Category: City Life

  • Learning to Capsize on the Charles River

    Part of learning to sail small boats on the Charles is learning to capsize and then right your boat. Last week, we saw two young sailors conduct a picture perfect capsize and correction after a race collision.

    CHE_8539 - Version 22013-07-30-sailing-charles-river-collison-© 2011 Penny Cherubino (1)

    With a crowd of boats approaching and leaving this mark (the floating ball in the water), we could see the collision coming. 

    CHE_8540 - Version 22013-07-30-sailing-charles-river-collison-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    CHE_8548 - Version 22013-07-30-sailing-charles-river-collison-© 2011 Penny Cherubino  CHE_8553 - Version 22013-07-30-sailing-charles-river-collison-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    One man overboard and then a second. The coaching launch stayed with the young sailors throughout their adventure. (Click on any photo for a larger image)

    CHE_8566 - Version 22013-07-30-sailing-charles-river-collison-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    It takes a bit of teamwork and counter balance to right the boat. 

    CHE_8559 - Version 22013-07-30-sailing-charles-river-collison-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    CHE_8578 - Version 22013-07-30-sailing-charles-river-collison-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Where's the second sailor?

     CHE_8586 - Version 22013-07-30-sailing-charles-river-collison-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Already onboard taking control of the lines and tiller. Good job!

    If you witness a scene like this one …

    Listening to our scanner, we often hear the Boston Fire Department respond to 911 calls for a boater in the water. Most of the time, they have righted their boat or have been picked up by a chase boat before the emergency crews arrive on the scene. 

    That doesn't mean you shouldn't call if you see a boater in trouble. But, share with the call-taker all the details you observe. Do the people have life jackets on, as in this case? Is there a motorized chase boat with them, as you see here? Is there another boat assisting them or taking them onboard? 

    Count the number of people in the water and try to keep track of where they are in relation to some point on land. Are they in the middle of the river or near the Boston or Cambridge shore?

    Offer to stay on the line with the call-taker to give updates as the scene unfolds. This will allow the dispatcher to speed up, slow down, call in additional resources, or call off emergency responders. 

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

     Details:

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

  • Learning to Capsize on the Charles River

    Part of learning to sail small boats on the Charles is learning to capsize and then right your boat. Last week, we saw two young sailors conduct a picture perfect capsize and correction after a race collision.

    CHE_8539 - Version 22013-07-30-sailing-charles-river-collison-© 2011 Penny Cherubino (1)

    With a crowd of boats approaching and leaving this mark (the floating ball in the water), we could see the collision coming. 

    CHE_8540 - Version 22013-07-30-sailing-charles-river-collison-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    CHE_8548 - Version 22013-07-30-sailing-charles-river-collison-© 2011 Penny Cherubino  CHE_8553 - Version 22013-07-30-sailing-charles-river-collison-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    One man overboard and then a second. The coaching launch stayed with the young sailors throughout their adventure. (Click on any photo for a larger image)

    CHE_8566 - Version 22013-07-30-sailing-charles-river-collison-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    It takes a bit of teamwork and counter balance to right the boat. 

    CHE_8559 - Version 22013-07-30-sailing-charles-river-collison-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    CHE_8578 - Version 22013-07-30-sailing-charles-river-collison-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Where's the second sailor?

     CHE_8586 - Version 22013-07-30-sailing-charles-river-collison-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Already onboard taking control of the lines and tiller. Good job!

    If you witness a scene like this one …

    Listening to our scanner, we often hear the Boston Fire Department respond to 911 calls for a boater in the water. Most of the time, they have righted their boat or have been picked up by a chase boat before the emergency crews arrive on the scene. 

    That doesn't mean you shouldn't call if you see a boater in trouble. But, share with the call-taker all the details you observe. Do the people have life jackets on, as in this case? Is there a motorized chase boat with them, as you see here? Is there another boat assisting them or taking them onboard? 

    Count the number of people in the water and try to keep track of where they are in relation to some point on land. Are they in the middle of the river or near the Boston or Cambridge shore?

    Offer to stay on the line with the call-taker to give updates as the scene unfolds. This will allow the dispatcher to speed up, slow down, call in additional resources, or call off emergency responders. 

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

     Details:

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

  • Dig Safe Says, “Be Carefu” or Is It, “Be Careful?”

    IMG_6664 - Version 22013-07-23-boston-street-dig-safe-sign-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Spotted near the corner of Newbury and Exeter Streets, this message from Dig Safe. Yes, they should be careful about how they write messages on the sidewalk. But, better marked than not.

    Did you know that, "… State Law requires you to notify Dig Safe for even small projects, like installing a mailbox or planting shrubs." I didn't. But, when you think about it, it makes sense. 

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

     Details:

    Words: Penny Cherubino
    Photography: © 2013 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 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.

  • Dig Safe Says, “Be Carefu” or Is It, “Be Careful?”

