Category: Very inexpensive or FREE!

Flu Vaccination Info, What Are Your Options for the 2015-2016 Season?
UPDATE: Latest Flu Vaccination Information … Boston Area Resources to Find a Flu Shot

Here's the latest Flu Shot information. We've compiled a list of sources to help you search for and better understand this season's vaccination.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reminds us, “There are several flu vaccine options for the 2015-2016 flu season,” including a specific vaccine designed for seniors. Besides the usual trivalent vaccines made to protect against three different flu viruses, there are quadrivalent vaccines to protect against four different flu viruses. >>Here's What You Need to Know.

In this post, you'll also find assistance from federal, state, and local authorities – including medical institutions and retail stores. There are sites to track flu activity, plus suggestions that could help save you time and money.

As always, check with your doctor or other healthcare professionals for any flu-related advice.

Do federal, state, and city health officials have any updates on flu or flu vaccinations?
- Get all the latest facts on the 2015-2016 Flu Season and this year's vaccine @ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Massachusetts Health and Human Services is continuing its Flu Facts site. Learn more here.
- Commonwealth Conversations: Public Health has a Weekly Flu Report.
Where can I get a flu vaccination in the Boston area?
- Here's a search box made available to us by the U.S. Department of Health. Just enter your Zip Code, tap go, and you'll have a map of options.
- The Boston Public Health Commission lists the Latest Flu Clinics.
Where can I get a flu vaccination in the surrounding area?
- MyLocalClinic.com
More information below the ad.

Whether you're waiting in line for a flu shot or taking an easy day with a headcold, an Amazon Kindle makes a great companion. Buy new books on the fly, dig into your archive to re-read old favorites. And, thank you to everyone who supports the compiling of information like this by beginning all their Amazon shopping from BostonZest. It doesn't cost you a penny more, but it does put a few pennies in our pockets.

What's the level of flu activity in our area?
- Google flu trends will give you the current level of flu activity in Massachusetts.
- More on regional/worldwide flu activity: Here.
More details below ...
- Some Pharmacies have flu vaccine, including CVS, Walgreens, and RiteAid.
- If you haven't checked lately, this might be a good time to consult with your primary care physician for the latest flu shot information.
- Whichever flu shot location you choose, we recommend that you call the site directly before going.
Here's a link to information on caring for someone with the flu and preventing the spread of the disease.

And, for a friend suffering from a bad cold or the flu, remember Chicken Soup for a Sick Friend!

Follow us on Twitter for alerts when we update this article.

Details:
Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photo Credit: James Gathany, courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

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September 11, 2015
Universal Hub, When You Need to Know What’s Happening in Boston Right Now!

If you want news that really matters to your life in Boston, you need to know about Universal Hub.

I have shortcuts to get to UH, as many fans call it, on every computer in the home, my iPhone and iPad. It's usually the first site I visit each morning. And, when I want to know what's going on: why traffic is stopped on Storrow Drive or why I'm hearing helicopters or non-stop sirens, I call up Adam Gaffin's @universalhub timeline on Twitter.

What's more, much of this hard work is done with a good dose of fun whenever possible. Some of the world's greatest punsters have been known to participate in a string of punny comments that will have you moaning in that good way that only bad puns can create.

Mainstream Media Failure

A few times this week, I've turned off the local news because more and more of these programs have become promotional vehicles for the station or the network. Or, they are filled with stories, from who knows where, about things that have no impact on your life. Why? Because they have video and because they are really about entertainment rather than news.

Instead of a half hour of news, you get three minutes of news, endless sports blather, and lots of hype. They just take the feed from the network to fill the time. If I want local news, I have to turn to sites like UH.

Support Universal Hub

As with many other sites, Universal Hub is supported by advertising, affiliate programs, and contributions.

Last year Adam added a link that asks readers,

"Help keep Universal Hub going. If you like what we're up to and want to help out, please consider a (completely non-deductible) donation."

