Matt Conti reports Hanover Street's new fortune teller has already violated three of her license requirements, most notably a prohibition on garish neon signs.

Conti says when he heard about the proposed shop, he just knew this would happen.

Matt Conti is amazed the North End/Waterfront Residents Association voted to approve a permit request from a woman who wants to open a fortune-telling studio at 215 Hanover St.:

At the NEWRA meeting, an abutter spoke in support of the permit. The abutter owns an international real estate firm, also in the building. She believes that more traffic would be beneficial in the building. The abutter also believes the applicant has psychic ability.

Shortly after 4 p.m., the news copters started circling over the Rose Kennedy Greenway and Boston police and state troopers on motorcycles began roaring by, and people who'd been waiting for an hour or more stood up, knowing the funeral procession was approaching.

Some people had tears in their eyes as they said goodbye to their senator. Others applauded or waved as his hearse passed. Inside the limos and one bus of the procession, members of the Kennedy family returned the waves. And then, quickly, it was over. A Duck Boat turned onto Hanover. The driver managed to refrain from asking his passengers to quack.

Wild turkey crossing Hanover Street. Yes, that Hanover Street.

Ross Levanto makes his annual Christmas-Eve trek to Mike's Pastry and shares a hard-won tip:

... You need to feel the crowd and the lines, and look for a "soft spot" where the attendant-to-customer ratio is the highest. ...

Merlinmurph observes somebody ensconced on Hanover Street in the North End.

Sharon Gartenberg: What a great idea!

... Pedestrian-centered, well-designed urban places are one of the joys of travelling to Europe. How nice it would be to not only stroll along Hanover Street next summer, but sit in the piazza enjoying a sunny afternoon. ...

Jay Fitzgerald: Pols to fix what's not broken.

... They want to turn it into a tacky tourist trap, introducing faux Venice silliness while making Patrick B. Moscaritolo's chain hotel-owner bosses mighty happy. Do they have a clue that Quincy Market doesn't work anymore for locals? Do they care? ... Notice how small business owners are expressing concerns. Do you think they'll be listened to? ...

Poll: Ban cars from Hanover Street?