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APRIL 2010 | free

“Comforting the afflicted and afflicting the comfortable”

covering the Fenway, Kenmore Square, upper Back Bay, Prudential, Longwood Area & Mission Hill since 1974 volume 36, number 4 APRIL 2-29 2010

Amazingly, March was only the second

wettest month in 140 years of Boston
weather records (but it was the wettest
Beware the Tides of March

photos: steve chase

March). For Fenway residents, the worst
flooding came during the March 13-15
deluge, which dumped six inches of rain
on the city. Near right: the view from the
bridge south of the Rose Garden shows
the Muddy River well over its banks on
the 15th. Across Agassiz Road (far right),
almost a foot of water soaked Victory
Garden plots close to the river. Our
thanks to intrepid Park Drive resident
Steve Chase (his photo of a curious
hawk peering into his apartment window
appeared in last month’s issue) for these
pictures. As of March 31, Boston’s monthly
rainfall hit 14.9 inches, but take heart—with
colder temperatures the same amount of
precipitation could have left us digging out
from under more than 12 feet of snow.

APRIL IS THE CRUELLEST MONTH
That’s when baseball season returns
to the neighborhood. The Red Sox
face the Yankees in an early home
opener this Sunday, April 4, at 8:05
p.m.—a school night, no less.
And don’t forget to plan around the
disruptions in Back Bay attendant on
the Marathon, April 19. Check www.
mbta.com for route changes on the
55 bus and Green Line restrictions.
N.U. Wants Neighbors to back plan extension
By Stephen Brophy
Northeastern University has a problem.
Its institutional master plan (IMP), approved
by the Boston Redevelopment Authority,
expires in July. When it expires, all the plans
that go with it expire, too, and the school
won’t be able to get building permits even
for interior work on existing buildings. It has
a new master plan under way, but that work
started late because last year’s the economic
Bob Gittens and Larry Brophy (we might be
meltdown made realistic planning almost
impossible. very distantly related), both from the office
of Government Affairs and Community
Now the university plans to file for a
Relations, had been to neighborhood meetings
one-year extension of its IMP, but it needs
before, and probably knew what to expect. But
neighborhood support for that application to
the third, Mike Armini, the new senior vice
be approved—and its neighbors don’t appear
to be in a very supportive mood. Threepresident of external relations, got a baptism
by fire.
Northeastern administrators were reminded
of this at a public meeting the university The crux of the problem is that
Northeastern lacks enough dorm space to
called on Wednesday, March 31. Two of them,
house its 15,000-plus students, so the students
spill out into the surrounding neighborhoods,

Berklee Students, Jazz Scholars Cheer Governor

annoying their neighbors and driving up
housing costs. This problem is particularly
acute on Mission Hill, where more than

Patrick’s Decision to Clean Out the Attic 2,000 students share 10 square blocks with a
shrinking number of fed-up residents.

S
To arrive at a master plan that was
by Stephen Brophy Patrick and I were the children of people like Fanny Lou Hamer [a civil agreeable to the neighborhood five years ago,
ome time last year, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick rights activist’, and we were in the generation of turbulence who stirred the school agreed to add a large dorm and
learned that yet another cache of his late father’s possessions things up so that our children could rise in the world as Deval Patrick require all freshmen and sophomores without
had turned up, and he was asked to claim them. His father, and Barack Obama have done.” local families to live on campus. But the
legendary jazz sideman Laurdine “Pat” Patrick, had been Governor Patrick was also present with members of his economic downturn played havoc with the
something of a pack rat, but what he packed has come to be considered family, including a sister, Rhonda Sigh, who shared with her brother endowment, reducing it from $700 million
a treasure trove of information about American music—and specifically and Berklee President Roger Brown in dedicating the collection to its to $500 million. The school already was
its jazz scene—in the second half of the 20th century. future use in the Africana Studies program. carrying $700 million in debt thanks to its
Trying to figure out what to do with all his father’s...stuff, Berklee describes Africana Studies on its website as aggressive expansion in recent years, among
Patrick hit on an inspired idea—donating it to the Berklee College “a discipline within the Liberal Arts Department, [that] provides other factors, and the debt-to-endowment ratio
innovative, substantive, sustained, and connected programs made borrowing new money impossible. The
photo courtesy of Berklee College

in black music and culture. Our focus is on the study of dormitory plan was cancelled.
black-music practice(s), history, and meaning. This includes Many of the Mission Hill residents at the
traditional West African music and West African pop, meeting spoke forcefully about the negative
spirituals, ragtime, blues, jazz, gospel, R&B, reggae, soul, impact of the concentration of students on
funk, Caribbean, Cuban, and Brazilian music, as well as their quality of life. They see a self-reinforcing
contemporary urban music traditions. Programming and cycle: noisy parties, boorish behavior, and
courses emphasize the relationship between music and increased crime (for instance, car break-ins,
society, by increasing students’ understanding, awareness, because so many students leave valuables in
and appreciation of artists’ roles in the modern world.” their vehicles) tends to drive out residents with
Professor Bill Banfield, who directs the program, 9-5 jobs and children who need to get up early
told the audience about the uses to which his students for school. Real estate opportunists sweep
will put the collection, and described the value they could in and buy up the homes and apartments of
Members of the Boston Children’s Chorus surround Governor Deval Parick find in the papers as they construct their lives and careers departing residents to rent to students, in the
and his sister, Rhonda Sigh, at the Berklee ceremony on March 24. as musicians. He introduced his wife, Professor Crystal process driving up property values and taxes.
Banfield (director of City Music Boston), a cousin of the This generates even more noise, higher taxes,
of Music’s Africana Studies program would keep it near him and his Patricks who played an instrumental role in securing the collection for and a financil inducement to pack it in to move
family, and would allow it to inspire new generations of musicians to the school. Having the two at the podium added more fizz to the affair, to a quieter neighborhood. Wash, rinse, and
become more completely themselves. which was already as buoyant as any such gathering might be. repeat.
Pat Patrick played with jazz greats like Duke Ellington, Two performing ensembles added their art to the evening. Because of this cycle, and because the
John Coltrane, and Thelonious Monk. He also played with an African First, the Boston Children’s Chorus, led by Anthony Treccek-King, last round of talks with Northeastern seemed
musician of world renown who spent his last years in the Fenway, sang songs of mutual support, then were joined by the governor and to do nothing to address these problems,
Babatunde Olatunji. But he is best known for a four-decade association his sister so that the audience could snap their pictures with a range of residents like Pat Flaherty say they’re
with Sun Ra, a musician who was also a philosopher and inspirational digital devices. Then Berklee’s Pat Patrick Tribute Arkestra played a through working with the university. “We as a
leader of an ensemble known as the Arkestra. Much of the material in handful of songs written or scored by Patrick for the Arkestra and for community can’t support anything that ignores
the new Berklee collection comes from this association, because if Sun Mongo Santamaria, another jazz great with whom he had a fruitful our reality,” she argued.
Ra was the visionary leader of a new kind of ensemble, Patrick was the musical relationship. Joyce Foster, of the Fenway Community
practical organizer who helped hold it all together. When the governor finally addressed the crowd, he confessed that Development Corporation, spoke up toward
On March 24 at its new building on Haviland Street (the as a child he had resented his father’s music, “because music was his the end of the meeting to point out that the
former Fenway Community Health building), Berklee celebrated the first love, which didn’t leave much to go around for his family.” But meeting had two themes. “We are talking
landmark acquisition—and what an inspiring celebration in was! Amiri over the years he came to understand why music was so important to about getting the students back on campus,
Baraka was in the house! Among many other achievements in a career Pat Patrick, and why his work of spreading music was so important to and also about developing sustainable
as poet, political activist, and social critic, Baraka wrote two seminal the world. Patrick invoked Amiri Baraka’s statement about generations, neighborhoods.” She believes that if the
books about music: Blues People: Negro Music in White America telling the crowd “we are living in the world my father created. What university would commit to working on
(1963) and Black Music (1967). In the very short time he had to address kind of world are we creating for our children?” > please turn to NOrtheastern on page 5
the audience (he had a flight to catch at Logan), Baraka intoned: “Pat Stephen Brophy edits The Fenway News.
 | FENWAY NEWS | APRIL 2010

Fenway High Students Play in All-Star Classic

Tajanay Veiga-Lee, Kayla

Photo: patrick o’connor

Cox, and Cleusa Sequeira
represented Fenway High
Wentworth Students Unveil West Fens Plans on April 30 School at the City League
All-Star basketball classic
As we reported in the March issue, students from Wentworth Institute’s fourth-year Architecture on Saturday, March 20, at
Community Design Studio have been spending this semester dreaming up possible futures Northeastern. Teams from
for the West Fenway neighborhood. The students made an initial presentation on Feb. 22. On the north division, which
April 30 they’ll present their final plans at a meeting in their studios, on the second floor of the included Fenway High, won
Annex North Building at 550 Parker Street. The discussion gets underway at 5:00 p.m., and the game, 58-43.
refreshments will be served. The class is led by professors Manuel Delgado, Herman Zinter,
Andy Johnston, Philippe Revault, and Quilian Riano. The April 30 presentation is co-sponsored
by the Fenway Community Development Corporation.

