This week, the Back Bay magnolias were in perfect bloom. We hope these photos will help you take a moment of respite to think about the beauty of our city as we begin to heal.
Pink or white they are all beautiful.
Single blooms or rows of trees, they do lift your spirits.
The white bloom first, then pink, and finally mauve.
And, today is our puppy Poppy’s first birthday so these flowers are a bouquet for our little love.
This week, the Back Bay magnolias were in perfect bloom. We hope these photos will help you take a moment of respite to think about the beauty of our city as we begin to heal.
Pink or white they are all beautiful.
Single blooms or rows of trees, they do lift your spirits.
The white bloom first, then pink, and finally mauve.
And, today is our puppy Poppy’s first birthday so these flowers are a bouquet for our little love.
This week, the Back Bay magnolias were in perfect bloom. We hope these photos will help you take a moment of respite to think about the beauty of our city as we begin to heal.
Pink or white they are all beautiful.
Single blooms or rows of trees, they do lift your spirits.
The white bloom first, then pink, and finally mauve.
And, today is our puppy Poppy’s first birthday so these flowers are a bouquet for our little love.
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.
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.
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.
Here's a rundown of what's open and what's closed in Boston on Patriots' Day, and the MBTA schedules for – Monday, April 15, 2013. Plus, tips and information on getting around Boston, parking, marathon issues, trash pickup, and other aspects of this day in the city.
Financial Services: Banks may open if they wish. All markets are open.
Federal Offices and Facilities are open: This includes the Postal Service.
Closed: Massachusetts City, Town, State Operations: This includes Schools, Libraries. Only emergency services are available.
Boston Parking
One of the most common questions we get is about street sweeping on Patriots' Day. Here's the page from the city website with the answer. It says:
"Daytime street sweeping is suspended on city holidays, but nighttime sweeping schedules remain in effect. Constituents are advised to call 617-635-4500 for exact details."
Reminder that was issued last year via twitter:
City of Boston via @NotifyBoston says "STREET CLEANING: Overnight sweeping Sunday-Monday morning still in effect. NO MONDAY regular posted sweeping."
You don't have to feed the meters. Other parking rules apply. Many streets will be cleared of parked cars to accommodate the Boston Marathon and Patriots' Day activities.
Be sure to check your car in the days leading up to the marathon to be sure it is not in a tow-away zone for the event. Here's how you can sign up for parking alerts and tow alerts.
Boston Trash Collection (Click here for what the city says)
"Patriots Day- Monday April 15, 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."
MBTA information after the BostonZest Amazon Selection of the Day.
If this information helps you, reward us by beginning all your Amazon shopping from BostonZest. Here are the latest versions of the cameras we'll use to photograph the Boston Marathon plus our favorite camera bag. Click over to the video on the Tamrac Velocity series of camera bags, and you'll see why we love it.
Buy your fares in advance with a Charlie Card or Charlie Ticket to avoid waiting in line on Monday.
"Copley Station will be CLOSED. The Berkley Street entrance/exit of Arlington Station will remain closed. The "B" section of Hynes Convention Center located on Boylston Street will be available for exit only."
Due to crowds, they don't allow bikes on the subway on Patriots' Day.
Marathon Monday
Blue, Orange, Red, Green, and Silver Line service will run on "regular weekday schedule."
Commuter rail trains will operate on their "regular weekday schedule."
"Buses and trackless trolleys will operate a Saturday schedule."
Commuter Boats will operate on a "regular weekday schedule."
"THE RIDE will operate on a modified weekday schedule."
Bus routes that impact the marathon course will be rerouted at times.
Update 04.12.13: from @mbtaGM 12:09pm – "#MBTA Patriots' Day Parking: On 4/15, MBTA garages will be pay-on-entry, cash-only. Pls plan for garages/lots to fill quickly due to demand."
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.
Here's a rundown of what's open and what's closed in Boston on Patriots' Day, and the MBTA schedules for – Monday, April 15, 2013. Plus, tips and information on getting around Boston, parking, marathon issues, trash pickup, and other aspects of this day in the city.
Financial Services: Banks may open if they wish. All markets are open.
Federal Offices and Facilities are open: This includes the Postal Service.
Closed: Massachusetts City, Town, State Operations: This includes Schools, Libraries. Only emergency services are available.
Boston Parking
One of the most common questions we get is about street sweeping on Patriots' Day. Here's the page from the city website with the answer. It says:
"Daytime street sweeping is suspended on city holidays, but nighttime sweeping schedules remain in effect. Constituents are advised to call 617-635-4500 for exact details."
Reminder that was issued last year via twitter:
City of Boston via @NotifyBoston says "STREET CLEANING: Overnight sweeping Sunday-Monday morning still in effect. NO MONDAY regular posted sweeping."
You don't have to feed the meters. Other parking rules apply. Many streets will be cleared of parked cars to accommodate the Boston Marathon and Patriots' Day activities.
Be sure to check your car in the days leading up to the marathon to be sure it is not in a tow-away zone for the event. Here's how you can sign up for parking alerts and tow alerts.
Boston Trash Collection (Click here for what the city says)
"Patriots Day- Monday April 15, 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."
MBTA information after the BostonZest Amazon Selection of the Day.
If this information helps you, reward us by beginning all your Amazon shopping from BostonZest. Here are the latest versions of the cameras we'll use to photograph the Boston Marathon plus our favorite camera bag. Click over to the video on the Tamrac Velocity series of camera bags, and you'll see why we love it.
