friday, december 16, 2016 volume 12, number 23 the...

INSIDE THIS ISSUE THE BUZZ ............... 1 HAPPENINGS .......... 4 CURRENT EVENTS................... 7 THE ARTS ........ 14-15 Art ......................... 14 Films ..................... 15 HEALTH AND FITNESS ................ 16

THE WORD P.O. Box 170847

Boston, MA 02117 (617) 775-4273

[email protected] www.thewordboston.com

THE BUZZ “Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right.”

~ Oprah Winfrey

THE YEAR IN REVIEW by Pat Williams Without a doubt, the most important news story of 2016 was the U.S. presidential election. Billionaire businessman Donald J. Trump faced off against former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. While nearly every pollster in the nation predicted a Clinton victory, Trump prevailed, garnering 306 electoral votes vs. Clinton’s 232. However, Clinton prevailed in the popular vote with nearly 3,000,000 more votes than Trump. The political newcomer’s victory brought massive protests as well as charges

that the Soviet Union influenced the outcome of the election. President-elect Trump now faces the task of not only filling cabinet positions but healing a divided nation.

Other news:

The year also saw terrorist attacks around the world, the worst being the bombing in Brussels, Belgium that killed 32 and injured 340. In the U.S., lone gunman Omar Mateen killed 49 people and wounded 53 others at an Orlando, Florida nightclub on July 12th. Mateen was shot and killed by police.

The United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union on June 23rd. The move was a surprise to many who believe that it is similar to the results of the U.S. presidential election.

The water crisis in Flint, Michigan also made headlines. A state of emergency was declared in the city on January 5, 2016 after it was determined that high levels of lead, THMs and bacteria that may be the cause of an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease, were found in the city’s drinking water. After the crisis was exposed, Flint residents received an outpouring of financial and water donations. Fundraisers were also held to aid in the crisis. The first phase of work to replace all of the city’s contaminated water lines began in March and the second phase was completed in late November. So far, 460 pipes have been replaced, with many more scheduled to be replaced in phase three of the repairs.

SPORTS The New England Patriots were crowned AFC champions for the 7th straight year and claimed the NFL’s second seed. The team faced off against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Divisional round with the Pats winning 27-20. The AFC championship game against the Denver Broncos was a nail biter, with the Pats falling to the No. 1 seed Broncos 20-18. In quarterback Peyton Manning’s final game before he retired, Denver went on to win the

Continued on Page 2

Friday, December 16, 2016 Volume 12, Number 23

-2- THE WORD – December 16, 2016

THE BUZZ (cont’d) THE YEAR IN REVIEW (Continued from Page 1)

SPORTS (cont’d) Super Bowl, defeating the Carolina Panthers 24-10. After serving a four-game suspension as a result of the Deflategate controversy, Patriots quarterback Tom Brady returned to the playing field against the Cleveland Browns. On December 4th, Brady became the winningest quarterback in NFL history, recording his 201st touchdown against the Los Angeles Rams.

In baseball, the Boston Red Sox won the Eastern Division with a 93-69 record after finishing in last place in both the 2014 and 2015 seasons. However, in the ALDS, they were swept 3-0 by the Cleveland Indians. The Indians advanced to the World Series but were beaten by the Chicago Cubs, whose last World Series victory came in 1908.

The NBA Finals saw two of the league’s best teams. The reigning Finals champion Golden State Warriors and Eastern Conference champion Cleveland Cavaliers. The LeBron James-led Cavs proved to be too much for the Warriors, winning 4 games to 3 in the Finals. Unfortunately, the Boston Celtics did not make it past the first round. They were defeated by the Atlanta Hawks four games to three.

The Stanley Cup playoffs ended on June 12th with the Pittsburgh Penguins winning their 4th Stanley Cup against the San Jose Sharks.

The Games of the XXXI Olympiad were held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from August 5 through 12, 2016. Despite concerns over the Zika virus, polluted water and high crime, the Games went off with little controversy. The United States won a total of 121 medals (46 gold, 37 silver and 39 bronze), the most of any country. China was second with 70 and Great Britain brought home 67.

The U.S. swim team, led by Michael Phelps, won 33 medals, 16 of which were gold. Phelps took home five golds and a silver, solidifying his title as the world’s most decorated Olympian of all time. Team USA also did well in track and field, garnering 32 overall medals, nearly a third of them were gold. The U.S. gymnastics team, nicknamed The Final Five, proved to be formidable opponents. Simone Biles (4 gold, 1 bronze), along with her teammates Aly Raisman (1 gold, 2 silver), Gabbie Douglas (1 gold), Laurie Hernandez (1 gold, 1 silver) and Madison Kocian (1 gold, 1 silver), dominated the competition, winning at least one medal in each of the five routines. Biles is arguably the greatest gymnast in the history of the sport.

