The Australian consulting firm 2thinknow has just released it’s annual list of the most innovative cities and the world. Can you guess who came out on top? Boston topped the list beating out San Francisco and New York, based on our cultural assets, human infrastructure and networked markets.

There can be no doubt that a good deal of this award goes to the efforts of the people at Onein3 and Boston World Partnerships. These two city run organizations, have been working to help bring together neighborhoods, small business owners and young entrepreneurs all over the city, to help grow their businesses and improve Boston. They have done a great job with this monumental task and this is fantastic recognition of their efforts.

A recent Gallup poll voted Massachusetts one of the top 10 happiest and healthiest states in America. The nationwide survey was done during the 2010 year and measured respondents overall satisfaction in categories such as life evaluation, emotional health, physical health, and other areas.

Factors that put us in the top 10 nationwide were:

58% of state residents eat produce frequently.

4.7% are uninsured

52% exercise frequently

and finally only 22% of residents are obese.

Click here to see the study

If you thought parking in Boston was expensive before, the city has decided to raise the rates even higher. The transportation department has already started resetting the city’s 7,000 parking meters to charge 25 cents for 12 instead of the previous 15. This represents a 25% increase in the cost  of metered parking in the city. While some might say parking is already expensive enough, the argument the department makes is that parking is still cheap compared to other major US cities. Do you agree or does this just make garage parking look more attractive?

I was recently treated to a unexpected and wonderful surprise on a trip to Best Buy. An in store concert that by a local Boston artist at the Best Buy on Newbury, which if you don’t know actually has a stage on the 3rd floor where you can show off your talents.  Check out a quick clip below of a concert.

For those looking for a holiday gift for the person who has everything, the Equinox Spa in Back Bay offers something very special. Ever had a 24k Gold Facial? We didn’t think so!

According to the spa director Nicole Vitale, “While our new gold mask is simply beautiful, its real benefits are a matter of complex chemistry and biology. Gold powder, when combined with the proper level of silk extract, blocks free radicals to help the skin regenerate quicker and fuller. After a single treatment, your face will look and feel firmer, fresher and vibrant.”

The treatment costs $165, but is well worth the cost for the person who has everything else.

Zillow used some of it’s vast amounts of neighborhood data to come with a list of great cities to trick to treat in and guess who made the list? Boston came in at number 8 on the list and Back Bay was one of the top 5 neighborhoods in the city to go hunting for candy. The top honor in the city of Boston went to Beacon Hill. The grading system used the neighborhood density and average price of homes to calculate which neighborhood is best for trick or treating.  So what’s your vote, which neighborhood is best to go trick or treating in?

Many people have wondered what’s going into the former Joe’s American Bar and Grill, and though we have known Met Bar for a bit, we now have some photos. Met Bar a small chain started by Kathy Trustman, (who’s also responsible for Stephanie’s on Newbury) will be opening shortly in the former Joe’s space. The posters outside the building indicate that the food will be distinctly american but the interior decore suggests that it will be decidedly more upscale than Joe’s. The space has been divided into 4 dining areas from what we hear and will do it’s best to cater to all sorts of crowds. We certainly can’t wait for it to open and look forward to it!

U.S. News and World Report, has ranked Boston as one of the top 10 places to grow up in the US. The report cites the city’s exciting history and many activities as a great option for parents looking to raise children in a big city.

“Kids will marvel at the African penguins in the New England Aquarium, gawk at the humpback whales on a whale-watching tour, and erupt as the Red Sox take the field at beautiful Fenway Park.”

Our exciting activities are just one reason that parents should consider raising their children in the city. The great schools that surround the city are yet another reason more and more parents are deciding to raise their children here. For more information on schools in and around Boston feel free to contact us any time at (617) 449-3642