Author: Ed

South End Tulips, Making a Break for It!

Walking through the South End, Ed caught these tulips making a break for freedom. (Or, at least for a better view down the street.)

These yellow and orange beauties stopped us in our tracks to admire not only the garden but also the well maintained fence that enhanced the colorful display.

Tulips really are one of Mother Nature's masterpieces!

As they bobbed a goodbye in the breeze, we gave a silent thank you to the hardworking gardners who make city sidewalks a joy to walk in spring.

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Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

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May 14, 2013
Sweet Sound of Spring: Back Bay Sun Cover Last Week
Penny was out very early one morning when she captured this shot of a cardinal singing at the top of a tree. Our caption for the front page read:

Sweet Sound of Spring

"This Northern Cardinal sang long and loud from a Back Bay tree top. His song is a way to attract a mate and declare this territory as his. The redder the cardinal, the more attractive he is to mates because it’s a sign of a male who has found a good food supply."

You can read some of the stories at the newspaper's website www.backbaysun.com and download a copy of the paper by clicking on the "Full Print Edition" icon in the left hand column. The new issue is usually on the website by Wednesday of each week. Since that icon only lasts until the next paper is published, we have uploaded a copy to this link , so that you can find it anytime.

In this earlier post is a list of the other places where you can find copies of this local paper. We usually get ours in the Circulation Room at the Boston Public Library in Copley Square. There, you'll also find copies of the The Beacon Hill Times and the The North End Regional Review. Here's a link to download a list of the other places where you can find copies of this local paper.

We are hearing from friends and neighbors and BostonZest readers who have left the area, that they like us connecting to copies of The Back Bay Sun. We plan to make this a regular feature to remind you of this great collection of local papers from the Independent Newspaper group.

Disclosure: The Independent Newspaper Group, owner of all three of these papers, is one of our freelance clients and you'll see our photographs, columns, and articles in their newpapers. Here are links to all their local papers.
Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2013 Penny Cherubino

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

Related articles

Pansies In Spring: Back Bay Sun Cover Shot

If You Missed the Back Bay Sun Last Week

Patio Season Launched At Coppa

The Commonwealth Requires…
May 13, 2013
Sweet Sound of Spring: Back Bay Sun Cover Last Week
Penny was out very early one morning when she captured this shot of a cardinal singing at the top of a tree. Our caption for the front page read:

Sweet Sound of Spring

"This Northern Cardinal sang long and loud from a Back Bay tree top. His song is a way to attract a mate and declare this territory as his. The redder the cardinal, the more attractive he is to mates because it’s a sign of a male who has found a good food supply."

You can read some of the stories at the newspaper's website www.backbaysun.com and download a copy of the paper by clicking on the "Full Print Edition" icon in the left hand column. The new issue is usually on the website by Wednesday of each week. Since that icon only lasts until the next paper is published, we have uploaded a copy to this link , so that you can find it anytime.

In this earlier post is a list of the other places where you can find copies of this local paper. We usually get ours in the Circulation Room at the Boston Public Library in Copley Square. There, you'll also find copies of the The Beacon Hill Times and the The North End Regional Review. Here's a link to download a list of the other places where you can find copies of this local paper.

We are hearing from friends and neighbors and BostonZest readers who have left the area, that they like us connecting to copies of The Back Bay Sun. We plan to make this a regular feature to remind you of this great collection of local papers from the Independent Newspaper group.

Disclosure: The Independent Newspaper Group, owner of all three of these papers, is one of our freelance clients and you'll see our photographs, columns, and articles in their newpapers. Here are links to all their local papers.
Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2013 Penny Cherubino

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

Related articles

Pansies In Spring: Back Bay Sun Cover Shot

If You Missed the Back Bay Sun Last Week

Patio Season Launched At Coppa

The Commonwealth Requires…
May 13, 2013
Allergy Season Tips for Dog Lovers

The downside to wonderful, warm, spring weather and more time spent outside can be allergy symptoms for both you and your dog. While a vet or doctor’s visit is needed for a serious reaction to allergens, there are many steps you can take to lessen the impact.

