Pull out your calendars and mark the dates when you can go and see our Boston area farmers market friends at their summer spots. Our Friday Link today is will take you to your favorite markets.
Here are the opening dates for some of our favorite markets. The links are to maps of the locations.
If you have confirmed dates for your favorite farmers market, please tell us in a comment or send us an emailand we'll add it as an update to this post.
We use and highly recommend a Rolser Shopping Trolley for your farmers market visits. It stands on its own and can haul your purchases over city sidewalks without a problem.
Pull out your calendars and mark the dates when you can go and see our Boston area farmers market friends at their summer spots. Our Friday Link today is will take you to your favorite markets.
Here are the opening dates for some of our favorite markets. The links are to maps of the locations.
If you have confirmed dates for your favorite farmers market, please tell us in a comment or send us an emailand we'll add it as an update to this post.
We use and highly recommend a Rolser Shopping Trolley for your farmers market visits. It stands on its own and can haul your purchases over city sidewalks without a problem.
Now's the time to plan where you'll park for Marathon weekend, so your car doesn't end up on a flatbed! And, be warned, the city does tow every car left in the way of the racers. When you move your car think ahead.
If you normally park on the streets along the route of the weekend races, you may want to begin looking for spaces off-the-route. If you can do without your car for a few days, consider stashing it in a safe spot before everyone else has the same idea. And, remember, the bike lanes on Massachusetts Avenue eliminated more than 70 spaces, so finding on-street parking will be more difficult than ever.
Here's a Google map that locates public parking facilities using the Boston Marathon Finish Line as the central point.
And, if you'll need your car on Monday, you should make sure it's on the side of the Marathon route where you can reach it and get to your planned destination.
Saturday, April 18, 2015 – The B.A.A. 5K, Invitational Mile, and Relay Challenge
Again, this year, there are weekend races prior to Monday's marathon.
Thousands of runners are expected to compete in the 5K (3.1 mile) race two days prior to 119th Boston Marathon. This race is scheduled to start at 8 a.m. by the Boston Common and cover a route through parts of the Back Bay ending back at the Common. Here's a link to the B.A.A. 5K course map.
Plus, there are the Invitational Mile races that will also be held on Saturday, April 18, 2015 (10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.) For details, including streets impacted by this event, go to B.A.A. Invitational Mile 2015.
For the full press release with more details, Click Here.
Street Closures and Parking Restrictions for Marathon Monday, April 20, 2015
Parking restrictions for the Marathon often begin on Boylston Street five or six-days before the event. From this point, until the last runners are safely across the finish line, you'll see more and more "No Parking/No Stopping" signs popping-up along the marathon route and some adjacent streets.
Remember, many streets in the Copley Square area will be impacted by the marathon. The best advice is to park your vehicle and walk and/or take public transportation.
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.
Now's the time to plan where you'll park for Marathon weekend, so your car doesn't end up on a flatbed! And, be warned, the city does tow every car left in the way of the racers. When you move your car think ahead.
If you normally park on the streets along the route of the weekend races, you may want to begin looking for spaces off-the-route. If you can do without your car for a few days, consider stashing it in a safe spot before everyone else has the same idea. And, remember, the bike lanes on Massachusetts Avenue eliminated more than 70 spaces, so finding on-street parking will be more difficult than ever.
Here's a Google map that locates public parking facilities using the Boston Marathon Finish Line as the central point.
And, if you'll need your car on Monday, you should make sure it's on the side of the Marathon route where you can reach it and get to your planned destination.
Saturday, April 18, 2015 – The B.A.A. 5K, Invitational Mile, and Relay Challenge
Again, this year, there are weekend races prior to Monday's marathon.
Thousands of runners are expected to compete in the 5K (3.1 mile) race two days prior to 119th Boston Marathon. This race is scheduled to start at 8 a.m. by the Boston Common and cover a route through parts of the Back Bay ending back at the Common. Here's a link to the B.A.A. 5K course map.
Plus, there are the Invitational Mile races that will also be held on Saturday, April 18, 2015 (10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.) For details, including streets impacted by this event, go to B.A.A. Invitational Mile 2015.
For the full press release with more details, Click Here.
