Book events were dwindling pretty sadly in December, but 2010 sees them back in full force, with everyone from Joseph Stiglitz to Raj Patel unleashing brainpower on Boston. Gear up for the new year by hitting the books… and then the bookstores… to spark some new ideas. Innovative events...

Image by mer-made from photos tagged “Bostonist” on Flickr . Property taxes in Boston will increase for the first time in three years. Bills are due out this month and will increase by an average of $173. [ Boston Globe ] The Boston Police plan to increase patrols on Newbury Street during...

Due to the upcoming holiday, exams and finals, and trying to squeeze in last minute shopping. We moved our December walk up a week. We’ll be meeting in front of the Black Rose ( 83 Central, Boston, MA 02109) at 3pm for some late day sun and sunset. This may be a little tricker (low light) than...

Being a resident or fan of the Boston area, you probably knew about the Alcott family’s Orchard House in Concord, where much of Little Women is set. And you’ve surely walked by 10 Louisburg Square, where some Alcotts lived in later years. But did you know this stuff about her hobnobbing...

Six West African Figures , about 1917-19Charles Sheeler (American, 1883-1965)Photograph, gelatin silver print*The Lane Collection*Courtesy, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston There’s a self-portrait of American artist Willie Cole called Silex Male: Ritual that shows his semi-naked body covered with a...

Photo tagged “Bostonist” by S W Awesometown . We’ve been busy (drinking). Gossip Girl did not kill the speakeasy , or Boston didn’t get the memo: there is this super secret bar that just opened and it is so secret it has a Facebook page. And its Facebook page has a list of rules...

Eric Gay / Associated Press The Celtics are finding ways to get it done. Period. That insane 2-game losing streak and that week of uncertainty look like they’re way in the past - for the moment - as the C’s went into San Antonio and stifled a very good Spurs team, 90-83. Even though the...

Boston Jewish Film Festival Hello Goodbye Tonight, Coolidge Corner, 6:30 Monday, November 9, 7pm: Hollywood Hits Premier Theater Wednesday, November 11, 7pm: Showcase Cinemas Randolph ( Hello Goodbye is sold out at all listed venues, but standby for BJFF pass holders begins an hour before showtime any...

In pop culture, scientists have mostly suffered from the flimsiest of one-dimensional portrayals. Whether socially awkward shut-ins or evil geniuses bent on world conquest, the popular imagination has taken a rather dim and confused look at real people doing interesting work. And really, is there much...

John Kerry apparently wanted to be Secretary of State for President Barack Obama. Hillary Clinton got the job, and Kerry had to settle for being chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Nine months into Obama’s term, Kerry is acting like the country’s top diplomat anyway. He dashed...