With a growing population of techno-holics that have a real passion for adventure, Goby is right at home in the Boston area. And given its tech-centric mission, it’s only natural that Goby originated as a research project at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Also behind the curtain at Goby representing Boston area academia are alumni of Babson College and Simmons College Graduate School of Library Science. From the classroom to the boardroom and even beyond, Goby has found its perfect home in Boston.

To test out Goby for yourself, visit www.goby.com.

A contributing writer for the Directory of Boston blog, Megan Johnson is originally from Connecticut, but has lived in Boston since age 18. She frequently writes for MenuPages Boston, Butterfly Diary, Reinventing Beauty Magazine, and SweetTalk on the Spot. You can visit her website at www.meganjohnson.tumblr.com.

photo: technologizer.com

Does the thought of an after school job remind of you of slinging burgers and mopping up messes in aisle 3? Changing dirty diapers for a screaming toddler? Yeah, us too. As heinous as it was, those teenage experiences helped shape our future. Now it’s our turn to encourage Cambridge teens to take hold of their own futures. But this time, they luckily won’t have to carry a mop, or wear a uniform.  The Cambridge Community Television School Year Production Program begins its 2009 cycle this month, and 13 local teens have the opportunity to participate in this fun and educational project. Students complete video assignments and pursue projects like any other freelancer, but they have access to CCTV’s expansive studio to complete these tasks. This means there are cameras, lights, and editing equipment at their disposal. And best of all, the teens are paid for their time.

In addition to the opportunity to make their own movies, perks of the School Year Production Program include visits to museums, movie screenings, and art galleries. By viewing the diverse artistic work their community, the teenage participants have the opportunity to see the innovative products of their environment. Also, through learning the ropes behind the scenes life at CCTV, the students gain valuable career tools for the future. “There’s a future for local media makers that extends beyond the boundaries of the internet,” CCTV production coordinator Elisa Kreisinger tells us. “Teaching teens to be self-sufficient in making their own media, telling their own stories, and distributing their own voices using non-traditional and non-commercial systems of distribution means we’re investing in future competent, smart and savvy media producers.”

If you know any Cambridge teenagers who are interested in an exciting paid position, please email elisa@cctvcambridge.org.

A contributing writer at Directoryofboston.com, Megan Johnson is originally from Connecticut, but has lived in Boston since age 18. She frequently writes for MenuPages Boston, Butterfly Diary, Reinventing Beauty Magazine, and SweetTalk on the Spot. You can visit her website at www.meganjohnson.tumblr.com.

Photo: Cambridge Community Television

In addition to traditional framing demands, Around the Corner offers extensive options for restoring older pieces. Weathered photographs and painting can be reconstructed into high quality images or beautiful giclees. Eager to go beyond the impersonal restrictions of chain stores, the highly-trained staff of Around the Corner is more than eager to personally install a piece in your home or office.

To celebrate Around the Corner’s new beginning as a thriving artistic location within the community, stop by the grand opening celebration at 637 Tremont Street to meet local artists, business owners, and friends between 6 and 10PM on Thursday, October 8^th. For more information, visit http://www.framearoundthecorner.com/.

A contributing writer at DirectoryofBoston.com, Megan Johnson is originally from Connecticut, but has lived in Boston since age 18. She frequently writes for MenuPages Boston, Butterfly Diary, Reinventing Beauty Magazine, and SweetTalk on the Spot. You can visit her website at www.meganjohnson.tumblr.com.

The Beacon Hill Athletic Club is a locally owned gym and is currently celebrating its 20th Anniversary. Listen as its staff explains what the BHAC difference is all about.

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Gabby Gabriel is a contributing video blogger and writer for DirectoryofBoston.com.

