Category: Places

Waiting for Swan Boat Rides on Memorial Day Weekend

The line of people waiting to start their summer season with a Memorial Day Weekend Swan Boat ride in the Boston Public Garden went off the dock, up the path, and out of sight.

We hope this weekend has been a great start to summer for all our readers. Here's a link to our Memorial Day resource page:

What's Open and Closed on Memorial Day 2015 In Boston + MBTA Schedules with Parking Trash & 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
Photography: © 2015 Penny & Ed Cherubino

May 25, 2015
Waiting for Swan Boat Rides on Memorial Day Weekend

The line of people waiting to start their summer season with a Memorial Day Weekend Swan Boat ride in the Boston Public Garden went off the dock, up the path, and out of sight.

We hope this weekend has been a great start to summer for all our readers. Here's a link to our Memorial Day resource page:

What's Open and Closed on Memorial Day 2015 In Boston + MBTA Schedules with Parking Trash & 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
Photography: © 2015 Penny & Ed Cherubino

May 25, 2015
DCR’s Universal Access Program + Accessible Recreation Fair, May 30, 2015
Our Friday Link today will take you to the DCR (Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation) site for Universal Access to State Recreation facilities. And, we wanted to let you know that DCR is holding an Accessible Recreation Fair on May 30, 2015.

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.

You can see the cover of the department's current brochure on the program above. You can download a copy here. Download DCR accessbroch or from the state site at this link.

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

Related articles

Changes in Boston Dog Licensing for 2015

Boston's Number One Taxi

Routes for Visiting Runners – Boston Marathon Weekend
May 22, 2015
DCR’s Universal Access Program + Accessible Recreation Fair, May 30, 2015
Our Friday Link today will take you to the DCR (Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation) site for Universal Access to State Recreation facilities. And, we wanted to let you know that DCR is holding an Accessible Recreation Fair on May 30, 2015.

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.

You can see the cover of the department's current brochure on the program above. You can download a copy here. Download DCR accessbroch or from the state site at this link.

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

Related articles

Changes in Boston Dog Licensing for 2015

Boston's Number One Taxi

Routes for Visiting Runners – Boston Marathon Weekend
May 22, 2015
North Bennet Street School’s “Made by Hand: an exhibit of extraordinary craftsmanship”

The North Bennet Street School is a Boston treasure where students follow their hearts and make their career dreams come true. From May 18th to the 29th, 2015 the school presents, "Made by Hand: an exhibit of extraordinary craftsmanship." (details below)

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.

Parking: Limited street parking (metered) and discounted parking at the Parcel 7 garage –http://www.nbss.edu/about/the-boston-area/visit/index.aspx#

Nearest T stop: Haymarket (Orange, Green lines)

Directions: via Google maps – http://goo.gl/maps/97sY4

More exhibition details: http://www.nbss.edu/about/news/student-and-alumni-exhibit2015/index.aspx
More about NBSS full-time programs and workshops: http://www.nbss.edu

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.

What's on your Artistic shopping list? Shop Amazon for all your arts & craft needs and support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: Courtesy of North Bennet Street School

May 15, 2015
North Bennet Street School’s “Made by Hand: an exhibit of extraordinary craftsmanship”

The North Bennet Street School is a Boston treasure where students follow their hearts and make their career dreams come true. From May 18th to the 29th, 2015 the school presents, "Made by Hand: an exhibit of extraordinary craftsmanship." (details below)

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.

Parking: Limited street parking (metered) and discounted parking at the Parcel 7 garage –http://www.nbss.edu/about/the-boston-area/visit/index.aspx#

Nearest T stop: Haymarket (Orange, Green lines)

Directions: via Google maps – http://goo.gl/maps/97sY4

More exhibition details: http://www.nbss.edu/about/news/student-and-alumni-exhibit2015/index.aspx
More about NBSS full-time programs and workshops: http://www.nbss.edu

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.

What's on your Artistic shopping list? Shop Amazon for all your arts & craft needs and support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: Courtesy of North Bennet Street School

May 15, 2015
Back Bay Hardware Is Moving June 1st

One of the longest standing and most useful stores on Newbury Street, Back Bay Hardware is moving a few doors East on June 1st. The new address will be 221 Newbury Street.

If you're a long time Bostonian, you may still call this store Parks True Value. The company has served the neighborhood since 1943. Even longer term residents may remember it as Parks Paint and Hardware on Huntington Avenue before it moved to Newbury Street in 1979.

Current owner Lex Stevens joined Parks True Value in 1995. He purchased the business in 2004 and renamed it Back Bay Hardware in 2010.

Another memory for long time customers is long time employee and everybody's pal Eric Chudnoff. We wrote about him back in 2008. For those who miss him, here's that post:

We All Rely On The Hardware Guy-Eric Chudnoff.

