Category: City Life

Courtyard Concerts Return to Copley Square BPL
One of our favorite entertainment programs of the year, the Boston Public Library's (BPL) Courtyard Concert Series returns on June 4, 2014 at 6pm. Notice the day and date.

As, the BPL announced, "In addition to Friday lunchtime concerts at 12:30 p.m., this season the library now offers evening concerts on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. All the concerts are free and last approximately one hour."

The Fernando Holz Band delighted audiences last year and is scheduled to appear again this summer.

Here are the rest of the details the library provided for the series.

The month of June features Berklee College of Music students and alumni performing everything from jazz, pop, and funk to works with Arab, Latin American, and Scottish influences:
- Daniel Rotem Trio, Wednesday, June 4, at 6 p.m. The Trio performs original compositions that integrate world influences with improvisation and the jazz tradition.
- KeL, Friday, June 6, at 12:30 p.m. KeL combines elements of jazz and pop with Brazilian melodies.
- Wambura Mitaru, Wednesday, June 11, at 6 p.m. The artist’s eclectic music blends funk, soul, R&B, jazz, and hip-hop as well as sounds inspired by her African background.
- Jenna Moynihan and Mairi Chaimbeul, Friday, June 13, at 12:30 p.m. Rooted in traditional Scottish and Appalachian old-time music, Moynihan and Chaimbeul developed a sound which celebrates and explores beautiful melodies.
- The Western Den, Wednesday, June 18, at 6 p.m. Deni Hlavinka and Chris West blend folk harmonies with ambient textures to produce unique sounds and songs.
- Ahmad El Haggar, Friday, June 20, at 12:30 p.m. The Egyptian singer-songwriter and oud player performs original songs and rearranges music from the Arab world to create modern sounds.
- 3 Sudacas, Wednesday, June 25, at 6 p.m. Performers at the 2014 Latin Grammys with Alejandro Sanz, the group plays both traditional and unique compositions arranged for voice, percussion, mandolin, guitar, and bass.
- Miriam Elhajli, Friday, June 27, at 12:30 p.m. The folk singer-songwriter combines the sounds of Joan Baez and Buffy Sainte-Marie with the crudeness of Delta Blues.
The complete Concerts in the Courtyard schedule, which is generously sponsored by the Boston Public Library Foundation (www.bplf.com), can be viewed at www.bpl.org/concerts. The concerts continue in July and August with the following schedule:
- Kendall Ramseur, Wednesday, July 2, 6 p.m.
- Cruzamente Quintet, Wednesday, July 9, 6 p.m.
- Erika Van Pelt, Friday, July 11, 12:30 p.m.
- Amaryllis Chamber Ensemble, Wednesday, July 16, 6 p.m.
- Lindsay Straw, Friday, July 18, 12:30 p.m.
- Patrick Coman, Wednesday, July 23, 6 p.m.
- Cardamom Quartet, Friday, July 25, 12:30 p.m.
- Susan Cattaneo, Wednesday, July 30, 6 p.m.
- Properly Unprepared, Friday, August 1, 12:30 p.m.
- Darlingside, Wednesday, August 6, 6 p.m.
- Boston Lyric Opera, Friday, August 8, 12:30 p.m.
- Caitlin Canty, Wednesday, August 13, 6 p.m.
- The Jason Palmer Quartet, Friday, August 15, 12:30 p.m.
- Fernando Holz Band, Wednesday, August 20, 6 p.m.
- Bill Lowe, Friday, August 22, 12 p.m.
- The Ron Murphy Band, Wednesday, August 27, 6 p.m.
- American Century Music, Friday, August 29, 12:30 p.m.
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 Cherubino
May 30, 2014
Tenoch Mexican Restaurants & Food Truck

Tenoch Mexican is adding a bit of south of the border flair to the food options in the North End/Waterfront neighborhood with their new 3 Lewis Street, Boston location. (map)

The menu lets you build your own meal with options for platos, tacos, tortas, burritos, quesadillas all with your choice of fillings including a vegetable option. Plus more wonderful choices from enchiladas to tamale. A sample menu is here. But, there was much more on offer at the North End location.

For lunch, we decided on a plato of carnitas, salsas, beans, and rice along with …

three tacos filled with lamb in barbacoa sauce. (Ours were sans cilantro. You can have them add as much as you like.)

With Christopher Columbus Park so close, we opted for a bit of waterfront dining on a gorgeous spring day. You might choose a table on the Greenway or a seat along the Boston HarborWalk.

There's a Tenoch Food Truck, Too!

Photo by Matt Conti from the most wonderful hyperlocal resource NorthEndWaterfront.com

Tenoch Móvil is on the road around Boston, Cambridge, and Burlington as of this date. You can get updates on the current schedule on twitter @TenochMexican.

