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serving the Fenway, Kenmore Square, upper Back Bay, Prudential, Longwood Area & Mission Hill since 1974 volume 37, number 3 FEBRUARY 26-APRIL 1, 2011 Burbank Tenants Deliver Not-So-Sweet Valentine to Kargmans By Stephen Brophy with their landlords in late January. The owners, William and Robert Kargman. So for the development. Struggling since last summer to keep the tenants offered several proposals but got only on January 17 they delivered a “valentine” And even tenants lucky enough to federal housing subsidies that make their units a tepid response. to the brothers that included signed petitions qualify for new, income-limited vouchers affordable, the Burbank Apartments Tenants After waiting three weeks they decided from more than half the tenants and more under the Kargman plan end up exposed to Association (BATA) finally won a meeting to pursue a more visible interaction with the than 350 community members, as well as new risks. If a tenant’s income rises above support letters from more than 20 groups and program limits, for example, they lose the institutions. (You can see one of the letters on voucher—and even if a later event like a lay- page 4.) They were so visible Led by Esperanza Spalding, Fenway Music that they made Channel 5 news. For the Valentine delivery, Schools Take Home Seven Grammy Awards the BATA tenants were joined Berklee and New England Conservatory As a jazz bassist, Spalding was a long shot, by Fenway neighbors, tenants grads and faculty took home a collective competing against the likes of Justin Bieber, from Chinatown, Jamaica seven awards across a range of categories Drake, Florence and the Machine, and Plain, and Roslindale, and at the 2011 Grammy Awards, announced on Mumford and Sons. Spalding has served as representatives from the Boston February 18. a Berklee faculty member and regularly visit Tenant Coalition, Chinese The highest-profile winner was the campus. Progressive Association, Esperanza Spalding ’05, who surprised Other Berklee alumni who carried away City Life/Vida Urbana, and observers with her win for Best New Artist. awards included Clay Cook ’98, member of Massachusetts Alliance of the Zac Brown Band, which won for Best HUD Tenants. BATA has also Esperanza Spalding: Country Collaboration with Vocals for the received strong support from Berklee grad, critical song “As She’s Walking Away”; Ruslin Sirota city, state, and federal elected darling, and surprise ’03 and Hiromi Uehara ’03 of the Stanley officials. Grammy winner. Clarke Band, for Best Contemporary Jazz The Kargmans want to opt Tenants held a banner while their colleagues delivered Album; producer Makeba Riddick ’99 and out of the Department of Hous- petitions calling on the owners of the Burbank Apartments engineers/mixers Brent Kolatalo ’03 and ing & Urban Development’s not to abandon a federal affordable-housing program. Ken Lewis ’91 for their work on Eminem’s (HUD) project-based Section 8 program, off or reduction in hours drops their income Recovery, which won Best Rap Album; and which covers about 40% of the development’s back below the cut-off, they can’t re-qualify. cellist Eugene Friesen, a member of the apartments. Additionally, a mortgage that con- Beyond that, funding for the voucher program Berklee faculty, for Best New Age Album tains restrictions imposed by HUD will expire is renewed yearly and has become an enticing for his performance as a member of the Paul this spring. The 173 units, located in seven target for grandstanding “deficit hawks” in Winter Consort on the album Miho: Journey East Fens buildings, have been afforeably Washington. to the Mountain. priced for 40 years and represent nearly 10% After inconclusive conversations with Musicians from the New England of all affordable housing in the neighborhood. the owners, the tenants and their supporters Conservatory also carried home awards. The The Kargmans contend that current declared their concerns publicly outside the Parker Quartet (Daniel Chong and Karen tenants will be protected under their plan to Kargmans’ Tremont Street office at the Janu- Kim, violinists; Jessica Bodner, violist; and prepay the mortgage, which will allow HUD to ary 17 event. Included in the delivery were Kee-Hyun Kim, cello) received a Grammy offer eligible tenants “enhanced vouchers” to letters from Berklee College of Music, the for Best Chamber Music Performance for a subsidize their rents. Huntington Avenue YMCA, and the Fenway recording of the Ligeti String Quartets No. 1 Yet these vouchers will only be available Community Development Corporation. and 2/Andante and Allegretto. to those tenants, not future renters. Teachers, The tenants argued that the owners should Also, saxophonist Wayne Escoffery— human-service workers, and others who renew their commitment for three reasons: who studied in NEC’s Thelonious Monk provide essential services but earn only low to First, the Kargmans can maintain Institute and then got a master’s in jazz per- moderate incomes—the classic profile of the affordability and still earn full profits through formance—shared in the Grammy honors for buildings’ residents since the 1970s—could a HUD program that guarantees them market- Mingus Big Band Live at Jazz Standard, which no longer afford to move there. The owners’ rate rents on project-based Section 8 units. won as the Best Large Jazz Ensemble Album. decision would ultimately end affordability Second, the brothers have benefitted from millions of dollars in public money thanks to HUD’s subsidy of the original mortgage. Tenants argue that they have contributed to With Roots in Mission Hill and an Eye on the the value of Burbank Apartments as taxpayers and as residents who have actively improved Future, Greenidge Signs on to Run Mike Ross’s Staff the neighborhood. “I have lived at Burbank By Stephen Brophy, editor and college students who wanted to help to stay in the city and get more people of Apartments my whole life,” says tenant ate last month City Councilor Mike mentor the next generation of leaders for color involved in the civic process. But at Ronald Brankley. “My mother and I invested a Ross’s office announced that a new Boston—we worked closely with students on the moment they are both enthused about lot in this community.” chief of staff had been hired. In that the road to college and beyond.” the food-trucks initiative that is working Finally, the owners’ decision affects not notice Ross enthused “I am thrilled After college its way through only current tenants, but also thousands of po- L Greenidge went to city government. tential Fenway residents. If the Kargmans opt to have George Greenidge as the newest member of my team. He has worked tirelessly work for the Boston “Mike’s really out as planned, the apartments themselves will to bring people together to change our city Foundation as a excited about no longer be subsidized. So even if a current for the better. His energy and enthusiasm program officer. “I this—he wants tenant gets a voucher, once that tenant moves will be an asset to my office, and to the entire gave out grants to to get many out, the affordability goes, too—forever. district.” This made me curious. non-profit groups and different kinds of “This is about much more than one Last week I sat down with Greenidge in social entrepreneurs,” food out to where owner’s preferences; this is about the long- the City Hall office he shares with Councilor her remembers. This people are in their term affordability of the neighborhood and Ross and asked him a few questions about his overlapped with his neighborhoods. the city,” says Joanne McKenna, president of background and his plans for the future. Right serving as chair of the We just had the Fenway CDC board of directors. “Taking off the mark he wanted Fenway News readers Boston Empowerment a hearing on away 10% of the neighborhood’s affordable to know about one of his Fenway connections. Zone, during which Tuesday [Feb housing is a particularly nasty game of musi- “My father has been a Fenway sausage vendor he helped to “disburse 15] where cal chairs, except it’s no game; it’s people’s since 1985—you can always find him outside $27 million to the most we reviewed homes and lives. We don’t want a neighbor- the Cask & Flagon during the season. I grew economically challenged with various hood that working people can’t afford.” up at Fenway Park—Cask & Flagon was my neighborhoods departments— Sarah Horsley of the Fenway CDC second home.” from 2000-2010 for Public Works, contributed substantially to this article. Greenidge also lived with his father development and job police, fire, (who is still on Mission Hill) during his creation.” Inspectional college years, 1988-93. “I got to see how This led to his appointment to the Services, and the Mayor’s Office—about the rich a community can be in its diversity,” Citizen’s Committee for Boston’s Future, a logistics involved. he remembers. “I was also involved in the two-year project during which Greenidge and “What the Councilor is looking for are nightlife of Lansdowne St—Venus de Milo Ross became much more friendly based on smart entrepreneurs who can make the most Vote and Axis—not to mention the Rat in Kenmore their mutual agreement about the direction of this opportunity. We want the trucks to Square.” of the city. “We developed a good working arrive in the spring—they apply for different During his college years, Greenidge got relationship, and then I became his chief of routes, and can have early morning and late his start in community organizing, when he staff in January—this has been one of the most night routes as well as afternoon. We had March 15 helped to found the National Black College fast-paced periods of my professional life. about 15 entrepreneurs at the hearing, and Special Election Alliance, of which he also became the first Greenidge and Ross share a will to it was great to see individuals and groups City council/Dist. 7 executive director. “It was founded by alumni find ways to motivate graduating students working together.” 2 | FENWAY NEWS MARCH 2011