You'll find the place to click by scrolling down in the right hand sidebar. The next time you get a great, timely, local answer to your question, "What's going on right now in Boston?" click the link and drop a few coins in the UH tip jar.

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
Screengrab from Universalhub.com

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August 14, 2015
Universal Hub, When You Need to Know What’s Happening in Boston Right Now!

If you want news that really matters to your life in Boston, you need to know about Universal Hub.

I have shortcuts to get to UH, as many fans call it, on every computer in the home, my iPhone and iPad. It's usually the first site I visit each morning. And, when I want to know what's going on: why traffic is stopped on Storrow Drive or why I'm hearing helicopters or non-stop sirens, I call up Adam Gaffin's @universalhub timeline on Twitter.

What's more, much of this hard work is done with a good dose of fun whenever possible. Some of the world's greatest punsters have been known to participate in a string of punny comments that will have you moaning in that good way that only bad puns can create.

Mainstream Media Failure

A few times this week, I've turned off the local news because more and more of these programs have become promotional vehicles for the station or the network. Or, they are filled with stories, from who knows where, about things that have no impact on your life. Why? Because they have video and because they are really about entertainment rather than news.

Instead of a half hour of news, you get three minutes of news, endless sports blather, and lots of hype. They just take the feed from the network to fill the time. If I want local news, I have to turn to sites like UH.

Support Universal Hub

As with many other sites, Universal Hub is supported by advertising, affiliate programs, and contributions.

Last year Adam added a link that asks readers,

"Help keep Universal Hub going. If you like what we're up to and want to help out, please consider a (completely non-deductible) donation."

You'll find the place to click by scrolling down in the right hand sidebar. The next time you get a great, timely, local answer to your question, "What's going on right now in Boston?" click the link and drop a few coins in the UH tip jar.

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
Screengrab from Universalhub.com

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August 14, 2015
Sunday Rush Hour on the Esplanade Canoeway

The canoeway on the Charles River Esplanade was busy Sunday afternoon while Storrow Drive was quiet.

A couple, out for a romantic gondola tour, smiled at passing paddlers from their sedate and elegant ride.

We stopped for a little while just to watch the parade of passing boats.

Most folks were taking it easy, but this trio paddled at high speed. Perhaps they were running late on their kayak rental return.

Most boaters avoided the lily pads but a few, like this paddleboarder, cut a pathway through the plants.

These women used the patch of pads as a rest area to take a break and check their phones …

… before continuing on their way. (Or at least one of them continued paddling, the other must have been answering an important text.)

While you do have to rent the boats, sitting and watching them go by is free!

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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August 10, 2015
Sunday Rush Hour on the Esplanade Canoeway

The canoeway on the Charles River Esplanade was busy Sunday afternoon while Storrow Drive was quiet.

A couple, out for a romantic gondola tour, smiled at passing paddlers from their sedate and elegant ride.

We stopped for a little while just to watch the parade of passing boats.

Most folks were taking it easy, but this trio paddled at high speed. Perhaps they were running late on their kayak rental return.

Most boaters avoided the lily pads but a few, like this paddleboarder, cut a pathway through the plants.

These women used the patch of pads as a rest area to take a break and check their phones …

… before continuing on their way. (Or at least one of them continued paddling, the other must have been answering an important text.)

While you do have to rent the boats, sitting and watching them go by is free!

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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August 10, 2015
When the Table Wobbles …

Patio dining often comes with table wobbles. The restaurant may have taken the trouble to adjust each table so that it was on the level and stable when the day began. But, as diners make slight adjustments to assist someone to enter or exit or simply bump the table a bit this way or that, wobbles develop on uneven paving.

Ed's solution is a quarter, or rather a stack of quarters, plus one more to set on the tabletop as a reminder to take back the others as we leave.

Normally, adjusting one leg will do the trick. This one needed a dollar's worth of lift.

