68 Blocks: Life, Death, Hope | Part 5

Facing the dream of a future

There were 19 shootings in Bowdoin-Geneva this year, but no one was killed. Here, that seems a step ahead. But progress, if real, feels like a fragile reed in a garden furrowed deep with promise and pain.

Interactive map

Quality of life indicators

Citizen complaints to the city of Boston from the Bowdoin-Geneva neighborhood and its surroundings, from 2010 to 2012.

Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi addressed supporters during a campaign rally on the outskirts of Yangon on March 21.

nicholas burns

The peacemakers of 2012

These people were champions of peace whose dedication at the village, national, and global level is inspiring.

Adrian Anantawan led a Dudamel Orchestra rehearsal in Brighton.

Violinist with one hand inspires young musicians

Adrian Anantawan, who has no right hand, uses an attachment he calls “the spatula” to play the violin.

Latest news

 

John Kerry

Kerry urges ‘foreign policy outdoors’

Senator John Kerry, widely expected to be the next secretary of state, opened a hearing on the State Department investigation into the Benghazi attack.

Fire in Marshfield marina destroys three boats

Authorities said they did not know if the two-alarm fire is related to a spate of recent arsons.

Mass. jobless rate stays at 6.6%

The state lost 1,100 jobs in November as the unemployment rate remained unchanged.

Permits for guns climb in Mass.

The number of firearms ­licenses issued in Massachusetts has climbed by more than one-third in the past five years.

Yvonne Abraham

What do I tell you, my son?

My 5-year-old has no inkling of what happened at Sandy Hook Elementary, or that luck alone separates us from them.

Sports

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Celtics 103, Cavaliers 91

Paul Pierce acknowledged cheers from the TD Garden crowd late in the Celtics’ win.

Paul Pierce’s surge ends Celtics’ losing streak

Pierce, looking like the team’s savior, scored a season-high 40 points as the Celtics held off a rally to finally crack the win column.

Metro

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Nathan Norman (left), 5, prayed with his family at dinner as he prepared to meet with some special holiday guest Thursday.

N.E. police work very special detail

With lights of more than 100 cruisers flashing on a journey from Burlington to Virginia, police escorted Christmas cards for a terminally ill 5-year-old.

Nation & World

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Firefighters and others lined up outside St. Rose of Lima for the funeral of Daniel Barden, who wanted to be a firefighter.

Mourning continues in Newtown

A 7-year-old boy who dreamed of being a firefighter and a first-grade teacher who died while trying to shield students from the carnage were laid to rest.

Arts

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Music Review

Brandon Flowers (pictured performing in California) has battled laryngitis recently.

The Killers raw but roaring at Agganis Arena

After missing three nights because frontman Brandon Flowers had laryngitis, the Killers picked up speed and strength as the night wore on.