City Councilor Michael Ross has a new project--the beautification of Beacon Hill. But, wait, you ask, isn't Beacon Hill pretty already? Sure. But Ross is underwhelmed by Cambridge Street and wants to " http://www.bostonherald.com/business/real_estate/view.bg?articleid=1075736">extend the Beacon Hill Architectural District" to include the street, the Herald reports. Offensive eyesores on Cambridge Street include a sign for Subway sandwiches and ATM machines that don't look like the World's Fanciest 7-11, which you can find on Charles......

--The Patrick administration is working on stopping the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe's attempt to get approval for a casino through the federal government. The administration would prefer that the tribe bid for one of the three casino licenses Patrick hopes to auction off. [Boston Herald] --A plane on its way to Paris from New York City had to make an emergency landing at Logan Airport after a passenger attempted to attack a flight attendant. [Boston......

Whether your New Year’s resolution is to clean out your closet or expand its contents, local consignment shops are a great resource for thrifty shoppers. Second Time Around, with three locations in Boston, is a treasure trove of high-end fashion priced on an automatic markdown system—your discount is determined by the color of the price tag. As with all consignment and vintage stores, it’s better to go in without a particular piece in mind. And......

We've been big suckers for film photography lately, perhaps its the focus on tradition around the Holiday season. A fellow film-lover Across 110th Street captured this vintage looking shot of some of Boston's most recognizable buildings. We love the yellow tone but our favorite part is the lens flare situation from the sun. Speaking of vintage looking shots, check out this fabulous photo of Charles Street in the rain. Welcome to our new contributor......

Living in the 'hood of Beacon Hill is rough. The Charles Street Doggz must cope with prying eyes, envious gazes, pedestrians who aren't wearing Lilly Pulitzer, and now the noisy beeps made by crosswalks. The Charles Street Doggz immediately investigated the situation and discovered those crosswalks were beeping so blind people would know when to cross the street. The Charles Street Doggz were faced with a tough choice--themselves or the blind. So they complained to......

Do you know what movie is being flimed on Charles Street (the Cambridge end)? The last block is filled with trailers and temporary tents. I saw some names on a trailer door - Lucy and Desi - which led me to believe it's an "I Love Lucy" remake. But a quick search on IMDB revealed no movie of the same title. So have you heard what it is? Or, more importantly, do you know what......

If you read the Herald (poor, poor you), you found out today what Bostonist told you weeks ago: Heidi "the Cat Lady" Erickson is (still) conducting a one-woman protest outside the Supreme Judicial Court (not the Superior Court, as the Herald claims; that court is next door but is not the focus of Erickson's demonstration). The delightful picture accompanying the Herald piece also lets you know that Ms. Erickson has, of late, taken to wearing......

The Cat Lady of Beacon Hill is back. Readers may recall Heidi Erickson, who was ousted from apartments on Charles Street and in Watertown in 2003 after city inspectors discovered several starved cats and many many more dead ones (over 100 in all), most of them frozen, in her humble, urine-stinking abodes. (Wait - did we mention the Great Dane? There was a Great Dane too.) Aside from periodic, highly amusing court appearances - in......