The Brookline Voice 09/20/16

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Brookline VOL 1, NO 4

BROOKLINE’S VOICE

SEPTEMBER 20, 2016

Brookline High School ranked 20th out of top 50 By Josh Resnek

The Voice If you are comparing Brookline High School to Newton South High School, as many people in town tend to do when measuring public school education, Newton South comes out on top and by a wide margin. Brookline High School was rated a 20th place position, and Newton South a 5th place position, out of the top 50 high schools in Massachusetts, according to a recent study published in Boston Magazine’s September issue. Newton North placed 35th. The study is not regarded as authoritative and the rankings aren’t set in stone, according to the analysts who collected the information for the magazine’s annual tome about which high schools in Massachusetts are best – and by default – which are not. Photo | Rick Ashley Shown above is the brilliant interior of the Arcade Building at the 300 block of Harvard Street, taken shortly after noon on a brilliant sunny day. If you know the building, there is nothing to say about its charm and utility. If you don’t know the building, get down there and check it out. Built in 1926 at a time when the Coolidge Corner area was changing from residential to commercial, its name was changed to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985.

Life-threatening anaphylactic shock grows more expensive By Alexander Culafi

The feeling of his throat tightening, and his tongue and facial muscles exploding and For The Voice painful until his skin might pop-kind of like If you have a severe allergy and experience a hot dog being boiled and the meat inside an anaphylactic reaction, an injection of expanding into the membrane — is terrifying. epinephrine, otherwise known as adrenaline, And then he can’t breathe! saves your life. For many, it already has – multiple times. ‘What’s even worse now is that if you don’t have $700 bucks, you can’t buy an epi-pen. The Voice publisher Joshua Resnek has had Ergo, you can’t save your own life at the a half dozen experiences with anaphylactic moment you need the medicine. Its just too shock. He’s allergic to aged cheese often expensive for most people to afford. sprinkled innocently into pizza sauce, or onto Its criminal, really,” he said. salads or in vegetable dishes. continued on page 3

However, the annual listing, which includes a great deal of subjectivism about which statistics are important and which aren’t, produced the expected mixed bag of comments and discussion among parents, high school students, teachers and administrators in Brookline. The matrix used to make ranking judgments was determined by George Recck, Director of the Math Resource Center at Babson college. He analyzed the results which came from a continued on page 3


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The Brookline Voice

Editorial

Brookline

THE BROOKLINE VOICE THE NEWTON VOICE PUBLISHER AND PRESIDENT Joshua Resnek

COUNSEL Joseph Resnek

EDITOR Joshua Resnek

SENIOR REPORTER Alexander Culafi

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Lorenzo Recupero David Stanford

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Rick Ashley Jared Charney

CALENDAR EDITOR Sheila Barth

DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Carolyn Lilley Resnek

DIRECTOR OF GRAPHIC DESIGN Trevor Andreozzi

PRINTING Graphic Developments Inc.

AN ALL TOO FAMILIAR STORY

WE

trust you will enjoy our features and our news. The front page EpiPen report is astounding. And discouraging at the same time. Thousands of our children and adults are facing unheard of price gouging and virtually nothing is being done about it in a meaningful way. What does that tell you about our local, state and federal leaders – and why don’t we hear an outcry from our medical professionals in Brookline or from hospital administrators and officials?

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

in a newer and more modern form with a tailor, a barber, an optician, a restaurant and so much more. The present ownership maintains the commercial space pristinely. If you are a Brookline millennial who has never set your eyes upon the arcade, take off your ear-phones, stop texting with your cell phone, and get down to Harvard Street and take a look. You will be amazed.

Have they all lost their tongues? At least in Brookline, a Board of Health official was savvy enough to reveal that this is a big problem. Thank you Brookline Board of Health!

RICHER BETTER THAN THE POOR? NOT REALLY

WE

explored the recent boston Magazine piece that listed the top 50 high schools in Massachusetts. Brookline High School was right up there as you would expect – at the 20 mark – but we have to wonder, why not higher with better all around scores? How was it possible, we wondered, that Boston Latin’s SAT scores were way ahead of Brookline’s given the vast class differences and median income disparities of the student body? Average class sizes are bloated in the over 25 students per class average at Boston Latin while in Brookline class sizes are closer to 12-14 students. What, we wonder, is Boston Latin doing right and Brookline High School doing otherwise?

USEFUL AND ALIVE, HISTORIC, TOO

OUR

front page magnum opus Rick Ashley photograph of the Arcade Building on Harvard Street revealing the shadows and interior lines of one of Brookline’s iconic buildings is something worthy of taking a long lingering look at.

Photo | Rick Ashley

CAMBRIDGE BECKONS

THE

food feature by Penny Schwartz about Mamaleh’s gives all of us who savor deli specialties a raison de’etre to travel all the way to Kendall Square for something other than a fight in the traffic and a funky movie. The brilliant photographs say it all about this new restaurant owned by Brookline and Newton folks, among others who know how to cook Jewish delicacies. In our next edition, we hope to include some story ideas from our readers, or to get a feeling from our readers what exactly you’d like to see.

Go there and check it out if you haven’t been in a while.

So let us know what we can do by sending in story ideas, or photographs, or op-ed pieces concerning the town you love – and if you’ve got a gripe or two, that’s OK. Send that along. Reach us at JoshResnek@gmail. com or to AlexanderCulafi@gmail.com.

It remains the living personification of 1920’s America

Thanks for picking us up and having a look.

Ashley is a real pro whose work shown above hangs at the Smithsonian Museum in Washington DC. He loved the arcade.

Norwood, MA.

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Middle East coverage you won’t fiffiind anywhere else.

Accurate facts. In-depth analysis. Free newsletter: jns.org/subscribe-to-our-newsletters jns.org | facebook /jns.org | twitter /jnsworldnews

Brookline ___________________

THE BROOKLINE VOICE THE NEWTON VOICE Owned and operated by: THE CHELSEA PRESS LLC 1309 Beacon Street Suite 300 Brookline, MA Arnold Jarmak, President Joshua Resnek, Chairman of the Board

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Visit us at Massterlist.com.

Find Fruitations behind the bar at Woods Hill Table, RedBird, backbar, Porto Boston, Envoy Hotel. Recipes on our website: Justaddfruitations.com


Tuesday, September 20, 2016

The Brookline Voice

Brookline High School ranked 20th out of top 50 continued from page 1

consortium of places including the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and from some of the high schools themselves. If this was strictly a measuring of highest reading, writing and math scores on the SATS, Brookline High School came close to the levels achieved by Newton North High School, which ranked 35th. Student-teacher ratios, class size, fewer students per college counselor and sports teams are what the magazine’s number crunchers relied upon, among others, when determining rank. Brookline’s class size of 14.6 was closer to Newton South’s 14.4. Those attending college from Brookline High was 84.8% compared to Newton South’s 84.0%.

Life-threatening anaphylactic shock grows more expensive

3

CORDIS MANAGEMENT, INC.

Boston Latin had much larger class sizes and teacher student ratios – but in the attending college category showed 92.4%, the highest of the top 50 compared with Newton North’s 83.7%. • Brookline’s average SAT scores were: Reading — 589 Writing — 589 Math — 616 • Newton North’s SATS were: Reading — 587 Writing — 588 Math — 604 • Newton South’s average SAT scores were: Reading — 602 Writing — 603 Math — 625 • Boston Latin’s average SAT scores by comparison were: Reading — 636 Writing — 628 Math — 656 • Boston Latin School ranked 18th overall.

Voice News

Second generation of carpentry, fabrication and installation services for architects, designers and owners. Serving Newton, Brookline and Back Bay.

617.889.6699

continued from page 1

“Something ought to be done about it, but nothing will be done. It is just another sign of the times when the manufacturers and our government officials pay no heed to consumers who need the product to save their lives. It’s nauseating and pathetic,” he added.

main competitor, Sinofi. Sinofi has stopped manufacturing EpiPens.

