Theater: "No Child ..." is a must-see

Two thumbs up for the American Repertory Theater's "No Child...", written and performed by Nilaja Sun. It is both touching and funny.

In a one-woman show, Nilaja acts as herself (an actress and drama teacher); a wise, elderly male janitor; a disenchanted school security guard manning the X-ray machine; and numerous ethnicities and both genders of students at Malcolm X High School in the Bronx. Her inspiration is her own experience in the New York City school system. With this memorable play, she brings attention to the sorry state of public schools without sermonizing or lecturing.

Playing herself, she tries to teach the fictional high school's "worst class" to memorize and perform "Our Country's Good," a drama about Australian convicts set in the 1700s. Like the feel-good movies where an inspiring teacher motivates economically disadvantaged students to achieve the previously impossible, Nilaja succeeds in staging the play only six weeks after she starts at the high school. And she makes a difference in their lives.

See this play -- even if you don't have children. It's what theater is all about -- a moving and entertaining production which makes you laugh, wince and think all at the same time. At the ART in Cambridge, MA through December 23rd.

Thanksgiving 2007

What a great Thanksgiving with my brothers Dan & Steve and my nieces Danielle and Alexandra in Homestead, FL. We played a game that Danielle had made herself; she's so creative! The girls each made a pie before our turkey dinner, and I brought my mom's baked beans (packed in my checked luggage from Boston to Miami International Airport!). I helped Danielle set up her iPod Shuffle, and Alex and I watched Heffalump together. We all took a boat trip on Saturday from Ocean Reef to Gilbert's in Key Largo. It was so warm we didn't even need sweaters! Then we topped the day off with a dinner of Florida lobsters and stone crabs -- a real treat. Too bad it was only three days...

Mt. Avalon, the Whites, NH

Easily accessed from the AMC Highland Center near Crawford Depot, Mt. Avalon rewards hikers with gorgeous views of the Presidential Range, especially snow-covered Mt. Washington. On Sunday, Nov. 11, the winter air was crisp and cold, causing visibility to be considerably greater than it is during haze-filled summer days.

It was 27 degrees at the base, and we encountered snow almost immediately. Much of the trail was covered in ice, requiring more timid hikers (me) to use StabilICERS; however, several hikers managed the trail without that aid. We decided not to venture upward to Mt. Field, being cautious because I was not really prepared for the more severe conditions expected on this 4,000 footer. Note to self: get warmer mittens!

Thanks to Mike Martin for his guidance and support during my second real "cooler weather" hike.

3.4 miles, 1500' elevation gain
Summit: Mt. Avalon = 3,442'
Route: Avalon Trail

Mt. Percival and Mt. Morgan, Squam Lakes, NH

No sign of snow or ice on this trail on Saturday, Nov. 10, despite the base temperature of 37 degrees. Thanks to Rick Desmarais of AMC's NH Chapter for leading the hike.

4.8 miles, 1400' elevation gain.
Summits: Mt. Percival = 2,212 feet; Mt. Morgan = 2,220 feet
Route: A loop of Mt. Percival Trail to Crawford Ridgepole Trail to Mt. Morgan Trail

Gala Art Benefit for Mass General Hospital

The gala art benefit on November 3rd was a great success, raising about $270,000 for the work of Massachusetts General Hospital's Department of Psychiatry. Close to 400 guests joined together to enjoy the convivial reception and dinner and to participate in the silent and live art auctions, according to Deb Shapiro, one of the event's coordinators.

The evening's success was orchestrated by a large team of volunteers, led by co-chairs Stacy Sweeny and Wendy Tulman. Thanks to this fund-raising, the department will be able to do the education and basic research that complements its excellent patient care.