bostonzest

Category: Resources

  • Latest Flu Vaccination Information for 2017-2018 Season, 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 many vaccine options to choose from, but the most important thing is for all people 6 months and older to get a flu vaccine every year." >> Here's What You Need to Know.

    6a00e54fc42bb88834014e8b7e7dad970d-800wi

    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?

    Where can I get a flu vaccination in the Boston area?

    • Here's a search box made available to us by the CDC. Just enter your Zip Code, tap go, and you'll have a map of options:     

    Where can I get a flu vaccination in the surrounding area?

    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 ...

    • Many 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.

    Flu_checklist

    MGH has this great cold or flu chart on their flu resource center.

    They also give you the Flu A-Z information.

    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

    Related articles
    Good Question: When Is The Best Time To Get The Flu Shot?
    Which New Flu Vaccines Are Right for You?
    Flu Season Is Here–Vaccinate to Protect You and Your Loved Ones from Flu

  • Latest Flu Vaccination Information for 2017-2018 Season, 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 many vaccine options to choose from, but the most important thing is for all people 6 months and older to get a flu vaccine every year." >> Here's What You Need to Know.

    6a00e54fc42bb88834014e8b7e7dad970d-800wi

    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?

    Where can I get a flu vaccination in the Boston area?

    • Here's a search box made available to us by the CDC. Just enter your Zip Code, tap go, and you'll have a map of options:     

    Where can I get a flu vaccination in the surrounding area?

    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 ...

    • Many 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.

    Flu_checklist

    MGH has this great cold or flu chart on their flu resource center.

    They also give you the Flu A-Z information.

    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

    Related articles
    Good Question: When Is The Best Time To Get The Flu Shot?
    Which New Flu Vaccines Are Right for You?
    Flu Season Is Here–Vaccinate to Protect You and Your Loved Ones from Flu

  • 1954 Postcard Message, “Had to spend an extra day here because of the hurricane …”

    If you collect historic postcards, you sometimes find the messages on the back more interesting than the illustration on the front. This card, mailed from Boston on September 12, 1954, had me looking up the date and the hurricane.

    S-l1600

    S-l1600-1

    The message reads, "Dear Will, Just a line from Boston. We had to spend an extra day here because of the hurricane. We'll leave for Maine tomorrow." 

    327317_edit_paperEdna

    The Hurricane was Edna which hit New England on the 11th. Wikipedia summarized the damage to our area. 

    "There were widespread evacuations in southern New England, after Hurricane Carol struck the same area only 11 days prior. Strong winds caused extensive power outages for 260,000 people, including nearly all of Cape Cod. Edna became the costliest hurricane in the history of Maine, where the hurricane caused flooding that washed out roads and rail lines. There were 21 deaths in New England, eight of whom in Maine due to drownings."

    The Big Story from Hurricane Carol

    Screenhunter_2222-aug-23-08-01

    Locally the news that the Old North Church steeple had collapsed during Hurricane Carol received coverage as far away as San Francisco, where they called it the "Paul Revere Steeple." 

    The Old North Foundation explained that this was the second time the steeple had fallen. It also came down in the “The Great Gale of Boston in 1804." They also noted how little damage there was to it saying, "In another remarkable piece of luck, our original weathervane, designed by Shem Drowne, has survived not one, but two, steeple falls."

    Hurricane "Myths"

    Does our hot summer and warm Atlantic waters portend a busy hurricane season? In June, Weather Underground clarified a number of so-called "hurricane myths" to explain which aspects of them are true and which are false. On this topic they say, "Sea-surface temperatures are only one factor affecting storm intensity."

    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: © 2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

    Related articles
    Local Corn? Native Corn? To Peel or Not to Peel? and Other Corn Questions
    Cafe Madeleine, Columbus Avenue, South End: A First Look
    Get Ready for Amtrak's "All Aboard" for Dogs & Cats

  • 1954 Postcard Message, “Had to spend an extra day here because of the hurricane …”

    If you collect historic postcards, you sometimes find the messages on the back more interesting than the illustration on the front. This card, mailed from Boston on September 12, 1954, had me looking up the date and the hurricane.

    S-l1600

    S-l1600-1

    The message reads, "Dear Will, Just a line from Boston. We had to spend an extra day here because of the hurricane. We'll leave for Maine tomorrow." 

    327317_edit_paperEdna

    The Hurricane was Edna which hit New England on the 11th. Wikipedia summarized the damage to our area. 