Mylan explained that the cost has changed over time to better reflect important product features and the value the product provides, the company told CBS reporters recently. They told them Mylan made Each dose of medicine in the EpiPen a significant investment to support costs about $1. A recent Time the device over the past decade. article placed the total cost of the For EpiPen users with severe allergies, decades-old device to make, from individuals who need to carry research and development royalties multiple EpiPens in case one doesn’t to the components in the device, at fire or the reaction is too severe for about $20-30 total per unit. just one pen, these explanations In 2007, the going rate for EpiPens don’t hold water. With insurance deductibles reaching new highs for was under $100. some families, this can drive costs Today, a two-pack of EpiPens can for Epi-pens well into the thousands. go for over $700. As a result, the Federal Trade Commission has been flooded with The obvious question is: why? complaints. Mylan Pharmeceutical. In response to prodding by the FTC, Dylan and its hungry corporate Mylan has been offering coupons executives are making simple use of up to $300 off their out-of-pocket their monopoly over their main former costs (for up to six EpiPen two-

packs).

harder-to-use two cap system.

The CVS at 294 Harvard Street in Mylan’s EpiPen patents allow the Brookline was charging $728.99 when company to maintain ownership of The Voice called on the 12th. $300. the design through last 2025. The Walgreens at Newton Centre was slightly worse: $729.99.

Another company, Teva, was authorized to put out a product of their own, but its generic product was EpiPen is apparently planning on rejected by the FDA in March. Now, introducing a generic version of the Teva expects to put out a competitor device for about $300, or over 50% in late 2017 or early 2018. off in most cases (Mylan expects this will ultimately make up 85% of In Newton, school health officials their epinephrine device business). indicated that more than 1000 students with life threatening Consumer reseachers claim generic allergies are attending Newton’s versions of the device in other public schools. countries often costs far less. “Not all of them have EpiPens, and Mylan’s monopolization of the even fewer carry them,” said the marketplace has allowed the health official. company to increase prices yearover-year with little consequence. At the Brookline Health Only now are lawmakers beginning Department, Community Health to take the company to task with Director Lynne Karston, says the queries regarding the price hike. price hike is “outrageous,” and noted how it was affecting the Consumers in Cincinnati have filked community of Brookline. a class action lawsuit against the company over the price hikes. “It has affected the amount of money that the town pays to purchase Heather Bresch, President of Mylan EpiPens for the schools or for the in 2007 and CEO today, has received health department. It’s a budgetary extraordinary pay raises as Mylan’s issue which is affecting everyone.” earnings have soared. According to company filings, Bresch earned Although she wouldn’t offer specific $2,453,456 nine years ago. Last numbers, the department pays the year, she earned $18,931,068. going price for the EpiPens they give to the school nurses or keep There are cheaper alternatives to for use by the Brookline Health EpiPen, but there are complications Department, so as prices go up, so with this, too. There is an authorized does the impact this carries over the alternative in stores called Adrenaclick, good people of Brookline. going for well under $200, but, it’s rarely recommended by medical “It affects individuals, and it affects societies due to its less convenient, us too,” she added.


Photo

The Brookline Voice

essay

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Hillary or The Donald? As the nation churns

around the presidential election during this tumultuous year of national politics, we asked our photographer Jared Charney to do some good old fashioned photo journalism. The main question he asked of everyone he photographed: Are you for Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump? His photo essay is not meant as a poll, nor is it intended to express a bias. He simply asked the question and recorded peoples’ faces as they answered.

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The Brookline Voice

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

5

Award-winning Boston photographer Darlene DeVita showcases her “camera series,” and “portraits” of her cameras, using the photo-transfer process, now through October 5, James Library and Center for the Arts, 24 West St., Norwell.

THE

Visit

Darlenedevita.com

B O S T O N J E W I S H F I L M F E S T I V A L

Save the Dates! 28th Annual Boston Jewish Film Festival November 9-21, 2016 Tickets on Sale Monday, September 26 Brochures will arrive in a few weeks.

Don't be left out in the cold! Buy your Friends Pass today! The Friends Pass gives you admission to all of our screenings and parties (including "Rush Only" screenings) with no advance reservation.

Coming soon to your favorite grocer, and now available at Katz Bagel in Chelsea:

The pizza bagel. A tradition since 1938.

AllstonV illage Street Fair R

Boston’s Hippest Multicultural Festival 30 live performances - 2 outdoor stages street performers - vendors - artists - crafts

1 0 0 , 0 0 0 PE OPL E 1 G R E AT A L L DAY CONC E R T A ND I T ’S F R E E !

139 Park St., Chelsea

Sunday, September 25, 2016 from 12:00 - 6:00p.m.


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The Brookline Voice

Calendar

CALENDAR

The Cast of Lucky Stiff.

SILLY STUFF’S AFOOT IN STONEHAM’S ‘LUCKY STIFF’ By Sheila Barth

Stoneham Theatre’s season opening production of 1988 two-act, two-hour murder mystery, musical play, “Lucky Stiff,” appearing through Sept. 25, is a wild and wacky remedy to today’s unsettled times. There’s plenty of silliness, slapstick,songs, intricate scenery and cool sound effects in the two-act musical

BOSTON ENTERTAINMENT AND BEYOND

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

FOR

9/12-9/25

Nile Hawver

comedy, starring a superstar Boston ensemble cast, fortune - providing Harry implicitly follows his uncle’s including Thomas Derrah, Mark Linehan,Ceit M. Zweil final wishes, recorded on tape. If not, the fortune will go and Andrew Barbato. to the dogs - allegedly his uncle’s favorite charity - a dog shelter in Brooklyn. The comedy, with lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and music by Stephen Flaherty, is based on Michael Butterworth’s But there’s chicanery, cheating, crazy capers and a stuffed “The Man Who Broke Monte Carlo”. corpse afoot, with romance tailing behind, and lots of laughs, at Stoneham Theatre 395 Main St., Stoneham. Harry Witherspoon, hapless shoe salesman living in England and barely making a living, receives a strange Tickets, $50-$55; seniors, $45-$50; students telegram from his unknown, sole relative, Uncle Anthony, with valid ID, $20, other discounts available. Visit late of Atlantic City, NJ, who left Harry his $6 million Stonehamtheatre.org.

Lives On,” September 20, 2 p.m. 617 Lex-

GUERILLA OPERA

ington St., Waltham. $35 — $63, discounts, The group performs a new production of Nicholas P. Vines’ ”Loose, Wet and Perforated,” seniors, youth, student rush, groups. ReaGreater Boston Theater Expo September 21-24, 8 p.m, Zack Box Theater, Visit with more than 60 theater companies glemusictheatre.com. Boston Conservatory at Berklee, 8 the Fenway, and individual artists and theater lovers, TuesBoston. Tickets, $15; seniors, $10. Check for day, September 20, 5-8 p.m., at the annual related events. Visit Guerillaopera.com. MACHINE DE CIRQUE Greater Boston Theater Expo, Cyclorama, Boston Center for the Arts, 539 Tremont St., Bos- Arts Emerson presents this magnificent new COMPANY ton. Contact Stagesource.org/GBTE16. group from Quebec, performing September Lyric Stage Company of Greater Boston 21 - October 2, Emerson/Aramount Main- opens its new season now through October LIBERACE stage, 559 Washington St., Boston. Tickets, 9, with Stephen Sondheim’s musical, “ComReagle Theatre of Greater Boston presents pany,” book by George Furth. Tickets start Martin Preston, who recreates the glitz, $20 — $80. Group, senior, student discounts. at $25; seniors, $10 discount, student glamour and glory of Liberace! The Legend Visit artsemerson.org, or call 617-824-8400 rush, $10; group rates also. 140 Clarendon

St., Boston. Visit Lyricstage.com.

EIGHT BY TENN Zeitgeist Stage Company presents “Eight by Tenn,” a presentation of eight short plays by Tennessee Williams, through October 8, Wednesday, Thursday, 7:30 p.m.; Friday, 8p.m.; Saturday, 4,8 p.m.; Sunday 4 p.m. with post-show talkback. Boston Center for the Arts Plaza Theatre, 539 Tremont St. Boston. Call 617-933-8600.