Goody-bye, Hilary; Hello, Kyle

East Fens resident Kyle Katz is making it official. If the name doesn’t sound familiar, that’s
because Kyle is male but started life as a female—Hilary, daughter of longtime neighborhood
Customers Lament Laundromat’s Closing
resident Sandra Brant. Kyle is proud to announce his transition and invites neighbors to peruse by Matti Kniva Spencer

Photo: matti kniva spencer

the legal notices of the Boston Courant for his upcoming name-change petition. For five years, Patricia Bynoe gave the
West Fens what it had lacked for a long time...
Make That the Oily River a cozy laundromat where one could not only
On March 23 the Boston Fire Department (BFD) responded to calls about a noxious odor bring clothes to wash and dry, but also be
near the 200 block of Park Drive and discovered either heating oil or diesel fuel floating on greeted by someone who cared about people
the surface of the Muddy River. The spill was traced to an area of Brookline where the town’s not just as customers but who listened to their
Public Works Department maintains a yard and that is home to a car repair shop and gas station. stories and became their friend.
A BFD team successfully contained the spill, concentrating its efforts near the Landmark Now, sadly, Fenway’s Laundromat has
Center. closed its doors. States Patricia Bynoe, the
former owner, “I am grateful that I was able to
FCDC Snags Dukakis (and a Feather in its Hat) for Annual Meeting give such impeccable and memorable service
for all these years and [that] my employees and
The Fenway CDC landed a big name for its annual meeting on Monday, April 26. Distinguished I were able to share with the many clients and
Professor of Political Science Michael S. Dukakis—better known in these parts as a three-term friends who lived in the Fenway. I will miss
governor of the state and the Democratic Party’s candidate for not seeing everyone, however, seven days...52
president in 1988—will headline the evening with an address on the weeks and little time off during the year takes
implications of the recently passed federal health-care reform law. its toll on someone. I am now trying to slow
“We’re delighted that Governor Dukakis accepted our invitaiton Canestaro/laundry date night. “
down and smell the roses. It was time for me This writer visited Ms. Bynoe on Sunday
to speak,” said board president Joanne McKenna. “He’s a smart, to move on and do other things in life.”
sophisticated analyst—I expect he’ll have some very interesting mornings, often sharing a coffee or hot
Penelope Courtin, her husband Guy chocolate with her. I always felt so welcomed
things to say.” McKenna also noted that the meeting will give the and their son Freddie, can’t believe the fine
board of directors a chance to formally introduce new executive at this laundromat. She would go out of her
service they received from Ms. Bynoe and way to give helpful hints on the best ways to
director Dharmena Downey to CDC members and to the public. “It’s going to be a big night for her staff will no longer be available to them.
us.” The meeting takes place at Northeastern’s Fenway Center, the former St. Anne’s Church, at Says Penelope, “We are 8-year residents wash my clothes. The TV was always on for
77 St. Stephen Street (at the corner of Gainsboro), starting at 6:00 p.m. For more information, customers to catch the latest news, and there
of the West Fenway and are saddened to were always up-to-date magazines for us to
call Sarah Horsley at the CDC, 617-267-4637, extension 19. see the laundromat closed. It’s the nicest read while washing our clothes. It was truly a
laundromat we’ve ever been to, and the owner one-of-a-kind laundromat.
House of Blues Code Violation Has Fire Department Seeing Red and its employees were always so caring, so Canestaro’s, the restaurant adjacent to the
Oil in the Muddy River wasn’t the only Fenway issue on the BFD’s agenda last month. On helpful. The place was always spotless and laundromat, plans to take over the vacant store
March 22 the department stopped a concert and closed the House of Blues on Lansdowne Street the machines were always in operating order. and expand its business.
when an inspection turned up exits clogged with patrons and fire escapes blocked by beer kegs You felt like you were doing laundry in your Matti Kniva Spencer lives in the West
and other impediments. The shut-down came as bad news for 2,300 blues fans in the club for a own home. My husband and I will miss our Fenway
performance by Philadelphia’s Disco Biscuits. It was the second closure of the club in just four
weeks; the department shut it down for a similar violation on Feburary 19.

Gnomon Copy Shuts Its Doors

Gnomon Copy, which had operated on Huntington Aveneu across from Northeastern since the
1970s, closed abruptly on March 12 after owner Steven Theiss declared bankruptcy. The store’s
operations manager, James Coy, told Northeastern’s Huntington News that the staff received no
prior notice of the closing. Coy and four other former employees “have formed an online printing
company of their own called Bluisma,” according to the News. “The company also serves as a
consulting, event planning, photography and audio production service, among others.”

Sargent Meets Velásquez

One of the MFA’s most popular paintings has traveled to Madrid, where it will hang temporarily
in the Prado across from the painting that inspired it. John Singer Sargent’s work, The
Daughters of Edward Darley Boit, echoes several motifs that appear in Las Meninas, Diego
Velásquez’s masterpiece that depicts members of the Spanish royal family in the 17th century.
The Boit daughters will bask in all that Spanish attention until May 30.

Gardner Marks Sad Anniversary

March 18 marked the 20th anniversary of the largest art theft in world history (from a single
venue). On that day in 1990 more than $500 million worth of paintings, including works by
Rembrandt, Vermeer, Degas and Manet, were stolen by two men in police uniforms who forced
their way into the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and incapacitated the guards. A $5 million
reward has been offered for information that leads to retrieval of the paintings.

As Opening Day Nears, Sox Get Neighbors to Clean up

The management of Fenway Park helped organize crews of Northeastern students and other
Fenway neighbors to participate in the Boston Shines clean-up program on Saturday, March 27. State-of-the-art veterinary care in your neighborhood.
If the choice of a cold and windy day in March (or is that redundant?) for an outdoor clean-up
campaign seems downright wacky, consider that the team has an early home opener this year— Come visit our new home.
April 4. Participants who converged on the Absolut Clubhouse on Brookline Ave. got supplies,
instructions, and the chance to enter a drawing for Sox tickets and autographed memorabilia.

Wheelock Leads the Field in Faculty Diversity Open House

A Boston Globe editorial on March 7 praised Wheelock College for its leadership in building
a multiracial faculty. The essay called the college “without peer in diversity,” significantly
288 Newbury Street
outpacing every marquee name in private education in Boston. The editorial followed up on a April 14, 2010
survey, reported in the paper’s news section, that showed almost no local institutions of higher
education with rates of black and Hispanci faculty members above 10%. Wheelock led the pack, 6 to 8pm
with 23% of its tenured and tenure-track faculty members black and Hispanic (UMass came
in second at 13%). Referring to Harvard, MIT, Boston University, Boston College, Brandeis,
Emerson, Northeastern, and Tufts, the editorial noted that “[n]ot a single one of those private 617-247-CARE (2273)
colleges and universities is even at the 9 percent national average for black and Hispanic faculty,
in a nation that is 28 percent black and Hispanic.” The Globe credited much of Wheelock’s www.backbayvet.com
success in this area to the leadership of President Jackie Jenkins-Scott, who is herself African
American.
(due to the bustling nature of this event, we
Newsline was compiled this month by Editor Stephen Brophy and Steve Wolf. discourage attendees from bringing their pets)

