Category: We recommend!

Where to Dine on New Year’s Eve & New Year’s Day Brunch 2017
Our readers are already searching our past posts to figure out where to dine on New Year's Eve in Boston. It's time for you to grab a reservation at a special place! (From now on we'll just update this post for future years, so you can come back here anytime for our latest information.)

And, since it was popular last year, we're adding a few places we think might be great for starting off 2017 with friends and family around a brunch table.

We all have our ideas of the perfect New Year's Eve.
- Are you looking for a place to ring in 2017 with a happy crowd?
- Will you be out and about dropping in on events or house parties?
- Or will you make a reservation for a quiet dinner before popping a cork for a private celebration?
- Is a walk to view skating on the Frog Pond more your style?
We'll leave the New Year's Eve reservation for those of you who like to be part of a bigger celebration, while we spend the evening with some sparkling wine, good food, and great companions. However, we have gathered resources to help you find a place for any kind of New Year's Eve you'd like.

Everyone can begin at Open Table. They maintain a list of special New Year's Eve celebrations at area restaurants.

You can put a time into the reservation box on the main page and see what's available. Remember, many places have special prix fixe menus for occasions like this and some may require a credit card to hold a reservation.

The site Boston Chefs always posts a listing of its member restaurants that have special plans for New Year's Eve. Here is their New Year's Eve list. And, here's the list for New Year's Day. We'll update this section as we spot new information from these sources.

We'll add updates with other lists, as they become available, from trusted sources around town. Please remember that when we provide a link to a list, we are just giving you a resource. It doesn't mean we are recommending the restaurants on that list. These summaries often include places we love, but since other publishers have different standards, their list may include restaurants we would never recommend.

We Do Recommend!

There are restaurants that have planned a special New Year's Eve menu but have built their reputations on high-quality food. These are places where you can expect to have a wonderful meal any day of the year.
- Select Oyster Bar offering a 3 course New Year's Eve menu all day Saturday, December 31st alongside their full regular menu this NYE.
- Coppa will be serving their regular a la carte menu throughout the evening for revelers who want to end the year with a meal full of familiar favorites.
- Row 34 Chef Sewall will be serving the regular dinner menu with luxurious additions, like Ossestra caviar service or plates like potato latkes with caviar and salmon pastrami.
- Bistro du Midi is offering two seatings at two prices with two prix fixe menus.
- Craigie on Main early seating for a five-course prix fixe menu, with optional add-on wine pairings. Or, if you're ready to celebrate into night, choose the later seating for a six-course menu and Champagne toast.
- Grotto on Beacon Hill, and Marliave downtown all join that list of places sticking with the food you love.
- La Morra in Brookline will serve a three-course prix fixe menu with a glass of Prosecco!
- Myers + Chang will add special items to their regular menu and serve it all Dim Sum style.
Where are you spending the evening? What's your favorite way to celebrate? Come back on January 1st and tell us about your New Year's Eve.

New Year's Day Brunch

Here is a list of brunches from the members of Boston Chefs. Our pick from this list would be Meritage at the Boston Harbor Hotel.

Open Table did not have a New Year's Day Brunch list when we prepared this post. We put a request in for a table at 11:30 a.m. to come up with our recommendations.
- Craigie on Main decided to do away with their regular Sunday brunch, but they will have brunch on a few selected holidays like New Year's Day.
- Petit Robert Bistro would be a great place to enjoy the beginning of a new year with a gang.
- Eastern Standard will be open with their great brunch menu.
- La Voile on Newbury serves a lovely meal and is a great way to start the year.
To be notified of updates to this post, sign-on to the comment feed for this post or follow us on Twitter for updates.

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: Photo: iStockphoto.com

Related articles

SELECT Oyster Bar: Our First Taste

Notes on a New Year's Eve Toast with Bollinger Rosé
December 21, 2016
Winter 2017 Edible Boston – Time to Pick Up a Copy While You Shop Their Supporters

This edition of Edible Boston is another gem. It's full of the people, places, flavors, recipes, and products that you will want to add to your shopping list or make for dinner.

