An arch of holiday ornaments add color and sparkle to the dull winter sidewalk scene on Marlborough Street in the Back Bay.
Thank you to Michael who takes the time out of his busy schedule each year to give his neighbors a bright spot on their daily walks.
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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2014 Penny & Ed Cherubino
This country has 75 million people who could easily become extra eyes and ears for local law enforcement in the fight against crime. These are the people who are out at all hours of the day and night, in all types of weather, walking their dogs.
Here's a little dog from Cologne, Germany ready to do his part in a crime watch. (Photo by Brian Snelson)
Just think of the crime prevention impact resulting from alerts by hundreds of people who know their neighborhood, notice when something doesn’t look right, and are trained to provide first responders with the information needed to react quickly and safely to the report.
This little guy popped up on the National Night out Facebook Page.
The National Association of Town Watch (the same people who sponsor the National Night Out event each year) has now organized a training program for crime prevention called Dog Walker Watch.
Walk your dog along a familiar route and I’ll bet you notice a lot of little things that those engaged in other activities along the same path might overlook. You know the places where problems with drainage create standing pools of water on sidewalks and at intersections every time we have a heavy rain. You notice the trash cans that are always filled to overflowing. If a walk light doesn’t work or is missing, you spot it.
The Chicago Tribune interviewed Officer Adam Tabor from Morton Grove, a community that has implemented the program. “It's something we think is worth it, because there is so little effort from both the citizen standpoint and the law enforcement standpoint,” he explained.
The National Association of Town Watch provides materials for a training program that takes about 45 minutes. Tabor said, "Now, we can teach them to become more aware and less hesitant to report suspicious activity … so they become our extra eyes and ears in their neighborhood."
Training points out things to watch for like open gates or doors that are normally shut. It also teaches people what information to collect, how to report what they see, and to not get personally involved if they notice suspicious activity.
Here's Riley ready to give his professional skills to the training program. (Photo by Scott Miller)
Lets hope Boston and the surrounding communities opt to organize Dog Walker Watch programs. Contact your neighborhood association. They may already have a committee in place that can help organize a local group. Call Community Policing for your district and ask if there is an existing Neighborhood Watch Program that might expand to include this concept.
Even without an official program, you can still call 9-1-1 and report what you see. Be as specific as possible.
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Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: As credited under each photo used under creative commons license.
Most of us need legal information from time to time and the Massachusetts Trial Court Law Libraries are a great resource. And, thanks to a recent improvement in their services, you can obtain an ecard without visiting a library branch.
Here's the message sent out on a recent blog entry:
"Massachusetts residents can now get Ecards for remote access to various legal databases without visiting one of our 17 locations. The new service started on November 19th, and to date we have had about 60 requests for cards. With your new card number, you can search RetrieveLaw for researching cases and statutes for Massachusetts and the federal government. You can also search HeinOnline for law reviews and a variety of other unique databases, as well as newspapers, self help law books from Nolo and more.
This page has the online form to apply for a card. You need to be a Massachusetts resident. Your card will be issued within one to two business days.
Databases are listed here.
What are you waiting for?"
For a running update on topical Massachusetts law information or changes as they take effect, follow the updates with an RSS feed of their blog or on Facebook or Twitter.
Now with a free ecard, we can research any topic we choose without the need to rent a car and go to a location outside of Boston. Thanks for the change!
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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: Photo of law books by Woody Hibbard used under this creative commons license. Screenshot of Law Library page courtesy of Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
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.
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:
Beacon Hill Hot Chocolate and Ice Skating on the Common
Watching the Frog Pond Skaters …
Skating in Shirt Sleeves, Show This to That Groundhog!
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.
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.
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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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2011-2014 Penny & Ed Cherubino
This year, our choice of a wine to welcome in 2015 is Bollinger Rosé Champagne. This lovely pinot forward wine comes from one of our favorite Champagne houses. We’ve featured the Bollinger Special Cuvee Brut many times across the years. Thanks to a tasting at Brix Wine Shop, we were able to taste three wines from the Bollinger line: The Special Cuvee (to remind ourselves why we like it), the Rosé, and the 2004 Grande Annee.
