Blog

Duchess Poppy Speaks Up About July 4th Fireworks Noise

Hello there Boston Dogs, Duchess Poppy here!

I can tell you from experience that Boston's July 4th Celebration is going to be noisy. And I do not like noise! I like things cool, calm, and quiet.

Did you know that there are silent fireworks? Penny found this article about a town that made things better for us noise averse critters by choosing those.

Update: Here's another article from the Boston Globe.

But here there will be lots of flashing lights in the sky and big booms going off along the river. I'm planning on staying home, but even if I hide in the bathroom, I know it will make my building shake.

I found a bunch of tips Over on PetFinder about preparing for big parties like this.

Tap your paw or click on the poster for easier reading.

And, just in case you were wondering, dogs and cats are not allowed at the Boston Pops Concert on the Esplanade. Only official, working, or service animals may attend. (But I don't know why any of us would want to go to this noisy, crowded place. Besides, we would only distract the police dogs who have important work that day.)

Have a safe and Happy July 4th!

Duchess Poppy Whitehead

P.S. Here's a link to all our Sunday Dogs. I'm in charge of recruiting the talent for these features, so let me know if you want to star some week.

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a Birthday or Wedding gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Duchess Poppy Whitehead (Edited by Ed)
Photography: © 2013 Penny Cherubino

Related articles

Boston Fireworks from Another Time …

My Little Sunday Dog …

July 3, 2016
Taltarni Taché Sparkling Rosé Lights Up July
July is a time for celebration around our house and we always look for a bottle of bubbles to match the festive mood.

We’re toasting this special month with a sparkling Australian Rosé known as Taltarni Taché (French for “stained”). In this case, it’s the stain of red wine added at disgorgement which results in a unique taste and an impressive salmon color.

Taltarni Taché 2011 is a classic blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. The winemaker credits the extraordinary growing season for “creating complex and distinct varietal characters along with succulent natural acidity.”

Taltarni says their wine has:
- a lovely structure
- a hint of bread on the nose … balanced with a creamy texture
- beautiful complimentary strawberry and rose petal aromatics
- a balance of acidity and sweetness
We agree with almost all of the above except the Chardonnay acidity was a bit too much for our taste. Our bottle listed: Chardonnay 55% Pinot Noir 38% Pinot Meunier 7%. Other reviewers listed a different blend percentage of varietals.

Here’s some of what they had to say:

[from: Taltarni Taché Sparkling Rosé 2011 (K&L Wines)]
- (90 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate) "The Non-Vintage Brut Tache is a delightful, well-priced sparkling wine composed of 52% Chardonnay, 41% Pinot Noir, and 7% Pinot Meunier … The nose offers rose petal, peach, apricot, and wheat thin scents … red berry and nutty flavors. … dry and refreshing, with a long, clean finish."
- (10/07) According to Wine & Spirits: "The bubbles look tiny but they power the strawberry and cherry fruit in this light pink sparkler, a brisk cut that leaves the finish clean. For rustic country pâté."
- (10/07) According to the Wine Spectator: "Pale pink in color, this dry, creamy-textured sparkler shows pretty watermelon and toast flavors. Drink now."
- (11/06) "Taché is a … fine rosé-colored sparkling wine … Crafted from a traditional blend of chardonnay (54%), pinot noir (36%) and pinot meunier (10%), Taltarni Brut Taché is bottle fermented and matured for a minimum of 18 months according to traditional ‘Mêthode Champenoise’ practices. Delicious!”
Taltarni Taché 2011

South Eastern Australia

Chardonnay 55% Pinot Noir 38% Pinot Meunier 7%

Alcohol 12% by Volume

We purchased our bottle of Taltarni Taché 2011 @ Bauer Wine & Spirits.

Here’s to July! Join Our Sparkling Resolution

Related Posts:

Our Sparkling Resolution is covered in this post : Join Us as We Toast…

A Few of Our Favorite Gifts for Wine Lovers

Here are all the wines we've covered. Since this is a category this post may appear at the top. Just scroll down for more.

Want to learn more about wine? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site! Here are three of our favorite wine books.