BERKLEE PERFORMANCE CENTER EVENTS


Tuesday, September 20, 2016

India’s prolific composers Salim and Sulaiman Merchant perform Friday, September 16, 8 p.m., Berklee Performance Center, 136 Mass. Ave., Boston. Tickets $35, $45, $55, $64, $75, $122, $175, $250. Master lute player-noted Ianian musician Hossein Alizadeh performs with Heart Strums, Sunday, September 18, 7 p.m., $30, $40,455, $70; Black Lives Matter: Meaning of Freedom Concert Honoring Angela Davis occurs Tuesday, September 20, 8 p.m.; advance tickets, $8, day of show, $12; Peter Eldrige, pianist Kenny Werner, cellist Eugene Friesen and Berklee World Strings perform Wednesday, September 21, 8p.m. $8/$12; John Scofield’s “Country for Old Men” appears Friday, September 23. 7:30 p.m. as part of the Signature Series at Berklee. $30, $34, $39. Tributes featuring the Manuel Kaufman Jazz Orchestra is Monday, September 26, 8 p.m., $8/$12. Berklee.edu/bpc.

The Brookline Voice monthly improvised, Broadway-style musical shows, Davis Square Theatre, Somerville. Bumpcomedy.com.

Trinity Repertory Theater opens its fall season with this wild medieval tale, appearing through October 9, Chace Theater, Providence, RI. Visit Trinityrep.com.

MARJORIE PRIME

Nora Theatre Company presents Jordan Harrison’s compelling play about human relationships and the positive role of technology in the future, through October 9, Central Square Theater, 450 Mass. Ave., Cambridge. Tickets, visit CentralSquareTheater.org.

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‘REGULAR SINGING’

BOSTON LANDMARKS ORCHESTRA

Continuing with their Wednesday night summer hatch shell concerts and shows, Boston landmarks orchestra will host events starting at 7 p.m. Rain dates, more information, Landmarksorchestra.Org.

GLOWBERON

Oberon presents monthly shows, Glowberon and the Afterglow Festival, September 22 — March 9, 2017, featuring solo performances and cabaret. Next performance is Dane Terry, Thursday, September 22, 8 p.m. Tickets from $25.

LATINX FILM SERIES

The Theater Offensive and Inquilios Boricuas en Accion present a film series on queer Latinx experience, free and open to the public, 45 PLAYS FOR 45 PRESIDENTS September 22, 29, 7 p.m., Villa Victoria CenMerrimack Repertory Theatre presents the ter of the Arts, Boston. Films are in Spanish, Neo-Futurists’ two-hour play, highlighting with English subtitles. Visit TTOBoston.org. follies, facts and fun with America’s presidents through the years, through October BERKLEE PERFORMANCE CENTER 2, Nancy L. Donahue Theatre, 50 East Mer- Headlining is John Scofield’s “Country for rimack St., Lowell. $26 — $70. Senior, stu- Old Men,” Friday, September 23, 7:30 p.m. dent, group, military discounts. Also related Visit bpc@berklee.edu. events. Visit Mrt.org.

BEOWULF: A THOUSAND YEARS OF BAGGAGE

Calendar

CLEANLINESS, GODLINESS AND MADNESS: A USER’S GUIDE

Sleeping Weazel presents Charlotte Meehan’s multimedia tragicomic play ideally suited for this election season, September 22 — 24, 7:30 p.m., Boston Center for the Arts, Plaza Black Box Theatre, 539 Tremont St., Boston. $35; seniors, $15, students, $12. Bostontheatrescene.com

SHE LOOKS GOOD IN BLACK

By Sheila Barth

This one-act, two-hour final installation of Richard Nelson’s four-play, Apple Family cycle, appearing through Sept. 25, at New Repertory Theatre, (Charles Mosesian Theatre, 321 Arsenal St., Arsenal Center for the Arts, Watertown), stars the same, superb Boston award-winning cast and boasts Crystal Tiala’s familiar, comforting set, representing the family’s Rhinebeck, NY homestead. Although the plays are inter-connected, they can stand alone. However, theatergoers gain insight by following this middle-class, educated, politically motivated family throughout the series: “That Hopey-Changy Thing,” set during the 2010 mid-elections; “Sweet and Sad,” perhaps the strongest play of the series, set on the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks; “Sorry,” occurring Election Day 2012; and “Regular Singing,”set on the 50th anniversary of President John Kennedy’s assassination. Karen MacDonald, portrays nurturing oldest sister, Barbara Apple; Sarah Newhouse is middle sister Marian; Laura Latreille, youngest sister, Jane Apple Halls, an activist writing a book on American etiquette; Bill Mootos, sole brother Richard, a formerly successful Wall Street businessman,with marital issues; Paul Melendy, Jane’s aspiring actor-waiter boyfriend, Tim Andrews; and inimitable Joel Colodner portraying the family’s formerfamous stage and screen star, Uncle Benjamin.

Exiled Theatre presents Salem playwright Performances: Wednesday, Thursday, 7:30 p.m.; Friday,8 p.m.; Saturday, Sarah J. Mann’s new, black comedy, 3,8 p.m., Sunday, 2 p.m.;Sept. 22, 2,7:30 p.m. Tickets, $30-$59; through October 2, Friday,Saturday, 7:30 student,senor, group discounts. Visit newrep.org or call 617-923-8487. p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. Boston Playwrights Theatre, 949 Comm. Ave.,Boston. $20; stuJazz Club, Doubletree Suites by Hilton, Bos- pm.; Sunday, 4 p.m. Visit centralsquaretMONTY ALEXANDER dents with ID, $15. Exiledtheatre.com. ton-Cambridge, 400 Soldiers Field Road, heater.org, HARLEM- KINGSTON EXPRESS Boston. Visit info@scullersjazz.com. The international crowd-pleaser performs SepBOBBY CALDWELL tember 30 at Scullers Jazz Club, Doubletree The musician rocks Scullers, September 23, NEW ENGLAND SHEAR MADNESS Suites by Hilton, Boston-Cambridge, 400 Sol- Scullers Jazz Club,Doubletree Suites by HilCONSERVATORY CONCERTS diers Field Road, Boston. Scullersjazz.com. ton, Boston — Cambridge, 400 Soldiers Field This U.S. longest-running, funny whodunit play continues in Boston Tuesday through Fri- The conservatory’s Jazz Studies and ImproRoad, Boston. Visit info@scullersjazz.com. day at 8 p.m., Saturday, 6 and 9 p.m., and visation departments present free perforB.U.M.P. Sunday, 3 and 7 p.m. at Charles Playhouse/ mances, open to the public. Necmusic.edu. Boston’s Unscripted Musical Project EARL KLUGH (B.U.M.P.) and full house band perform Earl Klugh performs September 24, Scullers Stage II, 74 Warrenton St., Boston. Shearmadness.com. Groups, call 800-992-9035. SUNDAYS IN THE PARK

DOUGH

Now playing at West Newton Cinema Available on iTunes, Amazon, and DVD.

WITH GEORGE IMPROVBOSTON ROTATING FRIDAYS Huntington Theatre Company opens its new

The Cambridge-based improvisational company holds three different shows, Fridays: Magic-The Gathering, the Show, first Fridays of the month; Game, Set, Match, second Fridays; True Defective, third Fridays. $18; students at the door, $14. Improvboston.com.

season featuring James LaPine’s play, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, appearing through October 16, Avenue of the Arts, Boston University Theatre, Check related events also. Visit Huntingtontheatre,org.

THE RETURN TO MORALITY

SIGNIFICANT OTHER

Titanic Theatre Company presents the New England premiere of Jamie Pachino’s satire about the power of speech in politics and how the media can manipulate political attitudes, appearing through September 25, Central Square Theater, 450 Mass. Ave., Cambridge. $20. Wednesday, Thursday, 7:30 p.m.; Friday, 8 p.m.; Saturday, 4, 8

SpeakEasy Stage Company opens its new season with the Boston premiere of Joshua Harmon’s comedy, “Significant Other,” starring Boston’s Kathy St. George and Greg Maraio, through October 8, Tickets start at $25; senior, age 25, student rush discounts. Visit SpeakEasyStage.com.


