Tag: Boston

Eight Tips on Buying Jewelry for Valentine’s Day from an Expert
We're going to help you become a smarter jewelry buyer right in time for Valentines Day or any other time of the year.

Today, we'll turn the BostonZest keyboard over to the experts at the North Bennet Street School, who offer the following tips to buy better, stretch your dollars, and make someone very happy.

We want to suggest that you try out your new expertise at the Gallery & Store at the school in the North End of Boston. You will be supporting local craftsmanship and a wonderful local resource.

Introducing the Expert

Rosemary Trainor, the lead instructor at North Bennet Street School’s jewelry-making and repair program in Boston, advises consumers to do their homework before hitting the stores. “Jewelry is too often an impulse purchase,” says Trainor. “A little research will help you avoid a decision that you may regret later.”

Trainor offers these additional tips to help smooth the way to a successful jewelry-buying experience:
- Buying from a big brand name will cost you more. You may be comforted by well-known brands like Cartier and Tiffany, but it will cost you anywhere from 30 to 80 percent more for a piece that you may find at a local jewelry store for a lot less.
- Pay attention to the craftsmanship. Make sure the piece is well made by examining the setting, the clasp(s), the overall finish, and other details. Stone-holding prongs should be identical in size and securely tightened, with the stone held firmly in place. Avoid bracelets or necklaces with clasps that are hard to operate, or seem flimsy. Think about whether the piece will be only for special occasions or worn every day, and choose something that will stand up to that use.
- Silver is the new gold. With gold prices at historically high levels, silver continues to be an affordable – and fashionable – alternative, and certainly worth considering. Sterling silver is the highest grade used in jewelry making; a piece marked with the word “sterling” or the numbers “925” is 92.5 percent pure. “Nickel” or “German” silver has no silver content at all.
- When shopping for diamonds, know the four C’s. Diamonds are valued according to their cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. Materials such as cubic zirconia resemble diamonds closely but are much less expensive. Certain laboratory-created gemstones also resemble diamonds. Take the time to learn the differences and comparison-shop before making a decision.
- Gemstones can take your jewelry-buying budget farther. Precious stones like rubies, emeralds, and sapphires can be an affordable option, provided you know your stuff. Natural gemstones are mined from the ground; synthetic stones are identical to naturals, but are grown in a lab. Imitation stones are assembled from less valuable materials – glass, plastic, or lower quality stones. If you go this route, ask for a written appraisal of the stone’s quality along with your sales receipt.
- Buy from a reputable source. Finding a trustworthy jeweler is perhaps the biggest key to having a good jewelry-buying experience. Ask family and friends for sources they trust. Ask similar questions of the salespeople you talk to during your comparison shopping. And be sure to inquire about the store’s workmanship guarantees, repair services, and store return policies.
- Consider a custom designed and made piece. Custom jewelry isn’t necessarily more expensive. Find a creative jeweler to design a piece that has special features unique to you and your loved one, and will be treasured for years to come.
Related Posts:

We're gathering all our Valentine posts at the bottom of this one:

Valentine's Day 2012 – Romantic Dining in Boston

If you clicked over to the North Bennet Street School, it may have made you think that you'd like to learn a new skill or give someone you love the chance to explore the life-changing opportunities inside those walls.

Here are some books to inspire you to do just that, at any age!

It's Only Too Late If You Don't Start Now: HOW TO CREATE YOUR SECOND LIFE AT ANY AGE

The Renaissance Soul: Life Design for People with Too Many Passions to Pick Just One

The Art of Non-Conformity: Set Your Own Rules, Live the Life You Want, and Change the World
Details:

North Bennet Street School

39 N Bennet St.

Boston, MA 02113-1914 (map & Reviews)

(617) 227-0155

nbss.edu‎

Words: Rosemary Trainor with intro by Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: Courtesy of the North Bennet Street School

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 comments add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We reserve the right to edit ads out of comments.
February 7, 2012
What’s Open On Presidents’ Day in Boston 2012 and MBTA Schedules
Here's a run-down of what's open in Boston on Presidents' Day and the MBTA schedules plus information on Boston parking for – February 20, 2012. We'll update this post as more information becomes available. And, if we didn't answer your specific question, leave a comment or tweet us @BostonZest. We may just add it to the list.

Note: This is an out of date post!

This is an old post. Here's the 2015 information on this topic.

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 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 United States closed. Some international markets are open.

Parking, Boston trash, and MBTA after the ad.

This weekend is a great time to start your tax preparation. Step one, order your software by following this link to Amazon. You can even download some versions right from the Amazon Download Store. Shopping Amazon from here keeps information like this coming your way.

