Enduring Elements:

2010-12-14T21:53:00.006-05:00

Dedicated to a Wonderful Friend. I was honored to be the designer and builder of this memorial to help fulfill friends and family desire to remember Noreen Beck. Cedar, Bittersweet, Granite, Veneer Stone and Plants

2009-02-28T17:43:00.005-05:00

People's Park Project featured in Stow Independent Newspaper
Summer Street Maynard MA.

2009-01-19T17:43:00.002-05:00

Cha Cha Connor
from The Pulse 28 to Watch in 2008
27. Cha Cha Connor, 24, Activist and artist

Cha Cha Connor is a 24 year old Worcester native, anarcha-holic, human rights activist and performance artist who gets excited about affordable development, ending homelessness, and connecting with anyone who works for a more just Worcester.

In the past year, Cha Cha been in the Mexican states of Chiapas and Oaxaca “…doing human rights observation as people’s movements struggle for economic justice and self determination against a repressive government. Returning to the U.S. in April, I went on an east-coast tour as the Supermodels for Oaxaca, a protest theatre ‘models strike’ that used stilettos and style to draw attention to Oaxacan social movements.”

June 1 saw Cha Cha crash land on Millbury St. in South Kelley Square. “It’s a great neighborhood to be involved in, with a ton of artistic and activist creativity. One group I’m excited about is the residents and regulars at the Hotel Vernon who came up with the idea to do a ‘Women of Green Island’ calendar, celebrating the local places that are important to us, and fundraising for neighborhood improvements.”

Since 2005, Cha Cha has worked with a group of residents from all over Worcester called Real Solutions who raise concerns about how poor and vulnerable residents are being treated, especially with regard to city policies on homelessness, housing, and social services. Says Cha Cha, “Too often, ‘revitalization’ takes the form of gentrification, and happens without consulting working and poor folks already living in and contributing to a neighborhood. In Worcester I think we have a chance to do it differently - to organize for just and sustainable economic development that prioritizes our rights to affordable housing, decent jobs, education and healthcare.”

Venture into the nightlife of the Canal District, and you’ll probably find Cha Cha singing for the Happy Hour Hyjinx ~ a serenade of funk-inspired local tales of love and pride and beer and positive change.

2009-01-18T19:10:00.025-05:00

Canal Fest November 2008
The uncovering (Free the Blackstone) of the Blackstone Canal has been long planned and remains a centering point for the rejuvenation of this great part of Worcester (Green Island, Kelly Square, The Canal District).

I helped with the design and creation of the Mermaid Costume proudly and beautifully worn by Cha Cha Connor, "Worcester native, anarcha-holic, human rights activist and performance artist who gets excited about affordable development, ending homelessness, and connecting with anyone who works for a more just Worcester". It was sewn and developed by Sandra Casale of Country Chic, a small, locally owned and operated designer and fabricator of custom window treatments as well as other sewn and upholstered products.

Canal Fest November 2008

Allen (a man a plan a canal) Fletcher, invited me to help him spruce up the outside of the 70' x12' canal reconstruction. Enduring Elements and Laurel Hill Landscaping were to bring granite from an old mill to line the sides but the rains of Summer postponed that.

So they went with hay bales in the November date. Allen challenged me to a race in the kayaks and then we started to take kids on rides or let the older ones go on their own. It was the first time in a kayak for many.

Gene Zabinsky and his wife made the incredible recreation of the area under glass. The detail and craftmanship are exquisite. Gene is a history buff and a member of the Canal District Alliance. He grew up in the Fox mansion and gave a compelling presentation about the history of Kelly Square at one CDA meeting.

2009-01-18T15:06:00.005-05:00

Authentic Neo-Mexican
Baja Grill Neo-Mexican Cuisine
169 Millbury Street
Worcester, MA 01610
ph: 508-459-2727
alt: 508-459-2728
www.bajagrillneo-mexicancuisine.com/

Excellent Authentic Mexican: superb family run spot with outstanding chef and menu.

My wife and I recently had the best Mexican food in our lives. After a visit to the Worcester Art Museum we sought out a restaurant I was aware had opened in the happening hub of Worcester culture, arts and community; Green Island and the Canal District.

The sparkling clean and brightly colored interior was immediately welcoming on this bitter cold day. And the warm and genuine welcome from Lio Carmona and his sister Lupe Rodriguez made us instantly comfortable. We discussed the origins of the restaurant, the family run aspects and the deep culinary experience that created this wonderful place.

The food was authentic Mexican from the Guadalajara region; with some Spanish influence, all from family recipes and healthfully prepared. I chose the Paella Mexicana: sautéed shrimp, scallops, mussels, chorizo, chicken, onions, poblano chili peppers, garlic & rice deglaze with white wine. I have enjoyed paella in Barcelona and other areas of Spain and French Catalan areas. Leo assured me this would be different and great. It was. Try this if you love paella.

My wife had Pollo en Mole: sautéed marinated chicken breast with poblano mole. Served with rice, choice of refried beans (her choice) or frijoles a la charra, pico de gallo, guacamole & home made corn tortillas.Everything was fresh and the Mole was exuisite -- chocolately without being too sweet.
Real tortillas in a stitched warming pouch.
Great selection of drinks from Mexico.
Prices were very reasonable. Visit and bring friends,
This is an undiscovered gem

www.bajagrillneo-mexicancuisine.com/about_us

2009-01-01T17:46:00.007-05:00

Before,The Plan and the After
A multiphase exterior renovation for a couple who with one call transformed the front of their home, replacing dangerous, crumbling steps with a synthetic low maintenance deck rail and steps.

