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  • What’s Open in Boston on Thanksgiving 2015, Plus MBTA Schedule Changes, Parking, Trash & More

    What's open in Boston on Thanksgiving, Thursday November 26, 2015? What's closed?

    Do I have to feed the parking meters? What about street sweeping? Are the liquor stores and packies open? When do I put out my trash? And, what changes are there to the MBTA schedules?

    We have the answers for you, all organized in one post that we'll update as new information comes our way.

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    Here's a rundown of what's open in Boston on Thanksgiving 2015.

    We post these rundowns early, when we notice our readers looking for the information on older posts. Because it's early, we will update as new information is announced. So, bookmark this page and check back. We'll send out notice of updates on Twitter.

    Restaurants, bars: Many will be open, check for special hours and menus. Here's our post on Where to Dine Out on Thanksgiving.

    Convenience stores: Many are open, check for special hours

    Supermarkets: Closed due to Massachusetts "Blue Laws"

    Retail stores: Closed due to Massachusetts "Blue Laws"

    Liquor stores: Closed due to Massachusetts "Blue Laws" 

    Financial Services: As the British would say, this is a Bank Holiday with both banks and the stock markets in the United State closed. International markets are open.

    City, Town, State, and Federal offices and facilities are closed: This includes schools, libraries, and the Postal Service. Only emergency services are available.

    Parking & Street Sweeping

    Boston Parking: You don't have to feed the meters. Other parking rules apply.

    Street Sweeping: The city 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."

    Trash Collection & Recycling

    Boston Trash Collection for Thanksgiving week – The city has changed the way it publishes the schedule for holidays so that you now have to go to the city site and look up your specific address in order to get information. 

    Screen Shot 2015-11-20 at Friday, November 20, 201510.23.30 AM

    UPDATE 11/20/15: Check your trash pick up schedule. There are changes. For example, the city sent out a neighborhood notice that there will be no pick up in the Back Bay on Thanksgiving. This is a new reduction in service.

    MBTA information after the Ad from Amazon!

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    MBTA Schedule Changes Updated 11/20/15

    The MBTA has published their Thanksgiving schedule. Here is the link to the MBTA schedule changes for holidays. This link will change sometime before and after the holiday. We have created a PDF version of the page for the weekend that you can download if you wish. 

    Download MBTA Thanksgiving Update 2015

    Here's a quick summary, of the highlights.

    • Wednesday November 25th will have normal Wednesday subway, bus, and Commuter Rail schedules with extra Silver Line service to and from Logan Airport.
    • Thanksgiving November 26th will have subways including the Silver Line on a Sunday schedule. Buses will run on a Sunday schedule with some routes not operating. Commuter Rail will run on a Sunday Schedule so some routes will not operate.
    • Friday November 27th will have the Red, Orange, and Blue lines on a Friday Schedule and the Green Line on a Saturday Schedule. The Silver line will have extra service. Commuter Rail will run on a Friday schedule.

    For further information, check with the MBTA Customer Communications Department at 617-222-3200, TTY 617-222-5146, or visit them at: www.mbta.com.

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    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: iStockphoto

  • Poet’s Quill

    We've received so many nice comments on Ed's "Poet's Quill" photo on the cover of the The Back Bay Sun that we decided to share it with our BostonZest readers. And, we wanted to say, "Thank You," to all our friends and neighbors who stop to say nice things about our photos. We appreciate the encouragement and support.

    DSC_6262 - Version 32015-07-01bbs-cover-short-phyllis-pen-© 2014 Penny Cherubino copy

    The caption we wrote for the newspaper was:

    Poet’s Quill

    At the Boston Women’s Memorial, rain droplets beaded on Phillis Wheatley’s quill pen. Most feathers for quill pens were taken from the wings of geese. After writing a couple of pages, your quill would need resharpening with a penknife.   [Ed Cherubino Photo]

    Screen Shot 2015-11-08 at Sunday, November 8, 20159.07.42 AM

    Background on this Photo

    As is the case for many of our photo assignments, we both took a number of photos of the Boston Women's Memorial right after it had its annual cleaning and waxing by conservators hired by the Friends of the Public Garden and paid for by contribution to the Henry Lee Conservation Fund.

    Ed and I have different approaches to photography which makes for a nice selection of varied shots when we put all our photos on a topic into our computers to select the right one for the client. Ed loves his Nikon 35mm 1.8 fixed lens. I love my Nikon 28-300 Zoom. This day, Ed captured the feel of the raindrops on the surface of the quill. 

