The Associates of the Boston Public Library is pleased to invite you to the 29th Annual Literary Lights awards dinner.

Join the BPL on Sunday, April 23, 2017, at the Boston Park Plaza for a spectacular black tie (optional) evening honoring distinguished authors from the Northeast for their contributions to literature and the written word. The evening begins with a reception at 6:00 PM, followed by dinner and the awards program at 7:00 PM.

The Associates of the Boston Public Library are honored to recognize the following authors as their 2017 Literary Lights:

Kwame Anthony Appiah 

Presented by: Hentry Louis Gates, Jr.

Appiah is a philosopher, novelist, professor and cultural theorist.  He grew up in Ghana and earned a Ph.D. in Philosophy at Cambridge University in London. Professor Appiah has lectured around the world and taught at Princeton, Yale, Cornell, Duke and Harvard Universities before moving to New York University where he now teaches in the Department of Philosophy. In 2009 Forbes Magazine named him one of the world’s most powerful thinkers, in 2010 he was on the list of Foreign Policy Magazine’s top global thinkers, and he was awarded the National Humanitarian Medal at a White House ceremony in 2012. Appiah, the author of numerous books and articles, has traveled around the world giving lectures on multiculturalism, global citizenship, courage, identity, and religion. One of his early books, In My Father’s House, which explores the role of African American intellectuals in shaping contemporary African life, won the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award and the Herskovits Award for the most important scholarly work on African studies published in English. Appiah is well known for his columns and podcasts as the Ethicist for the New York Times.

Susan Faludi

Presented by: Christopher Lydon

Faludi is a journalist and author who has written extensively on gender issues. In 1991 she was awarded a Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Journalism for a piece on the leverage buyout of Safeway Stores, focusing on the “human cost of high finance.”  After graduating from Harvard University, where she wrote for The Harvard Crimson, she was a contributor to the New Yorker, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, The Nation, as well as many other publications. In the 1980s Faludi wrote several pieces on the feminist movement and the resistance to it, resulting in her 1991 book, Backlash: The Undeclared War Against American Women, for which she won the National Book Critics Circle Award for Nonfiction.  She went on to write Stiffed: The Betrayal of the American Man, The Terror Dream, and, most recently, The Darkroom, which was inspired by her father’s transsexuality. She was a fellow at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Studies in the 2008-2009 academic year and a 2013-2014 Tallman Scholar in the Gender and Women’s Studies Program at Bowdoin College.

Wally Lamb

Presented by: Andre Dubus III

Lamb is the best-selling author of She’s Come Undone, I know This Much is True, The Hour I First Believed, and Wishin’ and Hopin’. His first two books were selected for Oprah’s Book Club, were New York Times best-sellers, New York Times Notable Books of the Year and, between them, have been translated into 18 languages. His latest novel is We Are Water.  Lamb has also edited two volumes of essays: Couldn’t Keep it to Myself and I’ll Fly Away, written by students in his writing workshops at a women’s prison in Connecticut. He has taught creative writing in the English department at the University of Connecticut, was founder and director of the Writing Center at Norwich Free Academy, has received grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and Connecticut Commission for the Arts, and was honored with the Connecticut Center for the Book’s Lifetime Achievement Award.

Brian Selznick

Presented by: Gregory Maguire

Selznick graduated from RISD where he studied illustration and, while there, took classes in set design at Brown University. After graduation, he worked at a children’s book store in New York City while writing his debut book, The Houdini Box. In 2008 he won the Caldecott Medal from the American Library Association, for The Invention of Hugo Cabret, the first such award for a book this long; 533 pages with 284 illustrations. The book was adapted into a 2011 film, Hugo, directed by Martin Scorsese. He has also been awarded a 2002 Caldecott Honor for his illustrations of Barbara Kerley’s The Dinosaurs of Waterhorse Hawkins.  In addition, Mr. Selznick has received the Texas Bluebonnet Award, the Rhode Island Children’s Book Award and the Christopher Award, given to media which “affirm the highest values of the human spirit.”

Chief Justice Margaret H. Marshall (Keynote Speaker)

Presented by: David Leonard

Marshall was born in South Africa where, as a student, she led the National Union of South African Students, working to end oppressive minority rule and achieve equality for all South Africans.  Marshall first came to the US as a high school exchange student in Wilmington, DL in 1962, as the civil rights battles were beginning to boil over, and later returned to the US for graduate school, where she became involved with the anti-war and the women’s movements. After Yale Law School, she entered private practice, became President of the Boston Bar Association, Vice President & General Counsel for Harvard University, and then went on to the State’s Supreme Court, where she became the first female Chief Justice of the oldest continuously serving appellate court in the Western Hemisphere. Though she has had many accomplishments, Justice Marshall is most renowned for her 2003 opinion which led Massachusetts to become the first state in the nation to outlaw the ban on same-sex marriage. Although she loved her time on the bench, Justice Marshall stepped down in 2010. She now mentors young lawyers at her former law firm, Choate Hall & Stewart, and teaches at Harvard University.

