Mahmud Jafri

Three generations of Mahmud Jafri’s family have worked hard in the rug business and played hard on the squash courts. For the first time, those two passions have been united, with Jafri’s new Dover Rug & Home location in Natick. The 36,000-square-foot space will have three squash courts attached to the showroom, which Jafri plans to use for junior squash clinics and, of course, for personal use.

Every morning, before heading down Route 9 to work, Jafri plays squash on his home court with a friend or the English coach he’s hired. “Squash requires both physical and mental fitness,” he says. “It’s a game of strategy that you can have with you for the rest of your life.”

Jafri grew up in the 1950s in Pakistan, which dominated the global squash scene for decades. That same part of the world has long been known for its heritage-quality rugs. His grandfather started the family business in the late 1800s in the region of India that is now Pakistan. “He had a vision,” Jafri says. “It was an agricultural society with few opportunities for women outside the house. He thought to set up looms inside the home for women to work and still be with their families. It became a business model for the government.”

After Jafri came to the United States to do his MBA at UCLA, he worked for an investment firm and relocated to Boston in 1978. Four years later he took over the family business here in the US and brought the company into retail (before that it was strictly wholesale). With the Natick facility, he can accommodate his vision for the growing company all on one floor, including consultation areas for designers, upscale residential contractors, and their clients. Over the years, he’s seen how his passions for squash and his business have converged—he understands that both the sport and business require not just toughness and muscle (physical or financial), but also strategy. “You have to have both short- and longterm vision,” he says. “You have to see each game as well as the whole match.” Dover Rug & Home, 721 Worcester St., Natick, 508-651-3500.

Dugout buddies: Tom Werner (left) and Russell Goldsmith used to co-own the Padres

When they first met as roommates in their sophomore year at Harvard College, Beverly Hills native Russell Goldsmith had the sheen of Hollywood on him, and Tom Werner was looking to make the acquaintance of a particularly pretty classmate. “Tom was very welcoming,” says Goldsmith. “Little did I realize he had an ulterior motive—he wanted to meet this girl I knew, Wendy.”

Although things didn’t pan out with Wendy, Werner, now co-owner of the Boston Red Sox and the coproducer of That ’70s Show and other TV hits, and Goldsmith, CEO of City National Bank in California, have a relationship that’s spanned more than five decades. Together they ran the Dunster House drama review and even filmed a documentary about Israel on a trip there in 1971. That film project turned out to be a harbinger of sorts. Since graduating in 1971, the pair worked together at ABC and Republic Pictures, and co-owned the San Diego Padres. Although the sports and television industries seem dissimilar, Werner says that in the end, it’s all about creating a quality product.

These days, the guys see each other when Werner flies out to Los Angeles to meet with his production team on NBC’s new sitcom, Are You There, Vodka? It’s Me Chelsea, or when Goldsmith flies into Boston to cheer on the Sox with Werner from his owner’s box in the EMC Club.

Maybe their lasting relationship has something to do with their mutual admiration and easy camaraderie. “Tom continues to be a creative force in American culture and he does it with integrity. If it wasn’t for Tom, I never would have tried to own a baseball team. Even his golf game is admirable.”

Werner speaks just as highly of Goldsmith. “He’s someone I’ve always turned to for wisdom and advice,” he says. “We played golf last weekend, and Russell won’t tell you he hit every single fairway.”

Back in their early days at Dunster House, they didn’t have time for the links, but they did dine often at Mr. Bartley’s Gourmet Burgers, which serves a creation Goldsmith is dying to try: the Tom Werner burger. When Bartley’s names a sandwich after you, it’s a sure sign you’ve made it.

An accomplished stage and screen actor (and comedian who has charmed our socks off), Hamish Linklater sits down with Boston Common to share his memories of growing up in Massachusetts, his eccentric fashion dos and don’ts, and why one should never take his hat off in a bar. Get to know him here, then see him star in the upcoming romantic comedy Lola Versus.

Describe New England Style—does it influence your own wardrobe?
No one wears preppy like a New Englander. It’s almost not preppy; it’s practical. That said, I hate polos and chinos. I like boat shoes but only ironically, as I get seasick.

What do you consider your fall uniform?
Old Levis 501s or 517s I’ve had since high school, Nike Air Force 1 sneakers, unironic T-shirts, a fitted MLB hat, leather jacket under a jean jacket.

What are your fall must-have items?
I like to wear two jackets at once. It makes me look more imposing, and with that many pockets I probably won’t need a backpack, although it always takes me an hour to find my keys. I like a beanie and a scarf, but never matching. I used to like a cardigan, but the cardi market is beyond the oversaturation point. Red and black or green and black plaid on whatever is a yes!

How do you wear a suit?
I prefer a slim-fitting suit, never three buttons. I don’t like a spread collar, and I loathe a skinny tie, on me at least—I’m skinny as it is, and I feel they make me look fat. I never know what shoes to wear with a suit and skew towards boots. But no sneakers!

People magazine confirmed what we already knew; New England men are sexy. Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Matt LeBlanc and Patrick Dempsey are all featured in People’s “Sexiest Man Alive” 2010 issue. Bravo! These handsome and uber talented stars managed to score titles in “Sexiest Man Alive” and “Sexy at Every Age” categories.  We hate to boast but with Ben Affleck on our men’s cover, how could we help but say, “We told you so”?

BOSTON: Keeps me optimistic. It’s a symbol of resilience. What came out of this little town is America.

MY INSPIRATION: Comes from kids like Lindsey Beggan, who beat terminal bone cancer at age 9—she believed in the power of optimism and that life really is good. She’s now in college. Her story stayed with us when we decided to start the Kids Foundation.

I'VE LEARNED: That there’s no difference between social injustice like violence and poverty, and physical illness like cancer. Both are life-threatening challenges; one just seems distant and the other seems more possible.

PLAY IS IMPORTANT: Because that’s how children heal. Trauma affects more than 20 million kids in the US . Fear changes how the brain and body develop. Adults talk it out; for kids, healing has to be physical. Project Joy became a part of our Kids Foundation this year to help children focus on joy instead of trauma.

I STILL PLAY: As much as I can! I’m climbing a mountain in a few hours, then playing football later this week. I still see live music. I’m a horrible surfer, but I’m learning.

I BELIEVE: Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.