Category: City Life

  • 83 Charles Street Is Now Fastachi, But in 1965 It Was…

    PC2_2313 - Version 22014-03-08-fastachi-charles-street-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    The brand new Fastachi shop at 83 Charles Street is filled with bins of nuts, gift packages, nut butters, and all the wonderful sweet and fruity gourmet goodies we've grown to love at their farmers' market stands and their original Watertown shop.

    10297495283_e132ca1eba

    Back in 1965, this address was the home of Ski Hut as you can see in this photo from the City of Boston Archives.

    When Penny found this photo, the Beacon Hill Fastachi was just in the planning phase. She saved it to share with fans of this fabulous, family business when the shop finally opened.

    PC2_2326 - Version 22014-03-08-fastachi-charles-street-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Bins of nuts welcome you when you step inside this address today.

    6a00e54fc42bb88834014e8a2fab91970d-800wi

    They also carry our favorite almonds roasted in their shells. We are addicted to these!

    PC2_2325 - Version 22014-03-08-sparrows-marlborough-street-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    And, at the back of the store are some of the nuttiest chocolates you'll find anywhere.

    Today, 83 Charles Street is a must-see stop. Drop by when you need a gift, to stock up on healthy snacks for home, or to pick up a scoop of freshly roasted nuts to take on your walk through the Boston Common, Public Garden, or the Charles River Esplanade.

    Thanks to everyone who clicks over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support. It doesn't cost you any more but they put a few coins in our tip jar.

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2012-2014 Penny Cherubino, 1965 photo from the City of Boston Archives used under this creative commons license.

  • 83 Charles Street Is Now Fastachi, But in 1965 It Was…

    PC2_2313 - Version 22014-03-08-fastachi-charles-street-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    The brand new Fastachi shop at 83 Charles Street is filled with bins of nuts, gift packages, nut butters, and all the wonderful sweet and fruity gourmet goodies we've grown to love at their farmers' market stands and their original Watertown shop.

    10297495283_e132ca1eba

    Back in 1965, this address was the home of Ski Hut as you can see in this photo from the City of Boston Archives.

    When Penny found this photo, the Beacon Hill Fastachi was just in the planning phase. She saved it to share with fans of this fabulous, family business when the shop finally opened.

    PC2_2326 - Version 22014-03-08-fastachi-charles-street-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Bins of nuts welcome you when you step inside this address today.

    6a00e54fc42bb88834014e8a2fab91970d-800wi

    They also carry our favorite almonds roasted in their shells. We are addicted to these!

    PC2_2325 - Version 22014-03-08-sparrows-marlborough-street-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    And, at the back of the store are some of the nuttiest chocolates you'll find anywhere.

    Today, 83 Charles Street is a must-see stop. Drop by when you need a gift, to stock up on healthy snacks for home, or to pick up a scoop of freshly roasted nuts to take on your walk through the Boston Common, Public Garden, or the Charles River Esplanade.

    Thanks to everyone who clicks over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support. It doesn't cost you any more but they put a few coins in our tip jar.

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2012-2014 Penny Cherubino, 1965 photo from the City of Boston Archives used under this creative commons license.

  • 83 Charles Street Is Now Fastachi, But in 1965 It Was…

    PC2_2313 - Version 22014-03-08-fastachi-charles-street-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    The brand new Fastachi shop at 83 Charles Street is filled with bins of nuts, gift packages, nut butters, and all the wonderful sweet and fruity gourmet goodies we've grown to love at their farmers' market stands and their original Watertown shop.

    10297495283_e132ca1eba

    Back in 1965, this address was the home of Ski Hut as you can see in this photo from the City of Boston Archives.

    When Penny found this photo, the Beacon Hill Fastachi was just in the planning phase. She saved it to share with fans of this fabulous, family business when the shop finally opened.

    PC2_2326 - Version 22014-03-08-fastachi-charles-street-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Bins of nuts welcome you when you step inside this address today.

    6a00e54fc42bb88834014e8a2fab91970d-800wi

    They also carry our favorite almonds roasted in their shells. We are addicted to these!

    PC2_2325 - Version 22014-03-08-sparrows-marlborough-street-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    And, at the back of the store are some of the nuttiest chocolates you'll find anywhere.

