Author: Ed

What’s Open in Boston on Memorial Day 2013
UPDATE: Here's a link to our latest post on "What's Open and Closed on Memorial Day in Boston + MBTA Schedules, Parking, Trash & More"

Here's a run-down of what's open and what's closed in Boston and the MBTA schedules for Memorial Day – Monday, May 27, 2013. We have the information you need on parking, street cleaning, trash, and other happenings this weekend.

Include a visit to the swans at the Boston Public Garden over the weekend!

Restaurants, bars: Open

Convenience stores: Open

Supermarkets: Open

Retail stores: Are allowed to open if the owners choose

Liquor stores: Closed (See this page from the Secretary of State)

City, Town, State, and Federal offices and facilities are closed: This includes Schools, Libraries and the Postal Service (express mail will be delivered). Only emergency services are available.

Financial Services: As the British would say, this is a Bank Holiday with both Banks and the stock markets in the United State closed. Some international markets are open.

Boston Parking: You don't have to feed the meters. Other parking rules apply. The Tow Lot is CLOSED Saturday 5/25 1PM – Tuesday 5/28 7AM.

Street Sweeping: The city site says: "Daytime street sweeping is suspended on city holidays, but nighttime sweeping schedules remain in effect. Constituents are advised to call 617-635-4500 for exact details."

Update from the Boston Transportation Department 05.24.13 : There are two traffic advisories in effect for this weekend
- The Boston Strong One Run will take place on Saturday, May 25th.
- The Run to Remember Road Race will take place on Sunday, May 26th.
- Click here for details on the street closings and routes for these events.
More information after this ad

Save storage space with these collapsible coolers. Perfect for small city homes. We have an older version of the Arctic Zone 30 model, and it's amazing at keeping things chilled. We not only use it for picnics, but also grab it to go grocery shopping.

Boston Trash Collection: The announcement from Public Works states:

"Monday May 27, 2013

No Delay of trash or recycling collection in Back Bay, Bay Village, Beacon Hill, Charlestown, Chinatown, Fenway, Leather District, Mission Hill, North End, Roxbury, South Boston, and the South End

Delay trash and recycling collection a day only if you live in Allston, Brighton, Dorchester, East Boston, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain*, Mattapan, Roslindale, or West Roxbury."

MBTA Schedule Changes

While it is live, here's a link to the MBTA's Memorial Day Schedule. And, you can download the same information here: Download MBTA Memorial Day
- Subways will operate on a Sunday schedule
- Buses will run on a Sunday schedule with some exceptions shown on the link or download above
- Hingham & Qunicy Ferries will operate on a weekday schedule
- Charlestown Ferry will run on a weekend schedule
- Commuter Rail will run on a Sunday Schedule with no service for Fairmount, Greenbush, Kingston/Plymouth, and Needham lines
- Those who use THE RIDE should call the service directly about Memorial Day.
* For more information about MBTA services, routes, schedules, and fares, please call the T’s Customer Communications Department at 617-222-3200 (TTY: 617-222-5146) or log onto the MBTA’s website www.mbta.com.

Bonus: Free Memorial Day Community Weekend at the Museum of Fine Arts

Details:

Writers: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photo:© 2013 Ed Cherubino

MFA screenshot from their site.
May 24, 2013
At the Market: New Location for City Hall Market

The big news this week is the relocation of the City Hall Farmers' Market to the Congress Street side of City Hall Plaza. This move is due to the MBTA's renovation of the Government Center Station over the next three years.

It's also close to the site of the planned permanent public market. Both the City Hall and the Dewey Square farmers' markets are operated by the Boston Public Market Association. While this market may be closer to the Haymarket MBTA station, the vendors here sell local, farm fresh, high quality products and are not associated with that other market known for clearance goods that shows up on weekends.

One new addition to both the Monday and Wednesday roster at City Hall is Red's Best seafood. Penny had already purchased asparagus from Silverbrook Farm and asked what would be a good match. Not only did she get a recommendation of scallops, but the chef at their stand even gave her a tip for cooking them.

Penny prepped the aspargus for oven roasting with a sprinkle of olive oil, salt, pepper, and a chopped shallot, and popped them into a hot oven. While they cooked, she seared the scallops in a very hot pan with just a coating of grapeseed oil. Just before these beauties were done, she added a piece of butter and squeeze of lemon.

With some good bread and dessert from Pain D'Avignon, we had the perfect farmers' market supper.

Monday's stop at City Hall was followed by a Tuesday visit to the market at Copley Square. Penny was on the hunt for strawberries from Atlas Farm and didn't want to find them sold out so we arrived just before opening and camped out on a bench near their stand.

We weren't the only ones impatient for the 11 a.m. opening call.

It's interesting to watch the vendors set up their stands. Ann from Crystal Brook Farm wheeled her sign and supplies to her spot where she would soon be selling her amazing goat cheese and clever brown bag lunches.

In Season Right Now!

All the items we mentioned above plus:

Radishes from Atlas Farms

Cucumbers from Foppema's Farm / Keown Orchards – they also had herb plants, rhubarb, greens, and popcorn on the cob.

