World War 2 Museum tucked away in New England from the MetroWest Daily News, Framingham/Natick surrounding towns, Massachusetts

• Who would have dreamed this museum would be hidden in a New England town?

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• Natick exhibit: Hitler, 'the failed artist'

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Gary Gresh, development officer at the World War II Museum in Natick, leans on a display case which contains Adolf Hitler's watercolor paint set. Daily News Staff Photo/Art Illman
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• Posted Feb. 27, 2014 @ 12:01 am 
  
  

  By Chris Bergeron

  Daily News Staff

  NATICK - The delicate watercolor of the farmer's market at St. Peter's Church in Munich was painted with deft brushstrokes by the same hand that unleashed the Final Solution.

  Completed by an aspiring German artist named Adolf Hitler after his military service, the painting is one of the centerpieces of a small but powerful exhibition at the Museum of World War II in Natick that evokes Nazi attitudes toward art.

  Organized by museum founder and director, Kenneth W. Rendell, "The Failed Artist, Degenerate Art and the Monument Men'' showcases nearly 20 rare artifacts mostly connected to Hitler and his inner circle. The artifacts reveal the Nazi obsession with visual art in their heroic self-image and their attempts to stamp out the "degenerate'' art that had been sweeping Europe between the wars.

  Visitors will see the contents of Hitler's art studio in Munich, including dried paints, brushes, drafting tools, sketchbooks and several watercolors that echo political theorist Hannah Arendt's description of the "banality of evil.''

  In his will, Hitler left the studio's contents to his longtime housekeeper, Anny Brunner-Winter, who recovered them after a legal battle with the Bavarian government that confiscated them. The studio's contents were acquired "intact'' by Rendell for his museum.

  He also acquired the watercolor of the farmer's market directly from the widow of Rudolph Hess, Germany's deputy fuhrer who spent 46 years in prison after being convicted of crimes against peace.

  Introducing the show, Gary W. Gresh, director of corporate and foundation relations, said, "Hitler's watercolor set usually generates an unusual feeling from our visitors when they see something so ordinary that belonged to someone who personified evil.''

  Using a few intimate artifacts, the exhibit creates jarring juxtapositions between the heroic sculptures and classical Greek and Roman art Nazi elites admired, and the ruthless malignity of the German war effort.

  Viewed within the context of the entire museum which displays 7,000 artifacts, including weapons, field equipment, uniforms and propaganda posters, documents and a Sherman tank, the exhibit provides a small but chilling look into the psyche of Hitler and his top leaders such as Hermann Goering who purported to admire classical art while masterminding a war and systematic genocide of European Jews that ultimately cost 60 million and six million lives, respectively.

  "Masterpieces make me feel alive,'' said Goering, Hitler's top lieutenant, according to the exhibit's wall text.

  Visitors will see Goering's signed personal copy of images of Leonardo da Vinci's greatest works, bound in white vellum.

  Several other objects express Hitler's loathing of "degenerate'' or abstract art that was seen as subverting the Nazi ideal of Aryan racial supremacy or German war efforts.

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KNOW ANY MOTHERS WHO WANT TO SHARE A JOB, WORK PART TIME?

Joni James - Too Young (With Lyrics)

Just a reminder if you have a teen...

let him or her know, you were there once, with a recording of this song...!  It might not help, but, what have you got to lose to try?  A song from the past, that fits the future...

"You'll Never Know" (Vera Lynn, 1943)

The sound of the 1940's is so evident in this sound of what I heard on the radio in the 1940's! ...Imagine the radio ...first a small table model and then a floor model, our only vocal contact with the outside world, except for the telephone.  Did you know that in  the 1940's  we still used a means of communication known through the world,  maybe since the beginning of man?  That was sound.  The other day as I read about the Gauls, in a book called, The Middle Earth, I learned of their communication thru the sound of voices, ulating and yodeling, first the voice, and of  course we know of the drums,  then assistance to the voice, and then.assistance to the drums...which became .the  fire alarm.  The fire alarm was our community announcement of fire!  It was also an announcement of something important for us to know immediately such as the announcement of an  air raid,  and finally...and most beautifully  the end of the war!  History is truly interesting.

"South Of The Border" Frank Sinatra

This morning, I heard Robert Wagner as a host on Siriously Sinatra, what a nice surprise!  It brought back memories of when we all were young, the movies, the stars, and the songs of the time, all part of growing up in a great time for the United States.  The war was over , never to ever happen again, our families were together again, and life became what little me thought was the way it should be.  We were first and second generation American's and we, in our family, were so proud to be here contributing to this wonderful land.

