Boston's artists and creative businesses have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic this year, and they need our support now more than ever.

Shopping local for the holidays is a great way to alleviate some of the financial losses and hardships the arts community has faced. Here are some great options to explore when searching for holiday gifts this year:

1. The Boston Women's Market Holiday Shop features a vast array of gifts and artwork created by women artists, makers and business owners in New England.
2. Harvard Ed Portal's Allston-Brighton Winter Market is happening virtually this year. The marketplace celebrates local creative entrepreneurship by uniting buyers with fine art and handcrafted gifts. In addition to physical artwork, this year the market will also feature experiences like workshops and interactive online programming.
3. Dorchester Art Project's new storefront at 1486 Dorchester Ave. features a variety of vinyl, tapes, clothing, and visual art by local artists. It's open Wednesdays through Saturdays this month from 12-8 p.m. and Sundays from 12-6 p.m.
4. Black Market is hosting Black Joy Market at 2136 Washington Street in Roxbury every Saturday from November 28 through December 19. Experience a curated selection of local vendors while listening to a holiday playlist composed by Roxbury Sound System.
5. SOWA's Winter Pop-Up hosted by Wyllo will feature items by local female artists and makers. The pop-up is located directly across the street from Wyllo's main boutique at 65 Thayer Street, and will run Wednesdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. - 6 p.m. until December 20.
6. CraftBoston Holiday 2020 presented by the Society of Arts + Crafts celebrates craft artists and the work they make. Shop fine handmade goods at the online store and check out some of their virtual events.
7. GK! Market is a new digital marketplace for local diverse and inclusive businesses. It's free to use, and you can filter by women-owned businesses, LGBTQ-owned businesses, Black-owned businesses, and more.
8. The Jameson & Thompson Winter Market in Jamaica Plain will bring together 8-10 vendors to show their locally sourced, handmade products every Sunday from Thanksgiving until Christmas.
9. The Boston Globe, Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, and Small Business Strong are hosting Shop Small Saturday on November 28 from 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. This one-day virtual event gives you a chance to browse a broad marketplace and purchase goods and gift cards from local restaurants, shops, and artisans from home.
10. Attending a virtual event is another great way to support Boston's arts community during this time. We have a list of upcoming virtual events, and we also encourage you to take a look at ArtsBoston's virtual events calendar.

We would like to remind you to celebrate safely this holiday season. We stand with all those who have known the tragic consequences of drugged or drunk driving, and we rededicate ourselves to preventing it this December and throughout the year.

Impaired driving includes distracted driving, drugged driving, and drunk driving.

Why do we recognize National Impaired Driving Prevention Month?

In an average year, 30 million Americans drive drunk, and 10 million Americans drive impaired by illicit drugs.

A survey by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) revealed that 13.2 percent of all people aged 16 or older drove under the influence of alcohol and 4.3 percent drove under the influence of illicit drugs during the past year.

Furthermore, rates of impaired driving differed dramatically by age.

• While 11.8 percent of people aged 26 and older drove drunk, 19.5 percent of people aged 16 to 25 drove drunk.
• And, 2.8 percent of the older group drove drugged, while 11.4 percent of younger drivers did so.

December seems particularly suited to this observation because traffic fatalities that involve impaired drivers increase significantly during the Christmas and New Year’s holiday periods.

• On average, 25 people were killed in alcohol-impaired driving crashes per day during December 2010.
• Young adults are among those at greatest risk for driving impaired. During December 2010, drivers 21 to 34 years old were alcohol impaired and involved in fatal crashes at a higher percentage than any other age group.

All 50 States and the District of Columbia enforce the minimum legal drinking age of 21 years. NHTSA asks minors to avoid alcohol, and encourages parents and other caregivers to make a new or renewed commitment to never cater a party to underage drinking. If someone you know is drinking, do not let that person get behind the wheel. If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact law enforcement. Your actions may save someone's life, and inaction could cost a life. Families play an essential part in stopping impaired driving. By talking about the risks and setting clear expectations, parents and other caregivers can help their children stay safe, sober, and focused on the road.

