Annual Bourne Scallop Festival
Friday, September 21 to Sunday, September 23
Buzzards Bay Park, Main St., Bourne
$5 admission, (12 and under free)
Organizers describe this as New England's largest scallop festival, although who knew that there were any other odes to the tasty sea morsel? Still, with 40,000 visitors anticipated, this will be a humongous event. The highlight will be the (fried) scallop dinners and other activities will include entertainment (featuring the great local band, Entrain), arts and crafts, a home expo show, rides and games, and other food for scallop snubbers.
Photo: Nashoba Valley Winery
September 5, 2007
Do you think you know Latin music? If your knowledge of the genre runs from Charo to Ricky Martin, then you don't know coochee-coochee. Maybe it's time to go to school. The whole la vida loca of Latin music will take center stage when Northern Essex Community College celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with a series of concerts and special events. The fun kicks off on Friday, September 14 from 5 to 8 p.m. with Mango Blue (what a delicious name for a group!). The band will perform what it describes as Afro-Latin and World music. The eight-member group (pictured) plays its own compositions and blends a spicy brew of jazz, R&B, funk, and, of course, Latin rhythms.
The Mango Blue show will be held outdoors at the Lawrence campus of NECC on Appleton Street. As with all of the Hispanic Heritage Month events, admission is free and open to the public. Other performances, to be held throughout September and October at both the college's Haverhill and Lawrence sites, will include the Latin pop band, Dedos, the classical Flamenco guitarist, Jonathan "Juanito" Pascual, and the contemporary Columbian sounds of Gregorio Uribe & Orquesta. The festival will also offer poetry readings, a career expo, and a presentation about the history of merengue music and dance. Now in its fifth year, the NECC celebration is part of the larger National Hispanic Heritage Month.
For a complete schedule of events and more info, visit the site of the NECC's Hispanic Heritage Month or call 978 738-7413 or 978 738-7437.
Photo: Northern Essex Community College
August 22, 2007
You don't have to step into Fowle's to step back in time. The sentimental journey begins outside the shop on State Street in downtown Newburyport. Its evocative neon sign (hawking soda and cigars) and its hand-lettered, faded, Art Deco sign are simultaneously nostalgic and warmly inviting. The left half of the store offers a generous array of newspapers and magazines, while the right half is a cozy restaurant that serves breakfast and lunch and features a handsome counter with stools. The two halves equal a wholly unique place in our twenty-first century world.
Newsstands have been disappearing at an alarming rate (not that there is anything wrong with getting information online; keep reading boston.com for heaven's sake), and it's reassuring to find a well-stocked store with racks of publications. But it's the food that really sets Fowle's apart. Sure, the counter and stools, like the newsstand, is a throwback. That's no surprise since the shop dates back to 1865. But the food is utterly contemporary--and utterly delicious.
For breakfast, you could stick with the traditional eggs, hash browns, and bacon, or you could indulge in one of Fowle's more adventurous creations such as Lemon-Raspberry French Toast (thick, freshly-baked bread topped with lemon curd and drizzled with raspberry sauce) or The Californian omelet (sprouts, onions, tofu, spinach, tomatoes, cilantro, and provolone). For lunch, Fowle's offers salads and a host of scrumptious hot and cold sandwiches, including a Pesto Veggie, Roasted Turkey Mozarella, and Herbed Chicken Salad. The soups, however, are truly inspired. The restaurant rotates them and typically serves two each day. Fowle's roster includes Thai Chicken Curry, Hungarian Mushroom, Chicken Tortilla, Vegan Carrot, and Gazpacho. I'm salivating just writing about them. Save room for dessert. Fowle's offers Emack & Boilio's premium ice cream.
Fowle's
978-463-8855
17 State Street, Newburyport
Photos: ©Arthur Levine, 2007. Licensed to boston.com.
August 8, 2007
Folks along the coast between Salem and Lynn on Wednesday, August 15 will want to keep their eyes peeled on the water. That day, the majestic tall ship, Friendship of Salem, will be sailing from its berth at Salem's Derby Wharf down to the Seaport Marina in Lynn. It will remain in Lynn through August 19 where guests will be invited to board the ship for free public tours. The Friendship, which is a replica of the trading vessels that plied Salem's busy port in the 1700s, is generally docked in Salem and is part of the Salem Maritime National Historic Site. The seaworthy vessel makes occasional voyages, however, and participated in a tall ships celebration in Rhode Island earlier this summer and will be attending the Gloucester Schooner Races on September 1 and 2. During its Lynn visit on Saturday, August 18, the band Historical Histeria (great name!) will be performing from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. On Sunday, August 19, Friendship will be departing at noon to make the return trip up the coast to Salem.
Friendship Sails to Lynn
August 16 and 17, free public tours from 11:00 a.m. to 4 p.m.
August 18, free public tours from 10:00 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Seaport Marina at Lynn Heritage State Park
Photo: Leighton O’Connor for the Essex National Heritage Commission
July 30, 2007
The talented and prolific Taylor family, including James and Livingston, has roots in Massachusetts, but the singing siblings spent their formative years in North Carolina. In his mind, James may be going to Carolina, but he and the rest of his family returned to our fair state. Many of them have homes on Martha's Vineyard. While she may not be as popular as her famous brothers, Kate Taylor brings the same kind of folk and easygoing rock style to her music as well as a dash of soul and gospel. She will be performing this Friday, August 3, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. for a free outdoor concert at Devereux Beach in Marblehead. (Donations to support the Devereux Beach Fund will be gladly accepted.) If you can't make the North Shore show, Kate Taylor will be performing on Wednesday, August 15 at The Old Whaling Church in Edgartown on Martha's Vineyard.
Photo: katetaylor.com
July 20, 2007
If "folk festival" conjures images of waiflike women and wisecracking guys strumming guitars and wheezing into harmonicas, you haven't been to the Lowell Folk Festival. With a lineup that includes Cajun swing, South Indian veena, Brazilian ox-dance, and Cape Verdean funana performers, perhaps "world music" would be a more apt description of the event. But, hey, regardless of the style of music or the culture of the artists, they are all folks, right? Celebrating its 20th season this year, the three-day Lowell event is the largest free folk festival in the nation. In addition to the diverse array of performers that will be stationed on six stages throughout the city (and yes, there are bound to be at least a few harmonica-wheezing troubadours), the festival will also feature a tempting variety of food representing Lowell's multi-ethnic population. Among the many food booths will be Laotian, Portuguese, Jamaican, Polish, and African American favorites. But wait, there's more. Other folks participating in the festival will be artisans, dancers, and storytellers.
Lowell Folk Festival
July 27-29, 2007
At multiple stages throughout downtown Lowell
Free admission
Photo: Lowell Folk Festival
July 9, 2007
Let's say you're an environmentally sensitive kinda person, and you're in tune with Massachusetts' new Green Visitors Program that I wrote about in my last entry. You're at the Boston Common and you want to get to a hot restaurant in South Boston. Or Symphony Hall. Or Signing Beach in Manchester-by-the-Sea. Web sites that offer directions, such as MapQuest or Google Maps, could give you the information you need to get you there, but they are generally geared towards driving directions and assume you'll be traveling by car. Since you're a carbon-neutral guy or gal, however, you want to take public transportation, right? Should you take the T? If so, what color line should you take? And do you head inbound or outbound? The answers to these questions can be found at the PublicRoutes Web site.
As with the well-known map sites, PublicRoutes.com users enter their starting and destination points, and the site determines the best route. In default mode, the results might include a combination of walking, subway, bus, or commuter train directions. Users can tailor the results and ask for, say, walking-only directions or subway-only directions. Each step along the way includes clearly stated instructions and approximate times. (Of course, it doesn't account for late trains and other aggravations.) The site can be a bit wacky. When I entered "Public Garden" in Boston, it asked me whether I meant Garden Street in Worcester. And the results aren't always accurate. To get from the Boston Common to Singing Beach, PublicRoutes.com correctly directed me to North Station and told me to board a Rockport-bound commuter train. But the directions advised me to get off at the Gloucester station and either walk for an hour or take a cab to the beach--rather than disembarking at the Manchester-by-the-Sea station and walking about a half of a mile to the beach. The site did work well most of the time, however, and it does take the mystery out of the Boston area's often-confusing public transportation systems.
