Mayor Thomas Menino's state of the city address last week made no mention whatsoever about Beacon Hill as he outlined plans for the city's neighborhoods in the year to come.
Although he detailed lower crime, reduced property taxes and better public schools as goals for the New Year, Beacon Hill did not merit a word of mention.
Perhaps the most notable politician present at the mayor's State of the City address was Senator John Kerry. The Beacon Hill resident mixed with Boston's leading citizens at the Strand Theater, where about 5,000 attended.
The mayor's annual State of the City address focused on the progress the city made in 2007 and the progress the city hopes to make in 2008 and beyond.
Some of the new initiatives for 2008, the mayor said, include expanding several pilot programs citywide and a plan to end busing. Or at the very least, to reduce busing costs by $10 million.
Delivered for the second year from Dorchester's historic Strand Theater, Menino said the state of Boston is stronger than ever
"Boston is bursting with excitement, investment, and potential. While the national economic climate remains uncertain, we have prepared ourselves to weather the storms of economic change," said Menino. "Boston is a world leader in life sciences and healthcare, and we have led the charge to eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities. We have decreased violent crime, and we have increased our population."
"We have lowered residential property taxes, and we have raised the quality of our schools. We have narrowed the achievement gap, and we have expanded the range of parks, museums, and theaters that energize our city. My fellow citizens, the state of our city is stronger than ever."
In his address, Menino announced several new pilot programs and initiatives that will benefit the City's neighborhoods.
Among them, he announced the single stream recycling pilot program started in parts of Jamaica Plain, Roslindale and the South End that will go citywide. The Boston Police Department's continued efforts to reduce violent crime across the City. And lastly he spoke of his vision and $1 million investment for "the next Boston Miracle" - Community Learning, an initiative that will involve both Boston Public Schools and Boston Centers for Youth and Families.
Speaking about the major accomplishment for 2007, Menino was proud to announce there was a terrific reductions in crime throughout the city.
"With the help of our legislative leaders, we have put more police on the street than at any time since 2002. Commissioner Ed Davis has deployed officers in Safe Street Teams, walking the blocks that most need police presence," said Menino. "We have increased the number of police detectives by 25 percent to investigate and solve crime."
"I am proud to say that this year, we reduced violent crime by 9 percent. We reduced homicides by 11 percent; and we reduced shootings by 14 percent. Commissioner Davis has promised me that this year, we will reduce violent crime by another 10 percent," Menino added.

If you’ve ever wondered what President Carter’s favorite dessert was (it’s Pecan Bourbon Pie) or how the former first family celebrated when Chelsea Clinton got her driver’s license (with a cake designed to replicate her license) – mark your calendars for Feb. 1. That is when Roland Mesnier, who was the White House’s pastry chef for 25 years, will be holding court at Pierrot Bistrot for a dinner and meet-and-greet to discuss his new memoir, “All the Presidents’ Pastries.”
Mesnier, a Frenchman and naturalized American, was born into a working-class family and through determination built a career that led to creating sweet masterpieces for men and women in positions of the highest power. He is a long-time friend of Pierrot chef and owner of Pierre Sosnitsky, who is hosting the event.
“The main attraction is Roland, who will be answering those who have a lot of questions about serving the president and the wife of the president,” Sosnitsky says. “He has wonderful stories to tell, because everyone loves desserts. Presidential wives especially love desserts.”
In his book, Mesnier relates White House anecdotes from his bi-partisan position of observer over five administrations. He first came into his position of White House pastry chef during the Carter years and only left recently during George W. Bush’s term. The memoir is full of yummy – and mostly sweet – tidbits about the various personalities he interacted with, the food he served, and the major world events he witnessed. Mesnier has the dish on everything from the Clinton family’s taxing and elaborate parties to the aftermath of the plot to assassinate President Reagan.
And Sosnitsky says Mesnier will be more than willing to talk about those stories and more at the Pierrot dinner. Sosnitsky met Mesnier, who he describes as the “best pastry chef in the world,” years ago when Sosnitsky was working at high-profile eatery Sans Souci in Washington, D.C. Mesnier was already at the White House, and the two Frenchmen bonded at various diplomatic and business events.
“We got to be friends, and he’s just a wonderful man,” Sosnitsky says. “He’s a very nice man.”
The Pierrot event is $50 and includes a champagne reception, four-course dinner, question and answer session and book signing. Reservations are needed, and Sosnitsky promises an intimate and interesting evening. And – it will provide an opportunity to taste an original Mesnier recipe for the Reagan family – Orange Flourless Chocolate Cake.

Blossom Street pianist Jon Jarvis tickles the ivories for customers at Deluca's on Charles Street.

Martin Luther King Day

It has been 40 years since James Earl Ray assassinated the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. on the veranda of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tenn.
This nation was divided. The old were warring against the young. The rich were pitted against the poor. Women were rising up. The social and cultural revolution was at its zenith. Violence pervaded every aspect of American society. The Vietnam War was tearing the nation apart.
On the afternoon a single shot from a 30.06 hunting rifle brought King down, he was still fighting the good fight, preaching non-violence, leading anti-segregation marches, and posturing as the leader of America’s black population.
His death caused racial riots in every major city in the nation, chief among them Baltimore and Washington, DC. Dozens were killed, thousands were arrested.
About half the population of America today can recall King’s assassination – where we were. How it affected us. What it meant in the greater realm of things.
The younger half of the population of America has a very limited understanding of who Dr. King was and what his sacrifice meant.
When King died, he was struggling to maintain his message and his place because blacks were growing impatient waiting for white America to make them equals. King’s non-violent mantra was giving way to more radical thinking. Black Power was rising. The Black Panther Party was gaining interest and strength among mainstream blacks. Young blacks wanted action, not speeches and not talk.
Blacks growing angrier and more violent in order for their message to be heard caused the racists in this nation to consider ultimate acts – and as we would learn, King’s assassination in the prime of his life was followed three months afterward by the assassination of Robert F. Kennedy.
When King went to Memphis on the day he was killed, he knew he was in danger. His biographers have told us he knew he was going to die. They went so far as to say that he was prepared to die and that he was ready to meet his end.
That s what it was like for a non-violent man preaching equality for his people in 1968.
Forty years later, Martin Luther King is regarded as a national hero. He fought the epic fight at a time when people’s minds weren’t as open about our differences as they are today.
He went where no one had gone before him, long before the multicultural nation had come to be as we know it today.
The America of today is a far different place than the America that took the life of Dr. King 40 years ago.
His memory remains strong.
His efforts for the people of this nation and, for what this nation is supposed to stand for, were profound.
Monday was more than a day off for many of us who recall those days that aren’t so much a part of a vanishing past.
Martin Luther King Day should always be more than just another day off.