The Natick High School Red & Blue stepped out on Sunday, leaving the field with another win…

Natick 27, Dedham 7

Sunday, Sept. 28, 2008, at Natick

Book cover via Amazon

“Past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior,” so says Dr. Phil on a pretty regular basis.

History buffs generally subscribe to this theory, and with the general upheaval facing Americans these days, historic novels are sure to be more popular than ever.

And passionate, wrenching, fierce historical novels which make history come alive?

Welcome local scribe Dennis Lehane into this popular genre with the release of his new 700 page tome, “The Given Day.”

Five years in the making, “The Given Day” marks a departure for Lehane from his previous best-selling mysteries.

But his favorite character, the character of Boston and its colorful inhabitants, once again takes center stage in his latest work.

The Inside Track of the Boston Herald sums up the plot: “The Given Day is set in Boston after World War I. The Irish are fighting the Brahmins for power, the cops talk about striking to get a fair wage, and Babe Ruth, a recurring character, is tearing the hide off baseballs at Fenway Park [map].”

With the last pitch having just been thrown out, at the famous house that Ruth built, the release of “The Given Day” couldn’t be more timely.

N.Y. Times Book Critic Janet Maslin describes Lehane’s latest foray as,” a majestic, fiery epic that moves him far beyond the confines of the crime genre.”

Project Runway winner Christian Siriano, introduced a new word into my household’s lexicon, (courtesy of my wife) - FIERCE! If ever a word were to sum up in a nutshell my review of Dennis Lehane’s “The Given Day…”

“The Given Day” by Dennis Lehane - it’s FIERCE!

Lehane whose previous works include “Mystic River,” “Gone Baby Gone,” and “Shutter Island” has sold the screen rights to “The Given Day” to Sony Pictures.

For a closer look at Dennis Lehane, head over to the Inside Track.

For the N.Y. Times Book Review

For a look at film adaptation news of “The Given Day”

BostonKayakGuy awards a 5 Paddles Rating!!

JOHN PRESCOTT

-BostonKayakGuy

Top Real Estate Agent for more than 14 years, serving the real estate needs of Wellesley, South Natick, Weston, Needham, Wayland, Newton, Framingham and other MetWest communities. www.johnprescott.net

JOHN PRESCOTT

Vice President

Century 21 Commonwealth

508-523-9252

BostonKayakGuy…The MetWest Scene

Hotel Indigo in Newton is a new boutique hotel concept, and is the first of its kind in Boston’s western suburbs.

Plans to position its pool deck as a hip, happening entertainment venue…

…came to a halt last week when Indigo’s reps pulled their request for a “weekday entertainment license,” after being notified that such a license is prohibited by Newton’s noise and entertainment regulations.

The abrupt action calls into play whether the city of Newton should now take a long, hard look at its licensing regulations to determine if updating or revamping needs to take place.

In a report in today’s Boston Globe Richard Chmielinski, the assistant city solicitor said, ” Newton officials would have to amend, modify, or repeal sections of the city’s regulations, in order to give Indigo, the permission it seeks to provide recorded or live music, dancing, use of an amplification system, and televisions on its outdoor pool deck.”

This came as a bit of a shock to the Indigo folks who had been meeting with Newton’s licensing board on this matter for almost 2 months, and had been following the board’s requests to take further actions surrounding their license request.

Indigo’s plans had met with strong resistance by hotel neighbors who had been annoyed by a grand opening party held in June at Hotel Indigo which they said raised concerns about parking, trash, noise, drunk driving, and other assorted issues.

Hotel Indigo Guest Room

Following a year long renovation the Indigo, which is part of InterContinental Hotels, offers a heated outdoor pool, hot tub and relaxation deck, firepits, and cabanas. Cabanas are outfitted with LCD flat-panel televisions, and deck area heating provides extended seasonal enjoyment.

The design philosophy behind Indigo is intriguing.

Hotel Indigo Pool

The Indigo brand combines math, art and nature in perfect symmetry. Fans of the “DaVinci Code” will recognize this as Phi, or the Golden Mean. Hotel Indigo notes that Phi has been used for centuries and has been applied “to achieve beauty and balance in art, architecture, music, and design.”

Hotel Indigo can resubmit its license request for outdoor entertainment, if their legal team deems it appropriate.

For More:

Hotel Indigo

Boston.com/Rachana Rathi

*Hotel Indigo was formerly the Holiday Inn on Grove St. Newton

JOHN PRESCOTT

-BostonKayakGuy

Top Real Estate Agent for more than 14 years, serving the real estate needs of Wellesley, South Natick, Weston, Needham, Wayland, Newton, Framingham and other MetWest communities. www.johnprescott.net

JOHN PRESCOTT

Vice President

Century 21 Commonwealth

508-523-9252

BostonKayakGuy…The MetWest Scene