Hale & Dorr's
At the behest of U. S. senator John F. Kerry, the prestigious Boston law firm agreed to provide free legal counsel to Quincy shipyard workers who opted for early retirement. Unfortunately, the pro bono offer was not extended to laid-off workers, who could really have used the help.
Franklin Cape Ann
Like its South End sister restaurant (and fellow Best of Boston winner), the Franklin Cape Ann has it made. Its wellpriced wine list, crazy-good cocktails, and New American fare are enhanced by its amiable spirit. Must-order items include the mixed grill daily assortment of meats, corn, and potatoes. 118 Main St., Gloucester, MA franklincafe.com.
NYNEX
NYNEX has failed so far to unplug the Boston Phoenix's escort-service ads, even though (hypocrisy alert) the NYNEX yellow pages contain 15 pages of escort-service ads. Score another one for the First Amendment.
Tiger's Baku
In Japan, a baku is a creature reputed in mythology to eat bad dreams. Here, it is a blend of jazz and fusion that soothes the savage beast. Tiger (aka Toru Okoshi) came to Boston from Japan in 1972 to study at Berklee. He's been in the mainstream of the local jazz scene ever since.
The Harvard men's hockey team
For winning the NCAA championship. Honorable mention: Dana Barros. BC's stylish point machine supplied what little college hoop excitement Boston enjoyed. And Salem's Jeff Juden finished up a starry career by getting drafted by the Houston Astros and no-hitting Wakefield.
Evacuation
When Boston Garden president Larry Moulter said, "Everybody get out of the building right now," they did. Sure, it was only for the fourth game of the Stanley Cup finals, when the power failed. But at least someone finally took action.
Fresh
To consider Fresh simply an emporium specializing in soap is cleanly missing the point. This Boston-based business has revolutionized the beauty product industry with its French milled soaps, perfumes, skin care products, makeup line, scented candles, and bathroom accessories. Smelling sweet was never so, well, sweet. 121 Newbury Street, Boston, MA fresh.com.
Globe Corner Bookstore
This is the place to satisfy literary wanderlust, from Boston to Bangladesh to Beijing. Seating makes longer browsing more comfy. And the staff doesn't seem to mind, even when you pull out a pad and take notes on hotel and restaurant phone numbers. Now, if they'd just install a phone for making the reservations. 500 Boylston St., Boston, MA .
Splash
When the Newton showroom expansion opens in September, Splash will have the most extensive and by far the sexiest bath fixtures anywhere in the Boston area. Besides Kohler and American Standard, you'll find many Italian lines and cutting-edge styles. Coming soon: contemporary European kitchen cabinetry. 244 Needham Street, Newton Highlands, MA .
Little Groove
Classes offer kids the opportunity to jump, dance, play music, sing, do yoga, and so much more, all soundtracked to instruments ranging from guitar to sax to Omnichord. Best of all, sessions are al fresco (ideal for COVID safety), and they’re held at convenient locations in almost every corner of Boston and beyond. 1313 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118, babywiggle.com.
Hubert Jessup's decision to hire Rory O'Connor as director of the Neighborhood News Network and its half-hour nightly telecast for Boston cable-TV subscribers.
Somerville Grooves
While Somerville Grooves' select inventory of vinyl includes new albums by Panda Bear and old ones by the Who, it's the rarities from the local music scene that really shine, such as the 1982 hardcore punk compilation This Is Boston, Not L.A. 26 Union Sq., Somerville, MA 02143, .
Pier's Park Sailing Center
Don't bother stopping at Pier's Park for breathtaking views of Boston Harbor—instead sign up for the two-hour intro to sailing course and hop aboard to get sweeping views of the skyline from the water. 95 Marginal St., Boston, MA 02128, piersparksailing.org.
Plein-Air Art Academy
Diana Stelin’s beloved art school is officially in Brighton, but her classroom is really the city of Boston. She totes her pupils and paints outdoors to find inspiration in local parks and gardens. 320 Washington St., Boston, MA 02135, plein-air-academy.com.
For pipes, either Leavitt & Pierce in Cambridge or David P. Ehrlich's in Boston (They're cousins). L. J. Peretti stocks the best tobacco. For cigars, it's a toss-up between the three.