(styleboston) - In “Detour,” Chris Talanian visits Springstep in Medford to learn "Bollywood style" dance with class instructor, Shruti Sharma. (No helmets needed this time!)
After a simple warmup - a breathing exercise - Chris gets one piece of advice before getting into class - let your shoulders do the movement. The main reason people come to Springstep’s Bollywood dance classes, Sharma says, is because they are energetic and fun, with different styles of dance for men and women. On this day, Chris ends up in a women's class, but while he was a little intimidated at first, it turns out he’s a quick learner. And as Chris comments, if a big guy like him can do it, anyone can.
brother blue: boston's griot from joshua bee alafia on Vimeo.
Dr. Hugh Morgan Hill aka "Brother Blue" was one of the great American storytellers. I grew up watching him perform in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in Brattle Square, at Cafe's, the Children's Museum etc. I loved listening to his colorful and often transcendental stories, and I credit him as being one of my chief inspirations to make films. Here is a short clip of the footage from the documentary I started last year. Brother Blue passed over in his sleep November 3rd, 2009. He was 88 years old. I hope to finish the documentary in his honor by the time we have his memorial in the Spring of 2010. His wife Ruth Edmond Hill was his rock of reason, and I would like to dedicate this clip to her and her sweetness.brother blue: boston's griot from joshua bee alafia on Vimeo.
Dr. Hugh Morgan Hill... more
To, United State News Media and Democracy
SECRETARY CLINTON, US Senator and House Member .
Secretary Michael Posner, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, (DHS) (IRFA), the United States Department of State. ACLU, United Nation, Government of Israel, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA)
Requests !
Request for safety and security and work for people like us who are American Citizen and living in fear because of our religious belief. We believe Human Faith is a religious of God (Rab) of humanity (Rabi). The definition of humanity (Rabi) in our faith is the quality of being humane and respectful for life. The Divine Affirmations of human faith are the commandment of God (Rab) of Humanity (Rabi). The crime against the Divine laws is blasphemy and great disrespect for our God (Rab) of humanity (Rabi). We would like to request for the department of State Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, Federal, City, FBI, CIA to provide safety and security and a safe environment for us, so we can live and work peacefully .
We are afraid to travel to India, Pakistan and Middle East because of our faith and would like to request Government of India and Government of Pakistan for Religious Freedom for people like us who have Human faith in which being a human is wisdom of God (Rab) who created us. Soon we are planning to go to India and would like to request from the Government of Gujarat, India For Religious Freedom and safety.
Sincerely,
Ajmal Mehdi
Nirali J Shah
Laila Mehdi
Adam MehdiTo, United State News Media and Democracy
SECRETARY CLINTON, US Senator and House... more
(styleboston) - Chris goes to The Ring Boxing Club in Allston for a fun and unique workout in “Detour.” The Ring combines a traditional gym and boxing. Its members learn to box in a class format with pro boxers as trainers, though the class itself tends to act as a major motivator for participants. The mission statement at The Ring is to provide an alternative workout environment to people looking to get in shape or for something new.
Betsy Kelleher, one of the trainers, takes Chris under her wing – or should we say fist – and puts him through a basic workout. First order of business is to wrap his hands up in order to cushion his knuckles and give some extra support to his wrists. Next, Betsy shows Chris the five basic punches and then picks up the pace by throwing some cardio – and push-ups – into the mix. After working up a sweat, the two get into the ring and actually fight! Don't worry, Chris gets outfitted with gloves, headgear, and mouth guard. Despite the earlier lesson and an admirable effort by Chris, it’s safe to say that Betsy is the victor of this ring battle. Turns out that boxing is more than just a big money sport on TV!(styleboston) - Chris goes to The Ring Boxing Club in Allston for a fun and unique... more
Jorge Carreon blogs on how David O. Russell's upcoming bio pic may offer career best roles for Mark Wahlberg and a harrowingly transformed Christian Bale. Here's a first look at both actors, plus Amy Adams, in these advance images of "The Fighter," based on the life of "Irish" Mickey Ward.
