Category: Boston:101

Another Kind of Parking Space Saver…

Is a car stored in a parking space another type of space saver in use in Boston?

Obviously, these people didn't shovel out these resident parking spaces. But, they are the only ones who can use them. Some of these spaces will be tied up for a long time, a few until the big melt takes care of all that snow.

At first, I thought that yellow paper stuck to each car was a parking ticket for not clearing the resident sticker. But, it was actually an offer to clear the car by a snow removal service.

Yesterday, Universal Hub reported that, "The city has agreed to a request from South End neighborhood groups to completely ban the practice of space saving after winter storms."

That kicked off another storm of comments about this very touchy subject.

Update: After I posted this Adam over at Univeral Hub created a new post, How come Boston doesn't charge for residential parking permits?That had brought out even more opinions on this topic. Welcome to all of you who landed here from that story.

I don't own a car so this issue doesn't really impact me. But, it did make me curious about what other cities charge for resident parking.

Philadelphia recently increased the cost of their residential permits. (Click here for full information.)

The annual fee for a permit is per household:
1st vehicle permit $35.00;
2nd vehicle permit $50.00;
3rd vehicle permit $75.00;
4 or more vehicle permits $100.00 each.

San Francisco charges $109 annually for a resident permit. (Click here for full information.)

Washington DC charges residents $35 a year and students $338 a year. (Click here for full information.)

New York doesn't have a residential parking program, but they do have the infamous alternate side parking regulation that means that on some streets cars have to be moved each day.

Update: One of the commenters over at Universal Hub mentioned Cambridge.

Cambridge MA charges $25 for resident parking permits unless you are age 65 plus or have a disability plate or placard (Click here for full information.)

Is it time to take a fresh look at the Boston residential parking program?

Would you get rid of one or more cars if you had to pay for a resident parking permit?

Would year-round street sweeping, that would allow public works to clear snow to the curb on street sweeping days, be a good idea?

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: © 2014 Penny Cherubino

February 13, 2014
Emancipation Statue in Park Square, Abraham Lincoln In Boston

We were looking for a great photo for our What's Open on Presidents' Day Post when we came across this photo of Abraham Lincoln as he was memorialized by sculptor Thomas Ball in the Emancipation Memorial or Emancipation Statue.

Since tomorrow is the actual date of Lincoln's birth, we thought we'd share it with our readers. Perhaps, some of you will stop by and see it to honor the man and the spirit of Black History Month.

(Photograph from the Boston Public Library Collection circa 1877-1895)

It's located in Park Square, but we had never noticed the monument before this research pointed us to it. The memorial is still there today but the view that once existed from the Boston Common and Statehouse is now blocked.

Here's how it looked circa 1930 in this photo from the Leslie Jones Collection at the Boston Public Library.

To orient yourself with the photo above, here's the area (with the Emancipaton Statue as a green triangle just below the words Park Square) from the 1912 Bromley Atlas. (Source: State Library of Massachusetts.)

About the Emancipation Statue

In Boston, this is called the Emancipation Statue. Moses Kimball gave the sculpture to the city in 1874. It's a copy of the original work by Thomas Ball called the Emancipation Memorial in Washington DC.

The Smithsonian American Art Museums descibes the statue in their inventory of outdoor sculputure.

" A portrait of Abraham Lincoln standing by a kneeling male slave, his proper left hand raised as he is about to emancipate the slave. In his proper right hand, which rests on a bronze podium, Lincoln holds an unrolled copy of the Emancipation Proclamation. To the rear of the figures is a whipping post, chains, shackles, and a frayed whip. On each corner of the podium are fasces and around the base of the podium are thirteen stars. A bas-relief of George Washington decorates the angled face of the podium and a Union shield decorates the inner face of the podium."

The artiist, Thomas Ball, was born in Charlestown and is also the sculptor of the Public Garden's iconic statue of George Washington.

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: from the Boston Public Library and State Library of Massachusetts

February 11, 2014
Emancipation Statue in Park Square, Abraham Lincoln In Boston

We were looking for a great photo for our What's Open on Presidents' Day Post when we came across this photo of Abraham Lincoln as he was memorialized by sculptor Thomas Ball in the Emancipation Memorial or Emancipation Statue.

