Tag: Massachusetts

What’s Open on Columbus Day 2013 in Boston, MBTA Schedule Changes, Parking, Trash & More
Here's a rundown of what's open and closed in Boston on Columbus Day and changes to MBTA schedules for October 14, 2013. As the information becomes available, we'll also update you on parking, street sweeping, traffic alerts, road closures, parades, and trash collection.

Update: Here's the link to the 2015 version of this information.

What's Open & Closed in Boston on Columbus Day 2015 Plus Trash, Parking, MBTA Schedules & More.

We publish these reminders before each holiday to help our readers make their holiday plans.

This is one of those holidays when, for a lot of people, it's "business as usual." Even the stock market is open. But, if you have the day off, you might enjoy a visit to the Opening Our Doors 2014 in the Fenway Cultural District.

What's open?

Restaurants, bars: Open

Convenience stores: Open

Supermarkets: Open

Retail stores: Are allowed to open if the owners choose

Liquor stores: Open

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 most Banks closed. But, each year more banks decide to keep a few branches open. Check with your own bank.

Stock market: Open as are international markets.

Boston Parking, Trash, Etc.

Boston Parking: City website says, "Free parking at all city meters. All other rules apply.

Street Sweeping: City website says, "Daytime street sweeping is suspended on city holidays, but nighttime sweeping schedules remain in effect."

Boston Trash Collection: From this page on the city site.

"Monday October 14, 2013

No Delay of trash or recycling collection in Back Bay, Bay Village, Beacon Hill, Charlestown, Chinatown, Fenway, Leather District, Mission Hill, North End, Roxbury, South Boston, and the South End.

Delay trash and recycling collection a day only if you live in Allston, Brighton, Dorchester, East Boston, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain*, Mattapan, Roslindale, or West Roxbury.

*If you live in Jamaica Plain and your trash is picked up 2 times per week, do not delay."

Traffic Alerts/Road closures: More will be added as we are made aware of them.
- Columbus Day Parade – Sunday, October 13th in the North End.
- BAA Half Marathon – Sunday, October 13th from White Stadium in Franklin Park. Here's the official site for that event.
- DCR Memorial Drive Road Closure Western Ave to Mt Auburn Street – Sunday October 7th.
- Tufts 10 K – Monday October 14th – Road closures in the Back Bay and Cambridge. Here's the site for details.
MBTA Columbus Day Schedules 2013 (updated 10/03/13)

The MBTA has announced schedules for Columbus Day, Monday, October 14, 2013. The service schedules varied from Saturday, to modified Saturday, and regular weekday, to modified weekday. For a few days before and after the holiday, schedule details will show up at this link.
- Green and Silver lines will run on a weekday schedule.
- Red, Orange and Blue lines are on a Saturday schedule with some buses replacing service on the Red line.
- Buses will run on a Saturday schedule with a list of routes not operating.
- Commuter Rail and Boats will run on a weekday schedule.
- The Ride will run on a Saturday Schedule
Remember the links for details will only work through the holiday then that page reverts to a generic form.

For additional information on routes, schedules, and fares, contact the MBTA at (617) 222-3200, TTY 617-222-5146, or visit them at: www.mbta.com.

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Art from The Fenway Cultural District

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.
October 2, 2013
Welcome to Boston! Register to Vote for Fall Elections 2013
Here are the dates and deadlines for the Fall 2013 elections. If you are new to Boston or will be registering to vote for the first time, you have until 8 pm on October 16, 2013 to register for the November 5, 2013 election.

(The deadline for the Preliminary Boston Mayoral/Municipal Election on September 24th has already passed.)

Election November 5, 2013: Including the election of a Mayor and City Council Members in Boston from Boston Elections Department.
- October 16, 2013- 8:00 p.m. Last hour and day for registration of voters for Municipal Election.
- November 5, 2013- 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. — ELECTION DAY.
Related Post: The Voter Registration Jury Duty Myth – If you're reluctant to register to vote because you think it will make you more likely to be called for jury duty, we've already researched that idea and learned that it is a myth.

Related Post: Sick of Political and Polling Phone Calls? Change your outgoing message to ours!

Where to Register in Boston
The Boston Elections Department is located in room 241 at Boston City Hall and is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, except on city holidays.

Election Department contact information:
Room 241 Boston City Hall
Telephone: 617.635.3767
Email: Election@cityofboston.gov

You can download forms at: www.cityofboston.gov/elections and that link is information central for all matters about voting in Boston.

Details on Voter Registration

Complete information, including the identification documents you need and other ways to register to vote, can be found at the Elections Page at the Secretary of State's office.
Follow BostonZest on Twitter for any updates.