In other events:

• For the first time since the 100m hurdles were introduced in 1972, Brianna Rollins, Nia Ali and Kristi Castlin swept the gold, silver and bronze medals for the U.S.;

• Speedster Usain Bolt won the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay, becoming the first man to win three gold medals at three consecutive Olympic games;

• Polish hammer throw specialist Anita Wiodarczyk not only broke her own world record but in the process became the first woman to throw beyond 80 meters in the same competition;

• Carmelo Anthony was instrumental in the U.S. men’s basketball team’s victory over Serbia for the gold medal. Anthony is the first male basketball player to win three Olympic gold medals;

• Bahrain’s Ruth Jebet won the country’s first Olympic gold in the 3000m steeplechase; • British golfer Justin Rose took home gold for his country for the first time since the event was introduced in 1904; • Simone Manuel made history in the pool when she became the first African American female swimmer to win an

individual gold medal in the 100m freestyle; • Fiji was honored with its first gold medal, beating Great Britain in rugby sevens; • Monica Puig is the first woman from Puerto Rico to win a gold medal in tennis. • Because Kuwait did not send a team to Rio, Fehaid Al-Deehani competed as an Independent Olympic Athlete. The

double-trap shooter became the first ever Kuwaiti to win gold; and • 58-year old equestrian Nick Skelton made history when he won the first individual show jumping gold for Great

Britain.


THE BUZZ (cont’d) THE YEAR IN REVIEW (Continued from Page 2)

ENTERTAINMENT The 88th Academy Awards ceremony was held on February 18, 2016. For the second year in a row, when the Academy announced its Oscar nominees, all of the actors and actresses in the four top categories were white. Social media erupted with the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite. As a result of the controversy, which revealed a lack of diversity in Hollywood, the Academy instituted rule changes regarding membership that they hope will increase the numbers of women and minorities by 2020.

Here are results in a few of the major categories:

Best Picture – Spotlight Best Actor – Leonardo DiCaprio (The Revanant) Best Actress – Brie Larson (Room) Best Supporting Actor – Mark Rylance (Bridge of Spies) Best Supporting Actress - Alicia Vikander (The Danish Girl) In theater, Hamilton received a record setting 16 Tony nominations. The musical, which tells the story of founding father Alexander Hamilton, made its Broadway debut in August of 2015 and remains one of the hottest tickets on Broadway. Featuring a multicultural cast, Hamilton won a total of 11 awards, Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Score (Lin-Manuel Miranda), Best Actor in a Musical (Leslie Odom, Jr.), Best Featured Actor in a Musical (Daveed Diggs), Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Renee Elise Goldsberry), Best Costume Design of a Musical (Paul Tazewell), Best Lighting Design of a Musical (Howell Binkley), Best Direction of a Musical (Thomas Kail), Best Choreography (Andy Blankenbuehler) and Best Orchestrations (Alex Lacamoire). The Color Purple won for Best Revival of a Musical and Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Cynthia Erivo).

Major awards handed out at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards included Record of the Year - Uptown Funk (Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars); Album of the Year – 1989 (Taylor Swift); and Song of the Year – Thinking Out Loud (Ed Sheeran and Amy Wadge).

NOTABLE DEATHS (Partial List) Muhammad Ali (boxer and international icon) (74)

David Bowie (singer) (69)

Fidel Castro (politician) (90)

Natalie Cole (singer) (65)

Patty Duke (actress) (69)

Glenn Frey (singer) (67)

John Glenn (astronaut) (95)

Florence Henderson (actress) (82)

Gwen Ifill (journalist) (61)

Sharon Jones (singer) (60)

Bill Nunn (actor) (63)

Billy Paul (singer) (80)

Shimon Peres (former Israeli Prime Minister) (93)

Prince (singer) (57)

Nancy Reagan (former First Lady) (94)

Janet Reno (first female Attorney General) (78)

Morley Safer (journalist) (84)

Antonin Scalia (Justice of the Supreme Court) (79)

Pat Summitt (women’s basketball coach) (64)

Rod Temperton (songwriter and producer) (66)

Abe Vigoda (actor) (94)

Maurice White (singer) (74)

Elie Wiesel (humanitarian) (87)

Gene Wilder (actor) (83)


HAPPENINGS COMMUNITY HOUSING CLINIC A Community Housing Clinic will be held every Thursday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Department of Neighborhood Development, 26 Court St., Boston, MA. The Community Housing Clinic is a tremendous resource for residents as well as tenants and landlords, to talk one-on-one with a housing professional about landlord-tenant laws, learn how to access affordable housing opportunities and discover housing resources available to landlords and tenants. Tenants can learn about their rights if their building is sold, their rents are rising or they’re facing eviction. Landlords can get information on enforcing lease provisions, cost-effective resources to resolve disputes and programs to support home repairs and maintenance. For more information, call (617) 635-4200. This is a FREE event.

COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID: FSA ID WORKSHOP The College Financial AID: FSA ID Workshop will be held every Saturday from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m. at the Central Library in Copley Square (ASA College Planning Center), 700 Boylston St., Boston, MA. Need help with the college financial aid process? Get assistance by creating a FSA ID, which is the first step in filing your application for Federal Student Aid. For more information, call (617) 536-5400. This is a FREE event.

SCORE4MORE WE LOVE THE KIDS HOLIDAY CELEBRATION Score4More will host We Love the Kids Holiday Celebration on Friday, December 16, 2016 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Melnea Cass Center, 120 Martin Luther King Blvd., Roxbury MA. There will be games, activities and refreshments. Registration is required. To register, visit www.welovethekids2016_s4m.eventbrite.com. This is a FREE event.

HOLIDAY JAZZ CONCERT AND PARTY A Holiday Jazz Concert and Party will be held Saturday, December 17, 2016 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Grove Hall Branch Library, 41 Geneva Ave., Dorchester MA. There will be crafts, refreshments and more. The Matt Sewell Quartet will perform holiday songs. For more information, call (617) 427-3337. This is a FREE event.

DIGITAL ADVERTISING ON A SHOESTRING BUDGET Digital Advertising on a Shoestring Budget will be held Tuesday, December 20, 2016 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at the Central Library in Copley Square (Commonwealth Salon), 700 Boylston St., Boston, MA. Digital advertising and marketing allows companies to easily evaluate the success of different tactics and offers a more flexible approach to marketing in today’s world. However, many smaller budget companies often do not have the financial ability to invest in hiring an outside firm to implement an elaborate digital strategy. This session would focus on some of the ways smaller budget companies can benefit from the increasingly digital marketplace and begin to internalize digital advertising. For more information, call (617) 536-5400. This is a FREE event.

COMMUNITIES OF COLOR AGENDA LISTENING TOUR Join the Massachusetts Black and Latino Legislative Caucus for the Communities of Color Agenda Listening Tour on Tuesday, December 20, 2016 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Hibernian Hall, 184 Dudley St., Roxbury, MA and on Thursday, December 22 at the Lawrence Public Library, 51 Lawrence St., Lawrence, MA. Make your voice heard! Come testify before about education, civil rights, housing, jobs, health, culture, public safety and economic development/justice. For more information, call Sibu Malaba at (617) 722-2688 or email [email protected]. This is a FREE event.


HAPPENINGS (cont’d) KWANZAA CELEBRATIONS

The Community Kwanzaa Committee-Boston is sponsoring a week of events. This year’s theme is “Get Up, Stand Up” My African People. Each day is represented by one of the seven Principles. For more information, call (617) 427-2522 or visit www.blackinfonow.org. All events are free.

• Monday, December 26, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. – Umoja (Unity) at the Roxbury YMCA, 285 Martin Luther King Blvd., Roxbury, MA. Sponsored by Pan Afrikan Cultural Education Inc. (PACE), Jah-Jah Drummers and MAMLEO;

• Tuesday, December 27 at 7:00 p.m. – Kujichagulia (Self-Determination) at St. Katharine Drexel Church, 517 Blue Hill Ave., Dorchester, MA. Sponsored by State Representative Gloria Fox Leadership Forum and Commonwealth Mental Health & Wellness;

• Wednesday, December 28 at 7:00 p.m. – Ujima (Collective Work and Responsibility) at Hibernian Hall, 184 Dudley St. (3rd Floor), Roxbury, MA. Sponsored by OrigiNation Inc., the Osiris Group and Fulani’s Kitchen;

• Thursday, December 29 at 7:00 p.m. – Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics) at Muhammad’s Mosque #11, 10 Washington St., Dorchester, MA. Sponsored by Muhammad’s Mosque #11 and the Osiris Family Institute;

• Friday, December 30 at 7:00 p.m. – Nia (Purpose) at the Roxbury Boys & Girls Club, 115 Warren St., Roxbury, MA. Sponsored by Stajez Dance Co., the National Association of Black Social Workers (Boston) and the Black Economic Justice Institute;

• Saturday, December 31 at 7:00 p.m. – Kuumba (Karamu - Feast Night) (Creativity) at TBD. Sponsored by Roxbury Community College and the NAACP (Boston); and

• Sunday, January 1, 2017 at 4:00 p.m. – Imani (Faith) at the Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists, 300 Walnut Ave., Roxbury, MA. Sponsored by The Black Community Information Center, Inc.

