BostonZest

Routes for Visiting Runners – Boston Marathon Weekend

Whether you're coming to run or watch the 2019 Boston Marathon or just want to log some miles, it's an exciting time to visit the city. And, we hope this piece will help all the runners who are new to the city, here for vacation, or a business trip.

Right onto Hereford Street – Less Than a Mile to Go!

I remember my first Boston Marathon as a spectator. Penny and I booked a hotel room for the weekend and left the car parked. We took in the runners' expo, pasta supper, and other pre-race activities, then watched a spectacular Boylston Street finish.

As an out-of-state runner staying near Faneuil Hall, I still wanted to get in a run or two, but wasn't sure where to head. 

Now, as a Boston resident, I can recommend a couple of my favorite routes.

Charles River Run ...

If you're a visiting runner staying anywhere near the finish line, you can't beat a daytime run along the Charles River. It offers great views and a more open course without having to constantly cross roadways. This multi-use path is shared by bikes, blades, skate boards, dogs, and walkers. It can get congested as the day wears on but, who knows, you may find yourself sharing the trail with some famous, elite runners. It's easy to make any number of loops between the Boston and Cambridge sides of the river by using the many bridges along the way. 

From Back Bay, you can access the Charles River Esplanade from Massachusetts Avenue, Fairfield, Dartmouth, and Arlington Streets. If you head west from the Massachusetts Avenue ramp, you can also use the parcourse workout station that's located just up-river. Click here for photos and details including a map to find it.

Morning Run Along the Esplanade

Parks in the Heart of the City

For a tree-lined route, try the Commonwealth Avenue Mall – not a shopping center, but a park – that runs down the center of this residential street. At Commonwealth and Arlington, you can enter the pristine Public Garden for a slower pace. Moving through the center of the Garden will lead you across Charles Street to the Boston Common.

Inside tip: Local-isms

Mass Ave = Massachusetts Avenue
Comm Ave = Commonwealth Avenue
And, it's Boston Common (singular) not Boston Commons

 

Related Posts:  

What's Open on Patriots Day in Boston, Plus MBTA, Trash & Other Changes

Parking Your Car for Boston Marathon Weekend

Tracking a Boston Marathon Runner

How to Get to the Esplanade from Boston

 

Photos from past Boston Marathons:

The View from Hereford Street 

Marathon Kisses

 

Other Resources:

Here's a great site. You'll find dozens of local running routes, including along the Charles River.

For more places to run, Bostinno has a post on this topic – How to Train For the Boston Marathon: Where the Runners Run.

Details:
Words: Ed Cherubino
Photos: (Top) 2011 Boston Marathon, (Bottom) Esplanade Run ©2013 Penny Cherubino

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Jordan Marsh Blueberry Muffins

Last week we told you a bit about Jordan Marsh the department store. This week we are remembering those wonderful Jordan Marsh Blueberry muffins. 

Just as you see tourists today walking around the North End with boxes from Mike's Pastry, you once saw box after box of both visitors and locals in Downtown Crossing carrying white boxes with blue lettering filled with dozens of Jordan Marsh Blueberry Muffins. 

Old Jordan Marsh building, side entrance off of Summer street, 1975 photo by Andrew Zalewski from the Boston Public Library print department.

The New England Historical Society explained that it was not unusual for a department store to be known for an edible specialty.

"Each department store had a signature food item: chicken croquettes were a favorite at Shepard’s in Providence, almond macaroons at Gilchrist’s in Boston. Sage-Allen in Springfield smelled like sticky buns, so spicy they almost burned the tongue. The aroma from the bakery wafted up the escalators, drawing customers into the basement. Date nut bread sandwiches with cream cheese were a favorite at G. Fox. And Jordan Marsh’s blueberry muffins were a required treat at the end of shopping trips to Boston."

Here's a Collection of Jordan Marsh Blueberry Muffin Recipes

First up is the Boston Globe where this was a favorite topic with food editors across the years. This one is from the team that worked under Sheryl Julian in 2013.

Yankee Magazine offered both history and a recipe.

King Arthur Flour is another source of trusted baking recipes. Here's their version of Famous Department Store Blueberry Muffins.

The Diva of Dining offers a recipe and a bit more muffin history.

My own recipe for the muffins comes from this little book, Mostly Muffins that I borrowed a number of times from the Boston Public Library until the copy they had was literally falling apart and then disappeared. Eventually, I found a used copy on Amazon.

In my favorite version, you mash some of the blueberries to create a deep blueberry color and flavor and the sugar on top is mixed with nutmeg. Nutmeg sugar is now a constant in my pantry adding zing to everything from cereal to banana on toast. 

By the way, the muffin in the top photo is fromThe Wholy Grain bakery Café in the South End and they make my favorite bakery version of this treat.

What's on your Food Lover's shopping list?

Details:

Words: Penny Cherubino
Photos: ©2016 Penny, Entrance photo by Andrew Zalewski, used under creative commons license.

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Charlie and Smokey Are Most Polite Park Pals

One of our walking companions Sky introduced us to her distant relatives Charlie and Smokey a few weeks ago as we all reached the Vendome Fire Memorial on the Commonwealth Avenue Mall.

 

As you stroll the parks and other popular dog walking places in Boston, you meet playful puppies bounding up at every dog and person in sight. You avoid snarling beasties with more attitude than a mountain lion. You greet old friends with the usual rounds of hellos and sniffs. And you come upon very nice polite pups like Charlie and Smokey.