While we don’t go to a lot of wine tastings, we are tempted when we can sample wines that are seldom available by the glass or when we can meet a great winemaker, importer, or another of our heros of the wine world. Thank you to Brix for the number of times they have delivered such an opportunity.
We start each month with a glass of bubbly and each year we search for a very special wine for the first sip of the new year. Since we are definitely part of the stay at home on New Year’s Eve contingent, we have been known to splurge on this annual tradition.
Without tasting the line, we might have selected the Grande Annee based on the wonderful tasting notes we’ve read and its reputation as one of the truly great Champagnes. It is! And we enjoyed every sip as this wine showed what careful aging can do to add je ne sais quoi to Chardonnay forward Champagne. Making it our sparkler for a new year was tempting.
But, the Rosé hit our sweet spot. With more pinot in the mix and just the right note of fresh fruit and acidity, it won our hearts.
Make no mistake, we loved all three Bollingers, but sitting here on New Year’s Eve, we know that the Rosé will keep us smiling from the first pop of the cork to the final drip as we hold the bottle upside down over a glass to slide out the last drop.
We’re posting this early so that you have time to buy a bottle if you are tempted by our choice this year.
Here’s More About Our Sparkling Resolution
And, Our Sparkling Resolution Winner’s List
Want to learn more about wine? Remember to click over to Amazon
The Food Lover’s Guide to Wine
The New Wine Lover’s Companion
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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino, 3rd photo courtesy of Bollinger
Photography: © 2014 Penny & Ed Cherubino
We'd like to say thank you to all the wonderful dogs who starred in our weekly Sunday Dog feature in 2014.
Early in the year, we met the beautiful Rufus as a puppy. Now he is a very big boy.
Our walking pal Greer is a lover of snow. This is her time to play.
Natty enjoyed a summer day with Poppy in the park.
And, we looked forward to seeing Spencer at the Stillman's Farm stand in Copley Square.
We've enjoyed seeing this lovely Corgie gracing a front porch in Provinctown when we walk by.
Sophie was a recent aquaintance and we're happy we got to know her a bit.
And, of course, our own beautiful Poppy has filled in as our primary model whenever we need a dog to illustrate a specific topic.
These and more wonderful dogs took the time to pose for our cameras. Their human companions answered our questions and shared wonderful tales about their dogs. Thanks to dogs and humans one and all.
Hope we meet up again in 2015!
Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.
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Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: © 2014 Ed Cherubino
A recent Twitter message from @MassGov explained that Massachusetts, as a part of the enhanced 9-1-1 system, has a silent 9-1-1 procedure for you to use when you can't communicate verbally. When we read something important that we didn't know, we like to share that information with our readers.
Here's what the state tells you to do if you can't speak to the 9-1-1 call-taker for any reason.
If you need to call 9-1-1 and you are unable to speak for any reason, such as a physical disability, domestic violence, or home invasion, follow these simple steps using a touch tone wireline telephone or a cell phone:
FIRST DIAL 9-1-1
Once the call is answered, indicate your need by pressing the appropriate number on your telephone.
IF YOU NEED POLICE
PRESS 1
IF YOU NEED FIRE
PRESS 2
IF YOU NEED AN AMBULANCE
PRESS 3
The 9-1-1 Dispatcher may ask questions that require yes or no answers.
PRESS 4 FOR YES
PRESS 5 FOR NO
You can find the complete post from the state here.
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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: Courtesy of the Boston Public Health Commission.
Our recipe for Lamb Shanks Braised in Chipotle-Coffee Sauce has been one of our more popular posts since we published it in 2008. In it, we mention the chili we make with the leftovers. Here is one of our recent versions.
This time, in addition to the carrots and onions braised with the lamb, the braising liquid, and some beans, we added pieces of winter squash we had roasted while the oven was on for the lamb. This idea was swiped from the folks at the Main Streets Market & Cafe in Concord, MA. They add roasted butternut squash to their chili and it is delicious.
We served it with slices of cheesy polenta. As long as Penny is going to stand and stir to make a batch of polenta, she makes a big one.