Since tomorrow is the actual date of Lincoln's birth, we thought we'd share it with our readers. Perhaps, some of you will stop by and see it to honor the man and the spirit of Black History Month.

(Photograph from the Boston Public Library Collection circa 1877-1895)

It's located in Park Square, but we had never noticed the monument before this research pointed us to it. The memorial is still there today but the view that once existed from the Boston Common and Statehouse is now blocked.

Here's how it looked circa 1930 in this photo from the Leslie Jones Collection at the Boston Public Library.

To orient yourself with the photo above, here's the area (with the Emancipaton Statue as a green triangle just below the words Park Square) from the 1912 Bromley Atlas. (Source: State Library of Massachusetts.)

About the Emancipation Statue

In Boston, this is called the Emancipation Statue. Moses Kimball gave the sculpture to the city in 1874. It's a copy of the original work by Thomas Ball called the Emancipation Memorial in Washington DC.

The Smithsonian American Art Museums descibes the statue in their inventory of outdoor sculputure.

" A portrait of Abraham Lincoln standing by a kneeling male slave, his proper left hand raised as he is about to emancipate the slave. In his proper right hand, which rests on a bronze podium, Lincoln holds an unrolled copy of the Emancipation Proclamation. To the rear of the figures is a whipping post, chains, shackles, and a frayed whip. On each corner of the podium are fasces and around the base of the podium are thirteen stars. A bas-relief of George Washington decorates the angled face of the podium and a Union shield decorates the inner face of the podium."

The artiist, Thomas Ball, was born in Charlestown and is also the sculptor of the Public Garden's iconic statue of George Washington.

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: from the Boston Public Library and State Library of Massachusetts

February 11, 2014
Emancipation Statue in Park Square, Abraham Lincoln In Boston

We were looking for a great photo for our What's Open on Presidents' Day Post when we came across this photo of Abraham Lincoln as he was memorialized by sculptor Thomas Ball in the Emancipation Memorial or Emancipation Statue.

Since tomorrow is the actual date of Lincoln's birth, we thought we'd share it with our readers. Perhaps, some of you will stop by and see it to honor the man and the spirit of Black History Month.

(Photograph from the Boston Public Library Collection circa 1877-1895)

It's located in Park Square, but we had never noticed the monument before this research pointed us to it. The memorial is still there today but the view that once existed from the Boston Common and Statehouse is now blocked.

Here's how it looked circa 1930 in this photo from the Leslie Jones Collection at the Boston Public Library.

To orient yourself with the photo above, here's the area (with the Emancipaton Statue as a green triangle just below the words Park Square) from the 1912 Bromley Atlas. (Source: State Library of Massachusetts.)

About the Emancipation Statue

In Boston, this is called the Emancipation Statue. Moses Kimball gave the sculpture to the city in 1874. It's a copy of the original work by Thomas Ball called the Emancipation Memorial in Washington DC.

The Smithsonian American Art Museums descibes the statue in their inventory of outdoor sculputure.

" A portrait of Abraham Lincoln standing by a kneeling male slave, his proper left hand raised as he is about to emancipate the slave. In his proper right hand, which rests on a bronze podium, Lincoln holds an unrolled copy of the Emancipation Proclamation. To the rear of the figures is a whipping post, chains, shackles, and a frayed whip. On each corner of the podium are fasces and around the base of the podium are thirteen stars. A bas-relief of George Washington decorates the angled face of the podium and a Union shield decorates the inner face of the podium."

The artiist, Thomas Ball, was born in Charlestown and is also the sculptor of the Public Garden's iconic statue of George Washington.

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: from the Boston Public Library and State Library of Massachusetts

February 11, 2014
What’s Open or Closed on Presidents’ Day in Boston 2014 & MBTA Schedule Changes
Here's a rundown of what's open and what's closed in Boston on Presidents' Day and the MBTA schedule changes, plus information on Boston trash pick-up and parking information for – February 17, 2014.

This is an old post. Here's the 2015 information on this topic.

(The Emancipation Statue of President Abraham Lincoln and a newly freed slave in Park Square from the Boston Public Library Collection.)

We publish these resource pages early to assist you in planning your holidays. We'll keep updates coming as new information is published. Follow us on Twitter to learn about updates.

UPDATE 02/015/14: Here is the information box from the city of Boston site.

Restaurants, bars: Open

Convenience stores: Open

Supermarkets: Open

Retail stores: Are allowed to open if the owners choose

Liquor stores: Open

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. In recent year's, we've notices some banks keep some branches open at unexpected times so check with your own bank.

Parking, Boston trash, and MBTA after the ad.

This weekend is a great time to start your tax preparation. Step one, order your software by following this link to Amazon. You can even download some versions right from the Amazon Download Store. Shopping Amazon from here keeps information like this coming your way.

Boston Parking: You don't have to feed the meters. Other parking rules apply.

Boston Recycling and Trash Collection:

"Presidents' Day Week, Monday, February 17, 6am – Saturday, February 22, 2014, 5pm"

DETAILS: "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 the 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.

Report Missed Pickup"

Here's the source of the recycling and trash information.

MBTA Schedule for Presidents' Day, February 17, 2014:

For a short time before the holiday a complete list of schedule changes with appear at this link.

Briefly:
- Blue, Orange, Red, Silver, and Green Lines will operate a Saturday schedule.
- Commuter Rail trains will operate a Saturday schedule. So, the Fairmont, Greenbush, Kingston/Plymouth, and Needham lines will not operate.
- Buses and trackless trolleys will operate a Saturday schedule. Check this link for bus routes that will not operate. (Note: this link will only work up until the holiday.)
- Hingham and Charlestown Boat Service will operate a regular weekday schedule.
- THE RIDE will operate a Saturday schedule, but contact your local RIDE contractor for details.
For more information on routes, schedules, and fares, contact the MBTA at 617-222-3200, TTY 617-222-5146), or log onto the MBTA’s website www.mbta.com.

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: From the Boston Public Library Collection.

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.
February 7, 2014
What’s Open or Closed on Presidents’ Day in Boston 2014 & MBTA Schedule Changes
Here's a rundown of what's open and what's closed in Boston on Presidents' Day and the MBTA schedule changes, plus information on Boston trash pick-up and parking information for – February 17, 2014.

This is an old post. Here's the 2015 information on this topic.

(The Emancipation Statue of President Abraham Lincoln and a newly freed slave in Park Square from the Boston Public Library Collection.)

We publish these resource pages early to assist you in planning your holidays. We'll keep updates coming as new information is published. Follow us on Twitter to learn about updates.

UPDATE 02/015/14: Here is the information box from the city of Boston site.

Restaurants, bars: Open

Convenience stores: Open

Supermarkets: Open

Retail stores: Are allowed to open if the owners choose

Liquor stores: Open

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. In recent year's, we've notices some banks keep some branches open at unexpected times so check with your own bank.

Parking, Boston trash, and MBTA after the ad.

This weekend is a great time to start your tax preparation. Step one, order your software by following this link to Amazon. You can even download some versions right from the Amazon Download Store. Shopping Amazon from here keeps information like this coming your way.

Boston Parking: You don't have to feed the meters. Other parking rules apply.

Boston Recycling and Trash Collection:

"Presidents' Day Week, Monday, February 17, 6am – Saturday, February 22, 2014, 5pm"

DETAILS: "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 the 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.

Report Missed Pickup"

Here's the source of the recycling and trash information.

MBTA Schedule for Presidents' Day, February 17, 2014:

For a short time before the holiday a complete list of schedule changes with appear at this link.

Briefly:
- Blue, Orange, Red, Silver, and Green Lines will operate a Saturday schedule.
- Commuter Rail trains will operate a Saturday schedule. So, the Fairmont, Greenbush, Kingston/Plymouth, and Needham lines will not operate.
- Buses and trackless trolleys will operate a Saturday schedule. Check this link for bus routes that will not operate. (Note: this link will only work up until the holiday.)
- Hingham and Charlestown Boat Service will operate a regular weekday schedule.
- THE RIDE will operate a Saturday schedule, but contact your local RIDE contractor for details.
For more information on routes, schedules, and fares, contact the MBTA at 617-222-3200, TTY 617-222-5146), or log onto the MBTA’s website www.mbta.com.

