Boston Doctor Describes ‘Roller Coaster’ Allergy Season
The temperatures soared this weekend, and according to a few testimonials on Facebook, so did peoples’ seasonal allergy symptoms. Patch checked in with Jessica Savage, instructor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and associate physician at Brigham and Womens’ Faulkner Hospital, to find out if this season has been worse than the past or if it’s just our sinuses telling us that. Patch: Was there a resurgence in hay fever allergic reactions this past weekend due to the heat or do people just think there was? Jessica Savage: I’ve definitely seen people with more severe symptoms lately, but I haven’t found evidence of higher than normal pollen levels. I think it’s just that typically spring and fall are really bad seasons and we’re experiencing the worst of the spring season right now. Patch: So this is the peak? JS: Yeah, it’s more that this is a typical peak in everyone’s symptoms rather than something unusual. Patch: Do you think the peak was brought on by this past weekend’s heat wave? JS: I can’t say for sure, but humidity and pressure can exacerbate people’s nasal symptoms so it may be kind of a coincidence with everything happening together. Patch: How about locally? The South End isn’t a heavily wooded area of Boston. JS: The main allergens that you’re concerned about this time of year are tree pollens. It really doesn’t matter if you’re in a wooded area or not because these pollen grains can travel hundreds of miles. Even people who live in the inner city with no trees around can experience hay fever symptoms because of tree pollen. Patch: What specific tree pollens cause hay fever? JS: It’s typically non-flowering trees. Regular old leaved trees make tons of pollen this time of year. So it’s not the decorative magnolia trees it’s just regular oak trees, etc. Patch: For those who suffer from hay fever, what do you recommend? JS: For typical hay fever symptoms a mainstay is a nasal steroid combined with an antihistamine. But there’s no single medication that’s a magic bullet for people with severe symptoms so often we have to find a regimen of several agents to help people get through their peak season. And if medication is ineffective then we turn to allergy shots. Patch: What are allergy shots? JS: We look to figure out which specific pollens or animals or molds people are allergic to and we use immunotherapy or shot therapy to build up a tolerance to the things so they have no further symptoms or their symptoms are much better controlled with medication. Patch: When can people […]
Food Truck Lineup at SoWa for 2013 Season
The 2013 SoWa Open Market will feature its usual open market, vintage market and farmer’s market, and this year, will include an expanded lineup of food trucks, featuring more than 35 different food vendors and restaurants on wheels. The market opens for the 2013 season on Sunday, May 5th. The open market, which will be celebrating its ten year annivesary this year, is open every Sunday from May through October from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with several different locations up and down Harrison Avenue in the South End’s SoWa district. The food trucks will be parked at the Trolly Building at 540 Harrison Ave. from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays. Food Truck Lineup: Area Four Food Truck Away Cafe Baja Taco Company Benny’s Crepe Cafe Big Moe’s M & M Ribs Biryani Park Bon Me Boston Italian Ice Boston Shuckin Truck Boston Super Dog Boston’s Baddest Burger Clover Fast Food Del’s Lemonade Frozen Hoagies Fugu Truck Go Fish LOBSTA LOVE Mei Mei Street Kitchen Momogoose Mother Juice Culinary Cruisers Paris Creperie Roxy’s Grilled Cheese South End Chef Swirled – Gourmet Soft Serve Truck Taco Party Tenoch Mexican The Bacon Truck The Chicken and Rice Guys The Chubby Chickpea The Coffee Trike The Cookie Monstah The Dining Car The Froyo Truck The Taco Truck Boston The Whoo(pie) Wagon Trolley Dogs VESTA Moblie Wood-Fired Pizza Which SoWa food truck is your favorite? Which new one can you not wait to try? Tell us in the comments. SOUTH END PATCH: Facebook | Twitter | E-mail Updates South End Patch
Food Truck Lineup at SoWa Announced for Upcoming Season
The organizers behind the SoWa market have been busy this winter. The 2013 SoWa Open Market will feature its usual open market, vintage market and farmer’s market, and this year, will include an expanded lineup of food trucks, featuring more than 35 different food vendors and restaurants on wheels. The open market, which will be celebrating its ten year annivesary this year, is open every Sunday from May through October from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with several different locations up and down Harrison Avenue in the South End’s SoWa district. The 2013 season will begin on May 5th. The farmer’s market is located at 500 Harrison Avenue and features produce from local farmers and specialty food vendors. The open market, at 460 Harrison Ave. features work by local artists and crafters who sell unique gift items like jewelry, clothing, toys, pottery and more. The third part of the market is a large, year-round vintage market that features furniture and clothing. And for those with a hankering for a freshly cooked meal, there’s the food truck area in the Trolly Building at 540 Harrison Ave. Vendor Scholarships OfferedNew this year to the market is a scholarship program for new and up-and-coming Open Market vendors. “Many of you started out at SoWa and had wonderful, sharing neighbors that not only gave you helpful feedback, but also become good friends,” the market announced on Facebook. “We’d like to give that same opportunity to up-and-coming makers in the form of a SoWa Open Market scholarship.” The idea is to give those who have been in business for three years or less, and who never had the opportunity to have a booth at SoWa a chance. The scholarship consists of one free booth per month at the SoWa Open Market for a total of 6 markets (a $ 600 value). The recipient will also get advice from market mentors. Applications are due by March 10. Food Truck LineupAnd now for the moment you’ve all been waiting for. The following is a full list of all the food trucks who will be stationed at SoWa from 10 a.m to 4 p.m. on Sundays: Area Four Food Truck Away Cafe Baja Taco Company Benny’s Crepe Cafe Big Moe’s M & M Ribs Biryani Park Bon Me Boston Italian Ice Boston Shuckin Truck Boston Super Dog Boston’s Baddest Burger Clover Fast Food Del’s Lemonade Frozen Hoagies Fugu Truck Go Fish LOBSTA LOVE Mei Mei Street Kitchen Momogoose Mother Juice Culinary Cruisers Paris Creperie Roxy’s Grilled Cheese South End […]