Category: Editorial Page

Coming Soon, Giant Government Center Billboard!

I've heard people ask, "Why did they build the new headhouse for the Government Center MBTA Station so high?" And, my answer has been, to make sure the billboards can be seen from far and near.

I wonder how many sides will be covered and how many different ads the MBTA will sell on this billboard stand? I hope they are priced high enough to help reduce the MBTA's debt.

Universal Hub posted an aerial view and the readers added their thoughts earlier this month.

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

June 11, 2015
Tomorrow Is BostonZest’s 11th Anniversary

While we talk about the things we do, the people and places we like, and send you links to other resources, this anniversary makes us realize we don't talk about BostonZest as a site very often. We registered the address on May 20, 2004 and began publishing links to our freelance work and a few new BostonZest exclusive posts from time to time.

In 2007, we switched hosting platforms and began to publish BostonZest work on a regular basis. Above is one of our first posts from the current era of the site published in January of 2008. It is still showing up on our web analytics on a regular basis.

In May of that year, inspired by Tammy from Boston Food & Whine, Penny pledged to post every day for a year. We kept that seven-days-a-week schedule for more than five years.

BostonZest Has a Deep Archive

We're thrilled that many of the nearly 2500 pages in our archive are visited by longtime readers as well as first-timers. That interest has inspired us to occasionally feature some of the more popular pages at the top of our site and to then send out word to our followers on twitter. Also, some of that frequently viewed content needs an update, so we'll be redoing those during the next year.

Do You Have a Favorite BostonZest Piece?

Or have you discovered one of our past posts that needs an update? Add your suggestions in the comments below. Tweet them with a link to @BostonZest or send us an email and we'll try to get your faves on the schedule.

Most of all, as we think about this anniversary, thanks for reading BostonZest and a special thank you to those who shop on Amazon from here or support us in other ways. We appreciate your emails, tweets, retweets, and comments.

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: © 2008 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Related articles

Edible Boston's Spring 2015 Issue Is Available

Tips and Links for Dealing with Allergy Season

May 19, 2015
Tomorrow Is BostonZest’s 11th Anniversary

While we talk about the things we do, the people and places we like, and send you links to other resources, this anniversary makes us realize we don't talk about BostonZest as a site very often. We registered the address on May 20, 2004 and began publishing links to our freelance work and a few new BostonZest exclusive posts from time to time.

In 2007, we switched hosting platforms and began to publish BostonZest work on a regular basis. Above is one of our first posts from the current era of the site published in January of 2008. It is still showing up on our web analytics on a regular basis.

In May of that year, inspired by Tammy from Boston Food & Whine, Penny pledged to post every day for a year. We kept that seven-days-a-week schedule for more than five years.

BostonZest Has a Deep Archive

We're thrilled that many of the nearly 2500 pages in our archive are visited by longtime readers as well as first-timers. That interest has inspired us to occasionally feature some of the more popular pages at the top of our site and to then send out word to our followers on twitter. Also, some of that frequently viewed content needs an update, so we'll be redoing those during the next year.

Do You Have a Favorite BostonZest Piece?

Or have you discovered one of our past posts that needs an update? Add your suggestions in the comments below. Tweet them with a link to @BostonZest or send us an email and we'll try to get your faves on the schedule.

Most of all, as we think about this anniversary, thanks for reading BostonZest and a special thank you to those who shop on Amazon from here or support us in other ways. We appreciate your emails, tweets, retweets, and comments.

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: © 2008 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Related articles

Edible Boston's Spring 2015 Issue Is Available

Tips and Links for Dealing with Allergy Season

May 19, 2015
Steamers Leaving for Bass Point and Nahant from Lincoln Wharf

Once upon a time, you could enjoy a quick getaway from Boston by water. In 1899, you could catch a steamer from Lincoln Wharf and sail to coastal destinations for a day or longer. (This photo courtesy of Boston Landmarks Commission image collection, Collection 5210.004, City of Boston Archives.)

Here's another look from above. (This photo courtesy of Boston Landmarks Commission image collection, Collection 5210.004, City of Boston Archives.)

Here's an illustration of the Steamboat Massachusetts, one of the vessels that once served this route. Circa 1820, it ran "… from Boston to Beverly touching each way at Nahant, Marblehead and Salem for passenger and light freight." (That was according to the book, "Some Account of Steam Navigation in New England" by Francis Boardman Crowninshield Bradlee.)

Wouldn't it be nice …

If mass transit in Boston included lots of waterborne options in season.

