Category: Resources

Boston in the Gilded Age: Mapping Public Places

Boston in the Gilded Age: Mapping Public Places, the current exhibition at the Boston Public Library's Norman B. Leventhal Map Center, continues through April 23, 2013.

Regular stops at the Map Center as we pick up books, do research, or enjoy the library as one of the most beautiful, public places in Boston, lets us take in exhibits like this, one bite at a time.

If you need to make a special trip, let us assure you that this exhibit is worth it. You can take a look at the documentation of Boston’s evolving street pattern and emerging park system in the late 19th century. Maps and other graphics trace the development of the Boston Common, Public Garden, Frederick Law Olmsted’s Emerald Necklace, and the development of Copley Square.

If you are one of our readers from outside the Boston area, click here for an online version of the exhibit that will let you see the documents and read about the time and places represented.

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: © 2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino

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.

April 2, 2013
Boston in the Gilded Age: Mapping Public Places

Boston in the Gilded Age: Mapping Public Places, the current exhibition at the Boston Public Library's Norman B. Leventhal Map Center, continues through April 23, 2013.

Regular stops at the Map Center as we pick up books, do research, or enjoy the library as one of the most beautiful, public places in Boston, lets us take in exhibits like this, one bite at a time.

If you need to make a special trip, let us assure you that this exhibit is worth it. You can take a look at the documentation of Boston’s evolving street pattern and emerging park system in the late 19th century. Maps and other graphics trace the development of the Boston Common, Public Garden, Frederick Law Olmsted’s Emerald Necklace, and the development of Copley Square.

If you are one of our readers from outside the Boston area, click here for an online version of the exhibit that will let you see the documents and read about the time and places represented.

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: © 2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino

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.

April 2, 2013
Boston in the Gilded Age: Mapping Public Places

Boston in the Gilded Age: Mapping Public Places, the current exhibition at the Boston Public Library's Norman B. Leventhal Map Center, continues through April 23, 2013.

Regular stops at the Map Center as we pick up books, do research, or enjoy the library as one of the most beautiful, public places in Boston, lets us take in exhibits like this, one bite at a time.

If you need to make a special trip, let us assure you that this exhibit is worth it. You can take a look at the documentation of Boston’s evolving street pattern and emerging park system in the late 19th century. Maps and other graphics trace the development of the Boston Common, Public Garden, Frederick Law Olmsted’s Emerald Necklace, and the development of Copley Square.

If you are one of our readers from outside the Boston area, click here for an online version of the exhibit that will let you see the documents and read about the time and places represented.

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: © 2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino

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.

April 2, 2013
Routes for Visiting Runners – Boston Marathon Weekend 2013

UPDATE: Routes for Visiting Runners – Boston Marathon Weekend 2016

Whether you're coming to run or watch the 2013 Boston Marathon or just want to log some miles, it's an exciting time to visit the city.

Right onto Hereford Street – Less Than a Mile to Go!

I remember my first Boston Marathon – as a spectator, I've yet to put in the training needed to actually compete. Penny and I booked a hotel room for the weekend and left the car parked. We took in the runners' expo, pasta supper, and other pre-race activities, then watched a spectacular Boylston Street finish.

As an out-of-state runner staying near Faneuil Hall, I still wanted to get in a run or two, but wasn't sure where to head.

Now, as a Boston resident, I can recommend a couple of my favorite routes.

Charles River Run

If you're a visiting runner staying anywhere near the finish line, you can't beat a daytime run along the Charles River. It offers great views and a more open course without having to constantly cross roadways. This multi-use path is shared by bikes, blades, skate boards, dogs, and walkers. It can get congested as the day wears on, but who knows, you may find yourself sharing the trail with some famous, elite runners. It's easy to make any number of loops between the Boston and Cambridge sides of the river by using the many bridges along the way.

From Back Bay you can access the Charles River Esplanade from Massachusetts Avenue, Fairfield, Dartmouth, and Arlington Streets. If you head West from the Massachusetts Avenue ramp you can also use the parcourse workout station that's located just up-river. Click here for photos and details including a map to find it.

Morning Run Along the Esplanade

Parks in the Heart of the City

For a tree-lined route, try the Commonwealth Avenue Mall – not a shopping center, but a park that runs down the center of this residential street. At Commonwealth and Arlington you can enter the pristine Public Garden for a slower pace. Moving through the center of the Garden will lead you across Charles Street to the Boston Common.