The Food Lover's Guide to Wine

The New Wine Lover's Companion

The Wine Bible

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Related articles

Michael Serpa Selects Champagne Jacquesson Cuvée 736 as Our Sparkler for June 2015

Toast August with Mumm Napa Brut Prestige

Toast July with American Sparkling Wines – A Few of Our Picks
July 1, 2016
Taltarni Taché Sparkling Rosé Lights Up July
July is a time for celebration around our house and we always look for a bottle of bubbles to match the festive mood.

We’re toasting this special month with a sparkling Australian Rosé known as Taltarni Taché (French for “stained”). In this case, it’s the stain of red wine added at disgorgement which results in a unique taste and an impressive salmon color.

Taltarni Taché 2011 is a classic blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier. The winemaker credits the extraordinary growing season for “creating complex and distinct varietal characters along with succulent natural acidity.”

Taltarni says their wine has:
- a lovely structure
- a hint of bread on the nose … balanced with a creamy texture
- beautiful complimentary strawberry and rose petal aromatics
- a balance of acidity and sweetness
We agree with almost all of the above except the Chardonnay acidity was a bit too much for our taste. Our bottle listed: Chardonnay 55% Pinot Noir 38% Pinot Meunier 7%. Other reviewers listed a different blend percentage of varietals.

Here’s some of what they had to say:

[from: Taltarni Taché Sparkling Rosé 2011 (K&L Wines)]
- (90 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate) "The Non-Vintage Brut Tache is a delightful, well-priced sparkling wine composed of 52% Chardonnay, 41% Pinot Noir, and 7% Pinot Meunier … The nose offers rose petal, peach, apricot, and wheat thin scents … red berry and nutty flavors. … dry and refreshing, with a long, clean finish."
- (10/07) According to Wine & Spirits: "The bubbles look tiny but they power the strawberry and cherry fruit in this light pink sparkler, a brisk cut that leaves the finish clean. For rustic country pâté."
- (10/07) According to the Wine Spectator: "Pale pink in color, this dry, creamy-textured sparkler shows pretty watermelon and toast flavors. Drink now."
- (11/06) "Taché is a … fine rosé-colored sparkling wine … Crafted from a traditional blend of chardonnay (54%), pinot noir (36%) and pinot meunier (10%), Taltarni Brut Taché is bottle fermented and matured for a minimum of 18 months according to traditional ‘Mêthode Champenoise’ practices. Delicious!”
Taltarni Taché 2011

South Eastern Australia

Chardonnay 55% Pinot Noir 38% Pinot Meunier 7%

Alcohol 12% by Volume

We purchased our bottle of Taltarni Taché 2011 @ Bauer Wine & Spirits.

Here’s to July! Join Our Sparkling Resolution

Related Posts:

Our Sparkling Resolution is covered in this post : Join Us as We Toast…

A Few of Our Favorite Gifts for Wine Lovers

Here are all the wines we've covered. Since this is a category this post may appear at the top. Just scroll down for more.

Want to learn more about wine? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site! Here are three of our favorite wine books.

The Food Lover's Guide to Wine

The New Wine Lover's Companion

The Wine Bible

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Related articles

Michael Serpa Selects Champagne Jacquesson Cuvée 736 as Our Sparkler for June 2015

Toast August with Mumm Napa Brut Prestige

Toast July with American Sparkling Wines – A Few of Our Picks
July 1, 2016
Summer in the Back Bay: Then and Now

Today, in summer, green is the color of the Back Bay. Trees form canopies of shade to protect walkers from the heat of the sun. Glorious gardens add a back beat of color to the scene. But all that green is a 20th Century addition to a 19th Century neighborhood.

From the Boston Public Library Collection, this is the "Residence of C. H. Dalton" on Commonwealth Avenue. Notice the lack of garden or trees except on young sapling on the Commonwealth Avenue Mall.

As Barbara W. Moore and Gail Weesner wrote in their book, Back Bay a Living Portrait,

“By the 1870 summering had become fashionable, and most Back Bay houses were used only as winter residences – from nineteenth-century reminiscences, one senses that the seasonal Bostonian often considered his country house the family's true home; the town house was merely a snug accommodation during the fall weather of the social season.”

