J. Oliver's of Boston
No matter what the gift, this shop has the wrap. The racks of beautiful papers in every motif imaginable—from botanicals to gilt medieval prints—are a visual feast. What's more, the sheets are sold individually, so you don't get stuck with a half a roll of leftover paper. The card selection is terrific, too. 38 Charles Street, Boston, MA .
Boston Public Library
Ellen Grass has been coordinating the city's most eclectic reading series for the past 10 years. the series works with local bookstores to bring in writers as diverse as radical poet Sapphire and political memoirist George McGovern. Comfy seats (and plenty of them) win extra points. 666 Boylston Street, Boston, MA .
Boston Beer Garden
Parking is always a problem, and they still don't have an entertainment license, but this joint is emerging as a late-night hot spot for the twentysomething crowd. 732 East Broadway, Boston, MA .
Boston Wine Festival
This annual series of dinners with the country's most noted winemakers is outstanding. The discussions are edifying, the wines have been wonderful, and the food is great. The Boston Harbor Hotel, 70 Rowes Wharf, Boston, MA .
Bosworths Boston Baked Beans
This is where to send tourists who don't know beans about Boston. 37 Union St., Boston, MA .
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston
Not a single Massachusetts media organization—not even the Globe—challenged then-Superior Court Judge James McHugh's order to seal all the documents in the case of pedophile priest John Geoghan until a full year after McHugh was urged by the archdiocese to issue it.
Steve Bailey, <em>Boston Globe</em>
Picking up where his predecessor, the estimable Joan Vennochi, left off, Bailey hasn't missed a beat covering the business-politics beat. On the contrary, whether he's writing about the Fleet-Bank-Boston merger, the Fenway deal, or the backroom maneuvering to bring the Patriots back to town, Bailey knows the game, he knows the players, and he knows the hidden agendas that make Boston such a grand place.
Joe Sciacca, <em>Boston Herald</em>
Finally, a biting wit in town that's not Howie Carr.
Mark Jurkowitz, <em>Boston Phoenix</em>
Finally, a worthy successor to David O'Brian. Sharp, hardworking, and fair.
Howie Carr, <em>Boston Herald</em>
Yes, he writes for us. No, he did not lobby for this. Yes, he deserves it.
Walter Robinson, <em>Boston Globe</em>
Of course, John Lakian would prefer that Robinson had stayed at Stanford a bit longer.
Boston and Cambridge Appliance Repair
In five short years, Tony Ginewicz's firm has garnered a citywide following with its same-day service and knack for curing what ails all major brands. 66 Charles St., Boston, MA 2114, .
Arthur Friedman, <em>Boston Herald</em>
Friedman is cranky, petty, unlovable, and almost always right.
The Spa at Encore Boston Harbor
Photo by Barbara Kraft/Encore Boston Harbor If you think Encore is all bright lights and spinning reels, you’d be right … unless, that is, you’ve taken the elevator up to its state-of-the-art spa, a 19,000-square-foot oasis that feels both ultra-extravagant and profoundly Zen. Before your treatment, unwind in the sauna, relax in the eucalyptus-infused steam room, or take a soak in the hot tub. For the full experience — and a welcome shot of endorphins — alternate between any of these hot options and the cold plunge pool. Your body, and your soul, will thank you. One Broadway, Everett, MA 02149, encorebostonharbor.com.