It’s the time of year for ghouls, ghosts, and girls dressing like sluts! But before you break out that white sheet with holes for eyes or that tired old witch hat, take a look at our list of standout Halloween costumes for 2010 and get creative.

5. Cheating Tiger Woods…after his wife got through with him.

Don your preppy golf clothes and grab your 9 iron and top it all off with this ridiculously inappropriate mask. We’ll bet Tiger’s now-ex-wife — and every other woman who’s been two-timed — would have loved to have made his face that roughed up!

4. Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino while on “Dancing With the Stars.”

Break out your self-tanner, sunglasses, a long “man necklace,” extra strength hair gel, and…your fancy dancing shoes. Don’t forget the black pants and be sure to keep the black vest unbuttoned so you can show off your painted-on sculpted abs (or your real sculpted abs if you’re that awesome). Add a pretty pink tutu around your waist and voila, you’re a Guido twinkle toes!

3. Steven Slater (or disgruntled stewardess if you’re a lady).

Thanks to this angry  steward costume, you too can say f-you to pesky flight passengers! Ladies, take that sexy flight attendant outfit to the next level by holding beer, bandaging your forehead, and donning a JetBlue ID tag. A homemade “F*** you! I Quit!” sign will be the cherry on top. Bonus points if you can figure out how to attach a makeshift emergency slide.

2. Lady Gaga in her meat dress.

Since you can’t — we hope? — walk around your Halloween party wearing actual meat, get creative. Make a dress with kids’ play food, dog toys, rawhide, dog bones, and fake blood. Dress up your hair with the pig ears Fido loves to chew! Preferably don’t shower or wear deodorant so that your fellow costumed partygoers can get the true “essence” of the raw meat that must have plagued every celebrity within 100 feet of Lady Gaga at the VMAs.

1. The Gulf oil spill or a BP worker.

Thanks to this BP (Bad Planning!) worker costume, you’ll look like the real tongue-in-cheek deal. Or, you could get more creative and make your own costume by drenching yourself in black paint and attaching stuffed animals painted black to your outfit. Totally inappropriate? Yes. But come on, it’s Halloween!

QUINCY — You may have heard of a Spanish island called Ibiza, that, although small, is best known for throwing some of the best, biggest summer club parties in the world.

On Sunday, 6one7 Productions, will be bringing a bit of Ibiza to the Boston area. Introducing the "Sounds of Ibiza," featuring DJ Victor Calderone. His skills in the music industry span across the spectrum, with experience working with stars like Madonna and Sting, and now his beats will play into the night at New England’s largest outdoor nightclub, The Ocean Club at Marina Bay.

Club creators Nick Varano and Frank DePasquale promise that the summertime party will continue on into September with the Sounds of Ibiza event. From noon to 1 a.m., Calderone’s music will fill the club and the dance floor, with DJ’s Chriss Vargas, Rob Mirage and DJ Deka joining him on the turntables.

Tickets are $20 in advance for the first 100 tickets sold. Otherwise general admission is $25 in advance or $35 at the door.

Don’t miss this international party experience with an upbeat vibe and energy of the island of Ibiza!

(Media credit/Joel Meinholz for Blast)

MIAMI — “I don’t date, I’m too awesome to commit to someone.” Tina White giggles when I ask if she’s seeing someone. “Also, it’s just tacky,” she adds, with her infectious, bubbly flair.

Tina White is the latest addition to the South Beach social roster to hit the nightclub scene. But, unlike her counterparts, socialites who tend to park themselves at a table in a nightclub, sipping vodka Redbulls with an air of arrogance and a holier then thou attitude, Tina is anything but dull and pretentious. She initially struck my interest after I kept hearing her distinct, yet rather fitting name, over the past couple of weeks. I was curious to finally meet the girl who was having multiple parties held in her honor in clubs like Rokbar and Coco De Ville.

Her choice in attire alone would set her apart from others. Dressed in cowboy boots, mini jean skirt and a white undershirt, she toys with her appearance, staying in character on this exceptionally brutal Miami summer day. It’s refreshing to have someone like White join nightclub scene. The usual night crawling patrons of South Beach tend to take themselves too seriously at times, as if being out and about and taking multiple Patron shots are a chore. White plays up the fact that she, herself, at times can be tacky as well.

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Ms. Tina White on one particularly unbearable hot and humid mid-afternoon June day, the kind of day that Miami summers are notorious for. I arrive early, and in typical South Beach time, White arrives 15 minutes late. She’s quick to apologize and then goes on to say how she had a ridiculously late night the night before — such a late night that White confessed she had contemplated rescheduling our initial meeting.

White takes a deep breath in and settles into one of the wicker chairs in The Standard Hotel lobby. As she begins to play with her long blond hair, I glance around the almost vacant lobby, and see that the few people scattered about on lap tops, or reading the news paper have all taken notice of Ms. Tina White’s entrance. She’s hard to miss after the way she strutted into the somber lobby.

White starts off the conversation by informing me that she just recently got back from two weeks in Bali and is already planning her “Welcome Back” party at Rokbar.

“Must be nice,” I add and politely inquire exactly how she’s able to bankroll this rather luxurious lifestyle. White states that her profession is solely “being awesome. Being your friend, and maybe making you blond.” I cock my head to the side as I listen to her explanation of her self-employment, and wonder if she puts that on her W-9 forms. White’s quick to catch on that “being awesome” doesn’t really answer my question or pay for a first class ticket to Bali and clears it up that she earned her money the old fashion American way: by way of a lawsuit.

White goes on to tell me that she thanks her carefree nomadic lifestyle to a tragic slip and fall at The Cheesecake Factory. It’s hard to keep a straight face when she talks. Her valley girl dialect, and demeanor makes her all the more interesting and exactly what got people talking in the first place.

(Media credit/Joel Meinholz for Blast)

“What? They have a really good salad there!” She smirks with her big green eyes defending her choice in cuisine. White’s outlandish, attention getting outfit can’t detract from her delicate facial features. She plays on the fact that she’s the ultimate blonde and has no shame saying she admires Paris Hilton. But unlike her idol, White does not have the traditional pedigree of a socialite party girl, as her money came quickly. Despite that minor difference, she’s quickly on her way to branding herself, taking a page straight from the foolproof formula of being the ultimate socialite. With such an entrepreneurial spirit and a lot of buzz going around about her, investors are naturally taking notice on her budding popularity. White has a perfume coming out hopefully by the end of summer appropriately called Scentimasea. The next step of the natural progression in the evolution of a socialite is to release a club song. Not surprisingly, White already is planning studio time to record and then release the ultimate club anthem. I assume the only thing that won’t follow, in contrast to other successful peers before her, is the sex tape.

White’s a character she created to be carefree, and over the top. In this day and age of over night celebrity, it’s evident that White’s in on the joke the whole time and seeing just how far she can take it.

“Things just happen to me cause I’m happy.” White says coyly as she reacts to the sudden influx of the success of her popularity and increasing career opportunities. It’s this particular attitude that has become the “Tina White” mentality in which she hopes others can adopt.