    IMG_6664 - Version 22013-07-23-boston-street-dig-safe-sign-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Spotted near the corner of Newbury and Exeter Streets, this message from Dig Safe. Yes, they should be careful about how they write messages on the sidewalk. But, better marked than not.

    Did you know that, "… State Law requires you to notify Dig Safe for even small projects, like installing a mailbox or planting shrubs." I didn't. But, when you think about it, it makes sense. 

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

     Details:

    Words: Penny Cherubino
    Photography: © 2013 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 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.

  • Dig Safe Says, “Be Carefu” or Is It, “Be Careful?”

    IMG_6664 - Version 22013-07-23-boston-street-dig-safe-sign-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Spotted near the corner of Newbury and Exeter Streets, this message from Dig Safe. Yes, they should be careful about how they write messages on the sidewalk. But, better marked than not.

    Did you know that, "… State Law requires you to notify Dig Safe for even small projects, like installing a mailbox or planting shrubs." I didn't. But, when you think about it, it makes sense. 

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

     Details:

    Words: Penny Cherubino
    Photography: © 2013 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 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.

  • Boston Tree Care: Who’s Paying the Bills? This Time, the Garden Club of the Back Bay

    … with a little help from the city.

    Trees make Boston a better place to live. During this month's heat wave, did you find yourself moving from one shady spot to another as you walked around the city? But, who pays for the care of the trees that make our lives cooler in summer and refresh our air supply. If you think all the care of Boston's tree canopy is paid for with tax dollars, you're wrong!

    Bobby Loree, Arborist for Boston Tree Comapny, oversees the Garden Club of the Back Bay's project to prune the linden trees along Beacon St.h - Version 22013-07-15-boston-beacon-street-tree-trimming-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Right now, a major tree care project is underway on Beacon Street in the Back Bay. It is funded by the Garden Club of the Back Bay (GCBB) along with a grant from Beautify Boston.

    That's Bobby Loree, Arborist for Boston Tree Company, in the photo above. Bobby has been working for the GCBB, Friends of the Public Garden, and Commonwealth Avenue Mall Committee for 20 years caring for trees in the parks and along the streets of the Back Bay.

    CHE_8325 - Version 22013-07-22-boston-beacon-street-tree-trimming-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Over the next couple of weeks, Boston Tree Company crews will prune 67 large, historic Linden trees on Beacon Street. These trees were planted in 1907 after a design by landcape architect Arthur Shurcliff

    Bobby says, “We prune them in summer because there are fewer students, people are on vacation and fewer cars.”

    CHE_8310 - Version 22013-07-22-boston-beacon-street-tree-trimming-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Residents will find some parking restrictions to allow the arborists to do their work safely.

    CHE_8376 - Version 22013-07-22-boston-beacon-street-tree-trimming-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    And, drivers will need to be alert as large branches are guided to the ground. 

    CHE_8349 - Version 22013-07-22-boston-beacon-street-tree-trimming-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    The GCBB explained, "The cost of the pruning project, expected to take 10+ days, will be $1400 per day. It will be paid with a $5000 grant from Beautify Boston to The Garden Club of the Back Bay, with the difference to be made up by a Garden Club contribution."

    You can help the Garden Club pay for this project by becoming a member or making a contribution.

    Linden trees are most useful and important beyond their ability to create shade and oxygen. To learn why we call them musical trees and much more about these neighborhood giants (they can grow to 80 feet) check out our post: Musical Tree Plays Many Tunes.

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

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: Top photo courtesy of the Garden Club of the Back Bay remainder © 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.

  • Boston Tree Care: Who’s Paying the Bills? This Time, the Garden Club of the Back Bay

    … with a little help from the city.

    Trees make Boston a better place to live. During this month's heat wave, did you find yourself moving from one shady spot to another as you walked around the city? But, who pays for the care of the trees that make our lives cooler in summer and refresh our air supply. If you think all the care of Boston's tree canopy is paid for with tax dollars, you're wrong!

    Bobby Loree, Arborist for Boston Tree Comapny, oversees the Garden Club of the Back Bay's project to prune the linden trees along Beacon St.h - Version 22013-07-15-boston-beacon-street-tree-trimming-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Right now, a major tree care project is underway on Beacon Street in the Back Bay. It is funded by the Garden Club of the Back Bay (GCBB) along with a grant from Beautify Boston.

    That's Bobby Loree, Arborist for Boston Tree Company, in the photo above. Bobby has been working for the GCBB, Friends of the Public Garden, and Commonwealth Avenue Mall Committee for 20 years caring for trees in the parks and along the streets of the Back Bay.

    CHE_8325 - Version 22013-07-22-boston-beacon-street-tree-trimming-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Over the next couple of weeks, Boston Tree Company crews will prune 67 large, historic Linden trees on Beacon Street. These trees were planted in 1907 after a design by landcape architect Arthur Shurcliff

    Bobby says, “We prune them in summer because there are fewer students, people are on vacation and fewer cars.”

