January 30-February 7, 2012: Valentine’s Cruise Giveaway, Hasty Pudding, Winter Carnivals, Robot Contests, Animal Tracking & Owl Night Hikes
01/30/12 by
Johnny Monsarrat
This Week in Review
We’re having a wonderfully mild winter here in Boston. I actually miss the snow. So don’t sit around. Get out and do some of the wonderful outdoor activities that I’m listing this week. It’s a slow month, so I’m including a dozen state park activities like guided nighttime tours and searching for owls and eagles!
I hope you are having an awesome week. Now get out there and do something fun!
-Johnny
The Week in Weird
Valentine’s Dinner Cruise – tix giveaway
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This is it! If you’re looking for that special Valentine’s Day treat, a dinner cruise with a live band has got to be at the top of your list. And I’m giving away two pairs of tickets for the Feb 11 cruise! Email johnny@eventsINSIDER.com to win. (Click ‘more’ for details)This is it! If you’re looking for that special Valentine’s Day treat, a dinner cruise with a li…
Boston, MA
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Boston, MA
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Hasty Pudding Man of t…
The Man of the year is Jason Segel, the actor from Forgetting Sarah Marshall and The Muppets, with a roast at 8pm that’s sold out, but there may be a parade through Harvard Square beforehand. Click for my review of the Woman of the Year and a preview of the Hasty Pudding’s upcoming shows. (Click ‘more’ for details)The Man of the year is Jason Segel, the actor from Forgetting Sarah Marshall and T…
Zero Arrow Street Theater, Cambridge, MA
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Zero Arrow Street Theater, Cambridge, MA
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The Last Testament: A …
The head comedy writer of The Daily Show is coming to Harvard, dressing up like God, and performing some comedy for the humanists (they’re like atheists with a heart). It is bound to be fantastic, beyond fantastic! 1:30pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)The head comedy writer of The Daily Show is coming to Harvard, dressing up like God, and performing some co…
Cambridge, MA
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Cambridge, MA
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Franklin Park Winter S…
I love being outdoors and that’s why I’m glad for winter festival season! Franklin Park is easy to get to, even if you don’t have a car. If there’s snow, you can borrow sleds and snowshoes, and they’ll have an animal tracking class and a guided cross-country ski tour. Drink hot chocolate and play board games. 12-3pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)I love being outdoors and that’s why I’m glad for winter festival …
Clubhouse at Franklin Park, 1 Circuit Dr, Dorchester, MA
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Clubhouse at Franklin Park, 1 Circuit Dr, Dorchester, MA
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Acton, Winter Carnival…
This one’s in Acton, with a cardboard sled race, human sled dog race, snowball toss, model rocket launches, snowball toss competition, and a lot more. Plus an encampment of re-enactors playing minutemen from the American Revolutionary War! 12-4pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)This one’s in Acton, with a cardboard sled race, human sled dog race, snowball toss…
NARA Park, 25 Ledge Rock Way, Acton, MA
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NARA Park, 25 Ledge Rock Way, Acton, MA
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Greenfield Winter Carnival
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Further out along Route 2 in Western Massachusetts, Greenfield has a festival, too. Make a cardboard sled and race. Fireworks, snowshoeing, ice skating, ice bowling, snow volleyball, a tug o’ war, and a snowman competition with an entire snow village. Wow! (Click ‘more’ for details)Further out along Route 2 in Western Massachusetts, Greenfield has a festival, too. Make a cardboard sled…
Greenfield, MA
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Greenfield, MA
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Frederick Douglass Rea…
February is African-American History Month, and to celebrate, volunteers will read from The Narrativeof theLife of Frederick Douglass, An American Slave. Will they read the entire thing? Could be! 2-6pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)February is African-American History Month, and to celebrate, voluntee…
Friends Meeting House, 83 Spring St, New Bedford, MA
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Friends Meeting House, 83 Spring St, New Bedford, MA
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Full Moon Owl Prowl for All Ages
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February is a low point for fun events, so this week I’m including several from state parks and the Audubon sanctuaries. Here are two evenings of full moon hiking and owl-seeking. Owl see you there! Haha. I crack myself up. I slay me. (Click ‘more’ for details)February is a low point for fun events, so this week I’m including several from …
Broadmoor, 280 Eliot St, Natick, MA
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Broadmoor, 280 Eliot St, Natick, MA
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New England Sled Dog Races
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Sleds… dogs… Sled dogs. Sled dogs? Sled dogs!! 9am. (Click ‘more’ for details)Sleds… dogs… Sled dogs. Sled dogs? Sled dogs!! 9am.
