Compass Issue #194

MASS. NURSES ASSOCIATION PREPARED TO CONTINUE THE FIGHT

Thousands of medical workers in the Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA) led the largest nurses' strike in Massachusetts history through July, but the fight for a fair contract has not ended. Despite national attention and support from electeds across the state, Mass General Brigham (MGB) has refused to resume negotiations with the group.

Registered nurses and home care clinicians with MGB have fought separate but overlapping battles for fair contracts.

Nurses are pursuing limits on hospitals’ reliance on temporary travel nurses, affordable and flexible health insurance, differential pay for nurses regularly caring for patients in multiple units, and a meaningful costof-living wage increase.

Home care clinicians want more reasonable caseloads, clear and transparent productivity standards, and wages reflecting the complexity of their services and that support recruitment and retention.

LAYOUTS: Adrian Alvarez: p. 6, 8

Kelsey Deemer: p. 7

Madison Dudley: p. 2, 3

Yasmin Hamilton: p. 1, 4, 5

MNA members voted nearunanimously to authorize strikes in June following months of lapsed negotiations. MGB offered no wage increase for the majority of nurses,increased health insurance costs, and refused proposals designed to recruit and retain permanent nurses at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, union officials said.

MNA nurses originally planned to strike for one day before being locked out for four more after MGB brought in temporary nurses to replace them. MNA alleges these replacement staff members were unqualified and jeopardized patient safety. Home care clinicians struck for seven days, culminating in a rally outside MGB’s Assembly Row headquarters.

“Our strike and MGB’s lockout became one of the biggest healthcare stories in the country because everyone understands that Brigham nurses are fighting for safe patient care,” said Kelly Morgan, Chair of the Brigham MNA Bargaining Committee.

“Despite the enormous reputational harm MGB forced on itself, its executives refused to negotiate on the issues that matter most to nurses and patients. MGB’s bargaining position is incredibly disappointing and shows the same disrespect that led to this historic dispute in the first place.”

New bargaining dates have been secured for August, but union representatives say they are preparing additional actions if MGB will not resume negotiations in good faith.

“We came back to the table ready to

negotiate and ready to compromise where compromise is possible,” said Vice Chair of the MNA Bargaining Committee Jim McCarthy. “Our priorities are clear because they directly affect patient care and the hospital’s ability to recruit and retain experienced nurses. If MGB continues refusing to negotiate on these issues, we are prepared to escalate.”

In a July 6 letter to the MGB Board, Morgan and McCarthy wrote that a $35.8 billion healthcare system, bringing in $2.4 billion in the last year alone, offering compensation to billionaire board members over the workers who generate that value by literally saving lives is not a financial necessity.

“As members of the Board of Directors, you have the authority to instruct MGB executives to negotiate seriously and settle a fair contract. We urge you to lead this institution the way a healthcare system should be led: with patients, caregivers, and the community at the center of every decision.”

While MGB nurses await their next bargaining date, their peers at Boston Medical Center (BMC) formed a picket line of their own on July 22, making similar demands. BMC said it values its nursing staff and remains committed to reaching an agreement.

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MASSACHUSETTS MINUTE:

BOUVÉ IS THE NORTH SHORE'S STAR

The North Shore of Massachusetts is famous for many things – historic coastal towns, sloppy roast beef sandwiches, witch trials, and an annual greasy pole contest to name a few.. For me, an entirely different subject pops into mind at the mention of our state’s historic North Shore.

Nestled between Newburyport and Gloucester sits the picturesque town of Ipswich. It’s here that singer, songwriter, rapper, and all-around jovial human being Bouvé calls home. Ipswich is a supporting character for his music videos, serving as the backdrop to shots appearing across his social pages on a daily cadence, Bouvé has blossomed into one of the most riveting artists in Massachusetts.

Instantly recognizable by the 978 tatted on the front of his neck, Bouvé is an enigmatic figure in an area that isn’t particularly known for its music scene. Having released music for over a decade, the North Shore representative has crafted a deep discography that walks the tightrope between pop, trap, hip-hop, alternative, and indie music.

His music bounces between uplifting, braggadocious earworms that celebrate life, melancholy offerings that speak to inter-relational challenges, and the hard work and resiliency that defines his career as an artist. And while his listenership is still amassing, he’s in the process of assembling a strong base of global fans who can’t seem to get enough of his music.

The bulk of his notoriety has come from the past year, which has seen nearly 20 singles as well as a full-length album titled “Oh My Days.” Though excess doesn’t always equate to quality, each of these songs offers a peek at Bouvé’s star power.

