BostonBlog

I don't want to be "the guy that only writes about food," but if you're here in town and have a chance to get to the North End (and there's lots of reasons to make sure that you do), be sure to stop by Mike's Pastry. It's a veritable mob scene and you better be sure to know what you want by the time you reach the counter (they are a little Soup-Nazi-esque in their approach to customer service), but it's worth it.

Yesterday afternoon we were told by a good source in the afternoon that if we made it to the North End to be sure to go to Mike's Pastry. "No matter what anybody else tells you, do not go anywhere else for pastry!" we were sternly lectured.

Sure enough, when we informed our waiter at dinner that we were walking down to Mike's Pastry for dessert, he tried to steer us to another pastry shop across the street instead. Apparently Boston is in the grip of a major pastry war and frankly I'd rather not get caught in the middle of it. But we followed our original instructions, and didn't listen to the waiter, and it was worth it. The chocolate-dipped cannoli was excellent, and there was this thing called a strawberry lobstertail fluff that ... well, I don't know what it was, but it sure was tasty.

Now it's off to the opening reception, and hopefully even more good food, but from now on I'll try to keep my posts centered on more edifying things ...

Posted by Kevin Holland at 06:15 PM | Permalink

I love cities...they can be great places. I love the theatre, and eclectic neighborhoods full of locally owned shops. I love the hum of activity, the festivals and celebrations and everything else about cities. But at 2:45 this morning, I was reminded of why I LIVE in a small town in a rural county, 45 minutes FROM a big city. That's when I was awakened by what sounded like a riot. The sound of fellow humans in an uproar - yelling, sitting on their car horns, and general carousing - permeated my consciousness despite the closed windows of my 10th-floor downtown hotel room. I could clearly hear the voice of one guy who probably is a candidate for a heart attack; his angry-sounding voice was clearly heard above all the din.

The noise lasted nearly 45 minutes, and my sleep was shot for longer than that. I don't know what all the ruckus was about (the Sox lost the game, after all), and I'm not sure what time I finally fell back to sleep; I do know I wrote most of this post on my bedside notepad between 3:30 and 4:00 a.m. After all, I wasn't sleeping!

Cities can be vibrant, exciting places. But for someone like me, who prefers the sound of wind through the trees, geese honking as they fly overhead, and the slapping of water against the hull of a sailboat, a big city will never be home. They're nice - even wonderful - places to visit, however I wouldn't want to live there.

Posted by Kathi Edwards at 08:25 AM | Permalink

A tip from the concierge today led us to lunch at the Parish Cafe on Boylston. It's an unusual cafe that's known for its sandwiches, each of which is the creation of a different local superstar chef.

Don't have the time or big bucks to enjoy a meal at Boston's elite French restaurant Radius? Hey, not to worry, stop by Parish to enjoy "The Schlow," named after its creator, Radius owner Michael Schlow. It's roasted rare sirloin with caramelized onions, tomato confit, arugula and horseradish-cream sauce, served on Tuscan wheat bread.

The famous Southwestern cuisine restaurant Cottonwood Cafe offers the "Zuni Roll" (smoked turkey breast, crisp bacon, chopped scallions, Dill Havarti cheese and cranberry-chipotle sauce wrapped in a flour tortilla) and Ming Tsai, owner of the highly-rated Blue Ginger and Food Network host, came up with, yes, the "Blue Ginger" (grilled rare tuna steak brushed with teriyaki glaze on scallion foccacia with avocado, wasabi aioli, lettuce and tomato).

Okay, so it's not chowdah, but it's like a taste of Boston's best food concepts in one place. Stop by and read through the menu, you'll probably have as hard a time making a decision as we did. (Oh, and high concepts aside, the sandwiches tasted fantastic.)

Posted by Kevin Holland at 05:10 PM | Permalink

News reports and handwringing from meetings types over the last week had me convinced that flying to Boston today was going to be a nightmare scenario. In actuality, I don't think I've ever had a smoother, quicker trip through security. Not sure which domestic regions are experiencing delays, but this morning's whole flight experience from Reagan to Logan was as uneventful as any I've taken.

So, don't believe the hype! (But leave your bottled water at home.)

Posted by Kevin Holland at 02:32 PM | Permalink

All over Boston, you can’t miss the cows. Yes, that's right, I said COWS.

As soon as you start walking around Boston, you'll see them. These unusual and interesting Cows are everywhere. Over 100 life-size, painted cows are scattered all over the city. Organized by and benefiting The Jimmy Fund, CowParade Boston is happening all over Boston during the summer of 2006. There’s a Wally the Green MOOnster Cow. And of course, there are a Bruins, Celtics and Patriots Cow. There’s one covered in fish, named Coral, on display (where else) outside the New England Aquarium. There’s a Swan Boat cow (no image available), a Tea Party Cow and a Goodnight Moo Cow. There’s a Cash Cow in Boston’s Financial District and an Art Ducko Cow in the Back Bay.

Each cow has been painted and decorated by a local artist. At the conclusion of the public display in September, the cows will be rounded up and sold to the highest bidders. Approximately 50 of the cows will be sold at a live auction in October 2006 and the remaining cows will be sold in an online auction. I’m not sure what someone would do with a life-sized painted cow, but the proceeds will benefit The Jimmy Fund. See how many you can find!

Posted by Lorraine O'Grady at 09:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Last week I was in the Boston area visiting family, and like most of the nation it was bogged down in a nasty heat wave. And in just about three weeks I’ll be heading back with all of you as we converge on Boston during the hottest month of the year…a region that can also be very humid in the summertime.

