Category: Editorial Page

Time to Update the Emergency Plan for Your Animals

Here's Poppy with her bright red emergency bag ready to go out the door. It's also her pre-packed travel bag with everything she needs, except food and water, when we travel. (We have an emergency backpack that has a supply of food and water for all of us.)

The heart of hurricane season is here. If you have companion animals, you need an updated plan because, should a storm or other disaster strike, you are no longer on your own when it comes to finding shelter for your entire family. You have new resources but should be prepared to use them.

The City of Boston Emergency Management program has a page where you can find an emergency shelter near you.

On that page it says, "This map depicts the locations of all the neighborhood emergency shelters in the City and allows users to enter in their address to find the closest shelter. Each facility will provide safe, temporary shelter for residents and their pets."

But, just in case you are wondering, the Red Cross still says, "Most American Red Cross shelters cannot accept pets because of health and safety concerns and other considerations. Service animals that assist people with disabilities are allowed in Red Cross shelters."

Make Your Own Plan & Emergency Kit

You have to make plans for a safe place to go with your animals in case of an emergency. While large-scale disasters come to mind and the city has a system for that, it could also be a water leak or fire in your building.

If you have a friend or relative who will shelter you for a few days, that is ideal. You should also have the phone numbers of a few pet-friendly hotels, both near your home and in the surrounding areas, where you might reserve a room until the immediate danger has passed and those charged with emergency management begin to offer solutions for families with animals.

MSPCA Emergency Resource Pages

The MSPCA has set up a very complete and helpful collection of disaster planning resources on their website.

State Law Requires that People with Pets are Included in Emergency Planning.

March 24, 2014, Chapter 54, AN ACT ENSURING THE SAFETY OF PEOPLE WITH PETS IN DISASTERS, became law and the planning was to be completed in one year. The key information you should know is:

"Any emergency plan of operations shall include strategies to support the needs of people with household pets and the needs of household pets under their care, including service animals. The local organization for civil defense shall take appropriate steps to educate the public regarding the resources available in the event of an emergency and the importance of emergency preparedness planning."

We recommend that you have a copy of both the law and the city of Boston page with your pet emergency kit. That way, if you should be confronted with someone not familiar with this major change in shelter services, you can show them what the city and state have promised. Below are pdf copies of each page that you can download and print or save to a cloud service, like Dropbox, so that you can retrieve it from your smartphone.

Download Session Laws: Chapter 54 of the Acts of 2014

Download Neighborhood emergency shelter map | Boston.gov

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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2011-2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino

August 14, 2016
The Million Pollinator Garden Challenge

As with so many things that have to do with gardens or nature, I learned about the Million Pollinator Garden Challenge from the The Garden Club of the Back Bay's website. It is an amazing resource!

The garden club post explained that they will be joining with others to help restore and protect pollinators' habitats, "… members will be providing food and habitat for pollinators in our home gardens (can even be a container on a deck or a condo window planter), as well as through public garden projects, youth garden projects, nursing homes, botanical gardens, business areas, and government offices."

You can help by taking the three steps outlined in this handout.

If you have your own garden, all the resources you need to get underway are at this site. If you live in a rental or condominium, ask the management company or board of trustees to take a pollinator mindset when planning the common area gardens.

When you consider the importance of what pollinators do for us, learning more and taking action is the least we can do to help turn around this critical shortage.

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Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2009 Penny Cherubino

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August 12, 2016
The Million Pollinator Garden Challenge

As with so many things that have to do with gardens or nature, I learned about the Million Pollinator Garden Challenge from the The Garden Club of the Back Bay's website. It is an amazing resource!

The garden club post explained that they will be joining with others to help restore and protect pollinators' habitats, "… members will be providing food and habitat for pollinators in our home gardens (can even be a container on a deck or a condo window planter), as well as through public garden projects, youth garden projects, nursing homes, botanical gardens, business areas, and government offices."

You can help by taking the three steps outlined in this handout.

If you have your own garden, all the resources you need to get underway are at this site. If you live in a rental or condominium, ask the management company or board of trustees to take a pollinator mindset when planning the common area gardens.

When you consider the importance of what pollinators do for us, learning more and taking action is the least we can do to help turn around this critical shortage.