Inside tip: Local-isms

Mass Ave = Massachusetts Avenue
Comm Ave = Commonwealth Avenue
And, it's Boston Common (singular) not Boston Commons

Update 04.05.13: Bostinno just added a great post on this topic. How to Train For the Boston Marathon: Where the Runners Run

Related Posts:

Tracking a Boston Marathon Runner 2013

Parking Your Car for Boston Marathon Weekend 2013

What’s Open in Boston on Patriots’ Day 2013

How to Get to the Esplanade from Boston

Here are some Photos from past Boston Marathons

The View from Hereford Street

Marathon Kisses

Just Hangin on Hereford Street

Other Resources:
Here's a great site. You'll find dozens of local running routes, including along the Charles River.

Details:
Writer: Ed Cherubino
Photos: (Top) 2011 Boston Marathon, (Bottom) Esplanade Run ©2013 Penny Cherubino

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!

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.

Related articles

Charles River Run on a Crisp Saturday Morning

Lost Boston: Bicycle Club at 152 Newbury Street

March 29, 2013
Routes for Visiting Runners – Boston Marathon Weekend 2013

UPDATE: Routes for Visiting Runners – Boston Marathon Weekend 2016

Whether you're coming to run or watch the 2013 Boston Marathon or just want to log some miles, it's an exciting time to visit the city.

Right onto Hereford Street – Less Than a Mile to Go!

I remember my first Boston Marathon – as a spectator, I've yet to put in the training needed to actually compete. Penny and I booked a hotel room for the weekend and left the car parked. We took in the runners' expo, pasta supper, and other pre-race activities, then watched a spectacular Boylston Street finish.

As an out-of-state runner staying near Faneuil Hall, I still wanted to get in a run or two, but wasn't sure where to head.

Now, as a Boston resident, I can recommend a couple of my favorite routes.

Charles River Run

If you're a visiting runner staying anywhere near the finish line, you can't beat a daytime run along the Charles River. It offers great views and a more open course without having to constantly cross roadways. This multi-use path is shared by bikes, blades, skate boards, dogs, and walkers. It can get congested as the day wears on, but who knows, you may find yourself sharing the trail with some famous, elite runners. It's easy to make any number of loops between the Boston and Cambridge sides of the river by using the many bridges along the way.

From Back Bay you can access the Charles River Esplanade from Massachusetts Avenue, Fairfield, Dartmouth, and Arlington Streets. If you head West from the Massachusetts Avenue ramp you can also use the parcourse workout station that's located just up-river. Click here for photos and details including a map to find it.

Morning Run Along the Esplanade

Parks in the Heart of the City

For a tree-lined route, try the Commonwealth Avenue Mall – not a shopping center, but a park that runs down the center of this residential street. At Commonwealth and Arlington you can enter the pristine Public Garden for a slower pace. Moving through the center of the Garden will lead you across Charles Street to the Boston Common.

Inside tip: Local-isms

Mass Ave = Massachusetts Avenue
Comm Ave = Commonwealth Avenue
And, it's Boston Common (singular) not Boston Commons

Update 04.05.13: Bostinno just added a great post on this topic. How to Train For the Boston Marathon: Where the Runners Run

Related Posts:

Tracking a Boston Marathon Runner 2013

Parking Your Car for Boston Marathon Weekend 2013

What’s Open in Boston on Patriots’ Day 2013

How to Get to the Esplanade from Boston

Here are some Photos from past Boston Marathons

The View from Hereford Street

Marathon Kisses

Just Hangin on Hereford Street

Other Resources:
Here's a great site. You'll find dozens of local running routes, including along the Charles River.

Details:
Writer: Ed Cherubino
Photos: (Top) 2011 Boston Marathon, (Bottom) Esplanade Run ©2013 Penny Cherubino

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!

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.

Related articles

Charles River Run on a Crisp Saturday Morning

Lost Boston: Bicycle Club at 152 Newbury Street

March 29, 2013
Routes for Visiting Runners – Boston Marathon Weekend 2013

UPDATE: Routes for Visiting Runners – Boston Marathon Weekend 2016

Whether you're coming to run or watch the 2013 Boston Marathon or just want to log some miles, it's an exciting time to visit the city.

Right onto Hereford Street – Less Than a Mile to Go!

I remember my first Boston Marathon – as a spectator, I've yet to put in the training needed to actually compete. Penny and I booked a hotel room for the weekend and left the car parked. We took in the runners' expo, pasta supper, and other pre-race activities, then watched a spectacular Boylston Street finish.

