News Notes – January 20

Robert B. Parker, the Prolific Writer Who Created Spenser, Is Dead at 77
By BRUCE WEBER/NYT – January 20, 2010

Robert B. Parker, the best-selling mystery writer who created Spenser, a tough, glib Boston private detective who was the hero of nearly 40 novels, died Monday at his home in Cambridge, Mass. He was 77.

The cause was a heart attack, said his agent of 37 years, Helen Brann. She said that Mr. Parker had been thought to be in splendid health, and that he died at his desk, working on a book. He wrote five pages a day, every day but Sunday, she said.

…

He was born in Springfield, Mass., on Sept. 17, 1932, the only child of working-class parents. His father worked for the telephone company. He attended Colby College in Maine, graduating in 1954, then served in the Army in Korea, after the Korean War. He earned an M.A. and Ph.D. in literature from Boston University, and taught there as well as at Northeastern University.

Scotts to sell Fenway Park grass seed
By Greg Turner/Boston Herald – January 20, 2010

The grass is always greener at Fenway Park.

But as soon as this spring, Red Sox fans will be able to replicate Boston’s field of dreams in their front yard.

The Scotts Co. announced a deal today with Major League Baseball Properties to sell grass seed that’s specially blended to match the turf at Fenway and four other ballparks.

The product packaging features the signatures of the teams’ head groundskeeper.

Garden Society Hopes Translating Documents Will Keep Membership Growing

By Sarah Friedman

The Fenway Garden Society received a $1,000 grant from the Mission Hill Fenway Neighborhood Trust last year to translate important Garden Society documents into different languages.

The Garden Society’s initial membership application, a two-page form that provides the applicant’s basic information and how the applicant plans to contribute to the Garden Society, and the society’s gardening rules and guidelines will soon be available in Chinese, Russian and Spanish versions.

Victoria Stock, head of publicity for the Garden Society, said the society has 500 plots of land available for gardeners and more than 400 members, many of whom come from diverse backgrounds and speak various languages.

“Many of our gardeners are not primary English speakers, and this makes outreach difficult. It was proposed that we translate the rules and guidelines so that non-English speakers are aware of our garden standards,” she said.

The Garden Society has been active in the Fenway neighborhood for decades. The Fenway Victory Gardens were first planted during World War II. Victory gardens were planted to free up industrially processed food for the war effort.

“The Victory Garden was a concept that encouraged Americans to grow their own food to supplement their allowed war rations,” Stock said.

Today the Fenway gardens are the only remaining original Victory Gardens in the United States. Members of the Fenway Garden Society work together to preserve and maintain what was begun so many years ago.

“As a group, we socialize together as gardeners, rather than young gardeners, old gardeners, men, or women,” Stock said. “Within the garden, people of all stripes are able to meet and form relationships outside of normally established peer groups.”

Because of the connections the society creates among neighbors and because of ongoing community interest in the gardens, Fenway Garden Society memberships have been increasing.

First Lady Michelle Obama brought attention to victory gardens last summer by planting one at the White House, and the Fenway Garden Society has benefited from having such a famous advocate.

“Since she planted her victory garden at the White House, applications for new garden memberships have quadrupled. Certainly, she may not even know we exist, but we have felt her impact,” Stock said.

That impact has made language barrier issues in the Fenway Garden Society more prominent. More people have expressed interest in applying for membership, but the society simply could not accommodate people who speak different languages.

It’s an issue that was recognized by the Mission Hill Fenway Neighborhood Trust.

Lauren Dewey Platt, president of the board of trustees for the trust, said many board members are familiar with the “historical and neighborhood-based gardens.” The board thinks that people interested in the Garden Society should not be excluded from obtaining membership because they don’t speak English, she said.

Platt said the Fenway Garden Society received grant money because the board of the trust thought that its proposal to translate documents would benefit residents in the neighborhood. Platt thinks that the grant will help ensure an expanded sense of community because more people will be able to get involved in the Garden Society.

“It’s a process of being inclusive,” she said.