White was born and raised on South Beach and is quick to tell me that she’ll always represent the Beach, no matter where she goes. She currently resides in the Flamingo apartment complex, in the center tower. A perfect fit for White since that particular complex is known as a non-stop party for singles, the equivalent of a college dormitory that caters to the single scene on South Beach, with a bar located inside the lagoon-like pool. The Flamingo is the perfect place for White to live, as she had told me earlier that she vows to perpetually stay single. White reveals that she was born on Valentine’s Day, and that she “loves everyone and everything’ and intends to remain twenty-two years old until she’s ready to hang up her blond wig and boots.

“So Tina White ages?” I ask, slightly confused, making sure I heard her correctly about never growing another year older or wiser.

“Only indirectly,” she somewhat clarifies. It’s details like these that only adds to White’s cartoonish image, and puts her in “The Simpson’s” category of never getting older. A joke amongst South Beach residents is that a majority of them suffer from The Peter Pan Syndrome, where no one ever grows up in this youth obsessed society.

In contrast to her appearance, White’s background is rather tame. She’s a hundred percent American and used to be an Evangelist Christian, but as she puts it, “that didn’t work out for me.” Now she finds herself religiously hosting “moving” parties held in her honor, which aren’t just limited to South Beach anymore. Like her relationship status, she’s never committed to a particular club. Friends and fans have to follow her on Facebook and twitter to find out the next venue she’ll be at.

Hint: White now has her sights set on a Downtown club/lounge “Vagabond’ which is notorious for being a hipster safe haven. She’s aiming to host Saturday night parties there, appropriately called “Tine White Pageant.”

“Glitz , glamour, the works,” she adds.

The goals for her are simple: Her party nights are to encourage others to “Let go, have fun, and leave your egos at the door.” It’s the concept behind “Tina can be anyone.”

In a place where people tend to take themselves too seriously when they go out, Tina is selling a good time: she shows up to the festivities armed with blond wigs and boas to throw around like Mardi Gras beads on anybody who happens to sit down at her booth. In order to befriend Tina, all that is required is for that person ‘to be nice.’ Listening to her, I wouldn’t be surprised if she considered her good deeds as philanthropic work.

White’s cartoonish image of over the top American Pride and blond ambition only adds to her appeal, making it almost trendy to be trashy in a completely humble and appealing way. She’s a more than welcome addition to the nightlife scene.

As the interview winds down, I notice out of the corner of my eye a gentleman making his way over to us, not surprising since he’s been eying White for the past 45 minutes. He promptly sits next to White and spills over into her chair. “Is this some sort of casting call?” he asks, only addressing White, oblivious to the fact that he’s interrupting.

White casually shakes her head no, and begins playing with her hair, without ever making eye contact to the slender gentlemen. He’s presumably in his mid-forties and dressed in a white tank top and bright board shorts. He introduces himself as Mark, and tells her that he is an artist on the Beach. After a slightly cold reception from us, Mark takes off, but not before handing out his business cards. As he makes his way through the lobby door, White’s friend, who accompanied her on the interview, asks Mark how he would describe Tina. Mark turns around, looks at White one more time, and quickly replies, “inspirational.”

A rather unique and perfect description for the blond party princess making her distinct mark on the Beach.

Take a look at Stacy Lyons’ Facebook profile — she describes herself as "The girl that loves to have fun and make you smile. The one who makes friends with anyone willing to laugh with her, who cherishes all nights that will forever remain with her and shaped the person that she has become. The girl who knows that no matter how bad things can get, she’s got the people that matter most to her to lean on and make her smile."

This vibrant, funny and unwaveringly positive 26-year-old woman has been diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of ovarian cancer.

Doctors have given her no more than two to three years to live, but Stacy, along with her friends and family, are confident she can overcome this illness.

A rally was held for Stacy on August 12 at Firefly’s in Marlborough to raise money for the cost of Stacy’s treatment. The night featured music, hors d’oeuvres and a variety of items up for raffle.

With over 500 people it was great to see family, friends, and supporters come out for one cause.

If you were unable to attend the event, but would like to make a direct contribution, checks can be addressed to:

Stacy Lyons Benefit Foundation
c/o Justine Willard
51 Gloucester Street, 3rd Floor
Boston, MA 02115

or online through PayPal

If you’d like any additional information about Stacy or the benefit, feel free to e-mail them at SMLBenefitFoundation@gmail.com.

Tired of all the cheesy hometown Labor Day parades? Who needs to see an endless — and ear-bleedingly loud — row of marching bands anyway?

This Labor Day weekend, Foxwoods resort and casino in Mashantucket, Conn., is giving you the chance to party like a celebrity — and with one. Actor Kevin Dillon, who plays Johnny Drama on the HBO hit series “Entourage,” is celebrating his birthday in style at SHRINE lounge and nightclub at Foxwoods’ MGM Grand.

While some of your friends will be voting for the parade’s best float, you’ll be drinking and dancing with Kevin Dillon to the tunes of DJ Clinton Sparks, a Boston-native who is Diddy’s official tour DJ. Sparks, who is also an E! Entertainment correspondent, is a multi-platinum producer who has worked with Beyonce, Akon, the Notorious B.I.G, Dr. Dre, Kanye West…and the list goes on!

The festivities begin at 9 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 4. For more information, go to shrinemgmfoxwoods.com or call 860-312-8487.

Here are some events happening all over the city during the 2010 World Cup

June 12 – World Cup Boston 2010 House Of Blues Viewing Party (10 a.m. to 5 p.m. House of Blues

The entire New England Revolution team will celebrate the kick-off tournament action of USA v. England with meet & greets, raffles & more.

June 11-12 — One Africa, Many Countries: Celebrate African Diversity Weekend (June 11, 6-8 p.m., June 12, 10a.m. to 4 p.m., Boston Children’s Museum)

Join The Children’s Museum as we explore some of the many countries and cultures of the African continent in celebration of the kickoff weekend of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. Taste samples of food from several different countries, dance to the rhythms of Senegal and Cape Verde, and show us your moves with a homemade soccer ball as we celebrate the diversity of African cultures right here in Boston. One Africa, Many Countries is sponsored by World Cup Boston 2010 and Boston University’s African Studies Center.

June 11-July 11 – Local Viewing Parties

Throughout the month, Boston establishments will toast the tournament with World Cup Boston 2010, including events at Game On!, Kings and the Lansdowne Pub, amongst others.

June 26-27 — World Cup Boston 2010 Mini World Cup Youth Soccer Tournament (9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Moakley Field, South Boston

Two-day soccer celebration featuring clinics, entertainment & tournament play for area youth, with appearances by Boston soccer professionals

July 9 — World Cup Boston 2010 Service Learning Day (9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Harambee Field & Grove Hall)

Help complete revitalization work in two vital city spaces

July 11 — World Cup Boston 2010 Citywide Jumbotron Celebration (Noon to 6 p.m. City Hall Plaza)

Watch the excitement of the World Cup finals & cheer on your team in the heart of Boston. For the culmination of the World Cup Tournament, more than 100,000 soccer fans are expected to join the celebration, featuring vendors and player appearances from the New England Revolution and Boston Breakers, as well as entertainment and enriching activities, fulfilling the initiative’s goal of uniting Boston’s diverse communities through soccer with a massive citywide celebration.

As we wave goodbye to those April showers and look forward to Summer, many locals will be searching for that perfect beach spot. True, there are many obvious choices for beach getaways-think Cape Cod, the Vineyard…and a few other beaches close enough to Boston.

