Five Star Day Café is a real find for Athens, GA diners. I first visited with my mother-in-law. She knew that Five Star Day had a reputation for being a place where one could order healthy, responsible things to eat so, she took me and my wife there early in our relationship. I can tell you, unashamedly, that it was great. Yes, they fulfilled my mother-in-law’s expectations, but they did so in the process of serving genuinely wonderful food with style and flair. Their meatloaf  is wonderful – creatively seasoned and hearty. Their menu, characterized as “gourmet soul,” is great – serving everything from fried green tomatoes to Carolina BBQ, and all prepared with an eye toward sustainability. They specialize in Southern dishes, from appetizers to sandwiches to entrees, that maximize the wonderful flavors of traditional recipes while remaining ecologically responsible. This is the kind of place where one can eat in clear conscience while sacrificing nothing at all. I highly recommend Five Star Day Cafe if you are looking for something that looks good and tastes good. To find other great places in your area, visit globalYP.net, a local online directory.

I traveled through Harrisburg on my way to Gettysburg. I decided to do a little exploring in this historic state capital and came upon a nice little restaurant called Jackson House. It is located just north of the capital complex in a very historic part of Harrisburg. This place isn’t fancy or flashy – it is simple and clean. They let their food do the talking for them. The Jackson House really is a road food treasure of Harrisburg. I realized I had to stop and try this place out. They have a pretty extensive menu with burgers, fries, malts, sandwiches, but I decided upon their namesake the Jackson Burger. This was a great decision. It was the tastiest/juiciest burger I have ever tasted! (An enormous patty of beef with bacon and special toppings) After the burger I had no room for the fries that come with it! Jackson House is a small, locally owned business so the service is great. This place is like burger heaven! Just keep in mind, they are only open for lunch from 10 a.m – 2 p.m, and it can get pretty busy. Nevertheless, if you’re hungry and looking for a place to eat, give Jackson House a try, you won’t be disappointed. To find other great places, visit globalYP.net, a local online directory.

I recently had an encounter with a small business in Portland, Maine. The company is called Amramp, a provider of wheelchair ramps. This is actually a franchise business, but the service was so great, I have to tell everyone! I was in a rather serious car accident in May, 2009. I broke my hip and I was unable to walk for three months. Before I left the hospital, just when I thought I was all set, a physical therapist asked if I had stairs to get into my house. I told her yes, and then it hit me as to what she was getting at. My children don’t live close by so I was very worried about getting in and out of the house. I googled wheelchair ramp, and I called the first live person that I got, which was at Amramp. The service that they provided was impeccable. They were so helpful and calmed be down when I didn’t know what to do. I was worried about costs and they helped with the car insurance and I was able to rent the ramp for an extended amount of time. Actually, someone went to my home and measured for the ramp before I even had my discharge papers. Two days later, when I went home, the ramp was in place. Having a wheelchair ramp isn’t something I ever thought about, but I am glad Amramp was so comforting throughout the process. To find other great places in your area, visit globalYP.net, a local online directory.

I must say, it is not easy trying to find that perfect dress for big events in my life. I looked several places for a dress for my prom, but all the shops seemed to have the typical formal dresses. For prom, I wanted a unique dress that would show off my unique style. After a long, hard search, I found this one of a kind shop in Clinton, MS. It was called Center Stage Formals. Although this shop was small, it had just about every kind of dress that you can imagine. From feathers and ruffles, to satin and silk; you name it, this store had it! They had leopard print dresses, dresses with huge bows, and wedding dresses that were definitely one of a kind. I could barely hold in my excitement as I walked through the store glancing at the many choices that I had to choose from. To top it all off, the owner was the nicest lady I have ever met. She understood the importance of wearing the right dress – the perfect dress makes for a perfect night. I was fitted my first visit there, and I was told when to come pick it up. It was by far the best formal wear shopping experience I had ever had. If anyone ever needs a unique formal dress, Center Stage Formals is the place to go! To find other great places in your area, visit globaYP.net, a local online directory.

Pizza Oven’s pizza’s claim to fame is that it’s best pizza in town. Not only is that true, but I think they have the best pizza in the country! People love their pizza so much that Pizza Oven had to start shipping their pizza all around the U.S. because it was in such high demand by people who had once lived in Canton and moved away. They half bake the pizza and ship it. That way, when you receive your pizza you can either freeze it or bake it right away. I have relatives that live in other states and when they come to visit the call and put in their orders for Pizza Oven pizza. We never have to cook for visiting family members because we just call Pizza Oven and let them do the cooking for us. There is no other pizza like Pizza Oven pizza. The sausage is the best sausage that you’ll find anywhere. The sauce is delicious, and you’ll even want to eat all of the crust. This pizza is delicious no matter how you like your pizza, cheese, pepperoni, or the works. In Canton, Ohio Pizza Oven is a tradition. It’s the first thing people talk about if you’re visiting another state and happen to meet someone who used to live there. Canton is also home to the Pro Football Hall Of Fame, but Canton’s real claim to fame is Pizza Oven pizza! It’s really easy to find more great places with globalYP.net, online yellow pages.