Buy your fares in advance with a Charlie Card or Charlie Ticket to avoid waiting in line on Monday.
"Copley Station will be CLOSED. The Berkley Street entrance/exit of Arlington Station will remain closed. The "B" section of Hynes Convention Center located on Boylston Street will be available for exit only."
Due to crowds, they don't allow bikes on the subway on Patriots' Day.
Marathon Monday
Blue, Orange, Red, Green, and Silver Line service will run on "regular weekday schedule."
Commuter rail trains will operate on their "regular weekday schedule."
"Buses and trackless trolleys will operate a Saturday schedule."
Commuter Boats will operate on a "regular weekday schedule."
"THE RIDE will operate on a modified weekday schedule."
Bus routes that impact the marathon course will be rerouted at times.
Update 04.12.13: from @mbtaGM 12:09pm – "#MBTA Patriots' Day Parking: On 4/15, MBTA garages will be pay-on-entry, cash-only. Pls plan for garages/lots to fill quickly due to demand."
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.
Here's a rundown of what's open and what's closed in Boston on Patriots' Day, and the MBTA schedules for – Monday, April 15, 2013. Plus, tips and information on getting around Boston, parking, marathon issues, trash pickup, and other aspects of this day in the city.
Financial Services: Banks may open if they wish. All markets are open.
Federal Offices and Facilities are open: This includes the Postal Service.
Closed: Massachusetts City, Town, State Operations: This includes Schools, Libraries. Only emergency services are available.
Boston Parking
One of the most common questions we get is about street sweeping on Patriots' Day. Here's the page from the city website with the answer. It says:
"Daytime street sweeping is suspended on city holidays, but nighttime sweeping schedules remain in effect. Constituents are advised to call 617-635-4500 for exact details."
Reminder that was issued last year via twitter:
City of Boston via @NotifyBoston says "STREET CLEANING: Overnight sweeping Sunday-Monday morning still in effect. NO MONDAY regular posted sweeping."
You don't have to feed the meters. Other parking rules apply. Many streets will be cleared of parked cars to accommodate the Boston Marathon and Patriots' Day activities.
Be sure to check your car in the days leading up to the marathon to be sure it is not in a tow-away zone for the event. Here's how you can sign up for parking alerts and tow alerts.
Boston Trash Collection (Click here for what the city says)
"Patriots Day- Monday April 15, 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."
MBTA information after the BostonZest Amazon Selection of the Day.
If this information helps you, reward us by beginning all your Amazon shopping from BostonZest. Here are the latest versions of the cameras we'll use to photograph the Boston Marathon plus our favorite camera bag. Click over to the video on the Tamrac Velocity series of camera bags, and you'll see why we love it.
Buy your fares in advance with a Charlie Card or Charlie Ticket to avoid waiting in line on Monday.
"Copley Station will be CLOSED. The Berkley Street entrance/exit of Arlington Station will remain closed. The "B" section of Hynes Convention Center located on Boylston Street will be available for exit only."
Due to crowds, they don't allow bikes on the subway on Patriots' Day.
Marathon Monday
Blue, Orange, Red, Green, and Silver Line service will run on "regular weekday schedule."
Commuter rail trains will operate on their "regular weekday schedule."
"Buses and trackless trolleys will operate a Saturday schedule."
Commuter Boats will operate on a "regular weekday schedule."
"THE RIDE will operate on a modified weekday schedule."
Bus routes that impact the marathon course will be rerouted at times.
Update 04.12.13: from @mbtaGM 12:09pm – "#MBTA Patriots' Day Parking: On 4/15, MBTA garages will be pay-on-entry, cash-only. Pls plan for garages/lots to fill quickly due to demand."
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.
Whether you're coming to run or watch the 2013 Boston Marathon or just want to log some miles, it's an exciting time to visit the city.
Right onto Hereford Street – Less Than a Mile to Go!
I remember my first Boston Marathon – as a spectator, I've yet to put in the training needed to actually compete. Penny and I booked a hotel room for the weekend and left the car parked. We took in the runners' expo, pasta supper, and other pre-race activities, then watched a spectacular Boylston Street finish.
As an out-of-state runner staying near Faneuil Hall, I still wanted to get in a run or two, but wasn't sure where to head.
Now, as a Boston resident, I can recommend a couple of my favorite routes.
Charles River Run
If you're a visiting runner staying anywhere near the finish line, you can't beat a daytime run along the Charles River. It offers great views and a more open course without having to constantly cross roadways. This multi-use path is shared by bikes, blades, skate boards, dogs, and walkers. It can get congested as the day wears on, but who knows, you may find yourself sharing the trail with some famous, elite runners. It's easy to make any number of loops between the Boston and Cambridge sides of the river by using the many bridges along the way.
From Back Bay you can access the Charles River Esplanade from Massachusetts Avenue, Fairfield, Dartmouth, and Arlington Streets. If you head West from the Massachusetts Avenue ramp you can also use the parcourse workout station that's located just up-river. Click here for photos and details including a map to find it.
Morning Run Along the Esplanade
Parks in the Heart of the City
For a tree-lined route, try the Commonwealth Avenue Mall – not a shopping center, but a park that runs down the center of this residential street. At Commonwealth and Arlington you can enter the pristine Public Garden for a slower pace. Moving through the center of the Garden will lead you across Charles Street to the Boston Common.
Inside tip: Local-isms
Mass Ave = Massachusetts Avenue Comm Ave = Commonwealth Avenue And, it's Boston Common (singular) not Boston Commons
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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.