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  • What’s Open and Closed on Memorial Day 2014 In Boston + MBTA Schedules

    UPDATE: Here's a link to our latest post on "What's Open and Closed on Memorial Day in Boston + MBTA Schedules, Parking, Trash & More" 

     

    Here's a rundown of what's open and what's closed in Boston and the MBTA schedules for Memorial Day – Monday, May 26, 2014. 

    We publish these reminders before a holiday to give our readers a nudge to finalize their holiday plans. This is the first big weekend of the summer. Get going on some fun plans! And, plan your shopping for adult beverages because this is one of those Blue Law holidays!

    6a00e54fc42bb888340168eb75f9c7970c-800wi

    Out on or along the Charles River is a great place to spend a holiday!

    Restaurants, bars: Open

    Convenience stores: Open

    Supermarkets: Open

    Retail stores: Are allowed to open if the owners choose

    Liquor stores: Closed (See this page from the Secretary of State)

    City, Town, State, and Federal offices and facilities are closed: This includes Schools, Libraries and the Postal Service (express mail will be delivered). Only emergency services are available.

    Financial Services: As the British would say, this is a Bank Holiday with both Banks and the stock markets in the U.S. closed. Some international markets are open.

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

    Street Sweeping: The city site 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."

    More information after this ad

    Save storage space with these collapsible coolers. Perfect for small city homes. We had many years of use from an older version of the Arctic Zone 30 model. It was amazing at keeping things chilled. We not only used it for picnics, but also grabbed it to go grocery shopping. 

        

    Boston Trash Collection: The announcement from Public Works  states:

    "Monday, May 26, 6am – Saturday, May 31, 2014, 5pm

    DETAILS
    No Delay of trash or recycling pick up in Back Bay, Bay Village, Beacon Hill, Charlestown, Chinatown, Fenway, Leather District, Mission Hill, North End, Roxbury, South Boston, and South End
    Allston/Brighton, Dorchester, East Boston, Jamaica Plain*, Mattapan, Roslindale, West Roxbury and Hyde Park, delayed a day
    *If you live in Jamaica Plain and your trash is picked up 2 times per week, do not delay."

    "The MBTA has announced its Service Schedules for Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, 2014."

    For a few days before each holiday, the MBTA schedule changes will show up at this link.

    MBTA Memorial Day 2014 Service Schedules Quick Look –  

    • The Red, Orange, Blue, Silver, and Green Lines will operate on a Sunday schedule. 
    • Buses and trackless trolleys will operate on a Sunday schedule. 
    • The Commuter Rail will operate on a Sunday schedule. 
    • THE RIDE will operate on a Sunday schedule.

    Complete Details Here

    For more information: 
    Go to www.MBTA.com. Contact the MBTA Customer Communications Department at (617) 222-3200, TTY: (617) 222-5146. 

     

    Details:
    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photo:© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Related articles
    CapeFLYER Train Service to Start Memorial Day Weekend
    IQubed Design's MBTA Map of 2024 Looks Promising

  • Elevator Etiquette & Safety: A Sunday Dog Alert

    Elevators are a part of city life. We have updated and are featuring this article for those of you who have moved to an elevator building as a part of the big Boston September move in.

    Duchess Poppy loves to run up and down the stairs in our building. It’s good exercise for both of us. But, sometimes we take the elevator, so she's had to learn that elevators have rules.

    DSC_1796 - Version 32014-04-08-poppy-westie-elevator-attentive-dog-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Side-by-Side

    Everyone has been sending me links to a scary video of a dog almost strangled by a leash caught in an elevator door. The current version is one of many horror stories that have circulated through the years.

    Ed and I address this issue by insisting that Poppy enter the elevator on a shortened leash, by our side, with a person between her and the sliding door. That way she can’t be hit by the door, end up alone in the elevator, outside of it, and cannot have her leash caught in the mechanism. On her own, she has mastered hopping over the space between the floor and the elevator car.