The bulk of his notoriety has come from the past year, which has seen nearly 20 singles as well as a full-length album titled “Oh My Days.” Though excess doesn’t always equate to quality, each of these songs offers a peek at Bouvé’s star power. But despite the unending list of singles that have made their way onto DSPs this year, “Oh My Days” is where Bouvé is at his best. From beginning to end, listeners grow accustomed to his innate knack for addictive melodies, noise-complaint-inducing drums, and tongue-in-cheek, albeit profound, lyricism. “Backroads,” “Can’t Win,” and “I Do Admit” have logged serious hours on my personal devices, however the bulk of this project does a great job of capturing who Bouvé is as an artist.

If you’re the type who enjoys being ahead of the curve and is keen on discovering someone who could be your new favorite artist, then I encourage you to head over to your platform of choice and give him a listen. And if you’re in the mood to catch a glimpse of Ipswich Bay and other North Shore landmarks, then I suggest a visit to his YouTube, where you’ll really experience Bouvé’s love for the area.

BOSTON GOES GOTH

AN INTERVIEW WITH ELYSIUM FOUNDER AND DJ ASPHODEL IVORY

On the third Saturday of the month, the bustling streets of Central Square in Cambridge experience a metamorphosis. The raucous revelers take on a darker edge. Bright outfits turn monochrome, blue jeans are traded for black leather, and the music takes on a mechanical edge. This gothic conversion is due to one event: Elysium.

Billed on its official website as “Boston’s newest and most destructive dark electronic club night,” Elysium invites those with a taste for the goth and industrial to gather together in a night that is “dedicated to showcasing the most aggressive electronic music that New England has to offer.”

Elysium is the brain child of Bostonbased DJ and Producer Asophdel Ivory. Ivory moved to Boston from New Hampshire in 2022 to find a community of people who share his love of industrial and hardcore electronic music and culture. Elysium started as a small event for his friends and people who liked the same music he did, taking place on Tuesday nights in a cozy bar room in the Middle East Restaurant and Nightclub in Cambridge.

“I just started telling people about the party and about the music that I played,” Ivory said in regards to building momentum for his monthly party. Now, Elysium regularly sells out The Middle East’s largest venue, Sonia, and will partner with Ivory to create more technogoth events.

Asphodel Ivory created his persona as an homage to the cyber goth subculture of the early 2000s fused with sci-fi and futuristic aesthetics.

“The point of the persona to me is to play into the feeling of the music. It’s not enough to wear a black t-shirt and a hat if you're playing this music; you have to really go all out because it’s extreme music,” Ivory said. “The persona feeds into the music and the music feeds into the persona.”

Elysium has grown in size and scale, including three resident DJs: Asphodel Ivory, DJ Hello, and DJared. Elysium parties feature local artists, dancers, and large performances from local and national artists. Recently, Ivory has started a new night, Synapse. Synapse happens every fourth Friday in The Middle East upstairs and focuses on dark club music, and he is working on developing a traditional goth night for early 2027.

“We were able to make a place where these kinds of like-minded people could exist together,” Ivory reflected on the importance of creating a welcoming alternative space that allows people to have a well-rounded and safe experience. Dark electronic music can be heavy and emotional, Ivory said, and it’s important to him that when people enter his events, they feel they can let go with the music.

“It’s cathartic,” Ivory said, to let yourself be taken by the music. “I think this music is designed specifically for this kind of emotional release.”

In September, Ivory is planning his largest event yet: Super Elysium. For the first time, Elysium will take over The Middle East’s Sonia and Upstairs venues. The event will include eight performers and DJ’s with big-name artists in the industrial alternative scene such as Amelia Arsenic and Circuit Preacher.

The next Elysium is scheduled for Saturday, August 15 at Sonia in The Middle East at 10 Brookline Street, Cambridge. Doors open at 9pm and tickets are $15 cash only. Creative attire or all black is required, along with a valid ID.

MASK CHAINS FOR MUTUAL AID IN GAZA TRASH IS TRAGIC: THE CURB

When you're poor in a consumer-based city, you often have to forage your joy. When you have too many objects and too little energy, you often have to get rid of things imperfectly.

The Curb is a place to let go of unwanted stuff.

The Curb is a way to feed and be fed by your neighborhood.

The Curb is culture.

The Curb is an unofficial, decentralized exchange institution outside of capitalism.

The Curb is a no-man's land.

The Curb is the boundary edge of desperation (i.e. in a move).