Phyllis Hanes has been a member of the Fenway Garden Society for nearly 40 years. Hanes’ favorite part about being a member of the society is that “it’s very economical.” Through the society, Hanes has been able to grow fresh vegetables inexpensively for herself and her friends.

Because of ongoing interest in the Fenway Garden Society, especially recently, Hanes thinks that translating documents into different languages will benefit the society and the community.

“Since the gardens have grown and are much larger, the rules are more important,” Hanes said. “It means a lot to your neighbors if you know what the specific guidelines are.”

Hanes hopes that the translations will help anyone who is interested in the society understand the goal of the organization.

“I hope it will mean that more people will be involved. Without those translations, there probably are some people that don’t understand that we want everyone to work together and be of help to each other,” she said.

Sarah Friedman is an undergraduate student at the Northeastern University School of Journalism.

Police in Fens Cause Concern for Gay Rights

Police Patrolling the Agassiz Road
Sidewalk – photo by Steve Wolf

by Meena Ramakrishnan

Last month, police increased patrols in the Fens after residents and gardeners complained about finding condoms, needles and trash in the Victory Gardens. Gardeners have been pleased with the response, but some argue that the police presence has jeopardized gay rights by patrolling a well-known gay cruising site.

“The perception in the gay community is that police have been targeting gay men who use the parks,” said Don Gorton, Chair of the Anti-Violence Project. “That has created considerable concern–that there is a desire to sweep loitering gay men out of the park.”

GLBT liaison Officer Javier Pagan said that after receiving complaints, police sent officers to patrol the area on foot after the mounted horse patrol was disbanded because of budget cuts. “There must be a misunderstanding about what is supposed to be going on,” Pagan said.

In response to the concerns over civil rights, City Councilor Mike Ross posted a statement in the Bay Windows to address the intentions of the police in the Fens. He said the police cannot ignore a legitimate complaint and have a responsibility to maintain safety. “The Boston Police Department is working to police the area to prevent crime that hurts the Fenway community — not profile those who may utilize the Victory Gardens as a meeting place,” Ross said.

“I’ve been pleased by the Police Department’s ability to recognize the difference between regulating behavior and preventing crime, which is illustrated by the fact that no one has been arrested for public sex after patrols were increased.”

According to Gorton, however, a gay man had been arrested for a sex crime. Gorton did not have exact details of the case, but the Anti-Violence Project is hoping to have the charges dismissed. Pagan said the person was summoned to court, but he did not have any further information.

“Despite command intentions, command communications were not publicized. Public information, I think is the answer,” said Gorton. He also said gay men have told the Anti-Violence Project that patrol officers were “terry-stopping” them in the Fens without suspicion that a crime was or will be committed. In a terry-stop, officers are allowed to briefly detain the person, ask questions and take down contact information.

“The number of stops involving gay men in the fens has increased after heightened patrols began,” said Gorton. Pagan said that while officers have been instructed to enforce the closing time of the Fens, they are not there to prevent people from using the reeds. “But if you enforce the park closing at dusk, then people can’t go in there and do what they do,” he said.

While sex in public is illegal in Mass., civil rights lawyers say that if consenting adults are concealed from passersby, then no law is being broken. Pagan said there have been previous law suits regarding public sex in Boston, so officers are not concerned with searching in the reeds. “When they have sex outside in the phragmites [an invasive species of reeds that lines the Muddy River], it gives them the expectation of privacy. You are surrounded by woods, and technically you’re not violating any laws by having sex in public,” said Pagan.

The phragmites around the Muddy River will be removed under the Muddy River Restoration Project’s plans to restore the landscape and improve flood control and water quality. Plans for removal are already underway. “Muddy River Restoration Project is going to change the entire landscape. Eventually they’ll have to close the entire area,” Pagan said.

The Victory Gardens was vandalized after the patrols started. Some gates were bashed, fence posts uprooted, and fence wiring damaged. More than 40 garden fences were affected. No one has been found responsible for the destruction, but some think that the vandalism was in retaliation to the patrols.