The winter in New England can get the best of us down: the blustery cold winds, flurries and sunshine fighting for control, and certainly less tourism and business than we are used to in the summer. It is no wonder, then, that many of our favorite summertime establishments close their doors and hibernate for the colder season. One local hotspot, however, keeps their doors open and their heaters blasting all year round, giving chilly patrons a place to catch their breath. Pour Judgement is located in Newport’s SoBro (South Broadway) district, and is small in size, but large in character. Brick walls, chalkboards, and original portrait/landscape paintings done by the owner himself line the walls. Offering most of the other amenities of similar bar/restaurants, it houses a pool table, full bar, 4 flatscreen TVs, and most of the time a diverse (and hefty) crowd. Speaking of diverse and hefty, the menu you are offered after sitting down looks far better than one might expect at a bar. From Tuna Nori Sushi Rolls, to Turkey Chili with House-Made Pita Chips, to delicious Surf and turf Combos, Pour Judgement is ready to feed an army. And with an $8.00 combination of a draft beer and a burger, an army can afford to eat and drink with the lovely staff of Pour Judgement. The fact that they make one of the best burgers in town is just the icing on the cake. Find out what your town has to offer by searching on globalYP.net, an online directory.

I love the Museum of Science. I live in the Boston area and have gone to it numerous times throughout my life. While some exhibits have not changed over the years, the temporary exhibits and the IMAX theater definitely make the Museum of Science a must for anybody visiting Boston, or for families in the area who want to do something local on a rainy day. For locals, a tip I might give you is that some local libraries hand out passes to the museum at a much cheaper price than the actual museum charges; while it does not cover IMAX and special tickets like that, it will significantly lower the price. What I love the most about the Museum of Science is the hands-on activities that are in the museum. The museum consists of typical exhibits, but The Museum of Science also has several interactive exhibits. There are free shows with audience participation, animal shows, dissections and the like in the Human Body Connection, demonstrations throughout the museum… you name it, the museum has probably done it at one point. This museum is great for kids. All the interactive exhibits allow kids to take an active part in science, rather than a passive role. The IMAX theater is by far my favorite thing at the museum. The films that are shown can range from under the sea all the way into outer space. The Museum of Science in Boston is an interactive museum great for kids and adults of all ages. To find other great places in your area, visit globalYP.net, a local online directory.

The scent of barbeque drifts from a seedy looking building that reveals an interior that’s anything but. Slow smoked gorgeously cooked meat, tangy almost vinegary sauce, sweet potato fries, sides to die for, delicious drinks; Black Dog Smoke and Ale House is nothing like what you’d expect to find in the middle of Illinois’ cornfields and everything you could hope for in a BBQ place. Small touches are the key here, the fries come out piping hot and crisp. Even the onions get smoked and the beans are seasoned perfectly. But of course as in any BBQ place, the meat is key. Tender, juicy brisket, ribs that fall off the bone, thick burgers…it’s all fantastic. Local is key at Black Dog. They serve ales from small breweries in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Michigan, once a week they smoke and serve meat from Triple S farms (a local and much loved farm). In addition to the wonderful meat and sides, Black Dog also serves breakfast that’s cheap and fantastic. In fact all the prices are quite good; $6-7 for sandwich platters, $10-12 for dinner platters, and fabulous drink specials. The only bad part is that there are only a dozen or so tables and the quality of the food is such that they are quite often full during peak hours, but then there’s always eating at the bar or takeout. Anything to get some Black Dog! Get local listings online with globalYP.net and find more places to chow down near you.

History buffs will appreciate an overnight stay at the Kenmore Inn Bed and Bistro in Fredericksburg, Virginia, where luxurious sleeping rooms are decorated in period style and the on-site restaurant whips up gourmet meals fit for a king. This historic property, built in 1793 and renovated in the 1930s, is located in the quaint little city of Fredericksburg and is a great place for visitors to begin their tour of Virginia’s attractions. There are nine beautifully decorated rooms available, each one unique and with its own charm. Although tourists might be transported back in time with a stay at the Kenmore Inn Bed and Bistro, they are not leaving modern technology behind, since each room has a flat panel television and full Internet access, so you can enjoy your stay and still stay in touch. The beds are comfortable, the rooms are spacious and well appointed, and there are dozens of attractions within minutes of the downtown location. Guests may dine on gourmet breakfasts up until 10:00 a.m. daily and the restaurant is open to the public for evening meals. The menu reflects the creativity of the chef with both regional specialties and innovative ingredient combinations. There are several dining areas in the restaurant and the intimate décor is perfect for special occasions. The Kenmore Inn Bed and Bistro is a hidden jewel in the city of Fredericksburg that provides sumptuous dining followed by elegant and comfortable evening accommodations. Keep it in mind for your next east coast vacation. Keep globalYP.net, online yellow pages, in mind the next time you need something from the phonebook.

Every summer I feel the need to have ice cream and the only place I will ever consider going is Jiffy Treat Homemade Ice Cream. This is the only place I feel that offers ice cream that tastes as good as it did when I was a kid. It’s an old-fashioned ice cream shop that sells a variety of flavors. All the basic flavors are included on their menu as well as some more unconventional ones. The nice part about Jiffy Treat Homemade Ice Cream is that they offer “mixed” ice cream. For example, I always like to get walnuts in my dark chocolate ice cream and have it placed inside of a waffle cone. You could do this for just about any ice cream. They offer a lot of different mix-ins – everything from nuts to sprinkles and even chocolate pieces! I know that my daughter always likes to get a waffle cone bowl with vanilla ice cream, mixed with chocolate, and sprinkles on top. Another good point about Jiffy Treat Homemade Ice Cream is that ice cream is not the only thing that they offer. They also have some of the greatest American fast food items. Usually I always make sure to order a burger and fries. They are not only cheap but they also taste really good – a lot better than what I can get at chain restaurants. GlobalYP.net, an online directory, is a lot better than what you can get from the phonebook.