At the same time we transformed the rear of the home with a large concrete paver patio rectangular with arc tangent, a custom made pergola that picked up details of an archway on the property. In this friendly village neighborhood theirs is now one of the cooler places to gather.

2008-12-19T17:13:00.011-05:00

A Painting for a Friend

Staff photo by Matthew Modono Bruce Davidson
of Boxborough puts the finishing touches on the
mural at the Concord Health Care Center.

Mural showcases neighbors' bond
By Chrissie Long
Thu May 31, 2007, 06:21 AM EDT
reprinted from the Beacon Newspaper and Online

CONCORD - Sitting in her wheelchair with her hands in her lap, Dorothy Priest looked up at a mural of blended flowers. Irises, daffodils, crocuses and lilacs cascaded through a gentle landscape enhanced by stone walls and grassy hills.

She had planted all of these flowers in her younger days. But now her aged fingers and tired knees couldn’t sink into the dirt to give the plants the care they needed.

Due to a neighbor’s love, the flowers from her garden on Homestead Lane came alive once again outside her bedroom door.

This time it wasn’t just the neighborhood that enjoyed the garden, but the hundreds of people who lived and worked at the Concord Health Care Center.

“I love just looking at it,” said Victoria Dehesa, as she pushed her father by the mural in a wheelchair. “It cheers the place up.”

A woman in a nurse’s uniform commented to no one in particular as she brushed by, “I just get so much pleasure out of seeing this every day.”

For the last several months, Boxborough resident Bruce Davidson, Priest’s long-time neighbor in Stow has been painting her a mural.

“Dorothy taught me a lot about planting flowers,” said Davidson, a professional landscape designer. “It was striking to me that she had loved the outdoors and she was not able to enjoy it living in the care center. I decided to paint her this mural because it would allow me to continuously visit her and it would remind her of the outdoors.”

With Dorothy looking on, Davidson spent that afternoon touching up the near-finished painting.

Their relationship began in 1983, when Davidson bought a house next to Priest’s on Homestead Lane. Davidson, who was 23 at the time, had no living grandparents and adopted Priest as a surrogate grandmother. He would empty her driveway of snow and visit with his two black labs. She would tell him stories and make him tea.

In 1998, Davidson left the neighborhood and moved up to Stow Road in Boxborough. Despite being miles apart from another, they remained neighbors in relationship. They continued their visits and long conversations over tea.

Davidson had moved to a home that had some history with Priest. When Priest’s father was walking in the rain to be married at Hill Road in Boxborough, he had stopped at Davidson’s home to ask for an umbrella.

Last August, Priest had to leave the neighborhood, too. Because of her failing health, she moved to the Concord Health Care Center. The distance between the neighbors grew, but they stayed in touch.

“She felt like family to me,” said Davidson, who continued to visit her. “She felt like what a neighbor should be. We were clearly from vastly different generations, but we found that we had one thing in common and that was our love for the outdoors.”

After several visits, Davidson decided to de-institutionalize the nursing home and make it more home-like for Priest.

Beginning in March, Davidson, a professional artist, began painting his neighbor a mural.

On the blank wall outside her room, Priest has watched the scenery unfold. It began with just pencil lines, and then the blue sky filled in followed by the slate-colored stonewalls and assortments of greens for the grass. Within weeks, a wholesome and picturesque mural greeted residents as they walked down the second-floor hallway.

“We can’t thank you enough for bringing Bruce to us,” activities director Valerie Jackson said, speaking into Priest’s ear. Standing up, Jackson said, “Just to watch this evolve has been incredible. It’s been well-received by residents — the interaction has been heartwarming.”

For Davidson, the process has been equally rewarding.
“This has been the single most satisfying event of my adult life,” he said, looking over the rim of his glasses, his brush poised to paint. “I could have done this in half the time, but it has been the process not the product that has been enjoyable.”

Throughout the hours he has spent in this busy hallway, he has learned the life story of many of the residents. He took one man to a Red Sox game, he smoked fine cigars with another while they discussed the Korean and Vietnam wars. He spoke with a woman named Olive, who went to Mass Art in 1925 and 1926 and drew a tulip into the painting.

“Having never done art in a public forum, I have never had the chance to interact with the people while I paint,” he said. “I am used to operating in a vacuum.”

As he was painting that Tuesday afternoon, a staff member complemented him on his work. Turning to face him, Davidson said, “I forgot. Was there something you wanted me to paint?” When the staff member hesitated, Davidson said, “C’mon, what do you want to see in this?”

He shrugged his shoulders in response: “A fisherman?”
With that, Davidson applied a small black spot to the shoreline in the upper quadrant of the painting.

The mural, originally called Dorothy’s mural, was quickly adopted by the entire nursing home. “It became a community mural,” Davidson said. With careful, but swift brushstrokes he added a purple heart in memory of the husband of a resident who had befriended him while he painted and had recently passed away, a border collie in response to one patients’ request and birds for the names of each of the floors in the home.

Priest, who will be 100 in August, watched the mural come alive as her neighbor painted that afternoon.

Asked how she and Davidson got to be such close friends, Priest smiled and said, “I guess I was just lucky.”

2008-12-19T16:49:00.002-05:00

Mural for a Friend

Mural showcases neighbors' bond

By Chrissie Long

Thu May 31, 2007, 06:21 AM EDT
reprinted from the Beacon Newspaper and Online

CONCORD - Sitting in her wheelchair with her hands in her lap, Dorothy Priest looked up at a mural of blended flowers. Irises, daffodils, crocuses and lilacs cascaded through a gentle landscape enhanced by stone walls and grassy hills.

She had planted all of these flowers in her younger days. But now her aged fingers and tired knees couldn’t sink into the dirt to give the plants the care they needed.