According to Pagan, around eight robberies occurred in the Fens a few months ago. Six of those involved gay men who had met someone in a bar, and then were robbed by that person in the Victory Gardens. Pagan posted signs in gay bars in Boston and has advised people to be smart about who they meet. He said the police have been working with gay rights groups, such as Fenway Health and Gay and Lesbian Advocates and Defenders (GLAD).

Meena Ramakrishnan is a journalism student at Northeastern.

We Could Use Vacant Lots More Creatively

BY DAVID HOLTZMAN

With the economy at a low point, neighborhoods from the Fenway to Allston to Downtown Crossing are dealing with large numbers of lots that sit waiting for someone to find the money to build on them.

Unlike some urban places, where vacant lots breed crime and weeds, in the West Fens these lots breed automobiles. The proximity of Fenway Park and the Longwood hospitals make West Boylston Street and the adjacent streets ideal places to park. Developers are eager to build on the lots facing Boylston to fulfill the Urban Village vision of a lively, mixed-use residential and retail district. But until the economy recovers, often the only way to make income on these pricey properties is by using them to park cars.

Yet, maybe there is something more that we can do with these acres of concrete. A movement of sorts has materialized to find creative, temporary uses for vacant or otherwise underused lots. A recent, local success story can be found in Chinatown, where neighborhood groups banded together with artists and a property owner to show kung fu movies on a vacant lot. In Portland, Oregon, food vendors occupy the street edge of numerous surface parking lots in the downtown, shielding passersby from the parked cars. Then there’s an artists’ group in San Francisco called Rebar that turns individual parking spaces into sitting areas shaded by leafy trees and shrubs. They feed the meter, to avoid any lost parking revenue.

This phenomenon of turning vacant space, or portions of parking areas, into something else entirely isn’t limited to off-street spaces. The City of San Francisco has a program called Pavement to Parks that reclaims portions of the roadway for use as a public gathering space. In many cases the roadway is wider than it needs to be, and there are ways to grab a piece of it for public use without causing any problems for traffic. New York City did something similar in Times Square, one of the busiest traffic arteries in the city, whose sidewalks overflow with pedestrians. Again, there have been no reports of headaches for motorists.

What the public gets out of these converted areas is, first, a place to gather in a neighborhood that often has few public spaces. They might also get a green space in a part of the neighborhood that is largely devoid of green. Second, in the long run, the public gets to participate in shaping a vision for future, more permanent public spaces. These spaces might have to be located elsewhere in the neighborhood, but the temporary uses demonstrate that it doesn’t take a lot of urban real estate to create something that is very inviting.

The West Fens is a good place to test some of these ideas. There are a lot of developers with big dreams for Boylston Street. But those dreams are several years removed from fulfillment. In the meantime, residents and property owners can work together to bring new life to pieces of this corridor.

David Holtzman is a community planner at the Fenway CDC. He recently accepted a similar position in Virginia.

A version of this article appeared in the October issue of Fenway News.

Letter from City Councilor Mike Ross

The following is a message to constituents sent out by Councilor Ross’s office late last week:

Friends,

Summer went by fast and fall is nearly upon us. Students are back in Boston, public schools have been in class for nearly a month, and election season is in full swing. Here’s what’s going on in the District.

Fenway Victory Gardens
In the Fenway, there has been concern about the situation in the Victory Gardens. After an increase in drug activity and vandalism, the Boston Police Department added more patrols to the park, which caused some in the GLBT community to fear they’d be profiled by officers. I wrote a column in Bay Windows to explain why the increased patrols were necessary, and how the BPD is working hard to ensure that everyone’s rights are respected. The Boston Globe has also voiced its support for the increased patrols in the Fens.

I am aware that some people may still feel targeted by these increased patrols. I encourage those who do feel targeted to talk to the Boston Police Department, or to call my office to share your concerns.

Bike Lanes on Commonwealth Avenue

Another issue that is important to me is the proposed bike lanes on Commonwealth Avenue. Last week I wrote a column in the Boston Courant supporting the dedicated space for bikes. This will help advance the city’s planned cycling infrastructure and will make our streets safer for pedestrians and cyclists alike. If you didn’t see the print version, you can read the column on my website.

Rodman Ride
This Saturday, I have the honor of participating in the Rodman Ride for Kids as part of the Community Resources for Justice team. This group works to help adjudicated and at-risk young people get the education and life skills they need to improve their lives. I’m happy to ride to support their programs, which strengthen our communities.

For more information, or to support Team CRJ, click here.

Sincerely,
Michael P. Ross
President, Boston City Council

FensFest Survives Saturday Downpour; Flourishes on Sunday

Attendees at the FensFest raffle drawing.
Image by Peggy Prentice

by Tracey Cusick

What a difference a day makes.

Due to torrential rain, Fensfest was postponed one day. What a good decision that was!

Sunday, September 13th was a glorious summer day: bright blue sky and sun, neither too hot nor too cool. Hundreds of people gathered in the Fenway Victory Gardens for the annual event. Live music, a balloon-maker, plant sales, and the ubiquitous white elephant yard sale table greeted attendees. The food, traditional summer fare of hamburgers, hot dogs, corn on the cob, and baked potatoes was accompanied by tomato and cucumber garnishes from the gardens. The grills seemed to go all day to accommodate the large crowd, and included veggie dogs for non-meat eaters.

The afternoon was rounded-out with the gardening awards [see below for list of winners], and the greatly anticipated raffle.

For more information about the Fenway Garden Society (including getting a garden), visit their web site at www.fenwayvictorygardens.com.

Victoria from the Fenway Garden Society adds:

It seemed like FensFest had record attendance, with many who stayed the entire 4 hours. City Counselor Michael Ross was in attendance for a little while, as were Officer Bill Slyne and Sgt. Kevin Power from Area D Police Department. Many gardeners brought their entire extended families, a trend that has started in recent years. The event also attracted random neighbors from the Fenway, and college students from Mission Hill and JP, who said they came for the free BBQ, music, and beautiful park setting. Raffle prizes included brunch at Top of the Hub, gift certificates for a meal at Casa Romero, Baseball Tavern, and a local laundry in the Fenway.

Entertainment was provided by Trinidadian steel drum virtuoso Toby Tobias and Rami Salami, a balloon artist popular with children of all ages. Generous support from the National Land Trust Foundation and Children’s Hospital made FensFest ’09 possible.

For another view of the days events, visit here.

GARDENING AWARD WINNERS
Best Spring Gardens
Boylston Section; Edward DiBartoli
Park Section; Olga Goldus
Center South Section; Kelly Bissey
Center North Section; David Schuster

Best Summer Gardens
Boylston Section; William Turbet
Park Section; Jean-Claude (Richard) Tetreault
Center South Section; Christopher Stark
Center North Section; Kristen Mobilia

Best Fall Gardens
Boylston Section; Lawrence Carlin
Park Section; Sister Jon Julie Sullivan
Center South Section; James Wharam
Center north Section; Robert J Roppolo

Best Vegetable Gardens
Boylston Section; Miriam Vincent
Park Section; Valerie Gingrich
Center south Section; Roseanne Urbano
Center North Section; Abraham Hernes

Best Shade Gardens
Boylston Section; Sasha Barajas
Park section; Natalia Sarelyeva
Center North Section; John Crane
Center South Section; Ethan Joy

Most Improved Gardens
Boylston Section; Green Team /Fenway High
Park Section; Margret Prentice
Center South Section Yevgeny Lobkov
Center North Section; Donna Frissell

Best new Gardeners
Boylston Section; Anne Light
Park Section; Ben Carpenter
Center South Section; Ahjane Billingsley
Center North Section; Liz Saunsiegle

Letter – Mike Ross on Police Patrols in Victory Gardens

Fenway phragmites.
Image from www.pinebank.org

The following letter from City Council President Mike Ross is also posted at Bay Windows.

Over the last few weeks, a serious issue has come up in a part of the community I represent: increased police patrols in the Fenway Victory Gardens. It has not been an easy issue. It has a direct impact on public safety and public comfort in using a public park, but has raised fears in the GLBT community of civil rights violations and police targeting of the gay community.