    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 Cherubino
    Photography: © 2015 Ed Cherubino  

  • Poet’s Quill

    We've received so many nice comments on Ed's "Poet's Quill" photo on the cover of the The Back Bay Sun that we decided to share it with our BostonZest readers. And, we wanted to say, "Thank You," to all our friends and neighbors who stop to say nice things about our photos. We appreciate the encouragement and support.

    DSC_6262 - Version 32015-07-01bbs-cover-short-phyllis-pen-© 2014 Penny Cherubino copy

    The caption we wrote for the newspaper was:

    Poet’s Quill

    At the Boston Women’s Memorial, rain droplets beaded on Phillis Wheatley’s quill pen. Most feathers for quill pens were taken from the wings of geese. After writing a couple of pages, your quill would need resharpening with a penknife.   [Ed Cherubino Photo]

    Screen Shot 2015-11-08 at Sunday, November 8, 20159.07.42 AM

    Background on this Photo

    As is the case for many of our photo assignments, we both took a number of photos of the Boston Women's Memorial right after it had its annual cleaning and waxing by conservators hired by the Friends of the Public Garden and paid for by contribution to the Henry Lee Conservation Fund.

    Ed and I have different approaches to photography which makes for a nice selection of varied shots when we put all our photos on a topic into our computers to select the right one for the client. Ed loves his Nikon 35mm 1.8 fixed lens. I love my Nikon 28-300 Zoom. This day, Ed captured the feel of the raindrops on the surface of the quill. 

    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 Cherubino
    Photography: © 2015 Ed Cherubino  

  • Bottom’s Up on the Esplanade

    We were walking the Esplanade photographing fall foliage when we noticed Canada Geese feeding in the canoeway. 

    CHE_9391 - Version 22015-10-30esplanade-canoeway-canada-geese-feeding-bottoms-up-© 2014 Penny Cherubino (1)

    At times, most of the flock were bottoms up with just a lone guard keeping watch.

    CHE_9397 - Version 22015-10-30esplanade-canoeway-canada-geese-foliage-© 2014 Penny Cherubino

    This goose seemed to be conducting a master class in full body, underwater extension.

    CHE_9389 - Version 22015-10-30esplanade-canoeway-canada-geese-foliage-© 2014 Penny Cherubino

    Sadly, Canada Geese are still a major problem on the Esplanade. Here's hoping more effort is put into programs like GeesePeace to counter this man-made problem and to educate the public about the dangers of feeding waterfowl.

    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: © 2015 Penny Cherubino  

  • Bottom’s Up on the Esplanade

    We were walking the Esplanade photographing fall foliage when we noticed Canada Geese feeding in the canoeway. 

    CHE_9391 - Version 22015-10-30esplanade-canoeway-canada-geese-feeding-bottoms-up-© 2014 Penny Cherubino (1)

    At times, most of the flock were bottoms up with just a lone guard keeping watch.

    CHE_9397 - Version 22015-10-30esplanade-canoeway-canada-geese-foliage-© 2014 Penny Cherubino

    This goose seemed to be conducting a master class in full body, underwater extension.

    CHE_9389 - Version 22015-10-30esplanade-canoeway-canada-geese-foliage-© 2014 Penny Cherubino

    Sadly, Canada Geese are still a major problem on the Esplanade. Here's hoping more effort is put into programs like GeesePeace to counter this man-made problem and to educate the public about the dangers of feeding waterfowl.

    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: © 2015 Penny Cherubino  

  • Duchess Poppy’s Shopping Spree in Provincetown

    There are some requests on a girl's shopping list that call for destination shopping. Our little Duchess Poppy had her personal assistant prepare a memorandum with the goods she would be seeking on our last trip to Provincetown.

    DSC_7012 - Version 22015-10-23Halloween-duchess-poppy-© 2014 Penny Cherubino

    She insisted she needed a new tiara for the more formal occasions on her appointment calendar in the upcoming holiday season. And, she wanted a red feather boa made in her size and of excellent quality.

    DSC_7004 - Version 22015-10-23Halloween-duchess-poppy-© 2014 Penny Cherubino

    After trips up and down Commercial Street, in and out of many shops, she went into four-paw braking as a shopkeeper arranged a display of boas in front of a little shop next to the Aquarium Market Place.

    She and Ed sat on the bench provided for Duchesses and their retainers while I explored the tiny shop and carried items out for her approval.

    There was no question in her mind that the scarf size boa was precisely what she had in mind. She adores it! However, most of the tiaras presented were far too large and a bit too glittery for her taste.

    When the shopkeeper discovered that the tiara was not for one of the humans in the family but for our tiny Duchess, she quickly went to her stock of "special products for special customers" and came out with the perfect headpiece for our little Scottish Royal. 

