Greening of Dorchester

Feb 11 - How to Green your Historic Home!

2012-01-10T05:11:00.000-08:00

Join historic preservation experts for a free workshop on energy efficiency in older houses! - at the Adams Street Library. There is also the option to tour the nearby Pierce House. Click here for details.

about Smart Growth

2011-11-22T09:43:00.001-08:00

design for Ashmont 'Pedal & Park'
construction Spring 2012

Here is an opportunity for free registration to the NewPartners for Smart Growth Conference in San Diego in February! It involves taking a survey which must be completed by Dec. 9, 2011.
What is Smart Growth you ask? Here in Dorchester we have some good examples - the Ashmont T station and adjacent mixed use Carruth Building development, mixed use development projects, one newly built and one under construction, near the new Fields Corner T station, the reconstruction of Dorchester Avenue. See this link for more about Smart Growth and contact GreenDorchester if you are interested in getting involved in local efforts in our community.

Shop Local in Dorchester!

2011-11-16T15:50:00.001-08:00

Support local shopping! - tonight Nov 16th it's the fab annual Martinis on the Avenue fundraiser to support the work of Fields Corner Main Street and St Marks Area Main Street, two organizations doing great things for commercial districts along Dorchester Avenue. And tomorrow evening Nov. 17th the Lower Mills Holiday Stroll at the southern end of Dorchester Ave., where the Neponset River flows-- check out both Milton and Dorchester shops! The 'Shop Small' idea helps our neighborhood businesses while doing good for the planet!

help finish the Dorchester Coast Trail & Neponset Greenway: sign on to Dot Bike's letter!

2011-10-26T15:11:00.000-07:00

The MA Dept. of Conservation and Recreation is applying for a big chunk of federal funding, part of the TIGER III stimulus money, to complete the Neponset Greenway. This will address three missing sections: one that Dot Bike has dubbed the Dorchester Coast Trail, and other gaps between Central Ave. in Milton and Mattapan Square, and from the Martini Shell to the Neponset Valley Parkway in Hyde Park. Letters of support from community organizations and individuals will help boost an application and highlight the importance of projects such as these. Click this link to see Dot Bike's letter and sign on - it will be sent in along with the application on Friday October 28. The grant deadline is Monday October 31st.

Bike laws, please read up!

2011-10-05T20:11:00.000-07:00

Bicycling in Dorchester can be challenge - it would help if drivers would look before opening their doors (there's a $100 fine for 'dooring' a cyclist) and not pass me then take a right turn in front of me! See bike laws here.

roof food

2011-09-28T06:11:00.000-07:00

Continuing the growing food on Dorchester buildings theme - here is a Dorchester Reporter article from a few years ago about dbar's rooftop garden. The photo at right is from the TableCritic site. We'd love to hear about other non-traditional food-producing locations in the community!

food roof!

2011-08-29T09:57:00.000-07:00

recovergreenroofs.blogspot.com

There are at least two rooftops in Dorchester producing food - one at dbar on Dorchester Avenue at Glover's Corner, and one we hadn't heard about 'til recently at Ledge Restaurant on Dorchester Avenue in Lower Mills. Click here to read about Ledge's food roof; we'll post more about dbar's roof later.

shop at your local farmers' market!

2011-07-15T09:52:00.000-07:00

The farmers' markets in Dorchester and Mattapan are all up and running, please check out this link to DEHC's website for days, times and locations, or go here to print out the DEHC Summer newsletter, which has the market schedule*. All markets accept SNAP benefits (food stamps) with an additional 50% off through the Bounty Bucks program - SNAP can also be used to buy food-producing plants and seeds.
Local farmers' markets are open and selling fresh local grown produce (and other great items!) on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. You can probably walk or bike to one near you! DEHC is helping out at most of the markets during the season, weekly on Fridays at Ashmont/Peabody Square, stop by and say hi!

