Boston Flora

Month: June 2012

  • Thursday, June 14, 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm – Floral Photography

    The wonders and beauty of nature are often difficult to photograph. If you plan to be on Martha’s Vineyard on Thursday, June 14, from 4 – 6, join photographer Katherine Rose at the Polly Hill Arboretum to improve your photographic skills through a variety of techniques. Instruction will include understanding your camera’s controls and capabilities, the color of light, long shots versus close-ups, and developing a point-of-view for all your shots. Your own eye is the guide for this late afternoon photo foray at the Arboretum. Katherine was garden photographer for the Boston Globe for ten years and has taught photography at the university level and at Featherstone for the last thirteen years. Pre-register at www.pollyhillarboretum.org, since space is limited. $30/$20 for PHA members.

  • Thursday, June 14, 7:00 pm – Markets of Paris/La Tartine Gourmande

    Marjorie Williams and Beatrice Peltre will appear at Porter Square Books, 25 White Street in Cambridge, on Thursday, June 14 at 7 pm to discuss their two books, Markets of Paris and La Tartine Gourmande. Markets of Paris describes in thoughtful prose a variety of Paris markets, focusing primarily on the 65 outdoor food markets that are an essential part of the Paris landscape. This new 2d edition revisits and updates the entire market scene in Paris, with 12 new entries and 10 new sidebars, including Virtual Markets and Market Streets, Markets Open on Sunday, Artisan Bakers, Getting Along in the Food Markets, Brocante Fairs, and more.

    Williams has been attending farmers markets since her childhood. She has written for many publications, including Edible South Shore edition, which focuses on the farms and produce found in southeastern Massachusetts. She lives in Cambridge.

    With nearly 100 recipes and charming anecdotes, La Tartine Gourmande takes you on a journey, not only through the meals of the day but around the world. For Béatrice Peltre, author of the award-winning blog LaTartineGourmande.com, to cook is to delight in the best of what life has to offer-the people and places we love.

    Lush styling and photography combined with sweet stories, foodie tidbits, and fresh and original recipes make La Tartine Gourmande perfect for those who love food and the way our lives play around it. This is not just a book about cooking, but a warm invitation to share in the beauty and simple pleasures of a life with food at the heart of it.

    Peltre was born and raised in the countryside in northeastern France. She is a freelance food writer, stylist, photographer, and blogger. Her work has appeared in such places as Saveur, the Washington Post, and the Boston Globe, as well as in other international and online publications and books. She lives in Boston.  For more information, call 617-491-2220, or visit www.portersquarebooks.com.

  • Tuesday, June 26 and Friday, June 29, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm – Broadleaf Weed Identification Workshop

    Correct weed identification is an important first step in the development of an effective weed management program. Using a classroom presentation, potted weed herbarium and weed walk, UMass Extension Specialist Randy Prostak will help participants enhance their weed identification skills. Feel free to bring a weed or two to identify. Workshop held rain or shine (lunch not provided).  The program, which will include a few grassy weeds along with broadleaf weeds, will take place at the Arnold Arboretum on Tuesday, June 26 from 9 – 3, and on Friday, June 29, from 9 – 3 at French Hall at UMass Amherst, 230 Stockbridge Road in Amherst.  $95 per person, pre-registration required.  You may print a registration form by visiting www.extension.umass.edu/landscape/events/broadleaf-weed-identification-workshop-plus-few-grassy-weeds-0, or by calling Ellen Weeks at 413-545-2685.  She may also be reached by email at eweeks@umext.umass.edu. Broadleaf plantain image from www.greengardenista.com.

  • Thursday, June 14, 6:00 pm – 25th Annual Meeting of The Friends of Hayes Park

    All members are invited to the 25th Annual Meeting of The Friends of Hayes Park on Thursday, June 14 beginning at 6 pm at the home of Kathryn Willmore, 154 West Canton Street.  Light refreshments will be served.  To attend, or for more information on joining the Friends of Hayes Park, call 617-536-5557, or visit www.hayespark.org.

  • Tuesday, June 12, 10:00 am – 11:00 am – Meet the Heaths!

    The rhododendrons are just one branch of an interesting and attractive family tree. Join Polly Hill Arboretum staff for a look at the heath family (Ericaceae) at PHA on Tuesday, June 12, from 10 – 11. There’s more to this family than our 523 (not that we’re counting!) beloved rhododendrons. On this walk we will tour the living collection and meet the relatives, discovering many lesser-known ericaceous plants including native shrubs, evergreen groundcovers, and summer-blooming trees. $5/free for PHA members.  For more information, visit www.pollyhillarboretum.org.