SAMUELS & ASSOCIATES UNVEILS NEW WEST FENS PROJECTS For a report on the developer’s plans, detailed at a meeting on February 23, visit www.FNOnline.org. Public comments are due to the BRA by March 4; e-mail [email protected] for details or to see the project filing. City Wav e s a Yellow Fl ag on Northeastern /YMCA Dor m Pl an he saga of Northeastern’s plan to build a dorm on land owned by the Huntington Avenue YMCA took more twists last month as: Teaching Middle School Students With a T• the Boston Redevelopment Authority announced that a demolition delay meeting will take place on Monday, Feb. 28, at 6 p.m. in Northeastern’s Kerr Hall, 96 The Fenway. Focus on Academics, Service, and...Squash? • the Boston Landmarks Commission moved up its hearing to Tuesday, March 8 (updated agenda at www.cityofboston.gov/landmark); By Courtney Flynn four hours a week playing squash. Each practice • and a meeting of the Northeastern Community Task Force has been set for March 16. Boston-based youth-development is a combination of fitness, drilling and play. Calvin Arey, a leader of the group of unhappy YMCA members hoping to block demolition program named SquashBusters For high school students who have put hard of the facility’s gymnasium to make way for the new dormitory, hailed the rescheduled serves Boston youths by combining work and extra effort toward improving their demolition delay meeting as a “small victory.” It had originally been on the agenda for a squash, academics and community squash skills, there is a select team that helps January meeting of the Community Task Force, but a snowstorm that night prevented most A recruits take their game to the next level. This service. SquashBusters works primarily with YMCA members from attending. middle and high school students from the select team’s “practice is more rigorous than the Dearborn and Timilty middle schools, both regular weekday practice because these are our Northeastern Gr ad Be c o m e s Unlikely Face of Egypt’s Rebellion most motivated kids … It has a more focused located in Roxbury. SquashBusters runs out ahmoud Salem—the young computer executive who became the youthful face of approach,” Karlin said. of a Northeastern University athletic center on the Egyptian revolution last month—graduated from Northeastern in 2004. Almost When students aren’t playing squash, they Columbus Avenue, where it has a 50-year lease Movernight Salem became a symbol of the rebellion after his popular Facebook page was have homework time, where they can receive from Northeastern shut down and he was arrested and beaten by state security forces in Cairo’s Tahrir Square. help completing school assignments. They can The nonprofit SquashBusters was The Boston Globe reported on Feb. 6 that Salem picked up undergrad and graduate degrees in also get one-on-one attention with volunteer established in 1996 and had 80 applicants. his five years on the Huntington Avenue campus. “All the while,” reports the paper, “he was tutors. “Northeastern has great volunteers we When it moved to its Northeastern base in getting a firsthand education in the then-emerging genre of social networking, running in a work with,” Steven Flythe, SquashBusters’ 2003, it finally gained the capacity to expand. It circle of friends that included a roommate of Napster founder Shawn Fanning, who launched program director, said. “We have a lot of now serves about 100 youths a year. According the music sharing service while enrolled at Northeastern.” to the SquashBusters website, the program opportunities for people who want to volunteer.” SquashBusters offers prep courses for was established “to use squash as a means for In the East Fens, Out w i t h Cars and In w i t h Couches enriching the lives of disadvantaged kids.” older students applying to college and younger To join SquashBusters, sixth-graders from students applying to private secondary schools. development group that includes the CEO of HP Hood notified the BRA last month the specified Roxbury middle schools have to “We do provide prep for SAT [and] a prep class that it wants to convert the Symphony Garage at 41 Westland Avenue into 48 condos go through a screening process, and, if they are for the Independent School Entrance Exam,” Awith 31 indoor parking spaces. The proposal would add a one-story penthouse and may, accepted, they participate in the program until Soares-Pena said. “We teach kids test-taking according to the filing, need variances for height, FAR, and parking requirements (although to they graduate from high school. strategies.” provide less parking than the city requires, which is always good to see). The garage is licensed Applicants “go through a day that is The community service part of the to park up to 300 cars. The filing does not make clear how this project would relate to the same similar to a program day, where they get some program works with organizations such as the group’s proposal to build a nine-floor, 45-unit condo building at 44 Burbank Street, the parking squash instruction, team-building activities, Mount Pleasant Home, the Carter School and lot adjacent to the back of Symphony Garage. That project was originally slated to begin and homework time,” Dan Karlin, one of the Cradles to Crayons. The Mount Pleasant Home construction in 2009, but has yet to break ground. program’s squash coordinators, said. “Through is a residential home for seniors in Jamaica our observation of that, paired with our Plain. The Carter School is a school for special Marshall’s Farm Sta n d Rides to the Rescue of Fe n w a y Lo c av o r e s collaboration with their teachers at school, we needs children in West Roxbury. Cradles to arshall’s Fenway Farm Stand—which has brought everything from native strawberries make a judgment of which kids embody our Crayons, located in Quincy, provides children to fresh-cut Christmas trees to its store on Boylston Street in the West Fens—has a values enough to participate.” from low-income families essentials such as Mnew trick up its sleeve. Owner Bob Marshall announced formation last month of a CSA Those values are emblazoned on colorful clothing and school supplies. (commumnity-supported agriculture) program. In a CSA, members make an “investment” in posters throughout SquashBusters’ main facility Flythe said the community service work the year’s growing season and in return they get weekly “dividends” in the form of regularly that bear the acronym I-CARE, standing for involves relationship building. “We are going delivered produce from the farm. Marshall says his goal is “to supply farm-fresh produce to integrity, concern for others, appreciation, much deeper with community service; most people who might not otherwise have access to fresh fruits and vegetables that are grown by respect and effort. I-CARE is at the heart of the students do [a total of] 30 hours at sites,” Flythe local farmers.” Participants in the Marshall’s CSA can choose a large share (enough produce SquashBusters’ program, and it is a set of values said. for four people) for $600 or a small share (for two people) for $350. In return, they’ll get that faculty and volunteers alike strive to instill One of the main objectives of the com- produce once a week between June 6 and October 21. Sign-up deadline is March 30, but in the recruits. munity service program is to broaden awareness Marshall encourages interested people to register early. For more information, visit the store, “It’s not about whether they’re a good about social issues, which is reinforced with call 617-375-6100, or visit www.MarshallsFenway.com. athlete or a good squash player or whether pre- and post-service reflection sessions. “A big they’re the best student in their class,” Karlin piece of [community service is] reflecting and Open Wide and Say ‘Free’ said. “It’s about whether they want to work hard talking to students about their experiences,” arvard’s School of Dental Medicine offers free dental care for children from 9:00 a.m. … have a good attitude and respect for both Flythe said. “Writing it down, doing it through to 1 p.m. at the school, 188 Longwood Avenue. Make an appointment by calling 857- their peers and the staff.” artwork … It’s really trying to have them em- H209-4963 or emailing [email protected]. Available services include dental Although SquashBusters is selective for body those experiences.” cleaning and exams, x-rays, and referrals for kids aged 1 to 17. Mouthguards are available for its school-year program, it holds summer camps Although it would be difficult to kids 10 and older. open to all Boston public school students. objectively measure the success of the “During the summer camp, we like to open it SquashBusters’ program, statistics show the Neighborhood Trust is Looking for Few Good Proj ec t s up to give the opportunity to all the kids from program is improving its members’ academic he Mission Hill/Fenway Neighborhood Trust is looking for proposals from organizations the Boston public schools, so they can see what standings. Soares-Pena said: “Since the program seeking funding for projects and programs that serve residents of Mission Hill and the we’re about and see what we do,” Karlin said. started, 100 percent of the kids who stayed TFenway. For more information, visit www.missionhillfenwaynt.org, where you’ll also find “In some occasions, they end up going to one of (throughout) the program…graduated from high a proposal form. Proposals must be mailed and postmarked by March 31. Be sure to include an our partner schools, and we can recruit them if school.” original and six copies. Grants will be announced at a public meeting in June. they’ve done a good job in the camp.” SquashBusters has stuck with its formula The summer camp also offers leadership of squash, academics and community service Fe n w a y Fi r e m e n Stoke Culinary Fl a m e s opportunities to the program’s high school for 15 years. And with the generous donations e’re guessing the folks like it hot at the city’s Fire Alarm Operations Center, located students. “The counselors from the camp we the nonprofit receives, coupled with the just across from the Johnson Gates on The Fenway. The hire [are] our high school kids,” Teresa Soares- dedicated team of staff and volunteers it has, Wcenter’s Kevin Dowling and Barry Stafford (flanking event Pena, SquashBusters’ executive director, said. SquashBusters can continue “to serve as much emcees Billy Costa of KISS108 and Lenny Clarke of Rescue Me) took “They apply,…they interview and get a job, of the city as [it[ can,” Karlin said. part in the First Annual Boston Firehouse Chili Cook-Off on January they get training, they get evaluated and they Courtney Flynn is an undergraduate 25 to benefit the Greater Boston Food Bank. Dowling and Stafford get paid.” student in the Northeastern University battled 13 other firehouses that converged on the Four Seasons Hotel for Students in the year-round program spend School of Journalism. a showdown to see which firehouse cooks up the best chili. Although the prize ultimately went to Dorchester-based Engine 24 & Ladder 23, selling pricey tickets was the point—each one helped the Food Bank provide 230 meals to people in need in eastern Massachusetts. Quality eye care + stylish eye wear Most Rite Aids Hav e Shingles Vacci n e —But Not Ours Make an appointment or stop in to shop for eye wear today! esponding to reports of a national shortage of the shingles vaccine, Rite Aid distributed a press release late last month announcing that most of its pharmacies have the vaccine Rin stock. Except, that is, for the Rite Aid in the West Fens, which did not show up in a search for vaccination locations on the company website. (A painful skin rash that can strike anyone who has had chicken pox, shingles most often afflicts people over 60.) A search of www.riteaid.com/pharmacy/immunization/ returned a Rite Aid on the Fellsway in Medford as the one closest to the Fenway with the vaccine.