In her Letter from the Editor, managing editor Sarah Blackburn encourages us not only to "Eat Local," but also to join the Edible team and use the hashtag #EatLocalMA in the new year.

Read with Shopping List in Hand

As much as I think I may know about the local food scene, I have already dogeared my preview copy to return to articles and advertisements for local food suppliers. I've learned to read this publication with my shopping list in hand.

The article about Celeste Croxton-Tate of Lyndigo Spice has me craving her chutneys.

Read and Learn

Would you like to know why Drumlin Farms is not washing the root vegetables they are putting in storage for the winter?

Are you looking for some new Brussels sprouts recipes without bacon?

Are you already a fan of Matt Jennings or David Epstein and would like to know more about these two local talents?

Want a new cocktail recipe and a few words of wisdom from Tom Schlesinger-Guidelli?

Pick up this issue and your holiday wishes will be granted!

Support the Talented Edible Boston Team

First, pick up a copy of Edible Boston at one of these locations. In fact, pick up two copies and share one with a food-loving friend or leave it where someone might discover it among lesser publications and become a new fan.

May I suggest that you let their sponsors know you saw them in the magazine and grab an extra copy and get it to someone else who cares about supporting the local food movement. Also, if you have a blog, twitter account, or facebook page, write about them, link to them, follow them, retweet their tweets, like them on facebook, and in general, spread the word about this great asset to our community.

And, to be sure you never miss an issue, you can subscribe over on their website!

What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List? Shop Amazon for all your kitchen & dining needs and support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny Cherubino
Covershot & photos: Courtesy of Edible Boston

Related articles

Sunday Cat Sophia Says, "Let me in Whee-ooh …"

Thanks to Friends Who Make Marmalade and Share!

Get Ready for Your First Visit to the Boston Public Market

Boston Fireworks from Another Time …

December 16, 2016
Winter 2017 Edible Boston – Time to Pick Up a Copy While You Shop Their Supporters

This edition of Edible Boston is another gem. It's full of the people, places, flavors, recipes, and products that you will want to add to your shopping list or make for dinner.

In her Letter from the Editor, managing editor Sarah Blackburn encourages us not only to "Eat Local," but also to join the Edible team and use the hashtag #EatLocalMA in the new year.

Read with Shopping List in Hand

As much as I think I may know about the local food scene, I have already dogeared my preview copy to return to articles and advertisements for local food suppliers. I've learned to read this publication with my shopping list in hand.

The article about Celeste Croxton-Tate of Lyndigo Spice has me craving her chutneys.

Read and Learn

Would you like to know why Drumlin Farms is not washing the root vegetables they are putting in storage for the winter?

Are you looking for some new Brussels sprouts recipes without bacon?

Are you already a fan of Matt Jennings or David Epstein and would like to know more about these two local talents?

Want a new cocktail recipe and a few words of wisdom from Tom Schlesinger-Guidelli?

Pick up this issue and your holiday wishes will be granted!

Support the Talented Edible Boston Team

First, pick up a copy of Edible Boston at one of these locations. In fact, pick up two copies and share one with a food-loving friend or leave it where someone might discover it among lesser publications and become a new fan.

May I suggest that you let their sponsors know you saw them in the magazine and grab an extra copy and get it to someone else who cares about supporting the local food movement. Also, if you have a blog, twitter account, or facebook page, write about them, link to them, follow them, retweet their tweets, like them on facebook, and in general, spread the word about this great asset to our community.

And, to be sure you never miss an issue, you can subscribe over on their website!

What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List? Shop Amazon for all your kitchen & dining needs and support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny Cherubino
Covershot & photos: Courtesy of Edible Boston

Related articles

Sunday Cat Sophia Says, "Let me in Whee-ooh …"

Thanks to Friends Who Make Marmalade and Share!

Get Ready for Your First Visit to the Boston Public Market

Boston Fireworks from Another Time …

December 16, 2016
7 Tips for Staying Warm in a Boston Winter

I still remember a conversation I had years ago on a Beacon Hill corner when a shivering young woman asked, "How do you stand this cold?" She was from Alabama, here caring for a hospitalized family member.

January 2018: Since many readers are finding this archive post on Google we thought we would update it a bit with a few new items and feature it.

Tip #1 Silk or Wicking Long Underwear

My quick answer was, "Silk Long Johns and layers of cashmere." When the traffic light changed and we parted ways, I realized just how true that quip was and what a difference those items have made in my cold weather walks.

Unless you are oblivious to the cold (like the guy in the photo above), you will likely feel Boston's sudden changes in temperature.

Silk or Merino wool long underwear (or one of the wicking fabrics, if you are exercising) is a great first layer for a personal insulation system. Not only will it help when you're outside, but it also will allow you to drop your thermostat a few degrees at home.

It keeps you warm, but also breathes, so it's not uncomfortable when you're in a warm place. There are dozens of types with shorter lengths that work for dresses and skirts as well as slacks.

Tip #2 Cashmere

Gilda Radner once said, "I base my fashion taste on what doesn't itch." I like that thought and I like cashmere because it doesn't itch. What's more, layers of cashmere seem to keep me warmer than the bulk of other fabrics.

Years ago, I bought a cashmere, zippered cardigan for Ed. He raved about it as a warm layer. Looking for something like that for myself, I found a black cashmere hoodie. I've added to my cashmere collection over the years. Those sweaters are a treasured part of my winter defense. I wear hoodies over cashmere turtlenecks and zip or unzip to suit my needs throughout the day. On a very cold day, I'll pull up the hoodie and put a hat over it.

Tip #3 Hats, Scarfs, and Gloves

I also had a warm hat on the day I spoke to the shivering woman. She didn't. I wear hats so often that one neighbor said he almost didn't recognize me without one. If my hat doesn't cover my ears, (here's a style that can) I wear a pair of 180s as well. (They even make 180s with headphones built in.)

My cashmere wardrobe continues with thin cashmere gloves that not only are perfect for early season days, but also will fit under mittens when the weather becomes totally unreasonable. And my coat collar is held in place with a cashmere scarf that I can pull up over my face if needed.

Yes, cashmere can be expensive, but I shop sales and take care of the items I buy. What's more, I don't have the time or space to deal with a big wardrobe. I prefer having a few good, classic items to having the latest clothing fad.

Tip #4 Waterproof Boots

My choice for early morning walks is Merrell Waterproof Hiking Boots. You may have your own favorite brand that fits your feet and makes them happy.

In 2017 we both added boots with Vibram Arctic Grip on the soles to avoid slipping on wet ice. We have tested them on some icy days and feel they are worth the investment if they prevent a fall. We both choose Merrell boots but this sole is available on a number of brands.

Tip #5 Wool Socks

Inside those waterproof boots, I wear warm wool socks. My choice is 30 Below Thermal Winter Socks made of merino wool.

Tip #6 Handwarmers

See the well-dressed-for-the-cold gentleman with the dogs in the photo above? That's Dan, and he's a dogwalker in Boston. I interviewed him to get his best tips for walking dogs in the cold.

He inspired us to get hand warmers. We photographed the one we use but there are all types on the market and they do make a difference when you have to spend a long time outside.

Tip #7 Walking Stick

While the stick won't keep you warm in and of itself, it may help you stay upright, dry, and moving at a better pace – and that will keep you warmer. Here's a post we did on that topic, Do You Use a Walking Stick in Boston When It's Icy?

Naturally, you can use what you already have to layer and choose warm footwear to keep from taking a cold fall. If we missed your favorite tip, add it in the comments below.

From NOAH here is how to layer.

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: © 2008 – 2016 Penny Cherubino

Related articles

7 Salty Winter Tips for Boston Dog Lovers

Our Improved Dog Boot Drying Hack

A Hand Warmer Has Been Added to My Boston Winter Equipment

December 15, 2016
7 Tips for Staying Warm in a Boston Winter

I still remember a conversation I had years ago on a Beacon Hill corner when a shivering young woman asked, "How do you stand this cold?" She was from Alabama, here caring for a hospitalized family member.

January 2018: Since many readers are finding this archive post on Google we thought we would update it a bit with a few new items and feature it.

Tip #1 Silk or Wicking Long Underwear

My quick answer was, "Silk Long Johns and layers of cashmere." When the traffic light changed and we parted ways, I realized just how true that quip was and what a difference those items have made in my cold weather walks.

Unless you are oblivious to the cold (like the guy in the photo above), you will likely feel Boston's sudden changes in temperature.

Silk or Merino wool long underwear (or one of the wicking fabrics, if you are exercising) is a great first layer for a personal insulation system. Not only will it help when you're outside, but it also will allow you to drop your thermostat a few degrees at home.

It keeps you warm, but also breathes, so it's not uncomfortable when you're in a warm place. There are dozens of types with shorter lengths that work for dresses and skirts as well as slacks.

Tip #2 Cashmere

Gilda Radner once said, "I base my fashion taste on what doesn't itch." I like that thought and I like cashmere because it doesn't itch. What's more, layers of cashmere seem to keep me warmer than the bulk of other fabrics.

Years ago, I bought a cashmere, zippered cardigan for Ed. He raved about it as a warm layer. Looking for something like that for myself, I found a black cashmere hoodie. I've added to my cashmere collection over the years. Those sweaters are a treasured part of my winter defense. I wear hoodies over cashmere turtlenecks and zip or unzip to suit my needs throughout the day. On a very cold day, I'll pull up the hoodie and put a hat over it.

Tip #3 Hats, Scarfs, and Gloves

I also had a warm hat on the day I spoke to the shivering woman. She didn't. I wear hats so often that one neighbor said he almost didn't recognize me without one. If my hat doesn't cover my ears, (here's a style that can) I wear a pair of 180s as well. (They even make 180s with headphones built in.)

My cashmere wardrobe continues with thin cashmere gloves that not only are perfect for early season days, but also will fit under mittens when the weather becomes totally unreasonable. And my coat collar is held in place with a cashmere scarf that I can pull up over my face if needed.

Yes, cashmere can be expensive, but I shop sales and take care of the items I buy. What's more, I don't have the time or space to deal with a big wardrobe. I prefer having a few good, classic items to having the latest clothing fad.

Tip #4 Waterproof Boots

My choice for early morning walks is Merrell Waterproof Hiking Boots. You may have your own favorite brand that fits your feet and makes them happy.

In 2017 we both added boots with Vibram Arctic Grip on the soles to avoid slipping on wet ice. We have tested them on some icy days and feel they are worth the investment if they prevent a fall. We both choose Merrell boots but this sole is available on a number of brands.

Tip #5 Wool Socks

Inside those waterproof boots, I wear warm wool socks. My choice is 30 Below Thermal Winter Socks made of merino wool.

Tip #6 Handwarmers

See the well-dressed-for-the-cold gentleman with the dogs in the photo above? That's Dan, and he's a dogwalker in Boston. I interviewed him to get his best tips for walking dogs in the cold.

He inspired us to get hand warmers. We photographed the one we use but there are all types on the market and they do make a difference when you have to spend a long time outside.

Tip #7 Walking Stick

While the stick won't keep you warm in and of itself, it may help you stay upright, dry, and moving at a better pace – and that will keep you warmer. Here's a post we did on that topic, Do You Use a Walking Stick in Boston When It's Icy?

Naturally, you can use what you already have to layer and choose warm footwear to keep from taking a cold fall. If we missed your favorite tip, add it in the comments below.

From NOAH here is how to layer.

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: © 2008 – 2016 Penny Cherubino

Related articles

7 Salty Winter Tips for Boston Dog Lovers

Our Improved Dog Boot Drying Hack

A Hand Warmer Has Been Added to My Boston Winter Equipment

December 15, 2016
Four of Our Favorite Things for Dogs and Dog Lovers

Living with a dog, there are a few things we are really happy to have around. Since it's the time of year for gifting, we want to share these ideas with you.

