MassDrive Blog

Nothing says summer like a good ole barbecue! Although this summer staple can be loads of fun, it can also be a dangerous activity if the right precautions are not taken. Before you light up, keep in mind these helpful safety tips from the NFPA! Before You Grill – Where you place your grill is crucial for safety.  Keep grills away from the home, deck railings and out from under eaves, overhanging branches and other flammable structures. You never know when a grease fire may start and when the wind may blow it a little too far. – Check the major connection points between the gas (propane) tank hose and the regulator and cylinder, and where the hose connects to the burners. Tighten if loose. – Check the propane tank hose for the potential leaks by applying a light soap and water solution to the hose using a brush or... [...]
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Have you planned a summer vacation yet? If not, it’s the perfect time of year to hop in your car and take a road trip! Make the most of your summer vacation by driving your way through America’s beautiful beach towns, rugged cliffs, stunning mountains, and breathtaking scenery. America has such a wide variety of landscapes and cultures that you’re sure to have an unforgettable experience with any of these amazing adventures. Pacific Coast Highway, California: About 300 Miles  The Pacific Coast Highway spans the entire length of the West Coast with amazing views of the Pacific Ocean and mountains. Heading south to north will guarantee amazing sites the entire way for the driver, but either way you will not be disappointed. Starting in Southern California, you’ll wind your way though a skinny road with ocean views on the left, and mountains on the right. The rest of the... [...]
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There’s nothing like a cold beer on a hot summer’s day! As Bay Staters, we are lucky enough to have some fabulous breweries in Massachusetts.  From the ever popular and well known Samuel Adams Brewery, to the new and amazing Downeast Cider hall, these places offer truly refreshing drinks and exciting experiences. Downeast Cider Hall– 200 Terminal St, Charlestown, MA 02129 This cidery takes apples and alcohol to a whole new level. Started in 2011, the Downeast Cider Hall’s success grows from a truly exceptional and refreshing hard apple cider.  The founders and owners stick to strict policy of “No Shortcuts” in their cider making process. The company gets all of their apples from local farms and fresh presses to create a truly amazing, and refreshing taste. They refuse to use artificial ingredients, use juice from concentrate, or any shortcuts that may diminish the quality and flavor of their delectable cider.  While... [...]
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Now that warm, beautiful weather has arrived, it’s time to spend every moment possible outside. Massachusetts has some amazing outdoor venues for music lovers. Here’s a list of our top must-see venues this summer! Blues Hills Bank Pavilion Boston Harbor Located on the Boston Harbor side, this amazing outdoor amphitheater continues to host incredible musicians and bands. This year’s line up includes incredible classics like Steely Dan, to indie rock band Florence and the Machine, to new comer Lindsey Stirling and much more. Seating over 5,000 people, it’s one of the largest venues in the area. Enjoy 35 concession stands, and beer, wine and champagne available throughout the pavilion. With the top of the line sound system, spectacular lighting capabilities and cool harbor breezes, this venue has everything you need for a perfect concert experience. Edward A. Hatch Memorial Shell Charles River Esplanade This charming and historic outdoor venue... [...]
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While this year won’t be the same without the Patriots, Super Bowl Sunday is a long-standing American tradition! One of our favorite ways to enjoy the delicious food, great beer and of course an incredible game of football is by throwing a Super Bowl Sunday party! Here are a few tips to help you have the best party possible. 1. Prepare for a feast! Easy finger foods are good go-to’s for super bowl parties. While there is nothing wrong with the old stand byes such as buffalo wings, dips, chips, and pizza, there are some awesome ways to mix those up and get a little creative with your appetizers. Pinterest has a TON of recipes for those of you first time chefs to make you look like hors d’oeuvre connoisseurs! If you’re cooking for a large group of people, consider whipping out that crockpot! There are so many easy... [...]
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While the snow looks beautiful coming down, it makes driving way more difficult and increases your chances of an accident significantly.  While it’s best to avoid driving in bad weather as much as possible, it’s often unavoidable- especially in New England. If you must hit the road during a snowy winter wonderland, keep these tips and tricks in mind to stay as safe as possible. 1. Drive Slow– This must be the most obvious thing to state when it comes to driving in the snow, but it has to be said. Really though, actually drive slower and give yourself plenty of time to reach your destination. The snow makes the roads slippery and reduces visibility so you’ll need to give yourself plenty of more time to react to changing conditions. This advice is heavily aimed at those who drive SUVs, 4-wheel drive or all-wheel drive cars. While those type of cars do offer some... [...]
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As the New Year begins, the weather starts has started to drop into brutal cold winter territory- but that doesn’t mean you should start hibernating! The month of January has a ton of events going on that are worth going out for! Here are a few of MassDrive’s favorite events happening this month. Boston Celtic Music Festival: January 8th- 9th Cambridge This cultural festival brings together over 100 musicians, a parade, and a ton of dancing! To start off the event, a parade will take place in Harvard Square, followed by a concert at Club Passim friday night.  The fun continues all day Saturday with various artists playing Irish fiddle music, Scottish, Cape Breton, Quebecois, and more throughout various venues in Cambridge.  Finish Saturday night off right with a final concert and dancing. Tickets are required for certain events, or you may purchase a weekend pass. Yoga at the Boston Public... [...]
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With the new year approaching, there is much to celebrate! While New Years Eve can be an awesome celebration, there are a few precautions you should take to keep the night safe and fun. 1. Choose Transportation Wisely While it should be obvious, it has to be said- Do NOT drink and drive. Besides the fact that it’s incredibly risky for your safety and others, there will a ton of cops out patrolling and looking for drunk drivers.  Instead of scrambling for a safe ride home last minute, plan ahead your transportation. If you’re going to a bar, look in advance what your transportation options are. Cabs, Ubers, or Lyft are typically available in larger cities. While they can be more expensive on NYE, it’s worth the price of getting home safe and sound. If you are driving to a friends house and plan to drink any alcohol at all, stay over night or... [...]
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It may be impossible to completely avoid Thanksgiving traffic, but there are a few ways to minimize the frustration. 1. Avoid driving at the worst traffic times– According to Waze, the heaviest traffic will be today (Tuesday) from 4–8 p.m. Unfortunately, Wednesday doesn’t look any better. In fact it could be worst especially in other parts of the country with traffic starting at 11 a.m. and continuing throughout the whole day. 2. Use alternative routes– Waze and Google maps provide real time traffic and often offer multiple routes you can take. Your usual route may not be the fastest so be sure to check the app before you hit the road! Also, if an accident or traffic jam occurs, Waze and Google maps can sometimes re-route you to a faster route. 3. Consider the longer route– While two hours driving may seem better than two and half, it’s worth considering taking the longer route... [...]
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With the holiday season starting, there are a ton of festive activities happening around Massachusetts this month.  From festivals to parades to tree lighting ceremonies, check out MassDrive’s favorite activities and events happening in November! For the Love of Beer Festival November 7th Boston Boston’s very own Sam Adams Brewery will host For the Love of Beer Festival at the Greenway in Boston. Featuring over 50 different beers, food trucks, and a slew of tasty snacks to munch on, it will definitely be a delicious event! Admission to the event includes all your samples, and souvenir sampling cup. For the inner child in you, enjoy the inflatable hop slide, interactive games and giveaways! Boston Comedy Festival November 6th – 14th Boston locations Need a good laugh?? You’re in luck. The Boston Comedy Festival will take place for one week throughout Boston! With around 100 comedians from around the world, there will... [...]
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