Michael Madden, <em>Boston Globe</em>
For his tough reporting on the segregated Elks Club in Winter Haven, Florida.
Christine Temin, <em>Boston Globe</em>
Her criticism of the visual arts has proved telling and informative.
Diane White, <em>Boston Globe</em>
After a bit of a slump at the start of the decade, she found her stride in 1984.
Nathan Cobb, <em>Boston Globe</em>
Ah, the joys of damning with faint praise.
Peter Lucas, <em>Boston Herald</em>
You must read him to be informed, the Kevin White gaffe notwithstanding.
Apley's, Sheraton-Boston Hotel
David Woodward may hail from England, but his cooking is representative of the finest contemporary continental cuisine. 39 Dalton St., Boston, MA .
Boston Public Garden
Warm and lovely. Boston, MA
Boston Sailing Center
Small fleet, but select (all more than twenty feet, including a twenty-seven-foot catamaran). Expensive compared with community boating, but director Dave Franzel is considered one of the top instructors in New England. 54 Lewis Wharf, Boston, MA .
Boston University Gym
Open to the public, inexpensive, and you'll wonder how you missed all this when you were in college.
Boston Firemen's Band
Meredith Wilson's "Music Man" learned everything he knew from the Boston Firemen's Band. Great beat and esprit which soars. Among the city's other top-notch trombones are the Boston Policemen's Band, the Harvard University Marching Band and the American Legion Post Band from Waltham.
Peter Gosselin, <em>Boston Globe</em>
For blowing the whistle on the vipers' nest of commodities traders at First Commodities Corporation, not to mention his anatomy of the L'Ambiance Plaza disaster, the worst construction accident in New England history.
Boston Billiard Club
Most of Boston's pool halls either reek of arrogance—or just plain reek. Yet year after year, Boston Billiard Club preserves its place among the city's best. This year, even in the wake of a new wave of trendier joints, Boston Billiard still prevails. With 42 tables, a mellow atmosphere, and a hodgepodge crowd with more than just meat on their minds, Boston Billiard keeps on rackin' 'em up. 126 Brookline Ave., Boston, MA .
Boston Center for Adult Education
On the social faux pas scale, making a fool of yourself on the dance floor ranks second only to bad karaoke. And with dance so popular these days, your chances of blowing it publicly are increasing exponentially. What to do? Sign up for a class at the Boston Center for Adult Education, where sympathetic and experienced instructors will have you gliding like Astaire in a matter of weeks—for under $100. And you don't have to have a partner to enroll. 5 Commonwealth Ave., Boston, MA .