Category: City Life

What’s Open & Closed in Boston on Columbus Day 2017 Plus Trash, Parking, MBTA Schedules & More.
Here's an updated (on 09/18/17) rundown of what's open and closed in Boston on Columbus Day and changes to MBTA schedules for October 9, 2017. Should additional information become available, we'll also update you on parking, street sweeping, traffic alerts, road closures, parades, and trash collection.

A few items are highlighted in yellow because the updated information has not been published as of yet. Follow us on Twitter or bookmark this page and return to check for more updates.

We feature these reminders before each holiday to help our readers make plans and then feature the information on the holiday. This is a permanent resource page that will be updated annually.

This is one of those holidays when, for a lot of people, it's "business as usual." Even the stock market is open. But, if you have the day off, you might enjoy a visit to Opening Our Doors 2017 in the Fenway Cultural District.

What's Open?

Restaurants, bars: Open

Convenience stores: Open

Supermarkets: Open

Retail stores: Are allowed to open if the owners choose

Liquor stores: Open

City, Town, State and Federal offices and facilities are closed: This includes Schools, Libraries, and the Postal Service (express mail will be delivered). Only emergency services are available.

Financial Services: As the British would say, this is a Bank Holiday with most Banks closed. But each year more banks decide to keep a few branches open. Check with your own bank.

Stock market: Open, as are international markets.

Boston Parking: City website says, "Free parking at all city meters. All other rules apply.

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

Boston Trash Collection:

The city of Boston no longer provides a simple paragraph that explains the trash schedule. Now everyone has to go to this page and enter their address in a box to find out when their trash will be picked up during holiday weeks.

Traffic Alerts/Road Closures: More will be added as we find them:
- Columbus Day Parade – Sunday, October 8, 2017 in the North End. Here's a link with more details from North End Waterfront. Columbus Day Parade in North End on Sunday October 8th, 1-3pm
- B.A.A. Half Marathon – Sunday, October 8, 2017 - from White Stadium in Franklin Park. Here's the official site for that event.
- Tufts 10K – Monday October 9, 2017 – Road closures in the Back Bay and Cambridge. Here's the site for details.
MBTA Columbus Day Schedules 2017

The MBTA schedule changes for Columbus Day, Monday, October 9, 2017, has not been published. The new website does not have a link to find that information. ( We did send a request for an update to the T. We never received a reply.)

Last year the system ran pretty much on a Weekday Schedule.

You can Download MBTA Columbus Day 2016 announcement in a pdf form.

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

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: Courtesy of The Fenway Cultural District

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Add "Miles on the MBTA" to Your Resource List
October 2, 2015
What’s Open & Closed in Boston on Columbus Day 2017 Plus Trash, Parking, MBTA Schedules & More.
Here's an updated (on 09/18/17) rundown of what's open and closed in Boston on Columbus Day and changes to MBTA schedules for October 9, 2017. Should additional information become available, we'll also update you on parking, street sweeping, traffic alerts, road closures, parades, and trash collection.

A few items are highlighted in yellow because the updated information has not been published as of yet. Follow us on Twitter or bookmark this page and return to check for more updates.

We feature these reminders before each holiday to help our readers make plans and then feature the information on the holiday. This is a permanent resource page that will be updated annually.

This is one of those holidays when, for a lot of people, it's "business as usual." Even the stock market is open. But, if you have the day off, you might enjoy a visit to Opening Our Doors 2017 in the Fenway Cultural District.

What's Open?

Restaurants, bars: Open

Convenience stores: Open

Supermarkets: Open

Retail stores: Are allowed to open if the owners choose

Liquor stores: Open

City, Town, State and Federal offices and facilities are closed: This includes Schools, Libraries, and the Postal Service (express mail will be delivered). Only emergency services are available.

Financial Services: As the British would say, this is a Bank Holiday with most Banks closed. But each year more banks decide to keep a few branches open. Check with your own bank.

Stock market: Open, as are international markets.

Boston Parking: City website says, "Free parking at all city meters. All other rules apply.