As an out-of-state runner staying near Faneuil Hall, I still wanted to get in a run or two, but wasn't sure where to head.

Now, as a Boston resident, I can recommend a couple of my favorite routes.

Charles River Run

If you're a visiting runner staying anywhere near the finish line, you can't beat a daytime run along the Charles River. It offers great views and a more open course without having to constantly cross roadways. This multi-use path is shared by bikes, blades, skate boards, dogs, and walkers. It can get congested as the day wears on, but who knows, you may find yourself sharing the trail with some famous, elite runners. It's easy to make any number of loops between the Boston and Cambridge sides of the river by using the many bridges along the way.

From Back Bay you can access the Charles River Esplanade from Massachusetts Avenue, Fairfield, Dartmouth, and Arlington Streets. If you head West from the Massachusetts Avenue ramp you can also use the parcourse workout station that's located just up-river. Click here for photos and details including a map to find it.

Morning Run Along the Esplanade

Parks in the Heart of the City

For a tree-lined route, try the Commonwealth Avenue Mall – not a shopping center, but a park that runs down the center of this residential street. At Commonwealth and Arlington you can enter the pristine Public Garden for a slower pace. Moving through the center of the Garden will lead you across Charles Street to the Boston Common.

Inside tip: Local-isms

Mass Ave = Massachusetts Avenue
Comm Ave = Commonwealth Avenue
And, it's Boston Common (singular) not Boston Commons

Update 04.05.13: Bostinno just added a great post on this topic. How to Train For the Boston Marathon: Where the Runners Run

Related Posts:

Tracking a Boston Marathon Runner 2013

Parking Your Car for Boston Marathon Weekend 2013

What’s Open in Boston on Patriots’ Day 2013

How to Get to the Esplanade from Boston

Here are some Photos from past Boston Marathons

The View from Hereford Street

Marathon Kisses

Just Hangin on Hereford Street

Other Resources:
Here's a great site. You'll find dozens of local running routes, including along the Charles River.

Details:
Writer: Ed Cherubino
Photos: (Top) 2011 Boston Marathon, (Bottom) Esplanade Run ©2013 Penny Cherubino

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!

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.

Related articles

Charles River Run on a Crisp Saturday Morning

Lost Boston: Bicycle Club at 152 Newbury Street

March 29, 2013
No Fooling! A New Boston Food Truck Schedule, April 1st

If your favorite food truck is missing from its usual place on April 1st, don't think it's a joke! That's the date when the trucks we know will change their times and places around the city. They will also be joined by a group of newcomers. We all have a flavorful season ahead of us on the streets of Boston.

BostonZest will be out there covering the street food scene and adding reports to our Food Trucks/Street Food collection.

How do you find Food Trucks?

In Boston, the trucks have reserved places on a schedule set by the City of Boston. Here's a link to the City's Food Truck schedule.

There will also be new food trucks and food trikes on the Greenway. Here's a link to the updated information for the "Greenway Mobile Eats" program which will also begin on April 1st.

Update 04.27.13: Brookline has extended its food truck program and published this schedule for May 1st to December 31st 2013

Update 05.01.13: Somerville has announced a schedule of food trucks on Saturdays at The Assembled weekly craft market. Here's the list and dates over on Eater Boston.

We love the constantly updated information, including links to websites, provided by Hub Food Trucks! Thanks Steve Leibowitz for your devotion to this wonderful Boston community. Be sure to follow Steve on Twitter to learn when he's planning a food truck meet up. (That's Steve hanging out with the Mei Mei Street Kitchen team.)

You can download the Street Food App to have schedules at your fingertips.

And, when you find a truck you love and want to find it often, follow them on social media. That way, you'll find out what's on the menu. You'll know if they are off the road for a day, have a special appearance outside their normal schedule, or are getting ready to open a brick & mortar restaurant near you.

See you on the street!

What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List? Shop Amazon for all your kitchen & dining needs and support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino

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.

Related articles

Kendall Sq. restaurant Area 4 to launch food truck; Mei Mei food truck to launch restaurant

Local food truck trend goes into overdrive

The Next Step in the Food Truck Boom: Extortion

March 28, 2013
No Fooling! A New Boston Food Truck Schedule, April 1st

If your favorite food truck is missing from its usual place on April 1st, don't think it's a joke! That's the date when the trucks we know will change their times and places around the city. They will also be joined by a group of newcomers. We all have a flavorful season ahead of us on the streets of Boston.

BostonZest will be out there covering the street food scene and adding reports to our Food Trucks/Street Food collection.

How do you find Food Trucks?

