Category: Events

  • Tracking a Boston Marathon Runner 2015

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    UPDATE: Tracking a Boston Marathon Runner 2016

    Here's how to track a friend or any runner competing in the Boston Marathon on Monday, April 20, 2015.

    The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) Website explains:

    The B.A.A. will post split times to its website during the race. This feature, complete with search access directions, will not show up on their official site until race day.

    To learn how to Track a Boston Marathon Runner, Click Here then select, “Q: How can family members at home track me in the Boston Marathon?” 

    Mobile Phone Alert System

    The Boston Athletic Association has also set up the "AT&T Athlete Alert Program." It allows you to receive updates on a runner’s progress. Here’s how to sign-up!   

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    Where are the Leaders & Crowd Favorites?

    For a rough idea of where the race leaders are, in relation to your viewing position, watch the sky for the helicopters that hover above them.

    For favorites, you must rely on the roar of the crowd as they approach. Or, you can track your favorite by using the mobile alert system.

    Related Posts: A collection of tips for Marathon Weekend, some are from past years and we'll be updating them between now and Marathon Monday.

    Parking Your Car for Boston Marathon Weekend 2015

    Routes for Visiting Runners – Boston Marathon Weekend 2015

    What’s Open in Boston on Patriots’ Day 2015

    Work Out on a Public Parcourse along the Charles River

    How to Get to the Esplanade from Boston

    Do you have enough memory for all the photos you'll want to shoot at the Boston Marathon? Do you need a new camera for the race? Begin your shopping by Clicking here to check the prices at Amazon on great items like Transcend SDHC Flash Memory Cards.

    This Canon PowerShot G15 camera will give you what you need to take stills and video at the event. Canon's G series is our all-time favorite for everyday cameras. We own the G10 and G11. They are a little bigger than the compacts most people use, but let you shoot with automatic settings or easy-to-use manual controls that please the many pros who use them as second cameras. And, if you are ready to turn pro, follow our lead. Ed shoots with the Nikon D7000 Digital SLR too and we've added the Nikon D600 to our camera fleet and are extremely happy with the performance it has delivered.

       

    Details:
    Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) Website     
    Words: Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2011 Penny Cherubino

     

  • March 19th Is Zeppole Day!

    When it comes to Saints' Days, March 19th, Saint Joseph's Day has corned beef and cabbage and green beer beaten by a mile with a great Italian pastry, Zeppole or Zeppole di San Giuseppe. Some bakeries will keep selling these until Easter but check before you make a special trip.

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    Many of the delicious Zeppole we've found in Boston (like the one above from Modern Pastry in the North End) are big enough to share. 

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    Photo by Kyle Bruggeman, Nebraska News21 used under this creative commons license.

    When we lived in Providence, we would buy much smaller Zeppole by the dozen like donuts (which is sort of what they are) from Federal Hill bakeries. 

    Here's a video that shows one way these little beauties are made. This smaller, baked version is the style that Penny, a native Rhode Islander, first knew. Today, we both enjoy the giant Boston-style and are most willing to get out and try your favorites if you'll let us know where to find them.

    What is your source for Zeppole and what style do you love? Add your thoughts in the comments below. Tweet them to @BostonZest or send us an email and we'll add your suggestions to this post as an update.

    And, if you want to know more about the history of this pastry, I refer you to one of my favorite food writers, Clifford Wright. I'd rather call him a food scholar. His cookbooks are amazing reference manuals.

    Related Posts:

    Zeppole from Modern Pastry

    It's Zeppole Season!

    Details:

    Words: Penny Cherubino
    Photos: © 2011 Penny Cherubino and as credited

     

  • Where to Dine in Boston on Easter, April 5, 2015

    Those in the know already have reservations for Easter brunch and dinner. This is one of the big days for dining out, and popular restaurants will fill their tables for Sunday, April 5, 2015 quickly.

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    First up, the list of places that organize information about Easter reservations and special offerings. 

    Open Table seems to have the most complete information, and you can click right through to make reservations. They also give you some idea of prices and special menus. And, you'll find a few places that are offering their regular menus as well. 