Northeastern has a new vice president irst a law student, then a trustee, now former Suffolk County District Attorney Ralph Need an eye exam or new glasses? Fenway Health has you covered. Our eye care Martin has taken on a new role at Northeastern, where he will serve as general counsel. staff provide the highest quality eye care for our patients in a comfortable, caring, FMartin told The Huntington News, the independent student newspaper that “I have a real and compassionate environment. And our optical shop carries the latest styles from affinity for the school because I went to law school here [and] I’ve really watched the university Calvin Klein, Sean John, L.A. Looks and more to keep you looking, and seeing, great. evolve over the last couple of decades,” he said. “The intensity of the academic operation and how the stature of the university has grown locally, nationally and internationally…for me to be a part of a mission-driven organization at a very high level, all of those things were very for a valuable coupon visit fenwayhealth.org/eyes appealing to me.” fenway eye care 1340 Boylston Street, 6th Floor Boston MA 02215 tel 617.927.6190 web fenwayhealth.org continued on page 3 COM.11.010 FENWAY NEWS |MARCH 2011 | 3

Kenyan School Finds Hearts, Helping Hands at Fenway High by Laura Finaldi ground on the school project either at the end of 2011 or early 2012. She said earing journalist Anthony Mulongo tell the story of a six-year-old she was very impressed with the efforts of the students, since many of them homeless Kenyan girl who had to care for her baby sister only to have come from rough backgrounds themselves. the baby die from starvation struck the heart of Fenway High School “These kids have come up with some great ideas for businesses locally,” Hsenior Caitlin Fitzgibbon particularly hard. she said. “Many of them have had injustices happen to them and yet they still “The children in Kenya—you can get thrown in jail lf want to help these kids o

for being homeless,” Fitzgibbon said. “It’s really unsafe e w out.” v e for the girls.” t Fitzgibbon said it o: S t

Girls like the six-year-old playing the mother role o was hard for her and h are not a rare occurance in Kenya, and Fitzgibbon, along p her students to listen to with her classmates, wanted to do something about it. Mulongo talk about the The students helped community organization One Home injustices the children Many Hopes (OHMH) raise money to build a school that in Kenya face on a daily will educate 720 girls in 24 classrooms. basis. Mulongo’s visit to Fenway High School (FHS) was “Usually [the Kenyan set up by Amy Carrier, a business teacher at the school girls] are just begging on Ipswich Street who teaches the Fenway Ventures for money so they can class, a graduation requirement for all students. In it, eat, but they didn’t want students learn about entrepreneurship and different money, they just wanted business opportunities. Carrier had her students write to know what [Mulongo] letters to the girls at the orphanage and presented them was doing with his to Mulongo when he came to speak so he could give camera,” she said. them to the children. Wernett said the Carrier said she feels a special connection to this OHMH, which also has cause and is thrilled with the response of students to Students from the Fenway Ventures class at Fenway High School enticed voters an orphanage for girls Mulongo’s talk. with snacks and candy on election day last fall, raising more than $800 in the up and running in Kenya, “It was just a wonderful way to introduce Fenway process for a school for girls in Kenya. saw the need to reach out student body to these girls,” she said. “It just kind of to children in the community that it could not house. She said the school is a shook my students. By the time they got up on stage, the kids were on the great symbol of hope for young women especially, some of whom have been edges of their seats.” involved in human trafficking and sex tourism. In order to help out with this project, a small group of students set up “There are 1,200 schoolchildren just in a very small circumference of our a table at FHS on election day last November (the school is a polling site home that are not getting education. We can’t bring them all in the home,” she for several Fenway precincts), asking for donations to help out OHMH. An said. “Through education the school is definitely a beacon of hope in my mind anonymous donor pledged to match every $100 they raised, making the total for the community.” just under $840. Laura Finaldi is an undergraduate student in the Northeastern University Tracy Wernett, a volunteer for OHMH, said the organization hopes to break School of Journalism.

At the BSO, Youth Will Be Served—or at Least Serenaded CDC’s Walk to Work Progr a m Offers Ho s p i ta l Training Progr a m he Boston Symphony Orchestra announced its new youth and family concerts conductor he Huntington Avenue YMCA’s International Learning Center and Children’s Hospital last month. Thomas Wilkins, music director of the Omaha Symphony and principal guest Boston have teamed up with the Fenway Community Development Corporation to Tconductor of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, will take the position and in the process Thelp Boston residents find work. Participants who successfully complete two weeks of become the first African-American to hold a titled conducting appointment with the grande intensive pre-internship training will move on to a paid internship at the Children’s Hospital. dame of US orchestras. Wilkins will be only the third youth and family concerts conductor in Applicants should be Boston residents; they should have U.S. work authorization and a 50 years. Harry Ellis Dickson established the series in 1959 and led them until his retirement in high school diploma or GED; and they should be proficient in Microsoft Office, have good 1987. Keith Lockhart held the position from 1995 to 2004. communications skills, and be enthusiastic To find out more, contact Kris Anderson at 617- 267-4637, x29 or [email protected]. Taining starts in March, so call soon. In District 7 Preliminary Election, Jack s o n and Mills Top the Field preliminary election on February 15 whittled a field of seven candidates down to two Happy Bi r t h d ay to Robert Johnson who will vie for the District 7 City Council seat. Tito Jackson and Cornell Mills will he 100th anniversary of the birth of legendary bluesman Robert Johnson (1911-1938) Ameet in the final election on March 15, which will determine a successor to Chuck inspired a group of his musician fans to organize concerts to mark the occasion. Turner. Jackson got 1,943 votes, or 67.3% of the total cast; Mills came in a distant second with TOrganized by the Colorado ensemble Big Head Todd and the Monsters, the troupe 271 votes, only 13 more than the next closest competitor, Danielle Renee Williams. performed at Berklee on February 18, with a lineup that included 95-year-old Honeyboy Edwards, who knew Johnson, and Hubert Sumlin, a guitar-playing sideman to Howling Wolf. Did An yo n e Look at The Fac a d e ? eaders of Travel + Leisure magazine rated Kenmore Square’s Hotel Commonwealth Suspect Arrested in Hit-and -Run De at h of Northeastern Stud e nt among the world’s top hotels in the magazine’s March issue. The hotel ranked eleventh Roslindale man has been charged in the death of former Northeastern student Andrew Rin the Overall Value category and ranked fourth of five North American establishments Prior last November 14. Prior was riding his motors scooter home late in the evening that made the list. The sweetest news for the hotel: it was the only one from Boston. Awhen he was hit by a Hyundai near the intersection of Tremont St. and Columbus Ave. An anonymous tipster turned in Colin Ratiu, a 23-year-old dishwasher, who had left his car, Berklee’s Fe m a le Stude nt s Gr ab the Sp otli g ht which matched a police description, parked in front of his Roslindale apartment since the night ore than 50 women will fill the Berklee Performance Center stage when the Women of the accident. Musicians Network presents its 14th annual concert on Thursday, March 3. Female Mstudents from countries including Argentina, Japan, Italy, South Korea, Spain, and the Huskies Take Rare Run at the Be a n p ot, Lose to BC U.S will showcase talents in this popular concert. The show features 12 diverse acts led by ortheastern made it to the finals in this year’s Beanpot ice hockey competition for women performing original music across genres, including Latin folk, alternative pop, R&B, the first time since 1988, but ultimately lost to Boston College on Feb. 14. The mini- film score, theater music, vocal jazz, artsong, flamenco, and Middle Eastern-influenced hip- Ntournament—which pits NU, Boston University, Boston College, and Harvard against hop. Show time is 8:15 p.m., and Tickets are $10 through ticketmaster.com or at the box office. one another—dates back to the 1952-53 hockey season. In case you’re keeping track. Call 617-747-2261 or visit berkleebpc.com for more information. —compiled by Stephen Brophy and Steve Wolf

Hispanic Black Gay coalition panel finds young people ask, ‘Aren’t I black too?’ By Daniel Alfaro black youth feel the need to separate their church institutions, are moral judgment, can be influenced by our values of love and full crowd was present on sexual and racial identities to please their as oppose to preaching about love and understanding, as opposed to being in influ- February 19 at the First Church in community. “We need to have a dialogue understanding.” enced by distorted media portrayals of people” Roxbury, for a panel discussion, that talks about the issue of identity and a “Many people are under the impression The crowd responded positively to the hosted by the Hispanic Black Gay discussion on how we can support those who that sexuality is a virtue,” said Reverend remarks, but many young audience members A have an identity conflict.” Everyone in the Walker, adding that church community is who asked questions of the panelist thought Coalition, to listen, discuss, and create action plans to tackle the issue of identity within the crowd, including the panelists, agreed that a factor in race and sexual identity. “Very it was a generational issue—between older LGBTQ black community. “No one should inclusion and understanding would cause few black churches are welcoming to LGBT and younger people—that makes it difficult to ask themselves or their community “Aren’t a decline of depression and suicide, and people—so it’s impossible to have this understand minority LGBTQ youth identity. I black too?” said, Sharon Lettman-Hicks, encourage youth to announce their sexual discussion.” Christopher Goodwin, an openly gay executive director of the National Black orientation. After that statement Dr. Kim Parker, youth counselor, concluded that the biggest Justice Coalition, in her keynote speech. She Reverend Michael Walker, minister of moderator, asked, “What do we do with our challenge to identification is education. “Our added also the importance of civil rights the Messiah Baptist Church of Brockton, LGBTQ youth?” Immediately, Darnell Wil- youth can teach our elders, and vice versa. for everyone, and the need for dialogue and said during the panel discussion that the liams, president of the Urban League of East- That way we can better understand one education about LGBTQ issues. church is another institution that discourages ern Massachusetts and panelist, responded, another.” Many in the crowd tackled this question, a conversation about sexuality in the black “We need to remove ourselves (youth and Daniel Alfaro is an undergraduate including Roxbury resident Soledad Boyd, community. “The history of Christianity older individuals) from our culture and start student at Roxbury Community College. who expressed her concern that LGBTQ is anti-sexual. What are preached, in many focusing on ourselves—that way our youth 4 | FENWAY NEWS MARCH 2011