Due to a neighbor’s love, the flowers from her garden on Homestead Lane came alive once again outside her bedroom door.

This time it wasn’t just the neighborhood that enjoyed the garden, but the hundreds of people who lived and worked at the Concord Health Care Center.

“I love just looking at it,” said Victoria Dehesa, as she pushed her father by the mural in a wheelchair. “It cheers the place up.”

A woman in a nurse’s uniform commented to no one in particular as she brushed by, “I just get so much pleasure out of seeing this every day.”

For the last several months, Boxborough resident Bruce Davidson, Priest’s long-time neighbor in Stow has been painting her a mural.

“Dorothy taught me a lot about planting flowers,” said Davidson, a professional landscape designer. “It was striking to me that she had loved the outdoors and she was not able to enjoy it living in the care center. I decided to paint her this mural because it would allow me to continuously visit her and it would remind her of the outdoors.”

With Dorothy looking on, Davidson spent that afternoon touching up the near-finished painting.

Their relationship began in 1983, when Davidson bought a house next to Priest’s on Homestead Lane. Davidson, who was 23 at the time, had no living grandparents and adopted Priest as a surrogate grandmother. He would empty her driveway of snow and visit with his two black labs. She would tell him stories and make him tea.

In 1998, Davidson left the neighborhood and moved up to Stow Road in Boxborough. Despite being miles apart from another, they remained neighbors in relationship. They continued their visits and long conversations over tea.

Davidson had moved to a home that had some history with Priest. When Priest’s father was walking in the rain to be married at Hill Road in Boxborough, he had stopped at Davidson’s home to ask for an umbrella.

Last August, Priest had to leave the neighborhood, too. Because of her failing health, she moved to the Concord Health Care Center. The distance between the neighbors grew, but they stayed in touch.

“She felt like family to me,” said Davidson, who continued to visit her. “She felt like what a neighbor should be. We were clearly from vastly different generations, but we found that we had one thing in common and that was our love for the outdoors.”

After several visits, Davidson decided to de-institutionalize the nursing home and make it more home-like for Priest.

Beginning in March, Davidson, a professional artist, began painting his neighbor a mural.

On the blank wall outside her room, Priest has watched the scenery unfold. It began with just pencil lines, and then the blue sky filled in followed by the slate-colored stonewalls and assortments of greens for the grass. Within weeks, a wholesome and picturesque mural greeted residents as they walked down the second-floor hallway.

“We can’t thank you enough for bringing Bruce to us,” activities director Valerie Jackson said, speaking into Priest’s ear. Standing up, Jackson said, “Just to watch this evolve has been incredible. It’s been well-received by residents — the interaction has been heartwarming.”

For Davidson, the process has been equally rewarding.

“This has been the single most satisfying event of my adult life,” he said, looking over the rim of his glasses, his brush poised to paint. “I could have done this in half the time, but it has been the process not the product that has been enjoyable.”

Throughout the hours he has spent in this busy hallway, he has learned the life story of many of the residents. He took one man to a Red Sox game, he smoked fine cigars with another while they discussed the Korean and Vietnam wars. He spoke with a woman named Olive, who went to Mass Art in 1925 and 1926 and drew a tulip into the painting.

“Having never done art in a public forum, I have never had the chance to interact with the people while I paint,” he said. “I am used to operating in a vacuum.”

As he was painting that Tuesday afternoon, a staff member complemented him on his work. Turning to face him, Davidson said, “I forgot. Was there something you wanted me to paint?” When the staff member hesitated, Davidson said, “C’mon, what do you want to see in this?”

He shrugged his shoulders in response: “A fisherman?”

With that, Davidson applied a small black spot to the shoreline in the upper quadrant of the painting.

The mural, originally called Dorothy’s mural, was quickly adopted by the entire nursing home. “It became a community mural,” Davidson said. With careful, but swift brushstrokes he added a purple heart in memory of the husband of a resident who had befriended him while he painted and had recently passed away, a border collie in response to one patients’ request and birds for the names of each of the floors in the home.

Priest, who will be 100 in August, watched the mural come alive as her neighbor painted that afternoon.

Asked how she and Davidson got to be such close friends, Priest smiled and said, “I guess I was just lucky.”

2008-12-04T18:06:00.005-05:00

She Knows What I Did on My Summer Vacation
See here for pictures
As Told by D-L Nelson, Novelist and Journalist
on the exPat Writer Blog
Observations about living in Switzerland and France on a daily basis by an Swiss repat from America.
Sunday, July 15, 2007

Not the average holiday activity
Read first and then Click here for series of pictures
This was the second time M&B came to Argelès from the States. I’ve known him for decades and it is approaching a decade when she entered his life and I met her at Chinese restaurant in Cambridge, MA.

He reminds me of my parents' habit of talking to strangers. The fact his French is minimal is only a blip for him.

On the unseasonably cold and windy Sunday night the three of us were the only diners at La P’etite Pause, a restaurant specializing in the cuisine of Haute Savoie: tarteflettes, fondues, etc. Nadine, the owner-chef, was training a new waitress and we began talking in French, English, Franglais. She described how she had done much of the reconstruction work herself and how she planned eventually to add a mural of her beloved Mont Blanc. Before B’s wife and I knew it he had volunteered to do create the mural of her dreams. I was pressed into service as translator to make sure she got what she wanted. A day was set aside for the work (eat your heart out Michelangelo.)

An adventure to find a new art supply store was followed with prayers of thanks offered for the good road signage that is a French specialty.

B painted for 12 hours, plied with coffee and food to keep up his strength.

Nadine didn’t quite believe it. It was unheard of that an American artist would appear at her table then add her dream to a wall and not accept money. She insisted we have an inauguration, an unveiling. Within 48 hours a fête was organized attended by locals, vendors, tourists and friends. Best dress was rolled out as were delicacies from the region and party was on.

As the last person Nadine whispered to me that this was a gift from heaven, but not only that when late at night she walked by the mural illuminated only by the moon through the window, it looked just like the real Mont Blanc did in the moon light from her childhood bedroom window.

And although we visited local sites, ate at good restaurants, talked with people together, and although they beached and biked, painting a mural is definitely not the average vacation pass time, but maybe the world would be just a bit better if it were.
See here for more pictures
Posted by DL NELSON at 2:54 AM

2008-12-04T13:58:00.025-05:00

Massive Cleanup in 5 Days Gets Private School Looking Sharp for Opening Day
Enduring Elements was asked if they could help out the Operations and Maintenance crew get the grounds of this estate setting private school in eastern MA ready for opening day, 5 days hence.

We toured the grounds, detailing the scope of the project, interviewing the stakeholders as we went.

Returning to the office we reallocated resources, drew a map from Google Earth with overlays created in Photoshop and tied the Alpha coded areas to the scope list. Within 6 hours we committed to putting 5-7 men plus myself as field director to work for five twelve-hour days. Each team member got a copy of the map and the list and specific priorities and detailed instructions. It was a whirlwind of gravel, plate compactors, trucks and a bobcat, mulch, shovels, pruning shears and mortar.

We worked closely with the excellent in-house operations crew and together spit and polished a multi acre site. Our host sponsored a joint breakfast in the big hall on Day 4 where the two crews got to know a bit about each other. We nicknamed one of our workers the Bull (in Portuguese, De Boi) and I used the whiteboard to immortalize him. At least until Monday or Tuesday when it was undoubtedly erased.

It was a joy to work collaboratively on this campus where people work this way all year round. The buildings and grounds are the former Summer home of a wealthy Boston family. Enjoy some pictures:

2008-12-04T10:17:00.021-05:00

Enduring Elements Construction Builds a Victorian Garage
John Hanson Mitchell a brilliant author, editor, conservationist (Along with his nonfiction work, John Hanson Mitchell is editor of the award winning magazine, Sanctuary, published by the Massachusetts Audubon Society.) and inspiration to me for the last twenty years, asked if we could build a garage to match the architectural style of his house and other outbuildings which he had designed and built. He had been inspired by Andrew Jackson Downing when he chose the style of his home. If you have not read books by John you are missing out and so are friends who deserve these as gifts.

Throughout the early Victorian period American domestic architecture was dominated by the ideas and designs of Andrew Jackson Downing (1815-1852). Downing, who was America's first important landscape architect, was instrumental in establishing a well-styled, efficient, yet low-priced house that offered many features which previously only mansions could provide. His designs were widely spread both by his books and by periodical republication. (The above commentary is provided by Dover Publications, Inc. and excerpted from Mitchell Publications site which has an AJD book or two for sale.)

Back to the garage. John and Jill supplied a plan which was later used by an architect friend, Rick Findlay, VP of The Littleton MA Conservation Trust, for a beautiful set of plans.

We installed a compacted process gravel floor per their wishes, but later to preserve automobiles from moisture they poured a concrete floor.

John had us use a local lumber mill (Parlee Lumber is a full service lumber yard serving the community since 1815) for the rough sawn pine sheathing and battens.

My Brazilian American partners created the foundation and built and painted the structure.

The trim work and windows came from a home on Edgartown MA.

2008-12-04T07:54:00.004-05:00

Creative and Complex Millwork: Antique Brackets on Historical School Building
Enduring Elements and Partner ACH Construction was contracted by the owner of this beautifully renovated school building. The high winds of Spring 08 had lifted the roof and it was revealed that these decorative 30" brackets were in need of replacement. We recreated the profiles, glued sanded and painted 20 double sets.

2008-12-03T15:15:00.027-05:00

Bruce Davidson Teaches Acrylic Painting Classes at Emerson Umbrella in Concord MA
Students Excel in Short Time, Second 10 week Session Planned for beginning of January 2009. interested?

This has become my favorite night of the week. 8 students, mostly referred or recruited, all talented and extremely fun to be with. They support each other and check out the techniques, frustrations and advancements of the others. We started with some drawing instruction, composition, color planning, and then quickly into painting. Music, food, singing, getting lost in the zone, the two hours fly by.

I am grateful to Jon Schmalenberger, Board of Directors Member, Custom Furniture Maker for referring me to Julia Meyerson, Education Director, Graphic Designer.

See some art and artists below:

2008-12-03T15:12:00.028-05:00

Enduring Elements and Partner's Create and Donate a Park for the People
People's Park Nears Phase 1 Completion

A Collaborative Creation on Private Land Donated for Public Use:

A Place for people to meet, relax, get wired for free and enjoy the Maynard gardens and skylines.
In 2007 I was offered an opportunity by Eloyse Healy a long time friend and vendor to improve use a portion of her commercial land in exchange for Enduring Elements’ Landscape Design/Build services. She had envisioned a permanent sign nearby a garden bed. She recently acquired a beautiful building and moved her business CAC Digital there. It is located at 42 Summer Street Maynard MA on a busy corner lot, steps from Maynard’s thriving downtown.

I appreciated the offer and set about designing a little more than a garden bed.

Remembering a small sunken circular bench where I spent a string of pleasant mornings while on a mural painting trip in the French village of Argeles-Sur-Mer I envisioned a large curved stone bench on a circular patio, built into a slope, surrounded by flowers and shrubs and dappled sun through shade trees. In Argeles this was the only spot outdoors I was able to find a wireless signal.

I approached Eloyse with this expanded concept that included views of the Maynard Community Garden, the iconic Clocktower at the mill and some church steeples.

