Brooks & Crowley June 2019

Review Brooks & Crowley

June 2019

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didn’t pan out, and a few semesters and one college transfer later, I was at UMass Amherst studying political science and history. I’ll always be grateful for the support of my parents, who supported my decision even though it was a much different pursuit than originally planned. I shared a house off campus with five other guys who I’m still friends with today. Even though it wasn’t anyone’s immediate plan, four of us have law degrees. There is no question in my mind that our nights spent debating each other created the perfect environment for prospective attorneys to hone their skills. All kidding aside, I’m happy to have had some time to figure it out. I love what I do, but I don’t know if I ever would’ve discovered it had I been thrust along a path as soon as I moved the tassel on my graduation cap. So, to the graduates of 2019, both of the high school and college varieties, I want to say this: It’s okay if you haven’t got it all figured it out. Life is full of false starts, surprise twists, and unexpected discoveries. Nobody, no matter how composed and driven they seem, plans out their entire life perfectly. There may be pressure, both internal and external, pushing you in a certain direction, but don’t worry if your course changes in the coming years. As long as you work hard and have passion, you’ll get where you’re supposed to be going. –Steven Brooks changes in the coming years. As long as you work hard and have passion, you’ll get where you’re supposed to be going." "There may be pressure, both internal and external, pushing you in a certain direction, but don’t worry if your course

GRADUATION MEMORIES AND INSIGHTS From the Class of 1984 to the Class of 2019

admissions scandal that broke earlier this year demonstrates, kids are under enormous pressure when it comes to college, much of which can come from their parents. Sure, everyone wants their kids to be successful, but the pressure to have your entire life mapped out by the time you turn 18 is something distinctly new. I sympathize with kids who aren’t ready to commit to a career plan before they step foot on a college campus because I was that type of young man myself. I always enjoyed school, and I remember feeling excited at the prospect of college, but I was not sure what I wanted to be when I graduated high school. I had good grades and enjoyed anatomy and physiology, so I gravitated toward becoming a doctor. That

In June of 1984, I walked across a stage, shook some hands, received my diploma, and became a graduate of Medford High School. This year marks the 35th anniversary of that achievement. Our class reunion isn’t until November, but I’m already looking forward to it. It’s always a blast (from the past) to see old friends, catch up, and reminisce about the days when losing a soccer game felt like the end of the world. Life has spread out the class of ‘84, as it does, but we’ll always have that connection. Though it was only three and a half decades ago, graduating from high school seems a lot different now than it was in those days. Today, it feels like where you go to college and what you study is a life-or-death concern. As the insane college

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That Good Burn Fitness Equipment You Can Take With You While You Travel

SWIM GOGGLES Make your swimming routine more effective, and (literally) keep your eye on the prize, with a pair of swim goggles. Most goggles are small, and some even come with their own case. The key is to find a pair that fits your head well. Unlike resistance bands or sliders, which all function the same general way, an ineffective pair of goggles can leave you fidgeting with your gear more than actually working out. Try on a few pairs or read through the reviews before making your selection. You can feel the burn on vacation without getting a sunburn. Pack these lightweight tools in your carry-on and jet away on new adventures this summer. The city itself understands the nature of the problem and is toying with a number of solutions. For one, colleges and universities need to both build more dorms and make on-campus living a more desirable option. Additionally, private dorm companies and co- living spaces may be granted greater access to land for commercial development. At this point, any idea that will lessen the burden on the private residential real estate market is one worth considering. Nobody would argue that the number of world-class institutions is a bad thing. It’s one of Boston’s signature features. Until we figure out a way to stop or at least slow the rat race for homes and apartments, you need to be mindful of the college calendar when engaging in a real estate transaction in the area.

of resistance you choose with the band will impact the amount of work your muscles do. The best part about this equipment is that it packs a punch for your glutes, and it’s small enough to fit in a purse. CORE SLIDERS Traveling is a great time to have a few extra cheat meals, but you don’t want this indulgence to come at the expense of your core strength. While you’re on vacation, keep your gut strong with core sliders. These thin, round discs are placed under your hands or feet as you pull and push your limbs away from your body in a plank position. They are the perfect tool for when a crunch just isn’t enough or when you’d rather not lay on the hotel floor. than you may think. Only 32 percent live in on-campus housing, which means more than two-thirds of the student population are leasing apartments. It’s not hard to see how this huge number of people warps the rental market. If you’re looking for a place to move into on Sept. 1, you better be prepared to battle for it. The number of students looking for accommodations also adds considerations for those looking to buy, sell, and move during the busiest months. Scheduling a mover will take longer, which you should consider when determining a closing date. You also need to remember that many owners in college-dense areas may be less motivated to sell because they know they can rent their property until they find the right buyer.