Beaches such as Singing Beach, Manchester By the Sea (Listen to the sand. No, really. Do it!), Scusset Beach in Sandwich, Coffin’s Beach in Gloucester (We hear there is a pizza place that delivers to the beach. Reason for excitement), and yes, Revere Beach (Some call it a breath of fresh air, others used to less urban beach areas disagree) all get dropped into the list of ‘beach recommendations in the Boston area’ when searching through sites such as Yelp.

Many of us have fond memories of beaches we’ve visited growing up, or beaches we’ve traveled to with friends. But why not mix it up? Whether you’re a New Englander at heart, or staying in the area for school, there are plenty of ocean spots to check out.

On the lookout for some locations that may be off the path, Blast went out in search sunny spots, interesting environments, and local treats. Here are just a few to spark your interest:

Block Island, R.I.

A hop, skip, and jump off of Rhode Island sits Block Island, a tranquil and free spirited area nestled in the Atlantic. A ride on a ferry brings you to this beautiful and quaint island, full of free beaches, bed and breakfasts, lighthouses, and areas to for biking. Formed by glaciers 10,000 years ago, the island features beaches of warm and clear water, wildlife preserves and more. The Nature Conservancy has said to have named this gem “One of the 12 last great places in the Western Hemisphere.” For a place to eat, check out Mohegan Cafe Water‎. Word on the street is good food, good brews, and even vegetarian options!

Fore more information on Block Island check out http://www.blockislandinfo.com/.

Odiorne Point State Park, Rye, N.H.

The Seacoast Science Center (www.seacoastsciencecenter.org) boasts Odiorne Point as one of the most beautiful natural settings along New Hampshire’s 18-mile coastline. It is listed as the largest undeveloped stretch of land along the coast by the New Hampshire State Parks and contains several different types of habitats, old military bunkers, and bike paths. The Seacoast Science Center also holds exhibits, and cross country skiing is even listed by the park for the winter. If you’re a bird watcher get ready! Odiorne point is seen as a bird watching hot spot for the many types of species seen there, but don’t get too preoccupied with those binoculars there…the seagulls have been known to steel lunch from under your nose.

Rockport

About an hour’s drive North of Boston, Rockport offers access to the ocean and events throughout the season. Rockport’s beaches range from quiet to bustling, but beware of limited parking.

If you are in the mood for some music, don’t forget the Rockport Chamber Music Festival for some Wagner, Haydn, or Beethoven. Or if you are into some of the later stuff, the music of John Cage and Charles Ives will be featured June 18. And don’t forget the Rockport Acoustic Music Festival in August!

For some java in a cozy atmosphere, try local coffee shop the Bean and Leaf Caf©, which includes an ocean view and various espresso drinks. Or stop in to Helmut’s Strudel Shop! Both are located in Bearksin Neck of Rockport Harbor. And, because you know you will want some after spending the day at the beach, local ice cream stand (properly named The Ice Cream Store) is also located in this area, and has many happy Yelpers praising the sweet treats available there.

For more information on specific beaches, events, and more, go to Rockport’s website, http://www.rockportusa.com/.

Crane’s beach in Ipswich

Coastal dunes, sun, and the North Shore’s largest pitch pine forest. In addition, this beach is a popular site for a threatened bird-the piping plover-which had been hunted to near extinction in the 19th century. Nature lovers are sure to love Crane’s Beach!

Richard T. Crane purchased the land in 1910 that eventually became the foundation for the Crane Estate. Over generations the family has bought more land for conservation of Crane Beach and Castle Neck.

For sites to see one may visit the Great House on Castle. Miles of trails along the dunes are popular among visitors for walking. Many reviewers claim this beach to have extremely soft sand and warm water as well, and great for families. Picnics are recommended!

Castle Island

Castle Island is great for swimming, fishing and having a picnic. The South Boston beach has attracted visitors for years for these reasons. Connected to the mainland since the 1930s, Castle Island is the former site of a fort built in 1643, making it the oldest fortified military site in British North America.

On top of its historical significance, many enjoy the beach each year for the waves and to relax with loved ones.

Amanda Zayas of Canton, had only good things to say about the sunny spot, and got engaged there over the summer.

"I would have to say that Castle Island is the perfect family destination for summer time in Boston. I have been there many times (even for a family reunion!) and seen children on the swings, teenagers in the water, and families grilling up burgers and hot dogs during the warm afternoons,” Zayas said. “Castle Island is truly an amazing place" she said, adding, "Try and get there early, though, because parking does get a little crazy later on in the afternoon!"

If you’re still unsure of where to park your folding chair for a sit on the sand, more Massachusetts beaches can be found on http://www.visit-massachusetts.com/. If you’re feeling adventurous, visit http://www.visitnewengland.com/ for beaches in the surrounding area—Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire and more!

A research study has come out, trying to define the relationship between body art and deviance among college students in America.

Remember the days of the Hell’s Angels? Of Sid and Nancy and Billy Idol? Remember when a piercing meant you were bad, but a tattoo meant you were badder? When gangs of the most "different" sort of people brandished their body art and flew their freak flags high, laughing in the face of all that is good and wholesome about the college-educated middle class…

Neither do I.

But let’s imagine for a moment that the days of anti-mainstream subcultures are still fresh in America’s collective memory. Counter-culture extremists were easy to recognize by their flaming skull tattoos and facial piercings, and the "good kids" were clearly discerned by the sweaters tied demurely about their shoulders.

That is no longer the case.

This new study, conducted by Texas Tech researchers, takes a close look at how much the number of tattoos and body piercings a student has directly correlates to their deviant activities.

In a report titled "Body art, deviance, and American college students" (these science types are direct), the team compiled data collected from 1,753 students. What they found might surprise you. Or it might be exactly the results you were expecting.

The results

Specifically, the research "differentiates and measures the relationships between escalating levels of body art and social deviance.” Since social deviance is a largely subjective idea, the researchers were forced to define and categorize it as a variable.

In this case, deviancy was categorized as overtly illegal behavior, as well as legal behavior contrary to social norms. The team further narrowed the legal side of deviance down to cheating on school work, drinking to excess and having multiple sex partners. The illegal deviance included marijuana use, other illegal drug use and arrests other than traffic violations.

The researchers defined body art in three ways: First, an escalating number of tattoos; second, an escalating number of piercings (single earlobe piercings were not included); and third, relegated to their own category, were "intimate" piercings — piercings of the nipples and genitals.

The idea was that a higher number of body art (number of tattoos and piercings) would equal a higher level of deviant behavior — extreme body art (intimate piercings and multiple tattoos) would equal more deviant behavior.

But even with these defined variables, "deviant behavior" is still up in the air when it comes to college students.

“I think every college kid is involved in at least a little bit of deviant or illegal activity,” said Robert Vanderberg from Stingray Body Art, a tattoo artist with over 16 years of experience. “They’re college kids."

What the researchers found was that for some deviant behaviors, there was no obvious corresponding rise in body art. For others, there was a clear increase in deviant behavior connected to certain kinds of body art.

For example, binge drinking was roughly the same across the charts, regardless of the subject’s amount and type of body art. The report theorizes that this is because binge drinking is a "typical" college behavior, part and parcel of parties and the freedom of being away from parental supervision.

Cheating on college work and having multiple sex partners was relatively unrelated to the amount of piercings the subjects had. Levels of cheating on college work remained mostly the same no matter how many tattoos the subjects had or didn’t have.