    Basic Etiquette

    Unfortunately, every community has fools who think rules don’t apply to them. Our building requires that all dogs be on leash in the common areas. Yet, an elevator door will open and a dog will bound out to greet us.

    Most of the time, this is a minor annoyance. Poppy's friendly and won’t react badly to a dog near her. But, what about a person who is afraid of dogs or someone who has a reactive pup?

    Unless a fellow elevator passenger has already shown a fondness for dogs, we ask, “Do you mind riding with a dog?” Any flicker of doubt in a person’s expression or reply means we wait for the next car.

    I remember the relief in the eyes of a young woman, who had always kept her distance from our dog, when we asked that question one day. She quickly admitted she was terrified of dogs and was stressed at the thought of having even a small one in the elevator with her.

    3208740916_e42948863b_z

    (Photo by Chris used under this creative commons license)

    Other Tips for Ups and Downs

    Once in an elevator, keep your leash shortened. If possible, place your dog in a corner or against a wall, and have him sit until you give the okay to heel next to you and exit.

    If you are riding with another dog, don’t encourage greetings or play inside this confined space. Either animal could become territorial or react in an unusual way because of the unnatural setting. Here again, we often wait for the next car rather than overcrowd the pups.

    If you have an emergency ride because your pup indicates he has to relieve himself, take clean up materials with you. Puppy training pads are great to have for these occasions. Should there be an accident, do a complete clean up with an enzymatic product and notify your building’s cleaning service. Other dogs will be tempted to cover the scent left behind.

    9502400203_3a1d440850_b

    Even the old Government Center Station had a sign warning not to let dogs on the escalator. (From the Boston City Archives used under this creative commons license.)

    When it comes to escalators, I say you have three choices: carry your dog, take the stairs, or the elevator. In a press release, the MSPCA wrote, “Every year veterinarians at Angell see on average two to three dogs whose legs and feet have been mangled by escalators—and in most cases emergency surgery is necessary for the animal to recover.”

    Like most etiquette and safety matters, this is all common sense. Think before you act. Don’t let down your guard. Protect the ones you love and be a good neighbor.

    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 (Previously published as a City Paws newspaper column
    Photography: © 2014  Ed Cherubino, City Of Boston Archives, and Chris 

    Related articles
    Dogs on Public Transit, Boston: 101
    Poppy's Provincetown Report
    Spread the Word on The Yellow Dog Project & DINOS!

  • Elevator Etiquette & Safety: A Sunday Dog Alert

    Elevators are a part of city life. We have updated and are featuring this article for those of you who have moved to an elevator building as a part of the big Boston September move in.

    Duchess Poppy loves to run up and down the stairs in our building. It’s good exercise for both of us. But, sometimes we take the elevator, so she's had to learn that elevators have rules.

    DSC_1796 - Version 32014-04-08-poppy-westie-elevator-attentive-dog-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Side-by-Side

    Everyone has been sending me links to a scary video of a dog almost strangled by a leash caught in an elevator door. The current version is one of many horror stories that have circulated through the years.

    Ed and I address this issue by insisting that Poppy enter the elevator on a shortened leash, by our side, with a person between her and the sliding door. That way she can’t be hit by the door, end up alone in the elevator, outside of it, and cannot have her leash caught in the mechanism. On her own, she has mastered hopping over the space between the floor and the elevator car.

    Basic Etiquette

    Unfortunately, every community has fools who think rules don’t apply to them. Our building requires that all dogs be on leash in the common areas. Yet, an elevator door will open and a dog will bound out to greet us.

    Most of the time, this is a minor annoyance. Poppy's friendly and won’t react badly to a dog near her. But, what about a person who is afraid of dogs or someone who has a reactive pup?

    Unless a fellow elevator passenger has already shown a fondness for dogs, we ask, “Do you mind riding with a dog?” Any flicker of doubt in a person’s expression or reply means we wait for the next car.

    I remember the relief in the eyes of a young woman, who had always kept her distance from our dog, when we asked that question one day. She quickly admitted she was terrified of dogs and was stressed at the thought of having even a small one in the elevator with her.

