Boston Half Marathon Registration Now Open

I almost had a heart attack when I opened up my email this morning. Reader Dan Dan sent me a link to the Boston Half Marathon registration. At first I thought he was suggesting that I register for it. That's when my heart stopped. Then I thought, "Oh wait, maybe he just wants me to post it for everyone else out there."

I'm not a runner by any stretch of the imagination. After I do my three to four miles, I'm about ready to keel over.

But for those of you that are more ambitious runners than I, the event is in about 3 months and registration opened today.

Presented by Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and the Jimmy Fund and showcasing Boston and Brookline's Emerald Necklace park system, the eighth annual B.A.A. Half Marathon will be held on October 12. Online registration is now open.

Click (here) to go to the registration page.

Ok, now my interest has piqued a little over the span of writing this entry. I wonder if a little less than three months is enough time to train from running 3-4 miles to 13. Do you think I could do it?

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New England Sand Sculpting Festival - 7/14

The New England Sand Sculpting Festival starts today in Revere Beach - 7/14. The event runs for the entire week with some really cool sights to be seen.

The New England Sand Sculpting Festival (NESSF) is held annualy at Revere Beach in Revere, MA. Originally, the NESSF was the largest contest of its kind and still today reins as one of the premier events for sand sculptors all over the world. This year's event will be held Monday, July 14, 2008 - Sunday, July 20, 2008. This is a family oriented event that has garnered both natioanl and international media attention over the last 3 years. All of the proceeds raised during the NESSF go directly towards funding programs for the Revere Beach Partnership.

Monday and Tuesday (July 14th and 15th)
Demonstration sculpture worked on by all 16 master sand sculptors

Wednesday-Saturday (July 16th-19th)
11 sculptors compete for over $15,000 in prize money

Thursday- Sunday (July 17th-20th)
Vendors and Family Fun

Saturday (July 19th) 8:00pm
Awards and Fireworks

Sunday (July 20th) 9:00am-2:00pm
Amateur and Family Sand Sculpture Competition

Click (here) to go to the official event website to get details.

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Yoga In Copley Square on Wednesdays - 7/9

Yoga in Copley Square is back again this summer. If you recall last year, it was a one day event (here). This year it's back once a week for the entire month of July.

glacéau smartwater is hosting four complimentary yoga classes on copley square in the month of july. so head on over wednesday july 9th, 16th, 23rdand 30th classes are from 12pm-1pm weather permitting. be sure to get out your best pair of stretch pants, inhale, exhale and come showoff your downward dog!

everyone will have a chance to win a year supply of smartwater a $100 gift card to Back Bay Yoga Studio and $100 gift card to Shaw’s! so come take a break, don't fight it, get into your warrior one stance and get a kick in the pants with electrolyte enhanced smartwater. email to sign up now: laura.smartwater@yahoo.com.

I haven't done any yoga since trying it out last winter. I've been sticking with the running. It's done me quite well, except the July 4th weekend really did me in. I need to get back on the treadmill and stop eating carbs at night.

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July 4th 2008 Fireworks Videos

For those of you that missed the Boston fireworks, here's a couple of the videos I took from where I was watching. They're only a minute or so long but take up a heck of a lot of space so I'm just going to upload two of them. The second video features the fireworks finale.

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Boston Globe Interviews David Mugar

For those of you that haven't heard his name before, David Mugar is a big shot in Boston. His family started Star Market, he's a big philanthropist, and he's the executive director of that great 4th of July celebration that we all love so much. There was a nice chat session with him that the Globe put on their website yesterday.

Here are my favorite excerpts:

carolfromdorchester: What time do I have to get in line to get a good spot on the lawn in front of the Hatch Shell?
David_Mugar: The gates open at 9 a.m. and the line starts forming at 6 a.m. Everyone has to go through a security check and are then given a wrist band, which allows you to go in and out all day. You can only get a wrist band for yourself and it's placed on your wrist.

Joe: Coming for the first time to see fire works where is the best place to see them that is not so crowded?
David_Mugar: The best view of the fireworks is from Cambridge. There is plenty of space along Memorial Drive.

All this periodic rain we've been having is going to make the grass rather wet on the esplanade so bring camping chairs or a plastic tarp to go under your picnic blanket. And if you plan on taking David Mugar's advice and going into Cambridge along Mem Drive - I recommend that area near the MIT library that I wrote about earlier (here). Great view.

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July 4th Festivities in Boston

July 4th in Boston is awesome. It's definitely one of my favorite times of year. Going to the Hatch Shell to listen to the concert, watching fireworks, bbq'ing - I can hardly wait. I'm also happy because it's one of the few national holidays that I actually get off from work.

Anyhoo, Bloggery Reader Sanjay shot me a note asking where I liked to watch the fireworks from. There's a couple of places that are pretty great: If you're a college student (or a hot girl) - spend the next three days befriending guys at one of the MIT fraternities with houses on Beacon Street. Every year, when I was in school, we'd all go up to the roof (which overlooked the Charles River) - bring up a few huge speakers - and watch the fireworks. It was an amazing view.

After I graduated, my friends and I sought out some lawn space on Memorial Drive near the MIT library. We had a pretty nice view from there - albeit lower to the ground - and there were food vendors there selling slushies and fried dough.

If you get a chance to go hear the Boston Pops concert, that's also a great experience. Here are the times for the concerts:

Thursday, July 3rd Concert
4:00 pm – Oval Opens
8:30 pm - 10:00 pm – Concert

Friday, July 4th Concert & Fireworks
9:00 am – Oval Opens
8:30 pm - 10:30 pm – Concert
10:30 pm – Fireworks Show

PS. If anyone else has suggestions on where they like to watch the fireworks, I'm all ears. Who has a roofdeck they want to volunteer? =)

More info can be found (here) at the official event website.

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Banditos Misteriosos Scavenger Hunt - 6/28

Is it the weekend yet? The days are just dragging along. At least we're halfway there - time to start planning for the weekend.

If you're looking for something to do outside this Saturday, check out the Banditos Misteriosos Scavenger Hunt. It's being hosted by the same folks that brought that pillow fight in Copley a little while back (here).

Boston is a playground. Banditos Misteriosos is the city's mysterious playmate. We are an organization composed of just-everyday-people-ready-for-fun who are dedicated to bringing Boston alive with a slew of activities that are free, open to everybody and most importantly, just a little bit out of the ordinary.

This will be a “passport scavenger hunt”. So don’t worry, we will provide everything you need, merely show up with energy and shoes! All the items on the list exist within less than a 5 mile radius starting location, so there is no need for alternative transportation. You will be able to complete all the missions by mere foot work!

You have to register to participate, so if you're interested be sure to do that prior to Saturday.

Also, it's supposed to rain Saturday, so bring an umbrella or something.

Click (here) to go to the official scavenger hunt website.

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Playgrounds in The Area By

There was a piece in the Globe yesterday where writer Geoff Eders wrote on his top five playground picks. For those of you with little kids, you could make a few weekends out of it and check them out.

Here's the list of playgrounds chosen:

1. Artesani Playground - 1255 Soldiers Field Road, Brighton
2. Titus Sparrow Park - West Newton Street, Next to the Southwest Corridor Park, Boston
3. Warren Park - 90 Washington Street, Wellesley
4. Winthrop Park - St. Paul Street, Brookline
5. Robbins Farm Park - 61 Eastern Avenue, Arlington.

Unfortunately, I couldn't find the article on the web, so I can't link to it. Sorry.

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Dancing on the Charles 2008 - 5/31

You may remember the Dancing on the Charles events from last year. Well, they're back and the DOTC events kick off this Saturday, May 31. Relish the warm weather, because as we all know - it doesn't last nearly long enough.

Ok, picture this… You’re dancing outside and another summer sunset is in full effect. Look around and the crowd is a sea of smiling faces. Cold beer in hand, you’re feeling the vibe as the DJ’s start to turn the party out for a night of dance music under the stars. Welcome to our idea of paradise; we call it Dancing On The Charles, a deliberate reaction to the people’s desire for a return to grassroots nightlife. Big sound system, great DJs, electronic music, BBQ, dancing outdoors and affordable prices.

Click (here) for more details on the Dancing on the Charles events.

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Phantom Gourment BBQ Beach Party 2008

I know this one is a little far away, but last time I believe tickets sold out - so I wanted everyone to have enough notice to get tickets if they wanted them.

BBQ from all around the country, live music, warm weather - what more could you hope for? It was a good time last year (here), it's going to be a good time this year as well.

There's been an email chain going around between some of my friends, here's what one of my friends had to say:
I went to this last year (but will be unable to go this year). This is probably the best opportunity to get “real BBQ” up here in yankee country. The price of the food was reasonable and you get to sample a bunch of different BBQ places from around the country. I remember it being a little crowded even on Sunday night. There was even a free ferris wheel! Definitely recommended.

Click (here) to get your tickets. The website says that they're currently doing a two for one promotion.

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Destination Alcatraz: Urban Race Challenge

Looking for something fun to do outdoors this Saturday? I got an email earlier this week about an event called Destination Alcatraz - some sort of scavenger hunt that will probably have you running around Boston all day. It'll give you and your friends a good excuse to get outside and enjoy the warm weather that we're finally having.

~~~~~~~~~

WHO: Boston urban thrivers who possess the brawn and brain to outrace their peers in a physical and mental contest to navigate Boston are encouraged to enter the upcoming BlackBerry® Curve™ Challenge. The Challenge is limited to 150, two-person teams. Participation is free and open to adults aged 18 and older.

WHAT: Challengers will compete in this qualifying leg of the BlackBerry® Curve™ Challenge: DESTINATION ALCATRAZ, a timed multi-mile, multi-disciplinary race that will incorporate Boston’s layout and landmarks in a competition that tests a two-person teams’ urban orienting skills, physical ability and mental prowess.

Additionally, each team will be provided a critical, multi-functional tool: The new BlackBerry® Curve™ 8330 smartphone. Savvy teams will maximize the advanced functions of this next generation BlackBerry® Curve™ smartphone to optimize their race performance. This enhanced smartphone will provide participants a variety of race-day solutions including navigating turn-by-turn to and from each checkpoint with its built in GPS, researching clues via the Internet, fulfilling requirements to digitally document finds, and obtaining input from friends and family via mobile phone and text.

WHERE: Faneuil Hall Marketplace, 4 Faneuil Hall Market Pl
• Serves as the Start & Finish line
• Will also be the site for the BlackBerry® Curve™ Challenge Village, featuring entertainment, prize-awarding contests and BlackBerry® Curve™ 8330 smartphone demonstrations; is open to the general public

WHEN: SATURDAY, MAY 10
• 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. Team Orientation
• 10 a.m. Start
• Average time required to competitively complete the race: 2 – 3 hours

HOW: Registration is free; Advance registration suggested
Register online at http://www.BlackBerryCurveUC.com (Day-of registrations accepted on-site if race slots are still available)

PRIZES: The top 30 teams will receive one BlackBerry® Curve™ 8330 smartphone for each participant. The winning Boston Challenge team will compete in the Ultimate Challenge in San Francisco on June 14th. Both members of the team will receive an all expense paid, three-night stay in San Francisco for themselves and one guest. Members of the winning team of Destination Alcatraz, the final challenge in San Francisco, win an all expense paid trip for two to their choice destination of Maui, Paris, Rome or the Mayan Riviera.

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Free Yoga @ Copley Square - 5/8

I gave yoga a try for a little while during the winter. I was going to the 7am classes at my gym three times a week. They didn't seem that effective to me. I ended up concluding that an hour on the treadmill would probably do me more good. I'm more concerned about weightloss than I am flexibility. I may not be a yoga fan, but I am a Smart Water fan.

To each his own. Those of you that are yoga people - you'll be happy to know that there's going to be a couple of free yoga classes this upcoming Thursday 5/8 held in Copley Square.

The first class is at 12pm and the second class is directly afterwards starting at 1pm. So get out your best pair of stretch pants, inhale, exhale and come showoff your downward dog!

The first 100 people will receive their very own yoga mat, but everyone will have a chance to win a year supply of smartwater and a $100 gift card to Back Bay Yoga Studio. So come take a break, don't fight it, get into your warrior one stance and get a kick in the pants with electrolyte enhanced smartwater.

Email to sign up now: laura.smartwater@yahoo.com.

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Best Drinking Water In America - Southampton

Who knew there were contests for this kind of stuff. But then again, now I am kind of curious to drive down to Southampton and try their water.

A panel of judges at the Great American Water Taste Test has decided that Southampton has the best-tasting drinking water in the country. The contest is held each year on Earth Day during a meeting of the National Rural Water Association in Washington.

Using the same standards as wine testers, the judges sampled drinking water entries from 39 states for bouquet, clarity and taste.

Southampton Water Superintendent Joseph Slattery told the Republican newspaper of Springfield that he personally drew the sample from a town well that draws water from the Barnes Aquifer. He said the water is so clean and natural it doesn't even have to be treated.

Eeek, I take that back. I just googlemapped it and it's 100 miles away. At today's gas prices coupled with the fact that I drive a gas guzzler - the trip would probably cost me $200 in gas for a free glass of water.

