December 2010

December Fun in Somerville!
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Greetings! 

This has truly been a year of great accomplishment and expansion for Groundwork Somerville and we have YOU to thank. Please read on to learn about many new and exciting events that you can participate in!

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GWS
G                     W                      S



Groundwork Somerville is thrilled to be working with students at every Somerville elementary school this fall! "Garden Club" participants have been busy collecting seeds, harvesting, cooking, eating, and playing games surrounded by the plants, bugs, and birds that live in our garden ecosystems. As Maya Jaugust from Argenziano School says, "Gardening is good because we help the plants and animals live. I really liked planting!"

This fall we learned why leaves change color, how to toast pumpkin seeds, and how to put our gardens "to bed" for the winter. In the first week of November, the gardens experienced their first frost and we watched our vegetable plants reach the end of their life cycle. Pulling dead plants out of the gardens, composting them, and mulching the garden beds will kept us very busy in November. Generous parent donations allowed clubs at Kennedy School and Brown School to plant flower bulbs and promote school beautification.  After working for an hour removing dead plants and tilling the soil, Argenziano Kindergarten student Camilla Gomez exclaimed, "garden club is very very very good! It's good because we get to plant stuff and because together we can shovel a lot of dirt!"  Check out Elizabeth Sheeran's article about Groundwork Somerville's school yard garden programs in the Somerville News!

 Check us at in the Somerville News!

Want to help sustain our extensive Garden Club line-up through the winter and spring? Groundwork Somerville seeks volunteers willing to make a weekly commitment for a 10 week period (Jan. 3 - March 25th ) to assist the lead Garden Educator!  Slots are available M-F from 3 - 4 or 3 - 5:20 pm.  Donations of seeds, bulbs, perennials, soil, trellising equipment, garden tools, or money are also great ways to support Groundwork Somerville. Please contact [email protected] if you have garden materials you would like to donate.

                                                              PlayingwithCompost

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Green Team

On December 5th, join the Green Team at the Somerville Hispanic Seventh-Day Adventist Church on Cross Street in East Somerville from 1-4pm! 

The Groundwork Somerville Green Team and Somerville Climate Action will jointly host the first of three Living Green Festivals.  These festivals are designed to provide a fun, educational opportunity to residents of Somerville's environmental justice communities of East Somerville and Clarendon Hill.  The festivals will educate residents on the necessity of conservation, provide tips for reducing energy costs, and work to actively engage individuals in envisioning a greener future for their neighborhoods.  Workshops on home energy conservation will be held throughout the day in both English and Spanish.  A kids' station with activities and games will allow families with children of all ages to attend.

All attendees will receive a free compact fluorescent lightbulb (CFL). CFL bulbs use 75% less energy and last 10 times longer than regular, incandescent bulbs.  Each regular bulb you replace with a CFL could save you $8 each year.


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Community Corridor Planning


CCP's Green Working Group is joining forces with Teen Empowerment to bring an infusion of youth excitement and creativity to our mission. Two days before Thanksgiving, the Green Working Group convened. With a completed Action Agenda ready for community input at the December 2nd meeting, and a record number of active Green Working Group participants, 2010 is wrapping up on a great note, with optimism for more productive collaboration in 2011!
 

Join us on Thursday, December 2nd to voice your opinions on how we should use the land around the Green Line Extension!
 

What: Community Corridor Planning Community Meeting

Where: Capuano School - 150 Glen Street, Somerville

When: Thursday, December 2nd from 6:30-8:30pm

Why: To voice your opinion!


 

                                                                        College Ave


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National Park Preservers


Over the past year, GWS was lucky enough to work with two National Parks (Saugus Iron Works and the Minute Man National Historical Park), allowing us to hire 16 full-time job trainees, learning hands-on historical renovation skills. Through this program, we also engaged over 500 community members and staff in over 7,800 hours of community service, valued at approximately $176,000 in people time. Sadly, the program is coming to an end in just one short month. If you are in need of new staff, we have an amazing group of young people who are highly motivated and skilled! Please get in touch if you're interested.


