Category: City Life

  • Someone Did a Ton of Laundry or …

    Either someone did a ton of laundry or one of the residents of a Back Bay condo broke down and cleaned out the empties in the laundry room. 

    IMG_8198 - Version 22015-04-27trash-back-bay-laundry-room-clean-out-© 2014 Penny Cherubino

    This extra large bag of laundry product containers was put out for recycling yesterday.

    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 Cherubino  

  • Someone Did a Ton of Laundry or …

    Either someone did a ton of laundry or one of the residents of a Back Bay condo broke down and cleaned out the empties in the laundry room. 

    IMG_8198 - Version 22015-04-27trash-back-bay-laundry-room-clean-out-© 2014 Penny Cherubino

    This extra large bag of laundry product containers was put out for recycling yesterday.

    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 Cherubino  

  • Where to Dine on Mother’s Day, May 10th 2015 Around Boston

    Time to make reservations, if you plan to treat Mom to a meal out on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 10, 2015.

    Keep in mind that this "treat Mom to a great meal day" falls at the beginning of graduation season in Boston with Northeastern, Emmanuel College, Fisher College, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy, and Berklee College of Music holding commencements that weekend. (Here's the full list of Spring 2015 Commencement Dates for planning purposes.)

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    If your budget is tight, take Mom out for breakfast or treat her to breakfast in bed and some lovely flowers.

    For Mother's Day dining ideas, here are two excellent lists of restaurants with special menus and hours for May 10, 2015.

    Don't be surprised if some places require a credit card to secure the reservation. This is the type of holiday when people may book multiple restaurants and decide where to go at the last moment. That can make the restaurant turn away other potential customers, so a guarantee may be needed to reserve.

    OpenTable always does a great job of guiding you to the right reservation. What's more, you can just click through and reserve from this list. 

    Boston Chefs has a list of specials for the day from their members. 

    As more great Boston food sites publish their recommendations, we'll post updates here! Follow us on Twitter ( @BostonZest ) for notice of those additions! 

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    Our picks and, for us, al la carte Menus Get Our Nod

    Bistro Du Midi has a prix fixe menu in their formal dining room but there are also offering an al la carte menu in the Cafe. With the Swan Boats and Public Garden across the street, this can be a wonderful choice for lunch and a stroll and family photos in a beautiful setting. 

    Lineage in Brookline is also on the a la carte option plan. Boston Chefs says, "Lineage will be open early for brunch and dinner this Mother's Day, offering up a special a la carte brunch menu, as well as, their regular dinner menu."

    The Red Dory in Tiverton, RI: Like many Bostonians, we are long time fans of chef Steve Johnson and miss his food and smiling face at Rendezvous in Central Square. If a road trip to a waterfront destination would make your Mother's day perfect, head to his new place, the Red Dory. We asked about his Mother's Day plans and he wrote, "Open M'sDay/no special menu except many recent seasonal updates + including Sunday Tapas supplemental menu – Cheers!"

    For something different take Mom out on Saturday. Would she enjoy afternoon tea at the Courtyard restaurant inside the Boston Public Library? They say, "Join us for a special Saturday opening for Mother's Day! Enjoy our Afternoon Tea Menu complete with savory tea sandwiches and sweet confections from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm."

    For a gathering of family members with different food preferences, it's great to know about a place like Eastern Standard where they can please the cocktail lover, the meat-and-taters brother, and the family epicure.

    If you are meeting people from outside the city, you might consider La Morra in Brookline. 

    If Mom is a seafood lover, call now to secure a table at Island Creek Oyster Bar. This Kenmore Square restaurant has established itself as the best fine dining seafood restaurant in Boston. Your family will enjoy the best in seafood in a big, comfortable room with reservations and service that will make Mom feel spoiled. 

    We also love the Island Creek Team spot out in the Fort Point neighborhood, Row 34. Here's our post on this great addition to the city's dining scene.  

    And, for the best gift, let Mom choose something from her Wish List. Get an Amazon Gift Card! You can send it by email or print it out to tuck into a greeting card.

    Details:
    Writers: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photo: istockphoto.com

  • Where to Dine on Mother’s Day, May 10th 2015 Around Boston

    Time to make reservations, if you plan to treat Mom to a meal out on Mother's Day, Sunday, May 10, 2015.

    Keep in mind that this "treat Mom to a great meal day" falls at the beginning of graduation season in Boston with Northeastern, Emmanuel College, Fisher College, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy, and Berklee College of Music holding commencements that weekend. (Here's the full list of Spring 2015 Commencement Dates for planning purposes.)

    6a00e54fc42bb88834016764fd8c51970b-800wi

    If your budget is tight, take Mom out for breakfast or treat her to breakfast in bed and some lovely flowers.

