bostonzest

Category: Editorial Page

  • Then and Now: Thomas F. Galvin’s Flower Shop

    Once, the corner of Boylston and Fairfield Streets was home to a lovely building housing Thomas F. Galvin's Flower Shop.

    Thomas F. Galvin's flower shop

    Click on this image to see a larger version pop up.

    The panoramic photo above is from the Library of Congress Collection. (photo credit E. Chickering & Co.; October 29, 1903)

    Thomas Galvin

    This is Thomas F. Galvin from an article in the 1900 edition of The Successful American. The editors talked about his accomplishments, "…he has created at the corner of Boylston and Fairfield Street one of the most exquisite and charming conservatories to be found in the world." 

    I have to wonder what he would think about what is left of his treasure today.

    CHE_2459 - Version 22013-03-03-boylston-fairfield-building© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    When renovations began for a bank to take over his space, I had hopes for something tasteful. Remember when banks were elegant places? I was so hopeful that I tucked away the top photo from a post by And This Is Good Old Boston. (You'll find a lot more about this building at this link.)

    IMG_7298 - Version 42014-03-04-boylston-fairfield-building© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Instead, it became a "bank cafe" with a sign that has become a topic of conversation as a neighborhood eyesore.

    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: © 2013, 2014 Penny Cherubino  

  • Another Kind of Parking Space Saver…

    Is a car stored in a parking space another type of space saver in use in Boston? 

    IMG_7165 - Version 22014-02-12-space-savers-too-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Obviously, these people didn't shovel out these resident parking spaces. But, they are the only ones who can use them. Some of these spaces will be tied up for a long time, a few until the big melt takes care of all that snow.

    IMG_7164 - Version 22014-02-12-space-savers-too-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    At first, I thought that yellow paper stuck to each car was a parking ticket for not clearing the resident sticker. But, it was actually an offer to clear the car by a snow removal service.

    IMG_7166 - Version 22014-02-12-space-savers-too-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Yesterday, Universal Hub reported that, "The city has agreed to a request from South End neighborhood groups to completely ban the practice of space saving after winter storms."

    That kicked off another storm of comments about this very touchy subject.

    Update: After I posted this Adam over at Univeral Hub created a new post, How come Boston doesn't charge for residential parking permits?That had brought out even more opinions on this topic. Welcome to all of you who landed here from that story.

    I don't own a car so this issue doesn't really impact me. But, it did make me curious about what other cities charge for resident parking.

    Philadelphia recently increased the cost of their residential permits. (Click here for full information.)

    The annual fee for a permit is per household:
    1st vehicle permit $35.00;
    2nd vehicle permit $50.00;
    3rd vehicle permit $75.00;
    4 or more vehicle permits $100.00 each.

    San Francisco charges $109 annually for a resident permit. (Click here for full information.)

    Washington DC charges residents $35 a year and students $338 a year. (Click here for full information.)

    New York doesn't have a residential parking program, but they do have the infamous alternate side parking regulation that means that on some streets cars have to be moved each day.

    Update: One of the commenters over at Universal Hub mentioned Cambridge. 

    Cambridge MA charges $25 for resident parking permits unless you are age 65 plus or have a disability plate or placard (Click here for full information.)

    Is it time to take a fresh look at the Boston residential parking program?

    Would you get rid of one or more cars if you had to pay for a resident parking permit?

    Would year-round street sweeping, that would allow public works to clear snow to the curb on street sweeping days, be a good idea?

    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: © 2014 Penny Cherubino  

  • Another Kind of Parking Space Saver…

    Is a car stored in a parking space another type of space saver in use in Boston? 

    IMG_7165 - Version 22014-02-12-space-savers-too-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Obviously, these people didn't shovel out these resident parking spaces. But, they are the only ones who can use them. Some of these spaces will be tied up for a long time, a few until the big melt takes care of all that snow.

    IMG_7164 - Version 22014-02-12-space-savers-too-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    At first, I thought that yellow paper stuck to each car was a parking ticket for not clearing the resident sticker. But, it was actually an offer to clear the car by a snow removal service.

