Category: Arts

We’ll Toast August 1st with Happy Memories of Bollinger Champagne

Thanks to a great assist from some very nice people, we'll toast August 1st with a favorite – Bollinger Special Cuvee Champagne. This is our year of terroir and Bollinger, for us, is the center point for the flavor, aroma, balance, and everything else we want from a champagne. When we enjoy other wines from this region, it's the memory of this wine we use for comparison.

While we'll be raising our glasses at home with friends on computer screens, in our minds we'll travel back to the many times we've enjoyed a bottle of this wine on the deck in Provincetown. Today's photos are all from another time and place.

Another type of terroir brings a distinct note to the wine in these bottles. Namely, the years of reserve wine from the same land that is blended to give us that Bollinger Special Cruvee style.

On their site the vineyard explains:

"The Bollinger vineyard covers 178 hectares, most of which are classified Grand or Premier cru. Pinot Noir predominates, a demanding grape variety with an intense character which forms the backbone of the Bollinger style. Continuity of style is ensured by an exceptional collection of over 700,000 reserve magnums, making Bollinger the only champagne House with such a wide and precise palette of aromas for their blends. As a guarantee of supreme quality, the best crus are vinified in wood thanks to a stock of 3,500 small, aged casks. The House lets its wines mature for twice as long as the appellation requirement. This is not out of vanity, but because a great wine needs the luxury of time to develop its full character."

We'll do a special toast this month to the excellent team at Gordon's Wine in Downtown Crossing (39 Temple Place) who helped Penny put together (and keep us safe by delivering) a box of special bottles as a gift for Ed. Here's to Tyler, Val, Jack, and our delivery driver.

We purchased our bottle at Gordon's on sale: $54.99. If that sale is still on, this would be a great time to stock up and be ready for your next special occasion.

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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2012 Penny Cherubino

August 1, 2020
An Autumn Dreamer….

“Dream dreams and write them aye, but live them first.”
— Samuel Eliot Morison

The statue of Samuel Eliot Morison always looks its best when autumn colors provide a contrasting background. More about the statue at this link from Waymarking.

About Photo Tales & Quotes: 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. Photo Tales & Quotes 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!

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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2018 Penny Cherubino

November 3, 2018
Where Would You Find This Hand? Play Attention to Detail!
Let's play Attention to Detail! We give you a close-up clue, like this hand, and you have to figure out where you've seen it around Boston.

Here are some hints:
- This hand is in a very appropriate place.
- You may be in such a hurry when you walk by it, that you never stop to think about this memorial.
- We think of this place as belonging to two Boston neighborhoods.
- Another reason you may not pause to view the statue is the strong fumes that exist here.
Ready? Click through or scroll down past this great book about Boston for the answer.

(more…)
September 28, 2017
Where Would You Find This Hand? Play Attention to Detail!
Let's play Attention to Detail! We give you a close-up clue, like this hand, and you have to figure out where you've seen it around Boston.

Here are some hints:
- This hand is in a very appropriate place.
- You may be in such a hurry when you walk by it, that you never stop to think about this memorial.
- We think of this place as belonging to two Boston neighborhoods.
- Another reason you may not pause to view the statue is the strong fumes that exist here.
Ready? Click through or scroll down past this great book about Boston for the answer.

(more…)
September 28, 2017
Where Would You Find This Hand? Play Attention To Detail
Let's play Attention to Detail! The photo of a hand above is your clue and you have to figure out where you've seen it around Boston.

Here are some hints:
- It's in the South End.
- It's in a pocket park.
- It's worth a visit to enjoy the clean lines and wonderful details.
- Here's another clue …
Ready? Click through or scroll down past this great book about Boston for the answer.

(more…)
July 13, 2017
Where Would You Find This Hub in the Hub? Play Attention to Detail!
With our Attention to Detail game, you get a photo clue, some hints, and then we give you a photo answer and a bit more about this piece of Boston.

Here is your clue? What is it part of and where would you find it?

