Beginning this month, more than 130 million households are receiving economic stimulus checks from the IRS ranging from $300 to more than $1,200 for families with children. The government hopes these checks will pump billions of dollars into the economy, and according to a recent survey by the National Retail Federation, consumers are expected to spend 40.6 percent of their checks, which would give the economy a shot in the arm to the tune of about $43 billion.
If you’re fortunate enough to not have to worry about paying down debt or increasing your savings, there are plenty of places to take your stimulus check and splurge in the Back Bay. Many business owners are hoping their customers will do just that, and most have more than a few suggestions on worthwhile purchases.
Step into Simon Pearce’s only Massachusetts store on Newbury Street, and you’ll find hand-blown glass and pottery embodying both traditional and contemporary styles. The company was founded in Ireland more than 35 years ago, and today Simon Pearce is headquartered in Vermont.
Mayta Pinard, a spokesperson from Simon Pearce, suggests glass pieces from the Signature Collection as being truly special purchases.
“Outstanding in technique, several of these pieces will be available on a limited basis with new designs added to the collection periodically,” she says.
She recommends the Anemone Vase, a hand-blown, show stopping centerpiece that retails for $565. Pinard also loves the Pinard Lamp, which includes a grey Dupioni silk lampshade and sells for $595, and the Stratton Lamp, which requires glassblowers to use a special technique to create “air twists” from the glass. This lamp is $480.
Those wishing to purchase something different for their homes might consider a unique Italian mosaic glass vase from Dona Flor, also on Newbury Street. Owner Dona Flor says she has many beautiful vases to choose from in bright and eye catching colors. The vases range from $110 to $290.
The shop specializes in fine handmade ceramic imported mostly from France.
“We also have lots of choices in handmade French ceramic platters to either use for serving foods or display as art pieces,” Flor says.
If you’re hoping to inject some excitement into your wardrobe, Stel’s on Newbury Street is a fashion-forward shop that carries hard-to-find designers in a friendly atmosphere. Co-owners Tina Burgos, Dave Nauyokas and Jon Callahan will be happy to help you find a fantastic and unique piece that complements your style. For women, Burgos suggests a floor length sun dress by Jen Kao.
“It is a beautiful navy blue and white print, and retails for $1,935,” she says.
Another favorite piece currently available is an “amazing” sequin sweatshirt by Alexander Wang, which retails for $850.
For the men, Burgos loves a soft, black belted leather jacket that sells for $1,495 or a Seize Sur Vingt lightweight pinstripe suit priced at $1,375.

It’s officially spring in Boston – and with Memorial Day on Monday, the official eating-lunch-on-the-patio-while-sipping-refreshing-cocktails season is here. Restaurants around the Back Bay have revamped their menus for the change in temperature, trading stews for salads.
At Stephanie’s on Newbury – one of the best patios in the Back Bay, by the way – Chef Corey Comeau has a whole new menu for the warmer months. He says sophisticated comfort food can be done in the spring just as well as in the winter.
“My inspiration was to key in on fresh, light flavors, with a mix of cold and hot dishes,” he says. “It’s all about fresh fish and salads.
Comeau and the team at Stephanie’s regularly take food trips to get new ideas on how to spice up classic dishes. He just returned from New York and Las Vegas, and he says he can find inspiration at both five-star and half-star restaurants.
From the new menu, Comeau recommends a grilled branzino fish served with a Tuscan bean salad. Branzino is a Mediterranean sea bass. Another new fish dish is the cornbread stuffed trout, served with a roasted red pepper bacon vinaigrette on a salad of fresh baby spinach. The entire summer menu is new this year, Comeau says – except for one perennial favorite.
“The only thing we bring back guaranteed is the lobster roll,” he says.
Comeau advises against filling up on the entrée and saving room for one of the yummy new desserts being offered. Keep options like a peach and raspberry cobbler with peach liqueur in mind when ordering your meal. Or, try the lemon poppy seed pond cake served with berries, Grand Marnier and fresh whipped cream.
Stephanie’s also has a number of new refreshing cocktails on the menu. The Blackberry Mint Julep, Dirty Dew Martini and Coconut Truffle Martini are a few of the choices.