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: © 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.

Related articles

Mass. Senate special election set for June 25 – Boston.com

Finding a Boston Rental with a Dog

Chicken Soup for a Sick Friend

Needs more cowbell

Boston Tweet's Terrific Late Night Dining List
September 10, 2013
Welcome to Boston! Register to Vote for Fall Elections 2013
Here are the dates and deadlines for the Fall 2013 elections. If you are new to Boston or will be registering to vote for the first time, you have until 8 pm on October 16, 2013 to register for the November 5, 2013 election.

(The deadline for the Preliminary Boston Mayoral/Municipal Election on September 24th has already passed.)

Election November 5, 2013: Including the election of a Mayor and City Council Members in Boston from Boston Elections Department.
- October 16, 2013- 8:00 p.m. Last hour and day for registration of voters for Municipal Election.
- November 5, 2013- 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. — ELECTION DAY.
Related Post: The Voter Registration Jury Duty Myth – If you're reluctant to register to vote because you think it will make you more likely to be called for jury duty, we've already researched that idea and learned that it is a myth.

Related Post: Sick of Political and Polling Phone Calls? Change your outgoing message to ours!

Where to Register in Boston
The Boston Elections Department is located in room 241 at Boston City Hall and is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, except on city holidays.

Election Department contact information:
Room 241 Boston City Hall
Telephone: 617.635.3767
Email: Election@cityofboston.gov

You can download forms at: www.cityofboston.gov/elections and that link is information central for all matters about voting in Boston.

Details on Voter Registration

Complete information, including the identification documents you need and other ways to register to vote, can be found at the Elections Page at the Secretary of State's office.
Follow BostonZest on Twitter for any updates.

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: © 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.

Related articles

Mass. Senate special election set for June 25 – Boston.com

Finding a Boston Rental with a Dog

Chicken Soup for a Sick Friend

Needs more cowbell

Boston Tweet's Terrific Late Night Dining List
September 10, 2013
Welcome to Boston! Register to Vote for Fall Elections 2013
Here are the dates and deadlines for the Fall 2013 elections. If you are new to Boston or will be registering to vote for the first time, you have until 8 pm on October 16, 2013 to register for the November 5, 2013 election.

(The deadline for the Preliminary Boston Mayoral/Municipal Election on September 24th has already passed.)

Election November 5, 2013: Including the election of a Mayor and City Council Members in Boston from Boston Elections Department.
- October 16, 2013- 8:00 p.m. Last hour and day for registration of voters for Municipal Election.
- November 5, 2013- 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. — ELECTION DAY.
Related Post: The Voter Registration Jury Duty Myth – If you're reluctant to register to vote because you think it will make you more likely to be called for jury duty, we've already researched that idea and learned that it is a myth.

Related Post: Sick of Political and Polling Phone Calls? Change your outgoing message to ours!

Where to Register in Boston
The Boston Elections Department is located in room 241 at Boston City Hall and is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, except on city holidays.

Election Department contact information:
Room 241 Boston City Hall
Telephone: 617.635.3767
Email: Election@cityofboston.gov

You can download forms at: www.cityofboston.gov/elections and that link is information central for all matters about voting in Boston.

Details on Voter Registration

Complete information, including the identification documents you need and other ways to register to vote, can be found at the Elections Page at the Secretary of State's office.
Follow BostonZest on Twitter for any updates.

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: © 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.

Related articles

Mass. Senate special election set for June 25 – Boston.com

Finding a Boston Rental with a Dog

Chicken Soup for a Sick Friend

Needs more cowbell

Boston Tweet's Terrific Late Night Dining List
September 10, 2013
At The Market: Berries & Corn!

It's starting to look a lot like summer around Boston's Farmers' Markets with some of our favorite summer crops coming into the city from the farms, orchards, pastures, and ocean. The heavy rain followed by heat has taken its toll on our farmers but they're doing their best to keep planting and harvesting.

This customer is checking out the cherries and raspberries at the Foppema's Farm stand at the Copley Square Farmers' Market.

Stillman's Farm has some of their early corn at their stands at markets throughout the area.

The Word from the Farms & the Commissioner

“The purchasing of locally-grown fruit like blueberries through a wide range of local food markets not only helps support our local growers, but also contributes to the rich agricultural heritage of the Commonwealth,” said DAR Commissioner Greg Watson. “And blueberry season marks the arrival of summer in Massachusetts.”

Lily Carone from Atlas Farm reports that the blueberries are in and, "There is a full array of color on the stand now – including rainbow carrots and chioggia beets!"

