tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81849506697250191102024-03-13T17:57:51.060-07:00A Boston FamilyHealthy Living in an Urban SettingAshleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05695555665648089745noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184950669725019110.post-84224459629729907002018-03-13T19:31:00.004-07:002018-03-13T19:32:57.272-07:005 Boston-Themed Easter Basket Ideas<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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With limited real estate for toys in our two-bedroom condo, the holidays are a careful negotiation of participation without excess. If you are looking for Easter ideas with a limited amount of "junk" food or toys, consider one of these five locally-based and character-free ideas that we came up with for our Boston kids. Each includes a book, something to wear, one toy and a candy or snack idea. Leave it at that or buy a bigger basket and add-on. Decorate your basket with some ribbon and done. These also make fun themed birthday gift ideas for friends parties!<br />
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<u><b>The T</b><o:p></o:p></u></div>
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This is perfect for children 6 months to 6 years (or even older) who are excited about riding the T.</div>
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<b>To Read:</b> <a href="https://www.mbtagifts.com/collections/book-dvds/products/a-wicked-good-trip-book" target="_blank">A Wicked Good Trip</a> <b>$10<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>To Wear:</b> <a href="https://www.sidetrackproducts.com/youth-t-shirts" target="_blank">Sidetrack Products T Shirts</a> available in infant, toddler,
youth and adult sizes <b>$17<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>For Play:</b> <a href="https://www.sidetrackproducts.com/product-page/single-mbta-die-cast-trolley-car" target="_blank">Sidetrack Products’ MBTA die cast green line trolley car</a> <b>$25 </b></div>
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or go cheaper / get a different line with these <a href="http://www.mbtagifts.com/shop.php?c=25" target="_blank">wooden cars from the MBTA</a> <b>$12-30</b></div>
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<b>To Eat: </b>Choose your child's favorite candy or snacks if you prefer and put them in little bins and paste
wheels on to make it look like train cars. <b>~$10</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Etc:</b> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00480KL1G/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_4?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER" target="_blank">Train wallet</a> including some old T tickets or a Charlie Card (print and laminate your own if you don't have one) <b>$10</b> and/or a <a href="http://www.gymboree.com/shop/item/boys-train-whistle-140164658" target="_blank">toy train whistle</a> <b>$10</b></div>
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<b>Total Price Tag: $60-75</b></div>
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<b><u>The Duckling</u></b></div>
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This works for children 0 - 5. It might be a bit of a stretch for bigger kids for whom the Ducklings have lost their novelty.</div>
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<b>To Read:</b> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ducklings-Viking-Kestrel-picture-books/dp/0670451495/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1492009455&sr=1-1&keywords=make+way+for+ducklings" target="_blank">Make Way for Ducklings</a> or <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Good-Night-Boston-Our-World/dp/1602190038/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1520992409&sr=1-1&keywords=goodnight+boston">Goodnight Boston</a> <b>$9-16</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>To Wear:</b> <a href="https://shop.carlemuseum.org/make-way-ducklings-youth-t-shirt" target="_blank">Make Way for Ducklings tshirt or onesie from the Eric Carle Museum</a> or <a href="http://www.seaboston.pointshop.com/IBS/SimpleCat/Product/asp/hierarchy/0002/product-id/374837.html" target="_blank">for girls, this pink t-shirt from Faneuil Hall based SeaBoston</a> <b>$14-22</b></div>
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<b>For Play: </b><a href="http://mbeans.com/mary-meyer-boston-mallard-quacking-duck.html?childid=61759&utm_medium=cse&utm_source=google&gclid=CjwKEAjw_bHHBRD4qbKukMiVgU0SJADr08ZZloTuPafScNMSMjdgLX7f8H2zJVBgDWT_yWHAa4APaxoCl9Dw_wcB" target="_blank">Duckling </a>or <a href="https://www.google.com/shopping/product/5496328106537489444?lsf=seller:6382239,store:12242925063536483752&prds=oid:14642193179975111222&q=duck+hooded+bath+towel&hl=en&ei=6SrtWJ_fHuLJjwT6nL8w&lsft=ci_mcc:ci,utm_campaign:LIA_Bed+&lsft=gclid:CjwKEAjw_bHHBRD4qbKukMiVgU0SJADr08ZZ8Gu0KRHVMM9rSQ819PwG5rdXToRQ8Nf7uQ5qUrSFDxoC5-bw_wcB" target="_blank">bath towel</a> <b>$8-15</b></div>
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<b>Candy:</b> Yellow
peeps of course and Cadbury mini eggs repackaged as duck eggs <b>~$10</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Etc: </b>Police hat, police whistle</div>
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<b>Total Price Tag: $40-60</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYtfzyPoW7GhnmM2PyyGHwStUOxJtqHvx8Pten2m3JhLAHPjJRq-6tNojyb3_oWTjkHSpJP48qE-VTlMoBh5NygTsqLK0jC20YWaRUssxO8BW_62mbH65QqEnPv2GAojl0uBxNdhv7jC-B/s1600/Boston+Swan+Boat+Easter+Basket+Ideas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYtfzyPoW7GhnmM2PyyGHwStUOxJtqHvx8Pten2m3JhLAHPjJRq-6tNojyb3_oWTjkHSpJP48qE-VTlMoBh5NygTsqLK0jC20YWaRUssxO8BW_62mbH65QqEnPv2GAojl0uBxNdhv7jC-B/s400/Boston+Swan+Boat+Easter+Basket+Ideas.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<b><u>The Swan Boat<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
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Perfect for slightly older kids 4-7, who look forward to the swan boats each season. Most kids will need help with the Swan Boat kit.</div>
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<b>To Read:</b> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Swan-Season-Boston-Jennifer-Delaney/dp/1941216102" target="_blank">Swan Boat Season in Boston</a> or <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Swan-Boat-Ride-Frances-Driscoll/dp/0615627366/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1492009439&sr=1-1&keywords=the+swan+boat+ride" target="_blank">The Swan Boat Ride</a> or <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ducklings-Viking-Kestrel-picture-books/dp/0670451495/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1492009455&sr=1-1&keywords=make+way+for+ducklings" target="_blank">Make Way for Ducklings</a> <b>$11-16</b></div>
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<b>To Wear</b>: <a href="http://www.gymboree.com/item/girls-sparkle-swan-dress-140176371.html?mrkgcl=906&mrkgadid=3189043073&rkg_id=h-92df8d3125fd8b74cf9ca85a97b3a3dd_t-1520992984&adpos=1o1&creative=184831941597&device=c&matchtype=&network=g&gclid=Cj0KCQjw7Z3VBRC-ARIsAEQifZRiYUkwEQpHLYcZuL53x6eByEqlFXDzX8_lDxE98rpZQDhLhXc2AJwaAkZOEALw_wcB" target="_blank">Swan Dress, like this from Gymboree</a> <b>$20 </b>(or this <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Unisex-Girls-T-Shirt-White-Sleeves/dp/B075194LQP" target="_blank">swan t-shirt</a> appropriate for boys too <b>$14</b></div>
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<b>For Play:</b> <a href="https://swanboats.com/product/swan-boat-model-kit/" target="_blank">Swan Boat Kit</a> <b>$10</b> <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>To Eat:</b> Candy eggs of your choice as "swan eggs" <b>$3-5</b> <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Etc:</b> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Pastime-Puzzles-7126-300-Piece-Puzzle/dp/B009Q3JAC6" target="_blank">Swan Boat Puzzle</a> <b>$19</b>, Splurge with this <a href="https://www.childsplayclothing.com/stella-mccartney-girls-pink-swan-bag" target="_blank">Stella McCartney bag on sale</a> <b>$54</b>, <a href="http://www.gymboree.com/shop/item/girls-streamer-pony-holder-140164036?Port=DataFeed&ad=SLI" target="_blank">Streamed Pony Holder</a> <b>$5</b></div>
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<b>Total Price Tag: $40-$100+</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><u>The Lil’ Lobstah<o:p></o:p></u></b><br />
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For children up to age 4, and particularly any little ones taking New England Aquarium Sea Squirts classes!</div>
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<b>To Read: </b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Lindie-Lobster-Claws-Suzanne-Nature/dp/1878405527/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1520993692&sr=8-9&keywords=lobster+book" target="_blank">Lindie Lobster, A Tale of Big Claws</a> <b>$6</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>To Wear:</b> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XKHK62J/ref=twister_B06XKT5L4H?th=1&psc=1" target="_blank">New England Lobstah T-shirt</a><b> $20</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>For Play: </b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mary-Meyer-Lobbie-Lobster-10/dp/B002M3PPBW/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1520993900&sr=8-3&keywords=lobster+toy" target="_blank">Plush lobster</a> <b>$6</b> and/or <a href="https://www.bellalunatoys.com/products/wooden-toy-maine-lobster-boat?gclid=Cj0KCQjw7Z3VBRC-ARIsAEQifZT4J7ESQu9gZ1KM3eXRTvhBhZFH-O9YdIpZdRK8_Kr6UYFf5F9I3zAaAuXLEALw_wcB" target="_blank">wooden toy lobster boat</a> <b>$24</b></div>
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<b>To Eat:</b> Lobster
gummies, lobster lollipops, chocolate lobsters, and/or Cape Cod saltwater taffy <b>~$10</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Etc:</b> <a href="https://www.etsy.com/market/lobster_bow_tie" target="_blank">Lobster bow ties</a> <b>$25</b> or hair bows to wear on Easter Day or all summer, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ja-Ru-Magic-Capsules-Animals-3-pack/dp/B01LZH7EGX/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1520994263&sr=8-13&keywords=expandable+lobster" target="_blank">Magic Grow sea capsules</a> <b>$8</b></div>
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<b>Total Price Tag: $40-80</b><br />
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<b><u>The Fenway Fan<o:p></o:p></u></b></div>
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For children up to age 8 who are excited about baseball or who have parents excited about baseball.</div>
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<b>To Read:</b> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Fenway-Park-Americas-Ballpark-Alphabets/dp/1585367885/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1492011035&sr=8-1&keywords=f+is+for+fenway" target="_blank">F is for Fenway Park</a> <b>$15<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>To Wear:</b> Your
favorite <a href="http://www.mlbshop.com/Boston_Red_Sox_Kids" target="_blank">Red Sox t-shirt</a> even available in Easter Egg Pink <b>starting at $17<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b>For Play:</b> Baseballs,
bats, glove, baseball cards, or <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Boston-Shake-Score-Dice-Game/dp/B00UTYRVZO/ref=sr_1_12?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1492010983&sr=1-12&keywords=fenway+park+puzzle" target="_blank">MLB shake n score dice game</a> <b>~$20+</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>To Eat: </b>Cracker
jacks, baby ruth bars, milk chocolate baseballs, and/or gummi hot dogs <b>$10</b></div>
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<b>Etc: </b>Baseball pencils or stickers <b><$5</b><br />
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<b>Total Price Tag: $60-$100</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05695555665648089745noreply@blogger.com0Boston, MA, USA42.3600825 -71.0588801000000141.984348999999995 -71.704327100000015 42.735816 -70.4134331tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184950669725019110.post-80656202134753312302017-11-20T12:15:00.004-08:002018-03-16T10:33:29.978-07:00Everything You Need to Know about Ice Skating in Boston<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Winter in Boston is a long period of cabin-fever inducing hibernation, if you don't find a way to get outdoors. So it is no surprise that many Bostonians take an interest in winter sports. We grow up playing hockey, obsessing over the Bruins, and eagerly waiting weather cold enough for snow for skiing and freezing temperatures for the much romanticized outdoor ice skating.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaLW33WkVOA1RMK0wkn6cFIgoh4mjcummjnchwGhwwklLTHFakUrEHeO4XSSyHGhsOmythgNpWnKwIIIkGLa8oW5Nojjh0WVQ8hyxxYQ4m8_UO3oxEVW2HhSpTVpJfp3wu_u31Luj4tSrT/s1600/Skating+at+Frog+Pond+by+Sally+Caldwell+Fisher.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="516" data-original-width="700" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaLW33WkVOA1RMK0wkn6cFIgoh4mjcummjnchwGhwwklLTHFakUrEHeO4XSSyHGhsOmythgNpWnKwIIIkGLa8oW5Nojjh0WVQ8hyxxYQ4m8_UO3oxEVW2HhSpTVpJfp3wu_u31Luj4tSrT/s320/Skating+at+Frog+Pond+by+Sally+Caldwell+Fisher.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skating at Frog Pond by Sally Caldwell Fisher</td></tr>
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Lydia Marie Child's famous Thanksgiving Day Poem published in 1844, "Over The River and Through the Wood" about visiting her grandparents house near Tufts University in Medford celebrates playing outdoors in the snow even as the wind "stings the toes and bites the nose".<br />
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And there's no more quintessentially Boston place to let the wind sting your toes and bite your nose than ice skating at Frog Pond in Boston Common. In fact, Bostonians have been skating on Frog Pond since 1848, a few years after Child's poem was published!<br />
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The oft painted idyllic scene of skaters at Frog Pond is in reality though, a daunting and chaotic place for young inexperienced skaters.<br />
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Even if your children are too young to skate, you and they can still enjoy the sport. These family-friendly spectator events all feature ice skating.<br />
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<li><a href="http://tdgarden.ticketoffices.com/Boston+Bruins?gclid=Cj0KCQiAl8rQBRDrARIsAEW_To_q9HvLXT6fVXgBwauNeRPyouyNlWiMtZn_6o-Q0sR31mRLFjxVzC4aAtCoEALw_wcB">Boston Bruins</a>, Regular season, October 4, 2017 – April 7, 2018</li>
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<a href="https://www.bostoncentral.com/events/boston-official-tree-lighting/p888.php">Boston Common Tree Lighting and Skating Spectacular</a>, Thursday November 30<sup>th</sup> – Skating show 5-6pm</div>
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<a href="http://www.paddleboston.com/skating/skating.php">Holiday on Ice</a>, Kendall Square Saturday, December 9<sup>th</sup> 2017 - Skating Show at 2pm</div>
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<a href="http://agganis.arenaboston.com/events.php?search_text=disney+on+ice+boston&gclid=Cj0KCQiAl8rQBRDrARIsAEW_To-auwZhVl4gzyQro5urx9uYkfjKdmCa0Xph4ooIOh2WHJhHQAQ58cMaApwSEALw_wcB">Disney on Ice</a>, Multiple Dates Dec and Feb</div>
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<a href="https://icechips.org/">Ice Chips, Show of Champions</a> – April 2018, Date TBA</div>
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For Boston children who are ready to skate (recommended ages 4 and up) there are plenty of opportunities to learn before heading out to the Frog Pond rink.<br />
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<b>Best Learn to Figure Skate
Programs: </b>Boston Common Skating School’s or The Skating Academy’s programs
at the Steriti Rink are indoors, protecting you
from inclement weather. <i>Downside: </i>These
are the most expensive lessons, but for a child who just wants to be able to
learn to have fun and is not aspiring to learn more complicated moves, it can
be a short term investment. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Best Priced Figure
Skate Program:</b> If your little one doesn’t have their own skates, Community
Ice Skating at Kendall is your best price. For $24 per 40 min lesson with rentals
you can’t beat it. <i>Downside:</i> if the
weather is bad (raining, too warm or extremely cold, the rink is outdoors!)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Best Program for
Would Be Hockey Players:</b> South Boston or Charlestown Youth Hockey League’s Learn
to Skate programs are specifically for
aspiring hockey players and at an avg cost of <$11 per lesson (~$16 with
rentals) for a 14 week season, you can’t beat the cost either. Check out this great article about <a href="http://www.caughtinsouthie.com/features/teddy-cunniff/">Coach Teddy Cunniff</a> who runs the SBYHL's program.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><span style="color: white; mso-themecolor: background1;">Location<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: white; mso-themecolor: background1;">No. of Lessons, Days available<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #2E74B5; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent5; mso-background-themeshade: 191; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .75in;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: white; mso-themecolor: background1;">Duration of Lesson<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #2E74B5; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent5; mso-background-themeshade: 191; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: white; mso-themecolor: background1;">Equipment Provided<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #2E74B5; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent5; mso-background-themeshade: 191; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 76.5pt;" valign="top" width="102"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: white; mso-themecolor: background1;">Cost and Fees<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #2E74B5; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent5; mso-background-themeshade: 191; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 117.0pt;" valign="top" width="156"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: white; mso-themecolor: background1;">Per Lesson Cost W & W/Out rentals<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #2E74B5; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent5; mso-background-themeshade: 191; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.5pt;" valign="top" width="78"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b><span style="color: white; mso-themecolor: background1;">How to Register<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="background: #DEEAF6; border-left: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent5; mso-background-themetint: 51; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 98.75pt;" valign="top" width="132"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Community Ice Skating<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Kendall Square, Cambridge<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #DEEAF6; border: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent5; mso-background-themetint: 51; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.25in;" valign="top" width="120"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
5 wks, Wed, Fri, Sat and Sun starting Dec 7<sup>th</sup> <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .75in;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
40 mins<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #DEEAF6; border: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent5; mso-background-themetint: 51; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Skate and helmet rental complimentary<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 76.5pt;" valign="top" width="102"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
$120<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #DEEAF6; border: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent5; mso-background-themetint: 51; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 117.0pt;" valign="top" width="156"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
$24 per lesson with or without rentals<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.5pt;" valign="top" width="78"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Book online <a href="https://www.paddleboston.com/bookings/availabledates.php?actCode=LTS-A">here</a><o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="background: #DEEAF6; border-left: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent5; mso-background-themetint: 51; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 98.75pt;" valign="top" width="132"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Boston Common Skating School<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Steriti Rink, North End<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
AND Sunday classes only at O’Neill Rink in Charlestown<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #DEEAF6; border: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent5; mso-background-themetint: 51; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.25in;" valign="top" width="120"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
5 wks, Tues, Sat or Sun, Session 1 of 3 starts Nov 17<sup>th</sup> <o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .75in;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
40 min lesson + 10 min free skate<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #DEEAF6; border: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent5; mso-background-themetint: 51; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Skate rentals $5<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 76.5pt;" valign="top" width="102"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
$125 + $20 membership fee, $45 off for signing up early for 2
sessions and $10 off on each add’l kid<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #DEEAF6; border: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent5; mso-background-themetint: 51; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 117.0pt;" valign="top" width="156"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
1<sup>st</sup> child, $29 per lesson for 1 session, $22.50 w/ early
registration for 2+ sessions, add’l children $27 for 1 session and $21 w/
early registration for 2+ sessions (+$5 per lesson for skate rentals)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.5pt;" valign="top" width="78"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Print and mail check and form found <a href="https://static1.squarespace.com/static/59dadacdedaed8465319d6e4/t/59dedbad4c0dbfb7c5137c9f/1507777455693/BCSS+Registration+Form+2017-2018.pdf">here</a><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="background: #DEEAF6; border-left: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent5; mso-background-themetint: 51; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 98.75pt;" valign="top" width="132"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>The Skating Club of Boston Skating
Academy<o:p></o:p></b></div>
</td>
<td style="border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Steriti Rink, North End<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #DEEAF6; border: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent5; mso-background-themetint: 51; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.25in;" valign="top" width="120"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
7 wks, Sat 10AM Session 1 of 2
starts Nov 18<sup>th<o:p></o:p></sup></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .75in;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
25 min lesson + 25 min practice<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #DEEAF6; border: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent5; mso-background-themetint: 51; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Skate rentals $5<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 76.5pt;" valign="top" width="102"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
$154<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #DEEAF6; border: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent5; mso-background-themetint: 51; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 117.0pt;" valign="top" width="156"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
$22 per lesson, +$5 per lesson with skate rentals<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.5pt;" valign="top" width="78"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Register online <a href="https://skatingacademy.campbrainregistration.com/">here</a><o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="background: #DEEAF6; border-left: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent5; mso-background-themetint: 51; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 98.75pt;" valign="top" width="132"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>The Skating Club of Boston Skating
Academy<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Frog Pond,<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Boston Common<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #DEEAF6; border: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent5; mso-background-themetint: 51; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.25in;" valign="top" width="120"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
6 wks, Sat or Sun 8:30 am<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .75in;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
30 min lesson + 60 min practice<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #DEEAF6; border: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent5; mso-background-themetint: 51; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Skate rentals<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 76.5pt;" valign="top" width="102"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
$150<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #DEEAF6; border: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent5; mso-background-themetint: 51; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 117.0pt;" valign="top" width="156"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
$25 per lesson, +$6 per lesson for for skate rentals<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.5pt;" valign="top" width="78"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Register online here<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="background: #DEEAF6; border-left: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent5; mso-background-themetint: 51; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 98.75pt;" valign="top" width="132"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>South Boston Youth Hockey Learn
to Skate for ages 5-8<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Francis Murphy Rink, South Boston<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #DEEAF6; border: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent5; mso-background-themetint: 51; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.25in;" valign="top" width="120"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
14 Sundays, Nov 5<sup>th</sup>
– March 11<sup>th</sup> at 4pm <o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .75in;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
50 mins<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #DEEAF6; border: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent5; mso-background-themetint: 51; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Must have own hockey helmet, skate rentals for $5<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 76.5pt;" valign="top" width="102"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
$150 for the season<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #DEEAF6; border: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent5; mso-background-themetint: 51; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 117.0pt;" valign="top" width="156"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
~$11 per lesson, +$5 per lesson for skate rentals<o:p></o:p></div>
</td>
<td style="border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.5pt;" valign="top" width="78"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Must download <a href="http://assets.ngin.com/attachments/document/0136/0102/House_League_-_LTS_Registration_Form_2017-2018.docx">form</a>
and bring to rink<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td style="background: #DEEAF6; border-left: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent5; mso-background-themetint: 51; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 98.75pt;" valign="top" width="132"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b>Charlestown Youth Hockey Learn
to Skate, Ages 4+<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br />
<br />
<b>BU Fitness and Recreation Center</b></div>
</td>
<td style="border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.0in;" valign="top" width="96"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
O’Neil Rink, Charlestown<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Walter Brown Arena, 285 Babcock St</div>
</td>
<td style="background: #DEEAF6; border: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent5; mso-background-themetint: 51; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.25in;" valign="top" width="120"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
14 Saturdays starting Nov 7<sup>th</sup>, 12 noon<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
6 Saturdays,<br />
various sessions</div>
</td><td style="border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .75in;" valign="top" width="72"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
50 mins<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
50 mins</div>
</td>
<td style="background: #DEEAF6; border: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent5; mso-background-themetint: 51; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 85.5pt;" valign="top" width="114"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Must have own hockey helmet, skate rentals for $5<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<br />
Skate rentals</div>
</td>
<td style="border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 76.5pt;" valign="top" width="102"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
$150 for the season<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
$110/ $90 for FitRec members</div>
</td>
<td style="background: #DEEAF6; border: none; mso-background-themecolor: accent5; mso-background-themetint: 51; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 117.0pt;" valign="top" width="156"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
~$11 per lesson, +$5 per lesson for skate rentals<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
$18/$15 per lesson,<br />
+$5 per lesson for skate rentals<br />
<br /></div>
</td>
<td style="border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border: none; mso-border-right-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 58.5pt;" valign="top" width="78"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
Register online <a href="http://leagueathletics.com/Registration/Default.asp?n=26557&org=cyha.com">here</a><o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Register online <a href="https://myfitrec.bu.edu/wbwsc/webtrac.wsc/search.html?category=fam&module=ar&type=gsf" target="_blank">here</a></div>
</td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Families outside of the downtown area have other options as well. Check out:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><a href="https://fmcicesports.com/" target="_blank">FMC Ice Sports</a> with locations in: East Boston, Cambridge, Revere, etc.</li>
<li><u><a href="http://www.baystateskatingschool.org/pages/home.cfm" target="_blank">Bay State Skating School</a></u> locations in W. Roxbury, Brookline, Cambridge, Somerville, Quincy, etc.</li>
<li><a href="https://skatingacademy.org/" target="_blank">Skating Club of Boston Skating Academy</a> in Allston/Brighton, Brookline, Somerville, etc.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<b>Should you buy or rent skates?</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Jackie Mercurio, Director at the Boston Common Skating School recommends you rent skates for your child's first session of ice skating. While the rental skates won't fit as well, it is a good idea to get a sense for whether your child enjoys skating before investing in skates.<br />
<br />
The pros of owning skates include; no cost to rent skates, no time waiting in line for rentals, and having a pair of skates that fit/lace properly. The pros of renting skates include; no need to worry about sharpening skates, no storing sports equipment in your home or needing to carry skates to/from rink, and no concerns about outgrowing them.<br />
<br />
If purchasing skates, invest wisely. A cheap pair of ice skates may be ok for a beginner but they don't hold up well over time. Buying better quality used skates is a good way to save money and make sure you get a good product as well. Check <a href="https://boston.craigslist.org/" target="_blank">Craigslist</a> and local parent groups like <a href="https://www.bigtent.com/groups/gardenmoms" target="_blank">GardenMoms</a> and <a href="https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/newma" target="_blank">NEWMA</a> for used skates. Or take a trip to a <a href="https://www.playitagainsports.com/Locations/List" target="_blank">Play It Again</a> sports store in the suburbs for a secondhand pair. Also, be sure to have new skates sharpened and for beginners once or twice per season should be fine. Fore more frequent/advanced skaters they will need to be sharpened more frequently.<br />
<br />
<b>Where to Skate</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
Once your child is comfortable skating there are tons of options for skating both indoors and outdoors. Here are some nearby options.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Downtown/Back Bay: </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><a href="https://bostonfrogpond.com/winter-programs/pricing-season-passes/">Frog Pond, Boston Common</a> See website for hours. Skater under (4’10”) skate free. $6 admission for anyone taller. Skate rentals $12 for adults, $6 for kids. $4 for lockers.</li>
<li><a href="http://cityhallplazaboston.com/skating-path/">Boston Winter Skating Path</a> at Government Center See website for hours.</li>
<li><a href="https://www.bu.edu/fitrec/recreation/skating/">Boston University</a> See website for open skate hours, $5 admission and $5 for skate rentals</li>
</ul>
<b>South Boston: </b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><a href="https://www.mass.gov/locations/dcr-murphy-memorial-rink">DCR Francis
Murphy Rink</a> See website for open skate hours. Skate rentals $5.</li>
</ul>
<o:p> </o:p><b>Charlestown:</b><o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><a href="https://www.mass.gov/locations/dcr-emmons-horrigan-oneil-memorial-rink">DCR
O’Neil Rink</a> See website for open skate hours. Skate rentals $5.</li>
</ul>
<o:p> </o:p><b>North End:</b><o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><a href="https://www.mass.gov/locations/dcr-steriti-memorial-rink">Steriti Rink</a>
See website for open skate hours. Skate rentals $5</li>
</ul>
<b>Just Across the
Charles River (Cambridge):</b><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><a href="http://web.mit.edu/athletics/www/skate.htm">MIT Johnson’s Rink</a>: See
website for open skate hours. Temporary day pass to use recreation facilities is
$15, $5 youth skate rentals, $7 adults.</li>
<li><a href="http://www.paddleboston.com/skating/rates.php">Kendall
Square:</a> Admission $1 for children, $3 for students/seniors, $8 for students/adults.