Appleton Farms, Hamilton, MA
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Appleton Farms, Hamilton, MA
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Science on Screen: Bi…
A science expert will talk about the physics of time travel before a showing of Keanu Reeves’ breakout film. Most excellent! 7pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)A science expert will talk about the physics of time travel before a showing of Keanu…
Coolidge Corner Theatre, Brookline, MA
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Coolidge Corner Theatre, Brookline, MA
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MIT 6.270 Robot Compet…
Have you ever seen a robot competition on TV? Come see it live at the college that started it all! This week at MIT, three different courses come to an end with a final competition. This one’s the biggest and best, where students build physical robots and have them compete. 7-10pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)Have you ever seen a robot competition on TV? Come see it live at the college that started i…
MIT Room 26-100, Cambridge, MA
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MIT Room 26-100, Cambridge, MA
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Maslab Robotics Contest
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Also involving real robots, here’s another competition! (Click ‘more’ for details)Also involving real robots, here’s another competition!
MIT Room 26-100, Cambridge, MA
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MIT Room 26-100, Cambridge, MA
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MIT 6.370 Robot Competition
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This one involves software-only robots that compete in a virtual world. With lasers! OooOo. I took 3rd in this one once with a ‘bot called Smurf Killer! Some semifinal events and then the main competition Feb 4th, 5-8pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)This one involves software-only robots that compete in a virtual world. With lasers!…
MIT Kresge Auditorium, Cambridge, MA
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MIT Kresge Auditorium, Cambridge, MA
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MIT IAP (Independent Activities Period)
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The school that never sleeps, MIT holds a month of creative classes, lectures, and special events, many of which are open to the public. I’ll highlight some of my favs throughout the month, but check their calendar! (Click ‘more’ for details)The school that never sleeps, MIT holds a month of creative classes, lectures, and special…
MIT, Cambridge, MA
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MIT, Cambridge, MA
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Charm School at MIT
Also for geeks, Charm School teaches the unwritten rules of social conduct, like what to do with all those forks at a fancy restaurant. No signup required. 10am-5pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)Also for geeks, Charm School teaches the unwritten rules of social conduct, like what to do wi…
Student Center, MIT, Cambridge, MA
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Student Center, MIT, Cambridge, MA
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“A Glorious Fellow”: D…
What this dickens is this event? It’s a special tour of the historic former home of poet Henry Longfellow, focusing on his friendship with Charlie D. Tours at 12pm, 2pm, and 4pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)What this dickens is this event? It’s a special tour of the historic former…
Longfellow House, 105 Brattle St, Cambridge, MA
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Longfellow House, 105 Brattle St, Cambridge, MA
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The Origin of Cellular…
What if we could build life in the laboratory? Life! LIIIIIIIIIIIIFE! Well, it’s only single cells for now. Find out about it at this lecture. 6pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)What if we could build life in the laboratory? Life! LIIIIIIIIIIIIFE! Well…
Harvard Museum of Natural History, Cambridge, MA
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Harvard Museum of Natural History, Cambridge, MA
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Harvard Square Winter …
Also in Harvard Square, there’s an outdoor chili competition. Details are few, but it’s free and presumably you get to eat chili. And they’ll have live music. 1-3pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)Also in Harvard Square, there’s an outdoor chili competition. Details are few, but …
Plaza, 30 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA
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Plaza, 30 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA
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Chelmsford Winterfest
The winter festivals don’t just stop, though. Chelmsford’s lasts all weekend, with nighttime snowshoeing, nature walks, sledding & skiing, a chowder festival, and a pancake breakfast. It really makes you hope for snow, doesn’t it? (Click ‘more’ for details)The winter festivals don’t just stop, though. Chelmsford’s lasts all weekend, with nighttime snowshoeing, natu…
Chelmsford, MA
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Chelmsford, MA
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Mount Washington Valley Ice Festival
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Do you dare to climb a waterfall of ice? I don’t! So prove you’re braver at this festival and take on other adventures that all sound insane. Plus they’ll have open drytooling. (What is open drytooling?). (Click ‘more’ for details)Do you dare to climb a waterfall of ice? I don’t! So pr…
International Mountain Climbing School, North Conway, NH
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International Mountain Climbing School, North Conway, NH
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Howl at the Moon
Here’s another of these surreal dinner experiences. Bring cross-country skis or snowshoes and you travel from one bonfire, to another, to another. At each of the 8 sites, a chef serves you food! I really wish that I could see this. (Click ‘more’ for details)Here’s another of these surreal dinner experiences. Bring cross-country skis or snowshoes and you travel from one bonf…
