Columbus Cafe to close in November

Posted on October 14, 2011 | 8 comments

Earlier this spring the South End Patch and local blogs reported that the Columbus Cafe had been put up for sale.  Although, I’ve not had a chance to talk to Jim Contreras, I learned this week that the unpretentious cheap eats restaurant, which has been a favorite of mine for as long as I can recall will close at the end of November.

I’ll be sorry to speak of Columbus Cafe in the past tense, as I’ve been a long time fan of the affordable comfort food and casual dining experience that this place has come to perfect.  The space will not remain vacant for long as I’ve been told a new owner will be opening a restaurant, presumably under a new name and with a new menu shortly after Columbus Cafe closes.

Want to check out Columbus Cafe before it closes its doors? You can find the restaurant in the South End at 535 Columbus Avenue – no reservations required.

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Posted in Dining, South End

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Chihuly’s Lime Green Icicle Tower to stay at the MFA

Posted on October 14, 2011 | 3 comments

Photo by: Erik Jacobs from The Boston Globe

The Boston Globe is reporting Dale Chihuly’s 42-foot-tall “Lime Green Icicle Tower’’ will remain at The Museum of Fine Arts’ (MFA) Shapiro Courtyard.  The piece was part of a recent exhibit featuring the Seattle-based glass artist’s work. In response to the public’s support of this unique exhibit, this summer the MFA told visitors that if they wanted this piece to remain they would need help raising funds to purchase the piece and the public responded, with more than 1,000 people sending in cash or stuffing bills into a box near the sculpture.  According to the Globe’s article, $760,000 was contributed to buy “Lime Green Icicle Tower’’ from donors who are not trustees or overseers of the MFA.

I was fortunate enough to see the exhibit when it came to Boston this spring / summer, and I am so pleased that this will remain as part of the museum’s permanent exhibit.  It is really breathtaking.

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Posted in Art & Film

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Betsey Johnson Boston fashion show

Posted on October 13, 2011 | Leave a comment

Saturday, October 15th – Betsey Johnson Boston fashion show

Fashion designer Betsey Johnson will be in Boston to present her prêt-à-porter collection. Proceeds from the show will benefit the South End Community Health Center’s Breast Cancer Prevention Program.

The fashion show will be held at The Cyclorama at the Boston Center for the Arts on Tremont Street with a VIP reception starting at 6PM and admission at 6:30PM. You can purchase tickets here.

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Posted in Health, Philanthropy

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Boston Book Festival: October 15, 2011

Posted on October 13, 2011 | 1 comment

The third annual Boston Book Festival (the largest literary event in New England) is this Saturday (October 15) in Copley Square.  The event will host more than 100 world-renowned authors, workshops and events.   If you are in the city, check out the festival.

Whatever your interests, fiction, history, science, food writing, sports writing, crime fiction, etc… they have something for you.  You can check out the full calendar of events by linking to their site here and individual event descriptions here.

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Posted in Free Stuff, What'cha Reading

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Your Man: Free app for early detection of breast cancer

Posted on October 12, 2011 | 3 comments

My friend David over at WGB posted this video which serves as both a public service announcement and a bit of eye candy / comic relief.  The video is a reminder that breast cancer is a serious subject and by following the videos guidelines TLC  (Touch, Look & Check) women can help with early detection.

The video goes one step further promoting a fun app you can download on your iPhone (an app for Android phones will be available starting next week) to help remind you to do this sort of thing on a regular basis.  Check out the gratuitous male booty and the cute role-call that follows the visually engaging video.

 You can download the “Your Man” iPhone app here.

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Posted in Health, Video

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Acceptance trend of gays and lesbians is dramatic

Posted on October 12, 2011 | Leave a comment

Keen News Service reported last month that Americans are becoming “dramatically” more accepting of gay men and lesbians, according to a new report from a well respected, long-running social survey.  This is hardly surprising and why I get so angry with politicians, religious leaders and others who fan the flame of homophobia despite a growing divide between their twisted morality and what I’d refer to as common sense and common decency. Some of the key findings that should make the GLBT community and their allies feel good include:

In 2010, 46% surveyed supported same-sex couples marriage and 40% opposed; this shows a significant change from just over a decade ago in 1998 when only 11% supported this and 68% opposed it.

