Boston Scenes

Eighteen children from Ellis Memorial’s pre-kindergarten classroom arrived at the State House last Thursday to wish Gov. Deval Patrick a happy birthday and to witness the signing of a law formally establishing the Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program (UPK), intended to provide accessible, high-quality early education and care for preschool-aged children across Massachusetts. Ellis Memorial was chosen in 2007 to take part in a pilot UPK program. (Photo courtesy of Ellis Memorial)

The Prostate Health and Education Network (PHEN) recently held its 5th annual Tee Off to Fight Prostate Cancer Charity Golf Tournament at the Franklin Park Golf Club, as a fundraiser for the organization’s ongoing efforts in the fight against prostate cancer. Posting the lowest scores at the tournament were Keyspan Energy employees Bill Steinkrauss (second from left) and James Judge (third from left). Presenting them with awards are Tom Farrington (left), president and founder of PHEN, and New England Cable News sports anchor Chris Collins (fourth from left). (Don West photo)

Urban College of Boston (UCB) graduate and Action for Boston Community Development Inc. (ABCD) employee Miguel Andres De Los Santos (third from left) of Roxbury poses with his proud family after receiving an associate’s degree in general studies at UCB’s commencement ceremonies, held in June at the Boston Park Plaza Hotel. UCB is a private college chartered by the state Department of Higher Education to grant associate degrees in human services administration, early childhood education and general studies. (Don West photo)

On Aug. 1, the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Director of External Affairs and Communications, Ed Geary Jr., attended the National Night Out celebration in Orchard Park. Geary handed out safety tips, coloring books and Jr. Deputy badges to local children, including Lower Roxbury’s Jayson Bones-Colon (right) and his sister Kiareliz (left), both 4 years old. Kiareliz won a teddy bear at the event. (Photo courtesy of Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department)

African drummers from Paige Academy in Roxbury entertained guests with their rhythms before the New England premiere screening of “Wild Ocean,” held Aug. 1 at the Museum of Science, Boston. The giant-screen wildlife documentary aims to “transport audiences to one of the most precious areas on earth: South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal shoreline,” according to the museum. (Jim Murphy photo)