Newton VOL 1, NO 1
NEWTON’S VOICE
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2016
Newton South High Crushes Newton North in Top School Ratings By Josh Resnek
The Voice
If top high school ratings were stacked up like points at a football game, on first appearance Newton South High obliterated Newton North by several touchdowns in a contest that wasn’t close. Newton South ranked 5th 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. 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 Newton. Photo | Rick Ashley The Leventhal — Sidman JCC is a familiar friend to Newton’s residents and many others. It is estimated the JCC serves 50,000 people from all walks of life who converge on the center every day throughout the year for a wide variety of activities. Beginning mid-September and spanning through October, there are opportunities for parents to connect with other parents and their children, from Rock A Baby music classes, to Tai Chi, Parkinson’s classes for those suffering from the disease, fun and fitness and on and on. Go to BostonJCC. org for details. Shown above is the towering Victorian brick turret, recognizable to nearly everyone coming to the 33 acre campus center on Nahanton Road.
Life-threatening anaphylactic shock grows more expensive By Alexander Culafi
The feeling of his throat tightening, and his tongue and facial muscles exploding and 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
Such discussions also took place in neighboring Brookline, whose high school ranked 20th on the list. The matrix used to make determinations of rankings was judged by George Recck, Director of the Math Resource Center at Babson college. He analyzed the results which came from a 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, neither of Newton’s high schools came close to the levels achieved by Boston Latin School, which ranked continued on page 3
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The Newton Voice
Editorial
Newton
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
THE NEWTON VOICE THE BROOKLINE VOICE
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
PUBLISHER AND PRESIDENT Joshua Resnek
COUNSEL Joseph Resnek
EDITOR
Brookline, or from hospital administrators and officials? Have they all lost their tongues? At least in Newton, a public school’s health official was savvy enough to reveal that this is a big problem for about 1,000 Newton public school students! Thank you, Newton health officials.
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
RICHER BETTER THAN THE POOR? NOT REALLY
WE
explored the recent Boston Magazine piece that listed the top 50 high schools in Massachusetts.
Newton South ranked 5th. Newton North — 3 miles away — ranked 35th. If you are the parent of a Newton North High School student, then you might think aloud the Shakespearean metaphor that something is rotten in the state of Denmark. How, we wonder – and Newton North High School officials should also wonder – is it possible for one high school in town to be so highly ranked and the other, well, just not as highly ranked? Why not higher with better all-around scores at Newton North? “What is up with that�, many around here should be wondering. How was it possible, we wondered, that Boston Latin’s SAT scores were way ahead of both of Newton’s high schools, 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 Newton at both high schools, class sizes are closer to 12-14 students.
Joshua Resnek
SENIOR REPORTER Alexander Culafi
What, we wonder, is Boston Latin doing right, and Newton’s high schools doing otherwise?
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Bottom line, why is Newton South substantially better academically than Newton North?
Lorenzo Recupero
Good question.
David Stanford
CAMBRIDGE BECKONS
CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS
THE
food feature by Penny Schwartz about Mamaleh’s gives all of us who savor deli specialties a reason to travel all the way to Kendall Square for something other than a fight in the traffic and a funky movie.
Rick Ashley Jared Charney
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.
CALENDAR EDITOR Sheila Barth
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.
DIRECTOR OF MARKETING Carolyn Lilley Resnek
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 okay, send that along. Reach us at JoshResnek@gmail.com or AlexanderCulafi@gmail.com.
DIRECTOR OF GRAPHIC DESIGN Trevor Andreozzi
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Graphic Developments Inc. Norwood, MA.
DISTRIBUTION Max’s Trucking Middle East coverage you won’t fiffiind anywhere else.
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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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Fruitations is available at Roche Bros., Bros. Marketplace, Gordon's Downtown Crossing, Kappy's Peabody and Whole Foods Market.
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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 Newton Voice
Newton South Crushes Newton North in Top School Ratings from page 1
Boston Latin had much larger class sizes and teacher student ratios – 18th overall. but in the attending college category Newton North High School is located at 457 Walnut Street, approximately showed 92.4%, the highest of the top 3.2 miles from Newton South at 140 50 compared with Newton South’s Brandeis Road. 84% and Newton North’s 83.7%. Such distances between these leading high schools were not considered as criteria. Rather, student-teacher ratios, class size and fewer students per college counselor and sports team is what the magazine’s number crunchers relied upon. In fact, a review of the statistics reveals that Newton South’s higher ranking over Newton North is because of SAT average scores much more than anything else. Newton North’s average class size was nearly the same as Newton South’s (15.8-14.4). The studentteacher ratio at Newton North was just about even with Newton South’s ( 11.4.1-11.6.1).
