VISIT: San Francisco, California
California Academy of Sciences remodeling facility, going green
A $484 million remodeling project on the facility in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park promises to be the greenest museum on the planet. The seven-year project, expected to be completed by fall 2008, includes water preservation, maximum use of natural light, native plants that insulate the roof, and use of recycled steel and even shredded blue jeans for insulation, according to a report in Wired magazine. The museum remains open during reconstruction (members free; adults $10; children 12-17, students with ID and seniors $6.50; children 4-11 $2; children 3 and under free). The 23rd annual California Academy of Sciences 5K Run/Walk and 10K Run (e-mail info@rhodyco.com) will be held at 8:30 a.m. Nov. 25, JFK Drive and Eighth Avenue, Golden Gate Park. Competitors often wear costumes as cows, chickens, squid and other characters. California Academy of Sciences, 875 Howard St., 415-321-8000 or
ENJOY: Cortez, Colorado
Silver Bean kitschy java joint an ideal stop for kicking back after visit to Mesa Verde
What do thousand-year-old cliff dwellings and Airstream trailers have in common? As much as manos, metates and mocha lattes – which is to say, nada. But after a couple of days contemplating the ruins at Mesa Verde National Park or Hovenweep National Monument, it feels good to jolt back to the present with a Flamingo Mocha at Silver Bean, a coffee-and- breakfast joint that puts the retro in retrofitted. You can drive “through” (around, actually), bask in the sun at an umbrella table on the “patio” or enter the tiny, kitschy kitchen to slurp your java slush on a serape-upholstered bench. Bagels, big burritos and sweets round out the offerings. Silver Bean, 410 W. Main St., 970-946-4404
DINE: Boston, Massachusetts
Artú an authentic Italian trattoria with reasonable prices, classic tastes
In Boston’s North End, Italian restaurants are as plentiful as cobblestones. And so it seems are the dinner items on the menu of Artú Trattoria and Rosticceria. Here you’ll find classic dishes and great prices. The pastas are wonderful and the sauces … molto bene. The chicken, shrimp and beef dishes are fresh and delightful. You also can have a drink at the bar, a popular night spot, and nibble a variety of pizzas or grilled items there. There’s a second location at 89 Charles St. in Beacon Hill. Artú, 6 Prince St., 617-742-4336 or
