Tag: Charles Street

  • Routes for Visiting Runners – Boston Marathon Weekend

    UPDATE: Routes for Visiting Runners – Boston Marathon Weekend 2016

    Whether you're coming to run or watch the 2015 Boston Marathon or just want to log some miles, it's an exciting time to visit the city. And, we hope this piece will help all the runners who are new to the city, here for a vacation or business trip.

    DSC_6214 - Version 22011-04-18-runners-boston-marathon-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    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.

    CHE_0719 - Version 32013-01-09-runner-charles-river-misty-winter-morning-© 2011 Penny Cherubino2013-01-09-women-running-charles-Esplanade-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    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

    Related Posts:   

    Tracking a Boston Marathon Runner 2015

    Parking Your Car for Boston Marathon Weekend 2015

    What’s Open in Boston on Patriots’ Day 2015

    How to Get to the Esplanade from Boston

    Here are some Photos from past Boston Marathons

    The View from Hereford Street 

    Marathon Kisses 

    Other Resources:

    Here's a great site. You'll find dozens of local running routes, including along the Charles River.

    For more places to run, Bostinno has a post on this topic – How to Train For the Boston Marathon: Where the Runners Run.

    Details:
    Words: Ed Cherubino
    Photos: (Top) 2011 Boston Marathon, (Bottom) Esplanade Run ©2013 Penny Cherubino

    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!

  • Routes for Visiting Runners – Boston Marathon Weekend

    UPDATE: Routes for Visiting Runners – Boston Marathon Weekend 2016

    Whether you're coming to run or watch the 2015 Boston Marathon or just want to log some miles, it's an exciting time to visit the city. And, we hope this piece will help all the runners who are new to the city, here for a vacation or business trip.

    DSC_6214 - Version 22011-04-18-runners-boston-marathon-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    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.

    CHE_0719 - Version 32013-01-09-runner-charles-river-misty-winter-morning-© 2011 Penny Cherubino2013-01-09-women-running-charles-Esplanade-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    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

    Related Posts:   

    Tracking a Boston Marathon Runner 2015

    Parking Your Car for Boston Marathon Weekend 2015

    What’s Open in Boston on Patriots’ Day 2015

    How to Get to the Esplanade from Boston

    Here are some Photos from past Boston Marathons

    The View from Hereford Street 

    Marathon Kisses 

    Other Resources:

    Here's a great site. You'll find dozens of local running routes, including along the Charles River.

    For more places to run, Bostinno has a post on this topic – How to Train For the Boston Marathon: Where the Runners Run.

    Details:
    Words: Ed Cherubino
    Photos: (Top) 2011 Boston Marathon, (Bottom) Esplanade Run ©2013 Penny Cherubino

    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!

  • Boston Ethnic Markets Is Our Friday Link

    Adventurous Boston food lovers are fortunate to have a great resource in the website Boston Ethnic Markets

    Boston Etnnic Markets Website

    This may look familar to you because it’s an updated version of the information that was once on the Boston Museum site. 

    Dan Brody, who maintained the roster there, has created a new home for it and is looking forward to working with the Boston food community to keep it up-to-date. Please think of him and this resource when you notice that a new place has opened or a listed place has closed.

    6a00e54fc42bb88834017d426d7f78970c-800wi

    If you’re looking for a Kosher butcher, the list will link you to the Butcherie of Brookline.

    6a00e54fc42bb88834013482cc5c4d970c-800wi

    Want Middle Eastern food? Arax will come up as one of many choices in Watertown.

    6a00e54fc42bb88834014e8a2fbf7a970d-800wi

    Look for a place to buy nuts and Fastachi will show up listed twice. Once for the Watertown shop and again for the one on Charles Street in Boston. 

    With the click of a header, you can sort the list by any of its headings including the name of the shop, what type of store it is, what region of the world it covers, what ethnic cuisine, or by the town where you hope to shop. 

    Nice work, Dan. And we understand how hard it can be to keep information like this current so we hope all our readers will send you tips to help out. 

