Those traveling to the Midwest, meeting up with or hosting dogs from that area, should be aware of a serious epidemic of canine influenza that began in the Chicago area and has spread to Wisconsin, Ohio, and Indiana.
According to researchers at Cornell University, “… results from additional testing indicate that the outbreak is being caused by a virus closely related to Asian strains of influenza A H3N2 viruses, currently in wide circulation in southern Chinese and South Korean dog populations since being identified in 2006. There is no evidence that it can be transmitted to humans.”
These scientists add that this strain can also cause infection and respiratory illness in cats. Like our lovely friend Sophia.
They don’t know if the current canine influenza vaccine will protect your dog from this strain. If you are traveling to the Midwest or will be in close contact with dogs from this area, you should discuss prevention with your veterinarian. Be aware that vaccination for this disease is a two step process done a couple of weeks apart. So, if you are considering a vaccination, plan accordingly.
You should also know the flu symptoms. Cornell outlined what to look for, “Both Influenza strains can cause high fever, loss of appetite, coughing, nasal discharge, and lethargy. Symptoms may be more severe in cases caused by the H3N2 virus. Some infected dogs may not show symptoms at all.”
The last note about lack of symptoms is important because a dog without symptoms can still be shedding the virus and infecting others. So be careful about those sniffy greetings if you are in a zone with a canine flu outbreak.
Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.
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Those traveling to the Midwest, meeting up with or hosting dogs from that area, should be aware of a serious epidemic of canine influenza that began in the Chicago area and has spread to Wisconsin, Ohio, and Indiana.
According to researchers at Cornell University, “… results from additional testing indicate that the outbreak is being caused by a virus closely related to Asian strains of influenza A H3N2 viruses, currently in wide circulation in southern Chinese and South Korean dog populations since being identified in 2006. There is no evidence that it can be transmitted to humans.”
These scientists add that this strain can also cause infection and respiratory illness in cats. Like our lovely friend Sophia.
They don’t know if the current canine influenza vaccine will protect your dog from this strain. If you are traveling to the Midwest or will be in close contact with dogs from this area, you should discuss prevention with your veterinarian. Be aware that vaccination for this disease is a two step process done a couple of weeks apart. So, if you are considering a vaccination, plan accordingly.
You should also know the flu symptoms. Cornell outlined what to look for, “Both Influenza strains can cause high fever, loss of appetite, coughing, nasal discharge, and lethargy. Symptoms may be more severe in cases caused by the H3N2 virus. Some infected dogs may not show symptoms at all.”
The last note about lack of symptoms is important because a dog without symptoms can still be shedding the virus and infecting others. So be careful about those sniffy greetings if you are in a zone with a canine flu outbreak.
Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.
Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.
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!
We decided that all the changes around the topic of Boston dog licensing this year made a weekday post the best way to get the information out to our widest audience. If you have a dog or have friends with dogs that count on you for information from social media, here's what you need to know.
This postcard from Inspectional Services arrived in our mailbox this week. We already have our dog license because we applied online when our own annual reminder came up on our calendar on March 1st.
No form and no return envelope were supplied with this mailing. An increased fee was announced effective May 1st but I was already charged this fee in March. And, no mention was made of the department's move to 1010 Massachusetts Avenue that you will learn about below.
As we said in one of our Sunday Dog posts, "Massachusetts law requires that all dogs be licensed with their city or town by April 1st of each year. To apply, you must have proof of a current rabies vaccination.
"Normally, Boston officials send out packages reminding people with dogs to renew. I called Animal Care and Control to check if the mailing had gone out and found that it's been delayed this year and that the city of Boston plans to delay enforcement.
"I don't know what this does if you are in another city or town with your dog, since it's a state law that requires a license. Better apply online today and I would carry a copy of the receipt from the city until your tag arrives. Then, you would have something to show if you are stopped."
If you want to apply in person, you should know that the Animal Care and Control department is moving. Here is the city's announcement on that.
"2015 Dog licensing notes: We're Moving!
Effective March 30, 2015– the administrative office of Animal Care and Control will be moved to 1010 Mass Ave. Boston, MA 02118. The Animal Care and Control Animal Shelter will remain at it's current location, 26 Mahler Rd. Roslindale, MA 02131. Thank you for your patience during our transition."
