Finding parking on what used to be the fringes of the South End is getting harder. Last night, I had to squeeze my tiny hatchback into a dubious spot on Shawmut just before Washington. The block had multiple, vaguely conflicting parking signs, requiring a degree in logic to solve. Well, at least the Boston Traffic Authority and I interpreted them the same way, this time.

So, off to Banq. While the restaurant has an enormous belle-epoch canopy to announce its entry, actually finding an operable door was less than easy. Once you discover where it is (indicated by a small arrow below eye level for most), you’re suddenly in-the-know, and can relax sipping beer (or one of the myriad urban concoctions on the drink menu), amused by others’ foiled attempts to gain access.

But that gets old, much like the clientele, which tends toward empty nesters who just traded their Sudbury colonials for 1,000 square foot “lofts” with floor to ceiling windows and “artistic” neighbors. (more…)

Now that it’s spring, Bostonians with chutzpah are remembering the bikes they’d left rotting in garages and basements. That coupled with the imminent environmental crisis makes this a perfect time to share a few riding pointers to ensure that you have a safe and pleasant trip. Here are my quals: I’ve been bicycle commuting for about 15 years in Boston and in Philly, daily distances ranging from 5 miles to 22 miles roundtrip, from 22 degrees to 102 degrees.

So let’s jump in! (more…)

The lobby of the Somerville Theater was a blue/gray sea of denim, chambray, and fleece. “Yikes!” I said to my husband. “These are my peers?” We were there to see Joe Jackson, Brit rocker of olde, and as I wondered if that nasty AARP card issued automatically at my big 5-0 could have maybe gotten us a discount, I also registered more than a little remorse that this is how my generation was choosing to express itself sartorially. I should have worn my wig!

The mostly male and solidly middle-aged crowd was as entertaining as the band, fervently swinging to the beat while singing along full throttle. I felt like a fly in a car ride of teens on a beer run. Except this time, the elation I was witnessing related to temporary liberation from pressures due to recession, marriage, and parenting. (more…)

One of the major highlights of our grade school existence was a fundraising program that let parents purchase gift certificates to major retailers with the understanding that a small percentage of the sale would be kicked back to the school.

As a result, our anti-television, anti-preteen-nonsense mother suddenly started handing us certificates to Blockbuster and The Limited Too. And we weren’t the only lucky ones: All over the building, our slack-jawed classmates began clutching pre-gift-card-era paper money like dozens of little Charlie Buckets with golden tickets.

Clearly, this fundraising thing had made our parents crazy. And we had no idea what we did to deserve such a miracle.

Fast-forward 15 years, and the founders of Boston Community Change hope the same insanity will be a boon to area stores.

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In case you haven’t noticed, it’s nearly 70 degrees out and, according to our typically (in)accurate weatherpeople, the rest of the week calls for more mild temps. This, readers, is the perfect time to practice your 2008 resolutions. You know, the ones about exercising and getting to know your city better.

Take a tip from Bostonista and start by downloading a Boston Audissey tour. Not to be confused with that other Homeric voyager, the local company makes audio walking guides for iPods and MP3 players. Now, we know what you’re thinking (audio tour = snoozefest, right?), but you’re wrong.

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