Hanover, NH
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Hanover, NH
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Ippi’s SuperBowl Ice D…
What is ice fishing? You cut a hole in the ice and wait. Is that fun? Well, it would be fun to see it, I’m sure, if not to do it! 8am-1pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)What is ice fishing? You cut a hole in the ice and wait. Is that fun? Well, it would be fun to see it, I’m sure,…
Lynn, MA
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Lynn, MA
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Lunar New Year
You shouldn’t need an excuse to visit Salem’s historic sites, including the wonderfully modern Peabody Essex Museum. But if you do, you’ll find lion dancing, drumming, storytelling, and more in this celebration for Chinese New Year. 10:30am-4pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)You shouldn’t need an excuse to visit Salem’s histo…
Morse Auditorium Peabody Essex Museum, East India Square, 150 Essex St., Salem, MA
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Morse Auditorium Peabody Essex Museum, East India Square, 150 Essex St., Salem, MA
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Year of the Dragon at …
The Fox Branch of Arlington’s libraries will have “crafts”, music, a parade, and food. Yum! 4-7pm. It says “bring a dessert to share”… sounds like it’s free to attend. (Click ‘more’ for details)The Fox Branch of Arlington’s libraries will have “crafts”, music,…
Fox Branch Library, 175 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington, MA
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Fox Branch Library, 175 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington, MA
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Chinese New Year Celeb…
This is awesome. The local “latino arts center” is having a Chinese New Year celebration too. 3pm. And it’s free! (Click ‘more’ for details)This is awesome. The local “latino arts center” is having a Chinese New Year celebration too. …
85 W. Newton St., Boston, MA
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85 W. Newton St., Boston, MA
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Boston Society of Film…
Did you know that Boston has a prestigious movie group of nationwide prominence that gives movie awards? They’ve tried really hard to get celebrities to attend and have mostly failed, but the writer of the film Moneyball will be present. 7pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)Did you know that Boston has a prestigious movie group of nationwide prominence that gives m…
Brattle Theatre, Cambridge, MA
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Brattle Theatre, Cambridge, MA
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Love Letters by the Fire
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This local restaurant will do a reading of the love letters between former US president and Massachusetts boy John Adams and his wife. (This a week early, but they’ll repeat the program for Valentine’s Day.) 3pm, I think. (Click ‘more’ for details)This local restaurant will do a reading of the love letters between former …
The Fireplace, 1634 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA
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The Fireplace, 1634 Beacon Street, Brookline, MA
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North Shore CDC Polar …
In Salem and Beverly, insane people dive into the water for charity! Then, they party. 12:30pm, but arrive early if you want to registrer and go in. (Click ‘more’ for details)In Salem and Beverly, insane people dive into the water for charity! Then, they party. 12:30pm, but arrive earl…
Salem, MA
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Salem, MA
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Temple Con
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This annual gamers convention turns Steampunk this year! You’ll find board games, live roleplaying, and performances such as the Adult-oriented Saucy Puppet Show. (Click ‘more’ for details)This annual gamers convention turns Steampunk this year! You’ll find board games, live roleplaying, and perf…
The Crowne Plaza, Warwick, RI
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The Crowne Plaza, Warwick, RI
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King and Queen’s Champ…
Even more geeky is the Society for Creative Anachronism, which recreates the medeival era and stages mock combats. This one’s not too far from Boston and features fencing competitions all day! 9am-6pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)Even more geeky is the Society for Creative Anachronism, which recreates the medeiva…
High School, 12 Green Road, Bolton, MA
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High School, 12 Green Road, Bolton, MA
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Why New England is Awesome
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Feeling cold? Don’t let it get to you. Here’s my list of 100 reasons why New England is awesome, especially when compared to those braggy people from California and Texas. Send me an email and let me know what you think! (Click ‘more’ for details)Feeling cold? Don’t let it get to you. Here’s my list of 100 reasons why New England is awesome, especially …
New England
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New England
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Moonlight Snowshoeing …
Don’t stop reading! Below I list a dozen outdoor park events like this guided nighttime showshoe hike. 7-9pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)Don’t stop reading! Below I list a dozen outdoor park events like this gu…
Wachusett Meadow, 113 Goodnow Road, Princeton, MA
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Wachusett Meadow, 113 Goodnow Road, Princeton, MA
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Also Fun
Free “Space Junk” at …
The Museum of Science will be holding a free screening of the Omni film “Space Junk” at 6 PM on Mon. 1/30 at the Omni Theater. Tickets will be distributed starting at 5:30 in the lobby, first come first served. Your only obligation is to fill out a short survey afterward, as they are considering adding the film to their Omni roster. It is about 50 minutes long. (Click ‘more’ for details)The Museum of Science will be holding a free screening of the Omni film “Space Junk” a…
