Ptown’s Vixen Unveils Summer Comedy Showcase

When it comes to representation of female comics in the male-dominated stand-up comedy industry, Bill Colombo says he’s seen it all.

"I’m still stunned that funny women are a minority at most of the major clubs throughout the country," he says, sitting on a bench outside of the Purple Feather, a stone’s throw away from his new gig at Vixen Nightclub.

After working in the business on the West Coast for 25 years, Colombo believes that the women of comedy offer an important point of view that’s often overlooked by the mainstream.

"I find most women comics have tremendous cross-over potential, whether it’s straight culture or the gay and lesbian community, it doesn’t matter," Colombo emotes. "It’s their point of view that’s so strong, and so singular at the same time, that anyone can identify with what they’re talking about."

Click here for my complete article in EDGE.

MassResistance claims Youth Pride turned violent

The following "news" feature here from American Family Association claims that MassResistance photographer, Brian Camenker, was bullied at a scene that turned "violent" at last weekend's Youth Pride when the kids realized he was with the vitriolic anti-gay group.

The propaganda piece called "Youngsters attend Boston homosexual pride event" says the crowd started screaming at MassResistance, blocked their cameras and assaulted them (although they don't give specifics).

"They claimed that by our taking pictures and by putting them on our Web site that we were hurting the kids because their parents didn't know that they were there and they would be 'outed,'" Camenker tells OneNewsNow.

Reporter Scott Kearnan explored the unsavory MassResistance tactic in a piece I edited for EDGE Boston here.

Kearnan writes that MassResistance has gone so far as to take photographs of attending youth, many of whom may not be out to all friends and family members and post them on the MassResistance Web site.

"They harass them, take pictures and put them on their Web site," says one Youth Pride organizer. "They don’t seem to respect anybody, but I would think there would at least be a higher respect for youth."

My thoughts? It upsets me that MassResistance goes after the youngsters who already have to deal with coming to terms with their orientation, coming out to their parents and harassment at school.

If you must, go after the adults who are able to engage in debate and leave the kids alone.

Click here for the article in EDGE Boston.

Free iced coffee day at Dunkin Donuts

Yes, I'm a die-hard coffee drinker and I'm a sucker for free stuff. So, today is one of my favorite days of the year: Free Iced Coffee Day at Dunkin Donuts!

On Thursday, May 15 from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Dunkin Donuts is offering free 16-ounce iced coffee to herald the spring and "put winter on ice."

Their iced coffees are "double brewed" for smoothness and come in nine different flavors, in addition to regular coffee.

DD reports that iced coffees are their second most popular menu item after hot coffees and that they sold over 150 million cups last year alone.

Yum!

Click here for more information.

Madonna tickets on sale Saturday

Tickets for Madonna's "Sticky & Sweet" tour hitting Boston Wednesday, Oct. 15 at the TD Banknorth Garden go on sale Saturday, May 17 at 10 a.m. here.

The concert celebrates the icon's latest release, "Hard Candy."

The album is Madonna’s swan song for Warner Bros. Records, the label she’s leaving for an industry-shattering, $120 million and 10-year deal with Live Nation Inc (virtually guaranteeing her fans another decade of delight).

It’s also her final release before her big 50 birthday this summer, a milestone that will not only kick off a tour hitting Boston in October but is sure to incite the prerequisite VH1 retrospectives on the unparalleled longevity, reinventions and pop cultural impact of her career.

Click here to buy tickets.

Introducing the revamped ConsumerUnited.com

My latest freelance project at a Boston-based start up called Consumer United was featured on Chronicle tonight:

Consumer United launched its new, more robust Web site today in response to the public's interest in getting better deals together.

On the side navigation of the new ConsumerUnited.com, we're linking to social networking sites like Yelp and MySpace to promote interactivity among our customers. I also designed and launched a new blog, Consumer United Advocate here.

The segment on Consumer United aired earlier tonight WCVB's Chronicle and the result has been immediate. Traffic to both the site and blog has spiked dramatically in a matter of minutes.

For those who didn't catch the piece on Chronicle, CU plans to post the video on the new blog here.

Boston beauty cut from ‘Top Model’ finale

There’s some bad news for Boston’s "America’s Next Top Model" fans. Fatima, a Hub transplant originally from Somalia and an Iman look-alike, made it to the final three but was cut in tonight’s "ANTM" finale.