The Curb giveth and The Curb taketh away.

The Curb is one-stop dropping, a socially understood free zone anchored by the fact that municipal trash and recycling get picked up on the curb. "This is being discarded." Trash and recycling are also free to take. Sometimes there is not much difference between trashed and curbed objects. To curb something is to signify that you release control over it. "This is part of the larger world of materials again. I do not protect it inside my home."

The Curb is managed. It has a deadline: Trash Day. This probably helps everyone. If there were no Trash Day, would our sidewalks remain accessible? Would there be any urgency for people to take curbed items they wanted, or any relief for the people who have curbed things, since there would be no guarantee that those items would disappear Thursday morning (or whenever your street's collection day is)?

The Curb is a thin seam of luck, like a vein of metal ore snaking through the earth.

The Curb has open arms. It will hold your old suitcase, the one that got you through your first relationship and helped you survive the breakup, too.

The Curb offers life and death. If nobody wants your suitcase, the garbage truck will take it in. Either way, you do not have to carry it anymore.

The Curb is subtext, not text. It is common law, not legislation. If you move to a place with a strong curb culture and rest your microwave on the curb without a guard, someone passing by might think the microwave has been relinquished, and they might take it.

On July 19, 2026, Boston organizers held a fundraiser for the Wesam Water Project (WWP) at the Lucy Parsons Center in Jamaica Plain. WWP is an on-the-ground, global mutual aid project based in Gaza starting in 2025. The goal of WWP is providing necessary aid to some of the most vulnerable populations in the Palestinian occupied territory, who struggle to secure adequate food, water, clothing, and education during the genocide.

Because the WWP relies solely on donations to distribute aid, local volunteers are looking to raise funds to further sustain the project and spread awareness about the project within Boston.

At the fundraising event, attendees created their own mask chains out of charms and beads to bedazzle their masks. Attended by 15 members of the disabled, COVID-cautious queer community, a safe space was created for people whose politics are informed both by disability justice and the Palestinian liberation movement. Attendees raised $285 for WWP and created various kinds of mask chains, each with its own flair of things like teeth, swords, stars, and suns.

A year later, the WWP completed dozens of distributions and expanded to provide food, clothing, and community support. Hundreds of families have received packages with necessary staple foods, and even Halal meats for Eid al-Adha, a major Islamic holiday where meat is central.

Additionally, the WWP is now in partnership with a school in central Gaza and provides school supplies and other resources to Gazan students. The project is also covering the tuition costs for 30 orphaned students.

Be especially careful in US cities during August and September, when college terms begin and many apartment leases turn over. In Boston this time is known as "Allston Christmas," because free gifts abound on the curb. It is 21st century Massachusetts's version of the ancient Roman holiday Saturnalia, when social relationships and expectations are inverted. During Allston Christmas, your bonds with your Stuff, like a box of ceramic mugs upon the sidewalk, may be transformed or upended. It all takes place on The Curb.

The Curb is not a place. It is train tracks, it is the river that carries old attachments away. You can fish for years and gather treasures in your basement, but those treasures themselves are not life. The Curb feeds life and cleans up after life, but it is not life's home. Use it wisely.

WWP began as a way to provide water to vulnerable families in Gaza. Because conditions on the ground are so dire, worsened by Israel’s blockade and manufactured famine, clean water became difficult to access.

On July 11, 2025, WWP brought a truckload of desalinated water to central Gaza. In just one month, they were able to distribute 22,000 liters of water.

Local organizers are looking for a larger venue to host a future WWP fundraiser. The group is seeking volunteers to create designs for social media posts and email recaps, manage donation tracking, and organize local outreach events and fundraisers within the Boston area.

If you’re interested, please email WesamWaterProject@proton.me. For donations please go to tinyurl.com/wesamwaterproject –––––RAHMA MBARKI

music

8/2 Both Kinds Country AND Western DJ Groanman and Buck Lonesome play every first Sunday @ State Park Bar 8pm 21+ FREE

8/4 Free Lunchtime Concerts Tuesday-Friday all summer, different artists every day, bring your lunch and enjoy bevs and tunes @ Lilypad 12pm12:45pm All Ages FREE

8/6-8/9 Somergloom Festival 2026 Underground heavy music and arts festival featuring Dropdead, Junius, Planning For Burial and more @ Crystal Ballroom, Deep Cuts Deli $15-$85