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Fenway News Association Board of Directors My Fellow Americans, Welcome to the Third World Steve Chase • Helen Cox • Tracey Cusick • Joyce by Shirley Kressel CEO’s, reckless risk-taking without consequences, and stock-market Foster, president • Steven Harnish • Barbara hen the Wall Street universe collapsed and the manipulations. It is equally due to government policies that com- Brooks Simons • Steve Wolf, treasurer government bailed it out, the talk was that socialism pound wealth—tax cuts benefiting primarily the rich, corporate tax

was saving capitalism—from itself. But who will save breaks, trade policy that rewards job exportation, environmental Editor: Stephen Brophy WEB EDITOR: Nicole Aubourg us from capitalism? deregulation, financial deregulation that subsidizes wild risks and W allows deceptive practices, education-system failures, declining real Production Designer: Steve Wolf We’ve just experienced 35 years of free-flying capitalism Daniel Alfaro, Iory Allison, minimum wage, and fraying welfare and other safety net programs. Writers: as it wants to be: private profits, public risks. Labor unionization, Liz Burg, Bob Case, Helen Cox, Tracey progressive taxation and corporate regulation, based on the lessons Cusick, Dharmena Downey, Lisa Fay, Peter learned from the 1929 crash and the resulting depression, brought n short, deliberate collusion between corporate and political Flannery, Courtney Flynn, Lori A. Frankian, America 25 years of relatively egalitarian post-war economic interests, at the expense of the public, used 30 years of Joyce Foster, Marie Fukuda, Galen Gilbert, progress—booming prosperity and the creation of a great middle productivity increases to make a small number of large fortunes Elizabeth Gillis, Katherine Greenough, class. But in the mid 1970’s, the big corporations began to attack and left most incomes stagnant. This huge transfer of wealth Phyllis Hanes, Sam Harnish, Tim Horn, I Sarah Horsley, Rosie Kamal, Jonathan these economic pillars, to take the country back to the good old days was masked by credit, which was sold to us to replace earnings in of robber barons, labor exploitation and elderly folks surviving on supporting an illusory rise in our standard of living. Kim, Shirley Kressel, Aqilla Manna, Erica cat food. It took some time and lots of money, but they’ve managed Americans apparently tolerate this because of three myths: 1. Mattison, Richard Pendleton, Camille Platt, Karla Rideout, Mike Ross, Barbara Brooks to funnel most of the nation’s wealth into the hands of a tiny fraction Anyone can become the winner who takes all. 2. We need the rich to Simons, Matti Kniva Spencer, Anne Tobin, create our jobs. 3. We’re a meritocracy, so the rich must deserve their of the population, creating a plutocracy of über-rich who can now Chuck Turner, Fredericka Veikley, Chris simply buy political power to retain their status. Some numbers: wealth. Viveiros, Clyde Whalen, Margaret Witham • In 2007, the top 10% of households received almost half of total The facts are different. PhotographerS: Brian Clague, Lois national income. Economic mobility in America has stopped, and may be Johnston, Patrick O’Connor, Valarie • Since 1970, the average income of the top 1% has doubled to declining; we’re behind most Western nations. Seabrook, Matti Kniva Spencer, Ginny Such 24%—equal to their pre-crash share. Corporations don’t “create” jobs; they hire workers they need, CALENDAR: Penina Adelman, Helen Cox, • In that period, the income share going to the top 0.1%, with an as few as possible, at the lowest possible pay. Workers are the vehicle Ruth Khowais, Steve Wolf, for their success. Proofreader: Tracey Cusick average income of $7 million, has quadrupled to 7.7%. Most work in finance, a sector whose share of corporate profits rose from And even the most meritorious of the rich don’t do it alone. Subscription Coordinator: Cathy Jacobowitz under 10% in 1979 to more than 40%. They capture the value of the commons—natural resources and BOOKKEEPER: Cathy Jacobowitz societal institutions, such as air and water, minerals and soil, • The top .01% (14,500 households) average $24 million, up 550%, Distribution: Nicole Auberg, Della making more than the bottom third of the whole population; that’s infrastructure, education, regulation, intellectual wealth. Investment Gelzer, Aqilla Manna, Lauren Dewey Platt, 28,000 people out-earning 96 million. billionaire Warren Buffet said, “society is responsible for a very Reggie Wynn • The top .001% took in 6% of all income in 2007, doubled from significant percentage of what I’ve earned.” 2000. Extreme inequality is bad for the rich as well as the poor, The Fenway News is published monthly by the and for society as a whole. Constant envy, insecurity, and a sense of Fenway News Association, Inc., a community- • The top 400 taxpayers enjoyed a 476% increase in income growth owned corporation dedicated to community since 1992. The richest 74 people made as much as the 19 million overarching unfairness undermine community cohesion, and lead to journalism. If you would like to volunteer to lowest-paid people in America. health problems, ruinous debt, and social unrest. write, edit, photograph, lay out, distribute, or sell • Since 1970, economic productivity increased by 70%. Of all the At stake is democracy itself. The plutocratic buy-out of advertising on commission, please contact us at: financial wealth created since then, 42% went to the top 1%. Fully government via campaign contributions, lobbying, and policy- The Fenway News, 94% went to the top 20%, leaving the bottom 80% with only 6%. making by mega-philanthropy is accelerating without the PO Box 230277, Astor Station • In 2007, the bottom 99% of households got $1.6 trillion less than countervailing force of informed and engaged citizens, who are Boston, MA 02123 617-266-8790 they would have if the share of national income going to the top too busy scrambling to pay the bills to delve into data and organize [email protected] one percent had not soared to 24% from a 7.5% share in 1977. for action. Capitalism is literally destroying democracy. We are www.fenwaynews.org • If the minimum wage had risen as fast as CEO pay, it would now competing with Third World countries by becoming one. be $23 an hour instead of $7.25, and the average worker would Let’s debunk the 35-year mythology of the so-called “free Subscriptions $24/year ($15 for limited income) earn $110,000 instead of $27,500. market,” and go back to the principles that work—for all of us. ©2010 Fenway News Association, Inc. • People making $60,000 paid a larger share of their 2001 income Shirley Kressel is a landscape architect and urban designer, in Social Security, Medicare, and federal income taxes than those and one of the founders of the Alliance of Boston Neighborhoods. “Comforting the afflicted and making $25 million. And people making $400,000 paid a larger She can be reached at [email protected]. A version share of their incomes than those earning over $10 million. of this column appeared in January on MySouthEnd.com. afflicting the comfortable.” Why has this happened? www.mysouthend.com/index.php?ch=columnists&sc=city_ The founders of The Fenway News adopted this It’s the result of deliberate corporate strategies rewarding streets&sc2=&sc3=&id=115041 Be sure to visit this link for the motto to express their mission of exposing and short-term profits and externalizing (ignoring) social and environ- excellent hyperlinks that Ms. Kressel provides to illustrate her opposing the dangers the neighborhood faced mental consequences: union-busting, exporting of jobs, overpaying assertions. in the early 1970s—including rampant arson, unscrupulous landlords, and a destructive urban renewal plan. If the original motto no longer fits today’s Fenway, we continue to honor its spirit of identifying problems letters and making our neighborhood a better Burbank Owners, You Can Protect affluent—has access to the Fenway’s many community by maintaining affordability. and safer place to live. Affordability and Still Make Money cultural and employment opportunities; We urge you not to tarnish your legacy by • a stronger and more cohesive community, removing Burbank Apartments from the First Fenway Cooperative Fens sent the in which people of all backgrounds get to affordable housing pool in the Fenway. > Frequency < following letter to William and Robert know each other at places like the Edgerly Sincerely, The Fenway News reaches the stands every Kargman, brothers who run First Realty 4-5 weeks, usually on the first Road playground. Osla Case • Robert Case Investments, which owns the Burbank Increasingly, developers like yourselves or last Friday of the month. Our next issue Apartments in the East Fens. Johnette Ellis • Joseph Groden will be appear on Friday, April 1. understand the value of the “double bottom Steve Harnish • Patricia Harriell Dear William and Robert Kargman: > Deadline < line”—doing well by doing good. While Cathy Jacobowitz • Kyle Katz We are writing to express support for we acknowledge your interest in growing The deadline for letters, news items, and ads Joanne McKenna • John Peter is Friday, March 25. members of the Burbank Apartments Tenant profitability, we believe that these buildings Karla Rideout • Rosaria Salerno Association in their efforts to preserve and this program can continue to serve you > Advertising < Yvonne Sandiford-Horne Contact our business manager at long-term affordability in your apartment well financially while remaining an equally Jessica Sorkin buildings. valuable resource for the city of Boston. [email protected] The First Fenway Co-op is a limited- Specifically, maintaining the affordable equity housing cooperative established in apartments at Burbank will: 1980 to provide and preserve affordable • assure you a reliable income stream in family housing in the Fenway. Many of our uncertain times; The First Church of Christ, Scientist members have lived in this neighborhood • preserve your access to HUD resources for Sunday Church Services & Sunday School Mass Ave for decades or a lifetime and are active in capital improvements; 10 am and 5 pm (no evening service July & Aug.) the Fenway community. Therefore, we are • decrease turnover, thus holding down LIVE online: www.ChurchofChristScientist.org Lock Co. deeply concerned about your proposal to opt maintenance and oversight costs; Wednesday Testimony Meetings out of the project-based Section 8 contract • protect the property from the vagaries of 12 noon and 7:30 pm 24-HOUR and not explore options to preserve long-term the market and from the depredations of EMERGENCY SERVICE affordability of the non-Section 8 units. transient tenants. As longtime resident-owners of When you initially invested in our neigh- BONDED LOCKSMITH cooperative housing, we know first-hand borhood, you understood the financial and so- the value of permanent affordable housing cial importance of affordability in the Fenway. 125 St. Botolph Street in a neighborhood like ours. The project- We urge you to uphold that commitment now Phone 247-9779 • Fax 536-8709 based subsidies at Burbank Apartments by (a) renewing the project-based Section 8 have brought many benefits to the Fenway, contract for at least twenty years; and (b) work- including: ing with HUD and others to keep the rents in Police Locks • Doors Opened • less turnover, resulting in better cared-for the non-Section 8 units affordable for low and Near the corner of Huntington & Mass. Ave. Mailbox Keys • Master Keys properties and an engaged and responsible moderate income residents in the long term. Free Parking at all services. Systems • Padlocks tenantry; The First Fenway Co-op appreciates T Hynes, Prudential, Symphony, or Mass. Ave. • availability to low-income families and the care and stewardship you have brought For further information, call 617.450.3790 Door Closers or visit www.ChristianScience.com people of color, creating a vibrant, diverse to these properties, and we applaud the Keys Made by Code neighborhood where everyone—not just the tremendous service you have done for the FENWAY NEWS |MARCH 2011 | 5