    Boston Chefs has a list of offerings from their member chefs and restaurants.

    Gayot lists favorite Easter brunches at places like Henrietta's Table in Cambridge. 

    Next, places we picked from these lists (we'll add more as we learn about particular offerings)

    Bistro du Midi recently added brunch to their weekly offering but that menu will not be available on Easter. However, you may want to try some other weekend. For Easter they have a three course Prix Fixe menu. And, you can plan a walk through the Public Garden after your meal.

    Craigie on Main is offering both an Easter Prix Fixe menus and special additions to their regular menu for Passover. 

    To meet up with family who don't want to come into the city, consider AKA Bistro in Lincoln. We're happy to see that they're offering their regular brunch menu in addition to some Easter specials. The nearby deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum is the perfect place to walk off your brunch and take Easter photos. 

    Update: 03/17/15

    Dante Restaurant is one of those delightful places offering their regular a la carte menu with special additions for Easter according to their listing on Boston Chefs.

    Update: 03/22/15

    One of our favorite spots in Boston, Coppa Enoteca has announced that they will provide an a la cart option as well. Boston Chefs says, "Spend Easter with Coppa in the South End and their menu of shareable Italian dishes. Reservations are recommended. Seatings from: 11:00am-8:00pm.s

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    Don't be surprised if some places require a credit card to secure the reservation. This is the type of holiday when some people would try to book multiple restaurants and decide where to go at the last moment. That can cause the restaurant to turn away other potential customers and makes the venues require a deposit to hold a place. 

    One thing we would look for, if we were dining out on a holiday, is a place that is offering its regular menu for the day. That's always a plus for us. We're not fans of special menus.

    If you know of places where the regular menu will be served, let us know. If it's a place we can recommend, we'll add it to our list. And, we'll add updates and links to this post as we find them. Check back here or follow us on Twitter to learn about updates! 

    Opting Out of Easter

    If this holiday stuff is really not part of your life, this is a great day to go ethnic. Chinatown will be wide open and filled with great menu options. Your neighborhood Indian, Korean, Chinese, or Persian restaurant will be happy to feed you. And, most BBQ and Pizza places do not have Easter menus.

    Sign-up for the comment feed or follow us on Twitter for a notice, if we add updates to this page.

     

    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
    Photo: from iStockphoto.com

  • Where to Dine in Boston on Easter, April 5, 2015

    Those in the know already have reservations for Easter brunch and dinner. This is one of the big days for dining out, and popular restaurants will fill their tables for Sunday, April 5, 2015 quickly.

    6a00e54fc42bb8883401310f8e20ba970c-800wi

    First up, the list of places that organize information about Easter reservations and special offerings. 

    Open Table seems to have the most complete information, and you can click right through to make reservations. They also give you some idea of prices and special menus. And, you'll find a few places that are offering their regular menus as well. 

    Boston Chefs has a list of offerings from their member chefs and restaurants.

    Gayot lists favorite Easter brunches at places like Henrietta's Table in Cambridge. 

    Next, places we picked from these lists (we'll add more as we learn about particular offerings)

    Bistro du Midi recently added brunch to their weekly offering but that menu will not be available on Easter. However, you may want to try some other weekend. For Easter they have a three course Prix Fixe menu. And, you can plan a walk through the Public Garden after your meal.

    Craigie on Main is offering both an Easter Prix Fixe menus and special additions to their regular menu for Passover. 

    To meet up with family who don't want to come into the city, consider AKA Bistro in Lincoln. We're happy to see that they're offering their regular brunch menu in addition to some Easter specials. The nearby deCordova Sculpture Park and Museum is the perfect place to walk off your brunch and take Easter photos. 

    Update: 03/17/15

    Dante Restaurant is one of those delightful places offering their regular a la carte menu with special additions for Easter according to their listing on Boston Chefs.