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

Boston Recycling and Trash Collection:

Recycling and trash information from the City of Boston:
- "Monday, February 20, 7am – Saturday, February 25, 2012, 5pm
- Delay trash and recycling pickup 1 day only if you live in Allston, Brighton, Dorchester, East Boston, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain*, Mattapan, Roslindale, or West Roxbury.
- *If you live in Jamaica Plain and your trash is picked up 2 times per week, do not delay."
MBTA Schedule Changes (Announced 2.17.12)

"The MBTA has announced its service schedule for the Presidents' Day holiday.

•    Blue, Orange, Green, and Red line trains will operate on a Saturday schedule.
•    Commuter rail trains will operate on a Saturday schedule.
•    Buses and trackless trolleys will operate on a Saturday schedule. Note: Express bus service on the following routes will operate on a modified schedule: 325, 326, 352, 354, 355, 501, 502, 504.
•    Inner Harbor Ferry service from Charlestown and Long Wharf will operate on a regular weekday schedule.
•    Hingham, Quincy, and Hull commuter boat service will operate on a regular weekday schedule.
•    Quincy ferries will operate on a normal weekday schedule
•    THE RIDE Service will operate on a Saturday schedule. Customers should contact their contractors for service information.

For additional information on routes, schedules, and fares, please call the MBTA Customer Service Center at (617) 222-3200 or 1-800-392-6100 (hearing impaired TDD 617-222-5146)," or log onto the MBTA’s website www.mbta.com.

Details:
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 comments 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 out of comments.
February 6, 2012
Black Willow Frame

All texture and tones, an Esplanade black willow frames walkers on the pedestrian path along the water.

Need some Valentine's Day gift ideas? Click over to Amazon and do some planning, and if you do buy something there, they'll put a few coins in our tip cup.

Details:
Words: Penny Cherubino
Photos: © 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 comments add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you.

February 4, 2012
Skating in Shirt Sleeves, Show This to That Groundhog!

Before we listen to the opinion of some silly rodent from Pennsylvania, I think we should slip Phil a copy of this photo of a guy skating in shirt sleeves on Boston Common on February 1, 2012!

There were also other strange phenomena in Boston yesterday. Everyone wanted to be outside to enjoy the weather. We have proof. We walked into Neptune Oyster at 12:19 pm and were greeted by one of our favorite Neptune bartenders like this!

(Needless to say, these seats soon filled in.)

So Mr Phil, no matter what you say, we're going to enjoy each sunny day until it gets too hot to indulge in long hours outside. And, if it snows some more, we'll hold you personally responsible!

We told you this was not going to be an easy call for the rodent!

Groundhog Stressed Over 2012 Prediction!

Need some Valentine's Day gift ideas? Click over to Amazon and do some planning, and if you do buy something there, they'll put a few coins in our tip cup.

Details:
Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: © 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 comments add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you.

February 2, 2012
Voter Registration Deadlines & Election Dates 2012
Here are the deadlines you need to meet to vote in elections scheduled for 2012 in Massachusetts.

From the Elections Division of the Secretary of State's Office and the City of Boston's Election Department.
- Wednesday, February 15, 2012: Last day to register to vote and change party enrollment for the Presidential Primary.
- Tuesday, March 6, 2012: Presidential Primary Election
- Friday, August 17, 2012: Last day to register to vote and change party enrollment for the State Primary.
- Thursday, September 6, 2012: Voting day for the State Primary
- Wednesday, October 17, 2012: Last day to register to vote and change party enrollment for the Presidential Election.
- Tuesday, November 6, 2012: Voting day for the Presidential Election.
How to Register to Vote

If you're reluctant to register to vote because you think it will make you more likely to be called for jury duty, we've already researched that idea and learned that it is a myth. Click here for our full report.
- You can download a voter registration form here.
- If there is time, you can mail it to:
```
City of Boston Election Department   
City Hall, Room 241   
Boston, MA 02201
```
- The safest way to do it is to stop by the Election Department at City Hall and complete the form.
- The Boston Elections Department is located in room 241 at Boston City Hall and is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, except on city holidays.
- Complete information, including the identification documents you need, and other ways to register to vote can be found at The Secretary of State's Office
- Absentee Ballot applications are available here
Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site and keep resource pages like this one coming your way!
Details:
Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2009 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 comments add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We reserve the right to edit ads out of comments.
January 31, 2012
A Bunch of History Tipping & Tilting

Inside the King's Chapel Burying Ground the stones tilt and lean into, and away from, one another. Like a group of people at a gathering, they stand in clusters of two, three, or more. Perhaps, this is what those they memorialize once did in life.

Need some Valentine's Day gift ideas? Click over to Amazon and do some planning, and if you do buy something there, they'll put a few coins in our tip cup.

Details:

King's Chapel

Tremont & Beacon Street, Boston, Massachusetts (map)

Words: Penny Cherubino
Photos: © 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 comments add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you. We reserve the right to remove adverstising from comments.

