Each week in our Great Escape feature, we tell you about one great idea to give you a much-deserved break and make your life a little easier, maybe a whole lot easier—and at least a little bit more fun. This week marked the official start of spring. And spring means the Minuteman Bikeway will soon be filling with more than just the hard-core year-round riders.  For any rider, or coffee-sipper for that matter, Ridé Studio Café at 1720 Massachusetts Ave., Lexington, is a great resource. Invite a friend for conversation and a latte, and start planning your spring cycling journeys. Or, have your …

Your teens are holding a car wash at the high school Saturday. The grandparents volunteered to take the younger children to a movie Sunday afternoon. Your tweens take tap on Wednesday evening.  It’s your time. Take it. Each week, we’ll tell you about one great idea to give you a much deserved break, and make your life a little easier, maybe a whole lot easier. I told my husband the other day that there are a few things nearly every mother needs each day: Thirty minutes minimum to herself to regroup, a warm shower, and a glass of wine after the baby is in bed. To my surprise he found me the …

Are you searching for an activity that doesn't include wining and dining? Instead of the usual date night calorie consumption, why not go for an activity that burns calories?  Documented fact: Consistent exercise helps to improve your mood, maintain your weight, and keep your endorphins smiling.  Working out with your sweetheart may not sound like an ideal date, especially if you're envisioning side-by-side treadmill action.  However, a more adventuresome activity, such as scaling the side of a mountain, could add more spice to your love life!  For this week's Great Escape, why not try rock …

Each week in our Great Escape feature, we tell you about one great idea to give you a much-deserved break and make your life a little easier, maybe a whole lot easier—and at least a little bit more fun. It’s still cold and blustery outside. Inside, you may feel achy—either from too much exercise—a.k.a. repeated snow shoveling this winter—or too little. Or maybe life has you tensed up in knots. Why not make your muscles happy? Consider a massage. Elements at 446 Main St. offers a variety of therapeutic massages:  hot stones, deep tissue, trigger point, Swedish and sports massage. They’re …

Each week, we tell you about one great idea to give you a much deserved break, and make your life a little easier, maybe a whole lot easier—and at least a little bit more fun here in our Great Escape feature (now on Fridays!).  Today, we bring you a "date night" idea just over the border in Burlington. Want the Best of Boston without ever leaving the Woburn area?  Try L’Andana, located at 86 Cambridge St., Burlington. With a Tuscan-inspired cuisine, great atmosphere and wonderful service, you can experience the city. With eclectic, beautiful décor, their generous portions taste as good as the…

Now that we’re off the sugar high of chocolates, mushy cards and maybe flowers from Valentine’s Day, consider a totally different way of spending a few evening hours with your sweetie. Go bowling. Yup, bowling. If you’re competitive, play to win. Or just go for a change of pace and have fun. The Woburn Bowladrome, 32 Montvale Ave., offers special rates on Tuesday and Sunday evenings, when the lanes tend to be kid-free. On Twisted Tuesdays, bowl for up to three hours between 7 and 10 p.m. for $10 per person. Shoe rentals are free. On Glow Bowl Super Sundays, the charge is $15 per lane per hour…

Tired of slogging through the snow in heavy, clunky boots and layers of clothes—bulky jackets over sweaters over turtlenecks? Or have you been exercising regularly and want some positive reinforcement? Think music, a highly polished floor and, moms, a pair of feel-good heels. Stand or sit a little taller and think about taking a ballroom dance lesson or class with your spouse or significant other. Studio 665, 17 Campbell St., offers a private, 30-minute introductory special for $30 per couple and group classes as well. Visit them online at www.studio665.com or call 781-9-DANCER (932-6237) for…

Your teens are at the Boys & Girls Club Wednesday. The grandparents volunteered to take the younger children to a movie Saturday afternoon. Your tweens take dance lessons Tuesdays. It's your time. Take it. Each week, our Great Escape column will tell you about one great idea to give you a much deserved break, and make your life a little easier, maybe a whole lot easier.  Are you thinking about slogging through more snow this week and maybe even having the kids home—again—for a snow day? Look a little further ahead, with plenty of time to get a sitter, and mark your calendar for next Friday, …