    IMG_7166 - Version 22014-02-12-space-savers-too-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Yesterday, Universal Hub reported that, "The city has agreed to a request from South End neighborhood groups to completely ban the practice of space saving after winter storms."

    That kicked off another storm of comments about this very touchy subject.

    Update: After I posted this Adam over at Univeral Hub created a new post, How come Boston doesn't charge for residential parking permits?That had brought out even more opinions on this topic. Welcome to all of you who landed here from that story.

    I don't own a car so this issue doesn't really impact me. But, it did make me curious about what other cities charge for resident parking.

    Philadelphia recently increased the cost of their residential permits. (Click here for full information.)

    The annual fee for a permit is per household:
    1st vehicle permit $35.00;
    2nd vehicle permit $50.00;
    3rd vehicle permit $75.00;
    4 or more vehicle permits $100.00 each.

    San Francisco charges $109 annually for a resident permit. (Click here for full information.)

    Washington DC charges residents $35 a year and students $338 a year. (Click here for full information.)

    New York doesn't have a residential parking program, but they do have the infamous alternate side parking regulation that means that on some streets cars have to be moved each day.

    Update: One of the commenters over at Universal Hub mentioned Cambridge. 

    Cambridge MA charges $25 for resident parking permits unless you are age 65 plus or have a disability plate or placard (Click here for full information.)

    Is it time to take a fresh look at the Boston residential parking program?

    Would you get rid of one or more cars if you had to pay for a resident parking permit?

    Would year-round street sweeping, that would allow public works to clear snow to the curb on street sweeping days, be a good idea?

    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: © 2014 Penny Cherubino  

  • Another Kind of Parking Space Saver…

    Is a car stored in a parking space another type of space saver in use in Boston? 

    IMG_7165 - Version 22014-02-12-space-savers-too-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Obviously, these people didn't shovel out these resident parking spaces. But, they are the only ones who can use them. Some of these spaces will be tied up for a long time, a few until the big melt takes care of all that snow.

    IMG_7164 - Version 22014-02-12-space-savers-too-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    At first, I thought that yellow paper stuck to each car was a parking ticket for not clearing the resident sticker. But, it was actually an offer to clear the car by a snow removal service.

    IMG_7166 - Version 22014-02-12-space-savers-too-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Yesterday, Universal Hub reported that, "The city has agreed to a request from South End neighborhood groups to completely ban the practice of space saving after winter storms."

    That kicked off another storm of comments about this very touchy subject.

    Update: After I posted this Adam over at Univeral Hub created a new post, How come Boston doesn't charge for residential parking permits?That had brought out even more opinions on this topic. Welcome to all of you who landed here from that story.

    I don't own a car so this issue doesn't really impact me. But, it did make me curious about what other cities charge for resident parking.

    Philadelphia recently increased the cost of their residential permits. (Click here for full information.)

    The annual fee for a permit is per household:
    1st vehicle permit $35.00;
    2nd vehicle permit $50.00;
    3rd vehicle permit $75.00;
    4 or more vehicle permits $100.00 each.

    San Francisco charges $109 annually for a resident permit. (Click here for full information.)

    Washington DC charges residents $35 a year and students $338 a year. (Click here for full information.)

    New York doesn't have a residential parking program, but they do have the infamous alternate side parking regulation that means that on some streets cars have to be moved each day.

    Update: One of the commenters over at Universal Hub mentioned Cambridge. 

    Cambridge MA charges $25 for resident parking permits unless you are age 65 plus or have a disability plate or placard (Click here for full information.)

    Is it time to take a fresh look at the Boston residential parking program?

    Would you get rid of one or more cars if you had to pay for a resident parking permit?

    Would year-round street sweeping, that would allow public works to clear snow to the curb on street sweeping days, be a good idea?

    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: © 2014 Penny Cherubino  

  • “Reimagining Infrastructure for Local Food” from Orion Magazine: Our Friday Link

    A recent article "Reimagining Infrastructure for Local Food" in Orion Magazine came to my attention on Mark Bittman's twitter feed. 

    Orion Magazine screengrab

    This is a semi-long read but it's worth your time, if you care about local food and supporting the farmers and food producers who maintain your local foodshed.