Photo: MBTA
July 5, 2007
A few days ago, I wrote about the exhibit that Toyota is bringing to the area to hype its hybrid cars. But what about ditching the car altogether and taking a unique form of public transportation? Boston Harbor Cruises has been offering ferry service between Provincetown and Boston for many years. More recently, passengers have also been able to travel between Boston and Quincy or Salem aboard high-speed ferries. The ferry lines have always touted the benefits of plying the high seas, such as bypassing clogged highways and enjoying the ocean breezes. Recently, they've added one more benefit: It's the green thing to do. Whether it's a day trip or part of an extended vacation, the ferries give locals and out-of-towners a way to explore Cape Cod, the North Shore, or historic Quincy without having to resort to an automobile. The Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau peddles the ferries as part of its new "Green Visitors Program" (sounds like the organization is throwing out the welcome mat for Martians and relatives of Kermit the Frog), which also includes information about walking tours, trolley services, the T, rail transportation, ecotourism initiatives, bike tours, and other earth-friendly ways to access the state's treasures.
Photo: ©Arthur Levine. Licensed to boston.com.
July 2, 2007
A few days ago, I posted a guide to holiday fireworks on Cape Cod. But, the rest of the Bay State will be getting into the patriotic spirit as well, and, based on the requests that have been coming into my mailbag, folks want to know where else they will be able to view fireworks this week. Here's a selected list of pyrotechnic displays throughout Massachusetts:
BOSTON
Of course the king of kabooms in the state (and one of the biggest 4th of July celebrations in the nation for that matter) will be the annual Boston Pops on the Esplanade extravaganza. The fun kicks off on Wednesday, July 4, at 8:00 p.m. at the Hatch Memorial Shell on the Charles River Esplanade with the Pops and special guest performer John Mellencamp (who will undoubtedly sing his little ditty, "R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A."). If you want a decent view of the show, plan to arrive very early and spend the day securing your precious piece of turf. Or, you could watch the festivities at home on WBZ TV-4 starting at 8 p.m., which will segue into the national broadcast on CBS at 9 p.m.
But, no matter how wide your screen may be or how surrounded you are by your fancy sound system, there's nothing like seeing and hearing fireworks live. Here are some of the other places in the state to view fireworks:
NORTH OF BOSTON
- Danvers
Tuesday, July 3, 9 p.m. at Plains Park
- Gloucester
Tuesday, July 3, at 10 p.m. over Gloucester Harbor
- Haverhill
Tuesday, July 3, 9 p.m. at Riverside Park
- Lynn and Nahant
Tuesday, July 3, at dusk over Lynn and Nahant Beaches
- Methuen
Tuesday, July 3, 9 p.m. at Nicholson Field
- North Reading
Tuesday, July 3, 8:30 p.m. at Ipswich River Park
- Amesbury
Wednesday, July 4 at 9:00 p.m. at Woodsoms Farm
- Andover
Wednesday, July 4 at 9:00 p.m. at the high school soccer field
- Ipswich
Wednesday, July 4 at 8:30 p.m. at The Crane Estate
- Marblehead
Wednesday, July 4 at 9:00 p.m. over Marblehead Harbor
- Salem
Wednesday, July 4 at 9:15 p.m. launched from Derby Wharf
ELSEWHERE IN THE STATE
- Westfield
Tuesday, July 3, 9 p.m. at Stanley Park
- Worcester
Tuesday, July 3, 9 p.m. at Tornadoes Ball Park at Fitton Field
- Brockton
Wednesday, July 4 at 10:30 p.m. at Brockton Fairgrounds
- Newton
Wednesday, July 4 at 1:00 p.m. at Albermarle Field
- Plymouth
Wednesday, July 4 at 9:00 p.m. over Plymouth Cove
Photo: boston.com
June 28, 2007
If you're like me, you're seriously thinking about a hybrid for your next car. And, if you're like me, the last place on earth you'd want to spend any time is at a car dealership. (Frankly, I hope you're not any more like me, because the similarities are starting to freak me out.) How, then, can dealer-phobic folks like us get a better sense of newfangled hybrid automobiles? We could pester the neighbor who recently jumped on the green bandwagon and try to weasel our way behind the wheel of his shiny new hybrid. A better alternative, however, might be a visit to Toyota's Highway to the Future, a touring "mobile hybrid experience," when it stops in Boston or Newburyport.
Visitors will be able to take a simulated ride in a virtual Prius without an annoying salesperson asking them, "So, what would it take to get you to buy this today?" They'll also be able to learn about alternative fuels and hybrid technology, including regenerative braking, through interactive presentations. A section of the exhibit will focus on ways people can make a difference to help protect the environment.
Ironically, the mobile hybrid experience is traveling across the nation on a semi-trailer truck that probably gets, oh, around .3 miles per gallon. To atone for the tour's carbon impact, Toyota says that it plans to plant up to 50,000 trees. The auto company has certainly taken the lead in hybrid car sales with its popular Prius, as well as the new Camry and Highlander hybrid models. But Toyota, which professes to be "committed to confronting the world's energy challenges and making the planet a healthier place to live," would have to plant an awful lot of trees to offset the environmental impact of its elephantine Land Cruiser and Sequoia models (13 and 15 mpg city, respectively).
Highway to the Future
Friday June, 29 through Wednesday, July 4 at City Hall Plaza in Boston, part of Boston Harborfest
Saturday, July 7 at Waterfront Park in Newburyport, part of Riverfront Music Festival
Photo: Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A.
June 18, 2007
If I say, "Massachusetts, beach, and vacation," I'll bet your knee-jerk response is "Cape Cod." And for good reason. The Cape is home to world-class beaches and is synonymous with oceanside fun. But Boston's North Shore also has some wonderful, if less heralded, beaches. In fact, the shoreline at Plum Island in Newbury ranks, in my estimation, second only to the Cape's Coast Guard Beach in Eastham, as the state's best beach. Until recently, pretty much the only way to stay amid Plum Island's picture-perfect dunes and crashing surf was to rent a cottage. But with the recent introduction of blue (sic), The Inn on the Beach, visitors now have an idyllic hotel from which to enjoy the idyllic beach.
Located smack-dab on a stretch of beach next to the Parker River Wildlife Refuge, the inn offers stunning views. Between the sweet chirps of the countless varieties of migratory birds (Plum Island is a renowned haven for birds and birdwatchers) and the constant dull roar of the surf, it also offers a soothing soundtrack by which to wake up and fall asleep. After a peaceful day on the island, I defy anyone to last more than a few minutes before being lulled into a deep slumber from the sounds of the calming waves.
But the inn is more than a place to rest your head. This is a place so chic and hip, its name has no use for initial capitalization. blue's suites feature amenities such as a marble bathroom with a giant, ceiling-mounted rain showerhead; a plasma television and DVD/CD player; a gas or wood-stove fireplace; overstuffed furniture; and a refrigerator stocked with water, soft drinks, and a bottle of wine or champagne. The staff delivers breakfast to each suite in a charming wicker basket.
The inn's signature blue color is evident everywhere, including the unusual stones that line the pathways, but the overwhelming color is white. Stark white. White on white. The walls, floors, bedcover, furniture, and nearly everything else in the suites radiate whiteness. The folks at the inn say that the monochrome color scheme is reminiscent of the swanky hotels on Miami's South Beach. I say it's...white.
Little touches abound at the inn. The lower-case "b" logo is imprinted on beach towels, complimentary beach flip-flops, matchboxes (provided to light the mood-setting candles), and cute doorknob hangars that read "b quiet" on one side and "b clean" on the other. There's even the ubiquitous blue "b" imprinted on the boogie boards available at the front desk. (Plum Island offers some of the world's most tubular body surfing conditions.)
Miami Beach may have served as the inspiration for blue's designers, but the inn is not like the towering hotels that line the Florida city's coast. With 14 suites and cottages, there is a hushed and intimate atmosphere here. There are a number of packages available that include niceties such as fancy shmancy candy, fresh flowers, and in-room massages. The inn does not have an onsite dining room, but Plum Island as well as nearby Newburyport--itself a treasure--offer a wealth of wonderful restaurants.