Facebook Instead of information on the City site
When we searched for information about low cost rabies clinics on the city site, we found only a stale 2014 list.
Apparently the department is now using Facebook to announce important information like this.
That's not great for those who try to avoid this particular social media outlet and silly since not all items posted there will be seen by the people who are following the page. What is shown to each individual is up to Facebook.
"All posts from pages you 'Liked' are not showing up in your Facebook news feed. Only 10% of you will see posts unless page administrators pay to promote them. Since pages like ours are run exclusively by volunteers, we do not have a budget to pay for advertising." More here.
You'll also notice that this is a much shorter list of clinics. Five are listed here, while there were fourteen scheduled last year.
Editorial Page!
Early on, we had hopes that this administration would be dog friendly when we heard that the department was renamed Animal Care and Control and was moved under the direction of Human Services and Felix Arroyo.
Now, it seems it has been put under Inspectional Services, a department historically understaffed and with a record of less than user friendly performance. This is all very disappointing. Lets hope the city gets its act together, schedules more clinics, and puts more CARE and COMMON SENSE into services for people who have animals.
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!
We decided that all the changes around the topic of Boston dog licensing this year made a weekday post the best way to get the information out to our widest audience. If you have a dog or have friends with dogs that count on you for information from social media, here's what you need to know.
This postcard from Inspectional Services arrived in our mailbox this week. We already have our dog license because we applied online when our own annual reminder came up on our calendar on March 1st.
No form and no return envelope were supplied with this mailing. An increased fee was announced effective May 1st but I was already charged this fee in March. And, no mention was made of the department's move to 1010 Massachusetts Avenue that you will learn about below.
As we said in one of our Sunday Dog posts, "Massachusetts law requires that all dogs be licensed with their city or town by April 1st of each year. To apply, you must have proof of a current rabies vaccination.
"Normally, Boston officials send out packages reminding people with dogs to renew. I called Animal Care and Control to check if the mailing had gone out and found that it's been delayed this year and that the city of Boston plans to delay enforcement.
"I don't know what this does if you are in another city or town with your dog, since it's a state law that requires a license. Better apply online today and I would carry a copy of the receipt from the city until your tag arrives. Then, you would have something to show if you are stopped."
If you want to apply in person, you should know that the Animal Care and Control department is moving. Here is the city's announcement on that.
"2015 Dog licensing notes: We're Moving!
Effective March 30, 2015– the administrative office of Animal Care and Control will be moved to 1010 Mass Ave. Boston, MA 02118. The Animal Care and Control Animal Shelter will remain at it's current location, 26 Mahler Rd. Roslindale, MA 02131. Thank you for your patience during our transition."
Facebook Instead of information on the City site
When we searched for information about low cost rabies clinics on the city site, we found only a stale 2014 list.
Apparently the department is now using Facebook to announce important information like this.
That's not great for those who try to avoid this particular social media outlet and silly since not all items posted there will be seen by the people who are following the page. What is shown to each individual is up to Facebook.
"All posts from pages you 'Liked' are not showing up in your Facebook news feed. Only 10% of you will see posts unless page administrators pay to promote them. Since pages like ours are run exclusively by volunteers, we do not have a budget to pay for advertising." More here.
You'll also notice that this is a much shorter list of clinics. Five are listed here, while there were fourteen scheduled last year.
Editorial Page!
Early on, we had hopes that this administration would be dog friendly when we heard that the department was renamed Animal Care and Control and was moved under the direction of Human Services and Felix Arroyo.
Now, it seems it has been put under Inspectional Services, a department historically understaffed and with a record of less than user friendly performance. This is all very disappointing. Lets hope the city gets its act together, schedules more clinics, and puts more CARE and COMMON SENSE into services for people who have animals.
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!
April is a busy month with the Boston Marathon and other events making hotel rooms expensive and restaurant reservations scarce.
Easter Sunday April 4th & Passover April 4th-11th
On Easter Sunday, you'll find special menus in many restaurants. If you have suggestions for places not doing this or alternative dining suggestions for Easter, please add them. And, Passover is a great time to enjoy some of the special kosher foods that are easier to find at this time.
Do you have a favorite place to buy chocolate for Easter Baskets?
