I picked up about two weeks ago a book by an author I'd never read before -- John P. Marquand. The book, "The Late George Apley" was first published in 1937 and is a wonderful portrait of a man, a family and a certain segment of a certain society. That segment is the upper class and that society is Bostonian. The book is constructed as a tribute and portrait of George Apley, following his death, by one of his close friends who has access to his letters and other papers, from which he quotes at length. It's a novel, so all of this is made up by Marquand. It has also Continue reading >>>

I picked up about two weeks ago a book by an author I'd never read before -- John P. Marquand. The book, "The Late George Apley" was first published in 1937 and is a wonderful portrait of a man, a family and a certain segment of a certain society. That segment is the upper class and that society is Bostonian. The book is constructed as a tribute and portrait of George Apley, following his death, by one of his close friends who has access to his letters and other papers, from which he quotes at length. It's a novel, so all of this is made up by Marquand. It has also Continue reading >>>

Here’s a summer shocker: The more money you make, the easier time you’ll have paying off credit card debt. That’s the finding (OK, maybe not so shocking) of a new study from CreditCards.com, which looked into median income and average credit card balance in different parts of the country to determine where people have the easiest time shouldering their credit loads. Among the top 25 metro markets in the country, Boston has the second easiest time paying off credit card debt in the country. According to the study, the average Bostonian could pay off his credit card debt in nine months, Continue reading >>>

Here’s a summer shocker: The more money you make, the easier time you’ll have paying off credit card debt. That’s the finding (OK, maybe not so shocking) of a new study from CreditCards.com, which looked into median income and average credit card balance in different parts of the country to determine where people have the easiest time shouldering their credit loads. Among the top 25 metro markets in the country, Boston has the second easiest time paying off credit card debt in the country. According to the study, the average Bostonian could pay off his credit card debt in nine months, Continue reading >>>

Should we be concerned that the average, moderately enlightened Bostonian can engage in conversation about Michael Brown, Tamir Rice or Walter Scott, but would be hard pressed to tell you anything about Jonathan Dos Santos or Raheem Ramirez or Dawn Jaffier? Yes, we most certainly should. While we all focus our daily attention to the national crime story of the week, an alarming increase in gun violence in Boston is going virtually unmentioned. While we should all celebrate the decrease in Boston gun homicides-with 13 less than had been logged this time one year ago-the drastic increase in non-fatal Continue reading >>>

Should we be concerned that the average, moderately enlightened Bostonian can engage in conversation about Michael Brown, Tamir Rice or Walter Scott, but would be hard pressed to tell you anything about Jonathan Dos Santos or Raheem Ramirez or Dawn Jaffier? Yes, we most certainly should. While we all focus our daily attention to the national crime story of the week, an alarming increase in gun violence in Boston is going virtually unmentioned. While we should all celebrate the decrease in Boston gun homicides-with 13 less than had been logged this time one year ago-the drastic increase in non-fatal Continue reading >>>

English author Thomas Hughes (top right) is pictured with some of Rugby’s early colonists, their pets and their livestock. Hughes founded Rugby as an English colony that reflected his views of Christian socialism over the Victorian materialism views of his native country. (Photo courtesy Historic Rugby, Inc.)Before Rugby, Tenn., became a resort for the second sons of English gentry, it was intended to be a place for relocation of out-of-work factory workers from the Northeast. The efforts of a group of Bostonian investors — led by hardware merchant Franklin W. Smith — to secure a large Continue reading >>>

The Improper Bostonian put its best foot forward, natch, as the mag hosted its annual Boston’s Best issue at the Langham Boston last night.A motley crew of young and old (some gorgeously dressed, many tragically) sipped Macallan Rare Cask, noshed on hot pink cotton candy, got their hair done by stylists from G2O and posed for pretty pics taken by the cool kids at the Danger Booth, one of the night’s many winners.Phi Design and Reserve decked out the Langham with bright pink lights, mirrors and cozy furniture to make the beautiful but slightly stuffy surroundings more suitably party-down-esque Continue reading >>>

The Improper Bostonian put its best foot forward, natch, as the mag hosted its annual Boston’s Best issue at the Langham Boston last night.A motley crew of young and old (some gorgeously dressed, many tragically) sipped Macallan Rare Cask, noshed on hot pink cotton candy, got their hair done by stylists from G2O and posed for pretty pics taken by the cool kids at the Danger Booth, one of the night’s many winners.Phi Design and Reserve decked out the Langham with bright pink lights, mirrors and cozy furniture to make the beautiful but slightly stuffy surroundings more suitably party-down-esque Continue reading >>>

The fresh complex is due to include up to 492 apartment and condos, plus 300 parking spaces and flourishes such as a fitness center and a canoe/kayak-rental facility. To further sweeten the deal, Cassin/Winn Development plans to add 1,381 feet of promenade along the Harbor. Clippership Wharf at one point had been slated to be entirely condos and it's not entirely clear what the ratio of apartments to condos will be. Stay tuned. · BRA Approves Residential and Hotel Projects [Herald] · Mapping the New Development in Busy, Busy East Boston [Curbed Boston] Continue reading >>>