  • Wednesday, July 25 and Thursday, July 26, 7:00 pm – What to do with your CSA Box with Siena Farms

    So you’re a month into your CSA and feeling overwhelmed by the bounty of local produce?  Well, this is a night you should be sure not to miss.  During this series, the Stir team at 102 Waltham Street in Boston will get you thinking creatively of what to do with all those carrots, radishes, and greens.  From dips and spreads to 30 minute meals, you’ll be ready to pick up your next weekly share and get cooking.  Call 617-423-7847 to sign up.  Note that on the Stir website, these classes were listed in the June calendar, but dated July 25 and 26, so call soon to confirm.  We tried to get in touch ourselves but were unable to make a connection.  We all know Chris Kurth from the Farmer’s Market and Garden Club of the Back Bay programs, and his wife Ana Sortun of Oleana and Sofra is a culinary genius, so while we won’t guarantee they will make an appearance at these sessions, we know their vegetables will do so!

  • Thursday, June 28, 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm – Rose Garden Party

    Thursday, June 28, 5:30 pm – 8:00 pm – Rose Garden Party

    Mayor Thomas M. Menino and First Lady Angela Menino invite you to the 16th Annual Rose Garden Party on Thursday, June 28, from 5:30 – 8 in the Kelleher Rose Garden, Back Bay Fens.  The event features the popular Hats Galore! contest (hat below was designed for this year’s Boston Flower & Garden Show, and would be a smash at the party.)  To purchase tickets and learn about sponsorship opportunities, please call 617-635-4032, or visit www.cityofboston.gov/parks.

  • Monday, June 11, 7 pm – Up on the Roof: New York’s Hidden Skyline Spaces

    In his new book, Alex Maclean directs his lens at the rooftops of New York City, showing the great complexity and life of the roofs of New York’s buildings. Depicting not only the city’s famous water towers, but pools, tennis courts, gardens, sunbathers, art, and restaurants up in the air, MacLean’s powerful images give readers a glimpse of a part of the city that usually remains hidden.

    MacLean is a photographer, pilot, and the co-author of eight books, including Over: The American Landscape at the Tipping Point and Designs on the Land: Exploring America from the Air. He is the recipient of many grants and awards, including the American Academy of Rome Prix de Rome.  Meet him on Monday, June 11 at 7 pm at Porter Square Books, 25 White Street in Cambridge.  For more information call 617-491-2220, or visit www.portersquarebooks.com.

  • Tuesday, June 26, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon – Edgartown: The Tree Tour!

    Enough about the distinguished Federal and Greek Revival homes of Edgartown— have you experienced the tree tour?! Join Polly Hill Arboretum collections and grounds manager Tom Clark for this informative and fun walking tour of the many glorious mature trees of Edgartown. In the midst of the mantle of green that envelops downtown Edgartown, the hydrangeas and picket fences, many unique and fine specimen trees await discovery. Expect the famous Pagoda Tree and so much more. Call 508-693-9426 to pre-register and for carpool and meeting location. $20/$10 for PHA members.

  • Tuesday, June 12, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm – Bowker Overpass Meeting

    The Department of Transportation has announced a formal meeting to discuss the future of the Bowker Overpass and new ramps from that structure to the turnpike.  The meeting will take place Tuesday, June 12, from 6 – 8, at the Mezzanine Conference Room of the Boston Public Library in Copley Square.   The Friends of the Charlesgate ask that we come to the meeting and show support at this all important event.  Decisions could be made there that will determine the long-term fate of both the Bowker and the Charlsgate, and could impact the quality of life in the city of Boston for many years to come.

    Charlesgate Park, located in Back Bay West, is the link to the Charles River from the historic Emerald Necklace and was destroyed with the construction of the Bowker Overpass in 1967.  This overpass connects Storrow Drive to Park Drive and upper Boyston Street.  Now, as the 40 year old structure approaches its final years as a safe and viable roadway, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Transportation is faced with a critical decision: rebuild the Bowker Overpass or remove it permanently, establishing alternative routes, and restore the once lovely parkland known as the Charlesgate to its intended use as an urban green space in the downtown neighborhoods of Boston.  The restoration could potentially provide a pedestrian-friendly passage to the Esplanade as well as reestablish the continuity of the Commonwealth Mall to Kenmore Square.

    The Friends of the Charlesgate is actively seeking to remove the overpass. With the support of Representative Marty Walz and Boston City Councillor Mike Ross, they have met to discuss this issue with representatives from Mass DOT, the Boston City Transportation Department, the BRA, the Medical Academic and Scientific Community Organization, the Emerald Necklace Conservancy, and the Muddy River Restoration Project.  Visit their website at http://cgatepark.com, and while there you may sign the petition supporting the restoration of Charlesgate Park.