    Poppy was so pleased with the success of this shopping foray that she granted us a photo session in her new finery. As you can see by the second photo, we took a bit too long and the Most Noble Poppy: Duchess of Whitehead took on one of her Maggie Smith as Dowager Countess of Grantham "I am no longer pleased," poses.

     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.

    Details:

    Words: Penny  Cherubino
    Photos: ©2015 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • Duchess Poppy’s Shopping Spree in Provincetown

    There are some requests on a girl's shopping list that call for destination shopping. Our little Duchess Poppy had her personal assistant prepare a memorandum with the goods she would be seeking on our last trip to Provincetown.

    DSC_7012 - Version 22015-10-23Halloween-duchess-poppy-© 2014 Penny Cherubino

    She insisted she needed a new tiara for the more formal occasions on her appointment calendar in the upcoming holiday season. And, she wanted a red feather boa made in her size and of excellent quality.

    DSC_7004 - Version 22015-10-23Halloween-duchess-poppy-© 2014 Penny Cherubino

    After trips up and down Commercial Street, in and out of many shops, she went into four-paw braking as a shopkeeper arranged a display of boas in front of a little shop next to the Aquarium Market Place.

    She and Ed sat on the bench provided for Duchesses and their retainers while I explored the tiny shop and carried items out for her approval.

    There was no question in her mind that the scarf size boa was precisely what she had in mind. She adores it! However, most of the tiaras presented were far too large and a bit too glittery for her taste.

    When the shopkeeper discovered that the tiara was not for one of the humans in the family but for our tiny Duchess, she quickly went to her stock of "special products for special customers" and came out with the perfect headpiece for our little Scottish Royal. 

    Poppy was so pleased with the success of this shopping foray that she granted us a photo session in her new finery. As you can see by the second photo, we took a bit too long and the Most Noble Poppy: Duchess of Whitehead took on one of her Maggie Smith as Dowager Countess of Grantham "I am no longer pleased," poses.

     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.

    Details:

    Words: Penny  Cherubino
    Photos: ©2015 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

  • Reserve Now for Thanksgiving 2015 Dining Out in Boston

    It's time to make Thanksgiving dinner reservations, especially if you want to enjoy your holiday meal at one of the Boston area's great restaurants on Thursday, November 26, 2015.

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    Most places have special menus and sometimes set seatings for major holidays. Many will require a deposit or credit card number to place a reservation. 

    We publish these holiday reservation reminders early so that our readers can get a head start and grab a reservation at a worthy spot. We'll keep adding updates as more places announce their intention to open and menus.

    Which Boston Area Restaurants Are Open on Thanksgiving?

    Hotel restaurants are normally open on all holidays. In Boston, this means some excellent choices including:

    Master Lists of Boston Restaurants Open for Thanksgiving.

    The reservation site Open Table is maintaining a list of restaurants with Thanksgiving menus. Listings include a price and information on offerings beyond traditional holiday fare. Remember, there are many more restaurants open that day. Put a time and number of guests into the system to see exactly what is available.

    Here are a few that we can recommend from the long Open Table list.

    • La Voile on Newbury Street always plans a special meal for the neighbors who love this small French charmer.
    • Bistro du Midi always serves a wonderful meal. And, if you want lighter fare, their Café will be open at 11 a.m.

    Open Table even includes some places outside the city if you're meeting up with family and friends who live in the suburbs. And, they can help you find a place to enjoy the holiday meal if you'll be away for the long weekend.

    Bostonchefs.com has some information on its members' offerings. For example, here are a few options we'd consider if we were looking for a great menu:

    • Eastern Standard in Kenmore Square will be open all day starting with breakfast and will serve Thanksgiving dinner from 1-8 p.m.
    • L'Espalier in the Back Bay will showcase the harvest from Chef McClelland's Apple Street Farm and will offer a three course prix fixe menu or, for a special holiday treat, a degustation menu.
    • Harvest in Harvard Square, Cambridge
    • Top of the Hub at the Prudential Center in the Back Bay comes with a view!
    • One recommendation for a lower cost option with good food would be Petit Robert in Boston.

    A Few Places with Their Regular Menus Available

    Many restaurants in Boston's Chinatown will be open. You can check with the Twitter account @bostonchinatown for more details. Update: See Eater Boston's list on this topic below.

    Some chain restaurants will also offer their regular menus.

    Davio's in Boston and Chestnut Hill 

    The Capital Grille Boston, Chestnut Hill, and Burlington

    We'll post updates in this space as other Boston resources post their lists and choices. 

     Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography:  istockphoto.com

  • Reserve Now for Thanksgiving 2015 Dining Out in Boston

    It's time to make Thanksgiving dinner reservations, especially if you want to enjoy your holiday meal at one of the Boston area's great restaurants on Thursday, November 26, 2015.

    6a00e54fc42bb88834019b0095cbcf970c-500wi

    Most places have special menus and sometimes set seatings for major holidays. Many will require a deposit or credit card number to place a reservation. 

    We publish these holiday reservation reminders early so that our readers can get a head start and grab a reservation at a worthy spot. We'll keep adding updates as more places announce their intention to open and menus.

    Which Boston Area Restaurants Are Open on Thanksgiving?

    Hotel restaurants are normally open on all holidays. In Boston, this means some excellent choices including:

    Master Lists of Boston Restaurants Open for Thanksgiving.

    The reservation site Open Table is maintaining a list of restaurants with Thanksgiving menus. Listings include a price and information on offerings beyond traditional holiday fare. Remember, there are many more restaurants open that day. Put a time and number of guests into the system to see exactly what is available.

    Here are a few that we can recommend from the long Open Table list.

    • La Voile on Newbury Street always plans a special meal for the neighbors who love this small French charmer.
    • Bistro du Midi always serves a wonderful meal. And, if you want lighter fare, their Café will be open at 11 a.m.

    Open Table even includes some places outside the city if you're meeting up with family and friends who live in the suburbs. And, they can help you find a place to enjoy the holiday meal if you'll be away for the long weekend.

    Bostonchefs.com has some information on its members' offerings. For example, here are a few options we'd consider if we were looking for a great menu:

    • Eastern Standard in Kenmore Square will be open all day starting with breakfast and will serve Thanksgiving dinner from 1-8 p.m.
    • L'Espalier in the Back Bay will showcase the harvest from Chef McClelland's Apple Street Farm and will offer a three course prix fixe menu or, for a special holiday treat, a degustation menu.
    • Harvest in Harvard Square, Cambridge
    • Top of the Hub at the Prudential Center in the Back Bay comes with a view!
    • One recommendation for a lower cost option with good food would be Petit Robert in Boston.

    A Few Places with Their Regular Menus Available

    Many restaurants in Boston's Chinatown will be open. You can check with the Twitter account @bostonchinatown for more details. Update: See Eater Boston's list on this topic below.

    Some chain restaurants will also offer their regular menus.

    Davio's in Boston and Chestnut Hill 

    The Capital Grille Boston, Chestnut Hill, and Burlington

    We'll post updates in this space as other Boston resources post their lists and choices. 

     Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography:  istockphoto.com

  • Celebrate Patriot John Glover on His Birthday

    If you walk by the statue of General John Glover (November 5, 1732 – January 30, 1797) on the Commonwealth Avenue Mall near Berkeley Street (map) this week, stop for a moment to say thank you. Three times, Glover and his “amphibious” regiment of Marblehead fishermen saved the American Revolution.

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    Washington Crossing the Delaware

    The famous painting of that Christmas Day event focuses on George Washington standing bravely in the bow of a small boat. The painting is filled with historic inaccuracies. The boat is the wrong size and shape. And, diaries describe the weather as an awful mix of rain, sleet, and snow. 

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    It is the depiction of a critical moment in the American Revolution. A moment when a small group of Massachusetts fishermen, led by Glover, accomplished a very difficult task that was a key to winning the war. Glover and his men ferried the Americans safely across the river, so that  Washington could lead a surprise attack on British troops in Trenton, New Jersey. 

    Now that you know how important the men rowing were, look at the determined boatmen instead of Washington.

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    John Glover was known as a stylish dresser and that is how sculptor Martin Milmore portrayed him in this statue.

    Escape from Brooklyn

    Washington had good reason to trust Glover. He and his men had been tested and had proven their skills in August of that year. After the disastrous Battle of Long Island, it was this regiment that organized and conducted a successful evacuation, bringing 9,000 troops and supplies across the treacherous East River without a casualty.

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    The Battle of Pelham

    And, that October, Glover led his men into a day-long fight where they battled with such tenacity and ferociousness that author David McCullough, in his book 1776, wrote that the Americans appeared to have “… stunned [British General] Howe, leading him to conclude that, with stone walls lining every road and adjacent field, more deadly fire could be waiting at any turn."

    Thus, John Glover earned his inclusion in this place of honor. And, it seems appropriate that he stands just two blocks from George Washington who trusted and respected him and his men. 

    In an upcoming post, we'll tell you a bit about this statue and Martin Milmore, the young Irishman who created it.

    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 (adapted from a previously published newspaper article)
    Photography: © 2010-2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino