Guitar Hero

For those of you that have played Guitar Hero you will completely understand the excitement I felt when I found out about this! Every Sunday there is a Guitar hero Tournament! EVERY SUNDAY!! I have been debating buying guitar hero for my house, but we just got the Wii and we are waiting for that version. Maybe? I don't know between DDR and Guitar Hero it is tough to remember what Rach and I talked about. But if I had to vote again right now, it would be Guitar Hero all the way.

Come and have some fun with GuitarHero,
an interactive music game that is both fun
and addictive. You can play solo, or with a partner.

Sunday Nights
Orleans
Davis Square

>>Orleans

Follow the yellow brick road

Rocky Horror meets the Wizard of Oz, interesting.

The entire night will be Wizard of Oz themed with each of the characters from the Rocky Horror Picture Show performed as characters from the Wizard of Oz! There will be Munchkins, Witches, one sexy Dorothy and her little dog too!

In addition to the show, there will be a Wizard of Oz Costume contest with prizes, so come out in your sexiest tin foil suit or green body paint!

I still think the best part is you can throw shit.

Midnight
Saturday June 30th
AMC Theatres
Church st, Harvard Sq

>> Rocky Horror Goes to OZ!
>> Full Body Cast

4th of July lowdown

I'm getting out of the city for the 4th: roughing it in the woods, breaking free from technology, getting some sun. I love the outdoors but I have to admit that sometimes I get sad I'm never around Boston for the 4th events. If you're sticking around, here is the lowdown on the events.

Fourth of July Fireworks with The Pops
Wed. Jul 4 (8 PM) at Hatch Shell

Legendary rock superstar John Mellencamp performs with Keith
Lockhart and the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra for the 2007 Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular on Wednesday, July 4, at 8:30 p.m. at the Hatch Memorial Shell on the Charles River Esplanade in Boston.

Boston Harborfest at the Waterfront and City Hall Plaza
Thu. Jun 28 - Wed. Jul 4

This award-winning festival strives to honor the past, celebrate the present, and inform the future with concerts,historical tours, reenactments and much, much more. Over 200 events during the Festival are concentrated in Boston’s historic downtown and waterfront districts, with sponsored Main Events taking place exclusively on Boston’s City Hall Plaza.

26th Annual Chowderfest
Sun. Jul 1 (11 AM) at City Hall Plaza
>> Chowderfest

Your Country in Your Words
Tue. Jul 3 (8 PM) at Johnny D's Uptown

On the eve of our nation’s birthday we will take a moment to observe what America means to us and we’re inviting you to participate. We will be opening our stage to poets, singer/song-writers, comedians, actors and the like to express their thoughts around America or being an American.

>> Your County in Your Words

Sky High July 4th Celebration
Wed. Jul 4 (7 PM) at Top Of The Hub

Beginning at 7:00 P.M. with a complimentary Chef's Hors d'Oeuvres Reception and Cash Bar, the evening's festivities will include a simulcast of the live Boston Pops concert from the Hatch Shell, a tempting four course dinner at 8:00 P.M. and a bird's eye view (weather permitting) of the fireworks at 10:30 P.M.

Mantra
Tue. Jul 3 (10 PM) at MANTRA

The Boston Tea Party
Tue. Jul 3 (10 PM) at Felt Night Club

July 4th BASH
Wed. Jul 4 (10 PM) at Whiskey Park

Dress Code: Strictly Enforced.
Fashionable and Trendy attire is a must.
Selective Door Policy

I apologize but I must comment on this, "Fashionable and Trendy attire is a must", this is the type of attitude that is turning the world to crap. These selective processes encourage citizens to fit into a mold, removing originality and shaming people into thinking they can't be themselves. Please do not attend this event!

For all you Harry Potter geeks

I'm gonna be honest that I haven't read any of the Harry Potter books or even seen the movies, but I know a lot of people that are huge fans. So, here are some details about the Harvard Square Release party.

The Harvard Coop will be distributing wristbands for RESERVED ORDERS starting at 5PM on July 20. Muggles who have placed a reservation for Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows with us will be able to be first in line. Wristbands must be picked up in person and are not available until 5 PM, July 20th. Anyone in line must have a wristband. Line will form after the concert (you'll get details when you pick your wristband up).