8/6 Jaded Flame, Stryk9, Drawing Cats, Sexy Thing @ The Jungle 8pm 21+ FREE

8/7 Say ZuZu with Matt Hebert & Haunt @ Lizard Lounge 8pm 21+ $20 adv, $25 dos

8/7 Acid Groove with Miss Ara, DJ DOLLA, ELYSIAN ft. MC POOH @ Hava Nightclub and Lounge 10:30pm 21+ $10

8/9 Sado Domestics @ The Square Root Cafe 4pm-6pm 21+ FREE

8/9 Jazz Sunday: Jorge PerezAlbela, Temidayo Balogun & AKÉDE @ The Square Root Cafe 7pm-10pm 21+ $10-$20

8/10 The Fringe Legendary Boston jazz group performs live every Monday night @ Lilypad 10:30pm All Ages $15

8/12 Rozzie Old Time Session Players, Belgian Beer Cellar @ The Square Root Cafe 7pm-10pm 21+ FREE

8/14 Emily Robb, Honey Radar, Heathen Shame @ Deep Cuts Deli 8pm 18+ $15

8/15 Elysium Devastating mix of industrial, rhythmic noise, dark electro, techno, and hardcore electronic dancing every third Saturday @ Sonia 9pm 18+ $15

8/16 Repugnant Consumption, Moisturizer, Horse Funeral, Convoluted @ O'Briens Pub 8pm 18+ $15

8/19 Wayward Vine, Molly Pinto Madigan, Semi-Aquatic Rodent @ Midway Cafe 7:30pm 21+ $10

8/22 JP Porchfest Music, storytelling, and dance performances on porches, green spaces, and community hubs 12pm-6pm All Ages FREE

8/22-8/23 Rat Music Fest DIY multimedia fest that believes partying in the neighborhood builds solidarity with our neighbors @ 321 Washington St, Somerville $35-$60, NOTAFLOF

8/23 Ruby Grove, Threat Level Burgundy, Mobius Trip @ Faces Brewing Co 5pm All Ages $10

8/23 Jazz Sunday: Brian Friedland Sextet feat. Jerry Bergonzi, Allan Chase & Jason Palmer Original tunes showcasing remarkable improvisers across a wide range of styles and moods @ The Square Root Cafe 7pm9:30pm 21+ $10-20

8/25 TV Buddha, Adult Learners, Jarsch, Stirling Taylor Band @ O'Briens Pub 8pm 18+ $18.60

8/27 Abby Volta, Girl Failure, Plack!, Cinnabun & Eris Electra @ The Jungle 7pm 21+ FREE

8/28-8/29 Boston Jazz Festival Live performances from global jazz musicians @ Boston Maritime Park in Seaport 5pm-10pm, 12pm-10pm All Ages FREE

8/28 SYNAPSE Dark club music every fourth Friday, artists TBA @ Middle East Night Club 10pm 18+ $15

8/29 Martha's Vineyard Ferries, Minibeast @ Deep Cuts Deli 7pm 18+ $18 adv, $20 dos

8/30 Boston Gospel Fest New England’s largest Gospel music celebration @ City Hall Square 5pm8pm All Ages FREE

8/30 Psychedelic Soundbath with Jesse Gallagher Live ambient soundbath and colorful analog projections to be enjoyed with a yoga mat and pillow @ Lilypad 7:30pm10pm All Ages $25

8/31 Militia Rashad, The ZYG 808, Z The Stranger, Mwalim DaPhunkee Professor @ Midway Cafe 8pm 21+ $10

8/8 Dykefest Boston’s premier sapphic arts festival with music, comedy, drag, and art @ Arts at the Armory 1pm-11pm

8/8 The Unbirthday Party Rebrand launch party for the Finding Bright Film Festival including access to WHO R U?, an interactive theatre experience @ Bow Market 7pm-10pm $15-$50

8/15 Raging Gracefully A burlesque show celebrating veteran performers who helped build Boston’s neoburlesque scene over the last two decades @ Crystal Ballroom 7pm 18+ $36

8/20 Atomic Comedy Indie Improv Night Monthly improv show featuring new and veteran local talent @ Rooted Armory Cafe 7:30pm-9:30pm FREE

8/23 Catherine O’Hara Tribute: Home for the Holidays (all of them!) Variety show-cum-costume party, simply chockablock with music, comedy, dancing, drag, puppets, and hilarity @ Crystal Ballroom 7pm All Ages $27

8/28 Sound Off A Cappella’s Summer Show A night of bold sound, storytelling, and live vocal music @ Club Cafe 7:30pm-9pm 21+ $25

8/5 Dibujo del Natural Life drawing in Spanish for all levels. Materials and food included @ The Loov 6:30pm $15

