Food for Others: Canstruction Boston 2017

Feast your eyes on Folklore, Fairy Tales, and Mythical Creatures—made from canned goods!

October 8–27th 2017
BSA | Space & the Atlantic Wharf Building
280-290 Congress Street
Free and open to the public.

Canstruction® is a unique nonprofit organization that holds annual design-build competitions to construct unique, colossal structures made entirely from canned goods. Founded in 1992, Canstruction’s mission is to highlight the issue of hunger and food insecurity across communities, collect food for distribution to thousands, and to showcase the creativity of the design industry. The Boston Chapter of Canstruction was founded in 1995 and has been going strong ever since.

The 22nd Annual Canstruction Boston charity event is one where various architecture, engineering, and construction firms in the Greater Boston area compete in building sculptures made entirely of canned goods. These canned good sculptures were built in mid-October and are up for display at the BSA Space within Atlantic Wharf, the 2017 Canstruction Boston host, through the end of October. After the sculptures are dismantled, all the canned goods will be donated to a local food bank.

We’re happy to announce that the Merrimack Valley Food Bank based out of Lowell, Massachusetts will again be the recipient of our canned food donation.

Canstruction Boston Timeline

Build out:  Saturday, October 7, 2017
Judging and Official Opening:  Tuesday, October 10, 2017
Awards + Thank You Party:  Wednesday, October 11, 2017
Decanstruction:  Saturday, October 28, 2017

This year’s event can be found within the spaces at 280 and 290 Congress Street in Boston as well as within the South Station train terminal just around the corner from our main exhibit at the BSA | Space (280 Congress Street).

Source: Canstruction Boston

The 2017 Pint Slice Tour

It was a beautiful Sunday afternoon, and free ice cream called.  I knew that the Ben & Jerry's Pint Slice Tour was here in Boston and they were scheduled to give away the goods at the Greenway till 5pm.

My walk to the Greenway Open Market on State Street led me to hit and surpass 10,000 steps, which for me is quite a feat!  There was a line, but it didn't look bad at all.

When my turn came, I spun the virtual wheel and was awarded their Americone Dream Pint Slice - Vanilla Ice Cream Bar with Caramel Swirls & Fudge Covered Waffle Cone Pieces, Covered in a Dark Chocolate Coating with Waffle Cone Pieces.

Just what I wanted!  And it was good, and a nice treat!  Basically a petite round Klondike Bar with tasty add ins.

They are scheduled to be in Chicago this upcoming weekend.  And if you reside in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas, or Miami, they'll be headed your way too!  Just check their website for more information.

Culinary Fight Club: Steak Edition Boston

A Culinary Fight Club took place in the patio by the pool at BOKX 109 American Prime located in the Hotel Indigo Boston-Newton by the Riverside MBTA station one lovely warm summer evening.  With each $25 ticket, you received beer and noshes, in the form of an open bar and passed appetizers, and the opportunity to sample the dishes that have been produced before your very eyes over the past 60 minutes.

 On our night's event, the focus was steak, and the competitors were 6, coming from as near as Watertown and Waltham, Mass, to as far north as Portsmouth, NH.  Each team was provided with a grill - though not all were at 100% - a huge hunk of cow, a specific type of mushroom, and given a short time to "shop" at a table piled high with additional supplies before the countdown began.

Despite the stressful conditions, the competitors were friendly and willing to interact with inquisitive onlookers.  The most interesting sight was the creation of mushroom ravioli, each filled with a whole egg yolk!

The people's choice was announced first - Drew Blanckenberg, executive chef of Cricket Cafe & Catering.  His team had made the ravioli, which accompanied the most tender steak of the evening.

Then came the announcement for the judges' choice - Drew and his team again!  The honor of second place went to Mike Fucci of Chef Mike's Catering.

To celebrate, Drew tossed one of his sous chefs into the pool as (it seemed) per an agreement she had made with his daughter.

It was a fun evening out as a guest of the Culinary Fight Club.  Thanks so much!

Scooper Bowl 2017

The 35th annual Jimmy Fund Scooper Bowl is will be  here in about a month.  For a dollar discount off the $10 adult admission to the all-you-can-eat ice cream festival, text SUN to 56512!

Buy early and save!  Tickets bought in advance are $10 for adults, $5 for ages 3 – 9, while kids under 3 are free.  As of the day of the event, ticket prices go up to $15 for adults, $10 for ages 3 – 9, and kids under 3 are free.  If you want to go more than once, purchase a $20 Scooper Pass and attend the Scooper Bowl up to three times.

Jimmy Fund Scooper Bowl

June 6 – 8, 2017

Noon – 8:00 p.m.

City Hall Plaza, Boston

Starbucks Happy Hour 2017!

I'm not a coffee drinker, though I know many who are.  But Starbucks most recent deal peaks even my interest!

From May 5 - 14
From 3pm - 6pm
Half off any Frappaccino blended beverage

Yeah, Happy Hour Starbucks style!

App Find: GoPapaya

I was at a restaurant for dinner one evening several months ago and noticed that they were advertising this new-to-me app called GoPapaya.  When I got home, I hopped online to check it out.

From the point of view of a diner, as a last minute reservation system, GoPapaya gives me the opportunity to see if there are any restaurants offering a discount to get me to eat there tonight.  Within a half hour, to be precise.  When I'm feeling rather flexible (or when I'm being a procrastinator), this is a terrific app to have!

On the other side of things, GoPapaya helps the restaurants that it partners with to offer potential customers a temporary special deal in the hopes of filling their seats during downtimes, when things just aren't at busy as they would like it.

I have since used GoPapaya a handful of times, most often in a neighborhood with several partner restaurants within walking distance.  I pull up GoPapaya, take a look to see who is currently offering a discount, refer to the menus if necessary, make the reservation I prefer, and off I go to yet another discounted meal!

Last week, GoPapaya widened its repertoire with a newly launched take-out feature offering discounted takeout!  And to celebrate, they are offering a free entree ($20 max) on our first GoPapaya takeout through May 8th.

Well, actually, I already got reimbursed for mine... I emailed them (rewards@gopapaya.mobi, subject: Free entree) a picture of my receipt from my first GoPapaya take out order (deadline for this action - May 8th), and they've already sent me a PayPal payment (alternatively you may opt for an Amazon gift card) for the full amount.

If the thought of free or discounted food has peaked your interest, if you like, when you register, you may also use my referral/invitation code (VIV5771) to get credited $10 in Rewards.  In turn, this will also earn me $10 in Rewards.

Rewards may be redeemed for either Amazon gift cards or PayPal payments once you accrue a minimum of $10.  Usage of the app will also earn you Rewards credit, so fear not if you don't want to invite anyone, or if you just want to keep this app to yourself.

Additional info:
GoPapaya is available for free both on GooglePlay and iTunes
Reservations for Parties of up to 6, depending on the restaurant
No Credit Card Needed
Discount does not apply on Alcohol - because we're in Massachusetts
Oh, only in vicinity of Boston currently
GoPapaya's website
Boston Globe Article about GoPapaya

Free Cone Day 2017!

With April comes the much anticipated annual Ben & Jerry's Free Cone Day!

This year, with it also came April Showers.

The shop at Boston Park Plaza shuttered last year, so the most feasible location was the store on Newbury Street.  I figured that perhaps the rain would keep the crowds away, and decided that a run was in order during my lunch break.

Still, I was lucky.  I scored my free scoop after but a 4 minute wait, and when I headed out, there was a line perhaps 25 people deep leading to the entrance.

Noon - 8pm, the first Tuesday in April

Thanks Ben & Jerry's!