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March 2012 Issue

Best Places to Live 2012

Our annual guide to finding your happy place.

Feature

So Appy Together

Siri, the iPhone’s sassy personal assistant, was just the beginning. Right now, behavioral scientists are racing to develop a new generation of apps and programs that can mimic compassion, concern, and sympathy—technology they hope we will form relationships with, even fall in love with.

Ready to Pop

Spring bursts with playful sorbet hues and flirty floral accents.

City Life

City of the Damned

Crime is soaring, schools are failing, government has lost control, and Lawrence, the most godforsaken place in Massachusetts, has never been in worse shape. And here’s the really bad news: it’s up to controversial Mayor William Lantigua to turn it all around.

Department

Financial Genius— or a Fake?

Young, African American, and rich, Buddy Fletcher was a dream alumnus for Harvard—a Wall Street philanthropist who gave millions to endow professors and support civil rights. And then his whole world came tumbling down.

Hell Yeah, I Love My Car

The anti-car movement needs to get off its high bicycle and accept a simple fact — living in Boston without a car sucks.

Arts + Entertainment

Arts & Entertainment

March Madness

Your guide to making the most of the day — green beer optional.

Arts & Entertainment

Losing Cred

After 25 years as the city’s ‘it’ indie venue, has the Middle East sold out?

Arts & Entertainment

Culture Curve

This month’s guide to Boston arts events, from the rowdy to the refined.

Q&A: Nick Flynn

If half of what happens in Scituate native Nick Flynn’s memoir took place in a novel, you wouldn’t buy it.

News

City Life

Person of Interest: Julie Leven

She’s bringing the sounds of her strings to women’s and homeless shelters.

City Life

Off the Road, at Last

On Kerouac’s 90th birthday, it’s time to finally welcome him home.

City Life

After These Messages… We’ll Let You Board

It seems CharlieCard ads are inevitable (the city is reviewing bids), so here are a few (fictional) sponsorships we’d rather not see.

City Life

A Rookie Year for State Police

The first class of staties in six years hits the road — without the power trip, we hope.

Fashion + Style

About Face

Age is more than just a number to the MIT grad behind the new upscale cosmetics company Stages of Beauty.

Hanging Tough

Taking aerial yoga for a (nauseating) spin.

Return to Paradise

Skipping town for warmer climes? Pack these fun-in-the-sun essentials.

Home & Property

Lofty Ambition

With a courtyard and acid-etched showers, the Chinatown condo is completely hip.

Restaurants

Tea Party

Tea’s been getting as much attention in Boston as coffee lately, which means new vocabulary to learn.

First Sip: Brick & Mortar

Central Square’s new bar pours out in equal measure classic cocktails, innovative new drinks, and generous bar food.

Restaurants

First Bite: Saloon

At this new Davis Square pub, it’s whiskey first, food second. And that’s just fine with us. 

Restaurants

Dining Out: Area Four

Food that’s both fun and sustainable? You’ll find it at this new Cambridge spot.

The Roast Beef Sandwich

Whether you prefer a classic take on this messy meat pile or a high-end interpretation with aioli, these local spots do the North Shore tradition proud.

Snack Attack

Spots all over town are forgoing the foie gras toast and caviar for simple, salty bites like this truffle-and-Parmesan popcorn from Met Back Bay. But the puffs aren’t the only snacks making a comeback.

Locavore Liquors

To see how Massachusetts-made spirits measure up, we assembled a selection of some of the latest and greatest.