Museum of Science, Boston, Boston, MA
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Museum of Science, Boston, Boston, MA
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Hike Beneath the Hunge…
Here’s another guided night hike, with the full moon providing light. I’m sure it will be beautiful, and the Blue Hills are the highest peak within a quick drive from Boston. 6-8pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)Here’s another guided night hike, with the full moon providing light. I’m sure it will be beautiful,…
Blue Hills, Canton, MA
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Blue Hills, Canton, MA
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Follow the Snow Moon
And here’s another. This time the hike goes to “Bear Hill Tower”, which sounds like it most likely provides a great view. 5-6:30pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)And here’s another. This time the hike goes to “Bear Hill Tower”, which sounds like it most…
Middlesex Fells, Rt 28, Stoneham, MA
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Middlesex Fells, Rt 28, Stoneham, MA
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Guided Snowshoe Walk
More snowshowing, this time in the daytime, but it’s in Boston, so it’s accessible if you don’t have a car! 12:30pm-1:30pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)More snowshowing, this time in the daytime, but it’s in Boston, so it’s acc…
Boston Nature Center, 500 Walk Hill St, Mattapan, MA
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Boston Nature Center, 500 Walk Hill St, Mattapan, MA
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Full Storm Moon
And here’s another. Come on guys, make up your minds. Is it a storm moon or a hunger moon? What does that even mean, anyway? 5pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)And here’s another. Come on guys, make up your minds. Is it a storm moon or a hunger m…
Manatuck Preserve, Barnes Road, Stonington, CT
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Manatuck Preserve, Barnes Road, Stonington, CT
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Backyard Sugaring
I would love to see maple syrup being tapped from trees, boiled down, and given out as samples! 1-3:30pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)I would love to see maple syrup being tapped from trees, boiled …
Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary, 208 South Great Road, Lincoln, MA
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Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary, 208 South Great Road, Lincoln, MA
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Tap a Tree
And here’s a similar event. Wait, we’re just tapping the tree at this point? Do we get to sample? 1:30-2:30pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)And here’s a similar event. Wait, we’re just tapping the tree at this point? …
Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary, 293 Moose Hill St, Sharon, MA
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Moose Hill Wildlife Sanctuary, 293 Moose Hill St, Sharon, MA
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Groundhog Day at Druml…
This one also involves tracking animals in the snow, if there is any. 9:30am-4pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)This one also involves tracking animals in the snow, if there is any. 9:30a…
Drumlin Farm, 208 South Great Road, Lincoln, MA
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Drumlin Farm, 208 South Great Road, Lincoln, MA
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Owl Moon
Although this one’s aimed at kids, strolling in the night trying to find owls sounds like a terrific adventure. 7-8:30pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)Although this one’s aimed at kids, strolling in the night trying to find …
Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary, 208 South Great Road, Lincoln, MA
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Drumlin Farm Wildlife Sanctuary, 208 South Great Road, Lincoln, MA
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The Art of Nature: Ani…
More animal tracks… 1-3pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)More animal tracks… 1-3pm.
Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, 87 Perkins Row, Topsfield, MA
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Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary, 87 Perkins Row, Topsfield, MA
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Eagles and Owls
Eagles and Owls. Owls and Eagles. Owls! Eagles! You might see some live ones on this guided tour. 8am-12pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)Eagles and Owls. Owls and Eagles. Owls! Eagles! You might see some live ones on this gui…
Ipswich River, 87 Perkins Row, Topsfield, MA
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Ipswich River, 87 Perkins Row, Topsfield, MA
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Bald Eagles of the Mer…
Find eagles, both bald and those wearing toupees on this guided tour. 9am-12pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)Find eagles, both bald and those wearing toupees on this guided tour. …
Joppa Flats, 1 Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport, MA
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Joppa Flats, 1 Plum Island Turnpike, Newburyport, MA
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Full Moon Snowshoe Hik…
I love these guided night tours, and February is a slow month, so I’m listing a bunch of these events. 6-8:30pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)I love these guided night tours, and February is a sl…
Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, 472 West Mountain Road, Lenox, MA
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Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, 472 West Mountain Road, Lenox, MA
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Snowshoeing by Moonlig…
Here’s another. 7-8:30pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)Here’s another. 7-8:30pm.