I want to be clear that nothing could be more important than protecting the rights of a group that in the past has been targeted for discrimination. The clearing of the tall reeds, or phragmities, and the increased police patrols around the Fenway Gardens is not so much a civil rights issue as it is an issue that goes to the core of what makes Boston vibrant, attractive, and accessible to all. Community gardens are important gems within a neighborhood, attracting positive outdoor activity within an urban environment and encouraging families both gay and straight to enjoy our green spaces. Residents feel unsafe in their own gardens. They have found condoms, needles, and garbage, and are afraid to bring their children to the Fens. Residents have a legitimate complaint.

The phragmities in the Fenway Victory Gardens are a part of Boston’s history. They date back to World War II. These naturally-occurring weeds have presented public safety challenges over the years, growing so thick at times that the police have been hesitant to drive in parts of the Gardens and presenting a fire risk to the community as well. The long history of the reeds will end in a couple of years, when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers enters the construction phase of its Muddy River restoration project, which will remove the phragmities from the Fenway.

I want the Victory Gardens to be a place for all Bostonians to enjoy. I have worked closely with the Boston Police Department to increase the police presence in the Victory Gardens to prevent vandalism and drug activity that have plagued this area. However, I am mindful of the need to move forward cautiously as this area has been important to the GLBT community. The Boston Police Department had the wisdom to include their GLBT liaisons in meetings to ensure that the gay community would not be targeted by officers, to ensure that officers on the scene acted appropriately and with proper consideration for everyone’s rights, and to ensure that their efforts are focused solely on preventing crime and improving public safety.

The easy thing would be to do nothing, which has been the policy for many years. To be sure, there was a time in Boston’s history when members of the GLBT community were ostracized from licensed premises and they were literally driven to outdoor spaces like the Victory Gardens to evade discrimination. Boston has changed dramatically since then. It was the first capital city in America to allow same-sex marriages and is known for its vibrant gay scene. The annual Boston Pride Parade is attended by families and individuals of all sexual preferences, celebrating the importance of the GLBT community in our city. Our Mayor and my colleagues on the City Council are unanimous in their support of gay marriage, transgender rights, and improving the accessibility of services that may be helpful for the GLBT community.

The Boston Police Department is working to police the area to prevent crime that hurts the Fenway community—not profile those who may utilize the Victory Gardens as a meeting place. I’ve been pleased by the Police Department’s ability to recognize the difference between regulating behavior and preventing crime, which is illustrated by the fact that no one has been arrested for public sex after patrols were increased. I am sure that there are those who do feel targeted inappropriately, and I urge them to come forward, talk with the police, talk with me, as we want to be sure that we can make these improvements without violating anyone’s rights. This is a space that has been important to many people for many reasons, and we need to treat all of them with the respect they deserve while making the Back Bay Fens safer.

FensFest Postponed to Sunday, Sept. 13

Good Day to All,

The Fens Festival at the Fenway Victory Gardens scheduled for
tomorrow the 12th has been postponed until Sunday the 13th. The festivities
will be on Sunday starting at 11:00 AM and wrapping up around 3:00 PM. I
apologize for any inconvenience the short notice may cause. I hope that you
can make it to the park on Sunday and join us in our annual celebration.

Best Regards,
Tim Horn, President
Fenway Garden Society

Announcement: Charles River Conservancy Activities for September

The Charles River and Boston from
MIT. Photo by Eric Hill, from
Wikimedia Commons.

September Update!

Invitation to a FREE Stand-up Paddlesurf Session on the Charles!

Come and experience the next best thing to swimming in the Charles, or walking on water, for that matter. Jimmy Blakeney of Northeast Paddlesurf (www.NEpaddlesurf.com) will be on the Charles with boards and instruction in this popular new sporting activity. Check out a recent article on paddlesurfing at local beaches and come join us next Tuesday! All you need to bring is a bathing suit and shoes that can go into the water.

When: Tuesday, September 8th from 5.30-7.30.

Where: 1071 Soldier’s Field Road, Herter Park, Allston/Boston, at the Charles River Canoe and Kayak dock.

