This Week’s Forecast: 5.6.10

Stuff worth knowing about this week. Inspected & selected by the editors at Boston Mag.

CEREMONY
5/9 MARINES STORM THE NAVY YARD
The long rivalry between the Navy and Marine Corps is well-chronicled, and can be traced to the fact that sailors often ferry Marines around. Sailors like to say that “Marines” actually stands for “My Ass Rides In Navy Equipment, Sir,” and to point out that, officially speaking, the USMC is a branch of their service. But today, the Leathernecks get to exact a measure of revenge when they take over the Charlestown Navy Yard to rededicate a 200-year-old barracks.

The ceremony will be the culmination of Marine Week (5/3-5/9), a series of events that will bring some 600 Jarheads to town. While here, they’ll be volunteering with groups such as Habitat for Humanity and the American Red Cross, and performing free concerts and military demonstrations. It’s the return to the Navy Yard, though, that holds particularly historic significance: In 1805, Marines from the USS Constitution launched their storied assault on the shores of Tripoli, and so earned their reputation as the nation’s fiercest fighting force.

Today’s Marines will surely be on their best behavior for the re-dedication – it takes place on Mother’s Day, after all – but any swabbie who tweaks them with that “Marines are a department of the Navy” comment will undoubtedly hear their favorite zinger in reply: “Yeah, the men’s department.” marines.mil

MOTHER’S DAY
5/9 MOTHER’S DAY FLOWERS

Celebrate Mother’s Day by making mom something special. Boston Children’s Museum will hold an event where moms and kids can make paper flowers together, creating a gift that will last a lifetime. bostonchildrensmuseum.org

5/9 MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS PARADE
Based on the book, Make Way for Ducklings by Robert McCloskey, children and their families will retrace the steps of Mr. and Mrs. Mallard and their eight ducklings. Led by the Harvard University Marching Band, children relive the adventures in the book by walking through the Boston Public Garden dressed as their favorite duckling. bostoncentral.com

ORCHESTRA
5/11 & 5/12 HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD
John Williams, the brilliant composer and conductor behind films including Jaws, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and the Harry Potter series, brings you a night of some of the most memorable movie music of all time. Experience the magic of the silver screen, evoked by the drama and emotion of orchestral melodies. bso.org