BostonZest

Dog Families Needed to Watch for Asian Longhorned Beetles

If you walk your dog under trees in Boston, you can become an important scout watching for any sign of the Asian Longhorned Beetle. Join volunteers from Friends of the Public Garden and the Neighborhood Association of the Back Bay next Saturday morning as experts show us what to look for and how to report what we see.

Update: Training has been postponed until Sunday! Join us at the corner or Arlington and Commonwealth Avenue on Sunday November 15, 2009 at 9 am. Look for our "ALB" buttons.

Click on the photo below if you need a larger version of the flyer. 

Maggie Mae, Ed and I look forward to meeting you next weekend. Yes, that's Maggie Mae in the photo posing with Ed as beetle watchers.

What to buy? What to buy? Give the entire world of Amazon gifts with an Amazon Gift Certificate. This, or any, Amazon purchase that begins here helps support BostonZest and keeps the information coming your way. 

Flu Shot Information update for 2010

Flu Vaccination information is now available on a new page for the 2011-2012 flu season!

 

It's been fairly quiet on the flu front, with Massachusetts health officials saying that the H1N1 vaccine is widely available. While the level of flu-like illness reportedly is low, the state still advises everyone to get vaccinated.  

 

We'll update only if conditions change. 

 

Here's the latest...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This Flu Vaccination information was Updated by Ed Cherubino  - 3/09/10 

 

 

Massachusetts health officials report on flu and flu vaccinations

 

Link to state H1N1 Blog and full report.

Learn more at www.mass.gov/flu

 

Where can I get a flu vaccination in Boston?

 

The upcoming listings on the flu vaccine calendar in Boston say, "Clinics are now open to the General Population." Check here for details. http://www.bphc.org/programs/infectiousdisease/infectiousdiseasesatoz/influenza/Pages/FluClinics.asp 

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

 

Go to this google map and put your zip code into the search box provided.

Or try,  http://flu.masspro.org/clinic/MassPRO_Flu_Clinics.html

Is MGH holding flu vaccination clinics, and where can I get that schedule?

 

For the latest on H1N1 swine flu vaccine availability, contact the Mass General Hospital's flu information line (1-877-733-3737). 

 

For further flu info, go to www.massgeneral.org/flu

 

 

 

 

What is the level of flu activity in our area?

 

 

Google flu trends calls activity in our area "Low." http://www.google.org/flutrends/us/

More on regional flu activity at http://www.flu.gov/whereyoulive/healthmap/

More details below..

• If you haven't checked lately, this might be a good time to consult with your primary care physician for updated supply information.
• We've confirmed that the list of flu vaccination clinics in Boston is still active.
• Pay attention to exactly what vaccinations they have. We recommend that you call the location directly before going. Here's that link again.
  
http://www.bphc.org/programs/infectiousdisease/infectiousdiseasesatoz/influenza/Pages/Home.aspx
• Outside of Boston, this link does provide clinic locations in some cities and towns, http://flu.masspro.org/clinic/MassPRO_Flu_Clinics.html
• The CDC and Google have teamed up to put information on www.google.com/flushot.

Many Pharmacies now have vaccine

 

For example, as of this update, some CVS Minute Clinic locations report having H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccine.

Here is a link to the Minute Clinics

http://www.cvs.com/CVSApp/store/storefinderresults.jsp?_requestid=103748

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

 

 

 More information below the ad

With the Amazon Kindle, you can order books from anywhere, even in line waiting for your flu shot. Or, if you do get the flu, you can add new books from your sickbed!

 

 

Official Information Resources
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on the 2009-2010 flu vaccine

This is the big resource that should be consulted for links to other flu shot resources. Their "locate a clinic link" is serviced by the American Lung Association.

Here is the CDC overall reference site for the latest flu information.

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/flu_vaccine_updates.htm

 

You may be able to find both H1N1 and seasonal flu vaccine by visiting the American Lung Association locator at www.flucliniclocator.org, or by contacting your primary care physician." 

The MassPro site below has a list by city and town in Massachusetts. Again, if you find a clinic listed here, read the restrictions and call before you go.

http://flu.masspro.org/clinic/

Here's the latest from the State

http://publichealth.blog.state.ma.us/h1n1-swine-flu/

Here is the latest news from the City of Boston

http://www.bphc.org/programs/infectiousdisease/infectiousdiseasesatoz/influenza/Pages/FluClinics.asp 

 

Flu Shots in Boston for the 2009 - 2010 Flu Season

The flu shot information is now available on a new page for the 2011-2012 flu season.