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: ©2014 Penny & Ed Cherubino, and Matt Conti for the Tenoch Móvil with permission of NorthEndWaterfron.com.

May 29, 2014
Tenoch Mexican Restaurants & Food Truck

Tenoch Mexican is adding a bit of south of the border flair to the food options in the North End/Waterfront neighborhood with their new 3 Lewis Street, Boston location. (map)

The menu lets you build your own meal with options for platos, tacos, tortas, burritos, quesadillas all with your choice of fillings including a vegetable option. Plus more wonderful choices from enchiladas to tamale. A sample menu is here. But, there was much more on offer at the North End location.

For lunch, we decided on a plato of carnitas, salsas, beans, and rice along with …

three tacos filled with lamb in barbacoa sauce. (Ours were sans cilantro. You can have them add as much as you like.)

With Christopher Columbus Park so close, we opted for a bit of waterfront dining on a gorgeous spring day. You might choose a table on the Greenway or a seat along the Boston HarborWalk.

There's a Tenoch Food Truck, Too!

Photo by Matt Conti from the most wonderful hyperlocal resource NorthEndWaterfront.com

Tenoch Móvil is on the road around Boston, Cambridge, and Burlington as of this date. You can get updates on the current schedule on twitter @TenochMexican.

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: ©2014 Penny & Ed Cherubino, and Matt Conti for the Tenoch Móvil with permission of NorthEndWaterfron.com.

May 29, 2014
Memorial Day: Make a Summer Bucket List!

This holiday marks the unofficial start of summer and heralds the best month of the year* in Boston. It's the perfect day to make a Summer 2014 Bucket List of places you want to go and things you want to do in the warmer months.

It could be something as simple as slowing down as you walk around the city to enjoy beautiful gardens and floral displays like this one.

Perhaps you want to take an art class or just get out and draw or paint.

Or, you might want to make reservations to visit your favorite places.

Make your list, check it twice, and get out and enjoy summer in Boston.

* By the way, for us, the best month of the year in Boston is June. Most of the students are gone, there are few conventions or events, and the tourists have not yet arrived in droves. It's a great time to stay in the city and enjoy it as if you were a vistor. That's the top item on our Summer Bucket List and we plan to check it off with a big smile.

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

May 26, 2014
Memorial Day: Make a Summer Bucket List!

This holiday marks the unofficial start of summer and heralds the best month of the year* in Boston. It's the perfect day to make a Summer 2014 Bucket List of places you want to go and things you want to do in the warmer months.

It could be something as simple as slowing down as you walk around the city to enjoy beautiful gardens and floral displays like this one.

Perhaps you want to take an art class or just get out and draw or paint.

Or, you might want to make reservations to visit your favorite places.

Make your list, check it twice, and get out and enjoy summer in Boston.

* By the way, for us, the best month of the year in Boston is June. Most of the students are gone, there are few conventions or events, and the tourists have not yet arrived in droves. It's a great time to stay in the city and enjoy it as if you were a vistor. That's the top item on our Summer Bucket List and we plan to check it off with a big smile.

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

May 26, 2014
What’s Open and Closed on Memorial Day 2014 In Boston + MBTA Schedules
UPDATE: Here's a link to our latest post on "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 26, 2014.

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!

Out on or along the Charles River is a great place to spend a holiday!

Restaurants, bars: Open

Convenience stores: Open

Supermarkets: Open

Retail stores: Are allowed to open if the owners choose

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: "Daytime street sweeping is suspended on city holidays, but nighttime sweeping schedules remain in effect. Constituents are advised to call 617-635-4500 for exact details."

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 announcement from Public Works states:

"Monday, May 26, 6am – Saturday, May 31, 2014, 5pm

DETAILS
No Delay of trash or recycling pick up in Back Bay, Bay Village, Beacon Hill, Charlestown, Chinatown, Fenway, Leather District, Mission Hill, North End, Roxbury, South Boston, and South End
Allston/Brighton, Dorchester, East Boston, Jamaica Plain*, Mattapan, Roslindale, West Roxbury and Hyde Park, delayed a day
*If you live in Jamaica Plain and your trash is picked up 2 times per week, do not delay."

"The MBTA has announced its Service Schedules for Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, 2014."

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

MBTA Memorial Day 2014 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 Details Here

For more information:
Go to www.MBTA.com. Contact the MBTA Customer Communications Department at (617) 222-3200, TTY: (617) 222-5146.

Details:
Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photo:© 2011 Penny Cherubino

Related articles

CapeFLYER Train Service to Start Memorial Day Weekend

IQubed Design's MBTA Map of 2024 Looks Promising
May 19, 2014
What’s Open and Closed on Memorial Day 2014 In Boston + MBTA Schedules
UPDATE: Here's a link to our latest post on "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 26, 2014.

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!

Out on or along the Charles River is a great place to spend a holiday!

