Tag Archives: Boston

Fan Pier in Boston’s Seaport District

Posted on October 19, 2013 | Leave a comment

Fan Pier Seaport District BostonOnce the dust from the “Big Dig” settled construction in Boston turned to a section adjacent to Downtown and the Waterfront that had been largely left vacant.  The New York Times wrote an article about this new neighborhood called The Seaport and in particular the development on Fan Pier in their 2007 article, From Empty Lots to Bustling Waterfront.  The recession in 2008 slowed development for a couple years, but construction is in full swing and buildings are being built and approved at a rapid rate not normally seen in Boston.

Fan Pier represents 21 acres mostly of waterfront property with views of Boston Harbor and Downtown.  Restaurants, retail stores, condominiums and office space seem to be opening every month.  If you haven’t been down to this part of Boston in a while you may want to check it out.

Today, Boston’s Fan Pier resembles neither photo from above. The picture on the left shows what the pier looked like September  2012.  The photo to the right shows what the pier will look like after the construction finishes in the next couple years.

Leave a comment

Posted in Architecture, Boston

Tagged , ,

Free stuff to do this weekend

Posted on October 18, 2013 | Leave a comment

Boston MapTake advantage of the fact that there are several free events happening in Boston this weekend and use it as an excuse to get up off your couch and get outside for a bit.

The Boston Book Festival, which started yesterday and runs through Saturday in Back Bay’s Copley Square is a great event to check out.  The Boston Book Festival runs from October 17th-19th.

The world’s largest regatta – The Head of The Charles – is a two day event that draws more than 300,000 spectators and 9,000+ athletes over two days.  Hop the Red Line to come down to Harvard Square or walk / ride over to The Charles and pick a spot to spread out, watch and cheer on these athletes.  The regatta runs from October 19th – 20th.

Each Sunday the SoWa Open market draws thousands who come to peruse the artisan stalls, purchase fresh food from the farmer’s market and eat from the many food trucks that park just down the street.  The 2013 season for the market concludes at the end of this month so come down for one last visit before the season ends. SoWa Open market is open Sunday 10-4pm.

Leave a comment

Posted in Boston, Free Stuff

Tagged , ,

‘Typical’ Boston Roommate (by neighborhood)

Posted on October 15, 2013 | 2 comments

South End The Apartment List has generated a large (and funny) infographic, teasing Boston area residents by playing up stereotypes that seem strikingly on point.

Link here to see the full infographic that includes similar caricatures for: Allston, Back Bay, Beacon Hill, Brighton, Brookline, Cambridge, Charlestown, East Boston, Fenway, Financial District, JP, North End, Somerville, South End, Southie, and West End.

2 Comments

Posted in Boston

Tagged , ,

Boston Chocolate School a must try for chocoholics

Posted on October 1, 2013 | 4 comments

Boston Chocolate SchoolThe third Saturday of every month The Boston Chocolate School (yes we even have a school for that here in Boston) hosts a 3 hour class that is the perfect gift for any chocoholic.

I attended September’s class with my good friend and fellow blogger, 40-Something Life, unsure of what to expect.  Our class was hosted by Chef Dorian (shown above with 40-something life blogger and yours truly). Dorian was the Season 2 winner of The Food Network show, Sweet Genius, and after taking his class, I can honestly say he’s also a comic genius.  His class is both entertaining and educational – this man is CRAZY about chocolate.

Boston Chocolate School making trufflesThe first half of the class, which takes place near Downtown Crossing in Boston, is spent learning about chocolate while sipping what might be some of the best hot chocolate in town. I learned things like the only 5 ingredients any chocolate should have:  cocoa liquor (ground cocoa beans), cocoa butter, sugar, soy lecithin and real vanilla. So simple really, but because some large recognizable brands like Hershey don’t use this and add other “stuff” they aren’t technically considered chocolate.

Boston Chocolate School box of trufflesWith the Fall in full swing and colder weather coming, this might make for the perfect Saturday activity if you have even a mild interest in chocolate. Certainly the entertainment value that Chef Dorian brings to the class cannot be stressed enough. Boston Chocolate School classes occur the 3rd Saturday of each month, with the next class on Saturday, October 19th.

More information about this can be found on their website, The Boston Chocolate School.

4 Comments

Posted in Boston, Cooking

Tagged , ,

Fashionistas check out Boston’s Emerging Trends 2013

Posted on September 29, 2013 | Leave a comment

Boston Emerging Trends 2013Are you interested in fashion? You may want to check out Boston’s Emerging Trends 2013 at the Boston Center for the Arts (Cyclorama) at 539 Tremont Street in the South End on Saturday, October 5th.

Get Your Tickets Here

This event is a dedicated effort to aid Boston’s fashion community to encourage innovation and creativity by showcasing emerging designers from all over the world.  Designers featured this year at Boston’s Emerging Trends 2013 include: Nina Athanasiou (Germany), Fleur Kelinza (London), Shefali Couture (U.A.E.) w/ Sabrinah Renee, boutique jeweler (US, L)isa Loveday Designs (Canada), NuVu Studio (US), Naomi Davidoff (US), House of Laura Williams (US), The Haute House (US) and Ivanka Eston (US).  A handful of VIP tickets remain as do general admission tickets which range from $30-$45. 

Leave a comment

Posted in Boston, Fashion, Video

Tagged , , ,

Arts Week Boston: Xylograph Your Xylophone

Posted on September 28, 2013 | Leave a comment

Art Week BostonNot joining Sergio and I at The Donkey Show tonight? You may want to check out this program from Arts Week Boston:  Xylograph Your Xylophone.

Hosted at the Audio Concepts Experience Center at 870 Commonwealth Avenue. The program runs from 6:30 – 8:30 pm and is $20.13.  The fee helps pay for beverages, food and additional materials.

About Xylograph your Xylophone: Furniture maker, Ray Bachand of 60nobscot has combined two of his exceptional talents – woodworking and music – to create a memorable evening for people looking to do something different. During the course of the evening each participant will make a xylophone and learn to play it. Of course wine, canapés, and music will help fuel your creative inspiration.  
 
 

Leave a comment

Posted in Art & Film, Boston, Music

Tagged , , ,

Berklee BeanTown Jazz Festival is today

Posted on September 28, 2013 | Leave a comment

Boston Music FestivalThis is the 13th year that Berklee School of Music has hosted the BeanTown Jazz Festival. The Festival is  a giant (FREE) block party that attracts 70,000+ people.

The fun starts at Noon and runs through 6 PM on Columbus Avenue between Mass Ave and Burke Street in the South End.

For more information visit www.beantownjazz.org.

Leave a comment

Posted in Boston, Free Stuff, Music

Tagged , ,

Emirates Airline to start flights to Boston

Posted on September 27, 2013 | 2 comments

travelEarlier this summer I wrote a post about how Boston’s Logan airport has been successfully wooing new airlines and routes while consciously working to lessen reliance on traditional large US carriers and looking beyond Europe for destinations to serve in this post.

Japan Airlines (JAL) started flights to Tokyo, Turkish Airlines has announced flights to Istanbul and Copa Airlines announced flights to Central America from Boston.  Now Emirates Airlines has announced that they will start flying to Boston in March 2014, making it the 8th US city they will serve.  While flying can be a pain in the neck – I still love travel and welcome the news.

Much thanks to Adam from Boston Hospitality Industry Blog for pointing this out.  You can read more if interested, in the Dubai Chronicle.

2 Comments

Posted in Boston, Travel

Tagged , , ,

Play me I’m yours

Posted on September 27, 2013 | 3 comments

Celebrity SeriesPlay Me, I’m Yours is an arts project by artist Luke Jerram that has been touring the world since 2008, and starting today the program comes to Boston. Seventy-five pianos have been installed throughout the city with the invitation to Play Me, I’m Yours!

Curious where you can find these street pianos?  Check out this street map.

3 Comments

Posted in Boston, Music

Tagged , ,

Image

Mike Ross

20130923-204707.jpg

1 Comment

Posted on September 23, 2013 in Boston, Poltics

Tagged , , ,

Roche Bros coming to Downtown Crossing

Posted on September 22, 2013 | 1 comment

Roche Bros. Downtown CrossingPerhaps the greatest blight in downtown Boston in recent years has been the stalled Millennium Tower project, but that changed last week when Roche Bros announced they’d open their first ‘new urban’ store here.

The 30,000 square feet store will be smaller than the new Whole Foods that will be opening about a mile away in the South End, but this is good news for the neighborhood, and you better believe, nosey BosGuy will be making a stop there when they open in mid 2015.

1 Comment

Posted in Boston

Tagged , ,

Registration for Boston’s Santa Speedo Run is Oct 1

Posted on September 20, 2013 | Leave a comment

SSR BostonThis year’s Santa Speedo Run in Boston will be on Saturday, December 14, 2013 at Lir Tavern and at Whiskey’s Bar on Boylston Street in Boston.

Registration opens Tuesday, October 1st

Registration for this fun event is on a first come, first serve basis and open to ONLY the first 700 registrants so don’t delay if you are interested in participating.  Here is a recap of all the fun at the 2012 event.

Leave a comment

Posted in Boston, Video

Tagged , , ,

Zagat 2014 Boston restaurant survey

Posted on September 19, 2013 | 5 comments

Boston MapLast week Zagat published findings from their 2014 survey on Boston restaurants, which includes more than 1,200 restaurants and the collective opinions of more than 8,500 diners.

Their survey showed that Boston has a resilient and growing restaurant scene with many newcomers challenging established favorites.  Zagat’s Top Food List gives top honors to a new restaurant this year, the North’s End’s Neptune Oyster (up from No. 4) followed by another seafood restaurant, Island Creek Oyster Bar (previously unranked). The remainder of the top five restaurants include Oleana (No. 3), Craigie on Main (No. 4, previously No. 15), and Lumière (No. 5)

Their survey also found Bostonians eat out 3.7 times per week (for lunch and dinner combined), and report spending an average of $44.19 per dinner.

Want to read more? Check out Zagat’s blog here.

5 Comments

Posted in Boston, Dining

Tagged , , ,

Night of Stars on Boston Common

Posted on September 18, 2013 | 1 comment

NIGHT OF STARSMark your calendars and come to The Boston Common the evening of Saturday, September 21st to enjoy a free performance by the Boston Ballet.

The evening will feature a selection of Boston Ballet’s diverse repertoire, including classical, neo-classical, and contemporary favorites.  Supporting the local arts scene could not be made any easier thanks to the generosity of The Boston Ballet and their program sponsors.  Even if you don’t think you’d enjoy ballet, challenge your assumptions and come down to the Boston Common for a couple of hours. You may be surprised by how much you enjoy yourself.

1 Comment

Posted in dance, Free Stuff

Tagged , , ,

Boston named most energy-efficient city in US

Posted on September 18, 2013 | Leave a comment

Boston MapI was really proud to read in today’s Boston Globe that The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy has ranked Boston the most energy efficient city in the US.   The nonprofit advocacy group based in DC has rated states in the past (see my post from last year: Move Over CA, MA is the Most Energy-Efficient State), but for the first time applied its criteria to America’s largest cities.  Rankings were based on policies, government operations, community-wide initiatives, and utility programs; 34 cities were ranked, with Boston beating out Portland OR, New York City, San Francisco and Seattle.

According to The Council, what sets us apart is our community initiatives like Renew Boston – a network of energy efficiency and alternative energy providers who work together to help achieve Boston’s energy goals.  Incidentally, those goals include reducing electricity usage by 200 megawatts by 2017, and cutting greenhouse gas emissions 80% below 1990 levels by 2050.

Last year, the council ranked Massachusetts the most energy efficient state for the second year in a row. California held the top spot previously. The 2013 rankings for states has yet to be released.  Curious to read more details about the ranking or to see how your city fared – Link Here.

Leave a comment

Posted in Boston

Tagged , ,