BostonZest

Sick of Political and Polling Phone Calls?

Are you being harassed by phone calls from politicians, political groups, polling organizations, research groups, and the like? Those groups managed to exempt themselves from the Federal Do Not Call Registry. For others types of calls, you should register at this link.

It has become so annoying around our place that we are now screening all our calls. If your name and phone number isn't in our system, you get the following message.

"You have reached our call screener. Please leave a message unless this is a political, polling, research, marketing or sales call, then put this number on your DO NOT CALL list."

Feel free to adapt our message for your own voice mail. And, ask your elected officials to support expansion of the DO NOT CALL Registry/List to the groups that are currently allowed to annoy you. 

What's on your Food Lover's Shopping List? Shop Amazon for all your kitchen & dining needs and support this site!

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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photo:  istockphoto.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 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.

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Flu Shot Information Update for 2012 - 2013 Season

Here's the latest Flu Shot information. We've compiled a list of sources to help in your search for this season's vaccination.

Update 5.16.13 - Google shows flu activity in MA is Low.

Update 5.17.13 - Health Department officials report "... flu activity in Massachusetts remains low ..."

Update 1.9.13 - Here's a link to information on caring for someone with the flu and preventing the spread of the disease.

And, for a friend suffering from a bad cold or the flu, remember Chicken Soup for a Sick Friend!

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reminds us that the vaccine for the 2012-2013 flu season "will protect against the three influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the season. This includes an influenza A (H1N1) virus, an influenza A (H3N2) virus, and an influenza B virus."

You'll find assistance from federal, state, and local authorities– including medical institutions and retail stores. There are sites to track flu activity, plus suggestions that could help save you time and money.

As always, check with your doctor or other healthcare professionals for any flu-related advice.  

Do federal, state, and city health officials have any updates on flu or flu vaccinations?

• Get all the latest facts on the 2012-2013 Flu Season and this year's vaccine @ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• Massachusetts Health and Human Services is continuing its Flu Facts site. Learn more here.

• Commonwealth Conversations: Public Health has a Weekly Flu Report. 

Where can I get a flu vaccination in the Boston area?

• Here's a search box made available to us by the U.S. Department of Health. Just enter your Zip Code, hit go, and you'll have a map of options.  

• The Boston Public Health Commission lists the Latest Flu Clinics.

Where can I get a flu vaccination in the surrounding area?

• MyLocalClinic.com 

More information below the ad.

Whether you're waiting in line for a flu shot or taking an easy day with a headcold, an Amazon Kindle makes a great companion. Buy new books on the fly, dig into your archive to re-read old favorites. And, thank you to everyone who supports the compiling of information like this by beginning all their Amazon shopping from BostonZest. It doesn't cost you a penny more, but it does put a few pennies in our pockets.

What's the level of flu activity in our area?

• Google flu trends calls activity in Massachusetts, "Intense." 
• More on regional flu activity  Here. 

More details below...

• Some Pharmacies have flu vaccine, including CVS,  Walgreens, and  RiteAid.
• If you haven't checked lately, this might be a good time to consult with your primary care physician for the latest flu shot information.
• Whichever flu shot location you choose, we recommend that you call the site directly before going.

Follow us on Twitter for alerts when we update this article.

Details:
Words: Ed Cherubino
Photo Credit: James Gathany, courtesy of  the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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.

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Flu Shot Information Update for 2011 - 2012 Season

 

Flu Vaccination information is now available on a new page for the 2012-2013 flu season!

Here's the latest Flu Shot information. We've compiled a list of sources to help in your search for this season's vaccination.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reminds us, "The 2011-2012 flu vaccine will protect against the three influenza viruses that research indicates will be most common during the season. This includes an influenza A (H1N1) virus, an influenza A (H3N2) virus, and an influenza B virus."

You'll find assistance from federal, state, and local authorities– including medical institutions and retail stores. There are sites to track flu activity, plus suggestions that could help save you time and money.

As always, check with your doctor or other healthcare professionals for any flu-related advice.  

 

Do federal, state, and city health officials have any updates on flu or flu vaccinations?

• Get all the latest facts on the 2011-2012 Flu Season and this year's vaccine @ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• Massachusetts Health and Human Services is continuing its Flu Facts site. Learn more here.

