And, just in case you've wondered, both the spicy and regular Italian dills are delicious.
Begin all your Amazon shopping here to keep the spicy tips coming your way.
Details:
Grillo's Pickles
Writers: Ed & Penny Cherubino
Photo: © 2010 Penny Cherubino
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Too cold and icy for an outdoor workout? Forget the treadmill. The Prudential Center has your solution!
The new Walker's Guide to Prudential Center lets you create your own walking route throughout the building, and calculate how much distance you've covered. For a more varied route on nicer days, trace a path using the hallways and streets within and surrounding the building.
So, whether it's raining, snowing like today, or a mid-summer hot and humid bad air day, pull on your walking shoes and head for the Pru.
Click here to download the Walker's Guide to Prudential Center or pick-up one at the Customer Service Desk in Center Court.
Below our "Amazon item of the day" is more information in a copy of a recent article Penny wrote for the Back Bay Sun. But, Prudential Center Customer Service Manager, Leigh Taginski Moore wanted us to be sure to say that neighbors from all over the Boston area are welcome. The T's "Prudential Center" stop (Green line, E-Train) drops you right inside the complex.
If you are responsible for snow removal, you may want to take a look at the review of the Sno Wovel on Amazon. What a great idea!
Prudential Center Welcomes Neighborhood Walkers
by Penny Cherubino (previously published in the Back Bay Sun)
The Prudential Center has a solution for neighbors who are feeling housebound by winter winds and icy sidewalks. "The Shops at Prudential Center is used every day by our neighbors - be it for shopping, meeting up, dining, and even exercising. The arcades provide, in a sense, an even and weather protected network of walking paths amongst the hustle and bustle of the city," said Customer Service Manager, Leigh Taginski Moore.
Moore and her staff have measured, calculated, and published "A Walker's Guide to Prudential Center." It tells you everything you want to know about walking in and around "The Pru"– as most Bostonians call it.
The guide suggests five walking routes. Three of these are indoors and perfect for the worst winter days. They range from a 0.24 mile lap around the South Garden to a 0.77 mile path that takes you by many of the shops. The indoor routes intersect at "Center Court" and can be combined to meet any mileage goal.
In addition to a map there is a chart of measurements for specific parts of the complex allowing you to add a lap around the "Food Court," or a trip across the bridge to Copley Place for a change of scene.
Two outdoor routes are designed for nicer days. Beginning at the corner of Boylston and Dalton Streets, you can opt to cover 0.81 miles by taking East Ring Road or 0.92 miles by walking around Shaw's and Lord and Taylor, using Exeter Street as your turn.
The customer service team also researched distances from the building's entrances to popular destinations. For example, from the Huntington Street entrance it is about a quarter mile to Symphony Hall and less than a mile to the Museum of Fine Arts.
This is a perfect destination when handicapped accessibility is key. Elevators, even floors, and wide corridors make getting around in a wheelchair, on crutches, using a cane or with a stroller easier.
Early morning is a great time to walk inside the Pru. Before the stores open, you can get up a good bit of speed. On the other hand, since the building is open 24-hours a day, those who prefer a late night stroll in a well-lit, secure setting will find it there.
Exercising there can be a time saver. Your workout can be combined with many routine errands. Beyond its shops and restaurants, the complex contains a full-service post office, a dry cleaner, a barber, shoe repair, locksmith, florist, car rental agency and a pod of Zipcars. You can pick up a meal at the "Food Court" or shop for groceries on your way home.
Picking up a "A Walker's Guide to Prudential Center" can be a money saver. "To kick off 2010 and our new walking program we're giving away free PRUferred Cards to our walkers. Simply visit the Customer Service Desk in Center Court to receive the card with discounts at over 50 shops and eateries," said Moore.
Details:
Prudential Center
800 Boylston Street , Boston, MA 02199 ( Map )
Writer: Ed Cherubino
Photos: © 2010 Penny Cherubino
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On Saturday we visited the Roslindale Village Farmers' Market and in the process discovered a great food neighborhood.
The market itself is in Adams Park at the intersection of Washington Street and Cummins Highway. We slipped Zipcar Prius Pierce into a street space on Cummins and headed for the market tents.
The vendors were a nice mix of farmers, craftspeople, artists, specialty food purveyors and local businesses.
When we say local business we mean people from just around the corner. When the Fornax Bread Company stand ran out of baguettes, they sent us to their nearby bakery to buy one.
I was familiar with MacArthur Farm and Spring Brook Farm from other farmers' markets. Other farms were new to me.
Farms Connecting With Community
It was good to see two community farms using this resource to sell their goods. These represent another way farms are connecting with consumers.
The Brookwood Community Farm's site tells us it is, "... a working organic farm and education center located in Milton, MA. The farm is dedicated to preserving historic farmland through sustainable agricultural production that improves access to healthy, affordable, freshly grown fruits and vegetables in urban communities. The farm operates a community supported agriculture program, sells produce at local farmers markets and provides on-farm employment, educational and volunteer opportunities to members of the surrounding communities."
Neighborhood Farm from Needham describes itself as,"...a collection of market gardens in private yards in and around Needham, MA. Homeowners lend us a portion of their yard and we grow vegetables, herbs and flowers. In exchange, the owners receive produce from the gardens during the growing season."
A Real Village Market
This market has a warm, small town, community feel. Families were strolling and enjoying the entertainment that was scheduled throughout the day. Other folks were shopping while walking their dogs. And, of course there were serious shoppers and browsers.
I was please to see artists included in the event. They had a place to show their work at the Roslindale Art Alliance's booth.
Most of all there was conversation and a good measure of laughter to be heard. Vendors were chatting with customers. Neighbors were catching up with one another. Volunteers were making newcomers and strangers (like us) feel welcome.
We'd like to say a special "Thank you!" to Michael. He's a market volunteer who answered our question about where to have lunch with suggestions that formed an enjoyable tour of the village.
We're planning a return trip to this market. Next time we'll take the commuter rail. The Needham line station is within sight of the park. And, we'll be telling you more about this treasure of a village located just a short hop from the heart of Boston.
The summer strolling season is underway. Here's to wearing out more shoes than tires.
Click on the Endless Shoe Store to find a replacement for your worn but favorite summers shoes.
Remember, shopping Amazon from here supports BostonZest
and keeps the information flowing your way.
Details:
(Photos: © 2009 Penny Cherubino)
Roslindale Village Farmers' Market
Saturdays, 9 am - 1 pm
Adams Park (Cummins Highway & Washington St.)
June 13 - October 17, 2009
http://www.roslindale.net/farmersmarket/
Or follow the market on twitter
http://twitter.com/rozzifarmmrkt
Roslindale Village Main Street
http://www.roslindale.net/
MBTA Needham Line schedule
http://www.mbta.com/schedules_and_maps/rail/lines/?route=NEEDHAM&direction=I&timing=S&RedisplayTime=Redisplay+Time
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My dentist is at the St Mary's stop on the MBTA's C Green line. I make my appointments with her for late morning or early afternoon so that the Japonaise Bakery will have its daily supply of multi-grain bread ready.
The bread has a hearty crust with a soft heart. It is filled with flavor and seems to disappear within hours once Ed comes home. It is made of wheat, white, oat and rye flour to which they add sunflower, fax, and sesame seeds.
Today, I couldn't resist taking a break to celebrate a great cleaning and check-up by having lunch at the Japonaise. They prepare a good selection of sandwiches and special "rolls" that are quick to order and a real treat. Today I opted for a "Curry Roll." Imagine a light, fine textured bread roll filled with a lightly spiced and tasty curry. I had mine cold, but they will be happy to heat it for you.
The area around this T-Stop is filled with interesting and useful businesses. I'll be covering more of them in days to come and I'll be reporting on other T-Stops as the months go by. If you have a favorite stop, surrounded by great places, let me know.
Details:
Japonaise Bakery and Cafe
1020 Beacon St, Brookline, MA 02446
(617) 566-7730
Other Opinions:
Chowhound.com Boston Board search on Japonaise Bakery
Here's the yelp-- The overall is four stars
http://www.yelp.com/biz/japonaise-bakery-and-cafe-brookline
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