    For Mother's Day dining ideas, here are two excellent lists of restaurants with special menus and hours for May 10, 2015.

    Don't be surprised if some places require a credit card to secure the reservation. This is the type of holiday when people may book multiple restaurants and decide where to go at the last moment. That can make the restaurant turn away other potential customers, so a guarantee may be needed to reserve.

    OpenTable always does a great job of guiding you to the right reservation. What's more, you can just click through and reserve from this list. 

    Boston Chefs has a list of specials for the day from their members. 

    As more great Boston food sites publish their recommendations, we'll post updates here! Follow us on Twitter ( @BostonZest ) for notice of those additions! 

    6a00e54fc42bb888340115701be305970b-800wi

    Our picks and, for us, al la carte Menus Get Our Nod

    Bistro Du Midi has a prix fixe menu in their formal dining room but there are also offering an al la carte menu in the Cafe. With the Swan Boats and Public Garden across the street, this can be a wonderful choice for lunch and a stroll and family photos in a beautiful setting. 

    Lineage in Brookline is also on the a la carte option plan. Boston Chefs says, "Lineage will be open early for brunch and dinner this Mother's Day, offering up a special a la carte brunch menu, as well as, their regular dinner menu."

    The Red Dory in Tiverton, RI: Like many Bostonians, we are long time fans of chef Steve Johnson and miss his food and smiling face at Rendezvous in Central Square. If a road trip to a waterfront destination would make your Mother's day perfect, head to his new place, the Red Dory. We asked about his Mother's Day plans and he wrote, "Open M'sDay/no special menu except many recent seasonal updates + including Sunday Tapas supplemental menu – Cheers!"

    For something different take Mom out on Saturday. Would she enjoy afternoon tea at the Courtyard restaurant inside the Boston Public Library? They say, "Join us for a special Saturday opening for Mother's Day! Enjoy our Afternoon Tea Menu complete with savory tea sandwiches and sweet confections from 11:30 am to 3:30 pm."

    For a gathering of family members with different food preferences, it's great to know about a place like Eastern Standard where they can please the cocktail lover, the meat-and-taters brother, and the family epicure.

    If you are meeting people from outside the city, you might consider La Morra in Brookline. 

    If Mom is a seafood lover, call now to secure a table at Island Creek Oyster Bar. This Kenmore Square restaurant has established itself as the best fine dining seafood restaurant in Boston. Your family will enjoy the best in seafood in a big, comfortable room with reservations and service that will make Mom feel spoiled. 

    We also love the Island Creek Team spot out in the Fort Point neighborhood, Row 34. Here's our post on this great addition to the city's dining scene.  

    And, for the best gift, let Mom choose something from her Wish List. Get an Amazon Gift Card! You can send it by email or print it out to tuck into a greeting card.

    Details:
    Writers: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photo: istockphoto.com

  • Fresh Paint Day 2015 Is Sunday, April 26th

    Today's Friday Link is to the Copley Society who will kick off their annual Fresh Paint fund raising event this Sunday by sprinkling the artist members of the group around the city to create fresh artwork.

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    Those creations will be auctioned off at their Gala event on May 9th. 

    We love using this event to enjoy a spring walk around Boston. We download a map from the Copley Society site or pick up one from the first artist we see. Then, we wander around visiting with the artists working on their contributions to the event. 

    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: ©2011 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • Fresh Paint Day 2015 Is Sunday, April 26th

    Today's Friday Link is to the Copley Society who will kick off their annual Fresh Paint fund raising event this Sunday by sprinkling the artist members of the group around the city to create fresh artwork.

    6a00e54fc42bb88834011570566136970b-800wi

    Those creations will be auctioned off at their Gala event on May 9th. 

    We love using this event to enjoy a spring walk around Boston. We download a map from the Copley Society site or pick up one from the first artist we see. Then, we wander around visiting with the artists working on their contributions to the event. 

    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: ©2011 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • Tips and Links for Dealing with Allergy Season

    Everything is coming into bloom all at once and the experts are saying that this means a rough time for those of us with allergies. Here are some of our coping mechanisms and links to help you find more advice.

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    Set Your Goals

    As you visit the various links we provide below, you'll find that setting a few allergy battle goals may help you follow through on tips and think of a few new ways to stay ahead of the issue.

    • Know the Enemy: If you suffer, then you should have a basic idea of how allergies work and how you can lessen your misery. This can mean choosing the time of day when you exercise or simply knowing which allergens impact your life and tracking when they are out and about. 
    • Keep Them Out: There are lots of things you can do to filter, remove, or leave outside your home the particles that make you suffer.
    • Treat the Symptoms: Talk to your doctor about your best approach to treating allergies. Depending on the severity of your reaction, you may need to premedicate to stay ahead of the problem. However, those with milder cases may be able to just treat the symptom or symptoms that bother them most. 