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CALENDAR

LUCKY STIFF

Stoneham Theatre presents murder mystery musical play, “Lucky Stiff,” starring Boston’s finest, Thomas Derrah, Mark Linehan and others, book, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, music by Stephen Flaherty, through September 25, 395 Main St., Stoneham. $50 — $55; seniors, $45 — $50; students with valid ID, $20, other discounts available. Visit Stonehamtheatre.org.

The Brookline Voice

COLIN AND BRAD

19, pay-what-you-can, admission all other shows, $25; seniors, children under 12 years old, $10. Call 815-325-8526 or contact Alyce@maidenphoenix.org.

SINATRA TRIBUTE DANCE Ron Della Chiesa hosts the Strictly Sinatra Dance Party, featuring Michael Dutra and the Strictly Sinatra Band, Friday, October 21, 8 p.m., at Raffael’s at the South Shore Country Club, Hingham. Luann Dutra is special guest vocalist. Visit MusicNotNoise. com, emailMusicNotNoise@aol.com, or call 617-633-5100.

BRIAN CALHOON’S MARIMBA’S CABARET

The percussionist-vocalist performs Wednesday, September 21, 8 p.m. at Oberon, 2 Arrow St., Cambridge. Tickets, $25 ;premium seats, $35. Doors open 7:30 p.m. All seats have table drink service, for 18+ years old. Visit Cluboberon.com.

DON’T KNOW NOBODY THAT BOOGIES ANYMORE

FAMILY FUN

Spectacle Management presents two-man group Colin Mochrie and Brad Sherwood, stars of Whose Line is it, Anyway, Thursday, September 29, 7:30 p.m., Cary Hall, Lexington. $49.75 — $59.75. Visit Caryhalllexington.com.

Anserine Productions present Andy Gaus’ new musical through September 25, Wednesday-Sunday, 8 p.m., Black Box The- Visit Gloucesterstage.com. ater, Arsenal Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal St., Watertown. Tickets, $20 — $30. SEVEN BRIDES Visit Nobodyboogies.com.

FOR SEVEN BROTHERS

Ogunquit Playhouse gets rowdy when rootin’-tootin’ seven brothers go a-courtin’ for Making happy music at Cafe 939‘s Red brides in this rambunctious musical, through Room are Tor Miller and Sean McVerry, Sep- October 1. 10 Main St., Route 1N, Ogunquit, tember 22, 8 p.m. BOOM (Berklee Original Maine.Visit OgunquitPlayhouse.org. Open Mic), September 27, 7 p.m. (free); The Checkout — Live at Berklee presents PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT Avishai Cohen’s Triveni, September 28, 8 Fiddlehead Theatre Company presents the p.m.; and Twobadours on the Run, David Boston premiere of this outrageous, comic Ryan Harris and Gabe Dixon, September musical, based on the 1994 hit film, “Priscil30, 8 p.m.939 Boylston St., Boston. Unless otherwise noted, shows are open to all ages la,” September 30 — October 9, Shubert Theatre, Tremont St., Boston. Visit citicenter.org. and standing room only.

RED ROOM EVENTS

JOCKEY CLUB STRICTLY SINATRA DINNER SHOW

Ron Della Chiesa presents Mike Dutra and the nine-piece Strictly Sinatra Big Band Orchestra Sunday, September 24, 6-9 p.m., at the Jockey Club Tent, Route 44, Raynham. Reservations, call 508-828-9128.

SIGNIFICANT OTHER

SpeakEasy Stage Company opens its new season with the Boston premiere of Joshua Harmon’s comedy, “Significant Other,” starring Boston’s Kathy St. George and Greg Maraio, now through October 8, Tickets start at $25; senior, age 25, student rush discounts. Visit SpeakEasyStage.com.

HANDEL AND HAYDN SOCIETY

The group opens its new season with Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Bach Magnificat in D,” Friday, September 23, 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, September 25, 3 p.m., Symphony Hall 301Mass. Ave., Boston. Tickets, $54 — $98, student, senior group discounts. Handelandhaydn.org, or call 617-266-3605.

THE TOTALITARIANS

Gloucester Stage Company presents the New England premiere of Peter Sinn Nachtrieb’s dark comedy, not-so-tall tale through September24, Wednesday-Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Sunday, 2 p.m. Gloucester Stage Company, 267 E. Main St., Gloucester. $28 — $38, senior, patron 25-under discounts.

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

MAN IN SNOW

Gloucester Stage Company presents the world premiere of renowned playwright Israel Horovitz’s newest work, “Man in Snow,” September 29 – October 23, Wednesday – Saturday, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Sunday, 2 p.m., 267 East Main St., Gloucester. $28-438; discounts for preview performances, seniors and patrons 25 and under. Visit gloucesterstage.com.

AARDVARK JAZZ ORCHESTRA

The group performs September 29, Scullers Jazz Club, Doubletree Suites by Hilton, Boston-Cambridge, 400 Soldiers Field Road, Boston. scullersjazz.com, Contact info@ scullersjazz.com.

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS

ALLSTON VILLAGE STREET FAIR FESTIVAL The Parents and Community Build Group, Inc., and the Ringer Park Partnership Group hold their free family-friendly annual festival, a.k.a. Boston’s Hippest Multicultural Festival, September 25, 12-6p.m. at Harvard Avenue, Allston. There’s non-stop entertainment, live music, multicultural street performances, amusements, arts and crafts vendors market, an international food court, public art street mural section, give-aways, free parking and shuttle bus services. Visit allstonvillagestreetfair.com.

Celebrate the birthday of the world, Rosh Hashanah, at Big Bang Bereisheet, September 30, 6:30 p.m., with dinner and a conversation about science featuring Rabbi Leslie Gordon and MIT’s Dr. Jeff Hoffman, NASA’s first Jewish astronaut, also the first person to read Bereisheet (Genesis) in space. 1320 Centre St., Newton Centre, PLAY ME, I’M YOURS Suite 301. $53; children 12-under, $25. Boston streets will be adorned with 60 arinfo@jartsboston.org, 617-531-4610. tistically decorated pianos, for all to play, as part of the Boston 2016 Celebrity Series THE HOT SARDINES of Boston tour, September 23 — October World Music/CRASHarts presents The Hot 20. British artist Luke Jerram created the Sardines, Saturday, October 1, 8 p.m., idea and since then, more than 1,400 piBerklee Performance Center, 136 Mass. anos have been installed in 50 cities inAve., Boston.Reserved seats start at $30. ternationally, reaching 8 million people. Call 617-876-4275 or visit WorldMusic.org. Check for pianos in Brighton, Fenway-Kenmore, Allston, Cambridge, Back Bay-Beacon Hill, Dorchester-South Boston, Downtown, SENSE AND SENSIBILITY Maiden Phoenix Theatre Company presents Chinatown and East Boston, Mattapan, Kate Hamill’s new adaptation of Jane Aus- Jamaica Plain-Roxbury, South End, Bay ten’s beloved novel, “Sense and Sensibility,” Village and Mission Hill, West End, North October 14-30, Hibernian Hall, 184 Dudley End and Charlestown, West Roxbury Hyde St., Roxbury. Showtimes, October 14, 15, Park and Roslindate. Visit Celebrityseries. 21, 22, 29, at 8 p.m.; October 16,23,30, org, #streetpianosboston, or Streetpianos2 p.m.; October 19, 27, 7:30 p.m. October boston.org,

SPAMALOT

BOSTON CONSERVATORY PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE

The ensemble performs a free concert, October 1, 8p.m. Boston Conservatory Theater, Second Floor, 31 Hemenway St., Boston. Call 617-912-9222.

