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MAY 2010 | free

“Comforting the afflicted and afflicting the comfortable”

serving the Fenway, Kenmore Square, upper Back Bay, Prudential, Longwood Area & Mission Hill since 1974 volume 36, number 5 APRIL 30-MAY 28, 2010

Dukakis Weighs in on Health Care: What Took So Long?

M
rheanna bellomo Since the end of his term as governor, Americans and controlling costs are the two were re-elected to three-year terms: Cathy
ore than 125 people gathered Dukakis has researched and taught about keys to controlling the healthcare market, Jacobowitz, Rosie Kamal, John LaBella, and
at the Fenway Center on April national healthcare reform, focusing on the which he stressed, cannot control itself. Steve Wolf.
26 for the Fenway Community lessons policy makers can learn from state Community members
Development Corporation’s reform efforts, like the first Massachusetts responded to Dukakis’ address

photo: valarie seabrook

annual meeting, where health care plan, passed during a question-and-answer
photo: valarie seabrook

former Governor Michael
Dukakis delivered a
keynote address about
the importance of small
communities in the effort
to universalize healthcare
in the United States.
“Community-based
healthcare options that are
within reasonable distance
to all residents are the best
possible public option,”
Dukakis said. “Every
American should be able
to walk in the door and get
good care.”
The former governor,
who served from 1975
to 1979 and again from
1983 to 1991, began with Former Governor Dukakis
a brief history of attempts
to universalize healthcare. He cited former
President Harry Truman, who proposed
a universal plan each year he served in
Washington, beginning in 1945. “Even after
so many years, I still cannot understand what “Good healthcare system requires first-rate
has held this country back from a decent
healthcare plan,” Dukakis said.
during his last term period. Some noted that the
as governor but never cost of medical education
implemented. keeps students from entering
Dukakis reminisced the field and imposes a special
about his childhood— burden on primary care
particularly his father’s physicians, who generally earn
career as a general much less than specialists.
practitioner (with an DuKakis agreed, pointing
office on Huntington out that compensating primary
Avenue). Pointing out that care physicians for their
his father used to take work would help keep costs
care of everything in one lower for patients and therefore Left to right, former Executive Directors Barbara
visit, Dukakis explained help provide coverage for all Burnham and Mat Thall, current ED Dharmena Downey,
that healthcare costs have Americans. and former ED Carl Koechlin listen to Governor Dukakis.
increased dramatically “Organizations like the CDC are Finally, the CDC honored three people
due to referrals and critically important to what the state is all and one business for their efforts on behalf of
multiple visits. “No about concerning community issues,” he the community over the past year.
wonder we are paying said. “There is nothing like coming back as a • Nicole Aubourg has volunteered for the
twice as much per capita former governor and seeing the fruit of your FCDC for five years, working on informa-
for healthcare as other labors and finally do what we set out to do tion technology, volunteering as a com-
industrialized nations. decades ago—provide guaranteed healthcare puter monitor and lab coordinator, and
You have three doctors, three visits, and three to all Americans.” assisting the Walk to Work program. “She
bills for one issue,” he said. Other highlights of the meeting included constantly gives and she never says ‘No,’”
Dukakis suggested relying more heavily a reunion of all of the group’s past executive said Amelia Aubourg, Nicole’s sister, who
and more often on primary care physicians. directors—Mat Thall, Barbara Burnham, and presented the award.
Carl Koechlin—with group’s newest executive • Stephen Brophy, editor of The Fenway
primary care, not reliance on HMOs,” he said. director, Dharmena Downey. Board President News, conducts a short story workshop at
Dukakis also said that covering all Joanne McKenna also pulled a surprised Lisa the Peterborough Senior Center twice a
Soli to the podium to present a thank-you gift month. “If you have something you love
for her work as interim executive director. and want to share it, take it to the senior

Stimulus funds in Hand, T Plans Four members of the board of directors > please turn to Dukakis on page 5

summer start on Yawkey Station

Smoke Gets in Your Skies

I
by Stephen Brophy
f all goes as planned, construction should get underway on the expansion of Yawkey
Station, a stop on the Worcester commuter rail line, before summer ends. Developer John
Rosenthal of Meredith Management and officials of the MBTA jointly announced the
news at a community meeting at the Boston Arts Academy on April 27.
Yawkey Station, just outside of Kenmore Square, currently has only one short platform,
so fewer than 10 commuter trains stop there on weekdays. Once the announced construction
is completed, in 12-18 months according the the MBTA, two full-length platforms will
allow up to 40 trains to stop at the station daily, making rail a much more attractive mode of
transportation for many Longwood Medical Area employees who now drive to and from work.
Funded in part by money from the much-derided economic stimulus bill, the construction
will also be the first step toward completion
photo: merEdith Management

of Rosenthal’s ambitious Fenway Center, a

multi-building development built partly over
the Mass Turnpike west of Kenmore Square.
The project has been in the works for several
years and is widely supported by nearby
residents, including members of the Audubon
Circle Neighborhood Association.
Rosenthal has been a successful
developer in Massachusetts for many
years, but he is perhaps best known for the Boston Conservatory student Nicholas Place took this picture of the fire that
This model, looking west over Brookline mammoth anti-gun billboards he regularly raced through the reeds in the Victory Gardens on April 5. The view above is from
Avenue and the Mass Pike, shows the 1,200 hangs next to the turnpike on a garage he Mother’s Rest Park across the Muddy River. The Boston Fire Department reported
solar panels that will cover parts of the owns. Besides being a supporter of rigorous that the record rainfall from March did little to slow the fire; the dessicated plants
Fenway Center’s buildings. gun control and other progressive issues, burned easily. Department investigators blamed a careless pedestrian’s failure to put
Rosenthal is also an enthusiastic proponent for out a cigarette before tossing it on the ground.
“green” development. He is particularly proud of the plans for Yawkey Station, because with
Photo: valarie seabrook

the solar panels used in its construction, it will actually generate more electricity than it uses.
When the Fenway Center is complete, it will include an array of approximately 1,200
Photo: patrick O’Connor

solar panels that will generate as much as 650 kilowatts per hour. Rosenthal, a man who went
to jail several times in the 1970s and ’80s for protesting the building of nuclear power plants,
will now be the owner of the largest private solar facility in Massachusetts.
Construction of Yawkey Station is Phase One of Rosenthal’s plan. Phase Two, which
involves building a deck over the turnpike near where Beacon Street crosses it, should begin
well before Phase One is completed. This deck will support some of the five buildings erected
in Phase Three, which will be primarily housing and offices. Rosenthal has worked with
Boston officials and others to plan for some road changes and creation of a park that will
connect Beacon Street and Brookline Avenue more effectively.
Audience reaction to the announcement at the April 27 meeting was generally positive.
The day’s steady drizzle probably cut down on the number of local residents who attended, but
Smoke from the fire billows into the air in this
representatives of many of the stakeholders, as well as of local elected officials, asked many
view from Westland Avenue (left). The fire
interesting questions. Perhaps most touching was the question of a union representative about
reduced the reeds to charred stubble (above),
parking spaces for construction workers who will work on the project underway. He said that
revealing H.H. Richardson’s Boylston Street
he knows some of his union brothers can be less than cooperative when it comes to parking
Bridge and cooking several goose nests.
their trucks, but that most of them want to minimize their disruption of the neighborhood.
What was most touching was not that declaration of good intent, but the almost palpable relief
in his voice that good construction jobs would soon be available again.
  | FENWAY NEWS | MAY 2010

Photo: steve wolf

In a Hurry for Curry on Mass Ave
Dan Choi Receives Studds Award
Army Lt. Dan Choi accepted the
Photo: maryilyn humphries

Congressman Gerry E. Studds Award at Fenway

Health’s Men’s Event fundraiser on Saturday, April
10, at the Marriott Copley Place. The award is
given during the Men’s Event to honor “individuals
of integrity and selflessness who embody the spirit
of service and provide positive leadership for the
LGBT community.” Choi, who delivered a short
but impassioned speech, has made headlines as
the public face of the movement to allow gay men
Lieutenant Dan Choi, fourth from left, and women to serve openly in the U.S. military.
accepts the Studds Award; Fenway In March, he chained himself to the White House
Health Executive Director Stephen fence to protest the continued enforcement of
Boswell stands second from the right. “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” the Clinton-era policy
that forces gay and lesbian soldiers to leave the
military if they reveal their orientation voluntarily or are “outed” by others.

YOU Don’t Look a Day over 375...

