Tag: Boston

Look Down, History Below Your Feet

The sidewalks of Boston are not only a pathway to history but also contain historic coal vault covers with prism lights that were part of another time.

Click on any small image to pop up a larger view.

A few are in great condition and may still let light into spaces below the sidewalk. Others are dangerous, with holes that could catch heels or puppy paws and ugly concrete, covering what was once a thing of craftsmanlike beauty.

In the days before the electric light, these were important features. The sidewalk access meant that dirty coal deliveries did not have to come through the house. And, the beams admitted and intensified by prism lights allowed you to see in dark basement spaces.

We are just beginning our research on these and photographing as many as we can. If you'd like to share your photos of coal vault covers you can upload them to the BostonZest Photo Pool on Flickr.

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Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2012 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

July 31, 2012
Look Down, History Below Your Feet

The sidewalks of Boston are not only a pathway to history but also contain historic coal vault covers with prism lights that were part of another time.

Click on any small image to pop up a larger view.

A few are in great condition and may still let light into spaces below the sidewalk. Others are dangerous, with holes that could catch heels or puppy paws and ugly concrete, covering what was once a thing of craftsmanlike beauty.

In the days before the electric light, these were important features. The sidewalk access meant that dirty coal deliveries did not have to come through the house. And, the beams admitted and intensified by prism lights allowed you to see in dark basement spaces.

We are just beginning our research on these and photographing as many as we can. If you'd like to share your photos of coal vault covers you can upload them to the BostonZest Photo Pool on Flickr.

What's on your Summer Fun shopping list? Shop Amazon Everything You Need for Summer Fun and support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2012 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

July 31, 2012
Special Saturday Concerts July 28th in the Library Courtyard

The Boston Public Library Courtyard is the perfect place to enjoy some fine music. Tomorrow, there will be three, one hour-long concerts for you. We're making this series our Friday Link and turning over the keyboard to the concert organizers for details.

"Saturday, July 28, 11:00 am. – Amaryllis Chamber Ensemble
Since its inception in 2000, the Amaryllis Chamber Ensemble has presented diverse programs from the chamber music repertoire for wind and string instruments. Each member of the Amaryllis Chamber Ensemble brings a high level of musical artistry to the group, and they are quickly becoming known throughout the Boston area as outstanding musicians.

Saturday, July 28, 12:30 p.m. – The Brant Grieshaber Trio
A consummate band leader, soloist, and sideman, Brant Grieshaber performs all over New England, from the Maine Music Society to the Beantown Swing Orchestra, and from the Beehive to Johnny D's. He's shared the stage with jazz giants such as Grammy nominee Bill Frisell, James Carter, and Charlie Hunter.

Saturday, July 28, 2:00 p.m. – Annie Sharkey
Annie Sharkey began her career in musical theater in New York City. She has been a vocalist in the Boston area for over 25 years in various venues, including Broadway, cabaret, top forty, original rock, an oldies show band, and as a vocalist for the Winiker Orchestras.

The Boston Public Library’s regular Friday afternoon concert series features music that ranges from jazz to classical and from folk to funk at 12:30 p.m., each week, through August 31. For more information, visit www.bpl.org/concerts."

What's on your Summer Fun shopping list? Shop Amazon Everything You Need for Summer Fun and support this site!

Details:

Boston Public Library, Copley Square (map)

700 Boylston Street

Boston, MA 02116

(617) 536-5400

bpl.org‎

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2012 Penny Cherubino

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

July 27, 2012
Special Saturday Concerts July 28th in the Library Courtyard

The Boston Public Library Courtyard is the perfect place to enjoy some fine music. Tomorrow, there will be three, one hour-long concerts for you. We're making this series our Friday Link and turning over the keyboard to the concert organizers for details.

"Saturday, July 28, 11:00 am. – Amaryllis Chamber Ensemble
Since its inception in 2000, the Amaryllis Chamber Ensemble has presented diverse programs from the chamber music repertoire for wind and string instruments. Each member of the Amaryllis Chamber Ensemble brings a high level of musical artistry to the group, and they are quickly becoming known throughout the Boston area as outstanding musicians.

Saturday, July 28, 12:30 p.m. – The Brant Grieshaber Trio
A consummate band leader, soloist, and sideman, Brant Grieshaber performs all over New England, from the Maine Music Society to the Beantown Swing Orchestra, and from the Beehive to Johnny D's. He's shared the stage with jazz giants such as Grammy nominee Bill Frisell, James Carter, and Charlie Hunter.

Saturday, July 28, 2:00 p.m. – Annie Sharkey
Annie Sharkey began her career in musical theater in New York City. She has been a vocalist in the Boston area for over 25 years in various venues, including Broadway, cabaret, top forty, original rock, an oldies show band, and as a vocalist for the Winiker Orchestras.

The Boston Public Library’s regular Friday afternoon concert series features music that ranges from jazz to classical and from folk to funk at 12:30 p.m., each week, through August 31. For more information, visit www.bpl.org/concerts."

What's on your Summer Fun shopping list? Shop Amazon Everything You Need for Summer Fun and support this site!

Details:

Boston Public Library, Copley Square (map)

700 Boylston Street

Boston, MA 02116

(617) 536-5400

bpl.org‎

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2012 Penny Cherubino

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

July 27, 2012
Cherry Tart Season at Clear Flour Bakery: A Best Bite

We had finished lunch in Kenmore Square and were looking at the dessert menu. Nothing was tempting me but I knew that temptation was quietly waiting behind the counter at Clear Flour Bread in Brookline.