    As I read about the infrastructure needed for local food to take the next growth steps, I heard the stories that my favorite farmers and food producers have been telling me for years. 

    It's important for those of us who advocate for local food production and distribution to read and reread the solid information Rowan Jacobsen has presented in this piece. As Mark Bittman said…

    Screen Shot 2014-01-19 at 2.18.26 PM

    And, while you're there, take a look around the Orion site. Like me, you may want to add it to your favorite way to follow great information about how humans interact with their world. 

    What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List? Shop Amazon for all your kitchen & dining needs and support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny Cherubino
    Screenshot from Orion Magazine

  • “Reimagining Infrastructure for Local Food” from Orion Magazine: Our Friday Link

    A recent article "Reimagining Infrastructure for Local Food" in Orion Magazine came to my attention on Mark Bittman's twitter feed. 

    Orion Magazine screengrab

    This is a semi-long read but it's worth your time, if you care about local food and supporting the farmers and food producers who maintain your local foodshed.

    As I read about the infrastructure needed for local food to take the next growth steps, I heard the stories that my favorite farmers and food producers have been telling me for years. 

    It's important for those of us who advocate for local food production and distribution to read and reread the solid information Rowan Jacobsen has presented in this piece. As Mark Bittman said…

    Screen Shot 2014-01-19 at 2.18.26 PM

    And, while you're there, take a look around the Orion site. Like me, you may want to add it to your favorite way to follow great information about how humans interact with their world. 

    What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List? Shop Amazon for all your kitchen & dining needs and support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny Cherubino
    Screenshot from Orion Magazine

  • “Reimagining Infrastructure for Local Food” from Orion Magazine: Our Friday Link

    A recent article "Reimagining Infrastructure for Local Food" in Orion Magazine came to my attention on Mark Bittman's twitter feed. 

    Orion Magazine screengrab

    This is a semi-long read but it's worth your time, if you care about local food and supporting the farmers and food producers who maintain your local foodshed.

    As I read about the infrastructure needed for local food to take the next growth steps, I heard the stories that my favorite farmers and food producers have been telling me for years. 

    It's important for those of us who advocate for local food production and distribution to read and reread the solid information Rowan Jacobsen has presented in this piece. As Mark Bittman said…

    Screen Shot 2014-01-19 at 2.18.26 PM

    And, while you're there, take a look around the Orion site. Like me, you may want to add it to your favorite way to follow great information about how humans interact with their world. 

    What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List? Shop Amazon for all your kitchen & dining needs and support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny Cherubino
    Screenshot from Orion Magazine

  • This Sidewalk’s Made for Exercise Biking…

    IMG_7016 - Version 22013-12-04© 2011 cherubino, exercise-bike-25

    First, some city worker decided to plant a pole in the pedestrian space on this sidewalk rather than putting it in the utility strip near the curb. Then, someone locked an exercise bike to the pole to take up a bit more of the sidewalk.

    Hope the new city administration reads Jeff Speck's book, Walkable City: How Downtown Can Save America, One Step at a Time, and starts thinking about how each small decision impacts pedestrians. 

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

     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.

  • This Sidewalk’s Made for Exercise Biking…

    IMG_7016 - Version 22013-12-04© 2011 cherubino, exercise-bike-25

    First, some city worker decided to plant a pole in the pedestrian space on this sidewalk rather than putting it in the utility strip near the curb. Then, someone locked an exercise bike to the pole to take up a bit more of the sidewalk.

    Hope the new city administration reads Jeff Speck's book, Walkable City: How Downtown Can Save America, One Step at a Time, and starts thinking about how each small decision impacts pedestrians. 

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

     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.

  • This Sidewalk’s Made for Exercise Biking…

    IMG_7016 - Version 22013-12-04© 2011 cherubino, exercise-bike-25

    First, some city worker decided to plant a pole in the pedestrian space on this sidewalk rather than putting it in the utility strip near the curb. Then, someone locked an exercise bike to the pole to take up a bit more of the sidewalk.

    Hope the new city administration reads Jeff Speck's book, Walkable City: How Downtown Can Save America, One Step at a Time, and starts thinking about how each small decision impacts pedestrians. 

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

     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.