Boston Flora

Category: Meeting

  • Tuesday, December 15, 11:00 am – Massachusetts Joint Committee on the Environment Hearing

    As you probably know, Representatives Marty Walz, Byron Rushing, and  Senator Anthony Petruccelli sponsored a bill to prevent additional shadows from being cast on the Charles River Esplanade, Christopher Columbus Park, Commonwealth Avenue Mall, Copley Square Park, Magazine Beach Park, or Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway (House Bill No. 853: An Act protecting certain public parks). This legislation is critical in protecting our historic parks from being thrown in shadow cast by excessively tall buildings.

    The Massachusetts Joint Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture is holding its an important hearing on this bill on December 15 at 11 am in State House Room A2. It will be critical that we collect as much written and oral testimony as possible. We hope you will join in supporting this bill as forcefully as possible.

    Send letters in support of the legislation to the 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 Straus (address Room 473-F, State House, Boston, MA 02133, phone: 617-722-2210).

    Send emails to: Massachusetts Joint Committee on the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Committee Co-Chairs Anthony.Petruccelli@state.ma.us and Rep.WilliamStraus@Hou.State.MA.US with copies to Rep.MartyWalz@Hou.State.MA.US and Rep.ByronRushing@hou.state.ma.us

    We know this is the worst possible time of year to try to influence public policy, but we hope everyone will recognize the importance of this issue.  A copy of the legislation is posted on the web at http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/house/186/ht00pdf/ht00853.pdf.

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

    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)

  • Monday, December 7 – Thursday, December 10, 8:30 am – 7:00 pm – Wreath Making

    Pastor Ingo R. Dutzmann and his parish will again host our Club for wreath making on the lower level of The First Lutheran Church of Boston, 299 Berkeley Street (on the corner of Berkeley and Marlborough Streets). We are very, very grateful.  The hours are as follows:

    Monday, December 7 – 8:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (set up, training, + decoration)
    Tuesday, December 8 – 8:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. (decorating)
    Wednesday, December 9- 8:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. (decorating, delivery)
    Thursday, December 10- 8:30 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (decorating, delivery, clean    up)

    Please come to the side door on Berkeley Street.  We’ll post a sign.   Dried materials and fresh greens can be delivered to the Church no earlier than Monday, December 7.  Please have all decorations “cleaned down” – branches cut down, dead leaves removed – so we can contain the mess we inevitably make.  Delicate materials can be laid flat in sweater boxes or gently stacked in cardboard containers.  We are going to need as many dried items, especially flowers, as we can collect.

    Bring clippers and scissors if you have them, labeled with masking tape for ease of identification.  Aprons are also a good idea.  Dress comfortably!  We need everyone’s help, whether you decorate, deliver, organize, make telephone calls confirming delivery, or sweep.  Contact Francine Crawford at 617-859-8865 (francine.crawford@verizon.net) or Margaret Pokorny at 617-536-2920 (MPok384@verizon.net) if you have specific questions.  Otherwise, we’ll see you on Monday.  If you still plan to order wreaths, send the order forms along as soon as you can.   Please try to come for as many hours as possible, on as many days as you can spare – we need you, and you’ll have a great time!  Thank you.  If you can take a delivery shift, and have not already been contacted, email Elisabeth Lay at elisabethlay@comcast.net, or call her at 617-536-6633.

  • Thursday, November 19, 5:00 – 7:00 pm – The Boston Harbor Association Annual Meeting

    Join The Boston Harbor Association for its 2009 Annual Meeting. Reception begins at 5 p.m., followed by short business meeting and program at 6 p.m. Free, registration required at mail@tbha.org (note: priority to TBHA members, but the public is invited).  The event will take place at North Coast Seafoods, 5 Drydock Avenue in Boston (picture below).

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  • Sunday, November 15, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm – American Rhododendron Society Massachusetts Branch Founder’s Day Brunch

    The American Rhododendron Society Massachusetts Branch will hold its Annual Founder’s Day Brunch and Seed Exchange on Sunday, November 15, from 10 – 2, at Tower Hill Botanic Garden, 11 French Drive, Boylston, Massachusetts.   The American Rhododendron Society Massachusetts Chapter is a non-profit organization whose purpose is to encourage interest in and to disseminate information about the genus Rhododendron focusing on Rhododendrons compatible with the climate in New England. Members’ experience ranges from novice to expert. Society activities include chapter meetings, flower and foliage shows, plant sales, garden tours, seed and cutting exchanges, and communication through printed and online publications.For information and registration, log on to www.rosebay.org.