Skate rentals $5 for kids, $8 for adults. $1 lockers.</li>
</ul>
For more Department of Conservation and Recreation Rinks See:
<a href="https://www.mass.gov/ice-skating">https://www.mass.gov/ice-skating</a><br />
<br />
Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Skating Season Boston Families!</div>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05695555665648089745noreply@blogger.com0Boston, MA, USA42.3600825 -71.0588801000000141.984348999999995 -71.704327100000015 42.735816 -70.4134331tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184950669725019110.post-78181851496417257322016-04-01T00:00:00.000-07:002016-04-01T09:52:21.367-07:00Boston April Fools' Day Game<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 12pt;">In honor of this being April Fools’ Day, we have our own version of Two Truths and a Lie or for those of you NPR aficionados, "Bluff the Listener". Below are three
April Fools’ Day stories all related to Boston. Can you guess which stories are true and which is fiction?</span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><b>1. One Southern
State Honored the Boston Strangler</b></span></span></h3>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 12pt;">April 1, 1971: The House of
Representatives of one Southern state unanimously passed a resolution honoring
Albert DeSalvo, noting he had been "officially recognized by the state of
Massachusetts for his noted activities and unconventional techniques involving
population control and applied psychology." The politicians were
embarrassed when it was later revealed to them that DeSalvo was better known as
the "Boston Strangler." He had confessed to killing 13 women. The
resolution had been submitted by two representatives, who said they did it to
demonstrate that "No one reads these bills or resolutions." Funny,
yet not funny!</span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>2. Boston-Based Professor April Fooled the Country</b></span></h3>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">April 1, 1983: A professor of history at one of
Boston’s many universities provided a false account of the history of April
Fools’ Day, attributing its origin to Roman Emperor Constantine, and his having
made one of his jesters or fools, King for the day. His history of the day was
taken seriously and published nationwide via the Associated Press. Turns out he
made the whole story up though. Happy April Fools’ from Boston’s intellectual
elite!<br /> </span></div>
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>3. Local College
Students Tested Archaic Boston Laws</b></span></h3>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">April 1, 1998: Boston has some foolish laws
still on the books, ranging from the prohibition of taking baths on Sundays to
prohibition of playing the fiddle. One dated law allows anyone to graze their livestock
in the Public Garden and Common except for Sundays. A group of college juniors
decided to test this out for an April Fools’ prank. On the night of Tuesday,
March 31, 1998, friends at the University of New Hampshire helped them borrow cattle
from the school and deposited them on Boston’s Common. The joke was on them
though because more recent legislation indeed renders this illegal. You’d think
college kids would have been smart enough to look that one up! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; line-height: 12.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05695555665648089745noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184950669725019110.post-30377820180212426022016-03-18T21:28:00.001-07:002016-03-19T18:20:49.026-07:00BPS Assignment and the Lottery<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl9ZlRXlhUN75lrukQrcYHSpIhhNT-_Fvvo3a5Q6UtmmbcY80lG1Br3NMJGqrVJ7RL9FB1RVb88I8Rt6fm3YfdW6RqE7cB40gEN_03wEPFV48WXnrcXLLWiVx58lpJc_24_kh0cC-jjd9p/s1600/BPS_School_Asssignment_Letter.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="School Assignment Letter from Boston Public Schools" border="0" height="571" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl9ZlRXlhUN75lrukQrcYHSpIhhNT-_Fvvo3a5Q6UtmmbcY80lG1Br3NMJGqrVJ7RL9FB1RVb88I8Rt6fm3YfdW6RqE7cB40gEN_03wEPFV48WXnrcXLLWiVx58lpJc_24_kh0cC-jjd9p/s640/BPS_School_Asssignment_Letter.png" title="BPS Assignment Letter" width="640" /></a>It is almost spring and Boston Public School (BPS) assignments were sent out, mere days before Daylight Savings Time cruelly stole an hour of our lives, adding to the sleep deprivation we already face as parents. If you "won" the lottery - that is found your child placed in one of your top choice schools - congratulations! At least you can sleep soundly for the next few months. If not, you just lost even more sleep as you somewhat irrationally stress about your child's entire future being determined by a lottery.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We lived through this last year for Kindergarten 1, referred to as K1, which is the BPS equivalent of preschool. And now because we applied for a transfer we are going through it again. BPS assignments dominate conversations with local parents these days. Everyone with a newborn baby through kindergarten age child wants to know about our experiences. So here is what we can tell you.</div>
<div>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Our Lottery Story: Part 1, K1</h3>
<br />
Last year, when we entered the lottery for K1, we only selected three schools. The first two were top tier schools which means that children at these schools, on average, score the highest on state exams. The third school we chose happened to be close enough to us that even though it was Tier 3 (students score, on average, in the lower 25-50% on state exams), we thought it was worth considering. Since K1 education is not mandatory, we did not enter the lottery for other schools. Akka was assigned to the Tier 3 school, which is lucky, because she could have been denied an assignment at all, particularly given our choosiness.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Still we called the BPS Welcome Center to find out her wait list numbers for the other two schools to see if there was any hope of a better assignment. She was 76th on one wait list and 81st on another. The <a href="http://www.bostonpublicschools.org/cms/lib07/MA01906464/Centricity/Domain/29/2014-05-13%20School%20Demand%20Report.xls" target="_blank">K1 school demand report from school year 2014-2015</a> showed that her assigned school had roughly one student seek entry for every one available seat. At our two first choice schools several students applied for each seat and given the open number of seats, we must have been near the end on both wait lists, with no chance at all of getting in.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDSdyVDDPZrrc1Plvir-bVk0KNZ3afmJuTz1qMM5gvlTax2yNw0kZoO8spoYxOwRPBItTlXOLxqLGaoD4gj0L-x618yzuK26s82KhVAt2K_oMeKtk3xl4-b0R6h1Tet-xr4FBMiklHt_Fp/s1600/BPS+School+Activity+K1+Pizza.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Preschool Art Project Pizza" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDSdyVDDPZrrc1Plvir-bVk0KNZ3afmJuTz1qMM5gvlTax2yNw0kZoO8spoYxOwRPBItTlXOLxqLGaoD4gj0L-x618yzuK26s82KhVAt2K_oMeKtk3xl4-b0R6h1Tet-xr4FBMiklHt_Fp/s320/BPS+School+Activity+K1+Pizza.JPG" title="BPS K1 Art Project Pizza" width="319" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pizza Art Pre-Pizza Making Field Trip Activity</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Feeling hesitant about the cost of private preschool, given that we might just end up at this same public school the following year for kindergarten (K2), we decided to consider her assigned school. We spoke with parents of children at the school, attended the school's Open House, met the principal and assistant principal and decided we would give it a try. We knew we could enter the lottery again for K2, so it seemed like a time-limited trial. She started in September and immediately loved it. She spends most of her day learning through play and is lucky enough to have classes including gym, dance, music, yoga, and even STEAM (STEM + Arts) as a K1 student. She has had three field trips this year; one to the New England Aquarium, one where her class walked to a local grocery market to buy ingredients to make pizza and then actually made pizza at school, and one where the kids walked to the local library branch for a special music hour. She is excited to go to school every day and comes home talking about what she did and all of her classmates.<br />
<br />
Still at our first choice schools, she would have a more competitive peer group, an extended learning day (her school does not have funding to provide as much in-class time which will matter more as she is older), and foreign language instruction. Additionally her friends that attend our first choice schools have impressive monthly field trips and other bonuses largely funded through parent council-run nonprofits that support those schools.<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Our Lottery Story: Part 2, K2</h3>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So this year, we did what we thought was best and applied for transfer via the lottery to our two top choice schools again. Then the day before Daylight Savings Time, that envelope arrived in the mail. Although we can continue to apply for transfer each year, this was our last good chance until the sixth grade, for Akka to move into an arguably much better school. We opened the letter and this time, unlike last year, her continued assignment to her current school felt like a blow. Because it was the weekend, we had to wait until Monday to call the Welcome Center. This year her wait list numbers improved, 10th and 15th at each of our two first choice schools. Still this means roughly 20% of the assigned class would have to choose not to attend, for her to get a spot at one of these schools. This also means we will live in "BPS purgatory" waiting for a call that likely will never come, right up until December 2016 when the wait lists are erased.<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
More on Our Current School</h3>
</div>
<div>
<br />
Fortunately our involvement at our daughter's current school is somewhat distracting. Although we are new parents at the school, Ashley easily obtained a seat on the School Site Council - the governing body of the school that makes budgetary and hiring decisions - as she was one of the few parents to show up and participate. We are also active in the School Parent Council. The good news is that for parents like us who want to be involved there is plenty of opportunity. The bad news is being involved makes you realize how few parents are able to or want to be involved.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We are currently working with the school and other involved parents (there is indeed a group of very involved parents) to establish a 501(c)(3) fundraising body for the school via the School Parent Council. We are also working on grant applications. Although 40% of the student population at the school is from the local neighborhood, many of the local families we know send their children to private school or moved out to the suburbs before kindergarten. Much of the remaining local population that send their children to school here is disadvantaged. Additionally nearly 50% of students are bussed in from the city's most disadvantaged neighborhoods (Roxbury, Mattapan and Dorchester) and the remaining 10% are largely special needs students from other neighborhoods as this is a school with inclusion classrooms in each grade level. From speaking with a fifth grade teacher at the school with regard to a grant application, we learned that 4 of her 23 students have access to a computer and internet at home. This partially explains the School Parent Council's difficulty in reaching out to parents via email and also speaks volumes to how much this school needs families likes ours to stay - that is families who have the means to commit to fundraising and just participating at the school.<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Our Truth</h3>
</div>
<div>
<br />
So there it all is; our thoughts about our school and about BPS and our experience with the BPS lottery. We are slightly stressed out and concerned, yet also determined to not let our worries and fears make our decisions about our children's education. We continue to remind ourselves about all the positives in our daughter's education this first year at her school and focus on what she is getting rather than dwelling on what she is missing out on from a top tier school that in many ways compares more similarly to private education than to even a wealthy suburban public education.<br />
<br />
Our daughter's peers that have special needs, are learning English as their second language, or who do not have the stable home environment that we are able to provide - only remind us how many factors outside of education are involved in determining a child's future. We believe more than her formal education, it is what she receives at home that will guide her on her future path. Further we see the positive in her peer group; a group that can teach her compassion, a group that will help her understand what it means to struggle and overcome, and a group that will help her better understand herself and her own background.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
BPS More Broadly</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
Of course BPS is a much larger and more complicated bear than any one school. Just this week two very interesting events pertaining to BPS occurred. First, the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) generated <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2016/03/14/city-divided/Wt6EnHNIwmNaUnWGgYLMcK/story.html" target="_blank">news</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/WBUR/status/710064349155450880" target="_blank">conversation</a> throughout the city when it published <a href="http://www.bostonredevelopmentauthority.org/getattachment/3cd80bc1-68bc-4fed-a4d5-e94dada942c1" target="_blank">its report</a> highlighting income inequality among Boston residents. A major finding of the report was the connection between education and income.</div>
<div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXS3viaJMQdSUv_Sep5iUa9ciI04Ag4LNhSetKnw3I9_vJebpy2tuH35agXcOQ8XYE6ajnALmrY8FsooFK1eLSm5ZBNL4QIXrpL6RymbvwjRmkczhyphenhyphen7g62oDaM155u5u4iCBRxWVbpcW8a/s1600/Quote-Income-and-Education-Inequality-BRA-Report.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXS3viaJMQdSUv_Sep5iUa9ciI04Ag4LNhSetKnw3I9_vJebpy2tuH35agXcOQ8XYE6ajnALmrY8FsooFK1eLSm5ZBNL4QIXrpL6RymbvwjRmkczhyphenhyphen7g62oDaM155u5u4iCBRxWVbpcW8a/s640/Quote-Income-and-Education-Inequality-BRA-Report.png" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Secondly, Mayor Walsh's 2017 budget with its $50 million shortfall of fully funding BPS has continued to be hotly contested before the BPS budget is finalized next week. In the face of a report linking educational attainment and income inequality among Boston residents, it seems willfully and morally wrong to under-fund BPS when there are such clear and visible inequities in the length of school day and curriculum provided between K-8 schools. Parents, students, and teachers are all advocating. It is also important that prospective parents let Mayor Walsh and their City Councilors who determine the City of Boston's budget know they are concerned too, and it is not too late. This coming Wednesday, March 23rd the Boston School Committee will need to approve a balanced budget that will be voted on by the City Council and then go to Mayor Walsh for his signature.<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Resources</h3>
<br />
Considering BPS? Find out what schools you are eligible for at <a href="http://www.discoverbps.org/" target="_blank">Discover BPS</a> or read about all BPS schools for 2016 on the <a href="http://www.bostonpublicschools.org/cms/lib07/MA01906464/Centricity/Domain/29/DiscoverBPS%2016%20K8%20for%20web.pdf" target="_blank">Discover BPS K-8 Flyer</a>. Learning about and entering the lottery costs you nothing.<br />
<br />
If you are already a parent or even just considering that you may someday be a BPS parent, consider learning more about the following ways to engage with BPS.<br />
<br />
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>Learn more about <a href="http://www.bostonpublicschools.org/Page/170" target="_blank">School Parent and Site Councils</a>.</li>
<li>Learn more about <a href="http://www.citywideparentcouncil.org/" target="_blank">Citywide Parent Council</a>.</li>
<li>Learn more about the <a href="http://www.bostonpublicschools.org/Page/249" target="_blank">BPS School Committee</a>.</li>
<li>Learn more about the <a href="http://www.cityofboston.gov/citycouncil/committees/education.asp" target="_blank">Boston City Council Education Committee</a>.</li>
</ol>
<br />
Also check out BPS Parent Blogs (see some of them under Resources on our sidebar). Or have a question you think we can answer? Feel free to ask.<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05695555665648089745noreply@blogger.com2Boston, MA, USA42.3600825 -71.0588801000000142.1722125 -71.3816036 42.547952499999994 -70.736156600000015tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184950669725019110.post-28003314789885913792016-03-13T22:21:00.002-07:002016-03-19T20:38:11.246-07:00Family Friendly St. Patrick's Day?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
We love holidays. Our family represents three different religions and twelve different ethnic backgrounds, so we have a lot to celebrate. Today we celebrated four Irish family members' March birthdays with an annual party including an amazing corned beef and cabbage feast, and homemade Irish soda bread. Great Grandpa Mick, who has an Irish brogue so thick that Tim does not always understand him, was sporting his shamrock suspenders.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWi5saZ-nX5kUDjDNVbEIPN9PJg6BufTj_wfpdmlkBWY7l8E8nOikdUU7Ym2E2QGR4hkz2jo3JJsAduKvnlx-vZc9DzC3Qp-FoQWwjj42bmHWmysjK9PUeDXEui1YwpyQ7P2-xbNQWeI8L/s1600/Irish+Soda+Bread+Homemade.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Photo of Homemade Irish Soda Bread from Today's Celebration" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWi5saZ-nX5kUDjDNVbEIPN9PJg6BufTj_wfpdmlkBWY7l8E8nOikdUU7Ym2E2QGR4hkz2jo3JJsAduKvnlx-vZc9DzC3Qp-FoQWwjj42bmHWmysjK9PUeDXEui1YwpyQ7P2-xbNQWeI8L/s320/Irish+Soda+Bread+Homemade.JPG" title="abostonfamily homemade irish soda bread" width="319" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Homemade Irish Soda Bread - Yum!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
However, in spite of Boston's sizable population of Irish descent and the city consistently receiving publicity for its top-notch St. Patrick's Day celebration, the cultural components of the holiday are somewhat overshadowed by ludicrous drinking at the St. Patrick's Day parade and Boston-area pubs. See <a href="http://www.abostonfamily.com/2014/03/binge-drinking-st-patricks-day-boston.html" target="_blank">our post about the harmful effects of binge drinking on children and St. Patrick's Day from 2014</a>.<br />
<br />
This year, we were hopeful with the Boston Public Schools closed on St. Patrick's Day, (in observation of Evacuation Day, when the British high-tailed it out of the city on March 17th, 1776) and the parade on Sunday, March 20th, that there might actually be great rated-G Irish events in Boston for the kids. Surprisingly, while this past weekend had a few opportunities (e.g., Irish step-dancing at the JFK library on Saturday) and there are some events in the suburbs, Boston is still lacking a large Irish cultural festival appropriate for children. However, here is a run-down of our suggestions for making the most of this holiday week in the city.<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Monday, March 14th</h3>
<br />
6:30PM <a href="http://www.bpl.org/programs/calendar.htm?trumbaEmbed=view%3Devent%26eventid%3D118207617" target="_blank">Irish Folk Concert</a> featuring local Boston group, <a href="http://www.bostonserinog.com/home" target="_blank">Erin Og</a> at the Jamaica Plain branch of the Boston Public Library. If you miss them there, they do have numerous other St. Patrick's gigs South of the city over the following days. <b>FREE</b><br />
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Tuesday, March 15th</h3>
<br />
11:00AM Barnes and Nobles at The Prudential Center in the Back Bay is hosting a <a href="https://stores.barnesandnoble.com/event/9780061762611-0" target="_blank">St. Patrick's Day story time</a> including <i>Happy St. Patrick's Day Curious George</i> and <i>The Night Before St. Patrick's Day, </i>followed by coloring with green crayons. <b>FREE</b><br />
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Wednesday, March 16th</h3>
<br />
4:00PM <a href="http://www.bpl.org/programs/calendar.htm?trumbaEmbed=view%3Devent%26eventid%3D117991459" target="_blank">St. Patrick's Day story time and craft</a> at the South Boston branch of the Boston Public Library. While in South Boston, Boston's St. Patrick's Day capital, you can shop across the street where <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BringingUpBabyBoston/?fref=nf" target="_blank">Bringing Up Baby</a> is decked out with St. Patrick's Day merchandise for babies and younger children. Further down West Broadway check out <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Southies-Own-243557455687487/?fref=photo" target="_blank">Southie's Own</a> for adult St. Patrick's Day gear and <a href="https://twitter.com/miammiammac/status/708757695596257280/photo/1?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank">MiamMiam Macaronerie for St. Patrick's Day macarons</a>. Story time and craft are <b>FREE</b><br />
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Thursday, March 17th</h3>
<br />
11:00AM The Children's Museum never fails to celebrate a holiday. Children can <a href="http://www.bostonchildrensmuseum.org/calendar/happy-st-patricks-day-2" target="_blank">learn about Irish folktales and participate in arts and crafts</a> including creating shamrocks and bracelets with Celtic designs until 1:30PM. At the same time, <a href="http://www.bostonchildrensmuseum.org/calendar/japanese-house-make-origami-hina-dolls-celebrate-girls-day-15" target="_blank">the museum will also be celebrating Japan's Hina-Matsuri </a>or Girls' Day holiday creating origami dolls in the Japanese House. Two holidays for the price of one. But warning, do expect this to be very crowded with so many children off of school for the day. On the upside, Flour Bakery, around the corner usually features cupcakes and/or cookies with green frosting for the holiday. <b>Museum Admission</b><br />
<br />
10:00AM but go anytime of day. Go a different kind of green at the <a href="http://bostonflowershow.com/welcome/hours-tickets/" target="_blank">Boston Flower and Garden Show</a>. Admittedly this has nothing to do with St. Patrick's Day or Ireland other than greenery fitting well with the theme. Still, two years ago we went and Akka loved it. The show's gardens and plants were beautiful and she loved looking at them. In the <a href="http://bostonflowershow.com/events-activities/activities/" target="_blank">Little Sprouts Center</a> for kids, activities included making crepe paper flowers and decorating visors to wear outside gardening. It was very well planned and organized. The show starts on Wednesday and ends Sunday. <b>$20 per adult, free for children under 6</b><br />
<br />
8:00AM onwards. Want to make a traditional Irish meal with your kids? The <a href="https://bostonpublicmarket.org/happenings" target="_blank">Boston Public Market</a> has corned beef, cabbage and anything else you may need and several promotions in honor of St. Patrick's Day. <b>Cost of your purchases</b><br />
<br />
9:00AM Like the Children's Museum, the New England Aquarium is likely to be packed because of the school holiday, but it is near The Boston Public Market if you wanted to combine activities. While the aquarium doesn't have a specific St. Patrick's Day event, they do have <a href="http://news.neaq.org/2016/03/feeling-green-celebrating-st-patricks.html" target="_blank">a cute idea for a "green scavenger hunt" in honor of the holiday</a>. It is also close enough to Faneuil Hall to swing by <a href="https://twitter.com/FaneuilHall/status/708326772392206336" target="_blank">Kilvert and Forbes for their St Patrick's Day cupcakes</a> and the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/IrishEyesFH" target="_blank">Irish Eyes pushcart</a> for merchandise. <b>Aquarium Admission</b><br />
<br />
7:00PM The Community Music Center of Boston is having a family-friendly St. Patrick's Day concert. This show is a bit too late for our little ones during the school week but for anyone who is interested, the details are <a href="http://cmcb.org/event/matt-shannon-heaton/" target="_blank">here</a>. <b>FREE</b><br />
<br />
ALL DAY Another option is to head to Legoland or just shopping at Assembly Row in Somerville. Just by visiting you can <a href="http://www.thebostoncalendar.com/events/st-patrick-s-day-weekend-at-assembly-row" target="_blank">enter in their St. Patrick's Day raffle</a>. While there check out <a href="http://www.jplicks.com/" target="_blank">JPLicks</a> for an Irish themed treat like the Mint Irish Chipwich or Irish Lace Frappe.<br />
