Want to Watch Fireworks Over Boston Harbor? Well, Now You Can
Head to the waterfront over Labor Day Weekend to see the Boston Arts Festival, and stay for the fireworks show at night. South End Patch News
Watch out for Fake RMV Websites
By: Bret Silverberg WCVB’s Newscenter 5 reported this week that drivers attempting to renew their licenses are being
MSPCA-Angell: Watch Out for Dogs in Hot Weather
The following is a message from MSPCA-Angell, headquartered in Jamaica Plain: In anticipation of…warming temperatures, veterinarians at Angell Animal Medical Center are cautioning dog owners to take greater care in acclimating their pets to the heat, as the first few days of Spring bring the greatest risk of overheating. According to Dr. Kiko Bracker, a veterinarian in Angell’s Emergency & Critical Care Unit, dogs at the greatest risk of suffering heat-related illness during the Spring are older, brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds or those with existing illnesses affecting their respiratory tract or heart. Studies in humans repeatedly show that people need two to three weeks to acclimatize to warmer temperatures—and the veterinary community believes the same holds true for dogs. “It takes on average about two to three weeks for dogs to become tolerant of warmer temperatures,” said Dr. Bracker. “Now that the sun is shining and temperatures are warming it’s natural to want to head out for long walks or runs with our pets—but we must all take great care to avoid overheating our dogs, which can lead to heat stroke and, in some instances, death.” Dog owners unwittingly put their dogs at risk at this time of year by encouraging them to run, chase toys or just be with them in the sun. Dogs are always eager for this kind of activity, given their highly social nature, and they all too often will overexert themselves. Dr. Bracker offers the following tips to help dog owners acclimatize their pets to warmer temperatures while still enjoying time outside: Make sure your dog has a check-up! A Springtime check-up will reveal any heart or respiratory issues that should be addressed before pets become more active in the summer months. Ensure dogs always have ready access to shade, water and rest—parks with leafy trees and soft ground along with streams or ponds (in which dogs can cool off) offer wonderful recreational opportunities with plenty of space to rest and cool off Try to exercise dogs in the early morning or late evening when temperatures are lower Be especially cautious with dogs who have short noses, such as Pugs and Bulldogs, as these dogs are especially vulnerable to overheating Never leave pets inside a car—which can heat up to 110 degrees in 10 minutes on an 80-degree day even with the windows slightly open. For more tips on keeping pets safe during hot weather readers can click here. South End Patch
Categories: Arrests Tags: Dogs, MSPCAAngell, Watch, Weather
Top Places to Watch the Boston Marathon
CITYSIDE RESTAURANT & BAR Where: 1960 Beacon St, Cleveland Circle Mile Marker: 22Why: Help those drunken BC kids cheer on the runners post-Heartbreak hill from Cityside’s second level patio. Cityside opens at 9 a.m. and seats the patio first come, first serve, so plan accordingly. The first runners should arrive around 11:30 a.m. AMERICAN CRAFTWhere: 1700 Beacon St, Washington SquareMile Marker: 23Why: Opening at 10:30 a.m., American Craft gives patrons a great view of the race from its picnic table-laden patio. There’s also over 30 craft beers on tap, allowing you to justify your usual Marathon Monday binge as an educational beer tasting. ATHAN’S BAKERY Where: 1621 Beacon St, Washington SquareMile Marker: 23Why: If you’ve got little ones in tow, Athan’s is a good alternative to dealing with the crowds up the street at Cleveland Circle. Order some paninis and grab a spot by the window to catch the runners as they head off for Coolidge Corner. BEACON STREET TAVERNWhere: 1032 Beacon StMile Marker: 24Why: $ 3 Gansett tallboys. (It’s going to get a little rowdy.) AN TUA NUAWhere: 835 Beacon StMile Marker: 25Why: $ 1 Miller High Lifes. (Ditto… times 2.) EASTERN STANDARD Where: 528 Commonwealth Avenue, Kenmore SquareMile Marker: 1 mile to go Why: Eastern Standard’s a great spot for a little game of Round Robin. Some of your friends can hold down the fort at your patio table by enjoying a few appetizers while the rest of you are battling the crowds to watch the race. Then you can switch. Works nicely doesn’t it? CACTUS CLUBWhere: 939 Bolyston St, Back BayMile Marker: 26Why: Runners finally spot the finish line as they make the turn from Hereford onto Boylston, so the Cactus Club is the perfect place to catch the looks of joy (and exhuastion) on their faces. Margarita anyone? LIRWhere: 903 Boylston St, Back BayMile Marker: 26Why: Lir is opening it’s doors at 9 a.m., giving you a good three hours to get some drinking in before the first runners whiz by on their way to the finish line around noon. SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch
WATCH: Mayor Menino Announces His Retirement
After 20 years of serving as mayor of Boston, Mayor Thomas M. Menino officially announced on Thursday he would not seek re-election. Menino, who after two decades is the city’s longest-serving mayor, announced his decision in front of a large crowd of family, friends and supporters at Faneuil Hall’s Great Hall. “I am here with the people I love, to tell the city I love, that I will leave the job that I love,” Menino said. “I can run, I can win, and I can lead, but not ‘in-the-neighborhoods-all-the-time,’ as I like,” he said. SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch
WATCH: Drew Bledsoe Complains about Wine Law at Mass. State House
Massachusetts is one of 11 states that doesn’t allow out-of-state vineyards to directly ship wine to their customers, and former New England Patriots quarterback Drew Bledsoe is urging Beacon Hill legislators to pass a bill that would change that law. “Very simply put, this bill is fair, and it’s right. It’s fair to the consumers to be able to purchase wine directly from the wineries, it’s fair to the small businesses like ours who want to sell directly to the customers, it’s right for the state – it actually increases revenue to the state – and in the states that this has happened, it’s also benefitted the package stores and the distributors,” Bledsoe said during a press conference on the State House steps Thursday afternoon. The bill, called an Act Regulating the Direct Shipment of Wine, was put forth by Rep. Theodore Speliotis (D-Danvers) on Jan. 22. Right now it’s in the Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Committee and no vote is scheduled, according to Jeremy Benson of Free the Grapes. Massachusetts is the seventh-largest wine-consuming state in the union, Bledsoe said. If Massachusetts changes its law, he said he believes the remaining 10 will follow suit. Only 1 percent of wine that’s sold in the U.S. is sold direct, and Bledsoe said it is more profitable to do so. “That’s a motivation for this, and we don’t make any bones about it. It also benefits not only our business, but a lot of mom and pop wineries across the country.” Bledsoe’s wine, called Doubleback and based in Walla Walla, Wash., is sold in Massachusetts, through distributors, and in 14 other states. His friend and protege, Tom Brady, tried to buy it but Bledsoe had to tell him he couldn’t ship a case to him. Instead, Bledsoe sent it to Brady’s dad in California. “I think his dad drank it all,” he said. Although Bledsoe made an appearance on Beacon Hill Thursday, don’t expect many public appearances from him anytime soon. When asked if he was thinking about a run for public office, Bledsoe said, “Never say never, but I’m not looking to jump back into public life again. I enjoy working in my winery, and raising my family and living a pretty quiet life out there in Oregon.” SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch
Weekend Storm Alert Upgraded to Blizzard Watch
The National Weather Service’s winter storm alert issued earlier today has been replaced with a “Blizzard Watch,” in effect starting Friday morning. “A potential historic winter storm and blizzard is expected to drop one to two feet of snow across much of the region Friday into Saturday,” the National Weather Service alert states. The watch affects much of eastern Massachusetts, including the Boston area, as well as northern and central Rhode Island, and runs Friday morning into Saturday afternoon. Temperatures will be in the mid 20s. The National Weather Service is forecasting “heavy snow with the potential for blizzard conditions and accumulations of 12 to 24 inches.” Light snow is expected to develop by Friday morning, increasing in intensity during the afternoon. The heaviest snowfall will occur Friday night into Saturday morning, when snowfall rates that could reach 2-3 inches per hour. “Heavy snow and strong winds will bring the potential for blizzard conditions,” the National Weather Service reports. “Travel may become nearly impossible with blowing and drifting snow.” Winds are expected to be at 25-35 miles per hour, with gusts up to 55 mph, resulting in visibility of one quarter mile or less at times. “White out conditions will be possible, making travel very dangerous,” according to the weather alert. “Be prepared to alter any travel plans.” SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch