Various Links:
Cultural institutions:
- New England Conservatory
- A terrific conservatory, and a great place to see free concerts throughout
the year. Jordan Hall is one of the premier small concert halls in the
entire country.
- Harvard-Radcliffe
Orchestra - Excellent concerts! A remarkably good college orchestra.
- The Boston Symphony and the Boston
Pops Orchestra - Grand institutions of Boston, and Symphony Hall has
some of the best acoustics you will ever encounter. You really can hear well
in the back of the hall.
- The Boston Ballet -
High culture, and a company that has really improved over the years. Try
the Nutcracker for an elegant holiday evening out. It's light, fun, and the
little kid in you will remember it.
- The Boston Museum of Science -
Home of the Omni Theater and some cool interactive exhibits.
- The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
- I've been told the museum restaurant is really good, but enjoy the impressionist
collection while you're there.
Sports and Recreation:
- The
Boston Red Sox - Follow the game on the Internet, read about the team,
or buy tickets. Learn to love them for the pain they will bring you.
- Charles River Wheelmen - A local
bike club offering a lot of rides in the surrounding area. A good way to
burn calories!
- Peter White
Cycles - Peter used to be in Acton, but he's moved to New Hampshire. Even
so, his hand built wheels are amazingly strong.
- Stow Acres Golf Course
- My favorite local course is the North Course, but play the South Course
too. Between the 36 holes of golf, driving range, practice green/bunker,
golf school, and professional staff, it is a good place to develop your game
in the local area. About 40 minutes from Boston College Law School.
- Pine Needles - Mid Pines
- The best value in a golf vacation I've found. The combined resorts offer
2 vintage Donald Ross courses in rural North Carolina. Pine Needles has hosted
the U.S. Women's Open twice and is ranked in the top 100 public access courses
in the country. Reasonably generous off the tee, challenging around the greens,
yet somehow fair and fun. Just over $200 a night for lodging, 3 meals a day,
and golf.
- Pinehurst - One of America's
premier golf destinations. The place just oozes golf. Play #2 and enjoy the
putts that break against gravity. I'll have to go again someday, if I can
scrape together the money.
- The
Professor's Golf Course Grades: Why? Because it's more fun than grading
exams. ;)
- The Massachusetts Audubon
Society - Go here for information about conservation and bird watching.
Up to date reports of birds being seen are on the Virtual
Birder page.
- Northeast Hawk
Watch - Interested in watching hawks during fall migration? Try this
site for information about where and when to go.
- Birding
in Arizona - If you are frozen in February and want a getaway, go birding
in Tucson. I recommend the Sulphur Springs Valley for hawks, Madera Canyon
as spring approaches, and the Patons' bird feeders for hummingbirds. Sweetwater
isn't pretty (it's a wastewater treatment area), but it's an easy place
to see ducks in the desert. Spring training, golf (the municipal courses
are pretty good), bicycling, and hiking will round out a great winter vacation.
Miscellaneous:
- Kailua Candy Company - Handmade
chocolates from Hawaii. Yum. These are seriously good. Visit the store
if you're in Kona, or order them for Valentine's Day - or any other day for
that matter.