“It’s peaceful and tranquil with them swimming around,” says Richard McCool, watching fish swim in one of two housing wings of the Dynamo program, where offenders with good behavior live independently at Northeast Correctional Center in Bowling Green, Mo., on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023. McCool, 65, is serving time for rape and first-degree murder convictions. “One day, God willing, we’re going to get out of here.”

Robert Cohen, Post-Dispatch

BOWLING GREEN, Mo. — The warden’s office view is very good here at Northeast Correctional Center. From his window, he can see much of the sprawling state prison that’s home to about 1,550 inmates and surrounded by rolling fields.

That doesn’t mean it’s pretty.

On a recent mid-morning from his roost, the clear sun revealed overwhelming hues of gray from down below. Spools of concertina wire. Layers of fencing, concrete and metal. Even the prisoner uniforms.

An exception — a notable touch of color — came from the far-off corner of campus, where the Missouri prison system has been turned on its head. Older men milled around as they pleased, dressed in maroon “free world” shirts. Though each of the inmates carried convictions for long-ago heinous crimes, ranging from fatal shooting to kidnapping to strangulation, today they don’t even have correctional officers in their housing unit.

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“In a sense, they run it,” said Warden Clay Stanton.

“We’re teaching them normalcy,” said Clay Stanton, left, warden of the Northeast Correctional Center in Bowling Green, Mo., as he talks with offender Khelby Calmese in the Dynamo housing unit on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023.

Robert Cohen, Post-Dispatch

The maroon shirts, he explained, are part of a new program called Dynamo that offers a tremendous amount of freedom to inmates who have shown many years — sometimes decades — of good behavior behind bars. Based off a prison model in Norway that prioritizes reintegration to society, staff handpicked 14 longtimers in their 50s, 60s and 70s to lay the Dynamo foundation with the goal of growing from there.

It’s highly unusual for many reasons. Dynamo inmates have keys to their housing unit and yard, which they can access at any hour and are responsible for cutting the grass. They have open movement to food service, jobs, library, recreation and canteen. They have access to a day room with a soft sofa, large television, washer and dryer, refrigerator, ice machine, plants and an aquarium to help alleviate stress.

Most unusual of all, inmates have their own cells, which they can paint the color of their choosing — and are expected to clean. They are also supposed to keep track of their own doctor appointments and so on.

Michael Campbell, 65, and all other offenders living in the Dynamo housing unit have keys to access their building, living independently and without guards, at Northeast Correctional Center in Bowling Green, Mo., on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023.

Robert Cohen, Post-Dispatch

“We took them out of a structured environment and put them in a responsible environment,” said Stanton. “They are now responsible for all aspects of upkeep of the place.”

So far, he said, results have been “amazing,” including: Zero fights and no drugs, overdoses or violations.

Dynamo only serves a small group of inmates, but the warden said the positive vibes also lower the intensity of the whole prison, which is better and safer for staff. Turnover is always a challenge. Of 44 graduates from a boot camp for new hires here in 2019, the subject of a Post-Dispatch story, only one fourth remain employed by the Missouri Department of Corrections. About 450 people work at Northeast Correctional Center. Stanton said they are down about 100 employees.

“It’s all about respect,” Stanton said of Dynamo. “It’s brought the camp up tremendously.”

‘Come on in’

Mike Whitfield was one of the first to introduce himself during a tour of the housing unit. At 59, he’s among the youngest in the program. Short, stocky, energetic, his friendly demeanor seemed more suited for being a church greeter than somebody with a murder conviction from St. Louis.

“Spend some time in prison, you are going to have a big change of heart,” Whitfield said. He’s had three decades of prison experience and still doesn’t have a date set with the parole board. Maybe, he said, 2046 will be the year. For now, he’s moving forward.

“Being institutionalized, that’s not my cup of tea,” he said. “I am always thinking there’s a chance to get home.”

Roger Roy Nolan, 76, makes his way to lunch while serving the final months of his incarceration in the Dynamo program at Northeast Correctional Center in Bowling Green, Mo., on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023. After serving 43 years and seven days in prison for the murder of Mary Lou Clark Simpson, Nolan will be released on New Year’s Day.

Robert Cohen, Post-Dispatch

Like many others in prison, he has a regular job inside the walls. He drives a forklift. He also goes to the gym a couple times a day and cleans the floors at Dynamo. He’s been in incentive-based “honor” programs before, but he said this one in particular offers the best “peace of mind.”

“It’s a great experience,” Whitfield said, “for us all.”

Chuck O’Howell, 62, of Cape Girardeau, has spent almost his entire adult life in prison for rape.

“This is like a little neighborhood,” he said. “We look out for each other. I like to say we leave prison at the gate.”

Individual names on the cell doors resemble mailboxes on a cul-de-sac.

“This is my room,” said Khelby Calmese, 59, in prison since the mid-1990s for the gang-related killing of a teenager in north St. Louis. “Come on in.”

Just past the toilet, a St. Louis Rams blanket covered a narrow bed. He’d chosen light blue paint for the walls. He liked having his own DVD player and a collection of books that ranged from the “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” to the Bible.

“Look at this place,” he said of Dynamo. “It’s sent from God. It gives us a second chance at life. We get to be who we were meant to be. To have this much freedom we never had, we won’t do anything to lose it. No. No.”

The single cell, 8 feet by 12 feet, is the biggest perk.

