When we only have a few hours and want to get back to nature, we often choose to walk the parks and paths supported by the Emerald Necklace Conservancy. We're making that organization our Friday Link today.
Explore the site some rainy day and then take advantage of all the information about where to go, how to get there, and what to see and do when you arrive.
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!
"Miles on the MBTA" is our Friday Link as we welcome new residents to Boston and try to remind others of the great resources we have to make life better in Boston.
Miles is covering miles and miles of MBTA (and other area mass transit) routes and reviewing the routes and the stations.
Over on Reddit Boston, there are a lot of questions about the best ways to commute. Those readers should take a look at what Miles has compiled.
Add Miles on the MBTA to your daily reading list, follow him on Twitter or Facebook, and get to know more about getting around Boston carfree!
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 Screenshot from Miles on the MBTA
"Miles on the MBTA" is our Friday Link as we welcome new residents to Boston and try to remind others of the great resources we have to make life better in Boston.
Miles is covering miles and miles of MBTA (and other area mass transit) routes and reviewing the routes and the stations.
Over on Reddit Boston, there are a lot of questions about the best ways to commute. Those readers should take a look at what Miles has compiled.
Add Miles on the MBTA to your daily reading list, follow him on Twitter or Facebook, and get to know more about getting around Boston carfree!
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 Screenshot from Miles on the MBTA
The arrival of a new preview issue of Edible Boston in my mailbox always makes me smile. It means a new season of food is here and a new opportunity to see which businesses support fresh and local food in our community.
It's good to see a whole fish in photographer Michael Piazza's cover shot. Fish, like meat, takes on better flavor when it's cooked on the bone. Inside you'll find a few fish tales. Having grown up in a fishing family, I adored Sarah Blackburn's article, Edible Basics: Red Fish, Blue Fish, Flat Fish, Whole Fish. It's a must read and includes a chart of when local fish are in season provided by Red's Best, one of my favorite, trusted suppliers of seafood.
Pages of step-by-step recipes for whole fish follow. (My own favorite preparation is to stuff a large fish with a traditional bread stuffing and roast it in the oven. It's a meal on a sheet pan.
Asparagus
When the season arrives, you will be ready with the asparagus primer on page 52. You'll find preparations from five chefs from around the area.
Other Topics
Bread, snack bars, cider, ice cream, pizza, and the very important topic of wasted food are also covered in this issue. Plus the always supportive team at Edible Boston shines its profile spotlight on a few local businesses.
As I alluded to in my first paragraph, this is one publication where I always read the ads. They are a source of new ideas and new resources for me. And I respect those who put their advertising dollars where they reach people like me who think that local food matters.
Support publisher Ilene Bezahler and her talented team
First, pick up a copy of Edible Boston at one of these locations. In fact, pick up two copies and share one with a food-loving friend or leave it where someone might discover it among lesser publications and become a new fan.
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.
And, to be sure you never miss an issue, you can subscribe over on their website!
Words: Penny Cherubino Covershot & Photos :photographer Michael Piazza Courtesy of Edible Boston ( If you love great photography always pick up an Edible Boston issue!)
The arrival of a new preview issue of Edible Boston in my mailbox always makes me smile. It means a new season of food is here and a new opportunity to see which businesses support fresh and local food in our community.
It's good to see a whole fish in photographer Michael Piazza's cover shot. Fish, like meat, takes on better flavor when it's cooked on the bone. Inside you'll find a few fish tales. Having grown up in a fishing family, I adored Sarah Blackburn's article, Edible Basics: Red Fish, Blue Fish, Flat Fish, Whole Fish. It's a must read and includes a chart of when local fish are in season provided by Red's Best, one of my favorite, trusted suppliers of seafood.
Pages of step-by-step recipes for whole fish follow. (My own favorite preparation is to stuff a large fish with a traditional bread stuffing and roast it in the oven. It's a meal on a sheet pan.
Asparagus
When the season arrives, you will be ready with the asparagus primer on page 52. You'll find preparations from five chefs from around the area.
Other Topics
Bread, snack bars, cider, ice cream, pizza, and the very important topic of wasted food are also covered in this issue. Plus the always supportive team at Edible Boston shines its profile spotlight on a few local businesses.
As I alluded to in my first paragraph, this is one publication where I always read the ads. They are a source of new ideas and new resources for me. And I respect those who put their advertising dollars where they reach people like me who think that local food matters.
Support publisher Ilene Bezahler and her talented team
First, pick up a copy of Edible Boston at one of these locations. In fact, pick up two copies and share one with a food-loving friend or leave it where someone might discover it among lesser publications and become a new fan.
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.
And, to be sure you never miss an issue, you can subscribe over on their website!
Words: Penny Cherubino Covershot & Photos :photographer Michael Piazza Courtesy of Edible Boston ( If you love great photography always pick up an Edible Boston issue!)
This time of year, holiday decorations add an additional dose of charm to Boston's Back Bay neighborhood.
But somehow, this bucket of butts does not seem to be the ideal centerpiece for a front yard garden table.
At least this smoker is not littering the patio or tossing those indestructible filters all over the sidewalks.
And, perhaps this collection of tar soaked filters is some sort of countdown to quitting for the new year with the bucket serving as a reminder of the money that went up in smoke.
For those who need help, here's the state's page on smoking cessation assistance.