We also saw mushrooms, green garlic, salad mix, lettuce, arugula, lots of annuals, herbs, and vegetable plants.

Coming Soon!

We heard talk about some early hothouse tomatoes. Curtis Stillman said Stillman's Farm would soon have kale and their first peas.

What's on your Food Lover's shopping list? Shop Amazon for all your kitchen & dining needs and support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©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 23, 2013
At the Market: New Location for City Hall Market

The big news this week is the relocation of the City Hall Farmers' Market to the Congress Street side of City Hall Plaza. This move is due to the MBTA's renovation of the Government Center Station over the next three years.

It's also close to the site of the planned permanent public market. Both the City Hall and the Dewey Square farmers' markets are operated by the Boston Public Market Association. While this market may be closer to the Haymarket MBTA station, the vendors here sell local, farm fresh, high quality products and are not associated with that other market known for clearance goods that shows up on weekends.

One new addition to both the Monday and Wednesday roster at City Hall is Red's Best seafood. Penny had already purchased asparagus from Silverbrook Farm and asked what would be a good match. Not only did she get a recommendation of scallops, but the chef at their stand even gave her a tip for cooking them.

Penny prepped the aspargus for oven roasting with a sprinkle of olive oil, salt, pepper, and a chopped shallot, and popped them into a hot oven. While they cooked, she seared the scallops in a very hot pan with just a coating of grapeseed oil. Just before these beauties were done, she added a piece of butter and squeeze of lemon.

With some good bread and dessert from Pain D'Avignon, we had the perfect farmers' market supper.

Monday's stop at City Hall was followed by a Tuesday visit to the market at Copley Square. Penny was on the hunt for strawberries from Atlas Farm and didn't want to find them sold out so we arrived just before opening and camped out on a bench near their stand.

We weren't the only ones impatient for the 11 a.m. opening call.

It's interesting to watch the vendors set up their stands. Ann from Crystal Brook Farm wheeled her sign and supplies to her spot where she would soon be selling her amazing goat cheese and clever brown bag lunches.

In Season Right Now!

All the items we mentioned above plus:

Radishes from Atlas Farms

Cucumbers from Foppema's Farm / Keown Orchards – they also had herb plants, rhubarb, greens, and popcorn on the cob.

We also saw mushrooms, green garlic, salad mix, lettuce, arugula, lots of annuals, herbs, and vegetable plants.

Coming Soon!

We heard talk about some early hothouse tomatoes. Curtis Stillman said Stillman's Farm would soon have kale and their first peas.

What's on your Food Lover's shopping list? Shop Amazon for all your kitchen & dining needs and support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©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 23, 2013
Recent Food Truck Deliciousness

We have been out and about trying the food on some of the new food trucks and unable to resist a few special favorites from the veterans of the scene. Here's what we've been eating!

At City Hall Plaza, we enjoyed some slices from the Sweet Tomatoes Pizza Truck. We always like to start a pizza test with pepperoni and plain cheese. These two slices will bring us back to test more of their menu.


Our first taste from the truck representing Biryani Park Sri Lankan/South Indian restaurant from Malden was the Chicken Biryani (shown above). It was great with the chicken cooked on the bone for full flavor and a sweet garnish of carmelized onions. We can't wait to try more of their menu items. (Click on any photo for a larger version)



This scallop roll and clam chowder are from the Boston Shuckin' Truck! These folks offer grilled items that are a welcome change from fried seafood. The chowder was nice and thin (we are not pasty chowder fans) with an herbal undertone.

At Captain Marden's Cod Squad Truck, we recommend one of their salads if you're in a hurry. This one had a piece of masterfully poached salmon. Update: The Boston Shuckin' Truck has disappeared from the Boston street scene.



We continue to be attracted to their daily chowder specials. Here you see their shimp gumbo and crab and corn chowder. Both worthy of a second visit. Earlier, we reported on their Rhode Island, Rocky Point Clam Chowder and clamcakes.

We also could not resist a visit to the new Boston Super Dog Truck (formerly Boston Speed Dog) to see how Chef Greg's grilled pastrami tastes off a new grill. It lived up to our memories and it's nice to have him within easy reach without a car to get to Newmarket Square. Bring a friend, these portions are big enough to share!

Update: Sadly for his fans, Chef Greg died and the Boston Super Dog Truck is no more.

Here's a link to our post with the Best Sources for Food Truck Schedules.

And here's a click to find all of our Food Truck Coverage.

What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List? Shop Amazon for all your Kitchen & Dining needs and support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©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.

Related articles

No Fooling! A New Boston Food Truck Schedule, April 1st

Cod Squad Truck Makes Our Day!

Food Truck Throwdown

What You Missed at The Food Truck Throwdown

May 22, 2013
Recent Food Truck Deliciousness

We have been out and about trying the food on some of the new food trucks and unable to resist a few special favorites from the veterans of the scene. Here's what we've been eating!