Neighborhood’s resident solar expert hopes that by
Emphasizing Hope, his book can orchestrate Change
W
by Lauren Landry
hen Sajed Kamal was a
Northeastern student in the
late 1960s, he began to notice
that all the energy fields in
the Middle East and South America were
being militarized. As the situation continued
to evolve, Kamal became more involved,
putting his personal power
Photo: valarie Seabrook
into finding a peaceable
solution to the world’s
energy crisis.
His latest book, The
Renewable Revolution,
stems from over 30 years
of experience and is
intended to teach readers
how to fight climate
change, revitalize the
economy, prevent energy
wars, and make the
transition to a sustainable
future.
“I think there are
solutions,” Kamal said in Sajed Kamal, whose book on
an interview. “At the same renewable energy appears this fall.
time, what I feel is that,
right now, not enough is being done.”
The Renewable Revolution, to be
published this fall by Earthscan Publishers,
is meant to outline those solutions, reminding cannot blame somebody for not caring [about
readers of the renewable resources at their
disposal right now in the form of solar, wind,
water, heat and bio-gas.
“My hope lies with what we already
have, and the alternatives we have emerging,”
Kamal said. “My experience has been a
combination of researching, teaching and
practicing, both locally and globally, which is
what I hope will make this book unique.”
In 2007, Kamal received the first Mayor’s
Annual Green Award for Community Lead-
ership in Energy and Climate Protection. A
year later, he received a Lifetime Achievement
Award from the U.S. Environmental Protec-
tion Agency, New England Region. He teaches
Renewable Energy and Sustainable Develop-
ment at Brandeis University and has gained
international acclaim as a lecturer and consul-
tant on renewable energy, setting up projects
in the United States, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka,
Armenia and El Salvador. An East Fens resi-
dent, Kamal also coordinated the Solar Fen-
way group, which is now part of the Fenway
Community Develop-
ment Corporation and
is responsible for two
solar installations in the
neighborhood, one at
the Boston Arts Acad-
emy and another at a
CDC-owned apartment
building on Peterbor-
ough Street.
Kamal expresses
a love for the future
generations, writing
The Renewable
Revolution to enlighten
those uneducated
on how critical the
planet’s environmental,
economical and
political landscape is.
“We have always been told that there’s
no end to what we consume,” Kamal said. “I
the environment], because sometimes they
don’t see the reasons why they should.”
The Fenway News
Association will hold its
2010 annual meeting on
June 10 this year.
Look for details in the May
issue and online at
www.fenwaynews.org.
FENWAY NEWS | APRIL 2010 | 
street Cleaning schedule
It’s time to start paying attention to street-
cleaning parking regulations again.
Although turning a table lamp off when
leaving a room sounds like nothing but a small The city cleans Fenway residential
chore, he argues that it’s the small things streets between noon and 4 p.m. on the first
that make the biggest impact. By suggesting and third Wednesdays of the month (odd-
alternatives to the reader’s habitual actions, numbered side) and the second and fourth
The Renewable Revolution could evoke Wednesdays (even-numbered sides). Get
positive actions. more info at 617-635-4900 or check www.
If adjustments are not made now, Kamal cityofboston.gov/publicworks/sweeping/.
suggested the onslaught of storms, pollution The state cleans streets that border
and climate change would only mark the the Back Bay Fens on this schedule:
beginning, and the globe could soon start to • Second Thursday
face more catastrophic consequences. The The Riverway, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
economy could collapse from lack of fuel, • Second Friday
politics could become more centralized and The Fenway (including interior lane),
militarized, and future generations could Charlesgate Extension, and Forsyth
experience a loss of civil liberties, Kamal Way, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
said. The answers, which lie in his book, also
• Second Friday
lie within us, the public, and in our moral
The Fenway (8 to 54, including in-
decisions.
terior lane), Charlesgate Extension,
“Unless we can learn to adapt and live
12:00–3:00 p.m.
sustainably, the earth can go on, but we may
cease to exist,” Kamal said. “As a species, we • Third Tuesday
have to learn to live within the limitations of > Park Drive (including interior
our natural resources.” lane), upper Boylston Street, 8:00
As daunting as the future may sound, a.m.–12:00 p.m.
The Renewable Revolution should emphasize > Park Drive, from Holy Trinity
hope and orchestrate change, suggesting that Orthodox Cathedral to Kilmarnock
the answers are tucked in the world’s emerging Street and from the Riverside Line
possibilities. overpass to Beacon Street,
“There’s hope,” Kamal said, “but time is 12:00–3:00 p.m.
of the essence.” www.mass.gov/dcr/sweep.htm has a
Lauren Landry is a journalism major complete schedule and maps.
at Emerson College.
New Coffee House bows in on Boylston
L
By Emily Procknal
arry Margulies is no newbie to the coffee shop industry.
Margulies, 34, owns the three Expresso Royale Caffes located in
Boston, as well as Bagel Rising in Allston. He plans to open his latest
coffee house, Pavement, this month.
With a prime location at 1096 Boylston St., around the corner from Berklee
College of Music, Pavement “will bring something to Boston that really isn’t here
in the coffee shop world,” Margulies said.
He said the restaurant will have a menu similar to that of the three Expresso
Royale Caffes that he owns, serving only single-origin (as opposed to blended)
coffee and only the highest-quality bagels and sandwiches.
It will also be dishing up a feeling, he said.
“It’s an attitude that’s missing from Boston, as opposed to New York City or
Chicago,” Margulies said. “It’s going to have a little stronger, broad-shoulder-
type vibe, almost gritty and industrial.”
Margulies has been bringing his own attitude into the coffee house business
in Boston for years.
After graduating from Boston University in 1997, Margulies was hired to
manage a friend’s bagel restaurant, Bagel Rising. A year later, his friend decided
to sell the restaurant, and Margulies said he couldn’t resist the opportunity to
buy it. “He wanted to sell the store when it wasn’t doing so well,” Margulies said.
He was just 23 at the time. “I bought it and worked there for seven years selling
sandwiches, doing the dishes, and sweeping the floor. I did everything.”
Four years ago, Margulies was looking to expand Bagel Rising. A casual
stroll along Newbury Street led him past the Expresso Royale Caffe located
there.
“I thought to myself, ‘This would be a great spot for a Bagel Rising’,”
Margulies said.
He spoke with the owner, who told him that his store wasn’t for sale.
Refusing to take “no” for an answer, Margulies offered to sell his bagels at the
Expresso Royale, and the owner agreed.
After about a year, the owner of that same Expresso Royale decided to sell,
and again Margulies couldn’t resist the opportunity to buy.
Today he owns two more: one on the B.U. campus and one on Gainsborough
Street.
Each of the cafes has its own atmosphere. The tables feature hand-painted
designs and catchy sayings such as “muffins are for lovers” written on them.
Posters and advertisements for local bands and events can be found on walls and
pillars. A constant flow of college students can be seen in the “order here” line.
“My friends and I go and grab great coffee. We do homework for an hour,
talk and make jokes,” said Erin Santhouse, 19, a Northeastern University student
who frequents the Expresso Royale at 44 Gainsborough St. “It’s got a great
atmosphere, great people and great food.”
Even in the recession, Margulies said, he hasn’t had to lay off a single
employee and plans to hire between 12 and 15 employees once Pavement opens.
“I’m confident the new shop will be successful,” Margulies said about the
opening of the new coffee house. “You just can’t go into Dunkin’ Donuts and
expect anything like what we’re selling,”
Emily Procknal is an undergraduate student at the Northeastern University
School of Journalism. Larry Margulies feels reasonably confident that Pavement’s
opening, original scheduled for January but delayed by a multitude of construction
problems, will take place about April 15. He plans to offer something like free
bagels on opening day, but plans a more elaborate celebratory party a week or so
later. Watch Fenway News Online for the official announcment.
 | FENWAY NEWS | APRIL 2010

Help Us Bring Back Symphony Park—Starting April 12th

T
Serving the Fenway, Kenmore Square, Audubon
Circle, upper Back Bay, lower Roxbury, Prudential,
By Marie Fukuda Landscape Design (www.cogdesign.org) offered to help the Mission Hill, and Longwood since 1974
he Symphony Park Friends Group, which I chair, has revitalization efforts and engaged landscape architects Jon Pate and Fenway News Association
worked for the past four years to improve Symphony Park, Lisa Esterrich of the highly respected landscape design firm of Carol Board of Directors
Jon Ball • Steve Chase • Helen Cox, president
the pocket park at the corner of Edgerly Road and Norway R. Johnson and Associates (www.crja.com) to create a draft plan for Joyce Foster ª Elizabeth Gillis, clerk
Street in the East Fenway. On April 12 we will hold a the renewal of Symphony Park. Working on a pro bono basis, Pate and Steven Harnish • Ruth Khowais
community meeting to discuss ideas for improvements at Symphony Esterrich will lead three public meetings, beginning on April 12. Gloria Platt • Steve Wolf, treasurer
Park (6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Morville House, 100 Norway Street). The first meeting will gather input from park users and
Situated next to the Morville House senior housing complex, Editor: Stephen Brophy
neighborhood residents in order to better understand how they use WEB EDITOR: Jonathan Kim
the park was created during urban renewal in the 1970s. With no the park and what types of improvements would best serve park Production Designer: Steve Wolf
major improvements since that time, conditions had degraded to the constituents. Subsequent meetings will refine those ideas using the Writers: Joanna Arpie, Jon Ball, Luis Oscar
point where park users’ enjoyment and safety were at risk. Shifting landscape architects’ expertise to create different potential designs for Cardona, Helen Cox, Tracey Cusick, Lori
concrete paving posed tripping hazards, iron fencing was rusted, and the park’s renovation. The end product will be a single agreed-upon A. Frankian, Joyce Foster, Marie Fukuda,
overgrown plantings decreased visibility in the park. The Friends draft design for the revitalization of Symphony Park. Galen Gilbert, Elizabeth Gillis, Katherine
have now managed to get more than $20,000 in badly needed I invite park users and neighborhood residents to attend the Greenough, Anthony Gulizia, Steven Harnish,
improvements made. With help from the Boston Parks Department, meeting on the 12th, as feedback will be important in shaping the Erin Harper, Kaileigh Higgins, John Kelly,
Morville House, Boyd Smith, Inc., and a grant from the New England plans. The Friends of Symphony Park are excited to work on plans for Ruth Khowais, Jonathan Kim, Pamela King,
Grassroots Environment Fund (grassrootsfund.org), tripping this well-loved park with our neighbors. We have seen the impact of Shirley Kressel, Marc Laderman, Lauren
hazards have been remedied, a rat-infested sandbox removed, and Landry, Aqilla Manna, Erica Mattison,
our efforts and believe that improving parks like this one will enhance Richard Pendleton, Camille Platt, Emily
perimeter plantings restored. Morville House has contributed new the lives of seniors and all residents in the Fenway. Procknal, Meena Ramakrishnan, Mike Ross,
benches and wheelchair-accessible seating. Marie Fukuda, who is also active in the Fenway Civic Matti Kniva Spencer, Chuck Turner, Clyde
 In the fall of 2009, the Community Outreach Group for Association (www.fenwaycivic.org) lives in the East Fens. Whalen, Margaret Witham
PhotographerS: Lois Johnston, Patrick
O’Connor, Matti Kniva Spencer, Steve Wolf
CALENDAR: Helen Cox, Stephen Brophy,
letters Penina Adelman, Meena Ramakrishnan
Proofreaders: Jon Ball, Tracey Cusick,
Subscription Coordinator: Cathy
FCDC Thanks Kerry Mooney offers us the chance to do so again, publicly. shocked by the exorbitant prices, twisted Jacobowitz
and Other Mural Volunteers Her work on the murals was an expression of circular and over-crowded aisles, and the BOOKKEEPER: Cathy Jacobowitz
to the edtior dedication to the neighborhood as much as it standard and absurd response of Whole Distribution: Jon Ball, Della Gelzer, Keith
The Fenway CDC is thrilled to see that was an artistic endeavor. We know how hard Foods: “Shop someplace else/Our prices are Harriel, Aqilla Manna, Lauren Dewey Platt
Monty Gold and his partners are moving she worked on this project and want to make ‘competitive,’” I like a recycled bag as much
The Fenway News is published monthly by the
forward to rebuild what has become known as sure that her West Fens neighbors do, too. as the next shopper, but prefer food I can Fenway News Association, Inc., a community-
“Restaurant Row.” The fire, which took place As we look to the future of the site, we afford a lot more than the bag. owned corporation dedicated to community
15 months ago, revealed what we all knew thank everyone involved in brightening the Many people living in this area are journalism. If you would like to volunteer to
on some level, but didn’t fully appreciate: the burned-out façade that we will have to live students, elderly, disabled, and moderate- write, edit, photograph, lay out, distribute, or sell
advertising on commission, please contact us at:
central role these small, independently owned with for some time yet. The murals will come income, Section 8-subsidized housing
down when reconstruction begins, even if tenants. I do not understand why this upscale The Fenway News,
restaurants played in our collective sense of PO Box 230277, Astor Station
place and community in the Fenway. that day is still months in the future. In the grocery, with its one hour free parking for Boston, MA 02123
The response to the fire, led by neighbor- meantime, they stand as a reminder of the affluent auto commuters is located in this 617-266-8790
hood residents and supported by the admirable strength of our hopes for the neighborhood neighborhood. Even in the allegedly lavish editor@fenwaynews.org
work of City Councilor Mike Ross, helped re- and of the great things that Fenway residents Church Park apartments, many tenants are www.fenwaynews.org

inforce community spirit. This work has given
us an opportunity to reflect again on what
makes our neighborhood such a wonderful
place to live, and reminds us of the energy and
dedication of the Fenway’s residents and vol-
unteers. Providing volunteers with the recog-
nition they deserve is important , and, frankly,
doesn’t hapen as it often as it should. Projects
start, wrap up, and new ones begin before we
all have a chance to say, “This was important,
and people should know what you did.”
Your interview with Monty in the March
Fenway News reminds us of the importance
of recognizing volunteers. One person deeply
involved in painting the murals on the burned-
out restaurants was Kerry Mooney, an artist
and long-time volunteer in the neighborhood.
Kerry worked long hours at the site last
summer, and while we have expressed our
appreciation to her privately, your interview
> Frequency <
The Fenway News reaches the stands
every 4-5 weeks, usually on the first
or last Friday of the month.
Our next issue will be appear on
Friday, APRIL 30.
can do when we work together. moderate-income subsidized elderly. Subscriptions $24/year ($15 for limited income)
Joanne McKenna, President Recently I tried to purchase a basic jar
Fenway CDC Board of Directors of alfredo sauce for pasta, price listed at ©2010 Fenway News Association, Inc.
$6.99. The store offered no other “normal”
Anothre Reader Has a Bone to Pick priced selection.
With Whole Foods I would be pleased if community
Dear Editor:
I was glad to see a published letter
groups would encourage other grocers to
locate in this area of the Fens, and perhaps Mass Ave
Lock Co.
(March 1) questioning policies at the reconstruct the current Whole Foods grocery
Westland/ Symphony Road Whole Foods store so it does not represent an apparent fire
grocery. hazard to shoppers and workers alike.
Since moving into this area from Will Johnson
Dorchester about a year ago I have been East Fens
24-HOUR
EMERGENCY SERVICE
BONDED LOCKSMITH
mike 125 St. Botolph Street
Phone 247-9779 • Fax 536-8709
dukakis We knew nothing could upstage introducing the CDC’s
new executive director, Dharmena Downey, at our annual
Police Locks • Doors Opened
will be at meeting—until former Governor and presidential candidate
Michael S. Dukakis agreed to give the keynote adddress. So Mailbox Keys • Master Keys
the fcdc’s now we have two stars for the evening.
Gov. Dukakis will discuss Health Care Reform: Where
Systems • Padlocks
Door Closers
annual Do We Go From Here? Hear him, meet Dharmena, vote for
board members, see who wins a community service award,
Keys Made by Code
meeting. and share a tasty light dinner with friends and neighbors. The

will you?
FCDC board and staff look forward to seeing you on April 26!
> Deadline <
The deadline for letters,
news items, and ads is
Monday, April 26 | 6:00 p.m. | The Fenway Center
(former St. Anne’s, 77 St. Stephen Street) The First Church of Christ, Scientist
Friday, APRIL 23. Sunday Church Services & Sunday School
INTERPRETATION WILL BE AVAILABLE IN SPANISH, MANDARIN, OR
> Advertising < RUSSIAN. TO ARRANGE A RIDE OR CHILD CARE, CONTACT SARAH AT
10 am and 5 pm (no evening service July & Aug.)
Contact our business manager at 617-267-4637 (EXT 19) OR E-MAIL Shorsley@FenwayCDC.org. LIVE online: www.ChurchofChristScientist.org
ads@fenwaynews.org Wednesday Testimony Meetings
12 noon and 7:30 pm

9DODULH6HDEURRN3KRWRJUDSKHU St. Botolph’s

Serving Fenway/Back Bay/Downtown
Anglican Catholic Church
Professional services and fees meets at the YMCA chapel, 316 Huntington Avenue
Old photo restoration, head shots, event coverage cC
Sunday Mass 10:00 a.m. Holy Day Mass 12:00 noon
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Rt. Rev. Stanley Lazarczyk (Ret.) Near the corner of Huntington & Mass. Ave.
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YDOBVHDEURRN#\DKRRFRP Inquiries: (617) 236-5884 T Hynes, Prudential, Symphony, or Mass. Ave.
_+RXUVDPWRSP For further information, call 617.450.3790
or visit www.ChristianScience.com

> northeastern from page 1
the latter, the former would be part of the
solution. She mentioned other schools that
have come up with creative solutions to
similar problems, including the University
of Southern California, former employer of
of Northeastern President Joseph Aoun. Her
assertion won a round of applause from the
assembled group.
Northeastern’s representatives pointed out
the value that the school adds to its surround-
ing community. Of $10.6 million given out
in scholarships to Boston-based students this
year, they said, $2.2 million went to residents
of the Fenway, Mission Hill, Roxbury, and the
South End. Armini also argued that the school
continues to pay property taxes on residential
> Correction
In the March issue, our caption for the photo of the presentation
by Wentworth students included placeholder text that we should
have replaced. The text should have said that the semester-long
studio for architecture students is led by professors Manuel
Delgado, Herman Zinter, Andy Johnston, Philippe Revault, and
Boston Latin Runners Barely Break a Sweat Getting to Nationals
E
By Anthony Gulizia
very year, about 2,500 of the nation’s
top track athletes travel hundreds,
even thousands, of miles to compete
in the Nike Indoor Nationals, the
most coveted meet in high school track and
field. For five Boston Latin School students,
all it took to get to nationals on March 12-14
was a short ride on the Orange Line—and a
respectable qualifying time. The meet was
held at Roxbury’s Reggie Lewis Center.
Having the Nike Indoor Nationals in your
backyard can be a huge advantage. Boston
Latin junior Emma Rice can attest to that.
“Being able to compete at Reggie Lewis
BOSTON RESIDENTS
Leaf & Yard Waste
5-Week Collection
Boston Public Works will collect and compost residents’ yard waste
Five weeks: April 26 - May 28
ON YOUR RECYCLING DAY.
Place leaves in large paper leaf bags or open
barrels marked “yard waste.”
For free “yard waste” stickers, call 617-635-4959
(up to 2 stickers available per household).
Cut branches to 3’ maximum length
and 1” maximum diameter.
Tie branches with string.
Place leaves and yard waste
at the curb by 7am
ON YOUR RECYCLING DAY.
Yard waste will not be collected
during the two weeks before
the April 26 start date.
Please hold onto
your yard waste
from April 12 to
April 26th, when
collection begins.
Thomas M. Menino, Mayor
properties it buys for student use, even though
as a non-profit institution it doesn’t have to.
It paid $1.9 million to the City of Boston in
property taxes in 2009.
Residents suggested some temporary
measures to address problems. East Fens
resident Richard Orareo thought that
establishing a substation of the Northeastern
Campus Police somewhere on Mission Hill
might help reduce bad behavior, but a Hill
resident argued balked at that idea, saying that
it would only add to the students’ illusion that
the neighborhood is merely an extension of the
campus. Others suggested that that the school
sell the president’s townhouse on Beacon
Hill and buy him one closer to campus. This
prompted other residents to suggest the school
Quilian Riano. The Fenway News regrets the error.
As an almost entirely volunteer operation, The
Fenway News (obviously) needs more proofreaders—are you
interested? Join our merry production crew one Wednesday a
month for several hours; dinner is on us. Contact Stephen at
editor@fenwaynews.org.
is such a great advantage,” Rice said soon
after crossing the finish line March 13 in the
200-meter run. “Being used to the banked
turns and the atmosphere of the gym really
makes it easy to run.” Rice finished 15th in the
race with a time of 25.41 seconds, less than
one second shy of qualifying for the finals.
Boston Latin sent five athletes to the
nationals: seniors Alexandria Williams and
Tamika Reid; Rice, a junior; and sophomores
Meisha Brooks and Wilhelmina Moen.
The runners were the building blocks for a
4x200-meter relay team that came in ninth
with a time of 1:45.7 (1 minute 45.7 seconds).
Williams also ran the 60-meter, finishing 40th
NO PLASTIC BAGS
FENWAY NEWS | APRIL 2010 | 
provide financial support for faculty members
to buy homes in the Fenway or on Mission
Hill, increasing the influence of adults familiar
to the students.
Nevertheless the tenor of the meeting was
that Northeastern should come back in a few Sun., April 4 8:05 p.m.
weeks with proposals that show the university Tues., April 6 7:10 p.m.
has heard what residents said. Also, the next
meeting should be held on Mission Hill, and Wed., April 7 7:10 p.m.
more effort should be made to get attendance Fri., April 16 7:10 p.m.
from Roxbury residents. While the meeting
had many contentious moments, at least some Sat., April 17 7:10 p.m.
people left expressing guarded optimism that Sun., April 18 1:35 p.m.
Northeastern and its neighbors might finally
find a way to help each other grow. Mon., April 19* 11:05 a.m.
Stephen Brophy lives in the East Fens. Tues., April 20 7:10 p.m.
Wed., April 21 7:10 p.m.
Thurs, April 22 7:10 p.m.
Fri., April 23 7:10 p.m.
Sat., April 24 7:10 p.m.
Sun., April 25 1:35 p.m.
*(Patriots Day)
with a time of 8.02 seconds. Qualifying for the nationals is an exciting
Unfortunately for Latin, Brooks had experience, one, but it requires work.
sustained a fractured left arm in the All-State “We’ve been working hard since
Championships earlier in the season. Her November with qualifying for the nationals
injury kept her out of the 400-meter and the as our main goal. When preparing, coach
relay. Moen replaced Brooks. Sprinting coach always tells us to run for the next meet. After
Dacia Taylor-Samuels says Brooks’ absence qualifying for the Division and All-State
disappointed the relay team, but it was able to Championships, I was able to focus on the
overcome the loss. nationals,” Rice said. “I missed all last season
“It was tough losing Meisha, but I always with an injury, so this was a great opportunity
keep two backups on hand, and Wilhelmina for me and I’m excited to run. I could’ve been
was able to step in. She’s been working hard taking SATs right now but I’m here instead.”
all year,” Taylor-Samuels said. Rice expressed interest in attending
Brooks was also a heavy favorite coming Colgate University or Bucknell University to
into the 400, according to Taylor-Samuels. continue her track career.
Competing at the national level against
the best can be nerve-wracking, and trying to
deal with the pressure can be difficult.
“For me, I wasn’t really too nervous until
right before my race,” Rice said. “But I was
able to settle myself down. When I’m nervous,
I just stretch and focus on my breathing, and
it helps me not to look at my opponents. I just
visualize [that] I’m running by myself and I’m
fine.”
Taylor-Samuels noted that running at
your home track helps ease pressure, as does
knowing that you are good enough to compete
with great athletes.
“Practicing at Reggie every day is much
better than running in the hallways,” Taylor-
Roof Deck Samuels said. “And knowing that you’re good
•KENO enough to hang with the other athletes really
Now Open takes a lot of pressure off of their shoulders.”
ESPN Game Day
•Memorial Plan For every track coach across the nation,
sending athletes to the nationals is a goal
year in and year out, and it is no different for
•Draft Specials
to Labor Day! Taylor-Samuels.
“My goals throughout the year ultimately
lead to qualifying for nationals,” Taylor-
•Great seafood Samuels said. “We’re in the Dual County
Swing
and on in
steak for
tips League, and we have a lot of developmental
meets, and I use these meets as a way to
lunch & enjoy Tavern prepare for nationals.”
•BuzzTime
favorites including In her sixth year at Latin, Taylor-Samuels
said this year has been her best.
interactive
hot dogs for only “Our relay team set a state record with
a time of 1:43.17.,” Taylor-Samuels said.
television
$1.50 during Red “We’re going to lose some good athletes [to
Sox Away Games! graduation], though, and next year is going to
have to be a rebuilding year.”
On that subject, Taylor-Samuels, like
high school coaches generally, looks to send
young track stars back to the nationals. The
1270 Boylston Street journey back to the Reggie Lewis Center
Boston, MA 02215 can be strenuous for most. Qualifying is a
617.867.6526 challenge of its own, and then there is the long,
draining plane trip that stands between most
athletes and the Reggie Lewis Center. But for
the Boston Latin runners, the meet is right in
Visit us online at: their back yard—and that short trip can be a
big help.
se Anthony Gulizia is an undergraduate
TheBa ballTavern.com student in the Northeastern University School
of Journalism.
 | FENWAY NEWS | APRIL 2010

‘Becky Shaw’ Wants to be Deep But Settles for Being Funny

T
By Erin Harper when he was 10, so the two have grown up when he first sees as over-the-top as

Photo: T. Charles Erickson

he premise of Becky Shaw is a first as siblings. It’s a complicated relationship, to Becky has him she initially seems?
date gone wrong. Everyone can relate say the least. Suzanna is cynical and a killjoy comparing his Or is she just a
to that, right? But, what the Hun- at times and Max must utter every little thing date to the sight of girl who’s lost her
tington Theatre Company’s current on his mind (except, ironically, his feelings a birthday cake. way—something
production really attempts to examine is hard- for Suzanna). But, when on stage together, Conclude what most of us can relate
hitting topics—death, depression, love and the combination is witty and perfectly you may. I would to at one time or
some questionable ethics—and yes, one really delivered. Naughton and Fisher have a unique share more of another.
bad date. While the issues are heavy at times, chemistry—as much as their characters can be Max’s lines but Ultimately,
playwright Gina Gionfriddo’s play certainly appalling, when absent from the stage, you just they are all laced the way Becky
brings the laughs. And Director Peter DuBois’ wait until the moment they return. with profanity— Shaw is marketed
cast seems so polished that you forgive Becky Fast-forward eight months, and the play and that’s not a is probably the
Shaw for lacking a certain profundity. finds itself at that really bad date. Suzanna and bad thing! impression it will
We first meet Max (Seth Fisher) and new husband Andrew (Eli James) decide to This first leave the audience
Suzanna (Keira Naughton) four months after fix up Max with Andrew’s co-worker Becky date lands Max with—it’s a black
the death of her father. While not technically (Wendy Hoopes). Gionfriddo gives all the best and Becky a trip comedy about
related, Suzanna’s parents adopted Max lines to Max, and one of the rare ‘PG’ gems to the police relationships.
station, and what Maybe it lacks a
follows involves little depth, but
free Concert Honors the work of Terezín composers manipulation and the humor and one

T
he Hawthorne String Quartet joins the Quincy Choral Society in a free blackmail. The liners will leave
concert for Holocaust Remembrance Day on Sunday, April 11, at Temple ultimate damage us entertained. It
Israel on the Riverway. Sponsored by the Terezín Music Foundation, the might, however, contemplates diving
concert will feature music composed at the Terezín concentration camp during fall on the couple deeper into each
World War II. The Nazis forced camp inmates—some of Europe’s most talented who sets up the Wendy Hoopes plays Becky Shaw in the character’s ultimate
musicians, composers, and writers—to perform concerts and caberet shows for pair. Andrew Huntington Theatre’s production of Becky complexities, but
Red Cross inspectors and visiting dignitaries. The illusion of a benign “artists intends to protect Shaw by Gina Gionfriddo through April 4. realizes that it better
colony” supported Nazi propaganda, but the camp actually served as a deadly Becky just as serves the audience
stop on the way to more notorious death camps. The program, which begins at much as Suzanna plans on defending Max. as a dramedy than a tragedy.
3:00 p.m., will also include an arrangement of Gershwin preludes and a piece Though sharing the name with the title of Huntington Theatre Company’s Becky
commissioned by the Foundation. For more information, contact Lisa Pemstein the play, it is Becky Shaw who leaves us with Shaw continues through April 4. Tickets are
at 857-222-8262 or write info@TerezinMusic.org. The Foundation website, www. the most questions. The script really doesn’t $20–$82.50.
TerezinMusic.org, offers extensive background on the Terezín camp. allow the audience to see how Gionfriddo Erin Harper works at the Reggie Lewis
intended Becky to be viewed. Is she really Sports Center

Musicologist’s Q&A for H&H Puts Familiar Music in a New Light

S
By Stephen Brophy because she and I used to work together in “I love being part of Handel & Haydn,” Haydn’s orchestra in London.
ome people who go to Handel & the Catalog Department of the MIT Libraries, Neff enthuses. “I love meeting people in the The Society offered the American
Haydn Society concerts have learned before we completed our respective degrees audience. It’s one of the most energizing premiere of Handel’s most famous work,
that staying after the performance for and moved on to our current work. and wonderful things I have done in my Messiah, in 1818, and has presented it
a question-and-answer session with The first question Neff answered had to profession.” She is available as a resource to annually since 1854, making it one of the
one or more of the performers adds a lot to the do with defining her role as a musicologist. anyone in the Society, including musicians city’s time-tested Christmas traditions. Other
pleasures of the event. A large part She sees herself as “a who want to know more about performance American premieres by the Society include
of that has to do with Teresa Neff, musician who focuses on practices in the period the Society focuses Haydn’s Creation and Verdi’s Requiem.
who converses with the musician history, style, context, and on—the 18th and early 19th centuries. In 1967, the Society hired Thomas Dunn,
for a few minutes and then opens culture of works and their Neff sees her primary function as an expert in baroque performance practice,
it up to audience participation. Ms. composers—and how our educating the audience. “What I am studying as artistic director, and he led a transition
Neff creates a friendly environment perceptions of these things and writing all becomes part of a whole, from a primarily amateur organization to one
for conversation and makes sure have changed.” making sure that the audience has a whole that employed up to 30 professional chorus
that the most interesting aspects of When this works, picture and perspective.” members. When Christopher Hogwood
the performance gets the notice it Neff says that “musicology Her work fits well with the mission of the took that position in 1986, he added period
deserves. and performing come Society, founded—according to Wikipedia—in instrument performances to the mix, and
Neff holds a one-year together. We get a whole 1815 by “Gottlieb Graupner, Thomas Smith set the Society on the path to its present
fellowship with the Society as the new sense of the life in a Webb, Amasa Winchester, and Matthew S. incarnation and international recognition.
Historically Informed Performance work, looking at it from Parker, a group of Boston merchants and musi- Editor Stephen Brophy lives in the East
Research Fellow. As such, she different viewpoints. You cians.... The name of the Society reflects the Fens. H&H offers four chances to experience
not only leads discussions but start to realize that there’s a founders’ wish to bring Boston audiences the Teresa Neff’s informational work this month,
also writes program notes, A program from whole other beautiful set of best of the old (Handel) and the best of the all at Symphony Hall. The orchestra performs
composes timelines and other Handel & Haydn’s 1860 attributes beyond the score.” new (Haydn) in concerts of the highest artistic Beethoven’s Symphonies No. 4 and 6 on
smaller information pieces presentation of The Neff earned her quality. The first performance by the Society Friday, the 9th, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, the
for the program, and consults Messiah. Interestingly, doctoral degree from Boston was held on Christmas night in 1815 at King’s 11th, at 3 p.m. Three weeks later comes an all-
with Artistic Director Harry the concert took place University in 1998, and Chapel, and included a chorus of 90 men Bach program that includes the Branderburg
Christopher. The position was after Christmas. started teaching at MIT in and 10 women.” Neff told The Fenway News Concerto No. 5 (April 30 at 8 p.m. and May 2
created by Christopher Hogwood, 2000; she has also taught that one of the founders had played oboe in at 3 p.m.). Visit www.handelandhaydn.org for
the previous artistic director, in 2002. at Tufts and Brandeis, as well as at BU. The details.
I spoke with Ms. Neff recently at MIT, classes she offers range from an introduction
where she teaches in the Music Department. to western music to Classical Style, to 18th- 08
It was a very pleasant conversation, not least century composers to popular music in the US. zine 20
n Maga to n
Bosto
f Bo s
Best o
BARy
DIVEks—
Th an Ton
 FENWAY NEWS | APRIL 2010 | 
☞ f e n wa y h I S T O R Y ☜

How a Hospital Came to Bear a Brigham’s Name

    ¯    
by Elizabeth Gillis
He sold oysters out of a wheelbarrow when he came to Boston.
Young Peter Bent Brigham came from Vermont in 1826. When he went to Old

SEASON
South Church his country clothes caused ushers to refuse to find him a seat. He worked
in a restaurant where it was said that he helped the owner make a bit more money by
slicing pies into six pieces instead of the usual five.
Peter’s talent gradually made him a success in the restaurant and real estate
business around Scollay Square. He also invested in a local railroad. A caring man, he
thought carefully about where he would leave his growing fortune. He was disturbed
about slavery in this country so he wrote a provision in his will that money would go
toward the cause of emancipation. 3EPT¯-AY
Then came the Civil War, and that solved that problem, so Peter turned his thoughts
to creating a hospital to care for the poor in Suffolk County. His fortune was to accrue
for twenty five years after his death in 1877.
When the time came closer for building that hospital the fortune was worth
*AMES,EVINECONDUCTOR
$5,000,000 (about $122,000,000 today). Some Brigham relatives decided that it MENDELSSOHN’S #HRISTINE"REWERSOPRANO
would be nice if they could have that money and went to court. Because of a glitch in
inheritance laws the case wended its way through the lower courts on up to the United
ELIjaH 3TEPHANIE"LYTHEMEZZO SOPRANO

MUSICDIRECTOR
APRTHURPM !LEKSANDRS!NTONENKOTENOR
States Supreme Court. The final decision ruled that the proposed hospital could indeed 3HENYANGBASS BARITONE
APRFRIPM

JAMESLEVINE
be built. 4ANGLEWOOD&ESTIVAL#HORUS
Harvard wanted to move its medical school from Copley Square to a location near APRSATPM
*OHN/LIVERCONDUCTOR
a hospital complex. So the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital was built in the Longwood area -%.$%,33/(.%LIJAHSUNGIN'ERMAN
on the estate owned by Ebenezer Francis with the new medical school building nearby.
It opened in 1913. *AMES,EVINECONDUCTOR
Peter’s nephew Robert Breck Brigham, along with his sister Elizabeth, followed HarbISON prEMIErE -IRA7ANGVIOLIN
his uncle’s lead and left much of his own fortune to create a hospital that would care APRTHURAM *AN6OGLERCELLO
for those with chronic diseases such as arthritis. It was located on Mission Hill. Like APRTHURPM
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the other Brigham hospital, the care was free. Robert’s money came from the Brigham APRFRIPM FORVIOLINANDCELLO
Hotel and Restaurant on Washington Street. He also owned the Hollis Street Theatre. APRSATPM WORLDPREMIERE"3/COMMISSION
In 1980 the two hospitals merged with the Boston Lying-In Hospital to create the -!(,%23YMPHONY.O
Brigham and Women’s, which is known for medical excellence.
3PONSOREDBY4HE&AIRMONT#OPLEY0LAZA(OTEL
Elizabeth Gillis lives in the West Fenway.
*ULIAN+UERTICONDUCTOR
MarC-aNDré HaMELIN -ARC !NDRm(AMELINPIANO
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uzy Little Suzy pray what is the news? fights, pitting pregnant female cows against "ERNARD(AITINKCONDUCTOR
The geese are going barefoot, because one another. Most of the time, cows just move, HaITINK & KavaKOS ,EONIDAS+AVAKOSVIOLIN
they’ve no shoes. The cobbler has kick the earth or engage in shoving matches to APRTHURPM 342!5333UITEFROM,E"OURGEOIS
leather, but no last to use. Who will see who’ll lead the herd, but that doesn’t stop APRFRIPM 'ENTILHOMME
get our Suzy a pair of new shoes? the Swiss for putting on their annual cow fight APRSATPM -/:!246IOLIN#ONCERTO.OIN!
Thanks for all the letters from people each October in the tiny town of Martigny. APRTUEPM -/:!243YMPHONY.O(AFFNER
like John and Lena, Jack and Nellie, Larry and Tomatina is the legendary Spanish
Amber, Michael and Lisa. Keep them coming tomato-throwing festival. Each summer
to Clyde Whalen, 108 Kilmarnock Street, about 25,000 Spaniards hurl as many as a "ERNARD(AITINKCONDUCTOR
Suite 108. Thanks, it makes me feel wanted. quarter million pounds of ripe tomatoes at
HaITINK & ax %MANUEL!XPIANO
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being named after a John? a firecracker signals the end of the fight and
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MUSICDIRECTORLAUREATE