But the results really got interesting when the variables increased by the amount of body art and the level of deviancy.

The difference in deviance between the un-pierced and the pierced subjects, when it came to drug use and arrest histories, was drastic. In the categories of "monthly marijuana use," "other illegal drug use" and "arrests other than traffic" the percentages mount steadily as the number of piercings increases. The more deviant subjects had more piercings. Similarly, when it came to tattoos, there was a noted difference in deviant behavior between those with tattoos and those without. Over 70 percent of subjects with four or more tattoos admitted to being arrested for something other than a traffic violation. To put things in perspective, only 8.5 percent of the subjects without tattoos admitted to being arrested. Again, it would seem that the more deviant students were acquiring more tattoos.

Subjects with intimate piercings followed the trend of the other two groups. When it came to legal deviant behavior, there was little to separate them from their peers. But in regards to the illegal deviant activities, the subjects with intimate piercings were well represented. Over 24 percent of the subjects with intimate piercings admitted to using illegal drugs other than marijuana. Not quite 6 percent of the subjects without intimate piercings had used illegal drugs. Similarly, over 39 percent of those with intimate piercings admitted to being arrested, but barely 12 percent of those without intimate piercings had been arrested.

The research successfully drew a statistical connection between body art and deviant behavior, according to the variables they set up: The more extreme the body art, the more deviant the behavior.

A total of 37 percent of all the test subjects were pierced and 1 percent% were tattooed. Few of the test subjects (4 percent) had extreme body art: an intimate piercing, four or more tattoos, and seven or more piercings. Even with a relatively small amount of the sample adorned, the trends are hard to ignore.

Take it with a grain of salt

The research team was careful to admit its own limitations. Their subjects didn’t exactly represent a wide cross-section of college-going Americans. The study included students from four colleges: two public, and two private religious institutions. It isn’t explicitly stated, but since the researchers hail from Texas Tech, it’s assumed that the schools in question are in Texas. All of the test subjects were enrolled in entry-level sociology classes.

The test also doesn’t take into account the design of the students’ tattoos, only the number of them. Though this variable might have been impossible to test for, there is a noted difference between a happy dolphin tattoo on the small of your back and a portrait of Charles Manson on your forehead.

Stingray is located near BU on Harvard Avenue. According to Vanderberg, about a third of their clientele are college students. But the tattoos they get aren’t exactly symbols of deviancy. "Kids at Harvard get ‘Veritas’ tattooed on their wrist because they think they’re special. MIT kids get math equations. They get a lot of lettering, quotes, and song lyrics. They want a fairy sitting on a moon with a poem, and half the universe in the background, the size of a quarter on their hip."

The research team was more specific about the piercings they included as body art. A single piercing in each earlobe was not counted as significant body art, since most female college students, regardless of deviancy, sport earrings. A piercing in the cartilage of the ear was deemed body art, as were other facial piercings.

Of course, the very fact that they’re studying college students limits the subjects to mostly middle- to upper-class Americans, with the funds and/or gumption to make it into college. According to their report, 78 percent of the test subjects were between the ages of 18 and 20. Sixty percent of the test subjects were female. And a whopping 79 pecent of the test subjects were Euro-American — white.

But no study is perfect.

What does it all mean?

The statistics above narrow the sample of subjects down to a very particular demographic. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, since it allows the conclusions of the study to be compared to studies of completely different demographics. In particular, it shows how these mostly 18-20, mostly female, mostly Euro-American, and all college-educated people compare to a traditionally different demographic: members of American sub-cultures.

Mainstream Americans have been getting tattoos for a long time. As Vanderberg put it, tattoos are in their Golden Age. "I think it’s great that something other than the counter-culture is getting tattooed. Really the upper-class or the higher middle class, those are the people who are getting the high dollar full body stuff, even though you never see it. New England is very liberal. It’s the Democrats’ Mecca. You can get a job with a facial tattoo. But the rest of the world is very uptight, and that makes you unemployable if you have any tattoo."

To quote from the study’s abstract: “With the increasing mainstream presence of visible tattoos and piercings among entertainers, athletes, and even in corporate boardrooms, we wonder the extent to which long-time enthusiasts and collectors regard the phenomenon as encroachment.”

How will sailors, motorcycle clubs, convicts, musicians, tattoo artists and other traditionally-adorned subcultures react to seeing their symbol of free-spirited individualism on the upper arm of a 19-year-old white college girl?

In other words, the connection between body art and America’s college students doesn’t make everyone happy, as you might imagine. But in this case it’s not simply their parents — the usual target of youth in rebellion — who are annoyed at the connection between body art and deviant behavior. This nuisance even goes beyond their concerned pastors or community leaders.

The research team posits that the people most offended by the body art of deviant college students are deviants themselves. Body art used to be a tried-and-true symbol of deviant behavior and counter-culture attitudes. It was so obvious a sign of the anti-mainstream, that a study like this would’ve been laughable.

"Bikers, whores, freaks, and sailors, that was it." Vanderberg said. "You had to have a pair to even walk in the front door. And no one was nice to you, no one helped to educate you."

Time was when a certain tattoo meant allegiance to a biker gang, military service, prison time or adherence to an extreme philosophy. Body art has been used by members of the straight edge movement to declare their abstinence from drugs and alcohol. It has been used as pictorial histories of convicts’ criminal exploits. Tattoos have been used as symbols of feats of bravery among sailors and the military. Perhaps the most widely-known use of tattoos is as symbols of identity among the motorcycle clubs of California.

But now, with middle-class college students adorning themselves as part and parcel of their "deviant behavior" (read: cheating on tests, binge drinking, and smoking the reefer), what does this do to the traditional status symbol of the counter-culture? Vanderberg said, "There are tattooed people, and there are people with tattoos. Tattooed people are different." If a binge-drinking sorority girl can get a skull and roses tattooed on her thigh, what does that same tattoo mean on a 50-year old female biker who’s seen more than her fair share of deviancy?

Does this detract from the meaning body art? Or does this mean that more college students are considering themselves counter-culture?

The research team believes that the connection between the college students’ body art and their deviant behavior will force a response from the old-school deviants: “We propose that tattoo collectors, artists, and piercers must not only increase the number of tattoos and piercings they have in order to maintain a distinctive sub- cultural identity, they are also more likely to solidify their out-group status with higher levels of other anti-social behavior.”

Therefore, because mainstream young people are using body art to symbolize their youthful transgressions, members of the tattooed subculture must respond in kind. Not only must they take their body art to new extremes, but they must also increase their deviant behavior to be more deviant than the actions of supposedly bad-ass college students.

But does the counter-culture agree?

Neither main nor stream. Discuss

Stingray Body Art on Harvard Avenue won Boston Magazine’s Best of Boston Award for the best tattoo parlor in 2006 and 2007. The establishment is home to nine tattoo artist and two body piercers. Judging by Stingray’s work, their title of Best of Boston is well-deserved. But they didn’t get there by catering strictly to counter-culture tattoo enthusiasts.

The parlor advertises a 10 percent student discount. With their location in the heart of America’s college town, it’s no wonder a large portion of their clientele is college students.