Today the streets of the Back Bay are lined with carefully designed and cultivated gardens.

Street trees add cooling shade as we walk along the sidewalks.

Even in this rare summer photo circa 1878 – 1910, from the BPL Print Department, only the park is planted.

Plantings like this Kousa Dogwood are treasured as neighborhood amenities.

Annuals add accents of color and variety to even small, narrow spaces.

This 1880 photo of Marlborough Street taken from the Public Garden shows few trees and a much barer park. From the Boston Public Library Collection.

These days we walk Marlborough Street to enjoy the lush gardens. And, while some of the residents of the Back Bay relocate to summer homes, many stay here and enjoy the quieter months in the city. This June has been an ideal month to enjoy this wonderful neighborhood.

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: © 2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino and Boston Public Library collection as noted in the captions.

Related articles

Then & Now: Filene's Corner Holiday Decorations #Throwbackthursday

So Happy Bacchante and Infant Faun Returned to the BPL Courtyard

June 30, 2016
Summer in the Back Bay: Then and Now

Today, in summer, green is the color of the Back Bay. Trees form canopies of shade to protect walkers from the heat of the sun. Glorious gardens add a back beat of color to the scene. But all that green is a 20th Century addition to a 19th Century neighborhood.

From the Boston Public Library Collection, this is the "Residence of C. H. Dalton" on Commonwealth Avenue. Notice the lack of garden or trees except on young sapling on the Commonwealth Avenue Mall.

As Barbara W. Moore and Gail Weesner wrote in their book, Back Bay a Living Portrait,

“By the 1870 summering had become fashionable, and most Back Bay houses were used only as winter residences – from nineteenth-century reminiscences, one senses that the seasonal Bostonian often considered his country house the family's true home; the town house was merely a snug accommodation during the fall weather of the social season.”

Today the streets of the Back Bay are lined with carefully designed and cultivated gardens.

Street trees add cooling shade as we walk along the sidewalks.

Even in this rare summer photo circa 1878 – 1910, from the BPL Print Department, only the park is planted.

Plantings like this Kousa Dogwood are treasured as neighborhood amenities.

Annuals add accents of color and variety to even small, narrow spaces.

This 1880 photo of Marlborough Street taken from the Public Garden shows few trees and a much barer park. From the Boston Public Library Collection.

These days we walk Marlborough Street to enjoy the lush gardens. And, while some of the residents of the Back Bay relocate to summer homes, many stay here and enjoy the quieter months in the city. This June has been an ideal month to enjoy this wonderful neighborhood.

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: © 2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino and Boston Public Library collection as noted in the captions.

Related articles

Then & Now: Filene's Corner Holiday Decorations #Throwbackthursday

So Happy Bacchante and Infant Faun Returned to the BPL Courtyard

June 30, 2016
Congratulations! Edible Boston Summer 2016 Issue Is Their 10th Anniversary!

The arrival of a new preview issue of Edible Boston in my mailbox always makes me smile. As I read the Ilene Bezahler's letter to her readers, my smile grew from ear-to-ear. This is their 10th Anniversary and a new publication will be added to the family. (More on that below.)

Celebrate with Edible Boston as they welcome a new season of food and spotlight the businesses that support fresh and local food in our community.

Be sure to read John Lee's, "Farmers Diary: Ten with Edible Boston" for his thoughts on the progress the local food movement has made in the past decade.

(Penny profiled John over on Serious Eats a few years ago. Here's more about this intelligent, thoughtful man.)

That Sibling Publication: "To Market"

I'm very excited about the expansion of the Edible Boston talent bank into the regional food policy topic. As Ilene describes it, "To Market will take a regional approach to local food but with the added impact of tackling policy issues, exploring trends across state lines and how the New England states interact to form a vibrant, regional food economy." More about it in a report from Boston Business Journal.

In September, you'll find more about it on the new website, and you can follow along now on Facebook and Twitter.

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!

