Boston Bites Back – May 15th

Boston Bites BackPhilanthropic foodies have come together with Boston Bites Back – a fundraiser spearhead by chefs Ken Oringer and Ming Tsai as well as The Boston Red Sox, Gov. Patrick, Mayor Menino and ARAMARK.  This fundraiser to benefit The One Fund aims to raise $1 million through the help of 100 of Boston’s top chefs and you the support of foodies like you.

 Wednesday, May 15th from 6:00 – 10:00 PM at Fenway Park

Only 5,000 general access tickets will be sold at $200 each. There will also be 200 VIP tickets at $1,000 each, allowing additional access to an intimate and exclusive gathering in Fenway’s EMC Club. If you are interested and want to learn more about this event visit, www.bostonbitesback.org.

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Monday blues

Monday blues

Book review: The House of Special Purpose

John BoyneIt has been a long time since I posted a book review, but recently I finished reading a book that I think would appeal to people who enjoy historical fiction. The House of Special Purpose by John Boyne.  The 469 page book published by Other Press is narrated by the main character, Georgy Daniilovich Jachmenev, and opens with him reminiscing from his home in London in 1981 near the end of his life. 

Born in rural Russia, the son of a peasant farmer, Georgy’s life takes a dramatic turn after a bizarre incident that brings him to St. Petersburg to serve as a friend and bodyguard to the Tsar’s only son, Tsarevich Alexei.  The narration vacillates between life in Russia and his emigration to London via Paris after escaping his home country with his wife, Zoya.

Beautifully written, I found it difficult to put the book down. Although the twist that Boyne slowly gives away is easy to figure out, it doesn’t diminish the tale.  I found myself totally absorbed by his descriptions of what it was like growing up in Tsarist Russia and during the Bolshevik Revolution.  Additionally, his description of what it was like living in London during World War II was hard to stop reading and kept me up very late reading for more than one night.

If you are looking for a book to read and this appeals to you, go to your local bookstore or you may purchase it here on Amazon.

SoWa Open Market reopens today

SoWa Open Market Opening Day

The SoWa Open Market has returned this weekend after a winter hiatus.  This year’s market has expanded and now includes 110 indie designers and artists at 460 Harrison Avenue; more than 75 specialty food and farm vendors at 500 Harrison Avenue; and 30 food trucks serving up all sorts of good eats at 540 Harrison Avenue.  The market will run every Sunday from 10am – 4pm through the end of October.

Scruffy Sunday

Scruffy Sunday Group Sleep OverGroup Sleep Over

Previous Scruffy Sunday Posts

Dick of the Year

Dick of the yearBack on April 19th in the height of the Boston Marathon Bombing, some hick from Arkansas State House Tweeted I wonder how many liberals spent the night cowering in their homes wishing they had an AR-15 high capacity magazine. Aside from its incredible insensitivity, I couldn’t believe anyone would think anyone here in Boston was cowering and I dubbed Nate Bell – Dick of the Year in this post that went viral.

Apparently I spoke too soon.  Today in a speech to NRA members in Houston, Texas, Wayne LaPierre, Executive Vice President of the NRA, was quoted as saying How many Bostonians wish they had a gun two weeks ago?

Who are the dumb asses giving this quack money? 

Mr. LaPierre trumps dumb-ass Nate Bell if only because of his stature and the attention he knows his comments receive vs. some hick from the sticks who is probably unaccustomed to even his wife listening to him let alone a nation. I won’t waste my breathe explaining why LaPierre’s comments are offensive, or why I (and I’m pretty sure all of the law enforcement officers working to keep the public safe) were probably happy that trigger-happy LaPierre and other quacks convinced that their vigilante mentality would do nothing to make me and others feel safer.  Feel free to share this nut-job’s comments.  The more people realize how bat-shit crazy this guy is the better.

SoWa Art Walk Sunday

PrintThe city of Boston has so many events going on Sunday one’s head could spin trying to see and do everything.  However, if you end up in or near the South End, in addition to the Oyster Festival and the SoWa Open Market, from 11AM to 6PM on Sunday is the SoWa Art Walk. If you’ve never attended, come down and check it out; support the local art scene – I think you’ll be impressed.

More information here, www.sowaartwalk.com.

Restaurant review: Towne Stove & Spirits

Towne Logo“Towne” as locals call it, is a large restaurant and bar located on Boylston Street in Boston’s Back Bay.

Recently, I decided to venture back to Towne to try their brunch. I last reviewed Towne (for dinner) in March of 2011 in my post A Tale of Two Towne’s.