I couldn't find how long the trip took, back then, but it certainly must have been a more pleasant voyage than we would have today on mass transit. Today, you would have to make your way to North Station to catch the Newburyport line and then connect with a bus to reach Nahant. Google estimates an hour and a quarter. I think that would be under the most perfect conditions. And, that's on a weekday. Weekends would be another matter.

While we can't go to Nahant by ferry, we can go to Salem. The Boston Harbor Cruises Fast Ferry to Salem begins service again on May 21st. (This photo by massmatt. Here's his photostream on Flickr.)

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: Photo credits as noted and used under this creative commons license.

May 11, 2015
Steamers Leaving for Bass Point and Nahant from Lincoln Wharf

Once upon a time, you could enjoy a quick getaway from Boston by water. In 1899, you could catch a steamer from Lincoln Wharf and sail to coastal destinations for a day or longer. (This photo courtesy of Boston Landmarks Commission image collection, Collection 5210.004, City of Boston Archives.)

Here's another look from above. (This photo courtesy of Boston Landmarks Commission image collection, Collection 5210.004, City of Boston Archives.)

Here's an illustration of the Steamboat Massachusetts, one of the vessels that once served this route. Circa 1820, it ran "… from Boston to Beverly touching each way at Nahant, Marblehead and Salem for passenger and light freight." (That was according to the book, "Some Account of Steam Navigation in New England" by Francis Boardman Crowninshield Bradlee.)

Wouldn't it be nice …

If mass transit in Boston included lots of waterborne options in season.

I couldn't find how long the trip took, back then, but it certainly must have been a more pleasant voyage than we would have today on mass transit. Today, you would have to make your way to North Station to catch the Newburyport line and then connect with a bus to reach Nahant. Google estimates an hour and a quarter. I think that would be under the most perfect conditions. And, that's on a weekday. Weekends would be another matter.

While we can't go to Nahant by ferry, we can go to Salem. The Boston Harbor Cruises Fast Ferry to Salem begins service again on May 21st. (This photo by massmatt. Here's his photostream on Flickr.)

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: Photo credits as noted and used under this creative commons license.

May 11, 2015
Changes in Boston Dog Licensing for 2015

We decided that all the changes around the topic of Boston dog licensing this year made a weekday post the best way to get the information out to our widest audience. If you have a dog or have friends with dogs that count on you for information from social media, here's what you need to know.

This postcard from Inspectional Services arrived in our mailbox this week. We already have our dog license because we applied online when our own annual reminder came up on our calendar on March 1st.

No form and no return envelope were supplied with this mailing. An increased fee was announced effective May 1st but I was already charged this fee in March. And, no mention was made of the department's move to 1010 Massachusetts Avenue that you will learn about below.

As we said in one of our Sunday Dog posts, "Massachusetts law requires that all dogs be licensed with their city or town by April 1st of each year. To apply, you must have proof of a current rabies vaccination.

"Normally, Boston officials send out packages reminding people with dogs to renew. I called Animal Care and Control to check if the mailing had gone out and found that it's been delayed this year and that the city of Boston plans to delay enforcement.

"I don't know what this does if you are in another city or town with your dog, since it's a state law that requires a license. Better apply online today and I would carry a copy of the receipt from the city until your tag arrives. Then, you would have something to show if you are stopped."

Apply & Pay Online

Here's the link to apply for a dog license in Boston. (Check your city or town to see if it offers this convenient service.)

Here is a copy of the application if you want to mail it. Download 2015 dog License Application.

Animal Care and Control is Moving

If you want to apply in person, you should know that the Animal Care and Control department is moving. Here is the city's announcement on that.

"2015 Dog licensing notes: We're Moving!

Effective March 30, 2015– the administrative office of Animal Care and Control will be moved to 1010 Mass Ave. Boston, MA 02118. The Animal Care and Control Animal Shelter will remain at it's current location, 26 Mahler Rd. Roslindale, MA 02131. Thank you for your patience during our transition."

Facebook Instead of information on the City site

When we searched for information about low cost rabies clinics on the city site, we found only a stale 2014 list.

Apparently the department is now using Facebook to announce important information like this.

That's not great for those who try to avoid this particular social media outlet and silly since not all items posted there will be seen by the people who are following the page. What is shown to each individual is up to Facebook.

"All posts from pages you 'Liked' are not showing up in your Facebook news feed. Only 10% of you will see posts unless page administrators pay to promote them. Since pages like ours are run exclusively by volunteers, we do not have a budget to pay for advertising." More here.

You'll also notice that this is a much shorter list of clinics. Five are listed here, while there were fourteen scheduled last year.

Editorial Page!