And before anyone gives me crap for driving an SUV. I walk to work - I only drive it about once a week to do grocery shopping and such.

Click (here) for the Globe article.

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Good Luck To The Marathoners!

Just wanted to say Good Luck to everyone who's running in the marathon today. I guess it's already started by now, unfortunately I'm trapped at work. All of my clients are outside of MA, so they don't take today off.


At first I was telling myself, maybe one day I'll run this. But then yesterday I did my usual 3 mile run and was in enough pain that I'm not sure i could ever do 9x more than that.

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Free Boston Harbor Walk Audio Tour

I wish I had found out about this when it was warmer. But I guess there's still time, until it starts snowing. Bostonharborwalk.com is hosting a couple of audio tours on their website. Download the mp3, upload it to your mp3 player, and then start listening at the appropriate starting point.

There are currently two tours available, and I think more are on the way:

Fort Point Channel Tour
Let your iPod be your tour guide! Download the FREE MP3 audio walking tour to your personal MP3 player, start the tour at the InterContinental Hotel, and get an insider's view of life along the Fort Point Channel. Check out the filming location of The Departed and meet some of the artists who live in the neighborhood.

Downtown Tour
Enjoy the Harborwalk like never before - FREE OF CHARGE! Download the MP3 audio walking tour to your personal MP3 player, start the tour at Christopher Columbus Park, and listen to local characters guide you along the wharves of Boston Harbor. Learn about everything from shipwrecks to lobster rolls.

Each walk is 1.2 miles spread out over an hour - so it's a pretty leisurely pace. The website is quite nice, each tour page has a detailed map of the route and what you'll see on the tour. Click (here) for the landing page for both tours.

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Ollie Road Race on Saturday

The Ollie Road Race is a 5 mile run / 2 mile walk taking place tomorrow, Saturday 9/8 at 10am. This race has been going on in South Boston for the past 66 years! Granted, I don't really go to South Boston very often, but this is the first I've heard of the Ollie Road Race in the 7 years that I've been in Boston.

Following the Settlement House tradition, the Ollie Road Race Classic was initiated in 1941 and is one of the longstanding road races in New England. Beginning as an athletic event for young men, the Ollie Road Race Classic is now more than just a race – it is a community event that provides all family members with the opportunity to celebrate the positive aspects of the neighborhood.

To make things a little more interesting this year, Procter & Gamble is sponsoring Dunkin' Donuts runners to run in the race while pushing grocery shopping carts and passing out samples of the new packaged coffee.

So if you're free tomorrow and want to enjoy the last few bits of warm weather before it starts to get cold - head over to South Boston, cheer on the runners, and grab some free coffee. Click (here) for the official website and information on free parking or see below for the schedule. Yes, you can still register to run tomorrow morning, just go early.

7:30 AM EST: Registration opens and Warm-Up
10:00 AM EST: Race and Walk Begin
11:00 AM EST: Awards Ceremony
11:30 AM EST: Entertainment

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Summer Activity 3: Work on Your Tan

After spending 6 months in sweaters, unless you fake bake, you're probably pretty pale. Don't worry, you're not alone. Now that the weather has warmed up and the layers are coming off, it's time to work on your tan. And the best place to work on your tan: the pool.

This past weekend, the city's outdoor pools opened for the summer.

2 pools the Clougherty Pool on Bunker Hill Street in Charlestown and the Mirabella Pool in the North end will be open every day from 11am to 7pm through September.

Here's a list of other pools in the area:

Draper Pool - West Roxbury
Flaherty Pool - Roslindale
Harborside - East Boston
Hennigan - Jamaica Plain
Holland - Dorchester
Madison Park -Roxbury
Marshall - Dorchester
Mason Pool - Roxbury
Mattahunt - Mattapan
Murphy - Dorchester
Paris Street Pool - East Boston

You can find contact information (here) if you'd like to call and see what their hours of operation are.

And if you're a high roller, the Colonnade Hotel Roof Top Pool is available to the public Monday-Friday during the summers from 8am to 8pm for a $30 entrance fee per day. It's free for guests of the hotel.

Boston's only Roof Top Pool, nicknamed RTP, is an exquisite spot for dining al fresco, with captivating views of the Boston cityscape. Sunset cocktails, summer outings and seasonal events are all popular uses for this one-of-a-kind spot. Come take a break at RTP and enjoy an invigorating swim, read a book, or just relax in the sun.

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