Institute Park, Worcester, MA - 3/8/10

My first walk in Institute Park of the year.


Looking for signs of spring. The vines are pretty but still sleeping.


Leftovers from last year.


I wanted to get a picture of the red-winged blackbirds. I failed. I did get their 'home' though.




This swan is aggressively chasing ducks and the 'baby' swans from last year. There was a larger swan with this one. He was busy eating everything in sight. Good signs that we will have a new family again this year.

Flower Lovers of Worcester - EcoTarium event this weekend

"Nature & Science In Bloom"

March 5-7, 2010
Hours: Friday & Saturday 10-5; Sunday 12-5
Free with museum admission

The EcoTarium and The Worcester Garden Club are presenting a flower show featuring six categories of interpretive floral arrangements based on EcoTarium exhibits:

• The Pond
  
• Kenda
  
• Animal, Vegetable, Mineral inspired by the Mineral & Gem Exhibit
  
• Hidden Treasures inspired by Secrets of the Forest
  
• Scarlet Maca-a-a-a-a-a-w
  
• The Dark Continent inspired by the African Animals Exhibit
  

The weather guys say it's going to be a beautiful weekend. This looks like a fun way to get out and enjoy a bit of it.

For more information, visit the EcoTarium website.

View The EcoTarium in Worcester in a larger map

2010 Think Local, Thank Local - Hunger Hurts! Food Drive

The 2010 Think Local, Thank Local Hunger Hurts! Food Drive is on from March 1, 2010 until April 3, 2010.

This year their goal is to collect at least 10,000 pounds of non-perishable food for the Worcester County Food Bank. The Worcester County Food Bank works with 178 partnering agencies to feed people throughout our community.

For all the information about the Worcester County Food Bank, the 'Hunger Hurts!' drive, sponsors and volunteering businesses:

• Worcester Local First - Food Drive Information
• Worcester County Food Bank

My friends at Sprout have volunteered as one of the collection spots. Bring your extra canned goods over to them, look for the big box in their shop.

There are about 80 other local businesses that have agreed to be drop off spots for donations. Here is a Google Map of all the locations:

View Worcester Local First (www.worcesterlocalfirst.org) in a larger map