Events Around Town

Blue Hill Observatory Open House
Saturday, May 16, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Summit of Great Blue Hill, 1904 Canton Ave.
This Saturday enjoy a fun day of activities and free tours of the historic Blue Hill Observatory. Make your own windsock, launch a tagged balloon ($1 donation), stop at the Mount Washington and EPA exhibits, or just enjoy the panoramic views from the summit of Great Blue Hill. Rain or shine. More info at: http://www.bluehill.org/events.html or call 617-696-0562. Visit the Observatory homepage. The event is free.

Wakefield Estate hosts First Annual Garlic Mustard Fest
1493 Brush Hill Rd, Milton
Sunday, May 17, 1:00-3:00 pm
The Wakefield Estate will host its First Annual Garlic Weed Festival on Sunday, May 17; from 1:00-3:00 pm. Garlic weed (garlic mustard or Alliaria petiolata) is an aggressive, invasive plant originally cultivated for food medicinal use. Today, it is one of the most troublesome “exotic invasives,” as it crowds out our native wildflowers and woodland plants.

Participants will learn to identify and pull the biennial plant, the best way to beat the problem. There will scientific demonstrations showing the relationship between garlic weed and worms and samples of recipes that use garlic mustard as an ingredient. Teams are encouraged to participate. You will have the opportunity to taste some dishes using garlic mustard as an ingredient. There will be fun for all ages and prizes for participants! The event is free. For more information, directions and to register, call 617-333-0924.

ELM’s Earth Night is May 27
An annual gala benefit for the Environmental League of Massachusetts, Earth Night has become Boston’s largest environmental event, drawing hundreds of the state’s environmental, government, business, and community leaders.

Auctions: Live and Silent auctions, featuring a variety of appealing goods and services.
Online ticketing is now available. Earth Night raises funds, membership, and awareness for the Environmental League of Massachusetts. You can download printable PDF forms for sponsorship and auction donations. For more information, click here for a flyer or contact ELM’s event planning partner, Classic Communications, at info@classic-communications.com.

EVENT POSTPONED - WILL BE RESCHEDULED
How Can We Protect Our Parkland?
Room 348, State House, Boston
Massachusetts loses 40 acres of open space a day to development. The three acres involved in the Lantana Land Swap can be considered among the casualties. How can we better protect our parks? Come learn about the Public Lands Preservation Act ("PLPA") (SB396; Sen. Jamie Eldridge and Rep. Ruth Balser). Presenters: Mass Audubon and the Massachusetts Chapter of the Sierra Club.

This hearing is hosted by The Environmental League of Massachusetts, along with the Massachusetts League of Environmental Voters and Massachusetts Environmental Collaborative.

Neponset River Watershed Association (NepRWA)
Annual Meeting 2009 with Featured Speaker Kristen Ferry
Thursday, June 11, 6:30 pm
Enjoy delicious food - & a smorgasbord of food for thought - as we explore local migratory fisheries and the significance of the Neponset River to their future, with expert Kristen Ferry. Discover the restoration stories of some of the Commonwealth’s most recognizable migratory fish, and join a discussion of NepRWA’s current conservation projects. Environmental awards will be presented, hors d'oeuvres will be served, and we will hold a raffle for a PERCEPTION Prodigy 10 Kayak! There is a requested donation of $40 per person to attend the Annual Meeting. A limited number of scholarships is available for NepRWA Volunteers; call Ian Cooke to learn more: 781-575-0354 x305.

Learn more, Register for the Annual Meeting, and Buy Kayak Raffle Tickets. Questions? Contact Carly Rocklen at 781-575-0354 x303 or rocklen@neponset.org. RSVPs are requested by June 1.