The House of Blues has bought the Lansdowne Street clubs, including Avalon and Axis. How is this going to affect the renovations of Avalon and Axis, which has had a negative impact on performers and fans since the venues shut down? The Globe reports: "The only thing that has changed is in place of a sign that says Lansdowne Music Hall, it will say House of Blues," Lyons said yesterday. He will continue to own......

The House voted 107-47 to ban the use of handheld gadgets while driving. Using a headset is OK, but anyone caught with a gadget in hand will be fined $100. According to the AP, anyone who can show they are making an emergency call won't be fined. Now the bill goes to the Senate. Given the strong approval for the bill, start shopping for headsets. Bostonist has also provided tips on how to get through......

Maybe the commonwealth could take the Toscanini's approach and pass the hat to cover our deficit? Anyone have a hat big enough for 1.3 billion dollars? The battle for our scarce fiscal year 2009 resources begins tomorrow when Governor Deval Patrick releases his budget. This could get interesting--well, relatively interesting--as two notable critics of Patrick's agenda have already been identified, and they happen to be the first two steps on the flowchart that is......

New contributor alternatewords gives us what he calls a 'fotodesign.' Since he did such heavy post-processing to give it a graphic design-type look he didn't want to call it a true photo. Whatever you want to call it, The House of Seven Gables has never looked so bright and otherworldly. We love the effect. Welcome alternatewords!......

Ed Davis probably slept soundly last night. The House has decided to rescue the antigang Shannon Community Safety Initiative with funding, and they are giving $2.5 million for more police. Given the rise in homicides, the timing couldn't be better. The program also makes sense because it is more than just adding police presence – it also fosters gang prevention efforts. The money isn't just for Boston. New Bedford received $1 million this year for......