Patriots Day Weekend/Boston Marathon & other BAA races 18th to the 20th
The Boston Athletic Association is expecting 30,000 runners and half a million spectators for the Marathon on April 20th. There are other races and marathon related events all weekend.
There will be road closures and changes in MBTA routes surrounding the Marathon course. Here are some links to information on those aspects of the race.
If you need to get somewhere on Marathon Monday – before the roads close – try to place yourself on the side of the course that will allow you to get where you're going.
Related Posts: A collection of tips for Marathon Weekend, some from past years, that we'll be updating between now and Marathon Monday.
April 1st –New Food Truck Schedules go into effect with a few new trucks and new spots for some of your old favorites.
April 3-5 is the Anime Boston event at the Hynes Convention Center. This is a fun time to walk the area and take photos of the people dressed as their favorite characters. Most of them love to pose. If you're in town for some other reason, this is just a short lived event, not how Bostonians dress.
April 18 – GreenwaySpring Food Festival: Noon to 4:00 p.m. Some of our favorite food trucks will be on hand.
April 18 – The Swan Boats will sail out from under the bridge onto the Boston Public Garden Lagoon
April 26 – 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. - Fresh Paint, Sunday!"View Copley Society artist members at work creating their "fresh" canvases around the city."
Who Are all These Conventioneers?
Here are the dates of conventions that will impact hotel pricing and availability:
April 9-10 – Boston National College Fair, estimated attendees – 15,000
April 16-18 – National Council of Teachers of Mathematics Annual Meeting 2015, estimated attendees – 17,000
April 29-May 2 – American College of Physicians Internal Medicine 2015, estimated attendees - 7,000
What are your favorite April events or things you look forward to doing in Boston in April? 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.
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 in Boston on New Year's Day and the MBTA schedules for New Year's Eve December 31, 2014 and New Year's Day, January 1, 2015.
This is an outdated post. Click the link below for the latest information:
What's closed? Do I have to feed the parking meters? What about street sweeping? Are the liquor stores and packies open? When do I put out my trash? And, what changes are there to the MBTA schedules? We have the answers for you, all organized in one post!
Some businesses close early on New Year's Eve but with the crowds expected for First Night, others, especially those in the hospitality business, stay open. Call before you leave if you plan to visit a business on the 31st.
Here's what we've learned about January 1st, 2015 – New Year's Day
Restaurants, bars: Are allowed to open if the owners choose
Here's a link to our post on restaurants that are open for the celebration:
Convenience stores:Are allowed to open if the owners choose
Supermarkets: Are allowed to open if the owners choose
Retail stores: Are allowed to open if the owners choose
Liquor 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.
More after the ad…
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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.
"Monday, December 29, 2014 – Saturday, January 3, 2015
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday December 29th, 30th, and 31st: Regular trash and recycling for all sections of the City.
Bay Village Beacon Hill, Charlestown, Chinatown, Fenway, Leather District, Lower Roxbury, Mission Hill, North End, South End, and Sections of Back Bay: regular schedule, no delays.
Allston, Brighton, Dorchester, East Boston, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain*, Mattapan, Roslindale, South Boston, West Roxbury: Delayed a day on Thursday, and Friday.
*If you live in Jamaica Plain and your trash is picked up 2 times per week, do not delay."
MBTA Schedule Changes for New Year’s Eve & New Year’s Day …
The MBTA has full information on their events page. (If you are coming to this post after the holiday, that page will have changed.)
Here are the important points for New Year's Eve, Wednesday, December 31, 2014
The Red, Orange, Blue, and Green lines will run on a modified weekday schedule with additional trains operating at rush-hour levels of service throughout the evening from 3 p.m. until approximately 2 a.m.
The Siver Line will run on a weekday schedule
The Commuter Rail will run on a modified weekday schedule with additional service provided – the last trains out are listed here. Also check that link for restrictions on bicycles on commuter rail on the 31st.
Buses, trackless trolleys, and Express buses will run on a regular weekday schedule
Boats: will operate a regular weekday schedule
The Ride will operate on a regular weekday schedule with extended hours until 2:30 a.m.
Here are the important points for New Year's Day, Wednesday, January 1, 2014
The Silver, Red, Orange, Blue, and Green lines will run on Sunday Schedule
Some Commuter Rail lines will run on a Sunday schedule except Needham which will not operate.
