At the meeting of The Committee to Light Commonwealth Avenue Mall, are left to right: Boston Parks Department Director of External Affairs Mary Hines, Boston Parks Commissioner Antonia Pollak, fundraising chair Mimi La Camera, and supporters Larry Post and Jessica Selvaggi. (Photo by Hailey Mello)

Mayor Thomas M. Menino met with members of The Committee to Light Commonwealth Avenue Mall, Boston Parks Commissioner Antonia M. Pollak, and local residents and businesspeople at the Taj Boston to continue fundraising efforts to light Commonwealth Avenue Mall from December through April.

The lighting has transformed the first nine blocks of Commonwealth Avenue Mall, from Arlington Street to Charlesgate East, by illuminating approximately 200 trees with 200,000 white lights strung on more than 112,000 feet of wiring.

"The seasonal lighting has made a big difference in how people see and use Commonwealth Avenue Mall," noted Mayor Menino. "Thanks to the generosity of our donors, it is now a festive and inviting place in the evening during the holidays and beyond."

Now in its sixth year of privatized lighting, the Committee, in conjunction with the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, works to raise funds to continue this festive tradition. All lighting arrangements are made by the Committee, under the oversight of the Parks Department.

This year's work began the week of November 10 in order to be ready to have the lights switched on by Mayor Menino at 8:15 p.m. on December 4, immediately following the Boston Common Official Tree Lighting Ceremony.

Thanks to the support from its donors, the lighting program has grown significantly from when the first two blocks of the Mall were lit in 1998. The following year an underground electrical system was installed and a total of eight blocks were lit up with the last block to Charlesgate East added later. Local residents Ted and Joan Cutler are among longtime supporters of the annual lighting.

"Joan and I have been involved in lighting Comm. Ave. for nine years and it's great that the lights extend so far down the Mall and light up the entire neighborhood," Mr. Cutler says. "Those of us who live here think of it as our front yard, and the lights as a holiday gift for all the residents of Boston to enjoy."

Commonwealth Avenue Mall was successfully lit without public funds for the first time in its history on December 4, 2003, and remained illuminated until mid-March, 2004. Spearheaded by Mimi La Camera, The Committee to Light Commonwealth Avenue Mall was formed to execute a fundraising drive to subsidize the lighting. The 2003/2004 Mall lighting was a testament of the donors' commitment to continue to sustain this Boston tradition.

"It's great to be looking forward to the Commonwealth Avenue Mall lighting again this year," noted La Camera. "It's an amazing and heartening addition to the city in the dark evenings of the winter and especially this year following the tough economic strain of the past months. The unique design of the lights makes it feel like a European capital with the added charm and familiar scale that Boston offers."

The lighting was installed by J.C. Lentine Electric Service of Hyde Park with crews varying from four to 20 people depending on the day's work. Rather than stringing wires from tree to tree, each tree was individually wrapped in lights.

For more information visit www.BackBayLights.com or call 617-529-5351.

Taj Boston Hotel Receives "Best Hotel in Boston" Rating

The Taj Boston was named the best hotel in Boston and for the second year in a row ranked #22 among the world's top 100 hotels in the latest survey of hotels worldwide by Institutional Investor magazine.

"We're delighted to have our New England flagship property selected as the best hotel in Boston. These accolades are a fine tribute to the entire staff under the insightful direction of General Manager David Gibbons," said Raymond Bickson, CEO and Managing Director, Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces.

The iconic Taj Boston, at the corner of Newbury and Arlington streets overlooking the Public Garden, is celebrated in the current "Best Hotels by City" survey as the hotel that "best reflects a city renowned for its art, culture and high society." The survey continues to note that "Taj Hotels' assuming operations has brought levels of service to a new standing with legendary Taj flair" and that the Taj Boston is "a definitive symbol representing the best of Boston."

Experience a Photo Exhibit in a West Newton Hair Salon

The Louis duGal Salon in West Newton is continuing its frequent art exhibitions with "Colorful Paris," an array of photos of Paris by Back Bay photographer, Virginia Bonesteel. Ms. Bonesteel, who spends two to three months each year in Paris, has brought her creative eye to the sights in this world-class city. The exhibit, which opened on November 13, is on view through January 2.

Back Bay residents, Sam Wallace and Georg Schmieder of the Louis duGal Salon, have known Bonesteel for many years. "We have been wowed by her unique photos of people and places in Paris and have been anxious to share her camera artistry not only with our clients, but anyone who would like to stop by to view them."

Bonesteel took her first photographs of Paris when she was 13 years old. But, it was only six years ago, after retiring from her career as an attorney, that she began to devote full time to photography. Now she combines her twin passions: photography and Paris.

The public is invited to visit the salon and view the exhibit from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Tuesday, Wednesday, Fridays and Saturdays), and from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Thursdays), though January 2. The Louis duGal Salon is located at 1345 Washington Street, West Newton.

For more information, call the duGal Salon at 617-527-9461 or visit www.twocitiesphotography.com.

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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