The first 500 people with a reserved order will receive a FREE Harry Potter gift bag when they pick their wristband. 8 lucky muggles will receive an extra prize in their gift bag (FREE Harry Potter DVD; Deluxe edition of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows; Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows on CD; 2 movie passes to see Harry Potter and the Order of The Phoenix). More details will be following regarding a costume contest, trivia contests, candid photos while in line, free treats & lots more - including a "fan fiction" contest. Harvard Coop wristbands will also entitle you to discounts or free beverages at several Harvard Square casual restaurant locations.

Anyone who has not placed a reservation with The Harvard Coop will also be able to pick up a different colored wristband as of 5PM on July 20th - muggles without reservations will join the line behind the reserved line. Wristbands must be picked up in person and are not available until 5 PM, July 20th. Anyone in line must have a wristband.

>> Update on the Harvard Square Party!

Walk/Ride Day

Friday June 29th is walk/ride to work day. Leave your car at home and head to work energy saving style. Unfortunately for me, I have yet to train on the bicycle to ride 80 miles. But FORTUNATELY, i took Friday off :) Maybe i will take the T to the beach!
Seriously guys, this is serious. For those of you that have the option of riding the T, biking it, or hiking it, there are incentives. Remember: Go green the last Friday of every month.

GO GREEN AND WEAR GREEN on Walk/Ride Days (if not every day!), and take a green tour of the area!!! Join your green-going friends, as you enjoy free hand-dipped chocolate truffles and 1/2 scoops of ice cream and stock up on hand-made refrigerator magnets (do you know which businesses offer these?), enter raffles, get discounts!

Enter online Raffle

>>Incentives, Coupons and more info

Smokey and the Bandit

I can't even write this without giggling a little. It is almost as good as the Chuck Norris Marathon that was at the Somerville Theatre a few weeks ago. The original Smokey and the Bandit is playing at the Somerville Theatre.

The Bandit and The Snowman are two truck-driving southerners who accept a dare from big-shots Big and Little Enos to pick up a truckload of beer from Texas and return it to them within a specified amount of time. Picking it up is simple enough, but as they are leaving Texas, Bandit unwittingly picks up Carrie, a hitchhiking bride-to-be who just left her groom, Junior, at the altar. Junior, however, is the son of Sheriff Buford T. Justice. And when Buford and Junior discover what has happened, they go on a "high-speed pursuit" across the Southeast to catch the bandit. Enjoy this 1977 summer drive in classic on the newly renovated Big Screen at the Somerville Theatre.

Concessions= popcorn, soda, beer, wine(until 11pm) and soon Richardson's Ice cream!

6/29-midnight
6/30-midnight
7/1-Noon
7/2-7:30pm
$7.00

>>Somerville Theatre

Ahhh the Birds!!!!!

Apparently there are some vicious birds working powderhouse square.

I have been attacked twice this week when passing through the walkway area in the center of the rotary (nearest the funeral home) by a crazed bird, and i also witnessed a bird attack a dog over by the bus shelter by broadway. it doesn't really hurt, just some pecking, but it sure scared the crap out of me, and anyone with children in particular might want to avoid these areas.

Beware!!!

>> when birds attack...

Dunkins-new Starbucks?

I was in Dunkin Donuts this morning on Mass Ave. I know you are thinking which one. (2480 Mass Ave. -Right before the Arlington Line.) Anywho. I was in there ordering my sub par coffee. Ever since they discontinued chocolate I can't be happy. They changed it for peach by the way. Who likes peach?!?!?
Sorry, I went off for a second. I am very bitter. Back to the good stuff I found. While adding 18 more sugars to my coffee I noticed a sign. Dunkin offers Chess, Checkers and other games for you to enjoy while you relax and enjoy your morning afternoon, or evening coffee. Just leave an ID and they will hand over the board and pieces. I was intrigued. I am not a starbucks fan, but I do feel they offer more comfort. Maybe Dunkins is steppin up!

Somerville Family Fun Day

It is almost July 4th, and to begin the festivities Somerville is hosting Family Fun Day. They have scheduled fireworks fro Thursday and Fun Day Saturday. They have set their sights high this year, and expect a spectacular performance. Fireworks and patriotic performances will be done by the Sunsetters and the USO Metropolitan New York Performers.
To continue the fun Saturday is ready to go with a giant slide, face painting, BBQ, obstacle course, and DJ and so much more!

