More and more citizens and visitors are asking about ways they can enjoy many of the places the Boston area has to offer with friends or family members who have different levels of mobility or other issues that require some special support.
The brochure covers categories of what they call experiences that will be right for a wide range of abilities.
It charts what is available by park within regions.
And, it covers what you can do at each place.
Accessible Recreation Fair
Date: Saturday, May 30, 2015
Time: 10am – 3pm
Place: Artesani Park/Herter Park, 1231 Soldiers Field Road, Brighton, MA (map)
Cost: Free!
Information / Registration: 617-626-1294
They say: "Come join DCR’s Universal Access Program and a host of other regional adaptive recreation organizations for a fun-filled day! Enjoy scenic views of the Charles River and social connections! Sign up for summer programs such as sailing, kayaking, hiking and more!"
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 Images: Courtesy of DCR
More and more citizens and visitors are asking about ways they can enjoy many of the places the Boston area has to offer with friends or family members who have different levels of mobility or other issues that require some special support.
The brochure covers categories of what they call experiences that will be right for a wide range of abilities.
It charts what is available by park within regions.
And, it covers what you can do at each place.
Accessible Recreation Fair
Date: Saturday, May 30, 2015
Time: 10am – 3pm
Place: Artesani Park/Herter Park, 1231 Soldiers Field Road, Brighton, MA (map)
Cost: Free!
Information / Registration: 617-626-1294
They say: "Come join DCR’s Universal Access Program and a host of other regional adaptive recreation organizations for a fun-filled day! Enjoy scenic views of the Charles River and social connections! Sign up for summer programs such as sailing, kayaking, hiking and more!"
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 Images: Courtesy of DCR
While we talk about the things we do, the people and places we like, and send you links to other resources, this anniversary makes us realize we don't talk about BostonZest as a site very often. We registered the address on May 20, 2004 and began publishing links to our freelance work and a few new BostonZest exclusive posts from time to time.
In 2007, we switched hosting platforms and began to publish BostonZest work on a regular basis. Above is one of our first posts from the current era of the site published in January of 2008. It is still showing up on our web analytics on a regular basis.
In May of that year, inspired by Tammy from Boston Food & Whine, Penny pledged to post every day for a year. We kept that seven-days-a-week schedule for more than five years.
BostonZest Has a Deep Archive
We're thrilled that many of the nearly 2500 pages in our archive are visited by longtime readers as well as first-timers. That interest has inspired us to occasionally feature some of the more popular pages at the top of our site and to then send out word to our followers on twitter. Also, some of that frequently viewed content needs an update, so we'll be redoing those during the next year.
Do You Have a Favorite BostonZest Piece?
Or have you discovered one of our past posts that needs an update? Add your suggestions in the comments below. Tweet them with a link to @BostonZest or send us an email and we'll try to get your faves on the schedule.
Most of all, as we think about this anniversary, thanks for reading BostonZest and a special thank you to those who shop on Amazon from here or support us in other ways. We appreciate your emails, tweets, retweets, and comments.
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!
While we talk about the things we do, the people and places we like, and send you links to other resources, this anniversary makes us realize we don't talk about BostonZest as a site very often. We registered the address on May 20, 2004 and began publishing links to our freelance work and a few new BostonZest exclusive posts from time to time.
In 2007, we switched hosting platforms and began to publish BostonZest work on a regular basis. Above is one of our first posts from the current era of the site published in January of 2008. It is still showing up on our web analytics on a regular basis.
In May of that year, inspired by Tammy from Boston Food & Whine, Penny pledged to post every day for a year. We kept that seven-days-a-week schedule for more than five years.
BostonZest Has a Deep Archive
We're thrilled that many of the nearly 2500 pages in our archive are visited by longtime readers as well as first-timers. That interest has inspired us to occasionally feature some of the more popular pages at the top of our site and to then send out word to our followers on twitter. Also, some of that frequently viewed content needs an update, so we'll be redoing those during the next year.
Do You Have a Favorite BostonZest Piece?
Or have you discovered one of our past posts that needs an update? Add your suggestions in the comments below. Tweet them with a link to @BostonZest or send us an email and we'll try to get your faves on the schedule.
