Does this strike you as beauty?
Beth Wolfensberger Singer is a Boston-based artist. You can see more of her work at Bethwolfensbergersinger.com.
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CBS News
5 hours ago
- CBS News
Students head to the movies in Massachusetts for opportunity to learn new lessons from films
Middle and high school students in the Boston area are leaving their classrooms to learn lessons at the movie theater. The Coolidge Corner Theater in Brookline just wrapped up its first year of the Coolidge Classroom. The program, created with local teachers, is designed to enhance classroom lessons, highlighting everything from social studies to science to language. "Teachers value this program," said Sophie Blum, the director of education at the theater. "We didn't know when we launched this program what the response would be." Enhancing classroom lessons During the pilot year, Coolidge Classroom welcomed more than 2,000 students, showing six films over the course of six months. "It's a change of pace. I feel students want to learn some real life content," said Xiaoxu Jing, a Mandarin Chinese teacher at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School. "I think good movies have very good educational value, similarly to how good books have good educational value," said senior Neva Vuletic. Jing's students screened "The Farewell," written and directed by Boston College alumna Lulu Wang. The movie, about a Chinese-American woman who learns her grandmother has a terminal illness, features both English and Mandarin. "It was really good for us to know Chinese to watch this movie," said freshman Hugo Shiung. "There's, like, two layers to the movie, if you know another language. The English layer with the subtitles but also there's a whole other language with slightly altered meanings." Connecting with each other After watching the film, Blum helps lead the conversation, engaging the students as well as their teacher. "The goal of Coolidge Classroom, beyond curriculum, is to give students who wouldn't necessarily have an opportunity to connect with each other something to talk about," said Blum. "Everybody should get the chance to not only see an interesting movie but see with their classmates," said junior Naveen Tuio. Everything, from the lunch and popcorn to the transportation, is free for the schools and students. "The breadth of dialogue that you can get in a program like Coolidge Classroom that you can't get if you just stay in your own classroom, in your own school, in your own neighborhood," said Blum. "That's been my favorite part of the program so far." There are already eight movies scheduled to be screened for the upcoming school year, including the Academy Award-winning film "Flow."
Los Angeles Times
6 hours ago
- Los Angeles Times
Walter Scott of R&B group the Whispers dies at 81
Walter Scott, who with his twin brother Wallace founded the Los Angeles-based R&B group the Whispers — a hit-making force in the 1970s and '80s with songs like 'And the Beat Goes On,' 'Rock Steady,' 'Lady' and 'Seems Like I Gotta Do Wrong' — died Thursday, according to multiple media outlets, including Billboard and the Los Angeles Sentinel. He was 81. The Sentinel reported that Scott's family said he died in Northridge after a six-month bout with cancer. With a smooth, danceable sound built on sturdy post-disco rhythms and carefully arranged group vocals, the Whispers put 15 songs inside the Top 10 of Billboard's R&B chart; 'And the Beat Goes On' reached No. 1 in 1980, followed by 'Rock Steady,' which topped the tally in 1987. The band's music was widely sampled in later years, including by 50 Cent, Mobb Deep, J. Cole and Will Smith, the last of whom used 'And the Beat Goes On' as the basis for his late-'90s hit 'Miami.' In a post on Instagram, the musician and filmmaker Questlove described Scott as 'one of the most trusted voices in '70s soul music' and compared him to 'the talented uncle in the family….who btw could DUST you inna min w his dizzying blink & you lost him squiggle gee doo dweedy scatlibs.' Scott was born in 1944 in Fort Worth, Texas, and later moved to L.A. with his family; he and his brother started singing as students at Jordan High School, according to the Sentinel, and formed the Whispers in the mid-'60s with Nicholas Caldwell, Marcus Hutson and Gordy Harmon. The group spent time in San Francisco before Scott was drafted to serve in the Vietnam War. The group recorded for a series of record companies but found its biggest success on Dick Griffey's Solar label. The Whispers were inducted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame and the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame. Billboard said Scott is survived by his wife, Jan; two sons; three grandchildren and his brother.