 

                                                         NPPGardenstoBed

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Mystic River Work


2010 was an amazing year of new partnerships, friendships and community engagement along the Mystic River for Groundwork Somerville. A major thank you goes out to the Mystic River Watershed Association and the 4 boat clubs along the waterfront in Medford and Somerville (Winter Hill, Medford, Mystic Wellington and Riverside!). Over the course of the summer, we convened over 125 residents in removing 7,500 pounds of invasive water chestnuts from the River. We also hired five young adults to remove another 30,000 pounds of water chestnut. In addition to this amazing work, we hired Aquatic Control Technologies to mechanically remove 160,000 pounds in August, and an AmeriCorps NCCC team to remove 35,000 pounds in six weeks! 
 

                                                                 MysticRiver


 

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Upcoming Groundwork Somerville FUNdraisers....
 

 

Maple Syrup Project

 

Groundwork Somerville is excited to be kicking off the Maple Syrup Project THIS Saturday with our annual fundraiser brunch and the launch of volunteer recruitment for the 2011 syruping season.  Join us for brunch from 10am-4pm at The Independent in Union Square on Saturday December 4th and 20% of the proceeds from your meal will support this awesome environmental education project.  The seasonal menu is slated to feature maple-inspired offerings such as maple sausage Belgian waffle, maple pancake breakfast wrap with scrambled eggs and bacon, French toast with honey crisp apple compote, a maple-inspired cocktail, and more!  Call 617-440-6022 to reserve your spot today.  Space is limited so reservations are highly recommended! Be sure to identify yourself as a supporter of Groundwork Somerville and The Maple Syrup Project.
 



Recruitment for 2011 Maple Volunteers has begun! This project provides a unique opportunity to engage diverse Somerville communities as we learn about urban trees, the environment, and enjoy being outside together in the winter and early spring months.  The 2011 Maple Syrup Project education component will run from Jan 21st-March 5th. Do you have several hours free during the school day on a weekly basis, care about trees or the environment, and like to work with elementary students? Other volunteer positions include Sap Collectors and Boil Down assistants.  Contact [email protected] to learn more or reserve a spot.


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Give the Gift of GWS gift cards!


Give someone the opportunity to make a difference with as little as $10. Give Global Giving's new environmentally- friendly Gift Cards! The recipient chooses the cause they want to support. Ask friends and family to support GWS by donating their gift cards back to:  Schoolyard Gardens - 2970 or Green Team - 3892


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Boloco Medford Fundraiser!

On December 18th from 11am-11pm purchase any burrito, bowl or salad from the Medford Boloco (340 Boston Ave, Medford) and GWS gets $.50! What an easy way to support GWS :)



 

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Save the Date! Fourth Annual Greening the City will be held on Friday, February 18th at the Center for Arts at the Armory. Keep looking at our website for more information on our exciting artists, auction items, music, food, and beer/wine vendors!

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Give the Gift of GROUNDWORK SOMERVILLE T-SHIRTS!

 

Tis the Season! As you plan your holiday gifts this year, why not continue on the trend of purchasing ULTRA-local items! T-shirts, v-necks and sweatshirts that are designed AND printed in Somerville with all proceeds going towards Groundwork Somerville programming.


Look at these smiling faces and tell me that you don't want to purchase a shirt today!!


GWS T-shirt: $10 - Maroon SoilCycle (the one with the worm on a bike!), three different green and orange Green Team shirts, and Maroon Maple Syrup shirts (all printed at Hemlock Ink)


GWS V-neck: $20 - Ultra light-weight American Apparel,, speckled gray shirts, designed and printed at QRSTs!


GWS Sweatshirt: $17 - National Park Preservers Tree logo on amazingly soft sweatshirts printed at Hemlock Ink!


 

Email [email protected] to place your order!


 

           BenCaptain                                 ChadaAntoineRon

 


 

Tai      RonChelsea



Jennifer Lawrence
Groundwork Somerville
21 Properzi Way, Suite O
Somerville, Massachusetts 02143