Around Town
“May Ramadan Bring us Together, but Keep Yourselves at Home”
For Sahar M. Omer ’20, the president of the Harvard Islamic Society, the sudden evacuation of Harvard’s campus in March meant more than the transition of classes to Zoom. The month-long Ramadan celebrations that Omer had planned with multiple committees of peers and faculty at Harvard were suddenly called off. Even a pilgrimage to Mecca, set to take off from Boston Logan airport only days after the University’s announcement, was canceled by Harvard’s Muslim chaplain Imam Khalil Abdur-Rashid within hours. At Harvard and around the world, faith, along with the rest of life, shifted home.
Massachusetts General Hospital's Pursuit of Happiness
The Happiness Committee has existed at Massachusetts General Hospital for several years, but it has taken on an entirely new meaning during the pandemic and has been working to boost the well-being of both patients and healthcare workers alike.
Treasure Hunting in the Harvard Libraries
OLRK takes you on a tour of the most prized possessions of the Harvard libararies.
A House, Pixelated, Can Stand
OEGP ventures out to the virtual quad for a virtual tour of virtual Pfoho.
A Waiting Space
This is a CultureHouse “third space,” a place “between home and work to hang out, meet people, create, share skills, and learn,” its website states. Started in 2017, CultureHouse aims to “increase livability and joy in cities,” by designing free-to-use, public infrastructure projects that leverage vacant urban spaces, founder Aaron B. Greiner explains. The Harvard Square location is one of two temporary CultureHouse pop-ups in Cambridge; the other is in Kendall Square.
Tell-all of a Tellus Tale
A small blue house stands out from Garden St.’s otherwise brick exteriors, a sign reading “Tellus” hammered above the door. To most passersby, the Tellus Institute probably looks like an inconspicuous front. Perhaps it’s just another Cambridge family home or a mysterious Harvard research facility. Maybe Tellus is a Greek word, and it’s a frat house in disguise.
The Virtual Experience
Without the ability to experience campus, the class of 2024 must now make a college decision based predominantly on online resources, of which some students are wary because they are provided by colleges themselves.
15 Seconds of Fame
Chiang’s content highlights some of the more comical ways Harvard chooses to spend its endowment: Specifically, Chiang has garnered followers by creating videos about the vast selection of off-brand cereal in the dining halls and the mold that was growing in his dorm room in Eliot House.
Third Spaces
Yarin says that, for her, part of Hassle’s value lies in “the way we show Boston in all its trashy, shitty, hardscrabble glory.”
A Harvard Education: Family Edition
Most Harvard students only see their parents on holidays and family weekends. William M. Lese '20, however, sees his mother, a Master of Public Administration candidate at the Harvard Kennedy School, at least weekly.
Fermentophone jars
Jars of fermented food, which artist Joshua Pablo Rosenstock uses as musical instruments, are on display at the Museum of Natural History.
Fermentophone Rosenstock
Rosenstock shows the crowd how the microbes in a jar of beer make music as part of his artist talk at the Museum of Natural History.
Sophie Yarin Hassle flea
Sophie L. Yarin, the editor-in-chief of Boston Hassle hopes the flea market is able to provide "affordable art by people, for the people."
Hassle Flea Sharon A. Crowley
Sharon A. Crowley of Handsome Hobo Neckwear presents their “Director of HR” Kiwi Mermaid Crowley.
Hassle Flea market
On Saturday afternoon, Boston Hassle had their bi-monthly art and flea market at Elks Lodge in Central Square.
A Bicyclist’s Basement Haven
Quad Bikes may not actually be a communist utopia, but it is a non-profit and “informal co-op” devoted to spreading the joy of cycling.
A Valentine’s Day Eve Self Love Potion
It’s the night before Valentine’s Day, and I’m in the trendy Somerville event space Warehouse XI. Tonight, it houses the Boston Women’s Market Self Love Potion, which boasts a mocktail bar and about ten vendors selling clothes, jewelry, and skincare products. I note the t-shirts that say “feminist” in cursive lettering.
Boston Women's market founders
Cara Loffredo and Africa Rubio are the co-founders of the Boston Women’s Market.
boston women's market
The Boston Women’s Market Self Love Potion was held in an event space Warehouse XI at Somerville. The market boasts a mocktail bar and about ten vendors selling clothes, jewelry, and skincare products.
Boston Women's market period
Katie Y. Diasti is the Founder & CEO of Viv for Your V. Viv for Your V offers sustainable pads and liners made from bamboo and corn fiber packaged in aesthetically pleasing boxes.
boston women's market health
Ashley D. Prettyman is a health educator at Harbor Health, a community health center and education provider.
Harvard’s Hidden Staff Artists
During their free time, many Harvard staff members enjoying creating art and music. For the first time ever, there is an event where staff members can present their art at the Smith Campus Center Staff Arts Show.
Give a Girl a Sword and She’ll Ask for a Battalion
When Twombly first looked up “sword fighting” on a whim and joined the Boston Armizare, she was the only woman in the club. She was determined to bring her hobby to a wider audience, however, and set out to show other women that they, too, can enjoy martial arts.