In addition to celebrating the accomplishments of these outstanding writers, proceeds from Literary Lights support the David McCullough Conservation Fund, William O. Taylor Art Preservation Fund, Associates Endowment Fund, and the Associates of the Boston Public Library’s operations. The Associates created the McCullough Fund in 2001 to provide a consistent source of funding for the conservation and preservation of books, manuscripts, works of art and historic documents in the BPL’s Special Collections.

If you would prefer to receive a mailed invitation or for more information about sponsorship opportunities, please contact the Associates office at associates@bpl.org or (617) 536-3886. Thank you.

Join Fleming’s Boston for a special cocktail dinner featuring four extraordinary cocktails from A Wicked Fleming’s Dinner. This one-night-only event includes a perfectly prepared four course menu, expertly curated by Sous Chef Poi Ali. Tables are limited, so please reserve yours today.

First Course
Passed Hor D’oeuvres
Savory Apple Flatbread & Seared Ahi Tuna Crostini
Witches Death- Prosecco over Cotton Candy with a Pop Rock Rim

Second Course
Passion Fruit Shrimp
Seared Jumbo Shrimp served with a Passion Fruit Agrodolce Sauce
Land of AHHHS- Malibu Rum Mango Puree lemon juice with a sugared rim

Third Course
Filet and Scallop
Filet over Crispy Potato Pancake garnished Asparagus and a Gorgonzola Cream Sauce paired with Pan Seared Sea Scallops and a Red Pepper Lime Drizzle
Flying Monkey Sangria, Dreaming Tree Merlot Blood Orange Vodka Fruit Juice

Dessert
White Chocolate Mousse
Choice of Good or Evil White Chocolate Mousse
Emerald City- Lemoncello Liqueur

Four Courses, One Great Cause

On October 20, Fleming’s will host a special dining experience with a menu inspired by Napa Valley. Some of the most wonderful Napa wines will be paired with dishes in their signature style of cuisine. A portion of the proceeds from this event will go to the United Way of the Wine Country to directly help with the relief efforts.

The Napa Valley Wine Harvest
Pairing Experience

First Course

ROASTED GOLDEN BEETS
Goat cheese, toasted pistachios, fresh microgreens drizzled with a lemon balsamic vinaigrette
Paired with Schramsberg, Blanc de Blancs North Coast

Second Course

SAN FRANCISCO BAY SEAFOOD CIOPPINO
Chilean sea bass and jumbo shrimp over hearty gnocchi and roasted tomato broth
paired with Franciscan Oakville Estate, Chardonnay Napa Valley

Third Course

VINTNER’S FILET
sautéed mushroom medley, Napa herb hollandaise, and merlot salt
Paired with Oberonm Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

Daou Wine Dinner

Special Guest: George Daou, Owner/ Winemaker

Join Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar for a special wine dinner featuring three extraordinary wines from Daou Vineyards. This one-night-only event includes a perfectly prepared four course menu, expertly curated by Chef Partner Poi Ali. Tables are limited, so please reserve yours today.

First Course
Assorted Passed Hors d’Oeuvres
prosciutto-wrapped high country asparagus and bacon-wrapped scallops
DAOU, Chardonnay Paso Robles, 2015

Second Course
Carpaccio Salad
beef tenderloin, arugula, parmesan crouton, sun-dried tomato, onion, creamy caper vinaigrette
PESSIMIST by DAOU, Red Blend Paso Robles, 2016

Third Course
Iron-Crusted CAB Ribeye with Grilled Shrimp
horseradish mashed potatoes, daou reserve cabernet reduction
DAOU, Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve Paso Robles, 2015

Fourth Course
Rustic Berry Tart
blueberry, strawberry, raspberry, rustic pie crust
Coffee or Tea

CALL 617-292-0808 TO RESERVE

Join SERV for a Breakfast and Panel Discussion 

We’re excited to announce our seventh seminar in a series of speaker and networking events for private events managers! Join us on February 28th at Grill 23 for breakfast and a discussion. The focus of this discussion will be on local urban development, upcoming conventions, future corporate neighbors, overall trends to expect and how this will affect our events industry as we know it.

