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Jun 22, 2016

One Class, One Day: Reading Mount Auburn Cemetery

Bostonians would have over the years—by public transportation. He and five undergraduates cross the BU Bridge to Central Square on a #47 bus, switch to the Red Line to Harvard Square, then ride a #73 bus out Mount Auburn Street to the cemetery. The five students from Metropolitan College’s Evergreen Program, open to those 58 and older to audit classes and attend lectures, turn up at the gates on their own. “We might see a funeral going on, so just be respectful of that,” Stevenson says as the students begin to walk. “They’re still selling plots. This is a very active private cemetery, but it’s open for public enjoyment and has been since 1831.” Then he asks, “What else have we learned happened in Boston parks in 1831?” A voice from the back calls out an answer. “That’s right,” Stevenson says, “that was the year of no more cows grazing on the Boston Common,” a major change in America’s attitude toward parks. He leads the way on winding paths through the 170-acre cemetery, whose monumental gravestones, ponds, hills, and plantings draw 200,000 visitors a year. They pass the graves of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Winslow Homer. Mary Baker Eddy and Dorothea Dix are here too, along with Buckminster Fuller, Isabella Stewart Gardner, B. F. Skinner, and assorted Lowells and Lodges. (Find a searchable map of grave sites here.) Among the 93,000 graves are 55,000 trees, representing 700 species, many bearing identifying labels. If not for the gravestones, visitors could think they were in an arboretum. That’s not a coincidence. “This is the first time cemeteries go from being just ragged graveyards with headstones to something that’s more aesthetically landscaped and pleasing,” Stevenson says as the class sits on a shady lawn under a labeled sugar maple. On a stroll through Mount Auburn Cemetery, students learn about its role in the history of public spaces. Back to nature for a day—or an eternity Mount Auburn, dedicated in 1831, was created mainly by landscape designer Henry A. S. Dearborn, working under the auspices of Boston physician Jacob Bigelow, who is also buried there. In a time of industrialization of America’s cities, Mount Auburn provided a place where you could get away from all that and go back to nature for a day—or an eternity. Bird-watchers have long flocked to its scores of acres. Its healthful, natural atmosphere is a harbinger of the growth in America’s public parks and the suburbanization that was to follow. “The idea of putting in sculpted landscapes like this, not just cemeteries, but other green spaces, is that they can act as an antidote to the city,” Stevenson says. “Suddenly people start to realize, not only is this nice to go to, but what if y...

Feb 2, 2016

20 (not boring) date ideas for Valentine's Day

The Boston Center for Adult Education offers packages for couples lessons and Central Square's the Dance Complex has a host of drop-in options, from hip hop to tango to flamenco and funk. 2. Make sweet, sweet poetryThe Cantab Lounge's Boston Poetry Slam group will host their annual Erotic Poetry Night on Feb. 10. Several poets, including Dawn Gabriel, Sam Cha and Meaghan Ford, will share their steamiest, most romantic and laugh-out-loud funny rhymes. The event will include an open mic portion, so don't be shy.  3. Travel back in timeUnion Square's Brass Union is traveling back to the 1970s. At their Decades Dance Party on Feb. 13 and 14, era-inspired drinks will be touring the circuit. Listen to tracks by DJ ABD while sipping the Harvey Wallbanger, an 80s-style Pina Colada and a 90s Bellini. 4. My Bloody Mary is “Single and Ready to Mingle”At Outlook Kitchen and Bar in the Envoy Hotel, sample six varieties of Bloody Marys to accompany their specialty brunch and dinner options. You know these drinks are made specifically for Valentine's with names like, “Too Hot to Handle” and “Single and Ready to Mingle.” 5. Have a Mommy and Me Valentine’s Day celebrationIf you have a new addition to the family, bring your little one along for Valentine’s Day. Mommybites Boston is hosting a child-friendly event on Feb. 12 to celebrate the holiday. There will demo classes for parent-wee one stretches and exercises, and snacks, gift bags and raffles are all part of the fun.6. Dance the aftern... (Metro.us)

Jan 8, 2016

TOP 10 large scale art installations of 2015

D.C. hosted a 10,000 square foot ball pit filled by nearly one million recyclable translucent plastic balls. ‘the beach’ — the brainchild of brooklyn-based studio snarkitecture — brings the quintessential summer experience to washington, D.C. within the enclosure, a spectrum of summer-themed activities offer an entertaining retreat from the heat. white beach chairs and umbrellas line the 50-foot-wide ‘shoreline’ that meets the ‘ocean’ of transparent orbs — a mirrored wall creates a seemingly infinite expanse. visitors were invited to bounce, jump, flip and frolic inside the deep pit of balls, or, if the prefer, to find retreat at the ‘shore’s’ edge with a book, play paddleball, or grab a drink at the snack bar. photo by paul grover french artist charles pétillon filled london’s 19th century covent garden market building with 100,000 giant white balloons. named ‘heartbeat’, the work is p... (Designboom)

