Feb 14-22, 2011: Lincoln, Poe, Stephen Fry, Chinese New Year, Engineering Show, Owl & Moon Hikes, and Valentine’s Day
02/13/11 by
Johnny Monsarrat
Tired of Winter? Check out my New England Manifesto and feel proud to be a Yankee!
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-Johnny
| The Week in Weird | ||||
| Tue 2/15Boston MetroFree movie preview tix – Take Me Home Tonight, Unknown, Cedar Rapids, Beastly |
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| I have free movie preview tickets for Take Me Home Tonight, Feb 14 at 8pm in Boston which will include some of the film stars appearing, Cedar Rapids, the comedy with Ed Helms and John C. Reilly, Feb 15 at 7pm in Cambridge, and Unknown, the new Liam Neeson flick, Feb 15 at 7pm in Boston, and Beastly, which is like Twilight meets Beauty & the Beast, Feb 17 at 7pm in Dedham. And Win Win, Feb 16 at 7:30pm in Boston. Email me at johnny@EVENTSinsider.com and let me know what you want to win! AMC Boston Common Theatre, Boston, MA. more |
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| Sat 2/19Metro WestModel Engineering Show – giveaway | ||||
| Personally I’d rather see the steam engines, aircraft engines, machinists tools, and trains at this engineer’s festival! Free with museum admission, and also includes their awesome steampunk exhibit, in an 1814 textile mill. And I have four pairs of tickets to give away — email johnny@eventsinsider.com to win! 10am-4pm. Charles River Museum of Industry, 154 Moody Street, Waltham, MA. more more |
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| Mon 2/21Metro WestA Visit with Abraham Lincoln |
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| I have a soft spot for historical re-enactments, especially when it’s Lincoln! Reserve immediately! Concord Museum, 53 Cambridge Turnpike, Concord, MA.978-369-9763. more |
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| Tue 2/15Boston MetroEdgar Allan Poe: Love and Death |
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| But wait! It gets even better with a re-enactor portraying Edgar Allan Poe, reading some of his works about death and love in this anti-Valentine’s Day celebration. 7pm. Elizabeth Peabody House, 277 Broadway, Somerville, MA. more |
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| Mon 2/21South Shore[SENSE]ation Day at Fuller Museum |
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| They’re also having a festival at the Fuller Museum, which is an amazing museum all about crafts. I’ve been many times and highly recommend it. They’ll have interactive performances, participatory arts making, candy making demonstrations, Japanese paper dyeing, mask-making, etc. 455 Oak Street, Brockton, MA.508-588-6000. more |
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| Tue 2/22Boston MetroStephen Fry |
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| It’s the defining Boston celebrity event of the year! Stephen Fry, perhaps the greatest atheist media star after Brad Pitt, visits Harvard, which has the strongest humanist college group. Boston has plenty of academic superstars, but we get few from Hollywood. And when we do, they don’t have a cause, or they support a cause that’s well under steam. I love cancer research and Martin Luther King, but it’s not like those causes are going nowhere without Whoopi Goldberg. But non-belief — now that’s an edgy, interesting topic that’s just hitting the mainstream. Here’s a charity leverage point where a celebrity — and you — can make a real difference! If you’re a non-believer, come and be counted. It’s important to show that we are not alone. Or if you’re a believer who’s curious how the “other half” lives, check it out. You’ll find the community friendly, and we won’t feed you wafers and tell you later it’s Jesus. 8pm. Buy your tickets immediately. This will sell out. Memorial Church, Harvard Yard, Cambridge, MA. more |
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| Fri 2/18 – Sun 2/20Boston MetroBoskone |
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| Do you like Battlestar Galactica WAY too much? Did you miss Arisia? Here’s the other major science fiction convention in Boston. Westin Waterfront, Boston, MA. more |
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| Sun 2/20Boston MetroChinese New Year in Harvard Square |
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| The Harvard Square Business Association puts on perhaps 30 events a year and this looks like one of the good ones. It’s a Chinese New Year parade that starts at 1:30 in Winthrop Park (corner of JFK and Mount Auburn) and marches to Mass Avenue to the Hong Kong restaurant. From 2-4pm, the Hong Kong will have arts and crafts and performers doing puppetry, dance, and more. From JFK Street to the Hong Kong on Mass Ave, Cambridge, MA. more |
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| Sat 2/19Metro WestActon’s 275th Anniversary & 2011 Chinese New Year Celebration |