    3208740916_e42948863b_z

    (Photo by Chris used under this creative commons license)

    Other Tips for Ups and Downs

    Once in an elevator, keep your leash shortened. If possible, place your dog in a corner or against a wall, and have him sit until you give the okay to heel next to you and exit.

    If you are riding with another dog, don’t encourage greetings or play inside this confined space. Either animal could become territorial or react in an unusual way because of the unnatural setting. Here again, we often wait for the next car rather than overcrowd the pups.

    If you have an emergency ride because your pup indicates he has to relieve himself, take clean up materials with you. Puppy training pads are great to have for these occasions. Should there be an accident, do a complete clean up with an enzymatic product and notify your building’s cleaning service. Other dogs will be tempted to cover the scent left behind.

    9502400203_3a1d440850_b

    Even the old Government Center Station had a sign warning not to let dogs on the escalator. (From the Boston City Archives used under this creative commons license.)

    When it comes to escalators, I say you have three choices: carry your dog, take the stairs, or the elevator. In a press release, the MSPCA wrote, “Every year veterinarians at Angell see on average two to three dogs whose legs and feet have been mangled by escalators—and in most cases emergency surgery is necessary for the animal to recover.”

    Like most etiquette and safety matters, this is all common sense. Think before you act. Don’t let down your guard. Protect the ones you love and be a good neighbor.

    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 (Previously published as a City Paws newspaper column
    Photography: © 2014  Ed Cherubino, City Of Boston Archives, and Chris 

    Related articles
    Dogs on Public Transit, Boston: 101
    Poppy's Provincetown Report
    Spread the Word on The Yellow Dog Project & DINOS!

  • Visit “Made by Hand: an Exhibit of Extraordinary Craftsmanship”

    For the rest of the month, "Made by Hand: an exhibit of extraordinary craftsmanship" will allow you to see the work of the students and alumni of Boston's remarkable North Bennet Street School.

    Wolcott Hall Table

    Sheraton Hall Table Artist: Bradly Wolcott, 2012 graduate of the school’s cabinet & furniture program
    Materials: mahogany, satinwood, holly, ebony

    The school describes this exhibit as:

    "Made by Hand: an exhibit of extraordinary craftsmanship" features dozens of one-of-a-kind objects created by North Bennet Street School students and alumni – including a classic Sheraton hall table, an exquisite diamond sapphire ring, several handsomely finished violins and intricately constructed hand-bound books."

    HaloPendantwSpessCab_crop

    Halo Pendant Artist: Geraldine Kish Perry, 2000 graduate of the school’s jewelry making program
    Materials: 18kg and spessartite garnet pendant

    So, if you happen to be on the Greenway during the week or are looking for a destination for a visit to that area, here's the scoop. (Note: this is not open on weekends.)

    WildFlowers2-ErinFletcher

    Field Book of Western Wild Flowers by Margaret Armstrong Artist: Erin Fletcher, 2013 graduate of the school’s bookbinding program Materials: leather, embroidery, acrylic, handmade paper, gouache, gold leaf

    QUICK FACTS:
    Event: Made by Hand: an exhibit of extraordinary craftsmanship
    Where: Main Lobby, Two International Place, Boston, MA
    When: Monday, May 12 through Friday, May 30, 2014
    Hours: weekdays, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.
    Admission: Free
    Handicap Access: Yes
    Reservations: Not required.
    Nearest parking: Two International Place garage and limited street parking (metered).
    Nearest T stops: South Station (Red line), Aquarium (Blue Line)
    More Information: call 617-227-0155, ext. 170; visit http://www.nbss.edu/ae2014; or email cjankowski@nbss.edu.

    What's on your Artistic Shopping List? Shop Amazon for all your arts & craft needs and support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: courtesy of North Bennet Street School

  • Visit “Made by Hand: an Exhibit of Extraordinary Craftsmanship”

    For the rest of the month, "Made by Hand: an exhibit of extraordinary craftsmanship" will allow you to see the work of the students and alumni of Boston's remarkable North Bennet Street School.