    Today, 83 Charles Street is a must-see stop. Drop by when you need a gift, to stock up on healthy snacks for home, or to pick up a scoop of freshly roasted nuts to take on your walk through the Boston Common, Public Garden, or the Charles River Esplanade.

    Thanks to everyone who clicks over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support. It doesn't cost you any more but they put a few coins in our tip jar.

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2012-2014 Penny Cherubino, 1965 photo from the City of Boston Archives used under this creative commons license.

  • Hey, Boston! We Have Snowdrops and Witch Hazel in Bloom!

    Just about a month behind schedule, we spotted our first blooms of spring during the past few days.

    IMG_7304 - Version 22014-03-10snow drops, boston, commonwealth, avenue, garden-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    If you know where to look, you may spot some snowdrops in front yards on the sunny side of Commonwealth Avenue.

    PC2_2287 - Version 22014-03-08Witch hazel, boston, public, garden, charles, street© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    And, along the Charles Street fence of the Public Garden, this witch hazel bush is just coming into bloom.

     PC2_2345 - Version 22014-03-08-sparrows-marlborough-street-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Over on Marlborough Street, the sparrows were roosting and chattering about the coming of warmer weather. 

    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: © 2014 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

  • Hey, Boston! We Have Snowdrops and Witch Hazel in Bloom!

    Just about a month behind schedule, we spotted our first blooms of spring during the past few days.

    IMG_7304 - Version 22014-03-10snow drops, boston, commonwealth, avenue, garden-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    If you know where to look, you may spot some snowdrops in front yards on the sunny side of Commonwealth Avenue.

    PC2_2287 - Version 22014-03-08Witch hazel, boston, public, garden, charles, street© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    And, along the Charles Street fence of the Public Garden, this witch hazel bush is just coming into bloom.

     PC2_2345 - Version 22014-03-08-sparrows-marlborough-street-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Over on Marlborough Street, the sparrows were roosting and chattering about the coming of warmer weather. 

    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: © 2014 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

  • Hey, Boston! We Have Snowdrops and Witch Hazel in Bloom!

    Just about a month behind schedule, we spotted our first blooms of spring during the past few days.

    IMG_7304 - Version 22014-03-10snow drops, boston, commonwealth, avenue, garden-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    If you know where to look, you may spot some snowdrops in front yards on the sunny side of Commonwealth Avenue.

    PC2_2287 - Version 22014-03-08Witch hazel, boston, public, garden, charles, street© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    And, along the Charles Street fence of the Public Garden, this witch hazel bush is just coming into bloom.

     PC2_2345 - Version 22014-03-08-sparrows-marlborough-street-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Over on Marlborough Street, the sparrows were roosting and chattering about the coming of warmer weather. 

    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: © 2014 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

  • Make Your Spring Reservations, Here Are Reasons to Do It Now!

    Do you have a special occasion like a birthday or anniversary that you'd like to celebrate at an area restaurant in the next couple of months? Or, do you have family or friends coming to Boston who need hotel and restaurant reservations? Were you hoping to dine out on Easter Sunday or Mother's Day?

    If so, put "Make Reservations" at the top of your to-do list this week.

    IStock_000004440280Small

    Why?

    Because Boston is expecting a lot of visitors between now and mid-June. Here are some of the dates when you will be competing with big crowds here for graduations, conventions, or events.

    Graduation Season

    Each year, we publish a calendar of the area's major college commencements and graduations. Here's a link to this year's edition.

    Boston Area Commencement Dates, Spring 2014

    This list runs from May 4th to June 6th with a blockbuster weekend hosting eleven commencements between May 17-19th. Many visitors are shocked at the price of hotel rooms during our commencement season and are having difficulty reserving tables for family meals during this time.

    6a00e54fc42bb88834017c37acf879970b-800wi

    Events

    March 15-17, Saint Patrick's Day Weekend – If the questions over on Trip Advisor are any indication, visitors from the UK come to Boston to join in our festivities. As always, this is on March 17th when a strange holiday called Evacuation Day was created that just happens to coincide with a desired date for celebration. With the 17th on a Monday, plans for a long weekend of green beer are on more than a few calendars. (Plus two conventions noted below.)

