Even so, it’s impossible to remain unaware of the problems — meaning the sky-high gas prices — that have been tormenting the many drivers in the United States who aren’t wealthy. Since I can’t imagine what a pain in the wallet it must be to drive a car these days if you don’t have a lot of disposable income to waste, reflexive curiosity makes me stop and listen (or read) when the issue of conserving gas is raised.

While I was browsing the Sunday paper last weekend, I came across an interesting and relevant article in the Parade magazine insert titled “Smart Ways to Save on Gas.” The piece details a number of small, mostly painless and practical things that drivers can do to squeeze more mileage out of the gas in their car.

A commenter on the online version noted that some of the tips in the article are inspired by those shared at the Drive Smarter Challenge website. I list the bare bones after the jump; visit both websites for more details on how to implement the suggestions, as well as to get additional tips. An earlier post at The Boston Traveler, “Massachusetts Website Offers Help with Gas Prices,” has a few more words of advice that could also help save drivers money.

How to Increase Your Car’s Fuel Efficiency

• Avoid lugging around excess weight in your car
• Bike, carpool, walk, and/or use public transportation whenever possible
• Convert to a motorcycle or motor scooter
• Do more at one time by scheduling multiple errands on fewer trips
• Don’t let your car idle
• Drive more smoothly by avoiding unnecessarily high speeds and abrupt acceleration and braking
• Get rid of anything that causes drag, such as dents, luggage racks, and open windows during long trips
• Keep all four tires in good shape
• Make sure you’re using the correct motor oil for your car
• Stay in the right lane whenever possible

Post from: 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 is one of the better situated ones.
[10-24 School Street, Boston, 617-557-4476 | website]

Brattle Book Shop

Have a thing for rare and antique books, not necessarily just used ones? Search no more because this antiquarian bookstore founded in 1825 is the place to find more than you could ever imagine possible. The selection is simply tremendous, and they buy used books, too. Even better, you’ll never mistake it for a chain bookseller either.
[9 West Street, Boston, 617-542-0210, 800-447-9595 (toll free) | website]

Brookline Booksmith

New books, used books, and author readings. What’s not to like? Patrons recently voted the independent business the #1 Regional Favorite and the #1 Choice in Brookline for bookstores.
[279 Harvard Street, Brookline, 617-566-6660 | website]

Comicazi

Yes, comics are books, too, and if that’s your thing, check out this full-service comic book retailer run by three guys who know the industry inside and out. You can even pick your preferred location — Davis Square in Somerville or Massachusetts Avenue in Arlington — and arrange to have new releases from your favorite comic book line(s) mailed directly to your home as they come out, often with no shipping charge. Now that’s what I call customer service; it almost makes me wish I was a comic book geekette.
[407 Highland Avenue, Davis Square, Somerville, 617-666-COMIX (2664) OR 1305 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington, 781-641-2700 | website]

Harvard Book Store

One of many well-respected booksellers in close proximity, this particular Harvard Square bookstore — which isn’t affiliated with Harvard University across the street, mind you — is a browser’s heaven, complete with excellent author events and plentiful bargains on both new and used titles, whether academic or general interest.
[1256 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, 617-661-1515, 800-542-READ (toll free) | website]

McIntyre and Moore Booksellers

This bookstore that specializes in well-priced and uncommon used books recently moved a hop, skip, and a jump from its previous Davis Square location in Somerville to nearby Porter Square in Cambridge. A poster child for dedication, the business employs four book buyers who will even make house calls if they’re not too busy and a potential seller has an enticing collection that meets strict standards.
[1971 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, 617-229-5644 | website]

Raven Used Books

A specialist in scholarly used books, this Harvard Square seller purchases used scholarly books, as well.
[52-B JFK Street, Cambridge, 617-441-6999 | website]