Our Far-Flung Correspondent Goes In Egyptian Revolt He Sees Hunting for Signs of Ancient Meteorite Clear Echo of ‘We, the People’ by joyce foster There are actually two Chicxulubs, by Stephen Gamil is from Port Said, on the Suez he death of the dinosaurs is back I found out. My first stop was Chicxulub Brophy Canal, and his family still lives there. When in the news, and Chicxulub, on the Puerto, a seaside village of fishermen and Last October asked if his family had run into any trouble, Yucatan peninsula may be losing expats from cold countries. The first make we published a he replied that “my brother works with the Tpride of place. Ever since 1980, a hard living fishing for grouper, snapper picture on our police, so I was relieved to hear that the when Nobelist Luis Alvarez determined that and octopus from small dory-like boats front page of police were among the first of the government a six-mile-wide meteor crashed onto the Gulf whose design hasn’t changed in a century. Fenway resident to side with the people.” He informed us that coastline of Mexico 65 million years ago, The latter flock here to warm weather, a Mahmoud Gamil life was mostly normal in Port Said, but “once it was generally accepted that this was the gorgeous beach and easy, very inexpensive celebrating his when I was talking with my brother on the catastrophe that shut down photosynthesis living. This village is too small even to have newly acquired American citizenship. Since phone, I heard a loud voice in the background. worldwide and wiped out the dinosaurs. the usual Mexican village square with the Gamil is from Egypt, we asked him recently I asked if he was watching TV and he told me Now, scientists are debating a new church and the municipal building across to share his thoughts about the recent events that someone with a megaphone was out in hypothesis; that the real in his native country. the street.” culprit was volcanic “I first want to say how proud I am Gamil is happy that Mubarak stepped activity centered in of my fellow Egyptions,” he told us. “We down, saying “Thirty years of the same leader India 300,000 years are a country of educated people who want is too long. We need the new ideas of the before the Chicxulub a better life. At least three Nobel Prize new generation.” He also argued that “while meteor struck—if not winners—Farouk Albaz, Ahmed Zewel, Mubarak was a good friend to America, we ending life as it was and Mohammed al-Bareidi—participated in in America should be working to win the then known, at least the demonstrations. Along with the others, hearts and minds of the Egyptian people. Our weakening land species they were against so much corruption and American Constitution begins with the words so badly that the meteor unemployment, and for increased freedom of ‘we the people...’ We need to recognize also was only the coup de speech, like we have in America.” that Egypt is its people, not its leaders.” grace, not the whole story. While the scientists duke it out, it maybe a city council hearing can help occurred to me to go to Chicxulub Puerto attracts Norteamericanos with warm weather Chicxulub myself and and pleasant living, but our correspondent set out to find signs owners rethink plan to quit program take a look. I winter of a 65-million-year-old meteor strike. hen I moved to Boston after graduating from college, one of the first nearby and so it was neighborhoods I called home was the Fenway. My lodgings weren’t tempting to take a 4-peso ride on one of the from one another, but it does have a small luxurious, but for around $500 a month, I had a small studio on Westland bone-rattling, fume-spewing 1950s buses centro, circled by luncharia and street Ave. As a resident, I loved the diversity of the neighborhood—people of all kept together with baling wire and chewing vendors, which is where the bus stops. ages, races, and economic backgrounds called the community home—and I continue to gum that course up one calle and down Hopping off, I turn slowly, taking it love the area as its city councilor. another, stopping at most street corners— in. So this is it. Exactly where the meteor The federal government took steps to ensure that everyone can find a reasonably- always an adventure. Watching the road struck. Today there is not even a hint of priced unit in places like the Fenway decades ago, when the Department of Housing and speed past through a gap in a floor boards is the catastrophe. It is now a quiet, dusty Urban Development offered subsidized financing to developers as a bracing experience. little village two blocks from the beach, an incentive to build affordable housing. One of the recipients of with a few streets and one-story, two-room that grant was the Burbank Apartments on Haviland Street. Those concrete houses. It’s noon, so, few people grants—in addition to project-based Section 8 grants—kept 173 are around, but the ubiquitous Mexican units with-in reach of low- and middle-income Fenway residents dogs are everywhere, curled up in the for the past 40 years. shade or loping slowly along. There is But we now face the very real prospect that these units— no sign welcoming tourists to an historic which represent almost 10 percent of all the affordable housing spot; no indication that under foot, buried available in the Fenway—may no longer be available to thousands 6 or 7 meters deep, is the debris kicked of present or future Bostonians. As the grants that financed the up by the impact; not even any indication Burbank Apartments expire, that property’s owner, First Realty The Ross that somewhere out there is the rim of the Management, has decided to voluntarily opt out of the Section 8 200-mile-wide crater, although satellite program in April, removing yet another form of support for lower- Report photos clearly show where it is, along with income residents. The Fenway a curving cluster of cenotes (sink holes) On March 2, I will file an order for a hearing to discuss the News has invited that were formed in the limestone by the changes at the Burbank Apartments, with the actual hearing to be elected officials collision. Next stop, Chicxulub Pueblo, held as soon as possible after the order is assigned to a Council who represent the 10 kilometers down the road, where the committee. Fenway CDC and the Burbank Apartments Tenants neighborhood to town offices are located. Perhaps there Association have asked First Realty to renew its commitment to Roof Deck contribute columns •KENO I will locate an English-speaking local affordable housing in the Fenway by renewing its participation on issues of with information about how the asteroid is in the Section 8 program and by working with HUD to find other Now Open concern. These will understood today. grants to subsidize units for middle-income residents. First Realty appear on a regular •ESPN Game Plan But in the meantime, I stumble across a has declined to do so. Memorial Day basis in FensViews. theory with an ironic twist. It is now thought Instead, First Realty has said it will participate in HUD’s •Draftto Labor Specials Day! that the meteor that struck Chicxulub may “enhanced voucher” program, which will keep rents low for eligible tenants. However, have originated from a distant cataclysmic this only applies to those low-income residents who already live in the building. These collision 165 million years ago in an vouchers will not be offered to future eligible tenants—meaning there will be fewer low- •Great seafood asteroid belt, resulting in the formation of a cost units available in the neighborhood, and as current residents gradually move out, Swing on in for group of asteroids known as the Baptisima the number available in these buildings will shrink to zero. and steak tips Family. Some of them may have headed The enhanced voucher program also does not cover middle-income residents, so lunch & enjoy Tavern into the paths of the planets, and the theory the teachers, human-service workers, and others who live in the Burbank Apartments •favoritesBuzzTime including has that it was one of these that hurtled will be forced to move elsewhere when the HUD subsidies expire. into Chicxculub 100 million years later. We must ensure that Boston maintains its affordable housing stock. I believe interactivehot dogs for only If so, then the given the vastness of time that the Fenway has room for residents of all income levels. Residents of the Burbank and distance in space, the dinosaurs’ fate Apartments and the Fenway Community Development Corporation have joined forces $1.50television during Red was already sealed before they had even to maintain affordable units in this building—not just for the residents who live there Sox Away Games! appeared on earth. now, but for future tenants who to take advantage of all the Fenway has to offer. I look Joyce Foster is an East Fens resident. forward to working with all the stakeholders to ensure we keep this apartment complex affordable for years to come.