But students aren’t the only mainstream business to walk through the parlor’s doors. Every day, Stingray sees clients from all walks of life. "You name it, we do it,” Vanderberg said. “From retired folks to lawyers, teachers, doctors, investment bankers… we do it all. We’re located near the teamster area, so we have a lot of those."

It’s a large, clean, professional-looking shop on a main thoroughfare, a far cry from the stereotype of the shadowy, back-alley, have-to-know-somebody-who-knows-somebody-to-find-it tattoo parlor run by outlaw biker tattoo artists. Surely that parlor still exists somewhere, but parlors like Stingray have become the face of the body art industry.

The idea is to make everyone feel welcome, regardless of mainstream or counter-culture affiliation. "My job is to take care of you, make it look cool and send you away with a good experience and a smile on your face. My job’s not to judge what people get," Vanderberg said.

Not everyone likes this style. The research team writes, "’Old-school’ tattoo artists, as well as long-time collectors and enthusiasts, have expressed dismay and disgust at the emergence of such ‘posers’ regarding them as late to the game and playing it casually." Perhaps the problem of body art and deviance among college students is a matter of respect. Are college students intruding on traditions that aren’t theirs to borrow?

Vanderberg doesn’t think the change is all bad. "I think that it used to be people who were on the edge that got tattooed, no one else did. But now it’s not like that. It’s fashion. It’s like Uggs or Doc Martins or anything else. Trends will change, and they’ll get different stuff, and keep our industry alive." The times they are a’changing.

Whether or not body art is a symbol of deviancy in college students, it still might be perceived that way. "I’ve had situations where if you had tattoos on your hands and a cop pulled you over, you were a scumbag and you’re getting a ticket. That’s like saying anyone who’s black likes watermelon, or anyone who’s Middle Eastern is a terrorist," Vanderberg said. "I don’t think it’s right to judge anyone for the color of their skin. It’s that little 1/16 of an inch that makes us all so different, tattoo or not."

Biker gangs, bad boys and rock stars used to be synonymous with tattoos. These days however, skin art is definitely becoming more mainstream with each passing month. With body art becoming the norm, and tattooed college students experimenting with social deviancy, where is there room for counter-culture symbolism? When a tattoo and multiple piercings is no longer a symbol of radical individualism, what will radical individuals do to set themselves apart?

"Body art, deviance, and American college students" sheds light on a curious trend among America’s college students, but asks more questions than it answers about the new meaning of body art and deviancy.

In preparation for her New Year’s Eve show with the Boston Pops, Blast asked Boston resident and musician Amanda Palmer about her preferred spots in and around the city. Here’s what she had to say:

On her favorite Cambridge spots:

"My favorite mainstays haven’t all gone away. Algiers (Coffee House), Caf© Pamplona, The Brattle. … Honestly, you know, if I were to move to Mars and you said, ‘You can only have one day in Boston, where are you going to go?’ I would grab a book and I would head to Caf© Pamplona. That’s my number one location. … The day Caf© Pamplona closes, that’s it. I’m movin’ shop."

Harvard Square or Newbury Street?

"It’s funny. You know, I grew up going to Harvard Square as a teenager in the ‘80s. And even then, people were telling me that it was losing its soul. And now I feel like the ‘80s were, like, this bohemian heyday! … It hurts me, actually, to hang out there a little bit. I miss the funk. I miss the cool little stores. I mss all the street performers. I miss walking around and feeling city life. It feels more and more like a mall every summer, and that hurts me, because I always felt like Harvard Square was sort of my spiritual home. … Even with the soulless jewelers and bankers, it still beats Newbury Street."

Axis/Avalon or the House of Blues?

"I haven’t been to the new House of Blues (so) I can’t say. Everything I’ve heard leads me to believe that I would probably vote House of Blues. Axis and Avalon, as clubs, had very bad feng shui."

The Middle East, TT the Bears or Paradise?

"It’s a toss-up between the Middle East and Paradise. I’d say the Middle East probably wins just because there’s actually a real bar and you can sit down and eat."

Boston Common or the Esplenade?

"I’m a Common person."

Museum of Fine Arts or Institute of Contemporary Art?

"I haven’t been to the new ICA, but I have special attachments to the MFA. Probably MFA."

On where she goes for inspiration:

"Especially in the fall and spring, just walking around the South End, it’s so breathtakingly beautiful because of the architecture and the trees. And when I want to just go on a solitary walk, I actually go out to Castle Island and do that circle.  But I’m kind of a hometown girl at heart, and even though my hometown has changed a lot, I still go back to Lexington constantly and visit my folks and hang out in the center of town there."

By now you should know about Blast’s partnership with the SYNERGY Timeless New Year’s Eve gala.

We’ve been getting e-mails asking for more information on the event, so here’s an interview with Reaz Hoque, one of the organizers:

BLAST: How did SYNERGY get started? When did it start?

Reaz Hoque: The SYNERGY events started about 3 years ago. I used to do a lot of house parties where I would spin music that you don’t normally hear at regular Boston scenes and my friends would just love it. Soon enough, I started to get to know more people, the house parties started becoming too much to handle and I wanted to do something outside of my house. I also had the idea of combining music with fashion and art and that’s how we started the SYNERGY events.

BLAST: How many people do you draw each year?

RH: We usually have a full house at all our events. At our recent Boston fashion week event, we had 900 people in two nights. And these are all pretty high end crowd, the ones that don’t normally come out every night but when they do, they go all out.

BLAST: There’s a big charity component that goes into the party as well. Can you tell us a little about that?

RH: Charity draws a specific type of folks to our events, the ones that are generous and social conscious. We think of it as, if we can have fun and also help a particular group, why not?

BLAST: What’s the theme of SYNERGY? What will everyone be wearing?

RH: We are a leader in creating themed events. Depending on a particular event, the theme is unique. We have done themes where guests were dressed in all red to 1940s glam which is this year’s theme at the Timeless New Year’s Eve Gala. For our upcoming event, the dress code is formal.

BLAST: What’s the crowd like usually? Who comes to SYNERGY?

RH: Our crowd is mostly upscale young professionals who love to mingle, dance, flirt, and meet new people. They are well traveled, usually speak more than one language and love events we put together that combine much more than a DJ and a venue.

BLAST: What are you most looking forward to about this year’s party?

RH: We are looking forward to refining Boston’s New Year’s Eve scene up a notch. When it comes to NYE in Boston, people just think another club night and to be honest, many clubs don’t really offer as much as they should even though they charge a hefty entrance fee for New Years Eve. We are here to change that. We are looking forward to entertaining our guests with red carpet treatment, photography, amazing visuals, live band, live vocals, 3 DJs, food, gift bags, and more importantly at a very upscale private venue that will be transferred into a gala for the night where guests feel it was worth the ticket price!

See you on New Year’s!

Join Blast on New Year’s Eve this year, and party with us in style!

Remember, January 1 is Blast’s birthday, so we’ll be partying all night.

SHADE Foundation of America was founded in 2002 following Shonda Schilling’s battle with melanoma. Over 1 million new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year, and it’s estimated that of those, more than 60,000 diagnosed in 2008 will be melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer. Today, 1 in 5 children will grow up to develop skin cancer, which is currently the number one cancer killer among women ages 25-29. However, skin cancer in 95% preventable and 95% treatable if caught early. For more information, log onto www.shadefoundation.org.

Blast is proud to sponsor Bubbles and Bites 2009 with Shonda & Curt Schilling.