    Wolcott Hall Table

    Sheraton Hall Table Artist: Bradly Wolcott, 2012 graduate of the school’s cabinet & furniture program
    Materials: mahogany, satinwood, holly, ebony

    The school describes this exhibit as:

    "Made by Hand: an exhibit of extraordinary craftsmanship" features dozens of one-of-a-kind objects created by North Bennet Street School students and alumni – including a classic Sheraton hall table, an exquisite diamond sapphire ring, several handsomely finished violins and intricately constructed hand-bound books."

    HaloPendantwSpessCab_crop

    Halo Pendant Artist: Geraldine Kish Perry, 2000 graduate of the school’s jewelry making program
    Materials: 18kg and spessartite garnet pendant

    So, if you happen to be on the Greenway during the week or are looking for a destination for a visit to that area, here's the scoop. (Note: this is not open on weekends.)

    WildFlowers2-ErinFletcher

    Field Book of Western Wild Flowers by Margaret Armstrong Artist: Erin Fletcher, 2013 graduate of the school’s bookbinding program Materials: leather, embroidery, acrylic, handmade paper, gouache, gold leaf

    QUICK FACTS:
    Event: Made by Hand: an exhibit of extraordinary craftsmanship
    Where: Main Lobby, Two International Place, Boston, MA
    When: Monday, May 12 through Friday, May 30, 2014
    Hours: weekdays, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.
    Admission: Free
    Handicap Access: Yes
    Reservations: Not required.
    Nearest parking: Two International Place garage and limited street parking (metered).
    Nearest T stops: South Station (Red line), Aquarium (Blue Line)
    More Information: call 617-227-0155, ext. 170; visit http://www.nbss.edu/ae2014; or email cjankowski@nbss.edu.

    What's on your Artistic Shopping List? Shop Amazon for all your arts & craft needs and support this site!

    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photos: courtesy of North Bennet Street School

  • A Fresh Herb Bouquet in a Mason Jar with a Flower Frog Lid

    Don’t you love this mason jar flower frog lid? I do and it’s perfect for a handful of chives.

    DSC_2007 - Version 22014-05-13-mason-jar-top-flower-frog-herbs-chives-© 2011 Penny Cherubino copy

    We had our first roof deck outing this week and discovered that the good, old, dependable chive plants had survived even this nasty winter and were offering up fresh green goodness for our meals. I picked a few stalks and look forward to adding a few chive flowers later this week.

    I enjoy keeping a bouquet of fresh herbs on my kitchen counter, right in front of my favorite work space. It’s like having a palette of color, aroma, and flavor. And, I love all the great covers, lids, and accessories that creative inventors are marketing for mason jars.

    We bought a few at one of our favorite shops, Utilities, when we were in Provincetown. This one is also available on Amazon.

    The flower frog cover is metal (it’s not actually rusty but rather painted) and comes in a couple of colors. I think it is going to be my favorite herb vase in the months ahead.

    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: © 2014 Penny Cherubino 

    Related articles
    The Canteen in Provincetown Is Added to Our Favorites List
    a DIY Indoor Herb Garden

  • A Fresh Herb Bouquet in a Mason Jar with a Flower Frog Lid

    Don’t you love this mason jar flower frog lid? I do and it’s perfect for a handful of chives.

    DSC_2007 - Version 22014-05-13-mason-jar-top-flower-frog-herbs-chives-© 2011 Penny Cherubino copy

    We had our first roof deck outing this week and discovered that the good, old, dependable chive plants had survived even this nasty winter and were offering up fresh green goodness for our meals. I picked a few stalks and look forward to adding a few chive flowers later this week.

    I enjoy keeping a bouquet of fresh herbs on my kitchen counter, right in front of my favorite work space. It’s like having a palette of color, aroma, and flavor. And, I love all the great covers, lids, and accessories that creative inventors are marketing for mason jars.

    We bought a few at one of our favorite shops, Utilities, when we were in Provincetown. This one is also available on Amazon.

