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January WWW.FENWAYNEWS.org 2013

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serving the , Kenmore Square, upper Back Bay, Prudential, Longwood Area & Mission Hill since 1974 volume 39, number 1 DECEMBER 27, 2012-JANUARY 31, 2013

Topping-off Moves Berklee Dorm Goal Closer Task Force Members Feel Left Out as Northeastern Readies IMP Filing By Stephen Brophy on campus. As a result they spread out and ortheastern University has been occupy a big proportion of rental apartments meeting with a task force of in the Fenway and Mission Hill. This not only representatives from the Fenway, drives up the rents in these neighborhoods, Mission Hill, and Lower Roxbury but it has also driven up overall property asN it prepares to file its new Institutional values, making it much more difficult to buy a Master Plan (IMP). The most recent meeting residential building on Mission Hill now than took place on December 20, and task force it was 15 or 20 years ago. members reportedly joined some city Councilor Mike Ross, who lives on councilors to express some dissatisfaction Mission Hill, criticized the school for the with the situation. many promises it has made to rectify this The IMP is part of the price institutions situation, promises that have not yet come pay for being located in . The Boston to fruition. Councilor Jeff Sanchez, who Redevelopment Authority (BRA) requires represents part of the Back of the Hill section every university and hospital to file an of Mission Hill, joined Ross in this criticism. IMP outlining the institution’s plans for its Both argued that the university needs to physical plant for the next decade. The IMP become more transparent in its dealings becomes a public reference document on the with surrounding communities; that it follow institution’s plans and a blueprint for its future through on plans for community benefits Early last month Berklee College of Music “topped off” the stell framing for its 16-story physical growth. When an IMP expires, promised in previous IMP filings; and that it building under construction at 160 Avenue. When the building opens institutions can find it difficult to get licenses upgrade the priority of on-campus housing in for the fall semester this year, Berklee will mark a milestone: housing all of its entering and permission to do even the most basic of the latest filing. students for the first time. In addition to expected dorm features—370 beds, practice improvements until they submit a new one. While the perennial problem of students rooms, common rooms, a fitness center and a dining hall—the building will add some Northeastern currently operates under in the rental market was rehashed, Task Force only-at-Berklee bells and whistles, such as a performance space, recording studios, a 2000 IMP, as amended five times and members reported being more concerned that and music technology spaces. The ground floor will contain retail space, and the entire extended through the end of 2012. The first the university had filed its Project Notification project carries a $100 million price tag. five years of the university’s new plan stresses Form (PNF)—the first step toward BRA on-campus construction, largely of academic approval of the IMP—without giving the and scientific buildings. It defers construction group a chance to review it. Although this of dorms, planned as mixed use, to the filing had to happen by the end of the year, second five-year segment. the Task Force has been meeting since spring, Regina Pizzeria Buys Upper Crust’s West Fens Assets As the university has expanded, it and many members were annoyed by this has come into increasing conflict with its situation. They were even more annoyed Good news—maybe—for Fenway pizza fans: The shuttered Upper Crust location on West neighbors because it hasn’t made sufficient that the current document no longer covers will reopen under the Regina Pizzeria moniker after Boston Restaurant provision for enough of its students to live Northeastern task force on page 3 > Associates bid $175,000 for the location lease and equipment in a bankruptcy auction held on December 19. Upper Crust, once the darling of Boston foodies, began to unravel in 2008 when employees accused the firm’s management of exploiting Brazilian kitchen workers by violating employment laws on working hours and overtime. The workers later sued the firm for siphoning from their paychecks the overtime pay Upper Crust had been Pulling Out All the Stops at St. Cecilia ordered to pay. As investigations of that allegation continued, the ownership group had a falling out, alleging the founding member diverted corporate funds for his private use, depriving the firm of money it needed to pay suppliers, landlords and other creditors. Now for the “maybe” part: Regina Pizzeria, long known as an authentic North End pizzeria, has refocused its business on shopping-mall food courts. How will that model jibe with Upper Crust’s gourmet aspirations? Stay tuned.

Nice Work if You Can Get It Two of Boston’s most prominent institutions of higher learning—both with campuses that reach into the Fenway—paid their presidents more than $1 million salary in 2009- 2010. The information comes from a nationwide Chronicle of Higher Education survey of presidential pay at private colleges with budgets of more than $50 million. Northeastern’s Joseph Aoun earned just under $1.1 million in 2010, a figure that includes bonuses and incentive pay worth about $165,000. BU’s Robert Brown also pulled down close to $1.1 million, although that figure includes the value of the president’s university-supplied house in its calculations, and a five-bedroom “mansion” (to use ’s term) Brookline would not come cheap. According to the Chronicle, of nearly 500 institutions surveyed, 36 paid their presidents more than $1 million in 2010.

Honors to East Fenway’s Kamal for Work on Renewable Energy Massachusetts Interfaith Power & Light honored a local hero at its tenth anniversary on October 28 at First Church in , Unitarian Universalist. East Fenway resident Sajed Kamal received the group’s the Rachel Carson Award for over 25 years of working to educate the world about the importance of moving from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources. MIP&L advocates environmental stewardship and renewable-energy use among tfaith communities across the state.

Peterborough Seniors Donate to Center for Homeless Veterans Charlene Pontbriand, liaison for the New England Center for Homeless Veterans accepted a check in mid-December from the Peterborough Senior Center. Matti Kniva Spencer and Maria Rodriguez staged a fund-raising breakfast at the center in December, with all proceeds going towards the homeless shelter. In addition to the check, the seniors baked wonderful homemade cookies, for the homeless vets to enjoy.

Chang-Díaz Receives National Education Award Organist Richard Clark was a happy man on Christmas Day after performing on a On November 29, State Senator Sonia Chang-Díaz received the 2012 Walter G. Turner newly installed second-hand console organ in the choir loft of St. Cecilia Church. A Award from the National Association of Educational Service Agencies (AESA). Chang- fund-raising drive began in September to replace a worn-out console dating from Díaz and her Education Committee co-chair, Rep. Alice Peisch of Wellesley, were honored 1929 with a used but technologically up-to-date model. Parishioners responded for their work reforming the state’s system of education collaboratives. The collaboratives generously to the fund-raising campaign that began September, raising $24,000— allow school districts to pool resources to achieve shared goals, such as serving severe-need double the original goal—and doing it quickly enough to assure installation by special education students or professional development for teachers. State officials and Christmas. The replacement console came from an Aeolian-Skinner organ at the the public called for immediate action last fall after investigations by the state auditor and Episcopal Cathedral of St. Phillip in Atlanta. Timothy E. Smith installed the retrofit Neighborhood newsline on page 3 > for the 1999 Smith & Gilbert Organ, which he designed and built.. 2 | FENWAY NEWS | January 2013

On December 18, at about 7:20am, olf Boston Police responding to a call found the body of a deceased male seated on a bench in the Fens near the Fire Police Seek Leads in December 18 Homicide Department’s dispatch center at the photo: steve W top of Westland Avenue. Police set up a crime scene investigation and canvassed nearby residents and schools in search of any information they might have. The Boston Conservatory was asked to submit surveillance videos it might have produced between midnight to 7am. The man was subsequently identified as Stephen D. Hill, 54, of Boston, and BPD confirmed that he died of stab wounds. Boston Police asked that anyone with information that might contribute to the investigation call the Homicide Unit at 617-343-4470. If you wish to report information anonymously, you can call the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 800-494-TIPS or text the word ‘TIP’ to CRIME (27463). The department “will stringently guard and protect the identities of those who wish to remain anonymous.”

