Wondering what the hub-bub will be around Gillette Stadium in
Boston, David Beckham, Becks, soccer, football, celebrity, New England Revolution, LA Galaxy, Victoria Beckham, Posh Spice
It’s that *other* highly anticipated time of the year (or again maybe it’s just me), but Tax-Free Weekend in Massachusetts is almost here! On August 11th and 12th, you can buy most things without the 5% sales tax, but according to Boston.com, here are some basic guidelines:
Since we here in Massachusetts typically enjoy no sales tax on clothing all year round anyway, take advantage of this weekend the best by buying those big purchases like plasma TVs, home appliances, computers, furniture, and even jewelry. With the end of summer sales in full effect, you can really make a killing if you plan it right! It’s like Christmas in Jul…errr, August!
Boston, Massachusetts, tax free weekend, shopping, sales, retail, sales tax
Well…it is not technically closing down. However, I was at the fabulously colorful Jasmine Store Warehouse store located at 965 Commonwealth Avenue, 617-562-0004, near Boston University’s West Campus today and was informed that that particular location will become a FULL-PRICE regular store. So, young hipsters looking for that last trendy summer item, you better hurry over there quick while you can still take advantage of 70% off everything in the store - like Juicy Couture rompers, Betsy Johnson tunic dresses and Steve Madden ballerina flats.
Although the outlet Jasmine Sola items have the full retail price tags attached which can give you quite a sticker shock ($385 for a simple cotton strapless dress…youch!), it’s still quite a bargain with the hefty discount. Belts could be snatched up for $17, all shoes are $19.95 and even funky lip glosses…you have to stock up when they’re less than $3!
They’re still adding new items, so check back often and SOON before the bargains are gone, baby, gone!
Jasmine Sola, boutique, Boston, shopping, trendy, designer brand, clothing, discount, outlet store
No…I have not gone to see the Simpsons movie *yet*. I knew I had to soon though with my inbox overflowing with emails from friends sending pictures of the “Simpsonized” versions of themselves and noticing people’s Myspace photos and avatars also becoming suspiciously looking like residents of Springfield. Has the whole world gone Simpson crazy?
Apparently so! The Boston America Corporation took it one step further for those of us who need as much energy as Bart chasing after Santa’s Little Helper and is marketing Duff Energy Drink! Sorry, it’s not the beer that Homer constantly swigs down…more of a contender to Red Bull than Bud Light. So, instead of giving you wings, this bad boy may make your skin turn yellow and your eyes bug out. With as much as 41 grams of sugar per can, I’m sure it will! D’OH!!!
Simpsons, Duff, energy drink, Simpsonize, Red Bull, Simpsons movie
Need some good news to set your weekend off to a good start?
If I had $300 dollars I would buy________.
What would you buy with $300? Or even $200 or $100? Now is your chance to find out! Comment on any 451 Press site during the month of August and you could win! Three comments will be chosen at random to win a cash prize of $300, $200 or $100. The more you comment, the more chances you have to win. So start reading and let those fingers fly.
For a complete list of eligible sites, click on “Our Sites” above. Comment on your site of choice with the answer of what YOU would buy with $300!
Tired of the crush of fan traffic when going to the TD Banknorth Garden (or whatever it’s being called this year) for a show? How about not being able to see the sports game because you’re in the nosebleed seats of this over 19,000 seat facility?
If you’re not into the Celtics or Bruins and like smaller shows, then check out the Agganis Arena which is part of Boston University on Commonwealth Avenue. While this venue is still large at seating about 7600, it’s far easier to get to and much easier to see your favorite act. I’ve seen Duran Duran (who was the very first musical act who christened the Arena back in April 2005), Alicia Keys and Dave Chappelle here. Yes…Dave Chappelle. He was still funny even after the whole Africa thing.
So, check out the schedule from time to time or sign up for their newsletter to be alerted of upcoming shows. If you like sports, you can still watch the B.U. Terrier men’s and women’s teams in action for basketball and hockey. Even The Cure is coming September 25th.
I would still take the T though…parking is always a premium in Boston, no matter where you are!
Boston, Agganis Arena, TD Banknorth Garden, concert, show, musical act, sport teams, The Cure
I thought I had seen some silly ideas for animals in my day, but Rent-A-Pet? This one brings the pet industry to an all-time record high (or low). Well, what do you expect from the land of diamond-studded collars and doggie treadmills? Hopefully, you won’t see this kind of silliness in Boston any time soon.
