The rink will open for the 2009/2010 season with a special Frog Pond Skating School exhibition featuring a dynamic and exciting assortment of the Boston area’s top national and international figure skating competitors, local up-and-coming young skating stars, and Frog Pond Skating School students of all levels. The evening’s Master of Ceremonies will be Ed Peduto, president of the NorthEast Ice Skating Managers Association.

Starring in this year’s performance will be two of the highest-ranking singles figure skaters in the nation in 2009, both from the Boston area: Brittany Rizo, seven-time National Competitor, national and international medalist, and US Figure Skating Team member who placed seventh at the 2009 US National Figure Skating Championships; and Curran Oi, national and international medalist, Junior World Competitor and US Figure Skating Team member who placed sixth at the 2009 US National Figure Skating Championships. Both Rizo and Oi represent the Skating Club of Boston.

Other featured performers include the Hayden Recreation Center Ice Mates who are the 2009 US National Novice Synchronized Skating Silver Medalists and US Team Members, the Hayden Recreation Center Mini Mates, and other nationally-ranked local skaters including Rochelle and Isabelle Dost from Brookline, Mary Galstian from Boston, Ryan Donahue from Cape Cod, and Melissa Burrows from Lexington.

Opening night will feature raffles for season and night passes and more along with free admission for all following the skating demonstration with skate rentals at the regular price. Special guests will include mascots Frog Pond Freddie and Blades from the Boston Bruins with Bruins team representatives.

Additionally, this year’s Frog Pond Grand Opening celebrates the release of the Walt Disney Animation Studios’ musical “The Princess and the Frog” which opens nationwide on December 11. The event will take on a festive New Orleans flair complete with complimentary Mardi Gras masks and beads and a special musical performance by the Hot Tamale Brass Band, New England’s favorite Dixieland jazz band, as well as complimentary movie passes and item giveaways.

The 2009-2010 Frog Pond hours of operation are Sunday to Thursday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. (except Monday when the rink closes at 4 p.m.), Friday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day, open Christmas Eve 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., New Year’s Eve 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and New Year’s Day 12 noon to 5 p.m. On December 28, 2009, and February 15, 2010, the Frog Pond will be open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Admission fees are $4 for ages 14 and over and free for ages 13 and under. Skate rentals are $5 for children 13 and under, $8 for 14 and over, and lockers are available for one-dollar tokens from the cashier. Introduced last season, the Frog Pond continues freestyle skating on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 7:45 a.m. to 9:45 a.m. for $12 a session. Don’t forget to bring your own skates, because there are no rentals during that time.

Individual season passes are available for $100, family passes with children ages 13 and under are $150, and lunch passes good Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (holidays excluded), are available for $60.

The Frog Pond Skating School has enhanced its skating lessons program this year and will be offering a variety of group and private skating lessons throughout the season for skaters of all levels and ages, from raw beginners to those aspiring to be figure skaters and hockey players.

The Frog Pond features concessions, skate rentals, rest rooms, and a warming area. For more information, please call the Frog Pond at (617) 635-2120 or visit www.bostoncommonfrogpond.org.

Boston Party Tours has a fleet of party buses that range in size,  from 14 to 30 passengers. The most popular party bus occasion tends to be the Boston bachelorette party, but it doesn’t stop there. Included in the rental fee you get a personal party planner, to assist you in organizing your Boston Party Tours adventure.

For more information visit www.bostonpartytours.com or call 888-MASS-BUS.

BOSTON, MA, August 5, 2009 – The Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau (GBCVB) and American Express announced that this year’s Summer Restaurant Week Boston® will be the largest in the event’s nine-year history. From August 9-14 and 16-21, 2009 diners can choose from an array of more than 200 of the region’s best eateries to enjoy three-course prix fixe lunches for $20.09 and three-course dinners for $33.09 – excluding beverage, tax and gratuity. An added menu option this summer is a two-course gourmet lunch priced at a very affordable $15.09; diners can select an entrée and then enjoy either an appetizer or dessert as the second course. For the first time in August, many of the participating restaurants have opted to offer their restaurant week menus on Saturday, August 15, the one night of the week when the offer has traditionally been excluded.

“Summer Restaurant Week Boston® provides a great dining experience at a great price,” said Patrick B. Moscaritolo, President and CEO of the GBCVB. “We have over 200 restaurants from across the Greater Boston area participating. Top chefs have the opportunity to get creative and showcase seasonal New England ingredients, farm fresh herbs and produce, and local seafood all at a tremendous value to diners. It’s also the perfect time to enjoy the region’s outdoor cafes, patios and harborside dining.”

Visitors looking for gourmet meals at bargain prices can go online to view all restaurants, peruse menus and make reservations at the OFFICIAL website, www.BostonUSA.com/RestaurantWeek. Along with prix fixe menus at the region’s best tables, participants are encouraged to take advantage of special hotel packages and bargains during the two week promotion. Special offers can also be easily accessed at www.BostonUSA.com/GreatDeals.

