With last week's return to cooler temperatures, the opening of the magnolia buds along Commonwealth Avenue slowed, but it is happening! And, if we get a sunny day or two, we think the spectacular display should peak this week.
Right now, there are a few early bloomers ready for their closeups. The white magnolias, like those above and below, are the first to bloom and a few have already begun to drop their petals.
There is the slightest tinge of pink even in the whitest of the white blossoms. It's fun to notice things like that when you move in for a close view.
When we first linked our readers to the website Back Bay Houses, we honored the founders' wishes that we not identify them by name. Since then, the Boston Preservation Alliance put the spotlight on Tom and Nancy High by choosing them and the website they created after years of research for a 2014 Preservation Award.
That also means we can say a public thank you from all of us to the couple who love Back Bay history and architecture.
The site is an ongoing work. Since our original report: Genealogies of Back Bay Houses: Our Friday Link, the team has completed the residential district by adding the properties between Massachusetts Avenue and Charlesgate East.
They are also adding information, historic photos, updated photos, and illustrations as they find new material. And, they are happy to accept the assistance of their readers and fans. If you have information on a property, family photos, or illustrations, you can offer the details through the site's contact page.
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!
When we first linked our readers to the website Back Bay Houses, we honored the founders' wishes that we not identify them by name. Since then, the Boston Preservation Alliance put the spotlight on Tom and Nancy High by choosing them and the website they created after years of research for a 2014 Preservation Award.
That also means we can say a public thank you from all of us to the couple who love Back Bay history and architecture.
The site is an ongoing work. Since our original report: Genealogies of Back Bay Houses: Our Friday Link, the team has completed the residential district by adding the properties between Massachusetts Avenue and Charlesgate East.
They are also adding information, historic photos, updated photos, and illustrations as they find new material. And, they are happy to accept the assistance of their readers and fans. If you have information on a property, family photos, or illustrations, you can offer the details through the site's contact page.
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!
This week, someone placed roses on the paving stones that The Garden Club of the Back Bay members added among the plantings around the sculpture.
These stones were put in place to make it easier for people to have photos taken of themselves or their group with the statue. Ed and I often volunteer to take these photos with visitors' cameras and we're fairly sure other neighbors do the same.
This was not among my favorite sculptures when I first encountered it, but over the years I've come to associate it with the people who take time out of their few hours in Boston to stop and pay tribute, have a photo taken for the folks back home, and, in at least one instance, stand with tears in their eyes looking up at a former President of Argentina being honored in a foreign land.
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!
This week, someone placed roses on the paving stones that The Garden Club of the Back Bay members added among the plantings around the sculpture.
These stones were put in place to make it easier for people to have photos taken of themselves or their group with the statue. Ed and I often volunteer to take these photos with visitors' cameras and we're fairly sure other neighbors do the same.
This was not among my favorite sculptures when I first encountered it, but over the years I've come to associate it with the people who take time out of their few hours in Boston to stop and pay tribute, have a photo taken for the folks back home, and, in at least one instance, stand with tears in their eyes looking up at a former President of Argentina being honored in a foreign land.
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!
Now's the time to plan where you'll park for Marathon weekend, so your car doesn't end up on a flatbed! And, be warned, the city does tow every car left in the way of the racers. When you move your car think ahead.
If you normally park on the streets along the route of the weekend races, you may want to begin looking for spaces off-the-route. If you can do without your car for a few days, consider stashing it in a safe spot before everyone else has the same idea. And, remember, the bike lanes on Massachusetts Avenue eliminated more than 70 spaces, so finding on-street parking will be more difficult than ever.
Here's a Google map that locates public parking facilities using the Boston Marathon Finish Line as the central point.
And, if you'll need your car on Monday, you should make sure it's on the side of the Marathon route where you can reach it and get to your planned destination.
Saturday, April 18, 2015 – The B.A.A. 5K, Invitational Mile, and Relay Challenge
Again, this year, there are weekend races prior to Monday's marathon.
Thousands of runners are expected to compete in the 5K (3.1 mile) race two days prior to 119th Boston Marathon. This race is scheduled to start at 8 a.m. by the Boston Common and cover a route through parts of the Back Bay ending back at the Common. Here's a link to the B.A.A. 5K course map.
Plus, there are the Invitational Mile races that will also be held on Saturday, April 18, 2015 (10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.) For details, including streets impacted by this event, go to B.A.A. Invitational Mile 2015.
For the full press release with more details, Click Here.
Street Closures and Parking Restrictions for Marathon Monday, April 20, 2015
Parking restrictions for the Marathon often begin on Boylston Street five or six-days before the event. From this point, until the last runners are safely across the finish line, you'll see more and more "No Parking/No Stopping" signs popping-up along the marathon route and some adjacent streets.
Remember, many streets in the Copley Square area will be impacted by the marathon. The best advice is to park your vehicle and walk and/or take public transportation.
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.
Now's the time to plan where you'll park for Marathon weekend, so your car doesn't end up on a flatbed! And, be warned, the city does tow every car left in the way of the racers. When you move your car think ahead.
If you normally park on the streets along the route of the weekend races, you may want to begin looking for spaces off-the-route. If you can do without your car for a few days, consider stashing it in a safe spot before everyone else has the same idea. And, remember, the bike lanes on Massachusetts Avenue eliminated more than 70 spaces, so finding on-street parking will be more difficult than ever.
Here's a Google map that locates public parking facilities using the Boston Marathon Finish Line as the central point.
And, if you'll need your car on Monday, you should make sure it's on the side of the Marathon route where you can reach it and get to your planned destination.
Saturday, April 18, 2015 – The B.A.A. 5K, Invitational Mile, and Relay Challenge
Again, this year, there are weekend races prior to Monday's marathon.
Thousands of runners are expected to compete in the 5K (3.1 mile) race two days prior to 119th Boston Marathon. This race is scheduled to start at 8 a.m. by the Boston Common and cover a route through parts of the Back Bay ending back at the Common. Here's a link to the B.A.A. 5K course map.
Plus, there are the Invitational Mile races that will also be held on Saturday, April 18, 2015 (10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.) For details, including streets impacted by this event, go to B.A.A. Invitational Mile 2015.
For the full press release with more details, Click Here.
Street Closures and Parking Restrictions for Marathon Monday, April 20, 2015
Parking restrictions for the Marathon often begin on Boylston Street five or six-days before the event. From this point, until the last runners are safely across the finish line, you'll see more and more "No Parking/No Stopping" signs popping-up along the marathon route and some adjacent streets.
Remember, many streets in the Copley Square area will be impacted by the marathon. The best advice is to park your vehicle and walk and/or take public transportation.
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.
Leave it to the team at Edible Boston to create a cover that perfectly describes our slow melt into spring.
My first stop when my preview copy of this publication arrives in the mail is to read publisher Ilene Bezahler's letter to her readers or family as she considers the local food community.
This month, she had something very important to say and I'm going to quote her message. It's something we've been writing about since the impact of this winter became apparent.
"This spring I would like to extend my family by inviting the members of the local food community to join me at an imaginary table.
Over the 9 years that I have been publishing the magazine I’ve enjoyed many a meal, a drink or just a relaxed conversation with these new family members. We’ve shared stories of our lives, daily events, troubles and accomplishments. And like families do, we have helped each out when help is needed.
Well, now is the time that our family needs help. This past winter has been brutal and the economic impact on the local economy is huge. Think about how many days stores and restaurants had to close due to snow. A closed business means no revenue, revenue that cannot be made up.
How can we help? Shop in your local store rather than online. Eat out a little more than usual. Pay full price for merchandise rather than waiting for a sale. Remember a little action on our part will have a big impact on our food family."
Edible Boston is a local business, too.
And, they can also use your support. Here's what I always say about that.
How do you support a publisher like Ilene Bezahler and her remarkably talented team?
May I suggest that you let their sponsors know you saw them in the magazine and grab an extra copy and get it to someone else who cares about supporting the local food movement. Also, if you have a blog, twitter account, or facebook page, write about them, link to them, follow them, retweet their tweets, like them on Facebook, and in general, spread the word about this great asset to our community.
from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.