Dec 30, 2015

Whiting: In Yorba Linda, the hills are alive

He explains plans also include relocating the city’s central library and creating a central square for public events. He notes that the footprint will be designed to flow into Main Street just a block away. When I visited, Main Street offered a big sign, a few quaint shops and too many empty parking spots to feel like a destination. Pulone predicts that will change. The Nixon museum will soon get a $15 million makeover, the city manager reports, likely bringing in more visitors. And Packing House Square just south of Town Center is expected to evolve as well. “Town Center’s being designed,” Pulone says, “as we speak.” MORE ACCESS NEEDED Pointing to a small spot on a big city map, Pulone asks if I’ve checked out Savi Ranch. The area is adjacent to the 91, just west of the 241. I’ve driven by it dozens of times, but never noticed Savi Ranch. I shake my head, hoping it’s new. Pulone reports the light industrial and retail complex has been there for a quarter-century. Oops. But in a way, my problem is a city problem. Currently, Yorba Linda relies mostly on property tax revenue and has no true sales tax engine such as Brea Mall or Tustin Auto Center. Like Yorba Linda’s Town Center, Savi Ranch needs more, well, everything to attract more customers – and more sales tax. A city report states Savi Ranch is responsible for 60 percent of the city’s sales revenues. It calls the area “an eclectic mixture of industrial, retail, and automotive land uses.” The report also admits, “Due to limited access points, and a lack of nightlife, entertainment and family attractions, future economic gains ... are limited.” “We don’t have the big revenue producers,” Pulone laments. But a new 30-year plan for Savi Ranch hopes to turn that around. Proposals include more shops to accompany the Costco, Kohl’s, Best Buy, Home Depot and other stores already there; more light industrial; more hotels to join two relatively new ones; and adding affordable apartments. The city manager allows, “I’d love for it to be a destination.” FIRE CONCERNS As we talk and look at the map, I mention historical wildfire corridors and the discussion turns toward the 2008 Freeway Complex fire that destroyed 120 homes. All but eight of those homes have been rebuilt. Still, some residents remain wary, especially in the face of new construction and drought. An organization called Hills for Everyone was founded in 1977. It warns that in the area Yorba Linda expects to annex, Esperanza Hills, there is both limited access and fire danger. Pulone is quick to acknowledge the concerns. “It was only six and a half years ago. It put people on edge.” He maintains that significant steps have been taken to mitigate wildfires. “A lot of good things came out of that fire.” Changes include, the city manager says, implementing among the strictest building codes in California, requiring fire-safe perimeters, covered beams and eaves, tight mesh over vents and fire-retardant patios. The city also switched from contracting with Brea police to contracting with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. Fire safety isn’t just about fighting fires, Pulone allows; it’s also about evacuating people. During the Freeway Complex fire, some streets saw gridlock. Sheriff’s deputies have more resources, Pulone explains, and should be able to move people to safety with efficiency and speed should a worst-case scenario occur. A VIEW TO PAY FOR As the city manager and I pore over the map, he points out equestrian areas I didn’t know existed in south Yorba Linda. I mention running, biking and seeing kayaks on the Santa Ana River that meanders just north of the 91. “We also have great hiking opportunities,” Pulone offers. He asks if I’ve been to the highest point in Chino Hills State Park, which lies just north of Yorba Linda. I smile and nod. The view takes in the Santa Ana, San Gabriel and Santa Monica mountain ranges as well as everything from ... (with building - OCRegister)