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  • Saturday, November 7, 2-4 pm – Holiday Floral and Decor Demonstration

    The Millis Garden Club invites you to a Holiday Floral and Decor Demonstration this Saturday, November 7, from 2 – 4 pm, at the St. Thomas Large Hall/Rectory, Route 109, Millis, Massachusetts (between 972 and 984 Main Street).  Master Floral Designer Barbara Wysk of Wysk Designs will create beautiful arrangements suitable for Thanksgiving and Christmas, and all arrangements will be raffled off.

    Barbara’s world is flowers.  Her sense of design and her eye for color is extraordinary.  Her mind runs full of creative thoughts 24/7.  She’s ingenious on recycling objects found around the home into her designs. Her motto is “If it holds water, it’s fair game” and she will demonstrate that during this program.
    One does not have to be a floral arranger to enjoy this program. She will offer many tidbits of information so that everyone can incorporate something into their upcoming holiday tables.

    Festive holiday savories and sweets will be served.  $5 donation at the door suggested.

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  • Wednesday, November 11, 1:00 pm – Fun with Flowers

    The Old York Garden Club invites to public to attend its November meeting beginning at 1:00 pm on November 11 at the Fellowship Hall of the First Parish Church, 180 York Street in Old York, Maine.  Award winning master designer Mike Spanos will wow you with his unique approach to floral design.  His program is entitled “Fun with Flowers”.  He is a contributor and featured designer to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and is in the  midst of opening a fine arts gallery featuring works in various mediums by local artists.

    http://www.floral-art-arrangements.com/images/floral_laying_arrangement.jpg

  • Monday, November 16, 10:00 am – Maintaining Your Landscape – Naturally

    The Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts presents a Horticulture Morning on Monday, November 16, beginning at 10 a.m. at The Espousal Center, 554 Lexington Street, North Waltham, Massachusetts (off Route I-95/128, Exit 27A Totten Pond Road).  Cathy Felton, Current Native Plants Chairman and organic garden expert, will speak on Maintaining Your Landscape – Naturally, using native and dry condition plants in the garden.  A donation of $5, payable at the door, is suggested.  To call for information on cancellations due to snow or storm, call 781-391-0261.  You may also contact Betsy Williams (betsy@betsywilliams.com) or Rita DeLollis (rdelollis@aol.com) for more information on Horticulture Mornings.

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  • Thursday, October 22, 6:30 – 8:00 pm – Boston City Council Candidates Debate Parks and Open Space

    Hear the eight finalists for at-large city councilor discuss and debate issues impacting greenspace in Boston. It’s an exciting slate with two open seats and two incumbents who have a strong record of support for parks and the environment. Only the second time that open space has taken the center stage in a city election, October 22nd will help show how large, diverse, and broad the park constituency is in our city. Everyone – regardless of age, race, income level, neighborhood, or background – uses city parks, playgrounds, and outdoor recreation facilities.

    All eight candidates will participate:

    • Felix Arroyo, Jr.
    • Doug Bennett
    • John Connolly
    • Tomas Gonzalez
    • Tito Jackson
    • Andrew Kenneally
    • Steve Murphy
    • Ayanna Pressley

    Four years ago, the first political debate on greenspace issues brought more than 150 people out to hear who would support parks. The candidates said it was the best attended forum that election season. The Boston Globe, the Phoenix, and many local neighborhood papers covered the event. A group of 65 park, youth, arts, sports, health, public safety, and community organizations signed on as sponsors showing the depth and breadth of the parks movement in Boston.

    The event, taking place Thursday, October 22 from 6:30 – 8:00 pm, will be held at the Franklin Park Golf Clubhouse.  For more information, contact the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway Conservancy at www.rosekennedygreenway.org.

    http://www.universalhub.com/images/2009/12candidates.jpg

  • Tuesday, November 17, 11:00 am – Isabella and Her Gardens

    The Boston Committee of the Garden Club of America invites you to its 20th Birthday Celebration Annual Meeting and Fall Lecture on Tuesday, November 17, with registration at 10:30 am, and lecture at 11 am.  Patrick Chassé, the first Curator of Landscape, The Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, will give an illustrated lecture entitled  “Isabella and Her Gardens.”

    Like a horticultural Sherlock Holmes, Patrick Chassé tracks down clues to gardens of the past. His latest challenge is to unlock the secrets of a magnificent courtyard garden long identified with a Boston museum and its charismatic founder.

    Mr. Chassé, a landscape architect, has served since 2004 as the curator of landscape at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, the first person to hold such a title there. His detective work involves documenting the courtyard’s evolution and reinstating elements of its design as envisioned by Isabella Stewart Gardner in the early 1900s.

    The event will take place at The Country Club in Brookline, Massachusetts.  Cost of lecture is $20 (public invited), Lecture and Luncheon $45 (members of Boston Committee Clubs only, please.)  RSVP by November 12.  Please make check payable to The Boston Committee of the GCA and mail to Mrs. William U. Shipley, 40 Dunster Road, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467.

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