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Leamer goes behind the scenes with Hollywood legends

Published Sun, 02 Feb 2025 10:16:44 GMT

When Alfred Hitchcock was alive, he was revered as the “Master of Suspense.” Since his 1980 death at 80, Hitchcock’s stature has soared to be recognized as the greatest of all 20th century filmmakers.Yet the Hitchcock Laurence Leamer presents in his fascinating and comprehensive biography “Hitchcock’s Blondes: The Unforgettable Women Behind the Legendary Director’s Dark Obsession” (Putnam, publishes Oct. 10) is that of an emotionally stunted, sexually impotent Brit with life-long awkward social abilities.Leamer, at 81 a veteran best-selling author (“The Kennedy Women,” “Mar-A-Lago: Inside the Gates of Power at Donald Trump’s Presidential Palace”), sees “Hitchcock’s Blondes” as a study of the director’s lifelong fascination with – and need to dominate – his famously blonde leading ladies. They include Britain’s Madeleine Carroll (“The 39 Steps”), Sweden’s Ingrid Bergman (“Spellbound,” “Notorious”), Philadelphia’s Grace Kelly (“Dial M for Murder,” “Rear Window,” “The Catch a Thi...

Highlighting wellness during Breast Cancer Awareness month

Published Sun, 02 Feb 2025 10:16:44 GMT

With everything there is to get done during fall — from back-to-school meetings to back-to-back work meetings — it’s easy to skip taking time out for some self-care and seeing to our own wellness. It needs to be a deliberate effort, and doing so can make such a huge difference in how we manage getting everything done. (You know the saying: Put your own oxygen mask on first. )And underscoring the importance of wellness even further, October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. As a breast cancer survivor myself, I truly believe that mental health and personal self-care are absolutely critical to being my best self every single day.So to help start off Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and to underscore the importance of wellness, I hosted a Wellness Day event at my Wellesley salon, Grettacole. I did it alongside kai, a cult-favorite beauty brand known for its natural and intoxicating signature scent collection —and one of the beauty lines I can’t live without.I carry kai at the salon and a...

Editorial: Healey’s elitism infuriating

Published Sun, 02 Feb 2025 10:16:44 GMT

An infuriated Herald reader put it best after reading that Gov. Maura Healey huddled with fellow Democrats over the state’s migrant crisis: “This is ridiculous!”“Well, that’s nice and very secretive. What are you hiding?” the reader added, alluding to the fact that no Republicans were invited to that huddle.The governor needs to study the Massachusetts Constitution. The “body politic” (i.e., Governor, Legislature, etc.) must adhere to a solemn “social compact” working toward “the common good.” That’s just in the preamble, so Gov. Healey shouldn’t need to read much further.It doesn’t say in times of trouble, consult with your party.Article V (worth reading, governor) states in full: “All power residing originally in the people, and being derived from them, the several magistrates and officers of government, vested with authority, whether legislative, executive, or judicial, are their subst...

Preseason NHL Power Rankings

Published Sun, 02 Feb 2025 10:16:44 GMT

Power rankings! Get your your power rankings!The 2023-24 NHL season opens on Tuesday and we make our annual list of Stanley Cup contenders, also-rans and everyone in between. The tweeners represent a large group, and that’s where you’ll find your Bruins. Hockey being hockey, anyone can break out of that third category. Here’s our first offering for this season:Carolina – With Dmitry Orlov in the fold, the Canes have a Stanley Cup-worthy defense corps. They caught a tough break when they lost Andrei Svechnikov after the trade deadline last year. The Canes are getting to the point of their program where you’re just to ask, if not now, when? There should be some desperation in Raleigh and it could work for the Canes if they channel it well.Colorado – The Avs know they’ve already lost Gabriel Landeskog for the season and, as tough as it will be to miss his skilled edge, they should be better equipped to handle it this year. After winning the Cup, the Avs su...

Get moving now to snag a seasonal job

Published Sun, 02 Feb 2025 10:16:44 GMT

Q. Is it too early to apply to seasonal jobs? I need to make more money so I’m targeting retail jobs. Also, I’m 52. Am I too old to fold shirts at the Gap?A. You’re not too old and although the adage goes, “You are not too late,” for your question about seasonal jobs, my response is, “You are not too early.”Companies are definitely hiring and some have already been hiring since late August, early September for the upcoming holidays.Once you’re hired, you need to be trained and that doesn’t always happen overnight. Go for it sooner rather than later! Don’t talk yourself out of it, you’re not too old, enjoy pursuing the new gigs and remember even for part-time gigs, you’re interviewing them as much as they’re interviewing you — ask critical questions (especially about hours so you can avoid burnout if you’re also working a full-time job) and ask about discounts, too!Q. I feel like my skills are g...