The ASPCA says, “The best way to treat allergies is to remove the offending allergens from the environment.” They suggest consulting with your vet for flea prevention, since fleas are the cause of many skin outbreaks. And, there's a list of all the symptoms and other tips at this link.

Give Pollen the Brush Off

Mother Nature designed some pollen to be lightweight and blown by the wind to a female plant. Other, heavier pollen is designed to stick to critters so it can be moved from plant-to-plant.

Dog fur is a great place for both types of pollen to reside. A simple wipe down with a damp towel after a walk can leave some pollen on the doorstep. Regular brushing this time of year can also help.

Regular Home Exams

Catching a problem early generally makes it easier to cure. Having had two dogs with fairly serious skin allergies, I’m in the habit of running my hands under the fur and feeling for any bumps, breakouts, hot spots, or cysts. Try to be systematic and check the entire pup.

If you see your dog rubbing his ears or shaking his head more than usual, be sure to do a close inspection.

Check all four paws, too. Allergies often show up as licking behavior. If your dog is licking her foot or leg, it may be a sign of allergy.

Keeping a Medical Log

A bit of record keeping on your part can help your vet diagnose the likely cause of allergies if you do schedule a visit. Allergy symptoms include: itchy, red, moist, or scabbed skin, increased scratching, runny eyes, sneezing, vomiting, diarrhea, and snoring caused by an inflamed throat.

If you notice any of these symptoms, make a note on a calendar or in your pup’s medical log. Also, note what pollens are out, any new foods your dog may have had, and any new places you’ve visited. All of this will help with a diagnosis and with future preventative action.

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one as a gift for a Graduation or Wedding? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: iStockphoto.com

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

Related articles

Spring Cleaning for All Sunday Dogs

4 allergy questions answered

Thanks to the Comfort and Therapy Dogs

May 12, 2013
Allergy Season Tips for Dog Lovers

The downside to wonderful, warm, spring weather and more time spent outside can be allergy symptoms for both you and your dog. While a vet or doctor’s visit is needed for a serious reaction to allergens, there are many steps you can take to lessen the impact.

The ASPCA says, “The best way to treat allergies is to remove the offending allergens from the environment.” They suggest consulting with your vet for flea prevention, since fleas are the cause of many skin outbreaks. And, there's a list of all the symptoms and other tips at this link.

Give Pollen the Brush Off

Mother Nature designed some pollen to be lightweight and blown by the wind to a female plant. Other, heavier pollen is designed to stick to critters so it can be moved from plant-to-plant.

Dog fur is a great place for both types of pollen to reside. A simple wipe down with a damp towel after a walk can leave some pollen on the doorstep. Regular brushing this time of year can also help.

Regular Home Exams

Catching a problem early generally makes it easier to cure. Having had two dogs with fairly serious skin allergies, I’m in the habit of running my hands under the fur and feeling for any bumps, breakouts, hot spots, or cysts. Try to be systematic and check the entire pup.

If you see your dog rubbing his ears or shaking his head more than usual, be sure to do a close inspection.

Check all four paws, too. Allergies often show up as licking behavior. If your dog is licking her foot or leg, it may be a sign of allergy.

Keeping a Medical Log

A bit of record keeping on your part can help your vet diagnose the likely cause of allergies if you do schedule a visit. Allergy symptoms include: itchy, red, moist, or scabbed skin, increased scratching, runny eyes, sneezing, vomiting, diarrhea, and snoring caused by an inflamed throat.

If you notice any of these symptoms, make a note on a calendar or in your pup’s medical log. Also, note what pollens are out, any new foods your dog may have had, and any new places you’ve visited. All of this will help with a diagnosis and with future preventative action.

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one as a gift for a Graduation or Wedding? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: iStockphoto.com

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

Related articles

Spring Cleaning for All Sunday Dogs

4 allergy questions answered

Thanks to the Comfort and Therapy Dogs

May 12, 2013
It’s Boston Pops Season, Where to Dine and Park!
Boston Pops concerts are scheduled at Symphony Hall between May 8 – June 15, 2013. Readers and friends who have tickets for the Pops always ask us, "Where can we dine around Symphony Hall?" And, once the conversation is open, it's followed by, "Where can we park?"