• Commonwealth Conversations: Public Health has a Weekly Flu Report. 

Where can I get a flu vaccination in the Boston area?

• Here's a search box made available to us by the U.S. Department of Health. Just enter your Zip Code, hit go, and you'll have a map of options.  

• The Boston Public Health Commission lists the Latest Flu Clinics.
• Check the Mass General Hospital Flu Shot Info Line at 1-877-733-3737. Additional Info at MGH Flu Shot Website. 

Where can I get a flu vaccination in the surrounding area?

• Massachusetts Public Flu Clinic Finder

More information below the ad.

Whether you're waiting in line for a flu shot or taking an easy day with a headcold, an Amazon Kindle makes a great companion. Buy new books on the fly, dig into your archive to re-read old favorites. And, thank you to everyone who supports the compiling of information like this by beginning all their Amazon shopping from BostonZest. It doesn't cost you a penny more, but it does put a few pennies in our pockets.

 

What's the level of flu activity in our area?

• Google flu trends calls activity in Massachusetts, "Low." 
• More on regional flu activity  Here. 

More details below...

• Some Pharmacies have flu vaccine, including CVS,  Walgreens, and  RiteAid.
• If you haven't checked lately, this might be a good time to consult with your primary care physician for the latest flu shot information.
• Whichever flu shot location you choose, we recommend that you call the site directly before going.

If you subscribe to the comment feed for this post, you'll be notified of updates. Or, follow us on Twitter for updates to this article.

Details:
Words: Ed Cherubino
Photo: courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Friday “Quick Links”

It’s been another hectic week, but there’s always time for a few "Quick Links."



Berry Thief Caught in the Act in a Commonwealth Avenue garden

Here’s some of what caught our interest this week:

• If the constant weather disruptions have limited your outdoor activity (aside from shovelling, of course) and you’re adding some unwanted pounds, here’s a possible solution. Jaime Lutz at WBUR’s Public Radio Kitchen did a great piece on competitive weight loss at work.

• Need a reason to get out of the house? Plan your “nice day” outing by exploring Boston's neighborhoods over at the relatively new community site, Nabewise.com. Thanks to Susie Anderson for pointing us to it. We plan to explore what people are saying about their corner of the city.

• Robins in winter? Definitely, but maybe not the same robins you see in the spring. They survive nicely around here in the colder months, often feasting on a variety of berries. (could help with that weight loss program)

• And, while you’re noticing more robins this weekend, what other “feathered friends” can you spot? Mass Audubon wants to know. Check-out this weekend’s Focus on Feeders, February 5-6, 2011. (Thanks to The Garden Club of the Back Bay for the heads up.) 

More “Quick Links,” Coming Soon!



Details:
Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2011 Penny Cherubino

A Bunch of Friday Links!

We often have so many Friday Links that it’s difficult to select just one. Our solution? Go with all of them! And, “Quick Links” can appear any day of the week.

Here’s some of what we’ve been clicking on:

• Since we can’t seem to get enough of the white-stuff this winter, USA Today has a Q & A on Winter, Snow, Ice. (Can it be too cold to snow? Has Boston ever had a no-snow winter?...)        

• How many Alcohol Licenses are enough? NorthEndWaterfront.com has the eye-opening numbers of the Boston neighborhood that comes in first. 

• Penny says, “Pie is the new cupcake!” If you need convincing, check out North Shore Dish for “the best pie on the North Shore.” 

• And, we were fascinated by “Boston - Then and now” at boston.com. It’s an interactive look at the Boston sites of today, compared to how they appeared decades ago. Just slide across the photos.   

More “Quick Links,” coming soon!

Details:
Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2011 Penny Cherubino

Flu Shot Information Update for 2010-2011 Season

  

Flu Vaccination information is now available on a new page for the 2012-2013 flu season!

Here's the final MA Public Health Weekly Flu Report of the 2010 - 2011 flu season.

Here's the latest Flu Shot information. We've compiled a list of sources to help in your search for this season's vaccination. The CDC reminds you, "The 2010-2011 flu vaccine will protect against three different flu viruses: an H3N2 virus, an influenza B virus and the H1N1 virus that caused so much illness last season." 

You'll find assistance from federal, state and local authorities– including medical institutions and retail stores. There are sites to track flu activity, plus ways that could save you time and money.