Prevention Resources and Toolkits:

• Traffic Safety Marketing – a website with free campaign posters, TV/radio/web ads, and other resources, including more about NHTSA’s Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving(link is external) and Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaigns.
• Too Smart to Start – a website dedicated with evidence-based approaches to help youth, families, educators, and communities prevent underage alcohol use and its related problems.
• Stop Underage Drinking – a comprehensive portal of federal resources for information on underage drinking and ideas for combating this issue.
• Teen Drugged Driving: Parent, Coalition and Community Group Activity Guide (PDF) – This guide provides coalitions, prevention groups and parent organizations with: the facts on the dangers and extent of teen and young adult drugged driving; parent and community activities for effective prevention; resources to further assist in prevention activities.
• The National Criminal Justice Reference Service compilation of resources on impaired driving, including general information, enforcement, and prevention, in observation and recognition of National Impaired Driving Prevention Month.

youth.gov

There are many holiday light events to visit this year – here is a list of some of our favorites:

Middleboro Festival of lights Drive Through

The Middleborough Tourism Committee will be hosting its 7th Annual Festival of Lights on December 12, 13,19 and 20 from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Boston/Cape Cod KOA in Middleborough, MA. Unlike previous years, 2020 will be a drive-thru only event.

GILLETTE STADIUM HOLIDAY MAGIC OF LIGHTS-Drive Through

Nov. 13th – Jan. 2nd, 2021; Monday – Thursday 5pm – 10 pm. Friday – Sunday 5pm – 11pm. Magic of Lights is a dazzling, drive-through holiday lights experience featuring favorite holiday scenes and characters of the season using the latest LED technology and digital animations. Experience Magic of Lights from the comfort and safety of your own car as you wind through the sparkling path of Foxborough’s favorite holiday tradition.

Marshfield Holiday Light Show at Fairgrounds Drive Through

The show is open evenings beginning at 5pm sharp, select dates November 19 – December 30, 2020 and tickets can be purchased online through the “buy tickets” button, or at the door! The Marshfield Holiday Light Show https://boldmedia.ticketspice.com/marshfield-holiday-light-show> will feature dozens of dazzling displays to delight the entire family.

GREATER BOSTON CELEBRATION OF LIGHTS Drive Through

The Waltham Lions Drive-Through Holiday Light Show also known as Greater Boston Celebration of Lights will be held November 27 – January 3rd! Bring the kids for a great holiday night out!

Winter Wonderland Lights Drive Through at Southwick Zoo Mendon

Take a magical journey through Southwick’s Zoo with friends and family to view spectacular holiday lights! This year’s 2020 Winter Wonderland will be a drive thru, so guests will stay cozy and warm in their vehicles as they venture through the zoo. The holiday lights fun is from November 27th-January 3rd Wednesday-Sunday: 4:30 pm – 8:30 pm

LA SALETTE SHRINE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

Held Nightly November 26th thru January 3 rd The lights will begin at 5:00 PM on November 26 (Thanksgiving) and run from 5-9 pm through January 3, 2021. Due to the pandemic, this year all visitors to the Shrine will be required to wear a face mask and practice social distancing at all times.

Santa’s Christmas Lights Drive Through – HANSON MA

Santa called and still wants to come to Hanson and get a picture with everyone, so join Santa on Friday December 11th and Saturday December 12th from 5pm-9pm for a Christmas Lights Drive-Thru.

We have all been challenged this year. But, never have we felt closer to our family, staff, customers, and vendors. For this we can give Thanks. The Covid-19 pandemic challenged our business as it did each and every business across our great nation. But, we would like to share with you the positives that came out of this experience.

Our families, our staff, our customers, and our vendors all remind us of the blessing it is to own and operate. The support that you have all provided, and continue to provide, during one of the most troubling and challenging times in American history is nothing short of humbling. That we in our own way returned some of that support to you has us arriving this Thanksgiving season with a deeper appreciation for our relationship with you. We move forward with an extraordinary focus to ensure that the quality of our service meets your needs, expectations, and earns your continued and highly valued trust. We do this with confidence that, together, we all will make it through the unique challenges that lay ahead.

In many ways we have more to be thankful for this year than ever before. This Thanksgiving season, we continue to reflect, recognize, give thanks, and be warmed by you all. As always, we invite you to contact us anytime with ideas, questions, and/or concerns. Thank you, and sincere "Happy Thanksgiving" wishes to you all!

You live in a climate where the temperature starts dropping in October and there's a strong chance of snow from November through February. So, you are most likely thinking about putting your motorcycle away for the winter.

Your motorcycle is an investment of your finances and your time, and it's important to think about keeping it clean and safe while the weather is cold and snowy. Wherever you may choose to keep it for the winter season, remember these tips from the Foremost Insurance Group and the American Motorcyclist Association:

Clean it up

Give your bike a good wash and wax and cover it with a breathable cloth cover. This will keep dirt and dust, or other airborne matter in your garage, from settling on your bike.