GUN THREAT AT BURIED TREASURES sergeant arrived with they spoke with two that a diaper bag, her handbag, and wallet At about 1pm on Dec. 5, District 4 units a firearm-detecting victims who reported had all been stolen from the front foyer of the responded to a radio call about a person dog and searched the store with no success. that they had left their apartment at 4pn. and building. The wallet contained ID and debit with a gun at Buried Treasures, the small The caller said that when he tried to enter returned at about 5:20pm to find the front cards, as well as a green card. The victim storefront at 28 Haviland St. Upon arrival the store he struck the suspect with the door, and balcony doors both ajar. One of them said she had left these items near the front officers arrested and handcuffed a suspect who then blocked it with his foot and opened found a keyboard and bass guitar missing, door for a few minutes while she went back and pat-searched him for weapons. They his jumpsuit at the waist to display a large and reported that $5,000 in cash was taken to an apartment she was visiting to retrieve found a large knife from a pocket of his black firearm tucked into his belt. The suspect from a suitcase, along with studio monitors. her baby and carriage. The officer spoke to jumpsuit and found a set of brass knuckles was arrested for carrying the brass knuckles, The victim told police that the sliding door, a property-management employee to view in another pocket. No firearm was found on and was found to also have two small plastic which leads to Symphony Road, had been left security camera footage of the area. Recorded his person. The suspect stated that he worked bags of marijuana in an inner pocket. He was unsecured. A note from the suspects was left footage seemed to have ceased around Nov. at the store and that he had been involved in issued city ordinance violations for both the behind and turned in as evidence. 6, while live-feed footage was broadcast an incident shortly before the police arrived. knuckles and the drugs. throughout the building’s security system. A He said that he had been approached outside DIAPER BAG STOLEN search of the surrounding area, back alleys, the store by a “happy person” who stuck out MAJOR BURGLARY ON SYMPHONY ROAD On Dec. 4 at about 4:50pm, an officer and dumpsters turned up nothing. his tongue at him as he opened the store for On Dec 17 at about 5:40pm, officers were responding to a larceny call at 76 business. He said he never showed a gun. A called to 49 Symphony Road. Upon arrival, Peterborough St. found a victim who reported ‘Lamented’ Exhibit Opens Window on Bostonians’ Attitudes Toward Death By Steve Wolf an exhibit on a seemingly minor topic into broadens to include national practices after Lincoln’s assassination—created new Death Lamented: The engrossing entry point into an era, a practice, 1800). It provides a glimpse of life in Boston fashions. In fact, Victoria’s lifelong period Tradition of Anglo-American or the development of the nation itself. at a time when a woman might die in child- of formal and public mourning for Prince Mourning Jewelry” reminds This look at the jewelry worn during birth, or disease might carry a child from full Albert (can you even picture her in any color us of something the folks at mourning becomes a survey of the customs health to death in just a few days. other than black?) gave rise to the expectation the‘In Massachusetts Historical Society do that surrounded death and burial in Massa- Boston’s early settlers drew on familiar that any proper widow would progress surpassingly well. They know how to make chusetts in the 17th and 18th centuries (then English traditions, often using funerals to through a two-year period of full, “half,” and showcase a family’s prominence. The Puritans “light” mourning, each with prescribed rules loved their mementos mori, reminders that governing dress—and jewelry. BPL Dissects Iconic Boston Buildings in Five Shows death always lurked around the corner. Rings Industrialization also altered the Rafael Guastavino often bore winged skulls or Latin phrases equation, leading to mourning medals, stands atop vaulted whose meaning boiled down to “Hey, pal, you widely produced to mark Washington’s death arches built with his could easily be next.” (As with most shows in 1799, the young country’s first experience based on the Historical Society’s holdings, with “national” mourning, and extending

_public_library/ tile system in this n 1889 photo of con- the wealthy and the well-connected are to the introduction of early photographs, struction of the Bos- overrepresented here. Who else, after all, had often incorporated into rings and lockets ton Public Library’s the wherewithal to distribute special rings and (sometimes sharing them with, yes, hair). McKim Building gifts to mark a burial?) The beautifully mounted and understat- (view roughly south- In the 1700s, personal sentiment began ed exhibit occupies two modest rooms in the east toward Hunting- to soften a starkly religious view of death. Historical Society building at 1154 Boylston ton Ave.). The library An especially distinctive medium emerged in Street and takes less than half an hour to and Guastavino are this period: locks of the departed’s hair, often view. It draws on the society’s vast reserve of both subjects of shows woven into intricate patterns and showcased documents and objects left by Puritan wor- in the “Building in rings and lockets. Other fashions waxed thies, colonial governors, and, of course, the Boston” series now and waned over the next two centuries, but Adamses, whose papers form a significant

public library via www.flickr.com/photos/bostovia library public this one persisted almost to 1900. holding. For more information about the ex-

n on view at the BPL’s The exhibit traces changing practices in hibit, visit www.masshist.org/exhibitions.

osto Central Branch. See B story on page 5. mourning jewelry and shows how external Steve Wolf lives in the West Fens. “In events—George Washington’s death, Queen Death Lamented” will remain on view Victoria’s mourning for Prince Albert, through January 31.

Financial Education Monthly Workshops Managing Your Finances 101 The Vincita Institute invites you to take a step closer to achieving your > SATURDAY, JANUARY 26, 2013 > 12:30–3:30PM (REGISTRATION 12:30–1:00PM) financial goals by attending afree finance seminar! This workshop series > NORTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY is designed to shed light on many aspects of money management, in 40 LEON STREET order to help participants make better informed financial decisions. WEST VILLAGE, F ROOM 20 > FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE The series will be hosted by Northeastern University CONTACT [email protected] > REGISTER AT HTTP://VINCITA.ORG/ one Saturday of each month through May 2013. MANAGING-YOUR-FINANCES-REGISTRATION FENWAY NEWS | JANUARY 2013 | 3 inspector general uncovered serious misuse of funds at the Merrimack Special Education Collaborative and at other collaboratives. After the Education Committee held a series of oversight hearings, Chang-Díaz filed a collaboratives reform bill that became the first piece Neighborhood Welcomes Neighborhoods

of legislation passed by the Senate this year. olf

Berklee Alumni and Faculty Earn 24 Grammy Nominations teve W

The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences nominated 16 Berklee alumni photo: S and faculty for a total of 24 Grammy Awards. The nominees were recognized for their outstanding contributions across the spectrum of music, including pop, rock, hip-hop, jazz, Latin, and musical theater. Producers, engineers, arrangers, and composers were also nominated. Theawards will be broadast on Sunday, February 10. Berklee nominees included producer, songwriter, and engineer Jeff Bhasker ’99, for Record of the Year, Album of the Year, and Song of the Year for his work on Some Nights by fun. John Mayer ’98 is also a contender for Album of the Year. Esperanza Spalding ’05, who won Best New Artist in 2011, again makes a splash with three nominations, including Best Jazz Vocal Album.

Madison High Students Help Menino Go Solar Two Madison Park High School students, working in a coop placement with Atlantic Power & Light, helped install solar panels on Mayor Thomas Menino’s Hyde Park home last month The house was one of 116 in Boston that received solar panels for electrical generation through the Solarize Mass-Boston program this year. “Solarize Mass-Boston has been an amazing success, increasing access to clean energy for many of our residents,” Menino said. SolarCity, a company that owns the panels and leases them to homeowners, worked with IBEW Local 103, the electrical union, on the program. Local 103 runs an annual co-op program in which 8 to 10 seniors from Madison Park work with licensed electricians. The Neighborhoods Coffee and Crepes joined the rebounding businesses on Restaurant students get on-the-job training and experience that helps them compete for a limited Row in late November. The friendly young staff (including, left to right, Justine number of slots in electrician-training and apprenticeship programs. Park, Charlotte Mosinski, and Sean Randall) serves up coffee, tea, chai, and crepes both sweet and savory (think upscale wraps with inventive fillings). Neighborhoods makes all its baked goods except for its gluten-free offerings. The shop opens at 6 am on weekdays for commuters bent on snagging to-go coffee but also encourages > Northeastern task force from page 1 Ave. MBTA station, a community resource/ neighbors to pull up a chair and an outlet to work on laptops during the day. Visit affordable housing, which had been discussed education “portal,” and development of http://neighborhoodscafe.com/blog/ for more info. repeatedly as a community need at previous Parcel 3, a lot across Tremont St. from Boston Task Force meetings. Police headquarters and Northeastern’s new City Counselor Tito Jackson likely got a International Village. little more satisfaction from the process than The next Task Force meeting is bidding Farewell to YMCA gym building most of the other attendees. He reiterated tentatively scheduled for January 14, and the By Alison barnet the need for a “local business procurement” public comment period on the PNF ends on I took these photos of the demolition of the Central YMCA’s gymnasium building on program as part of the community benefits February 4. You can find the documents online St. Botolph Street during the week of December 3. A developer will build a dorm (to be package in the overall plan. When the at www.northeastern.edu/masterplan, rented to Northeastern) in the gym’s place. But can anything ever take its place? university’s representatives did their along with minutes of previous meetings. Since the gym closed in June in preparation for demolition, Y members have been presentation on this package, that program This reporter was not at this particular crowded into the front of the Y building. Open the door on , and was included, along with reconstruction of the meeting, but spoke to participants and there we are, sweating in the middle of the beautiful dark-wood lobby. My class meets Carter playground, improvements at the Mass. reviewed meeting minutes. in the former library, among books and World War I posters never removed, exercising to music punctuated by the sounds of the wrecking ball. In the women’s locker room, demolition is so loud and close we wouldn’t be surprised if a hole appeared in the wall and exposed us in the all-together. You’re invited...... to a fundraiser for a documentary about the wave of arson that swept the Fenway in the 1970s.