Please add your favorite spots for dining and parking around this area in the comments below. And, if you try one of our suggestions, let us know how it worked for you.

Here's our primer for a great visit to the BSO or Boston Pops at Symphony Hall.

We say, make dining and parking a joint decision. Our first suggestion is always to leave the car at home or at a park & ride and take the MBTA to the concert.

But, if you must have a car at hand, the Prudential Center is our favorite parking place to recommend in the city. It has its own exit off the Mass Pike. It's connected to mass transit, has taxis available at the doors, and there's a great choice of dining options within the complex. And, best of all, Google estimates that Symphony Hall is a 6-minute walk down Huntington Avenue. (map )

Prudential Options

If a splurge is on the menu, L'Espalier is the star of the show and has valet service. If a mini-splurge is more in line with your budget, reserve a seat in their Salon for a glass of wine and a bite before the concert, or dessert and a cheese course afterward. The restaurant is accessible from inside the Prudential Center via the Mandarin Hotel.

Woody's Grill & Tap

It's a six minute walk from Symphony to 58 Hemenway Street and Woody's Grill & Tap. It had been years since we'd been there but we wandered in recently with our friends Liz & Mick and enjoyed an excellent meal. The pizzas were as great as always but excellent appetizers and salads shined and will have us coming back often. Try the grilled asparagus!

Newbury Street

Park at the Pru and dine on Newbury Street. After dinner you can even walk to Symphony by reentering the Prudential Center and making part of your walk to the concert through their climate controlled corridors.

Since we walk all over the city, we would consider a few of the restaurants on Newbury close to symphony. La Voile is a great choice for French Bistro food.

And, we love to stop into Tapeo for a few tapas at the bar or a table full of choices to share with a group of friends.

Another Great Choice is Brasserie JO

We also recommend that concert goers consider a Boston gem that's often overlooked – Brasserie JO at The Colonnade Hotel. This place always comes through with French flair, great service, and a good meal. It's also a short walk on that same map, because it's across from the Prudential Center.

We love their bar to have a glass of wine and a light meal. And, after the concert, this is a wonderful place for a memorable dessert. They have a way with chocolate sauce!

Ethnic Options for less formal dining

If you want an ethnic meal or a quick bite before the show, we have a few favorites to recommend.
- Moby Dick – our friend Francine Crawford pointed us to this little gem. It's one of her favorite pre-concert spots.
- Pho Basil on Massachusetts Avenue does Thai and Vietnamese food and pleases us with both cuisines. Here's a post on some of the dishes we really enjoy at Pho Basil.
- Lucy Ethiopian Cafe is across the street from Symphony and is fun and delicious. But, give this choice a bit more time. The pace of this cafe's warm hospitality and made-to-order food is a bit slower than many places. They also have wonderful coffee and a selection of desserts for after the show.
- India Samraat on Massachusetts Avenue between Commonwealth and Marlborough is a bit further away but still within walking distance, especially if you park near Newbury Street. This is a restaurant we enjoy sharing with friends. (UPDATE: Sadly, India Samraat closed this year)
- Chili Duck, right across Boylston from the Pru, is a hidden gem and another great spot if you're meeting the gang.
Other resources and opinions

"Where to dine for Symphony?" is a question routinely asked of the crew over on Chowhound's Boston board. Here are a couple of recent conversations with some options that we haven't tried yet.
Update 06.01.13: More locals chime in on favorite places over on Trip Advisor

Here are maps to help you find more options:

Other parking around Symphony Hall

Other restaurants around Symphony Hall

If this type of information is helpful to you, consider saying thank you by starting your next Amazon shopping trip from here. They have the things you want including Boston Pops music and a full line of MP3 Downloads.

Details:
Symphony Hall
301 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02115-4557 (map)
(617) 266-2378

www.bso.org‎

Writers: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photo: Courtesy of the Boston Pops (Photo Credit: Stu Rosner)
May 11, 2013
It’s Boston Pops Season, Where to Dine and Park!
Boston Pops concerts are scheduled at Symphony Hall between May 8 – June 15, 2013. Readers and friends who have tickets for the Pops always ask us, "Where can we dine around Symphony Hall?" And, once the conversation is open, it's followed by, "Where can we park?"