Street Closures and Parking Restrictions for Marathon Monday, April 20, 2015
Parking restrictions for the Marathon often begin on Boylston Street five or six-days before the event. From this point, until the last runners are safely across the finish line, you'll see more and more "No Parking/No Stopping" signs popping-up along the marathon route and some adjacent streets.
Remember, many streets in the Copley Square area will be impacted by the marathon. The best advice is to park your vehicle and walk and/or take public transportation.
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.
After our dreadful winter season, Public Works has a lot of potholes, like these in Copley Square, ready for filling.
It takes choreographed teamwork to get the job done. These guys know how to do the pothole dance. A runner on her way by joined in.
And, between patches, there's time to sing the pothole song.
The tamper adds the rhythm track.
On a more serious note, you can report potholes on the Citizens Connect app. "Pothole" is a quick choice on the current selection of topics. These change from season to season. This week's array reflects the problems we're all seeing around the city.
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The courtyard at the Boston Public Library in Copley Square is a very popular place for outdoor dining on warm days year-round. But, I didn't expect to find people using it this week. I was wrong. Even the smallest thaw brings out the picnicker in many of us.
It looks like someone planned for the thaw and cleared a small section of the patio. Just a few days before, I took this photo of the opposite patio from where the women were lunching.
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What a difference a renovation makes. The second floor of the Johnson Building at the Boston Public Library (BPL) in Copley Square has been transformed in spectacular before-and-after fashion.
Last week, I took a tour of the changes with Michael Colford, Director of Library Services. He is understandably proud of the look, convenience, and user friendliness of this renovation.
I choose these bar seats along the arched window overlooking Boylston Street as my favorite spot.
Michael pointed out that the library’s circulating nonfiction collection is located here. Amid the book stacks holding 200,000 books is a community reading area and places for individual and group work. This will be a lively section of the building where conversations will take place. The McKim building will provide quiet space for those who prefer a place to work without distractions.
Lower book shelves open up the area allowing the light from the windows and from many new fixtures to provide a bright and welcoming workspace. I was also happy to see some of the materials like the lovely Windsor chairs reconditioned, recycled, and fitting beautifully into the new setting.
And still, there are spots where you can get off by yourself for a bit of quiet texting.
Lots of new electrical outlets also give you a place to charge up your phone, laptop or tablet.
There are new airport-style restrooms on the floor and multi-function water fountains with a separate station to fill your water bottle. And, yes, water bottles are allowed in this section of the library.
Along with the new look, you will also find some changes in the way the library and librarians communicate with patrons. The bookshelves will be marked not only in traditional Library of Congress Classification fashion, but also with signs and banners that let you know, for example, that this section houses books on Politics and Law.
When the flow of traffic at the information desk allows, librarians will move around the floor to answer questions and assist patrons as they search for materials. The openness of the new design will allow staff members to see when they are needed back at the desk.
Digital displays around the floor will highlight items from the BPL's renowned Collections of Distinction. This will remind patrons of all the resources, beyond the books on the shelves, that are available to them within the walls of this building.
A press release from the BPL explained that service kiosks like this one (now found in other parts of the library and branches as well), "are part of the library’s upgraded pay for print system and have several features, including the introduction of paying for printing via standard credit and debit cards. Boston Public Library cards will now store up to $21 for use on the system."
Along with opening this floor last Saturday, the Boylston Street entrance has also reopened. A corridor has been built for library visitors to move through the first floor where work on the next phase of this renovation continues. For those of us who are in the habit of using that entrance, this is most welcome.
I look forward to using this workspace, both when I need a change from my home office and when I want to collaborate with friends and associates on a project.
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Yes, January is a cold and wintry month in Boston but there is still a lot going on and many activities, both outdoor and indoor, to recommend.
New Year's Day
Weather permitting, Ed, Poppy, and I usually take a long walk on the first day of the year. We'll visit the Common and the Public Garden, and Copley Square. As a photographer, the Frog Pond skaters are always fun to watch and provide so many stories to capture in each photograph. If you have a new camera to play with, this is a great spot to add to your route for the day.
Here are some past posts from fun times photographing the Frog Pond skaters:
Something you eat for good luck or an activity you enjoy with famiy or friends? Share with us and perhaps you'll inspire others to adopt your tradition. We'll enjoy a glass of sparkling wine either at home or in a restaurant.