    The flower frog cover is metal (it’s not actually rusty but rather painted) and comes in a couple of colors. I think it is going to be my favorite herb vase in the months ahead.

    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: © 2014 Penny Cherubino 

    Related articles
    The Canteen in Provincetown Is Added to Our Favorites List
    a DIY Indoor Herb Garden

  • Describing Provincetown, MA

    PC2_2892 ©2014 Penny Cherubino,provincetown, long point, jetty, light house,© 2011 Penny Cherubino copy
    Provincetown at the tip of Cape Cod is a place so beautiful that it has attracted generations of artists and writers who have found the light that bounces around from sea, sand, and sky inspiring.

    Michael Cunningham, in his book Land's End: A Walk in Provincetown, writes:

    "… the land on which Provincetown is built is essentially a sandbar, tenuously connected to the mainland, continually reconfigured by the actions of tides. When Thoreau went there in the mid-1800s, he called it 'a filmy sliver of land lying flat on the ocean, a mere reflection of a sand-bar on the haze above.' It has not changed much since then, at least not when seen from a distance. Built as it is at the very end of the Cape, which unfurls like a genie's shoe from the coastline of Massachusetts, it follows the curve of a long, lazy spiral and looks not out to sea but in, toward the thicker arm of the Cape."

    This is a very special place. It's our escape when we need a break from Boston. At the same time, it is an urban space where you can arrive by ferry or park the car and not really need it for the time you are there.

    This photo and others from our site and published work are available in our Photo Galleries over on SmugMug.

    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: © 2014 Penny Cherubino  

    Related articles
    The Canteen in Provincetown Is Added to Our Favorites List
    Provincetown "Frenchie" with a Stand-in!
    Market Scene: Provincetown Farmers' Market, Massachusetts

  • Describing Provincetown, MA

    PC2_2892 ©2014 Penny Cherubino,provincetown, long point, jetty, light house,© 2011 Penny Cherubino copy
    Provincetown at the tip of Cape Cod is a place so beautiful that it has attracted generations of artists and writers who have found the light that bounces around from sea, sand, and sky inspiring.

    Michael Cunningham, in his book Land's End: A Walk in Provincetown, writes:

    "… the land on which Provincetown is built is essentially a sandbar, tenuously connected to the mainland, continually reconfigured by the actions of tides. When Thoreau went there in the mid-1800s, he called it 'a filmy sliver of land lying flat on the ocean, a mere reflection of a sand-bar on the haze above.' It has not changed much since then, at least not when seen from a distance. Built as it is at the very end of the Cape, which unfurls like a genie's shoe from the coastline of Massachusetts, it follows the curve of a long, lazy spiral and looks not out to sea but in, toward the thicker arm of the Cape."

    This is a very special place. It's our escape when we need a break from Boston. At the same time, it is an urban space where you can arrive by ferry or park the car and not really need it for the time you are there.

    This photo and others from our site and published work are available in our Photo Galleries over on SmugMug.

    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: © 2014 Penny Cherubino  

    Related articles
    The Canteen in Provincetown Is Added to Our Favorites List
    Provincetown "Frenchie" with a Stand-in!
    Market Scene: Provincetown Farmers' Market, Massachusetts

  • Market Report: Summer Farmers’ Markets Opening Dates 2014

    Copley Market

    Pull out your calendars and mark the dates when you can go and see our Boston area farmers' market friends at their summer spots. 

    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 email and we'll add it as an update to this post.

    We'll be telling you more about some of these markets in the weeks ahead!

    Update: 05/14/14: Here is the great selection of food we bought at the opening day of the Copley Farmers' Market.

    DSC_2100 - Version 22014-05-13--copley-market-farmers-purchases-© 2011 Penny Cherubino

    Bread, cookies, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, asparagus, baby arugula, scallions, and goat cheese.


    See our review of The Boston Homegrown Cookbook: Local Food, Local Restaurants, Local Recipes. It's full of chefs, farmers, and food producers you know, and we highly recommend it. Remember, always click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

     


    Details:

    Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
    Photography: © 2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino