Oh, to be in Boston, now that March is here. Because it will be cleaner. The cars will be towed. Those big mechanical sweepers will chug down our streets, and winter’s flotsam and jetsam will be sucked up and taken away starting this week, a whole month earlier than the traditional starting date. This is Read More…
Recently I attended a meeting focused on how Americans could reduce their carbon footprint by re-arranging their neighborhoods. (And it’s not only I who am drawn to such nerdy topics—the room was full.) The speaker talked about sufficient density, public transportation, sidewalks, intersections, easy access between home and work—in other words, all the advantages we Read More…
Urban designer Julie Campoli has a new book out called “Made for Walking: Density and Neighborhood Form.” It’s not about Boston neighborhoods. It’s about sections of spread-out cities such as Denver, Alexandria and Albuquerque. Still, the book explores features Bostonians will recognize. Typically, these neighborhoods thrived in the early 20th century, then declined after World Read More…
What a storm. What a wonderful storm. When we moved to downtown Boston years ago, we didn’t do it for the walkability, the neighborliness or the convenience of living in a place where the electricity stays on when a blizzard bears down. I’m not sure now why we moved here, except I knew that if Read More…
Some of you probably went to the Mayor’s State of the City address last week. Some of you, like me, watched it on television. There was lots of blather about the standing ovation and the probability that Menino will run for office once again. Maybe he will. Few candidates could prevail over him, given the Read More…
Consider the rat—specifically the Norway rat, which doesn’t come from Norway. It is brownish gray and as long as 16 inches. During its year-long lifespan a female can produce up to five litters of seven babies, although litters can be as large as 14. It has excellent sight and hearing and an acute sense of Read More…
Many Bostonians at this time of year are tired of cold and darkness. I don’t share that affliction. I like winter’s atmosphere, albeit with a nice fire to keep me cozy. But because it is cold and dark we read, listen to the radio and watch television more than in the summer, and sometimes the Read More…
The Boston Public Schools have an illustrious history. In 1635, Boston Latin became the first public school in America. The Abiel Smith School on Beacon Hill was the first public school building in the nation built for African American children. The Boston Public Schools also have an embarrassing history. The lowest point was in 1974. Read More…
Have you heard the news? In late November Governor Patrick signed off on a plan to make Massachusetts highways look like Times Square. He must have decided that trees, rolling meadows and a granite road cut or two just didn’t send the right message in the souped-up, electronic world we now live in. The Times Read More…
The problems I hear most about are bikes. I get emails. People stop me in the street. People complain at neighborhood meetings. I bet you hear the same complaints even if you don’t write a newspaper column. Bikes shoot through intersections against the light. They weave in and out of traffic so drivers can’t see Read More…
It’s Christmas week. For many, it is hectic, so you might not read this column until Christmas Day is over and you’re dealing with boxes, the wrapping paper that can’t be saved, and the instructions that came with the Lego sets the kids have already assembled. So don’t you think it is a good time Read More…
What about that royal baby? I’m sure I speak for all of downtown Boston when I say we’re over the moon with joy. I’m hoping he or she looks more like Kate than Will. And one wonders, if the future monarch of Great Britain can now be the heir-to-the-throne’s first-born girl, why can’t a lowly Read More…