BOSTON CONSERVATORY ORCHESTRA

Conductor Bruce Hangen leads the orchestra performing works by Brahms and Prokofiev, October 2, at 2 p.m., with a pre-concert lecture at 1 p.m., Sanders Theatre at Harvard University, 45 Quincy St., Cambridge. Fee charged. Call 617-496-2222, 617-9129222 or contact Bostonconservatory.berkee.edu/events/ticketing.

That wild and wacky musical, Monty Python’s Spamalot is back in town, September 27-October 9,at Bill Hanney’s North Shore Music Theatre, 62 Dunham Road, Beverly. Contains adult humor and profanity. Performances, Tuesday, Thursday, 7:30 p.m.; Wednesday, 2,7:30 p.m., Friday, 8 p.m.; Saturday, 2,8 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. Tickets, $54 — $79; group rates, kids 18-under, 50 percent off all evening performances. Visit nsmt.org.


Tuesday, September 20, 2016

The Brookline Voice

THE DOCYARD FALL SERIES

SAIL A TALL SHIP IN BOSTON HARBOR

Established in 2010, The DocYard celebrates what is innovative and inspiring in documentary and brings filmmakers and audiences together to explore the craft of non-fiction storytelling. Building on Boston’s rich legacy in documentary, the goal of the screening series is to continue to grow a vibrant, creative community of mediamakers and film lovers in the region.

THE CRAFT FESTIVAL

Fruitlands Museum bustles with artisans, food and music at the Craft Festival, September 24, 10 a.m. — 4 p.m., and September 25, 11 a.m. — 4 p.m., 102 Prospect Hill Road, Harvard. members, $5; non-members, $10; children under 12, free. Visit fruitlands.org, or call 978-456-3924.

FALL FAIRY TALE FESTIVAL

ROCK-A-BABY MUSIC CLASS

With a trio of musicians, three zany puppets, dancing, instruments and music ranging from classical and jazz to children’s songs and rock ‘n roll, Rock-a-Baby gives your child a stimulating and educational musical experience. For ages: 0 — 3 years, with an adult at the Sharon Community Center, 219 Massapoag Avenue, Sharon, now through November 18; 9:30 a.m. — 10:15 a.m. Member Price: $220; Non-Member Price: $220. Fee is for one child plus an adult. Additional siblings are $132/session. For more information, or to receive sibling discount, please contact south@ jccgb.org or 781-795-0510.

Puppet Showplace Theater presents its annual Fall Fairy Tale Festival with new productions and free refreshments and fun special events for all ages, culminating October 10. The Stevens Puppets present Beauty and the Beast, September 24, 25, 1 and 3 p.m. and the Pumpernickel Puppets COMMUNITY EVENTS present “The Frog Prince,” October 1, 2, 1 and 3 p.m. ($8 — $15)Reservations highly recommended. General admission, $12, JIMMY FUND VOLUNTEERS NEEDED members, $10 for premium Monday holi- Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk seeks day shows. 32 Station St., Brookline. Visit volunteers to sign up,Saturday, September 24, at early check-in, Wellesley High School, Puppetshowplace.org. and throughout the day Sunday, September 25, at various locations throughout the WORLDWIDE CASTING CALL DeLisi Creative is accepting applications, Boston Marathon course. For more inforworldwide, for a boy age 6 — 9, to portray mation, call coordinator Lindsay Nason at the lead role of a 6-year-old Jewish-Italian 617-632-6263. child in Steven Spielberg film, “The Kidnapping of Edgardo Mortara,” starring Mark Rylance. The movie will be filmed in Europe in 2017. The child doesn’t need an Italian accent. To submit applications, visit Castittalent.com/tkoem. Pre-school Enrollment Now enrolling for pre-school in September at Temple Emanuel in Newton for children age 20 months through 5 years as of September 16. Your preschooler will have the opportunity to learn through play and interact with his/her peers in a positive way. To visit, contact pre-school director Wendy Falchuk. 671-558-8130.

SHABBAT AND SCHMOOZE

PJ Library and JArts Collaborative feature a morning of interactive games for the kids and coffee and conversation for adults, featuring Laura Mandel, who will teach attendees how to make a custom piece of jewelry, using Hebrew letter metal stamps and wire, followed by Shabbat singing, noshing challah and grape juice, Friday, September 23, 9:30 a.m. Leventhal-Sidman Jewish Community Center, 333 Nahanton St., Newton. Open to all. $10 per family. Jartsboston.org.

STORYTELLER JUDITH BLACK

9

ley shuttles visitors throughout the Fenway neighborhood. Visit Fenwayalliance.org.

Take a daily Boston Harbor cruise aboard PREDICTING THE PAST Tall Ships schooners Liberty Clipper and Liberty Star throughout September 25, 67 Atlantic Works Gallery presents Charlene Long Wharf, Boston, Call 617-742-0333 or Lisa, Suzanne Mercury and Diane Teubner’s visit Libertyfleet.com. exhibition, “Predicting the Past: A Sampler,” through September 30, Atlantic Works GalCOOKING MATTERS lery, 80 Border St., Third Floor, Boston. Chelsea’s CONNECT has organized a class, closing reception, September 29, 6 — 9 “Cooking Matters,” Tuesday, September 27, p.m. Gallery open Friday, Saturday, 2 — 6 11 a.m. — 12 p.m.,at Market Basket, 170 p.m. or by appointment. Everett Ave., Chelsea. The group will meet at the store’s café. Questions, RSVP to MaBOB TOMOLILLO REPROSPECTIVE ribel, 6177-889-1375. Pearl Street Gallery presents a retrospective of award-winning, international printGARRISON KEILLOR Spend a nostalgic, fun night with author maker Bob Tomolillo’s contemporary printGarrison Keillor, Wednesday, September ing, paintings and sculpture, Pearl Street, 28, 7 p.m., Cary Hall, 1605 Mass. Ave., Chelsea. Call 617-875-3188. Lexington. Visit CaryHallLexington.com.

BIG BANG BEREISHEET

FOR THE LOVE OF CAMERAS

MIT’S Dr. Jeff Hoffman, NASA’s first Jewish astronaut, and Rabbi Leslie Gordon offer a fascinating conversation about science and faith, Friday, September 30, 6:30 p.m., 1320 Centre St., Suite 301, Newton. Shabbat dinner served also. Adults, $53; children 12-under, $25. Jartsboston.org.

WOMEN’S ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT SERIES

The Massachusetts Office of State Treasurer Deborah Goldberg offers a free, four-week session to empower women to reach their full financial potential, held at Boston College Law School, 885 Centre St., Newton, 6:308:30 p.m., with specific discussions, October 27, November 3, 10, and 17; also at Eastern Nazarene College, 180 Old Colony Ave., Third Floor, September 29, October 6, 13, 20, 6:30 — 8:30 p.m. Participants must attend all four sessions. Contact the Office of Economic Empowerment Financialeducation@tre.state. ma.us.

ART EXHIBITS AND GALLERIES

Award-winning Boston photographer Darlene DeVita showcases her “camera series,” and “portraits” of her cameras, using the photo-transfer process, now through October 5, James Library and Center for the Arts, 24 West St., Norwell. Visit Jameslibrary@verizon.net.