Leftoves are packed into a rectangular refrigerator container
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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2014 Penny Cherubino
Our Sparkling Resolution gives us an advantage when it comes to choosing a bottle of bubbles for New Year's Eve. We start each month with a glass of sparkling wine.
We share those wine selections with you in our wine collection.
You'll find Champagne, Cava, Prosecco, Crémant, plus bubbles from places including Portugal, California, Oregon, and Massachusetts on our wine list.
We find something to toast each time the 1st comes around. Maybe it's a good thing that happened in the past month or something we're looking forward to in the month ahead. Or, perhaps the 1st of the month finds us in a special place where we've discovered a special bottle.
Most of the time, our choice is a great value we've bought on sale or a moderately priced treat.
Occasionally, we'll indulge in a special wine for a special occasion or celebration.
If you're looking for something to serve to a crowd or a special bottle to share with a special person, we have made our list and you can check it twice, three times, or as often as you'd like.
As you toast 2015, consider joining the Sparkling Resolution we made back in 2007 and begin each month with a glass of lively bubbles.
Cheers!
Here’s More About Our Sparkling Resolution
And, Our Sparkling Resolution Winner’s List
Want to learn more about wine? Remember to click over to Amazon
The Food Lover's Guide to Wine
The New Wine Lover's Companion
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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2001-2014 Penny & Ed Cherubino
This is a time of the year when believing in the mystical and magical seems to come easily to humans. There is a widespread European superstition that at midnight on Christmas Eve animals can talk and humans can understand them.
(Joe might ask why a girl dog was named Joe?)
With moments to go before the witching hour, what question would you ask your dog or cat to answer? Would your query be pragmatic, "Where did you hide my gray socks?" Emotional, "Do you know how much I love you?" Philosophical, "Are you happy with your life and what can I do to make you happier?" Behavioral, "Why do you bark at the television, don’t you know those dogs are not real?"
Ed and I agree, we'd ask our Westie Poppy why she is so afraid when we are out in the world and what we could do to make our daily walks less stessful for her. She is afraid of delivery trucks, construction sites, and loud noises of any sort. The past six months, with non-stop road construction in the Back Bay, have been a dreadful time for her.
Maybe she could suggest some remedy that Ed, our veterinarian, and all the research I’ve done has failed to uncover. And, “No, Poppy, staying inside all the time is not the answer.”
You can just tell that this dog would be a good listener – a Zen presence in any conversation.
Given the corollary that a dog or cat who can talk can also understand you, what would you try to explain to your companion if given the opportunity?
When there is something you have to do that your dog or cat hates, from giving a bath to a trip to the vet, would you say it’s for their own good? If your household has rules, such as no dogs on the sofa or in the kitchen, would you try to explain why those rules only apply to them?
Ed and I talk to Poppy all the time but aside from a bunch of regular words designed and constantly repeated to communicate with her, we’re sure all she hears is, “Blah, blah, blah, CHEESE, yadda, yadda…”
We'd try to explain that we will always protect her and do our best to keep her safe from the things she fears. And, I think I would set up a signal, like tapping her right front paw three times, for her to use when she’s in pain. Knowing when your dog or cat is hurting would be a blessing because it would allow you to find the problem and relief for them quickly.
These two had a magic word that they understood to mean, "Tip your head for the photo."
Of course dogs, cats, and humans do a lot of successful communicating. We use recognizable words, hand signals, body language, and tone of voice to let our critters know what we want them to do.
They use silent stares, purrs, wagging tails, barks, growls, and delivery of or leading us to toys, balls, and leashes to let us know what they want from us.
Our first Westie Sassy was the company mascot for a business we owned. She was so intelligent that our staff once created a lengthy list of the words she understood.
It was fun and I highly recommend trying to make a vocabulary list for your own companion animals. We learned that we didn’t all use the same words with her and that she adapted to having a bunch of humans telling her things, each in his or her own way.
Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.
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Words: Penny Cherubino (Previously published as one of her City Paws newspaper columns)
Photography: © 2014 Ed Cherubino
