Join The Young Friends of the Public Garden on February 8 at 6 pm for Game Night, featuring a special performance by comedian Will Noonan, along with trivia and other games, hors d’oeuvre and open bar, at the John Hancock building, 197 Clarendon Street. $80. Register at www.friendsofthepublicgarden.org
Join Ecological Landscape Alliance tour guide Trevor Smith on Monday, October 17 from 10:30 – 12:30 to learn about the half mile permeable walking trail that was recently constructed along the Charles River in back of the Wellesley Office Park on William Street in Wellesley. The project includes two boardwalk bridges and multiple vista points overlooking the water. The projet is on Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) land and was funded by John Hancock Real Estate USA. The walkway was installed using Porous Pave™ a durable pervious paving material made from recycled truck tires. The mix is then spread like concrete and hardens into an extremely durable, highly permeable surface strong enough for low speed auto traffic, comfortable to walk on, and has little to no effect on the delicate hydrology of the area.
The John Hancock Charles River Walking Path diverted 6000 tires from the landfill and can absorb 5,800 gallons of water per hour per square foot. In addition to the recycled content and high permeability, the surface is freeze and frost-heave resistant and provides significant traction. Normally such a permeable surface is used to reduce flooding and the impact of storm water. It works well for driveways and walkways because if resists freezing and cracking in winter and allows maximum return of water back into the ground. In this case however, the pervious surface is designed to provide a safe comfortable walking path through the woods without disrupting the normal water flow to the river and its inhabitants. The cost is $23 for ELA members, $33 for nonmembers. Register at: http://www.ecolandscaping.org/event/john-hancock-charles-river-walking-path/#sthash.dAlG7tOY.dpuf
Please join the Friends of the Boston Park Mounted Rangers on Friday, April 26 from 6 – 9 in The Blue Glass Cafe in the John Hancock Tower, 200 Clarendon Street, for the Derby Dash. Dress is Derby-Chic, so wear your most lavish hat or buy one at the event. In addition to a couture hat show and sale from Ann McMahon Hats, enjoy a live auction including a luxury trip, limited edition Derby memorabilia, symphony and ballet tickets, and much more. Cutting edge cuisine, juleps, smashes, and artisan spirits are provided by The Blue Glass Cafe, Marty’s Fine Wines & Spirits, and Woodford Reserve Bourbon. There will also be extraordinary prize drawings celebrating the 139th Kentucky Derby (TM). Tickets are $100 in advance (payment and attendee names MUST be received by April 20) and guests 35 and under enjoy a $65 price. Purchase on line at www.savebostonhorses.org or by mail to PO Box 67147, Chestnut Hill, MA 02467. Please include your email address to receive a QR code for easy check in. Reduced rate parking is available at the 100 Clarendon Street Garage.
The Friends of the Public Garden has been invited to participate in the John Hancock Non-Profit Marathon Program which enables organizations to offer athletes marathon race entries in exchange for fundraising. Team Friends of the Public Garden has FOUR guaranteed entries for the 2013 Boston Marathon® scheduled for April 15, 2013. Athletes are required to raise a minimum of $5,000 to support the mission of the Friends to preserve, protect and enhance the Public Garden, the Boston Common and the Commonwealth Avenue Mall.
Interested athletes should submit an application form as soon as possible. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and prospective team members will be contacted.
The Friends of the Public Garden will offer the benefits below to the athletes in exchange for raising a guaranteed minimum amount to support the work of the Friends.
Athlete Benefits:
Guaranteed Entry into the 2013 Boston Marathon®
Expert marathon training provided by Fitcorp and weekend training runs.
Individual fundraising website for each runner on Crowdrise.com
Ongoing fundraising support from Team Friends program staff
Monthly Team meetings to share fundraising tips and successes and important race information.
A Team Friends branded race day singlet and training shirt
Pre-race pasta dinner
For more information, and to receive an application, contact: TeamFriends@friendsofthepublicgarden.org
On Monday, June 21, beginning at 6 pm, join The Friends of Copley Square for the Summer Solstice Stroll in Copley Square, a guided tour of the landmarks of Copley Square. Begin at Normandy Real Estate Partners’ Hancock Tower, then on to Trinity Church, the Boston Public Library, and Old South Church, concluding at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel. Learn the history of the Square, listen to music, taste refreshments along the way, enjoy the splendid landmark buildings and institutions, then complete the evening with a light supper. The Summer Solstice Stroll benefits The Friends of Copley Square, Inc., a not for profit friends group which provides funding to assist the City with the maintenance and beautification of the Square. Festive business attire. $100 per person. You may purchase tickets online at http://friendsofcopleysquare.org prior to the June 17 deadline, or send a check made out to The Friends of Copley Square to 234 Clarendon Street, Boston, MA 02116. You may contact the Stroll Committee by email at SolsticeStroll@gmail.com.
The Lexington Historical Society announces the Hancock Holiday Home Tour, which will take place Sunday, December 13, featuring beautiful homes on Hancock Street and Hancock Avenue in Lexington. Advance sale prices for the tour are $15 for LHS members, $20 non-members. Day of Tour: $20 members, $25 non-members. To register, call 781-862-1703, or email office@lexingtonhistory.org. Below is a description of a Hancock Street house which should whet your appetite.
The Hancock-Clarke House, built in 1737, is 1/4 mile from Buckman Tavern, on Hancock Street. On the evening of April 18, 1775, John Hancock and Samuel Adams, prominent leaders in the colonial cause, were guests of the Reverend Jonas Clarke in the parsonage. Fearing that they might be captured by the British, Dr Joseph Warren of Boston sent William Dawes and Paul Revere to Lexington with news of the advancing British troops. Arriving separately, they stopped to warn Hancock and Adams, then set off for Concord. Today Dawes is all but forgotten, but Paul Revere’s midnight ride has been immortalized by Longfellow.
The Hancock-Clarke House was the home of the Reverend John Hancock and the Reverend Jonas Clarke – two ministers who served the spiritual and secular needs of Lexington for 105 years. The Reverend Hancock’s grandson John, a frequent visitor to this house, was the first signer of the Declaration of Independence and the first Governor of Massachusetts. Succeeding Hancock as minister in 1752, the Reverend Jonas Clarke, who reared twelve children in this parsonage, was an eloquent supporter of the colonial cause. The Reverend Clarke’s fervent sermons were a source of inspiration to the citizens of Lexington during the crisis with Britain.