Madeleine Peyroux Half The Perfect World ( Full Album )

 Re introducing a great voice.  Her beat reminds me of Carly Simon, what do you think?   I like her style, her voice and hope you enjoy her.

The Center of the World, by Thomas Van Essen, my book review

A great read for a serious reader who needs a break!,February 16, 2014 By madlyn fafard (Florida, USA) This review is from: The Center of the World (Paperback) I entered the book store, not knowing what I wanted to buy, Many of us have days like that, especially when you consider yourself a serious reader and don't necessarily follow the top 10, but just want something to get lost in. This was my choice. I liked the idea of exploring Turner, I liked the idea of period versus past, and thought I could get lost in the story. I did find it easy to stay in the story, and found myself longing to see the painting, and never got a glimpse of it until at the end I realized it was only to be seen in my mind. The story is fast enough to keep you interested, as it flows between New York and London, or in the Adirondacks, where it is all possible to have happened. I wanted to see more of the fabulous Turner pictures and so I ventured on line to try and find some to enjoy. Imagination, a peek at a life that was up against the edge of boredom, at other lives locked in the tradition of the time, and the heartbreak of being cast off by a lover, all come together in this easy read , that even serious readers can relax with and enjoy.

Wall Street Journal,. FEBRUARY 15...., BOOKS, 2 hours OF GREAT READING..

The section on BOOKS was wonderful ! I started with the review of ,The Bombers and 

The Bombed.   By Richard Overy, Reviewer, Adam Tooze.  I loved it because I have a genuine interest in the Second World War.  It's interesting to see that here is someone who claims we were not easily going to bring down German production and thus not achieve a  quicker Victory since they were in so many words able to keep up with us .

 I wonder if his vision is too narrow because he concentrated on the Nazi production and point of view in his study and did not consider other factors such as  the Axis lack of assembly line production as developed by Knudson in the United States,  or our ability to control the sea lanes and take down the Nazi submarines with the Colossus  computer and the breaking of the German code.  The  destruction of the Nazi airforce  in Africa the first front, and  Nazi inability to reinforce the  equipment and supplies to the troops there, all has to be considered.  This demoralized them, they had to withdraw to stage their battle in Italy where they had an easier time reinforcing troops and supplies.

Once again, the Allies pounded the Axis back ,back ,back ,until they  had to withdraw from Rome, using the scorched earth program as they left, thus hoping to stop us from getting supplies and equipment.  Naturally not being a scholar of these events my opinion could be wrong, but it does have merit.  No one can dispute the production of the United States during the Second World War, it was staggering! From my reading of Trilogy of the Second World War , Richard Atkinson, I find Overy hard to believe, but then again, I am an amateur at this.

I also loved the review on The Kennan Diaries, by Frank Costigliola, reviewed by Edwin Yoder.  One paragraph stood out  describing Kennan wanting to start a "party of criticism" to maintain a critique of American political follies.  What a good idea!

Each book review  in Saturday's paper was interesting.  If you have a chance to read them on line or at the library , plan to relax and enjoy.  I saved my pages for bedtime and was so excited after finishing I had to immediately write about it.

The New York Times , today, Sunday  had a couple of the same books in review.

Ella Fitzgerald and Mel Torme performing scat 1976

Oh, my gosh have to double  up and ...its getting too long, but Rod Stewart, and Billie Eckstein, and and and, there are so many... Valentines....thinking of them and pleasure they gave us...Happy Valentine  day to all the great singers of the past....that I rever on my site...and some of the new ones...

Sarah Vaughan ft Fred Norman & His Orchestra - Last Night When We Were Y...

the sound of an angel in the voice of Sarah Vaughn, she could hold a note, her voice was sultry and touched deep in the heart...

Patsy Cline - Crazy

  For Valnetine's day, how can we forget this fabulous voice....we don't hear much of her, as her career ended early.

Teach Me Tonight - Jo Stafford

 Note how the introduction is on key with the voice...the sound of her voice, is so well introduced, one can't help but notice...

She is one of the valentines, we love you Jo Stafford...

Dinah Washington Teach Me Tonight

Is it Amy or is it Dinah....Lets say happy valentines day to the jazz great, Dinah, and the great Amy Winehouse, who was a re incarnation of Dinah!   What beautiful music they gave us.....certainly they achieve Valentine status...!!

ETTA JAMES FOOL THAT I AM ARGO RECORD LABEL "PURE SOUL"

 Etta James, a valentine with emotion, whose voice stopped me cold one day as I strolled by the music coming from a restaurant.  Yes, we went in, and yes they were playing this album....