Fatima, who talked a lot about the inner pain she felt spending time in a shelter as a child, was consoled by Tyra Banks after she was booted.

"You’re more than that Fatima," Banks says, alluding to the up-and-coming model’s troubled past. "You need to find who you are now."

The Boston beauty says the competition has boosted her self esteem and ultimately has transformed her attitude toward modeling.

"I feel so new," Fatima says. "I feel so beautiful. I feel so strong. You will not forget about me. You will see this face again."

Whitney, the show's first full-size model to make it to the finale, ultimately won the cycle's top title.

"You're the first girl with some bootie to win," Banks adds.

Click here for the lowdown.

Rave New World :: Flash mob hits Boston Common

Looking to get your groove on with thousands of strangers in a public space? You’re in luck.

Here’s another one of those spontaneous flash-mob gatherings similar to the recent en masse pillow fight in Copley Square and the organized strip-to-your-underwear demonstration on the Red Line.

In the last few months, people in cities around the world, including NYC this past April, have gathered for silent raves where they dance into the wee hours of the night to the music of their choice using their personal music players.

It’s called a silent rave and the concept is simple. Hundreds, possibly thousands, of folks coming together from all walks of life plan to gather in a public place at a pre-arranged time, turn on their Walkmans, CD players and iPods and dance freely to whatever music they choose.

The silent rave is slotted for 7:19-11:19 p.m. Friday, May 16 in the northwest corner of Boston Common @ Beacon and Charles Streets.

Organizers are using grassroots, social-networking sites like Facebook and Craigslist to drum up support. Their tagline: Dance in the streets, not in your room.

Click here for more information.

Gay marriage hearings heat up in Rhode Island

Here's the latest article for EDGE from reporter Joe Siegel:

The House Judiciary Committee held hearings on four bills pertaining to GLBT rights on Wednesday, May 7 at the Rhode Island Statehouse, including a bill which would allow same-sex couples to get married in the state.

One of the bills heard was the Compassion for All Families Act, which would give domestic partners the spousal benefits of family medical leave, nursing home visitation and funeral planning. Another bill, sponsored by House Majority Leader Gordon Fox, would allow same-sex couples married outside of Rhode Island to divorce in Rhode Island courts.

A Providence couple, Cassandra Ormiston and Margaret Chambers, were denied the right to divorce by the state Supreme Court last October. Ormiston and Chambers were married in Massachusetts in 2004, not long after the first same-sex marriages were performed there. The Supreme Court ruled that Ormiston and Chambers couldn’t have access to the Family Court to end their marriage, since the state did not recognize same-gender marriages.

Ormiston gave impassioned testimony to the committee about her frustration with the court’s decision and the state’s refusal to recognize same-sex unions. "Why is it that you feel you can discriminate against me? A woman with a valid contract. I did not ask any faith to bless my marriage. I absolutely respect anyone’s right to believe and worship in any way they choose. But I demand the same right," Ormiston emotes.

Click here for the complete article in EDGE.

Provincetown Hotspot :: Revere Guest House

I’m in Provincetown this weekend interviewing potential writers for EDGEPtown.com as well as generating story ideas for the portal.

For the weekend, I’m staying in this amazing B&B in the heart of Ptown called the Revere House and I must say, I’m smitten with this place.

Innkeeper Gary A. Palochko gave me a walkthrough of this beautifully restored colonial house located on Court between Commercial and Bradford Streets.

Last night, my friend and I hung out in front of the fireplace in the newly renovated common area in the back and really enjoyed how much thought was put into the interior design and layout of the common space.

Each room has its own special ambience: including room 2 with two beds and a fireplace, room 1 with a working kitchen, separate living room and rooms 7 & 8 with access to the roof deck, whirlpool baths and killer views of Ptown.

Click here for the lowdown. Also, take a virtual tour of Revere House here.

Author confesses in upcoming Boston event

Here's an e-mail from author Scott D. Pomfret. I'm setting up an interview with the satirist for EDGE:

I'm reading from my new book "Since My Last Confession: A Gay Catholic Memoir" on 1 p.m. on Monday, June 9 at Borders Books in Downtown Crossing and at 7 p.m. Friday, June 20 at Calamus Books, 92B South Street. If you're interested, I'd love for you to come and post on the events.

"Confession" is a funny, irreverent faith journey by a gay Catholic pursuing his Archbishop in the style of Michael Moore's Roger & Me that answers the perennial question, "What's a Nice Gay Catholic Part-time Porn Writer Doing in a Nasty Church Like This?"

As a practicing Catholic in a long-term committed gay relationship with a hardcore atheist, I try to reconcile faith with the hierarchy's bitter attacks on gay marriage, gay adoption, gay seminarians, Capri pants, innate style and anything else remotely homosexual.

Convinced that a meeting with the Archbishop would foster homo-Catholic rapprochement and world peace, I pursued the prelate from pulpit to Chancery to state funeral -- and ran into a host of motorcycle lesbians, gay priests, flaming friars, pious prelates, would-be Opus Dei monks, dozens of Irish women named Mary and angry orthodox bloggers along the way.

Addressing topics ranging from a firsthand account of a 1970s SWAT team raid of a gay Mass to "Ten Ways to Recognize a Gay Catholic" to Harry Potter's Satanism, Confession is one man's personal experience of wrestling with faith, doubt, sex, love and priestly undergarments.

Click here for the lowdown.

Ding Ho reunion benefit show added

Because Sunday’s Ding Ho Reunion benefit sold out quickly, organizers have planned another show at 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 5 at the Regent Theatre in Arlington Center.

Here’s the lowdown:

For those who long for the good ol’ days when Inman Square’s Ding Ho was the center of Boston’s comedy universe, you’re in luck.

A handful of old-time Ding Ho regulars are gathering for a two-night-only benefit to help out comedian Bob Lazarus called "One Of Our Own."

Local stand-up legends like Steven Wright, Lenny Clarke, Barry Crimmins, Steve Sweeney and Jimmy Tingle will gather for this must-see evenings of comedy.

Political satirist Crimmins, who founded the infamous Ding Ho Comedy Club in 1979, is coming out of retirement and stepping up to the mic to help out his friend.

"I have made no appearances since last year. None. I always said that if there was a really good reason I'd show up to help. My dear friend Bob Lazurus's illness is just such a good reason," Crimmins remarks.

Lazarus has toured all over the country with Wright and has been seen on Comedy Central and in film with cameos in flicks like "27 Dresses," "Mystic River," etc. Lazarus was diagnosed with leukemia last summer and has been in remission since his hospital stay in August.

With 10 months of outpatient treatments scheduled, proceeds from the show will be donated to help offset Lazarus’ medical costs.

7:30 p.m. Monday, May 5. Regent Theatre, 7 Medford St. Arlington, MA. $45-$50. 781-646-4849 or www.regenttheatre.com.

GQB takes over Theatre District’s Liquor Store

We’re here. We’re queer. We want a beer.

The Guerrilla Gay Bar folks are taking over the only straight hangout in Boston with its own mechanical bull. Yes, they’re infiltrating the Liquor Store, 120 Boylston Street starting at 9 p.m. Friday, May 2.

According to the e-mail blast, organizers Daniel and Josh want to teach Boston’s straight masses "how to ride." Of course, they’re referring to the Liquor Store’s mechanical bull.

The guerrilla gay bar idea is a great concept: a group of GLBTs sign up for an e-mail list, the organizer chooses a traditionally straight establishment (like last month's event at Landowne Street’s uber-straight bar, Tequila Rain).

Here’s my write-up on the fine Boylston Street establishment for Povo:

The bar's mechanical bull perpetuates an "Urban Cowboy" meets "Girls Gone Wild" vibe. With large open spaces, VIP couches, a velvet rope and killer Cosmos, this Theatre District haunt is not the place to go for those looking for a laid-back night on the town. It’s drunken craziness at its best.

Only open late on Friday and Saturday nights, the Liquor Store recently served as a backdrop for the filming of an episode of Oxygen Channel’s "Bad Girls Road Trip" when the crew made a pit stop in Boston.

Click here for the Boston Guerrilla Queer Bar lowdown.

GLBT Film Fest's 'A Four Letter Word'

For the seventeenth consecutive year, the MFA presents a dynamic, international roster of films exploring gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender experience and culture.