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.
stopped manufacturing EpiPens.
go for over $700.
As a result, the Federal Trade Commission has been flooded with complaints.
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 a significant investment to support Each dose of medicine in the EpiPen the device over the past decade. costs about $1. A recent Time 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 just one pen, these explanations about $20-30 total per unit. don’t hold water. With insurance In 2007, the going rate for EpiPens 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.
Mylan Pharmeceutical. Dylan and its hungry corporate executives are making simple use of their monopoly over their main former main competitor, Sinofi. Sinofi has
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CORDIS MANAGEMENT, INC.
• 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.
Life-threatening anaphylactic shock grows more expensive
The obvious question is: why?
Voice News
In response to prodding by the FTC, Mylan has been offering coupons up to $300 off their out-of-pocket costs (for up to six EpiPen twopacks).
Second generation of carpentry, fabrication and installation services for architects, designers and owners. Serving Newton, Brookline and Back Bay.
617.889.6699 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 Consumer reseachers claim generic students with life threatening versions of the device in other allergies are attending Newton’s public schools. countries often costs far less. Mylan’s monopolization of the “Not all of them have EpiPens, and marketplace has allowed the even fewer carry them,” said the company to increase prices year- health official. over-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 Consumers in Cincinnati have filked noted how it was affecting the a class action lawsuit against the community of Brookline. company over the price hikes. “It has affected the amount of money Heather Bresch, President of Mylan that the town pays to purchase in 2007 and CEO today, has received EpiPens for the schools or for the extraordinary pay raises as Mylan’s health department. It’s a budgetary earnings have soared. According issue which is affecting everyone.” to company filings, Bresch earned $2,453,456 nine years ago. Last Although she wouldn’t offer specific numbers, the department pays the year, she earned $18,931,068. going price for the EpiPens they There are cheaper alternatives to give to the school nurses or keep EpiPen, but there are complications for use by the Brookline Health with this, too. There is an authorized Department, so as prices go up, so alternative in stores called Adrenaclick, does the impact this carries over the going for well under $200, but, it’s good people of Brookline. rarely recommended by medical societies due to its less convenient, “It affects individuals, and it affects harder-to-use two cap system. us too,” she added.
Photo
The Newton 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 Newton 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 Newton Voice
Calendar
CALENDAR
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 Greater Boston Theater Expo Visit with more than 60 theater companies and individual artists and theater lovers, Tuesday, September 20, 5-8 p.m., at the annual Greater Boston Theater Expo, Cyclorama, Boston Center for the Arts, 539 Tremont St., Boston. Contact Stagesource.org/GBTE16.
LIBERACE Reagle Theatre of Greater Boston presents Martin Preston, who recreates the glitz, glamour and glory of Liberace! The Legend
FOR
9/12-9/25
Nile Hawver
The Cast of Lucky Stiff.
SILLY STUFF’S AFOOT IN STONEHAM’S ‘LUCKY STIFF’
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
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 Lexington St., Waltham. $35 — $63, discounts, seniors, youth, student rush, groups. Reaglemusictheatre.com.
MACHINE DE CIRQUE Arts Emerson presents this magnificent new group from Quebec, performing September 21 - October 2, Emerson/Aramount Mainstage, 559 Washington St., Boston. Tickets, $20 — $80. Group, senior, student discounts. Visit artsemerson.org, or call 617-824-8400
GUERILLA OPERA The group performs a new production of Nicholas P. Vines’ ”Loose, Wet and Perforated,” September 21-24, 8 p.m, Zack Box Theater, Boston Conservatory at Berklee, 8 the Fenway, Boston. Tickets, $15; seniors, $10. Check for related events. Visit Guerillaopera.com.
COMPANY Lyric Stage Company of Greater Boston opens its new season now through October 9, with Stephen Sondheim’s musical, “Company,” book by George Furth. Tickets start at $25; seniors, $10 discount, student 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.
