Among the guests enjoying "Boston Salutes!" at Dick's Last Resort are, left to right: Coleen Sloane and Gail Branchinni from American Airlines, Bob Dixon from Brooks Automation and Kristen Dixon from MetLife. (Photo by R. J. Donovan)

Dick's Last Resort in Quincy Market was recently filled with American flags as the popular Faneuil Hall Marketplace restaurant hosted its third annual "Boston Salutes!" - a special evening benefiting The Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation. "Boston Salutes!" is part of a national charitable initiative by Dick's Last Resort to benefit local military families.

The evening included a complimentary buffet, live entertainment by vocalist Helena Ruffen, a charity raffle and the live auction of a flag that had flown over a military base in Afghanistan.

Guests were greeted by Dick's Last Resort President Steve Schiff, who flew in from the company's corporate offices in Dallas; WRKO talk show host Tom Finneran, who served as Master of Ceremonies for the event; and Tom Lyons, representing the Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation.

Boston Common Christmas Tree Lighting Scheduled for December 4

On Thursday, December 4 beginning at 6 p.m. we are all invited to officially kick off the Holiday Season by participating in the lighting of the Boston Common Christmas tree. Free and open to the public, the festivities include entertainment by The Garrett Mason Blues Band.

For the 37th year, Nova Scotia is showing its gratitude to the people of the Greater Boston area for their help in the wake of the 1917 Halifax explosion by donating the tree. This tree lighting event has come to symbolize the significance of the cross border friendship between Nova Scotia and Massachusetts.

91 years ago, a terrible tragedy forever linked the lives of the people of Boston and the citizens of Halifax, Nova Scotia. On December 6, 1917, a French freighter full of munitions and a Norwegian vessel collided in Halifax Harbor causing a nuclear-sized blast and a subsequent tidal wave that leveled the town and killed more than 1,700 people.

The citizens of Boston were among the first to arrive in Halifax with a "rescue train" full of medical supplies, blankets and building materials. Much of the money for the aid came from donations made by ordinary citizens. Even Boston school children pooled their lunch money to help the victims of this huge disaster.

The people of Nova Scotia have never forgotten the speed and generosity with which the residents of Boston responded. In appreciation, Nova Scotia sends a tree to Boston every year to express its thanks for the city's compassionate response and to help spread the spirit of the season.

For more information, call the Boston Parks Department at 617-635-4505 or visit www.novascotia.com.

Celebrate New Year's at "First Night Boston"

"First Night Boston" is the country's oldest and largest New Year's arts celebration. On Dec. 31, from 1 p.m. to midnight, "First Night" presents a daylong festival of art, music, dance, ice sculpture, fireworks and more.

"First Night" is an alcohol-free event that welcomes children, families and revelers of all ages to celebrate community and unity through the arts. "First Night 2009" will feature more than 1000 artists in 200 exhibitions and performances in over 40 locations in downtown Boston. Times and exact locations can be found at www.firstnight.org.

This will be the 33rd "First Night Boston." Founded in 1976, "First Night" was started by artists who sought an alternative to traditional New Year's Eve revelry. The celebration has grown from a small arts event centered on the Boston Common to an arts organization that showcases work by local, national and international artists.

"First Night" has gone from attracting about 25,000 people to drawing crowds of over one million, and generating an estimated $47 million dollars in revenue for business in the City of Boston. The concept that originated in Boston 33 years ago has served as a model for more than 200 similar celebrations worldwide.

All "First Night" outdoor events are free, though supported by sales of the "First Night" button, which is the ticket for admission to all indoor events. Buttons will be available beginning Nov. 28 at Boston-area Shaw's and Star Markets, Store 24, Au Bon Pain and dozens of other locations. For a complete list of advance sale locations or to buy buttons online, visit www.firstnight.org.

Among the highlights are: Commonwealth Shakespeare Company - Orpheum Theatre; Opera Boston - Emmanuel Church; Tony V. and Kenny Rogerson - Hynes Convention Center; and The FedEx Family Festival at the Hynes Convention Center.

"First Night" will also feature films of the Roxbury Film Festival; swing dancing; five ice sculptures; The Metro Boston First Night Grand Procession; the Boston Family Fireworks presented by Mayor Menino and Boston 4 Productions; the traditional midnight fireworks over Boston Harbor; a midnight countdown with WBZ-TV's Jack Williams and Lisa Hughes at Copley Square; the "Keep Your Resolutions" Dance Party with some of Boston's Hottest DJ's also at Copley Square; and the countdown at the Parkman Bandstand featuring Black Taxi and The Downbeat 5, to mention just a few.

Enjoy!

In addition to events covered and reported by the columnist, "The Scene..." 
is compiled from various other sources such as news releases, PRNewswire services, etc.

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