General Manager Leo Fonseca says Stephanie’s cocktails all follow a pattern of taking a classic cocktail and giving it a twist.
“The mint julep is a classic summertime cocktail, and I like the play of the fresh fruit in this version,” he says.
Over at 33 Restaurant and Lounge on Stanhope Street, Chef Peter Eco offers a new prix fixe menu each month for $33 a person (of course). The menu is offered every day and is three courses.
“We feel it gives a good value and lets us showcase some special items,” Eco says.
For June, the prix fixe menu’s focus is the first course, a vichyssoise – chilled potato and leek soup.
“Soup chilled is wonderfully refreshing. There will be some hot days this June when it will be more than appropriate,” he says.
The second course is a grilled Hawaiian ahi tuna steak on ratatouille with basil scented couscous and mango compote, and for dessert, a trio of sorbet in lemon, mango and raspberry.
“Sorbet is nice and cool, refreshing and light,” Eco says.
Perfect for a Back Bay day on the verge of summer.

Something is a foot with the long awaited repairs to the Storrow Drive Tunnel. The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) has awarded an $11.5M contract to SPS New England of Salisbury to make interim repairs on the tunnel, which will include replacing deteriorated concrete in the roof and wall sections, installing waterproofing membranes in roof joints and the storm water collection system in the tunnel will be connected to the groundwater recharge system along Back Street. The DCR also gave SPS another $5.69M contract to repair the Bowker Overpass that carries traffic westbound onto Storrow Drive from the Fenway. These repairs will include replacing the deck and roadway; replacing street lighting on the roadway and pedestrian lighting under the structure, repairing the cement support structures and repairing and painting the steel structure. The Bowker Overpass project is slated to begin in mid-June and finish in October 2009 while the Storrow Drive Tunnel is expected to start in July and last until the end of November and start again in the spring with a completion date in April 2009. However, the big question is where will the staging area be located for the tunnel repairs. The staging area for the Bowker Overpass will be located adjacent to the Beacon Street on ramp, according to DCR spokesperson Wendy Fox, while the staging area for the Storrow Drive Tunnel has yet to be decided by the contractor or DCR. This uncertainty has many officials and residents concerned. The location of the staging area will certainly be among the top issues at the hearing scheduled for June 4 from 6-8:30 p.m. in the Boston Public Library’s Rabb Auditorium, 700 Boylston Street. "It's very important for people who care about the Esplanade to come to the June 4th meeting. State officials need to know that we are watching them like hawks to protect our beloved parkland," said long-time Esplanade advocate Linda Cox. Patrice Todisco from The Esplanade Association also echoed these concerns. “We encourage everyone who is interested in the project to attend to assure that the park is protected during the tunnel repairs as we have not seen plans for the staging area,” she said. DCR officials also noted that while the work is being undertaken on the Bowker Overpass, pedestrians on the Charles River walkway will be detoured by a 10-foot-wide floating walkway in the Charles River around the work site. “Since these repair projects may have an impact on local residents, I encourage those who have questions and concerns to attend the public meeting. This is an opportunity to meet with the state officials who are responsible for ensuring that the project goes smoothly and with a minimum of disruption in our community,” said Representative Marty Walz.

Back Bay Garden Celebration

It is less than two weeks away from the annual Twilight Garden party of the Garden Club of the Back Bay. The event will take place June 3 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on the rooftop at the Taj Hotel. The annual event raises the funds for the programs to protect the many trees in the Back Bay. For more information on the event please call 617-292-4504 or visit the website at HYPERLINK "http://www.gardenclubbackbay.org" www.gardenclubbackbay.org.