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
Covershot & Photos: photographer Michael Piazza Courtesy of Edible Boston (If you love great photography, always pick up an Edible Boston issue!) John Lee photo ©2009, Penny Cherubino

Related articles

Who Will Grow Our Food If There Are No New Farmers?

Do You Mise En Place When You Cook?

June 29, 2016
Congratulations! Edible Boston Summer 2016 Issue Is Their 10th Anniversary!

The arrival of a new preview issue of Edible Boston in my mailbox always makes me smile. As I read the Ilene Bezahler's letter to her readers, my smile grew from ear-to-ear. This is their 10th Anniversary and a new publication will be added to the family. (More on that below.)

Celebrate with Edible Boston as they welcome a new season of food and spotlight the businesses that support fresh and local food in our community.

Be sure to read John Lee's, "Farmers Diary: Ten with Edible Boston" for his thoughts on the progress the local food movement has made in the past decade.

(Penny profiled John over on Serious Eats a few years ago. Here's more about this intelligent, thoughtful man.)

That Sibling Publication: "To Market"

I'm very excited about the expansion of the Edible Boston talent bank into the regional food policy topic. As Ilene describes it, "To Market will take a regional approach to local food but with the added impact of tackling policy issues, exploring trends across state lines and how the New England states interact to form a vibrant, regional food economy." More about it in a report from Boston Business Journal.

In September, you'll find more about it on the new website, and you can follow along now on Facebook and Twitter.

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!

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
Covershot & Photos: photographer Michael Piazza Courtesy of Edible Boston (If you love great photography, always pick up an Edible Boston issue!) John Lee photo ©2009, Penny Cherubino

Related articles

Who Will Grow Our Food If There Are No New Farmers?

Do You Mise En Place When You Cook?

June 29, 2016
“The Eyes Have It” When it Comes to These Sunday Dogs

Dogs use their eyes for many reasons. Around my house, if Poppy’s meal is a few minutes late, Ed and I are treated to penetrating laser eyes as a silent reminder that she wants dinner now!

Poppy says, "I'm so worried I won't be served my dinner on time! "

Photography

I love to focus on dogs' eyes when I photograph them, but it’s often difficult because my large camera lens looks like a big eye to some dogs and they avoid looking at it. When I have time to get to know a subject, I’ll put the lens cap on and offer to let them sniff my camera before I use it again.

For dogs, eye contact takes on many meanings. A direct stare from a person or another dog can reassure, threaten, welcome, warn, question, or demand attention. For someone who wants a great relationship with dogs, there is a lot to learn about eye contact.

Communication

Before you can train your dog to do anything, you need his or her attention. Some folks use the cue, “Watch me!” pointing to their eyes and holding the dog’s gaze as they praise their pal for the correct behavior. That simple, “Watch me!” can come in handy when you need to distract your dog from something that might cause him to bark or react in some way that you don’t allow.

Once this is mastered, you can move on to training your dog to follow your gaze by looking and pointing to an object thereby directing the dog’s attention to something else. Start with fun things such as a toy you’d like him to bring to you or a place you want her to go to settle down.

Your dog may also try to communicate with you by making eye contact and then gaze at what they want or need. I love to let my dog solve her own problems and she usually does a great job of figuring out how to free a stuck toy or hold a chew to get the best angle of attack. But, occasionally, she will turn to one of us for an assist. Often, I can tell what she needs by the look in her eyes and where she tries to direct my eyes.

There is an emotional bonus to all this eye contact. A recent study by animal behaviorist Takefumi Kikusui found that, “When interacting and exchanging gazes, both dogs and their owners experienced rushes of oxytocin in their brains.” This increases your emotional bond.

Don’t make eye contact if …

While eye contact with your own dog can be beneficial, you really have to have a clear understanding of canine body language if you are going to make eye contact with a strange dog. An unfamiliar dog may read your stare as a form of dominance or aggression and react accordingly.

If you’re lucky, the reaction might be submission, but you could also find yourself facing a snarling canine. You are better off approaching a strange dog with your eyes slightly averted, speaking quietly, and using soft body language.