*Please note that the Grove Hall Farmers' Market opening has been delayed, check back on the dehc.org website regularly for updated information.

celebrate 350 years of The Blake House!

2011-06-24T11:28:00.000-07:00

On June 24 and 25, the Dorchester Historical Society is celebrating the oldest house in Boston - join in the festivities!

It is Farmers Market season again!

2011-06-23T14:36:00.000-07:00

Codman Square Farmers Market was open today, despite the rain, and will be open every Thursday 1 - 6 PM, rain or shine, until October. There are 6 more farmers markets in Dorchester, and one in Mattapan - look on the Dehc.org website for day, time, locations and other details to help make shopping for fresh fruit and vegetables more convenient!

MyDorchester Night! starts at 6 tonight

2011-06-10T06:07:00.000-07:00

Excited to support this fun community event put on by SCI Dorchester @ DotWell - see you at the Great Hall in Codman Square around 6! We hear that DotBike, MyDot Tour and community food coop organizers (of Dot Day parade fame! see Universal Hub photo at right) and other local initiatives will be on hand to share resources and information. Music, performances, and lots of great food reflecting the diversity of Dorchester. Free!

Dorchester Garden Council meets 1st Tuesdays - "Dot Grows!"

2011-06-07T11:56:00.000-07:00

Garden plots in Dorchester community gardens are starting to grow!
The Dorchester Garden Council helps community gardeners prepare for a busy season. The Council, called "Dot Grows!" meets at Codman Square Health Center in Conference Room B, located on the lower level, from 6 to 7:30 PM. The agenda includes discussion of upcoming workshops and meets every 1st Tuesday - contact Grantley for details.

rainy weather = green gardens, Saturday sunshine = Ashmont Hill Yard Sale

2011-05-17T10:37:00.000-07:00

The annual Ashmont Hill Yard Sale is coming up on Saturday May 21, and clear sunny weather is in the forecast! This wonderful community "recycling" event, and lots of other local outdoor/greening activities can be found on the DEHC calendar - please be sure to check it out often for new additions, and let us know if we are missing any other fun activities!

Dorchester garden plots available!

2011-04-21T11:44:00.000-07:00

A new and improved Nightingale Community Garden is now under construction, with all new watering system, clean garden soil, accessible raised beds and pathways coming online in June. Head on over to Park Street (near Washington Street) to check it out! Interested in signing up for a plot? There are application forms available right at the garden - fill one out and drop it in the garden's mailbox. Read this Dorchester Reporter article for particulars.

Boston bike network plan introduced

2011-04-05T10:58:00.000-07:00

See this link to a new "ridethecity" online route-creating website that I tried out, it needs lots of input from Dorchester bicyclists!
I found it at this link on MyDorchester.org about the Boston Bike Network Plan.

Slow Food comes to Blue Hill Boys and Girls Club April 6

2011-03-31T14:04:00.000-07:00

Boys and Girls Planting for Health is happening at the Blue Hill Boys and Girls Club of Boston on Wednesday, April 6, 2011 starting at 9 a.m. The event is run by Nature's Sustainers, a community relations class from Boston University, who will help the Blue Hill Club build a working garden to teach its members about responsibility, healthy living, sustainability and the slow food movement.

The Nature's Sustainers group will build raised bed gardens similar to the one above, and provide the Club with necessary gardening tools. In addition, individuals from local organizations and businesses will come in to talk to the staff and members of Blue Hill Club about the importance of the slow food movement and healthy living. Once the gardens are built and planted a group of 10-15 Boston-based middle schoolers - the Gardening Club - will be responsible for tending to the vegetable gardens during the school year. Click here for a news release with more information on the event.

vacant land community meeting Mar 31st

2011-03-31T12:00:00.000-07:00

The Department of Neighborhood Development is hosting a community meeting tonight March 31 in the Great Hall, at 6:30 pm, about a proposal for 14,800 sq ft of vacant land on Park Street, Dorchester. For additional information, please click here or contact DND Project Manager Christopher Rooney at 617-635-0493.

Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) Opportunities in Dorchester

2011-03-23T08:26:00.000-07:00

Langwater Farm at Ashmont Farmers Market 2010

Even though a chance of snow is still not out of the question this month there is evidence of spring - the growing season will soon be upon us! Dorchester area farmers' markets will start in June or July and run weekly to the end of October. Please check DEHC's online calendar for the 2011 farmers market schedule. Some farmers' markets offer prepaid shares of farm produce (also know as CSAs) that are now available for purchase. A share guarantees you a weekly bag of fresh produce and also supports a local farm over the growing season. A share's cost varies per market and can be split up with co-workers or friends. There are different kinds: some markets offer 1/2 shares (at Codman Sq), or a share where rather than pickup a pre-packaged bag you choose your own produce from the market's table each week (at Ashmont) and there is a discounted rate for low-income families at the ReVision Urban Farmstand. Please click here for details on how to sign up!

local outdoor activities this weekend

2011-03-17T08:31:00.000-07:00

Spring Cycle: on Saturday March 19, 10 AM - Boston Natural Areas Network and the Neponset Greenway Council welcome spring by riding the entire Neponset Greenway. A flat 11 mile ride (one way) both on-road and on paths. Meet at Paul’s Bridge parking area on Brush Hill Road. Helmets required.

Walk to Dorchester Heights: on Sunday, March 20, 2 PM - The Dorchester Historical Society's walking tour will retrace the route taken by the troops fortifying Dorchester Heights with cannon from Fort Ticonderoga.

Wainwright Park to be improved

2011-03-10T09:06:00.000-08:00

March 10th at 6:30pm, there will be a third and final community meeting sponsored by the City of Boston Department of Parks and Recreation about improvements to Wainwright Park (also known as Cronin Park). The meeting will be held in the Assembly Hall of the Epiphany School (154 Centre Street, right next to the Shawmut T station). At this meeting, the community will be presented with the final design plans for the park.
Residents are encouraged to attend and share in the community decision-making about the improvement and design process for Wainwright Park.
For more information, contact Andrea Sheppard Lomba, Parish-Community Organizer, St. Mark, Dorchester, 617-825-2852, ext. 19

fruit tree pruning workshops

2011-03-04T10:08:00.000-08:00

As part of the new Boston Orchard Program, Boston Natural Areas Network is partnering with the Food Project, the Boston Tree Party, and the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation on two free pruning workshops:

On Saturday March 5, 2011 as part of the Food Project’s Winter Workshop Series, John Bunker, Pomologist from Super Chilly Farm in Maine will provide pruning tips at the Shirley-Eustis House Orchard located at 33 Shirley Street in Roxbury.

On Saturday March 12, 2011 Ben Crouch, sole proprietor of Jamaica Plain’s Land of Plenty Gardens will provide more information about pruning at the Blake House Orchard located at 735 Columbia Road in Dorchester.

The free programs, for everyone interested in learning more about pruning fruit trees, begin at 10 a.m. Reservations are required. Contact BNAN at 617-542-7696 or info@bostonnatural.org.

looking forward to spring? want to grow fresh vegetables in a local community garden?

2011-02-09T08:32:00.000-08:00

Head to the Codman Sq Neighborhood Council meeting tonight at 7 PM to hear about an initiative that is expanding the opportunity for community gardening in Dorchester. Or if you can't make the meeting, email us or give a call, 617-474-1478 to learn more.

snow!

2011-01-07T10:23:00.000-08:00

The snowy season is upon us and to help make sure Dorchester sidewalks are well-cleared for those of us who walk outside in the winter please check out this DEHC website post for useful links to city of Boston winter weather facts.

gardening keeps us healthy! free film series & children's hours at Dorchester libraries

2011-01-03T09:19:00.000-08:00

An exciting free film and children's readings series "Gardening Keeps Us Healthy" is starting up in Dorchester this month through March. Most of the movies will take place at the Codman Square Library on Monday nights from 6:00-7:30pm on the following dates: 1/3/11, 1/31/11, 2/7/11 and 3/7/11. There is one film for children that will take place at the Uphams Corner Library at 4:00pm on Monday, January 24th. Click here for more on the film series.