View a map with directions at: http://www.paddleboston.com/boston/directions.php. Plenty of parking is available.

Look below the fold for many more September activities.

Save the Date: RiverSing is Sept. 20th!

Mark your calendars for the 6th Annual RiverSing to be held this September 20th at the Weeks Footbridge. The community sing, organized by Revels, is a joyous welcome to the coming of autumn. The Conservancy is proud to help sponsor this event for another season. For more information, visit the Revels website.

The Conservancy and Revels are also both looking for volunteers to join us on the day of the event. The CRC is looking for day-of support, while Revels has a list of volunteering possibilities that you can browse through at http://www.revels.org/get-involved/volunteer-opportunities. If interested please contact John Broderick at jrb@thecharles.org.

Conservancy Volunteers Update

The Conservancy Volunteers will be holding open-to-all-comers events on the mornings of Saturday, September 12th and on Saturday, September 26th. At these events our Conservancy Volunteers will be working with Bowdoin College Alumni as well as volunteers from Harvard and MIT, focusing on removing invasives and opening shoreline vistas. Anyone interested in attending should contact John Broderick at jrb@thecharles.org. Final event details will be sent out the week preceding the event. Hope to see you out there!

Additionally, the 26th is National Public Lands Day, the nation’s largest hands-on volunteer effort to improve and enhance the public lands Americans enjoy. Your work on this day will be part of a nationwide cleanup and stewardship campaign that you can learn about by clicking here.

Bulb Plantings This Autumn

Would you like to see even more daffodils and jonquils coloring the banks of the Charles this spring? The Conservancy is looking to plant bulbs along the banks of the Charles in October and November, targeting specific areas in Herter Park and Cambridge.

If you’re interested in donating either your time or funds to help make this happen please contact John Broderick at jrb@thecharles.org. You can also contact him to arrange an event with your corporation or organization. We’re already booking into October and November!

Pathway Advocacy: Volunteer Help Wanted

Plans to improve the pathways along the river are in the works . The Department of Conservation and Recreation is doing a comprehensive user count of pathway walkers, runners, skaters and cyclists, and they need volunteers to help!

Proposed dates for the pedestrian/bike count include:

1A: Saturday Sept 12th noon – 2:00 pm

1B: rain date: Saturday Sept 26 noon – 2:00 pm

2A: Tuesday Sept 22nd 4:30 – 6:30 pm

2B: rain date: Wednesday Sept 23rd 4:30 – 6:30 pm

Several bridges crossing the Charles will be undergoing major renovations, creating an opportunity for bridge underpasses and other pedestrian/cyclist friendly improvements. You can help with this advocacy effort and help the planning process by participating in the survey. Let us know if any of these dates work for you or if you want to help in any other way, and contact John Broderick at jrb@thecharles.org if interested.

New Happenings at the Hatch Shell

Boston Landmark Orchestra is looking forward to the Inaugural Season of Landmark Films, offered for free at the Hatch Shell. Three films will be shown on three Thursday nights: An American in Paris, Rigoletto, and Sleeping Beauty. Visit www.LandmarksOrchestra.org for additional information.

Charles River News

Read below for other recent happenings related to the Charles River Basin.

“BU Bridge reconstruction begins.” The Cambridge Chronicle reports on the much-needed rehabilitation of the B.U. Bridge, including reports from both DCR and the Cambridge Conservation Commission.

“Go jump in the river…well, maybe soon” The Metro published a recent article on Charles River water quality and progress accomplished with the end goal of a clean, swimmable river. To read about the CRC’s Swimmable Charles efforts and for a more extensive water quality history please click here.

“Slowing down the flow.” A recent Boston Globe article says that madcap rushing for stimulus money may have adverse affects on local watersheds. Read on to hear the stances taken by DCR and other local river advocates.

“Japanese Knotweed: Godzilla in the Garden.” Examiner.com gives a lengthy description of this riparian invasive, highlighting spots along the Charles where it is especially pernicious. The article even includes knotweed recipes!