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| I love Acton! They’ll have fireworks in addition to the music, lion dance, musket demonstration, martial arts, and a lot more! High School, 36 Charter Rd, Acton, MA. more more |
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| Mon 2/21 – Thu 2/24SpringfieldSpringfield’s 375th Anniversary Fabulous February |
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| Springfield is having an anniversary too, with a pie-eating contest, sleigh rides, a magic show, roast a hot dog over an open fire, and lots of kids stuff! Count me in!! Springfield, MA. more |
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| Sat 2/19 – Sun 2/20Metro WestN-Scale Model Train Show |
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| This free museum is featuring a $5 model train show. I’ve always wanted to see it. 33 Marrett Road, Lexington, MA.781-861-6559. more |
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| Thu 2/17Metro WestSteampunk: Victorian Fantasy in Modern Culture |
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| This lecture on steampunk, a 30-year-old artistic trend that pretends to place modern technology into Victorian Era aesthetics, will be awesome, because everything about steampunk is awesome. Register in advance. 7pm. Brookline High School, Brookline, MA. more |
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| Thu 2/17Boston MetroThe Remarkable Life of Frederick Douglass |
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| And here’s another lecture, this time on the abolitionist and famous African-American. 6pm. Museum of African American History, 46 Joy St, Boston, MA. more |
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| Sat 2/19Northern MassSnowfest |
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| This outdoor festival along Rt 2 will have snow sculptures, ice skating, hot drinks, music, and more. 9am-3:30pm. Veterans Center, 100 West St, Leominster, MA. more |
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| Wed 2/16Western MassMoonlight Skiing and S’mores |
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| Cross-country ski at night — the website doesn’t mention rentals — and they’ll have a campfire (at least, they did last year). 7-9pm. Notchview, Windsor, MA.413.684.0148. more |
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| Fri 2/18Cape CodCome To The Otter Side: Otter And Owl Outing |
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| Although I love to list these nature tours, I have never been on one. I think it would be great to see otters in the wild. At least, it “otter” be! 4-5:30pm. Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary, 345 Bone Hill Road, Barnstable, MA.508-362-7475. more |
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| Fri 2/18South ShoreFull Moon Family Owl Prowl |
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| This one’s at night — even better! 6:30-8pm. North River, 2000 Main St, Marshfield, MA. more |
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| Fri 2/18Southern MassFull Moon Hike |
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| Moon, moon, moon. Hike, hike, hike. Bring a flashlight, hot cocoa will be served. Yummy in my tummy! 5-6:30pm. Brandt Beach Road, Mattapoisett, MA.(508) 272-9376. more |
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| Fri 2/18 – Sat 2/19Metro WestFull Moon Owl Prowl for All Ages |
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| Here are two evenings of full moon hiking and owl-seeking. Owl be there! Haha. I crack myself up. I slay me. Broadmoor, 280 Eliot St, Natick, MA. more more |
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| Sun 2/20Metro WestWinter Wildlife Tracks and Sign |
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| Track wildlife from 1-4pm. “This is a program for ages five and up.” That includes me, right? I’m ages five and up! Walden Pond, 915 Walden St, Concord, MA. more |
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| Thu 2/17 – Sun 2/20Boston MetroHarvard Model United Nations |
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| The model UN is a serious attempt to discuss politics as though meeting at the United Nations in New York. These students really take it seriously. And I’m not really sure if you can just stroll in as a member of the public and check it out. I would think so. Park Plaza Hotel, Boston, MA. more |
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| Also Fun | ||||
| Tue 2/15Boston MetroInvented Here! |
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| Did you know that New England is AWESOME? Well check out my New England Manifesto at http://bostonevents.org/nem, but also this lecture on local inventions. Museum of Science, Boston, Boston, MA. more |
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| Tue 2/15Boston MetroIce Skating Party in Kendall Square |
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| Wait, the skating is free and they’re serving hot cocoa and chili?? Count me in! 6:30-8:30pm. 300 Athenaeum St, Cambridge, MA.617-876-4444. more |