ARTWEEK FESTIVAL

Highland Street Foundation presents Citi Performing Arts Center ArtWeek, a bi-annual, 10-day festival, September 30-October 9, featuring free and paid hand-on, interactive, behind-the-scenes, and more activities in more than 50 neighborhoods and towns, including Boston, Brockton, Cambridge, Carver, Dedham, Gloucester, Hopkinton, Hyannis, Lowell, Nantucket, New Bedford, Newton, Rockport, Waltham, Winchester, and others. Visit ArtALS AND MS WALK FOR LIVING The annual fundraising walk will honor Bill weekboston.org. and Sharon Stein, major ALS residences OPENING OUR DOORS benefactors, and is a tribute to inspiring ALS and MS residents, Sunday, September ARTS FESTIVAL 25, at 10 a.m., 165 Captains Row, Ad- The Fenway Alliance presents the annual mirals Hill in Chelsea. The event benefits festival featuring the largest free single day the Leonard Florence Center for Living and arts event in Boston, rain or shine, with muthe new Dapper McDonald ALS Residence. sic and dance performances, museum galMatt Siegel, host of “Matty in the Morn- lery admissions, backstage theater access, ing,” is emcee of the two-mile walk. Par- public art exhibitions, kite flying, interactive ticipants pay $10 donation fee, which in- workshops, walking tours of the Muddy River cludes a T-shirt, barbecue, and activities. restoration, food trucks and more, Monday, Register at 9 a.m. email Walkforliving@ October 10. Open to all. The event kicks of chelseajewish,org. Donations, Walkforliv- f 11 a.m., at Christian Science Plaza, 201 Mass. Ave., Boston. A complimentary troling,org. Join North Shore’s prolific storyteller, Judith Black, helping her prepare for the Natonal Storytelling Festival at Jonesboro, Tenn., by meeting and providing input, at Story Space in Central Square, Cambridge, September 20; also, September 21, 29, at 7:30 p.m., September 25, 4 p.m.; and October 2, 2 p.m. RSVP at People.jb@storiesalive.com.

Calendar

CYBERARTS GALLERY An art show featuring works by Joseph Farbrook, John Craig Freeman, Will Pappenheimer, in collaboratio n with Zachary Brady, runs through October 30, Boston Cyberarts Gallery, 141 Green St., Jamaica Plain. Free, open to the public. Gallery hours, Friday-Sunday, 12 — 6 p.m. or by appointment. Visit Bostoncyberarts.org.

MUSEUM OF RUSSIAN ICONS This unique museum recently acquired an important 17th century icon on display Tuesday-Friday, 11 a.m. — 3 p.m. Saturday, Sunday, 11 a.m. — 5 p.m., Clinton, Mass. $10; seniors, $7; students, children ages 3-7, $5; under 3, free. Through October 16, the museum will display an exhibition of stained glass angels, “In Company With Angels: Seven Rediscovered Tiffany Windows, “created in 1902 for a Swedenborgian church in Cincinnati, members free, non-members, $10. Visit Museumofrussianicons.org.


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The Walk

The Brookline Voice

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Ten things I saw in Brookline Photos | Alexander Culafi

1.

Allston Christmas comes to Brookline as old furniture and household items are left on the curb for any resident to take. I ended up scoring an ironing board this year! (Orchard Road)

2.

That said, for the most part, Brookline doesn’t do a ton of the Allston Christmas thing. While Allston likes to put their couches on the street for people to take for themselves, I’ve noticed Brookline has a tendency to throw their old household goods directly into the trash. (Beacon Street, right across from the Englewood Avenue T Stop)

3.

Repairs and renovations continue on a house that was heavily damaged in a February fire on Orchard. Two cats were saved during the fire.

4.

Speaking of repairs, I saw workers near the Washington Square T stop on the C Line. The officer on duty says they’re replacing the old gas piping with newer plastic equivalent. “It’ll probably last forever,” he says.


Tuesday, September 20, 2016

The Brookline Voice

5.

That super-small Star Market near the Tappan Green Line stop (1717 Beacon Street) is rearranging the entire store. Lots of food (mainly from the “organic” section) lies on makeshift shelves, and entire aisles are switched around. Although it may pay off in the long run, getting around the store is harder than ever before.

7.

6.

The Walk

From that same fire on Orchard Road, it seems our friend Pikachu made it out okay in what looks to be a real-life interpretation of Pokémon Go.”

Here are a couple nice-looking pups in front of Cleveland Circle Travel! (1624 Beacon Street)

8.

A “We Trust and Support Brookline Teachers” sign in front of an apartment building on Orchard Road. This sign offers support to Brookline teachers in the Brookline Educators Union engaged in ongoing contract negotiations. Teachers have been working without a long-term contract for well over 200 days now, and negotiations have been ongoing for over two years.

10. 9.

Apparently “holistic pet food” is a thing, which I saw on a sign for No Bones About It (1786 Beacon Street). I originally took that to mean that dogs have their own alternative medicine, but in reality, as two employees informed me, “holistic” means something much different for pets. When it comes to pet food, holistic is typically used to describe natural food with highquality ingredients; ingredients are selected specifically to enrich the health of the pet that’s eating it.

A whole lot of trash piled up in front of 1477 Beacon Street, right on the sidewalk.

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See you next time!


vw

12

The Brookline Voice

Interview

Your Voice:

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Peter Alhart

M

eet Peter Alhart. When working, Peter is a realtor for Keller Williams Realty. He lives in Chestnut Hill. We caught up with him taking a break at the Jean B. Waldstein Playground on Strathmore Road in Brookline.

The Voice (T.V.): Is Brookline T.V.: What are your dreams? OK by you?

Peter: My dream is just for my Peter: Oh, I love it! Very diverse, four children to grow up and have

and it’s just a great area. It’s safe, a great life. That’s pretty much good people, good restaurants, my only dream left. I’ve kinda good nightlife, and close to the fulfilled all my other ones. city. T.V.: What were your other ones? T.V.: What’s the craziest thing Peter: Oh, just, you know. Make that’s ever happened to you in a certain amount of money, live in Brookline? certain places, travel around the

Peter: [Laughs] Really? T.V.: Absolutely. Peter: When I was in college – I went to Syracuse but when I was back here – I had some friends visiting from California and we had a party on Beacon Street, and one of my buddies threw a keg off the roof. And it went through a windshield. And he wound up in jail.

world. When you get older, you have certain things you want to do in life, and I did just about all that.

T.V.: So you’re a satisfied guy? Peter: Yeah, I could die happy

right now! I just want my four kids to be all right, you know?

T.V.: Is there anything you’re

scared of, Peter?

Peter: Anything I’m scared of?

T.V.: But you had nothing to do T.V.: Yeah. with it? Peter: My wife, that’s about it [Laughs]. Peter: I was there, but I just saw it. There were about 40 people T.V.: Okay, cool. Last question: there. I don’t know if you want to If you could tell the people of put that in the story! That was in Brookline one thing, what would the 1980’s. it be? It can be anything you want.

T.V.: You bet we do! How old are you now?

Peter: 49. So that was a long

Peter: Just enjoy your life, man.

Goes fast, you know? Live every day to the fullest.

time ago! Things were a lot crazier Special thanks for Peter for taking then. the time to talk to The Voice.

Photo | Sergey Galyonkin Sergey Orlovskiy tests Oculus Rift.


Tuesday, September 20, 2016

W

The Brookline Voice

Feature

13

HAT

Virtual REALITY? is

By Alexander Culafi

For The Voice Virtual reality is here. For real this time. Although the technology has existed in our imaginations via science fiction as early as the 1930s, the 20th and 21st centuries have been plagued with attempts and failures to commercialize VR. The idea of virtual reality, of stepping into a virtual world with a headset and existing in a digital world free of consequence, seemed too good to be true. And in all initial efforts, it was. Either it was too exclusive, too expensive, didn’t really work the way you wanted it to, or just plain didn’t work at all. That is, until Oculus Rift stepped onto the scene. In 2012, a Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign launched for the Rift, from a new company called Oculus, asking for $250,000 to get “the first truly immersive virtual reality headset for video games” off the ground. It carried a promising pitch, and offered backers the opportunity to get a developer kit for the headset for $300. It raised $2,437,429. Now was the opportunity for this new company to deliver. What was most surprising of all, in a world where start-ups so rarely bring success, is that Oculus’s virtual reality tech worked. By putting on the Oculus Rift, connected to a computer powerful enough to run it, you can play video games in a 3D, virtual reality space. You can turn your head and look around you, as if it was the real world. It still had a ways to go, and had a fair number of growing pains – nausea and headaches were common, and the range of movement was very limited (these are still issues in the final retail products several years later) – but it worked. Consumers, developers, and corporations all saw potential in the technology, and since the Oculus Rift’s crowdfunding in 2012, there have been many developments. Facebook bought Oculus in 2014 for $2 billion, giving Oculus the corporate firepower (and capital) it needed to dramatically improve the technology and get it ready for retail release. By the time it came out in March this year, games looked far better and ran far smoother than they did on the original developer kits. Competitors also began to rise as time went on. HTC partnered with Valve to create the HTC Vive, another highend video game VR headset. Sony’s PlayStation division announced the PlayStation VR, a consumer-level headset that only requires a PlayStation 4 instead