If you cringe, as we do, whenever you hear the words "moving day," just think about moving the thousands and thousands of items they've managed to pack into that small shop. Be a good neighbor. Stop in and buy a few things so Lex won't have to move them.

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: © 2015 Ed Cherubino

Related articles

Changes in Boston Dog Licensing for 2015

Petie Prances & Kicks Up His Heels with the Joy of Spring

The Witch Hazel Thinks It's Spring!

Roses for Sarmiento

May 12, 2015
Back Bay Hardware Is Moving June 1st

One of the longest standing and most useful stores on Newbury Street, Back Bay Hardware is moving a few doors East on June 1st. The new address will be 221 Newbury Street.

If you're a long time Bostonian, you may still call this store Parks True Value. The company has served the neighborhood since 1943. Even longer term residents may remember it as Parks Paint and Hardware on Huntington Avenue before it moved to Newbury Street in 1979.

Current owner Lex Stevens joined Parks True Value in 1995. He purchased the business in 2004 and renamed it Back Bay Hardware in 2010.

Another memory for long time customers is long time employee and everybody's pal Eric Chudnoff. We wrote about him back in 2008. For those who miss him, here's that post:

We All Rely On The Hardware Guy-Eric Chudnoff.

If you cringe, as we do, whenever you hear the words "moving day," just think about moving the thousands and thousands of items they've managed to pack into that small shop. Be a good neighbor. Stop in and buy a few things so Lex won't have to move them.

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: © 2015 Ed Cherubino

Related articles

Changes in Boston Dog Licensing for 2015

Petie Prances & Kicks Up His Heels with the Joy of Spring

The Witch Hazel Thinks It's Spring!

Roses for Sarmiento

May 12, 2015
Steamers Leaving for Bass Point and Nahant from Lincoln Wharf

Once upon a time, you could enjoy a quick getaway from Boston by water. In 1899, you could catch a steamer from Lincoln Wharf and sail to coastal destinations for a day or longer. (This photo courtesy of Boston Landmarks Commission image collection, Collection 5210.004, City of Boston Archives.)

Here's another look from above. (This photo courtesy of Boston Landmarks Commission image collection, Collection 5210.004, City of Boston Archives.)

Here's an illustration of the Steamboat Massachusetts, one of the vessels that once served this route. Circa 1820, it ran "… from Boston to Beverly touching each way at Nahant, Marblehead and Salem for passenger and light freight." (That was according to the book, "Some Account of Steam Navigation in New England" by Francis Boardman Crowninshield Bradlee.)

Wouldn't it be nice …

If mass transit in Boston included lots of waterborne options in season.

I couldn't find how long the trip took, back then, but it certainly must have been a more pleasant voyage than we would have today on mass transit. Today, you would have to make your way to North Station to catch the Newburyport line and then connect with a bus to reach Nahant. Google estimates an hour and a quarter. I think that would be under the most perfect conditions. And, that's on a weekday. Weekends would be another matter.

While we can't go to Nahant by ferry, we can go to Salem. The Boston Harbor Cruises Fast Ferry to Salem begins service again on May 21st. (This photo by massmatt. Here's his photostream on Flickr.)

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: Photo credits as noted and used under this creative commons license.

May 11, 2015
Steamers Leaving for Bass Point and Nahant from Lincoln Wharf

Once upon a time, you could enjoy a quick getaway from Boston by water. In 1899, you could catch a steamer from Lincoln Wharf and sail to coastal destinations for a day or longer. (This photo courtesy of Boston Landmarks Commission image collection, Collection 5210.004, City of Boston Archives.)

Here's another look from above. (This photo courtesy of Boston Landmarks Commission image collection, Collection 5210.004, City of Boston Archives.)

Here's an illustration of the Steamboat Massachusetts, one of the vessels that once served this route. Circa 1820, it ran "… from Boston to Beverly touching each way at Nahant, Marblehead and Salem for passenger and light freight." (That was according to the book, "Some Account of Steam Navigation in New England" by Francis Boardman Crowninshield Bradlee.)

Wouldn't it be nice …

If mass transit in Boston included lots of waterborne options in season.

I couldn't find how long the trip took, back then, but it certainly must have been a more pleasant voyage than we would have today on mass transit. Today, you would have to make your way to North Station to catch the Newburyport line and then connect with a bus to reach Nahant. Google estimates an hour and a quarter. I think that would be under the most perfect conditions. And, that's on a weekday. Weekends would be another matter.

While we can't go to Nahant by ferry, we can go to Salem. The Boston Harbor Cruises Fast Ferry to Salem begins service again on May 21st. (This photo by massmatt. Here's his photostream on Flickr.)

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: Photo credits as noted and used under this creative commons license.

May 11, 2015