January 17, 2013 • 7:00PM • ’s in the West Fens • Free admission Enjoy food courtesy of Jerry Remy’s, watch the movie trailer, meet the filmmakers, and maybe walk away with a raffle prize. Presented by Live Lobster Group and Fenway Properties.

Invitation/more info at www.livelobstergroup.com/BurningGreed Upper left: There go the basketball court and the track. Only a couple of the tall, graceful windows remain. The sauna, steam room, and pool aren’t far behind. Isn’t that the women’s locker room beneath? Wait! I left something in my locker! Upper right: Note the American flag flying above it all. Shouldn’t it be at half mast?Lower left: This green copper structure, which I used to see from the track, always reminded me of the old elevated Orange Line on Washington Street in the South End. No wonder, since both were built early in the 20th century. The pattern of the steel supports is also similar. Lower right: The YMCA sign turns its back.

the 4 | FENWAY NEWS | January 2013

Serving the Fenway, Kenmore Square, Audubon Circle, upper Back Bay, lower Roxbury, Prudential, Mission Hill, and Longwood since 1974

Fenway News Association Board of Directors Sandy Hook Adds Another Sad Chapter to a History of Gun Violence Steve Chase • Helen Cox • Tracey Cusick • by John Rosenthal marketing standards. And they have been given absolute immunity Joyce Foster, president • Rich Giordano • INNOCENT CHILDREN among 27 DEAD at an … from lawsuits. As a result, manufactures legally sell plastic guns to Steven Harnish • Duke Harten • Barbara Brooks Simons • Steve Wolf, treasurer Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.” evade metal detectors, guns “resistant to fingerprints” or “capable It was a similar massacre at the Cleveland of penetrating 48 layers of soft-body armor” and even capable of Editor: Stephen Brophy Elementary School in Stockton, California, in 1989 shooting down an aircraft. Further, Congress has said even people WEB TEAM: Nicole Aubourg, Stephen Brophy, (six children killed and 30 wounded) that finally led to the 1994 on suspected-terrorist watch lists should be able to buy guns legally Steven Kapica, Valarie Seabrook ‘20federal ban on assault weapons, which Congress and President Bush at gun stores. As long as people with mental illness haven’t been Production Designer: Steve Wolf Alison Barnet, let expire in 2004. “legally committed” to a mental institution, they, too, are free to Writers: Jon Ball, Conrad Every day eight kids under 20 years old die from gun violence purchase assault weapons and concealed handguns. Ciszek, Jim Cooper, Helen Cox, Tracey Cusick, Margot Edwards, John Engstrom, Stan Everett, in America. That’s 56 kids a week, 340 a month and over 3,000 kids Is it any wonder there’s a gun violence epidemic in America? Lisa Fay, Lori A. Frankian, Joyce Foster, Marie every year. In fact you could fill three times over with Fukuda, Steve Gallanter, Galen Gilbert, Elizabeth the 110,000 children killed by guns in the US over the past 30 years. time to wake up and smell the gunfire. We don’t feel Gillis, Katherine Greenough, Sam Harnish, Steve When are we going to stop this calamity of innocent children safe because we aren’t safe. We’re the gun violence Harnish, Duke Harten, Sarah Horsley, Rosie being massacred every day? When are we going to protect our capital of the “civilized” world, and our children are Kamal, Sajed Kamal, Mandy Kapica, Steven children, who have no one to protect them by us? Children deserve senselessly dying at the rate of a classroom every Kapica, Shirley Kressel, Kristen Lauerman, Mike much better, and adults are to blame. three days. We have put our children at great risk while we’ve stood Mennonno, Letta Neely, Catherine Pedemonti, We can’t continue to blame each horrific and all-too-frequent byIt’s as our president, Congress and state legislators have been bought Richard Pendleton, Michael Prentky, Bill mass shooting of innocent children on mental illness, video games, off or intimated into submission by the special interest gun lobby and Richardson, Karla Rideout, Mike Ross, Barbara violent films, evil in our society and every other excuse except unregulated gun industry. Brooks Simons, Matti Kniva Spencer, Jamie Thomson, Anne M. Tobin, Fredericka Veikley, the insane public policy of allowing unrestricted access to easily WE are to blame for the 20 children killed in Newtown. Just like Chris Viveiros, Michelle Wu the 36 shot and 13 killed at Columbine High concealed handguns and military-style PhotographerS: Steve Chase, Lois Johnston, assault weapons with high-capacity guest opinion School, the 52 shot and 32 killed at Virginia Mike Mennonno, Patrick O’Connor, Valarie ammunition clips. Tech, the 13 shot and 6 killed in Tucson, the Seabrook, Matti Kniva Spencer, Ginny Such, Gun violence in America is out of control. Every day 150 71 shot and 12 killed in Aurora, Colorado, and the 150 Americans Steve Wolf Americans are shot and 83 (including eight children) are killed shot and 83 killed, including eight more children, today and every CALENDAR: Stephen Brophy, Carol Paige by firearms. Every year an average of 30,000 Americans die from day. This is not OK and not someone else’s problem. It’s no longer Rodriguez, Steve Wolf, firearms. Since former Congresswomen Gabrielle Giffords and “just an inner city problem” that affluent white people and politicians Proofreader: Tracey Cusick others were shot in Tucson in January 2011, there have been over 65 in the suburbs can ignore. Senseless gun violence touches “nice com- business manager: Mandy Kapica mass shootings in America—an average of nearly three every month. munities” like Newtown or Columbine, or or Anytown, USA. Distribution: Della Gelzer, Aqilla Manna, Lauren Dewey Platt, Reggie Wynn Since 1970 over 1.4 million Americans have been killed with Gun violence occurs because guns are virtually unregulated in firearms—more than all US service men and women killed in all America, and the gun industry profits from every sale. More guns re- The Fenway News is published monthly by the foreign wars combined. sult in more gun violence. More gun violence results in more fear and Fenway News Association, Inc., a nonprofit Federal gun policy allows unrestricted access to all firearms, increased gun sales. Increased gun sales result in higher gun industry corporation dedicated to community journalism. If you would like to volunteer to write, edit, including military-style weapons, high-capacity ammunition clips profits and more gun lobby contributions to elected officials...who photograph, lay out, distribute, or sell advertising, and easily concealed handguns without criminal background checks continue to allow unrestricted access to firearms without detection. please contact us at: or detection in 33 states and at over 5,000 gun shows annually. The This is not rational public policy. We still live in a democratic society The Fenway News gun lobby and Congress have made law enforcement the enemy and we can change this epidemic of preventable gun violence. PO Box 230277, Astor Station of gun rights. Police are restricted from regulating gun shows and The time is NOW. Call President Obama and members of Boston, MA 02123 “private” gun dealers, who sell 40-50% of guns each year without Congress. Tell them to take action to protect our children NOW. If 617-266-8790 not now, when? [email protected] a background check, proof of identification or detection. Even www.fenwaynews.org federally licensed gun dealers, the only gun dealers required to run John Rosenthal, the developer of the Fenway Center, a $450 background checks, are legally allowed to set up shop anywhere, million project nearing construction outside of Kenmore Square, Subscriptions $24/year ($15 for limited income) including from their homes, car trunks and backpacks. is also co-founder of Stop Handgun Violence, Commonsense Gun manufacturers are also uniquely protected by Congress and About Kids and Gun, and American Hunters and Shooters ©2010 Fenway News Association, Inc. are exempt from any regulation, including manufacturing, safety, and Association. “Comforting the afflicted and afflicting the comfortable.” The founders of The Fenway News adopted this The Editor’s Final Words? ‘Thanks For The Memories’ motto to express their mission of exposing and by Stephen brophy I got a job in 1976 at the New England Food Co-op Organization opposing the dangers the neighborhood faced all goes well, this will be the last edition of The Fenway (NEFCO), which effectively removed me from much participation in the early 1970s—including rampant arson, News published under my editorship; I hope to be training in neighborhood politics. unscrupulous landlords, and a destructive urban my successor next month as we lay out the February issue. Seasons change and so do lives. I moved out of the Fenway renewal plan. If the original motto no longer fully When I returned to the Fenway in 2005 after about 15 fits the neighborhood today, we continue in 1990, and spent the next decade and a half in Dorchester, to honor its spirit by working to make our Ifyears, I was surprised to find this publication in Whole Foods. Cambridge, and Roslindale. After leaving NEFCO I worked in neighborhood a better and safer place to live. I had been around when it was started nearly 40 years ago and two bookstores and then the MIT Libraries. When my job there would never have predicted its staying power. was “re-engineered” from full-time to half-time, I became a I was not among the original founders, but movie reviewer, and gradually moved > Frequency < knew them well. We were all involved in stopping from the editor toward my present occupation as a The Fenway News reaches the stands every the BRA from tearing down the neighborhood to teacher. 4-5 weeks, usually on the first under the guise of “urban renewal.” The founders were mostly It is the conflict between my current duties as a writing or last Friday of the month. Our next issue students or recent graduates of Northeastern, who mostly lived coach at MIT and this paper’s inexorable production schedule will be appear on Friday, February 1. in a communal house on Symphony Road; the publication was that finally forced me to choose between two occupations that > Deadline < one of many projects we amateur community organizers started give me great satisfaction. MIT pays me quite a bit more than The deadline for letters, news items, and ads because we wanted to be for a vision of community as much as The Fenway News does, but that only contributed slightly to my is Friday, January 25. we wanted to be against institutional encroachment. decision to move on. > Advertising < We organized a food co-op and a “Free University,” and In fact, I won’t be completely moving on. Once my Contact our business manager at we built the first iteration of the Edgerly Road Playground on a successor is selected and we’ve got him/her trained, I expect to [email protected] vacant lot. Many of us went on to more professional endeavors join the Fenway News board and to continue my involvement as a based on our volunteer experience in this struggle; for instance, Final Words on page 5 >