Early on, we had hopes that this administration would be dog friendly when we heard that the department was renamed Animal Care and Control and was moved under the direction of Human Services and Felix Arroyo.

Now, it seems it has been put under Inspectional Services, a department historically understaffed and with a record of less than user friendly performance. This is all very disappointing. Lets hope the city gets its act together, schedules more clinics, and puts more CARE and COMMON SENSE into services for people who have animals.

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 with screenshots from the city outlets.

March 30, 2015
Changes in Boston Dog Licensing for 2015

We decided that all the changes around the topic of Boston dog licensing this year made a weekday post the best way to get the information out to our widest audience. If you have a dog or have friends with dogs that count on you for information from social media, here's what you need to know.

This postcard from Inspectional Services arrived in our mailbox this week. We already have our dog license because we applied online when our own annual reminder came up on our calendar on March 1st.

No form and no return envelope were supplied with this mailing. An increased fee was announced effective May 1st but I was already charged this fee in March. And, no mention was made of the department's move to 1010 Massachusetts Avenue that you will learn about below.

As we said in one of our Sunday Dog posts, "Massachusetts law requires that all dogs be licensed with their city or town by April 1st of each year. To apply, you must have proof of a current rabies vaccination.

"Normally, Boston officials send out packages reminding people with dogs to renew. I called Animal Care and Control to check if the mailing had gone out and found that it's been delayed this year and that the city of Boston plans to delay enforcement.

"I don't know what this does if you are in another city or town with your dog, since it's a state law that requires a license. Better apply online today and I would carry a copy of the receipt from the city until your tag arrives. Then, you would have something to show if you are stopped."

Apply & Pay Online

Here's the link to apply for a dog license in Boston. (Check your city or town to see if it offers this convenient service.)

Here is a copy of the application if you want to mail it. Download 2015 dog License Application.

Animal Care and Control is Moving

If you want to apply in person, you should know that the Animal Care and Control department is moving. Here is the city's announcement on that.

"2015 Dog licensing notes: We're Moving!

Effective March 30, 2015– the administrative office of Animal Care and Control will be moved to 1010 Mass Ave. Boston, MA 02118. The Animal Care and Control Animal Shelter will remain at it's current location, 26 Mahler Rd. Roslindale, MA 02131. Thank you for your patience during our transition."

Facebook Instead of information on the City site

When we searched for information about low cost rabies clinics on the city site, we found only a stale 2014 list.

Apparently the department is now using Facebook to announce important information like this.

That's not great for those who try to avoid this particular social media outlet and silly since not all items posted there will be seen by the people who are following the page. What is shown to each individual is up to Facebook.

"All posts from pages you 'Liked' are not showing up in your Facebook news feed. Only 10% of you will see posts unless page administrators pay to promote them. Since pages like ours are run exclusively by volunteers, we do not have a budget to pay for advertising." More here.

You'll also notice that this is a much shorter list of clinics. Five are listed here, while there were fourteen scheduled last year.

Editorial Page!

Early on, we had hopes that this administration would be dog friendly when we heard that the department was renamed Animal Care and Control and was moved under the direction of Human Services and Felix Arroyo.

Now, it seems it has been put under Inspectional Services, a department historically understaffed and with a record of less than user friendly performance. This is all very disappointing. Lets hope the city gets its act together, schedules more clinics, and puts more CARE and COMMON SENSE into services for people who have animals.

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 with screenshots from the city outlets.

March 30, 2015
Thanks to All the Sunday Dog People Who Did it Right & Shame on Scofflaws

Congratulations and thanks to all of you who made it through this winter and only left footprints and paw prints behind in the snow.

The record snowfall this winter was hard on people with dogs. First, there was the task of getting yourself dressed for each outing. Next, came adding a dog coat and boots if your pup is one who needs them.

Once outside, you had to find a spot where your dog would complete the task at hand. (Some dogs are fussy about things like that.)

Even if your dog was quick and would have been happy to return inside, you had to trudge the extra distance to find a waste receptacle for your pick up bag. And, in many cases, you found the trash bucket overflowing.

Back inside, you had to undress yourself and your dog, wash dirty paws, and attempt to dry wet fur. Plus, you had to do this 3 to 5 times a day depending on the age, size, breed, and overall health of your companion.

Just as it only took one smoker to create this pile of cigarette litter (almost all the same brand) outside a Back Bay residence, it only takes one scofflaw with a dog to mess up an entire block over the course of a few weeks.

It Only Takes One …

Shame on those who decided that since they were out there alone with no one in view, they didn’t have to pick up after their dog.