The first supply of the 2009-2010 regular seasonal flu vaccine is on hand, and some clinics are already scheduled in the Boston area including some free clinics.

We will update this entry or do a second piece when we have solid information on the H1N1 (swine) flu vaccinations

 If you subscribe to the comment feed for this post, you'll be notified of updates. Or, follow us on Twitter where we'll tweet some clinics as we find them and we'll tweet updates to this article.

Some folks already have their seasonal flu shots

Last week, during my annual checkup my primary care doctor offered to give me my flu shot. Ed went to the MGH Back Bay Flu shot clinic the next day and got his. A recent Boston Globe article raised the possibility of a slow down in supply, this is something you may want to check off your "things to do" list in the week ahead.

More information below the ad

With the Amazon Kindle, you can order books from anywhere, even in line waiting for your flu shot. Or, if you do get the flu, you can add new books from your sickbed!

Seasonal Flu Shots at MGH

Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) is an easy place to get a flu shot. Their announcement says they'll hold their flu clinics in the cafeteria of the Wang Ambulatory Care Center. This is just steps from the main entrance at 15 Fruit Street. There are lots of well organized parking lots and of course it is just .3 mile from the Red lines Charles/MGH station and .5 mile from the Museum of Science station on the Green line. The MGH Flu shot information line is 1-877-733-3737. As of this posting the information recorded there was not complete.The line for the walk in clinic had the following information.

• Beginning September 22, 2009, the vaccine station will be staffed seven days a week – Monday through Friday from 9 am to 7 pm and weekends 9:30 am to 4 pm. This will include the Columbus Day Holiday.
• They'll be providing shots to anyone age 18 and older through the end of the year.
• The cost last year was $25 and MGH asks that you "check with your insurance company regarding coverage for vaccines."
• If you're registered with MGH, bring your blue MGH card. If you're not registered you can do that by phone before your visit by calling 1-866-211-6588.

If you find a similar, ongoing flu shot clinic at another area hospital, let us know in a comment with a link to the information if you have it.

Get your shot at a pharmacy

For those who don't have reason to visit a doctor or hospital, most national pharmacy chains are holding flu shot clinics. My friend, Karen was in Walgreen's and saw a short line for a flu shot so she queued up and got her shot.

CVS, Walgreens, Target, Osco, and RiteAid each have a page dedicated to flu. Each has links that let you find the details for the next clinic near you online. Naturally, businesses charge for flu shots.

• Star Shaws Osco: http://healthprograms.supervalu.com/healthprograms-webapp/locations.do
• CVS:  http://www.cvs.com/CVSApp/promoContent/promoLandingTemplate.jsp?promoLandingId=1033
• Walgreens: http://www.walgreens.com/store/store/specialty/tier2_specialty.jsp?
• Target: http://sites.target.com/site/en/spot/page.jsp?
• RiteAid: http://www.riteaid.com/promos/flu_clinic/

Official Resources

Center for Disease Control (CDC) on the 2009-2010 flu vaccine

It should be consulted for links to other flu shot resources. Their "locate a clinic link" is serviced by the American Lung Association and has limited Boston area clinic search results at this time.

I tried a few of the search sites and this one seemed to deliver the most information from the most sources in our area.

http://www.findaflushot.com/

This one showed fewer results but does have a list by city and town in Massachusetts.
 

http://flu.masspro.org/clinic/

Here is the CDC overall reference site for the latest flu information.

http://www.cdc.gov/flu/flu_vaccine_updates.htm

Update: 9/25/09 here is a link to press release with  a list of Free flu shot clinics in the city of Boston

http://www.bphc.org/Newsroom/Pages/TopStoriesView.aspx?ID=120

Water for You and Your Dog

Universal Hub and Boston's Emergency Medical Services are reminding us to drink plenty of water during this heat wave. 

We'd like to add - make sure your dogs have plenty of water.

Our Westie, Maggie Mae will celebrate her 13th birthday tomorrow. She's never liked the heat so we have been very careful to keep our little senior citizen's outings short in this weather.

We walk early and late to avoid the hottest part of the day. We choose the shady side of the street and the canopy of trees on the Commonwealth Avenue Mall for our exercise.