Since 2007, we've resolved to start each month of the year with a toast over a glass of something bubbly. You're welcome to join our sparkling resolution and check out our monthly list of wines to try.
Dressed in Holiday Style
Homes around the city will have beautiful wreaths on the doors and lovely decorations for the holidays early in the month. Above and below are two of the many lush and creative wreaths designed and sold by volunteers from The Garden Club of the Back Bay to raise funds needed to care for trees along the streets and in the parks. Here is a link to more of their work that you might be able to spot around the Back Bay, Beacon Hill, and in other parts of the city.
Conventions Bring Visitors
Big meetings impact hotel prices and restaurant reservations around the city. The ones in the Back Bay have more impact on locals and visitors to the city than the seaport. Here's the January list of meetings with more than 5,000 in attendance.
1/2/15/-1/5/15 – 12,000 social scientists will be meeting at the Hynes Convention Center in Back Bay.
And just in case anyone local or visiting has an interest in these two events, we've included them:
1/15/15-1/19/15 – New England Auto Show in the Seaport
1/17/15-1/19/15 – Boston RV and Camping Expo in the Seaport
More tips from locals and frequent visitors to Boston can be found over on the Boston Trip Advisor Forum. Penny started a conversation over there with some of this same information and others have chimed in to add their tips and favorites.
Share your own traditions and January information in the comments below or send them our way on our Twitter feed. Just include @BostonZest in your message.
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One of our favorite entertainment programs of the year, the Boston Public Library's (BPL) Courtyard Concert Series returns on June 4, 2014 at 6pm. Notice the day and date.
As, the BPL announced, "In addition to Friday lunchtime concerts at 12:30 p.m., this season the library now offers evening concerts on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. All the concerts are free and last approximately one hour."
The Fernando Holz Band delighted audiences last year and is scheduled to appear again this summer.
Here are the rest of the details the library provided for the series.
The month of June features Berklee College of Music students and alumni performing everything from jazz, pop, and funk to works with Arab, Latin American, and Scottish influences:
Daniel Rotem Trio, Wednesday, June 4, at 6 p.m. The Trio performs original compositions that integrate world influences with improvisation and the jazz tradition.
KeL, Friday, June 6, at 12:30 p.m. KeL combines elements of jazz and pop with Brazilian melodies.
Wambura Mitaru, Wednesday, June 11, at 6 p.m. The artist’s eclectic music blends funk, soul, R&B, jazz, and hip-hop as well as sounds inspired by her African background.
Jenna Moynihan and Mairi Chaimbeul, Friday, June 13, at 12:30 p.m. Rooted in traditional Scottish and Appalachian old-time music, Moynihan and Chaimbeul developed a sound which celebrates and explores beautiful melodies.
The Western Den, Wednesday, June 18, at 6 p.m. Deni Hlavinka and Chris West blend folk harmonies with ambient textures to produce unique sounds and songs.
Ahmad El Haggar, Friday, June 20, at 12:30 p.m. The Egyptian singer-songwriter and oud player performs original songs and rearranges music from the Arab world to create modern sounds.
3 Sudacas, Wednesday, June 25, at 6 p.m. Performers at the 2014 Latin Grammys with Alejandro Sanz, the group plays both traditional and unique compositions arranged for voice, percussion, mandolin, guitar, and bass.
Miriam Elhajli, Friday, June 27, at 12:30 p.m. The folk singer-songwriter combines the sounds of Joan Baez and Buffy Sainte-Marie with the crudeness of Delta Blues.
The complete Concerts in the Courtyard schedule, which is generously sponsored by the Boston Public Library Foundation (www.bplf.com), can be viewed at www.bpl.org/concerts. The concerts continue in July and August with the following schedule:
Kendall Ramseur, Wednesday, July 2, 6 p.m.
Cruzamente Quintet, Wednesday, July 9, 6 p.m.
Erika Van Pelt, Friday, July 11, 12:30 p.m.
Amaryllis Chamber Ensemble, Wednesday, July 16, 6 p.m.
Lindsay Straw, Friday, July 18, 12:30 p.m.
Patrick Coman, Wednesday, July 23, 6 p.m.