1270 Boylston Street Boston, MA 02215 617.867.6526 Designers! Do you run a business in the Fenway, Audubon Circle, or Mission Hill? Turn neighbors into clients Visit us online at: with a business card ad in The Fenway News. Thousands of readers will see it each month— including your next new clients. heBaseballT T avern.com Email [email protected] for more info. 6 | FENWAY NEWS MARCH 2011

With New Program, Berklee Embraces Musicians from Kenya, South Africa

by Margot Edwards of KwaZulu-Natal in South ic “We were really impressed with her s natural talent and musical instincts. There was Africa, he received a u inging didn’t come easily for f m Wambura Mitaru. Growing up a sincerity to her performance that highlighted scholarship to study abroad ege o

in rural Kenya where singing her passion for learning,” says Ron Savage, anywhere in the world. The ll chair of the Ensemble Department, who obvious choice for the jazz was an everyday part of life, ee co enthusiast was the U.S.— Mitaru recalls being in awe of headed the team that auditioned Mitaru in rkl Kenya. “She also performed in her tribal where jazz originated. e her sisters’ voices —she herself o: b t

Matlou attended Drake o was tone deaf. During a blackout at school language and brings her distinctive musical h p one day, students began singing to entertain and cultural experiences, which only serve to University in Des Moines, themselves and Mitaru discovered that give the community at large a stronger global Iowa, where he performed everything had changed. perspective.” with a jazz trio and had the “After what seemed like Berklee’s Africa opportunity to tour Europe the longest four minutes of Scholars Program was with a school group. my life I expected jeering designed to provide Matlou sees the and booing, but instead exceptional African scholarship as more than an heard applause. It was as musicians with the education opportunity. “It’s if I was in a dream. This opportunity to study at an honor to know I have was definitely a miracle—I Berklee. The initiative, been trusted and selected Pianist Kabelo Witness Matlou, a South African national, could sing.” instituted by President to follow in the footsteps of studies at Berklee under the Africa Scholars Program. In high school, Mitaru Roger Brown, has awarded a long list of distinguished earned awards for her sing- $2.3 million in scholarships alumni, great musicians, and great artists,” he of scholarships and student employment. ing. A teacher encouraged since 2008. In addition to says. Matlou has already come full circle, as he’s her to study music but her many partial tuition and “Not only is a special thrill to me but now working as a student employee in the family was discourag- full-tuition awards, the also good news to Africa.” Matlou is majoring Scholarships Office, through which he was ing. “In Kenya, music is Wambaru Mitaru wants to pursue program also awards a in jazz composition, and shares Mitaru’s admitted, offering advice to aspiring students frowned upon by profes- a master’s degree and return to full scholarship annually goal of imparting his Berklee knowledge like the one he was once. sionals, and treated mostly Kenya to teach. covering full tuition and on those back home and around the world. Berklee held auditions and interviews as a hobby,” she says. Mi- room and board for four He says, “With my background in South in Nairobi, Kenya, in the summer of 2010, taru persisted, studying music while dreaming years of study at Berklee. African culture and music, I hope to become and awarded 11 scholarships as a result. of also becoming a teacher. She is now real- n addition to Mitaru, Berklee an innovator and help make a difference in Matlou and Mitaru are among eight students izing that dream, having entered Berklee this recently welcomed pianist Kabelo the lives of other talented young aspiring currently attending the college through the semester on a full scholarship through the Af- Witness Matlou, from South Africa, individuals.” Africa Scholars Program. The other six are rica Scholars Program. Mitaru plans to pursue as a full Africa Scholar Matlou grew “Through the audition and interview Victor “Blue” Dogah from Ghana; Matthew a master’s degree after Berklee, “So that I may up in the township of Tembisa. “We process, Witness distinguished himself Field from South Africa; Albino Mbie from empower by teaching those who may never do not have a lot of educated and as a fine, budding pianist with excellent Mozambique; and Kayode Ajayi, Moses make it to Berklee,” she says. “I also hope to successful people whom we can look up to as potential for success at Berklee. The original Agada, and Michael Oloyede from Nigeria. change the policies in my country at the gov- role models,” he says. Matlou, a jazz pianist, compositions he submitted for review Margot Edwards is a publicist at ernment level for music standards, so that a is thankful to have had music to keep him out also displayed his potential as an aspiring Berklee College of Music. mediocre education is a thing of the past.” of trouble. While studying at the University composer,” says Tod Oliviere, director

gone from their beloved Moscow for more than a decade, wish desperately to return, BU Students Give Chekhov the Old College Try and get used to the knowledge that they never By Sam Harnish and made the problems of the characters seem the brother, Andrei (played by Matt Ketai). will as the play progresses over several years. nton Chekhov only lived to be more individual than social. Flanagan has one of the strongest presences This was underscored in this production by 43, but he accomplished a lot in Chekhov explored the paradox of upper- onstage, despite the fact that the character the number of times male characters looked his short life. Not only did he class people raised to expect a life of leisure, herself is so evil that by the end I cringed at their pocket watches, and in one dramatic revolutionize the writing of short but bored because they have so little to do. when she appeared onstage. Another actor moment when a drunken character shatters a A While this might be very depressing, it’s not who really stands out is David Gram, who large ceramic clock by throwing it on the floor. stories—first in Russia and then around the world—he also made irreversible changes a problem that his characters could take a pill played Kulygin, the husband of Masha, the Overall, the production was pretty y in the way theater is written, produced and for. h ap acted. One of his major plays, The Three The play is in four acts, with the first r og t

two staged on the same set. The production o Sisters, was on display recently in a student h y p

design involved a large box-like framework t production put on by the Boston University i rs

School of Theatre. that could be turned around for the change of e v i The play, which ran for one week scene and allowed action written to take place n n u o

(February 18-26) in the Calderwood Pavilion in different rooms to be visualized on one st in the South End, was based on a newer, more stage. As in many productions, the actors also o o: Pb t

Western translation—which made it more served as stagehands, moving the framework o accessible but also changed the feeling of and pieces of furniture around between acts, Ph the work. For instance, the frequent refrain without a curtain. “I’m sick and tired” got changed to “I’m The student actors were generally pretty depressed.” While the terms are similar, the good, but some of them need to practice meaning of the latter is much more clinical, projecting their voices a little more effectively. Our seats were only a few rows back from the stage, but I had trouble hearing some of Where Credit Is Due... the lines. The story involves a family of three We printed two incorrect photo sisters and a brother, and the changes in their credits last month. Credit for the lives over a period of five years. In the first beautiful picture of a willow tree that act, they are marking the first anniversary Alicia Hunt (Masha) and Marion Le Coguic (Oga) comfort Maggie Erwin (Irina) in the Boston accompanied Ann Tobin’s poem goes of the death of their father, a military man, University student production of The Three Sisters. to Daniel Stephens, rather than Brian which also coincides with the birthday of Clague, his partner (who thoughtfully the youngest sister, Irina (played by Maggie oldest sister. He is a teacher, and the respect satisfying. The ensemble did manage to bring submitted it). Our apologies to Dan. Erwin). A dinner is planned for the evening, she once had for him has long since gone, to life the small moments in family life that On the same page, Phil Farnsworth and several soldiers from a nearby garrison but he keeps repeating to himself how happy we mostly don’t pay attention to in real life, should have received credit for the are hanging around in anticipation. he is so that he doesn’t have to recognize her but which nevertheless gradually change image of Diane Patrick; our apologies This act introduces a character, Natasha distaste. things in major ways. This set of BU students also to Phil. (played by Monica Flanagan) who will bring One of the major themes of the play is definitely showed us why Chekhov is still major changes to the family after she marries the ravages of time—the sisters have been important. Therapists! Are you self-employed? Turn your neighbors into clients with a business card ad in The Fenway News. Thousands of readers will see it each month—and you could find yourself some new clients. Email advertise@fenwaynews. org for more info. FENWAY NEWS |MARCH 2011 | 7