We've always carried water on our walks because Maggie loves to jump up on a bench for a rest and to enjoy a nice cool drink. This clever dog has a special look she gives you when she wants a drink.

For the past few days we've walked out to a shady bench, give her a drink, and a rest, and then take a slow stroll home.

There are lots of products designed for dogs to drink from when you are out and about. Here are a few from Amazon.

If you came out without a special water dish for your dog, you can use a plastic bag. Just slide your hand inside, cup your hand and pour in some water. It won't leak the way your hand does without the bag, and you won't waste water as you would if you let your pup drink from a bottle.

In Boston, we all have to carry extra plastic bags because you must have one to show to an official if they ask about hit. Click here a link to the city's rules and regulations for dogs. You are not only required to pick up after your dog; you are required to have something with you to pick up after a dog if you are out with one. The site says,

"When walking your dog, the law necessitates you to be prepared for such occurrences and be equipped with a bag or some other means of feces removal. After it is removed, it is important to dispose of the feces properly, either in a toilet or in a trash container (after being secured in a plastic bag)."

NorthEndWaterfront.com Is Our Friday Link

I discovered NorthEndWaterfront.com through links from Universal Hub. I've added it to my rss feeds and appreciate the work that goes into providing a great addition to my neighborhood news updates.

On their about page editor Mike Conti says,

"The major Boston newspapers have cut back on nearly all neighborhood reporting and the community papers are also struggling. The investigative reporters from the Globe or the Herald that previously went to public meetings are simply not there anymore. This site is an attempt to fill in some of that gap to inform and comment on all the micro-news and "goings on" that make living in our unique and historic neighborhood so special."

He is right. Sites that shed light in the corners that newspapers no longer cover grow more important to me each day. For a better understanding of the issues faced by our neighbors in the North End and Waterfront click over and add NorthEndWaterfront.com to your daily reads.

Boston Globe Kindle Edition

The recent price increase for home delivery of the Boston Globe has been the subject of much discussion this week. So far, we have not had a price increase for our morning Globe.

At the beginning of this year, we opted out of home delivery. We still receive the Globe each day, but it arrives on our Amazon Kindle Reader.

Yes, we had to buy the Kindle reader. Right now that costs $299. But, the price for the Globe delivered to a Kindle is $9.99 a month. That comes to $119.88 a year.

According to WBZ TV the current price for home delivery of the Globe for us would be $12.25 a week. Outside the Greater Boston area, it's $15.50 a week. With the price increase we would have been paying $637 a year. Isn't that somewhat like getting the Kindle for free?

If you already have a Kindle, you can try a 14 day free trial of the Globe and many other newspapers.

The Pros Of The Boston Globe Kindle Edition

• Your paper is delivered every morning, without fail. We have not had a copy stolen from our front steps, forgotten by our carrier or delivered to the wrong address.
• When you travel within the USA, your morning paper arrives on your Kindle just like it does at home.
• It's much easier to read on the train. You can hang on with one hand and work the Kindle with the other.
• We also buy other books for the Kindle at a discount. We are using it for more than the paper.
• With Amazon's free email delivery option, you can send other documents that you want to read to the Kindle.
• You don't get ink on our hands from reading the paper.
• You don't have piles of newspapers to recycle.
• You don't have to tip the paper carrier.

The Cons Of The Boston Globe Kindle Edition

• You don't receive the entire paper. You don't get the comics, coupons, circulars, TV listings, and all the graphics and photographs. But, you can see some of these online.
• You can't share the paper on a Sunday morning. We have a routine where I read the paper before Ed leaves for work and he reads it on the train. On weekends we take turns. 
• There are some silly glitches like stories showing up in the wrong section. Always check the obituaries--you never know what you will find there.
• Bylines are often missing and you sometimes have to scan to the end of an article to see who wrote it.
  
• You won't have newspapers to start a fire in your fireplace, wrap a fish or wash your windows. I also used them to husk corn this time of year.
• It's so easy to buy books that you may have to put yourself on a book budget or you'll eat up all the money you saved in the switch.

We'll be happy to answer and Kindle/Globe questions. Anyone else out there using the Kindle for newspapers?

Walter Cronkite, Sail on Skipper

"I can't imagine a person becoming a success who doesn't give this game of life everything he's got."  Walter Cronkite (November 4, 1916 – July 17, 2009)

Thank you for setting an example for us in so many aspects of your life.