Category: Resources

  • Clear Flour German Rye

    We have set ourselves a quest to try all the rye breads on Clear Flour Bread's list. We started last week with a loaf of their German Rye.

    IMG_8984

    Here's the German Rye which they describe as, "… a hearty and moist whole grain rye with a touch of honey." We describe it as full of rye flavor with an incredible aroma, crust with a bit of chew, and a lovely crumb. 

    IMG_8978

    It's a great bread to have with cheese or toasted with a bit of butter and a bit of preserves. We went with apricot!

    IMG_9001

    It also made an appealing base for an open-faced egg salad supper.

    Our eggs are chopped with a handy egg cutter (like this one) then mixed with crème fraîche, celery, scallion, curry powder, salt, and a bit of aleppo pepper.

    Always ask, because Clear Flour may have a bread that is not on the usual list. They do make seasonal breads, and I think they occasionally make something special, just because they feel like it. That's the beauty of patronizing a small, artisan business. 

    You'll also find that they can tell you more about each bread than the simple description on the list.

    Here is a direct link to the Clear Flour bread list. You can see, we have a bit of eating to do.

    Pay attention to when each bread is available and schedule your visits to the bakery around what you want to buy. 

    What's on your Food Lover's shopping list?

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • Make Universal Hub a Morning Habit

    We all have morning routines. Universal Hub (UH) is part of mine. Since keeping up with local news is important to me, I read newspapers and each morning I visit Universal Hub to get a very local update on what happened overnight or the latest on first responder incidents that I heard on our scanner.

    Screen Shot 2017-05-23 at Tuesday  May 23  20179.06.39 AM

    This late day incident in Chelsea is a great example of why you want to check UH when you hear more sirens than usual, see helicopters circling, or smell smoke. When this was taking place, someone over on the Reddit Boston forum asked about all the state police vehicles on Route 1. Another forum member said that they found out what was happening by going to UH! Good to know I'm not the only one. 

    In addition to the great work of Adam Gaffin and a few regular posters, this can be a good source of crowdsourced information. Regular readers know the commenters with good, reliable information and those with a worn out drum that they beat at every opportunity. 

    As more so called news operations become promotional vehicles for network shows or sports teams, it's important to find your own sources of local news. Universal Hub is one of the best. 

    Support Universal Hub

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

    There is 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 

  • What’s Open and Closed on Memorial Day in Boston + MBTA Schedules, Parking, Trash & More

    Here's a rundown of what's open and what's closed in Boston and the MBTA schedules for Memorial Day – Monday, May 29, 2017. This is now a permanent resource page that we will update from year-to-year.

    We publish these reminders before a holiday to give our readers a nudge to finalize their holiday plans. This is the first big weekend of the summer. Get going on some fun plans! And plan your shopping for adult beverages because this is one of those Blue Law holidays!

     CHE_3140

    Will you stay in the city or enjoy a holiday weekend at a great beach house with a view like this on the harbor in Provincetown? Or will you put the boat in the water and get out on your favorite bay?

    Restaurants, bars: Open

    Convenience stores: Open

    Supermarkets: Open

    Retail stores: Are allowed to open if the owners choose

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    Plan ahead if you need wine, beer, or spirits for your holiday event.

    Liquor stores: Closed (See this page from the Secretary of State)

    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 U.S. closed. Some international markets are open.

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

    Street Sweeping: The city site says: "On City holidays, we suspend street sweeping during the day, but we still sweep streets at night. On the weekends, we sweep some streets at night. Please always check posted street sweeping signs for information. If you still have questions, please contact 311."

    More information after this ad

    Save storage space with these collapsible coolers. Perfect for small city homes. We had many years of use from an older version of the Arctic Zone 30 model. It was amazing at keeping things chilled. We not only used it for picnics, but also grabbed it to go grocery shopping.   

    Boston Trash Collection  

    The city has changed the way it publishes the schedule for holidays so that you now have to go to the city site and look up your specific address in order to get information

    DSC_0410 - Version 22011-02-03MBTA Arlington station © 2011 Penny Cherubino© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    MBTA Memorial Day Schedule Changes:

    For a few days before each holiday, the MBTA schedule changes will show up at this link. 

