Links.html

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.