     

    What’s on your Food Lover’s Shopping List? Shop Amazon for all your kitchen & dining needs and support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny Cherubino
    Photos: ©2010-2014 Penny & Ed Cherubino with top screen shot courtesty of Boston Ethnic Markets.

  • Routes for Visiting Runners – Boston Marathon Weekend

    UPDATE: Routes for Visiting Runners – Boston Marathon Weekend 2016

    Whether you're coming to run or watch the 2014 Boston Marathon or just want to log some miles, it's an exciting time to visit the city. And, we hope this piece will help all the runners who are new to the city, here for a vacation or business trip.

    DSC_6214 - Version 22011-04-18-runners-boston-marathon-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    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.

    CHE_0719 - Version 32013-01-09-runner-charles-river-misty-winter-morning-© 2011 Penny Cherubino2013-01-09-women-running-charles-Esplanade-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    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

    Related Posts:   

    Tracking a Boston Marathon Runner 2014

    Parking Your Car for Boston Marathon Weekend 2014

    What’s Open in Boston on Patriots’ Day 2014

    How to Get to the Esplanade from Boston

    Here are some Photos from past Boston Marathons

    The View from Hereford Street 

    Marathon Kisses 

    Just Hangin on Hereford Street 

    Other Resources:

    Here's a great site. You'll find dozens of local running routes, including along the Charles River.

    For more places to run, Bostinno has a post on this topic – How to Train For the Boston Marathon: Where the Runners Run.

    Details:
    Words: Ed Cherubino
    Photos: (Top) 2011 Boston Marathon, (Bottom) Esplanade Run ©2013 Penny Cherubino

    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!

    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.

     

  • Routes for Visiting Runners – Boston Marathon Weekend

    UPDATE: Routes for Visiting Runners – Boston Marathon Weekend 2016

    Whether you're coming to run or watch the 2014 Boston Marathon or just want to log some miles, it's an exciting time to visit the city. And, we hope this piece will help all the runners who are new to the city, here for a vacation or business trip.

    DSC_6214 - Version 22011-04-18-runners-boston-marathon-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    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.

    CHE_0719 - Version 32013-01-09-runner-charles-river-misty-winter-morning-© 2011 Penny Cherubino2013-01-09-women-running-charles-Esplanade-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    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

    Related Posts:   

    Tracking a Boston Marathon Runner 2014

    Parking Your Car for Boston Marathon Weekend 2014

    What’s Open in Boston on Patriots’ Day 2014

    How to Get to the Esplanade from Boston

    Here are some Photos from past Boston Marathons

    The View from Hereford Street 

    Marathon Kisses 

    Just Hangin on Hereford Street 

    Other Resources:

    Here's a great site. You'll find dozens of local running routes, including along the Charles River.

    For more places to run, Bostinno has a post on this topic – How to Train For the Boston Marathon: Where the Runners Run.

    Details:
    Words: Ed Cherubino
    Photos: (Top) 2011 Boston Marathon, (Bottom) Esplanade Run ©2013 Penny Cherubino

    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!

    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.

     

  • Routes for Visiting Runners – Boston Marathon Weekend

    UPDATE: Routes for Visiting Runners – Boston Marathon Weekend 2016

    Whether you're coming to run or watch the 2014 Boston Marathon or just want to log some miles, it's an exciting time to visit the city. And, we hope this piece will help all the runners who are new to the city, here for a vacation or business trip.

    DSC_6214 - Version 22011-04-18-runners-boston-marathon-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    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.

    CHE_0719 - Version 32013-01-09-runner-charles-river-misty-winter-morning-© 2011 Penny Cherubino2013-01-09-women-running-charles-Esplanade-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    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

    Related Posts:   

    Tracking a Boston Marathon Runner 2014

    Parking Your Car for Boston Marathon Weekend 2014

    What’s Open in Boston on Patriots’ Day 2014

    How to Get to the Esplanade from Boston

    Here are some Photos from past Boston Marathons

    The View from Hereford Street 

    Marathon Kisses 

    Just Hangin on Hereford Street 

    Other Resources:

    Here's a great site. You'll find dozens of local running routes, including along the Charles River.

