Meet Larry the Lobster and Mary Read the Pirate

     Last Saturday I went to a beach event that I have never been to or never heard of. It was in Nahant which is very close to Lynn. It was the Friends of Lynn and Nahant Kids Concert. I did not really know what to expect when I went out there, I just knew that we had a booth to ourselves. When we got there, we put the Save The Harbor banner up and set up the tables. We had crayons and coloring pages of animals that many kids decided to color. We also had Larry the Lobster. He was a 20 year old, 4 pound lobster and he was absolutely huge. I learned many lobster facts too, for example they never stop growing, they have two types of legs (for swimming and for walking), they chew with their stomach, and they smell with their legs. Some kids were afraid of the lobster so they didn't touch it, but many were willing to touch it and even some brave kids were willing to hold it.

     We also had Mary Read the Pirate telling stories to all the kids and people who were in line. She even had this rope tying competition where she would teach the kids how to make a square knot. I eventually was able to learn how to do it and then began to teach the kids myself. The kids who were able to make the knot correctly were given a coin from somewhere around the world!

Sincerely,

Ivaniel Diaz

Fort Point Pumpkin Pageant

To celebrate the Halloween festivities in Seaport area, Save the Harbor entered the Friends of Fort Point Channel 10th Annual Pumpkin Pageant. The Pumpkin Pageant brings together businesses and organizations in the surrounding area to create the Funniest, Scariest, Most Original, and Overall Best pumpkins by carving, painting, and decorating them. Winners will receive a trophy.

It was great to see pumpkins every shape and size and have a moment to appreciate just how talented and creative the businesses and organizations in the surrounding Fort Point Channel really are. 

World Series Tribute

The Cheshire Cat from Alice in Wonderland

Despicable Me

Who decides which pumpkins win? YOU DO! The public will vote on their favorite pumpkins between 12-3pm today at the Boston Children’s Museum. During the voting time, Friends of Fort Channel will offer face painting, soft pretzels, popcorn, warm cider, and even sugar pumpkins for children to take home this Halloween. 

For our entry, Save the Harbor Staff drew upon inspiration from our very own Larry the Lobster. Along with design help from our Vice President, decorative and creative vision from our Events Coordinator, Sue Woods, and with support from our interns, we were able to come up with a theme and design that really captured the spirit of our organization.

 Events Coordinator, Sue Woods, and Intern, Amy Gaylord, working on our pumpkin

Save the Harbor/Save the Bay's Entry into the Pumpkin Pageant

 

Save the Harbor/Save the Bay had an amazing time working on our entry, and we look forward to participating in next year's Pumpkin Pageant.

Happy Halloween,

Iris Ayala




 

HarborArts 2013

On Saturday, September 21st Save the Harbor attended the 3rd Anniversary Celebration of HarborArts, Inc. commemorating the opening of the first exhibition ever held at the Boston Harbor Shipyard & Marina. It was a beautiful day at the Shipyard, and we were excited to see so many people supporting the community, arts, and East Boston neighborhood.



Setting-Up at HarborArts

The day before the event Edlyn Chavez, our Development Intern, and I set-up a crab trap nearby hoping to catch some sea creatures. On the morning of the event, we set-up our touch tank ready to show off Larry the Lobster and Rock Crabs straight from the Boston Harbor. We were also able to collect Mussels and small Moon Jellyfish. We quickly released the Moon Jellyfish, but I thought it was interesting to see how many we could scoop up with our tiny dip nets.



Showing the Anatomy of a Rock Crab

This was my first time at the HarborArts Festival, and it was a great experience to be a part of such a well organized and successful event led by Matt Pollock of HarborArts. The theme this year was "East Your Art Out", and in the past three years the festival has grown in sponsors, vendors, and participants. There were many vendors from the East Boston Neighborhood and artwork from across the globe. The band, London Bridgez, played live music, and hamburgers were cooking on the grill to satisfy anyone's appetite.


Vendor Tent



Found Art from Animal Shells

Save the Harbor was also able to see many friends new and old at the HarborArts Festival. Rachel Edwards, one our dedicated Board Members, stopped by with her daughter to see Larry and his friends. They enjoyed learning about Larry the Lobster and touching the different animals.

