Riddles from the Border Regions, 2/5/11

On the street
Are message boards
My best friend reads
And then records.

The answer to this riddle is a dog and a fire hydrant.   So the most important clue, about man's best friend, isn't introduced until the second half of the riddle.   But once you get that part, you might recognize those stout, red hydrants as your dog's favorite social media.   Doesn't he charge ahead to read and record?   But we got some fine alternatives too -- like eyes and the brain, or a person with a map riding shot gun in the car, or even a game of Monopoly is a surprisingly good fit.

NEW RIDDLE:
Nearly weightless
Winter's gift
Vagrant, and inclined to drift.
(answer:  see 2/12/11 piece)