This year's festival comprises 24 programs including the men's opening night screening of "A Four Letter Word."

In the edgy romantic comedy about gay life in NYC, Luke flits from guy to guy until he meets his match in the gorgeous Stephen. Their blazing romance has Luke contemplating monogamy, but Stephen is hiding a secret that may tear the two apart with the many complications of a four-letter word called love.

Discussion with the director and a reception follow the screening.

8 p.m. Wednesday, May 7. Museum of Fine Art, Remis Auditorium, 465 Huntington Ave. $12-$15. 617-369-3395 or www.mfa.org.

Madonna on Madonna :: Confessions From a Dance Floor Goddess

On Tuesday, April 29, turn off your car alarms, lock up your dogs and hide your precious glassware.

Every few years, Madonna releases a new album. And on that day, the high-pitched shrieks heard round the world will emanate from every gay man, Gen-X girl and occasional, interloping straight man ("I’m just buying it for my girlfriend!") who line up like cattle on the dance floor to see what the Divine Miss M is delivering next.

In 2008, prepare to crunch on "Hard Candy." The album is Madonna’s swan song for Warner Bros. Records, the label she’s leaving for an industry-shattering, $120 million and 10-year deal with Live Nation Inc (virtually guaranteeing her fans another decade of delight). It’s also her final release before her big 50 birthday this summer, a milestone that will not only kick off a summer/fall concert tour but is sure to incite the prerequisite VH1 retrospectives on the unparalleled longevity, reinventions and pop cultural impact of her career.

When she arrived with her first single in 1982, few would have predicted that disco dolly would still be churning hits almost three decades later: Hard Candy’s" first single, "4 Minutes" featuring Justin Timberlake, has already ascended to the No. 3 spot on the Billboard Hot 100.

Getting an interview with one of the world’s most famous women is a daunting task. But Madonna, forever the queen of personal evolution, has always revealed herself in the most obvious place: her music. For insight into her development, her growth and her mind at any given moment of her booty shaking life, one needs to look no further than the lyrics she’s penned.

Join EDGE writer Scott Kearnan as he traces the journey of Madonna, in her own words, one evolutionary album at a time. Click here for the full story.

Boob Tube :: The Omarosa Effect

Thanks to the pioneering work of Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth on the first season of "The Apprentice," producers of the so-called unscripted TV genre have a template to work with when casting and crafting a successful reality show.

Reality rule No. 1: You need an Omarosa. You know, the show’s villain, the anti-hero, the hellraiser, the bully.

MTV and VH1’s latest crop of reality shows embrace what I call the "Omarosa Effect," with a slew of series villains that raise Omarosa’s over-the-top antics one step higher. Here’s my list:

*Amanda Lorber, the cheeky editatrix from MTV’s "The Paper," comes across more like an Andrea Zuckerman archetype from "Beverly Hills 90210" and less like a real high school editor. However, it’s her off-the-cuff remarks to "The Circuit's" staffers like when she commented on news editor Giana Pacinelli’s first-day-of-school wardrobe that earns her Omarosa-in-training status.

*ANT, host of "Celebrity Fit Club," has his claws out in the new VH1 series "Celebracadabra." After approaching singer/talk-show host Carnie Wilson to join his "magical alliance," a strategy she rebuked, he successfully staged an Omarosa-esque coup d'état which resulted in the Wilson-Phillips singer to get the boot. Based on the season sneak peek, ANT is out for blood.

*Dustin Diamond, known for his compelling work as Screech on "Saved by the Bell," maintained his Omarosa status in a return visit to the boot camp version of "Celebrity Fit Club." However, it was little Miss Joanie Cunningham also known as Erin Moran, the former spunky sis from "Happy Days," who became the show’s ultimate Omarosa by sabotaging the red team with her lackadaisical "I’m in it for the money" approach. By not giving a damn, she cost her teammates thousands in prizes.

*If Gigi Hunter, the human lie detector on Danny Bonaduce’s "I Know My Kid’s a Star," spent more time coaching her daughter Alai Divinity and less time raising hell and calling her fellow cast mothers liars, she would have a shot at winning the "Kid Star" title. In fact, the daughter Alai acts more like an adult than her Omarosa-esque mother.

