Boston Flora

Tag: Wgbh

  • The Emerald Necklace Chamber Symphony

    We were first made aware of Andrew List’s composition by Jared Bowen on WGBH radio. To shamelessly quote from Microsoft News, “The Emerald Necklace” is a chamber symphony that spans 15 minutes and is broken up into three movements, each named for a portion of the 1,100-acre park system. The piece came together as a commission from the Boston Symphony Orchestra as part of its BSO in Residence Composers Project, a project started in 2017.

    The first movement, titled “Man and Machinery Create the Jamaicaway,” relates to the idea of compression, employing a fast tempo and a fanfare of instruments. The second movement is titled “Evening at Jamaica Pond,” and embodies just that: a feeling of serenity as told through flute, clarinet, and other instrumental solos. To end the composition, the third movement, named “The Ancient Hunting Party At Spring Brook Village,” in what is now part of the Arnold Arboretum, depicts the long history of the land in terms of archaeological discoveries of materials used by indigenous peoples there. Each movement of the chamber symphony is available to listen to and download for free through a link on the Emerald Necklace Conservancy’s website.

    Though the Emerald Necklace system remains open at this time, its website (www.emeraldnecklace.org) urges visitors to practice social distancing in accordance with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control. The parks can also be explored virtually.

  • From the Archives: Early Fundraising with Thalassa Cruso

    Every not for profit group needs to do its share of fundraising so all its planned projects and improvements can be paid for, and The Garden Club of the Back Bay is no exception.  In 1983 we welcomed Thalassa Cruso  (1909 – 1997) at the First and Second Church on Marlborough Street (now known as First Church, Boston). Her lecture was entitled My Grandfather’s Garden. Tickets were $6 in advance and $8 on the day of the event, and included refreshments in the Library Courtyard garden.

    Thalassa Cruso was well known as the host of WGBH’s Making Things Grow, and was a successful author and newspaper columnist. In her obituary in the New York Times, she was referred to as “The Julia Child of horticulture” and “In brisk, impeccable diction, she indoctrinated viewers into the mysterious world of cyclamen and spathiphyllum, enjoining them to tend their plants with loving kindness, and to throw them in the dustbin without a backward glance if the little ingrates failed to respond.”  Net profits from the event totaled $387.45, with 69 tickets sold. Image from www.digitalcommonwealth.org.

  • Friday, March 28, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm – Climate Change

    Join WGBH host Edgar B. Herwick III and a panel of experts — meteorologist Harvey Leonard, ocean and climate change expert Dr. Scott Doney (pictured below,)  WGBH/WCAI science editor Heather Goldstone, and director of the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management Bruce Carlisle — to discuss some of the hot-button issues surrounding climate change and what rising sea levels will mean for New England — maybe within our lifetimes. What if a Hurricane Sandy hits here? What would the city of Boston look like afterwards? Can anything be done? These and other questions will be explored at this lively discussion, which is part of WGBH’s Smart Conversation series. A short reception will follow. The event will take place on Friday, March 28 beginning at 7 pm at the WGBH studios in Allston. $25 for WGBH members, $35 for non members. Register on line at http://www.wgbh.org/support/boxoffice_climatechange.cfm.

    http://archive.sciencewatch.com/dr/nhp/images-nhp/2010/10maynhoDoneF1-200.jpg

  • Saturday, March 10, 10:00 am – 1:00 pm – An Animal Adventure

    WGBH invites you and your family to join us for a “show and tell” on Saturday, March 10, at the WGBH studios at One Guest Street in Boston, as they introduce you to zoo creatures great and small. This event includes presentations from local zoo experts on animal habitats, life cycles, and animal characteristics. Kids will have the opportunity to meet some of their furry friends up close and participate in hands-on games and activities. And you’ll be joined by that marvelous monkey himself, Curious George. Single tickets are $10, and may be purchased online at www.wgbh.org.

  • Sunday, November 7, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Annual Holiday Special with Laura Carlo

    Russell’s Garden Center, 397 Boston Post Road in Wayland, will host its 21st Annual Holiday Decor Presentation on Sunday, November 7, from 1 – 4 pm.  Laura Carlo, popular host on WGBH Classical radio 99.5 will be on hand for this festive afternoon of music, food sampling, and an in-person demonstration of beautiful holiday decorations crafted by Laura herself, with the help of Russell’s designers.  There is no fee for this event.  For directions and more information, log on to www.russellsgardencenter.com, or call 508-358-2283.

  • Friday and Saturday, August 21 & 22 – Boston GreenFest 2009

    Boston GreenFest 2009 will be held on Friday and Saturday, August 21 and 22, at Boston City Hall Plaza.  Global warming affects not only our planet, but our personal lives.  What does this mean for us?  How can we work together in our neighborhoods to change the future now?  Come have fun!  Learn and share new technologies and ideas that can immediately change our daily lives and help our planet at the same time.  Bring the family, friends and neighbors to the FREE Boston GreenFest 2009.  Wear green.

    There will be the One Gallon Challenge – a race from Greenfield to GreenFest.  On display will be a group of cars you’ve never seen before.  On Thursday, August 20, they will have “raced” 100 miles from Greenfield, MA to the festival on the energy of one gallon of gas.  The Museum of Science is offering reduced rates to visit the Museum for everyone who attends Boston GreenFest.  There will be Solar Energy Workshops, kids activities, the Boston Community Choir, the Nathan Hale Elementary School Choir, Ruff Ruffman from WGBH’s FETCH, Project Recycled Runway featuring Sam Mendoza and Sparklle (sic) Thames.  Meet Miss Earth Massachusetts (and not the former Miss California!), hear Jeff Wolfe, groSolar talk about the future of solar energy, and see a Kung Fu and Tai Chi demo by Yang’s Martial Arts Academy of Boston.  Walk through the amazing Time Tunnel, join a community greentable discussion, attend a Green Business Breakfast, attend Green Training Seminars, and see the Inconvenient Truth Slideshow Presentations in Spanish and English.  Play GEO (Green Earth Olympics), and enjoy Valet Bike Parking.  There will be Green Roofs and Living Walls, Organic Gardens, retrofit seminars, community initiative information, compost lessons, and much, much more.  For additional information log on to www.bostongreenfest.org.