Reggie Hart gives a tour of his unlocked cell inside one of two housing wings of the Dynamo program at Northeast Correctional Center in Bowling Green, Mo., on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023. A normal cell at the prison would have bunk beds and minimal decoration. Hart, 60, is serving a 60-year robbery sentence.

Robert Cohen, Post-Dispatch

“One of the worst things about prison is having to be in a cell with another man,” said Jeffrey Pollard, 65, a sex offender also accused in 1984 of holding the Sumner High School principal hostage to talk about God. “You live in the bathroom.”

They don’t lock their cell doors at Dynamo. Roger R. Nolan, 76, who has been in prison since the early 1980s for a mid-Missouri murder, said thieves would rob you blind if you did that in general population.

“We are trying to make it a community where you can trust everybody,” said Nolan, leaning on a walker. “It’s one of the criteria.”

The system

Convicts. Inmates. Offenders. Residents. Prison lingo has been evolving amid renewed efforts to untie knots that make the United States the most incarcerated country in the developed world.

Some view Norway as a beacon of hope. There, being pulled out of society is punishment enough. Prison is the place to rebuild and prepare for reentering society.

“That is so not how American prisons are structured,” said Alia Nahra, a law and doctoral student at Columbia University who has studied incarceration in the U.S. and abroad.

She said U.S. prison officials have taken more interest in touring Norway facilities. Some tweaks have been made, but the system hasn’t changed. Adding to the challenge, she said, Norwegian communities are much more homogeneous.

“The U.S. prison system is more of a catch-all for a lot of social safety-net failures,” she said.

Tape keeps cell doors from locking in an independent housing unit where 14 men in the Dynamo program live inside the Northeast Correctional Center in Bowling Green, Mo., on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023.

Robert Cohen, Post-Dispatch

After a recent trip to Oslo, a report in the Los Angeles Times noted a core difference in prison systems.

“Norway, like much of Scandinavia, has a reputation for allowing the common good to frequently outweigh individual desires and demands. … U.S. culture prizes vengeance.”

Anne Precythe, director of the Missouri Department of Corrections, said her team doesn’t need to go to Norway to figure out the obvious.

“Living in prison shouldn’t be the punishment,” she said. “Their civil liberties have been stripped, but we still have a responsibility to allow them to live a life. Ninety-five percent of these people are coming home to our communities. If we haven’t prepared them for what that looks like, they will not be successful.”

Precythe, 58, who is stepping down in December, said she’s proud of prison staff for coming up with the idea for Dynamo and seeing it through to launch.

“We are such a misunderstood business and what our role is, yet everybody expects us to turn out a great product,” she said. “We need buy-in from communities to support what we are doing.”

Khelby Calmese, center, of north St. Louis County, plays dominoes with fellow inmate Reggie Hart, left, and recreation director Chris Powell in one of two housing wings of the Dynamo program at Northeast Correctional Center in Bowling Green, Mo., on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023. The program offers independent living for offenders with good behavior. “This is a second chance for freedom,” said Calmese, serving a sentence for second-degree murder.

Robert Cohen, Post-Dispatch

Lori Curry, founder of Missouri Prison Reform, which advocates for inmates, said Dynamo is a good first step.

“Ultimately,” she said, “we hope they expand this and learn from it, learn that people change and are more than mistakes.”

A similar program has also started at Algoa Correctional Center near Jefferson City. So far, there’s nothing in the works at the two women’s prisons in Vandalia and Chillicothe.

“That’s not to say there can’t be,” Precythe said.

How to apply

Three residents were just added to the group of 14 who started the Dynamo program in April. More are supposed to be added soon. Full capacity is 50. To fill the remaining open slots, Stanton, the warden, said they’ve received more than 300 applications from throughout the prison system, which has 23,700 inmates.

“It’s a game-changer,” he says.

To qualify, you must be incarcerated at least 15 years consecutively, have no program failures in the past five years, no staff assaults and complete 15 restorative justice class hours per year. Then come recommendations and interviews.

The barriers to entry aren’t insurmountable, said Michael X. Campbell, 65, of San Francisco, who has taken advantage of many programs since he was arrested for a St. Louis-area murder in 1982. Playing the role of Polonius in Hamlet has been one of his favorites, as well as Dynamo.

“If there’s no opportunity in prison, there’s no hope,” he said.

Todd Gile, 34, a sex-offender who was painting “God Bless the U.S.A.” on a sign he was making in the prison wood shop, said he’d apply to Dynamo if he could.

“I’d love to have that freedom to spread out, basically in my own studio apartment,” said Gile, of Kansas City. “Also to say, I earned this.”

Todd Andrew Gile, 34, of Kansas City, Mo., paints a ‘God Bless the USA’ wooden sign in the crafts room at Northeast Correctional Center in Bowling Green, Mo., on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023. Gile lives in the Elite Honor housing wing, a unit for prisoners with good behavior.

Robert Cohen, Post-Dispatch

Dressed in her Sunday best — pink ruffled sleeves and a rainbow tulle tutu — Crystal Martinez’s 4-year-old daughter proudly presents her with a multicolored bouquet of carefully crafted tissue paper flowers. With her 5-year-old son nestled on her lap, laughing in delight, Martinez holds out her arms and pulls the girl into a hug so tight that her glasses are knocked askew. “I want you! I don’t want the flowers,” Martinez says, smiling and holding her children close. Martinez’ five children, aged 13, 10, 6, 5 and 4, last month traveled for three hours from Chicago to visit her in Logan Correctional, Illinois’ largest state prison for women and transgender people, on the Reunification Ride. The donation-dependent initiative buses prisoners’ family members 180 miles (290 km) from the city to Logan every month so they can spend time with their mothers and grandmothers. The number of incarcerated women in the United States dropped by tens of thousands because of COVID-19. But as the criminal justice system returns to business as usual and prison populations creep back to pre-pandemic norms, more children are being separated from their mothers, putting them at greater risk of health and behavioral problems, and making them vulnerable to abuse and displacement. Black and Hispanic women are more likely to be imprisoned than white women, and are affected disproportionately by family separation due to incarceration.