As always, check with your doctor or other healthcare professional for any flu-related advice.

 

New flu vaccine choices for people 65 and over. CDC explains

Great News! A Flu Shot may be Good for your Heart!

According to a recent study, getting a seasonal flu shot could help you avoid a heart attack. And, the earlier you get vaccinated the better. Details here. 

Do federal, state, and city health officials have any updates on flu or flu vaccinations?

• Get all the latest facts on the 2010-2011 Flu Season and this year's vaccine @ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• Massachusetts Health and Human Services is continuing its Flu Facts site. Learn more here.
• Commonwealth Conversations: Public Health has Weekly Flu Report. 
 

Where can I get a flu vaccination in the Boston area?

Here's a search box made available to us by the US Department of Health. Just enter your Zip Code, hit go, and you'll have a map of options.

• The Boston Public Health Commission lists the latest flu clinics. Check here for details.

Where can I get a flu vaccination in the surrounding area

• Massachusetts Public Flu Clinic Finder

 

More information below the ad.

Whether you're waiting in line for a flu shot or taking an easy day with a headcold, an Amazon Kindle makes a great companion. Buy new books on the fly, dig into your archive to re-read old favorites. And, thank you to everyone who supports the production of information like this by beginning all their Amazon shopping from BostonZest. It doesn't cost you a penny more, but it does put a few pennies in our pockets.

 

 

What is the level of flu activity in our area?

• Google flu trends calls activity in Massachusetts, "Minimal." 
• More on regional flu activity Here. 

More details below...

• Some Pharmacies have flu vaccine, including CVS, Walgreens, and RiteAid.
• For ways to cut the cost of a flu shot, we found a lot of good information in this post at Smart Money.
• If you haven't checked lately, this might be a good time to consult with your primary care physician for the latest flu shot information.
• Whichever flu shot location you choose, we recommend that you call the site directly before going.

If you subscribe to the comment feed for this post, you'll be notified of updates. Or, follow us on Twitter for updates to this article.

Details:
Words: Ed Cherubino
Photography: istockphoto.com

Where to Vote for January 19th Special Election...

 

 

 

 

Here's how to find out where you vote for tomorrow's (Tuesday, January 19th) special U.S. Senate election.

This is an old post here is the 2012 Voter information.

 

If you've moved since you last voted, are new to Boston, are voting for the first time or just can't remember where to cast your ballot, find your polling place at http://www.wheredoivotema.com/bal/myelectioninfo.php. And, this site works for any community in Massachusetts.

 

 

The "Where do I vote MA"  site will also answer other questions including: How to Register to Vote, the Names of your Elected Officials and City/Town Hall Addresses.

 

 

Some voters in Boston do have different polling places for the January 19, 2010 Special State Election.

 

 

 

The press releases from the Boston Election Department say, 

 

 

In South Boston:

 

"The three precincts (Ward 6, Precincts 7, 8, and 9) which voted at Saint Matthew will now vote at the Monsignor Powers Apartments, 120 L Street.

Since the Powers Apartments are located in Ward 6 Precinct 6, all voters in that precinct, who previously voted at the South Boston Neighborhood House Senior Center, will also vote at thePowers Apartments, 120 L Street. 

Finally, voters in Ward 6 Precinct 4, who also voted at the Senior Center, will now vote at Julie’s Family Learning Program, 133 Dorchester Street. The voter entrance will be on the West Fourth Street side of the building, near the intersection of Dorchester Street. "

 

 

 

Details at http://www.cityofboston.gov/news/default.aspx?id=4511. 

 

 

In the Fenway:

"The Boston Board of Election Commissioners reminds voters in Ward 4 Precincts 5 and 8 that their polling location will be temporarily moved for the January 19, 2010 Special State Election for United States Senator. 

Due to a previously scheduled event at the Matthews Arena, both precincts will vote at Northeastern University’s Fenway Center, 77 Saint Stephen Street. Polls will be open from 7AM until 8PM."

 

 

 

 

Details at: http://www.cityofboston.gov/news/default.aspx?id=4512 . You may also contact the Boston Election Department at 617-635-3767.

 

 

 

 

Details:

Writer: Ed Cherubino

Photo: © 2010 Penny Cherubino