The Children's Reading Hour takes place on Wednesdays from 4:00 - 5:00 at the Codman Square Library beginning 1/5 and ending on 2/23.

stay warm and save money this winter: check out Renew Boston and MassSAVE programs

2010-12-17T08:46:00.000-08:00

EVERY Boston resident, property owners & renters, paying for heat should sign up! Please see this link or you can just call 617-825-4200 x 251 or email Max with questions on how to save money on your winter energy costs.

Weds. Dec 1st: two green events to choose between today

2010-12-01T05:13:00.001-08:00

Community Climate Action Roundtable, Weds, December 1: come share your ideas for engaging more people in making Boston more sustainable. Panelists include Khalida Smalls from ACE, Rosanne Foley from Dorchester Environmental Health Coalition, Ray Porfilio from West Roxbury Saves Energy, and Stepanie Valovic of Planet Southie.
When: 6 - 7:30 PM
Location: Suffolk University, 73 Tremont Street, 12th floor, Trustees’ Conference Room. Snacks provided. Free and open to the public. Hosted by Suffolk University Sustainability Committee, the Government Department, Human Resources, and the Boston Climate Action Network. More info at: http://www.suffolk.edu/offices/44417.html

~~~
Also, a BRA/DND joint community mtg: proposed rezoning city-owned properties for Urban Agriculture, Weds. Dec. 1st: The following city-owned properties in Mattapan/Dorchester are currently proposed to be the focus of an urban agriculture rezoning effort: 23-29 Tucker Street, 131 Glenway Street, 18-24 Standish Street, and the vacant property between 94 Ballou Avenue and 116 Ballou Avenue.
When: 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
Where: Prayer Power Apostolic Church, 151 Norfolk Street, Dorchester, MA. More info at http://www.bostonredevelopmentauthority.org/Planning/PlanningInitsIndividual.asp?action=ViewInit&InitID=152

~~~
Check our calendar regularly - http://www.dehc.org/dehc-calendar/

sea level rise meeting tonight 11/29

2010-11-29T12:53:00.000-08:00

Community meeting on potential impacts of climate change on Dorchester's shoreline, 5:30 PM at Harbor Point, click here for more information.

Nightingale Garden mtg Nov. 20, 10 AM

2010-11-19T12:53:00.000-08:00

Community gardening is expanding in Dorchester, come hear about how our largest garden is growing on Saturday Nov. 20, 10-11:30 AM, more info here.

Light your bike on Nov. 11th

2010-11-05T07:58:00.000-07:00

On Thursday 11/11, DotBike is distributing free lights to cyclists on Dorchester Avenue, from 5:30 PM to 7 PM. Clocks were turned back this past weekend, which makes the ride home much darker this time of year.

get outdoors and enjoy! Dorchester green activities...

2010-10-22T11:31:00.000-07:00

Ashmont Farmers' Market today at 3 PM has ukelele music and free coffee while you shop, tomorrow (Saturday Oct. 23) you can tour Dorchester orchards and public artwork by bike, and don't forget Dorchester Open Studios is this weekend! See this link.

green business - Repeat Boutique

2010-10-14T11:47:00.000-07:00

A new local business Repeat Boutique was honored today as MyDorchester's Business of the Month, I will definitely check out their designer consignments!

Come see us at the Codman Sq Energy Fair Sept. 25!

2010-09-22T10:51:00.000-07:00

We will have a table set up at this informative and bustling event at the Second Church on Washington Street at Talbot Avenue, come on down!