Traveling is one of the best ways to stretch your comfort zone and make new memories — if only your fitness routine didn’t have to suffer for it. However, there are ways to feel a good burn, no matter where you travel. Pack the following equipment for your next vacation and never miss a workout. RESISTANCE BANDS Spend more time by the pool and less time working out on vacation when you double the effect of your squats with these rubber bands. Each band is a stretchable loop that you wear around both legs at once, and they’re conveniently compact and lightweight. (Pro tip: Wear your band just above your knees for the most resistance!) You can incorporate your bands into any workout, as the level If you’ve ever driven around Boston near the end of May or the beginning of September, you know the effect the migration of college students has around the city. Traffic during these times, especially the weekends, is crazy. That traffic, mercifully, is a temporary concern, but the impact the student population has on real estate is a perennial one. The concentration of colleges and universities creates an influx of demand in a city that’s already experiencing a supply shortage, which can be a major headache for buyers. According to the Boston Globe, there are roughly 138,000 undergraduate and graduate students in the Boston metro area during the school year. Some of these students stay in on-campus dorms, but the percentage is lower

Make Way for Students How Higher Education Warps the Boston Real Estate Market

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Enjoy Your Family Time By Taking a Break From Your Phone

SIEMPO After you install Siempo on your phone, it will ask which apps are likely to distract you. Once you select them, the app will move those apps away from the home screen and place the important ones, such as the messaging, contacts, email, and calendar apps, on the first screen. You can also designate times for specific apps to be used throughout the day. STAY FOCUSED Stay Focused is like Siempo, but there are some significant differences. You can set times to access certain apps and put the most distracting ones on lock. Stay Focused also has a “strict mode” that prevents you from uninstalling it, so be sure to think carefully before activating the lockdown because you won’t have access to those specific apps until the timer runs out. FOREST In the time that Forest takes control of your device for a set time limit, the app starts

growing a tree. Once the tree is fully grown, your time is up, and it joins the other trees that were grown during other breaks. If you pick up your phone and try to access an app, Forest will send you a notification asking you if you want to kill your baby tree by giving up. Who says guilt isn’t a good motivator? BESIDES APPS Aside from using these apps, silencing your phone and putting it in another room, leaving it in your car if you’re out at dinner, or keeping it in your purse or back pocket during a social event can also reduce your screen time. Having your phone out of sight and out of reach will keep the temptation of pulling it out at bay. Spending time with your family is crucial, and with these apps and tips, you’ll enjoy each other’s company without too many screen distractions.

Setting some time aside to be with family is important, but it can be difficult when everyone is always on their cellphones. Constant cellphone use has become a global problem, and the habit is hard to break because we rely on mobile devices heavily for work, school, and keeping in contact with friends and family. Luckily, there are plenty of apps that can reduce how often you’re on your phone and minimize distractions.

Laugh Out Loud

Grilled Beef Ribs

Nothing feels more paleo-appropriate than digging into a giant rack of beef ribs. This largely hands-off recipe requires plenty of hands-on eating, making you feel like one of our cave-dwelling ancestors.

Ingredients

1 5-lb. rack of beef ribs

Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Heat a charcoal, wood-burning, or gas grill to medium-high. Once heated, move heat source to one side or turn off half of the burners to create an indirect heat zone. 2. Season ribs with salt and pepper and char on the hotter side of the grill, turning occasionally, for 12–15 minutes. Once charred, transfer to the other side of grill and cook until the thickest part of the rib reaches 130 F, about 2 1/2–3 hours. 3. Let meat rest for 15 minutes. If desired, serve alongside grilled veggies.

Inspired by Saveur magazine

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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411

439 Washington Street Dedham, MA 02026 Inside This Issue

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Graduations Past and Present

Travel-Sized Fitness Equipment

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The Effect of College Students on Real Estate

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Take a Break From Your Smartphone

Grilled Beef Ribs

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Summer Events Worth Checking Out

Dragon Boats, Fireworks, and Killer Tunes Boston’s Best Summer Festivals

countless versions of one of our most iconic dishes. Head to BostonHarborfest.com for a full schedule of events.

The doldrums of winter and gray skies of spring are now well and truly behind us. Summer in New England is a chance to savor the weather, enjoy the outdoors, and fill up your calendar with fun events. Here are a few large-scale festivals to look forward to in the coming months.

NEMPAC JAZZ IN THE PARK When: Tuesday evenings in July Where: North End Greenway

BOSTON HARBORFEST When: July 1–4 Where: Events throughout the city

BOSTON DRAGON BOAT FESTIVAL When: June 7–8 Where: John J. Weeks Footbridge along the Charles River A celebration of Asian-American culture in the city, the Boston Dragon Boat Festival is a race unlike any other. More than 70 teams will compete in brightly colored and fabulously decorated boats in the style of those you’d find in 19th-century Hong Kong. The Charles River, normally gray and dreary, becomes a sea of color during the weekend. In addition to races, you’ll find crafts, Asian cuisine, and a whole lot of fun.

There are many free outdoor concert series in and around the city, and Jazz in the Park is surely one of the best. Featuring a different jazz band every week, you can experience samba- flavored sounds and old-school New Orleans jazz while enjoying some of the city’s best food trucks. While you’re in the North End, you may also be tempted to stop off for some Italian pastries. Just don’t ask us to choose between Mike’s and Modern for our favorite cannoli.

We all know that hearing the Boston Pops is a Fourth of July tradition you won’t find anywhere else in the country, but it’s far from the only headline event taking place during the week of Independence Day. Harborfest celebrates Boston’s unique historical impact on this country with a number of events, beginning on July 1 in Faneuil Hall and ending with a parade to the Old State House on the Fourth. Be sure not to miss Chowderfest on July 2, where you can taste

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