    MBTA Memorial Day 2017 Service Schedules Quick Look - 

    • The Red, Orange, Blue, Silver, and Green Lines will operate on a Sunday schedule. 
    • Buses and trackless trolleys will operate on a Sunday schedule. 
    • The Commuter Rail will operate on a Sunday schedule. 
    • The RIDE will operate on a Sunday schedule.

    Complete MBTA Details Here

    For more information: 
    Go to 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: © 2011-2017 Penny Cherubino  

    Related articles

    Petie Prances & Kicks Up His Heels with the Joy of Spring
    Roses for Sarmiento
  • What’s Open and Closed on Memorial Day in Boston + MBTA Schedules, Parking, Trash & More

    Here's a rundown of what's open and what's closed in Boston and the MBTA schedules for Memorial Day – Monday, May 29, 2017. This is now a permanent resource page that we will update from year-to-year.

    We publish these reminders before a holiday to give our readers a nudge to finalize their holiday plans. This is the first big weekend of the summer. Get going on some fun plans! And plan your shopping for adult beverages because this is one of those Blue Law holidays!

     CHE_3140

    Will you stay in the city or enjoy a holiday weekend at a great beach house with a view like this on the harbor in Provincetown? Or will you put the boat in the water and get out on your favorite bay?

    Restaurants, bars: Open

    Convenience stores: Open

    Supermarkets: Open

    Retail stores: Are allowed to open if the owners choose

    CHE_0501

    Plan ahead if you need wine, beer, or spirits for your holiday event.

    Liquor stores: Closed (See this page from the Secretary of State)

    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 U.S. closed. Some international markets are open.

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

    Street Sweeping: The city site says: "On City holidays, we suspend street sweeping during the day, but we still sweep streets at night. On the weekends, we sweep some streets at night. Please always check posted street sweeping signs for information. If you still have questions, please contact 311."

    More information after this ad

    Save storage space with these collapsible coolers. Perfect for small city homes. We had many years of use from an older version of the Arctic Zone 30 model. It was amazing at keeping things chilled. We not only used it for picnics, but also grabbed it to go grocery shopping.   

    Boston Trash Collection  

    The city has changed the way it publishes the schedule for holidays so that you now have to go to the city site and look up your specific address in order to get information

    DSC_0410 - Version 22011-02-03MBTA Arlington station © 2011 Penny Cherubino© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    MBTA Memorial Day Schedule Changes:

    For a few days before each holiday, the MBTA schedule changes will show up at this link. 

    MBTA Memorial Day 2017 Service Schedules Quick Look - 

    • The Red, Orange, Blue, Silver, and Green Lines will operate on a Sunday schedule. 
    • Buses and trackless trolleys will operate on a Sunday schedule. 
    • The Commuter Rail will operate on a Sunday schedule. 
    • The RIDE will operate on a Sunday schedule.

    Complete MBTA Details Here

    For more information: 
    Go to 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: © 2011-2017 Penny Cherubino  

    Related articles

    Petie Prances & Kicks Up His Heels with the Joy of Spring
    Roses for Sarmiento
  • Pecorino Caggiano From Formaggio Kitchen South End

    On Fridays we link our readers to a resource that deserves applause. Today we are using the Pecorino Caggiano we bought this week at Formaggio Kitchen South End as an example of how and why you should use the Formaggio cheese shops as a resource.

    CHE_3546 (1)

    Often our approach to buying cheese at Formaggio is to ask the cheesemonger, "What is great today?" In the right hands, cheese is a living organism that evolves from day-to-day. At any given moment, the Formaggio staff knows of something in that case that is extraordinary. 

    IMG_8942

    This time Penny had a few moments to read some of the descriptions before she chatted with the staff. The sign for Pecorino Caggiano intrigued her and she asked for a taste. 

    At first it seemed like a good but rather ordinary pecorino. But, as we have learned over the years, you have to let it warm in your mouth or hold a slice on a wrapper in your hand until it warms to get the full flavor. In this case, if you give it a moment, you experience an explosion of sheepy tang.

    IMG_8955

    We had it for supper with a bit of fennel salami and a Clear Flour baguette. 

