Boston Flora

Month: December 2011

  • Monday, January 9, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm – The Evolution of Big

    Think you know trees? Come to the Hunnewell Building at the Arnold Arboretum on Monday, January 9, from 7 – 8:30 and learn about an amazing period when there were no trees, and then, in the blink of a geological eye, several different groups of plants evolved the ability to increase their girth and qualify for placement in an arboretum. Get a sense of what forests looked like over three hundred million years ago. Learn about the (sad) extinction of all but one of the early arborescent lineages of plants and find out which evolutionary group of trees survived to populate the Arnold Arboretum and today’s forests. The free lecture will be given by Ned Friedman, Director of the Arnold Arboretum and Arnold Professor of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology at Harvard University. Registration is required, however, so call 617-384-5277, or visit www.arboretum.harvard.edu.

  • Saturday, December 10, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm – 10th Anniversary of the Marché de Noël

    For the 10th anniversary of the Marché de Noël, the staff of The French Cultural Center are tapping into the source of holiday spirit: family!

    Kids will find plenty of entertainment:

    For the 10th anniversary of the Marché de Noël, the staff of The French Cultural Center are tapping into the source of holiday spirit: family!

    Kids will find plenty of entertainment:
    – seasonal activities at 10:00am and 1:30pm
    – story time at 11:30am and 3:00pm
    – picture time with Papa Noel at 12:00pm and 3:30pm
    and much more!!

    Parents can play along with their kids or stroll through the beautiful Back Bay mansion, complimentary glass of mulled wine or hot cider in hand, and browse  vendors’ wares. Offerings range from yummy food items to home goods and children’s clothing.

    Members: $2 for individuals, $5 for families of 4 or more
    Non-members: $3 for individuals, $10 for families of 4 or more
    Free admission for children under 3 years of age.

    For more information, visit www.frenchculturalcenter.org.
    – seasonal activities at 10:00am and 1:30pm
    – story time at 11:30am and 3:00pm
    – picture time with Papa Noel at 12:00pm and 3:30pm
    and much more!!

    Parents can play along with their kids or stroll through the beautiful Back Bay mansion, complimentary glass of mulled wine or hot cider in hand, and browse  vendors’ wares. Offerings range from yummy food items to home goods and children’s clothing.

    Members: $2 for individuals, $5 for families of 4 or more
    Non-members: $3 for individuals, $10 for families of 4 or more
    Free admission for children under 3 years of age.

    For more information, visit www.frenchculturalcenter.org.

  • Saturday, December 10, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Titus Sparrow Park Holiday Party

    Caroling, a visit from Santa, a holiday pinata, treats for kids, coffee and hot chocolate, a cookie creation station, and sledding (weather permitting, although considering the weather these days, you might consider sun bathing instead), will all happen on Saturday, December 10 from 2 – 3 at Titus Sparrow Park. The park is located on West Newton St. between Columbus and Huntington Avenues, next to the Southwest Corridor Parkland. Visit www.titussparrowpark.org for details.

  • Saturday, January 14, 9:00 am – 5:30 pm – Design From the Heart in 5 Minutes: A Complete Diet Garden

    Do you garden in small spaces?  Would you like to increase your production and decrease your inputs and energy?  John Jeavons of Ecology Action in California will present an all day seminar at the NOFA/Mass Winter Conference on Saturday, January 14, from 9 – 5:30, at Worcester State University, entitled Design from the Heart in 5 Minutes: A Complete Diet Garden.  Learn how to choose the crops for yourself and your family for this year’s garden, and easily plan what to do each week for a productive and tasty harvest.  To register, visit www.nofamass.org/conferences/winter/, or call 978-355-2853.

  • Saturday, December 10, 11:00 am – 7:00 pm – 8th Annual SoWa Holiday Market

    The 8th Annual SoWa Holiday Market in Boston will be held Saturday, December 10, 2011, from 11am – 7pm, at the Cathedral High School, 74 Union Park Street. This year’s Holiday Market will feature over 80 juried artists and designers from around New England. From the fashionably chic to the hip and cutting edge, shoppers are sure to find an original gift for everyone on their list. Expect to find an exceptional array of indie goods, including: handbags, jewelry, pottery, letterpress stationery, silk-screened t-shirts, baby clothes, re-purposed wool accessories and more! This handmade holiday spectacular will take place in SoWa’s Cathedral High School Gym, located in Boston’s trendy SoWa arts and media district. For more information, visit www.sowaholidaymarket.com/.

  • Tuesday, December 13, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm – Gingko: A Fresh Look at a Living Fossil

    Join Peter Del Tredici, Senior Research Scientist at the Arnold Arboretum, for an in-depth look at one of the oldest and most fascinating trees on the planet. Del Tredici has been studying the natural history and evolution of Gingko biloba for a quarter century and is recognized as a world authority on the subject. His recent travels have taken him to remote areas in southwest China to search for wild-growing populations. Del Tredici has investigated nearly all aspects of this unique and ancient relict, from its cultivation for ornamental purposes to its uses in traditional medicine to improve memory.  The free lecture will take place at the Hunnewell Building of the Arnold Arboretum, but registration is requested at www.arboretum.harvard.edu.

  • Thursday, December 8, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm – Ice Chimes Opening

    Ice Chimes is going up on Greenway this week. Come out for the grand unveiling of this winter sculpture next Thursday at 6PM. Join us to celebrate public art on the plaza followed by networking and a nightcap at Vintage Lounge (72 Broad St). Ice Chimes by Moskow Linn Architects and Payne Bouchier Fine Builders will be on display in the Wharf District Parks from December 8, 2011 – April 2012. The sculpture is 20 feet high and collects precipitation and encourages icicle growth along a series of metal chimes. You’ll find it at Rowes Wharf Plaza, between High and Broad Streets. The opening will be Thursday, December 8, from 6 – 7 pm.

  • Wednesday, December 7, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Herbal Holiday Gifts

    Instructor Linda Russell of Scentsibilities will give an Herbal Holiday Gift workshop at Tower Hill Botanic Garden, 11 French Drive in Boylston, on Wednesday, December 7, from 6 – 8.  Give your friends and family herbal gifts this year that you have made.  You will make pomanders while learning to make beauty and body care products, herbal teas, aromatherapy oils and sprays, potpourris, and other items, as well as gleaning ideas for herbal wrapping.   THBG members $25, nonmembers $28.  You may register on line at www.towerhillbg.org, or email thbg@towerhillbg.org.  Image from rimanasser.blogspot.com.

  • Now Through Sunday, December 18, 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm – Gardens Aglow

    Tis the season to be jolly! Don’t miss Heritage Museum & Garden’s annual celebration of lights that finds its buildings and grounds awash in festive lights. They’ll help you get into that holiday spirit. Come stroll the grounds, toast marshmallows at the Magnolia Cafe, take a spin on a carousel, and enjoy holiday music and performances each evening. Old St. Nick will also drop by each night for pictures in our Ford Model T (his sleigh must be in the shop). Free with museum admission.  For directions and more information, visit www.heritagemuseumsandgardens.org.