    Update: 03/22/15

    One of our favorite spots in Boston, Coppa Enoteca has announced that they will provide an a la cart option as well. Boston Chefs says, "Spend Easter with Coppa in the South End and their menu of shareable Italian dishes. Reservations are recommended. Seatings from: 11:00am-8:00pm.s

    6a00e54fc42bb888340163026d8474970d-800wi

    Don't be surprised if some places require a credit card to secure the reservation. This is the type of holiday when some people would try to book multiple restaurants and decide where to go at the last moment. That can cause the restaurant to turn away other potential customers and makes the venues require a deposit to hold a place. 

    One thing we would look for, if we were dining out on a holiday, is a place that is offering its regular menu for the day. That's always a plus for us. We're not fans of special menus.

    If you know of places where the regular menu will be served, let us know. If it's a place we can recommend, we'll add it to our list. And, we'll add updates and links to this post as we find them. Check back here or follow us on Twitter to learn about updates! 

    Opting Out of Easter

    If this holiday stuff is really not part of your life, this is a great day to go ethnic. Chinatown will be wide open and filled with great menu options. Your neighborhood Indian, Korean, Chinese, or Persian restaurant will be happy to feed you. And, most BBQ and Pizza places do not have Easter menus.

    Sign-up for the comment feed or follow us on Twitter for a notice, if we add updates to this page.

     

    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
    Photo: from iStockphoto.com

  • What Is Evacuation Day (Saint Patrick’s Day) and What’s Open & Closed & MBTA Schedules?

    This year, Evacuation Day (which most people admit is just an excuse for Saint Patrick's Day revelry) falls on a Tuesday – March 17th. City and state workers in Suffolk County no longer have this as a holiday. City Hall and the State offices in Suffolk County will be open. But, because of the parade and the drinking of the green beer, there will be a few adaptations around the city.

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    I do know that a lot of people will be taking advantage of the event to come to Boston. Questions about where to stay, which Irish Pub to visit, and how to get around the city have popped up over on the Boston Trip Advisor forum. It looks like visitors are coming here from all over the country and especially from Ireland.

    Do you celebrate Saint Patrick's Day?

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    About your holiday questions

    According to the Secretary of State's website,

    "Evacuation Day – March 17th
    (Suffolk County only, state and municipal offices are open)"

    The day is not listed on Boston's list of holidays. Therefore, there's no change in parking regulations or trash pick up.

    • Update: 03.10.15 As Kate from Boston on Budget pointed out in her comment below, some years the city has tweeted out free parking notices on this holiday. We'll update with details if we find that happens. 
    • Here's the official word on that:

    Screen Shot 2015-03-17 at Tuesday, March 17, 201512.54.24 PM

    Basically, everything is open. But, in the past, the city has asked South Boston liquor stores and bars to cut off sales early. There has been no announcement regarding this that we could find this year.

    Some MBTA routes in South Boston will be changed because of the parade.  Download MBTA St Patrick's Day Parade schedule.

    We'll update as press releases come out from around the city.

    Update 03/13/15:

    Here's a link to and text of the City of Boston Traffic Advisory.

    "The City of Boston’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade will be held on Sunday, March 15, 2015, in South Boston. The parade will begin at 1 PM on West Broadway at Dorchester Avenue, will continue to East Broadway, and end at Farragut Road.

    View Map of Route

    The St. Patrick’s Day Road Race will also take place in South Boston on Sunday beginning at 11 AM.   Runners will proceed from West Sixth Street at F Street onto Dorchester Street, right onto East Broadway, down and around the Farragut Statue at Day Boulevard, to East Broadway, right onto West Broadway, left onto E Street, left onto West Sixth Street, ending at the Boys and Girls Club at #230 West Sixth Street.

    To accommodate the two events, staging/dispersal and clean-up, drivers should expect the following roads to be closed to vehicular traffic. Streets effected by the parade will close no later than 12 PM and streets effected by the road race will close no later than 10 AM.  