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: From the Boston Public Library Collection.

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.
February 7, 2014
What’s Open or Closed on Presidents’ Day in Boston 2014 & MBTA Schedule Changes
Here's a rundown of what's open and what's closed in Boston on Presidents' Day and the MBTA schedule changes, plus information on Boston trash pick-up and parking information for – February 17, 2014.

This is an old post. Here's the 2015 information on this topic.

(The Emancipation Statue of President Abraham Lincoln and a newly freed slave in Park Square from the Boston Public Library Collection.)

We publish these resource pages early to assist you in planning your holidays. We'll keep updates coming as new information is published. Follow us on Twitter to learn about updates.

UPDATE 02/015/14: Here is the information box from the city of Boston site.

Restaurants, bars: Open

Convenience stores: Open

Supermarkets: Open

Retail stores: Are allowed to open if the owners choose

Liquor stores: Open

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. In recent year's, we've notices some banks keep some branches open at unexpected times so check with your own bank.

Parking, Boston trash, and MBTA after the ad.

This weekend is a great time to start your tax preparation. Step one, order your software by following this link to Amazon. You can even download some versions right from the Amazon Download Store. Shopping Amazon from here keeps information like this coming your way.

Boston Parking: You don't have to feed the meters. Other parking rules apply.

Boston Recycling and Trash Collection:

"Presidents' Day Week, Monday, February 17, 6am – Saturday, February 22, 2014, 5pm"

DETAILS: "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 the 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.

Report Missed Pickup"

Here's the source of the recycling and trash information.

MBTA Schedule for Presidents' Day, February 17, 2014:

For a short time before the holiday a complete list of schedule changes with appear at this link.

Briefly:
- Blue, Orange, Red, Silver, and Green Lines will operate a Saturday schedule.
- Commuter Rail trains will operate a Saturday schedule. So, the Fairmont, Greenbush, Kingston/Plymouth, and Needham lines will not operate.
- Buses and trackless trolleys will operate a Saturday schedule. Check this link for bus routes that will not operate. (Note: this link will only work up until the holiday.)
- Hingham and Charlestown Boat Service will operate a regular weekday schedule.
- THE RIDE will operate a Saturday schedule, but contact your local RIDE contractor for details.
For more information on routes, schedules, and fares, contact the MBTA at 617-222-3200, TTY 617-222-5146), or log onto the MBTA’s website www.mbta.com.

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: From the Boston Public Library Collection.

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.
February 7, 2014
WBUR’s Guide to the Best Views of Boston, Our Friday Link

WBUR is compiling a map that will serve as a guide to the best views of Boston. Alexandra Koktsidis kicked it off with a few views, and station listeners and readers have been adding their favorites via the comment section.

Many of those have already been added to the map and I keep checking back to discover new places to put on our daytrip list. This is a wonderful resource for photography buffs who love to find new vantage points for a familar subject.

Nice work WBUR!

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
Artwork: Screenshot courtesy of WBUR

January 31, 2014
WBUR’s Guide to the Best Views of Boston, Our Friday Link

WBUR is compiling a map that will serve as a guide to the best views of Boston. Alexandra Koktsidis kicked it off with a few views, and station listeners and readers have been adding their favorites via the comment section.

Many of those have already been added to the map and I keep checking back to discover new places to put on our daytrip list. This is a wonderful resource for photography buffs who love to find new vantage points for a familar subject.

Nice work WBUR!

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
Artwork: Screenshot courtesy of WBUR

January 31, 2014
WBUR’s Guide to the Best Views of Boston, Our Friday Link

WBUR is compiling a map that will serve as a guide to the best views of Boston. Alexandra Koktsidis kicked it off with a few views, and station listeners and readers have been adding their favorites via the comment section.

Many of those have already been added to the map and I keep checking back to discover new places to put on our daytrip list. This is a wonderful resource for photography buffs who love to find new vantage points for a familar subject.

Nice work WBUR!

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
Artwork: Screenshot courtesy of WBUR

January 31, 2014