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

Boston Trash Collection:

The city of Boston no longer provides a simple paragraph that explains the trash schedule. Now everyone has to go to this page and enter their address in a box to find out when their trash will be picked up during holiday weeks.

Traffic Alerts/Road Closures: More will be added as we find them:
- Columbus Day Parade – Sunday, October 8, 2017 in the North End. Here's a link with more details from North End Waterfront. Columbus Day Parade in North End on Sunday October 8th, 1-3pm
- B.A.A. Half Marathon – Sunday, October 8, 2017 - from White Stadium in Franklin Park. Here's the official site for that event.
- Tufts 10K – Monday October 9, 2017 – Road closures in the Back Bay and Cambridge. Here's the site for details.
MBTA Columbus Day Schedules 2017

The MBTA schedule changes for Columbus Day, Monday, October 9, 2017, has not been published. The new website does not have a link to find that information. ( We did send a request for an update to the T. We never received a reply.)

Last year the system ran pretty much on a Weekday Schedule.

You can Download MBTA Columbus Day 2016 announcement in a pdf form.

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

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: Courtesy of The Fenway Cultural District

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Add "Miles on the MBTA" to Your Resource List
October 2, 2015
Window Washing or Tree Cleaning?

As we stroll around the city, we often see workers cleaning windows. And, so it was one day last week.

Two men on their swings cleaning windows above us on the sidewalk.

Until one of them, with a sense of fun, noticed Penny's camera. He gave a wave but couldn't resist showing what he could do.

He gave a mighty push and sailed over to the street tree behind him. Of course, Penny couldn't resist taking his picture as he reached the tree, even if it meant shooting straight into the sun.

You never know when a bit of fun may come your way on a walk through Boston.

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

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September 30, 2015
These Vizslas Hunt Graffiti: Say Hello to Sasha & Finn!

Sasha and Finn have a mission when they go out for a walk. These proud Vizslas help their person Michael Fenter hunt down and remove graffiti from their neighborhood.

This trio work with the Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay's Graffiti Busters. Actually, the dogs offered companionship and moral support while Michael did the hard work of cleaning black paint off this utility box.

When the graffiti kit on wheels stays home, you can be sure that their 5 daily walks will result in shopping bags of litter picked up along the way. Whenever they are out and about, they take care of their own business and do their share of volunteer work.

What you can do!

If this crew makes you wish you were doing more to help your neighbors on your dog walks, here are some of the things that you can do.

Join your neighborhood association or park group and volunteer a bit of your time. There are many things you can do while walking with dogs. (We didn't find a great list of Boston's neighborhood associations and park groups so we are working on one for a future post. If you belong to one please add a link in the comments below, Tweet it to @BostonZest ,or send us an email.)

Report graffiti (and other problems the city needs to correct) with a call to the 311 line, at tweet to @bos311, or by using the 311 app. Details at that link.

Grab an extra pick-up bag and use it to pick-up litter along the your route. (Remember last week we told you about Zeus and his person who is also a litter buster!)

Learn what you need to know to keep watch for Dutch Elm Disease or Asian Longhorned Beetles.

Report damage to statues or park fixtures to the Parks Department. In the case of the Commonwealth Avenue Mall, the Public Garden, or the Boston Common, you can also report those issues to the Friends of the Public Garden.

Stop and say thank you to volunteers like these when you see them doing good work around your area.

By the time we returned from our walk, the graffiti team was gone, the area was clean, and the utility box was ready for repainting the next day. We wanted to give the tip of our Sunday Dog hat to these great neighbors.

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

Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

Details:

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

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September 20, 2015
These Vizslas Hunt Graffiti: Say Hello to Sasha & Finn!

Sasha and Finn have a mission when they go out for a walk. These proud Vizslas help their person Michael Fenter hunt down and remove graffiti from their neighborhood.

This trio work with the Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay's Graffiti Busters. Actually, the dogs offered companionship and moral support while Michael did the hard work of cleaning black paint off this utility box.