Dec 30, 2015

The Rising Tide

The 1909 flood of Jordan Creek damaged property and flooded the  area between Park Central Square and Chestnut Expressway .  A Decades-Long Struggle The fight to protect Springfield’s waterways is nothing new. Just step inside the Jordan Creek Box. In many ways, this is where the discussion over water quality begins. Back in the 1870s, Springfield had established itself as a center of commerce, and buildings were popping up around Jordan Creek. Natural forests were replaced by swaths of brick and concrete, which led to an increase in stormwater runoff. Water that used to soak into the ground and get filtered by plant roots now had nowhere to go except Jordan Creek. It wasn’t long before Springfield residents became familiar with the wrath of the angry waterway. Jordan Creek flooded Boonville Avenue in 1909, causing citizens to seek higher ground. According to the book Jordan Creek: Story of an Urban Stream by Loring Bullard, Jordan Creek flooded at least nine times between 1844 and 1909, which was one of the worst floods on record. By 1927, Springfield residents had tired of dealing with flood-damaged property and water-soaked homes, so voters passed a measure to box in Jordan Creek using concrete. One year later, in 1928, the “lid” over Jordan Creek between Main Street and Boonville Avenue was complete. But the tall concrete banks didn’t stop the flooding. In 1932, the wrath of Jordan Creek was felt once again when record flooding took its toll on the city, which led to more of Jordan Creek being entombed in concrete. The result was the creation of the Jordan Creek Box and those graffitied tunnels that snake their way under city streets. At the time, it was said the Jordan had finally been tamed, but this was just the beginning of Springfield’s tumultuous relationship with its surrounding waterways.   The Root of the Problem Back at his office inside the Watershed Center, Kromrey’s view is starkly different from that at Jordan Creek. Instead of being surrounded by paved parking lots and brick buildings, the Watershed is walled in by trees, rain gardens and Valley Water Mill Lake where anglers cast their lines for crappie, bass and catfish.  “When talking about water quality, you’re starting at the right place,” Kromrey says. The Watershed got its start in the early 1980s after two large algae blooms contaminated Springfield’s drinking water, which comes from the James River, Fellows Lake, McDaniel Lake and the Fullbright Spring. The water coming out of taps was gray in color and emitted a foul odor. The water was safe to drink, but the public was spooked—and for good reason. “Algae blooms form when nutrients like fertilizer and septic waste get into the waterways,” Kromrey explains. To address the foul water, Springfield created the Watershed Committee of the Ozarks in 1984 to serve as a public advocate for water quality. As executive director of the committee, Kromrey’s mission is to protect and sustain Springfield’s water supply through projects and education. Scattered around the property are examples of projects Kromrey and the Watershed are working to install throughout Springfield. Rain gardens overflowing with native plants and flowers, are the easiest to spot thanks to the cuts in the concrete, which allow water to flow in and out of the garden. “These plants attract monarch butterflies, bees and all kinds of insects,” Kromrey says. “We don’t need fertilizer or pesticides because these plants are native and have adapted to our climate.” Another key advantage—their root systems. Native plants like blackeyed susans are great for managing stormwater. Their root systems keep the soi... (417mag)

Dec 23, 2015

Looking for a last-minute gift? Support local business

Store in Needham, and Shop Xylem and Ten Thousand Villages in Cambridge. Pick up a bouquet at the florist Holiday offerings are in full bloom at Central Square Florist in Cambridge, including a Holiday Flair cube vase of orchids, white roses, hypericum and Christmas greens (starting at $60), and a Home for the Holidays cylinder vase of roses, hydrangea, tulips, pine cones, Christmas greens and gold ribbon (starting at $70). Elsewhere, floral holiday cheer ranges from red, white and green blooms bursting out of porcelain snowmen, bears and gingerbread houses and Charlie Brown-themed mugs ($40 to $70) at Busy Bee Florist in Newton, to white poinsettias ($65) and potted boxwood trees ($65) at Waltham’s Florist, to bouquets named “Winter Whites and Glittering Golds” ($80), Winter Oasis ($65) at Watertown Main Street Florist. Page 2 of 2 - Custom floral designs are available at Silver and Sage Floral Designs in Norwood. Gift cards and certificates to local businesses Gift certificates offer a quick, last-minute way to ensure loved ones get a specific gift they will love. On the simpler, more useful side, a car wash and/or detail is always appreciated. Somerville Car Was & Detail Center offers certificates for everything from interior and exterior cleaning (both $25) to an Executive Custom Detail ($200), as well as prepaid gift cards in denominations of $25 to $500. Allston Car Wash sells coupon books for half-off exterior washes ($32 for regular, $95 for full service super wash) and detailing certificates in $25 to $100 denominations, with a bonus: the coupons and certificates never expire. If your loved one doesn’t have a car, another possible option is a gift card to Farina’s Bicycle in Newton, Bike Boom in Somerville or Cambridge Bicycle, or a gift card to The Barn Family Shoe Store in Newton. Massage and spa In addition to helping loved ones on the move, gift certificates can also provide the opportunity to relax. Certificates for massage, craniosacral therapy, acupuncture and more are available at Well Within Newton in denominations of $85 and $125, and the Dedham Spa offers certificates including a $190 Diamond Package (3 1/2 hours including hour-long Swedish massage, manicure, spa pedicure and customized facial) and a $50 Sweet Teen Package for those under 15 years old (eyebrow shaping, manicure, spa pedicure). The Daryl Christopher Wellness Salon and Spa in Waltham also offers gift cards (and printable certificates) from $50 to $500, and Keldara Salon and Spa in Dedham offers both gift and e-gift cards. Restaurants In the food department, gift cards are available for use at the Cambridge Winter Farmers Market and Volante Farms in Needham, and at an endless array of local eateries, including: Stellina and Red Lentil (Watertown); Wicked Restaurant and Met Bar and Grill (Dedham and Natick), The Fireplace Restaurant (Brookline), Zaftigs Delicatessen and Ribelle (Brookline and Natick); The Local, Cook Restaurant and Fiorella’s (Newton); Naked Fish, La Campania, Tempo, Naked Fish and John Brewers Tavern (Waltham); and Sweet Basil (Needham) and Blue Ginger (Wellesley). Other ideas Certificates for classes are available at the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts and the Cambridge Center for Adult Education, as well as the Wellesley Recreation Department. (Wicked Local)