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    Know the Enemy

    The Mayo clinic is one site we turn to for medical advice. They have published: Seasonal allergies: Nip them in the bud for those who just want a light version of allergy information. For a deeper look at the issue, we recommend the National Institutes of Health information on Allergic Rhinitis.

    Keep the Allergens Out

    We do a lot of simple things to avoid bringing the particles that bother us into our home. We use Ultra Allergen Reduction Filters in our heat pump. We use a vacuum with HEPA filtration to clean our home. Our outdoor shoes stay in our entry area and this time of year we may change clothes or at least wipe down ourselves and our dog when we come back from a walk in the pollen laden air.

    Treat the Symptoms

    We both fall on the take-as-little-medication-as-possible side of the treatment spectrum. If rinsing with a neti pot will help, we'd rather do that than take any medication that may have side effects. 

    Links to More Tips

    Boston-based writer Jacqueline Church has a great post on this topic. With some serious allergy issues of her own, Jackie is someone we depend on for expert advice on this topic and on food allergies. 

    Top Ten Tips to Ease Allergy Symptoms During Pollen Season – AKA Spring

    We addressed the issue of allergies, when both you and your dog suffer, in our post:

    Allergy Season Tips for Dog Lovers

    The American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology has great tips on their site:

    Cleaning Tips for Allergy and Asthma Sufferers

    From the Atlantic's City Lab comes a post that includes what a city can do to help with this problem.

    The Complete Guide to Fighting Seasonal Allergies Where You Live

    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: © 2011-2012 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

  • Back Bay Houses (.Org) Expands and Wins a Preservation Award.

    When we first linked our readers to the website Back Bay Houses, we honored the founders' wishes that we not identify them by name. Since then, the Boston Preservation Alliance put the spotlight on Tom and Nancy High by choosing them and the website they created after years of research for a 2014 Preservation Award. 

    That also means we can say a public thank you from all of us to the couple who love Back Bay history and architecture.

    Screen Shot 2015-04-13 at Monday, April 13, 20153.13.31 PM

    The site is an ongoing work. Since our original report: Genealogies of Back Bay Houses: Our Friday Link, the team has completed the residential district by adding the properties between Massachusetts Avenue and Charlesgate East. 

    They are also adding information, historic photos, updated photos, and illustrations as they find new material. And, they are happy to accept the assistance of their readers and fans. If you have information on a property, family photos, or illustrations, you can offer the details through the site's contact 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  

  • Back Bay Houses (.Org) Expands and Wins a Preservation Award.

    When we first linked our readers to the website Back Bay Houses, we honored the founders' wishes that we not identify them by name. Since then, the Boston Preservation Alliance put the spotlight on Tom and Nancy High by choosing them and the website they created after years of research for a 2014 Preservation Award. 

    That also means we can say a public thank you from all of us to the couple who love Back Bay history and architecture.

    Screen Shot 2015-04-13 at Monday, April 13, 20153.13.31 PM

    The site is an ongoing work. Since our original report: Genealogies of Back Bay Houses: Our Friday Link, the team has completed the residential district by adding the properties between Massachusetts Avenue and Charlesgate East. 

    They are also adding information, historic photos, updated photos, and illustrations as they find new material. And, they are happy to accept the assistance of their readers and fans. If you have information on a property, family photos, or illustrations, you can offer the details through the site's contact 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  

  • Roses for Sarmiento

    Those who walk by the statue of Domingo Faustino Sarmiento on the Commonwealth Avenue Mall may not realize how important this spot is to those visiting Boston from Argentina. 

    DSC_5434 - Version 22015-04-13-sarmiento -roses-commonwealth-avenue-mall-© 2014 Penny Cherubino

    This week, someone placed roses on the paving stones that The Garden Club of the Back Bay members added among the plantings around the sculpture.

    These stones were put in place to make it easier for people to have photos taken of themselves or their group with the statue. Ed and I often volunteer to take these photos with visitors' cameras and we're fairly sure other neighbors do the same.

    DSC_5446 - Version 22015-04-13-sarmiento -roses-commonwealth-avenue-mall-© 2014 Penny Cherubino

    This was not among my favorite sculptures when I first encountered it, but over the years I've come to associate it with the people who take time out of their few hours in Boston to stop and pay tribute, have a photo taken for the folks back home, and, in at least one instance, stand with tears in their eyes looking up at a former President of Argentina being honored in a foreign land.

    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 Cherubino
    Photography: © 2015 Ed Cherubino