Apple store

The new Apple store on Boylston Street falls into the absolutely unbelievable category. Not only is this the largest single Apple store in the country, but the inside is fascinating and all the equipment is a playground. The exterior of the building is an architectural gem, and the way it is lit at night gives this part of Boylston Street an entirely new aura. Taking my two sons to the store on Sunday, my five year old was wondering if he would fall through the stairway while the nine year old made a beeline first to the Ipod’s then to the computer games. Meg Mainzer-Cohen, President of the Back Bay Association said, “We welcome Apple to the neighborhood and are thrilled that the chose the Back Bay as the location for the largest store in the United States.”

And on the subject

In last week’s article, the new logo that was identified as the new look of the Back Bay Association is not their logo but is for the businesses of the Back Bay to use in their marketing campaign for back bay as a destination shopping stop. The logo of the Back Bay from the Charles River will remain as the logo of the Back Bay Association. We are sorry if there was any confusion about that.
Ross’ Home Rule Petition almost there

Last year, a Home Rule Petition for giving the owners Co-Operatives the same benefits of the real property tax exemptions that was spearheaded by Councilor Michael Ross was sent to the State House. It appears that the measure is heading to the Governor’s Office to be signed.

Restoration Hardware closes store

The Restoration Hardware on Boylston Street closed its doors over the weekend. The store occupied the first two floors of the corner building and has been there for over a decade. According to a source familiar with the marketplace, one should not read too much in this closing as a sign of the economic times as there maybe many other factors that could have prompted this action.

CAPTION: The Boston Redevelopment Authority hosted a public meeting for a project at 212 and 222 Stuart St. Shown at the meeting are Gary Hendren, architect, Maria Faria, assistant director of housing for the Boston Redevelopment Authority, and Adrien Marie Lane, transportation engineer for Howard.Stein Hudson Associates of Boston.

The Boston Redevelopment Authority hosted a public meeting regarding a proposal for the construction of a 10-story mixed-use office and commercial development at 212 and 222 Stuart St. in the Bay Village neighborhood of Boston.
Approximately 15 area residents attended the informational session that was moderated by Maria Faria, assistant director of housing at the Boston Redevelopment Authority. The meeting was held at the Radisson Hotel at 200 Stuart St.
Rena, LLC, in conjunction with Hera Development Corporation of Brighton, proposes to redevelop the site at 212 Stuart St., formerly occupied by Jae’s restaurant, and at 222 Stuart St. that has been used as a parking lot.
Gary Hendren, architect at Hendren Design Associates, presented a very professional and concise outline of the project, complete with large illustrations showing the proposed project from several angles on Stuart Street and the visual impact it would have on the neighborhood that encompasses the South Cove residences to the west and the Radisson to the east.
“What we plan to do is combine the two sites, 212 and 222 Stuart St., and construct a new building which will be a total of 10 stories,” Hendren told the audience. “It will be commercial on the first two floors and offices on floors 3-10.”
Hendren said the proposed building would be 112 feet tall while noting that the adjacent South Cove residences are 96 feet tall and the Radisson Hotel garage is 94 feet tall.
“One of our concerns during this process how the building relates to the Bay Village,” said Hendren. “One the concerns was how to scale down the building as we approach village. We’re scaling down as we approach Bay Village.”
Hendren touched briefly on the history of the building. “The old Jae’s building was at one point actually a church so the brick façade on Shawmut Street is an original façade from the 1830s of an Episcopal church. That was altered in 1939 when they left the rear façade, cut off the front façade, and added on the art deco façade.”
Hendren said that any type of loading by trucks into the building will come off of Stuart Street. “We will have as minimal impact as possible back on to the Bay Village side of the building,” said Hendren. “The loading dock, which is required by zoning, will be placed off Stuart Street. Pedestrians will come out on Stuart Street. Pedestrians can enter the building from the pedestrian plaza which is at the end of Church Street.”
Hendren said the upper floors of the building “are fairly typical. Each one is about 6,000 square feet to 6,500 square feet depending on what floor you’re on. At this point, they’re standard lease office space with two elevators, two staircases, and rest room facilities.
“We’ve had a good response from the lease community,” said Hendren. “Apparently this size of a footprint is fairly hard to find.”
Hendren felt the meeting, which was one of several that had been held on the proposal, was a productive one. “I thought the meeting went very well,” said Hendren. “The questions were very good.
Jessica Shumaker, spokesperson for the BRA, said a “scoping session” was held Monday about the Stuart Street project. “The scoping session is an open public session and a phase in our process where we invite all the city agencies, like environment, water and sewer, and transportation, and anyone who would be giving us comments to get a rundown of the project, to be able to ask questions. It’s a standard part of our process.”
Shumaker said the BRA will issue a “scoping determination” which includes all the comments from the public meeting, comments from the scoping session, and the internal BRA comments to the developer about what else the developer needs to provide to the BRA.
“Sometimes, we (the BRA) feel that the developer has adequately addressed all the concerns and so we don’t do the scoping and we send it to the board and they get approval,” said Shumaker. “Other times we issue a scope and we say, ‘these are all the things you need to follow up on and give us more information on before we’re going to give you approval.”

