history

History Demolished & Disrespected: Wollaston Theatre

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Wollaston Theatre

Back in 2007, I started writing about the Wollaston Theatre. Since Quincy is the City of Presidents, I wrongly thought that there would be a special appreciation and unique effort to restore this once lovely old movie house. I wrote about Wollaston Theatre again in 2008, 2009 and 2010. I hoped that things would end differently.

Silly me. What was I thinking? Of course money trumps everything else. The beloved Wolly was smashed to bits. The Change.org petition was a nice idea, but it was all to no avail.

No doubt owner Michael Fang, owner of the C-Mart supermarket chain, will be able to sell the land for a pretty penny. Probably another luxury apartment building will be built. Maybe condos.

Something most likely beyond the reach of most people instead of what could have been a wonderful community space. That seems to be the direction of things in Quincy. Many will soon be priced out.

Wollaston_Theatre_Demolished

I just took these pictures today, so my feelings are fresh. It was shocking to see nothing left. I am so disappointed. Wollaston Theatre is really gone.

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You Wanna See Hamilton, But Don’t Vote?

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House_Democrats_Sit-in

If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything. I wasn’t the first to say it, but I believe it.

And standing for something is what many of our Democratic Representatives are doing with support from some Democratic Senators too. In solidarity they are standing up for the victims of gun violence and for those of us left with lives to lose.

When I heard that civil rights icon John Lewis was leading the call with a sit-in, I was enthralled. Still am. It couldn’t have been written any better. How cinematic and extraordinary.

Many of us have been complaining about our representatives lack of action when it comes to gun violence. Rise up! They have!

As I write this, they have been holding the floor of the people’s house for nearly 24 hours. We are witnesses to history. Isn’t it fitting that at the same time, Alexander Hamilton the musical is making history too? I’m listening to the cast recording as I write this. Not many of us can get enough of it. It’s engaging and addictive.

Tickets to the show in Chicago have been reported to be selling for as much as $10,000.00. With low voter participation being such a problem in this country, I wonder what percentage of people who attend the show actually vote. Is the show about a Founding Father completely lost on most?

The best way for us to get our shot is to vote and get involved with politics on some level. Are we part of the solution?

We have so many levels of problems in this country. If we all tackle something, I truly believe that we can make a huge difference. We the people. Three little words. The start of one of the most beautiful documents ever. It’s us.

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. ~ Preamble to the United States Constitution

When they wrote “our Posterity”, they were thinking about us. Now. But it’s up to us to do something. Life is an experiment. This country is an experiment. All we can do is try to think about the kind of world and country that we want to live in. Insure domestic tranquility.

Is what is happening now the American Dream? I don’t think so. Republicans are content to have us gunned down walking home. Gunned down in a theater. Gunned down in church. Gunned down in school. Gunned down anywhere. They think it’s okay.

We can’t pursue Happiness when we are in fear for our lives. It seems the only lives the Republicans have concern for are unborn. After that, we’re on our own.

We have to do better. We can do better. It’s time. I’m a Sanders supporter, but you better believe I will still vote. I’m not giving away my shot. Neither should you. History has its eyes on you.

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Screenshot: Los Angeles Times

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Summer Solstice Strawberry Moon

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moon rising in the sky

If you follow me on Instagram, you know that I love taking pictures of the tops of trees touching the sky.  Especially at dusk as the moon rises. It might be my favorite time of day. Maybe because I was born at night.

This past week I watched the moon becoming more full and tonight it’s the full strawberry moon.

It’s also summer solstice. The longest day of the year and the first day of summer! The first time that the two have coincided since 1967, the Summer of Love. Back then it was a time filled with chaos and change.

Based on the horrific and tragic event last week at Pulse and the looming Democratic and Republican conventions, it looks like we might be in for another long hot summer. I hope that as a nation we can do better than 1967 — heal and move towards light and love.

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The Citgo Sign

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Citgo Sign Boston

As I was thinking about writing a post this morning, I found this picture. I don’t remember if I blogged it before, but I do remember hearing recently that the sign might be taken down due to a change in ownership.

The Citgo sign is more than a sign. It’s a way to orient yourself as you make your way around the city. When you’ve been away, it’s a familiar sight that welcomes you back to Boston.

At night, the glow is beautiful. It’s synonymous with Kenmore Square. It’s one of those things that makes Boston, Boston. Like the gas tank on the Expressway. It’s iconic. What used to be just a sign has very much transformed into something else and I hope it will be preserved.

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To generate creative ideas, you have to start from an unusual place. But to explain those ideas, you have to connect them to something familiar.  ~ Adam Grant

The above quote from an article by Adam Grant has also resonated with me lately. I’m not sure if it directly relates to the status of the sign, but somehow they are connecting in my mind….

Edgar Allen Poe Statue in Boston

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Edgar Allen Poe Square in Boston

We had another unseasonably warm day in Boston yesterday. Since I was already downtown meeting with someone for an article that I am working on, I decided to enjoy the weather and walk around a bit afterwards.

Edgar Allen Poe is a favorite writer of mine, and a new statute of him was just unveiled in Boston this past Sunday, October 5th.

Edgar Allen Poe Statue in Boston

I walked over to Edgar Allen Poe Square and took a look for myself. It’s so much smaller than I expected! There were a few other people walking around looking and taking pictures too.

If you were walking and not paying attention, say looking down at your phone, it would be quite easy to smash into it and take quite a topple.

The directions that I was given by various people were sketchy at best. Let me give you the benefit of my wandering around and make it easier for you to find.

If you take the T, get out at Boylston Street on the Green Line. After you exit, cross the street onto Boylston Street and walk away from Boston Common towards Charles Street and looking at Park Square.

While I was admiring the statue, I couldn’t help but think about all the negative comments Poe made about the city of his birth. He was not fond of Boston.

Does he like this or is he rolling over in his grave? Something to think about with Halloween arriving soon and the man who wrote to terrify now conjured up and walking amongst us. The “Do Not Enter” sign appearing before him might just be taking on a whole new meaning…..