Iliza Shlesinger makes TD Garden headliner debut

Published Sun, 02 Feb 2025 10:16:44 GMT

There will be lasers!But just a few. Other than a few minor arena-style flourishes, Iliza Shlesinger will thrill the TD Garden all on her own on Friday.“The question is always how do you make a bigger, better show without sacrificing the comedy,” Shlesinger told the Herald. “How do I make bigger, better stand up without an act break for fly girls or a juggler?”The answer of course is great jokes. And Shlesinger has a lot of those.The comedian’s first-ever headlining gig at the Garden comes after a slow and steady rise. In 2008, she became the youngest ever winner on NBC’s “Last Comic Standing.” From there it was Netflix special after Netflix special — 2022’s “Hot Forever” was her sixth special for the streaming channel. Add in two books, a podcast, a sketch show, a couple of feature films including one she wrote, and you total a massive career ready for sold-out arenas.Shlesinger’s rise has its roots in a mostly-remembered undergraduate degree at Emerson.“Now you can major in ...

TV Q&A: Where’s Hulu’s ‘Conversations with Friends?’

Published Sun, 02 Feb 2025 10:16:44 GMT

You have questions. I have some answers.Q: Where has “Conversations with Friends” on Hulu gone? Will it be back?A: The series ended after a single, 12-episode season. Hulu removed it along with many other shows, reportedly as a cost-cutting measure. While streamers have often removed and added shows from time to time, removals have been more noticeable at Disney+, Hulu, Paramount+, Max, Discovery+ and other streamers. CNBC.com noted earlier this year that “after the initial bloom of new platforms and subscriber growth, aided by pandemic lockdowns and a surge of fresh content, the digital streaming industry has cooled. And Wall Street has turned up the heat on media companies, now focusing on if and when streaming will be profitable versus if those providers are putting up big subscriber numbers. … Removing content from platforms is a way for streamers to avoid residual payments and licensing fees.”Q: When will “The Good Doctor” begin again?A: That, like so many things, depends on wh...

Fun-loving Khary would love to have a dog

Published Sun, 02 Feb 2025 10:16:44 GMT

Khary is described as fun-loving, smart, and curious. He is reserved when he first meets someone new but can warm up quickly. Khary has a great sense of humor and a smile with dimples that will melt your heart. Khary loves video games and his favorite video character is Sonic the Hedgehog. Khary also enjoys going for walks and has a passion for dogs. Family meals, especially Sunday dinners, are very special to him because they represent a close bond with his foster family.Khary is learning to do his laundry and is eager to learn more life skills. He also has an interest in video game design in the future. Khary receives support in school with social skills and communication. His teachers report that he’s doing extremely well in his classes.Khary easily talks about his feelings, wants and needs. He thrives in his foster home where he receives structure and positive attention. He does very well with the other foster children in his home who are around his age. Khary needs time w...

Aruban getaway a great laid-back, or lively Caribbean escape

Published Sun, 02 Feb 2025 10:16:44 GMT

As has become our tradition, my husband and I headed to someplace warm the day after Labor Day, this year choosing Aruba via a direct JetBlue flight.Many visitors, including myself, opt for the high-rise district. It’s fun there. The beaches are busy and bustling; the hotel names are familiar and trusted. The main beach in that area, Palm Beach, is sandy, wide and beautiful. But this time around I decided to go low.Aruba is a relatively small island; you can e-bike pretty easily from end to end. And the low-rise district, as locals call it, hit the spot. It’s quieter; the lesser known Druif Beach is wide enough to give you room all day, not to mention that gorgeous ocean. The hotels there don’t rise higher than three floors and seem to almost blend in with the flora.It’s pristine, peaceful but never boring. Low-rise was the way to go.We arrived at the Divi & Tamarijn resort (https://www.diviandtamarijnaruba.com/) and checked into our spacious room on the Divi side, where we coul...

Senior cat not so nimble anymore

Published Sun, 02 Feb 2025 10:16:44 GMT

Dear Dr. John,My cat is getting older, and I’ve noticed that she is not as nimble as she used to be. She is pushing 15 and she cannot jump up on the kitchen counter or other places like she used to. She is a bit overweight, and I suspect that she may have some arthritis. How would I know if she is in any kind of pain? I want her to be comfortable and content and if she were in any kind of discomfort, what could I give her for it? I’ve always been told that animals tolerate pain better than humans. Is that so? L.P.Dear L.P.,Several different pain scale assessments have been developed for cats in the past few years. But there are plenty of signs that one can look for to determine if a cat is painful in any way. These include decreased appetites, lethargy, being withdrawn or hiding, decreased movement, decreased interest in play, and being more vocal. One might see any of these signs or a combination of them, but they might also signify other problems or illnesses.Some of the pain asse...