America’s oldest public school, Boston Latin School, celebrated its 375th birthday with
a cake-cutting on April 23. Guests at the festivities included Boston Mayor Tom Menino
and Viacom CEO Sumner Redstone, who recently donated $500,000 to the school. Harvard
President Drew Gilpin Faust delivered the keynote address. Harvard was founded 374 years
ago to provide a place for Boston Latin graduates to go for higher education.
The return of baseball season has brought pedicabs back to Fenway streets—mostly
those leading to and from Fenway Park. The yellow-shirted drivers occasionally
get together for Sunday brunch on game day, and on April 25 they brought their
moveable feast to Mass Ave, upending a phalanx of their vehicles on the sidewalk
outside Bombay Cafe while they dined.

...Whereas YOU, Young Whipper-snapper

While the Boston Pops is a mere child compared to Boston Latin, it’s also celebrating its
anniversary on May 4 at 8:00 p.m. Keith Lockhart will open the orchestra’s landmark 125th
Roxbury Community College Students
season with a gala three-part program honoring the legacies of its three conductors—Lockhart
himself, John Williams, and Arthur Fiedler. Working hard to appeal to multiple age groups Win Basketball Games and US Honors

J
and demographics, the concert will feature as guest soloists Broadway sensation Idina Menzel by erin harper nothing but praise for his sharp-shooting star.
(Wicked, Rent); legendary trumpeter Doc Severinsen (who led the studio orchestra on “The eff Cannon, a star on the Roxbury “It’s been an honor to have coached Jeff these
Tonight Show” during Johnny Carson’s reign); and pianist Michael Chertock, an artist whose Community College Men’s Basketball past two seasons, and it’s no surprise that he’s
work Keith Lockhart has championed throughout his 15-year tenure with the Pops. Invoking program, has been named a Third Team earning recognition with these other fantastic
Pops icons like Fiedler and Williams and bringing in a more contemporary star like Menzel All-American by the National Junior All-American–caliber athletes. He’s a pure
“celebrates the orchestra’s rich tradition of performing an innovative blend of great music, College Athletic Association (NJCAA). RCC shooter, a tenacious defender and a natural
from beloved classics to cutting-edge contemporary favorites.” For more information, visit Women’s Basketball standout Jesika Holmes leader. He has a terrific future ahead of him,
www.bostonpops.org. has been named an Honorable Mention All- both on and off the court.”
American. In her freshman year with the Lady
Kaji Aso Ranks Among New England’s Best Tea Houses Cannon, a 6’5” guard from East Boston Tigers, Holmes posted 14.2 points, 15.2
We think of the Kaji Aso Studio on St. Stephen St. as an art gallery and school, but it rebounds (second
has other facets. Yankee Magazine recently named it one of the five best teahouses in New nationally) and 2.9 blocks
England, with the following citation: “For nearly three decades, this ‘Institute for the Arts’ (ninth nationally) per
has been offering a Sunday afternoon Japanese tea ceremony in a fully appointed teahouse game. She was named
installed on the ground floor of this Fenway-area brownstone.” Call 617-247-1719 or visit www. NJCAA National Player
kajiasostudio.com for prices and information, but note that you must reserve your space(s) at of the Week for the week
least 48 hours in advance—and please, no blue jeans. ending November 14,
2009, when she led RCC to
Scotland’s ‘Soccer Nation’ Heads to Fenway Park two victories, highlighted
by a 36-point, 22-rebound
Fenway Park’s management called a community meeting on April 22 to let neighbors
performance against Dean
know that two well-known Scottish soccer teams—Celtic FC and Rangers FC—will play in
College. Holmes was
the park on July 21. Patrick Moscaritolo, president and CEO of the Greater Boston Convention
also named an Honorable
and Visitors Bureau, told Thomas Grillo of The Boston Herald that the economic impact of the
Jeff Cannon Jesika Holmes Mention All-American by
game could reach $35 million. “This is a huge event for Boston,” he said. “These are very well-
the Women’s Basketball
known teams with European fans that travel just like the way Red Sox Nation shows up at Sox
High School, averaged 22.6 points (eighth Coaches Association (WBCA).
games throughout the United States.”
nationally) and 6.9 rebounds during his “I am extremely proud of Jesika’s being
Fenway Civic Watches The Streets sophomore season at RCC. He was named named in both the NJCAA and WBCA listing
of All-American candidates,” said her coach,
NJCAA National Player of the Week for
1. Waste bin replacement at Westland Avenue and Hemenway: The trash bins outside of both the week ending January 23, 2010. In three Mark Leszczyk. “She was a major factor in
convenience stores on this corner were removed last fall and will be replaced shortly by games, Cannon averaged 25 points and 11 our team’s success this past season and will
the Department of Public Works (DPW). There were some issues involving “stuffing” of rebounds, while shooting 50 percent from be one of our team captains in the 2010-2011
residential trash into the bins, as well as some business trash, but we agreed to work with three-point range. campaign. More impressive than Jesika’s
the department to monitor and follow up on any problems. The DPW met with Lisa Soli A co-captain of the RCC Tigers, Cannon on-the-court success is her team-leading
from the Fenway CDC, Fenway Civic’s Bill Richardson and Marie Fukuda, and another led the team to three tournament wins during 3.6 grade point average, which shows her
resident, at the site in April to assess the conditions on the corner and see about getting the 2009-2010 season: the RCC Invitational, commitment to being a true student-athlete.”
them reinstalled. the Massachusetts Community College The RCC Men’s Team finished the season
2. Street conditions at Hemenway street: Fenway Civic contacted Boston Conservatory as Athletic Conference Tournament, and the with a 25-5 record and placed fifth at the
well as DPW about sidewalk conditions across from the performance center construction NJCAA Region XXI Tournament. That final NJCAA National Tournament. The Women’s
site. Our goal is to make sure that the tree pits are not tarred over and that the sidewalk is victory earned RCC a trip to the NJCAA Team finished its season with a 26-4 record.
restored to a safe condition after construction. (Submitted by Marie Fukuda) National Tournament in Delhi, New York. Fenway News contributor Erin Harper
Newslines were compiled this month by Stephen Brophy Head Men’s Coach Kwami Green had works at Roxbury Community College.

Fenway News Association Sets Annual Meeting for June 10, 2010

T
he Fenway News Association will hold its 2010 annual meeting on Thursday, June 10, at
the Peterborough Senior Center (located between 100 and 108 Jersey Street; walk down
the alley between the two buildings). The meeting will begin at 6:30 p.m. Elections to
the board of directors and votes on proposed amendments to the bylaws and articles of
incorporation, if any, will be held.
Any resident of the neighborhoods that we serve may join and vote on June 10 by mailing
a notice expressing an interest in joining to: Fenway News Association, Inc., P.O. Box 230277,
Astor Station, Boston, MA 02123. Anyone can also send an e-mail notice of interest to editor@
fenwaynews.org. We must receive such notices by Thursday, May 27, because the association’s
bylaws limit voting at the meeting to people who are members of the corporation for 14 days
prior to the meeting date. A list of current members appears at right.
For information about the meeting or the Fenway News Association, please call the Fenway
News office, 617-266-8790, or e-mail editor@fenwaynews.org.
At the same time and place, the Fenway Education and Neighborhood Support Fund
(FENSFund), Inc., an organization devoted to providing educational and cultural opportunities
for neighborhood residents, will hold its annual meeting. Members and non-members of both
organizations are cordially invited to attend the joint meeting in order to review the past year
and to help formulate goals for the year ahead. Refreshments will be served.
MEMBERSHIP OF THE ASSOCIATION AT PUBLICATION DATE: Penina Adelman,
Iory Allison, Delia Alvarez, Jose Anaya, Arlene Ash, Nicole Auberg, Mwagale Babumba,
Jonathan Ball, Alison Barnet, Richard Barry, Marion Boxer, Stephen Brophy, Luis Oscar
Cardona, Steve Chase, Suzanne Comtois, Helen Cox, Eleanor Cummings, Tracey Cusick,
Marian Daniells, Bennie diNardo, Richard Dunshee, Patrick Dutoit, Jeannette Ector,
Johnette Ellis, Stan Everett, Lisa Fay, Mary Finn, Tom Fitzgerald, Nikki Flionis,
Michael Foley, Joyce Foster, Lori Frankian, Marie Fukuda, Slim Gelzer, Galen Gilbert,
Elizabeth Gillis, Brett Greene, Kathy Greenough, Phyllis Hanes, Sam Harnish,
Steven Harnish, Erin Harper, Mar Ellen Hendrickson, Cathy Jacobowitz, Lois Johnston,
Rosie Kamal, Sajed Kamal, Lyudmila Kantor, Kyle Katz, John Kelly, Joseph Kenyon,
Mikhail Khazin, Ruth Khowais, Rudy Kikel, Jonathan Kim, Pamela King, Romin Koebel,
Shirley Kressel, Marc Laderman, Lauren Landry, Richard Larkin, Nasreen Latif,
Barbara Loo, Gil Loo, Aqilla Manna, Don Mathieu, Erica Mattison, Joan McGaw,
Kerry Mooney, Joan Murphy, Walter Noons, Patrick O’Connor, Richard Orareo,
Richard Pendleton, Jana Peretz, David Henry Perry, Camille Platt, Gloria Platt,
Lauren Dewey Platt, Emily Procknal, Alison Pultinas, Meena Ramakrishnan, Michelle
Reinstein, Bill Richardson, Michael Rogan, Mike Ross, Stephen Ross, Rosaria Salerno,
Valarie Seabrook, Helaine Simmonds, Barbara Brooks Simons, Matti Kniva Spencer,
Mat Thall, Eric Tingdahl, Ann Tobin, Bob Tomposki, Chuck Turner, Chris Viveiros, Clyde
Whalen, Hugh Wilburn, Margaret Witham, Steve Wolf, Lisa Wood, David Zermeno
 FENWAY NEWS | MAY 2010 | 