Photo | Marcus Wohlsen Libertarian presidential candidate Gary Johnson seems perfectly at ease with a VR headset on. We like this. What we don’t like is his response to a question about Aleppo. His answer: “What is Aleppo?” Someone should have told him that Aleppo is a city in Syria, and the worst-hit city in Syria’s civil war. of a high-end PC. At the lower level, the Samsung Gear VR costs a fraction of the price and, for limited capabilities, works with certain Samsung Galaxy devices and phones. And at the lowest level, Google has the Google Cardboard, an inexpensive viewer – as low as $15 – that allows you to turn your smartphone into a somewhat primitive VR-like device. After years of this, high-end devices finally began to release this year. As this is the dawn of an emerging technology, prices are ranging between expensive and full-on luxury. The final-retail Oculus Rift released on March 28th this year for $599. The HTC Vive launched for $799. And with these two headsets, they require higher-end computers to run properly — computers that can cost upwards of, or beyond, $1,000 to buy or build. The PlayStation VR, a more consumer-friendly option, is still going to cost $399 when it comes out in October. For reference, the PlayStation 4 console the headset runs on routinely goes on sale for far less than that. VR is new, and this is likely how it’s going to be for a while until the technology gets cheaper and more consumers adopt it. Beyond video games, technology like this carries more potential as it develops. Educationally, a low-consequence virtual space can prove fruitful for surgeons, pilots, scientists, engineers, and architects. As an economic opportunity, think of all of the potential for videos that can be viewed from point-of-view perspectives. Concerts come to mind immediately, as do presidential debates, and I’m sure you can think of a few others. However this technology evolves, success or failure, however people choose to adopt it, the advent of a technology is always a good thing. (GameStop, the main video games retailer in Brookline, carries both VR headsets and VRready computers on their online store, though none were in-stock at the Brookline GameStop as of this writing. If interested, be sure to check availability over the phone or online before heading over.)

Alex’s take on VR I’ve used a few of the virtual reality headsets mentioned in the article at various video game conventions over the years, and overall, I’m cautiously optimistic and excited for the technology. By this point, I’ve played on the Oculus Rift, the PlayStation VR, and Google Cardboard. Speaking to what it feels like to use one of the higher-end headsets, the Rift and PSVR are like watching a 3D movie, but the movie is all around you and you can use a controller to interact with it. Think of it like a 360-degree 3D screen. When done right, the first time in VR feels like you’re stepping into a new world, and it’s jaw dropping. I’m especially impressed with sculpting applications, which allow you to craft 3D models in the air in front of you using a controller. Google Cardboard, meanwhile, is a limited version of this that can exclusively view images and video, and doesn’t feel quite as immersive. The technology feels surreal at first, but it’s not all perfect. The headsets connect to sensors in order to track your movement, so getting out of range of the sensors causes these devices to stop working properly. For PlayStation VR, which connects to a camera on your TV, this can be as simple as turning too far around or stepping a little too far back from your television. More importantly, as this is a new technology, much of the software feels to limited, too primitive, and too much like a tech demo rather than substantial software with depth. Most of the games are very small affairs, though this is slowly changing. Eventually, when the computers required to run virtual reality headsets drop within affordable levels, I may just yet obtain one. Until then, I’ll watch from the sidelines, hoping virtual reality becomes the little hardware that could.


14

Feature

The Brookline Voice

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Photos | Nir Landau

Urgent cravings satisfied at Mamaleh’s By Penny Schwartz

that boasts home-cured pastrami, kreplach (meat-filled dumplings), For The Voice and hand-rolled bagels with houseThe local search for the perfect pastrami cured gravlax-style lox. Noodle on rye no longer begins and ends in the kugel, pickled herring, matzah ball soup, gribenes (chicken skins with delis of Brookline and Newton. fried onions) on toast and refreshing With the much-anticipated opening bowls of a richly flavored borscht of Mamaleh’s, a new Jewish also beckon hungry eaters. delicatessen in Cambridge’s Kendall Square, deli lovers in the towns west While most of the offerings are made of Boston have reason to wander in-house, the smoked sturgeon and beyond their borders to satisfy that sable are sourced from Acme Smoked craving for smoked hand sliced Fish in Brooklyn, according to Rachel meats and fish and other Jewish fare. Miller Munzer, one of Mamaleh’s owners. Miller Munzer and her The new eatery, launched in July by a husband, Alon Munzer, one of the restaurant team that also owns State managers, live in Brookline with their Park next door, offers a tantalizing children. Tyler Sundet is chef; Rachel menu for both eat-in and take-out Sundet is pastry chef, and owner John

Kessen is also manager. The lively eatery, which is not kosher, is open for breakfast (8 am to 11 am) and lunch (11 am to 4 pm), with plans for dinner in the works. Specialty items for the restaurant as well as take-out and catering will be added for the Jewish High Holidays, including honey cake, a local honey as well as beeswax Sabbath candles, Miller Munzer said. Nostalgia is part of the experience at Mamaleh’s, with its black and white tile floor, counter seating on bar stools, as well as roomy booths and table seating for 80 diners. Tempting home-baked loaves of moist babka (chocolate and cinnamon), slices of chewy, nut-filled mandel bread, delicately flavored tahini cookies, and gorgeous spirals of rugelah sit atop a glass case with takeout items. Mamaleh’s fountain and bar serves an array of inventive drinks, from homemade celery soda to egg creams, one of the drinks that is also served in a sophisticated version with alcohol. Retail shelves at the front of the restaurant are stocked with Jewish snacks, cookbooks and Mamaleh’s memorabilia. A few weeks before Mamaleh’s opened, the owners hosted a popup bagels-and-lox event at their State Park restaurant next door. “’What’s lox?’ somebody asked. It blew my mind,” that people didn’t know, Miller Munzer said. “It didn’t occur to us to that we were opening an ethnic restaurant.”

familiar with Reuben sandwiches and house-roasted turkey and roast beef. Last month, the staff of Jewish Arts Collaborative made the short trek from its Newton headquarters for a lunch-time staff meeting, starting off feasting on the Jewish Pu Pu Platter, loaded with chopped liver, schmaltz on toast, pickles and kreplach. “The star was the kreplach, with shredded beef,” said Laura Mandel, executive director of the arts and culture organization. “Almost as good as my mom’s, which is saying a lot,” she added. Mamaleh’s version is fried. The pastrami and potato knish was another big hit. “It was nicely baked, golden and delicious,” Mandel added. “Mamaleh’s is true to its Jewish roots,” she declared. Over the years, Mandel, who grew up in Newton and now lives with her husband and toddler in Brookline, has eaten at all the local delis and Jewish style haunts, from Zaftig’s to Rubin’s, Brookline’s only kosher deli that closed earlier this summer. Mandel is a long time fan of the corned beef and knishes at Michael’s Deli in Brookline. Mamaleh’s owners kicked around the idea for a Jewish deli for some ten years, Miller Munzer revealed.

She was pleasantly surprised by the emotional response from customers. In the short amount of time they’ve been open, many people are connecting with the In less than a month, the deli food and culture. “This reminds is attracting a diverse range of me of my grandmother,” some customers. Some daring diners people have said. Another customer not raised on Jewish fare are recalled that her aunt used to call experimenting, she said — others are her Mamaleh. “It is very touching.”


Tuesday, September 20, 2016

The Newton Voice

Photo | Songquan Deng Fenway Park at night on June 20, 2011 in Boston, MA. Fenway Park has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since 1912, as the oldest Baseball stadium.

