The Weekender: November 6 to 8

Photo courtesy of PeopleImages/iStock

Eat, shop, go

This nail-biter election (combined with record-high coronavirus cases) has made this week one of the most stressful of the year—and that’s saying a lot. To calm your nerves and ease your mind, if only for a little while, we highlight a handful of relaxing activities, like a new restaurant to try on this warm, sunny weekend, a free exercise class, and a local farmers market promising fresh air and produce.

Earnest Drinks

Kendall Square has a new eatery, and this one sells fun and flavorful drinks along with food perfect for satisfying the munchies. Earnest Drinks opened September 30 and offers pickup, delivery, and a patio for in-person dining. Order some ice cream, the Earnest Burger (meatloaf patty, lettuce, tomato, onion, and Swiss cheese on a brioche bun), or if you’re 21-plus, a boozy frappe. Check out the menu and merch here.

Roxbury Crossing Farmers Market

Itching to get off campus and see something that’s not your grocery store, classroom, or dorm or apartment? Grab your mask and head out to Roxbury Crossing for an outdoor farmers market on Tuesdays and Fridays, from 11 am to 7 pm, through November 24. Vendors sell fresh local produce along with honey and baked goods.

Prioritizing BIPOC Well-being

BIPOC (Black, indigenous, people of color) students, this event is for you. This weekend, Wheelock College of Education & Human Development faculty are creating a support space for BIPOC students. They’ll be leading discussions on navigating racial battle fatigue, self-care, and finding balance and support. Meet other students, learn from faculty, and find resources to help you handle the stress of national happenings, as well as of the academic semester. Register online to get the Zoom link for this virtual event, held Friday from 11 am to noon.

First Fridays: Meditation and Mindful Coloring

The BU Arts Initiative and Student Advisory Council are hosting an evening for students to engage in mindfulness and creativity this Friday, from 4:30 to 5:30 pm. Download the Headspace app and register for the free online event, which will take you through refreshing meditations and offer a variety of virtual rooms with meditative music, atmospheres, and moods. To get the Headspace app, students need their BU log on and Kerberos password. Once registered, you can access Headspace’s full suite of resources for as long as you’re enrolled at BU. And the savings are considerable: a regular subscription is $69.99.

If you don’t have art supplies to join in the coloring, stop by the BU Arts Initiative office in the George Sherman Union and pick up a pack with colored pencils after you register. Let your creativity show at the chill and calming event.

Taste of Tai Chi

Brookline Tai Chi offers an opportunity to engage in the active meditation exercise known as tai chi. The low-impact exercise dates back two centuries and has its beginnings in Chinese martial arts. It’s well known for benefiting health and wellness by improving balance and coordination, as well as releasing stress. You can try it for free before committing to one of the many courses Brookline Tai Chi offers. Simply register for an online session on the website—if you don’t see one that fits your schedule, email them to set up an individual introduction.