    CHE_8310 - Version 22013-07-22-boston-beacon-street-tree-trimming-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Residents will find some parking restrictions to allow the arborists to do their work safely.

    CHE_8376 - Version 22013-07-22-boston-beacon-street-tree-trimming-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    And, drivers will need to be alert as large branches are guided to the ground. 

    CHE_8349 - Version 22013-07-22-boston-beacon-street-tree-trimming-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    The GCBB explained, "The cost of the pruning project, expected to take 10+ days, will be $1400 per day. It will be paid with a $5000 grant from Beautify Boston to The Garden Club of the Back Bay, with the difference to be made up by a Garden Club contribution."

    You can help the Garden Club pay for this project by becoming a member or making a contribution.

    Linden trees are most useful and important beyond their ability to create shade and oxygen. To learn why we call them musical trees and much more about these neighborhood giants (they can grow to 80 feet) check out our post: Musical Tree Plays Many Tunes.

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

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: Top photo courtesy of the Garden Club of the Back Bay remainder © 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.

  • Boston Tree Care: Who’s Paying the Bills? This Time, the Garden Club of the Back Bay

    … with a little help from the city.

    Trees make Boston a better place to live. During this month's heat wave, did you find yourself moving from one shady spot to another as you walked around the city? But, who pays for the care of the trees that make our lives cooler in summer and refresh our air supply. If you think all the care of Boston's tree canopy is paid for with tax dollars, you're wrong!

    Bobby Loree, Arborist for Boston Tree Comapny, oversees the Garden Club of the Back Bay's project to prune the linden trees along Beacon St.h - Version 22013-07-15-boston-beacon-street-tree-trimming-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Right now, a major tree care project is underway on Beacon Street in the Back Bay. It is funded by the Garden Club of the Back Bay (GCBB) along with a grant from Beautify Boston.

    That's Bobby Loree, Arborist for Boston Tree Company, in the photo above. Bobby has been working for the GCBB, Friends of the Public Garden, and Commonwealth Avenue Mall Committee for 20 years caring for trees in the parks and along the streets of the Back Bay.

    CHE_8325 - Version 22013-07-22-boston-beacon-street-tree-trimming-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Over the next couple of weeks, Boston Tree Company crews will prune 67 large, historic Linden trees on Beacon Street. These trees were planted in 1907 after a design by landcape architect Arthur Shurcliff

    Bobby says, “We prune them in summer because there are fewer students, people are on vacation and fewer cars.”

    CHE_8310 - Version 22013-07-22-boston-beacon-street-tree-trimming-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Residents will find some parking restrictions to allow the arborists to do their work safely.

    CHE_8376 - Version 22013-07-22-boston-beacon-street-tree-trimming-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    And, drivers will need to be alert as large branches are guided to the ground. 

    CHE_8349 - Version 22013-07-22-boston-beacon-street-tree-trimming-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    The GCBB explained, "The cost of the pruning project, expected to take 10+ days, will be $1400 per day. It will be paid with a $5000 grant from Beautify Boston to The Garden Club of the Back Bay, with the difference to be made up by a Garden Club contribution."

    You can help the Garden Club pay for this project by becoming a member or making a contribution.

    Linden trees are most useful and important beyond their ability to create shade and oxygen. To learn why we call them musical trees and much more about these neighborhood giants (they can grow to 80 feet) check out our post: Musical Tree Plays Many Tunes.

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

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: Top photo courtesy of the Garden Club of the Back Bay remainder © 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.

  • Boston City Archives, a Fun Friday Link

    When you think of archival collections, you may not think of fun. But, if you follow today's links to Boston's City Archives, you will learn a bit about the city while you're playing their "Where is this photo?" game.

    Boston archives

    Follow the Archives Twitter feed or their Facebook account and see if you can spot today's locations in photos from yesteryear!

    While the work they do is very serious historic preservation, they've found a way to show the value and educate the public that is lighthearted, fun, and engaging. 

    What do you know about Amazon Prime? We use it and love it. You pay once a year for free 2-day shipping delivery charges. Amazon throws in access to instant streaming movies and tv shows and they let you borrow a free ebook each month. They will even give you a one month free trial. Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

    Join Amazon Prime – Watch Over 40,000 Movies

    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.

  • Boston City Archives, a Fun Friday Link

    When you think of archival collections, you may not think of fun. But, if you follow today's links to Boston's City Archives, you will learn a bit about the city while you're playing their "Where is this photo?" game.

    Boston archives

    Follow the Archives Twitter feed or their Facebook account and see if you can spot today's locations in photos from yesteryear!

    While the work they do is very serious historic preservation, they've found a way to show the value and educate the public that is lighthearted, fun, and engaging. 

    What do you know about Amazon Prime? We use it and love it. You pay once a year for free 2-day shipping delivery charges. Amazon throws in access to instant streaming movies and tv shows and they let you borrow a free ebook each month. They will even give you a one month free trial. Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

    Join Amazon Prime – Watch Over 40,000 Movies

    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.