When you have the opportunity, observe dogs who are experts at using their eyes. Watch a sheepdog use her eyes to control sheep or a hunter keen on his prey. Notice how a retriever can focus on the object he’ll locate and return to his person. Pay attention to the way a guide dog checks the traffic before leading a blind person across a street. The eyes have 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.

Details:

Words: Penny Cherubino (Adapted for BostonZest from one of her "City Paws" newspaper columns.)
Photos: ©2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino plus the last photo from iStockphoto.com

Related articles

Spencer Is Pointing to Modern Farmer's Guide to Farm Dogs

The Book "Dirty Old Boston" Is Our Friday Link

June 26, 2016
“The Eyes Have It” When it Comes to These Sunday Dogs

Dogs use their eyes for many reasons. Around my house, if Poppy’s meal is a few minutes late, Ed and I are treated to penetrating laser eyes as a silent reminder that she wants dinner now!

Poppy says, "I'm so worried I won't be served my dinner on time! "

Photography

I love to focus on dogs' eyes when I photograph them, but it’s often difficult because my large camera lens looks like a big eye to some dogs and they avoid looking at it. When I have time to get to know a subject, I’ll put the lens cap on and offer to let them sniff my camera before I use it again.

For dogs, eye contact takes on many meanings. A direct stare from a person or another dog can reassure, threaten, welcome, warn, question, or demand attention. For someone who wants a great relationship with dogs, there is a lot to learn about eye contact.

Communication

Before you can train your dog to do anything, you need his or her attention. Some folks use the cue, “Watch me!” pointing to their eyes and holding the dog’s gaze as they praise their pal for the correct behavior. That simple, “Watch me!” can come in handy when you need to distract your dog from something that might cause him to bark or react in some way that you don’t allow.

Once this is mastered, you can move on to training your dog to follow your gaze by looking and pointing to an object thereby directing the dog’s attention to something else. Start with fun things such as a toy you’d like him to bring to you or a place you want her to go to settle down.

Your dog may also try to communicate with you by making eye contact and then gaze at what they want or need. I love to let my dog solve her own problems and she usually does a great job of figuring out how to free a stuck toy or hold a chew to get the best angle of attack. But, occasionally, she will turn to one of us for an assist. Often, I can tell what she needs by the look in her eyes and where she tries to direct my eyes.

There is an emotional bonus to all this eye contact. A recent study by animal behaviorist Takefumi Kikusui found that, “When interacting and exchanging gazes, both dogs and their owners experienced rushes of oxytocin in their brains.” This increases your emotional bond.

Don’t make eye contact if …

While eye contact with your own dog can be beneficial, you really have to have a clear understanding of canine body language if you are going to make eye contact with a strange dog. An unfamiliar dog may read your stare as a form of dominance or aggression and react accordingly.

If you’re lucky, the reaction might be submission, but you could also find yourself facing a snarling canine. You are better off approaching a strange dog with your eyes slightly averted, speaking quietly, and using soft body language.

When you have the opportunity, observe dogs who are experts at using their eyes. Watch a sheepdog use her eyes to control sheep or a hunter keen on his prey. Notice how a retriever can focus on the object he’ll locate and return to his person. Pay attention to the way a guide dog checks the traffic before leading a blind person across a street. The eyes have 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.

Details:

Words: Penny Cherubino (Adapted for BostonZest from one of her "City Paws" newspaper columns.)
Photos: ©2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino plus the last photo from iStockphoto.com

Related articles

Spencer Is Pointing to Modern Farmer's Guide to Farm Dogs

The Book "Dirty Old Boston" Is Our Friday Link

June 26, 2016
What’s Open on July 4th, 2017 in Boston, Parking, Trash & MBTA Schedules
Here's a rundown of what's Open & Closed in Boston on Tuesday, July 4th, 2017 and changes to MBTA schedules. Plus: parking, street sweeping, trash, recycling, and other useful links.

Follow us on Twitter to be notified of updates or save this page for future reference. This page will remain our ongoing resource for this holiday with updates added as needed in future years.

Restaurants, bars: Open

Convenience stores: Open

Supermarkets: Open

Retail stores: Are allowed to open, if the owners choose.