Fireworks
Thursday 6/28
Music starts at 6:30
Fireworks set for 9:15.
Rain Date: 7/7

Fun Day
Trum Field MAP
12:00-5:00
Rain Date: 7/8

Don't forget to check out road closures during these events!
*Also Bus routes 80 and 89 will detour slightly.

>>Somerville Article

Good Times Moving... WHAT?

Why does everything I love get taken away? OK so maybe I'm being a little dramatic, but I just recently realized my love for Good Times in Somerville and reader Jesse tells me it's slated to move to Natick. Natick! Who wants to travel all the way to Natick? An article from March in the Somerville Journal says that it's being booted by the possible IKEA. Now I'll admit I enjoy an IKEA trip every once in a while, but I would much rather drive to Stoughton three times a year then drive to Natick for some beers and fun. And has anyone thought of the children, what about the children!?

Toxic toothpaste

What? Man buys toothpaste at shady convenience store. Mis-spellings througout the box. Man get sick. Obviously it is the toothpaste!
Somerville man buys Colgate at a convenience store, and it has the poisonous chemical diethylene glycol, which is found in anti freeze. What this does to your body? It is a central nervous system depressant and kidney and liver toxin.
What I don't get is how is this happening? A "botched batch" of toothpaste? Like someone at Colgate was like ha wouldn't this be funny if we made poisonous tootpaste, put it in a crap box that says from South Afrlca, and needs adolt supervision. Then whoops it got shipped to atleast 5 different states.
It seems to me like there are too many mistakes for this to be an accident,

Note to self: Do not buy toothpaste that has good "germ defence" and shipped from South Afrlca.

>>Boston Herald Article

Charles River Kayaking

I have always wanted to kayak the Charles river. Now I have.

Things I didn't know, but now I know:
* They have free sun block (which was a lifesaver cuz last weekend I dropped mine in the toilet)
* You have to take a quiz, its hard
* Things are farther away then you think, I thought it would be easy to get to the Mass ave bridge, we kind of made it to western ave.
* Getting a double kayak is cheaper but you might not be friends at the end.

The best part of the adventure was when Diane somehow put on her life jacket inside out, this was pointed out to her while on the dock. While attempting to fix it the zipper broke. Three men then surrounded her, one with his hand up her jacket trying to fix it. While the mans hand was particularly close to her breast they joked, how does this even happen. Fantastic is all i can say.

I wonder if they placed bets on us not retuning. hummm.

Charles River Canoe & Kayak
1071 Soldier's Field Road
Artesani Park
Allston/Brighton

Good Times at Good Time

The Good Time Emporium is fantastic. Yeah so its a little sketchy and there are a bunch of kids running around but, its a huge place and the overall awesomeness of it totally wins. If you haven't heard of Good Times its a HUGE building filled with all sorts of fun: batting cages, pool, ping pong, DDR (dance dance revolution), bars, huge perjection TVs and much more. It's so much fun, I can't wait to go back.

Good Time Emporium
30 Assembly Square Dr (near sullivan square)
Somerville, MA

>> Good Time Emporium

FLEA @ MIT

Rachel had one task this week. Post about the FLEA at MIT. Totally her thing, she was excited to read about it, but she failed. We now know her priorities. Unfortunately this is not my cup of tea, so I don't know that I can be so witty in this area, but I wanted everyone to know about this. I mean c'mon! A shopping trip all geeks and nerds would love!

The MIT Radio Society, in conjunction with the MIT UHF Repeater Association, the MIT Electronics Research Society, and the Harvard Wireless Club, sponsors a Swapfest on the third Sunday of each month, April through October. This is a place to buy, sell, and swap amateur radio, electronic, and computer equipment. Hams and non-hams alike are welcome. For more information, see the online copy of our swapfest flyer (pdf, or text only). Print out a copy of the flyer and bring it with you for a discount on the buyer's admission.