The United States and Qatar have agreed to deny Iran access to $6 billion dollars recently transferred to the nation as part of a deal between Washington and Tehran that led to the release of five imprisoned Americans from Iran last month.

ZMG – Veuer

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Time is one of those elusive things that affects everyone, but no one can fully understand or explain it. Dave Barry, the American author and humorist once wrote: “Other than Velcro, time is the most mysterious substance in the universe. You can’t see it or touch it, but a plumber can charge you up to $75 an hour for it without necessarily fixing anything.” Barry’s rate should be adjusted for inflation.

Whether we consciously realize it or not, our understanding of the world around us is inseparable from our perception of time. Time leaves its mark on everything and everyone, and without that time signature we’re lost. Imagine that all people look the same age – even if they are born. Or if every stone and stick looked equally worn and patinated. It would be a bit outside of the Twilight Zone – life seems frozen and we would have no idea where to position ourselves in relation to things around us.

This applies in particular to architecture. As we walk through a city, we experience buildings not only as shapes and colors, but also as time markers – meaning that they are artifacts from different eras in which they were built. Buildings are littered with visual cues, some obvious and some subtle, but a shortcut to this is architectural style. Although occasionally expressing superficial fashions and whims, architectural styles directly reflect building technologies, available materials, solutions to overcome technical or aesthetic challenges, and even political conditions and the general zeitgeist of an era. Of course, geographical location also plays an important role in the design of buildings.

So when we see a Federal-style house, we relate it to post-revolutionary times; a Victorian style house or building from the late 1800s during the reign of Queen Victoria; a typical brick building on Main Street, around the turn of the century; Art Deco belongs to the 1920s and 30s, a time when architects had a new challenge to design much taller buildings; Brutalist concrete architecture – unfortunately what most people associate with “modern architecture” – dates from the 1950s and 60s; and postmodernism was rife in the 1970s and 80s. (The latter two were arguably the most awkward of the bunch, much as the 1970s were for fashion fads.)

To the disappointment of some die-hard custodians, cities and towns are not stagnant museums, but ever-renewing places, with structures added and remodeled over time. It is normal, even desirable, to have modern style buildings next to older style buildings. Modern architecture, when thoughtfully executed, can be warm and appealing and is not incompatible with historical architecture. This juxtaposition of styles and time signatures creates a richer and far more interesting place, and most importantly, makes the historic buildings so much more valuable. Contrast makes everything easier to read, which is why federal and state monument protection guidelines require that additions to historic buildings be differentiated and not imitate the old buildings. This way we can distinguish what is original and what is new.

But what happens when we mess with our sense of time? What if, instead of designing buildings that look, function and belong to our time, we design them to visually mimic ancient and historic buildings? It would not be flattery; it would be fiction. We would simply fool ourselves and send false signals that distort our understanding of time and place. Sooner or later people would find out they were fooled and nobody likes to be fooled. In addition, the authentic historical buildings would also suffer as they would withdraw into a no longer recognizable jumble of doubles and impostors. In a way, we would be creating Disneyland’s Main Street, only worse, because no one is fooled by Disney’s Main Street – they know it’s a theme park. However, our cities are not amusement parks.

Which brings us to the sensitive subject of historic neighborhoods and historic landmarks. Most municipalities apply these categories narrowly and judiciously, landmarks apply to individual buildings or locations, while districts apply to specific city blocks or sometimes neighborhoods. Usually, for a place to be called a historic district, there has to be a preponderance of historic landmarks that are clustered closely together (think San Francisco’s “Painted Ladies”), or where the streets themselves exhibit unique historic qualities (think that cobblestone streets of New York City). streets of Tribeca). This makes sense, because if the name is to have any meaning, you have to be selective and not cast your nets too far, lest you catch more algae than fish.

Summerville has both types of designations, including a fairly expansive area covered by its historic district. In fact, I would argue that the district is too big as it contains many nondescript houses and streets with no historical significance. Still, there are some who suggest that we should enlarge the district as it would protect more of Summerville from poor development. I certainly identify with the feeling, just not with the solution.

If there are individual buildings outside the district that have real historical value, we may, with the consent of the owner, consider designating them as historical landmarks to protect them. There are individual names for this. However, covering the city with a historic district would deprive property owners of their investments, stifle economic growth, snuff out all design creativity and innovation by imposing an architectural straitjacket, and trap us forever in a time warp. Worse, it would create a theme park of fictional “historic” homes and buildings that would mock the entire historic district – the Disneyfication of Summerville.

The answer to bad development is not bad development that looks old. The answer is a thoughtful and well-designed development led by architects who are talented and responsible designers. It also includes a Design Review Board that holds developers to a high standard, discourages architectural pastiche, and encourages elegant and forward-thinking design that belongs to our times and adheres to established urban design principles.

Historic districts should not be used to embalm a city, but rather to preserve and celebrate the truly historic structures of the past while leaving plenty of room for new projects to sustain and enliven city life, pushing us forward confidently and uncompromisingly . The vitality and future of Summerville depends on it.

As Charles F. Kettering, a prolific inventor and a key figure at General Motors, astutely said a century ago, “You can’t have a better tomorrow if you’re thinking about yesterday all the time.”

Eric Epstein lives in Summerville and is the director of Epstein Architecture, a design practice focused on projects that bring people together. Eric has also taught architecture and urban design and is an occasional guest critic at architecture schools. He can be reached at eric@epsteinarchitecture.com.

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49ers defenseman Jimmie Ward heads for the free hand. And he may need to go elsewhere if he wants to return to his favorite position of free security.

GM John Lynch recently stated that Ward wasn’t thrilled about moving from the security to the slots corner in 2022. And Lynch knows Ward wants to return to San Francisco’s last line of defense.

Lynch recently spoke about Ward’s initial reluctance to play Slot Corner.

“At first he thought we were crazy,” Lynch said of NBC Sports Bay Area’s Jennifer Lee Chan. “He wanted out, but Kyle [Shanahan] did a good job. I know they had a meeting and convinced him to stick with it. He did that and it sounds like he’s trying to get back to safety, but I think it helps who he is as a player when he shows that he has that kind of versatility.

Lynch believes playing the corner helped Ward get the ball more often, addressing a long-standing criticism of Ward’s overall game.

Ward, a 49ers first-round pick in 2014, said he was told he would be benched if he didn’t change positions.

“Kyle doesn’t quite remember it that well,” Lynch said. “We never benched Jimmie. I think he was more trying to sell him why it was a good thing for him and our team.”

Both Ward and free safety Tashaun Gipson will become free agents in 11 days. If Ward wants to play safety again, he may have to go elsewhere – if Gipson re-signs with the 49ers.

And there is an interesting fold in the Ward/Gipson question. According to NFLPA records, they are represented by the same agent. So maybe Ward will know what Gipson is up to, and Gipson will know what Ward is up to.

Lynch says the team wants both Ward and Gipson back. When that happens, you’re on the bench – or you’re playing Slot Corner.

After moving to the slots corner, Jimmie Ward wants to be safety again, originally appeared on Pro Football Talk

The post After transferring to fit nook, Jimmie Ward needs to be a security once more appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

49ers defenseman Jimmie Ward heads for the free hand. And he may need to go elsewhere if he wants to return to his favorite position of free security.

GM John Lynch recently stated that Ward wasn’t thrilled about moving from the security to the slots corner in 2022. And Lynch knows Ward wants to return to San Francisco’s last line of defense.

Lynch recently spoke about Ward’s initial reluctance to play Slot Corner.

“At first he thought we were crazy,” Lynch said of NBC Sports Bay Area’s Jennifer Lee Chan. “He wanted out, but Kyle [Shanahan] did a good job. I know they had a meeting and convinced him to stick with it. He did that and it sounds like he’s trying to get back to safety, but I think it helps who he is as a player when he shows that he has that kind of versatility.

Lynch believes playing the corner helped Ward get the ball more often, addressing a long-standing criticism of Ward’s overall game.

Ward, a 49ers first-round pick in 2014, said he was told he would be benched if he didn’t change positions.

“Kyle doesn’t quite remember it that well,” Lynch said. “We never benched Jimmie. I think he was more trying to sell him why it was a good thing for him and our team.”

Both Ward and free safety Tashaun Gipson will become free agents in 11 days. If Ward wants to play safety again, he may need to go elsewhere – if Gipson re-signs with the 49ers.

And there is an interesting fold in the Ward/Gipson question. According to NFLPA records, they are represented by the same agent. So maybe Ward will know what Gipson is up to, and Gipson will know what Ward is up to.

Lynch says the team wants both Ward and Gipson back. When that happens, you’ll be on the bench – or you’ll be playing Slot Corner.

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The Coolidge Corner Theater (“The Coolidge”) today announced its weekly children’s shows for Winter/Spring 2023. The new season will begin on Sunday, January 1 at 10:30 am with a screening of the popular stop-motion classic, Shaun the Sheep, designed to engage all ages.

Throughout the season we’ll be welcoming back Coolidge favorites like Josh and the Jamtones, Little Groove and illusionist David Garrity.

And of course, as New England’s premier movie destination, we can’t resist the opportunity to introduce a new generation to classic movies like The Great Muppet Caper, The Fantastic Mr. Fox and My Neighbor Totoro.

The lineup for the Coolidge Kids Shows for Winter/Spring 2023 is as follows: All shows are approximately one hour long unless otherwise noted.

MOVIE: Shaun the Sheep

Saturday 31 December and Sunday 1 January at 10:30am

The woolly hero of Aardman Studios is the star of a British animated series that follows his crazy adventures on a small farm. Now, in his own full-length adventure for the big screen, the mischievous sheep hatches a plan to throw sand in the farmer’s eyes so the flock can have fun. Shaun’s barnyard antics accidentally send the farmer to the big city where he develops amnesia, prompting Shaun and friends to embark on an epic rescue mission. The result is a fun, imaginative film that is accessible to children of all ages.

Running time: 85 minutes.

Recommended from 2 years.

The Stacey Peasley Band

Saturday 7 January at 10:30am

The Stacey Peasley Band has entertained and engaged families for over a decade! A teacher for 10 years and a professional singer for 25 years, Stacey Peasley combines her love of children and music into a lively performance that engages children and creates memorable and fun sing-alongs that features performances throughout the greater Boston area. Peasley lives in the Boston area with her husband and three children, who continue to inspire her. Their music has been featured on radio programs nationwide, including Sirius XM’s Kids Place Live.