Restaurant Week Boston® isn’t just about great deals – when diners use any American Express® Card at participating restaurants, American Express and the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau will donate* $.25 per transaction, up to $5000, to Community Servings, an independent, non-profit organization, whose mission is to provide free home delivered
meals throughout eastern Massachusetts to home bound and critically ill people with HIV/AIDS, and other acute life-threatening illnesses.

“We are proud to continue our support this year of Summer Restaurant Week Boston®,” said Kyle Curtin, Regional Vice President & General Manager, American Express Merchant Services, “Restaurant Week is a great opportunity to sample the wonderful restaurants of Boston and we are delighted to also be able to give back to the community through this
program.”

You can further support Community Servings by bidding on Restaurant Gift Certificates at www.RWBauction.com.  Continue to enjoy great dining savings while supporting an even greater cause!

Restaurant Week Boston® is sponsored and presented by founding partners, Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau and American Express®. Additional sponsors include Greater Media, Inc. radio stations: MAGIC 106.7 (WMJX), Radio 92.9, 105.7 (WROR), Country 102.5 (WKLB),Talk 96.9 (WTKK), and Metro Boston and TV DINER.
* Purchases are not tax deductible.

State Offers Array of Activities for Little or No Cost

May 11, 2009 (Massachusetts) – While travelers across the country are tightening their purse strings, Massachusetts offers plenty of options across the state to keep your next getaway withinbudget. From museums to baseball games, zoos and wineries, Massachusetts travelers can enjoy an affordable, fun-filled getaway for little or no cost.

The following is a list of activities throughout the state that a family of four can enjoy for under $50 this spring.

Please visit www.massvacation.com for additional information and to learn more about the free Mass Value Pass, which offers discounts of up to 25% at over 400 hotels, restaurants and attractions. The Mass Value Pass promotion will run until June 30.

GREATER BOSTON
Swan Boats
Two Adults: $5.50
Family of 4: $8.50
www.swanboats.com

Top of the Hub Skywalk Observatory
Two Adults: $22.00
Family of 4: $37.00
www.topofthehub.net

Institute of Contemporary Art
Two Adults: $24.00
Family of 4: $24.00
www.icaboston.org

IMAX Theater – New England Aquarium
Two Adults: $19.90
Family of 4: $35.80
www.neaq.org/visit/imax

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
Two Adults: $24.00
Family of 4: $24.00
www.gardnermuseum.org

Boston Children’s Museum
2 Adults: $24.00
Family of 4: $42.00
www.bostonchildrensmuseum.org

MIT Museum
Two Adults: $15.00
Family of 4: $21.00
web.mit.edu/museum/index.html

The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum
Two Adults: $24.00
Family of 4: $24.00
www.jfklibrary.org

Fenway Park Tours
Two Adults: $24.00
Family of 4: $44.00
boston.redsox.mlb.com/bos/ballpark/tour.jsp

Franklin Park Zoo
Two Adults: $24.00
Family of 4: $38.00
www.zoonewengland.org

Museum of African American History
Two Adults: $10.00
Family of 4: $20.00
www.afroammuseum.org/

NORTH OF BOSTON & GREATER MERRIMACK VALLEY
Salem Witch Museum
Two adults: $16.00
Family of 4: $27.00
www.salemwitchmuseum.com

The Butterfly Place
Two adults: $20.00
Family of 4: $34.00
www.butterflyplace-ma.com

Peabody Essex Museum
Two adults: $30.00
Family of 4: $30.00
www.pem.org

Lowell Spinners
Two adults: $16.00
Family of 4: $32.00
web.minorleaguebaseball.com/index.jsp?sid=t558

The Loading Dock Gallery
Two adults: Free
Family of 4: Free
www.theloadingdockgallery.com

Concord Museum
Two Adults: $20.00
Family of 4: $30.00
www.concordmuseum.org

Salem Trolley
Two Adults: $24.00
Family of 4: $34.00
www.salemtrolley.com

Saugus Iron Works
Two Adults: Free
Family of 4: Free
www.nps.gov/sair

Wenham Museum
Two adults: $14.00
Family of 4: $24.00
www.wenhammuseum.org

SOUTH OF BOSTON
The Ocean Explorium
Two adults: $4.00
Family of 4: $7.00
www.oceanexplorium.org

Russell Family Farms/Westport Rivers Vineyard & Winery
Two adults: Free
Family of 4: Free
www.westportrivers.com

South Shore Natural Science Center
Two adults: $10.00
Family of 4: $16.00
www.ssnsc.org

Maritime & Irish Mossing Museum
Two Adults: $8.00
Family of 4: $8.00
www.scituatehistoricalsociety.org

Sparrow House
Two Adults: $4.00
Family of 4: $6.00
www.sparrowhouse.com

Lizzie Borden Museum
Two Adults: $25.00
Family of 4: $35.00
www.lizzie-borden.com

