BostonZest

Sundays at Copley Square Library Are Back This Weekend

Good News! This Sunday, October 2nd, Sunday Hours will return to the Central Branch of the Boston Public Library in Copley Square. 

If you want to show off this national treasure to visitors, take in one of the exhibits & events or exchange a book you've finished for a new one, the library will be open from 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Sundays, October through May except for Monday Holiday weekends.

[Those are: October 9 (Columbus Day) • December 25 (Christmas Day) • January 1 (New Year’s Day) • January 15 (Martin Luther King, Jr. Day) • February 19 (President’s Day) • April 8 (Easter) • April 16 (Patriots’ Day) • May 27 (Memorial Day)]

Detailed information about current library hours is available online at www.bpl.org/general/hours.

If you have a hankering to buy a book click over to Amazon from here and support us while you shop.

Details:
Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: © 2011 Penny 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 comments add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you.

What's Open on Columbus Day 2011 In Boston and MBTA Schedule Changes

Update: Here's the link to the 2015 version of this information.

What's Open & Closed in Boston on Columbus Day  2015 Plus Trash, Parking, MBTA Schedules & More.

Here's a run-down of what's open in Boston on Columbus Day and changes to MBTA schedules for October 10, 2011. This is one of those holidays when, for a lot of people, it's "business as usual." Even the stock market is open.

We publish these reminders before each holiday to help our readers make their holiday plans.

Strolling by the fountain in Christopher Columbus Park

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 most Banks closed.

Stock market: Open as are international markets.

Boston Parking: City website says, "Free parking at all city meters. All other rules apply. The Tow Lot is closed from 6pm Sunday 10/9 to 7am on Tuesday 10/11.

Street Sweeping: City says, "There will be no daytime sweeping on Monday 10/10."

Boston Traffic Advisory, Columbus Day Weekend 2011

More information after this word from Amazon...
Need a destination for a fall weekend? Here are some New England Travel Books to help you decide.

Boston Trash Collection: From this page on the city site.

"Monday, October 10 – Saturday, October 15, 2011 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"

MBTA Schedule:

The MBTA has, "announced its service schedule for Columbus Day - Monday, October 10, 2011.

    * Blue, Orange, and Red Line trains, Green Line streetcars will operate on a Saturday schedule.
    * Bus, trackless trolleys will operate on a Saturday schedule. Please Note: Express bus service on the following routes will operate on a modified schedule: 325, 326, 351, 352, 354, 355, 501, and 504.
    * Silver Line service will operate on a Saturday schedule.
    * Commuter rail trains will operate on its regular weekday schedule.
    * Inner Harbor Ferry service from Charlestown and Long Wharf will operate on its regular weekday schedule.
    * Hingham, Quincy and Hull commuter boat service will operate on its regular weekday schedule.
    * THE RIDE will operate on a modified weekday schedule.

For additional information on routes, schedules, and fares, please call the MBTA Customer Service Center at (617) 222-3200 or 1-800-392-6100 (hearing impaired TDD 617-222-5146)" or visit them on the web at: www.mbta.com.

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

Dining-In vs Take-Out, Do You Order Differently?

My take out choices from Pho Basil are different than my dining in choices. Thinking about it, that's the case with many of the places where I do both take out and dining room service. 

I adore their Roti and Curry appetizer (above), but it's really at its best in their dining room with every spec of cripsy in place. Yes, you can have it for take out, but the scallion pancakes will wilt a bit in the take out container. 

I'll get steamed Shumai to go, but to really enjoy the fried ones, you should have them straight from the kitchen. 

A stir fry, like this Sa Ot with chicken, will make it home in great shape and is even wonderful gently reheated the next day. 

One favorite from here, that's good either way, is the Pho. They carefully package the broth, noodles, and fixins, so that you can put them together easily when you get home. But, it's delightful to sit and slurp your noodles in a room full of people doing the same. It's also fun to watch the various styles of eating Pho.

What are your favorite take out dishes? What do you order only when you're dining at a restaurant?

Related Post:

Discovering "Pho Basil"– Finally!

If wonderful food from places like Pho Basil have you interested in making Thai or Vietnamese food, we've selected a quick & easy and a more in-depth cookbook for each cuisine.

Details:

Pho Basil
177A Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02115 (Map & Reviews)
617.262.5377
www.phobasil.com

Words: Penny Cherubino

Photos: © 2010 Penny Cherubino

Boylston Street, Then and Now

While researching a feature article on Boylston Street, I found this photo in the Boston Public Library's (BPL) online collection. The BPL says that James Walter Kenney took a series of photos on February 15, 1941 and donated them to the library. 

Here is the photo I took of the same scene, today. You can see the tower of The New England building that was under construction in 1941. It's peeking over two, new high rise buildings that replaced the original structures. But, all of the other buildings shown on this part of the block are still there.

Over the next month, new cameras will begin to appear on the market, and Amazon will offer great information as new buyers tell us what they like and don't like about the newest models. Here are the latest versions of the cameras we use every day.

