Laurel Grill and Bar, one of my favorite places in Boston, has been sold and officially closed its doors tonight. Time to find a new watering hole, probably just wherever our favorite bartender Eryl goes!
It was a pretty impressive crowd that showed up to say good-bye tonight, especially since nobody knew it was going to happen until a day or two ago. The Facebook event page helped, but mostly I think it was word of mouth. People love that place and they love the staff. Here’s a few pictures from tonight. They’re not great, taken with my iPhone, but they do document a special night.
Academic Freedom Media Review, August 21-27
Compiled by Scholars at Risk
The Scholars at Risk media review seeks to raise awareness about academic freedom issues in the news. Subscription information and archived media reviews are available here. The views and opinions expressed in these articles are not necessarily those of Scholars at Risk.
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Call for Urgent Action for Detained Mechanical Engineering Professor Abdul Jalil Al-Singace of Bahrain
Scholars at Risk, 8/27
A Recovery at Risk
David Moltz, Inside Higher Ed, 8/27
U. of Louisiana Board Postpones Vote on Tenure
The Chronicle of Higher Education, 8/27
Iran Launches New Crackdown On Universities
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 8/26
Vietnamese Professor Detained
NEAR International, 8/26
A straight case of discrimination? Lawsuits come in all shades for US institutions
Jon Marcus, Times Higher Education, 8/26
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I'll Never Understand Musical Genres
Cory Branan
I thought maybe it was time to put together a new play list, so I went off searching for tracks on Rhapsody. The genres of the songs that came up amused me. I was surprised by the variety and by the nature of many of them. Some were simple and frequently used, like Vocal Jazz, Folk, Pop… Then there were other genres that I knew, but that it was hard to tell the difference between. Like what is the difference between Americana, Folk Pop, Alt Country and plain old Folk? And there were the bizarre ones that I had never heard of. What about Pop Punk, Post-modern Pop, Adult Alternative and Alt/Punk? What are they and what is the difference between them? Anyway, here is the play list. Enjoy!
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"Depression" by Ryan Bingham
The album, Junky Star, releases in three day on August 31st. The first single, “Depression“, is available now. I know this sounds like advertising, and it would be if I were getting paid. Hesperidine and natural extracts from Vein Protex tadalafil 10mg uk composition show a beneficial effect on blood circulation, preventing the formation of acidic crystals, improving digestion, curing weight loss and detoxification of liver are other advantages of using apple cider vinegar. Well, the quantity varies cialis 5 mg from person to person. 2. You should see overnight cialis tadalafil purchased here the reviews of the customers related on the website about the product. People who suffer from issues relating to premature ejaculation also experience mild problems with erectile dysfunction, and vice versa. cialis super active I’m just excited! I’ve heard most of the tracks on the record, and it’s going to meet expectation. Here’s one.
Here’s a little clip in which Ryan talks about the disc.
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Academic Freedom Media Review, August 14-20
Speak, by R. Baxter © All Rights Reserved
“I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.”
— from the Friends of Voltaire
When Laura Schlessinger quit her job this week, she made claims about violations of free speech and her first amendment rights. This is absurd. Her show is on commercial radio network. The First Amendment applies to the government infringing on free speech; a commercial network needs to think about the listeners or viewers, as well as the advertisers. Laura Schlessinger is free to use the “N-word” as much as she wants in the privacy of her own home, and speeches for organizations that share her views, or just out on the street if she’s prepared to deal with the consequences.
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Notre-Dame Basilica, Montreal
This is not a particularly spectacular story, but it is about a spectacular place! Enjoy!
Faves: Sharon Jones, Avett Brothers, Swell Season, Tim Barry and Gaslight Anthem
The Newport Folk Festival dates back to 1959, but has always adhered to a somewhat loose definition of “folk.” Among the people who played there in the early days of the festival and early in their careers were Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Johnny Cash and Howlin’ Wolf. More recently people as diverse as Jakob Dylan, The Decemberists, The Low Anthem, Jimmy Buffett, Nickel Creek, the Allman Brothers Band, Agenlique Kidjo, and Emmylou Harris have played the festival that now takes place annually at Fort Adams State Park.
This year’s festival was impressive, as usual. We got there just in time to see Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings. As usual they were brilliant. Sharon Jones interacts with her audience more than any other performer I have seen live, and if you get a chance to see her in a small club, do. She’ll bring folks on stage to sing to them, or even to have them sing and dance with her. She singles people in the audience out for recognition when they show affection, and she handles unruliness with particular dexterity. I wasn’t sure how that would play out in the noonday sun on the highly elevated stage in Fort Adams State Park.
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Lessons Learned on a Dusk Ride
South Natick
Here’s my ride from today. I was gone about 50 minutes by I took a nice long break just to sit and think in front of the dam in South Natick. I love that spot.
I took this ride on impulse around 6:30 as it was getting dark. Thanks to my contemplative rest, I was out long enough for dusk to start settling in. So I made a few mental notes:
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Academic Freedom Media Review, July 31-August 6
Academic Freedom Media Review
July 31 – August 6, 2010
Compiled by Scholars at Risk
The Scholars at Risk media review seeks to raise awareness about academic freedom issues in the news. Subscription information and archived media reviews are available here or at their site. The views and opinions expressed in these articles are not necessarily those of Scholars at Risk.
U. of Miami President Halted at Israeli Airport
The Chronicle of Higher Education, 8/6
Iran’s publish ‘at any cost’ mentality blamed for surge in academic fraud
Hannah Fearn, Times Higher Education, 8/5
I swear I am just doing my job
Rebecca Attwood, Times Higher Education, 8/5
Three Student Activists Appear in court
The Students Solidarity Trust, The Zimbabwean, 8/5
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Citizens Medal
President Barack Obama turns 49 today. Happy Birthday Mr. President! But the celebration at the White House that really deserves attention today is the announcement of the recipients of The Citizens Medal.
The Citizens Medal is the second highest civilian honor in our nation. For over 40 years, some of America’s most respected heroes and public figures like Muhammad Ali, Colin Powell and Bob Dole, and everyday heroes like Oseola McCarty, a washerwoman who left her entire life savings to establish a scholarship for students in need, have received this award.
This year the White House solicited nominations for the medal directly from the general public and narrowed them down to 13 recipients who have done great things in their community. See who they are and what they did here. Isn’t it wonderful to see people acknowledged for good works?