Bubbles and Bites is a charity event to benefit SHADE Foundation of America. It’s a holiday champagne dine-around reception featuring Curt and Shonda Schilling, a holiday gift silent and live auction, as well as champagne and cuisine by Boston’s most notable chefs including: Todd English, Jeff Fournier, Dante de Magistris, Rodney Murillo, Peppino of DaVinci, Brian Poe, Tony DiRienzo and many more. The event emcee will be Kathryn Tappen, who serves as NESN’s Boston Bruins studio host and as an anchor and reporter for “SportsDesk,” NESN’s popular sports news, information and highlights program.

WHEN: Wednesday, December 9th

5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. — VIP Meet & Greet reception featuring photo opportunities with the World Series Trophies

6:00 p.m. — 9:00 p.m. — Main Event

WHERE: Ritz Carlton Boston Common

10 Avery Street

Boston, MA 02111

TICKET INFO: Ticket information is available by logging onto www.shadefoundation.org. Tickets start out at $150 per person for general admission. $250 for VIP reception. $250 per couple offered until November 15, 2009.

The holiday season is nearly upon us and you know what that means: temptation. No, not temptation to gobble up those delicious party snacks and awesome desserts. That’s fine by me — a holiday party is a great way to get a whole day’s worth of free food, all in one sitting.

Nope, this time I’m talking about the temptation to spend money on gifts for other people. Sure, it’s the season for giving. But that doesn’t mean you have to actually spend your hard-earned money on frivolous gifts for everyone. I mean, you’ve been saving up some serious cash by not spending money on groceries. Don’t get tricked into thinking this is why you’ve been squirreling away your dough for the past month. Once again, I am here to help you save money on all your (limited) holiday shopping.

Let’s start with the basics: regifting. Regifting is a timeless tradition that everyone dabbles in from time to time. But for you, it will now become an art. Regifting — and regifting well — takes some serious skill. You can’t simply grab a gift bag that you think you got from Aunt Susie, throw in a bottle of wine that you think you got from Uncle Rich, and give it to cousin Danny. No one wants to be the jackass who accidentally gives back a gift to the person who gave it to you in the first place.

You really don't need all these picture frames on the wall. Tape will do. Tacks too. (Media credit/Derek Purdy via Flickr)

So to be a skilled regifter. The spirit of regifting must be in your mind 12 months of the year, not just on December 24 (and the day before Chanukkah) when you realize you’ve screwed the pooch and waited too long to shop. In order to do this, you must be organized about it. Whenever you get a gift that you don’t want/need — and you should be doing this at all major holidays, including birthdays — put the gift in a previously chosen location. Back of a closet always works or in a cupboard is good too. Now, you must record these gifts. Create a folder on your computer for this purpose because let’s face it, you’re just not organized to keep track of a random notebook. Just type up who gave you what gift and you’ll be in great shape for the holidays. I realize it’s a little late to do this for the current holiday season, but at least now you have a New Year’s Resolution.

So let’s talk about some ideas you can put to use right now. Picture frames are a lovely item that have been used as gifts for who knows how long. But before you run out to Christmas Tree Shop or Target to purchase a few of these thoughtful offerings, take a look around your own house or apartment. See any picture frames? If you’re a person, I bet you do. So, go ahead and take the pictures out of those frames. Slap the pictures on the wall with some Scotch tape, like a less classy graduate student (see my apartment for prime examples). You might want to clean off the picture frame a bit, since it’s bound to be dusty. You know you don’t spend your money on dust rags and those foofy duster things that are supposed to bend and flex and clean in all the nooks and crannies. Those things are for people who can afford to buy new picture frames for gifts. And don’t worry about your own lack of picture frames. You’re sure to get a couple as gifts over the course of the year. It’s the circle of life.

If you’ve already used up your supply of picture frames, you might be interested in a more edible present. Lots of people go for those big towers or baskets of fruits and muffins and such. It’s not a bad idea. But don’t even think about ordering one from a catalog. That’s like asking your well-intentioned back side to get ripped off. You can simply make one on your own. Head to the grocery store and check out the sales. That’s how you’ll be picking out what fruits to add to the basket. Couple apples, maybe some pears, and a nice package of English muffins. Not too much- everything has to fit into the small sized basket from Christmas Tree Shop that you picked up for fifty cents. It won’t look as good as a catalog basket, but you’ll get some points for the effort of doing it yourself (and everyone will know you did it yourself).

Sales are a great way to shop for yourself while also doing some holiday shopping. My favorite store to do this in is Bath and Body Works. I used to work there, so I know all the deals. Their best sale is during the summer, though that won’t help you now. But add it to your notes for future reference. Fortunately, the store has a sale pretty much all the time, the best one being the Buy-3-Get-2-Free deal. This way, you get to replenish your own stock of favorite shower gel, lotion, and body spray, while also getting two gifts for future use. No one actually wants to get a product from here as a gift. It’s never the right scent or type of lotion that we actually use. But somehow, it has become a classic holiday gift item. So jump on the bandwagon and enjoy the ride.

Baked goods are a great way to go in terms of a gift. That stuff kills it every time. I’m not telling you to do anything too intense. Clearly, that’s not my style. Just grab a couple of bread mixes in the box (I suggest pumpkin or cranberry for added festivity). They’re great because everyone will think you slaved over a hot stove for hours. No one needs to know it takes approximately 3.5 minutes to go from box to oven. And one of the best parts — these guys don’t even need to be wrapped up all pretty. Throw some tin foil around each one so they stay fresh and toss them at the nearest relative. Sure, everyone knows you didn’t spend much, but everyone also knows that you’re just a poor student. Learn to milk that excuse for as long as possible and you’ll be golden.

Got an old gift card lying around that you haven’t used? Probably- gift cards are notorious presents. But don’t just hand your gift card off to someone else. There’s always the chance that the original gift card giver will spot your impropriety. So go out and stretch that gift card to its max, buying all kinds of cheap little gifts for people. You’ll be buying gifts without actually using any of your money, plus you’ll be catering to that urge to shop that I’ve been telling you to stifle. It’s all about compromise.

You don't need all this wrapping paper. Your mom has plenty. (Media credit/Heart for Japan via Flickr)

Let’s talk wrapping paper. As in "let’s never buy wrapping paper again." Seriously, could there be a bigger waste of money? Just think about it for a minute: when you buy wrapping paper, you are buying something that is going to be ripped to shreds and dumped into the nearest Hefty bag. What to do instead of this wallet-sucking material? Alternative one is to throw the gift in a store bag (Old Navy and Gap always has nice bags and you know you have plenty of those, you clothes whore). Hand it off to the recipient and simply say, "Sorry, I just ran out of time to wrap it." If you’re a student of any kind, no one is really going to blame you. Besides, your gift is so crappy that the crappy presentation of the gift is hardly going to be talked about. Really, it’s not even worth it. Wrapping a bad gift in real wrapping paper is like popping one Tic Tac after a loaded sausage: doesn’t matter how you try to cover it, you still smell like shit.

Alternative number two is to pull the prodigal child routine with your parents. I assume most people are going home to their parent’s house for the holidays. You could always wait until you get home, visibly show your enthusiasm for being home with family, then offer to help wrap gifts if only you can use some wrapping paper for your own gifts. Your mom will be so happy to see her baby home, she’ll practically throw the stuff at you. Hey, if it’s free and at your disposal, are you really going to say no?