relationships with other stars like Brigitte “Francophone Films” (March 17-24) Bardot and Jane Birkin. Charlotte Gainsbourg presents movies from all parts of the French- MFA Films circle the globe this month is his daughter. speaking world, including Bamako (Mali, by Stephen Brophy a young man has to hide his infatuation Other films in the series include 2006) a much-praised film by Abderrahmane he Film Program at the Museum of with acting from his wife and friends; Lucia an Israeli film, The Matchmaker (2010), Sissako, and a newish film by the Belgian Fine Arts will be particularly busy (2010) about the changes in a young Chilean a German/French co-production called Dardenne brothers, Lorna’s Silence (2008). this month, with three series and seamstress’s life in the wake of the collapse Cabaret Berlin: The Wild Scene (2010); The The cinematic world tour continues two festivals filling its screens. New of the Pinochet dictatorship; and The Joy (A HR Manager, a co-production by Israel and March 24 to April 10 as the annual Boston T Alegria, 2010) in which a young Brazilian Latin American Cinema (Mar 2-9) features three other countries; and Percy and Felix Turkish Film Festival arrives with four recent four films from Uruguay, Chile, Columbia, woman finds the ghost of her recently Adlon’s Mahler on the Couch (2010), about movies and a program of short documentary and Brazil, the oldest of which, Oscar Ruis disappeared cousin in her living room. the composer’s complicated relationship with and fiction films. Finally, on March 30, the Navia’s Crab Trap dates only to 2009. It The National Center for Jewish Film (not his wife, Alma. Walter Gropius and Sigmund Film Program presents a sneak preview portrays the eternal theme of young love, but to be confused with our own Boston Jewish Freud also appear as characters in this of Bill Cunningham New York, a 2010 with one character who wanders out of the Film Festival) will screen five films between domestic drama (now that is complicated). documentary about a photographer who has jungle and another who has lived all her life in Mar 4 and 11. The most intriguing of these is Six new films from Québec make up the been obsessively and inventively chronicling the seaside city he wanders into. Gainsbourg (France, 2010) a biopic in which bill March 11-17, including the intriguingly fashion trends and high society charity soirées This series also includes Norberto’s the life of Serge Gainsbourg is reimagined, titled Taqwacore: The Birth of Islamic Punk in The New York Times Style section. Deadline (2010) by Daniel Handler, in which from his life in Nazi-occupied Paris through (2009). In it, a young man from Rochester, Most films will be screened in Alfond New York, studies Islam in a Pakistani Auditorium; evening ticket prices are $8 for madrassa to get back at his white-supremacist MFA members, seniors and students and $10 father, then years later writes a Muslim punk for general admission; matinee prices (up Behind the Music: At Heavy Rotation manifesto that inspires Taqwacore bands to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays and 12:30 p.m. on Records, Students Are Label Execs around the world. weekends) are $6 and $7. by Stephen Brophy to cover songs to secure licenses. or the past 11 years, Jeff Dorenfeld “The whole ideas is helping students,” has been guiding Berklee students Dorenfeld continued. My job is finding in very hands-on projects through interested people who want to be a part of the various stages of producing this and match them up. In this changing F environment, artists have to see their work i friends. We’re back again, in recognizable and coupled it with a promise and marketing recorded music. Each year has produced a much-sought-after CD more as branding, look for sponsorships happy time where there’s no to treat their positive reaction with heaven, a compilation under the label, Heavy Rotation and the like. How they monetize their art problem that can’t be cured. For place of beauty, relaxation and love, entirely Records. The CD was usually celebrated with is different. Not so many record companies example, the best way to get rid of different from the rough-and-ready humanity H who claimed them. a live concert at Berklee Performance Center. will invest in them as they used to. Now rats? Be like the people on Beacon Hill and This year, things were slightly different. artists have to find different ways to build call them mice. That’s upper class talk. Catholicism makes earth like a school, Rather than having the CD available at the audiences.” So much for affectation. Now back to with graduating classes in heaven. Think Feb. 9 concert for distribution, it will be Dorenfeld grew up near San Francisco, reality. about it. What might have happened on earth released later this spring. The concept is and came of age attending concerts at the Religion affects all of us. There were before common sense brought on by religion also a little different this year. As in the Fillmore, where he eventually found his first probably many religions before Christianity, took over? At the very least, they would have past, various Berklee and local performers work. He later went on tour with performers which seems to have caught on because of its wiped each other out and this whole universal auditioned to be included on the CD and in like Sammy Hagar and Ozzie Osbourne, and close association to family life. system would have worked through eternity the concert. But this time each performer or managed Boston when it reconvened. His Can you imagine what the world was without reason or hope or love. How about group was challenged to come up with two first experience at Berklee was being a guest like before the blessings of that for a stand-up comic? songs from two artists related by influence— speaker in a class about managing bands in communication through talk and This state was originally for instance U2 and Joy Division or Green 1987. He made the transition to teaching in writing became popular? meant to be called Mass-sets, but Day and Hüsker Dü. the mid-1990s. When people were like somebody sneezed in the process The concert and recording feature Julia “Every day when I leave the building I animals, going around looking and put an “ah-choo” in there. Easterlin (Radiohead, Pixies), David am amazed at how lucky I am. I felt fortunate for a meal and if not finding it, Stand-up comedy started with Pramik featuring Johnny Duke (U2, to be in the business, and now I feel the same would kill another human, just a sit down strike. Joy Division), The Berklee String Metal way about teaching it. I’m also glad that I to have a couple of meals. Brutal Here’s a song I made up in the Ensemble (Smashing Pumpkins, My Bloody didn’t start teaching any earlier, because wasn’t it? A horrible world to key of B-flat: There ain’t nothin’ in Valentine), Pinn Panelle (REM, Mission I might not have valued it so much. I’m be born in, where your family creation/ like a dose of radiation./ of Burma), The Boston Boys featuring passionate about the business and so are my would teach you to earn your It’ll burn ya’ till you think you’re Emily Elbert (Green Day, Husker Du), students. When I’m grading them I’m grading meals by killing other humans. gonna fry./ Old paint and I been and Da’Rayia (Red Hot Chili Peppers, Gang myself. Teaching is about connecting—the Then some humans, in order to ridin’/ in the mountains we been of Four). An added wrinkle is that each artist students and I turn the classroom into a place make things better, would teach West Fens resident hidin’/ since we saw the great big performs their covers in their own style. So, we can see the future with.” you how to kill animals, so your Clyde Whalen gives mushroom in the sky./ Don’t get for instance, the Green Day and Hüsker Dü Dorenfeld’s students agree with him. “I diet would taste better. With this “The Fenway Report” caught in the fallout, brother./ Put songs will be delivered in bluegrass versions. learned how to roll with the punches because thought in mind, hens began to every other week on your lead underwear./ Keep an The Fenway News interviewed not everything is going to go your way when lay eggs to avoid winding up in on cable channel ear on the Gieger counter./ Cover Dorenfeld a couple of days before the concert organizing a concert,” says Cecily Valdez. chicken soup. 9’s Neighborhood your eyes from the glare. to talk about what’s involved in pulling this “But you have to know how to think on your Things got so bad a miracle Network News. Take the legs from some old all together. “The students oversee all of fix and come up with solutions fast. I am was called for. Somebody table, take the arms from some old the label’s functions,” he told us, “including a perfectionist, and in the past I let things thought of a god, an unearthly creature from chair, take the face and hands from marketing, sales, web development, media and get to me because they weren’t perfect and the stratosphere, as someone they could some old clock, from an animal some hair. accounting.” He was pleased that this year’s organized. But as I’ve grown and worked on count on. Gods began to pop up everywhere. Put them all together, tie them up with string recording would be produced in Fort Apache this project I have learned to just go with it Apparently, everyone thought their God was and glue, and I’ll get more lovin’ from a ding- Studios, legendary for its work over the years and make it work.” the right one. Then along came Christianity, dong bunny, than I ever got from you. with groups like the Pixies, Radiohead, the Another student, Alex Wright, adds whose God had a human shape and the ability If Mi-ami is not Your-ami, whose ami is Throwing Muses, Elliot Smith, and Warren “This project has allowed me to prepare and to impress parts of humanity with information it? So long for now, wish I was in Miami or Zevon. The studio started up in Roxbury in execute aspects of running a record label guaranteed to work in their favor, as long would you like me in Your-ami? See you next 1985 and moved to Cambridge a few years without worrying about making mistakes. as they went by His word. It was the first month. later; its current incarnation is in Bellows While many of the tasks we are assigned are time anyone had produced a figure that was Falls, Vermont. done independently or in student teams, the “We used to do dorm sessions and guidance from professor Dorenfeld leads us to nian take demos and master those and release it. answers when we are stuck or behind. Once in bosto roper We’re moving to download cards for this next the professional world, I will be able to tackle Imp record, working with RightsFlow, a licensing similar tasks without the mistakes and delays 2009 & 2010 Best an royalties service provider. RightsFlow also of doing it for the first time.” BAR! offers LimeLight, a way for artists who want DIVE Thanks—Tony 8 | FENWAY NEWS MARCH 2011

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accepted. RSVP to administrator@ and Urban History series. RSVP required ‘My Fair Lady’ for the Late 20th Century kajiasostudio.com or 617-247-1719. to 617-646-0568. Visit www.MassHist.org The Huntington Theatre Company kicks off a spring of comedy Sun Mar 13: Finnish pianist Paavali + for details. 5:15 p.m. at 1154 Boyston with Educating Rita by Willy Russell, author of Shirley Valentine. Jumppanen performs Part IV of the Street. FREE Working-class Rita, a fearless optimist, sees education as a way complete Mozart piano sonatas (K533/494; FRI Mar 25: Husband-and-wife folkies to better her life, but her alcoholic professor despises the world of K545; K331; K333; K576) at 1:30 p.m. in the Over The Rhine and pop royalty Lucy