Interested in selling? Registration Form

This month: TODAY!
Luckily for everyone, this event is held the third Sunday of every month.
Rain or Shine-covered space for all sellers.
Albany Street Garage and adjacent lot.
(Between Mass Ave. and Main St. Cambridge)
ADMISSION: $5

River Festival

Sorry it has been a while guys. Between graduations, red sox, condo shopping, and very crazy work crap, it has been a hectic week. We didn't mean to ignore you! It will be nice to relax this weekend. Stroll along the Charles, it is supposed to be a pleasant 80 degrees. Conveniently the River Festival is this weekend. Theme: Twist and Shout.

Shake it up, baby, now! The 28th annual Cambridge River Festival is back to kick-off the summer season with you. This year’s theme, Twist and Shout, celebrates the arts loudly and proudly along one of Cambridge’s most idyllic spots, the Charles River. Brought to you by the Cambridge Arts Council and free to the public, enjoy a day of music, dance, poetry, visual art, hands-on art activities, international food, and handmade arts & crafts for sale.

Sounds exciting! Something to keep in mind before you leave your house. If you are taking the redline from Somerville/Cambridge they are going to be bussing from Kendall to Park St. What they call the redline refurbishment project.

Cambridge River Festival
See Map for locations.
Saturday June 16. 12:00-6:00
Rain or Shine!

Interactive Map
Cambridge River Festival

Somerville Gay Pride

Mayor, Joe Curtatone, will host a ceremony on Saturday June 9th celebrating gay pride.

The annual event will feature remarks by Curtatone and other community leaders and elected officials. This is the third year the rainbow flag has been raised at City Hall, after several years of commemorating GLBT Pride with ceremonies in Davis Square.

Saturday June 9. 8am.
City Hall Concourse
93 Highland Ave.
Rain or Shine

*All members of the Somerville community are encouraged to attend.
Light Breakfast will be available. (Probably similar to continental breakfasts at hotels, mini muffins, and maybe some fruit. That'll fill you right up!)

While you are over there-stop by Somerville Public Library. They are hosting a book sale on Saturday. 1p-3p

Tommy Doyle's Special

This is a win - win situation. You go to Tommy Doyle's, you drink some beers, you watch the sox, you mention their website, you get a FREE appitizer.

Tommy Doyle's
Harvard Square
96 Winthrop St
Cambridge

>> Tommy Doyle's

Oh Boloco, how i love you

In response to an op-ed about Boloco being unhealthy, Boloco CEO defends the ways of Boloco and extends an offer of free burritos to any one that prints the op-ed and brings it in on June 4 - 5th. Note that this offer says good in Boston and Hanover but it worked in Cambridge and Somerville as well. I hit up the Harvard Square location on my way home from work and also got a free sample of the soy smoothie. Diane stopped at the Davis Square location and they were giving out free full size smoothies of your choice. It was a delicious free dinner for all, so what if it was 14 weight watcher points. I'm gonna be honest, I don't even know what that means

>> The Dartmouth Op-Ed
>> Boloco

Qdoba

I know there are quite a few people that would be angry with me for writing this, but I am OK with that. Anna's seems to be the preferred taco joint round these parts. But I don't think Qdoba is that bad, in fact I like it better. I guess it helps that I don't eat burritos only dang quesadilla's. So, I don't feel bad about telling you in Porter Square when you purchase an adult meal, you can receive a free kids meal. Only on Sunday and Monday's between 4p-8p. This is available until June 30th at the Porter Square location. (In the plaza with Shaw's and Dunkin Donuts)

Fishing Derby

When I was little (OK up to like 20) I used to love going fishing with my dad. We did all kinds of fishing, ice fishing, pond fishing, and beach fishing! That was my favorite because i could tan and swim while he waited for them to bite. I would then run up and say "Can i reel it in?" He would always let me. Then my little sisters got old enough to fish and also enjoy it. It's not such a good time for me anymore. We still go to the beach once or twice in the summer, but no more ice fishing, ever.
If you enjoy taking your kids, or niece's nephew's fishing, you should check out the kids fishing derby. This Saturday, it is supposed to be a pleasant 84 degrees. Soak up the sun and listen to them squeal when they try to reel in "the big one"
Registration forms can be picked up at the Recreation Building at 19 Walnut St.
Kids must be accompanied by an adult to participate.

Saturday June 3.
8a-12noon.
Felsmere Pond
Malden
Call Karen Harrington at 617-625-6600 ext. 2993 for more info.