Free opera

For those who couldn't get enough of Carmen onthe Common, The Boston Lyric Opera opens it's new season with free opera at the Hatch Shell.

This Wednesday, 7/28 the BLO and BLO will present Highlights from Tosca. The concert is free and runs form 7-9pm.

From the BLO announcement:

Boston Lyric Opera and the Boston Landmarks Orchestra will showcase excerpts from the opera world’s beloved masterpiece, Tosca, by Giacomo Puccini, which will be the opening opera for BLO’s exciting 2010-2011 Season. Jill Gardner, who will sing the title role in November, will perform with her husband, Jake Gardner, who was recently seen as the “Music Master” in BLO’s critically acclaimed Ariadne auf Naxos. The Gardners will be joined by Richard Crawley, Taylor Horner, and the Boston Lyric Opera Chorus. The singers will be led by guest conductor Andrew Bisantz, who will also be the conductor for the production in November.

The night will also include a performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5 by the Boston Landmarks Orchestra, conducted by Charles Ansbacher.

Shovel that sidewalk!

If you haven't caught the news today, a Mass SJC ruling today has made a ruling on snow removal and liability. (Full article in the Globe). Before the ruling you were not liable if you never shoveled your walk, or if the sidewalk was covered with ice from "daytime melting and nighttime freezing". This means if someone slips and falls for any snow & ice reason, you can be held liable.

This ruling does not change the city rules - by city ordinance you must still shovel your sidewalk. but in the past if you did not shovel, or if you shoveled poorly, or didn't sand after a re-freeze, the worst that could happen is a city ticket. Now you can open yourself up to a lawsuit. (The ruling also changes the law retroactively - perhaps your friendly blogger can sue over his torn rotator cuff. hmmmm)

Not that we want anyone sued, but perhaps this will inspire more people to clear their walkways in a timely manner...

South End Library Concert & Pot Luck

Summer Potluck Picnic in Library Park

Hear Pat Loomis and his band White Chocolate Bring some food to share!

South End Library
685 Tremont Street
617-536-8241
Tuesday, July 20 at 6:30

Wholy Grain open house

The to-be-opening new business The Wholy Grain is having an open houe this Wednesday, July 7 form 7-9pm. They are in the process of renovating the space at 275A Shawmut (corner of Hanson) and going through the city permit process. You may have met Ken at one of the ESNA meetings he attended. Stop by their open house and say hi, and check out the plans for the space.

A Flier with information on the open houe and an overview of The Wholy Grain is here (pdf).