Thanks to The Fenway News For compulsory as we believe you should People, Clean Up After Your Dogs! The First Church of Christ, Scientist Bringing Fire-Safety Issues to Light hear firsthand about 69 McGreevey fire Sunday Church Services & Sunday School safety systems and how they operate. To the Editor: 10 am and 5 pm (no evening service July & Aug.) To The Editor, Also, the meeting offers everyone the I am a resident living in the West Fenway Wednesday Testimony Meetings On behalf of the Mission Main Concerned opportunity to ask questions of a Boston and a dog owner. There is a sign at the 12 noon and 7:30 pm (2 pm online) Residents Committee, I would like to thank Fire Department official. corner of Kilmarnock and to Sunday & Wednesday Live Services Online The Fenway News. Your coverage of the The meeting is scheduled as follows: the effect that dogs must be on a leash and ChristianScience.com/OnAir Safety and Evacuation Date: Monday, owners must pick up their dog’s waste! Procedures at the December 17, 2012 There are many dog owners who I know can Mission Main housing LETTERS Time: 6:00 PM read but choose to allow their dogs to leave complex, spurred management to follow Place: Lobby-69 McGreevey Way “tokens” anywhere, including the sidewalks. through with some of our recommendations. Queensberry is another heavily “soiled” Management sent the following notice to The only outstanding request is to have street If I pick up my dog’s waste why can’t residents on December 6: evacuation signage in English and Spanish those who don’t face some sort of fine? Is Dear Residents, posted on each floor at each exit. Once again, this another unenforceable law? We have arranged with the Boston Fire I would like to thank your publication for A, winn Department for an evening presentation bringing light to this long-standing public West Fens Near the corner of Huntington & Mass. Ave. Free Parking at all services. dedicated to discussion of Fire Safety safety issue. T Hynes, Prudential, Symphony, or Mass. Ave. and the Evacuation procedures for 69 Gloria Murray For further information, call 617.450.3790 McGreevey Way. The meeting is MMCRC Founding Member or visit www.ChristianScience.com

FENWAY NEWS | JANUARY 2013 | 5

> Final Words from page 4 community. The institutions that attract writer. My all those creative young people are _public_library/ experience in these past six years has constantly changing and growing. Since n caused me to hope that The Fenway News we all exist on a finite amount of land, that can continue contributing to improving growth causes stresses between these this unique community, and I still want institutions and the residential community. to be a part of that. I hope it’s not Fortunately, the struggle against presumptuous to say “the best is yet to “urban renewal” in the last century left a come.” legacy of rules that schools and hospitals In the last few years I have come to and museums all have to follow when they understand just how special the Fenway want to expand. That is why comparing is, much more than I was able to see when the pages of any given issue of The Fenway I was younger. We have two of the finest News today with those of an issue from BPL program Looks at city’s public spaces, public library via www.flickr.com/photos/bostovia library public concert halls in the world, just one block 30 years ago shows many more reports n

from each other. We have a world-class of community meetings between officials iconic buildings, and people who made them osto B art museum, and around the corner from and residents and many fewer about public special program at the Boston Public Library’s headquarters, that is one of the most interesting small demonstrations of opposition. Residents celebrates public spaces—the architectural and cultural cornerstones that museums in the world. have much more voice now than before. make Boston the city it is. “Building Boston” explores these parks, sports We have five excellent schools for The relative social status of Fenway arenas, libraries, and transportation centers—and their creators, builders, the arts and 15 or so other colleges and residents has also changed a lot since caretakers,A and ever-changing users. The library’s Central Branch, 700 Boylston Street, universities, giving us one of the most the paper started in 1974. Many more serves as headquarters for lectures and tours organized around five free exhibits:. creative (if occasionally too boisterous) homeowners, and correspondingly fewer • Boston Sports Temples showcases Boston’s beloved sports venues—most notably the student populations anywhere. And renters, call themselves Fenwickians Boston Garden, Fenway Park, , and Suffolk Downs—and their unique of course we also have Fenway Park. these days. This is partly due to condo roles in the daily lives and hearts of New Englanders. The exhibit continues through And through it all runs one of the most conversion in the 1980s and ’90s and partly May 31 in the Johnson Lobby. beautiful urban parks in the world, to development of new middle-income • An Elevated View: the Orange Line features 65 photographs from a 1985 project that designed by the originator of American and luxury buildings in the past decade. documented Boston’s elevated rail system prior to its 1987 dismantling. Open landscape architecture, Frederick Law Surprisingly, the amount of disagreement through January 19 in the Wiggin Gallery. Olmsted. between these groups has not intensified • Palaces for the People: Guastavino and America’s Great Public Spaces highlights the The Fenway is the go-to destination as the balance has changed; while the work of Rafael Guastavino, a Spanish immigrant, innovative builder, and visionary for thousands of people every day, not only Fenway Civic Association (mostly owners) designer known for a distinct structural-tile vaulting technique used in some of the for culture but also for the concentration and the Fenway Community Development most important American buildings of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Open of excellent hospitals just to our west. Corporation (mostly tenants) don’t always through February 24 in the Changing Exhibits Gallery. While thousands of automobiles pass see eye-to-eye on issues, they don’t work • Boston in the Gilded Age: Mapping Public Places documents Boston’s changing through every hour (is there a noisier to block each others’ initiatives as they geography, evolving street pattern, and emerging park system from the late 1860s to intersection than Mass. Ave. and Boylston once did. the late 1890s. Open through March 17 in the Norman B. Leventhal Map Center. St. anywhere within Rte 128?), we have the All this history encourages me to • The People’s Own: Construction of the McKim Building features historic photographs of smallest percentage of car owners of any keep hoping that we, the people of the the BPL’s McKim Building, designed by Charles Follen McKim of the architectural neighborhood in the metropolitan area. We Fenway, will keep working on a more firm McKim, Meade, and White. The building opened in 1895. The exhibit continues don’t need cars, because we’re close to perfect neighborhood. And in a slightly through January 31, 2013, in the Rare Books Lobby. everything. different capacity, I hope to continue my Copies of the “Building Boston” brochure are available at all BPL locations and Of course, this is not Utopia—we have participation. are available for download at www.bpl.org/buildingboston. plenty of problems in this extraordinary