    "There were widespread evacuations in southern New England, after Hurricane Carol struck the same area only 11 days prior. Strong winds caused extensive power outages for 260,000 people, including nearly all of Cape Cod. Edna became the costliest hurricane in the history of Maine, where the hurricane caused flooding that washed out roads and rail lines. There were 21 deaths in New England, eight of whom in Maine due to drownings."

    The Big Story from Hurricane Carol

    Screenhunter_2222-aug-23-08-01

    Locally the news that the Old North Church steeple had collapsed during Hurricane Carol received coverage as far away as San Francisco, where they called it the "Paul Revere Steeple." 

    The Old North Foundation explained that this was the second time the steeple had fallen. It also came down in the “The Great Gale of Boston in 1804." They also noted how little damage there was to it saying, "In another remarkable piece of luck, our original weathervane, designed by Shem Drowne, has survived not one, but two, steeple falls."

    Hurricane "Myths"

    Does our hot summer and warm Atlantic waters portend a busy hurricane season? In June, Weather Underground clarified a number of so-called "hurricane myths" to explain which aspects of them are true and which are false. On this topic they say, "Sea-surface temperatures are only one factor affecting storm intensity."

    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: © 2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

    Related articles
    Local Corn? Native Corn? To Peel or Not to Peel? and Other Corn Questions
    Cafe Madeleine, Columbus Avenue, South End: A First Look
    Get Ready for Amtrak's "All Aboard" for Dogs & Cats

  • Add “Miles on the MBTA” to Your Resource List

    "Miles on the MBTA" is our Friday Link as we welcome new residents to Boston and try to remind others of the great resources we have to make life better in Boston.

    Miles on the MBTA

    Miles is covering miles and miles of MBTA (and other area mass transit) routes and reviewing the routes and the stations. 

    Over on Reddit Boston, there are a lot of questions about the best ways to commute. Those readers should take a look at what Miles has compiled. 

    Add Miles on the MBTA to your daily reading list, follow him on Twitter or Facebook, and get to know more about getting around Boston carfree!

     

    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
    Screenshot from Miles on the MBTA

  • Add “Miles on the MBTA” to Your Resource List

    "Miles on the MBTA" is our Friday Link as we welcome new residents to Boston and try to remind others of the great resources we have to make life better in Boston.

    Miles on the MBTA

    Miles is covering miles and miles of MBTA (and other area mass transit) routes and reviewing the routes and the stations. 

    Over on Reddit Boston, there are a lot of questions about the best ways to commute. Those readers should take a look at what Miles has compiled. 

    Add Miles on the MBTA to your daily reading list, follow him on Twitter or Facebook, and get to know more about getting around Boston carfree!

     

    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
    Screenshot from Miles on the MBTA

  • Phones and Dogs, Uses Beyond Photos

    Bet you have a large collection of photos of your dogs and cats on your phone. We certainly do.

    Poppy collage

    However, I recently reviewed a study on dogs who are doing a lot of licking and it sparked a far more important use of my phone as a way to provide my veterinary team with vital information to help them with a diagnosis.

    BBS11

    Take a Video of the Problem

    The next time your dog or cat is limping, licking, gagging, or showing any other visible symptom that makes you think about a trip to the vet or a behaviorist, take a video of the symptom or behavior. If you upload the video to an Internet-based site, you can send a link to your vet or play it during your visit.

    We all laugh about the number of times a symptom magically disappears when the cat or dog is on the examination table. If that occurs, you can present the video as a part of your report to the doctor.

      IMG_7171 - Version 32016-06-01sore paw© 2014 Penny Cherubino copy

    Take Progressive Photos

    In some cases, a close up photo might work better to help you determine if an issue is getting worse or getting better. Taking a photo a day of an injury or problem can be a sure way for you and your vet to assess progress.

    We did this recently when Poppy was under treatment for an irritated paw. Each day, after I cleaned and treated her paw, Ed would hold it as open as he could and I’d photograph the area. Looking at the photos together assured us the treatment was working and her paw was healing. You could do the same thing with videos if that works better.