Save Our Barn Fundraiser Sept 24

2010-09-02T12:05:00.000-07:00

Help the Dorchester Historical Society raise funds to save their historic barn! (Preserving old buildings is green!)

Cedar Grove Garden Contest: How Does YOUR Garden Grow

2010-07-10T09:30:00.000-07:00

This is a fun contest, enter photos of your garden, get lots of votes to win a prize -sample entry

ashmont farmers' market re-opens today!

2010-07-09T08:16:00.000-07:00

At Peabody Square: sun, music, fresh food, what more can we ask for?
most all of Dorchester's farmer's markets are open as of this week - check www.dehc.org for more information.

it's hot! let's head to the river...

2010-07-06T14:56:00.000-07:00

Please come help clean the Neponset River on July 18th.

MyDot Tour - last one Saturday, June 26

2010-06-25T15:36:00.000-07:00

Come to Field's Corner T station at 10 AM and take a tour!

Open house @ Preservation Project: 65 Pleasant Street, Jones Hill

2010-06-22T19:30:00.000-07:00

dotmass: Historic house preserved: behind the scenes peek on June 23.

nice ReVision House editorial in the Globe

2010-06-18T11:37:00.000-07:00

A good news story, about locally grown food in our neighborhood:

Fresh produce: A garden grows in Dorchester - The Boston Globe

Bike to Work on Friday

2010-05-19T15:02:00.000-07:00

If you bike downtown to work, on Friday May 21, bike with DotBike's convoy of cyclists to Mayor Menino’s Bike Week Festival on City Hall Plaza.

There will be a celebration with free breakfast courtesy of Boloco and a bike expo featuring tons of great gear from local bike shops.
Convoy leaves at 7 AM from Peabody Sq (in front of Ashmont T) and meets another group at 7:10 AM in Fields Corner (on the Plaza). Sign up, registration is free, at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/5BVCYFD. Help make Dorchester's convoy the largest!

Bike Fridays are the last Friday - June 25, July 30, & August 27, 2010

www.dotbike.org

DotBike's Shiny Green Dot Ride after Boston Shines this Saturday 4/24

2010-04-21T16:10:00.000-07:00

Starts at 1 p.m. from the Hallet Street parking area at Pope John Paul II Park. DotBike has added bike borrowing to their ride this year - reserve by noon Thursday April 22!
For more about Saturday's ride, click here.

Meeting about the Fairmount Greenway

2010-04-13T13:38:00.000-07:00

Tues. April 13
COMMUNITY MEETING: FAIRMOUNT CORRIDOR GREENWAY PLAN
(open space usage and development to be discussed)
6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
230 Bowdoin Street (Bowdoin Street Health Center, 1st Floor Conference room)
Please feel free to contact Philly at (617) 754-0041 if you have questions about this meeting.
The Fairmount Corridor Collaborative is working for transit equity including smart growth and a walk/bike trail along this 9-mile commuter rail line through Dorchester.