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: © 2009 Penny Cherubino

Related articles

Snow Drops, Crocus & Daffodils Popping Up in the Back Bay

Protecting the Very Sensitive Toes of a Famous Boston Elm with FlexiPave

August 12, 2016
Time to Trim the Magnolias!

Back in 2011, Penny wrote an article for the Back Bay Sun about caring for the trees damaged in a blizzard. Today we ask that those of you responsible for the beautiful magnolias and other lush trees around the city prevent this from happening again.

Currently the magnolias along Commonwealth Avenue, for example, are lush, full, and offer lovely shade. We enjoy walking under their protection on hot summer days. However many of them the are very much in need of pruning before the next round of winter or early spring storms.

Broken magnolia after a blizzard in 2011.

Back in 2011, arborist Bobby Loree of Boston Tree Company reassured homeowners saying, “The first thing is don’t panic. It may look awful, but magnolias are resilient and grow fast. Many of the magnolias that got broken up badly in the April Fools day storm of about a dozen years ago recovered nicely though they looked hopeless at the time.”

The Trees Have Recovered

And now they need pruning for a few reasons. Trees with dense foliage and branches are more likely to be damaged in hurricanes and northeasters because they resist the wind rather the letting it pass through.

The weight of heavy snow that collects on branches can cause breakage even when the foliage is not out. Should it be a spring storm when the trees are in leaf, it can be much worse. A good pruning can make a world of difference in the outcome.

As a courtesy to pedestrians, trees should be trimmed high enough above the sidewalk so that people can pass under them even when rain and snow lower the branches. Right now you have to be well under 6 foot to walk under some of these trees.

Call a Pro

Take a few minutes to examine your tree canopy. How dense is it? Are there branches rubbing on one another that might cause damage in a wind storm? Would a heavy snow be caught up in your tree with branches breaking from the weight? If so, it's time to call an arborist to evaluate and perhaps prune your trees.

As Boston’s Tree Warden Greg Mosman said back in 2011, “Trees should be cared for by professionals and proper pruning can reduce damage in extreme weather conditions, though no amount of pruning can totally prevent damage.” He advised, "Pruning should be done by a certified arborist."

Related articles

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July 28, 2016
Time to Trim the Magnolias!

Back in 2011, Penny wrote an article for the Back Bay Sun about caring for the trees damaged in a blizzard. Today we ask that those of you responsible for the beautiful magnolias and other lush trees around the city prevent this from happening again.

Currently the magnolias along Commonwealth Avenue, for example, are lush, full, and offer lovely shade. We enjoy walking under their protection on hot summer days. However many of them the are very much in need of pruning before the next round of winter or early spring storms.

Broken magnolia after a blizzard in 2011.

Back in 2011, arborist Bobby Loree of Boston Tree Company reassured homeowners saying, “The first thing is don’t panic. It may look awful, but magnolias are resilient and grow fast. Many of the magnolias that got broken up badly in the April Fools day storm of about a dozen years ago recovered nicely though they looked hopeless at the time.”

The Trees Have Recovered

And now they need pruning for a few reasons. Trees with dense foliage and branches are more likely to be damaged in hurricanes and northeasters because they resist the wind rather the letting it pass through.

The weight of heavy snow that collects on branches can cause breakage even when the foliage is not out. Should it be a spring storm when the trees are in leaf, it can be much worse. A good pruning can make a world of difference in the outcome.

As a courtesy to pedestrians, trees should be trimmed high enough above the sidewalk so that people can pass under them even when rain and snow lower the branches. Right now you have to be well under 6 foot to walk under some of these trees.

Call a Pro

Take a few minutes to examine your tree canopy. How dense is it? Are there branches rubbing on one another that might cause damage in a wind storm? Would a heavy snow be caught up in your tree with branches breaking from the weight? If so, it's time to call an arborist to evaluate and perhaps prune your trees.

As Boston’s Tree Warden Greg Mosman said back in 2011, “Trees should be cared for by professionals and proper pruning can reduce damage in extreme weather conditions, though no amount of pruning can totally prevent damage.” He advised, "Pruning should be done by a certified arborist."