We've also cut corks in half on the diagonal to use as wedges to keep doors open at rental homes or to prevent tables from wobbling. I still recall the amazed look on a waiter's face the time we asked for a cork and a steak knife to solve their tippy table issue.

And, if you're in the hospitality business, you must be the reason Wobble Wedges Leveling Shims are sold in jars of 50 or 100. We've thought about carrying one with us but since we usually have quarters, we'll stick with those.

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: © 2015 Penny & Ed Cherubino

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July 7, 2015
When the Table Wobbles …

Patio dining often comes with table wobbles. The restaurant may have taken the trouble to adjust each table so that it was on the level and stable when the day began. But, as diners make slight adjustments to assist someone to enter or exit or simply bump the table a bit this way or that, wobbles develop on uneven paving.

Ed's solution is a quarter, or rather a stack of quarters, plus one more to set on the tabletop as a reminder to take back the others as we leave.

Normally, adjusting one leg will do the trick. This one needed a dollar's worth of lift.

We've also cut corks in half on the diagonal to use as wedges to keep doors open at rental homes or to prevent tables from wobbling. I still recall the amazed look on a waiter's face the time we asked for a cork and a steak knife to solve their tippy table issue.

And, if you're in the hospitality business, you must be the reason Wobble Wedges Leveling Shims are sold in jars of 50 or 100. We've thought about carrying one with us but since we usually have quarters, we'll stick with those.

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: © 2015 Penny & Ed Cherubino

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July 7, 2015
What’s Happening Around Boston in Summer 2015 (July & August)

July and August are the high summer season in Boston. Most schedules for the many, many series of concerts, free movies, etc, cover both months. So we're combining them into one post that we'll feature for the next couple of months.

As usual, Penny has started a conversation about the summer over on the Boston Trip Advisor forum. If you click through to this link, you'll find contributions from a wide range of locals and visitors about his topic. We highly recommend you visit that conversation. It includes insights and tips on topics that are not in our areas of interest and that we don't cover.

Boston On Budget Provides Great Summer Lists

Kate from Boston on Budget has done a wonderful job of gathering free summer events into one place.

Free Music and Concerts in Boston This Summer!

Free Things to Do This Summer in Boston

Photo: John Schinker used under this creative commons license. Here's a link to his wonderful July 4th photostream!

Events and Holidays in July and August

This year, July 4th falls on a Saturday. According to the official holiday information on the Secretary of State's website, this will not be a three day weekend because, "All holidays falling on Sunday must be observed on Monday, under state law. Saturday holidays are observed on Saturday."

The city of Boston is taking a different approach. The holiday page on the city website reads:

Friday July 3rd Independence Day- City Holiday

"City offices closed. Sunday parking rules in effect. BCYF Community Centers are closed. The Mirabella and Clougherty Pools will be open regular hours. Please Note: All Boston Public Libraries will be open on July 3rd."

July 4th Boston Pops Concert and Fireworks

Since some visitors and perhaps some new Bostonians are unclear on the location of our famous July 4th Boston Pops Concert and Fireworks display, it is on the Charles River NOT on the harbor and can be viewed from both the Boston and Cambridge sides of the river. Here is a link to the official site for the details.

Here is our resource page for the July 4th holiday:

What's Open on July 4th, 2015 in Boston, Parking, Trash & MBTA Schedules

Conventions

There are only three large conventions that might raise hotel prices and make popular restaurant reservations necessary. They are all out in the Seaport, so they will have less impact on the locals and tourist areas than they might if they were in the heart of the city.

July 11-13 (10,500 attendees)

July 27-29 (5,500 attendees)

August 17-19 (17,000 attendees)

Three of our Favorite Summer Happenings Are:

Shakespeare on the Common from July 22 – August 9:

The Landmarks Orchestra Concert Series from July 15th to August 26:

The Boston Public Library Courtyard Concert Series ongoing thru August:

Summer Food Traditions

Our summer food tradition is to treat ourselves to fried clams, steamers, and lobster rolls. We like our steamers small and our fried clams the big belly versions not strips. Or, we can be just as happy with a lobster feast like the one above from Wood's Seafood in Plymouth.

