Cambridge really has a lot to offer. Tons of great restaurants and shopping. Home to MIT and…read moreHarvard. I'm pretty sure the whole city has a no turn on red policy. Strange.

Hello Dorchester Historical Society, May I apologize for all…read moreof the ignorant people who jump on the racial bandwagon at any comment or phrase. I was so shocked to read that people were offended by your holiday cared. (DORCHESTER IS DREAMING OF A WHITE CHRISTMAS) GEEZ LOUISE, PEOPLE! Oh and by the way I am black. Im from Colorado. Guess what I'm dreaming of a white Christmas as well....so what does that make me? Come on, who could possible make that into a racial card. Sure there is racism? I am just flabbergasted, shocked, that anyone would misconstrue the meaning of the card. Please don't apologize there is nothing to apologize for. No matter the ethnicity of a person there will always people no matter the color of the skin who look for any opportunity to stir the race pot. I visited Boston and everyone I met was welcoming and friendly. I'd love to come to your city and tour your society. Please stand tall, not everyone of color took offense. Love ya! KC

The Dorchester Historical Society presents historically fascinating facts you never knew about…read moreBoston's largest and oldest neighborhood. DHS has 3 historic houses including the oldest in Boston, the Blake House (1661) and still grows and harvests the Clapp's Favorite pear that was hybridized in the 1800s at the old farmstead on Boston Street. There is a giant bronze version celebrating this famous fruit at the intersection of Mass Ave and Columbia Road just up the street. They have wonderful programs on Sunday afternoons each month - I heard February's is going to be some sort of delicious chocolate fest. They accept voluntary donations - this is an active and interesting organization!

AN ABSOLUTELY MUST DO! THE HILLTOP 67 FOOT NEON CACTUS SIGN HAS BEEN RESTORED TO IT'S FORMER GLORY…read moreDAYS & LIGHTS UP RT. 1 WITH ITS ORIGINAL GREEN BRILLIANCE ONCE AGAIN. IT IS BEAUTIFUL & CONTINUES TO SHINE WITH ITS VINTAGE 60's VIBE THAT LOOKS LIKE IT IS STRAIGHT OUT OF VINTAGE LAS VEGAS. This is a Perfect Example of what a Great Restoration project looks like with Adaptive Use for a new purpose & generation. It is impressive during the day but WOWS you at night! You have to see it from afar & then stop & see it up close especially at night. It's FREE! It is located right outside the 110 Grill in Saugus. When people think of Boston they always think of the Citgo Sign at Fenway Park, but there are other very notable signs & one of them is the Hilltop Cactus Sign. First of all it is MASSIVE towering at 67 foot tall. The Hilltop Steak House was a very famous restaurant on Rt1 in Saugus from back in the 60's. People would see that Giant Cactus Sign & it would beckon them to stop in to get a bite to eat. Customers would wait in long lines near the cows for their room & number to be called over the loudspeaker like #92 Kansas City. Then you would go into the restaurant to your designated room & seat & table. The restaurant was HUGE! The Hilltop was one of the busiest restaurants in all of America at its peak serving 20,000 patrons each week. At its pinnacle it served more than 2 million people. This lasted for decades. Delicious Huge Portions of Food for a Good Price. They were known for their Steaks & Prime Rib. Finally the quality of the food went down hill & in 2013 they closed. The Hilltop still has a warm fuzzy soft spot for many people today. In 1966, Frank Giuffrida the owner hired Mack Advertising Inc., to create a new sign for the Hilltop restaurant. Many designs were considered until they decided upon the Giant Cactus. The 67-foot sign contains nearly a half mile of neon tubing. Woahhh! The Barlow Sign Comoany in Hudson New Hampshire meticulously restored this Vintage Jolly Green Giant of a Cactus. Where the restaurant once stood is a mixed use space of residential housing of 280 apartments & retail & restaurants. Instead of knocking down the sign & putting it in some landfill; now it serves a useful purpose for lighting up the city & as a sign for the new community & businesses while still holding on to it's glorious past history. WHAT A BRILLIANT RESTORATION! You have to stop on by. And for those famous cows they have also been rescued. See my review of The Hilltop Steak House Cows located not too far from here in Lynnfield MA. It used to be, you had to have Mega Bucks & be really Rich to have the Good Life, not anymore. The Game has changed. You've been Upgraded. Now You Can Live Like a King on a Limited Budget!

The Salem Trial Court is a beautiful piece of architecture…read more The city has just redone the entire building inside and out. The outside of the building a monstrous compared with the other building in Downtown Salem some of which are 400+ years old. The city was kind enough to keep the original lamp posts from the old building which are mounted on large pedestals on each side of the front stairs leading up to the entrance of the Court House. Upon entering the Court House and walking though its hallways once you go through security, you will notice the immaculate polished granite floors and walls which give the interior of this building a majestic feel. The nicest part of the interior to me and a sight to see is the original elevator polished and easily taking all the glamour away from the polished halls with its Art Deco brass finish that draws your eyes directly to it. It seems as if they retrofit this elevator with new mechanical parts but keeping all the original appearance pieces. Kudos to the designer of this beautiful building. A wonderful addition to the City of Salem. I give The Salem Trial Court a Solid 5 Stars.