Pawz Dog Boots

Poppy gets a lot of attention in her little red boots. (Or "Ruby Slippers" as one woman on Newbury Street called them. We like that term and have adopted it.)

The photo above is from Poppy's first day wearing Pawz Water-Proof Dog Boots. She accepted them right away and gave them a good workout as she experienced her first measurable snowfall as a wee pup!

Since they do wear out, you can even give these as a thank you gift to another pup who is a good pal to your dog.

Mambe 100% Waterproof Furniture or Bed Covers

We have told you about our wonderful Mambe waterproof furniture covers before, here:

The Mambe Pet Blanket Gets a Paws Up from All Three of Us!

Has someone hosted you and your dog in the past and perhaps is going to welcome you this holiday season? What could be a better appreciation gift to your host or hostess and a reliable cover to protect their furniture or bedding from accidental wetness?

Mambes are not inexpensive but they are worth the price and would be great to have at any regular destination. We take a twin size one when we travel to cover the sofa in our apartment or hotel room and to put down the center of the bed at night to make a safe place for Poppy.

Headlamp

Trying to hold a flashlight while examining a pet's ear, paw, or mouth is frustrating. You need two hands for the job and an assistant to distract the critter if possible. These headlamps allow you to direct the light where your eyes are focused. You will find dozens of other uses for them when you are doing DYI or crafts. We also find them useful when taking Poppy for a last walk of the night on a dark beach.

When you have a dog that eats with gusto, you may find yourself with spills and frustration as the pup chases the dish around the floor. For years we used sticky mats to hold the bowl to a tray. Then we found the ezpz line of silicone placemat and bowl combinations. Poppy's favorite is the ezpz Happy Bowl – One-piece silicone placemat + bowl, shown above.

We wrote about this in more detail here:

We Found an ezpz Happy Bowl Solution for Poppy, Our Enthusiastic Eater!

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.

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Related articles

Spread a Little Local Love for the Rest of Valentine's Month

Ready or Not the Snow & Ice Will Fall

December 4, 2016
Four of Our Favorite Things for Dogs and Dog Lovers

Living with a dog, there are a few things we are really happy to have around. Since it's the time of year for gifting, we want to share these ideas with you.

Pawz Dog Boots

Poppy gets a lot of attention in her little red boots. (Or "Ruby Slippers" as one woman on Newbury Street called them. We like that term and have adopted it.)

The photo above is from Poppy's first day wearing Pawz Water-Proof Dog Boots. She accepted them right away and gave them a good workout as she experienced her first measurable snowfall as a wee pup!

Since they do wear out, you can even give these as a thank you gift to another pup who is a good pal to your dog.

Mambe 100% Waterproof Furniture or Bed Covers

We have told you about our wonderful Mambe waterproof furniture covers before, here:

The Mambe Pet Blanket Gets a Paws Up from All Three of Us!

Has someone hosted you and your dog in the past and perhaps is going to welcome you this holiday season? What could be a better appreciation gift to your host or hostess and a reliable cover to protect their furniture or bedding from accidental wetness?

Mambes are not inexpensive but they are worth the price and would be great to have at any regular destination. We take a twin size one when we travel to cover the sofa in our apartment or hotel room and to put down the center of the bed at night to make a safe place for Poppy.

Headlamp

Trying to hold a flashlight while examining a pet's ear, paw, or mouth is frustrating. You need two hands for the job and an assistant to distract the critter if possible. These headlamps allow you to direct the light where your eyes are focused. You will find dozens of other uses for them when you are doing DYI or crafts. We also find them useful when taking Poppy for a last walk of the night on a dark beach.

When you have a dog that eats with gusto, you may find yourself with spills and frustration as the pup chases the dish around the floor. For years we used sticky mats to hold the bowl to a tray. Then we found the ezpz line of silicone placemat and bowl combinations. Poppy's favorite is the ezpz Happy Bowl – One-piece silicone placemat + bowl, shown above.

We wrote about this in more detail here:

We Found an ezpz Happy Bowl Solution for Poppy, Our Enthusiastic Eater!

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.

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Related articles

Spread a Little Local Love for the Rest of Valentine's Month

Ready or Not the Snow & Ice Will Fall

December 4, 2016
Château Tour Grise Saumur Brut – December Bubbles that Even Won Over Penny!

December’s wine selection, Château Tour Grise Saumur Brut Non Dosé 2004, for our monthly “Sparkling Resolution” toast, is one that we thought I would like more than Penny. I’m a longtime fan of Vouvrays made with the Chenin Blanc grape.

As it turns out this Chenin Blanc sparkler has enough of that Chenin spirit to please me while the crisp finish wipes out any overly floral flourishes that make Penny avoid this grape.

Here’s what other tasters think of Chateau Tour Grise Saumur Brut Non Dosé 2004 (ABV 12%) from the Loire Valley:

“… pure and refreshing with a rounded texture and the telltale honeysuckle, lemon and chamomile flavors of chenin blanc.” (Wineberry America, New York) (From The New York Time article “Summer Wine: 20 for $20” By Eric Asimov, June 18, 2015)

“An intense and complex sparkler with notes of ripe pear, deep minerality and possessing tremendous body and length.” Saumur Brut, Non Dosé, 2004 (Joli Vin)

“… astounds with its complexity.”

“… adjectives from dried flowers to tea to smoke and minerals to honey to fruit …”

“… for brunch, with lunchtime omelettes, for toasting at celebrations …”

“… challenging for many palates, but not intimidating.”

(from 2002 Selection, tastingnotes.com)

As always, whether you try one of our suggestions or select a sparkler of your own, we hope you’ll join us as we ring-in the month of December! Cheers!

We purchased our bottle of Chateau Tour Grise Saumur Brut Non Dosé 2004, ABV 12%, $23 at Gordon's Fine Wines and Liquors, Boston.

Remember to:

Check Out: Our Sparkling Resolution

Our Sparkling Resolution Winner’s List

What's on your food lover's shopping list?

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Related articles

Mastering Hamersley's Roast Chicken Recipe

West West Blue Cheese & Brooklyn Brewery's K is for Kriek

December 1, 2016
Château Tour Grise Saumur Brut – December Bubbles that Even Won Over Penny!

December’s wine selection, Château Tour Grise Saumur Brut Non Dosé 2004, for our monthly “Sparkling Resolution” toast, is one that we thought I would like more than Penny. I’m a longtime fan of Vouvrays made with the Chenin Blanc grape.

As it turns out this Chenin Blanc sparkler has enough of that Chenin spirit to please me while the crisp finish wipes out any overly floral flourishes that make Penny avoid this grape.

Here’s what other tasters think of Chateau Tour Grise Saumur Brut Non Dosé 2004 (ABV 12%) from the Loire Valley:

“… pure and refreshing with a rounded texture and the telltale honeysuckle, lemon and chamomile flavors of chenin blanc.” (Wineberry America, New York) (From The New York Time article “Summer Wine: 20 for $20” By Eric Asimov, June 18, 2015)

“An intense and complex sparkler with notes of ripe pear, deep minerality and possessing tremendous body and length.” Saumur Brut, Non Dosé, 2004 (Joli Vin)

“… astounds with its complexity.”

“… adjectives from dried flowers to tea to smoke and minerals to honey to fruit …”

“… for brunch, with lunchtime omelettes, for toasting at celebrations …”

“… challenging for many palates, but not intimidating.”

(from 2002 Selection, tastingnotes.com)

As always, whether you try one of our suggestions or select a sparkler of your own, we hope you’ll join us as we ring-in the month of December! Cheers!

We purchased our bottle of Chateau Tour Grise Saumur Brut Non Dosé 2004, ABV 12%, $23 at Gordon's Fine Wines and Liquors, Boston.

Remember to:

Check Out: Our Sparkling Resolution

Our Sparkling Resolution Winner’s List

What's on your food lover's shopping list?

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Related articles

Mastering Hamersley's Roast Chicken Recipe

West West Blue Cheese & Brooklyn Brewery's K is for Kriek

December 1, 2016
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.

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.
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.

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
November 17, 2016