Check out her website at: www.GabbyGabriel.com

It’s no secret that teachers frequently fall victim to long hours and low pay. As education positions and elective courses like music and art continue to be slashed from the budget every day, many of the teachers who have managed to keep their jobs are forced to pay out of pocket for school supplies to furnish their classrooms. Amidst the sustainable revolution that’s sweeping the country, a Dorchester organization has found a way to fuse the importance of recycling with education.  Extras for Creative Learning offers Boston area teachers, artists, and parents recycled classroom materials at either no cost or low cost. Stocked with items ranging from art supplies to paper, foam, and office furniture, Extras for Creative Learning gives new life to items deemed “useless.” Generally donated by area business owners and manufacturers, donors recognize the value of teaching children to embrace their creative side. “We receive donations from Adidas, Rockport, Staples, and lots of private donors,” one staff member tells us. “Since the recession, we’ve been selling 8 to 10 memberships a day.” The price of a membership is dependent upon the person, but people generally save anywhere from $500 to $3000 each visit.

A former art teacher in the Worcester and Melrose Public Schools, ECL’s Executive Director Jodi Schmidt wanted to find a way to merge her love of art and the environment. All too familiar with the need for low-cost materials in the classroom, she decided to take action and create an organization that gives children an opportunity to utilize their creative side, while learning about the importance of recycling.

Thus far, the need for low-priced school supplies is apparent in Boston area public schools. A Belmont 4^th grade teacher we spoke with emphasized the changes in recent years. “Teachers’ supply closets aren’t as full as they used to be. If I spent $300 a year on my classroom, then that would be low.”

If you’re interested in donating money, materials, or time to Extras for Creative Learning, please visit http://exclrecycles.org

A contributor writer for DirectoryofBoston’s blog, Megan Johnson is originally from Connecticut, but has lived in Boston since age 18. She frequently writes for MenuPages Boston, Butterfly Diary, Reinventing Beauty Magazine, and SweetTalk on the Spot. You can visit her website at www.meganjohnson.tumblr.com.

Well now, in the same space that housed Bob the Chef’s comes a sexy new style of jazz at The Stork Club.  Looking more like a downtown nightclub, based on its sleek decor, The Stork Club is offering consistent and classy jazz harkening back to the days of guys, dolls and upscale debauchery.  Everything this town needs.

On top of that – The Stork Club menu is offering the same comfort food of Bob the Chef’s but with an elegant twist.  I, for one, could not imagine improving upon crab cakes – as they are a personal favorite.  But after learning about the sweet potato crab cakes created here, I find myself quite pleasantly mistaken.

Other delicacies include herbed truffled fries, blackened catfish sliders, smoked chicken tacos and the ultimate of all comfort foods: macaroni and cheese.

And with bubbles, white and red taking center stage for libations, with classic cocktails also available on call, sipping while taking in a set of swaying tunes is perfectly acceptable, but sans the 2 drink minimum of yesteryear (puritan Massachusetts laws forbade such restrictions).

The club and restaurant has been open since August 11th and is just getting into full swing with its grand opening celebration happening tomorrow on 09.09.09. The spot is opened 7 days a week from 330pm to 2am, with kitchen service from 530pm-1am. And both live jazz and blues sets are served up nightly as well.

Visit the Stork Club at 604 Columbus Ave, near the corner of Mass Ave, in Boston’s South End. For details, call 617.391.0256. Valet and street parking are available nightly.

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Julie Salickram is contributing writer/blogger for DirectoryofBoston.com

Follow me at twitter.com/julesac

How does one describe Boston style? We recently caught up with born and bred Cantabrigian Martini Severin to discuss the topic. A Harvard graduate student by day, Martini’s blog Beyond Boston Chic is stocked with photographs of street style taken across Boston and abroad.

Where do you shop in Boston? I really don’t judge. I wear hand me downs, but I also shop at H&M, flea markets, vintage shops, and Newbury St. And then sometimes I will go really high end.

Who are your fashion icons? It really depends on my mood. Currently, I love Catherine Deneuve. The Umbrellas of Cherbourg. It’s such a cool musical. Giovanni Battaglia, she can wear anything! I always like to look to everyday people for their style. I can interpret it in a way that will work for my body.

