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Best Comment So Far 2008-01-07 01:13:00 Beantown Bloggery reader Jim sent me the funniest comment thus far on my post about my New Years Resolutions (here). If I were drinking something when I read his email, I probably would have spit it out all over my laptop. Unfortunately, he emailed it to me instead of posting a comment, so I'm going to post it here for everyone. I think you should enjoy yourself for the first 11 months and then lose 25 lbs the 12th month. You can do it ! Happy New Year !Jim, I appreciate the faith you have in my ability to lose weight, but the only way I would lose 25 lbs in one month is if I spent all of month 12 working up the nerve to cut off my arm.Know of Any Interesting Boston News or Events That You'd Like to Share?Email me at beantownblog@gmail.com ...

62 Boylston Apartment Member Referral Bonus 2008-01-07 00:46:00 I love member referrals, mostly because it's usually a win-win situation. The referrer gets some sort of bonus and the referred gets some sort of discount.62 Boylston is an apartment building downtown right across the street from the Boylston T stop. It's right above that Starbucks on the corner of Boylston and Tremont. For those of you currently looking for an apartment downtown it's a really convenient location. FYI - the building only has studios and 1 bedrooms.So right now the resident referral bonus is $300 for residents. That means that if someone in the building refers a new tenant, that person gets $300 subtracted off the rent for the next month. How would that benefit you? Well I live in the building, so I can refer you and then I'll split the bonus with you and cut you a check for $150. It's a win-win for someone that's looking for a place to live anyway.Here are some pros and cons that you should be aware of:Pros:1. Really convenient location downtown - close ...

New Years Resolutions 2008-01-04 13:28:00 We're four days into the New Year already and I'm just now getting a chance to type up my New Years resolutions. It's been a busy few days - everyone is preparing for CES (Consumer Electronics Show).Here are more New Years Resolutions for 2008 in order of importance:1. Lose Weight (25 lbs)Yes, I know losing weight is such a trite and overdone New Years Resolution, but I'm doing it anyway. I lost a lot of weight while I was in college, but the past three years of working life have caused me to balloon back up. 2. Keep RunningI hate running. I loathe running. The only thing I hate more than running is washing dishes. One of my clients out in Hong Kong is an ultramarathon runner. After my last trip to Asia, he motivated me to try out running again. I started up again about two months ago and I'm currently up to running four miles 3-4x a week. I just need to keep it up and it will definitely help with Goal #13. Learn More About InvestingI read lots of stuff on how to invest ...

Alpha Omega Files Bankruptcy 2008-01-03 12:17:00 We all knew it was going to happen. After all the commotion over the past two weeks (here) we were all expecting it. No self-respecting businessman packs up his family and flees the country unless something really bad is going to happen.According to the Globe today, Alpha Omega filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last night which will result in the Alpha Omega's assets being auctioned off. The first bid was placed by Tiger Capital and Gordon & Co at 70.25% of the inventory cost.I wonder if I can get a good deal on a Rolex right now since the company is in turmoil. Clearly Tiger Capital and Gordon & Co will be getting the Rolex's for 30% off - I wonder if the store managers would cut me a deal since the ship is sinking anyway.Not sure what I'd do with a Rolex though, probably just pack it away in a safety deposit box until I'm enough of a baller to sport a Rolex. =)For those of you that have stuff on order at Alpha Omega, or have a watch there waiting to get fixed. I'd su ...

FREE Tickets to A People's History Taping 2008-01-03 12:04:00 Howard Zinn's book "A People's History of the United States" is being turned into a tv miniseries. And they're filming it in Boston at the Majestic Theatre on January 8th and 9th. Here's the best part, they're giving away tickets to the taping for FREE!Celebrities that will be there include: Danny Glover, John Legend, Josh Brolin, Marisa Tomei, Voggo Mortensen, etc. The list goes on. The People Speak Television Taping 2pm Tuesday, January 8, 20087pm January 82pm Wednesday, January 9, 20087pm January 9infoNo charge to invited guests. By accepting an invitation and attending you understand that the complete event will be photographed and recorded and agree to the unrestricted use of your likeness. BY INVITATION ONLY! To reserve your invitation please phone: MajesTix, 617-824-8000Mon-Sat, 10am-6pmThrough Dec. 22 or after Jan. 2or send e-mail tothepeoplespeak08@yahoo.com Include ALL of this information: Name Address Phone E-mail address Number of people Which taping date and t ... History