Brockton Rox
Two Adults: $9.50
Family of 4: $19.00
www.brocktonrox.com

Mayflower II
Two Adults: $20.00
Family of 4: $34.00
www.plimoth.org

New Bedford Whaling Museum
Two Adults: $20.00
Family of 4: $32.00
www.whalingmuseum.org

CAPE COD, MARTHA’S VINEYARD AND NANTUCKET
Sandwich Glass Museum
Two adults: $10.00
Family of 4: $12.50
www.sandwichglassmuseum.org

ZooQuarium
Two Adults: $19.50
Family of 4: $33.00
www.zooquariumcapecod.net

Cape Cod Chip Factory
Two Adults: Free
Family of 4: Free
www.capecodchips.com

Cisco Brewers/Nantucket Vineyard/Triple Eight Distillery
Two Adults: Free
Family of 4: Free
www.ciscobrewers.com

Martha’s Vineyard Museum
Two Adults: $12.00
Family of 4: $20.00
www.marthasvineyardhistory.org

Nantucket Shipwreck & Life Saving Museum
Two Adults: $10.00
Family of 4: $16.00
www.nantucketlifesavingmuseum.com

World of Reptiles & Birds
Two Adults: $10.00
Family of 4: $20.00
www.reptilesandbirds.com

Flying Horses Carousel
Two Adults: $3.00
Family of 4: $6.00
www.mvpreservation.org

CENTRAL MASSACHUSETTS
Worcester Art Museum
Two Adults: $20.00
Family of 4: $20.00
www.worcesterart.org

EcoTarium
Two Adults: $20.00
Family of 4: $36.00
www.ecotarium.org

Fruitlands Museum
Two Adults: $24.00
Family of 4: $34.00
www.fruitlands.org

Worcester Historical Museum
Two Adults: $10.00
Family of 4: $10.00
www.worcesterhistory.org

Wachusett Brewing Company
Two Adults: Free.00
Family of 4: Free
www.wachusettbrew.com

Nashoba Valley Winery
Two Adults: $12.00
Family of 4: $12.00
www.wachusettbrew.com

Higgins Armory
Two Adults: $18.00
Family of 4: $32.00
www.higgins.org

Tower Hill Botanic Garden
Two Adults: $20.00
Family of 4: $30.00
www.towerhillbg.org

WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS
Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art
Two Adults: $20.00
Family of 4: $30.00
www.picturebookart.org

Dr. Seuss National Memorial Sculpture Garden
Two Adults: Free
Family of 4: Free
www.catinthehat.org

Norman Rockwell Museum
Two Adults: $30.00
Family of 4: $30.00
www.nrm.org

Emily Dickinson Museum
Two Adults: $20.00
Family of 4: $30.00
www.emilydickinsonmuseum.org

The Zoo in Forest Park
Two Adults: $12.00
Family of 4: $20.00
www.forestparkzoo.org

Yankee Candle Making Museum
Two Adults: Free
Family of 4: Free
www.yankeecandle.com

MASS MoCA
Two Adults: $30.00
Family of 4: $40.00
www.massmoca.org

Magic Wings Butterfly Conservatory & Gardens
Two Adults: $24.00
Family of 4: $40.00
www.magicwings.com

“America’s Favorite City” 2008

BOSTON, October 15, 2008 — Following weeks of multi-stage, online voting for Travel + Leisure’s coveted title of “America’s Favorite City,” Boston emerged the 2008 winner.

Starting three weeks ago on travelandleisure.com, 25 US cities vied against each other in a head-to-head battle for the title. Just twelve cities advanced to Round Two, Boston among them. In Round Two, Boston beat Miami (70% vs. 30%); in Round Three, Boston beat New York and Chicago by capturing 46% of the votes (New York had 29%, Chicago had 25%). In the competing bracket, San Francisco (51% of the votes) beat Honolulu (20%) and San Diego (29%).

In the final round, Boston went up against San Francisco, another USA coastal city worthy of a chance at the title.

“Boston trounced San Francisco to win this year’s title,“ said Nancy Novogrod, Editor-In-Chief of Travel & Leisure magazine.

According to Novogrod, “Boston may be steeped in history, but it is madly evolving. The combination of the new waterfront Institute of Contemporary Art, the Rose Kennedy Greenway, the urban park created by the Big Dig project, and Boston’s hotel scene with new arrivals such as the Mandarin Oriental Boston Hotel, waterfront InterContinental Boston, the Liberty Hotel, and next – the Fairmont Battery Wharf on the waterfront, all add up to a vibrant international destination.”

Patrick Moscaritolo, President and CEO of the Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau is, of course, in agreement with the decision: “Boston, as everyone knows, played an important part in founding this country. It also has been the center of creativity and innovation for more than 300 years, but what makes Boston so popular today is its scale, livability, cultural attractions, historical treasures, and its championship sports teams that drive ‘civic pride.’’ We are thrilled to have been voted American’s Favorite City.”

Source: BostonUSA.com