The owners of Clear Conscience Cafe in Central Square are on a mission. It’s pretty hard to miss… in fact, it’s conveniently spelled out on a poster behind the counter. They sell fair trade, shade grown, organic coffee and organic food “with an underlying agenda of social responsibility and environmental stewardship.” The counters are made of bamboo or crushed beer bottles; the ceiling tiles are made of 100% recycled material; the shop is illuminated......

Music, comedy, poetry, and audience participation filled the room. At first blush, it looked like an episode of Prairie Home Companion, but it was really musician/poetess Patti Smith performing at the Institute of Contemporary Art on Wednesday night. Patti Smith is famous for channeling the fierce, demanding forces of creation. In her interviews and in articles about her, she comes off more like a medium who needs the perfect conditions in order to let the......

No one likes bike-related head injuries less than Bostonist. Last fall we had an unfortunate run-in with the unused trolley tracks on Centre Street in Jamaica Plain. Riding at a too-shallow angle to the tracks, our front tire jammed in the groove and we were rudely and rapidly sent over the handlebars and onto our head. Banged up but generally intact, we were helped to our feet by kindly passersby, and, after a brief self-inspection,......