<br />
ALL DAY Many other local businesses will market kitschy but fun or yummy St. Patrick's Day specials such as <a href="https://twitter.com/Brueggers" target="_blank">green bagels at Bruegger's</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/SweetCupcakes_/status/708667097107320833" target="_blank">Irish cream and Guinness flavored cupcakes at Sweet</a>.<br />
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Friday, March 18th</h3>
<br />
10:00AM If you happen to live in one of South Boston's zip codes and you are a South Boston MOMS Club member or join before Friday, you can attend the club's St. Patrick's Day Party which includes a play date with snacks, activities and St. Patrick's Day goody bags. <a href="https://www.bigtent.com/groups/sobomomsclub" target="_blank">Join here.</a> <b>FREE FOR MEMBERS</b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/st-patricks-day-storytime-1030-tickets-22237252220?aff=es2&mc_cid=05bdcfa04a&mc_eid=9d11fe3c65" target="_blank">SOLD OUT</a> The Curious George Store in Cambridge is hosting a reading of <i>Happy St. Patrick's Day Curious George</i> and scavenger hunt but registration is required and it is already fully booked.<br />
<br />
<br />
If you are determined to go to the parade with children this weekend, given the binge drinking of many attendees, please consider watching from one for the family friendly zones. Once information is available I will update it here and on social media. UPDATE: Seems there are no designated family friendly zones this year. However <a href="http://www.boston.com/life/2016/03/18/the-best-places-watch-the-patrick-day-parade-south-boston/OJLXt7TzVSRW4vzIgQ7OEJ/story.html" target="_blank">Boston.com recommends some areas </a>for family watching the parade if you are determined to go even with the crazy snow forecast!</div>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05695555665648089745noreply@blogger.com2Boston, MA, USA42.3600825 -71.0588801000000142.1722125 -71.3816036 42.547952499999994 -70.736156600000015tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184950669725019110.post-2394732262106462792016-03-11T12:55:00.001-08:002016-03-14T14:40:34.543-07:00Review: Sea Squirts Classes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSF7UOlfMJ9J6Zp0E4yek72N5qP662a-X8JFWs8APVxihA3_5lJhgCGL4mfr2t3ZLDUxUoSugg-0crEUsTAeSH5bNX6ojuR66GwCy4WHwNelaoBn6HXnS1-8qd0CHhY0oHFQ1OtFa2IbI1/s1600/Mr+Seahorse+Book+Sea+Squirts+Mouth+Brooding.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="photo of a page in Eric Carle's book Mr Seahorse of a fish mouth breeding" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSF7UOlfMJ9J6Zp0E4yek72N5qP662a-X8JFWs8APVxihA3_5lJhgCGL4mfr2t3ZLDUxUoSugg-0crEUsTAeSH5bNX6ojuR66GwCy4WHwNelaoBn6HXnS1-8qd0CHhY0oHFQ1OtFa2IbI1/s320/Mr+Seahorse+Book+Sea+Squirts+Mouth+Brooding.JPG" title="Mouth Brooding Fish Mr Seahorse" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mouth Brooding in <i>Mr. Seahorse</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Like other classes for preschoolers, <a href="http://www.neaq.org/education_and_activities/programs_and_classes/family_programs/family_explorers/" target="_blank">Sea Squirts at the New England Aquarium</a> helps children work on motor and verbal skills, as well as important social skills such as taking turns and playing with other children in a classroom environment. However Sea Squirts is a unique opportunity as it also provides an introduction to aquatic life and fundamental science skills including observation and exploration; STEM!<br />
<br />
The current Sea Squirts session is called "Ocean Babies." The four classes in this session focus on the following topics; mouth brooding, egg cases, plankton, and reptile eggs. There are 9 children in the class (classes are capped at 10) and although the classes are for children 2-4 years, most of the children in this class seem to be 3 years or younger. Note: the aquarium also offers <a href="http://www.neaq.org/education_and_activities/programs_and_classes/family_programs/family_explorers/Sea_Squirts_Preview.php" target="_blank">Sea Squirts Preview</a> classes for children 12-24 months. The instructors Miss Chelsea and Miss Ali are good with children, but knowledgeable enough to answer adult questions as well.<br />
<br />
For the first class - mouth brooding - children arrived and played with fish puzzles, sea blue homemade play dough and other toys. Parents were provided a handout with facts about mouth brooding:<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Mouth brooding is when one parent, usually the father, incubates the eggs with his mouth</li>
<li>During this time father fish are not eating and must be careful not to swallow</li>
<li>Some father fish will even shelter the young, known as fry, after they hatch, within their mouth until they grow too large to fit.</li>
</ul>
In addition to the story read during the class, the handout suggested <a href="http://press.nationalgeographic.com/2012/04/16/love-you-dad-a-book-of-thanks/" target="_blank">Love You Dad: A Book of Thanks</a> and <a href="http://www.bloomsbury.com/us/hug-a-bull-9780802735713/" target="_blank">Hug a Bull: An Ode to Animal Dads</a>.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVok4vok8kHQYMfuwH7uweAMQQWxAl9M6Zlpt54wH-skB2bX8iz2xRzR_dVFrEku60XjOlLWR1SeU2QRSJxZN9e8cRkyQBV-12HBZjHOzsohQXNdn033B9q64P0iAFhCgOGhVjExEGZVC5/s1600/Sea+Squirts+Mouth+Brooding+Craft.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Picture of a craft fish mouth brooding from Sea Squirts class at the New England Aquarium" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVok4vok8kHQYMfuwH7uweAMQQWxAl9M6Zlpt54wH-skB2bX8iz2xRzR_dVFrEku60XjOlLWR1SeU2QRSJxZN9e8cRkyQBV-12HBZjHOzsohQXNdn033B9q64P0iAFhCgOGhVjExEGZVC5/s320/Sea+Squirts+Mouth+Brooding+Craft.JPG" title="Mouth Brooding Fish Craft Sea Squirts Boston Aquarium" width="319" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mouth Brooding Fish Craft</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
After five minutes of playtime, the instructors guided the children in cleaning up toys. Circle time began and the children were each given maracas or bells to play while singing the Sea Squirts Anthem - a simple song to the familiar tune of "You Are My Sunshine". Before being asked to put the instruments away the children shook their instruments for a count of 5, practicing counting. </div>
<div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The instructors then explained mouth brooding and showed photographs of male "Daddy" fish with eggs in their mouths. Since the children would be seeing a Daddy cardinal fish mouth brooding when visiting an exhibit at the aquarium, they were called up one at a time by name (i.e., to practice waiting and taking turns) to place cardinal fish on a felt board.<br />
<br />
Children were then guided in a paper plate craft decorating their own Daddy fish. Once the children made the fish with huge pocket mouths from the plates, they were given toy baby fish to hold in the mouths. The children then danced and tried not to spill any of the baby fish out. When the music ended, the children were asked to have the "Daddy fish" spit the baby fish out as they were ready to go out on their own.<br />
<br />
The children sat down for a second circle time. The instructors played a video on an iPad of a Daddy fish mouth brooding and then read <a href="http://www.eric-carle.com/rev-seahorse.html" target="_blank">Eric Carle's, <i>Mr. Seahorse</i></a>. Once again they sang the Sea Squirts Anthem with instruments.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The class then walked over to the aquarium's main building to see the exhibits and specifically the mouth brooding Daddy cardinal fish. Unlike the other cardinal fish in the tank, the mouth brooding Daddy fish did not swim about but stayed roughly in one spot. When other fish came near he pulled back away from them, clearly protective of his babies. His cheeks were also puffy and full. Once in awhile his mouth opened slightly and you could see pink fish roe, as compared to the inner mouths of the other fish which were black. Class ended but we stayed at the aquarium and enjoyed seeing blue penguins, fish in the giant tank eating a head of lettuce, and sea dragons. Just before leaving we stopped to touch stingrays and then went and said goodbye to the Daddy fish and headed home in time for lunch.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwRWGEO36jCbrgy2VNfAtqcFYJziCqwFtKO74oAUwlKoY6Jp6Bs3pKnAxhQbLRf2qD4JXAkxv4WB_LpnZXhiswTZ83yKRMcPzPt3whn7aBRiUCZhfjr39S_0olmGbdMuXvFyICtdvyFn12/s1600/Mouth+Brooding+Cardinal+Fish+Boston+Aquarium.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Photo of mouth brooding cardinal fish at the aquarium in Boston" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwRWGEO36jCbrgy2VNfAtqcFYJziCqwFtKO74oAUwlKoY6Jp6Bs3pKnAxhQbLRf2qD4JXAkxv4WB_LpnZXhiswTZ83yKRMcPzPt3whn7aBRiUCZhfjr39S_0olmGbdMuXvFyICtdvyFn12/s320/Mouth+Brooding+Cardinal+Fish+Boston+Aquarium.JPG" title="Mouth Brooding Cardinal Fish New England Aquarium Boston" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mouth Brooding Cardinal Fish</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
At a cost of $55 per session ($13.75 per class) for aquarium members this is well worth it. Signing up for one session at a time makes this a relatively small financial and time commitment. For Malli the social skills component of being with other children is great. While many of the activities were things we could do on our own, we probably would not. Additionally, we never would have noticed the cardinal fish that was mouth brooding at the aquarium. Best of all perhaps, the class was educational for the adults as well, which is very different than a MyGym or Groovy Babies type class.<br />
<br />
Another benefit of the class is that it helps us to take advantage of our aquarium membership. While we love going to the aquarium, we are hesitant to go too often so as not to wear the experience out. These classes help draw a focus to each aquarium visit. While at the aquarium afterwards we did not feel like we needed to try and see all the exhibits. We had already been there long enough with the class that we could just focus on a few exhibits.<br />
<br />
<b>Bottom Line: </b>Sea Squirts is a different and science-based way to engage toddlers/preschoolers in a class environment. It is exactly the type of opportunity that is unique and wonderful about living in Boston.</div>
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Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05695555665648089745noreply@blogger.com2Boston, MA, USA42.3600825 -71.0588801000000142.1722125 -71.3816036 42.547952499999994 -70.736156600000015tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184950669725019110.post-48711669299240796662014-03-19T04:30:00.000-07:002016-03-23T19:10:05.812-07:00Binge Drinking & St. Patrick's Day<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YNJtkQF7X2Gc-sy-hS3ONXsWOF0jfegvwj2sYFrtu-hT8Efy3FM2LZODUYl51PskfXdZzXWz0F50y6tqa7Q0yKEm36TomygCaZeo02momTHBktQAAmfmVGmp7iKtMj_IfwKbncFEvgPn/s1600/Whiskey+Priest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4YNJtkQF7X2Gc-sy-hS3ONXsWOF0jfegvwj2sYFrtu-hT8Efy3FM2LZODUYl51PskfXdZzXWz0F50y6tqa7Q0yKEm36TomygCaZeo02momTHBktQAAmfmVGmp7iKtMj_IfwKbncFEvgPn/s1600/Whiskey+Priest.jpg" title="The Whiskey Priest Boston" width="199" /></a></div>
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What do the Whiskey Priest, Lucky Mint Coolattas from Dunkin' Donuts and
copious amounts of vomit have in common? Answer: St. Patrick’s Day in Boston, for families a disappointing rated-R experience. St. Patrick’s Day in the city potentially exposes children to dangerous levels of intoxication and resulting questionable behavior (i.e., public urination, fights, swearing, etc.). We love Boston. We like shamrocks. (A fun fact is that rumors suggest the shamrock was used by St.
Patrick to represent the holy trinity.) And who doesn't want a pot of
gold? Amongst our combined 12 ethnic backgrounds, our family is part Irish, so please do not think we are being St.
Patrick's Day Scrooges. We are not trying to rain in anyone’s Lucky
Charms but suggest if your goal is cultural entertainment, beware the Boston St. Patrick's Day celebrations.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkgDc1i2B_dbwdkiZ7Qu6_DK47hze0OI8IvlN09myZAH49Ooa5xu8R-1G1_jV0pSAv6FNyvpl4BByjiVkpeC5wcViqLsFyRxx-eOL7luwKxRnBgiRJh9oJGxnbKojr2J2SFzDse3haZ9fH/s1600/St+Patty%27s+Tweet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkgDc1i2B_dbwdkiZ7Qu6_DK47hze0OI8IvlN09myZAH49Ooa5xu8R-1G1_jV0pSAv6FNyvpl4BByjiVkpeC5wcViqLsFyRxx-eOL7luwKxRnBgiRJh9oJGxnbKojr2J2SFzDse3haZ9fH/s1600/St+Patty's+Tweet.jpg" title="St. Patrick's Day Tweet Boston" width="320" /></a>Of course some unadulterated, culturally-based St. Patrick's Day celebrations do occur in Boston, such as the <a href="http://www.bostonchildrensmuseum.org/calendar/happy-st-patricks-day" target="_blank">St.Patrick’s Day festivities at the Children’s Museum</a>. Mostly, however, the holiday is an excuse to binge drink, so much so that it is nearly impossible to travel in the city without witnessing inappropriate behavior. The MBTA and streets alike swarm with highly intoxicated party-goers, their spilled beer, antics that include such traditions as "Erin Go Bra-less" and eventually their vomit. Thus even if drinking is not
on your agenda, it is hard to avoid the thousands of people who are
badly intoxicated.</div>
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Looking at the Shamrock Another Way</h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvsfPuaMGIRZDR3MfrH5Fnb_qKsrrrZiB9HmH4FMmp-k-KHJeXMu1jSGFnXJ6ysuzVrm5pod0U7Ppzx1qKRA2awdUVDZ9f2MbY2kx8rNxvKWTu0vWYQY_83kb3NIkLAtm3acey8Aqrpka/s1600/trinity+of+binge+drinking.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFvsfPuaMGIRZDR3MfrH5Fnb_qKsrrrZiB9HmH4FMmp-k-KHJeXMu1jSGFnXJ6ysuzVrm5pod0U7Ppzx1qKRA2awdUVDZ9f2MbY2kx8rNxvKWTu0vWYQY_83kb3NIkLAtm3acey8Aqrpka/s1600/trinity+of+binge+drinking.jpg" title="Shamrock of Binge Drinking" width="320" /></a><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: normal;">The literature is rife regarding the impacts of adolescent binge drinking amongst high school and college students, as well as the impacts on infants of maternal binge drinking. However, less noted is the impact on young children of witnessing binge drinking. Still we are able to document at least a</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: normal;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: normal;"> triad (or shamrock) of concerns in regards to binge drinking on St. Patrick's Day.</span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: normal;">In 2010 the BBC conducted a study and reported 30% of
children are scared of adults drinking.<span style="font-size: x-small;">[1]</span> A personal anecdote about an early memory of inappropriate adult drinking is from seven years of age
witnessing a man pass out on the beach in Florida. More than two decades later, the scene and feeling of fright are vivid. The incident was
an anomaly on an otherwise benign public beach that could not
have predicted and subsequently avoided. St. Patrick's Day in Boston on the other hand is predictably troublesome. </span></span>The Boston Police Department
reported in 2013 at the St. Patrick’s Day parade in South Boston
alone (which by the way, if you live under the Blarney Stone, is under scrutiny
for its anti-gay stance) they handed out 336 citations for drinking in public,
made 26 arrests for disorderly conduct and there was one account of assault for
“throat-kicking.”<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">[2,3] </span>This year, officers assigned to the parade
issued 293 citations for public drinking and made five arrests, two for
disorderly conduct and three for public drinking. One subject was placed in
protective custody.<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">[4]</span><span style="font-size: normal;"> This leads to the second area of concern - the normalization of binge drinking.</span><br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWIkPZG-x9zI4chAVkv_lZuTolWzh9TjCMDrZ1rKXHArRcnuMp9yf-4KIsC8sCzUAhy-nKlozAT5jmc2W6XGavn81_TdhG8Ym7nwzvI0zSNpXuPfK8Y8grvzrZX4S3zVIUp5dJwtJBpMA/s1600/Sign+of+the+Season+on+Seaport+Blvd.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWIkPZG-x9zI4chAVkv_lZuTolWzh9TjCMDrZ1rKXHArRcnuMp9yf-4KIsC8sCzUAhy-nKlozAT5jmc2W6XGavn81_TdhG8Ym7nwzvI0zSNpXuPfK8Y8grvzrZX4S3zVIUp5dJwtJBpMA/s1600/Sign+of+the+Season+on+Seaport+Blvd.JPG" title="St. Patrick's Day Beer Ad Boston" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sign of the Season on Seaport Blvd</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: normal;">Exposure
to alcohol abuse, in addition to being scary, normalizes the behavior.
Children who see this type of behavior are more likely to emanate it
when they are older, and </span><span id="DeltaPlaceHolderMain">according
to the Boston Public Health Commission, binge drinking is the third
leading cause of preventable death in the United States.</span><span style="font-size: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">[5,6] </span></span><span id="DeltaPlaceHolderMain"><span id="DeltaPlaceHolderMain">In
Boston, St. Patrick’s Day coincides with a sharp spike in
alcohol-related emergency department visits. Rates have steadily
increased in recent
years with nearly 120 alcohol-related emergency department visits on
March 17-18, 2012.</span></span><span style="font-size: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">[6] </span></span><span style="font-size: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-normal;"><span style="font-size: normal;">Even though an experience seeing adults binge drink on St. Patrick's Day may be an isolated experience, in reflection later in life, a child will know their parents brought them to an event that was predictably toxic in this regard and that sends a message that the behavior is accepted on some level.</span></span> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: normal;"><span style="font-size: normal;"><span style="font-size: normal;">Furthermore, while an isolated experience viewing
heavy intoxication presumably will not cause lasting damage to a child, poor behavior resulting from intoxication could be more traumatic. Obviously any child who witnessed the
near-winner of the Darwin awards for natural selection who was injured
falling off a rooftop along the parade route in 2012 may be particularly upset.</span></span></span><span style="font-size: normal;"><span style="font-size: normal;"><span style="font-size: normal;"><span style="font-size: normal;"><span style="font-size: normal;"><span style="font-size: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">[7]</span></span></span></span>
It is not implausible to think a child may see such a traumatic
alcohol-related incident on St. Patrick's Day in Boston. The incident could be discomforting, such as a show of a stranger's private parts, or violent like a fight.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: normal;"><span style="font-size: normal;"><span style="font-size: normal;">We know our own
children will have experiences where they, witness heavy
intoxication despite our best intentions. Still, certain days and places
in Boston (in addition to St. Patrick's Day, many sports games and win celebrations) are as mentioned before predictably troublesome and avoidable.</span></span></span><br />
<br /></div>
<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
The Southie St. Patrick's Day Parade for Children?</h3>
<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
</h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL0ex6rYd1cfluap7ejXeykn9CxgQjCcBg9eirBxnvWHclgij171AKrPwwICJ2ReEERdmKy6EVqgJF9xp_oFFj36D1ZC8g8djJqcBfwrOT-2Ed8Tp-n1s_NUr2nscGU0kSyPLbT1xyRf1N/s1600/036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL0ex6rYd1cfluap7ejXeykn9CxgQjCcBg9eirBxnvWHclgij171AKrPwwICJ2ReEERdmKy6EVqgJF9xp_oFFj36D1ZC8g8djJqcBfwrOT-2Ed8Tp-n1s_NUr2nscGU0kSyPLbT1xyRf1N/s1600/036.JPG" title="St. Patrick's Day Parade Boston 2011" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Patrick's Parade 2011, the first and last time I went</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Nevertheless we understand why taking children to the parade seems like a fun idea. <a href="http://southbostoncan.org/" target="_blank">South Boston CAN</a>, an organization committed to decreasing substance abuse in the neighborhood, established Family Friendly Zones along the
parade route “to ensure there are safe and sober venues to watch the
proceedings.” For anyone planning on attending a future parade, the Family Friendly Zones are located at The Action Center at 424 West
Broadway, Old Colony at the corner of Dorchester Avenue and Rev. Burke Street and The Laboure Center at 275 West Broadway and feature face-painting and snacks.<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">[8]</span> Despite good intentions, we remain unconvinced these zones are able to shelter children from behavior that may be dangerous or frightening. In
2012 the Boston Police Department reported the following:<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"></i><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"></i>
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"At
about 1:10pm . . . </i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">officers assigned to the St. Patrick’s
Day Parade . . . heard an
individual cursing and swearing at them in a loud voice as they passed by . . . Given the fact that there were
a large number of young children in the immediate area who were well within ear
shot of the individual who displayed negligible levels of discomfort with his
decision to loudly curse and swear at police officers, the decision was made to
arrest the individual. Officers arrested . . . and charged him with Drinking in
Public."</i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">[9]</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Unfortunately, as this example demonstrates, violators of public drinking laws may be arrested for inappropriate behavior near
children, but only after they have caused a problem in front of those
children. It is certainly not an isolated incident either. The Rush/Doherty family who attended this year (2014) with young children was quoted in a Boston Globe article expressing concern about the level of intoxication and behavior they witnessed.<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">[10]</span></div>
<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2sxuPRGViYqiN-tTNIi0bKPXhGUvtUoyif_6drQaBrC5z4s6nqdz-S3MPoF9Epov4te0vPiQfszZrcCBQgWjkcWwWZa0CzvdFjoAe2eojt-fCfxMj4rs5o973cGQp17TzuylYbDO0hjnw/s1600/039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2sxuPRGViYqiN-tTNIi0bKPXhGUvtUoyif_6drQaBrC5z4s6nqdz-S3MPoF9Epov4te0vPiQfszZrcCBQgWjkcWwWZa0CzvdFjoAe2eojt-fCfxMj4rs5o973cGQp17TzuylYbDO0hjnw/s400/039.JPG" title="St. Patrick's Day Parade Boston" width="400" /></a></div>
<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
St. Patrick's Day Tips for Boston Families</h3>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
For anyone determined to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in the city as a family the following are thoughts for how to avoid exposing children to the binge drinking behavior that abounds. <br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Areas to avoid include South Boston,
Faneuil Hall/Government Center/Downtown, and the Back Bay, which are chock full of Irish pubs and
bars. Any other area in (or outside of the city) near an Irish pub, bar or
parade and of course the MBTA should also be considered rated-R on March 17th. </li>
</ul>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Even if driving, children may be better off enjoying the forbidden entertainment of an electronic device such as a tablet, smartphone, or gaming device, lest they look out the windows at the sights. </li>
</ul>
<div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Do not try to walk anywhere before noon on both March 17th and parade day (if they are not the same) and 6pm the following day<sup></sup> as you will surely have to dodge vomit.</li>
</ul>
Oh wait those tips were not helpful? They basically told you to just avoid the city. Oops! Our family usually goes green for the holiday with a trip to the greenery of the suburbs. All we can say is if you are reading
these tips and laughing at what you believe is exaggeration, you have
never been in Boston
for St. Patrick’s Day!</div>
<div>
<div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">[1] </span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">“<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10491057">Third of children 'scared' by adult
drinking</a>,” BBC News, July 5, 2010.</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">[2] </span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">“<a href="http://bostinno.streetwise.co/2013/03/18/st-patricks-day-2013-boston-police-arrest-numbers/">Boston
Police Arrest Numbers</a>,” BostInno, March 18, 2013.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">[3]</span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> MBTA Transit Police, “<a href="http://www.tpdnews411.com/2013/03/hes-no-saint-patrick.html">He’s No St.
