bostonzest

Category: Boston Green

  • Light and Shadow in the Public Garden

    Light is an important part of our enjoyment of the Boston Public Garden. Every moment of every day, the places kissed by the sun give enjoyment to visitors and residents.

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    "Embrace light. Admire it. Love it. But above all, know light. Know it for all you are worth, and you will know the key to photography.” – George Eastman

    About Today in Boston: We keep hearing that people miss our cover photos that ran for years in the Back Bay Sun. That assignment was to provide a photo that showed what the week was like in the neighborhood. Often the photos illustrated favorite quotations. Today in Boston is an occasional offering to our BostonZest readers featuring photos along the same theme but taken wherever we happen to be.
    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: © 2016 Penny Cherubino  

    Related articles
    Where to Recycle Eyeglasses in Boston – Updating a Reader Favorite
    A New Day in the Public Garden – BostonZest
    A Delicious Autumn Day: Today In Boston! – BostonZest

  • Boston Area Winter Farmers Market Schedule: Our Updated Resource Page for 2017-2018 Season

    The open air farmers market season is nearly over and it's time for us to start our list of the 2017-2018 Winter Farmers Markets in the Boston area. We'll add to this list as we discover more markets opening. And, if you bookmark this page, we'll keep it updated for future years as we hear of new dates and openings.

    We have updated all the markets listed below for 2017-2018.

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    Boston Public Market

    The Boston Public Market is open 7 days a week. Here you’ll find: farmers, craft brewers, cheesemakers, local meat, and Red's Best (an outstanding seafood vendor), bakeries, and artisan food producers.

    Located at 100 Hanover Street, Boston, MA 02108. 

    Hours: Monday – Saturday, 8am — 8pm, Sunday 10am — 8pm 

    Check the market's twitter and facebook pages for specific weather and holiday closings.

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    Brookline Winter Farmers Market     

    Winter Indoor Farmers Markets Around Boston 

    Check the links to confirm details on these markets before you set out on your shopping trip.

    Boston Public Market, 100 Hanover Street at Haymarket Station, Monday – Saturday, 8am – 8pm, Sunday 10am - 8pm (year-round)

    Boston/Egleston Winter Farmers Market, Urbano Project, 29 Germania St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 (map) Saturdays, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, (Every Saturday *: November – February *We are closed on Saturday, November 25, 2017 & December 23rd & 30th)

    Brookline Winter Farmers Market at The Arcade Building, 318 Harvard Street, (map) Sundays
    11:00 am to 3:00 pm (November 19, 2016 thru April 2018)

    Somerville Winter Farmers Market, 191 Highland Avenue, (map) Saturdays, 9:30 am to 2:00 pm (December 2, 2017- April 14, 2018 )

    Cambridge Winter Farmers Market, 5 Callender Street, (map) Saturdays, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm (January 6th-April 7th, 2018)

    Dorchester/Codman Square Winter Farmers Market, 6 Norfolk Street, Dorchester, in the Great Hall (map) Saturdays 10 am to 1 pm (January 27to March 31) 

    Chelmsford Agway Winter Farmers Market, 24 Maple Road, Chelmsford, MA (map) Saturdays, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm (November 4, 2017 – February 24, 2018) Thanks to the reader who sent this one our way. 

    Roslindale Winter Farmers Market, 30 Birch Street, Roslindale, MA (map) Saturdays, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm (January 6th to March 31, 2018)

    20110123-134038-market-scene-Somerville-MA-Greens-greenhouse 

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    Destination Markets Worth the Trip

    Wayland/Russell's Garden Center Winter Farmers Market, 397 Boston Post Road, Rte 20 (map) Saturdays, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm (January 6th – March 10th, 2018)

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    Newburyport Winter Farmers Market, Tannery Marketplace, 50 Water Street (map)
    Sundays 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, Dec. 3 & 10, 2017, Jan. 7 & 21, Feb. 4 & 18, March 4 & 18, April 8 & 22, 2018

    Plymouth Indoor Winter Market, 137 Warren Ave, Plymouth, MA (map) 2:30-6:30, Second Thursday of the month, November 2017 thru May 2018  

    IMG_8892 - Version 22015-11-20-stillman's-copley-market-public-market-winter-© 2014 Penny Cherubino

    Stillman's Farm and Stillman Quality Meats will both be at the Boston Public Market.

