Category: Very inexpensive or FREE!

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
Our Favorite May 2015 Activities and Events

May is one of those months when we like to get out and enjoy our city and perhaps schedule a few day trips or short getaways to places around the area. After this winter, we have worked to get our assignments ahead and will now take some time off to enjoy spring.

We already gave you the lowdown on What's happening around Boston in May 2015. That post puts the month into a planning perspective for you. This one is about our faves.

When if comes to events, we tend to enjoy the quieter side of the happenings roster. Lilac Sunday at the Arnold Arboretum on May 10th is more our style. It is the only day you are allowed to picnic on the grounds and they now have a small fleet of food trucks available for the event.

Food Truck Season

Speaking of food trucks, by May it's normally warm enough to dine al fresco and that means we can do more food truck sampling. The city seems to have lost interest in supporting this great aspect of Boston. So rather than recommend you use the city's site, we suggest you depend on Steve Leibowitz's site, Hub Food Trucks.

One of our favorite food truck spots is near the fountain at the Christian Science Plaza. It's listed as Belvidere on the schedules. In addition to more trucks and more choices, it has great seating for eating and fun people watching. Here's a link to the Hub Food Trucks schedule.

Community Gardens

It's planting and sprucing up season at community gardens throughout the area. We always plan a walk and photo shoot in the Fenway Victory Gardens in May. Here are some scenes from a past walk. From the Boston Natural Areas Network, here's a community garden locator.

For Other Tastes

Over on TripAdvisor's Boston Forum, Penny starts a monthly conversation on what's happening in Boston. The local volunteers who answer questions for visitors and share information among themselves add their favorites to that discussion. If you prefer big organized events, sports, and celebrity events to our quieter tastes, you may find great ideas at this link.

What's your favorite pastime or event in May?

Add your thoughts in the comments below. Tweet them to @BostonZest or send us an email and we'll add your suggestions to this post as an update.

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: © 2012-2014 Penny & Ed Cherubino

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May 4, 2015
Fresh Paint Day 2015 Is Sunday, April 26th

Today's Friday Link is to the Copley Society who will kick off their annual Fresh Paint fund raising event this Sunday by sprinkling the artist members of the group around the city to create fresh artwork.

Those creations will be auctioned off at their Gala event on May 9th.

We love using this event to enjoy a spring walk around Boston. We download a map from the Copley Society site or pick up one from the first artist we see. Then, we wander around visiting with the artists working on their contributions to the event.

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: ©2011 Penny & Ed Cherubino

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April 24, 2015
Fresh Paint Day 2015 Is Sunday, April 26th

Today's Friday Link is to the Copley Society who will kick off their annual Fresh Paint fund raising event this Sunday by sprinkling the artist members of the group around the city to create fresh artwork.

Those creations will be auctioned off at their Gala event on May 9th.

We love using this event to enjoy a spring walk around Boston. We download a map from the Copley Society site or pick up one from the first artist we see. Then, we wander around visiting with the artists working on their contributions to the event.

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: ©2011 Penny & Ed Cherubino

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April 24, 2015
Back Bay Houses (.Org) Expands and Wins a Preservation Award.

When we first linked our readers to the website Back Bay Houses, we honored the founders' wishes that we not identify them by name. Since then, the Boston Preservation Alliance put the spotlight on Tom and Nancy High by choosing them and the website they created after years of research for a 2014 Preservation Award.

That also means we can say a public thank you from all of us to the couple who love Back Bay history and architecture.

The site is an ongoing work. Since our original report: Genealogies of Back Bay Houses: Our Friday Link, the team has completed the residential district by adding the properties between Massachusetts Avenue and Charlesgate East.

They are also adding information, historic photos, updated photos, and illustrations as they find new material. And, they are happy to accept the assistance of their readers and fans. If you have information on a property, family photos, or illustrations, you can offer the details through the site's contact page.

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

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April 17, 2015
Back Bay Houses (.Org) Expands and Wins a Preservation Award.

When we first linked our readers to the website Back Bay Houses, we honored the founders' wishes that we not identify them by name. Since then, the Boston Preservation Alliance put the spotlight on Tom and Nancy High by choosing them and the website they created after years of research for a 2014 Preservation Award.

That also means we can say a public thank you from all of us to the couple who love Back Bay history and architecture.

The site is an ongoing work. Since our original report: Genealogies of Back Bay Houses: Our Friday Link, the team has completed the residential district by adding the properties between Massachusetts Avenue and Charlesgate East.

They are also adding information, historic photos, updated photos, and illustrations as they find new material. And, they are happy to accept the assistance of their readers and fans. If you have information on a property, family photos, or illustrations, you can offer the details through the site's contact page.

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

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April 17, 2015
Edible Boston’s Spring 2015 Issue Is Available

Leave it to the team at Edible Boston to create a cover that perfectly describes our slow melt into spring.

My first stop when my preview copy of this publication arrives in the mail is to read publisher Ilene Bezahler's letter to her readers or family as she considers the local food community.

This month, she had something very important to say and I'm going to quote her message. It's something we've been writing about since the impact of this winter became apparent.

"This spring I would like to extend my family by inviting the members of the local food community to join me at an imaginary table.

Over the 9 years that I have been publishing the magazine I’ve enjoyed many a meal, a drink or just a relaxed conversation with these new family members. We’ve shared stories of our lives, daily events, troubles and accomplishments. And like families do, we have helped each out when help is needed.

Well, now is the time that our family needs help. This past winter has been brutal and the economic impact on the local economy is huge. Think about how many days stores and restaurants had to close due to snow. A closed business means no revenue, revenue that cannot be made up.

How can we help? Shop in your local store rather than online. Eat out a little more than usual. Pay full price for merchandise rather than waiting for a sale. Remember a little action on our part will have a big impact on our food family."

Edible Boston is a local business, too.

And, they can also use your support. Here's what I always say about that.

How do you support a publisher like Ilene Bezahler and her remarkably talented team?

Here's where you can pick up a copy.

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!

Details:

Words: Penny Cherubino
Artwork: Courtesy of Edible Boston

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April 13, 2015
Edible Boston’s Spring 2015 Issue Is Available

Leave it to the team at Edible Boston to create a cover that perfectly describes our slow melt into spring.

My first stop when my preview copy of this publication arrives in the mail is to read publisher Ilene Bezahler's letter to her readers or family as she considers the local food community.

This month, she had something very important to say and I'm going to quote her message. It's something we've been writing about since the impact of this winter became apparent.

"This spring I would like to extend my family by inviting the members of the local food community to join me at an imaginary table.

Over the 9 years that I have been publishing the magazine I’ve enjoyed many a meal, a drink or just a relaxed conversation with these new family members. We’ve shared stories of our lives, daily events, troubles and accomplishments. And like families do, we have helped each out when help is needed.

Well, now is the time that our family needs help. This past winter has been brutal and the economic impact on the local economy is huge. Think about how many days stores and restaurants had to close due to snow. A closed business means no revenue, revenue that cannot be made up.

How can we help? Shop in your local store rather than online. Eat out a little more than usual. Pay full price for merchandise rather than waiting for a sale. Remember a little action on our part will have a big impact on our food family."

Edible Boston is a local business, too.

And, they can also use your support. Here's what I always say about that.

How do you support a publisher like Ilene Bezahler and her remarkably talented team?

Here's where you can pick up a copy.

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!

Details:

Words: Penny Cherubino
Artwork: Courtesy of Edible Boston

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April 13, 2015
Collateral Damage as the Snow Melts

All over Boston, we are seeing collateral damage as the snow melts. Everyone is complaining about the litter left behind by irresponsible people and the trash that was never picked up by the city. But, in some cases, the damage was done as the city cleared the snow.

You may be surprised to see a shorter bench on the Hereford to Gloucester block of the Commonwealth Avenue Mall.

The other two sections of it were destroyed by a plow cleaning a path in the park. The driver decided to push the excess snow off to the side and took out the bench as that was done.

And, as the big snow harvester cleared the parking lanes along Commonwealth Avenue in the latter days of the snow removal, the machine shredded the No Parking for Snow Removal signs that were placed in the snowbanks. Now, they are chewed up splinters of wood and cardboard that will remain scattered on the grass as it emerges.

With that in mind, be careful as you walk your dogs on the Mall. We are spreading the word among park regulars and will try to pick up as many of the dangerous slivers as we can in the days ahead. Earlier this week, we met a new neighbor and her dog while she was filling a shopping bag with litter.

So, as the warm up comes, put on your work gloves, grab a bag, and a pair of long tongs (kept for this purpose) and do the "Duke Walk." If you don't know about that, it is named after former Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis who walks the walk instead of just talking the talk. More on that here.

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
.

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March 24, 2015
Tracking a Boston Marathon Runner 2015

UPDATE: Tracking a Boston Marathon Runner 2016

Here's how to track a friend or any runner competing in the Boston Marathon on Monday, April 20, 2015.

The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) Website explains:

The B.A.A. will post split times to its website during the race. This feature, complete with search access directions, will not show up on their official site until race day.

To learn how to Track a Boston Marathon Runner, Click Here then select, “Q: How can family members at home track me in the Boston Marathon?”

Mobile Phone Alert System

The Boston Athletic Association has also set up the "AT&T Athlete Alert Program." It allows you to receive updates on a runner’s progress. Here’s how to sign-up!

Where are the Leaders & Crowd Favorites?

For a rough idea of where the race leaders are, in relation to your viewing position, watch the sky for the helicopters that hover above them.

For favorites, you must rely on the roar of the crowd as they approach. Or, you can track your favorite by using the mobile alert system.

Related Posts: A collection of tips for Marathon Weekend, some are from past years and we'll be updating them between now and Marathon Monday.

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Do you have enough memory for all the photos you'll want to shoot at the Boston Marathon? Do you need a new camera for the race? Begin your shopping by Clicking here to check the prices at Amazon on great items like Transcend SDHC Flash Memory Cards.

This Canon PowerShot G15 camera will give you what you need to take stills and video at the event. Canon's G series is our all-time favorite for everyday cameras. We own the G10 and G11. They are a little bigger than the compacts most people use, but let you shoot with automatic settings or easy-to-use manual controls that please the many pros who use them as second cameras. And, if you are ready to turn pro, follow our lead. Ed shoots with the Nikon D7000 Digital SLR too and we've added the Nikon D600 to our camera fleet and are extremely happy with the performance it has delivered.

Details:
Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) Website
Words: Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2011 Penny Cherubino

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