Recommended from 2 years

Davey the clown

Sunday 15 January at 10:30am

Davey the Clown is a physical comedian, juggler, unicyclist and accordionist. His show includes juggling, amazing magic, incredible unicycling (on a 6 foot unicycle!), crazy antics, balloon sculpture, audience participation and a rubber chicken! Plus accordion music and a parade with volunteers from the audience! An hour of entertainment to make kids (and adults) laugh.

Recommended from 2 years.

MOVIE: The Great Muppet Caper

Saturday 21st January and Sunday 22nd January at 10:30 am

Stop the press! It’s the crime of the century – and investigative reporters Kermit, Fozzie and Gonzo are out to solve the case in this song-filled, star-studded extravaganza directed by the legendary Jim Henson. Our heroes arrive in London to interview Lady Holiday (Diana Rigg), a high fashion designer whose priceless diamond necklace has just been stolen. But when Kermit mistakes pretty receptionist/model-wannabe Miss Piggy for her aristocratic employer; it’s love at first sight. Unfortunately, Lady Holiday’s scheming brother (Charles Grodin) is also courting the hot-blooded pig so that he can frame her for another brazen jewel heist. Now it’s up to Kermit and his Muppet buddies to clear Piggy’s name and catch the real culprits.

Running time: 97 minutes

Recommended from 5 years

MOVIE: My Neighbor Totoro

Saturday 28 January and Sunday 29 January at 10:30am

Often considered one of the best children’s films of all time, Hayao Miyazaki’s watercolor ode to childhood fantasy is both a delightful, exciting adventure and a nuanced portrait of youth, innocence and growth. In order to be closer to their mother, who is bedridden in a rural hospital, Satsuki and Mei move with their father to a remote rural village, only to find that the countryside is home to a family of gentle creatures who take in these young magical girls new journey.

Dubbed in English. Running time: 1h 25m

Recommended from 5 years

Wayne Potash

Sunday, February 5 at 10:30 a.m

“A great musician for little kids,” Zooglobble writes of singer/songwriter Wayne Potash. Wayne and his band put on high-energy shows that delight young audiences with sing-alongs, dancing, hopping and heaps of good-natured fun, with songs like “Lobster Dance,” “Shy Shark,” and “BIG, I’m Big.” Rambles notes, that Wayne “sings the most memorable tunes in American music with a gracious vocal delivery that has the audience singing along.” Performances include Boston Harborfest, Boston Children’s Hospital, Club Passim, Cambridge River Festival, Museum of Science , the Children’s Museums of Boston and Rhode Island, and hundreds of shows for festivals, schools, libraries, and parks and recreation departments throughout New England.
Recommended from 2 years.

MOVIE: The Fantastic Mr. Fox

Saturday, February 11 at 10:30 a.m

Mr. and Mrs. Fox (George Clooney, Meryl Streep) live an idyllic family life with their son Ash (Schwartzman) and visit young nephew Kristopherson (Eric Anderson) – but after 12 years, the bucolic existence proves to be too much for Mr. Fox wild animal instincts. He soon reverts to his old ways as a sneaky chicken thief, endangering not only his beloved family but the entire animal community. Trapped underground and with insufficient food, the animals band together to fight the evil Farmers – Boggis, Bunce and Bean – who are determined to capture the bold, fantastic Mr. Fox at any cost. Roald Dahl’s classic book was brought to life in glorious detail by visionary director Wes Anderson and his team of stop-motion animators.

Running time: 87 minutes
Recommended from 6 years.

MOVIE: Mary Poppins

Sunday, February 19 at 10:30 a.m

Experience the exceptional animation and award-winning music of the original Mary Poppins presented on our big screen! Julie Andrews made her screen debut and won an Oscar for her portrayal of the “virtually perfect” nanny who revolutionizes the orderly Banks family in this exceedingly frail, freedom-loving Disney classic. Alongside Dick Van Dyke as the lovable chimney sweep Bert, Mary Poppins is full of unforgettable songs and dazzling special effects.

Running time: 2h 19m

Recommended from 3 years.

Saturday 25 February at 10:30am

Illusionist David Garrity presents “Magic & Beyond,” a one-person illusion show that features unique theatrical and visual magic, audience participation, comedy to a custom edited musical soundtrack. Garrity uses visual magic and illusions in combination with music, pantomime, situation comedy and audience participation to entertain viewers of all ages and backgrounds. Recommended from 2 years.

The Airborne Comedians

Sunday March 5 at 10:30 am

The Airborne Comedians are two artists who have traveled the world performing their energetic, unorthodox comedy juggling show to the delight of all ages. Dan Foley and Joel Harris throw and catch bird baths, lawn chairs, electric guitars and baseball bats in their hilarious juggling routines while balancing on 6 and 7 foot tall unicycles! A safe bet to make you laugh. Recommended from 2 years.

Little groove

Saturday March 11 at 10:30 am

Come to Coolidge for an interactive music experience with your child. The show is designed for children under the age of 8 who will have fun using real instruments such as drums, shakers and tambourines. You will also interact with dolls, bubbles, balls, pom poms and parachutes! Kids will enjoy being part of the musical experience, using their bodies and voices to sing along to catchy songs that help build important motor and social skills. Parents and carers are encouraged to take their children to the musical experience.
Recommended from 1 year.

