Finding Hot Dates in Boston

The co-founder of HowAboutWe.com dishes about dating culture in the Hub.

Posted by Courtney Hollands on 1/27/2012 at 11:07AM | No Comments

HowAboutWe.com co-founders Aaron Schildkrout and Brian Schechter / Courtesy photo

The premise behind the dating site HowAboutWe.com is pretty simple: post about an activity or restaurant that you want to try (as in, “How about we … see “Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure” at Coolidge Corner Theatre?), connect with other users, and go out.

“It’s based around the idea that chemistry happens offline,” co-founder Brian Schechter says. “It’s all about natural, easy icebreakers between people.” And, if there aren’t any sparks when you meet up for dim sum, you are still trying something new, he adds. READ MORE

In Boston, Does Money Buy Literacy?

A new study finds no connection between earned income and smarts.

Posted by Casey Lyons on 1/27/2012 at 10:40AM | No Comments

We learned a lot about ourselves this week, Boston. Namely, that we’re the fifth rudest city in the country. But before you curse me out for bringing this up again, there’s some good news: We’re also the fifth most literate city! Up from number 12 last year, according to a new poll from Central Connecticut State University.

CCSU researchers based their findings on six criteria: booksellers per capita (we tied Charlotte, N.C. for 45th) , education level (we’re 25th), Internet resources (we’re fourth), libraries (we tied Plano, Texas for 25th, newspaper circulation (we’re fourth), and the number of other periodical publishers (we tied NYC for second). Somehow that adds up to fifth place overall. READ MORE

Driving/Hand-Held Cell Phone Ban Unanimously Approved

Posted by daily feed on 1/27/2012 at 9:04AM | No Comments

Driving/Hand-Held Cell Phone Ban Unanimously Approved. The bill approved yesterday by the Legislature’s Joint Transportation Committee would ban drivers from using hand-held cellphones behind the wheel. “If that’s an inconvenience for people, tough,” said Sen. Mark C. Montigny of New Bedford, the Senate sponsor of the bill. “The inconvenience of the death and destruction on the road far outweighs any very minor inconvenience.”  [Globe]

Are Boards of Directors The Weakest Link?

How appointed boards often fail to protect the public interest.

Posted by Steve Poftak on 1/27/2012 at 8:55AM | 2 Comments

Like most places, Massachusetts uses elections to ensure accountability in government. Don’t like how things are being run? Vote ‘em out.

So, it’s interesting that some of the most egregious breakdowns in public accountability over the past few years have occurred in that netherworld between bureaucrats and elected officials — the board of directors. READ MORE

Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich Debate Taxes, Immigration … and the Moon

Posted by daily feed on 1/27/2012 at 8:32AM | No Comments

Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich Debate Taxes, Immigration … and the Moon. Last night’s GOP debate in Florida quickly disintegrated into a mouth-foaming, nostril-flaring hell of a good time, where Romney and Gingrich went head-to-head on taxes, immigration, and, of all things we’d thought our politicians would be discussing right now, colonizing on the moon.  [Washington Post]

Breathe Easy! The Super Bowl Will Be on TV in Boston!

Posted by daily feed on 1/27/2012 at 8:17AM | No Comments

Breathe Easy! The Super Bowl Will Be on TV in Boston! Crisis/mutiny/rebellion/secession averted.  [Ad Week]

Dropkick Murphys Freakin’ Own the Month of March

Just face it: You can't enjoy the third month of the year without Ken Casey and the gang.

Posted by Matthew Reed Baker on 1/27/2012 at 8:15AM | No Comments

Full disclosure: I should say right off the bat that I’m a big Dropkick Murphys fan, like so many Bostonians and hooligans worldwide, so much so that I’ve often mentioned them here and managed to finagle this magazine to let me interview lead man Ken Casey. Not only does their music kick royal arse, but they’re a great story of hardworking local guys who play all over the globe and raise lots of money for charity here at home. And yet, with every new year there are groans whenever I suggest writing about them yet again, and even a part of me wearily wonders how this band is going to try this year to reinvigorate their usual activity around St. Patrick’s Day.

Indeed, it makes sense that this crew of (mostly) Irish guys take this celebration to heart, which is why — no matter where they are — they always come back to Boston to celebrate the day with a series of raucous, sold-out shows. While everyone touts Red Sox Opening Day, the July 4th Pops, and the Marathon as quintessential annual events, good ol’ DKM is chugging along and adding themselves to the tradition. The challenge with tradition, though, is how to make it a little bit fresh each year, and Ken Casey and the boys are no exception. READ MORE

Masschusetts Driving/Cell Phone Ban Gains Momentum

Posted by daily feed on 1/27/2012 at 7:51AM | No Comments

Driving/Hand-Held Cell Phone Ban Unanimously Approved. The bill approved yesterday by the Legislature’s Joint Transportation Committee would ban drivers from using hand-held cellphones behind the wheel. “If that’s an inconvenience for people, tough,” said Sen. Mark C. Montigny of New Bedford, the Senate sponsor of the bill. “The inconvenience of the death and destruction on the road far outweighs any very minor inconvenience.”  [Globe]

Mitt Romney, Newt Gingrich Debate Taxes, Immigration … and the Moon. Last night’s GOP debate in Florida quickly disintegrated into a mouth-foaming, nostril-flaring hell of a good time, where Romney and Gingrich went head-to-head on taxes, immigration, and, of all things we’d thought our politicians would be discussing right now, colonizing on the moon.  [Washington Post]

Breathe Easy! The Super Bowl Will Be on TV in Boston! Crisis/mutiny/rebellion/secession averted.  [Ad Week]

Community Colleges: The Great Massachusetts Equalizer. All in all, it’s been a pretty great week for community colleges in Massachusetts. Ever since Deval Patrick announced his plan to improve them with a unified system during his State of the Commonwealth address on Monday night, the ripple effect has been that community colleges can save everything from the economy, jobs, people, and downtrodden downtowns.   [Herald News]

Barney Frank and Jim Ready Are Gettin’ Hitched. The couple will wed after Frank retires from Congress. Congrats, you two!  [Roll Call]

Community Colleges: The Great Massachusetts Equalizer

Posted by daily feed on 1/27/2012 at 7:35AM | No Comments

Community Colleges: The Great Massachusetts Equalizer. All in all, it’s been a pretty great week for community colleges in Massachusetts. Ever since Deval Patrick announced his plan to improve them with a unified system during his State of the Commonwealth address on Monday night, the ripple effect has been that community colleges can save everything from the economy, jobs, people, and downtrodden downtowns.   [Herald News]

Barney Frank and Jim Ready Are Gettin’ Hitched

Posted by daily feed on 1/27/2012 at 7:15AM | No Comments

Barney Frank and Jim Ready Are Gettin’ Hitched. The couple will wed after Frank retires from Congress. Congrats, you two!  [Roll Call]
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