In April of 2008 I drew the concept sketch, Eloyse loved it and offered to lease me the land. I wanted to create a space where the public could meet, relax, work on laptops (we are installing free wireless).

I would like to thank the following partners who dedicated time and resources to make this possible.

CAC Digital: Allowed us to create this permanent, enduring creation.
Enduring Elements Partners:

EP Landscape, the build division of Enduring Elements Landscape Design/Build created a sensational 22’ curved bench with back from New England Fieldstone and a bluestone patio, bordered with red City Hall Pavers brick.

Bay Leaf Studios, Maynard MA, Landscape Architect Lisa Bailey developed a planting plan which also included pruning of existing trees and some other stellar modifications and enhancements to my original plan.

Thyme in the Garden, Maynard MA: Debby McNulty purchased and led her crew in the selection and planting of the beautiful garden bordering the bench and patio

Laurel Hill Landscape, Grafton MA: Rob Nixon, veteran landscape professional and my long-time colleague, early supporter and mentor. He generously donated the rectangular bluestone. He also donated materials to a brain injury unit outdoor garden we created.
ACH Construction, Maynard MA: Antonio Hippolito brought his excellent design sense, expertise and hands-on skill to the bench seats. We created three seven-foot curved templates and wood and pvc board forms to accept iron reinforced concrete.

The Benches were concrete cast on site in custom forms containing reinforcing steel mesh. After troweling and before curing we had various people associated with the project and passers by imprint with boots and hands.I put leaves from the King Crimson Norway Maple that provides shade in the concrete. In addition, other vegetation collected from the site was pressed into service. After it dried I removed the leaves and we mortared the benches in place. I beveled the edges for a nice sitting surface.

The Future

The highly anticipated Bike Trail is expected to run directly past the People’s Park.

The Free Wireless will be installed Spring 2009

Will stain the benches in the Spring with colors reflecting the various color transitions of the Norway Maple.

A water feature with sheet water cascading down surface of granite slab mounted on the granite block chimney.

Table(s) for people to use laptops and eat at. Designs in process: twisted bittersweet with bluestone tops?

A sign permit application was denied by the Maynard Building Department

An opening celebration.. stay tuned.

2008-09-24T22:59:00.013-04:00

Green Island Community Gardens and Urban Beautification Project Hits Goals
People Dug Deep for Green Island!

Earlier this Summer I asked for help with a volunteer project I thought was very worthwhile. I was energized by a group of people rallying to improve an area of Worcester rich in history, traditions and pride.

Thanks to all who contributed to the Green Island Gardens Youth Employment and Urban Beautification Program

You helped us reach our Goals:
• Increased business in a vibrant community of local merchants who suffer from the run-down look of the neighborhood

• Increased the community’s pride in where they live

In addition to the benefits of the projects themselves, employing underprivileged neighborhood youth to carry out the program acheived the following:

• Brought employment skills and training to youth who may otherwise be left out of the job market.

• Increased a sense of community ownership over the gardens.

• Informed youth on topics of environmental justice that directly impact their lives, such as food security, climate change, and soil degradation.

To help continue this good energy and results you can donate money here

Featured Project
For GREEN ISLAND we:

• designed and made a prototype planter from a precast concrete septic riser. I worked with the youths to make 14 more
• designed a logo and made the flyer that helped Pernet market the planters and youth maintenance services to the local merchants
• designed the community garden and coordinated delivery of donated items.

The Center for Touch Drawing...Resources for Creative Awakening

2008-07-21T21:49:00.000-04:00

The Center for Touch Drawing...Resources for Creative Awakening

The Center for Touch Drawing
link from Leland Kaiser

2008-05-27T22:49:00.002-04:00

Green Island Planters: The Flyer
Lizzy Fox and I are working on this to market the beautification and Youth Jobs program

2008-05-27T22:08:00.002-04:00

Want to Sweat and Smile?
Build a Community Garden Day 6/21/08 8am-3pm. Kick-off event during which we will raise the Green Ilsand Garden beds. Food, A Band and more... Contact Lizzy Fox of Pernet Family Health Service to help out.

2008-05-27T20:03:00.004-04:00

Green Ilsand Community Gardens and Planters
DONATIONS WISH LIST
contact me here if you have any of these items please

Go Here for the Background Story

The Donations Wish List
(Quantity) Material
(120 linear feet) of fence posts-4”X4”Lumber (fence posts)
(364 linear feet) 2”x 4” Lumber (fence rails)
(81) 8’ 6’X6” Timbers (garden beds)
(216 linear feet) ½” rebar
Spikes
Nails
Screws
Plants (flowers and vegetables- must already be seeded)
(5 cans) Green Spray Paint
(3 gallons) Behr Concrete Stain (can be bought at Home Depot)
Soil Inputs (details TBA)

Tools Wish List
(Quantity) Tool
(1) Hose
(2) Hose Wand
(3) Watering Can
(2) Watering Can (that can reach hanging plants)
(7)Gardening Gloves
(7) Safety Glasses
(1) Line Level
(15) Sponge Brushes
(7) Hand Clippers
(5) File
(1) Level
(1) Line Level
(10) Shovel
(10) Rake
(10) Hoe
(10) Trowel
(7) Bucket
(3) Measuring Tape
(10) Hammer
(2) Square
(1) Hack Saw
(1) Gardening Cart

Vegetable Wish List
Tomatoes
Green Beans
Yellow Beans
Purple Beans
Swiss Chard
Radishes
Carrots
Beets
Summer Squash
Butternut Squash
Zucchini
Cucumbers
Broccoli
Brussel Sprouts
Bell Peppers
Hot Peppers
Parsley
Basil
Oregano
Thyme
Tarragon
Lettuce (various kinds)
Mini Watermelons
Flowers—any flower species that would form symbiotic relationship with different veggies
Flowers and mini evergreens for container gardens (several varieties so we can give options to store owners)

