BostonZest

Fresh Paint and Fresh Science This Weekend

This weekend there's so much to do that we are starting our coverage today. Copley Society's Fresh Paint event is scheduled for Sunday April 26th. This is one of our favorite Boston happenings.

Copley spokesperson, Antoinette Hocbo said that on Sunday more than 90 artists,  "will set up their easels to paint in some of Boston’s most treasured spots. Artists can be found in and around Back Bay, the North End, the Waterfront, the Boston Common and Public Garden and other areas around the city."

"Artists will bring their newly painted works back to the gallery by the end of the day and, for the next week, the art will be displayed and silent bids will be taken at Co|So’s Newbury Street gallery."

One reason we love Fresh Paint is that it's a perfect event to enjoy with our dog. What could be better than a long walk around Boston with stops to watch artist?

Our Westie, Maggie Mae gives Fresh Paint four paws up.

Cambridge Science Fair

While art is being created on the Boston side of the Charles, science will be explored on the Cambridge shore. The Cambridge Science Fair begins on Saturday and continues through May 2nd.

Each day has a full schedule of events for science fans of all ages.

The Boston Globe ran an excellent article on the event earlier this week.

"The idea is to highlight science that animates the community - and drives many of the companies that do business in the shadow of great universities. The science is too often invisible behind lab doors, according to John Durant, director of the MIT Museum and originator of the festival. The time is right, he said, to bring science endeavors into the public eye."

http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2009/04/20/cambridge_fest_touts_technology_with_arts_assist/

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Here's The BostonZest choice as a perfect gift for all the Spring occasions.

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Details:

(Photos © 2006 Penny Cherubino)

Copley Society of Art

158 Newbury Street, Boston, MA 02116

www.copleysociety.org

Cambridge Science Festival

April 25 - May 3

Cambridgesciencefestival.org

Speed's Hot Dog- A Boston Food Rite of Spring!

Last Saturday, I had my first Speed dog of the season.

Naturally, I made a quick report that all is well with Speeds to the Chowhound community.

Here's what I said, "What fun to introduce friends to Speed's. Today I witnessed the birth of four new Speed's Hounds.

 

Everyone loved their first Speed Dog and everyone finished them -- much to the surprise of a couple of us. I knew what I was facing so I skipped breakfast to save room!

We debated getting one steak sandwich to share but decided that would have to wait until next time.

The friends who went with us were Spike's Hot Dog fans and while they may still go there because it's close to home, they are now plotting ways to get to Speeds. We brought one back to a staff person in our building and he declared it 'Awesome!'"

The steak sandwich is a new addition to the Speed's menu. We'll try it soon and issue a report. Chef Gregg Gale said he added the steak for those times when a group of people arrive, and one person doesn't want a hot dog.

Here's the full view of my hot dog with everything.

Remember this is at least 8 inches long and weighs about half a pound.

Since they are cooked and dressed to order you can ask for a bit of char on the dog, or skip the onions if that is your preference. You can even ask for just mustard and relish as one young woman did while we were there.

If you're game, let the chef do it his way, with everything and experience the full measure of a hot dog as a work of culinary artistry.

 

Food Lovers, Here's The BostonZest Amazon Selection of the Day

I added this wonderful reference to my Kindle and my iPhone. We use the book at home and the iPhone version when we are out.

 

Here's my report on my first Speed's Hot dog.
http://www.bostonzest.com/2008/10/speeds-hot-dog.html

Details:

Speed's Hot Dog Wagon
Newmarket Square, Boston MA

(update: 5.26.09- look for the wagon at 40 Newmarket Square)

(One member of the Chowhound community suggested that you enter "70 Newmarket Square" to locate Speed's with your GPS system. When you arrive, look across the street to find the Speed's Hot Dog Wagon.)

Check their website for current hours.

www.fandgcatering.com

You can phone to be sure they are there and haven't run out of hot dogs.

617-839-0102

Other Opinions:

Here's the recent Chowhound Boston word on Speed's:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/604705?tag=boards;topic-604705

Here's the yelp:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/speeds-hot-dogs-boston

Boston Marathon - Views From the Hereford Street Turn

An inspiring athlete, double amputee, Richard Whitehead from Nottingham England finished the Marathon in 3:02:44.

Lane Keogh from Seattle Washington glided around the turn with arms outstretched and a big smile on her face.

 

You could hear the cheers increase as Bill Rogers made the turn towards the finish line.

One of the last people on the course was this juggler.

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Here's The BostonZest choice as a perfect gift for all the Spring occasions.

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Picture a Perfect Magnolias

Photographers and artists lined the sidewalks of Commonwealth Avenue creating photos and paintings with magnolias as backdrop.

Park Clean Up With Your Dog

Next Saturday, April 25, 2009, is Park Service Day all around the area. From the Boston Common to the National Parks, this is a day to give back to the places that connect us with nature. And, this is a great time to show up with your dog and make the public aware that families with dogs are an important part of the community.

The tiny number of thoughtless dog keepers who don't clean up after their animals get much attention. But, dog walkers who use that bag they always have handy to pickup trash, broken glass, and assorted rubbish left by inconsiderate pedestrians and drivers who use parks as dumping grounds go unnoticed.

Recently, I saw a section of a park where we normally walk, grow grittier and grittier. Then I realize why. A friend, whose dog died recently, always picked up the litter in that part of the park as she walked. Without her efforts, three or four times a day, the litterers were winning.

If you have other plans for Saturday, think about doing a weekly clean up walk with your dog. Bring along some gloves and a big bag and grab the junk you see along the way. When we do this we pay special attention to broken glass and food waste - things that might harm dogs.

Here are places to contact for Saturday's events. (links in details below the jump)

• The Charles River Watershed Association invites you to, "Join more than 2,000 other volunteers picking up trash along the river, and have the satisfaction of knowing you helped improve the health and beauty of the Charles River!"
• As you can see from the flyer, the Boston Common invites your assistance. (Click on it for a larger view.)
• The Emerald Necklace Conservancy is organizing a Clean Up of the Muddy River.
• And, the city of Boston is sponsoring a Boston Shines citywide clean up an service event.

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Here's The BostonZest choice as a perfect gift for all the Spring occasions.

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Details:

Charles River Watershed Association
http://crwa.org/

Department of Conservation and Recreation
http://parkserv.env.state.ma.us/

Emerald Necklace Conservancy
http://www.emeraldnecklace.org/

City of Boston
http://www.cityofboston.gov/neighborhoods/bostonshines.asp

Magnolia Moment

This is the moment to enjoy the Magnolias along Commonwealth Avenue. Quick! Before the rain and wind arrive and destroy the blooms.

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Here's The BostonZest choice as a perfect gift for all the Spring occasions.

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Tracking a Boston Marathon Runner

How can you follow a friend who's running in the Boston Marathon on Monday?

That question was posed by one of our readers.

Whether you're following the leaders, like these women in the photo from last year's race, or a back-of-the-pack pal, the ID tags worn by the runner's will allow you follow their progress.

* UPDATE This is an old post try: Tracking a Boston Marathon Runner (2012)

On the Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) Website

"Visitors to www.baa.org on April 21 will be able to track official runners in the Boston Marathon as they pass eleven checkpoints along the race course. Checkpoint data will be transmitted via the ChampionChip timing and scoring device, worn on the runners' shoelace, and made available to the public on the B.A.A.'s website.

By entering in an athlete's bib number or first and last name on the B.A.A.'s Athlete Tracking website, users of the feature can follow a runner's progress as they cross the start, 5K, 10K, 15K, 20K, half marathon mark, 25K, 30K, 35K, 40K and finish line."

This feature will not show up on the BAA site until race day. The BAA says, "The 'face' of the Boston Marathon website will change on race day and the process on how to enter the search will be clear."

 Mobile Phone Alert System

The Boston Athletic Association has also set up "The AT&T Athlete Alert program." This allows anyone with a cell phone that can receive text messages to track a runner. Here's the link to that system. To take part in this program, you must be registered by 6:00 am on race day.

http://baa.org/BostonMarathon/Att-Athlete-Alert.asp

Where are the leaders & crowd favorites?

For a rough idea of where the leaders of the race are in relation to your viewing position, just watch the sky for the helicopters that hover above them.

For favorites you must rely on the roar of the crowd as they approach. Or, you can track your favorite by using the mobile alert system. For example, Boston.com reports that Bill Rogers will be "... wearing bib number 79 in his 60th attempt at a marathon and his 17th here."

(photo © 2008 Penny Cherubino)

Here's a popular book about the marathon in the words of some of Boston's best  known runners.

Click here for more Boston Marathon Books.