    IStock_80187589_XLARGE copy
      

    Tips For Photo & Video Communication

    • Practice your photo video taking skills before you need them.
    • Set up an online account with services like Google Photos, iCloud, or Youtube and learn how to use them to upload your photos and videos, send links to them by email, and show them on your phone.
    • If movement is part of the symptom, try to take videos with the animal walking towards you, away from you, and across the screen to give the doctor more points of view.
    • Create an album for specific ongoing issues. For example, if your dog is showing signs of seasonal allergies with goopy eyes, take photos of them for a few days and after treatment is underway.
    • Do your best in stressful situations. We don’t know if we would have been great videographers when our first Westie Sassy was having seizures. However, it would have been wonderful to have been able to show the veterinary team exactly what her seizures looked like.
    • Ask your veterinarian if they would like to be sent a video of a symptom prior to a visit and what they would charge for that type of consultation.

    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
    Photos: © 2012-2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

    Related articles
    A Sunday Beach Dog Playing on the Tidal Flats
    Give a Big "Thank You" to Your Dog Walker!
    Canine Travel Alert for Our Sunday Dog Lovers

  • Phones and Dogs, Uses Beyond Photos

    Bet you have a large collection of photos of your dogs and cats on your phone. We certainly do.

    Poppy collage

    However, I recently reviewed a study on dogs who are doing a lot of licking and it sparked a far more important use of my phone as a way to provide my veterinary team with vital information to help them with a diagnosis.

    BBS11

    Take a Video of the Problem

    The next time your dog or cat is limping, licking, gagging, or showing any other visible symptom that makes you think about a trip to the vet or a behaviorist, take a video of the symptom or behavior. If you upload the video to an Internet-based site, you can send a link to your vet or play it during your visit.

    We all laugh about the number of times a symptom magically disappears when the cat or dog is on the examination table. If that occurs, you can present the video as a part of your report to the doctor.

      IMG_7171 - Version 32016-06-01sore paw© 2014 Penny Cherubino copy

    Take Progressive Photos

    In some cases, a close up photo might work better to help you determine if an issue is getting worse or getting better. Taking a photo a day of an injury or problem can be a sure way for you and your vet to assess progress.

    We did this recently when Poppy was under treatment for an irritated paw. Each day, after I cleaned and treated her paw, Ed would hold it as open as he could and I’d photograph the area. Looking at the photos together assured us the treatment was working and her paw was healing. You could do the same thing with videos if that works better.

    IStock_80187589_XLARGE copy
      

    Tips For Photo & Video Communication

    • Practice your photo video taking skills before you need them.
    • Set up an online account with services like Google Photos, iCloud, or Youtube and learn how to use them to upload your photos and videos, send links to them by email, and show them on your phone.
    • If movement is part of the symptom, try to take videos with the animal walking towards you, away from you, and across the screen to give the doctor more points of view.
    • Create an album for specific ongoing issues. For example, if your dog is showing signs of seasonal allergies with goopy eyes, take photos of them for a few days and after treatment is underway.
    • Do your best in stressful situations. We don’t know if we would have been great videographers when our first Westie Sassy was having seizures. However, it would have been wonderful to have been able to show the veterinary team exactly what her seizures looked like.
    • Ask your veterinarian if they would like to be sent a video of a symptom prior to a visit and what they would charge for that type of consultation.

    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
    Photos: © 2012-2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

    Related articles
    A Sunday Beach Dog Playing on the Tidal Flats
    Give a Big "Thank You" to Your Dog Walker!
    Canine Travel Alert for Our Sunday Dog Lovers

  • What’s Open on Labor Day in Boston, Plus Parking, Trash & MBTA Information

    Here's a rundown of what's open and what's closed in Boston on Labor Day, Monday, September 4, 2017. We'll also keep up with parking information, trash schedules, and changes to MBTA schedules. This is now a permanent page that we'll update from year-to-year.

     All information is updated as of 08/30/17

    IMG_3491

    Rather than an end to summer, we call Labor Day the beginning of the golden days of summer that last well beyond the Autumnal Equinox (September 22nd is this year's date.)

    We feature these reminders well before a holiday (especially big ones like this) to give you a nudge to finalize your holiday plans. Follow along on Twitter (@bostonzest) or bookmark this page to check back. We'll update as information comes to us.

    Restaurants, Bars: Open

    Convenience stores: Open

    Supermarkets: Open

    Liquor stores: Open

    Retail stores: Are allowed to open, if the owners wish to 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: In general, 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. And, check with your bank, they might have some offices open.

    Boston Parking: You don't have to feed the meters. Other parking rules apply. (Be sure to check these parking restrictions for the big college move-in areas on the city's site.)

    6a00e54fc42bb8883401bb0865827d970d-800wi

    Yes, it's the big Move-In Weekend!

    Traffic Advisory for College Move-Ins 2017

    The city press release advises, "The student move-in process at Boston’s colleges and universities will significantly impact local streets and parking."

    "Students and their families are asked to plan accordingly to ensure a smooth transition. Drivers are asked to allow for extra time and to pay extra attention to all posted signs."

    Street Sweeping: The City says, "On City holidays, we suspend street sweeping during the day, but we still sweep streets at night."

    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. 

    MBTA 2017 Labor Day Schedule Changes

    MBTA Service Schedule for Labor Day 2016 can be found at this link through the holiday.  The headline on the MBTA site was concise. 

    Screen Shot 2017-08-30 at Wednesday August 30 20176.22.49 AM

    Download MBTA Labor Day Schedule

    MBTA 2017 Labor Day Service Quick Look:

    Subway, Commuter Rail, Buses, and The Ride will operate on a Sunday schedule.

    The Hingham and Hull boats will operate on a Sunday schedule.

    The Charlestown boat will operate on a Weekend schedule.

    For additional, specific information on routes, schedules, and fares, please contact the MBTA at (617) 222-3200, TTY 617-222-5146, or visit www.mbta.com.

    If information like this from BostonZest is helpful to you, support us by beginning all your Amazon shopping from one of the Amazon ads on our site or by Clicking here to go to the Amazon home page.  

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2015 Penny &  Ed Cherubino  

    Related articles
    Get Ready for Your First Visit to the Boston Public Market
    Red Leaf: It's Far Too Early!
    Welcome Luke's Lobster to Boston
    Champagne Moutard Brut Grande Cuvée, Love at First Sip!

  • What’s Open on Labor Day in Boston, Plus Parking, Trash & MBTA Information

    Here's a rundown of what's open and what's closed in Boston on Labor Day, Monday, September 4, 2017. We'll also keep up with parking information, trash schedules, and changes to MBTA schedules. This is now a permanent page that we'll update from year-to-year.

     All information is updated as of 08/30/17

    IMG_3491

    Rather than an end to summer, we call Labor Day the beginning of the golden days of summer that last well beyond the Autumnal Equinox (September 22nd is this year's date.)

    We feature these reminders well before a holiday (especially big ones like this) to give you a nudge to finalize your holiday plans. Follow along on Twitter (@bostonzest) or bookmark this page to check back. We'll update as information comes to us.

    Restaurants, Bars: Open

    Convenience stores: Open

    Supermarkets: Open

    Liquor stores: Open

    Retail stores: Are allowed to open, if the owners wish to 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: In general, 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. And, check with your bank, they might have some offices open.

    Boston Parking: You don't have to feed the meters. Other parking rules apply. (Be sure to check these parking restrictions for the big college move-in areas on the city's site.)

    6a00e54fc42bb8883401bb0865827d970d-800wi

    Yes, it's the big Move-In Weekend!

    Traffic Advisory for College Move-Ins 2017

    The city press release advises, "The student move-in process at Boston’s colleges and universities will significantly impact local streets and parking."

    "Students and their families are asked to plan accordingly to ensure a smooth transition. Drivers are asked to allow for extra time and to pay extra attention to all posted signs."

    Street Sweeping: The City says, "On City holidays, we suspend street sweeping during the day, but we still sweep streets at night."

    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. 

    MBTA 2017 Labor Day Schedule Changes

    MBTA Service Schedule for Labor Day 2016 can be found at this link through the holiday.  The headline on the MBTA site was concise. 

    Screen Shot 2017-08-30 at Wednesday August 30 20176.22.49 AM

    Download MBTA Labor Day Schedule

    MBTA 2017 Labor Day Service Quick Look:

    Subway, Commuter Rail, Buses, and The Ride will operate on a Sunday schedule.

    The Hingham and Hull boats will operate on a Sunday schedule.

    The Charlestown boat will operate on a Weekend schedule.

    For additional, specific information on routes, schedules, and fares, please contact the MBTA at (617) 222-3200, TTY 617-222-5146, or visit www.mbta.com.

    If information like this from BostonZest is helpful to you, support us by beginning all your Amazon shopping from one of the Amazon ads on our site or by Clicking here to go to the Amazon home page.  

    Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2015 Penny &  Ed Cherubino  

    Related articles
    Get Ready for Your First Visit to the Boston Public Market
    Red Leaf: It's Far Too Early!
    Welcome Luke's Lobster to Boston
    Champagne Moutard Brut Grande Cuvée, Love at First Sip!