The following April information was sent to our e-newsletter list.  Send a message to info@thegrowingcenter.org if you would like to get our monthly news listing of events, volunteer opportunities and resources.

To volunteer to host a program or event in the 2013 Growing Center calendar, contact us at info@thegrowingcenter.org . Events scheduled by mid-April can be included in printed summer program.

Children in Nature programming:

Yardkins Garden Club, to start in April, weather permitting, Tuesdays, after school
Check web calendar for schedule. Help grow our garden and play outdoors! For children in 3rd and 4th grade and their caregivers.  No registration necessary – just drop in. Contact: Aileen at growingcenter@aol.com

Terra Group, Thursdays, 3-4pm, starting April 25th
For K, 1st and 2nd graders to have time to play and enjoy being outside together! Includes graduates from the Friday playgroup. Contact: Tara at taramcwc@gmail.com

Growing Center Playgroup Friday mornings, 9am-12pm starting in April
Play! Play! Play! For children age 0-5 years of age and their caregivers.  No registration necessary – just drop in. Coordinated by parents/guardians who take turns with being responsible for opening 2-3 sessions per season. Contact: courtnox1@yahoo.com for spring session volunteering. Mid-June and later, contact:info@thegrowingcenter.org

Art in the Garden, the Arts Council’s summer art and nature education program for children at the Growing Center, will begin July 8th, 2013 offering six distinct themed weeks. Registration will start April 1st and end April 19th. Confirmations will be made on April 24th.  We are no longer conducting a first come, first serve registration. Due to high demand for this program, this year you may only register for up to four weeks, but may receive less weeks depending on demand. Our goal is to make this program accessible to more families.  Please read the guidelines on the form.  Especially in how to prioritize the week(s) you desire.  For Somerville residents only, this program includes art, gardening, nature activities, and a weekly fieldtrip. The program takes place on Monday through Thursday, from 9:00 to 3:00. Breakfast and lunch are provided free of charge (field trip days will require a bag lunch) by the Somerville Food Service. The program serves youth aged 6-11. Sliding scale fee. http://www.somervilleartscouncil.org/artinthegarden

For all Ages:

April 28th
Contemplative Full Moon Labyrinth Walks
Every month interested folks are invited to come walk the Growing Center’s labyrinth as a meditative way to connect with grounding earth energy, the cycles of the moon, and our own cycles of energy, focus and intention. Katrina Piehler will lead a contemplative walk each month on the Sunday nearest the full moon at 7:00 pm April through October. katrina.piehler@gmail.com

Learning and Serving Opportunities:

Please help us welcome Kim Schmidt as our new Volunteer Coordinator! Be watching for messages from her as she comes on board this month helping to schedule Volunteer Orientations and volunteer teams for tasks such as hosting Open Garden times on Saturdays from May through October or attending group work days!

April 20th, 11am-12pm & 1-2pm
Volunteer Orientation
Volunteers are the life-blood of the Growing Center—and there are so many ways to get involved! Come learn the history of the Center, the basics of site operations and volunteer opportunities. To register, contact Kim atkskt@comcast.net. Required for anyone who will be running a program or wants to compost on site.

April 20th, 12-1pm
Compost Workshop
Somerville Community Growing Center, 22 Vinal Ave
Learn how to reduce waste and create valuable soil for urban gardens. Offered by Groundwork Somerville staff andGrowing Center volunteers. Attending one of these workshops is required for anyone wanting to compost on site, in addition to one orientation session.

April 27th, 2-4pm
Earth Week Spring Garden Clean Up
Join Girl Scout troops and members of the Somerville High School Community Service Club and Friends of the Community Growing Center for spring garden tasks.  A Let’s G.O.! registered event.

Be starting your own seedlings to swap with others on May 4th at Spring Garden Day, as well as seeds!  Volunteers needed for Spring Garden Day, Saturday May 4th, from 8am-1pm in shifts. Contact Lisa at lisa.bruk@gmail.com

Volunteer Orientations
Join our core group of volunteers who keep this place alive. Orientations are offered throughout the season and last about one hour. Organizations offering programs on site must arrange to attend a training before your program start date. Childcare or language support available by prior arrangement, when possible. To get on contact list for upcoming training contact Kim at kskt@comcast.net or check website for dates

Sustaining the Growing Center
We are seeking additional board members. No prior experience required, but willingness to join a dedicated group that meets 6-8 times/year, assists with long term planning, site management, programming and fundraising. Contactlisa.bruk@gmail.com  if interested.

Other local items of potential interest:

April 5th, 7-10pm Groundwork Somerville’s 6th Annual Gala, at the Armory. Fun, Food and Fundraising. Music, prizes, awards and more. Check out www.groundworksomerville.org

April 6th, 10am-2pm
Kennedy School Garden Renovation
5 Cherry St, Porter Square (garden is behind the school/Elm Street side in playground/garden area
Join Groundwork Somerville and Tufts student volunteers at the Kennedy Elementary School in Somerville for a day of garden renovation and beautification! Volunteers and community members of all ages are welcome to come help out! All materials, including work gloves, will be provided. Our main tasks will be: adding a new garden bed, rebuilding two current beds, moving soil, mixing in compost and fertilizer, and painting signs. For more information, call 617-628-9988 or email Lee@groundworksomerville.org. The Kennedy Garden renovation is being funded by the Tufts University Civic Engagement Fund

April 10th, 7-9pm
Somerville Garden Club,
Tufts Administration building, 167 Holland Ave
All Somerville Garden club meetings are free and open to the public on the 2nd Wed of the month.www.somervillegardenclub.org

April 13th
Cultivating a New Food Economy: Putting People and Planet First @Tufts University
Participate in the discussion about how to create a more just and sustainable food system and hear from a great list of speakers, including our keynote Francis Moore Lappe, author of Diet for a Small Planet and Glynn Lloyd, Executive Director at City Growers. The afternoon will include presentations and discussions by innovative Boston organizations such as Crop Circle Kitchen, Haley House, CERO co-op, Dorchester Food Coop, City Growers and many more. Hosted by Tufts University New Economics Campus Network. For more information, visit event website: https://sites.google.com/site/tuftsneweconomy/summit and see attached flyer for the day’s schedule! Event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Click here to register: http://tuftsneweconomy.eventbrite.com/.

April 13th
Seed Bomb Community Tour with Groundwork Somerville www.groundworksomerville.org
Join an environmental justice tour of the city and distribute native flower seed “bombs’. Meet at 24 park St, #7. Contact Kristin@groundworksomerville.org or 617-628-9988

April 18, 7-9:30pm
Bitter Seeds: a documentary on GM seeds and farmers’ suicides in India
77 Mass. Ave Cambridge MA, Room 4-163 MIT
Bitter Seeds explores the future of how we grow things, weighing in on the worldwide debate over the changes created by industrial agriculture. Companies like the U.S.-based Monsanto claim that their genetically modified (GM) seeds offer the most effective solution to feeding the world’s growing population, but on the ground, many small-scale farmers are losing their land. Nowhere is the situation more desperate than in India, where an epidemic of farmer suicides has claimed over a quarter million lives. Every 30 minutes one farmer in India, deep in debt and unable to provide for his family, commits suicide. Sponsored by the Alliance for a Secular and Democratic South Asia and Association for India’s Development (MIT-Boston chapters). Followed by Q&A with director Micha Peled. Bitter Seeds is the final film in director Micha X. Peled’s Globalization Trilogy, following Store Wars: When Wal-Mart Comes to Town and China Blue. The films won 18 international awards, aired on over 30 television channels and screened in more than 100 film festivals. Facebook page  - http://www.facebook.com/events/310885985704788/Bitter Seeds - http://teddybearfilms.com/2011/10/01/bitter-seeds-2/

April 23rd, 4:30-6pm
Food Security Coalition
Anyone welcome to join this meeting, usually held monthly in rotating locations around the city, for all interested in food access, food justice and building stronger interconnections to support food security for all. For more information, contact Lisa at lbrukilacchio@challiance.org or 617.591.6940

April 26th, all day
Walk/Ride Day
Walk/Ride Day occurs the last Friday of every month. Join others in the City and around the country in finding alternative ways to get around town on this day—walk, bike, carpool, take public transit! All ages are welcome to register on line at: http://www.gogreenstreets.org/ to learn about Walk/Ride partners and opportunities for discounts for participants.

April 27th, 10am-2pm (rain date, April 28th)
City-Wide Day of Service
Help clean up around Somerville and plant trees, flowers and veggies. Check out the gathering place in your ward for this annual City event. A good chance to meet your neighbors, pitch in to clean up a park or other public space. Free BBQ and Earth Day celebration for participants from 12-2pm at the Blessing of the Bay Boat House on Shore Drive. For more information: www.somervillema.gov/news or www.groundworksomerville.org

May 2nd, 7-9pm
Somerville Climate Action FREE FILM SERIES Presents:
Empowered: Power from the People
Arts at the Armory, Mezzanine, 191 Highland Ave.
Tompkins County, NY is one of the cloudiest, least windy places in the country, and yet its residents are proving that they can meet their energy needs through totally renewable resources. From solar and wind to biodiesel and geothermal, Empowered: Power from the People tells the story of one community’s role in the energy independence revolution. Come find out what Somerville is doing to advance renewable energy in our city. FREE. Co-Sponsored by Rep. Denise Provost

Outdoor Adventures: Carefree and Carfree from Somerville
This is a special program produced last year by Wendy Blom, executive director of SCATV highlighting a tour of seven exciting places in the Boston area you can reach by public transportation. Find regional places to go biking, hiking, sailing, canoeing, swimming and exploring with host Katie McPhee, with original soundtrack by Geoffrey Burch. Available on the web at www.bit.ly/Txi8uf

Enjoy walking and want to do more?  Volunteer to lead a “walking school bus” of children to and from school in your neighborhood.  Help give kids the same opportunity previous generations had of discovery, exploration, and building independence through walking to school.  For more information, contact Shape Up Somerville at 617 625-6600 x4312 or dhudson@somervillema.gov

Start saving up your Styrofoam! DPW will hold a collection day in June this year.

WE’RE DOING A SECOND ROUND OF ORDERING!

The Somerville Community Growing Center is pleased to team up with High Mowing Seeds for an Organic Seed Sale!

Click here: “FCGC Seed Sale Order Form“ to download and print your order form.  Click here:   “Varieties” to view information about each variety being sold.  Hard copies of both documents will be available at the Maple Boil Down Festival, MOS’s One Seed at a Time event, and at the March 9th Somerville Winter Farmer’s Market.

Orders should be mailed (postmarked) by March 26th.  Please send your completed form and check to FCGC c/o Lisa Brukilacchio; 16 Holyoke Rd.; Somerville, MA 02144.  Pick up can be arranged mid-April or at the Growing Center’s Spring Garden Day on May 4th at 22 Vinal Ave.

We are excited about these 25 best-selling, easy-to-grow varieties available from High Mowing Organic Seeds!  They include many familiar standards like Tyee Spinach and Red Russian Kale, as well as special varieties like Cosmic Purple Carrot and Mammoth Sunflower.  By purchasing these 100% certified organic seeds, you are helping the Somerville Community Growing Center raise money that will support a great 2013 season! You’ll also help create a healthier community by growing your own delicious produce and flowers.  If you have further questions, please email info@thegrowingcenter.org

Send a message toinfo@thegrowingcenter.org if 1) you would like to be placed on waiting list for volunteer orientations when they start up in next 2-4 weeks and 2) if you would like to get our monthly news listing of events, volunteer opportunities and resources?

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March events, some with Volunteer opportunities as noted, and items of potential interest:

March 9th, 10am-2pm
Somerville Maple Syrup Boil Down
Somerville Community Growing Center, 22 Vinal Ave
TO VOLUNTEER FOR FCGC TABLE AT THIS EVENT: contactjmworful13@gmail.com
Step outside for a few hours to learn about a natural resource from Somerville trees! Watch and learn as sap from local trees is boiled down into pure maple syrup over a hot fire. Family-friendly activities. This educational program is coordinated by Groundwork Somerville, in partnership with the Somerville Community Growing Center and Tufts University and others. For more info, visitwww.groundworksomerville.org .