    Screen Shot 2017-05-11 at Thursday  May 11  20179.28.36 AM

    Formaggio Kitchen, as a resource, is more than a store, they are also food educators. Above you see their page on this cheese. It tells you the story behind the product and suggests pairings. If you are in the shop, your cheesemonger will do the same. 

    Formaggio also has classes you can attend and an education section on their major product lines on their website. 

    We are very fortunate to have this resource in the Boston area.  

    What's on your Food Lover's shopping list?

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • Pecorino Caggiano From Formaggio Kitchen South End

    On Fridays we link our readers to a resource that deserves applause. Today we are using the Pecorino Caggiano we bought this week at Formaggio Kitchen South End as an example of how and why you should use the Formaggio cheese shops as a resource.

    CHE_3546 (1)

    Often our approach to buying cheese at Formaggio is to ask the cheesemonger, "What is great today?" In the right hands, cheese is a living organism that evolves from day-to-day. At any given moment, the Formaggio staff knows of something in that case that is extraordinary. 

    IMG_8942

    This time Penny had a few moments to read some of the descriptions before she chatted with the staff. The sign for Pecorino Caggiano intrigued her and she asked for a taste. 

    At first it seemed like a good but rather ordinary pecorino. But, as we have learned over the years, you have to let it warm in your mouth or hold a slice on a wrapper in your hand until it warms to get the full flavor. In this case, if you give it a moment, you experience an explosion of sheepy tang.

    IMG_8955

    We had it for supper with a bit of fennel salami and a Clear Flour baguette. 

    Screen Shot 2017-05-11 at Thursday  May 11  20179.28.36 AM

    Formaggio Kitchen, as a resource, is more than a store, they are also food educators. Above you see their page on this cheese. It tells you the story behind the product and suggests pairings. If you are in the shop, your cheesemonger will do the same. 

    Formaggio also has classes you can attend and an education section on their major product lines on their website. 

    We are very fortunate to have this resource in the Boston area.  

    What's on your Food Lover's shopping list?

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: ©2017 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • Tracking a Boston Marathon Runner

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    Here's how to track a friend or any runner competing in the Boston Marathon on Monday, April 15, 2019.

    First, don't forget the many phone apps (like Apple's Find My Friends) that let you locate people. If your runner is carrying a smartphone or an Apple Watch and sets the device to allow you to track him or her, you can use it to follow their location during the race. What's more, you can use it to meet up in the crowded family area after they have finished their run.

    Mobile Phone Alert System

    The Boston Athletic Association has set up the AT&T Athlete Alerts program. It allows you to receive updates on a runner’s progress.

    6a00e54fc42bb88834014e605cbd2b970c-800wi

    Where are the Leaders & Crowd Favorites?

    For a rough idea of where the race leaders are in relation to your viewing position, you can always 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.

    Parking Your Car for Boston Marathon Weekend

    Routes for Visiting Runners – Boston Marathon Weekend

    What’s Open in Boston on Patriots’ Day 

    Work Out on a Public Parcourse along the Charles River

    How to Get to the Esplanade from Boston

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

     

  • Tracking a Boston Marathon Runner

    6a00e54fc42bb88834014e87381103970d-800wi

    Here's how to track a friend or any runner competing in the Boston Marathon on Monday, April 15, 2019.

    First, don't forget the many phone apps (like Apple's Find My Friends) that let you locate people. If your runner is carrying a smartphone or an Apple Watch and sets the device to allow you to track him or her, you can use it to follow their location during the race. What's more, you can use it to meet up in the crowded family area after they have finished their run.

    Mobile Phone Alert System

    The Boston Athletic Association has set up the AT&T Athlete Alerts program. It allows you to receive updates on a runner’s progress.

    6a00e54fc42bb88834014e605cbd2b970c-800wi

    Where are the Leaders & Crowd Favorites?

    For a rough idea of where the race leaders are in relation to your viewing position, you can always 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.

    Parking Your Car for Boston Marathon Weekend

    Routes for Visiting Runners – Boston Marathon Weekend

    What’s Open in Boston on Patriots’ Day 

    Work Out on a Public Parcourse along the Charles River

    How to Get to the Esplanade from Boston

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

     

  • What’s Open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2018 in Boston Plus Trash, Parking & MBTA Links & More

    Here's a rundown of what's open in Boston, plus Boston trash collection, parking, and MBTA schedules for Martin Luther King Jr. Day – January 15, 2018. We are updating these resource pages rather than creating a new one each year. 

    Updated January 3, 2018

    8609103883_2394134237_z copy

    Free at Last sculpture, by Sergio Castillo is located on Marsh Plaza, Boston University (Photo by Peter H. Dreyer from the Boston City Archives )

    • 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 States closed. International markets are open. 
    • Boston Parking: You don't have to feed the meters. Other parking rules apply.
    • Boston Public Libraries closed.
    • BCYF Community Centers are closed.

    Free Open House at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston 

    If you're looking for something to do on this holiday, the MFA has a full schedule of special events and invites the community to visit for free that day.

    Screen Shot 2018-01-03 at Wednesday  January 3  20187.17.17 AM

    Boston Trash and Recycling:

    The city has changed the way it publishes the schedule for holidays so that you now have to go to the city site and look up your specific address in order to get information. 

    Street Cleaning: 

    The city says, "On City holidays, we suspend street sweeping during the day, but we still sweep streets at night. On the weekends, we sweep some streets at night. Please always check posted street sweeping signs for information. If you still have questions, please contact 311."

    Parking:

    "Monday, January 15 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
    City offices closed. Sunday parking rules in effect."

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

    MBTA Schedule for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 15, 2018: 

    The MBTA no longer publishes holiday schedule in an easy to use format. You must now go to their website and click around to find the information.

    For more information about MBTA services, routes, schedules, and fares, please call the T’s Customer Communications Department at 617-222-3200, (TTY 617-222-5146) or go to www.mbta.com

     

    Keeping warm is on the top of everyone's agenda. Amazon has excellent underlayers to keep you toasty.

     

    Details:
    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: (Photo by Peter H. Dreyer from the Boston City Archives )used under creative commons license AttributionNoncommercialNo Derivative Works Some rights reserved 

  • What’s Open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2018 in Boston Plus Trash, Parking & MBTA Links & More

    Here's a rundown of what's open in Boston, plus Boston trash collection, parking, and MBTA schedules for Martin Luther King Jr. Day – January 15, 2018. We are updating these resource pages rather than creating a new one each year. 

    Updated January 3, 2018

    8609103883_2394134237_z copy

    Free at Last sculpture, by Sergio Castillo is located on Marsh Plaza, Boston University (Photo by Peter H. Dreyer from the Boston City Archives )

    • 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 States closed. International markets are open. 
    • Boston Parking: You don't have to feed the meters. Other parking rules apply.
    • Boston Public Libraries closed.
    • BCYF Community Centers are closed.

    Free Open House at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston 

    If you're looking for something to do on this holiday, the MFA has a full schedule of special events and invites the community to visit for free that day.

    Screen Shot 2018-01-03 at Wednesday  January 3  20187.17.17 AM

    Boston Trash and Recycling:

    The city has changed the way it publishes the schedule for holidays so that you now have to go to the city site and look up your specific address in order to get information. 

    Street Cleaning: 

    The city says, "On City holidays, we suspend street sweeping during the day, but we still sweep streets at night. On the weekends, we sweep some streets at night. Please always check posted street sweeping signs for information. If you still have questions, please contact 311."

    Parking:

    "Monday, January 15 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
    City offices closed. Sunday parking rules in effect."

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

    MBTA Schedule for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 15, 2018: 

    The MBTA no longer publishes holiday schedule in an easy to use format. You must now go to their website and click around to find the information.

    For more information about MBTA services, routes, schedules, and fares, please call the T’s Customer Communications Department at 617-222-3200, (TTY 617-222-5146) or go to www.mbta.com

     

    Keeping warm is on the top of everyone's agenda. Amazon has excellent underlayers to keep you toasty.

     

    Details:
    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: (Photo by Peter H. Dreyer from the Boston City Archives )used under creative commons license AttributionNoncommercialNo Derivative Works Some rights reserved