BostonZest

Fordee's Falafel & Deli: Fall Falafel Feast- Part Two

Boston falafel lovers often rank Fordee's Falafel & Deli in Watertown at, or near, the top of their list of places to indulge in this quick, fried favorite. 

Where do you love to order falafel? Roll-up or plate? Add your choice in the comment section, and we'll try to get there.

Here's the Fordee falafel platter. A fresh salad is topped with four, large, full-flavored falafel with sides of hummus, tabouli, pickled turnip, tahini dressing, and pita. Chowhounds tell us that the team at Fordee's will add "extra" pickled turnip, if you ask. For the photo, we went with the normal portion.

Crack open that crisp crust, and you're greeted by a moist, herbal green interior. 

Carnivores, like us, can add a grilled chicken platter to round out the meal.

 
(You can click on any image to enlarge.)

Thanks to the Chowhounds who recommended Fordee's. After a couple of visits, we know it'll be a sure stop everytime we're hungry in that neighborhood and will give us one more reason to rent a Zipcar and spend a few hours in Watertown.

One of Penny's favorite pieces of writing on falafel is the Falafel chapter in Slow Food: Collected Thoughts on Taste, Tradition, and the Honest Pleasures of Food edited by Carlo Petrini.

Details:

Fordee's Falafel & Deli

www.fordeesfalafelwatertown.com

555 Mount Auburn St, Watertown, MA 02472 ( map & reviews )

617-923-3673

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.

Sunday Dog, Alex– the Shopping Cart Corgi

Settling into a new home is never easy. It means getting used to a different setting, with people you don’t know, and undoubtedly a whole set of expectations that might take some real compromise to achieve. But, after six months with his adopted family, Alex has made astounding progress!

“Are you gonna eat ALL of that?”

 

This two and-a-half year old Pembroke Welsh Corgi isn’t shy about asking for what he wants. He’s already perfected that “look” that’s so hard to ignore (it’s all in the eyes). But, if you don’t speak up, you often miss out. Take for instance, scratches...

“I’ll give you half an hour to stop that!”

 

Alex readily admits that he has a good sense about people the moment they say hello. And, when his family-to-be stopped by the MSPCA Centerville, it was love at first sight, for everyone!

“I wanna go Faster, Faster!”

 

Yes, this shopping cart Corgi has already had a lot of adventures, including an unplanned ride in a borrowed (and later returned) bright, blue carriage. During a recent outing, the family car broke down and everyone took a long walk while repairs were being made. The return trip was too much for Alex who gladly accepted a lift.



Always eager to say hello to anyone who smiles at him, Alex is the friendliest little guy you’ll ever meet. He’s also a working dog who escorts his resident jewelry designer to Cape Cod beaches to find exactly the right stones for her creations. See the beautiful results, here.  

Alex, you’ve landed in great home! Thanks for being our Sunday Dog.

>>> Get to know all of our Sunday Dogs at Boston Dogs.

Would you like to adopt a beautiful companion like Alex? There are some resources to help you make your decision and get your life together off to a great start. This book from PetFinder, Petfinder.com The Adopted Dog Bible: Your One-Stop Resource for Choosing, Training, and Caring for Your Sheltered or Rescued Dog is one of our favorites.

Details:
Words: Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2011 Ed Cherubino
Shopping Cart Photo: Kathleen from KEM Designs 

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.

YOU ARE HERE! New Map Center at the BPL

For months, you haven’t been able to see much beyond the yellow caution tape draped across  the stairway leading to the Norman B. Leventhal Map Center at the Boston Public Library (BPL). But, that all changes today, as the doors swing wide at 11am for an opening ceremony.

We were given a sneak preview, earlier this week.

Beyond a 3-foot diameter world globe and intriguing 18th Century map of Boston at the front entrance, you’re greeted by a new exhibition area. It’s an impressive space with a high, slightly arched ceiling stretching over ever-changing displays. Here, the public will be able to see more of the Map Center's vast collection of maps and atlases.

While these historical treasures reflect the world from the 15th century to the present, particular attention is given to Boston, Massachusetts, and New England.

As a partnership between the BPL and Leventhal, the map center is meant for the enjoyment and education of all, including a Kids Map Club cleverly located in the main room’s window nooks.

Curator of Maps, Ronald Grim at map reproduction “hands-on” area.

 

Look for the atlas under glass. Each day the staff will turn to a new page. And, its "Virtual Atlas" counterpart, on the inteactive monitor in front, allows you to explore the entire volume.

The Map Center also supports a website that offering more than 3,600 digitized maps at maps.bpl.org.

This state-of-the-art space features new climate control storage for thousands of maps and atlases. Beyond the glass doors in the photo below is a research and teaching area that will be opened and staffed on a separate schedule, and a reading room for rare map research. 

You may visit the Map Center’s exhibition space whenever the Central Library in Copley Square is open. The current presentations feature Leventhal Map Center Treasures along with Unconventional Maps: Exploring the Stories of Cartographic Curiosities.

Ready for your own celebrations in the month ahead? Take inventory of your serving supplies and click over to Amazon's kitchen & dining collection to fill in what you need.





Details:
Words: Ed & Penny 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. 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.

3 Things I Didn’t Know About the Head of the Charles – Our Friday Link

The 47th Head of the Charles is this weekend (October 22-23, 2011). As many as 300,000 spectators will line the banks of the river Charles to watch more than 8,000 rowers compete in “the world’s largest two-day rowing event.”