Related articles

Confused Plants and More November Foliage

November Foliage in the Heart of Boston

The Hope of Spring …

Growing Fond of the Boston Public Garden Fence

July 28, 2016
Time to Get Your Dog a License

March is dog license season in Massachusetts. Dogs in the Commonwealth are required to have a 2016 dog license by April 1st.

When we met this adorable Boston newcomer "Guinness" recently, he already had his license.

How to Apply

I put a reminder on my calendar and usually apply for a Boston dog license online. You can also download an application to mail at that page.

If your dog, like my Poppy, is already registered, enter the current license number and all your information should be filled in by the system. Next, you upload photos of a spay certificate and current rabies record. Then, you enter your credit card information and complete the transaction.

If you prefer the snail mail option, you should receive a package in the mail if your dog is currently licensed. If not, and you want to get a license in person, visit the Animal Care and Control Department at 1010 Massachusetts Avenue. Bring a current rabies certificate and a spay/neuter certificate if you have one. A prepared check or money order will save time.

You can also get your license at the City Hall To Go truck at one of its scheduled spots around town. Just bring the same documents and a check with you.

Low-Cost Clinics

The city has a series of Dog Licensing & Low-Cost Rabies Vaccine Clinics each year. Here's a link to a copy of this year's events. It was in the right-hand sidebar at the time of this writing.

Should Dogs or People Be Licensed?

Over the years, the group of dog lovers that walks with us has often discussed an option of having people licensed as legal caretakers of animals rather than attaching the license to the dog. Then the responsible caregivers could register the animals they have under that license and receive tags for each.

The legislature has a task force looking at a possible statewide Animal Abuse Registry. But, beyond outright abuse, a caregiver’s registry might deny licenses to those who are constant scofflaws or who have a history of dangerous dog offenses.

Of course some enforcement of the current rules and regulations for picking up after your dog and keeping dogs on a leash would have to be a part of any program like this.

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: ©2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino

March 20, 2016
Time to Get Your Dog a License

March is dog license season in Massachusetts. Dogs in the Commonwealth are required to have a 2016 dog license by April 1st.

When we met this adorable Boston newcomer "Guinness" recently, he already had his license.

How to Apply

I put a reminder on my calendar and usually apply for a Boston dog license online. You can also download an application to mail at that page.

If your dog, like my Poppy, is already registered, enter the current license number and all your information should be filled in by the system. Next, you upload photos of a spay certificate and current rabies record. Then, you enter your credit card information and complete the transaction.

If you prefer the snail mail option, you should receive a package in the mail if your dog is currently licensed. If not, and you want to get a license in person, visit the Animal Care and Control Department at 1010 Massachusetts Avenue. Bring a current rabies certificate and a spay/neuter certificate if you have one. A prepared check or money order will save time.

You can also get your license at the City Hall To Go truck at one of its scheduled spots around town. Just bring the same documents and a check with you.

Low-Cost Clinics

The city has a series of Dog Licensing & Low-Cost Rabies Vaccine Clinics each year. Here's a link to a copy of this year's events. It was in the right-hand sidebar at the time of this writing.

Should Dogs or People Be Licensed?

Over the years, the group of dog lovers that walks with us has often discussed an option of having people licensed as legal caretakers of animals rather than attaching the license to the dog. Then the responsible caregivers could register the animals they have under that license and receive tags for each.

The legislature has a task force looking at a possible statewide Animal Abuse Registry. But, beyond outright abuse, a caregiver’s registry might deny licenses to those who are constant scofflaws or who have a history of dangerous dog offenses.

Of course some enforcement of the current rules and regulations for picking up after your dog and keeping dogs on a leash would have to be a part of any program like this.

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: ©2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino

March 20, 2016
Boston Needs a Year-End Holiday, “Un-decorating Day”

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.

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: © 2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino

February 11, 2016
Boston Needs a Year-End Holiday, “Un-decorating Day”

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.

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: © 2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino

February 11, 2016
Smash & Grab: Broken Windows Cost Us All!

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."

We All Pay

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.

Related Post:

Broken Bricks Boon to Boston Bandits

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Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: © 2016 Penny Cherubino and parking meter and sign courtesy of the Boston Police Department.

February 4, 2016