Do you think Boston has a particular sense of style? I think that we’re getting there. I’ve noticed that a lot of areas have their own style. Beacon Hill seems to be preppy, Somerville is crunchy-funky. Each neighborhood has its own voice. Sometimes you have to sift through to find what’s really good.

What’s your favorite neighborhood in the city to photograph? I like to go to Newbury Street, and just wait for something to happen. I want to expand out to western Massachusetts, New Bedford, and Melrose.

What/who are you favorite brands and designers? I really shop anywhere. I love Second Time Around, I got an amazing Armani jacket there. But in terms of silhouettes, I love Chloe Fall 09. I take cutes from what I want to wear for fall, I love Lanvin, Dries Van Noten, Prada, Payless, The Gap, American Apparel, LLBean. Anything and everything!

What inspired you to create a blog about Boston fashion? Well I noticed there were a lot of street style blogs, but there wasn’t one for Boston. I think we’re really hampered by weather. And by cobblestones! They will destroy your shoes! But Boston is really beautiful. It’s a college town. I want to be able to capture this, and document it.

What websites do you visit obsessively? New York Times, Boston Globe, The Sartorialist, Garance Dore, Dreamecho, New Brahmin, Bostonista, and cooking blogs.

When did you love of fashion begin? I used to watch my aunts and grandmother dress for church. And from classic movies starring Ginger Rogers and Bette Davis. Sex and the City really pushed me to think about clothes differently, and to be less concerned with rules. And of course Mad Men and The Devil Wears Prada. Also through photography. A few years ago there was a Herb Ritts show at the Museum of Fine Arts, and it just really taught me about human body and composition. Also, I lived in France, where you don’t leave the house in pajama pants.

What trend can’t you stand? It’s not so much of trends, but I can’t stand when people wear things that aren’t made for their bodies. It makes me sad. I took the time to understand. I had to learn to dress the body I have, not the one I want.

What do you wish you saw more of? Clothes that are well fitted for their bodies. And accessories! Bangles, earrings bracelets.

What is Boston fashion missing? Adventure! Wearing something unexpected.

What basics should all women have in their wardrobe? There really is something to say about that little black dress.  Have one for evening, and one for day. Wear it with tights and a sweater. I can change things up, I can accessorize. Also, a white button down shirt. A white tee, a pair of fun flat shoes in another color besides black and brown.

What do you splurge on? An everyday bag. For some people it’s a coat, or shoes. But having a good bag is important.

Any tips for girls on a shoestring budget? Don’t splurge on trend. A trend comes and goes.  Splurge on leather goods, a good pair of shoes, or a bag. And splurge on a tailor! Get things fitted to your body.

Any fashions that must immediately be weeded out of a significant other’s closet? Anything that doesn’t fit. Is the jacket too big in the shoulders? Is it hitting you at the right place? Depending on what your body type is, your clothes have to be bought for that body. Also, athletic sneakers should be worn only at the gym.

Click here to visit Martini’s website, Beyond Boston Chic.

A contributing writer for DirectoryofBoston.com, Megan Johnson is originally from Connecticut, but has lived in Boston since age 18. She regularly writes for MenuPages Boston, Butterfly Diary, SweetTalk on the Spot, and Reinventing Beauty Magazine. You can visit her website at www.meganjohnson.tumblr.com.

PodCamp Boston 4 in Dorchester, MA

This weekend marks the 4th iteration of the Podcamp unconference for new media. This year, PodCamp Boston is being held at the Campus Center at the University of Massachusetts Boston (right in my backyard) on August 8th and 9th.

What is PodCamp?

PodCamp is an unconference. According to wikipedia, an unconference is:

a facilitated, participant-driven conference centered around a theme or purpose

In other words, it’s a conference whose agenda is open-sourced and developed by the attendees, not the conference organizers. It’s a conference for the people, by the people. FooCamp, a hacker event organized by O’Reilly Media was the first conference to be described as an unconference. From there, the concept was expanded via BarCamp, which was then used as a foundation for PodCamp.