    • Broadway, from Dorchester Avenue to Farragut Road
    • On intersecting streets from Dorchester Avenue through Farragut Road, vehicular traffic will not be allowed to cross Broadway
    • Dorchester Avenue, in the vicinity of Gillette Park and Andrew Square
    • Old Colony Avenue, from Dorchester Avenue to C Street
    • Farragut Road, from Columbia Road to Shore Road/East First Street
    • All race route streets while the runners make their way to the finish line

    Due to a combination of snow and Resident Parking Only restrictions, parking in the neighborhood is limited. Additional parking restrictions that will be implemented temporarily to support Sunday’s events are as follows.

     “Tow Zone, No Stopping, Boston Police Special Event Sunday”

    • Dorchester Avenue: Both sides, from Gillette Park to Old Colony Avenue (Staging Area)
    • Old Colony Avenue: Both sides, from Dorchester Avenue to C Street (Staging Area)
    • West Broadway: Both sides, from Dorchester Avenue to Dorchester Street
    • East Broadway: Both sides, from Dorchester Street to Farragut Road
    • Farragut Road: East side (park side), from Columbia Road to Shore Road /East First Street (Dispersal area)
    • West Sixth Street: Southwest side, from Dorchester Avenue to F Street
    • F Street: Southeast side (odd side – Boys & Girls Club side), West Sixth Street to Bowen Street

    People coming into Boston to attend these events are kindly asked to take the MBTA.  Information on service may be found at www.MBTA.com.  For a faster return trip, the MBTA advises riders to purchase a round-trip rather than a one-way ticket."

    Related Posts:

    Irish Breakfast at the Squealing Pig

    Matt Murphy's Pub Saves the Day

    What's on your Amazon shopping list? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

     


    Details:
    Words: Penny Cherubino
    Photography: © 2008-2011 Penny Cherubino  

  • What Is Evacuation Day (Saint Patrick’s Day) and What’s Open & Closed & MBTA Schedules?

    This year, Evacuation Day (which most people admit is just an excuse for Saint Patrick's Day revelry) falls on a Tuesday – March 17th. City and state workers in Suffolk County no longer have this as a holiday. City Hall and the State offices in Suffolk County will be open. But, because of the parade and the drinking of the green beer, there will be a few adaptations around the city.

    6a00e54fc42bb888340168e890b7b2970c-800wi

    I do know that a lot of people will be taking advantage of the event to come to Boston. Questions about where to stay, which Irish Pub to visit, and how to get around the city have popped up over on the Boston Trip Advisor forum. It looks like visitors are coming here from all over the country and especially from Ireland.

    Do you celebrate Saint Patrick's Day?

    6a00e54fc42bb888340112796f2a3328a4-800wi

    About your holiday questions

    According to the Secretary of State's website,

    "Evacuation Day – March 17th
    (Suffolk County only, state and municipal offices are open)"

    The day is not listed on Boston's list of holidays. Therefore, there's no change in parking regulations or trash pick up.

    • Update: 03.10.15 As Kate from Boston on Budget pointed out in her comment below, some years the city has tweeted out free parking notices on this holiday. We'll update with details if we find that happens. 
    • Here's the official word on that:

    Screen Shot 2015-03-17 at Tuesday, March 17, 201512.54.24 PM

    Basically, everything is open. But, in the past, the city has asked South Boston liquor stores and bars to cut off sales early. There has been no announcement regarding this that we could find this year.

    Some MBTA routes in South Boston will be changed because of the parade.  Download MBTA St Patrick's Day Parade schedule.

    We'll update as press releases come out from around the city.

    Update 03/13/15:

    Here's a link to and text of the City of Boston Traffic Advisory.

    "The City of Boston’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade will be held on Sunday, March 15, 2015, in South Boston. The parade will begin at 1 PM on West Broadway at Dorchester Avenue, will continue to East Broadway, and end at Farragut Road.

    View Map of Route

    The St. Patrick’s Day Road Race will also take place in South Boston on Sunday beginning at 11 AM.   Runners will proceed from West Sixth Street at F Street onto Dorchester Street, right onto East Broadway, down and around the Farragut Statue at Day Boulevard, to East Broadway, right onto West Broadway, left onto E Street, left onto West Sixth Street, ending at the Boys and Girls Club at #230 West Sixth Street.