Restaurants, bars: Open

Convenience stores: Open

Supermarkets: Open

Retail stores: Are allowed to open if the owners choose

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: "Daytime street sweeping is suspended on city holidays, but nighttime sweeping schedules remain in effect. Constituents are advised to call 617-635-4500 for exact details."

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 announcement from Public Works states:

"Monday, May 26, 6am – Saturday, May 31, 2014, 5pm

DETAILS
No Delay of trash or recycling pick up in Back Bay, Bay Village, Beacon Hill, Charlestown, Chinatown, Fenway, Leather District, Mission Hill, North End, Roxbury, South Boston, and South End
Allston/Brighton, Dorchester, East Boston, Jamaica Plain*, Mattapan, Roslindale, West Roxbury and Hyde Park, delayed a day
*If you live in Jamaica Plain and your trash is picked up 2 times per week, do not delay."

"The MBTA has announced its Service Schedules for Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, 2014."

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

MBTA Memorial Day 2014 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 Details Here

For more information:
Go to www.MBTA.com. Contact the MBTA Customer Communications Department at (617) 222-3200, TTY: (617) 222-5146.

Details:
Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photo:© 2011 Penny Cherubino

Related articles

CapeFLYER Train Service to Start Memorial Day Weekend

IQubed Design's MBTA Map of 2024 Looks Promising
May 19, 2014
Elevator Etiquette & Safety: A Sunday Dog Alert

Elevators are a part of city life. We have updated and are featuring this article for those of you who have moved to an elevator building as a part of the big Boston September move in.

Duchess Poppy loves to run up and down the stairs in our building. It’s good exercise for both of us. But, sometimes we take the elevator, so she's had to learn that elevators have rules.

Side-by-Side

Everyone has been sending me links to a scary video of a dog almost strangled by a leash caught in an elevator door. The current version is one of many horror stories that have circulated through the years.

Ed and I address this issue by insisting that Poppy enter the elevator on a shortened leash, by our side, with a person between her and the sliding door. That way she can’t be hit by the door, end up alone in the elevator, outside of it, and cannot have her leash caught in the mechanism. On her own, she has mastered hopping over the space between the floor and the elevator car.

Basic Etiquette

Unfortunately, every community has fools who think rules don’t apply to them. Our building requires that all dogs be on leash in the common areas. Yet, an elevator door will open and a dog will bound out to greet us.

Most of the time, this is a minor annoyance. Poppy's friendly and won’t react badly to a dog near her. But, what about a person who is afraid of dogs or someone who has a reactive pup?

Unless a fellow elevator passenger has already shown a fondness for dogs, we ask, “Do you mind riding with a dog?” Any flicker of doubt in a person’s expression or reply means we wait for the next car.

I remember the relief in the eyes of a young woman, who had always kept her distance from our dog, when we asked that question one day. She quickly admitted she was terrified of dogs and was stressed at the thought of having even a small one in the elevator with her.

(Photo by Chris used under this creative commons license)

Other Tips for Ups and Downs

Once in an elevator, keep your leash shortened. If possible, place your dog in a corner or against a wall, and have him sit until you give the okay to heel next to you and exit.

If you are riding with another dog, don’t encourage greetings or play inside this confined space. Either animal could become territorial or react in an unusual way because of the unnatural setting. Here again, we often wait for the next car rather than overcrowd the pups.

If you have an emergency ride because your pup indicates he has to relieve himself, take clean up materials with you. Puppy training pads are great to have for these occasions. Should there be an accident, do a complete clean up with an enzymatic product and notify your building’s cleaning service. Other dogs will be tempted to cover the scent left behind.

Even the old Government Center Station had a sign warning not to let dogs on the escalator. (From the Boston City Archives used under this creative commons license.)

When it comes to escalators, I say you have three choices: carry your dog, take the stairs, or the elevator. In a press release, the MSPCA wrote, “Every year veterinarians at Angell see on average two to three dogs whose legs and feet have been mangled by escalators—and in most cases emergency surgery is necessary for the animal to recover.”

Like most etiquette and safety matters, this is all common sense. Think before you act. Don’t let down your guard. Protect the ones you love and be a good neighbor.

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 Cherubino (Previously published as a City Paws newspaper column
Photography: © 2014 Ed Cherubino, City Of Boston Archives, and Chris

Related articles

Dogs on Public Transit, Boston: 101

Poppy's Provincetown Report

Spread the Word on The Yellow Dog Project & DINOS!

May 18, 2014
Elevator Etiquette & Safety: A Sunday Dog Alert

Elevators are a part of city life. We have updated and are featuring this article for those of you who have moved to an elevator building as a part of the big Boston September move in.

Duchess Poppy loves to run up and down the stairs in our building. It’s good exercise for both of us. But, sometimes we take the elevator, so she's had to learn that elevators have rules.

