BostonZest

Made by Hand: Exceptional Work from the North Bennet Street School

"Made by Hand: a celebration of exceptional work from the North Bennet Street School" includes dozens of one-of-a-kind objects created by the school's students and alumni - from elegant furniture and musical instruments to exquisite jewelry and ornate hand-bound books. 

This corner cabinet and table were handcrafted by student Paul Whitehead as part of his training in cabinet and furniture making. It is made of black walnut, redwood burl, and holly.  $3,800

The show is open to the public weekdays from Monday, May 13 through Friday May 24, from 8:00am to 5:00pm, in the main lobby of Two International Place, a soaring office tower overlooking the Rose Kennedy Greenway. Admission is free.

After graduating from the North Bennet Street School's jewelry making program in 2005, Ilah Cibis set to work crafting beautiful pieces like this charm necklace she named Splash.  $1,000

One of the country's oldest schools for traditional crafts training, North Bennet Street School has taught career-oriented trade skills since 1885. The nonprofit school is known internationally for excellence in teaching and for its role in promoting and preserving traditional craftsmanship. 

 

Grecian Yuzenzo is a decorative panel of stained glass and lead made by North Bennet Street School graduate Kate Gakenheimer, whose original training was in preservation carpentry.  $2,300

The school provides full-time programs and workshops in violin making and repair, bookbinding, cabinet and furniture making, carpentry, preservation carpentry, locksmithing and security technology, jewelry making and repair, and piano technology.

Event: Made by Hand: a celebration of exceptional work from the North Bennet Street School

Where: Main Lobby, Two International Place, Boston, MA (map)

When: Monday, May 13 through Friday, May 24, 2013

Hours: weekdays, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm. 

Admission: Free

Handicap Access: Yes

Reservations: Not required.

Nearest parking: Two International Place garage and limited street parking (metered).

Nearest T stops: South Station (Red line), Aquarium (Blue Line)

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Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: Courtesy of the North Bennet Street School  

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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Allergy Season Tips for Dog Lovers

The downside to wonderful, warm, spring weather and more time spent outside can be allergy symptoms for both you and your dog. While a vet or doctor’s visit is needed for a serious reaction to allergens, there are many steps you can take to lessen the impact.

The ASPCA says, “The best way to treat allergies is to remove the offending allergens from the environment.” They suggest consulting with your vet for flea prevention, since fleas are the cause of many skin outbreaks. And, there's a list of all the symptoms and other tips at this link.

Give Pollen the Brush Off

Mother Nature designed some pollen to be lightweight and blown by the wind to a female plant. Other, heavier pollen is designed to stick to critters so it can be moved from plant-to-plant. 

Dog fur is a great place for both types of pollen to reside. A simple wipe down with a damp towel after a walk can leave some pollen on the doorstep. Regular brushing this time of year can also help.

Regular Home Exams

Catching a problem early generally makes it easier to cure. Having had two dogs with fairly serious skin allergies, I’m in the habit of running my hands under the fur and feeling for any bumps, breakouts, hot spots, or cysts. Try to be systematic and check the entire pup. 

If you see your dog rubbing his ears or shaking his head more than usual, be sure to do a close inspection.

Check all four paws, too. Allergies often show up as licking behavior. If your dog is licking her foot or leg, it may be a sign of allergy. 

Keeping a Medical Log

A bit of record keeping on your part can help your vet diagnose the likely cause of allergies if you do schedule a visit. Allergy symptoms include: itchy, red, moist, or scabbed skin, increased scratching, runny eyes, sneezing, vomiting, diarrhea, and snoring caused by an inflamed throat.

If you notice any of these symptoms, make a note on a calendar or in your pup’s medical log. Also, note what pollens are out, any new foods your dog may have had, and any new places you’ve visited. All of this will help with a diagnosis and with future preventative action.

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Details:

Words: Penny Cherubino
Photography: 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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It's Boston Pops Season, Where to Dine and Park!

Boston Pops concerts are scheduled at Symphony Hall between May 8 - June 15, 2013. Readers and friends who have tickets for the Pops always ask us, "Where can we dine around Symphony Hall?" And, once the conversation is open, it's followed by, "Where can we park?"

Please add your favorite spots for dining and parking around this area in the comments below. And, if you try one of our suggestions, let us know how it worked for you.

Here's our primer for a great visit to the BSO or Boston Pops at Symphony Hall.

We say, make dining and parking a joint decision. Our first suggestion is always to leave the car at home or at a park & ride and take the MBTA to the concert. 

But, if you must have a car at hand, the Prudential Center is our favorite parking place to recommend in the city. It has its own exit off the Mass Pike. It's connected to mass transit, has taxis available at the doors, and there's a great choice of dining options within the complex. And, best of all, Google estimates that Symphony Hall is a 6-minute walk down Huntington Avenue. (map)

Prudential Options

If a splurge is on the menu, L'Espalier is the star of the show and has valet service. If a mini-splurge is more in line with your budget, reserve a seat in their Salon for a glass of wine and a bite before the concert, or dessert and a cheese course afterward. The restaurant is accessible from inside the Prudential Center via the Mandarin Hotel.  

