At the Four Seasons Hotel, honoree Sumner Redstone, center, with MGH President Dr. Peter Slavin, left, and MGH Trustee and Red Sox owner John Henry. (Photo by Roger Farrington)

Massachusetts General Hospital trustees, friends and supporters recently gathered at the Four Seasons Hotel to honor Sumner Redstone, Executive Chairman of VIACOM, Inc. and CBS Corporation, for his recent $35 million contribution to the hospital.

In 1979 Mr. Redstone suffered third degree burns over 45 percent of his body and wasn't expected to survive. He was successfully treated at MGH and later established the Sumner M. Redstone Burn Center.

His generous gift will be used to expand the program to create the Sumner M. Redstone Burn and Trauma Service and to enhance the MGH Emergency Department, soon to be re-named the Sumner M. Redstone Emergency Department.

Among the guests at the tribute were Mr. Redstone's MGH physicians, Dr. John Burke and Dr. John Stoeckle. In 1979, Dr. Burke treated Mr. Redstone for his serious burns at the MGH burn unit. Congratulations and Best Wishes to all!

Free Tickets for Veterans on November 11

The Huntington Theatre Company will offer free tickets for its Veterans Day performance of David Rabe’s Vietnam War-era masterpiece, “Streamers.” Tickets for the 7 p.m. performance on Sunday, November 11 are available to current and former military personnel, and their families and friends.

While they last, tickets may be picked up at the Huntington’s B.U. Theatre Box Office (264 Huntington Ave.), on November 11 from 12 noon until curtain time. Military personnel, veterans, and their family members can get up to 4 tickets each. RSVP is not required. Production and ticket information, as well as directions to the theatre, are available online at www.huntingtontheatre.org or call 617-266-0800.

Award-winning B.U. International Relations professor, author, and Iraq war opponent Andrew Bacevich will speak about “Streamers” and America’s war policies at the “Huntington Theatre Company's Humanities Forum” after the 2 p.m. performance on Sunday, November 18. Bacevich is editor of the new book, “The Long War: A New History of US National Security Policy Since World War II,” and has written extensively about Americans’ relationship to war. A Vietnam veteran, Bacevich lost his 27-year-old son in the Iraq war.

Holiday Lights Celebration Scheduled for November 29

The Boston Common holiday display has been a unique Boston tradition for the City since 1940. The annual event now includes the lighting of Boston’s official Christmas tree as well as the trees throughout Boston Common, The Public Garden and the Commonwealth Avenue Mall.

Thousands of people of all ages are expected to enjoy this year’s holiday stage show featuring entertainment by national and local performers, carolers, Santa Claus and more.

This year the lighting takes place on Boston Common on Thursday, November 29 at 6 p.m., when Mayor Thomas M. Menino “flips the switch” during a holiday sing-along.

The Boston Parks and Recreation Department, the Province of Nova Scotia, WCVB-TV Channel 5, Magic 106.7 FM, and others are sponsors of the festive event. For additional information, call the Parks and Recreation Department at 617-635-4505.

Free Admission to MFA Exhibit If Your Name is ….

You don’t need to live in a French palace to get a free look at Napoleon’s gilded throne and Josephine’s satin slippers. You just need to share their royal names.

Currently at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (MFA) is the exhibition "Symbols of Power: Napoleon and the Art of the Empire Style, 1800 – 1815," an elaborate show featuring the grandeur of Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte and the delicacy of his wife, Empress Josephine. The exhibit runs through January 27, 2008.

In celebration of this exhibition, the MFA is granting free admission to anyone named Napoleon (or Bonaparte) or Josephine during the run of the show. Your first, middle or last name will do. Just show your ID. Please note that entry to the exhibition is timed for every half hour. For more information, call 617-267-9300.

Enjoy!

Mitch Bobkin
Greater Boston Interior Designer Featured on
NECN's Dream House.
www.mfb-designs.com

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