Josh and the Jamtones

Sunday March 19 at 10:30 am

Josh and the Jamtones is an exciting Boston-based rock ‘n’ roll family band working towards a single goal: to create a unique and original musical experience that parents can enjoy together with their children. After over 100 shows, a full-length release and three separate EPs in 2011, the Jamtones family burst onto the national stage in 2012 with a brand new album. The band is led by frontman Josh Shriber, owner of The Wildly popular Jammin’ With You!, a 5,000 square foot music and instruction studio and performance center in Wellesley, MA. Recommended from 2 years.

FILM: Kid Flicks One from the New York International Children’s Film Festival

Sunday March 26 at 10:30 am

Kid Flicks One, a collection of short films curated by the New York International Children’s Film Festival, welcomes all budding cinephiles to this lively, fun-filled international program. Whether you’re dreaming up the fantastic, like a cat the size of a house, or the practical, like finding a beloved teacher or summer romance, these shorts are sure to surprise and delight.

Running time: 49 minutes

Recommended from 5 years

Tanglewood puppets present Sleeping Beauty

Saturday 8 April at 10:30am

The production of Sleeping Beauty by Tanglewood Marionettes begins with a brief demonstration of the art of puppetry. Through humorous interaction, viewers get to know different characters, from simple hand puppets to sophisticated marionettes. A classic tale that will appeal to children of all ages, Sleeping Beauty begins in King Felix’s great hall by celebrating the birth of Princess Aurora. The party goes awry when the Wicked Witch arrives and curses Princess Aurora. Does the curse come true? Will someone with a “true heart” show up? You’ll know when you see the presentation of this most popular Tanglewood Marionettes story.

Recommended from 3 years.

The Coolidge’s screens are accessible by elevators. Booster seats are available for small children. All screens are equipped with a variety of options for guests who are hard of hearing, deaf, blind and/or visually impaired. For accessibility questions or to request special accommodations, please email info@coolidge.org.

All events are at 10:30am unless otherwise noted; Visit coolidge.org for tickets and show times. The Coolidge Corner Theater is located at 290 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA. Tickets to the Kids’ Show are $14 general admission and $11 for Coolidge members.

The non-profit Coolidge Corner Theater is a leading American independent cinema known for its curated feature film programming and innovative educational, cultural and entertainment programming. The Coolidge is a popular movie theater that welcomes over 225,000 guests a year and has been delighting audiences with the finest cinematic entertainment since 1933.

As well as presenting the very best in contemporary independent cinema, Coolidge has developed a wide range of programming to reach all sectors of the community including: Big Screen Classics, After Midnite, Senior Matinees, Talk Cinema, Science on Screen, Cinema Jukebox, PANORAMA, The Sounds of Silents, Children’s Shows, Rewind!, Box Office Babies and Adult Film Courses. The Coolidge is home to several prominent film festivals and has welcomed film luminaries such as Meryl Streep, Werner Herzog, Jane Fonda, Liv Ullmann, Ethan Hawke, Viggo Mortensen and more. Visit coolidge.org for more information.

The post The Coolidge Nook Theatre Proclaims Winter/Spring 2023 Lineup Of Weekly Children’ Reveals appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

The Coolidge Corner Theater (‘the Coolidge’) today announced the winter/spring 2023 its weekly Kids’ Shows. Sure to delight all ages, the new season launches on Sunday, January 1 at 10:30am with a screening of the beloved stop-motion classic Shaun the Sheep.

As the season progresses, we’ll be welcoming back Coolidge favorites such as Josh and the Jamtones, Little Groove, and Illusionist David Garrity.

And of course, as New England’s premier movie destination, we can’t resist the opportunity to introduce a new generation to film classics such as The Great Muppet Caper, The Fantastic Mr. Fox, and My Neighbor Totoro.

The line-up for Winter/Spring 2023 Coolidge Kids’ Shows is as follows; all shows last roughly one hour unless otherwise indicated.

MOVIE: Shaun the Sheep

Saturday, December 31 and Sunday, January 1 at 10:30am

Aardman Studios’ wooly hero is the star of a British animated TV series that follows his madcap adventures on a small farm. Now in his own full-length adventure for the big screen, the mischievous ovine masterminds a plan to pull the wool over the farmer’s eyes so the flock can have some fun. Shaun’s barnyard antics inadvertently send the farmer to the big city, where he develops amnesia, prompting Shaun and his friends to go on an epic rescue mission. The result is a funny, inventive movie accessible to kids of all ages.

Run time: 85 minutes.

Recommended for ages 2+.

The Stacey Peasley Band

Saturday, January 7 at 10:30am

The Stacey Peasley Band has entertained and engaged families for over a decade! A teacher for ten years and a professional singer for twenty five, Stacey Peasley combines her love of children and music into a lively act that engages kids and creates memorable and fun sing-along songs, offering performances throughout the greater Boston area. Peasley lives in the Boston area with her husband and three children, who provide constant inspiration. Her music has been featured on radio programs nationwide, including Sirius XM’s Kids Place Live.

Recommended for ages 2+

Davey the Clown

Sunday, January 15 at 10:30am

Davey the Clown is a physical comedian, juggler, unicyclist and accordionist. His show includes juggling, amazing magic, incredible unicycling (on a 6-foot unicycle!), wacky antics, balloon sculpture, audience participation, and a rubber chicken! Plus accordion music, and a parade with volunteers from the audience! One hour of entertainment that will keep kids (and adults) convulsed – with laughter.

Recommended for ages 2+.

