Are Newspapers Folding For Good?

The economy is killing everybody… but mostly the newspaper industry. That, my friends, is disappointing on so many levels. Personally, there is nothing I like more than to read my newspaper with a great cup of coffee to start my day. The idea that many of these dailies will be disappearing is depressing, but certainly not shocking. My favorite newspaper and one of the best nationally, the Boston Globe, is one of them.

The Boston Globe is, based on several accounts, losing $1 million a week. One investment bank recently said that the paper is only worth $20 million. The paper is the flagship of what the Globe’s parent, The New York Times, calls the New England Media Group. NYT has substantial financial problems of its own. Last year, ad revenue for the New England properties was down 18%. That is likely to continue or get worse this year. Supporting larger losses at the Globe will become nearly impossible. Boston.com, the online site that includes the digital aspects of the Globe, will probably be all that will be left of the operation.

What’s better than a Red Sox victory? The joy of picking up the Boston Globe and reading about all the nuances and details the next day. But that’s the problem… people can’t wait until the next day. People are so conditioned to get everything in “real-time” that they want immediate information. Sadly, by the time the morning comes around, the game is old news. Bloggers and news sites have covered the topics ad nauseum. This makes me sad, but in a business sense, I understand.

As a ground transportation provider, I understand that people want immediate service—after all, when business moves at the speed of light, you have to be there or you might just miss that opportunity. My mission, as the owner, is to forge ahead and be the benchmark for limousine service in Boston and the surrounding areas.

Is it a challenge? Absolutely. Like the championship teams that give Boston its identity, we pride ourselves as being THE transportation service for the region. We want you, the customer, to know that we will be there on time and ready to serve you… so you can do your business in “real time”. We will even thrown in a newspaper—get one while they last.

At ETS International everything we do is customer focused. For over 20 years, I have been one of the innovative leaders in corporate and personal transportation accross the United States. At ETS International, a team of highly trained professionals, and a fleet of quality vehicles come together to create the nations most reliable limousine service. To meet your needs, we offer luxury sedans, stretch limousines, SUVs, 14 passenger vans, and full size coaches. For more info, click here.

March Madness Returns to Boston

Well, it is my favorite time of year… the weather is getting nicer and the sports world is heating up as well. The Red Sox have reported to spring training, which is always good news. The Bruins just made a couple of really nice moves in their playoff push, acquiring seasoned veterans Mark Recchi and Derek Morris. The Celtics look as strong as ever in their quest to repeat as NBA champions. The Pats are mading deals daily, signing Shawn Springs and a few other nice additions in another exciting off-season. With Brady coming back, the Pats look better than ever for a return to the playoffs.

My favorite part of this time of year, however is March Madness. The official brackets aren’t posted yet, but the excitement is brewing for a return to Beantown. I can’t wait to fill out my bracket and wait for the imminent upsets that make this tournament so riveting.

Being a local rooter, I’m excited for Boston College’s chances of making some noise in this year’s NCAA Tournament. The BC Eagles will conclude their regular season on Saturday against Georgia Tech. Granted, they have had an up-and-down season but they have some talent, upsetting No. 1 North Carolina, No. 4 Duke and No. 23 Florida State this season. Their tough regular season should help them come pressure time. Freshman Reggie Jackson is a beast and Rakim Sanders can flat-out handle the rock. These two young players represent the future of the Eagles’ success. Watching the NCAA Tournament is a must for any sports fan! There is nothing better than amateur athletes giving it their all—a great event for any recent college grad and local reunions.

Matter of fact, make it a night out and let someone else do the driving. Click here for more info on great packages for the finest in transportation in and around Boston.

Regionals: Thursday and Saturday, March 26 and 28, 2009
East Regional: TD Banknorth
Boston, Massachusetts • Host: Boston College

Fleetwood Mac is Back

Personally, very few albums have resonated like Rumours, the Fleetwood Mac classic that came out over thirty years ago. My girlfriend and I would listen to that incredible record so much that I had to replace it a year later. It became our soundtrack… much like many young couples making their way through young adulthood. It screams of relationship struggles, as many of the band members were going through personal breakups at the time of the recording. Not just breakups—but breakups within the band! Stevie Nicks had broken up with songwriter Lindsay Buckingham, Mick Fleetwoood started dating Stevie. It was crazy.

However, all of that tension produced one of the most finest albums of the decade. So, naturally, when I heard that Fleetwood Mac was reuniting with their original lineup, I was excited.

Legendary supergroup Fleetwood Mac will be embarking on their first concert tour in five years and will include all the Macs’ many greatest hits from over the course of one of rock’s most enduring and influential bands of our time.

Fleetwood Mac will be coming to Wednesday, Mar 11 8:00pm at TD Banknorth Garden, Boston, MA. For more info, click here.

To accommodate a big party of people, ETS offers a great ride to and from the show. For more info, click here.

Britney Spears-Bringing Sexy Back to Boston

Don’t call it a comeback… but after being pronounced dead (at least in her musical career), Britney Spears has vaulted herself back to the top of the pop mountain with a great new record and tour. Circus, Britney’s latest disc, has been acclaimed by both critics and listeners alike, has put the controversial cutie back on tour with a thrilling concert full of excitement. She is bringing sexy back to Boston on March 16, 2009 at the TD BankNorth Garden (100 Legends Way • Boston, MA 02114).