8/8 The Revolution Continues: Print and Everyday Revolutionaries in East Boston Summer print party centering the role of print in Boston’s history as a tool for the dissemination of ideas and collective action @ Maverick Landing Community Services 12pm-6pm All Ages FREE

8/12 Free Sewcial Club Monthly fiber arts co-working and social night. All skill levels welcome @ Artisans Asylum 7pm-9pm All Ages FREE

8/18 Zine Making: What Does The Declaration Mean 250 Years Later? Reflect on the Declaration of Independence through art-making. Supplies provided @ Boston Public Library (BPL) 10am-11:30am All Ages FREE

8/1 Bittersweet by Soe Noire Black lesbian romcom short film screening and talkback @ Lucy Parsons Center 4pm All Ages FREE

8/14-8/16 Hitchcock’s Birthday Weekend Double Features Friday: Strangers on a Train and Family Plot. Sunday: Vertigo and Obsession @ Brattle Theatre $15.50 single show, $19.50 double feature

8/1 Urban Indigenous Citizen Science Fair Highlighting current local solutions to urban forestry, air quality monitoring, data sovereignty, and more @ North American Indian Center of Boston (NAICOB) 12pm-4pm All Ages FREE

8/1 Rent Party For Rent Control Oral histories, open mic, community dinner, and dance party for rent control @ The Muse 2pm-10pm All Ages FREE

8/1 Rat City Arts Festival Grassroots celebration of diverse artists in AllstonBrighton @ Charles River Speedway 3pm-10pm All Ages FREE

8/1 Salsa at The Loov Los Mambiseros play salsa dancing for all levels @ The Loov 7pm-11pm All Ages $15

8/2 Corn Fest Indulge in all things corn with food, drinks, and prizes @ Charles River Speedway 10am-4pm All Ages FREE

8/5 Wax & Stacks Bring your own vinyl and pick up the latest BCN hot off the press @ Midway Cafe 9pm-11pm 21+ FREE

8/6, 8/13, 8/20, 8/27 Queeraoke

Critically acclaimed karaoke and one of the longest running queer nights in New England, every Thursday @ Midway Cafe 8pm 21+ $8

8/7 Teens In Print Showcase Featuring podcasts, film, magazine, and articles by youth journalists @ 73 Tremont St, 5th floor 1pm-3pm All Ages FREE

8/8 Happily Ever After In Nubian Square Walking Tour Youth-led walking tour exploring Nubian Square's history, culture, transportation, and legacy @ Nubian Square 10am-12pm, 1pm-3pm All Ages $28

8/8 Shawmut - Melville - St.MarksCodman Neighborhood Summer Block Party Family friendly block party with food, games, clothing swap, music, and more @ Epiphany School 1pm-4pm All Ages FREE

8/8 2nd Annual Del Barrio Afro Latino Festival Celebrate Afro Latin culture, music, games and community @ Spectacle Island 1pm-5pm All Ages FREE

8/8 Sideways Sculpture Launch Boston Block party with a skate competition, breakdance battles, live hip-hop, and public art @ EXIT Galleries 2pm-10pm All Ages FREE

8/10 Dream + Rest Activation Live soundscapes by Dzidzor and a public art project debut by crystal bi. In honor of the 51st anniversary of the Carson Beach Protest @ Carson Beach 5pm7:30pm All Ages FREE

8/10 Trivia with Ticco and Matt @ The Square Root Cafe 7pm-9:30pm 21+ FREE

8/12 Reading Is Resistance: Book Club & Community Picnic Monthly book club and community gathering, August's book is Communion by bell hooks @ Rose Kennedy Greenway 6pm-8pm All Ages FREE

8/13 Name Change Clinic Drop in for guidance and support with the legal name change process @ Brighton Branch of the Boston Public Library 5:30pm-7:30pm All Ages FREE

8/15 African Festival Of Boston Live performances, drumming, cultural dance, fashion, cuisine, marketplace, and more @ Boston Common 9am All Ages FREE

8/16 Beachdrift SubDrift Boston's annual beach party with workshops, snacks, and open jam @ Reinstein Bandstand at Revere Beach 12pm-6pm All Ages FREE

8/16 Clothing Repair & Swap Party Bring old clothes you don’t use anymore or favorites in need of some loving care. Sewing materials and snacks provided @ Artisans Asylum 3pm-6pm All Ages FREE

8/18 Movie Trivia Assemble your team and test your movie knowledge for prizes @ Crystal Ballroom 7pm All Ages FREE