Here are some hints:
- It is in an area that grows quiet this time of year making it a great place to take a walk.
- It is in an architectural conservation district with many beautiful examples of 19th Century architecture (another reason to pay a visit).
- It is owned by an institution of higher learning.
- It has a connection to one of our favorite places.
Ready? Click through or scroll down past this great book about Boston for the answer.

(more…)
July 6, 2017
Where Would You Find This Hub in the Hub? Play Attention to Detail!
With our Attention to Detail game, you get a photo clue, some hints, and then we give you a photo answer and a bit more about this piece of Boston.

Here is your clue? What is it part of and where would you find it?

Here are some hints:
- It is in an area that grows quiet this time of year making it a great place to take a walk.
- It is in an architectural conservation district with many beautiful examples of 19th Century architecture (another reason to pay a visit).
- It is owned by an institution of higher learning.
- It has a connection to one of our favorite places.
Ready? Click through or scroll down past this great book about Boston for the answer.

(more…)
July 6, 2017
Three Exhibitions to Visit at the Museum of Fine Arts: Matisse, Cunningham, and Revival Jewelry

One of the best things about being a member of the Museum of Fine Arts is the ability to stop in often and see some of the featured topics or exhibitions (large and small) as they call them. We included three on a recent visit.

The major event of the summer is "Matisse in the Studio." It was interesting to see the collection of objects he used as inspiration for his work. It was also great to see more of his sculpture. Unfortunately our time viewing this collection was spoiled by a disruptive visitor, so we did hurry through.

This chair and the shadows it cast fascinated Penny.

She couldn't resist creating her own artwork from Matisse's studio inspiration object.

We were ready for a quiet break and Matisse inspired lunch at Bravo. We enjoyed duck liver paté, a dish of mushroom pasta, and sipped an excellent Rosé from Provence. It was a meal, we think, Matisse might have enjoyed.

After lunch, we visited "Imogen Cunningham: In Focus" in the Herb Ritts gallery. We love the fact that the MFA is paying attention to great photography.

The hit of the day for both of us was the outstanding design and craftsmanship in the "Past Is Present: Revival Jewelry" collection. Be sure to pay very close attention to the micromosaic items in the cases. It could be easy to miss the fact that these images are made up of hundreds of tiny, tiny bits of material.

While you have a bit more time to see the other exhibitions, Imogen Cunningham: In Focus ends June 18th.

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June 8, 2017
Three Exhibitions to Visit at the Museum of Fine Arts: Matisse, Cunningham, and Revival Jewelry

One of the best things about being a member of the Museum of Fine Arts is the ability to stop in often and see some of the featured topics or exhibitions (large and small) as they call them. We included three on a recent visit.

The major event of the summer is "Matisse in the Studio." It was interesting to see the collection of objects he used as inspiration for his work. It was also great to see more of his sculpture. Unfortunately our time viewing this collection was spoiled by a disruptive visitor, so we did hurry through.

This chair and the shadows it cast fascinated Penny.

She couldn't resist creating her own artwork from Matisse's studio inspiration object.

We were ready for a quiet break and Matisse inspired lunch at Bravo. We enjoyed duck liver paté, a dish of mushroom pasta, and sipped an excellent Rosé from Provence. It was a meal, we think, Matisse might have enjoyed.

After lunch, we visited "Imogen Cunningham: In Focus" in the Herb Ritts gallery. We love the fact that the MFA is paying attention to great photography.

The hit of the day for both of us was the outstanding design and craftsmanship in the "Past Is Present: Revival Jewelry" collection. Be sure to pay very close attention to the micromosaic items in the cases. It could be easy to miss the fact that these images are made up of hundreds of tiny, tiny bits of material.

While you have a bit more time to see the other exhibitions, Imogen Cunningham: In Focus ends June 18th.

Related articles

Back When Harvard's Weld Boathouse Was Drafted as a Navy Training Facility…

Welcome Luke's Lobster to Boston

June 8, 2017
2017 Concerts in the Courtyard at the Boston Public Library
Once again the Boston Public Library comes through with free entertainment for those of us who take advantage of the endless ways this Boston resource serves the public. The Concerts in the Courtyard series for 2017 begins today and will continue through August 30th.