Cardamom Quartet, Friday, July 25, 12:30 p.m.
Susan Cattaneo, Wednesday, July 30, 6 p.m.
Properly Unprepared, Friday, August 1, 12:30 p.m.
Darlingside, Wednesday, August 6, 6 p.m.
Boston Lyric Opera, Friday, August 8, 12:30 p.m.
Caitlin Canty, Wednesday, August 13, 6 p.m.
The Jason Palmer Quartet, Friday, August 15, 12:30 p.m.
Fernando Holz Band, Wednesday, August 20, 6 p.m.
Bill Lowe, Friday, August 22, 12 p.m.
The Ron Murphy Band, Wednesday, August 27, 6 p.m.
American Century Music, Friday, August 29, 12:30 p.m.
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!
One of our favorite entertainment programs of the year, the Boston Public Library's (BPL) Courtyard Concert Series returns on June 4, 2014 at 6pm. Notice the day and date.
As, the BPL announced, "In addition to Friday lunchtime concerts at 12:30 p.m., this season the library now offers evening concerts on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. All the concerts are free and last approximately one hour."
The Fernando Holz Band delighted audiences last year and is scheduled to appear again this summer.
Here are the rest of the details the library provided for the series.
The month of June features Berklee College of Music students and alumni performing everything from jazz, pop, and funk to works with Arab, Latin American, and Scottish influences:
Daniel Rotem Trio, Wednesday, June 4, at 6 p.m. The Trio performs original compositions that integrate world influences with improvisation and the jazz tradition.
KeL, Friday, June 6, at 12:30 p.m. KeL combines elements of jazz and pop with Brazilian melodies.
Wambura Mitaru, Wednesday, June 11, at 6 p.m. The artist’s eclectic music blends funk, soul, R&B, jazz, and hip-hop as well as sounds inspired by her African background.
Jenna Moynihan and Mairi Chaimbeul, Friday, June 13, at 12:30 p.m. Rooted in traditional Scottish and Appalachian old-time music, Moynihan and Chaimbeul developed a sound which celebrates and explores beautiful melodies.
The Western Den, Wednesday, June 18, at 6 p.m. Deni Hlavinka and Chris West blend folk harmonies with ambient textures to produce unique sounds and songs.
Ahmad El Haggar, Friday, June 20, at 12:30 p.m. The Egyptian singer-songwriter and oud player performs original songs and rearranges music from the Arab world to create modern sounds.
3 Sudacas, Wednesday, June 25, at 6 p.m. Performers at the 2014 Latin Grammys with Alejandro Sanz, the group plays both traditional and unique compositions arranged for voice, percussion, mandolin, guitar, and bass.
Miriam Elhajli, Friday, June 27, at 12:30 p.m. The folk singer-songwriter combines the sounds of Joan Baez and Buffy Sainte-Marie with the crudeness of Delta Blues.
The complete Concerts in the Courtyard schedule, which is generously sponsored by the Boston Public Library Foundation (www.bplf.com), can be viewed at www.bpl.org/concerts. The concerts continue in July and August with the following schedule:
Kendall Ramseur, Wednesday, July 2, 6 p.m.
Cruzamente Quintet, Wednesday, July 9, 6 p.m.
Erika Van Pelt, Friday, July 11, 12:30 p.m.
Amaryllis Chamber Ensemble, Wednesday, July 16, 6 p.m.
Lindsay Straw, Friday, July 18, 12:30 p.m.
Patrick Coman, Wednesday, July 23, 6 p.m.
Cardamom Quartet, Friday, July 25, 12:30 p.m.
Susan Cattaneo, Wednesday, July 30, 6 p.m.
Properly Unprepared, Friday, August 1, 12:30 p.m.
Darlingside, Wednesday, August 6, 6 p.m.
Boston Lyric Opera, Friday, August 8, 12:30 p.m.
Caitlin Canty, Wednesday, August 13, 6 p.m.
The Jason Palmer Quartet, Friday, August 15, 12:30 p.m.
Fernando Holz Band, Wednesday, August 20, 6 p.m.
Bill Lowe, Friday, August 22, 12 p.m.
The Ron Murphy Band, Wednesday, August 27, 6 p.m.
American Century Music, Friday, August 29, 12:30 p.m.
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!