When the graffiti kit on wheels stays home, you can be sure that their 5 daily walks will result in shopping bags of litter picked up along the way. Whenever they are out and about, they take care of their own business and do their share of volunteer work.

What you can do!

If this crew makes you wish you were doing more to help your neighbors on your dog walks, here are some of the things that you can do.

Join your neighborhood association or park group and volunteer a bit of your time. There are many things you can do while walking with dogs. (We didn't find a great list of Boston's neighborhood associations and park groups so we are working on one for a future post. If you belong to one please add a link in the comments below, Tweet it to @BostonZest ,or send us an email.)

Report graffiti (and other problems the city needs to correct) with a call to the 311 line, at tweet to @bos311, or by using the 311 app. Details at that link.

Grab an extra pick-up bag and use it to pick-up litter along the your route. (Remember last week we told you about Zeus and his person who is also a litter buster!)

Learn what you need to know to keep watch for Dutch Elm Disease or Asian Longhorned Beetles.

Report damage to statues or park fixtures to the Parks Department. In the case of the Commonwealth Avenue Mall, the Public Garden, or the Boston Common, you can also report those issues to the Friends of the Public Garden.

Stop and say thank you to volunteers like these when you see them doing good work around your area.

By the time we returned from our walk, the graffiti team was gone, the area was clean, and the utility box was ready for repainting the next day. We wanted to give the tip of our Sunday Dog hat to these great neighbors.

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

Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

Details:

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

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September 20, 2015
Walking Zeus Is Good for the Park

The first time we spotted Zeus on the Commonwealth Avenue Mall, it was in the middle of our dreadful winter. He was trotting along beside his person who was filling a shopping bag with litter in a manner that would have made Michael Dukakis smile.

Yes, Zeus, you and yours made a great, first impression.

Back then, this 10-year-old was a bit unsure of his place in the big city. It took him a few months before he settled in and became a full-fledged Back Bay dog.

Now you may even spot him taking a catnap under a shady tree while his person chats with the rest of his dog posse.

Glad you came to our neighborhood, Zeus. We love dog people who pick up not only after their dogs, but also after litterbugs. See you in the park.

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

Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

Details:

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

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September 13, 2015
Flu Vaccination Info, What Are Your Options for the 2015-2016 Season?
UPDATE: Latest Flu Vaccination Information … Boston Area Resources to Find a Flu Shot

Here's the latest Flu Shot information. We've compiled a list of sources to help you search for and better understand this season's vaccination.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reminds us, “There are several flu vaccine options for the 2015-2016 flu season,” including a specific vaccine designed for seniors. Besides the usual trivalent vaccines made to protect against three different flu viruses, there are quadrivalent vaccines to protect against four different flu viruses. >>Here's What You Need to Know.

In this post, you'll also find assistance from federal, state, and local authorities – including medical institutions and retail stores. There are sites to track flu activity, plus suggestions that could help save you time and money.

As always, check with your doctor or other healthcare professionals for any flu-related advice.

Do federal, state, and city health officials have any updates on flu or flu vaccinations?
- Get all the latest facts on the 2015-2016 Flu Season and this year's vaccine @ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Massachusetts Health and Human Services is continuing its Flu Facts site. Learn more here.
- Commonwealth Conversations: Public Health has a Weekly Flu Report.
Where can I get a flu vaccination in the Boston area?
- Here's a search box made available to us by the U.S. Department of Health. Just enter your Zip Code, tap go, and you'll have a map of options.
- The Boston Public Health Commission lists the Latest Flu Clinics.
Where can I get a flu vaccination in the surrounding area?
- MyLocalClinic.com
More information below the ad.

Whether you're waiting in line for a flu shot or taking an easy day with a headcold, an Amazon Kindle makes a great companion. Buy new books on the fly, dig into your archive to re-read old favorites. And, thank you to everyone who supports the compiling of information like this by beginning all their Amazon shopping from BostonZest. It doesn't cost you a penny more, but it does put a few pennies in our pockets.