Be a Fan of the Conservancy!

The Charles River Conservancy recently joined Facebook. Become a fan to learn more about past and upcoming events, view recent pictures, and keep in the loop. To do so, please click here.

August and September Parklands Show Schedule

The CRC has been broadcasting live on CCTV since 2001. This past spring, CCTV recognized the CRC as the “Organization of the Year” and featured host Renata von Tscharner in their quarterly print newsletter. Tune in to Channel 9 every second and fourth Wednesday of the month at 5:30 p.m. Shows are replayed­ at 12:30 a.m. the same day.

September 9th: Renata von Tscharner with Revels about RiverSing

September 23rd: Renata von Tscharner with Timothy Rowe of the Cambridge Innovation Center

The Conservancy on YouTube!

If you miss our show on local access television you can still access most shows on Youtube by clicking here. Shows include videos of the 2008 Charles River Swim Race, and a great variety of Parklands programs. Suggestions for future shows are welcome! Please contact John Broderick at jrb@thecharles.org.

This autumn, give securely online at www.TheCharles.org or send a check to the CRC at Four Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA 02138.

Thank you for your support!

Charles River Conservancy
Four Brattle St
Cambridge, MA 02138
T: 617.608.1410
F: 617.491.1245
www.TheCharles.org

Announcement: Discover Fort Hill!

The following announcement was disseminated by Discover Roxbury:

All summer long we’ve waited for the heat to arrive and now it’s sizzling! If you’re looking for a way to cool down, you could take the traditional route of going to the beach or the mountains. Or, you could be cool in a different way. Over the next two weeks, join us as our summer neighborhood spotlight turns its focus on to Highland Park/Fort Hill. Enjoy fresh, healthy, and interactive culinary events at two lush gardens as well as the opportunity to chill out with area artists.

Before we know it, we’ll be cooling down in a completely different way. So get out now and make the most of summer before it slips away.

See you around the neighborhood!

Tours and Events:

Under the Roxbury Sun dinner at Garden Girl Farm

Dine with Chef Nadine Nelson as she serves up a hearty and healthy five-course dinner under the setting sun at the Garden Girl’s Roxbury farm. Over the years of working on her farm, Patti Moreno, the Garden Girl, has revolutionized both the phrase and the concept of Urban Sustainability. During tonight’s soiree, participants will hear from Patti, have the opportunity to tour the farm, and enjoy a five course dinner created from its harvest. Casual dress is recommended. The menu is available on our website.

Thursday, August 20. 6:30-9:30pm. Limit 30 people.
Reservations ($50) must be made in advance online or by calling 617-427-1006.
Garden Girl Farm, 88 Lambert Ave
MBTA: bus #42. On-street parking is available.

Natural Beauty Workshop
Cooper gardenIn this workshop, led by Chef Nadine Nelson, learn what you can use from your garden to create simple, effective, and natural beauty potions to create the skin and health you want. The workshop will also discuss “beauty cuisine,” the phenomena in which food is used to keep one healthy, help the body look and feel younger, and bring out the best in us. Have fun exploring the wonderful grounds of the Cooper Community Center. Pick from the garden, engage in a couple of beauty regimens, and enjoy a light lunch. Both men and women are invited to learn how everything we need to feel beautiful can be found in nature.

Saturday, August 22. 10am-12pm. Limit 20 people
Tickets ($40) must be purchased in advance online or by calling 617-427-1006.
Cooper Community Garden and Education Center, 34 Linwood Street
MBTA: Orange Line to Roxbury Crossing or bus #14, 41. Parking available.

Ekua’s Evening Art Walk – FREE
ArtROXTake a leisurely walking tour of the visual arts on Highland Park/Fort Hill with Roxbury artist Ekua Holmes. Her in-depth knowledge of Roxbury’s arts movement and personal connection to many of the artists is guaranteed to enlighten and entertain. In addition to viewing impressive pieces of public art, the tour will briefly visit the artist studios of Robert Stevens, Lee Farrow, and Wendy Ellertson. Enjoy this introduction to Roxbury’s art community and use it as a preview to the variety of artists and types of art available during ArtROX!, Roxbury Open Studios (which takes place October 3-4).