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| Sat 1/22 – Sun 2/27Boston MetroIce Skating at Faneuil Hall Marketplace |
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| You can skate at Faneuil Hall this year too, for the first time. (But they really prefer that you shop.). Faneuil Hall, Boston, MA. more |
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| Thu 2/17Southern MassMoonrise Meander |
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| If you happen to be on Martha’s Vinyard in the middle of winter… wait, why are you on Martha’s Vinyard in the middle of winter? Go for a night hike. Felix Neck, 100 Felix Neck Dr, Edgartown, MA. more |
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| Thu 2/17Rhode IslandSnowshoeing by the Full Moon |
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| Here’s another full moon hike — but you have to supply your own snowshoes. 6:30-8:30pm. Register in advance. Fisherville Brook Wildlife Refuge, 99 Pardon Joslin Road, Exeter, RI.(401) 949-5454, ext. 3041. more |
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| Fri 2/18 – Fri 3/18Metro WestFull Moon Tour: Living in the Dark |
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| Before there was electric lighting, people had to use infrared vision and sonar to get around. Come explore this 19th century adaptation at this historic home. 52 Gore Street, Waltham, MA.781-894-2798. more |
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| Sun 2/20Metro WestMission Possible |
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| Would you pay $65 to go bird-watching? Then this program is for you. Drumlin Farm, 208 South Great Road, Lincoln, MA. more |
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| Wed 2/16Boston MetroRemixing Race Through Film |
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| 7pm. This free film at the Museum of Science seems to have as its premise that race is so complicated that what we perceive it to be must be simplistic, inaccurate, an illusion. Museum of Science, Boston, Boston, MA. more |
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| Sun 2/20Boston MetroDid you see that!: The Bostonian Infatuation with Curiosities |
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| Did you know that Boston had its own Loch Ness Monster? Come hear the Victorian Era tales! 580 Mount Auburn St, Cambridge, MA.617 547-7105. more |
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| Fri 2/18Boston MetroFood Security |
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| Thiz lecture at the Muzeum of Scienz tellz how to get foodz from the farmz to the streetz without bugz or germz or global warmingz. Regizter in advanz. 7pm. Free. Museum of Science, Boston, Boston, MA. more |
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| Fri 2/18 – Sun 2/20Boston MetroJoe Val Bluegrass Festival |
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| February is a great time of the year for a music festival, as long as it’s indoors. Otherwise the banjos freeze. I went to a bluegrass festival once and the repetitive chord structure made all the songs sound the same to me. Go figure. Sheraton Hotel, Framingham, MA. more |
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| Thu 2/17North ShoreMarblehead Festival of Arts Film Festival |
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| The Marblehead Festival of Arts is several months away, but they’re holding an evening of short films. Marblehead Little Theatre, 12 School St, Marblehead, MA. more |
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| Tue 2/22Boston MetroTavern Games |
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| Before there was X-Box, people would play games in the local tavern. Experience this re-enactment for yourself. Old State House, Boston, MA. more |
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| Fri 2/18 – Sun 2/27Rhode IslandNewport Winter Festival |
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| This festival features a Beatles tribute band, ice sculpting, a scavenger hunt, a polar plunge, food cook-offs, a kids festival, and it’s a great excuse to visit Newport in the off-season. Various venues, Newport, RI.401-847-7666. more more |
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| Sat 2/19ConnecticutColin’s Crew Plunge |
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| Crazy people jump into the water to raise money for charity. Go watch! West Haven Beach, West Haven, CT. more |
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| Thu 3/3Boston Metro50th Anniversary of the Peace Corps |
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| These free events tend to fill up quickly, so register now! JFK Library & Museum, Boston, MA. more |
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| Sat 2/19Southern MassSoul Food Saturday |
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| This campus event is open to the public — it’s all you can eat of African, Caribbean, Southern, and Creole cooking, plus music and “games”. $7. Open 11am-1:30pm and 4:30-6pm. UMass Dartmouth, 285 Old Westport Road, North Dartmouth, MA. more |
