Five Things: Mass Ave. McDonald's Gets a Facelift

Update: The Brahmin just informed us that it has delayed its "lunch launch" for the time being. We'll be sure to let you know when lunch service begins at the new Stanhope Street restaurant.

1. Clouds in the morning followed by partly sunny skies this afternoon. Temps in the upper 70s (it's still summer, right?)

2. The McDonald's on Mass Ave. has a brand new look. Among other improvements, the restaurant now sports a side-by-side drive-thru, free wifi and flat screen tvs. To celebrate the end of construction, restaurant execs presented a check to Mason Elementary School during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday. Customers will also enjoy food specials through September 30.

3. The Brahmin is now open for lunch. The new Stanhope Street resto started serving a menu featuring an eclectic array of seasonal salads, small plates, signature sandwiches and gourmet flatbread pizzas. Let's hope it's as good as , which our restaurant reviewers raved about.

4. The governor announced this week that the state's Department of Environmental Protection has completed its three-year project to retrofit 2,114 diesel-powered school buses that serve 300 communities. According to a press release, "MassCleanDiesel “Clean Air for Kids” is the nation’s first fully-funded statewide voluntary program to reduce air pollution from school buses." The program cost $16.5 million, paid for by state and federal funds provided by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation.

The improved bus fleet is expected to reduce particulate matter emissions by about 1.5 tons per year, hydrocarbon emissions by 5.4 tons per year and carbon monoxide emissions by 20.3 tons per year.

5. The governor also announced the marriage of his daughter Sarah Baker Patrick to Marco Morgese this week. The governor officiated at the wedding, which was held Sunday at the family's farm in Richmond, according to a statement released by Patrick's office. A celebration is planned for family and friends next summer.