make sense after you figure out how to set them up and help you to see what you are towing.

The bottom line: this Tundra is a tough truck that likes to take on tasks.

2014 Tundra SR5

• MSRP: $34,345
• As Tested: $37,101
• MPG: 13 city, 17 highway

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River beckons just outside new Danvers condo

This new townhouse condo along the Porter ­River in Danvers is designed for boaters as it includes a 35-foot boat slip right outside the door.

Unit 7 at Mariners Point at 58 River St. is one of 11 new units in four buildings being built on the two-acre site of a former marina. All have attached garages, covered back porches with water views and boat slips. The energy-efficient units have beige Hardiplank siding and architectural-grade Pella windows and glass sliders. Window moldings and other woodwork is also high quality.

The three-bedroom model Unit 7 has 2,353 square feet of living space on two levels with red oak flooring, and is listed for $775,000.

The unit has a small entry porch and front door that opens into a recessed-lit kitchen with antique white cabinets with serpentine trim, a wine rack and St. Cecilia granite counters with a glass-mosaic tile backsplash. There's a center island, a pantry/coat closet and stainless-steel GE Cafe appliances.

The large, open dining/living area has recessed and contemporary light fixtures and there's a gas fireplace with a black granite hearth in the living room.

A wall of windows and a sliding glass door lead out to a columned private back porch with river views. There will be a grassy common yard around the buildings, new granite and cement seawalls and boat slips.

Behind the living/dining area is a ceramic half bath, a washer/dryer hookup and direct access to a one-car garage.

A red oak staircase leads to three bedrooms on the second floor, off a hallway with a laundry closet with a stacked Samsung washer/dryer. The recessed-lit master bedroom suite has three large windows with river views, three closets with built-in closet systems and a bathroom with white Carrara marble vanity top, floors, walls and walk-in shower, plus a deep soaking tub.

The two other bedrooms are decent-sized with a second full bathroom with tumbled marble floors and tub/shower walls with glass-mosaic tile inlays.

The unit has two zones of gas-fired heating and central air conditioning. There's a private parking space in front of the garage, plus about a dozen visitor spaces.

The condo does not have a basement, but is built out of the flood zone so flood insurance should not be required.

Home showcase

• Address: 58 River St., Mariners Point, Unit 7, Danvers
• Bedrooms: Three
• Bathrooms: Two full, one half
• List price: $775,000
• Square feet: 2,353
• Price per square foot: $329
• Annual taxes: To be determined
• Monthly condo fee: $337
• Location: One mile to retail and restaurants in Danvers Square
• Built in: 2013-14
• Broker: Francine Cecieta of 
J Barrett & Co. at 978-808-0704

Pros:

• Private back porch looks out to river and boat slip
• Red oak floors, Pella windows, quality doors and moldings throughout
• Open kitchen dining/living area with 9-foot ceilings, wall of windows facing river
• Master bedroom suite with three closets, Carrara marble bathroom

Cons

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Experts: Gas prices will rise

Gas prices in the United States will continue to rise as OPEC's second-largest oil producer fends off total collapse at the hands of extremists, experts say.

The price of oil rose to $107 yesterday as the crisis in Iraq reached a fever pitch. Oil prices rose more than 4 percent this week alone, and experts are worried the continued violence could have an ongoing effect on prices at the pump.

"The violence and turmoil in Iraq is already affecting oil prices and have boosted the price to a 10-month high," said Mary McGuire, director of public and legislative affairs at AAA Southern New England. "It's likely that we'll see an increase this week or the week after at the pump as the result of our new oil prices."

Fear in oil-producing countries can have a drastic effect on the bottom dollar.

"It creates something called the rift premium, and that is the premium you add to the price of oil or gasoline based on the fact that there is a fear that there will be a disruption or supply of oil and gasoline," McGuire said. "When we see turmoil in Iraq it has an impact, and that's what we're coping with."

