Under the Lagoon Bridge in the Public Garden was a pigeon who thinks the bird netting was put in place to give her a safe spot for nesting.
You have to wonder if she made the hole in the net herself.
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Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: © 2016 Penny Cherubino
In the Fenway, along the Muddy River, the work of man and nature combine to create a golden-hued scene in winter.
"There are no lines in nature, only areas of colour, one against another." Edouard Manet
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Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: © 2016 Penny Cherubino
In the Fenway, along the Muddy River, the work of man and nature combine to create a golden-hued scene in winter.
"There are no lines in nature, only areas of colour, one against another." Edouard Manet
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Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: © 2016 Penny Cherubino
With Valentine's Day coming, it's time to take down those wilting, drooping, browning decorations that went up in November and December. Boston should have an official year-end holiday "Un-decorating Day" or weekend where everyone takes a look at their winter accessories and decides if they still look good and can stay or if some adjustment or removal is needed.
Walking around, we found different takes on decorating the front of buildings. These folks decided to go with the next holiday and added a splash of Valentine Glam to their doorway.
In some cases, the decorating theme was "Winter" rather than "Christmas" and this planter was maintained so it still looks good and is still a very welcome sight on our daily strolls.
On the other hand, this garland has stayed too long at the party. This photo was taken in late January and suggests that perhaps the date for "Un-decorating Day" should be the first weekend in February.
Traditionally, The Beacon Hill Civic Association has held their "Undecorating Weekend – Pancake Breakfast" in January. That's great for some fading decorations. But, many of the wreaths, planters, and window boxes with less traditional themes are in great shape and continue to add a splash of bright to the dull streetscape. Those should stay around a bit longer.
This year we've had Roses in December and snowdrops and green shoots popping up in January. This weekend would be our normal time to start looking for those first signs of spring. So in our minds this is also a weekend to take a look at your winter decor and decide if it is still a happy addition to your home or if it's time to take it away and think about the next season. In case you're wondering, the Spring Equinox is March 20, 2016.
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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino
With Valentine's Day coming, it's time to take down those wilting, drooping, browning decorations that went up in November and December. Boston should have an official year-end holiday "Un-decorating Day" or weekend where everyone takes a look at their winter accessories and decides if they still look good and can stay or if some adjustment or removal is needed.
Walking around, we found different takes on decorating the front of buildings. These folks decided to go with the next holiday and added a splash of Valentine Glam to their doorway.
In some cases, the decorating theme was "Winter" rather than "Christmas" and this planter was maintained so it still looks good and is still a very welcome sight on our daily strolls.
On the other hand, this garland has stayed too long at the party. This photo was taken in late January and suggests that perhaps the date for "Un-decorating Day" should be the first weekend in February.
Traditionally, The Beacon Hill Civic Association has held their "Undecorating Weekend – Pancake Breakfast" in January. That's great for some fading decorations. But, many of the wreaths, planters, and window boxes with less traditional themes are in great shape and continue to add a splash of bright to the dull streetscape. Those should stay around a bit longer.
This year we've had Roses in December and snowdrops and green shoots popping up in January. This weekend would be our normal time to start looking for those first signs of spring. So in our minds this is also a weekend to take a look at your winter decor and decide if it is still a happy addition to your home or if it's time to take it away and think about the next season. In case you're wondering, the Spring Equinox is March 20, 2016.
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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino
Here's a rundown of what's open and what's closed in Boston on Presidents' Day and the MBTA schedule changes, plus information on Boston trash pick-up and parking information for February 15, 2016.
We publish these resource pages early to assist you in planning your holidays. We'll keep updates coming as new information is published. Follow us on Twitter to learn about updates.
Restaurants, bars: Open
Convenience stores: Open
Supermarkets: Open
Retail stores: Are allowed to open if the owners choose
Liquor stores: Open if the owners choose
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 United States closed. Some international markets are open. In recent years, we've noticed some banks keep some branches open at unexpected times so check with your own bank.
Parking, Boston trash, and MBTA after the ad.
This weekend is a great time to start your tax preparation. Step one, order your software by following this link to Amazon.
The city has changed the way it publishes the schedule for holidays so that you now have to go to the city site and look up your specific address in order to get information.
For a short time before the holiday, a complete list of schedule changes with appear at this link.
Briefly:
For more information on routes, schedules, and fares, contact the MBTA at 617-222-3200, TTY 617-222-5146, or check the MBTA’s website www.mbta.com.
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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: ©2010 Penny Cherubino
At one of the first crime watch meetings I attended after moving to Boston, a community policing officer told us that some thieves would break you car window to get a single quarter visible in the cup holder.
After a recent rash of broken car windows on our block, a detail police officer, who happened to be on the scene and spoke to the car owners, told me that the only thing stolen from those cars was change. I've been thinking about that ever since.
As I walked by a pile of broken glass later that week, I took a few photos with the thought of submitting one as a cover shot for the Back Bay Sun.
