BostonZest

What's Open On Presidents' Day in Boston 2010 and MBTA Schedules

Here's a run-down of what is open in Boston on Presidents' Day and the MBTA schedules for President's Day plus information of Boston parking for - February 15, 2010.

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 State 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. Here's a link to all  the options available on Amazon. Shopping Amazon from here keeps information like this coming your way. 

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

Boston Trash Collection: Delay trash and recycling pickup one 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 two times per week, do not delay.

Here's the source of the trash information. http://www.cityofboston.gov/publicworks/sanholidays.asp

MBTA Schedule Changes

When we called the MBTA customer service lines and a search of the site we came up with this information. We'll update it when they release an official schedule.

• Blue, Orange, Green and Red Line trains will operate on a Saturday schedule.
• Buses and trackless trolleys, most will operate on a Saturday schedule.
• Commuter Rail-Saturday schedule (exception: MBTA lists Fairmount Line - No Service on Presidents' Day)
• Boats, Presidents' Day is not covered in the Boat schedules
• THE RIDE will operate on a regular schedule.  

To be notified of the update, sign on to the comment feed below, or follow up on Twitter. For more information about MBTA services, routes, schedules and fares, please call the T’s Customer Information Center at 617-222-3200 (TDD 617-222-5146) or log onto the MBTA’s website http://www.mbta.com/. 

Romance at the Gardner Museum- Valentine's Weekend Destination

The courtyard at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum is one of the most romantic spots in Boston. The museum is a perfect setting for an interlude of togetherness for Valentine's Day, an anniversary or a special date. 

 
In our Valentine's Day Dining post we asked readers to, "Stay tuned, because we plan to tell you about some even less expensive ways to treat your favorite date to a special Valentine adventure without breaking the piggy bank."

The Gardner has alternatives for every budget. 

• The museum welcomes you to enjoy the courtyard for free. To access the Cafe or Gift Shop, you pass through the courtyard, and you'll often find people waiting for a table at the cafe on stone benches with a view of the garden. 

• Add a very reasonable admission fee ($12 for adults $10 for seniors) and spend the day exploring the palace.  If your budget is really tight, the Gardner provides some free passes through the Boston Public Library's museum pass program. 

• You can visit to The Gardner Cafe for lunch or dessert. The menu is moderately priced, and the food is delicious. (The Cafe accepts reservations for the 11:30 am seating on weekdays and the 11:00 am seating on weekends.)

• Or, you can splurge for a very special evening on February 14th. The museum is holding A Venetian Valentine event priced at $195 per couple. (That price includes a full year's membership for the Museum.)  

 

Here's the description of A Venetian Valentine 

"The evening begins with romantic jazz ballads performed by the Patrice Williamson Quartet, setting the mood for romance from the Gardner’s fragrant blossoming courtyard. Attendees will feast on a sumptuous array of artfully designed sweet and savory small plates such as crispy parmigiano, sage, and wild mushroom risotto cakes, many showcasing romantic foods like oysters and chocolate. An open bar will feature that most Venetian of cocktails, the Bellini, mixed exclusively for the occasion by Chef Peter Crowley of The Gardner Café.

Throughout the evening, the Gardner Museum’s softly-lit galleries will be open for an intimate stroll through 30 centuries of fine art. Guests are invited to explore the museum’s sensuous masterworks on a poetry-infused selfguided our of the collection, and to discover one of Isabella Gardner’s favorite works, Titian’s magnificent Europa, of which she wrote: “I am breathless about the Europa, even yet! I am back here tonight after a two days’ orgy. The orgy was drinking my self drunk with Europa and then sitting for hours in my Italian Garden at Brookline, thinking and dreaming of her. Every inch of paint in the picture seems full of joy.” 

As you can see, there's something for everyone in this palace built by a woman who loved to entertain. Isabella Stewart Gardner left us all a destination full of treasures, lovely spaces, and her enchanting spirit. A visit, this time of year, will delight any romantic soul.

Details:
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum (map )
280 The Fenway, Boston, MA‎
617-566-1401‎

www.gardnermuseum.org 

Writers: Penny & Ed Cherubino

Photos: Courtesy of  Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum

Watchful, Devoted North End Dog

We couldn't resist showing our Sunday Dog fans this completely attentive pup waiting for someone outside Salumeria Italiana in the North End last weekend.

Those beautiful eyes were glued to the door watching for a special person. The pup had no interest in anything or anyone else, but sat politely waiting and watching. 

What was the dog thinking? This book, originally meant for younger readers, has had dog lovers of all ages laughing with its descriptions of the world from a dog’s point of view. 

Details:

Writers: Penny & Ed Cherubino

Photos: © 2010 Penny Cherubino

"Preservation is Green," says the National Trust for Historic Preservation

Preservation of Boston's historic buildings is green. So says the National Trust for Historic Preservation and they're backing up their words with facts and resources. Their Sustainability and Historic Preservation resource center is our Friday link today.

It may surprise you that many of the older buildings that line Boston's streets are very green. Preserving and renovating existing historic buildings is often a greener option than tearing them down and building new– even if you construct a LEEDS certified structure. 

This link will lead you to tips for weather proofing and greening your own home or buisness. It can also give you the facts you need to work with your elected officials to make green choices that will preserve both our heritage and our environment. 

Here's my favorite example from the "Preservation by the Numbers" section. "Recent calculations indicate that it takes about 65 years for an energy efficient new building to save the amount of energy lost in demolishing an existing building. "

This book gives you a  look at what we've already lost.

Details:

Writers: Penny  Cherubino

Photos: © 2005 Penny Cherubino