I leaned over and whispered to Ed, "Clear Flour." His eyes lit up and we were soon on a Green line B train to Packard's Corner where we filled a shopping bag with baked goodness.

While bread may be in their "official" name, Clear Flour is one of our favorite places to buy pastries. They usually have a country tart. The fillings are seasonal. On this visit our choices were cherry or peach/plum.

Related Posts:

Clear Flour Bread– Clearly Artisan, Clearly Charming…

Clear Flour Pain Meunier or Miller's Bread

What's on your Summer Fun shopping list? Shop Amazon Everything You Need for Summer Fun and support this site!

Details:

Clear Flour Bread

178 Thorndike Street, Brookline, MA 02446-5844 (map)

(617) 739-0060

Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: © 2012 Penny & Ed Cherubino

July 24, 2012
Cherry Tart Season at Clear Flour Bakery: A Best Bite

We had finished lunch in Kenmore Square and were looking at the dessert menu. Nothing was tempting me but I knew that temptation was quietly waiting behind the counter at Clear Flour Bread in Brookline.

I leaned over and whispered to Ed, "Clear Flour." His eyes lit up and we were soon on a Green line B train to Packard's Corner where we filled a shopping bag with baked goodness.

While bread may be in their "official" name, Clear Flour is one of our favorite places to buy pastries. They usually have a country tart. The fillings are seasonal. On this visit our choices were cherry or peach/plum.

Related Posts:

Clear Flour Bread– Clearly Artisan, Clearly Charming…

Clear Flour Pain Meunier or Miller's Bread

What's on your Summer Fun shopping list? Shop Amazon Everything You Need for Summer Fun and support this site!

Details:

Clear Flour Bread

178 Thorndike Street, Brookline, MA 02446-5844 (map)

(617) 739-0060

Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: © 2012 Penny & Ed Cherubino

July 24, 2012
Meet Raisin from Four Preppy Paws on Charles Street

Raisin was nowhere in sight when we stopped by Four Preppy Paws on Charles Street in Beacon Hill. We needed to ask her to model for a photo we were taking for Penny's City Paws newpaper column.

We soon discovered that she was hiding in plain sight, under a pretty pink blanket in the front window of the shop. She was kind enough to pop out for a few minutes to let us take some shots.

She loves snoozing under the covers while serving as consultant for the shop.

She thinks she's well hidden behind a couple of big dog beds and she does have her assistant watchdog on duty while she rests.

We think Raisin is very pretty and has a regal profile. She's also a lot of fun and we were happy that her request to put her cover-up back over her head was quickly accommodated by her person.

Does your dog or cat have a silly habit that makes you smile? Please share in the comments below.

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Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2012 Penny & Ed Cherubino

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

July 22, 2012
Love Those South End Fences

As a fan of traditional architecture, different parts of Boston attract me with their delightful details. The South End is rich in wonderful buildings filled with outstanding design elements. But as I walk there, my eye is constantly seeking out the rows of cast iron fences marching along the streets.

Fences, like the one in Ed's photo above, have an unmistakable strength and dignity and seem to unite buildings into strings of neighbors. With the brick sidewalks, they give you a sense of time and place.

A big thank you to The South End Historical Society for helping to restore and preserve this trademark in their neighborhood.

What's on your Summer Fun shopping list? Shop Amazon – Get Ready for Summer – Everything You Need and support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: © 2012 Ed Cherubino

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

July 21, 2012
Archaeology Dig on Your Bucket List? Here’s Your Chance…

The City of Boston Archaeology Program is asking for volunteers to help them sort through items found on the Boston Common. We think this will fascinate some of our readers so we're making this our Friday link.

They say, "This week's goals are to finish cataloging the 2012 Boston Common Men's Comfort Station and sorting of the 95 boxes of artifacts from previous excavations on the Common. With some luck and lots of volunteer help, we could have one of the most important archaeological collections in the City in organized and stable conditions. Interested in volunteering at the lab?"

If you are, click here to send an email to Joseph Bagley, the city archaeologist.

What's on your Summer Fun shopping list? Shop Amazon – Get Ready for Summer – Everything You Need and support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Screengrab from the City of Boston Archaeology Facebook page

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

July 20, 2012
Twig Farm Square Cheese Is Back!

If I were really pressed to name my favorite cheese, I'd still have a list. But near the top of that list would be Twig Farm Square. It's near the top of the list for other cheese lovers too. The small supply sometimes disappears quickly and you have to wait until the next batch is ready.

It's ready!

And, it's now available in a few of my favorite cheese shops. The piece above came from South End Formaggio. But, it's also at Central Bottle in Central Square and Formaggio Kitchen.

We've already provided you with a full post on this cheese so I won't go into all the delicious details here, except to say that the current batch is great with a dab of honey.

Ed and I usually have a cheese for a few days and often have a small cheese plate with three or four selections. But one taste of this Twig Farm Square, and we decided it was an evening for "one perfect cheese."

Related Posts: Here's more about Cheese from BostonZest

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Details:

Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: © 2012 Penny Cherubino

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. In addition to readers' comments, we welcome hearing from the people, places, and services we cover. Often, those add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We do reserve the right to edit ads and links out of comments.

July 16, 2012