The Boston Traveler

Since Boston is a college town, bookstores abound wherever you go, some even housing convenient cafes where customers can grab a cup of coffee or tea to go along with their reading distraction of choice. Coming Up: Ten Boston-area bookstores worth visiting, in alphabetical order.
Borders
Helpful staff; nice prices with ample bargains; occasional events; good selection of books, movies, and music; one of those aforementioned cafes; and located near several subway and bus lines, not to mention directly down the street from the central Downtown Crossing shopping area. It’s not the only Borders in town, of course, but it …read more

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A wonderful thing happened in Boston on Thursday, particularly for those individuals who work as skycaps at Logan International Airport.
At the urging of US District Judge William G. Young, American Airlines agreed to discontinue charging a $2-per-bag fee in effect all over the United States. The fee was previously required whenever passengers requested curbside check-in service.
In addition, skycaps who work at Boston’s Logan International Airport will likely benefit from the airline’s simultaneous agreement to stop instructing passengers not to tip such workers. Logan skycaps claimed that ever since the baggage fee and a no-tipping policy were implemented in …read more

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Miss those open-air raves from your younger days or were too old when they first came out of nowhere? Have no worries because some enterprising people, namely underground electronic music purveyors Soul Clap and Marz Entertainment, have a solution for you: Dancing on the Charles 2008.
First started last year, Dancing on the Charles is a recurring warm-weather, outdoor, nighttime event established specifically for people who like their loud music mixed live and in the fresh air. Oh, and there’s barbecued food and booze from cash-only bars to boot.
Lots of good stuff is on the way this summer now …read more

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Looking for something interesting, different, and free (the magic word) to do as you wait for the weekend to roll around? Well, why not head over to Copley Square (Boylston Street and Dartmouth Street, Boston) to experience an authentic 1923 Canadian streetcar? Bet you’ve never done that before!
On Thursday and Friday, May 29 and May 30, a 47-foot-long streetcar designed by Peter Witt will be on display in Copley Square. That’s just the beginning, though, because all sorts of activities are also scheduled to help Bostonians become more familiar with that big country up north we share …read more

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You want fascinating? Boston’s got it — in the form of the ever popular Museum of Science, a Boston landmark and member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums that is home to the Charles Hayden Planetarium, the Mugar Omni IMAX Theater, and dozens of animals. The museum is situated steps from the Boston-East Cambridge border, right at the Science Park stop on the Green Line subway.
With a stated mission “to stimulate interest in and further understanding of science and technology and their importance for individuals and for society,” the museum hosts a number of intriguing interactive exhibits …read more

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How’s this for inspiring? The Boston Herald reports that two teenage Dorchester residents, sisters born in Nigeria, will become permanent parts of Boston history on Tuesday. Why? Because they’re pretty darn smart. So smart, in fact, they will each serve as the valedictorian of their respective high school classes at graduation ceremonies held tomorrow. Thus, the record is for achieving that goal in the same year, something never managed before by siblings in Boston.
The Nwoaha sisters, 18-year-old Chioma and 16-year-old Faith, moved to the United States from West Africa’s Nigeria less than three years ago. …read more

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Monday, May 26, is the last Monday of May, the designated time to observe Memorial Day in the United States. First started in 1866 and known as Decoration Day until 1882, the federal holiday is celebrated to commemorate the U.S. citizens who have died during military service.
Bay State residents and visitors will have the opportunity to express their wishes for peace on Memorial Day by joining Veterans For Peace, Iraq Veterans Against The War, Gold Star Families For Peace, and Military Families Speak Out for the ceremony A Memorial Day for Peace.
The event is described not only as a …read more

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Charles Street Inn Video Tour

Advantage: The luxurious inn is decorated with historic, antique details to replicate Victorian charm. As a result, the unique style enables visitors to experience a true sense of history often described as romantic.
Disadvantage: If you prefer a modern environment, the renovated 1860s townhouse located in Boston’s historic Beacon Hill and its old-world ambiance might prove unsatisfying.
Interesting Fact: The inn’s nine guest rooms are named after famous Beacon Hill residents Louisa May Alcott, Julia Ward Howe, John Singer Sargent, Frederick Law Olmsted, Edith Wharton, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Isabella Stewart Gardner, Henry James, and Ralph …read more

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Pop-rock vocalist Natalie Merchant, formerly of alternative rock’s 10,000 Maniacs, has a sweet two-day gig coming up next week in Boston. The New York native will be performing live twice with the revered Boston Pops Orchestra, led by conductor Keith Lockhart, during EdgeFest 2008.
EdgeFest, now in its fourth year, is a Boston Pops concert series that pairs the orchestra with contemporary bands and artists. Not surprisingly, the different musical focus attracts a significant number of 30-something attendees, in contrast to the customary Boston Pops audience, which has an average age of over 50.
Merchant’s last studio release was 2003’s …read more

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Warm weather and outdoor concerts go together so well, the only thing that makes them better is when the latter are free. People who realize this and share an appreciation of the planet we call home are in luck, then, because Saturday, May 24th, marks the 15th Annual EarthFest hosted by WBOS Radio 92.9.
Performing this year for free in honor of Earth are alternative rockers Cake, the headliners, as well as The BoDeans, Cracker, The English Beat, and various Boston-based groups. The event will also offer environment-friendly activities, including many targeted specifically towards family and children.
EarthFest has been …read more

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