Please add your favorite spots for dining and parking around this area in the comments below. And, if you try one of our suggestions, let us know how it worked for you.

Here's our primer for a great visit to the BSO or Boston Pops at Symphony Hall.

We say, make dining and parking a joint decision. Our first suggestion is always to leave the car at home or at a park & ride and take the MBTA to the concert.

But, if you must have a car at hand, the Prudential Center is our favorite parking place to recommend in the city. It has its own exit off the Mass Pike. It's connected to mass transit, has taxis available at the doors, and there's a great choice of dining options within the complex. And, best of all, Google estimates that Symphony Hall is a 6-minute walk down Huntington Avenue. (map )

Prudential Options

If a splurge is on the menu, L'Espalier is the star of the show and has valet service. If a mini-splurge is more in line with your budget, reserve a seat in their Salon for a glass of wine and a bite before the concert, or dessert and a cheese course afterward. The restaurant is accessible from inside the Prudential Center via the Mandarin Hotel.

Woody's Grill & Tap

It's a six minute walk from Symphony to 58 Hemenway Street and Woody's Grill & Tap. It had been years since we'd been there but we wandered in recently with our friends Liz & Mick and enjoyed an excellent meal. The pizzas were as great as always but excellent appetizers and salads shined and will have us coming back often. Try the grilled asparagus!

Newbury Street

Park at the Pru and dine on Newbury Street. After dinner you can even walk to Symphony by reentering the Prudential Center and making part of your walk to the concert through their climate controlled corridors.

Since we walk all over the city, we would consider a few of the restaurants on Newbury close to symphony. La Voile is a great choice for French Bistro food.

And, we love to stop into Tapeo for a few tapas at the bar or a table full of choices to share with a group of friends.

Another Great Choice is Brasserie JO

We also recommend that concert goers consider a Boston gem that's often overlooked – Brasserie JO at The Colonnade Hotel. This place always comes through with French flair, great service, and a good meal. It's also a short walk on that same map, because it's across from the Prudential Center.

We love their bar to have a glass of wine and a light meal. And, after the concert, this is a wonderful place for a memorable dessert. They have a way with chocolate sauce!

Ethnic Options for less formal dining

If you want an ethnic meal or a quick bite before the show, we have a few favorites to recommend.
- Moby Dick – our friend Francine Crawford pointed us to this little gem. It's one of her favorite pre-concert spots.
- Pho Basil on Massachusetts Avenue does Thai and Vietnamese food and pleases us with both cuisines. Here's a post on some of the dishes we really enjoy at Pho Basil.
- Lucy Ethiopian Cafe is across the street from Symphony and is fun and delicious. But, give this choice a bit more time. The pace of this cafe's warm hospitality and made-to-order food is a bit slower than many places. They also have wonderful coffee and a selection of desserts for after the show.
- India Samraat on Massachusetts Avenue between Commonwealth and Marlborough is a bit further away but still within walking distance, especially if you park near Newbury Street. This is a restaurant we enjoy sharing with friends. (UPDATE: Sadly, India Samraat closed this year)
- Chili Duck, right across Boylston from the Pru, is a hidden gem and another great spot if you're meeting the gang.
Other resources and opinions

"Where to dine for Symphony?" is a question routinely asked of the crew over on Chowhound's Boston board. Here are a couple of recent conversations with some options that we haven't tried yet.
Update 06.01.13: More locals chime in on favorite places over on Trip Advisor

Here are maps to help you find more options:

Other parking around Symphony Hall

Other restaurants around Symphony Hall

If this type of information is helpful to you, consider saying thank you by starting your next Amazon shopping trip from here. They have the things you want including Boston Pops music and a full line of MP3 Downloads.

Details:
Symphony Hall
301 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02115-4557 (map)
(617) 266-2378

www.bso.org‎

Writers: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photo: Courtesy of the Boston Pops (Photo Credit: Stu Rosner)
May 11, 2013
Annual Spring Sidewalk Sale, School of the Museum of Fine Arts

Ever wish someone in your family was shopping the streets of Paris, back when Renoir was selling paintings for a few francs to buy art supplies?