Patrick</a>,” tpdnews blog, March 18, 2013.</span> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">[4] "<a href="http://bpdnews.com/news/2014/3/16/st-patricks-day-parade-update" target="_blank">St. Patrick's Day Parade Update</a>," bpdnews.com, March 16, 2014.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">[5] "<a href="http://captus.samhsa.gov/access-resources/overview-factors-impact-binge-drinking-contextdomain" target="_blank">Overview of Factors that Impact Binge Drinking, by Context/Domain</a>," SAMHSA. </span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">[<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">6] </span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">"<a href="http://www.bphc.org/onlinenewsroom/Blog/Lists/Posts/Post.aspx?ID=486" target="_blank">Have a Safe St. Patrick's Day: Avoid Binge Drinking</a>," Boston Public Health Commission, March 14, 2014.</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">[7] </span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">“<a href="http://www.wcvb.com/Man-Falls-From-Roof-During-St-Pat-s-Parade/11254914">Man
Falls From Roof During St. Pat's Parade</a>,” wcvb.com, March 19, 2012. </span></div>
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">[8] </span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">“<a href="http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/blog/bbj_research_alert/2013/03/st-patricks-day-parade-by-the-numbers.html?page=all">St.
Patrick’s Day Parade by the Numbers</a>,” Boston Business Journal, March 14,
2013. See also <a href="http://southbostoncan.org/">South Boston CAN</a>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">[9] </span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">“<a href="https://www.facebook.com/BostonPoliceDepartment/posts/10150639167602685">If
You Got Arrested at this Year's St. Patrick’s Day Parade – You Probably Did
Something to Deserve It</a>,” Boston Police Department Official Facebook Page,
March 19, 2012.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">[10] Fox, Jeremy C. "<a href="http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2014/03/16/controversy-forgotten-for-moment-south-boston-patrick-parade-goes/nfgYOFE30Ajm7xDeZdhqUL/story.html?p1=Well_BG_Links" target="_blank">Controversy Fails to Take Fun out of St. Patrick's Day Parade</a>," The Boston Globe, March 17 2014. </span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05695555665648089745noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184950669725019110.post-39938188592295259432014-03-12T04:04:00.000-07:002016-03-05T11:43:04.349-08:00A Fresh Air Oasis in Boston?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
According to the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA), Americans spend on average 90% of our time indoors, or
roughly 2.5 hours outside daily. However, the recent sub-zero temperatures keep us almost entirely indoors lately. My
unique symptom of cabin fever is to fret about every chemical and toxin in our
house and their impacts on our indoor air quality.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
While the understanding of indoor
air quality issues is evolving, the adverse impacts of poor air quality on
health are well-established.<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">[1]</span>
Unfortunately for New Englanders an accumulation of studies link poor air
quality in the region to high rates of asthma, the leading cause of long-term
illness in children. Even higher asthma rates are prevalent in Boston compared to the
region overall.<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">[2] </span>Asthma itself is a concern, but it is also a symptom of air quality issues that may have other long-term affects (e.g., carcinogenicity, neurotoxicity, cardiopulmonary issues, etc.) Thus, my most recent
mission is to maintain our home as a fresh air oasis in the city; an objective
much easier said than done.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
The existing body of available
research and recommendations are ambiguous and often contradictory regarding
which products are safe to have indoors as well as which methods of purifying air are effective. My fresh air oasis drifts in and out of sight in that
smog. Nevertheless, the following is a summary of findings
toward creating a fresh air oasis that I have accumulated thus far.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Furniture Matters</h3>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
</h3>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Paints, finishes, fabrics and pressed wood products (i.e., as opposed to hardwood) not explicitly labeled
nontoxic or low-<a href="http://www.epa.gov/iaq/voc.html">VOC</a> contribute
to poor indoor air quality by off-gassing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like <a href="http://www.epa.gov/iaq/formaldehyde.html">formaldehyde</a>.
Throughout their life toxin-containing furniture contributes to unhealthy dust in
a home as well. Generally hardwood, metal and glass furniture costs more and
cheaper materials are more toxic, though exceptions exist. Affordable furniture
is produced by IKEA which adheres to German standards, notably stricter than U.S. standards for limiting VOCs.<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">[3]</span> The following quote from a recent NPR
segment on plastics, applies broadly to chemical
regulation in Europe compared to the U.S.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<i>"In the United States chemicals are
presumed safe until proven otherwise. That is not the case in Europe.
In Europe they have what is called a
precautionary approach so they air on the side of regulating chemicals that may
be hazardous rather than waiting until it is basically proven 100% that
something is hazardous."</i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">[4]</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
For this reason IKEA and other
European-manufactured furniture is perhaps less unhealthy than American-branded furniture
(i.e., furniture found anywhere from Target to Crate and Barrel). That said, the jury is out on what, if any, amount of off-gassing is safe. The <a href="http://www.sustainablefurnishings.org/vw-stores?states_with_stores_180%5b%5d=1020&display_name_2=">Sustainable
Furnishings Council - MA stores</a> and <a href="http://productguide.ulenvironment.com/QuickSearch.aspx">Green Guard
product guide</a> are reliable sources for vendors and manufacturers of nontoxic furniture. For hardwood, metal or glass furniture on a budget, <a href="http://boston.craigslist.org/">Boston Craigslist</a>, South End consignment shops, <a href="http://www.garagesaleboston.com/about-us/">Garage
Sale</a> and <a href="http://www.southendexchange.com/">South End Exchange</a> as well as the <a href="http://www.sowavintagemarket.com/">Sowa
Vintage Market</a> are options for second-hand
furniture. <a href="http://www.millstores.com/index.cfm">The Mill Stores</a> (with various
Boston-area locations) offers cheaper unfinished hardwood furniture creating the option to apply nontoxic finishes. An economical find for storage are eco friendly and nontoxic <a href="http://www.waybasics.com/">Way Basics</a> storage cubes
which have no VOCs. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Floored by Flooring</h3>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
</h3>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
The American Lung Association
recommends against rugs and carpets in the home.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<i>"Carpets may trap pollutants like dust mites,
pet dander, cockroach allergens, particle pollution, lead, mold spores,
pesticides, dirt and dust. Toxic gases in the air can adhere to small particles
that settle into carpets. These pollutants may become airborne when disturbed
by renovations, vacuuming or even daily activities like walking across the
carpet. In the home, children are more likely to be exposed to pollution
in carpets. They spend time playing on the floor and place their hands in their
mouths. Chemicals used in some new carpets, carpet pads and the adhesives used
to install them . . . [may be] made with VOCs. New carpet installation also has
been associated with wheezing and coughing in babies in their first
year of life.</i><i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">"[5]</span></i></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFr6fWVEdT_o3GwFnHiX-Ie8mMx5IFzX-y4IzvZfoFjrqD-xK7gsuwKR7DMUxAsL3TpC01RTtQ6qWHLLB_3zAd3BO6SkenV0vRmGdafJNzir4zWbmaDuRsV4vij-XphiF25ckhhjf2vbng/s1600/Skip+Hop+Play+Mat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFr6fWVEdT_o3GwFnHiX-Ie8mMx5IFzX-y4IzvZfoFjrqD-xK7gsuwKR7DMUxAsL3TpC01RTtQ6qWHLLB_3zAd3BO6SkenV0vRmGdafJNzir4zWbmaDuRsV4vij-XphiF25ckhhjf2vbng/s1600/Skip+Hop+Play+Mat.jpg" title="Skip Hop Play Mat" width="199" /></a>We have a cat who likes to shred
rugs so it was an easy decision for us not to have them. Ultimately I plan to replace the
carpets that came in the bedrooms of our home with the same sustainable hardwood
that is in the rest of our home. However with pre-walkers hard floors are not
safe from an accident perspective. When my daughter was born, I
purchased Skip Hop's foam play mat (pictured left) to protect her on the hardwood floor, and I
recently purchased their brand new <a href="http://www.skiphop.com/product/playspotfunspot.html">Funspot Activity
Circles</a> for our baby. <a href="http://www.healthyhappytot.com/foam-play-mats/">Healthy
Choices, Happy Tots</a> identifies One Step Ahead and SoftTiles foam mats as
choices free of unwanted chemicals including formamide, BPA, and phthalates. Still,
some sources claim no foam mat is truly nontoxic and suggest washable cotton
mats or wool carpets instead.<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">[6] </span>Even for
families with older children, washable wool or cotton carpets (without PVC
backing) are a nice option for anyone looking to create a finished look in
their home as well.</div>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
</h3>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Take out the Toxins</h3>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Most recommendations regarding
indoor air quality center around avoidance of toxins, but what can be done to remove
existing toxins in a home? Discussions regarding air purification techniques,
even from the EPA, mostly confused me as the recommendations are often
contradicted by other seemingly reliable sources. Below I address three ways that
potentially improve indoor air quality and why they are controversial. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b>1. Plants:</b> Despite oft-cited NASA reports from the late
1980s indicating that houseplants are highly effective at improving indoor air quality and
reducing airborne toxins in homes, the U.S. Consumer
Product Safety Commission (CPSC) states there is no validity to these claims.<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">[7,8]</span>
Regardless of their efficacy, house plants create the perception of
fresh air. I am fond of the Boston Fern (nontoxic
to cats) which is considered to be highly effective at removing household
toxins.<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">[8]</span> <a href="http://www.pembertonmarketplace.com/garden-center/">Pemberton Farms
Marketplace</a>, a source for plants and
home gardening needs in Cambridge,
is dedicated to organic and healthy living.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b>2. Mechanical air purifiers: </b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Portable a</span>ir purifiers are
controversial due to the fact that some, like ionic purifiers, actually
intentionally emit ozone. Current recommendations for improving indoor air quality
suggest using a vacuum with a HEPA filter and for homes with HVAC systems to use and regularly replace filters with a MERV rating 10 or higher, rather than purchasing a portable air purifier.<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">[9]</span> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b>3. Natural ventilation via open
windows:</b> Opening windows is a consistent recommendation to easily improve indoor air
quality.<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">[10]</span> However this seems counter
intuitive living in a polluted city center. In the textbook <u>Natural Ventilation in
Buildings: A Design Handbook</u>, it is stated,</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<i>". . . pollution of outdoor air in urban areas
is a frequent and rather intense phenomenon, as very high concentrations of
various of pollutants are observed, mainly during the daytime. Consequently,
outdoor air entering a zone may give rise to serious indoor air quality
problems. In the majority of cases, the indoor concentrations of various
contaminants will reach relatively high levels, resulting in poor indoor air
quality, harmful not only for the occupants, but for the building materials and
furnishings as well."</i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> [11]</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Some cities may be cleaner than others, but specific to Boston, an architecture firm that conducted
work “greening” MIT’s campus in 2002 wrote, </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: .5in; margin-top: 0in;">
<i>"Boston
is a Clean Air Act non-attainment area with health advisories during the
summer. Generally, days of poor air quality coincide with hot days during
which natural ventilation may not meet the cooling and ventilation requirements
of the building, as higher concentrations of air-borne pollutants are
associated with stable, hot air bodies."</i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">[12]
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
In United States environmental law,
a nonattainment area is an area considered to have air quality worse than the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Ambient_Air_Quality_Standards" title="National Ambient Air Quality Standards">National Ambient Air Quality
Standards</a> (NAAQS) as defined in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Clean_Air_Act_Amendments_of_1970&action=edit&redlink=1" title="Clean Air Act Amendments of 1970 (page does not exist)">Clean Air Act
Amendments of 1970</a>, and thus hazardous to health. As of 2012 Boston is no longer a
nonattainment area.<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">[13]</span> Still some
days, most often in the summer, are subject to reduced air quality. Checking
the <a href="http://www.airnow.gov/index.cfm?action=airnow.local_city&cityid=69">air quality report</a> is easy and advisable on hot days before opening
windows or exercising outdoors.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Based on all of the above
information that (a) opening windows is a way to detoxify indoor air, (b) poor
outdoor air quality in urban areas particularly during day time hours may
negate this, and (c) that Boston is susceptible to outdoor air quality issues
on hot days, it is my best educated guess that opening windows in the evening on
days with good air quality provided that the windows opened are not allowing
any smells, smoke or other obvious pollutants to enter the home is beneficial.
Note that active children and adults are considered sensitive groups and thus
windows should not be opened on days noted unhealthy for sensitive groups.<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">[14]</span>
Further, windows should always be open if using any chemicals or while conducting
any construction indoors.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Remove Pet Dander, not Pets</h3>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfHWmG-BNrRPOcD0uhuv2tAZcfql04EXZ4pcRyGrRlD9DroXLVBfrTBzVh5_7tUcG309qeI4Z1VNjszd6KJPd1jeh6SkQuAf1FW07fIvFVj1OFWvCpVOj-V5dyMwDGTIahxrtcGBN9I0PS/s1600/Meow+(35).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfHWmG-BNrRPOcD0uhuv2tAZcfql04EXZ4pcRyGrRlD9DroXLVBfrTBzVh5_7tUcG309qeI4Z1VNjszd6KJPd1jeh6SkQuAf1FW07fIvFVj1OFWvCpVOj-V5dyMwDGTIahxrtcGBN9I0PS/s1600/Meow+(35).jpg" title="A Boston Family Cat" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The furriest member of A Boston Family</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
As a final point, furry friends receive
a bad rap when it comes to allergies and asthma. News outlets report research
suggesting that both dog and cat fur may potentially be instrumental in
preventing allergies and asthma in young children!<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">[15]</span>
Still anyone who does suffer from allergies or asthma benefits from a reduction
in exposure to triggers like pet fur and dander.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
There is no denying that buying no
VOC products is complicated, and sometimes costly. But it is increasingly popular to buy
healthy organic and locally-grown groceries. The air we consume 24 hours each day should be at least as much of a concern. Luckily companies like Skip Hop and IKEA are catering to the climbing cohort of consumers concerned with chemical consumption (say that three times fast). If anyone has anything to contribute, particularly any local resources I may have not noted, please feel free to comment below. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">[1]
"<a href="http://www.epa.gov/ncea/roe/docs/roe_final/EPAROE_FINAL_2008.PDF">EPA's
Report on the Environment 2008</a>," U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency, May 2008.<br />
[2] <a href="http://hria.org/uploads/catalogerfiles/report-burden-of-asthma/HRIA-Burden_of_Asthma_2006.pdf"><i>The
Burden of Asthma in New England</i></a>, Asthma Regional Council, 2006. Results
presented in this report indicate that asthma rates in New England remain
consistently higher for both adults and children than in the rest of the U.S.<br />
[3] Owens, Heidi. “<a href="http://www.naturalstep.org/en/usa/ikea">IKEA Case
Study</a>,” The Natural Step Network. For more information about IKEA’s
sustainability efforts see the <a href="http://www.ikea.com/ms/en_US/pdf/sustainability_report/sustainability_report_2012.pdf">IKEA
Group Sustainability Report 2012</a>. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">[4] “<a href="http://onpoint.wbur.org/2014/03/06/plastic-health-safety-bpa">The Safety
of Plastics, Beyond B.P.A.</a>,” On Point with Tom Ashbrook, WBUR, March 6, 2014.
</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">[5] <a href="http://www.lung.org/healthy-air/home/resources/carpets.html">Healthy Air
at Home, In-Depth Resources: Carpets</a>, American Lung Association, Accessed
March 4, 2014.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">[6]
“<a href="http://healthychild.org/easy-steps/find-safe-foam-mats-for-toddlers-to-play-on/">Find
Safe Foam Mats for Toddlers to Play On</a>,” HealthyChild.org, March 27, 2013. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">[7] <a href="http://www.cpsc.gov/en/Safety-Education/Safety-Guides/Home/The-Inside-Story-A-Guide-to-Indoor-Air-Quality/">The
Inside Story: A Guide to Indoor Air Quality</a>, U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission states that, "Over the past few years, there has been some
publicity suggesting that houseplants have been shown to reduce levels of some
chemicals in laboratory experiments. There is currently no evidence, however,
that a reasonable number of houseplants remove significant quantities of
pollutants in homes and offices."<br />
</span><span lang="FR" style="font-size: 10.0pt; mso-ansi-language: FR;">[8]
Wolverton, B. C., et al. </span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><a href="http://maison-orion.com/media/1837156-NASA-Indoor-Plants.pdf">Interior landscape
plants for indoor air pollution abatement: final report.</a> NASA. September,
1989. pp 11-12.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">[9]
“<a href="http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pdfs/aircleaners.pdf">Guide to Air Cleaners in
the Home</a>,” U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Air and Radiation Indoor
Environments Division, May 2008.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">[10]
“<a href="http://healthychild.org/easy-steps/open-a-window-to-improve-indoor-air-quality/">Open
a Window to Improve Indoor Air Quality</a>,” HealthChild.org, January 16, 2013.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">[11]
Ed. Allard, Francis, <u><a href="http://books.google.com/books?id=1tdQMyhPA2gC&pg=PA179&lpg=PA179&dq=natural+ventilation+in+polluted+cities&source=bl&ots=mGEj9bZncx&sig=dXmDt1twzov_gDzp1QMtwthdrFQ&hl=en&sa=X&ei=tDoZU6GfLoSGkQev6YCgCA&ved=0CC0Q6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=natural%20ventilation%20in%">Natural
Ventilation in Buildings: A Design Handbook</a></u>, European Commission
Directorate General for Energy Altener Program, James & James, 1998. See pg
179.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">[12]
“<a href="http://www.archinode.com/lcavent4.html">Ventilation</a>,” MIT,
Greening East Campus, Archinode Studio, 2002. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">[13]
“<a href="http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/planning/Main/StatewidePlans/StateTransportationImprovementProgram/AirQualityConformity.aspx">Air
Quality Conformity Status</a>,” massDOT, Accessed March 11, 2014.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">[14] "<a href="http://[13]/">Air Quality Index - A Guide to Air Quality and Your Health</a>," AIRNow.com, Accessed March 11, 2014.<br />
[15] Kotz, Deborah. "<a href="http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/health/blogs/daily-dose/2013/12/19/owning-dog-could-prevent-asthma-and-allergies-kids/ZzSoVu7qB6FT3IDjSVTMFN/blog.html">Owning
a Dog Could Prevent Asthma and Allergies in Kids</a>," Daily Dose,
Boston.com. December 30, 2013. See also, Hobson, Katherine, "<a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/health/2011/02/25/can-living-with-dogs-or-cats-prevent-asthma-in-kids/">Can Living with Dogs or Cats Prevent Asthma in Kids?</a>" Health Blog, WSJ.com, February 25, 2011.</span></div>
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Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05695555665648089745noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184950669725019110.post-18825008970256257302014-02-28T18:34:00.001-08:002016-03-05T11:43:17.670-08:00Go Inside and Play<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
David Epstein, author of The Boston.com blog Weather Wisdom wrote this week, "For us here in New England this has been the coldest winter since the
winter of 2002/2003, but ranks only in the top 65 of all-time. So if you
are in your early 30s, this is the coldest winter since back in your
college days."<span style="font-size: x-small;">[1]</span> Speaking to me, Mr. Epstein? With the exception of a two-day warm-up last weekend, it snowed, rained, sleeted or the high temperature was below freezing 12 of the past 14 days.<span style="font-size: x-small;">[2]</span> This means only two days in the past two weeks were viable for
taking our toddler outside for any sustained period, let alone our newborn. Of course our toddler caught a virus and missed out on enjoying those two days.<br />
<br />
This means we have been bonding with our home. If you read regularly you know we love our home.We love it so much we talk about turning our dining room into a third bedroom at some point when our co-ed children are too old to share a room. The word "relocate" is taboo in our family. Though speaking of moving, we have had to be very creative about ways to get moving lately, as virtually all of our time is indoor time.<br />
<br />
