My perfect day

We ask some notable Bostonians to envision their ideal summer day - from boxing gyms to Buddhist meditation.

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Updates from Fenway ...

Brad Penny and the Red Sox try to rebound from an extra-inning loss to the Mariners at Fenway Park.

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• Notebook: Dice-K headed to Florida for rehab

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PTO or medical leave?

Benefits are a matter of law, policy, and contractual issues, which makes them a challenge to untangle.

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2009 Mazda 6

Value without a V-6

With a six-speed manual, the Mazda 6 moves like it has a V-6, but hardly needs one.

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Mortgage rates fall back

The average 30-year rate has dropped to 5.32 percent.

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Your patriotic pets

Is your puppy or kittie a Yankee Doodle Dandy? Take a look at some readers' patriotic pets!

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Cartoon caption contest

Not exactly beach weather, eh? Give us your take in this week's cartoon caption contest!

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• Illinois cabbie uses deodorant to disarm attacker
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• Today in History - July 4

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Sarah Palin to quit

The Alaska governor surprised supporters when she announced she is resigning from office at the end of the month, leaving open a possible 2012 White House run. (Washington Post)

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• Fireworks explosion on N.C. island kills 1, hurts 4
• Cuts hit south of Boston hard
• Lottery will determine Jackson memorial attendees
• Driver, 83, crashes car into Natick store, injuring clerk
• British aides face trial, says Iranian cleric
• Coalition, T launch effort to stem summer violence
• Youth arraigned in New Bedford fatal shooting
• SKorea says North fires 7 missiles off east coast

• Editorial: The Declaration of Independence
• Derrick J. Jackson: A country to celebrate
• Photo gallery Obama and the Stars and Stripes
• David Harris: The time to talk about racial divide

• The Big Picture: The Honduran coup d'etat
• Real Estate: A Nantucket condo rush goes bust
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His grass is 'greener'

A Wayland man may have designed the perfect lawn grass. It not only looks great, but it conserves energy, protects the environment, and lowers water bills. (Boston Globe)

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Famous (and infamous) Brunos

Long before Sacha Baron Cohen assumed his alter ego "Bruno," a long line of Brunos have preceded him, both onscreen and off.

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Your summer photos

Readers share their summer adventure pics.

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