Stand-up comedian Chris Martin riffs on the hazards of sharing the same name with a famous rock star, Edgar Allen Poe, Ellen DeGeneres, Harrison Ford, Teddy Kennedy, Jesus and Twitter at the Chortle Barn in Mechanicsville, VA October 2, 2009.Stand-up comedian Chris Martin riffs on the hazards of sharing the same name with a... more
An underground train managed to pull to a stop and barely miss killing an inebriated woman who'd fallen on the tracks thanks to the actions of bystanders who alerted the drivers in the nick of time.
How this lady managed to miss both being hit by the train and electrocuted is beyond me.
(styleboston) - As the seasons change and New England weather makes outside activities less and less appealing, active people are always looking for ways to experience the outdoors inside. In “Detour,” Chris Talanian discovers one way to climb to exciting new heights indoors with rock climbing at MetroRock in Everett. A novice to the indoor rock climbing scene, Chris defers to Katie Coluccio, an instructor at MetroRock, to guide styleboston through the enormous space that overflows with arches, overhangs, and enormous (fake) rock faces speckled with colorful foot and hand holds.
Katie tells Chris that before attempting to scale the climbing wall, he must first learn how to put on the harness, tie the appropriate knots, and understand the various safety precautions. After mastering these basics, he heads upward and makes it all the way to the top of the wall! Don’t worry, if you don’t want to go that high or deal with harnesses and ropes, you can always hop on the bouldering wall. The climbing and bouldering walls are set up for all skill levels, so everyone is welcome at MetroRock – just be ready for a full-body workout. Chris admits that he is addicted after just one time up the wall, so we highly recommend the experience.
www.necn.com/styleboston(styleboston) - As the seasons change and New England weather makes outside activities... more
Mayor Menino has refused to expand a civilian review board (which handles complaints against the Police) siting a lack of complaints. Press Pass TV investigates if the amount of complaints are reflective of people's experiences with the Police.Mayor Menino has refused to expand a civilian review board (which handles complaints... more
Press Pass TV follows the heartbreaking story of a blind mother of 5's journey to escape from a dangerous living situation in the Mission Hill Projects. Ignored by Police and most government agencies, she finds an unlikely allyPress Pass TV follows the heartbreaking story of a blind mother of 5's journey to... more
Press Pass TV and Project RIGHT investigate what it means to value your community and how property value is built and destroyed.Press Pass TV and Project RIGHT investigate what it means to value your community and... more
Dan takes a trip down to the Melrose shopping district of Los Angeles to visit Johnny Cupcakes himself, of the popular clothing brand to learn more about his products, and how he achieved his entrepreneurial success.Dan takes a trip down to the Melrose shopping district of Los Angeles to visit Johnny... more
BOSTON (AP) -- One of six Harvard Medical School researchers sickened after drinking coffee laced with a toxic chemical said Monday he does not see how the poisoning could have been accidental, but has no idea who might be responsible.
University police and other agencies are investigating the Aug. 26 poisonings, which were revealed in an internal memo to medical school faculty last week. The memo identified the substance as sodium azide, a common preservative used in school labs, but did not indicate whether officials believed the laced coffee to be accidental or intentional.
"I always thought it was a deliberate substance added to the coffee," said Matteo Iannacone (pronounced mah-TAY'-oh eye-a-nah-KOH'-nee), a postdoctoral fellow.
"It was too strange for me to be an accident," he told the Associated Press in an interview Monday.
Iannacone said he immediately noticed a "weird" taste after sipping an espresso he poured from a coffee machine in an eighth-floor lounge near his research lab. After taking a second sip to make sure he wasn't imagining the foul taste, he began feeling dizziness and a rapid heartbeat, but said the symptoms passed quickly.
Two of the researchers who drank coffee earlier in the day had fainted, but officials did not immediately connect their illnesses to the coffee machine, Iannacone said.
An ambulance carried Iannacone to nearby Brigham and Women's Hospital for treatment. Doctors could find nothing wrong, he said.
Iannacone said university officials privately told him the results of toxicology tests last week. Daniel G. Ennis, executive dean for administration, and Richard M. Shea, associate dean for physical planning and facilities, later sent the internal memo to Harvard Medical School faculty.