Moving Company Suggestions 2008-01-02 14:18:00 I rent. As a result, moving has been almost a yearly experience for me for the past four years until this year. This year I decided to stay in my studio for a second year. I'm already regretting the decision. It's a delicate balance between my hatred of moving and the sheer pain of living in a tiny box of a studio.My last move was especially painful. Never really having had the money to pay for movers, I always did it myself via multiple carloads. The apartment building I live in now doesn't have a loading dock or anything and it's on a busy street so I couldn't double park and move. So after I finally succeeded in finishing my move, I vowed to either stay in my current apartment for many years or pay for movers the next time I move.Well thanks to the fact that I haven't been able to cook a decent meal in over a year due to the tiny and remarkably useless kitchenette in my studio and the new college students that moved in next door who party until ungodly hours during the ...

Most Popular Baby Names in MA 2008-01-02 11:55:00 First off, congrats to my friend Eric, who's daughter was born on Christmas day. Congratulations, and good luck with the whole never-getting-to-sleep-ever-again thing.Next, the Metro today had a little blurb on the most popular baby names in Massachusetts for 2007 according to the MA Dept of Public Health so in addition to those names, I figured I'd look up the names for 2006 and 2005 also. Here they are:Well at least we know that MA folk are consistent. I gotta say though, it would be interesting to see what names were popular in the early 80's and late 70's because I don't have any female friends named: Ava, Isabella, Sophia, Olivia, or Emma.Know of Any Interesting Boston News or Events That You'd Like to Share?Email me at beantownblog@gmail.com ...

Casinos in MA Poll Results 2008-01-02 09:49:00 For those of you that only read my blog through RSS or via Email, you missed out on my first ever unofficial Beantown Bloggery Poll. Nevertheless, here are the results.Should we have casinos in Massachusetts?Yes! - 29%It Beats Driving to Connecticut - 13%No! - 41%I Don't Gamble, So I Don't Care - 14%The "No's" really came out swinging the last couple days of the poll. For most of the week that the poll was being held, the Yes's were pretty strong with the majority vote, but by the time the poll ended on New Years at midnight the winner was the No's.Personally, I voted for "It Beats Driving to Connecticut." I think I go down to the casinos maybe once or twice a year. I've been to Foxwoods about three times and Mohegan Sun once. Do you guys have any suggestions on something else I should poll? It's fun to hear everyone's opinions (I don't get out much - hehe).Know of Any Interesting Boston News or Events That You'd Like to Share?Email me at beantownblog@gmail.com ...

Digital TV Coupons Available Today 2008-01-01 22:16:00 If you haven't been following the news on the tv front, the government has mandated that starting February 18, 2009 all tv transmissions are going digital. What does that mean? It means that if you have an old school tv, you're not going to be able to use it anymore unless you get a digital converter box. Starting today, the federal government is giving away $40 coupons (2 per household) for those above-mentioned converter boxes. The Globe has an article with some of the details of the program. Here is the part that bothers me the most."The giveaway basically works under the honor system."No offense to society, but in my opinion the honor system never works. The coupons are on a first come first serve basis, so get your coupons early if you need them. You can be sure that scheming folks out there are going to be requesting them in order to resell them on ebay or craigslist- it's a $40 coupon after all.Click (here) to submit your application for your coupons. Click (here) to r ...

