By STACEY MARCUS
Adam Khafif, a graduate of Oaklandvale Elementary School and Belmonte Middle School in Saugus, is making a difference in the world. The 22-year-old street fashion entrepreneur and his clothing line Lisn Up have been featured in Forbes, Huffington Post and other major publications.
Erick and Tania Buck-Ruffen of Lynn, work at their Munroe Street garden plot as mural artist FONKi works on his creation for the Beyond Walls Mural Festival in downtown Lynn. | Photo: Jim Wilson
By MEAGHAN CASEY
What brought Australian artist Georgia Hill to downtown Lynn last month? A mural, to put it simply.
But if you ask her or Beyond Walls founder Al Wilson, it’s much bigger than that. Wilson lured artists from across the globe to lend their talents to a creative movement that has the city buzzing with energy, enterprise, arts and culture and will for years to come.
By TOM SHEEHAN
My father said it early and often to me: “We come into this life with two gifts, love and energy,” and it has never been truer as I have just stepped into my 90th year on the planet, still working at my first love, seeking the magic, the mystery, the mastery in words.
By MEAGHAN CASEY
The Maine coast is home to some of the most picturesque spots in New England, and fortunately for residents off of Rt. 1, it’s just a short ride up 95 North. While it may still be too early in the season to enjoy the beautiful sandy beaches, it’s never too early for a daytrip to Portland for some lobster rolls, shopping and sightseeing. And if the traditional clam shacks don’t motivate you to hit the road, maybe the rest of the culinary scene will. In recent years, Bon Appetit named Portland the “foodiest” small town and in February, nine Portland chefs, restaurants, bakers and brewmasters were named semifinalists for the prestigious 2017 James Beard Awards.
Sisters Kamilah and Kiana share a hug with Tuck, a cuddly teddy bear who helped launch the #sharethebear campaign. | Photo: Reba Saldanha
As the holiday season approaches, a special energy fills the air with people looking forward to sharing holiday joy with family and friends. Images of excited children being tucked in bed, tossing and turning with anticipation, make us smile as we imagine their sugar plum-filled dreams. Yet, for the one in seven children living in poverty in Massachusetts, dreams are not always filled with sugar plums.
Beccia’s illustrations of Josephine Baker and Madonna (along with a fashion sketch) appear in her most recent book, “Fashion Rebels.”
Lynnfield storyteller has a way with words — and art.
By Stacey Marcus
Lynnfield author and illustrator Carlyn Beccia.
Award-winning author and illustrator Carlyn Beccia reflects on her younger years growing up in Lynnfield with a little laugh.
“I was a child that ran away a lot,” she says, noting that she never got very far, but her parents treasure the photo they shot of her donning a Hollie Hobbie nightgown and slippers, suitcase in tow, attempting to escape in the snow. “I was a very rebellious child always horrifying my mother with stuff I wore and trying to push her buttons.”
The wild child earned a full four-year scholarship to the University of Massachusetts Amherst and graduated in 1995. Her first foray into the work world was with Kronos selling time and attendance systems.
“I would advise everyone to go into sales because it’s an aspect of everything you do in business,” she says.
She then spent the next decade-and-a-half working in graphic design and art direction at advertising agencies.
