The Writer's Brush Pierre Menard Gallery 10 Arrow St., Cambridge Through Sunday, January 27 617-868-2033 Everyone at one time or another wants to become something else. The actress longs to become a pilot, the congressman has late liaisons practicing his baking. Such creative experiments are no doubt good for the soul. This week at the Pierre Menard Gallery in Cambridge is the last chance to witness rare visual works created by some of the greatest......

Ann Patchett, Wednesday, September 26, 6:00 pm, Coolidge Corner (via Brookline Booksmith) The author of Bel Canto situates her latest book in Boston, and the plot should seem awfully familiar - the head of a political family tries to perpetuate a political dynasty. A Boston mayor steps down and tries to drive two of his adopted sons into politics. In the span of one day, events unfold that might change those plans. Vincent Lam, Wednesday,......

In one sense, we all dodged a bullet last night. If Roger Clemens had thrown a no-hitter, you wouldn't be reading these words right now: rather, a six-paragraph string of bad words. It was that close. But it's not like there's much of a silver lining after the Sox dropped their second straight in the Bronx. Roger took a no-hitter into the sixth (thank you, Papi, thank you, thank you), which is bad. Manny Ramirez......

Our mothership, Gothamist, interviewed author Sarah Vowell this week. In that interview, Vowell revealed the topic of her new book – the Puritans! She's been hunting in our own backyard for information about Puritan history in the 17th century. Given how the Puritan mentality still shapes our fair city, we're looking forward to what Vowell will uncover about them. Usually, the thought of the Puritans prompt natural responses of fear (Exhibit A: Salem Witch Trials)......

Paul Farris, the innocent bystander who died in this weekend's police-chase crash in Somerville, wasn't just a graduate of Tufts and an aspiring law student. He was also frontman of theMark, a local rock band that is reeling from the death. theMark's MySpace page covers the death, and they will be announcing memorial services later on the site. The cab driver and Farris' girlfriend, Katelyn Hoyt, are recovering in the hospital. The post announcing the......

After the total lunar eclipse spiced up the night sky this past weekend we've got enough of the visuals. This week we're committed not to go see live music but to go hear live music. This week we're welcoming a few new contributors to the list, have a listen, will ya? Monday 3/5 Badly Drawn Boy It's okay to admit to liking British singer-songwriter Damon Gough, aka Badly Drawn Boy. He may write lyrics......

Rumors have been blowing around in the windy Back Bay streets by their corporate headquarters for weeks. In 2002 the company was purchased for about $1.7 by three private equity firms, two of Boston, Thomas H. Lee Partners and Bain Capital, and the Blackstone Group of London and New York from the then French owners, Vivendi Universal. The publisher came back to the Boston roots they put down in the mid-eighteen hundreds. Today a deal......

The Spelling Bee seems to be a hotter fad than leggings and skirts. The "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" is currently running at the Wilbur Theatre downtown, Spellbound will be in your mailbox tomorrow if you add it to your netflix queue, and there's even that pesky frosted mini-wheats commercial featuring a spelling comp. Tomorrow night at the Brattle Theatre you can see one live – and if you catch the late show......

Eight Days a Week. The music scene is hot, and we realize that we're not giving you enough lead time on some of the best way to cure a case of the Mondays – with a Monday evening show. This week we're putting eight days into our weekly music picks. Starting on Monday and running through the following week. This week we're eating locally – and listening locally. Several local acts find prominence on......

There are quite a few author readings and events going on tonight around the city and there seems to be a bit of something for everyone. So why not Tivo that episode of "The O.C." (Bostonist knows it's one of your guilty pleasures) and introduce some literature into your night. If feminism, comedy, and just blatant, hilarious honesty, is your interest, head over to see Jill Soloway (pictured) in her "Tiny Ladies Extravaganza" at 8p.m.......

As former Vermont Governor Howard Dean said “Not only are we going to New Hampshire, we're going to South Carolina and Oklahoma and Arizona and North Dakota and New Mexico, and we're going to California and Texas and New York…Yearrrah.” Words that marked the primary cycle of the 2004 election ring true for Governor Mitt Romney. He traveled to South Carolina yesterday to deliver a speech to over 300 republican audience members. The political process......