 

We were also able to spend time with our new Development Manager, Ryn Miake-Lye, while she volunteered for HarborArts to help direct traffic and oversee parking.

 

It was a wonderful day to spend time in the East Boston community educating families about the Harbor, working with our Save the Harbor Staff and Board Members, and enjoying the last bit of Summer and welcoming the Fall season.

Until Next Time,
Iris Ayala

South Boston City Point Neighborhood Association End of Summer BBQ

On Saturday, September 7th Save the Harbor attended the South Boston City Point Neighborhood Association's End of Summer BBQ sponsored by Sullivan's of Castle Island and Save the Harbor/Save the Bay in Marine Park. The SBCPNA held the event to celebrate the successful summer in Southie. No end of Summer Celebration would complete without hamburgers, hot dogs, sunshine, and laughter. It felt like summer wasn't quite over.

South Boston City Point Neighborhood Association's End of Summer BBQ

Vice President of Save the Harbor/Save the Bay, Matt Wolfe and I, set-up a touch tank with Larry the Lobster and a smaller lobster friend. Matt showed the families of Southie the anatomy of the lobster, described where Larry lives and what he eats, and even convinced the animal to display his powerful back stroke for the children.

Matt Wolfe, VP of Save the Harbor/Save the Bay, holding Larry the Lobster

Many from the neighborhood gathered to eat, learn, and even paint with help from South Boston's Watercolorist Laurete, Dan McCole. I always enjoy events in Southie, because there is a strong sense of community, and the community is welcoming and willing to offer a helping hand. 

To read more about this event, please follow this link from South Boston Online:
http://www.southbostononline.com/CPNAsummerparty.cfm

Until Next Time,

Iris Ayala

Friends of Wollaston Beach KidsFest

Hello Everyone,

 Setting up our touch tank!

Last weekend I was part of the Friends of Wollaston Beach KidsFest event. Upon arriving to Wollaston Beach I was greeted by Neil McCole who is the head of the Friends of Wollaston Beach group. We set up our touch tank to include Larry the Lobster, a green crab, clams, a razor clam,  hermit crabs, and  periwinkles. By the time we were done setting up the touch tank,  the rest of the beach was over taken by loads of kids.

Tom teaching kids about the marine life in Boston Harbor

Along with our touch tank we helped out with the various of activities that were planned for the event. Activities included: the Football toss, the frisbee toss, and potato sack races.  After each game the winners were called up to the front table to claim their prize.   Music played during the entire KidsFest.

One of the main attractions of the event was the annual duck hunt.  In the ocean were a bunch of rubber ducks that had numbers written on the bottom of them.  Each kid ran into the ocean to grab a duck and then waited for Mr. McCole to call a number.  Once Neil McCole called the lucky number one  little boy ended up winning a Kindle Fire HD tablet.

Winner of the duck hunt

Now came time for the marble hunt in which all the kids were searching Wollaston Beach to find a blue and while marble. If they found one of those precious marbles, they would be entered to win a round trip ticket on Jet Blue to fly any where in the United States.  After that it was time to wrap up for the day.  What better way to end the event than to have a dance party on the beach!

Overall, it was a great event that brought a community of families together.  No better  way to spend aa summer afternoon than by having a big party on the beach.

See ya' next time when I blog about my adventures on Peddocks Island!

Adios,

Davis

Better Beaches Events 8/10-8/11

This past weekend, I was able to attend two Better Beaches Events, Open House at Carson Beach and Family Pride Day in the North End.

We talked about water quality at the Open House with the Department of Conservation and Recreation. We tested the pH balance of three water sources: the ocean water at the beach, bottled water, and the drinking fountain. We found that the ocean water was the most balanced at 7.0, the bottled water at 8.0, and the drinking fountain at 8.5. For animal and plant-life to survive, the pH balance level needs to be within a range of 6.5-8.0. If the water is too base or too acidic, then the water may be harmful to animal and plant life. It was really fun to test the water with the JPAs, and I learned a lot about the water in Boston.