Benjamin is one of many special purveyors who supply L'Espalier, on Gloucester Street, with the products they need. Here, he is weighing Italian black truffles beside the famous wrought iron entry door.

Despite the rain, Lisa Brea, Rosa Ramos, David Blount, and James McKenna of Back Bay’s Best Buy Walk team joined forces to participate in Project Bread’s 40th annual Walk for Hunger. More than 40,000 dedicated Walkers showed their commitment to the cause by taking part in the event that raised a record-breaking $3.8 million. Funds go to emergency food programs, which are facing steep increases in the cost of food and fuel. For more information, visit www.projectbread.org.

Memorial Day and the coming of summer

Spring seems to have eluded us this year when all of us are growing concerned about climate change. If the climate is indeed warming, why haven’t we felt any of it here in Boston during the month of May?
Now with Memorial Day upon us, and the traditional start of summer getting underway, our thoughts turn to summer, the summer of 2008 and what it will bring.
Summers come and summers go but you never know about what they have in store until they have passed us by.
As we have seen with Senator Kennedy, one day he was healthy and moving along unimpeded. The next day he suffered a seizure and then was diagnosed with brain cancer.
What has happened to him and to his life as the summer approaches could happen to any of us, or to our children, our parents, our friends and our colleagues.
However, let’s assume the summer in front of us is going to get the annual Memorial Day jump start.
Predictions are the weather is going to cooperate. There will be the year to year juxtaposition of paying homage and remembrance to our heroes and our dead as well as delighting ourselves with cookouts in our backyards or trips to the beach or the opening of our summer homes wherever they may be.
Bottom line, the New England summer is to live for and to enjoy. It is definitely not to waste – especially if you heat your home with oil as oil is going to cost you $4.50 a gallon next winter.
Oh yes, and if you’re driving, $4.00 a gallon gasoline will disturb you but it won’t stop you from driving.
If you are among the really brave, and you’re heading for Europe this summer, then you need to set aside what the locals call major cash. If you’re heading to England, you need to take twice as much American green to compensate for the low value of the dollar.
Presently, the British Pound is worth twice the value of the dollar.
Let us put it this way. If you take $5,000 with you to England, the moment you land at Heathrow your $5,000 is worth less than $2,400.
In the 16 nations that use the Euro, your dollar is worth …well, what’s the use?
With Memorial Day here, with the start of the summer season here, we’re all going to do what we’re going to do, and go where we are going to go, and see what we are going to see, and pay for it as we have done during summers past.
The sudden and precipitous rise in fuel prices and for everything else we buy will not make the summer memorable.
What will make the summer memorable is great weather. Nice days at the beach with the family. Short sleeve shirts, shorts and sandles.
There will be lunches and dinners outside on Newbury Street with a warm breeze caressing the soul. And there will be so much more.
It all begins with Memorial Day.