What's the level of flu activity in our area?
- Google flu trends will give you the current level of flu activity in Massachusetts.
- More on regional/worldwide flu activity: Here.
More details below ...
- Some Pharmacies have flu vaccine, including CVS, Walgreens, and RiteAid.
- If you haven't checked lately, this might be a good time to consult with your primary care physician for the latest flu shot information.
- Whichever flu shot location you choose, we recommend that you call the site directly before going.
Here's a link to information on caring for someone with the flu and preventing the spread of the disease.

And, for a friend suffering from a bad cold or the flu, remember Chicken Soup for a Sick Friend!

Follow us on Twitter for alerts when we update this article.

Details:
Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photo Credit: James Gathany, courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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.

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September 11, 2015
Flu Vaccination Info, What Are Your Options for the 2015-2016 Season?
UPDATE: Latest Flu Vaccination Information … Boston Area Resources to Find a Flu Shot

Here's the latest Flu Shot information. We've compiled a list of sources to help you search for and better understand this season's vaccination.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reminds us, “There are several flu vaccine options for the 2015-2016 flu season,” including a specific vaccine designed for seniors. Besides the usual trivalent vaccines made to protect against three different flu viruses, there are quadrivalent vaccines to protect against four different flu viruses. >>Here's What You Need to Know.

In this post, you'll also find assistance from federal, state, and local authorities – including medical institutions and retail stores. There are sites to track flu activity, plus suggestions that could help save you time and money.

As always, check with your doctor or other healthcare professionals for any flu-related advice.

Do federal, state, and city health officials have any updates on flu or flu vaccinations?
- Get all the latest facts on the 2015-2016 Flu Season and this year's vaccine @ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
- Massachusetts Health and Human Services is continuing its Flu Facts site. Learn more here.
- Commonwealth Conversations: Public Health has a Weekly Flu Report.
Where can I get a flu vaccination in the Boston area?
- Here's a search box made available to us by the U.S. Department of Health. Just enter your Zip Code, tap go, and you'll have a map of options.
- The Boston Public Health Commission lists the Latest Flu Clinics.
Where can I get a flu vaccination in the surrounding area?
- MyLocalClinic.com
More information below the ad.

Whether you're waiting in line for a flu shot or taking an easy day with a headcold, an Amazon Kindle makes a great companion. Buy new books on the fly, dig into your archive to re-read old favorites. And, thank you to everyone who supports the compiling of information like this by beginning all their Amazon shopping from BostonZest. It doesn't cost you a penny more, but it does put a few pennies in our pockets.

What's the level of flu activity in our area?
- Google flu trends will give you the current level of flu activity in Massachusetts.
- More on regional/worldwide flu activity: Here.
More details below ...
- Some Pharmacies have flu vaccine, including CVS, Walgreens, and RiteAid.
- If you haven't checked lately, this might be a good time to consult with your primary care physician for the latest flu shot information.
- Whichever flu shot location you choose, we recommend that you call the site directly before going.
Here's a link to information on caring for someone with the flu and preventing the spread of the disease.

And, for a friend suffering from a bad cold or the flu, remember Chicken Soup for a Sick Friend!

Follow us on Twitter for alerts when we update this article.

Details:
Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photo Credit: James Gathany, courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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.

Related articles

Good Question: When Is The Best Time To Get The Flu Shot?

Which New Flu Vaccines Are Right for You?

Flu Season Is Here–Vaccinate to Protect You and Your Loved Ones from Flu
September 11, 2015
Historical Photos of Boston Blacksmiths

Our interest in the topic of Boston blacksmiths came from a conversation about the term "smithing." One thing led to another and soon Penny was on the trail of historical photos of Boston blacksmiths.

This group of shops were on Rutherford Avenue. (Photo: "Creation date: Since 1925?" from the Boston Public Library Collection.)

Clearly, there was a collection of places that served horses in that section of town. It seems that like stables, blacksmiths with their fiery forges tended to be clumped in areas away from residences.

As you can see from this location in the 1922 G.W. Bromley & Co. fire insurance atlas of Charlestown, the crossed out properties were insurance risks.

