Happy 201st Birthday, Brighton

Today officially marks the end of the Brighton-Allston Bicentennial.

The past year brought:

1. Opening of the Brighton-Allston Heritage Museum;
   
2. Recreation of the human flag on the steps of Brighton High School;
   
3. Riverfest at Herter Park along the Charles River;
   
4. Bicentennial Garden Tour;
5. Concert on the BRA's City Hall Plaza;
6. Concert by the Air Force Band at Chandler's Pond;
7. Allston Village Street Fair preceded by the Allston-Brighton Day Parade; and
   
8. Gala Jubilee in the new WGBH nuclear aircraft carrier. (Who was Charlie really dancing with?)
   

The coolest thing about all these, is that #1 continues on past the 200th year (the museum even has its own blog), and #6 (Air Force Band concert) and 7 (Allston Village Street Fair) were so successful that they may also continue this year -- or at least some people made that suggestion.

The Allston-Brighton TAB has a short video with images and narration about the history of Brighton for those who want the multimedia experience.

The entire community should thank the organizing committee for the bicentennial and all of its subcommittees. And especially, we should thank the co-chairs of the bicentennial committee: Theresa Hynes and Tim Schofield. Schofield got a lousy-paying position in the process -- instead of getting a better-paid one -- and Hynes got a nice little park during the past year. I think she got the better deal.

There is one piece of unfinished business: acquisition of a new piece of open space for the community. Stay tuned.

Oh, and I almost forgot: the last day of the 200th year was supposed to have a flea sale at the site of the Brighton-Allston Heritage Museum. It snowed a lot the day before, so they postponed the fire sale flea sale until Saturday, March 8th.

I hope they didn't sell off any of those old artifacts, especially not the diorama, based on the 1875 map of Brighton -- the earliest known surveyor's map of the town -- that's got my 1865 house on it.

Brighton-Allston Bicentennial Jubilee Saturday Night

The Brighton - Allston Bicentennial Committee Members
Cordially Invite You To The Bicentennial Jubilee

At The New WGBH Building
1 Guest St., Brighton, MA 02135

Featuring “Herb Reed” And “The Platters”

Saturday, November 17, 2007
6:30 pm to 12:00 am
Gourmet Hors D’oeuvres & Cash Bar

Tickets:   $50 per person [CORRECTED]

Contact Terri Weida (617) 254 1950 -- no tickets available at the door, call by Friday

Tickets can also be purchased at http://www.brighton-allston200.com

Scenes From the Allston-Brighton Day Bicentennial Parade

The Allston-Brighton Day Parade took place on Sunday, September 23 following the Brian Honan 5-K Race and Walk. I missed out running the race due to a sore ankle, but watched it and the parade in their entirety. The events this year were part of the Brighton-Allston Bicentennial Celebration, which meant that there were far more entries in the parade, particularly marching bands.

While all the candidates joined in the parade, one of them also ran in the 5-K. Here's a look at Team Selvig a bit before he shook my hands with his sweaty one:


I didn't see Representative Kevin Honan running or walking, which I believe he did last year. Hope nothing's wrong.

Oddest thing? The parade was led by Mayor Menino. No, that's not weird. But he was alongside Westwood resident and former A-B District City Councilor Jerry McDermott. It has been a long time since anyone I know has seen McDermott around these parts. Welcome back to town!

OK, one more thing that was really odd: campaign literature handed out for Joe Jaworski, candidate for the Texas State Senate District 11. We've got enough candidates here already, take him away!

I think it was last year when At-Large City Councilor Felix Arroyo trailed his entourage by a full two, if not three, city blocks due to his thorough hand-shaking. This time he was just under two blocks behind his team -- the Councilor was personally handing-out candies to everyone, including the police -- and At-Large City Councilor Sam Yoon was even further behind his guys. But both were eclipsed by candidate Greg "Where's Waldo?" Glennon, who seemed to be just a few steps ahead of the street sweepers -- and probably four blocks behind his team. OK, maybe I exaggerate a little bit:


Speaking of Arroyo and Yoon: they teamed up to follow immediately behind candidate Tim Schofield, reinforcing their endorsements of his candidacy and attempting a bit of cross-pollination:


Note to Tim: bring along a big-@$$ car for the next parade!

Boston College Vice President Thomas Keady, Jr., found his next calling in life as a groupie trailing alongside the BC Marching Band. I'm not sure how much sleep he got after his midnight-3am shift in the BC Police patrol car last night.

