Brooks & Crowley April 2019
Review Brooks & Crowley
April 2019
781-277-7321
www.brooksandcrowley.com
439 Washington Street Dedham, MA 02026
*Services Throughout Massachusetts
beloved features. Then came the renovations to right field, followed by new scoreboards, a new concourse at Gate D, and so on. The renovations have been tasteful at every turn. No matter how many amenities and features the team adds, going to Fenway still feels like going to Fenway — that’s the most important thing. While I sometimes find myself pining for the decidedly old-school, no-nonsense Fenway of the '90s, I’m very happy with the changes. I’ve seen some great concerts at Fenway, including the Stones, Springsteen, and The Police. I’ve been to the Fenway Hurling Classic several times, and it's always a great experience. If these events help the team invest in the stadium and the club — with the phone number contracts in baseball these days, heaven knows they need to spend to win — I’m all for it. As long as Fenway stands and Neil and I are here, we’ll be attending Opening Day at one of Boston’s most famous landmarks. We wouldn’t have it any other way. No matter what business you’re in, you can take a lesson from the ownership’s approach to the stadium. It’s all about listening to your customers and giving them what they want. The most gleaming modern stadium in the world could never duplicate the magic of Fenway. It’s good that the owners respect that the same way we regular folks do. "The most gleaming modern stadium in the world could never duplicate the magic of Fenway."
FENWAY ALWAYS CHANGES But the Spirit Remains the Same
Neil and I have a tradition of attending Opening Day at Fenway Park every year. We’ve been doing this for about 20 years now, since before 2004 when the Sox broke the Curse of the Bambino and gave the entire city a reason to party like never before. Over the course of our annual tradition, a lot has changed. For one, the Red Sox are no longer perennial also-rans who succeed only in figuring out ever more painful ways to lose. They’re now one of the most consistently excellent teams in baseball. Just as the team has continued to evolve, so too has the stadium they call home. Fenway Park is iconic and it’s easily the best place to watch a sporting event anywhere in the country. Anyone who’s sung “Sweet Caroline” during the seventh-inning stretch knows that. What’s easy to forget is that Fenway’s future was hanging in the balance right around the time Neil and I started going to Opening Day together.
During those years, Fenway was cherished, but it was also viewed as outdated. There were proposals to move the stadium to the South Boston waterfront. Thankfully, the people of Massachusetts aren’t too keen on publicly financing a new stadium for a billionaire, and baseball fans the world over wouldn’t stand for the destruction of the sport’s greatest cathedral. Even better, John W. Henry and New England Sports Ventures, who purchased the club in 2001, listened to their customers, which is all the more admirable because they didn’t have to. They could’ve moved the stadium to Maine and people would’ve still come in droves. That’s what makes Boston sports fans so great. Instead of upsetting their supporters, though, the owners decided to undertake a massive project to revamp Fenway rather than replace it. The first big change was the arrival of the Monster Seats, which are now one of the park’s most
Go Sox!
–Steven Brooks
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Is It Okay to Skip Breakfast? The Truth About the First Meal of the Day
Sometimes you skip breakfast simply because you don’t have time to eat. Other times, you skip breakfast because nothing really appeals to you. This is a common occurrence for many people across the country. But when you skip breakfast, you may find that you feel just fine. It begs the question: Is breakfast really that important? Do you need to eat breakfast?
breakfast) leads people to raid the vending machine or make unhealthy food choices they wouldn’t ordinarily make. Along these same lines, skipping breakfast may encourage you to eat more later in the day at lunch or dinner. You may think you’re saving calories, but over the course of a day, you can end up consuming more calories than if you had simply eaten breakfast. With so much research on the subject of breakfast, one thing is clear: You should eat when you feel hungry. You don’t have to live by the conventional wisdom of “three squares a day.” When you listen to your body, you’ll feel better for it! need to rely on specialty contractors for certain fixes. These are all added costs, and you should be ready to deal with them. Am I Interested in the History? If you’re going to purchase a home with a long history, it’s worth taking the effort to learn a little more about it. This is by no means an obligation, but it will result in a greater connection with your home. Understanding the particulars of living in an old home before you buy one will make your search much more rewarding. You have to ask different questions than you would of a new condo, but provided you understand the drawbacks, the positives can more than make up for them.
It depends. Most people can skip breakfast and be totally fine. They’ll make it to lunch without skipping a beat. It all comes down to how you feel. Some people need breakfast or they’ll have to deal with mood swings — often referred to as being “hangry” — caused by low blood sugar. A healthy breakfast can stabilize your mood, helping you feel more positive, energized, and focused throughout the morning.
the day.” This phrase was used to market breakfast cereal in the last century. In reality, it doesn’t mean anything. The most important meal of the day is whichever meal you get the most out of, whether it’s nutritional value, enjoyment, or both. Having a healthy, protein-rich breakfast does come with benefits, though. It gives you energy for the day and helps you avoid scrambling to find something to eat a couple hours later when hunger sets in. All too often, skipping breakfast (or having a carb-heavy
We can, however, bust the notion that breakfast is the “most important meal of
Is an Old Home Right for You? Questions to Consider Before You Buy
Spring brings people out of their homes in droves, and it also marks a busy time for the real estate market. Serving as something of a wake-up call, the end of winter reminds prospective buyers that it’s time to start scoping out properties. In and around Boston, the options are nearly unlimited, so buyers need to set parameters to make their search successful.