Side-by-Side

Everyone has been sending me links to a scary video of a dog almost strangled by a leash caught in an elevator door. The current version is one of many horror stories that have circulated through the years.

Ed and I address this issue by insisting that Poppy enter the elevator on a shortened leash, by our side, with a person between her and the sliding door. That way she can’t be hit by the door, end up alone in the elevator, outside of it, and cannot have her leash caught in the mechanism. On her own, she has mastered hopping over the space between the floor and the elevator car.

Basic Etiquette

Unfortunately, every community has fools who think rules don’t apply to them. Our building requires that all dogs be on leash in the common areas. Yet, an elevator door will open and a dog will bound out to greet us.

Most of the time, this is a minor annoyance. Poppy's friendly and won’t react badly to a dog near her. But, what about a person who is afraid of dogs or someone who has a reactive pup?

Unless a fellow elevator passenger has already shown a fondness for dogs, we ask, “Do you mind riding with a dog?” Any flicker of doubt in a person’s expression or reply means we wait for the next car.

I remember the relief in the eyes of a young woman, who had always kept her distance from our dog, when we asked that question one day. She quickly admitted she was terrified of dogs and was stressed at the thought of having even a small one in the elevator with her.

(Photo by Chris used under this creative commons license)

Other Tips for Ups and Downs

Once in an elevator, keep your leash shortened. If possible, place your dog in a corner or against a wall, and have him sit until you give the okay to heel next to you and exit.

If you are riding with another dog, don’t encourage greetings or play inside this confined space. Either animal could become territorial or react in an unusual way because of the unnatural setting. Here again, we often wait for the next car rather than overcrowd the pups.

If you have an emergency ride because your pup indicates he has to relieve himself, take clean up materials with you. Puppy training pads are great to have for these occasions. Should there be an accident, do a complete clean up with an enzymatic product and notify your building’s cleaning service. Other dogs will be tempted to cover the scent left behind.

Even the old Government Center Station had a sign warning not to let dogs on the escalator. (From the Boston City Archives used under this creative commons license.)

When it comes to escalators, I say you have three choices: carry your dog, take the stairs, or the elevator. In a press release, the MSPCA wrote, “Every year veterinarians at Angell see on average two to three dogs whose legs and feet have been mangled by escalators—and in most cases emergency surgery is necessary for the animal to recover.”

Like most etiquette and safety matters, this is all common sense. Think before you act. Don’t let down your guard. Protect the ones you love and be a good neighbor.

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 Cherubino (Previously published as a City Paws newspaper column
Photography: © 2014 Ed Cherubino, City Of Boston Archives, and Chris

Related articles

Dogs on Public Transit, Boston: 101

Poppy's Provincetown Report

Spread the Word on The Yellow Dog Project & DINOS!

May 18, 2014
Visit “Made by Hand: an Exhibit of Extraordinary Craftsmanship”

For the rest of the month, "Made by Hand: an exhibit of extraordinary craftsmanship" will allow you to see the work of the students and alumni of Boston's remarkable North Bennet Street School.

Sheraton Hall Table Artist: Bradly Wolcott, 2012 graduate of the school’s cabinet & furniture program
Materials: mahogany, satinwood, holly, ebony

The school describes this exhibit as:

"Made by Hand: an exhibit of extraordinary craftsmanship" features dozens of one-of-a-kind objects created by North Bennet Street School students and alumni – including a classic Sheraton hall table, an exquisite diamond sapphire ring, several handsomely finished violins and intricately constructed hand-bound books."

Halo Pendant Artist: Geraldine Kish Perry, 2000 graduate of the school’s jewelry making program
Materials: 18kg and spessartite garnet pendant

So, if you happen to be on the Greenway during the week or are looking for a destination for a visit to that area, here's the scoop. (Note: this is not open on weekends.)

Field Book of Western Wild Flowers by Margaret Armstrong Artist: Erin Fletcher, 2013 graduate of the school’s bookbinding program Materials: leather, embroidery, acrylic, handmade paper, gouache, gold leaf

QUICK FACTS:
Event: Made by Hand: an exhibit of extraordinary craftsmanship
Where: Main Lobby, Two International Place, Boston, MA
When: Monday, May 12 through Friday, May 30, 2014
Hours: weekdays, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.
Admission: Free
Handicap Access: Yes
Reservations: Not required.
Nearest parking: Two International Place garage and limited street parking (metered).
Nearest T stops: South Station (Red line), Aquarium (Blue Line)
More Information: call 617-227-0155, ext. 170; visit http://www.nbss.edu/ae2014; or email cjankowski@nbss.edu.

What's on your Artistic Shopping List? Shop Amazon for all your arts & craft needs and support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: courtesy of North Bennet Street School

May 16, 2014