Lilac Sunday — Harbinger of Spring — this Sunday!

Lilac Linda

Arnold Arboretum, the oldest public arboretum in America, has been owned and maintained since 1872 by one of the country’s most well-known institutions: Harvard University.  Every year on Mother’s Day for the past 100 years,  one of the 2,200 species of  woody plants that populate this urban paradise is chosen for a day-long homage that has come to be known as Lilac Sunday.

Due to the early spring this year (and remember, it’s “climate change”, not global warming!),  many of the 180 varieties growing there have already bloomed, but there still will be many budding bloomers to admire come Sunday morning on Bussey Hill, the heart of the Arboretum’s lilac collection.  From 10:00 ‘til 4:00, come and be part of the community-wide celebration that includes tours of the lilacs and other special plant collections, family fun, food vendors and live music. Highlights include traditional English folk dance performances, swing jazz, Taiko drumming and puppet storytelling.  You can also enjoy the special pleasure of picnicking on the grass, not usually offered at any other time of the year out of respect for plants and wildlife. As always, the Arboretum will be open from dawn to dusk if you want to stay on either side of the super-busy time.

Many visitors (with or without their Moms)  actually discover the Roslindale and Jamaica Plain neighborhoods for the first time by attending this event. Bussey Hill, the larger, more elaborate part of the park is in JP, and Peters Hill, its humbler but beautiful cousin, is just across South Street in Roslindale.  An estimated 43,000 people attend Lilac Sunday every year and except for perhaps some parking frustration, the size of the Arboretum — 265 acres — allows us to never feel crowded.

For more upcoming programs, download this handy guide and make the Arboretum part of your family tradition!

Were I not working this Sunday, I would see you among the greenery.  And if you happen to fall in love with Peters Hill, keep in touch as I will be putting two beautiful single-family homes on the market between now and mid-June — both just a stone’s throw to “The Arbs”!

Linda Burnett

Jamaica Plain/Roslindale Real Estate Maven
Keller-Williams Boston-Metro Real Estate
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Wake Up the Earth in Jamaica Plain this Weekend!

Spontaneous Celebrations is an organization in Jamaica Plain that  promotes positive change in the community through the arts. This weekend, they’re bringing their 34th annual celebration to  the Southwest Corridor Park across from the Stonybrook T station.

Among the most important missions of Spontaneous Celebrations is to unite and empower local communities through maintaining a strong cultural arts center. “Wake Up the Earth” is designed to bring that mission to life. Walk (or dance or stilt-walk or unicycle) in the event’s parade, catch multi-cultural music and dance performances and browse the many local food, craft and non-profit vendors. No matter what your interest, you’ll find folks with whom to celebrate this Saturday, from 12:00-5:00pm. If I can take a break from showing houses and getting ready for my Sunday open house, I’ll see you there!

P.S.  In case of really crummy weather, the same gala will happen on Sunday the 6th of May.

Linda Burnett

Jamaica Plain/Roslindale Real Estate Maven
Keller-Williams Boston-Metro Real Estate
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Help Boston Shine this Weekend!

One of my favorite parts of  being a Boston real estate agent for so many years is how dedicated our city is to keeping our surroundings beautiful. We’re blessed to have the fun, vibrant feel of city life while being in close proximity to a beautiful waterfront and rich, historical architecture.  I feel incredibly lucky to live here, so why not keep the place clean? This weekend is the time for all of us to come together and do our part to really make sure Boston Shines.

Over the past ten years, over 5,000 volunteers have dedicated two days of their springtime season to cleanup initiatives and community service projects, all with the intention of making Boston a better, healthier place to live.

Friday, April 27th and Saturday the 28th mark this year’s neighborhood cleanup, and it’s not just about picking up trash and keeping the streets clean;  it’s about genuinely giving back to your community. From putting your painting skills to work at the local community center to planting flowers at the park down the street, it’s simple to find a project that suits your fancy and your talents.

If you’re part of a business or organization who wants to help make Boston Shine this year, you can participate on the 27th. If you’d rather rally together as a neighborhood, you can do your part on community day, April 28th from 9:00 ‘til about noon.

And because the City supports neighborhood clean-ups throughout the year, whether you live in Roslindale, Jamaica Plain or West Roxbury, you can play a role in  making sure your little corner of Boston Shines 365 days a year.  Just go to their website, choose your date and they’ll coordinate with you.

So, put aside just an hour or two this weekend, put on your grubbiest clothes — bring your own gloves because the City only seems to supply size LARGE — and pitch in with your friends and neighbors.  I’ll be in and around Rozzie Village tackling some yucky project or other and would love to say hello!

Linda Burnett

Jamaica Plain/Roslindale Real Estate Maven
Keller-Williams Boston-Metro Real Estate
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JP & Rozzie break bread together at Doyle’s!

Ray Obin of Obin Electric and Jake Hart of JP Flea enjoy a bite.

Andy Schell of Schell Printing, esteemed Treasurer

The Washington St. Business Association graciously hosted the Roslindale Board of  Trade at its monthly meeting at Doyle’s Pub last night — lots of catching up and really delicious food.

Judie Leon of Travel by Judie

Dessert included one of my favorites: Boston Creme Pie.  As a kid I couldn’t get over the fact that they named a pie after Boston — I think maybe I still can’t!  (I also believed my dad, Charlie, when he told me the Charles river was named after him.)

We heard from our men in blue, detailing the crime scene in their corner of 02130.  And  Tim Power of New York Life gave us tips on growing old with money in our pockets.

And of course, Doyle’s happy owner, Gerry Burke, was on the scene.  What a fabulous neighborhood destination he runs!

Smiling and gracious Gerry Burke of Doyle's Pub

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