According to the Mercury News, Philadelphia and Verizon have worked out a deal to make the whole town wireless. From the article:

The city of Philadelphia and Verizon Communications Inc. struck an agreement Tuesday that would allow the city to provide wireless Internet access as a municipal service even though Gov. Ed Rendell signed legislation giving Verizon the power to scuttle the project.

Philadelphia’s plans are the most ambitious of any major U.S. city to provide free or cheap high-speed wireless to all residents.

While it sounds like there are still a few things to work out, it sounds like it’s going to happen.

Cellphones not only now can emit fragrances and give you a good vibration, now they also can videoconference. Are these things taking over the world or what?

Update: I just found another cellphone that actually grows into a sunflower!!

And a service in Australia that doesn’t let users phone their exes while under the influence. I’m almost afraid to think what else these companies will come up with.

This just in: A press release announcing an agreement between the World Tourism Organisation (WTO), ICCA, Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and EIBTM to work together to raise the profile of the meetings industry throughout the world.

From the press release:

“This is a significant moment for the industry,” said Tom Nutley, Chairman of Reed Travel Exhibitions, organisers of EIBTM…“The key objectives are to raise awareness, understanding and value of the meetings industry with Governments with the assistance of the WTO, using the respected and proven Tourism Satellite Account (TSA), and to focus on core value issues of the industry such as GDP and contribution to job creation within the economy.”

Wherever your next meeting is, I’m sure the Epicurious Essential Restaurant Guide can help you narrow down the right spot for a special dinner. It offers first-hand accounts of restaurants in most U.S. cities, and from the few I looked at in Boston, I’d say they’re reviews are spot on.

To receive a weekly blog update, e-mail Sue.

MSNBC’s “Take me out to the … board meeting” shows that Jimmy Buffett’s Parrotheads aren’t the only ones heading to Fenway park for more than peanuts and Crackerjack:

“In an attempt to generate more revenue and attract more tourism to Boston, the Red Sox ownership is actively renting out sections of Fenway Park for everything from corporate meetings to social functions like weddings, bar mitzvahs and even bachelor parties.

“The change in direction includes an agreement to work with the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau in drawing more convention and corporate business to the city.”

Patrick Moscaritolo, president and CEO of the visitors bureau, sounds pretty psyched about the deal: “When you talk to meeting planners about it, the fact that they now can do something at Fenway Park — they just light up.” It sounds like it’s working, with double the number of events being held there this summer, as compared to last.

I still think the best thing for Boston would be for the Red Sox to win the ever-elusive World Series…

To receive a weekly blog update, e-mail Sue.