2008-05-27T19:54:00.006-04:00

Green Island Planters
Before and After

2008-05-27T16:24:00.004-04:00

Green Island Logo v5
Green Jobs for Green Islanders

2008-05-27T07:10:00.001-04:00

Green Island Gardens, Pernet Family Health Services logo
Latest version

2008-05-23T11:42:00.002-04:00

Green Island Logo Development
Feedback welcome

2008-05-23T00:54:00.004-04:00

Green Ilsand Planters Development

Concrete Septic Riser
Grinding Wheel
Concrete Stains
Delivery
Posing with Paulette and Planter

2008-05-22T15:20:00.014-04:00

Green Island Gardens Youth Employment and Urban Beautification Program
The Program
Pernet Family Health Services is a “neighborhood-based home health and social service agency” with a commitment to “supporting families to be physically, socially, psychologically, and spiritually whole.1”
The agency has been serving the Green Island region of Worcester, MA since 1968.
This summer, Pernet has received funding to create part-time summer jobs for underprivileged youth. Pernet has decided to use its youth employment program to fund the creation of a 75' x 16' community garden and install container flower beds throughout the area’s small business district.
Pernet chose to create The Green Island Garden because...

The garden will bring healthy, affordable, organic food to the people of Green Island, helping to eradicate food insecurity and malnourishment.

Community gardens offer space for citizens to socialize and bond with one another, fostering a stronger and healthier social fabric.

Community gardens localize the food industry, reducing both the price of people’s food and the city’s carbon footprint created by imported products.

Recently, citizens of Green Island were asked to identify aspects of their community they would like to see improve. A prevalent theme was the lack of cleanliness in the area and the over-all appearance of the neighborhood. Pernet chose to sell container flower gardens to local merchants in order to...

Beautify the area

Increase business to a vibrant community of local merchants who suffer from the run-down look of the neighborhood

Increase the community’s pride in where they live

In addition to the benefits of the projects themselves, employing underprivileged neighborhood youth to carry out the program will:

Bring employment skills and training to youth who may otherwise be left out of the job market.

Increase a sense of community ownership over the gardens.

Inform youth on topics of environmental justice that directly impact their lives, such as food security, climate change, and soil degradation.

1 Pernetfamilyhealth.org

How We Can Help
I was very inspired by Lizzy Fox, Clark University student who wrote a grant for herself to administer this program with Paulette LaCoste, Pernet's Program Director.

I volunteered to help:

design the community gardens

research options and design and create a sidewalk plant container prototype (low cost precast pipes 18" etched with a grinding wheel and painted with transparent concrete stains

etch and create artistic flower planters with the teen workers to fill the orders from neighborhood business owners participating in the program

create a brochure to help promote the program to business owners

spec and price materials

rally people to donate for the wish list

If you or anyone you know can help here is the wish list of needed items.

contact me here if you have any of these items please

The Donations Wish List
(Quantity) Material
(120 linear feet) of fence posts-4”X4”Lumber (fence posts)
(364 linear feet) 2”x 4” Lumber (fence rails)
(81) 8’ 6’X6” Timbers (garden beds)
(216 linear feet) ½” rebar
Spikes
Nails
Screws
Plants (flowers and vegetables- must already be seeded)
(5 cans) Green Spray Paint
(3 gallons) Behr Concrete Stain (can be bought at Home Depot)
Soil Inputs (details TBA)

Tools Wish List
(Quantity) Tool
(1) Hose
(2) Hose Wand
(3) Watering Can
(2) Watering Can (that can reach hanging plants)
(7)Gardening Gloves
(7) Safety Glasses
(1) Line Level
(15) Sponge Brushes
(7) Hand Clippers
(5) File
(1) Level
(1) Line Level
(10) Shovel
(10) Rake
(10) Hoe
(10) Trowel
(7) Bucket
(3) Measuring Tape
(10) Hammer
(2) Square
(1) Hack Saw
(1) Gardening Cart

Vegetable Wish List
Tomatoes
Green Beans
Yellow Beans
Purple Beans
Swiss Chard
Radishes
Carrots
Beets
Summer Squash
Butternut Squash
Zucchini
Cucumbers
Broccoli
Brussel Sprouts
Bell Peppers
Hot Peppers
Parsley
Basil
Oregano
Thyme
Tarragon
Lettuce (various kinds)
Mini Watermelons
Flowers—any flower species that would form symbiotic relationship with different veggies
Flowers and mini evergreens for container gardens (several varieties so we can give options to store owners)

2008-05-19T22:47:00.005-04:00

Green Island Planters
Concept development: precast concrete, low cost, beautify with concrete stains and living greenery.

2008-04-04T17:59:00.002-04:00

Ponds, Paintings, and Pasta and maybe some bocce
I did not get to this last year but I think it would be fun to display my paintings in the gardens where I have built water gardens and then after you tour a few of those head over to the Airfield Cafe for a delightful dinner and then stray back by our new bocce court and enjoy a glass of red and some italian bowling under the lights.

If you want to be notified of this event click here and put the words Ponds Paintings Pasta in the comments field.

2008-04-04T16:04:00.002-04:00

Volunteers Honored

By Meghan Kelly, The Beacon-Villager
Wed Jan 16, 2008, 12:35 PM EST
Maynard/Stow -

Maynard/Stow - A road race, exhaustive volunteer work and a mural don’t have much in common at first glance. But this year at the Middlesex West Chamber of Commerce’s annual awards dinner, the organizers of all three will be commended for their dedication to helping their communities.