pick of thepick of month academia and wonders whether he’s helping or corrupting Pozen Center, directly behind the Isabella Wainwright Roche appear at Club 939 (939 her. Their encounter changes them both in unexpected Stewart Gardner Museum. Doors open at Boylston Street) at 8:00 p.m. Tickets $25 at ways. Celebrated British director Maria Aitken takes the 12:45 p.m. Tickets $10-23 (kids $5). Your the door or at www.ticketmaster.com. helm of this production; her last work for the Huntington concert ticket gets you into the museum Sat Mar 26: Igudesman and Joo: A Little was The 39 Steps, a farcical reinterpretation of the Alfred free all day. Visit www.GardnerMuseum. Nightmare Music bring the tradition of Anna Hitchcock film that headed to Broadway after the or call 617-278-5156 for information. org Russell and PDQ Bach to Berklee Performance a Huntington, ran for two years, and snagged a Tony Wed, Mar 16: tt Boston Globe columnist James Center. These are “serious musicians who have o nomination. The Huntington’s production runs March rr Carroll discusses his new book, Jerusalem, turned Europe’s most esteemed concert halls 11-April 10. Tickets $25–$89; $5 discount (seniors, l Ma Jerusalem: How the Ancient City Ignited into comedy clubs.” 8:00 p.m. Tickets $37-67 au military); $10 discount (BU community). Call the box Our Modern World. 6 p.m. in the Abbey through the box office (617-747-2261) or o: P www. t office at 617-266-0800 or visit www.HuntingtonTheatre.org. o h Room of the Boston Public Library’s Copley ticketmaster.com. p branch. Info at + www.BPL.org/central/ Thu Mar 31–sun apr 3: Boston Conservatory FREE best play in 2004. Fri-Sat at 8, Sun at 5 at calendar. Opera presents Gilbert & Sullivan’s justly Machine, 1254 Boylston Street. Tickets $45 Thu Mar 24: Hofstra University professor loved The Mikado (or the Town of Titipu) in (VIPs) and $35 (peasants) through www. Mary Anne A. Trasciatti discusses Athens the Conservatory Theater at 31 Hemenway Tue Mar 1-Sat Mar 5: Contemporary BrownPaperTickets.com/event/15398 or Anarchy? Soapbox Oratory and the Street. Thu, Fri, Sat at 8:00 p.m.; Sun at animation show, Astatic, at Mass College of Wed, Mar 9: Alexey Shabalin conducts the Early Twentieth-Century American City 2:00 p.m. Call 617-912-9222 or visit www. Art. Bakalar Gallery in the South Building, Boston Conservatory String Orchestra in Mass Historical Society’s Immigration bostonconservatory.edu/ and select Events/ Mon-Sat 12 noon to 6 p.m., except Weds in Handel’s Concerto Grosso, No. 5 and Opera pulldown menu. Tickets $10-25. to 8 p.m. Info and PDF at www.massart. Schubert’s Death and the Maiden quartet. + edu/Galleries/Featured_Exhibitions/ In the newly renovated theater at 31 astatic.html. FREE. + Hemenway St. at 8pm. FREE All Month: It falls a bit outside our usual Wed Mar 9: Alt-country icon Lucinda The following events take place at the • 11 a.m. Berklee sing-along ambit, but we never pass up Edward Gorey’s Williams brings her husky voice and Peterborough Senior Center, located two • 12 noon. Bingo dark and droll drawings. The Atheneum perennially wounded heart to the House blocks from Boylston between 100 and 108 SPECIAL EVENTS has 150 of them, plus assorted related of Blues; doors at 7 p.m., show at 8. Tickets Jersey St. (walk down the alley and look left). Wed, Mar 2: objects. M-F, 8:30-5:30, except M, W to 8:00 $29.50 (standing) & $39.50 (seats). Info at For more information, call 617-536-7154. p.m.; Sat 9:00-4:00. 10½ Beacon Street. $5 888-693-2583 or • 11am. Short story discussion www.houseofblues.com/ Recurring donation suggested. tickets/eventdetail.php?eventid=67295 • 1pm—Taxi coupons FRi Mar 4 & SAt mar 5: Mondays Thu, Mar 3: Martin Pearlman Thu, Mar 10: Actor and author Jessica noon—Anna Raniuk's Story leads Boston Baroque in a program of Harper talks about The Crabby Cook • 9:30 a.m: Breakfast Club with Matti (Russia) “remarkable but rarely performed” works by Cookbook: Recipes & Rants, at the Boston • 11 a.m: Films—Mar 7, Thelma and Louise Wed, Mar 9: 11am—Powerful Women of the Monteverdi, Biber, Buxtehude, and Handel. Public Library in Copley Square. The title (1991); Mar 14, Chicago (2002); Mar 21, 17th-21st Centuries Both nights at 8:00 p.m. with a preconcert comes from her blog, thecrabbycook. Erin Brockovich (2000); Mar 28, The Thu, Mar 10: 10am—Claire Flury's Story talk by musicologist Laura Prichard at 7:00. + com. 6 p.m. in the Boston Room. FREE Wedding Planner (2001) (Switzerland) Tickets $25–66. Call 617-484-9200 or visit Fri Mar 11: The last of six concerts to ben- • 1:15 p.m.: Yoga with Simmons students Wed, Mar 16: www.bostonbaroque.org/concerts.php Tuesdays 11am—Short story discussion efit the Greater Boston Food Bank. New Thu Mar 3-Sun mar 6: Thu, Mar 17: 12:15pm—Haiku poetry session Boston Conservatory England Conservatory faculty member Kim • 11 a.m: Exercise with Mahmoud and Japanese tea Theatre presents the 1943 Broadway hit Kashkashian organized the series, which • 12 noon: Films—Mar 1, Million Dollar Wed, Mar 23: One Touch of Venus, with music by Kurt has presented all six Mozart viola quintets Baby (2004); Mar 8, Miss Potter (2006); Weill and lyrics by Ogden Nash. Tickets matched to a solo Bach piece in the beautiful Mar 15, For Colored Girls... (2010); Mar 22, • 11am—Monthly birthday party $10-25. Thu, Fri, Sat at 8:00 p.m.; Sat, Sun Emmanuel Church sanctuary, 15 Newbury Video discussion on the depiction of older • noon—Community meeting at 2:00 p.m. Call 617-912-9222 or visit Street. 6:00 p.m. Admission: nonperishable women in films; Mar 29, Divine Secrets of Thu, Mar 24: noon—Women’s Herstory and select www.bostonconservatory.edu/ food or a check made out to GBFB. the Ya Ya Sisterhood (2002) Month quiz and game Events/theatre pulldown menu. Wednesdays Fri, Mar 11: Kaji Aso Studio continues its Wed, Mar 30: Fri Mar 4-Sun 20: • 10 a.m.-noon: Blood pressure check with noon—Santosh Sharma's Story Ryan Landry and the tradition of holding a special tea ceremony Joyce (India) Gold Dust Orphans revive Pussy on the in memory of Mr. Aso, who died on this Thu, Mar 31 House. Their version of Cat on Hot Tin • 1 p.m: Yoga with Carmen : noon—Honoring our women date five years ago. Suggested donation to THURSDAYS of the PSC Roof won an Elliot Norton Award for the Kaji Aso Memorial Fund is $10 ($8 for seniors/students), but any amount gratefully • 10 a.m. ESL, with Rudy Corvo

Tue, Mar 1: Ward 4 Democratic Committee hours 3:30-5:30 p.m., YMCA, 316 Huntington Ave. No appointment needed. meets to endorse District 7 City Council candidate; 6:30 p.m. South End Library, 685 • West Fens Community/Police meeting, 5 p.m. Landmark Center (401 Brookline Ave), 2nd Tremont St. Community invited but only Ward 4 registered Democrats may vote to endorse. fl, District 4 Police Substation next to security desk. Tue, Mar 1: Preserving the Safety Net in Massachusetts. Talks by health care professionals • Northeastern Task Force meeting and Article 80 info session. 6-8 p.m. Site TBD. For sponsored by Mass Physicians for a National Health Program. 6:30 p.m. Light dinner meeting site or more info, email Gerald at [email protected]. served. Tosteson Center., Room 209, Harvard Medical School, 260 Longwood Ave. For Thu, Mar 17: Congressman Michael Capuano’s rep holds office hours, 1-2 p.m. Fenway Health, 1340 Boylston St. Questions/concerns re: federal agencies, national issues or more info, email Ben Day at [email protected] or call 617-723-7001. Wed, Mar 2: Fenway Liaison for Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services, Will Onuoha, legislation, welcome. holds office hours 3:30-5:30 p.m., YMCA, 316 Huntington Ave. No appointment needed. Sat, Mar 19: Boston Prime Timers, a support group for older gay men and their friends Thu, Mar 3: Fenway Crime Watch meeting, 6 p.m. 73 Hemenway St., (use side door and ring (www.bostonprimetimers.org), meets at Harriet Tubman House, 2:30 p.m. $2 donation at “Community Room” bell). the door. Tue, Mar 8: Boston Landmarks Commission Public Hearing about demolition of YMCA Mon, Mar 21: Fenway CDC Civic Engagement Committee. 6 p.m. Fenway CDC Community gym. For time and site or updated agenda, visit Room, 73 Hemenway St. (side entrance). Get engaged in your community. For more info, www.cityofboston.gov/landmarks. Sarah at or call her at 617-267-4637 x19. Mon, Mar 14: Berklee Task Force meeting, 6-8 p.m., site TBD. For more info or site, email [email protected] Gerald Autler at Tue, Mar 22 [email protected]. • Symphony Neighborhood Task Force meeting, 6:30 p.m. Site TBD. For more info or for Tues, Mar 15 SPECIAL ELECTION for District 7 City Council. Polls open 7 a.m–8 p.m. meeting site, call City Councilor Mike Ross’s Office at 617-635-4225. Candidates: Tito Jackson and Cornell Mills. Voters from three East Fens precincts in • Fenway CDC Urban Village Committee.6 p.m. Get involved in monitoring development in District 7 ONLY. For info, call the city Election Dept., 617-635-3767. the Fenway & advocating for the kind of neighborhood you want. Community Room, 73 Tue, Mar 15: Hemenway St., side door. For more info: Callie at [email protected] or call her at • East Fens Community/Police meeting, 6 p.m. Morville House,100 Norway St. 617-267-4637 x16. • Audubon Circle Neighborhood Assn. board meeting, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Harvard Vanguard, Thu, Mar 24: Learn about Boston’s planning and Article 80 process, 6-8 p.m. Fensgate 131 Brookline Ave., Annex Rm 3D. For more info, call 617-262-0657. Community Room, 73 Hemenway St., (side entrance, ring Community Roon bell). For more • Ward 5 Democratic Committee meeting. 7 p.m., First Church, 66 Marlboro St. (corner of info email Callie at or call her at 617-267-4637 x16. Berkeley). [email protected] Mon, Mar 28: Longwood Medical Area Forum, 6:30-8 p.m. Site TBD. For location or to Wed, Mar 16 verify that meeting will be held, email Laura at • Fenway Liaison for Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services, Will Onuoha, holds office Boston [email protected]. boston cab 617-536-5010 For a trip to the aiport or a night on the town, don’t call any cab, call Boston Cab—your neighbor for 50 years and a proud supporter of The Fenway News.