Daily Archives: November 30, 2009

Thursday, December 3, 5:30 – 8:00 pm – Boston Natural Areas Network Strategy Meeting and Debate Follow Up

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Please come to the Boston Park Advocates meeting on Thursday, December 3 from 6-8 pm at BNAN to discuss how we should tap into the Mayors’ support, capitalize on proposals by newly elected city councilors, and meet the challenges of the state budget and staffing crisis affecting state parks in the city.  The meeting agenda is provided below.  Please RSVP to Lauri Webster, whose telephone number and email are below.  Thanks!

Boston Park Advocates

AGENDA for Strategy Meeting and Debate Follow-up

December 3, 2009, at 6-8 pm (pizza at 5:30m pm)

Boston Natural Areas Network

62 Summer Street (enter on Otis Street) in Downtown Crossing

2nd floor conference room

I            Welcome and Introductions, Network Building

II            City Parks – Election Follow Up

A            Tapping the Mayor’s Support

B            Proposals from City Councilors

-            Transparent Permitting

-            Vacant Land Reuse

-            Funding

-            Trees – Maintenance and Replacement

-            Programming

-            Increasing the Capital Budget

III            State Budget Crisis and DCR Parks

A            Overview of Budget and Staffing Crisis

B            How Is It Impacting Your Park?

IV            Networking and Communication

A            Best Ways to Share Information

B            What Do You Need to Involve Your Network?

Lauri Webster, Boston Park Advocates: A city wide network of advocates connecting for better parks and open spaces     2010 Columbus Avenue     Roxbury, MA 02119
(617) 442-4141  office(617) 877-6256  cell or email lauri@bostonparks.org

Tuesday, December 1, 11:00 am – Groundwater Hearing

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On Tuesday, December 1, the Massachusetts Joint Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture will hold a hearing on House Bill 852, legislation addressing this issue.  Drafted by Representatives Marty Walz, Byron Rushing, and Michael Moran, this legislation is an important step forward, providing a framework for addressing this issue on a statewide level.  As with any legislation, it will undoubtedly go through many changes before it becomes law, but it is essential that we express support for this issue to remain “on the front burner” with the legislature.

Therefore, we encourage you to attend the hearing, if you can, to express your support for the need for statewide groundwater protection legislation.  If you cannot attend, please call, e-mail or write a letter to express you support of the concept for statewide groundwater legislation and ask that the legislature make preserving groundwater a priority issue.

A complete version of House Bill No. 852, “An Act to protect groundwater levels” can be viewed at: http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/house/186/ht00pdf/ht00852.pdf.

The hearing will be held in State House Room A on Tuesday, December 1 at 11AM.

Letters should be sent to: Massachusetts Joint Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Committee Co-Chairs Senator Anthony Petruccelli (address Room 413-B, State House, Boston, MA 02133, phone: 617-722-1634) and Representative William Strauss (address Room 473-F, State House, Boston, MA 02133, phone: 617-722-2210)

E-mails should be sent to: Anthony.Petruccelli@state.ma.us and Rep.WilliamStraus@Hou.State.MA.US
(if possible with copies to Rep.MartyWalz@Hou.State.MA.US and Rep.ByronRushing@hou.state.ma.us, as well as info@nabbonline.com)

Holiday Wreaths from The Garden Club of the Back Bay

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There is still time to purchase a fabulous holiday wreath from The Garden Club of the Back Bay.  Our loyal customer base continues to support our fund raising efforts with generous orders, and we are happy to expand our reach to new customers (that’s you!) who will enjoy our meticulously crafted one of a kind creations.  Unless you are ordering a matched pair, you won’t see your wreath coming and going on doors throughout the neighborhood (the one below was designed for a Mexican Christmas celebration).  Our buyers are not just from Back Bay, Beacon Hill and the South End, either.  We make wreaths for homes in the Berkshires, in Maine, Cape Cod, Martha’s Vineyard, the North and South Shore, and almost every suburb within the loop of 128.  Pick up is easy – just drive over to 299 Berkeley Street, on the corner of Marlborough and Berkeley Streets, pull up in front of the large gated garden of The First Lutheran Church of Boston, and the delivery crew on duty in the garden will load your wreath right into your car.  No need to park, and we’ll have your order ready on either Wednesday or Thursday, December 9 or 10, from 8 in the morning until 7 at night – just contact us and we’ll confirm when your wreath will be ready.  You can order on line by clicking here (pay through PayPal), or you may print the order form on the page and fax it to 617-249-1762, and pay by check or cash when you pick up your order.  We can also take telephone orders (617-859-8865) until Friday, December 4.  Don’t regret not owning one of our beautiful holiday wreaths – act now!

Thursday, December 10 – Sunday, December 13 – Christmas in Edgartown

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There are events all day and night throughout the weekend, with something for everyone. The colonial white homes and buildings of Edgartown make the perfect backdrop to classic holiday decorations that brighten up Main Street. The beautiful historic inns are decked in greeting card perfect Victorian style. A holiday gift from the island, Christmas in Edgartown is a truly unique celebration of the season of lights.

Something for Everybody
This year, in addition to the celebration-defining events, you can participate in a gingerbread house workshop and a cookie tasting contest, visit some of the historic churches of Edgartown, enjoy Christmas music at a variety of venues and sample wine and goodies at a number of local shops and restaurants.

Edgartown Traditions
As quaint a holiday event as you’ll find anywhere, the Main Street Christmas parade this year will include a procession of dogs adopted from the MSPCA. The lighting of the tree in Village Green and the Edgartown lighthouse are perennial crowd pleasers. Other cherished annual events include Donaroma’s Evening of Enchantment, the Festive Inn Tour and the Chowder Contest.

Shopping and More
Shoppers looking for unique gifts can visit the Handmade from the Heart Sale, the Holiday Arts and Crafts Show and the Elves Fair featuring rummage sale items. The Minnesingers, once again, cast their magical spell at the Whaling Church, as they perform Holiday favorites.

For Kids
Activities for kids include a treasure hunt and appearances by Santa. Local shops and other businesses greet visitors with cider, hot chocolate and treats. There are raffles, decorating workshops, and open houses at galleries, banks and realtors, as well as the Main Street inns.

Edgartown extends a warm holiday welcome to Vineyard neighbors and the visitors who have helped make Christmas in Edgartown one of the all time favorite island events.  For the complete schedule of events, log on to www.mvol.com.

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