POST-HOLIDAY HELP FOR NEW COMPUTER, TABLET AND E-READER USERS Post-Holiday Help for New Computer, Tablet and E-Reader Users will be held Wednesday, December 28, 2016 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Central Library in Copley Square (Community Learning Center Classroom), 700 Boylston St., Boston, MA. If you’re not sure how to use that new tablet or e-reader you received for the holidays, the BPL is here to help. Register for a 30-minute one-on-one appointment with library staff to set up and get started using your device. By appointment only! To schedule an appointment, call (617) 859-2323 or email [email protected]. This is a FREE event.

FIRST NIGHT/FIRST DAY BOSTON First Night/First Day Boston, the annual New Year’s Eve festival celebration, takes place on Saturday, December 31, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. through Friday, January 1, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. at various locations in the Copley Square area. First Night/First Day Boston provides a communal moment for citizens to celebrate the spirit and communities of Boston and serves as an economic driver by providing opportunities to showcase the business, hospitality and cultural offerings during the holiday season. For a complete list of activities or for more information, visit www.firstnightboston.org. This is a FREE event.


HAPPENINGS (cont’d) MAHA HOMEBUYER CLASSES MAHA HomeBuyer Classes are held monthly at a variety of locations. Graduates from the MAHA classes will receive a certificate which will allow the participant access to a number of programs that assist first–time homebuyers. The certificate is also a requirement for acquiring lottery property and certain mortgage products in Boston and other cities and towns. Graduates are eligible for free one–on–one credit and homebuying counseling. The classes are 12 hours by either attending four evenings or two Saturdays or the cost is $50 per person and $75 per couple. For more information, email Hilda Fernandez at [email protected] or visit www.mahahome.org. The class schedule is as follows:

• Tuesday and Thursday, January 3, 5, 10 and 12, 2017 from 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Dedham Community House, 671 High St., Dedham, MA

• Saturday, January 21 and 28 from 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. at MAHA, 1803 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, MA • Tuesday and Thursday, February 7 and 9 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. and Saturday, February 11 from 9:00 a.m. to

3:00 p.m. at MAHA, 1803 Dorchester Ave., Dorchester, MA

PLAY READING BOOK CLUB The Play Reading Book Club will be held every Saturday at the Dudley Branch Library, 65 Warren St., Roxbury, MA. Gain unique and radical access to plays, artists and conversations at weekly sessions which include reading scripts, discussing artistic and production values and putting on your own showcase for family and friends. No prior knowledge or reading of plays is necessary. To register or for more information, call Akiba Abaka at (617) 824-3071, email [email protected] or visit http://bit.ly/DUDLEYPRBC1617. To learn more about each play, visit www.artsemerson.org. This is a FREE event.

• January 7 through 28, 2017 – Our Secrets by Bela Pinter and Company • March 11 through April 1 – Octavia Butler’s Parable of the Sower by Toshi Reagan

BABY DIAPER BANK A Baby Diaper Bank will be held Saturday, January 7, 2017 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. at the Grove Hall Branch Library, 41 Geneva Ave., Dorchester, MA. If you are a parent of a baby and cannot afford diapers, the Baby Diaper Bank may be for you. The Baby Diaper Bank seeks to meet the needs of income-challenged parents to make sure that they have clean diapers for their babies. For more information, call (617) 427-3337 or visit www.lanniesneighborhood.org. This is a FREE event.


FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16

8:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. Kurt Elling at Scullers Jazz Club in the DoubleTree Guest Suites Hotel, 400 Soldiers Field Rd., Boston, MA. For more information, call (617) 562-4111 or visit www.scullersjazz.com. Kurt Elling also appears on Saturday, December 17 at the times listed.


FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16 (cont’d)


FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16


THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22


FRIDAY, DECEMBER 30

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 31

8:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. Ring in the New Year with the Sounds of New Orleans with Delfeayo Marsalis featuring Cynthia Liggins Thomas with Anthony Wonsey, David Pulphis and Marvin “Smitty” Smith at Scullers Jazz Club in the DoubleTree Guest Suites Hotel, 400 Soldiers Field Rd., Boston, MA. For more information, call (617) 562-4111 or visit www.scullersjazz.com.