Am I Okay With Quirks? In today’s world, everything is made to provide a functional user experience. It’s easy to take modern design fundamentals for granted, but they’re relatively new in the scope of history. From our contemporary perspective, some older home layout choices can seem positively baffling. If you’re not okay with idiosyncrasies, like a master bath a few doors down from the bedroom, you may prefer something more recently designed. Am I Prepared for the Maintenance? Old homes require extra care, upkeep, and attention. It’s just that simple. You may even
One of the things that makes New England real estate so special and diverse is its large number of centuries-old homes. While the allure of a home worthy of Bob Villa is self- evident, too many people overlook the very real challenges and compromises that come with inhabiting a space from a different era. As Sally Zimmerman, senior preservation services manager at Historic New England, says, “The older the house you get, the more likely it’s going to be set up for living in a different way.” As such, it’s important that those considering a vintage property ask themselves the following hard questions before going into contract.
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Revisiting a Classic ‘The Magic of Thinking Big’
In this issue we’re diving into an old classic that helped define the modern personal development genre and has helped millions of readers improve their lives. “The Magic of Thinking Big” flew off shelves when it was first published in 1959, propelling author David J. Schwartz from university professor to foremost authority on motivation. But does his seminal work still hold true 60 years later? Is there still magic in letting yourself think big in the 21st century? development books. The power of positivity and self-confidence may have been groundbreaking ideas back when Eisenhower was president, but today they’re a given. While this may make some of Schwartz’s ideas feel old hat to modern audiences, the essence of what he wrote in 1959 still rings true today. In fact, one could argue that several core concepts of this decades-old work are even more applicable today. A running theme in
Schwartz’s book is the incomparable benefit of treating people like people. While many personal and business dealings hinge on the power of a handshake, there’s something refreshing about the common human decency of Schwartz’s outlook. So many motivational works today focus solely on personal reflection — “Thinking Big” reminds us that there is great power in simply being good to other people. Perhaps the largest takeaway today's readers can find here is to take on more and think bigger. “Thinking Big” is replete with real-world success stories of people doing precisely that, from students collaborating to solve supposedly impossible problems to wounded paratroopers making their way across the mountains of Burma toward safety. Whether you’re dusting off an old copy or picking it up for the first time, this classic is still worth a read in 2019.
In a word, yes. The lessons in “Thinking Big” are broad, but their wide applicability is also what makes them timeless. While today, many authors and motivational coaches — from “influencer” culture to “growth hacking” — focus on whatever is new and shiny, Schwartz focuses on the fundamentals. This can make the opening chapters in “Thinking Big” feel excessively familiar to those who have read other personal
Laugh Out Loud
Easy Bacon & Spinach Stir-Fry
This super easy stir-fry is the perfect weekday dinner. It manages to pack a ton of flavor using just a handful of ingredients.
Ingredients
Instructions
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3 slices bacon
1. Heat a large skillet to medium. 2. While skillet is warming, cut bacon into squares. 3. Cook bacon until fat is rendered and bacon is almost to your desired doneness. If desired, you can remove bacon fat from skillet and replace with 1 tablespoon oil. However, keeping the fat is recommended for flavor. 4. Add garlic and cook for 1–2 minutes. 5. Add spinach and crushed red pepper and stir fry for 10 minutes. 6. Season with salt and pepper, and serve.
3 cloves garlic, coarsely chopped 2 bunches spinach 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• •
•
Salt and black pepper, to taste
Inspired by OhSnapLetsEat.com
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439 Washington Street Dedham, MA 02026 Inside This Issue
1
20 Years of Opening Day
Should You Skip Breakfast?
2
The Special Needs of an Older Home
3
Discover ‘The Magic of Thinking Big’
Easy Bacon and Spinach Stir-Fry
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Local Events
Events in the Boston Area
Enjoy an April Filled With Exciting Events! If you’re looking for something to do this month, look no further! Enjoy your April with these exciting events close to home.
Independent Film Festival of Boston
Beyond the Brewhouse
Spent Grain Bread-Making Class
Where: Somervile Theatre, Brattle Theatre, and Coolidge Corner Theatre When: April 24 to May 1st
Where: Samuel Adams When: Monday–Fridays, 6–7 p.m. Admission: $20–$50 Website: Samueladams.com
Where: Somerville Brewing Company When: Every Tuesday, 6:30–8:30 p.m. Admission: $30 Website: Slumbrew.com
Admission: Prices Vary Website: IFFBoston.org
Head to Samuel Adams for a tour and find the unique tastes you’ve been looking for! You’ll enjoy a behind-the-scenes peek at the Barrel Room, which is otherwise closed off from the public. The Barrel Room is where brewing experts create the best tasting beers and you’ll have a chance to experience this process. Visit their website to purchase tickets for an exciting adventure!
Spent grain isn’t waste; in fact, it can be used to create delectable breads. During this class, you and other guests will be taught how to craft your own spent grain bread. The class includes a 45-minute lesson in making spent grain, one beer token to enjoy during the class, a sampling of bread with different butters and jams, and an evening filled with fun and new friends!
Now in its 13th year, The IFF Boston is the city's premier event for showcasing the talent of emerging filmmakers. With more than 100 screenings, panel discussions, and special events, you're sure to find something worth checking out
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