Candidate Rosie Hanlon's entourage included her own white monster SUV, a gray convertible -- and an ambulance color-coordinated with her red-white-and-blue campaign signs. I'm not sure if she's appealing to the St. E.'s institutional expansion crowd or the elderly vote:


Candidate Mark Ciommo was definitely going after the elderly vote this time -- not the pirates, because everyone was wearing an official shirt -- with his trolley transporting seniors. Are those trolleys going to be seen all around town on Tuesday ferrying seniors to the polls? He was also right ahead of the Carpenters Local #40 group, another cross-pollination effort:


At-Large City Councilor Stephen Murphy didn't shake my hand. Again. Sure, I look like a bearded hippy with questionable personal cleanliness -- but I really did shower an hour or two earlier.

Prime Realty won the "Best Favor Award" again this year with their frisbee in a goodies bag. (EDIT 9/24 8:00 pm): I can't believe I forgot about Rosie Hanlon's hand towels! They were throwing us the the towels -- not to be confused with her throwing in the towel. I am changing this to a tie for the award.

At-Large City Councilor Michael Flaherty was way up there near the front of the parade -- trying to stay far ahead of the street sweepers pulling up the rear:


Note to the Councilor: there are no cars parked on this street because they got towed. It's kinda hard to have a parade with all those cars parked all over the place.

Finally, it wouldn't be a parade without a bit of performance art. Here's Ms. Brighton-
Allston with her two babies -- you guessed it, Brighton and Allston:

Brighton Allston Bicentennial Events This Sunday 9/23: 5-K Race, Parade, Street Fair

This Sunday, September 23rd, sees two staple events -- the Brian Honan 5-K Road Race and the Allston-Brighton Parade -- join with the new Allston Village Street Fair to make a day of fun for everyone. It's all part of the Brighton Allston Bicentennial year of celebration. I'm hoping that my new classification as a master leads to a good result in the race... you can also root for racer State Rep. Kevin Honan along the way.

Sunday, September 23rd
12:00 (noon) -- Brian Honan 5-K Road Race: Start/finish at The Kells of Boston, 161 Brighton Avenue, Allston, MA. Race goes west along Brighton Avenue, southwest on Cambridge Street, west on Washington Street, then turns around near the Swan Cleaners just before Oak Square.

1:00 pm -- Allston-Brighton Parade: start in Allston Village Barry's Corner, otherwise same route as the race, ending in Oak Square. (Note: the starting time is unclear. A-B TAB announces it as 1:00 pm, while Tolman/Moran/Honan flyer I received in the mail [twice] said 1:30 pm.)

12:00 - 6:00 pm -- Allston Village Street Fair: on Harvard Avenue between Brighton Avenue and Cambridge Street. Food vendors, music groups, and children's activities (face painting, Storymobile, clown, moonbounce, etc.). website

2:30 - 6:00 pm -- Post-Parade Party in the Park: sponsored by Representative Michael Moran. At Hardiman "Tar" Park, Oak Square.

U.S. Air Force Band of Liberty Plays at Chandler Pond

The U.S. Air Force "Band of Liberty" celebrated its 60th year -- and Brighton-Allston's 200th -- with an outdoor, evening concert Thursday night (8/9) in Gallagher Park next to Chandler Pond in Brighton. I would guess that 400 or so people were in attendance.

Following the opening number, the Air Force Band had a well-timed fly-over. Not by a Stealth Fighter or the Blue Angles, but a flock of Canada Geese headed towards Chandler's shores to make their 1-pound daily deposit. Actually, the grass and sidewalks near the pond currently have less goose-goo than in recent years, although that may be a function of our recent, heavy rain.

The guest conductor was none other than Senior Master Sergeant Bill Drury, better known locally as a conductor of wind ensembles at New England Conservatory and the Boston Conservatory. His standard military post is conducting the Air National Guard Band on Cape Cod.

As you might expect, the Air Force Band played nothing but American music, but it had a surprisingly wide range of styles:

1. Star Spangled Banner, *sung by Michelle Felicia
2. Paul Creston: Celebration Overture. A mid-20th century composer known for many changes of meter and diatonic writing, this work is popular among wind ensembles
   
3. Henry Fillmore: Men of Ohio March. Early 20th century band composer known for "Lassus Trombone"
4. Leonard Bernstein: "Tonight" *
5. Bernstein: West Side Story Suite (un-attributed arrangement for wind ensemble)
6. George Gershwin: "Someone to Watch Over me" *
7. Gershwin: "I Got Rhythm" *
8. unannounced big band number, maybe Lionel Hampton
9. Major Glenn Miller: "In the Mood". Perennial crowd favorite, especially the dancing children
   