Hemenway Project’s builder, Lee Kennedy

Photo: steve wolf

rendering© handel architects llp

Reconstruction of the Co. Inc., said she was enthusiastic about
Boston Conservatory both the challenges and possibilities the
auditorium will reshape development entails.
the school’s performing For one, even though space on the site is
arts spaces—and limited, the new theater is being constructed
dramatically change on a parking lot, meaning that nothing
the streetscape on had to be destroyed to make room for the
Hemenway Street. Near renovations.
left, a late-April photo “You figure in this neighborhood, in Bos-
shows construction ton, to find a piece of land that has never had a
continuing on the structure on it is pretty unique,” she said. “It’s
building, scheduled interesting, because the school is so excited
for completion late about this process, which then makes the peo-
this summer. Far left, ple who are constructing it so excited about it.”
a rendering by New Ortner said there’s a lot to look forward
York-based Handel to, but the bottom line shouldn’t easily be
Architects shows how forgotten.
the building will look. “The entire community has been feeling
that we don’t present the work of our students
and faculty in surroundings that are nearly
equal of the work,” he said. “For the first time,
this facility will enable us to do so.”
Construction will end in August and the

Conservatory Project Builds More Than Buzz

space will be open for the first day of classes
in the fall.
As always, the school will hold certain
free performances for Fenway residents

S
By Sierra Smith
ledgehammers, drills, and metal on
concrete: For some Fenway residents,
the noise might seem to be enough to
make ears bleed and heads ring. For
those at the Boston Conservatory, however,
that is the sweet sound of the first building
upgrade in 60 years.
In fact, many theater-goers consider
those occasional disturbances a small price
to pay to replace a theater that not only
lacked air conditioning and accessibility for
the handicapped, but also a modern rigging
system, a control booth, and an orchestra pit,
said Richard Ortner, conservatory president.
Now school officials are gutting the old
theater’s building and adding rehearsal and
classroom space, dubbing the entire job the
Hemenway Project.
Before construction, the conservatory
blocked off the first few rows of its theatre to
make room for the orchestra, which created an
uncomfortably loud experience for audience
members in adjacent seats. Performances
in the summer created a sweltering setting
for audience members and performers alike.
The small stage and shortage of rehearsal
space deprived the school of its characteristic
professionalism.
“Students and faculty have been working
in what I would call compromised situations
for a very long time, and we’ve been able
to capture on this small site some of those
large spaces…which are key to the operation
of this school,” Ortner said. “I just think
this is a transformational moment for the
conservatory.”
So far, the school has raised $8.1 million
of the $12 million needed for the project,
but it has recently been presented with a
challenge that would require officials to sprint
to the fundraising finish. The Boston-based
Calderwood Charitable Foundation has
committed to donating the final $2 million
to the campaign if school administrators can
raise another $2 million by the end of the year.
The fundraising effort isn’t going
unnoticed. By now, 28 seats at the new venue
have been sold for $2,010 each as part of the
school’s most recent initiative. Those chairs
will feature the sponsors’ names when doors
open in September. Although sponsors still
have to pay for performances, school officials
said that the personalized plaques will remain
on the seats for as long as the theater stands.
Ortner said that while parents, staff and
alumni have donated money to the campaign,
he was shocked by the support he has seen
from the conservatory’s students as well.
“Even our graduating seniors, that is,
kids who won’t themselves see the benefit
of the new studio, are raising money for the
project because that’s the way they feel about
the school. That’s the way they feel about the
importance of getting this done for the people
coming after them,” he said. “It’s pretty
wonderful.”
Some students said that although they
can’t afford to help the new theater out
financially, they have been supporting it with
good spirits and anticipation while it’s under
construction.
Sophomore Claire Faller, a voice major
at the conservatory, said “When you have a
nice theater to perform in, it just changes the
whole mood of the production. So I’m really
looking forward to that. I think it’s going to
make the school even more appealing than it
already is.”
With renovations such as soundproof
classrooms and raised ceilings so dancers
can jump and balance on one another without
hitting their heads, people outside the student
body are getting excited, too.
Pam Bailey, a project manager for the
throughout the year and will sell student
and senior tickets at a discounted price once
the theater opens for performances. More
information on pricing and performance dates
can be found at the school’s website, www.
BostonConservatory.edu.
Sierra Smith is an undergraduate
in the Northeastern University School of
Journalism.
Mon., May 3 7:10 p.m.
Tues., May 4 7:10 p.m.
Wed., May 5 7:10 p.m.
Thurs, May 6 7:10 p.m.
Fri., May 7 7:10 p.m.
Sat., May 8 3:10 p.m.
Sun., May 9 8:05 p.m.
Mon., May 10 7:10 p.m.
Tues., May 11 7:10 p.m.
Wed., May 12 1:35 p.m.
Wed., May 19 7:10 p.m.
Thurs., May 20 7:10 p.m.
Thurs., May 27 7:10 p.m.
Fri., May 28 7:10 p.m.
Sat., May 29 7:10 p.m.
Sun., May 30 1:35 p.m.

 in memor ia m

Marilyn Margaret Murphy

Marilyn Margaret Murphy, 59, died unexpectedly at home on April 15 after a brief
illness. Born in Brooklyn, New York, on August 13, 1950, she lived in Boston most
of her life, most recently in the West Fenway. Murphy was an active supporter of the
Women’s Gay Rights Movement.
Murphy leaves her parents, Jack and Hazel (Phillips) Murphy of Lynn, her brother
William Murphy of Brockton, and her sister Loretta of Beverly; three nieces, Christine,
Corrine, and Morgan; her nephew, Adam; and several great nieces and great nephews.
By her request, there were no calling hours. Donations in her memory may be sent
to a charity of your choice.
—Submitted by West Fens resident Lisa Fay

Dr. Joseph Warren

Dr. Joseph Warren, who was the face of Northeastern University for many Fenway
residents trying to work with the university on various community issues, died on
March 28 following a stroke. He was 71.
Prior to his work at Northeastern, Dr. Warren worked in the administration of then-
Governor Michael Dukakis and also served as senior advisor to the Dukakis presidential
campaign in 1988. The Huntington News on April 1 quoted Gov. Dukakis (who now also
teaches at Northeastern), who praised Warren: “He was a remarkable guy. He and his
contemporaries lived through a generation that gave him every reason to be cynical, but
that never stopped him. He had a relentless sense of optimism and truly believed in the
power of collective change.”
Warren was particularly interested in helping young people grow, and was one of
the founders of Northeastern’s Balfour Academy, a college-prep school for inner-city
youth. He also oversaw the Youth Development Initiative Project, a tutoring program for
Fenway, Mission Hill and Roxbury students.
East Fens resident Joyce Foster, who has long been concerned about Northeastern’s
expansion into surrounding neighborhoods, said “as first director of the Office
of Community Affairs, he was deeply involved in the earliest efforts to work out
differences between the university and its neighbors.”
—Stephen Brophy
  | FENWAY NEWS | MAY 2010