If there's a cloud in Plum Island's blue-silver lining, it is the greenhead flies that love to annoy beachgoers throughout the month of July. Unique to the area's salt marshes, the nasty flies can make the island idyll a bit less than idyllic. By the way, Plum Island is easily accessible by car over the drawbridge that crosses the Parker River.
blue, The Inn on the Beach
Plum Island, Newbury
978-465-7171
Open year-round.
Rates, which range from $230 to $995, vary according to season, accommodations, and optional add-ons.
The writer was provided with complimentary accommodations for the purpose of reviewing the inn. While it has not influenced this review, ExploreNewEngland.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest.
Photos: ©Arthur Levine, 2007. Licensed to boston.com.
June 15, 2007
With our arduous winters and springs that should be more aptly named "mud season," we savor summer in Massachusetts. That's why we endure two-hour waits to cross the Cape Cod Canal (fly over THIS, State Highway Department!), sport lobstah-red sunburns, and eat far too much clam chowdah. Ah, clam chowdah. The creamy broth, the chewy clams, the delicate potatoes, the hint of butter: Is there anything that says summer in Massachusetts quite like a bowl of delectable chowdah? If you want to overindulge and help separate the littlenecks from the quahogs, visit these chowder fests and get slurpin'. But be forewarned: While you may know that Boston baked beans, beans are good for your heart, you may not be aware that clam chowdah makes it louder.
- Cape Cod Chowder Festival
Sunday, June 24th, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Cape Cod Melody Tent, Hyannis
$10 in advance, $15 day of event
One dozen restaurants duke it out for chowdah supremacy. Entertainment and ice cream included.
- Boston Harborfest's Chowderfest
Sunday, July 1, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Plaza at City Hall, Boston
$10 for adults, $7 for children
Organizers expect to ladle out more than 2000 gallons of chowdah.
Photo: dinewise.com
May 24, 2007
There's about a month left before school's out for summer. The loooong vacation period will leave harried parents scrambling for things to do with their kids, especially on rainy days. One option for folks in the northeastern part of the state is the North Shore Children's Museum. The Salem YMCA recently took over the please-touch, kid-centric museum and relocated it to their center on Essex Street. The museum is a great place for younger children, up to about age ten, to explore, interact, and learn in a fun environment.
Is your child a budding firefighter, chef, letter carrier, or movie star? Toddlers, in particular, would enjoy dressing up and trying these and other careers on for size at the museum. Activities also include a tidepool, a climbing structure, hands-on science experiment stations, crafts projects, and a constantly changing series of special exhibits. The museum is available for birthday parties, sleepovers, and other group functions. How kid-focused is the North Shore Children's Museum? Since the facility isn't really for them, adults get in for free. Kids, however, have to pay an admission fee. Presumably, their parents will foot the bill--unless the children really are professional chefs.
North Shore Children's Museum
294 Essex Street, Salem
(978) 741-1811
Photo: ECR Hospitality
May 9, 2007
It's one of the most painted, photographed, and recognized buildings on the planet. The humble red fish shack that sits gracefully in Rockport's harbor has become indelibly linked with the town. It makes sense, then, that the community dedicates its first major event of the season to its signature structure. The weekend of May 19, Rockport will be celebrating Motif #1 Days with music, a chowder festival, street entertainment, artist demonstrations, exhibits, and other activities.
The artist community, with its many galleries, quaint shops, restaurants (featuring seafood, of course), inns, beaches, and spectacular views is a joy to visit anytime. During Motif #1 Days, the town will take on a more festive air. The galleries and shops will be bringing their wares out to the crowded sidewalks, for example. Among other highlights:
- May 19 and 20
History of Motif #1
An historian will talk about the storied shack.
- May 19 and 20
Outdoor Painting Workshop
Watch artists do their thing. It's likely many of them will be painting Motif #1.
- May 19
Chowdah Fest
For $5, slurp the town's best chowder and vote for your favorites.
Motif #1 Days
Saturday, May 19, & Sunday, May 20
Locations throughout Rockport (Most are within walking distance of one another.)
Tip: Forget about the limited downtown parking. Leave your car at the Blue Gate Meadow Lot on the way into town, and take the CATA Trolley.
Photo: Rockport Chamber of Commerce
April 23, 2007
Chris sent me this question:
I will be visiting my aunt in Salem at the end of May. How do I get Red Sox tickets without breaking the bank? Thanks for your help.
Thanks for writing. From the nature of your question Chris, I think you already know the likely answer: There's probably no way you'll be able to get Sox tickets, unless you, your aunt, or some kindly and relatively wealthy soul can pony up a lot of scratch. It's a simple matter of supply and demand. The Red Sox are wildly popular and Fenway Park doesn't have nearly enough seats to go around. As you've no doubt discovered, tickets to the late-May series against Cleveland are sold out--as are the majority of home games. That's just the way it is here in Red Sox nation. That doesn't mean you don't have any options, however.
- Many Sox fans purchase tickets for away games and hit the road to see their favorite team play live. It can actually be cheaper (not to mention a fun adventure) to add in the cost of transportation and lodging in another city than to get Fenway Park tickets. But, that wouldn't help you or your aunt in this situation.
- The Red Sox Web site does make tickets to sold out games available through charity auctions and from season ticket holders who want to resell their tickets. There are also third-party ticket resellers who offer Sox tickets. But, the prices for these options tend to be quite high.
- All is not lost, however. Here's my recommendation: Find a decent sports bar, such as Sidelines in Salem, order a pitcher of beer, and watch the Sox crush Cleveland on a big screen TV. There will undoubtedly be a large and vocal hometown contingent on hand to make you almost feel as if you're at the game. But you could still visit Fenway Park. The ball club offers tours of historic Fenway seven days a week. For a mere $12 each, you and your aunt could gawk at the Green Monster, learn some behind-the-bench tidbits, and soak in the Sox ambiance. Have your aunt take some photos of you inside the park, then show them to the folks back home and brag how you visited Fenway. They'll never have to know that you didn't actually attend a game. I promise not to tell. Enjoy your visit to Massachusetts!
Photo: Boston Red Sox
April 14, 2007
Restaurant Week, during which participating eateries offer three-course, fixed-price meals at bargain prices, has proven so successful in Boston, the promotion is now scheduled twice each year (and the summer version of it extends for longer than a week). Recognizing a good thing, Salem restaurateurs have banded together to present their own Restaurant Week, which kicks off tomorrow, Sunday, April 15, and continues for 6 days through Friday, April 20. It's a good deal for both diners and the establishments; we get sated with some delicious food without breaking the bank, and the restaurants get patrons, including many inquisitive first-time customers, to fill up their places during an otherwise slow time--and hopefully pad their checks with high-markup drinks.
Here's how it will work: Participating restaurants will offer selected menu items, including an appetizer, main course, and dessert, for a fixed price of $16.26 (the year Salem was founded) at lunch and $26.26 at dinner. Price is per person and excludes beverages, tax, and gratuity. For example, among the Restaurant Week choices at Strega, which offers inspired fare that's largely Italian, will be Apple, Walnut and Mixed Green Pasta, Chef's Shrimp Scampi, and White Chocolate Banana Bread Pudding. Yum! Among the 17 other establishments joining the promotion are the Lyceum Bar and Grill, a longtime Salem favorite that serves exquisite, creative dishes in a elegant, inviting nineteenth-century building, Victoria Station, a waterfront steak- and chophouse, and Passage to India, one of the North Shore's best Indian restaurants. Discount validated parking will be available during Restaurant Week.
For a complete listing of restaurants:
Salem Restaurant Week
April 15 to 20
Photo: Lyceum Bar and Grill
April 11, 2007
Earth Day is fast approaching. What began as a crunchy granola mission to focus on the planet's health and humankind's role in shaping (or misshaping) the environment has taken on new meaning and significance in an era when even conservatives like Newt Gingrich acknowledge the inconvenient truth about global warming. Eco-activism, education, and fun will be on the agenda at a number of Earth Day events around the state, including exhibits, activities, a parade, and clean-up volunteer opportunities.
- Earth Day Celebration at Heritage Museum and Gardens
April 21 in Sandwich
Free with museum admission
508-888-3300
Crafts, trail explorations, and conservation-themed games.
- Party for the Planet
April 22 at Franklin Park Zoo in Boston, Stone Zoo in Stoneham, and Buttonwood Park Zoo in New Bedford
The Boston-area zoos will celebrate Earth Day with animal encounters, environmental exhibits, craft making, and other activities. The New Bedford Zoo will offer music, puppets, recycling info, crafts, and activities.
- The Greater New Bedford Earth Day Parade
April 12 in downtown New Bedford
The parade kicks off at 5:30 p.m. at the Whaling Museum.
- Earth Day Charles River Cleanup
April 21, 9 a.m. to noon at sites along the Charles
781-788-0007 X 303.
We may sing about loving that dirty water, but if Boston is your home, you'd probably rather have a clean Charles River, wouldn't you?
Photo: Charles River Watershed Association
April 2, 2007
Joyce sent this email to Explore New England's plush, but not overly ostentatious, Massachusetts blogger headquarters:
Where might I take my seven-year-old grandson for a fun day somewhere on the North Shore April 3?
Thanks for writing Grandma Joyce. It's sweet that you'll be spending some time with your grandson, but I am a tad concerned: Why won't the seven-year-old lad be in school? Here in Massachusetts, the public schools' April vacation won't be for another couple of weeks. I was considering alerting the truant officers, but I'm guessing that your grandson is from outside the state and is on a different vacation schedule. Unfortunately, because most local kids will be contending with pencils, books, and teachers' dirty looks tomorrow, there aren't a heckuva lot of kid-centric activities from which to choose. And because spring hasn't truly sprung, most outdoor attractions aren't open for the season yet. (Tuesday's forecast calls for overcast skies and relatively chilly temperatures, anyway.) Your options, therefore, are mostly limited to indoor venues. So, how about treating your (presumed) out-of-town grandson to a day on the town--in one of the North Shore's most famous towns, Salem?
- To get you from place to place and help provide some context, consider hopping aboard The Salem Trolley. You're in luck, since the shuttle, which offers a narrated one-hour tour, just resumed its daily schedule yesterday.
- Start your day at the National Park Service Visitor Center on Liberty Street across from the Museum Place parking garage. Admission is free.
- Visit the Salem Witch Museum and/or the Witch Dungeon Museum. Your seven-year-old grandson should be fascinated by the witch hysteria that struck the region, and equally fascinated by the fact that many witches reside in Salem today.
- Stop by the Salem Maritime National Historic Site to learn about Salem's historic role as one of the nation's earliest and most important ports.
- Check out The House of The Seven Gables and discover the inspiration for Nathaniel Hawthorne's famous novel. Your grandson will especially enjoy the secret staircase. After your tour, head across the street to Ye Olde Pepper Candy Companie, America's oldest candy shop. (Don't worry, there's no actual pepper in the candy.)
- I'm not sure how much will be open at Salem Willows, but as of April 1 it's scheduled for daily operation, so hopefully you could enjoy the arcade, take a spin or two on the carousel, and enjoy a unique chop suey sandwich (yep, you read that right: sandwich) and some of the area's best ice cream and air-popped popcorn at Hobb's.
- If you still have some energy, go to the recently remodeled Peabody Essex Museum and explore the maritime art, art from the Far East, and other exhibits.
- You might want to catch the afternoon performance of "Meet the Robinsons," the slick new Disney computer animated film, that's showing at CinemaSalem inside the Museum Place Mall.
Whatever you end up doing, have a wonderful day together. And make sure your grandson returns to school next week!
Photo: Daniel Goodwin
March 21, 2007
There are a gaggle of water slides poking out of the CoCo Key indoor water park under construction at the Sheraton Ferncroft in Danvers. The slides will be filled with balmy, 84-degree water and screaming riders when the park opens in a couple of months. Because the slides begin and end inside the climate-controlled building, and because they are enclosed, riders will be able to scream in delight, rather than from the cold, year-round--even in the middle of a February nor'easter. Today, however, the temperature in the unfinished park was chilly as representatives from the CoCo Key Water Resort led media reps and invited guests on a hardhat tour of the facility.
There wasn't much to see in the building yet. There were bright tropical colors, befitting the park's Key West theme, on the walls. The stairs that guests will climb to board the water slides were in place (pictured on the right).
And a trough that will become a lazy river has been dug (pictured on the right).
Otherwise, the indoor water park was mostly empty. When it's finished, CoCo Key will offer an interactive water play center with a dumping bucket, an activity pool with water basketball and a "lilly pad" walk, a Dip-in Theatre with movies playing above a shallow pool, and an indoor-to-outdoor whirlpool spa (all together now: "ahhhhhhhh!"), along with the water slides and lazy river. The water park will be open to registered guests of the Sheraton Ferncroft. Day passes for the general public will not be available, although the park will have party rooms available for birthdays and private functions. CoCo the Parrot, the park's snorkel-masked mascot, (who was on hand at the hardhat tour today--pictured on the right) will help liven up the parties. CoCo Key Water Resort will be New England's first major indoor water park resort.
CoCo Key Water Resort at the Sheraton Ferncroft
Scheduled to open late May 2007
Danvers
(978) 777-2500
Photos: ©Arthur Levine, 2007
February 28, 2007
St. Patty's day is looming, and the state is fairly bursting with Irish-themed events and celebrations. That's no surprise since, according to the Boston Irish Tourism Association, Massachusetts is "America's Most Irish State," the "Capital of Irish America," and "Ireland's Home Away from Home." (Shh, don't tell anybody, but California, New York, and, improbably, Florida all have more Irish-Americans living in their states. Let's keep this Capital of Irish America thing on the QT, OK?) Of course, there will be a slew of St Patrick's Day parades, but there are plenty of other Irish events planned over the next few weeks as well.
A sampling of St Patrick's Day Parades:
- South Boston
Sunday, March 18
1 p.m. Starts at the Broadway MBTA stop.
- Lawrence
Sunday, March 11
1 p.m. Starts at City Hall.
- Yarmouth
Saturday, March 10
11:00 a.m. Starts at Bass River Sports World, 934 Route 28.
Other Irish activities:
- Irish Food & Culture Celebration
March 11 to 18
Events include an Irish Heritage Dinner at the Omni Parker House in Boston on Tuesday, March 13; "Rattle and Hum," an evening of oysters, Guinness, and U2 music at Boston's Eastern Standard Restaurant on Thursday, March 15; and a St. Patrick’s Day Evening Feast at the Seaport Hotel in South Boston on Saturday, March 17.
- Irish Tea Party
March 4 in Chicopee
2:00-4:00 p.m. in the Rotunda, Berchmans Hall, Elms College
- A Journey Home - John F. Kennedy and Ireland
A special exhibit that opened last St. Patrick's Day has been extended through September 21, 2007 at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston.
Photo: Boston Irish Tourism Association
February 25, 2007
Forget the Vermont Maid. Sure, our neighbor to the north produces lots of maple sugar. But there's plenty of tree tapping going on in Massachusetts as well. In fact, when the sap is flowing, it's a welcome sign of spring here in the Bay State. If you want to join the seasonal ritual and learn more about the homegrown sweet stuff, the Department of Conservation and Recreation has some maple sugaring programs around the state. March is prime time for tapping, so you'll want to make your plans now. You may want to bring your own pancakes and French toast, however. Here's where to get in on the maple sugar fun:
Photo: ©Arthur Levine 2006. Licensed to boston.com.
February 12, 2007
Hey LOVER BOY. Do you want to BE GOOD and show your TRUE LOVE she's your ALL STAR this Valentine's Day? Then consider heading over to the New England Confectionary Company headquarters to pick up an assortment of Sweethearts, the classic heart-shaped candies with the silly imprinted sayings. NECCO has been manufacturing them since 1902 and now cranks out over 8 billion of the pastel candies annually at its humungous Revere plant. In addition to the traditional Sweethearts, the company offers versions that are sugar-free, tart, printed in Spanish, and chocolate-flavored.
Founded in 1847, NECCO is the oldest multi-line candy company in the country. Other brands include Necco wafers, Mary Jane, Clark Bars, and Sky Bar. (I always go for the vanilla nougat first when I eat a Sky Bar.) All of the candies are available at the NECCO company store. I wonder what happens to the leftover Sweethearts after Valentine's Day? Maybe you could score some discounted boxes later in the week. But, don't even think of skipping Valentine's Day and trying to pass off some cut-rate candy to your sweetheart after the holiday. Otherwise, you might find yourself sitting alone on the curb eating HOW NICE Sweethearts.
NECCO
135 American Legion Highway, Revere
Company store open weekdays, 8:30 to 5 p.m.
781-485-4500
Photo: NECCO
February 7, 2007
Solid rings connect and come apart. Birds appear out of nowhere. People disappear into thin air. There's been some magic in Beverly's air for 30 years. Marco the Magi's Production of Le Grand David and His Own Spectacular Magic Company (what a long-winded and brazenly self-important name!) will present its 30th anniversary show this month. Without any Vegas glitz or modern-day irony, this throwback to the days of vaudeville and classic European stage magic nonetheless continues to dazzle modern-day audiences.
The adorned Cabot Street Theater and its staff are nearly as ornate as the magic show's colorful costumes and set pieces. A tuxedoed doorman ushers guests in, and a woman decked out in an evening gown takes their tickets. It's a lavish experience designed to please all ages. The theater presents the magic show nearly every Sunday. During the week, it shows second-run and art-house films. The troupe occasionally presents a different magic show at The Larcom Theater, another Beverly gem it restored.
Le Grand David and His Own Spectacular Magic Company
30th anniversary performance on Sunday, February 18 at 3 p.m.
Cabot Street Theater, 286 Cabot St., Beverly
978-927-3677
Photo: Le Grand David
January 31, 2007
I guess there are two ways to confront winter in Massachusetts: You could hibernate indoors and hang on until warm weather returns in the spring; or you could embrace the season and revel outdoors in the cold. If you're not into skiing, snowboarding, or other cold-weather sports, however, how could you celebrate the season? Lowell has the answer. Head to the Mill City on February 9 or 10 for its annual Lowell Winterfest. It looks to be an event-packed festival with non-stop entertainment, food, and wacky events, including a human dogsled competition.
Winterfest kicks off on Friday, February 9 with "Fire and Ice Bonfires." I don't know what that means, exactly, but it sounds intriguing. There will also be a wide variety of music, a hot soup competition (that should help keep everyone warm), rides, ice skating, a chocolate factory, juggling clowns, and bunch of other fun-sounding stuff. Teams crazy enough to enter the dogsled competition are also encouraged to dress in wild costumes (like the Nanooks pictured). Some of the activities are indoors (thank goodness), while some are held in a heated tent (thank goodness again). The whole shebang ends with a bang--a winter fireworks display.
Lowell Winterfest
February 9 and 10
Downtown Lowell
Most activities are free
Photo: Lowell Winterfest
January 1, 2007
The ball dropped, the fireworks kaboomed, lovers kissed, the champagne popped...and the Chinese food containers piled up. Where did the tradition of eating Chinese food on New Year's Eve begin? It doesn't really make a whole lot of sense, but it's such an entrenched custom now that getting a plate of pork fried rice on December 31 can be an exercise in futility. With the holiday over, and access to the Bay State's Chinese restaurants returned to normal, I have a gem of an eatery to recommend: the Far East Cafe in Woburn.
Located inconspicuously in an office park behind Staples, the Far East offers the traditional fare found in most American Chinese restaurants such as Sweet and Sour Soup and General Gau's Chicken. But its extensive menu also features lots of exotic dishes which I'd only seen in Chinatown restaurants, including Rice Congee Soup, Seaweed with Sesame Oil, Shrimp Steak, and Tripe with Vegetables. According to proprietor John Wu, everything is prepared freshly on the premises. According to me, everything is delicious. Best of all, curious diners can sample both the familiar and the more unusual dishes at the Far East's buffet for the quite reasonable price of $9.95. (A la carte items can be ordered from the menu as well.) The buffet even includes all-you-can-eat Dim Sum delivered to your table. I'm not sure whether it necessarily confirms my high praise for the eatery, but a preponderance of the restaurant's diners is Asian.
Happy New Year! If your 2007 resolutions can accommodate a meal out, consider some of the far out fare at the Far East.
Far East Cafe
40 Cummings Park, Woburn
781-935-7663
Photo: harrisonarkansas.org
December 20, 2006
Once known for its mills, Lowell has evolved into an incredible melting pot. The city hosts many festivals and events to celebrate its residents' diverse cultures. One of the more intriguing events is Destination World. The series, which kicked off last May, features a different "destination" on the first Thursday evening of each month and presents a variety of exhibits, films, workshops, dining experiences, and other opportunities to learn about the locale. On Thursday, January 4, the destination will be East Asia.
The National Park Visitor Center will host a film about East Asia, while the Revolving Museum will offer music, dance, and Asian food. Other venues throughout the city will also present exhibits about East Asian art and culture. All events will be free. With a validated stub, even parking at the Roy Garage next to the National Park Visitor Center, will be complimentary.
Destination World: East Asia
Thursday, January 4, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
The program is headquartered at the National Park Visitor Center, 246 Market Street
978-446-7162
Photo: Destination World
December 13, 2006
I've never quite understood why organizers call the New Year's Eve celebrations, "First Night." Isn't it the last night of the year? Granted, the focus is on the coming year, and technically, some of the events extend beyond midnight into the following day. But, that's the wee small hours of the morning, right Ole Blue Eyes?
Semantics aside, First Night, with its family-friendly, non-alcoholic, potpourri of cultural and artistic performances and events is a wonderful concept. While it began in Boston over 30 years ago, and continues to thrive there, over 200 communities around the world also stage First Night events. The number in Massachusetts has dwindled over the past few years, but there are still quite a few cities and towns staging First Night or similar New Year's Eve events. Here are some of the places you can ring in 2007 around the state:
Photo: First Night Worcester
December 11, 2006
The weather outside may be frightful, but next year at this time the water park fun will be delightful at the CoCo Key Water Resort. Now under construction at the Sheraton Ferncroft on the Danvers/Middleton line, the facility will be the first major indoor water park resort in New England. Hotels in Wisconsin Dells began adding indoor water parks about ten years ago and kicked off a mega-trend that's fanning out from the Midwest and spreading across the country and around the world.
At 65,000 square feet, the CoCo Key Water Resort will be a medium-sized indoor water park (the larger ones are over 100,000 square feet) themed to 1930's-era Key West. Because it will be indoors, it will be weatherproof and open year round. It will feature many of the attractions found at outdoor water parks, including body slides, a two-person raft slide, a lazy river, and an interactive play center with a tipping bucket. Adults will enjoy the indoor-to-outdoor whirlpool spa. Admission to the water park will only be available for registered hotel guests. The Sheraton Ferncroft is open during construction.
CoCo Key Water Resort at the Sheraton Ferncroft
Scheduled to open May 2007
Danvers
(978) 777-2500
Photo: ©Arthur Levine, 2006
December 4, 2006
It was beginning to look a lot--OK, a little--like Christmas this morning. But the sun came out, the temperature rose, and any remnants of the white stuff quickly disappeared. If you've been dreaming of a white Christmas, this unusually warm fall has been something of a nightmare. We still have a few weeks to go, but it seems as if Mother Nature may want to mess with Santa Claus this season.
Assuming the mercury will drop (and Al Gore notwithstanding, the mercury will drop), you can make your Christmas-season dreams come true by heading to a mountain or hill that messes with Mother Nature and makes its own snow. If you're like me, and never quite got the hang of skiing or snowboarding, you can still soar downhill on a blanket of machine-made snow at a number of snow tube facilities in the state.
The wintertime equivalent of water park slides, snow tubing requires virtually no skill and is a load of fun. Unlike informal sledding hills, which require lots of uphill schlepping, you can hitch a ride to a snow tube park's summit on its lift. They're great places to schedule kids' winter birthday parties. Prices vary by location, but generally run about $15 for a two-hour session.
Massachusetts snow tube hills:
Photo: Amesbury Sports Park
October 12, 2006
Despite its considerable seafaring history, the important role it played in Colonial America, and other assets, Salem is indelibly linked to its infamous 1692 witch trials. Many people in Salem seem to be ambivalent at best about the "Witch City" tag. It's disconcerting to reconcile the cartoonish broom-riding hag that adorns nearly everything in Salem with the many real-life Wiccan witches who reside there. During October, however, Salem casts discretion away and capitalizes on the ugly chapter in its history to present Haunted Happenings, a hodgepodge of Halloween events.