    April 18-21, Patriots' Day Weekend will host the largest Boston Marathon in years with an official field of 36,000 runners and an estimate of twice the traditional half-million spectators.

    This is also a weekend of other BAA races as well as sporting events elsewhere in the city. Some locals look forward to this annual happening, others will leave the city until it's over. Oh, and it's also Easter Sunday this year!

    May 11, Mother's Day is always a day with a shortage of reservations since it happens during our graduation season. There are five schools holding commencement that weekend.

    May 24-26, Memorial Day Weekend is a traditional time to open summer homes and perhaps enjoy a first summer weekend away. If you want the best choice of hotel, Zipcar, or to be assured of a table at your favorite restaurant in places from Portland, Maine to Provincetown, reserve soon.

    Move-Out Season – Many of the two hundred thousand plus students will be moving out of Boston in late May and early June. In some neighborhoods, this is a major event impacting traffic, parking, and trash collection.

    8900673633_d053031871_z

    Conventions

    Spring is also a time for large conventions in Boston. Here are a few dates when 10,000 people or more will be added to the city's population. Fortunately, many of these large events are out in the Seaport District and will not impact most residents. A few are at the Hynes Convention Center in the Back Bay and will be more noticeable.

    March 16-18, two conventions in the Seaport District are expecting 26,000 attendees. This is also Saint Patrick's Day Weekend so it will make a difference throughout the city.

    March 21-23, the Anime Boston event at the Hynes will have colorful characters roaming the Back Bay and scattered throughout Boston. There is also a a smaller convention in the Seaport District for a total of 25,000 attendees.

    April 3-5: 20,000 in the Seaport District

    May 1: 16,000 in the Seaport District

    May 8-10: 15,000 in the Seaport District

    May 18: 11,000 in the Seaport District

    June 8: 13,000 in the Seaport District

    Then, we switch to summer tourists with the next big convention in October.

    PC2_2268 - Version 22014-03-08-tourist-photo-boston-visitors-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Don't Forget

    You may need reservations for a pet sitter or childcare so get that underway too.

    If you travel on the MBTA, use UBER, or taxis, some of these events will have a big impact on those means of travel with crowded trains and shortages of cars and taxis.

    All these visitors will also give you a wonderful opportunity to meet people from around the world. If you see someone who seems to be in need of help or looks lost, be a good host and offer a hand.

    When you see a group posing for photos, offer to take one of the entire gang. It only takes a minute, but gives the visitors a great memory of both the photo and the friendly Bostonian.

    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: (Crowd scene iStockphoto), (Marathon & Tourists © 2012-2014 Penny Cherubino), (Anime photo from the Weekly Dig used under this creative common's license.)

  • Make Your Spring Reservations, Here Are Reasons to Do It Now!

    Do you have a special occasion like a birthday or anniversary that you'd like to celebrate at an area restaurant in the next couple of months? Or, do you have family or friends coming to Boston who need hotel and restaurant reservations? Were you hoping to dine out on Easter Sunday or Mother's Day?

    If so, put "Make Reservations" at the top of your to-do list this week.

    IStock_000004440280Small

    Why?

    Because Boston is expecting a lot of visitors between now and mid-June. Here are some of the dates when you will be competing with big crowds here for graduations, conventions, or events.

    Graduation Season

    Each year, we publish a calendar of the area's major college commencements and graduations. Here's a link to this year's edition.

    Boston Area Commencement Dates, Spring 2014

    This list runs from May 4th to June 6th with a blockbuster weekend hosting eleven commencements between May 17-19th. Many visitors are shocked at the price of hotel rooms during our commencement season and are having difficulty reserving tables for family meals during this time.

    6a00e54fc42bb88834017c37acf879970b-800wi

    Events

    March 15-17, Saint Patrick's Day Weekend – If the questions over on Trip Advisor are any indication, visitors from the UK come to Boston to join in our festivities. As always, this is on March 17th when a strange holiday called Evacuation Day was created that just happens to coincide with a desired date for celebration. With the 17th on a Monday, plans for a long weekend of green beer are on more than a few calendars. (Plus two conventions noted below.)

    April 18-21, Patriots' Day Weekend will host the largest Boston Marathon in years with an official field of 36,000 runners and an estimate of twice the traditional half-million spectators.

