By Bob Katzen

The House approved and sent to the Senate a bill that would designate the Jurassic Armored Mud Ball (JAMB) as the official sedimentary structure of the state.

Supporters said that these mud balls are one of the rarest sedimentary structures in the world, representing a unique geologic environment and are only easily seen in Massachusetts. They noted that they can be found in Greenfield, Turners Falls, Gill and Deerfield. They noted that famous Greenfield native and magician, Penn Jillette of Penn and Teller once said, “I may live in Las Vegas and travel the world, but my armored mud balls will always be in Greenfield. Let’s protect them.”

Richard Little, Professor Emeritus of Greenfield Community College is leading the fight to preserve and publicize the JAMB. “The intriguing and amusingly named armored mud balls formed as mud rolled down flooding streams and became coated with pebbles – the armor,” said Little. “These sedimentary structures are so rare that, in the whole world, they are only easily seen in the red sedimentary rocks of the Connecticut River Valley of Massachusetts. Officially celebrating them as one of Massachusetts’ symbols, will preserve them for future generations. After all, they are in the same Jurassic rock layers as our State Dinosaur (Podokesaurus) and State Fossil (Dino Footprints). That is why I am leading a working group of scientists and citizens to preserve these rare features.”

Rep. Susannah Whipps (U-Athol), the sponsor of the bill, did not respond to repeated attempts by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking her why she filed the measure and how she feels about its passage.

ALCOHOL DONATIONS FOR CHARITIES (H 5351) – The Senate approved legislation that would allow local licensing authorities to issue temporary licenses to charities in order for the charities to accept donations of wine, beer and alcohol for their charitable events. These licenses were previously allowed under 1997 legislation, but the authorization has since expired.

In April, the House approved a different version of the bill and the Senate version now goes to the House for consideration.

“As the Senate Chair of the Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure, I worked with Senate colleagues on this legislation once it was passed by the House,” said Sen. Pavel Payano (D-Lawrence). “This bill would permanently codify the ability for local licensing authorities to issue and regulate temporary licenses for charitable organizations to serve alcohol at their events. We look forward to working with our House colleagues to finalize the legislation.”

“Today, more than ever, nonprofits are in need of charitable donations to stay afloat,” said sponsor Rep. Joan Meschino (D-Hull) when a different version of the measure was approved by the House in April. “This bill would allow for safe and regulated alcohol licensure for nonprofits in order to raise revenue at charity events by partnering with alcohol manufacturers, wholesalers or retailers.”