The city turns into a giant theme park with entertainment, special events, vendors, and ragtag haunted houses vying for attention along with established attractions such as The House of the Seven Gables (115 Derby St., (978) 744-0991). Even the Gables gets into the spirit of the season with presentations such as Legacy of the Hanging Judge. There are storytellers, psychic fairs, and so many guided walking tours that the groups practically trip over one another. The crowds build to a fever pitch as the Halloween witching hour draws closer.
One of the seasonal attractions, Eerie Legends of Salem at The Griffen Theatre (7 Lynde St., (978) 825-0222), exemplifies the city's uneasiness about its pact with the Halloween marketing devil. The 15-minute show (which costs $8--ouch!) uses live actors and schlocky special effects to present some spooky stories that are loosely based on actual events. One of the actors all but apologizes for the show (and the entire Haunted Happenings) by, um, dispelling some of the myths about Salem and witches--sorry, witches do not worship the devil--in a preamble to the performance.
As for the haunted houses, enter them...if you dare. I tried Frankenstein's Laboratory, presented by the Salem Wax Museum (288 Derby St., (800) 298-2929). The "dungeon maze" consisted of one silly tableau featuring Frankenstein's monster and a few darkened hallways into which a couple of actors in black outfits jumped out at us. We lingered a bit and spent perhaps three-and-a-half minutes waiting for scary stuff to happen. I saw some guests hightail it through the attraction in under 90 seconds. The truly scary part: It costs $8 (double ouch!).
Haunted Happenings is scheduled through October 31. For more information, visit the Salem Haunted Happenings Web site or call 877-SALEM-MA.
Photo: witchdungeon.com
October 1, 2006
Boy do I have squash on my face. In Friday's blog, Pumped up for the Topsfield Fair, I wrote that fair officials weren't expecting any record breakers for its annual giant pumpkin contest. This season's weather conditions have led to a dismal crop of pumpkins. (Have you tried to buy one? They're puny and in short supply.) But, lo and behold, Ron Wallace of Providence showed up at the Topsfield Fair hauling a 1,347-pound gourd. I'm not sure whether his pumpkin squashed any records, but it has to be way up there. I happened to be at the fair at the time the fair crew was placing the misshapen, enormous winner in its showcase booth and snapped this photo. The Topsfield Fair continues through Columbus Day, October 9.
Photo: Arthur Levine, 2006. Licensed to boston.com.
September 27, 2006
It's fair season in Massachusetts. Just as The Big E ends its run this weekend, the state's other major fair kicks off north of Boston. Established in 1818, the Topsfield Fair lays claim as the state's (and the nation's) oldest agricultural fair. Much smaller than The Big E, Topsfield nonetheless has most of the requisite fair fare: greasy food, wacky rides, corny shows, squealing pigs, mounds of manure, hucksters hawking wares with in-person infomercials, hucksters hawking plush animals with near-impossible games, and plenty of fruits and vegetables. True to its agrarian roots, one of the fair's highlights will be its giant pumpkin contest.
We had a deluge of spring rain and generally favorable growing conditions this season. (Haven't the local tomatoes and apples been incredible?) However, although they've tipped the scales at over 1000 lbs in the past, fair organizers aren't anticipating any record-breaking pumpkins this year. Conditions, it seems, weren't ideal to nurture humongous squashes. Still, it'll be a hoot to see them on display. There's something intriguing, bucolic, and sweet about celebrating juiced-up pumpkins and the people who fret over them.
Other fair features will include appearances by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and country artist Terri Clark. The Topsfield Fair opens this Friday, September 29, and continues through Columbus Day, October 9.
Photo: nysgpga.com
September 13, 2006
Quick, what's the first thing you think of when you hear, "Ipswich?" I'll bet it was clams (not that you were influenced by the photo or the headline). The seaside community has long been associated with the succulent bivalve. Its clam flats are legendary--although lately red tide has often kept them off-limits--and restaurants such as The Clam Box (246 High St., AKA Rte. 1A, 978-356-9707) serve some of the world's best fried clams. This Saturday, September 16, the town will be filled with an intoxicating aroma when the annual Ipswich Chowder Fest brings together about a dozen of the town's premier chowda purveyors.
The event takes place from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Market Street (the town's main drag). Servings will cost a nominal fee, and proceeds will benefit area charities. In addition to the briny samplings, the Ipswich Chowder Fest will offer live music, face painting, and other activities.
Before or after the event, you may want to head over to Russell Orchards (143 Argilla Road in Ipswich, 978-356-5366) for some local peaches, early Macs, and famous cider donuts. Then continue on to glorious Crane Beach (Argilla Road in Ipswich, 978-356-4354) for some end-of-the-summer sun and surf.
Photo: OnCourseLiving.com
September 11, 2006
Massachusetts has a plethora of wonderful film festivals. The biggest, the Boston Film Festival, takes up residency at the plush AMC Loews Theatre Boston Common this week with an ambitious array of major releases, independent films, documentaries, and shorts. If you've never been to a festival, it's a great opportunity to preview movies before they hit the local cineplex, see some offbeat flicks that may never get a wide release, and chat up directors and other creative film folks after the screenings.
I caught the powerful new documentary, The U.S. vs. John Lennon, about the government's attempt to deport the outspoken musician, last night. The late Lennon has the best line in the film. When asked, after the ordeal was over, if he harbored any bad feelings against the administration that tried to run him out of town, he quipped, "Time wounds all heals." The film will not play again at the festival, but I'd highly recommend that you seek it out.
Among other festival movies are The Last Kiss, a relationship film featuring Zach Braff, scheduled for Tuesday, September 12 at 7:30 p.m., and the East Coast premiere of Renaissance, an animated dystopic science fiction movie featuring the voices of Daniel Craig (the new James Bond!) and Ian Holm, scheduled for Thursday, September 14 at 9 p.m. Some of the films have a local connection, including House of Usher which will have its world premiere on Friday, September 15 at 8:30 p.m. Newburyport's Boyd Hancock produced the film, which is based on a short story by Edgar Allan Poe and stars Izabella Miko. Part of the film was shot in and around the North Shore. Serving as the Usher house is Sea View Retreat in Rowley, a former mansion that is now a skilled nursing facility.
The festival continues through Friday.
Photo: imdb.com
August 17, 2006
The 24th Annual Antique and Classic Boat Festival moves a few miles up the coast (it was previously held in Boston) to Salem Harbor this Saturday, August 19, from noon to 5 p.m. and Sunday, August 20, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be powerboats, oar-driven boats, and classic sailboats of all shapes and sizes and from a variety of eras. The festival will feature "commuter" boats, the decked-out Jazz-Age yachts that transported their Gatsby-like owners from their seaside abodes to their swank offices in Boston, New York, and other magnate centers. Skippers will roll out the red gangplank and invite guests aboard some of the vessels for tours. Many crewmembers will be dressed in period garb. There will also be a nautical crafts market, jazz performances, and a Blessing of the Fleet. The event will be held at Hawthorne Cove Marina in Salem. To make a nautical day of it, take the Salem Ferry from downtown Boston to the festival site. For more info: 617-666-8530.
Photo: Antique and Classic Boat Festival
August 9, 2006
OK, it's not that Bruce. But still, seeing the wonderful Bruce Hornsby play under the stars for a mere 25 smackeroos is quite a bargain these days. He'll be at Boarding House Park in downtown Lowell on Saturday, August 26 as part of the Lowell Summer Music Series. Outdoor concerts can be a delightful summer experience, but with ticket prices soaring into triple digits (and that's before legal scalpers, er, ticket agencies get their paws on them), larger venues are making would-be concertgoers think twice. And $25 is the top price charged in Lowell.
Other upcoming acts include...
folkie Dar Williams on Friday August 18 for $15, New Orleans boogie king Dr. John on Saturday, August 31 for $15, and Tex-Mex rockers Los Lobos on Friday September 1 for $20. The series ends on Saturday, September 9 with a free-admission Banjo & Fiddle Contest. All shows are general admission, and guests are encouraged to bring blankets or chairs. You can order tickets online for a mere $1 or $2 service charge; parking is only $5; and nobody will hassle you about bringing food or drinks (no alcohol) into the park. See the Lowell Summer Music Series site for a complete schedule or call 978-275-1783 for more info.
Photo: BruceHornsby.com
July 19, 2006
The roller coasters, Ferris wheels, carousels, and Fascination halls are long gone, but Revere Beach still attracts huge crowds in the summer. Of course, the ocean and the long promenade are the main draws. The few concessions that remain from the beach's halcyon days, however, also draw 'em in. Kelly's Roast Beef gets most of the attention (does anybody actually order roast beef at the fried clam stand?), but Bianchi's Pizza always has a steady stream of customers also. It's no wonder why.
You want goat cheese and sun-dried tomatoes on your pizza? Fugeddaboutit. Bianchi's is strictly an old-school pizzeria. You can order mushrooms, pepperonis, and other standard toppings if you want, but nearly all of the pies coming out of the oven at the busy stand are plain cheese. And most folks order slices, not whole pizzas, which they take across the street and eat while sitting on the wall, the hoods of their cars, or the grungy picnic tables under the gazebo. Seagulls apparently serve as the de facto cleaning crew.
The thin-crust pizza has the perfect combination of ingredients; the hint of oil, the dash of salt, and the bit of tomato tang combine to create a slice of heaven. But the whole Revere Beach scene--the ocean view, the muscle cars, the big hair, the small bathing suits--helps add flavor to the Bianchi's experience. Slices, which are a quarter of a large pizza (if they're too unwieldy, ask to have them cut in half), cost a reasonable $2.25. But really, how can you put a price on a slice of heaven?
Photo: ©Arthur Levine 2006. Licensed to Explore New England.
July 4, 2006
Turning to an email in my mailbag, Kristy writes:
My family of 4 kids ages 8, 6, 1, in laws, husband and myself are going to a wedding in Kennebunkport, ME at the end of July. We're flying into Boston then driving up to Maine. Any suggestions for things to do?
Thanks for writing Kristy. Sounds like you have quite a brood to entertain. I'm going to assume that the wedding is at the end of your visit, and that you're looking for things for your family to do in Massachusetts before you depart for Maine. (For ideas about things to do in Maine, hop over to the Maine blog, that my colleague Sara Malmquist writes.)
I don't know where you're flying in from, but any summer vacation to Massachusetts has to include at least one trip to the beach. Among the many beautiful beaches to explore north of Boston is Good Harbor in Gloucester. It's picture-perfect, large enough to accommodate huge crowds, and often has some decent (but not overpowering) waves for body surfing. After a day at the beach, you could head to Woodman's in Essex for some authentic fried clams (this is the place that invented them) and other seafood delights. The restaurant is incredibly laid back and more than welcoming for families with young kids.
For other family-friendly things to do, check out these resources:
Have a ball. I'd enjoy hearing back from you about your Bay State fun.
-Arthur
Explore New England Massachusetts Blogger
Having a wicked good time in Massachusetts!
Photo: GoodHarborBeach.com
June 21, 2006
The solstice and first day of summer notwithstanding, folks on the North Shore know it's really summer when St. Peter's Fiesta brings its unique mix of family fun, oddball sporting events, and religious observance to Gloucester. Held in honor of the patron saint of fishermen, the Italian-American community has been presenting the fiesta for over 75 years. This year's event is scheduled to run from Wednesday, June 21 through Sunday, June 25.
Among the many activities planned are a buffet dinner featuring "new fish," a free outdoor concert with the United States Navy Band, a carnival, and fireworks. The Seine Boat Races will pit three twelve-person crews (in boats named the Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria) in an old-school rowing contest. The Greasy Pole event is a wacky fiesta tradition in which contestants will attempt to maneuver along a highly slathered telephone pole extended over the harbor and capture the flag placed at its end. On Sunday, Cardinal Sean O'Malley will preside over the celebration of the Mass of St. Peter, participate in a parade through the streets of Gloucester, and lead a Blessing of the Fleet.
Photo: St. Peter's Fiesta Committee
June 12, 2006
Head over to the Boston Common for the eighth annual Dads Make a Difference: A Celebration of Fathering and Families scheduled this Sunday, June 18, rain or shine from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. The free, hands-on event will include games, magic, music, and mural painting. Kids can nominate their pop for a Super Dad Award. Sponsored by an organization called the For Fathering Project/Medical Foundation. Hmm. I didn't know being a dad is now considered a medical condition. Does my insurance company know about this?
Read on for more dad-tastic things to do.
Want to imagine what life would be like if your dad was, say, a blacksmith, and you had to learn to survive without your iPod, video games, cell phone, computer, or any mention of Paris Hilton? Go to Father's Day at Old Sturbridge Village, the historical recreation musem, this Sunday, June 18, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. There'll be activities for kids and dads (I guess moms will have go milk the cows or find something else to do), and fathers get in for half-price.
Is your dad a meat and potatoes kind of guy? Take him out to the new Ruth's Chris on School Street in Boston for an incredibly delicious (and incredibly pricey) steak dinner. The chophouse chain, which just scored high marks in Consumer Reports' annual restaurant survey, recently opened its first Massachusetts location at Old City Hall.
This Saturday, June 17, the town of Wareham presents its annual Swan Festival from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. There'll be artists, family activities, open houses, and other events. What does this have to do with dad? Well, the day caps off at 5:30 p.m. with the Swan Fest Pig Roast. And what guy doesn't love a pig roast? (Here's hoping they don't inadvertently skewer some swans on the spit with the pigs.)
Let your dad know he's super, man. Take him on the incredible Superman: Ride of Steel coaster at Six Flags New England in Agawam. It's my pick for the world's best steel roller coaster.
If dad's in a festive mood, take him to Semana Hispana, a 3-day celebration of Latino cultures at Lawrence Campagnone Common on Jackson Street in Lawrence. The event, to be held Friday, June 16 to Sunday, June 18, will include a parade, rides, food, games, and music.
Photo: Dads Make a Difference, For Fathering
June 7, 2006
There's certainly no shortage of movie theaters on the North Shore. In Danvers alone, AMC Loews offers twenty screens, while the Hollywood Hits across the street has another seven. And lord knows that with widescreen plasma television home theaters, DVDs, satellite TV, On-Demand cable, and iPod video downloads, we're in danger of amusing ourselves to death. Still, I have to raise a glass of ICEE to the local folks behind CinemaSalem, which had its grand opening last Friday. (It was actually more of a grand reopening, as the three-screen theater at downtown Salem's Museum Place has been dark for a while, but has had a number of names and owners through the years.)
The theater will show a mix of first-run, independent, and vintage films. For its inaugural week, The Break-up and Over the Hedge is playing with The Wizard of Oz (which really shouldn't be viewed on anything but a movie screen with an audience) and Hand of God, a locally produced documentary about the Catholic clergy sexual abuse scandal from the perspective of a Salem victim.
Like the Cabot Street Cinema in Beverly and the Newburyport Screening Room, CinemaSalem represents a holdout from an era before the suburban sprawl googleplexes, when every major and minor burg had a downtown theater. In addition to providing innovative entertainment, the theater's owners are pledging to donate 25 cents from each ticket to nonprofit organizations in the local community.
CinemaSalem
978 744-1400
Museum Place (One East India Square), Salem, MA
Photo: Warner Bros.
June 5, 2006
Now that the Flood of 2006 (and this past weekend's aftermath, the Annoying Intermittent Torrent of 2006) is history, and the Merrimack River is receding, what the folks in Lowell--and the rest of us waterlogged New Englanders--need is a good laugh. Starting this Thursday, the city kicks off the Lowell Comedy Festival with an impressive lineup of stand-up comedians, improv troupes, films, sketch comedy, and videos. There will even be a series of classes for budding professional yuksters. Wayne Brady, the incredibly quick-witted star of ABC's Whose Line is it Anyway?, headlines the event with a performance this Friday at the Lowell Memorial Auditorium. Lowell knows how to throw a party (witness the success of its Folk Festival, its summer concert series, and its many ethnic festivals), and the city has grand plans to turn its nascent laughapalooza into an annual must-see event on par with the more famous Chicago and Montreal comedy festivals. Here's hoping they'll be laughing all the way to the (canal) banks.
Lowell Comedy Festival
June 8 to11
Venues throughout Lowell
Photo: Lowell Comedy Festival
May 23, 2006
It's the de facto start of the summer season this weekend. What do you mean you don't have any plans? Get out and enjoy the good weather. (OK, it may rain earlier in the weekend, so bring an umbrella.) Gather together with your friends and family and hit the road. Here are some things to do around the Bay State to ease into summer.
Visit George's Island.