Thursday, August 27. 6:30pm-8pm. Limit 20 people.
FREE with RSVP to info@discoverroxbury.org or 617-427-1006.
Tour departs Roxbury Crossing MBTA Station promptly at 6:30pm.

For inquiries and to check space availability:
http://www.discoverroxbury.org | info@discoverroxbury.org | 617-427-1006

Save the Date
Support Discover Roxbury by joining us at our second annual celebration and fundraiser, Heart of the Hub, on Thursday, October 22, 2009 at historic Hibernian Hall. The event will offer:
* A selection of food from area restaurants and caterers
* A silent auction featuring art and interactive experiences
* Live music and a video presentation

This year will also feature our first annual Roxbury Puddingstone Awards, with State Representative Byron Rushing and E. Barry Gaither, Executive Director of the Museum of the National Center of Afro-American Artists, as our first recipients.

Tickets are available on a sliding scale and may be purchased online or by calling 617-427-1006.
$50 – General | $100 – Featured Individual* | $150 – Featured Couple* | $250 – Corporate*

* Guests who purchase tickets at the Featured Individual, Featured Couple, and Corporate levels will have their names listed in the Heart of the Hub program book.

Stay tuned for details on performers and specifics on auction items. Volunteer and sponsorship opportunities are also available.

Additional happenings around Roxbury:

teens and boxesRox Box
Local teens from the Hawthorne Youth and Community Center are selling sturdy handcrafted wooden boxes which come individually decorated. The boxes, measuring 12″x9″x4″, are perfect for storing valuables, keepsakes, and memorabilia. Each sells for $20.

Ongoing
For information: hyccroxbury@hotmail.com or 617-427-0613.

FPC logoFranklin Park Movie Night
Watch Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa on the big screen. This film is perfect for all ages and a real family treat. Bring a lawn chair, lots of friends, and a picnic supper.

Tuesday, August 18 at dusk. FREE
Follow the main park road, then turn onto Pierpont Road by the Zoo’s Giraffe Entrance sign.
MBTA bus #16 (Forest Hills – Andrew Station).
For information: http://www.franklinparkcoalition.org or 617-442-4141.

Community outing at Melnea Cass Pool & Rink
Join the DCR and the Friends of Melnea Cass Pool for a day of fun and games. Activities include a horse demonstration by the DCR Park Ranger Mounted Unit, face painting, and children’s games. Free food will also be available.

Saturday, August 22, 12pm-4pm FREE
Melnea Cass Pool & Rink, 120 Martin Luther King Blvd
MBTA bus #42 (Dudley Square – Forest Hills)
For information: http://www.mass.gov/dcr or contact Thomasina Dyett at 617-519-4598.

Sisters in Stitches Joined By the Cloth Quilt Show
Dedicated to preserving, educating and promoting the tradition of African-American quilting, the focal point of this year’s biannual quilt show is a new collection of traditional and artistic quilts. The exhibit will also present quilts made by children in grades K-2 and up to whom the Sisters taught basic quilting techniques during a comprehensive six-week program. Dr. Myrah Green, fiber artist, teacher and art historian, will be the featured guest speaker on Saturday at 1pm. Door prizes, vendors, demonstrations, and a silent auction will also take place.

Friday, August 28-Saturday, August 29, 10am-5pm daily
$5 admission
Yawkey Boys & Girls Club, 115 Warren St, Dudley Square
For information: http://www.sistersinstitches.org or sisjbtc@yahoo.com

36th Annual Boston Caribbean Carnival
Watch and feel the streets of Roxbury pulse, swagger, and dance to the beat of the annual Trinidad-style Carnival in the heart of Roxbury. Dancers and their crews begin setting up at 11am on Martin Luther King Blvd. The parade begins at noon in front of the Roxbury YMCA and winds its way up Warren Street, through Grove Hall, and into Franklin Park.

Saturday, August 29. FREE
Parade begins at 12pm
For information: http://www.bostoncarnival.org.