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| Valentine’s Day | ||||
| Sun 2/13 – Mon 2/14Metro WestThe Art of Romance in the Austen Era |
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| Guides dress up and act out 19th century characters in these special tours. Reserve in advance. Feb 14: 7pm. 52 Gore Street, Waltham, MA.781-894-2798. more |
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| Mon 2/14Boston MetroMortified – Doomed Valentine’s Day Show |
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| Mortified is the spoken word performance where people read their past diaries, transforming past tragedy into catharsis and comedy. 7:30pm. Coolidge Corner Theatre, Brookline, MA. more |
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| Mon 2/14Boston MetroLove Letters to the A.R.T. |
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| But for upscale entertainment, the American Repertory Theatre is holding a party! Its performers include best-selling author Ben Mezrich, reading a poem, singing a song, or acting a romantic scene. Cambridge, MA.617.496.2000 x8832. more |
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| Mon 2/14Boston MetroAnti-Valentine’s Day Party |
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| Wounded by love? Come decorate black heart cookies and get a tarot reading as an alternative to writing dark poetry about the people who’ve spurned you. 6-8pm. Robbins Library 700 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, MA.781-316-3200. more |
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| Mon 2/14Boston MetroBoston League of Women Wrestlers |
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| Tired of wrestling with women on Valentine’s Day? Come see them wrestle each other in this hip, costumed-up, anime style performance that’s more for the literati than for WWF fans. It’s for charity. 8pm. Midway Café, Jamaica Plain. more more |
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| Performance | ||||
| Now to 3/13Boston MetroTi-Jean & His Brothers |
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| Three brothers in a Caribbean family are drawn into a dangerous game with the Devil in this scary but ultimately uplifting fantasy. Click for our review! Central Square Theatre, Cambridge, MA. more review |
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| Thu 2/10 – Sun 2/27Boston MetroSunfish at the Stoneham Theatre |
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| In this musical Korean tale, a young girl goes on a quest to find a cure for her father’s blindness, exploring an undersea world. See the website for creative extra events: food tastings and workshops! Stoneham Theatre, Stoneham, MA. more |
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| Fri 2/18North ShoreComedy Night at The Barn Pub & Grille |
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| This comedy venue in Amesbury draws in national talent regularly for stand-up. On Feb 18, for example, they feature Kenny Rogerson (from Denis Leary’s “Rescue Me”), Chris Zito (who has appeared on MTV, Showtime, and Comedy Central) and Hamilton Johnson. Amesbury, MA. more |
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| Mon 2/14 – Fri 2/18Boston MetroSalem State College Darwin Festival |
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| Also Salem State College will host a series of lectures and films. It’s definitely a festival, but looks very academic rather than social. Salem State College, Salem, MA. more |
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| Mon 2/21Boston MetroAmerican Voices, with Chris Cooper |
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| A reading is when the actors, with little preparation, go through a play with script in hand. This one’s free and feature’s movie star Chris Cooper, everyone’s favorite angry dad. Called “Curse of the Starving Class”, the play is about a dysfunctional family and I wonder if Cooper will play the angry dad. 7pm. The reading is free but the reception afterwards is $20 — reserve immediately! You have to believe a lot of people will pay $20 to possibly meet Chris Cooper. Boston Center for the Arts, 539 Tremont St, Boston, MA.617.426.0863. more |
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| Sat 1/1 – Sat 12/31Boston MetroNew England Office Warehouse |
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| Last week I needed to rent some office furniture and I want to give a shout out to New England Office Warehouse. They really bent over backwards to help me out, and they had everything I needed. There are a lot of places to get furniture, but if you’re looking for a place that gives you extra attention and helps you find the right new & used items at the right price, start here! Ask for Gary and mention Events Insider and you’ll save 10%. I guarantee you’ll be glad you did. Waltham, MA. more more |
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