Most of all, as we think about this anniversary, thanks for reading BostonZest and a special thank you to those who shop on Amazon from here or support us in other ways. We appreciate your emails, tweets, retweets, and comments.
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!
Here's a rundown of what's open and what's closed in Boston and the MBTA schedules for Memorial Day – Monday, May 25, 2015.
We publish these reminders before a holiday to give our readers a nudge to finalize their holiday plans. This is the first big weekend of the summer. Get going on some fun plans! And, plan your shopping for adult beverages because this is one of those Blue Law holidays!
Will you stay in the city or enjoy a holiday weekend at a great beach house like this one on the harbor in Provincetown?
Restaurants, bars: Open
Convenience stores: Open
Supermarkets: Open
Retail stores: Are allowed to open if the owners choose
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 U.S. closed. Some international markets are open.
Boston Parking: You don't have to feed the meters on Monday. Other parking rules apply.
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."
More information after this ad
Save storage space with these collapsible coolers. Perfect for small city homes. We had many years of use from an older version of the Arctic Zone 30 model. It was amazing at keeping things chilled. We not only used it for picnics, but also grabbed it to go grocery shopping.
"No Delay of trash or recycling pick up in Back Bay, Bay Village, Beacon Hill, Charlestown, Chinatown, Fenway, Leather District, Mission Hill, North End, Roxbury, South Boston, and South End Allston/Brighton, Dorchester, East Boston, Jamaica Plain*, Mattapan, Roslindale, West Roxbury and Hyde Park, delayed a day
*If you live in Jamaica Plain and your trash is picked up 2 times per week, do not delay."
At this event, you can view dozens of one-of-a-kind objects created by North Bennet Street School students and alumni.
If you've been following along with us for the past decade, you know that this BostonZest team is a big fan of fine craftsmanship. We admit to having a fascination with this magical place and the people who make it so special. Here are a few examples of what to expect.
Title: Spice Cabinet Artist: Chris Anderson, Materials: walnut, holly, black locust, red cedar
Title: Samurai Chain Mail Bracelet Artist: John Gifford, Materials: 18-karat yellow gold
Title: 1580 Gasparo Da Salo (copy) Artist: Julia Felix, Materials: Ebony, Bosnian Maple, European Spruce
Title: The Robin and the Wren, Artist: Becky Koch, Materials: cave paper, goat skin
QUICK FACTS:
Once again, we must thank the information team at NBSS for putting together this great quick facts guide for our readers.
Event title: “Made by Hand: an exhibit of extraordinary craftsmanship”
Where: Windgate Gallery, North Bennet Street School, 150 North Street, Boston MA 02109
When: weekdays, May 18 through May 29, 2015 (closed Tuesday, May 19), and Saturday May 23
Hours: weekdays, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm. (Friday, May 29, 8:00am – noon.) Saturday 9:00am – 4:30pm
Admission: Free
Handicap Access: Yes
Reservations: Not required for the main exhibition. Pre-arranged guided tours of the school available, provided reservations are made at least one day in advance.
In conjunction with the annual exhibition, a limited number of daily guided tours will be offered beginning Wednesday, May 20th. Tours must be scheduled at least one day in advance. For reservations, contact Chris Jankowski at 617-227-0155, x170 and cjankowski@nbss.edu.
This is a wonderful opportunity to discover this amazing place full of very talented people.
At this event, you can view dozens of one-of-a-kind objects created by North Bennet Street School students and alumni.
If you've been following along with us for the past decade, you know that this BostonZest team is a big fan of fine craftsmanship. We admit to having a fascination with this magical place and the people who make it so special. Here are a few examples of what to expect.
Title: Spice Cabinet Artist: Chris Anderson, Materials: walnut, holly, black locust, red cedar
Title: Samurai Chain Mail Bracelet Artist: John Gifford, Materials: 18-karat yellow gold
Title: 1580 Gasparo Da Salo (copy) Artist: Julia Felix, Materials: Ebony, Bosnian Maple, European Spruce
Title: The Robin and the Wren, Artist: Becky Koch, Materials: cave paper, goat skin
QUICK FACTS:
Once again, we must thank the information team at NBSS for putting together this great quick facts guide for our readers.