At City Hall Plaza, we enjoyed some slices from the Sweet Tomatoes Pizza Truck. We always like to start a pizza test with pepperoni and plain cheese. These two slices will bring us back to test more of their menu.


Our first taste from the truck representing Biryani Park Sri Lankan/South Indian restaurant from Malden was the Chicken Biryani (shown above). It was great with the chicken cooked on the bone for full flavor and a sweet garnish of carmelized onions. We can't wait to try more of their menu items. (Click on any photo for a larger version)



This scallop roll and clam chowder are from the Boston Shuckin' Truck! These folks offer grilled items that are a welcome change from fried seafood. The chowder was nice and thin (we are not pasty chowder fans) with an herbal undertone.

At Captain Marden's Cod Squad Truck, we recommend one of their salads if you're in a hurry. This one had a piece of masterfully poached salmon. Update: The Boston Shuckin' Truck has disappeared from the Boston street scene.



We continue to be attracted to their daily chowder specials. Here you see their shimp gumbo and crab and corn chowder. Both worthy of a second visit. Earlier, we reported on their Rhode Island, Rocky Point Clam Chowder and clamcakes.

We also could not resist a visit to the new Boston Super Dog Truck (formerly Boston Speed Dog) to see how Chef Greg's grilled pastrami tastes off a new grill. It lived up to our memories and it's nice to have him within easy reach without a car to get to Newmarket Square. Bring a friend, these portions are big enough to share!

Update: Sadly for his fans, Chef Greg died and the Boston Super Dog Truck is no more.

Here's a link to our post with the Best Sources for Food Truck Schedules.

And here's a click to find all of our Food Truck Coverage.

What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List? Shop Amazon for all your Kitchen & Dining needs and support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©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.

Related articles

No Fooling! A New Boston Food Truck Schedule, April 1st

Cod Squad Truck Makes Our Day!

Food Truck Throwdown

What You Missed at The Food Truck Throwdown

May 22, 2013
Warren & Clarendon Community Garden

Here are some spring photos of the Warren & Clarendon Community Garden. A newcomer to Boston asked about community gardens and we decided that if she needed the information, other readers would too.

This is one of more than 150 Community Gardens in Boston. The best resource for finding a Community Garden near you is the Boston Natural Areas Network (BNAN).

Watch for more profiles of Boston area community gardens. If you are a member of a gardening community, please tell us about it in the comments below or send us an email
and we may just come out and see your green space.

Next time, we'll tell you about Fenway Victory Gardens, America's Oldest Victory Garden.

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

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.

May 21, 2013
Warren & Clarendon Community Garden

Here are some spring photos of the Warren & Clarendon Community Garden. A newcomer to Boston asked about community gardens and we decided that if she needed the information, other readers would too.

This is one of more than 150 Community Gardens in Boston. The best resource for finding a Community Garden near you is the Boston Natural Areas Network (BNAN).

Watch for more profiles of Boston area community gardens. If you are a member of a gardening community, please tell us about it in the comments below or send us an email
and we may just come out and see your green space.

Next time, we'll tell you about Fenway Victory Gardens, America's Oldest Victory Garden.

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

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.

May 21, 2013
Architecture Blossoms In Spring: Photo of the Week
When the blossoms pop in our historic Boston neighborhoods they can draw your attention to the architectural details on the building around them. One element makes the other more attractive. We love to photograph the combinations.

Penny was drawn to the texture of this weeping cherry tree contrasted with the front facade of 270 Commonwealth Avenue and submitted this shot for the cover photo of the Back Bay Sun. The copy reads:

Architecture Blossoms in Spring

“I don't divide architecture, landscape and gardening; to me they are one.”

(Luis Ramiro Barragán Morfín, Mexican architect 1902 – 1988)

Back Bay Sun

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.

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.
May 20, 2013
Architecture Blossoms In Spring: Photo of the Week
When the blossoms pop in our historic Boston neighborhoods they can draw your attention to the architectural details on the building around them. One element makes the other more attractive. We love to photograph the combinations.

Penny was drawn to the texture of this weeping cherry tree contrasted with the front facade of 270 Commonwealth Avenue and submitted this shot for the cover photo of the Back Bay Sun. The copy reads:

Architecture Blossoms in Spring

“I don't divide architecture, landscape and gardening; to me they are one.”

(Luis Ramiro Barragán Morfín, Mexican architect 1902 – 1988)

Back Bay Sun

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.

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.
May 20, 2013
Greer Lesson: Always Make Time for a Nap!

We learn a lot of important things from our dog pal Greer. One thing she's tried to teach us is that you should always leave room in your schedule for a nap. She teaches by example and slipped into a doze on a recent visit to the Public Garden.

The clicks of the camera did catch her attention but she was not about to wake up completely, so she just gave Ed a slitty-eyed gaze.

Thanks for teaching us the important stuff, Greer!

Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

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

Details:

Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: © 2013 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.

Related articles

South End Tulips, Making a Break for It!

Sunny & Breezy with an 80% Chance of Petals!

Magnolias for Respite: Boston at Its Most Beautiful

May 19, 2013