In 1973, 70% surveyed said same sex relations were “always wrong.” This rose to a high of 75%  in 1987 and 1988, but fell to 44% in 2010.

Only 32% of those under 30 felt sexual relations between same-sex adults was “always” or “almost always” wrong, versus 69% of those over 70.

If you would like to read the article in full, visit it online here.

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Posted in Gay

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David Gandy

Posted on October 12, 2011 | 3 comments

I call this picture “Gandy Candy”

I’ve posted this picture of David Gandy before but I think it bears repeating. I know it has certainly brightened my day and hope Gandy Candy has the same effect on you.

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Posted in Gay

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Occupy Boston

Posted on October 12, 2011 | 1 comment

The Boston Globe has compiled a 2-minute video of Occupy Boston that I’ve included. Occupy Boston started as a sympathy or copy cat movement inspired by the protests in NYC called Occupy Wall Street.

The movement has garnered much attention locally and has been trending on Twitter for the past several days.   Like all forms of civil disobedience now, the group relies upon and heavily uses social media including Twitter and facebook as well as maintaining a website, occupyboston.com.  Local politicians like Boston’s Mayor have expressed sympathy for the protesters, acknowledging their frustrations while asking them to be respectful of the public space they are occupying.

Is Occupy Wall Street and the nearly dozen other copy cat protests in most major cities of the US the Left’s response to the Tea Party which energized the political Right? Time will tell but I’m glad that this movement is taking hold because its forcing a dialog that should continue.

Check out Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream response to these protests called Those who occupy: We stand with you I’d love to see more follow in the steps of B&J. 

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Posted in Boston, Poltics

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Restaurant review: La Barrique (NYC)

Posted on October 11, 2011 | Leave a comment

Last week during my visit to NYC, I was able to have a quiet dinner at La Barrique – a French wine bar in Midtown on 39th Street between 5th & 6th Ave. The place has a cozy vibe and when you walk in from the street the first thing you will notice is a long rustic bar that seems to attract a boisterous after work crowd.  The back of the restaurant is a bit less loud and depending on where you are seated provides an excellent view to people watch.

The French menu is divided into four parts; appetizers ($7-$13), main dishes ($20-$32), mussels and french fries (all $17) and burgers ($12-$14).  The wine menu is also very accessible with glasses $9 and bottles $32.

I started with a surprisingly good salad ($8.95) that came with clumps of goat cheese the size of quarters nestled between citrus, walnuts and greens.  It was brought to the table right after being served my wine and warmed bread.  The trio of salad, wine and bread really proved to be very satisfying.

While I enjoyed my main dish of fettucine with crab ($16.95) , I think I chose poorly and should have opted for one of the half dozen options for mussels and fries.  The “moules frites” looked delicious, were nearly universally ordered.

Dinner at La Barrique was very reasonable and I’m glad I came to this tiny wine bar.  My meal which included house greens, a large pasta plate and a glass of a Cotes du Rhone was $38.00 without tip. That’s tough to beat in a place like NYC.

La Barrique is located at 38 West 39th Street (212) 997-3910

La Barrique on Urbanspoon

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Posted in NYC, Restaurant Review

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Many LGBT patients feel alienated by their health providers

Posted on October 11, 2011 | 4 comments

Massachusetts is a more progressive part of the US and a relatively safe haven for the LGBT community so I was surprised to read The Boston Globe article on Monday, LGBT patients search for healing; an excellent article which features the Fenway Health Clinic.

Researchers say that LGBT people are more likely to experience a variety of health problems…The reason is largely that they don’t seek health care for fear of being stigmatized in the doctor’s office.

The article is illuminating because living here it is easy to assume such problems don’t exist.  It also made me wonder if a place like MA which is welcoming to the LGBT community can still be frightening then what are the implications for those living in more isolated and intolerant places?

Despite the seriousness of the subject, I suppose I’m quite proud that The Boston Globe committed resources to report this story and it made me wish more mainstream media would follow suit.

What are your thoughts?

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Posted in Boston, Gay

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Boston shines

Posted on October 10, 2011 | 1 comment

September in Boston was absolutely gorgeous and it seems as if October must be a bit jealous trying to out shine what September delivered.  The city reached the mid-80s for the third day in a row, and the beautiful weather comes  on the heels of more than a week of warm weather and sunny days leading up to the Columbus Day weekend.   The unseasonably warm weather will end starting tomorrow if we are to believe the forecast so make the most of this absolutely gorgeous day.  Al fresco dining tonight anyone?

