The Divas finally made it through snow and sleet on Dec. 30 to visit the Higgins Armory Museum, a truly unique museum in Worcester, originally recommended by Dispatches reader Dan Maher for one of our early issues There are great demonstrations on the weekends, plus a great kids' zone with a giant chess game and dress-up area, and a host of armor collected by Worcester steel magnate John Woodman Higgins in the early 1900's. At kids' birthday parties, the birthday boy or girl gets to be King or Queen in the Great Hall (for members only). Call 508-853-9697.
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Friday, December 29, 2006
Skating Photos from Frog Pond, Boston
We can't believe that this was a first for the Day Tripper Divas. What a fabulous time we had, despite the 20-minute wait in line to get in to the skating rink at Frog Pond at Boston Common. Crowded, yes - but manageable with kids ages 6, 7, 11, and 12. We even survived a hot chocolate spill (bring extra clothes, especially in cold weather). Enjoy!
Harbor Cruise to the Hull Wind Turbine
This annual cruise is sponsored by the Mass Energy Consumers Alliance, and it's not only fun, but very informative for all ages! It starts at Rowes Wharf in Boston Harbor. In 2006, the Town of Hull won the Department of Energy's Wind Power Pioneer Award and now generates a significant amount of electricity for the Town throught its two wind turbines. Enjoy the photos!
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Follow the Guru
Dispatches readers get a free phone consult from MetroWest Boston's favorite on-site computer-repair guru, the one and only Computer Handyman, Mark Bildman. Contact Mark at (617) 596-7545 or via email. Just refer to the Day Tripper Dispatches when you call or email.
Sunday, December 17, 2006
Accessible Winter Sports for Everyone
If you're looking for recreation opportunities for yourself or friends & family with disabilities this winter, the DCR's Universal Access Program is the place where you can do it all: kicksledding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and ice skating. They even have equipment you can use! New this year, an outdoor skating rink near the headquarters building with a warming room and accessible bathroom, is sure to be a hit. Sled hockey anyone? Check out the DCR's Universal Access Winter Calendar and be amazed! For information on booking an outing and reserving equipment, call Gigi Ranno at 617-626-1294 or email.
Friday, December 15, 2006
Family Fun Saturdays
Enjoy the Regent Theatre's Family Fun Saturdays series, which runs October through May at 10:30 a.m. Download our two-for-one Family Fun Saturdays coupon, for Dispatches readers only! Call the box office at 781-649-4849 or visit the website.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Boston Children's Museum Update
On Jan. 1, the Boston Children's Museum will close for a few months to wrap up renovations. In the recent renovation, the BCM is improving the famous Milk Bottle, upgrading the famous big blue elevator, and creating a great new expansion that will be unveiled at the grand reopening in April. But if you're heading down to the South Street Station area, you can still enjoy the Boston Tea Party, Aquarium, Harbor Cruises, and much more on the waterfront.
Tuesday, December 12, 2006
New Playspace for Pre-Schoolers
Together in Motion, a new play space at No. 1 Broadway in Arlington (former Cityside Subaru location) for ages 6 and under will give you deja vu for the Tot Stop of a few years ago. The venue is set to open for drop-in sessions in December, proprietor Erik Kondo told the Day Tripper Divas and the Arlington Family Connection when we previewed the space on Dec. 12 for an AFC party. We found it nicely equipped, spacious, well-lighted, and a much-needed venue for families in Arlington, Cambridge, Somerville, Medford, and surrounding towns. Looks like Kondo is planning organized activities & classses for kids and adults, and there is a separated area where you will be able to watch your kids whilst you work on the Internet. The space is also available for birthday parties and other events.
Monday, December 11, 2006
Sunrise Photo Contest
Idenfity the hour and the town or city in which this photo was taken and win a prize from The Compleat Day Tripper. There will be multiple winners - just email your answer before January 31. Active Dispatches subscribers eligible only (but the subscription is free).
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Christmas Song Lyrics
If your kids are like mine, they may be asking for words to Christmas songs right about now. I don't know about you, but I can't always remember them. We found a website with all the essentials - no ads, no pop-ups, just lyrics. [Ed. - If you want Midi accompaniment to holiday and other kids songs, visit NIEHS Kids' Pages]. - from S.K. Joun, author, Mother of Two's Guide to Sanity.
All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth, my two front teeth, see my two front teeth. Gee, if I could only have my two front teeth, then I could wish you"Merry Christmas!"
Friday, December 08, 2006
Feed Your Dispatches
Did you know The Day Tripper Divas are posting great new discoveries almost daily? If you subscribe to the blog via FeedBlitz you'll get an excerpt and link to the blog in your inbox very soon after an article is posted. Why, the Divas themselves are voracious FeedBlitzers!Keep in mind that FeedBlitz is a Sudbury, Mass. company with a great reputation for keeping information secure, and for immediately honoring all un-subscriptions. You can also subscribe anonymously via the FeedBlitz website and customize the frequency of notifications. Click on the the image to see how FeedBlitz will deliver your Dispatches. The FeedBlitz signup box is in the sidebar to your right.
Happy Day Tripping!
Thursday, December 07, 2006
Birds' Eye View of Harvard
This nature log is brought to you by Harvard's Rob Gogan, with special thanks to campus Nature Watchers Adam Blanchette, Kate Chadbourne, Marge Fisher, Dave Harris, Horst Huber, Sonia Ketchian, Art Strauss and Bob Stymeist. For more on winter birding, visit MassBird.Young Great Blue Heron fishes for breakfast on the Charles by One Western Avenue.
Opossum shambles along a brick wall at the corner of Mill and Winthrop Streets just outside the MAC in a raw November rain.
Hermit Thrush forages on the grass in front of the HMNH, prolonging his migration because of average daily temperatures are 10 degrees above the seasonal average.
Flock of Starlings joined by a pair of Robins, feast on ripe red winterberries outside Shad Hall. More robins and purple finches dine on winterberries outside Dean's House.
Abundant Goldfinches in dull winter plumage busily dine on stalks of mullein growing on left bank of Charles beside Peabody Terrace.
Starling droppings paint Ware Street asphalt purplish red while their acoustic output makes human residents dizzy.
Robins bathe in the puddles on top of the Carpenter Center. Pipe-shaped spouts protruding from Carpenter get frequent visitors by Purple Finches.
Harvard-Yale game's two highest spectators, Red-Tailed Hawks, soar over tailgaters, then drift high above the Stadium... hawk also surveys 12,000 dancing Harvard-Yale undergrads at tailgate party from perch atop light tower near Stadium.
Male Cardinal flashes past the Constance Smith statue in Radcliffe Yard and a Bluejay passes high above him.
Another crimson Cardinal and a White-Throated Sparrow foraging side by side in front of Loeb House while a Robin hops nearby.
After the Thanksgiving deluge, House Sparrows enjoy abundant fresh drinking water puddles in the Yard.
Less happy House Sparrow snags feathers on pest-resistant anti-roosting spikes at Barker while a second Sparrow tries to tug the first one off the nails. After successful extrication, pair wheels off and under the portico and away into the evening.
Between Lamont and Loeb House, a Blue Jay shrieks from high in a tree and soon flies away across Quincy Street.
Cherry Trees bloom in the late November warmth in front of Harkness Commons.
by Rob Gogan, with special thanks to Campus Nature Watchers Adam Blanchette, Kate Chadbourne, Marge Fisher, Dave Harris, Horst Huber, Sonia Ketchian, Art Strauss and Bob Stymeist!
It's Not Your Grandma's Trampoline!
Bread and circuses, American-style? Maybe, but who knew furniture shopping could be so thrilling!? Just inside the massive Jordan's Furniture building in Reading is the Trapeze School of NY - Beantown. This is a real, live double trapeze that has enough show lighting, music, and action to take you over the big top and beyond, to the ice cream stand, restaurants, Duck Tour arcade games, IMAX theater, and many more activities in this amazing indoor complex. Classes can be pricey, but there are party discounts and individual swing packages range from $10-$25. Ages 6 and up. To reach TSNY, take exit 39 off 128, just north of I-93, Tel. 781-942-7800; or email.
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Let 'Em Loose at Perpetual Motion!
Perpetual Motion is once again a sure cure for family cabin fever, and now it's suitable for kids of all ages. After its move from Andover to Lowell last year, this popular Day Tripper venue resumed its role as a rainy-day refuge not only for preschoolers, but also for older kids with the addition of a physical challenge course designed specifically for Perpetual Motion, including slides, climbers, a huge foam pit and a traverse climbing wall. Of course, you'll still find the fabulous indoor playground for ages 6 and under, complete with sand and swings. Perpetual Motion is now located at 345 Chelmsford Street Lowell, MA 01851; tel 978-452-0777; about 25 minutes from Routes 2 & 128 via the Lowell Connector.
Mayor's Holiday Special
If you are itching for some holiday performances at a reasonable price, Boston Mayor Tom Menino is offering his second-annual Mayor's Holiday Special. This program provides discounted tickets to dozens of shows, including the Black Nativity, Boston Ballet's Nutcracker (almost $20 off), the Handel & Hayden Society's Baroque Noel, Boston Pops' Holiday show, An Elvis Christmas at Arlington's Regent Theatre, and many more.
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