"As the investigation continues, we are being prudent and taking additional precautionary measures to ensure the well being of our community," the memo said.
Among the steps being taken was installation of additional security cameras in buildings and "strengthening security systems that manage access to the laboratories during both normal business hours and off hours," according to the memo.
Iannacone said he was unaware of any threats against the school and did not know of any controversial research that might have made the facility or any of its researchers potential targets.
"I have no idea who might have done this thing," he said. To me it doesn't look like a joke, obviously, because we were not far from a lethal dose."
The machine was a single-serve coffee maker with a water reserve that is filled manually, not the type that is plugged directly into the building's water supply.
While surprised that it took nearly two months for the investigation to reveal the cause of the illnesses, Iannacone thinks the university has done a thorough job.
"I am satisfied with the way they have answered questions," he said, adding that he agrees with improving security at the school.
David Cameron, a spokesman for Harvard Medical School, said officials decided not to make a school-wide announcement until definitive results were known.
"The toxicologists who were looking at this had to ... try to figure out what is the short list of agents that could have done this and then conduct tests for those particular agents. So it took roughly this long to finally come up with a definitive test to say it was sodium azide," Cameron said.
Once the results were known, the people who had ingested the chemical were notified individually.
Sodium azide is colorless and odorless with a salt-like texture. It can explode when shocked or heated, and is used to trigger air bags to inflate upon impact. It can dissolve in some liquids, including water.
Exposure can cause rapid breathing and heart rate, low blood pressure, loss of consciousness and respiratory failure leading to death, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.By BOB SALSBERG
Associated Press Writer
BOSTON (AP) -- One of six Harvard Medical... more
Katie Holmes and her gorgeous wee one Suri Cruise were Halloween shopping earlier today in Boston, Massachusetts. Suri was strutting around town in itsy bitsy high heels. Cute and chic or totally inappropriate and disturbing? Call me stodgy, I am leaning towards the later.Katie Holmes and her gorgeous wee one Suri Cruise were Halloween shopping earlier... more
Six Harvard University medical researchers were poisoned in August after drinking coffee that was laced with a chemical preservative, according to university officials.
The lab has not been a target of threats or animal-rights protests. The university delayed notifying the public about the incident because officials were unsure of what they were dealing with.
Harvard spokesman David Cameron said "It wasn't until fairly recently that they were able to be 100 percent sure that this is what it is,"Six Harvard University medical researchers were poisoned in August after drinking... more
This is the story of a husband and wife from Lebanon who serve food to Boston University students out of a trolley cart. Meet Diana and Nadim!This is the story of a husband and wife from Lebanon who serve food to Boston... more
(styleboston) - Looking for a new and exciting way to work out? Or perhaps you’d like to get involved in an activity with rich cultural roots? It sounds like you should check out this week’s “Detour” with Chris Talanian! He heads to the Dance Complex in Cambridge’s Central Square to experience capoeira – an Afro-Brazilian martial art that combines dance, fight, and music. Capoeira actually originated in Africa as a defense against slave traders, but has evolved into an art form over the past five hundred years.
Having never tried capoeira before, Chris gets some instruction from Mestre Deraldo Ferreira before the weekly beginner’s class. They start with the footwork, add in some arm motion, and even attempt headstands – “attempt” being the operative word – before watching a wide array of moves from the more experienced and talented participants.
With its music, cultural history, and intense motions, Chris declares capoeira a fascinating activity and fun workout for everyone.
To learn more, check out Boston Capoeira.The culture of capoeira
(styleboston) - Looking for a new and exciting way to work... more
Boston’s new bike sharing system is set to debut this spring and will provide 1,000 to 3,000 bicycles for public use throughout the city, and we’ll be chatting with Nicole about her hopes for this exciting new project and the challenges she’s faced. We’re also going to try to convince her to move to New York City and launch a similar program here! Bostonians, New Yorkers and anyone who cares about greening your city and improving the cycling landscape, this is going to be a CAN’T MISS DISCUSSION with a fascinating visionary, so join us for our latest webcast in our Green Talks series today at 3:30 pm EST!Boston’s new bike sharing system is set to debut this spring and will provide 1,000... more