By David Stanford So, I went to the Red Sox-Yankees game last Thursday. Sat in a $132 box seat and stayed until the exquisite ending — a rocket from Hanley Ramirez that lifted the Sox to a 7-5 triumph described as “one of the greatest Red Sox regular-season victories of all time” by the Globe’s Dan Shaughnessy. Game took more than three hours and 50 minutes to complete. Oh, fear not. This isn’t an obvious prelude to tedious discussions about the bloated expense of the dreaded “Ballpark Experience” and the tendency for baseball games to run longer than the Charles River. Nor do I have anything to add about the game itself, other than to point out that the starting line ups included players named Didi Gregorious (Gotham) and Andrew Benintendi (Beantown). A thought did occur to me, though, as I sat on that pricey piece of hard plastic which I’d like to run by you, even though it might make you feel like a nurse is approaching you with a very long needle in her hand. Isn’t it time to think about — think about! That’s all I’m saying — a new home for the Boston Red Sox? Is it something we can discuss? Imagine? Or is that a grotesque combination of sacrilege, naiveté, and foolishness? Two of my buddies with me Thursday night sure think so. One rejected the idea out of hand, as if I told him to ship his parents to a nursing home in Ocala, Florida. The second asked, Why mess with success? The place is packed every night; there’s no impetus to move into new digs.

Credit the Sox. King John Henry and all of his men and women have transformed Fenway into a far more appealing venue than it was a generation ago. Atmosphere, cleanliness, lighting, feng shui, concessions — it’s all better, period. The brass should be proud of itself (and we know they are because they have the temerity to call Fenway “America’s Most Beloved Ballpark.”) True, the Sox have an unbreakably synonymous relationship with their home, one that’s replicated by few other places in America (Cubs/Wrigley, Fighting Irish/ Notre Dame Stadium —there are others, but not a ton.) Fenway is like springtime in Paris — seemingly, everyone has something sappy yet sincere to say about it. Its popularity with tourists from the world over is understood and appreciated. Yet as I shuffled around the park on Thursday, I realized I wouldn’t need a fistful of Prozac if you put Fenway on an expiration clock. Say, five years. Too soon? How about 10? Come on! A decade is reasonable, no? Again, I’m talking about the beginning of a discussion that results in a process that leads to a new park. I’m not asking if you know a guy who knows a guy who owns a wrecking ball. For all of the care, expense, and effort that clearly goes into keeping Fenway green instead of grimy, one can be forgiven for wondering how many coats of paint it will take before someone wonders aloud, “Anyone for a new park? Anyone?” For every appealing nook and cranny inside Fenway, there’s another that feels jury-rigged. Some areas are open and reasonably airy while others are stuffy, ifnot claustrophobic.

Fall sports rocking as Season gets underway By Lorenzo Recupero

For The Voice BROOKLINE — The Brookline Warriors kicked-off the regular season on Friday, September 9, by besting Boston Latin, 256, in their non-league bout. The openinggame show of force in the blowout performance by the Warriors is a sure sign the team’s side-stepping history and juking in the right direction. Having had endured 12-straight losing seasons coming into the year, fourth-year coach Keith Thomas has helped build a stronger foundation for more competitive football, leading the team to an improved 3-8 finish last season after picking up just four wins in his first three seasons total. The Warriors (1-0) will try to put together a win streak In their next contest, a nonleague battle against Newton South (01) on Sunday, September 18.

BROOKLINE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL STANDINGS Bay State – Carey League Standings

• Newton North – 1-0(0-0, league) • Braintree – 1-0(0-0, league) • Brookline – 1-0 (0-0, league) • Needham – 0-1 (0-1, league) • Framingham – 0-1 (0-1, league) • Weymouth – 0-1 (0-1, league The Brookline Warriors (1-0) boys soccer team will be at home their next two matches, with non-conference games vs. Wellesley on Tuesday, September 20 at 4 p.m. and Needham on Tuesday, September 27 at 4 p.m. The Lady Warriors (3-0) soccer team will attempt to remain undefeated with a home conference game against Weymouth on Friday, September 16.

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Fenway frank: How long is too long? Also, it’s obligatory but necessary to point out that Fenway is chock full of odd-angle seats that should come with a referral to a chiropractor. Sitting in a good seat in Fenway is like a beachfront hotel. Sections 4 through 8? Those are like motels five miles inland. Camden Yards in Baltimore opened in 1992, igniting an era of stadium building that successfully weds atmosphere and aesthetics to comfort and convenience. But instead of prompting us to seriously consider Fenway’s future, this construction trend has emboldened us. The basic argument goes, “We have what those cities tried to replicate. So there!” There’s truth

in that. But it’s also true that some of Fenway’s recent upgrades borrow elements found in parks such as Camden Yards. “Need” isn’t at issue. Until an engineer says Fenway is a catastrophe waiting to happen, the Red Sox don’t need a new ballpark. Thankfully, the Bay State isn’t a place that builds stadiums for billionaires. And John Henry’s money is his own; to him, replacing Fenway Park might make less sense than putting a hurricane fence in place of the Green Monster. I guess I view a new park for the Red Sox the way I did the doomed Summer Olympics bid. Perhaps a Boston Olympics was a dumb idea. But I had no problem discussing it.

Long March to Thanksigiving is off to its annual start By Lorenzo Recupero

For The Voice NEWTON — The Newton South Lions, returned to football action on Saturday, September 10, falling at home to the Lexington Minuteman, 49-23. Longtime head coach Ted Dalicandro, at the helm for his 11th year with the school, wasn’t happy with a loss but saw many positive gains the team should be able to build upon the remainder of the season. “We got a good, solid base of seniors, and it’s all about competing right of the bat and I think that we did that,” said Dalicandro in the wake of the team’s loss. The Lions (0-1), who entered the year uncertain at quarterback after the departure of Austin Burton, a 2017’ UCLA commit that transferred in the offseason, may have found a permanent replacement in Luke Cloud. The junior will headline a three-headed attack at quarterback that includes senior Sasha Hoban and junior wideout Lucas Lopes. In the loss, Hoban was forced out of the game due to injury in the first half and replaced by Cloud, who led the team on all three scoring drives while hurling two touchdown passes. The Lions will try to rebound in their next bout with Brookline on Sunday, September 18 starting at 5 p.m. The Newton South Lions boys soccer team has a home conference game vs. rival school Lincoln-Sudbury on Friday, September 16 at 4p.m. & the Lady Lions will face-off with Lincoln-Sudbury in an away conference game on Friday, September 16 at 4 p.m. NEWTONVILLE - The Newton North Tigers helped produce one of high school football’s opening week nail-biters in their, 9-7, win over Waltham. The Tigers (1-0) were able to eek out the victory,

their 5th straight over Waltham, behind big plays from both sides of the ball, including a 21-yard TD pass from junior John Grady to junior wide receiver Will Thompson and a forced safety by their defense in the second half. Second year coach Mike Coppola praised his team’s effort in the close contest, especially that of his starting defensive back/receiver, Bryce Adams. The senior finished the game with a crucial interception on defense and added 3 receptions for 31 yards. “He is probably one of the best receivers In the league,” said Coppola. The Tigers will look to continue their success as they travel to Natick on Friday, September 16 for a 7 p.m. clash with the Redhawks. The Tigers boys soccer team will compete in a home conference game vs. Framingham on Friday, September 16 at 3:30 p.m. The Lady Tigers soccer team will open up their regular season against Framingham at Framingham on Friday, September 16 at 3:30 p.m. Editor’s Note: The Voice will be following all Newton High School sports and as the season progresses we will include complete standings in all varsity sports. For any tips or requests or information get in touch with Lorenzo Recupero at 781-552-9513. NEWTON SOUTH HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL STANDINGS Dual County (Large) League Standings

• Cambridge Rindge & Latin – 1-0 (0-0, league) • Lincoln-Sudbury– 1-0 (0-0, league) • Westford Academy – 1-0 (0-0,league) • Waltham – 0-1 (0-1, league) • Acton-Boxborough – 0-1 (0-0,league) • Newton South – 0-1 (0-0, league)


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