Foreclosure-Prevention Tools Help Families, Neighborhoods the past legislative sessions, I have to pass legislation to protect homeowners Circle, one of my top concerns is the stability worked with many organizations by creating a mandatory mediation process of families in Boston neighborhoods. The and advocacy groups on one issue to help produce affordable alternatives to stronger families become financially, the that has been on my mind for foreclosure. stronger the neighborhoods become as a someIn time: Foreclosure. These past few years These include loan whole. The same goes if the opposite have been tough economically, to say the modifications, short sale, happens: Fiscally weaker families least. That is why it is more important than refinancing, or other options. and foreclosures make for weaker ever that the residents of Roxbury, Boston Mandatory mediation has been neighborhoods. and Massachusetts know their rights when it shown to provide about 80% A study, Vacant Spaces, put comes to the foreclosure process. Foreclosure- of participating homeowners the economic impact of just one prevention measures are in place in the with alternatives to foreclosure. foreclosure in Boston at $157,058 and Roof Deck Commonwealth, but we have been working to The mediation process must $1,028,862 in lost taxes, increased •KENO make sure that the fullest form of protection is occur within the 150-day “Right crime, more city maintenance Now Open implemented for homeowners. to Cure” period. The Mass services and lost property value. •ESPN Game Plan Every year, families lose their homes Foreclosure Mediation Program Gloria Each vacated foreclosure costs Memorial Day due to the predatory lending practices of large would receive a notice of a nearby homeowners $966,744 in lost banks, and the recent economic downturn, homeowner in default during this Fox property value. Foreclosure not only •Draftto Labor Specials Day! which caused a substantial loss in income. period. The program staff would negatively impacts the homeowner; Even though the housing market has shown then notify the homeowner of The Fenway News it can also prove detrimental to the some signs of recovery, foreclosures have eligibility for mediation. asks elected lender. “The impact per foreclosure •Great seafood risen 47% from around this time last year. Within 45 days the MFMP officials who has been estimated to cost cities Swing on in for In the General Court, we have been working would schedule a mediation represent the between $5,400 and $19,200 per and steak tips with homeowners who opt neighborhood foreclosure depending upon whether lunch & enjoy Tavern in, an authorized lender to contribute the property is actually vacated as •favoritesBuzzTime including representative, and a neutral columns on issues well as foreclosed” (MAAPL). The mediator. Following state and of concern, which added costs of advertising foreclosed interactivehot dogs for only federal guidelines, the parties appear regularly in properties and holding auctions also Mass Ave would come to agreement on FensViews. add up very quickly. $1.50television during Red alternatives to foreclosure. Housing Consumer Education Sox Away Games! Lock Co. The objective of this legislation is to ensure Centers help teach people how to make 24-HOUR that homeowners have access to a variety informed decisions about purchasing a of avenues to keep their homes from being home, renting an apartment or managing EMERGENCY SERVICE foreclosed upon. A program such as this has a rental property. They offer answers to BONDED LOCKSMITH a proven record of success. 80% of those many questions asked by tenants, landlords, 1270 Boylston Street who participate get an alternative solution prospective buyers and homeowners. Boston, MA 02215 125 St. Botolph Street to foreclosure, and over 65% achieve an These centers help reduce the number of 617.867.6526 affordable loan modification (MAAPL). homeowners who end up in situations where Phone 247-9779 • Fax 536-8709 It is imperative that we keep homeowners they will not be able to afford their mortgage, in their homes, as eviction after foreclosure and as a result, need the mediation process. Police Locks • Doors Opened reduces the property values of surrounding While I serve communities within Boston, Visit us online at: Mailbox Keys • Master Keys homes in the neighborhood and results in it is my duty as a state representative to Systems • Padlocks the loss of taxpayer revenue due to fees facilitate the passge of legislation that will and increased crime in those areas. As the benefit not only the neighborhoods I represent, heBaseballT Door Closers T avern.com state representative for Roxbury and parts but the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as Keys Made by Code of Dorchester, the Fenway, and Audubon a whole. 6 | FENWAY NEWS | January 2013