I grew up in and around Sacramento, CA where dry, 100-degree-plus summer days weren’t unusual – and walking outside felt like stepping into a pre-heated oven. I also lived in South Florida for eight years; summer temperatures there were typically hot and really humid. Friends in Florida used to laugh when I said I could more easily handle Sacramento’s high temperatures because it was a dry heat, but it’s true. In Florida, on a hot day with high humidity, it feels like you’re in a perpetual steam bath because you’re sweating and the humidity keeps the sweat from evaporating.

Before you pack for the annual meeting, remember Boston too will likely be muggy. Here are a few tips to help you cope with steam-bath air, especially if you’re from an area where humidity levels are lower!

• Leave the polyester at home. Trust me on this. Particularly for any outdoor events or activities, bring lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothes made of natural fabrics like silk, cotton, or linen. In humid climes, polyester acts like those old rubber exercise suits – you will be miserable.

• Drink lots of cool – not cold – fluids, regardless of your activity level, and drink more than your thirst might indicate. According to a CDC article on heat-related illness and its prevention, our bodies lose more fluids when it’s humid. CDC recommends avoiding liquids containing caffeine, alcohol, and large amounts of sugar as they intensify that effect. Although if you're like most everyone else, caffeine sure does help get you through those long convention days!

• Keep any physical exercise confined to your air-conditioned hotel room or gym. If you must run or walk outside, stick to morning or evening hours and shady areas; take plenty of water with you.

• Stay indoors during the heat of the day…between noon and 5:00 p.m. You can stroll the annual meeting’s exhibit hall, make business connections, and participate in great learning opportunities – all in air conditioned comfort!

Posted by Kathi Edwards at 02:45 PM | Permalink

Happy Independence Day everyone! One of Boston's greatest July 4th traditions is the Boston Pops playing at the Hatch Shell along the Charles River, a show that you can watch tonite at CBS at 10 pm EDT.

If you tune in, you'll be getting a sneak preview of what's in store for us when we hit The Hub next month. Don't forget that Keith Lockhart and the Pops will play the Grand Finale Concert for the Boston meeting on the evening of Tuesday, August 22 at the Bank of America Pavilion. Personally, I'm very excited because I did not have the opportunity to see the Pops during my year in Boston, so this will be a thrilling new experience for me!

Posted by Jeff De Cagna at 09:39 AM | Permalink

I don’t have the childhood memories of the Boston area that Jamie Notter has, however Boston does hold a special place in my heart: it was at the 1989 ASAE Annual Meeting in Boston that I walked across the stage at the Hynes Center in recognition of earning my CAE designation. It was also the first time I rode the MTA (now known simply as “the T”). You haven’t been to Boston (nor have you really experienced life) until you’ve ridden the “T”…and that’s just as true today as it was then.

If you’re old enough to have heard the Kingston Trio in their heyday, or happen to be a folk music aficionado, you may have heard a little ditty called “M.T.A.” (from the 1959 album At Large). It tells the tale of Charlie, who’ll “ride forever ‘neath the streets of Boston” simply because he didn’t have the extra nickel a fare increase required. It’s a folk song in the truest sense, protesting a “burdensome tax” on the citizenry. Although back in the day (and I won't say which day!) I often sang that song at guitar-fests with friends, I never really understood it until I rode the MTA myself.

In 1989, my sister Patricia lived in Arlington, a Boston suburb, and both to visit her and save some money I stayed with her during the convention. To this day, Patty (who now lives in Framingham, another suburb) will not drive her car into downtown Boston unless it’s a do-or-die emergency (Ever driven in Boston? You’ll understand her sentiments). The only condition for my staying with her was that I had to get to the Hynes Center on my own – and the only way to do that conveniently was via the “T”. The day I arrived at her home, she explained that riding the “T” was a little complicated if you weren’t familiar with it, so she was going to show me the route. Together, we took the subway from near her home to the Hynes Center and back. I’ll never forget my shock (nor my sister's dismay) at my nearly getting on the wrong train simply because I was standing on the wrong part of the same platform! Each day I rode to the convention, I was afraid I’d end up forever ‘neath the streets of Boston. Each day, I somehow managed to get it right …and, gosh darn it, never once ran into Charlie.

Ride the “T” just once when you’re in Boston…I dare ya. Let me know if you see Charlie.

Posted by Kathi Edwards at 06:42 PM | Permalink

I’m exciting to be helping out on the Annual Meeting blog again. Blogging at the event is a blast, but I promise to try to stimulate some thinking ahead of time as well. There are so many big name keynote and thought leaders (many with good books). I want to try to do some of the reading and push the conversation even before we get there. I am particularly interested in Claire Raines (Mickie already posted about her) and her presentation on Generations. More on that later.

My first point, however, is a bit more nostalgic. I grew up in Boston! I was born there and lived in the North End (the Italian section) until I was five, and then we moved out to the suburbs (Newton, to be exact. And yes, Fig Newtons are named after that town). I’m looking forward to being back, although a lot has changed since the “old days.” But it’s a great area. I know the meeting will be busy, but try to get out and about. See Harvard Square. Get down to the Charles River and just stroll. Ride the swan boat at the public gardens. Do some power shopping on Newbury Street. If, by the time you leave the Annual Meeting, all you know about Boston is where to locate the rest rooms in the convention center, then you’ve missed out!

Posted by Jamie Notter at 10:44 AM | Permalink