Depart via ferry from Long Wharf in Boston and explore Fort Warren, a National Historic Landmark. On Saturday, May 27, The Friends of the Boston Harbor Islands will present Sea Stories and Coastal Crafts for Little Mates from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Spring Into Summer!
At the Wellfleet Bay Wildlife Sanctuary in S. Wellfleet on Cape Cod. Saturday, May 27, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Forgive the cheesy name, the Mass Audubon event sounds like it will be fun in an "edutainment" kind of way.Among the activities, you'll be able to walk the five-mile trail, search for horseshoe crabs, and take a botany walk.
Coast over to Six Flags New England.
Brave the Superman: Ride of Steel coaster and check out the park's new rides, Catapult and Splash Water Falls.
Hear some free music at the WBOS EarthFest.
Saturday, May 27, from noon to 6 p.m. at the Hatch Shell on the Esplanade, along the Charles River in Boston. I'm not sure what listening to James Blunt and the wonderful Los Lonely Boys has to do with saving the earth, but, hey, it's free.
See the rhododendrons at Maudslay State Park.
The former estate on the Merrimack Rive in Newburyport has beautiful gardens and the rhododendrons and azaleas should be in full bloom this weekend.
Photo: Boston Harbor Islands Partnership
May 15, 2006
The clanging power looms and other machines within the cavernous cotton textile mills of Lowell are all silenced now. But the Lowell National Historical Park, one of the country's first urban national parks, has a wonderful collection of exhibits and attractions to help visitors get a sense of the prominent role that the city played in the American Industrial Revolution. Start your tour at the Market Mills Visitor Center, and see the multi-image video program, Lowell: The Industrial Revelation. (Each day at 4 p.m., the center also shows Lowell Blues, a film about famed author and Lowell native, Jack Kerouac.) Then join a guided tour that will take you aboard a turn-of-the-century trolley, onto a canal boat, and into re-created millwork areas, a canal gatehouse, and worker housing. Actors wear period clothing and remain in character for the tours. The park also features a Mill Girls and Immigrants exhibit that explores the hard work and lives that Lowell's workers led.
Lowell National Historical Park
978-970-5000
Follow "National Park Visitor Center" signs off the Lowell Connector at Thorndike Street (Exit 5B)
Photo: Lowell National Historical Park
May 4, 2006
Arnie from Beverly (obviously) writes:
Arthur, loved the Salem Willows review. Since Salem is such a big tourist destination, I thought I'd put a plug in for all of the great restaurants in downtown Beverly that one could have lunch or dinner at on their way to Salem: upscale, downscale, Japanese, Thai, Italian, etc. The (contested) birthplace of the US Navy is turning into a dining Mecca!
Thanks for writing Arnie. Beverly has certainly evolved into a dining Mecca (although there are no Middle Eastern restaurants amid all of the ethnic eateries.) Here are my personal favorites:
Chianti Tuscan Restaurant
285D Cabot St., Beverly
978-921-2233
This intimate restaurant, located across the street from the famous Cabot Street Cinema (home of the Le Grand David magic troupe), offers wonderful, inspired Italian food. There's live jazz music on the weekends.
Tapas Corner
6 Wallis Street, Beverly
978-927-9983
Primarily a take-out restaurant (there are a couple of small tables), Tapas creates the most unique and delicious wraps as well as rice and pasta bowls I've ever tasted. Try the Kristin's Special or the catfish wrap--both are to die for.
Organic Garden Cafe
294 Cabot Street, Beverly
978-922-0004
Want proof that healthy, vegetarian, vegan, and macrobiotic fare that's good for you needn't be boring or, worse, taste awful? Head to the Organic Garden for some wildly inventive, exotic (at least to my non-vegan taste buds), beautifully presented, and delightful dishes.
Not Your Average Joe's
45 Enon St, Beverly
978-927-8950
I'm generally anti-chain restaurants, but this small chain (with twelve locations throughout Massachusetts) offers surprisingly good, eclectic, and adventurous fare. I could make a meal out of the wonderful onion bread and dipping oil alone.
Do you have some favorite places to dine? Send 'em to my mailbag by entering the info in the "Ask Arthur Here" box to the right.
-Arthur
Arthur Levine
Having a wicked good time in Massachusetts!
Explore New England Massachusetts Blogger
May 3, 2006
Chopped beef? Sure. But chop suey? In a sandwich? It may sound kinda nuts, but Salem Willows, the small seaside amusement area in Salem, has been serving chop suey sandwiches for years. To make an odd gustatory delight even odder, there are only a handful of food joints at Salem Willows, yet two of them feature Chinese food--and they both serve chop suey sandwiches. A Salem Willows chicken chop suey sandwich includes chop suey (of course) on a hamburger bun. It's served in a paper cone and includes a fork, but diehards eat it sandwich-style. Seagulls are more than happy to pick up any spills. Relatively healthy for fast-food fare, chop suey sandwiches only cost $1.57. (The soy sauce is free, but noodles cost extra.) See my Salem Willows photo gallery.
Also helping to keep the Salem Willows seagulls well fed is the spilled popcorn from E.W. Hobbs. The corn is popped without oil in an old, large rotating kettledrum and topped with real butter. It may be the state's best-tasting popcorn. Hobbs also offers caramel corn and flavored popcorn bars. Although it's a matter of dispute, the shop's other claim to fame is that it purportedly served the nation's first ice cream cone (in 1906).
In the early 1900s, Salem Willows' famed "Restaurant Row" featured sit-down establishments that served fresh seafood and other fare. Nowadays, it is famous for its chop suey sandwiches and fast food. It also offers five amusement rides, including a charming circa-1926 carousel, and a couple of arcades. Surrounded on three sides by the ocean, Salem Willows (named for the stately willow trees that line its promenade), almost always offers a cool breeze and is a great respite from the summer heat.
Chop suey sandwiches are available at Genghis and Salem Lowe (the original)
Salem Willows
Routes 128, 95, or 1 to Route 114, or Route 1A to Salem. Follow signs to Salem Willows on Fort Avenue.
Photo: ©2006 Arthur Levine
April 18, 2006
In response to my blog about the state's Minor League baseball teams, which focused on the Lowell Spinners, Bob from Lynn writes:
Great article on Massachusetts' Minor League ball clubs. However, let's give Lynn's Spirit the promotion and respect they deserve! The Spirit team is quite entertaining. For some of the greatest inexpensive family sports fun on the North Shore, see the Spirit at Lynn's Fraser Field..
Bob, although I singled out the Spinners, I did allude to the state's other teams. I certainly meant no disrespect to the Spirit. Unlike Lowell's LeLacheur Park, which was built for the Spinners a few years ago, Fraser Field in Lynn was constructed under Roosevelt's Work Progress Act in 1940 and has hosted Minor League ball on and off for decades. When the North Shore Spirit formed in 2003, the team's owners funded a major renovation and proudly refer to the park as the new Fraser Field. The Spirit season begins in late May, and the first home game will be played June 1.
North Shore Spirit
781-592-0007
Fraser Field
Route 107 (Western Ave.), Lynn, Massachusetts
-Arthur
Arthur Levine
Having a wicked good time in Massachusetts!
Explore New England Massachusetts Blogger
April 12, 2006
The Red Sox won their opening day game at Fenway Park yesterday and with a 6-1 record (leading the Yankees by three games) are lookin
With its rich history, beckoning coastline, and many sights, there are scads of fun things to do throughout the towns north of Boston. Don't believe me? Skedaddle to the area from September 28 to 30 and you will indeed discover scads--over 150, to be exact--of events during the annual Trails & Sails celebration. Dozens of organizations, in conjunction with the Essex National Heritage Commission, will be presenting a wide variety of events loosely based on the theme, "A Weekend of Walks and Water." Best of all, none of the events will cost you scads of cash; in fact, through the generosity of the participating organizations and sponsors, they will all be free. 
Summer is unofficially over, so it's time to put away the flip flops, boogie boards, and sand pails and return to serious...eating. There are a number of festivals around the state geared to a variety of gustatory delights. Want to indulge in some sweet corn on the cob? (And hasn't the local corn been especially savory this season?) How about some finger-lickin' ribs? Or, perhaps your tastes run more to scallops? Hit one of these events and gorge yourself on a favorite food; or hit all of them and think of it as one huge, never-ending buffet.