*Vinci Alonso, the 26-year-old bad boy model from MTV’s "8th & Ocean," is starring in the new reality show "VH1’s Viva Hollywood!" and promises to knock off his cast members one by one. After being thrown into the "La Massacre de la Mascara" and ultimately winning the duel last Sunday, Alonso’s lion within is plotting to devour his teammates.

Povo.com Hotspot :: Mother's Day Gift Ideas

Looking for that perfect Mother's Day gift? Povo.com is organizing a must-read online guide chock full of ideas:

* Is your mom an EVOO fanatic like the Food Network’s Rachael Ray? The limited edition Chateau d’Estoublon Le Flacon Olive Oil may be the perfect Mother’s Day gift for the die-hard foodie mom.

* Why not honor your mother by making her a permanent part of Boston history? Organizers at the Rose Kennedy Greenway Mothers' Walk are offering 6" x 6" pavers as a way to honor your mom. The $500 gift allows you to immortalize your mother's name, a certificate that cites her as the honoree as well as an invite to the Greenway inaugural event in the fall of 2008.

* What busy mom couldn't use more time? It is the perfect gift--extra hands to help out with the day-to-day grind. Time is priceless, precious and every mom deserves it. Click here for a creative concierge.

Also, I recently crafted a Mother's Day Pop Quiz for Povo.com.

Random Shot :: Lansdowne's Avalon

Avalon, which closed Oct. 1, 2007 and was sold to the House of Blues by the Lyons Group, is slotted to be transformed into a live-music complex that will accommodate 2,500 including a 350-seat lounge and a 125-seat restaurant. Click here for more photos from the "Loaded Gun Random Shots" series.

Taylor Greeson's 'Meadowlark' sings

What happens when an admitted non-confrontational filmmaker confronts the many monsters from his past--including the man who murdered his brother as well as the adult predator who took his 12-year-old virginity?

The result is "Meadowlark," an explosive film-school project turned tour-de-force documentary by Taylor Greeson.

The beautifully shot full-length feature is making its world premiere at the Independent Film Festival Boston (IFF Boston) 10 p.m. Thursday, April 24 and 8 p.m. Saturday, April 26.

Click here for my profile on the young filmmaker. Also, Film Stew mentions "Meadowlark" and my interview with Greeson here.

UPDATE: The filmmaker e-mailed me a thoughtful note after the screening.

"I just wanted to quickly email you to say thank you for the article you wrote about Meadowlark for the EDGE," he writes. "I thought it was a wonderful piece and it brightened my day to read it. The screenings went very well and the Q&A sessions were full of interesting questions. I had a really wonderful time in Boston."

Thanks Taylor!

‘Celebracadabra!’ is an ace in the hole for VH1

Celebrities pulling rabbits out of their hats? Score. VH1 dabbles in a little hocus pocus with their new celebreality show "Celebracadabra!" premiering 9 p.m. Sunday, April 27.

For the handful of folks who got a sneak peek of the program last Sunday at midnight (VH1 aired the premiere episode to test the waters), you know that openly gay comedian and "Celebrity Fit Club" host, ANT, steals the show—for better or worse. Whether he’s vying to be "Celebracadabra’s" Omarosa or he seriously has pent-up animosity toward singer/talk-show host Carnie Wilson, his claws were out throughout most of the episode.

Of course, former "Queer as Folk" cutie Hal Sparks (pictured above) takes a less combative approach and ultimately wins over the judges as well as the crowds on the street with his goofball approach to magic.

Hosted by actor and magician Jonathan Levit, "Celebracadabra!" transforms a crop of celebs into masters of magic. ANT, Sparks and Wilson as well as C. Thomas Howell, actress and comedian Lisa Ann Walter, Chris 'Kid' Reid and the Pussycat Doll's Kimberly Wyatt learn some eye-catching and jaw-dropping tricks from a crew of the most respected and noteworthy magicians in the world.

The judges include master magicians Max Maven, Jeff McBride and host Jonathan Levit who will determine which celebrities advance to the next round and get a shot at facing off in a battle of ultimate illusions in Vegas for a grand prize of $100,000 from Ellusionist.com.

The tagline: "Seven wannabe magicians enter the castle but only one can be, ‘The Best Celebrity Magician.’’