Frank Sinatra - Be Careful Its My Heart 1942 Tommy Dorsey Orchestra

My valentine, Siriously Sinatra and Frank, this is his wonderful voice before his celebrated phrasing, he will always be our valentine ...now and forever!

Life re-imagined

Go Ahead. Make Music. It’ll Boost Your Brain

December 5, 2013   
 This appealed to me and helped me with my idea that music and culture has so much to contribute to our own identity and our creative life, read and see if you agree, I am sure you will.

Psychologist Francine Toder braved cello lessons in her sixties, to discover beautiful music and a brighter brain.

Author: By Francine Toder

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ARTICLE TAGS:

Health,  Play

“Excruciatingly hard but immensely satisfying.” When a friend asked me what it was like to begin playing the cello in my sixties, that’s what I said. I might have added that, like most things worth doing, it’s complicated.

Learning to play a musical instrument, writing a story, or shaping clay on a potter’s wheel are all brain stimulating activities providing novelty, complexity and problem solving, a crucial triad of ingredients for maintaining brain fitness while also checking the boxes for fun, meaningfulness, and satisfaction.

I thought about taking up the cello, an instrument I’d loved for decades, after finding evidence that the older brain is capable of learning to play a musical instrument. I realized that I could combine my wish to make music with the desire to keep stimulating my brain.

See also: This Is Your Brain On Play

My quest was launched when I found Biana Kovic, a New York City cello teacher whose documentary, Virtuoso, chronicled Matty, an 89-year old who agreed to take lessons in exchange for participating in the film. If Matty could do it, so could I.

Playing the cello involves eye-hand coordination, timing, differentiation of sounds, and the pure physicality of carrying around a near body-sized wooden object, daunting for a beginner. Focusing despite distraction and learning to read music require determination. The very complexity of these efforts stimulates neuronal production. I was up for the challenge.

Beyond the aesthetic benefits -- the delightful sound of drawing the bow across a string and producing a deep, resonating sound (when I hit the right note) -- I also knew as a psychologist reviewing the latest neuroscience literature, that the fine arts, and particularly music can enhance cognitive functioning.

See also: Inside a Grateful Dead's Head

What happens in the brain of someone playing a musical instrument? For the first time in human history we can answer that question. Thanks to fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging), a technique that directly measures the blood flow in the brain, you can see exactly which areas get active when someone plays a musical instrument.

Remarkably, findings from recent research indicate that multiple parts of the brain light up, particularly activation in the pre-frontal and frontal cortex. This is a very good thing: the more sites affected, the better it is for cognitive functioning. After midlife both sides of the brain become better integrated, more interdependent and functionally intertwined, further enhancing brain performance. This process is known as bilaterality.

There is mounting evidence that playing music, and I don’t mean on your iPhone, iPad or audio system, can delay or reverse the onset of normal age-related memory problems in older adults. Not only is neuron production increased, but connections between these cells called dendrites continue to multiply. Instead of the decline we imagined we might need to deal with, we can expect cognitive strengthening!

See also: Find Your Inner Tortoise

Taking up a musical instrument isn’t the only path to a brighter brain. There is evidence that other fine arts have similar value. For example, studies show that older adults engaging in theater, whether improvised or scripted, show signs of brain stimulation that improves working memory and boosts cognitive functioning.

Senior theater companies have mushroomed in the past decade, growing from under a hundred to almost 800 nationwide. And while an enhanced sense of community, physical activity and playfulness are good reasons to learn to act, the cognitive bonus is icing on the cake.

When I thought about playing the cello I said to myself, “if not now, then when?” And I’m so grateful I did.

Francine Toder, Ph.D., author of The Vintage Years: Finding Your Inner Artist (Writer, Musician, Visual Artist) After Sixty is an emeritus faculty member at California State University Sacramento. She lives in the San Francisco Bay area and practices the cello daily.

Images:
Cello illustration
Credit: Topic Photo Agency/Corbis
Portrait of Francine Toder
Credit: J. Hustein

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  Kid Rock

Rembrandt recreated in life...watch this!

"Night Watch" by Rembrandt, brought to life  The Rijksmuseum museum in Holland had an idea: Let's bring the art to the people and then, hopefully, they will come to see more - at the museum. They took one Rembrandt painting from 1642, Night Watch and brought to life the characters in it, placed them in a busy mall and the rest you can see for yourself! 
BEFORE YOU CLICK on the link below.....take a good look at the painting above.  Then click to enjoy the video.  http://www.youtube.com/embed/a6W2ZMpsxhg?feature=player_embedded <http://www.youtube.com/embed/a6W2ZMpsxhg?feature=player_embedded>

Parents Die together , leave 2 children from Hollywood Journal

otos courtesy of the Furbush family.