As with many social problems, a small number of people are at the core of the issue. As I used to say to one particularly nasty dog hater who expressed her displeasure with dogs to everyone who passed with leash in hand, “If the vast majority of us didn’t pick up after our dogs, you'd be knee deep in it.”

April Stools Day

If dog haters and people without dogs in their lives are upset over this issue, you can only imagine how maddening it is to those of us who do it right. What’s more, many of us with bag already in hand have been trying to clean up after those who give the dog community this black eye.

Portland, Maine has addressed this winter scofflaw problem with humor since the year 2000. Each April, responsible members of the dog community declare an “April Stools Day,” when dog lovers come out in force to clean up the parks. Portland’s day is official and includes event extras. But, around here, anyone with a bag can add goodness to the next day of sunshine with a visit to their favorite dog walking area to pick up a few extra droppings.

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 Cherubino – part of this post appeared in one of Penny's City Paws Newspaper columns
Photography: © 2015 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Related articles

Get Ready for Amtrak's "All Aboard" for Dogs & Cats

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

Collateral Damage as the Snow Melts

March 29, 2015
Thanks to All the Sunday Dog People Who Did it Right & Shame on Scofflaws

Congratulations and thanks to all of you who made it through this winter and only left footprints and paw prints behind in the snow.

The record snowfall this winter was hard on people with dogs. First, there was the task of getting yourself dressed for each outing. Next, came adding a dog coat and boots if your pup is one who needs them.

Once outside, you had to find a spot where your dog would complete the task at hand. (Some dogs are fussy about things like that.)

Even if your dog was quick and would have been happy to return inside, you had to trudge the extra distance to find a waste receptacle for your pick up bag. And, in many cases, you found the trash bucket overflowing.

Back inside, you had to undress yourself and your dog, wash dirty paws, and attempt to dry wet fur. Plus, you had to do this 3 to 5 times a day depending on the age, size, breed, and overall health of your companion.

Just as it only took one smoker to create this pile of cigarette litter (almost all the same brand) outside a Back Bay residence, it only takes one scofflaw with a dog to mess up an entire block over the course of a few weeks.

It Only Takes One …

Shame on those who decided that since they were out there alone with no one in view, they didn’t have to pick up after their dog.

As with many social problems, a small number of people are at the core of the issue. As I used to say to one particularly nasty dog hater who expressed her displeasure with dogs to everyone who passed with leash in hand, “If the vast majority of us didn’t pick up after our dogs, you'd be knee deep in it.”

April Stools Day

If dog haters and people without dogs in their lives are upset over this issue, you can only imagine how maddening it is to those of us who do it right. What’s more, many of us with bag already in hand have been trying to clean up after those who give the dog community this black eye.

Portland, Maine has addressed this winter scofflaw problem with humor since the year 2000. Each April, responsible members of the dog community declare an “April Stools Day,” when dog lovers come out in force to clean up the parks. Portland’s day is official and includes event extras. But, around here, anyone with a bag can add goodness to the next day of sunshine with a visit to their favorite dog walking area to pick up a few extra droppings.

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 Cherubino – part of this post appeared in one of Penny's City Paws Newspaper columns
Photography: © 2015 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Related articles

Get Ready for Amtrak's "All Aboard" for Dogs & Cats

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

Collateral Damage as the Snow Melts

March 29, 2015
Collateral Damage as the Snow Melts

All over Boston, we are seeing collateral damage as the snow melts. Everyone is complaining about the litter left behind by irresponsible people and the trash that was never picked up by the city. But, in some cases, the damage was done as the city cleared the snow.

You may be surprised to see a shorter bench on the Hereford to Gloucester block of the Commonwealth Avenue Mall.

The other two sections of it were destroyed by a plow cleaning a path in the park. The driver decided to push the excess snow off to the side and took out the bench as that was done.

And, as the big snow harvester cleared the parking lanes along Commonwealth Avenue in the latter days of the snow removal, the machine shredded the No Parking for Snow Removal signs that were placed in the snowbanks. Now, they are chewed up splinters of wood and cardboard that will remain scattered on the grass as it emerges.

With that in mind, be careful as you walk your dogs on the Mall. We are spreading the word among park regulars and will try to pick up as many of the dangerous slivers as we can in the days ahead. Earlier this week, we met a new neighbor and her dog while she was filling a shopping bag with litter.

So, as the warm up comes, put on your work gloves, grab a bag, and a pair of long tongs (kept for this purpose) and do the "Duke Walk." If you don't know about that, it is named after former Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis who walks the walk instead of just talking the talk. More on that here.

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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Doin' the Pothole Dance!

March 24, 2015