Either someone did a ton of laundry or one of the residents of a Back Bay condo broke down and cleaned out the empties in the laundry room.
This extra large bag of laundry product containers was put out for recycling yesterday.
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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2015 Penny Cherubino
Either someone did a ton of laundry or one of the residents of a Back Bay condo broke down and cleaned out the empties in the laundry room.
This extra large bag of laundry product containers was put out for recycling yesterday.
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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2015 Penny Cherubino
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.
The next bloomers are the Magnolia stellata, or star magnolia with many small petals per bud.
(This photo is from a past year.)
Finally, the big show stoppers will be the thousands of Magnolia × soulangeana or saucer magnolia.
And, an encore will be performed by the deep purple variety that's still showing tightly, closed buds on the few trees we can identify.
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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2012-2015 Penny & Ed Cherubino
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.
The next bloomers are the Magnolia stellata, or star magnolia with many small petals per bud.
(This photo is from a past year.)
Finally, the big show stoppers will be the thousands of Magnolia × soulangeana or saucer magnolia.
And, an encore will be performed by the deep purple variety that's still showing tightly, closed buds on the few trees we can identify.
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
Details:
Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2012-2015 Penny & Ed Cherubino
April is a busy month with the Boston Marathon and other events making hotel rooms expensive and restaurant reservations scarce.
On Easter Sunday, you'll find special menus in many restaurants. If you have suggestions for places not doing this or alternative dining suggestions for Easter, please add them. And, Passover is a great time to enjoy some of the special kosher foods that are easier to find at this time.
Related BostonZest Post: Where to Dine in Boston on Easter, April 5, 2015
Do you have a favorite place to buy chocolate for Easter Baskets?
The Boston Athletic Association is expecting 30,000 runners and half a million spectators for the Marathon on April 20th. There are other races and marathon related events all weekend.
There will be road closures and changes in MBTA routes surrounding the Marathon course. Here are some links to information on those aspects of the race.
If you need to get somewhere on Marathon Monday – before the roads close – try to place yourself on the side of the course that will allow you to get where you're going.
Related Posts: A collection of tips for Marathon Weekend, some from past years, that we'll be updating between now and Marathon Monday.
For a long list of events for people with varied tastes, check out The Boston Calendar for April 2015.
For free and budget events, follow along with Kate from Boston On Budget.
For a curated list of historic events, you can depend on historian Liz Covart.
Here are the dates of conventions that will impact hotel pricing and availability:
Every year, we publish a list of the spring graduation dates that make hotel and restaurant reservations harder to find in the weeks ahead. This year, we've added Wentworth Institute of Technology on April 25, 2015. If you need restaurant reservations or hotel rooms for friends and family from that date to June 5th, make them now.
What are your favorite April events or things you look forward to doing in Boston in April? Add your thoughts in the comments below. Tweet them to @BostonZest or send us an email and we'll add your suggestions to this post as an update.
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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2012-2015 Penny & Ed Cherubino (graduation caps are from istockphoto.com)
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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 or call the contact number at Animal Care to ask that a license package be sent to you now.
I put a reminder on my calendar on March 1st and have already applied online and received Poppy's Boston dog license. Here's the link for Boston. (Check your city or town to see if it offers this convenient service.)
My Poppy was already registered, so I typed in her current license number and all my information was filled in by the system. I uploaded a photo of her spay certificate and one of her current rabies record. Then I entered my credit card information and completed the transaction. The cost this year in Boston for a spayed dog is $16, including a one dollar processing fee.
When her license arrived, we scanned it and put a copy in Dropbox so that both Ed and I always have access to it on our phones. The tag was added to Poppy's ID set.
On a side note, Poppy would like to thank the person who cleared this park bench for her. She loves benches.
From the Facebook Page for the City of Boston Animal Care and Control, here is a list of the times and places where you can get a low cost rabies vaccination. The following information was given in two posts.
Fees:
"The fees for the rabies clinics are:
$5 for the rabies shot for Boston Residents
$10 for non-Boston Residents
License fees:
$15 for Spayed/Neutered Dogs
$30 for non-fixed Dogs"
Clinics:
"Saturday April 4th 10am-2pm
Codman Square BCYF Perkins Community Center
155 Talbot Ave
Saturday May 2nd 10am-2pm
East Boston BCYF Martin Pino Community Center
86 Boardman St
Saturday May 9th 10am-2pm
West Roxbury BCYF Roche Family Community Center
1716 Centre St
Saturday May 16th 10am-2pm
South Boston BCYF Condon Community Center
200 D St
Tuesday September 22nd 4pm-8pm
City of Boston Animal Care and Control
26 Mahler Rd"
Update 04.14.15 Since we didn't see any improvement in the list or access to information about low cost rabies clinics in Boston we hunted down this list from the state.
We've said it before and now we are saying it again. A license is proof that your dog has had a rabies shot. That's important to anyone who might have to help you find a lost dog or treat a hurt one.
It's really important to let the city know how many dogs live here and should be considered when the politicians do their planning and spend our money. Getting everyone to license their dogs will send a message. So, stand up and be counted!
Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.
Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon
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Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: © 2015 Penny Cherubino
This year, Evacuation Day (which most people admit is just an excuse for Saint Patrick's Day revelry) falls on a Tuesday – March 17th. City and state workers in Suffolk County no longer have this as a holiday. City Hall and the State offices in Suffolk County will be open. But, because of the parade and the drinking of the green beer, there will be a few adaptations around the city.
I do know that a lot of people will be taking advantage of the event to come to Boston. Questions about where to stay, which Irish Pub to visit, and how to get around the city have popped up over on the Boston Trip Advisor forum. It looks like visitors are coming here from all over the country and especially from Ireland.
Do you celebrate Saint Patrick's Day?
About your holiday questions …
According to the Secretary of State's website,
"Evacuation Day – March 17th
(Suffolk County only, state and municipal offices are open)"
The day is not listed on Boston's list of holidays. Therefore, there's no change in parking regulations or trash pick up.
Basically, everything is open. But, in the past, the city has asked South Boston liquor stores and bars to cut off sales early. There has been no announcement regarding this that we could find this year.
Some MBTA routes in South Boston will be changed because of the parade. Download MBTA St Patrick's Day Parade schedule.
We'll update as press releases come out from around the city.
"The City of Boston’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade will be held on Sunday, March 15, 2015, in South Boston. The parade will begin at 1 PM on West Broadway at Dorchester Avenue, will continue to East Broadway, and end at Farragut Road.
The St. Patrick’s Day Road Race will also take place in South Boston on Sunday beginning at 11 AM. Runners will proceed from West Sixth Street at F Street onto Dorchester Street, right onto East Broadway, down and around the Farragut Statue at Day Boulevard, to East Broadway, right onto West Broadway, left onto E Street, left onto West Sixth Street, ending at the Boys and Girls Club at #230 West Sixth Street.
To accommodate the two events, staging/dispersal and clean-up, drivers should expect the following roads to be closed to vehicular traffic. Streets effected by the parade will close no later than 12 PM and streets effected by the road race will close no later than 10 AM.
Due to a combination of snow and Resident Parking Only restrictions, parking in the neighborhood is limited. Additional parking restrictions that will be implemented temporarily to support Sunday’s events are as follows.
“Tow Zone, No Stopping, Boston Police Special Event Sunday”
People coming into Boston to attend these events are kindly asked to take the MBTA. Information on service may be found at www.MBTA.com. For a faster return trip, the MBTA advises riders to purchase a round-trip rather than a one-way ticket."
Related Posts:
Irish Breakfast at the Squealing Pig
Matt Murphy's Pub Saves the Day
What's on your Amazon shopping list? Remember to click over to Amazon
Details:
Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: © 2008-2011 Penny Cherubino
This year, Evacuation Day (which most people admit is just an excuse for Saint Patrick's Day revelry) falls on a Tuesday – March 17th. City and state workers in Suffolk County no longer have this as a holiday. City Hall and the State offices in Suffolk County will be open. But, because of the parade and the drinking of the green beer, there will be a few adaptations around the city.
I do know that a lot of people will be taking advantage of the event to come to Boston. Questions about where to stay, which Irish Pub to visit, and how to get around the city have popped up over on the Boston Trip Advisor forum. It looks like visitors are coming here from all over the country and especially from Ireland.
Do you celebrate Saint Patrick's Day?
About your holiday questions …
According to the Secretary of State's website,
"Evacuation Day – March 17th
(Suffolk County only, state and municipal offices are open)"
The day is not listed on Boston's list of holidays. Therefore, there's no change in parking regulations or trash pick up.
Basically, everything is open. But, in the past, the city has asked South Boston liquor stores and bars to cut off sales early. There has been no announcement regarding this that we could find this year.
Some MBTA routes in South Boston will be changed because of the parade. Download MBTA St Patrick's Day Parade schedule.