After a year of controversy, Britney is back and better than ever and this tour is sure to be a crowd pleaser. Touring with Britney are the Pussycat Dolls, who also bring an exciting performance loaded with dangerous curves. For more info, check out this link.

Britney is ranked as the eighth best-selling female recording artist in the United States according to the Recording Industry Association of America with 31 million certified albums and one of the world’s best-selling music artists having sold an estimated 83 million worldwide.

This concert is a once-in-a-lifetime spectacle that deserves only the best service. If you want to treat yourself or a loved one to a first-class ride, click here.

Boston Wine Festival

Come celebrate the nation’s longest running food and wine pairing series at the Boston Wine Festival, presented by Boston Harbor Hotel at Rowes Wharf from January to April 2009. This year the festival is featuring the world-renowned Chef Daniel Bruce. This year will mark the 20th anniversary of this festival, real treat for lovers of fine dining, the annual Boston Wine Festival offers visitors the opportunity to sample a great range of specialty foods and wines. Wineries, sommeliers, chefs and restaurateurs visit the event and guide visitors through the culinary and wine experiences. Visitors can also enjoy a number of themed dinners that take place during the event.

This three-month-long festival of wine and cuisine features weekly events showcasing prestigious regional wineries and chefs, including the Battle of the Cabernets, educational seminars and signature wine-and-food-pairing dinners.

Boston Harbor Hotel, 70 Rowes Wharf. For information, call toll-free 888-660-9463. Continues through early April . For more info, click here.

Nothing compliments a fine wine better than chauffeured transportation. Cap off a day of spoiling your palette with a luxurious trek of the sights and sounds of Boston. Choose from a late-model limousine or a beautiful sedan. For more info on reasonable rates for rides, click here.

St. Patrick’s Day

There are things that go together: peanut butter and jelly. Sonny and Cher. Tom and Jerry. Thunder and Lightning. Larry Bird and Magic Johnson… well, you get the point. Well, nothing says the city of Boston like the green of the irish, and nothing is more celebrated (well, with the exception of the many championship parades that have become commonplace, but I hate to brag) that the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Join spectators in south Boston for this unforgettable parade that is part of a weekendlong celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. Parade route starts at 1 pm at the corner of Broadway and Dorchester Avenue and heads toward Old Colony Boulevard. For information, call 617-696-9880 or the Mayor’s Office of Special Events and Tourism at 617-635-3911.

With all of this “celebrating”, why not let someone else drive you around? Click here for more info on affordable rides in and around Boston.

Flower Power

Due to economic strains, unfortunately Mass Hort is unable to present The New England Spring Flower Show at The BaySide Exposition Center this Spring. This is truly sad on so many levels, affecting generations of New Englanders who treasured this tradition.

With 8,000 members still committed and passionate about horticulture, they are going forward with a new event, free to the public, called “BLOOMS!” This event is made possible by volunteers, in-kind support, and a generous grant from The Bartlett Tree Experts Company.

“BLOOMS!” will be held in Boston March 12th-15th in the marble lobbies of International Place, 125 High Street and The InterContinental Boston, in the buildings abutting The Massachusetts Horticultural Society Greenway Gardens. Located along The Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway, “BLOOMS!” will introduce the public to this new Boston neighborhood.

Make this event part of a cultural day traveling with ETS. For more info, visit www.masshort.org/New-England-Spring-Flower-Show .

How to Get Around Town

Boston may lead the league in most nicknames for a major city. Commonly known to the locals as “Beantown”, “the Hub”, “the Cradle of Modern America”, “Titletown” (for obvious reasons… well, I had to throw that one in) and “the Walking City”.

“The Walking City” is one that the city of Boston (and its local governing representatives) embraces. The evidence is everywhere: Marking crosswalks, regular maintenance of traffic signals and pedestrian pushbuttons, and innovative pedestrian safety signs at busy locations such as downtown, and at schools, parks, playgrounds, elder complexes and libraries are a priority.

Yet walking is not the only mode of transportation in Boston. For example, if you are visiting for a vacation or business trip, a ride may be more suitable. After all, there are so many great places to visit: walking may be good for a few spots but it’s not the most efficient way to use your time. It is convenient to move around the city using the subway, buses, taxis and boats. For longer trips, Boston is home to Logan International Airport.

The best way, of course, would be to take a sedan or limousine for the day. You can see as many places as you want, not worry about hailing a cab, and travel in first-class style. Plan a whole itenerary and just take in all Boston has to offer. For more info on transportation for the day, click here.

Things To Do in Boston

O.k., so you finally made it all the way up to our historical city of Boston—and all you know about this wonderful hub of New England is that you MUST take in a Red Sox game before you leave town.

Well, there is alot more to do than sit your fanny in Fenway Park (although, that certainly is vital to any trek to Beantown). Boston was founded in 1822 (officially recognized) and is home to an infinite number of historical and vastly interesting places to see.

Besides counting the World Championship banners of both the Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins at nearby TD Banknorth Garden, immerse yourself in some cultural activities sure to make your trip a memorable one.