in memoriam Cracked Mirror of School Shootings Reflects Values of Gun Culture Adults Have Made Pianist Jacob Maxin Dies at Age 83; Loved by sajed kamal as NEC Teacher, Admired as a Performer ikipedia, the online encyclopedia, calls the “guns versus butter” model in by Ellen Pfeiffer macroeconomics “an example of a simple production possibility frontier. It ianist Jacob (Jack) Maxin, once described as “the greatest of unknown demonstrates the relationship between a nation’s investment in defense and pianists” and who taught on the NEC faculty from 1968 to 2002, has died. He civilian goods. In this example, a nation has to choose between two options was 83 and had been living in a nursing home in Needham Heights. Suffering whenW spending its finite resources. It can buy either guns (invest in defense/military) or butter from Alzheimer’s disease, he died December 16 of complications of the flu. (invest in production of goods), or a combination of both. This can be seen as an analogy for PHe was a much loved teacher and a performer of great virtuosity and probing choices between defense and civilian spending in more complex economies.” insight, who nonetheless played very little in public. Connoisseurs, however, eagerly I wrote this poem on December 5, a few days before the massacre at Sandy Hook anticipated his infrequent concerts and counted among their most memorable Elementary School, in experiences his performances in 1971 and 1991 of Busoni’s fiendishly difficult Fantasia Newtown, Connecticut, contrapuntistica, his Brahms Second Piano Concerto with Gunther Schuller conducting on December 14. Guns Versus Butter: the Conservatory Symphony Orchestra, and several First Monday at Jordan Hall Adam Lanza, armed Prayer for the New Year programs in which he played music of Mendelssohn, Poulenc, Webern, Saint Saëns, with three assault Ok, now that we all know Butter in gun shops Schoenberg/Steuermann, and Chopin. weapons, rampaged about the guns and butter Butter in schools. Born in 1929 in Philadelphia the youngest of five children, Maxin received through the school, thing, Butter, butter, butter! his early musical training at the Settlement Music School and Swarthmore College killing 20 children and and now that it’s already I know, you’ll say—hey, that’s with Irma Wolpe, and at the Philadelphia Conservatory of Music before moving on seven adults. Among December, too much butter! to the Juilliard School, where he earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees studying the adults killed was and now that we are about to I’ll say—oh, really? Then, how with Edward Steuermann, who also taught his longtime friend, NEC Distinguished the school’s principal, step into 2013—let me tell come I didn’t hear many Artist-in- Residence Russell Sherman. In his early years, Maxin performed often both psychologist, four you people complaining “too in the United States and abroad. As a Youth Contest winner, he appeared with the teachers, and Lanza what I’ve already started much” Philadelphia Orchestra and Eugene Ormandy in 1954. He made his Town Hall debut in himself, apparently by praying for to happen next when these transformed butter 1961, performed as pianist for cellist Leonard Rose from 1957–1963, and toured with his own hand. He had year. sticks were guns? actor Claude Raines. killed his mother, a gun I’d like to see butter Besides, I prefer a nice and Maxin was also a member of several chamber groups, including the Javedo Trio collector from whom he everywhere: warm buttered toast over a and Aeolian Chamber Players and made numerous solo tours. He participated in and got the weapons, before Every single gun—of every gun anyway. won the title of Laureate in the second International George Enescu Competition held he arrived at the school. shape and form— Don’t you? in 1961 in Bucharest, Romania. He was a finalist in 1963 at the First International Clara I dedicate this poem to miraculously— Don’t you also know that you Haskil Competition in Switzerland. And he was chosen for a coveted appearance in the children killed at transformed into a stick of can’t eat a gun? November 1963 on the Young Artists Series at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. His the school, as well as all butter! If you didn’t know that recordings include the works of Gail Kubik and Stefan Wolpe. the innocent children All over the world it’ll be before— Before coming to NEC, Maxin taught at Juilliard, on the summer faculty at of the world who are Butter in the streets just look around—I hope you Brandeis University, at the University of Colorado, Pomona College, and Bowdoin killed by gunfire of any Butter in the battle fields know it now. College. Interestingly, at Juilliard, he took on several of Steuermann’s students after kind—under whatever Butter in the War Rooms See how well the “guns versus Steuermann’s death so those young musicians could finish their degrees. One of those circumstances. Butter in aircraft carriers butter” theory works? temporary students was Russell Sherman. Among his most notable students at NEC Children are children, Butter in drones All that a gun does is—kill. was the highly regarded collaborative pianist Warren Jones. and innocence is Butter in arsenals So, join me in my prayer Always adventurous in choosing repertory, Maxin was attuned to the idioms of innocence. Butter in gun clubs and—together—we’ll chant contemporary music from an early age. Writing about the music of his mentor/teacher Nothing justifies Butter in gun closets the mantra: Stefan Wolpe, he said: “The difference of Stefan’s music, the color of it, the vitality, their lives’ being cut Butter in bedrooms “Butter not Guns!” the blazing non-legatos and staccatos, the excitement of it...that was what struck me the short—whether they Butter in movie studios “Butter not Guns!” most in my youngest years. Not the harmonies, because my ears immediately responded are “ours” or “theirs,” Butter in toy stores “Butter not Guns!” to modern harmonies the minute I heard contemporary music. It didn’t make one iota whether by murderous less my love and completely being encapsulated by Beethoven and Schubert. One of insanity or political the things that Irma was constantly saying was that through contemporary music one expediency. And I call upon the conscience and courage of all people to re-think the global gun understood the classics. It’s very true, and I teach that to my students.” culture—in all its implications and manifestations—of which the Newtown school massacre Calling Maxin “staggeringly gifted,” Sherman observed that his friend had is a tragic and terrifying symptom. Buddha reminded us two and half thousand years ago: a “small hand”—a physical characteristic that might be thought to limit a player’s violence is bred by violence and leads only to more violence; a gun does nothing but kill. virtuosity. “Yet, it gave him a flexibility and tensile strength that were remarkable and Sajed Kamal, a Fenway resident, is a poet, artist, psychotherapist, renewable energy amazing.” educator, teacher-consultant at Corner Co-op Nursery School in Brookline, MA, and an Wha-Kyung Byun, also a longtime piano faculty member and Sherman’s wife, adjunct lecturer at Brandeis University. Author of a dozen books in a wide range of areas, remembered Maxin’s “amazing, compelling sound and touch.” What’s more, she said, his forthcoming books include Doves not Bombs: Poetry for Peace. he had a “phenomenal knowledge of repertory and performances. He knew every single performance of a work and not just piano works. He collected Golden Era recordings and remembered every single detail.” Gabriel Chodos, who was chair of the piano Hwang boosts young Dramatists program at Wheelock faculty for 25 years, pronounced Maxin “omniscient.” He “knew everything about the Playwright David Henry Hwang—best known for writing the 1988 Tony-Award- piano, about piano playing, about performances, and performers. He knew everything winning drama M. Butterfly and collaborating with Elton John on a musical version about film. He went to the opera and knew everything about opera. He was very well of Aida—helped Wheelock College launch its Emerging Playwrights Program on read. He was just a fount of knowledge.” Although his artistry was profound, Maxin December 8. An initiative of a new advisory board organized by Wheelock Family experienced difficulty operating in the world, negotiating everyday practicalities. “He Theater, the program focuses on Boston Public School students with an aptitude was the most innocent of souls, totally devoted to music and following his own star,” for writing. It is designed to develop literary skills, creative expression, analyti- Sherman recalled. “That star carried him along many different paths that made it cal thinking, self-esteem, and self-reflection through dramatic writing and staged difficult to conform to daily or academic schedules. He was a figure who could not be readings. Adding a little more star power to the event, WGBH arts reporter Jared pinned down. He was a dreamer, but that dream world was of the greatest beauty.” Bowen interviews Hwang on the Wheelock Family Theater stage. Ellen Pfeiffer is Senior Communications specialist at NEC.

Free Lessons for Budding Players at Guitar Center The Guitar Center, which bills itself as “the world’s largest musical instrument Quality eye care + stylish eye wear retailer,” will launch a new Music Mentor Series in 240 stores—including its location Make an appointment or stop in to shop for eye wear today! on Boylston Street in the West Fens. The weekly training series will “provide aspiring musicians with the knowledge and skills they’ll need in order to fully-utilize their instruments and maximize their creativity,” according to the company. The first program began the last week of December and will repeat all this month. The series focuses on beginning players, who must have purchased a new or used guitar through a Guitar Center store or its website. Each one- hour lesson will feature Guitar Center staff members demonstrating basic techniques, including proper playing position, tuning, basic strumming, Need an eye exam or new glasses? Fenway Health has you covered. Our eye care chords and instrument care. After the first week, which offered multiple staff provide the highest quality eye care for our patients in a comfortable, caring, lessons on four days, all Guitar Center stores will continue the lessons each Saturday throughout January. and compassionate environment. And our optical shop carries the latest styles from The chain encourages you to register ahead of time at the Guitar Calvin Klein, Sean John, L.A. Looks and more to keep you looking, and seeing, great. Center Saturday Lessons homepage (www.guitarcenter.com/Saturday- Guitar-Class-g26677t0.gc) to secure a spot at the store and time you for a valuable coupon visit fenwayhealth.org/eyes prefer, and you may repeat the class as often as you like. Each class will fenway eye care 1340 Boylston Street, 6th Floor Boston MA 02215 tel 617.927.6190 web fenwayhealth.org