Liquor stores: Open

City, Town, State, and Federal offices and facilities: 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 United States closed. Some international markets are open. Also, some banks may open certain branch offices – often those inside supermarkets. Check with your own financial institution for details.

Boston Parking: Sunday Parking rules apply. You don't have to feed the meters. Other parking rules apply. There will be some temporary parking restrictions and some street closures in the areas surrounding the Charles River Esplanade on July 4th. We'll add updates as they are published.

Towed Cars: The City says, "If you believe your vehicle was towed in Boston, then call either the Boston Police Tow Line at 617-343-4629 or the Boston Tow Lot at 617-635-3900 to locate the vehicle, or search the online towing database by license plate" at the City's Towed Car page.

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 311 for exact details."

Boston Trash: You now have to type in your specific address into this page on the city site to see what is happening with holidays in your neighborhood.

Boston Transportation Department July 4, 2017 road closures and parking restrictions for events citywide.

Fireworks from a Back Bay roof deck

Here is the link to information about the July 4th concerts and fireworks on the Charles River Esplanade.

Update 06/29/17 from the Massachusetts State Police

"Security and Traffic Information for July 3 and 4 Esplanade Events
The following documents contain important information regarding this year’s July 3^rdand 4^th Fireworks Show and Concert on the Esplanade in Boston. Open the documents to view information about prohibited items, road closures and traffic restrictions, pedestrian access points into the Esplanade, boating restrictions and guidelines, Text-A-Tip line for reporting suspicious activity, and UAV (Drone) Prohibition.

For more information on these and other guidelines, please view the accompanying documents.
Related Posts
Here are some of our related posts about July 4th, the Charles River, and the Esplanade …

    How to Get to the Esplanade from Boston

    Once Grand, Now Unnoticed

    Charles River Clean Up Boat Update

MBTA Service Schedule for Monday, July 4th, 2017:

The MBTA website has July 4th schedule information posted on their events page through the holiday. "Fares will not be collected after 9:30 p.m.

"Beginning at 2 p.m., subway service on all lines will operate at rush-hour levels to accommodate increased holiday ridership. Fares will not be collected on the Subway, Bus, Commuter Rail, Ferry, and the RIDE, after 9:30 p.m."

The Commuter Rail will run on a Saturday schedule except the Fairmount line which will run on this holiday/special event schedule.

The last trains to leave Boston are on the MBTA Events Page and in the download below. Before using the Commuter Rail, check the most recent schedules.

Buses and trackless trolleys will run on a Sunday schedule. This means some buses will not operate and

Some bus routes may operate on detour due to Fourth of July events and parades. Please check T-Alerts for details.

Boats will run on a Saturday schedule except the Charlestown service which will operate on a Weekend schedule.

The Ride will run on a regular Saturday Schedule.

You can download a pdf copy of the schedule details here:

Download MBTA July 4th 2017 schedule

MBTA tips for those attending the Esplanade Concert and Fireworks:

"Customers are urged to take public transportation to and from Fourth of July events and advised to check T-Alerts for the most up-to-date service information during the holiday.

As a reminder, bicycles are not allowed on any subway lines for the entire day on the Fourth of July. Bicycles are also prohibited on inbound Commuter Rail trains from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. as well as on outbound trains after 4 p.m.

Beginning at 2 p.m., subway service on all lines will operate at rush-hour levels to accommodate increased holiday ridership. Fares will not be collected after 9:30 p.m."

"Alewife Garage will operate as pay-on-entry on the 4th of July. All other parking facilities will operate as usual with parking ambassadors available to assist customers with payment and other event related questions.

"Customers parking in MBTA Parking garages should prepay garage tickets before returning to vehicles in order to expedite exit by using the parking payment kiosks located in the station lobby."

Save storage space with these collapsible coolers. We love Arctic Zone Coolers. They're perfect for small city homes. We have a version of the Arctic Zone Ultra 50 can model, and it's amazing at keeping things chilled! We not only use it for picnics, but grab it to go grocery shopping.

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:

Writers: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: Penny Cherubino and istockphoto.com
June 24, 2016