Tag: the T

What’s Open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2018 in Boston Plus Trash, Parking & MBTA Links & More
Here's a rundown of what's open in Boston, plus Boston trash collection, parking, and MBTA schedules for Martin Luther King Jr. Day – January 15, 2018. We are updating these resource pages rather than creating a new one each year.

Updated January 3, 2018

Free at Last sculpture, by Sergio Castillo is located on Marsh Plaza, Boston University (Photo by Peter H. Dreyer from the Boston City Archives )
- 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. International markets are open.
- Boston Parking: You don't have to feed the meters. Other parking rules apply.
- Boston Public Libraries closed.
- BCYF Community Centers are closed.
Free Open House at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston

If you're looking for something to do on this holiday, the MFA has a full schedule of special events and invites the community to visit for free that day.

Boston Trash and Recycling:

The city has changed the way it publishes the schedule for holidays so that you now have to go to the city site and look up your specific address in order to get information.

Street Cleaning:

The city says, "On City holidays, we suspend street sweeping during the day, but we still sweep streets at night. On the weekends, we sweep some streets at night. Please always check posted street sweeping signs for information. If you still have questions, please contact 311."

Parking:

"Monday, January 15 - Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
City offices closed. Sunday parking rules in effect."

You don't have to feed the meters. Other parking rules apply.

MBTA Schedule for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 15, 2018:

The MBTA no longer publishes holiday schedule in an easy to use format. You must now go to their website and click around to find the information.

For more information about MBTA services, routes, schedules, and fares, please call the T’s Customer Communications Department at 617-222-3200, (TTY 617-222-5146) or go to www.mbta.com

Keeping warm is on the top of everyone's agenda. Amazon has excellent underlayers to keep you toasty.

Details:
Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: (Photo by Peter H. Dreyer from the Boston City Archives )used under creative commons license Some rights reserved

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Subway Tips and Etiquette for Boston Visitors from Local Trip Advisors
What tips would you give a visitor to Boston on MBTA subway (and bus) etiquette? Over on the Boston Trip Advisor Forum, there is a small but dedicated group of locals who help visitors plan their time in the city. They recently took up that question. Here's a link to that conversation.

People who don't move into the train and backpacks and the annoyance they can be to other passengers began the topic. It was noted that some transit systems ask that backpacks be placed on the floor. Penny often wears a backpack that she will either take off or hold in front of her on the T. The only time we leave them on is if we have a seat and the backpack will only make us uncomfortable.

Adam Gaffin over on Universal Hub has been educating readers and collecting long lists of comments on this topic for years. Here's one survey on backpacks he did in 2007. The comments on this post range from stroller issues to people who cannot reach the high straps and need a lower place to hold.

Other topics touched upon by the Trip Advisors were:
- Leaving litter behind
- Keeping right on the escalators
- Waiting until people get off before you try to get on a train or bus
- Keeping music and conversations to yourself
- Offering a seat to others when appropriate
Pole hogs or as we call them, "Pole dancers" were one of the topics Penny added to the Trip Advisor conversation. The photo above by Mark Kent was taken in New York where the public transit system is, at least, trying to teach etiquette.

She also offered a tip to those who fear that if they move into a crowded train they may not be able to get off at their stop. She wrote, "Remember the name of the stop before yours and use that as your positioning stop. I do this all the time in rush hour. If I plan to get off a packed train at Hynes, I'll move into the train and move to a spot near a door at Copley. This way you flow with the crowd getting off at Copley and have a good choice of positions, sometimes even a seat by the door, when you reach your stop."

If you follow Universal Hub or are active on Boston social media, you may know the term manspreading. This is another issue that the NYC system has addressed with the poster above. Even the New York Times did a report and video on the topic.

The little puppet in the New York Times video had the best advice when he said, "If I'm lucky enough to get a seat on a subway, I employ a simple rule. I'm one person, I take one seat. I keep my legs in one seat. I keep my bag in one seat. I keep my arms in one seat."

Here's an additional video with all Johnny T's Subway tips. Perhaps Bostonians can learn something from a little guy from New York.

Related Post:

Dogs on Public Transit, Boston: 101

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: © 2011 Penny Cherubino, NYC subway sign by Mark Kent used under creative commons license.

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Boston Ethnic Markets Is Our Friday Link

Getting Us Outside: Another Way Dogs Are Good for Us
March 4, 2016
Subway Tips and Etiquette for Boston Visitors from Local Trip Advisors
What tips would you give a visitor to Boston on MBTA subway (and bus) etiquette? Over on the Boston Trip Advisor Forum, there is a small but dedicated group of locals who help visitors plan their time in the city. They recently took up that question. Here's a link to that conversation.

People who don't move into the train and backpacks and the annoyance they can be to other passengers began the topic. It was noted that some transit systems ask that backpacks be placed on the floor. Penny often wears a backpack that she will either take off or hold in front of her on the T. The only time we leave them on is if we have a seat and the backpack will only make us uncomfortable.

Adam Gaffin over on Universal Hub has been educating readers and collecting long lists of comments on this topic for years. Here's one survey on backpacks he did in 2007. The comments on this post range from stroller issues to people who cannot reach the high straps and need a lower place to hold.

Other topics touched upon by the Trip Advisors were:
- Leaving litter behind
- Keeping right on the escalators
- Waiting until people get off before you try to get on a train or bus
- Keeping music and conversations to yourself
- Offering a seat to others when appropriate
Pole hogs or as we call them, "Pole dancers" were one of the topics Penny added to the Trip Advisor conversation. The photo above by Mark Kent was taken in New York where the public transit system is, at least, trying to teach etiquette.

She also offered a tip to those who fear that if they move into a crowded train they may not be able to get off at their stop. She wrote, "Remember the name of the stop before yours and use that as your positioning stop. I do this all the time in rush hour. If I plan to get off a packed train at Hynes, I'll move into the train and move to a spot near a door at Copley. This way you flow with the crowd getting off at Copley and have a good choice of positions, sometimes even a seat by the door, when you reach your stop."

If you follow Universal Hub or are active on Boston social media, you may know the term manspreading. This is another issue that the NYC system has addressed with the poster above. Even the New York Times did a report and video on the topic.

The little puppet in the New York Times video had the best advice when he said, "If I'm lucky enough to get a seat on a subway, I employ a simple rule. I'm one person, I take one seat. I keep my legs in one seat. I keep my bag in one seat. I keep my arms in one seat."

Here's an additional video with all Johnny T's Subway tips. Perhaps Bostonians can learn something from a little guy from New York.

Related Post:

Dogs on Public Transit, Boston: 101

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: © 2011 Penny Cherubino, NYC subway sign by Mark Kent used under creative commons license.

Related articles

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Boston Ethnic Markets Is Our Friday Link

Getting Us Outside: Another Way Dogs Are Good for Us
March 4, 2016
What’s Open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2016 in Boston Plus Trash, Parking & MBTA Schedule Changes
Here's a rundown of what's open in Boston, plus Boston trash collection, parking, and MBTA schedules for Martin Luther King Jr. Day – January 18, 2016. We try to publish this information ahead of the holiday so you can make your plans.

Free at Last sculpture, by Sergio Castillo is located on Marsh Plaza, Boston University (Photo by Peter H. Dreyer from the Boston City Archives )
- 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. International markets are open.
- Boston Parking: You don't have to feed the meters. Other parking rules apply.
Free Open House at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston

If you're looking for something to do on this holiday, the MFA has a full schedule of special events and invites the community to visit for free that day.

Boston Trash and Recycling:

The city has changed the way it publishes the schedule for holidays so that you now have to go to the city site and look up your specific address in order to get information.

Street Cleaning: 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."

MBTA Schedule for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 18, 2016:

For a few days before and after the holiday, the MBTA Schedule is posted at this link.

Here's a quick overview of what is planned for 2016:
- Subway: Blue, Orange, Red, Green lines and Mattapan Trolley will operate on a Saturday schedule and there will not be late-night service.
- The Silver line will operate on a weekday schedule.
- Buses and Trackless Trolleys will operate on a Saturday schedule with a list of routes posted here that will not operate.
- Commuter rail trains will operate on a regular weekday schedule.
- Boat service – Hingham, Hull, and Charlestown – will operate on regular weekday schedules.
- The RIDE will operate on a Saturday schedule.
For more information about MBTA services, routes, schedules, and fares, please call the T’s Customer Communications Department at 617-222-3200, (TTY 617-222-5146), or go to www.mbta.com

Keeping warm is on the top of everyone's agenda. Amazon has excellent underlayers to keep you toasty.

Details:
Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography:(Photo by Peter H. Dreyer from the Boston City Archives )used under creative commons license Some rights reserved

Related articles

A Few of Our Favorite Kitchen Gifts
January 8, 2016
What’s Open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2016 in Boston Plus Trash, Parking & MBTA Schedule Changes
Here's a rundown of what's open in Boston, plus Boston trash collection, parking, and MBTA schedules for Martin Luther King Jr. Day – January 18, 2016. We try to publish this information ahead of the holiday so you can make your plans.

Free at Last sculpture, by Sergio Castillo is located on Marsh Plaza, Boston University (Photo by Peter H. Dreyer from the Boston City Archives )
- 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. International markets are open.
- Boston Parking: You don't have to feed the meters. Other parking rules apply.
Free Open House at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston

If you're looking for something to do on this holiday, the MFA has a full schedule of special events and invites the community to visit for free that day.

Boston Trash and Recycling:

The city has changed the way it publishes the schedule for holidays so that you now have to go to the city site and look up your specific address in order to get information.

Street Cleaning: 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."

MBTA Schedule for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 18, 2016:

For a few days before and after the holiday, the MBTA Schedule is posted at this link.

Here's a quick overview of what is planned for 2016:
- Subway: Blue, Orange, Red, Green lines and Mattapan Trolley will operate on a Saturday schedule and there will not be late-night service.
- The Silver line will operate on a weekday schedule.
- Buses and Trackless Trolleys will operate on a Saturday schedule with a list of routes posted here that will not operate.
- Commuter rail trains will operate on a regular weekday schedule.
- Boat service – Hingham, Hull, and Charlestown – will operate on regular weekday schedules.
- The RIDE will operate on a Saturday schedule.
For more information about MBTA services, routes, schedules, and fares, please call the T’s Customer Communications Department at 617-222-3200, (TTY 617-222-5146), or go to www.mbta.com

Keeping warm is on the top of everyone's agenda. Amazon has excellent underlayers to keep you toasty.

Details:
Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography:(Photo by Peter H. Dreyer from the Boston City Archives )used under creative commons license Some rights reserved

Related articles

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January 8, 2016
What’s Open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2015 in Boston Plus Trash, Parking & MBTA Schedule Changes
UPDATE: What's Open on Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2016 in Boston Plus Trash, Parking & MBTA Schedule Changes

Here's a rundown of what's open in Boston, plus Boston trash collection, parking, and MBTA schedules for Martin Luther King Jr. Day – January 19, 2015. We try to publish this information ahead of the holiday so you can make your plans.

Once again, we've selected a Photo of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial by Scott Ableman Some rights reserved

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. International markets are open.

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

Free Open House at the Museum of Fine Arts Boston

If you're looking for something to do on this holiday, the MFA has a full schedule of special events and invites the community to visit for free that day.

Boston Trash and Recycling: The City website says,

Martin Luther King Week 2015: Monday, January 19 – Saturday, January 24, 2015

"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 the 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."

Street Cleaning: The city 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."

MBTA Schedule for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 19, 2015:

For a few days before and after the holiday, the MBTA Schedule is posted at this link. At this time the MBTA has not posted the 2015 Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Schedule. To help you plan:

Here is what they did last year:
- Subway: Blue, Orange, Red, Green, and Silver lines will operate on a Saturday schedule.
- Buses and Trackless Trolleys will operate on a Saturday schedule with a list of routes posted here that will not operate.
- Commuter rail trains will operate on a regular weekday schedule.
- Boat service – Hingham, Charlestown – will operate on regular weekday schedules.
- The RIDE will operate on a Saturday schedule.
For more information about MBTA services, routes, schedules, and fares, please call the T’s Customer Information Center at 617-222-3200 (TTY 617-222-5146) or log on to the MBTA’s website www.mbta.com

Keeping warm is on the top of everyone's agenda. Amazon has excellent underlayers to keep you toasty.

Details:
Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: Photo of Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial by Scott Ableman used under creative commons license Some rights reserved

Related articles

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January 9, 2015
Is Riding on the MBTA Good for Your Balance?

On a recent subway ride, a charming young woman offered me her seat. I thanked her and explained that I often choose to stand on the T to improve my balance. I wonder if other people hanging onto poles and straps on buses and subways realize that they may be improving their health and toning their body?

Photo by Alan Light used under this creative commons license.

More attention is being paid to the importance of improving balance as a part of our daily exercise. Here's one from WebMD. Author Carol Sorgen wrote, "Balance, or core training, is not new,' says Kevin Steele, PhD, an exercise physiologist and vice president of sports and marketing for 24 Hour Fitness, headquartered in San Ramon, Calif. 'Physical therapists and athletic trainers have used these techniques for years.'"

Other aspects of city life can also make you healthier. We've written a few articles on this in the past. Here are two posts from this site.

