Stay Cool This Summer with Free Concerts at Boston Public Library
By: Becca Manning From blues to Broadway, jazz to classical music, there is surely something to please every musical taste this summer at the Central Libra South End Patch News
Tips to Keep Your Pet Safe From the Heat This Summer
From the ASPCA: For many people, nothing beats lounging in the backyard on the Fourth of July with good friends and family — including the four-legged members of the household. While it may see South End Patch News
What Was Your Worst Summer Job? (Sponsored)
We all know how sweet life is when you find the perfect summer job with decent hours and demanding but reasonable work. Whether you're cashiering or waiting tables for your summer gig, life's even better when you have an awesome boss who gives y South End Patch News
Free Summer Fitness Classes in Boston
If pricey gym memberships have been keeping you from getting in shape so this summer, skip them. The city of Boston is offering an expanded series of free fitness classes for Bostonians in several locations in July and August, including City Hall Plaza, th South End Patch News
What’s Your Favorite Summer Memory? (Sponsored)
What is your favorite summer memory? Close your eyes and think back — where were you and who was with you? How old were you? Were you the fastest in the neighborhood at chasing down the ice cream man? Did you help your parents plant a flower or vegetable garden? Maybe you remember spending lazy days by the lake, or pool, passing the deep-end test or your first time going off the high dive. Tell us below in the comments! Need more summer inspiration? Check out the official ‘Grown Ups 2′ Pinterest page and don’t forget to see the movie, in theaters July 12. South End Patch
Things to Know in the South End, June 21: Summer Solstice in Blackstone Square
1. Weather: The National Weather Service is predicting a sunny day, with a high near 85 degrees. There’s a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. 2. Blackstone Square Summer Solstice: Tonight is the South End Summer Solstice, brought to you by Washington Gateway Main Street in Blackstone Square (1525 Washington St.) Come hear free live music and enjoy offerings from six of your favorite food trucks on W. Brookline Street! See here for more information. 3. More Solstice Music on Friday: Community Music Center of Boston (CMCB) will be performing an hour of live music from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. outside Hamersley’s Bistro and the Beehive, South End Buttery, and Cinquecento tonight. These performances, free to the public, is part of the La Nuit de la Musique solstice celebration. Afterwards, CMCB’s orchestra and senior wind ensemble, along with special guests, will perform at the Benjamin Franklin Institute, followed by a private reception at 40 Berkley. Contributions to the concert and reception are $ 100 for supporters and $ 150 for special friends. All proceeds benefit the CMCB Scholarship Fund and can be made at www.cmcb.org. See here for more information. 4. Tiki Party at Coda: Kick-off summer Caribbean-style at Coda Bar & Kitchen at their First Annual Coda Tiki Party at 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 22nd, with rum cocktails, island fare and laid back reggae jams! Grass skirts and Hawaiian shirts are encouraged. See here for more information. 5. Popup at Farm & Fable: The South End’s newest business is hosting a pop-up store before the actual store is even built. Farm & Fable at 251 Shawmut Street is a retail store that will sell vintage cookbooks and other unique kitchenware once it opens this fall. Until then, however, stop by Sunday at 9 a.m. to meet the owner and see what’s in store. See here for more information, and give ’em a like on Facebook so you can follow their progress this summer. Psst. Know what’s cool? Liking us on Facebook, too. Yeah, I said it. Things you can do every day on South End Patch: Share your news with the rest of the community. Click here to add an announcement. Add your events to our events calendar. Click here to sign up for breaking news updates. Want up-to-the-minute news? Click here to follow us on Facebook or Twitter. Share your thoughts on your community in a blog. Click here to get started. South End Patch
Boston’s Pools Opening Soon for Summer
Soon, you’ll be able to cool down in a city pool any day of the week. The city announced on Monday that Boston’s 10 Centers for Youth and Families (BCYF) city swimming pools and one city beach will stay open every day of the week starting on June 29. In addition to the 10 pools open seven days a week, all of the city’s pools are open on Sundays from 11:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. During the week, pool hours vary depending on location. Luckily for South Enders, one pool that will remain open all week is the South End’s BCYF Blackstone pool, located on 50 West Brookline St. This year marks the second in a row the city has decided to open its pools early. “With the warm weather on its way, we want our residents to be able to beat the heat seven days a week,” Mayor Tom Menino said. “We have amazing facilities in the city, and I encourage all our families to take advantage of them.” The BCYF pools that will open seven days a week are: BCYF Blackstone (South End) BCYF Clougherty (Charlestown) – outdoor pool BCYF Curley Beach (South Boston) – beach BCYF Curtis Hall (Jamaica Plain) BCYF Draper (West Roxbury) BCYF Flaherty (Roslindale) BCYF Holland (Dorchester) BCYF Mason (Roxbury) BCYF Mildred Avenue (Mattapan) BCYF Mirabella (North End) – outdoor pool, opens June 22 BCYF Paris Street (East Boston) You can check the full listing of pools and contact information on the city’s website. SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch
10 Tips for Adjusting to Heated Yoga Classes in Summer
I’ve been practicing heated yoga for 13 years. I’ve mixed in other styles as well, including those that don’t involve heat, and I can say I enjoy both and find both effective. However, I will admit that once it starts to get hot outside, I need to make adjustments in my practice so I can practice comfortably in a heated class. In the past few weeks, the weather here in Boston has started to shift to warmer temperatures. With that, as expected, I’ve had an increase in questions from students about how to practice safely in a heated studio. They’ve also had some questions about experiences in their body that they don’t normally feel when it’s cold out. If you’re practicing heated yoga in the warmer summer months, here are 10 tips to help you adjust safely: 1. The water you drink before class is just as important as drinking water after class. Many of us don’t think about additional hydration in the summer months and keep our same routine of liquid intake and then hop into the hot studio. In the warmer months, with increased sweating even before you arrive, you need to replace that hydration before you start class. 2. Replace your water with fluids that have electrolytes. When you sweat, you lose electrolytes such as sodium and potassium. These need to be replaced so you’re not dehydrated and to keep your overall systems in balance. I like coconut water but there are many other supplemented waters out there you can try. Be aware if drinking sports drinks of the added sugar content. Coconut water is great because there is no added sugar. 3. Check your diet. As it gets warmer out, we need to adjust our intake so we aren’t overeating or ingesting heavy foods, especially if we plan to take a heated class within a few hours of eating. When you eat, the blood goes to your digestive organs and away from the muscles, so overeating will work against you in class. However, we also need to make reasonable food choices before yoga. If the class is before the lunch or dinner hour, make sure you select foods that are easy to digest and watch portion sizes. A banana, other fruit, nut bar or Greek yogurt are good choices. 4. Rest more. Some students never rest until the very end of class when the teacher calls for everyone to rest in shavasana. During the summer months, you may find yourself feeling drained before you even step in the door, due to the increased heat and humidity outside. As you’re practicing, take time to stop in Child’s Pose and take a few breaths before joining […]
Summer Reading Kicks Off at Boston Libraries
Summer reading at Boston Public Library offers programs and activities designed to inspire children’s creativity and imagination. The theme for 2013 is “Dig into Reading” for children up to age 12. Programs begin in June. Boston Public Library is dedicated to providing educational programming for youth during summer months, helping keep children engaged in reading and in their communities while out of school. Summer reading programs are designed for children to have positive learning experiences and to encourage reading as a lifelong habit. “This summer’s programming is sure to excite children with the varied offerings, which include everything from science and math programs to themed story times and garden crafts,” said Jessi Snow, youth services coordinator for the Boston Public Library. Summer reading is packed with free, fun activities for children and families. Boston Public Library locations will be offering visits from Dr. Can-Do Science, the New England Aquarium and the Museum of Science. The summer schedule includes Countdown to Kindergarten celebrations as well as visits from the ReadBoston Storymobile and the annual Read Your Way to Fenway essay contest. For a look at the calendar and hours at the South End Branch, visit bpl.org/branches/southend.htm. Boston Public Library’s 2013 summer reading brochure is available online at www.bpl.org/summer where children can find activities just for them. Copies of the brochure are available at all library locations and at Boston Centers for Youth and Families. The summer reading program is made possible by the Boston Public Library Foundation, John Hancock, the Red Sox Foundation, and Bill and Cheryl Swanson. “Dig into Reading” is sponsored by the Massachusetts Library System, the Boston Bruins, and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. —Submitted by Boston Public Library South End Patch