Category: Resources

  • What’s Open or Closed on Presidents’ Day in Boston 2014 & MBTA Schedule Changes

    Here's a rundown of what's open and what's closed in Boston on Presidents' Day and the MBTA schedule changes, plus information on Boston trash pick-up and parking information for – February 17, 2014. 

    This is an old post. Here's the 2015 information on this topic.

    5790276061_017d2b2bbc_z

    (The Emancipation Statue of President Abraham Lincoln and a newly freed slave in Park Square from the Boston Public Library Collection.)

    We publish these resource pages early to assist you in planning your holidays. We'll keep updates coming as new information is published. Follow us on Twitter to learn about updates.

    UPDATE 02/015/14: Here is the information box from the city of Boston site.

    City box
    Restaurants, bars: Open

    Convenience stores: Open

    Supermarkets:
     Open

    Retail stores: Are allowed to open if the owners choose

    Liquor stores: Open

    City, Town, State and Federal offices and facilities are closed: This includes Schools, Libraries, and the Postal Service (express mail will be delivered). Only emergency services are available.

    Financial Services: As the British would say, this is a Bank Holiday with both Banks and the stock markets in the United State closed. Some international markets are open. In recent year's, we've notices some banks keep some branches open at unexpected times so check with your own bank.

    Parking, Boston trash, and MBTA after the ad.

    This weekend is a great time to start your tax preparation. Step one, order your software by following this link to Amazon. You can even download some versions right from the Amazon Download Store. Shopping Amazon from here keeps information like this coming your way. 

    Boston Parking: You don't have to feed the meters. Other parking rules apply.

    Boston Recycling and Trash Collection:

    "Presidents' Day Week, Monday, February 17, 6am – Saturday, February 22, 2014, 5pm"

    DETAILS: "No delay of trash or recycling pick up in Back Bay, Bay Village, Beacon Hill, Charlestown, Chinatown, Fenway, Leather District, Mission Hill, North End, Roxbury, South Boston, and the South End

    Allston/Brighton, Dorchester, East Boston, Jamaica Plain*, Mattapan, Roslindale, West Roxbury and Hyde Park, delayed a day

    *If you live in Jamaica Plain and your trash is picked up 2 times per week, do not delay.

    Report Missed Pickup"

    Here's the source of the recycling and trash information.

    MBTA Schedule for Presidents' Day, February 17, 2014:

    For a short time before the holiday a complete list of schedule changes with appear at this link.

    Briefly:

    • Blue, Orange, Red, Silver, and Green Lines will operate a Saturday schedule.
    • Commuter Rail trains will operate a Saturday schedule. So, the Fairmont, Greenbush, Kingston/Plymouth, and Needham lines will not operate.
    • Buses and trackless trolleys will operate a Saturday schedule. Check this link for bus routes that will not operate. (Note: this link will only work up until the holiday.)
    • Hingham and Charlestown Boat Service will operate a regular weekday schedule.
    • THE RIDE will operate a Saturday schedule, but contact your local RIDE contractor for details.

    For more information on routes, schedules, and fares, contact the MBTA at 617-222-3200, TTY 617-222-5146), or log onto the MBTA’s website www.mbta.com

     

    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: From the Boston Public Library Collection.

    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.

  • What’s Open or Closed on Presidents’ Day in Boston 2014 & MBTA Schedule Changes

    Here's a rundown of what's open and what's closed in Boston on Presidents' Day and the MBTA schedule changes, plus information on Boston trash pick-up and parking information for – February 17, 2014. 

    This is an old post. Here's the 2015 information on this topic.

    5790276061_017d2b2bbc_z

    (The Emancipation Statue of President Abraham Lincoln and a newly freed slave in Park Square from the Boston Public Library Collection.)

    We publish these resource pages early to assist you in planning your holidays. We'll keep updates coming as new information is published. Follow us on Twitter to learn about updates.

    UPDATE 02/015/14: Here is the information box from the city of Boston site.

    City box
    Restaurants, bars: Open

    Convenience stores: Open

    Supermarkets:
     Open

    Retail stores: Are allowed to open if the owners choose

    Liquor stores: Open

    City, Town, State and Federal offices and facilities are closed: This includes Schools, Libraries, and the Postal Service (express mail will be delivered). Only emergency services are available.

    Financial Services: As the British would say, this is a Bank Holiday with both Banks and the stock markets in the United State closed. Some international markets are open. In recent year's, we've notices some banks keep some branches open at unexpected times so check with your own bank.

    Parking, Boston trash, and MBTA after the ad.