In Boston, the trucks have reserved places on a schedule set by the City of Boston. Here's a link to the City's Food Truck schedule.

There will also be new food trucks and food trikes on the Greenway. Here's a link to the updated information for the "Greenway Mobile Eats" program which will also begin on April 1st.

Update 04.27.13: Brookline has extended its food truck program and published this schedule for May 1st to December 31st 2013

Update 05.01.13: Somerville has announced a schedule of food trucks on Saturdays at The Assembled weekly craft market. Here's the list and dates over on Eater Boston.

We love the constantly updated information, including links to websites, provided by Hub Food Trucks! Thanks Steve Leibowitz for your devotion to this wonderful Boston community. Be sure to follow Steve on Twitter to learn when he's planning a food truck meet up. (That's Steve hanging out with the Mei Mei Street Kitchen team.)

You can download the Street Food App to have schedules at your fingertips.

And, when you find a truck you love and want to find it often, follow them on social media. That way, you'll find out what's on the menu. You'll know if they are off the road for a day, have a special appearance outside their normal schedule, or are getting ready to open a brick & mortar restaurant near you.

See you on the street!

What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List? Shop Amazon for all your kitchen & dining needs and support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino

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.

Related articles

Kendall Sq. restaurant Area 4 to launch food truck; Mei Mei food truck to launch restaurant

Local food truck trend goes into overdrive

The Next Step in the Food Truck Boom: Extortion

March 28, 2013
No Fooling! A New Boston Food Truck Schedule, April 1st

If your favorite food truck is missing from its usual place on April 1st, don't think it's a joke! That's the date when the trucks we know will change their times and places around the city. They will also be joined by a group of newcomers. We all have a flavorful season ahead of us on the streets of Boston.

BostonZest will be out there covering the street food scene and adding reports to our Food Trucks/Street Food collection.

How do you find Food Trucks?

In Boston, the trucks have reserved places on a schedule set by the City of Boston. Here's a link to the City's Food Truck schedule.

There will also be new food trucks and food trikes on the Greenway. Here's a link to the updated information for the "Greenway Mobile Eats" program which will also begin on April 1st.

Update 04.27.13: Brookline has extended its food truck program and published this schedule for May 1st to December 31st 2013

Update 05.01.13: Somerville has announced a schedule of food trucks on Saturdays at The Assembled weekly craft market. Here's the list and dates over on Eater Boston.

We love the constantly updated information, including links to websites, provided by Hub Food Trucks! Thanks Steve Leibowitz for your devotion to this wonderful Boston community. Be sure to follow Steve on Twitter to learn when he's planning a food truck meet up. (That's Steve hanging out with the Mei Mei Street Kitchen team.)

You can download the Street Food App to have schedules at your fingertips.

And, when you find a truck you love and want to find it often, follow them on social media. That way, you'll find out what's on the menu. You'll know if they are off the road for a day, have a special appearance outside their normal schedule, or are getting ready to open a brick & mortar restaurant near you.

See you on the street!

What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List? Shop Amazon for all your kitchen & dining needs and support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino

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.

Related articles

Kendall Sq. restaurant Area 4 to launch food truck; Mei Mei food truck to launch restaurant

Local food truck trend goes into overdrive

The Next Step in the Food Truck Boom: Extortion

March 28, 2013
Tracking a Boston Marathon Runner 2013
Here's how to track a friend or any runner competing in the Boston Marathon on Monday, April 15, 2013.

UPDATE: Tracking a Boston Marathon Runner 2016
- You can check the BAA site for those who finished before the explosions.
- Google.org has activated its Person Finder. There you can enter the name of the person you are trying to locate or add information that you have about someone others might be seeking. If you were part of the race and are safe, you can add your status.
- You can call the City of Boston Hotline for families trying to locate loved ones, 617-635-4500.
- From @notifyBoston: "Information & resource center open today, 9am, Park Plaza Castle. Latest City details: http://ow.ly/k6J4C " (map)
The rest of the tracking information on this page no longer applies!

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 also has 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 weekends

Parking Your Car for Boston Marathon Weekend 2013

Routes for Visiting Runners – Boston Marathon Weekend 2013

What’s Open in Boston on Patriots’ Day 2013

Work Out on a Public Parcourse along the Charles River

How to Get to the Esplanade from Boston

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 Click 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 the event. Canon's G series is our all-time favorite for everyday cameras. We own the G10 and G11. They're 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 to and we just added 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

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 comments 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 out of comments.
March 18, 2013