Americans can expect a 7-cent increase at the pump within the next two weeks, based on the ever-increasing price of crude oil, according to Mike Montgomery, a U.S. economist. Whether that price rises more depends on whether Iraq stabilizes.

"It could turn into a chronic, nasty struggle between factions," Montgomery said.

If the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria — known as ISIS — wants to take power in Iraq, they're going to want the money from the oil fields, Montgomery said. For now, there's "total uncertainty" surrounding the conflict, he added.

That uncertainty causes the market to react.

"Iraq is not trivial in the world oil market," Montgomery said. "It's a matter of how fast the market can get a handle on how long the supplies could be affected."

President Obama yesterday said the United States would not be "dragged back" into military action in Iraq as long as leaders in Baghdad refuse to reform a political system that has left the country vulnerable.

Obama ruled out putting American troops on the ground, but said he was considering a range of other options drawn up by the Pentagon.

Administration officials said those options include strikes using drones or manned aircraft, as well as boosting surveillance and intelligence gathering.

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MGM gets first Mass. casino license

MGM is the state's first official casino operator, pending the outcome of efforts to repeal the state's casino law.

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission yesterday voted unanimously to grant MGM a license for its $800 million casino, hotel and entertainment and shopping complex in downtown Springfield.

"People are hungry to work," Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno said.

MGM estimates the project will bring 3,000 permanent jobs and 2,000 construction jobs to Springfield.

MGM will pay the $85 million licensing fee only after the state Supreme Judicial Court decides whether a referendum to repeal the state's casino law can be allowed on the November ballot.

That decision is expected before July 9.

If the court blocks the referendum, MGM would pay the fee in about eight business days.

If the court permits the question, MGM pays only if the referendum is defeated.

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Mohegan Sun can't keep lawsuit documents private

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Mohegan Sun has lost its bid to have certain documents kept out of the public eye in a civil lawsuit over its failed Palmer casino plan.

The Connecticut-based casino operator and its partner in the failed Palmer venture, Northeast Realty Associates, will not be allowed to designate materials "attorneys' eyes only" during the case's discovery process, Hampden Superior Court Judge Richard Carey ruled Friday.

But the judge also ruled that the two sides do not have the right to provide state gambling regulators copies of discovery materials, as Northeast Realty sought.

The judge said the types of materials expected to be the focus of the lawsuit would be "adequately protected" without such confidentiality agreements, which he said are sometimes needed to protect trade secrets and other sensitive information.

Northeast Realty, based in Longmeadow, said in a statement that it was pleased with the decision, which it said will "lead to the production of documents by Mohegan without delay."

Northeast Realty alleges Mohegan Sun violated an exclusivity agreement preventing the casino from pursuing a gambling license anywhere else in Massachusetts other than the 150-plus acres it leased from Northeast. It's seeking monetary damages, an amount to be determined at trial.

Mohegan Sun, which has declined to comment on the lawsuit on previous occasions, denies violating the agreement in its legal filings.

Voters in Palmer rejected Mohegan Sun's casino plan in November 2013. Within weeks, the horse racing track Suffolk Downs announced it reached a deal with Mohegan Sun to operate a casino on the Revere side of its property.

That more than $1 billion proposal is one of two plans vying for the lucrative Boston-area casino license.

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Obama calling on grads to fight climate change

LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. — President Barack Obama is encouraging college graduates to keep up the fight against climate change.

The president is expected to issue a call to action on global warming in a commencement address Saturday at the University of California, Irvine. Earlier this month, he announced a contentious plan to cut pollution from power plants.

While in Orange County, Obama also raised money for the Democratic National Committee at a closed-door fundraiser at the Laguna Beach home of Getty oil heiress Anne Earhart. About 25 people paid up to $32,400 to participate in a roundtable discussion with the president.

He's spending the rest of the Father's Day weekend on vacation at the Rancho Mirage home of White House decorator Michael Smith and his partner, U.S. Ambassador to Spain James Costos.

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