be limited to 15–20 participants. COM.11.010 FENWAY NEWS | JANUARY 2013 | 7 Rising Jazz Composer Gilmore Premieres ‘A Rambling Stretch,’ Complex Multimedia Portrait of Beauty, Pain in His Wyoming Home P by Ann Braithwaite and of stark open beauty, and has G hoto: One of photographer Gary enowned composer Tyler Gilmore, affected my aesthetic deeply,” says Isaacs’s photos for the ary I ary a second-year master’s student Gilmore. “What spurred me to do multimedia presentation, “A in NEC’s acclaimed jazz studies this piece was an article about Wind saacs Rambling Stretch.” department, premieres his River in The New York Times, which Rmultimedia work A Rambling Stretch on mentioned a crime rate five to seven University of Northern Colorado Wednesday, January 30, at New England times the national average, despite Jazz Band I, the Playground Conservatory’s Brown Hall. The concert, attempts at reforms. The area still Ensemble, and the Henry Mancini which features a 17-piece big band made up of has a very high murder rate, lots Institute Overture Orchestra, NEC students, is free and open to the public. of domestic abuse, alcoholism and among others. His work is Gilmore grew up in Riverton, Wyoming, a high teen pregnancy rate. That published by UNC Jazz Press and and the surrounding Wind River Indian got me thinking about the place I Minor Ninth Music. Reservation where his mother worked as grew up and its strange combination Photographer Isaacs a school counselor. A Rambling Stretch is of vast openness and societal understands the beauty of the a portrait of life in the area and includes inequality.” American West. An internationally Gilmore’s compositions for large jazz For help funding the published and collected ensemble inspired by photographs of the project, Gilmore turned to the photographer known for his gritty Wind River area Gilmore commissioned from conservatory’s Entrepreneurial depictions of western urban life, he photographer Gary Isaacs. The photos will Musicianship Department, which awarded two central goals of the grant program—to has produced noted work for many musical be projected as a visual element during the him a $1,500 grant to help create the work. advance innovative projects that introduce acts, including the album cover of the most concert. On-site recordings of environmental Eva Heinstein, assistant director of the new value in a particular field of music, and to recent release by DeVotchKa. sounds of the area also play a pivotal role department, says, “The review committee support projects that harness music to address NEC’s Jazz Studies Department was the in the music. A preview of the photos is was immediately drawn in by Tyler’s vision or raise awareness about social issues, both in first fully accredited jazz studies program available at http://ter-ter-ter.tumblr.com/ to create a layered and personal portrait of the US and abroad.” at a music conservatory. The brainchild of “The Wind River Reservation may the Wind River Reservation through original Already an acclaimed composer, Gunther Schuller, who moved to incorporate be one of the least-understood areas in the compositions, captured sound and potent Gilmore won the 2009 ASCAP/Columbia jazz into the curriculum when he became country. It is a place of societal tensions imagery. The project dovetailed perfectly with College Commission in Honor of Hank Jones president of the conservatory in 1967, the and won the ASCAP Young Jazz Composer’s unprecedented program began offering Award for three years running—2008, 2009, classes in September 1969.. and 2010. His music has been reviewed in Ann Braithwaite is a publicist who H&H’s Christophers Makes Queen’s Honours List DownBeat and performed by Jon Faddis’s specializes in jazz. For more information, call On December 11, the annual ritual of the Chicago Jazz Ensemble, Bobby Watson and NEC’s Jazz Studies office at 617-585-1388 or Queen’s birthday honors took a Fenway- The UMKC Concert Jazz Ensemble, the visit www.necmusic.edu. specific turn: Harry Christophers, artistic director of the Handel & Haydn Society, was invested at London’s Buckingham Palace as a Commander of the Order HUNTINGTON names new PLAYWRITING FELLOWS of the British Empire (CBE) for services Huntington Theatre Company has announced its 2012-2014 cohort of Huntington to music. Roughly 75 people joined Playwriting Fellows: Lila Rose Kaplan, Walt McGough, and Lenelle Moïse, an Christophers on the list, including actress artistically diverse group of writers who began their two-year residency in Kate Winslet (for services to drama). September. The program fosters the talents of local playwrights at all stages of Christophers expressed pride “that their careers from emerging talent to established professional. During the two- this recognition comes at a time when the Handel & Haydn Society is going from year residencies, fellows receive a modest grant, tale part in a biweekly writers’ strength to strength with our education programs, concert season and recording collective, and benefit from access to the artistic staff and to the resources of the work.” Congratulations, Harry! Huntington. 8 | FENWAY NEWS | January 2013 + This symbol indicates a free event. For even more listings, visit www.fenwaynews.org