The awards are given to “an individual who has made a positive impact on his/her community through continued or continuous involvement; who has demonstrated loyalty, dedication, and commitment to the area; who has dedicated his/her free time, making significant contributions to the welfare of his/her community.”

This year’s winners are the Hughes family — former Acton residents who recently moved to Stow; Mary Brannelly of Maynard; and Bruce Davidson of Boxborough, said chamber Executive Director Sarah Fletcher.

The Hughes family organized and ran the annual Sarah Lynn Hughes Memorial 5K run/walk from 1998 until this year, co-sponsored with the Middlesex West Chamber of Commerce. The road race was held in memory of their daughter, Sarah, a sophomore at Acton-Boxborough high school who died unexpectedly in January 1998.

The race has raised more than $100,000 and has awarded $82,000 in scholarships to graduating Acton-Boxborough high school students, said Fletcher.

Maynard resident Mary Brannelly is being commended for her volunteer work. She volunteers at, among other places, the Assabet Valley Boys and Girls Club and the Maynard Education Foundation. She is also vice chairman of the Maynard School Committee.

“Mary always makes the impossible seem possible. The town of Maynard, especially our kids, have benefited tremendously from Mary’s vision, commitment, energy and hard work,” said Maynard Selectman Sally Bubier in a written statement to Middlesex West.

Bubier and fellow Selectman Bob Nadeau will be at the awards dinner. Nadeau will be presenting Brannelly with an official proclamation from the town, said Bubier.

Boxborough artist Bruce Davidson made a difference in the life of his friend, Dorothy Priest. The two were neighbors in Stow for about 15 years and remained friends after Davidson moved to Boxborough in 1998.

After Priest moved into the Concord Health Care Center, Davidson decided to de-institutionalize the nursing home. He began painting a large, floral mural on a wall in the second floor hallway in honor of Priest.

“This has been the single most satisfying event of my adult life,” Davidson told The Acton Beacon in 2007.

The mural soon became a community fixture for the residents. Many would chat with Davidson while he painted, while others would request scenes or items for Davidson to paint.

Fletcher said after observing Davidson interact with the residents, she was so impressed she left the staff an application to nominate Davidson for the Community Service Award.

In addition to the award presented at the dinner, winners will receive a citation from the Massachusetts Legislature, Fletcher said.

Nominations for the awards come through direct solicitation or from members of the community at large, Fletcher said.

“We keep an eye out all year long,” she said.
The nomination process kicks off in the fall, with the winners chosen by December in preparation for the annual awards dinner in January.

In addition to the Community Service Awards, the Chamber of Commerce recognizes local businesses for contributions to the eight communities the chamber serves — Acton, Boxborough, Carlisle, Concord, Littleton, Maynard, Stow and Westford.

This year, the chamber is giving out a new award: the Stars of Area Retail and Restaurant (SOARR). Customers nominated the eventual winners, Fletcher said.

“What’s really special is you just see how these stores are contributing so much to the richness of our community,” she said.

The awards dinner is scheduled for tonight, Thursday, Jan. 17.
Reporter Meghan B. Kelly can be reached at 978-371-5758 or mkelly@cnc.com

2008-03-23T19:21:00.003-04:00

Short Video of Bruce Davidson Painting Mural at Concord Health Care Center

My friend Mike Ault was kind to take this video of me painting a bit of the mural at Concord Health Care Center

2008-03-11T18:33:00.014-04:00

Enduring Elements CONSTRUCTION and REMODELING Services Listing

www.enduringelements.com

Planning and Design Services

Architects

Site Engineers

Interior Designers

Kitchen and Bath Designers

Project Management

Site Preparation and Foundational

Site clearing

Excavation and drainage systems

Septic systems

Foundations and slabs

Framing

Roofing

Roof stripping

Flashing, ice and water shield, drip edge

All roofing types installation

Siding

All siding types installation

Gutters and Downspouts

Doors and Windows

New

Replacement

Exterior trim

Blueboard and Plaster

Insulation

Finish and Custom Carpentry

Trim

Cabinetry

Built-ins

Custom furniture

Plumbing, Heating, HVAC, Electrical

All licensed subcontractors needed for projects

Tight partnerships and reliable alliances

2008-03-10T11:16:00.016-04:00

Enduring Elements LANDSCAPE Services Listing

www.enduringelements.com

Design

Creative comprehensive landscape design and master planning

Horticultural plans

Project Management

Site engineering and design

Hardscape

Patios: bluestone, brick, concrete pavers

Walkways and paths: bluestone, brick, concrete pavers

Stone walls steps, pillars

Steps: granite, stone, brick, bluestone treads

Water Features

Ponds, streams and waterfalls

Pondless waterfalls

Fountains

Outdoor Lighting

Low voltage decorative and functional lighting

Garden Structures

Gazebos

Pergolas

Arbors and arches

Fences and gates

Landscape

Shrub and tree installation, transplant and removal

Bed creation: mulching and planting

Tree pruning and removal

Stump grinding

Landscape Maintenance

Mowing and trimming

Pruning

Mulching

Spring and Fall Cleanups

Garden maintenance

2008-03-10T11:08:00.005-04:00

Healing Environments and the HEC

In November 2007 I cofounded the Healing Environments Collaborative (HEC) with Lisa E. Bailey, a superb Landscape Architect recognized for her work creating Healing Gardens.

The HEC creates interior and exterior environments that involve:

ART: murals and other therapeutic art/technology programs custom-designed for each organization
HEALING GARDENS: design and creation of gardens and outdoor spaces that extend facilities reduce stress, accelerate healing, and instill a sense of emotional and spiritual well-being
HORTICULTURE THERAPY: program design, educational presentations, consulting
INTERIOR ENVIRONMENTS: design, redesign and remodeling of occupational/physical therapy rooms, living spaces, community spaces

We consult with and design and build to benefit the multiple populations we serve;
residents, patients, staff, visitors and administration.

We are giving a presentation on Healing Spaces
April 9, 2008, 7-8:30 pm
First Parish Hall
20 Lexington Road, Concord, MA

You are invited to attend a presentation on Healing Spaces by landscape architect, Lisa Bailey, Feng Shui and space clearing consultant, Christine Wojnar, and artist and landscape builder, Bruce Davidson.

Discover how art, Feng Shui, geomancy, and landscape architecture create healing gardens and interior environments that work with the laws of nature to transform us by connecting to the healing forces of the universe.

Learn how these special places can benefit us and those we serve.

Lisa will share how landscape archetypes and colors affect our moods and the essential components of creating gardens that heal. She will share examples of many different kinds of healing gardens, including some of her own projects and some of Bruce’s mural art, showing how these elements can impact people’s lives.

Chris will focus on the Space Clearing aspect of her work, describing the ancient and primal connection humans have with the energies of the earth and how, today, this wisdom can be applied to our modern places with a protocol that involves the art of dowsing. She will also discuss how the principles of Feng Shui connect us to the natural world. Among projects which include businesses, residences and individuals, Chris will share case studies as time permits.

Together, their work promotes a holistic approach to the design of spaces that considers both the visible and the invisible forces that affect our health, happiness and well-being.

The Healing Environment Collaborative includes:

Lisa Bailey, ASLA, a licensed landscape architect and graduate of the Harvard Graduate School of Design. For the last three years, she has been in private practice engaging in her passion of connecting people with nature. Lisa is the owner of BayLeaf Studio in Maynard, MA specializing in healing gardens in residential, healthcare and public settings. She is experienced in designing public parks and playgrounds, as well as private Japanese gardens and residential landscapes. Her portfolio can be viewed at www.bayleaf-studio.com.

Bruce Davidson is President of Enduring Elements in Boxborough MA. He creates art and designs and builds landscapes that contribute to restoration and healing. As designer/builder of The Greenhouse Project at the Lowell Health Care Center, he mixed stone, plants, and concrete staining depicting a woodland floor to create an outdoor garden. He is a painter and illustrator who recently received a Community Service Award (January 2008) from the Middlesex West Chamber of Commerce for his donated, collaborative creation of a mural with elder residents and patients at the Concord Health Care Center.
Samples of artwork: www.brucedavidsonart.com/portfolio.htm
Details on recent art events: www.brucedavidsonart.com/events.htm
Landscape design/build portfolio: www.enduringelements.com/

Christine Wojnar, Feng Shui Institute of America certified, is principal and sole proprietor of Feng Shui and Space Clearing, Bedford, MA. Chapter Director of the International Feng Shui Guild-Massachusetts, Chris has presented at the Boston Society of Architect’s Build Boston and for Women in Design. Her work helps people create residential, business and health care environments that are in alignment with the laws of nature using the principles of Feng Shui, and with Space Clearing, a method that clears and raises the vibration of energy in the space. Chris’ work can be seen at www.ChristineWojnar.com

Please RSVP
For more info and to register: Register on Enduring Elements Website or call 978-823-0935

2008-01-21T12:40:00.001-05:00

Innovate or Die. Pedal Powered Machine Contest Winner
Google and Specialized Contest challenged people to invent and build machines that changed the world by transforming pedaling energy into new and useful purposes.

2008-01-19T15:04:00.001-05:00

Healing Environments Collaborative (HEC)
The HEC is a collaboration between landscape architect Lisa Bailey of BayLeaf Studio and artist/contractor/designer Bruce Davidson of Enduring Elements. We bring nature and art into healthcare settings because both are healing for everyone, and sometimes simple improvements can make a huge difference in quality of life for patients, residents, staff and visitors. We will be hosting an event April 9th 2008 7-8:30 pm with a presentation to be given by Lisa Bailey. It will demonstrate what makes a healing environment, with many examples shown. It will be informative, interactive and inspiring. if you know someone from a health care facility who would be interested in attending or knowing more please have them contact us.

A Presentation on Healing Environments
You are invited to attend a presentation on Healing Environments by landscape architect Lisa Bailey, Feng Shui and space clearing consultant Christine Wojnar, and artist and landscape builder Bruce Davidson.

Discover how art, Feng Shui, geomancy, and landscape architecture create healing gardens and interior environments that work with the laws of Nature to transform us by connecting to the healing forces of the universe.
Learn how these special places can benefit us and those we serve.

April 9th, 2008
7:00 - 8:30 pm
First Parish Hall
20 Lexington Road, Concord, MA
Please RSVP by March 28 $15 at the event

For more info and to register:
www.enduringelements.com/hec.htm or call 978-823-0935

2006-11-09T20:33:00.000-05:00

Enduring Elements has grown again. Our family of companies now includes:

Enduring Elements Landscape Design/Build: The Natural Extension of Architecture
Enduring Elements Design Studio: Graphic Design and Illustration services for Web and Print
Enduring Paint: Interior and Exterior Residential and Commercial painting
Enduring Construction: Complete Residential Contractor Services

Call 978-929-9525 or email bruce@enduringelements.com for assistance.

Enduring Elements:

Mural showcases neighbors' bond

By Chrissie Long

Thu May 31, 2007, 06:21 AM EDTreprinted from the Beacon Newspaper and Online

The Center for Touch Drawing...Resources for Creative Awakening

Thu May 31, 2007, 06:21 AM EDT
reprinted from the Beacon Newspaper and Online