 

Woody's Grill & Tap

It's a six minute walk from Symphony to 58 Hemenway Street and Woody's Grill & Tap. It had been years since we'd been there but we wandered in recently with our friends Liz & Mick and enjoyed an excellent meal. The pizzas were as great as always but excellent appetizers and salads shined and will have us coming back often. Try the grilled asparagus!

 

Newbury Street

Park at the Pru and dine on Newbury Street. After dinner you can even walk to Symphony by reentering the Prudential Center and making part of your walk to the concert through their climate controlled corridors.

 

Since we walk all over the city, we would consider a few of the restaurants on Newbury close to symphony. La Voile is a great choice for French Bistro food. 

 

And, we love to stop into Tapeo for a few tapas at the bar or a table full of choices to share with a group of friends.

Another Great Choice is Brasserie JO

We also recommend that concert goers consider a Boston gem that's often overlooked – Brasserie JO at The Colonnade Hotel. This place always comes through with French flair, great service, and a good meal. It's also a short walk on that same map, because it's across from the Prudential Center. 

 

We love their bar to have a glass of wine and a light meal. And, after the concert, this is a wonderful place for a memorable dessert. They have a way with chocolate sauce!

Ethnic Options for less formal dining

 If you want an ethnic meal or a quick bite before the show, we have a few favorites to recommend.

• Moby Dick - our friend Francine Crawford pointed us to this little gem. It's one of her favorite pre-concert spots.
• Pho Basil on Massachusetts Avenue does Thai and Vietnamese food and pleases us with both cuisines. Here's a post on some of the dishes we really enjoy at Pho Basil.
• Lucy Ethiopian Cafe is across the street from Symphony and is fun and delicious. But, give this choice a bit more time. The pace of this cafe's warm hospitality and made-to-order food is a bit slower than many places. They also have wonderful coffee and a selection of desserts for after the show.
• India Samraat on Massachusetts Avenue between Commonwealth and Marlborough is a bit further away but still within walking distance, especially if you park near Newbury Street. This is a restaurant we enjoy sharing with friends. 
• Chili Duck, right across Boylston from the Pru, is a hidden gem and another great spot if you're meeting the gang.

Other resources and opinions

"Where to dine for Symphony?" is a question routinely asked of the crew over on Chowhound's Boston board. Here are a couple of recent conversations with some options that we haven't tried yet.

• Any good restaurants near the Berklee Performance Center? (same area)
• La Voile or Lucca Back Bay before symphony?
• Any new restaurants near Symphony Hall?
• Quick bite near Symphony Hall
• Craft cocktails near Symphony Hall?

 

Here are maps to help you find more options:

Other parking around Symphony Hall

Other restaurants around Symphony Hall

 

If this type of information is helpful to you, consider saying thank you by starting your next Amazon shopping trip from here. They have the things you want including Boston Pops music and a full line of MP3 Downloads. 

        

Details:
Symphony Hall
301 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02115-4557 (map)
(617) 266-2378

www.bso.org‎

Writers: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photo: Courtesy of the Boston Pops (Photo Credit: Stu Rosner)

Annual Spring Sidewalk Sale, School of the Museum of Fine Arts

Ever wish someone in your family was shopping the streets of Paris, back when Renoir was selling paintings for a few francs to buy art supplies?

Who knows, you could one day be that fabled ancestor if you pick up a future masterpiece at the Annual Spring Sidewalk Sale at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, today and tomorrow. 

Here are the details:

WHAT

Outdoor sale featuring creative, affordable art from SMFA student artists

On May 10+11, shop hundreds of original pieces by artists in 2013 Spring Sidewalk Sale at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (SMFA)—from jewelry, T-shirts and watercolor paintings to ceramics, photography, temporary tattoos and more. Students will set up at tables along the sidewalk on Museum Road, between SMFA and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. With prices starting around $5, the Sidewalk Sale is a great place to find some new jewelry, a unique screenprinted T or hand-drawn cards—don’t forget a gift for mom this Mother’s Day weekend! Proceeds directly support individual artists. 

WHEN: Friday, May 10, 10 am–5 pm and Saturday, May 11, 10 am–5 pm

WHERE: School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, 230 The Fenway, Boston, MA 02115 (map)

MBTA: Museum of Fine Arts, Green Line

Admission is free: In case of rain, the event will be held indoors at SMFA (enter on Fenway).

Visit www.smfa.edu/news or call 617-369-3617 for more information.