• January 21, 2014
• by Matt Boren
• in MAKING A DIFFERENCE
• 34 Comments
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Attention Hollywood: These 2 kids need your help

by Matt Boren

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I grew up in Framingham, Massachusetts. One of our claims to fame was that we were the biggest town in the country which is interesting because it never felt big. In fact, it felt like a small town. We all knew each other.

I have been writing about my hometown for as long as I can remember. I got my start in television with my first pilot, Dirtbags. That was a show about my friends who were still living in Framingham. I wrote Dirtbags with a sense of longing. A big part of me wanted to be back home, with them. A big part of me still wants that. I have tremendous gratitude for my hometown and I carry Framingham and all of the people I grew up with with me everyday. Today, I carry one in particular: Stephen Furbush.

Stephen Furbush, 39, passed away in his sleep. Two months earlier, Stephen’s wife, Kristen O’Keefe, lost her battle with an aggressive brain tumor. They leave behind two children – Kayley, 6, and Patrick, 3.

When I spoke with my brother, David, he broke down in tears. He remembered Stephen as a “vibrant, sweet, funny, stud athlete.” My brother and I have been calling each other a lot over the past few days, both of us talking about Stephen and Kristen’s children. Both of us wanting to do whatever we can to help.

My brother lives in New York. I live in Los Angeles. And Framingham lives in our hearts.

The great common thread of where we live now and where we grew up is the heartbeat of community. When someone is in need here in Los Angeles, we rally. In New York, they rally. In Framingham, they rally.

A fund has been established for the Furbush children and I ask of you to contribute whatever you can. These beautiful children will greatly benefit from the generosity of our collective community.

Stephen Furbush had plans of getting a new laptop and pursuing his writing ambitions. I’ve heard he wanted to write books. I hope he knew that in his children, Kayley and Patrick, he already wrote two.

Please consider contributing to the Furbush Children’s Fund. Thank you.

About Matt Boren

Matt Boren grew up on the East Coast. He is a writer/actor currently living in Los Angeles. He danced to "My Prerogative" at his bar mitzvah where his theme was Hollywood.

Jackie Evancho - Nessun Dorma - Superb - HDTV

Every little girl has dreams and this is part of a Cinderella dream for Jackie and for the little girls who dream with her.  The beauty of this song, is also in the words.  A translation will help....basically, the poetry of it is

"The starts tremble with love and hope but my secret is hidden within me
no one shall reveal my name, but only on your lips when daylight shines forth and my kiss shall break the silence which makes you mine.  Depart oh, night , hasten your setting and fade your stars at dawn and I shall win your love."

Rome my book review...written by Robert Hughes...an intelligent overview

Rome captured me because I had been reading[[ASIN:080508861X The Day of Battle: The War in Sicily and Italy, 1943-1944 (Liberation Trilogy)]] I wanted to review the history of Rome and glimpse the country through time.  As in casual conversation mistakes are not important.  It is the overall view of history and the gist of it., that I wanted.  I came away in awe of the Emperors and their might to create the classical beauty of Rome. This power and awe transferred to the Popes who continued to build and arrange the grandeur of Rome.  When years after my first visit to Rome and what I wanted to see ,the Coliseum, the fountain of Trevi,etc, I returned. This time I entered from Ostia, the port of Rome and was stunned to see the city created by Mussolini.  I think that having experienced Rome in person ,seeing the Mussolini creation etc. helps to enjoy the book.  It was truly a sweeping view of the history of this great city.  I found myself picking up the book frequently and finishing it quicker than expected.  Even the comment of the author, about the traffic resonated because I too, had seen Rome in the 1950's and returned in the early 1980's to a new, crowded Rome..  A  curious reader, I was astounded to learn that Ostia was dug as a deep harbor by , I think it was Constantine!  Oops!  Did I remember correctly? ( A quick glance at other reviews surprised me with their criticism of mixing up Emperors, etc...)

 I do have to admit that I was taken back by a footnote in the book, for one thing, that pointed out  Hughes harsh opinion of [[ASIN:0307474275 The Da Vinci Code]]   It was after all a best selling novel!

Three Centuries of Italian Painting in New York

I would be attending this if I was in New York, so passing it along to those who might enjoy it and be able to see it while in New York...

Take a VIRTUAL TOUR of our stand at

The European Fine Arts Fair 2011