10. Benny Goodman: medley, ending with "Sing, Sing, Sing"
11. "Freedom", first popularized by Wynonna Judd *
12. Service Marches: Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Goast Guard, and Air Fforce
13. God Bless America, in a power ballad arrangement
14. [encore] John Philip Sousa: Stars and Stripes Forever March

The event was put on as part of the Brighton-Allston Bicentennial celebration, co-sponsored by Boston Parks and Recreation, Brighton Main Streets, Brighton Board of Trade, and Chandler Pond Preservation Society. Rosie Hanlon claims to have extracted a promise out of Master Sergeant Drury to return again next summer.

Deet bug spray provided by Boston Parks and Recreation Department. Bravo!

Air Force Band Concert at Chandler Pond: Thursday 8/9 at 7 pm

Thursday, August 9
7:00 - 9:00 pm
Chandler Pond, Brighton

The U.S. Air Force Band will play at Chandler’s Pond, off Lake Shore Road, to celebrate the bicentennial of Allston-Brighton from 7-9 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 9. Families are invited and encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets and picnic baskets to enjoy the summer evening event. This event is co-sponsored by Boston Parks and Recreation, Brighton Main Streets and Brighton Board of Trade.

Also see the calendar at the Brighton-Allston Bicentennial webpage.

Bring bug repellent.

Brighton-Allston Bicentennial: Free Concert on City Hall Plaza Wednesday Night at 7pm

Boston’s longest-running outdoor concert series returns for its 34th year with Mayor Thomas M. Menino as host. Show begins at 7 p.m. at City Hall Plaza.

July 11 — Brighton-Allston Bicentennial Celebration with Charlie Thomas’ Drifters and the Tokens featuring Jay Siegel.

Allston-Brighton Garden Tour Saturday 10am-4pm

Saturday, July 7, 10am - 4pm: Allston-Brighton Garden and Horticultural Club Bicentennial Garden Tour. Tickets at Minihane's Flower and Garden Shop (425 Washington St Brighton, MA 02135, 617-254-1130) or Amanda's Flower Studios (347 Washington St Brighton, MA 02135, 617-782-0686).

Tickets: $10 in advance, $15 day of (at Minihane's or a Garden Club Table in front of the Oak Square YMCA).

Tour maps and brochures with the garden descriptions will be available the day of the tour at all of the gardens as well as the two ticket sale locations.

This year will be a unique tour, different from our past events-- in honor of the neighborhood's Bicentennial, all of the featured locations this year will be an encore viewing of some of our favorite gardens from the past eight years, with many more gardens than in a typical year- 21 in total. You may plan on spending most of the day visiting these peaceful havens, or, as with a menu, choose your favorites to visit and savor.

For more information contact the Brighton-Allston Historical Society at 617-782-8483 or Wilma Wetterstrom 617-787-9844.

Part of the Brighton-Allston Bicentennial.

Rescheduled: Walking Tour of History of Brighton Center Area

Rescheduled Walking Tour of Central Brighton

Because of inclement weather, the walking of Central Brighton led by Bill Marchione as part of his Bicentennial Lecture Series had to be rescheduled to the following date and time:

Sunday, July 1, 3:00 pm: The tour will begin from the front of the Brighton Branch Library at 40 Academy Hill Road. It will take in the historical high points of the Brighton Center area. It should last about 90 minutes. The tour is free and all are cordially invited.

Other Brighton-Allston Bicentennial Events coming up:

Saturday, July 7, 10am - 4pm: Allston-Brighton Garden and Horticultural Club Bicentennial Garden Tour. Tickets at Minihane's Flower Shop and Amanda's Flower Shop, or call Wilma Wetterstrom 617-787-9844.

Saturday, July 7, 7:00 pm: Brighton-Allston Bicentennial Concert at City Hall Plaza, free concert by the Drifters and the Tokens. Contact Theresa Hynes for more information 617-782-1718.

Brighton-Allston Bicentennial Riverfest Last Saturday

Last Saturday was the Brighton-Allston Bicentennial's Riverfest at Herter Park along the Charles River. Event co-chairs Catherine McGarty and Tim Schofield put on a great event with lots of activities oriented towards families. Many, many volunteers contributed their time, too, so that the event seemed to happen without a hitch.

View of the festivities from the Charles River:


Boat ride on the Charles, with tour guide Charlie Vasiliades:

Many adults quickly figured out that this boat was the only place in the event that had a (cash) bar.

