BostonZest

Boston HarborWalk Our Friday Link

This week, we're calling your attention to one of the city's growing treasures– Boston HarborWalk. 

"Nearly 39 miles of the 47-mile HarborWalk public access system is now completed, with the remainder to open as waterfront development moves forward," says the Boston HarborWalk website.

This is a rich site with everything from audio/video tours to guide your first explorations, a calendar of events to plan when to go, interactive maps of the area, and even the best places to walk your dog when this Boston pathway becomes part of your routine. 

Click over to the site to explore its resources and plan your visit. Then, get out and spend some time by the water in the months ahead. 

And, don't forget to support the Boston Harbor Association whose leadership and members have worked hard and long to make this dream a reality.

Need a great camera to take on your summer explorations or to give as a gift? We highly recommend the Canon G12 10MP Digital Camera . It's the newest member of the line of cameras we carry with us all the time. And, anytime you buy a camera, always buy an extra battery!

 

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Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Screenshot: courtesy of BostonHarbor Walk

Emerald Necklace Visitor and Volunteer Center– Our Friday Link

This weekend (April 30 -May1, 2011) the Emerald Necklace Conservancy will celebrate the "Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening" of their new Visitor and Volunteer Center in the historic Back Bay Fens. Henry Hobson Richardson's Stony Brook Gatehouse was restored and repurposed to welcome visitors to the park and serve as a permanent home for the Emerald Necklace Conservancy.

Here's a full schedule of events.

Want to learn more about the men who created the wonder that is the Back Bay Fens. Here are some books that will help you do that.

Architecture after Richardson Henry Hobson Richardson and His Works

A Clearing In The Distance: Frederick Law Olmsted and America in the 19th Century

Civilizing American Cities: Writings On City Landscapes

      

Details:

 Emerald Necklace Conservancy

www.emeraldnecklace.org

125 The Fenway, Boston, MA 02115 (Map)

(617) 522-2700

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Screenshot courtesy of the Emerald Necklace Conservancy

 

A Hint of Spring!

Now that March has finally arrived, we’ve been looking for any hint of spring.

This flash of color on a Witch Hazel shrub practically jumped out in front of us as we passed by the Public Garden, yesterday.     

The candid display of plucky determination gave us hope that warmer days are truly rehearsing for their big debut. Save us a pair of front row seats!

Ready for Spring Cleaning? Here's the place to stock up on the supplies you may need.




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

Urban Hawk Waits

Over the years I've taken a number of photos of urban hawks who are successful hunters. This one has dropped the smaller bird he caught into that gutter.

On a dog walk last week, I saw him swoop down into the shrubbery in a front yard and grab his prey. From there it was off to this spot on a Back Bay brownstone where he watched me until my camera and I moved away.

David Allen Sibley has written and illustrated some of the best guidebooks to birds and trees. Here are a couple.

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Words: Penny Cherubino
Photos: © 2011 Penny Cherubino

A little sun, a little warm and .....

There is hope!

These first sprouts of spring were found in a protected corner on the sunny side of Commonwealth Avenue this morning. 

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Words: Penny Cherubino
Photos: © 2011 Penny Cherubino

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!



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

Transformation: Sarmiento Becomes ....

This week's blizzard added its own transformation to the statue of Domingo Sarmiento, former president of Argentina, on the Commonwealth Avenue Mall. Who or what comes to mind when you see this snow covered version of the sculpture?

Put any search term into an Amazon search box, and you'll find something fascinating. Who would have thought of writing a history of the snowman?

 

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Words: Penny Cherubino

Photo: © 2011 Penny Cherubino