Based on last Sunday’s sneak peek, "Celebracadabra!" is another ace in the hole to add to VH1’s growing arsenal of must-see celebreality programs. Click here for the lowdown.

Boston Marathon photos for Povo.com

Povo.com posed the question: How Boston are you?

Hundreds of Boston Marathon enthusiasts along the race route on Monday, April 21 responded by customizing free signs provided by Povo with their creative words of encouragement--notes ranging from “You Rock!” to “Can I have your number?”--cheering on their favorite runners.

I started off at Cleveland Circle at 9 a.m. and walked to the Boston Marathon finish line handing out Povo.com signs along the way. I ended up distributing around 500 free signs to the masses.

Click here for my photo gallery on Povo.com.

Sandra Bullock hit by drunk driver

In town filming the romantic comedy "The Proposal," actress Sandra Bullock and her husband Jesse James of TV’s "Monster Garage" were hit by a drunk driver Friday night in Gloucester.

While both cars in the accident were totaled, no one involved in the wreck are hurt.

Back in August 2007, adult film star Ron Jeremy and XXXchurch founder Craig Gross--in Boston discussing the pros and cons of pornography in the "Great Porn Debate"—had a similar experience last year after a drunk driver almost careened into their tour bus on the Mass Turnpike.

Click here for more info on Bullock's wreck and here on Jeremy's crash.

No Canadian Beer Served!

In case you haven't heard, the Bruins battled against the Canadiens today forcing a game seven in Montreal. I was walking around the North End this afternoon and snapped the above photo outside of The Greatest Bar on Friend Street. There was a definite anti-Canada sentiment on the streets. Go figure.

Is MTV’s ‘The Paper’ fact or fiction?

After laughing through the premiere episode of MTV’s "The Paper" this week, a few red flags were raised while watching what seems like one of the network’s not-so-real reality shows like "Laguna Beach" and "The Hills."

Back in 2007, MTV held an open casting call looking for video submissions from students willing to give the inside scoop from their newspaper office, including their responsibilities at the paper, what interests them about the news as well as important stuff like who they’re dating.

As a former editor-in-chief from Florida, I hate to admit that I identified with Amanda Lorber’s supposed real-life caricature of a high school overachiever. When she says, "Journalists are the most important part of the world. They really are," I cracked up because, well, that could’ve been a quote pulled from my journal back in the day.

However, is this show for real? While you can find the editor’s cheeky column online here, Lorber comes across in "The Paper" more like an Andrea Zuckerman archetype from "Beverly Hills 90210" and less like a real high school editor.

After checking out the Cypress Bay High School Web site in Weston, Fla. they list The Circuit on their homepage. In fact, you can read articles from the paper’s archives here where they confirm all of the staffers featured in the MTV reality show, including Lorber.

My question: Where are the archives of The Circuit prior to Sept. 2007? According to the premiere episode, Lorber was the copy editor during the '06-'07 school year before MTV started filming but the paper's online archive doesn't reflect this backstory. (Note: After posting this blog, the old site is accessible here.)

According to an article in Broadcasting & Cable, The Circuit "won several local journalism accolades including awards from the Florida Scholastic Press Association and the Sun-Sentinel’s 'best overall' award in 2004 and 2005."

While the history of the paper checks out, it still seems a little fishy to me. The whole thing gets creepier after reading comments from the staff here where they state over and over that "The Paper" is no "Laguna Beach" and that it's 100 percent real. Um, OK.

Cypress Bay is a real high school. In fact, it’s one of the largest schools in the country. But I wouldn’t be surprised if MTV did some creative casting by shipping in a few students from across the country to manufacture some made-for-TV drama for "The Paper."

Meanwhile, get the inside scoop on the show here. "The Paper" airs 10:30 p.m. Mondays on MTV.

UPDATE: Compared to last week’s premiere, tonight's episode came across a bit more "real" except for Lorber’s disillusioned soliloquies and "Eye of the Tiger" sing-along. The editor talks about how she had a crush on Alex, the managing editor, back in Hebrew school which gives some backstory.

However, "The Paper" still comes across eerily contrived and, well, scripted.

Dirt on RateMyCop.com

Have you checked out the new Web site, RateMyCop.com? The California-based start-up allows users to comment on uniformed police officers based on their fairness, professionalism and satisfaction.