Serving the Fenway, Kenmore Square, Audubon

Circle, upper Back Bay, lower Roxbury, Prudential,

Singular Passions Build Community Connections

Mission Hill, and Longwood since 1974
Fenway News Association
Board of Directors

S
By Stephen Brophy
o I got an award recently—a community service award from
the Fenway Community Development Corporation (FCDC)
at its annual meeting last month. Because of a personality
quirk, the prospect of such a thing filled me more with
anxiety than anticipation. I devised a three-sentence speech that
would, I hoped, turn the attention away from me:
“It’s easy to get an award like this (my speech went). All you
have to do is have something you love and want to share. Take it to
the Peterborough Senior Center and they will bring the best out of
because another reader stepped forward to do something about it. Jon Ball • Steve Chase • Helen Cox, president
The FCDC has a paid staff, but a lot of its work is done by Joyce Foster ª Elizabeth Gillis, clerk
Steven Harnish • Ruth Khowais
volunteers as well—most visibly its very active board members. Gloria Platt • Steve Wolf, treasurer
But it has many opportunities. For example, if you’re proficient
with computers, you could put in an hour or so a week in the FCDC Editor: Stephen Brophy
computer lab helping people with limited computer skills find WEB EDITOR: Jonathan Kim
what they’re looking for online, or finish a piece of work they’re Production Designer: Steve Wolf
trying to do on a spreadsheet or a database or some other complex Writers: Joanna Arpie, Jon Ball, Luis
Oscar Cardona, Helen Cox, Tracey Cusick,
software. If you worry about the way new buildings are changing the
Lisa Fay, Lori A. Frankian, Joyce Foster,
neighborhood, you might join the Urban Village Committee. Marie Fukuda, Galen Gilbert, Elizabeth

you.”
The award was given mostly for short story discussions I’ve
been leading at the Senior Center for the past couple of years. I had
become very passionate about reading short stories before I started
the series, and devised this discussion group in order to have people
to talk with about my reading. And it has been quite wonderful.
Knowing I have to “lead discussion,” I do more research on authors
than I would for myself, so the group forces me to deepen my
involvement in something I already enjoy.
The greatest benefit, however, comes from being able to
see the stories with new sets of eyes. Everyone brings different
experience and perspective to their reading, and the discussions
allow all of us to understand each other’s perceptions. That
experience of “re-reading” a story from other points of view is what
I find most valuable in the project. I learn so much from the other
participants, and I’m gratified to hear that they learn things they want
to know, as well.
That was what I was trying to get at with my minimalist
acceptance speech. I do it mostly for my own benefit, and feel a little
strange winning accolades for it. But that’s just me. One problem of
my minimalist style was that it didn’t include any thank-you from me
to the people who were giving the awards. I’m sorry for that, and say
“thank you,” belatedly.
After it was all over I spent some time wondering why my
feelings were so at odds with my neighbors’. Part of it comes from
the fact that they thinking of me as a volunteer, while I am thinking
of myself as just doing something I enjoy doing. Perhaps I should put
that in the past tense, because by thinking of it in these terms, I am
able to understand—and maybe start to accept—why they feel the
way they do.
So much of the good stuff that happens in our lives comes
from people who do that stuff from the goodness of their character,
without expecting or receiving monetary rewards. Volunteers have
kept The Fenway News alive for 35 years, and new ones come along
nearly every month. As I sit at this keyboard Lisa Wood, a woman
who responded to our plea for more proofreaders is sitting one desk
over, proofing this issue. If you’re a regular reader, you’ll probably
notice that our typo rate has decreased dramatically, and that’s
O
Gillis, Katherine Greenough, Anthony
r you might get involved with another neighborhood Gulizia, Steven Harnish, Erin Harper,
group that depends 100% on volunteers to get its work Kaileigh Higgins, John Kelly, Ruth Khowais,
done—the Fenway Civic Association. This group has Jonathan Kim, Pamela King, Shirley Kressel,
been involved in neighborhood improvement since 1961, Marc Laderman, Lauren Landry, Aqilla
and regularly sends informed members to hearings, public meetings, Manna, Erica Mattison, Richard Pendleton,
and other venues where public policy and development are discussed. Camille Platt, Stephen Post, Emily Procknal,
Fenway Civic has many initiatives in which volunteer Meena Ramakrishnan, Mike Ross, Bill
Shaner, Sierra Smith, Matti Kniva Spencer,
members can get involved. Its members clean up graffiti, organize
Ann Tobin, Chuck Turner, Clyde Whalen,
concerts in local parks, and work with government agencies to make Margaret Witham
sure sidewalks are kept clean and public trashcans are expeditiously PhotographerS: Lois Johnston, Patrick
emptied. The Civic Association has taken the lead in efforts to O’Connor, Matti Kniva Spencer, Steve Wolf
renovate the abandoned “Duck House” on Agassiz Road and get a CALENDAR: Helen Cox, Stephen Brophy,
business to set up shop there. Penina Adelman, Meena Ramakrishnan
Many other neighborhood groups might focus on a shared Proofreaders: Jon Ball, Tracey Cusick,
enthusiasm, but they depend on volunteers to keep the group Lisa Wood
functioning. Members of the Fenway Garden Society, for example, Subscription Coordinator: Cathy
want a plot in the Victory Gardens. The Society itself maintains the Jacobowitz
BOOKKEEPER: Cathy Jacobowitz
lists of current and future gardeners, works with city agencies to
Distribution: Jon Ball, Della Gelzer,
make sure that water is available and paths are kept clear, and puts on Keith Harriel, Aqilla Manna, Lauren Dewey
FensFest, a harvest festival in late summer. All of this work is done Platt
by volunteers, and most of these volunteers get as much enjoyment
out of their work for the group as they do from their gardening. The Fenway News is published monthly by the
Something about volunteering increases the quality of life, not Fenway News Association, Inc., a community-
owned corporation dedicated to community
only for the volunteer but also for anyone whose life is touched by journalism. If you would like to volunteer to
the work of the volunteer. Perhaps it’s the feeling that one is giving or write, edit, photograph, lay out, distribute, or sell
receiving a gift in the act of doing something for the common good advertising on commission, please contact us at:
without expecting to get paid for it. Maybe it has to do with being The Fenway News,
reminded that there are higher values than striving for money, or PO Box 230277, Astor Station
accumulating consumer goods, and understanding that these higher Boston, MA 02123
617-266-8790
values add those qualities that we call “humane” to our lives. editor@fenwaynews.org
Whatever it is, it makes many people feel like celebrating. www.fenwaynews.org
My little ordeal ultimately taught me that, even though I didn’t
seriously think about what I was doing as “volunteering,” I can still Subscriptions $24/year ($15 for limited income)
consciously volunteer to the local general welfare by allowing people ©2010 Fenway News Association, Inc.
to celebrate that which I take for granted. So thank you, again, to all
who participated in making me accept an award. Even more than the
plaque itself, I appreciate the opportunity to learn that you gave me.

Correction
Mass Ave
scenes from a marathon
The “Red Snakes” from Kaji Aso
An error appeared in the April issue.
Accompanying an article about the closing
Lock Co.
Photo: kaji aso studio

Studio (left) welcomed slow runners

to Copley Square late in the afternoon
on Marathon Day. Contributor
Patrick O’Connor captured some of
those slower runners as they slogged
through Kenmore Square (below).
Photo: patrick o’connor
of the Fenway Laundromat was a picture
that was supposed to be the laundromat’s
24-HOUR
owner, Patricia Bynoe; in fact the picture EMERGENCY SERVICE
was not Bynoe’s.
How did it happen? We don’t have a
BONDED LOCKSMITH
scanner in The Fenway News office, so one
of our volunteers has to take any photos we
125 St. Botolph Street

receive to his workplace for scanning. He Phone 247-9779 • Fax 536-8709

did that as usual last month, but somewhere
in the back-and-forth captions got switched. Police Locks • Doors Opened
Since none of us laying out the paper knew Mailbox Keys • Master Keys
either of the women, we didn’t have any way
to know an error had occured.
Systems • Padlocks
But the photographer recognized the Door Closers
error as soon as he saw the paper and was Keys Made by Code
quite distressed. So we offer a quadruple
> Frequency < apology here—one to each of the women
The Fenway News reaches the stands every 4-5 weeks, usually on the first who had their identities switched; one to
or last Friday of the month. Our next issue will be appear on our readers, who were misinformed; and
Friday, MAY 28.
> Deadline <
The deadline for letters, news items, and ads is
most of all, one to photographer Matti
Kniva Spencer, who has done much valuable The First Church of Christ, Scientist
work for The Fenway News (another great Sunday Church Services & Sunday School
Friday, MAY 21.
volunteer) over the years, and who deserves 10 am and 5 pm (no evening service July & Aug.)
> Advertising < to have his work treated more carefully. LIVE online: www.ChurchofChristScientist.org
Contact our business manager at And if you happen to know someone in
ads@fenwaynews.org Wednesday Testimony Meetings
a position to donate a scanner...let us know. 12 noon and 7:30 pm

