Mario Russo
It's smaller, quieter, and more discreet than the flagship at 9 Newbury. All of which works to the benefit of the other Mario Russo salon, tucked away on Louis Boston's third floor. Like Russo himself, who spends Wednesdays here, the close-knit team is as welcoming (even accepting walk-ins if there's down time) as it is talented: Scalp massages, for instance, are of the same top quality as the highlights. It should be noted that some of Boston's most particularly coiffed locks—including celebrity chef Ken Oringer's perfectly messy mop—are maintained here. Louis Boston, 234 Berkeley St., Boston, MA 2116, mariorusso.com.
Cliff Notez
He’s the mind behind Boston Answering, the local counterpoint to Boston Calling; winner for Best New Artist at the Boston Music Awards last year; and a general force to be reckoned with. Cliff Notez is also a great artist with a great debut album, When the Sidewalk Ends—a flowing suite layered with ghostly pianos, soulful backing vocals, and thoughtful lyrics about struggling to thrive in Boston. Whatever else he is, he is not to be missed. cliffnotez.com.
Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovosky & Popeo
The Boston law firm had the brass to file suit against the city on behalf of the noxious Cablevision of Boston, even though the firm is earning an excess of $100,000 a year as the city's bond counsel, not to mention its fees for representing the city in a suit against Boston Gas.
Gallery Kayafas
Owner Arlette Kayafas's gallery represents a broad cross-section of Boston art. There are works from established local icons—Jules Aarons's photos of the old West End, First Night founder Clara Wainwright's quilts. But Gallery Kayafas has come into its own as the place to see new queer visual art in Boston from Boston, with artists such as Jess Dugan, Caleb Cole, and A. B. Miner grappling with the fast-shifting politics and emotions of today as they shape the landscape of the future. 450 Harrison Ave., Boston, MA 02118, gallerykayafas.com.
The Barking Crab
Boston's dearth of waterfront watering holes is slowly being remedied by development in South Boston—Sam's at Louis, Whiskey Priest. But a weathered old friend is still the darling in this category. The Barking Crab is a funky, coastal-style clam shack and the perfect place to sip Sam Adams and soak up the sunshine and salt air. Dress in your weekend worst: T-shirt, tattered jeans, flip-flops. The relaxed vibe provides a welcome escape from the rules of the city. 88 Sleeper St., South Boston, MA 2210, barkingcrab.com.
International Bicycle Center
IBC mechanics are so thorough in teaching you to fix your bike, you may never need to go back to their Boston or Newton shops. But go back you will, if not for a new ride, then for parts, accessories, and clothing by brands such as Trek, Giordana, Nike, and Pearl Izumi. The store also organizes group rides along scenic city routes, plugging new pedalers into Boston's bike-loving community. 88 Brighton Ave., Allston, MA 2134, internationalbike.com.
Rubin's
Boston's not a great deli town, though. 500 Harvard St., Brookline, MA .
Green Dragon Tavern
Picking Boston's best Irish pub is a little like picking the loveliest clover in County Kildare. Still, the Green Dragon manages to stand out from its many worthy rivals. Set on a cobblestone street by Faneuil Hall, this 350-year-old pub once played host to Paul Revere and the Sons of Liberty, and now rallies a bustling after-work crowd that comes for well-poured pints of stout, excellent fish and chips, live entertainment seven nights a week, and one mean Boston cream pie. Slainte! 11 Marshall St., Boston, MA somerspubs.com.
E.P. Levine
A no-frills used-camera store on the fringes of Boston's photo district, Levine's is a collector's Toyland. Wend your way through the mounds of merchandise scattered on the floor, or climb the 15-foot shelves randomly piled with used goodies. Amidst the chaos you're likely to find the best used photo-equipment in Boston. If you're looking for something specific, it might be a good idea to call in advance. Boston Marine Industrial Park, 23 Dry Dock Avenue, South Boston, MA .
Tom Menino
"Most of those homicides were inside buildings."—Tom Menino finding the silver lining in the rise in Boston's murder rate. "I did those two years when I was very young, very young."—Menino inexplicably defending in term in junior college. "Our intelligent unit is working with federal officials."—Menino showing concern about potential terrorist attacks in Boston.
28 Degrees
With Boston's bona fide gay bars going the way of BostonNow, it's getting tough for the feyer sex to pick up a stiff drink and a well-blended man in the same place. Fortunately, local lounges are filling the void. While the South End's 28 Degrees isn't technically a gay venue, the camp-spiked cocktails (like the Ima Gimlet), Sunday drag shows, and fabulously fierce, male-dominated weeknight crowd (weekends get a smidge touristy) make labels obsolete. If a gay night out simply isn't the same without the worn décor and cocktails served in plastic, both Fritz and the Eagle are a mere two blocks away. 1 Appleton St., Boston, MA 2116, 28degres-boston.com.
Passim
Not merely the best folk club in Boston—or New England or the East—but very possibly the world. Passim has broken in dozens of greats, gives breaks to would-be greats, and accounts for much of Boston's reputation as a folk mecca. 47 Palmer St., Cambridge, MA .
Channel 7's inexplicable decision to cut loose popular anchor (and former of Boston winner) Kim Carrigan
A three-way tie. House Speaker George Keverian, Boston mayor Ray Flynn, and Senate president Billy Bulger.
Keverian for getting the Duke's wormy 1988 budget and the universal-health-care package through the legislature in time for the Democratic convention. Flynn for the wisdom he showed in announcing he was not running for governor—even if he had to announce it twice and even though he'll probably change his mind. And Bulger "for getting away with it yet again," said one admiring panelist.
Colin Davis conducting the Boston Symphony Orchestra in Tippett's <em>The Mask of Time</em> at Symphony Hall
It may have been his curtain call.