Boston Children's Theatre
The BCT ran classics like The Velveteen Rabbit this season, but we give the theater company a standing ovation for producing the world premiere of executive artistic director Burgess Clark's Reflections of a Rock Lobster. The play follows the true story of a gay Rhode Island teen who sued his school in 1980 for the right to bring his boyfriend to the prom. By deftly tackling the topics of bullying and prejudice in a way that kids can relate to, the work defines what a children's theater company ought to be. 316 Huntington Ave. #2, Boston, MA 2115, bostonchildrenstheatre.org.
Boston Design Center
Those cracked tiles aren't going to fix themselves. But a visit to the Boston Design Center's 10 bathroom-focused businesses will. Once open only to professionals, the eight-story design mecca now offers 20 designers on call to walk you through showrooms—some classic, some splashy—filled with tiles, faucets, mirrors, tubs, and everything else you'd ever want in your WC. One Design Center Place, Suite 337, Boston, MA 2210, bostondesign.com.
Boston Design Center
Local designers don't get their fantastic fabric wallpaper or eye-catching tile just anywhere. The visit this oasis of interior decorations, where the showrooms are filled with everything from classic fixtures to space-age appliances. And now you, too, can shop the Boston Design Center: Its Plush membership package gives the public access to thousands of best-in-town products formerly reserved for the trade. One Design Center Place, Boston, MA bostondesign.com.
Boston Beach Club
Well, it's the themiest. Surfing videos, a bar made from surfboards, et cetera. If you can, like, flow with the energy. It also helps to look (or be the same age as) Rob Lowe. 300 Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston, MA .
Al Giordano, the <em>Boston Phoenix</em>
Don't take Giordano to the racetrack. In one year, he has championed the campaigns of Rosaria Salerno for mayor, Janet Jeghelian for Senate, and Joe Kennedy for governor. Let's hope Al doesn't pick the Patriots in the AFC East.
Thomas Oliphant, <em>Boston Globe</em>
"For being able to stay two steps ahead of the pack—while having one foot in the tank," said one panelist.
Charles Pierce, <em>Boston Herald</em>
Upholds the best traditions of rock-and-roll sportswriting. Tremendous reach. And vision that extends beyond the playing field.
Jonathan Wells, <em>Boston Herald</em>
Thrown into the State House breech created by the defection to the Globe of the semilegendary Frank Phillips last year, Wells regularly whacks the veteran along with the rest of the Gray Lady's somnolent State House bureau.
Kevin Cullen, <em>Boston Globe</em>
The best police reporter this side of Edna Buchanan, the Miami Herald's Pulitzer Prize winner.
Peter Gelzinis, <em>Boston Herald</em>
Gelzinis has had his ups and downs, but he's been on an upper this year. And every year he's what Mike Barnicle pretends to be: a streetwise guy who cares.
Will McDonough, <em>Boston Globe</em>
For his coverage of sports as business, in which his contacts give him the edge over everybody in reporting on such events as the Red Sox ownership squabbles, the recasting of the Boston Marathon, and the Boston Garden—arena fiasco.
Robert Levey, <em>Boston Globe</em>
The Globe's restaurant reviews have never been more influential or better written.
Will McDonough, <em>Boston Globe</em>
From the marathon scandal to Herschel Walker, an outstanding year.
Boston Design Center
Mirror, mirror, on the wall, whose bathroom looks like a dorm-room stall? Not yours—not after a spree at the Design Center. With 12 bath showrooms—open to the public via a designer-on-call program—the South Boston facility has options aplenty for making your loo fit for royalty, from handcarved basins to gleaming chrome fixtures by Billie Brenner to glass mosaics by Ann Sacks to Geologica's marbles and granites. One Design Center Place, Suite 337, Boston, MA 2210, bostondesign.com.
Boston Unique Events
It's your wedding and all you got was this lousy, rubbery chicken. Make your special day special by hiring Boston Unique Events. Owner Susan Callender puts together wedding menus with a chef s eye, and her seasonal dishes lemon-marinated grilled scallops, warm pumpkin-ginger bisque, seafood crêpes with thyme cream made with fresh ingredients and plated with a subtle flair, ensure the food looks as good as you do. 498 Pleasant St., Watertown, MA bostonuniqueevents.com.