January 28, 2012
NorthEndWaterfront’s New Look for 2012

Over at NorthEndWaterfront.com, Matt Conti has been working hard and is now ready to show the world his redesign of this great community resource. If you live, work, or play in Boston's North End or Waterfront neighborhoods, you should subscribe to this site.

During the last year, Matt has been adding more photography and video to the solid news coverage he has always supplied. We read it daily and highly recommend it. We're making this redesign our Friday Link today!

Thanks for all the great information Matt!

Do you find new resources with our Friday Links? You can help keep them coming anytime you go to shop on Amazon. Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:
Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Screenshot courtesy of NorthEndWaterfront.com

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 comments add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you.

January 27, 2012
Pecorino di Moliterno- Cheese from Sardinia

We always like to let you know when a great wheel of cheese, like this Pecorino di Moliterno, is being cut at one of the area's great cheese shops. We bought this one at Salumeria Italiana in the North End.

Pecorino means it's made with sheep's milk but, in this case, it may have a bit of goat's milk added. Some Moliternos do. Salumeria also had a second version of this cheese with truffles added.

As you can see, we paired this with Bosc pears. It was a great combination! Some vendors selling this cheese suggest following the Sardinian tradition of serving it with a smidge of hot pepper jelly.

Sheep's milk has a higher fat content than cow or goat milk. Therefore, the experts suggest you remove from refrigeration and bring to room temperature only what you want to eat immediately. As the cheese warms, some of the fat will come to the surface. That will never be reabsorbed if you have to put it back in the cooler.

Here are a few of our favorite books on cheese. But, click here for many more choices over at Amazon.

Details:
Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: © 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 comments add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you.

January 25, 2012
Cabbage & Kielbasa Stir-Fry: Keep it Simple in the Kitchen
Once you master the stir-fry technique, you can take it out of Asia and transport classic combinations from other cultures to the land of delicious in a wok or large skillet. How about Eastern European Cabbage & Kielbasa as a stir-fry with some apples and onions tossed in for accents?

That's a new favorite around here. And, in keeping with my attempt to get some of you cooking without exact recipes, I'll tell you how I made it and you can ad lib around my theme.
- I sliced up a big, sweet onion and sautéed it in olive oil in my All-Clad Nonstick 12-Inch Fry Pan.
- I cut a ring of kielbasa into slices and added those to the onions to brown a bit and give off its fat and garlicky flavor to the pan. (I used a pork kielbasa but you can buy what you like: lite, low fat, turkey, etc.)
- As the onion and kielbasa started to color a bit, I added a sliced apple. (Use what you have– I had Granny Smith. Peel it or not, that's up to you.)
- Finally, I chopped and added a small head of cabbage (from the Prudential Winter Farmers' Market) to the pan, added some white wine, a few turns of black pepper, and stirred up the whole thing. I covered it and waited a few minutes for the cabbage to become wilted but still toothsome in places.
We had it with a hearty multi-grain bread.

Sometimes I substitute gin for the wine and add four or five crushed juniper berries to the dish. You could also add a can of crushed or diced tomatoes.

What changes will you make to this basic recipe? Let us know if you try it and how it turned out for you.

Related Posts:

Here are more of my non-recipe recipes and a few with traditional details.

Need some Valentine's Day gift ideas? Click over to Amazon and do some planning, and if you do buy something there, they'll put a few coins in our tip cup.

Details:
Words: Penny Cherubino
Photos: © 2012 Penny Cherubino
January 23, 2012
Tips on “Being” from Sunday Dog, Ollie

To hear Ollie tell it, there’s no deep, philosophical secret to being a dog. While he admits it does take a bit of concentration, the most important thing to remember is, “Don’t over-think life. Just be yourself. And always, always be ready to PLAY!

This five year old Miniature Poodle loves everyone. Besides having energy to spare, his breed is known as “the second most intelligent” in the canine world. That’s why we felt confident asking Ollie to share his life experience with all of us.

His favorite toy? “The newest one!" Since everybody gives him toys, after they’ve been in the house for a month or so, Ollie passes them on to Buddy Dog– a shelter in Sudbury, MA.

Ollie always wears his boots this time of year. He loves the snowy, wintry weather, but not the rock salt which several veterinarians have warned him can trigger his epilepsy.

Ollie recommends an ice-melt that’s safer for paws and the dogs attached to them, and safe for the environment.

Great tips, Ollie! Thanks for sharing. You’re an amazing Sunday Dog!

Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

Need some Valentine's Day gift ideas? Click over to Amazon and do some planning and if you do buy something there, they'll put a few coins in our tip cup.

Details:
Words: Ed Cherubino
Photos: © 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 comments add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you.

January 22, 2012