While you might think the darker of the two is Smokey and the lighter Charlie, it is just the opposite. They are both sweet pups who seem to get along with everyone they meet on their walks.

Maybe they're just responding to the way the people in the group are admiring their adorable expressions. 

You two are becoming a highlight of our walks. See you soon.

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

Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino 

Tracking a Boston Marathon Runner 2016

Here's how to track a friend or any runner competing in the Boston Marathon on Monday, April 18, 2016.

The Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) Website explains:

The B.A.A. will post split times to its website during the race. This feature, complete with search access directions, will not show up on their official site until race day.

To learn how to Track a Boston Marathon Runner, Click Here then select, “Q: How can family members at home track me in the Boston Marathon?” 

Mobile Phone Alert System

The Boston Athletic Association has set up the AT&T Athlete Alert program. It allows you to receive updates on a runner’s progress. Here’s how to sign-up!

Where are the Leaders & Crowd Favorites?

For a rough idea of where the race leaders are in relation to your viewing position, you can always watch the sky for the helicopters that hover above them.

For favorites, you must rely on the roar of the crowd as they approach. Or you can track your favorite by using the mobile alert system.

Related Posts: A collection of tips for Marathon Weekend, some are from past years and we'll be updating them between now and Marathon Monday.

Parking Your Car for Boston Marathon Weekend 2016

Routes for Visiting Runners – Boston Marathon Weekend 2016

What’s Open in Boston on Patriots’ Day 2016

Work Out on a Public Parcourse along the Charles River

How to Get to the Esplanade from Boston

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Details:
Boston Athletic Association (B.A.A.) Website     
Words: Ed Cherubino
Photography: © 2011 Penny Cherubino

 

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It was recently announced that with the settlement of a lawsuit Strategic Marks, a company with plans for its future, at least online, has acquired the rights to the Jordan Marsh name. This had me thinking about the past and the importance of Jordan Marsh here in Boston.

This postcard circa 1907-1915 from the Boston Public Library Collection shows the expanded main store on the corner of Summer and Washington Streets.

By 1938 the company had acquired more property and added the home furnishings annex across Avon Street. In the years to follow, they would acquire all the property on those blocks. I seem to recall that they also owned or rented space in some additional buildings in the area that were used for sales support departments. (Disclosure: I worked for Jordan Marsh for a number of years.)

History from Around the Internet

Locally we have the site: Shopping Days in Retro Boston with some great coverage of Jordan Marsh. I found the story of the sky bridge from the main store to the annex, interesting.

There are national sites like the Department Store Museum that specialize in retail history state by state. From the homepage you can look up the major stores in most states.

And the store has been featured on Mass Moments.

What are your Jordan Marsh memories? Did you ever work in a department store? If so, what do you think of service today? 

Watch for our upcoming post on Jordan Marsh Blueberry Muffins.

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 Cherubino
Photography: as noted and linked under each image.

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Then & Now: Snow Shoveling in Boston

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Just In Case the Snow Melted Yesterday Before You Saw It ...

We took a walk and collected some photos for you.

We both love this Himalayan Birch tree in the Public Garden. This scene actually looks wintry.

But a change of perspective that included the White Willows shows the changeling nature of this season's weather.

On the sunny side of the Back Bay streets, the White Magnolias are ready to burst into bloom and we even found one of the Pink ones with blossoms opening.

Flower arrangements planted to welcome Spring had a bit of snow frosting.

We took this one at the start of our walk and the snow was gone by the time we returned. Now let's hope we can all get back to enjoying time sitting on park benches and maybe even dining outdoors.

 

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: © 2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino  

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Time to Get Your Dog a License

March is dog license season in Massachusetts. Dogs in the Commonwealth are required to have a 2016 dog license by April 1st.

 

When we met this adorable Boston newcomer "Guinness" recently, he already had his license.

How to Apply

I put a reminder on my calendar and usually apply for a Boston dog license online. You can also download an application to mail at that page.

If your dog, like my Poppy, is already registered, enter the current license number and all your information should be filled in by the system. Next, you upload photos of a spay certificate and current rabies record. Then, you enter your credit card information and complete the transaction.

If you prefer the snail mail option, you should receive a package in the mail if your dog is currently licensed. If not, and you want to get a license in person, visit the Animal Care and Control Department at 1010 Massachusetts Avenue. Bring a current rabies certificate and a spay/neuter certificate if you have one. A prepared check or money order will save time.

You can also get your license at the City Hall To Go truck at one of its scheduled spots around town. Just bring the same documents and a check with you. 

Low-Cost Clinics

The city has a series of Dog Licensing & Low-Cost Rabies Vaccine Clinics each year. Here's a link to a copy of this year's events. It was in the right-hand sidebar at the time of this writing. 

Should Dogs or People Be Licensed?

Over the years, the group of dog lovers that walks with us has often discussed an option of having people licensed as legal caretakers of animals rather than attaching the license to the dog. Then the responsible caregivers could register the animals they have under that license and receive tags for each.

The legislature has a task force looking at a possible statewide Animal Abuse Registry. But, beyond outright abuse, a caregiver’s registry might deny licenses to those who are constant scofflaws or who have a history of dangerous dog offenses.

Of course some enforcement of the current rules and regulations for picking up after your dog and keeping dogs on a leash would have to be a part of any program like this.

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

Thanks to everyone who Hops over to Amazon from here to do their shopping. We appreciate your support.

 

Details:

Words: Penny & Ed Cherubino
Photos: ©2016 Penny & Ed Cherubino