Schoenhof’s Foreign Books

Not a native English speaker, learning a new language, or brushing up on your second, third, or fourth language skills? This is the place to find everything you need, no matter which group you fall into or which language you seek in a book (the store stocks learning materials in over 700 separate languages!). Yes, it’s yet another bookstore in the Harvard Square location, and with an establishment date of 1856, it also claims to be the oldest foreign language bookseller in the United States, period.
[76A Mount Auburn Place, Cambridge, 617-547-8855 | website]

The Children’s Book Shop

All children’s books, all the time, plus relevant titles for those who rear and teach young people.
[237 Washington Street, Brookline, 617-734-7323 | website]

Trident Booksellers & Cafe

More into magazines than books, perhaps with a side snack, beverage, or full meal? Located right in the bustling Newbury Street shopping district, this bookstore can’t be beat … even if you secretly like books, too. Free WiFi is available, as well.
[338 Newbury Street, Boston, 617-267-8688 | website]

Post from: The Boston Traveler

The information is not a big secret. It just happens that many places offering free Internet access don’t publicize it very much, probably out of fear that hordes of freeloaders will take over their place of business and refuse to leave for hours, if not days, at a time.

So, from me to you, a list of ten places where you can surf the Web for no charge follows. Keep in mind, however, that it’s always common courtesy to at least purchase a beverage or some other small item when eateries are kind enough to make such a valued amenity available.

Show your thanks by not taking up precious space and bandwidth without giving something in return. In addition, always practice safe Web browsing and remain mindful of the details you transport over what might very well be unsecured lines accessible by anyone with the appropriate skills.

Ten Free WiFi Spots Around Boston

• b.good
  131 Dartmouth Street, 617-424-5252
• Boloco
  247 Newbury Street, 617-262-2200
• Boston Architectural Center
  320 Newbury Street, 617-262-5000
• Boston Public Library
  Central Library, 700 Boylston Street, 617-536-5400
  (Requires library card and PIN number)
• Newbury Guest House
  261 Newbury Street, 1-800-437-7668
• Omni Parker House
  60 School Street, 617-227-8600
• Rachel’s Kitchen
  12 Church Street, 617-423-3447
• Seaport Hotel and World Trade Center Boston
  200 Seaport Boulevard, 877-732-7678
• Sonsie
  337 Newbury Street, 617-351-2500
• Trident Booksellers & Cafe
  338 Newbury Street, 617-267-8688

Post from: The Boston Traveler

If so, the Winter 2007–Spring 2008 edition of the local magazine Boston Common has a list of five real estate brokers its editors consider the top of the heap, based on their total sales in 2007.

The Five Masters of Boston’s Real Estate Universe are:

1. Tracy Campion of Campion & Company Fine Homes Real Estate
2. Carmela Laurella of Otis & Ahearn
3. Steven Cohen of Keller Williams Realty Boston-Metro
4. Beth Dickerson of Gibson Sotheby’s International Realty
5. Michael Carucci of ERA Boston Real Estate Group

Nice — three of the five are women, and a woman also leads the pack. Of course, all five are way out of my league, too, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t heartening to see women doing so well in such a highly competitive arena.

To learn more about in-demand Boston-area real estate brokers and what they can do for you, pick up a copy of the Winter 2007–Spring 2008 edition of Boston Common.

Post from: The Boston Traveler

The current April 2008 issue of Boston Magazine includes a lengthy piece on “61 New Best Things About Boston.” If you’re not familiar with the city and plan on passing through, consider give the article a read to develop a stronger sense of the local flavor. I’ll get you started with the first ten things on the list.

1. The rest of the country secretly wants to be like us
2. Somewhere in an MIT Lab, a researcher is this close to saving the planet
3. Swimming in the Charles
4. Robin Young, 57, public radio doyenne
5. Author Atul Gawande
6. Musician Lori McKenna
7. Historian Doris Kearns Goodwin
8. The lilacs in the Arboretum
9. The magnolias on Commonwealth Avenue
10. The leafless trees reflected off the Charles during the winter

Okay — admittedly all of the flower and tree talk at the end of the Top Ten might cause some eyes to roll, but there’s still 51 things left on the list.

Check out the remaining items at Boston Magazine.

Post from: The Boston Traveler