I don’t even have to go into the details about how bad an idea this is. Can you imagine the poor dog being shuffled around from person to person, not knowing which is his real home? Renting cars and furniture…yes, that makes sense. Renting pets at your leisure? Are our commitment issues that bad in this country? I’m not saying it’s a decision to rush into. Certainly, it took me over 7 years to get to a place in my life where I can commit to a dog, but come on…either you have time in your life for a dog, or you don’t!
People…people…here’s what you do. This is merely a suggestion, but it’s not that difficult…really. I have friend who wants a dog. So, I let her puppy-sit my little pooch whenever I have to go out of town. Seems an easy enough way to determine if she can handle the responsibility or not, right? Or how’s about volunteering at your local animal shelter. There are programs very similar to this one, only you don’t have to “pay” to bring companionship to an animal that could really use it.
Sheesh…talk about being afraid of commitment. What’s next? Full body tattoos that come off? Oh wait, they already have those.
rent a pet, FlexPetz, Flex Petz, dog, companionship, pets, commitment, adoption, foster
Boston is one of these unique cities whose population drops dramatically between June and August every year, particularly these last dog days of summer. Obviously, there’s the college student population that disappears, making the T (what we affectionately call the subway) a pleasure to ride again, especially on the B and E Green Lines, right where it emerges from underground. To add to that decrease however are also the number of residents who go away to summer homes/retreats on Cape Cod, New Hampshire or Maine to beat the sweltering humid heat. Then, there’s also the workers who get the office doldrums and the chances for relaxing in the sun are slipping away, so everyone tries to pack in their vacation time before summer is over.
This last month of August will see Boston as a veritable ghost town. It’s almost eerie to be able to drive around the Common without a crazy driver merging too close to you. Hitting all the green lights intersection after intersection in the Back Bay makes you scratch your head in puzzlement. Even the sidewalks have the occasional pedestrian walking their dog, tumbleweed and a sheet of newspaper lazily being blown about by the wind.
Hold on to that lonely feeling though. Once September 1st hits, only a measly month away, when the students come FLOODING back into town with their double-parked U-Haul trucks and parents’ SUVs packed to the hilt, you will pray for the return of these lazy, dreamy summer days.
Boston, summer, population, college students, moving, vacation
Weeeee!!! This is one of two times a year that I get goo-ga in Boston. Restaurant Week is when some of the finest dining establishments in and outside of the metro area offer lunch and dinner at the ridiculous prix fixe prices of $20.07 for lunch and $33.07 for dinner. So, from August 5-10 and August 12-17 (of course they wouldn’t offer such great prices on the weekend, silly), see which restaurants peak your interest. Reserve your table early though! Some of the 4-star restaurants are known to book weeks in advance, especially those along the Waterfront with great harbor views, like Aura and Meritage. So, get ready, get set and EAT!!!
Boston, restaurant, Restaurant Week, prix fixe, food, drink, fine dining
You know it’s a slow news week when you come back from a trip and a death-predicting cat dominates the headlines. It’s not even a Boston story! Well, I should be grateful for the inactivity (other than Lindsay Lohan), considering the day I came back from Asia last time was September 10, 2001.
First, I found the kitty story compassionate and a tribute to the sweet mysteries of life. Then, I thought too much on it and it started to creep me out, like that cat from Stephen King’s Cat’s Eye and the stories of cats who steal your breath. Hmmm…I wonder if any of the nurses found Oscar hovering a *little* too close to their patients’ mouths? *shudder*
cat, feline, death, grim reaper, hospice, hospital, Oscar, Providence, nursing home
Today’s post will be a quick one as I’m still reeling from my 2-week trip to Asia, but I thought I’d make some interesting personal observations comparing the cities of my home and my homeland.
Boston vs. Manila, Philippines: Right away, you notice that downtown Manila is crowded, polluted, has WORSE traffic than you can ever imagine in Boston and you have to deal with all types of vehicles…from man-powered bicycles with sidecars to the truly authentic Filipino jeepneys. HOWEVER, compared to Boston, Manila-ites use their horns for only 2 reasons - to let you know they are passing you and to warn bicycles or motorcycles that they are getting too close. Never have I heard a horn used in a malicious manner, even with getting cut off or merging a little TOO close (for my comfort anyway). It is truly easier going and friendlier there which is amazing to believe considering the traffic can be gridlocked even at midnight. BTW…taxi ride to Manila airport, I heard no horns. On the taxi back home from Logan, I heard four with two being because the taxi driver took, oh “3″ milliseconds instead of the allowed “1″ millisecond to go when the light turned green.