City Living is Exercise! (Part One)

City Living is Exercise! (Part Two)

Even though Ed and I walk most places, we also use mass transit where we often have to stand and balance. I wear a Fitbit One and have daily goals of 10,000 steps, three flights of stairs, 30 minutes aerobic, and a good night's sleep that are automatically recorded. While I don't reach those objectives everyday in cold weather, I will exceed them often as the weather improves.

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: Photo by Alan Light used under this creative commons license.

April 7, 2014
Is Riding on the MBTA Good for Your Balance?

On a recent subway ride, a charming young woman offered me her seat. I thanked her and explained that I often choose to stand on the T to improve my balance. I wonder if other people hanging onto poles and straps on buses and subways realize that they may be improving their health and toning their body?

Photo by Alan Light used under this creative commons license.

More attention is being paid to the importance of improving balance as a part of our daily exercise. Here's one from WebMD. Author Carol Sorgen wrote, "Balance, or core training, is not new,' says Kevin Steele, PhD, an exercise physiologist and vice president of sports and marketing for 24 Hour Fitness, headquartered in San Ramon, Calif. 'Physical therapists and athletic trainers have used these techniques for years.'"

Other aspects of city life can also make you healthier. We've written a few articles on this in the past. Here are two posts from this site.

City Living is Exercise! (Part One)

City Living is Exercise! (Part Two)

Even though Ed and I walk most places, we also use mass transit where we often have to stand and balance. I wear a Fitbit One and have daily goals of 10,000 steps, three flights of stairs, 30 minutes aerobic, and a good night's sleep that are automatically recorded. While I don't reach those objectives everyday in cold weather, I will exceed them often as the weather improves.

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: Photo by Alan Light used under this creative commons license.

April 7, 2014
Is Riding on the MBTA Good for Your Balance?

On a recent subway ride, a charming young woman offered me her seat. I thanked her and explained that I often choose to stand on the T to improve my balance. I wonder if other people hanging onto poles and straps on buses and subways realize that they may be improving their health and toning their body?

Photo by Alan Light used under this creative commons license.

More attention is being paid to the importance of improving balance as a part of our daily exercise. Here's one from WebMD. Author Carol Sorgen wrote, "Balance, or core training, is not new,' says Kevin Steele, PhD, an exercise physiologist and vice president of sports and marketing for 24 Hour Fitness, headquartered in San Ramon, Calif. 'Physical therapists and athletic trainers have used these techniques for years.'"

Other aspects of city life can also make you healthier. We've written a few articles on this in the past. Here are two posts from this site.

City Living is Exercise! (Part One)

City Living is Exercise! (Part Two)

Even though Ed and I walk most places, we also use mass transit where we often have to stand and balance. I wear a Fitbit One and have daily goals of 10,000 steps, three flights of stairs, 30 minutes aerobic, and a good night's sleep that are automatically recorded. While I don't reach those objectives everyday in cold weather, I will exceed them often as the weather improves.

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: Photo by Alan Light used under this creative commons license.

April 7, 2014
What’s Open in Boston & MBTA Schedules Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2014
Here's a rundown of what's open in Boston, plus Boston trash collection, parking, and MBTA schedules for Martin Luther King Jr. Day – January 20, 2014. We try to publish this information ahead of the holiday so you can make your plans.

This is an outdated post. You'll find the information for 2016 at this link.

Photo of Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial by Scott Ableman Some rights reserved

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. International markets are open.

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

Boston Trash and Recycling:

The City website says,

"Martin Luther King Week-Monday, January 20, 6am – Saturday, January 25, 2014, 5pm
- 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 the 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. Report Missed Pickup"
Street Cleaning: The city 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."

MBTA Schedule for Martin Luther King Jr. Day, January 20, 2014:

For a few days before and after the holiday, the MBTA Schedule is posted at this link.
- Subway: Blue, Orange, Red, Green, and Silver lines will operate on a Saturday schedule.
- Buses and Trackless Trolleys will operate on a Saturday schedule with a list of routes posted here that will not operate.
- Commuter rail trains will operate on a regular weekday schedule.
- Boat service – Hingham, Charlestown – will operate on regular weekday schedules.
- The RIDE will operate on a Saturday schedule.
For more information about MBTA services, routes, schedules, and fares, please call the T’s Customer Information Center at 617-222-3200 (TTY 617-222-5146) or log on to the MBTA’s website www.mbta.com

Keeping warm is on the top of everyone's agenda. Amazon has excellent underlayers to keep you toasty.

Details:
Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: Photo of Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial by Scott Ableman used under creative commons license Some rights reserved
January 8, 2014