the local shows they’re putting on? Even now Unlike the Italian battle of the oranges, the
3PONSOREDBY5"3
they’re gearing up for a new tomato tradition only dates back
6ISITBSOORGSYMPHONYPLUSFOR0RE AND0OST #ONCERT
segment that will feature about 50 years, when locals—fed
EVENTSONTHESEDATES-AJORITYFREETOTICKETHOLDERS
private life stories. up with the mayor—spontaneously
We all remember Nathan began pelting him with tomatoes OPENREHEARSALSARENOTEDINLIGHTTYPE
Hale’s famous words: A regret during the annual fiesta.
that he had only one life to A fancy private club in Moscow 617-266-1200 s bso.org TICKETS: $19 – $115
SEIJIOZAWA

give his country. In those has a new way of escaping boredom. !LLPROGRAMSANDARTISTSSUBJECTTOCHANGE

days, they gave everyone a Gamblers place their bets, $10

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&ORSERVICESTICKETINGANDINFORMATION
In the early 1900s,


industrialist Andrew Carnegie
was approached by the head
of New York Libraries with a
plan to simplifying spelling.
He believed that easier
spelling could lead to world
peace. Thus was formed the
simplified spelling board,
whose goal was to convince
of the club, but this is the first time FORPERSONSWITHDISABILITIESCALL
they’ve been organized.
West Fens resident In the Middle Ages, cooks
Clyde Whalen gives threw all their leftovers into a pot of
“The Fenway Report” water, creating a makeshift stew for 3EASON3PONSOR
every other week family or strangers when no other
on neighborhood food was available. Since food was
Network News on thrown in at random, its quality and
cable channel 9. taste depended entirely on luck.
That’s why they call it “potluck.”
SUPPORTINGPARTNER OFFICIALCHAUFFEURED
OFFICIALHOTEL
TRANSPORTATIONPROVIDER

authorities to change the spelling of 300 The term “juke” was originally New
words. Among the words were though reduced Orleans slang for having sex. Jukeboxes got -AY¯*UNE
to “tho,” dropped to “dropt,” through to their name because they were popular in
“thru,” kissed to “kist,” fixed to “fixt, enough houses of prostitution, known as “juke-joints.”
to “enuf,” prologue to “prolog” and depressed In the early 1900s, a little girl found a
to “deprest.” handmade doll in the attic of her home. It was
President Theodore Roosevelt instantly dusty and torn, but Marcella liked it, so her Idina Menzel a Tribute to
Star of Wicked Duke Ellington
agreed to the plan. He ordered the U.S. printer father repaired it and gave it a name, “Raggedy May 5, 6 juNE 4, 5
to use the new spelling on all publications, Ann,” inspired by two poems by James
and it looked like simplified spelling would Whitcomb Riley. Marcella spent so much time
be instituted nationwide. Roosevelt’s plan with the doll, her father, a cartoonist, wrote
was front-page news, but most of the public- and illustrated stories about it. His books,
ity was unfavorable. U.S. newspapers mocked made “Raggedy Ann” one of the most popular
the idea; the Times of London ran a headline dolls of the twentieth century.
reading “Roosevelt’s spelling makes Britons Mary Finn and I have come up with an Evening of rodgers &
laugh.” Sensing an embarrassing political de- special exercises you can do sitting down and Cole porter Hammerstein
juNE 9–11 at the Movies
feat, Congress chimed in critically. Roosevelt in your own apartment. There’s nothing to lift, juNE 15, 16
quickly withdrew support for the plan. Carn- and our exercise stimulates circulation, which KEITHLOCKHART CONDUCTOR
JOHNWILLIAMS LAUREATECONDUCTOR
egie was disappointed. He dropped his finan- can add years to your life and happiness to
cial support with a simplified board writing “I your mood. Many thanks to The Bathroom TICKETSONSALENOW
think I’ve been patient long enough and have Reader for much of the information in this   „BOSTONPOPSORG
much better use of $25,000 a year.” column. Hopefully, we’ll continue to get OPENINGNIGHTANDSEASONSPONSOR
Most countries that use cattle in sport, together like this, be the good Lord willin’.
prefer bullfights, but the Swiss stage cow See you next time.
  | FENWAY NEWS | APRIL 2010

+
This symbol indicates a free
event. For even more listings,
visit www.fenwaynews.org

Sat, Apr 3: Local band Persian Blue performs with her presentation “Cold Comfort: The
at Copperfield’s, 98 Brookline Ave., “We’re Biogeography of Northern British America,
back after a short hiatus,” says member
Shah Hadjebi, “with lots of new songs and a
new album due for release in May.” Persian
Blue plays at 8:45 p.m. in a four-band
program. Cover charge is $10.
Tues, Apr6: “The Restless Spirit: Music of
Johannes Brahms” wraps entertainment
Tue, Apr 13: Prof. Anya Zilberstein of
Montreal’s Concordia University continues
the Boston Environmental History series
+ 1670-1820.” 5:15 p.m. at Mass.
Historical Society, 1154 Boylston
Street. FREE.
Sun, Apr 11: MFA Gallery Talk. In the years
after India’s independence in 1947, artists
banded together in Bombay to challenge
Sats and Suns at 3:00; vacation week
performances Tues, Apr 20-Fri, Apr 23 at
1:00 p.m. Tickets ($15-25) at the box office,
online from www.OvationTix.com, or by
phone at 617-879-2300. 200 The Riverway.
Sat, Apr 17: Boston Prime Timers presents
poets Alfred Duhamel and Steven Riel at
their monthly meeting. Duhamel, a Prime
Timer, writes unrhymed verse that explores
gay experience and spirituality. Riel’s poems
look at celebrities through a gay perspective.
2:30 p.m. at USES Harriet Tubman House,
566 Columbus Ave. Guests are always
[your] stomach hurt.” Tickets $39.50, 59.50
through TicketMaster (service fees) or from
the box office at 925 Comm Ave (M-F, 10
a.m.-5 p.m.) or at 617-353-4628.
Fri, Apr 23: Horror fans won’t want to miss
Evil Dead: the Musical. Produced by the
MIT Musical Theatre Guild and based on
the Sam Raimi cult movie, the play was
first staged in Toronto in 2004. Audience
members in the first few rows may get wet,
as the play calls for large amounts of stage
blood to be splattered. 8 p.m. in Kresge
Little Theater. Five more performances

Patsy Cline Sashays into Town

In a post-Carrie Underwood world, we tend to forget that country music
once occupied a rigid musical ghetto. Patsy Cline was one of the first country
musicians to breach the wall, and A Closer
Walk with Patsy Cline—which pulls into
the Back Bay Performance Center for a ten-
day run on April 7— traces the trajectory of
her short but remarkable career. Although
she died at age 30, Cline continues to
influence American popular music fifty
years later; artists as varied as Trisha
Yearwood, Bono, and k.d. lang cite her as
a formative influence, and, as noted, she
was a crossover artist long before there was
a word for it, turning country songs into
mainstream hits in the late 1950s and early
’60s (the show boasts 20 of her songs). New
England Conservatory grad Bridget Beirne
portrays Cline, and her impressive list of
New England theatre credits suggest she’s a
good choice for the part. Performances take
pick of the month
welcome. $2 donation at the door.
Mon, Apr 19–Mon, Apr 26: The first of three
exhibits featuring the work of MassArt
graduating MFA students. Media include
film, video, drawing, painting, printmaking,
sculpture, and installations. Paine and
Bakalar galleries, Mon-Sat, 12:00-6:00
p.m.; Weds to 8:00 p.m.; open Patriot’s Day,
April 19. (Thesis Show II runs April 30-May
6.) Details on all shows at www.massart.
+ edu/Galleries/Featured_Exhibitions/
MFA_Thesis_10.html. FREE.
Tue, APR 20–Wed, APR 21: NEC opera
students poke fun at the pretentions of their
form with three one-act comic operettas
that were popular at Jacques Offenbach’s
+ Théâtre des Bouffes Parisiens. 8:00
p.m., Jordan Hall. FREE.
Fri, Apr 23: Talk-show host (and now Oscar
winner!) Mo’Nique started out as a stand-
up comic and revisits that territory at BU’s
through May 1; visit web.mit.edu/mtg/
www/ for more info; tickets $6-$15.
Wed, Apr 28-Fri, Apr 30: The latest entry in
the rush to cover Stephen Sondheim’s works
is BU School of Theatre’s production of
Merrily We Roll Along, a 1981 show starts in
the present and moves backward in time as it
explores friendship and the price of success.
Tickets $12 or $10 (seniors, students, BU
alumni, WGBH members, and Huntington
subscribers) through the box office, at 617-
933-8600, or www.BostonTheatreScene.com.
At the BU Theatre, 264 Huntington Ave on
the 28th (7:30 p.m.), 29th (10 a.m.), and 30th
(8:00 p.m.)
Sat, May 1: Fenway Civic Association
holds its annual Guided Bird Walk with
Dr. Gwilym Jones, professor of biology at
Northeastern. Meet at the Japanese Bell
outside the Kelleher Rose Garden (by the
footbridge across from the Museum of