Pony rides:


And, of course, the requisite "moon walk" -- actually a castle:

Riverfest This Saturday (6/16) at Herter Park Along the Charles River

Brighton-Allston Bicentennial 2007

Riverfest at the Charles River
Saturday, June 16, 2007
10:00 am - 6:00 pm
Herter Park
Brighton, MA
A-B TAB Community Notes listing

We expect thousands to attend this major outdoor family-friendly event, which will offer fun, food, and festivities for all ages including music, pony rides, face painting, clowns, art exhibits, and boat rides on the Charles River. The River Fair will take place in Herter Park, which hugs the Charles River in Allston-Brighton and includes playgrounds, picnic tables, a theater, and ample free parking.

How to find it? Located between the Arsenal Street Bridge and the Eliot Bridge on the south side of the Charles River. Direct access from North Brighton/Allston via Everett Street.

Children’s Activities 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Get free tickets at the “Welcome Tent.”

10 a.m.-4 p.m.(tentative) — Fishing lessons along river;

10 a.m.-4 p.m. — Pony rides-four ponies at the Children’s Grove;

10 a.m.-4 p.m. — 20-by-20 moonbounce at Riverside;

10 a.m.-4 p.m. — Children’s Hi Striker Children’s Grove;

10 a.m.-4 p.m. — Speed Pitch-attended at Riverside;

10 a.m.-4 p.m. — Inflatable Obstacle Course at Riverside;

10:30 a.m.-4 p.m.— Magic Shows, 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m. at the Children’s Grove Tent; between magic shows— Additional child games and entertainment in the Children’s Grove Tent;

11 a.m.-2 p.m. — Face decorating and stamping in the Children’s Grove;

11 a.m.-2 p.m. — Bubble Entertainment and Bubble Blowing in the Children’s Grove;

11 a.m.-2 p.m. — Balloon entertainment in Wandering;

10 a.m.-4 p.m. — Boat rides on the hour, $5, river dock (buy tickets at the Welcome Tent);

10 a.m.-4 p.m. — Adult Hi Striker at Children’s Grove.

Music Stage 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

10-10:55 a.m. — Phil Ayoub;

11:15 a.m.-12:10 p.m. — Grupo Chevere;

12:30-1:25 p.m. — Half Moon;

1:30-2 p.m. (tentative) Mayor Thomas Menino;

2-3:45 p.m. — Joshua Tree;

4:05-5 p.m. — Soul City;

5:15-6 p.m. — Sinha Capoeira.

Volunteers are needed. Please call Tim Schofield at 617-557-4545 or Theresa Hynes at 617-782-1718.

A-B Bicentennial Lecture Tonight: Allston Village/Union Sq/Lower Comm Ave

Brighton-Allston Bicentennial Lecture Series III:
Allston Village / Union Square / Lower Commonwealth Avenue
Lecturer: Bill Marchione, President of the Brighton-Allston Historical Society
Thursday, May 24, 7:30 pm
Joseph Smith Theater, Jackson-Mann Community Center
40 Armington Street, Allston, MA 02134

Here is a flyer with information on the lectures and walking tours.

A-B Bicentennial Planning Meeting: Monday, 5/21, at 7:00 pm

If you're not already planning on attending the meeting of the BC Neighbors Forum, then...


Brighton-Allston Bicentennial
Planning Meeting

Monday, May 21, 7:00 pm
Green Briar Restaurant & Pub
304 Washington Street
Brighton Center

Topic: Planning for Bicentennial Riverfest at Herter Park
(across from WBZ on Soldiers Field Road) on June 16, 2007

More information: contact Tim Schofield, 617-557-4545

Brighton-Allston Bicentennial: Children Form Human Flag

Location: steps of Brighton High School, 25 Warren Street, Brighton. School children from all over the neighborhood gathered on May 11, 2007 to celebrate the bicentennial year of Brighton's founding (after seceding from Cambridge). This "human flag" recreates a similar event at the centennial celebration in 1907.

Co-chairs of the bicentennial organizing committee: Theresa Hynes and Tim Schofield:

Human Flag Recreation: This Morning at 8:30!

Part of the Brighton-Allston Bicentennial celebration.

Re-creation of the Centennial Living Flag at Brighton High School, 8:30-10 a.m. This event will re-create the “Living Flag” which was the cornerstone of the Centennial Celebration in 1907. More than 400 children from local schools dressed in red, white and blue and holding colored bunting will be arranged to form a living American flag. Location is the steps of Brighton High School. An ice cream party will follow.

Brighton High School, 25 Warren Street, Brighton.