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Neighborhood Tragedy Planted Seed
That Grew into Symphony Garden
by Ann Tobin
“It’s good to know that this space will
be a permanent fixture in the community, to
use and enjoy long into the future.” —Mayor
Thomas Menino, quoted in a city press
release on August 16, 2002
Everywhere in the Fens, East and West,
street Cleaning
The city cleans Fenway residential streets
between noon and 4 p.m. on the first and
third Wednesdays of the month (odd-num-
bered side) and the second and fourth
Wednesdays (even-numbered sides). Get
more info at 617-635-4900 or check www.
cityofboston.gov/publicworks/sweeping/.
The state cleans streets that border
the Back Bay Fens on this schedule:
• Second Thursday
The Riverway, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
• Second Friday
The Fenway (including interior lane),
Charlesgate Extension, and Forsyth
Way, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
• Second Friday
The Fenway (8 to 54, including in-
terior lane), Charlesgate Extension,
12:00–3:00 p.m.
• Third Tuesday
> Park Drive (including interior lane),
upper Boylston Street,
8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
> Park Drive, from Holy Trinity
Orthodox Cathedral to Kilmarnock
Street and from the Riverside Line
overpass to Beacon Street,
12:00–3:00 p.m.
www.mass.gov/dcr/sweep.htm has a
complete schedule and maps.
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
tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, violets at peak
bloom in our first blast of spring. Salad
greens, then flowers will follow. Summer
will settle in. By mid August, gardeners of
Symphony Road Community Garden will
share their abundance with neighbors and
friends. Many will contribute produce to the
Boston Food Bank’s “Plant A Row” project.
The garden operates under the guidance of
Boston Natural Areas Network (BNAN),
which holds the deed for the property. BNAN
is a nonprofit organization, which preserves,
protects and expands urban open space.
In addition to 45 individual plots,
common space runs the length of the garden
entrance graced with tall shady trees and two
picnic tables. Common areas are open to the
public. If you’re new in the neighborhood, you
might wonder how this garden “happens” to
be right in the middle of a dense residential
street. Four apartment houses (#52–72
Symphony Rd) stood on this ground. In
September l976, an arson fire left their 126
occupants homeless; 17 hospitalized; and five-
year-old Jesse Oliver dead. l00 people met
in the basement of St. Anne’s Church (now
Northeastern’s Fenway Center) to organize
in response to dozens of arson fires that had
plagued the Fenway area for several years.
In l977, a grand jury returned 121
indictments against 33 men; charges ranged
from arson and insurance fraud to murder.
In 1978, the City confiscated the land. The
garden is dedicated to Jesse Oliver and to
Bertha McCrary, a passionate community
organizer and the garden’s first community
coordinator in l982.
Please visit our website, www.
symphonyroadcommunitygarden.com.
Anne Tobin lives and gardens in the East
Fens.
NO PLASTIC BAGS
> Dukakis from page 1
center and they will draw out of you the
best,” Brophy said, upon accepting the
honor.
• Bridget Kelly accepted the honor on
behalf of Burtons Grill on West Boylston
Street for, among other things, being
among “the first to feed those displaced by
the Peterborough Street business fires last
To Tackle Kids’ Obesity, Start by
Rethinking School Food Contract
I
n the past 30 years, rates of obesity
in America’s youth have tripled, and
Massachusetts ranks third among the
states for obesity rates
among school-aged children.
Boston’s black and Latino
youth struggle with obesity
and diabetes (which commonly
accompanies obesity) at a rate
two to three times higher than
their white peers. This generation
of children might be the first to
have a shorter life expectancy
than their parents.
The Ross
Report
What’s happening in our
schools, where children eat
many of their meals? The state
The Fenway
legislature recently passed a
News has invited
ban on junk food in vending
elected officials
machines–an initiative begun in
who represent the
the City Council by John Tobin.
neighborhood to
The Boston Public Schools’
contribute columns
Office of Food and Nutrition
on issues of
Services decides what the city’s
concern. These will
schoolchildren will eat every
appear on a regular
day. Of the 10 million-plus meals
basis in FensViews.
it serves each year, 89 percent
are served to students who rely on state
and federal reimbursements to pay for their
meals. The majority of these meals consist
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FENWAY NEWS | MAY 2010 | 
year,” in the words of her citation.
• Johanna Sena has worked for City Coun-
cilor Michael Ross as director of communi-
ty relations for four years. “She has earned
the admiration of Fenway residents with
her patience and ability to un-ruffle feath-
ers,” Wolf said in presenting her award.
Rheanna Bellomo is a Journalism
student at Emerson College.
of processed foods provided by a company
called Preferred Foods, which is based in
Pennsylvania.
Mayor Tom Menino has
been ahead of the curve on this
issue. Last year he tapped reserve
funds to help cover part of the
$6.7 million deficit of the Office of
Food and Nutrition Services, and
he asked the department to enact
recommendations from Project
Bread around food services.
Good things happened. Most
notably, Project Bread pioneered ten
“Chef Schools” where participation
among students was 17 percent
higher than in non-chef comparison
schools. Unfortunately, Food and
Nutrition Services didn’t go far
enough in bringing healthy food to
all of our students.
We continue to hear from
concerned parents and groups like
Project Bread, who have asked us
to stand up for healthy food in our
schools. In response, Councilor
Chuck Turner and I recently held a
hearing that examined the current state of the
Office of Food and Nutrition Services.
Since then we have met with school of-
ficials to learn more about their plans, includ-
ing the solicitation of proposals from outside
vendors interested in co-managing the food
operation in our schools.
At our hearing, Boston Public Schools
Chief Operating Officer Michael Goar
testified that the schools’ food budget is
still running a $3.5 million deficit. Any
firm brought in to co-manage the Food and
Nutrition program would be required to
assume the program’s debt or write a check
to bring the operation back into the black.
This would most likely mean bringing in
an even larger, multinational version of
Preferred Foods—like France’s Sodexo or
UK-based Chartwells—to feed our children
more processed foods. We cannot allow this
to happen.
This year’s city budget is undoubtedly
tight. But I believe that bringing local, healthy
food is not only doable, but a critical use of
our city’s resources. It won’t be easy—the
Office of Food and Nutrition Service is
reimbursed $2.75 for each lunch served,
yet it still runs that deficit. But some of our
schools have worked within these constraints
and brought in better food. At our hearing,
students from Boston Arts Academy testified
that when the school brought in a chef who
prepared fresh, healthy meals, students
ate lunch off-campus less frequently, and
they ate the chef’s nutritious meals. We can
pay $3.5 million today, or tens of millions
more when medical conditions tied to an
unhealthy lifestyle—such as heart disease
and diabetes—must be treated, and the cost of
those treatments are passed on to society.
School districts around the nation are
finding ways to feed their students healthy
meals on a budget. Boston must find an
innovative way to bring fresh, locally-grown
food into our schools within budget. We
cannot continue to allow huge multinational
corporations to feed our children processed
meals so they can feed their own shareholders’
profits. Instead, we must offer students
appetizing meals, made with fresh, local
children healthier and more academically
successful.
 | FENWAY NEWS | MAY 2010
East Fens’ Musical Mix Hits the Right Note for Rutman’s Violins
F
By Bill Shaner
or Ilya Rutman, owner of Rutman’s
Violins, it’s all about the business.  is the least expensive and most
Rutman, a 56-year-old,
Russian-born former professional
violinist with training in violin making from
the North Bennet Street School in Boston’s
North End, now dedicates most of his time to
buying, selling and repairing violins rather
than playing or making them.
Although business has been slow
recently, Rutman’s draws a consistent
clientele base from local professional
musicians and students. The business has
been doing better now than it did for the
better part of Rutman Violin’s 17-year history.
Rutman attributes that to two things.
One is its location. Rutman’s Violins
moved in 1999 to the corner of Westland
and Massachusetts avenues, where it
is now located. With Symphony Hall,
the Berklee College of Music, the New
England Conservatory, and the Boston
Conservatory all less than half a mile away,
Rutman’s location is “the best of what Boston
has to offer you,” he said.
The other, and arguably more important
reason, is that “something is done right, in-
cluding quality of what we offer in both re-
pairs and sales, instruments and bows we sell,
how we are to our clients, how we build that
relationship with our clients so they feel com- Edgerly Road in the East Fens.
fortable and confident here,” Rutman said.
The bulk of Rutman’s clients are
students, but he does re-hair bows and make
small repairs for members of the Boston
Symphony Orchestra, including Edwin
Barker, the BSO’s lead double bassist, and
Music Marketing Mavens Tell Conference
How the Web Upends the Industry Model
I
By Stephen Post
f you’re a musician these days, you know us.
how easy it is to put your latest song
online on MySpace or Facebook or any
number of music websites. The problem
is that thousands of bedroom recording artists Zero record, assured the audience that the
are doing the same thing. In the vast forest of recommenders of music on social networking
modern digital media, how does an artist make sites do not generally post unless they really
a sound?
On Thursday, April 15, a panel of music
industry veterans assembled in Berklee’s
David Friend Recital Hall to discuss questions
like these at a conference titled “Envisioning
21st-Century Music Business Models.”
The panelists, all with music and
marketing backgrounds, have worked with
some of the biggest names in the industry,
from David Bowie to Nine Inch Nails.
A central theme was the power the
Internet puts in the hands of musicians. The
Internet allows the artist to be in charge
of both content and image. Not long ago
making a professional-sounding record was
the province of the lucky few who had record
contracts. Now anyone with a laptop and a
microphone can cut a record and post it online Lieu explained, are now scarce. “Promo
immediately. Anyone with a digital video
camera can become a YouTube superstar
practically overnight.
Word of mouth— recommendation from
a trusted source—is now the primary way
people discover new music. Social-network-
ing sites are prime examples of how word-
of-mouth spreads on the Internet. As panelist fame and fortune is not in the cards for most,
John Hammond, VP of Marketing for the
TheMusebox.net explained, “a 200-person
network of friends on Facebook can quickly
reach 200,000.”
With so much potential reach, bands
cannot afford to ignore the Internet as
a marketing tool. Peggy Dold, CEO of
Navigation Partners LLC, a music-consulting noise.” Bands, he said, should be prepared to
firm, stressed that, “You can’t move forward
without a presence on the ‘big three’—
MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter.”
According to conventional marketing
wisdom, word of mouth has an inherent
“trustability” factor. If marketing texts are to
be believed, we’re more likely to listen to a
Alexander Velinzon, violinist.
Rutman’s business was not always so
PHOTO: ILYA RUTMAN
Rutman’s Violins at the corner of Westland Avenue and
successful. He opened Newton-based
Rutman’s Musical Workshop in 1993.
He said that in the first five years he was
unsure whether the shop would take
off. Business stabilized about seven or eight
band if someone we know recommends it to
Alex Lieu, a music marketing guru
who worked on an innovative promotions
campaign for the Nine Inch Nails Year
believe in the music. “Posting a band on
Facebook is the new version of Sharpie on
your backpack—it better be good.”
Given that people can listen to music for
free on the Internet, how does an artist make
money? Is it possible for musicians to make a annual Boston LGBT Film Festival, which both theaters have long helped host. (LGBT, of
living?
Yes, 21st-century artists can still make
a living from their craft. They just need to
adjust their expectations.
Lieu and the other panelists pointed to a
“redistribution of wealth” taking place in the
music industry. “There’s fewer people making of the Sundance Festival’s Audience Award. Other highlights includes Cheryl Dunye’s latest
big money.” In the 21st century, there will be
fewer stars on the level of a Lady Gaga.
Mega-stars require vast corporate coffers
to support them. These financial resources,
budgets aren’t what they used to be,” So
record labels can’t afford to take risks on
artists that are creating a new sound.
The silver lining, however, is that
there are more artists who are able to make
money directly from fans, thanks to the
democratizing power of the Internet. While
with hard work, artists can earn a modest
success that may even rise to the level of
“earning a living.”
Ben Campbell, founder of OurStage.
com, advised the audience to maintain a sense
of perspective. “Be objective with yourself…
you’ve got to be really good to rise above the
gig for upwards of four years before they see
real results.
“The beauty of the new world order [of
music] is that you can do it yourself now. You
can make money in those three or four years.”
Musician Stephen Post holds down a day
job in the Longwood Medical Area.
years after opening for “a number of reasons,” work with tools and wood, and other basic
including good word-of-mouth referrals.“This mechanics of instrument making.
But, he said, it’s not the North Bennet
important advertisement,” he Street School’s place to teach a “deeper under-
said. standing” of instrument making. Producing
Rutman is from an instrument of any quality is taught with
Moldova, formerly part of experience, not at a school, he said.
the Soviet Union. There Rutman has produced a total of 45
he was a violinist in the instruments, most of them violins. He has
Moldovan Folk Orchestra, but, made four cellos and eight to ten violas.
because he was Jewish, the As to why he makes so many more
Soviet government prevented violins than other instruments, Rutman’s past
him from travelling outside career as a professional violinist is to blame.
Moldova with the orchestra. “I just feel more connected to it,” he said.
Russian anti-Semitism He said producing a violin takes 160 to
was part of Rutman’s reason 200 hours of labor. A full-time artisan pro-
for immigrating to America in duces six to ten instruments a year, he said.
1989. “I felt…that being a Jew Rutman can only find time to produce, at
is not a good faith because of most, one a year because most of his time is
the fact that many doors are spent keeping shop.
closed for you,” he said. “Making [an instrument] has actually
With an invitation from become more of a hobby for me, like reading
his brother, Rutman, his the book, so whenever I have an hour here,
wife, Marina, and their two an hour there, I continue to make,” Rutman
sons moved to New Haven in said.
December 1989. When asked which he enjoys more, in-
From there, Rutman strument making or running the business,
enrolled in the North Bennet Rutman said, “Both.” But, he said, “I conduct
Street School, where he business. I cannot be sitting on two chairs at
learned how to make violins, the same time.”
violas and cellos, producing Bill Shaner is an undergraduate in
a total of eight instruments. the Northeastern University School of
He said the North Bennet Journalism.
Street School was where he learned how to
Behind every face, he finds a story
Long-time Fenway resident (and frequent Fenway News contributor) Matti Kniva
Spencer will open the latest iteration of his ongoing multimedia art exploration, “Faces
in Massachusetts,” this month at the Muddy River Gallery in the West Fens. Spencer
spent the last nine months interviewing and photographing 40 people who live, work,
or study in the Commonwealth to put this exhibition together. He has had two previous
exhibits of a similar nature in the past couple of years, one at Boston City Hall.
On the theory that “behind every face is a story,” Spencer talks with his subjects
while he clicks his camera, and from his conversations come quirky little mini-
biographies that hang below the images on the gallery wall, serving themselves as works
of art rather than merely captions.
His latest exhibit opens at the Muddy River Gallery on Sunday, May 23, and
runs through July 29. The gallery is located in the Peterborough Senior Center, whose
entrance is off the alley between 100 and 108 Jersey Street. An opening reception on
May 23 will run from 1 to 6 p.m.; otherwise gallery hours are Monday-Thursday from
9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Call the Center (617-536-5174) for best viewing times.
LGBT Film Festival Spotlights Latin Cinema
The Film Program at the MFA joins the Brattle Theatre in Cambridge to co-host the 26th
course, stands for lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender.) Fenway Community Health in the West
Fens will also host some screenings. The festival opens on May 6 at the MFA with a screening
of Beyond Gay: The Politics of Pride by Bob Christie, a Canadian documentary about differing
responses to Gay Pride demonstrations around the world.
Festival organizers focused on Latino/Latina cinema this year, booking films from Peru,
Brazil, Argentina, Spain, and Portugal, including Javier Fuentes-Leon’s Undertow, winner
work, The Owls, a comedy starring Skylar Cooper and Guinevere Turner; and the world
premiere of Gen Silent, a film about LGBT aging, shot in and around Boston.
For screening times and locations, film descriptions, and other information, visit www.
bostonlgbtfilmfest.org.
 FENWAY NEWS | MAY 2010 | 