MOVIE: The Great Muppet Caper

Saturday, January 21 and Sunday, January 22 at 10:30am

Stop the press! It’s the crime of the century – and investigative reporters Kermit, Fozzie and Gonzo are out to crack the case in this song-filled, star-studded extravaganza directed by the legendary Jim Henson. Our heroes arrive in London to interview Lady Holiday (Diana Rigg), a high-fashion designer whose priceless diamond necklace has just been stolen. But when Kermit mistakes lovely receptionist/would-be model Miss Piggy for her aristocratic employer; it’s love at first sight. Unfortunately, Lady Holiday’s scheme brother (Charles Grodin) is also wooing the sultry swine so he can frame her for another brazen jewel heist. Now it’s up to Kermit and his Muppet pals to clear Piggy’s name and catch the real culprits.

Run time: 97 minutes

Recommended for ages 5+

MOVIE: My Neighbor Totoro

Saturday, January 28 and Sunday, January 29 at 10:30am

Often regarded as one of the best children’s films ever created, Hayao Miyazaki’s watercolor ode to childhood imagination is both a delightful, exhilarating adventure and nuanced portrait of youth, innocence, and growth. To be closer to their mother who is bedridden in a rural hospital, Satsuki and Mei move with their father to a remote village in the countryside, only to discover that the countryside is home to a family of gentle creatures that take these young girls on a magical new journey.

Dubbed in English. Runtime: 1h 25m

Recommended for ages 5+

Wayne Potash

Sunday, February 5 at 10:30am

“An amazing musician for little kids,” writes Zooglobble about singer/songwriter Wayne Potash. Wayne and his band put on high energy shows that engage young audiences with sing-a-longs, dancing, jumping, and lots of good-natured fun, with songs like “Lobster Dance,” “Shy Shark,” and “BIG, I ‘m big.” Rambles notes that Wayne sings “the most memorable melodies in American music with a friendly vocal delivery that positively begs the audience to sing along.” Performances include Boston Harborfest, Boston Children’s Hospital, Club Passim, Cambridge River Festival, Museum of Science, Boston and Rhode Island Children’s Museums, and hundreds of shows for festivals, schools, libraries, and park and recreation departments all over New England.
Recommended for ages 2+.

MOVIE: The Fantastic Mr Fox

Saturday, February 11 at 10:30am

Mr. and Mrs. Fox (George Clooney, Meryl Streep) live an idyllic home life with their son Ash (Schwartzman) and visiting young nephew Kristopherson (Eric Anderson)-but after 12 years, the bucolic existence proves too much for Mr. Fox’s wild animal instincts. Soon he slips back into his old ways as a sneaky chicken thief and in doing so, endangers not only his beloved family, but the whole animal community. Trapped underground with not enough food to go around, the animals band together to fight against the evil Farmers-Boggis, Bunce and Bean-who are determined to capture the audacious, fantastic Mr. Fox at any cost. Roald Dahl’s classic book was painstakingly brought to life in gorgeous detail by visionary director Wes Anderson and his team of stop-motion animators.

Run time: 87 minutes
Recommended for ages 6+.

MOVIE: Mary Poppins

Sunday, February 19 at 10:30am

Experience the extraordinary animation and award-winning music of the original Mary Poppins, presented on our big screen! Julie Andrews made her screen debut and won an Academy Award for her portrayal of the “practically perfect” nanny who revolutionizes the prim and proper Banks family in this supercalifragilisticexpialidocious Disney classic. Co-starring Dick Van Dyke as the lovable chimney sweep Bert, Mary Poppins is filled with memorable songs and dazzling special effects.

Runtime: 2h 19m

Recommended for ages 3+.

Saturday, February 25 at 10:30am

Illusionist David Garrity presents “Magic & Beyond,” a one-person illusion show that features unique, theatrical and visual magic, audience participation, comedy to a custom-edited musical soundtrack. Garrity uses visual magic and illusions combined with music, pantomime, situation comedy and audience participation to entertain audiences of all ages and backgrounds. Recommended for ages 2+.

The Airborne Comedians

Sunday, March 5 at 10:30am

The Airborne Comedians are two performers who’ve traveled the globe performing their high energy, unorthodox comedy juggling show to the delight of all ages. Dan Foley and Joel Harris throw and catch birdbaths, lawn-chairs, electric guitars and baseball bats in their hilarious juggling routines while balanced atop 6 and 7-foot high unicycles! A sure bet to make you laugh. Recommended for ages 2+.

Little Groove

Saturday, March 11 at 10:30am

Come to the Coolidge for an interactive music experience with your child. The show is designed for children 8 and under, who will have fun using real instruments such as drums, shakers, and tambourines. They will also interact with puppets, bubbles, balls, pom poms, and parachutes! Children will enjoy being a part of the musical experience, using their bodies and voices to sing along to catchy songs that help them build important motor and social skills. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to join in the musical experience with their children.
Recommended for ages 1+.

Josh and the Jamtones

Sunday, March 19 at 10:30am

Josh and the Jamtones is an exciting Boston-based rock and roll family band working towards a singular goal: to create a unique and original music experience that parents can enjoy together with their children. After 100+ shows, one full-length release and three separate EP’s in 2011, the Jamtones family took a step onto the national stage with a brand new record in 2012. The band is led by front-man Josh Shriber, owner of the wildly popular Jammin’ With You!, a 5,000 square-foot music and teaching studio and performing center located in Wellesley, MA. Recommended for ages 2+.