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services <a href="http://www.health.gov/paguidelines/guidelines/default.aspx" target="_blank" title="2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans">2008 Physical Activity Guidelines</a> recommend <i>a minimum</i> of 60 minutes of activity on most, if not all, days for children and teenagers. Adults should do a minimum of 30 minutes of activity five days per week and ideally 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity most days of the week to avoid weight gain.<span style="font-size: x-small;">[3]</span> The National Association for Sport and Physical Education further stipulates that toddlers should have 30 minutes of structured physical activity and preschoolers ought to have 60 minutes of structured physical activity daily, each in addition to 60 minutes of unstructured activity.<span style="font-size: x-small;">[4]</span> Here is a run-down of our (mostly) indoor active play the past week. <br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<b>Day 1: Wednesday, January 19</b></h3>
<div style="text-align: right;">
</div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQaimMG1e5A5YK2dV4aDOjNBwwpRF9WK_0eBUVLhqnD_VtbLFKtHLMa_sPv_LYQeDatSENYXJbkBwJwTeVXcTfPvv4ugKl3Z3kmTnfF43g39QnwaNHmw4sxXUg85e1yD2FrO0XuLLsDs5M/s1600/Music+and+Movement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQaimMG1e5A5YK2dV4aDOjNBwwpRF9WK_0eBUVLhqnD_VtbLFKtHLMa_sPv_LYQeDatSENYXJbkBwJwTeVXcTfPvv4ugKl3Z3kmTnfF43g39QnwaNHmw4sxXUg85e1yD2FrO0XuLLsDs5M/s1600/Music+and+Movement.jpg" title="at Music and Movement" width="200" /></a>We walked (brrr) to and from <a href="http://www.bostonchildrensmuseum.org/calendar/music-and-movement">Music and Movement at the Children's Museum</a> where our daughter jumped to Five Little Monkeys, danced under the parachute, beat the drum and shook maracas for 45 minutes. In the evening we had a dance party at home. Our daughter loves pop music and I love that <a href="http://kidzbop.com/">Kidz Bop</a> (download via iTunes) has rated G versions of all the pop songs. Her favorite jam of the moment is B.o.B.'s Airplanes, Kidz Bop version. Since she was about one-year-old she has also loved Justin Bieber's "Baby." Bet that would drive him nuts to know he appeals so much to toddlers. <br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<b>Day 2: Thursday, January 20</b></h3>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNWBIoSbt1LpWKQuXjMhJJSKgSoR2DKeckoUthYq7K75de6e0_KHxFbzmcw8DuTum8ByUw9PqglF3jBJXdaD5oH9skFN5QsTjiZuylR3aCIOBxTqLvEMKCuU_HeaXGtV2qt2P5R2SRbHkx/s1600/My+Gym+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNWBIoSbt1LpWKQuXjMhJJSKgSoR2DKeckoUthYq7K75de6e0_KHxFbzmcw8DuTum8ByUw9PqglF3jBJXdaD5oH9skFN5QsTjiZuylR3aCIOBxTqLvEMKCuU_HeaXGtV2qt2P5R2SRbHkx/s1600/My+Gym+1.jpg" title="at My Gym" width="150" /></a>We exercised and played at an hour long Terrific Tots class at <a href="http://www.mygymboston.com/">My Gym</a> in the morning. I cannot recommend this place highly enough. Our daughter loves the classes and all the teachers, especially Mr. Cooper and Miss Kelly. In addition to having unique and fun ideas during the class that help children build strength and flexibility, they teach the kids and parents practice skills to take home; perfect for these indoor days. Bonus: they offer parents' night out drop-offs the second Friday each month.<br />
<br />
In the afternoon, we went to a playgroup we participate in through the <a href="https://www.bigtent.com/groups/sobomomsclub">South Boston Mom's Club</a>. Another organization I think everyone in the area should know about. Coincidentally, in the morning we ran into twins at My Gym from our playgroup, as well as another South Boston Mom's Club member on her way to a class after ours. The Mom's Club also has Brookline and Cambridge chapters.<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<b>Day 3: Friday, January 21</b></h3>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf8N3WJpM8W6u4SM490xWpFG9AgROUw-1SMN-BBT3kSceyT_UxpvPG2FoQvNC4Sq_qXLHcK6mWqVxbICTmJH_5VTiadd33b1dulLdg4oXC5A7TqekXevQtlSSKwiUQMGIXObHEKeQUbW4j/s1600/Playing+with+Friends.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf8N3WJpM8W6u4SM490xWpFG9AgROUw-1SMN-BBT3kSceyT_UxpvPG2FoQvNC4Sq_qXLHcK6mWqVxbICTmJH_5VTiadd33b1dulLdg4oXC5A7TqekXevQtlSSKwiUQMGIXObHEKeQUbW4j/s1600/Playing+with+Friends.jpg" title="Indoor Play with Friends" width="200" /></a>Husband and daughter walked to daycare, where she had dance and movement time in the playroom dedicated for days when weather prohibits outdoor play. I picked her up early because she wanted to play with her friends who live in our building. The kids rode tricycles, ran around chasing each other and played Ring-Around-the-Rosie, falling on the ground and laughing in our building's common space for an hour and a half before dinner. Simon Says, Tag, Hide-and-Seek are other favorites to wear them out. At home we do more movement songs like "If You're Happy and You Know It", "The Hokey-Pokey", and "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes".<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<b>Day 4: Saturday, January 22</b></h3>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<br />
Husband took daughter to the Children's Museum to play in the climbing structure, formally known as the <a href="http://www.bostonchildrensmuseum.org/exhibits-programs/exhibits/new-balance-climb">New Balance Climb</a> in the morning from 10:30-12. She woke up from her afternoon nap congested and with a slight fever and enjoyed a rare evening of hanging on the couch watching Disney's The Aristocats.<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<b>Day 5: Sunday, January 23</b></h3>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5DDRilk9RmfylQAyrXPuZWXnWd5VOVpaWO_HrehCDpB6HzYGhE0mG58gkKaVaDJcaXlbF35IqoEI5FNsxRu6qsjmDz1iWud5beI8aKYRFxZiMZ_WNRtoquCFnlcKfqf0I_hMscTYAAp4j/s1600/Orbit+Double+Helix.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5DDRilk9RmfylQAyrXPuZWXnWd5VOVpaWO_HrehCDpB6HzYGhE0mG58gkKaVaDJcaXlbF35IqoEI5FNsxRu6qsjmDz1iWud5beI8aKYRFxZiMZ_WNRtoquCFnlcKfqf0I_hMscTYAAp4j/s1600/Orbit+Double+Helix.jpg" title="Our Orbit G2 Stroller and Double Upgrade Kit" width="200" /></a>We planned to visit friends in NH (a good opportunity to play in the yard or go for a walk with their dogs) but since they have an infant who was premature, we decided we better not visit them with daughter being sick. Husband and daughter wrestled after her nap. "Mommy we're fighting," she laughed. Husband and daughter did push-ups and squats together as he worked out at home. Later in the day - the second in a row of the two good weather days - we took a walk with the kids for our first spin in our new <a href="http://www.orbitbaby.com/en/products/helix-plus/">Orbit Double Helix stroller (we bought the upgrade kit for our single stroller)</a> to downtown crossing to stock up on tissues for daughter's runny nose and run a few other errands. We would have loved for our daughter to get some exercise since it was relatively nice out but she was too wiped out from being sick. At least all four of us were able to have some fresh air and be outside for a bit.<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<b>Day 6: Monday, January 24</b></h3>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRAqvWMeyOOxD7yZm7HsK9x5Wbd52McthoVN9_DKPbn9joS2yUjDTpab3Mm87RHhW8WKTqvogKf0yuL5QbQToGHWsDM3xB2FS5T0fwN8kZEzrk22aL_IObBTp6x0LKz0O8navmWT9-dUuV/s1600/Yoga+at+Home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRAqvWMeyOOxD7yZm7HsK9x5Wbd52McthoVN9_DKPbn9joS2yUjDTpab3Mm87RHhW8WKTqvogKf0yuL5QbQToGHWsDM3xB2FS5T0fwN8kZEzrk22aL_IObBTp6x0LKz0O8navmWT9-dUuV/s1600/Yoga+at+Home.jpg" title="Toddler Yoga" width="200" /></a></div>
Our daughter is a natural yogi and lucky for her, daycare occasionally has a toddler yoga instructor come teach a class. When at home, she frequently pulls out a yoga mat and does one-legged downward dog and table poses. Monday, I still did not want to bring her around other kids just yet with her cold and she was still not 100% so we looked at yoga videos on Amazon Mom/Prime for such occasions when we need something structured and active to do at home without being too vigorous. <a href="http://www.livestrong.com/article/105579-kids-yoga-videos/">LiveStrong</a> recommends DVDs for kids yoga. I will update when <a href="http://www.namastekid.com/products/kids-yoga-dvds/once-upon-a-mat-dvd/">Once Upon a Mat</a> arrives and we try it out.<br />
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<b>Day 7: Tuesday, January 25</b></h3>
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Tuesday is daycare for daughter again. The kids went outside to the play yard for 20 minutes then spent more time in the indoor play area dancing and exercising. At home we had another evening dance party before bed time.<br />
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<br />
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When the weather is better than awful (not necessarily good) we spend more time outdoors walking to our activities and the buses and trains to get there. Still over the past week, my husband walked to and from work most days. I also have had my fair share of exercise with baby boy who wants to walk, bounce and rock the day away being held. Though technically spring is less than one month away, we all know in New England spring arrives later than the actual equinox. So for now when we cannot go outside and play, we just think instead about how to go inside and play. Please share your favorite ideas for active, energetic play inside.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">[1] Epstein, David. "<a href="http://www.boston.com/news/weather/weather_wisdom/2014/02/more_snow_and_cold_on_the_way.html">More snow and cold on the way in the seemingly never ending winter</a>," Weather Wisdom, Boston.com. February 27, 2014.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[2] <a href="http://www.intellicast.com/Local/ObservationsSummary.aspx?location=USMA0046">Boston Past Observations Summary</a>, intellicast. Accessed February 28, 2014.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[3] <a href="http://www.health.gov/paguidelines/guidelines/default.aspx#toc">2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans</a>, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2008.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[4] "<a href="http://www.aahperd.org/naspe/standards/nationalguidelines/activestart.cfm">Active Start: A Statement of Physical Activity Guidelines for Children from Birth to Age 5, 2nd Edition</a>," National Association for Sport and Physical Education. Accessed February 28, 2014.</span></div>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05695555665648089745noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184950669725019110.post-34213024110530523312014-02-19T19:16:00.001-08:002016-03-05T11:43:28.732-08:00The Bostonian and the Beastly Weather<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This winter in Boston is beastly. Outside I see a combination of well-dressed Bostonians shivering in sleek but useless coats who dart recklessly in front of cars to arrive at their indoor destination sooner, as well as puffer-clad persons dwarfed by their unflattering coats moving about more like Abominable Snow-people. One day in December as my husband left work, someone in his office building mistook him for a maintenance worker. It was freezing cold and he was wearing a sturdy pair of
North Face boots with a puffy, orange Marmot ski coat. “I guess I shouldn’t wear this
coat and boots to the office,” he joked.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>He
was entertained by his mistaken identity. I have never been partial to the puffy coat myself, and I
decided there must be an option other than puffy or
freezing.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304644104579191881593701514"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">How to Take on the Elements in Style</i></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">, an article in the Wall Street Journal with the subheading, </span>"<span class="st">a menswear guide to staying warm without looking like the Michelin Man</span>"<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> addresses this problem. A financial lawyer in his mid-thirties cited in the article would never commute to work in a puffer coat "even on the most bitter and blizzard-iest of winter days." </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">He is quoted as saying,"the puffer is reserved for...casual occasions,
like going to the store."</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">[1]</span> Personally I prefer not to look inflated, even at the store.<br />
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Work-Worthy Winter Coats</b></h3>
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But what options exist for staying warm in a blizzard that are not puffy? To withstand below freezing temperatures, a winter coat should be insulated with down or synthetic
fibers rated to the equivalent of at least 500-fill down (i.e., PrimaLoft, Thinsulate, Climashield). Fleece that is as
effective is very bulky.<span style="font-size: x-small;">[2,3,4]</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix2BKD5tTi329oYFIIRnL7KZLBz81d-L4pQOOIEddFuNoJAg2bu_162XqJbqBXxaltDH7vg6AvNSMA7I-gMNrJuIIpwZSFcOPu-3y5bpzdUg4S-4axCmXMZDw-g1f5yB5BEZUAp8KFMSQp/s1600/Coats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix2BKD5tTi329oYFIIRnL7KZLBz81d-L4pQOOIEddFuNoJAg2bu_162XqJbqBXxaltDH7vg6AvNSMA7I-gMNrJuIIpwZSFcOPu-3y5bpzdUg4S-4axCmXMZDw-g1f5yB5BEZUAp8KFMSQp/s1600/Coats.jpg" width="400" /></a>LLBean makes a Gore-tex-lined and Thinsulate-insulated men's work coat that is called the <a href="http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/56530?page=noreaster-commuter-coat-with-gore-tex-knee-length" target="_blank">Nor'Easter Commuter Coat</a>. Slightly shorter, covering less of the leg, are the <a href="http://www.landsend.com/shop/search?Ntt=commuter+coat">Lands' End commuter coats</a>, available in both men's and women's styles and with down or PrimaLoft fill.<span style="background-color: rgba(255 , 255 , 255 , 0); font-size: x-small;">[5]</span> Both brands have a hood, and zip up over the neck, eliminating the need for a scarf and hat; no one wants hat head. The LLBean coat is rated to provide warmth in temperatures as low as -45° and the Lands' End coats are rated to -30°. For the 15° difference, the Lands' End coat is significantly cheaper and my husband swears it is warm at all Boston temperatures.</div>
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Lands' End also has sleek down and synthetic styles for kids/toddlers. However this year our tot chose a grape-colored down coat from <a href="http://www.hannaandersson.com/">Hanna Andersson</a> (a Swedish company - the Swedes know cold) this year.<br />
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Do you have a winter coat warm enough to walk around outside in weather below freezing that is also sleek? Where did you get it and what materials are in it?<br />
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Boots for Snow and Suits</h3>
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Of course, having a sleek coat does not matter if you are wearing clunky footwear. BostonInno writer Alex Weaver wrote last week in the "<a href="http://bostinno.streetwise.co/all-series/tips-for-commuting-on-the-mbta-in-boston/">Monday [Gripe] Session: Your 'Commute Shoes' Shouldn't Be Sneakers</a>" that "Boston streets – as anywhere – are judgmental places. You will not be
applauded for the majority of your ensemble you got right. You'll be
scorned for that last little detail you got pitifully wrong."<br />
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Finding boots for women and children is relatively easy. Just about any
boot is cute on a child given the mini-me appeal. An enormous
selection of boots exists for women, starting every fall and some years
continuing through the summer. One year women wore winter Uggs with
skirts and shorts, and a few years later open-toed and gladiator style
boots took over summer fashion. For work boots that can handle the harsh winter elements, no one is better than the Canadians. Santana Canada actually produces a line of winter appropriate work-wear boots named <a href="http://santanacanada.com/products/urban-collection/">the urban collection</a>. <a href="http://www.lacanadienneshoes.com/us/boots.html?boots_function=158">La Canadienne</a> is another good option from the North.</div>
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Finding boots for men, that do not make you look like Bob the Builder, which is only great if you are a builder, is much tougher. In his article, Weaver recommended boot selections for business casual dress code:<br />
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">"There
are so many awesome boots out there that wearing sneakers in transit just to 'save your good shoes' is simply not an acceptable excuse. I wear <a href="http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/31178?feat=506697-GN2&page=men-s-l-l-bean-boots-6&attrValue_0=Tan/Brown&productId=197697">the
classic duck boot from L.L. Bean</a>. Even with a suit. They're so comfortable
and universally good-looking, I often don't even take them off once at the
office. Red Wing <a href="http://www.redwingheritage.com/">makes some beautiful
boots</a>, too, as do <a href="http://www.eastlandshoe.com/product/mens+lumber+up+boot.do;jsessionid=CDF600247D5CE1E1BE6E585F5C1EA655.eastlandshoe-productionv596-b2c-i1?sortby=ourPicks&from=fn">Eastland</a>
and <a href="http://www.palladiumboots.com/shop/us-men/us-men-footwear/pampa-hi-leather-russet-dark-gum-02355-253.html">Palladium</a>.
And unlike those cap-toes shoes from Cole Haan, these actually look better the
more you beat 'em up."<span style="font-size: x-small;">[6]</span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuv0xE1SLHDZqt2qtAR8Bou7h8d7JBvFv-EDSV3d5m9pzLJ4UHvvstO0i-xiFs9sePzD8g-XJxO9gqY8BRX0tvD1ie2Zb3EdCbp1APhhx3g2lwkGMkdoxseTZGVLETTn8HsJGaEo3stnQl/s1600/Boots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuv0xE1SLHDZqt2qtAR8Bou7h8d7JBvFv-EDSV3d5m9pzLJ4UHvvstO0i-xiFs9sePzD8g-XJxO9gqY8BRX0tvD1ie2Zb3EdCbp1APhhx3g2lwkGMkdoxseTZGVLETTn8HsJGaEo3stnQl/s1600/Boots.jpg" width="400" /></a>The New York Times similarly addresses mens' boots and the workplace.<span style="font-size: x-small;">[7] </span>However, finding a pair of winter, snow-proof mens' boots that one can wear into the more formal financial district is tricky. I was therefore elated when I walked into Nordstrom's inquiring about the black <a href="http://shop.nordstrom.com/s/ugg-australia-hartsville-boot-men/3003918?cm_em=&cm_mmc=email_tran-_-122213-_-dtc_ship_confirm-_-proddescr1">Hartsville Uggs</a> for a gift for my husband (see photo at left) only to find that the impeccably dressed mens' stylist in a black suit who I was talking to was wearing them! I never would have guessed looking at him that he had on boots and not normal work shoes. My husband after reviewing this post, told me I should add that he loves the boots and in fact today, wore them to a client meeting with a suit.</div>
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What are you and your family wearing in the snow? I have to confess, I have a pair of stylish but not suit-appropriate <a href="http://www.thenorthface.com/catalog/sc-gear/womens-abby-iii.html">North Face Abby III</a> boots myself. I always changed my shoes at the office.<b><br /></b><br />
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<b>Accessories and Gear</b></h3>
<br />
<b>HATS, GLOVES, SCARVES, ETC: </b>Scarves, hats and gloves are all fairly self-evident unless you are new to Northern climates. Cashmere-lined leather gloves, though expensive are the warmest. Likewise wool or cashmere hats and scarves provide warmth without being bulky. Wool stockings or silk long underwear go a long way towards making a walking commute bearable.<br />
<br />
Notably, walking around outside (as opposed to driving), tech gloves allow you to use your phone even when it is too cold to have bare hands. Given the average reviews overall of most tech gloves, I am partial to <a href="https://www.180s.com/pages/catalog_view.aspx?g=1%2C2&y=2&i=144">180s brand's performer gloves</a> which are quite cheap, and available at department stores or on amazon.com.</div>
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<b>UMBRELLA: </b>Boston is the windiest major city in the U.S.<span style="font-size: x-small;">[8]</span> An umbrella with a duplex frame allowing wind to blow through, is the only answer I have found to the broken umbrella problem. Boston also happens to be hit regularly with storms (known as Nor'Easters) that tend to dump a combination of rain, sleet and snow. The <a href="http://davekny.com/collections/umbrellas2/products/the-davek-golf" target="_blank">Davek Golf umbrella</a> was designed for golfers but Davek notes that it is also perfect for maximum coverage in a storm. At $129, I suggest buying it on sale. That said, at $10 a piece for a junky umbrella that falls apart in a storm, this one pays for itself rather quickly.</div>
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<b>STROLLER WIND/RAIN COVER: </b><a href="http://shop.orbitbaby.com/product/weather-pack/" target="_blank">Orbit Baby Weather Pack</a> is the first and currently only PVC free stroller/car seat cover, to my knowledge. Given little ones propensity to grab it and even lick or chew the cover, in the wet and windy world of Boston, this particular cover is a necessity.<br />
<br />
<b>STROLLER/CARSEAT/CARRIER COVER: </b><a href="http://www.rainorshinekids.com/cold.php" target="_blank">The ROSK Cold Weather Pouch</a> is another of my favorite items. I love to buy this as a gift for new parents. It ties onto your baby or tot's carrier, stroller and car seat. It keeps them warm, does not have the safety concerns associated with many car seat covers and is waterproof.<br />
<br />
As always please let me know what I have missed and feel free to add your own suggestions and recommendations.<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Coming Soon </h3>
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<br />
Yesterday my Aunt K mentioned to me that we have 29 days left of winter. Is that all? Thank goodness! While we are stuck inside, I will write about a few more indoor topics. Over the next few weeks topics will include indoor activities to avoid going stir crazy and a few others related to the healthy urban home indoors.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">[1] Wallace, Chris. "<a href="http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304644104579191881593701514" target="_blank">How to Take on the Elements in Style</a>," <i>The Wall Street Journal. </i>November 15, 2013.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">[2] "<a href="http://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/insulated-outerwear.html" target="_blank">Insulated Outwear: How to Choose</a>," REI.com. Accessed February 18, 2014.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[3] "<a href="http://www.primaloft.com/en/performance/community/blog/primaloft-down-comparison.html" target="_blank">PrimaLoft vs Down - Which do you Need?</a>" PrimaLoft.com. Accessed February 18, 2014.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[4] "<a href="http://www.shop-denali.com/types_of_synthetic_insulation.aspx" target="_blank">Types of Synthetic Insulation</a>," Shop-Denali.com. Accessed February 18, 2014.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[5] Lands' End. "<a href="http://blog.landsend.com/2013/11/battle-of-the-insulations-down-vs-synthetic/" target="_blank">Battle of the Insulators: Down vs. Synthetic</a>," Blog.Landsend.com. November 15, 2013.