☞ f e n w a y h I S T ORY ☜
May 4 – June 20

Art for the Masses Gives Birth to MassArt

by Elizabeth Gillis
Art was blossoming all over Boston. The Civil War was over and attention turned
to other things.
The Boston Public School Art League wanted to promote refinement among young
students, so they obtained plaster casts of statues in the Parthenon in Greece. The Girls
High School halls were designed to showcase these and other art reproductions.
There was also a traveling museum courtesy of the Massachusetts Board of
Education. Reproductions of famous art works were taken from town to town in a
horse-drawn wagon, but the art deteriorated from the constant movement.
In 1870 powerful businessmen persuaded the state legislature to pass a law
requiring instruction in drawing for all students. There were two schools of thought on
this. One was that it would give young people a broader education and an appreciation
of art. The other was that training in industrial or mechanical drawing would provide
more capable workers for the textile factories owned by those who proposed the bill.
Professor Rail of New Haven said, “We are tired of sending so many millions to keith lockhart conductor
Europe for articles that we might produce at home if we had skilled designers.” john williams laureate conductor
Now there was a problem. There were no drawing teachers. The Industrial
Drawing Act mandated instruction for all children. It also offered day or evening
classes for adults in towns with over 10,000 population.
So in 1873 the Massachusetts Normal Art School was formed. The legislature
allotted $7,500 (now worth $125,000) for this. Its founder, Walter Smith, an
Englishman, was brought here to become the art director for the Boston Public Schools.
At first it seemed like a coup to have him come. However, the atmosphere gradually
soured.
Smith regarded some children as potential college students while others would 125th Anniversary Ray Charles Gospel Night
be relegated to lower-level occupations. This went against the American ideal of
opportunity for all. There was some resentment from art book publishers who felt that Celebration Tribute june 12
may 4*, 7 & june 19 may 29 Charles Floyd, conductor
he had too much clout in that respect. A politician railed against Smith’s idea that art is
Keith Lockhart, conductor Robert Bernhardt, conductor
important as being a “frivolous expense for the taxpayers.” *special prices apply

So Smith went back to England but the art school he helped to create continued
to develop. It began in rented rooms in downtown Boston, then moved to the Deacon
House, a mansion in the South End. From there it moved to its own building at Exeter
and Newbury streets and later to what is now a Beth Israel building at Brookline and
Longwood avenues. Today called Massachusetts School of Art and Design, its current
home is on Huntington Avenue. It was the first public art college in the country.
Elizabeth Gillis lives in the East Fenway.