That cover ran this Tuesday with the headline, "Broken Windows." My caption reads, "Shattered auto safety glass is a common sight on the sidewalks of the Back Bay. Last year, more than 700 cases of “larceny from a motor vehicle” were reported in Police District D4. Officials urge drivers not to leave any property in view inside a car including change, clothing, electronics, and bags."
While it seems that the car owners just lost change, they also had their planned day rearranged, followed by the hassle of scheduling window replacement. Everyone who pays auto insurance chipped in to pay for that glass repair. The homeowners where the car was parked had to clean up the mess. Finally, those who walked by were reminded of the crime which can have an impact on a person's sense of security.
This led me to research the crime stats to see if this is really as common as it seems to be when you walk around the streets of Boston. Along the way, I found information on the Boston Police Department's "Don't be a Victim!" campaign that is underway in some neighborhoods with high "Larceny from Motor Vehicle" reports.
Here's a link to the 2015 crime statistics so you can check the neighborhoods where you park.
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Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: © 2016 Penny Cherubino and parking meter and sign courtesy of the Boston Police Department.
The BostonZest team are walkers. We don't own a car. We use mass transit, if we must, but most of the time we get where we need to be as pedestrians. Naturally, we really notice the failures to ensure pedestrian safety on the part of our city and state authorities. We try to be advocates for pedestrians and now we have a few tips for you on how you can join us.
The City of Boston has set up a mapping system where you can report safety issues in the transportation system. We have already used this to mark intersections where traffic gridlocks, where walk lights don't last long enough, and where walk lights are missing.
You can also consult this map to find places where you might want to exercise a bit more caution as you travel. (You might also take a look at this map that shows where accidents have already been reported by police.) Both are part of the city's Vision Zero program.
If your concern needs a more immediate correction, use the 311 system by calling 311 on your phone, reporting the problem on the 311 phone app, sending a tweet to @BOS311, or reporting through the website.
To learn more about how you can become a better defender of pedestrians, consider attending one of the Ped101 training sessions.
WalkBoston says:
"This session is helpful if you're interested in learning about:
walkability, urbanism & the associated lingo (what's a "tight turning radius"?),
making neighborhoods safer for people walking & running,
how you can advocate for change in your own community."
Take advantage of this opportunity to stand up for those who walk around the city.
Additional Reading: Make Walking THE Priority where you will find a link to a thoughtful piece on the mistaken priority system used by our transportation planners and a much better priority approach.
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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Artwork: courtesy of the City of Boston and WalkBoston
Here's a rundown of what's open in Boston, plus Boston trash collection, parking, and MBTA schedules for Martin Luther King Jr. Day – January 18, 2016. We try to publish this information ahead of the holiday so you can make your plans.
Free at Last sculpture, by Sergio Castillo is located on Marsh Plaza, Boston University (Photo by Peter H. Dreyer from the Boston City Archives )
If you're looking for something to do on this holiday, the MFA has a full schedule of special events and invites the community to visit for free that day.
The city has changed the way it publishes the schedule for holidays so that you now have to go to the city site and look up your specific address in order to get information.
Street Cleaning: The city says, "Daytime street sweeping is suspended on city holidays, but nighttime sweeping schedules remain in effect. Constituents are advised to call 311 for exact details."
MBTA Schedule for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 18, 2016:
For a few days before and after the holiday, the MBTA Schedule is posted at this link.
Here's a quick overview of what is planned for 2016:
For more information about MBTA services, routes, schedules, and fares, please call the T’s Customer Communications Department at 617-222-3200, (TTY 617-222-5146), or go to www.mbta.com
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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography:(Photo by Peter H. Dreyer from the Boston City Archives )used under creative commons license 
Some rights reserved
Here's a rundown of what's open in Boston, plus Boston trash collection, parking, and MBTA schedules for Martin Luther King Jr. Day – January 18, 2016. We try to publish this information ahead of the holiday so you can make your plans.
Free at Last sculpture, by Sergio Castillo is located on Marsh Plaza, Boston University (Photo by Peter H. Dreyer from the Boston City Archives )
If you're looking for something to do on this holiday, the MFA has a full schedule of special events and invites the community to visit for free that day.
The city has changed the way it publishes the schedule for holidays so that you now have to go to the city site and look up your specific address in order to get information.
Street Cleaning: The city says, "Daytime street sweeping is suspended on city holidays, but nighttime sweeping schedules remain in effect. Constituents are advised to call 311 for exact details."
MBTA Schedule for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 18, 2016:
For a few days before and after the holiday, the MBTA Schedule is posted at this link.
Here's a quick overview of what is planned for 2016:
For more information about MBTA services, routes, schedules, and fares, please call the T’s Customer Communications Department at 617-222-3200, (TTY 617-222-5146), or go to www.mbta.com
Keeping warm is on the top of everyone's agenda. Amazon has excellent underlayers
Details:
Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography:(Photo by Peter H. Dreyer from the Boston City Archives )used under creative commons license Some rights reserved