This time of year, holiday decorations add an additional dose of charm to Boston's Back Bay neighborhood.
But somehow, this bucket of butts does not seem to be the ideal centerpiece for a front yard garden table.
At least this smoker is not littering the patio or tossing those indestructible filters all over the sidewalks.
And, perhaps this collection of tar soaked filters is some sort of countdown to quitting for the new year with the bucket serving as a reminder of the money that went up in smoke.
For those who need help, here's the state's page on smoking cessation assistance.
Designated days or weeks like African Heritage & Health Week sponsored by Oldways can be an opportunity to learn something new about a culture and explore new tastes.
My copy of Iron Pots and Wooden Spoons: Africa's Gifts to New World Cooking has an older cover than the one for sale today. (And, I had to remove a bunch of page markers before I photographed it.) But, the fact that it was redesigned and is still currently available as a new book speaks highly of the value cooks like me place on great resources like this.
If you would like to be inspired as I was, I recommend sampling Dr. Harris' podcast, My Welcome Table.
Oldways Resources
As a part of African Heritage & Health Week, Oldways has created an African Heritage Dine-Around-Town webpage where you can find places to try African food. They have a few in the Boston area, but I'm sure our readers know of more and might add their favorites in the comments. (Or, send them to @BostonZest on Twitter and I'll add them.)
The food above is from Lucy Ethiopian Cafe which we enjoy. We love sharing the communal tray of food on Injera bread and learning more about this culture from the people there.
October 2014 is going to be a busy, busy month in Boston with lots of visitors and many events.
Fall Foliage Season
You'll see visitors walking along staring at our trees. The fall foliage travel season is underway and Boston is the starting point for many tourists coming to New England for leaf peeping.
Here's one of our posts with links to resources for those who would like to get out and enjoy the foliage with a link that we'll update as the season progresses.
October 13th is Columbus Day, a holiday, and a three day weekend. Around here lots of people travel this weekend. Sort of the last blast of summer weekends. You'll find higher rates and lots of events taking place October 11th to the 13th. Tomorrow, we'll post a resource page on what's open on Columbus day, MBTA schedule changes, parking, and trash schedules.
There is also a large (10,000 employee benefit managers) convention that weekend. Other big convention dates are October 2nd (small business owners), 20th-22nd (Neurologial Surgeons), and 28th-30th (Architecture Boston.)
October Events
October 18th-19th is the Head of the Charles Regatta. It will draw 11,000 athletes and 400,000 spectators. If you have visitors coming to town, prices will be out of sight or unavailable. And, if you need a restaurant reservation that weekend, make it now!
Columbus Day 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 Opening Our Doors 2014 in the Fenway Cultural District.
Last Visits to Season Favorites
Some of our favorite seasonal spots reduce their hours and begin to close as the cooler temperatures arrive. We'll make one more trip to Jake's Seafood before they take the winter off. They have fall hours in effect, so check the website before you drive to Hull.
More Local Tips on Trip Advisor
While we only cover topics and events that interest us, the team of local destination experts over on Trip Advisor have a much wider scope. Here's their take on what's happening this October from a topic that Penny started with some of the same information prepared for this post.
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!
As we meet new neighbors with dogs, the first questions people ask are about groomers and veterinarians. We recommend that you do exactly the same thing. Chat with dog families about their experiences with the professionals they have used and make your decisions based on the raves and boos you hear.
Well Groomed
Whenever Poppy is out and about and recently groomed, we're always happy when someone says she looks beautiful and asks where we take her. Unfortunately, her team at Pawsh Dog Boutique and Salon has a waiting list for new clients. For this reason, we do ask other people about the groomers they use, so that we might be able to direct folks to other high quality places.
When you interview a groomer ask to see the entire facility. You should see where your dog will be washed, trimmed, and held until you are reunited. Make certain you communicate what you are expecting from the shop. Westies are often hand stripped instead of clipped. There are not many people aside from show dog groomers who do this and many shops will clip a Westie into a standard terrier trim or even give it a spaniel skirt.
This is Bear who happens to live with his veterinarian!
Veterinary Services
Today, there are more choices to consider when deciding on a primary care veterinarian for your animals. You can opt for one of the larger animal hospitals with a full range of services like Angell Animal Medical Center. We like knowing that while our own vet may not always be on duty, the team that works 24 hours a day, 7 days a week will take care of us in any emergency.
You can choose a smaller, local veterinary practice in your neighborhood. It can be nice to walk by and stop in occasionally just to get a treat or weigh your dog.
You can select a traveling vet who makes home visits and will come to you when you need care. This can be wonderful for cats and for frail elder dogs.
And, today, you can seek out a wholistic veterinarian who combines a full traditional veterinary education with an openess to and additional training in alternative medical practices.
Ask your friends and neighbors for a recommendation. Inquire about the philosophy of the practice and ask about the prices. You might decide to use some specialized services like dental cleanings at a place that can offer a lower price by setting up a dedicated team.
Finding the right veterinarian and groomer may take some time and effort, but you and your pup are worth it.
Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.
Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.
has an older cover than the one for sale today. (And, I had to remove a bunch of page markers before I photographed it.) But, the fact that it was redesigned and is still currently available as a new book speaks highly of the value cooks like me place on great resources like this. 
from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.