March 13th, 7-9pm
Somerville Garden Club,
Tufts Administration building, 167 Holland Ave
All Somerville Garden club meetings are free and open to the public on the 2nd Wed of the month. www.somervillegardenclub.org

March 12th, 4:30-6pm
Food Security Coalition
337 Broadway, Somerville Community Corporation, 2nd floor conference room
Anyone welcome to join this meeting, usually held monthly in rotating locations around the city, for all interested in food access, food justice and building stronger interconnections to support food security for all. The Growing Center is a partner in the Food Rescue Network under development. For more information, contact Lisa atlbrukilacchio@challiance.org or 617.591.6940

March 13th, 7-9:30pm
One Seed at a Time, special event ($15)
Museum of Science http://www.mos.org/public-events/one-seed
The program features Dr. Cary Fowler and the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, and the producer and the writer of the film The Fruit Hunters, which unveils the little-known world of exotic fruits and stresses how intertwined we are with the fruit that we eat. Following the program, we are hosting a reception during which audience members can taste exotic fruits, drink special exotic fruit cocktails, learn how to save and swap seeds (FCGC volunteers will be there and  MoS bought organic High Mowing Seeds from us to give away to participants!),

March 15th, deadline
2013 Volunteer Coordinator application
See notice below if you might be interested in an 8-10 hrs/wk contract position to help coordinate our most valuable asset—our volunteers! Send resume/ or similar statement, with statement of interest toinfo@thegrowingcenter.org . Thank you to Kristen Hoffman for her dedication to this role in 2012! Both she and Aileen, as well as board members, will help to orient new person in role.

March 15th, deadline
The City of Somerville’s Parks and Open Space Department and the Recreation Department are looking for feedback from Somerville residents to help better understand the demands placed upon City facilities. The survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MR7R3QD  is short and will take less than 5 minutes to complete.  It’s also posted on the City’s Facebook page—spread the word!

March 16th, 4:30pm
Cold Frame Construction Workshop
School of Nursing, 125 Lowell St (parking in Belmont St lot)
Interested in stretching the growing season? Always wanted to set up your own cold frame or hoop house, but not sure how? Green City Growers (http://growmycitygreen.com ) staff will walk you through the process, with some of their finished products on display. Hosted with Spring Hill Garden @ Somerville Hospital 617.591.6940 or RSVP tobarr.colin.t@gmail.com

March 19th, 6-8pm
“Playborhood”
Somerville City Hall, 93 Highland Ave
Author Mike Lanza will speak on how to make each neighborhood in Somerville a great place for children to play outside and connect with children on their block. Exchange ideas with a panel of community leaders. www.somervillle.k12.ma.us/families

March 23rd and April 20th, check website for times, mid-day
Compost Workshop
Somerville Community Growing Center
Have you wanted to learn about urban composting or had trouble managing a healthy compost bin? Come learn the basics of turning yard and food waste into a valuable soil amendment in one of the most rewarding ecological activities that fits well in the city. Learn a few simple guidelines and see a range of options.  Please note: Attendance at a composting workshop AND a Volunteer Orientation are required to participate in composting program at the Growing Center (arrangements can be made to do the workshop via a webinar, if needed.) Contact: Lee  (617) 628-9988 or lee@groundworksomerville.org.

March 30th, 9:30am-2pm
Get Your Garden Ready! @ Somerville Winter Farmers Market
191 Highland Ave, Center for the Arts at the Armory
TO VOLUNTEER FOR FCGC TABLE AT THIS EVENT:lisa.bruk@gmail.com
Composters for sale (with bike delivery available). Seed swap and organic seeds. Kids planting activities. And other urban agriculture treats! Sponsored by the Somerville Winter Farmers Market with the Mayor’s Urban Agriculture Initiative, Friends of the Community Growing Center and more! Check the market Facebook page for updates!

Be starting your own seedlings to swap with others on May 4th at Spring Garden Day!

March 30th, 11am-5pm
38th Annual Gardeners Gathering in Boston
Egan Center and Shilman Hall, Northeastern Univ, 360 Huntington Ave, Boston
Boston Natural Areas Network (www.bostonnatural.org) hosts a full season of workshops, kicked off by this full day of garden skill-shares, talk and demonstrations. Check their website for other events!