Idina Menzel An Evening with Rodgers &

Star of Wicked and Glee Dave Brubeck Hammerstein
(spring 2010)
may 5, 6
june 1, 2 at the Movies
Keith Lockhart, conductor june 15, 16*
Keith Lockhart, conductor
Emil DeCou, conductor
Robert Osborne, host
It’s official—the poor will inherit the cream cone. Don’t try to put your lips on it *Media Partner Turner Classic Movies
earth. I got it straight from the elite. The poor while you’re speaking. Do keep it a foot un-
will never have to work again, getting up derneath your chin.
rent money, buying food or worrying about If you must use your hands, as most do
the MBTA raising the bus or trolley fares, or while talking, make sure they have something
buying clothes, except at sales or used places, to do with what you’re saying. For example,
paying for medicine or hospital bills, or any if you’re pointing your finger at something,
of these happy things that money can buy. what you’re saying must have something to
We’ll be able to do all these things. We’ll get do with what you are pointing at. The hands
rid of all our troubles, when we inherit the accompany what you’re saying. You’re trying Hooray For A Tribute to The World of
earth and all that’s in it. All of this will come to get a ride home—you extend your thumb
to us because of our inheritance of the earth, and move your hand the way you want to go.
Hollywood Duke Ellington Arlo Guthrie
may 11–14 june 4, 5 june 17, 18
six feet of it per person You show something’s too loud by John Williams, conductor Jeff Tyzik, conductor Keith Lockhart, conductor
and each of us will be able putting your hands over your ears; not
to do without money. Our loud enough, you cup your hands over
problem will be overcome. your ears; look up there and down
Don’t be sorry for us, there, etc.
our troubles will be over Radio is different; you don’t have
forever. to dress for radio. It doesn’t matter
My favorite song—I’ll how you look, because they can’t see
Be Seizing You in All the you. They judge you only by your
Old Familiar Places. voice and the way you convey your
Remember when the message. If you move your hands in
MBTA was known as the radio while you’re talking, it makes Stars and Stripes “From the Top” Father’s Day
trolley? And BC students to difference. You could stand on may 21, 22 at Pops Family Concert
were called trolley-rats and your head if you wanted to. As long Keith Lockhart, conductor june 8 june 20
West Fens resident
the fares were a nickel or a as you get your message across. On Keith Lockhart, conductor with special
Clyde Whalen gives Christopher O’Riley, host pre-concert brunch
dime? “The Fenway Report” television, it’s hearing and seeing at Keith Lockhart, conductor
Remember when there every other week the same time, which can cause you
used to be snow on the on neighborhood trouble. How about street-talk? It’s a
streets? Network News on different language used by mostly the
Want to amuse cable channel 9. youth. For example, “You know what
yourself? Get a keyboard I mean? You hear what I’m saying?”
and play by ear. Many hours One of the toughest problems
of pretending you are in the symphony, after a is to lose your train of thought. You hem and
short time it takes playing by ear. Keyboards haw, making sounds in the hope that you’ll
are not expensive—they keep you from continue, without having someone take over
overeating. Sitting around and wondering why for you, which is the common fear.
An Evening An Evening
you were lucky enough to grow old. When it’s springtime in Alaska and it’s
Do something for a working man—get ninety-eight below and the Eskimos go with Maureen of Cole Porter
him a working woman, and he can stop barefoot through the ice and drifting McGovern june 9–11
may 25, 26 Keith Lockhart, conductor
working. snow.
People are the real flowers of life. So, When the polar bears get sunburned Keith Lockhart, conductor
flowers, let me walk through your garden, to and the wolves howl all the day, then
water each and every one of you personally
and watch you grow. And may one day you
it’s springtime in Alaska—Alaska all the
way. tickets: $20-$99
grow so high, you’ll reach up and touch
infinity. Till then—do the best you can.
If at first you don’t succeed, try the
outfield. 617-266-1200 „ bostonpops.org
The United Nations will never work Bless your bloated little bladders and
because there’s too many foreigners in it. your beady eyes, too, order up a beer and have
How to hold a microphone properly? them put the head on you.
How to handle it when you’re stumped for See you next month—if I’m lucky. I’ll be
something to say? Don’t use it like an ice 91 in August. Official Coffee &
Film Night Series Sponsor Arlo Guthrie Series Sponsor opening night and season sponsor
 | FENWAY NEWS | MAY 2010
Sat, May 1: Wake up early to join the Fenway
Civic Association’s annual bird walk, led
by Dr. Gwilym Jones, professor of biology
at Northeastern. Meet at the Japanese
Bell south of the Kelleher Rose Garden
(by the footbridge across from the MFA).
All levels are welcome, and participants
are encouraged to bring binoculars. Email
+ FenwayCivic@aol.com for more
information. 7 a.m. FREE
Sat, May 1: The Longwood Symphony
Orchestra is joined by pianist Philip Edward
Fisher for a run through the infamous
“Rach 3,” Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Piano
Concerto No. 3 in D. Also on the program
will be Carl Neilsen’s Symphony No. 4.
This concert will benefit the Asian Task
Force Against Domestic Violence, which is
dedicated to preventing domestic violence
in Asian families and communities and
providing hope to survivors. At Jordan
Hall; tickets $30-$40, are available at www.
longwoodsymphony.org or at 617-667-1527.
Tue, May 4: The Boston Pops launches its
125th season with the work of its most
famous conductors—Arthur Fiedler, John
Williams, and Keith Lockhart. Lockhart
will be present, along with Broadway star
Idina Menzel and Doc Severinson. 8 p.m. at
Symphony Hall. Tickets $40-$119
Wed, May 5: The Mass. Historical Society
presents a panel discussion on “Remaking
Boston: An Environmental History of the
The following events take place at the
Peterborough Senior Center, located two
blocks from Boylston between 100 and 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—May 3, Fame (1980);
May 10, Shakespeare in Love (1998); May
17, A Tale of Two Cities (1958); May 24,
Minority Report (2002)
• 2:15 p.m: Yoga
Tuesdays
• 11 a.m: Exercise with Mahmoud
• 12 noon: Documentaries—Sunset Story
(2003); May 11; The Cove (2009); May 18,
Paris Opera Ballet (2008); May 25, Travel
the World by Train: Asia (1999)
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
SPECIAL EVENTS
May 5: 11 a.m. Short Stories discussion:
Nathaniel Hawthorne and E. M. Forster
May 6: 11 a.m. Jazz standards concert with
Aquiles Navarro, trumpet, and Parker
McAllister, bass, from New England
Conservatory.
May 12:
• 11 a.m. Current events discussion
• Noon-2pm. Artists Zebaio Fu (Bill) and
Olga Goldus teach a monthly watercolor
class. No experience necessary; bring your
own brush and watercolor paints.
May 13: 11 a.m. Haiku class taught by
Jeannie Martin. No experience necessary.
May 19:11 a.m. Short Stories discussion:
Philip K.Dick’s “Minority Report”
May 20: Spring trip; call Center for details
May 26: 11:30 a.m. “Healthy Lifestyles.”
discussion
May 27: 11 a.m. Book review with Barbara
Boger
City and Its Surroundings.” This event
celebrates the recent publication of a
collection of essays under the same title,
edited by the panel’s moderator, Anthony
Penna, Northeastern emertius
PHOTO: andre hurlbut
professor of history. Refreshments
served at 5:30; discussion begins at 6
p.m. Reservations requested at www.
+ masshist.org or 617-646-0560.
FREE
Fri, May 7: Get two tickets for the
price of one to the latest Gold Dust
Orphans extravaganza, The Gulls,
online at www.brownpapertickets.
com or bythrough the box office at 617-
265-6222. Valid for both seating levels,
the offer is good only through opening
weekend. The Gulls re-sets Hitchcock’s
The Birds on the Cape, gives the story a
few unexpected twists, and stars divalicious