After being granted an order of protection against a neighbor, I sought a brief extension of that…read moreorder. The judge deemed that there was not to be an extension, which I have no quibble with. However, the rude and aggressive behavior of the bailiffs, and the abruptness of the judge herself, after waiting 2.5 hours was very uncalled for. These folks need to be reminded that they are there to serve the victims. Not everyone in the room is a perpetrator. Be respectful and kind to the victims who wait for hours to be heard.

For my birthday last year, I gifted myself a day's retreat in the house/room where Thoreau was…read moreborn. My entire trip to the Concord area was a transcendental pilgrimage in its own right, and my day alone in the home of seclusion's champion was more than meaningful. I read all the exhibit panels, wrote at the little desk by the window, picnicked on the lovely grounds for lunch, and read Emerson's "Read, then Write." I might have even slept a little in the peaceful, bird-sung quiet. It was a gift to have the entire day in this place, to see the shift of sunlight across the eaves, to contemplate the coming year. The staff made it so easy - they worked with me to shift days - and they made me feel absolutely welcome. It was quite humbling to have a key of my very own for the day! I came away with good written words, good philosophy, and a belief in the actuality of personal connection with literary heroes. Thank you for allowing it to happen!

I am so grateful for the writing space at the Writer's Retreat provided by the Thoreau Farm:…read moreBirthplace of Henry David Thoreau. It is a privilege to spend time in the very room that this American author was born. As the author and illustrator of eight children's books on Thoreau, I can attest that the Writer's Retreat has provided me the impetus for creating them during the numerous times I attended the Writer's Retreat. One might say that they were conceived in that room where many of my words and illustrations began. The Writer's Retreat provides a quiet space where one might write, read, and be reflective. It is beneficial to the amateur or professional writer or to anyone who just needs a space to think and read. The Farm is in a rural setting where one may take a meditative walk and is a special treasure. Imagine writing or reading on a replica of Henry's own green desk where he wrote his works. It is wonderful to have the opportunity to have a place to rest and think without any distractions in the room where Henry was born. Rebecca Migdal, Executive Director of the Thoreau Farm: Birthplace of Henry David Thoreau, is warm and welcoming to anyone who visits the Thoreau Farm or uses the Writer's Retreat. During the time I spent at this special place, Rebecca made me feel very comfortable. Rebecca's cheerful demeaner makes any visitor feel special and at ease. I highly encourage anyone who needs a space for quiet reflection or pursue literary endeavors to spend a day or two at the Writer's Retreat.

As far as courts go, Peabody court is pretty good…read more Extra large parking lot with FREE PARKING. The property is well maintained, and the building is kept extra clean. The workers here are actually friendly and helpful, not sure if it was because I was only there for my daughters traffic violation?? But still very polite and informative. We were called promptly and our dispute was heard, believe it or not, we were in and out of the building in under half an hour which included going through security and removing my belt. lol I would give the Peabody court and the staff a Solid 5 Stars.

Two nice police officers bought me my 2 ice treats during this heatwave. One was kind enough to…read moreopen the door for me because I have mobility problems. This was at Danvers Cumberland Farms Newbury Street at about 8;30 am . I will not forget how kind those 2 nice guys were to me. A good deed should always be credited. James Dennehy

Yesterday I was in a large funeral procession and the state troopers were AMAZING at keeping us…read moresafe, even on the highway (I-95), as we drove from the service to the cemetery. Their escort and help at intersections/on-ramps was so helpful and well-done! Huge thanks to the police officers for their impressive maneuvering, driving, and efforts to allow us to grieve, navigate safely, and honor our loved one. They really went out of their way and we appreciated it so much! Thank you!

If you are looking for the spaceship as a reference to the front door, don't. I did, turns out, its…read morenot on the street anymore! Its set back with the entrance! What a beautiful reinvention of the VFW in Fresh Pond! I used to participate in various activities that took place at the old VFW - an old, dirty looking, wood paneled, dimly lit hall. It didn't have much to recommend itself. My family recently rented out the hall/bar here to have a party. What a nice surprise when I walked in! Well lit, clean, new and roomy! The hall had tables that easily held the people attending (40?) for a sit-down meal that we brought with us. My parents provided a sound system and half the room was left open for a dance floor. The bartender that we had, Barbara (?) was awesome! She went out of her way to make sure we had everything we needed. The commercial kitchen that is available for use with hall rental is a great size. About a million degrees, and unfortunately the freezer was not on when we arrived so the dessert didn't make it (in a solid state) being stuck in the ice machine! Barbara later told me that there was a freezer behind the bar we could have used- next time! The bathrooms were well kept, and even with loud music and a couple kids running up and down the hall, nobody batted an eye at our presence. A great place, with plenty of parking for a party!

Newly rebuilt modern function room and bar. Old cranky vets still included. The disappointment I…read morefelt when I was brushed aside after inquiring about membership was reminiscent of your typical decaying V.F.W. Unfortunately, attitudes like that are common nowadays. GWOT veterans seek solace elsewhere.