MOVIE: New York International Children’s Film Festival Kid Flicks One

Sunday, March 26 at 10:30am

A collection of short films curated by the New York International Children’s Film Festival, Kid Flicks One gives a warm welcome to all budding cinephiles with this lively international lineup of fun. Whether dreaming up the fantastical, like a cat the size of a house, or the practical, like finding a beloved teacher or a summer romance, these shorts are sure to surprise and delight.

Run time: 49 minutes

Recommended for ages 5+

Tanglewood Marionettes presents Sleeping Beauty

Saturday, April 8 at 10:30am

Tanglewood Marionettes’ production of Sleeping Beauty begins with a brief demonstration of the art of puppetry. Through humorous interplay, the audience will learn about various forms of puppets, from the simple glove puppet to the sophisticated marionette. A classic tale which appeals to children of all ages, Sleeping Beauty begins in King Felix’s great hall with the celebration of Princess Aurora’s birth. The party goes awry when the wicked witch arrives and curses Princess Aurora. Will the course come true? Will someone with a “true heart” appear? You will know when you see Tanglewood Marionettes’ presentation of this best-loved tale.

Recommended for ages 3+.

The Coolidge’s screens are accessible by elevators. Booster seats are available for small children. All screens are equipped with a variety of options for patrons that are hard of hearing, deaf, blind, and/or visually impaired. For questions about accessibility or to request any special accommodations, please email info@coolidge.org.

All events take place at 10:30am unless otherwise indicated; For tickets and showtimes, please visit coolidge.org. The Coolidge Corner Theater is located at 290 Harvard Street, Brookline, MA. Kids’ Show tickets are $14 general admission and $11 for Coolidge members.

The nonprofit Coolidge Corner Theater is a premier American independent cinema renowned for its curated feature film programming and innovative signature educational, cultural, and entertainment programs. A beloved movie house, the Coolidge welcomes over 225,000 patrons per year and has been pleasing audiences with the best in cinematic entertainment since 1933.

In addition to showcasing the best in contemporary independent cinema, the Coolidge has developed a wide range of programming to reach all sectors of the community, including: Big Screen Classics, After Midnite, Senior Matinees, Talk Cinema, Science on Screen, Cinema Jukebox, PANORAMA, The Sounds of Silents, Kids’ Shows, Rewind!, Box Office Babies, and adult education film classes. The Coolidge hosts several prominent film festivals and has welcomed film luminaries such as Meryl Streep, Werner Herzog, Jane Fonda, Liv Ullmann, Ethan Hawke, Viggo Mortensen, and more. For more information, visit coolidge.org.

The post The Coolidge Nook Theatre Publicizes Winter/Spring 2023 Lineup Of Weekly Children’ Reveals appeared first on DAILY SAN FRANCISCO BAY NEWS.

Mike Trout took over as the Angels’ primary center fielder in 2012 and was a stalwart there until last year, when a calf injury limited him to just 36 games. It seems the time has come where the team is thinking about when to move the 30-year-old into a corner outfield role. Manager Joe Maddon told reporters, including Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register, that the team has talked about the possibility of slotting Brandon Marsh in center field instead.

Center field is generally considered a more physically demanding position to play, relative to the corners, making the move worth while consideration. If the toll of playing defense were reduced for Trout, it would increase his odds of staying healthy and in the lineup. Trout has already been considered one of the best hitters in baseball for a decade now, if not the very best. There’s no sign of that slowing down on a rate basis. Before his season was cut short last year, he was hitting .333/.466/.624, producing an incredible wRC+ of 190, a couple ticks above his career high of 188.

In terms of his work in the center, there are possible signs of decline. DRS and UZR both gave him negative marks in each of the past three seasons. Statcast’s OAA is a bit more favorable, giving him -2 in 2019 but +1 in 2020 and 2021. Marsh just made his MLB debut last year and has only played 70 games, so small sample caveats apply here, but his numbers were -3 DRS, +0.9 UZR and +2 OAA. Perhaps the switch would give the club the double advantage of keeping Trout healthy and finding out if Marsh can provide quality center field defense over a larger sample.

Elsewhere on the diamond, Maddon says that the shortstop position is going to be an open battle between Andrew Velazquez, Tyler Wade, Luis Rengifo and David Fletcher, but that Velazquez is the favorite right now. (Twitter link from Sam Blum of The Athletic.) The 27-year-old Velazquez only has 96 games of MLB experience thus far in his career, producing a tepid batting line of .184/.249/.276. He fared much better in Triple-A last year, but a team with designs on competing would surely want a more proven option. However, even though Spring Training is gearing up, there’s much offseason business still ongoing due to the lockout, meaning there’s still time for the club to make an addition to their middle infield group.

As for Maddon himself, he’s entering the final guaranteed year of his contract. Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times relays that Maddon says he has not been approached about an extension, though he would love to sign one. Although this is the last guaranteed year on the deal, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports that the club actually has a $4M option for Maddon’s services in 2023, which comes with a $1M buyout. That means the urgency to get an extension done might not actually be so high for the club.

Moving on to Maddon’s staff, it was reported in January that former bench coach Mike Gallego would be sticking around in some capacity, though his role was undefined. Now Blum relays that Gallego’s title will be Major League field coordinator. The club still hasn’t announced a first base coach, though it’s unclear if that’s related to the Adam Eaton situation. It was reported in January that Eaton was considering retiring and taking a coaching position with the Angels, though he was still a member of the MLBPA and unable to discuss the opportunity during the lockout.

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