UPDATE: It was so damn gawjus I succumbed and went for a run along the esplanade.  4.5 miles in <40 minutes – not great but not half bad for an old fart like myself.

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Posted in Boston, Fitness

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Give those negative feelings an eviction notice

Posted on October 10, 2011 | 3 comments

At the risk of getting all Oprah-ish on you, I thought I’d share this picture from Tales of the Sissy blog.  For some reason many people have a hard time letting go when angered, frustrated or feel wronged.  Ironically, the feelings on the opposite end of the spectrum love, happiness and justice can be far more fleeting.

Maybe you can share this little bit of mental-health advice to someone and save them a trip to the shrink (not to mention probably lower their blood pressure).

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Posted in Uncategorized

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Men of Twitter

Posted on October 10, 2011 | 1 comment

Each Monday I post #MenOfTwitter profiles of men who catch my eye and whom I think you may enjoy following. As always, suggestions for profiles to feature are welcome. If you’d like to follow me on twitter, you can find me @BosGuy. Below are this week’s #MenOfTwitter. Leave them a nice comment and start following them.

KeithStiles – This handsome guy with healing hands lived in Boston until just a few years ago before he packed up and left for NYC. Keith is a licensed massage therapist so he’s got great hands to go with his handsome face and killer body. He previously worked with Cirque du Soleil and traveled with the troupe for six years.  Want to learn more about this handsome guy, check out his website stilesmassage.com  #HealingHands

Kevinism – Kevin is a fascinating guy who lives in West Hollywood.  He happens to have a passion for helping others and making the world a better place. He does this by dedicating much of his time to his friend’s non-profit, Handing out Hope, and managing events for ImpulseGrp.org which is dedicated to promoting safe sex.  Want to learn more about Kevin? He has a lovely blog you may enjoy, kevinism.com. #CuteCalifornian

BakerByDesign – A.K.A. Chris is a native New Englander who recently moved to Boston after spending the last 7 years in Providence.  He recently decided to make a career change and follow a lifelong passion by becoming a pastry chef.  He is taking an intensive one-year program at The Cambridge School of Culinary Arts and is looking to get more experience in the food industry – anyone looking for a talented guy who happens to also be a bit easy on the eyes? #CuteChef

BTW if you like this post, retweet it. If you love this post, follow me,@BosGuy. Link here to see past #MenOfTwitter postings.

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Posted in Gay

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Back Bay – Boston

Posted on October 9, 2011 | 4 comments

Back Bay is famous for its rows of Victorian homes, which according to wikipedia are considered one of the best-preserved examples of 19th-century urban design in the United States.   The neighborhood’s name refers to when this now trendy part of the city was marsh. Now a shopping, business and residential district, fans of architecture will recognize most of the residential buildings date from the late 19th and early 20th century.

When I first moved into Boston, I lived in the Back Bay and I’ll always consider the neighborhood home.  Below are a series of photographs from Back Bay.

The neighborhood blends the old with the new beautifully.  The photos above are from opposing buildings at the intersection of Newbury Street and Massachusetts Avenue.  The modern building on the left was designed by Frank Gehry in 1989.  By contrast the re-purposed building across the street provides a glimpse of Boston’s past.

When I first moved to Boston the building above which dates back to 1899 was home to Waterstone’s Bookstore and was one of my favorite places to spend time when the weather wasn’t agreeable.  The building is now home to a Montessori school and a restaurant.

Above is a trompe l’oeil to add some interest to what otherwise would be the back of a concrete building that is home to the Boston Architectural College and behind it is the Prudential building which dominates the Back Bay skyline.

 

 

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Posted in Architecture, Back Bay, Boston

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Steve Jobs tribute at Boston Apple store

Posted on October 8, 2011 | Leave a comment

Steve Jobs’ passing earlier this week took many people by surprise despite the fact that his fight with cancer was fairly well documented in the media.  Fans of Jobs have compared him to the Alexander Graham Bell of our time.  Whatever your opinion of the man, one can’t deny that his vision helped reshape how we interact with and view technology.

Following Jobs’ death, Apple stores have become temporary temples where fans may express their sadness.  While walking down Boylston Street today I snapped this photograph outside the Boston Apple Store.  

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Posted in Boston

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