    To accommodate the two events, staging/dispersal and clean-up, drivers should expect the following roads to be closed to vehicular traffic. Streets effected by the parade will close no later than 12 PM and streets effected by the road race will close no later than 10 AM.  

    • Broadway, from Dorchester Avenue to Farragut Road
    • On intersecting streets from Dorchester Avenue through Farragut Road, vehicular traffic will not be allowed to cross Broadway
    • Dorchester Avenue, in the vicinity of Gillette Park and Andrew Square
    • Old Colony Avenue, from Dorchester Avenue to C Street
    • Farragut Road, from Columbia Road to Shore Road/East First Street
    • All race route streets while the runners make their way to the finish line

    Due to a combination of snow and Resident Parking Only restrictions, parking in the neighborhood is limited. Additional parking restrictions that will be implemented temporarily to support Sunday’s events are as follows.

     “Tow Zone, No Stopping, Boston Police Special Event Sunday”

    • Dorchester Avenue: Both sides, from Gillette Park to Old Colony Avenue (Staging Area)
    • Old Colony Avenue: Both sides, from Dorchester Avenue to C Street (Staging Area)
    • West Broadway: Both sides, from Dorchester Avenue to Dorchester Street
    • East Broadway: Both sides, from Dorchester Street to Farragut Road
    • Farragut Road: East side (park side), from Columbia Road to Shore Road /East First Street (Dispersal area)
    • West Sixth Street: Southwest side, from Dorchester Avenue to F Street
    • F Street: Southeast side (odd side – Boys & Girls Club side), West Sixth Street to Bowen Street

    People coming into Boston to attend these events are kindly asked to take the MBTA.  Information on service may be found at www.MBTA.com.  For a faster return trip, the MBTA advises riders to purchase a round-trip rather than a one-way ticket."

    Related Posts:

    Irish Breakfast at the Squealing Pig

    Matt Murphy's Pub Saves the Day

    What's on your Amazon shopping list? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

     


    Details:
    Words: Penny Cherubino
    Photography: © 2008-2011 Penny Cherubino  

  • What’s Happening Around Boston in March 2015

    Time to start a new month of information to share with visitors and locals. What are your favorite March activities in Boston? This year, I think watching snow melt will be high on the list of many Bostonians.

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    (Photo by Raymond Larose used under this creative commons license be sure to check his photography blog.)

    On Sunday, March 1st, head to Chinatown for the Lion Dance celebration from 10am to 5pm. That's always fun and most of the businesses in that neighborhood are small family run places that could use our support. What's more, you can be entertained, feast, and do your grocery shopping in one afternoon.

    March Tips on Trip Advisor

    Over on the Boston Trip Advisor Forum, Destination expert, forgotmypword started a conversation on this topic back in December when someone asked about hotel rates this month.

    "St Patrick's Day (March 17) is a popular time to visit Boston. The parade is the 15th. On top of that, there is a large convention. The Seafood Expo/seafood processors convention is from the 15th-17th and is expecting 18,000 attendees."

    And, I've begun my monthly topic about, What's Going on in March 2015 Around Boston. As the regular volunteers who answer questions on that space share their ideas, you will find topics that we never cover on BostonZest and things to do that are beyond our interests.

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    Do you remember Diamond Jim's Piano Bar at the Lenox hotel? It will reappear for one weekend in March.

    Who are all these People? (or, Conventions in Town in March)

    Here are the numbers on conventions and large meetings that will impact hotel prices and in some cases make dinner reservations harder to find in certain areas of the city.

    From March 12th -14th, a meeting will be held at the Hynes with 6,000 in attendance. But the rest of the big events are out in the Seaport district and won't be noticed by most locals and visitors except in restaurants.

    From the 15th -17th, 18,000 visitors at BCEC and the 28th to the 31st there are two events in that area with a total of 18,000 attendees.

    If you need a restaurant reservation for those dates, make it now. 