PodCamp takes the idea of unconferences and applies it to the new media industry. It’s an event where bloggers, podcasters, social media users, and new media fans and professionals can gather to exchange ideas, work on projects and meet new people in the industry. As Boston is a huge hub of social media activity, it’s only natural that PodCamp was founded here by Christopher Penn and Chris Brogan. Though the first PodCamp was held here in Boston, it’s since taken off and PodCamps are held all across the globe.

PodCamp Boston #4

Though the PodCamp unconference has a very open schedule, meaning you can participate in any of the panels going on or gather up a group of people and start your own, the scheduled talks have some luminaries discussing interesting ideas that are worth mentioning. A few of the scheduled talks:

Saturday Discussions

• What is next? – CC Chapman and Ron Ploof
• How do we measure the impact of social media? – Marta Kagan
• What is social bookmarking – Stuart Foster
• Will the Kindle saving reading? – Len Edgerly
• What is the progress of Boston 2.0? – David Cutler

Sunday Discussions

• What makes a successful tweetup? – Joseline Mane
• How do you get your company to see the value of social media? – Jamie Pappas
• What can social media do for education? – Kabren Levinson
• What’s the state of now? – Jeff Pulver
• What equipment is best for a video podcast? – Mike Volpe, Karen Rubin, & Steve Garfield

PodCamp Pre-Party

Tonight (Friday), there will be a pre-party at Boston Bowl in Dorchester, MA for PodCampers. Though all are welcome, anyone with a PodCamp ticket will have access to bowling, food, and drinks for free. Pre-party will last from 8 PM until 10PM.

PodCamp Tickets

As of 4:30 PM there are still 26 tickets left for PodCamp Boston. If you’re a blogger, podcasters, social networker, or any other profession involved with new media technologies, sign up now! Whether you hope to learn, meet new people or brainstorm with people interested in new media, PodCamp 4 is sure to be an awesome and informative time. Plus, your favorite Boston blogger will be there!

Anyone heading to PodCamp Boston 4, let us know in the comments below. You can also tweet about the event, the hash tag is #PCB4.

And, now through August 15th, they are offering some summer elixirs as part of their Tryst Tini Trio collection. Choose from one of three fabulous offerings, each available for just $5.

Try the Strawberry Ginger Tini, the Elderflower Tini or an ‘Old School’ Daiquiri Tini. Personally I find it hard to resist the refreshing mix of strawberry and ginger after a hot a tiring day, but just ordering an Elderflower Tini alone has a feeling of elegance that I, quite frankly, could use.  I have yet to try the Old school daiquiri but am oh-so-curious about what makes it old school, though certain the requisite rum is in attendance there.

Overall, Tryst is a very elegant but comfortable spot that serves multiple needs.  It is great for an after work get together of small plates and a drink.  It offers a fabulous full dining experience and is also perfectly suited for a just dessert date after the movies. (May I suggest the quaintness of the Capitol Theatre just down the way on Mass Ave.?) And be sure to wear your elastic waist pants for Sunday brunch, ’cause you will want to shovel it all down that gullet of yours.

With a full liquor license and Back Bay worthy menu offering, Tryst is a sexy suburban retreat.  Call for reservation or simply saunter in.  For the budgetary concerns, check out their Boston Restaurant Week specials Sunday, August 9 through Friday, August 14 and again Sunday, August 16 through Friday, August 21. For $20.09 enjoy a three-course prix-fixe lunch, or for $33.09 enjoy a three-course prix-fixe dinner.

Tryst Restaurant
686 Massachusetts Avenue
Arlington Center
781.641.2227

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Julie Salickram is a contributing writer/blogger for DirectoryofBoston.com. Follow her at twitter.com/julesac

Last week I met with Jason and Nick to talk about their innovative  website which brings consumers and local businesses together during a time of Economic downturn. Watch as they talk about who they are and what they are all about:

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Gabby Gabriel is a contributing video blogger and writer for DirectoryofBoston.com.

Check out her website at: GabbyGabriel.com