Despite those daunting numbers, finding a good viewing spot along the 3.2-mile course has never been a problem for us. While I’ve lost track of how many times we’ve stopped by through the years, I am certain that there’s always more to learn about this event.

3 Things I Didn’t Know About the Head of the Charles Regatta

1. The boats you see passing during the race have each started at different times. In a “head” race, the competitors are “racing against the clock” and the fastest time wins.
2. Competitors row more than 3 miles before they reach the starting line.
3. The winners get the title “Head” of the Charles.

The point is, you don’t need to know all the rules to enjoy this event. It’s a festive weekend with lots of fun activities for spectators including: a Rowing and Fitness Expo, Food Court, and Reunion Village to renew or maybe begin a friendship.

At the the Head of the Charles Regatta’s official website, you can discover more about the history of the race, the sport of rowing, and top viewing areas. Plus! For a special boats-eye view of the course, check out the Coxswain Video. At around 23 minutes in, they give you an accelerated trip from start to finish. 

Do you watch scullers on the river and wish you could try? Here are a few books to learn more about the sport.



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.

Boston Hazardous Waste Disposal Fall 2011

The City of Boston has announced the Fall 2011 Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Dates beginning with October 29, 2011. 

Saturday, October 29, 2011 from 9 am to 2 pm

University of Massachusetts- Boston Harbor Campus, 100 Morrissey Blvd., Dorchester, MA 02124 (Map)

Saturday, November 19, 2011 from 9 am to 2 pm

Boston Public Works Yard, 315 Gardner Street, West Roxbury, MA 02132 (Map)

 

Here are the city's published guidelines from their Hazardous Waste page:

"Put household poisons, insecticides, paint, tires, auto fluids, car batteries, wood preservatives, herbicides and pool supplies, propane tanks, motor oil, and products labeled corrosive, flammable or toxic in cardboard boxes for safe transport and bring them to the above location. For a complete list of acceptable materials, download the Hazardous Waste Flyer.

For Boston residents only. No commercial waste will be accepted. Proof of residency required. Foot traffic is prohibited. The City reserves the right to reject materials. For more information call 617-635-4500.

TVs & Computer Monitors

TVs & computer monitors are NOT accepted at Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Days. Please call 617-635-4500 for home pickup of TVs and computer monitors or place an online service request..."

Get rid of the junk, and then don't bring more of it back into your home.

Clean out under your sink, your cleaning closet, gardening shed, garage, and storage areas. Once your home is free from toxic, flammable, and other dangerous materials, learn how to avoid bringing more of this stuff back into your life.

Here are three great books to help you change your hazardous ways.

And, remember, when you start any of your Amazon shopping from here, you support BostonZest and keep information like this flowing your way. 

Details:

Writers: Penny & Ed Cherubino

(Photo from the flickr stream of cronewynd/ RaeVynn Sands used under Creative Commons License.  http://www.flickr.com/photos/cronewynd/ / CC BY-NC 2.0 )

Once Grand, Now Unnoticed

Once upon a time, the Edwin U. Curtis Memorial acted as a grand entrance to the Esplanade parkland. Today, it's in a very prominent spot, next to the Hatch Shell, but seems to be ignored by the thousands who pass by it each year.

Like most of the important historic elements of this landmark park, The Curtis Memoial has been neglected and is in deperate in need of care.

Boston Athenaeum Watercolor

To visualize the original grandeur of this monument, you must imagine walking to the intersection of Clarendon and Back Streets and seeing magnificent columns and urns of pink marble with “...it’s seats welcoming those who walk along the bank of the Charles River.” That’s how then Governor Channing Cox described it.

For those who would like that vision in color, the Boston Athenaeum has a painting of the memorial by leading Boston watercolorist, Vladimir Pavlosky from about 1930. That work is available for viewing by appointment in the Prints & Photographs Department. Or, click here to see a digital image. Be sure to use the sliding zoom over the image to see the entire painting.

Here are a few tidbits about this piece of Boston's historic, architectural, and cultural heritage.

• The Curtis Memorial was dedicated in May of 1923. It was moved, around 1949, when Storrow Drive separated the park from the city, and finally made part of the footbridge in 1952.
• The memorial was designed by renowned Boston Architect, Guy Lowell.
• It was landcape architect, Arthur Shurcliff who incorporated it into his design for extending the parkland after the roadway was built.
• Edwin Upton Curtis is best known as the Boston Police Commissioner whose refusal to recognize a union formed by police officers led to the infamous 1919 Boston Police Strike and days of rioting in the city.
• Curtis gave a lifetime of service to the city before becoming police commissioner. He was elected Mayor of Boston in 1895 and oversaw a major reorganization of the elections department and the consolidation of other departments.

Today, we're featuring a link to Amazon's Bed & Bath department. When it comes to sheets and towels, many of us have favorite brands we buy everytime. Why not order what you need with a few clicks on your keyboard and spend more time enjoying the parks, while the nice weather holds out?

Details:
Words: Penny Cherubino
Photos: © 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 it doesn't become an ad.

Meet One Strange Little Flower...

This flower caught our eye on a recent trip to Provincetown. We've since learned that it's called a Cape Daisy, Spoon Daisy, or Pink Whirl. This one seemed more purple than pink and exploring the individual clusters of flowers on the plant was fun.

This cluster was interlaced.

These show the stages of the blossoms.

And, they all had glorious color at their centers. The bees were sure to find the right spot on this flower.

Trying to decide what flowers to plant next season? Here are a few good books on the topic.

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.