Daily Archives: September 10, 2018

Thursday, September 20, 6:00 pm – Breakpoint: Reckoning with America’s Environmental Crises

by

Jeremy Jackson, Emeritus Professor of Oceanography, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Senior Scientist Emeritus, Smithsonian Institution, will speak on Thursday, September 20 at 6 pm in a program sponsored by the Harvard Museum of Natural History, in collaboration with the Harvard University Center for the Environment. The venue will be announced – check at https://hmnh.harvard.edu/event/breakpoint for updated information.

Mounting environmental crises—extreme weather events, uncontrollable fires, rising sea levels, droughts, and unsustainable agriculture—are pushing America toward a series of alarming environmental and economic breaking points. Jeremy Jackson will examine the country’s current environmental destruction and highlight both successful and failed attempts by communities to achieve greater environmental stability. With a call to action, he will offer achievable solutions—and optimism—for tackling this multidimensional challenge.

The free presentation will be followed by a discussion with Rebecca Henderson, Harvard Business School; John Holdren, Harvard Kennedy School; and Daniel Schrag, Harvard University Center for the Environment. Free parking at the 52 Oxford Street Garage

Breakpoint with speaker Jeremy Jackson

Monday, September 24, 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm – Fermentation 101 Workshop, Dinner, & Drinks

by

Jamaica Plain’s fabulous restaurant, Brassica Kitchen, and Boston Ferments are teaming up on Monday, September 24 from 6 – 8:30 for a night of fermentation. The workshop will include a fermented dinner & paired fermented drinks, a short lecture on the history & culture of fermentation, and a hands-on fermentation demo.

The evening kicks off with a fermentation-inspired vegetarian meal (which can be vegan and gluten free – please just let us know). We are pairing this meal with unique fermented cocktails (served in handcrafted cups which you will take home!) by our workshop leader.

Next, we will have a short discussion on the biological, political, and symbolic ‘culture’ of fermented foods around the world with Jeremy Ogusky, a local fermenting enthusiast and JP studio potter. We will then learn to make one of the simplest lacto-fermented treats – sauerkraut! We will break into groups, chop veggies and everyone will go home with a jar full of fermenting cabbage.

All participants will finish the workshop with a healthy belly full of fermented foods as well as the knowledge & confidence to begin fermenting in their kitchen, and a jar full of fermenting kraut. This starter class will cover everything you need to start fermenting on your own: philosophy, preparation and problem-solving.

If you want to learn to ferment AND go home with a handcrafted fermentation crock (at 1/2 the price! – crocks are usually $100) to create your own sauerkraut, kimchi & pickles in, this is your chance. Our instructor, Jeremy, is a studio potter and creator of the crocks and he will bring a selection of colors to the workshop that you can choose from. Then you can prepare your own sauerkraut in the workshop in your own handmade crock. Tickets range from $49 – $100 and may be purchased online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fermentation-101-workshop-fermented-dinner-drinks-at-brassica-kitchen-tickets-47476518545. Brassica Kitchen is located at 3710 Washington Street in Jamaica Plain.

Image result for brassica restaurant jamaica plain

Sunday, September 16, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm – Rocky Summits, Spruce Forests, and the Habitats in Between

by

On Sunday, September 16 from 10 – 2, hike with Patricia Swain and the New England Wild Flower Society through Mt. Watatic Reservation’s open summits, the adjoining spruce and northern hardwoods forests, and several types of transition communities between them. The views of the multiple community types should provide near-peak fall color, great for differentiating species and for our enjoyment. Habitat: northern forests including spruce, fir, northern hardwoods, and rocky summits, known for red spruce forest, spruce and northern hardwood forests, acid rocky summits, open oak forest, ridgetop heathland, blueberries, and huckleberry barrens. Difficulty: Moderate/Difficult. $38 for NEWFS members, $46 for nonmembers. Register at www.newenglandwild.org.

Image result for mt. watatic in ashburnham ma