Caitlyn Henningsen, the gallery talk departs from the MFA’s Scharf Visitor Center at month pick of the 6pm sharp. Free with museum entry. Wed, Jan 2-Thu, Jan 10: The winner of Thu, Jan 10: NEC Plants 200 Candles on Verdi’s Cake Richard Vacca will discuss The To mark the 200th annivesary of Giuseppe the Audience Award at the 2012 Boston Boston Jazz Chronicles: Faces, Places, and Verdi’s birth, New England Conservatory’s Jewish Film Festival revisits the MFA’s Nightlife 1937-1962 at 2pm in Rabb Lecture Preparatory School faculty member Tatyana film program. The documentary Hitler’s Hall at the Boston Public Library in Dudochkin has organized a musical extra– Children focuses on the children of other + Copley Square. FREE vaganza designed to remind audiences of the members of the Third Reich like Hermann Sun, Jan 13: Want to find out why a breadth of the composer’s art while showcasing Göring and Heinrich Himmler. Tickets are 17th-century Japanese temple bell sits on the program's accomplished young musicians. $7-$11 (depending on screening time and a pedestal in the Fens? Emerald Necklace WGBH radio announcer Ron Della Chiesa membership status) and may be purchased Conservancy docent Lola Heiler-Stillman hosts the evening at 7:30pm in Jordan Hall. The at www.mfa.org/film, by calling 800-440- will tell you all about it with an illustrated program ranges over arias (featuring renowned 6975, or in person at any MFA ticket desk. talk at the Back Bay Fens Visitors Center. known bass Mikhail Svetlov and equally Mon, Jan 7: The Huntington Theatre 1pm; reservations recommended celebrated tenor Adam Klein); chamber works; Company and the Coolidge Corner Theatre + at 617-522-2700 or visit www. and vast choral/orchestral works. The program continue their “Stage & Screen” series with emeraldnecklace.org. FREE promises something for everyone—except, a screening of Spike Lee’s hot-button 1989 Wed, Jan 16: The Idan Raichel Project, perhaps, for the elephants from Aïda. Tickets film, Do the Right Thing. Following the film, uniting African, Middle Eastern, Eastern $15, 20. http://necmusic.edu/salute-verdi. join a conversation with playwright and European and other cultural flavors into an screenwriter Oren Jacoby and others from accessible global-pop amalgam, visits Berk- the Huntington’s production of Invisible about the 1961 demonstrations by over 400 in the Lowell Lecture Series about her lee Performance Center, 136 Mass. Ave. For black and white citizens who bused through remarkable body of work, which includes Man discussing how Ellison’s and Lee’s tickets ($30-$65) and information call World works have shaped the dialog about race in the Deep South in protest of segregated large-scale, site-specific installations; Music/CRASHarts at 617-876-4275 or buy travel facilities. At 9pm Don Cheadle fans intimate studio artworks; architecture; and America. Tickets $7-$10; More information online at www.WorldMusic.org. at coolidge.org/programs/stage-screen. can revel in one of his best performances public memorials, not least of which Fri, Jan 18: in Talk to Me, a Kasi Lemmons film that + is the Vietnam War Memorial in Wed, Jan 9: ArtsEmerson honors Martin Forget the dark January days Luther King with a 6pm. screening of stole many hearts in 2007. Coming up over Washington D.C. 6pm, Rabb Lecture outside by immersing yourself in “Splen- Freedom Riders, a harrowing documentary the weekend are four other films, including Hall at the Boston Public Library in Copley dor at the Royal Court: 1500-1789.” Led by Akeelah and the Bee and Do the Right Thing. Square. FREE Tickets $7.50-$10; www.ArtsEmerson.org. Thu, Jan 24: Berklee alumnus and faculty A HEaping Helping of First Night in the fenway Sun, Jan 20: Get the day off to a brassy start member Mirek Kocandrie is honored in Here is a small sampling of First Night 12–3pm: Fenway Studios offers free tours with a 10am Trombone/Tuba Fest at the a memorial tribute concert at Berklee events in and around the Fenway: of its historic-landmark building. Visit the New England Conservatory. Jointly led by Performance Center. Kocandrie played bass BSO trombonist Norman Bolter and Empire for Roy Orbison, the Drifters, the Coasters, Daylong Celebration on Boylston Plaza work spaces of artists working in styles Brass tuba artists Kenneth Amis, this prom- the Platters, the Bee Gees, the Marvelettes, at Prudential Center | At the geographic from abstract expressionism to post- center of First Night a daylong celebra- modern realism as well as print-making, + ises to be a rousing fanfare for Sun- Mary Wells, the Seekers, and many others. tion includes music and eye-catching decorative art, and portraiture. Original day morning. in Pierce Hall. FREE 8:15pm; advance tickets $8, $12 day of show. spectacle. Artists include John Powell, work will be available for sale. Tue, Jan 22: Boston Conservatory faculty Visit http://www.berklee.edu/events Qaor, Main Fader, Cortexelation, Solid 1pm–4:30pm: Boston Public Library offers member Janice Weber and soon-to-graduate Fri, Jan 25: Kimberly Peirce’s Boys Don’t Cry State Entity, LRAD, Whoarfrost, Of The free guided tours of the historic McKim Oleksandr Poliykov present a program of and Jennie Livingston’s Paris Is Burning kick Sun, Andrew Goldman, Patrick Chaney, Building, highlighting architecture and works for two pianos. Poliykov might not of a weekend-long exploration of gender Julie Dion, Sam Perry, and Tanya Fedan. works of famed sculptors and painters. have his degree yet, but he’s already a world- identity at the ArtsEmerson film program. 10am–4:45pm: Museum of Fine Arts, The 30-minute tours run on the half- traveling concert pianist. Works by St. Saëns, Other films in this mini-festival include Boston offers free admission to the first hour from 1-4:30pm Meet in the lobby Brahms, Medtner, and Johann Strauss’s (yes, Tomboy, XXY, and Transamerica. All films 300 button holders. of the McKim Building (Dartmouth St. The Blue Danube, arranged for two pianos). require separate admission. Tickets $7.50- 8pm, Seully Hall, 8 the Fenway. 10am–5pm:Mary Baker Eddy Library entrance). www. $10; www.ArtsEmerson.org. + offers free admission to button holders. 1:15pm–2pm Festival of International bostonconservatory.edu/perform Sun, Jan 27: Weather willing, this could be a FREE There will be performances by the Short Films, a perennial First Night very good day to take a Winter Walk in the Chinese Dulcimer Guzheng Youth Band favorite. Recent short films from all Wed, Jan 23: The Beehive presents a “Tribute Back Bay Fens, led by one of the Emerald (11:30am); Odaiko New England (1:30pm); over the world, curated by the MFA Film to George Gershwin” with a trio of great vo- Necklace Conservancy’s knowledgeable and Back Bay Ringers at (3:00pm). All- Department. Museum of Fine Arts. calists—Nadja Washington, Gabriela Mar- docents. This is the first of three walks; the day activities include face painting, arts 3:30pm–4pm Experience the “Sensur- tina, and Sissy Castrogiovanni—recreating others take place Feb. 24 and Mar. 24. Each and crafts, and free tours of the Mother round” magnificence of Old South his signature “folk opera” vibe. Meanwhile, will be unique, focusing on a particular Church. Chiming concert on the plaza at Church’s 1921 Skinner orchestral pipe chef Rebecca Newell will serve up delicious theme. 1-2:30pm. Call 617-522-2700. 2 and 9 p.m. organ—affectionately dubbed the “Cop- food. No cover, cash bar, reservations rec- + www.emeraldnecklace.org. FREE ommended. For reservations or more in- 11am–2pm: The Gardner Museum offers ley Philharmonic Organ,” demonstrated Sun, Jan 27: An all-day orgy of con- formation call 617-423-0069 or visit free admission to the first 300 button by renowned organist Harry Huff. Old www. certs closes out the spring semester for the . holders. Family activities in the studio. South Church in Copley Square. beehiveboston.com NEC Preparatory School chamber music Thu, Jan 24: Architect Maya Lin speaks program. Young musicians in string, piano, woodwind, and brass chamber ensembles perform in simultaneous concerts in Brown Hall, Williams Hall, the Keller Room, and Tue, Jan 15: Project. Visit www.bostonprimetimers.org, Audubon Circle Neighborhood Pierce Hall beginning at 9:00am. http:// Association board meeting, Annex Room email [email protected], or call: Tue, Jan 8: Ward 4 Democratic Committee necmusic.edu/prep-chamber-mu- 3D, Harvard Vanguard, 133 Brookline Ave. 617-447-2344. + meets at the South End Library, 685 sic-festival. FREE. Call 617-262-0657 for more information. Tue, Jan 22: Fenway CDC Urban Village Tremont St., 6:30pm. For more info, contact Tue, Jan 15: Committee. Get involved in monitoring Janet at 617-267-0231 [email protected] Senator Will Brownsberger holds office hours from 7-8pm at Starbucks development in the Fenway and advocating Tue, Jan 8: Senator Will Brownsberger holds Coffee, 755 Boylston St. Contact him at for the kind of neighborhood you want. 70 office hours from 7-8pm at Thornton’s, [email protected] if you Burbank St., lower level. 6 p.m. For more corner of Peterborough and Kilmarnock info, contact Lilly Jacobson at ljacobson@ have concerns but can’t make that time. The following events take place at the streets. Contact him at william.browns- Wed, Jan 16: fenwaycdc.org or 617-267-4637x16. [email protected] if you have concerns Fenway Liaison for Mayor’s Of- Peterborough Senior Center, located two Tue, Jan 22: Symphony Neighborhood Task but can’t make that time. fice of Neighborhood Services holds office blocks from Boylston between 100 and 108 hours from 3:30-5:30pm at the YMCA, 316 Force meeting, 6pm. Location to be deter- Thu, Jan 10: Get involved in the redesign Jersey St. (walk down the alley and look left). Huntington Ave. Email Shaina Auberg at mined. Contact Johanna.sena@cityofbos- of the Edgerly Road Playground at the For more information, call 617-536-7154. [email protected], if you ton.gov for details. first of three meetings held by the Parks & have a concern and can’t make it at this Thu, Jan 24: Congressman Michael Recurring Recreaton Department at 6pm, Fensgate time. Capuano’s liaison holds office hours from Tuesdays Community Room, 73 Hemenway St. (use Wed, Jan 16: 10-11am at Mike’s Donuts, 1524 Tremont ramp on the side and ring buzzer). For more West Fens Police/Community • 9:30am—Coffee Hour St. Call 617-621-6208 if you have concerns info, call 617-635-4505 and ask for Sherri. Meeting, 5pm, Landmark Center, 401 Park • 10am—Conversational English Class Dr., second floor. but can’t be there at that time. Tue, Jan 15: East Fens Police/Community • 11 a.m: Exercise with Mahmoud Thu, Jan 17 Mon, Jan 28: The Longwood Medical Area Meeting, 6pm. Morville House, 100 Norway : Congressman Michael Wednesdays Forum sponsors community review of Street. Capuano’s liaison holds office hours from • 10–noon: Blood pressure check with Joyce 1-2pm at Fenway Health, 1340 Boylston St. large development projects under the Tue, Jan 15: Fenway Family Coalition • 1pm: Yoga with Carmen Call 617-621-6208 if you have concerns but City’s Article 80. Fourth Monday of every THURSDAYS potluck meeting. Join other families in month, if necessary, at 6:30pm, location to can’t be there at that time. 9:30am—Coffee Hour sharing resources, advocating for family Sat, Jan 19: be determined. Contact Rachel at rminto@ • needs, and implementing family projects. Boston Prime Timers, an edu- 11am—Berklee Students Sing-a-long cational, activities, and support network masco.harvard.edu for details and to be • Please bring a dish to share. Call one week added to the notification list. ahead to request child care for all children for older adult gay/bisexual men meets at under age 13. 70 Burbank St., lower level. Harriet Tubman House, corner of Mass. For BRA meetings and hearings, check the SPECIAL EVENTS and Columbus Aves. Refreshments at 2:30, calendar at www.bostonredevelopmentau- 6:30 p.m. For info or to request child care, To find out about special events, call 617- program at 3:30; $2 donation at the door. thority.org/calendar/calendar.asp contact Kris Anderson at kanderson@ 536-7154. fenwaycdc.org or 617-267-4637 x29. Speaker: Bob Linscott of the LGBT Aging