Event title: “Made by Hand: an exhibit of extraordinary craftsmanship”
Where: Windgate Gallery, North Bennet Street School, 150 North Street, Boston MA 02109
When: weekdays, May 18 through May 29, 2015 (closed Tuesday, May 19), and Saturday May 23
Hours: weekdays, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm. (Friday, May 29, 8:00am – noon.) Saturday 9:00am – 4:30pm
Admission: Free
Handicap Access: Yes
Reservations: Not required for the main exhibition. Pre-arranged guided tours of the school available, provided reservations are made at least one day in advance.
In conjunction with the annual exhibition, a limited number of daily guided tours will be offered beginning Wednesday, May 20th. Tours must be scheduled at least one day in advance. For reservations, contact Chris Jankowski at 617-227-0155, x170 and cjankowski@nbss.edu.
This is a wonderful opportunity to discover this amazing place full of very talented people.
May in Boston is dominated by what we call “Graduation Season.” This is the time of year when students graduate from more than 100 colleges and universities in the Greater Boston area. Friends and families arrive to attend the ceremonies and treat the new grads to meals around town.
Families also come to Boston to pick up and move out many of the 250,000 students who spend the academic year around here. That can mean traffic issues and parking headaches in some neighborhoods.
All year long, the locals who volunteer to assist visitors over on the Boston Trip Advisor forum explain that these May happenings and other events explain the scarcity and high cost of hotel rooms.
Here is our post with all dates for many of this year’s graduations.
This is one of the very best things about May. We look forward to great local food and the wonderful community that exists at our local farmers markets. The tremendously popular and busy Copley Square Farmers Market opened on May12th.
Reservations at area restaurants will be harder to find May 8th through 11th with Mother's Day and 5 commencements, and scarce May 15th through 18th when 15 schools, including BU and BC, will hold ceremonies. Harvard commencement is May 28th and MIT June 5th – each of these schools is large enough to have an impact on its own.
Holidays in May
Mother’s Day is Sunday May 10th. You have a short time to make plans to celebrate if that day is on your calendar. On Mother’s Day, you'll find special menus in many restaurants. If you have suggestions for places not doing this or alternative dining suggestions for Mother’s Day please add them. Here's a link to our post with suggestions for places to dine on Mother's Day.
Conventions that Impact Hotel Pricing & Availability
April 29-May 2: American College of Physicians Internal Medicine 2015, estimated attendees: 7,000
May 6-7: UBM Canon – BIOMEDevice / Design & Manufacturing New England / Electronics New England 2015, estimated attendees: 6,050
May 14-16: Heart Rhythm Society – 2015 Annual Scientific Sessions, estimated attendees: 15,000
May 26-28: NAFSA: Association of International Educators 2015 Annual Conference & International Education Expo, estimated attendees: 7,000
Watch for our upcoming post on what we’re looking forward to in May. We'd love to include some of your suggestions. Add your thoughts in the comments below. Tweet them to @BostonZest or send us an email.
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!
May in Boston is dominated by what we call “Graduation Season.” This is the time of year when students graduate from more than 100 colleges and universities in the Greater Boston area. Friends and families arrive to attend the ceremonies and treat the new grads to meals around town.
Families also come to Boston to pick up and move out many of the 250,000 students who spend the academic year around here. That can mean traffic issues and parking headaches in some neighborhoods.
All year long, the locals who volunteer to assist visitors over on the Boston Trip Advisor forum explain that these May happenings and other events explain the scarcity and high cost of hotel rooms.
Here is our post with all dates for many of this year’s graduations.
This is one of the very best things about May. We look forward to great local food and the wonderful community that exists at our local farmers markets. The tremendously popular and busy Copley Square Farmers Market opened on May12th.
Reservations at area restaurants will be harder to find May 8th through 11th with Mother's Day and 5 commencements, and scarce May 15th through 18th when 15 schools, including BU and BC, will hold ceremonies. Harvard commencement is May 28th and MIT June 5th – each of these schools is large enough to have an impact on its own.
Holidays in May
Mother’s Day is Sunday May 10th. You have a short time to make plans to celebrate if that day is on your calendar. On Mother’s Day, you'll find special menus in many restaurants. If you have suggestions for places not doing this or alternative dining suggestions for Mother’s Day please add them. Here's a link to our post with suggestions for places to dine on Mother's Day.
Conventions that Impact Hotel Pricing & Availability
April 29-May 2: American College of Physicians Internal Medicine 2015, estimated attendees: 7,000
May 6-7: UBM Canon – BIOMEDevice / Design & Manufacturing New England / Electronics New England 2015, estimated attendees: 6,050
May 14-16: Heart Rhythm Society – 2015 Annual Scientific Sessions, estimated attendees: 15,000
May 26-28: NAFSA: Association of International Educators 2015 Annual Conference & International Education Expo, estimated attendees: 7,000
Watch for our upcoming post on what we’re looking forward to in May. We'd love to include some of your suggestions. Add your thoughts in the comments below. Tweet them to @BostonZest or send us an email.
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!
Time to make reservations, if you plan to treat Mom to a meal out on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 10, 2015.
Keep in mind that this "treat Mom to a great meal day" falls at the beginning of graduation season in Boston with Northeastern, Emmanuel College, Fisher College, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy, and Berklee College of Music holding commencements that weekend. (Here's the full list of Spring 2015 Commencement Dates for planning purposes.)
If your budget is tight, take Mom out for breakfast or treat her to breakfast in bed and some lovely flowers.
For Mother's Day dining ideas, here are two excellent lists of restaurants with special menus and hours for May 10, 2015.
Don't be surprised if some places require a credit card to secure the reservation. This is the type of holiday when people may book multiple restaurants and decide where to go at the last moment. That can make the restaurant turn away other potential customers, so a guarantee may be needed to reserve.
OpenTable always does a great job of guiding you to the right reservation. What's more, you can just click through and reserve from this list.
Boston Chefs has a list of specials for the day from their members.
As more great Boston food sites publish their recommendations, we'll post updates here! Follow us on Twitter ( @BostonZest ) for notice of those additions!
Our picks and, for us, al la carte Menus Get Our Nod
Bistro Du Midi has a prix fixe menu in their formal dining room but there are also offering an al la carte menu in the Cafe. With the Swan Boats and Public Garden across the street, this can be a wonderful choice for lunch and a stroll and family photos in a beautiful setting.
Lineage in Brookline is also on the a la carte option plan. Boston Chefs says, "Lineage will be open early for brunch and dinner this Mother's Day, offering up a special a la carte brunch menu, as well as, their regular dinner menu."
The Red Dory in Tiverton, RI: Like many Bostonians, we are long time fans of chef Steve Johnson and miss his food and smiling face at Rendezvous in Central Square. If a road trip to a waterfront destination would make your Mother's day perfect, head to his new place, the Red Dory. We asked about his Mother's Day plans and he wrote, "Open M'sDay/no special menu except many recent seasonal updates + including Sunday Tapas supplemental menu – Cheers!"
For something different take Mom out onSaturday. Would she enjoy afternoon tea at the Courtyard restaurant inside the Boston Public Library? They say, "Join us for a special Saturday opening for Mother's Day! Enjoy our Afternoon Tea Menu complete with savory tea sandwiches and sweet confections from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm."
For a gathering of family members with different food preferences, it's great to know about a place like Eastern Standard where they can please the cocktail lover, the meat-and-taters brother, and the family epicure.
If you are meeting people from outside the city, you might consider La Morra in Brookline.
If Mom is a seafood lover, call now to secure a table at Island Creek Oyster Bar. This Kenmore Square restaurant has established itself as the best fine dining seafood restaurant in Boston. Your family will enjoy the best in seafood in a big, comfortable room with reservations and service that will make Mom feel spoiled.
And, for the best gift, let Mom choose something from her Wish List. Get an Amazon Gift Card! You can send it by email or print it out to tuck into a greeting card.
Details: Writers: Penny & Ed Cherubino Photo: istockphoto.com