    This is also a weekend of other BAA races as well as sporting events elsewhere in the city. Some locals look forward to this annual happening, others will leave the city until it's over. Oh, and it's also Easter Sunday this year!

    May 11, Mother's Day is always a day with a shortage of reservations since it happens during our graduation season. There are five schools holding commencement that weekend.

    May 24-26, Memorial Day Weekend is a traditional time to open summer homes and perhaps enjoy a first summer weekend away. If you want the best choice of hotel, Zipcar, or to be assured of a table at your favorite restaurant in places from Portland, Maine to Provincetown, reserve soon.

    Move-Out Season – Many of the two hundred thousand plus students will be moving out of Boston in late May and early June. In some neighborhoods, this is a major event impacting traffic, parking, and trash collection.

    8900673633_d053031871_z

    Conventions

    Spring is also a time for large conventions in Boston. Here are a few dates when 10,000 people or more will be added to the city's population. Fortunately, many of these large events are out in the Seaport District and will not impact most residents. A few are at the Hynes Convention Center in the Back Bay and will be more noticeable.

    March 16-18, two conventions in the Seaport District are expecting 26,000 attendees. This is also Saint Patrick's Day Weekend so it will make a difference throughout the city.

    March 21-23, the Anime Boston event at the Hynes will have colorful characters roaming the Back Bay and scattered throughout Boston. There is also a a smaller convention in the Seaport District for a total of 25,000 attendees.

    April 3-5: 20,000 in the Seaport District

    May 1: 16,000 in the Seaport District

    May 8-10: 15,000 in the Seaport District

    May 18: 11,000 in the Seaport District

    June 8: 13,000 in the Seaport District

    Then, we switch to summer tourists with the next big convention in October.

    PC2_2268 - Version 22014-03-08-tourist-photo-boston-visitors-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Don't Forget

    You may need reservations for a pet sitter or childcare so get that underway too.

    If you travel on the MBTA, use UBER, or taxis, some of these events will have a big impact on those means of travel with crowded trains and shortages of cars and taxis.

    All these visitors will also give you a wonderful opportunity to meet people from around the world. If you see someone who seems to be in need of help or looks lost, be a good host and offer a hand.

    When you see a group posing for photos, offer to take one of the entire gang. It only takes a minute, but gives the visitors a great memory of both the photo and the friendly Bostonian.

    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: (Crowd scene iStockphoto), (Marathon & Tourists © 2012-2014 Penny Cherubino), (Anime photo from the Weekly Dig used under this creative common's license.)

  • Make Your Spring Reservations, Here Are Reasons to Do It Now!

    Do you have a special occasion like a birthday or anniversary that you'd like to celebrate at an area restaurant in the next couple of months? Or, do you have family or friends coming to Boston who need hotel and restaurant reservations? Were you hoping to dine out on Easter Sunday or Mother's Day?

    If so, put "Make Reservations" at the top of your to-do list this week.

    IStock_000004440280Small

    Why?

    Because Boston is expecting a lot of visitors between now and mid-June. Here are some of the dates when you will be competing with big crowds here for graduations, conventions, or events.

    Graduation Season

    Each year, we publish a calendar of the area's major college commencements and graduations. Here's a link to this year's edition.

    Boston Area Commencement Dates, Spring 2014

    This list runs from May 4th to June 6th with a blockbuster weekend hosting eleven commencements between May 17-19th. Many visitors are shocked at the price of hotel rooms during our commencement season and are having difficulty reserving tables for family meals during this time.

    6a00e54fc42bb88834017c37acf879970b-800wi

    Events

    March 15-17, Saint Patrick's Day Weekend – If the questions over on Trip Advisor are any indication, visitors from the UK come to Boston to join in our festivities. As always, this is on March 17th when a strange holiday called Evacuation Day was created that just happens to coincide with a desired date for celebration. With the 17th on a Monday, plans for a long weekend of green beer are on more than a few calendars. (Plus two conventions noted below.)

    April 18-21, Patriots' Day Weekend will host the largest Boston Marathon in years with an official field of 36,000 runners and an estimate of twice the traditional half-million spectators.

    This is also a weekend of other BAA races as well as sporting events elsewhere in the city. Some locals look forward to this annual happening, others will leave the city until it's over. Oh, and it's also Easter Sunday this year!