We'll update as press releases come out from around the city.
"The City of Boston’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parade will be held on Sunday, March 15, 2015, in South Boston. The parade will begin at 1 PM on West Broadway at Dorchester Avenue, will continue to East Broadway, and end at Farragut Road.
The St. Patrick’s Day Road Race will also take place in South Boston on Sunday beginning at 11 AM. Runners will proceed from West Sixth Street at F Street onto Dorchester Street, right onto East Broadway, down and around the Farragut Statue at Day Boulevard, to East Broadway, right onto West Broadway, left onto E Street, left onto West Sixth Street, ending at the Boys and Girls Club at #230 West Sixth Street.
To accommodate the two events, staging/dispersal and clean-up, drivers should expect the following roads to be closed to vehicular traffic. Streets effected by the parade will close no later than 12 PM and streets effected by the road race will close no later than 10 AM.
Due to a combination of snow and Resident Parking Only restrictions, parking in the neighborhood is limited. Additional parking restrictions that will be implemented temporarily to support Sunday’s events are as follows.
“Tow Zone, No Stopping, Boston Police Special Event Sunday”
People coming into Boston to attend these events are kindly asked to take the MBTA. Information on service may be found at www.MBTA.com. For a faster return trip, the MBTA advises riders to purchase a round-trip rather than a one-way ticket."
Related Posts:
Irish Breakfast at the Squealing Pig
Matt Murphy's Pub Saves the Day
What's on your Amazon shopping list? Remember to click over to Amazon
Details:
Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: © 2008-2011 Penny Cherubino
It was just a couple of weeks ago when we asked you to "Lend Your Support to Allowing Dogs & Cats on Amtrak." The good news is that the bill we asked you to support has passed. While the bureaucrats slowly set up the program, you can get your companion animals ready to be great passengers.
Our Poppy is a subway pro. We take her on the MBTA often enough to keep her acclimatized to the noise, crowded conditions, and movement of the trains. But, as someone who has ridden trains along the Northeast corridor, I know that the motion of those trains is not exactly the same as subway sways.
Commuter rail photo courtesy of the Massachusetts Office of Tourism
Under MBTA pet guidelines, your dog or cat is already welcome aboard the Commuter Rail. Pick a destination where you and your dog can have some fun and plan a day trip this spring.
How about Salem as a first trip? It's a fairly short, half hour ride with lots to do when you get there. (In summer, there is also a ferry to Salem which can be a great way to get a dog ready for boat rides.)
If that works out, you could try Newburyport for the next destination – it takes a little more than an hour to reach and should be a good test.
It would be a good idea for us to get Poppy used to riding in her Sherpa Pet Carrier
If a trip to Cape Cod is more to your liking, you and your dog or cat can ride the CapeFLYER to one of its stops, once the train resumes for the summer season. Pets ride free aboard this popular service. And, I have to wonder if the pet option is one of the reasons it was an immediate success.
Acela photo courtesy of the Massachusetts Office of Tourism
Once we are allowed to take Poppy with us, we'll be on board for three of our favorite car-free destinations: New York City, Philadelphia, and Portland, Maine.
Downeaster photo courtesy of the Massachusetts Office of Tourism
The Downeaster to Portland should be one of the first test routes considering how dog-friendly that city happens to be. And, we look forward to spending more time in New York and Philadelphia.
Where will you go by train with your favorite companion animal?
Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.
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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: istockphoto for the traveling dog image. Trains are courtesy of the Massachusetts Office of Tourism used under this creative commons license.
When I shot this photo of the angel sculpture on the perimeter wall of the Church Court Condominium for a Back Bay Sun Cover, I never imagined how much snow we would have in the days to follow.
The winter had been calm and as the first snow came down, I grabbed my camera and went out to capture a wintry cover for the paper.
The sculptor, Gene Cauthen, calls it "Church Court Angel" and provides these close up photos on his site.
He explains that it is:
" 5' 6" bronze, commissioned by architect Graham Gund, installed on the exterior wall of an architectural ensemble at Church Court, 492 Beacon Street, Boston, MA."
Mount Vernon Church Image from the New York Public Library Collection via Wikipedia.
The condominium is a mixture of old and new. In 1978, the Mount Vernon Church (designed by Walter & Kimble in 1891) suffered a serious fire. The shell of the building remained until the 1980s when Graham Gund added new elements and created the building we see today.
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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2015 Penny & Ed Cherubino