Forbes
6 hours ago
- Forbes
Best Spots For VIP Views Of Boston's 2025 Independence Day Fireworks
As the rest of the country gears up for celebrating USA 250 next year, we in New England have been marking that milestone for a few years now. Starting two years ago with the anniversary of the Boston Tea Party, we have also hosted reinactments of the Battles of Lexington and Concord, and this weekend in my hometown of Newburyport, we are hosting a Road to the Revolution parade this weekend. So you know Independence Day celebrations have also taken on an additional sparkle this year in the roll up to official independence. Celebrate our nation's independence in the place where it all began. getty So of course it's not just a day – it's practically a week of festivities. Boston Harborfest kicks off on July 2 with activities and fireworks. And this part of the party is capped on July 4 with the traditional Boston Pops concert on the Esplanade. Here are a few choice locations for catching fireworks over the Independence holiday. Enjoy a seafood platter paired with Don Julio 1942 at Yotel on July 2. Yotel This Seaport District spot offer sweeping rooftop views of Boston's downtown and waterfront, making it the perfect spot to watch the Harborfest fireworks while feasting on the Deck 12 SmashBurger, Fish & Chips, or New England Lobster Roll; and the Ultimate Seafood Tower — an impressive spread of local oysters, chilled crab, jumbo shrimp, and tuna poke paired with a 260mL pour of Don Julio 1942, perfect for parties of three or more. Want to be in the thick of things? It's about a 15-minute walk to Christopher Columbus Park where you can hear a rousing concert by the U.S. Navy Band Northeast before the fireworks, or a few short blocks to Fan Pier Park for one of the best harbor views around. On July 2, the Harborfest fireworks will be launched from a barge at Boston's Long Wharf, just a couple block north of this property, which is directly on Boston Harbor. Book a water view room for the night, make a reservation on the Harborwalk Terrace or on the Sea Grille patio to catch the fireworks while listening to Soul Monstahs performing on a barge during the property's Summer in the City series. With one of the biggest waterfront patios in the city, Kristin Canty's farm-to-table spot offers a front row seat to the Harborfest fireworks show. Reservations are suggested, but not required for July 2. Esplanade, July 4th See the boats on the Charles and the Esplanade fireworks from the Liberty Hotel. The Liberty Hotel Stay and Play: Liberty Hotel Skip the hours-long traffic jams and book a room for the night at this hotel on the edge of the Charles River. Dive into the fray – it's just steps from The Esplanade's Hatch Memorial Shell across the footbridge— or stake out any number of spaces on property – you can see the sky display from the hotel's outdoor courtyard, The Yard, restaurant Alibi's patio, or the fourth-floor balcony catwalk, as well as the posh Charles River Suites. For a truly VIP experience, purchase a ticket to the property's July 4th 'Sail-abration.' Exclusively for hotel guests, the $394.20 ticket per person includes unobstructed waterfront views of the Boston Pops fireworks, Ben & Jerry's ice cream, unlimited Polar Beverages (water & seltzer), a live DJ, face painting, and a photobooth. To book that, contact the concierge team at concierage@ Stars, Stripes and Skylines: The Revere Hotel From 6 to 9 p.m., this hotel's rooftop will host a high-energy celebration for its Stars, Stripes & Skylines party. Skyline views will offer a variety of vantage points for seeing sparks fly, a live DJ will be spinning patriotic and summer hits and there will be photo ops with Uncle Sam, along with rooftop TVs streaming the show from the Esplanade. Guests will also enjoy BBQ bites, pop-up spirit tastings, and beat-the-heat party favors.— Tickets are $39.19 per person and can be purchased HERE. Or spend the night – the Stars, Stripes & City Lights room package, available for stays from July 3 through July 6, with a minimum two-night stay, guests will receive 15% off the Best Available Rate, a waived guest amenity fee, two tickets to the hotel's signature rooftop party, and a festive welcome amenity with summer essentials. For more information or to book, please visit HERE. Enjoy cocktails and possibly dozens of fireworks displays at View Boston. View Boston Bird's Eye Spectacle: View Boston From this restaurant and observation deck at the top of the Prudential building, you will not only see the fireworks over the Esplanade, you'll also see dozens of displays sprawling out in all directions. On a clear night, you can see for 33 miles, which means you might glimpse displays from Beverly to Bellingham. General Admission is $49.99, and includes access to the observation deck.