    May 11, Mother's Day is always a day with a shortage of reservations since it happens during our graduation season. There are five schools holding commencement that weekend.

    May 24-26, Memorial Day Weekend is a traditional time to open summer homes and perhaps enjoy a first summer weekend away. If you want the best choice of hotel, Zipcar, or to be assured of a table at your favorite restaurant in places from Portland, Maine to Provincetown, reserve soon.

    Move-Out Season – Many of the two hundred thousand plus students will be moving out of Boston in late May and early June. In some neighborhoods, this is a major event impacting traffic, parking, and trash collection.

    8900673633_d053031871_z

    Conventions

    Spring is also a time for large conventions in Boston. Here are a few dates when 10,000 people or more will be added to the city's population. Fortunately, many of these large events are out in the Seaport District and will not impact most residents. A few are at the Hynes Convention Center in the Back Bay and will be more noticeable.

    March 16-18, two conventions in the Seaport District are expecting 26,000 attendees. This is also Saint Patrick's Day Weekend so it will make a difference throughout the city.

    March 21-23, the Anime Boston event at the Hynes will have colorful characters roaming the Back Bay and scattered throughout Boston. There is also a a smaller convention in the Seaport District for a total of 25,000 attendees.

    April 3-5: 20,000 in the Seaport District

    May 1: 16,000 in the Seaport District

    May 8-10: 15,000 in the Seaport District

    May 18: 11,000 in the Seaport District

    June 8: 13,000 in the Seaport District

    Then, we switch to summer tourists with the next big convention in October.

    PC2_2268 - Version 22014-03-08-tourist-photo-boston-visitors-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Don't Forget

    You may need reservations for a pet sitter or childcare so get that underway too.

    If you travel on the MBTA, use UBER, or taxis, some of these events will have a big impact on those means of travel with crowded trains and shortages of cars and taxis.

    All these visitors will also give you a wonderful opportunity to meet people from around the world. If you see someone who seems to be in need of help or looks lost, be a good host and offer a hand.

    When you see a group posing for photos, offer to take one of the entire gang. It only takes a minute, but gives the visitors a great memory of both the photo and the friendly Bostonian.

    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: (Crowd scene iStockphoto), (Marathon & Tourists © 2012-2014 Penny Cherubino), (Anime photo from the Weekly Dig used under this creative common's license.)

  • Time to Make Sure Your Dog Is Licensed and Counted

    Sometime this week, you should see the renewal package for your Boston Dog license in the mail. Whether you get that or not, we want to remind you to get a shiny, new, dog license to add to that collection of tags on your dog's collar. 

    NorthEndWaterfront-2014-03-06-at-3.38.31-PM

    Click here for a copy of this schedule of Low Cost Dog Licensing and Rabies Vaccine Clinics around the City of Boston.

    It's the Law

    The law says that by April 1st of each year, all dogs in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts must obtain a new license from the city or town where they reside.

    A Few Tips & Links

    • You can download the forms on the city website
    • Those who mail in their applications should be certain to include copies of the requested neutering and rabies vaccination certificates, a check payable to animal control, and a stamped self-addressed envelope. 
    • That envelope will be used to return your dog’s license and tag to you.
    • Once your dog is registered with the city, Animal Control will provide a business reply envelope for you to mail in your application, and you will only have to pay the postage one way.
    • Boston has a two-tiered price structure for dog licenses.
      • It costs $6.00 per year to license a neutered male or spayed female dog.
      • That fee jumps to $17.00 if the animal is intact
    •  If you happen to be near city hall, you can bring everything you need and pick up the forms and obtain a dog license in room 811.
    • Only checks are accepted for payment, in person or by mail – no cash or credit cards. 
    • You can bring the same items to the City Hall To Go truck at one of its regularly scheduled locations around the city. The truck's schedule is at that link.

    Why Should You Get a Dog License?

    A license is proof that your dog has had a rabies shot. That's important to anyone who might have to help you find a lost dog or treat a hurt one.

    It's really important to let the city know how many dogs live here and should be considered when the politicians do their planning and spend our money. Getting everyone to license their dogs will send a message. So, stand up and be counted!

    Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs!

    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
    Poster: Courtesy of Boston Animal Care & Control
    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.