Gas it up

Top off your tank and add the recommended amount of fuel stabilizer. Stabilizer prevents your fuel from breaking down and producing a brown residue that can coat your carburetor. Run your engine for a few minutes to circulate the treated gas. Since gas is flammable, do not store a motorcycle with a full tank of gas in an area where there is open flame, pilot lights, sparks or motors.

Change the oil

Just before you put your motorcycle into storage, change the oil. Used oil that sits in your bike all winter becomes corrosive and can damage your motorcycle's parts.

Check the coolant

Since motorcycles are not used in freezing temperatures, many riders overlook the use of coolant. Use a floating-ball device to check if your coolant level is sufficient to resist freezing. If it's low, always add according to the manufacturer's directions.

Charge the battery

Remove your battery, store it at a temperature above 32 degrees and trickle-charge it once a month. If you're able to run the bike once a month, leave the battery in the bike and disconnect the negative cable end.

Remember the tires

If you can manage it, store your bike with the motorcycle off the ground. If you can't do this, make sure the tires are properly inflated, set the bike on its stand and rotate the front tire every so often to avoid flat spots.

By taking the time to properly prepare your motorcycle for storage, you'll save more time in the spring when you want to take your motorcycle out on the open road.

Motorcycle insurance

It's important that you have the right motorcycle insurance. You need an insurance policy that offers the coverages that are important to your specific bike and lifestyle. Take a look at our coverage options on our motorcycle insurance page, or get a quote.

Important things to look for when choosing a specialized motorcycle insurance policy:

• Safety Apparel Coverage to protect your investment in helmets, leathers, gloves and any other clothing designed to minimize injury in the event of an accident.
• Optional Equipment Coverage for chroming, custom painting, side cars or anything else that was not included as standard by the manufacturer.
• Optional Towing and Roadside Assistance in case your bikes breaks down and can't be ridden when you're away from home because you run out of gas, get a flat, or have other mechanical issues.
• Optional Replacement Cost Coverage on bikes purchased new and insured within 30 days.
• Flexible payment plans so you can choose the plan that best fits your budget.
• Deductible and coverage limit options.
• Premium discounts.

For more information on motorcycle insurance, contact Lallis & Higgins Insurance.

Source: foremost.com

If you have a fireplace, you probably like having a crackling fire on a cold winter's night. Watching the light dance on the walls and enjoying its warmth is one of the most charming aspects of the otherwise cold and harsh season.

Yep, there's definitely something alluring about having a fireplace in your home. According to the Hearth, Patio, and Barbeque Association (HPBA), a fireplace ranks second among the top features buyers seek in a home! Additionally, approximately 80% of American homes have a fireplace, hearth, or pellet stove.

Unfortunately, the perks of having a fireplace also come with a bit of responsibility. Any homeowner with a fireplace should know that the desire for a crackling fire also requires a lifetime commitment to make sure it is in proper working order. Here are eight basics of preventative wood burning fireplace maintenance:

Have the chimney inspected annually, and when necessary, cleaned by a professional chimney sweep.

Install a chimney cap on top of the stack to help ensure that debris or animals don't block the flue.

Install working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and have a fire extinguisher.

According to the Chimney Safety Institute of America, there are over 25,000 chimney fires each year in the United States, accounting for over 120 million dollars in damage to property! Most of these occur because the chimney hasn’t been swept lately, so if you’ve followed our instruction above, you should be good to go.

Additional precautions should be taken when you use the fireplace:

Make sure the area around the fireplace is clear of potentially flammable objects and materials.

You may be surprised to learn that heating systems are the second highest cause of home fires, just after cooking! Everyday objects like nail polish, plastic toys and polyester plants are extremely flammable and should not be left anywhere near a fireplace.

Clean out the ashes from your previous fire and store them in a non-combustible container until you can properly dispose of them.

If the layer of ashes on your hearth is deep enough that it comes in contact with the grate, that grate may burn out and decrease its lifespan. Excess ashes also reduce the volume of wood that can be placed in the fireplace.

Give the ashes from a wood-fire a good 24 hours to cool down before removal.

Use a fireplace grate.

These grates allow for a better-quality burn, better drafting, and the protection of your fireplace floor. Use either a steel bar, caste iron, or grate heater depending on the frequency of use.

Never leave a fire unattended.

Do not close the damper until the embers have completely burned out.