    This weekend is a great time to start your tax preparation. Step one, order your software by following this link to Amazon. You can even download some versions right from the Amazon Download Store. Shopping Amazon from here keeps information like this coming your way. 

    Boston Parking: You don't have to feed the meters. Other parking rules apply.

    Boston Recycling and Trash Collection:

    "Presidents' Day Week, Monday, February 17, 6am – Saturday, February 22, 2014, 5pm"

    DETAILS: "No delay of trash or recycling pick up in Back Bay, Bay Village, Beacon Hill, Charlestown, Chinatown, Fenway, Leather District, Mission Hill, North End, Roxbury, South Boston, and the South End

    Allston/Brighton, Dorchester, East Boston, Jamaica Plain*, Mattapan, Roslindale, West Roxbury and Hyde Park, delayed a day

    *If you live in Jamaica Plain and your trash is picked up 2 times per week, do not delay.

    Report Missed Pickup"

    Here's the source of the recycling and trash information.

    MBTA Schedule for Presidents' Day, February 17, 2014:

    For a short time before the holiday a complete list of schedule changes with appear at this link.

    Briefly:

    • Blue, Orange, Red, Silver, and Green Lines will operate a Saturday schedule.
    • Commuter Rail trains will operate a Saturday schedule. So, the Fairmont, Greenbush, Kingston/Plymouth, and Needham lines will not operate.
    • Buses and trackless trolleys will operate a Saturday schedule. Check this link for bus routes that will not operate. (Note: this link will only work up until the holiday.)
    • Hingham and Charlestown Boat Service will operate a regular weekday schedule.
    • THE RIDE will operate a Saturday schedule, but contact your local RIDE contractor for details.

    For more information on routes, schedules, and fares, contact the MBTA at 617-222-3200, TTY 617-222-5146), or log onto the MBTA’s website www.mbta.com

     

    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: From the Boston Public Library Collection.

    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.

  • Sunday Dogs Ty and Buster Have a Great Adventure with Go Pet Friendly

    Meet Ty and Buster! These are two hard working dogs.

    Over at Go Pet Friendly, they have the job of sniffing out pet friendly places and making it easier for other critters who want to travel with their people.

    DSC04292-540x300

    This is Buster who adopted the family after meeting them on the streets of Philadelphia. 

    DSC04343-540x300

    And, here's Ty who had already trained this pair of humans and is the deep thinker of the duo.

    These guys live full time in a cool RV and have traveled more than 50,000 miles putting their paws of approval on places all over the country and then adding those locations to the Go Pet Friendly website.

      Go Pet Friendly

    There is so much to see and do at GoPetFriendly.com that we highly recommend you click over and explore the site. Be sure to check out their trip planner. Learn more about these handsome pups on the Take Paws Blog. And, follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

      IMG_5392c-540x300

    Here's a picture of the entire family – Rob, Buster, Ty, and Amy.

    Recently, Amy made a quick trip to Boston where she and Penny were able to meet up in person after much internet interaction.

    Poppy can't wait until their next New England visit so she can meet the pups in person and thank them for all the places she may be going because they have scratched out a path. 

    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
    Photography: courtesy of Go Pet Friendly

  • Sunday Dogs Ty and Buster Have a Great Adventure with Go Pet Friendly

    Meet Ty and Buster! These are two hard working dogs.

    Over at Go Pet Friendly, they have the job of sniffing out pet friendly places and making it easier for other critters who want to travel with their people.

    DSC04292-540x300

    This is Buster who adopted the family after meeting them on the streets of Philadelphia. 

    DSC04343-540x300

    And, here's Ty who had already trained this pair of humans and is the deep thinker of the duo.

    These guys live full time in a cool RV and have traveled more than 50,000 miles putting their paws of approval on places all over the country and then adding those locations to the Go Pet Friendly website.

      Go Pet Friendly

    There is so much to see and do at GoPetFriendly.com that we highly recommend you click over and explore the site. Be sure to check out their trip planner. Learn more about these handsome pups on the Take Paws Blog. And, follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

      IMG_5392c-540x300

    Here's a picture of the entire family – Rob, Buster, Ty, and Amy.

    Recently, Amy made a quick trip to Boston where she and Penny were able to meet up in person after much internet interaction.

    Poppy can't wait until their next New England visit so she can meet the pups in person and thank them for all the places she may be going because they have scratched out a path. 

    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
    Photography: courtesy of Go Pet Friendly

  • Sunday Dogs Ty and Buster Have a Great Adventure with Go Pet Friendly

    Meet Ty and Buster! These are two hard working dogs.

    Over at Go Pet Friendly, they have the job of sniffing out pet friendly places and making it easier for other critters who want to travel with their people.

    DSC04292-540x300

    This is Buster who adopted the family after meeting them on the streets of Philadelphia. 

    DSC04343-540x300

    And, here's Ty who had already trained this pair of humans and is the deep thinker of the duo.

    These guys live full time in a cool RV and have traveled more than 50,000 miles putting their paws of approval on places all over the country and then adding those locations to the Go Pet Friendly website.

      Go Pet Friendly

    There is so much to see and do at GoPetFriendly.com that we highly recommend you click over and explore the site. Be sure to check out their trip planner. Learn more about these handsome pups on the Take Paws Blog. And, follow them on Facebook and Twitter.

      IMG_5392c-540x300

    Here's a picture of the entire family – Rob, Buster, Ty, and Amy.

    Recently, Amy made a quick trip to Boston where she and Penny were able to meet up in person after much internet interaction.

    Poppy can't wait until their next New England visit so she can meet the pups in person and thank them for all the places she may be going because they have scratched out a path. 

    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
    Photography: courtesy of Go Pet Friendly

  • WBUR’s Guide to the Best Views of Boston, Our Friday Link

    WBUR is compiling a map that will serve as a guide to the best views of Boston. Alexandra Koktsidis kicked it off with a few views, and station listeners and readers have been adding their favorites via the comment section. 

    Best Views of Boston WBUR

    Many of those have already been added to the map and I keep checking back to discover new places to put on our daytrip list. This is a wonderful resource for photography buffs who love to find new vantage points for a familar subject.

    Nice work WBUR!  

    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
    Artwork: Screenshot courtesy of WBUR

  • WBUR’s Guide to the Best Views of Boston, Our Friday Link

    WBUR is compiling a map that will serve as a guide to the best views of Boston. Alexandra Koktsidis kicked it off with a few views, and station listeners and readers have been adding their favorites via the comment section. 

    Best Views of Boston WBUR

    Many of those have already been added to the map and I keep checking back to discover new places to put on our daytrip list. This is a wonderful resource for photography buffs who love to find new vantage points for a familar subject.

    Nice work WBUR!  

    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
    Artwork: Screenshot courtesy of WBUR

  • WBUR’s Guide to the Best Views of Boston, Our Friday Link

    WBUR is compiling a map that will serve as a guide to the best views of Boston. Alexandra Koktsidis kicked it off with a few views, and station listeners and readers have been adding their favorites via the comment section. 

    Best Views of Boston WBUR

    Many of those have already been added to the map and I keep checking back to discover new places to put on our daytrip list. This is a wonderful resource for photography buffs who love to find new vantage points for a familar subject.

    Nice work WBUR!  

    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
    Artwork: Screenshot courtesy of WBUR

  • Valentine’s Day 2014 – Ideas for Romantic Dining in Boston

    Enjoying a Valentine's Day Dinner that is as perfect as this lovely scene takes some planning.

    IStock_000018981722Small

    UPDATE: This is an outdated post. Here is the 2015 version of this information!

    This year, February 14th falls on a Friday and that gives you the opportunity to plan a romantic weekend or one day with your true love and a couple more meals with friends close to your heart. 

    Some of you enjoy trying the special holiday menus at your favorite spots. Others avoid dining out on days like this unless they can order off the regular menu. Be on the lookout for special menus beyond that one official day. We noticed a few on the lists below that have special menus for the 14th throught the 16th. 

    This is one of the busiest nights of the year for restaurants, so expect many special prix fixe menus and don't be surprised if you have to leave a credit card to guarantee a reservation.

    6a00e54fc42bb8883401901bdf4a14970b-800wi   6a00e54fc42bb88834017eeadcdf63970d-800wi

    We love sharing food and Coppa is one of our favorite places to spend an afternoon nibbling and sharing plates of delicious offerings like the meatballs and asparagus above. Coppa has a special prix fixe menu on the 14th but seems to be back to normal for the rest of the weekend, so you might reserve for Saturday night or Sunday brunch or dinner.

    6a00e54fc42bb8883401a5110c9366970c-800wi

    Ed loves a great burger but is very particular about what he considers great. Taking him to lunch at the Bristol Lounge for one of his favorite burgers in Boston would be a great Valentine treat in his eyes. You have to think about what that person you love would really like for the highlight of their Valentine's meal.

    6a00e54fc42bb88834015390dc00cf970b-800wi

    Do you have a chocolate lover to satiate? A perfectly ordinary afternoon turned into a romantic memory when Ed and I shared this giant profiterole at Petit Robert in the South End.

    When a Valentine's Day Lunch or Dinner Is on the Menu… 

    Reservations at wonderful, romantic restaurants go quickly. But, we have lots of ideas for all types of celebrations for budgets of all sizes. Today, we'll address where to dine. There are more ideas on some of our past Valentine posts. These are from other times, so check for details with the places mentioned.

    Update: 02.12.14 Here's Cambridge Day's Guide to an Interesting Valentine's Day

    Related Posts:

     

    Sophisticated Pink Sparklers for Valentine's Day

    Your Special Place, Free Romance for Valentine's Day

    Valentine's Day Live Performances at Half Price

     

    Eight Tips on Buying Jewelry for Valentine’s Day from an Expert

     

    Romance at the Gardner Museum – Valentine's Weekend Destination. 

     

    Romantic Dining in Boston with a Foreign Travel Theme (Some of our favorite restaurants offer an authentic taste of the cuisine they serve. A place where the decor, music, and food all bring you to another land.)

     

    Beacon Hill Hot Chocolate and Ice Skating on the Common (A Romantic but inexpensive date.) And, now you can also skate at the Boston Harbor Hotel and slip into the bar for a glass of champagne after that hand holding exercise.

    Need some Valentine's Day gift ideas? Click over to Amazon and do some planning, and if you do buy something there, they'll put a few coins in our tip cup.  

    Details:
    Words: Penny Cherubino
    Photo: iStockphoto.com

  • Valentine’s Day 2014 – Ideas for Romantic Dining in Boston

    Enjoying a Valentine's Day Dinner that is as perfect as this lovely scene takes some planning.

    IStock_000018981722Small

    UPDATE: This is an outdated post. Here is the 2015 version of this information!

    This year, February 14th falls on a Friday and that gives you the opportunity to plan a romantic weekend or one day with your true love and a couple more meals with friends close to your heart. 

    Some of you enjoy trying the special holiday menus at your favorite spots. Others avoid dining out on days like this unless they can order off the regular menu. Be on the lookout for special menus beyond that one official day. We noticed a few on the lists below that have special menus for the 14th throught the 16th. 

    This is one of the busiest nights of the year for restaurants, so expect many special prix fixe menus and don't be surprised if you have to leave a credit card to guarantee a reservation.

    6a00e54fc42bb8883401901bdf4a14970b-800wi   6a00e54fc42bb88834017eeadcdf63970d-800wi

    We love sharing food and Coppa is one of our favorite places to spend an afternoon nibbling and sharing plates of delicious offerings like the meatballs and asparagus above. Coppa has a special prix fixe menu on the 14th but seems to be back to normal for the rest of the weekend, so you might reserve for Saturday night or Sunday brunch or dinner.

    6a00e54fc42bb8883401a5110c9366970c-800wi

    Ed loves a great burger but is very particular about what he considers great. Taking him to lunch at the Bristol Lounge for one of his favorite burgers in Boston would be a great Valentine treat in his eyes. You have to think about what that person you love would really like for the highlight of their Valentine's meal.

    6a00e54fc42bb88834015390dc00cf970b-800wi

    Do you have a chocolate lover to satiate? A perfectly ordinary afternoon turned into a romantic memory when Ed and I shared this giant profiterole at Petit Robert in the South End.

    When a Valentine's Day Lunch or Dinner Is on the Menu… 

    Reservations at wonderful, romantic restaurants go quickly. But, we have lots of ideas for all types of celebrations for budgets of all sizes. Today, we'll address where to dine. There are more ideas on some of our past Valentine posts. These are from other times, so check for details with the places mentioned.

    Update: 02.12.14 Here's Cambridge Day's Guide to an Interesting Valentine's Day

    Related Posts:

     

    Sophisticated Pink Sparklers for Valentine's Day

    Your Special Place, Free Romance for Valentine's Day

    Valentine's Day Live Performances at Half Price

     

    Eight Tips on Buying Jewelry for Valentine’s Day from an Expert

     

    Romance at the Gardner Museum – Valentine's Weekend Destination. 

     

    Romantic Dining in Boston with a Foreign Travel Theme (Some of our favorite restaurants offer an authentic taste of the cuisine they serve. A place where the decor, music, and food all bring you to another land.)

     

    Beacon Hill Hot Chocolate and Ice Skating on the Common (A Romantic but inexpensive date.) And, now you can also skate at the Boston Harbor Hotel and slip into the bar for a glass of champagne after that hand holding exercise.

    Need some Valentine's Day gift ideas? Click over to Amazon and do some planning, and if you do buy something there, they'll put a few coins in our tip cup.  

    Details:
    Words: Penny Cherubino
    Photo: iStockphoto.com