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">[6] Weaver, Alex. "<a href="http://bostinno.streetwise.co/all-series/tips-for-commuting-on-the-mbta-in-boston/">Monday Bitch Session: Your Commute Shoes Shouldn't Be Sneakers</a>," BostonInno. February 10, 2014.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[7] Colman, David. "<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/03/fashion/03TRADE.html?_r=1&" target="_blank">Boots that Work so Neatly</a>," <i>The New York Times</i>. March 2, 2011.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[8] AccuWeather, <a href="http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-glossary/the-real-windy-city/3778509">The Real Windy City</a>. AccuWeather.com. Accessed February 19, 2014.</span></div>
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Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05695555665648089745noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184950669725019110.post-2733817547809771342014-02-12T04:30:00.000-08:002016-03-11T20:07:57.364-08:00You Live in How Many Sq Ft?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHxf_bVU-l8-9_GVrpW4UTo_3gYtvzCXKgVvmD7Ztsczqt567UqM2nsb6qDrKPLgC2h4H4YHXQRJaj0NiD_2mqih28pkTh21DzIN5Qb2ko7YIhGa1a-VTghii74dej1jIekSNapGIzp7JV/s1600/Sq+Ft+by+Country.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHxf_bVU-l8-9_GVrpW4UTo_3gYtvzCXKgVvmD7Ztsczqt567UqM2nsb6qDrKPLgC2h4H4YHXQRJaj0NiD_2mqih28pkTh21DzIN5Qb2ko7YIhGa1a-VTghii74dej1jIekSNapGIzp7JV/s1600/Sq+Ft+by+Country.png" title="Average Square Feet in Single Family Homes Around the World" width="196" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Avg Sq Ft of New Single Family Homes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Recently Ashley's father, "Dad", who lives on the South Shore, griped about all the time he has spent clearing snow off his driveway. We joked that he could avoid that if he moved to the city, knowing we would have to kill him, cremate him and put him in an urn to make that happen. He grew up in what was once a rural part of upstate New York and often speaks about his idyllic childhood there. He cannot fully empathize with our decision to live in Boston. <br />
<br />
He might find it interesting to know that in at least one <i>small </i>way (pardon the pun) our urban life closely reflects that of his childhood. His current suburban home is ~3400 sq ft, not including the attic, garage, basement and shed; that is ~1700 sq ft per person (more than twice the current median of 800 sq ft per person in metropolitan areas).<span style="font-size: x-small;">[1]</span> In the 1950s (when he was born) the average American house size was 983 sq ft.<span style="font-size: x-small;">[2]</span> Growing up, Dad's family of four lived in such a home with ~250 sq ft per person. Our family of four currently has ~300 sq ft per person in our home.<br />
<br />
It is not just the U.S. of days past where smaller home sizes were common. Even today people in other countries live in much smaller homes than Americans (see chart above right).<br />
<br />
Interestingly in these days of McMansions, another buzz word has cropped up in American cities, micro-apartments, referring to housing units smaller than studios and intended for single young professionals.<span style="font-size: x-small;">[3]</span> "Some high-end homeowners are [also] shaving square footage off of their new homes," according to a recent Wall Street Journal article, <a href="http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303973704579353263994062996" target="_blank">Luxury Homes that are Better, Not Bigger</a>. Are Americans starting to see the wisdom in smaller homes? <br />
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<b>Less is More</b> </h3>
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The desire for more space is an oft-cited reason for moving to the
suburbs. However, having less space has many advantages;</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<ol style="text-align: left;">
<li>Less house to clean and maintain = more free time,</li>
<li>Less money spent on mortgage or rent payments = more discretionary funds, </li>
<li>Less money spent on air conditioning and heating, home maintenance = more discretionary funds,</li>
<li>Less private space = more family time, better able to monitor children,</li>
<li>Less storage space = better prioritization of the non-material.</li>
</ol>
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Nevertheless, our family lives in the U.S. in the new millennium, not the 20th
century and not another country. We do not feel the proverbial need to keep up with
the Joneses, but the reality is we are subject to the same consumer
culture as everyone around us. As our friends move out to larger homes in the suburbs with attics, garages and basements to store their belongings, how do we continue to fit our growing family, now 2 adults, 1 toddler, 1
infant, and a cat, and everything we own in 1200 sq ft<b>?</b></div>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<b>Making the Most of Limited Space</b></h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvPUbE7XXMdHY6pfCTL9jZWmRCQGITrKTj-tGRGYF-47pJksN0IRwnASdWg3aXv5T2PnecRBPHXJrUKXdIHFiTg4kOMWy94rIpcnNGmJhUVLWHSmXIulXW0VOFV626kV5_iD9FvpzQuUvf/s1600/Vertical+Storage+Kitchen.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvPUbE7XXMdHY6pfCTL9jZWmRCQGITrKTj-tGRGYF-47pJksN0IRwnASdWg3aXv5T2PnecRBPHXJrUKXdIHFiTg4kOMWy94rIpcnNGmJhUVLWHSmXIulXW0VOFV626kV5_iD9FvpzQuUvf/s1600/Vertical+Storage+Kitchen.JPG" title="Kitchen Storage" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Use of Ceiling and Walls</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b> <u>Live in 3D:</u> </b>We may only have 1200 sq ft of floor space but with ~10 ft ceilings we live somewhere in the vicinity of 12,000 cubic ft of space. In our kitchen, our pots and pans hang from the ceiling. We added shelves and baskets to the walls to hold cookbooks, serving ware, spices and frequently used cooking ingredients.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Every door in our house is put to use (see image below). The coat closet door holds our stroller. The laundry closet door holds our cleaning goods and cat supplies. The bathroom doors hold towels and one holds the ironing board. Bedroom doors and closets hold clothing and accessories. We also look forward to bunk beds and/or lofted beds when our children are older. </div>
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvx8G6u8WmQW3wMbJBraHUCnm2QuFo7XvvdcRxZ0YZ7eqtAUwSIFwjLfFhFweN1XLIjRFs-zkXI6N5Via-MMdUX9hRKpwX5hPFbkz2gDol1VfVs_NjXaPYzV4AMlVztSM_qQy23BcnWyBN/s1600/Bedroom+Storage.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvx8G6u8WmQW3wMbJBraHUCnm2QuFo7XvvdcRxZ0YZ7eqtAUwSIFwjLfFhFweN1XLIjRFs-zkXI6N5Via-MMdUX9hRKpwX5hPFbkz2gDol1VfVs_NjXaPYzV4AMlVztSM_qQy23BcnWyBN/s1600/Bedroom+Storage.JPG" title="Bedroom Storage" width="199" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bed and Storage Chest in One</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><u>Employ Multipurpose, Compact and Collapsible Items:</u> </b>Storage furniture including storage beds and ottomans serve double duty. My favorite multipurpose item is actually my iPhone. A myriad of applications make it useful for almost anything imaginable. The <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/best-baby-monitor/id432791399?mt=8" target="_blank">Best Baby Monitor</a> application allows us to keep an eye on our children no matter where we are or go and has saved us from spending money on a baby monitor which is not necessary in our small space.<br />
<br />
Manufacturers make a number of compact and collapsible items for babies.<b> </b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 11.0pt;">The <a href="http://www.4moms.com/rockaroo" target="_blank">4moms rockaroo</a> is a new baby swing that is 70% smaller
than a typical standing baby swing. Boon recently launched a new version of
their <a href="http://www.booninc.com/products/Patch/B11005" target="_blank">Patch</a> bottle drying rack that is made for small kitchens. <a href="http://www.cariboo.us/folding-bassinet.html" target="_blank">Cariboo's folding bassinet</a> is a wonderful collapsible item.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 11.0pt;">Baby items made for travel also may be used in the house and not only are they often more compact but they can be used for their intended purpose, travel as well. Some people we know use a pack 'n' play for their infants rather than a bassinet or crib.</span></span><br />
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 11.0pt;">For the dining room, t</span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 11.0pt;">his <a href="http://www.resourcefurniture.com/space-savers/space-saving-tables/goliath" target="_blank">luxury collapsible/extendable table</a> which extends from 17" to 115" is high on our wishlist.</span></span> <br />
<br />
<br />
<b><u>Know What You Don't Need:</u> </b>That book you already read, a changing table for baby, and that sweater you have not worn the past two winters are all items you do not need. After we married and moved from our two apartments to our one new home, we loaded all of our CDs onto our computers (if you do this back them up on another hard drive) and recycled the discs at Best Buy. We went through our books and admitted we would never open 95% of them again and donated them to a book drive. Extra linens that would never be used were donated to the local animal shelter.<br />
<br />
When our daughter was born, we poured over sample registries and quickly learned what items are unnecessary; changing table, wipes warmer, bottle warmer, etc. We like our <a href="http://www.stokke.com/en-us/highchairs/tripp-trapp/tripp-trapp-concept.aspx" target="_blank">Stokke Tripp Trapp high chairs</a> that grow with our kids, but you can just as easily and for less space have a booster seat attached to a dining chair. We frequently see toys at our daughter's friends home and remind each other that it is in fact good that she does not own every toy that each of her friends has; novel toys are part of what make play dates fun.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjveXfDYkWrvaAMZWhM_ZjD7FfJvgkIMcyQAIEp2wepHB_udyXe53kv5tKu-zP_r3yL9xgG16KTEx3Mk3cHxlPKtJM1dkpXVhRot7sKj4uvJ8eDZQ16xHGIM3p9kvEPhnqEP_ji06WtqN_l/s1600/Behind+Closed+Doors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjveXfDYkWrvaAMZWhM_ZjD7FfJvgkIMcyQAIEp2wepHB_udyXe53kv5tKu-zP_r3yL9xgG16KTEx3Mk3cHxlPKtJM1dkpXVhRot7sKj4uvJ8eDZQ16xHGIM3p9kvEPhnqEP_ji06WtqN_l/s1600/Behind+Closed+Doors.jpg" title="Over the Door Storage" width="247" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Behind Closed Doors</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<b><u>Borrow, Rent and Share:</u> </b>When a friend had her first baby a year after us, we loaned her all of our gear; baby bathtub, Bumbo, jumper, play mat, bottles, etc. She recently gave us everything back for our second child. In the interim period, we did not have to store our baby things.<br />
<br />
Mom offered us a carpet steamer she was giving away (she moved to a place with all hardwood floors). However, rather than store this, w just rent a carpet steamer from Home Depot a few times per year. As much as we love skiing, we do not have the opportunity to go often enough to warrant owning and storing our own skis. We rent when we go. Last week a neighbor borrowed our pie dish. Last year when hanging new curtain rods, we borrowed another neighbors hammer drill. Again, we do not each need to own one of everything. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Resources and Sources </h3>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Our favorite places for inspiration about how to best maximize space are <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/" target="_blank">Apartment Therapy</a>, <a href="http://www.ikea.com/us/en/" target="_blank">Ikea</a>, and attending open houses in the city to see what others have done with their spaces. What other resources exist? Any other benefits to small spaces we missed? How do you make the most of your space?</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[1] Dietz, Robert and Siniavskaia, Natalia. <a href="http://www.nahb.org/generic.aspx?genericContentID=171558&channelID=311" target="_blank">The Geography of Home Size and Occupancy</a>, National Association of Home Builders, Special Studies. December 1, 2011.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[2] Historical data for average square feet of single family homes from the National Association of Home Builders, <a href="http://www.soflo.fau.edu/report/NAHBhousingfactsMarch2006.pdf" target="_blank">Housing Facts, Figures and Trends</a>, March 2006. For an interesting discussion dating back to the year 1400, see alternative community site, <a href="http://www.alysion.org/acres/space.html" target="_blank">Alysion Aces</a>. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[3] Christie, Les. <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2013/06/21/real_estate/micro-apartments/" target="_blank">Micro-apartments: The anti-McMansions</a>, CNN Money. June 21, 2013.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[4] US Statistics from Emrath, Paul. <a href="https://www.nahb.org/generic.aspx?sectionID=734&genericContentID=213414&channelID=311" target="_blank">Characteristics of Homes Started in 2012: Size Increase Continues</a>, National Assocation of Home Builders, Special Studies, August 1, 2013.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[5] Data for non-US countries from <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8201900.stm" target="_blank">Room to Swing a Cat? Hardly</a>, BBC, 2009. For data points from other countries including Japan, China, Russia, Germany, Sweden, Italy, etc. see also Wilson, Lindsay, <a href="http://reneweconomy.com.au/2013/how-big-is-a-house-average-house-size-by-country-78685" target="_blank">How Big is a House? Average house size by country</a>, Renew Economy, July 17, 2013.</span></div>
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Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05695555665648089745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184950669725019110.post-31066110325894921582014-02-05T02:00:00.000-08:002016-03-05T11:43:42.808-08:00Crime and Safety in Boston<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaCPOGzvAV5U3azdmXZ-PvsDjU_uAOKy4dzEAYTDaH44fkKWfktWKca7kXYgeEDjNTj9QjG-PApfwVK-AK235n-bUPaowHX48T2BHtCWIRnoyA1AO0hslnaWzbYte2wJT9Dbw46HuctJt0/s1600/Rate+of+Fatal+Shootings.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaCPOGzvAV5U3azdmXZ-PvsDjU_uAOKy4dzEAYTDaH44fkKWfktWKca7kXYgeEDjNTj9QjG-PApfwVK-AK235n-bUPaowHX48T2BHtCWIRnoyA1AO0hslnaWzbYte2wJT9Dbw46HuctJt0/s1600/Rate+of+Fatal+Shootings.png" title="Boston Globe Rate of Fatal Shootings" width="218" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Two crime related events last week reminded me that the issues of crime and safety are one reason families move to the suburbs. Over the weekend there
was a burglary (the first ever) in our building and an attempt was made on our unit as well. Then on Tuesday a spike in Boston homicides in 2014 was the top story for both the print and broadcast media.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The murder statistics did not faze me as they were numbers and not reports about the specific people affected. Further, none of the homicides were
proximate by relationship or location, and the daily media coverage of crime, war and wrongful death has left me a bit desensitized. However, the burglary attempt on our home with my two young children unsettled me for a few days.<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">The Woman Who was Trying to Rob Us</b></h3>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A little over a week ago I heard someone repeatedly knocking or trying
to open a door of a neighbor, and then it was our unit. My husband answered to
find an unfamiliar woman with a newspaper. She calmly told him that she
found the paper between our door and the neighbor’s and was not sure to whom it
belonged. When she left she walked down the hall and began talking to a man. Although it was strange, neither
of us thought anything of it, still being sleep deprived from our new arrival. Later
that day we learned that a neighbor in another unit on our floor had accidentally left her door unlocked and been robbed. The burglar had tried every
door in the building, and even walked into the unit of someone who was home. The police investigation is ongoing and thus I am not free to discuss any details but I will provide an update when permitted.You will not believe who we suspect our would-be robber to be.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Why I Have Always
Felt Safe in the City</b></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Ironically one of the reasons I love living in the city is I
feel safe here. When my husband is out of town, I sleep soundly knowing that my
children and I are protected not only by our front door, but via the greater
shelter of our building. I am surrounded by neighbors steps from my door. I
sleep sounder here than I ever would living in a house that feels more isolated.
This is not to say that I am naïve. It is intentional that we live in a
concierge building. When we started the home buying process that was probably
the first line I drew in the sand (or on the concrete); we would only consider concierge
buildings. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Even though the recent report about homicides in Boston this January is troubling, I could regard that, and the break-in of our building, as anomalies. Boston.com blogger James Alan Fox wrote, "it is about time that we take a calmer approach to short-term
fluctuations in crime figures, especially when they are based on a
narrow time span."<span style="font-size: x-small;">[1]</span> In fact, generally the recent news about crime in Boston has told a story of declining not escalating crime. The Boston Globe and Boston Police Department (BPD) indicate that crime rates fell in 2013 with the South Boston neighborhood fairing particularly well.<span style="font-size: x-small;">[2]</span> The New York Times recently reported that falling crime rates in Boston over the past two decades as a whole have been part of the revitalization of the city.<span style="font-size: x-small;">[3]</span> In spite of these improvements, civil leaders are not becoming lax on crime. New Mayor Marty Walsh campaigned on a platform in part driven by promises to further reduce crime, and Governor Patrick and the State recently engaged private industry to address issues of crime in Boston.<span style="font-size: x-small;">[4]</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">What the Statistics
Tell Us about How Safe We are in Boston</b></h3>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Feeling safe and being safe are obviously not the same. After
the burglary, I researched crime in the suburbs as compared to the
city. I encountered a number of articles by the security industry positing that suburban homes are at least as likely to be burglarized as urban residences due to the false sense of security and thus greater risks taken by suburban home owners. The Department of Justice statistics show however, that both violent and non-violent
crime rates were approximately two times higher in Boston than in the surrounding suburbs as of
2008. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<td style="background: #FF9900; border-right: solid windowtext 3.0pt; border: none; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: .95in;" valign="top" width="91"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Crime Type</b></div>
</td>
<td style="background: #FF9900; border-right: solid windowtext 3.0pt; border: none; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext 3.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 117.0pt;" valign="top" width="156"><div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Rate per 100,000
population in Boston 2008</b><span style="font-size: x-small;">[5]</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Rate per 100,000
population in Boston
Suburbs 2008</b><span style="font-size: x-small;">[5]</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Difference in Rate,
Suburbs as Percent of City</b></div>
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<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;">
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Violent</b></div>
</td>
<td style="border-right: solid windowtext 3.0pt; border: none; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext 3.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 117.0pt;" valign="top" width="156"><div class="MsoNormal">
2166</div>
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<td style="border-right: solid windowtext 3.0pt; border: none; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext 3.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.75in;" valign="top" width="168"><div class="MsoNormal">
961</div>
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<td style="border: none; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext 3.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.5in;" valign="top" width="144"><div class="MsoNormal">
44%</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Property</b></div>
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<td style="border-right: solid windowtext 3.0pt; border: none; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext 3.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 117.0pt;" valign="top" width="156"><div class="MsoNormal">
3660</div>
</td>
<td style="border-right: solid windowtext 3.0pt; border: none; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext 3.0pt; padding: 0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; width: 1.75in;" valign="top" width="168"><div class="MsoNormal">
1881</div>
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51%</div>
</td>
</tr>
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Going back two decades, crime rates were much higher in the city than the suburbs, and I was surprised to learn the difference between the two geographies is now so narrow.<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">[5]</span> </span>Still the suburbs do appear to be safer. As anyone who has taken Statistics 101 knows there is a truth to the often quoted saying, "there are lies, damned lies, and statistics." Below are my thoughts about these particular statistics and why they do not scare me. </div>
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<br /></div>
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Crime is not Subject to Arbitrary
Geographical Boundaries: </b>First, in Boston, as in any location there are
“safe” areas and “unsafe” areas. The reality is more violent crimes occur
in some neighborhoods than others, and the same is true of property
crimes. This is also true of the suburbs – some suburbs and some
neighborhoods fall victim to crimes more than others. Criminals look for
opportunities, not lines on the map.</li>
</ol>
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<br /></div>
<ol start="2" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Statistics Can Be Misleading: </b>It
is interesting that the crime statistics are reported per 100,000 who <i>live </i>in
the city. If we consider a suburb like Wellesley
which had a population of ~28,000 at the 2010 census, on any given day a
number of residents leave Wellesley to work
and some may enter Wellesley
to work. However the daytime population likely is not much different than
the population that lives there. In Boston,
the population is ~635,000 but each day roughly 300,000 additional persons
commute into the city for work, whereas few leave the city for work.<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"> <span style="font-size: x-small;">[6] [7]</span></span> If we apply the crime rates to a
population of 935,000 people rather than 635,000, the property crime rate falls
from 3660 to roughly 2485 per 100,000 and the violent crime rate from 1881
to 1277 per 100,000. </li>
</ol>
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<br /></div>
<ol start="3" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">We Have a Role in Our Own Safety: </b>The
security industry plays off the false sense of security in the suburbs and
there is truth to that. Growing up, we never locked the door. By
contrast, my husband is militant about locking our door every time we
leave the house and every night before bed. He also always insists I take
a taxi rather than walk from the T at night. Statistically each person is
as likely as the next to be victim of a crime. In reality, some people
leave themselves more open to an attack.</li>
</ol>
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<br /></div>
<ol start="5" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Some Crimes, like School Shootings, Occur
Mainly in the Suburbs: </b>As a parent, I am particularly concerned about
violence in schools. Interestingly, school shootings seem to be a predominately
suburban problem and not a new one either.</li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">But the string of recent shootings in suburban school districts has led
some experts to examine whether the nature of suburban life itself might be
playing a role in such tragedies.</i></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">-<a href="http://www.cnn.com/US/9905/29/suburban.alienation/index.html?_s=PM:US">School
shootings put suburban life under microscope</a>, CNN, <span style="color: orange;"><b>1999</b></span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">School shootings are, thankfully, rare events. But when they do occur,
they often do so in otherwise peaceful small towns or suburbs. Places like Newtown, Connecticut.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in;">
-<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2012/12/18/the-small-town-roots-of-school-shootings/">The
Social Roots of School Shootings</a>, Washington
Post, <span style="color: orange;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2012</b></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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A group of people who describe themselves as New Urbanists,
argue that suburban culture is isolating and advocate the building of walkable
urban settings where diverse groups of people negotiate and interact, rather
than segregated, gated suburban communities to reduce crime.<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">[8]</span> </span>Is
this radical? If nothing else it is counter culture, just as is our family life
in Boston.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I am unable to state with certainty that we are as safe in the city
as in the suburbs, yet at the same time, I can not conclusively state that we are particularly susceptible to crime where we live. More importantly, the takeaway ought to be that regardless
of geography, it is clear that safety is something we control
through our choices and yet at the same time have no control over, as we cannot
control the choices of others.<br />
<br />
What are your thoughts? What am I missing? Discuss below.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">[1] Fox, James Alan. <a href="http://boston.com/community/blogs/crime_punishment/2014/01/calm_down_when_crimes_up.html" target="_blank">Calm Down When Crime's Up</a>, Boston.com, January 28, 2014. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[2] Rosso, Patrick D. <a href="http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/south_boston/2014/01/hold_south_boston_crime_down_in_2013.html" target="_blank">South Boston Crime Down in 2013</a>, The Boston Globe, January 13, 2014.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[3] Seelye, Katharine Q. <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/06/us/two-decades-of-change-have-boston-sparkling.html?_r=0" target="_blank">Two Decades of Change Have Boston Sparkling</a>, The New York Times, January 5, 2014.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[4] WBUR Newsroom, <a href="http://www.wbur.org/2014/01/29/roca-recidivism-reduction" target="_blank">Gov. Patrick Launches Initiative to Reduce Recidivism</a>. WBUR, January 29, 2014.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">[5] Kneebone, Elizabeth and Raphael, Stephen. <a href="http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/research/files/papers/2011/5/26%20metropolitan%20crime%20kneebone%20raphael/0526_metropolitan_crime_kneebone_raphael.pdf">City
and Suburban Crime Trends in Metropolitan America</a>, Brookings Institute, May 2011. Note: this report demonstrates not only a drastic decrease in the difference between urban and
suburban crime in Boston
(and nationally), but also argues that the correlation between ethnic groups and
crime is also falling.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">[6] US Census,
2010.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[7] <a href="http://www.cityofboston.gov/transportation/modes.asp">Modes of
Transportation</a>, City of Boston, accessed January 30, 2014.
</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">[8] Craven, Jackie. <a href="http://architecture.about.com/od/communitydesign/a/teenshootings.htm" target="_blank">Does Suburbia Breed Violence?</a> About.com Architecture, accessed January 30, 2014. </span></div>
</div>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05695555665648089745noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184950669725019110.post-6143432803302359442014-01-29T04:00:00.000-08:002016-03-05T11:44:21.993-08:00Outdoor Space in Winter<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Goodnight-iPad-Parody-next-generation/dp/0399158561/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1390933930&sr=8-1&keywords=goodnight+ipad" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.amazon.com/Goodnight-iPad-Parody-next-generation/dp/0399158561/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1390933930&sr=8-1&keywords=goodnight+ipad" border="0" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMGUCTkFuD3Cs_Hfr4pk0-ECsc9-VVPAJO7aDU68_LgYNkytRem6cn8Ui8y5Lf6nsiO6J9FF_lBiC9ud9wUsDe4_vTrlyNj5zjAN5pL19MgHTYu4F5i7PR-YXqGHRiYKtIgSW393MZedp_/s1600/Goodnight+Ipad.jpg" title="Goodnight iPad" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A parody of Goodnight Moon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: left;">
After last week's detour, back to the promised topic of conversation, outdoor spaces. Pediatric researchers assert children today spend too much time indoors<span style="font-size: x-small;">[1]</span> with potential negative consequences of foregone outdoor play ranging from obesity to ADHD to myopia.<span style="font-size: x-small;">[2] </span>A potentially detrimental amount of time for children (and likely parents) instead is dedicated to watching TV, playing video and virtual games, and even just working non-stop via a computer, smartphone or tablet. The research and literature strongly support children spending time outdoors every day and limiting screen time.<span style="font-size: x-small;">[3]</span> Given how important outdoor time is to a healthy lifestyle and the perception that urban dwellers lack outdoor access, I will post about this topic throughout the year, at each season, starting today with winter. </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
The Weather Outside is Frightful</h3>
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
</h3>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ppD4tH7JomgaPw8fvBM3u_ZZ-G7dfcm1ToqILchvcEjaKa3vxx30olY5N-AYrYkvhNblx1M82lumC-1exOd3CHIgbEcYqBDfPv9nkGWxtV6hagn5OsCfZL-FCzvQiF8ANbOrSOJTbLa_/s1600/Weather+Report.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="154" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ppD4tH7JomgaPw8fvBM3u_ZZ-G7dfcm1ToqILchvcEjaKa3vxx30olY5N-AYrYkvhNblx1M82lumC-1exOd3CHIgbEcYqBDfPv9nkGWxtV6hagn5OsCfZL-FCzvQiF8ANbOrSOJTbLa_/s1600/Weather+Report.png" title="Today's Weather Forecast" width="200" /></a>January is ending but I know it is the middle of winter
because I feel stir crazy. My default advice to anyone new to the northeast this time of year is
to embrace an outdoor sport or prepare for a long season indoors. Having fun outdoors has been tough
for me this year given my pregnant and now postpartum states; no skiing or ice
skating yet. It has been so cold though, most people I know have been hibernating even without these mitigating factors. In this respect, life in the suburbs and city are not particularly
different when it comes to outdoor space in the winter. Outdoor classes, events and public spaces
exist in both settings, if you can handle the co<span style="font-size: small;">ld.<span style="font-size: x-small;">[4]</span> Before addressing</span> the outdoor opportunities in Boston, I must mention the one huge difference from the suburbs and the elephant in the room: city dwellers have little or no private outdoor space.<br />
<br />
<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Private Outdoor Spaces</b></h3>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Private outdoor space (i.e., a deck or yard) is an amenity not particularly missed by this Boston urban dweller in the winter.
In fact, come winter, I feel that the city wins over the suburbs as we do not need to pack up and store our lawn and deck furniture and grill. We do not have large driveways and sidewalks to shovel or pay someone to plow. None of us
own an expensive snow blower, let alone worry about storing it in our garage. For our family, living in a building, we do not shovel at all, ever, and we certainly realize economies of scale in that many units' condo fees fund the minimal shoveling that is contracted by our building. But does no yard or a small yard mean no
snowmen, snow ball fights, snow angels or running around trying to catch
snowflakes on your tongue? This question leads me to the next topic.</div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b><br />
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<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Public Outdoor Spaces</b></h3>
</div>
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<br />
After our first date in December 2007, as my now husband and I were walking home, I spontaneously flopped down in the
snow in Boston Common to make a snow angel. A snowball fight ensued, and six
years later I am writing about our family life. Parks downtown are plentiful, accessible and offer many winter amenities. It is as easy to
build a snowman or snow angel in the park as in a backyard. Sure I would not
send my children out alone to the park, but I would not send my toddler out by herself anyway. Even if she were older, I do not want to always send my children out alone to play
– I want to be there playing too or simply watching them play. Spending time with my children is a blessing, not a
burden, and one that I might not enjoy if I had that yard and could send them out to play alone while I washed dishes or paid bills. This is another win for the city in my estimation. Luckily for my little ones we spend enough time out of town visiting friends and families with yards that they do and will continue to have the opportunity to play on their own as well. There is enjoying time with your kids and then there is helicopter parenting.<br />
<br /></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiK3iFJ6ZEQG0rgvU5f7jA6-NcGvpvB1sEdlVX_K6U-RQPlYSE4yXBig9x-nnCvg1zCaQmghiJPSHhIBl0izsEi_5bGqlt-MBQZ4U35IK-9J2V3GFZ31qXeq8RvBwggPJ-hqi18aTZ8ANR/s1600/Sledding+Last+Winter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiK3iFJ6ZEQG0rgvU5f7jA6-NcGvpvB1sEdlVX_K6U-RQPlYSE4yXBig9x-nnCvg1zCaQmghiJPSHhIBl0izsEi_5bGqlt-MBQZ4U35IK-9J2V3GFZ31qXeq8RvBwggPJ-hqi18aTZ8ANR/s1600/Sledding+Last+Winter.jpg" width="198" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Children's Museum waterfront sledding</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
One of my favorite things to do together though is sledding. When I was growing up, I never had a hill in my backyard. Thus to go sledding we had to walk or drive somewhere else. This is not any
different than in the city where you need to walk or take the T to a park with
a hill for sledding. I walk with my
daughter to a little slope on the Fort Point channel next to the Children’s
Museum. I also keep thinking we should try the hills at Castle Island. For bigger kids in need of larger hills other locations include:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Flagstaff Hill on Boston Common, </li>
<li>The Bowl in Boston next to Jamaica Pond,</li>
<li>Weld Hill at Arnold Arboretum, at the corner of Walter and South streets in
Roslindale with parking on South street and various side streets, or</li>
<li>Dorchester Park off Adams Street in Dorchester.</li>
</ul>
See <a href="http://www.boston.com/travel/blog/2009/02/40_great_places.html" target="_blank">40 Great Places to Sled Around Boston</a> for other suburban sledding locations. Additionally, if I lived in the suburbs and had a backyard,
I doubt it would have an ice skating rink or a carousel. Downtown Boston this year we have
not only <a href="http://www.bostonfrogpond.com/winter-programs/" target="_blank">Frog Pond</a>
but also the new <a href="http://www.bhh.com/the-boston-harbor-hotel-brings-ice-skating-to-the-waterfront-,press-releases_viewItem_161-en.html" target="_blank">Winter on the Wharf rink</a> under the rotunda of the Boston Harbor Hotel. <a href="http://www.celebrateboston.com/tour/horse-and-carriage-rides.htm" target="_blank">Horse and carriage rides</a> from Faneuil Hall are another outdoor year-round
favorite of our equestrian-inclined daughter. In fact we all celebrated New Years Eve 2013 in part with a carriage ride with friends. Until New Years, <a href="http://www.rosekennedygreenway.org/visit/greenway-carousel" target="_blank">the Greenway Carousel</a> is open on the weekends and select special days. Outdoor ice skating is also available at the Kelly Skating Rink run by the DCR in Jamaica Plain.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></div>
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<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Outdoor Classes</b></h3>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Bostonians love the Bruins but going to an arena is not the
same a being outdoors. Outdoor classes including ice skating lessons are just
as accessible for Bostonians as suburbanites. <a href="http://www.skatingacademy.org/" target="_blank">The Skating Academy </a>holds outdoor classes at Frog Pond and indoors at many other rinks. Cross country and alpine
skiing opportunities, though not on par with Colorado’s, are as nearby as <a href="http://www.ski-bluehills.com/" target="_blank">Blue Hills</a>. Want to thrill your kids with both a train ride and skiing? Take the Fitchburg commmuter rail to <a href="http://www.wachusett.com/" target="_blank">Wachusett Mountain</a> on Saturdays and Sundays during ski season; <a href="http://www.wachusett.com/TheMountain/AboutWachusett/DirectionsHours/PublicTransportationSkiTrain/tabid/66/Default.aspx" target="_blank">here is how</a>. I see people snow shoeing
in the common and group snow shoeing and cross country skiing events advertised
at nearby reservations (e.g., Ipswich).<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b><br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Outdoor Events</b></h3>
</div>
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<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ5-piizPGuwt2kZRxwi11jDV1YEYGLWM1XBPPvwG_uvN963EGrMaTvD3F8Gl_sJZJPmyhNkbMJlS4uDCVvuOQfR_QHgSUScPApQs0vM5_s5vlXFgePRH2L4vhgRG_oQWL0Xdv-CcaVwQr/s1600/%5BN%5D'Ice+Puppy+First+Night.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ5-piizPGuwt2kZRxwi11jDV1YEYGLWM1XBPPvwG_uvN963EGrMaTvD3F8Gl_sJZJPmyhNkbMJlS4uDCVvuOQfR_QHgSUScPApQs0vM5_s5vlXFgePRH2L4vhgRG_oQWL0Xdv-CcaVwQr/s1600/%5BN%5D'Ice+Puppy+First+Night.jpg" title="Boston First Night Ice Sculpture" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watching the building of a First Night ice sculpture</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Another perk for urban families during the winter is the
myriad of special events occurring outdoors in the city every holiday and
winter season. See the Boston Park and Recreation Department on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/BostonParksDept" target="_blank">@BostonParksDept</a> or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/bostonparksdepartment" target="_blank">Facebook</a> for mostly free city-sponsored events like free ice skating lessons and outdoor winter photography classes for all ages. Over the holiday season, Christmas<span id="goog_942562031"></span><span id="goog_942562032"></span> tree and general Christmas lighting
ceremonies occur from Macy’s to Copley to Boston Common to Faneuil Hall and Columbus Park. There seems to be an outdoor celebration
almost every night in December, and January kicks off with the indoor and outdoor <a href="http://www.firstnightboston.org/" target="_blank">First Night</a> celebration. This year’s <a href="http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/bos/ticketing/frozenfenway.jsp" target="_blank">Frozen Fenway</a> provided another unique outdoor setting for watching outdoor winter
sports and sledding in the park. The annual <a href="http://www.chinatownmainstreet.org/" target="_blank">Chinese New Year’s Parade</a> coming
up early February is still another opportunity to take the family outside for
some fun in the winter. BU holds <a href="http://www.bu.edu/astronomy/events/public-open-night-at-the-observatory/" target="_blank">Public Open Nights at their Observatory</a> year round for stargazing every Wednesday weather-permitting.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What are your favorite outdoor events during winter in the
city? Please comment below to share your ideas. Also, as I come across new information, I am continuing to update prior
posts to maintain them as up-to-date resources. Please comment or let me
know if you have anything to add at any point. As I am quite sleep deprived the days, feedback on grammatical issues is welcome and appreciated too.<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Coming Soon</h3>
<br />
Next week I will address crime in the city. The first burglary in our building occurred earlier this week and yesterday's headlines featured lead stories about the spike in fatal shootings in Boston. I will explore the facts and why the city is not necessarily as unsafe as it may appear. Since it is winter and we are spending more time indoors, the following weeks will include tips for living with children in a small space as well as outdoor winter gear for moms, dads and little ones in the city.<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[1] <a href="http://www.cbsnews.com/news/researchers-warn-kids-dont-get-enough-outdoor-playtime/" target="_blank">Researchers Warn Kids Don't Get Enough Outdoor Playtime</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[2] See <a href="http://www.aao.org/newsroom/release/20111024.cfm" target="_blank">More Time Outdoors May Reduce Kids' Risk for Nearsightedness</a>, American Academy of Ophthalmology.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[3] </span><span style="font-size: x-small;">See literature review at <a href="http://www.nwf.org/Be-Out-There/Why-Be-Out-There/Health-Benefits.aspx" target="_blank">Health Benefits</a>, National Wildlife Federation.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[4]As a public health nerd, I would like to note that with wind chill little ones often need to stay
inside or be appropriately dressed for short outdoor play sessions with
breaks to warm up.</span></div>
</div>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05695555665648089745noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184950669725019110.post-75541203758086971392014-01-22T07:00:00.000-08:002016-03-05T11:44:35.381-08:00Diversity, An Urban Reality<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
It is my goal to dispel the biggest myths or misunderstandings about city life immediately, and thus in my initial January 1st post I promised to address transportation, shopping, and outdoor spaces. This week I will temporarily divert from the plan to discuss another aspect of city life – diversity – in honor of the Martin Luther King holiday this week.<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Diversity did not play a role in our decision to stay in the city, or did it?</h3>
<br />
When my husband and I decided to marry and start a family, we never considered leaving the city. We attended a <i><b>FREE </b></i>City of Boston <a href="http://www.cityofboston.gov/dnd/bhc/homebuying_101_how_to_buy_a_home.asp">Home Buying 101</a> class (another urban perk) that I recommend for any novice home buyers. The only housing options we discussed were those downtown walking distance to his office. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.bostonredevelopmentauthority.org/getattachment/1d0a0e62-c131-417e-a53d-ceccb92b5dc4/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt=" BRA Measuring Diversity Report" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_uyML5X9WZZHRHHSnX6fjv1c6qFh5Ebfy8JmJjHlVQWb6vm3uX4mkQ-__s38m_l_QqyPTo3Bw_y_ADVJhkiltha0hmYUIn71EQr31RK8lzbnzPzgn5P42L322JxqfOEuZBSUxGqzoq34f/s1600/Measuring+Diversity+in+a+Changing+City.jpg" width="155" /></a>I was familiar with the up-and-coming Fort Point/Seaport area. I watched the building of the ICA and the silver line and as the market bottomed out, I thought the area would be a strong real estate investment. Through no intention or design on our part it happens that residents in our building represent a socioeconomic and employment spectrum housing artists, masters students, professionals and successful entrepreneurs. Moreover we are walking distance both to Louisburg Square in Beacon Hill and residential projects in South Boston; respectively housing some of the city’s wealthiest and poorest residents. <br />
<br />
The socioeconomic spectrum represents only one type of diversity. The City of Boston, and in particular the <a href="http://www.bostonredevelopmentauthority.org/">Boston Redevelopment Authority</a> (BRA), strive to measure and foster diversity in Boston neighborhoods across the following lines; racial and ethnic, age, educational, language, and region of birth. See report above left for more information. Our neighborhood reflects neither the best nor the worst diversity along any of these metrics.<br />
<br />
Coincidentally though, the partnership between my husband and I reflects many of these types of diversity (i.e., he is from Asia, I am from North America). Furthermore, our personal backgrounds have been richly diverse. My husband's home country has a recent history of violent, ethnically-driven conflict. Growing up, he attended a public school serving a district including both its city’s wealthiest and poorest citizens. Additionally this high performing school was open to others in the city who academically qualified, somewhat like Boston Latin (his pathway there). Following his graduation, he immigrated to the U.S. for higher education, as universities were closed in his country due to the ongoing conflict. <br />
<br />
I grew up the daughter of one Jewish (ethnically Russian, Polish, Austrian-Hungarian, Iraqi, Iranian, Lithuanian) parent and another Catholic (ethnically Irish, English, French Canadian) parent. Though I was ironically raised in a largely homogenous Boston suburb, I attended a more economically and ethnically diverse private high school. Additionally, I studied abroad at a young age both in The Bahamas and Thailand; two invaluable experiences in countries socioeconomically and culturally different from the U.S. and each other.<br />
<br />
For both of us, diversity is not something we strive to attain. My husband is actually put-off by the concept of embracing multiculturalism. Our diversity is just naturally part of who we are – our family, our friends and our life. I find it unsurprising that without even thinking about it, we would live somewhere diverse.<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
Is there a benefit to urban diversity? </h3>
<br />
I recently read a 2012 article from Time Magazine <a href="http://business.time.com/2012/07/09/do-the-suburbs-make-you-selfish/">Do the Suburbs Make you Selfish?</a> The argument in the article stems from the paper of a Harvard researcher and suggests that government driven home ownership and mortgage policies encourage wealthier people to self-segregate from poorer people and live in “affluent suburbs” that have homogenous populations compared to the city. Wealthier people subsequently have less empathy for hardships faced by others due to their literal distance from such hardships. Do the suburbs indeed make people more selfish than the city? I am not convinced of the validity of this assertion and even if it is true, of course it would be a stereotype and only applicable on an individual level. However, the decisions we make about where we live do impact who we come in contact with and thus the type of people with whom we are likely to form relationships. <br />
<br />
I would like to believe that my family’s own lack of thought to diversity yet inherently diverse existence is reflective of MLK’s dream coming true. His legacy in Boston is rich having received his PhD at Boston University (his wife Coretta was at the New England Conservatory). Unfortunately anyone who has driven down Martin Luther King Blvd in Roxbury can tell you segregation is still very real and alive across Boston neighborhoods. So can we say diversity a benefit of urban life? I met my husband and started this life with a man very different from me, because we both lived in the same Boston building. For me, in spite of Boston's problems with segregation, the answer is easily yes.<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: left;">
How does exposure to diversity in the city impact our child(ren)*?</h3>
<a href="http://www.bostonredevelopmentauthority.org/getattachment/aabbe85b-2e0b-43eb-9fb6-e3bfa45fb4f8/" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="BRA Children 2013" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZUuuRSlox_BIOl8RavVEtWtzgHnYAUUmVEnMkmeTk7T9IZ5Be66FU8hIdPhIZRp1zzo3itQ3Vkvf3pflZU3svXgHhjXHW8pgpjmSCevO8OZyhCv9Kc4HZ0eiOUBRHvG3MfEys4b-TZv_u/s1600/BRA+Report+Boston%2527s+Children+2013.jpg" title="" width="153" /></a><br />
What about for our daughter though? The Boston Redevelopment Authority's report just published in December
2013 (link via picture at right) identifies our daughter's peers as being somewhat different from the children with whom she regularly interacts:
Boston's children ages 0-5 are overall more ethnically and
linguistically diverse, more are from single parent households, and more
are living in poverty.<br />
<br />
In spite of this, our little one is exposed to a variety of different people in our daily life. Through toddler classes and events, playgroups, neighbors, our friends and family, and her daycare/nursery school program, she is regularly engaged with people who vary from infancy to elderly. She has peers and acquaintances of all different ethnic, linguistic and religious backgrounds. One of her best friends received early intervention classes as he was slower to speak, another is a veritable verbal genius. Part of this is a function of the personal lives of her parents and part of it is the who attends a toddler music or gym class in the city as compared to in a more "homogenous" suburb.<br />
<br />
This is the only reality she or I know, so it is hard for me to speculate as to how this impacts her or how it will in the future. The literature on teaching diversity and the benefits of diversity in education is rich. For now, it is simply a benefit that we do not need to seek enrichment opportunities as pertain to diversity, but rather that they just happen organically in her life.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">*At two days old, I am not yet so sure how this all is impacting our son. We are now officially a family of four! </span></div>
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Over the last few weeks we dedicated a significant amount of
time thinking, researching and writing about not owning a car. One of the
questions we frequently answer about our life downtown is related: “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Where</i> do you buy groceries and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">how</i> do you get there?” As shopping is
much more encompassing than food, and healthful food is the topic of hundreds
of books, rather than cram this all into one discussion, I will break it down
into multiple pieces. Today we will start with the topic of home delivery – a
crucial component of the “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">where</i>” we
shop in the city and “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">how</i>” we often
don’t actually get there.
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Before delving into the four delivery trends we find most
useful and time saving, we must mention that we live in a building with concierge
service which makes home delivery an easy and viable option. Alternately,
deliveries may be scheduled to a place of work or for Saturdays.</div>
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<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1. Healthy Food Delivery</b></h3>
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Given our concern about pesticides, antibiotics, hormones and
other potentially harmful substances in the food we eat, we will mention only
options providing organic or locally sourced food.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Grocery Stores</u> - </b>Whole
Foods, unlike Stop & Shop’s Peapod, does not allow you to order online, however,
you can pick your groceries out in the store and have them delivered to your
home. Each Whole Foods has their own rules and restrictions so please see your
local Whole Foods website for information. If you prefer not to go to the store
or live outside the delivery zone, newcomer <a href="https://www.instacart.com/store">Instacart</a> will do your shopping at
Whole Foods and deliver to your door.<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">[1]</span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8184950669725019110#_edn1" name="_ednref1" title=""></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8184950669725019110#_edn1" name="_ednref1" title=""></a></span> </div>
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For South Boston residents <a href="http://www.foodies-market.com/">Foodie’s in South Boston</a> will also
deliver <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you</i> to the store and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you and your groceries</i> back home for
free via the <a href="http://southieshuttle.com/service-locations/">South Boston
Shuttle</a>. </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Local Food Services</u> -
</b>The economies of scale of the city allows for other more localized delivery
services as well. <a href="http://www.somethinggud.com/">Something Gud</a>,
“the farmers market, delivered”, brings local, organic food from cheese to
bread to produce to your door that you can preorder online. <a href="http://www.bostonorganics.com/">Boston Organics</a> delivers “fresh
organic produce to your door”. Unlike Something Gud, Boston Organics does not
allow you to select what you will receive but rather like a traditional farm
share (i.e., CSA) you receive a mix of fruits and/or vegetables each week. <a href="http://www.valleygreenfeast.com/" target="_blank">Valley Green Feast</a> is similar to Boston Organics though their focus is more on local ingredients than organic. We were also excited to just learn about <a href="http://farmerstoyou.com/">Farmers To You</a>
which links farmers in Vermont with buyers in the Boston area and will
deliver meat, dairy, produce and pantry goods to your home or office if you
can't get to a pickup location. <a href="http://waldenlocalmeat.com/" target="_blank">Walden Local Meat Co.</a> also offers home delivery of locally sourced and healthfully raised meat to virtually all locations within route 128. <a href="https://tasterie.com/shop/" target="_blank">Tasterie</a> is a unique service delivering foods that cater to food intolerances and allergies (e.g., gluten-free, egg-free, etc.). Vegan or vegetarian? Check out <a href="http://kombukitchen.com/" target="_blank">Kombu Kitchen</a>.<span style="font-size: x-small;">[2]</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Prepared Foods</u> – </b><a href="http://cuisineenlocale.com/">Cuisine en Locale</a> provides a “meal CSA” with
premade healthy meals sourced from local ingredients. <a href="http://fooderyboston.com/">The Foodery Boston</a> uses 100% organic
produce and provides a similar service. Like to cook but don't have time for shopping and preparing? <a href="http://www.justaddcooking.com/">Just Add Cooking</a> will deliver a box of healthful recipes and organic ingredients each week. <a href="http://www.healthyhabitskitchen.com/" target="_blank">Healthy Habits Kitchen</a> locally sources ingredients for their meal kits.<br />
<br />
Update 1/29: We just learned via a Boston Globe article that since our daughter was born a number of locally prepared baby food services have cropped up as well and we are looking forward to trying them out when our new little one starts solids. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lil-Foodie-of-Boston/425227914205654" target="_blank">Lil Foodie Boston</a> or <a href="http://purelypears.com/" target="_blank">Purely Pears</a> will likely be our first pick with their organic prepared baby foods. <a href="http://lovagebabyblends.com/" target="_blank">Loveage Babyblends</a> located in the South End looks promising.</div>
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Lastly, three major players organize the delivery of restaurant
based food including many organic/healthy providers (i.e., <a href="http://www.healthyfreshfood.com/">The Golden Temple</a> for Chinese and <a href="http://www.cafeteriaboston.com/">Cafeteria Boston</a> for great burgers);
<a href="http://www.foodler.com/">Foodler</a>, <a href="https://www.diningin.com/">DiningIn</a> and <a href="https://www.grubhub.com/">GrubHub</a>.<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">[3]</span></span></span></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Bonus</u> – </b>For those of you who believe a glass of red wine a day is an important part of a healthy diet you can even alcohol home delivered via <a href="http://www.drizly.com/home.php" target="_blank">Drizly</a>, at least for now.<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">[4]</span></span></span></span> Alcohol not your treat of choice? <a href="http://dessertdrop.com/" target="_blank">Dessert Drop</a> currently delivers goodies in five Boston zip codes and is planning to expand.<br />
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<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">2. Amazon Prime /
Amazon Mom</b></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7sXZ8WKPCe55u8Po9v9PEbGXk1vrxSA5JLSrLhrfm5uBJWgVel8xODsk8Syadf3S7RShtJb07fRQRJWwRGqNEGTZ0JPKCL7pvIT4ZAucG3tbnEnS7iBSV8geMRMwbmmr1urBxdkw-lhAk/s1600/Amazon+Prime+Delivery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7sXZ8WKPCe55u8Po9v9PEbGXk1vrxSA5JLSrLhrfm5uBJWgVel8xODsk8Syadf3S7RShtJb07fRQRJWwRGqNEGTZ0JPKCL7pvIT4ZAucG3tbnEnS7iBSV8geMRMwbmmr1urBxdkw-lhAk/s1600/Amazon+Prime+Delivery.jpg" title="Baby Supplies Delivery" width="320" /></a></div>
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When expecting our first child, we frantically prepared to
make sure we had everything we needed before she was born to avoid shopping
during those first postpartum weeks. Had we known then what I know now about <a href="http://www.amazon.com/b?ie=UTF8&node=2965621011">Amazon Mom and
Amazon Prime</a>, we would not have worried. With our Amazon Prime/Mom
membership we have free two-day shipping on almost anything we could ever need.
For an additional $3.99 most products can be received overnight. Due to our
location in the city, deliveries often arrive faster than promised and we end
up receiving even our two-day orders overnight. We pay $79 annually for
membership and receive sufficient deliveries to make up this cost and then some.
Notably Amazon offers plenty of organic and healthy living products (e.g.,
Seventh Generation, Baby Bambino, etc.). </div>
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Other relevant sites for fast delivery of family products include
<a href="http://www.diapers.com/">Diapers.com</a> which is owned by
Amazon and has a healthy living branch <a href="http://www.vine.com/">Vine.com</a>,
or newer (locally-based) competitor for household items <a href="http://www.wayfair.com/">Wayfair.com</a>.<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">[5]</span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8184950669725019110#_ednref3" name="_ednref2" title=""></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8184950669725019110#_ednref3" name="_ednref2" title=""></a></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></div>
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<h3 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">3. Expansion of
Online Shopping</b></h3>
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Online shopping in general, though not a novel or uniquely
urban idea also makes urban living significantly easier. H&M which seemed
to be the last hold-out of retail stores without an online option finally
created an online store in 2013. Most companies offer free shipping once a
certain amount of money from $50 -150 is spent, or with a coupon code. Most
companies also allow free returns in store. </div>
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Additionally, a middle-man online discount site market has
cropped up. Some personal favorites include: <a href="http://www.ruelala.com/">Ruelala</a> (locally-based)<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8184950669725019110#_edn4" name="_ednref2" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">[4]</span></span></span></a></span>, <a href="http://www.gilt.com/">Gilt</a>,
<a href="https://www.hautelook.com/login">HauteLook</a>, <a href="http://www.myhabit.com/homepage">MyHabit</a> and <a href="http://www.ideeli.com/">ideeli</a> for clothing; <a href="https://www.onekingslane.com/">One Kings Lane</a> and <a href="https://www.jossandmain.com/">Joss & Main</a> for home goods; and <a href="http://www.zulily.com/">Zulily</a> for all things children and families.</div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">4. Errand Services</b></h3>
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Among the many perks of living in a concierge building is
dry-cleaning pick-ups and drop-offs at your door. Our preferred cleaner is <a href="http://clevergreencleaners.com/">Clever Green</a> which takes keeping
toxins off your clothes (and thus your skin and your kids’ skin) seriously.
Another example of concierge utility is furniture delivery. If we buy a new
mattress and they schedule delivery between 10a.m. and 1p.m. on Monday, no one needs to stay home waiting as our concierge will take care of it for us.</div>
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Lastly, urban errand services have cropped up in recent
years for the busy professional who wishes they had a personal non-office
assistant. Via crowd sourcing, <a href="https://www.taskrabbit.com/">TaskRabbit</a> will “outsource
household errands and skilled tasks” from curtain-making to mailing a letter.</div>
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Although all these services make it possible to outsource virtually all of one's errands, we personally find running errands to be an
important part of educating our toddler. If we did not shop ourselves we wouldn’t
run into our neighbors including Governor Patrick, (yes, that happened), at the grocery store either. Selecting
produce or items and processing a payment is an important tangible experience. However, in a world with limited time, we appreciate the
multitude of services available in the city when we need them. These services are an important
part of the where and how we shop. </div>
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Have we missed anything? Aside from the Foodies/South Boston
Shuttle partnership what other neighborhood specific delivery options exist? Please
comment below to add other good Boston
delivery options for the reference of others.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">[1]</span></span></span> I have
not yet tried Instacart for Whole Foods delivery, however recently The Boston
Globe posted this <a href="http://www.boston.com/business/technology/innoeco/2013/12/instacart_introduces_neighbor-.html">article</a>
about the new start-up.<span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">[2]</span></span></span> 2014 pricing information for select providers via Boston Magazine, <a href="http://www.bostonmagazine.com/health/blog/2014/01/06/roundup-fresh-food-delivery-services/" target="_blank">Roundup: Fresh Food Delivery Services</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">[3] Users on
<a href="http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/874612">Chowhound</a> recommend
Foodler for its user interface and rewards program.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">[4]</span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8184950669725019110#_ednref3" name="_ednref2" title=""></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8184950669725019110#_ednref3" name="_ednref2" title=""></a></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> See Boston Globe article, "<a href="http://www.bostonglobe.com/business/2013/12/27/alcohol-delivery-services-offer-convenience-but-state-law-murky/4duEnwlrmcTGLEkFQ45gdM/story.html">Alcohol delivery services offer convenience, but state law murky</a>."</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">[5]</span></span></span></span></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8184950669725019110#_ednref3" name="_ednref2" title=""></a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8184950669725019110#_ednref3" name="_ednref2" title=""></a></span></span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"> Even mail delivery can support local employment. See Boston Globe article <a href="http://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/2014/01/27/online-retail-real-time-jobs-boston/eTKc2kEiKhDYo5mmo6gifJ/story.html?s_campaign=email_BG_TodaysHeadline">Online Retail, Real-Time Jobs in Boston</a>.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8184950669725019110#_ednref3" name="_ednref2" title=""></a></span> </span></div>
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Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05695555665648089745noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184950669725019110.post-41056884579555341002014-01-11T19:55:00.004-08:002016-03-05T11:45:15.724-08:00Review: Rights of Way - Mobility and the City<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<![endif]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">I woke up today still pregnant and with no plans due to the
imminence of this baby’s birth. It was raining but finally the so called arctic
vortex of freezing cold air that has been making headlines the past 2 weeks was
gone. I figured I better get my family outside while it was warm out. We headed
for Faneuil Hall and happened past the <a href="http://www.architects.org/">Boston Society of Architects (BSA)</a> at Atlantic Wharf, just past The Tea Party Museum.
Husband and I peered in the window at the exhibit and said we should go check
it out at some point. Just then the image below caught my attention; or rather
the writing caught my attention.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3g8h2IbK1Hcg9NSqPPTxyNugtQqhN7JFxGC9wxgt7uwMkjVRx1l_yiGpXUvCrdtYY1euaXsyxAOPvUlx2sjCofgls6SDLyV3L7uOu3eHyvhoZtLJ5_EfJXka2pG5GEbAxPuUJOVGYemfl/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3g8h2IbK1Hcg9NSqPPTxyNugtQqhN7JFxGC9wxgt7uwMkjVRx1l_yiGpXUvCrdtYY1euaXsyxAOPvUlx2sjCofgls6SDLyV3L7uOu3eHyvhoZtLJ5_EfJXka2pG5GEbAxPuUJOVGYemfl/s1600/photo+2.JPG" title="Wall Infographic at Rights of Way Exhibit" width="400" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Three days after posting a blog entry about transportation
and the city I had inadvertently stumbled upon the Mecca of information about this exact topic.
We decided to detour and went inside. This is one of the many perks of living
downtown. It is hard to leave your house
without finding exhibits, events and other on goings of interest. Our little
girl was too young but there was even a special program today while we were
there for children K-12. <b>TIP: </b>Check out
<a href="http://www.architects.org/">Learning by Design in Massachusetts(LBD:MA)</a> for more architecture and design programming targeting children!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Back to the original point; I was so impressed with this
exhibit I decided it warranted a review on the blog. Hopefully this will direct
some traffic, pardon the pun, in their direction. The exhibit is truly
multimedia including prototypes of urban transport, iPad and projector videos,
a timeline circulating the upstairs room of the history of urban mobility, a
comic strip story of the megalopolis of Sao
Paulo, etc.<span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">For me the
highlight was the pure facts that popped out including our country’s own lack
of investment in infrastructure as compared to China and Brazil, let alone the
EU and Japan. Learning that 60% of our
country’s population will live in cities by 2030 (guess our family is ahead of
the curve!). And <a href="http://www.prb.org/Publications/Articles/2011/us-megalopolises-50-years.aspx">Boswash</a>; I never knew about this although the term has been
floating around since the 1960s. The exhibit incestuously (Höweler + Yoon designed the BSA space) highlighted <a href="http://www.hyarchitecture.com/projects/92">Höweler + Yoon Architects: Shareway for the Boswash region</a> – winner of the Audi Urban Future
award. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg44lRXBqNDxa7bzD-laU8w9AtyT_RB26qDpaiJr0LXCEx60NhNN6ktFqCU6QE6Ysqgo0H0PXoifyOhYXhZrA3o5NP8LbDgs16TImGQuxt7iG7byHReriCKpXPrILJ8DWXG2ZAa0NnimmAW/s1600/photo+3+(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg44lRXBqNDxa7bzD-laU8w9AtyT_RB26qDpaiJr0LXCEx60NhNN6ktFqCU6QE6Ysqgo0H0PXoifyOhYXhZrA3o5NP8LbDgs16TImGQuxt7iG7byHReriCKpXPrILJ8DWXG2ZAa0NnimmAW/s1600/photo+3+(4).JPG" title="60% population living in urban areas 2030" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNTfDHKLzfJVG2SxTrL0Yuww797GKju66sHGWinPJWMAnShBCco-U95Z5fogycrDI5SgdAHe_r6IpOfrduTq_3xIEBZ3KO5lTSjRdw93LbWKi20bFK92KVW3xnxpep_0SBZk46vUmGGWBX/s1600/photo+5+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNTfDHKLzfJVG2SxTrL0Yuww797GKju66sHGWinPJWMAnShBCco-U95Z5fogycrDI5SgdAHe_r6IpOfrduTq_3xIEBZ3KO5lTSjRdw93LbWKi20bFK92KVW3xnxpep_0SBZk46vUmGGWBX/s1600/photo+5+(2).JPG" title="infrastructure investment" width="131" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiufqJhajpEQTn7FB2Ubl-jfpAk-OlfA8flHwAPYjqWgHNL73R2z0f3tsx-aU2gE-vPRNvcgV1j-qvwlLgG1AIvPiIYej5TqSfznKFfAe774TZ5W6BtUOt7Ui9TTyy9FkIVavkHg8M3v-VM/s1600/photo+4+(4).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiufqJhajpEQTn7FB2Ubl-jfpAk-OlfA8flHwAPYjqWgHNL73R2z0f3tsx-aU2gE-vPRNvcgV1j-qvwlLgG1AIvPiIYej5TqSfznKFfAe774TZ5W6BtUOt7Ui9TTyy9FkIVavkHg8M3v-VM/s1600/photo+4+(4).JPG" title="commuting communities" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small; font-weight: normal;">Rights of Way, which
started in December is up until May 26, 2014. For anyone interested in design, architecture, urban planning and
development, transportation, inventions, or the future of the U.S. this is
truly a must see. It is free of cost.</span></span><br />
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZoISIPc2bPncmGSknzuH_tSiVKQ6WzcL187ElVQAh1SgDm2vbrS-crETQjoYCqlQ8WY7qnhNBqbNcPmcdU5DoH4zS5-3sd5Qru4VOhpB9KWoly_cxRpD1OJXgb9g6Fla0BuhuJDkLa8jS/s1600/Scan_Pic0004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZoISIPc2bPncmGSknzuH_tSiVKQ6WzcL187ElVQAh1SgDm2vbrS-crETQjoYCqlQ8WY7qnhNBqbNcPmcdU5DoH4zS5-3sd5Qru4VOhpB9KWoly_cxRpD1OJXgb9g6Fla0BuhuJDkLa8jS/s1600/Scan_Pic0004.jpg" title="Rights of Way " width="206" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvbVZ0NyKwDAJIjH73H8NlSt0nWa4SoBm1di4cSGXEk7a5WvgW0me_8VOHkJXeoPZMMK0YSXcy0GoQFnOVp3srn4r2ua067C6CRsqeUz9yQENI1jYgoCmTCMPeSsoQJQXvjD5fLTmFQ1g/s1600/Scan_Pic0005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvbVZ0NyKwDAJIjH73H8NlSt0nWa4SoBm1di4cSGXEk7a5WvgW0me_8VOHkJXeoPZMMK0YSXcy0GoQFnOVp3srn4r2ua067C6CRsqeUz9yQENI1jYgoCmTCMPeSsoQJQXvjD5fLTmFQ1g/s1600/Scan_Pic0005.jpg" title="Rights of Way Info" width="229" /></a></div>
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Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05695555665648089745noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184950669725019110.post-83332967353872331792014-01-08T11:48:00.002-08:002016-03-10T21:46:57.137-08:00Life Without a Car; Good for Health and Wealth<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQIKhkc9B-NVldbyc6LBbyM-8IOkW4heGMXClXPoviEjkCm_rDJv669_x3Wv0fXYfpbFhE4CbwUxqZnYAQ6AYCKcO5G6nC1gZm6pWsrEHYHKeZf_mRWDXW-cYIh6do6SYZL5rR1X8FWbT3/s1600/Quote+-+Lewis+Mumford.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQIKhkc9B-NVldbyc6LBbyM-8IOkW4heGMXClXPoviEjkCm_rDJv669_x3Wv0fXYfpbFhE4CbwUxqZnYAQ6AYCKcO5G6nC1gZm6pWsrEHYHKeZf_mRWDXW-cYIh6do6SYZL5rR1X8FWbT3/s1600/Quote+-+Lewis+Mumford.jpg" title="Lewis Mumford on Personal Vehicles" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From <a href="http://www.architects.org/" target="_blank">BSA</a> exhibit, <a href="http://bsaspace.org/exhibitions/rights-of-way-mobility-and-the-city/" target="_blank">Rights of Way</a> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
We both owned cars in the city (Ashley more recently until 2005) and in spite of rarely using them had endless stories of being unable to find resident parking, frequently broken side view
mirrors and numerous tickets. Living downtown there are many alternative transportation options, including a slew of MBTA services (i.e., commuter rail, T, buses),
taxis, ride sharing services (e.g., Uber), car sharing services (e.g., Zipcar) walking and even proximity to the airport, boats and trains/buses out of
state.<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxRCHv14aVn5ShTv_GDppiF6M58y87E83gjOH9YkONO4uvlq5ezgaHCHCpVWhgiPpH4rEwMOW2b5ff3lK0B9MTLEKBGdkp_0re0LNPphdanJuiNjOjFalCCV7aC_rtYaLmzQFQQ8xVRn1F/s1600/America's+Walking+City.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxRCHv14aVn5ShTv_GDppiF6M58y87E83gjOH9YkONO4uvlq5ezgaHCHCpVWhgiPpH4rEwMOW2b5ff3lK0B9MTLEKBGdkp_0re0LNPphdanJuiNjOjFalCCV7aC_rtYaLmzQFQQ8xVRn1F/s1600/America's+Walking+City.JPG" title="Boston is America's Walking City" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photographed at <a href="http://bsaspace.org/exhibitions/rights-of-way-mobility-and-the-city/" target="_blank">Rights of Way</a> Exhibit</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
With the rise of <a href="http://www.zipcar.com/" target="_blank">Zipcar</a> we found car ownership no longer made sense. Even when we need a car for a longer period of time and Zipcar seems too costly we have found solutions. For example, with the exception of summers, Enterprise Car Rental locations in the suburbs offer a <a href="http://www.enterprise.com/car_rental/deeplinkmap.do?bid=002&cust=999WEST&cnty=US&language=en&arc=GSSB183&cm_mmc=Google-_-Brand-_-GS_SE_Top_B_NTL_E_US-_-weekendspecial-SL5" target="_blank">$9.99/day special on the weekends</a>. We often rent a car in Somerville
on a Friday or Saturday and return it in Boston
on Monday so that we can run our errands and easily travel to social engagements outside the city.<br />
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Oddly, in spite of Boston
being touted as a walking and biking city,<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8184950669725019110#_edn1" name="_ednref1" target="" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">[1]</span></span></span></a></span> our
family seems to be a rarity among our peers. We know few other families with children in Boston who do not have a
car. It seems those who can afford a car generally own one, needed or not. That
said according to 2011 American Community Survey Census data 37% of the 250,000
households in Boston
are carless.<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8184950669725019110#_edn2" name="_ednref2" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">[2]</span></span></span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
For us, not owning a car is one of the biggest perks of city
life. However, whether or not you own a car in the city, there are many
transportation benefits to living in the city. The following is a list of pros
- and to be fair - cons of alternative transportation.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
BENEFITS</div>
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Best Commute Ever:</b> Tim walks to work in less than 20 minutes. Ashley walked to work in 30 minutes for
almost 4 years, and later took a bus that she walked to when she moved to a job in Newton Corner. Both of our commutes are/were short, pleasant and efficient. We
use/d the time to make phone calls and mentally prepare for the work day
and decompress after work. However, the best part of all of this is the
time we are able to spend together as a family because of the short
commute. Tim can work an 11 hr day – gone from 7a.m.-6:30p.m. with
commute time and still enjoy dinner and bedtime with our children.</li>
</ol>
<ol start="2" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">~$12,000 Cost Savings Annually: </b>Last
April 2013, AAA released a report on the costs of car ownership. The average
sedan owner spends $9000/year or $750/month to own a car (including car payments,
insurance, maintenance, fees, gasoline, etc).<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8184950669725019110#_edn3" name="_ednref3" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">[3]</span></span></span></a></span>
This is the cost of owning one car and does not include paying for
parking. We went through our December 2013 charges to determine how much we
spent on transportation. We spent $480 – in large part due to $200 on
taxis which is very abnormal for us and due to Ashley's feeling sick at the end
of her pregnancy.<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8184950669725019110#_edn4" name="_ednref4" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">[4]</span></span></span></a></span>
In a typical month we spend $300 or less (~$3600 annually). If we lived in
the suburbs and owned one car we would spend $750/month per the AAA
report. In reality we would own 2 cars though. We are saving likely
$12,000 or more annually on transportation costs!</li>
</ol>
<ol start="3" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Bonus Exercise: </b>We walk
everywhere. Our daughter walks everywhere. Every day we walk to work,
daycare, activities, shopping, etc. Our suburban counterparts spend
anywhere from 1-2 hrs daily sitting in a car or train to work, activities
and errands. We walk where we go. </li>
</ol>
<ol start="4" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Children Love Trains and Buses: </b>Our
daughter is thrilled to take the train or bus when we are going somewhere
to far to walk or are in a hurry. It is great fun to her. Furthermore,
unlike being in the car where the driver needs to pay attention to the road, we are able to interact with her while we travel.</li>
</ol>
<ol start="5" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">No Car = No Car Hassles: </b>We never
need to take the car for an oil change or find ourselves filling windshield
washer fluid. Inspection stickers – not our problem. We do not have a
mechanic. Time is money and we don’t waste time on car maintenance and
problems.</li>
</ol>
<ol start="6" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Positive Externalities: </b>We are
doing something good for the city; less fossil fuel consumption, less traffic and
one or two less heaps for the junkyard. </li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal">
CONS</div>
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Bad Weather Blues:</b> It used to be that finding a taxi during
inclement weather would take extra time with the stated wait often falling
anywhere between 20-45 minutes and you would need to wait outside to be sure someone else did not take your taxi. Since the advent of ride sharing services like <a href="https://www.uber.com/cities/boston/">Uber</a>, this is less of an issue. However, car sharing services do price differently during surge or peak use times.</li>
</ol>
<ol start="2" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Installing/Uninstalling Car Seats: </b>This
is a temporary inconvenience until the kids are older, but not a small one.
Every time we get into a Zipcar, Enterprise Rental or family member’s car,<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8184950669725019110#_edn5" name="_ednref5" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">[5]</span></span></span></a></span> we must <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">properly</i> install the car seats. We try to stack all car related errands and trips to minimize car seat installation. Of note, I am not sure how I
would do this without the <a href="http://www.orbitbaby.com/en/double/" target="_blank">Orbit Baby Tavel System</a><span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8184950669725019110#_edn6" name="_ednref6" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">[6]</span></span></span></a></span>
which fits both our toddler and infant car seats on one stroller.</li>
</ol>
<ol start="3" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Parking Hassles: </b>As we do not own a
car we neither have a parking space nor are able to have a resident
parking sticker. When we do rent a car it can be a hassle to find metered parking during peak times. For
visiting friends and family who are used to just parking for free right in
their own driveway, paying for and looking for parking when they visit us is a hassle. </li>
</ol>
<ol start="4" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Perception of Less Flexibility and
Higher Costs:</b> Family and friends often offer us rides to help us out and save us money. It is kind and appreciated but a bit unfair to them given that we certainly spend less on transportation costs than they do. Not owning a car makes us
question if going somewhere is a necessary transportation expense, but we can always get where we want to go at little aggregate cost to us.</li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Bottom Line: </b><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Not owning a car does little to hinder our independence and flexibility. If anything it just makes us more conscientious about our transportation use and expenditures. Most importantly, our car free existence has enormous payoffs for our health, wealth and family time.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I am happy to answer questions directly or via comments, and would also love to hear from others in Boston or other cities about how they manage without a car or benefit from being less reliant on their car.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">More Resources for a
Car-Free or Less Car Dependent Existence:</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We don’t use these services but know people in the area who
do and recommend them. </div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li><a href="http://www.thehubway.com/" target="_blank">Hubway </a>is like Zipcar for bikes and is great if you are not transporting children. </li>
<li><a href="http://www.enterprisecarshare.com/" target="_blank">EnterpriseCar Share</a> is a Zipcar alternative. Locations are relatively few. We took advantage of a promotional rate of $5/hr rentals for the first year until Ashley's driver's license expired and Enterprise froze our account. There was no easy online way for to update the information with Enterprise so we just stopped using the service.</li>
</ul>
<div style="mso-element: endnote-list;">
<hr align="left" size="1" width="33%" />
<div id="edn1" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8184950669725019110#_ednref1" name="_edn1" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">[1]</span></span></span></a> The Boston Foundation, Indicators Project - <a href="http://www.bostonindicators.org/indicators/transportation/how-are-we-doing/10-3equitable-and-high-quality-transportation-access-for-all/10-3-1access-to-healthy-transit-options">Transportation</a>.</span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn2">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8184950669725019110#_ednref2" name="_edn2" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">[2]</span></span></span></a> Table
DP-04 Selected Housing Characteristics 2012 American Community Survey Data 1 Yr
Estimates, Boston.
Accessed on 1/7/2013 at <a href="http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/tableservices/jsf/pages/productview.xhtml?pid=ACS_12_1YR_DP04&prodType=table">American Fact Finder</a>.</span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn3">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8184950669725019110#_ednref3" name="_edn3" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">[3]</span></span></span></a> See news articles from <a href="http://newsroom.aaa.com/2013/04/cost-of-owning-and-operating-vehicle-in-u-s-increases-nearly-two-percent-according-to-aaas-2013-your-driving-costs-study/">AAA release 4/2013</a> including postings on <a href="http://money.cnn.com/2013/04/16/autos/aaa-driving-costs/">CNN Money</a> and the <a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/drivers-seat/2013/04/16/expensive-insurance-maintenance-push-up-cost-of-driving/">WSJ</a>.</span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn4">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8184950669725019110#_ednref4" name="_edn4" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">[4]</span></span></span></a> Our
Total Family December 2013 Transportation Costs were as follows: car rentals
including Zipcar and Enterprise $95; gas to fill Enterprise and family member gas tanks $130; parking including quarters for meters and garages
$35; taxis $200; TPass loading $20. Note in a typical month we spend $0-50 on
taxis. Ashley took taxis to/from numerous appointments and our daughter’s activities as she was feeling unwell the entire last month of pregnancy.</span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn5">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8184950669725019110#_ednref5" name="_edn5" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">[5]</span></span></span></a> There is
a loophole in the law that car seats are not required in taxis, provided you are
comfortable with this. </span></div>
</div>
<div id="edn6" style="mso-element: endnote;">
<div class="MsoEndnoteText">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8184950669725019110#_ednref6" name="_edn6" title=""><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span class="MsoEndnoteReference"><span style="font-family: "times new roman";">[6]</span></span></span></a> We stumbled upon this stroller/car seat/travel system when looking for a
rain cover that was toxin free. We were very unhappy to read about all the toxins
in plastic rain covers that envelope babies in their car seats and strollers.
More on this wonderful brand in a later post on chemical free baby gear for
urban families.</span></div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05695555665648089745noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8184950669725019110.post-51604770559253522072014-01-01T05:27:00.000-08:002014-02-04T12:35:16.049-08:00Happy New Year 2014<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This August I will celebrate 10 years of living in
downtown Boston. I grew up in suburbia and left Massachusetts to attend
a small liberal arts school in Pennsylvania. Interested in healthcare
and being an only child, I decided it was practical to return home in
spite of my wanderlust. Initially I settled in Beacon
Hill/Downtown/Financial District, living in 3 different residences over 6
years. After marrying, my husband and I moved to the Fort Point Channel
neighborhood. We decided the Children's Museum would be
our backyard and the proximity to South Station and routes 90 and 93 would
give us easy access for weekends in the suburbs with family and friends.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYFC2bMk_37j2UtLilQpSuo7M2_ZrLUZ06-OFc7GR1WKAP5NXSb5RVd-WZ-ksd6DvQbmuSrxZqO7hBJa5lTipl38LA7lEAItyY7bo-msrl4bgC9MqqBK8SEsfG7BlipIs5zP0V0RyGIdvZ/s1600/first+post.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYFC2bMk_37j2UtLilQpSuo7M2_ZrLUZ06-OFc7GR1WKAP5NXSb5RVd-WZ-ksd6DvQbmuSrxZqO7hBJa5lTipl38LA7lEAItyY7bo-msrl4bgC9MqqBK8SEsfG7BlipIs5zP0V0RyGIdvZ/s1600/first+post.jpg" height="200" title="Boston Dusk" width="199" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beauty in the Concrete Jungle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Friends told us when we moved here that we would never stay in
the city after having kids; that it would be too hard in a small space.
I have created this site to tell you that with a toddler and
another one expected any day now (!) we are more committed than ever to
our life in the city. I am here to tell you that not only is city
living viable but in many ways preferable to life in the suburbs. I am
here to tell you about the cost savings, the cultural enhancements, and
the healthy living options available in Boston and in other cities
around the country for young families. I am tired of hearing everyone
tell us why we should not and cannot raise our children here and I will provide the counterpoint.<br />
<br />
I stumbled upon a blog post from a consultant "The Simple Economist" who states more eloquently than I can the reason for this project:<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i>Anytime you live a life that is different than your parents, friends or
the way you grew up it is extremely important to convey what it takes to
enjoy that lifestyle. For those who decide to live low impact
lifestyles, rural, urban, vegetarian/vegan, or even just simpler housing
accommodation, communication to others is important. You can do your
best to explain the benefits or positives of the choices you have made
to let others understand, without being condescending, why you live the
way you do. When you live in a 200 sf studio, you don’t want to spend
all your time sitting in that space. For many urban dwellers, the
tradeoff in space is a worthwhile expense so that you never sit in
vehicle in traffic again. But it can be extremely frustrating for
suburbanites who visit a tiny intown house or condo only to sit seven
deep not wanting to go outside.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<a href="http://simpleeconomist.com/an-urban-life-with-suburban-expectations/?shared=email&msg=fail" target="_blank"><i> </i>- "An Urban Life with Suburban Expectations"</a></div>
<br />
So welcome to our lives and our story. We look forward to
sharing our experiences raising a healthy family in the city with you
and hopefully learning from your stories as well. Coming up soon are topics including life without a car, how and where to shop, and outdoor spaces.<br />
<br />
Here is to new beginnings and healthy living in 2014!<br />
<br />
~Ashley, A Boston Family</div>
Ashleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05695555665648089745noreply@blogger.com0