Water Quality Testing with Save the Harbor Staff

At the North End Family Pride Day, we brought a touch tank with an authentic Larry the Lobster. We had to be creative to find a water source, because there was no dock on the water. But with one of our JPAs help, Jennifer, I was able to walk over the rocks down to the water and put enough in the cooler to keep Larry afloat. Our Save the Harbor table was set-up next to the travelling petting zoo, and it was great to see the young children playing with the farm animals. Thanks to the North End Against Drugs we were able to enjoy a bratwurst with peppers and onions during the festivities. We were even able to hear an all-male acapella group. It was a fun event to enjoy with our Save the Harbor Staff.


Save the Harbor Staff at the North End Family Pride Day

Until the next event,

Iris Ayala


North End Family Pride Day!

Hello everyone! This past Sunday, I went to Langone Park for Family Pride Day in the North End. My coworkers brought "Larry The Lobstah" out again for families and children who were interested in seeing him. Family Pride Day was very relaxing yet fun! They had great bands throughout the day that were really talented and lively. There was also great food! I have never been to Langone Park so being there for the first time was really nice. There even was a friendly petting zoo at Langone Park. I saw some adorable bunnies, chicken, birds, pigs, sheep, and a cute little kitten was also there. I had a great time at Langone Park. I would love to come back to Family Pride Day, because there is so much to do there. It was so fun and very inviting.

Enjoy!!!

-Juelle Benjamin

Carson Beach. From Algae to Zumba.

I know this may come as a shock to most of you out there in the blog-o-sphere but despite my loud voice and awesome marine fun facts there is one thing that I have struggled with throughout my life. A hardship that I have tried with no avail to over come for years. I am admitting this now for everyone to read: I can't dance. I know, I know, you're probably asking yourself how this could possibly relate to the Carson Beach Reading Night event that I just attended, so I will get to that.

Some Marbles were Found!

 This evening started out like any other. With our blue polo shirts on, and with smiles on our faces we packed up a cooler of critters and set out to the Carson Beach Reading Night event in South Boston. Upon arrival we set up our Save the Harbor touch tank and we were an immediate hit with the children of South Boston. From playing with the algae in our touch tank to cuddling up to Larry the Lobster, a good time was had by all. Some kids even had to be dragged away by parents in order to move on to the next activity. The highlight of this touch tank was without a doubt when a young boy with awesome dragon face paint on stood front and center and asked me every single question he could think of about the critters in the tank. With his mom standing behind him she said, "Tell STH what you want to be when you grow up". Now most kids at the tender age of four dream about becoming firemen or astronauts or pop stars, but this kid was something special. With a mischievous grin on his face he looked me right in the eye and said "I want to be a Marine Biologist". I can see this young boy in 12 years wearing one of our STH blue polos and inspiring the next generation of Save the Harbor advocates.

Even a Princess Stopped By

As the event picked up a Zumba instructor put on some loud music and the dancing soon began. Kiauna and Myriam, my JPAs, seemed to have the same idea at the same time. Without giving me a moment to think they took me and dragged me to the Zumba dance floor. We tried to blend in the best we could with the rest of the members on the dance floor to no avail, as we stood at least two feet taller than the 20 or so children of South Boston partaking in the festivities. In no time the three of us, in our matching blue polos, looked as if we could have been the back up dancers in Beyonce's World Tour. Okay, maybe that was an exaggeration but it felt good representing STH at this event, whether it was joining in the dancing class, or at the touch tank, the STH team was definitely a positive force to be reckoned with at the Carson Beach Reading Night.

ZUMBA!

 And as always- take chances, ask questions, get messy!- Sarah B

Family Night at Carson Beach

On Thursday Night, Save the Harbor/Save the Bay participated in Family Fun Night at Carson Beach. This event was ran by the South Boston Neighborhood House. As a participant in the event, STH/STB brought a touch tank to show some of our many underwater creatures which have been locally caught at one of our sites. In the touch tank, we had Larry the Lobster, green crabs, spider crabs, red rock crabs, and a few sea stars.

A sample of our touch tank

 When we arrived at Carson Beach, the event was already in full swing! There were lots of activities for families to do. Activities ranged from Zumba dancing and face painting to seeing our awesome touch tank and learning about the marine life that live in Boston Harbor.

Here I am with one of the brave kids who wanted to hold Larry.

After our touch tank was set up, the groups of kids and adults were excited to see what Save the Harbor had in their touch tanks. All the kids were happy to see the crabs and the sea stars. Most of the kids even volunteered to hold them. When we showed kids Larry the Lobster we saw various reactions. Some of the kids would run away scared, some would walk slowly up to Larry to touch his shell, then we had the kids who were so excited that they wanted to hold Larry.

We always told the kids and adults that Larry's claws were banded.  Larry couldn't use his claws, so they would not get hurt. The best part of the event was seeing how happy the kids were and watch how they kept wanting to learn more about the marine life in our tank.

Here is one of the many excited kids we saw throughout the event.

Adios,

Davis 

Kids Event and Concert at Lynn/Nahant Beach

On Saturday, July 27th Senior Marine Educator, Tom Rebula, and I attended the Friends of Lynn and Nahant Beach Kids Event and Concert. We set-up a touch tank in the marine animals section, and we were joined by the Nahant Marine Center. They had several touch tanks available including Green, Spider, and Jonah Crabs, Starfish, Mussels, Quahogs, and a Blue Lobster. Equipped with our wild caught North Atlantic lobster brothers, Larry and Harry, Tom and I introduced them to the families that crowded our tables.

We showed the kids and their parents the lobster's dominant crusher claw, its antennae, how to identify whether it is a male or female, where the animal lives, and what it eats. Some of the kids even touched the tail of the lobster and were splashed as Larry tried to swim underneath the seaweed and back into the cold salt water.

Many of the children who visited the Marine Animals tent had their faces painted as Batman, Wolverine, Hello Kitty, and with rainbows. There also was a balloon booth, a snack booth with cotton candy and popcorn, and a kids concert to conclude the activities. 

This was my first time visiting Lynn/Nahant Beach and Red Rock Park. It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon, and I really appreciated how clean the beaches were. I hope to swim in the waters of that beach soon!

Stay Sandy,

Iris Ayala

Staying Cool and Sandy at Revere Beach

 On the last day (fingers crossed!) of this oh-so-lovely heat wave, the International Sand Sculpting Festival at Revere Beach was bustling with people of all ages, food trucks for all cuisines imaginable, and amazing sand art. Oh! AND Larry and Larrietta the Lobsters, of course! Save the Harbor/Save the Bay was stationed at the Interactive Kid Zone where several of our summer staffers were on hand to introduce curious kids to Larry and Larrietta, our two lobsters graciously donated by James Hook Lobsters. Many of the kids were hesitant at first, but after the initial, cautious prod at the lobster’s carapace, they immediately decided they wanted more and were eager to pick it up and pose for photos. From determining the gender of a lobster to guessing the location of a lobster’s teeth (they’re in its stomach! Whaaa?!?), our educators were able to teach kids and their adults lots of fun and important facts about lobsters and the Boston Harbor.

The youngest fan of Larrietta had to be dragged away
by her mother after spending well over half an hour at our table. 

Hung and Myriam talk lobsters with a crowd. 

The festival itself was a great time and I’m very happy that Save the Harbor was a part of it. In some of our down time we were able to roam the Kids Tent and check out the other tables (Museum of Science, Because Water, MWRA, DCR, etc.) And, we toured the sand sculpture exhibit, which was incredible. The amount of detail in every inch of each sculpture was so impressive. It was great to see so many people participating in this beach-focused event (we even ran into a few of our Harbor Explorer kids!) and the interest we saw from visitors to our table really shows that Bostonians are invested in and curious about the state of their harbor and beaches.

My personal favorite. 

Yeah we do! 

Until next time,

Go build a sand castle,

Sarah C 

Rain, Rain Go Away!

At Save the Harbor we love sunny days, rainy days, foggy days, even windy days, but - enough is enough!
It has been raining for more than a week here on Boston Harbor - and we simply want it to stop.

One reason we prefer dry weather, is
that even a small summer rain can close a beach.