    For more places to run, Bostinno has a post on this topic – How to Train For the Boston Marathon: Where the Runners Run.

    Details:
    Words: Ed Cherubino
    Photos: (Top) 2011 Boston Marathon, (Bottom) Esplanade Run ©2013 Penny Cherubino

    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!

    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.

     

  • Hey, Boston! We Have Snowdrops and Witch Hazel in Bloom!

    Just about a month behind schedule, we spotted our first blooms of spring during the past few days.

    IMG_7304 - Version 22014-03-10snow drops, boston, commonwealth, avenue, garden-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    If you know where to look, you may spot some snowdrops in front yards on the sunny side of Commonwealth Avenue.

    PC2_2287 - Version 22014-03-08Witch hazel, boston, public, garden, charles, street© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    And, along the Charles Street fence of the Public Garden, this witch hazel bush is just coming into bloom.

     PC2_2345 - Version 22014-03-08-sparrows-marlborough-street-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Over on Marlborough Street, the sparrows were roosting and chattering about the coming of warmer weather. 

    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: © 2014 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

  • Hey, Boston! We Have Snowdrops and Witch Hazel in Bloom!

    Just about a month behind schedule, we spotted our first blooms of spring during the past few days.

    IMG_7304 - Version 22014-03-10snow drops, boston, commonwealth, avenue, garden-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    If you know where to look, you may spot some snowdrops in front yards on the sunny side of Commonwealth Avenue.

    PC2_2287 - Version 22014-03-08Witch hazel, boston, public, garden, charles, street© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    And, along the Charles Street fence of the Public Garden, this witch hazel bush is just coming into bloom.

     PC2_2345 - Version 22014-03-08-sparrows-marlborough-street-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Over on Marlborough Street, the sparrows were roosting and chattering about the coming of warmer weather. 

    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: © 2014 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

  • Hey, Boston! We Have Snowdrops and Witch Hazel in Bloom!

    Just about a month behind schedule, we spotted our first blooms of spring during the past few days.

    IMG_7304 - Version 22014-03-10snow drops, boston, commonwealth, avenue, garden-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    If you know where to look, you may spot some snowdrops in front yards on the sunny side of Commonwealth Avenue.

    PC2_2287 - Version 22014-03-08Witch hazel, boston, public, garden, charles, street© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    And, along the Charles Street fence of the Public Garden, this witch hazel bush is just coming into bloom.

     PC2_2345 - Version 22014-03-08-sparrows-marlborough-street-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Over on Marlborough Street, the sparrows were roosting and chattering about the coming of warmer weather. 

    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: © 2014 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

  • Routes for Visiting Runners – Boston Marathon Weekend 2013

    UPDATE: Routes for Visiting Runners – Boston Marathon Weekend 2016

    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.

    DSC_6214 - Version 22011-04-18-runners-boston-marathon-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    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.

    CHE_0719 - Version 32013-01-09-runner-charles-river-misty-winter-morning-© 2011 Penny Cherubino2013-01-09-women-running-charles-Esplanade-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    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

    Update 04.05.13: Bostinno just added a great post on this topic. How to Train For the Boston Marathon: Where the Runners Run

    Related Posts:   

    Tracking a Boston Marathon Runner 2013

    Parking Your Car for Boston Marathon Weekend 2013

    What’s Open in Boston on Patriots’ Day 2013

    How to Get to the Esplanade from Boston

    Here are some Photos from past Boston Marathons

    The View from Hereford Street 

    Marathon Kisses 

    Just Hangin on Hereford Street 

    Other Resources:
    Here's a great site. You'll find dozens of local running routes, including along the Charles River.

    Details:
    Writer: Ed Cherubino
    Photos: (Top) 2011 Boston Marathon, (Bottom) Esplanade Run ©2013 Penny Cherubino

     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!

    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.