8/20 Somerville Bike Kitchen 11th Anniversary Bash Food, band, art, and regular open shop activities @ Arts at the Armory 6pm-9pm All Ages $10

8/22 Mamas Summer Free Store Free clothing and essentials to the community. Volunteers needed for distribution, flexible shift options @ East Somerville Community School 7am-4pm

8/23 Oddside Showcase Musical performances, food, games, and good vibes with DJ STIX and DJ Blicky @ Dot Tire Studios 1pm-6pm All Ages FREE

8/24 Drag Bingo Performances and prizes hosted by Mizery @ Club Cafe 7pm-10pm 21+ FREE

7/24-8/13 Walk For A New Dawn Walk across Massachusetts to defend sacred homelands and change the state flag. More info at changethemassflag.com All Ages FREE

8/12 Cultural Land Trusts 101: A Community Meeting Learn about trusts and how they can help protect art space in Somerville @ Somerville Museum 6pm-8pm All Ages FREE

8/14 Justice For Shacoby Kenny Rally and protest demanding an end to prison injustice and accountability @ South Bay Jail 12pm-2pm FREE

8/18 Word On The Street: Conserving National & Personal Histories Conservator Katie Boodle shares her work conserving and preserving historical documents @ Boston Public Library (BPL) 6pm-7pm All Ages FREE

8/25 Arrest Support Training Learn how to provide direct personal support for arrestable people with Extinction Rebellion @ Online Meeting 6:30pm7:30pm All Ages FREE

Fall Communications Intern Support digital storytelling through website, social media, and newsletter. Focus on revising language website for improved clarity @ CultureHouse Union Square The deadline to apply is 8/6

Call For Artists: City Of Boston NAP Exhibit Participate in the 7th Annual Exhibit of The National Arts Program for the City of Boston, NAP to provide materials and funding for this visual art exhibit including awards totaling $3,450 The deadline to apply is 8/7

Call For Artists: Boston Public Market Curating artwork for local businesses-themed community art show, all sales go directly to artist The deadline to apply is 8/14

2026 Artist Residency Four-week photography residency with studio space and exhibition @ Photographic Resource Center The deadline to apply is 8/31

8/8 Author Talk: Mary A. Dyer Dorchester native discusses her memoir about overcoming domestic violence and poverty in 60s and 70s @ Adams Street Branch of the Boston Public Library (BPL) 1pm-2pm All Ages FREE

8/18 Faith Over Fear: Michael Leach In Conversation With Ruthzee Louijeune Author event about harnessing resilience in the face of uncertainty @ Just Book-ish 6pm7:30pm All Ages FREE

8/7 Summer Series: Samba & Latin Dance Party Live music and dance rooted in Latin and Brazilian traditions featuring Receita de Samba & Friends @ Centanni Park 6pm All Ages FREE

8/26 David Hibbett With Maria Pinto: The Complete Fungi Conversation about Hibbertt's broad and accessible overview of fungal diversity, evolution, and ecology @ Brookline Booksmith 7pm All Ages FREE

COMPASS CROSSWORD

Fill in the answers to the clues in order along each line, writing one letter in each station. Each line has two sets of clues: the stations will spell the answers to one set of clues in one direction, and the other set in the other. For instance, if a line had the outbound clue "Breakfast side" and the inbound clues "Refusal" and "Taxi," the answer is the letters B-A-C-O-N, which spell BACON inbound and NO CAB outbound. When you get to a junction, continue following clues along each of the lines.

ANSWER KEY! SCAN OR VISIT WWW. BOSTONCOMPASS NEWSPAPER.COM/ CROSSWORD-ANSWER

GREEN LINE: SOUTHBOUND AND WEST

-"Quit yapping!" online

-One-legged yoga asana (two words)

-Decay TO B:

-Vehicle behind a horse

-Arabic greeting

-Early American poet and painter TO C:

-Yo-Yo Ma's instrument -22nd and 24th president TO D:

-Fall drink and donut flavor

-When the nightly news airs (two words) TO E:

-Grad

-Sent out

GREEN LINE: INBOUND AND NORTH

-That, in Spanish

-Classmate, for example

-Clumps of hair FROM B:

-"Haves and have-___"

-Andean pack animal

-"Woe is me!"

-Ubiquitous piece of farm equipment

FROM C:

-Biological double helix

-Even

-Isabella Stewart Gardner, for example

FROM D:

-Send out

-Middle Eastern leader

-Seer FROM E:

-Roman god?