PANEL SPEAKERS INCLUDE:

• Jeffrey Gates-Partner, The Aquitaine Group: Aquitaine, Gaslight, Metropolis, Cinquecento
• Chris Coombs-Chef / Owner, Boston Urban Hospitality: Deuxave | Boston Chops | dbar
• Bob Luz-President & CEO, Massachusetts Restaurant Association
• Lisa Deveney-Director of Convention Services, Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau
• Rosemarie Sansone-President & CEO, The Downtown Boston Business Improvement District (BID)

SCHEDULE:

8:45am – 9:30am – breakfast and networking

9:30am – 10:30am – panelist discussion

10:30am – 11:00am – Q+A

SERV (Society for Event Planners: Restaurant Venues) is anorganization of private event managers who provide support and education to industry professionals. The quarterly speaker series includes a panel and networking opportunities over light breakfast. The panel discussions span a wide variety of topics from business and professional development to event technology, vendor relations and marketing, all pertaining to the private events industry with a focus on restaurant venues.Currently, SERV chapters exist in Boston and New York.

Join Bauer Wine and Spirits for the Art of Pairing

On Saturday, April 28, Bauer Wine and Spirits will be hosting the Art of Pairing from 4:30-6:30 P.M.

 Art is all around us, it just depends on what inspires you. What makes your mouth water on a cold bomb cyclone day in Boston might not be appealing at all on a hot July Sunday on the Cape. Just as weather impacts your appreciation of a meal, your choice of beverage can take a meal from good to great, or even from great to extraordinary. The Art of Pairing is an educational piece where you can learn the key to a successful meal–the passport for a beautiful harmonious marriage between food and drink. We will be serving Tenure Peach Fizz with smokey pulled pork sliders, Garden Punch- a Rosemary Rhubarb Lemonade, with cornbread, and a Coldbrew martini served with Pecan Pie!

For more information about Bauer Wine and Spirits, please click here.

Royal Wedding Viewing Party & Breakfast

Fairmont Copley Plaza and Boston Weddings cordially invite you to attend a Royal Wedding Viewing Party & Breakfast on Saturday, May 19, from 6:30–9:30 a.m., to celebrate the marriage of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The nuptials and all the pomp and ceremony will be broadcasted live in the hotel’s elegant Ballroom while guests indulge in a full English (and American!) breakfast, plenty of tea and scones, and wedding cake to commemorate the occasion. A champagne bar will open at 8 a.m. to toast the happy couple as they embark on a horse-drawn carriage procession through the streets of Windsor, offering Bollinger champagne and traditional British cocktails such as Pimm’s Cup and Bramble.

Guests are highly encouraged to arrive fascinator-ready and dress to impress in traditional wedding wear suited for a royal gathering. A raffle at the party will award a grand prize to one lucky attendee – a two night stay in a Junior Suite at The Savoy in London, Fairmont Copley Plaza’s iconic sister property, inclusive of full English breakfast and a traditional Afternoon Tea. A photo experience will be in the room for guests to capture their own royal moments throughout the morning – red telephone booth, life-size cutouts of Royal family members and more!

Join Davio’s Boston and Giovanni Nencini from LUX Imports for a 4 course dinner paired with wine!

The historic Swan Boats kick off another season in the Public Garden.

On April 13, the Swan Boats officially open for the 2019 Season, bringing joy to families from near and far until Labor Day, September 2.

Spring hours (April 13 – June 20) are 10 am to 4:00 pm.  Summer hours (June 21 – Labor Day) are 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.

The Swan Boats are open every day, weather permitting. We cannot operate in rain, high winds or extreme heat.

Purchasing Tickets
The Swan Boat ride lasts about 12-15 minutes while the driver pedals you around the Public Garden lagoon. Tickets are purchased at the Swan Boat dock prior to boarding the boat. No reservations are needed. We accept cash or credit card. The wait for a ride is typically no more than 5-10 minutes.

Adults $4.00

Children $2.50 (age 2 to 15 years)
Under 2 yrs. Free

Seniors $3.50

Learn how to make your very own sweet and savory travel cakes, cakes that stay moist and travel well, with Executive Pastry Chef Valerie Nin!

Join Grill 23 for an intimate two hour class where you’ll prep, bake and decorate vanilla buttercake and cornbread. Optional additions of fruit, sweets, jalapenos and cheese will be available for that extra touch. Also learn how to make lemon royal glaze and chcocolate glaze. Finally, enjoy your creations with tea and coffee (or take them home) during their fun Q&A .

Alcoholic beverages will be available for purchase.

Tickets are limited.