Scooterdude, the guy you see floating around Copley Square on a scooter powered by wind filling his plastic-bag sail, reports on conditions during a ride yesterday evening:

... The physical pressure of the strong winds combined with the visual of red lights flashing and the audio of the horns [from passing firetrucks] made for the perfect effect that everything had been choreographed and timed. I wasn't prepared for all of it at once nor could I seize the chance at what might have been the greatest 'surf' yet!

I was only able to grab hold of the wind-scooter and hold on tight so we both wouldn't be toppled over and capsize.

Although the afternoon performance is still canceled, the evening performance at the Church with the Giant Crack will go on, but with a piano, not the organ, FirstNight tweets.

Since the organ can't be used thanks to the crack caused by an MBTA elevator contractor (yes, that crack). Via FirstNight tweet.

Boston Police report that people walking through Copley Square last evening objected to Adan Ibrahim's technique, which they say consisted of going up to them and demanding, "Give me a dollar or I'll punch you in the face."

He was charged with being a disorderly person.

Innocent, etc.

Alecia Batson reports on a crack that starts at the foundation, goes at least 30 feet up and is large enough at some points to put your hand in. And it's on the Dartmouth Street side, right where the MBTA is doing its never-ending Copley work, which is why she's written an open letter to the T (speaking for herself, not the church) asking what it's going to do about it:

... The organ should not be played, now, as it could prompt large portions of the plaster to fall. This directly affects the Boston Secession concert that will take place there tomorrow evening, Friday, 5 December 2008, as the concert makes use of the organ. Will my friends' concert take place? We do not yet know. Tomorrow, structural engineers will determine if the sanctuary is even safe for habitation. Will church services take place this coming Sunday? Only time will tell. ...

A Proper Bostonian said farewell to the Copley Square farmers' market yesterday:

... Winter has arrived and I was bundled up in my shearling coat, hat, gloves, scarf, and boots. Many market vendors close down after the killing frost, when the choices narrow to root vegetables, cabbage, and apples. So just a few hardy farmers were setting up their stalls when I got there, shortly before 11. Selling can't legally begin until the stroke of 11, so I had to hang around. I went to my favorite apple stand, and saw a fellow with his hood pulled down over his forehead and a huge scarf wrapped around the rest of his face, except for his blue eyes. ...

Celebration on the steps of the BPL in Copley Square last night:

Bijan Sabet: Happiness is waking your kids up and telling them that Barack Obama is our next President of the United States.

Lisa: How amazing to be alive when history is being made.

Channel 5 reports.

BPL Main Branch steps filled with Obama supporters yelling "USA! USA! USA" and "Yes we can!"

Heather: "It's almost like a World Series celebration." Well, yeah, except without the rioting and people dying.

Celebration in Davis Square.

Take a ride from downtown to Copley Square on a 1903 trolley, courtesy Thomas Edison's film company:

Via Somerville STEP by way of Sam Baltrusis.

Scooterdude, that guy you see sailing around Copley Square on a scooter and a sail made out of a plastic bag, reports a Tokyo news crew spent some time videoing him recently:

... Perfect weather, gusty winds, to catch the scooter-sailing on video and carry the images off to Japan. ...