-Tool for training a pilot or an astronaut

RED LINE: SOUTHBOUND

-Old, but in fashion -Old, and out of fashion TO MATTAPAN:

-Belly button

-They're passed in some races -"On ___": "I swear," outside of Boston TO BRAINTREE:

-Dark blue

-Lobster pot, for instance RED LINE: NORTHBOUND FROM MATTAPAN:

-"On ___": "I swear," in Boston -Newsworthy

FROM BRAINTREE:

-Rave, for example

-"A Thousand Miles" singer Carlton -Luggage carrier

ORANGE LINE: SOUTHBOUND

-Satanic figure (two words)

-Share online

-Emphasized like this (two words) ORANGE LINE: NORTHBOUND

-Bio or chem, for instance -Word after Boston or Roxbury, in school names

-"Come on in!" (two words)

-Staple of Mediterranean cuisine BLUE LINE: INBOUND

-Awe

-Modify, like a factory BLUE LINE: OUTBOUND

-Booty

-Made a mistake -"ASAP!"

Want to see your ad here? Email us ! sponsorship @ brain-arts.org

GOD COMPLIMENTS MY DRAG FIT

I’m shoving bread in my mouth alone in a part of the city I was taught doesn’t matter and I turn to him say poetry like “bee kisses” and “cerulean.” But god follows me home, fnds the paint. Ecstatic visions appear on the walls and I never asked to know this much of tomorrow. He wakes me up with sweet citrus, chanting in a language he created for the day. God doesn’t stop creating on Tuesday makes rats with bushy tails that breed and fll the cupboards.

Soon he brings a storm cloud from the sky with his fnger. Drags and drops that shit on my city.

I begin rationing bread, take wet walks. God comes along and makes names for things Adam never saw.

The light refecting off a window

The rain on a shoe string

When lovers leave the shades

He writes letters to sinners and ignores saints. I eat my bread like with them, holy ghosts. Their halos glowing well into the night.

OISÍN ROWE

MEET YOUR MAKERS

GS SILVA

GS Silva is the creator of "Alien Romance," a slice-of-life saga that was born from the boredom of high school French class in 1987. It follows the lives of six young misfts; including a Vietnamese-American college dropout who isn't actually a rock star, and a struggling artist who only speaks French. Can they make a go of it in spite of the language barrier? And can they help their ragtag group of friends survive the late 80's working class America?

On Cape Cod, GS volunteered at Cape Wildlife Center rehabilitating small mammals, songbirds, and raptors, and for MA Audubon's project reintroducing eastern spadefoot toads to area wetlands.

Living for three years in Saigon, Vietnam, six years in Shanghai, China, and visiting Cambodia, Philippines, Taiwan, and Palau, GS explored the beauty of Asia through photography and illustration. It was in Shanghai that "Alien Romance" turned into art, originally as a handful of silly cartoons made to distract a friend from the anxiety of COVID before it ballooned into a graphic novel and webcomic.

Together with one spouse and one son, GS has rescued many cats and a human or two, and is now working on restoring native fora to the local ecosystem. Earlier comic projects include the zine series "Unpopular Species: Plants and Animals Hardly Anybody Loves" and "I Believe... One Cat's Spiritual Statement" which was published in the 2005 24-Hour Comics anthology. GS has a BFA in flmmaking from MassArt. +ghbvvvvvv7\.;;; (Additional commentary provided by Typhoon, who was found on the sidewalk in Shanghai and has provided 6 years of disaster, destruction, cuteness, and walking on keyboards so far.)

SAMANTHA SCHNEIDER

Hello hello! My name is Sami (though I happily go by Sunni, Sam, or Samantha), and I'm one of your comic artists for the next six months! You've probably seen my work around BCN before (I've written an article or two :p), but now I'm here! I've got my fngers in a lot of pies!

I'm a homegrown Alabamian who fnds herself living in JP! When I'm not drawing Batfam fanart, I am using my words and my art to feel out the walls of my inner self! I have a deep love for the natural world, and spend a lot of time watching and noticing. I also believe in community engagement, so if you're ever in JP for a community-run festival or at a tiny local business, there's a BIG chance my fngerprints are in there somewhere! Also happy to introduce folks when possible!

I make art about most everything, though I really enjoy leaning into more melancholy topics as a way to process my own grief for the current state of affairs. If these topics speak to you, I implore you to take that emotion and turn it into action. As human beings, our most incredible asset is being able to adapt. We are SO good at shouldering burdens and moving forward; however, while growing desensitized, it is important to refuse complacency.