We are dedicated to the no mayo version lobster roll with hot butter and a squeeze of lemon. We're looking forward to the opening of Luke's Lobster on Exeter Street near the Boston Public Library in July as a great source of properly made Maine Lobster Rolls. Here's a link to check for updates on that happening.

What are your favorite places to go and things to do in summer in Boston? Do you have must-do treats, eats, and events?

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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: © 2010-2015 Penny & Ed Cherubino

June 30, 2015
What’s Happening Around Boston in Summer 2015 (July & August)

July and August are the high summer season in Boston. Most schedules for the many, many series of concerts, free movies, etc, cover both months. So we're combining them into one post that we'll feature for the next couple of months.

As usual, Penny has started a conversation about the summer over on the Boston Trip Advisor forum. If you click through to this link, you'll find contributions from a wide range of locals and visitors about his topic. We highly recommend you visit that conversation. It includes insights and tips on topics that are not in our areas of interest and that we don't cover.

Boston On Budget Provides Great Summer Lists

Kate from Boston on Budget has done a wonderful job of gathering free summer events into one place.

Free Music and Concerts in Boston This Summer!

Free Things to Do This Summer in Boston

Photo: John Schinker used under this creative commons license. Here's a link to his wonderful July 4th photostream!

Events and Holidays in July and August

This year, July 4th falls on a Saturday. According to the official holiday information on the Secretary of State's website, this will not be a three day weekend because, "All holidays falling on Sunday must be observed on Monday, under state law. Saturday holidays are observed on Saturday."

The city of Boston is taking a different approach. The holiday page on the city website reads:

Friday July 3rd Independence Day- City Holiday

"City offices closed. Sunday parking rules in effect. BCYF Community Centers are closed. The Mirabella and Clougherty Pools will be open regular hours. Please Note: All Boston Public Libraries will be open on July 3rd."

July 4th Boston Pops Concert and Fireworks

Since some visitors and perhaps some new Bostonians are unclear on the location of our famous July 4th Boston Pops Concert and Fireworks display, it is on the Charles River NOT on the harbor and can be viewed from both the Boston and Cambridge sides of the river. Here is a link to the official site for the details.

Here is our resource page for the July 4th holiday:

What's Open on July 4th, 2015 in Boston, Parking, Trash & MBTA Schedules

Conventions

There are only three large conventions that might raise hotel prices and make popular restaurant reservations necessary. They are all out in the Seaport, so they will have less impact on the locals and tourist areas than they might if they were in the heart of the city.

July 11-13 (10,500 attendees)

July 27-29 (5,500 attendees)

August 17-19 (17,000 attendees)

Three of our Favorite Summer Happenings Are:

Shakespeare on the Common from July 22 – August 9:

The Landmarks Orchestra Concert Series from July 15th to August 26:

The Boston Public Library Courtyard Concert Series ongoing thru August:

Summer Food Traditions

Our summer food tradition is to treat ourselves to fried clams, steamers, and lobster rolls. We like our steamers small and our fried clams the big belly versions not strips. Or, we can be just as happy with a lobster feast like the one above from Wood's Seafood in Plymouth.

We are dedicated to the no mayo version lobster roll with hot butter and a squeeze of lemon. We're looking forward to the opening of Luke's Lobster on Exeter Street near the Boston Public Library in July as a great source of properly made Maine Lobster Rolls. Here's a link to check for updates on that happening.

What are your favorite places to go and things to do in summer in Boston? Do you have must-do treats, eats, and events?

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What's Open on July 4th, 2015 in Boston, Parking, Trash & MBTA Schedules

Luke's Lobster Weekend Pop-up: Lobster Roll Chronicles

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: © 2010-2015 Penny & Ed Cherubino

June 30, 2015
Boston Public Library’s 2015 Concerts in the Courtyard Series
Some of our favorite summer "appointments" are with the talented musicians performing as part of the Boston Public Library’s 2015 Concerts in the Courtyard Series that opened on Wednesday afternoon.

As you can see from this 2008 photo, we've been enjoying this summer series for a long time.

Here are the details for this year's series:

Time and Place: Wednesdays and Fridays in June, July, and August, the courtyard at the Central Library in Copley Square, located at 700 Boylston Street, will feature music selections from a variety of influences, from jazz and folk to classical and contemporary music. Concerts are held on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. and on Fridays at 12:30 p.m. through August 28. All concerts are free and last approximately one hour.

Sponsors and Other Information: The Concerts in the Courtyard series is co-sponsored by Deloitte and the Boston Public Library Foundation. During the Wednesday evening concerts, light refreshments will be available for purchase. In the event of inclement weather, concerts will be moved inside to the Commonwealth Salon.

June Concerts
- Aliya Cycon Project, Wednesday, June 3, 6 p.m. Cycon uses her reverence for the Arabic tradition to highlight her unique voice in compositions and performances.
- Neha, Friday, June 5, 12:30 p.m. A singer, composer, and pianist, Neha’s style is a mix of musical personalities, including jazz, folk, blues, pop, and her mother’s classical Indian musical background.
- Nicolás Castañeda Group, Wednesday, June 10, 6 p.m. Nicolás Castañeda Group is a project based on contemporary Colombian music.
- Patrick Coman, Friday, June 12, at 12:30 p.m. Patrick Coman merges barroom shuffles with the sounds of his native Oklahoma.
- ChoroBop, Wednesday, June 17, 6 p.m. ChoroBop’s repertoire is based on the roots of Brazilian choro, jazz, and contemporary music influences.
- Akiko Kobayashi, Friday, June 19, 12:30 p.m. Akiko Kobayashi performs as both a soloist and a chamber musician at renowned national and international festivals.
- Wambura Mitaru, Wednesday, June 24, 6 p.m. Wambura Mitaru is a passionate singer and songwriter from Nairobi who blends funk, soul, R&B, jazz, hip hop, and sounds from her African background.
- Properly Unprepared, Friday, June 26, 12:30 p.m. Properly Unprepared is a five-piece jazz combo that plays classics by artist such as Miles Davis along with more contemporary jazz.
July Concerts
- Felipe Abad, Wednesday, July 1, 6 p.m.
- Handel & Haydn Society, Friday, July 3, 12:30 p.m.
- Honeysuckle, Wednesday, July 8, 6 p.m.
- Cocek! Brass Band, Friday, July 10, 12:30 p.m
- Charles Overton, Wednesday, July 15, 6 p.m.
- Women in World Jazz, Friday, July 17, 12:30 p.m.
- Damn Tall Buildings, Wednesday, July 22, 6 p.m.
- Amaryllis Chamber Ensemble, Friday, July 24, 12:30 p.m.
- 3 Sudacas, Wednesday, July 29, 6 p.m.
- Boston Youth Symphony Orchestras' Intensive Community Program, Friday, July 31, 12:30 p.m.
August Concerts
- The Wiles, Wednesday, August 5, 6 p.m.
- Kevin Harris Project, Friday, August 7, 12:30 p.m.
- MIXCLA, Wednesday, August 12, 6 p.m.
- Hiroya Tsukamoto, Friday, August 14, 12:30 p.m.
- The Ivy Age, Wednesday, August 19, 6 p.m.
- Thompson-Lamb-Panitch Folk Trio, Friday, August 21, 12:30 p.m.
- Ludovica Burtone, Wednesday, August 26, 6 p.m.
- Handel and Haydn Society, Friday, August 28, 12:30 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!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2008-2014 Penny Cherubino

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