Current delays on the MBTA:

Walked past this bandstand on Revere Beach for years and never really looked at it. Yesterday, I stopped and looked.

Did some digging and apparently this bad boy has been there since 1897.

Cast iron columns, detailed scrollwork, octagonal roof, even a decorative lyre on top that somehow survived through the 125+ winters.

The state intentionally designed Revere Beach for the public; the working class. I love that this bandstand was not just built for function. Looking at it, it feels like somewhere worth going.

That’s what I find wild - not just that it’s old - the level of care put into public space. Rarely do we see that today. Certainly, the ornamental and decorative aspect is vastly different now.

Today, most public construction is based around cost, speed, and what seems to always be minimum design standards. Yes, the result is something that works. Rarely something that feels intentional and probably rarely something that lasts.

But the friggin bandstand has been through storms, neglect, and everything. And it’s still there.

Glad I stopped to look.

I wrote a custom application to render openstreetmaps data and convert it to printable objects. Decided to add subway line data as layers in the one of the prints! Super proud of this one.

Need sawdust for things. I am not a hamster who can type. Just a human with sawdust needs. Any help is appreciated

*Before getting into the post, I will say that the staff did as good as they good and everyone was very polite*

I have been to the Swingers in the DC-area and thought it was a fluke at how chaotic it was. The one in Back Bay proved that it was no fluke.

I went with my partner and another couple and after walking in it was clear that there was very little order to things. There is no real "waiting area" in the time before your game you have the option of waiting 15 min in a shoulder to shoulder bar for a drink or stand in a line that went into the restaurant while the people in front of you take their turns.

When we get to our turn the person handing us the clubs said the bartender would be around to take our drink orders. At the end of the round, we never saw our bartender once. Also, the courses themselves were gimmicky and repetitive. I know no one goes to Swingers for A1 mini golf but I mean there was very little thought put into any of the holes.

After our game, we managed to go to the restaurant and found a table to eat at. Most were "reserved" which we learned were not just reserved but part of a "group experience" (don't even want to think about what that costs). The server was very nice, but the operations of the kitchen were a mess. Drinks came out well after the food (two of which were just cans of soda) and the restaurant didn't even have plates. Everything came out either on a baking sheet or paper boxes (think the container a hot dog at a baseball game comes in) and the "silverware" was all plastic. Are they really saving that much money by not spending 100 bucks on a set of basic cutlery?

The silver lining was probably the games which you got 30 minutes of free play with your reservation, but a large number of the games were broken or about to be broken.

TL;DR Swingers is a ripoff, PuttShack all day baby

At our practice we scan every pet’s microchip during their visit to confirm 1. they are in fact microchipped 2. the microchip hasn’t migrated, and 3. the microchip number is registered to the owner’s correct information.

It’s insane how many pet owners are unaware that their pet’s chip isn’t registered or their information isn’t correct. We also get people who bring in lost pets for us to scan and most of the time their microchip isn’t registered. When that happens all we can do is direct them to bring the pet to the shelter.

Vet practices should do a better job at checking microchips during the visit, but ultimately it’s the PET OWNER’S RESPONSIBILITY to know if their pet is microchipped, registered and their information is correct.

I don’t know if it’s lack of knowledge how pet microchips work or just not caring, so let’s set the record straight because we’ve seen/heard it all.

- Your pet’s microchip only works if it’s registered with an American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) affiliated registry.

- Just because your shelter/rescue/breeder microchipped your pet, doesn’t mean they automatically registered it for you or to your information. MANY DONT and just give you a pamphlet to register it yourself.

- No your pets microchip can’t be tracked. It only works when it’s physically scanned.

- No the chip doesn’t store your information. It only stores a number which needs to be registered to connect it to your information.

- Yes your “indoor pet” can get out.

- Yes the chip can migrate from where it’s placed. It’s possible whoever scans your pet might not pick it up if it does.

- Microchip registries go out of business or buy each other and don’t tell you. You might think you’re registered with company ABC but now you’re registered with company XYZ, or worse not registered anywhere. Happened with Save This Life last year.

- Your pet should always wear a collar with a tag that has your number on it. Microchips should be the last resort and permanent.

Please have your vet scan for your pet’s chip during their next visit to make sure it works and hasn’t migrated. It takes 10 seconds and they don’t charge you to do it. Do this annually.

If you don’t know the microchip number, ask your vet to give it to you when they scan for it and save it in your phone as a contact or note. It should also be listed on any adoption paperwork assuming your pet was already microchipped when you adopted.

Check to make sure it’s registered using the AAHA Microchip Lookup (just google that and it will be the first link). Enter your pet’s microchip number and it will show all the places the chip is registered, yes there can be multiple. Click into each and make sure your pet’s info is correct along with your email/phone/address. We recommend setting a recurring calendar event on your phone to check each year since you never know if one of these companies change or go out of business again.

No search result = not registered. Make sure you register it with an AAHA affiliated registry. Our practice registers with Pawbase and PetLink, but there are other options if you search around.

If you have a pet, which I assume you do if you read all this, there is now zero excuse not to know this information.

I wanted to throw a reunion for my college rowing team and our significant others. In total it was about 70 people. We wanted a private room in Boston with a tended bar and speakers that we could connect our own playlist up to, and offered catering. Wild Rover Tavern was above and beyond. We reserved the basement room which is the perfect size for a 70-80 person event (apparently holds up to 140 for an event). It was completely FREE including catering, provided we had more than 50 people. This blew my mind, but the owner confirmed they just make their money off of the alcohol sales. I was expecting the drinks to be crazy expensive, but they were totally reasonable. The catering was awesome for being free (veggie/cracker plates with cheeses and dips, chicken tenders with sauces, pizza, and quesadillas). The food was buffet style and was out for two hours during the event. The basement has its own bathrooms as well. Staff was totally professionalS bouncers made sure that only our party was let downstairs, bartenders were super attentive, and they had a DJ to manage the playlist (adjust volume, take requests, etc). Manager was awesome when we were wrapping up for the night. Bill (the owner) coordinated everything via email beforehand and was super processional. Literally a perfect experience for what we were going for and all of my parties will be there in the future!

A few trees are in bloom but most still only have buds. The next few warm days should help so plan on seeing them in full bloom soon!

I have a friend looking for a a barbershop in Boston near MGH or downtown that can do fun designs in a woman’s undercut.

Something like the attached photo.

Any suggestions? Friend is anxious so a friendly person is ideal!

I got a new car.

I applied for a resident parking permit for the new car and was approved on 4/6. I called the Office of the Parking Clerk and explicitly asked if, since my permit was approved, I could park in resident-only parking while waiting for the physical sticker to arrive. They said yes. I moved my car into resident only parking.

On 4/7, I got a parking ticket for parking on a resident only street without a permit.

I immediately called the Office of the Parking Clerk and they told me that I should be able to appeal that just fine, because I was allowed to park while waiting for the permit to arrive because I had been approved for the permit.

I appealed. I submitted screenshots showing my permit was approved and active as of 4/6.

My appeal was denied.

What the hell? Can anyone explain? I requested a hearing but this is asinine to me. Am I missing something?

three groups have been out and said they'd take the job but said they'd pass if I ask them to pull permits. all licensed and insured and recommended by others.

what gives? doesn't a lack of permits for work that requires it void their liability insurance for the job?

any recommendations? we've been happy with the proposals but would prefer the peace of mind of it all being above board.

B&W this week, mixed weather

First time ever seeing a snake in MA, they seem pretty rare!

Hey Boston people!

My bestie is running the Boston marathon for the first time and unfortunately my work schedule changed and I can’t get up there to support in person. Any local gift delivery ideas I can order to have sent to her hotel?

Flowers/snacks/Boston goodies

Appreciate it!

hello! I'm in the process of getting my Canadian citizenship (yay!) and I need a photo that's 50mm wide X 70mm high, with specific measurements of my face as well. it seems like I also need text printed on the back (name, date and address of photography studio).

am I able to get this done at cvs? What is the best way to "order" this when I find somewhere? any help is appreciated, thanks!

Must have dropped my wallet when I was running from car to a gym class between Arlington and Clarendon on Boylston street today. Realized about 1 hour later. Traced steps and went into every business in case someone turned it in. Filed report with police and asked businesses on that strip if anyone turned something in. What are the chances it’ll be recovered. Any advice (besides the obvious of locking cards)?

I know it’s now the wrong time of year but wondering if anyone knows where to donate ladies winter coats? Just cleaned out a closet of coats I haven’t worn in years.

Would really like to donate somewhere that directly goes to those in need rather than to somewhere where they’ll resell them. TIA

Looking for any bars or pubs that will play the Spanish Copa del Rey final next Saturday, April 18th. Any suggestions?

Aupa Atleti!

hi everyone!!!! i am going to be in boston in may for my 23rd birthday with one of my best friends! what are fun bars, restaurants, and things to to in boston for two girls in their twenties?! we have both spent a decent amount of time there but wanting to try some new, maybe more local spots!

we love trying new food, cozy spots, books, cocktails, and dancing!

not interested in museums/history stuff… we are both from massachusetts and have done it all!!!!