45 PLAYS FOR 45 PRESIDENTS Merrimack Repertory Theatre presents the Neo-Futurists’ two-hour play, highlighting follies, facts and fun with America’s presidents through the years, through October 2, Nancy L. Donahue Theatre, 50 East Merrimack St., Lowell. $26 — $70. Senior, student, group, military discounts. Also related events. Visit Mrt.org.
BEOWULF: A THOUSAND YEARS OF BAGGAGE 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.
MONTY ALEXANDER HARLEM- KINGSTON EXPRESS The international crowd-pleaser performs September 30 at Scullers Jazz Club, Doubletree Suites by Hilton, Boston-Cambridge, 400 Soldiers Field Road, Boston. Scullersjazz.com.
B.U.M.P. Boston’s Unscripted Musical Project (B.U.M.P.) and full house band perform
The Newton Voice monthly improvised, Broadway-style musical shows, Davis Square Theatre, Somerville. Bumpcomedy.com.
Calendar
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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, September 22, 29, 7 p.m., Villa Victoria Center of the Arts, Boston. Films are in Spanish, with English subtitles. Visit TTOBoston.org.
BERKLEE PERFORMANCE CENTER Headlining is John Scofield’s “Country for Old Men,” Friday, September 23, 7:30 p.m. Visit bpc@berklee.edu.
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 Exiled Theatre presents Salem playwright Sarah J. Mann’s new, black comedy, through October 2, Friday,Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. Boston Playwrights Theatre, 949 Comm. Ave.,Boston. $20; students with ID, $15. Exiledtheatre.com.
BOBBY CALDWELL The musician rocks Scullers, September 23, Scullers Jazz Club,Doubletree Suites by Hilton, Boston — Cambridge, 400 Soldiers Field Road, Boston. Visit info@scullersjazz.com.
EARL KLUGH Earl Klugh performs September 24, Scull-
DOUGH
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. Performances: Wednesday, Thursday, 7:30 p.m.; Friday,8 p.m.; Saturday, 3,8 p.m., Sunday, 2 p.m.;Sept. 22, 2,7:30 p.m. Tickets, $30-$59; student,senor, group discounts. Visit newrep.org or call 617-923-8487. ers Jazz Club, Doubletree Suites by Hilton, Boston-Cambridge, 400 Soldiers Field Road, Boston. Visit info@scullersjazz.com.
SHEAR MADNESS This U.S. longest-running, funny whodunit play continues in Boston Tuesday through Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday, 6 and 9 p.m., and Sunday, 3 and 7 p.m. at Charles Playhouse/Stage II, 74 Warrenton St., Boston. Shearmadness. com. Groups, call 800-992-9035.
Sunday, 4 p.m. Visit centralsquaretheater. org,
NEW ENGLAND CONSERVATORY CONCERTS The conservatory’s Jazz Studies and Improvisation departments present free performances, open to the public. Necmusic.edu.
SUNDAYS IN THE PARK 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.
THE RETURN TO MORALITY
Now playing at West Newton Cinema Available on iTunes, Amazon, and DVD.
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 pm.;
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.
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, 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 Newton Voice
COLIN AND BRAD
21, 22, 29, at 8 p.m.; October 16,23,30, 2 p.m.; October 19, 27, 7:30 p.m. October 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 Anserine Productions present Andy Gaus’ new musical through September 25, Wednesday-Sunday, 8 p.m., Black Box Theater, Arsenal Center for the Arts, 321 Arsenal St., Watertown. Tickets, $20 — $30. Visit Nobodyboogies.com.
RED ROOM EVENTS Making happy music at Cafe 939‘s Red Room are Tor Miller and Sean McVerry, September 22, 8 p.m. BOOM (Berklee Original Open Mic), September 27, 7 p.m. (free); The Checkout — Live at Berklee presents Avishai Cohen’s Triveni, September 28, 8 p.m.; and Twobadours on the Run, David Ryan Harris and Gabe Dixon, September 30, 8 p.m.939 Boylston St., Boston. Unless otherwise noted, shows are open to all ages and standing room only.
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
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.
Visit Gloucesterstage.com.
SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS Ogunquit Playhouse gets rowdy when rootin’-tootin’ seven brothers go a-courtin’ for brides in this rambunctious musical, through October 1. 10 Main St., Route 1N, Ogunquit, Maine.Visit OgunquitPlayhouse.org.
PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT Fiddlehead Theatre Company presents the Boston premiere of this outrageous, comic musical, based on the 1994 hit film, “Priscilla,” September 30 — October 9, Shubert Theatre, Tremont St., Boston. Visit citicenter. org.
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
events/ticketing.
FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS 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, Suite 301. $53; children 12-under, $25. info@jartsboston. org, 617-531-4610.
THE HOT SARDINES World Music/CRASHarts presents The Hot Sardines, Saturday, October 1, 8 p.m., Berklee Performance Center, 136 Mass. Ave., Boston.Reserved seats start at $30. Call 617-876-4275 or visit WorldMusic.org.
SENSE AND SENSIBILITY Maiden Phoenix Theatre Company presents Kate Hamill’s new adaptation of Jane Austen’s beloved novel, “Sense and Sensibility,” October 14-30, Hibernian Hall, 184 Dudley St., Roxbury. Showtimes, October 14, 15,
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.
PLAY ME, I’M YOURS Boston streets will be adorned with 60 artistically decorated pianos, for all to play, as part of the Boston 2016 Celebrity Series of Boston tour, September 23 — October 20. British artist Luke Jerram created the idea and since then, more than 1,400 pianos have been installed in 50 cities internationally, reaching 8 million people. Check for pianos in Brighton, Fenway-Kenmore, Allston, Cambridge, Back Bay-Beacon Hill, Dorchester-South Boston, Downtown, Chinatown and East Boston, Mattapan, Jamaica Plain-Roxbury, South End, Bay Village and Mission Hill, West End, North End and Charlestown, West Roxbury Hyde Park and Roslindate. Visit Celebrityseries.org, #streetpianosboston, or Streetpianosboston.org,
SPAMALOT
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.
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, 617-912-9222 or contact Bostonconservatory.berkee.edu/
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 Newton Voice
THE DOCYARD FALL SERIES
SAIL A TALL SHIP IN BOSTON HARBOR Take a daily Boston Harbor cruise aboard Tall Ships schooners Liberty Clipper and Liberty Star throughout September 25, 67 Long Wharf, Boston, Call 617-742-0333 or visit Libertyfleet.com.
COOKING MATTERS
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
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. FALL FAIRY TALE FESTIVAL Puppet Showplace Theater presents its annu- Member Price: $220; Non-Member Price: $220. Fee is for one child plus an adult. al Fall Fairy Tale Festival with new productions and free refreshments and fun special Additional siblings are $132/session. For events for all ages, culminating October 10. more information, or to receive sibling discount, please contact south@jccgb.org or The Stevens Puppets present Beauty and the Beast, September 24, 25, 1 and 3 p.m. 781-795-0510. and the Pumpernickel Puppets present “The Frog Prince,” October 1, 2, 1 and 3 p.m. ($8 COMMUNITY EVENTS — $15)Reservations highly recommended. General admission, $12, members, $10 for JIMMY FUND VOLUNTEERS NEEDED premium Monday holiday shows. 32 Station Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk seeks St., Brookline. Visit Puppetshowplace.org. volunteers to sign up,Saturday, September 24, at early check-in, Wellesley High School, WORLDWIDE CASTING CALL and throughout the day Sunday, September DeLisi Creative is accepting applications, 25, at various locations throughout the worldwide, for a boy age 6 — 9, to portray Boston Marathon course. For more inforthe lead role of a 6-year-old Jewish-Italian mation, call coordinator Lindsay Nason at child in Steven Spielberg film, “The Kidnap- 617-632-6263. ping of Edgardo Mortara,” starring Mark Rylance. The movie will be filmed in Europe STORYTELLER JUDITH BLACK in 2017. The child doesn’t need an Italian Join North Shore’s prolific storyteller, Judith accent. To submit applications, visit CasBlack, helping her prepare for the Natonal tittalent.com/tkoem. Pre-school Enrollment Storytelling Festival at Jonesboro, Tenn., by Now enrolling for pre-school in September at meeting and providing input, at Story Space Temple Emanuel in Newton for children age in Central Square, Cambridge, September 20 months through 5 years as of September 20; also, September 21, 29, at 7:30 p.m., 16. Your preschooler will have the opportuSeptember 25, 4 p.m.; and October 2, 2 nity to learn through play and interact with p.m. RSVP at People.jb@storiesalive.com. his/her peers in a positive way. To visit, contact pre-school director Wendy Falchuk. ALS AND MS WALK FOR LIVING 671-558-8130. The annual fundraising walk will honor Bill and Sharon Stein, major ALS residences SHABBAT AND SCHMOOZE benefactors, and is a tribute to inspiring PJ Library and JArts Collaborative feature a ALS and MS residents, Sunday, Septemmorning of interactive games for the kids and ber 25, at 10 a.m., 165 Captains Row, coffee and conversation for adults, featuring Admirals Hill in Chelsea. The event benefits Laura Mandel, who will teach attendees how the Leonard Florence Center for Living and to make a custom piece of jewelry, using He- the new Dapper McDonald ALS Residence. brew letter metal stamps and wire, followed Matt Siegel, host of “Matty in the Morning,” by Shabbat singing, noshing challah and is emcee of the two-mile walk. Participants grape juice, Friday, September 23, 9:30 a.m. pay $10 donation fee, which includes a Leventhal-Sidman Jewish Community Center, T-shirt, barbecue, and activities. Register 333 Nahanton St., Newton. Open to all. $10 at 9 a.m. email Walkforliving@chelseajewper family. Jartsboston.org. ish,org. Donations, Walkforliving,org. 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.
Chelsea’s CONNECT has organized a class, “Cooking Matters,” Tuesday, September 27, 11 a.m. — 12 p.m.,at Market Basket, 170 Everett Ave., Chelsea. The group will meet at the store’s café. Questions, RSVP to Maribel, 6177-889-1375.
GARRISON KEILLOR Spend a nostalgic, fun night with author Garrison Keillor, Wednesday, September 28, 7 p.m., Cary Hall, 1605 Mass. Ave., Lexington. Visit CaryHallLexington.com.
BIG BANG BEREISHEET
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shuttles visitors throughout the Fenway neighborhood. Visit Fenwayalliance.org.
PREDICTING THE PAST Atlantic Works Gallery presents Charlene Lisa, Suzanne Mercury and Diane Teubner’s exhibition, “Predicting the Past: A Sampler,” through September 30, Atlantic Works Gallery, 80 Border St., Third Floor, Boston. closing reception, September 29, 6 — 9 p.m. Gallery open Friday, Saturday, 2 — 6 p.m. or by appointment.
BOB TOMOLILLO REPROSPECTIVE Pearl Street Gallery presents a retrospective of award-winning, international printmaker Bob Tomolillo’s contemporary printing, paintings and sculpture, Pearl Street, Chelsea. Call 617-875-3188.
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, 6:30-8:30 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 Artweekboston.org.
OPENING OUR DOORS ARTS FESTIVAL The Fenway Alliance presents the annual festival featuring the largest free single day arts event in Boston, rain or shine, with music and dance performances, museum gallery admissions, backstage theater access, public art exhibitions, kite flying, interactive workshops, walking tours of the Muddy River restoration, food trucks and more, Monday, October 10. Open to all.The event kicks of f11 a.m., at Christian Science Plaza, 201 Mass. Ave., Boston. A complimentary trolley
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 Newton Voice
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
Eight things I saw in Newton Photos | Alexander Culafi In this I take periodic serie s, a walk Newton a r ound and poi nt out t things en Is can’t m ee in the area .I ak what I’l e promises o l see or how cra n will be, zy it bu I’ll prob t whatever I se e, ab of it an ly take a pictu re d show you. Th time, I is Newton walked aroun d C hour. N entre for a so lid ex some o t time, I look f th at I can fin e nicest hous es d.
1.
J.P. Licks (46 Langley Road) is hiring, if you’re interested in working at one of the best ice cream places in the Boston area. They had a limited edition cucumber ice cream a couple months back that was nothing short of world class.
2.
The Greek Evangelical Church (1115 Centre Street) displays curious lettering on its sign.
3.
Large-scale construction continues at the Newton Fire Department headquarters (1164 Centre Street). The project, which renovates the headquarters and rebuilds Fire Station 3, is expected to cost north of $20 million.
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
The Newton Voice
The Walk
4.
There are signs posted everywhere on Newton Center advertising a study done by Harvard and MIT researchers looking for female subjects. They’re trying to speed-up pregnancy test response times and identify couples at risk for infertility.
5. 6
I also noticed that the Greek flag was caught on a snag right outside the church. As someone of Greek descent, I was not a fan.
I love how many businesses are snuck into alcoves and alleyways in Newton. One of the Cafe Sol Azteca (75 Union Street) entrances is through a tiny alleyway only a few feet wide – hidden in plain sight.
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8.
A “Save Our Public Schools” sticker sits on a post in Newton Centre. The sticker reflects a movement opposing Question 2 on the November ballot, which would lift the cap on Charter Schools. More info at Saveourpublicschoolsma.com.
7.
The entrance to Cafe Sol Azteca. You can also access Sapporo (81 Union Street) this way.
See you next time!
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Interview
The Newton Voice
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
Your Voice: Newton Ward 6 Councilor at-Large Greg Schwartz Every issue of The Voice, we find a new voice to talk to in Newton. It could be anyone; it could be a member of the leadership, it could be someone well known, it could be an employee of Newton, or it could be someone just passing through. It could be you! This time, I thought it would be neat to talk to a member of the local electorate. Someone who carries a bit of responsibility in the community and has a say regarding what goes on. This time, we talked to Greg Schwartz, a trained physician and lawyer who also acts as Ward 6 Councilor-at-Large for Newton. As you may know, Newton is separated into eight wards, or in other words, eight different local authority areas. Each ward has one Ward Councilor and two elected at large (Schwartz being in the latter camp), who are responsible for specific areas, schools, transportation services, parks, and city services. For example, Schwartz is responsible for these schools (from Newton’s own website, newtonma.gov): • Bowen Elementary School, 280 Cypress Street • Mason-Rice Elementary School, 149 Pleasant Street • Andover Newton Theological School, 210 Herrick Road • Hebrew College, 160 Herrick Road It’s important to note that these councilors (formerly referred to as aldermen) do not call the shots per se. They are not the only force of leadership in the town, nor are they the main one. “We’re kind of the go-between between the residents of Newton in that area and the executive government,” Schwartz told me. “We’re not the ones who will clear snow from
Councilors, is responsible for approving special permits that fall outside the norm. In this role, he is not an advocate, but rather a judge for acceptable land use. Schwartz was first elected in 2011, and is up for re-election next November – he serves the city in two-year terms. He ran in a contested election the first time around, and ran unopposed for the last two. your sidewalk or your corner if it’s built up, but we can call the right people at city hall or email them or bother them that your corner has not been getting plowed properly.” In other words, while it’s true that individuals are encouraged to call city hall themselves with issues via Newton’s 311 system, people like Schwartz are there to be a follow-up or an “advocate” for the individual, as he puts it. He also has other roles. Schwartz can help you navigate the city government, and tell you who you need to call if you don’t know how to reach a certain department or person. He, as a councilor, is part of the legislative branch, which is responsible for approving Newton’s budget every year, and can also initiate changes to the local laws of the city by docketing discussions at meetings and drawing attention to the various causes of the people of Newton. “There’s been a lot of strong feelings on both sides about leaf blowers,” he said, describing an example of something that could enter the fray in his legislative discussions. “There’s a lot of discussion about whether their use should be regulated because they make a lot of noise.” His final role, somewhat specialized to Newton, City Councilors act as the permitting authority on special permits. Schwartz, as well as his fellow Ward
“Who knows if that’s because people like what I’m doing, or they’re just not interested in running?” Concluding our interview, I asked him one question I ask everyone interviewed for Your Voice: If you could tell the people of Newton one thing, what would it be? “I’m going to tell you what I tell a lot of people when they ask what I’ve learned in these last five years, and that is: no issue is black and white. Every issue is grey, and what I’ve learned is to try to listen to both sides, and I’m always surprised that no matter how simple something seems, there’s always a very legitimate other side to it. I guess what I would tell people is, if they could appreciate that, then we could all have a much more useful, respectful, and productive debate or conversation about the various issues that come before us.”
Photo | Sergey Galyonkin Sergey Orlovskiy tests Oculus Rift.
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
W
The Newton Voice
Feature
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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.
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Feature
The Newton 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.”
S 16aturday, September 10, 2016
Voice The T Nhe ewton Voice
Fenway frank: How long is too long? 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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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. 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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