Metro - Your Life

US – Saturday, March 20

Put your vacation on ice

One of the world’s most intricate, arduous and artistic undertakings is also a creative work of functionality and impermanence. Open from Jan. 4 through April 4, the Hotel de Glace is both an exhibition and accommodation that can only be seen and experienced for three months before it starts to melt and is taken down.

Obama pushes loan fixes

The House and the Senate are expected to vote on the reconciliation legislation within the next week or so to resolve their differences over health care reform.

Photo: GETTY IMAGESThe key to Kyoto

Kyoto’s temples and Geisha culture are legendary, but this city is no slouch when it comes to mixing in a large slice of contemporary, too.

My Technology

Indulge in gaming

At its thriftiest, gaming is still a pretty expensive hobby. Consoles cost a few hundred bucks. Games cost about $60. But why stop there? Bust that wallet wide open with the best new accessories money can buy. Worry about rent later.

Home/Boston

Boston’s Back Bay is ‘on fire’

Boston real estate brokers are saying the Back Bay market is “on fire,” with 69 sales since January with an average price of $1.4 million. “Many buyers feel the recession is ancient history,” says John Ford, owner of Ford Realty on Charles and Tremont streets. “Last year at this time, peoples’ investment portfolios were losing money. They’ve gained the losses from 2009. Now they are using their recouped losses, and have more confidence in purchasing luxury condos.”

Home/Philly

A fixer-upper full of surprises and quirks

Realtors familiar with the 1600 block of South 13th St. would probably be surprised to hear a house there sold for $267,000. Properties on this historical block normally run well upwards of $300,000, even in this economy. But this particular early 20th-century town house had some “special challenges” for buyers Natalie Chartier and Jesse Spacco, a newly engaged couple.

CLICK ON CHART TO ENLARGE

CLICK ON CHART TO ENLARGE

My Money

How to spend your tax refund like a pro

Spring is in the air: It’s time to hunt down the best deal on this season’s must-have sandals, indulge in one too many candy Easter eggs and, oh yeah, do your taxes.

My St. Patrick’s Day

Can’t be St. Patrick’s Day without a little whiskey

Look — no matter how many Guinnesses we throw down today, we’re never going to be as Irish as Colum Egan, the master distiller at Bushmills. Egan oversees the entire whiskey-making process, from milling, yeasting, fermentation, distillation and aging. And since Bushmills has been producing the Irish spirit at the same distillery since 1608, he knows a thing or two concerning drinking and St. Patrick’s Day.

My St. Patrick’s Day

Bringing the Pickle Back this St. Pat’s Day

What if you’re one crazy Irishman (or wannabe crazy Irishman) and want to try something totally different from a pint of Guinness?

Real Estate Search for New York City powered by StreetEasy

The March MMMpod features conversation and music from Surfer Blood and The Allman Brothers Band (There's a double-bill you're not too likely to see. However, Gregg Allman does mention Hannah Montana!). We also speak with Vampire Weekend and the Dropkick Murphys.

How to spend your tax refund like a pro

Spring is in the air: It’s time to hunt down the best deal on this season’s must-have sandals, indulge in one too many candy Easter eggs and, oh yeah, do your taxes.