Boston Scenes

Robert C. Hayden, author of “Nine African American Inventors,” was one of many on hand when the Institute of Black Invention and Technology Inc. (TIBIT) brought its Black Inventors Showcase to Union Chapel in Oak Bluffs, Mass., on Aug. 21 and 22, 2009. (Photo courtesy of TIBIT)

A dedication to the slaves buried in the Old Burying Ground in Brookline was held on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009, with the unveiling of a wall engraving in their memory. State Rep. Byron Rushing (fourth from left) was the guest speaker at the event. Joining him were (from left): Barbara Brown, chair of the Hidden Brookline Committee; Malcolm Cawthorne; Abbe Cohen, chair of the board of trustees of Walnut Hill Cemetery; Nancy Daly, chair of the Board of Selectmen. (Don West photo)

Aijalone Oliver of Dorchester, 9, enjoys the fun at the annual Boston Children’s Festival, held Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2009, at the Playstead in Franklin Park by the Boston Parks and Recreation Department’s ParkARTS program. (Lauren Patrick photo)

Comedian Tony Baker poses for a photo at the Hard Rock Café near Faneuil Hall on Friday, Sept. 4, 2009. Baker, a veteran of venerable Los Angeles stand-up spots such as The Improv, The Comedy Store and the Laugh Factory, was one of many comics to come to the Hub to compete in this year’s Boston Comedy Festival. (George Weinstein photo)

Air Force Reserve Airman Sandra S. Thompson, a 2000 graduate of Hyde Park High School, recently graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. She completed an intensive eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness and warfare principles. (Photo courtesy of Army and Air Force Hometown News Service)

Mayor Thomas M. Menino poses with the Dorchester Eagles cheerleaders and their “mascot,” Aniya Hunter, 1 (far left) at the Mayor’s Cup Football Jamboree, held Sunday, Aug. 23, 2009. (From left): Brianna Hunter, 12; Ladaeja Robinson, 9; Tahjae Singleton, 11; Destiny Hunter, 9; India Lee, 12; Legacy Thorton, 9. (Front): Messiah Smith, 8. (Lauren Patrick photo)

The second annual BPS Back-to-School Jamboree. (Photo courtesy of BPS)

Boston Public Schools (BPS) Superintendent Dr. Carol R. Johnson (second from left) joined members of the Boston School Committee, BPS teachers and thousands of children and parents at the second annual BPS Back-to-School Jamboree, held Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009. The event, which was open to all new and returning BPS students and families, featured live performances, activities, prizes, giveaways of school supplies and books, and more. (Photo courtesy of BPS)

The Boston Breakers women’s soccer team asked fans to donate gently worn cleats and extra soccer balls during their summer Cleat and Ball Drive. Accepting donations on Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2009, were: (front, from left): Emme Rodrigues, 7, of Dorchester; Anthony Jamison, 8, Abreya Joseph, 9, Amani and Amari Jamison, both 5, and Andonys Jamison, 7, all of South Boston; and (back, from left): Hailey Demirendi, 12, and Elle Rodrigues, 12, both of Dorchester. Jill Wright of the Breakers and Mike Triant of Boston Centers for Youth & Families (BCYF) were also on hand (far right). (Photo courtesy of BCYF)

The new Higginson-Lewis K-8 School on Walnut Avenue in Roxbury held a back-to-school celebration on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2009, to welcome families and staff. The Higginson-Lewis is one of seven new K-8 programs opening in the Boston Public Schools (BPS) this year as part of the district’s “Pathways to Excellence” plan. Pictured here are Eleni Aviles of Roxbury (left), who is entering sixth grade this year, and school principal Joy Salesman-Oliver. (Photo courtesy of BPS)

Boston Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Carol R. Johnson (left) and Mayor Thomas M. Menino (second from left) greet Nathan Hale Elementary School second-grader Kendael Corbin (third from left) and her father Eddie Corbin with pencils as they enter on the first day of school, Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009. (Photo courtesy of the Mayor’s Press Office)