Although they are living more than 4,000 miles from home, many Ukrainians in Brookline are still feeling the effects of the war against Russia. “We need to help Ukrainians. It’s Russian aggression, it’s aggression. It’s no question about it. My city [is] under the bomb,” said Mikhail Aronov, who owns a Brookline barber shop. Feb.… Continue reading ‘My city under the bomb’: Three years later, war remains a daily reality for Brookline’s Ukrainian community
Category: People
Q&A: Local author Nicole Graev Lipson on female archetypes, romantic friendships, and how her new memoir was born in Brookline
The final essay in Nicole Graev Lipson’s new memoir is a philosophical and emotional read. “Memento Mori,” which was published as an excerpt recently in the Boston Globe, captures a bedtime conversation with Lipson’s eight-year-old daughter Nora, who is asking for another story, and eventually questions what happens when we die. “If there is a… Continue reading Q&A: Local author Nicole Graev Lipson on female archetypes, romantic friendships, and how her new memoir was born in Brookline
‘It’s not like a job’: Meet the retiree trying to maintain order at one of Brookline’s busiest crosswalks
Thomas Gibbons presses the button on the illuminated walk sign, then runs back and forth to help people cross. He raises his hand high to signal drivers. As the children and their parents reach the other side, he calls out “Take care!” or “Have a nice day!” The 69-year-old wakes up at 5:20 a.m. every… Continue reading ‘It’s not like a job’: Meet the retiree trying to maintain order at one of Brookline’s busiest crosswalks
A Brookline couple’s dog grooming ordeal highlights gaps in state regulation
Cristian Sosa and his spouse Diana Lopez were struggling to find a trustworthy groomer for their six-year-old Yorkshire terrier Camila when they moved to Brookline from Las Vegas in 2022. By December 2023, Camila was in dire need of grooming, so they dropped her off at Tails Inc. in Jamaica Plain and assumed everything would… Continue reading A Brookline couple’s dog grooming ordeal highlights gaps in state regulation
A Brookline doctor tries to update podiatry for the 21st century
Dr. Zac Cartun, a newly minted graduate of UMass Chan Medical School, had just arrived at the Paris business school INSEAD in 2023 when he saw a note asking if anyone wanted to collaborate on a custom orthotics business together. During medical school, Cartun felt that he had “blinders on,” that he just needed to… Continue reading A Brookline doctor tries to update podiatry for the 21st century
How a Brookline doctor’s COVID-19 coping mechanism turned into a board game that sold thousands of copies
For many, newly-acquired pandemic-era hobbies fell to the wayside as the world adjusted to the new normal. Sourdough starters were tossed in the trash, watercolor palettes got lost in the basement and copies of “The Power Broker” ended up back on the shelf. Lakshman Swamy, however, was in too deep to abandon his particular labor… Continue reading How a Brookline doctor’s COVID-19 coping mechanism turned into a board game that sold thousands of copies
Why a retired Pierce School teacher sends birthday cards to 450 of his former students each year
Phoebe Williams, now in her forties, moved out of Brookline at 17. But each year on her birthday, she receives a little slice of home in the mail: a birthday card from her first-grade teacher, David Weinstein. “There are many years where I don’t get birthday cards from some of my best friends, or some… Continue reading Why a retired Pierce School teacher sends birthday cards to 450 of his former students each year
Visiting Brookline temple, progressive Israeli peace advocates call for ceasefire, dialogue
The Israeli and Palestinian leaders of a coalition advocating for peace in the Middle East visited a Brookline temple on Wednesday with a message of hope. Brookline community members gathered at Temple Sinai Brookline to hear from the co-directors of Standing Together, a progressive grassroots mobilization effort based in Israel. “Politics is not a hobby… Continue reading Visiting Brookline temple, progressive Israeli peace advocates call for ceasefire, dialogue
How a retired Brookline physician’s intricate card table won ‘best in show’ at a regional woodworking competition
The interior of Michelle Hallee Wong’s home near Fisher Hill is striking. Amid the white crown molding, gold-framed artwork and wooden floors dressed in large rugs with ornate patterns, the standouts are various furniture pieces she created, like the tripod side tables in the living room and the tea-caddy-turned-jewelry-boxes in the dining room. The pièce… Continue reading How a retired Brookline physician’s intricate card table won ‘best in show’ at a regional woodworking competition
Residents watch, hope and pray as they wait for presidential election results
On Tuesday night, people gathered across Brookline to watch election results come in, knowing that there would likely be no outcome for hours or days, but wanting to be together anyway. United Parish, a progressive Protestant church in Coolidge Corner, held an election night prayer service over Zoom early in the evening for about 20… Continue reading Residents watch, hope and pray as they wait for presidential election results