Peter Ward, Manager of the Central Square Farmers' Market, did some taste-testing for you. "The sugar snap pea is vastly overlooked. And its reputation isn't enhanced – on the contrary, it's damaged -by the over-chilled tasteless snap peas you might see at the supermarket. I tried sugar snap peas from every vendor at the Farmers Market …and their snap peas are crisp, crunchy and moist and sweet."

In Season, Right Now!

You can see in the photos some of the wonderful produce we've been enjoying.

Get Some Before It's Gone!

Garlic scrapes, radishes, and strawberries are all coming to the end of their spring crops.

Coming Soon!

Lisa from Atlas Farms says, "Peppers, eggplant, heirloom tomatoes…it's all just around the corner."

Plus, more varieties of corn, peppers, and the early stone fruit

Follow all our Local Food/Farmers' Markets and At The Market reports.

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

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©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.

July 10, 2013
At The Market: Berries & Corn!

It's starting to look a lot like summer around Boston's Farmers' Markets with some of our favorite summer crops coming into the city from the farms, orchards, pastures, and ocean. The heavy rain followed by heat has taken its toll on our farmers but they're doing their best to keep planting and harvesting.

This customer is checking out the cherries and raspberries at the Foppema's Farm stand at the Copley Square Farmers' Market.

Stillman's Farm has some of their early corn at their stands at markets throughout the area.

The Word from the Farms & the Commissioner

“The purchasing of locally-grown fruit like blueberries through a wide range of local food markets not only helps support our local growers, but also contributes to the rich agricultural heritage of the Commonwealth,” said DAR Commissioner Greg Watson. “And blueberry season marks the arrival of summer in Massachusetts.”

Lily Carone from Atlas Farm reports that the blueberries are in and, "There is a full array of color on the stand now – including rainbow carrots and chioggia beets!"

Peter Ward, Manager of the Central Square Farmers' Market, did some taste-testing for you. "The sugar snap pea is vastly overlooked. And its reputation isn't enhanced – on the contrary, it's damaged -by the over-chilled tasteless snap peas you might see at the supermarket. I tried sugar snap peas from every vendor at the Farmers Market …and their snap peas are crisp, crunchy and moist and sweet."

In Season, Right Now!

You can see in the photos some of the wonderful produce we've been enjoying.

Get Some Before It's Gone!

Garlic scrapes, radishes, and strawberries are all coming to the end of their spring crops.

Coming Soon!

Lisa from Atlas Farms says, "Peppers, eggplant, heirloom tomatoes…it's all just around the corner."

Plus, more varieties of corn, peppers, and the early stone fruit

Follow all our Local Food/Farmers' Markets and At The Market reports.

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

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©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.

July 10, 2013
At The Market: Berries & Corn!

It's starting to look a lot like summer around Boston's Farmers' Markets with some of our favorite summer crops coming into the city from the farms, orchards, pastures, and ocean. The heavy rain followed by heat has taken its toll on our farmers but they're doing their best to keep planting and harvesting.

This customer is checking out the cherries and raspberries at the Foppema's Farm stand at the Copley Square Farmers' Market.

Stillman's Farm has some of their early corn at their stands at markets throughout the area.

The Word from the Farms & the Commissioner

“The purchasing of locally-grown fruit like blueberries through a wide range of local food markets not only helps support our local growers, but also contributes to the rich agricultural heritage of the Commonwealth,” said DAR Commissioner Greg Watson. “And blueberry season marks the arrival of summer in Massachusetts.”

Lily Carone from Atlas Farm reports that the blueberries are in and, "There is a full array of color on the stand now – including rainbow carrots and chioggia beets!"

Peter Ward, Manager of the Central Square Farmers' Market, did some taste-testing for you. "The sugar snap pea is vastly overlooked. And its reputation isn't enhanced – on the contrary, it's damaged -by the over-chilled tasteless snap peas you might see at the supermarket. I tried sugar snap peas from every vendor at the Farmers Market …and their snap peas are crisp, crunchy and moist and sweet."

In Season, Right Now!

You can see in the photos some of the wonderful produce we've been enjoying.

Get Some Before It's Gone!

Garlic scrapes, radishes, and strawberries are all coming to the end of their spring crops.

Coming Soon!

Lisa from Atlas Farms says, "Peppers, eggplant, heirloom tomatoes…it's all just around the corner."

Plus, more varieties of corn, peppers, and the early stone fruit

Follow all our Local Food/Farmers' Markets and At The Market reports.

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

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©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.