Still, rain didn't stop our team of Senior Marine Educators from visiting sites from Charlestown to Quincy, including Community Boatng, Courageous Sailing Center, Black's Creek in Quincy and Camp Harbor View.

We were lucky to have a celebrity join us again this year. Larry the Lobster did a cameo appearance at our program site at Camp Harbor View - and we hope to see his friends and relatives in our traps this summer.

Larry the Lobster joined us briefly at Cam Harbor View

It usually rains one out of three days here on Boston Harbor during a typical summer. The rainy weather is expected to continue for a few more days. By my calculations, the next month should be dry and sunny. Hope to see you on the Harbor soon

All the best,

Bruce

Larry the Lobster at Camp Harbor View

On Thursday Andrew and Will - our "Lobster Guys" previewed our new "Beach Combers" program for the staff at  at Camp Harbor View on Long Island. 

 

 Larry the 10 Lb Lobster was a big hit!

Lobster is a valuable species in Massachusetts, worth more than $300 million in 2011. 

 

There was a lot of interest in what would happen to Larry
following his brief guest appearance at Camp Harbor View. 

To our delight, he made on final appearance at our staff meeting at the Bank of America Pavilion, where he was extremely well received - and received rave reviews!

While we will certainly miss Larry, parts of him will be with us forever!

,We are all  looking forward to spending more time with him and his crustacean cousins this summer at Camp Harbor View and elsewhere around Boston Harbor.

See you on Boston Harbor!

Your BayWatcher, Bruce Berman

Kicking Off the Summer on Constitution Beach!

This last Monday, the East Boston YMCA got the summer rolling on Constitution Beach with their YMCA Summer Kick Off! It was a bright sunny day with a cool breeze and tons of beach games. On one side of the beach there was sand hockey and soccer matches kicking up sand and laughter.  And on the other, there was sand castle building, bean bag tosses, and frisbee golf. There was even an intense kids against staff tug-of-war! By the end of the day the score was undoubtedly kids 3-0.

In addition to all the fun games there was a special friend who joined in on the fun in the sun, his name was Larry the Lobster! He greeted everyone who walked by and even let the kids hold him. 


To finish the day off with a bang there was a giant flash mob! Everyone on the beach joined in and danced together to many different songs that included the cupid shuffle and the infamous YMCA song. It was a cool sight to see and a wonderful way to celebrate our beautiful clean beaches!

This is the first of many Better Beaches events that Save the Harbor has helped to fund this summer, and we know that our friends at the Y have given us an amazing preview of the exciting summer ahead on all of our beaches. I'm so excited to attend all the other beach parties, concerts, campfires, and sandsculpting competitions from Nahant to Nantasket this year, and I hope you are too!

See you out on the Harbor this summer! 


Liz Allen
~Events/Communications Intern

Good Weather. Good Fun. Great Day!

Today, the amazing staff and I were invited to enjoy a beautiful day on Constituion Beach in East Boston. We were invited by the East Boston YMCA to their Summer kick off event. It was an excellent day to hold the event due to the weather since it was not too hot and not too cold. There were tons of activites on the beach for kids. We were able to be one of the numerous activities for the kids to enjoy during their day on the beach.

The Save the Harbor team had our friend Larry the lobster with us today, so that he could say hello to all the kids in East Boston. Some kids were afraid to even get close to him while others were completely fearless. The fearless children held Larry the lobster by his back in order to make sure they did not get pinched. Even though Larry may seem nice at times, I noticed that he could be a little be fiesty if you get too close to his claws or provoke him. However, today Larry did not pinch or hurt anyone and one of our staff members noticed he was missing a leg. He probably did not want to lose another leg, so I guess that is why he did not pinch anyone.

Overall, today at Constitution Beach with the East Boston YMCA was a great day that Save the Harbor enjoyed contributing to. The Flash Mob dance was definitely fun to participate in and watch. Also, tug of war was very interesting and exciting even though my side lost. That was fine with me though because the kids were very happy to beat people that were bigger than them. I had an amazing day in East Boston and cannot wait to go back there when Save the Harbor's summer programming officially starts.