Boston vs. Tokyo, Japan: I used the railway system a lot more in Japan, so I can’t really comment on vehicular traffic, but comparing their subway system vs. the T, the famed Japanese efficiency was witnessed. I saw a lot of people “merging” in ticket lines (”cutting” is more what we could call here in Boston), but no one complained, no one raised voices or even cared that they were cut. It made me realize that if someone cuts you in line, so what? You didn’t get to the ticket machine 20 seconds earlier. Is that such a big crimp in your day?
Conversely, waiting in line for a lunch buffet, 3 middle-aged Japanese ladies inadvertently cut in line, not realizing the start of the line was a few feet behind them. When they realized it from seeing us being ushered in, they immediately realized their mistake, actually bowed to us, stepped out of line and proceeded to the back. Now, would that have happened in Boston or any other American city?
If you’re like me, it’s tough to go out and enjoy a nice dinner during the summer while your faithful dog sits at home waiting for you to return. As a general rule, most restaurants don’t allow pets…some silly rule about hygiene, sanitation or something like that. (They obviously never met my P-boy who’s the CLEANEST puppy on earth!) Oh well, here are some restaurants with outdoor dining areas who would welcome your lovable canine!
1. Kinsale Pub and Restaurant at Government Center
2. Joe’s American Bar and Grill in the Back Bay
3. Salty Dog Seafood Grill and Bar in Faneuil Hall
4. Tremont 647
5. Taberna de Haro in Brookline
6. Cambridge Brewing Company in Kendall Square
In general, a lot of other casual eating establishments, if they have outdoor or sidewalk seating, will allow dogs (provided they are well-behaved) such as Au Bon Pain, Starbucks, outside the Prudential’s Food Court, etc. So, don’t feel bad anymore, take your beloved pet out not just for a walk, but a meal too!
pet friendly, Boston, dogs allowed, restaurants, canine, outdoor dining
When the drive-thru window just isn’t fast enough… Carbecue, come to Boston!!!! Please?!?!
That wasn’t too hard, was it? Here are the answers to Monday’s post in case you didn’t get them all!
Answers:
1. 365 Days in a Year.
2. 18 Holes on a Golf Course.
3. 50 Stars on the American Flag.
4. 12 Months on a Calendar.
5. 7 Continents of the Earth.
6. 3 Feet in a Yard.
7. 9 Players on a Baseball Field.
8. 9 Planets of the Solar System (including Pluto).
9. 7 Wonders of the Ancient World.
10. 6 Degrees of Separation.
11. 30 Days in September, April, June and November.
12. 8 Islands of Hawaii.
13. 7 Colors of the Rainbow.
14. 100 Pennies in a Dollar.
15. 16 Numbers on a Master Card.
16. 8 Notes in an Octave.
17. 206 Bones in the Human Body.
18. 7 Deadly Sins.
19. 102 Floors of the Empire State Building.
20. 3 Licks to the Center of a Tootsie Pop.
Since I’m away on vacation and will probably be doing some puzzles on the plane, like crosswords or word searches. Here’s a little bit of word fun to keep you occupied as well! It’s pretty obvious. Try to use the numbers to help you fill in the missing words. Here’s a little hint as to how to complete the phrases…7 Days in a Week. See, easy huh? Look for the answers in two days!
1. 365 D_____ in a Y_____.
2. 18 H_____ on a G_____ C____.
3. 50 S_____ on the A_____ F_____.
4. 12 M_____ on a C_____.
5. 7 C_______ of the E_____.
6. 3 F_____ in a Y_____.
7. 9 P_____ on a B_____ F_____.
8. 9 P_____ of the S_____ S_____ (including P_____).
9. 7 W_____ of the A_____ W_____.
10. 6 D_____of S_____.
11. 30 D_____ in S_____, A_____, J_____ and N_____.
12. 8 I_____ of H_____.
13. 7 C_____ of the R_____.
14. 100 P_____ in a D_____.
15. 16 N_____ on a M_____ C_____.
16. 8 N_____ in an O_____.
17. 206 B_____ in the H_____ B_____.
18. 7 D_____ S_____.
19. 102 F_____ of the E_____ S_____ B_____.
20. 3 L_____ to the C_____ of a T______ P_____.
Boston is without a doubt the intellectual, technological and cultural center of New England. Despite the reputation for having crazy drivers, unfriendly citizens and harsh weather conditions, this is still a great city to live, work and play in. Check in daily to get this resident's take on fun things to do, great places to eat and general interesting news about ol' Beantown.
Boston, MA Author(s)
» Lei-Ann