What's on your Artistic Shopping List? Shop Amazon for all your Arts & Craft needs and support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Artwork: Courtesy of the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

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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He's Testing Groundwater Levels

We came upon Christian Simonelli, the Boston Groundwater Trust's Technical & Recharge Coordinator, measuring the groundwater level in a Beacon Street test well. He admitted he's been receiving some curious looks in recent days so we decided to tell everyone what he's doing. If you notice him at work, you'll see that he is identified as a Boston Groundwater Trust worker.

Wells are monitored in areas of Boston where groundwater levels may endanger the integrity of building foundations. How that happens is a long story but you can read all about it under the FAQ here.

Here's a map of the wells around the city. You can find the ones near your home or a property you are preparing to purchase. Then, you can keep track of the levels of groundwater. 

Here's a real estate shopping tip. In Boston, you should ask about the groundwater implications of any building as a part of your due diligence. Replacing or reinforcing the pilings that hold up a building is a very expensive project and you will want to know if it has already been done or if it is likely to be done during your ownership.

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a Mother's Day, graduation or wedding gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2013 Penny & Ed Cherubino

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.

Pansies In Spring: Back Bay Sun Cover Shot

We are hearing from friends and neighbors and BostonZest readers who have left the area, that they like us connecting to copies of The Back Bay Sun. We plan to make this a regular feature to remind you of this great collection of local papers from the Independent Newspaper group. 

Penny provided this week's cover shot. It's of the side garden at Zero Marlborough Street, across from the Public Garden. Take a walk by if you're in the area. That block of Marlborough is bursting with great floral displays.

You can read some of the stories at the newspaper's website www.backbaysun.com and download a copy of the paper by clicking on the "Full Print Edition" icon in the left hand column. The new issue is usually on the website by Wednesday of each week. Since that icon only lasts until the next paper is pubished, we have uploaded a copy to this link, so that you can find it anytime.

Here's a list of the places where you can pick up a copy of The Back Bay Sun. We usually get ours in the Circulation Room at the Boston Public Library in Copley Square. There, you'll also find copies of the The Beacon Hill Times and the The North End Regional Review. 

Here's a list of the other places where you can find copies of this local paper. 

Disclosure:  The Independent Newspaper Group, owner of all three of these papers, is one of our freelance clients and you'll see our photographs, columns, and articles in their newpapers. Here are links to all their local papers.

• The Back Bay Sun
• The Beacon Hill Times
• Charlestown Patriot-Bridge
• Chelsea Record
• East Boston Times - Free Press
• Everett Independent
• Jamaica Plain Gazette
• The Lynn Journal
• Mission Hill Gazette
• The North End Regional Review
• Revere Journal
• The Logan Times
• Winthrop Sun Transcript

Do you have an Amazon Gift Certificate to use? Or do you need to buy one for a gift? Remember to click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

 Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2013 Penny Cherubino (Location list courtesy of the Back Bay Sun.)

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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Farmers' Markets Opening Dates Spring 2013

Pull out your calendars and mark the dates when you can go and see our farmers' market friends at their summer spots. 

With additional food trucks located nearby, many stands offering lunch items, and the Boston Public Library outdoor seats and courtyard close by, Copley Square is a great place to meet someone for lunch on Tuesdays and Fridays.

If you have confirmed dates for your favorite farmers' market, please tell us in a comment or send us an email and we'll add it as an update to this post.

Here are the opening dates for some of our favorite markets. The links are to maps of the locations. 

South End/SOWA: May 5th (Sundays)

Jamaica Plain (677 Centre Street): May 11th (Saturdays), (Saturdays & Tuesdays after June 11th)

Allston Village Farmers Market, 500 Cambridge St.: May 11th (Saturdays)

Copley Square: May 14th (Tuesdays and Fridays)

Cambridge Center (Kendall MBTA) Cambridge: May 15th (Wednesdays)

Prudential Center: May 16th (Thursdays)

Cambridge/Charles Square: TBA (Sundays)

Boston City Hall Plaza: May 20th (Mondays and Wednesdays)

Central Square, Cambridge: May 20th (Mondays)

Davis Square, Somerville: May 22nd (Wednesdays)

South Station/Dewey Square: May 21st (Tuesdays and Thursdays)

Union Square, Somerville: June 1st (Saturdays)

Roslindale/Adams Park: June 1st (Saturdays)

Kendall Square (500 Kendall Street): June 7th (Thursdays)

Cambridgeport: TBA (Saturdays)

Brookline/Coolidge Corner: TBA (Thursdays)

Harvard University Farmers' Market, Cambridge: June 11th (Tuesdays)

Allston/Harvard Farmers Market (

N. Harvard St & Western Ave) June 14th (Fridays)

Boston Medical Center  BMC Lobby: 

 

June 14th (Fridays)

 

We'll be telling you more about some of these markets in the weeks ahead!

See our review of The Boston Homegrown Cookbook: Local Food, Local Restaurants, Local Recipes. It's full of chefs, farmers, and food producers you know, and we highly recommend it. Remember, always click over to Amazon from here to support this site!

 

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2012 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

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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