I hope to use my space here to create visceral emotional reactions that inspire readers to take action within their communities.

MEET THE ARTIST

Jesse M. Kahn has been a professional artist and graphic designer for over 30 years. He has taught college-level art & design in greater Boston since 2005. His research and teaching interests are varied and include Gay identity, typeface design & typography, and book arts. He has also taught design & digital photography to urban youth, and lectured on the history of the book, Queer art history, and Queer craft.

Originally trained as a painter and printmaker, Jesse employs photography, text, graphic design, traditional handicrafts, and sculptural techniques to explore Gay male sexuality, freedom of expression, and concerns over the division between public & private spaces and between personal & national security.

completed a post-graduate certifcate in type design from Type West (2025). He was a 1992-1993 recipient of the Thomas J. Watson fellowship during which he was an assistant curator at the Organisation for Visual Arts in London. He has presented at the College Art Association (CAA), the Society of Photographic Education (SPE), and at Foundations in Art: Theory and Education (FATE).

Under the moniker TwoFaceType he designs custom and original type faces. Through his design frm, jesse kahn creative, he works with not-for-proft social justice, education, and arts organizations.

Jesse holds a BA from Earlham College (1992) and an MFA from the Art Institute of Boston at Lesley University (2008). He also

ELLIE ERHART

I’m Ellie, a cartoonist, illustrator, and graphic designer based in Brighton! I make comics with a handmade feel that explore themes of coming of age, queerness, and mental illness. My work is heavily inspired by my experiences growing up as a queer, neurodivergent kid in the suburbs between Dallas and the Texas/ Oklahoma border.

I frequently table at events around Boston, such as MICE (where my minicomic “Blue & Red” won a Mini-Grant award in 2023), Boston Dyke March, and Brighton Bazaar, where I’m known for my 15-minute watercolor and ink commissions. My recent projects include illustrations for the picture book “Catch of the Day” by Dina M. Hardt (on sale September 8th), turning a rat trap into art for the Rat City Arts Festival, and illustrating the label for Pavement Coffee’s recent seasonal blend, Summer Camp. Before moving to Boston, I graduated from Virginia Commonwealth University with a BFA in Communication Arts. When I’m not making comics or illustrations, I work in publishing doing graphic design and art direction for children’s books.

To keep up with my latest work and where I’ll be next, you can follow me on Instagram at @erhartscribbles or subscribe to my newsletter at https://buttondown.com/ erhartscribbles

BORDELEAU

Francis Bordeleau (He/Him, They/Them) is a freelance illustrator and cartoonist based in Boston. He holds a BFA in illustration from Lesley University and an MFA in Visual Narrative from Boston University. His work

Jesse has exhibited in California, Illinois, Indiana, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. He has served on the Board of Directors of Chicago Neighborhood Artists and the Advisory Board of Cultural Connections, an arts initiative in East Boston. He was also a member of the Boston Redevelopment Authority’s Artist Certifcation Board. He is a founding member of the Boston LGBTQIA Artists Alliance, the East Boston Artists Group, and of the collaborative gallery Atlantic Works.

includes comics, storyboards, literary illustration, book covers, concept art, character design, and graphic design. He has worked on comics distributed by organizations like the Boston Globe, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Vermont Folklife Center. Francis has a passion for storytelling, and in his work he enjoys exploring topics like history, mythology, social justice, speculative fction, gender, and dreams. He has recently been trying to fgure out what the hell quantum mechanics are. Outside of illustration, he has worked for years in the performing arts as a technician, set designer, painter, and lighting designer.

You can fnd Francis on social media at @bordraws, or visit his website at francisbordeleau.net. He is currently working developing a science fction series about space politics on the moon as well as a standalone graphic novel about a psychologist who starts to lose his mind.

Blujay Buckley is an illustrator and graphic novelist. She is a recent graduate of MassArt with a bachelors in illustration. For their thesis they created the 86 page graphic novel “Raising Frankenstein” which they are attempting to get published. Blujay’s art is centered around portraying both the beauty and discomfort that comes with being an other in society, coming from their experience of being a disabled queer woman. Their work is disturbing, beautiful, odd, and everything in between. Buckley can be found on Instagram @blu_jay_bird_.

Ask A.L.I.C.E is a comic advice column about a robotic woman engineered to be the perfect 1950s housewife. Her contradictory instructions on how to be the perfect housewife often lead to rather feminist answers, often at the annoyance of her creators. She is learning as much from the human women’s questions as they are from her.