"Officer Baston is a great officer," comments debarros on RateMyCop.com. "She does not put herself above someone just because she is on the police force."

While the handful of posts focusing on Boston cops are complimentary, there’s at least one rant slamming the BPD.

"Steven P. Ashman is a young, rude, arrogant bully," writes drkboston. "He has only been on the Boston Police force since the Fall of 2006 and is assigned to the Area D-4 police station. He used his position as a Police officer to fabricate the most outlandish story about a citizen and in doing so committed perjury."

Visit RateMyCop.com here. Also, the Jamaica Plain Gazette reported on the site here.

Boston Marathon madness

I spent the past two days walking around Copley Square taking in the sights and sounds of folks preparing for Monday’s Boston Marathon.

From my perspective, there’s nothing more authentically Boston than the annual trek from Hopkinton to the Copley Square area. Some of the world’s top runners converge in the Bay State on Monday, April 21 bringing with them the thrill of competition and the agony of de feet (I know, bad pun).

Wanna check out the Boston Marathon? The closest MBTA stations to the finish line are Hynes Convention Center and Kenmore Station. Unfortunately, Copley Square is closed on race day. Also, even if you have the desire to run the marathon as an "unofficial bandit" runner, don’t do it. Organizers strongly dissuade participation without registering.

Early Monday morning, I’m handing out promotional material for Povo.com near the Cleveland Circle area on Beacon Street. Meanwhile, check out Povo’s handy-dandy insiders’ guide here.

Also, the BPD has issued a smackdown on drunken revelry along the race route here.

UPDATE: Click here for photo gallery from my Boston Marathon adventure.

Fallen film critic returns with ‘Big Screen Boston’

After a scandalous debacle in 2006 when Boston-based film critic Paul Sherman pled guilty to copying and selling DVD promo screeners of soon-to-be-released films, the writer has re-emerged from the ashes to release a new book, "Big Screen Boston: From Mystery Street to The Departed and Beyond."

Sherman, who was axed from the Improper Bostonian as well as the Boston Herald, is slotted to do a book signing at the Museum of Fine Arts’ Remis Auditorium at Noon, Saturday, May 3.

At the MFA shindig, Sherman will introduce the infamous documentary "Titicut Follies." The flick, released in 1967 and once banned in Massachusetts, is the classic first film by Frederick Wiseman who offers a stark and graphic portrayal of the conditions that existed at Bridgewater State Hospital for the criminally insane.

According to the MFA press release, Sherman’s novel "digs deep into Boston ’s varied history as a cinematic backdrop just as Massachusetts filmmaking activity is reaching an unprecedented level. Sherman’s book covers over 80 Boston movies in depth —from the biggest Hollywood productions (‘The Friends of Eddie Coyle,’ ‘Good Will Hunting’) to the most inspired local features (‘Girltalk,’ ‘Lift’)."

The ultimate irony? The MFA press team offers DVD screeners (the same thing that initially got Sherman in trouble) of the film "Titicut Follies" to interested members of the media. Go figure.

UPDATE: The Boston Phoenix did a great write-up on "Big Screen Boston" here.

BostonNOW says bye-bye

According to the Associated Press, the daily rag known as BostonNOW announced its immediate shutdown today after a year of competition with papers like the Boston Metro and long-time stalwarts like the Boston Globe and the Boston Herald.

BostonNOW had 52 full-time and 100 part-time staffers now out of work.

Like many Boston-based writers, I contributed to BostonNOW for awhile. However, after not receiving checks for my freelance work and the editor accusing me of holding an article "hostage," I wrote a scathing "no pay, no way" letter to the special sections editor predicting the downfall of the free, five-day-a-week newspaper:

I am livid about how you handled this situation. Not even a phone call. It shows your inexperience. After weeks of positive feedback, you terminate our agreement claiming I was holding the article for hostage.

Can you say "DRAMA!" Plain and simple, I asked for my check.

There was nothing malicious or unprofessional about my request.

The local press, and the public I've interacted with, considers BostonNOW to be a boil on what was once a city with superior journalistic standards. Based on the topics you've assigned me in the past coupled with the drivel the paper's "staff" puts out, I'll give you guys less than a year before the paper folds.

Shame on you!

--E-mail sent Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2007