Wachusett Wildlife Sanctuary, 113 Goodnow Road, Princeton, MA
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Wachusett Wildlife Sanctuary, 113 Goodnow Road, Princeton, MA
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The Global Forests of …
Did you know that the Arnold Arboretum is open all winter? When it snows, they plow the paths! Here’s a lecture on ancient forests and global warming. 7-8:30pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)Did you know that the Arnold Arboretum is open all win…
Hunnewell Building at the Arnold Arboretum, 125 Arborway, Boston, MA
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Hunnewell Building at the Arnold Arboretum, 125 Arborway, Boston, MA
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Salem’s So Sweet Chocolate & Ice Sculpture Festival
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This is more of an exhibit of ice sculptures and some commercial discounts than a real event, but there is a wine tasting Feb 10th. And besides, do you really need an excuse to visit historic Salem in the off-season? (Click ‘more’ for details)This is more of an exhibit of ice sculptures and some commercial discounts than a…
Salem, MA
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Salem, MA
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USS Constitution Museum Model Show
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This model show is free, but they haven’t listed what times to go to actually meet some of the model builders and do a workshop. So, call. Otherwise, it’s basically an exhibit open all day every day. (Click ‘more’ for details)This model show is free, but they hav…
USS Constitution Museum, Charlestown Navy Yard, Building 22, Charlestown, MA
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USS Constitution Museum, Charlestown Navy Yard, Building 22, Charlestown, MA
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Burr Co-Op Winter Conc…
This looks very much like a kids thing, but we take any “festivals” we can get in the cold months. 10am-12pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)This looks very much like a kids thing, but we take any “festivals” …
Newton Cultural Center, 225 Nevada St, Newtonvllle, MA
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Newton Cultural Center, 225 Nevada St, Newtonvllle, MA
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BITAHR 2012 Film Forum: Fighting Trafficking Through Film
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Slavery still exists in the world, and as much as I would like to avoid this depressing event, that wouldn’t be right. It’s far too important. Go and learn, go and help. (Click ‘more’ for details)Slavery still exists in the world, and as much as I would like to avoid this d…
Boston, MA
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Boston, MA
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Inspiration Series: An…
Here’s an inspirational talk by an Arab-American leader who’s worked with young people and refugees. 6pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)Here’s an inspirational talk by an Arab-American leader …
Center for Arabic Culture, 191 Highland Avenue, 6B, Somerville, MA
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Center for Arabic Culture, 191 Highland Avenue, 6B, Somerville, MA
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After Kim Jong Il: The…
And here’s one about North Korea. 12:30-2pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)And here’s one about North Korea. 12:30-2pm.
1730 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA
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1730 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA
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Boston Tea Party Ship…
This is not an event, but I’m so excited that a Boston Tea Party museum is opening that I am helping them advertise that they are seeking colonial actors. A re-enactment is a great way to learn history! They open this summer. (Click ‘more’ for details)This is not an event, but I’m so excited that a Boston Tea Party museum is opening that I am helping them adver…
Boston, MA
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Boston, MA
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Performance
IAP Math Music Recita…
MIT’s math department is holding a concert. That’s… good? 3:30-5:45pm. It appears to be free. (Click ‘more’ for details)MIT’s math department is holding a concert. That’s… good? 3:30-5:45pm. It appears to be fre…
MIT, Killian Hall, Cambridge, MA
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MIT, Killian Hall, Cambridge, MA
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Gangsters in Love
Murder myster dinner theatre shows vary. It’s an amazing concept but it’s possible to do it well, or poorly. This one has a mafia them. Sounds like fun and it’s Valentine’s Day oriented! 5pm. (Click ‘more’ for details)Murder myster dinner theatre shows vary. It’s an amazing concept but it’s po…
Corinne’s Banquets, 1593 Newport Avenue, Pawtucket, RI
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Corinne’s Banquets, 1593 Newport Avenue, Pawtucket, RI
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Travel
Auburn Winter Festival
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These outdoorsy snow sports events take place all over the region. (Click ‘more’ for details)These outdoorsy snow sports events take place all over the region.
Auburn, ME
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Auburn, ME
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Caribou Winter Carnival
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Can it be a festival if it spans 4 weeks? I think we’ll take what we can get in Maine in the winter. Snowmobile racing, broomball tourney, snow sculptures, and more. (Click ‘more’ for details)Can it be a festival if it spans 4 weeks? I think we’ll take what we can get in Maine in the winter. Snowmobile…
Caribou, ME
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Caribou, ME
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Burlington Winter Fest…
This one is more like it, involving a penguin plunge and lots of snow activities. (Click ‘more’ for details)This one is more like it, involving a penguin plunge and lots of snow activities.
Burlington, VT
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Burlington, VT
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