You now have all the tools for a successful holiday season. Wondering what to do about Uncle Bob’s "extra friendliness" going on under the holiday dinner table? Sorry, can’t help you there. Just throw a pumpkin bread in his hands. That should keep him busy for a while. Now go enjoy your holidays.

Forget Football.

Okay, it’s Sunday, and you feel like the only person in Boston who isn’t glued to the TV watching the Patriots game. So not true! It might seem like Tom Brady casts a spell that brings the whole city to a halt, but there are a million other things to do instead this Sunday. With everything from street fairs to poetry readings, here are a few ideas to get you started.

Matinee Madness

If you really want to escape, head to the movie theater to find an alternate reality where Megan Fox is possessed by a demon and Matt Damon is fat. Jennifer’s Body, a quirky horror flick from Diablo Cody, the writer of Juno, opens this weekend. It stars Megan Fox as a bloodthirsty cheerleader who starts killing off her male classmates. Another new flick worth seeing is The Informant, which stars Matt Damon as a bumbling exec who starts spying on his company for the FBI.

Hit the Streets

To load up on live music and lots of your favorite street food, head over to the Allston Village Street Fair. From noon to 6 p.m., Harvard Avenue from Brighton Avenue to Cambridge Street will be jam-packed with art exhibits, food vendors and street performers. There will also be three stages of live entertainment featuring local bands like Bird Mancini and Three Day Threshold, as well as Irish step dancing and a troupe of belly dancers.

Be A-maize-d

Get in touch with your inner child and take advantage of the great fall weather by exploring one of the area’s corn mazes. For under $10 per person, you can put your sense of direction to the test and see if you can find your way out of an elaborate maze built right into a cornfield. North of the city, try Marini Farm in Ipswich. South of the city, Sauchuk Farm in Plympton has a maze dedicated to 100th anniversary of the Lincoln cent — from above, it looks like a penny!

Culture on the Cheap

It’s time to channel your artistic side because Sunday is the perfect day to visit the Museum of Fine Art. From 10 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., admission to the museum is totally free. So for less than you spend on your morning coffee, you can enjoy exhibits such as Vida y Drama: Modern Mexican Prints and Seeing Songs, a collection of works inspired by music. ReadBoston will also be there holding a book drive, so you can top it all off by doing a good dead and bringing a children’s book to donate.

Poetry in Motion

For something more unusual, stop by the Forsyth Chapel in Forest Hills Cemetery at 2 pm for a reading by The Carpenter Poets of Jamaica Plain. The group of local craftsman discovered a shared love of poetry more than a decade ago and have been meeting for poetry readings ever since. For $5, you can join them to hear their latest works and enjoy the architectural beauty of the 19th century chapel.

Retail Therapy

If shopping is more your type of sport than football, you should check out the Sowa Open Market. Located at 540 Harrison Ave. and open from 10 am to 5 pm this weekend, the market features 120 different vendors. Browsing through the booths, you can find everything from handmade pottery, one-of-a-kind jewelry and the latest creations from local indie fashion designers to fresh flowers, tasty baked goods and produce from area farmers. With free admission and free parking, too, you can’t lose.

Ladies, as we know, Boston is expanding to become one of the top metropolitan destinations for the young and the restless looking for an exciting night out. Beantown has stepped up its game, and new bars, restaurants and various nightlife options have been popping up by the handful over the past couple of years.

Who says Saturday night is the best night to go out? If you’re a Bostonian of the fairer sex, listen up because your city just got a lot more enticing during the week. If you’re sick of every girls’ night out being the same ol’ cosmo and lounge combo endeavor after another, the following might interest you and make you oh so fabulously in the know.

1. Fashionably Late at The Liberty Hotel

Ok so I gotta say it, if you haven’t heard of The Liberty Hotel’s Fashionably Late happening every Thursday night, you might be living under a rock. Sorry, but seriously. This is THE place to be on Thursday nights in the city. If you like fashion, an extensive cocktail list and rubbing elbows with the city’s finest, this is the ladies night to look forward to each week. While models circle the upper levels of the hotel as they display the creations of Boston’s hottest designers, you’ll feel the magic between you and that fantastically dressed stranger you keep locking eyes with.

Whether it be that perfectly mixed dirty martini, the stylish new “so now”‚  asymmetrical dress you’re rocking, or the vibrations of the music pumping with the beat of the fashion show, you’ll feel so chic. Make sure you know your designers before you approach however, as it’s the fashion lovers of Boston that frequent this weekly event.

But don’t let intimidation keep you holed up at home. There is no need to be dismayed by all those waif like types – The Liberty Hotel has made it that much easier to be chic. With one more week of summer, and our prayers for a possible Indian Summer, we may still feel compelled to watch those cals. Order from Liberty’s “Sleek” Cocktail menu, where the drinks won’t cost us more than twenty minutes on the treadmill the next day.

Check out this week’s Fashionably Late on September 3 from 8 p.m. 2 a.m., with clothing designed by Samuel Vartan’s and beats by Michael Savant. For true VIP status, plan ahead of time for your table reservations by emailing fashion@libertyhotel.com.

2. Red Sky’s Ladies Night

Fancy an irresistible concoction with a serving of some rockin’ 80′s tunes? Well, you’re in luck my fellow female liquid lovers; all you need to do is purchase just one $10 drink at Red Sky on Ladies Night, happening every Tuesday night from 5-9pm, and you are game for a FREE three course meal. Yes, you read that right. If that didn’t entice you enough, there is also a DJ spinning your favorite 80′s tunes so we can tap into the nostalgia of remembering our beloved MJ in true style.

Anyone who’s ever heard the word recession (maybe once or twice recently?) is running in their three inch heels every Tuesday night to savor that beloved, and much needed, martini to get in on this deal. The menu changes slightly each week, but always includes a soup or salad to start, an entree and a dessert. As if that wasn’t impressive enough, Red Sky is really showing us ladies some respect by always including a vegetarian option. You’ll be hooked on this Tuesday night treat in no time.

3. Suneri Boutique

Snapple Fact: Did you know that Wednesday is actually the worst day of the week for most people, and not the usual suspect (and sworn enemy) we all lovingly know as Monday?

Suneri Boutique of Somerville feels your pain and has come to our rescue with the perfect excuse to kiss that hump day slump goodbye. Suneri carries all things lovely, trendy, and is always feeling generous on Wednesdays from 5-8pm, as they offer complimentary wine, hors d’oeuvres, and discounts on their fine clothing and accessories.

Suneri also boasts its own art gallery for your viewing pleasure while you shop. The store is adorned with various works of art by local and emerging artists and photographers such as Christopher Elsasser and Sarah Pollman.

So stick it to Wednesdays from now on by gathering your group of tight knit girls and revitalizing with some great deals, munchies and of course some vino – just enough to get you to Friday with a smile as opposed to your usual mid-week “Don’t even talk to me til it’s the weekend” frown.

4. The Colonnade Hotel’s Roofdeck Pool

Now this is my kind of ladies night out — the kind where you are so excited for some much needed chick time you’re ready to start at noon. To start the day out right, get to the Colonnade Hotel’s anyone-who’s-anyone-is-there roofdeck pool, open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Make sure to get there by this coming Labor Day weekend when our balmy summer days are tragically over. Be a lady and properly say goodbye to summertime basking in the rays with your teeniest bikini, your impossibly hot female crew, and a strong drink in hand.

It may be a somewhat hefty entrance fee at $30, but who says a splurge isn’t worth it when you’re looking down at Boston atop the only roofdeck pool in the city? With favorable mentions in USA Today, Boston Magazine and Playboy.com, this is one joint you can’t afford not to check out.

Who knows who you’ll meet — the possibilities (and yachts and Miami beach houses…) are endless. Just make sure the when you talk about your extravagant experience at the Colonnade later on that day you refer to it as RTP, its nickname uttered by all the beautiful people in the know. Oo La La.

5. The Greatest Bar’s Country Night with WKLB 102.5

Ladies Love Country Boys.

Trace Adkins tells it like it is. A girl just can’t resist a man with a cowboy hat on, a country twang, and oh that farmer’s tan! Ok, that may be going a little too far. But in all honesty, country music has blown up in America, and females are a huge fan base. Although the Northeast isn’t a place that immediately comes to mind when thinking of those sexy tractors we keep hearing about, you better believe Boston has its share of country ‚ music lovers.

The Greatest Bar caught wind of this trend and has grabbed our attention with their Country Music Night every Sunday from 4pm until the party ends, which won’t be early with $3 apps and frozen margaritas going for $5. With Country 102.5′s DJ Bob playing those county tunes we love so much, it’ll be hard to pass up the opportunity of a mini Countryfest right here in Boston every week!

Instead of making your to-do lists for the week and heading to bed early like every other Sunday, hit up The Greatest Bar this Sunday with your girl crew for something different from your usual. Your weekly routine won’t be completely out of whack, you and your ladies can down some frozen margs, split some apps, snag a cowboy’s number, and still be home in time to watch “Entourage”.

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There you have it, Boston babes. Grab your girls for some fun, and don’t wait until the weekend to do it!

The young House of Blues location in Boston is facing a one-week liquor license suspension because some of its drunk patrons were also quite young, the Boston Herald reported Saturday.

Two incidents led to two minors getting alcohol poisoning at the club, which opened on Lansdowne Street in February, the Herald reported.

The House of Blues did not comment on the situation, but Live Nation may appeal the suspension.

Blast was on a boat last weekend for DJ Roy Barboza’s cruise with him spinning all night and Jam’n 94.5′s Kid Maverick hosting.

Other DJs included Sam Smooth and DJ Lus. Luckily, the weather cleared up and everyone had a great time. Michael Jackson songs were played in the beginning to honor him.

Overall it was an amazing night. The next cruise is set for August 29, and we’ll probably be there, you know, in a professional capacity.

There is a newly crowned royal on the streets of Boston. Winning by a mere two votes in the closest race since the competition started (a whole one year ago), Carly Marciano, 22, was crowned Miss Boston 2009 Saturday night at FELT nightclub.

In Saturday’s final round, hosted by MTV Real World Alum Randy Barry and Miss Boston 2008, Alida D’Angona, five Boston natives competed for the tiara.

Miss Boston was put on by FELT in an effort to find the ultimate local model and the pretty face of Boston for the year. The three-week competition gave some beautiful and talented Bostonians an opportunity for exciting exposure, said FELT Marketing director Shannon Finks. Now in its second year, Finks called it one of the “sexiest events of the summer.”

Marciano beat out about 80 entries into the Miss Boston Contest for the title. Through a pre-screening, 12 participants were selected to compete in three categories: semi-formal wear, bikini wear and personality. Only seven advanced to the second round and five lucky ladies participated in the finals.

It was the semi-formal wear competition on Saturday night and Adelina Keshishian, Alexa O’Hara, Carly Marciano, Cyann Ribeiro and Kristin Phelps graced the stage.

“You have to stunt your stuff the best you got and pray it’s enough” said first-runner-up Alexandra O’Hara. “It sucks that I lost by two votes, but at least I played the game. I’d rather lose by two votes than two hundred. Two votes means I gave Carly a good run for her money.”

When it came to voting, the judges “" various local celebrities and personalities in Boston fashion “" held 50 percent of the vote while crowd participation held the other 50.

“We all had no clue who was going to win” said second-runner-up and Somerville native model/actress Cyann Ribeiro. “The crowd was hootin’ and hollerin’ for everybody so loud I couldn’t think up there. I just kept telling myself to smile. That was all that mattered.”

As the judges deliberated and votes were counted, the crowd kept the party going. DJ Freddy B from Las Vegas spun the latest tracks as everyone on the crowded floor took a break from cheering for their friends, tossed back their drinks and showed off their dance moves.

“You gotta show up and cheer for your girl” said attendee Chantal Keys. Keys had grown up with contestant Kristin Phelps and came to every stage of the competition to support her “homegirl.”

“There’s no way you could get me on stage in a bikini but if anyone’s gonna do it Kristin is the girl for the job. I hate going to the beach with that girl.”

Dean Cleary, a Boston local, also attended. He doesn’t know any of the contestants personally, yet. “Maybe one day one of them will be my lady” he said of the girls on stage. “A guy can dream. And buy the runner-up a drink. We’ll see how far tonight takes me.”

Finally the lights turned down and the Black Eyed Peas blared from the DJ booth: “I gotta feeling that tonight’s gonna be a good good night.” The contestants entered the stage again to hear who had won the title. A few more jokes were told, and the crowd almost quieted for a second as they waited to hear who had won.

“I didn’t think they called my name at first” Marciano remembered. “But then everyone pushed me forward and I was just like “ËœOh. I won’.”

Marciano shed a few tears and shook the hands of her friends as she was on the stage at FELT. “Thank you to everyone” she cried, “you don’t know how much this means to me.”

“The life of Miss Boston is a good life” said D’Angona in the last hour of her title as Miss Boston. “It’s been a crazy year, of photo shoots and appearances, free Red Sox tickets, and free booze.”

As winner, Marciano won an all expenses paid trip to the Caribbean, a magazine spread in Upscale Living, the title “Face of FELT” for all 2009 campaigns and a fashion shoot with Stewart Smith.

“I don’t know which part I’m the most excited about” Marciano said, “but I’m sure as hell going to enjoy the next year living it up in Boston. I wonder if this title will get me any free food.”

Blast’s editor was totally rooting for finalist Kristin Phelps, but says he has “nothing but love” for everyone who competed. You’d say that too.

Miss Universe, Miss America, Miss Boston?

On June 27, Miss Boston 2009 will be crowned at club FELT. Miss Boston 2008, Alida D’Angona and MTV Real World Alum Randy Barry will host the competition in which five Boston natives (seven others were eliminated in round one) will vie for the honor.

The five lovely ladies are Adelina Keshishian, Alexandra O’Hara, Carly Marciano, Cyann Ribeiro and Kristin Phelps. These brave women even donned a swimsuit on stage! One will win, among other things, a tropical vacation, a spread in Upscale Living magazine and exposure as the “Face of FELT” for 2009.

After the show, FELT will host a celebration after-party with celebrity DJ Freddy B from Las Vegas.

The event, which starts at 10:30, is free for you with an RSVP. Tell them you read about it on BlastMagazine.com! We’ll be there. Come say hi!