    Do you have a favorite place to shop for local foods in winter? Let us know!

    Related Posts:

    6a00e54fc42bb8883401bb09264bd1970d-800wi

    Do You Have a Great Farmers Market Plan & Kit? Tools We Use & Love!

    6a00e54fc42bb8883401b7c87d99a6970b-800wi

    Buying bread at the market? 

    Here's a Great Tip for Keeping Bread Fresher Longer

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a Holiday Gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

     

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2011 – 2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

  • Boston Area Winter Farmers Market Schedule: Our Updated Resource Page for 2017-2018 Season

    The open air farmers market season is nearly over and it's time for us to start our list of the 2017-2018 Winter Farmers Markets in the Boston area. We'll add to this list as we discover more markets opening. And, if you bookmark this page, we'll keep it updated for future years as we hear of new dates and openings.

    We have updated all the markets listed below for 2017-2018.

    IMG_3693 copy

    Boston Public Market

    The Boston Public Market is open 7 days a week. Here you’ll find: farmers, craft brewers, cheesemakers, local meat, and Red's Best (an outstanding seafood vendor), bakeries, and artisan food producers.

    Located at 100 Hanover Street, Boston, MA 02108. 

    Hours: Monday – Saturday, 8am — 8pm, Sunday 10am — 8pm 

    Check the market's twitter and facebook pages for specific weather and holiday closings.

    6a00e54fc42bb88834017d3d90d8a3970c-500wi
    Brookline Winter Farmers Market     

    Winter Indoor Farmers Markets Around Boston 

    Check the links to confirm details on these markets before you set out on your shopping trip.

    Boston Public Market, 100 Hanover Street at Haymarket Station, Monday – Saturday, 8am – 8pm, Sunday 10am - 8pm (year-round)

    Boston/Egleston Winter Farmers Market, Urbano Project, 29 Germania St, Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 (map) Saturdays, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm, (Every Saturday *: November – February *We are closed on Saturday, November 25, 2017 & December 23rd & 30th)

    Brookline Winter Farmers Market at The Arcade Building, 318 Harvard Street, (map) Sundays
    11:00 am to 3:00 pm (November 19, 2016 thru April 2018)

    Somerville Winter Farmers Market, 191 Highland Avenue, (map) Saturdays, 9:30 am to 2:00 pm (December 2, 2017- April 14, 2018 )

    Cambridge Winter Farmers Market, 5 Callender Street, (map) Saturdays, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm (January 6th-April 7th, 2018)

    Dorchester/Codman Square Winter Farmers Market, 6 Norfolk Street, Dorchester, in the Great Hall (map) Saturdays 10 am to 1 pm (January 27to March 31) 

    Chelmsford Agway Winter Farmers Market, 24 Maple Road, Chelmsford, MA (map) Saturdays, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm (November 4, 2017 – February 24, 2018) Thanks to the reader who sent this one our way. 

    Roslindale Winter Farmers Market, 30 Birch Street, Roslindale, MA (map) Saturdays, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm (January 6th to March 31, 2018)

    20110123-134038-market-scene-Somerville-MA-Greens-greenhouse 

    20110123-134038-market-scene-Somerville-MA-purple-top-turnips

    Destination Markets Worth the Trip

    Wayland/Russell's Garden Center Winter Farmers Market, 397 Boston Post Road, Rte 20 (map) Saturdays, 10:00 am to 2:00 pm (January 6th – March 10th, 2018)

    6a00e54fc42bb888340120a8631bf1970b-800wi

    Newburyport Winter Farmers Market, Tannery Marketplace, 50 Water Street (map)
    Sundays 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, Dec. 3 & 10, 2017, Jan. 7 & 21, Feb. 4 & 18, March 4 & 18, April 8 & 22, 2018

    Plymouth Indoor Winter Market, 137 Warren Ave, Plymouth, MA (map) 2:30-6:30, Second Thursday of the month, November 2017 thru May 2018  

    IMG_8892 - Version 22015-11-20-stillman's-copley-market-public-market-winter-© 2014 Penny Cherubino

    Stillman's Farm and Stillman Quality Meats will both be at the Boston Public Market.

    Do you have a favorite place to shop for local foods in winter? Let us know!

    Related Posts:

    6a00e54fc42bb8883401bb09264bd1970d-800wi

    Do You Have a Great Farmers Market Plan & Kit? Tools We Use & Love!

    6a00e54fc42bb8883401b7c87d99a6970b-800wi

    Buying bread at the market? 

    Here's a Great Tip for Keeping Bread Fresher Longer

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a Holiday Gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

     

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2011 – 2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

  • Step Away from that Leaf Blower!

    Back in 2008 I wrote in praise of this lovely lady who took care of a property along my morning walk. 

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    This is how a good neighbor takes care of leaves and other debris on their property. If they are a really good neighbor, they take care of the sidewalk in front of their property as well.

    • You make sure the job is done without the noise and pollution of a leaf blower. 
    • You actually gather the debris, pick it up, and takes it away to the trash.
    • You don't blow dust and pollution in the faces of passersby who might have respiratory conditions that are made worse by these triggers.
    • You don't disturb the neighborhood with the sound of an unneeded power tool.
    • You don't move the trash elsewhere for someone else to move again or for you to move again the next day after it blows back from where you sent it.

    Screen Shot 2016-11-08 at Tuesday, November 8, 20161.39.16 PM

    Back then, not much scientific evidence on the downside of leaf blowers was available. Now articles like, "We know you love your leaf blower, but it’s ruining the neighborhood" from Noise and the City tells me I'm not alone in my hatred of these noise makers.

    Screen Shot 2016-11-08 at Tuesday, November 8, 20161.38.49 PM
    They call these machines The Devil's Hair Dryer in another post. And, as noted above, noise is not the only thing about blowing leaves away that makes it unneighborly. 

    What You Can Do 

    Start with your own building and ask your management company, board of trustees, or landlord to have leaves raked or swept and picked up rather than using a leaf blower. 

    WBUR ran this piece on what one town did in response to this issue. You could organize your neighborhood association or your block.

    If you've been successful with your own building, you can bring that up as the start of a movement on your block. Gently ask neighbors to do the same. In this age of incivility, this is hard to do. But looking at the surveys on the sites linked to here, you may find people receptive.

    Add a decibel meter app to your phone and call 311 if you come across a leaf blower that is violating noise regulations. Give the address and the reading on your meter.

    It may not result in someone coming out and stopping the noise, but it will deliver a message to the city that citizens have had enough of unnecessary leaf blower noise.

    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: © 2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

    Related articles
    Back Bay Houses (.Org) Expands and Wins a Preservation Award.
    Tips for Dealing with Uncontrolled Dogs

  • Step Away from that Leaf Blower!

    Back in 2008 I wrote in praise of this lovely lady who took care of a property along my morning walk. 

    6a00e54fc42bb8883400e55293f3af8833-800wi

    This is how a good neighbor takes care of leaves and other debris on their property. If they are a really good neighbor, they take care of the sidewalk in front of their property as well.

    • You make sure the job is done without the noise and pollution of a leaf blower. 
    • You actually gather the debris, pick it up, and takes it away to the trash.
    • You don't blow dust and pollution in the faces of passersby who might have respiratory conditions that are made worse by these triggers.
    • You don't disturb the neighborhood with the sound of an unneeded power tool.
    • You don't move the trash elsewhere for someone else to move again or for you to move again the next day after it blows back from where you sent it.

    Screen Shot 2016-11-08 at Tuesday, November 8, 20161.39.16 PM

    Back then, not much scientific evidence on the downside of leaf blowers was available. Now articles like, "We know you love your leaf blower, but it’s ruining the neighborhood" from Noise and the City tells me I'm not alone in my hatred of these noise makers.

    Screen Shot 2016-11-08 at Tuesday, November 8, 20161.38.49 PM
    They call these machines The Devil's Hair Dryer in another post. And, as noted above, noise is not the only thing about blowing leaves away that makes it unneighborly. 

    What You Can Do 

    Start with your own building and ask your management company, board of trustees, or landlord to have leaves raked or swept and picked up rather than using a leaf blower. 

    WBUR ran this piece on what one town did in response to this issue. You could organize your neighborhood association or your block.

    If you've been successful with your own building, you can bring that up as the start of a movement on your block. Gently ask neighbors to do the same. In this age of incivility, this is hard to do. But looking at the surveys on the sites linked to here, you may find people receptive.

    Add a decibel meter app to your phone and call 311 if you come across a leaf blower that is violating noise regulations. Give the address and the reading on your meter.

    It may not result in someone coming out and stopping the noise, but it will deliver a message to the city that citizens have had enough of unnecessary leaf blower noise.

    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: © 2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

    Related articles
    Back Bay Houses (.Org) Expands and Wins a Preservation Award.
    Tips for Dealing with Uncontrolled Dogs

  • Glowing Golden Ginkgo

    This golden, glowing ginkgo has spread a matching carpet of brilliant yellow leaves on the lawn in the Boston Public Garden.

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    "The ginkgo tree is from the era of dinosaurs, but while the dinosaur has been extinguished, the modern ginkgo has not changed. After the atomic bomb in Hiroshima, the ginkgo was the first tree that came up. It’s amazing."
    — Koji Nakanishi
     
    As quoted in Columbia University Press Release, On Campus (21 Feb 2013).
    About Today in Boston: We keep hearing that people miss our cover photos that ran for years in the Back Bay Sun. That assignment was to provide a photo that showed what the week was like in the neighborhood. Often the photos illustrated favorite quotations. Today in Boston is an occasional offering to our BostonZest readers featuring photos along the same theme but taken wherever we happen to be.
    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: © 2016 Penny Cherubino  

    Related articles
    Boston Fireworks from Another Time …
    Steamers Leaving for Bass Point and Nahant from Lincoln Wharf
    Halloween Humor at 5 Commonwealth Avenue: Today In Boston! – BostonZest
    Growing Fond of the Boston Public Garden Fence
    The Witch Hazel Thinks It's Spring!

  • Glowing Golden Ginkgo

    This golden, glowing ginkgo has spread a matching carpet of brilliant yellow leaves on the lawn in the Boston Public Garden.

    IMG_1080 copy

    "The ginkgo tree is from the era of dinosaurs, but while the dinosaur has been extinguished, the modern ginkgo has not changed. After the atomic bomb in Hiroshima, the ginkgo was the first tree that came up. It’s amazing."
    — Koji Nakanishi
     
    As quoted in Columbia University Press Release, On Campus (21 Feb 2013).
    About Today in Boston: We keep hearing that people miss our cover photos that ran for years in the Back Bay Sun. That assignment was to provide a photo that showed what the week was like in the neighborhood. Often the photos illustrated favorite quotations. Today in Boston is an occasional offering to our BostonZest readers featuring photos along the same theme but taken wherever we happen to be.
    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: © 2016 Penny Cherubino  

    Related articles
    Boston Fireworks from Another Time …
    Steamers Leaving for Bass Point and Nahant from Lincoln Wharf
    Halloween Humor at 5 Commonwealth Avenue: Today In Boston! – BostonZest
    Growing Fond of the Boston Public Garden Fence
    The Witch Hazel Thinks It's Spring!

  • Time for the Public Garden Tropicals to Travel to Their Winter Quarters

    After last weekend's tropical rain and the first warning of frost in our area, gardeners began moving the Public Garden tropical plants to their greenhouse winter quarters in Franklin Park. 

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    Standing guard over the plants is gardener Josh Altidor. You can read more about him and his love for his job in this Boston Globe article. He told the Globe, “I want the design to be eye-catching.” He certainly caught our eyes this year. (And, from the number of photos in our files of his flower bed designs, he caught our camera lenses too!)

    IMG_0713 copy

    Bed-by-bed the plants were lifted and set in neat rows on the back of Parks Department trucks for the ride across town. 

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    Once upon a time, the Victorian tropical plants would have been walked to the greenhouse that was once located on the Beacon Street side of the Public Garden. The 1862 Public Garden photo above is from the Boston Public Library's collection.

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    Here's a photo (circa 1924) of the palm greenhouse at Franklin Park also from the Boston Public Library's collection.

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    Be ready for a change of scene on your next visit to Boston's gem of a park. It's time for the fall foliage and mums to take over the spotlight. And, before you know it the caretakers will tuck in the flower beds for winter.

    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: © 2016 Penny Cherubino with historic photos courtesy of the Boston Public Library as credited above. 

    Related articles
    Messing About in Boats, 1939 Style
    Once Upon a Time Dogs Sold Soap
    Sunday Dog Assignment: Make Holiday Reservations Now!

  • Time for the Public Garden Tropicals to Travel to Their Winter Quarters

    After last weekend's tropical rain and the first warning of frost in our area, gardeners began moving the Public Garden tropical plants to their greenhouse winter quarters in Franklin Park. 

    IMG_0705 copy

    Standing guard over the plants is gardener Josh Altidor. You can read more about him and his love for his job in this Boston Globe article. He told the Globe, “I want the design to be eye-catching.” He certainly caught our eyes this year. (And, from the number of photos in our files of his flower bed designs, he caught our camera lenses too!)

    IMG_0713 copy

    Bed-by-bed the plants were lifted and set in neat rows on the back of Parks Department trucks for the ride across town. 

    5554337048_e39e6ed72b_z

    Once upon a time, the Victorian tropical plants would have been walked to the greenhouse that was once located on the Beacon Street side of the Public Garden. The 1862 Public Garden photo above is from the Boston Public Library's collection.

    5554353128_d303baab9c_z

    Here's a photo (circa 1924) of the palm greenhouse at Franklin Park also from the Boston Public Library's collection.

    CHE_1197

    Be ready for a change of scene on your next visit to Boston's gem of a park. It's time for the fall foliage and mums to take over the spotlight. And, before you know it the caretakers will tuck in the flower beds for winter.

    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: © 2016 Penny Cherubino with historic photos courtesy of the Boston Public Library as credited above. 

    Related articles
    Messing About in Boats, 1939 Style
    Once Upon a Time Dogs Sold Soap
    Sunday Dog Assignment: Make Holiday Reservations Now!

  • Russet May Be the Color of Autumn 2016 in Boston

    When we think of autumn colors in New England, we conjure up images of reds, yellows, and brilliant oranges. But, with this year's drought, we may be seeing russets and browns. Here's a link to the drought map to give you some idea of the places where colors will be weak.

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    As leaves are falling, they have a bit of color in some spots, but a lot of dry brown edges. The Boston Globe ran an article this week predicting less color in Massachusetts and recommending that you visit Northern New England if you want your annual color feast.

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    On my morning walks this week, I've only seen a few hints of bright color on trees, even in well watered gardens.

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    In most cases, the trees are turning a russet brown.

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    Obviously trees are suffering in places where no one cares for them. This week's rain will help, but making a habit of watering the trees in your area into November would help even more! 

    Here's a link to the city's page on Boston's trees. You can download instructions on watering, mulching, and planting around street trees. In case that page disappears as the city "improves" its website, you can download that PDF here. Download Street Tree tips.

    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: © 2016 Penny Cherubino  

    Related articles
    Steamers Leaving for Bass Point and Nahant from Lincoln Wharf
    Where to Recycle Eyeglasses in Boston – Updating a Reader Favorite