Events
CURRENT EVENTS
Events marked with * are especially recommended. For all events, please check for changes, details, cancellations.
* Arlington Victory Gardens Social
Date: Sunday May 1, 2011 Time: 6 PM Location: 5 Old Colony Road, Arlington MA Cost: Free More: http://arlingtonnaturalconnections.blogspot.com/Sally and I hope you can make it tonight (SUNDAY MAY 1 6PM) for an informal social at our house to celebrate Arlington Victory Gardening.
We’ll start at 6PM with some cheese and light snacks, wine and other drinks. I have a few seedlings to offer (parsley, iceberg lettuce, spinach, chard), and I’ll open up my seeds file to anyone interested. Weather permitting, we’ll at least start outside as the sun sets. Feel free to brings seeds or seedlings to exchange if you like, but don’t feel obliged in any way. – Joe Snodgrass, Arlington Natural Connections Project
PAST EVENTS
Water and Rocks of the Middlesex Fells Hike
Date: Sunday November 21, 2010 Time: 12 Noon to 2 PM Location: Middlesex Fells Reservation, Woburn MA Cost: Free More: Friends of FellsJoin geologist Ed Myskowski (of Salem’s Peabody Essex Museum) for a field program focused on the interfaces of water and rocks in the Fells Reservation. This walk is a follow-up to his November 16 lecture, a lecture program that will include discussion of the topography of the Middlesex Fells Reservation in relation to our region’s water supply. Please note that this hike can be enjoyed without attending the previous lecture program. Meet at the Flynn Rink parking lot at the intersection of Elm St. and Woodland Rd., Medford. Rain cancels.
Intro to Tree Identification in Winter
Date: Saturday December 4, 2010 and March 5 2011 (same class offered on both days) Time: 9 AM to 12:30 PM Location: Arnold Arboretum, 125 Arborway, Boston MA Cost: $65 members, $75 non-members; Advance registration required. More: Arnold Aroboretum Adult EducationThe Arnold Arboretum has an extensive program of 1 or 2 session short courses geared toward the general public, well-worth exploring. See the link above for many current offerings. This class on tree identification looks particularly interesting, especially in winter when hints from leaves are not available but the structural form of the tree is very visible. Begin in classroom to learn identifying characteristics and botanical terminology then move outdoors to view mature specimens growing in the Arboretum.
* Gardening for Birds: Workshop with Stephen Kress
Date: Saturday March 19, 2011 Time: 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM Location: Arnold Arboretum, 125 Arborway, Boston MA Cost: $40 for Grow Native Cambridge members, $48 non-members; Advance registration required. More: Grow Native CambridgeStephen Kress, Vice-President of Bird Conservation for the National Audubon Society, and author of The Audubon Society Guide to Attracting Birds, will discuss home landscaping options for attracting birds and identifying common backyard birds by sight and song. A unique opportunity to learn about making our yards more enjoyable and more supportive to wild birds. THANK YOU GROW NATIVE CAMBRIDGE!
Volunteer Call for Restoration Project at Arlington’s Great Meadows
Date: Saturday October 23, 2010 Time: 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM Location: Arlington’s Great Meadows, Lexington MA Cost: Free More: Friends of Arlington’s Great MeadowsUpland Meadow Restoration Project at Arlington’s Great Meadows – Invitation from the Friends of Arlington’s Great Meadows:
The meadow restoration will remove woody growth in an upland area near the nursing home entrance. This will provide a more open look and enhance the diversity of plant and animal life. We welcome you to come and help out. We will provide water, soft drinks and lunch. We will also have tools, but you are welcome to bring your own clippers and pruning saws. No digging is planned.
Meet in the parking lot of the Golden LivingCenter, Lexington. From Maple Street, turn onto Emerson Gardens Road and follow it to the end. Enter the facility’s driveway (slowly, please) and continue around to the right, keeping the building on your left. Proceed to the far end of the parking lot.
Any questions can be directed to Mike Tabaczynski at mjt1@rcn.com or 781 929-8748
Windows on Water
Date: Thursday October 21, 2010 Time: 7 PM to 9 PM Location: Arlington Senior Center, at corner of Maple and Academy Streets, Arlington MA Cost: Free More: SustainableArlington.orgA free evening event with displays, short films, discussion, refreshments and door prizes focused on all aspects of water in our Town. The public is invited to hear about our public water supply, the seven bodies of water within Arlingtonís borders, storm water management, flooding and much more. Hosted by Sustainable Arlington and Arlington EcoFest committee. Read more at sustainablearlington.org.
Astronomy Night at Robbins Farm Park
Date: Sunday October 17, 2010 Time: 6:30 PM to 9 PM Location: Robbins Farm Park, Arlington MA Cost: Free More: RobbinsLibrary.orgJoin the Robbins Library and Jeffrey Alexander on SUNDAY, OCT 17 from 6:30-9pm for an evening of star gazing, one of the hobbies of the main character in Arlington’s community read title, Marcelo in the Real World. Look to the east though a telescope to discover Jupiter and its four largest moons.
See craters and peaks on the partially lit Moon to the south. See the stars of the Summer Triangle come out directly overhead at dusk as the Big Dipper sets in the west. Join us at the benches overlooking Boston at Robbins Farm Park. It will be dark in the park so please bring a flashlight, but keep it pointed at the ground to help keep everybody’s eyes adjusted to the dark.
* Third Saturday Nature Hikes in Arlington’s Great Meadows
Date: Saturday October 16, 2010 Time: 9:30 – 11:30 AM Cost: Free Location: Meet in parking lot at Golden Living Center, 840 Emerson Gardens Road (off Maple Street) in Lexington. More: Friends of Arlington’s Great MeadowsThe Great Meadows harbor a diversity of flora, and Don Miller shares his vast knowledge of native plants in a generous and entertaining way every third Saturday from Spring to Fall. Highly recommended, a treasure in our backyard. The parking lot entrance is on the right side of the building. Proceed slowly around building and park at the far end of the parking lot near the entrance to the Great Meadows
Winchester Environmental Fair and Guided Nature Walks at the Farmers Market
Date: Saturday October 16, 2010 Time: 9:30 AM to 3:00 PM; Nature Walks leave Winchester Trails table at 10AM, 12 Noon, 2PM Location: Town Common, Winchester, MA Cost: Free More: WinchesterFarmersMarket.orgIn addition to the usual farmers market, exhibits and information from groups and businesses on how to live more gently, economically and sustainably. Nature walks along the Aberjona River will be led by wetlands scientist Nancy Lin. She will present “10 Plants You Should Know”, their uses, myths and folklore (~45 minutes).
* Fall Sky Viewing at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics
Date: Thursday October 7, 2010 Time: 7:30 PM Location: 60 Garden St, Cambridge MA Cost: Free More: Public Events at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for AstrophysicsDr David Aguilar is an engaging scientist, artist and the Director of Public Affairs at the CFA. He gives great talks, with fantastic slides. Afterwards go up on the roof for viewing through telescopes set up for you, with professional astronomers to talk with. Fall is a great time of year for viewing the night sky, and experiencing the natural world above us. Plan to arrive early to get a seat – these talks are popular and the room often fills to capacity.
6th Annual Hub On Wheels Bike Ride in Boston
Date: Sunday September 26, 2010 Time: 8AM Ride Out Location: Starts at City Hall Plaza, Boston Cost: $45 Registration Fee More: www.HubOnWheels.orgThe Hub On Wheels citywide bike ride is a great way to see the city of Boston, including natural areas like the Muddy River Bike Path, Arnold Arboretum, Forest Hills Cemetery, Boston Harbor Waterfront and the Neponset River Greenway. Experience a car-free Storrow Drive, explore hidden pathways and historic neighborhoods, and take in views of the Boston Harbor that you’ve never seen before. The ride starts and finishes on City Hall Plaza in downtown Boston, with three different routes to choose from: 10, 30 and 50 miles. Great for families and all levels of cycling ability.
Link to PDF File of Route (somewhat large file but great map)
Arlington Town Day
Date: Saturday September 25, 2010 (Rain Date Oct 2) Time: 10:00AM – 3:00PM Location: Massachusetts Ave in Arlington from Pleasant Street to Mill Street. More: Schedule of events appears in Arlington AdvocateA great day to learn about organizations in town, and visit with fellow Arlingtonians. Booths offering craft exhibits, bake sales, educational displays, raffles, club membership information, games, food vendors, and/or other such “fair type” activities.
Autumnal Equinox
Date: Wednesday September 22 Time: 11:09 PM EDT Location: Northern Hemisphere, planet Earth More: A quick search brings up this site at www.timeanddate.comApproximately equal day and night, as we officially enter fall. Pull out the warmer blankets! Do you have a personal ritual for the first day of a new season?
Second Annual Urban Agriculture Fair in Harvard Square
Date: Sunday September 19, 2010 Time: 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m Location: Winthrop Street and Winthrop ParkHeld on the site of the first marketplace in Newtowne (1630′s). Locally grown fruits and vegetables. Sample recipes and/or stock up on the bounty of our harvest from our local farmers markets, get tips from local experts on composting, community gardening, rain barrels, and bee-keeping! Cooking demonstrations from local chefs, gardeners, and ‘Cambridge School student-growers’ will be held throughout the day. Prizes will be awarded for the tastiest, the biggest, the most interesting, and in some cases the ugliest fruits, veggies, baked goods, honey, flowers, preserves, pickles and eggs! Good opportunity to visit the demonstration urban garden in front of the Harvard University dorms on Mass Ave.
Friends of Middlesex Fells Lecture Series: Enjoying the Outdoors with the Whole Family by Clare Walker Leslie
Date: Tuesday September 13, 2010 Time: 7:30 PM Cost: Free Location: Botume House, 4 Woodland Rd., Stoneham. Please call (781) 662-2340 for more information and (617) 727- 1190 for directions. More: Friends of the FellsClare Walker Leslie, a well-known teacher and local expert of nature journaling, will share insights with us from her newly published book, The Nature Connection (July 2010). This latest book aims to “get kids, parents, teachers, and anybody, the excitement to go outside and learn about where they live and enjoy being outside” (C. W. Leslie). For more information, visit http://www.clarewalkerleslie. com.
Numerous led nature walks and hikes in the Fells are also listed on the Friends of Fells website. The Friends of Fells group is doing wonderful stewardship of this local treasure.