9:30 p.m. New Year’s Eve Celebration with Dwight & Nicole at the Regattabar at the Charles Hotel, One Bennett St., Cambridge, MA. For tickets, call (617) 395-7757 or visit www.regattabarjazz.com.


FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 2017


SATURDAY, JANUARY 7


THE ARTS ART


THE ARTS (cont’d) FILMS (In Theaters)

THE BOUNCE BACK Father, author and relationship expert, Matthew Taylor (Shemar Moore) is on a whirlwind book tour promoting his new best seller, The Bounce Back. He's got it all figured out until he meets the sharp and witty Kristin Peralta (Nadine Velaquez), a talk show circuit therapist who's convinced he's nothing but a charlatan. Matthew's life is turned upside down when he inadvertently falls for Kristin and has to face a painful truth of his past relationship.

FENCES Fences is the story of a one-time promising baseball player (Denzel Washington), now working as a Pittsburgh garbage collector, who struggles with race relations in the United States while trying to raise his family in the 1950s. Washington directed the film which also stars Viola Davis, Mykelti Williamson, Russell Hornsby and Saniyya Sidney and opens in theaters on Sunday, December 25

HIDDEN FIGURES

Hidden Figures is the incredible untold story of Katherine Johnson (Taraji P. Henson), Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer) and Mary Jackson (Janelle Monae), brilliant African American women working at NASA, who served as the brains behind one of the greatest operations in history – the launch of astronaut John Glenn into orbit, a stunning achievement that restored the nation’s confidence, turned around the space race and galvanized the world. The visionary trio crossed all gender and race lines to inspire generations to dream big. Hidden Figures opens in theaters on Sunday, December 25.

THE TAKE Michael Mason (Richard Madden) is an American pickpocket living in Paris who finds himself hunted by the CIA when he steals a bag that contains more than just a wallet. Sean Briar (Idris Elba), the field agent on the case, soon realizes that Michael is just a pawn in a much bigger game and is also his best asset to uncover a large-scale conspiracy. Going against commands, Briar recruits Michael to use his expert pickpocketing skills to help quickly track down the source of the corruption. As a 24-hour thrill ride ensues, the unlikely duo discover they are both targets and must rely upon each other in order to take down a common enemy.


HEALTH AND FITNESS FRANKLIN PARK TENNIS ASSOCIATION FREE TENNIS LESSONS Franklin Park Tennis Association will offer Tennis for Everyone every Saturday from 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. at Melnea Cass Recreational Complex, 120 Malcolm X Blvd., Roxbury, MA. Lessons for beginner/intermediate players, children (ages 5 and older) and adults at the same time, but on different courts. This is a drop-in program designed to introduce and reinforce the fundamental skills. Registration is required. For more information or to register, visit www.franklinparktennis.org. This is a FREE event.

BOSTON REACH COALITION MEETING The mission of Boston REACH Coalition is to promote health equity and eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities in Boston. The Boston REACH Coalition is led by the Boston Public Health Commission in partnership with community residents. The Coalition partners with community groups, health care providers, health experts, businesses and faith-based leaders to improve the conditions in neighborhoods that shape the health and well-being of community residents. The Coalition meets on the first Monday of the month. In the case of a holiday, the meeting is held the following Monday. Dinner is served at 5:30 p.m. and the meeting starts at 6:00 p.m. The Coalition membership is open to all and children and youth are welcome. The next meeting will be held January 9, 2017 at the Grove Hall Community Center, 51 Geneva Ave., Dorchester, MA. Refreshments will be served. For more information, call (617) 534-2291 or visit www.bphc.org. This is a FREE event.

PROSTATE CANCER SUPPORT GROUP MEETING Dana Farber/Brigham and Women's Cancer Center offers a Prostate Cancer Support Group Meeting every second Wednesday of the month. The next meeting will be held January 11, 2016 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Dana–Farber Cancer Institute (Smith Building, Room 308–309), 44 Binney St., Boston, MA. This support group focuses on the needs of Black men. Meet with prostate cancer survivors, talk with leading medical specialists and understand your treatment options. Everyone is invited, food will be served and parking is free. For more information, call Mark Kennedy at (617) 632–6694 or visit www.prostatehealthed.org. This is a FREE event.

friday, december 16, 2016 volume 12, number 23 the...

Documents