Cell Phone Service on the T 2007-12-31 13:28:00 Starting this past weekend subway riders started noticing that their cell phones were working in certain T stations. InSite Wireless has struck a deal with the MBTA to build and maintain the wireless infrastructure for the underground and aboveground T stations.The T will be paid at least $4 million over 15 years, with additional paments as the network expands. I think the way it works is InSite sets the system up and then charges the cell phone carriers to use it.As of right now, those folks with cell service from T-Mobile, AT&T, and Verizon can make and receive calls at the following stations:Park Street, Downtown Crossing, Government Center, and State Street.I haven't had the pleasure of testing this out yet, I usually walk wherever it is I need to go. But maybe sometime this week, I will try to make my way over to Park Street just to test it out.Anyone out there use their phones underground yet? BostonNOW reports that the service is a little spotty underground so calls ge ... Cell Phone

Grezzo the 100% Raw Organic Vegan Restaurant 2007-12-29 13:21:00 No need to rub your eyes, it's true. Something that I once saw in an episode of Sex and the City (Yes, I've seen a couple of episodes) is coming to Boston. Chef Alissa Cohen is planning on opening Grezzo, a 100% raw organic vegan restaurant next month in the North End. What exactly does raw mean? Apparently it means nothing will be heated over 114 degrees "in order to retain enzymes believed to be crucial for optimum digestion and absorption of nutrients. What can you expect to eat there? Saffron-infused butternut squash soup, wild mushroom ravioli with asparagus cream and dark chocolate ganache truffles. But the aforementioned ravioli, cream, and ganache are stylized replicas. The end result of soaking, sprouting, dehyrating, blending, and juicing basic ingredients to render them more digestible, then assembling incredibly complicated, labor intensive dishes. It really does not sound very tasty to me. I don't think I'm even curious to try it. If i'm going to the North End, ...

Famous Bostonian's Homes 2007-12-29 13:12:00 Happy Holidays everyone. I took a couple days off because yesterday was my birthday and I've been home visiting my family. If you've been hiding in a rock for the past several years, Improper Bostonian has the listings of the 'reported' homes of a few famous Bostonians. I guess they say 'reported' because these folks probably have multiple homes (one for each day of the week).Tom Brady - Back BayThe top of two floors of a Beacon Street townhouse inbetween Fairfield and Exeter.I thought he was selling those though (here). The Improper goes on to say that Mr. Brady owns multiple properties in the area so chances of seeing him at the townhouse are lower.John Kerry - Beacon HillLives in a five-floor townhouse on the corner of Pinkney Street and Louisburg Square.John Malkovich - Harvard SquareLives in a $2.8 million dollar mansion in Harvard Square off Craigie Street.This one surprised me. Does J. Malkovich really live in Boston? That's pretty awesome. I've never read or heard ...

1 Year Free Zipcar Membership or $10 Coupon 2007-12-26 17:43:00 Looks like BostonNOW and Zipcar are teaming up for a holiday promotion that will allow new subscribers to get 1 Year Membership for FREE! My favorite price. =)Congratulations & Happy Holidays! You have received a free 1 year membership to Zipcar! This is a savings of $75. No deposit. No monthly commitment. What does it cost to drive? From $9/hour and $68/day (any 24-hour period), depending on the car model. Gas, reserved parking, insurance and 180 FREE miles* are included. What about housemates or family? Once you join, you can add other drivers to your account. It's $25 to apply. There's a $50 annual fee. You may wish you weren't related — but they'll at least be happy about it. Click (here) for a link to the promo page and save yourself $7 ...

The Jasmine Sola Soap Opera 2007-12-26 14:49:00 Wow, tis the season for business related drama. First there was the week long saga of Alpha Omega (here) and now the January issue of Boston Magazine has a fairly sordid tale about the former owner of Jasmine Sola - Luciano Manganella.So first off a little history lesson. Jasmine Sola was founded by Luciano Manganella some thirty years ago. In 2005, New York and Company purchased Jasmine Sola in a $30+ million dollar deal and retained him as President. Two short years later, New York and Company announced that it was closing Jasmine Sola. You probably read about it in one of my original blog entries (here).So where's the soap opera you ask? That's next. Apparently Manganella was dismissed by Jasmine Sola amid accusations from six women that they were sexually harrassed by him. Lawyers got involved; arbitrators got involved. Sounds like it got messy.In the end, things may come full circle for everyone:But Manganella is not completely without hope. Late last fall, he made a b ...

Merry Christmas Everyone! 2007-12-25 10:17:00 Merry Christmas! Hope everyone got some cool stuff this year.Know of Any Interesting Boston News or Events That You'd Like to Share?Email me at beantownblog@gmail.com ...