Canon G12 10 MP Digital Camera

Nikon D300 body  And, Penny's favorite lens the Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G Nikkor Telephoto Zoom Lens

 

Details:
Words: Penny Cherubino
Photos: Top photo from Boston Public Library Collection used under Creative Commons License

Bottom photo © 2011 Penny Cherubino

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. We welcome comments from the people, places, and services we cover, as long as they don't become ads.

Grilled Cheese Nation- Food Truck Tracking

Out on a walk, we came upon the Grilled Cheese Nation Food Truck and had to give them a try. What's your favorite grilled cheese sandwich? 

Name: Grilled Cheese Nation

Truck Description: Cheddar orange truck with big, blue, red, and white medallion logos.

Or this multi-colored, graphic-wrapped version!

Team: Todd Saunders from the Saunders Hotel Group and Ron Sarni, professional chef and former president of Sarni Cleaners are co-founders of Food Truck Nation. This Grilled Cheese Truck is the first of what they hope will be a fleet of food trucks.

What’s on the Menu: Grilled cheese sandwiches made from local breads, when possible local cheeses, and as much locally sourced food as possible. 

Drinks: They line up the current selection of drinks along side the condiments, and you tell them what you'd like.

Signature Dish: Boston Common– Vermont aged cheddar on organic white bread to which you can add tomato and/or bacon. We went for the tomato!

Here's the "Brie Me Up"- Pear slices and brie on Iggy's wheat pan de mie with a shot of gazpacho.

They say: "...locally-sourced cheeses and breads to create grilled cheese sandwiches ranging from 'the classic' to chef-inspired creations."

Nice Touch: Shots of tomato soup to go with your grilled cheese!

Philosophy/Mission: "We want to change the public perception of food trucks from old 'roach coaches' to sparkling, stainless-steel gourmet kichens that roll right to the people. In the process, we hope to build a movement of socially and environmentally-conscious culinary citizens in Boston and its neighborhoods"

Order and Pick up routine: Order at one window and pick up at the other or on the smaller truck you can do it all in one place.

Website: www.Foodtrucknation.us

Twitter: @GCNBoston

Facebook: foodtrucknation

For more of our Food Truck/Street Food coverage: click here. Or, anytime you visit BostonZest you can click on the Food Truck/Street Food tab at the top of the page.

Link: Boston Food Truck Location Map 

Explore the world of cheese by taking this master class in your own time. Mastering Cheese: Lessons for Connoisseurship from a Maître Fromager is one of the best cheese books we've found. 

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino

Photography: © 2011 Penny  & Ed Cherubino

Note on Comments: We monitor comments constantly and anything that is pure spam, inappropriate, or nasty is swept away. We welcome comments from the people, places, and services we cover as long as it doesn't become an ad. 

Movin’ In! Sunday Dog Lands in Boston

Moving is never easy, but this Midwestern pup is taking it all in stride. Dakota had only been in town for not-quite-one-whole-day, when we discovered him checking out his new city from under a park bench. He must have wondered if having his photo taken was some sort of “welcome to Boston” tradition.

“Did We Take a Wrong Turn? Who Are These People?”

 
After we assured Dakota that it wasn’t a pledging prank, he seemed relieved. In fact, for someone who’d just traveled hundreds a miles, he seemed pretty relaxed in his new environment.



Maybe it has something to do with being a Schnoodle. Dakota’s Schnauzer/Poodle genes have certainly combined to make for a friendly, intelligent, and inquisitive little guy. At four-and-a-half, this new kid in town unwinds by playing with a favorite ball, but his eyes really light up when he barks about his special toy “Froggie!”



I ran into Dakota again the other day while walking our Maggie, and the two hit it off, immediately. He was laid back and already becoming accustomed to city sounds– not even phased by a passing siren.

Welcome to Boston, Dakota! You're a natural.

Related Posts: Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

Thanks to those who supports BostonZest by beginning your Amazon shopping from here. It doesn't cost you any more, but when you click on an Anazon link from here they put a few coins in our tip jar. 

Details:
Words: Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2011 Penny 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 that are part of the places and services we cover. Often, those comments add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you.

Talk About Rushing the Season...

Falling ice in September? Anyone have any ideas why this sign was in place on Chestnut Street in Beacon Hill this week? After all, fall only began yesterday with the 9:04 am autumnal equinox.

Are you tired of everyone rushing every season? How soon is too soon? Who are the worst offenders?

Update: Hop over to A Proper Bostonian's post, "NO NO NO" on this topic.

A commenter over at APB also pointed out this Annual Peeve from Doctor Grumpy in the House.

Why not enjoy every day possible in the outdoors while the season is still perfect to be out and about? Get out and explore New England! 

Details:

 Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino

Photos: © 2011 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 comments add great insights for our readers. As long as it doesn’t become a pure ad, we’d love to hear from you.