April 27th, 2-4pm
Spring Work Day
Somerville Community Growing Center, 22 Vinal Ave
TO VOLUNTEER FOR THIS EVENT: lisa.bruk@gmail.com
Come join the Somerville Girl Scouts for a spring work day! Planting, transplanting seedlings, other spring tasks to help prepare for our Annual Spring Garden Day on May 4th! RSVP toinfo@thegrowingcenter.org or just stop by. Bring gloves, if you have them.

Volunteer Orientations
Join our core group of volunteers who keep this place alive. Orientations are offered throughout the season and last about one hour. Organizations offering programs on site must arrange to attend a training before your program start date. Childcare or language support available by prior arrangement, when possible. To get on contact list for upcoming trainings, email info@thegrowingcenter.org or check website for dates

Please help us reuse materials you are likely recycling every week, between now and May 4th. We need toilet paper tubes for seed starting and pint and quart size flexible plastic food containers (yogurt, hummus, etc. that we will be able to put drain holes in) for transplanting seedlings. Drop them off in the barn at the Growing Center, leave on porch at 16 Holyoke Rd, or contact info@thegrowingcenter.org if you need to make other arrangements.

To volunteer to host a program or event in the 2013 Growing Center calendar, contact us at info@thegrowingcenter.org

VOLUNTEERS WITH INTEREST IN SUSTAINING THE GROWING CENTER: We are seeking additional board members. No prior experience required, but willingness to join a dedicated group that meets 8-10 times/year, assists with site management, programming and fundraising. Contact lisa.bruk@gmail.com if interested.

VOLUNTEER WITH VEHICLE NEEDED: We need someone to pick up our potting soil order from NOFA  on Sat, March 16th  at Waltham Fields Community Farm, 240 Beaver St, Waltham between 9AM – 1PM. Please contact lisa.bruk@gmail.com if you can help!

Voiunteers needed for Spring Garden Day, Saturday May 4th, from 8am-1pm in shifts. Contact Lisa at lisa.bruk@gmail.com

Other items of interest:

Saturdays from 10am-1pm through
April 13                                                                                                Somerville Mobile Farmers Market @ Clarendon Hill Community Room
268 Powerhouse Blvd. Fruits and Vegetables are available at affordable prices. If you use your EBT card, you pay ½ price! For more information, contact Groundwork Somerville at 617-628-9988

Museum of Science Free Film Fridays March 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29Thanks to generous support from MathWorks, all IMAX® films in the Mugar Omni Theater each Friday in March are free! Pick up tickets at the Museum box office on the day of the show only (first come, first served). Check the daily schedule for upcoming showtimes. For a list of current IMAX films, visit mos.org/imax
Leadership Development Institute Spring Course (LDI) is offered by Somerville Community Corps on Saturdays (3/30, 4/6, 4/20, 4/27). This series of training sessions is designed to help individuals gain the skills important to becoming strong leaders in the community. To request application, contact: Rene at rmardones@somervillecdc.org or call 617.776-5931 x 226.

There are some fruits and vegetables that are safer than others. For your own guide to pesticides commonly found in producehttp://www.ewg.org/foodnews/summary/

If you know someone interested in finding a farm job, refer them to the “2013 Farm Employment Directory, a guide to finding a farm job in Massachusetts” a publication of the New Entry Sustainable Farming Project. www.nesfp.org  (click on “Resources” and “Farm Employment”.

………………………………………………………….
2013 VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR, CONTRACT POSITION OPEN:

The Friends of the Community Growing Center is the volunteer group that supports the planning, maintenance and funding needs of the city owned garden/park space at 22 Vinal Avenue in Somerville, MA. Volunteers are the key resource of this dynamic community resource, helping to implement a wide range of activities and events each season.

Contract terms are dependent on experience, equivalent of $14-18/hour, for approximate average of 8 hours/week over key active months of April through October, less other months. Hours to be set by consultant, but will require some weekend days and evenings. Payment on quarterly schedule. Communicates with Executive Committee of the FCGC. Interviews will start in April, and will continue until position filled. Current volunteer coordinator will be available to support transition.
How to Apply:  Please send letters of interest and resume by  March 15th to: info@thegrowingcenter.org.

Qualifications:
-Strong communication skills-written, oral, visual
-Strong organizational skills, including electronic documentation (such as Excel, database management)
-Demonstrated volunteer experience, coordination of volunteers and/or development of volunteer base, preferably community-based.
-Experience working with range of ages and cultures, children to seniors
-2nd language and/or demonstrated experience working with Somerville’s cultural populations
-Experience with gardening and/or physical space management
-Personal experience with the Growing Center or demonstrated relevant experience
-Familiarity with Somerville social infrastructure, with ties to sectors such as child serving organizations, food production/gardening, media/outreach, environmental/sustainability community or other relevant groups

Key areas of responsibility:

-Recruit and manage volunteers to assist with full range of responsibilities, including these listed under coordinator, at coordinator’s discretion

-Organize volunteer trainings throughout active year

-Maintain database of volunteers and individuals interested in SCGC activities

-Organize and Manage Volunteer Teams

-Maintain or update, as needed, forms for tracking and updating database

-Communicate needs for and of volunteers to FCGC Board

-Updating of Web calendar, Facebook, etc for social media communications

-Create e-newsletter, approx. 8-10/yr, to communicate with volunteers and keep public informed of opportunities and offerings

-Manage promotion of events and programs

-Site visits to review space ready and safe for programs/events, update needs for volunteers, and provide supports for volunteers____________________________________________________________
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The Somerville Community Growing Center is pleased to team up with High Mowing Seeds for an Organic Seed Sale!

Click here: “Order form“ to download and print your order form.  Click here:   “Varieties” to view information about each variety being sold.  Hard copies of both documents will be available at the Seed Swap during February 2nd’s Somerville Winter Farmer’s Market.

Orders should be mailed so they are received by February 22nd.  Please send your completed form and check to FCGC c/o Lisa Brukilacchio; 16 Holyoke Rd.; Somerville, MA 02144.  Seeds will be available for pick up at the Growing Center on March 9th during the Somerville Maple Syrup Boil Down Festival!

We are excited about these 25 best-selling, easy-to-grow varieties available from High Mowing Organic Seeds!  They include many familiar standards like Tyee Spinach and Red Russian Kale, as well as special varieties like Cosmic Purple Carrot and Mammoth Sunflower!  By purchasing these 100% certified organic seeds, you are helping the Somerville Community Growing Center raise money that will support a great 2013 season! You’ll also help create a healthier community by growing your own delicious produce and flowers.  If you have further questions, please email info@thegrowingcenter.org

Ordering is Easy! Just…

1)   Download and Print this Order Form

2)   Fill out the form

3)    Write a check to “FCGC” (Friends of the Somerville Community Growing Center)

4)  Mail check and form to FCGC c/o Lisa Brukilacchio; 16 Holyoke Rd.; Somerville, MA 02144 before February 22.

5)   Pick up your seeds on March 9th at the Growing Center, 22 Vinal Ave.

6)   Questions? Email info@thegrowingcenter.org

1. Tues, Nov. 27: 4:30-6:30 pm at the Somerville High School, rear loading dock entrance, call or text 781-953-4836 for directions for entry that day. We will be the guests of the Community Service Club students, who will start at 3pm. All hands needed between 3 to ~6:30 to put bows, cones, ties and tags on all 100+ wreaths! Also, need cars to help 1) transport wreaths and supplies from Growing Center starting at 2:15/2:30pm and 2) later end to transport them all back to the Growing Center.

2. Friday, Nov. 30: Artisan’s Asylum, beginning at 2:30 till we are done! This local collective was kind enough to host us, and we need volunteers with vehicles to help transport supplies and wreaths from the CGC (this would begin at 2 pm) and back to the CGC later. We also need volunteers with helping hands and a willingness to be creative to help decorate the wreaths! Artisan’s Asylum is located at 10 Tyler Street. Any amount of time helps.

3. Sat, Dec. 1: Union Sq. craft fair in Union Sq Plaza (in front of the Precinct). Do you have a vehicle to help transport? Or can you do a 2-hour shift at this awesome event? We need helping hands for set-up, break-down, and work shifts. You get to see folks admire all our handiwork.

These events are going to be a blast, and will contribute to a wonderful cause! Please let me know, as soon as possible, if you can make it to any of these events – I can be reached at cfrydman@utk.edu, or 702-498-2764.