Brookline Democrats fan out across Pennsylvania for final swing state push
Scranton. Reading. Philadelphia. Harrisburg. With a few weeks to go until the presidential election, Brookline activists are fanning out across Pennsylvania to try to swing the purple state towards vice president Kamala Harris and Democratic congressional candidates. With New Hampshire trending blue, Pennsylvania has become the closest target for anxious, motivated Democrats in Brookline looking… Continue reading Brookline Democrats fan out across Pennsylvania for final swing state push
‘This is home’: In new documentary, Dukakis reflects on democracy, politics and Brookline
The Coolidge Corner Theatre was a fitting venue for the premiere of “Dukakis: Recipe for Democracy,” a new documentary screened on Tuesday which explores the legacy of one of Brookline’s most prominent and beloved residents. As Michael Dukakis entered the packed theater, the 90-year-old was greeted with loud applause and a standing ovation Dukakis got… Continue reading ‘This is home’: In new documentary, Dukakis reflects on democracy, politics and Brookline
Local Jewish leaders grapple with tragedy and hope in High Holiday sermons
Brookline’s Jewish community just celebrated Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and now, is preparing to mark Yom Kippur, the Jewish Day of Atonement. But sandwiched between those two holy days is the one-year anniversary of the October 7th Hamas attack on Israel, making it a challenging time for the spiritual leaders in the community.… Continue reading Local Jewish leaders grapple with tragedy and hope in High Holiday sermons
Blessing of the F(l)eet honors mobility and community
Canes, walkers, wheelchairs and scooters took center stage at an event in Brookline last week, a “Blessing of the F(l)eet” that celebrated the mobility devices that help people get around. The lobby was festive with chatter and laughter as attendees entered, each moving at his or her own pace. A few rows of chairs were… Continue reading Blessing of the F(l)eet honors mobility and community
Brookline’s Emma Taylor plays the ‘segmental mind game’ to finish Ironman World Championship
Ascending through the mountain villages of Nice, France, Emma Taylor felt the fatigue in her legs setting in with each pedal of her bicycle through 8,500 feet of elevation gain. But the 31-year-old Brookline resident entered the VinFast IRONMAN World Championship with a strong finish in mind. So Taylor, a physical therapist by day who… Continue reading Brookline’s Emma Taylor plays the ‘segmental mind game’ to finish Ironman World Championship
A capella pop classics to Chinese indie rock: Porchfest fills Brookline with music
Brookline residents and visitors of all ages strolled, lounged and danced in the streets on Saturday while enjoying the town’s annual Porchfest. The festival featured 96 bands playing music ranging from a cappella pop classics to Chinese indie rock, and music could be heard coming from porches, lawns and driveways on nearly every street between… Continue reading A capella pop classics to Chinese indie rock: Porchfest fills Brookline with music
In new animated film, Alex Salsberg highlights multigenerational friendships in Brookline
When 70-year-old Diane Klein met 23-year-old Caroline Dugan, they “just clicked” as friends, according to Klein. “The generational gap didn’t seem to matter at all,” Klein said, noting that she now has a relationship with Dugan’s fiancé as well as her mom, who lives in California. “It’s kind of brought me a new family, which… Continue reading In new animated film, Alex Salsberg highlights multigenerational friendships in Brookline
Photos: Brookline Day fills Harvard Street with music, food and fun
The town of Brookline held its annual Brookline Day on Sunday, bringing residents and visitors out to Harvard Street in droves. As bands, a clown and other performers took to the main stage, attendees shopped at local vendor booths and chatted with town government agencies and local nonprofits and businesses. Photographer Kate Kotlyar was there… Continue reading Photos: Brookline Day fills Harvard Street with music, food and fun
A memorial blooms for Hersh Goldberg-Polin in Brookline
[metaslider id=37245] Since Sunday morning, residents, neighbors and mourners have been leaving flowers, notes and decorations outside a Brookline home in what has become a memorial for Hersh Goldberg-Polin, an Israeli-American who was killed in Gaza last week. Goldberg-Polin, 23, was wounded and taken hostage during the Oct. 7 attack by the terrorist group Hamas… Continue reading A memorial blooms for Hersh Goldberg-Polin in Brookline
‘An irreplaceable jewel’: Ruthann Dobek plans to retire after four decades advocating for Brookline’s seniors
When Ruthann Dobek announced her retirement at a May meeting at Town Hall, she was greeted with a standing ovation. The 64-year-old Dobek has spent the past 41 years working and advocating for Brookline’s senior population, first as a social worker for the Council on Aging and for the past 22 years as director of… Continue reading ‘An irreplaceable jewel’: Ruthann Dobek plans to retire after four decades advocating for Brookline’s seniors