DotBike: rides this week

2010-03-16T20:16:00.000-07:00

Join us for the Spring Ahead first group Ride Home of 2010! We meet at the
Brewer Fountain on the Boston Common at 5:30. We'll pause at the Blessed
Mother Theresa church at 6 pm for those joining from points south, east and
west.

~~~
First Day of Spring Neponset River Ride, Saturday, March 20, 2010 - 10 AM
Start: Castle Island concession stand in South Boston
Distance: 20-25 miles
Terrain: Flat and scenic
Leader: Doug Mink, dmink@masspaths.net
Web site: http://www.masspaths.net

We'll ride along Boston Harbor and up the Neponset River to the
southern edge of Boston and back to the start. The new bike
path upstream from Mattapan Square is almost done! This ride
is cosponsored by MassBike's Metro Boston Chapter and the
Boston Natural Areas Network. Helmets are required, and it
is a bit long for kids unless they're in a trailer or on a
trail-a-bike or tandem with an adult. There will be a map
and cue sheet on the web site soon.

dotmass: even plants get recycled

2010-03-14T09:39:00.000-07:00

dotmass: even plants get recycled

Help Design a Community Garden, Feb. 9

2010-02-03T15:01:00.001-08:00

Meet your neighbors to discuss concepts for a community garden to be developed on the 106 Norfolk Street vacant lot by Talbot-Norfolk Triangle Neighbors United.

Experienced gardeners of all ages and those without green thumbs are invited! The community space was donated through the Boston Adopt A Lot program and will focus on teaching children about gardening.

When: Tue Feb 9 7pm – 8pm
Where: 15 Elmhurst Street, Dorchester, MA

Help Push for Bike Cage at Ashmont Station

2010-01-28T11:17:00.000-08:00

Let's convince the MBTA to spend some of their $4.8 mil in federal
stimulus funding to support bike commuting in Dorchester!

For full information see this link.
~~~~~
Dorchester Environmental Health Coalition
1452 Dorchester Avenue, 4th floor
Dorchester, MA 02122
Tel. (617) 474-1478, Fax. (617) 474-0465
DorchesterEnviro@gmail.com
http://www.dehc.org

MUGatHOME Spring Session - Apply Now!

2010-01-25T12:19:00.000-08:00

Boston Natural Areas Network's (BNAN) Master Urban Gardener-AT HOME (MUGatHOME) program is happening again this spring. The program is for Boston residents with yards, rooftops, decks and other small spaces to garden. You'll learn techniques for growing ornamentals and vegetables using environmentally friendly techniques, as well as design planning, urban soil remediation, plant selection and placement, composting, and more. See this link for more details, the application deadline is March 5, 2010.

help re-design a community garden

2010-01-10T19:52:00.000-08:00

Presently underutilized, the Nightingale Community Garden will be undergoing renovation - there is a public meeting happening on January 14th.

dotmass: Annual Tide Mill Conference next Saturday November 7

2009-11-02T18:19:00.000-08:00

dotmass: Annual Tide Mill Conference next Saturday November 7

ADORE-chester! we get it done

2009-10-03T22:04:00.000-07:00

I feel pretty sure that our neighborhood stands as the most misunderstood in the city of Boston. We are the oldest, the largest. And we meet. We are good at meeting. No other neighborhood has the unsung and unstinting brawny backbone of countless community folks who attend hours of meetings over months and years to see wonderful things come to fruition. In any given week, there are at least a half dozen meetings. We meet and discuss and focus on getting what is needed done. And when the time comes we put shovels in the ground and make it happen - the new T stations, the new parks, the eyesores rebuilt, the vacant lots cleaned up. We work together without a lot of fanfare. We like each other. Or maybe we don't, but it still gets done. And there is lots more to do. I am proud to be able to count on my neighbors and they know they can count on me. If you want to know about the good things that happen here, please take the time to check out these and other excellent local sources like the Dorchester Reporter, which I ADORE!

ADORE-chester! - we got hills!

2009-10-03T21:42:00.000-07:00

I live on the best one: Ashmont Hill (don't miss our annual spring yard sale!) but we also know everyone else who lives on a hill is positive theirs is the best - Pope's Hill, Jones Hill, Savin Hill, Codman Hill, Meetinghouse Hill, who did I forget?

these folks ADORE-chester too!

ADORE-chester! we got beaches

2009-10-03T21:35:00.000-07:00

did you go to the Dorchester Beach Festival in August? definitely recommend taking the T to our beaches!
these people also ADORE-chester! -

ADORE-chester! celebrate your heritage

2009-10-03T21:31:00.000-07:00

Hey, where else can you ride your bike to a celebration of Polish heritage on a Saturday and the next day walk over to another part of the neighborhood and celebrate Irish heritage?