July 10, 2013
Wollaston Beach and Quincy Shore Drive: Then and Now

Wollaston Beach and Quincy Shore Reservation are a perfect destination when you want to grab a Zipcar and spend an hour or two at the shore. We like to go on weekdays when the crowds are moderate and we can relax and enjoy the views back to Boston and out to sea.

Just like in days of old, we pull into one of the angled spaces that line the beachside. (This postcard is from the Boston Public Library Collection.)

The state undertook the creation of this park in 1899 and opened it to the public on May 30, 1908. It was part of the historic Metropolitan Parks System designed to preserve open and natural spaces for Boston area residents.

A Quick Beach Escape

We sit on the seawall and "people watch." (We are not allowed on the beach in summer because we take our dog with us.) We join the constant stream of locals walking the wide 2.3 mile seaside walkway.

And, we have lunch at one of the seasonal beach restaurants across from the beach. The photo above is from Tony's Clam Shop. If the wait for a table on the patio is long, we'll order our meal to go and take it back to the seawall or if we're lucky, dine on a shaded bench.

Here's another postcard view of the Squantum and Wollaston Yacht clubs.

While it is very busy in summer, you'll find people drawn to this place all year long in good weather and on downright nasty days when surf pounds the seawall.

It's just 8.5 miles from downtown Boston. Without a traffic jam, you can be there in 20 minutes. And, if you are willing to walk a bit, it is only a mile from the Wollaston station on the MBTA Red line.

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

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2013 Ed Cherubino with postcards from the Boston Public Library and a private collection.

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.

July 8, 2013
Wollaston Beach and Quincy Shore Drive: Then and Now

Wollaston Beach and Quincy Shore Reservation are a perfect destination when you want to grab a Zipcar and spend an hour or two at the shore. We like to go on weekdays when the crowds are moderate and we can relax and enjoy the views back to Boston and out to sea.

Just like in days of old, we pull into one of the angled spaces that line the beachside. (This postcard is from the Boston Public Library Collection.)

The state undertook the creation of this park in 1899 and opened it to the public on May 30, 1908. It was part of the historic Metropolitan Parks System designed to preserve open and natural spaces for Boston area residents.

A Quick Beach Escape

We sit on the seawall and "people watch." (We are not allowed on the beach in summer because we take our dog with us.) We join the constant stream of locals walking the wide 2.3 mile seaside walkway.

And, we have lunch at one of the seasonal beach restaurants across from the beach. The photo above is from Tony's Clam Shop. If the wait for a table on the patio is long, we'll order our meal to go and take it back to the seawall or if we're lucky, dine on a shaded bench.

Here's another postcard view of the Squantum and Wollaston Yacht clubs.

While it is very busy in summer, you'll find people drawn to this place all year long in good weather and on downright nasty days when surf pounds the seawall.

It's just 8.5 miles from downtown Boston. Without a traffic jam, you can be there in 20 minutes. And, if you are willing to walk a bit, it is only a mile from the Wollaston station on the MBTA Red line.

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

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2013 Ed Cherubino with postcards from the Boston Public Library and a private collection.

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.

July 8, 2013
Wollaston Beach and Quincy Shore Drive: Then and Now

Wollaston Beach and Quincy Shore Reservation are a perfect destination when you want to grab a Zipcar and spend an hour or two at the shore. We like to go on weekdays when the crowds are moderate and we can relax and enjoy the views back to Boston and out to sea.

Just like in days of old, we pull into one of the angled spaces that line the beachside. (This postcard is from the Boston Public Library Collection.)

The state undertook the creation of this park in 1899 and opened it to the public on May 30, 1908. It was part of the historic Metropolitan Parks System designed to preserve open and natural spaces for Boston area residents.

A Quick Beach Escape

We sit on the seawall and "people watch." (We are not allowed on the beach in summer because we take our dog with us.) We join the constant stream of locals walking the wide 2.3 mile seaside walkway.

And, we have lunch at one of the seasonal beach restaurants across from the beach. The photo above is from Tony's Clam Shop. If the wait for a table on the patio is long, we'll order our meal to go and take it back to the seawall or if we're lucky, dine on a shaded bench.

Here's another postcard view of the Squantum and Wollaston Yacht clubs.

While it is very busy in summer, you'll find people drawn to this place all year long in good weather and on downright nasty days when surf pounds the seawall.

It's just 8.5 miles from downtown Boston. Without a traffic jam, you can be there in 20 minutes. And, if you are willing to walk a bit, it is only a mile from the Wollaston station on the MBTA Red line.

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

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2013 Ed Cherubino with postcards from the Boston Public Library and a private collection.

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.

July 8, 2013