Towne’s brunch menu is reasonably priced with most options between $10 – $16.  Because of the time of day, my friend and I opted for their chicken salad sandwich for $12 and their bacon and cheddar burger for $16.  Eating at the bar can sometimes be risky business depending on how crowded or busy the staff is but on our visit the bar was mostly empty and the bar staff was both attentive and helpful answering the few questions we had about menu options.

Below left is a photograph of the chicken salad sandwich served on toasted multi-grain bread and a side salad. The chopped chicken with cucumber was filling and satisfying.  Below right is a photograph of the burger presented with the top bun upside down with ketchup.  Both proved satisfying but not particularly memorable.
Chicken Salad and Burger I’ve had a few meals at Towne and with few exceptions I’ve found the food average.  However, the space is very comfortable and the service is generally very good.  That combined with its convenient location in the Back Bay is what accounts for its success – or at least that is what I’ve concluded.

If you are looking for casual dining with friends and an easy menu filled with familiar options, Towne is a great option.  If you are looking for a more adventurous or interesting menu, I would suggest Lydia Shire’s other restaurant in Boston, Scampo, in Beacon Hill at the Liberty Hotel.
Towne Stove & Spirits on Urbanspoon

BAGLY Out for Youth – Saturday, May 4th

BAGLY Out for YouthBAGLY – Boston’s Alliance of GLBT Youth is hosting Out for Youth on Saturday, May 4th at the Museum of Science in Boston to celebrate the work of BAGLY, the achievements of the GLBT youth leaders in our communities, and to present the 2013 Queer Activist College Honorary Degrees.

Not familiar with BAGLY? BAGLY is a youth-led, adult-supported social support organization committed to social justice, and creating, sustaining and advocating  for programs, policies and services the the GLBT youth community here in Boston.  Perhaps best known for hosting the country’s first Gay Prom back in 1981 – BAGLY has been a mainstay in Boston since its inception.

You may support BAGLY through donations or by attending tomorrow’s Out for Youth.  More information here.

Guerrilla Queer Bar Boston tonight

Guerrilla Queer BarLooking for something to do? Tonight (the first Friday of each month actually) is Guerrilla Queer Bar here in Boston; hosted by those crazy kids over at The Welcoming Committee.

This month the TWC will take over Jose McIntyre’s with an unofficial pre-game from 8-9:30 next door at The Granary Tavern.

Want to try something different or meet some new people? This is an excellent opportunity. The group is large, diverse and friendly.  If you’ve never attended before ask around if you can meet some of the “Corps Organizers”.

Flashback Friday

Flashback FridayPost Office Square is now a 1.7 acre park in the heart of Boston’s financial district, but as the top photo shows, for many years this was an above ground parking garage.  Fortunately some years back it was decided to build a below ground parking garage to create a more open and inviting space. In good weather, thousands of men and women come out to eat in the park each day.

The 5th Annual B&G Oyster Invitational

OysterChefs, shuckers, and bivalve lovers will gather to eat, drink, and  have fun in the South End this Sunday.  Attendees will also be able to meet Chef Barbara Lynch, Top Chef Season 10 winner Kristen Kish and finalist Brooke Williamson.  

More than 25 South End restaurants and oyster farms will make this year’s Oyster Invitational the largest yet. 

Sunday, May 5th – 1PM to 6PM for general admission

For more information and to purchase tickets to this event, link here.

Furry Friday

Furry FridayLove, Love, Love this guy.  Whatcha think?

Previous Furry Friday posts

BosGuy brain teaser

RiddleFriday morning I post a riddle to get you to think outside the box and exercise your brain.

If you are stumped, share it with a friend or colleague and try to figure it out together.

I’ll confirm answers in the afternoon so don’t worry if you don’t see your comment posted right away. I want to give everyone a chance to guess.

This week’s brain teaser: 

Pronounced as one letter,
And written with three,
Two letters there are,
And two only in me.
I’m double, I’m single,
I’m black, blue, and gray,
I’m read from both ends,
And the same either way.
What am I?

Like riddles? Check out past week’s brain teasers.

Dove Real Beauty: #Balls

Dove Real Beauty BallsLast week I posted the Dove Real Beauty Sketches online ad campaign.  Someone has published an hilarious spoof of the original video called Dove Real Beauty: #Balls.  This is absolutely hilarious and worth watching.

If you’ve not seen the original video from Dove, click the link above to quickly watch it then check out the video below – it is excellent comic relief.