Buses will run on a Sunday schedule with a long list of buses not operating. Check those here.
Boats will not operate
The RIDE will operate on a Sunday schedule.
For more information, call the T’s Customer Information Center at 617-222-3200 (TTY 617-222-5146) or visit the MBTA website."
Here's a rundown of what's open in Boston on Christmas, December 25, 2014, plus information on: trash collection, parking, MBTA schedule changes, and whatever else we were able to gather to answer your Chrismas week questions.
Remember, many businesses close early on Christmas Eve. Call before you leave, if you plan to visit a business on the 24th.
Welcome to all of you who have found BostonZest.com while looking for this information. We hope you'll look around at the other resources we provide, subscribe to our RSS feed, follow us on Twitter, and come back often.
City, Town, State and Federal offices and facilities are closed:This includes Schools, Libraries, and the Postal Service. Only emergency services are available.
Boston Parking: You don't have to feed the meters. Other parking rules apply. When we have official hours for the Tow Lot over the holiday, we'll update this section. Call before going on Christmas eve or Chistmas day.
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 Trash Collection: The city says the following about trash collection Christmas week:
"Monday, December 22, 6am – Saturday, December 27, 2014, 5pm
No trash or recycling collection will take place in all sections of the City on Christmas Day (Thursday, December 25)
Christmas Week: Regular collection schedule on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday in all sections of the City. Regular trash collection schedule in the North End, Beacon Hill, Bay Village, Chinatown, Fenway South End, Mission Hill. Section of Roxbury, who have trash collection on Tuesday and Friday, no delay
Thursday and Friday recycling and trash collection delayed a day in Allston/Brighton, Dorchester, East Boston, South Boston, Jamaica Plain*, West Roxbury, Roslindale, Mattapan, and Hyde Park.
*If you live in Jamaica Plain and your trash is picked up 2 times per week [Monday, Thursday], Thursday collection day is cancelled. Back Bay, Roxbury and your trash and recycling is picked up on Monday and Thursday, Thursday’s collection is also cancelled, not delayed."
MBTA Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Schedule Changes:
MBTA Christmas Eve Schedule is a regular weekday schedule except fo the Hingham boat. which is modified weekday
Thursday, December 25, 2014 – MBTA Christmas Day Schedule (Quick Look)
• Blue, Orange, Green, Red, and Silver Lines will operate on a Sunday schedule.
• Buses will run on a Sunday schedule, however some routes will not operate on Christmas day. See those details here.
• Commuter rail trains will operate on a Sunday schedule (which means some lines will not operate).
• Hingham, Hull, and Charlestown boat service will not operate.
• THE RIDE will operate on a Sunday schedule.
For additional information on MBTA services, routes, schedules, and fares, please call MBTA Customer Support at (617) 222-3200 or 1-800-392-6100 (TTY 617-222-5146)," or visit the MBTA website.
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In 2010, a century old elm in Boston’s Back Back gained notoriety after a group of residents worked to save the towering giant.
As one of the neighborhood’s original street trees planted more than 125 years ago, this aging beauty had stretched its toes up and through the brick sidewalk. To smooth passage over the roots, an experimental macadam was installed but didn’t work out. It was time to try another alternative.
After extensive talks with the city of Boston and the Back Bay Architectural Commission, the previous material has been replaced with a more durable and aesthetically pleasing product called KBI FlexiPave – a rubber and aggregate surface that is ADA certified, the color of brick, and extremely water permeable.
(Once the main walkway was in place, the FlexiPave surface was extended over the tree's protruding roots to widen the path)
The Garden Club of the Back Bay generously fronted the $1,400 to install the new surface before winter set in. Now they are asking for donations to refill their coffers for the next project.
The tree is on Marlborough Street near the corner of Fairfield. Take a test stroll or roll over the new surface. It’s smooth and has a bit of cushion to it. If you like this treatment, don’t be shy, consider making a tax deductible contribution. It’ll be greatly appreciated.
Checks should be made out to The Garden Club of the Back Bay and mailed to: Margaret Pokorny, 384 Marlborough St., Boston, MA 02115.
Watch our 1-minute video to see how FlexiPave changes from a loose aggregate to a solid surface, plus a demonstration of how extremely water permeable it is.
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