If you are the proud owner of a gas fireplace, this resource provides great information and recommendations about how you can best care for that investment. Now go enjoy that warm and toasty glow.

Source: foremost.com

Posted by MAIA on October 30, 2020

Effective Monday, November 2nd, certain plates and/or registrations ordered through Registration Drop Off Centers will be centrally distributed and mailed from the new Lowell Fulfillment Center. Centrally distributed plates will now be sent from both Lowell and Quincy Headquarters.

Plates/registrations will be mailed to owners if they have a Massachusetts state-assigned number (S/SA#). Customers who do not have a state-assigned number will still need to pick up their plates/registrations at the Registration Drop Off Center.

This applies both to transactions dropped off by individual customers and by commercial customers (such as agents and runners). Process for Runners and Agents

When dropping of transactions, runners/agents must separate transactions for Individual Customers (with or without S/SA numbers) from transactions for Businesses (with FIDs).

For Individual Customers, the runner/agent will return to pick up the Temporary Plate in a Temporary Plate Sleeve and the Temporary Registration to pass along to the Individual Customer. The permanent plates/registration will be mailed to the customer within 7 business days of confirmation of payment.

For Business Customers, the runner/agent will return to pick up the License Plate, Decal, and Certificate of Registration to pass along to the Business. Revised Documentation

The following documents have been revised due to this change. The revised versions will be posted to the RMV website on November 2nd.

Registration Drop Off Center Form for Individual Customers (REG123)

Registration Drop Off Center Form for Commercial Customers (REG127)

Registration Drop Off Center Pre Drop Off Information Sheet (REG125)

Registration Drop Off Center Post Drop Off Information Sheet (REG126)

Note: For the form for commercial customers, there is no longer a separate version for each drop off location. They have been consolidated into just one form. Questions?

The RMV has created a webpage for COVID-19 information. Please visit https://www.mass.gov/info-details/rmv-covid-19-information

Are you a snowbird? If you flock to a warmer climate during winter, you know that preparing your home before you leave is a tedious, sometimes difficult task. However, creating a thorough winter checklist can help protect your house against theft, water damage and other unwanted surprises. To help ensure everything goes smoothly, here are some important things to remember as you pack up and secure your home for the winter!

Forward your mail.

This is something you can do without leaving your house! Try logging on to www.USPS.com and clicking the "Track & Manage" tab. The United States Postal Service (USPS) can forward your mail for up to one year. For flyers or anything else that comes to your door, ask a neighbor or a family member to occasionally check your home for anything that accumulates on your doorstep or in your mailbox.

Do not turn off the heat!

Set your thermostat between 55 and 60 degrees. If the house temperature is too low, your water pipes could freeze.

Shut off the water.

Doing this minimizes the risk of a flood. Be sure to turn off any valves inside, including automatic irrigation systems. To avoid any type of water leaks, it's always an option to have your pipes drained by a professional.

Prep your appliances.

Depending on how long you'll be gone, consider unplugging your refrigerator to cut down on energy costs. Be sure to clean it, throw out all of the food and leave the fridge doors open to prevent mildew. Other appliances you can unplug are your washer and dryer, microwaves and televisions.

Perform exterior maintenance.

If you live in a snowy area, arrange for someone to plow your driveway and sidewalks to avoid any liability issues. Make sure to also clean out your gutters so water drains easily. And of course, don't leave out any outdoor furniture or flowerpots that could blow away in the wind – put these items in storage!

Perform indoor maintenance.

Check your smoke alarm and make sure it has brand new batteries. If you have a chimney, close the flue to keep out any unwanted visitors such as birds, bats or squirrels. Putting a guard on top of the chimney is also something to consider. To put your mind at ease, go around and do last minute checks on all of your doors and windows. This is your last opportunity to make sure all of the locks work properly.

Consider setting up light timers throughout the home.

This will make it look like someone is home and ward off intruders. It's also not a bad idea to close all of the drapes at every window so no one can see that you're gone.

Inform neighbors that you’re leaving.

It's beneficial to have someone nearby on close watch in case they see anything suspicious around your home while you're gone. Be sure to give them all of your contact information in case of an emergency, and let them know when you'll be returning.

Remember, give yourself enough time to prepare and finish your checklist. There’s nothing worse than feeling like you’re forgetting something, so I hope these tips help you make your move with peace of mind. Enjoy the sun, and be safe!

Source: foremost.com

Even though it’s not an official holiday, Halloween is much beloved by children and adults alike. What could be more fun than trick-or-treating, apple bobbing, or costume parties?

To make sure treats are safe for children, follow these simple steps:

Snacking: Children shouldn’t snack on treats from their goody bags while they’re out trick-or-treating. Give them a light meal or snack before they head out – don’t send them out on an empty stomach. Urge them to wait until they get home and let you inspect their loot before they eat any of it.

Safe treats: Tell children not to accept – and especially not to eat – anything that isn’t commercially wrapped. Inspect commercially wrapped treats for signs of tampering, such as an unusual appearance or discoloration, tiny pinholes, or tears in wrappers. Throw away anything that looks suspicious.

Food Allergies: If your child has a food allergy, check the label to ensure the allergen isn’t present. Do not allow the child to eat any home-baked goods he or she may have received.

Choking hazards: If you have very young children, be sure to remove any choking hazards such as gum, peanuts, hard candies, or small toys.

Bobbing for apples is an all-time favorite Halloween game. Here are a couple of ways to say “boo” to bacteria that can cause foodborne illness.

Reduce the number of bacteria that might be present on apples and other raw fruits and vegetables by thoroughly rinsing them under cool running water. As an added precaution, use a produce brush to remove surface dirt.

Try this new spin on apple bobbing from FightBAC.org: Cut out lots of apples from red construction paper. On each apple, write activities for kids, such as “do 5 jumping jacks.” Place a paperclip on each apple and put them in a large basket. Tie a magnet to a string. Let the children take turns “bobbing” with their magnet and doing the activity written on their apple. Give children a fresh apple for participating.

If your idea of Halloween fun is a party at home, don’t forget these tips:

Beware of spooky cider! Unpasteurized juice or cider can contain harmful bacteria such as Salmonella. To stay safe, always serve pasteurized products at your parties.

No matter how tempting, don't taste raw cookie dough or cake batter that contain uncooked eggs.

“Scare" bacteria away by keeping all perishable foods chilled until serving time. These include finger sandwiches, cheese platters, fruit or tossed salads, cold pasta dishes with meat, poultry, or seafood, and cream pies or cakes with whipped-cream and cream-cheese frostings.

Bacteria will creep up on you if you let foods sit out too long. Don’t leave perishable goodies out of the fridge for more than two hours (1 hour in temperatures above 90°F).

fda.gov

Here are 8 fun, safe and socially distanced ideas for your family to drive, hike, and experience across New England this fall

1). BELKIN FAMILY LOOKOUT FARM- Natick, MA.

The closest Apple picking location to Boston. Besides just picking apples, Lookout Farm offers Train rides, farm animals, Cider Donuts, and Crafted beer for the adults. Outdoor dining is available by reservation only on the Resy App.

2.) ZOO NEW ENGLAND: BOSTON LIGHTS

Panning the 72 acres of Franklin Park Zoo, Boston Lights will impress visitors of all ages with more than 50 large scale displays comprised of hundreds of colorful lanterns. This spectacular event is sold out until November. Be on the lookout for available tickets.

https://www.zoonewengland.org/engage/boston-lights-member-tickets/

3.) FENWAY PARK

Though you can’t enjoy sitting down for a game, Fenway park still offers plenty to enjoy and look at. Take a walk down Landsdowne Street and enjoy the outdoor memorabilia and outdoor dining.

4.) MOHAWK TRAIL

One of the most scenic hikes in Massachusetts- Mohawk trail is an Instagram- worthy fall must have experience. It covers 6,000 acres of mountain ridges, gorges, and woods. It is home to a variety of plant and animal life. Pack a lunch, eat outside and enjoy the foliage - It’s worth the trip (and the photos)

5) PLYMOUTH ROCK

With more than 30 acres to stroll, outdoor living history exhibits, and gardens to enjoy, a visit to Plymouth is a fall essential! The staff have adjusted their protocols to meet physical distancing requirements while still providing engaging programs, and presentations.

6) C.N SMITH FARMS

This place is by far the best for picking your own pumpkins. They are currently booking by reservation only- So be sure to go to their site to schedule in before you take the drive.
https://cnsmithfarminc.com/

7) BARRETTS: SCREENS AND SCREAMS

Due to health and safety requirements, Barrett’s will be presenting an all new drive in experience starting this weekend. Bringing a double feature of horror on screen from old school classics to modern day favorites. Food is provided and delivered to your car by Abington Ale house. Go to their sites for available tickets.

http://www.bhmansion.com/buy-tickets/