place at the Events Center (180 Berkeley
Street in the old John Hancock building),
Weds-Sat at 8:00 p.m., Sun Apr 11 and Sat
Apr 17 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $45-65, with
half-price student and senior tickets (limit one) available at the box office two
hours before curtain. Buy from TicketFusion, 877-548-3237; online at www.
backbayeventscenter.com; or at the box office, which means no handling fees.
and education into a nifty package as the the artistic status quo and attempt to build
BU Symphony Orchestra and Symphonic a new esthetic for the new nation. The
Chorus come to Symphony Hall. The members of the Progressive Artists Group
program features Nänie, Alto Rhapsody, each found unique ways to make paintings
Schicksalslied, and Piano Quartet in G
that could speak for a modern India. Laura
minor. For the educational component, Weinstein, assistant curator of South Asian
attend a pre-concert lecture by musicologist art, considers examples of these artists’ best
and BU faculty member Joel Sheveloff work and explores how their innovations
at 7:00 p.m. If you’re not a BU affiliate,
have filtered down to later generations.
eligible for one free ticket at the door, Meet in Sharf Visitor Center, 2-3 p.m. Free
plan on paying $25 (general public) or $10 with Museum Admission.
(students). Tickets at 617-233-1200 or www.
MON, Apr 12: Boston Conservatory
BostonSymphonyHall.org
Saxophone Ensemble performs a program
Thurs, Apr 8: The Mass. Historical Society of works including Vivaldi (!) and Paul
marks the bicentennial of Margaret Fuller’s Bonneau’s Caprice—a solo piece performed
+
birth with a three-day conference devoted in unison. 8:30 p.m. at Seully Hall, 8
to the evolving understanding of how the The Fenway. FREE.
brainy Fuller—feminist, journalist, and
Wed, Apr 14: BU Baroque Orchestra
social reformer—helped shape American
performs Telemann’s St. Luke Passion of
thought in the years leading to the Civil
1744. Martin Pearlman directs. 7:30 p.m. at
War. University of Michigan professor
Mary Kelley delivers the keynote, ““The
Measure of My Footprint’: Margaret Fuller’s
+ Marsh Chapel, 735 Comm Avenue.
FREE.
+Unfinished Revolution,” at 6:00 at the
MHS, 1154 Boylston Street. FREE.
Fri, Apr 16–Sun, May 16: Wheelock Family
Theatre presents The Little Mermaid, a non- SPECIAL EVENTS
musical retelling of the familiar tale that
first appeared as a Hans Christian Andersen for seniors who are FCDC members; basic
fairy tale. Fri (except Apr 23) at 7:00 p.m.;
Agganis Arena tonight, promising “the
kind of laughter that makes the bottom of
The following events take place at the
Peterborough Senior Center (located two
blocks from Boylston between 100 & 108
Jersey St.; walk down the alley and look left).
For more information, call 617-536-7154.
Recurring Events
Mondays
• 11:30 a.m.: Film—Apr 5, The Kite Runner
(2007); Apr 12, On the Waterfront (1954);
Apr 26, The Changeling (2008)
• 2:15 p.m: Yoga
Tuesdays
• 11 a.m: Exercise with Mahmoud
• 12 noon: Documentaries—Apr 6, Jazz (disk
5, 2000); Apr 13, Food, Inc. (2009); Apr 20,
Travel the World by Train: South America
(1999); Apr 27, Sunset Story (2003)
Wednesdays
• 9:30 a.m: Yoga with Julie
• 10 a.m.-12 noon: Blood pressure check
with Joyce.
Thursdays
10 a.m: Knitting with Nan
Apr 3: Free digital photography workshop
+
Fine Arts). All levels welcome. Bring
binoculars. 7 a.m. FREE
computer skills necessary. Meet in FCDC
Community Room, 73 Hemenway St., 10:30
a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Tue, Apr 6: Planning meeting, 10 a.m.
Wed, Apr 7
• Short story discussion—Alice Munro’s
“Meneseteung”
• Taxi coupons, 1 p.m.
Thu, Apr 8: Piano and vocal recital with Neara
Russell
Tue, Apr 13: Senior Task Force, 10 a.m.
Wed, Apr 14: FCDC discussion: “What
do you want to see in a new community
center? ”
Thu, Apr 15: Current Events, with Suzanne
Mon, Apr 19: CLOSED FOR PATRIOTS DAY
Wed, Apr 21:
• Short story discussion: Stories by
Nathaniel Hawthorne and E. M. Forster
11 a.m.
• Dr. Rosen speaks on osteoporosis; noon
Thu, Apr 22: Earth Day Celebration and
Potluck Picnic in Ramler Park; 11:30 a.m.
Tue, Apr 27: Dancing on the Earth - Spring
in Bloom. 10-11:30 a.m. at Morville House,
with refreshments
Thu, Apr 29: Healthy Lifestyles Discussion;
11 a.m.

Sat, Apr 3: Huge used book/video sale
sponsored by City-Wide Friends of Boston
Public Library. 10-4 p.m. Mezzanine
Conference Room, Copley Square branch.
Wed, Apr 7: Fenway liaison for Mayor’s
Office of Neighborhood Services, William
Onuoha, holds open office hours, 3:30-
5:30 p.m. YMCA, 316 Huntington Ave. No
appointment necessary.
Fri, Apr 9: Cultural Celebration featuring
McKinley High School students showing
their artwork, reciting poetry or performing
dance. 4:00-7:00 p.m. Fenway Community
Health, 1340 Boylston St., 9th floor.
Mon, Apr 12: Public meeting to discuss ideas
for improving Symphony Park sponsored by
Friends of Symphony Park. 6:00-7:30 p.m.,
Morville House, 100 Norway St.
Thu, Apr 15: Congressman Capuano’s
representative holds open office hours, 4-5
p.m., at Fenway Community Health, 1340
Boylston St.
Fri, Apr 16: Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz’s
representative holds East Fens office hours,
9-10 a.m., at Expresso Royale Caffe, 44
Gainsboro St. For more info, call Stephanie
Everett at 617-722-1673 or email stephanie.
everett@state.ma.us.
Tue, Apr 20: Audubon Circle Neighborhood
Association board meeting., 6-8 p.m., at
Harvard Vanguard, 131 Brookline Ave.,
Annex Bldg., Rm 3D. For more info, call
617-262-0657.
Tue, Apr 20: East Fens Community/Police
meeting., 6:00 p.m. Morville House, 100
Norway St.
Tue, Apr 20: Ward 5 Democratic Committee
meeting., 7:00 p.m., Community Church of
Boston, 565 Boylston St., Copley Square.
Wed, Apr 21: Fenway liaison for Mayor’s
Office of Neighborhood Services, William
Onuoha, holds open office hours, 3:30-
5:30 p.m. YMCA, 316 Huntington Ave. No
appointment necessary.
Wed, Apr 21: West Fens Police/Community
meeting, 5 p.m. Landmark Center (401 Park
Drive), 2nd floor, District 4 Police substation Mon, Apr 26: Longwood Medical Area
next to security desk.
Sat, Apr 24: Muddy River Clean-up co-
sponsored by the Emerald Necklace
Conservancy in conjunction with 11th
Annual Earth Day cleanup of the Charles
River and its tributaries. 9-12 noon.
Volunteers meet at the Landmark Center;
gloves, bags and t-shirts provided. For
info or to volunteer e-mail to info@
emeraldnecklace.org or call 617-522-2700.
Mon, Apr 26: Fenway CDC annual meeting
with keynote speaker Michael Dukakis,
former governor of Massachusetts and 1988
presidential candidate. 6:00-8:30 p.m. at the
Fenway Center, 77 St.Stephen St. (former
St Ann’s Church). Refreshments. For more
info, contact Sarah at shorsley@fenwaycdc.
org or at 617-267-4637 x19.
Forum, 6:30-8 p.m. For location or to verify
if meeting will be held, email Laura at
lfogerty@masco.harvard.edu.
Tue, Apr 27: Symphony Neighborhood Task
Force, 6 p.m. Location TBD. For more info,
call Councilor Mike Ross’s office at 617-635-
4225.