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    March Events

    There is always a lot of information about St. Patrick's Day in Boston but in the North End, St. Joseph's Day, March 19th is important because all the bakeries make Zeppole di San Giuseppe in honor of the day. These are delightful fried pastries filled with cream and cherries. Seen above is our favorite at Modern Pastry.

    You could go from Modern to Maria's and so on down the streets tasting different versions. These are also made by bakeries throughout the area this time of year. Please share your favorite spots for Zeppole.

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    The parade is on Sunday the 15th. This is one day when we avoid using the MBTA since it's usually full of people going to and from that event. 

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    Sometime during the month, you could support an Irish Pub by enjoying an Irish Breakfast. The one above is from Sonny's Pub in Adams Village. 

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    Or, you can buy Irish soda bread from an area bakery. It Looks like we're going to have to do a lot of walking this month with all these seasonal offerings. You can honor the Irish while you walk. Here's a link to the Irish Heritage Trail.

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    Your Turn

    We hope you'll join in and make this a conversation here. Add your comments below or follow us on Twitter and send your ideas to us there. Just put @BostonZest in your message and we'll get it.

    Who's next?

    What are your favorite March pastimes?

    What events are you planning to attend this month?

    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: © 2011-2015 Penny & Ed Cherubino or as marked below photo

  • The Hope of Spring …

    IMG_7964 - Version 22015-02-11-Snow-spring-buds-© 2014 Penny Cherubino copy

    Notice the buds on the trees as you look up this week to avoid falling icicles and snow slides. Most years, we begin our hunt for the first signs of spring in gardens on the sunny side of Boston streets just after Valentine's Day.

    "That is one good thing about this world… there are always sure to be more springs."
    Lucy Maud Montgomery (Canadian writer and educator, 1874-1942)

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    Last year, things bloomed late, just as they will this year. But, these snowdrops were up by mid-March.

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    With so much snow to melt, the witch hazel may be our first sign of spring this time next month.

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    Then, in a few more weeks, we'll have lovely magnolias blooming along Commonwealth Avenue. 

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    The snow will melt, and spring will arrive within just a few weeks. 

    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: © 2013-2015 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

  • Our Snowy Valentine, Poppy Is Our Sunday Dog

    Our Snowy Valentine, Dutchess Poppy, loves to climb snowbanks.

    Sm IMG_7931 - Version 22015-02-10-Poppy-snow-climber-© 2014 Penny Cherubino copy

    Sweet comic valentine,

    You make us smile with our hearts.

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    Your ways are laughable,

    Most photographable.

    Sm IMG_7935 - Version 22015-02-10-Poppy-snow-climber-© 2014 Penny Cherubino copy

    Yes, you're our favorite work of art.

    Happy Valentine's Weekend to all the great dogs in Boston and beyond.

    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 gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino based on the song My Funny Valentine by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart 
    Photography: © 2015 Penny Cherubino  

  • Does a Sculptor Think About Snow?

    SmCHE_5803 - Version 22015-02-04-phillis-wheatley-Boston-women's-memorial-© 2014 Penny Cherubino copy

    Since February is Black History Month, Ed and I have been photographing subjects that help us think about this aspect of Boston's past. The sculpture of slave and poet Phillis Wheatley on the Boston Women's Memorial has long been one of my favorite photographic models. (Click on the photo for a larger view.)

    At the dedication ceremony, memorial sculptor Meredith Bergmann said,

    “External, legal freedom was denied to Phillis Wheatley. But she sought the inner freedom that enabled her to write and here she makes her pedestal a desk.” 

    I've read Bergmann's proposal for the memorial so I know how much thought she put into the smallest details of this artwork. But, I wonder if she considered how serene Phillis would seem with snowdrifts wrapping her and her desk? Did she plan for the light to outline this young face against the misty haze of winter trees?

    Planned or not, the result can be stunning in the right light and, on one of our rare partly sunny days last week, I found that light. 

    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 Cherubino
    Photography: © 2015 Penny Cherubino