Other folks who ADORE-chester!:

ADORE-chester! - eat the scenery

2009-10-03T21:25:00.000-07:00

yes, I can walk down my street and eat a handful of delicious fresh-picked golden raspberries, head to the orchard at Edward Everett Square and sample yummy fruit while gazing at the big bronze pear sculpture, and next year I will try the wine made at a local winery from Clapp's Favorite pears grown in Dorchester.

These people also ADORE-chester:

pear wine: cool story

2009-09-22T17:49:00.000-07:00

The Dorchester Historical Society is raising funds to restore its old barn by making pear wine at a local winery, using fruit harvested from Clapp's Favorite pear trees growing on the original Clapp farmstead property where they were first hybridized in the early 1800s.

ashmont grill wine club, excellent yet again

2009-08-24T18:26:00.000-07:00

Just had another great time at the Ashmont Grill's Wine Club - met Lindsay Cox, a sassy blonde wine rep, very knowledgeable about the Yalumba Viognier wines we sampled. and best of all, she's local.

be there - Dorchester Beach Festival, August 8th

2009-07-29T10:59:00.000-07:00

Summer's arrived, and hot weather means heading to the beach! The Dorchester Beach Festival on Saturday August 8th, from 11 AM to 4 PM, with activities like canoing, sailing swimming, and beach games and tons more to do and see at Savin Hill's Malibu Beach. Easy walk from the Savin Hill Red Line T station.

the greening of Elmhurst Street

2009-06-29T11:19:00.001-07:00

The sun shone this past Saturday as children played in a new park built through hard work of a local group of residents, non-profits and generous funders - Codman Square welcomes long-awaited playground - The Boston Globe

Posted using ShareThis

doings in Dorchester

2009-06-04T18:12:00.000-07:00

Dorchester Day on the first Sunday each June, is a free public celebration of Dorchester's founding in 1630, and a great excuse to get out of the house - to walk the parade route with your favorite group or politician or walk down to your favorite Dorchester Ave corner to watch the parade & meet your neighbors. starts at 1.

what a waste

2009-04-27T13:11:00.000-07:00

Yard waste = leaves and clippings. Lots of folks in Boston rake their leaves, place them in those big paper bags, save them up until the magical few weeks in spring and fall when the (now rotting) bags can be put out to be collected and composted. We get our 2 stickers for the barrels (even though we need like 30), we cut our brush into exactly 3 foot lengths, not 3' 3" or they will be left behind, how embarrassing! This is the "green" thing to do, we feel good about it.
But, despite there being a 2000 state ban against mixing yard waste in with trash, the past few weeks we have heard that many bags of carefully gathered leaves were tossed in with the regular trash.

Striving for clarity, we looked online but found only contrary info on the city's website. Which also lists "Saturday Drop-offs" (we imagine those are for disposing of yard waste in between the magic weeks?) but no locations were given. Hmmm.

fruitful Dorchester

2009-04-23T04:09:00.000-07:00

A creative new partnership between Earthworks Boston and the Dorchester Historical Society will result in another urban orchard in a neighborhood once famous for agricultural and horticultural hybridizing.

clean streets are happy streets

2009-03-31T14:49:00.000-07:00

Researchers from the Netherlands have found that neighborhoods that have a high prevalence of graffiti, litter, and unreturned shopping carts experience higher rates of crime, otherwise known as the "Broken Windows Theory". The researchers used bicycles to gain insight into how signs of public misbehavior encourages more disorder. For more information read the study abstract The Spreading of Disorder published in the journal Science, and the description of how they did it here.
This is actually a plea to get our streets and sidewalks clean! Start by making your little corner of the neighborhood shine, then move farther afield. Plant a tree. April is Earth Month...

To Explain What This is About

2009-03-30T11:59:00.000-07:00

"Green" and "Dorchester" are not words we who live here usually see together in the public realm of TV, print, internet, etc. And even though there is actually a lot of sustainability activity happening locally that we can applaud, there is room for improvement. Examples of the topics that will be posted here include Historic Preservation, Urban Planning, and Quality of Life.