Who knows, you could one day be that fabled ancestor if you pick up a future masterpiece at the Annual Spring Sidewalk Sale at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, today and tomorrow.

Here are the details:

WHAT

Outdoor sale featuring creative, affordable art from SMFA student artists

On May 10+11, shop hundreds of original pieces by artists in 2013 Spring Sidewalk Sale at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (SMFA)—from jewelry, T-shirts and watercolor paintings to ceramics, photography, temporary tattoos and more. Students will set up at tables along the sidewalk on Museum Road, between SMFA and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. With prices starting around $5, the Sidewalk Sale is a great place to find some new jewelry, a unique screenprinted T or hand-drawn cards—don’t forget a gift for mom this Mother’s Day weekend! Proceeds directly support individual artists.

WHEN: Friday, May 10, 10 am–5 pm and Saturday, May 11, 10 am–5 pm

WHERE: School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 230 The Fenway, Boston, MA 02115 (map)

MBTA: Museum of Fine Arts, Green Line

Admission is free: In case of rain, the event will be held indoors at SMFA (enter on Fenway).

Visit www.smfa.edu/news or call 617-369-3617 for more information.

What's on your Artistic Shopping List? Shop Amazon for all your Arts & Craft needs and support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Artwork: Courtesy of the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

Related articles

Painting the Town: Fresh Paint Event from the Copley Society

Early Spring: Henry Thoreau and Climate Change at The Concord Museum

Museum of Fine Arts Boston

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Offers Free Admission Today, April 16, in Response to Yesterday's Tragedy

May 10, 2013
Annual Spring Sidewalk Sale, School of the Museum of Fine Arts

Ever wish someone in your family was shopping the streets of Paris, back when Renoir was selling paintings for a few francs to buy art supplies?

Who knows, you could one day be that fabled ancestor if you pick up a future masterpiece at the Annual Spring Sidewalk Sale at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, today and tomorrow.

Here are the details:

WHAT

Outdoor sale featuring creative, affordable art from SMFA student artists

On May 10+11, shop hundreds of original pieces by artists in 2013 Spring Sidewalk Sale at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (SMFA)—from jewelry, T-shirts and watercolor paintings to ceramics, photography, temporary tattoos and more. Students will set up at tables along the sidewalk on Museum Road, between SMFA and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. With prices starting around $5, the Sidewalk Sale is a great place to find some new jewelry, a unique screenprinted T or hand-drawn cards—don’t forget a gift for mom this Mother’s Day weekend! Proceeds directly support individual artists.

WHEN: Friday, May 10, 10 am–5 pm and Saturday, May 11, 10 am–5 pm

WHERE: School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 230 The Fenway, Boston, MA 02115 (map)

MBTA: Museum of Fine Arts, Green Line

Admission is free: In case of rain, the event will be held indoors at SMFA (enter on Fenway).

Visit www.smfa.edu/news or call 617-369-3617 for more information.

What's on your Artistic Shopping List? Shop Amazon for all your Arts & Craft needs and support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Artwork: Courtesy of the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

Related articles

Painting the Town: Fresh Paint Event from the Copley Society

Early Spring: Henry Thoreau and Climate Change at The Concord Museum

Museum of Fine Arts Boston

Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, Offers Free Admission Today, April 16, in Response to Yesterday's Tragedy

May 10, 2013
May Is Preservation Month, Here’s What’s Happening!

Each May, the city of Boston turns its spotlight on preservation. Safeguarding the precious structures left in our care is difficult, even in a city like Boston where so much of the tourism is related to history.

The photo above is from the Boston Public Library Collection. They identify it as "Newbury Street looking east from Clarendon to Arlington Streets." (Map) It was taken circa 1898. Today, the only structure you can recognize is the Church of the Covenant which has just been added to the National Historic Registry.

Take some time this month to attend one of the many Preservation Month events and learn more about our history, architecture, and how you can help protect the essential character of Boston.

Here's a full list of events from the city. Some are free, others have a fee, and some require reservations.

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one? It's the perfect gift for Mother's Day, a graduation, or wedding! Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: Boston Public Library Collection © 2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

May 9, 2013