Ryan Landry himself. At Machine, 1254
Boylston St. Tickets are $35-$45.
Sat, May 8: Calling attention to its special
exhibition, “Modeling Devotion: Terracotta
Sculpture of the Italian Renaissance,”
the Gardner Museum conducts a 20-
minute gallery talk at noon in the Special
Exhibition Gallery, repeating on May 9, 15,
16, 22, 23. Free with museum admission.
Visit www.gardnermuseum.org for more
information
Fri, May 14: The Cantata Singers close out a
season-long celebration of Heinrich Schütz
with a performance of his “culminating
work, his deeply felt reflection on a very full
and rich eighty-six years.” The program
focuses on Opus ultimum—Schwanenge-
sang, or Swan Song, cantatas built around
two psalms, and the Magnificat. In Jordan
Hall at New England Conservatory, 8 p.m.
Tickets $17-$52
Fri, May 14: Huntington Theatre Company
concludes its season with Tony Award-
winning playwright Craig Lucas’s Prelude
to a Kiss. This breathtaking modern
comedy explores the enduring power of
love and the nature of commitment when
a kiss for the bride suddenly changes
everything. Through June 13; visit www.
huntingtontheatre.org for times and
tickets. All performances in the BU Theatre
at 264 Huntington Ave. Tonight’s show is 8
p.m.; tickets are $20-$70.
Sat. May 15: Boston Prime Timers meeting.
Speaker will be Demie Stathoplos, executive
director of of Pathways to Wellness.
Stathoplos will give straightforward
Wed, May 5: Fenway liaison for Mayor’s
Office of Neighborhood Services, William
Onuoha holds office hours 3:30-5:30 p.m.
at the YMCA, 316 Huntington Ave. No
appointment necessary.
Tue, May 11: Ward 4 Democratic Committee
meeting, 6:30 p.m., South End Library, 685
Tremont Street.
Tue, May 11: Public meeting to review design
concepts for Audubon Circle sponsored by
Boston Transportation Department and
Boston Redevelopment Authority. 6-8 p.m.,
Ruggles Street Baptist Church, 874 Beacon
Street (corner of Park Drive).
Wed, May 12: Annual Justine Liff Luncheon
in the Park at the Kelleher Rose Garden.
For tickets and more info, call the Emerald
Necklace Conservancy at 617-522-2700 or
visit www.emeraldnecklace.org.
Wed, May 12: Colleges of the Fenway’s
Diversity Network Reception: “Applying
Entrepreneurial Wisdom to Your Own
Career.” Panelists include CEOs of three
companies. 5:30-8:30 p.m. Simmons College
Alumnae Hall, 321-rear Brookline Ave. For
more info, call Susan at 617-989-4191.
+
This symbol indicates a free
event. For even more listings,
visit www.fenwaynews.org
Pick:
‘Musical Diplomacy’ Parses Obama’s Election
pickFriday,
Students from New England Conservatory and Northeastern University (NEU)
of theMay
will join forces for a cross-disciplinary evening entitled Musical Diplomacy:
A Concert and Discussion on Race and
Culture in the Age of Obama on Friday,
month
May 14, at 7:30 p.m. in NEU’s Fenway
14
Center. Created and performed entirely by
students, the annual event brings together
policymakers, teachers, musicians, and
concerned citizens for a concert and
discussion of social issues.
Musical Diplomacy will examine how
the election of Barack Obama affects
America’s perception of race and culture.
The event’s artistic directors, Michael
Reichman and Brian Kaufman, see it “as
an opportunity for community members to
discuss, within the context of music, racial
Kaufman, left, and Reichman and cultural issues in America. Our hope
is to challenge audience members and participants by presenting music and
social issues in an innovative and illuminating context.”
Kaufman will conduct Leonard Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances from West Side
Story; Reichman will conduct the world premiere of Concerto for Improvisers
and Orchestra by Jason Belcher and RADIO by Caroline Park. All four are
masters degree candidates at the conservatory. Emmy-nominated composer
Daniel Bernard Roumain will conduct the Boston premiere of his Symphony
for the Dance Floor. Robert Gittens, NEU vice president of public affairs, will
moderate a post-concert panel that includes Gunther Schuller, composer,
author, historian, and former NEC president; Dr. Jean Wu, senior lecturer at
Tufts University’s American Studies Program; Dr. Emmett G. Price, chair of
the African American Studies Program and associate professor of Music at
NEU; and Roumain.
answers to questions about acupuncture, and the mysteries of the deep ocean. Also
herbal, massage, and other holistic on the program is the Ensemble’s sixth
therapies.At the USES Harriet Tubman world premiere commission, liquid, fragile
House, 566 Columbus Ave. Hospitality for clarinet and strings by composer in
begins at 2:30 p.m.; business meeting and residence Marti Epstein. Tickets are $20,
program at 3:15, followed by refreshments $15, and $10 (students/seniors) and include
and socializing. $2 donation at the door. For a post-concert reception with the artists.
more information call 617-447-2344 or visit MIT students: free. 8 p.m. Call 617-792-7234
www.bostonprimetimers.org or visit www.radiusensemble.org.
Wed, May 26: The Mission Hill Youth
Tue, May 18: BU Professor Mark Williams
will discuss and sign copies of his new book, Collaborative presents the Showcase of
Uncontrolled Risk, a dramatic and compel- Stars, a festive event to acknowledge the
accomplishments of the youth and youth
ling account of Lehman Brothers’ spectacu-
lar rise and fall. The book focuses on how workers of Mission Hill. The program runs
unchecked gambles toppled a 158-year-old from 5-8 p.m. at MassArt’s Pozen Center.
institution, and what it says about Wall Visit www.mhycboston.org or call 857-236-
Street, Washington, and the world financial 8888 for more information, including ticket
system. At the Barnes & Noble BU prices.
+ Bookstore in Kenmore Sq. 6 p.m.
FREE
Sun, May 30: Toots and the Maytals with
Fear Nuttin’ Band will rock the Boston
Sat, May 22: Radius Ensemble finishes its House of Blues at 15 Lansdowne St. Doors
open at 7, and the show gets underway at 8
season with a concert at MIT’s Killian Hall.
p.m. $25 for standing room advance; $35 for
The program features George Crumb’s
reserved seating advance. All ages. Call 888-
otherworldly Vox Balaenae for flute, cello,
693-BLUE for more info.
and piano, inspired by the songs of whales
Tue, May 18: Audubon Circle Neighborhood Fri, May 21: Senator Sonia Chang-Diaz’s
Association board meeting., 6-8 p.m., representative holds East Fenway office
Harvard Vanguard, 131 Brookline Ave., Hours from 8 to 9 a.m. Espresso Royale
Annex Bldg., room 3D. For more info, call Cafe, 44 Gainsboro St. For more info, call
617-262-0657. Stephanie Everett at 617-722-1673 or email
Tue, May 18: East Fens Community/Police stephanie.everett@state.ma.us.
meeting, 6 p.m. Morville House, 100 Sun, May 23: Opening reception for “Faces in
Norway St. Massachusetts,” a photo exhibit of works by
Tue, May 18: Ward 5 Democratic Committee Matti Spencer at the Muddy River Gallery in
meeting and candidate’s night; all candi- the Peterborough Senior Center, (enter via
dates for statewide offices invited. alley between 100 and 108 Jersey streets),
7 p.m., Community Church of Boston, 565 1-6 p.m. Refreshments.
Boylston St., Copley Square. Sun, May 23: Annual meeting of The Friends
Wed, May 19: Fenway liaison for Mayor’s of the Muddy River. 3 p.m. at Brookline
Office of Neighborhood Services, William Public Library, 2nd fl conference room, 361
Onuoha holds office hours 3:30-5:30 p.m. Washington St. Brookline. Light refresh-
at the YMCA, 316 Huntington Ave. No ments. For more info, call 617-566-9720.
appointment necessary. Mon, May 24: Longwood Medical Area
Wed, May 19: West Fens Community/Police Forum, 6:30-8 p.m. For location or to verify
meeting, 5 p.m. Landmark Center, 401 Park that meeting will be held, email Laura at
lfogerty@masco.harvard.edu.
Drive, 2nd floor at the District 4 Police
Substation (next to security desk). Tue, May 25: Symphony Neighborhood Task
Force, 6 p.m. in the NEU Fenway Center.
Thu, May 20: Congressman Capuano’s
representative holds office hours, 4-5 p.m. For more info, call Councilor Mike Ross’s
Fenway Community Health Center, 1340 office at 617-635-4225.
Boylston St.