Here's what the folks at the BPL have told us about this season:

"The Courtyard of the Central Library in Copley Square, one of Boston's most beautiful spaces, is filled with music during free, one-hour concerts throughout the summer.

Can't sneak away from the office for our noon performances? We will be streaming the Friday concerts live on our Facebook page."

Concerts are held on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. and on Fridays at 12:30 p.m. All the concerts are free.

June schedule:

Area 9 Quartet, Friday, June 2, 12:30 p.m. Area 9 Quartet is a Boston-based ensemble dedicated to exploring the rich, diverse, and ever-growing chamber music repertoire for saxophone.

Marco Mares, Wednesday, June 7, 6 p.m. Marco Mares is a singer-songwriter from Mexico City who showcased his fresh and honest pop sound in his debut album Para Ella (2014). Marco’s interactive performances highlight fun, funky pop mixed with romantic Spanish lyrics.

Boston Philharmonic, Friday, June 9, 12:30 p.m. Join members of the Boston Philharmonic as they perform chamber and quartet music, taking their passion out of the concert hall to the public as part of their education and community outreach program, Crescendo!

Francesca Crowley, Wednesday, June 14, 6 p.m. Francesca’s influences include songwriters such as Stevie Nicks, Norah Jones, and Joni Mitchell, and she strives to create new and different music inspired by her life.

Project STEP, Friday, June 16, 12:30 p.m. Project STEP (String Training and Education Program) recognizes that certain racial and ethnic minorities are vastly underrepresented in classical music. Their mission is to address this imbalance by identifying musically talented children from underrepresented Boston and surrounding communities and providing them with comprehensive music and string instrument instruction.

Maro Maro, Wednesday, June 21, 6 p.m. Maro Maro is a singer-songwriter, pianist, and guitarist from Lisbon, Portugal.

Francisco Roldán, Friday, June 23, 12:30 p.m. Colombian-born guitarist Francisco Roldán plays solo and chamber music nationally and internationally. Roldán presents a concert of lyrical, rhythmic, and sensual music by Central and South American composers on the classical guitar.

Aliya Cycon Project, Wednesday, June 28, 6 p.m. Aliya Cycon Project (ACP) blends Aliya Cycon’s soulful compositions with characteristics of traditional Arabic music to create an unforgettable East-meets-West experience.

Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras (BYSO) Intensive Community Program (ICP), Friday, June 30, 12:30 p.m. The Intensive Community Program is a rigorous instrument training program that brings quality classical music instruction to underrepresented communities.

July and August schedule:
- Brandon Diaz, Wednesday, July 5, 6 p.m.
- NorthStar Duo, Friday, July 7, 12:30 p.m.
- Samuel Batista, Wednesday, July 12, 6 p.m.
- Amaryllis Chamber Ensemble, Friday, July 14, 12:30 p.m.
- Niu Raza, Wednesday, July 19, 6 p.m.
- Joel LaRue Smith, Friday, July 21, 12:30 p.m.
- BEARD, Wednesday, July 26, 6 p.m.
- Properly Unprepared, Friday, July 28, 12:30 p.m.
- Harshitha Krishnan, Wednesday, August 2, 6 p.m.
- Kenn Morr Band, Friday, August 4, 12:30 p.m.
- Sleeping Lion, Wednesday, August 9, 6 p.m.
- Boston Philharmonic, Friday, August 11, 12:30 p.m.
- Venezuelan Project, Wednesday, August 16, 6 p.m.
- Night Tree, Friday, August 18, 12:30 p.m.
- Abby Carey, Wednesday, August 23, 6 p.m.
- Boston Lyric Opera, Friday, August 25, 12:30 p.m.
- Amber Olivia Kiner, Wednesday, August 30, 6 p.m.
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!

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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2008-2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino
June 2, 2017