This Week In

Heists

Monday, Mar. 18 marked the 23 year anniversary of one of the greatest art heists in Boston. Paintings by Rembrandt, Degas, Manet, and Vermeer were among the 13 artifacts stolen from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in 1990, by thieves disguised as policemen. This theft, valued at over $500 million worth of stolen goods, is the largest property crime in U.S. history. As of Monday, the FBI is turning to the public for help, launching a public campaign in conjunction with the museum. The FBI claims they have identified the thieves responsible for the missing art, yet they have no leads on the location of stolen goods. The Gardner museum has issued a reward of $5 million for anyone with information as to the missing art’s whereabouts.

Pop Culture

Star director David O. Russell (acclaimed for hits such as Silver Linings Playbook and The Fighter) has begun a new film in Boston—and brought a star studded cast with him. Bradley Cooper, Amy Adams, Christian Bale, Jennifer Lawrence, and Jeremy Renner are all reported as featured in Russell’s currently untitled film. According to “On Location Vacations,” a blog dedicated to film productions, the movie began filming on set in multiple locations in Boston on Monday: an office building on Boylston St. and a residence in Brookline, near Beacon St. and Park Ave. The movie, which follows a 1970s FBI investigation known as ‘Abscam’ to uncover a dozen corrupt Congressman, is scheduled to shoot in Boston through late May, and appear in theatres by December 2013.

National

The jury in the Steubenville, Ohio rape trials delivered their verdict on Sunday, a case that has divided the town and reached national news due to the hype around the accused—the town’s football stars. Trent Mays and Ma’lik Richmond, two high school football players, ages 16 and 17, were found delinquent (the equivalent of guilty in juvenile court) of sexual assault against an intoxicated 16-year-old girl. The two were convicted primarily on evidence of text messages, Twitter accounts, photographs, and phone calls during a party last August at which the assault took place. The two face a year each in juvenile prison, and Mays will serve another year after his sentence for distributing nude photos of a minor. The aftermath of the case has brought threats against the victim’s family, and continues to create a rift in the community.

Cuisine

UNREAL candy, recently featured in the BC dining halls and sponsored by HerCampus BC, has begun its 2013 Easter Bunny Apology Tour to promote the up and coming brand. UNREAL Candy launched last year with assistance from Nicky Bronner, a Brookline native. The label’s mission is to take the ‘junk’ out of junk food: they include no corn syrup or hydrogenated oils in any UNREAL products. The line has already gained support of noteworthy Boston celebrities, including New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and his wife, supermodel Giselle Bundchen. Brady is featured in the ‘Sorry Bunny’ candy ads, as well as musician John Legend and acclaimed personal trainer Jillian Michaels. The local candy company hopes to see success through this new springtime campaign.

Yoga Pants

It’s a BC girl’s worst nightmare: Lululemon Athletica, Inc. has placed a recall on black yoga pants. The ever-popular “Luon” pants, which have become a staple in women’s workout wardrobes around the country, were recalled on Tuesday due to their sheerness: the company discovered the material was revealing too much of their customers. The recall will create a shortage of almost 20 percent of the company’s products, as it includes all black pants and leggings, both full length and cropped styles. Due to this shortage of product, the company’s stock dropped a whopping eight percent at the New York Stock Exchange before the Tuesday morning opening bell, just before they are to post earnings for the full year today. Lululemon is offering full refunds or exchanges to all customers.