This photo of Lally Bros., Blacksmiths & Wheelwrights came from the Boston Wharf Company Collection. (Photo: circa 1898-1907 from the Boston Public Library Collection.) This firm announced their specialty in wheels and the wagon in the photo speaks to that.

Here's the Croce Blacksmith shop on Atlantic Avenue. (Photo: 1962 from the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection.)

Blacksmith shops in different areas may have found themselves specializing in different tasks. Welding was on the sign here but with their waterfront location, this shop may have also specialized in the needs of boats and ships in the harbor.

You may very well pass the still existing work of some 19th Century smithies when you walk through Boston's historic districts. In Ornamental Ironwork, authors Susan and Michael Southworth say that of the ironworking techniques, "… blacksmithery is by far the most common technique used in architectural wrought ironwork."

Back to where this all started. The term smith as in Blacksmith, goldsmith, silversmith and so on has an interesting origin.

Wikipedia says, "The name refers to a smith, originally deriving from smið or smiþ, the Old English term meaning one who works in metal related to the word smitan, the Old English form of smite, which also meant strike (as in early 17th century Biblical English: the verb "to smite" = to hit). The Old English word smiþ comes from the Proto-Germanic word smiþaz. Smithy comes from the Old English word smiðē from the Proto-Germanic smiðjon. The use of Smith as an occupational surname dates back to Anglo-Saxon times, when inherited surnames were still unknown: Ecceard Smith of County Durham, North East England, was recorded in 975.^"

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: Ironwork photo © 2011 Penny Cherubino. Historic photos are from and are linked to the Boston Public Library collection.

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September 3, 2015
Historical Photos of Boston Blacksmiths

Our interest in the topic of Boston blacksmiths came from a conversation about the term "smithing." One thing led to another and soon Penny was on the trail of historical photos of Boston blacksmiths.

This group of shops were on Rutherford Avenue. (Photo: "Creation date: Since 1925?" from the Boston Public Library Collection.)

Clearly, there was a collection of places that served horses in that section of town. It seems that like stables, blacksmiths with their fiery forges tended to be clumped in areas away from residences.

As you can see from this location in the 1922 G.W. Bromley & Co. fire insurance atlas of Charlestown, the crossed out properties were insurance risks.

This photo of Lally Bros., Blacksmiths & Wheelwrights came from the Boston Wharf Company Collection. (Photo: circa 1898-1907 from the Boston Public Library Collection.) This firm announced their specialty in wheels and the wagon in the photo speaks to that.

Here's the Croce Blacksmith shop on Atlantic Avenue. (Photo: 1962 from the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection.)

Blacksmith shops in different areas may have found themselves specializing in different tasks. Welding was on the sign here but with their waterfront location, this shop may have also specialized in the needs of boats and ships in the harbor.

You may very well pass the still existing work of some 19th Century smithies when you walk through Boston's historic districts. In Ornamental Ironwork, authors Susan and Michael Southworth say that of the ironworking techniques, "… blacksmithery is by far the most common technique used in architectural wrought ironwork."

Back to where this all started. The term smith as in Blacksmith, goldsmith, silversmith and so on has an interesting origin.

Wikipedia says, "The name refers to a smith, originally deriving from smið or smiþ, the Old English term meaning one who works in metal related to the word smitan, the Old English form of smite, which also meant strike (as in early 17th century Biblical English: the verb "to smite" = to hit). The Old English word smiþ comes from the Proto-Germanic word smiþaz. Smithy comes from the Old English word smiðē from the Proto-Germanic smiðjon. The use of Smith as an occupational surname dates back to Anglo-Saxon times, when inherited surnames were still unknown: Ecceard Smith of County Durham, North East England, was recorded in 975.^"

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: Ironwork photo © 2011 Penny Cherubino. Historic photos are from and are linked to the Boston Public Library collection.

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Welcome Luke's Lobster to Boston

Champagne Moutard Brut Grande Cuvée, Love at First Sip!

Get Ready for Your First Visit to the Boston Public Market

September 3, 2015